GB2352841A

GB2352841A - Memory aid for dispensing medicines

Info

Publication number: GB2352841A
Application number: GB9917675A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Christopher Dale
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-07-29
Filing date: 1999-07-29
Publication date: 2001-02-07
Also published as: GB9917675D0

Abstract

A memory aid 10 is provided for a medicament container, to remind a patient to take a medication. The memory aid comprises a timer programmed by a pharmacist or the patient and that operates an audible alarm 16 and/or a visual display 26, when the dose is due. The memory aid 10, can be integral to the top of a bottle 12, or can be secured to other medicament containers (Figs 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10) which can be multi-compartmental. The timer can be reset for the next dose by replacing the device 10 on the medicament container 12. The timer can also be used to operate a locking mechanism 42, preventing the patient removing the medicine before the correct time. The visual display 26, can also display information, from an internal information store in the memory aid, about the medicament contained therein. The audible alarm can be a prerecorded message. For a multi-compartment container, lights can be provided to indicate which medicine is due to be taken (Fig 7 and 9).

Description

2352841 MEMORY AID FOR A MEDICAMENT CONTAINER This invention relates to a

memory aid for a medicament container and to a method of reminding a user to take a s medicine.

A previous memory aid for taking medicines comprises an audible alarm which is set to sound at predetermined time intervals. Disadvantages arise with this type of device when a user has a number of medicines to take, because it may not be clear which medicine should be taken and whether two particular medicines should be taken together, because of side effects.

It is an object of the present invention to address the abovementioned disadvantages.

According to a first aspect of the present invention a memory aid for a medicament container comprises a power supply, timing means, information storage means and output means, which timing means is operable to activate the output means at a pre-selected time, wherein the output means is operable, on being activated by the timing means, to output information relating to a medicament in an associated medicament container from the information storage means, said information being in a textual format and/or a verbal format.

The information in a textual format is preferably displayed by a visual display means, which may be a liquid crystal display, or an LED display.

The information in a verbal format may be the output of speaker means, in the form of pre-programmed or prerecorded verbal information.

The information may relate to the amount of medicament in an associated container to be taken. The information may relate to which medicament of a variety of medicaments in an associated container should be taken. The information may relate to side effects and/or the effects of combining lo medicaments. The information may relate to a further supply, for instance, a prescription, being needed.

The memory aid may be secured to a medicament container, which may be a bottle or a tube. The memory aid may be secured to a medicament dispenser which may be an inhaler. The memory aid may be integral with closure means, such as a lid, of a medicament container. In which case, the memory aid may commence a timing operation for a next information output event on said closure being closed.

The memory aid may be integral with a medicament container. The memory aid may control locking means of said container. The locking means may be activated at substantially the pre-selected time at which the output 2S means is activated. The locking means may be operable to lock or unlock one or more closures of the medicament container. The locking means may be operable to open or close an opening in the container. Individual locking means may be provided for one or more covers of sub- compartments of the container. Individual compartments may be locked or unlocked depending on control signals from the timing means.

The medicament container may include illumination means, which means may be operable to illuminate one or more medicament holding compartments of the container, or may be operable to illuminate one or more covers of medicament holding compartments of the container. The illumination means may indicate a medicament which should be taken by a user. The illumination means may be controlled by the output means.

The timing means may be operable to activate the output means at preselected intervals of time. The timing means may be operable to monitor a plurality of timing periods, which may be for different medicaments in an associated container. The timing means may be programmable, preferably by a user.

The invention may extend to a medicament container including a memory aid as described above in relation to the first aspect.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of reminding a user to take a medicament comprises outputting information relating to a medicament in an associated medicament container, said information being output from output means of a memory aid at a pre-selected time determined by timing means of the memory aid, said information being stored in information storage means of the memory aid and being output in a textual and/or verbal format.

3 0 All of the above aspects may be combined with any of the features disclosed herein, in any combination.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a memory aid for dispensing medicines, which is combined with a screw cap of a standard medicine bottle; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the memory aid lo shown in figure 1 attached to a medicine bottle; Figure 3 is a second embodiment of memory aid which is arranged to be secured to a medicine bottle; Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the first embodiment of memory aid secured to a tube of ointment/cream; Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of a third 2o embodiment of memory aid secured to an inhaler; Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a fourth embodiment of memory aid secured to a pill box; Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a fifth embodiment of memory aid formed integrally with a pill box having a cover which illuminates to indicate which medicine in the pill box is to be taken; Figure 8 is a schematic side view of a sixth embodiment of memory aid secured to a pill box; - S - Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of a seventh embodiment of memory aid formed integrally with a pill box, similar to the fifth embodiment, but having compartments which themselves light up to indicate which 5 medicine is to he taken; Figures 10a and lob are schematic views of an eighth embodiment of memory aid in the shape of a pen, which dispenses medication from inside the body thereof; and Figures lla and lib are more detailed schematic top and side views of the first embodiment of memory aid.

A memory aid 10 for assisting a user to comply with instructions for taking medication held within a medication container 12 (see figure 2) comprises a display screen 14 and/or an audio speaker 16 for outputting information as to when a user should take their medication and in what dosage. The information can include instructions to take a particular one of a variety of different types of medication and may additionally give information on how the medication should he taken (eg with food, without alcohol) and may give information as to side effects or interactions with other medication. In figure 1 the memory aid 10 is shown incorporated into a screw fitting cap 18 which can he secured to a standard medical container 12 (see figure 2), in which the medication to be taken is stored.

Figures lla and llb show in more detail the features of the memory aid 10. The features include a battery chamber 20, in which batteries are housed to power the memory aid 10. An LED display 22 is provided to display time information for instance. A visual display screen 26 displays the medicine information mentioned above. In addition, the memory aid 10 can provide information as to when a new prescription should be ordered.

A button 24 is provided to allow a user to scroll the display through a function menu. The function menus may include information as to various types of medication, the name of medication, the description of the medication including colour, the dose of medication including the number of tablets, instructions on taking the particular medication, eg with food, avoiding alcohol. The information may include side effects and interactions or other medically useful information such as discontinuation symptoms which when shown should cause a user to cease taking the medication. Additional relevant information may be given, such as health promotion information.

Various time information can also be set, including the 20 present time, a time interval for taking the medication, a time when a previous medication has been taken. All of these features could, for instance, be pre-set into the memory aid 10, to avoid an end user having to set the information themselves.

A button 28 allows a user to set the various functions which can be scrolled through using button 24.

A button 30 is a time set button, which when pressed announces the date and time intervals for takinga particular medication. Also, this button allows individual messages to be set for individual times or standard messages.

A button 32 is a record button to allow a user to record a particular message, which is received via a microphone 34. In this way, the user may set their own particular s messages for any of the information relating to the medication involved mentioned above. The message may be stored in a computer chip in digital format or on a tape included in the memory aid.

A button 36 is a delete button for deleting old messages.

A button 38 is a stop/pause button, which allows messaged displayed on the visual display screen 26 to be stopped.

All of the information which could be displayed on the visual display screen 26 could be transmitted from the audio speaker 16 in audio form, by use of pre-recorded messages stored in a computer memory, or by means of messages stored by the user in the computer memory or on a tape. In this situation the visual display screen could be used as a graphic display, rather than for displaying text. A person, picture, or cartoon character could be shown, the character or person could speak the audio information.

A button 40 is an on/off button. This button switches a timer on and off. This button is also illuminatable, and when lit it indicates that signal power is being supplied to the memory aid 10.

A cover release switch 42 is located on a lower edge of the memory aid 10. The cover release switch 42 is depressed to allow the cap to be removed from a container 12 on which the memory aid 10 has been attached.

In the example shown in figures 1 and 2, the timing interval between reminders for taking medication is commenced when the memory aid 10 is placed on the container 12. Electrical contacts (not shown) in the underside of the memory aid 10 contact an electrically conducting strip on a top edge of the medical container to thereby complete an electrical circuit which causes the timing of the medication interval to be commenced.

In use, the memory aid 10 will be fitted to a medication container 12 in advance, either by a pharmacist, a carer for the patient, or the patient themselves. The container will be filled in advance with the particular medicine to be taken.

The memory aid 10 will either have been programmed in advance, for example when being manufactured, or by a pharmacist dispensing the medicines concerned. Alternatively, a user may programme the memory aid, as described above to his or her particular requirements. The aid 10 may, alternatively, be programmed remotely with 2s a dedicated programming device.

When the memory aid 10 is switched on, regular reminders will be provided by the memory aid so that the user takes the required medicines at the required time interval.

Different messages may be provided at different times, eg IX' hours to next dose.

Additional features of the memory aid 10 described above can include the memory aid being powered with a photocell, or to be activated mechanically with a winding mechanism.

The reminder signal to the user can vary in intensity and may be adjustable. The intensity may be the volume of the audible signal. The aid 10 may vibrate to indicate to a user that medication should be taken. The display screen 26 would still show the information to the user in this example. In this way the aid 10 could be used discreetly in the company of others.

It is also possible to provide a repeat signal option, if a first reminder is not acted upon. By programming into the memory aid the number of tablets placed in the medicine container 12, and by using the internal clock and dosage information, the number of tablets which are left in the container can be calculated.

The memory aid may include both the features of audio output and a visual display screen 14, or may include only one of the two.

Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of memory aid, in which the clock display uses hands 50, similar to a standard clock. In other respects the functioning of this embodiment is the same as that described above in relation to the embodiment of figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 shows the first embodiment of memory aid, which is combined with a screw fitting cap 52 for a tube 54 of ointment, cream, or the like. The memory aid has the same features and functions as those described in relation to figure 1, 2 and 11.

Figure 5 shows a third embodiment of memory aid 10, which s is secured to an inhaler dispensing device 56. In normal use an aerosol containing the relevant medicine would be depressed to allow a spray of the medicine to issue from a mouth portion 58. In this third embodiment, the memory aid 10 prevents the medicine being dispensed by depressing lo the aerosol until the memory aid 10 is removed from the top of the inhaler 56 by a release catch 42. In other respects the memory aid of the third embodiment has the same features and functions as the first embodiment.

Figure 6 shows a fourth embodiment of memory aid. This memory aid is secured to the lid of a pill box 60. The memory aid gives a reminder at various intervals for a user to take a particular medicine contained within the pill box 60. In this embodiment, the visual display screen 26 or the audio speakers 16 may give information as to a particular kind of medicine to be taken, in the situation where a number of different medicines are contained within the pill box 60. Information may be given as to whether particular medicines contained within the pill box can be combined or should not be combined. Information as to the colour or other defining characteristics of the medicines to be taken and the quantity can be given by visual or audio messages. In other respects the memory aid has the same functions as the first embodiment.

Figure 7 shows a fifth embodiment of memory aid 10 which is secured to a pill box 62. The pill box is divided into a plurality of sections 64, each having its own cover 65. Different types of medicine can be stored in each of the compartments 64 or different doses of the same medicine could be stored therein. Lights 66 are located in the surface of each of the covers over the section 64. The lights of a particular cover are illuminated when the medicine held within that particular section is due to be taken. This visual indication is combined with the audio information concerning the particular medicine involved, which information and features for delivery thereof are described in relation to the first embodiment.

Figure 8 shows a sixth embodiment of memory aid 10 secured to a pill box 68. The memory aid 10 has the same function as the memory aid described in relation to the first embodiment. However, am additional function of this embodiment is that a catch 70 is opened automatically when the time for taking a particular medicine arrives. Instructions as to which medicine within the pill box 68 will be given by visual or audio means as described above.

Figure 9 shows a seventh embodiment of memory aid secured to a pill box similar to that shown in figure 7. The pill box of figure 9 differs in that the compartments 64 have clear covers and it is the compartments themselves which are illuminated, rather than the covers as is the case in the fifth embodiment. otherwise, the features and functions of this seventh embodiment are the same as those of the fifth embodiment.

The figures loa and lob show front and rear sides of an eight embodiment of memory aid incorporated into a medicine container 72 in the shape of a pen. The memory aid has a display screen 14 and/or audio speaker 16 as does the first embodiment, albeit in a different arrangements of those parts. Also, this embodiment has all of the features of the memory aid described in relation to the first embodiment. Additionally however a closeable opening 74 is included in the rear of this embodiment. The opening allows for medicines to be dispensed therefrom, by opening a cover portion (not shown) thereof, when the memory aid indicates that lo medicine should be taken.

A further embodiment is provided by incorporating the memory aid into a novelty shape, such as an animal or well known character. The output information, could then be in the form of the character's voice. Such an embodiment may assist with patient compliance especially for children, given that this embodiment may have entertainment/enjoyment value. The output of this embodiment may also contain multiple varieties of output, eg a conversational type output.

The various embodiments of memory aid, either alone or combined with various types of medicine container has significant advantages over previous memory aids, because significantly more information can be given to a user to, for example, discriminate between particular types of medicine held within a medicine container and also to give specific information relating to the medicine concerned. It is also advantageous to provide additional information when a single medication is being taken by the user.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to 13 - this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, lo except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s). The invention extend to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A memory aid f or a medicament container comprises a power supply, timing means, information storage means and output means, which timing means is operable to activate the output means at a pre-selected time, wherein the output means is operable, on being activated by the timing means, to output information relating to a medicament in an associated medicament container from the information storage means, said information being in a textual format and/or a verbal format.

2. A memory aid as claimed in claim 1, in which the information in a textual format is displayed by a visual display means.

3. A memory aid as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the information in a verbal format is the output of speaker means.

4. A memory aid as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the information relates to the amount of medicament in an associated container to be taken.

5. A memory aid as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the information relates to which medicament of a variety of medicaments in an associated container should be taken.

6. A memory aid as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the information relates to side effects and/or the effects of combining medicaments.

- is -

7. A memory aid as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the information relates to a further supply, for instance, a prescription, being needed.

8. A memory aid as claimed in any preceding claim, which is secured to a medicament container, which is a bottle or a tube of medicament.

9. A memory aid as claimed in any preceding claim, which 10 is secured to a medicament dispenser which is an inhaler.

10. A memory aid as claimed in any preceding claim, which is integral with closure means of a medicament container.

11. A memory aid as claimed in claim 10, in which the memory aid commences a timing operation for a next information output event on closure of said closure means.

12. A memory aid as claimed in any preceding claim, which 20 controls locking means of a medicament container.

13. A memory aid as claimed in claim 12, in which the locking means are activated at substantially the preselected time at which the output means is activated.

14. A memory aid as claimed in either claim 12 or claim 13, in which individual compartments of the container are locked or unlocked depending on control signals from the timing means.

15. A memory aid as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the medicament container includes illumination means, which are operable to illuminate one or more medicament holding compartments of the container.

16. A memory aid as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the timing means are operable to monitor a plurality of timing periods.

17. A memory aid as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the timing means are programmable.

18. A medicament container including a memory aid as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. A method of reminding a user to take a medicament comprises outputting information relating to a medicament in an associated medicament container, said information being output from output means of a memory aid at a preselected time determined by timing means of the memory aid, said information being stored in information storage means of the memory aid and being output in a textual and/or verbal format.

20. A memory aid substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

21. A method of reminding a user to take a medicament substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.