Enhanced Patient-Controlled Liquid Oral Medicine Dispenser and Deactivation System
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
An advanced patient-controlled liquid oral medicine dispenser and deactivation system that improves safety, efficiency, and user experience through innovative features such as automatic over-dispensing prevention, real-time monitoring, smart suction adjustment, modular design, and personalized educational guidance.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patient-controlled liquid oral medicine dispenser and deactivation system, while providing a non-invasive medication administration route, still had inherent limitations. These included the risk of over-dispensing, potential diversion of medication, and maintenance challenges. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing novel features that enhance safety, efficiency, and user experience.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The enhanced system comprises a patient-controlled dispenser with a dosing container having a defined volumetric capacity. The dispenser is adapted to automatically detect and prevent over-dispensing of medication beyond the defined capacity. A real-time monitoring module tracks and prevents diversion of medication, ensuring safe self-administration of controlled substances. The system also features a smart suction apparatus that automatically adjusts suction pressure based on the viscosity of the liquid medicine, ensuring accurate dosing. Furthermore, the modular design allows for easy replacement of worn or damaged components, reducing maintenance costs and downtime. Additionally, a built-in educational module provides personalized guidance and instructions to patients on proper use and maintenance of the system.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce novel features that are not obvious from the original patent. Specifically, the automatic over-dispensing prevention, real-time monitoring, smart suction adjustment, modular design, and personalized educational guidance represent a significant inventive step beyond the original patent.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include variations in the design of the dosing container, suction apparatus, and monitoring module. For example, the dosing container could be designed with adjustable volumetric capacity, or the suction apparatus could be adapted for use with different types of liquid medications. Additionally, the system could be integrated with electronic health records or telemedicine platforms to further enhance patient care.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The enhanced patient-controlled liquid oral medicine dispenser and deactivation system has significant commercial potential in the healthcare industry, particularly in the areas of pain management, oncology, and pediatrics. The system's improved safety, efficiency, and user experience make it an attractive solution for healthcare providers and patients alike. Potential market opportunities include hospitals, clinics, and home healthcare providers.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61J7/0053 |
| A | A61 | A61J1/22 |
| G | G16 | G16H20/13 |
| A | A61 | A61J2200/30 |
| A | A61 | A61J2200/70 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical Device Technology - Patient-Controlled Drug Delivery Systems, specifically focusing on oral liquid medication dispensers with safety and diversion prevention mechanisms
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or medical device designer with expertise in pharmaceutical delivery systems, familiar with patient safety protocols, medical device design principles, and electronic monitoring technologies
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's enhancements represent predictable technological improvements to the source patent's foundational liquid medication dispensing system. The additional features like real-time monitoring, smart suction adjustment, and educational guidance are logical extensions of existing medical device design principles addressing known challenges in patient-controlled medication administration. These variations represent incremental innovations that would be obvious to a skilled practitioner seeking to improve patient safety and device functionality.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,504 |
|---|---|
| Title | Patient-controlled liquid oral medicine dispenser and deactivation system |
| Assignee(s) | Yale University |