Ambulatory medication on demand dispenser
First Claim
1. A medication dispenser for dispensing medications on a prn as-needed basis, the medication dispenser comprising:
- a sensor for receiving biometric information from a user;
a memory device for storing a prescribed minimum dosing interval between successive medication doses;
a belt and a plurality of medication-carrying slots on an exterior-facing surface of the belt;
a dose opening defined in an exterior surface of the medication dispenser;
a signaling device;
when the prescribed minimum dosing interval has elapsed, a controller for activating the signaling device and the sensor to an active state, the signaling device in the active state for advising the user the minimum dosing interval has elapsed, the sensor in the active state for receiving biometric information from the user, the signaling device and the sensor remaining in the active state until at least the user has been determined to be an authorized user;
the controller further responsive to the biometric information for determining whether the user is an authorized user;
upon determining the user to be an authorized user, the controller further for controlling the belt to allow manual or automatic movement of the belt to align a medication-carrying slot with the dose opening, the medication-carrying slot remaining aligned with the dose opening until withdrawn by the user; and
to determine whether the prescribed minimum dosing interval has elapsed, the controller further for comparing the prescribed minimum dosing interval with a time interval beginning at an immediately prior withdrawal of a dose from the dose opening and ending at a later time when an authorized user needs a dose and therefore withdraws a dose from the dose opening, the interval between successive doses thus comprising an interval of variable length as dependent on an authorized user'"'"'s need for a dose, the interval between successive doses thus not having a fixed or a predetermined length.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A medication dispenser. The dispenser comprises a sensor for receiving biometric information from a user, a memory for storing a minimum dosing interval, a controller for determining whether the user is an authorized user, a belt having medication-carrying slots, a dose opening defined in an exterior surface of the dispenser, and a signaling device. The controller activates the signaling device and the sensor only when the minimum dosing interval has elapsed as measured from a last successful user authentication. The sensor is responsive to user biometric information provided any time after activation of the signaling device and the sensor, but not before activation of the signaling device and the sensor. After determining the use is an authorized user, a medication-carrying slot is aligned with the dose opening.
36 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A medication dispenser for dispensing medications on a prn as-needed basis, the medication dispenser comprising:
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a sensor for receiving biometric information from a user; a memory device for storing a prescribed minimum dosing interval between successive medication doses; a belt and a plurality of medication-carrying slots on an exterior-facing surface of the belt; a dose opening defined in an exterior surface of the medication dispenser; a signaling device; when the prescribed minimum dosing interval has elapsed, a controller for activating the signaling device and the sensor to an active state, the signaling device in the active state for advising the user the minimum dosing interval has elapsed, the sensor in the active state for receiving biometric information from the user, the signaling device and the sensor remaining in the active state until at least the user has been determined to be an authorized user; the controller further responsive to the biometric information for determining whether the user is an authorized user; upon determining the user to be an authorized user, the controller further for controlling the belt to allow manual or automatic movement of the belt to align a medication-carrying slot with the dose opening, the medication-carrying slot remaining aligned with the dose opening until withdrawn by the user; and to determine whether the prescribed minimum dosing interval has elapsed, the controller further for comparing the prescribed minimum dosing interval with a time interval beginning at an immediately prior withdrawal of a dose from the dose opening and ending at a later time when an authorized user needs a dose and therefore withdraws a dose from the dose opening, the interval between successive doses thus comprising an interval of variable length as dependent on an authorized user'"'"'s need for a dose, the interval between successive doses thus not having a fixed or a predetermined length. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A medication dispenser for dispensing medications on a prn as-needed basis, the medication dispenser comprising:
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a medication component for carrying medication doses within slots formed in a movable belt spanning a distance between a first and a second spindle, the belt movable to present a medication dose at a dose opening defined in a housing of the medication component; a biometric sensor for receiving biometric information from the user; a signaling device; an electronic component comprising a controller for unlocking the belt to permit manual operation of the belt by the user to align a medication-carrying slot with the dose opening; if the prescribed minimum dosing interval has elapsed, the controller for activating the signaling device and the sensor to an active state, the signaling device in the active state for alerting the user the minimum dosing interval has elapsed, the sensor in the active state for receiving biometric information from the user, the signaling device and the sensor remaining in the active state until the user has been determined to be an authorized user; the controller further responsive to the biometric information for determining whether the user is an authorized user; upon determining the user to be an authorized user, the controller further for unlocking the belt to allow manual movement of the belt to align a medication-carrying slot with the dose opening, the medication-carrying slot remaining aligned with the dose opening until withdrawn by the user; and to determine whether the prescribed minimum dosing interval has elapsed, the controller further for comparing the prescribed minimum dosing interval with a time interval beginning at an immediately prior withdrawal of a dose from the dose opening and ending at a later time when an authorized user needs a dose and therefore withdraws a dose from the dose opening, the interval between successive doses thus comprising an interval of variable length as dependent on an authorized user'"'"'s need for a dose, the interval between successive doses thus not having a fixed or a predetermined length.
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14. A method for dispensing a medication dose prescribed on a prn as-needed basis, the method comprising:
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storing a prescribed minimum dosing interval between successive medication doses; activating to an active state a signaling device and a biometric sensor only when the prescribed minimum dosing interval has elapsed, the signaling device and the sensor remaining in the active state until the user has been determined to be an authorized user; the sensor for receiving biometric information from the user any time after activation of the signaling device and the sensor, but not before activating the signaling device and the sensor; responsive to the biometric information, authenticating the user as an authorized user of a medication dispenser; upon determining the user to be an authorized user, controlling a continuous belt having a plurality of medication-carrying slots defined on an exterior-facing surface of the belt to present a medication dose at a dose opening defined in an exterior surface of the medication dispenser, the medication dose remaining at the dose opening until withdrawn by the user; for determining whether the prescribed minimum dosing interval has elapsed, comparing the prescribed minimum dosing interval with a time interval beginning at an immediately prior withdrawal of a dose from the dose opening and ending at a later time when an authorized user needs a dose and therefore withdraws a dose from the dose opening, the interval between successive doses thus comprising an interval of variable length as dependent on an authorized user'"'"'s need for a dose, the interval between successive doses thus not having a fixed or a predetermined length; and redetermining when the next minimum dosing interval will elapse after each successful authentication of the user.
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Specification