U.S. patent application number 10/377212 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-02 for method and system for self administration of medications.
Invention is credited to Mackie, Robert W. JR..
Application Number | 20040168951 10/377212 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32908092 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040168951 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mackie, Robert W. JR. |
September 2, 2004 |
Method and system for self administration of medications
Abstract
A method and system for the self-administration of medication is
provided. This method manages the types, dosages and sequencing of
medication in order to facilitate its most effective
administration. This method and system is particularly adapted for
embodiments useful for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome and
for diarrhea. The system includes a medication kit, which itself
includes medication cards, information and a mechanism for
sequencing the administration of the medication.
Inventors: |
Mackie, Robert W. JR.; (Salt
Lake City, UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Lloyd W. Sadler
Parsons Behle & Latimer
Suite 1800
201 South Main Street
Salt Lake City
UT
84111
US
|
Family ID: |
32908092 |
Appl. No.: |
10/377212 |
Filed: |
February 27, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/534 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61J 1/03 20130101; B65D
5/4216 20130101; B65D 5/5028 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/534 |
International
Class: |
B65D 001/09 |
Claims
1. A method for the administration of medication, comprising: (A)
identifying a medical condition; (B) recommending a medication; (C)
preparing a kit of medication; (D) delivering a kit to a user; (E)
detecting symptoms related to said medical condition; and (F)
administrating said medication by said user.
2. A method for the administration of medication, as recited in
claim 1, wherein said medical condition is related to a coronary
syndrome.
3. A method for the administration of medication, as recited in
claim 1, wherein said medical condition is related to diarrhea.
4. A method for the administration of medication, as recited in
claim 1, wherein said preparing a kit of medication further
comprises: (1) selecting a plurality of medications; (2) organizing
said plurality of medications into a sequence for administration;
(3) providing recommended medical information related to said
plurality of medications; and (4) loading said plurality of
medications into a container, wherein said container further
encourages the sequencing of administration of said
medications.
5. A method for the administration of medication, as recited in
claim 1, wherein said administrating said medication, further
comprises: (1) opening a kit section; (2) receiving instruction
regarding medication in said open kit section; (3) administrating
said medication in said open kit section; (4) waiting the
recommended time period; and (5) if further sections are available,
opening a further section, receiving instruction regarding
medication is said further section.
6. A system for the administration of medication, comprising: (A) a
container; (B) a plurality of cards within said container; (C) a
medication located on said plurality of cards; and (D) a mechanism
for sequencing the use of said cards in said container.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention.
[0002] This invention relates to methods and systems of
administering medications. More specifically, this invention
relates to methods and systems for self-administering of
medications where the particular order and/or timing of the
administration are important.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art.
[0004] A variety of techniques and devices related to the
administration of medication are well known in the art. Generally,
such techniques and devices do not provide a structure for the
sequence of administration of a variety of drugs.
[0005] Although the following referenced documents, may not
constitute prior art, the reader is referred to the following U.S.
patent documents for general background material. Each of these
patents is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for the
material contained therein.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,004,577 describes a method of treating
coronary prone patients when heart attack symptoms occur before
qualified direct contact personal care can be administered to the
patient.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,169,550 describes an emergency medical kit
having a plurality of pockets and straps, which are designed to
hold medical equipment.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,212,392 describes a portable medical kit,
which maintains medicines, instruments and equipment secure when
the kit is closed.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,350,245 describes a medical kit for the
protective storage of teat swabs.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,476,016 describes an apparatus and a kit
packaged for use in isolating and identifying and quantitatively
measuring the AMB ipso-enzyme of creatine phosphokinase in fresh
human blood serum and apparatus including combinations of racks,
glass receptacles and other equipment for making various
quantitative and qualitative blood and blood serum tests.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,830 describes a device for initiating
reperfusion treatment of a coronary prone individual prior to the
establishment of qualified direct contact personal care at a time
during the early minutes or hours after the onset of heart attack
symptoms and after qualified personnel have participated by
telephone in the decision to initiate such treatment.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,330 describes a medical emergency
carrying case.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,622,985 describes a method for preventing or
reducing the risk of a second heart attack in a patient having a
substantially normal serum cholesterol level by administering an
HMG CoA reductase inhibitor such as pravastatin, alone or in
combination with an ACE inhibitor.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,801 describes a medical diagnostic test
kit.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,700 describes an emergency medical kit
that includes a carrying case of approximately briefcase or small
suitcase sized with the upper and lower sections divided into a
large number of compartments by insertion of a plastic
organizer.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 5,977,160 describes a method for treating a
human survivor of a heart attack and provides further improvement
in survival following the heart attack by the early initiation and
long-term administration of an angiotensin converting enzyme
inhibitor.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,586 describes a medical procedure kit
for performing an angiographic or medical procedure.
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,426 describes an emergency medical kit
having a container with a hinged lid and a latch for use in
organizing and protecting ophthalmic instruments and supplies, such
as sterilized pads, drugs, extractors, lights, ointments, tape and
other items needed by a physician or emergency personnel working
under the auspices of a physician in rendering emergency medical
assistance to a person suffering an eye injury.
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. US 6,323,188 B1 describes a method of reducing
the incidence and severity of stroke, primary heart attack and any
subsequent heart attack or stroke in humans by daily administration
of an effective amount of a combination of acetylsalicylic acid
(ASA), a cyanocobalamin compound (Vitamin B12), a folic acid
compound, and pyridoxine compound (Vitamin B6) in an easy to take
daily administration pack.
[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,568 B1describes a tube and wire
organizer for medical situations that is an aide to organize
adjunctive equipment used by paramedical and medical people.
[0021] U.S. patent application Publication No. US 2001/0002025
A1describes a dosing dispenser for the alternating removal of two
or more, possibly different solid forms of pharmaceutical
substances to be taken, which differ in their quantitative and/or
qualitative composition.
[0022] U.S. patent application Publication No. US 2002/0025538
A1describes a medical kit which overcomes the problem with
non-specific binding and interaction, thus providing a highly
reliable method for qualitative or quantitative determination of a
drug in a biological fluid.
[0023] U.S. patent application Publication No. US 2002/0025917
A1describes a process of creating an admixture of liquefied aspirin
or other heart attach medication and administering said admixture
to the buccal mucosa of the cheek pouch and/or the nasal passages
of heart attack victims.
[0024] U.S. patent application Publication No. US 2002/0088737
A1describes an emergency pill dispenser with a sealed enclosure
containing a pill or pills.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0025] It is desirable to provide a method and system for the self
administration of medication by individuals. It is particularly
desirable to provide such a method and system for the
self-administration of medications that both provides information
regarding the medical condition-giving rise to the need for the
medication, the administration of the medications, and manages the
sequence of administration of a plurality of medications and/or
dosages.
[0026] Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a
method and system for the self-administration of medication.
[0027] Another object of this invention is to provide a method and
system for the self-administration of medication that dispenses
information regarding the medical condition related to the
medication.
[0028] A further object of this invention is to provide a method
and system for the self-administration of medication that dispenses
information regarding the medication themselves.
[0029] A still further object of this invention is to provide a
method and system for the self-administration of medication that
manages the sequence of administration of a plurality of different
medications and/or dosages of medication.
[0030] It is an object of this invention to provide a method and
system for the self-administration of medication that is suitable
for use where the patient remote from emergency medical care.
[0031] It is another object of this invention to provide a method
and system for the self-administration of medication that is
appropriate to a wide variety of medical conditions.
[0032] It is a further object of one embodiment of this invention
to provide a method and system for the self-administration of
medication that is appropriate for use in treating symptoms of
unstable coronary syndromes, such as myocardial infarction and
unstable angina.
[0033] It is a still further object of one embodiment of this
invention to provide a method and system for the
self-administration of medication that is appropriate for use in
treating symptoms of diarrhea.
[0034] Another object of this invention is to provide a method and
system for the self-administration of medication that preserves the
freshness and avoids contamination of the medications.
[0035] A further object of this invention is to provide a method
and system for the self-administration of medication that is
consistent with requirements for distribution of prescription
medications.
[0036] Additional objects, advantages and other novel features of
this invention will be set forth in part in the description that
follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the
art upon examination of the following or may be learned with the
practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of this
invention may be realized and attained by means of the
instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the
appended claims. Still other objects of the present invention will
become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the
following description wherein there are shown and described present
preferred embodiments of this invention, simply by way of
illustration of the present modes best suited to carry out this
invention. As it will be realized, this invention is capable of
other different embodiments, and its several details, and specific
steps, language and package structure are capable of modification
in various aspects without departing from the invention.
Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as
illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0037] The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part
of the specification, illustrate present preferred embodiments of
the present invention. Some, although not all, alternative
embodiments are described in the following description.
[0038] In the drawings:
[0039] FIG. 1 is a process flow chart of the present use of the
medication kit of this invention.
[0040] FIG. 2 is a process flow chart of the present use of the
medication kit of this invention.
[0041] FIG. 3a is a perspective drawing of a first example
embodiment of the kit structure of this invention.
[0042] FIG. 3b is a perspective view of an example medication card
used with the first example embodiment of the invention.
[0043] FIG. 3c is a perspective drawing of the first example
embodiment of the kit structure of this invention with the top lid
open.
[0044] FIG. 3d is a perspective drawing of the first example
embodiment of the kit structure of this invention with the end door
open.
[0045] FIG. 4a is a perspective drawing of a second example
embodiment of an alternative kit structure of this invention.
[0046] FIG. 4b is a perspective drawing of the medication card used
with the second example embodiment of the alternative kit of this
invention.
[0047] FIG. 5a is a representation of the first medication card of
the cardio-kit embodiment of this invention.
[0048] FIG. 5b is a representation of the second medication card of
the cardio-kit embodiment of this invention.
[0049] FIG. 5c is a representation of the third medication card of
the cardio-kit embodiment of this invention.
[0050] FIG. 5d is a representation of the fourth medication card of
the cardio-kit embodiment of this invention.
[0051] FIG. 6a is a representation of the first medication card of
the Touista-kit embodiment of this invention.
[0052] FIG. 6b is a representation of the second medication card of
the Touista-kit embodiment of this invention.
[0053] FIG. 6c is a representation of the third medication card of
the Touista-kit embodiment of this invention.
[0054] FIG. 7a is a section view of a third alternative embodiment
of the kit of this invention.
[0055] FIG. 7b is a perspective view of the third alternative
embodiment of the kit container with the lid open.
[0056] Reference will now be made in detail to the present
preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0057] This invention is a method and system for the self
administration of medications for situations where the patient or
user has a critical health emergency and/or does not have ready
access to professional medical assistance. Although this invention
can be used for a wide variety of medical conditions or symptoms,
two specific embodiments of applications of this invention are
described herein as examples. The applicant intends that these
embodiments be considered as both examples and as descriptions of
the best modes of the invention known to the inventor at the time
of filing, and not as limiting the scope of patent protection.
[0058] The first example embodiment of this invention is as a self
administration kit to treat unstable coronary syndromes, including
myocardial infarction and unstable angina pectoris in circumstances
in which immediate access to emergency medical services in not
available, referred hereinafter as the "cardio care kit." The
second example embodiment of this invention is as a self
administration kit for the treatment of traveler's diarrhea,
typically caused by growth of a common bacteria, Escherichia Coli
in the intestine, referred hereinafter as the "diarrhea care kit."
With regard to the cardio care kit and by way of introduction,
treatment of myocardial infarction and unstable angina relies in
part on improving the blood flow to the cardiac muscle or reducing
the energy requirements of cardiac work. In nearly all cases of
sudden onset of new cardiac ischemic symptoms, a clot in a coronary
artery leads to acute vessel obstruction and the sudden onset of
chest pain due to myocardial ischemia or myocardial infarction.
Medical treatment typically depends on receiving intravenous blood
thinners (such as thrombolytic therapy and heparin) or having
balloon angioplasty performed as an emergency procedure. Early
initiation of treatment with Aspirin has been proven to reduce
myocardial damage due to myocardial infarction and treatment with a
new oral antiplatlelet medication, clopidrogrel, has been shown to
reduce the chances of death, nonfatal myocardial infarction and
stroke when given immediately after the diagnosis of the onset of
acute chest pain due to coronary ischemia. Nytroglycerin reduces
myocardial damage during heart attach by reducing blood pressure,
dilating coronary arteries and reducing myocardial oxygen demand.
Beta adrenergic blocking medication reduce heart rate, reduce blood
pressure and subsequently reduce heart attach size. Beta blockers
by raising the electrical threshold for ventricular fibrillation,
also reduce the risk of sudden death from ventricular fibrillation
in the setting of acute myocardial infarction. These treatments are
not generally available to the general public unless they can be
reached by advanced medical care, or if the patients can reach
emergency medical services. The cardio care kit embodiment of this
invention is designed to be carried by patients at risk for the
development of unstable coronary syndromes including, but not
limited to, myocardial infarction and unstable angina pectoris. If
a patient with the symptoms of myocardial infarction or unstable
angina pain cannot be treated or reached immediately by emergency
medical care, the cardio care kit is designed to be self
administered for treatment of acute unstable coronary syndromes.
The kit provides patients with important medications, in a package
which encourages the desired order of administration of the
medications, along with instructions, which will improve the
patient's symptoms, reduce their chances of dying and reduce the
size of their eventual myocardial infarction while they await
transportation to a medical facility for further medical care. This
embodiment of the invention also provides information regarding the
symptoms and signs of a heart attack and instructions for the
sequential use of the cardio care kit's medications to improve the
patient's chances of survival of a heart attack in the absence of
medical care. The kit of this embodiment typically includes
Aspirin, anticoagulant (typically clopidrogrel), nitroglycerin and
in some cases betablocker medications. The reader should be aware
that the concept of this invention is not limited to the specific
medications and that it is expected that the preferred medications
will change over time as the emergency treatment of heart attack
and unstable angina evolves in the future. Since the cardio care
kit is designed to be self administered by patients it will often
be used in locations where immediate medical emergency care is not
available or in which medical care is deemed to be inadequate, such
as wilderness areas, rural areas, third world countries or in urban
areas when circumstances such as weather, traffic, distance or
disaster prevents access to emergency medical services. Typically,
patients will have the cardio care kit immediately available at the
time their symptoms first develop. The component medications will
have been prescribed and dispensed before the user of the kit is in
a location where they might have the onset of an unstable coronary
syndrome. At least one-half of patients who suffer myocardial
infarction and unstable angina have not sought prior medical care
for their coronary risk factors or coronary artery disease warning
symptoms. In the present use of the invention, the cardio care kit
will be made available to the general public via Internet access
after patients have completed an on-line Internet consultation to
confirm they are candidates for the kit and have no
contraindications to the component medications of the kit. The
cardio care kit will be prescribed only by cardio care kit
authorized physicians, and through cardio care kit licensed
pharmacists and pharmacies. The cardio care kit only uses US FDA
approved medications.
[0059] In its present preferred embodiment, the packaging,
medications and instructions are combined into a small, compact kit
with printed instructions for use of each of the medications. The
sequencing of use of the medications is clearly labeled in the kit
as well as side effects and contraindications to further use of
components of the kit based on the patients symptoms of shock,
heart failure and heart rate and blood pressure during their acute
ischemic coronary attack.
[0060] Acute coronary syndromes are usually a result of coronary
thrombosis on superimposed vulnerable atherosclerotic coronary
artery plaque. The erosion of the surface of mildly obstructive
coronary plaque, causes local vessel clotting and leads to sudden
coronary artery closure, and often is not preceded by warning
symptoms of chest pain or shortness of breath. Myocardial
infarction and unstable angina often develop without warning. Rapid
treatment of myocardial infarction and unstable angina reduces
mortality and improves the chances of survival for patients.
Patients that do not have access to emergency medical care may die
suddenly of cardiac rhythm disturbances or suffer extensive
myocardial damage leading to cardiac shock; if they survive.
Myocardial damage may lead to future congestive heart failure. The
cardio care kit embodiment of this invention improves patient's
chances to receive further care for what otherwise might be fatal
coronary atherosclerosis.
[0061] For patients unable to reach definitive cardiac care
immediately, treatment with antiplatelet medications will improve
their chances of survival and possible abort death in the case of
coronary thrombosis. Aspirin, which affects platelet thromboxane
production, is available without a prescription in the United
States and is a prescribed treatment for acute coronary syndromes
and, moreover, has been shown to reduce mortality in the setting
unstable coronary syndromes. Nitroglycerin is approved by the US
FDA for chest pain during acute coronary syndromes and relieves
chest pain and reduces the size of myocardial infarction. Cardio
care kit patients are instructed to take clopidogrel if their pain
is not relieved by aspirin followed by nitroglycerin. Following the
administration of aspirin and clopidogrel, the patients will
typically have a significant antiplatelet effect and will have an
anticoagulant effect for about three days. Betablocker medications
can also be used to reduce the incidence of fatal arrhythmias and
to reduce mortality when they are taken at the onset of acute
myocardial infarction. Betablockers have been recommended by the
American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA)
Guidelines for the Management of Patients with acute myocardial
infarction. Cardio care patients, of this invention, are instructed
to take betablockers typically about one hour into the onset of
their heart attach if they feel that the will be delayed more than
two hours from receiving medical care. For kits of this invention
containing betablockers, patients are instructed to take
metoprolol, typically about 25 mg, orally every six hours based on
their blood pressure, heart rate and symptoms. Cardio care kit, of
this invention, patients can be advised to purchase a portable
blood pressure monitor to keep with them when they are away from
emergency medical care for an extended period of time and may need
to use the contents of the cardio care kit.
[0062] In the basic cardio care kit of this invention, instructions
and medications for patients suffering symptoms of acute myocardial
ischemia (myocardial infarction and unstable angina pectoris) who
do not have immediate access to emergency medical services.
Patients are typically advised by the invention's provided
instructions to contact, typically by telephone, their local
emergency medical provider and to initiate transport as soon as
possible to the nearest medical facility. In the present basic
embodiment of the invention, patients are instructed to chew and
swallow four 81 mg tablets of aspirin, to use nitroglycerin every
five minutes, depending on the level of chest pain and symptoms,
and finally to take four tablets of 75 mg of clopidogrel, if
symptoms are not relieved by three sequential nitroglycerin
tablets. In the extended care embodiment of the invention, patients
are supplied with a kit with aspirin, nitroglycerin and
clopidogrel, as in the basic embodiment, and will also be supplied
with betablocker therapy. In this embodiment, patients are also
instructed to take betablockers one hour after the onset of
symptoms of heart attack based on the presence or absence of
symptoms and signs of shock, heart failure and pulmonary edema.
This embodiment of the kit contains 25 mg metoprolol tablets. The
instructions for the use of metoprolol will be based on heart rate
and blood pressure.
[0063] The present cardio care kit embodiments of the invention
contain instructions for the signs and symptoms of myocardial
infarction as well as instructions for the use of each of the
component medications. Patients are generally instructed to call
911 before taking the medications and to go or be transported to
the nearest hospital emergency room, if 911 or the equivalent
emergency medical number cannot be reached. Patients are not
prescribed the kit of this embodiment of the invention if they have
a history of bleeding, prior intracerebral bleeding, a history of
cerebral aneursym, recent major trauma, a history of aortic
dissection or allergies or hypersensitivity to any of the
components of aspirin, clopidrogrel, nitroglycerin or betablockers.
A patient with a history of asthma will not be prescribed the
remote-cardio care kit embodiment that contains betablockers.
[0064] As noted above, at present two embodiments of the cardio
care kit embodiments are available. The "rural-cardio care kit"
embodiment consists of a folded kit with medications in a film tab
package, with aspirin, clopidrogrel and a sealed bottle of 25
nitroglycerin tablets. This embodiment is typically used by
patients with contra indications to betablockers or by patients
that anticipate reaching medical care within two hours from the
onset of a heart attack, but know that emergency medical care is
not immediately available. The second "remote-cardio care kit"
embodiment, includes the medications of the "rural-cardio care kit"
plus the betablocker medication, typically metoprolol. This
"remote-cardio care kit" embodiment includes instructions for
patients not to take betablockers if their blood pressure is below
90 mmHg or if the patient has symptoms of shock, heart failure,
pulmonary edema, asthma or have a heart rate below 50 beats per
minute. The extended or "remote" embodiment of the kit of this
invention is for patients who do not expect to reach medical care
for time periods of two hours to several days after the onset of
their heart attack. Such patients include patients who plan to
travel in wilderness locations, third world countries where medical
care is limited, and/or for patients who live in locations where it
is likely to take over two hours to be transported to an emergency
room. The medications contained in the present kit of this
invention typically have a shelf life of about one year. The kit is
typically available to patients only after a licensed physician has
prescribed each component medication of the kit. Patients are
preferably required to complete a cardiology consultation prior to
the dispensing of the components of the kit. The patients also
receive with the kit of this invention explicit instructions
concerning the use of the kit and information concerning the
symptoms and signs of acute coronary syndromes. Contraindications
to the use component medications of the kit are also included.
Patients are also generally instructed to acquire a portable blood
pressure and heart rate monitor if they intend to use the remote
cardio care kit and who expect to be out of touch with emergency
medical services for more than two hours after the onset of chest
pain.
[0065] In a second example embodiment of this invention, the
medications and kit instructions provide treatment for traveler's
diarrhea. Traveler's diarrhea affects nearly one quarter of
travelers to tropical vacation lands, and even more who travel to
developing and third world countries. The disease is normally
caused by a growth of a common bacteria, Escherichia Coli in the
patient's intestine. Traveler's diarrhea commonly occurs in areas
where hygiene is poor. The Medical Letter recommends, "Travelers
should avoid raw vegetables, fruit they have not peeled themselves,
unpasteurized dairy products, cooked food not served steaming hot
and tap water including ice." This embodiment of the invention,
referred to generally as the Tourista Euro Kit, is designed for use
in treating severe cases of Traveler's Diarrhea (TD). The Tourista
Euro Kit embodiment is also designed for use by patients who do not
have immediate access to emergency medical services. It presently
contains three medications, each of which has been proven to help
in the cessation of common diarrhea. It is also packaged with
detailed instructions to inform the patient the sequence and timing
of taking the medications. Patients are also instructed to begin
self treatment when diarrhea symptoms are distressing or
persistent.
[0066] Preferably embodiments of the kits of this invention are
provided as a kit with medications to be dispensed in a sequential
timed fashion. The kit may be folded or may be provided with
shelves with the medications installed in cards or film tab
packaging. Large print instructions indicating the sequence and
timing of administration of the medications along with general
emergency medical information, such as 911 calls, the local
emergency medical telephone numbers, and directions to the nearest
hospital. The present kit embodiments of this invention include
instructions not to take the components of the kit if they have
contraindications to use of the kit medications as the patient's
attack evolve. For example, a patient may have a normal heart rate
and blood pressure at the start of his or her attack, but develop
significant bradycardia, in which event they are instructed not to
take the nitroglycerin, which could aggravate a right ventricle
infarction or be a sign of heart block. Such patients will be
instructed not to take clopidogrel in the presence of active
bleeding or recent injury, and are instructed not to take
betablockers in the presence of symptoms or signs of shock,
bradycardia, heart failure, pulmonary edema or asthma. The basic
designs of the interior and exterior of two embodiments of the kit
are show in several of the following drawings.
[0067] Although, this disclosure describes in detail several
embodiments of this invention which include application of the
invention to cardiological distress or diarrhea, the concepts of
this invention are envisioned as being applied to a wide variety of
medical conditions, diseases and emergencies, for example, but
without intending to limit the potential application for this
invention, this invention can also be applied to the treatment of
diabetes, epilepsy, asthma, food poisoning, trauma, shock, pain and
various neurological conditions.
[0068] FIG. 1 shows a process flow chart of the present use of the
medication kit of this invention. In the present preferred
embodiment of the uses of this invention, initially a condition is
identified 101. Typically this identification 101 is performed by
recognizing symptoms or risk conditions associated with a
particular medical condition. Medication for the treatment of the
identified condition is recommended 102. In many instances this
recommendation by constitute prescription, in other instances it
may be simply be cross-references the identified condition to one
or more specific medications. A kit is assembled 103. The kit is a
collection of one or more medications packaged and presented so as
to encourage or otherwise facilitate the administration of the
medications in a particular sequence or at a particular timing
interval. The kit is delivered 104 to a user. The user is typically
the patient or potential patient, although in some uses of this
invention, the user may be a health care worker or care giver.
Symptoms are detected 105, which are likely to correlate to the
onset of a medical condition or emergency medical situation. Often
these symptoms are detected 105 by the patient himself or herself,
in other situations the symptoms are detected by a trained
professional or an interested other person. The medication is
administered 106 typically by the patient himself or herself,
although alternatively, another person may be required to
administer the medication. Administration of the medication
includes receiving (typically ingesting) a succession of
medications in a specified order and often at proscribed intervals
or timing. Instructions are provided to guide the user and/or
patient in the administration of the medications and in
identification of symptoms and contraindications relevant to the
administration of the medications. Follow-up medical care is given
107, typically by medical professionals, often in a hospital,
clinic or other emergency medical service provider.
[0069] FIG. 2 shows a process flow chart of the present use of the
medication kit of this invention, which would typically be part of
the medication administration 106 step of FIG. 1. If possible,
emergency medical assistance is contacted 201. This contact may be
by an automatic alarm, a telephone or other convenient method. A
section of the kit of this invention is opened 202. Medication is
taken 203 sequentially as instructed by the incorporated
instructions of the invention. Wait 204 for the required time
period. A test 205 is made to determine if additional sections of
medication remain. If additional medications remain to be taken in
accordance with the incorporated instructions, the process returns
to the opening kit section step 202. If no additional sections
remain to be taken, the user/patient continues to monitor symptoms
206.
[0070] FIG. 3a shows a perspective drawing of a first example
embodiment 300 of the kit package structure of this invention. This
kit package 300 is a generally rectangular box with two openable
panels 301, 302, each of which is provided with a tab 304, 305 or
other mechanism for opening the panel. The tabs 304, 305 operate by
pulling or pressing the tab 304, 305 away from the package 300,
thereby causing the openable panel 301, 302 to open in a door like
manner along an edge. The first openable panel 301 is generally for
access by the user/patient to medication/information cards 306, see
FIG. 3b, stored within the package 300. The first openable panel
301 is typically provided with an information region 302, such as
prescription information, medication information and/or condition
information for identification purposes. This information region
302 may be provided by writing directly on the first openable panel
301 or by affixing a sticker or other labeling device. In
alternative embodiments, this information region 302 may be located
on other parts of the package 300 or may simply be located on a
container, such as sack, bag or box, for the filled package 300.
The second openable panel 303 is generally provided for access to
the interior of the package 300 for loading the medication cards
306.
[0071] FIG. 3b shows a perspective view of an example medication
card 306 used with the first example embodiment of the invention.
As shown this medication card 306 has one or more locations 308 for
holding medications. Typically, these locations 308 are sealed
plastic receptacles suitable for holding individual pills or
capsules. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the location 308 are
sized to accommodate a glass or other container for holding
medications. An information panel 307 is provided for locating the
medication, medical condition, symptom, and/or contraindication
information, including specific sequence and/or timing information
for the administration of the medication located in the storage
locations 308.
[0072] FIG. 3c shows a perspective drawing of the first example 300
embodiment of the kit structure of this invention with the top
panel 301 open, exposing the interior 309 of the package 300. This
embodiment 300 is provided with a number of ridges or shelves 310
for holding medication cards 306 in a desired administration order,
top to bottom.
[0073] FIG. 3d shows a perspective drawing of the first example
embodiment of the kit structure of this invention with the end
panel 303 open, exposing an alternative view of the interior 309 of
the package 300. This view shows both sets of ridges or shelves
310, 311 for holding medication cards 306, and shows the package
300 open for loading the medication cards 306.
[0074] FIG. 4a shows a perspective drawing of a second example 400
embodiment of an alternative kit structure of this invention. This
kit 400 is a standard rectangular box with an openable top 401, on
which is provided a marker portion 402 for presenting such as
information as prescription information, medication information
and/or condition information for identification purposes.
[0075] FIG. 4b shows a perspective drawing of the medication card
403 used with the second example 400 embodiment of the alternative
kit of this invention. As shown this medication card 403 also has
one or more locations 407 for holding medications. Typically, these
locations 407 are sealed plastic receptacles suitable for holding
individual pills or capsules. Alternatively, in some embodiments,
the location 407 is sized to accommodate a glass or other container
for holding medications. An information panel 404 is provided for
locating the medication, medical condition, symptom, and/or
contraindication information, including specific sequence and/or
timing information for the administration of the medication located
in the storage locations 407. Further, this medication card 403 is
provided with notches 406a,b suitable for inserting the tip of a
user/patient's finger for withdrawal of the medication card 403
from the package 400. Separation from stacked medication cards 403
within the package 400 is accomplished by the wings 405a,b provided
on the medication card 403.
[0076] FIGS. 5a-5d and 6a-6c are representations of medication
cards or panels of the present embodiment of this invention. Cards
are used where it is desirable to have each separate from
succeeding cards, either for preparing or for administering. Panels
are used where each is connected along an edge to the next, thereby
making a single "card." The panel single card embodiment is
preferred where a folded medication card is desired. For the
purpose of the remaining discussion, both panels and cards shall be
referred to as cards, although substituting multiple cards by a
single carded foldable into multiple panels is an alternative
within the concept of this invention. Each card typically
represents a separate prescription from the prescribing or
recommending medical professional and will generally include the
date of issue and expiration along with instructions for the
administration of the contained medication and are clearly labeled
and ordered in the package in accordance with the order in which
they are to be administered. In FIGS. 5a-5d, the first three cards
5a-5c comprise the "basic" or "rural" cardio care kit embodiment.
The previously described "remote" embodiment comprises all four of
the cards 5a-5d.
[0077] FIG. 5a shows a representation of the first medication card
501 of the cardio-kit embodiment of this invention. A first
instruction portion 505 describing the medication 507 enclosed in
the card locations 506, the instructions for taking the mediation
and the following step instructions is provided. A second
instruction portion 515 specifically instructing the user/patient
on the next step in the sequential administration of the medication
is also provided. A plurality of medication storage locations 506
is provided with the medication installed. Typically, these
medication storage locations 506 are constructed as sealed plastic
containers or pockets. Paper and/or foil can also be substituted,
as is well known in the art without departing from the concept of
this invention. In this card, which is part of the cardio care kit,
the medication is presently aspirin.
[0078] FIG. 5b shows a representation of the second medication card
502 of the cardio-kit embodiment of this invention. A first
instruction portion 508 describing the medication 510 enclosed in
the card location 509, the instructions for taking the mediation
and the following step instructions is provided. A second
instruction portion 516 specifically instructing the user/patient
on the next step in the sequential administration of the medication
is also provided. A single medication storage location 509 is
provided with the medication installed. Typically, this medication
storage location 509 is constructed as sealed plastic containers or
pockets. Paper and/or foil can also be substituted, as is well
known in the art without departing from the concept of this
invention. The medication 510 in this card 502 which is part of the
cardio care kit embodiment of this invention is presently
nitroglycerin.
[0079] FIG. 5c shows a representation of the third medication card
503 of the cardio-kit embodiment of this invention. A first
instruction portion 518 describing the medication 512 enclosed in
the card locations 511, the instructions for taking the mediation
and the following step instructions is provided. A second
instruction portion 517 specifically instructing the user/patient
on the next step in the sequential administration of the medication
is also provided. A plurality of medication storage locations 511
are provided with the medication installed. Typically, these
medication storage locations 511 are constructed as sealed plastic
containers or pockets. Paper and/or foil can also be substituted,
as is well known in the art without departing from the concept of
this invention. This medication 512 loaded in this card 503 is
presently clopidrogrel.
[0080] FIG. 5d shows a representation of the fourth medication card
504 of the cardio-kit embodiment of this invention. An instruction
portion 519 describing the medication 514 enclosed in the card
locations 513, the instructions for taking the mediation and the
following step instructions is provided. A plurality of medication
storage locations 513 is provided with the medication installed.
Typically, these medication storage locations 513 are constructed
as sealed plastic containers or pockets. Paper and/or foil can also
be substituted, as is well known in the art without departing from
the concept of this invention. The medication 514 in this card 504
of the cardio care kit embodiment is presently metoprolol.
[0081] FIG. 6a shows a representation of the first medication card
601 of the Touista-kit embodiment of this invention. A first
instruction portion 602 describing the medication 604 enclosed in
the card locations 603, the instructions for taking the
mediation-and the following step instructions is provided. A second
instruction portion 605 specifically instructing the user/patient
on the next step in the sequential administration of the medication
is also provided. A plurality of medication storage locations 603
is provided with the medication installed. Typically, these
medication storage locations 603 are constructed as sealed plastic
containers or pockets. Paper and/or foil can also be substituted,
as is well known in the art without departing from the concept of
this invention. In this card 601, which is the first card of the
"tourista" embodiment of the invention the medication 604 is
presently bismuth subsalicylate.
[0082] FIG. 6b shows a representation of the second medication card
606 of the Touista-kit embodiment of this invention. A first
instruction portion 607 describing the medication 609 enclosed in
the card locations 608, the instructions for taking the mediation
and the following step instructions is provided. A second
instruction portion 610 specifically instructing the user/patient
on the next step in the sequential administration of the medication
is also provided. A plurality of medication storage locations 608
is provided with the medication installed. Typically, these
medication storage locations 608 are constructed as sealed plastic
containers or pockets. Paper and/or foil can also be substituted,
as is well known in the art without departing from the concept of
this invention. The medication 609 in this second card 606 of the
"tourista" embodiment is presently loperamide.
[0083] FIG. 6c shows a representation of the third medication card
611 of the Touista-kit embodiment of this invention. A first
instruction portion 612 describing the medication 614 enclosed in
the card locations 613, the instructions for taking the mediation
and the following step instructions is provided. A second
instruction portion 615 specifically instructing the user/patient
on the next step in the sequential administration of the medication
is also provided. A plurality of medication storage locations 613
is provided with the medication installed. Typically, these
medication storage locations 613 are constructed as sealed plastic
containers or pockets. Paper and/or foil can also be substituted,
as is well known in the art without departing from the concept of
this invention. The medication 614 of this third card 611 of the
tourista care kit embodiment of the invention is presently
ciprofloxin.
[0084] FIG. 7a shows a section view of a third alternative
embodiment 700 of the kit of this invention. A generally
rectangular box with a top lid 701 is provided. Within the interior
of the box a number of ridges or shelves 703a-f provide the
vertical support for the inserted medication cards 704a-d. The top
lid 701 is secured in a closed position by placing latches 702a,b
over protrusions 705a,b.
[0085] FIG. 7b shows a perspective view of the third alternative
embodiment 700 of the kit container with the lid 701 open. The
latches 702a,b are shown in an open position, as are the
protrusions 705a,b.
[0086] The described embodiments are to be considered in all
respects only as illustrative of the current best modes of the
invention known to the inventors at the time of filing this
application, and not as restrictive. Although the several
embodiments shown here include specific components, drugs
(medications), packages and steps, these are provided in order to
show examples of the present embodiments of this invention. Rather,
the specifics of these embodiments are provided to show several
examples. This scope of this invention is, therefore, indicated by
the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All
devices and processes that come within the meaning and range of
equivalency of the claims are to be embraced as within the scope of
this patent.
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