Medicament inventory system and method

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and system that utilizes one or more cassettes or trays, which hold one or more types of medicaments, the cassettes or trays being configured for intelligent dispensing of the medicaments. In one embodiment, a smart tray for dispensing medicaments includes: a housing; an information storage device that maintains inventory information regarding medicament units in the tray; and a communication device to transfer the inventory information between the information storage device and an external computing apparatus to facilitate inventory maintenance. In a further embodiment, the smart tray includes a mechanism to determine a quantity of medicament units dispensed from the tray to facilitate inventory tracking.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a casing adapted to contain one or more medicament units;   a sensory unit disposed within the casing and adapted to determine when a medicament unit is dispensed from the casing; and   a communications module adapted to transmit inventory information related to said one or more medicament units to a remote module.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the casing comprises an ultraviolet-resistant material. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensory unit comprises a fiber-optical scanner. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inventory information comprises a number of medicaments contained within the casing. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the communications module is adapted to wirelessly transmit inventory the information to a remote module. 
     
     
         6 . A medicament container comprising:
 a housing adapted to store medicament units;   an outlet adapted to dispense medicament units;   a sensory unit disposed within the housing and adapted to determine a number of medicament units dispensed from the outlet; and   a transmitter adapted to transmit the number to an external device.   
     
     
         7 . The medicament container of  claim 6 , wherein the housing comprises a fire-retardant material. 
     
     
         8 . The medicament container of  claim 6 , wherein the housing comprises a plurality of walls, wherein at least one of the walls of the plurality comprises a thickness between 0.005-0.040 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The medicament container of  claim 8  further comprising a chemical absorber adapted to absorb moisture from the housing. 
     
     
         10 . The medicament container of  8 , wherein the medicament container comprises a display component adapted to indicate a status condition of the medicament container. 
     
     
         11 . A device for storing medicament units, the device comprising:
 a compartment adapted to contain a number of medicinal entities;   a memory module adapted to record the number of medicinal entities contained within the compartment;   an update module adapted to update the number recorded in the memory module upon receiving an indication that the number has changed; and   a sensory unit contained within the compartment and adapted to determine if the number of medicinal entities contained within the compartment has changed.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising a communications module adapted to request additional medicinal entities if the number recorded in the memory module is less than a predetermined value. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising a communications module adapted to transmit a set of data to a remote device for the purpose of determining whether the one or more medicinal entities contained within the compartment is authentic. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising a connector adapted to interface with a dispensing apparatus, wherein the dispensing apparatus comprises a sensor adapted to analyze biometric data provided by a patient for the purpose of authenticating the patient. 
     
     
         15 . A method of tracking a quantity of medicaments contained within a medicament container, the method comprising:
 keeping an electronic count of medicaments contained within the medicaments container, wherein the electronic count is adapted to be stored within a storage device disposed within the medicament container;   determining whether a medicament has been dispensed from the medicament container via a sensory unit disposed within the medicament container; and   updating the electronic count upon determining that the medicament has been dispensed from the medicament container.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising:
 sensing one or more characteristics of a medicament contained within the medicament container; and   transmitting data indicative of said one or more characteristics to an authentication module, wherein the authentication module is adapted to determine whether the medicament is counterfeit based at least in part upon the data.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said one or more characteristics comprises the color of the medicament. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said one or more characteristics comprises the shape of the medicament. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said one or more characteristics comprises the size of the medicament. 
     
     
         20 . A method of transmitting inventory information related to medicinal entities contained within a housing, the method comprising:
 electronically scanning a portion of the housing to determine whether a medicinal entity has traversed a first location;   updating a data value in a memory module contained within the housing upon determining that a medicinal entity has traversed the first location, wherein the data value is adapted to indicate the number of medicinal entities remaining in the housing; and   electronically transmitting the data value to a remote module.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 receiving a request to dispense a medicinal entity from a first user;   receiving a set of biometric data from the first user; and   authenticating the first user based at least in part upon an analysis of the biometric data.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the biometric data comprises retinal data. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the biometric data comprises a fingerprint pattern. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the biometric data comprises voice data. 
     
     
         25 . A computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, perform a process comprising:
 writing a value at a first location in memory, wherein the value is indicative of the number of medicaments stored within a medicament container, and wherein the memory is disposed within the medicament container;   updating the value upon determining a change in the number of medicaments stored within the medicament container, wherein the change is determined by a sensory unit that is at least partially disposed within the medicament container;   receiving a request to read the value; and   transmitting the value in response to the request.   
     
     
         26 . The computer readable medium of  claim 25 , wherein the request to read the value is generated by an external device. 
     
     
         27 . The computer readable medium of  claim 26 , wherein the external device is adapted to electronically order medicaments if the value is beneath a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         28 . The computer readable medium of  claim 25 , wherein the sensory unit comprises a fiber-optic scanner. 
     
     
         29 . The computer readable medium of  claim 25 , wherein said transmitting the value in response to the request comprises wirelessly transmitting the value in response to the request. 
     
     
         30 . An apparatus comprising:
 a compartment adapted to house a plurality of medicaments;   a memory device disposed within the compartment and adapted to store data pertaining to at least one medicament housed within the compartment; and   a communication device disposed within the compartment and adapted to automatically communicate the data to an insurance agency in order to facilitate automatic claim processing.   
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the communication device is adapted to automatically communicate the data to an insurance agency via a wireless channel. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the wireless channel comprises a radio channel. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the apparatus further comprises:
 a dispensing chamber formed within a rotational mechanism, wherein the dispensing chamber is adapted to receive at least one medicament housed within the compartment; and   an outlet, wherein the dispensing chamber is adapted to be positioned proximate to the outlet via the rotational mechanism.   
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the rotational mechanism is adapted to be actuated by a drive gear. 
     
     
         35 . A method comprising:
 determining when a medicament has been dispensed from a medicament container via a sensory unit disposed within the medicament container;   updating a set of data stored within a memory module disposed within the medicament container upon determining that a medicament has been dispensed; and   automatically communicating the set of data to an insurance agency in order to facilitate automatic claim processing.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the set of data comprises a count of the number of medicaments housed within the medicament container. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the set of data comprises the name of an insured patient. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the set of data comprises data indicative of a coverage plan. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the set of data comprises the name of a prescribing physician. 
     
     
         40 . An apparatus comprising:
 a housing adapted to contain a plurality of medicament units prescribed to one or more patients;   a sensory unit disposed within the housing and adapted to determine when a medicament unit has been dispensed from the housing;   an update module adapted to update a number of medicament units contained within the housing upon determining that a medicament unit has been dispensed from the housing; and   a communications module adapted to submit a request to order additional medicament units based at least in part upon whether the number is less than or equal to a predetermined value.   
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 40 , further comprising a tracking module disposed within the housing and adapted to transmit electromagnetic signals, wherein the signals are adapted to facilitate tracking the apparatus across a set of locations. 
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the tracking module comprises an RFID tag. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the tracking module is adapted to transmit the electromagnetic signals according to one or more anti-collision protocols. 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 41  further comprising a locking mechanism adapted unlock the apparatus upon receiving a designated response from a remote device, wherein the remote device is adapted to generate the designated response upon receiving one or more electromagnetic signals transmitted by the tracking module. 
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 40 , wherein a device communicatively connected to the communication module is adapted to receive data from a remote module in response to the request. 
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein the data comprises a confirmation message. 
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein the data comprises an error message. 
     
     
         48 . The apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein the error message comprises data indicative of why the request could not be fulfilled. 
     
     
         49 . A method comprising:
 determining from a sensor disposed within a medicament tray whether a medicament has been dispensed from the medicament tray;   updating a count of medicaments stored within a memory module contained within the medicament tray upon determining that a medicament has been dispensed; and   submitting an electronic order for additional medicaments if the value of the count is less than a predetermined value.   
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising receiving credit card information from a purchaser before submitting the electronic order. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the credit card information is determined from a card reader disposed within a dispensing device, wherein the medicament tray is connected to the dispensing device. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the credit card information is determined from a file stored within the memory module. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein said submitting an electronic order for additional medicaments comprises wirelessly submitting the electronic order for additional medicaments. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 59  further comprising receiving data at an electronic module in response to submitting the electronic order. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein the data comprises a status notification. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein the data comprises an acknowledgement message. 
     
     
         57 . An apparatus comprising:
 a housing adapted to contain a plurality of medicaments;   a memory module contained within the housing and adapted to store inventory information pertaining to the plurality of medicaments contained within the housing; and   a communication device contained within the housing and adapted to transmit a signal to at least one of a patient and a caregiver if it is determined that the additional medicaments are to be ordered.   
     
     
         58 . The apparatus of  claim 57 , wherein the housing comprises a frame area adapted to contain an informational label. 
     
     
         59 . The apparatus of  claim 58 , wherein the label comprises medical information. 
     
     
         60 . The apparatus of  claim 58 , wherein the label comprises an advertisement. 
     
     
         61 . The apparatus of  claim 58 , wherein the label comprises a detachable coupon. 
     
     
         62 . The apparatus of  claim 57 , wherein the signal is adapted to activate an alarm at a remote module associated with said at least one of a patient and a caregiver. 
     
     
         63 . The apparatus of  claim 57 , wherein the signal is adapted to display a message at a remote module associated with said at least one of a patient and a caregiver. 
     
     
         64 . A method comprising:
 receiving data from a sensory unit disposed within a medicament container, wherein the data is adapted to indicate a change in a number of medicaments contained within the medicament container;   updating a count of medicaments contained within the medicament container, wherein the count is adapted to be stored within a memory module contained within the medicament container;   determining from the count whether additional medicaments are to be ordered; and   automatically generating a communication to at least one of a patient and a caregiver if it is determined that additional medicaments are to be ordered.   
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein said generating a communication to at least one of a patient and a caregiver comprises wirelessly interfacing with a communication system. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the communication comprises an electronically transmitted message. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the electronically transmitted message comprises an e-mail message. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the communication is provided on a display device. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 64 , further comprising activating an alarm if it is determined that additional medicaments are to be ordered. 
     
     
         70 . An apparatus comprising:
 a housing adapted to contain a plurality of medicaments;   a memory module contained within the housing and adapted to store inventory information pertaining to the plurality of medicaments contained within the housing; and   logic contained within the housing and adapted to determine when to reorder medicaments based at least in part upon the inventory information, wherein the logic is adapted to automatically transmit a reorder request to an external device upon determining that a reorder is necessary and thereafter receive a confirmation message from the external device indicating receipt of the reorder request.   
     
     
         71 . The apparatus of  claim 70 , wherein the logic is further adapted to transmit an e-mail message to at least one of a patient and caregiver upon receiving the confirmation message. 
     
     
         72 . The apparatus of  claim 70 , wherein the logic is further adapted to transmit a text message to at least one of a patient and caregiver upon receiving the confirmation message. 
     
     
         73 . The apparatus of  claim 70 , wherein the logic is further adapted to transmit a request to at least one of a patient and caregiver upon receiving the confirmation message. 
     
     
         74 . The apparatus of  claim 73 , wherein the request comprises a request to provide payment information. 
     
     
         75 . The apparatus of  claim 73 , wherein the request comprises a request to provide insurance information. 
     
     
         76 . The apparatus of  claim 73 , wherein the request comprises a request to provide information about a payor. 
     
     
         77 . The apparatus of  claim 73 , wherein the request comprises a request to consult with a physician in order to renew a prescription.