ES2549162T3 - Dispensing system for medication regimen - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispensing system (1) for the administration of medications (5) during a medication dosing regimen and comprising: (i) a tray (2) comprising: a frame (27); an interconnected array (3) of compartments (4), each compartment being sized to house a plurality of medications inside; in which the frame acts as an interconnecting member to keep the compartments in position in an interconnected matrix; and in which when each compartment is removed from the frame it leaves an opening (11) in the frame; (ii) a closure (12) for the compartments in which the closure comprises a sheet that includes an individual closure (9) for each of the compartments, the closure arranged so that the closure and compartments form a series of containers (19) airtight for medication containment; being, for this purpose, the compartments and the closure arranged so that each airtight container is breakable from the interconnected matrix so that an airtight container can be removed from the matrix, additionally in which each airtight container comprises information identifying a time of the dosage regimen during which the medicine contained in the container is intended to be administered, and the airtight containers are arranged sequentially according to the administration times.

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Dispensing system for medication regimen

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of dispensing systems for drug regimens for patients. In particular, the present invention relates to a medication tray that is compartmentalized for the purposes of a medication dosage regimen.

Background of the invention

Of particular interest is a dispensing system that is suitable for use with different medications for different administration regimens. For example, a patient on more than one medication will have to take one or more medications at a specific time of day (for example, in the morning, afternoon, evening or with meals / before meals / after meals). The medications to be taken at any given time may vary depending on the dose / frequency etc. A medicine can be taken on a longer term (for example, a medicine to treat high blood pressure), while a second medicine can be taken on a shorter term. In addition, people may need individual or multiple dosage forms for prescribed short-term or long-term courses, for example, antibiotics or blood pressure pills. The complexity of the regimen may increase as a patient is prescribed one or more medications or as the dosage regimen becomes more complicated. Therefore, there is a need for dispensing systems that keep the medication in a compartmentalized manner for administration at a given time. In general, a compartment will contain the medication that a patient should take at any given time. Such systems are known as Controlled Dosing Systems or Multi-compartment Compliance Assistants (MCA).

Due to the potential complexity of the dosing regimen, many systems for monitoring the patient's medication intake have been developed. These systems usually have a series of compartments in which the medicine that will be taken at a specified time is placed. Many types of dispensing systems are known. These include mechanical or manual devices for filling tablet cases, blister packs, envelopes and the like. Also included are dispensers of the type that can be carried by a patient and which are small boxes that have a dispenser that will dispense one tablet at a time by operating a dispensing mechanism, typically by pushing a push button.

These systems are used for the administration of pre-packaged medications supplied from Pharmacies to patient care centers (such as hospitals, Residence / Nursing Home, etc.). The purpose of these systems is to provide a daily dose of medication to a patient, or a patient care donor, in an easy-to-administer format in already prepared dosage units, either in sachets or blister packs. Examples of current brands of blister packs are Nomad ™ / Venalink ™ / Manrex ™. These systems are generally composed of two parts, an outer paper or plastic housing or module, which acts as a support on which an inner tray is placed that has compartments arranged in a grid format that detail a daily dose per patient divided into the days of the week with several compartments sectioned at intervals throughout the day (doses in the morning, at noon, etc.) and repeated for a week

or a month The pharmacist dispenses the medication in separate compartments of each patient's tray according to the prescription (of the doctor) and tightly closes the tray. He or she then performs a double check procedure and when everything is confirmed correctly, delivers the trays / modules to the patient care center. The medications will be in one or more non-liquid forms such as one or more tablets, capsules or other ready prepared dosage units. Tray compartments are typically sized to accommodate a plurality of tablets. The patient or caregiver then accesses the tablets according to the correct dosing time (for example, Monday morning dose, according to the original prescription). In general, the contents of a given compartment are transferred from the tray by hand to individual, unlabeled, unidentified medicine vessels that are then distributed to the patient. Medicine cups are typically small open-mouth plastic cups that are discarded after use.

The problems of Controlled Dosing Systems such as those described above are:

1) The medicine should be removed from each compartment daily by breaking the seals and turning the tray or physically removing the tablets by hand and transferring them to medicine cups. 2) The tablets may get caught in the adhesive closure of the tray. 3) Paper trays tend to deteriorate over time due to their use. 4) Plastic trays with sliding doors and compartments are bulky and heavy and also deteriorate over time, for example, the trays lose their fasteners; They can be unlocked and loosened with wear. 5) In general, the medication should be transferred to medicine vessels before administration to the patient. 6) The trays are not reusable.

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Envelopes can also be used. These comprise rolls of envelopes individually labeled with daily medication. The problems with these systems are:

1) Envelope rolls are large and bulky. 2) Because each dose is withdrawn every day from a packaged roll, any dose error may not be immediately apparent, since it is not clear how the tablets are distributed along the roll and, in particular, due to that the pattern of repetition of the patient's medicine regimen is not easily visible. 3) The tablets are stored in light or delicate packages in which it may be necessary to transfer the tablets to a medicine vessel, in some cases, at the point of administration to prevent the loss of the tablets. 4) Packaging machinery to create envelopes is very expensive. 5) There is currently a problem of patient confidentiality regarding the removal of envelopes with personal information about them.

In summary, each system implies an additional stage whereby tablets should be transferred before administration to the patient. Envelope systems may be superior to controlled dosing systems, since direct handling of the medication may not be as great, but these have other drawbacks.

Lewis (US 6,681,935) shows a tray where each compartment connects directly to the next. There is no frame in the construction shown. Bouthiette's document (US 2008/0023366) is a provision similar to Lewis's. Bouthiette (US 5,788,079) uses two trays, one as the "lowered support" of Figure 1 and the second as the "plastic sheet" (tray) of Figure 3. Pabari (GB 2448188) unveils a rigid support with a series of compartments on which a removable sheet is placed. Pabari does not allow the withdrawal of individual vessels. Doull (US 4,998,623) is similar in construction to Bouthiette (US 5,788,079) and suffers from the same drawbacks. It is a support system with a series of insertable compartments. Mernoe (WO 99/25307) is simply a series of blister packs. Lubow (WO2004 / 000520) discloses a procedure for applying a barcode. DE 202006007553 refers to a childproof closure for blister packs. In particular, it refers to a blister pack that folds into a complex portfolio. This document refers to the problem of making access to child-proof medication. Niven (WO2009 / 047560) describes a system that has a tray with individual compartments and an individual vessel within each compartment.

It would be desirable to provide an alternative system for a dosage regimen to the patient.

Summary of the invention

In a first aspect the present invention provides a dispensing system for the administration of medicaments during a medication dosing regimen in accordance with the provisions of claim 1.

The frame essentially acts as an interconnecting member to hold the compartments in position in an interconnected matrix. When each compartment (tightly closed container) is removed from the frame, it can leave an opening in the frame. This means that the frame will retain the remaining compartments in the matrix even if one or more adjacent compartments have been removed.

Desirably, the system may further comprise an openable flap that allows access to the tray, and, optionally, in which the openable flap is a cover for the upper part of the tray. The tray and the openable flap (lid or cover) can be integrally formed (be continuous) with one another, for example in an arrangement where a fold between the tray and the flap can form a joint. Desirably, the continuous piece comprising the tray, the cover, and the joint can be integrally formed from a single piece of material. This can be done by any suitable technique including vacuum molding. The cover can maintain patient information and it is preferred that the lid or flap is open transparent. The transparency of the cover allows a user to read the patient's information, for example, when it is provided on a patient information sheet.

Desirably, a support is provided, optionally in the form of a module, in which the tray fits. Such a support can be adapted to retain the frame while allowing the containers to be removed. In such an arrangement, the support is provided with one or more retention members that retain the frame but allow the removal of the containers.

Each closed container desirably comprises patient identification information, which is printed on the closure before its application to the compartments. The information printed on the closure identifies a time of the dosing regimen during which the drug is intended to be administered in the container. The provision of patient information in the container is advantageous because the person who withdraws the medication from the system, such as a caregiver, can easily verify that the correct medication is being provided to the correct patient.

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The compartments are desirably constructed of a substantially transparent material that allows visual inspection of the medicine contained inside. This provides a means for the caregiver to ensure that the correct medication prescribed for the patient is contained in the compartment. It is desirable that the trays or strips can be fitted into the next one to allow compact storage and convenient transport of the internal trays.

In a desired aspect of the present invention, the compartments are constructed in order to avoid any substantial increase or reduction in the size of the medicine contained therein. A problem that underlies the currently available systems is that the container in which the medications are contained can provide a misrepresentation of the actual size and / or color of the medications themselves. This problem can lead to difficulty in identifying the medications, in particular, based on size, and can lead to the administration of an incorrect medication if it is incorrectly contained in the container. This problem is avoided in the dispensing system of the present invention.

The closure of the present invention suitably comprises a sheet or adhesive strip that includes an individual closure for each of the compartments. Patient identification information can be provided in each of the closures. Information is provided that identifies a time during the dosing regimen in which the drug is intended to be administered in the container.

The closure can comprise individual covers. For example, individual lids can be formed of the same material as the tray, a flap that can be closed to the tray and any joint that connects the lid to the tray. For example, everything can be manufactured from a continuous piece of material. Providing a sheet of material and forming two parallel articulation lines on it forming an arrangement of three panels. This can be done by any suitable technique including vacuum molding. In one arrangement, a three panel system is formed with two folds. A panel is used to form the covers, a second panel is used to form the tray, and the third panel forms a flap that can be closed. Desirably, a central panel forms the tray and the panels on the left or right form any of the covers or the flap that can be closed. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that the left and right panels can form

Either one of the covers or the flap that can be closed. The lids can be provided in a breakable matrix so that each lid can be broken to engage with a corresponding compartment to form an airtight container of the invention.

It is also desirable that the information identifying the medications, which must be contained within each container, be provided at each closure, for example, through bar codes. For example, it is desirable that information be provided to take into account the number of medications that must be contained within each container, provided, for example, at each closure. A representation, suitably an image (desirably with the appropriate color) of the medicament or medicaments can be used. This provides a visual reference with which the actual content can be checked. It is also desirable that information regarding the patient, which is desirable in each container, be provided at each closure, for example in the form of a barcode.

The present invention can provide a dispensing system as set forth in the claims for the administration of medicaments during a medicament dosing regimen and comprising:

a tray comprising; an interconnected array of compartments, each compartment being sized to accommodate inside a plurality of medications; the interconnected matrix comprising a series of rows, each row being severely connected to the next.

In this aspect of the present invention, it is desirable that the system comprises a closure for the compartments arranged so that the closure and the compartments form a series of airtight containers for drug containment; the compartments and the closure being arranged so that each airtight container is breakable from the interconnected matrix so that an airtight container can be broken from the matrix for use in administering the medicine contained therein.

The dispensing system of the present invention may further comprise indicating means that indicate to a user that a tray is correctly placed on a support. Desirable indicator means are provided to indicate when a tray and / or a row that have been detached, have been correctly placed on a support. The advantages of the indicating means is that the orientation of the tray or row in the support is correct. This is important because, for example, incorrect placement can mean an incorrect dosing regimen, for example, in reverse order on the support. In this embodiment it is desirable that the user can only place the tray or row in an orientation that correctly places the tray or row of compartments containing medications in the holder so that the correct medication is administered to a patient at the appropriate time. It will be appreciated that incorrect placement, for example, reversal of the order of the compartments is more likely when a single row sits on the support

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In other words, the indicating means can also indicate to a user that a tray or row that has been detached has been properly seated on a support. The indicating means can also allow the correct application of the closure, for example in the form of a sheet that optionally comprises hermetic seals / adhesive strips, in situ.

In a desired aspect of the invention, the indicating means comprise one or more projections, which interfere with the incorrect positioning of the row or tray. Therefore, it would be impossible for the user to misplace the individual tray or row of the tray in the holder.

This is desirable in embodiments in which an open flap is present, because a clamping mechanism is provided that can contain the flap in a closed position covering the tray. For example, one or more projections and corresponding recess or recesses, for example blind opening or openings can be provided in which the projection or projections are coupled with the recess or recesses to secure the flap to the tray. The projections may be in the tray and the recesses in the flap or vice versa.

It will be appreciated that all aspects of the invention that relate to a tray also apply equally to one or more rows of compartments.

In a further desired aspect of the present invention, the indicating means comprise one or more alignment projections, which help with the correct placement in the support and optionally, additionally, with the correct placement of a closure such as an adhesive sheet. This provides a simple but effective indicator means.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the support is a module on which tray is seated. This allows the system of the invention to be used with modules that can be easily stacked. Desirably the modules allow for removal of the containers while retaining the rest of the tray, for example, a frame thereof.

In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the projections are in the tray, and the tray is kept in a module housing. The tray can slide in the module. Alternatively or additionally, it can be inserted through an open top or base of the module that optionally closes with a flap. It will be appreciated that in the embodiments in which the tray comprises an integrally formed flap (as described above), a module can also be used, but is generally not required.

In the present invention, the module is reusable and comprises at least one openable flap that allows access to the tray. The open flap is a cover for the top or bottom of the module. This is a simple but very effective procedure to allow the module to be reused with different trays / rows.

In a desired aspect of the present invention, there are two flaps that can be opened, one being a cover for the top of the module and one being a cover for the bottom of the module. This allows an ease of dispensing and a flap, for example, on the basis of the module can be used to contain information related to the medication regimen.

The module further comprises a retainer within the housing that holds the tray in position while allowing the airtight containers to detach manually from the interconnected matrix. This means that even if the containers are removed from the tray the rest of the tray is held in place. It also means that, even if a closure is opened, such as a cover for the support, the tray is retained. This means that the matrix can be accessed and the closed containers can be removed from the matrix while the tray is still in place.

In one aspect of the present invention, the retainer comprises a cage structure, which is optionally present above and below the tray. The cage structure will retain the matrix while still allowing the seated containers to be removed. Desirably the compartments extend through the cage structure. This allows ease of withdrawal.

It is desirable that the retainer comprises a seat for the tray. In one aspect of the present invention the tray seat can comprise the cage structure. The cage structure of the present invention desirably comprises a grid with openings in which the tray compartments are received. Desirably, the retainer allows the removal of the containers that retain the rest of the interconnected matrix. In particular, the retainer can retain a frame to which the compartments are connected.

In a desired aspect of the present invention the retainer comprises a series of members that overlap the tray. This ensures that the tray is securely retained while still allowing access to remove the containers.

In addition, it is desirable that the cage structure comprises a series of members, said members are superimposed on the tray while the tray is seated in the support. The advantage of the cage structure that covers the

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The tray of the present invention is that when a container is being manually removed from the interconnected matrix, the series of members ensures that the tray is held in the module housing while the container is broken.

In a desired aspect of the present invention, said members that overlap the tray while the tray is seated in the support are in the form of a grid structure containing one or both of horizontal and vertical members.

It may be desirable in the present invention for the retainer to be pivotally connected to the module. This may make it easier to insert the tray.

In addition, it may be desirable that at least a portion of the cage structure is pivotally connected to the module. This allows easy access and, in particular, adding or removing a tray. Again, all references to a tray apply equally to one or more rows.

In a further aspect of the present invention, it may also be desirable that the retainer comprises a series of members that overlap the tray and the series of members pivotally connect to the module. Again, this allows the ease of insertion and removal of a tray or row.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a dispensing system is provided as set forth in the claims for the administration of medicaments during a medicament dosing regimen and comprising:

a module with a module housing and for use with a tray, the tray comprising: an interconnected array of compartments, each compartment being sized to accommodate inside a plurality of medications, the module also comprising a retainer within the housing it retains the tray in position. This is a simple arrangement that is particularly suitable for use with the systems of the invention described above.

The dispensing system of the present invention may further comprise a closure for the compartments, the closure and the compartments forming a series of airtight containers for the containment of medicaments; for this purpose, the compartments and the closure are arranged so that each airtight container is breakable from the interconnected matrix so that an airtight container can be removed from the matrix for use in administering medicine contained therein and the retainer retains the remaining part of the tray inside the module. This allows for easy removal of the containers while retaining the rest of the tray.

It is desirable that the retainer of the dispensing system comprises a cage structure. It may be desirable that a cage structure is present above and below the tray. It may also be desirable for the retainer to comprise a tray seat. In another aspect of the present invention, it is desirable that the cage structure form a tray seat.

Optionally, the cage structure comprises a grid with openings in which the tray compartments are received.

In another aspect of the present invention, it is desirable for the retainer to comprise a series of members that overlap the tray. It is also desirable that the cage structure comprises a series of members that overlap the tray. In a further aspect of the present invention, the retainer pivotally connects to the module. It may be desirable that at least a portion of the cage structure be pivotally connected to the module.

In another aspect of the invention, a breakable connection is formed between each compartment and the interconnected matrix by at least one removable lug, and the detachment of the lug releases an airtight container from the matrix. In a further aspect of the invention, a breakable connection is formed between each compartment and the interconnected matrix by at least one perforated member and the detachment along the perforations releases an airtight container from the matrix. In a more additional aspect of the invention, a breakable connection is formed between each compartment and the interconnected matrix by at least one removable strip and the detachment of the strip releases an airtight container from the matrix. In a further aspect of the invention, a breakable connection is formed by a plurality of rupture points or lugs between each compartment and the interconnected matrix and breaking the plurality of rupture points releases an airtight container from the matrix. The plurality of breakpoints or lugs may comprise at least 2 and, often between 2 and 6 breakpoints, such as between 2 and 4 breakpoints, and desirably at least 3 breakpoints, for example, no more than 5 break points

In embodiments in which the closure comprises individual covers the closure may comprise a breakable matrix of individual covers, and the lid breakable matrix and the tray are formed from a continuous piece of material. Breakable lids desirably have weaker breakable connections than those that connect the compartments in the tray frame. In addition, it is desirable that the breakable covers be slightly larger than a mouth, for example, a compartment lid to ensure that the covers

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hermetically close the compartments. In one aspect of the invention, the covers are pressed into the compartments to coincide with them. For example, a lid may have a male portion that matches by coupling the mouth of the compartment.

In embodiments in which the tray comprises an integrally formed flap (as described above), the invention may further comprise a plurality of support legs or struts (which are not compartments) to provide vertical support for the tray when resting on a surface and also to provide support when a user is removing a compartment from the tray. The struts are generally located at each corner of the tray and can take any shape or conformation.

The invention may further comprise an actuator that is actuated when one or more containers are removed from the matrix. For example, the actuator may comprise a lever member that acts on the breakable connection to facilitate the removal of a container from the interconnected matrix, a punch that pierces a container from the interconnected matrix, a blade that cuts a container from the interconnected matrix , and / or an lug that, when pushed and / or pulled, removes a container from the interconnected matrix. The actuator may comprise a finger puller to allow manual connection breakage (for example analogously to several annular handles that have been present in the beverage cans) or dual lugs that when pushed together break a container of the interconnected matrix. The actuator can generally be arranged to act on the breakable connection so that the actuator helps to remove the container.

The actuator can be in the holder or in the tray. More desirably, the actuator is movably mounted to allow the actuator to move (act on the respective breakable connection) to remove more than one and desirably all the containers.

It may be desirable, in addition, the retainer comprises a series of members that overlap the tray and the series of members pivotally connect to the module. All of the above has the advantages that have been discussed above.

A procedure for filling a medication dispensing system with medications comprises the steps of:

provide a system as defined above; Dispense the prescribed medication in one or more compartments of the tray according to the required dosage regimen; close at least the compartments in which the medicine is dispensed using a closure for the compartments so that the closure and the compartments form a series of airtight containers.

It is desirable that the procedure provide more patient identification information.

In the process it is also desirable that each closed container be provided with information that identifies a time during which the dosage regimen intends to administer the medication in the container.

The procedure desirably provides patient identification information at each closure.

In a desired aspect of the procedure, information is provided that identifies a time during which the dosage regimen intends to administer the medication in the container at each closure.

In a more desired aspect of the procedure, identification information of the drugs that must be contained within each container at each closure is provided, for example, by bar codes.

The term medicament when applied to the present invention includes any form of medication prescribed for a patient, for example, a tablet, a pill, a capsule, a suppository, a powder, and the like known to those skilled in the art.

The term breakable when applied to the present invention includes any means to allow the required airtight container to be removed or separated from the die when required. This includes breaking a connection lug, breaking an adhesive seal, using perforations to allow removal, using a finger pull lug, a detachment strip or the like and any combination thereof.

The invention allows a pharmacist to provide a patient directly, or through a patient care center, a dosing system whereby the pharmacist supplies the medication in pre-prepared airtight containers. When the closure in the airtight containers is detached, the containers also act as medicine vessels, that is, the medications can be left in the medication vessel or container when administered to the patient. In the event that the closure comprises individual fragile lids, the push or burst of the lid can open the containers. In both cases, the terms "glass or medicine cups" and "container" can be used interchangeably.

The medicine cups are desirably arranged in a transparent rigid tray where each glass is breakably attached to the tray as described by any of the above procedures and, for example

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through a weakened union. The vessels are generally arranged sequentially according to the administration times and optionally also day of the week or weeks per month. A typical configuration is where the rows (from left to right) refer to different days and the columns (from top to bottom) correspond to different times during the day, or the rows (from left to right) can be related to a time from

5 specific daily dosage and columns (top to bottom) can be related to weeks in the year, that is, week 1, week 2, week 3, etc.

After filling the tray in the pharmacy, the medicine cups are tightly closed by applying a closure that can take the form of lid tags, which optionally establishes the name and / or photograph of the patient in each glass. Labels can be applied through a single sheet or strip in such a way that a

Once the sheet or strip is pressed on the tray, it will leave an individual label on each glass. The edges of the seal / seal can be adhesive to adhere to the flange of the airtight container which can now also act as a medicine vessel.

The tray is then optionally inserted into a reusable module. Desirably, the module is a module of the present invention. The module can be useful for maintaining patient information such as a sheet

15 typically a card that lists the patient's medication, and desirably, in addition, one or more of: identifiers to aid visual identification of a tablet, side effect warnings, dosage regimen etc.

It is easy to provide the module in this way. Once provided, the patient or a caregiver can withdraw each glass of individually labeled medicines by pressing on the desired container to release the container or glass. 20 A marked individual vessel can be removed by the patient. The module can remain behind.

It will be appreciated that in embodiments in which the tray is integrally formed with a flap that can carry patient information, such as a sheet, typically a card. For example, the flap may have grooves arranged therein to couple and maintain patient information.

The advantages of the present invention include:

25  Reduced risk of contamination by reducing or removing handling, for example, by staff or patient;  Ensure an imperturbable pharmacist-patient line for the distribution of the medication so that the risk of new errors is reduced;  Provide crucial identification of the medication through the dispensing line from pharmacist to patient and, therefore, eliminates the possibility that the wrong medication is being administered to the

30 wrong patient;  Release the time lost in rechecking the medication;  Provide the patient with confidence that the medication he is taking is actually for him or her, by

example, in an embodiment in which there is a removable cover with the identification information of the patient, such as name and / or photo clearly identified therein; 35  Reduces the cost, since it eliminates the need for separate medicine cups and trays, in particular and including the costs for their withdrawal;  More friendly to the environment by reducing the level of waste per patient;  Having fragile rows reduces the cost and level of waste per patient when a patient is not on a dosing regimen of 5 times a day or 4 weeks per month; 40  Caregivers or patients do not have to carry the entire heavy module with them.

Brief description of the drawings

The features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of the invention and of the drawings in which:

Figure 1A illustrates a top view of a tray of the dispensing system of the present invention with

45 a breakable row separated from it and a breakable container separated from it; Figure 1B illustrates a side profile of the interconnected compartments of the dispensing system tray of the present invention; and Figure 1C illustrates a cross section of the compartments as illustrated in Figure 1B. Figures 2A to 2E illustrate a cross-sectional view of the filling process of the

50 empty compartments with medicaments representing a multiple dosing schedule of a patient in five daily dosing regimens, tightly closing the compartments to form airtight containers, and seating the airtight containers in a module of the dispensing system of the present invention. Figure 3 is a side view of three stacked modules (supports) of the dispensing system of the present

Invention. Figure 4A illustrates an enlarged and detailed partial cross-section of one of the fragile airtight containers of the interconnected matrix of airtight containers containing medicaments and located in situ in the

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support of the dispensing system of the present invention. Figure 4B illustrates an enlarged partial detailed perspective view of Figure 4A showing in greater detail the indicating means for the correct alignment of the tray in a module (support). Figure 5 illustrates a side sectional view of a single container containing the medicine being detached from the tray and removed from the module (support). Figure 6 is a perspective view of a closure for a tray comprising rows (and columns) of individually labeled adhesive closures that include patient identification information. Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a breakable compartment of the dispensing system tray of the present invention showing the breakable connection of the compartment to the interconnected matrix, the indicating means, and a breakable line for breaking a row of compartments and which further illustrates an lug to indicate the time of day of the dosage. Figure 8A illustrates a cross section of two fragile airtight containers containing medicaments that are part of an interconnected array of compartments, and located in situ in the support of the dispensing system of the present invention. Figure 8B is a top view of the containers of Figure 8A and indicates the position in which the cross-sectional view of Figure 8A is taken; Figure 8C is a perspective view of a pair of airtight containers, each containing medications, and each being detached from the die, an airtight container having an intact closure, while the other container has the partially detached closure. Figure 9 is a perspective view of a hermetically filled and sealed dispensing system of the present invention for an individual in five daily dosing schedules. Figure 10 illustrates the hermetically filled and sealed tray of Figure 9 with a single breakable, sealed container removed. Figure 11 is a perspective view of a module (support) of the present invention for receiving an interconnected array of compartments. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the module (support) of Figure 11 with two rows of airtight containers housed therein for use for administration of a dosing regimen twice daily. Figure 13 is a perspective view of the lower side of the module (support) of Figure 11 with a row of airtight containers housed therein and for administration to a patient in a dosing regimen once a day and with the information on the patient's medication regimen at the bottom of an openable flap of the support. Figure 14 is a perspective view of a module comprising an actuator in the form of a leverage member that aids in the removal of a container from the interconnected matrix housed in the support. Figure 15 is a top view of a container with a removable strip to release the container from the interconnected matrix or frame. Figure 16A is a side view of an actuator of the present invention in the form of a punch in position for drilling a container (shown in sectional view) away from an interconnected die. Figure 16B is a perspective view of a blade actuator, which cuts a container of the interconnected die of the present invention. Figure 16C is a top view of a container with a finger drive actuator which, when pulled, removes a container from the interconnected matrix of the present invention. Figure 16D is a perspective view of a dual lug actuator that when pushed together removes a container from the interconnected matrix of the present invention. Figure 17A illustrates a top view of the dispensing system of the present invention with an open flap or lid in an open position; Figure 17B illustrates a top view (in plan) of the dispensing system of Figure 17A in a closed position with an attached patient information sheet; and Figure 17C illustrates a plan view from below of the tray thereof showing the medications in the compartments. Figure 18A illustrates an open flap for the tray of the present invention in the process of being lowered to cover the interconnected matrix of airtight compartments; Figure 18B illustrates an articulation for the openable flap; Figure 18C illustrates the indicating means of the tray of the present invention, which also act as a clamping mechanism for capturing the openable flap in a closed position on the tray; and Figure 18D illustrates the tray and the openable flap in a closed position. Figures 19A to 19C are, respectively, an enlarged perspective view of a breakable compartment of the tray of the dispensing system of the present invention showing (Figure 19A) the breakable connection of the compartment to the interconnected matrix, (Figure 19B) a breakable line of the patient information seal in the compartment, and (Figure 19C) a breakable airtight container removed with the patient information seal intact. Figure 19D illustrates the removal of a single airtight compartment from the interconnected array of compartments. Figure 20A is a perspective view of a patient identity card for installation in an openable flap of a tray of the dispensing system of the present invention; Figure 20B is a perspective view of a medicament information sheet (tablet) for a tray of the dispensing system; Figure 20C is a perspective view of a closure for a tray of individually labeled adhesive closures that include patient identification information; and Figure 20D is a side view of six stacked trays of the dispensing system of the present invention.

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Detailed description of the drawings

It should be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art that the examples disclosed herein represent only generalized examples, and that other arrangements are possible and are encompassed by the present invention.

Figure 1 illustrates: Figure 1A a top view of an interconnected array of compartments in the form of a tray that is part of the dispensing system of the present invention, the tray is in a non-hermetic configuration and with a breakable row that has been removed from it, the breakable row is provided with indicating means located at both ends of the row, and a breakable compartment that has been removed therefrom, Figure 1B is a side profile of the compartments, and Figure 1C a Lateral cross-sectional view of the fragile rows and compartments according to the present invention.

The dispensing system is generally indicated by the reference number 1. The dispensing system 1 comprises a tray 2. The tray 2 comprises an interconnected matrix 3 of compartments 4. Each compartment 4 is sized to accommodate a plurality of medications inside 5 (best observed from Figures 2B-E). The interconnected matrix 3 comprises a series of compartments 4 that are breakably connected to a frame 27. A series of frames 27 forms the interconnected matrix. However, it will be appreciated that a single frame 27 may contain all compartments 4. Therefore, it will be appreciated that having each row severely connected to the next, as in the illustrated embodiments, is a desirable feature of the invention and that the Frame 27 does not necessarily comprise rows that are each breakably connected to the next. Therefore, the frame can be a single frame or skeleton structure to support the compartments or it can comprise a series of interconnected frames 27 in a breakable shape that form a frame or skeleton structure to support the compartments as in the present embodiment. Each row 6 is breakably connected to the next as indicated by the fragile lines 7 in Figure 1A.

The lower breakable row 6 breakable has been separated from the remaining part of the interconnected matrix 3 by unlocking row 6 along the breakable line 7 as indicated by arrows 14a. This is particularly useful when a full tray is not required, for example, when a patient is not on a dosing regimen of 5 times a day. With the above provisions, a full tray is used even if the patient is on a once-daily regimen. Therefore a pharmacist fills a row of the tray and the rest remains unfilled. In the present invention, the person filling the tray is able to detach as many rows as necessary, typically from one to four and use them. This means that a tray can be used for a maximum of 5 different patients, for example, when each patient is on a once-daily regimen.

Each compartment 4 is detachably fixed to the rest of a row 6, and in particular to the frame 27, by a breakable lug 8. The lug 8 is easily breakable. The rest of the periphery of the compartment 4 is separated from the frame 27 by a peripheral gap or space 28. The compartment 4 can therefore be removed by applying manual pressure on the ear 8 desirably breakable in one or both directions towards up or down. Arrow 14b shows a compartment 4 being removed from tray 2.

Tray 2 further comprises a series of (seven) labels 9, which generally run at the top of tray 2, which consecutively indicate the days of the week, while a series of labels 10 indicate the time of the scheme of administration or dose For example, morning, afternoon, night, week one, week two, before lunch, etc.

The labels 9 can, alternatively, be fixed to an open flap or a wall of a module (support) 20 instead of or in addition to being fixed to the tray 2 (see

Figures 11 to 13). The advantage of having the labels 9 fixed to the support 20 is that the location of the labels 9 in the support 20 will always ensure that the tray 2 or the individual rows 6 are placed in the correct orientation in the support 20. A peripheral flange 51 in Tray 2 and extending along the upper left and left side thereof is suitable for label placement.

Rows 6 each have, at a left and right end 16.15 thereof, and, in particular, at their corners, an indicator means in the form of an opening 11. The opening has a particular shape and size. The purpose of the indicator means 11 of the present invention is to ensure that rows 6 are correctly placed in the dispensing system 1 and, in particular, to ensure that the weekly sequence is not inadvertently reversed. This denies the possibility of dispensing the wrong medication at the required time, since it indicates whether a given row 6 is oriented incorrectly in the module (support) 20. This is achieved by ensuring that the row of compartments 4 does not seat properly in the support 20 if it is not in its correct sequence as will be explained in more detail below. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the means 11 indicators can take any suitable form. For example, the indicating means 11 both at the upper end 15 and at the lower end 16 of row 6, can be placed in any or a combination of the left and right corners thereof.

Figure 1B shows a side view of a series of (three) compartments 4 that is part of the tray 2. The wearable breakable joint (line) 7 between each row of compartments 4 is clearly seen. Figure 1C is a view

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in section of the series of compartments 4 shown in Figure 1B.

The compartments 4 are flat bottom 4-sided receptacles generally with side walls 24 connected through a lower end 25. The compartments 4 are made of a substantially transparent material, which allows visual inspection of a medicament 5 contained in its inside (see Figure 2 and Figures 8C, 9 and 10). The side walls 24 and a flange 26 form the perimeter of the open mouth or opening 13 (upper). The flange 26 forms part of a frame 27 of the interconnected matrix 3. It is connected to the matrix of 3 by the breakable lug 8. The breakable lug 8 (which is best seen in Figure 1A) is formed as a projection from the edge 26 of the compartment 4. When the compartment 4 is fixed to the frame 27 through the breakable lug 8, a peripheral gap or space 28 is provided between the edge of the flange 26 and the frame

27. In the event that all compartments 4 are removed from a row 6, or in fact from the entire tray 2, the frame 27 is all that will remain seated in the module (support) 20.

As illustrated in the sequence of figures of Figures 2A to Figure 2E showing a side sectional view of tray 2, tray 2 is provided, and the medicaments in the form of tablets 5 are placed in compartment 4 according to the prescribed dosage regimen. In Figures 2A to 2D, the dosage regimen is one where medications are given 5 times a day, so each of the compartments contains medications. The appropriate medication will be placed in the rest of the tray for the remaining days of the week. Figure 2A illustrates tray 2 before the medication is dispensed. Figure 2B shows tray 2 with the medicine in the compartments, having been dispensed manually or with the appropriate dispensing equipment by the pharmacist. Figure 2C shows a closure 12 of the type illustrated in Figure 6 being applied to the tray. The closure 12 is placed over the openings 13 in the direction of the arrows

A. The closure 12 is a single sheet having an adhesive lower part 17 and an upper part 18 with the patient information 38 provided therein (see Figure 6). The closure 12 may comprise individual covers. The covers can be formed of the same (continuous piece of) material as tray 2. This can be done by any suitable technique including vacuum molding. In one arrangement, a three panel system is formed with two folds. One panel forms the covers, a second panel forms the compartment tray 4, and the third panel forms a cover for a sheet 30 of patient information and / or a sheet of medication information

105. It is desirable that the central panel forms tray 2 and the left and right panels form the covers and covers for the patient information sheet and / or the medication information sheet. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that the left and right panels can form either one of the covers and the cover for the patient information sheet and / or the medication information sheet. Each panel is pivotally connected to the next. Alternatively, the closure with its individual covers can be pivotally attached to the tray, for example, as a separate articulated sheet that is optionally in the middle between a flap 121 (see below) and the tray. Alternatively, it can be transported by the flap 121.

Patient information 38 comprises the name and / or photograph of the patient in each compartment 4 and optionally other information, such as a count of which medication should be in a given compartment. The compartments 4 with medicaments 5 inside and the closure 12 applied thereon form the airtight containers 19, as indicated in Figure 2D. These containers can be detached in rows 6 or individual sealed containers 19 19 can be broken. When detached individually they will take the form shown in Figure 8C.

The tray 2 comprising the interconnected matrix 3 of airtight containers 19 is then seated in a bore 53 of the module (support) 20 of the dispensing system 1 of the present invention (Figure 2E), as indicated by arrow B. A flap openable in the form of an upper cover 21 it is pivotally connected to one side of the module 20 by an articulation 33 of the support 20 and, once the tray 2 is inserted, the cover 21 is lowered downwards (from the open position shown with discontinuous contour) in the direction of the arrow C in the closed position shown to cover the tray 2. A similar flap or cover 22 which is also pivotally connected to the module by means of a second joint 33 closes the lower part of the module 20.

Each cover 21, 22 further comprises an protruding flange 34 that is releasably coupled with a side wall 35 of the support module when it is in a closed position, as shown in Figure 2E. As shown in Figure 3, attached to the side of module 20 is a patient identification tag 23. A plurality of modules 20 can be stacked on top of each other with the patient identification tag 23 visible for inspection by a user such as a caregiver or pharmacist, and to facilitate storage as shown in Figure 3.

An enlarged cross-sectional view of one of the airtight containers 19 in situ in the module 20 is illustrated in Figure 4A. The tray 2 is located in the housing 53 of the module 20. The module 20 comprises the upper cover 21 and lower cover 22 with the housing 53 generally between the covers. The lower cover 22 has been fixed on an inner face 29 thereof, a patient information sheet 30 detailing the identification and dosage regimen of the patient, information that typically includes one or more of the following: number of medications, types of medications, doses, dose times, side effects warnings, descriptions of the visual aspects of the medication etc. The upper cover 21 is formed by a series of members 40 that overlap the tray 2. The details of the module structure 20 will be discussed later with reference to Figures 11 to 13.

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As explained above, the indicating means in the form of openings 11 are provided and are shown in more detail in Figure 4B. The indicating means indicates to a user when a row 6, which has been detached, has been correctly placed and seated in the module 20. The indicating means further comprise one or more projections 37 that interfere with the incorrect placement of the tray 2 and help with its correct positioning in module 20. The projection 37 can be in the tray 2, in a retainer 36 inside the module housing 20, or any combination thereof. If the opening or openings 11 and a projection or projections 37 do not align then, the tray 2 will rise out of its seated position. In the correct relative position shown in Figure 4B the opening or openings 11 and the projection or projections 37 are aligned allowing for a correct settlement (as the projection 37 fits into the opening 11).

As illustrated in Figure 5, a retainer retains tray 2 in the position while allowing the sealed containers 19 to detach manually from the interconnected matrix 3 in the direction of the arrow D. In the embodiment, the retainer comprises a grid 36 which has an opening through which each compartment 4 extends when the tray 2 sits inside. The cover 21 is also part of the retention means by containing the tray 2 (or a breakable row) in the grid 36. The cover (and, in particular, the members 40 thereof) together with the grid form a Cage structure that captures the tray between them, but allows individual containers to be manually detached and removed through the cage structure without the need to open the module. The frame 27 that can frame one or more rows (whether connected or not) will be retained by the device retainer while the airtight containers can be easily removed.

When the breakable lug 8 is disconnected (for example, disengaged) from the frame 27, the container 19 is easily removed. The series of members 40 (best observed in Figures 11 and 12) cover the tray 2, which holds the tray 2 in position while allowing the removal of the sealed container 19 from the frame 27 of the row 6. As an alternative , the sealed container 19 can be removed from the module 20 through an opening 32 of the retainer 36 in the direction of the arrow E (see Figure 5). To allow access to do this, the lower cover 22 can be opened as indicated by arrow F.

Turning now to Figure 6, the closure 12 which is fixed to the compartments 4 in situ in the module 20 (or, alternatively, before placing the tray 2 or a row 6 of compartments 4 in the module 20) is illustrated for tightly secure and close the medications 5 inside the compartments 4 to form the sealed container 19. The closure 12 comprises a single sheet with an adhesive back part 17. When the sheet 12 is applied to the compartments 4, the closure 12 adheres to the flange 26 of each compartment 4. The upper part 18 of the closure 12 has the patient information 38 detailed in printed form, which may include personal data (name, age, etc.) and dosage regimen. An individual closure for each container is formed by the perforations 39 that allow the closures to break with the compartment 4 during the removal of the compartment 4 of the module 20. This allows the formation of, and an easy removal of, a sealed container 19 by the closure 12 which thus provides detailed information 38 of the patient in each container 19. It is desirable that the closure 12 have more perforations 65 (as shown in Figure 9 and Figure 10) that allow separation of the closure 12 in strips This means that even if a breakable row is broken the entire row will be kept covered by a strip of the closure 12.

As described above, the closure may comprise individual covers formed from a continuous piece of the same material as the tray. This can be done by any suitable technique including vacuum molding. In one arrangement, a three panel system is formed with two folds. One panel forms the covers, a second panel forms the compartment tray, and the third panel forms a cover for a patient information sheet and / or a medication information sheet. It is desirable that the central panel forms the tray and the panels on the left and right form the covers and cover for the patient information sheet and / or the medication information sheet. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that the left and right panels can form either one of the covers and the cover for the patient information sheet and / or the medication information sheet. It is desirable that the caps have the patient information provided thereon. When such a closure is folded over the compartments (by the pivoting movement), each lid tightly closes its corresponding compartment.

Figure 7 illustrates a compartment 4 attached to the frame 27 by the breakable lug 8. The space 28 can be clearly seen between the flange 26 of the compartment 4 and the frame 27 of row 6. The indicating means in the form of an opening 11 are also clearly shown. Figure 8A is a side sectional view of two compartments 4 in the plane indicated by arrow H in Figure 8B. The compartments 4 in Figure 8A then form the sealed containers 19 since the compartment contains medicaments 5 and is sealed with the closure 12. The sealed containers are in situ in the module 20, as represented by the presence of the upper cover 21, the projection 37, and the retainer 36. The projection 37 has extended through the opening 11 indicating the correct orientation of the tray 2 and allowing the correct seating of the tray 2 in the module 20.

Figure 8C is a perspective view of a sealed container 19 removed from tray 2 of the present invention. The sealed container 19 is removed from the module 20 by applying manual pressure in the direction of the arrow J (Figure 8A) to disengage the breakable lug 8 from the frame 27. When the container 19

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Airtight is removed from module 20, the details 38 of the patient information remain attached to the container 19 and the container 19 remains airtight as shown in Figure 8C. The rest of the closure 12 remains attached to the rest of the tray 2 as shown in Figure 10. The details 38 of the patient information can be easily broken again, for example in the direction of the arrow J, either by the caregiver or patient to whom medications are prescribed in order to access medications. This means that there is no patient information associated with the medications just from the moment the pharmacist fills compartment 4 until the moment the medication is removed from the compartment to be ingested by a patient.

Figure 9 illustrates tray 2 with the closure 12 attached thereto before placing tray 2 in module 20. In the aspect of the invention illustrated in Figure 9, labels 9 are associated with tray 2. When the Airtight container 19 is removed from the tray 2, as shown in Figure 10, an opening 66 is evident in the frame 27 of the tray 2 / row 6. As explained above, the perforations 39 surrounding the details 38 of patient information allows the removal of the sealed container 19 from the closure 12 while keeping the rest of the closure 12 intact. The perforations 65 are coincident with the breakable line 7, which allows a row 6 to detach from the tray 2 while keeping the rest of the closure 12 intact.

The module 20 of the dispensing system 1 of the present invention is illustrated in more detail in Figure 11, Figure 12, and Figure 13. The module 20 comprises an upper cover 21 and the lower cover 22. The upper cover 21 has labels 10 attached to an upper surface 41 thereof. The labels 10 are fixed along one side 42 of the upper cover 21. The labels 9 are fixed to an upper side 43 of the upper cover 21.

The upper cover 21 is formed by a plurality of separate members 40 that run parallel to each other and divide the tray into days of the week. The separated members 40 overlap the tray 2 and retain the tray 2 between the upper cover 21 and the retainer 36. The retainer 36 comprises a cage structure that forms a seat for the tray 2. The cage structure comprises a grid with openings 32 in which the compartments 4 of the tray 2 are received. When the module does not contain a tray 2 of the present invention, the patient information sheet 30 is visible through the upper cover 21 and the retainer 36 (see Figure 11). The upper cover 21 is fixedly articulated to the module 20.

The protruding flange 34 on both upper and lower covers 21 of the module 20 forms latches 44. The latches 44 are perpendicular to the covers 21,22 and are flush with a side wall 35 of the module 20 when they are engaged or locked. When the covers 21, 22 are in a closed position, the latches 44 are coupled with a recess 47 established in the side wall 46 of the module 20. The latches 44 each have a notch 48 which is releasably coupled with a depression 49 in recess 47 (see Figure 13).

Figure 12 illustrates the module 20 of the dispensing system 1 of the present invention in a closed position containing two rows 6 (which have been severely removed from a tray 2) of airtight containers 19 for a patient in a dosage regimen Twice a day. In this case, the labels 9 have the days of the week and the labels 10 have the specific time in which the patient will receive the medications. Patient information 38 is clearly visible through separate members 40. The members 40 separated from the upper cover 21, together with the interaction between the openings 11 and the projection 37, help to keep the rows 6 in position while the user is removing an airtight container 19 from the dispensing system 1.

Figure 13 illustrates the module 20 of the dispensing system 1 of the present invention in an inverted orientation and with lower closure 22 in an open position. Module 20 contains a row 6 of airtight containers 19 for a patient in a once-daily dosing regimen, with the patient information sheet 30 detailing the medication regimen at the bottom of the lower cover 22. The purpose of this is to allow the user such as the pharmacist, caregiver or patient to inspect the medications 5 in the airtight containers 19 and determine whether the medications 5 match the prescribed medications detailed in patient information sheet 30. The base 25 of the sealed container 19 is made of a substantially transparent material and without any substantial curvature such that when the medications 5 are seen through the base 25, there is no optical distortion (for example, increase or decrease) of their contents. That is to say, there is no substantial extension or reduction in the size of the medications 5 contained therein, making it easier to notice if the medications 5 that are being seen in the airtight container 19 coincide with the medications prescribed in sheet 30 of the information of the patient.

As illustrated in Figure 13, the upper and lower covers 21, 22 of the module 20 are flush with the side walls 35 when in a closed position (see Figure 12 for the upper cover 21). The width of the upper and lower covers 21, 22 is narrower than the width of the module 20. The side wall 35 of the module 20 has a step 60, 61 which allows the upper and lower covers 21, 22 to nest in the step 60 , 61 when in a closed position. The step 60, 61 also has the labels 9 attached thereto. Adjacent to the sides of the upper and lower covers 21,22 there is a ridge 62, 63 which ensures that when the upper and lower covers 21,22 are in a closed position, the covers 21, 22 are flush with both the wall 35 lateral as with the walls 54, 55 lateral.

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Figures 14 to 16 illustrate a number of means by which the breakable container 19 can be removed from tray 2 or the same frame 27 by means of an actuator. The actuator can be a cutting and / or die cutting tool and / or other suitable actuating means for removing a container. The following are examples only and should not be construed as the only means by which the breakable container 19 of the tray 2 of the present invention will be removed.

As illustrated in Figure 14, a series of leverage members 70 are provided. In the embodiment, the leverage members are in the support or in the module 20 and, in particular, in their members 40. When a row 6 (or tray 2) is seated in the support 20 and the members 40 are in a closed position at the top of row 6 or in tray 2, a respective leverage member 70 rests against the airtight container 19. When a user wishes to remove a container 19 from row 6 or tray 2 by pushing the container 19 from below, the breakable lug 8 abuts the leverage member 70. This means that the breakable ear 8 experiences an increase in resistance to movement and this in turn allows the breakable ear 8 to separate more easily from the frame 27.

Figure 15 illustrates a top plan view of an additional actuator in the form of drive means. In the embodiment, the drive means take the form of a stripping strip 71. The detachment strip 71 is placed in the space 28 between the flange 26 of the compartment 4 and the frame 27 (not shown). Strip 71 is held in this position by breakable joints 72. A user simply grabs the lug 73 and pulls the strip 71 around the perimeter of the compartment 4 until it reaches a stop 74. The compartment 4 / container 19 is then separated and can be removed.

Figure 16A illustrates a punch actuator, generally indicated by reference number 76, comprising a support frame 77 adapted to support a punch 78. A flexible member 79 attaches the punch 78 to the support frame 77. The support frame 77 has a lug 80, which is adapted to slide along the support 20, for example, along the members 40. The actuator 76 can therefore maneuver for the correct dosing in the day Right. In addition, the actuator 76 may also comprise indicating means (such as an indexing member) to indicate when the actuator 76 has been placed in the correct position in a container. The punch 78 has a transparent upper part through which the adhesive sheet 12 can be clearly seen. The user simply moves the support frame 77 over the required container and presses the punch 78 in a direction indicated by the arrow P. The punch 78 applies pressure to the breakable lug 8 and the perforations 39 to break the container 19 of a row 6 or of the tray 2. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the contact points of the punch 78 may be sharp to help break / cut the perforations 39. It should also be understood that the top of the punch 78 may comprise a augmentation material to help identify the correct container to be removed.

Figure 16B illustrates a blade actuator, generally indicated by reference number 85. The blade actuator comprises a blade 86 mounted on a retractable arm 87. The retractable arm 87 is slidably mounted on one side of the support 20. Thus, it can be moved to a desired position in the die. A slider 88 holds it in place so that when in use, the blade 86 is perpendicular to the breakable lug 8. The user simply slides the actuator 85 along the side of the support 20, which optionally further comprises indicating means (such as indexing means) to align the actuator with a correct position, and extends the arm 86 to the container to be removed. The user presses the blade 86 down on the breakable lug 8 which is then broken with the frame 27 and the container can be removed. The blade actuator 85 may be storable, for example, stored inside the holder 20 when not in use.

Figure 16C illustrates a further embodiment of an actuator in the form of a drive means. In the embodiment a traction actuator with the finger is generally indicated with the reference number 90. The traction actuator 90 with the finger comprises a lug 91 that is flush with an upper surface of the compartment 4 / container 19 and the frame 27. The lug 91 is releasably connected to the frame 27 and / or the flange 26 of the container 19 through a detachment strip 92. The detachment strip 92 is connected to the flange of the container 19 and to the frame 27 by separate joints 93 and breakable joints 72. When a user lifts the lug 91 and pulls up, the detachment strip 92 detaches from the joints 72, 93. This releases the main connection of the container for the rest of the die and the container 19 can be easily removed from the frame 27 The advantage of the present embodiment is that there are no potential sharp edges remaining in the container 19 which may cause minor injuries to the patient's lips when taking the medicine contained therein.

Figure 16D illustrates an actuator in the form of a double lug actuator 100 comprising a pair of lugs 101, 102 that when pushed together break a breakable lug 8 and, therefore, the container 19 is released from the interconnected matrix.

It should be further understood by those skilled in the art that the closure, for example, adhesive sheet 12 can be modified to accommodate the various actuators described in Figures 15, 16C, and 16D. The closure will be adapted to remain with the compartments to form the airtight containers irrespective of the arrangement to remove a container from the matrix.

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Figure 17 shows a top and perspective view of tray 2 of a further embodiment of the present invention. The tray 2 comprises a single piece, with a joint or fold 100 that connects an open flap 121 and the interconnected matrix 3. That is, the flap 121 is continuous with the tray 2. The open flap 121 comprises a plurality of grooves 103 on the inner surface 104 of the flap 121 into which a sheet 105 of drug information and / or a sheet can be inserted 30 of patient information (see Figure 17B). In particular, the slots 103 are arranged to hold the corners of the inserted sheet. A plurality of female receptacles are provided in the form of blind depressions or holes 106 in the flap 121 to engage coincidentally with means which in this case are in the form of protrusions 107 male. The protrusions 107 also function as alignment indicators to indicate when the closure 12 is correctly aligned with the tray

2. When the flap 121 is pivoted around the joint 100, then the flap 121 forms a cover for the tray 2 and is kept closed by the fixing arrangement formed by the engagement of the projections 107 in the holes 106. The advantages if they have a support in the form of a module, they are therefore integrated in this embodiment and, although a module can be used, there is no real advantage in doing so. The flap 121 is desirably transparent to allow a user or medical personnel to examine the tray 2 through the flap 121. The flap 121 further comprises a flange 110 (see Figure 18A) in which the patient information can also be adhered. Flap 121 moves in the direction of arrow R (Figure 18A) to cover tray 2, as shown in Figures 17B and 17C. This movement can also be used to hermetically close the compartments 4, for example, by causing the flap 121 to carry the closure 12. When the flap 121 is closed, the patient information sheet 30 is clearly visible to the user to refer to the same. The closure 12 is also visible through the closed flap 121 as illustrated in Figure 17B.

Figures 17B and 17C show the flap 121 in a closed position on the tray 2. The transparent nature of the flap 121 allows the user to examine the patient information sheet 30 and the information provided on the closure 12 without having to open the flap 121 (Figure 17B). In addition, the transparent nature of the compartments 4 allows the user to examine the medications 5 placed in the compartments 4, even when the closure 12 adheres to the tray 2 (see, for example, the bottom side view illustrated in Figure 17C ).

The protrusions 107 may have a particular shape and size. One of the functions of the projections 107 of the present embodiment, and in accordance with the above embodiments, is to ensure that the closure 12 is correctly placed in the dispensing system 1. This denies the possibility of incorrectly applying closure 12 which in extreme misalignment could result in dispensing of the incorrect medication at the required time. The mechanism prevents the closure 12 from being placed in the compartments 4 incorrectly. The protrusions 107 may be located at any point on the sides 130, 131, and 132 of the tray and in any number of combinations. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that projections 107 can take any suitable shape or conformation. For example, the protrusions 107 on the sides 130, 131, and 132 as illustrated in Figure 17A can be placed in any or a combination of the left and right corners thereof.

Figure 18A is a side view of the dispensing system 1 of the present invention. Tray 2 further comprises a plurality of support legs or struts 120 or struts (which are not compartments) to provide permanent support to tray 2 when resting on a surface and also to provide support when a user is removing a compartment 4 from the tray 2. The struts 120 are generally located at each corner of tray 2 (see Figures 18A, 18D, and 18E).

As explained above, the tray 2 is a continuous piece, where the flap 121 and the tray 2 are connected by the joint 100. The joint 100 is simply a fold in the system 1 in one piece. Figure 18B shows a side view of the joint 100. It will be appreciated that the joint 100 between the tray 2 and the flap 121 comprises a fold 108 within which an additional articulation point 109 is provided. The articulation point 109 is effectively an articulation pivot point on which the parts of the fold 108 can pivot. The articulation point 109 is a weakened point in the dispensing system of the present invention, which makes it an articulation joint. less resistant For example, a weakened joint joint of this type may allow the cover 121 to fall backward when it is opened, facilitating access to the sealed containers 19.

Figure 18C provides more detail of the projections 107 that have been matched with the receptacle 106. As can be seen from the figures and in particular of Figure 18C each can be provided as a depression with a single nesting within the another when they match. The protrusions 107 and the receptacles 106 of the described embodiment can also act as indicating means 11 as described above, for example, in relation to Figures 1 to 16. Figure 18D shows the dispensing system 1 in a position closed, with the protrusions 107 coupled with the receptacles 106, keeping the flap 121 in a closed position. The support struts 120 are clearly visible at the corners of the tray.

Figure 19A to Figure 19D shows a perspective view of a single compartment 4 of tray 2, where medicaments 5 in the form of tablets are placed in compartment 4 according to the prescribed dose regimen as indicated by arrow G. As It has been explained above, the compartments 4 are generally substantially flat bottom receptacles with 4 sides with side walls 24

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E10722069

05-10-2015

connected through a lower end 25. The compartments 4 are made of a substantially transparent material, which allows visual inspection of a medicine 5 contained therein (see, for example, Figure 17C). The side walls 24 and a flange 26 form the open mouth or opening perimeter 13 (upper). The flange 26 forms part of the frame 27 of the interconnected matrix 3. It is connected to the matrix 3 by the breakable lugs 8 (or breaking point). These are arranged in a separate configuration around the periphery of the compartment 4. In particular the breakable lugs 8 are formed as a projection from the flange 26 of the compartment 4. When the compartment 4 is fixed to the frame 27 through the breakable lugs 8 , a peripheral gap or space 28 is provided between the edge of the flange 26 and the frame 27. In the event that all compartments 4 are removed from a row 6, or in fact from the entire tray 2, the frame 27 is all which will remain in tray 2. Figure 19A shows the medicine in compartment 4, having been dispensed manually or with appropriate dosing equipment by a pharmacist. As explained above, Figure 19B shows a closure 12 of the type illustrated in Figure 6 and in Figure 20B applied to the tray. The closure 12 is placed over the opening 13 in the direction of the arrows H. The closure 12 in the current embodiment is a single sheet having an adhesive lower part 17 and an upper part 18 with the patient information 38 provided therein (see Figures 6 and 20C). Patient information 38 comprises the name and / or photograph of the patient in each compartment 4 and optionally other information, such as a count of the medication that must be in a given compartment. As before, the closure can comprise individual covers.

The compartments 4 which have the medications of 5 inside and the closure 12 applied thereon form the sealed containers 19, as indicated in Figure 19B. These containers can be broken in rows 6 or individual sealed containers 19 can be detached. When detached individually they will take the form shown in Figure 19C. The compartment of 4 in Figure 19B now forms an airtight container 19 since the compartment contains medicaments 5 and is hermetically sealed with the closure 12.

Figure 19C is a perspective view of a sealed container 19 removed from tray 2 of the present invention, while Figure 19D shows a side view of tray 2 with a single sealed container 19 removed. The airtight container 19 is removed from the tray 2 by applying manual pressure in the direction of the arrow J (Figures 19C and 19D) to disengage the breakable lug 8 from the frame 27. When the airtight container 19 is removed from the tray 2 , the details 38 of the patient information remain attached to the container 19 and the container 19 remains airtight as shown in Figure 19C. The details 38 of the patient information can be easily broken again due to a lug 125 located below the level of the flange 26 of the compartment 4, allowing easy access to the seal having the details 38 of the patient information. This means that there is patient information associated with the medications right from the moment the pharmacist fills compartment 4 until the moment the medication is removed from the compartment to be ingested by a patient.

Figures 20A-C illustrate, respectively, a patient identification card 30, a medication information sheet 105, and a closure 12 for a tray of individually labeled adhesive closures that include patient identification information, respectively. Figure 20D is a side view of six stacked trays 2 of the dispensing system 1 of the present invention.

The words "comprising (n) / comprising" and the words "having / including" when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of features, integers, stages or components but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other characteristics, integers, stages, components or groups thereof.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention that, for clarity, to describe in the context of the separate embodiments, can also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention that, for reasons of brevity, are described in the context of a single embodiment, can also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

Claims (13)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five fifty 1. A dispensing system (1) for the administration of medications (5) during a medication dosing regimen and comprising:

(i)

 a tray (2) comprising:

a frame (27); an interconnected matrix (3) of compartments (4), each compartment being sized to house a plurality of medications inside; in which the frame acts as an interconnecting member to keep the compartments in position in an interconnected matrix; and in which when each compartment is removed from the frame it leaves an opening (11) in the frame;

(ii)

a closure (12) for the compartments in which the closure comprises a sheet that includes an individual closure (9) for each of the compartments, the closure arranged so that the closure and the compartments form a series of containers (19) hermetic for the containment of medicines;

being, for this purpose, the compartments and the closure arranged so that each airtight container is breakable from the interconnected matrix so that an airtight container can be removed from the matrix, additionally in which each airtight container comprises information identifying a time of the dosage regimen during which the medicament contained in the container is intended to be administered, and the airtight containers are arranged sequentially according to the administration times. 2. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a flap (21) that can be opened, allowing access to the tray, and, optionally, in which the flap that can be opened, is a cover (21) for an upper part of the tray.

3.

A system according to claim 2, wherein the flap (21) that can be opened, is integrally formed with the tray (2).

Four.

 A system according to any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein a fold between the flap (21) and the tray (2) forms a joint (100).

5.

 A system according to claim 4, wherein the tray (2), the flap (21) and the joint (100) are integrally formed from a single piece of material and, optionally, in which the flap contains information of the patiente.

6.

A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each closed container (19) comprises patient identification information.

7.

A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the compartments (4) are made of a substantially transparent material that allows visual inspection of medication (5) contained therein and, optionally, in which the compartments They are manufactured in a way that avoids any substantial enlargement or reduction of the perceived size of the medicine contained inside.

8.

A system according to claim 1, wherein at each closure (9) there is provided a count of the number of medications (5) that must be contained within each container (19) and, optionally, in which the information of the Patient is provided in the form of a barcode at each closure.

9.

A system according to any preceding claim further comprising indicating means (107) indicating to a user that a closure (9) of the compartments has been incorrectly located in the tray (2) and, optionally, in which the indicating means they comprise one or more projections (107) that interfere with the incorrect positioning of the closure and also, optionally, in which the indicating means comprise one or more alignment projections (107) that help with the correct placement of the closure.

10.

 A system according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein a clamping mechanism (106; 107) is provided for the flap (21) that can be opened, which can keep the flap in a closed position covering the tray (2).

eleven.

A system according to claim 1, wherein a breakable connection (8) is formed between each compartment (4) and the matrix (3) interconnected by at least one removable lug (8), and the detachment of the lug releases an airtight container (19) of the matrix; or in which a breakable connection is formed between each compartment (4) and the matrix (3) interconnected by at least one perforated member and the detachment along the perforations releases an airtight container from the matrix; or in which the interconnected matrix comprises a series of rows (6), each row being severely connected to the next.

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12.

A system according to claim 11, wherein a plurality of rupture points are formed between each compartment (4) and the interconnected matrix (3) and the rupture of the plurality of rupture points releases an airtight container (19). of the matrix.

13.

 A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure (12) comprises a breakable matrix of individual covers, and the breakable matrix of covers and the tray (2) are formed from a continuous piece of material.

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