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

• US 20070156282A1
• Filed: 01/04/2007
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lawrence Dunn
• Original Assignee: Lawrence Dunn
• Inventors: Dunn, Lawrence
• Granted Patent: US 7,885,725 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/244
• 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 system for controlling dispensing of medication, the system comprising:

(a) a dispenser configured for holding and delivering at least one medication;

(b) a controller operatively connected to the dispenser, wherein the controller automatically operates the dispenser for movement to a dispensing position at a predetermined time;

(c) an electronic communication device for connecting the controller to a remote facility;

(d) an identification verification device for controlling access to the system; and

(e) a location determination device for determining the location of the dispenser.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured for emitting a signal indicating that it is time to dispense a dose of medication from the dispenser at the predetermined time.

3. The system according to claim 2, further comprising an internal speaker, and wherein the signal of the controller is an audible signal that can be emitted by the internal speaker.

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein the signal of the controller is a visual signal that can be displayed on a display screen.

5. The system according to claim 2, further comprising at least one of a speaker or a display screen, wherein the signal of the controller is an audible signal that can be emitted by the internal speaker, a visual signal that can be displayed on the display screen, or a combination thereof.

6. The system according to claim 2, further comprising a response mechanism electronically connected to the controller such that the controller can be instructed that the signal has been received when the response mechanism is actuated.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the controller is programmable with a medication dispensing program which includes a data store comprising the predetermined time to operate the dispenser and the name of the at least one medication.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the data store further comprises patient data and a patient compliance schedule.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is programmable to connect to a predetermined Internet Service Provider through the electronic communication device in order to transmit patient data and obtain a patient registration.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the controller is programmable to transmit an order requesting a refill of the at least one medication or the dispenser containing the at least one medication when the system is connected to the predetermined Internet Service Provider.

11. The system according to claim 7, wherein the data store further comprises caregiver data and compliance notification data.

12. The system according to claim 7, wherein the data store further comprises pharmacy data, physician data, insurance data and emergency contact data.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is programmable to connect to a predetermined Internet Service Provider through the electronic communication device in order to transmit or receive pharmacy data, physician data, insurance data and emergency contact data.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the controller is programmable to receive notices from the predetermined Internet Service Provider when the system is connected to the predetermined Internet Service Provider.

15. The system according to claim 13, wherein the controller is programmable to access and search databases provided by the Internet Service Provider when the system is connected to the predetermined Internet Service Provider.

16. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is programmable to connect to a predetermined Internet Service Provider through the electronic communication device in order to transmit compliance schedule and compliance notification data.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein when the controller has been instructed that the signal has been received, the controller transmits a compliance notification to the Internet Service Provider.

18. The system according to claim 16, wherein when the controller is not instructed within a predetermined time frame that the signal has been received, the controller transmits a non-compliance notification to the Internet Service Provider.

19. The system according to claim 16, wherein the controller is programmable to update and transmit the caregiver data and compliance notification data when the system is connected to the predetermined Internet Service Provider.

20. The system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic communication device comprises a wireless platform.

21. The system according to claim 1, wherein the identification verification device comprises a biometric identification fingerprint system.

22. The system according to claim 1, wherein the location determination device comprises an integrated Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver.

23. The system according to claim 1, further comprising an emergency assistance button electronically connected to the controller in such a manner that when the emergency assistance button is actuated, the controller is instructed to transmit an emergency message.

24. The system according to claim 23, further comprising a telephone modem, wherein when the emergency assistance button is actuated, the controller is instructed to dial an emergency telephone number.

25. The system according to claim 24, further comprising a microphone.

26. The system according to claim 1, further comprising lockout for disabling functionality of the system based upon a predetermined criteria.

27. The system according to claim 26 wherein the lockout comprises a breath sensor for determining a breath alcohol level and the predetermined criteria comprises a maximum breath alcohol level.

28. The system according to claim 26 wherein the lockout comprises an interactive cognitive test and the predetermined criteria comprises a minimum cognitive level.

29. 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 dispenser; and

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

30. The method according to claim 29, further comprising locating the dispenser via the location determination device upon notification of misplacement of the dispenser.

31. The method according to claim 29, further comprising communicating information between the dispenser and a remote location about dispensing of the medication.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein the step of communicating information between the dispenser and the remote location comprises connecting to an Internet Service Provider via a wireless modem.

33. The method according to claim 31, 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.

34. The method according to claim 33, 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.

35. The method according to claim 33, 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.

36. The method according to claim 29, 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.

37. The method according to claim 36, further comprising the step of instructing the dispenser that the signal has been received through a response mechanism actuatable by the patient.

38. The method according to claim 29, wherein the step of confirming identification of the patient comprises verifying the identity of the patient through a biometric identification fingerprint system.

39. The method according to claim 29, 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.

40. The method according to claim 29, further comprising the step of disabling functionality of the dispenser based upon a predetermined criteria.

41. The method according to claim 29, wherein the step of disabling functionality of the dispenser comprises 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.

42. A dispenser device for controlling the dispensing of medication, the dispenser device comprising:

(a) a sealable pill magazine for storing units of medication;

(b) a dispensing well in communication with the pill magazine to permit transfer of the units of medication from the pill magazine to the dispensing well, the dispensing well have an opening therein to permit removal of units of medication therefrom;

(c) a shutter movably positionable proximate to the opening of the dispensing well, the shutter being movable 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; and

(d) a vacuum mechanism configured to enter through the opening of the dispensing well when the shutter is in an open position, the vacuum mechanism capable of picking up and releasing a unit of medication.

43. The device of claim 42, further comprising a vibrator positioned against the pill magazine.

44. The device of claim 43, wherein the pill magazine comprises a slanted base surface wall that extends into the dispensing well and against which the vibrator resides.

45. The device of claim 42, 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.

46. The device of claim 45, further comprising a tamper switch in communication with the fill door.

47. The device of claim 42, further comprising an optical detector in communication with the dispensing well.

48. The device of claim 42, wherein the shutter is motorized to permit movement between the open position and the closed position of the shutter.

49. The device of claim 42, wherein the shutter comprises a slanted surface onto which a unit of medication can be released by the vacuum mechanism.

50. The device of claim 42, wherein the vacuum mechanism comprises a vacuum pickup with a vacuum cup disposed thereon.

51. The device of claim 50, wherein the vacuum pickup comprises an optical detector disposed thereon.

52. The device of claim 50, 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.

53. The device of claim 50, wherein the vacuum mechanism further comprises a vacuum sensor in communication with the vacuum pickup.

54. The device of claim 42, further comprising an outer housing in which the pill magazine, dispensing well, shutter and vacuum mechanism reside.

55. The device of claim 54, further comprising a tilt sensor disposed within the outer housing.

56. The device of claim 54, further comprising a removal position disposed within the outer housing where a unit of medication comes to reside after being released by the vacuum mechanism and which is accessible by a user.

57. The device of claim 42, further comprising an optical detector in communication with the removal position.