EP3146956A1 - Drug delivery device, as well as a basic body, medicaments compartment and expansion module for a drug delivery device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a drug delivery device. This comprises a base body (1), comprising an inner space for receiving at least one medicine compartment (4), a removal side for removing the at least one medicine compartment (4) from the interior and a direction specification means (5), which the removal of the at least one drug compartment ( 4) allowed from the interior only at the sampling side. Furthermore, the invention comprises a corresponding medication compartment and an expansion module.

Description

1. Technical area

The present invention relates to a drug delivery device, as well as a base, drug compartments and expansion modules for a drug delivery device.

2. Technical background

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 50% of people in developed countries do not take their medication or take it incorrectly. This so-called non-adherence is according to experts as the "largest common disease" at all. In Germany alone, this causes about € 10 billion in unnecessary costs, for example due to avoidable hospital stays (see "Measures to improve compliance or adherence in drug therapy with regard to therapeutic success" by V. Gorenoi et al., HTA Report 65 , 2007). In the US, these unnecessary costs even amount to approximately US $ 290 billion annually (New England Healthcare Institute, 2009). The number of deaths due to a lack of drug therapy safety in Germany is estimated at around 40,000 to 60,000 per year and is thus more than ten times as high as there are road deaths. For this and other reasons, the Federal Ministry of Health will soon introduce a "federal medication plan" for all people who regularly take three or more medications on a regular basis.

For the supply of patients with drugs, various approaches are known from the prior art, of which two are exemplified below: dispensers, ie classic "pill boxes", and the manual or machine Neu-blistering. Although these techniques can be used for certain chemically and mechanically stable drugs, but are completely unsuitable for many drugs in other dosage forms or sensitivities, such as drops, ointments or airway sprays. Thus, 30 to 60 percent of all drugs can neither be blistered, nor fit into one Pill box (DBfK, 2011). In practice, the previous techniques thus always require an additional "system next to the system", which considerably reduces the handling and the overview.

In addition, so-called biologics, which are referred to as "large molecules", have become increasingly important in drug therapy. Due to their chemical and physical properties, they are particularly sensitive and thus completely eliminated for storage in dispensers or for the process of re-blistering.

Both methods mentioned above also have significant health-related disadvantages. Above all, due to the required repackaging process, the protection of the original packaging approved according to the German Medicines Act from, for example, light, air humidity or oxidation, is greatly reduced. In many cases, this leads to a loss of effectiveness or even damage to the patient. In addition, patients also have lower liability claims, as the pharmaceutical manufacturer is typically only liable for medicines in their original packaging. In addition, both methods often use different drugs in the same compartment, creating a risk of cross-reactivity, which can lead to catastrophic health risks.

In the case of dispensers, it is furthermore particularly disadvantageous that these usually follow a very general intake or application pattern (eg "morning-noon-evening-night"), but that individually therapeutically highly relevant finer intake or application times (eg "pre-accession"). after a meal ") can not be easily mapped, which can be a significant enticement to wrong taking time and thus in many cases may result in loss of effect or damage. In addition, conventional dispensers typically have to be filled with relatively great effort on a weekly basis, which represents another significant source of error. It should be noted that, for the sake of simplicity, the terms ingestion, taking pattern, time of taking in, and the like are as follows. (strictly speaking, referring to tablets and the like) and application, application pattern, time of application, and the like. (eg for patches or ointments) are used synonymously, so that is included in naming the one term, the other.

The re-blistering leads to the same-looking packaging of different drugs, which means that the actual contents of the original packaging can no longer be consciously perceived by the nursing staff and / or the patient. As a result, a causal relationship between the administration and the success of the therapy can no longer be established; the medicines are simply distributed, whereby the actual goal, namely a high quality of care, is missed. The de-skilling of nurses associated with the re-blistering is clearly rejected by experts and according to independent studies by more than two-thirds of nurses today. Although it is sometimes believed that the re-blistering can save a great deal of money, it does show that such savings are not primarily due to the re-blistering itself but, for example, avoidance of hospitalization by concomitant medication management.

Furthermore, medicament containers are known from the prior art. For example, the shows WO 2012/110433 A1 and the DE 20 2011 002 902 U1 a medicine container with a monitoring module and a scale. However, such systems are technically complex and therefore can be produced only with great effort.

In addition, the Applicant has developed a drug management system called "mediTimer stationary" specifically for use in inpatient ward offices (e.g., nursing homes, hospitals) comprising a lockable drawer with drawer for each patient. The compartment division here consists of double compartments that can hold all medicines in their original packaging and an additional storage compartment. However, due to its size, this system is only suitable for stationary use.

The present invention is therefore based on the problem to provide a drug delivery device, with which a false medication and the associated significant health risks are prevented as much as possible. Furthermore, it is desirable that such a device allow for protected storage of drugs, be flexibly adapted to the patient's individual needs, be easy to handle, and / or applicable to a variety of drugs available on the market, and thus those referred to above at least partially overcomes disadvantages addressed by the prior art.

3. Summary of the invention

This problem is solved according to one aspect of the invention by a body for a drug delivery device. The main body according to claim 1 comprises an inner space for receiving at least one medicament compartment and a removal side for removing the at least one medicament compartment from the inner space. According to the invention, the main body further comprises a directional presetting means, which allows the removal of the at least one medication compartment from the interior space only at the removal side.

Thus, the basic body according to the invention represents a "tunnel" (preferably made of plastic) in which medicament compartments (preferably also made of plastic) can be moved in the one-way street principle. Characterized in that the main body has an interior space with one or more drug compartments, it is possible to fill this with a number of required for a specific patient medication. If, for example, the patient has to take a drug three times a day, three drug compartments are required, which are arranged in the appropriate order in the main body. The predetermined collection side and the directional prescription agent ensure that the medication is taken in the correct order, because the compartments can only be pushed through the basic body in the specified direction due to the directional preselection, so that only the current compartment is removed on the withdrawal side can be. As a result, the correct revenue sequence is enforced, which losses and health damage can be prevented. The automatically predetermined correct intake scheme makes it possible, for example, even older patients to use the drug delivery device according to the invention independently.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the interior of the base body may be a tunnel-shaped, preferably substantially parallelepiped, interior, so that the at least one medicine compartment can be arranged to move through the base body and in the direction of the removal side. By a cuboid interior and correspondingly shaped drug compartments, for example, several drugs per compartment (ie per administration) can be stored. The cuboid basic shape is also advantageous because, for example, tablet blisters are often rectangular.

In addition, the base body may further include a closure device near the withdrawal side, which allows removal of the at least one drug compartment only in an open position. This makes it possible, for example, to use the drug dispenser also portable and without the risk that the drug compartments are released from the body, safely store them. Furthermore, it can be ensured by the closure device that toddlers who are typically not yet able to open such closures, get no access to the medication and thus possible incorrect revenue can be prevented.

Furthermore, the interior of the main body can have a cross-section such that the at least one medicine compartment can be arranged in the interior only in one predetermined orientation. This prevents the drug compartments from being inserted the wrong way round into the main body and thus preventing the medication from being removed.

Preferably, at least one resilient element is used as direction setting means. As a result, the medicine compartments can only be moved in one direction, so that the medicaments are taken in the correct order, since only the foremost compartment (i.e., the compartment on the withdrawal side) can be removed from the basic body. The resilient element is preferably designed so that it blocks the movement performed by the patient immediately upon a shift of the drug compartments in the wrong direction, so that no medication compartment can be removed from the device.

The present invention may comprise a base body having dimensions, so that two, preferably three, medicine compartments can be arranged in the interior. As a result, the typical intake times, namely "morning noon-evening", covered. Thus, if a user of the drug delivery device only needs a drug three times a day, this basic body is perfectly adequate and practical for him.

Furthermore, the main body can have at least one viewing window arranged on a longitudinal side of the main body, which is arranged so that a time-of-use indicator arranged on the at least one medicament compartment is visible. As a result, individually therapeutically relevant finer intake times (eg at noon before eating) can be marked on the drug delivery device and thus the lead to wrong Ingestion can be prevented. For example, there are medications that should be taken at mealtimes; such features can be imaged very well through the viewing window and promote a maximum good effect of the drugs.

The problem of protected storage of medicaments is solved according to a medicament compartment for a medicament dispenser having an interior for accommodating at least one medicament in its original packaging and a directional presetting means permitting withdrawal of the medicament compartment from an interior of a body only at a withdrawal side of the body.

This makes it possible to maintain the protection of the original packaging approved under the German Medicines Act from, for example, light, atmospheric humidity or oxidation. For example, taking medicines out of their original packaging and storing them elsewhere could result in loss of effect or even damage to the patient. From the point of view of liability law, it is also advantageous to store the medication in the drug dispenser in its original packaging, as pharmaceutical manufacturers are typically only liable for medicines in the original packaging. Furthermore, by storing the medicaments in their original packaging in the interior of the drug delivery device, one can avoid the risk of cross-reactions, since all medicaments are in their original packaging and thus can not react with one another. As already explained above, the prescribed withdrawal side and the directional presetting means ensure that the medicaments are taken in the correct sequence, whereby losses of effect and damage to health can be prevented.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the dimensions of the interior of the medicament compartment are chosen such that at least one package of a medicament from the following group can be arranged: eg tablets, orodispersible tablets, effervescent tablets, effervescent tablets, dragees, capsules, powder capsules, drops, dosing drops, nasal spray , Juices, ampoules, ointment, shake mixture, gel, paste, emulsion, suspension, granule bag, gel bag, inhalation solution, inhalation vials, inhalation capsules, inhalation powder, inhaler, metered dose inhaler, nail varnish, deodorants, pre-filled syringes, solution for injection, Cylinder ampoules, vials and / or suspension for injection. It is understood that the present invention is basically suitable for a variety of other galenics and dosage forms.

Thus, the exemplified groups of drugs in their packaging can be stored compactly within the drug delivery device, thereby greatly improving handling and clarity. For example, it is possible for a patient, who has to store his medication in different places, to forget a medication, which leads to loss of effect and damage to his or her health.

The present invention may include a medicament compartment having an interior having a height of substantially up to 140 mm, preferably substantially up to 120 mm, more preferably substantially up to 100 mm. These dimensions allow all common sizes of original packaging to be accommodated, while at the same time keeping the drug delivery device as small as possible, allowing for easier mobile use. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the height is substantially up to 120 mm, since the largest available on the market 100 ml drop bottle, for example, has a height of 120 mm and thus easily fits into such an inner compartment.

Likewise, the interior of the medicament compartment may have a width of substantially up to 80 mm, preferably of substantially up to 60 mm, and / or a depth of substantially up to 80 mm, preferably of substantially up to 60 mm. These dimensions serve the same purpose as just explained, the aim is to produce the drug delivery device in an optimal size.

It will be understood that the measures referred to above with respect to the medicament compartment may be reflected in compatible dimensions of the interior of the base body described above. For this purpose, the interior of the basic body according to the invention preferably has dimensions in order to be able to receive one or more medicament compartments described here.

Furthermore, the medication compartment can have an open top side and / or at least one side wall which is open at least in part, preferably substantially halfway. As a result, easy removal is possible especially for the elderly or even people with a lack of fine motor skills, so that they can still operate the drug delivery device themselves.

The problem of adapting to patient-specific needs flexibly can be solved by an expansion module for a drug delivery device; this has an interior space for accommodating at least one medicine compartment, a directional specification means which permits a movement of the at least one medication compartment in the interior only in one direction and a connection means for, preferably irreversible, connection of the expansion module to a base body.

By means of such an expansion module, additional administration time points can be imaged, whereby the user of the medication delivery device does not necessarily have to follow a very generalized intake pattern (eg "morning noon-evening night"), but individually therapeutically highly relevant finer administration times (eg "before-after-meal "). The connecting means between the main body, which here represents the base module, and the supplementary module is preferably chosen so that it can not be separated by the user. This prevents, for example, users from accidentally disconnecting a module and not taking the medication contained therein. The connecting element between basic module and supplementary module is thus preferably such that a complete and correct intake of the medication leads to a maximum of good effect on the patient. According to the invention, a plurality of expansion modules can also be attached, as it were, "in series" to the base body, each extension module having the same connectivity for connection to the main body or the "preceding" expansion module. This allows the system to be extended individually for each patient's intake time. Nevertheless, it is ensured that always the "right" next intake time is removed from the front, even with any extensive expansion.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the interior of the expansion module is preferably configured such that, when the expansion module is connected to the base body, an overall interior results, through which the at least one medicine compartment can be pushed. As a result, as described above, further administration times can be added as needed. So that the sliding function of the drug delivery device continues to function with an expansion module, the interior of the expansion module preferably has the same dimensions as the interior of the base body.

Finally, the present invention also provides a drug delivery device comprising a body and at least one medication compartment as described above, which components may comprise all or part of the features described above.

4. Character description

• Fig. 1: Eine Explosionsansicht einer Medikamentenabgabevorrichtung gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• Fig. 2a-c: Perspektivische Ansichten einer Medikamentenabgabevorrichtung gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• Fig. 3a-c: Weitere Ansichten einer Medikamentenabgabevorrichtung gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• Fig. 4a-d: Detailansichten von Richtungsvorgabemitteln und einer Verdrehsicherung gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• Fig. 4e: Eine schematische Ansicht einer alternativen Verdrehsicherung gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• Fig. 5: Eine Detailansicht des Innenraums des Grundkörpers gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• Fig. 6a-c: Verschiedene Ansichten eines Verbindungsmittels für den Grundkörper und ein Erweiterungsmodul gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• Fig. 7a-d, 8a-d und 9a-d: Verschiedene Ansichten einer Verschlussvorrichtung nahe der Entnahmeseite gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• Fig. 10a-b: Detailansichten eines Standfußes mit Halterung und einer Führungskufe gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• Fig. 10c-d: Detailansichten eines Standfußes mit Halterung gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• Fig. 11: Schematische Ansichten verschiedener Fachgrößen gemäß Ausführungsformen der Erfindung;
• Fig. 12a-c: Konzeptdarstellungen von Verschlussvorrichtungen gemäß Ausführungsformen der Erfindung.

In the following the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the attached figures. Show it:

• Fig. 1 : An exploded view of a drug delivery device according to an embodiment of the invention;
• Fig. 2a-c : Perspective views of a drug delivery device according to an embodiment of the invention;
• Fig. 3a-c : Further views of a drug delivery device according to an embodiment of the invention;
• Fig. 4a-d : Detailed views of directional default means and an anti-rotation device according to an embodiment of the invention;
• Fig. 4e : A schematic view of an alternative anti-rotation device according to an embodiment of the invention;
• Fig. 5 : A detailed view of the interior of the body according to an embodiment of the invention;
• Fig. 6a-c : Various views of a connector means for the main body and an expansion module according to an embodiment of the invention;
• Fig. 7a-d . 8a-d and 9a-d : Various views of a closure device near the withdrawal side according to an embodiment of the invention;
• Fig. 10a-b : Detail views of a base with bracket and a guide blade according to an embodiment of the invention;
• Fig. 10c-d : Detail views of a stand with bracket according to an embodiment of the invention;
• Fig. 11 : Schematic views of various sizes of subject according to embodiments of the invention;
• Fig. 12a-c : Conceptual illustrations of closure devices according to embodiments of the invention.

5. Description of preferred embodiments

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a drug delivery device according to the present invention will be explained. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the system is designed as a modular supplementable "tunnel" with rolling through this tunnel inner compartments, which in principle allows an "infinite" approach. The next correct taking time always comes automatically at the front next. After taking the medications lying in the respective inner compartment, the inner compartment is pushed back in at the back, at the same time positioning the next inner compartment in front. The inner compartments are held in front by a sliding closure, which is operated by hand. In the other direction, all inner compartments are automatically prevented from slipping out by a directional biasing means in the tunnel.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a drug delivery device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG Fig. 1 explained. The illustrated drug delivery device has a substantially cuboid base body 1 with a tunnel-shaped interior, ie, the basic body 1 shown is open to both end faces. The main body 1 off Fig. 1 offers space for three inner compartments 4 (hereafter referred to as medicine compartments). It should be noted, however, that basic body 1 according to the invention can also be designed for any other number of internal compartments 4. Fig. 1 further shows an expansion module 2, which can be connected to the base body 1 (see below) to make room for an additional inner compartment 4.

On one longitudinal side of the main body 1 and the expansion module 2 each viewing window are arranged. The medicine compartments 4 have on their front side a surface for applying a label (in Fig. 1 not shown). Thus, when a medication compartment 4 is placed in the body 1, the identification through the viewing window is visible to the user.

In addition shows Fig. 1 a closure device 3, which is attached to the base body 1 near a front side. The closure device 3 is used to hold the medicine compartments 4 within the interior of the main body 1. Specific embodiments of the closure device 3 will be explained in more detail below.

Fig. 2 shows perspective views of the embodiment according to Fig. 1 , namely a front view ( Fig. 2a ), a rear view ( Fig. 2b ) and a view of the front side or removal side ( Fig. 2c ). In Fig. 3 are also frontal views ( Fig. 3b and 3c ) as well as a section ( Fig. 3a ) by the drug delivery device. As you can see, arises by the connection of the base body 1 with the expansion module 2 (or more expansion modules 2) a total interior, through which a plurality of (in Fig. 3 maximum four) drug compartments 4 are pushed past. In the Fig. 3 dimensions shown are merely exemplary understood, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Regarding Fig. 4 An embodiment of the inventive direction specification means 5 and 9 is explained. The in Fig. 4a Partial base body 1 shown has on the top of its footprint (ie, in the interior) a wedge-shaped element 5, which serves as a return protection. This in Fig. 4b partially shown medication compartment 4 also has a wedge-shaped element 9 on its underside. As a result, the medication compartment 4 can be pushed through the base body 1 only in a predetermined direction. If the medication compartment 4 is pushed in the other direction, the two elements 5 and 9 engage with each other, so that the medicine compartment 4 can not be moved further. This is in Fig. 4c shown. However, so that the drug compartment 4 can be pushed as smoothly as possible in the intended direction, the wedge-shaped element 5 of the body 1 is designed resiliently. For this purpose, a kind of tongue is preferably formed by a U-shaped recess 6, on which the wedge-shaped element 5 of the base body 1 is mounted.

In addition, four anti-rotation 7 or 10 may preferably be attached both to the base body 1 and to the medicine compartments. In the embodiment according to Fig. 4a and 4b These anti-rotation devices are on the one hand formed by two longitudinally extending rails or runners 7 on the base body 1 and on the other hand by a longitudinally extending and open at the ends depression or trough 10 on the drug compartment 4. To introduce the To avoid medication compartment 4 in the main body 1 in a twisted orientation, the runners 7 and the tub 10 are laterally offset in each case with respect to the central axis, preferably by about 5 mm, as in Fig. 4d exemplified.

Fig. 4e shows an alternative embodiment of a rotation. Here, the medicine compartment 4 has an asymmetrical shape and the interior of the main body 1 is formed complementary to this asymmetry.

In Fig. 5 is again the wedge-shaped element 5 described above, and the U-shaped recess 6 is shown. Additionally are in Fig. 5 Guide surfaces 11 are shown, which are described below. It should be noted that the present invention provides embodiments in which all or even only parts of the above aspects are realized. The guide surfaces 11 and runners cause the drug compartments 4, the cross-section is preferably slightly narrower than the interior of the body 1, when inserted into the base body 1 in the correct position and can be easily inserted into this. Furthermore, the guide surfaces 11 fulfill a stabilizing guiding function in the extension of a supplementary module 2 for correct locking. Namely, it is ensured by the guide surfaces 11 when the medication compartment 4 is inserted that, in particular, the body of the supplementary module 2 can not be pushed inwards on the long sides while holding it inwardly, thereby causing incorrect latching.

Regarding Fig. 6 An embodiment of inventive connecting means 12 and 13 for the main body 1 and an expansion module 2 will be explained. At the in Fig. 6c shown section of the transition between the base body 1 and expansion module 2 is a catch by laterally attached hooks 12 and 13. So if you want to connect an expansion module 2 to the base 1, these two hooks 12 and 13 must engage with each other. In Fig. 6a and 6b lateral tongue and groove connections are shown, so that the sides of the base body 1 and the expansion module 2 when latched by the hooks 12 and 13 optimally engage each other.

In Fig. 7a and 7b a medication dispenser is shown in the closed state, that is, the closure device 3 is positioned so that no drug compartment 4 can be pushed out of the base body 1. The closure device 3 is a device which consists of three preferably substantially cuboid sections; two preferably the same length, Same width, and equal parts, which are located on the sides of the body 1, are mounted substantially perpendicular to a third portion, which is located on the base body 1. The portion of the closure device 3 on the upper side of the main body 1 preferably overlaps the medicament compartment 4 (as in FIG Fig. 7b shown).

In the closed state of the drug delivery device, the closure device 3 lies completely on the base body 1 and the front side 14 of the section on the upper side of the base body 1 is positioned so that it projects beyond the medication compartment 4. As a result, the medication compartment 4 is blocked and can not be removed from the interior of the body 1.

In Fig. 7c and 7d a drug delivery device is shown in the open state, that is, the closure device 3 is positioned so that a medication compartment 4 can be pushed out of the main body 1. For this purpose, the closure device 3 may preferably no longer rest on the base body, whereby the medicine compartment 4 is no longer blocked. In order to achieve this state, the portions of the closure device 3, which are located on the sides of the base body 1, vertically upwardly moves, whereby the front side 14 of the cuboid portion on the base body 1 no longer protrudes beyond the drug compartment 4.

In Fig. 8 the function of the closure device 3 is shown again. The closure device 3 also here preferably comprises three sections, as described in detail above. Closed is the drug delivery device when the closure device 3 rests on the base body 1 (see Fig. 8a and 8c ). It is open when the closure device 3, the top of the base body 1 is not affected (see Fig. 8b and 8d ). The opening and closing is achieved in this embodiment, preferably by a respective detent point 15 at the front and the back of the base body 1 and two corresponding depressions 16 on the front and back of the closure device 3. If the medicament dispensing device is therefore closed, the latching point 15 is in engagement with the upper of the two depressions 16. If the closure device is open, the latching point 15 engages with the lower recess 16.

In Fig. 9 the detent point 15 is explained in more detail. So that it can be sunk during the pushing up of the closure device 3, the detent point 15 designed resilient. For this purpose, a kind of tongue is preferably formed by a U-shaped recess (see Fig. 9a ) on which the latching point 15 is mounted. By this function, the locking point 15 can be moved from the lower recess 16 in the upper recess 16 (see Fig. 9c ). Furthermore, a corresponding guide rail 18 is attached to the closure device 3 (see Fig. 9d ), on the base body 1 is a corresponding groove 17 ( Fig. 9b ).

Regarding Fig. 10 An embodiment of inventive feet 21 and corresponding brackets 19 will be explained. As in Fig. 10a are shown, on the underside of the main body 1 and the expansion module 2 (in Fig. 10a shown in white) brackets 19 are mounted, in which feet 21 (see Fig. 10b ), which are preferably made of rubber, can be arranged. Such feet 21 are advantageous, inter alia, because the wedge-shaped element 5 is designed to be resilient and thus requires a certain amount of downward play. By such feet 21, this latitude can be obtained and the resilient function can be performed even when the system is eg on a table. Fig. 10a shows an exemplary holder 19 in side view, in Fig. 10b the resulting depression is filled with a base 21. In 10a and 10b Furthermore, a guide runner 11 as explained above is shown. Fig. 10c shows a detailed view of a holder 19 with and without stand 21. In Fig. 10d For the sake of clarity, the entire system is shown from below.

In Fig. 11 Different variants for the sizes of the drug compartments 4 are shown. In variant 1, the medicament compartment 4 preferably has a maximum height of substantially 140 mm, which makes it possible to store a plurality of 140 mm long blisters in the medicament compartment 4. However, here the drug delivery device as a whole becomes relatively large and, depending on the size of the blisters, it may be difficult to access the drug compartment 4.

In variant 2, the medication compartment 4 preferably has a mean height of substantially 120 mm, whereby several larger blisters with a length of up to 140 mm can be placed diagonally in the medication compartment 4.

In variant 3, the medication compartment 4 has a compact height of substantially up to 100 mm. Thus, it is suitable for standard blisters (100 mm in length), as well as for standard bottles (100 ml volume). Diagonally, even 120 mm blisters can be stored. Larger blisters can be stored by kinking or cutting.

Variant 4 is suitable for standard bottles with up to 100 ml volume. The fact that the length is substantially up to 100 mm, even large blisters with a length of up to 140 mm can be stored diagonally.

In Fig. 12 Different variants of a closure device 3 are shown. So can in Fig. 12a the edges of the closure device 3 are designed differently, for example, laterally projecting for improved gripping or rounded for a more appealing appearance. In Fig. 12b various other possible embodiments of the closure device 3 are shown. This is a device which is mounted on the upper side of the main body 1 and protrudes beyond the medicament compartment 4 in the form of a "rocker". When pressure is exerted on the rear part of the closure device, the front side of the closure device moves upwards so that the medicine compartment can be pushed out of the base body. This device can be presented in various forms, for example as a ring or as a kind of "bottle opener". Fig. 12C shows further possible embodiments of the closure device 3, namely, for example, as a lockable latch, lockable screw cap or sliding closure.

While various features of a preferred embodiment of the present invention have been discussed above, it should be understood that the invention includes a variety of embodiments, each of which includes a subset of the described features. In particular, those embodiments are also included that do not include directional directing means, but any other subset of the features described herein.

• Es erlaubt eine geschützte Aufbewahrung von Medikamenten in deren Originalverpackung. Äußere Einwirkungen, die zu vorzeitigem Wirkstoffverlust, Veränderungen des Wirkstoffs oder zu gefährlichen Kreuzreaktionen der Wirkstoffe verschiedener Medikamente in der Aufbewahrungseinrichtung führen können, werden vermieden.
• Es sind beliebige einzelne Einnahmezeitpunkte (und damit der oder die für den jeweiligen Patienten und die jeweilige Krankheit/Verschreibung "richtige" Einnahmezeitpunkt) darstellbar.
• Durch den modularen Aufbau kann eine beliebige Zahl von Einnahmezeitpunkten dargestellt werden. Die Zahl und Zeit der Einnahmezeitpunkte kann auch nach der Ersteinrichtung des Systems (z.B. aufgrund eines geänderten Krankeitsverlaufs) noch flexibel geändert werden.
• Der richtige Einnahmezeitpunkt kann auch durch ein spezielles optisches System (z.B. anhand von Farbcodes) dargestellt werden. Das Farbsystem kann in das Medikationsmanagement einer Apotheke und in entsprechende Softwarelösungen eingebunden werden.
• Die Einhaltung der richtigen Einnahmezeitpunkte wird durch den Aufbau und die Gestaltung des Systems unterstützt (Erinnerungsfunktion).
• Befüllungsfehler oder Fehler bei der Handhabung (versehentliche Entnahme oder "Verrutschen" einer Tablette) werden durch die Verwendung von Originalverpackungen vermieden.
• Es werden Module verwendet, deren Größe derart optimiert ist, dass praktisch alle vorkommenden Arzneimitteloriginalverpackungen für Arzneimittel in unterschiedlichen Aggregatzuständen aufgenommen werden können, aber gleichzeitig eine Größe nicht überschritten wird, die einen einfachen Transport oder die Handhabung des Systems unnötig erschweren würde.
• Ein dreiteiliges Basissystem kann durch einteilige Ergänzungselemente (Tunnel und Modul) erweitert werden.

Overall, the features described here result in a number of important technical advantages of the system according to the invention:

• It allows a protected storage of medicines in their original packaging. External influences that can lead to premature loss of active ingredient, changes in the active ingredient or dangerous cross-reactions of the active ingredients of various drugs in the storage facility are avoided.
• There are arbitrary individual intake times (and thus the one or the "right" time of administration for the respective patient and the respective illness / prescription).
• Due to the modular structure, any number of intake times can be displayed. The number and time of taking time can be changed even after the initial setup of the system (eg due to a changed disease course).
• The correct administration time can also be represented by a special optical system (eg based on color codes). The color system can be integrated into the medication management of a pharmacy and into appropriate software solutions.
• Compliance with the correct intake times is supported by the structure and design of the system (reminder function).
• Filling errors or handling errors (accidental removal or "slipping" of a tablet) are avoided by using original packaging.
• Modules are used whose size has been optimized to accommodate virtually all of the existing pharmaceutical drug packages in different states of aggregation, but at the same time does not exceed a size that would unnecessarily hamper easy transportation or handling of the system.
• A three-part base system can be extended by one-piece supplementary elements (tunnel and module).

The system according to the invention offers the highest level of drug therapy safety (AMTS) through a multiplicity of through-composed, interlinked unique selling points, which lead to an extremely simple operation by the patient in everyday life. However, the system according to the invention is not a conventional pill box. In pill boxes fit (as in new blistering) only pills into it, but not drops, airway sprays, suppositories, sensitive drugs (light, humidity, oxidation, ...), ointments, etc. In the system of the invention, however, fit as the only system all drugs all dosage forms, in their approved and therefore safe original packaging. As a result, the patient enjoys full liability under the German Medicines Act (AMG). In addition, the system can also take the actual correct intake times according to the leaflet (eg one hour before breakfast, one hour before lunch, to lunch, etc.) correctly represent.

The internal dimensions of the medicine compartments (eg 120 x 60 x 60 mm) have been optimized by means of extensive studies in order to be able to accommodate all common sizes of original packaging in order to ensure their safety required by the AMG, while at the same time remaining as small as possible easy mobile use of the box (eg on vacation) to allow. Furthermore, these inner compartments are optimized for easy removal by older people in practical experiments in which these are not only open at the top, but in addition one of the side walls is half open. Only the system according to the invention allows a sorting of all drugs in the original packaging according to the correct intake times, while at the same time easy handling of the system. In addition, the intake times can be visualized using an intuitive color system. If the medication is changed later, the modules can easily be adapted to the new situation by means of colored plug-in cards or self-adhesive labels.

The inner compartments can be held on one side in the direction of removal of the same by a sliding closure. In the other direction, barbs preferably ensure that they fall out, into which corresponding barbs on the inner compartments engage when they are pushed into the tunnel. So only one direction of movement is possible. The inner compartments glide to minimize friction, preferably on runners in the interior of the tunnel.

In addition, they are designed so that they can be pushed through guides in the tunnel in only one way, so that the marking with the time of taking on the respective inner compartment through windows in the tunnel are always visible.

The tunnel consists, as already explained above, of a base module with a sliding closure. This can be extended by individual clip-on supplement modules, each of which depicts another time of administration. For two additional additional intake times, two such supplementary modules would therefore have to be clipped. Thus, always the optimal number of individually therapeutically correct intake times can be selected. The push-through of the inner compartments is also given in this modular supplement. The connectivity between basic and supplementary module or between supplementary modules themselves is preferably the same and can not be separated by the user again.

For the right intake times an intuitive color system was designed according to the following basic idea: Each meal has its own typical base color, which changes from light to dark as the day progresses, for example blue for evening. This base color also changes from light to dark (gradient) according to the order before, during and after the meal. So you can intuitively recognize by the color of the meal, and in addition, whether the intake or application before, at or after this meal takes place. The color code is used in an accompanying medication plan and can be used on labels on medicine boxes for easy sorting. This allows a correct sorting and operation also for foreign-language fellow citizens or for functional illiterates. Likewise, this color code can be used for easy interfacing with any medication management software, e.g. by optical output or confirmation on a touch screen.

Claims (15)

A body (1) for a drug delivery device, comprising: a. an interior for receiving at least one medicine compartment (4); b. a removal side for removing the at least one medication compartment (4) from the interior; and c. a direction specification means (5), which allows the removal of the at least one medication compartment (4) from the interior only at the removal side. The base body (1) according to claim 1, wherein the interior is a tunnel-shaped, preferably substantially cuboidal, interior, so that the at least one medicine compartment (4) can be arranged to move through the base body (1) and in the direction of the removal side. The base body (1) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a closure device (3) near the withdrawal side, which allows removal of the at least one drug compartment (4) only in an open position. The base body (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the interior has a cross-section such that the at least one drug compartment (4) can be arranged in only one predetermined orientation in the interior. The base body (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the directional setting means (5) comprises at least one resilient element. The base body (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base body (1) has dimensions such that two, preferably three, medicine compartments (4) can be arranged in the interior. The base body (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one disposed on a longitudinal side of the base body (1) Viewing window, which is arranged so that a time-of-use indicator arranged on the at least one medication compartment (4) is visible. A medication compartment (4) for a drug delivery device, comprising: a. an interior for receiving at least one medicament in its original packaging; and b. a direction setting means (9), which allows a removal of the medicine compartment (4) from an interior of a base body (1) according to any one of claims 1-8 only on a removal side of the base body (1). The medicament compartment (4) according to claim 8, wherein the dimensions of the interior are selected such that at least one package of a medicament can be arranged therefrom: tablets, orodispersible tablets, effervescent powder, effervescent tablets, dragees, capsules, powder capsules, drops, dosing drops, Nasal spray, juices, ampoules, ointment, shake mixture, gel, paste, emulsion, suspension, granule bag, gel bag, inhalation solution, inhalation vials, inhalation capsules, inhalation powder, inhaler, metered dose inhaler, nail varnish, deodorants, pre-filled syringes, solution for injection, cylindrical vials, vials and / or suspension for injection. The medicament compartment (4) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the interior space has a height of substantially up to 140 mm, preferably of substantially up to 120 mm, particularly preferably of substantially up to 100 mm. The medicament compartment (4) according to one of the preceding claims 8-10, wherein the interior has a width of substantially up to 80 mm, preferably of substantially up to 60 mm and / or a depth of substantially up to 80 mm, preferably of essentially up to 60 mm. The medicine compartment (4) according to any one of the preceding claims 8-11, comprising an open top and / or at least one side wall which is at least partially, preferably substantially half open. An expansion module (2) for a drug delivery device, comprising: a. an interior for receiving at least one medicine compartment (4); b. a direction specifying means (5) which allows moving the at least one medicine compartment (4) in the inner space in one direction only; and c. Connecting means (13) for, preferably irreversible, connection of the expansion module (2) with a base body (1) according to any one of claims 1-7. The expansion module (2) according to claim 13, wherein the interior space is designed such that upon connection of the extension module (2) with the base body (1) results in a total interior through which the at least one drug compartment (4) is pushed. A drug delivery device comprising: a. a main body (1) according to any one of claims 1-7; and b. at least one medicine compartment (4) according to one of claims 8-12.

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