초록 ▼

This invention relates to a medication container that organizes several vials or cassettes of different types of medication by securing the vials to a unitary lid. A machine readable memory strip is affixed to each vial. Each memory strip contains prescription information and medication information

This invention relates to a medication container that organizes several vials or cassettes of different types of medication by securing the vials to a unitary lid. A machine readable memory strip is affixed to each vial. Each memory strip contains prescription information and medication information pertaining to the medication in the vial. The unitary lid is equipped with sensors that read each memory strip and transmit the information to the computer processor and its associated memory device. The processor determines when each medication is to be taken and signals the patient to take the appropriate medication from the appropriate vial at the appropriate time. Indicator lights and a display are provided for this purpose. The vials are standard or slightly modified childproof pill containers, but can take the form of a blister pack dispenser or other containers as well. The lid is provided with a mechanism for dispensing or allowing the removal of medication from the vials, and obtaining actual medication consumption information based on when the pill is dispensed or when the lid is opened. This actual consumption information is used to keep inventory information regarding the number of each type of medication doses remaining in the container. The memory strips can be machine readable and writable so that they can be altered to include actual consumption information and inventory information. The automated lid contains a receiver for obtaining updated medication dosing information based on current laboratory tests or physical observations of the physician regarding the patient.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.]1. A medication container for organizing different types of medication comprising:a plurality of separate and particular vials, each of said particular vials having an inside surface that defines a compartment, said compartment of each of said particular vials being adapted to hold a

[ I claim:] [1.]1. A medication container for organizing different types of medication comprising:a plurality of separate and particular vials, each of said particular vials having an inside surface that defines a compartment, said compartment of each of said particular vials being adapted to hold a particular type of medication;a plurality of machine readable memory devices, each of said particular vials having a corresponding memory device, each of said corresponding memory devices being adapted to contain prescribed dosing information corresponding to said particular type of medication in said particular vial;a unitary lid having a plurality of particular ports, each of said particular vials being removably securable to one of said particular ports, said lid further having a plurality of sensors, each particular port having a corresponding sensor, and each corresponding sensor communicating with said corresponding memory device of said particular vial secured to said particular port, said unitary lid having a computer processor in electrical communication with a timing device, a communication device, and said plurality of sensors, said prescribed dosing regimen information contained in each of said memory devices being transmitted to said computer processor when each of said particular vials are secured to their said particular ports, said computer processor using said timing device and said prescribed dosing regimen information from each of said memory devices to develop a predetermined time to take each of said particular types of medication, and said computer processor communicating said predetermined time to said communication device.