Secure device for delivering medications

Abstract

A method and device for delivering medications that includes a syringe body, a cartridge nest with an application tip, a plunger actuator, and an electronic lock subassembly adapted for preventing administration of the medication until specific conditions are met. The medicine cartridge may comprise a form of a digital security key and/or physical security to prevent the device from administering medication unless specific configurations and conditions are met. The device may further be adapted with pre-programmed information and may be used with a smartphone, tablet, or computer application. The electronic lock subassembly will only permit the administration of medicine when the patient and/or administrator is verified via facial and voice recognition, biometric identifier, or other unique information. Upon proper permission and/or use of uniquely-keyed and matched components, the device may be used to administer medicine, including injecting medicine into the nasal cavity of a patient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A secure device for delivering a medication, the device comprising:
 a cartridge nest;   a medicine cartridge adapted to be received within the cartridge nest, wherein the medicine cartridge includes a passage defined therethrough, the medicine cartridge passage having a cross-sectional shape; and   a plunger actuator having a shaft with a cross-sectional shape;   wherein the cross-sectional shape of the plunger actuator shaft matches the cross-sectional shape of the medicine cartridge passage in order for the plunger actuator to be compatible for use with the medicine cartridge and deliver the medication therefrom.   
     
     
         2 . The secure device of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional shape of the plunger actuator shaft and the cross-sectional shape of the medicine cartridge passage are adapted for allowing the plunger actuator shaft to pass through the medicine cartridge passage. 
     
     
         3 . The secure device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the cross-sectional shape of the plunger actuator shaft defines a first uniquely-keyed pattern;   the cross-sectional shape of the medicine cartridge passage defines a second uniquely-keyed pattern; and   the first pattern matches the second pattern.   
     
     
         4 . The secure device of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a syringe body including a passage defined therethrough, the syringe body passage having a cross-sectional shape; 
 wherein the cross-sectional shape of the plunger actuator shaft matches the cross-sectional shape of the syringe body passage in order for the plunger actuator to be compatible for use with the syringe body. 
 
     
     
         5 . The secure device of  claim 4 , wherein the cross-sectional shape of the plunger actuator shaft and the cross-sectional shape of the syringe body passage are adapted for allowing the plunger actuator shaft to pass through the syringe body passage. 
     
     
         6 . The secure device of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the cross-sectional shape of the plunger actuator shaft defines a first uniquely-keyed pattern;   the cross-sectional shape of the medicine cartridge passage defines a second uniquely-keyed pattern;   the cross-sectional shape of the syringe body passage defines a third uniquely-keyed pattern; and   the first pattern matches both the second pattern and the third pattern.   
     
     
         7 . The secure device of  claim 1  further comprising a plunger seal located in an interior of the medicine cartridge. 
     
     
         8 . The secure device of  claim 7 , wherein the plunger actuator shaft is adapted for passing through the medicine cartridge passage and pushing the plunger seal within the medicine cartridge. 
     
     
         9 . A secure device for delivering a medication, the device comprising:
 a syringe body including a passage defined therethrough, the syringe body passage having a cross-sectional shape;   a cartridge nest;   a medicine cartridge adapted to be received within the cartridge nest, wherein the medicine cartridge includes a passage defined therethrough, the medicine cartridge passage having a cross-sectional shape; and   a plunger actuator having a shaft with a cross-sectional shape;   wherein the cross-sectional shape of the plunger actuator shaft matches both the cross-sectional shape of the syringe body passage and the cross-sectional shape of the medicine cartridge passage in order for the plunger actuator to be compatible for use with the syringe body and medicine cartridge and deliver the medication therefrom.   
     
     
         10 . The secure device of  claim 9 , wherein the cross-sectional shape of the plunger actuator shaft, the cross-sectional shape of the syringe body passage, and the cross-sectional shape of the medicine cartridge passage are adapted for allowing the plunger actuator shaft to pass through both the syringe body passage and the medicine cartridge passage. 
     
     
         11 . The secure device of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the cross-sectional shape of the plunger actuator shaft defines a first uniquely-keyed pattern;   the cross-sectional shape of the medicine cartridge passage defines a second uniquely-keyed pattern;   the cross-sectional shape of the syringe body passage defines a third uniquely-keyed pattern; and   the first pattern matches both the second pattern and the third pattern.   
     
     
         12 . The secure device of  claim 9  further comprising a plunger seal located in an interior of the medicine cartridge. 
     
     
         13 . The secure device of  claim 12 , wherein the plunger actuator shaft is adapted for passing through the medicine cartridge passage and pushing the plunger seal within the medicine cartridge. 
     
     
         14 . A secure device for delivering a medication, the device comprising:
 a syringe body including a passage defined therethrough, the syringe body passage having a cross-sectional shape with a first uniquely-keyed pattern;   a cartridge nest;   a plunger actuator having a shaft with a cross-sectional shape with a second uniquely-keyed pattern;   wherein the first pattern matches the second pattern in order for the plunger actuator to be compatible for use with the syringe body and deliver the medication therefrom.   
     
     
         15 . The secure device of  claim 14  further comprising:
 a medicine cartridge adapted to be received within a cartridge nest, wherein the medicine cartridge includes a passage defined therethrough, the medicine cartridge passage having a cross-sectional shape with a third uniquely-keyed pattern; 
 wherein the first pattern matches both the second pattern and the third pattern in order for the plunger actuator to be compatible for use with both the syringe body and the medicine cartridge and deliver the medication therefrom.