Data processing: measuring – calibrating – or testing – Measurement system – Time duration or rate
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-02
2001-11-06
Hoff, Marc S. (Department: 2857)
Data processing: measuring, calibrating, or testing
Measurement system
Time duration or rate
C702S176000, C368S109000, C368S111000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06314384
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains generally to devices for reminding a person when to take medication, and more particularly to a medication management system for tracking a patient's medication administration schedule, reminding the patient to take medication, and warning the patient of contraindications between multiple medications.
2. Description of the Related Art
When medication is prescribed, a patient often fails to adhere to the administration and dosage instructions specified for the medication. As a result of busy schedules and other distractions, it is not difficult for a patient to forget the specific time that the medication is to be taken or simply lose track of time and forget to take the medication. The patient may either skips a dose altogether or take a dosage outside of the prescribed time interval. This can lead to a variety of pharmacological and/or toxicological problems to the patient which, ultimately, may result in ineffective treatment of a disease and/or harm to the patient.
In addition, patients who are required to take several different medications during the course of a day may become confused with the frequency and particular medication that needs to be taken at a particular time, also resulting in the above-stated problems. These problems may be exacerbated when the patient is busy, has a failing memory, impaired vision, or is incoherent due to the illness or effects of the medication. Many patients carry written “timetables” with them, often with actual pills taped to then, to help them take their medications. If they should forget to look at the timetable, however, it would result in the patient missing one or more medications.
Another, and very serious problem, with multiple medications taken by a patient is the possibility of adverse effects, or contraindications, among medications that are taken together or at improper intervals. It is possible that contraindications could be overlooked, particularly if a patient has multiple health care providers and forgets to give each health care provider complete information about other prescribed medications.
There are devices which provide various means for alerting a patient when and what medication should be taken. However, none of the devices allow input and storage of a patient's medication information, contraindication tables, use times and medical history information, and the display and annunciation of use times and medical contraindications.
Therefore, a need exists for a portable medication storage and reminder apparatus with the capability for the input of a patient's medication information, contraindication tables, use times and medical history information; and for the display and annunciation of use times and medical contraindication. The present invention satisfies those needs, as well as others, and overcomes the deficiencies found in prior technology.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to a medication management system generally comprising a portable programmable table unit which tracks a patient's medication administration schedule, reminds the patient to take medication, and warns the patient of contraindications between multiple medications, and provides a download station for inputting, storing, editing and downloading the patient's medical history data, medication administration schedule, and contraindication table data to the portable unit.
By way of example, and not of limitation, the portable unit comprises a housing, a microprocessor/micro-controller unit with associated electronic circuitry, data storage capability, a pushbutton keypad, a visual display, an audible alert and a port for interfacing with a computer. The associated download computer includes a software program that allows a patient's medication, contraindication table, use times and medical history information to be inputted, edited, stored, and downloaded into the portable unit.
The portable unit can be programmed with medication dosage information, track when a particular medication has been taken, sound an alert when time to take another dosage, and warn of contraindications. The portable unit also has the capability to store and display a patient's medical history. The portable unit allows the patient's medication information, contraindication table, use times and medical history information to be downloaded from the central computer and stored within resident memory of the portable unit. The portable unit will annunciate the use time for a particular medication, and warn of contraindications that may result if medications are taken at other than the prescribed times. In addition, the portable unit allows the patient to change medication times, track when medication was taken and review the patient's data. An enhancement is available for the blind such that an audible voice informs the patient to take a particular pill number. The housing for the portable unit has a size and shape consistent in design for those who have challenged physical and visual capabilities.
An object of the invention is to provide a system which reminds a patient when it is time to take a medication.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system which will warn of contraindication existing within the patient's prescribed medications.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system which can receive and store a patient's medical history.
Another object of the invention is to provide a medication reminder system having a portable unit with the capability to interface with a computer system.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a medication reminder system having a portable unit with an easily readable display while offering the patient a simplistic method of reminding when and which medication to take.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will be brought out in the following portions of the specification, wherein the detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing preferred embodiments of the invention without placing limitations thereon.
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patent: 5157640 (1992-10-01), Backner
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patent: 5852590 (1998-12-01), De la Huerga
patent: 5924074 (1999-07-01), Evans
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Medi Track Advertisement, Jul. 2, 1992 issue ofU.S. News&World Report(1 Page).
Bui Bryan
Hoff Marc S.
Merchant & Gould
Wahl John R.
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