Abstract
The present invention provides a medication dispenser enabling the controlled sequential delivery of a regimen of pills on an as-needed basis with a predetermined prescribed minimum time interval between delivery of each pill, from any flat multiple pill-containing pack of the blister package type having at least one column of pills to be dispensed, said dispenser comprising: a) an access portal sized to receive at least one any such blister pack and to guide said pack to at least one electromechanical blister pack advancing unit which in turn sequentially advances said pack to a stationary depilling station, said station comprising: i. pill detecting means; ii. a blister pack support having at least one pill receiving aperture, sized and positioned to receive pills of different sizes, shapes and spacing in said blister pack array; and, iii. an electromechanical depilling press means positioned, upon activation, to force at least one pill at a time from its respective blister through the backing of said blister via said aperture as said blister pack is advanced through said stationary depilling station within said dispenser.
Claims
1. A medication dispenser enabling a controlled sequential delivery of a regimen of pills on an as-needed basis with a predetermined prescribed minimum time interval between delivery of each pill, from any standard flat multiple pill-containing pack of the double arrayed blister package type having two columns and a plurality of rows of pills to be dispensed, said medication dispenser comprising: a) an access portal sized to receive at least one any such blister pack and to guide said pack to at least one pair of electromechanical driving wheels which in turn sequentially advance said pack to a stationary depilling station, said station comprising: i. pill detecting means; ii. a blister pack support having two spaced-apart pill receiving apertures, each aperture being sized and positioned to receive pills of different sizes, shapes and spacing in said blister pack array; and, iii. electromechanical depilling press means positioned, upon activation, to force at least one pill at a time from its respective blister through the backing of said blister via one of said apertures as said blister pack is advanced through said stationary depilling station within said medication dispenser; wherein the pair of depilling press means are activated by a depilling motor operationally linked thereto such that said motor is programmed to rotate in one direction to activate a first of said press means to dispense one of the pills and said motor is programmed to rotate in the opposite direction to activate a second of said press means to dispense another of said pills in said row.
2. A medication dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising: a) a channel into which said pill enters from said apertures; and, b) a dispensing receptacle for receiving said pill from said channel.
3. A medication dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said depilling motor operates in conjunction with a crankshaft apparatus which in turn directs separate up and down motion of each of said pair of depilling press means relative a positioned row of pills in said blister pack.
4. A medication dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising guide means to direct up and down motion of said pair of depilling press means relative a positioned row of pills in said blister pack.
5. A medication dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said medication dispenser is provided with at least two guide means for aligning said blister pack as it is advanced by said at least one pair of electromechanical driving wheels to said depilling station, said guide means including a first guide comprising wheels and spacers which use the two columns of pills themselves for aligning said blister pack as it is advanced and a second guide which interacts with the longitudinal side edges of the blister pack for aligning said blister pack as it is advanced within said medication dispenser.
6. A medication dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said pair of electromechanical depilling press means comprise a pair of pistons transversely spaced apart from each other.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1a shows the internal components of a first embodiment of the present invention, in a front perspective view;
(2) FIG. 1b shows the internal components of a second embodiment of the present invention, in a front perspective view;
(3) FIGS. 2a and 2b show an enlarged close-up of driving wheels with a wide blister pack (FIG. 2a) and a narrow blister pack (FIG. 2b) in a front perspective view;
(4) FIG. 3 shows the depilling station and channels of the present invention in a front perspective view;
(5) FIG. 4 shows a blister pack, channels, one depilling means and the blister pack support means in a side perspective view;
(6) FIG. 5 shows one depilling means and a channel in a side perspective view;
(7) FIG. 6 shows the components of the bottom of the dispenser of the present invention in an exploded view;
(8) FIG. 6a shows the pill receptacle in a side cross-sectional view cut across its longitudinal axis
(9) FIG. 7 shows the internal components of the present invention, in a front perspective view with two blister packs in the dispenser;
(10) FIG. 8 shows a side perspective view of the assembled dispenser of the present invention;
(11) Detail 8a of FIG. 8 is a partial exploded view showing side edges of the split housing of the assembled dispenser and an optional joining configuration thereof;
(12) Detail 8b of FIG. 8 is a partial exploded view showing bottom edges of the split housing of the assembled dispenser and optional joining configuration thereof.
(13) FIG. 9 shows a front perspective view of the assembled dispenser of the present invention.
(14) FIG. 10 shows a side cross-sectional view of a dispenser of the present invention with a front opening and a cassette with multiple blister packs inserted therein; and
(15) FIG. 11 shows a side perspective view of a cassette containing a plurality of standard blister packs for use in the dispenser of FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(16) A preferred embodiment of the medication dispenser of the present invention is shown in a front perspective view in FIG. 1a, generally designated by numeral (100), wherein the outer housing is removed to show the internal components of dispenser (100). Dispenser (100) comprises an access portal (102) through which a blister pack (104) is inserted. Blister pack (104) is preferably a standard flat multiple pill-containing pack of the double arrayed blister package type, having two columns and a plurality of rows of pills (106). An authorized medical person manually inserts blister pack (104) through access portal (102) until distal edge (105) of blister pack (104) is received by a pair of electromechanical driving wheels (108a), (108b), which are preferably spur gears, as shown in the figures.
(17) In a preferred embodiment, a second pair of driving wheels (110a), (110b) is present, for advancing blister pack (104) toward the depilling station (112), as described in greater detail herein below.
(18) Still referring to FIG. 1a, driving wheels (108a), (108b) and (110a), (110b) are positioned lengthwise along the central longitudinal axis of a blister pack support means, preferably comprising a surface (114) along which blister pack (104) is conveyed. Upper wheels (108a), (110a) are situated above surface (114) and lower wheels (108b), (110b) are situated below surface (114). Surface (114) is shown in FIG. 1 partially cut out in order to view lower wheels (108b), (110b). Longitudinally spaced openings (116) in surface (114) enable gear teeth (109a), (109b) and (111a), (111b) to mesh.
(19) A further preferred embodiment of the medication dispenser of the present invention is shown in a front perspective view in FIG. 1b, generally designated by numeral (300), wherein the outer housing is removed to show the internal components of dispenser (300). Dispenser (300) comprises an access portal (302) through which a blister pack (304) is inserted. Blister pack (304) is preferably a flat multiple pill-containing pack of the blister package type, having at least one column (303) and a plurality of rows (307) of pills (306). An authorized medical person manually inserts blister pack (304) through access portal (302) until distal edge (305) of blister pack (304) is received by an electromechanical blister pack advancing unit, which in this embodiment, is a conveyor belt (308) as shown in the figure, for advancing blister pack (304) toward the depilling station (302), as described in greater detail herein below with reference to FIG. 3.
(20) Still referring to FIG. 1b, electromechanical conveyor belt (308) is positioned lengthwise along the central longitudinal axis of a blister pack support means, preferably comprising a surface (314) along which blister pack (304) is conveyed. Conveyor belt (308) is above surface (314) which surface is partially cut out in order to view pill receiving aperture (328).
(21) Following the depilling of one or more pills (306) in a row (307) of blister pack (304), conveyor belt (308) is activated via a pill detecting means situated at depilling station (312), as described herein. Conveyor belt (308) rotates until the pill detecting means determines that at least one pill is present in the next row of pills. One or both of depilling press means (324), (326) is then actuated as described below with reference to press means (124) and (126) in FIGS. 3 and 4.
(22) As blister pack (304) is depilled and continues past depilling station (312), in a preferred embodiment, secondary conveyor belt (310) having the same configuration and rotational direction as that of conveyor belt (308), mutatis mutandis, is situated further longitudinally along the central longitudinal axis of surface (314). Conveyor belt (310) receives blister pack (304) and continues to advance blister pack (304) out of exit slot (180) (FIG. 9) once all pills have been depilled from blister pack (304) or until blister pack (304) is no longer required.
(23) The empty blister pack (304) may be discarded. If any pills remain in the blister pack (304) and the pills are considered a controlled drug, the pills are then returned to a secure location and the number of pills that are being returned is recorded.
(24) FIG. 2a shows an enlarged close-up of blister pack (104) and driving wheels (108a), (108b) and (110a), (110b) in a front perspective view. With reference to both FIG. 1 and FIG. 2a, when driving wheels (108a), (108b) receive distal edge (105) of blister pack (104) between the two columns of pills, a blister pack sensor (not shown) detects the presence of blister pack (104) and initiates the rotation of driving wheels (108a), (108b). Driving wheel (108a) rotates about its central axis in the clockwise direction as indicated by arrow (113), and driving wheel (108b) rotates about its central axis in the counterclockwise direction as indicated by arrow (115). Upon rotation of driving wheels (108a), (108b), distal edge (105) is caught between the teeth (109a), (109b) of driving wheels (108a), (108b). As driving wheels (108a), (108b) continue to rotate, blister pack (104) is conveyed along surface (114), with driving wheels (108a), (108b) and (110a), (110b) disposed between and aligned parallel with the two columns of pills. Driving wheels (110a), (110b) rotate in the same manner as driving wheels (108a), (108b). Driving wheels (108a), (108b) and (110a), (110b) are mechanically linked, preferably by at least one driving motor (not shown), in order to rotate concurrently with each other. Teeth (109a) and (109b), and (111a) and (111b) of respective driving wheels (108a), (108b) and (110a), (110b) are fitted closely together such that they bite the flat central portion (107) of blister pack (104) to prevent slippage as blister pack (104) advances toward depilling station (112).
(25) Additionally, surface (114) comprises side rails (118) for assisting to maintain the two columns of pills aligned in parallel with driving wheels (108a), (108b) and (110a), (110b), particularly with regards to blister packs (104) that have wide flat portions (see FIG. 2a). Side rails (118) are optionally transversely adjustable for accommodating both wide and narrow blister packs (104) as indicated by the inward pointing arrows (99) (see FIG. 2b).
(26) According to a preferred embodiment, access door (102) is shut and locked upon the complete insertion of blister pack (104). Additionally, access door (102) is preferably designed such that blister pack (104) is only able to pass therethrough when oriented in the proper direction, i.e. when the blisters are faced upward.
(27) Referring to FIG. 3 in combination with FIG. 4, depilling station (112) and channels (132a), (132b) are shown in FIG. 3, and surface (114), blister pack (104), channels (132a), (132b) and one depilling means (126) are shown in FIG. 4, wherein the other components of the dispenser are removed for clarity. As blister pack (104) reaches depilling station (112) a pill detecting means, comprising a sensor system having, for instance, an IR, a laser source (120) and a detector (122), or any other detection system situated on opposing longitudinal sides of blister pack (104) to determine whether at least one pill is present in the first row of pills. If at least one pill is present, at least one depilling press means (124), (126) of depilling station (112) is activated, for forcing one pill at a time from its blister out of the flat backing of blister pack (104), through pill receiving apertures (128), (130) of surface (114), as described in greater detail herein below.
(28) As seen in FIG. 4 and as mentioned briefly above, two transversally spaced pill receiving apertures (128), (130) through which pills from blister pack (104) pass are situated in surface (114). Each aperture (128), (130) is large enough and is spaced apart from the other at a distance that would allow pills of various sizes and shapes to pass therethrough. Moreover, since blister packs come in different sizes, wherein the parallel columns of pills of some blister packs are spaced closer together than or farther apart from other blister packs, apertures (128), (130) are designed to allow pills from a wide variety of blister pack dimensions to pass therethrough.
(29) With reference again to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, depilling press means (124), (126) are essentially a pair of pistons transversely spaced apart from each other and aligned above respective apertures (128), (130). Press means (124), (126) are selectively raised and lowered by a depilling motor (not shown), preferably via crankshafts (136), (137), connecting rods (138), (140) and eccentrically coupled cam shaft (142).
(30) As best seen in FIG. 3 the present invention comprises a guide means for maintaining depilling press means (124), (126) normally aligned with surface (114). The guide means comprises a pair of elongated guide elements (144a), (144b) and (146a), (146b) respectively, wherein each guide element is integrally joined with surface (114) (not shown in the figure), extending orthogonally therefrom. Each guide element (144a), (144b) is longitudinally spaced apart from its corresponding pair (146a), (146b), on opposing longitudinal sides of respective apertures (not shown in the figure). A ring element (145a), (145b) and (147a), (147b) extends from each longitudinal end of each depilling press means (124), (126), wherein opposing pairs of ring elements (145a), (145b) and (147a), (147b) are disposed around opposing pairs of rods (144a), (144b) and (146a), (146b), respectively. Thus, when depilling press means (124), (126) are raised and lowered, ring elements (145a), (145b) and (147a), (147b) shiftingly slide along rods (144a), (144b) and (146a), (146b) in the normal direction.
(31) The depilling motor for selectively raising and lowering press means (124), (126) is programmed to rotate in a first direction for activating first press means (124) to thereby dispense a first pill from blister pack (104), and to rotate in the opposite direction for activating second press means (126) to thereby dispense a second pill from blister pack (104). Alternatively, the depilling motor may be rotated in a single direction, whereby upon the lowering of first press means (124), second press means (126) is raised, and vice versa.
(32) In operation, once it is determined that, for instance, second depilling means (126) is positioned above a blister containing a pill (106) (see FIG. 4), the depilling motor is actuated and depilling means (126) is lowered, thereby pushing pill (106) out of its blister through pill receiving aperture (130) into channel (132b). Referring to FIG. 4 as well as to FIG. 5, which shows only depilling means (126) and channel (132b) for clarity, the inlet (131) of channel (132b) is disposed beneath aperture (130), and the outlet (133) of channel opens into a pill dispensing receptacle (134) (see FIG. 1) via a one-way valve (not shown) that allows only one pill at a time to pass therethrough. In a preferred embodiment, two independent channels (132a), (132b) are present, wherein the inlet of each channel is disposed beneath and aligned with each respective aperture (128) (130), as can be seen in the figures. Alternatively, a single channel is present, having two inlets, one disposed beneath and aligned with one of each aperture (128), (130).
(33) Referring to FIG. 6, the components of the bottom portion of dispenser (100) (enclosed by outer housing (154)) are shown in an exploded view, showing receptacle (134) and an integral housing (156). Housing (156) covers receptacle (134) as seen assembled in FIG. 1 and is securable to dispenser (100) within opening (158) in a locking engagement.
(34) Referring to FIG. 6a, a receptacle (134) is shown in a cross-sectional side view cut across its longitudinal axis, comprising a compartment (135) for accommodating pill (106). Pill (106) enters compartment (135) through opening (139), from the outlet of a channel (not shown in the figure). Receptacle (134) comprises a pill receptacle detection means (not shown) for determining whether a pill is present within receptacle (134). The pill receptacle detection means is electromechanically connected with depilling press means (124), (126) for enabling the activation of one of depilling press means (124), (126) only when receptacle (134) is empty. Pill (106) is dispensed to the patient through opening (150) by tilting receptacle (134) using handle (160).
(35) Referring to FIG. 7, a preferred embodiment of the medication dispenser of the present invention is shown in a front perspective identical to FIG. 1, except that blister pack 104 is shown as having partially advanced through the depilling station (112) creating room in the dispenser for an authorized medical person to manually insert a second blister pack (104a) through access door (102),
(36) Referring back to FIG. 1a, following the depilling of both pills in a row of blister pack (104), the transmission motor that drives driving wheels (108a), (108b) and (110a), (110b) is activated via the pill detecting means situated at depilling station (112), as described herein above. Driving wheels (108a), (108b) and (110a), (110b) rotate until the pill detecting means determines that at least one pill is present in the next row of pills. One or both of depilling press means (124), (126) is then actuated as described herein above.
(37) As blister pack (104) is depilled and continues past depilling station (112), in a preferred embodiment, secondary driving wheels (176a), (176b) and (178a), (178b) having the same configuration and rotational directions as that of driving wheels (108a), (108b) and (110a), (110b), mutatis mutandis, are situated further longitudinally along the central longitudinal axis of surface (114). Secondary driving wheels (176a), (176b) and (178a), (178b) receive distal edge (105) of blister pack (104) between the two columns of pills and continue to advance blister pack (104) out of exit slot (180) (FIG. 9) once all pills have been depilled from blister pack (104) or until blister pack (104) is no longer required.
(38) The empty blister pack (104) may be discarded. If any pills remain in the blister pack (104) and the pills are considered a controlled drug, the pills are then returned to a secure location and the number of pills that are being returned is recorded.
(39) Following the completion of the prescription of a pill medication to a patient, residue from the previous medication may be left within receptacle (134) of dispenser (100). Particularly regarding controlled drugs, it is important that even leftover pill residue is not easily accessible. Furthermore any such residue is contaminated by contact with the mouth and/or breath of the previous patient Instead of removing receptacle (134) in order to empty and clean, it is desirable for the entire receptacle (134) and housing (156) to be removed and discarded. Preferably, the separation of housing (156) from dispenser (100) requires breakage of housing (156), rendering housing (156) and receptacle (134) unsuitable for reuse.
(40) After removing housing (156) and receptacle (134), as seen in FIG. 6, replacement housing and receptacle components (not shown) may be inserted to into opening (158) of dispenser (100) and locked thereto to be used by a different patient.
(41) Referring to FIG. 8, showing a side perspective view of the assembled dispenser (100) comprising an outer housing (154) formed from a split housing having a first component (162) and a second component (164), each of which is provided with at least one mutually interengaging peripheral edge (167), (169) as shown in enlarged detail B. Alternatively as shown enlarged in Detail A, a plurality of engagement means (170) is Optionally spaced around peripheral edge (166) of first component (162) for slidingly interlocking with a complementary engaging means (172) spaced around peripheral edge (168) of second component (164) to form a closed outer housing (154). Latch means (174) prevents the disengagement of first and second components (162), (164) from each other. Latch means (174) is associated with access door (102), whereby both are openably coded by microprocessor means associated therewith.
(42) Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the assembled dispenser (100) is shown in side perspective (FIG. 8) and front perspective (FIG. 9) views mounted on a stand (182) comprising a leg (184) and a base (186) for positioning on a flat surface near the patient. Dispenser (100) enables the controlled sequential delivery of a regimen of pills on an as-needed basis with a predetermined prescribed minimum time interval between delivery of each pill. To that end, a digital display (103) indicates pertinent information such as the current time, time remaining until next depilling, type of pill within dispenser (100), number of pills depilled, number of pills remaining, etc. Preferably, an alarm is sounded, or any alternative audio or visual signal is generated when the time for the patient to take another pill has arrived. Settings of dispenser (100), such as regulating the time interval between the depilling of pills may be controlled directly by using digital display (103) as a touchpad. Alternatively, control buttons (not shown) either on or around digital display (103) enable the user to electronically control dispenser settings. Hence, after the nurse configures the settings of dispenser (100), dispenser (100) may be kept in the patient's room, requiring no further input from the nurse until blister pack (104) or the prescription is completed.
(43) In some embodiments a window (not shown) enables the user, including both the patient and the nurse, to view the portion of blister pack (104), or the entire blister pack (104) situated within outer housing (154) of dispenser (100), to visually determine if and how many pills remain in blister pack (104).
(44) Referring to FIG. 10 there is seen a side cross-sectional view of a dispenser (200) of the present invention with a front opening door (202) and a cassette (203) (as more clearly seen in FIG. 11) with multiple blister packs (204a-d) inserted therein.
(45) It is to be understood that in a similar manner as described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2a, driving wheels (108a), (108b) (not seen in FIG. 10) receive the distal edge (205) of the lowermost blister pack (204a) in cassette (203) between the two columns of pills, and a blister pack sensor (not shown) detects the presence of such a lowermost blister pack (204a, 204b, 204c, and 204d in turn) and initiates the rotation of driving wheels (108a), (108b) whereafter each blister pack (204a, 204b, 204c, and 204d) is advanced in turn to depilling station (112) for individual depilling as described herein with reference to the previous Figures.
(46) Referring to FIG. 11 there is seen a side perspective view of the cassette (203) containing a plurality of standard blister packs (204a, 204b, 204c, 204d and 204e) for use in the dispenser (200) of FIG. 10.
(47) It is to be understood that while a specific blister in a blister pack normally and preferably contains only one pill to be dispensed, it is possible to prepare blister packs with more than one pill per blister when a regimen of providing two or more pills simultaneously is prescribed.
(48) It is understood that the above description of the embodiments of the present invention are for illustrative purposes only, and is not meant to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form or forms disclosed, as many modifications and variations are possible. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the accompanying claims.
