System and method for monitoring and dispensing doses of medication

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods for monitoring medication are provided. A medication monitoring device according to one implementation includes a container configured to store a plurality of medication pills and a gating device connected at an opening of the container. The gating device is configured to electronically monitor the release of at least one of the medication pills. A system and method for monitoring the administration of medication to a patient are also provided. The system, according to one embodiment, comprises the medication monitoring device and a medication management server in communication with the medication monitoring device via a communication network.

1 . A system for medication management, the system comprising:
 a medication management server;   a monitoring device comprising a container, a communication device, an interface unit and at least a first sensor unit;   wherein said container is adapted to receive at least a medication pill;   wherein said first sensor unit generates a first signal, wherein said first sensor unit comprises a gating device determining the insertion and extraction of the medication pill from said container;   a processing device configured to receive said first signal;   wherein the processing device generates a medication status code based on at least the first signal indicating a status at the monitoring device;   wherein the processing unit is configured to receive a first input data from the interface unit; wherein said first input data includes information of the medication pill; and   wherein the processing device communicates the medication status code and the first data to the medication management server based via a communication network.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an electronic mobile device associated with a patient, wherein the medication management server is configured to provide an indication to the patient via the electronic mobile device when it is time for the patient to receive at least one of the medication pills. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the indication is communicated to the electronic mobile device via a text message. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the indication is communicated to the electronic mobile device via an e-mail message. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a medication interaction database in communication with the medication management server via the communication network. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the medication interaction database is configured to store information related to an overdose warning, medication expiration, medication administration history, amount of remaining medication, and a verification of authenticity. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein information in the medication interaction database is accessible through said management server by at least one person including a physician, health care provider, patient, or legal representative of the patient. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the management server including a website server; wherein the information in the medication interaction database is communicated to the at least one person via a website, text message, e-mail message, or push alert. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a computer associated with a pharmacy, the computer configured in communication with the communication network, wherein the medication management server is configured to submit a request for an automatic medication refill order to the computer. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a computer associated with a drug manufacturer, the computer configured in communication with the communication network, wherein the computer associated with the drug manufacturer is configured to provide drug recall information, drug warnings, drug offers and drug rebates to the medication management server as needed. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the medication monitoring device further comprises a lock device configured to restrict access to the medication pills to an authorized party. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the lock device is configured to be locked and unlocked remotely via the medication management server. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the medication monitoring device further comprises the user interface; and wherein the medication management server is configured to provide an indication to a patient via the user interface when it is time for the patient to receive at least one of the medication pills. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the medication monitoring device comprises an image device; and wherein said image device is configured to transmit an image of the at least one medication pill to the medication management server for verification of authenticity. 
     
     
         15 . A method for medication management comprising:
 coupling a medication management server in communication with a medication monitoring device via a communication network; wherein the medication monitoring device comprises a container, a first sensor unit, an input data mechanism and a processing device;   receiving at least one medication pill at said container;   monitoring at least the medication pill via the first sensor unit;   generating a first signal based on the first sensor unit;   receiving a first content by the input mechanism, wherein said first content includes a medication identification information, a dosage information and a patient information;   obtaining identifying information of the medication pill;   receiving, by the processing device, the first content, the identifying information and said first signal; and   generating a status code, by the processing device, based on the first content, the identifying information and said first signal; and   sending, by the processing device, a status code to the medication management server via the communication network.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first sensor unit include a gating device including two levels of one or more sensors wherein a top level of one or more sensors is positioned substantially closer to an opening of the medication monitoring device and a bottom level of one or more sensors is positioned substantially closer to a bottom surface of the medication monitoring device, wherein monitoring at least the medication pill via the first sensor unit further comprises:
 determining the insertion of the medication pill when the top level of one or more sensors senses said medication pill prior to the bottom level of one or more sensors sensing the medication pill; and   determining the release of the medication pill when the bottom level of one or more sensors senses the medication pill prior to the top level of one or more sensors sensing the medication pill.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the input mechanism further comprises a user interface having a touchscreen. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the monitoring medication device comprises an imaging device; and wherein obtaining identifying information of the medication pill further comprises obtaining an image of the medication pill being released and to identify the type of the medication pill based on a marking on the medication pill. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising transmitting, by the medication management server, an indication to an electronic mobile device one of the medication pills. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the indication is communicated to the electronic mobile device via a text message. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the indication is communicated to the electronic mobile device via an e-mail message. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising coupling a medication interaction database with the medication management server via the communication network. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the medication interaction database is configured to store information related to an overdose warning, medication expiration, medication administration history, amount of remaining medication, and a verification of authenticity. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein information in the medication interaction database is accessible by at least one person including a physician, health care provider, patient, or legal representative of the patient. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the information in the medication interaction database is communicated to the at least one person via a website, text message, e-mail message, or push alert. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising submitting, by the medication management server, a request for an automatic medication refill order to a computer associated with a pharmacy, the computer configured in communication with the communication network. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 providing a computer associated with a drug manufacturer, the computer configured in communication with the communication network; and   transmitting, by the computer associated with the drug manufacturer, drug recall information, drug warnings, drug offers and drug rebates to the medication management server as needed.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the medication monitoring device further comprises a lock device configured to restrict access to the medication pills to an authorized party, further comprising locking and unlocking the lock device remotely via the medication management server.