Systems, methods, and apparatuses for securely dispensing one or more prescribed substances to a securely identified intended user

• US 9,953,140 B2
• Filed: 03/17/2014
• Issued: 04/24/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intent Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intent Solutions, Inc.
• Inventors: McLean, Martin Lord, Crisco, Larry Van Thomas, Hancock, Ashley Brian, Strane, Patrick William, McJunkin, Mark Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Pauls, John A
• Application Number:
  US14/215,837
• Publication Number:
  US 20140278510A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,499 Days
• Field of Search: 206528, 700237, 700242, 455 411, 340540
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/30 Compliance analysis for taking medication
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/70 Device provided with specific sensor or indicating means
• 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 7/02 Pill counting devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/04 Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0436 resulting from removing a drug from, or opening, a container
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0445 for preventing drug dispensing during a predetermined time period
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for securely dispensing one or more prescribed substances at a given time and/or date are disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, a pill dispensing device may include a generally tamper-proof portable housing. A replaceable cartridge may be configured to be removably disposed within the portable housing. The replaceable cartridge also may be generally tamper-proof. The portable housing and/or the replaceable cartridge may be operable to dispense a predefined amount of a prescribed substance at a given time and/or date.

Claims

1. A system for dispensing a solid drug unit comprising a prescription medication to a patient, the system comprising:

a portable pill dispensing device, comprising;

a pill storage area configured to bulk store a plurality of the solid drug units therein,

a locking mechanism configured to secure the plurality of the solid drug units within the portable pill dispensing device,

an opening for dispensing the solid drug units from the portable pill dispensing device,

a rotational pill exchange assembly disposed between the opening and the pill storage area, wherein the rotational pill dispensing exchange assembly comprises a rotatable wheel with a cutout sized and shaped to receive at least one of the solid drug units from the pill storage area, wherein rotation of the rotatable wheel moves the received at least one of the solid drug units from the pill storage area to the opening, and

a moveable arm rotatably disposed between the pill storage area and the rotational pill exchange, wherein the moveable arm is configured to control passage of the solid drug units, one at a time, from the pill storage area to the rotational pill exchange assembly; and

a handheld mobile device associated with the patient and in wireless communication with the portable pill dispensing device, wherein the handheld mobile device is configured to verify an identity of the patient in order for the patient to access the solid drug unit from the portable pill dispensing device,

wherein the portable pill dispensing device is operable to dispense a predefined number of the solid drug units only at a specific time and date based on a prescribed dosage schedule.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the prescribed medication comprises an opioid drug.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the solid drug unit is a tablet or capsule.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable pill dispensing device comprises at least one of a processor, a memory, a power source, a communication interface, or a remote monitoring component.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a mechanical lock, a biometric lock, an electronic lock, voice activated lock, or a combination thereof.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable pill dispensing device comprises an access port that is accessible by the patient once the identity of the patient is verified at the handheld mobile device based on instructions provided by an authorized personnel.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the handheld mobile device is configured to transmit an alert to remind the patient to dispense and self-administer a dose of the prescribed medication, or to provide the patient with medication instructions.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the handheld mobile device must be within a certain proximity of the portable pill dispensing device in order for the pill dispensing device to dispense the prescribed medication.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable pill dispenser comprises a remote monitoring component in wireless communication with an authorized user system over a network.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the authorized user system dynamically adjusts the prescribed dosage schedule based on feedback from the portable pill dispensing device.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the authorized user system is alerted if someone other than the patient attempts to access the prescribed medication.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the identity of the patient is verified by the patient entering a code into the handheld mobile device, answering a question on the handheld mobile device, activating an identity encryption sequence on the handheld mobile device, providing biometric recognition on the handheld mobile device, speaking into the handheld mobile device, or a combination thereof.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the pill storage area comprises a funnel, and wherein the moveable arm is rotatably attached to an end of the funnel between the pill storage area and the rotational pill exchange.

14. A method for securely dispensing a drug to a patient, comprising:

providing a plurality of units of the drug within a portable pill dispensing device, wherein portable pill dispensing device, comprises;

a pill storage area configured to bulk store the plurality of units of the drug therein,

a locking mechanism configured to secure the plurality of units of the drug within the portable pill dispensing device,

an opening for dispensing the plurality of units of the drug from the portable pill dispensing device,

a rotational pill exchange assembly disposed between the opening and the pill storage area, wherein the rotational pill dispensing exchange assembly comprises a rotatable wheel with a cutout sized and shaped to receive at least one of the plurality of units of the drug from the pill storage area, and

a moveable arm rotatably disposed between the pill storage area and the rotational pill exchange, wherein the moveable arm is configured to move at least one of the plurality of units of the drug from the pill storage area to the rotational pill exchange assembly; and

securing the plurality of units of the drug within the portable pill dispensing device;

verifying an identity of the patient at a handheld mobile device associated with the patient and in wireless communication with the portable pill dispensing device in order for the patient to access at least one of the plurality of units of the drug from the portable pill dispensing device;

dispensing at least one of the plurality of units of the drug from the portable pill dispensing device at a specific time and date based on a predefined dosage schedule;

receiving an alert at an authorized user system in wireless communication with the portable pill dispensing device over a network if at least one of the plurality of units of the drug is dispensed at a time and/or date other than at the predefined dosing schedule; and

dynamically controlling the dosage schedule by the authorized user system based on feedback from the portable pill dispensing device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the authorized user system comprises a database.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the portable housing comprises at least one of a processor, a memory, a power source, a communication interface, or a remote monitoring component.

17. A portable pill dispensing device for dispensing a solid drug unit comprising a prescribed medication to a patient, the device comprising:

a pill storage area configured to bulk store a plurality of the solid drug units therein;

an opening for dispensing the solid drug units from the portable pill dispensing device;

a rotational pill exchange assembly disposed between the opening and the pill storage area, wherein the rotational pill dispensing exchange assembly comprises a rotatable wheel with a cutout sized and shaped to receive at least one of the solid drug units from the pill storage area; and

a moveable arm disposed between the pill storage area and the rotational pill exchange, wherein the moveable arm is configured to permit the solid drug units to pass one at a time from the pill storage area to the rotational pill exchange assembly,

wherein the storage area comprises a funnel configured to direct the solid drug units to the rotational pill exchange assembly,

wherein the moveable arm is rotatably attached to an end of the funnel between the pill storage area and the rotational pill exchange, and

wherein the portable pill dispensing device is operable to dispense a predefined number of the solid drug units at a specific time and date based on a predefined dosage schedule.

18. The portable pill dispensing device of claim 17, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to secure the plurality of solid drug units within the portable dispensing device.

19. The portable pill dispensing device of claim 17, further comprising a controller configured to control rotation of the rotatable wheel to move one of the solid drug units, received from the pill storage area, to the opening.