Apparatus and method for non-intravenously administering a medication
View Patent ↗A computer-based apparatus for dispensing a medication, including: at least one specially programmed computer; and a medication device. The at least one computer is arranged to automatically generate a medication regimen for a patient, the medication regimen including designation of a measure for an orally-administered or injectable medication; or automatically modify a medication regimen for a patient, by modifying a designation of a measure for an orally-administered or injectable medication. The medication device is arranged to: extract the orally-administered or injectable medication from a medication storage element; and non-intravenously dispense an amount of the orally-administered or injectable medication equal to the designated measure or the modified designated measure into a container. The at least one specially programmed computer is part of the medication device, is attached to the medication storage element, or is located remote from the medication device.
1. A computer-based apparatus for dispensing a medication, comprising:
at least one specially programmed computer; and,
a medication device, wherein:
the at least one specially programmed computer is arranged to automatically generate a first medication regimen for a first patient, the first medication regimen including designation of a first measure for a first orally-administered or injectable medication; or automatically modify a first medication regimen for a first patient, by modifying a designation of a first measure for a first orally-administered or injectable medication; and,
the medication device is arranged to:
extract the first orally-administered or injectable medication from a medication storage element; and,
non-intravenously dispense a first amount of the first orally-administered or injectable medication equal to the first designated measure or the modified first designated measure into a container.
2. The computer-based apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one specially programmed computer is arranged to:
receive a real time input; and,
automatically generate or modify the first medication regimen using the real time input.
3. The computer-based apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the medication storage element is insertable in and removable from the medication device to enable the medication storage element to be replaced when the first orally-administered or injectable medication in the medication storage element is depleted; and,
the at least one specially programmed computer is: part of the medication device not including the medication storage element; attached to the medication storage element; or located remote from the medication device.
4. The computer-based apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the first medication regimen includes information as to whether a water-based liquid vehicle substance or a fat-based liquid vehicle substance is required for the first orally-administered or injectable medication; and,
the medication device is arranged to dispense a water-based liquid vehicle substance or a fat-based liquid vehicle substance into the container.
5. The computer-based apparatus of claim 4 , wherein:
the at least one specially programmed computer is included in an electronic health record system or in an authorized order entry system; or,
the at least one specially programmed computer is in communication with an electronic health record system or with an authorized order entry system.
6. The computer-based apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the medication device includes a chamber; and,
the medication device is arranged to:
receive a metering control signal;
execute, in response to the metering control signal, a cycle by:
transporting first orally-administered or injectable medication from the medication storage element into the chamber;
displacing a known amount of the first orally-administered or injectable medication, transported into the chamber, through the nozzle; and,
repeat the cycle such that a measure of the first orally-administered or injectable medication displaced through the nozzle is equal to the first amount.
7. The computer-based apparatus of claim 6 , wherein:
the medication device includes a displacement element arranged to transport the first orally-administered or injectable medication into the chamber using a vacuum, gravity, or capillary action; or,
the displacement element includes a piezoelectric transducer.
8. The computer-based apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the medication device includes a chamber and a nozzle; and,
in response to a metering control signal, the displacement element is arranged to:
extract first orally-administered or injectable medication from the medication storage element;
expel first orally-administered or injectable medication through the nozzle at a known flow rate; and,
terminate operation of the displacement element when the amount of the first orally-administered or injectable medication expelled through the nozzle is substantially equal to the first measure.
9. The computer-based apparatus of claim 1 wherein the medication device is arranged to dispense the first orally-administered or injectable medication with a range of accuracy of approximately one part in a thousand.
10. The computer-based apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the medication storage element includes a cartridge; and,
the at least one specially programmed computer is arranged to:
identify an orally-administered or injectable medication stored in the cartridge;
determine if the orally-administered or injectable medication stored in the cartridge is included in any medication regimen for the first patient; and,
transmit a warning signal if the orally-administered or injectable medication stored in the cartridge is not included in any medication regimen for the first patient.
11. The computer-based apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one specially programmed computer is arranged to:
identify a point in time at which the medication storage element is installed in the apparatus;
compare the point in time to a time period at which it was desired to install the medication storage element; and,
transmit a compliance signal to a computer associated with an entity selected from the group consisting of an insurance company, a health care provider, a health care facility, an entity supplying the medication storage element, and a health care records system, indicating whether the point in time fell within the time period.
12. An apparatus for storing and dispensing a medication, comprising:
a medication device; and,
a cartridge including:
a cavity for storing an orally-administered or injectable medication; and,
a module, including at least one computer, generating and storing information regarding the orally-administered or injectable medication, wherein:
the at least one specially programmed computer is arranged to automatically generate a first medication regimen for a first patient, the first medication regimen including designation of a first measure for a first orally-administered or injectable medication; or automatically modify a first medication regimen for a first patient, by modifying a designation of a first measure for a first orally-administered or injectable medication;
the medication device is arranged to:
extract the first orally-administered or injectable medication from the cartridge; and,
non-intravenously dispense a first amount of the first orally-administered or injectable medication equal to the first designated measure or the modified first designated measure into a container separated from the cartridge; and,
the cartridge is insertable in and removable from the medication device.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein:
the information includes an amount of the orally-administered or injectable medication present in the cartridge; and,
the module is arranged to transmit a signal including the amount of the orally-administered or injectable medication present in the cartridge.
14. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the module is arranged to:
receive a signal including modifications to the information; and,
modify the information according to the signal.
15. A computer-based apparatus for dispensing a medication, comprising:
at least one specially programmed computer; and,
a medication device, wherein:
the at least one specially programmed computer is arranged to automatically generate a medication regimen for a patient, the medication regimen including designation of a measure for an orally-administered or injectable medication; or automatically modify a medication regimen for a patient, by modifying a designation of a measure for an orally-administered or injectable medication; and,
the medication device is arranged to:
extract the orally-administered or injectable medication from a medication storage element;
mix a separate substance with the extracted orally-administered or injectable medication;
non-intravenously dispense an amount of the orally-administered or injectable medication, mixed with the separate substance, equal to the designated measure or the modified designated measure into a container separate from the medication device.
16. A medication device for dispensing a medication, comprising:
at least one computer;
a cartridge; and,
a dispensing element including:
a chamber; and,
a nozzle, wherein the dispensing element is arranged to:
receive a metering control signal from the at least one computer; and,
execute, in response to the metering control signal, a cycle by:
transporting orally-administered or injectable medication from the cartridge into the chamber;
displacing a known amount of the orally-administered or injectable medication, transported into the chamber, through the nozzle into a container separate from the cartridge; and,
repeat the cycle such that a measure of the orally-administered or injectable medication displaced through the nozzle is equal an amount included in a medication regimen for the orally-administered or injectable medication.
17. A computer-based apparatus for dispensing a medication, comprising:
at least one specially programmed computer; and,
a medication device including:
a cartridge; and,
a dispensing element, wherein:
the at least one specially programmed computer is arranged to automatically modify a medication regimen for a patient, by modifying a designation of a measure for an orally-administered or injectable medication;
the dispensing element is arranged to:
extract the orally-administered or injectable medication from the cartridge; and,
non-intravenously dispense an amount of the orally-administered or injectable medication equal to the modified designated measure into a container separate from the cartridge;
the at least one specially programmed computer is arranged to:
identify an orally-administered or injectable medication stored in the cartridge;
determine if the orally-administered or injectable medication stored in the cartridge is included in any medication regimen for the patient; and,
transmit a warning signal if the orally-administered or injectable medication stored in the cartridge is not included in any medication regimen for the patient.