GB2347925A

GB2347925A - Medicine dose monitor

Info

Publication number: GB2347925A
Application number: GB9905720A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Natanya Hadda
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-03-13
Filing date: 1999-03-13
Publication date: 2000-09-20
Also published as: GB9905720D0

Abstract

A device which forms part of, or may be conveniently attached, to a medicine container comprises an indicator which gives dose timing or numbering information and a means for updating the indicator each time a dose is taken, thus providing a reminder of what doses have been taken or are due. The indicator may include a visible display, Braille or other touch readable symbols, an audible or vibrating reminder, or a combination of these. As particularly described the device is in the form of a screw-on cap 2 carrying dose or time indicating symbols 3, and a rotatable sleeve 1 with an aperture 4 for revealing a symbol 3. The sleeve is retained on the lid by detents provided on resilient flaps 7 partially severed from the sleeve 1.

Description

Medicine Dose Monitor This invention relates to a medicine dose monitor.

Medicine is supplied in a variety of containers, some of which are provided with so-called"childproof"lids. Administrations vary widely, typically from 1 a day to 8 a day. When several medicines are to be administered, each perhaps a different number of times per day, it may be difficult to remember how many doses of which medicine have been taken. This is made more difficult where several people are involved in administering medicine to a patient say in tandem or in shifts.

Whereas pills may be counted, to determine how many have been taken, liquid medicine doses are very difficult to estimate.

According to the present invention there is provided a medicine dose monitor comprising an indicator, which indicates what or when dose or doses have been taken, are due to be taken or were last taken, a means for updating the indicator, and a means by which the whole may be conveniently attached to a medicine container, such that together they form a compact integrated unit with the indicator discernible and the update mechanism easily accessible.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective the medicine dose monitor comprised of an outer ring mounted on an inner cap; Figure 2 shows a section through the complete medicine dose monitor; Figure 3 shows a section through the inner cap; Figure 4 shows two views of the outer ring (3dangle projection) Figure 5 shows two views of the inner cap (3rd angle projection) Referring to the drawing the monitor comprises a ring 1, which fits over the base of a cap 2 such that the ring may be rotated into one of four stable positions relative to the cap, exposing a character 3, present on the cap, through a hole 4 in the ring. Figures 1 and 2 show the ring in place on the cap.

The ring is stabilised on the cap by small projections 5, located on the inner faces of two resilient members 7 formed by slots 8 in the ring, which engage in depressions 6, located on the outer face of the cap, as shown in Figs 4 and 5.

There are four characters 3, B, L, T and S as shown in Fig 5. Note that T and S are hidden in the drawing and are shown dotted. One character is visible in each of the four stable ring positions, and each one represents a different time of day, Breakfast, Lunch, Tea and Supper.

When the inner cap, which has a thread 9 on the inner face, screws onto the open end of the medicine container body, it acts as the lid and holds the ring firmly in place.

Each time a dose is administered the ring is rotated and notched into the next stable position, to show the next character thus indicating when the last dose was taken.

Alternative Implementations In place of the four letters described above, various alternative dose indicator types are possible, using the same basic design. Raised patterns (eg Braille) on the outer surface of the cap, on top of, or in place of, the four visible characters could be added so that the information could be detected by feel. Numbers, symbols or colours could replace the lettes. By increasing the number of possible positions of the ring relative to the cap, it would be possible to have more than four dose indicators. Numbers or symbols representing a 12 or 24 hour clock, could replace the letters shown in the example.

In alternative implementations, the monitor may be designed to form an integral part of, attach to or act as, the base of the container.

In alternative implementations, the monitor may be designed to form an integral part of or attach to, the lid of the container.

In an implementation where the monitor acts as the lid of the container, it may be incorporated into the design of a childproof lid. In this implementation, the ring is replaced by an outer cap, which fits over the top of and hides the inner cap. The inner cap is threaded on the inside face and fits onto the base of the container. The characters, symbols or colours are visible through a hole in the outer cap. The same mechanism that allows the outer cap to rotate relative to the inner cap, and provides the stable notched positions, also acts as the childproof mechanism.

Turning the cap clockwise closes it. Turning the cap anticlockwise, while pushing it firmly downwards towards the base, opens it. Turning the cap anticlockwise without downward pressure allows the movement relative to the inner cap, which prevents it from opening and at the same time allows a different character, symbol or colour to be displayed through the hole.

In an alternative implementation the dose monitor could be provided by electronic means, incorporating a display (e. g. liquid crystal), an input device (e. g. a membrane switch) to allow for display update, and a power source (e. g. battery or solar cell and accumulator).

Alternative implementations are possible whereby the opening/or closing of the lid causes the dose indicator to change automatically to the next step. In such implementations it would be further possible to allow the dose indicator to be corrected if it became out of step.

In an alternative implementation, the display could be replaced, or augmented by an alarm function incorporating an audible or vibrating device and a timer. The alarm would activate when the next dose was due, and would repeat at intervals until reset. The times would be variable or programmable. In this implementation the monitor may be detachable from the container so as to be able to operate remotely from it, and to be available for use on a number of different containers at different times.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 A medicine dose monitor comprising an indicator, which indicates what or when dose or doses have been taken, are due to be taken or were last taken, a means for updating the indicator, and a means by which the whole may be conveniently attached to a medicine container, such that together they form a compact integrated unit with the indicator discernible and the update mechanism easily accessible.
2 A medicine dose monitor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the monitor also acts as the container or forms an integral part of it.
3 A medicine dose monitor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the monitor also acts as the lid of the container or forms an integral part of it.
4 A medicine dose monitor as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein the monitor is combined with a mechanism intended to deter or prevent certain people (E. g. children) from opening the container.
5 A medicine dose monitor as claimed in claims 1 to 4 wherein a visible display comprising characters, symbols or colours is incorporated into the indicator.
6 A medicine dose monitor as claimed in claims 1 to 5 wherein Braille or other symbols, which may be read by touch, are incorporated into the indicator in addition to, or replacing, other indicating means.
7 A medicine dose monitor as claimed in claims 1 to 6 wherein an audible or vibrating device, which could act as a reminder, is incorporated into the indicator in addition to, or replacing, other indicating means.
8 A medicine dose monitor as claimed in claims 1 to 7 wherein the indicator is automatically updated each time the container is opened.
9 A medicine dose monitor as claimed in claim 8 wherein indicator may be corrected manually.
10 A medicine dose monitor substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-5 of the accompanying drawing.