Pill-Safe

Abstract

A substance-dispensing device that is programmed by a healthcare provider and whose bulk medication supply is inaccessible to a patient or user at one time. The user will only have access to the dose programmed by the healthcare provider at a specified time and not have access to the internal supply of the medication. The dispensing device denies medication requests to anyone except those authorized by the healthcare provider. The dispensing device keeps a record of the device access and functions performed in the database of the device. The dispensing device will only dispense medication when medication is requested and only if the medication is due. The dispensing device is re-usable and may only be setup by the prescribing authority and filled by the healthcare provider or pharmacist who is assigned to the device.

Claims

1. A dispensing device that prohibits access to internal contents other than in an authorized dosage by an authorized user and at an authorized time, the device comprising: a. One or more containers for a purpose of holding one or more capsules, medication, or other content, b. One or more locking mechanisms that prevent user access into said container when said locking mechanism is engaged, c. One or more portals equipped to receive input or inputs from an authorized provider and/or user, d. One or more internal computers for processing current time and/or time elapsed from a previous distribution of contents, e. One or more internal computers to allow an authorized provider to program into said device one or more identification input requirements of an authorized user, a maximum number of doses, a minimum interval of time between doses, a specified time or times of day that said user is authorized to access content stored in said device, and/or an amount or dosage of internal contents to be accessed by user, f. One or more internal computers to evaluate time and/or user input, g. One or more devices to perform an operation of allowing access to contents, and h. One or more openings in said containers from which to dispense internal contents.

2. The dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising one or more parts having an ability to move incrementally in a path for a purpose of rendering one or more capsules, unit of medication, or other content into a segment of the device accessible to a user.

3. The dispensing device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the identification input requirement or requirements of user are programmable.

4. The dispensing device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the amount or dosage of internal content to be accessed by user is programmable.

5. The dispensing device of claim 1 or 2, wherein a maximum number of doses, minimum elapsed time from previous dispersion, and/or a specified time or times of day that a user is authorized to access content stored are independently programmable.

6. The dispensing device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said device contains an identity portal for acquiring user identification input, including fingerprint recognition device, voice recognition, and/or passcode input.

7. The dispensing device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said device can evaluate whether current number of doses, elapsed time from previous dispersion, and/or a time of day, dosage of medicine, and/or one or more user inputs meet one or more programmed requirements.

8. The dispensing device of claim 1 or 2, wherein authorized time or times of medication can be based upon time of day, quantity of medication dispensed at a prior request or requests, elapsed time from prior dispersion or dispersions, or a combination thereof.

9. The dispensing device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said device will dispense one or more of its internal content only if current number of doses, elapsed time from previous dispersion, time of day, dosage, and/or identification input requirements are satisfied.

10. The dispensing device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said device controls the amount of capsules, medication, or other content that is dispensed at one time.

11. The dispensing device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said device dispenses only an authorized dosage during distribution of its content.

12. The dispensing device of claim 1 or 2, wherein locking mechanism engages after an authorized dosage is dispensed.

13. The dispensing device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said device contains a mechanism for creating an audible alert.

14. The dispensing device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said device records a log that can be accessed by an authorized provider or designated personnel, the log comprising one or more details of operation of said device.

15. The dispensing device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said device can be programmed through a designated controller to which an authorized provider has access.

16. The dispensing device of claim 1 or 2, wherein an authorized provider can fill said device with one of more capsules, medication, or other content.

17. The dispensing device of claim 1 or 2, wherein an authorized provider can select one or more identification input requirements of an authorized user.

18. The dispensing device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said device is assigned a unique device identifier.

19. The dispensing device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said device tracks the number of units of content contained within the device.

20. The dispensing device of claim 19, wherein said device contains a display disclosing the remaining quantity of contents enclosed within the device.

21. The dispensing device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said device comprises of one or more compartments, each compartment having an ability to be programmed with a different identification input, dosage, and/or time requirement.

22. The dispensing device of claim 1 or 2, wherein an authorized provider can refill and/or reprogram said device after use.

23. The dispensing device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said device is powered by electricity and/or battery.

24. The dispensing device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said device contains a battery charging port.

25. The dispensing device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said device and locking mechanism of device are tamper resistant.

26. The dispensing device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said device exhibits a sign of tampering after an attempt to open said device while locking mechanism is engaged.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] FIG. 1 is a likely isometric view of the exterior of the dispensing device

[0029] FIG. 2 is a likely isometric view of the exterior of the dispensing device, illustrating a communication port

[0030] FIG. 3 is a likely view of the exterior of the dispensing device

[0031] FIG. 4 is a likely view of the interior of the dispensing device

[0032] FIG. 5 is a flowchart depicting a likely process for user access

[0033] FIG. 6 is a flowchart depicting a likely process for healthcare provider access

[0034] FIG. 7 is a context diagram depicting a likely process model for the dispensing device

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 illustrate a possible external view of the dispensing device. The outer shell of the dispenser should be made of a hard substance, preferably a light metal or a hard plastic. The exterior should be waterproof and able to handle the day-to-day activity of being transported in a purse or pocket. Additionally, the material should be able to show evidence of tampering.

[0036] A section of the outer case will be reserved for user access point in order to determine if the person or persons requesting the medication is authorized to make the request. The mode for confirming identity may be either of the following including a combination of the following: fingerprint recognition, microphone for voice recognition, or a combination code. Although the input required for identity confirmation is programmed according to preferences of an authorized provider or user, if a combination code is utilized, then a voice activation requirement should be added for confirmation.

[0037] This input is relayed to the internal computer for processing. If the person requesting medication is deemed not to have access by the internal computer, medication will not be dispensed and an appropriate alert will be given (see FIG. 5). This alert may include the display of a red light or an audible response indicating that an unknown person has requested medication. Additionally, if the computer determines that the appropriate person is requesting medication, then the internal computer will determine if medication is due. If medication is not due, the dispenser will appropriately alert the user that medication is not due. This alert may include the display of a red light and/or a voice alert indicating how many minutes the user must wait for the next dose. This alert may be modified to communicate with the user based on his or her needs. After each dispense or at another frequency determined by both the provider and the user, the device may alert the patient as to how many pills are remaining within the device.

[0038] Additionally, the practitioner may set the dispenser to not fill prior skipped doses. For example, if a medication is written for every four hours as needed, and if a user goes eight hours without requesting medication and then requests medication, then he/she may only be given one dose and will not be able to request another one until another four hours has passed.

[0039] Another portion of the exterior contains a port that serves as a method to communicate with the device via a communication method (such as Bluetooth or infrared), although the device is capable of communicating via other means, including Bluetooth (see FIG. 2). The device will also contain an opening in the container through which medication is dispensed.

[0040] In the internal component of the dispenser, there exists a location for the pills, hereby known as the belt, and a mechanism by which to move the pills (see FIG. 4). The moving mechanism will likely be located in the center of the belt. The moving mechanism receives instructions on when to run from the internal computer.

[0041] Each pill is placed in an individual compartment that assures that the appropriate number of pills is dispensed with each movement of the belt. With each dispense, the mechanism moves enough to push the pills to the external part of the tube, which is accessible by the user. Additionally, there may be two layers of the belt so that a larger number of pills may be held by the belt as well as dispensed. The belt is comprised of separate compartments, so that, with a designated turn of the conveyer belt, the appropriate amount of medication will be dispensed.

[0042] The device also contains a locking mechanism (see FIG. 4). The proposed locking mechanism may be internal and controlled by an internal computer. It may, although not necessarily, operate in a manner in which the belt moves into a locking position and can rewind into the unlocked position. The internal computer will document each time the device is unlocked and by whom it was unlocked. This information can be stored in a log that may only be deleted by authorized personnel.

[0043] An authorized healthcare provider will have access to the logs, as well as have the ability to program user input requirements and dosage schedule through the use of a security controller, hereby known as the the control pad (see FIG. 6). The control pad should provide the only means of communication with the dispensing device. The user interface of the control pad may contain, although it is not limited to, a touch screen. Access to the control pad may be granted by verification of the authorized healthcare provider identification input.

[0044] To prevent unauthorized access to the dispensing device, the control pad is only accessible by an authorized healthcare provider designated by an official from the control pad's manufacturer. This restriction ensures that if the control pad is stolen, the control pad would not cause harm. Additionally, to assure that the authorized healthcare provider remains licensed to provide the medication, access to the control pad may be limited to six months or another specified frequency, after which the practitioner would need to be reinstated (see FIG. 7 for process model).

[0045] By logging into the control pad, the practitioner can perform several functions such as, but not limited to, 1) opening the dispenser to access medications, 2) changing frequency of medication distribution from the dispenser, 3) checking the battery life of the dispenser, 4) determining the number of pills given by the dispenser, 5) determining how many attempts were made for medication by unauthorized person, and 6) determining how many denied medication requests were made for authorized user.

[0046] The aforementioned description should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. For example, the dispensing mechanics may take many different forms including delivering a product other than medication. Additionally the method of communicating with the user and/or provider may take many different forms. Because of these variations, the scope of the invention should be fixed by the claims rather than by any specific examples provided above.