Horology: time measuring systems or devices – Combined with disparate device
Utility Patent
1998-11-30
2001-01-02
Roskoski, Bernard (Department: 2859)
Horology: time measuring systems or devices
Combined with disparate device
C221S002000
Utility Patent
active
06169707
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Scope of Invention
This invention relates generally to medication dispensing and time-for-medication signaling apparatus, and more particularly to a medication storage and reminder device for storing individual timed doses of medication and for providing indicia regarding the sequential timing of the taking of such medication on a daily basis over a prescribed period of time such as a week.
2. Prior Art
Patients frequently forget to take daily timed medication on time, if at all, or alternately misuse or overdose in the taking of medication. Medication compliance also typically drops off to less than fifty percent compliance when three or more different doses of medication are required on a daily basis. There are many medical conditions which critically rely upon the careful administration of drugs such as in the areas of anti-coagulation, seizures, diabetes, narcotics, antibiotics and cardiac medications.
Prior art discloses a great number of medication dispensers and alerting arrangements which advise of the periodic medication taking times, many of which are associated with a programmable computer microprocessor which controls such apparatus. However, there seems to be a general lack of ability to regulate and document patients drug use in a controllable fashion without the need for direct supervision of medication use which is very costly.
Applicant is aware of the following U.S. patents which embody a broad range of features associated with the dispensing and proper timely taking of prescription medications as follows:
U.S. Pat. No. 3,762,601 issued to McLaughlin
U.S. Pat. No. 3,917,045 issued to Williams et al
U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,626 issued to Noble
U.S. Pat. No. 4,504,153 issued to Schollmeyer et al
U.S. Pat. No. 4,526,474 issued to Simon
U.S. Pat. No. 4,725,997 issued to Urquhart et al
U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,422 issued to Springer
U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,581 issued to Agans
U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,285 issued to Shaw
U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,453 issued to Maestre
U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,299 issued to Brewer et al
U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,113 issued to Shaw
U.S. Pat. No. 5,495,961 issued to Maestre
U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,593 issued to East
U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,323 issued to Kurtenbach
U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,802 issued to Leigh-Spencer et al
U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,268 issued to Shaw
U.S. Pat. No. 5,646,912 issued to Cousin
U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,620 issued to Pearson
U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,621 issued to Passamante
The present invention distinguishes over this body of prior art teaching by providing a simple and almost fool-proof device for set up and dispensing of prescription medications. Daily timing of medications may be programmed into the present invention over a period of days such as a week. Adjustable audible tone or light reminders are provided to announce the proper timing of taking the next-in-order medication. Visible confirmation of the correct medication to take is also provided along with confirmation that each dose has been taken may be input into the data storage of a programmable microcomputer. The preferred embodiment of the invention includes a pharmacy-prefilled tray which is sealed by a removable film prior to being installed into the housing of the invention so that the user need not be concerned with the preparation of accurate doses of medication into the corresponding cubicles in which they are held until it is time for consumption.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to a medication storage and reminder device including a generally flat housing defining a uniform upwardly facing array of medication holding cubicles each of which open upwardly for receiving, holding and removal of a dose of medication. The cubicles are arranged in rows and are sufficient in number for receiving individual periodic daily medication doses over a preselected number of days. An individually openable lid is positioned over each cubicle opening and has a separate lock for releasably retaining each lid in a closed position to retain each medication dose within each corresponding cubicle. Each lid bears viewable indicia advising of the proper sequence and timing of manually or automatically opening each lid one at a time to provide access to the corresponding dose of medication. A programmable microprocessor mounted in the housing includes a key control panel for inputting and storing input data of correct time, day, the preselected number of days, and daily medication times, for activating a viewable or audible signal connected to the housing at each said medication time of each day for the selected number of days and for controlling the automatic sequential unlocking of cubicle lids to prevent inadvertent medication errors. A transparent protective lockable cover encloses substantially all of a top of the housing including said array of cubicles and the key control panel, the cover having a lower surface adapted to insure full closing of all lids and, thereby, the securement of all locking means when the cover is properly locked in a closed position atop the housing.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a prescription medication storage and reminder device for individual or hospital use which is relatively fool-proof in advising of the taking of daily timed medications over a period of several days.
It is another object of this invention to provide a prescription medication storage and reminder device which is portable and easy to use by individual patients.
It is yet object of this invention to provide a prescription medication storage and reminder device which is easily programmable for the appropriate daily timed taking of medication from individual lid covered cubicles provided by the device to avoid confusion in proper medication compliance.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a portable prescription medication storage and reminder device for individuals which both reminds the patient either audibly or viewably of the next-in-line medication to be taken, provides visual confirmation that the medication has been timely taken and also provides storage of medication compliance data on a microprocessor of the device.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a portable prescription medication storage and reminder device which receives prefilled trays of medication within individual cubicles which align and register with individual openable lids so that the proper medication is placed by a pharmacist or other medication practitioner into the correct cubicle array.
In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3762601 (1973-10-01), McLaughlin
patent: 3917045 (1975-11-01), Williams et al.
patent: 4293845 (1981-10-01), Villa-Real
patent: 4473156 (1984-09-01), Martin
patent: 4483626 (1984-11-01), Noble
patent: 4490711 (1984-12-01), Johnston
patent: 4504153 (1985-03-01), Schollmeyer et al.
patent: 4526474 (1985-07-01), Simon
patent: 4725997 (1988-02-01), Urquhart et al.
patent: 4725999 (1988-02-01), Tate
patent: 4768177 (1988-08-01), Kehr et al.
patent: 4835520 (1989-05-01), Aiello
patent: 5099463 (1992-03-01), Lloyd et al.
patent: 5152422 (1992-10-01), Springer
patent: 5159581 (1992-10-01), Agans
patent: 5176285 (1993-01-01), Shaw
patent: 5347453 (1994-09-01), Maestre
patent: 5408443 (1995-04-01), Weinberger
patent: 5412372 (1995-05-01), Parkhurst et al.
patent: 5431299 (1995-07-01), Brewer et al.
patent: 5472113 (1995-12-01), Shaw
patent: 5495961 (1996-03-01), Maestre
patent: 5564593 (1996-10-01), East, Sr.
patent: 5582323 (1996-12-01), Kurtenbach
patent: 5602802 (1997-02-01), Leigh-Spencer et al.
patent: 5609268 (1997-03-01), Shaw
patent: 5646912 (1997-07-01), Cousin
patent: 5752620 (1998-05-01), Pearson
patent: 5752621 (1998-05-01), Passamante
Goodwin Jeanne-Marguerite
Prescott Charles J.
Roskoski Bernard
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