US4725997A
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US
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Contingent dosing device
Assignee: Aprex Corp
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Filing: 1986-08-22
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Granted: 1988-02-16
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Expires: 2006-08-22
Abstract
Abstract A contingent dosing device which actively controls the pattern in which doses of one or more pharmaceutical preparations are administered to a patient. The device is programmed with information concerning an initial dosing regimen, and monitors deviations from that regimen. Based on the acceptability of the calculated deviations, the device may dispense or withhold medication. The invention also includes an automatic drug dosage compliance method using the contingent dosing device.
Inventors
- 👤 John Urquhart
- 👤 Harold R. Elgie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:38
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61J; A61J7/00; A61J7/04; A61J7/0409; A61J7/0427; A61J7/0445; A61J7/0076; A61J7/0418; A61J7/0436; A61J7/0481; A61J7/049; A61J2200/00; A61J2200/30; A61J2205/00; A61J2205/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A contingent dosing device for controlling the dispensing of a drug to a patient, comprising: a time counter capable of recording one or more starting times and of measuring at least one elapsed time period from the one or more starting times; means for recording an initial dispensing regimen, said regimen including information concerning the times for taking doses in a specified sequence and information regarding acceptable deviations therefrom; means for relating the start of said dispensing regimen to a time recorded or measured by the time counter; means for determining when the patient requests to take a dose of the drug; means for calculating the actual deviation of the request from the recorded dosing time of said regimen; means for comparing the actual deviation with the acceptable deviation set forth in the regimen and deriving the time difference therebetween; and means for informing the patient as to the acceptability of said time difference, whereby if said actual deviation is less than or equal to said acceptable deviation, a dose is dispensed and whereby if said actual deviation is greater than or equal to said acceptable deviation, a dose is refused.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
A contingent dosing device for controlling the dispensing of a drug to a patient, comprising: a time counter capable of recording one or more starting times and of measuring at least one elapsed time period from the one or more starting times; means for recording an initial dispensing regimen, said regimen including information concerning the times for taking doses in a specified sequence and information regarding acceptable deviations therefrom; means for relating the start of said dispensing regimen to a time recorded or measured by the time counter; means for determining when the patient requests to take a dose of the drug; means for calculating the actual deviation of the request from the recorded dosing time of said regimen; means for comparing the actual deviation with the acceptable deviation set forth in the regimen and deriving the time difference therebetween; and means for informing the patient as to the acceptability of said time difference, whereby if said actual deviation is less than or equal to said acceptable deviation, a dose is dispensed and whereby if said actual deviation is greater than or equal to said acceptable deviation, a dose is refused.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 1, further including a means for modifying the initial regimen to yield a modified regimen to accommodate the actual deviation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 1, further including a means for modifying the initial regimen to yield a modified regimen when the actual deviation is greater than the acceptable deviation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 2, wherein the means for determining said actual deviation includes a means for basing this deviation on said modified regimen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1, further including a means for recording the times at which said requests are made.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 1, additionally comprising a means for controlling the delivery of the dose of the drug to the patient.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 6, additionally comprising means for recording the times at which a dose is requested.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 6, additionally comprising a means for recording the times at which a dose is delivered.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 6, wherein the means for informing the patient includes a means for varying the delivery of the dose of the drug to the patient.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 6, further including a means for recording the dose that is delivered and the times at which said dose is delivered.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 10, wherein the means for informing the patient includes visual display means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 10, wherein the means for informing the patient includes audible signalling means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the means for informing the patient includes a means for instructing the patient.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 13, wherein the means for instructing the patient includes a means for instructing the patient to contact the patient's health care professional.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 14 wherein the means for instructing the patient includes a means for instructing the patient to convey diagnostic information to the patient's health care professional.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 1, additionally comprising a means for informing the patient when to request a dose according to said initial regimen.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 2, additionally comprising means for informing the patient when to request a dose according to said modified regimen.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1, further including a means for interrogating the patient during the dosing regimen.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 18, further including a means for modifying the regimen based on the results of said interrogation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
154 words
A contingent dosing device for controlling the dispensing of a drug to a patient, comprising: a time counter capable of recording one or more starting times and of measuring at least one elapsed time period from the one or more starting times; means for recording an initial dispensing regimen, said regimen including information concerning the times for taking doses in a specified sequence and information regarding acceptable deviations therefrom; means for relating the start of said dispensing regimen to a time recorded or measured by the time counter; means for determining when the patient requests to take a dose of the drug; means for calculating the actual deviation of said request from the recorded dosing time of said regimen; means for comparing the actual deviation with the acceptable deviation set forth in the regimen and deriving the time difference therebetween; and means for informing the patient's health care professional as to said time difference.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
154 words
A contingent dosing device for controlling the dispensing of a drug to a patient, comprising: a time counter capable of recording one or more starting times and of measuring at least one elapsed time period from the one or more starting times; means for recording an initial dispensing regimen, said regimen including information concerning the times for taking doses in a specified sequence and information regarding acceptable deviations therefrom; means for relating the start of said dispensing regimen to a time recorded or measured by the time counter; means for determining when the patient requests to take a dose of the drug; means for calculating the actual deviation of said request from the recorded dosing time of said regimen; means for comparing the actual deviation with the acceptable deviation set forth in the regimen and deriving the time difference therebetween; and means for informing the patient's health care professional as to said time difference.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
141 words
An automatic drug dosage compliance method, comprising the steps of: (a) recording in a patient-portable memory unit an initial dispensing regimen, said regimen including information concerning the times for taking doses in a specified sequence and information regarding acceptable deviations therefrom; (b) determining the times when a patient requests to take a dose of a drug; (c) calculating the actual deviation of the request times from the recorded dosing times; (d) comparing the actual deviation with the acceptable deviation set forth in the regimen and deriving the time difference therebetween; and (e) automatically informing the patient as to the acceptability of said time difference, whereby if said actual deviation is less than or equal to said acceptable deviation, a dose is dispensed and whereby if said actual deviation is greater than or equal to said acceptable deviation, a dose is refused.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
141 words
An automatic drug dosage compliance method, comprising the steps of: (a) recording in a patient-portable memory unit an initial dispensing regimen, said regimen including information concerning the times for taking doses in a specified sequence and information regarding acceptable deviations therefrom; (b) determining the times when a patient requests to take a dose of a drug; (c) calculating the actual deviation of the request times from the recorded dosing times; (d) comparing the actual deviation with the acceptable deviation set forth in the regimen and deriving the time difference therebetween; and (e) automatically informing the patient as to the acceptability of said time difference, whereby if said actual deviation is less than or equal to said acceptable deviation, a dose is dispensed and whereby if said actual deviation is greater than or equal to said acceptable deviation, a dose is refused.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 21, further including modifying the initial regimen to yield a modified regimen when the actual deviation is greater than the acceptable deviation.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 21, wherein said calculating of the actual deviation is based on the modified regimen.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 21, additionally comprising controlling the delivering of the dose of the drug of the patient.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 24, wherein the informing the patient includes varying the delivering of the dose of the drug to the patient.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 21, wherein the informing the patient includes visual displaying.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 21, wherein the informing the patient includes audible signalling.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 21, wherein the informing the patient includes instructing the patient.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 21, additionally comprising informing the patient when to request a dose according to said initial regimen.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 21, further including informing the patient when to request a dose according to said modified regimen.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-02-15 | 1991-08-17 | 1992-02-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-02-15 | 1995-08-17 | 1996-02-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-02-15 | 1999-08-17 | 2000-02-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |