GB2602189A

GB2602189A - Medicinal-pill dispensing device and systems

Info

Publication number: GB2602189A
Application number: GB2114874.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Pearce Oliver; Alexander Price Blaine
Original assignee: Orthomedics Healthcare Ltd
Current assignee: Orthomedics Healthcare Ltd
Priority date: 2021-10-18
Filing date: 2021-10-18
Publication date: 2022-06-22
Anticipated expiration: 2041-10-18
Also published as: GB202114874D0; GB2602189B

Abstract

A medicinal-pill dispensing device 10 for dispensing at least one medicinal pill to a patient. The dispensing device comprises a reusable cartridge 12 and a dispenser 14. The cartridge has a closable and lockable dispensing opening and a closable and lockable loading opening. The dispenser has a receiving opening and a patient-access opening. There is a barrier openable by electric actuator between the dispenser and the reusable cartridge for permitting passage of at least one medicinal pill from the cartridge to the dispenser. The device has a physical connector or projection 29 for connecting the dispensing device 10a (Figure 5) with another dispensing device 10b (Figure 5). The device may further comprise audible notifications; a timing element for dispensing medicinal pills at a set time; RFID identification to enable actuation of the barrier; a security stain release system activating if the cartridge is tampered with; and may be operated wirelessly or manually. Also disclosed is a portable medicinal-pill dispensing device wherein the openings of the dispenser are closable such that the dispenser can retain at least one pill when disconnected from the reusable cartridge.

Description

Medicinal-Pill Dispensing Device and Systems The present invention relates to a medicinal-pill dispensing device. In particular, the invention relates to a portable medicinal-pill dispensing device. The invention further relates to medicinal-pill dispensing systems.

Patients can be required to regularly take medicinal or pharmaceutical pills, which may also be referred to as solid dosages or tablets, to treat medical conditions. This can be in a clinical, care home or domestic setting.

However, patients may struggle to remember to take the pills, or may forget that they have already taken the required pill at a particular time for their dosage schedule or regimen. This is particularly the case if a patient is required to take multiple different pills on differing regimens. As such, there is a risk that patients may take insufficient medication to treat their condition, or may inadvertently overdose on the medication. Furthermore, there is a risk that patients may intentionally overdose on medication, particularly in the case of opiate medication.

To reduce this risk, professionals may supervise a patient's medication regimen, and provide the patient with their required medicinal pill to be consumed at point of provision. However, this is labour intensive.

Alternatively, patients may be provided with labelled containers for their medicinal pills. For example, a patient may be provided with a joined set of containers, each container having a flap and each flap labelled with a day of the week. The containers may be filled by a professional or by the patient with the required medicinal pills. The patient should then take the medicinal pill from the container on the appropriate day of the week. However, such a solution remains labour intensive, does not prevent intentional overdosing, may be unsuitable for some patients who may be confused regarding the correct day of the week, and the taking of the medicinal pill may still be forgotten.

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to these problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable medicinal-pill dispensing device for dispensing at least one medicinal pill to a patient, the dispensing device comprising: a reusable cartridge having a chamber which has a 30 longitudinal extent sized to receive a plurality of medicinal pills, a closeable and lockable loading opening communicated with the chamber for loading medicinal pills into the chamber and preventing unauthorised access to the chamber, and a closeable and lockable dispensing opening for dispensing one medicinal pill from the chamber; a dispenser disconnectably connectable with the cartridge, the dispenser having a receiving opening for receiving one medicinal pill from the cartridge, and a patient-access opening for permitting a patient to access the medicinal pill received by the dispenser; an openable barrier between the dispenser and the reusable cartridge for permitting passage of at least one medicinal pill from the cartridge to the dispenser; an electrically operated actuator for opening, closing and/or locking the barrier; an on-board power source for powering the electrical actuator; a controller for operating the electrical actuator; and a physical connector for physically connecting the dispensing device with another said dispensing device.

It will be appreciated that the term "pill" may include, but is not necessarily limited to, medications in the form of compressed or bound powders (which may be termed tablets) and encapsulated powders, pellets, liquids or gels. The term pill does not necessitate a particular shape, although preferably does not include a loose or free-flowing powder. The term solid dosage may also be used instead of pill. Pills may typically have a length of between 1 mm and 25 mm, although pills of less than 5 mm may be less suitable for use with the present invention. The invention is preferably for use with pharmaceutical medicines since these require strict dosage control, although it will be appreciated that the invention may be used with herbal or alternative medicines.

Since the cartridge is lockable, unauthorised access to the pills via the cartridges is prevented or limited. However, reuse of the cartridge is still possible which provides a beneficial environmental effect. Given that the barrier is electrically operated, the dispensing of pills can be controlled which can prevent overdosing since the controller can be configured to only operate a set number of times within a given duration. The physical connectors allow for dispensing devices to be connected together, which can help a patient better manage the taking of different medications.

Preferably, the dispenser may further have a manual control for operating the controller. 30 A manual control allows for the patient to conveniently operate the device, rather than relying on, for example, remote control and/or a separate electronic device to dispense pills.

Beneficially, the dispenser further may have a timing element, the controller being configured to operate the electrical actuator no more than a set number of times within a given duration. This may prevent or limit the risk of the patient overdosing on medication.

Advantageously, the longitudinal extent of the chamber may be sized to receive at least ten of medicinal pills.

Optionally, the chamber may have a lateral extent sized to correspond or substantially correspond to a dimension of one medicinal pill. This can prevent blockages or jams from forming in the cartridge, since the pills are relatively tightly packed into the chamber.

In a preferable embodiment, the dispenser may further have a wireless transmitter.

Additionally, the wireless transmitter may be configured to transmit use data when the 10 controller is operated. This can allow for a remote and/or external recording device to record the number of dosages taken. As such, a medical professional or clinician can monitor the patient's dispensing of the pills.

Preferably, the dispenser may further have a timing element, the wireless transmitter being configured to transmit reminder data when the timing element reaches a predetermined time. In this way, the dispensing device can communicate with a local electronic device, such as a smart mobile telephone, to instruct the local electronic device to remind the patient to dispense and take a pill.

Advantageously, the dispenser may further have a wireless receiver.

Beneficially, the wireless receiver may be for receiving instruction to operate the actuator, the wireless receiver being communicatively connected with the controller so as to instruct the controller to operate the electrical actuator. In this way the dispensing device can be remotely controlled, for example by a patient's personal computing device, such as a smart mobile telephone.

Optionally, the dispensing device may further comprise an on-board notification means 25 for notifying the user to operate the dispensing device. This can remind the user to dispense and take a pill.

In a preferable embodiment, the on-board notification means may comprise a speaker. Advantageously, the on-board notification means may comprise a light emitting device.

Optionally, the cartridge may comprise a security stain release element configured to 30 release a staining substance if tampering occurs to the cartridge. This may be particularly relevant if opioid pills are in the cartridge. The security stain release element may be a dye pack or ink tag.

Preferably, the dispenser may further comprise a radio-frequency identification reader for reading a radio-frequency identification tag, the reader communicatively connected to the controller so that the controller is configured to operate the actuator only if the radio-frequency identification reader reads an authorised radio-frequency identification tag. This can prevent or limit unauthorised use of the device and may be of particular interest in a hospital or other clinical environment. The patient may wear a wristband containing the radio-frequency identification tag.

Advantageously, the receiving opening and the patient-access opening may be the same opening.

Beneficially, the closeable and lockable loading opening and the closeable and lockable dispensing opening may be the same opening.

In a preferable embodiment, the device further comprising a plurality of medicinal pills 15 received in the chamber.

Optionally, the receiving opening and the patient-access opening of the dispenser may be closeable for permitting holding of one medicinal pill therein when the dispenser is disconnected from the reusable cartridge. As such, the patient may dispense a pill into the dispenser from the cartridge and then detach the dispenser, or just a part of the dispenser, from the cartridge and/or remainder of the dispenser. This provides increased portability for the device which may be of particular convenience when the patient is on a day trip.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medicinal-pill dispensing system comprising: a medicinal-pill dispensing device according to a first aspect of the invention; and an external electronic device comprising a wireless receiver and a notification means communicated with the wireless receiver, the wireless receiver for receiving the reminder data and the notification means configured to emit a notification when reminder data has been received.

As such, other electronic devices, such as smart mobile telephones or similar, can be 30 used to remind the patient to take the pills.

Preferably, the electronic device is a portable electronic device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medicinal-pill dispensing system comprising: a medicinal-pill dispensing device according to a first aspect of the invention wherein the on-board power source is rechargeable; and a charging station for receiving a plurality of dispensing devices and charging the respective on-board power sources.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a medicinal-pill dispensing system comprising: a medicinal-pill dispensing device according to a first aspect of the invention; and an external recording device communicated with the wireless transmitter for recording the number of operations of the actuator.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a portable medicinal-pill dispensing device for dispensing at least one medicinal pill to a patient, the dispensing device comprising: a reusable cartridge having a chamber which has a longitudinal extent sized to receive a plurality of medicinal pills, a closeable and lockable loading opening communicated with the chamber for loading medicinal pills into the chamber and preventing unauthorised access to the chamber, and a closeable and lockable dispensing opening for dispensing one medicinal pill from the chamber; a dispenser disconnectably connectable with the cartridge, the dispenser having a receiving opening for receiving one medicinal pill from the cartridge, and a patient-access opening for permitting a patient to access the medicinal pill received by the dispenser; an openable barrier between the dispenser and the reusable cartridge for permitting passage of at least one medicinal pill from the cartridge to the dispenser; an electrically operated actuator for opening, closing and/or locking the barrier; an on-board power source for powering the electrical actuator; a controller for operating the electrical actuator; and the receiving opening and the patient-access opening of the dispenser being closeable for permitting holding of one medicinal pill therein when the dispenser is disconnected from the reusable cartridge.

As such, the patient may dispense a pill into the dispenser from the cartridge and then detach the dispenser, or just a part of the dispenser, from the cartridge and/or remainder of the dispenser. This provides increased portability for the device.

Preferably, one of the dispenser and the cartridge has a reader and the other of the dispenser and the cartridge has an identification means, so that the dispensing device is only operable when a designated dispenser is connected with a designated cartridge. This can prevent or reduce the risk of an incorrect cartridge being connected to the dispenser and therefore prevents or reduces the risk of incorrect recordation of pill dispensing.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a front view of a first embodiment of a medicinal-pill dispensing device in accordance with first and fifth aspects of the invention; Figure 2 shows a view of internal components of the medicinal-pill dispensing device of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a side view of a second embodiment of a medicinal-pill 10 dispensing device in accordance with first and fifth aspects of the invention; Figure 4 shows a front view of the medicinal-pill dispensing device of Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a front view of two connected medicinal-pill dispensing devices of Figure 3 with part of a dispenser removed from the remainder of the device; Figure 6 shows a front view of medicinal-pill dispensing device of Figure 3 with 15 part of a dispenser removed from the remainder of the device; and Figure 6 shows a representation of a system in accordance with second and fourth aspects of the invention.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2 there is shown a medicinal-pill dispensing device 10 comprising a cartridge 12 for holding a plurality of medicinal pills, and a dispenser 14 for 20 dispensing the medicinal pills.

The cartridge 12 defines a chamber for receiving the medicinal pills. The chamber is preferably elongate and has a longitudinal extent sized to receive a plurality of medicinal dosages. For example, the longitudinal extent may be sized to receive at least ten medicinal pills, and more preferably is sized to receive at least 25 medicinal pills.

The lateral extent, or cross-section, of the chamber is preferably sized to correspond or substantially correspond to the dimension of one medicinal pill. This may help prevent blockages or jams in the chamber. However, this may not be necessary and offset stacking of pills in the chamber may be considered.

It will be appreciated that different cartridges may be provided with differently dimensioned chambers to correspond with different medicinal pills.

The cartridge 12 has at least one opening communicated with the chamber. The same opening may be both a loading opening, for loading medicinal pills into the chamber, and a dispensing opening, for dispensing one medicinal pill from the chamber. Alternatively, the loading opening and the dispensing opening may be defined by separate openings, for example, the loading opening may be at the in use top of the cartridge 12 and the dispensing opening may be at the in use bottom of the cartridge 12.

The or each opening is preferably closeable and lockable. This is to prevent unauthorised 10 access to the cartridge 12.

For example, the cartridge 12 may have a sliding or hinging panel or other barrier which occludes or closes the or each opening. The panel may be lockable, for example by a bolt, although any other locking means may be considered such as a latch. The bolt may only be retractable by an appropriately authorised person, such as a pharmacist. To permit this, specialised equipment obtainable only by authorised personnel may be needed to open the cartridge. For example, the bolt may only be retractable by an appropriately positioned magnet and may otherwise be sprung loaded to a locked condition. Alternatively, the bolt may be electrically operable having a gear for turning the bolt and a motor for turning the gear. The motor could be powered by an external power source, provided by specialised equipment of the authorised person, and so the cartridge 12 may have a power inlet for powering the motor. The bolt may be sprung loaded or otherwise biased to a locked condition so that when power is supplied to the motor the bolt is retracted and when the power is removed the bolt returns to the locked condition. Alternatively, the cartridge 12 may have an electronic reader, such as a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader and the cartridge 12 may require the presence of an authorised RFID tag to operate the motor. As an alternative, the bolt could be mechanically operable, for example by a key.

The above particularly applies to the loading opening, although the dispensing opening may be similarly lockable and closeable.

The lockable loading opening of the cartridge 12 would therefore only allow an authorised person, such as a pharmacist, to open the cartridge 12. This permits the pharmacist to refill the cartridge 12 with pills, thus permitting re-use of the cartridge 12, whilst still preventing or limiting abusive opening of the cartridge 12.

The cartridge 12 may comprise a security stain release element configured to release a staining substance if tampering occurs to the cartridge 12. For example, the cartridge 12 may include an ink tag or dye tag which is configured to release ink if the cartridge 12 is broken or undergoes significant stress or strain. This may be particularly relevant if opioid medication is contained in the cartridge 12.

The cartridge is preferably formed from a recyclable and/or compostable material. In particular, the cartridge may be formed from bioplasfics, such as plastic derived from 10 corn starch.

The dispenser 14 is preferably connectable with, or detachably attachable to the cartridge 12. For example, the dispenser 14 may have a slot 16 for receiving at least part of the cartridge 12 therein. The slot 16 is preferably sized so that at least part of the cartridge 12 protrudes out of the slot 16 for ease of removal. The dispenser 14 may have a main body which is larger than the cartridge 12 for receiving the cartridge 12 therein. Alternatively, the dispenser 14 may be a smaller dispensing head which merely attaches or connects to the bottom of the cartridge 12.

The dispenser 14 has a receiving opening for receiving at least one medicinal pill from the cartridge 12, and a patient-access opening for permitting a patient to access the medicinal pill received by the dispenser 14. If the dispenser 14 has a slot 16 for receiving the cartridge 12 then the receiving opening may be at or adjacent to the bottom of the slot 16.

When the dispenser 14 is connected with the cartridge 12, the dispensing opening of the cartridge 12 is communicable with the receiving opening so that pills can be passed from the dispenser 14 to the cartridge 12 via the dispensing opening and the receiving opening. The dispensing opening may have a projecting funnel, for example, for receipt in the receiving opening so as to better provide pills.

In use and in a typical orientation, the dispensing opening may be directly above the receiving opening so that pills may be gravity fed from the dispenser 14 to the cartridge 30 12. Alternatively, the dispensing opening may be to the side of the receiving opening when in use in a typical orientation. In such a case, the pill may be required to be mechanically fed or driven into the receiving opening. For example, actuators, springs or other biasing means may eject a pill from the cartridge 12 and into the dispenser 14.

There is an openable and closeable barrier between the dispensing opening and the receiving opening. The barrier may be the same barrier or an identical barrier to that 5 previously described which closes the opening of the cartridge 12. For example, the barrier may be a sliding or hinging panel.

The barrier is preferably opened and/or closed by an electrical actuator. For example, a piston or motor may open and/or close the barrier. To power the electrical actuator, the device 10 preferably comprises an on-board power source, such as a battery 18. A controller, such as a processor 20 for example on a printed circuit board, instructs the electrical actuator to operate. The term electrical actuator may include mechanical opening and/or closing of the barrier, with an electrically actuated lock-out function to lock the barrier to prevent the mechanical opening and closing of the barrier.

The controller may in turn be instructed by a manual control, such as a switch or button, on the device 10 which is pressed by the patient or user to instruct the barrier to be opened. Alternatively, the controller may be instructed remotely or via an external device. For example, the device 10 may include an antenna 22 which acts as a wireless receiver. The antenna 22 may be a radio antenna 22 such as a W-Fi (RTM) antenna 22 or Bluetooth (RTM) antenna 22 for communicating with a local W-Fi (RTM) network or a local Bluetooth (RTM) enabled device. Alternatively, the antenna 22 may be a microwave antenna 22 for communicating with a cellular network. In this way the patient may instruct the barrier to be opened to dispense a pill via an external electronic device, such as a mobile telephone or a tablet, or a clinician may remotely instruct the barrier to be opened to dispense a pill.

The device 10 or dispenser 14 may further comprise an RFID reader for reading a RFID tag. The reader would be communicatively connected to the controller so that the controller is configured to operate the actuator only if the RFID reader reads an authorised RFID tag. The patient may therefore wear, for example, a wristband with the RFID tag so that the patient can operate the dispensing device 10. This may be of particular relevance in a hospital or other clinical environment.

Whilst the barrier is described as being electrically actuated, it will be appreciated that in fact the barrier may be mechanically actuated. For example, the pressing of a button by the user may mechanically actuate the barrier to pass a pill into the dispenser 14. In the event of mechanical actuation, it will be appreciated that the device would preferably have an electrically actuated lock-out function, to prevent mechanical actuation and so limit the risk of overdosing.

The dispenser 14 may have a presentation surface for presenting a pill to a user, the surface at or adjacent to the patient-access opening. For example, the dispenser 14 may have a base for receiving the pills from the receiving opening and which is accessible via a user's fingers from the patient-access opening. The base may be underneath or to the side of the receiving opening.

The receiving opening and the patient-access opening may be the same opening. For example, the opening may be defined by a moveable or rotatable body 26. The body 26 may rotate between a receiving position, in which the opening is communicated with the dispensing opening and the pill presentation surface is inaccessible to a user, and a presentation position, in which the opening faces towards an exterior of the device 10 so that a user can access the presentation surface. The body 26 may be rotatable or moveable via an electrical actuator. This body 26 may be considered to be a dispensing head.

Such an arrangement is shown in Figure 1, and here the rotatable body may be cylindrical or substantially cylindrical, and may be considered to be a rotating drum.

As shown in Figures 3 to 5, a second embodiment of the device 10 preferably includes at least one physical connector for physically connecting the dispensing device 10 with another said dispensing device 10. The physical connector may be a mechanical connector and/or a magnetic connector. As such, two dispensing devices 10a, 10b can be joined together. This allows for devices containing different pills to be conveniently carried together.

In Figure 3 openings 28 are shown in a side of the device 10. Preferably, the openings 28 are in a main body of the dispenser 14. The openings 28 are the entrance to channels which extend downwards from the perspective of Figure 3. As shown in Figure 4, the same device 10 or another device 10, has projections 29 which project from the opposing side of the device 10. The projections 29 are sized to be received in the opening and can then slide down the channels so that the two devices 10a, 10b are mechanically secured together. Such an arrangement can be seen in Figure 5 with the projections 29 received in the holes and channels being shown in dashed line.

The projections 29 and openings are preferably shaped so as to avoid relative misorientafion of the devices. Here the projections 29 and openings have a wider upper 5 portion 30 and a narrower lower portion 32 so that the projection can only be received in the opening in a correct orientation.

It will be appreciated that other mechanical connectors may be considered, such as snap fit or interference fit connections.

In the case of magnetic connectors, one side of the device may have magnetic elements which present positive poles, and one side of the device may have magnetic elements which present negative poles. Two or more such devices may therefore be connected together by aligning the positive poles of one device with the negative poles of another device. It will be appreciated that other magnetic connection arrangements may be considered.

The receiving opening and patient-access opening of the opening may be closeable and further may be lockable. In this way, the cartridge 12 can dispense a pill into the dispenser 14 and the receiving opening and patient-access opening can be closed, and locked if necessary, to contain the pill. The cartridge 12 can then be removed from the dispenser 14. This may increase the portability of the device 10, since the patient would not be required to transport the entire device 10 of cartridge 12 and dispenser 14, and can instead transport only the dispenser 14. This may be of use when the patient is leaving their home environment for a period of time, but will require to take a pill during that period of time.

It will be appreciated that, rather than the entire dispenser 14 being transported, only a portion of the dispenser 14 which defines the receiving opening and patient-access opening may be removed from the remainder of the dispenser 14 and the cartridge 12. For example, only a dispensing head 34 of the dispenser 14 may be detachable from the remainder of the dispenser 14. Such an arrangement is shown in Figure 6.

One of the dispenser 14 and the cartridge 12 may have a reader and the other of the 30 dispenser 14 and the cartridge 12 may have an identification means. This is so that the dispensing device 10 is only operable when a designated dispenser 14 is connected with a designated cartridge 12 The device 10 may include a timing element such as a clock or timer. The clock or timer may be provided by the processor 20 of the printed circuit board. The timing element may allow the device 10 to be configured so that only a set number of actuations of the barrier, in other words only a set number of dispensing events of pills, may occur within a predetermined period of time. For example, the processor 20 may be programmed to only permit dispensing of a pill once in a given period of time, such as a 12-hour or 24-hour period.

The device 10 may include a wireless transmitter. Such a transmitter may be provided by the aforementioned antenna 22. The controller may be configured to transmit data relating to dispensing events via the transmitter. Such an arrangement is shown in Figure 7, where the dispensing device 10 is shown to be communicating with an external recording device, which is here an external server 36, for receiving and recording such data. For example, when the manual control is activated by the user to open the barrier to dispense a pill, the transmitter may transmit data relating to such an event. Alternatively, the device 10 may store such data, preferably associating it with a particular time, and then transmit data associated with multiple dispensing events as a batch. The batch transmission may be at a predetermined time, after a predetermined duration or after a predetermined number of dispensing events.

The external recording device may be communicated with a display device for displaying the data regarding dispensing of pills to a medical professional or clinician. As such, the medical professional can monitor the taking of pills, and consider intervention if necessary.

The dispensing device 10 may be used to remind, notify or prompt the user or patient to use the device 10 to dispense pills.

The dispensing device 10 may have on-board notification means such as a speaker, a light emitting device, and/or a vibration element to provide such a reminder. This or another light emitting device may be positioned to illuminate the patient access opening 30 of the dispenser for ease of location.

Such a reminder may be triggered since the device may be programmed with a predetermined medication regimen, or medication schedule, for the patient. When the controller determines, via the timing element and the medication regimen, that the patient should take the pill, the controller may instruct the on-board notification means to operate.

Additionally or alternatively, the dispensing device 10 may receive data from an external device that the patient should take the pill. Therefore, the device or controller may be configured to receive such data via the antenna 22 and then operate the notification means.

However, it will be appreciated that the dispensing device 10 may not have a notification means, and instead may be part of a system which includes other devices which operate as external notification means. For example, an electronic device or computing device such as a smart mobile telephone 38, a tablet, a smart television, or a bespoke device may be used to notify the patient to operate the device to take a pill.

In this case, the dispensing device 10 may instruct the external notification means to remind the user. The dispensing device 10 may include the predetermined medication regimen and may transmit notification or prompt data to the external notification means via the wireless transmitter so as to instruct the external notification means to remind the user. Such an arrangement is portrayed in Figure 7. Alternatively, the electronic or computing devices may include the predetermined medication regimen and therefore may not require communication with the dispensing device 10 to remind the user.

The dispensing device 10 preferably includes a rechargeable on-board power source, which is here a rechargeable battery 18, and so the dispensing device 10 has a power inlet for charging the power source. The power inlet may be a conventional plug or socket for receiving electricity. Alternatively, the power inlet may be inductive charging means, and so the device may include an induction coil and rectifier for enabling inductive charging.

A medicinal-pill dispensing system may include the dispensing device 10 and a charging station or dock for receiving the dispensing device 10 and charging the on-board power source. Preferably, the charging station is adapted to receive and charge a plurality of dispensing devices 10. The charging station may be adapted to receive multiple dispensing devices 10 when the dispensing devices 10 are physically connected together using the physical connectors. Additionally, the physical connectors may include an electrical connector so as to transfer power between dispensing devices 10. This may permit the charging station to have only one power outlet which transfers power to an initial dispensing device 10, which in turn transfers power to the further dispensing device 10 joined to the initial dispensing device 10.

In use, the cartridge 12 may be at least in part filled with the appropriate medicinal pills by a pharmacist or other authorised person. A cartridge 12 having an appropriately sized internal chamber for the appropriate medicinal pill is preferably selected by the pharmacist or other authorised person for this purpose. The loading may be achieved by the pharmacist unlocking and opening the loading opening of the cartridge 12, and then loading the medicinal pills. The loading opening is then be closed and locked. The cartridge 12 is then received and/or attached to the dispenser 14 so that the dispensing opening of the cartridge 12 is communicated with the receiving opening of the dispenser 14. If relevant the dispensing device 10 may be pre-programmed with the pill regimen.

The dispensing is then provided to the patient.

If the patient is required to take multiple different medicinal pills, then a further dispensing device 10 may be provided to the patient, with the further dispensing device 10 having a cartridge 12 at least in part filled with different medicinal pills. The dispensing device 10 may be pre-programmed with a different pill regimen. The two dispensing devices 10 may then be connected together via the physical connectors. Further dispensing devices 10 may also be prepared and connected.

The dispensing device 10 is then configured so that it is communicated with or connected to a local wireless network in the environment where the patient will be using the device via the antenna 22 of the device. The local wireless network is connected to the external recording device for monitoring by the medical professional or clinician and/or is connected to other local electronic devices for notification means. Additionally or alternatively, the dispensing device 10 is directly communicated with or directly connected with local wireless electronic devices.

The power source of the or each dispensing device 10 may be required to be charged. 30 This may be achieved via connecting or mounting the or each dispensing device 10 to or with the charging station or dock.

The patient then uses the device, pressing the manual control whenever the patient requires to take a pill. The pressing of the manual control instructs the controller to open the barrier so that at least one pill is passed from the cartridge 12 to the dispenser 14. Preferably, only a predetermined number of pills, such as one pill, is passed at a time.

This may be achieved by the barrier closing after said predetermined number of pills has been passed. The opening and closing cycle of the barrier may being timed so that only one dosage passes from the cartridge 12 to the dispenser 14 in the time it takes for the barrier to open and close. Additionally or alternatively, the dispensing device 10 may include a sensor, such as a motion sensor, to detect and verify that a pill has been passed from the cartridge 12 to the dispenser 14. If a driving means is used to eject a dosage from the cartridge 12 and into the dispenser 14, then the driving means is configured so that it only ejects a single pill per actuation.

If the patient presses the manual control in excess of a predetermined limit for a given duration, the controller does not actuate the barrier. However, if the device is arranged so that the pill is manually and mechanically passed into the dispenser 14, and does not require the controller to actuate the barrier, then the controller may instead lock the manual and mechanical actuation to avoid excessive pill dispensing.

When the manual control is pressed, the antenna 22 transmits use data to the external recording device via the wireless network. The clinician or medical professional can then 20 review the use data to assess whether the patient has been taking the medication according to the medication regimen.

To remind the user to use the dispensing device 10, the external and/or on-board notification or reminding means is operated according to the predetermined dosing regimen. The notification means may only be selectively operated, and therefore may only operate the notification means if a pill has not been dispensed. The notification means may also be operated via specific instruction from a remote clinician.

If the patient requires to take medication outside of their usual environment, the patient may operate the dispensing device 10 so as to pass a pill from the cartridge 12 and into the dispenser 14. The dispenser 14, or a part thereof such as the dispensing head 34, can then be detached from the dispensing device 10 to allow for increased portability. The openings of the dispenser 14 are closed to permit such transport. The dispenser 14 or dispensing head 34 can then be reattached.

Once the cartridge 12 has been depleted, the depleted cartridge 12 is removed from the dispenser 14 and returned to the pharmacist. Whilst the depleted cartridge 12 is being refilled by the pharmacist, a further cartridge 12 containing the required pills may be connected to the dispenser 14. This may prevent disruption in supply of medication.

It is therefore possible to provide a device for dispensing pills, tablets, or other pills to a patient in a secure, controlled and recordable way. The patient can be reminded to take the pill via a notification system and can be prevented from overdosing on medication via being locked out if too many pills are dispensed. Unauthorised access to the pills is prevented by virtue of the lockable cartridge 12. Medical professionals can monitor the patient's actual medication intake. If multiple types of medication are required to be taken, then multiple devices can easily interconnect to facilitate this. The portability of the dispensing device 10 is improved by the option of detaching the dispenser 14, or part thereof, with a pill contained therein.

The words 'comprises/comprising' and the words 'having/including' when used herein 15 with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from 25 the scope of the invention as defined herein.

Claims

Claims 1 A portable medicinal-pill dispensing device for dispensing at least one medicinal pill to a patient, the dispensing device comprising: a reusable cartridge having a chamber which has a longitudinal extent sized to receive a plurality of medicinal pills, a closeable and lockable loading opening communicated with the chamber for loading medicinal pills into the chamber and preventing unauthorised access to the chamber, and a closeable and lockable dispensing opening for dispensing one medicinal pill from the chamber; a dispenser disconnectably connectable with the cartridge, the dispenser having a receiving opening for receiving one medicinal pill from the cartridge, and a patient-access opening for permitting a patient to access the medicinal pill received by the dispenser; an openable barrier between the dispenser and the reusable cartridge for permitting passage of at least one medicinal pill from the cartridge to the dispenser; an electrically operated actuator for opening, closing and/or locking the barrier; an on-board power source for powering the electrical actuator; a controller for operating the electrical actuator; and a physical connector for physically connecting the dispensing device with another said dispensing device.
2. A portable medicinal-pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dispenser further has a manual control for operating the controller.
3 A portable medicinal-pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the dispenser further has a timing element, the controller being configured to operate the electrical actuator no more than a set number of times within a given duration.
4. A portable medicinal-pill dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the longitudinal extent of the chamber is sized to receive at least ten of medicinal pills.
5 A portable medicinal-pill dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chamber has a lateral extent sized to correspond or substantially correspond to a dimension of one medicinal pill.
6. A portable medicinal-pill dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispenser further has a wireless transmitter.
7 A portable medicinal-pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to transmit use data when the controller is operated.
8 A portable medicinal-pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the dispenser further has a timing element, the wireless transmitter being configured to transmit reminder data when the timing element reaches a predetermined time.
9. A portable medicinal-pill dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispenser further has a wireless receiver.
10. A portable medicinal-pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the wireless receiver is for receiving instruction to operate the actuator, the wireless receiver being communicatively connected with the controller so as to instruct the controller to operate the electrical actuator.
11. A portable medicinal-pill dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an on-board notification means for notifying the user to operate the dispensing device.
12. A portable medicinal-pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the on-board notification means comprises a speaker.
13.A portable medicinal-pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the on-board notification means comprises a light emitting device.
14. A portable medicinal-pill dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cartridge comprises a security stain release element configured to release a staining substance if tampering occurs to the cartridge.
A portable medicinal-pill dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispenser further comprises a radio-frequency identification reader for reading a radio-frequency identification tag, the reader communicatively connected to the controller so that the controller is configured to operate the actuator only if the radio-frequency identification reader reads an authorised radio-frequency identification tag.
16. A portable medicinal-pill dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving opening and the patient-access opening are the same opening.
17. A portable medicinal-pill dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closeable and lockable loading opening and the closeable and lockable dispensing opening are the same opening.
18. A portable medicinal-pill dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a plurality of medicinal pills received in the chamber.
19. A portable medicinal-pill dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving opening and the patient-access opening of the dispenser is closeable for permitting holding of one medicinal pill therein when the dispenser is disconnected from the reusable cartridge.
20. A medicinal-pill dispensing system comprising: a medicinal-pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 8 or any one of claims 9 to 15 when dependent on claim 8; an external electronic device comprising a wireless receiver and a notification means communicated with the wireless receiver, the wireless receiver for receiving the reminder data and the notification means configured to emit a notification when reminder data has been received.
21. A medicinal-pill dispensing system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the electronic device is a portable electronic device.
22 A medicinal-pill dispensing system comprising: a medicinal-pill dispensing device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19 wherein the on-board power source is rechargeable; and a charging station for receiving a plurality of dispensing devices and charging the respective on-board power sources.
23 A medicinal-pill dispensing system comprising: a medicinal-pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 7 or any one of claims 8 to 19 when dependent on claim 7; and an external recording device communicated with the wireless transmitter for recording the number of operations of the actuator.
24 A portable medicinal-pill dispensing device for dispensing at least one medicinal pill to a patient, the dispensing device comprising: a reusable cartridge having a chamber which has a longitudinal extent sized to receive a plurality of medicinal pills, a closeable and lockable loading opening communicated with the chamber for loading medicinal pills into the chamber and preventing unauthorised access to the chamber, and a closeable and lockable dispensing opening for dispensing one medicinal pill from the chamber; a dispenser disconnectably connectable with the cartridge, the dispenser having a receiving opening for receiving one medicinal pill from the cartridge, and a patient-access opening for permitting a patient to access the medicinal pill received by the dispenser; an openable barrier between the dispenser and the reusable cartridge for permitting passage of at least one medicinal pill from the cartridge to the dispenser; an electrically operated actuator for opening, closing and/or locking the barrier; an on-board power source for powering the electrical actuator; a controller for operating the electrical actuator; and the receiving opening and the patient-access opening of the dispenser being closeable for permitting holding of one medicinal pill therein when the dispenser is disconnected from the reusable cartridge.A portable medicinal-pill dispensing device as claimed in claim 24, wherein one of the dispenser and the cartridge has a reader and the other of the dispenser and the cartridge has an identification means, so that the dispensing device is only operable when a designated dispenser is connected with a designated cartridge.