Patient controlled timed medication dispenser
The medication delivery device provides patient access to medications prescribed to be available on an as-needed basis, but with a minimum time intervals between doses. The device permits access to a single dose of the medication after each minimum time interval has elapsed. When the drug dose is removed from the device, the medication tray locks until the next minimum dosage time interval has elapsed.
1. A method for dispensing a medication dose from a medication dispenser for a patient on a variable, as-needed basis, wherein the patient controls administration of the medication doses, wherein the doses are not available more frequently than a prescribed minimum dosing interval between doses, wherein the medication dispenser comprises a plurality of compartments with an empty compartment between two successive medication-containing compartments when initially filled, the method comprising:
(a) starting a timer when a prior dose is accessible through an opening in the medication dispenser;
(b) determining when the timer has reached a count value indicating that the minimum dosing interval has elapsed;
(c) activating an indicator when it has been determined at step (b) that the minimum dosing interval has elapsed;
(d) responsive to an authorization process executed any time after the minimum dosing interval has elapsed when the patient desires a medication dose, determining that the patient is an authorized person;
(e) after successful authorization of the patient at step (d), moving a medication-containing compartment into alignment with the opening, wherein the dose is accessible through the opening, wherein if the authorization is unsuccessful or the patient elects not to execute the authorization process the medication-containing compartment is not moved into alignment with the opening; and
(f) after a predetermined time interval from alignment of the medication-containing compartment with the opening, moving the medication-carrying compartment away from the opening and moving an empty compartment into alignment with the opening so that a medication dose is not accessible, wherein the predetermined time interval is shorter than the minimum dosing interval;
(g) repeating steps (a) through (f).
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step (c) further comprises in response to identification information supplied by the person, determining that the person is the authorized person.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the identification information comprises at least one of a code entered on a keypad of the medication dispenser, a bar code, an RFID tag code, a fingerprint, a voice print or information supplied by a smart card.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first predetermined time interval comprises a physician-prescribed minimum interval between as-needed doses.