A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING MEDICATION

Abstract: A method for facilitating medication, in which medicine corresponding to the medicine to be ingested by a patient at given respective times is placed in series of containers which form mutually sequential and mutually separated spaces, each space being caused to contain the medicine to be ingested at a given time. The invention is characterized in that the series of containers is caused to be inserted into a dispensing arrangement of a kind which dispenses one container at a time, and in that the dispensing arrangement (6) is caused to dispense one container (1) at a time at given points of time, under the influence of a clock and a drive means (10-15, 20). The invention also relates to an apparatus.

Description: A method and apparatus for facilitating medication The present invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for facilitating medication. Many people have difficulty in reraetnbering to take the correct medic or drug at the correct time, particularly older people and handicapp people. To facilitate such medication, there is known an apparatus which includes a large number of ∞_mpa_-τ_ments with the intention tha the patient removes one or several different medicines or drugs from their respective packages and places the correct dosage of each medicine in a cαrrpartment intended therefor. For instance, the appar tus can include 21 compartments, corresponding to three cx_OTpart_ments for each day of the week. The patient thus portions out the medicine so as to suffice for a full week. The patient is able to see from th apparatus whether he or she has taken the medicine from a ∞πpartmen pertaining to a given time. However, despite the facilities afforded by such an apparatus, many people forget to take their medicine. Furthermore, many people are unable to divide their medicines or drugs into the correct dosages for the correct compartment. The present invention relates to an apparatus which greatly facilita the correct medication of a patient. Ac∞rding to one preferred embodiment of the apparatus, the patient is also __eminded to take his her medicine. The present invention thus relates to a method for facilitating medication, where medicine ∞__respcaιding to the ingestiσn of a pati¬ ent's medicine at given time points is placed in a series of contain which form mutually separated and mutually sequential spaces, wherei each space is caused to contain the medicine dosage to be ingested a a given time, and is characterized in that said series of containers is caused to be inserted into a dispensing arrangement of a kind which dispenses one container at a time; and in that said dispensing arrangeraent is caused to dispense one container at a time at given times under the influence of a clock and a drive means. The invention also relates to an apparatus of the kind having the main characteristic features set forth in Claim 7. The invention will now be described in more detail partly with refer¬ ence to the acx_x3πpanying drawings which illustrate exemplifying embodiments of the invention and in which - Figure 1 is a sectional view of a stack of mugs; - Figure 2 illustrates a casing; - Figure 3 is a sectional view of a dispensing arrangement according to a first eaπ±xDdiment of the invention; - Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line A-A in Figure 3; - Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the B-B in Figure 3; - Figure 6 is a block schematic of a control circuit; - Figure 7 is a sectional view of a dispensing arrangement according to a second embodiment. Figures 1-6 illustrate a first eπflx iment of the inventive apparatus and a first eitibodiment,of the inventive method will be described herebelσw with reference to these Figures. Figure 7 illustrates a second embodiment of the inventive apparatus and this apparatus is described herebelσw with reference to said Figure. Common to these embodiments is a method and an apparatus for facilita¬ ting medication, where iredicine, or drugs, corresponding to an or- dinated ingestiαn of medicine at given respective times is placed in a series of containers which form mutually sequential and mutually spaced spaces, wherein each space is caused to contain the dosage prescribed for ingestiσn at a given time. The containers are caused to be inserted in a dispensing arrangement of a kind which functions to dispense one container at a time. The dispensing arrangement 6; 106 is caused to dispense one container 1; 101 at a time and at det_eπnined times, throι_φ the influence of a clock and a drive means 10-15, 20;113. Figure 1 illustrates part of an inventive apparatus according to the first embodiment. The apparatus includes a plurality of kncwn, stack- able mugs 1. In a stack 2 of mugs 1, a space 3 is formed between each two mutually stacked mugs 1, of which only one space 3 is shown in Figure 1. The medicine is intended to be located in the spaces 3. The mugs 1 may be of any suitable known kind. The mugs are preferably plastic disposable mugs configured so as to enable them to be used together with a mug dispensing arrangement. Tϊie apparatus also includes a suitable casing 4 which is intended to embrace a mug stack 2, and therewith also the medicine placed between the mugs. The casing is primarily intended as a mug packaging means, subsequent to having placed the medicine in the mugs and the mugs stacked, until the mugs are to be used for dispensing medicine. The casing may be formed in different ways. According to one eirtaxiiment, the casing is tubular and is provided with a lid 5 at one or both ends thereof. The casing may also be formed from shrink plastic which is applied subsequent to having placed the medicine in the mugs and stacking said mugs. The inventive apparatus also includes a mug dispensing arrangement 6, illustrated in Figures 2-6, which functions to dispense one mug at a time. The mug dispensing arrangement illustrated in Figures 3-5 is of a known kind, and is therefore only described summarily in the following. The mug dispensing arrangement includes a housing 10, a mug holder 11, a latching apparatus in the form of a fork 12, and a drive means 13 which drives the latching device 12. The drive means includes an electric motor 14 and an excentric 15. When the motor 14 drives, the fork 12 is moved recipro∞fcingly by means of the excentric 15. The mug dispensing arrangement is provided with a flap 16, which is opened when inserting a stack of mugs into the apparatus, the lowermost mug in the stack being positioned in that part of the apparatus identified by the reference numeral 17. Althouφ not shewn, it is preferred that the flap can be locked with the aid of suitable locking means, so that the patient is denied access to the medicine within the apparatus. When a stack of mugs is inserted, the lowermost mug rests on the fork 12, as illustrated in Figure 1. When the motor 14 receives an impulse to dispense a mug, the fork is withdrawn in its own plane, i.e. to the right in Figure 3, whereupon the lcwemost mug drops slightly to a position in which it can be removed. The fork herewith returns to its forwardly displaced position, where it lies in abutment with the mug which lay next in line to the last-mentioned mug in said stack. Thus, according to the present method medicine corresponding to a prescribed dosage for ingestion at respective time points is placed in the stackable mugs. This is appropriately done at the chemist shop or by hospital personnel or the like. Subsequent to placing the medicine in the mugs and stacking the mugs together, the casing 4 is fitted over the mug stack. The casing is intended to be removed at a later stage and the mugs inserted into the mug dispensing arrangement. However, the patient need not be concerned with the dosage of different medicines prescribed for ingestion at different times, since each mug will contain the medicine dosage applicable for that particular time. The mug dispensing arrangement includes a control circuit which includes a clock and which is intended to control the dispensing arrangement so that one mug is dispensed at a time at determined times. Figure 6 illustrates an example of one such control circuit. In one preferred embodiment there is included a processor 20 which is pro¬ grammed to carry out the following functions, in a conventional manner. The processor is programmed to sense real time. Connected to the processor is a motor control circuit 21 by means of which the processor controls the motor to carry out a sequence in which the fork 12 is moved reciprocatingly. Also connected to the processor is a ϊKM-memory 22 and a Rft^memory 23, the H- -manory containing the software and the KCM-memory is used to store temporary information. For the purpose of detecting whether or not the patient has taken a dispensed mug within a given predetermined length of time, the arrange ment includes a sensor in the form of a microswitch or photocell 24, 25 positioned in the space 26 in which a dispensed mug occupies its collecting position. According to one preferred embodiment, the casing 4 is provided with a machine-readable code, preferably a bar code 7, containing infor¬ mation as to the times at which the patient shall ingest the medicines prescribed. In this respect, it is preferred that the control circuit of the mug dispensing arrangement is constructed to be programmed with said times by reading the machine-readable code with the aid of an optical reader, preferably a so-called pen reader 8, belonging to the dis¬ pensing arrangement. The information read-off and stored in the RAM- memory is thus used by the processor to activate the motor control circuit 21 at the correct times. In the case of this embodiment, it is intended that a nurse or like attendant will read the bar code with the aid of the pen reader and thereafter remove the stack of mugs fram the casing and insert the stack into the medication apparatus. Tϊie flap 16 is then locked. Subsequent to having read-off the bar code, the processor begins the functions described above and the functions described below. In the case of the second embodiment of the invention, the aforesaid series of containers has the form of a strip of mutually sequential bags 101, with each bag being caused to contain the prescribed medicin dosage for ingestion at a given time. The strip of bags is inserted into a dispensing arrangement of a kind in which one bag 101 at a time is separated from the strip and dispensed. Tϊiis second eitibodiment of the invention is described schematically herebelσw insαπuch that the dispensing arrangement is described with respect to those parts which differ from the aforedescribed dispensing arrangement. In other respects, the dispensing arrangement corresponds functiαnally to the dispensing arrangement described with reference to the first embodiment. The arrangement includes a casing 131 within which a shelf 132 is provided for supporting a strip of bags 101. The casing 131 can be opened and is hinged by means of a hinge 140 along the broken line 141. The arrangement includes two soft rollers 104 which are driven by means of an electric motor, not shown. The rollers are preferably made of foamed rubber, so as not to damage the contents of the bags 101 while achieving satisfactory driving of the bag strip at the same time. Hie rollers are driven in the directions of the arrows 133. The arrangement further includes a drive unit 114, cσitprising an electric motor 113 which is intended to drive a disc 134 en which a cutting device 115 is excentrically mounted. When the disc 134 rotates through one revolution, the cutting device is moved from the position il- lustrated in Figure 7 to a position immediately above an edge 135, wherewith coacticn between the edge 135 and the underside of the cutting device separates a bag from the bag strip. The cutting device then returns to the position illustrated in Figure 7. The separated bag slides down onto a plate 136, to a collecting position identified by the reference numeral 137. The reference numeral 125 identifies a photocell which functions to detect whether or not a bag 101 occupies the collecting position. When inserting a fresh strip, the strip is detected by means of a photocell 138, wherewith a signal produced by the photocell initiates driving of the rollers 104, via the control circuit 20, until the foremost bag in the strip occupies the position 139 illustrated in Figure 7. This position is sensed by means of an optical read device 108 of the kind intended for reading a machine-readable code, prefer- ably a bar code. According to this embodiment, the bags are namely provided with a machine-readable code, preferably a bar code, containing information concerning the times at which the patient shall ingest the medicines. Subsequent to reading-off this information, the time at which medicine shall be dispensed is stored in the processor 20. The processor comprises a real time clock. At the time when medicine shall be taken, the processor 20 activates the rollers 104 to their driving mode, so that the rollers advance the bag strip until the next bag in line is located in the position 139 shown in Figure 7. The processor then activates the motor 113, so that the cπitting device separates the first bag from the remainder of the strip. The bags are suitably positioned so that the bag separating line is located slightly below the partition wall between the first and the second bags, such that the upper edge of the separated bag will be open. This makes it unnecessary for the patient to open the bag. The machine-readable code on the bag advanced to position 139 is read suitably as the bag is advanced. The read device 108 may suitably consist of a device corresponding to a pen reader. It is obvious that the control circuit which functions to control the dispensing arrangement ac∞__ding to the second eπtodiment of the invention can be configured in a manner corresponding to the control circuit illustrated in Figure 6. The arrangement can include batteries 142 as a back-up power supply in the event of a faulty mains. A common features of both eii odiments is that when the processor has activated the motor or motors so that a container is dispensed, the processor is programmed so as to produce an acoustic and/or light signal through a device 27 of suitable known kind, so as to draw the attention of the patient to the fact that a medicine container has been dispensed. The processor is also constructed to count the time from the dispensing of a container to t_he time at which the transducer 25, 26; 125 indicates that the patient has removed the container. If the container has not been removed within a predetermined length of time, for instance 5 minutes, the processor is constructed to produce an alarm signal. According to one preferred errtaodiment, the apparatus includes a telephone modem 28 with associated number transmitter, and the pro¬ cessor is constructed to activate the telephone modem by producing said alarm signal. The number transmitter is preferably of the kind used in burglar alarm installations. The number transmitter is prefer- ably arranged to ring an alarm centre. This may either be located within the building in which the apparatus is found, or in some other location. When the apparatus is used, for instance, within a service (care) building, the use of the number transmitter can be dispensed with, since conductors can be drawn instead to a service office where personnel are in attendance. According to one embodiment, devices such as a fire alarm 29 and/or a irdcrqphone 30 may also be connected to the apparatus. These devices are intended to deliver to the processor a signal which activates the number transmitter in response thereto. The microphone is intended to detect sound, such as a cry or shout, or sound from a whistle, rendered or blown by a patient in need. This supplementation of the facilities afforded by the apparatus described in the aforegoing provides a coinbination of a medication apparatus and a patient moni¬ toring apparatus. It is evident from the aforegoing that the present invention solves the aforementioned problems and provides a simple and reliable method and an apparatus of simple ∞nstrucfcicn. It will also be obvious that modifications can be made to the il¬ lustrated embodiment. For instance, the dispensing arrangement can be configured in seme other way, as can also the containers, and that these modifications lie within the normal competence of the skilled person. The present invention is thus not restricted to the aforedescribed embodiments, since these embodiments can be modified within the scope of the following claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A method for facilitating medication in which medicine correspondin to the medicine ingestion of a patient at given respective times is placed in a series of containers forming mutually sequential and mutually separate spaces, wherein each space is caused to contain the medicine to be ingested at a given time point, c h a r a σ t e r i z e d by iriserting said series of containers (1; 101) into a dispensing arrangement of the kind which dispenses one container at a time; and by causing said dispensing arrangement (6; 106), to dispense one container (1; 101) at a time at given times under the influence of a clock and a driven means (10-15, 20; 104, 114). 2. A method according to Claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said series of containers consists of stackable mugs (1) of a known kind, wherein a space (3) is formed between the mugs in a stack (2) of mugs (1); in that each said mug (1) is caused to contain the medicine to be ingested at a given time point; in that the mugs are enclosed in a casing (4), subsequent to having placed medicine in said mugs and stacking said mugs together; and in that said casing (4) is removed at a later stage and the mugs (1) inserted into a mug dis¬ pensing arrangement (6) of a kind which dispenses the mugs one at a time. 3. A method according to Claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said series of containers consists of a strip of sequentially located bags (101), in that each bag (101) is caused to contain the medicine to be ingested at a given time; and in that the strip of bags is inserted into a dispensing arrangement (106) intended to separate one bag at a time from the strip and to dispense said separat¬ ed bag. 4. A method according to Claim l, 2 αr 3, char a c - t e r i z e d in that each container (1; 101), where appropriate, is caused to contain all of the medicines that a patient shall ingest at respective times. 5. A method according to Claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d by providing said casing (4) and said bags (101) respectively with a machine-readable code, preferably a bar code (7), containing information concerning the times at which the patient shall ingest the medicines. 6. A method according to Claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by programming the dispensing arrangement (10-15, 20; 104, 114) with said times, by reading said machine-readable code (7) with the aid of an optical reader (8; 108). 7. An apparatus for facilitating medication in which medicine cor¬ responding to the medicine ingestion of a patient at given respective times is placed in a series of containers which form mutually sequen- tial and mutually separated spaces, and in which each space contains the medicine to be ingested at a given time, ch ar a c¬ t e r i z e d in that the apparatus includes a dispensing arrangement (6; 106) of a kind in which one container (1; 101) at a time is dispensed from the series of containers; and in that said dispensing arrangement is constructed to dispense one container (1; 101) at a time at given times under the influence of a clock and a drive means (10-15, 20; 104, 114). 8. An apparatus according to Claim 7, ch a r a ct e r i z e d in that said series of containers consists of stackable mugs (1) of known kind, such that a space (3) is formed between the mugs in a stack (2) of mugs (1), each said nug (1) containing the medicine to be ingested at a given time; an in that the mugs together with the medicine are embraced fcy a casing (4); and in that the dispensing arrangement is a mug dispensing arrangement (6) of a kind which dispenses one mug at a time, said mugs (1) being intended for insertion into the mug dispensing arrangement subsequent to having removed said casing. 9. An apparatus according to Claim 7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said series of containers comprises a strip of mutually sequential bags (101), where each bag (101) contains the medicine to be ingested at a given time; and in that the dispensing arrangement (106) is intended to receive the strip of bags (101) and to dispense one bag at a time by separating said bag from the strip with the aid of a separating device (113, 134, 115, 135) and dispensing the bag (101). 10. An apparatus according to Claim 8 or 9, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the casing (4) or said bags (101) is/are provided with a irachine-readable code, preferably a bar code (7) containing information relating to the times at which the patient shall ingest the medicines. 11. An apparatus according to Claim 10, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the control circuit (20) of said dispensing arrangement (6; 106) is intended to be programmed with said times, by reading said machine-readable code (7) with the aid of an optical reader (8; 108), preferably a so-called pen reader or the like, belonging to said dispensing arrangement. 12. An apparatus according to Claim 7, 8, 9, lO αr ll, char a c ¬ ter i z e d in that the dispensing arrangement is provided with a detecting means (25, 26; 125) intended to detect whether or not a dispensed mug or a dispensed bag has been removed from the dispensing arrangement by the patient; and in that the apparatus includes an alarm means (20, 28) which is intended to produce an alarm signal should the patient not remove a dispensed mug or bag within a given predetermined time.

Inventors: VALDEMARSSON LARS, VALDEMARSSON, LARS
Applicants: VALDEMARSSON LARS, VALDEMARSSON, LARS
Application year: 1990
Main classification: A61J1
IPC codes: A61J7