Devices, systems and methods for point-of-use medication control

• US 7,885,725 B2
• Filed: 01/04/2007
• Issued: 02/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lawrence A. Dunn
• Original Assignee: Lawrence A. Dunn
• Inventors: Dunn, Lawrence A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Waggoner; Timothy R
• Application Number:
  US11/649,471
• Publication Number:
  US 20070156282A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,496 Days
• Field of Search: 700/236, 700/237, 700/241, 700/244
• US Class Current: 700/237
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/02 Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus alarms or warning devices indicating the interruption of flow to be metered G07F15/10
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

Devices and systems for controlling the dispensing of medication and methods for using the devices and systems are provided. The system can include a dispenser device capable of holding and delivering at least one medication. A controller can be operatively connected to the dispenser. The controller can automatically operate the dispenser for movement to a dispensing position at a predetermined time. An electronic communication device for connecting the system to a remote facility can be provided. An identification verification device for restricting access to the system can be in communication with the controller of the system. A location determination device for determining the location of the system can also be provided.

Claims

1. A method for controlling dispensing of medication, the method comprising:

(a) holding at least one medication within a dispenser;

(b) alerting a patient that a dose of medication is to be taken or an optional dose of medication is available to be taken;

(c) confirming identification of the patient;

(d) dispensing a dose of medication for the patient;

(e) confirming removal of medication from the dispenser; and

(f) providing a location determination device with the dispenser to permit locating the dispenser; and

(g) disabling functionality of the dispenser based upon a predetermined criteria using at least one of;

a breath sensor for determining a breath alcohol level and the predetermined criteria comprises a maximum breath alcohol level;

or

an interactive cognitive test and the predetermined criteria comprises a minimum cognitive level.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising locating the dispenser via the location determination device upon notification of misplacement of the dispenser.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising communicating information between the dispenser and a remote location about dispensing of the medication.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the step of communicating information between the dispenser and the remote location comprises connecting to an Internet Service Provider via a wireless modem.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the remote location comprises a central data store and the step of communicating information between the dispenser and the remote location comprises reporting status of the dispenser to the central data store.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of communicating information between the dispenser and the remote location comprises the dispenser accepting new dispensing instructions from the central data store.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of communicating information between the dispenser and the remote location comprises providing secure access to the stored information and instructions on the central data store to appropriate doctors and pharmacies via an internet service provider.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of alerting a patient that a dose of medication is to be taken or an optional dose of medication is available to be taken comprises emitting at least one of an audio or visual signal indicating that the dose of medication is ready to be taken.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of instructing the dispenser that the signal has been received through a response mechanism actuatable by the patient.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of confirming identification of the patient comprises verifying the identity of the patient through a biometric identification fingerprint system.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of instructing the dispenser to transmit an emergency message to an appropriate emergency response facility upon actuation of emergency assistance mechanism.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein dispensing a dose of medication for the patient comprises dispensing a dose of medication from a dispenser device, the dispenser device comprising:

(i) a sealable pill magazine;

(ii) a dispensing well in communication with the pill magazine, the dispensing well have an opening therein;

(iii) a shutter movably positionable over the opening of the dispensing well to securely close the dispensing well; and

(iv) a vacuum mechanism configured to enter through the opening of the dispensing well.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising moving the shutter between an open position in which access through the opening of the dispensing well is permitted and a closed position in which the opening of the dispensing well is closed.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising vibrating a vibrator positioned against the pill magazine.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the pill magazine comprises a slanted base surface wall that extends into the dispensing well and against which the vibrator resides.

16. The method according to claim 13, further comprising moving the shutter between the open position and the closed position through the use of a motor.

17. The method according to claim 13, further comprising inserting the vacuum mechanism into the dispensing well and picking up at least one unit of medication with the vacuum mechanism from the dispensing well when the shutter is in the open position.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising removing the vacuum mechanism from the dispensing well and releasing the at least one unit of medication from the vacuum mechanism so that the unit of medication comes to reside in a removal position that is accessible by a user.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising moving the shutter to a closed position after the requisite units of the medication have been removed by the vacuum mechanism from the dispensing well.

20. The method according to claim 12, wherein the shutter comprises a slanted surface onto which a unit of medication can be released by the vacuum mechanism.

21. The method according to claim 12, wherein the vacuum mechanism comprises a vacuum pickup with a vacuum cup disposed thereon.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the vacuum pickup comprises an optical detector disposed thereon.

23. The method according to claim 21, wherein the vacuum mechanism further comprises a vacuum pump and a vacuum tube, the vacuum tube being operably secured to the vacuum pump on a first end and being operably secured to the vacuum pickup on a second end.

24. The method according to claim 21, wherein the vacuum mechanism further comprises a vacuum sensor in communication with the vacuum pickup.

25. The method according to claim 12, wherein the pill magazine further comprises a fill door that can be opened to permit filling of the pill magazine and closed to deny access into the pill magazine therethrough and a tamper switch in communication with the fill door.

26. The method according to claim 12, further comprising an optical detector in communication with the dispensing well.

27. The method according to claim 12, further comprising a tilt sensor disposed within the outer housing.