Medication package and method
First Claim
1. A medication package comprising:
- a. a blister pack having a first layer and a second layer, said first layer having a plurality of bubble chambers formed therein each adapted to receive a dose of medication, said second layer formed of a conductive frangible material, said second layer disposed adjacent said first layer and covering said plurality of bubble chambers such that said dose is removable from a bubble chamber by forcing said dose through said second layer;
b. a circuit board having a first side adjacent said second layer, said first side having conductive dose removal traces, said conductive dose removal traces located adjacent said second layer in alignment with at least one of said plurality of bubble chambers, said conductive dose removal traces being a pair of separate dose removal traces associated with said at least one of said plurality of bubble chambers; and
c. a CPU operably associated with said pair of separate dose removal traces, said CPU monitoring said pair of separate dose removal traces, and said CPU recording a dose removal event responsive to detecting a continuity between said pair of separate dose removal traces, said continuity resulting from said dose being removed through said second layer of said blister pack causing said second layer to contact both of said pair of separate dose removal traces such that said continuity results.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A child resistant medication package and associated system can enable compliance and anti-diversion features. The medication package can include a timing reminder, can detect and record a compliance history of each dose of medication, and can include anti-tamper capabilities to ensure doses are removed in the intended fashion. The medication package can have the capability to exchange data with other devices, including personal computers. The associated system can include a central database that receives data from the medication package, and provides for the transmission of data between various system locations, including not only the individual medication package, but also, for example, drug manufacturers, pharmacies, physician offices, law enforcement agencies, and a database managing agency.
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Citations
50 Claims
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1. A medication package comprising:
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a. a blister pack having a first layer and a second layer, said first layer having a plurality of bubble chambers formed therein each adapted to receive a dose of medication, said second layer formed of a conductive frangible material, said second layer disposed adjacent said first layer and covering said plurality of bubble chambers such that said dose is removable from a bubble chamber by forcing said dose through said second layer; b. a circuit board having a first side adjacent said second layer, said first side having conductive dose removal traces, said conductive dose removal traces located adjacent said second layer in alignment with at least one of said plurality of bubble chambers, said conductive dose removal traces being a pair of separate dose removal traces associated with said at least one of said plurality of bubble chambers; and c. a CPU operably associated with said pair of separate dose removal traces, said CPU monitoring said pair of separate dose removal traces, and said CPU recording a dose removal event responsive to detecting a continuity between said pair of separate dose removal traces, said continuity resulting from said dose being removed through said second layer of said blister pack causing said second layer to contact both of said pair of separate dose removal traces such that said continuity results. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A medication package comprising:
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a. a blister pack having a first layer and a second layer, said first layer having a plurality of bubble chambers formed therein each adapted to receive a dose of medication, said second layer formed of a conductive frangible material, said second layer disposed adjacent said first layer and covering said plurality of bubble chambers such that said dose is removable from a bubble chamber by forcing said dose through said second layer; b. a circuit board having a first side and a second side, each of said first and second sides having conductive traces, said blister pack disposed between said first and second sides with said first side adjacent said first layer and said second side adjacent said second layer, said conductive traces located on each of said first and second sides in alignment with at least one of said plurality of bubble chambers; c. said conductive traces on said first side of said circuit board being tamper proof traces, and said conductive traces on said second side of said circuit board being dose removal traces, said dose removal traces being a pair of separate dose removal traces associated with said at least one of said plurality of bubble chambers; d. a CPU operably associated with each of said tamper proof and said pair of separate dose removal traces, said CPU monitoring each of said tamper proof traces and said pair of separate dose removal traces to detect at least one of a break in said tamper proof traces and a continuity in said pair of separate dose removal traces, said CPU recording said breaks and said continuities; e. said break being an indicator of an attempt to remove said dose in an improper manner; and f. said continuity resulting from said dose being removed through said second layer of said blister pack causing said second layer to contact both of said separate dose removal traces such that said continuity results. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A method of recording at least one of proper and improper removal of a dose of medication from a medication package containing a blister pack, said blister pack having a first layer in which is formed a plurality of bubble chambers, each containing said dose of medication, and a second layer formed of a conductive frangible material covering said bubble chambers, a proper removal of said dose accomplished by pressing said dose through said conductive frangible material, and removal of said dose in any other manner being an improper removal, said medication package recording events indicative of said proper and improper removals of said dose, said method comprising:
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a. enclosing at least a portion of said blister pack in a circuit board member having first and second sides, said first side adjacent said first layer of said blister pack and said second side adjacent said second layer thereof; b. providing perforated openings in said first and second sides, said perforated openings aligned with said plurality of individual doses of medication; c. disposing a continuous conductive tamper proof trace on at least each of said perforated openings in said first side adjacent said first layer of said blister pack such that a break in said conductive tamper proof trace results in a detectable event; d. disposing a pair of separate conductive dose removal traces on each of said perforated openings in said second side adjacent said conductive frangible material of said blister pack such that removal of a dose through said frangible material creates a continuity between said pair of separate dose removal traces which is detectable; e. monitoring and recording events indicating at least one of said proper and improper dose removals; f. wherein a break in said tamper proof traces is an indicator of said improper dose removal; g. wherein a continuity between said pair of separate conductive dose removal traces is an indicator of said proper dose removal; and h. at least conveying data indicative of at least one of said proper and improper dose removal events from said medication package to an external device for analysis. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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Specification