Drug Delivery Management System

• US 20080099367A1
• Filed: 11/30/2007
• Published: 05/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DDMS Holdings, LLC (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Louis Mark Heidelberger, Mark Niemiec
• Inventors: Heidelberger, Louis, Niemiec, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 7,755,478 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/528
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/035 Blister-type containers blisters in general B65D75/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/30 Compliance analysis for taking medication
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/72 for temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/60 using magnetic or electronic identifications, e.g. chips, RFID, electronic tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/70 Audible labels, e.g. for pre-recorded info or messages
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0436 resulting from removing a drug from, or opening, a container
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0454 for dispensing of multiple drugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0261 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect trespassing over a fixed physical boundary, e.g. the end of a garden
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/141 Cushion or mat switches
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/003 Constructional details, e.g. physical layout, assembly, wiring or busbar connections
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0293 : Individual printed conductors which are adapted for modification, e.g. fusable or breakable conductors, printed switches

Abstract

The present invention relates to assisting patients in the taking of medication, and to assisting third parties in accumulating information regarding patient medication intake. The invention may be embodied a system including a portable medication monitor used in association with an instrumented medication package to provide intake data acquisition and patient support functions. The system may further be connected to a computer or computer network allowing information distribution between the medication monitor and third parties, such as physicians or pharmacists.

Claims

1. A containment device for dispensing items, the device comprising:

a plurality of containers for placing items;

a plurality of access sensors coupled with corresponding ones of the plurality of containers; and

a plurality of transmitters coupled with corresponding ones of the plurality of containers;

wherein at least one transmitter transmits data associated with at least one of the plurality of containers in response to an activity.

2. The containment device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of condition sensors coupled with corresponding ones of the plurality of containers.

3. The containment device of claim 1, wherein the activity is accessing one of the plurality of containers.

4. The containment device of claim 2, wherein the activity is a request for access or condition information from at least one of the plurality of containers.

5. The containment device of claim 2, wherein the activity is accessing one of the plurality of containers and verifying the data to initiate at least one action.

6. The containment device of claim 5, wherein the at least one action is to order at least one item contained in an accessed container.

7. The containment device of claim 5, wherein the at least one action is to send an alert in response to data verification.

8. The containment device of claim 7, wherein the alert is transmitted to at least one of doctor, nurse, doctor'"'"'s offices, nurse stations, pharmacies, insurers, manufacturers, suppliers, patient residences, patients, caregivers, shippers, security, hospitals, clinics, and healthcare entities.

9. The containment device of claim 5, wherein the at least one action is to store the data for analysis.

10. The containment device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of conditions sensors sense at least one of environmental conditions, temperature, humidity, light exposure, content description, manufacturer shipment date, manufacturer shipment information, production date, production lot number, production site, location, time stamp, expiration date, access, access time, access location, severable connection status, content identification, prescription, dosage, unit identification, doctor, nurse, caregiver, patient and NDC number.

11. A method for dispensing items from a device having a plurality of containers, the method comprising:

detecting an access condition of each of the plurality of containers with an access sensor, one access sensor coupled to an associated one of the plurality of containers;

detecting at least one condition from each of the plurality of containers with a condition circuit, one condition circuit coupled with an associated one of the plurality of containers; and

transmitting data associated with at least one of the plurality of containers in response to an activity with a transmitter, one transmitter coupled with an associated one of the plurality of containers

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the activity is accessing one of the plurality of containers.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the activity is a request for access or condition information from at least one of the plurality of containers.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein transmitted data is verified to initiate at least one action.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one action is to order at least one item contained in an accessed container.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one action is to send an alert in response to data verification.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the alert is transmitted to at least one of doctor, nurse, doctor'"'"'s offices, nurse stations, pharmacies, insurers, manufacturers, suppliers, patient residences, patients, caregivers, shippers, security, hospitals, clinics, and healthcare entities.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one action is to store the data for analysis.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the plurality of condition sensors sense at least one of environmental conditions, temperature, humidity, light exposure, content description, manufacturer shipment date, manufacturer shipment information, production date, production lot number, production site, location, time stamp, expiration date, access, access time, access location, severable connection status, content identification, prescription, dosage, unit identification, doctor, nurse, caregiver, patient and NDC number.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein time, dosage, patient and medication information is verified to determine at least one action.