U.S. patent application number 10/885149 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-10 for customized medication organizer.
This patent application is currently assigned to Pfizer Inc. Invention is credited to Girzaitis, Nancy M..
Application Number | 20050029156 10/885149 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34119146 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050029156 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Girzaitis, Nancy M. |
February 10, 2005 |
Customized medication organizer
Abstract
A medication organizer system includes an arrangement of day of
the week containers with each container divided into separate time
of the day compartments. Each time of the day compartment has
pictorial indicia which readily signifies a specific respective
time of the day. A medication organized worksheet is provided with
medication/pill identifying pictorial indicia and an imprinted grid
which tracts the container and compartment arrangement; the grid
having juxtaposed imprinted pictorial indicia corresponding to the
compartment pictorial indicia. A sheet of adhesive backed peel-off
numerals is provided, whereby a peeled-off numeral is adhered to
the medication organizer worksheet juxtaposed to the grid and
another peeled-off same numeral is adhered to the container for the
specific medication. A medication organizer instruction sheet
containing pictorials is provided to permit a layperson to readily
use the medication organizer system.
Inventors: |
Girzaitis, Nancy M.; (New
York, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PFIZER INC
150 EAST 42ND STREET
5TH FLOOR - STOP 49
NEW YORK
NY
10017-5612
US
|
Assignee: |
Pfizer Inc
|
Family ID: |
34119146 |
Appl. No.: |
10/885149 |
Filed: |
July 6, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60493840 |
Aug 8, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/570 ;
206/534 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 2011/007 20130101;
A61J 7/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/570 ;
206/534 |
International
Class: |
B65D 069/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A medication organizer system comprising; day of the week
containers, each container comprising a plurality of separate
compartments for containing medication elements for dispensing from
each compartment, each compartment comprising a respective
pictorial indicia which is readily cognizable as representing a
particular respective time of the day, said containers being
arrayed according to the days of the week so that said compartments
are disposed in an arrangement; and a medication organizer
worksheet display comprising a grid, said grid comprising spaces
corresponding to the arrangement, said worksheet display further
comprising pictorial indicia corresponding to the compartments'
pictorial indicia, said display pictorial indicia being juxtaposed
to the grid, means for inserting a numeral for designating a
specific medication, and means for marking the grid corresponding
to the prescribed time of the day and day of the week for
administering the numeral designated specific medication, said
numeral being inserted on the worksheet display, wherein the
specific medication and specific medication administration regimen
are readily discerned from the worksheet display whereby the
medication elements are readily correctly organized in the
respective compartments.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for instructing
the user in the use of the system.
3. The system of claim 1, said display comprises an imprinted
sheet.
4. The system of claim 2, said means for instructing the user
comprises a medication organizer instructions imprinted sheet.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the pictorial indicia comprises
one or more selected from the group of pictorials signifying,
morning, noon time, evening and nighttime.
6. The system of claim 1, said means for inserting a numeral having
comprising means for inserting a second same numeral on a
medication container containing the specific medication.
7. The system of claim 1, said means for inserting a numeral
comprising a sheet comprising a plurality of adhesive backed
peel-off members, said members bearing numerals, whereby the user
peels off one member bearing the numeral corresponding to a
specific medication and adheres the peeled-off member with the
numeral in the display juxtaposed to the grid to numerically
identify the specific medication, and peels off a second member
bearing the same numeral and adheres the second member to a
medication container containing the specific medication.
8. The system of claim 7, said display comprises an imprinted
sheet, said sheet having a designated space for inserting the
member bearing a numeral.
9. The system of claim 1, each said container comprising indicia
identifying the respective day of the week.
10. The system of claim 1, further comprising wall means wherein
the compartments are separated from each other.
11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a tray formed with a
recess for removably receiving of the containers.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the tray and containers are
cooperatively formed so that the containers are separately
removable from the tray, whereby the user removes one particular
desired day of the week container.
13. The system of claim 1, said pictorial indicia comprises one or
more pictorial indicia selected from, a house, the sun, the moon,
the horizon and a star.
14. The system of claim 1, said worksheet display further
comprising designated spaces for providing identifying indicia for
the prescribed medication.
15. The system of claim 14, said designated spaces comprise a
designated space for medication identifying indicia and a
designated space for the medication dosage identifying indicia.
16. The system of claim 2, said means for instructing the user
comprises a imprinted panel bearing pictorial and text
instructions.
17. The system of claim 16, said pictorial instructions comprise a
pictorial of the grid and a pictorial of the containers.
18. The system of claim 17, said panel comprises a laminated
sheet.
19. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for inserting a
numeral on a medication container, wherein the medication container
numeral and the corresponding grid numeral are the same
corresponding to the specific medication.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to a medication organizer system.
Specifically, this invention relates to a medication organizer
system particularly suitable for use by persons with limited
language skills, limited pharmacology acumen and/or advanced
age.
[0003] 2. Discussion of the Prior Art
[0004] It is known in the pillbox art to provide time and day of
the week compartments for separately holding pills. The patient or
user however requires a certain level of language facility and
pharmacology acumen to correctly organize the pills in the
appropriate pill box compartments. Such prior art pill box
constructions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,085 to Denney,
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 393,203 to Saltzman and U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,229
to Halbich.
[0005] It is also known in the prior art to provide a pill box
holder with separately removable day of the week compartments with
each day of the week compartment divided into four separate time of
the day compartments imprinted with "MORN", "NOON", "EVE" and "BED"
designations as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,085, to Denney.
The Denney pill box holder permits transport of a desired day of
the week compartment without transport of the entire week's worth
of medication. The elongated ribs hold the compartments in separate
spaces, but are not generally sufficient to prevent unwanted
removal of the compartments.
[0006] It is also known in the prior art to provide information
displays in connection with pillbox constructions to assist the
user in organizing the medication. Such medication organizers and
dispensing systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,464,506 to
Welles, U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,451 to Niven, U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,237
to Brandon, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,156 to Martin. In general, such
prior art constructions are used by professional medical care
providers and particularly in hospitals and nursing homes. The
medication organizers of the Welles and Niven patents are exemplary
of constructions suitable for use by professional medical care
providers. These prior art organizers were not generally suitable
for use by persons with limited language skills and/or limited
pharmacology acumen and/or the elderly.
[0007] It is also known in the prior art to provide a
guidance/reminder calendar to assist in the administration of
medication as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,937 to Nellhaus.
This Nellhaus guidance/reminder calendar included pictorial time of
the day designations and picture stamps reflecting respective units
of medication.
[0008] The art desires a simplified medication organizer system,
which permits a patient or user with limited language skills and/or
limited pharmacology acumen and/or the elderly to readily correctly
organize diverse medications in the correct respective pill box
compartments. The art also desires a system, as immediately
aforesaid, which is readily transportable, and particularly so for
any particular days of the week, rather than having to transport
the entire medication organizer and dispenser system when only one
or two days of medication is required and wherein the un-removed
compartments remain secured in place
[0009] The present invention provides solutions to the
aforementioned prior art needs, resolves the aforementioned
deficiencies in the prior art constructions, and provides a
practical solution to the several impediments attendant the
aforesaid prior art medication organizers. The present invention
provides a practical medication organizer system for persons having
limited language skills, limited pharmacology acumen and/or
advanced age.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The term "medication element" as used hereinbefore and
hereinafter throughout the specification and claims refers to any
medication or therapeutic intervention in a specific physical form,
particularly including, but not limited to, oral administration
medications, e.g., pills, capsules, caplets, and the like, and
non-oral administration forms of medications, e.g., transdermal
patches, and the like.
[0011] The medication organizer system includes a plurality of
separable day of the week i.e., Sunday through Saturday medication
element containers or pillboxes. Each container or pill box is
inscribed with the respective day of the week, i.e. "SUN" through
"SAT". Each day of the week container or pill box has walls
separating the pill box into several, usually four, time of the day
compartments. Each time of the day compartment cover is imprinted
with a respective pictorial, which is readily cognizable as
signifying a specific time of the day. The pictorial includes a
house, horizon, sun, moon and/or stars. The pictorials are readily
cognizable by a lay person as signifying a specific time of day,
such as, morning/daybreak, noon/midday, dusk/early evening and late
evening/nighttime/bedtime. The separate time of the day
compartments have hinged lids or covers. The pictorials are boldly
imprinted on the respective compartment covers, and are readily
viewable and cognizable by the user.
[0012] A medication organizer worksheet display is provided as an
integral part of the medication organizer system. The medication
organizer worksheet display may be a plurality of separable pages
or paper sheets. One or more grids are imprinted on each sheet. The
grid tracts and corresponds to the day of the week and times of the
day arrangement of the compartments. The respective day of the week
designations "SUN" through "SAT" are imprinted on the worksheet
juxtaposed to the grid. Imprinted pictorials corresponding to the
time of the day compartment pictorials are imprinted on the
worksheet juxtaposed to the grid. Medication and medication element
or pill identifying indicia, such as by way of example, written
information, imprinted pictorial and imprinted color indicia are
juxtaposed to each grid. The healthcare provider, medication
provider or patient (where appropriate) writes or marks the
medication and pill identifying indicia to specify the prescribed
medication and the dosage. A paper sheet containing a plurality of
adhesive backed peel-off numerals is provided. The healthcare
provider or user peels off a numeral corresponding to a specific
medication. The peeled-off numeral is adhesively bonded to the
worksheet in a dedicated space juxtaposed to the grid. Another
peeled-off same numeral is adhesively applied to the medication
prescription container to numerically identify the corresponding
specific medication. The adhesively applied numerals numerically
identify the prescribed medication on the grid and on the pharmacy
supplied medication prescription container. The user then checks
the grid spaces to signify the correct day(s) of the week and
time(s) of the day that that prescribed specific medication is to
be administered.
[0013] A medication organizer system instructions display is also a
part of the present invention. The instructions display may be in
the form of a laminated sheet having imprinted pictorials and text
instructions. The pictorials include a pictorial of the grid, a
pictorial of the worksheet and a pictorial of a pharmacy supplied
medication prescription container. The text instructs the user in
(i) completing the grid related information on the worksheet, (ii)
adhesively applying a numeral to the pharmacy supplied medication
container and (iii) applying the same numeral in a space provided
on the worksheet juxtaposed to the worksheet information and grid
corresponding specific medication. The user may also be provided
with an illustrative pictorial example of organizing the diverse
medication elements or pills in the medication compartments.
[0014] In the aforesaid manner of construction, the user is
pictorially and numerically instructed as to the correct dosage for
each medication at the correct day and time of the day. A
professional healthcare provider or user may fill in the medication
dosage information sheet and grid, and apply the numerals. The
patient, even including one of limited language skills, limited
pharmacology acumen and/or advanced age, may then readily follow
the pictorial indicia, the numeral(s), and the marked-in grid to
place the correct pills in the correct number in the correct day(s)
of the week and time(s) of the day compartments. The medication
organizer system minimizes, if not eliminates, pill organization
errors.
[0015] The user, when traveling, may remove any one or more of the
day of the week compartments from a carry tray with the pills
contained in the compartments. The unremoved compartments remain
securely in place by means of opposed short projections integrally
formed in the tray. A fabric carry bag is provided to carry the
removed compartments and worksheet (filled in) and if desired, the
instructions sheet and adhesive peel-off numerals sheet. This
construction provides a practical readily transportable medication
organizer travel system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective partial fragmentary view of the
medication organizer system of the present invention in a carry
case;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the tray with the day of
the week medication containers as shown in partial fragmentary view
in FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the medication, organizer
worksheet (blank) as shown in partial fragmentary view in FIG.
1;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the adhesive backed peel-off
numerals sheet shown in partial fragmentary view in FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a plan view of one side of medication organizer
system instructions sheet as shown in partial fragmentary view in
FIG. 1; and
[0021] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the other side of the medication
organizer system instructions sheet.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] Referring to the Figures, there is shown the medication
organizer system 10 of the present invention. System 10 includes
pillbox 100 having an array of separate day of the week or daily
medication containers 11. Each medication container 11 has a
different day of the week designation viz. "SUN" through "SAT"
inscribed at top or front portion 12. Each medication container 11
is composed of four separate medication compartments 13, 14, 15 and
24. A different pictorial 20, 21, 22 and 23 is imprinted on each
respective compartment cover 48, 49, 50 and 51. Each pictorial is a
respective specific combination of the following images: a house,
the horizon, the sun and/or the moon/stars, as best shown in FIG.
2. Pictorial 20 is imprinted on compartment cover 48 and includes
house 16, horizon 17 and sun 18 disposed just above horizon 17.
Pictorial 20 signifies dawn, early morning or breakfast time.
Pictorial 21 is imprinted on compartment cover 49 and includes
house 16, horizon 17 and sun 18 disposed directly above house 16.
Pictorial 21 signifies midday, noontime or lunchtime. Pictorial 22
is imprinted on compartment cover 50 and includes house 16, horizon
17 and setting sun 18. Pictorial 22 signifies late afternoon, early
evening or dinnertime. Pictorial 23 is imprinted on compartment
cover 51 and includes house 16, horizon 17 and moon 25/stars 26.
Pictorial 23 signifies late evening, bedtime or nighttime.
Pictorials 20, 21, 22 and 23 are readily cognizable as signifying
the afore-discussed respective times of the day.
[0023] Referring specifically to FIGS. 2 and 5, each day of the
week container 11 has four covers 48, 49, 50 and 51, elongated
sides 37 and 38, rear 39, front 40 and bottom 41. Three integrally
formed transversely disposed walls 47 (typical) separate each
container 11 into the four separate time of the day compartment 13,
14, 15 and 24. Each day of the week compartment, 13, 14, 15 and 24,
is selectively enclosed by a respective cover 48, 49, 50 and 51.
Each cover 48-51 is movably connected to side 38 by integral
flexible hinge (52 typical). Each cover 48-51 is formed with a
peripheral edge 55 and an outwardly extending contoured edge or lip
56. In this manner of construction, each cover is securely
press-fitted and removably secured to the respective compartment
opening 58 (typical), with edge 55 press-fitted into compartment
opening 58. The user may selectively engage any lip 56 and, at any
desired time, open the desired compartment and selectively place
the desired array of pills e.g., 200, 201 and 202 in the
selectively opened compartment. Covers 48-51 when closed secure the
medication in the respective time of the day compartments. The user
may then, on the correct day at the correct time of day, open the
desired compartment to access the correct medication, as will be
further discussed hereinafter.
[0024] Pillbox 100 includes plastic tray 60. Plastic tray 60 is
formed with a front wall 61, rear portion or wall 62, opposed
sidewalls 64 and 65, bottom wall 66 and hinged transparent cover
67. Walls 61, 62, 64, 65 and 66 form rectilinear recess 68. A
series of opposed detents or short projections 69 (typical) are
formed on tray bottom wall 66. The container 11 is size to be
press-fitted into recess 68 in tray 60 disposed between and
contactingly engaged by ends 70 (typical) of short projections 69.
Container 11 front 40 is formed with a rounded forwardly extending
lip 73. The user may engage lip 73 to selectively remove a desired
day of the week container 11, without disturbing or moving the
other containers 11. Tray 60 rear portion 62 is provided with
corresponding day of the week imprinted designations 204, viz.
"SUN"-"SAT", juxtaposed to the corresponding container designations
12. That is, each container 11 is disposed and arranged in tray 60
with the corresponding juxtaposed day of the week designations.
[0025] The user has the option of carrying a complete week's supply
of daily medication by having all the day of the week containers
disposed in tray 60, or alternatively, may selectively remove any
one more specific day of the week containers for ready separate
transport. With specific reference to FIG. 1, there is shown the
removed containers for Saturday and Sunday being separately
transported in a travel bag or fabric case 80 together with other
features and elements of the system 10.
[0026] As previously discussed, short projections 69 tightly secure
containers 11, whereby unremoved containers do not slide or slip
out of place. The user is then not faced with the attendant
confusion of unwanted containers slipping or falling out of the
tray, in removing containers 11 for separate transport. A travel
bag 80 may be provided to conveniently carry one or more of the day
of the week container 11 bearing the pills, the completed
medication worksheet 90, the system instructions sheet 250, and
optionally additional peel off numerals sheet 191 (FIG. 1).
[0027] Referring specifically to FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, there is shown
the medication organizer worksheet or worksheet 90 of the present
invention. The medication organizer worksheet may be completed by a
healthcare professional for use by the patient, or where
appropriate may be completed by a lay person or the patient. A
plurality of separable medication instruction imprinted paper
worksheets 90 may be provided in a tear-off pad 91. Worksheet 90
includes provision for adhesively securing a member bearing a
numeral in designated box 200, and for written insertion of the
patient's name 92, the date the medication or drug was prescribed
93, the medication or drug identification or name 94, the
prescribed dosage 95, 95a and the purpose of the medication 95b.
Pill identifying indicia may also include pictorial or inscribed
indicia to signify the shape of the pill, e.g. oval, and a
plurality of color codes to signify the color(s) of the pill (not
shown). The healthcare provider may inscribe the shape of the
prescribed pill and places an "X", e.g. in various color coded
spaces to signify the color the prescribed pill (not shown). Other
means for pill identification are also within the contemplation of
the invention. The medication dosage worksheet also includes a
medication organizer identification box 200, as will be further
discussed hereinafter. The worksheet 90 also importantly includes a
grid 150, which includes day of the week "SUN" through "SAT"
designations as at 151, and time of day pictorials 152, 153, 154
and 155. Pictorials 152-155 correspond to the respective
compartment pictorials 20-23. With specific references to FIGS. 3,
5 and 6, the healthcare provider peels off adhesive backed
numeral(s) 190 (typical), from the peel-off sheet 191. The
healthcare provider then inserts the numeral(s) 190 in the grid box
200 identifies the specific medication. The grid is checked
corresponding to the prescribed day of the week and time of the day
that specific number identified medication is to be taken or
administered. The user readily discerns that grid 150 mimics or
tracts the compartments 11 arrayed in tray 60, and that inserted
numeral 190 juxtaposed to the grid 150 identifies the particular
medication to be organized in the corresponding compartments
according to the checked or marked at 350 grid location e.g., FIG.
5.
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown the medication
organizer instruction sheet 250. Sheet 250 comprises a front 201
(FIG. 5) and a back 202 (FIG. 6). Referring specifically to FIG. 5,
there is shown steps 1 through 7 (circled numerals) for first
removing e.g., adhesively backed numeral "1" (member 190) and
applying numeral "1" to the first pharmacy provided medication
presentation bottle or container, and then removing a second
adhesively backed numeral "1" and applying it to the space 200
provided in the upper left hand corner of the medication
instructions worksheet 90. The user or healthcare professional then
completes the text information 204 in spaces 92, 93, 94, 95a and
95b. Additional information (not shown) identifying the color and
shape of the medication element or pill may also be provided on
worksheet 250. The user or healthcare professional then places
check marks the grid according to the prescribed dosage regimen.
The foregoing steps are repeated for a second medication. (See
circled number 7 instructions on sheet) 250. Referring specifically
to FIG. 6 and specifically to upper section 209, there is shown a
schematic for using medication instructions worksheet 90 with the
pharmacy supplied prescribed medication containers or prescription
pill boxes 301 and 302, and the fully organized pillbox 100 with
the medication containers 11. The lower portion 210 of FIG. 6
demonstrates the option of removing one specific day of the week
container from the tray for carry bag travel use.
[0029] Other numerical and grid arrangements are within the
contemplation of the present invention. The user or healthcare
provider may insert a single numeral in a space juxtaposed to a
specific medication identification and respective grid. The user
may then, using a writing instrument, mark or check the grid
locations corresponding to the days and times of the day that
specific medication is to be taken. It is also within the
contemplation of the present invention that the worksheet and/or
instructions sheet be in the form of display such as a display on a
computer monitor or palm pilot
[0030] Having thus described a presently preferred embodiment of
the present invention, it will be appreciated that the objects of
the invention have been achieved, and it will be understood by
those skilled in the art that changes in construction and widely
differing embodiments and applications of the invention will
suggest themselves without departing from the spirit and scope of
the present invention. The disclosures and description herein are
intended to be illustrative and are not in any sense limiting of
the invention, which is defined in accordance with the adjoined
claims.
* * * * *