Method for facilitating compliance with medication regimen

• US 8,081,064 B1
• Filed: 02/28/2007
• Issued: 12/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anthony Vallone
• Original Assignee: Anthony Vallone
• Inventors: Vallone, Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US11/712,357
• Time in Patent Office: 1,756 Days
• Field of Search: 340/309.16, 340/573.1, 340/531, 340/309.15, 340/309.4, 340/309.04, 340/309.7, 607/30, 607/32, 705/2, 705/3, 221/1, 221/2, 368/10, 600/300, 600/301, 704/260, 455/404.1
• US Class Current: 340/309.4
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/30 Compliance analysis for taking medication
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/50 using icons or symbolic figures, e.g. by a graphical representation symbolising the type of pathology or the organ by an image
• 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 7/0445 for preventing drug dispensing during a predetermined time period
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis

Abstract

A device and method for facilitating compliance with a medication regimen may incorporate an icon set that illustrates concepts relating to the medication regimen in a pictographic form that is easily recognized and comprehended. The device is programmed with medication instructions, and generates medication reminders for the medication instructions by displaying icons from the icon set. The device may additionally display text, play audio, vibrate, send text messages to other devices, etc. The device may accept input from the individual and/or caregiver regarding the medication instructions or the medication events. The device may also contain the medication, control access and dosing of the medication, and administer the medication to the individual. The device may also communicate information regarding the medication regimen to the caregiver, such as prescription renewal requests. This device and method may improve the accuracy and thoroughness of compliance and communication regarding the medication regimen.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating compliance with a medication regimen comprising at least one medication instruction formulated by a caregiver for an individual, comprising:

programming the at least one medication instruction into a medication device configured to store the at least one medication instruction and at least one template of at least one type of at least one data record and to generate a medication reminder message by displaying icons from a medication regimen icon set that together depict the medication instruction by;

selecting a template based on the type of the medication instruction, and

displaying a unit box comprising an arrangement of icons selected from the medication regimen icon set and positioned according to the template; and

providing the medication device to the individual.

2. The method of claim 1, where the programming is performed by the individual.

3. The method of claim 1, where the programming is performed by the caregiver.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

annotating the medication instruction with at least one medication instruction annotation.

5. The method of claim 4, where the medication instruction annotating is performed by the individual.

6. The method of claim 4, where the medication instruction annotating is performed by the caregiver.

7. The method of claim 1, where the medication device further features a medication chamber configured to contain a medication dose corresponding to the medication instruction, and the method further comprising:

loading the medication chamber with the medication dose.

8. The method of claim 7, where the loading is performed by the individual.

9. The method of claim 7, where the loading is performed by the caregiver.

10. The method of claim 9, where the medication device further features a controllable medication chamber lock, and where the medication device limits access to the medication dose according to the medication instruction.

11. The method of claim 7, where the medication device further features a medication administering component, and the method comprising:

administering the medication dose to the individual in accordance with the medication instruction via the medication administering component.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

annotating the medication event corresponding to the medication instruction with at least one medication event annotation.

13. The method of claim 12, where medication event annotating is performed by the individual.

14. The method of claim 12, where the medication event annotating is performed by the caregiver.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving from the medication device a medication data set that pertains to the medication instruction.

16. The method of claim 15, where the medication data set includes at least one medication instruction.

17. The method of claim 15, where the medication data set includes at least one medication instruction annotation.

18. The method of claim 15, where the medication data set includes at least one medication prescription refill message.

19. The method of claim 15, where the medication data set includes at least one medication instruction compliance message.