ANAESTHETIC CARRIER

Abstract

A pharmaceutical dosage form carrier comprising: a base tray having a base and side walls; and one or more transparent inserts; the base tray being configured to receive the one or more transparent inserts; each transparent insert having one or more upwardly opening receptacles extending from the base tray, the receptacles being elongate and arranged in a side-by-side array; each receptacle comprising: a respective base region; and one or more upwardly extending side portions; each receptacle being dimensioned to accommodate a container containing a predetermined dosage of a drug; wherein the base tray comprises one or more coloured panels arranged so that each coloured panel is visible through the base of the transparent inserts, the colour being selected to provide a visual indication of the dosage form to be accommodated in the receptacle.

Claims

1. A pharmaceutical dosage form carrier comprising: a base tray having a base and side walls; and one or more transparent inserts; the base tray being configured to receive the one or more transparent inserts; each transparent insert having one or more upwardly opening receptacles extending from the base tray, the receptacles being elongate and arranged in a side-by-side array; each receptacle comprising: a respective base region; and one or more upwardly extending side portions; each receptacle being dimensioned to accommodate a container containing a predetermined dosage of a drug; wherein the base tray comprises one or more coloured panels arranged so that each coloured panel is visible through the base of the transparent inserts, the colour being selected to provide a visual indication of the dosage form to be accommodated in the receptacle.

2. The carrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base tray comprises an upper and lower tray; wherein the upper tray has a complementary shape to the lower tray to allow housing of the upper tray within the lower tray and wherein the upper and lower trays may be peripherally bonded together.

3. The carrier as claimed in claim 2, wherein the one or more coloured panels are sealed between the upper and lower tray.

4. The carrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more coloured panels are detachable from the base tray.

5. The carrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base tray has one or more locations defined by formations configured to engage complementary formations on the one or more transparent inserts, the formations being arranged so that the transparent inserts are receivable within the base tray in only one configuration.

6. The carrier as claimed in claim 5, wherein the complementary formations restrict lateral movement of the transparent inserts.

7. The carrier as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least one of the formations of the base tray is a circumferentially extending shelf.

8. The carrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receptacles are arranged in a parallel array.

9. The carrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein each container lies above the coloured panels in use.

10. The carrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dosage forms are syringes or ampoules.

11. The carrier as claimed in claim 1, comprising a unitary moulding of opaque polymeric material.

12. The carrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transparent inserts have a peripheral flange arranged to engage a sealing cover.

13. The carrier as claimed in claim 12, wherein the base tray has a peripheral flange to contact the perimeter of the peripheral flange of the transparent inserts.

14. The carrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein each receptacle is dimensioned to accommodate a specific size of syringe.

15. The carrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base comprises a peripheral downwardly extending projection flange arranged to support the lower surface of the base above a work surface, the display being applied to the lower surface of the base.

16. A dosage form kit comprising: a carrier as claimed in claim 1; an array of syringes; and a cover sealed within a sterile package.

Description

[0038] The invention is further described, by means of example but not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0039] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carrier in accordance with this invention;

[0040] FIG. 2 is a further perspective view of the carrier shown in FIG. 1;

[0041] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the carrier;

[0042] FIG. 4 is a view of the carrier from below;

[0043] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the carrier;

[0044] FIG. 6 shows a side elevation and views from above and below of a large tray base;

[0045] FIG. 7 shows an insert for the base shown in FIG. 6;

[0046] FIG. 8 shows a medium sized tray base;

[0047] FIG. 9 shows the insert for the base shown in FIG. 8;

[0048] FIG. 10 shows a small tray base; and

[0049] FIG. 11 shows an insert for the small tray base shown in FIG. 10.

[0050] The carrier shown in the Figures shows a generally rectangular base (1) having a peripheral downwardly extending lip (2), upwardly extending top, bottom and side walls (3). The top, bottom and side walls and base define a generally rectangular cavity in which one or more of a plurality of insert trays are received. The cavity may be divided into sub-cavities by cross-members (14,15) extending between the top and bottom walls and which form locating ribs.

[0051] The insert trays are elongate and parallel-sided, having respective bases (9-13) and upwardly extending side walls (4-8). A first tray comprises a base (9) and side walls (4) with a width and depth selected to receive and accommodate a specifically dimensioned syringe without allowing excessive movement of the syringe during transportation.

[0052] A second tray has a base (10) and side walls (5) with a width and depth selected to accommodate two or more syringes containing a dosage of a preselected drug.

[0053] Third, fourth and fifth trays have a base (11) and side walls (6) with a width and depth to each accommodate a single syringe of a preselected drug.

[0054] A sixth tray has a base (12) and side walls (7) with a width and depth selected to accommodate a large diameter syringe containing a preselected drug or alternatively to accommodate two or more smaller syringes.

[0055] A seventh tray has a raised base (13) and side walls (8), the raised base (13) reduces the depth of the receptacle to allow a practitioner to easily pick up a syringe having a small diameter.

[0056] A peripheral engagement flange extends around the upper surface of the side walls (6) to engage a cover or lid (not shown). Preferably, the cover is formed of transparent polymeric material and is arranged to clip onto the flange.

[0057] The base (1) has an array of coloured display panels. Each panel has a length and width allowing it to be exclusively observed through the base of a single respective tray (9,10,11,12,13).

[0058] Each coloured display may have a single Pantone or a pattern of differently coloured stripes.

[0059] In a further embodiment (not shown) the wall at the proximal side of the tray may have an indent in order to receive and locate a syringe plunger.

[0060] The lower flange (2) preferably extends continuously around the entire lower periphery of the carrier integral with the base (1) to provide a skirt forming an entire lower surface of the carrier in order to facilitate cleaning and sterilisation and to prevent ingress of fluids beneath the carrier in use.

[0061] FIGS. 6 to 11 illustrate an alternative embodiment comprising a kit of large, medium and small carriers. Each carrier comprises a base with a tray insert configured to be received in only one orientation within the base.

[0062] FIG. 6 shows plan views from below and above and a side elevation of a large dimensioned tray. The tray comprises a rectangular base panel (20) and a continuous side wall (21) having four rectangular sides. Adjacent corners (22) have inwardly extending triangular portions arranged to prevent the insert from being inserted into the tray in an incorrect orientation as described below.

[0063] In the upwardly facing interior surface (23) of the base is marked with seven parallel rectangular coloured panels (24 to 30). Each panel has a different colour formed by application of a coloured film, by printing or otherwise.

[0064] In a preferred example the first panel (24) is coloured orange, Pantone 151 and may have a length of 40 mm, width of 225 mm and depth of 35 mm to receive a 5 ml capacity syringe.

[0065] The second panel (25) may be coloured Pantone yellow having a length 60 mm, width 225 mm and depth 35 mm to receive a 50 ml syringe. The third panel (26) may be coloured Pantone 805 fluorescent/warm red having a length of 40 mm, width of 225 mm and depth of 35 mm to receive a 10 ml capacity syringe body. The fourth panel (27) may be coloured Pantone 297 blue and may have a length of 40 mm, width of 225 mm and depth of 35 mm to receive a 50 ml syringe body. The fifth panel (28) may be coloured Pantone 156 salmon and have a length of 40 mm, width 225 mm and depth of 35 mm to receive a 5 ml syringe body. The sixth panel (29) may be coloured Pantone transparent white and may have a length of 50 mm, width 225 mm and depth 35 mm to receive a 20 ml syringe body. The seventh panel (30) may be coloured Pantone 805fluorescent/warm red with white diagonal stripes and have a length of 30 mm, width 225 mm and depth of 20 mm to receive a 5 ml syringe body. The coloured panels may include labels with written details of the dosage forms contained in the respective syringes.

[0066] FIG. 7 shows a transparent tray insert. The insert comprises an upper peripheral flange having sides (31) and (34) and ends (32, 33). The flange is arranged to engage and overlie the upper edge (35) of the side wall (21) of the base shown in FIG. 6. The flange has a lip (36) which extends downwardly over the edge (35) of the base to prevent ingress of liquid or debris between the tray and insert during use.

[0067] An array of parallel generally rectangular receptacles formed by downwardly extending side walls e.g. (37, 38) and base portions e.g. (39,40) the depth (41) of each receptacle is the same for most receptacles so that the bases (39, 40) form a continuous support surface. However the first cavity (42) has a reduced depth to accommodate a smaller, for example 5 ml syringe.

[0068] The coloured panels (24 to 30) of the tray base are visible through the transparent insert.

[0069] Adjacent corners (43, 44) at one end of the insert have triangular indented portions arranged to co-operate with complementary shaped dented portions (22) so that the insert may only be inserted into the tray base in one orientation preventing misalignment of the syringes with the respective coloured panels.

[0070] FIG. 8 shows a base for a medium sized carrier, the general configuration is similar to that shown in FIG. 6 except that the insert, shown in FIG. 9 has two receptacles to receive two syringes.

[0071] The base has only rectangular coloured panels (50, 51) visible from above.

[0072] The insert shown in FIG. 9 has two receptacles (52, 53) dimensioned to overlie the panels (50, 51) so that the panels may be observed through the basis of the transparent insert during use. The receptacle (52) is shallower in depth than the receptacle (53) so that a smaller sized syringe may be received and conveniently removed for use by a medical practitioner.

[0073] In a preferred example the first panel (52) is coloured violet, Pantone 256 and may have a length of length of 55 mm, width of 225 mm and a depth of 35 mm to receive a 50 ml syringe body. The second panel is coloured green, Pantone 367 and may have a length of 35 mm, width of 225 mm and a depth of 20 mm to receive a 5 ml syringe body.

[0074] FIGS. 10 and 11 show a third smaller base (60) having a single coloured panel (61) visible through the base of the insert (62) shown in FIG. 11.

[0075] In a preferred example the panel (61) is coloured grey, Pantone 401 and may have a length of length of 110 mm, width of 225 mm and a depth of 35 mm to receive a 50 ml syringe body

[0076] The carrier arrangement shown in FIGS. 6 to 11 may be provided individually or as a kit of two or three carriers as required by a practitioner.