DE102016014949A1 - Device for delivering pre-dosed medication portions to a patient - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for delivering pre-dosed portions of medication to a patient, the device having a carrier with a plurality of receptacles for the portions, which are distributed in a grid pattern on the carrier, wherein the device further comprises a base with a socket and a control unit, wherein the Holder is adapted to receive the carrier reversibly in a predefined position, and wherein the control unit is adapted to appoint recordings of the carrier inserted into the socket at times at which the patient is to take medication from these recordings.

Description

The invention relates to a device for providing pre-dosed medication portions to a patient, wherein the device has a carrier with a plurality of receptacles for the portions, which are distributed in a grid pattern on the carrier. The invention further relates to a method for operating such a device.

Tablet boxes with grid-shaped receptacles for drugs have been known for a long time in a variety of designs. The medication portions arranged in the individual receptacles should be taken by the patient at certain times. Among other things, an improved compliance in terms of taking the medication to be achieved. In many older patients or general forgetful patients, however, non-compliance also very often occurs when using the tablet boxes.

The object of the invention is to provide a device with which the compliance in the intake of drugs can be improved.

Against this background, the invention relates to a device for providing pre-dosed portions of medication to a patient, the device having a carrier with a plurality of receptacles for the portions, which are distributed in a grid pattern on the carrier, wherein the device further comprises a base with a socket and a control unit, wherein the socket is adapted to receive the carrier reversibly in a predefined position, and wherein the control unit is designed to appoint recordings of the carrier inserted into the socket at times when the patient is to take medication from these recordings.

The control unit is thus designed to name a first recording at a first intake time, to designate a second intake at a second intake time, to designate a third intake at a third intake time, and so on. Thus, the intake times and the portions of medication to be taken can be communicated to the patient on the basis of the device. The intake times are typically time intervals that start at a certain time and during which an intake should take place.

For example, the pre-dosed portion of medication may be a tablet or a collection of multiple tablets that a patient must take at a given time. Also, certain portions of liquid drugs or portions of drugs in other dosage forms (suppositories, etc.) can be arranged in the recordings.

It can be provided that information is stored on the control unit when the patient has to take the medication from which receptacle of the wearer.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the carrier has a flat shape and the receptacles are distributed in a grid pattern over the surface of the carrier, wherein it is preferably provided that the carrier comprises detachably inserted into the receptacles inserts for the drugs, which is preferably provided. The basic shape of the planar support may be rectangular, for example. The raster can be an n times m raster with n≥1 and m≥1. An example includes a 4x7 grid for the morning, noon, evening and night times on all days of a week.

The use of separate inserts for the drugs has the advantage that no cleaning of the images of the wearer is required. The inserts are preferably disposable parts. It can be provided that the inserts are trays which are sealed at the top. The recordings may be formed, for example, as breakthroughs in the carrier, in which an insert for the medication is inserted. Thus, the carrier has the shape of a perforated board with inserts inserted in the holes.

Alternatively it can be provided that the recordings represent an integral part of the wearer and have a lid to be reversibly opened and closed, so that the patient or a nursing service can individually fill the receptacles. This essentially corresponds to the execution of known tablet boxes.

The carrier may for example be inserted or locked in the socket. In one embodiment, it is provided that the socket has a bottom, on which the carrier used rests, wherein preferably sensors and / or signal elements are arranged on the bottom, more preferably at all those points which are below a receptacle of the inserted carrier. This allows, for example, an individual recording of fillings of individual recordings and an individual naming of individual recordings. Suitable sensors and signal elements will be discussed in detail later.

In an embodiment, it is provided that the device comprises a graphical user interface which is fixedly or removably arranged on the base. The graphical user interface can be a touch-sensitive screen include. Preferably, the graphical user interface also includes speakers for sound output. The user interface may include input means instead of a touch screen or in addition to a touch screen. At the user interface different information regarding the medication intake and the therapy as well as general information about time, date etc. can be output.

In the case of a detachable user interface, the base may include a docking station for plugging in the user interface. The detachable user interface can also be, for example, a mobile phone with a corresponding app. If the user interface is removable, both the base and the user interface must have an interface for wireless communication. The removable user interface has the advantage that information can be transmitted to the patient even when he is not in the vicinity of the base.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the device comprises a camera. The camera can be arranged on the base and in particular on the user interface.

In an embodiment, it is provided that the base has an interface for communication with an external subscriber and / or with the user interface. Suitable interfaces include those for connections via WLAN, Ethernet, mobile network, etc. Preferably, these interfaces are designed so that an encrypted communication can take place. Thus, for example, it can be achieved that the device receives information about a new medication or a new carrier from a pharmacy or central dispensing office. Furthermore, it can be achieved, for example, that a voice telephone connection and, if a camera is present, a video telephone connection with an external subscriber can be set up.

In one embodiment, the device comprises an emergency button, upon actuation of which an external subscriber is notified, an alarm is triggered and / or a telephone connection is set up. The emergency button may be located, for example, on the touch-sensitive screen or at another location on the user interface or generally the base. It can be provided that the device has a GPS receiver in order to be able to also transmit a position signal in the event of an emergency.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the device has a light source and the control unit is designed to illuminate the recordings individually. In this embodiment, the naming of the images thus takes place by visual highlighting, for example by illumination or backlighting. Preferably, the light sources are arranged on the base. In principle, however, their arrangement on the carrier and current from the base out conceivable. Suitable light sources include, for example, LEDs.

It can be provided that a plurality of light sources are provided and each recording is associated with a light source. It is preferably provided that the receptacles of the carrier are formed on the underside of transparent or open and at the bottom of the socket at all those points light sources are arranged, which are below a receptacle of the carrier used. Thus, individual shots can be backlit from below.

Alternatively, it can also be provided, for example, that the naming of the recordings takes place by way of an optical and / or acoustic indication on a user interface.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the device has a means for detecting the filling of the receptacles, and that the control unit is designed to output a signal if a receptacle is not emptied during the intake time and / or if a receptacle is outside the intake time is emptied. For example, therefore, a signal can be output when a recording is not emptied after a defined period of time from the onset of the intake time, because the patient has forgotten to take, for example. Furthermore, it can be provided that a signal is output if the patient erroneously empties the wrong recording.

Suitable means include sensors such as capacitive sensors. In one embodiment, the sensors can be arranged on the bottom of the socket at all those points which lie below a receptacle of the inserted carrier. Thus, the loading conditions of individual recordings can be detected. Alternatively, the means may also be the camera of the device, wherein the control unit is designed such that the image data of the camera are read out in order to detect the filling or emptying of the recordings.

The signal may be, for example, an optical or acoustic signal. For example, emptying the receptacle may correspond to removal of an insert from the receptacle. The signal can be output using the light source or the user interface. So can an optical and / or optical Warning signal is output at the user interface. A detachable user interface can also vibrate. Alternatively or additionally, the lighting of the recording may change. Furthermore, signal output via the communication interface to an external subscriber such as a relative or nursing service is possible.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the control unit is designed such that the signal is changed with increasing deviation from the intake time and preferably intensified. The change can take place, for example, in stages. For example, the illumination of the recording may first change, for example, as it becomes more intense, changes color, or begins to flash. If emptying of the recording still does not take place, an optical and / or acoustic signal can be output at the user interface. If nothing happens, an external subscriber can be called or alerted. It may be that the patient is prevented from taking the medication by an incident.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the control unit is designed such that additional signals are emitted as the deviation from the time of ingestion increases. For example, it may be provided that, after a certain period of time, an acoustic signal is emitted in addition to the optical signal.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the carrier comprises a label and the base comprises a reader for reading this label, wherein the control unit is preferably designed to output a signal when the recognized label deviates from a desired label. The signal can be as described above. For example, the label may be a barcode and the reader may be a barcode reader. Furthermore, the label may be, for example, an RFID transponder and the reader may be an RFID reader. On the control unit information can be stored, which identifier the carrier should have. This information can be obtained via the communication unit from an external subscriber such as a pharmacy. Thus, when exchanging the carrier confusion can be excluded, which in particular can facilitate work in retirement homes or the work of mobile care services.

In an embodiment, it is provided that the device comprises a card reading unit for, for example, patient data. For example, a collection routine can be read.

In an embodiment, it is provided that the base comprises a sensor which can detect whether the carrier is correctly inserted into the receptacle. Examples of suitable sensors include, for example, reed sensors.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the base and / or the carrier have a tilt sensor, with which it can be detected whether the inclination of the filled carrier exceeds a certain maximum, for example 70 ° or 80 °. The control unit may be configured to output a warning signal if an overshoot of the maximum has been detected. Thus it can be prevented that, for example, inserts fall unrecognized from the carrier.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the base has a battery. Thus, the device can be carried over a certain period, for example, if the patient is not at home.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the device has a temperature sensor and the control unit is designed to output a warning signal when an exceeding of a defined maximum temperature has been detected. Thus, improper storage of the drugs can be prevented.

Before the above-mentioned background, the invention further relates to a method for operating a device according to the invention, wherein a loaded with drugs carrier is inserted into the socket of the base and the recordings of the inserted into the socket carrier are named at times when the patient medication to take these pictures. In general, during operation of the device according to the invention, provision may be made for the steps to be carried out in accordance with the design of the control unit.

In one embodiment, when using the device according to the invention, it may be provided that in a pharmacy a carrier is filled with medicaments individually matched to the patient. This carrier is then brought to the patient who has a base with a temporarily emptied carrier with him. The emptied carrier is removed and the loaded carrier used. If the carrier comprises a label and the base comprises a reading device for reading out this label, it can be provided that the pharmacy, after filling the new carrier, sends its identifier to the base located at the patient. Upon insertion, it is then detected whether the correct carrier has been inserted into the correct base unit.

• 1: eine perspektivische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;
• 2: eine perspektivische Ansicht der Basis dieser Vorrichtung; und
• 3: eine weitere perspektivische Ansicht der Basis dieser Vorrichtung.

Further details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the embodiment described below with reference to FIGS. In the figures show:

• 1 a perspective view of a device according to the invention;
• 2 a perspective view of the base of this device; and
• 3 : Another perspective view of the base of this device.

In the figures, a device according to the invention is shown, generally with the reference numeral 1 is marked. The device 1 consists of two parts, namely a base 20 and a carrier inserted in the base 10 ,

The carrier 10 is made of plastic and has a rectangular, flat shape. At its top it includes a cover plate 11 with a plurality of breakthroughs 12 , which are arranged in a regular 4x7 grid. In the breakthroughs 12 are inserts 13 used. At the inserts 13 These are blistered disposable plastic trays, with their upper peripheral edge at the edges of the openings 12 being held. In the inserts 13 there are medications. At the front, the carrier points 10 a labeling surface 14 on which a label with different data is attached to a patient. Furthermore, the carrier comprises 10 a non-visible RFID transponder.

The base 20 includes a version 21 in which the carrier 10 is inserted. The socket has a flat bottom 22 with a variety of light and sensor buttons 23 on, which are also arranged in a regular 4 × 7 grid. The grid corresponds to that grid of breakthroughs 12 on the carrier 10 , Accordingly sits under every breakthrough 12 or use 13 of the inserted carrier 10 a light and sensor button 23 , Each of the light and sensor buttons 23 includes an LED and a capacitive sensor. The version 21 is on three sides of Stegen 24 framed and has at the open front two retaining projections 25 on, in corresponding depressions in the carrier 10 intervene to the insertion position of the wearer 10 in the version 21 to fix.

At the back of the base 20 is a graphical user interface 26 arranged with a touch screen, a camera, not shown, and speakers also not shown. In the body of the base 20 is a non-visible control unit arranged with a processor, a memory and an interface for wireless communication via Wi-Fi and mobile network. The control unit is equipped with the light and sensor buttons 23 and with the user interface 26 connected. At the back of the base 20 are diverse plugs 27 arranged for power lines and cable connections leading to the control unit. In addition, an RFID reader is arranged in the body, which is also in communication with the control unit and the TFID transponder on the carrier 10 can recognize.

On the screen of the user interface 26 Diverse information such as time, date and time of the next medication intake are displayed. Furthermore, an emergency button is visualized on the screen. Upon touching the screen at the appropriate location, a cellular connection is established with a pre-set external contact, such as a relative of the patient or a caregiver.

Information stored in the memory of the control unit is received wirelessly by an external contact person. This information includes information about the wearer's RFID tag and information about when the patient made the medication out of which breakthrough 12 of the carrier 10 should take.

In operation of the device 1 becomes the carrier 10 in a pharmacy or by a nursing service by means of a prescription for a particular patient with medication. This is done so that drug filled and blistered disposable plastic trays 13 into the breakthroughs 12 be used. On the label area 14 a label is glued to the patient's data. The RFID tag of the wearer is then read by a reader at the pharmacy or nursing service and shared with information as to when the patient is taking the medication from which breakthrough 12 of the carrier 10 to take, wireless to the patient set up, unfilled or with an empty carrier 10 equipped base 20 Posted. The information when the patient the medication from which breakthrough 12 of the carrier 10 is to derive the pharmacy or nursing service from the regulation. For example, with the carrier's 4x7 grid, you can set four intake times (eg, morning, noon, evening and night) over a period of one week. It is also possible to set two intake times (eg morning and evening) over a period of two weeks or one time of taking (eg in the morning) over a period of four weeks.

The filled carrier 10 is then physically brought by a nursing service to the patient and there in the base 20 used. Unless in the base 20 previously an old carrier 10 is taken, this is removed and transported back to the pharmacy. The base 20 captures the RFID tag of the filled carrier with the RFID reader 10 , If this identifier corresponds to the identifier previously received by the pharmacy or the nursing service, the user interface screen is displayed 26 a message is issued that the correct carrier 10 was used. Otherwise, an audible warning will sound and a message will be displayed on the screen indicating that the wrong carrier 10 was used.

The control unit then marks a first shell at a certain time of administration 13a that in a first breakthrough 12a is arranged at the far left in the carrier 10. The drugs in this shell 13a are intended to be taken at the first administration point after replacement of the carrier. The mark of this shell 13a is done by activating the LED behind the shell 13a arranged button 23a ,

If the patient then the shell 13a Removing from the breakthrough to take the medication, the removal is done by the capacitive sensor of the button 23a detected and the LED goes out. The control unit then waits until the time of administration for another shell, where this process repeats itself.

If with the capacitive sensor of the button 23a however, it is recognized that the patient is the shell 13a after a certain period of time has elapsed, for example after one hour has elapsed after the LED has been activated, the LED starts to flash. If no removal is still detected after another hour, the user interface screen appears 26 a warning icon and the speakers of the user interface 26 periodically emit an audible warning signal. If there is no reaction for another hour, the control unit automatically notifies the nurse and places a video connection between the device 1 and the nursing service over the mobile network ago.

Claims (10)

A device for delivering pre-dosed portions of medication to a patient, the device comprising a carrier with a plurality of receptacles for the portions distributed in a grid pattern on the carrier, characterized in that the device further comprises a base with a socket and a control unit, wherein the socket is formed is to receive the carrier reversibly in a predefined position, and wherein the control unit is adapted to appoint recordings of the carrier inserted into the socket at times when the patient is to take medication from these recordings. Device after Claim 1 , characterized in that the carrier has a flat shape and the receptacles are distributed in a grid pattern over the surface of the carrier, wherein it is preferably provided that the carrier comprises releasably inserted into the receptacles inserts for the medicaments, which is preferably provided. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the socket has a bottom on which rests the carrier used, wherein the bottom preferably sensors and / or signal elements are arranged, more preferably at all those points below a receptacle of the carrier used lie. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises a graphical user interface which is fixedly or detachably arranged on the base, and / or that the device comprises a camera, which is preferably arranged on the base and more preferably on the user interface , Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base has an interface for communication with an external subscriber and / or with the user interface. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device has a light source and the control unit is designed to illuminate the images individually. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device has a means to detect the filling of the recordings, and that the control unit is adapted to output a signal when a recording is not emptied during the intake time and / or if a Intake is emptied outside the intake period. Device after Claim 7 , characterized in that the control unit is designed so that the signal is changed with increasing deviation from the intake time and preferably intensified and / or that with increasing deviation from the time of taking additional signals are output. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier comprises a label and the base comprises a reading device for reading this label, wherein the control unit is preferably formed a Output signal if the recognized label deviates from a nominal label. Method for operating a device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a carrier loaded with medicaments is inserted into the socket of the base and the recordings of the holder inserted into the socket are designated at times when the patient is taking medicaments from these recordings should.

Images