Patient system and method for interfacing with and controlling a medication dispensing device

A non-transitory computer program product for a patient to interface with and control a handheld medication dispensing device, the computer program product comprising:

• a non-transitory computer-readable medium having executable instructions encoded thereon, such that upon execution of the instructions by one or more processors, the one or more processors perform operations of:
• registering a patient;
• associating the handheld medication dispensing device with the patient;
• storing authentication information regarding the patient;
• and
• storing a dose schedule regarding usage of the handheld medication dispensing device by the patient, the dose schedule having parameters specifying a particular medication and associated volume and timing interval for administration;
• linking with the handheld medication dispensing device, the handheld medication dispensing device having a housing with a rotatable cartridge carrier and a medication cartridge positioned within the rotatable cartridge carrier, the medication cartridge containing the particular medication;
• authenticating the patient while the patient attempts to use the handheld medication dispensing device;
• causing transmission of an access granted signal to the handheld medication dispensing device;
• unlocking the handheld medication dispensing device after authentication of the patient and upon receipt of the access granted signal;
• activating an activator mechanism in the handheld medication dispensing device to rotate the cartridge carrier and, in doing so, move a medication cartridge within the handheld medication device from a stored position to a dispensing position in which at least a portion of the medication cartridge is raised from the housing and at least partially exposed beyond the housing for actuation by the patient, thereby permitting a patient to dispense a dose from the handheld medication dispensing device within the parameters of the dose schedule;
• and
• monitoring patient adherence to the dose schedule and providing an alert to a doctor when the patient fails to adhere to the dose schedule.

A computer implemented method for a patient to interface with and control a handheld medication dispensing device, the method comprising an act of:

• causing one or more processers to execute instructions encoded on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such that upon execution, the one or more processors perform operations of:
• registering a patient;
• associating the handheld medication dispensing device with the patient;
• storing authentication information regarding the patient;
• and
• storing a dose schedule regarding usage of the handheld medication dispensing device by the patient, the dose schedule having parameters specifying a particular medication and associated volume and timing interval for administration;
• linking with the handheld medication dispensing device, the handheld medication dispensing device having a housing with a rotatable cartridge carrier and a medication cartridge positioned within the rotatable cartridge carrier, the medication cartridge containing the particular medication;
• authenticating the patient while the patient attempts to use the handheld medication dispensing device;
• causing transmission of an access granted signal to the handheld medication dispensing device;
• unlocking the handheld medication dispensing device after authentication of the patient and upon receipt of the access granted signal;
• activating an activator mechanism in the handheld medication dispensing device to rotate the cartridge carrier and, in doing so, move a medication cartridge within the handheld medication device from a stored position to a dispensing position in which at least a portion of the medication cartridge is raised from the housing and at least partially exposed beyond the housing for actuation by the patient, thereby permitting a patient to dispense a dose from the handheld medication dispensing device within the parameters of the dose schedule;
• and
• monitoring patient adherence to the dose schedule and providing an alert to a doctor when the patient fails to adhere to the dose schedule.