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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a medication organizer system. Specifically, this invention relates to a medication organizer system particularly suitable for use by persons with limited language skills, limited pharmacology acumen and/or advanced age.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
It is known in the pillbox art to provide time and day of the week compartments for separately holding pills. The patient or user however requires a certain level of language facility and pharmacology acumen to correctly organize the pills in the appropriate pill box compartments. Such prior art pill box constructions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,085 to Denney, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 393,203 to Saltzman and U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,229 to Halbich.
It is also known in the prior art to provide a pill box holder with separately removable day of the week compartments with each day of the week compartment divided into four separate time of the day compartments imprinted with “MORN”, “NOON”, “EVE” and “BED” designations as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,085, to Denney. The Denney pill box holder permits transport of a desired day of the week compartment without transport of the entire week's worth of medication. The elongated ribs hold the compartments in separate spaces, but are not generally sufficient to prevent unwanted removal of the compartments.
It is also known in the prior art to provide information displays in connection with pillbox constructions to assist the user in organizing the medication. Such medication organizers and dispensing systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,464,506 to Welles, U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,451 to Niven, U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,237 to Brandon, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,156 to Martin. In general, such prior art constructions are used by professional medical care providers and particularly in hospitals and nursing homes. The medication organizers of the Welles and Niven patents are exemplary of constructions suitable for use by professional medical care providers. These prior art organizers were not generally suitable for use by persons with limited language skills and/or limited pharmacology acumen and/or the elderly.
It is also known in the prior art to provide a guidance/reminder calendar to assist in the administration of medication as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,937 to Nellhaus. This Nellhaus guidance/reminder calendar included pictorial time of the day designations and picture stamps reflecting respective units of medication.
The art desires a simplified medication organizer system, which permits a patient or user with limited language skills and/or limited pharmacology acumen and/or the elderly to readily correctly organize diverse medications in the correct respective pill box compartments. The art also desires a system, as immediately aforesaid, which is readily transportable, and particularly so for any particular days of the week, rather than having to transport the entire medication organizer and dispenser system when only one or two days of medication is required and wherein the un-removed compartments remain secured in place
The present invention provides solutions to the aforementioned prior art needs, resolves the aforementioned deficiencies in the prior art constructions, and provides a practical solution to the several impediments attendant the aforesaid prior art medication organizers. The present invention provides a practical medication organizer system for persons having limited language skills, limited pharmacology acumen and/or advanced age.
The term “medication element” as used hereinbefore and hereinafter throughout the specification and claims refers to any medication or therapeutic intervention in a specific physical form, particularly including, but not limited to, oral administration medications, e.g., pills, capsules, caplets, and the like, and non-oral administration forms of medications, e.g., transdermal patches, and the like.
The medication organizer system includes a plurality of separable day of the week i.e., Sunday through Saturday medication element containers or pillboxes. Each container or pill box is inscribed with the respective day of the week, i.e. “SUN” through “SAT”. Each day of the week container or pill box has walls separating the pill box into several, usually four, time of the day compartments. Each time of the day compartment cover is imprinted with a respective pictorial, which is readily cognizable as signifying a specific time of the day. The pictorial includes a house, horizon, sun, moon and/or stars. The pictorials are readily cognizable by a lay person as signifying a specific time of day, such as, morning/daybreak, noon/midday, dusk/early evening and late evening/nighttime/bedtime. The separate time of the day compartments have hinged lids or covers. The pictorials are boldly imprinted on the respective compartment covers, and are readily viewable and cognizable by the user.
A medication organizer worksheet display is provided as an integral part of the medication organizer system. The medication organizer worksheet display may be a plurality of separable pages or paper sheets. One or more grids are imprinted on each sheet. The grid tracts and corresponds to the day of the week and times of the day arrangement of the compartments. The respective day of the week designations “SUN” through “SAT” are imprinted on the worksheet juxtaposed to the grid. Imprinted pictorials corresponding to the time of the day compartment pictorials are imprinted on the worksheet juxtaposed to the grid. Medication and medication element or pill identifying indicia, such as by way of example, written information, imprinted pictorial and imprinted color indicia are juxtaposed to each grid. The healthcare provider, medication provider or patient (where appropriate) writes or marks the medication and pill identifying indicia to specify the prescribed medication and the dosage. A paper sheet containing a plurality of adhesive backed peel-off numerals is provided. The healthcare provider or user peels off a numeral corresponding to a specific medication. The peeled-off numeral is adhesively bonded to the worksheet in a dedicated space juxtaposed to the grid. Another peeled-off same numeral is adhesively applied to the medication prescription container to numerically identify the corresponding specific medication. The adhesively applied numerals numerically identify the prescribed medication on the grid and on the pharmacy supplied medication prescription container. The user then checks the grid spaces to signify the correct day(s) of the week and time(s) of the day that that prescribed specific medication is to be administered.
A medication organizer system instructions display is also a part of the present invention. The instructions display may be in the form of a laminated sheet having imprinted pictorials and text instructions. The pictorials include a pictorial of the grid, a pictorial of the worksheet and a pictorial of a pharmacy supplied medication prescription container. The text instructs the user in (i) completing the grid related information on the worksheet, (ii) adhesively applying a numeral to the pharmacy supplied medication container and (iii) applying the same numeral in a space provided on the worksheet juxtaposed to the worksheet information and grid corresponding specific medication. The user may also be provided with an illustrative pictorial example of organizing the diverse medication elements or pills in the medication compartments.
In the aforesaid manner of construction, the user is pictorially and numerically instructed as to the correct dosage for each medication at the correct day and time of the day. A professional healthcare provider or user may fill in the medication dosage information sheet and grid, and apply the numerals. The patient, even including one of limited language skills, limited pharmacology acumen and/or advanced age, may then readily follow the pictorial indicia, the numeral(s), and the marked-in grid to place the correct pills in the correct number in the correct day(s) of the week and time(s) of the day compartments. The medication organizer system minimizes, if not eliminates, pill organization errors.
The user, when traveling, may remove any one or more of the day of the week compartments from a carry tray with the pills contained in the compartments. The unremoved compartments remain securely in place by means of opposed short projections integrally formed in the tray. A fabric carry bag is provided to carry the removed compartments and worksheet (filled in) and if desired, the instructions sheet and adhesive peel-off numerals sheet. This construction provides a practical readily transportable medication organizer travel system.
FIG. 1 is a perspective partial fragmentary view of the medication organizer system of the present invention in a carry case;
FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the tray with the day of the week medication containers as shown in partial fragmentary view in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the medication, organizer worksheet (blank) as shown in partial fragmentary view in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the adhesive backed peel-off numerals sheet shown in partial fragmentary view in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of one side of medication organizer system instructions sheet as shown in partial fragmentary view in FIG. 1; and
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the other side of the medication organizer system instructions sheet.
Referring to the Figures, there is shown the medication organizer system 10 of the present invention. System 10 includes pillbox 100 having an array of separate day of the week or daily medication containers 11. Each medication container 11 has a different day of the week designation viz. “SUN” through “SAT” inscribed at top or front portion 12. Each medication container 11 is composed of four separate medication compartments 13, 14, 15 and 24. A different pictorial 20, 21, 22 and 23 is imprinted on each respective compartment cover 48, 49, 50 and 51. Each pictorial is a respective specific combination of the following images: a house, the horizon, the sun and/or the moon/stars, as best shown in FIG. 2. Pictorial 20 is imprinted on compartment cover 48 and includes house 16, horizon 17 and sun 18 disposed just above horizon 17. Pictorial 20 signifies dawn, early morning or breakfast time. Pictorial 21 is imprinted on compartment cover 49 and includes house 16, horizon 17 and sun 18 disposed directly above house 16. Pictorial 21 signifies midday, noontime or lunchtime. Pictorial 22 is imprinted on compartment cover 50 and includes house 16, horizon 17 and setting sun 18. Pictorial 22 signifies late afternoon, early evening or dinnertime. Pictorial 23 is imprinted on compartment cover 51 and includes house 16, horizon 17 and moon 25/stars 26. Pictorial 23 signifies late evening, bedtime or nighttime. Pictorials 20, 21, 22 and 23 are readily cognizable as signifying the afore-discussed respective times of the day.
Referring specifically to FIGS. 2 and 5, each day of the week container 11 has four covers 48, 49, 50 and 51, elongated sides 37 and 38, rear 39, front 40 and bottom 41. Three integrally formed transversely disposed walls 47 (typical) separate each container 11 into the four separate time of the day compartment 13, 14, 15 and 24. Each day of the week compartment, 13, 14, 15 and 24, is selectively enclosed by a respective cover 48, 49, 50 and 51. Each cover 48-51 is movably connected to side 38 by integral flexible hinge (52 typical). Each cover 48-51 is formed with a peripheral edge 55 and an outwardly extending contoured edge or lip 56. In this manner of construction, each cover is securely press-fitted and removably secured to the respective compartment opening 58 (typical), with edge 55 press-fitted into compartment opening 58. The user may selectively engage any lip 56 and, at any desired time, open the desired compartment and selectively place the desired array of pills e.g., 200, 201 and 202 in the selectively opened compartment. Covers 48-51 when closed secure the medication in the respective time of the day compartments. The user may then, on the correct day at the correct time of day, open the desired compartment to access the correct medication, as will be further discussed hereinafter.
Pillbox 100 includes plastic tray 60. Plastic tray 60 is formed with a front wall 61, rear portion or wall 62, opposed sidewalls 64 and 65, bottom wall 66 and hinged transparent cover 67. Walls 61, 62, 64, 65 and 66 form rectilinear recess 68. A series of opposed detents or short projections 69 (typical) are formed on tray bottom wall 66. The container 11 is size to be press-fitted into recess 68 in tray 60 disposed between and contactingly engaged by ends 70 (typical) of short projections 69. Container 11 front 40 is formed with a rounded forwardly extending lip 73. The user may engage lip 73 to selectively remove a desired day of the week container 11, without disturbing or moving the other containers 11. Tray 60 rear portion 62 is provided with corresponding day of the week imprinted designations 204, viz. “SUN”-“SAT”, juxtaposed to the corresponding container designations 12. That is, each container 11 is disposed and arranged in tray 60 with the corresponding juxtaposed day of the week designations.
The user has the option of carrying a complete week's supply of daily medication by having all the day of the week containers disposed in tray 60, or alternatively, may selectively remove any one more specific day of the week containers for ready separate transport. With specific reference to FIG. 1, there is shown the removed containers for Saturday and Sunday being separately transported in a travel bag or fabric case 80 together with other features and elements of the system 10.
As previously discussed, short projections 69 tightly secure containers 11, whereby unremoved containers do not slide or slip out of place. The user is then not faced with the attendant confusion of unwanted containers slipping or falling out of the tray, in removing containers 11 for separate transport. A travel bag 80 may be provided to conveniently carry one or more of the day of the week container 11 bearing the pills, the completed medication worksheet 90, the system instructions sheet 250, and optionally additional peel off numerals sheet 191 (FIG. 1).
Referring specifically to FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, there is shown the medication organizer worksheet or worksheet 90 of the present invention. The medication organizer worksheet may be completed by a healthcare professional for use by the patient, or where appropriate may be completed by a lay person or the patient. A plurality of separable medication instruction imprinted paper worksheets 90 may be provided in a tear-off pad 91. Worksheet 90 includes provision for adhesively securing a member bearing a numeral in designated box 200, and for written insertion of the patient's name 92, the date the medication or drug was prescribed 93, the medication or drug identification or name 94, the prescribed dosage 95, 95a and the purpose of the medication 95b. Pill identifying indicia may also include pictorial or inscribed indicia to signify the shape of the pill, e.g. oval, and a plurality of color codes to signify the color(s) of the pill (not shown). The healthcare provider may inscribe the shape of the prescribed pill and places an “X”, e.g. in various color coded spaces to signify the color the prescribed pill (not shown). Other means for pill identification are also within the contemplation of the invention. The medication dosage worksheet also includes a medication organizer identification box 200, as will be further discussed hereinafter. The worksheet 90 also importantly includes a grid 150, which includes day of the week “SUN” through “SAT” designations as at 151, and time of day pictorials 152, 153, 154 and 155. Pictorials 152-155 correspond to the respective compartment pictorials 20-23. With specific references to FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the healthcare provider peels off adhesive backed numeral(s) 190 (typical), from the peel-off sheet 191. The healthcare provider then inserts the numeral(s) 190 in the grid box 200 identifies the specific medication. The grid is checked corresponding to the prescribed day of the week and time of the day that specific number identified medication is to be taken or administered. The user readily discerns that grid 150 mimics or tracts the compartments 11 arrayed in tray 60, and that inserted numeral 190 juxtaposed to the grid 150 identifies the particular medication to be organized in the corresponding compartments according to the checked or marked at 350 grid location e.g., FIG. 5.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown the medication organizer instruction sheet 250. Sheet 250 comprises a front 201 (FIG. 5) and a back 202 (FIG. 6). Referring specifically to FIG. 5, there is shown steps 1 through 7 (circled numerals) for first removing e.g., adhesively backed numeral “1” (member 190) and applying numeral “1” to the first pharmacy provided medication presentation bottle or container, and then removing a second adhesively backed numeral “1” and applying it to the space 200 provided in the upper left hand corner of the medication instructions worksheet 90. The user or healthcare professional then completes the text information 204 in spaces 92, 93, 94, 95a and 95b. Additional information (not shown) identifying the color and shape of the medication element or pill may also be provided on worksheet 250. The user or healthcare professional then places check marks the grid according to the prescribed dosage regimen. The foregoing steps are repeated for a second medication. (See circled number 7 instructions on sheet) 250. Referring specifically to FIG. 6 and specifically to upper section 209, there is shown a schematic for using medication instructions worksheet 90 with the pharmacy supplied prescribed medication containers or prescription pill boxes 301 and 302, and the fully organized pillbox 100 with the medication containers 11. The lower portion 210 of FIG. 6 demonstrates the option of removing one specific day of the week container from the tray for carry bag travel use.
Other numerical and grid arrangements are within the contemplation of the present invention. The user or healthcare provider may insert a single numeral in a space juxtaposed to a specific medication identification and respective grid. The user may then, using a writing instrument, mark or check the grid locations corresponding to the days and times of the day that specific medication is to be taken. It is also within the contemplation of the present invention that the worksheet and/or instructions sheet be in the form of display such as a display on a computer monitor or palm pilot
Having thus described a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be appreciated that the objects of the invention have been achieved, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The disclosures and description herein are intended to be illustrative and are not in any sense limiting of the invention, which is defined in accordance with the adjoined claims.