Apparatus for smart medical care

Abstract

An apparatus, method and system for dispensing medication in a personal health management system are described. The apparatus for dispensing medication is shown. The apparatus includes one or more storage compartments for storing-one or more medications, an input device for inputting data related to the medications, a data storage device configured to store at least the data, an output device operable to message information related to the medications, and a computing device configured to respond to the data, select one or more of the storage compartments for dispensing of the medication, provide information for the output device, and record quantity and frequency of the dispensing in the data storage device. A method is also provided for dispensing medication in accordance with an aspect of the invention. A system utilizing the apparatus in a personal health management system is also shown.

1 . An apparatus for dispensing medication comprising:
 one or more storage compartments for storing one or more medications, said storage compartments being configured to enable the separate storage of medications in different compartment;   an input device for inputting data related to the medications;   a data storage device configured to store at least said data;   an output device operable to message information related to the medications; and   a computing device configured to respond to said data, select one or more of said storage compartments for dispensing of the medication, provide information for said output device, and record quantity and frequency of said dispensing in said data storage device.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , in which said data comprises a prescription regimen for a user and quantities and types of medication in said one or more storage compartments. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , in which said computing device is further configured to monitor quantities of the medication and message medication refills. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising a reminder device operable to alert said user of a time for dispensing according to said prescription regimen. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , in which said computing device is further configured to message said user with guidance regarding the medication during said dispensing. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , in which said message is communicated by way of a phone call, email, or a text message. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , in which said computing device is further configured to respond to data corresponding to a plurality of users and record quantity and frequency of dispensing for said users. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , in which said input device and said output device are further configured to communicate to a remote computing device. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , in which said input device is further configured to accept data from a user input means. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , in which said input device is further configured to accept data from one or more biometric measuring devices for a user. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 10 , in which said computing device is further configured to use data from biometric measuring devices to track effectiveness of said prescription regimen. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , in which said computing device is further configured to query said user about health status and store said user's responses to said query. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 9 , in which said input device is further configured to accept data from an identification means associated with one or more of the medications. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , in which said computing device is further configured to transmit data for one of more users to said remote computing device. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , in which said computing device is further configured to receive data regarding medications from said remote computing device. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 10 , in which said output device is further configured to message an emergency service. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising a selection device operable to automatically dispense the medication from said one or more storage compartments according to said prescription regimen. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , in which said data storage device is further configured to prevent loss of data during a power failure. 
   
   
       19 . An apparatus for dispensing medication comprising:
 a means for storing the medication;   an input device means for inputting data;   a data storage device means for storing data;   an output device means for messaging information; and   a computing device means operating in conjunction with said input device means, data storage means, and output device means for selecting the medication for dispensing.   
   
   
       20 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 19 , further comprising a means for automatically dispensing the selected medication. 
   
   
       21 . A system for personal health management utilizing a medication dispensing apparatus, the system comprising:
 one or more biometric measuring devices for a user; and   a health management device configured to accept one or more readings from said measuring devices, recording user data, and storing said one or more readings and said user data in a database, said health management device comprising a medication dispenser, a means for connecting to a remote server, a means for transferring said database to said remote server and a means for alerting said remote server of a medical emergency wherein said remote server responds to said alerting or an emergency situation determined from data in said database by contacting an appropriate emergency responder.   
   
   
       22 . The system as recited in  claim 16 , in which said health management device further comprises a means for storing said database to prevent loss of data due to power interruptions. 
   
   
       23 . The system as recited in  claim 16 , in which said health management device is further configured to receive messages from said remote server and present said messages to said user. 
   
   
       24 . The system as recited in  claim 16 , in which said messages are intended to solicit one or more responses from said user and said health management device is further configured to send said one or more responses to said remote server. 
   
   
       25 . The system as recited in  claim 22 , in which said health management device is further configured to generate a one or more refill requests based upon the amount of medication in the medication dispensing apparatus. 
   
   
       26 . The system as recited in  claim 22 , in which said health management device is further configured to support multiple users. 
   
   
       27 . The system as recited in  claim 22 , in which said medication dispenser comprises an automatic dispenser for the medication. 
   
   
       28 . The system as recited in  claim 22 , further comprising means a vacation medication dispensing unit in which medications are placed into a carry-on unit with one or more compartments, said vacation medication dispensing unit having a relatively small device that is operable to remind a user and monitor the medication usage and either transmits said usage information to said health management device or is suitably configured into said personal health management system to monitor medication even while away. 
   
   
       29 . An apparatus for automatic medication dispensing, the apparatus comprising:
 a cylindrical pill cabinet comprising a hollow central channel, a plurality of pill compartments arranged circumferentially about said hollow central channel and flanked by poles positioned parallel to said central channel;   a first motor for rotating said pill cabinet about an axis of said central channel;   a dispensing arm comprising a lead screw parallel to said axis and exterior to said pill cabinet, a push nut in operation with said lead screw for traversing a length of said lead screw when said lead screw is rotated, and a plurality of pins arranged in a column perpendicular to said axis and positioned for contacting said push nut;   a second motor for rotating said lead screw to move said push nut to contact a one of said push pins wherein said one push pin is pushed interior to a one of said pill compartments and a pill contained therein is pushed into said hollow channel; and