Medicine dispensing apparatus

[0002] The present application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/569,211.

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to the field of medical devices, and more particularly, a medicine dispensing apparatus which provides a patient a dispensing tray in combination with a written and graphical description of medication which must be taken on a pre-determined schedule.

[0005] 2. Prior Art

[0006] In many modern medical applications it is common for patient to be prescribed a large number of different medications by their doctor. It is not uncommon for a patient to be prescribed five or more different medications to treat a single disease or other medical condition. These medications typically must be taken on a specific schedule. This medication is usually in the form of pills or capsules which must be swallowed fby the patient. When the disease or condition is being treated on an outpatient basis, it is the responsibility of the patient to take all of the medications at the appropriate times.

[0007] It is usually the case that all of the medications are not taken according to the same schedule. For example, some medications must be taken once a day. Other medications have a regimen where they are taken two or more times per day. Other medications are taken less frequently, for example every other day, or once per week. Keeping track of each medication, and the times on which it must be taken is extremely important. If a particular medication is missed, severe health consequences, and even death can occur for the patient. The patient must therefore have an effective means of keeping track of the times and days when each medication must be taken.

[0008] It is known in the prior art to provide a medicine dispensing tray for the patient. The tray is divided up into a number of compartments (which may correspond to the days of the week). The patient can then divide up the medication to be taken into the different compartments.

[0009] This medicine tray of the type known in the prior art does not solve all of the problems associated with the dispensing of multiple medications, however. The patient is required to divide up the medication themselves. In many States—such as California—the law requires that all medication be accompanied by a label which includes specified information concerning the medication. This information typically includes the dosage, patient name and dispensing schedule. In the prior art, the labeling information is placed on the individual bottles in which the medicine is sold. As a result, a dispensing pharmacy is not able to give the medication to the patient pre-packaged in the individual compartments of the medicine tray.

[0010] A medicine dispensing apparatus will be described. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, specific construction details, arrangements, and materials are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known manufacturing methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention unnecessarily.

[0011] Referring first to FIG. 1, a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. A medicine tray 10 is provided. In the preferred embodiment, the tray 10 is manufactured from an inert material such as plastic, which will not react with the medicine to be taken. The tray 10 has formed into it a plurality of compartments 12. The compartments 12 are of such a size that they can accommodate a number of different medications in the form of pills or capsules (not shown in FIG. 1). Each compartment includes a lid 14 which may be snapped closed in order to keep the medication in the compartments 12 without spilling.

[0012] The exact number of compartments 12 in the tray 10 can vary. In the preferred embodiment, there are seven compartments 12 formed into the tray 10, each corresponding to a day of the week. If desired, the lids 14 of each compartment may be embossed with the days of the week (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, etc.). It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that the tray 10 may include a smaller or larger number of compartments 12 without departing from the overall spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the tray 10 may have five compartments 12 or fourteen compartments 12 (corresponding to a two-week schedule for taking medication).

[0013] Attached to the medicine tray 10 is an information card 15. The information card 15 includes graphical and written information concerning the medicine to be taken. The information card 15 is fixed to the to the medicine tray 10 so that it is not easily detached. In this manner, the information card 15 is easily at hand and can be referenced by the user. In the preferred embodiment, the information card 15 is placed within a protective sleeve 16. The protective sleeve 16 is transparent, so that the information card can be read.

[0014] Referring next to FIG. 2, a schematic view of a typical information card is illustrated. The preferred embodiment of the information card 15 includes a written and visual description of the mediation in the tray 10. For each different medication, at least three different information fields are provided. In the first field 18, a picture of the medication is shown. This picture permits the patient to easily identify each different medication. In the second field 20, a digram is provided which clearly indicates where each type of medication is placed in the tray 10 and the time period when the medication should be taken. The specific days, and time period (such as morning, noontime, evening, bedtime, mealtimes and the like) when each dosage is required is listed. FIG. 3 illustrates a sample table showing how the dosage information can be presented. Finally, in the third field 22, additional written information about the medication is provided. This written information can include the all of the information which is required by law to be included on all prescription medications.

[0015] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that the present invention can be practiced without all of these details. For example, the information card 15 may omit the written description of the medication, and provide only a photograph of the medicine. In other instances, it may be desirable to provide only a written description of the medication. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the data on the information card 15 is provided entirely in Braille, so that blind patients may also make use of the present invention. Additional data fields may also be added to the data card. For example, information concerning drug interactions, allergies specific to the patient, or other information such as “take with food” can be included.

[0016] Referring again to FIG. 1, the preferred means for coupling the information card 15 to the dispensing tray 10 is illustrated as a ring. It is anticipated that the information card 15 may be coupled to the dispensing tray 10 in a variety of different ways. FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate two different alternative methods of coupling the information card 15 to the dispensing tray 10. FIG. 4 illustrates the information card 15 being attached underneath the dispensing tray 10. FIG. 5 illustrates the information card 15 being attached to a cover which fits over the tray 10. The exact manner of coupling the information card 15 to the tray 10 is not critical. What is intended with the present invention is to provide a means of giving the patient information concerning the medicine to be taken which can be easily understood and quickly recognized.

[0017] The description of the present invention has been made with respect to specific arrangements and constructions of a medicine dispensing tray. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing description is for illustrative purposes only, and that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the overall spirit and scope of the present invention. The full extent of the present invention is defined and limited only by the following claims.