Patent ID: 8762166
Filing Date: 2014-06-24
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
1. A vital sign monitoring system for monitoring compliance with prescribed medication dosage schedules via a communication link to a local remote station and a central monitoring station, comprising: a) a vital sign data sensor operative to generate predetermined signals corresponding to a patient's vital signs; b) a medication dispensing compliance device having a housing that defines a plurality of compartment openings, each compartment opening adapted to hold at least one medication, the housing further comprising signal means to facilitate proper medication scheduling such that, the signal means reminds a patient of a proper time to take the at least one medication according to the dosage schedule; c) a plurality of covers, each cover having a closed state and an open state for selectively closing one of the compartment openings to restrain access to the contents of that compartment, wherein the cover provides access to the content of the respective compartment when opened, and wherein each opening and cover defines a pillbox, each pillbox being removable from the housing, each pillbox having a dedicated processor operative to match the patient's at least one medication according to the dosage schedule stored in a local remote station when the pillbox is removed from the housing and operative to synchronize the pillbox data pertaining to the patient's at least one medication according to the dosage schedule with the local remote station when the pillbox is returned to the housing; d) at least one latch for operatively locking, opening and closing the covers, wherein the at least one latch is in operative communication with the housing signal means and wherein the medication compartment or compartments are only accessible or otherwise operable at predetermined times corresponding to the dosage schedule; e) a monitor and signal generator switch that generates a signal corresponding to the open and closed state of each cover; f) the local remote station that stores, transmits, and receives vital sign data and medication dispensing compliance device information corresponding to the open and closed state of each cover via the communication link, g) a central monitoring station that stores, receives, and transmits via the communication link, and that processes the information corresponding to medication removal activities and vital sign data to monitor patient compliance with prescribed medication dosage schedules and within patient parameters according to the dosing schedule,