Special receptacle or package – For ampule – capsule – pellet – or granule – With indicia or indicator
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-12
2001-05-08
Bui, Luan K. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
For ampule, capsule, pellet, or granule
With indicia or indicator
C206S540000, C215S230000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227371
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to containers for medications and in particular, to containers for medications for use by blind or visually impaired people.
Blind or visually impaired people often have difficulty in identifying the containers for the medications they are required to take. This action is especially difficult for people who have become visually impaired in their later years. Younger people born with these handicaps or who acquire them in early childhood often are taught methods of tactilely identifying objects using the Braille system or other tactile coding systems. However, when visual impairment occurs later in life the patients have a difficult time learning and remembering an unfamiliar and complex system. Systems exist for identifying medication containers however, these systems require learning a new and unfamiliar series of coded indicators for identification.
These patients need a system using familiar letters and numbers which can be read tactilely with accuracy.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes these disadvantages by placing raised indicia on the cover of the container by which the medication in the container can be readily identified. The primary indicia consist of at least the first letter of the name of the medication by which the patient identifies that medication. If the patient knows the medication by its generic name, then at least the first letter of that name will be placed on the container cover. If the patient knows the medication by its trade name then the letters of that name will be used. If more than one medication starts with the same letter, then a combination of the letters of the name will be used. If the patient knows the medication by its proprietary trade name then the letters of this name will be used.
In addition to the arabic identifying letters described above, the Braille symbols of small round raised dots for the same letters can be embossed below the arabic letter to provide an additional identifier for those familiar with the Braille system. The patient can also be reminded of the dosage prescribed and the frequency of application by providing raised symbols of unique shapes in a different location on the container cap. The medication identification system will be customized for each patient according to the patient's tactile skills and their personal identification system for their medications.
To complete the system, a customized printed sheet will be provided listing the medications along with their identifying indicia and dosage schedule for each patient. This will provide necessary information to the patient's caregivers to enable them to assist the patient in taking medications at the proper time and in the correct dosages.
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Bui Luan K.
Puffer, Atty Jack D.
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