US4360125A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Medication inventory device
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
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Filing: 1980-03-10
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Granted: 1982-11-23
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Expires: 2000-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A medication dispenser in which medication to be dispensed is housed, including a member operable to allow medication access. The dispenser provides a medication alert signal at preselected times in accordance with a desired medication regimen. A medication access signal is provided when medication access is obtained. Data representative of the relative timing between a medication alert signal and a medication access signal is written into a readable memory whereby that data is available to a physician for evaluation. In a preferred embodiment, the data is representative of the time of occurrence of each medication alert signal and medication access signal. The interval between medication alert signals is selectively alterable.
Inventors
- 👤 Diane S. Martindale
- 👤 Dennis G. Hepp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:12
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61J; A61J7/00; A61J7/04; A61J7/0409; A61J7/0481; A61J7/0418; A61J7/0427; A61J7/0436; A61J7/0445; A61J7/0454
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
In a medication dispenser of the type having means for housing medication to be dispensed, including means operable to allow medication access, and means for providing medication alert signals at preselected times in accordance with a desired medication regimen, the improvement for determining adherence to said desired medication regimen wherein said access allowing means comprises means for providing a signal when medication access is obtained and further comprising readable memory means and logic means for providing data signals representative of the time of each of said medication alert and medication access signals and writing the same into said memory means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
In a medication dispenser of the type having means for housing medication to be dispensed, including means operable to allow medication access, and means for providing medication alert signals at preselected times in accordance with a desired medication regimen, the improvement for determining adherence to said desired medication regimen wherein said access allowing means comprises means for providing a signal when medication access is obtained and further comprising readable memory means and logic means for providing data signals representative of the time of each of said medication alert and medication access signals and writing the same into said memory means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The medication dispenser of claim 1 further comprising settable time display means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The medication dispenser of claim 1 wherein said logic means further comprises means for including in said data signals data representative of elapsed days in a medication regimen being dispensed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The medication dispenser of claim 3 further comprising settable time display means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The medication dispenser of claim 4 wherein said logic means further comprises means for selectively altering the timing of said medication alert signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The medication dispenser of claim 5 wherein said alert signals altering means comprises means for altering the interval between alert signals, said display means displaying said interval during said altering.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The medication dispenser of claim 1 wherein said logic means further comprises means for selectively altering the timing of said medication alert signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The medication dispenser of claim 7 wherein said alert signals altering means comprises means for altering the interval between alert signals, said display means displaying said interval during said altering.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The medication dispenser of claim 1 wherein a plurality of medications are independently housed, the improvement wherein said medication access signal providing means comprises separate means for providing a medication access signal when access to at least some of said medications is obtained.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-11-22 | 1986-05-24 | 1986-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-11-22 | 1990-05-24 | 1990-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-11-22 | 1994-05-24 | 1994-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |