U.S. patent application number 11/063927 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-30 for medication distribution system.
Invention is credited to Lorenzato, Raymond Mark.
Application Number | 20050139506 11/063927 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34700261 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050139506 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lorenzato, Raymond Mark |
June 30, 2005 |
Medication distribution system
Abstract
A unique medication distribution system for compliance packaging
of medications, designed to contain each individual's unique daily
medications and supplements and enhance the timely administration
of the medications. The production and distribution of the system
is automated and highly integrated with the database software as
well as business software managed and operated by a pharmacy. The
system comprises of a card made up of plastic, paper or composite
materials with blister components containing the medication. The
card can be bipartite or multipartite according to the medication
needs of a user, with foldable side panels. An array of the timing
corresponding to each medication is printed on the card.
Corresponding to each medication is also an array listing the name
of the doctor, the name of the medication and the rationale for its
administration. A side panel may have sleeves or pockets containing
salves, ointments, patches, lotions or milks, when prescribed to
the user. A side panel may be customized to advertising targeting
the market defined by individuals who take several medications in a
day.
Inventors: |
Lorenzato, Raymond Mark;
(Paradise, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ray K. Shahani, Esq.
ATTORNEY AT LAW
Twin Oaks Office Plaza
477 Ninth Avenue, Suite 112
San Matco
CA
94402-1854
US
|
Family ID: |
34700261 |
Appl. No.: |
11/063927 |
Filed: |
February 23, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11063927 |
Feb 23, 2005 |
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09620891 |
Jul 21, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/534 ;
705/2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G16H 40/67 20180101;
B42D 15/00 20130101; G09B 19/00 20130101; G16H 20/10 20180101; A61J
7/04 20130101; G09B 23/28 20130101; B42D 15/0046 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/534 ;
705/002 |
International
Class: |
B65D 083/04 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A medication and healthcare supplements distribution system to
ensure compliance packaging, customized to the needs of an
individual patient and industry supported so as to enable the user
to take medications as prescribed on a daily basis.
2. The medication distribution system of claim 1 further comprising
web-based input means.
3. The medication distribution system of claim 2 comprising an
industrial product whose production, distribution and marketing is
internet-based.
4. The medication distribution system of claim 2 in which the
operational mechanism is responsible for the management of a
database consisting of an individual's daily medications,
prescriptions and supplement needs.
5. The medication distribution system of claim 2 further comprising
an internet website designed to allow physicians and pharmacists to
enter patient's daily medication prescription.
6. The medication distribution system of claim 5 in which the
website is loaded with one or more of the following: the Database
of Patient Prescription, the Practitioner Database, Drug
Interaction Database, and Business Software for billing, orders,
and Demand and Supply analysis.
7. The medication distribution system of claim 5 directed and
coordinated by a Mechatronic Engine, optionally comprising robotic
automation with database interface.
8. The medication distribution system of claim 2 further comprising
means for communication of system data to patient or physician
based medical record systems.
9. The medication distribution system of claim 1 especially adapted
for monitoring of compliance.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This Application is a Divisional of related pending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/620,891 filed Jul. 21, 2000 entitled
MEDICATION DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety, and claims any and all benefits to which
it is entitled therefrom.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is related to medication distribution
systems, in particular compliance packaging of medications or
supplements that make it possible to confirm that a dispensation of
a medication regimen customized to an individual's daily needs has
actually been adhered to during the course of a day as prescribed
by the practitioner.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A major problem confronted by people, particularly the
disabled, chronically ill, home bound and psychiatric patients on
multiple drugs, is the implementation of the necessary drug regimen
in a safe, accurate and a timely manner. During pharmacological
training of nurses and doctors, great emphasis is placed on the
absolute necessity for maintaining prefect accuracy in the
administration of medications. Errors and misuse can undermine the
effectiveness of these drugs and can indeed be dangerous to the
patient, causing fatal results and costing billions of dollars
annually to our national health care system. In many instances, the
patient's drug regimen includes up to six or more medications to be
taken daily, each medication having its own time table and dosage,
and each with accompanying supplements, instructions and warnings.
The timing and dosage of medicines is subject to frequent change
and may vary from day to day, particularly among the elderly
patients. The effort to keep track of such a complexity of
information can be confusing and threatening to the patient,
causing distress and often prolonging recovery.
[0004] There are numerous prior art examples of medication
containers provided with time reminder or calendar devices.
Generally, the containers have reminder devices affixed to them
which bear a plurality of indicia corresponding to desired time
periods. The indicia used on such dispensers are an integral part
of the dispensers and, if for some reason a different time schedule
is desired, the dispenser is unusable for such different schedule
and a whole new dispenser/indicia package must be prepared for each
new schedule. Charts currently in use by medical professionals are
often difficult for anyone outside the profession to read and
understand. Many patients are already disquieted simply by being
ill and can become additionally concerned and/or confused with the
added burden of having to follow the doctor's orders. Plastic box
containers work only for those using relatively few medications;
they do not accommodate a large multiplicity of medications, for
example, 6 to 12 to be taken several times daily, 7 days a week,
and of course the medication must be in pill form to be placed in
the slots of the plastic containers. Systems such as these are not
useful for medications that are sensitive to light or air; neither
are they practical for the use of patches, salves, liquid
medications or medications that need to be refrigerated. The
plastic box containers do not reinforce the name of the medication,
the dosage, the usage or indication, and any pertinent information
about the medication. In some instances, licensed physicians must
prescribe medication so that the proper dosages may be taken by the
patient at uncommon although prescribed intervals (not simply
daily) under proper supervision. In such a case it has been found
that the devices to assist the user in taking the dosage are either
not available or are not alterable to vary the dispensing time
schedule in response to certain conditions which may require a
different regimen. It would be desirable to provide the physician
with a time-reminding and dispensing device, for particular
patients for his/her daily dosages. Also where medication is
prescribed on a varying schedule in order for the patient to be
slowly introduced to or withdrawn from an efficacious medication
level, it would be desirable to provide the physician with a
variety of time-reminding and dispensing devices, so that the
regimen for taking the medication would be easily variable to
reflect the elements of dosage quantity and frequency of the
various desirable stages.
[0005] One prior art U.S. Pat. No. 6,062,420 issued May 16, 2000 to
Krouwel et al is an apparatus for dispensing pills from a blister
pack in which cavities containing pills are distributed.
[0006] A further prior art U.S. Pat. No. 4,126,247 issued Nov. 21,
1978 to Majka is an upright housing having a transparent side and a
plurality of compartments positioned in rows and columns. Each
column represents a day of the week and each row represents a week
of a month. Each compartment is adapted to store a day's medication
and a calendar on the transparent side labels each compartment as a
different day of the month. A key-operated control device releases
medication from a selection compartment to the opening through the
bottom of the transparent side of the housing. But this pill
dispenser does not suggest any system for storing the medication
before use except manually by the user or someone for him, which is
not free from error.
[0007] One prior art U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,450 issued Jul. 11, 1995
to Coleman teaches a chart or a board listing medications, dosages
and times to be taken; its surface serving as a dry continuous
basis, marked by a marker, subject to erasing and geared toward
flexible daily use. There is a medication-recessed tray that
organizes the user's medicines into one central location. It has a
calendar section having square boxes that are to be marked after
medication is ingested or applied. It has a refill column, where
refill dates and other refill information is placed. But this
medication board does not guarantee an accurate ingestion of
medication as errors in scheduling, refilling, and marking are
quite a possibility. Additionally, this medication board becomes
very vulnerable to user error, especially when the patient is
himself administering the medication and is partially or more or
less debilitated or infirm.
[0008] Another prior art U.S. Pat. No. Des. 375,526 issued Nov. 12,
1996 to Londino teaches an ornamental design for a calendar for a
medicine reminder.
[0009] A further prior art U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,352 issued Apr. 11,
1989 to Maunand et al discloses a dosage calendar comprising at
least two time scales; the units of the first scale being the day
in the month or week or else a fraction of a day in the month, week
or day, and the second scale having a number of unit elements with
a value of seven or a multiple of seven, with at least one of the
scales including a recognition mark which can be changed by the
user during the treatment. These two scales, which are
interchangeable and can also have unit elements in common, make it
possible to identify three moments in time by virtue of the
recognition marks or signs: the start of the treatment, the time of
the last dose and the time of the next dose. However, the calendar
does not teach an automatic distribution system for the
administration of drugs. The scales have to be adjusted by the
patients or the caretakers and the adjustment is subject to
error.
[0010] A further prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,729 issued Dec. 4,
1990 to Steinnagel discloses a calendar type dispenser in
association with a separable indicia means, the combination
comprising a reminder system for the patient to take a particular
dosage of medication.
[0011] One prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,937 issued Jul. 16, 1991
to Nellhaus teaches a pictorial system to assist in the
administration of medication, The picture stamps, each reflecting a
unit of a medication, are to be pasted into discrete spaces of a
sheet, card, label or box cover divided into columns and rows
identified by icons for the time of day one or more units of the
medication are to be taken. However, this system involves
associating the appearance of the drug with its name and strength,
thereby enhancing the risks of improper administration of
medication by the user. It also creates the problem of reproduction
of the visual depictions of the medications.
ADVANTAGES AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] In view of the above, a principal object and advantage of
this invention is to provide a convenient and inexpensive means of
supplying a daily regimen of multiple medications and/or health
supplements organized by time of day and period.
[0013] It is a further object and advantage of this invention to
provide a time reminding system.
[0014] A further object and advantage of the present invention is
to provide a medication distribution system which assists in
self-administration or the giving of medications while reducing the
risks of improper ingestion of medication or poor compliance that
could result in serious consequences.
[0015] Another object and advantage of the present invention is to
provide a means for assessing each patient's daily regimen,
allowing a physician or other health practitioner to monitor
compliance, the ability of an individual to take medications and
supplements as prescribed.
[0016] Yet another object and advantage of the present invention is
to provide a form to give the patient specific information relative
to the medications and supplements ingested.
[0017] It is also an object and advantage of the present invention
to contributes to the success of scientific evaluation of the use
of medications (evidence based medicine) by facilitating a clear
understanding of compliance.
[0018] Thus, a preferred embodiment of the system and method of the
present invention includes compliance packaging of medications and
supplements in a distribution system for individuals taking
multiple medications during the course of a day so that compliance
with a prescribed regimen is enhanced. The system comprises a card
made of paper, plastic or composite material studded with blister
pack components. The card may be bipartite or multipartite,
customized to an individual's daily medication and supplement
requirements. The repositories of medications and supplements are
adhered either directly or indirectly (with tape, glue or other
means) to the card. Pills, tablets and capsules are arranged in an
array or in a circular or oval fashion, corresponding to time of
ingestion. The side panels may have sleeves or pockets, when needed
by the user, containing salves, patches, ointments and other
pharmaceutical products. The card has printed on it the name of the
user, the day and date for which it is to be used, the timing and
quantity and amount of each dose, the name of the prescribing
physician, the appropriate identification information for pharmacy
and prescription, as well as pertinent therapeutic information.
[0019] The method of the present invention also includes, in a most
preferred embodiment, "web based" information input, database
management, and robotics designed to fill each medication
distribution system card or system with medications and supplements
as well as to orchestrate the printing of each system. Security
will be engineered at all levels of software design and product
production.
[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the method of the present
invention includes a website in which, optionally and as may be
desirable or indicated, the pharmacists, physicians, and patients
have access to the website, such as to different portions thereof
or with different levels of security. In the preferred embodiment,
the website can be operated by a pharmacy responsible for the
management of the databases for an individual's daily medications,
patient records, practitioner's prescriptions, pharmaceutical
operations, and the production and distribution of system of the
present invention. The website is equipped with business software
for handling billing and ordering, and analyzing demand and supply.
It is linked with a drug interaction database. The site is
coordinated and directed with the help of Mechatronic Engine
(Robotic automation with database interface). It will be
understood, however, that while the mechanism for implementation of
such paradigm shift in the pharmaceutical industry can be modified
as desired or considered most economically or otherwise feasible,
any variations in the descriptions herein will be considered within
the scope of the present invention.
[0021] Numerous other advantages and features of the present
invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed
description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the
claims and from the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a foldable card,
containing an array of medication repositories embodying the
principles of the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a representative section of the side panel of the
device of FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a plan view of an alternate preferred embodiment
of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, with the medication
repositories arranged in a circular or oval fashion.
[0025] FIG. 4 is the schematic representation of the operational
mechanism and overall administration of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0026] The description that follows is presented to enable one
skilled in the art to make and use the present invention, and is
provided in the context of a particular application and its
requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments
will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general
principals discussed below may be applied to other embodiments and
applications without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention. Therefore, the invention is not intended to be limited
to the embodiments disclosed, but the invention is to be given the
largest possible scope which is consistent with the principals and
features described herein.
[0027] It will be understood that in the event parts of different
embodiments have similar functions or uses, they may have been
given similar or identical reference numerals and descriptions. It
will be understood that such duplication of reference numerals is
intended solely for efficiency and ease of understanding the
present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting in any
way, or as implying that the various embodiments themselves are
identical.
[0028] FIG. 1 is a representative schematic drawing of a preferred
embodiment of the device 100 showing a time reminding and
dispensation system for medications and supplements. The system 100
comprises of a card 116 made up of paper, plastic or composite
materials with blister pack components. It may be bipartite or
multipartite, foldable at the folds 110 and may vary in size to
meet the medication needs of an individual patient. The
repositories 106 may be blister packs, pockets, envelopes or
medications and supplements adhered either directly or indirectly
(with tape, and adhesive film or other device) to the card 116.
[0029] The head 112 of the main panel 118 has the user/patient's
name as well as the day and date for which the card 116 is created.
The date and day are important for the user to keep track of
his/her medication over a period of time. The array 114 on the main
panel 118 lists the name of the medication and the quantity
prescribed, name of the physician and the reason for which the
medication is prescribed. This information is provided to keep the
patient or the caregiver educated as well as to assist them in
using the website for having a new prescription or giving a new
order. Also, such information is needed the most in case of
emergencies. Additionally, it will be understood that the required
8-digit reference code for the particular prescription must be
indicated alongside each of the medication repositories 106.
[0030] The repositories of medication 106 in the main panel 118 are
arranged in an array in sequential order i.e. the order the
medication has to be taken in succession during the passage of a
day. The timing of the medication is printed on the tabs 108. The
timing can be set by hours or meal times or with other medications.
When a medication is ingested as it becomes due, the tab 108 is
pulled to indicate that the medication for that particular hour has
been ingested or applied.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a representative section of the side panel 102 of
the device 100 of FIG. 1. It illustrates the sleeves or pockets 302
to put ointments, salves, patches, eye drops, lotions, milks or
other pharmaceutical forms of medications or supplements. The
sleeves or pockets 302 can be made up of polythene or other
suitable material.
[0032] Also, the side panel 102 of the card 116 can be used by the
user for putting important notes such as the doctor's phone number
or noting any adverse effects caused by the ingestion of a
medication, etc. The side panel 104 of the card 116 provides a
unique opportunity for graphic and text advertising customized for
a market defined by those individual taking several medications or
supplements daily.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a preferred alternate embodiment of the invention
shown is FIG. 1., illustrating a time reminding and dispensation
system for medications and supplements. The system 200 comprises of
a card 216 made up of paper, plastic and composite materials with
blister pack components. It may be bipartite or multipartite,
foldable at the folds 210 and may vary in size to meet the
medication needs of an individual patient. The repositories may be
blister packs, pockets, envelopes or medications and supplements
adhered either directly or indirectly (with tape, and adhesive film
or other device) to the card 216.
[0034] The header 212 on the main panel 218 has the user/patient's
name, the day and date for which the card 216 is created. The date
and day are important for the user to keep track of his/her
medication. The timing 208 of the medication is printed on the
respective repository 206. The timing can be set by hours or meal
times or with other medications. When the time is due the blister
208 is pushed and the medication is ingested.
[0035] The repositories of medication 206 are arranged in a
circular or oval fashion on the main panel 218, in a sequential
order, clockwise or anticlockwise, in which the medications have to
be taken in succession during the passage of a day. The array 214
lists the name of the medication and the quantity prescribed, the
name of the physician and the rationale for which the medication is
prescribed. This information is provided to keep the patient or the
caregiver educated as well as to assist them in using the website
for having a new prescription or giving a new order. Also, such
information is needed the most in case of emergencies.
[0036] The side panel 202 of the card 216 has sleeves for putting
for putting patches, salves, ointments, eye drops or other
pharmaceutical forms of medications. Also, the side panel 202 of
the card 216 can be used by the user for putting important notes
such as the doctor's phone number or noting any adverse effects
caused by the ingestion of a medication, etc.
[0037] FIG. 4 is the schematic representation of the operational
mechanism and overall administration of the present invention. The
device of FIG. 1 is an industrial product whose production,
distribution and marketing can be internet-based or assisted. The
operational mechanism will be managed and directed by a website
overseen by a pharmaceutical company, insurance company, healthcare
maintenance organization, provider network or other administrative
scheme. FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the same. The internet
website 402 will be designed to allow physicians and pharmacists to
enter a patient's daily medication prescription directly, and to
allow patients to preview their system and to add over the counter
supplements.
[0038] The website 402 is protected by and interfaced with a
firewall 404 or other server means which allows exclusive and
selective access by the practitioners and their patients. The
website 402 is loaded with the Database of Patients Prescription
406, the Practitioner Database 410, Drug Interaction Database 408,
and Business Software for billing, orders, and Demand and Supply
analysis 412. All these Databases (406, 410, 408, 412) are directed
and coordinated by a Mechatronic Engine (Robotic automation with
database interface) 416 and are led into the production of the
medication distribution system 418. The Mechatronic Engine 416 in
turn is connected with Pharmaceutical and Supplement Supply 414.
The Distribution 420 of the system 418 is then done at the retail
level to various pharmacies.
[0039] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs.
Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those
described can be used in the practice or testing of the present
invention, preferred methods and materials are now described. All
publications and patent documents referenced in the present
invention are incorporated herein by reference.
[0040] While the principles of the invention have been made clear
in illustrative embodiments, there will be immediately obvious to
those skilled in the art many modifications of structure,
arrangement, proportions, the elements, materials, and components
used in the practice of the invention, and otherwise, which are
particularly adapted to specific environments and operative
requirements without departing from those principles. The appended
claims are intended to cover and embrace any and all such
modifications, with the limits only of the true purview, spirit and
scope of the invention.
* * * * *