Field of the invention
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The invention relates to a medication cartridge for an apparatus for dosing a prescribed medication.
Description of the related art
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The US patent application publication
US 2006/0201961 discloses a personal medication dispenser using a cartridge, which is controlled by a microprocessor. It has four individual medication chambers from which individual tablets are taken out under control of the microprocessor. The medication chambers have to be refilled individually. The problem is that during refilling different medications may be mixed up. This may lead to a wrong medication, which may be dangerous for patient. Furthermore, the patient may access the individual medication chambers and take out some those of medication, which also may be wrong or even maybe lethal dose.
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This problem is solved by the disclosure of US patent application publication
US 2008/0119958 A1 . Here the contents of a plurality of storage compartments are under surveillance of a camera. This is the comparatively complex solution, which requires a comparatively high image processing power. Here a plurality of medication doses of different medication is filled in compartments to be taken by a patient at the same time. This leads to inflexibility in dosage and may lead to a contamination of the medication.
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In general, the term medication relates to pills, tablets, capsules, ampoules, powders or related forms. The term patient is used for any person to be treated by the medication.
Summary of the invention
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The problem to be solved by the invention is to make dosing of a medication more reliable and fail-safe and to prevent unauthorized access to the medication by patients. Furthermore, contamination of the medication should be prevented and the medication should be sealed air-tight.
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A solution of the problem is described in the independent claim. The dependent claims relate to further improvements of the invention.
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A medication cartridge for an apparatus for dosing a prescribed medication according to the present invention comprises a cartridge housing, a container wheel comprising a plurality of compartments for holding medication, wherein each compartment comprises an opening at least for filling in and taking out the medication, a rotary wheel, and a cover band (or tape) connected to the container wheel such that the openings of the compartments are sealed and further connected to the rotary wheel, wherein the container wheel and the rotary wheel are rotatably arranged within the cartridge housing such that a rotation of at least one of the container wheel or the rotary wheel causes the cover band to uncover at least one of the openings and to be wound onto the rotary wheel.
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As the container wheel and the openings of the compartments thereof are sealed within the medication cartridge housing, this may prevent any contamination in particular cross contamination of the medication and may further prevent unauthorized access, e.g. by the patient to the medication.
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Particularly, the cover band may be adapted to seal the openings in an air-tight and water-tight manner as will be explained in ore detail below. Therefore, any damages or deteriorations in quality of the medication caused by physical, chemical or biological reactions with water or oxidants such as air may be prevented. Furthermore, there may be inserts in the compartments, which may hold the medication. The inserts may be used only once and thus always provide a clean environment for the medication. When medication is required and/or requested by the patient, the container wheel is rotated into a position for taking out the medication. Either the full contents of the compartment may be taken out of or only single pieces like single pills may be taken out. Preferably, each compartment only contains one kind of medication. Most preferably, each container wheel contains only one kind of medication. This prevents cross contamination between different kinds of medication. Furthermore, this allows each kind of medication to be delivered to the patient individually and it allows checking for and preventing interactions between different medications.
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Such a medication cartridge may be used with a medication dispensing apparatus, which comprises a housing containing at least one docking unit for accommodating at least one medication cartridge. Such a dispensing apparatus is located at the home of the patient or at a location, which may be easily accessible by one patient or a plurality of patients. This may for example be a corridor in a hospital.
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Medication cartridges filled with medication may be supplied by a pharmacy. Upon delivery, preferably the cartridge is sealed, most preferably by sealing of the individual compartments. For this purpose, the cover band may be at least partially made of an adhesive material. There may be also a cartridge seal which may be a self-adhesive tape covering an aperture through which medication may be taken out from the cartridge.
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It is furthermore preferred, if the at least one medication cartridge has an arc shaped cover for radially covering all compartments, except one. Preferably, the position of the uncovered compartment is close to the bottom of the cartridge forming an aperture through which the medication may be taken out from the compartment or may drop out of the compartment, when selected. The arc shaped cover may be realized by a portion of the cartridge housing such as a side wall of the cartridge housing. This allows to integrally form the arc shaped cover and the cartridge housing or even to omit the arc shaped cover. It is further preferred, if there is at least one blind compartment which is either filled with a solid material or covered by a fixed cover which cannot be removed. This blind compartment cannot be used to hold medication. Instead, it is positioned to the uncovered position of the cover, specifically during transport, or whenever the medication cartridge should be closed.
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It is further preferred, if the openings of the compartments are radially oriented and the cover band covers at least partially an outer circumference of the container wheel. This facilitates taking out o the medication as the cartridge may by arranged such that the medication drops out off the compartments by means of gravity if the container wheel is rotated in the respective position overlapping with an aperture of the cartridge housing and the cover band uncovers the opening.
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It is further preferred, if the container wheel is rotatable around a first rotation axis and the rotary wheel is rotatable around a second rotation axis, wherein the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis are parallel to one another. This makes the arrangement of the container wheel and the rotary wheel within the cartridge housing and the coordination of the respective directions of rotation easier.
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It is further preferred, if the container wheel and the rotary wheel are rotatable in opposite rotation directions. This facilitates the uncover operation of the cover band and helps to maintain the tension of the cover band which prevents any unwanted twisting or entangling of the cover band.
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It is further preferred, if the container wheel and/or the rotary wheel comprises a drive gear, wherein the drive gear is adapted to be rotated by means of a drive means. This helps to select a specific medication within he compartments of the medication cartridge. For example, the drive means may be a stepper motor for rotating the container wheel or the rotary wheel to a predetermined position. Thereby, the rotation amount is constant and it is prevented that the container wheel rotates in an excessive amount. Thus, it is ensured that the container wheel is rotated always to the next compartment.
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It is further preferred, if there is a roller for deflecting the cover band and pulling the cover band off the container wheel. In this embodiment, the rotary wheel is rotated, pulling at the cover band, which asserts a force and therefore a torque to the container wheel into the opposite direction, after it has been deflected. Therefore, the container wheel will be rotated.
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It is further preferred, if the container wheel comprises a drive gear, wherein the drive gear is adapted to be rotated by means of a drive means, wherein the drive gear is arranged at an outer circumference and/or at an inner circumference of the container wheel. This further improves the rotation of the container wheel to the predetermined position.
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It is further preferred, if the container wheel comprises a first drive gear and the rotary wheel comprises a second drive gear, wherein the first drive gear and the second drive gear are adapted to be rotated by means of a common drive means or separate drive means. This further improves the rotation of the container wheel or the rotary wheel to the predetermined position.
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It is further preferred, if the container wheel and the rotary wheel are connected to one another by means of at least one transmission gear. Thus, the container wheel and the rotary wheel may be rotated together by a single drive means to a predetermined position in a simple manner.
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It is further preferred, if the rotary wheel comprises a mounting device for mounting the cover band to the rotary wheel. This helps to mount the cover band to the rotary wheel. For example, the mounting device may be a clamping device adapted to removably fix the cover band to the rotary wheel. Additionally or alternatively, the mounting device may comprise a thread device for threading the cover band to the rotary wheel.
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It is further preferred, if the medication cartridge comprises a rotary protector for preventing rotation of the medication cartridge. The rotary protector may be a notch adapted to interact with a drive gear provided at an outer circumference of the container wheel and adapted to be unlocked by an external means. The notch may be adapted to be unlocked through an unlocking slit provided on the cartridge housing. For example, a rotary lock is provided to lock the container wheel in position, specifically during transport. This also prevents from an authorized access to the medication. Preferably, there is an unlocking bolt, notch or slit, which allows unlocking the rotary lock when the cartridge has been inserted into the docking unit. In a further embodiment, the medication cartridge is locked to prevent access to the medication inside. Locking may be done by screws, preferably having non-standardized heads to prevent opening by standard screwdrivers. There may also be snap tabs, which lock the cartridge and cannot be opened without destroying the cartridge. Alternatively, the case may be sealed by gluing. It is preferred, if the medication cartridge clearly indicates tampering and attempts thereof.
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It is further preferred, if there is at least one blind compartment which is either filled with a solid material or covered by a fixed cover which cannot be removed. This blind compartment cannot be used to hold medication. Instead, it is positioned to the uncovered position of the cover band, specifically during transport, or whenever the medication cartridge should be closed.
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In a further preferred embodiment, the medication cartridge has means for identifying the cartridge and for preventing erroneous or wrong insertion into a medication dispensing apparatus. Such means preferably are at least one of a RFID transponder, a memory chip, a PROM, a barcode, a label bearing a unique identifier of the cartridge and/or of the medication contained therein. Preferably, there is a memory like a PROM or EEPROM, which may be connected by an I2C bus. There may further be a genuineness seal which may be combined with said identification means and which shows that the cartridge is genuine. Preferably, this seal will be destroyed or at least marked, when the medication cartridge is inserted into the medication dispensing apparatus and/or the container wheel is rotated and/or medication is taken out from the medication cartridge.
Description of Drawings
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In the following, the invention will be described by way of example, without limitation of the general inventive concept, on examples of embodiment with reference to the drawings.
- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a medication cartridge.
- Figure 2 shows a front view of the medication cartridge.
- Figure 3 shows a bottom view of the medication cartridge.
- Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the medication cartridge with a part thereof removed.
- Figure 5 shows a side view of the medication cartridge with the part thereof removed.
- Figure 6 shows a front view of the medication cartridge with the part thereof removed.
- Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a container wheel and a rotary wheel.
- Figure 8 shows a side view of the container wheel and the rotary wheel.
- Figure 9 shows a front view of the container wheel and the rotary wheel.
- Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the rotary wheel.
- Figure 11 shows a side view of the rotary wheel.
- Figure 12 shows a perspective view of a drive gear.
- Figure 13 shows a side view of the drive gear.
- Figure 14 shows a top vie of the drive gear.
- Figure 15 shows a bottom view of the drive gear.
- Figure 16 shows an embodiment with a roller pin
- Figure 17 shows a detail of the previous embodiment
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In Figure 1, a preferred embodiment according to the invention is shown. Particularly, Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a medication cartridge 10. The medication cartridge 10 comprises a cartridge housing 12. The cartridge housing 12 comprises a front wall 14, a rear wall 16 and side walls 18. The side walls 18 may be formed with rounded edges. Further, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, one of the side walls comprises an aperture 20 through which medication may be taken out off the cartridge housing 12. The aperture 20 may be formed at a transition of two side walls 18, i.e. at a portion of a rounded edge.
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A front view of the medication cartridge is shown in figure 2, while figure 3 shows a bottom view of the medication cartridge.
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Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the medication cartridge 10 with the front wall 14 of the cartridge housing 12 removed. As shown in Figure 4, the medication cartridge 10 comprises a circular container wheel 22 rotatably arranged within the cartridge housing 12. As can be best seen in Figure 7 and 8, the container wheel 22 comprises a plurality of compartments 24 for holding medication. Each compartment 24 comprises an opening 26 at least for filling in and taking out the medication. The openings 26 are radially oriented. Particularly, the container wheel 22 comprises a central orifice 28, which is located in the radial middle of the container wheel 22. Thus, the container wheel 22 comprises an inner circumference 30, which is located radially inwards, and an outer circumference, which is located radially outwards.
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As can be best seen in Figures 4 and 5, drive disc 34 is connected to the container wheel 22. The drive disc 34 may be fixed to the container wheel 22 by means of screws or the like. The cover disc 34 comprises an axial protrusion 36 located within the central orifice 28 of the container wheel 22. The drive disc 34 may alternatively or additionally be fixed to the container wheel 22 by means of the axial protrusion 36. For example, the axial protrusion 36 may comprise radial protrusions extending radially outwards and engaging corresponding depressions or notches such that the drive disc 34 and the container wheel 22 may be connected to one another in a torque proof manner. For example, the axial protrusion 36 may be substantially formed as a hollow tube, which is disposed onto a pin (not shown) or the like protruding from the rear wall 16 of the cartridge housing 12. Thus, the container wheel 22 and the drive disc 34 may rotated together on the pin. Alternatively, the axial protrusion may be inserted into the pin.
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The container wheel 22 further comprises a first drive gear 38, which may be integrally formed with a ring shaped portion 40 of the drive disc 34. The teeth of the first drive gear 38 may extend radially outwards. The first drive gear 38 may be formed at a transition of the axial protrusion 36 into the ring shaped portion 40. The ring shaped portion 40 may be used to dispose a cover disc 42 covering a front surface of the container wheel 22. Alternatively or additionally, the cover disc 42 may comprise tooth-shaped protrusions 44 at an outer circumference thereof, which extend radially outwards. The tooth-shaped protrusions 44 may also be used as a drive gear as will be explained in more detail below. Thus, the drive gear of the container wheel 22 may be arranged at the inner circumference 30 and/or at the outer circumference 32.
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The medication cartridge 10 further comprises a rotary wheel 46 as can be best seen in Figures 4 and 5. The diameter of the rotary wheel 46 is smaller than the diameter of the container wheel 22. The rotary wheel 46 comprises a second drive gear 48. The teeth of the second drive gear 48 may extend towards the rear wall 16.
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The medication cartridge 10 further comprises a cover band 50. The cover band 50 is connected to the container wheel 22 such that the openings 26 of the compartments 24 are sealed. Particularly, the cover band 50 is adapted to seal the openings 26 in an air-tight and/or water-tight manner. For this purpose, the cover band 50 may be at least partially made of an adhesive material such that the cover band 50 is stuck to the container wheel 22. Accordingly, the cover band 50 covers at least partially the outer circumference 32 of the container wheel 22.The cover band 50 is further connected to the rotary wheel 46. For this purpose, the rotary wheel 46 may comprise a mounting device (not shown in detail) for mounting the cover band 50 to the rotary wheel 46. For example, the mounting device may be a clamping device adapted to removably fix the cover band 50 to the rotary wheel 46. Additionally or alternatively, the mounting device may comprise a thread device for threading the cover band 50 to the rotary wheel 46. In any case, the mounting device may be any device suitable to allow a simple and fast exchange of the cover band 50 at the rotary wheel 46.
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The rotary wheel 46 is connected to a third drive gear 52. The third drive gear 52 is arranged such that the teeth thereof extend perpendicular with respect to the teeth of the second drive gear 48. The rotary wheel 46 is rotatably arranged within the cartridge housing 12. The rotary wheel 46 is rotatably arranged within the cartridge housing 12. For example, the rotary wheel 46 may comprise an axial protrusion 54 as shown in Figures 9 and 10, which is disposed onto or inserted into a pin (not shown) located at the rear wall of the cartridge housing 16. The teeth of the third drive gear 52 and the teeth of the second drive gear 48 engage one another such that the third drive gear 52 and the second drive gear 48 are rotatably connected to each other.
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Figures 12 to 15 show the third drive gear 52 in more detail. The third drive gear 52 comprises a teeth portion 56, whose teeth extend radially outwards, an axial portion 58 adjacent the teeth portion 56, and a ring-shaped extension 60 formed at a free end of the axial portion 58, which is opposite to the teeth portion 56. The third drive gear 52 may be part of a drive means for rotating the container wheel 22 and/or the rotary wheel 46 as will be explained in more detail below. For example, the ring-shaped extension 60 of the third drive gear 52 may comprise notches 62 as shown in Figure 15, into which corresponding protrusions of a drive shaft of the drive means may be inserted to engage the notches 62. Thus, the drive shaft may be connected to the third drive gear 52 in a torque proof manner. The third drive gear 52 may be arranged at a bottom side of the cartridge housing 12 as shown in Figure 3 to 5.
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Particularly, the container wheel 22 and the rotary wheel 46 are rotatably arranged within the cartridge housing a rotation of at least one of the container wheel 22 or the rotary wheel 46 causes the cover band 50 to uncover at least one of the openings 26 and to be wound onto the rotary wheel 46. As shown in Figure 5, the container wheel 22 is rotatable around a first rotation axis 64 and the rotary wheel 46 is rotatable around a second rotation axis 66. The first rotation axis 64 and the second rotation axis 66 are parallel to one another. The container wheel 22 and the rotary wheel 46 are rotatable in opposite directions. The first drive gear 38 and the second drive gear 48 may be rotated by means of a common drive means. For example, the first drive gear 38 and the second drive gear 48 may be connected to one another by means of a transmission gear (not shown). Thus, the container wheel 22 and the rotary wheel 46 are connected to one another by means of the transmission gear. If the drive shaft of the drive means engages the third drive gear 52 and rotates, the third drive gear 52 rotates the second drive gear 48. As the second drive gear 48 and the rotary wheel 46 are connected to one another, the second drive gear 48 and the rotary wheel 46 rotate together. As the second drive gear 48 and the first drive gear 38 are connected to one another by such a transmission gear, a rotation of the second drive gear 48 causes a rotation of the first drive gear 38. At the same time, the cover band 50 uncovers an opening 26 of the container wheel 22 as the cover band 50 is wound onto the rotary wheel 46. It is explicitly mentioned that the cover band 50 may be thin such that even if the container wheel 22 and the first drive gear 38 is rotated by means of a separate drive means, the number of rotations necessary for uncovering an opening 26 does not substantially change if the amount of the cover band 50 wound onto the rotary wheel 46 increases. Needless to say, a single drive means engaging the third drive gear 52 and a connection of the second drive gear 48 and the first drive gear 38 by means are preferred as the number or rotations necessary for uncovering an opening 26 is constant independent from the amount of the cover band 50 wound onto the rotary wheel 46. For example, the drive means may be a stepper motor adapted to rotate the first drive gear 38, the second drive gear 48 and the third drive gear 52 in constant and equals amounts of rotation. The container wheel 22 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction with respect to the illustration in Figure 5 such that the respective uncovered opening 26 overlaps with the aperture 20 such the medication may be easily taken out of the respective compartment 24 being uncovered. It is explicitly mentioned that the transmission gear ratio of the first drive gear 38, the second drive gear 48 and the transmission gear is chosen such that a certain number of rotations of the rotary wheel 46 causes a certain rotation amount of the container wheel to uncover a single opening at once.
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In an alternative embodiment, the container wheel 22 may be rotated by means of a separate drive means. For example, such a separate drive means may be provided at an outside from the cartridge housing 12 and engage the tooth-shaped protrusion 44 or the first drive gear 38. The tooth shaped-protrusions 44 may also prevent the cover band 50 from slipping off the outer circumference 32 of the container wheel 22.
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If all openings (26) 26 are uncovered after all medication have been taken out of 24 the compartments, the cartridge housing 12 may be opened, the container wheel 22 may be taken out off the cartridge housing 12 and the compartments 24 are re-filled. This procedure is usually carried out by medical personal such as a pharmacist or a doctor. Similarly, the mounting device of the rotary wheel 46 is unlocked and the cover band 50 wound to the rotary wheel 46 is removed. Then a new cover band 50 is connected to the rotary wheel 46 and fixed thereto by means of the mounting device. The cover band 50 is then connected to the container wheel 22 at the outer circumference 32 to cover all openings 26. Then the container wheel 22 is re-inserted into the cartridge housing 12 and the housing 12 is closed again.
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It is further preferred, if the medication cartridge 10 comprises a rotary protector for preventing rotation of the medication cartridge 10. The rotary protector may be a notch adapted to interact with a drive gear provided at an outer circumference of the container wheel 22, such as the tooth-shaped protrusions 44, and adapted to be unlocked by an external means. The notch may be adapted to be unlocked through an unlocking slit provided on the cartridge housing 12. For example, a rotary lock is provided to lock the container wheel 22 in position, specifically during transport. This also prevents from an authorized access to the medication. Preferably there is an unlocking bolt, notch or slit which allows unlocking the rotary lock when the cartridge 10 has been inserted into a docking unit (not shown) of an apparatus for dosing a prescribed medication. In a further embodiment, the medication cartridge 10 is locked to prevent access to the medication inside. Locking may be done by screws, preferably having non-standardized heads to prevent opening by standard screwdrivers. There may also be snap tabs, which lock the cartridge 10 and cannot be opened without destroying the cartridge 10. Alternatively, the case may be sealed by gluing. It is preferred, if the medication cartridge 10 clearly indicates tampering and attempts thereof. Here, the terms locking and unlocking may be used in a very broad sense. They are not limited to the locking hole and the unlocking slit as described in the specific preferred embodiment.
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It is further preferred, if there is at least one blind compartment at the container wheel 22 which is either filled with a solid material or covered by a fixed cover which cannot be removed. This blind compartment cannot be used to hold medication. Instead, it is positioned to the uncovered position of the cover band 50, specifically during transport, or whenever the medication cartridge 10 should be closed.
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In a further preferred embodiment, the medication cartridge 10 has means for identifying the cartridge 10 and for preventing erroneous or wrong insertion into a medication dispensing apparatus. Such means preferably are at least one of a RFID transponder, a memory chip, a PROM, a barcode, a label bearing a unique identifier of the cartridge and/or of the medication contained therein. Preferably, there is a memory like a PROM or EEPROM, which may be connected by an I2C bus. There may further be a genuineness seal which may be combined with said identification means and which shows that the cartridge 10 is genuine. Preferably, this seal will be destroyed or at least marked, when the medication cartridge 10 is inserted into the medication dispensing apparatus and/or the container wheel 22 is rotated and/or medication is taken out from the medication cartridge 10.
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A medication dispensing apparatus making use of the medication cartridge 10 of the present invention may be designed as follows. The medication dispensing apparatus has an outer housing which may be a U-shaped metal or plastic frame. It may have a front panel at its front side and a rear panel at its rear side. It may further be covered by a cover which may have a center cover which may first be opened before opening cover. For enhancing stability of the cover, there may be provided a cover frame.
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Opening of the cover may be necessary for replacing medication cartridges 10. There may be a lock to prevent unauthorized access to the interior of the dispensing apparatus, and particularly to the medication cartridges. Such a lock may be a mechanical lock or an electrical or electromagnetic lock which may be controlled by a control unit. Within the housing, there is a docking unit for accommodating at least one and preferably a plurality of medication cartridges 10. Preferably, the medication cartridges are stacked closely to each other. Preferably, there is a motor adaptor for holding a drive means, which may be a stepper motor for rotating the third drive gear 52, and, therefore, the rotary wheel 46 and the container wheel 22 within the medication cartridges 10 to select a specific medication within the medication cartridge 10. The selected medication may be taken out and/or transported from the medication cartridge by means of a transport unit, which may be a vibration plate or vibration duct. In another embodiment, the transport unit may be a conveyor, preferably a belt conveyor for a transport gear. The medication is transported to a dispensing duct from which it may be received by a patient. To enhance security, a locking magnet may be provided to lock a medication cartridge 10 within the medication dispensing apparatus, therefore preventing unauthorized removal.
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Furthermore, it is preferred, if there is a control unit. Such a control unit preferably controls the at least one transport unit and/or the at least one drive means. The control unit may also control other parts of the medication dispensing apparatus. It may further communicate with an external data base over a network, which may be the Internet. A display may be provided as a user interface, which may further communicate with the control unit. In a further embodiment, the function of the control unit may also be implemented within the display.
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The medication dispending apparatus may further comprise a chassis, which holds the medication cartridges 10, and the docking unit.
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In the figure 16 an alternative embodiment is shown. Here the container wheel is driven by the cover band. For this purpose a roller pin 39 is provided for deflecting the cover band 50. By rotating the rotary wheel 46, the cover band 50 is pulled into the direction shown by the arrow. It is at least partially wrapped around the roller pin 39. This roller pin may be as simple pin allowing the cover band to slide around it. It also may be a roll with a bearing or even a ball bearing for better rotation. When passing the roller pin, the cover band is pulled away from the surface of the container wheel. It furthermore asserts a force into the opposite direction (opposite to the arrow) and therefore rotates the container wheel. The cover band may also be wrapped around the roller pin into the opposite direction as shown. There may also be a plurality of roller pins for guiding the band.
List of reference numerals
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- 10
- cartridge
- 12
- cartridge housing
- 14
- front wall
- 16
- rear wall
- 18
- side wall
- 20
- aperture
- 22
- container wheel
- 24
- compartment
- 26
- opening
- 28
- central opening
- 30
- inner circumference
- 32
- outer circumference
- 34
- drive disc
- 36
- axial protrusion
- 39
- roller pin
- 38
- first drive gear
- 40
- ring shaped portion
- 42
- cover disc
- 44
- tooth-shaped protrusion
- 46
- rotary wheel
- 48
- second drive gear
- 50
- cover band
- 52
- third drive gear
- 54
- axial protrusion
- 56
- teeth portion
- 58
- axial portion
- 60
- ring-shaped extension
- 62
- notch
