CA1036994A - Device for storing and distributing medicaments - Google Patents
Device for storing and distributing medicamentsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1036994A CA1036994A CA251,994A CA251994A CA1036994A CA 1036994 A CA1036994 A CA 1036994A CA 251994 A CA251994 A CA 251994A CA 1036994 A CA1036994 A CA 1036994A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tray
- label
- compartments
- medicament
- grooves
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G12/00—Accommodation for nursing, e.g. in hospitals, not covered by groups A61G1/00 - A61G11/00, e.g. trolleys for transport of medicaments or food; Prescription lists
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
- A61J7/00—Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoons; Pill counting devices; Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
- A61J7/0069—Trays for holding or distributing medicines
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A device for storing and distributing medica-ments which comprises a tray having a set of parallel extending grooves and a plurality of medicament containers systematically arranged in the grooves, each of which contains in separate compartments the dosage units for a patient for a period of time and which have a visible surface with a label, and connected with each groove a receiving part in which is arranged in alignment with each groove a receiving device for ampoules, syringes, dosage beakers or the like limited by projections con-sisting of complete webs or a plurality of individual web parts or projecting portions.
A device for storing and distributing medica-ments which comprises a tray having a set of parallel extending grooves and a plurality of medicament containers systematically arranged in the grooves, each of which contains in separate compartments the dosage units for a patient for a period of time and which have a visible surface with a label, and connected with each groove a receiving part in which is arranged in alignment with each groove a receiving device for ampoules, syringes, dosage beakers or the like limited by projections con-sisting of complete webs or a plurality of individual web parts or projecting portions.
Description
103~9'94 This invention relates to a device for the storage and distribution of medicaments which has a receiving unit comprising parallel extending grooves and a plurality of medicament containers arranged systematically in the grooves which contain in separated compartments dosage units for a patient for one period of time, and a visible surface provided with a label. This device is particularly for use in hospitals, nursing homes or the like.
In Swiss Patent Specification 544546 trays for transporting a plurality of medicament holders are described~which are so constructed that the medicament holders can be stuck therein with gentle clamping engagement, wherein the label plates bearing identification visibly extend upwardly from the tray.
In such a tray, there can be arranged relative to each of these-medicament containexs a depression for a cup to take the medicine.
In dispensing medicaments to patients in large hospitals, nursing homes or the like there exists the danger that medicament will be exchanged and the wrong drug dispensed to the patient or the dispensing being carried out at the wrong point in time or with the wrong doce. In addition, in modern therapy the patient is often prescribed at the same time a plurality of both solid, liquid and powdery medicaments, which each have to be trans-ported in closed dosage beakers. While with the previously known tabletsthere was only the possibility provided of a single dose beaker per patient, this often gave rise to difficulties. Particularly it should be noted that the drinking vessels such as dosage beakers must be arranged clearly visibly relative to the respective medicament container and must be kept in their correct arrangement. Corresponding considerations apply for the arrangement of syringes which must be provided individually for each patient having re-gard to their capacity, cannula thickness or the like. Furthermore there are requirements in practice for standardising the transport units, i.e. the trays, in order that these transport trays cannot~be simply put on transport ~0369~4 trolleys but can also be s'Lid without difficulty into medicament chests and refrigerators. A further requirement consists in the fact that such trays should be very stable and manufacturable at low cost.
The object of the invention is accordingLy to provide a device for storage and distributing medicaments whereby the previously noted require-ments are fulfilled in more satisfactory fashion.
The solution of this problem results according to the invention in the creation of a device for storing and distributing medicaments which com-prises a receiving tray with parallel extending grooves and a plurality of lo medicament containers arranged systematically in the grooves which contain in separate compartments the dosage units for a patient for a period of time and which have a surface which can be provided with an inscription, and wherein the tray has a receiving part connected to the grooves in which there are arranged receiving devices for ampoules, syringes or dosage beakers or the like each in alignment with a groove and limited by projections consisting of continuous webs or a plurality of individual web parts or projecting portions.
According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention ~he medicament container comprises a row of separate compartments for the receipt of successively to be taken medicaments and a label plate running paral'Lel to the longitudinal direction of the compartments and a transparent firm'Ly sealing slid~ably arranged cover. Particularly for this, the compart-ments of the medicament container have a prolongation for the receipt of long medicaments such as ampoules, suppositories and large unpacked medicaments, which extends over the region of the label plate.
In particular, the label plate of the medicament container which runs parallel to the compartments forms with the compartments lying in a row an inseparable unit that serves for the receipt of a label or adhesive label on which the personal data of the patient and the medication belonging to the ' ~036994 individual compartment can be entered. The container has a peripheral rim bridging the compartments and the support plate on which the transparent cover is slideably arranged which tightly seals the compartments and allows visual checking of the individual compartments.
If the transparent cover of a filled medicament container is slid away, the individual compartments of the container are freed according to the sequence so that the dispensing and taking of the medicaments automatically takes place in the correct sequence. The self-adhesive label provided on the label plate allows rapid control of the correct arrangement of a medica-ment container relative to the patient as well as a simple check of the medi-cation so that an inadvertent exchange of medicament containers is excluded and each patient in fact receives the medicament destined for him at the right point in time and at the right dose.
me medicament containers are arranged in a systematic order on the receipt tray so that the person charged with distributing the medicaments has a clear view and with one issue of medicament can serve a plurality of patients, without ha~-ing to go back to the preparation room. me medicament containers are preferably so placed in the parallel grooves of the receipt tray lying behind one another that the transparent cover of the medicament container lies essentially perpendicularly on the receipt tray. The medicament con-tainers are for this so put on the receipt tray that the compartments touch the receipt tray and the label plate provided with the self-adhesive label stands freely upwardly and has the action of an easily readable tab as in card-indexes. In this way a plurality of medicament containers can be ar-ranged so that they can all be viewed but take up only a small space.
The size of the medicament containers is determined inter alia by the necessary measurements of the self-adhesive label for the date and medi-cation of the patient. me predominantly administered medicaments such as tablets have a size which allows satisfactory and handleable dimensions of the compartments and medicament containers.
The invention is further illustrat;ed by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a tray according to the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of the tray according to the invention in plan view;
Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the tray according to the invention;
Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of the tray according to the invention in section;
Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of the tray according to the invention in plan, and Figure 6 shows a suitable medicament and ampoule container accord-ing to the invention.
Referring to Figure 1 the tray for storage and distribution of medi-caments according to the invention has grooves 3 extending parallel to its longitudinal direction for the receipt of closed medicament containers 2, which contain in separate compartments 1 to 5 the dcsage units for a patient~
for example per day and which are so placed in the grooves 3 that the indicia bearing surface can easily be viewed. In each case the groove 3 passes into a depression 15 in a reception part 4 which serves for the receipt of drinking ampoules, syringes, dosage beakers or the like. As shown in Figure 1, these depressions are surrounded by web or guide parts 15, the height of which coin-cides with the surface of the part carrying the grooves 3. These guide parts can however also be interrupted as e.g. is shown by the parts denoted 14 in Figure ~.
In Figure 2 another embodiment of the reception part 4 is illustra-ted in which the reception part 4 is constructed over large areas depressed 10369g4 relative to the surface of the part carrying the grooves 3 and wherein stand-ing places 5 are provided for medicament beakers and longitudinal channels 6 for the receipt of large drink ampoules, syringes or the like, which are surrounded in each case by projecting guide parts 14.
According to a particular embodiment the receiving part 4 is ex-changeably set in an aperture of the tray 1.
Figure 3 shows in side section the part of the tray according to the invention bearing the grooves 3. As is evident, in this embodiment an upper part 7 is so connected by adhesion with a lower part 8 that the grooves 3 are under a certain tension and by means of this they give the tray an in-creased rigidity and particularly bending resistance. In this fashion it is also possible to provide that the grooves 3 constitute a resiliently elastic seat for the receipt of the medicament containers.
The reference numeral la denotes a raised rim surrounding the tray.
Further it is shown in Figure 3 that the tray 1 has on its lower side a guiding frame 9 by means of which lateral holding is possible on all four sides of the tray in the carrier decks of transport trollies, medicament chests, refrigerators or similar devices. These guiding frames are suitably constructed in agreement with standard measurements of the carrier decks of these hospital devices.
If desired in place of the above noted guiding frame 9 there can be provided on the rear side of the tray a peripheral guide groove 11~ as shown in Figure 4. If such a tray is slid into transport trollies, medicament cases, refrigerators or s;m;lar devices in hospitals, in this case a carrier bar 10 of these devices engages in the guide groove 11.
The raised rim la surrounding the frame (compare Figure 1) serves to guarantee safe transport of the medicaments.
The upper part 7 and the lower part 8 are suitably connected to-gether by slightly dissolving the contact surfaces with a solvent and pressing 103699~
them together in this dissolved state.
Suitably in this the grooves 3 extending the upper part up to the surface of the lower part 8 and are connected firmly therewith at their contact surfaces.
Figure 5 shows in plan a further embodiment of the tray according to the invention in which the grooves 3 are constructed in such a fashion that the medicament and ampoule containers 2 can be clamped by their small side into the grooves 3. As well as this the grooves 3 have over a part of their length depressions 12 for dosage beakers 13 so that according to choice th0 medicament and ampoule container can be inserted in the normal position or vertically in combination with additional dosage beakers.
As already noted above, in the reception part 4 the projections can consist either of complete webs 15 or of a plurality of aligned individual web parts or projections 14 which in each case constitute guidance for the receipt of ampoules, syringes or the like and which can have as shown in Figure 2 inclined or curved walls for engagement with individual dosage beakers.
A medicament and ampoule container which can be inserted into the grooves 3 of the tray according to the invention is shown for example in Figure 6.
By the tray according to the invention the storage and distribution of medicaments in straightforward and certain fashion is facilitated and at the same time a substantial saving of space is achieved. Furthermore by standardisation of the guiding devices on the underside of the tray, a plura-lity of trays can be piled on one another in customary medicament chests, refrigerators or the like.
In the medicament container according to the invention the compart-ments destined to receive the medicaments are provided with prolongations which in the fashion of a smaller adjoining space increase the volume of a ~Q3~i994 compartment. The prolongation can have the form of a channel or chute which branches from any point of the compartment. With a view to good use of the space of a compartment it is however desirable if it branches from the edge region of the compartment.
The prolongation which extends into the region of the label plate remains on the one hand within the dimensions of a medicament container hav-ing a handleable si~e and on the other hand does not adversely affect the use of the label plate for its proper purpose. In this fashion it is possible, while maintaining the handleable dimensions of the medicament container, to put longitudinal medicaments such as large suppositories and ampoules into the medicament container. Also if the end of the longitudinal medicament extending into the prolongation is covered by an adhesive label applied to the label plate, the content of the medicament container can still be deter-mined without opening the transparent cover, since the remaining part of the longitudinal medicament lies in the visible region of the compartment. The device for dispensing medicaments according to the invention thus allows, despite small exterior dimensions, a checkable storage of comparatively large long medicaments such as large suppositories and ampoules.
If particularly long and high medicaments are to be stored in the container, the prolongations suitably have the same depth as the compartment.
If however for storing the longitudinal medicaments the full height - of the compartment is not needed, the prolongations may only be a fraction of the depth of the compartments. The free end of the longitudinal medicament projecting into the container in this case is located a certain distance above the floor of the compartment so that the longitudinal medicament is easily grasped or the space below the freely projecting end of the longitudinal medi-cament can be used for depositing further medicaments such as tablets.
If the prolongations extend through the region of the label plate up to the peripheral rim of the medicament container, there can be stored over-10369~4 all long medicaments the length of which corresponds to the sum of the clearbreadth of the container and the width of the label plate.
If the label plate is constituted by a depressed area bordering on the peripheral rim of the medicament container, which overlays the prolonga-tions and a part of the compartments, then either with the same peripheral measurements of the medicament containers medicaments in large sizes and dimensions can be stored or with a same volume for storage of medicaments smaller peripheral measurements of the medicament containers can be achieved.
In this embodiment, a part of the compartment is taken into the region of the lo label plate.
If the prolongations and a part of the compartment are covered by the label applied to the label plate, the label has a size which also gives longer medications sufficient space.
.
Writing on the label after application to the label plate can have certain difficulties associated therewith if the portion to be written on lies over a prolongation or over a part of the compartment. A possible necessary inscription of the label already applied to the label plate can however be carried out without any difficulties if the label plate constituted by the depressed area is covered with a ~preferably transparent foil on to which the label is applied.
If the slideably arranged cover on the medicament container is a sliding lid, which in closed condition extends over the container and is con-stituted as a grip, then the container can also be opened with a small force.
Doubt over the correct sequence of compartments which are to be opened one after another and of medicaments to be taken can be eliminated by providing that the medicament container has an element which only allows the sliding off of the sliding lid in one direction.
As shown in Figure 6, the medicament container 100 has a lower part 20 and a slideable transparent sliding lid 110 on the lower part 20. The lower part 20 of the medicament container lOO consists in the embodiment il-lustrated of five compartments 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 lying in a row which are characterised by order figures lt to ~. The medicament container can however also have more or less than five compartments. It has however been shown in practice that a medicament container with five compartments is a very convenient si~e.
Each of the compartments has a prolongation 80 which begins in the region of the edge of the compartment and extends up to the peripheral rim of the lower part 20. The prolongation 80 has the form of a channel or a , chute, of which one side wall merges into the side wall of the compartment.
In the embodiment illustrated, the prolongation 80 has a lesser depth than its respective compartment. However, embodiments can also be conceived in which the prolongation 80 has the same depth as its respective compartment.
The lower part 20 has a label plate 90 in the form of a support surface, which overlies the pro-ongations 80 and a part of the compartments 30 to 70. One cou7d also say that the label plate 90 is interrupted by the prolongations 80 and a part of the compartments 30 to 70 for short distances.
The label plate which is constructed.in the form of a supporting surface is somewhat sunken relative to the peripheral rim of the medicament container.
The sunken label plate 90 serves for the receipt of self-adhesive labels or slide in labels 140.
The labels 140 applied to the label plate 90 serve for an ur~mbiguous identification of the patient with his ward position and to characterise the medication. The labels 40 are divided into five fields, which correspond to the five compartments 30 to 70 of the medicament container, wherein the indi-vidual fields of the labels lie opposite the respective compartments of the container and as the container -is provided with the same corresponding order numbers. Each field of the label contains the medication for the medicaments storet in the respective compartment of the container. If the medicament con-103~ 4 tainer for example is provided with six compartments~ the label 140 pre-ferably has six fields. An optimal use of space of the medicament container is obtained if the label 140 has a size corresponding to that of the label plate 90 and extends up to the peripheral edge of the lower part. The label 140 can also be laid around the peripheral edge, whereby simultaneously good anchorage of the label with the medicament container is achieved.
The lower part 2 of the medicament containers 100 has in front of the compartment with order number 1l a rib 150 which serves as a stop for the sliding lid 110. The rib 150 guarantees that the sliding lid 110 can only be slid off or pulled off from the lower part 20 of the container 100 in a way in which the individual compartments are freed in the sequence of the order numbers from 1~ increasing.
The sliding lid 110 has on its two longitudinal sides bent round guide edges 120 which elastically engage the peripheral edges of the longi-tudinal sides of the lower part 20. The sliding lid 110 with its elastically constructed guide edges 120 seals not only the compartments 30 to 70 of the container 100 ;-~but also hinders loss of the label 140.
If a label 140 already applied to the label plate 90 is to be written on, difficulties can arise if the place to be written on lies over a prolongation 80 or over a part of a compartment~ In order to enable writing on a label 140 already located on the label plate 90, the label plate 90 can be covered with a preferably transparent foil 130. The label 140 is then applied on to the transparent foil which has sufficient stiffness and con-stitutes a useable underlay for the label to be written on.
The label 140 which is applied to the label plate 90 or the trans-parent foil 130 can be an easily removable self-adhesive label, which after the medicaments stored in ~he medicament container have been taken can again be pulled away from the label plate 90 or the transparent foil 130 and which can be adhered by a second adherence to a temperature chart, the account sheet 103699'~
or the like. The label can in this fashion fulfill two purposes simultan-eously. First it serves for dispensing the medicament to be taken and then it constitutes a document for the actual receipt of the medicament by the patient. The medication entered on the label thus only needs to be written down once, which saves working time, and transfer errors on the temperature chart, account sheet or the like are avoided.
The operation of the sliding lid 110 can be substantially facili-tated if the sliding lid in the fully closed condition projects over the lower part 20 or according to choice is provided with a gripping groove or - 10 gripping edge.
In Swiss Patent Specification 544546 trays for transporting a plurality of medicament holders are described~which are so constructed that the medicament holders can be stuck therein with gentle clamping engagement, wherein the label plates bearing identification visibly extend upwardly from the tray.
In such a tray, there can be arranged relative to each of these-medicament containexs a depression for a cup to take the medicine.
In dispensing medicaments to patients in large hospitals, nursing homes or the like there exists the danger that medicament will be exchanged and the wrong drug dispensed to the patient or the dispensing being carried out at the wrong point in time or with the wrong doce. In addition, in modern therapy the patient is often prescribed at the same time a plurality of both solid, liquid and powdery medicaments, which each have to be trans-ported in closed dosage beakers. While with the previously known tabletsthere was only the possibility provided of a single dose beaker per patient, this often gave rise to difficulties. Particularly it should be noted that the drinking vessels such as dosage beakers must be arranged clearly visibly relative to the respective medicament container and must be kept in their correct arrangement. Corresponding considerations apply for the arrangement of syringes which must be provided individually for each patient having re-gard to their capacity, cannula thickness or the like. Furthermore there are requirements in practice for standardising the transport units, i.e. the trays, in order that these transport trays cannot~be simply put on transport ~0369~4 trolleys but can also be s'Lid without difficulty into medicament chests and refrigerators. A further requirement consists in the fact that such trays should be very stable and manufacturable at low cost.
The object of the invention is accordingLy to provide a device for storage and distributing medicaments whereby the previously noted require-ments are fulfilled in more satisfactory fashion.
The solution of this problem results according to the invention in the creation of a device for storing and distributing medicaments which com-prises a receiving tray with parallel extending grooves and a plurality of lo medicament containers arranged systematically in the grooves which contain in separate compartments the dosage units for a patient for a period of time and which have a surface which can be provided with an inscription, and wherein the tray has a receiving part connected to the grooves in which there are arranged receiving devices for ampoules, syringes or dosage beakers or the like each in alignment with a groove and limited by projections consisting of continuous webs or a plurality of individual web parts or projecting portions.
According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention ~he medicament container comprises a row of separate compartments for the receipt of successively to be taken medicaments and a label plate running paral'Lel to the longitudinal direction of the compartments and a transparent firm'Ly sealing slid~ably arranged cover. Particularly for this, the compart-ments of the medicament container have a prolongation for the receipt of long medicaments such as ampoules, suppositories and large unpacked medicaments, which extends over the region of the label plate.
In particular, the label plate of the medicament container which runs parallel to the compartments forms with the compartments lying in a row an inseparable unit that serves for the receipt of a label or adhesive label on which the personal data of the patient and the medication belonging to the ' ~036994 individual compartment can be entered. The container has a peripheral rim bridging the compartments and the support plate on which the transparent cover is slideably arranged which tightly seals the compartments and allows visual checking of the individual compartments.
If the transparent cover of a filled medicament container is slid away, the individual compartments of the container are freed according to the sequence so that the dispensing and taking of the medicaments automatically takes place in the correct sequence. The self-adhesive label provided on the label plate allows rapid control of the correct arrangement of a medica-ment container relative to the patient as well as a simple check of the medi-cation so that an inadvertent exchange of medicament containers is excluded and each patient in fact receives the medicament destined for him at the right point in time and at the right dose.
me medicament containers are arranged in a systematic order on the receipt tray so that the person charged with distributing the medicaments has a clear view and with one issue of medicament can serve a plurality of patients, without ha~-ing to go back to the preparation room. me medicament containers are preferably so placed in the parallel grooves of the receipt tray lying behind one another that the transparent cover of the medicament container lies essentially perpendicularly on the receipt tray. The medicament con-tainers are for this so put on the receipt tray that the compartments touch the receipt tray and the label plate provided with the self-adhesive label stands freely upwardly and has the action of an easily readable tab as in card-indexes. In this way a plurality of medicament containers can be ar-ranged so that they can all be viewed but take up only a small space.
The size of the medicament containers is determined inter alia by the necessary measurements of the self-adhesive label for the date and medi-cation of the patient. me predominantly administered medicaments such as tablets have a size which allows satisfactory and handleable dimensions of the compartments and medicament containers.
The invention is further illustrat;ed by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a tray according to the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of the tray according to the invention in plan view;
Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the tray according to the invention;
Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of the tray according to the invention in section;
Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of the tray according to the invention in plan, and Figure 6 shows a suitable medicament and ampoule container accord-ing to the invention.
Referring to Figure 1 the tray for storage and distribution of medi-caments according to the invention has grooves 3 extending parallel to its longitudinal direction for the receipt of closed medicament containers 2, which contain in separate compartments 1 to 5 the dcsage units for a patient~
for example per day and which are so placed in the grooves 3 that the indicia bearing surface can easily be viewed. In each case the groove 3 passes into a depression 15 in a reception part 4 which serves for the receipt of drinking ampoules, syringes, dosage beakers or the like. As shown in Figure 1, these depressions are surrounded by web or guide parts 15, the height of which coin-cides with the surface of the part carrying the grooves 3. These guide parts can however also be interrupted as e.g. is shown by the parts denoted 14 in Figure ~.
In Figure 2 another embodiment of the reception part 4 is illustra-ted in which the reception part 4 is constructed over large areas depressed 10369g4 relative to the surface of the part carrying the grooves 3 and wherein stand-ing places 5 are provided for medicament beakers and longitudinal channels 6 for the receipt of large drink ampoules, syringes or the like, which are surrounded in each case by projecting guide parts 14.
According to a particular embodiment the receiving part 4 is ex-changeably set in an aperture of the tray 1.
Figure 3 shows in side section the part of the tray according to the invention bearing the grooves 3. As is evident, in this embodiment an upper part 7 is so connected by adhesion with a lower part 8 that the grooves 3 are under a certain tension and by means of this they give the tray an in-creased rigidity and particularly bending resistance. In this fashion it is also possible to provide that the grooves 3 constitute a resiliently elastic seat for the receipt of the medicament containers.
The reference numeral la denotes a raised rim surrounding the tray.
Further it is shown in Figure 3 that the tray 1 has on its lower side a guiding frame 9 by means of which lateral holding is possible on all four sides of the tray in the carrier decks of transport trollies, medicament chests, refrigerators or similar devices. These guiding frames are suitably constructed in agreement with standard measurements of the carrier decks of these hospital devices.
If desired in place of the above noted guiding frame 9 there can be provided on the rear side of the tray a peripheral guide groove 11~ as shown in Figure 4. If such a tray is slid into transport trollies, medicament cases, refrigerators or s;m;lar devices in hospitals, in this case a carrier bar 10 of these devices engages in the guide groove 11.
The raised rim la surrounding the frame (compare Figure 1) serves to guarantee safe transport of the medicaments.
The upper part 7 and the lower part 8 are suitably connected to-gether by slightly dissolving the contact surfaces with a solvent and pressing 103699~
them together in this dissolved state.
Suitably in this the grooves 3 extending the upper part up to the surface of the lower part 8 and are connected firmly therewith at their contact surfaces.
Figure 5 shows in plan a further embodiment of the tray according to the invention in which the grooves 3 are constructed in such a fashion that the medicament and ampoule containers 2 can be clamped by their small side into the grooves 3. As well as this the grooves 3 have over a part of their length depressions 12 for dosage beakers 13 so that according to choice th0 medicament and ampoule container can be inserted in the normal position or vertically in combination with additional dosage beakers.
As already noted above, in the reception part 4 the projections can consist either of complete webs 15 or of a plurality of aligned individual web parts or projections 14 which in each case constitute guidance for the receipt of ampoules, syringes or the like and which can have as shown in Figure 2 inclined or curved walls for engagement with individual dosage beakers.
A medicament and ampoule container which can be inserted into the grooves 3 of the tray according to the invention is shown for example in Figure 6.
By the tray according to the invention the storage and distribution of medicaments in straightforward and certain fashion is facilitated and at the same time a substantial saving of space is achieved. Furthermore by standardisation of the guiding devices on the underside of the tray, a plura-lity of trays can be piled on one another in customary medicament chests, refrigerators or the like.
In the medicament container according to the invention the compart-ments destined to receive the medicaments are provided with prolongations which in the fashion of a smaller adjoining space increase the volume of a ~Q3~i994 compartment. The prolongation can have the form of a channel or chute which branches from any point of the compartment. With a view to good use of the space of a compartment it is however desirable if it branches from the edge region of the compartment.
The prolongation which extends into the region of the label plate remains on the one hand within the dimensions of a medicament container hav-ing a handleable si~e and on the other hand does not adversely affect the use of the label plate for its proper purpose. In this fashion it is possible, while maintaining the handleable dimensions of the medicament container, to put longitudinal medicaments such as large suppositories and ampoules into the medicament container. Also if the end of the longitudinal medicament extending into the prolongation is covered by an adhesive label applied to the label plate, the content of the medicament container can still be deter-mined without opening the transparent cover, since the remaining part of the longitudinal medicament lies in the visible region of the compartment. The device for dispensing medicaments according to the invention thus allows, despite small exterior dimensions, a checkable storage of comparatively large long medicaments such as large suppositories and ampoules.
If particularly long and high medicaments are to be stored in the container, the prolongations suitably have the same depth as the compartment.
If however for storing the longitudinal medicaments the full height - of the compartment is not needed, the prolongations may only be a fraction of the depth of the compartments. The free end of the longitudinal medicament projecting into the container in this case is located a certain distance above the floor of the compartment so that the longitudinal medicament is easily grasped or the space below the freely projecting end of the longitudinal medi-cament can be used for depositing further medicaments such as tablets.
If the prolongations extend through the region of the label plate up to the peripheral rim of the medicament container, there can be stored over-10369~4 all long medicaments the length of which corresponds to the sum of the clearbreadth of the container and the width of the label plate.
If the label plate is constituted by a depressed area bordering on the peripheral rim of the medicament container, which overlays the prolonga-tions and a part of the compartments, then either with the same peripheral measurements of the medicament containers medicaments in large sizes and dimensions can be stored or with a same volume for storage of medicaments smaller peripheral measurements of the medicament containers can be achieved.
In this embodiment, a part of the compartment is taken into the region of the lo label plate.
If the prolongations and a part of the compartment are covered by the label applied to the label plate, the label has a size which also gives longer medications sufficient space.
.
Writing on the label after application to the label plate can have certain difficulties associated therewith if the portion to be written on lies over a prolongation or over a part of the compartment. A possible necessary inscription of the label already applied to the label plate can however be carried out without any difficulties if the label plate constituted by the depressed area is covered with a ~preferably transparent foil on to which the label is applied.
If the slideably arranged cover on the medicament container is a sliding lid, which in closed condition extends over the container and is con-stituted as a grip, then the container can also be opened with a small force.
Doubt over the correct sequence of compartments which are to be opened one after another and of medicaments to be taken can be eliminated by providing that the medicament container has an element which only allows the sliding off of the sliding lid in one direction.
As shown in Figure 6, the medicament container 100 has a lower part 20 and a slideable transparent sliding lid 110 on the lower part 20. The lower part 20 of the medicament container lOO consists in the embodiment il-lustrated of five compartments 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 lying in a row which are characterised by order figures lt to ~. The medicament container can however also have more or less than five compartments. It has however been shown in practice that a medicament container with five compartments is a very convenient si~e.
Each of the compartments has a prolongation 80 which begins in the region of the edge of the compartment and extends up to the peripheral rim of the lower part 20. The prolongation 80 has the form of a channel or a , chute, of which one side wall merges into the side wall of the compartment.
In the embodiment illustrated, the prolongation 80 has a lesser depth than its respective compartment. However, embodiments can also be conceived in which the prolongation 80 has the same depth as its respective compartment.
The lower part 20 has a label plate 90 in the form of a support surface, which overlies the pro-ongations 80 and a part of the compartments 30 to 70. One cou7d also say that the label plate 90 is interrupted by the prolongations 80 and a part of the compartments 30 to 70 for short distances.
The label plate which is constructed.in the form of a supporting surface is somewhat sunken relative to the peripheral rim of the medicament container.
The sunken label plate 90 serves for the receipt of self-adhesive labels or slide in labels 140.
The labels 140 applied to the label plate 90 serve for an ur~mbiguous identification of the patient with his ward position and to characterise the medication. The labels 40 are divided into five fields, which correspond to the five compartments 30 to 70 of the medicament container, wherein the indi-vidual fields of the labels lie opposite the respective compartments of the container and as the container -is provided with the same corresponding order numbers. Each field of the label contains the medication for the medicaments storet in the respective compartment of the container. If the medicament con-103~ 4 tainer for example is provided with six compartments~ the label 140 pre-ferably has six fields. An optimal use of space of the medicament container is obtained if the label 140 has a size corresponding to that of the label plate 90 and extends up to the peripheral edge of the lower part. The label 140 can also be laid around the peripheral edge, whereby simultaneously good anchorage of the label with the medicament container is achieved.
The lower part 2 of the medicament containers 100 has in front of the compartment with order number 1l a rib 150 which serves as a stop for the sliding lid 110. The rib 150 guarantees that the sliding lid 110 can only be slid off or pulled off from the lower part 20 of the container 100 in a way in which the individual compartments are freed in the sequence of the order numbers from 1~ increasing.
The sliding lid 110 has on its two longitudinal sides bent round guide edges 120 which elastically engage the peripheral edges of the longi-tudinal sides of the lower part 20. The sliding lid 110 with its elastically constructed guide edges 120 seals not only the compartments 30 to 70 of the container 100 ;-~but also hinders loss of the label 140.
If a label 140 already applied to the label plate 90 is to be written on, difficulties can arise if the place to be written on lies over a prolongation 80 or over a part of a compartment~ In order to enable writing on a label 140 already located on the label plate 90, the label plate 90 can be covered with a preferably transparent foil 130. The label 140 is then applied on to the transparent foil which has sufficient stiffness and con-stitutes a useable underlay for the label to be written on.
The label 140 which is applied to the label plate 90 or the trans-parent foil 130 can be an easily removable self-adhesive label, which after the medicaments stored in ~he medicament container have been taken can again be pulled away from the label plate 90 or the transparent foil 130 and which can be adhered by a second adherence to a temperature chart, the account sheet 103699'~
or the like. The label can in this fashion fulfill two purposes simultan-eously. First it serves for dispensing the medicament to be taken and then it constitutes a document for the actual receipt of the medicament by the patient. The medication entered on the label thus only needs to be written down once, which saves working time, and transfer errors on the temperature chart, account sheet or the like are avoided.
The operation of the sliding lid 110 can be substantially facili-tated if the sliding lid in the fully closed condition projects over the lower part 20 or according to choice is provided with a gripping groove or - 10 gripping edge.
Claims (19)
1. In a device for storing and distributing medica-ments which comprises a tray having a set of parallel extending grooves and a plurality of medicament containers systematically arranged in the grooves, each of which contains in separate compartments the dosage units for a patient for a period of time and which have a visible surface with a label, the improvement which comprises providing connected with each groove a receiving part in which is arranged, in alignment with each groove, at least one receiving device for ampoules, syringes and dosage beakers limited by projections.
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein each medicament container comprises a row of separate com-partments for the receipt of successively to be dispensed medicaments and a label plate running parallel to the length of the row and a transparent tightly sealing slidable cover.
3. A device according to claim 2 wherein each compartment has at least one prolongation for the receipt of longitudinal medicaments such as ampoules, suppositories, and large unpacked medicaments, which extends in the re-gion of the label plate.
4. A device according to claim 3 wherein the prolongations of the compartments have the same depth as the compartments.
5. A device according to claim 3 wherein the prolongations of the compartments are only a fraction of the depth of the compartments.
6. A device according to claim 3 wherein the prolongations extend over the region of the label plate up to the peripheral rim of the medica-ment container.
7. A device according to claim 3 wherein the label plate is constituted by a sunken area bordering on the peripheral region of the medicament con-tainer which is overlaid by the prolongations and part of the compartments.
8. A device according to claim 3 wherein the prolongations and a part of the compartments of the medicament container are covered by a label applied to the label plate.
9. A device according to claim 7 wherein the label plate constituted by the sunken area is covered by a preferably transparent foil onto which a label can be applied.
.
.
10. A device according to claim 2 wherein the slidable cover is a sliding lid which in the closed condition extends over the container and is adapted to be gripped.
11. A device according to claim 2 wherein the medicament container has an element which allows the cover to be slid off in only one direction.
12. A device according to claim 1 wherein the receiving part of the tray is constructed over substantial areas lowered relative to the surface of the part carrying the grooves.
13. A device according to claim 1 wherein the receiving part is set exchangeably in an aperture in the tray.
14. A device according to claim 1 wherein on the underside of the tray there is provided a projecting guiding frame.
15. A device according to claim 1 wherein the underside of the tray has a peripheral guide groove.
16. A device according to claim 1 wherein the tray has a peripheral raised rim.
17. A device according to claim 1 herein the tray consists of an upper part and a lower .
part firmly connected together.
part firmly connected together.
18. A device according to claim 17 wherein the grooves extend from the upper part of the tray up to the surface of the lower part and are firmly connected therewith.
19. A device according to claim 1 wherein in the grooves of the tray there is present at least one broadened depression for the receipt of a dosage beaker.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CH585775 | 1975-05-09 | ||
| DE19762617540 DE2617540A1 (en) | 1976-04-22 | 1976-04-22 | Hospital storage rack for prepd. doses of medicine - in multicompartment containers indicating sequence of doses to be administered |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1036994A true CA1036994A (en) | 1978-08-22 |
Family
ID=25698526
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA251,994A Expired CA1036994A (en) | 1975-05-09 | 1976-05-07 | Device for storing and distributing medicaments |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU1374476A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1036994A (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2310123A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1538327A (en) |
| NL (1) | NL7604915A (en) |
| NO (1) | NO761585L (en) |
| SE (1) | SE7605231L (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2519242A1 (en) * | 1982-01-05 | 1983-07-08 | Boiron Lab Sa | Chest of drawers for medicines - uses drawers with grid upstands on floor and partitions forming phial width compartments |
| GB2187587A (en) * | 1986-03-07 | 1987-09-09 | Camden Graphics Limited | Greetings card display |
-
1976
- 1976-05-06 FR FR7613543A patent/FR2310123A1/en active Granted
- 1976-05-07 NL NL7604915A patent/NL7604915A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1976-05-07 SE SE7605231A patent/SE7605231L/en unknown
- 1976-05-07 CA CA251,994A patent/CA1036994A/en not_active Expired
- 1976-05-07 GB GB18902/76A patent/GB1538327A/en not_active Expired
- 1976-05-07 NO NO761585A patent/NO761585L/no unknown
- 1976-05-07 AU AU13744/76A patent/AU1374476A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| NO761585L (en) | 1976-11-10 |
| SE7605231L (en) | 1976-11-10 |
| GB1538327A (en) | 1979-01-17 |
| AU1374476A (en) | 1977-11-10 |
| FR2310123A1 (en) | 1976-12-03 |
| FR2310123B3 (en) | 1979-03-16 |
| NL7604915A (en) | 1976-11-11 |
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