Handfield, Michael (Rochester Hills, MI, US)
Laliberte, Helene (Rochester Hills, MI, US)

Plaque It!

11/108374

10/21/2008

04/18/2005

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Animatronics, Inc. (Rochester, MI, US)

700/236

221/5, 700/240, 700/241, 221/4

G06F17/00

221/129, 221/124, 700/236, 221/130, 221/132, 700/240, 221/2, 700/241, 221/123, 221/131

3227127	Pill dispenser with indicating means	January, 1966	Gayle
3762601	CABINET FOR DISPENSING MEDICINES AT PREDETERMINED TIMES	October, 1973	Mc Laughlin
4018358	Cassette pill storing, dispensing and counting machine	April, 1977	Johnson et al.
4207992	Timed medicine dispenser	June, 1980	Brown
4360125	Medication inventory device	November, 1982	Martindale et al.
4437579	Drug dispensing apparatus and removal tool	March, 1984	Obland
4483626	Medication timing and dispensing apparatus	November, 1984	Noble
4504153	Pharmacist-programmable medication prompting system and method	March, 1985	Schollmeyer et al.
4526474	Device for storing and dispensing drug doses	July, 1985	Simon
4546901	Apparatus for dispensing medication	October, 1985	Buttarazzi
4573606	Automatic pill dispenser and method of administering medical pills	March, 1986	Lewis et al.
4616316	Medication compliance monitoring device having conductive traces upon a frangible backing of a medication compartment	October, 1986	Hanpeter et al.
4617557	Medication compliance aid for unit dose packaging	October, 1986	Gordon
4626105	Medication organizer	December, 1986	Miller
4664289	Drug dispensing apparatus	May, 1987	Shimizu et al.
4674651	Pill dispenser	June, 1987	Scidmore et al.
4674652	Controlled dispensing device	June, 1987	Aten et al.
4695954	Modular medication dispensing system and apparatus utilizing portable memory device	September, 1987	Rose et al.
4725997	Contingent dosing device	February, 1988	Urquhart et al.
4732411	Medication dispensing identifier system	March, 1988	Siegel
4733362	Drug dispensing apparatus with a printer having programmable format	March, 1988	Haraguchi
4733797	Dosage sealing, monitoring and dispensing assembly	March, 1988	Haber
4785969	Medication dispensing system	November, 1988	McLaughlin
4811764	Medication dispenser station	March, 1989	McLaughlin
4823982	Multiple cartridge dispensing system	April, 1989	Aten et al.
4835372	Patient care system	May, 1989	Gombrich et al.
4839806	Computerized dispensing of medication	June, 1989	Goldfischer et al.
4847764	System for dispensing drugs in health care institutions	July, 1989	Halvorson
4857713	Hospital error avoidance system	August, 1989	Brown
4857716	Patient identification and verification system and method	August, 1989	Gombrich et al.
4869394	Article counting device	September, 1989	Hurst
4911327	Dispenser	March, 1990	Shepherd et al.
4939705	Drug dispensing event detector	July, 1990	Hamilton et al.
4953745	Medication dispensing apparatus	September, 1990	Rowlett, Jr.
4967928	Inventory control including individual patient listing and medical chart record for medication cart	November, 1990	Carter
4971221	Drug dispenser having means for detecting dispensing events	November, 1990	Urquhart et al.
4984709	Non-reversing tablet dispenser with counter	January, 1991	Weinstein
5014875	Medication dispenser station	May, 1991	McLaughlin et al.
5047948	Medication dispensing system	September, 1991	Turner
5088056	Medication clock	February, 1992	McIntosh et al.
5099463	Portable electronic medication dosage instruction and alarm device	March, 1992	Lloyd et al.
5176285	Pill dispensing apparatus	January, 1993	Shaw
5181189	Device for the storage and time-regulated dispensing of drugs	January, 1993	Hafner
5208762	Automated prescription vial filling system	May, 1993	Charhut et al.
5213232	Rotating apparatus for dispensing single homogeneous units	May, 1993	Kraft et al.
5233571	Medication timer	August, 1993	Wirtschafter
5272318	Electronically readable medical locking system	December, 1993	Gorman
5289157	Medicine reminder and storage device	February, 1994	Rudick et al.
5313439	Timer device for medications	May, 1994	Albeck
5337919	Automatic dispensing system for prescriptions and the like	August, 1994	Spaulding et al.
5347453	Portable programmable medication alarm device and method and apparatus for programming and using the same	September, 1994	Maestre
5348061	Tablet accumulator for an automated prescription vial filling system	September, 1994	Riley et al.
5392952	Pill dispensisng device providing overdosage protection	February, 1995	Bowden
5401059	Process and unit for univocal pairing of drugs corresponding to a prescribed treatment with a given patient	March, 1995	Ferrario
5405048	Vacuum operated medicine dispenser	April, 1995	Rogers et al.
5408443	Programmable medication dispensing system	April, 1995	Weinberger
5412372	Article dispenser for monitoring dispensing times	May, 1995	Parkhurst et al.
5431299	Medication dispensing and storing system with dispensing modules	July, 1995	Brewer et al.
5460294	Single dose pharmaceutical dispenser subassembly	October, 1995	Williams
5472113	Automatic pill dispensing apparatus	December, 1995	Shaw
5480062	Vacuum operated medicine dispenser	January, 1996	Rogers et al.
5502944	Medication dispenser system	April, 1996	Kraft et al.
5508499	Method and apparatus for the univocal and permanent connection of containers for medical use to a given patient	April, 1996	Ferrario
5522525	Medication dispenser station	June, 1996	McLaughlin et al.
5593267	Automated system for selecting and delivering packages from a storage area	January, 1997	McDonald et al.
5609268	Automatic pill dispensing apparatus	March, 1997	Shaw
5623242	Prescription reminder system and method	April, 1997	Dawson, Jr. et al.
5657236	Medication dispensing and timing system utilizing patient communicator with internal clock	August, 1997	Conkright
5671592	Medicine packing apparatus	September, 1997	Yuyama et al.	53/493
RE35743	Patient medication dispensing and associated record keeping system	March, 1998	Pearson
5745366	Pharmaceutical dispensing device and methods	April, 1998	Higham et al.
5755357	Compact medication delivery systems	May, 1998	Orkin et al.	221/82
5826217	Programmable medicine dispenser and storage device	October, 1998	Lerner
5852590	Interactive label for medication containers and dispensers	December, 1998	De La Huerga
5945651	Remotely programmable medication dispensing system	August, 1999	Chorosinski et al.
6021918	Programmable dispenser for medication	February, 2000	Dumont et al.
6032155	System and apparatus for administering prescribed medication to a patient	February, 2000	De La Huerga
6085938	Medicament dispensing cell	July, 2000	Coughlin
6169707	Medication storage and reminder device	January, 2001	Newland
6170230	Medication collecting system	January, 2001	Chudy et al.
6219587	Automated pharmaceutical management and dispensing system	April, 2001	Ahlin et al.
6253953	Automatic high-speed pill counting apparatus	July, 2001	Ishizuka
6259654	Multi-vial medication organizer and dispenser	July, 2001	De La Huerga
6263259	Medication dispensing and monitoring system	July, 2001	Bartur	700/240
6317390	Time medication container	November, 2001	Cardoza
6324123	Medication timer	November, 2001	Durso
6332100	Apparatus and method for medication dispensing and messaging	December, 2001	Sahai et al.
6343711	Medicament dispensing cell	February, 2002	Coughlin
6349848	Medicine supply apparatus	February, 2002	Uema et al.
6380858	Systems and methods for monitoring patient compliance with medication regimens	April, 2002	Yarin et al.
6529446	Interactive medication container	March, 2003	De La Huerga
6554157	Cassette systems for feeding, counting and dispensing discrete objects	April, 2003	Geltser et al.
6564121	Systems and methods for drug dispensing	May, 2003	Wallace et al.
6592005	Pill count sensor for automatic medicament dispensing machine	July, 2003	Coughlin et al.
6611733	Interactive medication dispensing machine	August, 2003	De La Huerga
6616037	Inventory system	September, 2003	Grimm et al.
6625952	Medication collecting system	September, 2003	Chudy et al.
6636780	Medication dispensing system including medicine cabinet and tray therefor	October, 2003	Haitin et al.	700/236
6652455	Method and apparatus for scanning of food and medicine to provide outputs relative to a user profile	November, 2003	Kocher
6722525	Pharmaceutical storage and retrieval device	April, 2004	Boyer et al.
6865444	Container and method for dispensing transdermal dosage forms	June, 2004	Howard
6771174	Digital pillbox	August, 2004	Broas
6902083	Method for dispensing medical items	June, 2005	Michael et al.
6957126	Tablet cassette control method of medication dispensing and packaging system	October, 2005	Kim	700/244
6968876	Apparatus for dispensing a substance	November, 2005	Yacko et al.	141/361
7014063	Dispensing device having a storage chamber, dispensing chamber and a feed regulator there between	March, 2006	Shows et al.
7118006	System and method for dispensing prescriptions	October, 2006	Williams et al.
7151982	Pharmaceutical dispensing system	December, 2006	Liff et al.
7194333	Pharmacy envelope dispensing arrangement	March, 2007	Shoenfeld
20010037216	Pharmacy benefits management method and apparatus	November, 2001	Oscar et al.
20020062175	INTEGRATED SYSTEM AND METHOD OF VENDING PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS USING A NETWORK OF REMOTELY DISTRIBUTED, AUTOMATED DISPENSING UNITS	May, 2002	Lion
20020147526	WEB-enabled medication dispenser	October, 2002	Siegel
20030034392	Inventory system	February, 2003	Grimm et al.
20030036683	Method, system and computer program product for internet-enabled, patient monitoring system	February, 2003	Kehr et al.
20030099158	Interactive medication container	May, 2003	De La Huerga
20030183642	Pill dispensing apparatus	October, 2003	Kempker
20040122554	Container and method for dispensing transdermal dosage forms	June, 2004	Howard
20040140013	Apparatus for dispensing a substance	July, 2004	Yacko et al.
20040164088	Dispensing and diversion systems and methods	August, 2004	Baranowski

EP0050423	April, 1982			Dispense unit for powdered or granular materials.
EP0078356	May, 1983			Single dose mascara dispenser, an aseptic make-up for eyelashes.
EP0115989	August, 1984			Method for automatically filling and closing containers, and machine for carrying out the method.
EP0131414	January, 1985			Colour formulation by mixing in which a coloured composition is dispensed from a container having an active memory device associated therewith.
EP0239173	September, 1987			Plural-chambered dispensing device exhibiting constant proportional co-dispensing.
EP0310933	April, 1989			Device with at least one intake container for the storage and delivery of a substance.
EP0311299	April, 1989			A diolefin polymer or copolymer and a process for the production of the same
EP0360456	March, 1990			Fluid dispenser.
EP0392196	October, 1990			Filling level monitoring device
EP0538159	April, 1993			Versatile dispenser for disinfectants held in containers of various shapes
EP0557661	September, 1993			Dispenser for portable objects and method for installing a container in such a dispenser
EP0800869	October, 1997			Fluid discharge device
GB1400317	July, 1975
GB2055758	March, 1981
GB2275123	August, 1994
GB2288040	October, 1995
WO-9525546	September, 1995
WO-9610240	April, 1996
WO-0022440	April, 2000
WO-0112239	February, 2001
WO-2004012647	February, 2004
WO-2004065285	August, 2004

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International Search Report for PCT/CA2005/001388, mailed on Jan. 3, 2006, 4 pages.

Crawford, Gene O.

Waggoner, Timothy R.

Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/939,620, having a filing date of Sep. 13, 2004, and is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 11/056,521, having a filing date of Feb. 11, 2005, and U.S. application Ser. No. 11/072,887 having a filing date of Mar. 3, 2005, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

What is claimed is:

1. A medicament units container configured to contain at least one medicament unit, and having an inventory indicator, the medicament units container comprising: means for storing medicament information at the medicament container, the medicament information pertaining to a medicament unit contained in the medicaments units container; means for receiving a signal from an external device designating a specified medicament information parameter; and means for activating an indicator associated with the medicament container when the specified medicament information parameter matches the medicament information in the storage device; wherein the medicament container is configured to be inserted into an apparatus configured to accept a plurality of medicament containers.

2. The medicament container of claim 1, further comprising means for dispensing a medicament unit from the medicament units container.

3. The medicament container of claim 2, wherein the means for dispensing comprises means for actively dispensing a medicament unit from the medicament units container.

4. The medicament container of claim 1, further comprising means for setting a status register bit in response to a signal from the external device to place the medicament container in an inventory mode.

5. The medicament container of claim 1, wherein the means for activating the indicator identifies the medicament container as containing a medicament unit corresponding to the designated medicament information parameter.

6. The medicament units container of claim 1, further comprising means for deactivating the indicator after a predetermined time.

7. The medicament units container of claim 1, further comprising means for transmitting the medicament information external to the medicament container.

8. The medicament container of claim 1, wherein the medicament information further comprises a prescription name; a sub-name class; a bar code ID; a customer ID; a distributor name; an intended use for the medicament; drug interaction precautions; side effects; an identification of the medicament units; dosage information; a manufacturing date; a packaging date; a color image of the medicament units; inventory data regarding the medicament units; an expiration date of the medicament units; drug interaction information; supplement interaction information; manufacture information regarding the medicament units; a lot number; an ID code for the medicaments container; quality control data; or recall information.

9. The medicament container of claim 1, further comprising means for deactivating the indicator.

10. The medicament container of claim 1, further comprising means for transmitting medicament container inventory data to an external device.

11. A method of inventory identification for a medicament container comprising the steps of: maintaining medicament information in a storage device at the medicament container the medicament information pertaining to a medicament unit contained in the medicament container; receiving at the medicament container an externally generated signal, the signal comprising information identifying a specified medicament information parameter; and the medicament container comparing the specified medicament information parameter with the information in the information storage device; activating an indicator on the medicament container when the specified medicament information parameter corresponds to the medicament information in the storage device; wherein the medicament container is configured to be inserted into an apparatus configured to accept a plurality of medicament containers.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising a step of dispensing a medicament unit from the medicament container.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of dispensing comprises a step of actively dispensing a medicament unit from the medicament units container.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising a step of setting a status register bit in response to a second externally generated signal, thereby placing the medicament container in an inventory mode.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of activating the indicator identifies the medicament container as containing a medicament unit corresponding to the designated medicament information parameter.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising a step of deactivating the indicator.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising a step of a person retrieving the medicament units container identified by the activated indicator.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising a step of deactivating the indicator after a predetermined time.

19. The method of claim 11, further comprising a step of the medicament container transmitting the medicament information to an external device.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the medicament information further comprises a prescription name; a sub-name class; a bar code ID; a customer ID; a distributor name; an intended use for the medicament; drug interaction precautions; side effects; an identification of the medicament units; dosage information; a manufacturing date; a packaging date; a color image of the medicament units; inventory data regarding the medicament units; an expiration date of the medicament units; drug interaction information; supplement interaction information; manufacture information regarding the medicament units; a lot number; an ID code for the medicaments container; quality control data or recall information.

21. A medicament units container configured to contain at least one medicament unit, the medicament units container comprising: an information storage device configured to maintain medicament information pertaining to a medicament unit in the medicament container; control logic communicatively coupled to the information storage device and configured to receive an externally generated signal designating a specified medicament information parameter; and an indicator configured to be activated by the control logic when the specified medicament information parameter corresponds to the medicament information in the storage device; wherein the medicament container is configured to be inserted into an apparatus configured to accept a plurality of medicament containers.

22. The medicament container of claim 21, further comprising a communication device configured to provide communications between the external device and the control logic.

23. The medicament container of claim 22, wherein the communication device is further configured to receive medicament information regarding medicament units for storage in the information storage device when the medicament units container is loaded with the medicament units.

24. The medicament container of claim 21, wherein the control logic comprises a software, firmware or hardware.

25. The medicament container of claim 21, wherein the indicator is a a multi-color display, a character display, a light emitting diode or a strobe light.

26. The medicament container of claim 21, wherein the indicator is activated for a predetermined period of time to identify the medicament units container containing the medicament units specified by the inventory signal.

27. The medicament container of claim 21, wherein the externally generated signal is an RFID, Smart card, Bluetooth or infrared signal.

28. The medicament container of claim 21, wherein the information storage device further stores information pertaining to patient information or caregiver information.

29. The medicament units container of claim 21, wherein the medicament information further comprises a prescription name; a sub-name class; a bar code ID; a customer ID; a distributor name; an intended use for the medicament; drug interaction precautions; side effects; an identification of the medicament units; dosage information; a manufacturing date; a packaging date; a color image of the medicament units; inventory data regarding the medicament units; an expiration date of the medicament units; drug interaction information; supplement interaction information; manufacture information regarding the medicament units; a lot number; an ID code for the medicaments container; quality control data; or recall information.

30. The medicament container of claim 21, wherein the information storage device is further configured to accept data from a network device during transit, while in storage, or while in a dispensing machine.

31. The medicament container of claim 21, wherein the communication device a wired or a wireless communication device.

32. The medicament container of claim 21, further comprising a dispensing mechanism configured to dispense a medicament unit from the medicament container.

33. The medicament container of claim 32, wherein the dispensing mechanism comprises an active dispensing mechanism.

34. The medicament container of claim 21, wherein the indicator is further configured to be deactivated upon the expiration of a predetermined period of time.

35. The medicament container of claim 21, further comprising means for transmitting medicament container inventory data to an external device.

36. The medicament container of claim 21, further comprising a dispensing mechanism configured to dispense a medicament unit from the medicament container.

37. The medicament container of claim 36, wherein the dispensing mechanism comprises an active dispensing mechanism.

38. A medicaments dispensing container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, the medicaments dispensing medicament container comprising: a housing configured for insertion into a medicaments dispensing machine and having an outlet for dispensing medicament units; an information storage device collocated with the housing and configured to maintain medicament information pertaining to the plurality of medicament units in the container; a communication device configured to receive an externally generated inventory signal identifying a specified medicament unit; control logic coupled to the communication device and the information storage device and configured to compare the specified medicament unit parameter with the medicament information to determine whether the chamber contains the specified medicament; and an indicator configured to be activated by the control logic upon a determination that the chamber contains the specified medicament unit, thereby identifying the medicaments container as housing the specified medicament unit.

39. The medicament container of claim 38, wherein the medicament information comprises information regarding an identification of medicament unit contained in the container, information regarding a dosage of medicament unit contained in the container and information regarding a quantity of medicament units contained in the container.

40. The medicament container container of claim 38, wherein the control logic comprises software, firmware or hardware.

41. The medicament container of claim 38, wherein the indicator comprises a multi-color display, a character display, a light emitting diode or a strobe light.

42. The medicament container of claim 38, wherein the indicator is activated to identify the medicament container containing the medicament units specified by the inventory signal.

43. The medicament container of claim 38, wherein the communication device comprises a wired or a wireless communication device.

44. The medicament container of claim 38, further comprising a dispensing mechanism configured to dispense a medicament unit from the medicament container.

45. The medicament container of claim 44, wherein the dispensing mechanism comprises an active dispensing mechanism.

46. The medicament container of claim 38, wherein the indicator is further configured to be deactivated upon the expiration of a predetermined period of time.

47. The medicament container of claim 38, further comprising means for transmitting medicament container inventory data to an external device.

48. A medicaments dispensing medicament container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, the medicaments dispensing container comprising: an information storage device within the container configured to maintain first information indicating an identification and dosage of medicament units contained in the container; control logic coupled to the storage device and configured to receive a query from an external device, the query comprising second information specifying an identification and dosage of medicament units being sought, and further configured to compare the first information with the second information to determine whether the dispensing container contains the medicament units being sought; and an indicator configured to be activated upon a determination that the container contains the medicament units being sought; wherein the medicament container is configured to be inserted into a medicament dispensing machine, and wherein the medicament dispensing machine is configured to accept a plurality of medicament containers.

49. The medicament container of claim 48, further comprising a dispensing mechanism configured to dispense a medicament unit from the medicament container.

50. The medicament container of claim 49, wherein the dispensing mechanism comprises an active dispensing mechanism.

51. The medicament container of claim 48, wherein the indicator is further configured to be deactivated upon the expiration of a predetermined period of time.

52. The medicament container of claim 48, further comprising means for transmitting medicament container inventory data to an external device.

53. A medicaments dispensing container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, the medicaments dispensing medicament container comprising: an information storage device within the container configured to store a first code identifying the container control logic coupled to the storage device and configured to receive a query from an external device, the query comprising a second code identifying a medicament container being sought, and further configured to compare the first code with the second code to determine whether the dispensing container is the container being sought; and an indicator coupled to the control logic and configured to be activated upon a determination that the dispensing container is the container being sought; wherein the medicament container is configured to be inserted into an apparatus configured to accept a plurality of medicament containers.

54. The medicament container of claim 53, further comprising a dispensing mechanism configured to dispense a medicament unit from the medicament container.

55. The medicament container of claim 54, wherein the dispensing mechanism comprises an active dispensing mechanism.

56. The medicament container of claim 53, wherein the indicator is further configured to be deactivated upon the expiration of a predetermined period of time.

57. The medicament container of claim 53, further comprising means for transmitting medicament container inventory data to an external device.

58. A medicaments dispensing medicament container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, the medicaments dispensing container comprising: an information storage device within the container configured to maintain first information identifying medicament units contained in the container; control logic coupled to the storage device and configured to receive a query from an external device, the query comprising second information identifying medicament units being sought, and further configured to compare the first information with the second information to determine whether the dispensing container contains the medicament units being sought; and an indicator configured to be activated upon a determination that the medicament container contains the medicament units being sought; wherein the medicament container is configured to be inserted into an apparatus configured to accept a plurality of medicament containers.

59. The medicament container of claim 58, wherein the indicator is further configured to be deactivated upon the expiration of a predetermined period of time.

60. The medicament container of claim 58, further comprising means for transmitting medicament container inventory data to an external device.

61. A medicaments dispensing medicament container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, the medicaments dispensing container comprising: an information storage device within the container configured to maintain information identifying a first medicaments parameter identifying a characteristic of the medicament units contained in the container control logic coupled to the storage device and configured to receive a query from an external device, the query comprising a second medicaments parameter specifying a characteristic of medicament units being sought, and further configured to compare the first parameter with the second parameter to determine whether the medicament container contains medicament units having the identified characteristic; and an indicator configured to be activated upon a determination that the medicament container contains the medicament units having the specified characteristic; wherein the medicament container is configured to be inserted into an apparatus configured to accept a plurality of medicament containers.

62. The medicament container of claim 61, further comprising a dispensing mechanism configured to dispense a medicament unit from the medicament container.

63. The medicament container of claim 62, wherein the dispensing mechanism comprises an active dispensing mechanism.

64. The medicament container of claim 61, wherein the indicator is further configured to be deactivated upon the expiration of a predetermined period of time.

65. The medicament container of claim 61, further comprising means for transmitting medicament container inventory data to an external device.

66. The medicament container of claim 61, wherein said characteristic comprises recall information, lot number, manufacture date, packaging date, medicament identification, medicament dosage, medicament ID, expiration date or status, a quantity of medicament units contained in the container, or an identification of a patient for whom the medicament units are prescribed.

67. A medicaments dispensing medicament container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, the medicaments container comprising: an information storage device within the container configured to maintain first information identifying medicament units contained in the container; control logic coupled to the storage device and configured to determine whether the medicament container contains particular medicaments units as identified by second information received from an external device; and an indicator on the medicament container configured to be activated by the control logic upon a determination that the container contains the medicament units identified by the second information; wherein the medicament container is configured to be inserted into an apparatus configured to accept a plurality of medicament containers.

68. The medicament container of claim 67, further comprising a dispensing mechanism configured to dispense a medicament unit from the medicament container.

69. The medicament container of claim 68, wherein the dispensing mechanism comprises an active dispensing mechanism.

70. A medicaments container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, the medicaments container comprising: an information storage device within the container configured to maintain first information identifying a characteristic of medicament units contained in the container; control logic coupled to the storage device and configured to determine whether the medicaments container contains medicaments units of a particular characteristic as identified by second information received from an external device; and an indicator on the medicaments container configured to be activated by the control logic upon a determination that the medicaments container contains medicament units having the characteristic identified by the second information; wherein the medicament container is configured to be inserted into an apparatus configured to accept a plurality of medicament containers.

71. The medicaments container of claim 70, further comprising a dispensing mechanism configured to dispense a medicament unit from the medicament container.

72. The medicaments container of claim 71, wherein the dispensing mechanism comprises an active dispensing mechanism.

73. The medicaments container of claim 70, wherein the characteristic comprises recall information, lot number, manufacture date, packaging date, medicament identification, medicament dosage, medicament ID, expiration date or status, a quantity of medicament units contained in the container, or an identification of a patient for whom the medicament units are prescribed.

74. A medicaments container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, the medicaments container comprising: a receiver configured to receive a signal from an external device specifying a characteristic of a medicaments unit of interest; control logic coupled to the receiver and configured to determine whether the medicaments container contains medicaments units having the specified characteristic; and an indicator on the medicaments container configured to be activated by the control logic upon a determination that the medicament container contains medicament units having the specified characteristic; wherein the medicament container is configured to be inserted into an apparatus configured to accept a plurality of medicament containers.

75. The medicaments container of claim 74, further comprising a dispensing mechanism configured to dispense a medicament unit from the medicament container.

76. The medicaments container of claim 75, wherein the dispensing mechanism comprises an active dispensing mechanism.

77. The medicaments container of claim 74, wherein the characteristic comprises recall information, lot number, manufacture date, packaging date, medicament identification, medicament dosage, medicament ID, expiration date or status, a quantity of medicament units contained in the container, or an identification of a patient for whom the medicament units are prescribed.

78. A method of inventory identification for a medicament container comprising the steps of: maintaining first information in a storage device at the medicament container, the first information indicating an identification and dosage of medicament units contained in the container; receiving at the medicament container an externally generated signal comprising second information indicating an identification and dosage of medicament units of interest; and activating an indicator associated with the medicament container when the second information indicates an interest in the medicament units contained in the medicament units container; wherein the medicament container is configured to be inserted into an apparatus configured to accept a plurality of medicament containers.

79. The method of claim 78, further comprising a step of dispensing a medicament unit from the medicament container.

80. The medicaments container of claim 75, wherein the dispensing step comprises actively dispensing a medicament unit from the medicament container.

81. The method of claim 78, wherein the step of activating the indicator identifies the medicament container as containing the medicament units of interest.

82. The method of claim 78, wherein the step of activating an indicator associated with the medicament container comprises a step of activating a visual indicator.

83. A method of inventory identification for a medicament container comprising the steps of: maintaining first information in a storage device at the medicament container, the first information identifying the medicament container in the container; receiving at the medicament container an externally generated signal comprising second information identifying medicament units of interest; and activating an indicator associated with the medicament container when the second information indicates interest in the medicament units contained in the medicament container; wherein the medicament container is configured to be inserted into an apparatus configured to accept a plurality of medicament containers.

84. The method of claim 83, further comprising a step of dispensing a medicament unit from the medicament container.

85. The medicaments container of claim 84, wherein the dispensing step comprises actively dispensing a medicament unit from the medicament container.

86. A method of facilitating inventory identification for a medicament units container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, the method comprising the steps of: maintaining first information in a storage device at the medicament container, the first information identifying the medicament container; receiving at the medicament container an externally generated signal comprising second information specifying a medicament container of interest; and activating an indicator on the medicament container when the second information indicates interest in the medicament units contained in the medicament container wherein the medicament container is configured to be inserted into an apparatus configured to accept a plurality of medicament containers.

87. A method of facilitating inventory identification for a medicament units container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, the method comprising the steps of: maintaining first information in a storage device at the medicament container, the first information identifying a characteristic of medicament units contained in the container receiving at the medicament container an externally generated signal comprising second information specifying a characteristic of medicament units of interest; and activating an indicator on the medicament container when the second information indicates that the medicament container contains a medicament unit having the specified characteristic; wherein the medicament container is configured to be inserted into an apparatus configured to accept a plurality of medicament containers.

88. The method of claim 87, wherein the characteristic comprises recall information, lot number, manufacture date, packaging date, medicament identification, medicament dosage, medicament ID, expiration date or status, a quantity of medicament units contained in the container, or an identification of a patient for whom the medicament units are prescribed.

89. The method of claim 87, further comprising a step of dispensing a medicament unit from the medicament container.

90. The medicaments container of claim 89, wherein the dispensing step comprises actively dispensing a medicament unit from the medicament container.

91. A method of facilitating inventory identification for a medicament units container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, the method comprising the steps of: maintaining first information in a storage device at the medicament container, the first information identifying a characteristic of medicament units contained in the container; receiving at the medicament container an externally generated signal comprising second information specifying a characteristic of medicament units being sought by a health care worker; determining by the medicament container whether the medicament container contains medicament units having the specified characteristic; and activating an indicator associated with the medicament container when the second information indicates that the medicament container contains a medicament unit having the specified characteristic; wherein the medicament container is configured to be inserted into an apparatus configured to accept a plurality of medicament containers.

92. The method of claim 91, wherein the characteristic comprises recall information, lot number, manufacture date, packaging date, medicament identification, medicament dosage, medicament ID, expiration date or status, a quantity of medicament units contained in the container, or an identification of a patient for whom the medicament units are prescribed.

93. The method of claim 91, further comprising a step of dispensing a medicament unit from the medicament container.

94. The medicaments container of claim 93, wherein the dispensing step comprises actively dispensing a medicament unit from the medicament container.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method and system for automatically dispensing medicaments. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and system that utilizes one or more cassettes or trays, which hold one or more types of medicaments, the cassettes or trays being configured for secure and intelligent dispensing of the medicaments.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, medicaments have been distributed or provided to patients in a manual fashion. In such manual distribution methods and systems, a patient receives a prescription from a medical practitioner in writing and the prescribed medicaments may thereafter be purchased at a pharmacy. This method of manual distribution of medicaments has several problems associated with it. One problem is that wrong medicines or wrong dosages may be dispensed due to human error, potentially causing serious injury to the patient or even death. Another problem with manual distribution methods is that unauthorized medicines that have not been prescribed by a medical practitioner can be dispensed in error or the medicaments can be stolen due to inadequate tracking and non-secure storage and transit of the medicaments. Furthermore, current manual distribution methods do not monitor for counterfeit medications, medication side effects and timely intake of prescribed medicines by the patient. For example, a patient may skip or delay the intake of a medicament, or take the medicament too frequently, which could reduce the effect of the medicament or even be harmful to the patient.

In order to overcome the above-mentioned problems, several automated medicament distribution systems have been developed. Typically, these automated drug dispensing systems are isolated units, placed at specified locations within a hospital, pharmacy, a patient's home, or other strategic location. These dispensing systems may be programmed for scheduled dispensation of medicines. To ensure authorized dispensing of medicaments, one or more automated drug dispensing systems can be connected to a remote computer or processor that monitors the activities of each dispensing machine. Such remote computers/processors serve an authorization node, which allows a practitioner or other authorized personnel to control the dispensing of medicaments to one or more patients. Additionally, each remote computer may be connected to a central computer or node that controls and monitors a larger number of automatic dispensing machines in a wider geographic area.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,564,121, entitled “Systems and Methods for Drug Dispensing”, assigned to Telepharmacy Solutions, Inc. (North Billerica, Mass.), filed on Dec. 3, 1999, discloses a system and method for remotely dispensing medical products using a networked communications system. The disclosed system utilizes a computer network for delivery of patient information and dispensing instructions to a remote dispensing station. The system includes an authorization node to authorize dispensing, a dispensing node to dispense the medical product and a controlling node, which interfaces with the authorization and dispensing nodes. Similarly, U.S. patent Publication No. 20030036683, entitled “Method, System and Computer Program Product for Internet-enabled, Patient Monitoring System,” provides a health status and pharmaceutical compliance monitoring system. The system comprises a medication storing system that is linked to a medical information management system and database.

However, the above systems have certain limitations associated with them. For example, especially when used at the patient's end, these systems do not provide adequate security against tampering or theft. Moreover, in these systems, medicaments have to be sorted into numerous compartments or cups and loaded in the correct order so that they can be dispensed at the scheduled times.

In order to address the above-mentioned problems, several cassettes for use in conjunction with an automatic dispensing device or system have been developed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,578,733, entitled “Cassette for Storing and Feeding Discrete Objects”, assigned to Kirby-Lester, Inc. (Stamford, Conn.), filed on May 31, 2001, discloses a cassette for counting and dispensing objects. The cassette is adapted to feed and guide tablets having a range of sizes and shapes towards an exit. Another such patent is U.S. Pat. No. 4,018,358, entitled “Cassette Pill Storing, Dispensing and Counting Machine”, assigned to Medicine Innovators, Ltd. (West Union, Iowa), and filed on Sep. 18, 1975. This patent relates to a system that includes separate cassettes for storing different pills. The cassettes are operated by a dispensing machine. The dispensing machine provides a vacuum supply and a drive for operating a wheel in the cassette to pick up pills in the bottom of the cassette and carry them to a discharge opening under the vacuum pressure. The system further comprises a fiber optic scanner at the discharge opening that counts each pill.

Various other prior art patents have disclosed similar mechanisms for dispensing medicaments. These include: U.S. Pat. No. 6,332,100, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Medication Dispensing and Messaging”, assigned to Interactive Medical Developments, L.C.; U.S. Patent Publication No. 20030183642, entitled “Pill Dispensing Apparatus”; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,157, entitled “Cassette Systems for Feeding, Counting and Dispensing Discrete Objects,” assigned to Kirby-Lester, Inc.

However the above cited patents suffer from one or more of the following drawbacks or limitations. Firstly, in the case of existing cassettes or compartments for dispensing of medicaments, it is difficult to identify the content of each cassette to ensure that the correct medicament(s) are stored therein. Secondly, in these systems, cups or cassettes containing the medicament units have to be manually filled, requiring significant manual labor which is prone to errors. Thirdly, these systems have to be programmed manually to indicate the positioning of each tray and the medicaments stored therein. Any error during the manual programming of the dispensing machine may lead to a wrong medication being dispensed.

In view of the above mentioned drawbacks and limitations of the existing systems, there is a need for a cassette or tray that, when used in conjunction with a dispensing machine or system, provides improved security against tampering or theft. Further, there is a need for a system, which minimizes manual operations (e.g., programming of the system) and is therefore less prone to errors. There is also a need for a method and system for automatic dispensing of medicaments, which is capable of correctly identifying the medicaments it is dispensing. Additionally, there is a need for a method and system that can identify the correct cassette or tray for dispensing a particular medicine, irrespective of the cassette's or tray's loading position in the dispensing machine. Furthermore, such systems should be hermetically sealed, so that they may be returnable to a pharmacy or other vendor or institution if not used by a hospital or patient.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a cassette or tray that can be used in conjunction with an automatic medicament dispensing machine for secure and intelligent dispensing of medicament units. The cassette or tray can include an indicator that is activated when a signal is received identifying a type or quantity (or other parameter) of medicaments stored in the tray.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a medicaments dispensing container is provided and is configured to contain a plurality of medicament units. The medicaments dispensing container comprises a housing configured for insertion into a medicaments dispensing machine and having an outlet for dispensing medicament units, a chamber within the housing configured to contain a plurality of the medicament units, a movable medium configured to transport at least one of the medicament units from the chamber to the outlet, an information storage device collocated with the housing and configured to maintain medicament information pertaining to the plurality of medicament units in the chamber, a communication device configured to receive an externally generated inventory signal identifying a specified medicament unit parameter, control logic coupled to the communication device and the information storage device and configured to compare the specified medicament unit parameter with the medicament information to determine whether the chamber contains a specified medicament, and an indicator configured to be activated by the control logic upon a determination that the chamber contains the specified medicament unit, thereby identifying the medicaments dispensing container as housing the specified medicament unit.

The medicaments dispensing container can be configured such that the medicament information comprises information regarding a type of medicament unit contained in the chamber as well as information regarding a quantity of medicament units contained in the chamber.

The communication device can be configured to receive medicament information regarding medicament units contained in the chamber when the chamber is loaded with the medicament units, and can be configured so as to be compatible with a radio frequency identification (RFID) type signal or other wired or wireless signal.

The indicator, for example, can include a luminous indicator or a radio frequency indicator, and in the case of a luminous indicator can include a light emitting diode or a strobe light. The indicator can be activated to facilitate locating the medicaments dispensing container and can remain activated for a predetermined period of time to facilitate identification of the medicaments dispensing container containing the medicament units specified by the externally generated inventory signal.

Another embodiment of the invention provides a method of facilitating inventory identification for a medicament units container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, wherein the method can include maintaining medicament information in a storage device at the medicament units container the medicament information comprising an identification of the plurality of medicament units in the medicament units container, and inventory data regarding a quantity of the plurality of medicament units contained in the medicament units container, receiving an externally generated signal designating the medicament information, and activating an indicator associated with the medicament units container when the received signal indicates that an inventory query is for a medicament unit of the same type and quantity as the at least one medicament unit contained in the medicament units container.

According to one aspect of this embodiment, activating the indicator can be used to identify the medicament units container as containing a specified quantity of a specified medicament unit, and the activation can visually report a status of the medicament units container on a display. The indicator can be set to be deactivated after a predetermined time.

Yet another embodiment of the invention provides a computer program product for use with a medicament units container configured to contain at least one medicament unit. According to this embodiment, the computer program product implemented using a computer usable medium having computer readable program code physically embodied therein, can include computer readable program code for maintaining medicament information in a storage device at the medicament units container the medicament information pertaining to the at least one medicament unit contained in the medicaments units container, computer readable program code for evaluating at least one specified medicament information parameter from an external device against the medicament information maintained in the storage device, and computer readable program code for activating an indicator associated with the medicament units container when the specified medicament information parameter matches the medicament information in the storage device. The computer readable program code can also be configured to set a status register bit in response to an externally generated signal to place the medicament units container in an inventory mode, activating the indicator to identify the medicament units container as containing at least one medicament unit corresponding to the designated medicament information parameter. According to some embodiments, the indicator visually reports the status of the medicament units container and can be deactivated after a predetermined time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a medicaments dispensing machine for domestic use, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a medicaments dispensing machine for professional healthcare use, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tray illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the tray illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a back view of the tray illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are side views of the tray illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the tray illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a sorting and dispensing mechanism, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the sorting and dispensing mechanism illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the sorting and dispensing mechanism illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the tray illustrated in FIG. 2, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a fiber-optic scanner that may be used within a medicament dispensing tray, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12B is a bottom view of the fiber-optic scanner illustrated in FIG. 12A.

FIG. 13A is a top view of a pneumatic compressive bellow that may be used in a medicament dispensing tray, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13B is a bottom view of the pneumatic compressive bellow illustrated in FIG. 13A.

FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B are cross-sectional views of illustrating engagement gear-toothed surfaces on conical disks used in a medicament dispensing tray, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of fiber optic cables with end shaped lens used in a medicament dispensing tray, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is an illustration of the main conical disk encoder layout used in a medicament dispensing tray, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 17A, 17 B, 17 C, 17 D and 17 E illustrate layouts of a patient memory table that may be stored within a medicament dispensing tray and/or an automatic dispensing machine, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 18A, 18 B, and 18 C illustrate layouts of a healthcare professional memory table that may be stored within a medicament dispensing tray and/or an automatic dispensing machine, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of electronic components and/or circuitry residing within a smart tray, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 20A-20E illustrate flowchart diagrams of various logical functions performed by software, firmware and/or hardware residing within a smart tray, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 21 provides a perspective view of a tray for sorting and dispensing bottles or containers of medicaments, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the figures, wherein like elements are referenced with like numerals throughout. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a smart dispensing tray for storing, sorting and dispensing medicaments. The smart dispensing tray is used in conjunction with a medicaments dispensing machine or system configured to hold or carry one or more trays. Each tray can store, sort and dispense one or more types of medicament, which may include pills, tablets, capsules, bottles and other uniformly sized articles.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a medicaments dispensing machine 106 which holds a plurality of medicament dispensing trays 100 , in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 1A, medicaments dispensing machine 106 comprises a vertical column in which several trays 100 may be inserted. Medicaments dispensing machine 106 may be used as a table top unit, may be mounted on a wall, under a kitchen cabinet or other desired positions. The vertical column of medicaments dispensing machine comprises a plurality of slots 102 , where trays 100 may be inserted. In preferred embodiments, a tray 100 may be inserted in any available slot 102 . As soon as a tray 100 is inserted in a slot 102 , medicaments dispensing machine 106 automatically identifies the medicaments stored in tray 100 and tray 100 is automatically locked into the slot 102 . These steps of automatically identifying the medicaments and locking the tray into slot 102 are discussed in further detail below with reference to FIGS. 4-6.

In another embodiment of the invention, medicaments dispensing machine 106 comprises a horizontal column having a plurality of vertically oriented slots configured to receive trays 100 therein. In one embodiment, trays 100 are configured to be inserted into a vertical or horizontal column of a dispensing machine 106 without any change in design of tray 100 . In prior systems and trays, if a tray is not level or installed in a pre-specified orientation, such systems and trays are prone to jamming or malfunctioning because their sorting and dispensing mechanisms are not designed to operate in different orientations. Thus, as discussed in further detail below, the tray of the present invention provides a significant advantage in that it is designed to operate in various orientations while being less prone to getting jammed with medicaments or otherwise malfunctioning.

In one embodiment, medicaments dispensing machine 106 also comprises a see-through, shatter-proof door 104 , which can be locked using an electronic lock, for example, to protect medicaments from theft or unauthorized dispensing. In a further embodiment, medicaments dispensing tray 106 comprises one or more biometric sensors for identifying authorized persons prior to dispensing medicaments and unlocks the electronic lock upon authorization. Biometric sensors for matching fingerprints with authorized fingerprint patterns stored in a memory, for example, are known in the art. Other types of biometric sensors such as voice recognition, retinal scanning, face recognition, etc., are also known in the art and may be utilized in the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a medicaments dispensing machine 106 configured for use in a professional healthcare facility, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Such professional healthcare facility may be a medical practitioner's office, a nursing home, a hospital or other professional healthcare location. Medicaments dispensing machine 106 for professional healthcare use comprises a long vertical column 108 which can accommodate a large number of trays 100 . Medicament dispensing machine 106 also comprises a secure storage cabinet 110 for storing an inventory of trays 100 for future use. The medicaments dispensing machine 106 further includes a computer 112 having a monitor/display and a keyboard. Via computer 112 , a user can access, read and/or write data pertaining to one or more trays 100 held within the dispensing machine 106 . Additionally, the computer 112 can upload information from a memory/data storage device (discussed in further detail below) contained within the tray 100 , process sensor data (also discussed in further detail below) received from the tray 100 , and also communicate with other network computers and devices to provide various functions. For example, if a central network computer (not shown) sends out a message recalling a certain type of medicament determined to be dangerous, the computer 112 can receive this information and upon communicating with a tray 100 containing the recalled medication, the computer 112 can disable dispensing of the medicament from that tray 100 and thereafter notify the central network computer of the status of tray 100 .

Thus, via a computer network (e.g., the Internet), medicament dispensing machines dispersed in a wide geographic region may be monitored and intelligently controlled. This provides significant advantages in that medicament dispensing machines located in patient's homes as well as hospitals may be effectively monitored and controlled. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the medicaments dispensing machine 106 for home use (FIG. 1A) is a smaller and portable device, while medicaments dispensing machine 106 for professional healthcare use (FIG. 1B) is a taller device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of tray 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The tray 100 comprises a plastic casing 202 made, for example, of a modified copolymer material, which is a tough, non-brittle and bio-friendly plastic. Further, this material possesses anti-static properties and has a UV-filtering capacity, which can extend the shelf life of medicaments stored within tray 100 . Such materials are well known in the art and commercially available. For example, Provista copolymer™ manufactured by Eastman Chemical Company may be utilized. This material has been tested so as to not produce toxic gases if burned in a fire. Additionally, this material has been demonstrated to be flame-retardant and, therefore, does not constitute an “exciter” for fires.

In one embodiment, casing 202 is made of two halves: a bottom casing 204 and an upper casing 206 , which are hermetically sealed to each other. In a further embodiment of the invention, casing 202 has an octagonal shape (as shown in FIG. 2). Casing 202 , however, may be configured in the shape of a square, circle, rectangle or any other desired shape. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the dimensions of the tray are seven inches in diameter and three-quarters of an inch in height or thickness. Additio