Automated prescription dispensing system and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016358404-A1
Application number	US-201314136837-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 20, 2013
Priority date	Dec 27, 2012
Publication date	Dec 8, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An automated prescription dispensing system and method for facilitating dispensing of medications from an automated prescription dispenser designed for in-home use. The dispenser may connect to a remote patient monitoring center for monitoring of the patient's dispenser use and adherence to a medication regime. The dispenser may further connect to a remote medication operations center for monitoring replenishment of the patient's medications and to a remote medical center for monitoring the patient's reaction to medications and clinical signs. A connection to a data analytics center and analytical engine facilitates communications among and between the users and/or caregivers at the remote centers. The dispenser may be loaded with a standardized cartridge that is replenished according to the patient's needs. The dispenser is further equipped with a camera that allows a caregiver at the remote patient monitoring center to view the patient while the patient uses the dispenser.

First claim

1 . An automated prescription dispenser configured to release a dispensing tray to a user, comprising:
(a) a cavity containing a plurality of discrete compartments, said compartments configured as at least one dispensing tray; (b) a release component configured for selectively releasing one said dispensing tray from said cavity of said dispenser to said user such that said tray may be completely removed from said cavity by said user; and (c) a monitoring component for capturing image data of a user of said automated prescription dispenser.

2 . (canceled)

3 . The automated prescription dispenser of claim 1 wherein said dispensing tray comprises one compartment for each hour of a 24 hour day.

4 . The automated prescription dispenser of claim 1 wherein said monitoring component is selected from the group consisting of:
a video camera and a still photo camera.

5 . The automated prescription dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a security component for validating a user's identity.

6 . The automated prescription dispenser of claim 5 wherein said security component is selected from the group consisting of:
a fingerprint scanner and a retinal scanner.

7 . The automated prescription dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a remote monitoring connection which comprises medication usage data.

8 . The automated prescription dispenser of claim 7 wherein said remote monitoring connection also comprises data representing remaining medication inventory in said dispenser.

9 . The automated prescription dispenser of claim 7 wherein said dispenser usage data comprises image data of a user of said automated prescription dispenser.

10 . A computerized method for administering medication comprising:
(a) receiving at an automated prescription dispenser comprising a cavity containing a plurality of discrete compartments, said compartments configured as at least one dispensing tray, a request to dispense said dispensing tray holding at least one medication; (b) in response to receiving said request:
(1) causing said dispensing tray to be completely removable from said cavity;
(2) capturing at said automated prescription dispenser image data comprising an image of a user using said automated prescription dispenser; and
(3) updating at said automated prescription dispenser usage data for said automated prescription dispenser; and
(c) transmitting said image data and usage data from said automated prescription dispenser to a remote server where said remote server does not control a dispensing operation of said automated prescription dispenser.

11 . The computerized method of claim 10 wherein said image data is selected from the group consisting of:
photographic image data and video image data.

12 . An automated prescription dispensing method comprising:
(a) receiving at a data analytics server electronic medical record data comprising patient identifying data and prescription data for a patient; (b) analyzing at said data analytics server said prescription data to identify at least one medication for said patient; (c) transmitting said patient identifying data and said medication from said data analytics server to a medication operations server; (d) initiating from said medication operations server an instruction to load said medication in an automated prescription dispenser; and (e) receiving at a patient monitoring server from said automated prescription dispenser, status data regarding dispensing of said medication from said automated prescription dispenser, such data comprising medication tray access data, medication dosages remaining, and at least one image of a user interacting with the automated prescription dispenser from a monitoring component for capturing image data in electronic communication with said automated prescription dispenser.

13 . (canceled)

14 . The automated prescription dispensing method of claim 12 wherein said user image data is selected from the group consisting of:
photographic image data and video image data.

15 . The automated prescription dispensing method of claim 12 further comprising:
(f) receiving at said data analytics server electronic medical record data comprising said patient identifying data and revised prescription data for a patient;
(g) analyzing at said data analytics server said revised prescription data to identify at least one new medication for said patient;
(h) transmitting said patient identifying data and said new medication from said data analytics server to said medication operations server;
(i) initiating from said medication operations server an instruction to load said new medication in said automated prescription dispenser; and
(j) receiving at said patient monitoring server from said automated prescription dispenser status data regarding dispensing of said new medication from said automated prescription dispenser.

16 . The automated prescription dispensing method of claim 15 wherein said status data regarding dispensing of medication comprises data for new medication dosages remaining.

17 . The automated prescription dispensing method of claim 15 further comprising receiving at said patient monitoring server from said automated prescription dispenser an alert resulting from a request for assistance initiated by said patient by actuating a request for assistance input button while using said automated prescription dispenser.

18 . An automated prescription dispensing system comprising:
(a) a data analytics server executing instructions to:
(1) receive from a medical center server electronic medical record data comprising patient identifying data and prescription data for a patient;
(2) analyze at said data analytics server said prescription data to identify at least one medication for said patient; and
(3) transmit said patient identifying data and said medication;
(b) a medication operations server executing instructions to:
(1) receive from said data analytics server said patient identifying data and said identified medication;
(2) initiate an instruction to load said identified medication in an automated prescription dispenser; and
(c) a patient monitoring server executing instructions to receive from said automated prescription dispenser status data regarding dispensing of medication from said automated prescription dispenser.

19 . The automated prescription dispensing system of claim 18 wherein said status data regarding dispensing of medication comprises data consisting of:
medication tray access data, medication dosages remaining, and image data from a monitoring component on said automated prescription dispenser which captures an image of a user using said dispenser.

20 . The automated prescription dispensing system of claim 19 wherein said image data is selected from the group consisting of:
photographic image data and video image data.

Assignees

• Humana Inc

Inventors

• Ghouri Ahmed
• Ball Sheldon

Classifications

• G07F9/002

  Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines · CPC title

• G07F11/002

  Physics · mapped topic

• G07F7/08 Primary

  by coded identity card or credit card {or other personal identification means (without personal verification means G07F7/02)} · CPC title

• G07F17/0092 Primary

  for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles (medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00) · CPC title