WO2011023941A2 - Distributeur motorisé à ouverture d'emballage-coque et dispositif d'ouverture d'emballage-coque pour celui-ci - Google Patents

Distributeur motorisé à ouverture d'emballage-coque et dispositif d'ouverture d'emballage-coque pour celui-ci Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2011023941A2
WO2011023941A2 PCT/GB2010/001586 GB2010001586W WO2011023941A2 WO 2011023941 A2 WO2011023941 A2 WO 2011023941A2 GB 2010001586 W GB2010001586 W GB 2010001586W WO 2011023941 A2 WO2011023941 A2 WO 2011023941A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
dispenser
deblistering
control unit
medication
pack
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2010/001586
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2011023941A3 (fr
Inventor
Sanjeet Pakrasi
Original Assignee
Sanjeet Pakrasi
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sanjeet Pakrasi filed Critical Sanjeet Pakrasi
Publication of WO2011023941A2 publication Critical patent/WO2011023941A2/fr
Publication of WO2011023941A3 publication Critical patent/WO2011023941A3/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B69/00—Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for
    • B65B69/005—Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for by expelling contents, e.g. by squeezing the container
    • B65B69/0058—Solid contents
    • 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
    • A61J7/0076—Medicament distribution means
    • A61J7/0084—Medicament distribution means for multiple medicaments
    • 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
    • A61J7/04—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
    • A61J7/0409—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers with timers
    • A61J7/0481—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers with timers working on a schedule basis
    • 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
    • A61J1/00—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes
    • A61J1/03—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes for pills or tablets
    • A61J1/035—Blister-type containers
    • 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
    • A61J2200/00—General characteristics or adaptations
    • A61J2200/30—Compliance analysis for taking medication
    • 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
    • A61J2205/00—General identification or selection means
    • A61J2205/10—Bar codes
    • 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
    • A61J2205/00—General identification or selection means
    • A61J2205/70—Audible labels, e.g. for pre-recorded info or messages

Definitions

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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;
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • each of die dispensing platforms is adapted to connect to other dispensing platforms and to a base portion of the dispenser.
  • a plurality of said connected dispensing platforms forms a stack above said base portion.
  • 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.
  • die common delivery channel comprises a chute down which medication falls under gravity for collection in a medication collection receptacle detachable from die dispenser.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • control unit is programmed to issue a visual and/or audible alarm when medication is received by the medication collection receptacle.
  • die control unit is programmed to issue a visual and/or audible alarm when medication is dispensed from any of the dispensing platforms.
  • control unit comprises one or more I/O ports whereby it can be linked to other apparatus.
  • control unit comprises and/or can be linked to a barcode reader.
  • 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.
  • each of the dispensing platforms comprises a deblistering mechanism.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • deblistering mechanism comprises movable guides that are adapted to engage opposite edges of the pack.
  • the guides incorporate sensors and relay information relating to the size of a pack to the control unit.
  • 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.
  • a blister pack is held in position on the support plate by a pair of clamps that act on opposite edges of the pack.
  • the said clamps engage edges of the pack different from those engaged by the pair of guides.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the support plate comprises an aperture through which deblistered medication falls into the dispensing channel.
  • each dispensing platform is adapted to eject a blister pack once all of the medication has been dispensed therefrom.
  • a detector is provided to count items of medication passing through said common delivery channel and to relay this information to the control unit.
  • the deblistering device comprises a cam movably mounted on a rotatable shaft controlled by an actuator linked to the control unit.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • a deblistering device for use in a motorized deblistering dispenser according to the first aspect of the present invention comprising
  • 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
  • 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.
  • the protrusions comprise a series of conical and/ or hemi-spherical protrusions.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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;
  • Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the deblistering device shown in Fig. 7.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • control unit 1 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • a conveying mechanism At the commencement of operations, a conveying mechanism
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un distributeur motorisé à ouverture d'emballage-coque (1) comprenant une ou plusieurs plateformes de distribution modulaires (2) chacune apte à ouvrir et à distribuer des articles à partir d'une configuration particulière d'un emballage coque (21). Chaque plateforme (1) a un canal de distribution (16, 17, 18) qui se relie au canal ou aux canaux (16, 17, 18) des autres plateformes (2) lorsque plus d'une plateforme (2) est utilisée pour former un canal de distribution commun pour des articles retirés des emballages-coques. Une unité de commande programmable (3) est également prévue et apte à commander le fonctionnement des plateformes de distribution (2), ce par quoi le distributeur (1) distribue un ou plusieurs articles à partir d'une ou plusieurs plateformes (2) à des temps prédéterminés. De préférence, le distributeur (1) est destiné à une utilisation par le patient, mais sera installé par un professionnel de la santé avec un nombre approprié de plateformes (2) et chacune d'elles sera stockée avec les différents emballages-coques appropriés aux exigences d'un patient particulier. L'invention porte également sur un dispositif d'ouverture d'emballage-coque destiné à être utilisé dans le distributeur motorisé à ouverture d'emballage-coque.
PCT/GB2010/001586 2009-08-24 2010-08-23 Distributeur motorisé à ouverture d'emballage-coque et dispositif d'ouverture d'emballage-coque pour celui-ci WO2011023941A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0914743.0 2009-08-24
GB0914743A GB0914743D0 (en) 2009-08-24 2009-08-24 Automated universal medication dispenser
GB0915975.7 2009-09-11
GB0915975A GB0915975D0 (en) 2009-08-24 2009-09-11 Automated universal medication dispenser

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2011023941A2 true WO2011023941A2 (fr) 2011-03-03
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WO2016170526A1 (fr) 2015-04-20 2016-10-27 P.C.O.A. Devices Ltd Mécanisme de distributeur de médicaments par décapsulage
WO2017077529A1 (fr) 2015-11-02 2017-05-11 P.C.O.A. Contenants de distribution de formes pharmaceutiques orales pouvant être avancés et verrouillés
US10370175B2 (en) 2012-07-30 2019-08-06 P.C.O.A. Devices Ltd. Receptacle for containing and dispensing solid medicinal pills
WO2015142194A3 (fr) * 2014-03-20 2019-09-19 Pete's Pill Popping Parlour Limited Appareil permettant de sortir des unités médicamenteuses d'un emballage-coque et procédés associes
WO2020058520A1 (fr) * 2018-09-23 2020-03-26 Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf Dispositif et procédé pour préparer des doses d'unités médicamenteuses solides à prise orale de manière spécifique au patient
US20210008293A1 (en) * 2018-03-09 2021-01-14 Unither Pharmaceuticals Device for preparing a dose of medicament on demand
US20210153700A1 (en) * 2017-07-25 2021-05-27 Melanie H. McCarthy Adaptive towelette dispenser
EP4241755A1 (fr) * 2022-03-10 2023-09-13 Iage Tech Limited Appareil distributeur de médicament
WO2023245210A1 (fr) * 2022-06-17 2023-12-21 Coherence Healthcare LLC Dispositifs de distribution de médicament et procédés associés

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EP2463205A1 (fr) * 2010-12-07 2012-06-13 Mathis Technologies Dispositif automatise de préparation de lots de produits, a partir de produits conditionnes en blisters, en particulier des médicaments
FR2968198A1 (fr) * 2010-12-07 2012-06-08 Mathis Technologies Dispositif automatise de preparation de lots de produits, a partir de produits conditionnes en blisters, en particulier des medicaments
US11069433B2 (en) 2011-07-19 2021-07-20 Id-Con, Llc Packaging systems and methods
WO2013013108A3 (fr) * 2011-07-19 2013-04-04 Id-Con, Llc Systèmes et procédés d'emballage
US9351907B2 (en) 2011-07-19 2016-05-31 Id-Con, Llc Packaging systems and methods
CN104619595A (zh) * 2012-07-05 2015-05-13 P.C.O.A.设备有限公司 药物分配器
AU2013285041B2 (en) * 2012-07-05 2017-04-20 P.C.O.A. Devices Ltd Medication dispenser
US10399725B2 (en) 2012-07-05 2019-09-03 P.C.O.A. Devices Ltd. Medication dispenser
AU2013285041C1 (en) * 2012-07-05 2017-08-17 P.C.O.A. Devices Ltd Medication dispenser
WO2014006620A1 (fr) 2012-07-05 2014-01-09 P.C.O.A. Devices Ltd. Distributeur de médicaments
US10370175B2 (en) 2012-07-30 2019-08-06 P.C.O.A. Devices Ltd. Receptacle for containing and dispensing solid medicinal pills
US9550304B2 (en) 2013-01-07 2017-01-24 The Procter & Gamble Company Process for recycling multicompartment unit dose articles
CN104903434A (zh) * 2013-01-07 2015-09-09 宝洁公司 用于再循环多隔室单位剂量制品的方法
WO2014107639A1 (fr) * 2013-01-07 2014-07-10 The Procter & Gamble Company Procédé permettant de recycler des articles de type dose unitaire à compartiments multiples
CN104903434B (zh) * 2013-01-07 2018-03-16 宝洁公司 用于再循环多隔室单位剂量制品的方法
JP2016505082A (ja) * 2013-01-07 2016-02-18 ザ プロクター アンド ギャンブルカンパニー 複数区画単位用量物品をリサイクルするための方法
US10099810B2 (en) 2013-06-17 2018-10-16 Willem Langemaat Device for extracting pills from a blister and method for adjusting the device
CN105307945A (zh) * 2013-06-17 2016-02-03 威廉·兰格玛特 从泡罩中取出丸粒的装置及调节该装置的方法
WO2015142194A3 (fr) * 2014-03-20 2019-09-19 Pete's Pill Popping Parlour Limited Appareil permettant de sortir des unités médicamenteuses d'un emballage-coque et procédés associes
WO2016051397A1 (fr) * 2014-10-01 2016-04-07 Eran Joseph Dariel Dispositif d'administration de médicaments
WO2016170526A1 (fr) 2015-04-20 2016-10-27 P.C.O.A. Devices Ltd Mécanisme de distributeur de médicaments par décapsulage
WO2017077529A1 (fr) 2015-11-02 2017-05-11 P.C.O.A. Contenants de distribution de formes pharmaceutiques orales pouvant être avancés et verrouillés
US20210153700A1 (en) * 2017-07-25 2021-05-27 Melanie H. McCarthy Adaptive towelette dispenser
US11547251B2 (en) * 2017-07-25 2023-01-10 Melanie H. McCarthy Adaptive towelette dispenser
US20210008293A1 (en) * 2018-03-09 2021-01-14 Unither Pharmaceuticals Device for preparing a dose of medicament on demand
DE102018123360A1 (de) * 2018-09-23 2020-03-26 Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf Vorrichtung und verfahren zur patientenindividuellen zusammenstellung fester, oral einnehmbarer arzneimitteleinheiten
WO2020058520A1 (fr) * 2018-09-23 2020-03-26 Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf Dispositif et procédé pour préparer des doses d'unités médicamenteuses solides à prise orale de manière spécifique au patient
EP4241755A1 (fr) * 2022-03-10 2023-09-13 Iage Tech Limited Appareil distributeur de médicament
WO2023170042A1 (fr) * 2022-03-10 2023-09-14 Iage Tech Limited Appareil de distribution de médicament
WO2023245210A1 (fr) * 2022-06-17 2023-12-21 Coherence Healthcare LLC Dispositifs de distribution de médicament et procédés associés

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WO2011023941A3 (fr) 2011-05-19
GB0915975D0 (en) 2009-10-28

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