Determination of pharmaceutical expiration date
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for determining potency of a medication, comprising:
- a supply of medication in a container;
a temperature sensor operatively coupled to the container and capable of measuring the temperature of the medication to generate temperature data;
a programmable rear time clock;
a controller programmed with medication temperature profile data specific to the medication, wherein the controller integrates temperature data and time data with medication temperature profile data on a continuous basis to generate a potency value for the medication and said controller calculates a medication dosage in response to the potency value.
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Abstract
A temperature sensor coupled to a supply of medication measures the temperature of the medication. A real time clock circuit is programmed with a start date and controller integrated circuitry controls operation of the clock and temperature sensor. The controller is programmed with medication temperature profile data that is specific to the medication. The controller integrates temperature and time data with medication temperature profile data for the medication to calculate an expiration date that corresponds to a potency condition for the medication.
73 Citations
30 Claims
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1. Apparatus for determining potency of a medication, comprising:
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a supply of medication in a container;
a temperature sensor operatively coupled to the container and capable of measuring the temperature of the medication to generate temperature data;
a programmable rear time clock;
a controller programmed with medication temperature profile data specific to the medication, wherein the controller integrates temperature data and time data with medication temperature profile data on a continuous basis to generate a potency value for the medication and said controller calculates a medication dosage in response to the potency value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13)
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10. The apparatus of clam 1 including a temperature sensor configured for measuring ambient temperature.
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14. A method of determining the potency of a medication in a medication delivery apparatus, comprising the steps of:
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(a) monitoring the temperature of the medication over time;
(b) accumulating temperature data generated in step (a);
(c) comparing over time the accumulated temperature data with medication temperature profile data specific to the medication;
(d) calculating over time a potency condition of the medication based on the comparison of the accumulated temperature data with medication temperature profile data; and
(e) if the calculated potency condition equals a predetermined potency threshold, providing an alert of medication expiration condition and disabling the medication delivery apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. Apparatus for determining the therapeutic potency of a medication, comprising:
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a temperature sensor operatively connected to a supply of a medication such that the temperature sensor measures the temperature of the medication to generate temperature data;
a real time clock circuit programmed with a begin date;
a controller programmed with medication temperature profile data specific to the medication and configured for accumulating temperature data and calculating an ongoing therapeutic potency condition based on comparison of the temperature data and medication temperature profile data;
means for delivering medication in a dosage determined by the therapeutic potency condition. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A medication delivery apparatus, comprising:
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a housing including a mouthpiece;
a supply of medication carried in a container in the housing;
a temperature sensor operatively coupled to the container and configured for measuring the temperature of the medication to generate temperature data;
a programmable real time dock;
a programmable controller with medication temperature profile data specific to the medication, wherein the controller is programmed to calculate on an ongoing basis a potency condition for the medication;
said controller programmed to deactivate the apparatus in response to a calculated potency value that exceeds a predetermined threshold value.- View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A pharmaceutical container, comprising:
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medication supply means for containing a pharmaceutical;
temperature sensor means for measuring the temperature of the pharmaceutical and for thereby generating temperature data;
real time clock means;
medication delivery means for delivering a controlled dosage of the medication to a patient;
controller means with medication temperature profile data specific to the medication, the controller means configured for calculating a medication potency condition based on integration of temperature data and medication temperature profile data over time;
said controller means configured for deactivating the medication delivery means to prevent delivery of medication if the calculated medication potency condition meets a predetermined threshold.- View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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29. A method of determining the potency of a medication in a medication delivery apparatus configured for delivering a dosage of medication to a patient, comprising the steps of:
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(a) monitoring the temperature of the medication over time;
(b) accumulating temperature data generated in step (a);
(c) comparing over time the accumulated temperature data with medication temperature profile data specific to the medication;
(d) calculating over time a potency condition of the medication based on the comparison of the accumulated temperature data with medication temperature profile data; and
(e) adjusting the dosage of medication delivered to the patient in response to the calculated potency condition.
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30. Apparatus for determining the therapeutic potency of a medication, comprising:
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a temperature sensor operatively connected to a supply of a medication such that the temperature sensor measures the temperature of the medication to generate temperature data;
a real time clock circuit programmed with a begin date;
a controller programmed with medication temperature profile data specific to the medication and configured for accumulating temperature data and calculating an ongoing therapeutic potency value based on comparison of the temperature data and medication temperature profile data; and
means for changing the dosage of medication delivered to a patient in response to the therapeutic potency value.
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Specification