EP4011349A1 - Drug-dosing device - Google Patents

Drug-dosing device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4011349A1
EP4011349A1 EP19797763.0A EP19797763A EP4011349A1 EP 4011349 A1 EP4011349 A1 EP 4011349A1 EP 19797763 A EP19797763 A EP 19797763A EP 4011349 A1 EP4011349 A1 EP 4011349A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
medicinal product
storage body
user
base
selector
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP19797763.0A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Onintza SAYAR BERISTAIN
José Manuel MANEIRO ZUBIA
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP4011349A1 publication Critical patent/EP4011349A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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
    • A61J1/00—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes
    • A61J1/03—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes for pills or tablets
    • 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
    • A61J7/0076—Medicament distribution means
    • A61J7/0084—Medicament distribution means for multiple medicaments
    • 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
    • A61J7/04—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
    • A61J7/0409—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers with timers
    • A61J7/0427—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers with timers with direct interaction with a dispensing or delivery system
    • A61J7/0445—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers with timers with direct interaction with a dispensing or delivery system for preventing drug dispensing during a predetermined time period
    • 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
    • A61J7/04—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
    • A61J7/0409—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers with timers
    • A61J7/0463—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers with timers for multiple patients
    • 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
    • A61J7/04—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
    • A61J7/0409—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers with timers
    • A61J7/0481—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers with timers working on a schedule basis
    • A61J7/049—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers with timers working on a schedule basis automatically changing in response to a schedule deviation by the patient
    • 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
    • A61J7/04—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
    • A61J7/0409—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers with timers
    • A61J7/0418—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers with timers with electronic history memory
    • 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
    • A61J7/04—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
    • A61J7/0409—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers with timers
    • A61J7/0427—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers with timers with direct interaction with a dispensing or delivery system
    • A61J7/0436—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers with timers with direct interaction with a dispensing or delivery system resulting from removing a drug from, or opening, a container
    • 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
    • A61J7/04—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
    • A61J7/0409—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers with timers
    • A61J7/0454—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers with timers for dispensing of multiple drugs

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an intelligent medicinal product dosing device configured for allowing a pharmacist, but not the patient, to access an inner storage area.
  • the pharmacist is in charge of refilling the inner storage area with the medicinal products prescribed by a physician, and in an operative mode, the device dispenses the medicinal products to the patient at the appropriate time, as it has the chronopharmacology of the medicinal products incorporated therein with the prescribed dose.
  • the device is characterized by a specific internal structure with components that allow managing which medicinal products are dispensed and at what time.
  • Specific embodiments of the invention allow increasing the functionalities of the device, such as expanding the storage capacity, notifying the patient who must be authenticated, being integrated in a web platform in which at least the actions of the patient, the pharmacist, and the physician, or the control of the biological rhythm of people are coordinated.
  • the warning system is suitable for those who depend on others for care.
  • the dosing device has a closure system that can only be manipulated by the pharmacist to prevent medication errors among users or caregivers.
  • the dosing device systematically dispenses the medication corresponding to a given time and removes it in the event of a memory lapse, preventing it from being taken together with the next dose, eliminating interactions and toxicities.
  • pill boxes allow users to organize the medication to be taken in a day and follow the treatments correctly, thereby improving patients' autonomy, treatment adherence, and healthcare cost savings.
  • Conventional pill boxes are designed in the shape of a box with compartments for keeping tablets sorted by days, separated by means of walls and with a shared cover.
  • An improvement of these pill boxes are pill boxes with the same design, but in which each compartment may have its own cover. Therefore, only the pills for a given day can be accessed by means of opening one cover.
  • pill boxes of this type require the patient to record the dose of the medicinal products.
  • Said pill boxes have an essential drawback of the patients having access to all the pills stored in the pill box, such that the elderly may get confused, may take medicinal products belonging to different days, and may even overdose as a result of taking in a greater amount of pills than that prescribed.
  • This pill box has a motor-driven carousel that gradually rotates, positions the corresponding compartment in the medicine outlet, and the user tips the pill box to collect the pills.
  • Each compartment comprises an array of tablets that must be taken in a day and anyone who is in contact with the pill box would be able to collect the pills of the day that have been released.
  • the following invention proposes a solution to the preceding problems by means of a medicinal product dosing device which stores the medicinal products in individual cavities and is programmed to release each tablet timely.
  • the present invention proposes a solution to the preceding problems by means of a programmable medicinal product dosing device with a plurality of cavities in which the medicinal product units are stored individually according to claim 1 and a system for the communication of the device with a server according to claim 19.
  • Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.
  • a first inventive aspect provides a medicinal product dosing device, wherein said device comprises: a support comprising a medicinal product receiving region, and a first dosing module, wherein the first dosing module comprises:
  • the device comprises a support which serves to hold or bear the dosing module or modules, if there are several, in which the medicinal product units are stored.
  • This support comprises a medicinal product receiving region.
  • receiving region will be understood to be the space comprised in the support of the device in which the release of the medicinal products by the dosing modules and the reception thereof by the user, in this case the patient, take place.
  • module must be understood to be each of the structures which are arranged in the device and comprise a medicinal product storage element and a selector element for selecting the section of the medicinal products which will be released.
  • First dosing module must be understood to be the module which is arranged immediately on the support above the receiving region and comprises a series of elements which allow storing and selecting the medicinal product units to be released.
  • This module comprises a base which is arranged above the receiving region and has at least one perforation or hole to allow the exit of the medicinal products from inside the device to the receiving region.
  • immediate product units must be understood to be any substance in the form of pills, tablets, capsules, or pellets, among others, used for the treatment of diseases.
  • Some synonyms such as medicinal products are used throughout the document for abbreviation.
  • Storage body must be understood to be an element intended for storing the medicinal product units inside the device.
  • the storage body is demarcated by two surfaces, i.e., a lower surface which is facing the upper surface of the selector body and an upper surface, and it has a series of cavities in which the medicinal product units are stored.
  • cavities of the storage body are accessible from both surfaces, such that the medicinal product units can be introduced through an opening of the upper surface, referred to throughout the text as an "upper feed opening”, whereas the medicinal product units can be released through an opening of the lower surface, referred to throughout the document as a “lower outlet opening”.
  • Each of the cavities of this storage body will store a single medicinal product unit, thereby allowing the exit of a single unit, where necessary.
  • the cavities of the storage body are distributed following a main path.
  • "Main path” must be understood to be the trajectory or course the cavities of the storage body define therein. If the main path is a straight path, then the cavities are aligned according to that straight line. In a particular example, in a straight strip extending according to a longitudinal direction and the cavities are distributed according to the same longitudinal direction, the main path would be a straight line parallel to the longitudinal direction, whereas in a disk in which all the cavities are distributed in a geometric location with a constant radius, the main path would be a circle.
  • the storage body moves with respect to the base and with respect to the selector body, allowing the different stored medicinal product units to be gradually released as determined and as necessary.
  • the movement of the storage body follows a path parallel to the main path defined by the cavities.
  • vertical direction will be understood to be the direction established by the direction of gravity.
  • “Selector body” must be understood to be an element intended for allowing the selection of the different medicinal product units stored in the storage body which are released depending on the position it adopts.
  • the selector body is demarcated by two surfaces, i.e., a lower surface facing the base and another upper surface facing the lower surface of the storage body. In other words, the selector body is located between the base and the storage body.
  • the selector body must have at least one perforation which allows the passage of the medicinal product units stored in the storage body.
  • the selector body moves with respect to the base and the storage body, this allows the selector body, by means of the movement of the perforations it has, to only permit the passage of predetermined medicinal product units.
  • the movement of the selector body follows a path parallel to the defined main path.
  • the selector body has at least two positions.
  • a necessary blocking position in which the selector body has no perforation which coincides vertically with any perforation of the base, thereby assuring that no medicinal product is released in this position.
  • Another position is that in which at least one perforation of the selector body coincides vertically with an opening of the base, thereby allowing the passage of the medicinal products from the cavities of the storage body to the outside passing through the selector body and the base.
  • the storage body and the selector body are driven by means which allow the different movement of these bodies according to the path parallel to the main path.
  • the movement of these bodies can be driven by means of gears, so the means transmitting the circular movement to the storage body and the selector body are two gear wheels, and in turn the storage body and the selector body have a toothed rack.
  • the toothed rack configures a gear having a circular configuration.
  • first drive means must be understood to be the drive means acting on the storage body of a module, providing movement thereto.
  • second drive means must be understood to be the drive means acting on the selector body of a module, providing movement thereto.
  • the device comprises a cover which is used for closing through closure means at least the housing of the first module containing the storage body and the selector body.
  • this cover contains closure means which are used for closing the device such that the patient does not have access to the inside thereof and such that only a second user can access same for manipulating the medicinal product units stored in the device.
  • closure means can be, for example, a key belonging to the pharmacist, a code that only the pharmacist knows, etc.
  • Patient must be understood to be the person who must follow a treatment and will use the dosing device to achieve better control of the medication they take in. Throughout the text, the patient will also be called a first user or owner of the device.
  • “Second user” must be understood to be the person who is in charge of accessing the inside of the dosing device to empty or refill the storage body. Throughout the text, the second user is also called a pharmacist.
  • “Third user” must be understood to be the physician who prescribes the medication and the dosage to be supplied to the patient.
  • the second user is in charge of introducing in the storage body the medicinal products prescribed by the third user and the programming of the device is configured for dosing each medicinal product according to the time defined by the third user.
  • the device comprises a central processing unit (CPU), which is the component in charge of processing information and interpreting instructions.
  • the central processing unit is also in charge of communication with the first and second drive means so that they act on the storage body and the selector body, moving same to suitable positions. More specifically, the central processing unit acts on the first drive means to displace the storage body such that the cavity of the storage body holding the medicinal product unit to be released coincides vertically on the opening of the base through which the medicinal product will move out.
  • the central processing unit acts on the second drive means which are in charge of displacing the selector body, placing it such that one or more perforations of the selector body coincide vertically with the openings of the base, thereby allowing the passage of the medicinal product unit or units established in the treatment and the release thereof.
  • the cavities of the storage body in which the medicinal product units are stored are distributed along the body in groups. Each of these groups is distributed according to a path, wherein all the paths formed by the different groups are parallel to the main path defined above.
  • the cavities are distributed in different groups forming concentric circles in the storage body. Each of the circles that is defined belongs to a different group.
  • the cavities are distributed in different groups forming parallel straight lines in the storage body, and all said lines are parallel to the longitudinal direction of the strip.
  • the cavities of the different groups do not have to be aligned with one another, i.e., the cavities of one and the same group can be distributed irregularly in the direction of the path parallel to the main path corresponding to that group, without taking into account how the cavities of other groups are distributed.
  • the selector body comprises an array of perforations among which there is at least one perforation for each group existing in the storage body.
  • the selector body thereby assures that medicinal product units can be selected from all the groups of the storage body, allowing the medicinal product units belonging to different groups to be released.
  • the base comprises an array of perforations among which there is at least one perforation for each group existing in the storage body.
  • the base thereby assures the release of medicinal product units from the different groups of the storage body when the selector body so allows.
  • each group of perforations can store a different medicinal product that the patient must take at the same time.
  • the selector allows the exit of one medicinal product per group and the patient receives all the medicinal products they have to take at that time in the receiving region at one go.
  • each of the perforations of the base must coincide vertically with at least one perforation of the selector body and with a lower outlet opening of a cavity of the storage body for a position of these bodies. Therefore, in that specific position, the medicinal product unit to be released can exit the cavity of the storage body through the lower outlet opening, go through the selector body through the perforation coinciding vertically with the lower outlet opening, and finally pass through the perforation of the base which in turn coincides vertically with the preceding openings.
  • the cavities are organized in groups each following a parallel path, better control over the positions of the cavities in the storage body is achieved and the decision on where to make the perforations in the base and in the selector body can be made more easily.
  • the openings and perforations of the different elements being vertically aligned to allow the release of the medicinal product units is readily achieved.
  • the perforations of the base are valid for the exit of medicinal products from any of the perforations of the storage body.
  • the plurality of cavities of the storage body are distributed such that the cavities corresponding to different groups are aligned according to a transverse direction with respect to the direction determined by the main path.
  • the cavities of the storage body are distributed such that the cavities of different groups are aligned in direction transverse to the defined main direction.
  • transverse direction must be understood to be the direction that intersects with the main direction in a perpendicular manner.
  • the transverse direction with respect to the main direction is the radial direction of the circle. If they are in the shape of a strip, the transverse direction is the direction formed by the direction perpendicular to the main direction defined by the longitudinal direction of said strip.
  • this arrangement of the cavities facilitates the organization of the medicinal product units, allowing better control thereof as it allows the differentiated storage of different medicinal products, also facilitating selection when dispensing same.
  • the plurality of perforations of the base are distributed such that the perforations corresponding to different groups are aligned according to a transverse direction with respect to the direction determined by the main path.
  • the base had at least one perforation per group of cavities, now, in this particular example, these perforations, which are arranged in the base, are aligned in a transverse direction with respect to the main direction defined in the storage body. These perforations coincide vertically with the cavities of the storage body to allow the release of the medicinal product units.
  • the aligned arrangement of the perforations of the base facilitates dispensing the medicinal product units into a smaller space known to the first user, when more than one unit is to be released at a given time.
  • the selector body according to a specific transverse direction with respect to the direction determined by the main path comprises a plurality of perforations associated with different groups for dispensing more than one medicinal product unit.
  • the selector body had at least one perforation per group of cavities.
  • the selector can therefore select more than one medicinal product unit in a transverse direction at a given time and it allows the release of those selected medicinal product units at that given time.
  • this embodiment allows the selector body to select different combinations of medicinal product units belonging to different groups in order to release them together at a given time.
  • This arrangement of the cavities allows the same alignment of the perforations of the base to be used for selecting each of the groups of the storage body. The same occurs with the selector body.
  • the selector body can have one or more alignments of perforations according to one or more transverse directions, each alignment allowing a specific selection of medicinal products of the storage body.
  • This example in which the cavities of the storage body are distributed aligned according to the transverse direction allows the alignments of the perforations of the selector and of the base to establish combinations of groups that are identical for any position of the storage body where the vertical alignment with the perforations of the base is established.
  • the bodies housed in the module have a disk shape.
  • the storage body in which the cavities storing the medicinal product units are located has a disk shape.
  • the cavities of the storage body are distributed following a main path which, in this case, is a circle.
  • the transverse direction with respect to the main direction in the storage body and the selector body is the radial direction of the circle.
  • this configuration determines a compact storage mode and allows easy guiding of the moving bodies as well as an also easy mechanical connection with the drive means.
  • the device comprises one or more additional modules configured according to the features of the first module, wherein:
  • the device may have more than one module with all of them having the same features.
  • the second module would be located above the first dosing module such that the base of this second module would be arranged on the upper surface of the storage body of the first module.
  • a module which is located above another module releases medicinal product units it stores in its storage body to the module located below same.
  • the outlet openings of the second module must vertically coincide with the upper feed openings of the storage body of the first module arranged below same. The same condition applies when more vertically aligned modules are present.
  • the main advantage of adding a larger number of modules in the dosing device relates to increased medicinal product storage capacity.
  • the central processing unit is configured:
  • “Lower module” must be understood to be the module which is located below another module and “upper module” the module which is located above a module, all of this according to the vertical direction.
  • the operation of the dosing device when it has more than one module, may vary depending on the configuration of the CPU.
  • the lower module when a module arranged above another module releases a medicinal product unit, the lower module may allow the passage of said medicinal product unit instead of retaining it in the module, permitting the passage of the medicinal product unit for dispensing same. According to this configuration, dispensation is performed directly from the second module.
  • the lower module can be configured such that when the upper module releases the medicinal product, the lower module receives this medicinal product unit and stores it in the storage body thereof.
  • an upper module transfers medicinal product units to the lower module as lower module feeding means. This operation allows using the upper module to reload the lower module.
  • each of the modules comprises:
  • sensor must be understood to be a device which captures variations or alterations of the magnitudes of the means.
  • the position of the storage body and the selector body of each module can be known. That is extremely important because there is a need to know the position of the storage body in order to know where the different medicinal product units the storage body stores are located and to thereby avoid committing errors when dispensing same.
  • the position of the selector body is also fundamental for locating the selector body in the correct position when dispensation is performed, so that suitable medicinal product units are selected and released.
  • first sensor and the second sensor is particularly useful in the configuration in which the storage body and the selector body are disks having a circular configuration since a circular configuration has neither a beginning nor an end.
  • a specific way of usage of the first sensor and the second sensor is the incorporation in the storage body and in the selector body of a marking that can be detected by their corresponding sensor. The rotation of the disk until its corresponding sensor comes across the marking allows determining the angular position and establishing a reference for each cavity of the storage body and for the array of perforations of the selector body determining which group or groups of the storage body to be released.
  • the sensors of the storage body and the selector body can be optical sensors.
  • Optical sensor is understood to be a sensor capable of detecting, for example through an optical lens, different magnitudes based on light.
  • the main advantage is that with an optical sensor, a reference position of the bodies can be readily known with a simple change in contrast in an area, and therefore with said reference the storage body and the selector body can be placed in the suitable positions for dispensing the desired medicinal products.
  • This change in contrast can be, for example, a change in color, with a perimeter having a single color (for example, black) and a small region of said perimeter having another color contrasting with the former (for example, white).
  • one or more modules of the device comprises an extraction body for the extraction of the storage body and the selector body without the medicinal product units falling out
  • said extraction body comprises a support surface configured for being located between the base and the selector body, and wherein the support surface comprises a plurality of perforations in correspondence with the perforations of the base to allow the passage of the medicinal product units and, a handle to facilitate extraction.
  • Extraction body must be understood to be any element which is used for extracting the storage body with the medicinal product units of the dosing device.
  • “Handle” must be understood to be the part of the extraction body consisting of a prolongation which is used for gripping the extraction body and facilitating the extraction of the bodies.
  • the extraction body facilitates the extraction of the storage body of the dosing device. This facilitates the task of refilling the storage body with medicinal product units or emptying the cavities of the storage body.
  • the support surface prevents the medicinal product units from falling out through the lower openings of the storage body when the storage body is to be extracted, and the handle allows the user in charge of the extraction to take the bodies of the device out with ease.
  • the perforations of the extraction body coinciding with the perforations of the base allow this extraction body to not hinder, in the operative mode, the passage of the medicinal products when they are released.
  • the selector body and the storage body are extracted simultaneously with the advantage of the medicinal products stored in the storage body, if any, not falling out.
  • the extraction body has engagement means with respect to the base which allow positioning the extraction body with respect to the base, assuring that the plurality of perforations of the base are vertically aligned with the plurality of perforations of the support surface of the extraction body.
  • “Engagement means” must be understood to be any element which allows fixing a specific position of a body, in this case of the extraction body with respect to the base.
  • the engagement means of the extraction body allows fixing a specific position of the extraction body, assuring that the perforations of the extraction body are vertically aligned with the perforations of the base of the module so that the outlet of the medicinal product units is not blocked.
  • the device additionally comprises a presence sensor within the surroundings of the receiving region configured for sending a signal to the central processing unit indicating that the first user requires the dispensation of the medicinal product unit.
  • Presence sensor must be understood to be the sensor capable of detecting any movement in the domain in which it has reading capacity.
  • the existence of a presence sensor assures that the medicinal product dosing device releases the medicinal product units only when the first user requires the dispensation of the medicinal products by moving towards the device.
  • the dispensing device freely dispensing the units and the possibility of missed or lost units are therefore prevented.
  • a specific case is when the user moves their hand towards the receiving region.
  • Another specific case is when the user places a container in the receiving region. In both cases, the presence sensor indicates that the medicinal product can now be released.
  • the preceding presence sensor is an optical sensor.
  • the medicinal product receiving region is closed on the sides and in the rear portion, creating a space that only receives light through a front opening. This configuration allows the first user to be detected by the sensor as a result of the change in light in that region.
  • An advantage of the space being closed in the rear area is that the influence of environmental lighting conditions on detection in the receiving region is reduced, and if these medicinal products fall when being released, they do not fall through the rear part which will make recovery thereof difficult.
  • closure means of the cover can be actuated by means of the central processing unit.
  • the closure means fixing the cover are controlled by the CPU, such that the CPU controls access to the inside of the device, preventing or allowing user access when the CPU receives instructions for carrying out same.
  • the device additionally comprises wireless connection means for communication with at least one mobile device.
  • the dosing device is therefore configured for communicating with a mobile device, which can be a tablet, a mobile telephone, a clock, etc. This can be used so that the dosing device sends messages, notifications, or reminders to a mobile device belonging to a user.
  • the dosing device will therefore be in communication with the user and able to notify the user primarily of doses and also of other situations which require their attention, such as the need to refill the device, the possibility of medicinal product dispensation being blocked, a low battery situation, etc.
  • the device additionally comprises biometric recognition means, such as fingerprint, iris, or facial pattern recognition means for recognizing the first user.
  • biometric recognition means such as fingerprint, iris, or facial pattern recognition means for recognizing the first user.
  • the recognition means of the device can be configured so that they are capable of recognizing the user to whom the dosing device belongs.
  • the dosing device therefore only works, i.e., only releases medicinal product units, when the user owner of the device is the one who requires the dispensation of the medicinal products.
  • the device additionally comprises notification means comprising illumination means, sound emission means, or both.
  • the notification means can notify or attract attention of the user if they have to take a medicinal product unit and if the time has come and gone, or if there has been a problem in the device such as medicinal product dispensation being blocked.
  • the invention provides a system comprising:
  • the server of the system can be a cloud server integrating a user management platform.
  • the platform can be administered by an administrator controlling the management thereof.
  • the platform stores the data it receives from the dosing devices of the system, manages the administration of users and user profiles, and allows the administrator to analyze the data received from the dosing devices and stored in the platform.
  • the device comprises means for communication with the server to enable exchanging information about treatments, medicines, and doses of the patients, information about dosages over time, information about patient treatment adherence, etc.
  • the user management platform stores the different profiles of the system.
  • "User profile” is understood to be a structure comprising a set of variables defining the different types of users existing in the system.
  • a first user profile is associated with a patient, also referred to as first user, and allows them to receive the medicinal products in the corresponding time of dosing which is associated with the treatment prescribed to that patient.
  • a second user profile is associated with the pharmacist, also referred to as second user, and allows the second user to access the inside of the dosing device to refill it according to the medical prescription or treatment defined for the user owner of the dosing device to which the pharmacist has access.
  • a pharmacist may have several associated patients and physicians.
  • a third user profile is associated with the physician, also referred to as third user, and allows them to define the treatment a given patient must follow, indicating both the medicinal products to be taken and the dosages of treatment over time.
  • the treatment is associated with a given patient and the third user may have several associated patients with their respective treatments.
  • Treatment is understood to be a data structure defined by a third user comprising at least the information about the array of medicinal products, the dosage over time of the medicinal products to be taken by the patient to whom it must be supplied.
  • a specific implementation of the information associated with dosage over time is the frequency or period of time that must elapse between each dose.
  • the medicinal product dosing device provides medicinal products to a first user according to the prescription defined in the first profile thereof.
  • it is configured so that only the second user, i.e., the pharmacist, according to a second profile, can access the inside of the dosing device.
  • the device takes into account if the patient has a memory lapse thus forgetting to take the dose. With the next dose, the device dispenses the medicinal product units corresponding to said dose, cancelling the dispensation of the forgotten dose to prevent the patient from overmedicating due to said memory lapse.
  • This system allows a suitable control of the dosing device and a correct management of the information about treatments and dosages.
  • each user of the system is controlled such that they have access and perform their functions in a suitable manner, i.e., a user can receive the prescribed dose of the medicinal products at the appropriate time but they do not have access to the inside of the device, the pharmacist has access to the inside of the device and access to the treatment to enable introducing the prescribed medicinal products, and the physician defines the treatment indicating the necessary information.
  • the communication of the device with the server allows the exchange of relevant information
  • the device is configured for carrying out suitable dosing according to the treatment defined by the physician, and in turn the information sent from the dosing device to the server allows performing an important data analysis to check the efficacy of the treatments depending on the dosages and treatment follow-up by the patient.
  • the system comprises a mobile device belonging to a first user which provides the medicinal product dosing device with Internet, allowing its communication with the server.
  • the dosing device therefore communicates with the server housing the user platform as a result of the Internet connection provided thereto by the mobile device that is in the hands of the patient.
  • This device can be a tablet, a mobile telephone, a clock, etc.
  • the communication between the device and the server allows the exchange of fundamental information for the correct operation of the system.
  • the mobile device in communication with the dosing device serves as notification means for notifying the first user of doses or of other situations of importance.
  • a mobile device in the system allows the use thereof as notification means for notifying the first user to whom the device belongs.
  • the mobile device will be able to notify the first user of doses of the medicinal products, of the need to refill the dosing device, of a low battery situation, etc.
  • the mobile device is used as recognition and authentication means of the first user owner of the dosing device.
  • the mobile device includes user recognition and authentication means.
  • Said recognition means can ser biometric means such as finger print, iris, or facial pattern recognition means.
  • the central processing unit is configured for storing user's treatment as well as the dosage of treatment over time.
  • a specific mode in which this performance of the central processing unit is implemented is the instancing of a data structure storing the medicinal product units that must be supplied, the different types of medicinal product that are supplied, and the dosage over time for each medicinal product.
  • this data structure also comprises the link between each medicinal product and the specific cavity of the storage body in which the medicinal product is stored or must be stored by the pharmacist.
  • the central processing unit comprises a clock signal input line for establishing the time for notifying the user of the supply of the at least one medicinal product unit (U) according to the treatment.
  • This input line can be integrated in the central processing unit, for example, with the clock of the microprocessor of said central processing unit.
  • the clock signal is received through the Internet or through any of the devices to which it can be connected in a wireless manner.
  • the central processing unit is configured for identifying the medicinal product units that have not been supplied to the user so as to cancel their dispensation and continue with the rest of the medicinal product, preventing the user from overmedicating due to a memory lapse.
  • the device establishes the time at which the patient must take the medication, notifying them through their mobile and/or a light signal and/or an acoustic signal, for example. The patient may not heed these notifications and forget the dose.
  • the device is aware that the presence sensor has not been activated and therefore the medicinal product has not been supplied.
  • the device also has redundant information by means of the reading of the sensors located in the outlet of the base. When these sensors establish that no medicinal product has been discharged, the medicinal product remains inside the device.
  • the device does not supply the forgotten medicinal products, preventing overmedication.
  • the device can be autonomous, the more relevant advantages are obtained by integrating it in a system formed by a server and an array of devices, each of them associated with a user or patient.
  • the central processing unit is configured for storing information about the medicinal product units that have not been dispensed and have been cancelled and for transferring it to the user profile existing in the server, this information being made available to the physician through access to said server.
  • the user has a profile registered in the server which allows storing treatment and the dosage of treatment over time. This data is accessible by a second type of user, the pharmacist.
  • the pharmacist is the only one who has access to the inside of the device.
  • the device has an authentication mechanism which only allows opening if the pharmacist is correctly authenticated in the device. This authentication in the device can be through a connection with the server.
  • the physician is the third profile and they allow creating and modifying treatment and/or dosage over time, assigning it to a specific user.
  • the device comprises connections for capturing the biometric variables of the patient
  • these measurements are transferred to the profile and made available to the physician through access to the server.
  • the physician it is possible for the physician to adapt the treatment and the dosage of treatment over time depending on the response observed by the physician through said biometric measurements.
  • the present invention relates to a medicinal product dosing device.
  • the internal structure comprises different components which allow managing and dispensing medicinal products.
  • Figures 1A and 1B schematically show a first embodiment of the storage body (3) and the selector body (4) of a dispenser according to the present invention.
  • Figure 1A shows the storage body (3) of the first example.
  • the storage body (3) is the body storing the medicinal product units (U).
  • This storage body (3) is configured in the shape of a straight strip extending according to a longitudinal direction graphically depicted by means of a double arrow shown in horizontal according to the orientation of the drawing.
  • the storage body (3) has a plurality of cavities (3.3) in which the medicinal product units (U) are stored.
  • Each cavity (3.3) is intended for storing a single medicinal product unit (U), such that the device allows the exit of the medicinal products individually, where necessary.
  • this group will be distributed in the storage body (3) following a main path which is a straight line parallel to the longitudinal direction of the storage body (3).
  • the plurality of cavities (3.3) is distributed in three groups (G1, G2, G3). Each of those groups is distributed according to a path which is parallel to the main path of the strip, thereby forming parallel straight lines in the storage body (3).
  • the storage body (3) is demarcated by an upper surface (3.1) which can be seen directly in Figure 1A , and by a lower surface (3.2) which would be concealed in the same drawing.
  • Feed openings (3.3.1) which allow accessing the inside of the cavities (3.3) to introduce the medicinal product units (U) are arranged on the upper surface (3.1).
  • Lower outlet openings (3.3.2) which are also in communication with the cavities (3.3) are arranged on the lower surface (3.2).
  • the movement of the storage body (3) follows a displacement along the main path defined by the longitudinal direction of the storage body (3) as seen in Figure 1A .
  • the storage body (3) moves with respect to the selector body (4) of Figure 1B and with respect to the base (2) of the dispenser.
  • Figure 1B shows the selector body (4) of the first embodiment.
  • the selector body (4) is used for selecting the medicinal product units (U) stored in the storage body (3) that is to be released.
  • the selector body (4) is therefore located below the storage body (3).
  • the selector body (4) is demarcated by two surfaces, i.e., an upper surface (4.1) which is seen in Figure 1B and a lower surface (4.2).
  • the upper surface (4.1) of the selector body (4) is facing the lower surface (3.2) of the storage body (3).
  • the selector (4) may comprise a single perforation, thereby allowing the release of the medicinal product units (U) from the group of cavities (3.3).
  • the selector body (4) comprises a series of perforations (4.3) which are seen in Figure 1B .
  • These perforations (4.3) allow selecting the medicinal product units (U) stored in the storage body (3), such that the dosing device can release the medicinal product units (U) belonging to different groups (G1, G2, G3).
  • the selector body (4) has a configuration in the shape of a straight strip extending according to a longitudinal direction like the storage body (3) which, in the operative position, is located above the selector body (4) and the selector body is in turn located on the base (2).
  • the selector body (4) is movable with respect to the storage body (3) of Figure 1A and to the base (2), not shown in Figures 1A-1B , following a path parallel to the main path defined by the longitudinal direction of the bodies (3, 4).
  • This movement allows the selector body (4) to choose at all times which medicinal product units (U) to release, allowing the passage thereof through the perforations (4.3) when they are vertically aligned with the lower outlet openings (3.3.2) in communication with the cavities (3.3) of the storage body (3) containing the medicinal products (U).
  • This displacement movement is necessary so that the medicinal product units (U) stored in the dosing device can move to a position according to the specific longitudinal direction to their allow selection and subsequent dispensation.
  • vertical direction shall be interpreted as the direction established by the direction of gravity and horizontal direction as the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.
  • the storage body (3), the selector body (4), and the surface of the base (2) on which the selector body (4) is supported extend parallel to a horizontal plane, so the medicinal product units (U), when released, move mainly according to the direction of gravity because they are released when a support holding them no longer exists.
  • each of the cavities (3.3) of the storage body (3) has, aligned vertically therewith, at least one perforation (4.3) in the selector body (4) to allow the selection thereof and a perforation (2.1) of the base (2) to allow the release of the medicinal product unit (U) stored in a cavity (3.3) of the storage body (3).
  • the existence of one perforation (4.3) in the selector (4) for each of the groups (G1, G2, G3) of cavities (3.3) is sufficient to enable releasing all the medicinal product units (U) .
  • the selector body (4) has different positions according to the longitudinal direction allowing the passage of medicinal product units (U) belonging to different groups (G1, G2, G3), but it also has at least one position according to the longitudinal direction preventing the release of the medicinal products.
  • This position is that in which none of the perforations (4.3) coincides vertically with the lower outlet openings (3.3.2) of the storage body (3). Therefore, in this embodiment the length of the selector body (4) is greater than the length of the storage body (3) so that there is a position in which none of the lower outlet openings (3.3.2) coincides with the perforations (4.3).
  • the medicinal products (U) are supported on the upper surface (4.1) of the selector (4) which serves to support the medicinal product (U) and prevents the release thereof by preventing passage.
  • Figures 2A and 2B show another embodiment of the storage body (3) and the selector body (4).
  • Figure 2A shows the storage body (3) configured like the preceding example, in the shape of a straight strip extending according to a longitudinal direction, the direction identified as the main direction of the strip.
  • the cavities (3.3) of this storage body (3) are distributed in three different groups (G1, G2, G3) which are distributed following paths parallel to the main path of the strip.
  • the cavities (3.3) of the storage body (3) are distributed such that the cavities (3.3) belonging to different groups are aligned according to a transverse direction with respect to the direction determined by the main path. This transverse direction is graphically depicted with a discontinuous line passing through the centers of the cavities (3.3) having a circular configuration in this case.
  • the storage body (3) is demarcated by two surfaces, i.e., an upper surface (3.1) and a lower surface (3.2) with the same features.
  • the movement of the storage body (3) follows a displacement along the main path defined by the longitudinal direction of the storage body (3) as seen in Figure 2A .
  • the storage body (3) in an operative mode, moves with respect to the selector body (4) and with respect to the base (2) of the dispenser also according to the longitudinal direction.
  • Figure 2B shows the selector body (4) of this second embodiment.
  • the selector body (4) comprises a series of perforations (4.3) which must not only amount to at least one perforation per group of cavities (3.3), but rather according to a transverse direction with respect to the direction determined by the main path, amount to a plurality of aligned perforations (4.3) associated with different groups (G1, G2, G3), so as to allow dispensing more than one medicinal product unit (U) at a given time.
  • the selector (4) can therefore select more than one medicinal product unit (U) in a transverse direction at a given time and allows the release of those selected medicinal product units (U).
  • the selector body (4) is movable with respect to the storage body (3) following a path parallel to the main path defined by the longitudinal direction of the two bodies (3, 4). This movement allows the selector body (4) to choose at all times which medicinal product units (U) to release, allowing the passage thereof through the perforations (4.3) of the selector body (4) when they are vertically aligned with the lower outlet openings (3.3.2) in communication with the cavities (3.3) of the storage body (3) containing the medicinal products (U).
  • the selector body (4) adopts a longitudinal position in which one or more of its perforations (4.3) coincide with the perforations (2.1) of the base (2), then the medicinal products (U) housed in cavities (3.3) of the storage body (3), the lower outlet openings (3.3.2) of which also coincide vertically with the perforations (4.3) of the selector body (4), are released.
  • two perforations (4.3) of the selector body (4) are transversely aligned and comply with this condition, two medicinal products (U) corresponding to two different groups will be released.
  • medicinal products may be released from groups G1 and G2, respectively.
  • the perforations (4.3), verifying the condition which allows the release of the medicinal products will be two other groups, for example groups G1 and G3, since transversely the vertical coincidence has the position established for these two groups.
  • Other longitudinal positions may allow release from two other groups, three other groups, and so on so forth, until having as many combinations as possible, for example.
  • the existence of all the possible conditions is not required because, for example, the selector may only allow the exit of the medicinal product from group G1, in another longitudinal position the exit of the medicinal product (U) from group G2, and so on so forth.
  • the release of any specific medicinal product would be possible, the device would require gradually changing the dispensation position as many times as the number of medicinal products to be released instead of releasing the suitable medicinal products at one go.
  • the configuration of the storage body (3) in the shape of a strip now has the shape of a disk.
  • the main direction adopts a circular configuration and transverse directions with respect to the main direction are radial directions, the storage body (3) and the selector body (4) therefore being in the shape of a disk.
  • Figures 3 to 7 show a new embodiment of a dispenser according to the present invention.
  • Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the dispenser in which the different main elements making up said dispenser can be seen. These elements are as follows:
  • a support (1) of the device serves to support a so-called dosing module (M1).
  • the support (1) comprises a receiving region (R) which comprises a space in which medicinal products are released and allows the patient to receive said medicinal products.
  • Figure 3 shows a container or cup (16) which can be introduced in the medicinal product receiving region (R) so that when the medicinal product units (U) are released, these medicinal product units (U) fall into the container or cup, preventing the medicinal products from falling out or being lost.
  • the use of the cup (16) makes the reception more secure, particularly when age causes user's hands to become unsteady and when the medicinal products are received in a space that does not necessarily have visual access.
  • the receiving region (R) is closed by the support (1) on the sides and in the rear portion, leaving only a front opening (1.1) which allows the passage of the aforementioned container (16) or of the patient's hand for receiving the medicinal products when they are released.
  • This arrangement of the support (1) allows the medicinal product unit (U) to remain inside the receiving region (R) without it falling through other openings in the event that said medicinal product unit (U) does not land properly in the cup or falls off the patient's hand.
  • the dosing module (M1) is located on the support (1) holding it.
  • the module (M1) comprises different elements which allow storing and selecting the medicinal product units (U).
  • the base (2) of the module (M1) is arranged immediately above the receiving region (R).
  • the base (2) serves as a support for the rest of the elements of the module (M1).
  • Said base (2) comprises a series of perforations (2.1) which can be seen in Figure 4 , required to allow the passage of the medicinal products (U) and to allow their release after selection.
  • a projecting element (17) which, in the embodiment of the invention, serves to fix an extraction body (12) to the base (2), such that the perforations (2.1) of the base (2) coincide vertically with perforations (12.1.1) of the extraction body (12) and the passage of the medicinal product units (U) is not hindered.
  • the module (M1) comprises, above the base (2), a housing (H) which is the space configured for housing moving or readily removable bodies intended for storing and selecting medicinal products.
  • a housing (H) which is the space configured for housing moving or readily removable bodies intended for storing and selecting medicinal products.
  • the storage body (3), the selector body (4), and the extraction body (12), if it is present, are arranged in the housing (H).
  • the storage body (3) has a disk-shaped configuration extending according to a main plane.
  • the storage body (3) has a plurality of cavities (3.3) in which the medicinal product units (U) are stored. Each cavity is intended for storing a single medicinal product unit (U), such that the device allows the exit of the medicinal product units (U) individually, where necessary.
  • the plurality of cavities (3.3) is distributed in the storage body (3) following a main path which is circular due to the configuration of the storage body (3).
  • the storage body (3) is demarcated by two surfaces, i.e., an upper surface (3.1) and a lower surface (3.2).
  • Figure 3 shows the upper surface (3.1) on which feed openings (3.3.1) which allow accessing the inside of the cavities (3.3) for introducing the medicinal product units (U) are arranged.
  • each of the cavities (3.3) of the storage body (3) has, aligned vertically therewith, at least one perforation (4.3) in the selector body (4) to allow the selection thereof and at least one perforation (2.1) in the base (2) to allow the release of the medicinal product unit (U) stored in the cavity (3.3).
  • the main path of the storage body (3) configured in the shape of a disk is a circular path as a result of rotation with respect to an axis perpendicular to the main plane thereof.
  • the movement of the storage body (3) in the device follows a rotation, so the path of the cavities (3.3) is parallel to that circular main path and moves with respect to the base (2) and the selector body (4).
  • the storage body (3) has a toothed rack (3.5), in this case located along the perimeter of the disk, configuring a gear having a circular configuration allowing the movement thereof. This movement is necessary so that the medicinal product units (U) stored in the storage body (3) can move to a specific angular position to allow their selection and subsequent dispensation.
  • the selector body (4) is located below the storage body (3).
  • the selector body (4) is demarcated by two surfaces, i.e. an upper surface (4.1) which is seen in Figure 3 and a lower surface (4.2).
  • the upper surface (4.1) of the selector body (4) is facing the lower surface (3.2) of the storage body (3), whereas the lower surface (4.2) is facing the extraction body (12). If this extraction body (12) did not exist, then the lower surface (4.2) would be facing the base (2) directly.
  • the lower surfaces (3.2, 4.2) of both the storage body (3) and the selector body (4) are shown in Figure 6 .
  • the selector body (4) comprises a plurality of perforations (4.3) which are seen in Figure 3 . These perforations (4.3) allow selecting the medicinal product units (U) stored in the storage body (3) such that the dosing device can release the medicinal product units (U) belonging to different groups (G1, G2, G3, G4) individually or at one go at a given time.
  • the selector body (4) has a disk-shaped configuration extending according to a main plane. Therefore, the main path of each of its perforations (4.3) in the selector body (4) during rotation according to an axis of rotation perpendicular to its main plane is also circular.
  • the selector body (4) is movable with respect to the base (2) and to the storage body (3) following a path parallel to that circular main path.
  • the selector body (4) has a toothed rack (4.5) configuring a gear having a circular configuration which allows the movement thereof. In this embodiment, the toothed rack (4.5) is also perimetral.
  • This movement allows the selector body (4) to choose at all times which medicinal product units (U) to release, allowing the passage thereof through the perforations (4.3) when they are vertically aligned with the lower outlet openings (3.1.2) in communication with the cavities (3.3) of the storage body (3) containing the medicinal product units (U) and with the perforations (2.1) of the base (2) at the same time. If the lower outlet openings (3.3.2) of the storage body (3) are not in correspondence with the perforations (4.3) of the selector (4), then the medicinal products (U) are supported on the upper surface (4.1) of the selector (4) which serves to support the medicinal product (U) and prevents the release thereof by preventing passage.
  • the selector body (4) has different positions to allow the passage of medicinal product units (U) belonging to different groups (G1, G2, G3, G4), but it also has a position preventing the release of the medicinal products. This position is that in which none of the perforations (4.3) coincides vertically with the perforations (2.1) of the base (2).
  • two perforations (4.3) comply with this condition, two medicinal product units (U) corresponding to two different groups will be released.
  • medicinal product units (U) may be released from groups G1 and G2, respectively.
  • the perforations (4.3), verifying the condition which allows the release of the medicinal product units (U) will be two other groups, for example groups G1 and G3.
  • Other angular positions may allow release of two other groups, three other groups, and so on so forth, until having as many combinations as possible, for example.
  • the existence of all the possible conditions is not required because, for example, the selector may only allow the exit of the medicinal product from group G1, in another angular position the exit of the medicinal product (U) from group G2, and so on so forth.
  • the release of any specific medicinal product would be possible, the device would require gradually changing the angular dispensation position as many times as the number of medicinal product units (U) to be released instead of releasing the suitable medicinal product units (U) at one go.
  • the extraction body (12) is a basket interposed between the selector body (4) and the base (2).
  • This extraction body (12) is used to facilitate extraction of the storage body (3) when the cavities (3.3) containing medicinal product units (U) are to be emptied or refilled.
  • the storage body (3) and the selector body (4) are pulled along and it is assured that each of the cavities (3.3) of the storage body (3) always has a support surface located underneath preventing the medicinal product units (U) they house from falling out.
  • Figure 3 shows that the extraction body (12) has a support surface (12.1) arranged between the base (2) and the selector body (4).
  • This support surface (12.1) has perforations (12.1.1) corresponding with the perforations (2.1) of the base (2), this can be seen in Figure 6 .
  • This configuration is the result of the extraction body (12) having to allow the passage of the medicinal product units (U) like the base (2). Therefore, the perforations (12.1.1) of the extraction body (12) coincide and are vertically aligned with the perforations (2.1) of the base (2).
  • the extraction body (12) has bevel-shaped engagement means (12.3) with respect to the base (2) which allow fixing the correct angular position thereof.
  • the extraction body (12) has a handle (12.2) which facilitates extraction of the extraction body (12) and of the rest of the bodies (3, 4) that are pulled along.
  • This handle (12.2) is a prolongation extending from the center of the support surface (12.1) of the extraction body (12) which is intended for passing through the center of the selector body (4) until exceeding the upper surface (3.1) of the storage body (3) to allow the user to grip the handle (12.2) and proceed to extract all these bodies (3, 4, 12).
  • drive means (5, 6) arranged for this purpose are provided.
  • These drive means (5, 6) are two gear wheels driven in turn by a motor, not seen in the drawings, configuring a gear having a circular configuration configured for operating with the toothed racks (3.5, 4.5) of the storage body (3) and the selector body (4).
  • Figures 3 and 4 show the toothed wheel (5) which, together with the motor, constitutes the drive means of the storage body (3).
  • the other toothed wheel (6) also together with its corresponding motor, acts as drive means (6) of the selector body (4) and can be seen from another perspective in Figure 5 .
  • FIG. 3 shows the cover (7) of the device.
  • This cover (7) has closure means (7.1) designed for locking the device such that the patient is prevented from accessing the inside once the device is closed and only the pharmacist or person in charge of refilling the device is allowed to access the inside.
  • FIG. 3 shows closure means (7.1) comprising L-shaped hooks (7.1.1) that fit with the cover (7) when it is placed in a closed position, such that the cover (7) is in a suitable position covering the inside of the device and preventing the user from accessing its inside intended for receiving the medicinal product units (U).
  • closure means comprising L-shaped hooks (7.1.1) that fit with the cover (7) when it is placed in a closed position, such that the cover (7) is in a suitable position covering the inside of the device and preventing the user from accessing its inside intended for receiving the medicinal product units (U).
  • a flange not shown in the drawings, which protrudes through a groove (7.1.2) and is raised, preventing the cover (7) from opening.
  • the flange must be lowered and introduced back into the groove (7.1.2). Only the user identified as pharmacist can unlock the cover (7).
  • the storage body (3) has a marking (3.4) determining a angular reference position therein and the selector body (4) in turn has another marking (4.4) similarly determining an angular reference position.
  • Figure 3 shows that the module (M1) has two sensors (10, 11).
  • the first sensor (10) is an optical sensor which uses the marking (3.4) of the storage body (3) as a reference of the angular position of the storage body (3) when said sensor (10) detects the passage of the marking (3.4) after rotation. This angular reference is necessary so that a central processing unit (8) will know how to orient the storage body (3) and position the cavities (3.3) containing the medicinal product units (U) at all times.
  • the second sensor (11) is an optical sensor which uses the marking (4.4) of the selector body (4) as a reference of the angular position of said marking (4.4), as described with the storage body (3).
  • Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the preceding example with a greater inclination for viewing in detail the upper part of some elements.
  • the perforations (2.1) of the base (2) can be seen in this drawing.
  • the base (2) comprises at least one perforation (2.1) for each of the groups (G1, G2, G3, G4) and more specifically in this case the plurality of perforations (2.1) of the base (2) are distributed such that the perforations (2.1) corresponding to different groups (G1, G2, G3, G4) are aligned according to a transverse direction with respect to the direction determined by the main path, i.e., according to the radial direction.
  • Figure 5 shows an exploded view of the rear part of the dispenser of the same embodiment of the invention. This view shows the toothed wheel (6) which, together with the corresponding motor, constitutes the drive means of the selector body (4).
  • a communication port (13) which serves to connect and communicate the different modules (M1, M2) can also be seen.
  • the communication port is an I3C interface and allows communicating modules (M1, M2) stacked vertically on top of one another.
  • the dispenser of the example has a single module (M1), but new modules configured with the same features may be incorporated.
  • the new module would be arranged above the preceding module in the stacked configuration indicated above. Therefore, each module would have a communication port (13) allowing communication with the module arranged below same and with the module arranged above same, if any.
  • Figure 6 shows a view of the lower part of the dispenser.
  • a presence sensor (9) which is arranged in the receiving region (R) can be seen in said Figure 6 .
  • This presence sensor (9) is used for detecting when the first user requires the dispensation of one or more medicinal product units (U).
  • the extraction body (12) is therefore prevented moving and blocking the outlet of the medicinal product units (U) .
  • Figure 6 shows the lower surface (4.2) of the selector body (4), which is facing the support surface (12.1) of the extraction body (12) in the embodiment of the invention. If the extraction body (12) did not exist, the lower surface (4.2) of the selector body (4) would be facing the base (2).
  • the lower surface (3.2) of the storage body (3) which is facing the upper surface (4.1) of the selector body (4), can also be seen.
  • Figure 7 shows a section of the same example of dispenser according to a vertical plane of section in order to view the inside.
  • This section allows viewing the inside of the medicinal product dispenser, showing sensors (14) for detecting the exit of a medicinal product unit (U) located below the base (2) of the first module (M1).
  • sensors (14) for each of the perforations (2.1) of the base (2), i.e., for each of the possible outlets of the medicinal product units (U).
  • These sensors (14) are used for detecting the passage of the medicinal product units (U) when they are released. Whether or not the medicinal product units (U), which must be released at a given time, are actually dispensed to the first user can thereby be known when they are detected by the sensors (14) right before the move out of the dispenser.
  • the cavities (3.3) have been configured as spaces having a cylindrical configuration and they are spaces in which the medicinal product units (U) are stored.
  • the cavities (3.3) are accessible through upper feed openings (3.1.1), through which the medicinal product units (U) can be introduced when refilling the dispenser, and through lower outlet openings (3.2.1) through which the medicinal product units (U) are released.
  • the central processing unit (8) is arranged in the rear part of the medicinal product dispenser, utilizing the casing which close the receiving region (R) in the rear portion.
  • the central processing unit (8) is configured for controlling the drive means (5, 6) of the bodies (3, 4) and thereby positioning the bodies (3, 4) suitably for dispensing the medicinal product units (U).
  • the storage body (3) must be displaced such that the lower outlet openings (3.3.2) of the cavities (3.3) containing the medicinal product units (U) to be released coincide vertically with the corresponding perforations (2.1) of the base (2).
  • the selector body (4) must be displaced such that the perforations (4.3) thereof coincide vertically with the lower outlet openings (3.3.2) of the cavities (3.3) containing the medicinal product units (U) to be released and with the perforations (2.1) of the base (2).
  • Figure 7 indicates the components the first module (M1) comprises.
  • This module (M1) comprises the base (2), the housing (H) which in turn comprises the storage body (3), the selector body (4), and in this example the extraction body (12), and the drive means (5, 6) for moving the bodies (3, 4).
  • the same Figure 7 shows the possibility of incorporating an additional module (M2), where this additional module would be located between the cover and the preceding module (M1) and both modules (M1, M2) would be communicated by the communication port (13).
  • the new module (M2) would have the same features as the preceding module (M1).
  • the openings (2.1) of the base (2) of the new module (M2) must coincide vertically with the openings (2.1) of the base (2) of the first module (M1).
  • the central processing unit (8) may be configured such that the lower module (M1) allows the passage of the medicinal product units (U) which are released from the upper module (M2) or such that the upper module (M2) is allow to transfer the medicinal product units (U) to the lower module (M1) so that the lower module (M1) stores them, i.e., such that the upper module (M2) can refill the lower module (M1).
  • Figure 8 shows an enlarged view of the upper part of the storage body (3) according to the same embodiment, showing therein the upper surface (3.1) of the storage body (3).
  • the storage body (3) has a plurality of cavities (3.3), which are distributed, in this particular example, in four groups (G1, G2, G3, G4) shown distributed uniformly according to four circumferences of different radius.
  • Figure 8 shows the upper feed openings (3.1.1) providing access to the inside of the cavities (3.3) in which the medicinal products (U) are stored.
  • the main path of this storage body (3) is a circular path defined by the rotation of the body (3) with respect to an axis perpendicular to its main plane.
  • Each of the cavities (3.3) of one of the groups (G1, G2, G3, G4) follows a path parallel to the circular main path.
  • the cavities (3.3) of the storage body (3) belonging to three different outermost groups (G1, G2, G3) are aligned according to transverse directions with respect to the direction determined by the main path.
  • the cavities (3.3) are aligned according to the radial direction of the circle.
  • Figure 8 shows the toothed rack (3.5) the storage body (3) has along the perimeter of the disk.
  • This rack (3.5) configures a gear having a circular configuration which allows the movement of the storage body (3).
  • the marking or optical contrast (3.4) of the storage body (3) used for determining a reference position therein can also be seen.
  • This marking (3.4) is detected by the first sensor (10) as a reference of the angular position of the storage body (3) after rotating the body (3) until coming across said marking (3.4) .
  • Figure 9 shows a top view of the selector body (4) according to the preceding example in which the storage body (3) is configured in the shape of a disk.
  • the selector body (4) has the same disk-shaped configuration.
  • the drawing shows the upper surface (4.1) and the perforations (4.3) of the selector body (4) .
  • the selector body (4) Due to the distribution of the cavities (3.3) of the storage body (3) in different groups (G1, G2, G3, G4), the selector body (4) must have at least one perforation per existing group.
  • the selector body (4) has a plurality of perforations (4.3) with at least one perforation (4.3) per group (G1, G2, G3, G4) and distributed such that it comprises, in a specific radial direction of the circle, a plurality of perforations (4.3) associated with different groups for dispensing more than one medicinal product unit (U) at a given time.
  • This distribution is due to the distribution of the storage body (3), if the cavities (3.3) of different groups (G1, G2, G3, G4) are aligned in a transverse direction with respect to the circular main direction, then for the selector (4) to allow the selection of medicinal product units (U) belonging to different groups (G1, G2, G3, G4) at the same time, the perforations (4.3) of the selector body (4) must follow this distribution and must also be aligned in a radial direction with respect to the circle.
  • Figure 9 shows one perforation (4.3) for each of the existing groups (G1, G2, G3, G4) in a specific radial direction, such that one medicinal product unit (U) may be released for each of the groups (G1, G2, G3, G4) during dispensation.
  • Perforations (4.3) of group G1 and group G2 can be seen in another angular position of the selector body (4) in the corresponding radial direction, such that when dispensation is performed in that angular position medicinal product units (U) belonging to those groups may be dispensed.
  • the perforations (4.3) of the selector body (4) belonging to the same group (G1, G2, G3, G4) must be distributed following a direction parallel to the circular main direction of the disk.
  • parallel directions in a circular configuration are interpreted as directions configured according to a circle and presenting a different radius.
  • Figure 9 shows directions parallel to the circular main direction in which the perforations (4.3) that belong to each group (G1, G2, G3, G4) and located according to four different radii are distributed.
  • Figures 10A and 10B show the upper and lower parts of the extraction body (12) of this example of dispenser according to a perspective view.
  • Figure 10A shows the support surface (12.1), the perforations (12.1.1) of said support surface (12.1), and the handle (12.3).
  • This extraction body (12) is used for extracting the storage body (3) and the selector body (4) without the medicinal product units (U) falling out.
  • the extraction body is located between the base (2) and the selector (4), therefore the support surface (21.1) must comprise the same perforations (12.1.1) as the perforations of the base (2) so that the medicinal product units (U) can pass therethrough.
  • the base (2) has four perforations (2.1), one per group (G1, G2, G3, G4), to allow dispensing medicinal products from all the groups (G1, G2, G3, G4). Therefore, the support surface (12.1) of the extraction body (12) has the same perforations (12.1.1) as the base (2) coinciding vertically with the perforations (2.1) of the base (2) .
  • the handle (12.2) is used to make it easier for the user to extract the extraction body (12) and the rest of the bodies (3, 4) that are pulled along.
  • the handle (12.2) is a prolongation extending from the center of the support surface (12.1) and exceeding the upper surface (3.1) of the storage body (3) so that the user can grip the handle and extract the bodies (3, 4, 12).
  • Figure 10B shows the engagement means (12.3) of the extraction body (12) which allow fixing the position thereof with respect to the base (2) so that the perforations (12.1.1) are vertically aligned with the perforations (2.1) of the base (2) at all times, preventing the extraction body (12) from moving and blocking the outlet of the medicinal product units (U).
  • the engagement means (12.3) consist of a small hole in the center of the support surface (12.1) of the extraction body (12) which has a bevel intended for preventing rotation, a specific shape, and is fitted in a complementary manner with a projecting element (17) arranged in the center of the base (2), allowing the extraction body (12) to be fixed with respect to the base (2) in the correct position so that the perforations (2.1) of the base (2) coincide vertically with the perforations (12.1.1) of the extraction body (12).
  • the present invention relates to a system for the communication of the dosing device (D) with a server (S).
  • FIG 11 shows schematically an example of system involving the use of dosing device (D), for example a dosing device (D) like the one described above based on Figures 3 to 10 , and a plurality of users.
  • the system comprises a cloud server (S) housing a platform in charge of managing users and different user profiles as well as a medicinal product dispensing device (D) communicated with the server (S).
  • the dosing device (D) and the server (S) exchange information about treatments, medicines, and doses of the patients, information about dosages over the time, information about patient treatment adherence, etc.
  • the physician, user with the third profile (P3) therefore defines the treatment a patient must follow, determining the list of medicinal products, the dosages over time for each of the medicinal products and for a specific patient.
  • This information is transmitted to the server (S) which manages the information in the platform and becomes information associated with the patient.
  • the patient has a first profile (PI) which is used by the physician, with their third profile (P3), so that the prescribed medicinal products as well as the dosage over time are assigned to that patient with the first profile (PI) and not to anyone else.
  • the pharmacist has access to the information of the platform and with their profile as user with a second profile (P2) they can access any dosing device (D) of a pre-established patient and also the medicinal products and dosage prescribed to them. This information is obtained directly from the server (S).
  • a patient with a first profile visits the pharmacy with their dosing device (D) so that the pharmacist refills it suitably.
  • the pharmacist refilling the device suitably means that they will store each medicinal product in the storage body (3) of the dosing device (D) by introducing the medicinal product units (U) of a specific medicinal product in a group (G1, G2, G3, G4) that is different from another different medicinal product and will be assigned by the server (S) which has information about the configuration of the dosing device (D), particularly of both the storage body (3) and the selector (4).
  • the server (S) will also assign to each cavity (3.3), now containing a medicinal product unit (U), the time at which this medicinal product unit must be supplied to the first user.
  • the central processing unit (8) of the device has information about the stored medicinal product units (U) as well as the instants in which it must be supplied to the patient, the user with the first profile (P1).
  • This information can also be acquired from the server (S) through an Internet connection.
  • a specific embodiment of the dosing device (D) comprises a connection to a mobile device (15) such as a mobile telephone or a tablet with Internet connection.
  • a specific way of communication with the mobile device (15) is through a Bluetooth connection.
  • the dosing device (D) When it is time to take one or more medicinal product units (U), the dosing device (D) emits a notification signal to the patient so that they can move to where the device is located and receive the dose supplied to them.
  • the specific ways of providing notification are by way of acoustic or light notifications. Another specific way of providing notification is through the mobile the first user has.
  • the first user i.e., the patient
  • the presence sensor (9) detects the presence of the hand or the cup (16) and verifies simultaneously if it must supply a medicinal product unit (U). If this is the case, the device places the storage body (3) and the selector body (4) in the position or positions which allow supplying the medicinal product unit or units (U). If it is not the time to supply a medicinal product unit (U), the dosing device (D) will not supply anything for the safety of the first user or patient.
  • the patient wants to acquire the medicinal product directly from inside the apparatus it will remain closed since the patient, with a first profile (P1), is not authorized for opening same.
  • the dosing device (D) includes connections with devices for capturing variables of the patient such as the heart rate, blood pressure, or skin surface tension.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Medical Informatics (AREA)
  • Pharmacology & Pharmacy (AREA)
  • Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
EP19797763.0A 2019-08-09 2019-08-09 Drug-dosing device Pending EP4011349A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/ES2019/070563 WO2021028604A1 (es) 2019-08-09 2019-08-09 Dispositivo dosificador de medicamentos

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EP4011349A1 true EP4011349A1 (en) 2022-06-15

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6732884B2 (en) * 2001-02-22 2004-05-11 Douglas A. Topliffe Bulk medication dispenser and monitoring device
US8622241B2 (en) * 2008-12-12 2014-01-07 Csp Technologies, Inc. Dispenser
WO2013120029A1 (en) * 2012-02-10 2013-08-15 Abiogenix Inc. Dispensing device
NL2010673C2 (en) * 2013-04-19 2014-10-21 Vmi Holland Bv Medication dispensing container.
GB201418350D0 (en) * 2014-10-16 2014-12-03 Elucid Mhealth Ltd Dispenser and methods of use thereof
WO2019145787A2 (en) * 2018-01-25 2019-08-01 Modoscript Llc Pill dispenser device, system, and method

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