Patent Application
20070251852
So the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of embodiments of the present invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, several of which are illustrated in the appended drawing. It is to be noted, however, the appended drawing illustrates only typical embodiments of embodiments encompassed within the scope of the present invention, and, therefore, are not to be considered limiting, for the present invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments, wherein:
The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word “may” is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a convenient package containing at least a prescription medication in pill form. The package generally provides medication arranged in a convenient format for ease of patient use. In one embodiment, the package advantageously allows for a single prescription to be written covering two separate medications laid out in a single package. In additional embodiments, the package conveniently allows dispensing of the medication to the patient without having to worry about multiple packages.
The cover 101 is affixed to a top surface of the tray to seal the medication contained therein. The cover 101 is typically made of a material suitable for allowing a pill to breakthrough the cover 101 when pressure is applied from beneath by the end-user to remove the pill. For example, in one embodiment, the cover 101 may be a thin foil, plastic, or paper material, or any combination thereof. The cover 101 may optionally be coated on the side facing the tray to facilitate maintaining a sterile environment for the pill or medication contained within the package 100. The cover 101 may optionally be coated on the side facing the user to facilitate printing information on the outside or upper surface of the cover 101, such as the medication name, dosage information, and/or any other desired text.
In one embodiment, depicted in
Within each portion 102, 104, the medications may be further split by dosage over a period of time. For example, in the embodiment depicted in
The package 100 may further be perforated, illustratively depicted in
In one embodiment, the medication package 100 may contain medications for treating infections. For example, the medication provided in the first portion 102 may be an antibiotic or bactericide and the medication provided in the second portion 104 may be an analgesic. In one embodiment, the antibiotic or bactericide is nitrofurantoin, typically prescribed to treat urinary tract infections. For example, nitrofurantoin may be provided in a 100 mg dose to be taken twice a day for 10 days. In one embodiment, the analgesic is phenazopyridine.
In one embodiment, phenazopyridine is provided in a 200 mg dose to be taken three times a day for three days. In this embodiment, the nitrofurantoin treats a urinary tract infection while the analgesic phenazopyridine provides comfort to the patient for the first three days. The analgesic ends prior to the bactericide or antibiotic to allow the patient to sense any pain or discomfort in the infected area in order to assist in determining whether the infection is being effectively treated. As is understood by embodiments of the present invention, other dosages, combinations of medications, and treatment periods may be utilized as well, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Embodiments of the present invention provide additional benefits where a single dosage pill contains multiple components to treat multiple symptoms. For example, in several embodiments, a first medication is provided to treat a first set of symptoms and a second medication may be provided to treat a second set of symptoms.
In one embodiment, the first medication may be a combination of an antitussive, a decongestant, and an expectorant. In one embodiment, the antitussive may be dextromethorphan (dextromethorphan hydrobromide). In one embodiment, the decongestant may be phenylephrine (phenylephrine hydrochloride). In one embodiment, the expectorant may be guaifenesin. In one embodiment, the antitussive, decongestant, and expectorant pill may be provided in a 595 mg dose comprising approximately 25 mg dextromethorphan hydrobromide, approximately 20 mg phenylephrine hydrochloride, and approximately 550 mg guaifenesin to be taken twice a day for ten days.
In such an embodiment, the second medication may be a combination of acetaminophen and phenyltoloxamine. Acetaminophen is an analgesic, or pain reliever, and phenyltoloxamine is an antihistamine. In one embodiment, combined acetaminophen and phenyltoloxamine may be provided in 800 mg doses, to be taken three times a day for three days. In this embodiment, the first medication provides relief from sinus congestion and coughing, and further prevents sneezing, itchy/watery eyes and nose; and other symptoms of allergies. The second medication provides comfort to the patient, via pain relief, for the first three days. The analgesic ends prior to the medication to allow the patient to sense any pain or discomfort in order to assist in determining whether the infection or other root cause of the symptoms is healing.
In many embodiments of the present invention, the medications are typically provided via two separate prescriptions. Thus, utilizing embodiments of the present invention, a doctor may write a single prescription to dispense both medications to a patient with one prescription. Furthermore, the patient only has to fill one prescription and keep track of one medication package, as the medication is presented to the patient in a convenient-to-use package.
While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention are further scalable to allow for additional clients and servers, as particular applications may require.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/745,885, entitled “MULTIPLE MEDICATION PACKAGE,” filed Apr. 28, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/747,949, entitled “MULTIPLE MEDICATION PACKAGE,” filed May 23, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60745885 | Apr 2006 | US | |
| 60747949 | May 2006 | US |
