WO2019007800A1

WO2019007800A1 - Device for dispensing products that are not purely gaseous, and method for controlling the dispensing of such products

Info

Publication number: WO2019007800A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/067404
Authority: WO
Inventors: Laurent MARCHADIER; Gerard WOODHOUSE
Original assignee: I-Meds Healthcare
Priority date: 2017-07-07
Filing date: 2018-06-28
Publication date: 2019-01-10
Also published as: FR3068600B1; FR3068600A1; EP3648730A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a device (1) for dispensing products that are not purely gaseous, comprising: - an area for receiving a container (11), the container being capable of being removed from the receiving area with a view to administering the products that are not purely gaseous; characterised in that it comprises an imaging device capable of forming at least one digital image; and in that it comprises a digital image processing unit suitable for analysing each image formed by the imaging device.

Description

DISPENSING DEVICE FOR NON-PURE GAS PRODUCTS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING DISTRIBUTION OF SUCH PRODUCTS

The invention relates to a dispensing device for non-purely gaseous products, in particular solid products in the form of at least one particle-in particular products intended to be administered to a human or animal being, such as medicaments and / or foods and / or food supplements-. The invention also relates to a method of controlling a method of administering non-purely gaseous products -in particular products intended to be administered to a human or animal such as drugs and / or foods and / or food supplements - In which is implemented such a dispensing device. The invention particularly relates to such a dispensing device for home use.

In general, the distribution - especially the automated distribution - of non-purely gaseous products, in particular solid products in the form of at least one particle - in particular products intended to be administered to a human or animal such as drugs and food and / or food supplements - and the control of the distribution of such products is a major issue for the health and / or development of a human being or animal left alone and in the absence of a third party nobody.

With regard to animal feed, for example for pets or farm animals, it is essential to be able to control the timing of food rations and to ensure that these rations are regularly taken. Good health and harmonious development of animals depend on it.

As regards the medical field, it is generally accepted that the home care of a patient in his personal and / or family environment contributes at least partly to the successful pharmacological treatment of a large number of pathologies. A current trend is even to seek to perform in the patient's home, treatments usually administered as an outpatient in health facilities. However, in addition to the psychological impact of home care on the patient, the pharmacological treatment itself and the rigor with which the medical prescription is respected - in particular the hours of medication - contribute to the other part of the success of the patient. such treatments. This is particularly the case for medicinal treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and cancers treated orally. Thus, reliable solutions are sought not only to distribute the drugs of a treatment to a patient maintained at home, but also to establish the traceability of the distribution of drugs relating to this treatment performed in the patient's home outside the home. context of a health care facility, to provide real-time or near-real-time monitoring of the proper administration of this treatment and to control the time taken to take medication. This is particularly the case of therapeutic or diagnostic treatments in which a given action is linked to an earlier action by a time limit that must be strictly observed.

No. 4,573,606 discloses an automatic personal dispensing device for unit dosage of medicaments. This device comprises a wheel with radial partitions forming twelve drug storage compartments, the wheel being rotatably mounted and adapted to be able to deliver drugs into a receptacle forming a collection funnel maintained vertically a guide chute of the drugs delivered to from a storage compartment. A photocell is disposed below and vertically of the funnel tube and light radiation is reflected by a mirror toward the photocell via the funnel and the funnel tube. In this configuration, the dropping of the drugs in the funnel leads to obstruction of the funnel tube and interruption of the transmission of light radiation to the photocell. This interruption causes the closure of an electrical circuit and the activation of an audible alarm indicating to the patient that a unit dose of medication is available in the funnel.

This known device poses several problems. On the one hand, the tube of the funnel must have a diameter sufficient to allow the passage of the light reflected by the mirror. As a result, only drugs larger than the diameter of the funnel tube are likely to be retained in the funnel and provide a lasting and audible sound signal by the patient. The use of this device is therefore limited to the distribution of large drugs.

On the other hand, to facilitate the alignment of the longitudinal axis of the funnel tube and the axis of the light radiation, it is necessary to guide the container forming the funnel horizontally on the device by grooves cooperating in guiding in horizontal translation with ribs of the container. Such guidance is restrictive and requires the patient a concentration effort to position the container relative to the support and to guide the container on the support to its position of receiving drugs. This device is therefore not suitable for patients with pathologies causing attention disorders and / or motor disorders, such as neurodegenerative pathologies.

On the other hand, this known device does not make it possible to determine the presence or absence of the drug collection container. Indeed, the photocell does not distinguish a case in which the container is present and free of drugs of a case in which the receptacle is absent. This results in a risk that drugs are delivered from the device while the receptacle is not in position on the dispensing device, so that the dispensed drugs are scattered on the floor and lost to the patient. This results in a loss of effectiveness of the treatment.

This known device also does not provide and does not allow to determine the duration of the period extending between the actual taking of drugs and the refitting of the container on the dispensing device. Indeed, when drugs are delivered in the receptacle and the alarm sounds, the patient turns off the alarm and takes the medication. Thus, the alarm being deactivated, this device does not make it possible to determine the moment when the patient removes the container and the medications from the support of the device and takes actually the drugs. This known device does not allow to evaluate certain behavioral aspects of the patient, in particular the evolution over time of the duration of the period extending between the taking of the drugs and the refitting of the container on the dispensing device. However, the inventor has determined that this data is an essential indication of regular and faithful monitoring of the medical prescription.

Finally, this known device requires a photoelectric cell located under the support, a source of light radiation and an orientation mirror of this light radiation located above the support. Such a device therefore poses congestion problems.

The invention aims to overcome these disadvantages.

Also known from WO2016 / 183631 a device for dispensing products in a container. This device comprises a reservoir of such products, a container, a camera and a processing unit. This device provides that the user of the device itself places an empty container in the device prior to the distribution of such products. It does not allow to control in a secure way the absence of product in the container prior to distribution. This lack of control poses many problems and can lead to a mixture of inappropriate or even dangerous products.

The invention also aims to overcome this drawback.

The invention therefore aims at providing a dispensing device for non-purely gaseous products and a method of controlling a method for administering non-purely gaseous products making it possible to control the distribution of non-purely gaseous products.

The invention aims to provide such a dispensing device and such a control method for increased monitoring of patients geographically and / or family isolated.

The invention aims at providing such a dispensing device and such a control method for exchanging with persons authorized to receive them - in particular doctors, nurses, nursing assistants, family - information related to the pharmacological treatment relating to at the patient's diligence in following his treatment.

The invention aims in particular to provide such a drug dispensing device and such a control method allowing or facilitating home maintenance of patients benefiting from pharmacological treatment.

The invention also aims at providing such a dispensing device and such a control method constituting an indispensable extension of the drug distribution circuit in the home of a patient.

The invention also aims at providing such a dispensing device enabling a home patient to respect as precisely as possible a medical prescription.

The invention aims in particular to provide such a dispensing device for controlling compliance with the medical prescription by the patient.

The invention also aims to provide such a dispensing device which is at least as easy to use as known drug dispensing devices, which is ergonomic, compact and secure for the patient.

The invention also aims to provide such a dispensing device and a control method for establishing or strengthening a follow-up between a patient and his entourage, medical and / or family.

The invention also relates to such a dispensing device and such a method for controlling the distribution of narcotic products for their medical and / or veterinary use whose traceability must be ensured.

In particular, the invention aims at providing such a dispensing device and such a control method for exchanging with persons authorized to receive them - in particular doctors, nurses, nurses, family carers - information related to pharmacological treatment relating to the patient's diligence in following his treatment.

To this end, the invention relates to a dispensing device for non-purely gaseous products, in particular solid products in the form of at least one particle -particularly products intended to be administered to a patient. human or animal such as drugs and / or foods and / or food supplements-, comprising:

- a receiving zone of a container, the container can be taken from the receiving zone for the administration of non-purely gaseous products;

an imaging device capable of forming at least one digital image adapted to be representative of:

o a presence of a receptacle in the receiving zone, o an absence of any receptacle in the receiving zone, o a presence of non-purely gaseous products in a receptacle placed in the receiving zone,

a digital image processing unit adapted to analyze each image formed by the imaging device, so as to detect in each image:

o the presence of a container in the reception area,

o the absence of a container in the reception area,

the presence of a receptacle in the receiving zone and the presence of at least one non-purely gaseous product in the receptacle, characterized in that the imaging device is capable of forming at least one digital image adapted to be able to be representative of an absence of any non-purely gaseous product in a container placed in the receiving zone, and in that;

the digital image processing unit is adapted to analyze each image formed by the imaging device, so as to detect the presence of a container in the receiving zone and the absence of non-purely gaseous products in the container.

The invention applies to products which are not purely gaseous, that is to say for products in a purely solid state or for products in a purely liquid state or for products in an intermediate state to a solid state and to a liquid state (paste). The invention applies to products of which part is in the solid state and part is in the state liquid. Nothing prevents a part of the products being in the gaseous state, in particular trapped in the heart of a product in the solid state and / or trapped in the heart of a product in the liquid state.

The invention is particularly applicable to products intended to be consumed - especially ingested - by humans or animals according to a predetermined or determinable product catch sequence and for which the control of the administration and / or the traceability of products must be ensured (s). These may be products (medicines) formulated for medical use (in humans) or for veterinary use (in animals). It can also be food products, such as dry foods (croquettes) for animal feed. It can be food supplements, such as vitamins, trace elements for food or feed. It may also include products whose traceability must be ensured, for example of narcotics - in particular products listed in one of the tables of the 1961 Convention on Narcotic Drugs -, in particular for their medical use and / or veterinary.

The invention applies to any non-purely gaseous drug, that is to say to any drug in a solid or liquid dosage form adapted for distribution to a patient. It may be a drug in a solid dosage form such as, for example, tablets, cachets, capsules, capsules, pills, lozenges, dragees, suppositories. Drugs dispensed by means of a drug dispensing device according to the invention may be identical or distinct. It may be different drugs, different dosage forms and / or comprising separate active substances and / or dosages of different active substances. It can also be identical drugs, that is to say drugs comprising the same active substance (s), with the same dosage of the substance (s) active (s) and under the same form (s) galenic (s). It may be a drug in a solid dosage form in the divided state such as a powder whose presence is likely to be detectable in a drug dispensing device according to the invention. he can also be a paste-like solid that can be dispensed in a drug dispensing device according to the invention. It can also be a drug in the liquid state.

The dispensing device according to the invention is an electronic device. It comprises an imaging device capable of forming and recording in memory at least one digital image and at least one processor adapted to allow analysis of such digital images.

A dispensing device according to the invention makes it possible to distribute products securely in a container. It allows in particular to avoid the delivery of products while the container is not positioned in the receiving area so as to receive the products. It also makes it possible to verify that the products have been correctly distributed in the container. Thus, the products are not delivered in a form scattered around the dispensing device, or even on the ground away from the dispensing device and are not lost for their consumption. A dispensing device according to the invention thus makes it possible to secure the distribution of products and to control the setting of these products.

A dispensing device according to the invention comprising a receiving zone of a container that can be taken from the reception zone for the purpose of administering the products, an imaging device capable of forming at least one digital image and one imaging unit. digital image processing is adapted to be able to control the automatic or manual dispensing by a person of products in the container.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the digital image processing unit is also adapted to be able to analyze each image formed by the imaging device and to detect in each formed image the presence of the products in the container.

A dispensing device according to the invention comprises a receptacle adapted to receive at least one product dispensed from a reservoir. Any container may be used provided it is dimensioned to be placed in the receiving zone of non-purely gaseous products distributor device and that it allows acquisition of a digital image of the products by the imaging device. It may be a cup for receiving non-purely gaseous products. It can be a saucer, a plate, a dish, a trough distribution of a food ration for an animal.

The container forms a single product receiving compartment. The container is intended to receive products - especially drugs - dispensed extemporaneously by the dispensing device according to the invention so as to be made available to a human or animal-especially a patient- for a product intake - especially drugs - immediate. The container is not a drug storage container intended to be closed by a lid, labeled, stored for distribution to a patient in a care facility.

The container may be formed of one or more material (s) compatible (s) with its (their) contact with the products-especially drugs-. The container may be formed of one or more material (s) selected from the group consisting of glass, ceramics, polymeric materials, especially thermoplastic materials and thermosetting materials. The material forming the container may be selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes (PE), polypropylenes (PP), polycarbonates (PC), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polylactic acid (PLA), polyoxymethylenes (POM), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) -including natural ABS-, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene modified with reduced butadiene content (M-ABS), polystyrene (PS) in the expanded state or not (in the dense state), poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET), polycaprolactam (PA-6), poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polyamides (PA) and copolymers, for example styrene-butadiene (SBR or impact polystyrene) and styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) and mixtures of at least two of these polymeric materials in all proportions. Nothing prevents the container from being made of recycled material.

According to some embodiments of a dispensing device according to the invention, the material (s) forming the container are chosen in the group formed of transparent materials and translucent materials. Such materials allow a non-purely gaseous product to be detected by transparency through the wall-forming material (s) of the container. According to these embodiments of a dispensing device according to the invention, the imaging device can be positioned facing any of the transparent / translucent faces of the container.

According to other embodiments of a dispensing device according to the invention, the material (s) forming the container are chosen from the group consisting of opaque materials, the container having an upper opening for receiving products which are not purely gaseous, the imaging device then being positioned substantially in line with the container.

The container may have any shape varied and adapted to contain non-purely gaseous products. It may be of generally cylindrical shape of revolution along a substantially vertical axis when the container is in the product receiving position in the dispensing device. It can also be of generally frustoconical shape, that is to say in the form of a truncated cone. In particular, such a container may have in any cross section orthogonal to the vertical axis, a decreasing section of the opening towards the bottom of the container.

The container preferably has an upper opening for receiving non-purely gaseous products. The opening of the container may have an opening edge extending in a horizontal plane when the container is in the position of receiving non-purely gaseous products in the dispensing device.

According to some embodiments of a dispensing device according to the invention, the imaging device comprises at least one matrix sensor. Any type of matrix sensor can be used. According to some embodiments, at least one matrix sensor comprises a plurality of photomultiplier tubes, each photomultiplier tube of the plurality of photomultiplier tubes serving as a photosite (pixel) of the matrix sensor. According to some embodiments, at least one matrix sensor comprises a a plurality of photodiodes, each photodiode of the plurality of photodiodes serving as a photosite (pixel) of the matrix sensor. According to some embodiments, at least one matrix sensor is selected from the group consisting of matrix CCD sensors, CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) matrix sensors and high definition matrix sensors (HD sensors). The matrix sensor used has a photosite density (number of photosites per cm ² ) sufficient to produce digital images of sufficient resolution to allow their analysis by the digital image processing unit.

According to some embodiments of a dispenser device according to the invention, the matrix sensor is a matrix sensor capable of forming a monochromatic image of at least a portion of the container. However, nothing prevents that, according to certain other embodiments of a dispensing device according to the invention, the matrix sensor is a matrix sensor capable of forming a polychromatic image of at least a portion of the container.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the digital image processing unit is adapted to detect in the image:

a lack of a receptacle in the receiving zone or a positioning of the receptacle that is inadequate for receiving non-purely gaseous products if no part of an image, referred to as a reference image, representative of the receptacle free of non-purely gaseous products is identified in the digital image;

positioning the container suitable for receiving non-purely gaseous products, the container being free from non-purely gaseous products, if the whole of said reference image is identified in the digital image, and;

a positioning of the appropriate container, the container containing at least one non-purely gaseous product if only a part of said reference image is identified in the digital image.

The digital image processing unit of a dispensing device according to the invention makes it possible to compare any digital image formed by the imaging device with said reference image. According to some embodiments, advantageously and according to the invention, the imaging device extends substantially vertically and above the container. Advantageously, the imaging device is arranged to be able to form a digital image of the non-purely gaseous product receiving zone or the container positioned in this zone for receiving non-purely gaseous products. Thus, the container being cylindrical in shape of revolution or frustoconical along a vertical axis, the imaging device makes it possible to form a digital image of the container-in particular the bottom of the container-in which non-purely gaseous products rest.

According to some embodiments, advantageously and according to the invention, the container has a pattern, referred to as a reference pattern, arranged so that the imaging device forms a digital image, referred to as a reference image, of the non-purely product-free container. gaseous, said reference image being representative of the container free of non-purely gaseous product. Any reference pattern can be used as soon as an image formed from said reference pattern is modified - in particular deformed - by the presence of non-purely gaseous products in the container. Said reference pattern may be a visible pattern under illumination in visible light (natural or artificial), that is to say visible under light illumination having a wavelength spectrum of between 400 nm and 800 nm. Said reference pattern may be a monochrome pattern or a polychrome pattern. Said reference pattern may be a pattern printed on an inner face of the container. Said reference pattern may also be a reference pattern printed on an outer face of the container, the container being formed of a transparent or translucent material. Said reference pattern may also be a reference pattern formed in the mass of the container, the container being formed of a transparent or translucent material. Said reference pattern may be an authorized reproduction of a drawing, a painting, a photograph, etc. Said reference pattern may be formed of at least one geometric shape, in particular a plurality of geometric shapes. It may be a checkerboard pattern, shaped as a target formed of alternately black and white concentric circles or white and black ribbons wound spirally. Said reference pattern may also be an authorized reproduction of a logotype.

Said reference pattern is adapted to be able to be identified by the digital image processing unit and to allow detection, by the digital image processing unit, of a modification, a deformation or a masking at least a portion of said reference pattern, in particular by at least one non-purely gaseous product (s) contained in the container, whereby the presence of at least one product in the container is detected.

Nothing prevents that said reference pattern is a visible reference pattern under illumination in non-visible light, that is to say in light having a spectrum in the ultraviolet or infrared. Nothing prevents that said reference pattern is a photo-luminescent pattern, the dispensing device having a light source adapted for viewing said photoluminescent reference pattern.

The reference pattern may be selected to allow identification of a patient. The reason for reference may be an inscription of the patient's name, surname or nickname. It may be a photograph of the patient, an identification number, etc. Such a reference pattern of identification of a patient is particularly adapted to allow dispensing of drugs, including analgesic drugs (opiates or opioids) -for example analgesics listed in one of the tables of the 1961 convention on narcotics - to a plurality of patients while ensuring the traceability of drugs - especially analgesics - distributed.

According to some embodiments, advantageously and according to the invention, the container having a substantially horizontal bottom plane, said reference pattern is formed at the bottom of the container. The container has a substantially horizontal bottom plane when the container is in the receiving position of non-purely gaseous products in the dispensing device.

According to some embodiments, advantageously and according to the invention, the container is formed of an opaque material. According to some embodiments, advantageously and according to the invention, the dispensing device comprises at least one device for illuminating at least part of the container. Such lighting devices are arranged and oriented to illuminate at least part of the container, including the bottom of the container. Any lighting device can be used. It can be a visible light source, a non-visible light source or a visible and non-visible light source. In particular, nothing prevents the lighting device from comprising a source of light that is not visible in the ultraviolet. It can be an incandescent bulb, a light emitting diode (LED), or other.

According to some embodiments, advantageously and according to the invention, the dispensing device comprises at least one control card of the dispensing device adapted to produce digital image analysis data from the image processing unit. and controlling at least one non-purely gaseous product dispensing motor device according to the analysis data.

The analysis data is selected from the group consisting of representative data:

- a presence of a container in the reception area;

- absence of a container in the reception area;

- a presence of a container in the receiving zone and the absence of non-purely gaseous products in the container;

- A presence of a container in the receiving zone and the presence of at least one non-purely gaseous product in the container.

The electronic control card of the dispenser device is also adapted to be able to receive identification data of a removable cassette for storing and dispensing products that are not purely gaseous-in particular drugs-assembled with the dispensing device, from a dispensing device. identifier carried by the removable cassette, the identification data of the removable cassette being transmitted by an identifier reader communicating with said electronic card. The identification data of the cassette removable include:

identification data of the type of removable cassette to which the removable cassette assembled with the dispensing device belongs;

- data relating to a treatment - in particular to a therapeutic treatment - to which non-purely gaseous products

notably the drugs of the removable cassette assembled with the dispensing device are attached;

data relating to the identity of the recipient, in particular the patient, to which are administered the non-purely gaseous products, in particular the drugs contained in the removable cassette assembled with the dispensing device.

The electronic control board of the dispensing device is adapted to control, according to the identification data of the removable cassette, at least one motor device for dispensing non-purely gaseous products. It can control, according to said identification data and in particular a predetermined and programmed sequence of distribution of non-purely gaseous products - especially drugs - contained in the identification data, a drive device for rotating drive not to no drum relative to the housing. It can also control the activation of a motor device for actuating a shutter valve / opening a non-purely gaseous product passage orifice formed in the housing, the opening of which leads to a release of the products not purely gaseous contained in a storage and distribution compartment and its (their) transfer - especially by gravity - in the container.

According to some embodiments, a dispensing device according to the invention comprises a reservoir for storing and dispensing products that are not purely gaseous-in particular drugs-. A dispenser device according to the invention is adapted to be able to deliver non-purely gaseous products - especially drugs - into the container from the storage tank and dispensing non-purely gaseous products - especially drugs. A dispensing device according to the invention may include any type of storage and dispensing tank for non-purely gaseous products - particularly medicaments -. It may be a tank mounted integral with the dispensing device. Such a reservoir is preferably adapted to be recharged in non-purely gaseous products - especially drugs -. It may be a tank containing non-purely gaseous products - especially drugs - placed in a single storage enclosure. The dispensing device according to the invention is then adapted to deliver the same non-purely gaseous product - especially a drug -, for example, several times a day, in accordance with a medical prescription.

It may also be a reservoir containing non-purely gaseous products - especially drugs - distributed in a plurality of storage enclosures, each storage enclosure containing a product that is not purely gaseous-in particular a different drug-. The dispensing device is then adapted to deliver catches of non-purely gaseous products - especially drugs - formed by mixing non-purely gaseous products - especially drugs - from non-purely gaseous products - in particular drugs - from each chamber. Thus, such a dispensing device according to the invention makes it possible to dispense catches of non-purely gaseous products - in particular drugs - prepared from a plurality of storage chambers of different products that are not purely gaseous-in particular different drugs-.

However, there is nothing to prevent the reservoir for storing and dispensing non-purely gaseous products, particularly drugs, which encloses a plurality of product outlets, each product outlet comprising at least one product, in particular a plurality of products, in particular a product. plurality of drugs- and being stored in the storage tank ready for dispensing.

According to some advantageous embodiments, a dispensing device according to the invention can be equipped with a removable storage and dispensing tank for non-purely gaseous products - in particular drugs - containing a plurality of product taps. According to this mode of Advantageously, each intake of products may be prepared in advance - that is to say not extemporaneously - in the storage and distribution tank, the storage and dispensing tank thus prepared being assembled in the dispensing device according to the invention. the invention.

According to some embodiments of a dispensing device according to the invention, the storage and dispensing tank for non-purely gaseous products - especially drugs - is a removable cassette comprising:

a casing, particularly a rigid casing, adapted to be immobilized in the dispensing device and having a non-purely gaseous product passage opening, especially medicaments, extending in the lower position of the casing when the removable cassette is assembled with the device; dispenser (so that non-purely gaseous products - especially drugs - are gravity-fed to the container), and;

a drum formed of at least one disc supporting a plurality of radial partitions, the drum being rotated relative to the casing along an axis of rotation passing through the center of the drum by a rotary shaft of the dispensing device, the disc and the plurality of radial partitions being arranged to form with the housing a plurality of compartments for storing and dispensing non-purely gaseous products - especially drugs -.

In these embodiments of a dispensing device according to the invention, the axis of rotation of the drum of the removable cassette is substantially horizontal and the passage opening extends in the lower position of the casing when the removable cassette is assembled with the dispensing device so that the products are likely to be gravity-driven to the container. In these embodiments of a dispensing device according to the invention, the removable cassette thus extends vertically in the dispensing device.

In these embodiments of a dispensing device according to the invention, the rotary shaft of the dispensing device is positioned so that that a free end of the rotary shaft can cooperate with the drum and drive it in rotation when the removable cassette is assembled to the dispensing device and the rotary shaft is rotated.

In these embodiments of a dispenser device according to the invention, one of the storage and dispensing compartments of non-purely gaseous products - especially medicament - being brought by angular displacement of the drum relative to the housing in an angular position as it opens on the passage opening formed in the housing, non-purely gaseous products -in particular the drugs-contained in said compartment are driven -particularly but not necessarily at the opening of a valve opening / closing the gravity drug port out of the compartment and to the container. In these embodiments, a dispensing device according to the invention does not require a specific device for driving non-purely gaseous products - in particular drugs - to the container.

In these embodiments, advantageously a dispensing device for non-purely gaseous products - especially drugs - according to the invention comprises a driving device for rotating the drum in rotation with respect to the casing. In these embodiments, each angular displacement of the drum relative to the housing corresponds to a predetermined angle value, adapted to place one of the storage and distribution compartments opposite the passage opening formed in the housing. In these embodiments, each angular displacement of the drum relative to the housing is made according to a temporal sequence of dispensing non-purely gaseous products - especially drugs - according to a prescription-in particular to a medical prescription-. The driving device for rotating the drum in rotation relative to the housing is adapted to allow rotation of the drum relative to the housing at a date and at a time predetermined by the prescription and also allow locking in rotation of the drum by to the crankcase outside these predetermined dates and times. The angular displacement of the drum relative to the housing consists of a rotation of an angle value determined according to the number of storage compartments and distribution of the removable cassette, from a predetermined position of the drum relative to the housing established during the placing the removable cassette in the dispensing device. This angle value is generally equal to 2π / η, where n is a natural number equal to the number of compartments of the removable cassette.

Any type of drive device driving in step rotation of the drum relative to the housing can be used. Such a driving device for rotating the drum in relation to the casing by a predetermined angle value comprises:

- An electric gear motor driving in rotation along a first axis of rotation of a wheel, said driving wheel, provided on one of its main faces with a peripheral lug and a central cylinder in relief. Said driving wheel also has a peripheral notch adapted to cooperate with a photoelectric sensor fork interruption of the drive in rotation of said drive wheel after a rotation of said drive wheel with an angle value of 2π (a turn on herself) ;

a "Maltese cross" rotatably mounted on a second axis of rotation, integral with a toothed coaxial wheel having an integer number (p) of teeth and having a plurality (r) of radial grooves uniformly distributed over the Maltese cross and driven in rotation by the lug of said driving wheel cooperating in translation with one of the radial grooves. The rotation of said driving wheel with an angle value of 2π is accompanied by a rotation of the Maltese cross with a value of 2π / ηι, m being a natural number representative of the number of grooves of the cross from Malta. The central cylinder of said driving wheel also cooperates with the Maltese cross to block any rotation of the Maltese cross and the toothed coaxial wheel when said driving wheel is stationary;

- A pinion rotatably mounted on a third axis of rotation and carrier integral with a drive member in rotation of the drum relative to the housing. The pinion has a number (d) of teeth chosen so that the ratio dr / p is equal to the number of compartments of the cassette.

In some embodiments, the dispensing device comprises a forked photoelectric sensor arranged to be able to cooperate with a peripheral light of the pinion and to communicate to the control electronic board of the distributor device data representative of the angular position of the pinion and the pinion. rotary shaft driving the drum relative to the housing during assembly of the removable cassette in the dispensing device.

According to some embodiments, a dispensing device according to the invention comprises a manual activation control of a motor device for actuating a shutter valve / opening of the casing passage orifice. In these embodiments, a drive device for rotational rotation of the drum relative to the housing brings one of the storage and dispensing compartments opposite the passage opening, according to a predetermined program of distribution. non-purely gaseous products - especially drugs - and the dispensing device requests the recipient non-purely gaseous products - especially the patient - for it to manually activate the motor device for actuating the valve obstruction / opening and opening said valve and the delivery of non-purely gaseous products - especially drugs - into the container.

The obstruction / opening valve may be actuated by any suitable means. It can be actuated by an electric servomotor of the type rotary servomotor "turn fraction" adapted to place the obstruction / opening valve alternately in a closed position and in an open position. According to some embodiments, the motor device for actuating the obstruction / opening valve also comprises means for detecting the position of said valve and for communicating with the control electronic card of the data dispensing device relating to the position of said valve. . Such detection means may for example consist of in two photoelectric fork sensors arranged to be able to cooperate with a radial notch of angular registration of the position of a wheel integral in rotation with the rotational axis of the rotary servomotor fraction of a turn, one of the sensors detecting the first position of closing the valve, the other sensor detecting the second open position of the valve.

In some embodiments, a dispensing device according to the invention comprises a communication interface of at least one piece of information. The communication interface may include any type of screen. Nothing prevents the communication interface includes an information printing printer. In some embodiments, the communication interface in cooperation with the electronic control card of the dispensing device to assist the patient for regular monitoring of a drug treatment.

According to some embodiments, a dispensing device according to the invention advantageously comprises a connection unit to at least one digital data communication link with at least one remote server. The communication link may be a digital data communication link from the distributor device to a remote server and / or a digital data communication link from a remote server to the distributor device. It is therefore possible to predict that digital data chosen from the group formed:

data representative of the composition of non-purely gaseous products, in particular drugs, delivered into the container;

- data representative of the time elapsing between the provision of non-purely gaseous products - in particular drugs - in the container and the withdrawal of the container from the receiving zone;

- data representative of the time elapsing between the withdrawal of the container containing non-purely gaseous products, in particular medicinal products, from the receiving zone and the placing of the container free of non-purely gaseous products, in particular medicinal products, in the reception area; data representative of the position of the shutter / opening valve;

data representative of the angular position of the drum relative to the housing;

data representative of the position of the pinion of the driving device driving in stepwise rotation of the drum relative to the housing;

data representing the position of the rotary shaft driving the drum relative to the housing;

data representative of the angular position of said driving wheel of the driving device driving in stepwise rotation of the drum relative to the housing;

data representative of the closed / open state of a loading flap of the removable cassette in the dispensing device;

are received, evaluated and stored by a device separate from the dispensing device according to the invention, for example by a remote computing device to which the dispensing device according to the invention is connected by a digital data communication link (for example by the Internet network, said digital data being stored on the Internet (in the cloud cloud)). Such data may be accessed remotely by a third party and provide the latter with an assessment of the regularity of the operation of the dispensing device and the attendance of the recipient of the products to obey the instructions dictated by the dispensing device according to the invention.

According to some embodiments, a dispensing device according to the invention comprises at least one reader of an identifier carried by the removable cassette with which the dispensing device is assembled, said identifier reader being adapted to be able to read - especially to read without contact. - An identifier of the removable cassette when it is assembled to the dispensing device.

In some embodiments, advantageously and according to the invention, the identifier comprising at least one component selected from the group formed: electronic components capable of transmitting data by radiofrequency-in particular microcircuits or FID tags;

- Optically readable code components -including bar codes, two-dimensional codes such as QR codes, three-dimensional codes, and;

- magnetically readable code components;

the corresponding identifier reader is a reader -in particular a contactless reader- of the identifier, chosen from the group formed:

electronic readers capable of receiving data by radiofrequency -including RFID readers-,

optical code readers, in particular barcode readers, QR code readers, three-dimensional code readers, in particular optical readers comprising a high-definition matrix sensor, and;

- magnetic readers.

In certain embodiments in which a transmission is effected by radiofrequency, at least one identifier of the removable cassette is adapted to be able to communicate with the dispensing device according to any communication protocol, for example chosen from the group formed by the BLUETOOTH ^® protocols. , WI-FI protocols and radio protocols, called "UNB", ultra-narrow-band multikillometers for radiofrequency data transmission between the removable cassette and the dispensing device and low-speed exchange protocols for monitoring remote from dispensing devices.

In these embodiments of a dispenser device according to the invention, the electronic control card of the dispensing device is adapted to receive from an identifier reader at least one identification data of the removable cassette -particularly at least one data relating to a therapeutic treatment to which the drugs contained in the removable cassette are intended- carried by an identifier of the removable cassette with which the dispensing device is assembled and to control at least a motor device - in particular a drive device for rotating the drum in rotation with respect to the casing - allowing the dispensing of non-purely gaseous products - especially drugs - organized in time in accordance with a prescription - in particular a medical prescription -.

According to some embodiments, the dispensing device for non-purely gaseous products - in particular drugs - according to the invention is autonomous. According to these embodiments of the invention, the dispensing device comprises an independent power supply circuit. Advantageously and according to the invention, the power supply circuit is selected from the group consisting of power supply circuits comprising a source of continuous electrical energy and circuits comprising a connection to a connection cord to a distribution network of electrical energy (sector), and their combinations. The power supply circuit of the dispensing device may incorporate at least one electric battery or at least one accumulator. It may be provided with a mains connection cord for reloading. The independent power supply circuit is connected to the various components and circuits of the dispensing device to deliver the appropriate electrical energy. It can be a voltage source and / or a current source, preferably stabilized. The dispensing device according to the invention is therefore an autonomous device, that is to say it incorporates its own power supply.

The invention also relates to any use of a dispensing device for non-purely gaseous products - in particular drugs - according to the invention. The invention also relates to any method for controlling a method for administering non-purely gaseous products in which a dispensing device according to the invention is used.

The invention also relates to a process for controlling a method for administering non-purely gaseous products, in particular solid products in the form of at least one particle, for example products intended to be administered to a human or animal being -especially medicaments and / or foods and / or dietary supplements-, wherein:

at least one image is made so as to be representative of at least one of the following situations:

o the presence of a container in a reception area,

o the absence of any container in the reception area,

o the presence of non-purely gaseous products in a container placed in the receiving zone,

each image is analyzed so as to detect in the image:

o presence of a container in the receiving zone, o absence of a container in the receiving zone, o presence of a container in the receiving zone and the presence of at least one non-gaseous product in the receiving zone. container,

- and in that the administration is authorized according to the result of this analysis,

said control method being characterized in that at least one image is made to be representative of the absence of any non-purely gaseous product in a container placed on the receiving zone, and in that;

each image is analyzed so as to detect in the image a presence of a container in the receiving zone and the absence of non-purely gaseous products in the container.

The invention particularly relates to such a method of controlling a method of administering drugs to at least one patient.

In such a method of control according to the invention of a method for administering non-purely gaseous products - in particular drugs -, the administration method comprising at least the following steps:

a container capable of containing non-purely gaseous products - in particular drugs - to be administered is placed in a receiving zone of a dispensing device for this container, - not purely gaseous products - especially drugs - are placed in the container;

the container is taken from the receiving zone and the non-purely gaseous products, in particular drugs contained in the container, are administered;

at least at least one in each of the steps, the performance check of the preceding step is carried out, and;

at least one datum, called control datum, representative of a compliant or non-compliant nature of the process for administering non-purely gaseous products, particularly drugs, with respect to a prescription, particularly a prescription medical- is produced.

In a control method according to the invention, depending on the step at which one is generating at least one control data representative of the normal or abnormal nature of the situation. In a control method according to the invention, it is possible to carry out a time tracking of the situation in which successive digital images are made.

At least one control datum may be a datum representative of the appropriate or inappropriate positioning (absence) of the container in the reception zone. If said control data is representative of the proper positioning of the container in the receiving zone, non-purely gaseous products - especially drugs - are delivered to the container. If said control data is representative of the inappropriate positioning, in particular of the absence of the container in the receiving zone, no non-purely gaseous products, in particular drugs, are delivered to the container and a message is received. alert is issued to the patient. Following the warning message, it is proceeded to the realization of a new image and its analysis so as to detect in the image the presence of a container in the reception area. This sequence is repeated until the container is placed in the receiving zone at the end of which the products that are not purely gaseous-in particular the drugs-are issued. Data representative of the elapsed time for the proper placement of the container in the receiving area is generated.

At least one control data may be a representative datum of non-purely gaseous products - especially drugs - delivered into the container by the dispensing device. If non-purely gaseous products - especially drugs - comply with the prescription, an alert message is issued to the patient to take non-gaseous products - especially medicines - delivered.

At least one control data may be representative of the withdrawal of the container and the non-purely gaseous products - especially drugs - from the receiving zone. If said control data is representative of the actual withdrawal of the container and the non-purely gaseous products - in particular drugs - from the receiving zone, the dispensing device sends a message of encouragement to the recipient-in particular the patient- for take non-purely gaseous products - especially drugs - and replace the container in the reception area. If said control data is representative of the maintenance of the container and non-purely gaseous products - especially drugs - in the receiving zone, the dispensing device sends a warning message prompting the recipient - especially the patient - to take the products not purely gaseous - especially drugs -.

Advantageously and according to the invention, at least one digital datum is transmitted to a remote server by a connection unit to at least one digital data communication link. At least one digital datum is likely to be accessed remotely from the patient by a practitioner and / or by a caregiver and / or by a caregiver for the purpose of controlling the regular monitoring of the medical prescription.

The invention also relates to a dispensing device for non-purely gaseous products - in particular drugs - and a method for controlling a method for administering non-purely gaseous products -in particular drugs-characterized in combination by all or some of the characteristics mentioned above or below.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description given solely by way of illustration and without limitation and referring to the appended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of a drug dispensing device according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view from above of a container represented without (2a) and with (2b) drugs of a drug dispensing device;

FIG. 3 is a medial sagittal sectional view of a drug dispensing device according to a particular embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 4 is a sagittal sectional view through the removable cassette of a drug dispenser device assembled to such a removable cassette according to a particular embodiment of the invention, and;

- Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view through the axis of rotation of the drum relative to the casing of a removable cassette assembled to a drug dispensing device according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of an electronic card supporting the digital image processing unit, and

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a method of controlling a method of administering drugs.

In the figures appended to the detailed description which follows, the proportions of the dispensing device, the removable cassette and the elements - in particular the mechanical elements - of the dispensing device are not necessarily respected.

A device 1 dispenser according to the invention shown in Figure 1 is a self-supporting device comprising a casing 2 resting integral on a base 3 of stabilization of the device 1 distributor. The base 3 is adapted to rest on a piece of furniture, for example on a kitchen furniture. he can be provided on its underside with a non-slip material. The housing 2 and the base 3 are made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The housing 2 has a front face 4 having a screen 5 as a man / machine interface. The screen 5 is adapted to display any type of information that may be useful to the patient, for example reminders about the treatment in progress, a summary of the hours of medication, or any information, including appointment reminders medical or other. The front face 4 of the housing 2 has an inclination relative to the vertical so that the reading of the screen 5 is facilitated closely but also at a distance from the device 1 distributor. The front face 4 of the housing also has a push button 6 dimensioned to be actuated by the patient in response to instructions transmitted to the patient via the screen 5. In particular, the push button 6 allows, when actuated and in agreement with the instructions transmitted to the patient by the screen 5, the release of drugs into a container January 1 positioned on a receiving zone 10 of the device 1 dispenser. The dispenser device 1 also has on one of the two lateral faces a flap 7 for loading a removable cassette (not shown in FIG. 1) for storing and dispensing medicaments. The device 1 dispenser shown in Figure 1 has a flap 7 loading extending on its left side, said left face being determined relative to the front face 4 of the housing 2. Nothing prevents however to provide that the loading flap extends on the right side of the housing, the internal members of the device 1 distributor being adapted accordingly.

The loading flap 7 has on its internal face directed towards the inside of the device 1 distributor, a basket 18 for receiving a removable cassette integral with the flap 7 loading. The basket 18 has at least one polarizer adapted to cooperate with the removable cassette and guide it so that the removable cassette can be placed in the basket 18 only in a single orientation adapted to allow:

the closing of the loading flap 7,

the appropriate positioning of the cassette with respect to the drive member for rotating the drum relative to the housing on closing 7 loading flap,

reading an identifier of the cassette by an identifier reader positioned in the dispensing device, and;

- An immobilization of the housing relative to the dispensing device in a suitable position for rotation of the drum relative to the housing.

The loading flap 7 is also equipped with at least one guiding pin 20 for guiding the flap 7 in displacement between an open position of the loading flap 7 in which a cassette can be inserted in an appropriate orientation. in the basket 18 and a closed position of the flap 7 loading.

The device 1 distributor is equipped with a member 19 for locking / unlocking the loading flap 7 in the closed position when the dispensing device is assembled with a removable cassette so that, in an operating state of the dispensing device in which the dispensing device is assembled to a removable cassette and cooperates with the removable cassette for dispensing medication in a predetermined drug distribution sequence of a therapeutic treatment, the loading flap 7 in the closed position is locked by the actuated locking member 19 by an electromagnet, itself controlled by a processor of the dispensing device. In a second state of the dispenser device 1 in which the drug dispensing sequence is completed, the locking member 19 is unlocked and the loading flap 7 can be opened by the patient by a simple pressure exerted on an opening tab. resiliently biased in the locking position. Thus, when a drug distribution sequence of a therapeutic treatment is in progress, the locking member 19 is locked by the electromagnet, the loading flap being in the closed position without any possibility for the patient to open the door. 7 loading and accessing the removable cassette. This results in a secure distribution of drugs.

In a third state of the device 1 distributor in which the dispenser device 1 is not assembled with a removable cassette, the identifier reader does not detect a cassette in the dispenser device 1 and no drug distribution sequence is in progress, the locking member 19 is unlocked and the loading flap 7 can be opened by the patient by a simple pressure exerted on the opening tab.

When the patient receives a removable cassette containing the medicaments relating to its therapeutic treatment, it opens the device 1 dispenser by a simple pressure exerted on the opening tab, introduces the removable cassette in the device 1 dispenser, returns the wing 7 closing in the closed position so that the identifier of the removable cassette is detected and read by the identifier reader of the device 1 dispenser, whereby Γ electromagnet of the locking member 19 is brought into the locking position of the flap 7 closing and the distribution sequence is initiated. Neither the cassette nor the drugs contained in the cassette are then accessible to the patient. At the end of the treatment, when all the medicaments of the removable cassette have been dispensed, the processor of the electronic control board of the dispensing device controls the actuation of the electromagnet, the unlocking of the locking member 19, whereby the closure flap 7 can be opened by the patient by a simple pressure exerted on the opening tab. The patient extracts the removable cassette dispenser device 1 and can send by any means the removable cassette free of medication to a doctor, including his doctor, a pharmacist or anyone authorized to supervise its treatment or to fill the the cassette for further processing.

The base 3 for stabilizing the dispensing device forms a receiving zone 10 of a container January 1, the container being dimensioned and positioned on the receiving zone 10 so as to receive drugs dispensed by the device 1 dispenser. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the container January 1 is formed of a transparent material. The container 1 1 has a substantially cylindrical shape of revolution and has an upper opening 12 sized to allow the passage of drugs and a bottom 13 adapted to receive drugs. The bottom 13 forms a recess 14 adapted to cooperate with an extra thickness of the receiving zone 10 and hold laterally the container January 1 on the receiving zone 10. Nothing, however, prevents the receiving zone 10 itself form a receiving bowl dimensioned to receive and maintain laterally the container January 1, the bottom 13 of the container 1 1 cooperating with the receiving bowl.

A container 1 1 of a drug dispensing device according to the invention is shown in Figure 2a in a state in which it does not contain drug. The container 1 1 is of symmetrical shape of revolution along a vertical axis when the container is in the drug receiving position on the receiving zone 10 of the dispensing device according to the invention. It has a side wall 46 forming an upper opening 12 and a bottom 13 forming a recess 14 adapted to cooperate with an extra thickness of the receiving zone 10 and laterally maintain the container January 1 on the receiving zone 10. The side wall 46 and the bottom 13 of the container 11 may be formed of a transparent material, a translucent material or an opaque material or a combination of such materials. The bottom 13 of the container 11 shown in FIG. 2a has a reference pattern in the form of a checkerboard. Any other reason is of course possible since they are capable of allowing the formation of said reference image by the imaging device, said reference image being analyzed by the digital image processing unit of the distributor device as being representative of the state of the dispensing device in which the container January 1 is placed in the receiving area of the dispensing device, the container 1 1 being drug-free and ready to receive drugs. It may be a target formed of concentric circles alternately black and white. It can also be two white and black ribbons wound spirally.

The container 1 1 of a drug dispensing device according to the invention shown in Figure 2a is also shown in Figure 2b in a state in which it contains two drugs 45. In this state of the container 1 1, the image of the bottom 13 of the container 1 1 formed by the imaging device is distinct from said reference image, a part of the reference pattern being masked (deformed) by the drugs, that is to say deformed by the occurrence of the drugs 45. The digital image processing unit analyzes that part of the reference pattern is present in the image and that the container 1 1 is present in the receiving area of the dispensing device and also analyzes that said reference image is not reproduced and that drugs 45 are present in the container 1 1. As a result, the processor of the dispensing device according to the The invention analyzes the "normal" or "abnormal" nature of the situation and, if appropriate, issues an alert message locally to the patient or remotely to the attention of a person authorized to receive this alert message.

A device 1 drug dispenser according to the invention is shown in Figure 3 in median sagittal section. It has a power supply circuit comprising a power supply card 21, a connector 22 for connecting a power cord to an electrical power distribution network (mains) and an electric battery or accumulator 23. It can be equipped with a mains connection cord for recharging. The power supply circuit is connected to the various components and circuits of the dispensing device to deliver the appropriate electrical energy. The device 1 drug dispenser according to the invention is therefore autonomous. The dispenser device 1 also comprises a device (on / off) for energizing the dispensing device and a USB connection port.

The device 1 dispenser shown in FIG. 3 comprises an imaging device 15 comprising a matrix sensor supported by an electronic card 24 extending in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the bottom 13 of the container 1 1. The matrix sensor 24 is positioned at the vertical of the detection zone 10 and the upper opening 12 of the container 1 1. The matrix sensor can be a high-definition camera adapted to form at least an image of the bottom 13 of the container 1 1 and allow a follow-up in time of the presence or absence of the container 1 1 and drugs in the container 1 1. The matrix sensor communicates with the processor 81 of the unit 16 digital image processing. The digital images formed by the matrix sensor of the imaging device are transferred to the processing unit 16 where they are stored and analyzed by the processor 81 of the electronic card 67. The matrix sensor is adapted to be able to form at least one image of the container 1 1 - in particular the bottom 13 of the container 1 1- which is likely to be identified by the processor 81 of the digital image processing unit 16 as being representative of the presence of the drug-free container 1 1 and in the appropriate position on the receiving area of the dispenser device 1.

The dispenser device 1 shown in FIG. 3 comprises a light-emitting diode 47 positioned to be able to illuminate the reception zone 10 and, where appropriate, the bottom 13 of the container 1 1. In a general manner, such a diode 47 also makes it possible to light the receptacle. 1 1 facilitating the gripping of the container 1 1 by the patient when the dispensing device is requesting the patient to take the drugs.

The device 1 dispenser shown in Figure 3 comprises a control unit 26 of a drive device in stepwise displacement in rotation of the drum relative to the casing of a removable cassette. The control unit is carried by an electronic card. The drive device 26 integrated in a housing 43 for protecting said drive device 26 comprises an electric gear motor driving in rotation along a first axis 28 of rotation of a wheel, said driving wheel 29, provided on one its main faces of a peripheral pin 30 and a central cylinder 31 in relief. Said driving wheel 29 also has a peripheral notch 32 adapted to cooperate with a photoelectric sensor fork 32 interrupting the rotational drive of said driving wheel 29 when the notch 32 device passes through the fork of the photoelectric sensor 33, that is to say after a rotation of said driving wheel 29 with an angle value of 2π (one turn on itself). The drive device 26 also comprises, cooperating with said driving wheel 29, a Maltese cross 34 rotatably mounted along a second axis 35 of rotation of the Maltese cross 34 integral with a coaxial toothed wheel having an integer (p) of teeth. The cross 34 of Malta has a plurality (r) of radial grooves 37 uniformly distributed on the Maltese cross and rotated by the lug 30 of said driving wheel 29 cooperating in translation with one of the radial grooves 37. The rotation of said driving wheel 29 with an angle value of 2π is accompanied by a rotation of the Maltese cross 34 with a value of 2π / 4. The central cylinder 31 of said driving wheel 29 also cooperates with the cross 34 of Malta to block any rotation of the Maltese cross 34 and the coaxial gear when said driving wheel 29 is stationary and the lug 30 does not cooperate with a radial groove 37.

The drive device 26 also comprises, cooperating with the coaxial toothed wheel, a pinion 38 rotatably mounted along a third axis 39 of rotation, the pinion 38 being mounted integral with a drive member for rotating the drum relative to the casing of a drug storage cassette. Pinion 38 has a number (d) of teeth chosen so that the ratio dr / p is equal to the number of drug storage and distribution compartments of the removable cassette. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the dispensing device is programmed so that when said driving wheel 29 rotates by 2π (one turn on itself), the Maltese cross 34 comprising (r) four radial grooves 37 performs a rotation of π / 2 (quarter turn) is a rotation of an angular sector corresponding to 4 of the 16 (p) teeth of the coaxial toothed wheel. The pinion 3 rotated by the coaxial toothed wheel 34 of the Maltese cross rotates an angular sector corresponding to 4 teeth of the pinion 38 including 88, a rotation of an angular sector corresponding value 2π / 22 angular displacement of the drum in the housing with an angular sector value corresponding to a storage compartment. All other values of the number of teeth of pinion 38, of the number of teeth of the toothed wheel coaxial, the number of radial grooves 37 of the cross 34 of Malta are possible.

The device 1 dispenser according to the invention shown in FIG. 3 also comprises a device 42 for actuating a shutter / opening valve of a drug passageway formed in the lower position of the casing when the cassette is assembled with the dispensing device, comprising a servomotor 51 rotating a fraction of a turn along an axis 48 of rotation and tilting of the shutter / opening valve between a first closed position and a second open position of the passage opening of drugs. According to some embodiments, the device 42 for actuating the shutter / aperture valve also comprises means for detecting the position of the shutter / aperture valve and for communicating data relating to the position of the valve 41 for shutting off / opening to the 67 electronic control card of the dispensing device. Such detection means may for example consist of two photoelectric fork sensors 49,50 arranged to be able to cooperate with a radial notch 82 of angular registration of the position of a wheel 42 integral in rotation with the axis 48 of rotation of the servomotor 51, one of the sensors 49,50 detecting the first closed position of the valve, the other sensor 49,50 detecting the second open position of the valve.

The dispenser device 1 according to the invention shown in FIG. 3 also comprises a forked photoelectric sensor 80 arranged to be able to detect the closure of the leaf in cooperation with a finger extending from the receiving basket of the loading leaf.

A device 1 drug dispenser according to the invention is shown in Figure 4 in the assembled state with a cassette 52 removable storage and distribution of medication in sagittal section passing through said cassette 52 removable. It has an identifier reader 53 comprising a matrix sensor supported by an electronic card 54 and positioned to be able to detect an identifier 55 of a removable cassette 52 assembled with the dispenser device 1. The matrix sensor can be a high definition camera adapted to form at least one image of the identifier 55 of the cassette 52 removable. The electronic card 54 of the matrix sensor is connected to the digital image processing unit 16. The digital images formed by the matrix sensor supported by the electronic card 54 are transferred to the processor 81 of the processing unit 16 where they are stored and analyzed. The image of the identifier 55 of the removable cassette 52 assembled with the dispenser device 1 is adapted to be identified by the digital image processing unit 16 as being representative:

the identity of the removable cassette 52 assembled with the dispensing device;

the type of removable cassette to which the removable cassette 52 assembled with the dispensing device belongs;

the therapeutic treatment to which the drugs of the removable cassette 52 assembled with the dispensing device are attached;

the identity of the patient to whom the drugs contained in the removable cassette 52 assembled with the dispensing device are administered.

The identifier reader 53 may be a contactless reader of the identifier, selected from the group formed:

electronic readers capable of receiving data by radio frequency-in particular readers FID-, and;

optical code readers - in particular bar code readers, QR code readers, three-dimensional code readers, in particular optical readers comprising a high-definition matrix sensor.

The identifier 55 of the removable cassette 52 assembled with the dispenser device 1 must be compatible with the corresponding identifier reader 53. It may include optically readable code components -including bar codes, two-dimensional codes such as QR codes, three-dimensional codes, magnetic read-code components, or radio frequency data transmitter (RFID) components. . The device 1 drug dispenser according to the invention shown in Figure 4 comprises a flap 7 for loading the removable cassette 52 provided with a basket 18 for receiving said removable cassette 52 and a window 9 for viewing the cassette 52 removable assembly in the device 1 distributor. The receiving basket 18 is mounted integral with guides 56 adapted to cooperate with the cassette 52 removable and allow its centering relative to the axis 39 of rotation of the pinion and relative to the shaft 40 of rotating drive. The loading flap 7 comprises two guide arcs 20 of the loading flap 7 during its opening / closing adapted to cooperate with two guide pins 69 integral with the casing 2.

The removable cassette 52 assembled to the device 1 distributor comprises a casing 57 and a drum 58 rotatable in the casing 57 under the effect of the actuation of the shaft 40 and formed of a disk having a plurality of radial partitions 59 , the drum 58 and the housing 57 forming a plurality of compartments 60 for storing and dispensing drugs. The casing 57 forms fins 61 for gripping the removable cassette 52 in order to extract it from the dispensing device 1 and to adjust the positioning of the removable cassette 52 in the dispenser device 1. The housing has a medication port 62 extending in the down position of the housing 57 when the removable cassette 52 is assembled with the dispenser device 1 so as to allow gravity dispensing of drugs into the container. The orifice 62 shown in Figure 4 is obstructed by a valve 41 shutter / opening. The orifice 62 of the drug passage opens onto a chute 67 for guiding the medicaments delivered from the removable cassette 52 to the container 1 1. The removable cassette 52 has a drug-free closure compartment 63 and adapted to be able to extend facing the orifice 62 of the housing 57 so that when the shutter compartment 63 extends opposite the orifice 62 no drug can be delivered from the cassette 52 removable. Such a shutter compartment 63 obstructing the orifice 62 of the housing 57 allows the transport of the removable cassette 52 outside the device 1 dispenser without risk of loss of medication (s). The removable cassette 52 assembled to the device 1 distributor shown in FIG. 4 comprises an axial brake 64 adapted to be able to:

o in a first position, said locking position, preventing the rotation of the drum 58 relative to the housing 57, and;

o in a second position, said rotational position, allow the rotation of the drum 58 relative to the housing 57.

A device 1 dispenser according to the invention is shown in FIG. 5 in the assembled state with a removable cassette 52 for storing and dispensing drugs, in transverse section passing vertically through the axis 39 of rotation of the shaft 40. rotation of the drum 58 in the housing 57. The device 1 distributor has a base 3 housing an accumulator 23 for supplying electrical energy to a drive device 26 driving in stepwise rotation of the drum 58 relative to the housing 57. The base 3 is surmounted by the housing 2 housing the removable cassette 52 and a drive device 26 driving in stepwise rotation of the drum 58 relative to the housing 57 contained in the housing 43 of protection. The drive device 26 comprises an electric gear motor 44 driving in rotation along a first axis 28 of rotation of a wheel, said driving wheel 29, provided with a peripheral pin 30 and a cylinder 31 central relief.

The drive device 26 also comprises, cooperating with said driving wheel 29, a Maltese cross 34 rotatably mounted along a second axis 35 of rotation of the Maltese cross 34 integral with a coaxial toothed gear 36 having an integer number (p ) of teeth. The cross 34 of Malta is rotated by the lug 30 of said driving wheel 29. The rotation of said driving wheel 29 with an angle value of 2π is accompanied by a rotation of the Maltese cross 34 with a value of 2π / 4.

The drive device 26 also comprises, co-operating with the coaxial toothed wheel 36, a pinion 38 rotatably mounted on a third axis 39 of rotation, the pinion 38 being mounted integral with a member 66 for driving the drum 58 in rotation by compared to the casing 57 of a cassette 52 removable drug storage.

The removable cassette 52 is shown in section in Figure 5 comprises a casing 57 and a drum 58 rotatable relative to the casing 57. It also comprises a brake 64 moved in the unlocking position by the drive member 66, itself adapted to be rotatable by the drive device 26 driving in stepwise rotation of the drum 58 relative to the housing 57 whereby the drum 58 is moved in the housing 57 so as to place a compartment of the cassette 52 detachable opposite the medication port 57 of the housing.

The removable cassette 52 has an axial passage 65 extending along the axis 39 of rotation of the pinion 38, the brake 64 comprising at least one pusher 64 arranged with respect to the axial passage 65 so as to be displaceable by a motor member 66 driving in rotation of the drum 58 introduced into the axial passage 65 to a position of the pusher, called unlocking position, in which the brake 64 is in said unlocking position.

A diagram of an electronic card 67 supporting the digital image processing unit 16 is shown in FIG. 6. The electronic card 67 comprises a connector 68 adapted to allow communication between the electronic card 67 and the imaging device 15. and transmitting digital images formed from the receiving area. The electronic card 67 also includes a processor 81 for analyzing the images received from the imaging device. The processor 81 is adapted to allow instructions to be transmitted to the electronic card forming the control unit 27 of the non-purely gaseous product dispensing device and to implement a method for controlling a product distribution process. not purely gaseous.

The electronic card 67 also includes:

- A connector 71 to a power supply circuit comprising a power supply card 21, a connector 22 for connecting a power cord to an electrical power distribution network (mains). The electronic card 67 also includes connectors 79 for connecting the electronic card 67 to an electric battery or accumulator 23;

connectors 69 for supplying and controlling lighting devices of the receptacle, arranged and oriented in order to illuminate at least part of the receptacle and to allow the formation of digital images of the receptacle. The connectors 69 may be power supply and control connectors of a light emitting diode (LED);

a connector 70 of the electronic card 67 to the electronic card 27 forming the control unit of the engine;

a connector 72 of the electronic card 67 to the information display screen 5 for the patient and a power supply port 76 of the screen 5. The electronic card 67 also includes connectors 78 to sound alerting devices;

two members 73 for connection to at least one digital data communication link with at least one remote server. The electronic card 67 also includes a member 77 for connection to an external USB port;

a connector 74 for putting in communication a matrix sensor 54 of the identifier reader 53 of a removable cassette 52 assembled with the device 1 dispenser;

a connector 75 for placing the electronic card 67 in communication with the locking / unlocking member 19 of the filler flap 7 of the dispensing device.

In a method for controlling a method of administering medicaments to a patient schematically illustrated in FIG. 7, in which a drug dispensing device according to the invention is used, a removable cassette containing drug doses is introduced into the device. distributor. The drum of the removable cassette is positioned relative to the housing so that the shutter compartment obstructs the drug port and drugs do not escape from the removable cassette, the drum being locked in rotation relative to to the casing. Setting up the removable cassette

The establishment 100 of the removable cassette containing drugs in the basket for receiving and positioning the removable cassette in the flap of the dispensing device, the shutter compartment extending opposite the housing orifice, the closure the loading flap moving the pusher of the removable cassette so that the brake is in its unlocking position allowing rotation of the drum in the housing, the drum being integral in rotation with the rotary drive member moving the pusher, the identification 101 by the identifier reader of the removable cassette determines the programmed sequence of actions to be performed by the dispensing device for dispensing the drugs contained in the removable cassette and initializes the programmed sequence. The information provided by the identifier reader relating to the date and time of installation of the removable cassette is transmitted to a remote server. Until the scheduled date and time of the start of treatment, the dispensing device is in a timing state 102.

Initiation of the administration, control of the presence of the container and absence of medicine in the container

In a method of controlling a method of administering drugs to a patient at a predetermined date (one day, one hour) for providing drugs, a digital image of the drug receiving area (s) is formed in a step 104 by the imaging device and transmitted to the digital image processing unit for analysis. An alert is also issued to the patient to signify the imminence of taking medication. A test 105 of presence of a container in the drug receiving area is made from the formed image.

If no part of an image, referred to as a reference image, representative of a drug-free container is identified in the digital image, the digital image processing unit produces data representative of a container defect. in the reception area. The drugs are not delivered by the dispensing device. The patient is alerted to the absence of the container in the reception area. The dispensing device initiates a procedure 106 for alerting this defect by any appropriate means. It may be a message displayed (absence of the container) on the screen of the dispensing device. It can also be a sound message - especially a message produced by voice synthesis - issued by the distributor device. Such a message displayed and / or sound prompts the patient to position the container in the receiving area of the drug (s). It can also be a message transmitted via a GSM communication network on a mobile phone of an accredited person. It is also possible for an alert to be transmitted to a remote server via any digital data communication link. The dispensing device repeats the steps 104 of performing a digital image of the drug receiving area, 105 of presence test of a container in the drug receiving area and the alerting zone as long as necessary as long as the container is not positioned in the receiving area.

When the presence of the container is detected, information relating to the date and time of the presence of the container in the dispensing device is transmitted to a remote server. When the presence of the container is detected, a test 107 of presence of drugs in the container is also performed. In the test 107, if all of said reference image is not identified in the digital image, the digital image processing unit produces a data representative of the appropriate positioning of the container in the reception area but presence inappropriate medication (s) in the container. A step 108 alert is triggered seeking the intervention of a caregiver and / or caregiver. If all of said reference image is identified in the digital image, the digital image processing unit produces data representative of the appropriate positioning of the container in the receiving and absence of drug area (s) in the container. Information regarding the date and time of proper positioning of the container in the receiving area and absence of medication (s) in the container is transmitted to a remote server. In a step 109, the dispensing device invites the patient to press a push button located on the front of the dispensing device to request the delivery of the drugs. If the delivery is not requested (step 1 10), a 1 1 1 alert is sent to the patient's attention prompting him to proceed to the delivery of the drugs or to the attention of a caregiver and / or helping and asking for an intervention.

If the delivery is requested, this request 1 10 generates a displacement 103 of the drum in rotation with respect to the casing with an angle value of 2π / η, n being a natural number equal to the number of identical compartments of drug storage. of the removable cassette. A first compartment comprising drugs is brought into position to open facing the drug port of the housing clogged by the shutter / opening valve.

The opening of the shutter / opening valve causes the delivery 1 12 of the drugs. Information regarding the date and time of the request for delivery of drug (s) into the container is transmitted to a remote server. The dispensing device alerts the patient to the availability of drugs in the container and encourages the latter to take his medication. The dispensing device places the shutter / opening valve in the closed position. The dispensing device alerts the patient of this provision by any means - in particular by a displayed message and / or by an appropriate sound signal. The dispensing device also notifies the date and time of delivery of the drugs to a remote server via any digital data communication link.

Controlling the distribution of drugs in the container

In the variant shown in FIG. 6, the imaging device forms (step 1 13) optionally, following the delivery of drug (s), a representative image of the drugs delivered into the container. A 1 14 analysis of the image is carried out in order to determine the conformity (in particular by the shape, the color and the number) of the drugs delivered in relation to the medical prescription. If this analysis 1 14 detects that the drugs delivered are not compliant, an alert 1 15 is issued and the intervention of a caregiver and / or caregiver is requested. Steps (1 13, 1 14 and 1 15) are optional. If the analysis 1 14 does not detect any abnormality, an audible and / or visual incentive to take the container and take the medication is emitted to the attention of the patient. Information regarding the date and time of delivery of medicine (s) into the container is transmitted to a remote server.

An image of the reception area is made by the imaging device and analyzed (step 1 18) by the digital image processing unit. If representative data of the drug-containing container (the corresponding digital image comprising only part of the reference pattern) is emitted, an audible and / or visual incentive to take the container and take the medication is emitted to the patient. patient's attention. The imaging device realizes a new image of the reception area. This new image is analyzed (step 1 18). If the removal of the container is not carried out, an alert and a request for intervention 19 of a caregiver and / or caregiver can be requested. If a data representative of the absence of the container and the drugs (the corresponding digital image comprising no part of the reference pattern) is emitted (step 1 18), a sound signal 120 and / or visual incentive to take the medicines and to place the container on the receiving area is produced. Information relating to the date and time of withdrawal of the container is transmitted to a remote server.

Checking the removal of the container and replacing the empty container

An image of the reception area is made (step 121) by the imaging device and analyzed (step 122) by the digital image processing unit. If a data representative of the absence of the container (the corresponding digital image comprising no part of the reference pattern) is emitted), a warning 123 sound and / or visual incentive to take medicines and to replace the container on the receiving area is produced. A new image of the reception area is made 121 by the imaging device and analyzed (step 122). If the container is not returned to the receiving area, an alert and intervention by a caregiver and / or caregiver may be requested. If a data representative of the presence of the container (the corresponding digital image comprising at least part of the reference pattern) is emitted, the image is analyzed 124 so as to detect the presence of drugs. If medications are detected, a warning sound and / or visual 125 incentive to take the drugs is issued and an intervention of a caregiver and / or caregiver can be sought. If no drug is detected in the container, a message announcing the next action to be performed is displayed (step 126). Information regarding the date and time of placement of the drug-free container (s) is transmitted to a remote server. The dispenser device goes into a timing state 102 until the scheduled date and time of the next medication intake. The process comprising a succession of steps 102 to 126 (optionally excluding optional steps 13, 14 and 15) continues until all of the drugs contained in the compartments of the cassette are dispensed. the result of this distribution, the dispensing device issues an alert 127 informing that the cassette is empty, unlocks the door allowing the extraction of the empty removable cassette and the establishment 100 possible a new removable cassette. on the date and time of the end of distribution of drugs from the removable cassette is transmitted to a remote server.

According to a variant not shown of a control method of a dispensing method according to the invention, it can be automatically dispensed medication without inviting the patient to press the push button.

It goes without saying that the invention can be the subject of numerous variants and applications. In particular, the sizing and design of the cassette - in particular the number, size of the compartments and their medicinal content- are subject to infinity of variants not departing from the subject of the invention.

Claims

1 / - Device (1) dispenser for non-purely gaseous products, comprising:

- a zone (10) for receiving a container (1 1), the container (1 1) can be taken from the receiving zone (10) for the administration of non-purely gaseous products;

an imaging device (15) capable of forming at least one digital image adapted to be representative of:

o a presence of a container (1 1) in the zone (10) of reception, o an absence of any container (1 1) in the zone (10) of reception, o a presence of products not purely gaseous in a container (1 1) placed in the receiving zone (10),

a digital image processing unit (16) adapted to analyze each image formed by the imaging device (15) so as to detect in each image:

o the presence of a container (1 1) in the receiving zone (10), o the absence of a container (1 1) in the receiving zone (10), o the presence of a container (1 1) in the receiving zone (10) and the presence of at least one non-purely gaseous product in the vessel (1 1),

characterized in that the imaging device (15) is adapted to form at least one digital image adapted to be representative of an absence of any non-purely gaseous product in a container (1 1) placed in the zone (10) receiving, and in that;

the digital image processing unit (16) is adapted to be able to analyze each image formed by the imaging device (15) so as to detect the presence of a container (1 1) in the area (10) reception and the absence of non-purely gaseous products in the container (1 1).

21- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the imaging device (15) comprises at least one matrix sensor. 3 / - Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the imaging device (15) extends substantially vertically of the container (1 1).

Al-Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the container (1 1) has a pattern, said reference pattern, arranged so that the imaging device (15) forms an image, called image reference, the container (1 1) free of non-purely gaseous product, said reference image being representative of the container (1 1) free of non-purely gaseous product.

5 / - Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the container (1 1) having a substantially horizontal planar bottom, said reference pattern is formed at the bottom of the container (1 1).

61- Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises at least one device (47) for illuminating at least a portion of the container (1 1).

11- Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises at least one electronic card (67) for controlling the device (1) distributor adapted to produce digital image analysis data from of the digital image processing unit (15) and controlling at least one non-purely gaseous product delivery engine device according to the analysis data.

8 / - Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a communication interface of at least one information.

91- Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a connection unit to at least one digital data communication link with at least one remote server.

10 / - Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a storage tank and dispensing non-purely gaseous products.

1 1 / - Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the storage and dispensing tank for non-purely gaseous products is a removable cassette (52) comprising:

- A housing (57) adapted to be immobilized in the device (1) and having a dispensing orifice (62) of non-purely gaseous products extending in the low position of the housing (57) when the cassette (52) removable is assembled with the device (1) distributor, and;

- a drum (58) formed of at least one disc supporting a plurality of radial partitions (59), the drum (58) being rotated relative to the housing (57) along an axis (39) of rotation passing through the center of the drum (58) by a rotatable shaft (40) of the dispensing device, the disk and the plurality of radial partitions (59) being arranged to form with the housing (57) a plurality of storage and dispensing compartments (60) non-purely gaseous products.

12 / - Device according to claim 1 1, characterized in that it comprises a device (26) drive motor in stepwise rotation of the drum (58) relative to the housing (57).

13 / - Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the device (26) drive motor in stepwise rotation of the drum (58) relative to the housing (57) at a predetermined angle value comprises:

- A gear motor (44) for driving in rotation along a first axis of rotation of a wheel, said driving wheel (29), provided on one of its main faces with a lug (30) peripheral and a central cylinder (31) in relief;

- a cross (34) of Malta rotatably mounted on a second axis of rotation, integral with a toothed coaxial wheel (36) having an integer number (p) of teeth and having a plurality (r) of grooves (37) radial uniformly distributed on the cross (34) of Malta and driven in rotation by the lug (30) peripheral of said wheel (29) driving cooperating in translation with one of the grooves (37) radial;

- A pinion (38) rotatably mounted on a third axis of rotation and carrier integral with a member (66) for driving the drum in rotation relative to the housing.

14 / - Method for controlling a method for administering non-purely gaseous products, in which:

o the presence of a container in a reception area,

o the absence of any container in the reception area,

each image is analyzed so as to detect in the image:

said control method being characterized in that at least one image is made to be representative of the absence of any non-purely gaseous product in a container placed in the receiving zone, and in that;

each image is analyzed so as to detect in the image a presence of a container in the receiving zone and the absence of non-purely gaseous product in the container ,.

15 / - The method of claim 14, characterized in that at least one digital data is transmitted to a remote server by a connection unit to at least one digital data communication link.