초록 ▼

A prescription compliance device which aids patients in complying with instructions given by a physician for taking prescription medication. The device reminds a patient when the next dose of medication is to the taken and indicates whether a specified dose has been taken. The device includes a micr

A prescription compliance device which aids patients in complying with instructions given by a physician for taking prescription medication. The device reminds a patient when the next dose of medication is to the taken and indicates whether a specified dose has been taken. The device includes a microcontroller, a display, a program memory for storing pre-programmed medication-taking regimens for single and multiple medications, a real time clock, a selector for selecting one of the regimens and for programming the device as to the time and day on which a first dose of medication is to be taken, a display which alternately displays the current time and a time at which a next dose of medication is to be taken, and an alarm which alerts the patient at times when a dose of medication is to be taken. The selector includes an event switch which is activated by the patient after taking a dose of medication so as to record the taking of the medication and to cause the microcontroller to effect the display of the next time at which a dose of medication is to be taken. A memory may also be included to record the times at which a patient takes doses of medication. The device is small enough to be attached to medication containers, and includes a remote programming feature via a wireless link.

대표청구항 ▼

[What is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:] [23.]a microcontroller;a program memory storing data representing a plurality of pre-programmed commonly prescribed prescription-taking regimens;a selector selecting one of the regimens and programming t

[What is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:] [23.]a microcontroller;a program memory storing data representing a plurality of pre-programmed commonly prescribed prescription-taking regimens;a selector selecting one of the regimens and programming the device in accordance therewith, the selector including an event switch which is activated in conjunction with a patient taking a prescription corresponding to a respective prescription-taking regimen to register use of the prescription;a display; anda skip mechanism configured to allow the patient to skip using the prescription,wherein the event switch causing the microcontroller to effect the display of the time at which a next use of the prescription is scheduled, in accordance with the regimen selected by the selector,wherein at least one of the plurality of pre-programmed prescription-taking regimens causes calculation of acceptable times during which the patient is scheduled to use the prescription, andwherein the calculated times are based on the following factors:1) a preferred time of day at which the patient is to first use the prescription;2) a regimen specific predetermined interval of time between uses of the prescription; and3) a regimen specific predetermined time range during which it is medically acceptable for the patient to use the prescription.