395 results about "Drug dispensing" patented technology

A portable digital patient assistant includes an RFID reader, a central processing unit for processing signals received from the RFID reader, a memory for storing data, and an output operatively linked to the central processing unit for providing output information regarding use of medicinal drugs. Methods for using the portable digital patient assistant include use at the doctor's office, pharmacy, emergency medical vehicle, hospital, home, and use while taking medications to the verify authenticity thereof and prevent drug overdoses. Related methods and systems for manufacturing, packaging, and shipping medicinal drugs to prevent the distribution of counterfeit drugs are also provided. One of the methods includes the steps of preparing a predetermined amount of a specific type of drug for patient end-users; forming discrete individual doses of the specific type of drug; and associating a respective RFID tag with each of the discrete individual doses of the specific type of drug so that when the specific type of drug is distributed to the patient end-users, at least one RFID reader may be employed to read the RFID tags associated with each of the discrete individual doses to thereby verify the authenticity of the doses as they move through a distribution channel from a manufacture to the patient end-users.

An automated drug dispensing system includes a cabinet adapted to store a variety of prepackaged pharmaceuticals in a plurality of bins for filling patient prescriptions. Each bin stores a particular variety of packaged multiple-dose pharmaceutical. Each variety of pharmaceutical is associated with a particular code. A controller receives request signals and in response generates dispense signals. Each bin includes a dispenser coupled to the controller for dispensing the packaged pharmaceuticals therefrom in response to a dispense signal sent from the controller. After a package is dispensed, a code reader determines the code of the dispensed package and verifies whether the code on the dispensed package matches the code of the requested package.

A medication dispensing system includes a medicine cabinet having a plurality of compartments for containing supplies of different kinds of medications to be accessed by a healthcare attendant for preparing individual medication dosages for named patients; and a tray having a plurality of sections for receiving a plurality of receptacles each adapted to contain one or more medication dosages prescribed for a named patient. The medicine cabinet includes a processor having a memory for storing the names of patients and their prescribed medication dosages, and a display screen for displaying the patient names and their respective prescribed medication dosages. The tray includes a display screen for displaying the patient names and their respective medication dosages, and a communication link with the medicine cabinet through which the cabinet processor communicates to the tray the patient names and their respective medication dosages.

A drug dispensing device is comprised of an upper hopper having an upper opening for receiving a medicament and a lower opening. A lid covers the upper opening. A lower hopper having an upper opening and a lower opening in a bottom portion thereof is provided. The upper hopper defines a bulk storage chamber and the lower hopper defines a dispensing chamber. A rotatable dispensing disc is positioned in a lower portion of the dispensing chamber for dispensing medicament from the drug dispensing device through the lower opening in the lower hopper. A regulator is situated between the bulk storage chamber and the dispensing chamber for controlling the rate at which medicament moves from the storage chamber to the dispensing chamber. The regulator may take a variety of forms. In one embodiment, the regulator includes a valve for controlling the flow of medicament from the storage chamber to the dispensing chamber. The valve may include a member responsive to the volume of medicament in the dispensing chamber for controlling the position of the valve. The valve and member may include a trap door valve and a float, a butterfly valve and a rotatable arm, a guillotine valve and a movable arm, and a conical plunger and a wing extending from the base of the plunger. In another embodiment, the regulator may include a rotatable member having an opening therein. The rotatable member may include a cylindrical wall having an opening in a portion thereof, a plate having an opening therein, a cup shaped member defining an opening and a pair of rotatable members which together define at least one opening therein. The regulator may be configured such that the rate at which medicament moves from the storage chamber to the dispensing chamber is never zero. Further, agitating members may be provided which extend toward the upper hopper. Methods of operation are also disclosed.

An automated drug dispensing system includes a cabinet adapted to store a variety of prepackaged pharmaceuticals in a plurality of bins for filling patient prescriptions. Each bin stores a particular variety of packaged multiple-dose pharmaceutical. Each variety of pharmaceutical is associated with a particular code. A controller receives request signals and in response generates dispense signals. Each bin includes a dispenser coupled to the controller for dispensing the packaged pharmaceuticals therefrom in response to a dispense signal sent from the controller. After a package is dispensed, a code reader determines the code of the dispensed package and verifies whether the code on the dispensed package matches the code of the requested package.

This invention provides a medication dispensing system that instructs the user through visual and audio cues, such as the illumination of individual medication cups that are arrayed in accordance with a daily and weekly schedule in separate orifices within the dispenser body. It monitors compliance by determining when an indicated cup is accessed, based upon at least one of manipulating a lid and / or placing into, removing from, or replacing into the correct orifice based upon the indication. The cups can be refilled based upon an indication, and / or can be provided in removable prefilled refill tray. The dispenser can include an on-board processor that stores a current configuration including the treatment schedule. The configuration can be programmed / re-programmed, and compliance can be monitored, via a wired or wireless server connection that communicates with interested parties, and that supports a graphical user interface. Communication, messaging and / or display systems can also be integrated.

A medical practitioner creates a prescription using a handheld portable device. The device uses a plurality of interactive screens that display information such as lists of drugs. The medical practitioner enters patient information and selects from the list the desired drug to be prescribed. The device gives the practitioner access to a drug database that may be limited by the drugs prescribable by the medical practitioner. Once a prescription is created, the practitioner can select a drug dispensing location and communicate the prescription to this location. The drug database and the drug dispensing locations may be stored in a removable memory.

An automatic drug dispensing system that dispenses variable amounts or types of drugs to treat a particular medical condition of a patient, the system comprising a medical sensor which may be implanted in or otherwise coupled to a body surface of a patient, wherein the sensor is configured to measure one or more physiological parameters of the patient; a user interface configured for receiving input relating to the patient's current condition; and a processor configured to determine one or more of a drug selection, dosage, and timing regime based at least in part on information received from the medical sensor and user interface.

Devices, systems, and methods are provided for adherence monitoring and patient interaction. In general, the devices, systems, and methods can facilitate a patient's adherence to a medication schedule and can facilitate monitoring and tracking of the patient's adherence to the medication schedule. In one embodiment, a medical accessory such as a cap is provided that can be configured to attach to existing medication dispensers, such as asthma inhalers, or to be integrated into a custom-made medication dispenser. The accessory can be configured to provide a notification to the patient when medication is due. The accessory can be configured to detect usage of the dispenser. The accessory can be configured to provide data regarding dispensing of the medication to an external device. The data can be analyzed and provided for visualization on a user interface.

A medication dispensing system including a filling apparatus, a dispensing apparatus and a refillable canister having a plurality of dosage compartments. The canister may be releasably mountable on the filling apparatus and the dispensing apparatus. The canister may further includes a tamper-prevention apparatus adapted to prevent unauthorized access to the canister. The medication dispensing system may also include a control apparatus that controls filling of medication into and egress of medication out of the dosage compartments.

The present invention relates to a system and a method for auditing drug usage within a medical care facility. The system comprises an automated drug delivery system for dispensing a plurality of drugs to medical care providers or users, which delivery system has a plurality of drug dispensing stations located throughout the medical care facility and a centralized archive for storing data. Each drug dispensing station includes a console for inputting information about each transaction involving at least one of the drugs and a link for transferring the inputted information to the centralized archive. The system further comprises a processing unit for receiving the transactional information from the centralized archive and for processing it so as to generate at least one report for a defined period of time which detects patterns and abnormalities in distribution and usage of selected ones of the drugs. The method describes the manner in which the transactional information is manipulated to detect any patterns and abnormalities in the distribution and usage of the drugs.

Drug storage and dispensing devices for dispensing a drug dosage form are disclosed. Devices having a housing defining a nonlinear passageway and a flexible push rod to move within the nonlinear passageway are disclosed. Devices having a flexible push rod coupled to a rotation actuating member at at an end portion thereof are also disclosed.

This invention relates to a compliance monitor for monitoring patient usage of a medicament delivery device, where the medicament delivery device includes a store of medicament and a medicament dispensing means. The compliance monitor includes a housing adapted to enclose the medicament delivery device, and a dose counter, associated with the housing, for recording the delivery of a dose of medicament to the patient from the medicament delivery device. The arrangement and construction is such that the housing is loosely coupled to the medicament delivery device, whereby the housing is able to move relative to the medicament delivery device during the delivery of the dose of medicament, and it is this movement which actuates the dose counter, either directly or indirectly, in order to record the delivery of the dose of medicament.

In an automated prescription pill dispensing system, a multiplicity of pill dispensers are provided each operable to count out and dispense pills from supply hoppers. The dispensers are controlled by a computer which selects up to five of the dispensers to operate and control the selected pill dispensers to count out pills simultaneously. The pill dispensers dispense the pills into the first set of output hoppers, from which the pills can be released into a second output hopper under the control of the computer. The computer will release the pills from the second output hopper corresponding to a selected pill dispenser through a snout into a pill vial in response to sensing the presence of a pill vial at the snout. The computer controls a prescription label printer to print prescription labels for the pill vials. The computer also controls indicator lights to indicate which dispensing cell is selected and ready to have pills released from the second output hopper corresponding thereto. Automatically controlled security doors control access to supply hoppers for each of the pill dispensers.

A medication dispensing system includes a medicine cabinet having a plurality of compartments for containing supplies of different kinds of medications to be accessed by a healthcare attendant for preparing individual medication dosages for named patients; and a delivery device, preferably in the form of a mobile cart, having a plurality of sections for receiving medication dosages prescribed for named patients. The medicine cabinet includes a processor having a memory for storing the names of patients and their prescribed medication dosages, and a display screen for displaying the patient names and their respective prescribed medication dosages. The delivery device includes a display screen for displaying the patient names and their respective medication dosages, and a communication link with the medicine cabinet through which the cabinet processor communicates to the delivery device the patient names and their respective medication dosages.

Embodiments of the invention provide medication dispensing carts and methods. The medication dispensing carts may include a base having wheels that allow the carts to be transported within a facility, a computing device configured to receive input from a user, a display device communicatively coupled with the computing device for displaying information to the user, a post that couples the display device with the base, and a plurality of cassettes that have one or more bins within which medical supplies are stored. The plurality of cassettes may be coupled with the post and the post may include a plurality of communication ports that communicatively couple one or more of the cassettes with the computing device to perform or provide various functions.

A method and apparatus for dispensing prepackaged medication packages includes an apparatus having a body with an internal cavity and an opening. A central processing unit operably communicates with an actuator and at least one sensor within the cavity to regulate and monitor the dispensation of the packages, while the actuator operably communicates with a feed mechanism within the cavity to dispense the packages.

A medicament container, medicament dispensing kit and packaging process that minimizes exposure of the medication to oxygen to prevent degradation of the medication are disclosed.

The present invention belongs to the technical field of automated drug dispensing methods and apparatuses, and discloses a drug dispensing method of an automated drug dispensing system, and the automated drug dispensing system. The drug dispensing method comprises the following steps that: a drug bottle is placed on a drug liquid input shaking apparatus; a multi-shaft robot moves the drug bottle to a bottle breaking device, and the drug bottle is broken through the bottle breaking device; the multi-shaft robot moves the drug bottle to the drug liquid input shaking apparatus; a hose filling transferring and drug liquid distribution device inserts needles on both ends of an infusion hose into the drug bottle or / and a mother liquor bottle, and pumps the drug liquid; and the drug liquid input shaking apparatus shakes the drug liquid on the drug liquid input shaking apparatus. With the drug dispensing method of the automated drug dispensing system, and the automated drug dispensing system in the present invention, dispensing of multiple groups of drug liquids can be rapidly completed so as to improve drug dispensing efficiency, greatly reduce labor intensity of health care workers, and easily ensure health and safety of health care workers.

A system is capable of monitoring dispensing of medication from a medication container having a volume. The system comprises a measuring portion and a processor portion. The measuring portion is operable to measure a parameter at a first time and to measure the parameter at a second time. The processor portion is in communication with the measuring portion. The processor portion is operable to determine a change in volume of medication within the medication container based on the measured parameter at the first time and the measured parameter at the second time.

Methods for filling packagings with at least one medication include producing filling instructions, operating a packaging station to fill packagings, and verifying that each of the packagings is filled correctly. The production of filling instructions includes an allocation of medications to separated compartments in the packagings. Each packaging receives a single medication pass for a specified time on a specified day, or a medicine pass for administration on an as needed basis. The packaging station may include a manual packaging station at which an operator follows prompts to move canisters of medications, pills from the canisters, and trays of packagings to fill the packagings. The manual packaging station includes a shutter assembly with shutters configured to selectively provide access to only one compartment in each packaging at a time, thereby reducing the likelihood of filling errors. Apparatus for filling packagings may include the same manual packaging station.

Systems and methods for detecting diversion in drug dispensing transactions are provided. The systems and methods described provide an integrated platform for collecting and analyzing data that describes a user's drug dispensing transactions and determines a diversion score for the user that indicates the relative severity of the user's diversion activities. The diversion score may be weighted to reflect the relative importance of a respective category of diversion activity to the identification of drug diverters with respect to other categories. Furthermore, in determining a user's diversion score, the user's transaction data may be compared with transaction data regarding the user's peers. In this way, for example, high diversion scores may indicate a high occurrence of suspicious activity, and users having high diversion scores may be further monitored and investigated to determine whether the particular user is indeed diverting drugs for illegitimate use.

A medication and dispensing system tracks the medication of multiple users over time and preferably combines this information with periodic test results provided to the system. The system is designed to allow remote access electronically to authorized users whereby doctors or other medical professionals can review the data of actual medication dispensed and preliminary test results accumulated over time. Preliminary analysis of the data is conducted by the system to determine alert conditions. Such alert conditions include incorrect medication dispensing (i.e. failure to take a prescribed medication) and test results that warrant investigation. Many different types of alerts may be programmed into the software of the device.

A dispensing system and associated method provides a turnkey solution for dispensing pharmaceutical products such as solid medications and nutritional supplements to be taken orally in health care settings, including but not limited to long term care (LTC) and assisted living settings.

An integrated nursing bottle and liquid medication dispensing apparatus enables precise and independent control of both the rate of administration of the medication, and the amount by which it is diluted before reaching the infant's mouth. A preferred embodiment utilizes a sleeve with a restricted tip for receiving a syringe that permits the optimal mixing of medicine and a diluting fluid in the nipple area of the bottle while minimizing the loss of fluid in the syringe tip, thus ensuring the easy and accurate administration of medicine dosages.