METHOD FOR DOSING MEDICINE, APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC DOSING OF MEDICINE AND USE OF THE METHOD

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for automatic dosing of medicine. The invention also relates to a use of the method according to the invention. The apparatus is characterized in that it is able to prevent overdosing. A number of medicine glasses is intended for successively being uncovered for dosing medicine in intervals. Medicine which is dosed in the first interval may be removed from the apparatus within the first interval. If the medicine, which is dosed in the first interval, is not removed from the apparatus at the expiration of the first interval, it will subsequently not be possible to remove this medicine from the apparatus. Medicine, which has to be dosed in a second subsequent interval will only be dosed after the expiration of the first interval and after the expiration of any period between the first interval and the second interval which is at the beginning of the second interval. Thereby it is prevented that medicine is taken outside intervals within which the medicine has to be taken.

Description: Method for dosing medicine , apparatus for automatic dosing of medicine and use of the method The present invention relates to a method for dosing medicine in an apparatus for dosing of medicine, said method comprising at least a first interval having a first given duration extending from a beginning to an expiration of the first interval, and a second subsequent interval having a second given duration extending from a beginning to an expiration of the second interval, where a first amount of medicine is being dosed within the first interval and a second amount of medicine is being dosed within the second interval and where the medicine may be taken out of the apparatus after dos¬ ing. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for regular automatic dosing of medicine, preferably pills, which apparatus comprises a plate which is provided with a number of bins for storage of medicine, which bins run along an extension of the plate, which plate is intended for being rotated around an axis of rotation by means of a motor which is connected to a timer for regular activating of the motor for rotating the plate with a first whole angular displacement and which motor is connected to a sensor which is intended for registrating the presence of an indicator. Moreover, the invention relates to the use of the method according to the invention. US 5,044,516 describes an apparatus of the above-mentioned type. The apparatus comprises a plate having a number of recesses for storage of pills inteded for dosing. The plate is intended for being rotated by a motor and is provided with holes through which pins are intended to extend. A cylinder, which extends below the plate parallel with an axis of rotation of the plate, is provided with axial grooves extending in con- tinuation of a longitudinal axis of the holes in the plate and which is intended for tak¬ ing up the pins. A micro-switch is provided opposite the cylinder and is provided with a key extending towards the recesses in the cylinder. The pins are placed in the holes in the plate and extend through the plate downwards into the grooves in positions where pills are kept in the recesses in the plate. The micro-switch registers whether there is a pin in the groove. If a pin is present in the groove, the micro-switch gives a signal to a sounding body. Simultaneously, the pills, kept in the recesses opposite the pin in question, are dosed, and may subsequently be taken out of the apparatus. There¬ after, the plate is rotated a whole angular motion forwards to a new angular position. However, this apparatus has a substantial disadvantage. Pills, which are kept in a re- cess and which are dosed, can be removed from the apparatus any time after being dosed. If the pills are not removed from the apparatus, a subsequent amount of pills being dosed will be added to the first amount which has been dosed, but which has not been taken out of the apparatus. This involves the risk of overdosing in that a larger amount of pills than the amount prescribed at the present time will be taken out of the apparatus. Overdosing results in interaction when two or more amounts of medicine are taken simultaneously or with too close intervals. Overdosing may take place if a person taking the medicine does not know or does not remember within which intervals a medicine may be taken. Overdosing may also take place if the person forgets to take his/hers medicine, e.g. in periods where the person feels well and consequently do not feel impelled to take the medicine but instead at a later time takes the medicine from several intervals. US 4,572,403 describes an apparatus having characteristics which are similar to the before mentioned apparatus described in US 5,044,516. The apparatus comprises a roundabout comprising recesses for keeping pills which are to be taken as medicine. The recesses are fenced with a lid having an opening in such a way that only one re¬ cess at a time is placed opposite the opening. A processor is able to activate a pinion for rotating the roundabout. The processor is intended for, through programming, giving a visual and auditive signal, when a new amount of medicine is to be taken. Simultaneously, the roundabout rotates and a new recess containing a new medicine is carried forward in front of the opening in the lid. A corresponding apparatus is de¬ scribed in WO 96/19178. The above-mentioned apparatuses are able to prevent overdosing of medicine which are to be taken within immediately subsequent intervals. However, the apparatuses have a substantial disadvantage as the apparatuses are not able to dose medicine which has to be taken within intervals which are not immediately subsequent. Such intervals are separated by a period between the single intervals and within which period medi¬ cine is not to be taken. If a period, within which medicine is not to be taken, between two intervals within which medicine is to be taken, is prescribed, then the medicine from the first interval is also available in the period between the two intervals, before the roundabout is moved forwards again. Still there is a risk for overdosing in the pe¬ riod between the two intervals. Thus it is the object of the the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus which prevent overdosing partly within intervals which are immediately subsequent and partly within intervals which are not immediately subsequent and where a period extends between the two intervals. This object is achieved by a method, which is characterized in that a period between the first interval and the second interval extends from the expiration of the first inter¬ val to the beginning of the second interval, and that said medicine, which has been dosed in the first interval and said medicine intended for being dosed in the second interval, cannot be taken out of the apparatus in the period between the first interval and the second interval. An apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that the sensor, if the indi¬ cator is not present, is intended for activating the motor for rotation of the plate with a second partly angular displacement. The apparatus uses a new method for dosing medicine in intervals which method comprises at least a first interval having a first given duration and a second subsequent interval having a second given duration said intervals being separated by a period. A first amount of medicine is dosed within the first interval and only within the first in¬ terval the first amount of medicine can be taken. A second amount of medicine is dosed within the second interval and only within the second interval the second amount of medicine can be taken. Medicine which are not taken out of the apparatus within the first interval cannot be taken out after the expiration of the first interval as medicine which has to be taken in the second interval only can be taken out of the apparatus after the beginning of the second interval. With an apparatus according to the invention it is possible during a longer period, e.g. a week, and with dosing of several amounts of medicine a day to prevent that overdos¬ ing takes place. Medicine is being dosed and may solely be taken out of the apparatus within the intervals within which the medicine is intended to be taken. As soon as the first interval has expired the plate will remain in its position or rotate a partly angular motion. Alternatively, the plate may also rotate a whole motion immediately when the first interval expires. The plate will remain in its position if the medicine which has been dosed in the first interval is taken out of the apparatus before the expiration of the first interval and in the case where a second subsequent interval occurs only after a period between the first interval and the second interval. Only when the second interval is initiated after the period between the first interval and second interval has expired, the plate will rotate a whole angular motion to a new position for dosing an amount of medicine which is to be dosed in the second interval. The plate will rotate a partly angular motion if the medicine which is dosed in the first interval has not been removed from the apparatus before the expiration of the first interval. A partly angular motion of the plate involves both a blocking of the amount of medicine which has been dosed in the first interval and of the amount of medicine which only will be dosed when the second interval begins. Only when the second in- terval is initiated the plate will rotate a further angular motion so that the plate in total is rotated a whole angular motion from the expiration of the first interval and until the second interval begins for dosing an amount of medicine which is to be dosed in the second interval. The plate will rotate a whole angular motion immediately after the expiration of the first interval if the amount of medicine dosed in the second interval can be taken im¬ mediately after that the medicine which is dosed in the first interval has been taken. The plate will rotate the whole angular motion whether the medicine dosed in the first interval has been taken out of the apparatus or not. The apparatus according to the invention is provided with a motor for rotating the plate and a sensor for registrating whether medicine has been removed from the appa¬ ratus when an interval expires. Furthermore, the apparatus is provided with a timer which makes it possible to code individual intervals and individual periods between the intervals. The timer adjusts at which time the plate may be rotated, and the sensor adjusts whether the plate has to be rotated a whole angular motion or a partly angular motion. Description of the drawing. The invention will now be described in further details with reference to the accompa¬ nying drawing, in which Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention seen from the side, and Fig. 2 shows the embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention seen from above. Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention seen from the side. The apparatus functions by use of the method according to the invention. The apparatus comprises a container 1 having a lid 2 which may be opened for establishing access to the container 1. In the container 1 an electro motor 3 and a battery 4 is mounted for running the motor. In an alternative embodiment the apparatus is pro¬ vided with another electrical energy source than a battery for running the motor, e.g. a connection to the electricity network. A plate 5 is placed on a shaft 6 which forms pivot shaft A for the plate. The motor 3 is by means of an exchange mechanism 7 able to rotate the plate 5 around the pivot shaft 6. The plate 5 is provided with grooves 8 in the form of holes (see Fig. 2). Medicine glasses 9 is placed in the grooves 8. The medicine glasses 9 act as indicators for a sen- sor which in the embodiment shown is a micro switch (see Fig. 2). Other means than medicine glasses 9 may be used as indicators for the micro switch. The indicators may e.g. be separate means which may be placed in the plate. Medicine contained in the medicine glasses 9 may in the present case be contained in other means than medicine glassses, e.g. in recesses in the plate or in other containers than medicine glasses. Fig. 2 shows the embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention seen from above. The motor 3, the battery 4 and the exchange mechanism 7 are placed in a cen¬ tral part of the container 1. The plate 5 is circular and is provided with 30 grooves 8 in the form of holes. In the holes 8 the medicine glasses 9 is placed. The pivot shaft 6 is situated in the centre of the plate 5. A keyboard 10 and a display 1 1 is placed in the lid 2. The keaboard 10 is intended for coding intervals for dosing medicine. The intervals are stored in a timer (not shown). The timer controls the rotation of the plate 5 by means of the motor 3. The lid 2 is provided with a groove 12 extending as a U inwards from an outer edge 13 of the lid 2. In the position shown for the plate 5 the grooves 12 cover exactly one medicine glass 9. A sensor 14 in the form of a micro switch is placed in the container 1 and is intended for registrating the presense of a medicine glass 9 opposite the groove 12 in the lid 2. A visual signaller 15 in the form of a lamp or an auditiv signaller 16 in the form of a "bipper" is placed in the container 1. The signallers are intended for informing the patient when the medicine has been dosed. The signallers may be of other types than a lamp and a "bipper". As auditive signaller e.g. a speech unit may be used which gives the possibility of a more detailed information about taking the medicine. A lock 17 is intended for locking the lid 2 to the container 1 so that the medicine in the container 1 below the lid 2 cannot be removed from the container 1 until the medicine is opposite the groove 12 in the lid 2. The apparatus works in such a way that intervals within which medicine has to be dosed are coded by means of the keyboard 10. E.g. four intervals may be coded per day. Between the intervals some periods separating the intervals may exist. At the start of a first interval a first medicine glass 9 will be carried forwards to the groove 12 in the lid 2 by rotating the plate 5. Simultaneously, the signallers 15,16 will inform that medicine is dosed and may be taken. The signallers 15,16 will continously give signal until the medicine glass has been removed from the apparatus. When the medicine glass 9 has been removed from the apparatus this will be registrated by the micro switch 14. After the medicine glass 9 has been removed from the apparatus the medi¬ cine glass may again be placed in the hole 8 in the plate 5. A second subsequent interval may begin after the first interval has expired and after a possible period between the first and the second interval has expired. When the second interval begins a second medicine glass 9 will be carried forwards to the groove 12 in the lid 2 by rotating the plate 5. The plate 5 will be rotated a whole angular motion α corresponding to 1/30 of a whole rotation, viz. 12°, as the plate is provided with 30 holes 8. Simultaneously, the signallers 15,16 again will give information that medicine is dosed and has to be taken. If the medicine glass 9 has not been removed from the apparatus and medicine has not been taken within the first interval the plate 5 will be rotated a partly angular motion at the expiration of the first interval. A partly angular motion is an angular motion of between 0° and 12°, e.g. 6°. This involves that the half part of the first medicine glass is carried away from the groove 12 in the lid 2 at the same time as the half part of the second medicine glass is carried forwards to the groove 12 in the lid 2. As neither the first medicine glass nor the second medicine glass is totally uncovered in the groove 12 of the lid 2 it is not possible to remove neither the first medicine glass nor the sec¬ ond medicine glass from the apparatus. Thus after the expiration of the first interval it is not possible to take medicine which is dosed in the first interval and not possible to take medicine which will be dosed in the second subsequent interval. When the second interval is started the plate 5 further will be rotated an angular mo¬ tion which is complemental to the partly angular motion, e.g. 6°. The second medicine glass will thereby be carried forwards to the groove 12 of the lid 2 and will now be uncovered totally for dosing medicine in the second interval. The invention is described above with reference to a specific embodiment of an appa¬ ratus according to the invention. Other embodiments than the one described may also be provided. The plate may have another shape than circular and may be provided with a different number of grooves than 30 just as a whole angular motion and a partly angular motion may have other values than the ones mentioned. The sensor may be of another type than a micro switch, e.g. a photo cell.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Method for dosing medicine in an apparatus for dosing of medicine, said method comprising at least a first interval having a first given duration extending from a be- ginning to an expiration of the first interval, and a second subsequent interval having a second given duration extending from a beginning to an expiration of the second in¬ terval, where a first amount of medicine is being dosed within the first interval and a second amount of medicine is being dosed within the second interval and where the medicine may be taken out of the apparatus after dosing, by which method a period between the first interval and the second interval extends from the expiration of the first interval to the beginning of the second interval, and that said medicine, which has been dosed in the first interval and said medicine intended for being dosed in the sec¬ ond interval, cannot be taken out of the apparatus in the period between the first inter¬ val and the second interval. 2. Apparatus for regular automatic dosing of medicine, preferably pills, which appara¬ tus comprises a plate which is provided with a number of bins for storage of medicine, which bins run along an extension of the plate, which plate is intended for being ro¬ tated around an axis of rotation by means of a motor which is connected to a timer for regular activating of the motor for rotating the plate with a first whole angular dis¬ placement and which motor is connected to a sensor which is intended for registering the presence of an indicator, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the sensor, if the indicator is not present, is intended for activating the motor for rotation of the plate with a second partly angular displacement. 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the apparatus com¬ prises a container having a lid, that the lid is provided with a lock for locking the lid to the container, and that the lid is provided with a groove extending from the outer edge of the lid over the distance along which the bins in the plate run. 4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that the grooves in the plate are holes, that the indicator is pill bottles, and that the pill bottles are in¬ tended for being placed into and extending through the holes. 5. Apparatus according to any one of the claims 2-4, characterized in that the sensor is a micro-switch, that the indicator is pill bottles, and that the micro-switch is intended for abutting a pill bottle. 6. Apparatus according to any one of the claims 2-5, characterized in that the plate is circular, and that the bins extend along a circumference of the plate. 7. Apparatus according to any one of the claims 2-6, characterized in that the plate is provided with 30 bins. 8. Apparatus according to any one of the claims 2-7, characterized in that the apparatus is provided with a battery for working the motor. 9. Use of the method according to claim 1 for dosing medicine within intervals sepa¬ rated by periods.

Inventors: OLESEN FREDERIK, OLESEN, FREDERIK
Applicants: OLESEN FREDERIK, OLESEN, FREDERIK
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A61J7
IPC codes: A61J7