US20130090628A1 - Device and method for administering medicine - Google Patents
Device and method for administering medicine Download PDFInfo
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- US20130090628A1 US20130090628A1 US13/648,627 US201213648627A US2013090628A1 US 20130090628 A1 US20130090628 A1 US 20130090628A1 US 201213648627 A US201213648627 A US 201213648627A US 2013090628 A1 US2013090628 A1 US 2013090628A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- edible carrier
- housing
- medicine
- probe element
- recess
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
- A61J7/00—Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoons; Pill counting devices; Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
- A61J7/0015—Devices specially adapted for taking medicines
- A61J7/0061—Swallow helping devices, e.g. tongue shields
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
- A61J7/00—Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoons; Pill counting devices; Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
- A61J7/0015—Devices specially adapted for taking medicines
- A61J7/0023—Spoons
Definitions
- the disclosure generally relates to devices and methods for administering medicine. Specifically, the disclosure relates to a device for forming a recess in an edible carrier wherein medicine is placed in the recess and the edible carrier combined with the medicine are delivered to the person who needs the medicine.
- the device is used to help adults and children who have difficulties swallowing pills and capsules
- the disclosure provides a plurality of different devices and different methods for administering medicine to a recipient.
- the device includes a housing that supports an edible carrier.
- An element is disposed within the edible carrier for forming a recess within the edible carrier when the element and edible carrier are separated.
- the method includes the steps of forming the recess within the edible carrier, placing medicine within the recess, and administering the edible carrier and medicine combination to the recipient.
- the method includes the steps of either adding the medicine to the edible carrier when the edible carrier is held within the housing or after the edible carrier is removed from the housing.
- One exemplary configuration of the disclosure provides a housing that includes a base that holds the edible carrier and a cover that is releasably connected to the base.
- a probe element extends through the cover into the edible carrier.
- the portion of the probe element disposed within the base is substantially surrounded by the edible carrier.
- the edible carrier may be an edible gelatinous substance made from gelatin, water, and optionally sweetener, flavoring, and/or coloring. The user twists the probe element about its longitudinal axis to break any connection between the edible carrier and the probe element. The user may then pull the probe element straight out of the housing along the longitudinal axis of the probe element to define a recess in the edible carrier.
- the opening of the recess in the edible carrier should be directed towards the front of the recipient's mouth when the edible carrier is placed on the tongue.
- the edible carrier may be configured to have a pleasant taste and provides lubrication for the medicine.
- Another exemplary configuration of the disclosure provides a housing that includes at least first and second portions that surround an edible carrier.
- a probe element is connected to the second portion of the housing such that when the second portion of the housing is removed from the first portion of the housing, the probe element is pulled from the edible carrier to define a recess within the edible carrier. The user may then insert medicine into the recess and administer the edible carrier to the recipient.
- a further exemplary configuration of the disclosure provides a housing in the form of a spoon such that the housing itself may be used to administer the edible carrier and medicine to the recipient.
- the housing may thus include an elongated handle.
- the handle may include a recess or slot that helps the user load the medicine into the edible carrier.
- the disclosure provides a housing member for the edible carrier that is deformable or crushable to assist the user in removing the edible carrier from the housing.
- the housing may be coated with a release layer that helps the edible carrier release from the housing.
- the disclosure also provides a housing that carries the element such that the recess is formed in the edible carrier when the edible carrier is removed from the housing.
- the disclosure provides a housing having a removable portion that is connected to an element that forms a recess within an edible carrier when the removable portion is removed from the housing.
- the removable portion may be a lid, a container half, or a peelable seal.
- the edible carrier may be a traditional gelatin dessert composition.
- the edible carrier may be configured to be stable at room temperature for long periods of time.
- the edible carrier may be provided in different colors and favors.
- the edible carrier may be provided in different edible compositions.
- the disclosure provides that a plurality of the devices may be connected and provided to the users in sheets, trays or rolls.
- the individual devices may be numbered with times, dates, names, room numbers, patient identification numbers, or consecutive numbering such that the user may conveniently use the devices with a plurality of recipients or so that a single recipient may track when the medicine has been taken.
- the connected devices may be provided in an array of seven by three wherein the recipient needs to take medicine three times per day each day of the week.
- FIG. 1 is a side view of a first exemplary configuration of the device for administering medicine to a recipient.
- FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 wherein the probe element has been removed from the housing to form the recess in the edible carrier.
- FIG. 3 shows the edible carrier placed on a spoon.
- FIG. 4 is a side view of a second exemplary configuration of the device for administering medicine to a recipient.
- FIG. 5 is a side view showing one portion of the housing being removed from another portion of the housing.
- FIG. 6 is a side view of one portion of the housing supporting the edible carrier after the recess has been formed in the edible carrier.
- FIG. 7 shows how the edible carrier may be squeezed to open the recess so that the medicine may be inserted.
- FIG. 8 depicts the edible carrier and medicine placed in a spoon for administering to the patient.
- FIG. 9 is a side section view of a third exemplary configuration of the device.
- FIG. 10 is a side section view of a sealing arrangement for the third exemplary configuration of the device.
- FIG. 11 is a top view of the configuration of FIG. 10 .
- FIG. 12 is a top view of a series of devices connected together.
- Each device 10 is used to provide an edible carrier 12 that is used to administer medicine to a recipient.
- the medicine 20 used with edible carrier 12 is a single or a plurality of dry pills, a single or a plurality of caplets, a single or a plurality of capsules, a single or a plurality of gel tabs, a powdered dose, or essentially any other form of medicine that may be placed in another carrier.
- the disclosure also provides methods for administering medicine to the recipient by using edible carrier 12 and methods of using device 10 .
- Edible carrier 12 is formed from an edible material that is easy to swallow and has a self-supporting body capable of defining recess 18 and maintaining its shape about medicine 20 for long enough for medicine 20 to be swallowed by the recipient.
- Edible carrier 12 may be provided in the form of an edible gelatinous dessert substance made from gelatin, water, and optionally sweetener, flavoring, and/or coloring.
- Edible carrier 12 may be formed a variety of the products sold by Kraft Foods Global Brands LLC under the Federally-registered trademark JELL-O®.
- Edible carrier 12 may be a traditional gelatin-based dessert composition. The amount of water used to form carrier 12 partially controls the density of the carrier.
- Edible carrier 12 may be configured to be stable at room temperature for long periods of time.
- Edible carrier 12 may be provided in different colors and favors. Edible carrier 12 also may be provided in compositions that are not gelatin-based such as an edible polymer-based substance. Edible carrier 12 may be configured to have a pleasant taste and provides lubrication for assisting the recipient in swallowing medicine 20 .
- FIGS. 1-3 A first exemplary configuration of the device and method is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 wherein device 10 includes housing 14 that defines a cup-shaped base 30 that holds edible carrier 12 and a cover 32 that is releasably connected to base 30 .
- Cup-shaped base 30 may be formed from a thin plastic material and may be vacuum formed. In this form, base 30 is deformable such that the user can crush or pinch base 30 to squeeze or push edible carrier 12 from base 30 .
- the inner surface of base 30 may be coated with a material that helps edible carrier 12 slide from base 30 .
- the opening of recess 18 defined by edible carrier 12 should be directed towards the front of the recipient's mouth when edible carrier 12 is placed on the tongue.
- FIGS. 10 and 11 depict a configuration wherein the spoon is sealed within a secondary seal 84 that protects the entire device 10 during storage and shipping.
- Seals 84 may be joined to form a roll or an array of devices 10 as shown in FIG. 12 wherein a roll is configured for a week.
- Information 86 is provided on the end of the roll and each device is labeled with a day of the week.
- probe 16 is hollow to allow the material that forms edible carrier 12 to be introduced to housing through probe 16 .
- a plurality of the devices 10 may be connected together to form a strip or array of devices 10 (shown for example in FIG. 12 ). These may be rolled for convenience.
- the individual devices 10 may be numbered with times, dates, names, room numbers, patient identification numbers, or consecutive numbering such that the user may conveniently use devices 10 with a plurality of recipients or so that a single recipient may track when the medicine has been taken.
- devices 10 may be provided in an array of seven by three wherein the recipient needs to take medicine three times per day each day of the week.
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
Abstract
A device for administering medicine to a person includes a housing that supports an edible carrier. An element is disposed within the edible carrier for forming a recess within the edible carrier when the element and edible carrier are separated. The method includes the steps of forming the recess within the edible carrier, placing medicine within the recess, and administering the edible carrier and medicine combination to the recipient. The edible carrier provides lubrication and a pleasant taste to the person receiving the medicine. The housing may be in the form a spoon with the edible carrier sealed to the spoon.
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application serial no. 61/546,015 filed Oct. 11, 2011; the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- 1. Technical Field
- The disclosure generally relates to devices and methods for administering medicine. Specifically, the disclosure relates to a device for forming a recess in an edible carrier wherein medicine is placed in the recess and the edible carrier combined with the medicine are delivered to the person who needs the medicine. The device is used to help adults and children who have difficulties swallowing pills and capsules
- 2. Background Information
- Many adults and children have difficulties swallowing pills and capsules. This problem is of special concern in nursing homes and other health care facilities where a limited number of professionals have the responsibility to administer medicine to a large number of people. A single patient may need to take multiple prescriptions each day at different times. In this setting, repeated small delays in administering each item of medicine combine to significantly reduce the efficiency of the facility. Some patients with dry mouths or dry throats can generate a large delay in medicine delivery. Just a few large delays each day creates a significant impact on the efficiency of the facility. In an exemplary nursing facility of 100 residents taking medicine three times per day, a five minute delay in 50 percent of the medicine deliveries consumes over twelve hours of nursing time per day. This cost of medicine deliver is enlarged as more and more ailments are treated through prescriptions and when the nurse administering the medicine must ensure the resident has taken the medicine. The same costs are seen in hospitals. These industries thus desire an efficient mechanism and method for administering medicine to patients who have difficulties with swallowing pills in the traditional manner.
- The disclosure provides a plurality of different devices and different methods for administering medicine to a recipient.
- In general, the device includes a housing that supports an edible carrier. An element is disposed within the edible carrier for forming a recess within the edible carrier when the element and edible carrier are separated. The method includes the steps of forming the recess within the edible carrier, placing medicine within the recess, and administering the edible carrier and medicine combination to the recipient. The method includes the steps of either adding the medicine to the edible carrier when the edible carrier is held within the housing or after the edible carrier is removed from the housing.
- One exemplary configuration of the disclosure provides a housing that includes a base that holds the edible carrier and a cover that is releasably connected to the base. A probe element extends through the cover into the edible carrier. The portion of the probe element disposed within the base is substantially surrounded by the edible carrier. The edible carrier may be an edible gelatinous substance made from gelatin, water, and optionally sweetener, flavoring, and/or coloring. The user twists the probe element about its longitudinal axis to break any connection between the edible carrier and the probe element. The user may then pull the probe element straight out of the housing along the longitudinal axis of the probe element to define a recess in the edible carrier. The user then removes the cover and adds the medicine into the recess such that the medicine is substantially encapsulated by the material of the edible carrier. The user then squeezes the edible carrier from the base into a spoon or the recipient's hand wherein it can be placed on the user's tongue and then swallowed. The opening of the recess in the edible carrier should be directed towards the front of the recipient's mouth when the edible carrier is placed on the tongue. The edible carrier may be configured to have a pleasant taste and provides lubrication for the medicine.
- Another exemplary configuration of the disclosure provides a housing that includes at least first and second portions that surround an edible carrier. A probe element is connected to the second portion of the housing such that when the second portion of the housing is removed from the first portion of the housing, the probe element is pulled from the edible carrier to define a recess within the edible carrier. The user may then insert medicine into the recess and administer the edible carrier to the recipient.
- A further exemplary configuration of the disclosure provides a housing in the form of a spoon such that the housing itself may be used to administer the edible carrier and medicine to the recipient. The housing may thus include an elongated handle. The handle may include a recess or slot that helps the user load the medicine into the edible carrier.
- The disclosure provides a housing member for the edible carrier that is deformable or crushable to assist the user in removing the edible carrier from the housing. The housing may be coated with a release layer that helps the edible carrier release from the housing.
- The disclosure also provides a housing that carries the element such that the recess is formed in the edible carrier when the edible carrier is removed from the housing.
- The disclosure provides a housing having a removable portion that is connected to an element that forms a recess within an edible carrier when the removable portion is removed from the housing. The removable portion may be a lid, a container half, or a peelable seal.
- The edible carrier may be a traditional gelatin dessert composition. Alternatively, the edible carrier may be configured to be stable at room temperature for long periods of time. The edible carrier may be provided in different colors and favors. The edible carrier may be provided in different edible compositions.
- The disclosure provides that a plurality of the devices may be connected and provided to the users in sheets, trays or rolls. The individual devices may be numbered with times, dates, names, room numbers, patient identification numbers, or consecutive numbering such that the user may conveniently use the devices with a plurality of recipients or so that a single recipient may track when the medicine has been taken. For example, the connected devices may be provided in an array of seven by three wherein the recipient needs to take medicine three times per day each day of the week.
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FIG. 1 is a side view of a first exemplary configuration of the device for administering medicine to a recipient. -
FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the device ofFIG. 1 wherein the probe element has been removed from the housing to form the recess in the edible carrier. -
FIG. 3 shows the edible carrier placed on a spoon. -
FIG. 4 is a side view of a second exemplary configuration of the device for administering medicine to a recipient. -
FIG. 5 is a side view showing one portion of the housing being removed from another portion of the housing. -
FIG. 6 is a side view of one portion of the housing supporting the edible carrier after the recess has been formed in the edible carrier. -
FIG. 7 shows how the edible carrier may be squeezed to open the recess so that the medicine may be inserted. -
FIG. 8 depicts the edible carrier and medicine placed in a spoon for administering to the patient. -
FIG. 9 is a side section view of a third exemplary configuration of the device. -
FIG. 10 is a side section view of a sealing arrangement for the third exemplary configuration of the device. -
FIG. 11 is a top view of the configuration ofFIG. 10 . -
FIG. 12 is a top view of a series of devices connected together. - Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the specification. The unnumbered views depict useful aspects of the disclosure.
- The exemplary device configurations depicted in the accompanying drawings are generally indicated by the
reference numeral 10. Eachdevice 10 is used to provide anedible carrier 12 that is used to administer medicine to a recipient. Themedicine 20 used withedible carrier 12 is a single or a plurality of dry pills, a single or a plurality of caplets, a single or a plurality of capsules, a single or a plurality of gel tabs, a powdered dose, or essentially any other form of medicine that may be placed in another carrier. The disclosure also provides methods for administering medicine to the recipient by usingedible carrier 12 and methods of usingdevice 10. - Each configuration of
device 10 includes ahousing 14 that supportsedible carrier 12 in a manner that allowsedible carrier 12 to be readily removed fromhousing 14.Housing 14 is provided in different shapes and sizes including a spoon-shaped housing and a pocket-shaped housing. At least a portion of anelement 16 is disposed withinedible carrier 12 for forming arecess 18 withinedible carrier 16 whenelement 16 andedible carrier 12 are separated. The method includes the steps of forming arecess 18 withinedible carrier 12, placingmedicine 20 withinrecess 18, and administeringedible carrier 12 andmedicine 20 combination to the recipient. The method includes the steps of either addingmedicine 20 toedible carrier 12 whenedible carrier 12 is held within or onhousing 14 or afteredible carrier 12 is removed fromhousing 14. -
Edible carrier 12 is formed from an edible material that is easy to swallow and has a self-supporting body capable of definingrecess 18 and maintaining its shape aboutmedicine 20 for long enough formedicine 20 to be swallowed by the recipient.Edible carrier 12 may be provided in the form of an edible gelatinous dessert substance made from gelatin, water, and optionally sweetener, flavoring, and/or coloring.Edible carrier 12 may be formed a variety of the products sold by Kraft Foods Global Brands LLC under the Federally-registered trademark JELL-O®.Edible carrier 12 may be a traditional gelatin-based dessert composition. The amount of water used to formcarrier 12 partially controls the density of the carrier.Edible carrier 12 may be configured to be stable at room temperature for long periods of time.Edible carrier 12 may be provided in different colors and favors.Edible carrier 12 also may be provided in compositions that are not gelatin-based such as an edible polymer-based substance.Edible carrier 12 may be configured to have a pleasant taste and provides lubrication for assisting the recipient in swallowingmedicine 20. - A first exemplary configuration of the device and method is illustrated in
FIGS. 1-3 whereindevice 10 includeshousing 14 that defines a cup-shapedbase 30 that holdsedible carrier 12 and acover 32 that is releasably connected tobase 30. Cup-shapedbase 30 may be formed from a thin plastic material and may be vacuum formed. In this form,base 30 is deformable such that the user can crush or pinchbase 30 to squeeze or pushedible carrier 12 frombase 30. The inner surface ofbase 30 may be coated with a material that helpsedible carrier 12 slide frombase 30. -
Cover 32 may be secured to base with an adhesive.Cover 32 may be a plastic, a coated paper, or a foil. Probeelement 16 extends throughcover 32 intoedible carrier 12. A portion ofprobe element 16 extends outwardly fromcover 32 so that the user may grasp andtwist probe element 16 about its longitudinal axis to break any connection between the material ofedible carrier 12 andprobe 16. The user may then pullprobe element 16 straight out ofhousing 14 throughcover 32 along the longitudinal axis ofprobe element 16 to definerecess 18 inedible carrier 12 as depicted inFIG. 2 . The user then adds medicine to recess 18 either before or aftercover 32 is removed. In this condition,medicine 20 is substantially encapsulated by the material ofedible carrier 12. The user then squeezesedible carrier 12 frombase 30 or pushes the bottom ofbase 30 to ejectedible carrier 12 into a spoon (FIG. 3 ) or the recipient's hand wherein it can be placed on the user's tongue and then swallowed. The opening ofrecess 18 defined byedible carrier 12 should be directed towards the front of the recipient's mouth whenedible carrier 12 is placed on the tongue. - Another exemplary configuration of
device 10 is depicted inFIGS. 4-8 whereinhousing 14 includes at least first 50 and second 52 portions that surroundedible carrier 12. Probeelement 16 is connected tosecond portion 52 ofhousing 14 such that whensecond portion 52 ofhousing 14 is moved with respect tofirst portion 50,probe element 16 is pulled fromedible carrier 12 to definerecess 18 withinedible carrier 12. The user may then insertmedicine 20 intorecess 18 and administeredible carrier 12 to the recipient.Second portion 52 may be pivoted with respect tofirst portion 50 as depicted inFIG. 5 .Second portion 52 also may be slid or rotated with respect tofirst portion 50 to moveprobe 16 to formrecess 18.Housing 14 may be formed from a release-coated thin plastic material that is readily deformable so that the user may ejectedible carrier 12 fromhousing 14 with little effort.FIG. 7 shows how one may squeezeedible carrier 12 to openrecess 18 to acceptmedicine 20.FIG. 8 shows theedible carrier 12 removed fromfirst portion 50 into a spoon for delivery to the person taking the medicine. Again, the opening ofrecess 18 is to be positioned so that it faces the front of the mouth when delivered to the person. - A further exemplary configuration of
device 10 is depicted inFIG. 9 whereinhousing 14 is provided in the form of an integrated spoon such that a portion of thehousing 14 itself may be used to administeredible carrier 12 andmedicine 20 to the recipient. In this configuration,housing 14 is in the form of aspoon 70 withedible carrier 12 carried by thehead 72 of thespoon 70.Housing 14 includes anelongated handle 74 provided withridges 76 for gripping. Probeelement 16 extends fromedible carrier 12 and may be aligned withhousing 14 such as thehandle 74. In the exemplary configuration, handle 74supports probe element 16 that extends fromedible carrier 12. This portion ofprobe element 16 is seated in agroove 78 defined byhandle 74 andprobe element 16 may be slid back and forth within thisgroove 78. Aseal 80 is disposed overedible carrier 12 and at least a portion ofprobe element 16 to protectedible carrier 12 until it is used.Seal 80 can be disposed just over the top ofedible carrier 12 or disposed entirely aroundedible carrier 12 andspoon head 72.Seal 80 is made from any of a variety of known sealing materials such as a plastic, a foil, or a treated or coated paper. - Probe
element 16 is used to form the recess inedible carrier 12 as described above. The user twists orpivots probe 16 back and forth and pullsprobe element 16 back alonghandle groove 78 or tilts it up away fromhandle 74 and pulls it out ofedible carrier 12. Onceprobe element 16 is removed,medicine 20 is placed ingrove 78 and pushed into the recess defined inedible carrier 12. The end ofprobe element 16 may be used to push the medicine intoedible carrier 12.Groove 78 helpsposition medicine 20 for loading intoedible carrier 12. -
FIGS. 10 and 11 depict a configuration wherein the spoon is sealed within asecondary seal 84 that protects theentire device 10 during storage and shipping.Seals 84 may be joined to form a roll or an array ofdevices 10 as shown inFIG. 12 wherein a roll is configured for a week.Information 86 is provided on the end of the roll and each device is labeled with a day of the week. -
FIG. 11 depicts an alternative seal for thespoon head 72 wherein atab 88 is defined by weakened areas ofseal 80.Tab 88 is pulled back to provide a grip that allows the remainder ofseal 80 to be removed from the spoon. The weakened areas extend from one edge to another edge ofseal 80 so thatseal 80 is peeled all the way acrossedible carrier 12 before it is used to pull the remaining portion ofseal 80 off ofhousing 14.Tab 88 may be used with the sealing configurations ofFIGS. 9 and 10 . - Another configuration of
housing 14 includes one whereinprobe 16 is not detached fromhousing 14. In this example,probe 16 is disposed inedible carrier 12 untilcarrier 12 is removed fromhousing 14. When removed fromhousing 14,carrier 12 is slid off ofprobe 16 to formrecess 18. - Another configuration for each of these embodiments is wherein
probe 16 is hollow to allow the material that formsedible carrier 12 to be introduced to housing throughprobe 16. - A plurality of the
devices 10 may be connected together to form a strip or array of devices 10 (shown for example inFIG. 12 ). These may be rolled for convenience. Theindividual devices 10 may be numbered with times, dates, names, room numbers, patient identification numbers, or consecutive numbering such that the user may conveniently usedevices 10 with a plurality of recipients or so that a single recipient may track when the medicine has been taken. For example,devices 10 may be provided in an array of seven by three wherein the recipient needs to take medicine three times per day each day of the week. - In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the descriptions and illustrations are examples and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described. Throughout the description and claims of this specification the words “comprise” and “include” as well as variations of those words, such as “comprises,” “includes,” “comprising,” and “including” are not intended to exclude additives, components, integers, or steps.
Claims (20)
1. A device for administering medicine to a person; the device comprising:
a housing;
an edible carrier carried by the housing; the edible carrier being removably carried by the housing; the edible carrier adapted to provide lubrication that assists the swallowing of the medicine by the person; and
a probe element at least partially disposed in the edible carrier; the probe element being removable from the edible carrier and adapted to form a recess in the edible carrier for receiving the medicine that is to be administered to the person.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the edible carrier is a gelatin-based edible material.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the housing has at least first and second portions and the probe element is connected to the second portion of the housing; the second portion of the housing being removable from the first portion of the housing to expose to the edible carrier.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the housing has at least first and second portions with the second portion of the housing being removable from the first portion of the housing; the probe element extending through the second portion of the housing.
5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a handle.
6. The device of claim 5 , wherein the probe element is carried by the handle of the housing.
7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the handle defines a groove; at least a portion of the probe element being disposed in the groove defined by the handle.
8. The device of claim 7 , further comprising a seal cooperating with the housing to cover the edible carrier.
9. The device of claim 8 , wherein the seal defines a tab that is movable from a first position to a second position; the second position allowing the tab to function as a grip adapted to help the user remove the seal from the housing.
10. A device for administering medicine to a person; the device comprising:
a housing in the shape of a spoon having a head and a handle;
an edible carrier removably carried by the head of the spoon; the edible carrier being in the form of a gelatinous substance;
a probe element at least partially disposed in the edible carrier; the probe element being removable from the edible carrier and adapted to form a recess in the edible carrier for receiving the medicine that is to be administered to the person;
the probe element being aligned with the handle of the housing; and
a seal disposed over the edible carrier.
11. The device of claim 10 , wherein the handle defines a groove; at least a portion of the probe element being disposed in the groove defined by the handle.
12. The device of claim 11 , wherein the probe element is movable from a first position to a second position within the groove of the handle.
13. The device of claim 10 , wherein the seal defines a tab that is movable from a first position to a second position; the second position allowing the tab to function as a grip adapted to help the user remove the seal from the housing.
14. The device of claim 10 , further comprising an outer seal surrounding the entire housing.
15. A method of administering medicine to a person; the method comprising the steps of:
providing an edible carrier carried by a housing with a probe element at least partially disposed in the edible carrier;
removing the probe element from the edible carrier to form a recess in the edible carrier;
positioning medicine to be administered to the person in the recess of the edible carrier; and
placing the edible carrier with the medicine in the recess in the person's mouth.
16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising the steps of placing the medicine to be administered in a groove defined by the housing before the medicine is positioned in the recess of the edible carrier.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the step of positioning medicine includes the step of pushing the medicine along the groove of the housing into the recess.
18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising the step of pushing the medicine with the probe element.
19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the recess formed in the edible carrier has an opening and further comprising the steps of locating the edible carrier in the head of a spoon before the edible carrier is placed in the person's mouth and positioning the opening of the recess toward a handle portion of the spoon.
20. The method of claim 15 , further comprising the steps of providing the edible carrier with a seal that has a tab, moving the tab from a first position to a second position, and using the tab to remove the seal from the edible carrier.
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US13/648,627 US20130090628A1 (en) | 2011-10-11 | 2012-10-10 | Device and method for administering medicine |
US14/858,286 US9844490B2 (en) | 2011-10-11 | 2015-09-18 | Device and method for administering medicine |
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US201161546015P | 2011-10-11 | 2011-10-11 | |
US13/648,627 US20130090628A1 (en) | 2011-10-11 | 2012-10-10 | Device and method for administering medicine |
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US20130090628A1 true US20130090628A1 (en) | 2013-04-11 |
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US14/858,286 Active 2033-09-24 US9844490B2 (en) | 2011-10-11 | 2015-09-18 | Device and method for administering medicine |
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US14/858,286 Active 2033-09-24 US9844490B2 (en) | 2011-10-11 | 2015-09-18 | Device and method for administering medicine |
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Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20150068047A1 (en) * | 2011-08-29 | 2015-03-12 | Adam Leffler | Spoon for administering a medication |
US20170056291A1 (en) * | 2014-05-15 | 2017-03-02 | Adam Leffler | Spoon for Administering a Carrier Medium |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3618751A (en) * | 1970-01-15 | 1971-11-09 | Joseph Nichlos | Crushing and dispensing container for administering pills |
US5920993A (en) * | 1997-03-10 | 1999-07-13 | Wenk; Philip A. | Spoon for medically fragile persons |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5203459A (en) * | 1991-05-14 | 1993-04-20 | Wade Leslie C | Prepackaged oral medication serving apparatus and method |
US8898912B2 (en) * | 2011-08-29 | 2014-12-02 | Adam Leffler | Spoon delivery device |
-
2012
- 2012-10-10 US US13/648,627 patent/US20130090628A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2015
- 2015-09-18 US US14/858,286 patent/US9844490B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3618751A (en) * | 1970-01-15 | 1971-11-09 | Joseph Nichlos | Crushing and dispensing container for administering pills |
US5920993A (en) * | 1997-03-10 | 1999-07-13 | Wenk; Philip A. | Spoon for medically fragile persons |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
Webster's II New Riverside University Dictionary; 1988; Houghton Mifflin Company; "embed" * |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20150068047A1 (en) * | 2011-08-29 | 2015-03-12 | Adam Leffler | Spoon for administering a medication |
US9789028B2 (en) * | 2011-08-29 | 2017-10-17 | Adam Leffler | Spoon for administering a medication |
US20170056291A1 (en) * | 2014-05-15 | 2017-03-02 | Adam Leffler | Spoon for Administering a Carrier Medium |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US9844490B2 (en) | 2017-12-19 |
US20160058671A1 (en) | 2016-03-03 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |