Patent Description:
It is well recognised that certain communicable and chronic diseases require preemptive, timely, targeted and/or regular administration of vaccines and medications. Examples of therapeutic procedures range from the treatment of insulin dependent diabetes to communicable disease inoculation often by vaccination to procedures targeted at addressing a public health crisis or emergency. Practically, such medicament or vaccine procedural administration, though effectively a therapeutic procedure, oftentimes does not always occur in a therapeutic environment though, given this limitation, should nevertheless desirably occur in a manner providing maximum therapeutic benefit and safety to the patient, health care worker and the community. Particular issues of concern here are dispensing errors generally (which become more problematic in the case of a biosecurity threat or public health emergency where control over the accuracy of identification of the correct medicament or vaccine and its dosage in an environment where involvement of non-medically trained staff is likely to be essential) and, more specifically including authenticity of a medicament or vaccine, dosage of the medicament or vaccine; quantum and nature of any required reagent and/or diluent for a medicament as well as appropriate delivery components; and handling of needles and sharps.

A first key class of problem arises from the lack of control over such therapeutic procedures performed in a non-therapeutic environment. Multiple inherent risks arise from the provision of incorrect and/or incomplete delivery of the prescribed items for performing the therapeutic procedure and the associated costs to both the patient and community. This is especially so in the case of any procedure involving intravenous injection. In such cases, apparatus for conveying injectables/diluents and needles and syringes and/or cannulas has typically been compartmentalised from delivery, often as separate and loose items, for conducting the multiple facets of the intended procedure, as well as the disposal management container for the sharps. So, injectables, needles, syringes and cannulas may be available to an individual, in a form of pack, but there is a lack of control over, and information on, variables such as the nature of the injectable, administered dosage of injectable, the amount of diluent used and the use of other items required for the procedure.

Another class of problem can arise from the way in which items are packaged for a therapeutic procedure. Safety and efficacy depend on a pack containing the correct items for a procedure. However, errors can occur and the wrong items, whether physical or pharmaceutical items, can be packaged together. While this is more likely to be an issue where packaging occurs in an informal setting without adequate quality assurance, such errors can also occur in more sophisticated therapeutic packaging settings and presents a problem for secondary packaging in particular.

Both classes of problem raise safety issues but the lack of information about what actually happens when such procedures are performed also means that, though well intended, the procedure is not actually tailored to the needs of patients. Alternatively, the lack of information leads to an inability to compensate for poor patient performance of the procedure or the opportunity to make the procedure safer and more efficient.

Such problems become more acute in the context of biosecurity where such packs may require to be produced on an urgent basis to protect a population from a biochemical or biological threat, particularly an unidentified threat which may include a viral threat or another mode of biological attack. In such cases, therapeutic packs may carry antidotes, possibly in the form of vaccines, to immunise the population. Medicaments to counter the biosecurity threat may also be provided, typically under the supervision of an entity such as a government agency. Such packs should be used in a coordinated fashion with the antidote being customised to a threat that may be changing in real time, for example in the form of a mutating virus. In such cases, there is a need for the pack manufacturing centre to modify the antidote, or more typically receive a modified antidote from another source, for delivery to the threatened population creating a significant logistics challenge. However, to the knowledge of the Applicant, a fast response to this problem is not possible with current technology.

<CIT> describes a container that holds at least one surgical implement, has a lock mechanism, and has a signature label that impedes access to the surgical implement until the correct surgical site is confirmed. A method of using the container includes the steps of confirming the correct surgical site, signing the label and removing it from the container, placing the label in the medical record, unlocking the container, removing the implement, and beginning the surgery, wherein the surgical team is forced to pause to confirm the correct surgical site before starting the surgery. <CIT> describes a container for a product that uses a location circuit for determining the location of the container, a storage element for storing a container identification code, a plurality of data acquisition components for acquiring status of at least two characteristics of at least one of the container, the product and a user of the product, and a communication interface for generating and sending a communication signal including (a) the container identification code from the storage element, (b) the location of the container from the location circuit, and (c) the status of the at least two characteristics from the data acquisition components. <CIT> describes a drug delivery system that includes a storage container defining one or more storage compartments and having at least one container sensor coupled thereto, a container condition change mechanism coupled to the storage container for imparting a change on one or more conditions of the one or more storage compartments, at least one drug delivery device adapted to deliver a drug to a user and adapted to be at least partially disposed within one or more of the one or more storage compartments, at least one delivery device sensor, a delivery device condition change mechanism coupled to the drug delivery device, and a controller coupled to the storage container.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a platform and system for use in a therapeutic procedure that flexibly addresses, at least to some extent, the informational deficit, control, logistical and packaging issues which can hinder safe and efficacious performance of a range of therapeutic procedures including in the context of an urgent response to a biosecurity threat or other public health crisis or emergency.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a system for managing the use of a portable therapeutic pack for a therapeutic procedure comprising the steps of:.

further characterised in that said processed information from said plurality of therapeutic procedural packs enables statistical process control over at least one of manufacturing therapeutic procedural packs and deployment of therapeutic procedural packs to a population in response to a biosecurity threat or other public health crisis.

By "therapeutically effective" is intended that the item, for example a pharmaceutical substance, a diluent or physical item such as a syringe or cannula, has an effect on the patient. Desirably, the effect improves or protects patient health but is not limited to these situations. The effect, in this context, may also be detrimental though the collection of information about usage of the procedural pack may assist in improvement of the health of the patient or future patients.

The electronic communications device desirably communicates with the computer system through a wireless communications network, desirably a secure wireless communications network, so that information and/or instructions (one form of control response to information received from therapeutic packs) can be communicated between the portable platform or pack and the computer system. The computer system would typically form part of a control centre for the therapeutic procedure and would, in the case of a public health crisis or emergency including a biosecurity threat, also typically be managed by a government agency. Information may include, without limitation, information about the use of the pack which may include sensors detecting when, how and/or where the items contained within the pack are used or sensors indicating that the pack should be used. Instructions could include, without limitation, opening the pack or indicating when use is required. For example, the therapeutic packs could be issued to protect a population against a possible biosecurity threat. However, the relevant authority may not yet have evidence that the population must use the therapeutic pack for protection. When such evidence is received, instructions may be issued for the population or segment(s) of that population, segments being determined by geographical location or processing of usage data as described below. Such instructions, preferably sent through a wireless communications network from the computer system to individual platforms or packs, could include activation of the therapeutic pack, for example by providing access to the pack. This allows greater precision over the therapeutic response to the threat. The packs may include a messaging system or may be used in co-operation with a messaging system, for example as provided by a mobile phone or smart device with an identifier correlated with the pack and unique identification code(s) provided for electronic communication device(s) included within a pack.

Where many such therapeutic packs are deployed, perhaps in response to an epidemic or public health crisis, including response to a biosecurity threat, the computer system can receive multiple informational inputs from multiple therapeutic packs showing how, when and where they are used, i.e. tracking information. Such information can be processed by the processor to determine strategies for use of the pack both in real time and in future scenarios and which require initiation of a control response. Such information enables statistical process control and greater precision over the response to the biosecurity threat or other public health crisis through deployment of therapeutic packs as described herein. Statistical process control may be supplemented by use of machine learning techniques by processing of information by the processor to improve the efficacy of deployment of therapeutic packs as described herein while minimising costs, however measured, of such deployment or, indeed, non-deployment. The computer system may also control the logistical mode of deployment of packs to a target population, for example by autonomous vehicle, robot, drone or like computer controllable transport means which is particularly advantageous where the threat is highly contagious, for example a viral infection.

Various communication methodologies are suitable with communication through a wireless network being preferred if not essential. However, provision for downloading usage information from the therapeutic procedural pack could be made. An electronic communications device included within the pack may form part of a passive or active RFID system in which case at least one RFID chip and antenna may be included within a pack. RTLS or other electronic tracking and positioning systems may be used as an alternative to RFID systems. Information may be communicated between the therapeutic pack and the database and processed by the processor in real time which may enable assistance to be provided to the patient during the procedure, conveniently through a smartphone or similar device, noting that - in some instances - such devices forming part of a wireless communications network (such as Wifi or the internet) that can also usefully be used to convey information and instructions to and from a pack could be configured to form the platform.

The platform, conveniently in the form of packs as alluded to above, may also include one, or a plurality of, analytic devices - such as microfluidic devices and associated integrated circuits - which allow analysis of items included within the pack or analysis of the environment surrounding and including the pack. Such an analytic device may test diluents, injectables or pharmaceutical compositions generally to check that such are safe for administration in terms of chemical composition and dosage. When coupled with the electronics communication device(s), this may allow remote sensing and hazard warnings to be issued to the patient potentially in real time. Such analysis may also provide information on stability of pharmaceutical compositions which may be matched with pack usage information to enable improvement of stability or matching stability profiles to usage patterns for the pack which may reduce costs in producing therapeutic packs. In a biosecurity threat context, the analytic device may determine whether that threat exists and whether the therapeutic pack may be appropriately deployed to counter the threat. This feature addresses a scenario in which authorities may have sufficient knowledge to determine that therapeutic packs should be provided to a population but insufficient information about the scale and spread of the threat to advise which members of the population need to use the pack (noting that the medicaments or other items therein have a cost and wastage of packs and costs is desirably prevented).

The computer system may also initiate a control response in terms of modifying a step in a pack manufacturing process, as described below, so that packs include the necessary therapeutically effective item(s) to counter the threat. In one embodiment, the computer system could control a machine or manufacturing plant to produce packs customized to the identified threat. For example, the computer system could control a 3D printing facility or injection moulding plant to produce packs with compartments and provided with items including an antidote corresponding to a therapeutic procedure to be conducted. In the case of a threat in the form of a mutating virus, the computer system may receive informational updates from a computer system storing data about research and development into the antidote, likely to be occurring in real time in the case of a biosecurity threat or other public health crisis. This allows a real time response to manufacturing capability and reduction in the lag to an efficacious response identified in the background discussion. Such could include a vaccine, for example developed using accelerated techniques as described for example in <CIT>.

One preferred portable therapeutic pack of the form above described is suitable for use in a therapeutic procedure including administration of a medicament or vaccine, optionally by injection in single or multiple episodes, and comprises a container for holding a plurality of items required to conduct the therapeutic procedure; and a plurality of compartments located within the container, each compartment corresponding, desirably strictly corresponding, with an individual item required for the therapeutic procedure and including a compartment for accommodating the at least one medicament or vaccine. The size of the container and number of the compartments located within the container in this embodiment is dependent on the therapeutic procedure with a determined dosage of the medicament or vaccine. Such configuration of the container is aimed at ensuring safe dosages during the therapeutic procedure.

The plurality of items, each item highly desirably being accommodated within a dedicated compartment within the container, may be selected from a combination of any of the following: one or more ampoules containing diluents and/or injectable medicament, one or more vials containing vaccines including lyophilised or 'freeze dried' drugs and/or vaccines and/or reagents and/or diluents as known in the art; one or more needles or other appropriate sharps, cannulas and syringes which should be aseptically packaged, and swabs, and specific sharps disposal devices to enable safe disposal of syringes and needles after use with the therapeutic procedure pack conveniently being for single use but configurable for multi-dose use as well.

Conveniently, therapeutic packs may include one or more vials, ampoules and cartridges for holding injectables and/or diluents. In such case, one or more of the container, vials, ampoules and cartridges for holding advantageously include a sensor and/or electronic communications device, as above described, to also provide an "electronic safety net" for tracking of the vessel containing the injectable/diluent, and the procedural pack. To that end, the therapeutic procedural pack and, more particularly the container thereof, may include the at least one electronic communications device with an associated power source whether battery (single use or rechargeable) or renewable, for example a photovoltaic cell. An RFID chip and antenna may also be located within each vial, ampoule or cartridge for holding an ampoule, conveniently being accommodated within the compartment provided with an RFID chip with a unique identification code for each which may be used for tracking and, at an earlier stage, for authentication of the item and/or ensuring that the correct item is placed within a compartment during the manufacturing process. The number and nature of communications devices will depend on factors such as: the informational requirements of the computer system, the necessary level of precision required by the therapeutic procedure, for example as measured by the SIL system and/or the desired degree of control over conducting the therapeutic procedure. Tracking data, as classified above, may be correlated with patient and dosage information, use and compliance, within the scope of the prescribed therapy or program and for injectable life cycle management, security, supply and inventory management purposes. Such data may advantageously be used in controlling and/or improving efficacy of the therapeutic packs and may be used as a basis for statistical process control over the manufacture, deployment and use of the therapeutic packs. Where RFID tracking is used, for example, there is likely - in the case of a public health emergency - to be a need to process data from multiple RFID chips or tags, potentially presenting an identification problem. An anti-collision algorithm, such as binary encoding, or other algorithm, for example as described in <NPL>).

The platform and system as described above offers enhanced security in a number of ways. With linkage of communications devices to critical items included or to be included within a procedural pack, e.g. RFID chips or tags, the risk of counterfeiting of critical items and especially medicament or vaccine components, can be minimised and greater assurance on authenticity of vaccines, medicaments and/or reagents for use in the therapeutic procedure can be obtained. The capacity for increased control over the use of packs also simplifies some logistical challenges and enhances security. In this regard, various code including Blockchain code can also be used to process the data and enhance the security of such information as well as the item authentication process, for example the production and supply history of the item may be checked through a Blockchain ledger methodology. In addition, greater verification and authentication of the items to be contained within packs should also be increased. Electronic tracking and data stored within the computer system as described above has a value and may be used as a form of currency.

The container desirably includes features to prevent improper use, packaging errors, and dispensing errors, particularly to avoid and prevent the procedural pack containing the incorrect set of items for a prescribed therapeutic procedure. To this end, the plurality of compartments of the container may be configured to accommodate only the prescribed set of items. For example, for a given container and therapeutic procedure, each compartment may be configured with a unique form matching the required items for the therapeutic procedure. For example, a compartment may be configured only to accommodate and/or engage a particular size, colour, form or otherwise of ampoule, vial; or cartridge for holding an ampoule or vial. Where an item is attached, at the time of distribution, to its compartment, the attachment requires matching the shape, size, colour or otherwise with the corresponding pack compartment. For example, if threadable attachment is used, a complementarily threaded compartment would match the thread and size of the required item.

The container and disposal component of the therapeutic procedural pack can be made of a suitable polymer or combination of polymers or other materials, conveniently manufactured in a cost effective process such as injection moulding. The therapeutic procedural pack may include a wrapper for maintaining aseptic conditions of the contents until required for administration to a patient. The therapeutic procedural pack is also intended to be supplied with instructions, written and/or otherwise, as to its correct use and as a method of dispensing other information and messaging if required. This may also include any other material/s that might be required or desirable to be provided with the packs and medicaments in accordance with government, program and compliance regulations.

According to another aspect, there is provided a therapeutic procedural pack managed by the system of the first aspect.

The therapeutic procedural platform and system as described above addresses a range of health, packaging and logistical issues confronted during administration of medicaments or vaccines in a non-therapeutic environment, potentially in the context of a biosecurity threat or other urgent public health crisis, and does so in a safe and cost effective manner.

The platform and system of the invention may will be more completely understood from the following description of a preferred and non-limiting embodiment thereof made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:.

Referring now to <FIG> and <FIG>, there is shown a therapeutic procedural pack <NUM> for use in a therapeutic procedure suitable for administration of an injectable medicament or vaccine. The medicament could, for example, be insulin, for administration to insulin dependent diabetics. Procedural pack <NUM> includes the medical items necessary to conduct this therapeutic procedure. The skilled person will understand that procedural pack <NUM> is not limited in application to treatment of diabetes and procedural packs <NUM> may be used to counter a number of public health issues and as a countermeasure to threats such as biosecurity threats as described further below. The therapeutic procedural pack <NUM> is supplied with instructions, written or otherwise, as to its use. The instructions also include any other material that is required to be provided with medical devices and medicaments under government regulations. The procedural pack <NUM> could be provided with a messaging system, for example a wireless text messaging system, to allow it to receive communications from a control centre managing the therapeutic procedure through communication channels <NUM> (which may be secure) as shown in <FIG> and described further below.

Procedural pack <NUM> includes a generally rectangular container <NUM> with a plurality of upward facing compartments <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> for holding items required to conduct the therapeutic procedure and including syringe <NUM>, disposal device <NUM>; stopper <NUM>; and ampoules 140A and 142A secured within cartridges <NUM>, <NUM>. The number, spacing and sizing of compartments are strictly dictated by the items, medicaments and dosages required in the therapeutic procedure. Each compartment is separated from its neighbouring compartment by a wall or partition, i.e. walls or partitions 13A, 15A and 16A.

The container <NUM> has two compartments <NUM> and <NUM> taking up a substantial portion of the container <NUM>. Compartments <NUM> and <NUM> are separated by a partition 13A. Compartments <NUM> and <NUM> accommodate a disposal device <NUM> for disposal of the syringe <NUM> and associated needle after use, for example the disposal device as described in <CIT>. Disposal device <NUM> has a syringe retention portion <NUM> as well as a syringe barrel encapsulating portion 30A and a needle encapsulating portion 30B. The base of compartment <NUM> includes an RFID chip/transmitter <NUM> assigned with a unique identification code, the purpose of which is described below. RFID chip/transmitter <NUM> can be included during moulding of container <NUM>.

For convenience, syringe <NUM> can be loosely packed within device <NUM>, which thus functions as a transport device, on fabrication of therapeutic procedure pack <NUM> and prior to use. The design of syringe <NUM> is not important and the therapeutic procedural pack <NUM> is intended to accommodate various syringe designs. Syringe cap 20A is removed to allow access to the needle (not shown) for injection. Syringe <NUM> is here intended to draw on medicament or vaccine and diluent (such as sterile water) contained within respective ampoules 140A and 142A. However, the syringe could also be pre-filled with the necessary liquid for the therapeutic procedure. Syringe barrel encapsulating portion 30A is cylindrical and may be neatly fitted through the partition 13A to prevent movement during transport. The position of syringe encapsulating portion 30A is offset from a centre longitudinal axis of container <NUM>.

Compartment <NUM> also accommodates two cartridges <NUM>, <NUM> which respectively hold ampoules <NUM> and <NUM> with their sealing lids 140A and 142A between the disposal device <NUM> and a wall of the container <NUM>. Ampoules <NUM> and <NUM> are filled to controlled volumes to prevent overdose or excessive dilution. Cartridges <NUM> and <NUM> comprise cylindrical non-return sleeves engaged with the ampoules <NUM>, <NUM> by bayonet fit with the diameters of the ampoules <NUM> and <NUM> and cartridges <NUM> and <NUM> being selected accordingly. Three slots 40A are included in cartridges <NUM>, <NUM> to embody the non-return feature and to enable a visual check of the ampoules <NUM>, <NUM>. <FIG> shows this feature for cartridge <NUM>. Because of the non-return configuration of cartridges <NUM> and <NUM>, tampering and damage to cartridges <NUM>, <NUM> will be evident if replacement is attempted. Ampoules <NUM>, <NUM> are preferably plastic though may be of glass in some cases. The contents of ampoules <NUM>, <NUM> are packed under sterile conditions and remain sterile until sealing lids 140A and 142A are opened. Cartridges <NUM> and <NUM> respectively have threaded portions <NUM> and <NUM>.

Referring also to <FIG>, each cartridge <NUM>, <NUM> also includes a RFID chip <NUM> which uniquely identifies the cartridge and its contents by a unique identification code or tag as known in the RFID communications art and antenna 47A which is included, in a location between the bottom of the ampoule <NUM>, <NUM> and the base of the cartridge threaded portion, during the moulding step in a secure manner that minimizes risk of tampering. <FIG> shows location of RFID chip <NUM> and antenna 47A between the base 140B of ampoule <NUM> and the base of threaded portion <NUM>. The RFID chip and tagging arrangement would be the same for ampoule <NUM> and cartridge <NUM>. Procedural pack <NUM> includes a power source such as an electric battery to provide the necessary power for RFID and other communications (where provided).

RFID chip and transmitters <NUM>, <NUM>, 47A enables tracking of the container <NUM> and its ampoules <NUM> and <NUM> even if tampering does occur. Tampering behaviour has a pattern that is abnormal and can be detected through RFID tracking through the RFID system <NUM>, 47A. Tracking provides data about use and transport which aids medical compliance and inventory management. As described above, correct matching of items for conducting the therapeutic procedure and containers is critical. RFID tagging also allows for the medicament stored in the ampoules <NUM>, <NUM> to be authenticated prior to inclusion within the procedural pack <NUM> during manufacture enhancing medical safety.

RFID signal processing may also be used for control of the manufacturing process. For example, the manufacturing process could include a computer control system which match RFID signals from the RFID chip/transmitter <NUM> for container <NUM> and ampoules <NUM> and <NUM> and flag a fault if the signals do not correctly match, for example with signals stored in a pharmaceutical or vaccine supplier, regulatory or insurance database, with those required for the particular purpose of the procedural pack <NUM>, for example including insulin when the required procedure is a vaccination. Erroneous packaging of a medicament or vaccine can thus be prevented.

Compartment <NUM> is a receptacle to allow preparation or rehydration of a medicament or vaccine with a diluent and it may be omitted if not required by the therapeutic procedure. As compartment <NUM> should be sterile, a purpose made insert or cover may be provided to achieve sterility. Compartment <NUM> is sized not to enable excessive dilution of medicament with diluent. Compartment <NUM> can also be used for storing other items, such as swabs, diluents or other items needed in a therapeutic procedure.

Compartments <NUM> are located in a portion 12A of the container, each compartment being threaded with matching thread to threaded portions <NUM> and <NUM> of cartridges <NUM> and <NUM>. This allows fixing of cartridges <NUM> and <NUM> into position in threaded compartments <NUM> for preparation of the medicament or vaccine solution. Such fixing could, in some applications, occur after manufacture of therapeutic procedure pack <NUM> and at a convenient point in the distribution chain. For example, in some applications, the ampoules/cartridges may be supplied to a patient at a pharmacy or other collection centre. A quick check of whether the correct ampoules/cartridges have been supplied can be done by checking whether the threaded portions of ampoules/cartridges and compartments <NUM> engage. A 'no fit' indicates that the wrong ampoules or possibly the wrong procedural pack <NUM> have been provided.

All the above described items are packaged into container <NUM> under aseptic conditions. Container <NUM> is made of a suitable polymer or combination of polymers (though other materials such as metals or alloys could be used) and is fabricated by injection moulding. Ampoules <NUM> and <NUM> and cartridges <NUM> and <NUM> are formed in separate injection moulding steps to the moulding of container <NUM>. Ampoules <NUM> and <NUM> may be filled by a high volume sterile packaging machine such as those available from Rommelag, Germany. Container <NUM> could have portions commonised for various applications, a helpful feature for optimising manufacturing costs and inventory management.

Therapeutic procedural pack <NUM> is also provided with a lid <NUM> for container <NUM> though this could be replaced with a polymer or metal foil cover. Lid <NUM> has a portion 18A which can be snapped off or torn away to open lid <NUM> and access the contents of therapeutic procedural pack <NUM>. However, lid <NUM> can be configured in a number of ways, including as a sliding lid. Lid <NUM> is reclosable at least for the disposal process. Container <NUM> could be further wrapped if required. Containers <NUM> are conveniently fabricated in bulk and, once filled with items, for example as described above are of convenient shape for packaging in standard box or carton containers.

A patient can obtain a therapeutic procedural pack <NUM> and perform the procedure of insulin administration in the usual way or another therapeutic procedure as instructed, for example as described with reference to <FIG> below. As the procedural pack <NUM> is carried home, the container <NUM> allows efficient and aseptic transport for the items required in the therapeutic procedure.

When a therapeutic procedure is to be performed, the patient snaps off portion 18A of the lid <NUM>, removes the lid and gains access to the contents of the container <NUM>. The procedure is performed following instructions included with the procedural pack <NUM>. Syringe <NUM> is removed and the needle cover 20A removed. Cartridges <NUM> and <NUM> are removed and threaded into compartments <NUM>. Lids 140A and 142A are removed, and the contents of medicament ampoule <NUM> drawn into the syringe <NUM>. Then the contents of diluent ampoule <NUM> are drawn into syringe <NUM> to form the injectable. The patient or patient assistant injects the injectable. Diluent/disinfecting solution may be provided in compartment <NUM> for swabbing. The use of a syringe <NUM> is described for purposes of illustration. Any injection device and mode of injection, for example by intravenous injection, intramuscular injection or injection by bifurcated needle is intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

Following the procedure, the syringe <NUM> should be fitted into the disposal device <NUM> and instruction may be provided to this effect. Ampoules <NUM> and <NUM> can also be restored in the container <NUM> which is then re-closed with lid <NUM> and disposed of in a safe manner.

The therapeutic procedural pack <NUM> may also be applied to other therapeutic procedures. Some procedures involve dilution of the medicament with a diluent. The therapeutic procedural pack <NUM> is designed to ensure that the correct dosage of medicament and correct quantity of diluent are provided, through sizing of the container <NUM>, volume control over ampoules <NUM> and <NUM>; and compartments for medicament and diluent ampoule and the RFID tagging and management system as described herein provides additional assurance. This avoids dosage and diluent errors. For example, the correct quantity of diluent may be <NUM>. The container <NUM> is then designed only to accommodate an ampoule of <NUM> capacity within one of its compartments, for example one or both of compartments <NUM>.

The therapeutic procedural pack <NUM> has been designed through a holistic process with vials, ampoules and cartridges that are suitable for the therapeutic procedure being included in container <NUM> in a manner ensuring only the correct dosage of injectables and/or diluents and corresponding items to perform the procedure are supplied for each procedure. An additional advantage is the provision of a disposal device <NUM> allowing the safe disposal of the sharps in a technically proven manner. The therapeutic procedural pack <NUM> also acts to enhance the efficiency and methodology of injectable life cycle management and safe dispensing. The therapeutic procedural pack <NUM> also readily allows the safe transport and storage of injectables and sharps once dispensed.

Referring to <FIG>, there is shown a system <NUM> for managing the manufacture, deployment and use of a number of therapeutic procedural packs <NUM> each of which may be as above described. Each procedural pack <NUM> has three RFID chips <NUM>, <NUM> and 47A. RFID chips <NUM> and 47A had an important role during manufacture as described above. However, each chip <NUM>, <NUM>, 47A have a continuing use for tracking the locations of therapeutic packs <NUM>, each being assigned a unique identification code. In one option, RFID tracking information providing locations of the therapeutic packs <NUM> may be communicated, in a manner known in the art of RFID systems, to a computer system <NUM> which controls the operation of system <NUM> through wireless communication channels <NUM>. Computer system <NUM> may include a mainframe computer or system of mainframe computers as well as personal computing devices where needed. Other forms of computer may also be used, with parallel processing being adopted where required by the amount of data and processing required by the application for therapeutic packs <NUM>. Multiple applications may be controlled by computer system <NUM>.

The tracking information showing at least the location of the procedural packs <NUM> may be processed by processor <NUM> in a number of ways and the information is also stored in database <NUM> also forming part of the computer system <NUM>. As to processing of the information from procedural packs <NUM>, this may involve identification of trends in the movement of therapeutic procedural packs <NUM>. Probability of location of procedural packs <NUM>, and probable use, in a specific area may be mapped and correlated with health data for that area by processor <NUM> with deployment of procedural packs <NUM> focussed on areas where there is most need for a therapeutic procedure. Where the therapeutic procedure involves a biosecurity threat countermeasure, areas of greatest threat may be identified and resources focused on management of the biosecurity threat in those areas. This may, in the case of an uncertain nature of a biosecurity threat, for example bacterial, viral or toxin derived from either, include assigning biological research personnel to those areas. Where the procedural packs <NUM> include sensors, of the "lab on a chip" nature or microfluidic sensors, such sensors may identify possible threats and such information may also be conveyed through communication channels <NUM> to the computer system <NUM> and processed by processor <NUM> to develop a control response. One control response may involve modifying the production rate (indicated by arrow <NUM>) of procedural packs <NUM> by manufacturing plant <NUM> producing procedural packs <NUM> by an injection moulding process in response to processor <NUM> analysis of the received sensor signals. Alternatively, where there are a number of manufacturing plants <NUM> in different geographical locations, production rate may be modified according to demand assigned to each of the manufacturing plants <NUM>. Such control may be completely automated. Such statistical process control may be supplemented by use of machine learning techniques by processing of information by the processor to improve the manufacture and/or efficacy of deployment of therapeutic packs as described herein while minimising costs, however measured, of such deployment or, indeed, non-deployment.

Computer system <NUM> may also initiate control responses in the form of requests to a medicament or vaccine manufacturing plant <NUM> for differing volumes of medicaments or vaccines to be provided to the manufacturing plant(s) <NUM> according to demand. These manufacturing plants may utilize RFID comparison between RFID chips <NUM>, <NUM>, 47A for each pack to ensure authentication and correct assignment to procedural packs Again, a number of manufacturing plants <NUM> may be involved in production of components such as vials, ampoules and other items to be contained within procedural packs <NUM>. Production rate for such manufacturing plants <NUM> may also be controlled in response to demand signals from the computer system <NUM>, such demand potentially being forecast by processor <NUM> following a model developed in real time or on the basis of previous analogous epidemics or health crises. The potential range of such health events is broad but such careful co-ordination - most likely by a multiagency government response - is essential. To that end of careful information collection, processing and response co-ordination, where RFID tracking is used, the need to process data from multiple RFID chips or tags (<NUM>,<NUM>,47A, some potentially separating), potentially presents an identification and processing problem. An anti-collision algorithm, such as binary encoding, or other algorithm, for example as described in <NPL>) may therefore be implemented by computer system <NUM>.

System <NUM> also allows for the involvement of a biological research centre <NUM> which may analyse sensor signals from computer system <NUM> as described above. Such input may be important where a biological or other agent has not yet been identified and an antidote may require development. Such input may also be important in the case where the agent is, for example a mutating virus. Processor <NUM> may send data, including real time data, to the research centre <NUM> and this may be used in developing an antidote, in particular a vaccine for example developed by an accelerated technique such as described in <CIT>. Such information may also be important in designing and manufacturing appropriately configured procedural packs <NUM> and, in particular, the required therapeutically effective items for inclusion within the procedural packs <NUM> and the configuration of compartments within the containers <NUM> to accommodate the items within the procedural packs <NUM>. Thus, research centre <NUM> also sends data and even control signals to pack manufacturing plants <NUM> and therapeutically effective item manufacturing plants <NUM> to optimise production and minimise costs and wastage. This system allows a real time response to manufacturing capability and reduction in the lag to an efficacious response identified in the background discussion.

System <NUM> may involve use of a wireless communications network where the therapeutic procedural packs <NUM> include suitable electronic communications devices, such as included, for example, in laptops, smart devices or cell phones. Provision for USB or like download from therapeutic packs <NUM> could also be made. Computer system <NUM> is likely to be connected to manufacturing plants <NUM>, <NUM> and research centre <NUM> through such wireless communications network though a wired network may also be practicable for communications between manufacturing plants <NUM>, <NUM> and research centre <NUM>. A secure wireless (or wired) communications network may be required due to the sensitivity of the data, especially where this cannot be anonymised, and because of the potential national security implications where the system <NUM> is used in response to a public health emergency or as a biosecurity threat countermeasure.

For ease of illustration, the wireless communication network channels are shown as channels <NUM> in <FIG>. Where the procedural packs <NUM> allow messaging, the computer system <NUM> may send instructions to procedural packs <NUM> (or mobile phones or other communications devices correlated with them) including, without limitation, instructions for opening a procedural pack <NUM> or indicating when pack use is required. For example, and as described above, the procedural packs <NUM> could be issued to protect a population against a possible biosecurity threat. However, the relevant authority may not yet have evidence that the population must use procedural packs <NUM> for protection. When such evidence is received, instructions may be issued for the population or segment(s) of that population, segments being determined by geographical location or processing of usage data by processor <NUM> of computer system <NUM> as described above. Such instructions are most conveniently sent through a wireless communications network from the computer system <NUM> to individual procedural packs <NUM> particularly where a mobile phone cannot be correlated with a procedural pack <NUM>, could include activation of the therapeutic pack <NUM>, for example by providing access to the pack <NUM>. This allows greater precision over the therapeutic response to the threat and avoids costly and potentially risky use of procedural packs <NUM>, such costs highly desirably being minimised.

In a further embodiment, the computer system <NUM> may also in itiate a control response in terms of modifying a step in a pack manufacturing process in a manufacturing plant <NUM> so that packs include the necessary therapeutically effective item(s) to counter the threat. For example, the computer system <NUM> may control a 3D printing facility or injection moulding plant to produce procedural packs <NUM> with the required compartments and items corresponding to a therapeutic procedure to be conducted. Such items may include an antidote to a biosecurity threat.

The computer system <NUM> may also control the logistical mode of deployment of packs <NUM> to a target population, for example by controlling operation of autonomous vehicle, robot, drone or like computer controllable transport means which is particularly advantageous where the threat is highly contagious, for example in the case of a viral infection.

Claim 1:
A system (<NUM>) for managing the use of a portable therapeutic procedural pack (<NUM>) for a therapeutic procedure comprising :
(a) a plurality of therapeutic procedural packs (<NUM>), each therapeutic procedural pack (<NUM>) comprising at least one compartment (<NUM>) for holding at least one therapeutically effective item (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, 140A, 142A) required to conduct the therapeutic procedure and an electronic communications device (<NUM>, <NUM>, 47A) for receiving and transmitting information about an environment surrounding and including each therapeutic procedural pack (<NUM>);
(b) transferring information about the environment surrounding and including each therapeutic procedural pack (<NUM>) between the electronic communications device (<NUM>, <NUM>, 47A) of each therapeutic procedural pack (<NUM>) and a computer system (<NUM>) including a processor (<NUM>) which processes said information;
(c) initiating a control response to, when processed, said information transferred from said plurality of therapeutic procedural packs (<NUM>) to said processor (<NUM>); and
characterised in that wherein said electronic communications device (<NUM>, <NUM>, 47A) of each therapeutic procedural pack (<NUM>) communicates with the computer system (<NUM>) so that information is communicated between each therapeutic procedural pack (<NUM>) and the processor (<NUM>) of the computer system (<NUM>) and processed in real time; and
further characterised in that said processed information from said plurality of therapeutic procedural packs (<NUM>) enables statistical process control over at least one of manufacturing therapeutic procedural packs (<NUM>) and deployment of therapeutic procedural packs (<NUM>) to a population in response to a biosecurity threat or other public health crisis.