WO2016107898A1

WO2016107898A1 - Device for safe retrieval of tablets contained in a compartment of a pill organizer closed by a pierceable membrane

Info

Publication number: WO2016107898A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/081408
Authority: WO
Inventors: Caroline Blochet; Martial BLOCHET; Olivier TRIQUENEAUX
Original assignee: Com4
Priority date: 2014-12-31
Filing date: 2015-12-30
Publication date: 2016-07-07
Also published as: FR3031086A1; FR3031086B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for safe retrieval of tablets contained in a compartment of a pill organizer closed by a pierceable membrane, the device (1) comprising a body defining a receptacle (2) for receiving the tablets contained in the compartment and a cutting member (3) arranged so as to project relative to the receptacle (2). The invention is characterized in that the cutting member (3) is in the shape of a tubular barrel, having a cross-section matching that of the compartment containing the tablets to be retrieved, having two end openings, one of said openings defining an inlet opening for the tablets, the other end opening defining an outlet opening for the tablets.

Description

DEVICE FOR SECURELY RECOVERING

COMPRESSES CONTAINED IN AN ALVEOLE OF A PILULAR CLOSED BY A MEMBRANE CAPABLE OF BEING

PERFORATED

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The invention relates to the field of drugs disposed in pilluliers and the secure take of the latter.

The invention relates more particularly to a device for recovering tablets contained in an alveolus of a pillbox closed by a membrane capable of being perforated, said device comprising a body defining a receptacle for receiving the tablets contained in the cell and a cutting member.

[003] The device is intended in particular but not exclusively for the elderly, the visually impaired and people with OA. [004] In the following, the term tablet, drugs or other, being in the form of pills, capsules and the like.

STATE OF THE ART

[005] It is known from the patent application EP1585674 a device for ejecting tablets housed in a cell of a blister through a protective metal sheet. The device comprises a cup having a rim that can be placed against the underside of the protective sheet so as to encircle the cell, and a protruding member for breaking the protective sheet. The projecting element extends upwardly above the rim of the cup in the vicinity of the central portion of the cup. When the protective sheet is broken by the protruding element, the tablets fall through the ruptured sheet into the cup cavity, where they can be retrieved by the patient.

Such a device does not allow however to remove in one gesture the protective sheet closing the cell. The perforation gesture of the protective sheet by the protruding element must be accompanied by a circular movement inside the cavity, along its wall, in order to tear the sheet and thus allow to remove all the tablets contained in the cell. However, this may be difficult for elderly people and / or those with osteoarthritis. In addition, it does not ensure the complete removal of the protective sheet. Visually impaired people can not be assured that the entire protective sheet has been removed and therefore they have recovered all the tablets.

[007] In addition, the protective sheet being torn during the movement of the projecting element in the cell, it is common that pieces of the sheet fall into the cup, with the risk that they are ingested in same time as the tablets recovered from the cell.

[008] Furthermore, it is not always possible to move the projecting element inside the cell to remove the entire protective sheet covering the latter, especially when the tablets occupy the entire area. space of the cell. Also, despite the perforation of the protective sheet with the protruding element, removal of tablets from the cell can be difficult, especially since the patient is elderly, visually impaired or osteoarthritic hands .

[009] Finally, during the perforation of the protective sheet, the protruding element sometimes damages the tablets. The invention aims to remedy these problems by providing a device for recovering in a simple, fast and easy way tablets contained in a compartment of pillbox closed by a membrane (or sheet or the like) while preserving their integrity.

The invention also aims to provide a device to ensure the recovery of all the tablets contained in the cell.

The invention also aims to provide a device for recovering the tablets in a secure and hygienic manner, avoiding or at least limiting the handling of drugs. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

For this purpose, and according to a first aspect, the invention provides a device for recovering tablets contained in a cell of a pillbox closed by a membrane capable of being perforated, the device comprising a body defining a receptacle for receiving the tablets contained in the cell and a cutting member disposed projecting relative to the receptacle, characterized in that the cutting member is in the form of a tubular futon, of complementary section to that of the cell containing the tablets to be recovered, having two end openings, one of the apertures defining a tablet inlet opening, the other end opening defining an outlet opening of the tablets.

The cutting member, thus arranged, makes it possible to transfer fast, simple, easy and secure tablets from the cell in which they are contained to the receptacle.

Advantageously, the tubular delimits a tablet transfer conduit from the cell in which they are contained to the receptacle, said conduit being rectilinear.

Advantageously, the inlet opening is delimited by an edge adapted to cut the membrane under the action of a pressure towards the bottom of the cell.

Advantageously, the edge defining the entrance opening is wholly or partly crenellated.

Advantageously, the cutting member comprises a retractable protective ring adapted to move from an extended position in which said ring extends beyond the edge adapted to cut the membrane to a retracted position in which the ring of protection extends below said edge, and vice versa. The presence of such a ring has the advantage of preventing the patient from getting injured with the teeth of the cutting member.

[0019] Advantageously, the outlet opening opens into the receptacle.

[0020] Advantageously, the body defining the receptacle comprises a window access to tablets recovered from the cell and disposed in a receiving zone inside said body.

Advantageously, the receptacle body has an outlet of the tablets allowing a unit output of the tablets. Advantageously, the device comprises an optical detector for identifying an optical identification code carried by the cell of the pill and readable by said optical detector. The optical identification code associated with an alveolus forms a unique identifier specific to the cell. The optical identification code is of the type for example QR code, bar code, image puzzle, etc. According to a particular configuration, the optical detector is a camera capable of capturing in real time the image of the identification code of a cell over which the device is positioned and of correlating this image with that sought stored in a memory. The device, thus provided with an on-board detector, makes it possible to identify the alveolus from which the drugs should be taken. Thus arranged, the device offers additional security when taking medication.

Preferably, the optical detector is located inside the body defining the receptacle, in the axis of the fut.

[0024] Advantageously, the optical detector is also adapted to identify a unique optical identification code carried by the pill and thus identify the pill pill as being the right pillbox or a bad pillbox. By good pillbox (and a contrario by bad pillbox), one hears the pillbox corresponding to the good week and the "good" patient. This identification of the pills helps to secure the taking of drugs.

Advantageously, the device comprises means for guiding the user to the cell containing the tablets to be recovered. According to a particular configuration, the guide means are sound, visual and / or sound signals specific to the distance of the device on the pill pillar relative to the cell.

Advantageously, the body defining the receptacle comprises a memory for recording the information relating to a gripping plane, and where appropriate the information relating to the perforation of the cell. Advantageously, the device comprises a motion detector for identifying the movements relating to the use of said device (ie cutting of the membrane and recovery of tablets) and, where appropriate, relating to the mouthing of the device. Advantageously, the receptacle body has a shape adapted for manual gripping.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a tablet recovery device contained in a pillbox according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 represents an exploded view of the device of FIG. 1;

- Figure 3 shows an exploded view of a tablet recovery device in a pillbox according to a second embodiment;

- Figure 4 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the device of Figure 3, the elements of the device being assembled;

FIG. 5 represents an exemplary architecture of an information system implemented between the recovery device of FIG. 3 and the pill organizer. For clarity, identical or similar elements of the different embodiments are identified by identical reference signs throughout the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In relation to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is described a device 1 for recovering tablets contained in an alveolus of a pillbox, which cell is closed by a membrane capable of being perforated. The device 1 comprises a body 2 defining a receptacle for receiving the tablets contained in the cell and a member 3 for cutting the cells. The cutting member 3 extends projecting relative to the receptacle 2. It has, at the end, a complementary section to that of the cell containing the tablets to be recovered. It is further arranged to define a passage for the tablets when the cutting member is placed against the membrane of the cell to be cut from the cell to the receptacle 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the cutting member 3 is arranged to define a tubular futon comprising a passage duct 4 rectilinear open end.

The upper end opening (with reference to the position of the device 1 in Figures 1 and 2) defines an inlet opening of the tablets. In order to allow the cutting of the cell, the inlet opening is delimited by an edge 50 adapted to cut the membrane under the action of a pressure towards the bottom of the cell. In order to facilitate the cutting of the cell, the edge 50 is provided with teeth 6.

To prevent people from being injured with the cutting edge of the fut, the device 1 advantageously comprises a protective ring 7 retractable adapted to move from an extended position in which it extends beyond the edge 50 to a retracted position in which the protective ring 7 extends below said edge, and vice versa. The transition from one position to another is effected by means of a spring 8.

The lower end opening defines an outlet opening of the tablets. In the illustrated embodiment, the outlet opening opens into the receptacle 2. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the receptacle body 2, in the form of a roller, is formed of a lower shell 21 and an upper shell 22 arranged to delimit a receiving area 9 of drugs when they are joined and fixed to each other by any means known to those skilled in the art (gluing, clipping, etc.). It is of course evident that the receptacle body 2 can also be formed in one piece.

The upper shell 22 has an access window 10 in the receptacle 2. Advantageously, the window 10 is delimited by a border 11 comprising a notch

12 arranged to deliver the tablets unitarily. This configuration has the advantage of allowing the device 1 to come into contact with the mouth and to dispense the recovered tablets into the receptacle 2 directly into the mouth. Handling of tablets with hands is avoided.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cutting member 3 is located at one of the ends of the upper shell 22, the notch 12 being located at the opposite end of the cutting member 3 The cutting member 3 and the upper shell 22 are advantageously formed in one piece. It is of course obvious that it can be provided that the cutting member 3 is removable so as to adapt the shape and size of the cutting member 3 to those of the cells to be cut.

The device 1 just described is adapted to work with any type of conventional pill as well as connected pilluliers of the type described in the patent application EP2745827.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a device 1A for recovering tablets contained in a cell. As illustrated in these figures, the device 1A includes all the features of the device 1 described above. However, it differs in that the receptacle body 2 comprises a compartment

13 disposed below the zone 9 receiving the tablets. The compartment 13 is delimited from the tablet receiving zone by a cover 17, the latter constituting the bottom of the receiving zone of the receptacle body 2.

The compartment 13 houses an electronic card 14 and an optical detector 15, of the camera type, for identifying an optical identification code (QR code type, barcode, etc.) carried by the cell pillbox, directly or via a label. The optical detector 15 is located in the axis of the passage duct 3 as shown in Figure 4. The optical detection of the cells is thus made possible through the optical recognition of the codes printed on the cells of the pill, each alveolus that corresponds to a day and a catch time (eg Monday morning) having a unique coded identifier.

The optical detector is associated with guide means to the cell whose tablets are to be recovered. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the guide means are means for transmitting sound, visual and / or sound signals specific to the distance of the device 1A on the pill pillar relative to the cell from which the tablets are to be recovered. for taking these.

The body of the receptacle 2 further comprises a memory for recording the information relating to a shot plane, and if necessary the information relating to the perforation of the cell. It can also be provided in the compartment 13 a battery 16, preferably rechargeable without contact. To do this, the device advantageously comprises an induction charger unit. In addition, it will be advantageous to provide connection means adapted for electrically coupling (i.e. wired) the device or the battery, for charging, to a power source. The device 1A further comprises alarm means (sound, visual and / or vibratory) connected to the electronic card, said means alerting when it is necessary to take tablets according to the stored setting data.

The advantage of this variant is to secure the perforation and communicate the Bluetooth socket information on a smartphone, subsequently referred to as the smartphone, or the like. The architecture of the information system implemented with the recovery device 1A is illustrated in FIG.

At each renewal of treatment of the patient, the device 1A is synchronized with a smartphone 18, a tablet or any type of similar communicating equipment (20) to recover the filling plan relative to the secure pill dispenser 19 belonging to the patient and with which the recovery device 1A is to be used. The filling plan is initialized by the pharmacist who enters the patient's treatment via a suitable software.

The device 1A will subsequently recall sound, visual and / or vibratory the moment of taking medication to the patient.

The taking of the tablets is then carried out as follows. The patient takes hold of the receptacle body 2 on the lower shell side 21 and scans the identification code (of the QR code, bar code or the like type) carried by the pill dispenser 19, and specific to the latter, to ensure that it is the good pillbox.

The patient then proceeds to read the QR codes of the cells to be guided to the cell to be cut. The device 1A analyzes the identification code of the cell in front of which it is placed and correlates it with that relating to the taking of the right day and the correct time slot stored in the memory. The codes of each cell are read either sequentially by progressively browsing the different compartments of the pillbox touch-key or by simple flyover. At the time of reading the codes of the cells, a sound signal and a light will be emitted by the device 1A. The emitted signals will be representative of the cell identified (good cell, bad cell, distance from the cell relative to the good cell). Thus, when the alveolus overflown does not correspond to the cell to be pierced, a sound signal and a light for example red, and preferably flashing, are emitted. The closer the device 1A approaches the cell to be pierced, the more the signals and the blinking of the light are brought closer together. Once the device 1A above the good compartment, a continuous signal, a green light and a vibration indicate to the patient that the device 1A is placed facing the desired cell and that it can pierce the membrane to recover the tablets. Once the membrane pierced, the patient returns the pillbox, the device 1A is still kept inserted into the cell, to recover the tablets.

Once the pierced membrane of the cell concerned by the decision, the device 1A will transmit the information in Bluetooth to the smartphone to provide information on the pierced cell and thus establish compliance monitoring of the treatment of the patient. In the case where communication with the smartphone is impossible, the device 1A stores the information in the memory.

The invention is described in the foregoing by way of example. It is understood that the skilled person is able to achieve different embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the device is not not limited to the form previously described. According to a particular configuration, it may be provided a device in the form of a spoon advantageously provided with a spout to facilitate dispensing tablets without manipulation of the latter with the hands.

Claims

1. Device (1, 1A) for recovering tablets contained in a cell of a pillbox closed by a membrane capable of being perforated, the device (1, 1A) comprising a body defining a receptacle (2) for receiving the tablets contained in the cell and a cutting member (3) arranged projecting relative to the receptacle (2), characterized in that the cutting member (3) is in the form of a tubular futon, of complementary section to that of the cell containing the tablets to be recovered, having two end openings, one of the openings defining a tablet inlet opening, the other end opening defining an outlet opening of the tablets.

2. Device (1, 1A) according to claim 1, characterized in that the tubular futon delimits a tablet transfer conduit from the cell in which they are contained to the receptacle (2), said duct being rectilinear. 3. Device (1, 1A) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the inlet opening is delimited by an edge (50) adapted to cut the membrane under the action of a pressure in the direction from the bottom of the cell.

4. Device (1, 1A) according to claim 3, characterized in that the edge defining the inlet opening is wholly or partly crenellated. 5. Device (1, 1A) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cutting member (3) comprises a retractable protective ring (7) adapted to move from an extended position in which said ring (7) extends beyond the edge adapted to cut the membrane to a retracted position in which the protective ring extends below the edge, and vice versa.

Device (1, 1A) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet opening opens into the receptacle (2).

7. Device (1, 1A) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body defining the receptacle (2) comprises a window access (10) to tablets recovered from the cell and disposed in a receiving zone (9) within said body.

8. Device (1, 1A) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacle body (2) has a tablet outlet orifice allowing unit output of the tablets.

9. Device (1, 1A) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an optical detector (15) for identifying an optical identification code carried by the cell of the pill and able to be read by said detector. 10. Device (1, 1A) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the optical detector (15) is located inside the body defining the receptacle (2) in the axis of the fut.

11. Device (1, 1A) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for guiding the user to the cell containing the tablets to be recovered.

12. Device (1, 1A) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that. the guide means are sound, visual and / or sound signals specific to the distance of the device on the pill pillar relative to the cell.

13. Device (1, 1A) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body defining the receptacle (2) comprises a memory for recording the information relating to a shot plane, and where appropriate the information relating to to the perforation of the cell.