GB2496758A

GB2496758A - Dispensing device

Info

Publication number: GB2496758A
Application number: GB201220777A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Anthony Reynolds; Paul Francis Burns
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-11-18
Filing date: 2012-11-19
Publication date: 2013-05-22
Also published as: GB201119916D0; GB201220777D0

Abstract

A dispensing device comprises an upper part 1 and a base 2; both the upper part and the base have a plurality of holes 7, 8. The upper part 1 and the base 2 are slidably mounted relative to each other so as to allow for the holes 8 of the base 2 to be aligned with the holes 7 of the upper part 1 in a first condition. In a second condition the holes 7, 8 of the upper part 1 and the base 2 are offset from each other. The base 2 comprises a lowermost part which is arranged to removably receive a compartmentalised container. Preferably, in the second condition, tablets or capsules can be placed in holes 7 of the upper part 1 and are supported on an underlying support surface of the base 2. Preferably, the base 2 is arranged to removably receive a monitored dosage system tray.

Description

DISPENSING DEVICE

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to dispensing aids. In particular, although not exclusively, the invention relates to a device for assisting in the process of accurately dispensing tablets and capsules into monitored dosage systems (MDS). M DS are used to aid compliance with administration of medication, particularly in nursing homes, care homes and residential homes, having been prepared by the pharmacist in accordance with a medical prescription.

Background

So-called monitored dosage systems (MDS) can be opened by the patient, carer or other person to retrieve the contents for any particular day and time by breaking the seal of the selected cup.

MDS comprise a series of seven tray or cup-like compartments in one line (indicating days of the week) linked together in a series of four or five rows, or other number (indicating times of the day).

When the prescription requirement is complete, the contents are checked and verified by a pharmacist before the surface of the whole package is sealed with a thin removable transparent fi lit.

Currently MDS is filled according to the prescription request. They are then checked and verified when completed. Current methodology of preparation and final checking may lead to errors, which if spotted, can be corrected. As some individual trays may contain both a variely and any number of tablets and capsules, the checking of the contents is not a simple process and can take a long time.

The present invention seeks to address the above issues.

Summary

According to the invention there is provided a dispensing aid which may comprise an upper part and a base, the upper part and the base may be slidably mounted relative to each other so as to allow for the holes of the base to be aligned with the holes of the upper part in a first condition, and a second condition in which the holes of the upper part and the base are offset from each other, and the base may comprise a lowermost part which is arranged to removably receive a compartnientalised container (for example an MDS container).

Preferably, in the second condition, tablets or capsules can be placed in the holes of the upper part, and in which condition are supported on an underlying support surface of the base.

Preferably the lowermost part of the base is arranged to removably receive a monitored dosage system tray. Preferably the lowermost part of the base comprises two depending sides, and a depending end portion, the end portion serving as a stop, the end portion being at an opposite end to an open end to receive the compartnientalised tray.

Preferably the upper part is of essentially plate form.

Preferably the upper part is moveable relative to the base.

Preferably the holes of the upper part are tapered holes.

The upper part and the base may be spring-biased relative to each other, so as to act to maintain the upper part and the base in the second condition.

The upper part is preferably slidably connected to the base by way of a male-to-female slidablc arrangement. The arrangement may comprise lugs which arc slidably received in respective slots.

In one embodiment of the invention, a dispensing aid comprises two components: A top slide plate, which is a flat plate of suitable thickness. Movement of the plate is controlled by pins on the underside sliding with the guide slots of the bottom plate.

The plate may have a row series of twenty eight or thirty five tapered holes, or other required number, to match the positioning of the centre of the individual blister compartment of any particular MDS and matches the hole sizes and positioning of the top plate. The plate is moveable so that the holes may be positioned coincidentally beneath the holes of the top plate or moved to a position when the holes are offset.

A second component is a base, or bottom plate, with a series of plain holes, preferably twenty eight or thirty five, or any other required number, to match the top plate and the positioning of the centre of the individual trays of any particular MDS.

The base is designed so that the MDS packaging that is required to be filled is placed (by sliding) under the base plate. A stop' allows the MDS to be positioned in the correct position under the base so that the holes and blisters of the MDS packaging coincide.

The top plate may be made from low friction acrylic, other plastic or other suitable material. The base may be made from stainless steel of other suitable material.

The above aspect, or other aspects, of the invention may comprise one or more features mentioned in the specific description and/or the drawings.

Brief Description of the drawings

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a top plate of a dispensing device, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of a base of a dispensing device.

Detailed Description

With reference to Figure 1 there is shown two components of a dispensmg aid which comprise an upper plate and a base 10. In use, the upper plate is positioned above the base, such that the upper plate I is slidable relative to the base 2. As will be described below, the device allows for tablets and capsules to be dispensed into a multi-compartment tray, such as for a monitored dosage system (MDS).

The top plate is slidably connected to the base by way of four lugs 3 which are received in respective slots 5. It will be appreciated that Figure I shows only two of the four lugs 3, with a further two lugs provided towards the rear of the top plate. The lugs 3 are thus located at a front end of the top plate and at a rear end of the top plate.

The slots S are provided, spaced apart from one another, along opposing sides of the base 2.

The top plate 1 is provided with an array of through-holes 7, essentially arranged in rows. Each of the holes has a tapered profile, with the taper directed downwardly from the top plate.

The base 2 comprises an uppennost planar surface 2a which is provided with a field of through-holes 8. The number and dimensions of the holes 8 substantially correspond to the number and dimensions of the holes 7.

Depending from the uppermost surface 2a, and along two opposing sides thereof, there are provided two sides 4, each being essentially of L-shaped section. The L-shaped section comprises a downward potion, and a horizontal portion, said portions being perpendicular to each other. A rear end portion of the uppermost surface 2a comprises a stop component 12, also being of L-shaped section. The stop component 12 and the sides 4, essentially form a channel into which is slidably and removably receivable a compartmentalised tray. The limit of movement of the tray is effected by way of the stop 12.

The slidable movement between the upper plate and the base allows two conditions to be adopted. One condition in which the holes 7 of the upper plate are offset from the holes 8 of the base 2.ln a further condition, the holes 7 of the upper plate are aligned with the holes 8 of the base.

In use, the device operates as follows. A container comprising compartmentalised tray (not illustrated) is inserted into the channel of the base, until the tray reaches the stop 12, indicative of a home position. The channel serves to receive and locate the tray.

When in the home position, each of the compartments of the tray is in register with a respective hole 8 of the base. The upper plate 1 is then moved into the first condition.

In the first condition, tablets, capsules, or other forms of discrete medication, are placed into the tapered holes of the upper plate 1, and so rest on the upper surface 2a.

Once in position, the tablets, or otherwise, can be checked, before the upper plate is manually moved to the sccond condition so as to align the holes 7 with the holes 8.

When in the second condition, the tablets are released into the respective compartments of the tray. Advantageously, when the requisite row or rows have been filled with the required number of tablets, the contents can easily be inspected and visually checked, and amended as required, prior to releasing the tablets into the underlying tray. Further advantageously, the device allows full control of the tablets or capsules as they are individually dispensed and verified for each and every medication. This gradual/iterative filling, checking and verification process can be repeated as required, which advantageously reduces thc known (and disadvantageous) final complex checking procedure.

For the purpose of washing and cleaning, the two component parts may be easily disassemb led.

Once the tray has been filled, it can easily be removed, and sealed. The next tray to be filled can then be inserted into the base channel.

In a variant embodiment, a spring, or othcr resilient device may be provided between the base and the top plate so as to spring bias the top plate to the offset condition.

In a further variant embodiment, non-slip feet may be provided on the base.

Claims

<claim-text>CLAIMS1. A dispensing device comprising an upper part and a base, the upper part and the base are slidably mounted relative to each other so as to allow for the holes of the base to be aligned with the holes of the upper part in a first condition, and a second condition in which the holes of the upper part and the base are offset from each other, the base comprising a lowermost part which is arranged to removably receive a compartrnentalised container.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A dispensing device as claimed in claim 1 in which in the second condition, tablets or capsules can be placed in the holes of the upper part, and in which condition are supported on an underlying support surface of the base.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A dispensing device as claimed in claim I or claim 2 in which the lowermost part of the base is arranged to removably receive a monitored dosage system tray.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A dispensing device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the lowermost part of the base comprises two depending sides, and a depending end portion, the end portion serving as a stop, the end portion being at an opposite end to an open end to receive the compartmentalised tray.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A dispensing device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the upper part is of essentially plate form.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A dispensing device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the upper part is moveable relative to the base.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A dispensing device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the holes of the upper part are tapered holes.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A dispensing device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the upper part and the base are spring-biased relative to each other, so as to act to maintain the upper part and the base in the second condition.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A dispensing device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the upper part is slidably connected to the base by way of a male-to-female slidable arrangement.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A dispensing device as claimed in claim 9 in which the arrangement comprises lugs which arc slidably received in respective slots.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. A dispensing device substantially as herein described, with reference to the accompanying drawings</claim-text>