Medication compliance device

• US 7,158,011 B2
• Filed: 02/16/2004
• Issued: 01/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vesta L. Brue
• Original Assignee: Vesta L. Brue
• Inventors: Brue, Vesta L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US10/545,382
• Publication Number:
  US 20060139150A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,051 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 340/309.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0418 with electronic history memory
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0454 for dispensing of multiple drugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A portable medication compliance device (10) having a body (12) and compartments (22) formed in the body. A microprocessor (120) is disposed in the body (12) and is coupled to each of the compartments (22). The microprocessor (120) is programmable to determine relative time intervals for dispensing medication from each of the compartments, to notify the user when a dose of medication is to be taken from each of the compartments, and to record the opening of each of the compartments in a memory. Programming buttons (24) are positioned proximate the body and are coupled to the microprocessor (120). The programming buttons (24) enable a user to program the microprocessor. The device may also be programmed via a remote computer through communication means (47A). A display means (16) such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) is positioned on the body and is coupled to the microprocessor (120). The LCD (16) displays data including the relative time intervals for dispensing medication determined by the microprocessor (120).

Claims

1. A portable medication compliance device, comprising:

a body adapted to be transported by a user;

a plurality of compartments formed in said body adapted to receive a type of medication, and each of said compartments having a lid operatively coupled thereto;

a memory disposed in said body;

at least one display means disposed on said body;

a microprocessor disposed in said body and operatively coupled to said memory, each of said compartments and said display, said microprocessor programmable to determine time for dispensing medication from each of said compartments, to notify the user when a dose of medication is to be taken from each of said compartments, and to record the opening of each of said compartments in said memory;

one or more programming buttons disposed proximate said body and operatively coupled to the microprocessor, said programming buttons adapted to enable the user to program said microprocessor;

wherein said microprocessor is programmable to determine the relative time interval to take a type of medication; and

wherein said relative time interval for a type of medication is calculated based on the dose frequency selected by a user via said programming buttons; and

wherein opening of medication compartment resets the relative time interval.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising output means for a signaling device to alert a user of the time to take a type of medication, said output means operatively coupled to and activated by said microprocessor when said relative time interval to take a particular medication expires.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a communication port operative to enable the uploading of compliance medication data from said memory to a remote device, said communication port disposed proximate said body and operatively coupled to said microprocessor.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a communication port to enable downloading information from the remote device to the microprocessor and memory coupled thereto, said communications port disposed proximate said body and operatively coupled to said microprocessor.

5. The device of claim 2, further comprising a communication port operative to enable the uploading of compliance medication data from said memory to a remote device, said communication port disposed proximate said body and operatively coupled to said microprocessor.

6. The device of claim 2, further comprising a communication port to enable downloading information from the remote device to the microprocessor and memory coupled thereto, said communication port disposed proximate said body and operatively coupled to said microprocessor.

7. The device of claims 1 or 2, wherein said display means is an LCD display and further comprising a plurality of LCD displays for displaying information for individual medication compartment, each of said LCD display disposed proximate each of said medication compartments.

8. The device of claim 3 or 4 wherein said display means is an LCD display and further comprising a plurality of LCD displays for displaying information for individual medication compartment, each of said LCD display disposed proximate each of said medication compartments.

9. The device of claim 5 or 6, where in said display means is an LCD display and further comprising a plurality of LCD displays for displaying information for individual medication compartment, each of said LCD display disposed proximate each of said medication compartments.

10. The device of claims 1 or 2, further comprising a compartment button disposed adjacent one or more of said medication compartments, said compartment buttons operatively responsive to differential mode of activation by a user.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said differential modes are activated by the user by the number of times the button is pressed by the user, the amount of time the button is depressed, or the time period in which multiple pressings is accomplished.

12. The device of claim 3, further comprising a compartment button disposed adjacent one of said medication compartments, said compartment buttons operatively responsive to differential modes of activation by a user.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said differential modes are activated by the user by the number of times the button is pressed by the user, the amount of time the button is depressed, or the time period in which multiple pressings is accomplished.

14. The device of claim 4, further comprising a compartment button disposed adjacent one of said medication compartments, said compartment buttons operatively responsive to differential modes of activation by a user.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein said differential modes are activated by the user by the number of times the button is pressed by the user, the amount of time the button is depressed, or the time period in which multiple pressings is accomplished.

16. The device of claim 5, wherein each of said compartment buttons is disposed adjacent one of said medication compartments, said compartment buttons operatively responsive to differential modes of activation by a user.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein said differential modes are activated by the user by the number of times the button is pressed by the user, the amount of time the button is depressed, or the time period in which multiple pressings is accomplished.

18. The device of claim 6, further comprising a component button disposed adjacent tone of said medication compartments, said compartment buttons operatively responsive to differential mode of activation by a user.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein said differential modes are activated by the user by the number of times the button is pressed by the user, the amount of time the button is depressed, or the time period in which multiple pressings is accomplished.

20. The device of claim 7, further comprising a compartment button disposed adjacent one of said medication compartments, said compartment buttons operatively responsive to differential modes of activation by a user.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein said differential modes are activated by the user by the number of times the button is pressed by the user, the amount of time the button is depressed, or the time period in which multiple pressings is accomplished.