Article dispensing – With recorder – register – indicator – signal or exhibitor
Patent
1998-06-25
2000-10-31
Noland, Kenneth W.
Article dispensing
With recorder, register, indicator, signal or exhibitor
221 7, 36441301, G07F 1100
Patent
active
061388653
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved system for dispensing and delivering medicaments. In particular, the invention relates to such a system that is friendly, convenient, facilitates orientation of the patient, and serves as a "virtual" companion in the absence of a human caregiver.
The rapidly changing global demographic make-up in regard to population increase of elderly people is putting great strains on the health care system. For example, the increase in elderly population has produced a proportionate increase in the full-time use of certain health care resources, such as hospital beds and nursing home beds. In addition, the need for constant supervision by nurses and other care-takers is increasing.
One way to ease this burden is to allow those in need of care to be more self-reliant. For example, medicament dispensers can be utilized to store and dispense medication to the patient at predetermined times. Many such devices have been proposed in the prior art. In general, these devices have lacked the combination of features to virtually replace the attention of a human caregiver.
When taking dosages of medication, it is extremely important that the dosages be taken on time and in the prescribed amounts. When it is time to take the medication, the user should not be concerned with having water and a cup so that the medicaments can be properly swallowed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention recognizes and addresses various disadvantages of prior art constructions and methods. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved medicament dispenser system.
It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide an automatic medicament dispenser system that can largely replace the attention of a human caregiver.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automatic medicament dispenser system that orients the patient.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automatic medicament dispenser system that prevents unauthorized access to the medication, such as by children.
This invention provides a precise means of dispensing medicaments to persons (who may or may not be mentally impaired) under a doctor's care without the necessity of a caregiver being present. In its various aspects, the invention includes a broad range of features, such as a novel calendar layout and means to ensure access to the medication is virtually child proof.
One preferred embodiment of the invention consists of five rows of seven modules. The seven modules represent each day of the week and the five rows provide enough compartments to hold medicaments for a full month. Each of the seven modules may have four compartments which open individually, upon command from the microprocessor, thus dispensing up to four doses of pre-loaded medicaments each twenty-four hour period.
It is the intention of this unit to be fully programmable. Preferably, the unit is microprocessor driven in order to simplify programming and enhance safety, convenience and feature capabilities. The compartments may be programmed by the microprocessor to open at any particular time, once per day. A "locked" keypad is provided to program the unit for individual needs.
Once programmed, the unit may be fully automatic and only monthly refills of medicaments are required. This eliminates the need for a caregiver to measure the medicine precisely over an extended period of time. A latch-key mechanism allows authorized key holders to have easy access to all compartments. A medicine data sheet may be provided as a reference to indicate the medication to be loaded into the unit as well as providing other important information.
Preferably, the compartments will have fully automatic opening capabilities. In conjunction with a dispensing actuator, the lids lift automatically, revealing the medicaments, at preprogrammed times. While the dispensing actuator may be a simple button, presently preferred embodiments of the invention utilize a user-specific ac
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