Devices and methods for facilitating and controlling use of a medication
Inventors
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-11033530-B2
Publication Date
2021-06-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
A device includes a reservoir configured to store a drug formulation including at least one abuse-preventing additive. The device further includes means configured to remove the at least one abuse-preventing additive. The device further includes means configured to prevent access to the drug formulation.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a controlled-substance dispensing system in which a device is loaded by a user and operated according to a received dosing schedule. The dosing schedule includes an indication of a dose amount of the substance and a set of dosing times, and the device communicates to the user indications relating to substance availability, lockout period, and expiration of the lockout period at corresponding dosing times.
The device includes a compartment configured to hold the substance, a diluent reservoir configured to hold a diluent, and a dilution chamber configured to hold a diluted form of the substance. The substance is diluted by pumping the substance into the dilution chamber and adding the diluent to the dilution chamber, and a valve is operated to dispense the dose amount of the substance at dosing times.
The claimed architecture and operation are directed to safe dispensing with controlled access by incorporating lockout indications and dispensing control based on the dosing schedule. The partial content also addresses abuse-preventing additives in a drug formulation by storing a substance that includes an abuse-preventing additive and then removing or neutralizing the additive prior to patient administration.
Claims Coverage
The partial claim set provides coverage for three independent method claims. Across the independent claims, inventive features center on user-performed loading and scheduling, dilution in a dilution chamber using a metering pump and diluent, controlled dispensing in accordance with dosing times, and lockout communication tied to availability and expiration indications.
User loading with dosing schedule and lockout communication
Loading a device with the substance by a user; receiving a dosing schedule including a dose amount and a set of dosing times; communicating at a first dosing time an indication including availability of the substance and a lockout period during which dispensing is prohibited; and communicating at a second dosing time an indication of availability and expiration of the lockout period before dispensing.
Dilution chamber with pumped substance and diluent
Operating a valve to dispense the dose amount at dosing times while diluting the substance by pumping the substance into the dilution chamber and adding the diluent to the dilution chamber, with the device including a diluent reservoir configured to hold the diluent and a dilution chamber configured to hold a diluted form of the substance.
User programming and device operation with metering pump dilution
Loading the dispensing device with the substance by the user; programming the dispensing device with a dosing schedule including a dose amount and a set of dosing times; delivering the dose amount into a dilution chamber using a metering pump; diluting by adding a diluent to the dilution chamber; and dispensing the diluted substance according to the dosing schedule.
Overall, the independent claims cover user-loaded and scheduled dispensing where substance is diluted in a dilution chamber using metering pump delivery and diluent addition, and the device dispenses dose amounts according to dosing times. One independent claim further adds lockout period communication tied to first and second dosing times.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
Interested in licensing this patent?