Electronic Drug Dispenser System

Abstract

A medication administration and tracking system is described. The system is equipped with an electric medication dispenser configured to administer medication to a patient in a hospital bed without intervention from hospital staff. The dispenser is configured to allocate safe doses of prescribed or over-the-counter medications to a patient upon request by the patient. At least one method of biometric authentication is employed to solely permit access to the medication to the patient upon confirmation of his or her identity. A camera disposed on the dispenser is configured to witness the patient take the medication, and track the time and date of consumption. The medications administered are preferably equipped with a tracking sensor to help track medication levels within the patient, and monitor treatment efficacy.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method for safely delivering medical supplies to patients of a hospital without assistance comprising:
 receiving information for intake;   capturing identity data;   storing the identity data to a database as identity reference data;   depositing relevant medical supplies into at least one container disposed within at least one dispenser disposed near the patient;   a computer comparing the biometric identity authentication data to the biometric reference data to verify the identity of the patient;   the patient selecting requisite medical supplies from the relevant medical supplies without nurse authorization;   a locked door protecting the at least one dispenser that unlocks without nurse interaction;   the at least one dispenser dispensing the requisite medical supplies to the patient without nurse intervention; and   the patient receiving the requisite medical supplies without nurse intervention.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 interpreting the information for intake after said storing the identity data to a database as identity reference data.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 wherein the relevant medical supplies are determined by said interpreting the information for intake.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one dispenser is mounted in proximity to the patient. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the patient interacting with the at least one dispenser without nurse intervention.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 transporting the patient to the hospital bed.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the patient deciding that the patient is in need of the requisite medical supplies.   
     
     
         8 . A method for safely delivering medical supplies to a patient of a hospital without assistance comprising:
 receiving information for intake;   capturing biometric identity data from the patient via a first camera;   storing the biometric identity data to a database as biometric reference data;   hospital staff depositing relevant medical supplies into at least one dispenser disposed near the patient;   wherein the relevant medical supplies are determined via the information for intake;   the patient needing medical supplies, the medical supplies indicated during said receiving information for intake;   the patient requesting the medical supplies without hospital staff intervention;   an on-board computer comparing biometric identity authentication data to the biometric reference data to verify an identity of the patient;   the patient selecting the medical supplies without hospital staff intervention;   the at least one dispenser unlocking; and   the at least one dispenser dispensing the medical supplies to the patient without hospital staff intervention.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 admitting the patient to the hospital before said receiving information for intake.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 the hospital staff interpreting the intake information after said storing the biometric identity data to a database as biometric reference data.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 identifying the patient to verify appropriate administration after said the patient requesting the medical supplies without hospital staff intervention.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 verifying the patient consumed the medical supplies after said the at least one dispenser dispensing the medical supplies to the patient without hospital staff intervention.