WO2011023941A2

WO2011023941A2 - Motorised deblistering dispenser and a deblistering device therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2011023941A2
Application number: PCT/GB2010/001586
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sanjeet Pakrasi
Original assignee: Sanjeet Pakrasi
Priority date: 2009-08-24
Filing date: 2010-08-23
Publication date: 2011-03-03
Also published as: GB0915975D0; GB0914743D0; WO2011023941A3

Abstract

A motorized deblistering dispenser (1) comprises one or more modular dispensing platforms (2) each adapted to deblister and dispense items from a particular configuration of blister pack (21). Each platform (2) has a dispensing channel (16, 17, 18) that connects with the channel or channels (16, 17, 18) of the other platforms (2) when more than one platform (2) is used to form a common delivery channel for deblistered items. A programmable control unit (3) is also provided and adapted to control operation of the dispensing platforms (2) whereby the dispenser (1) dispenses one or more items from one or more platforms (2) at predetermined times. Preferably, the dispenser (1) is for patient use but will be set up by a health professional with an appropriate number of platforms (2) each of which will be stocked with the different blister packs appropriate to a particular patient's requirements. A deblistering device for use in the motorized deblistering dispenser is also disclosed.

Description

MOTORISED DEBLISTERING DISPENSER AND

A DEBLISTERINGDEVICE THEREFOR

The present invention relates to a motorized deblistering dispenser primarily, but not exclusively, for dispensing medication such as tablets, capsules and the like from blister packs in a controlled manner and to a deblistering device for use in such a dispenser.

Currently, the majority of solid medications are dispensed to consumers in prepackaged blister packs which vary in size, dependent upon their contents. Some patients find it difficult to break open the blister packs whilst others, particularly those with memory problems, may be able to break open the blister packs but are likely to forget or overdose on their prescribed medication. Many patients are prescribed more than one medication and therefore have several different sizes and configurations of blister packs for the various medications that they need to take at different times of the day.

Motorized deblistering dispensers are known that are primarily for use in hospital pharmacies and the like. These dispensers are intended to assist the pharmacist prepare daily doses of medication for a number of patients by dispensing and repackaging each patient's medication into separate compartments of a tray or similar that is intended to be given to the patient as a day's supply, the medication in each of the compartments being intended to be taken at a particular time of day. Such a dispenser is described in TJS6318051. Similarly, EP2025601 describes a dispensing machine that cuts blister packs up into individual doses which are transferred to a delivery zone for possible packing or introduction into an intermediate container for supply to the patient. Neither of these machines is suitable for use directly by a patient and neither dispenses unpackaged medication in a single dose ready to be taken by a patient at a predetermined time of day. In contrast, EP2137654 describes a medication management system to enable a care provider to remotely manage and deliver individual doses of medications to a patient in a non-sequential fashion. However, die system is not capable of handling a plurality of differendy- sized blister packs as all of the packs that are loaded into the apparatus have to conform to an "industry standard" size, although the arrangement and size of the individual busters in the packs can differ.

Other dispensing machines are known that are for use by a patient but these essentially comprise apparatus which assist in deblistering single items from a blister pack. Such machines are described in US7481331 and US6540081. These machines are not designed to be programmed to dispense medication at predetermined times or to handle simultaneously different configurations of blister packs. FR2838047 discloses a deblistering dispenser that is controlled by an electronic controller linked to a computer for recording times and quantities of medicines taken. However, it cannot handle blister packs of different sizes.

The object of the present invention is to provide a motorized deblistering dispenser for personal use by a patient that is capable of dispensing deblistered items from blister packs of different sizes and configurations in predetermined doses at predetermined times.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a motorized deblistering dispenser comprising

one or more modular dispensing platforms each adapted to deblister and dispense items from a particular configuration of blister pack and each having a dispensing channel that connects with the channel or channels of the other platforms when more than one platform is used to form a common delivery channel for deblistered items; and

a programmable control unit adapted to control operation of the dispensing platforms whereby the dispenser dispenses one or more items from one or more platforms at predetermined times. Such a dispenser is capable of being programmed and stocked by a health professional and then provided to the patient for personal use. The dispenser will then dispense doses of various medications at predetermined times as prescribed. However, dependent on the circumstances, it is also envisaged that a patient may be able to stock the dispenser with his own medications and program it to operate to suit his requirements.

Preferably, each of die dispensing platforms is adapted to connect to other dispensing platforms and to a base portion of the dispenser. Advantageously, a plurality of said connected dispensing platforms forms a stack above said base portion.

Preferably also, the platforms incorporate a locking mechanism under die control of die control unit so that only by entry of a correct code into the control unit is disconnection of the platforms from one another and from the base portion of die dispenser permitted.

Preferably also, die common delivery channel comprises a chute down which medication falls under gravity for collection in a medication collection receptacle detachable from die dispenser. Advantageously, the medication collection receptacle is located on a pressure pad or on a weighing device operatively linked to the control unit whereby removal of die receptacle and/ or its contents from the dispenser is detected.

Preferably also, the control unit is programmed to issue an alarm when medication is not removed from die collection receptacle for a predetermined time period after it has been dispensed.

Preferably also, the control unit is programmed to issue a visual and/or audible alarm when medication is received by the medication collection receptacle. Alternatively or in addition die control unit is programmed to issue a visual and/or audible alarm when medication is dispensed from any of the dispensing platforms.

Preferably also, the control unit comprises one or more I/O ports whereby it can be linked to other apparatus.

Preferably also, the control unit comprises and/or can be linked to a barcode reader. Preferably also, the control unit is adapted to send and/or to receive instructions to and/or from a remote monitoring station. Such a station would be capable of programming the dispenser remotely. Preferably also, each of the dispensing platforms comprises a deblistering mechanism.

Preferably also, each platform comprises a receptacle or a detachable cartridge adapted to hold a stack of blister packs for feeding in turn to the deblistering mechanism. Advantageously, the platform is adapted to send a signal to the control unit when the receptacle or detachable cartridge empties and the platform requires restocking with blister packs.

Preferably also, deblistering mechanism comprises movable guides that are adapted to engage opposite edges of the pack. Preferably, the guides incorporate sensors and relay information relating to the size of a pack to the control unit.

Preferably also, the deblistering mechanism comprises a support plate on which a blister pack is positioned so that individual blisters of the pack can be brought into alignment with a deblistering device. Advantageously, a blister pack is held in position on the support plate by a pair of clamps that act on opposite edges of the pack.

Preferably, the said clamps engage edges of the pack different from those engaged by the pair of guides. In addition, preferably the clamps are adapted to detect the edges of the pack and thereby to accommodate blister packs of different sizes and to relay information relating to the size of a pack to the control unit. Preferably also, the clamps are adapted to move the blister pack relative to the deblistering device in order that the device operates in turn on each row of blisters.

Preferably also, the support plate comprises an aperture through which deblistered medication falls into the dispensing channel.

Preferably also, each dispensing platform is adapted to eject a blister pack once all of the medication has been dispensed therefrom. Preferably also, a detector is provided to count items of medication passing through said common delivery channel and to relay this information to the control unit. In a first embodiment, preferably the deblistering device comprises a cam movably mounted on a rotatable shaft controlled by an actuator linked to the control unit. Advantageously, the actuator is adapted to can move shaft longitudinally to position the cam above any one of the blisters in a row of blisters of a pack located beneath the device and to dispense medication by rotating the shaft to bring the cam into contact with said blister thereby bursting it.

In a second embodiment, preferably the deblistering device comprises a row of pusher rods that are each independently movable towards and away from the plate under the control of an actuator linked to the control unit. Advantageously, the actuator is adapted to operate its associated pusher rod to move it into contact with a blisters of a pack located beneath the device to dispense medication out of the blister by bursting it.

According to a second aspect of die present invention there is provided a deblistering device for use in a motorized deblistering dispenser according to the first aspect of the present invention comprising

a wheel with a range of different sizes and shapes of conical and hemi-spherical protrusions spaced around its circumference;

a first actuator that moves the wheel laterally along its rotational axis whereby it can be located in a predetermined position in relation to a buster pack; and

a second actuator whereby it can be rotated about its rotational axis in order to position a selected protrusion at a predetermined location relative to said axis wherein it can be used for deblistering.

Preferably, the protrusions comprise a series of conical and/ or hemi-spherical protrusions. Preferably also, said first actuator comprises a central screw on which the wheel is mounted such that rotation of the screw moves the wheel axially along the screw. The central screw is preferably connected to a stepper motor via gearing. Preferably also, the second actuator comprises at least one rod connected at one end to the wheel and at the other end to a disc comprising a central bush through which the screw passes, die disc being rotatable to turn the wheel relative to the screw. Advantageously, the screw has a narrow thread such that movement of the wheel by the disc through up to 360° does not result in significant lateral movement of the wheel along the screw.

Other preferred but non-essential features of the various aspects of the present invention are described in the dependent claims appended hereto. Embodiments of die present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a motorized deblistering dispenser in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing modular dispensing platforms forming part of the dispenser uncoupled therefrom;

Fig. 3 is an schematic exploded view of a first embodiment of modular dispensing platform for use in the dispenser shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Figs. 4a and 4b are schematic side views of a first deblistering mechanism forming part of the platform shown in Fig. 3 and showing sequentially two steps in a deblistering process;

Fig. 5 is an schematic exploded view similar to Fig. 3 but of a second embodiment of modular dispensing platform; - 1 -

Figs. 6a and 6b are views similar to Figs. 4a and 4b respectively but showing a second deblistering mechanism forming part of the platform shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a side view of a deblistering device comprising a variation of a device forming part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the deblistering device shown in Fig. 7.

Throughout this description, similar components or parts in the various embodiments and modifications are given the same reference numeral.

A motorized deblistering dispenser 1 is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and comprises a plurality of modular dispensing platforms 2 and a programmable control unit 3 that is adapted to control operation of the platforms 2. Each of the modular dispensing platforms 2 operates independently of the others but under the control of the control unit 3 to handle a particular size and configuration of blister pack, as described below, and to deblister from this pack an appropriate dose of medication at predetermined times. Hence, each dispenser 1 can be provided with as many modular platforms 2 as required to dispense medications from a variety of differently sized and configured blister packs appropriate to any particular patient at pre-programmed times throughout a treatment cycle. It is expected that the dispenser 1 will be set up by a health professional with an appropriate number of platforms 2, each of which will be stocked with the different blister packs appropriate to a particular patient's requirements. Once the necessary information relating to the patient's treatment regime has been entered into the control unit 3 by the health professional, the dispenser 1 can then be given to the patient for personal use at home. To this end the control unit 3 comprises a programmable processor linked to a screen 4 and keypad 5 by means of which it can display information to the health professional or patient and receive appropriate instructions from either of them. The control unit 3 is preferably programmed to interrogate the health professional with a series of questions to be answered via the screen, if it is a touch-screen, or via the keypad so that it can be set up to operate for any given patient. Such questions may be for any given blister pack and, therefore, any platform 2, and request details of the medication prescribed that will determine the size and configuration of the blister pack in question, the number of blisters of the medication that comprises a dose, the frequency that the dose is to be dispensed and the date and time at which dispensing is to commence. The unit 3 also comprises one or more I/O ports 6 whereby it can be linked to other apparatus and is also capable of sending and/or to receiving instructions to and/or from a remote monitoring station, for example via a USB/serial or wireless means.

Fig. 1 shows a dispenser with three platforms 2 whereas Fig. 2 shows a dispenser with only two platforms 2. The platforms 2 stack together and are electrically connected to the control unit 3 and to the mains electricity supply via mating female and male electrical connections 7 and 8 respectively (see Figs. 1, 3 and 5). The lowermost platform 2 is connected into a base portion 9 of the dispenser 1. The platforms 2 can be stacked in any order on the base portion 9, the control unit 1 prompting the person setting up the dispenser for a particular to patient to enter relevant information relating to the blister packs in each platform 2 at the set-up time, as indicated above. The information required relating to the size and configuration of any blister pack may be automatically entered into the control unit 1 by scanning bar codes on the blister pack and by informing the control unit 1 in which platform 2 these pack are to be located. The control unit 1 may, therefore, be provided with a bar coder reader or be attachable to a bar code reader, for example via the I/O port 6. In addition to the electrical connections 7 and 8, each of the platforms 2 interconnects with the other platforms 2 and with the base portion 9 to form a common dispensing chute down which medication deblistered by each platform 2 is dispensed to fall under gravity into a medication collection receptacle, preferably in the form of a cup 10 located at the front of the base portion 9.

Each of the platforms 2 comprises a tray 11 with lid 12 in which a deblistering mechanism 13, 14 is located along with a receptacle 15 or detachable cartridge (not shown) in which a stack of blister packs can be located and used in turn to feed the mechanism 13, 14. The platform 2 can be adapted to send a signal to the control unit 3 when the receptacle 15 or cartridge empties and the platform 2 requires restocking. The packs are stacked in the receptacle 15 or cartridge with the blisters uppermost. In combination with the mechanism 13 the tray 11 is configured to define a dispensing channel 16 that includes a projecting chute 17 at the bottom of the front of the tray 2. Similarly, the Ud 12 is configured with an inward chute 18 that interconnects with the chute 17 in a male/female relationship so that all of the chutes 17, 18 of the platforms 2 interconnect to form a common chute for the dispenser 1. The collection cup 10 is detachable from the dispenser 1 and is adapted to locate on a pressure pad or weighing device 19 located in the base portion 9. The pressure pad or weighing device 19 is linked to the control unit 3 so that the dispenser 1 can detect when the cup 10 is detached from the dispenser 1, when medication is removed from the machine and whether the cup 10 contains any medication or other matter at any time. The control unit 3 can be programmed to issue a visual and/or audible alarm when medication is dispensed into the cup 10 to remind a patient that a dose of medication is due. The control unit 3 can also be programmed to stop the dispenser 1 dispensing medication from the platforms 2 if the cup 10 is either not present or not empty, for example if a previous dose of medication has not been removed or has been only partially removed from the cup 10. It may also send an alarm to the remote monitoring station in these circumstances, that is when medication is not removed from the collection receptacle for a predetermined time period after it has been dispensed or when medication has not been dispensed by the dispenser at a predetermined time. It is also possible to program the control unit 1 to miss certain doses of medication and/ or an override may also be incorporated into the control unit 3 so that a number of doses of medication can be dispensed at the same time, for example if the patient will be away from the vicinity of the dispenser 1 for any length of time. The control unit 3 is also programmed to send an alarm to the remote monitoring station if an error or fault occurs within the dispenser 1, if it is interfered with or if any of the platforms 2 requires a fresh supply of medication.

With regard to interference, a locking mechanism may also be incorporated into the platforms 2 so that only by entry of a correct code into the control unit 3 is destacking of the platforms 2 from one another and from the base portion 9 of the dispenser permitted. This prevents unauthorized persons of either interfering with or removing the medication contained within the dispenser 1. Two different deblistering mechanisms 13 and 14 are shown schematically in the accompanying drawings and will now be described. A variation of the first of these will then be described in more detail with reference to Figs. 7 to 9. However, it will be appreciated that any suitable deblistering mechanism under the control of the control unit 3 can be used within the platforms 2.

Most blister packs have blisters that have a maximum width or length of between 3 mm and 1.5 mm inclusive dependent on the size of tablet, capsule or other medication that they contain. Again, most packs comprise medication and therefore blisters that are of a uniform size, although some special packs may contain dual size medication. It is therefore necessary for the deblistering mechanism 13, 14 to be capable of dealing with all blisters within this size range.

The mechanism 13, as shown in Figs. 3, 4a and 4b, comprises a support plate 20 on which a blister pack 21 is positioned so that individual blisters 22 of the pack can be brought into alignment with a deblistering device 23 that will cause the medication M contained within the blister to be released and fall into the dispensing channel 16 at the bottom of the tray 11. At the commencement of operations, a conveying mechanism

(not shown) is used to pick up the lowermost blister pack from the receptacle 15 or cartridge and to locate it on the support plate 20 between two clamps 24 that butt up to opposite edges of the pack 21. This conveying mechanism and the clamps 24 are also capable of moving the pack 21 over the plate 20 beneath the deblistering device 23 so that the device 23 can operate on each row of blisters 22 in turn. An aperture in die form of a slot 25 is formed in the plate 20 directly beneath the deblistering device 23 so diat medication that is burst out of die pack 21 by the device can fall under gravity into the dispensing channel 16 of the tray 11 and thence into the chute 17 for delivery into the cup 10.

The clamps 24 are adapted to be capable of accommodating blister packs of different sizes and incorporate sensors so that the edges of the pack 21 are detected. This enables the clamps 24 to retain the pack 21 in position firmly but without flexing it so that the deblistering mechanism 23 can operate correctly. The deblistering mechanism 13 is also movably mounted within the tray 11 and, once a pack 21 has been position - li on the plate 20 between the clamps 24, is moved downwards into position over the pack 21. Guides 26 forming part of the mechanism 13 also engage those opposite edges of the pack 21 not engaged by the clamps 24 to keep the pack 21 in position as it is moved beneath the mechanism 13. These guides 26 also incorporate sensors so that the edges of the pack 21 are detected. This means that the clamps 24 and guides 26 detect all of the edge of the pack 21 and both are adapted to relay information relating to the size of the 21 to the control unit 3 which can then determine the size and check that this correlates with the information relating to the type of packs entered into the control unit 3 initially for the platform 2 in question.

In this embodiment the deblistering device 23 comprises a cam 27 that is movably mounted on a rotatable shaft 28 controlled by an actuator 29 that is itself controlled by the control unit 3. The actuator 29 can move the position of the cam 27 laterally relative to the clamped pack 21 so that the can 27 can be positioned above any one of the blisters 22 in the row of blisters located beneath the mechanism 13. When the actuator 29 receives a signal from the control unit 3 to dispense medication, it rotates the shaft 28 so that the cam 27 is brought into contact with the adjacent blister 22 of the pack 21 and presses it to push the medication out of the blister 22 by bursting it. The medication M then falls through the slot 25 and into the dispensing channel 15 beneath the plate 20. When the cam 27 has completed one revolution, the shaft 28 stops rotating and is then moved longitudinally so that the cam 9 is positioned above the next unburst blister in the row. If the blister that has just been burst is the last in a row, then the control unit 3 will signal to the mechanism 13 to move the pack 21 longitudinally to bring the next row of blisters into position beneath the device 23 and to the actuator 29 to move the cam 29 into a position above an end blister 22 of this row ready for dispensing when required. This may be straight away if more than one blister 22 contains a single does of the medication or it may not be until the next does of medication is to be dispensed. It will be appreciated that the control unit 3, being aware of the configuration and size of the pack 21 is capable of controlling movement of the clamps 24 and the device 23 appropriately so that the blisters 22 of the pack 21 are all burst when required to dispense the medication. Typically, the blisters 22 in each row will be burst sequentially starting at one side of the pack 21 with the rows being operated on similarly starting at one end of the pack 21. Once all the blisters in a pack 21 have been burst and the medication dispensed, the pack 21 is ejected by the mechanism 13, for example by appropriate movement of the clamps 24, through a slot 30 formed in a side of the tray 11. The conveying mechanism can then position a fresh pack 21 taken from the receptacle 15 or cartridge in position on the plate 20 for clamping by the mechanism 13.

Referring now to Figs. 5, 6a and 6b, the alternative mechanism 14 will now be described. Parts in these drawings labelled identically to those in Figs. 3, 4a and 4b operate in the same way as described above. In this embodiment the deblistering device 31 of the mechanism 14 comprises a row of pusher rods 32 mounted in a line between the guides 26 that are movable towards and away from the plate 20. The pusher rods 32 are mounted so as to form a continuous curtain of rods 32 in a touching or closely adjacent relationship to one another. Each of the pusher rods 32 is of the order of 3 mm in width so that it can cope with the smallest blisters and is actuated by an actuator 33 to which it is connected, the actuators 33 each being linked to the control unit 3. Hence, when signaled by the control unit, one or more actuators 33 can be instructed to operate its associated pusher rod 32 to press the blister 22 of the pack 21 beneath it to push the medication out of the blister 22 by bursting it. As described above, the medication M then falls through the slot 25 in the plate 20 and into the dispensing channel 15 beneath the plate 20. The width and number of the pusher rods 32 forming part of the mechanism 14 can be chosen or adjusted as required to suit any particular range of sizes and configurations of blister packs. If necessary, more than one pusher rod 32 operating in tandem can be used to burst a single blister of a pack 21, dependent on its size relative to the rods 32, or to burst several blisters 22 comprising a single dose. The control unit 3 will determine this dependent on the blister pack 21 contained within the platform 2 and on the initial programming concerning dosage.

It will be appreciated that odier forms and conf igurations of deblistering devices and of deblistering mechanisms as a whole can be used within the trays 11. In addition, although the mechanisms 13, 14 described above require movement of the pack 21 and parts 24, 26 of the mechanism 13, 14 relative to the slot 25 in the plate 20, other mechanisms may operate by only moving the pack 21, or by keeping the pack 21 stationary and moving relative to the pack 21, by movement of the plate 20 and/or the pack 21 or by any appropriate combination to enable medication to be dispensed into the dispensing channel 16. The chute 17 of each tray 11 may also incorporate a detector 34 that counts items of medication as they fall through the chute 17. This information is also relayed to the control unit 3 that can sound an akrm if the expected number of medication units being dispensed from the tray 11 does not fall through the chute 17 as this may indicate that a problem has arisen with the dispensing mechanism or that the medication is stuck within the tray 11.

A variation of the cam deblistering device shown in Figs. 3, 4a and 4b will now be described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8. Here, the cam comprises a deblistering wheel 35 that carries a series of different sizes and shapes of conical and/or hemi-spherical protrusions 36 around its circumference. Each of the protrusions 36 acts like the cam 27 and is designed to deblister a particular shape and size of blister, preferably across the range of industry standard sizes. The wheel 35 may be polygonal, as shown, with each of its sides carrying one of the protrusions 36. A first actuator is used to move the wheel 35 laterally along its rotational axis whereby it can be located in a predetermined position in relation to a blister pack. A second actuator is used to rotate the wheel 35 about its axis in order to position a selected protrusion at a predetermined location with respect to the rotational axis wherein it can be used for deblistering the blisters 22 in the selected row. In Figs. 7 and 8 the first actuator comprises a central screw 37 on which die wheel 35 is mounted and the second actuator comprises two lateral rods 38 arranged opposite one another on each side of the screw 37 to the ends of which die wheel 35 is connected. The screw 37 is connected to a stepper motor (not shown) or similar via appropriate gearing (not shown). The rods 38 are secured at dieir other ends to a plate in the form of a disc 39 comprising a central bush 40 dirough which the screw 37 passes. The disc 39 is also connected to its own stepper motor (not shown). Rotation of the screw 37 relative to the disc 39 will move the wheel 35 and the disc 39 along die screw 37 so that the wheel 35 can be positioned adjacent a row of blisters 22 in a pack 21. Then, rotation of the disc 39 around the screw 37 will rotate the wheel 35 about its rotational axis in order to position a selected protrusion 36 at a predetermined 'read/ position relative to said axis wherein it can be used for deblistering. Preferably, the screw 37 has a narrow thread so that movement of the wheel 35 by up to 360° around its axis will not result in any significant lateral movement of the wheel 35 out of its location along the screw 37. If the wheel 25 is rotated above the pack 21, typically this position will be just to one side of the lowermost position of the wheel 35, Le. at a 5 o'clock or a 7 o'clock position. Further rotation of the disc 39 will then rotate the wheel 35 so that the selected protrusion 37 is rotated beneath the wheel 35 to push against and thereby burst a particular blister 22 of the selected row. The wheel 35 can then be taken through a full revolution to position the selected protrusion 36 back in the 'read/ position for operation on the next blister 22 in the row. Alternatively, if the pack 21 is moved relative to the wheel 35 then the disc 39 is rotated to position the selected protrusion in the lowermost position on the wheel 35 in line with the slot 25 so that bursting of the blister 22 occurs when the pack 21 is moved across and under the protrusion 36. No repositioning of the wheel 35 is then required until the whole row of blisters has been burst.

It will be appreciated that the movement of the deblistering wheel 35 both rotationally and laterally means that any size and configuration of blister pack 21 can be accommodated by the mechanism.

In the dispenser 1 in accordance with the invention described above, each of the platforms 2 is stocked with particular blister packs by a health professional or a patient, possibly by the insertion of a cartridge containing these packs into the platform. However, in an alternative arrangement also in accordance with the invention the cartridge itself could form the platform 2 and be supplied complete from a medication manufacturer ready stocked with a supply of medication. The cartridge would then be simply 'plugged' into or otherwise connected either into the base portion 9 or other similar cartridges already connected to the base portion 9. The cartridge itself would then contain a deblistering mechanism. In this case it is likely that the blister pack would comprise a ribbon, i.e. a strip with one row of blisters, and that the deblistering mechanism would be a simple pusher rod or cam adapted to operate in a fixed position to deblister each medication in the ribbon in turn at the appropriate time as instructed by the control unit 3.

A motorized deblistering dispenser 1 in accordance with the invention is therefore capable of dispensing deblistered items from blister packs of different sizes and configurations in predetermined doses at predetermined times for personal use by a patient. It has the following advantages over the prior art.

1. It can handle simultaneously different sizes and configurations of commercially available blister packs .

2. It is easy to load and to restock.

3. It is easy to change the medication in any of the platforms if different medication for a patient is prescribed. If this occurs, as unopened blister packs have been kept secure within the dispenser 1, they can be taken away by an authorized person for re-use. This is significantly advantageous over current practice where any unopened medication that has been under control of a patient must be thrown away.

4. It automatically dispenses the correct dose of medication for a patient to take at the correct time, which is advantageous for patients with memory problems.

5. It allows multiple items of the same or different medication to be dispensed at the same time.

6. It minimizes the risk of multiple does of medication being dispensed and collecting in the receptacle, which can lead to overdosing by the patient. 7. It can be programmed to cope with holidays and other similar disruptions to a patient's routine.

Claims

CXAIMS

1. A motorized deblistering dispenser comprising

a programmable control unit adapted to control operation of the dispensing platforms whereby the dispenser dispenses one or more items from one or more platforms at predetermined times.

2. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each of the dispensing platforms is adapted to connect to other dispensing platforms and to a base portion of the dispenser.

3. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 2, wherein a plurality of said connected dispensing platforms forms a stack above said base portion.

4. A dispenser as claimed in any of Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the platforms incorporate a locking mechanism under the control of the control unit so that only by entry of a correct code into the control unit is disconnection of the platforms from one another and from the base portion of the dispenser permitted.

5. A dispenser as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the common delivery channel comprises a chute down which medication falls under gravity for collection in a medication collection receptacle detachable from the dispenser.

6. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 5, the medication collection receptacle is located on a pressure pad or on a weighing device operatively linked to the control unit whereby removal of the receptacle and/or its contents from the dispenser is detected.

7. A dispenser as claimed in Qaim 6, wherein the control unit is programmed not to dispense medication if the receptacle is not located on the pressure pad or weighing device.

8. A dispenser as claimed in Qaim 6 or Qaim 7, wherein the control unit is programmed to issue an alarm when medication is not removed from the collection receptacle for a predetermined time period after it has been dispensed or medication has not been dispensed by the dispenser at a predetermined time.

9. A dispenser as claimed in any of Qaims 6 to 8, wherein the control unit is programmed to issue a visual and/or audible alarm when medication is received by the medication collection receptacle.

10. A dispenser as claimed in any of Qaims 1 to 9, wherein the control unit is programmed to issue a visual and/ or audible alarm when medication is dispensed from any of the dispensing platforms.

11. A dispenser as claimed in any of Qaims 1 to 10, wherein the control unit comprises one or more I/O ports whereby it can be linked to other apparatus.

12. A dispenser as claimed in any of Qaims 1 to 11, wherein the control unit comprises and/or can be linked to a barcode reader.

13. A dispenser as claimed in any of Qaims 1 to 12, wherein the control unit is adapted to send and/or to receive instructions to and/ or from a remote monitoring station.

14. A dispenser as claimed in any of Qaims 1 to 13, wherein a detector is provided to count items of medication passing through said common delivery channel and to relay this information to the control unit.

15. A dispenser as claimed in any of Qaims 1 to 14, wherein said one or more dispensing platforms is adapted to eject a blister pack once all of the medication has been dispensed therefrom.

16. A dispenser as claimed in any of Qaims 1 to 15, wherein each of the dispensing platforms comprises a deblistering mechanism.

17. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 16, wherein each platform comprises a receptacle or a detachable cartridge adapted to hold a stack of blister packs for feeding in turn to the deblistering mechanism.

18. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the platform is adapted to send a signal to the control unit when the receptacle or detachable cartridge empties and the platform requires restocking with blister packs.

19. A dispenser as claimed in any of Qaims 16 to 18, wherein the deblistering mechanism comprises movable guides that are adapted to engage opposite edges of the pack.

20. A dispenser as claimed in Qaim 19, wherein the guides incorporate sensors and relay information relating to the size of a pack to the control unit.

21. A dispenser as claimed in any of Qaims 16 to 20, wherein the deblistering mechanism comprises a support plate on which a blister pack is positioned so that individual blisters of the pack can be brought into alignment with a deblistering device.

22. A dispenser as claimed in Qaim 21, wherein a blister pack is held in position on the support plate by a pair of clamps that act on opposite edges of the pack.

23. A dispenser as claimed in Qaim 22 when dependent on Qaim 19, wherein said clamps engage edges of the pack different from those engaged by the pair of guides.

24. A dispenser as claimed in Qaim 22 or Qaim 23, wherein the clamps are adapted to detect the edges of the pack and thereby to accommodate blister packs of different sizes and to relay information relating to the size of a pack to the control unit.

25. A dispenser as claimed in any of Claims 22 to 24, wherein the clamps are adapted to move the blister pack relative to the deblistering device in order that the device operates in turn on each row of blisters.

26. A dispenser as claimed in any of Claims 21 to 25, wherein the support plate comprises an aperture through which deblistered medication falls into the dispensing channel.

27. A dispenser as claimed in any of Claims 21 to 26, wherein die deblistering device comprises a cam movably mounted on a rotatable shaft controlled by an actuator linked to the control unit.

28. A dispenser as claimed in Qaim 27, wherein die actuator is adapted to move die shaft longitudinally to position the cam above any one of die blisters in a row of blisters of a pack located beneath the device and to dispense medication by rotating the shaft to bring the cam into contact with said blister diereby bursting it.

29. A dispenser as claimed in any of Claims 21 to 26, wherein the deblistering device comprises a wheel with a range of differendy sized and shaped protrusions spaced around its circumference.

30. A dispenser as claimed in Qaim 29, comprising a first actuator that moves the wheel laterally along its rotational axis whereby it is located in a predetermined position in relation to a blister pack.

31. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 30, wherein said first actuator comprises a central screw on which the wheel is mounted such that rotation of the screw moves the wheel axially along the screw.

32. A dispenser as claimed in any of Claims 29 to 31, wherein the wheel is attached to a second actuator whereby it can be rotated about its rotational axis in order to position a selected protrusion at a predetermined position relative to said axis wherein it can then be used for deblistering.

33. A dispenser as claimed in any of Claims 21 to 26, wherein the deblistering device comprises a row of pusher rods that are each independently movable towards and away from the plate under the control of an actuator linked to the control unit.

34. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 33, wherein the pusher rods are mounted to form a continuous curtain of rods in a touching or closely adjacent relationship to one another.

35. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 33 or 34, wherein the pusher rods are each approximately 3 mm in width.

36. A dispenser as claimed in any of Claims 33 to 35, wherein the actuator is adapted to operate its associated pusher rod to move it into contact with a blisters of a pack located beneath the device to dispense medication out of die blister by bursting it.

37. A deblistering device for use in a motorized deblistering dispenser as claimed in any of Qaims 1 to 26 comprising

a wheel with a range of differendy sized and shaped protrusions spaced around its circumference;

a first actuator that moves die wheel laterally along its rotational axis whereby it can be located in a predetermined position in relation to a blister pack; and a second actuator whereby it can be rotated about its rotational axis in order to position a selected protrusion at a predetermined position relative to said axis wherein it can be used for deblistering.

38. A device as claimed in Claim 37, wherein the protrusions comprise a series of conical and/or hemi- spherical protrusions.

39. A device as claimed in Claim 37 or Claim 38, wherein said first actuator comprises a central screw on which the wheel is mounted such that rotation of the screw moves the wheel axially along the screw.

40. A device as claimed in Claim 39, wherein the central screw is connected to a stepper motor via gearing. 41 A device as claimed in any of Claims 37 to 40, wherein the second actuator comprises at least one rod connected at one end to the wheel and at the other end to a plate comprising a central bush through which the screw passes, the plate being rotatable to turn the wheel relative to the screw. 42. A device as claimed in Claim 41, wherein the screw has a narrow thread such that movement of the wheel by rotation of the plate through up to 360° does not result in significant lateral movement of the wheel along the screw.