Apparatus, system, and method for a medication access control device

• US 7,108,153 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2004
• Issued: 09/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dose Control, LLC
• Original Assignee: Brad Wood
• Inventors: Wood, Brad
• Primary Examiner(s): Crawford, Gene O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WAGGONER, TIMOTHY R
• Application Number:
  US10/763,132
• Publication Number:
  US 20050178779A1
• Time in Patent Office: 971 Days
• Field of Search: 221/3, 221/7, 221/5, 221/2, 221/88, 221/25, 221/26, 221/15, 221/30, 221/69, 221/87, 368/10, 700/242
• US Class Current: 221/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0076 Medicament distribution means with pill counting devices A61J7/02; with time indication A61J7/04; containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents B65D83/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0436 resulting from removing a drug from, or opening, a container
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0445 for preventing drug dispensing during a predetermined time period
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00

Abstract

A medication access control device having a high-strength, high-impact cover and base that allows manual advancing and actuated dispensing of tablets, capsules, or pills of virtually all sizes from a medication cartridge, having penetrable seals, through a dispensing hole located at the base of the device housing. The medication cartridge rests on a cartridge driver rotatably connected to the bottom half of the device housing. A battery powers a timing device and solenoid to draw a locking lug from steps on the cartridge driver. A spring advances a lug lock to hold the locking lug open until the medication cartridge is rotated. As the medication cartridge is rotated a cartridge device tooth advances a trigger, which releases the locking lug and locks the cartridge driver from rotating. A rewind protection lock prevents the cartridge driver from rotating backwards. A switch resets the timer as the cartridge driver is rotated. A tamper proof locking device prevents access to medications housed in the device other than through normal dispensing.

Claims

1. A medication access control device, comprising:

a housing having a base and a cover;

a medication cartridge, having a rotational member and plurality of dispensing holes;

a manual actuator including a threaded head for locking the actuator in an expel position;

a locking lug configured to prevent the rotational member from rotating; and

a rewind protection member configured to prevent the rotational member from rotating in reverse.

2. The medication access control device of claim 1, wherein the dispensing holes are housed in a penetrable seal that is located on both a top and bottom side of the dispensing holes.

3. The medication access control device of claim 1, wherein the actuator acts as a lock when medication has been expelled.

4. The medication access control device of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a window for viewing the medication cartridge and a window for displaying the device status.

5. The medication access control device of claim 1, wherein the housing is made of a rigid material.

6. The medication access control device of claim 1, further comprising a handle that passes through the cover of the housing.

7. The medication access control device of claim 1, wherein the base and a cover are sealed together to prevent opening thereof.

8. The medication access control device of claim 1, wherein said housing is coupled together with a hinge and locked with a locking device.

9. The medication access control device of claim 1, wherein said medication cartridge can be removed and replaced.

10. The medication access control device of claim 1, wherein said rotational member can be removed and replaced by one other than the user to correspond to the dosage requirements of die medication cartridge.

11. A medication dispensing device, comprising:

a battery;

a countdown timer, electrically coupled to the battery;

a solenoid, electrically coupled to the timer and the battery;

a locking lug connected to said solenoid;

a lug lock for holding the locking lug in a retracted position;

a spring that advances the lug lock into a locking lug hold;

a trigger for releasing the lug lock from the locking lug; and

a rewind protection member configured to prevent a rotational member from rotating in reverse.

12. The medication access control device of claim 11, wherein said solenoid retracts said locking lug from said rotational member.

13. The medication access control device of claim 11, wherein a tooth from the rotational member actuates the trigger to release the lug lock from the locking lug.

14. The medication access control device of claim 11, wherein the medication access control device can have the timer reprogrammed.