METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING MEDICATION

• US 20110282489A1
• Filed: 01/18/2010
• Published: 11/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lifeline Systems Company (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Mosis, Georgio, Buisman, Harm Jacob
• Granted Patent: US 8,805,577 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/236
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/30 Compliance analysis for taking medication
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/70 Audible labels, e.g. for pre-recorded info or messages
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0084 for multiple medicaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0418 with electronic history memory
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A method for dispensing at least two medications to a patient, the method comprising the steps of: automatically dispensing at least one first medication to a patient according to a predetermined dosage level; receiving (203) a request from the patient for a second medication; determining (207, 215) the total dispensed dosage of the at least one first medication and the second medication for the patient; providing (209, 211, 213, 217, 219, 223) an indication if the determined dispensed dosage is equal to or greater than a predetermined maximum dosage; and dispensing (225) the requested second medication if the determined dispensed dosage is less than or equal to the predetermined maximum dosage.

Claims

1. A method for dispensing at least two medications to a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

automatically dispensing at least one first medication to a patient according to a predetermined dosage level;

receiving (203) a request from said patient for a second medication;

determining a total dispensed dosage of said at least one first medication and said second medication for said patient;

providing an indication if said determined dispensed dosage is equal to or greater than a predetermined maximum dosage; and

dispensing said requested second medication if said determined dispensed dosage is less than or equal to said predetermined maximum dosage.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the step of:

providing an indication if at least one predetermined requirement for dispensing said dosage of said at least one first and/or said second medication is not met.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said step of providing an indication if said determined dispensed dosage is equal to or greater than a predetermined maximum dosage comprises the steps of:

dispensing said dosage of said second medication; and

issuing a visual and/or audio alert to said patient.

4. A method according to claim 2, said step of providing an indication if said determined dispensed dosage is equal to or greater than a predetermined maximum dosage comprises the steps of:

preventing dispensing said dosage of said second medication; and

issuing a visual and/or audio alert to said patient.

5. A method according to claim 3, wherein said step of issuing a visual and/or audio alert to said patient comprises the step of:

transmitting said visual and/or audio alert and/or information data relating to medication dispensed, medication requests and medications not taken to a remote node.

6. A method according to any one of claim 1, wherein the step of providing an indication if said determined dispensed dosage is equal to or greater than a predetermined maximum dosage comprises the steps of:

requesting confirmation from said patient;

dispensing said second medication if said confirmation is received; and

preventing dispensing of said second medication if no confirmation received.

7. Apparatus for dispensing at least two medications to a patient, the apparatus comprising:

a first dispensing channel for automatically dispensing at least one first medication according to a predetermined dosage level;

a second dispensing channel for dispensing a second medication upon receipt of a request from said patient;

a processor for determining a total dispensed dosage of said at least one first medication and said second medication for said patient; and

means for providing an indication if said determined dispensed dosage is equal to or greater than a predetermined maximum dosage.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said second dispensing channel comprises control means for preventing dispensing of said second medication.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the apparatus further comprises a display for providing a visual alarm to said patient.

10. Apparatus according to any one of claims 7, wherein the apparatus further comprises a loud speaker for providing an audio alarm to said patient.

11. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the apparatus further comprises a transmitter for transmitting an alert to a remote node and/or information data relating to medication dispensed, medication requests and medications not taken.