Patent Publication Number: US-9849068-B2

Title: Pill splitting apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to medication preparation and delivery devices and, more particularly, to a pill splitting apparatus having two or more moveable/dynamic clamping members that serve to position a pill/tablet or similar object into a desired position and that serve to hold the pill/tablet of any size and shape while a plunger assembly having one or more blades is firmly actuated so as to sever the pill into a predetermined number of pieces of uniform size. 
     Caregivers such as nurses in facilities such as hospitals and nursing homes often have need to split a pill into two halves, four quarters, or the like in that the patient may be found to tolerate smaller doses at a time. This would especially be necessary if the medication is not manufactured in the fractional dosage or is simply not immediately available. 
     Pill splitting devices are generally known for cutting pill-form medications into pieces by forcing a blade downwardly against a pill. Although presumably effective for their general purposes, the existing devices and proposals sometimes result in pieces that are not severed uniformly or completely in that the pill is not held securely in position and in that the pill is not accurately positioned so the pills center coincide with the center of the cutting blade/blades. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to have a pill splitting apparatus having two or more moveable/dynamic clamping members that are manually or automatically urged together to hold a pill in a centered and stable position prior to being severed. In addition, it would be desirable to have a pill splitting apparatus having a plunger assembly with interchangeable cutting portions that may be actuated to split a pill into predetermined uniformed pieces, and to give the user the option to replace the cutting portion with a newer one once the blade/blades are worn out. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A splitting apparatus for cutting a pill or like object into multiple uniformly-sized pieces according to the present invention includes a base having a bottom wall and a continuous side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall so as to define an interior area and an open top. The side wall defines a pair of primary apertures opposed from one another and forming a primary horizontal axis. A cutting platform is situated in the interior area in a first horizontal plane defined by the pair of primary apertures, the cutting platform defining a bore extending horizontally between and aligned with the primary apertures. A center section of the cutting platform where the pill or object is selectively received and positioned is referred to as the pill tray. 
     Two or more clamping members (e.g. at least a pair of clamping members) selectively extend through respective primary apertures a selected distance into the interior area, the support clamp members slidably received into the bore of the cutting platform and selectively bear against the pill tray. The clamp members selectively position and hold the pill at a desired position or at a centered position using a plurality of spaced apart measurement indicia on the pill tray that is located at the center of the cutting platform. A plunger assembly having a compression plate and at least one blade is operatively coupled to a bottom side of the compression plate, the plunger selectively positioned in communication with the interior area via the open top of the base such that the at least one blade severs the pill upon a downward pressure on the compression plate. 
     Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a pill splitting apparatus for holding a pill in a stable, centered position, where the center point of the pill coincides with the center point of the blade/blades while being severed into predetermined uniformly-sized portions. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a pill splitting apparatus, as aforesaid, having two or more clamp members that are manually or automatically urged together to clamp a pill/tablet in place for a cutting action. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a pill splitting apparatus, as aforesaid, having corresponding clamp members that are urged together automatically using a spring or the like so the clamp members can uniformly adjust their position while blades are cutting through the pill and that helps prevent the pill from getting crushed during the cutting, hence resulting in a smoother cut and uniformly sized pieces. 
     Yet another object of this invention is to provide a pill splitting apparatus, as aforesaid, that can process and split all the sizes of the round shaped pills/tablets into 2, 4, 6, and 8 uniformly-sized pieces. 
     Yet another object of this invention is to provide a pill splitting apparatus, as aforesaid, that can process and split all the sizes of the oval shaped pills/tablets into 2 or 4 uniformly-sized pieces. 
     Yet another object of this invention is to provide a pill splitting apparatus, as aforesaid, that can process and split all sizes of any shaped pills/tablets, such as triangle shaped pills, into two uniformly-sized pieces. 
     Yet another object of this invention is to provide a pill splitting apparatus, as aforesaid, having a plunger assembly that includes a cutting portion that may be selectively interchanged with another cutting portion having a different blade pattern. 
     Yet another object of this invention is to provide a pill splitting apparatus, as aforesaid, having a plunger assembly that includes a cutting portion that may be selectively interchanged with a new cutting portion that has new blades that can be purchased separately, once the blades are worn out. 
     A further object of this invention is to provide a pill splitting apparatus, as aforesaid, in which the cutting portion is coupled to a compression portion in a friction fit arrangement that is both secure and easy to separate, such as for interchanging with another cutting portion. 
     A still further object of this invention is to provide a pill splitting apparatus, as aforesaid, that is safe, easy to use, and inexpensive to manufacture. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pill splitting apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the pill splitting apparatus as in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an isolated perspective view of a base of the pill splitting apparatus; 
         FIG. 4 a    is a top view of the base as in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 4 b    is a sectional view of the base taken along line  4   b - 4   b  of  FIG. 4   a;    
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the base as in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is another top view of the base as in  FIG. 3  illustrated in use with a pill; 
         FIGS. 7 a  to 7 d    are top views of the base as in  FIG. 6  illustrating use with pills of various sizes and configurations; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the plunger assembly of the pill splitting apparatus as in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the plunger assembly as in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10 a    is an isolated perspective view of a compression portion as in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 10 b    is bottom view of the compression portion as in  FIG. 10   a;    
         FIG. 10 c    is a sectional view of the compression portion taken along line  10   c - 10   b  of  FIG. 10   b;    
         FIG. 10 d    is a side view of the compression portion as in  FIG. 10   a;    
         FIG. 10 e    is a top view of the compression portion as in  FIG. 10   a;    
         FIG. 11 a    is an isolated perspective view of the cutting portion as in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11 b    is bottom view of the cutting portion as in  FIG. 11   a;    
         FIG. 11 c    is a side view of the cutting portion as in  FIG. 11   a;    
         FIG. 11 d    is a top view of the cutting portion as in  FIG. 11   a;    
         FIG. 11 e    is a sectional view taken along line  11   e - 11   e  of  FIG. 11   d;  and 
         FIGS. 12 a  to 12 d    are bottom views of cutting portions having various cutting blade quantities and patterns. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A pill splitting apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 12   d  of the accompanying drawings. The pill splitting apparatus  10  includes a base  20 , a pair of primary clamp members  32 , a cutting platform  44 , and a plunger assembly  50  having a compression portion  52  and cutting portion  60 . 
     The base  20  includes a bottom wall  22  and a continuous side wall  22  extending upwardly from a peripheral edge of the bottom wall  22 . The bottom wall  22  and continuous side wall  24 , together, form a generally cylindrical housing defining an interior area accessible through an open top ( FIG. 3 ). The side wall  24  defines a pair of oppositely disposed primary apertures  30  that, together, define an imaginary primary horizontal axis. In an embodiment, the side wall  24  may define a pair of oppositely disposed secondary apertures  40  that, together, define an imaginary secondary horizontal axis. It is noted that the pair of primary apertures  30  are situated lower on the side wall  24  than the pair of secondary apertures  40  for reasons that will become apparent later. The primary horizontal axis is perpendicular to the secondary horizontal axis for effectively positioning a pill, as will also be described in more detail later. Each horizontal axis is part of a respective horizontal plane. 
     The pill splitting apparatus  10  includes a pill cutting platform  44  (also referred to simply as the “cutting platform”). The cutting platform  44  has a generally circular configuration substantially similar to the size and shape of an inner surface of the base  20 . The cutting platform  44  is situated within the interior area of the base  20  proximate the primary apertures  30 . More particularly, the cutting platform  44  defines a bore  46  extending horizontally between its opposed side walls and defining an open top side the entire length of the bore  46  ( FIG. 5 ). The cutting platform  44  is positioned in the interior area of the base  20  such that the bore  46  is in communication with respective primary apertures  30 . Further, the center section of the cutting platform is referred to as a pill tray  48  and includes a body member  48   a  extended downwardly into bore  46 . 
     In an embodiment, the pill splitting apparatus  10  includes at least a pair of primary clamp members  32  extending through respective primary apertures  30  ( FIG. 1 ) and into the bore  46  of the cutting platform  44  from opposed directions ( FIG. 5 ). It is understood that some embodiments of the invention may include a plurality of corresponding clamp members—even an odd number of clamp members positioned in more than just opposing directions. Therefore, references to “a pair of primary” or “a pair of secondary” clamp members should be understood to include many more clamp members. 
     Each primary clamp member  32  has a generally linear rod-shaped configuration with a circular end cap configured to slide in the bore  46 . The end cap at respective proximal ends  34  of respective primary clamp members  32  may be coupled to the engagement members  38  in a friction or snap-fit arrangement when it is sufficiently inserted into bore  46 . Accordingly, the engagement members  38  may be selectively moved back and forth along the bore  46  according to insertion of respective primary clamp members  32 . 
     Therefore, each primary clamp member  32  includes an engagement member  38  that is snap fit into proximal end  34  positioned in the bore  46  of the cutting platform  44  and an opposed distal end  36  situated outside the interior area altogether ( FIG. 5 ). Further, each engagement member  38  may be configured to bear against a pill when a pill is supported atop the pill tray  48 . In fact, forward edges of the at least one engagement member  38  may include a recess, depression, or curved surface so as to better engage the side of a pill as best shown in  FIGS. 7 a  and 7 b    although pills of many configurations will also be held effectively ( FIGS. 7 c  and 7 d   ). 
     Each primary clamp member  32  includes a biasing member  37  configured to normally urge the primary clamp member  32  toward the pill tray  48  and support pill  12  thereon. More particularly, the biasing member  37  may be a compression spring having one end coupled to an inner surface of the continuous side wall  22  of the base  20  and another end coupled to engagement member  38  ( FIG. 5 ). A respective biasing member  37  is preferably positioned to envelop the primary clamp member  32 . The biasing member  37  has a diameter larger than that of a respective primary aperture  30  such that it is always captive to the interior area of the base  20  even when a primary clamp member  32  moves a distance outside of the interior area. In use, a user may pull on the distal ends  36  of the pair of primary clamp members  32 , causing the biasing members  37  to compress and the pill  12  to be released from the vice-like pressure. Upon release of the outward pulling force, however, causes the biasing members  37  to again urge corresponding primary clamp members  32  and engagement members  38  toward the pill  12 , respectively. 
     In an embodiment, the primary clamp members  32  may be held in a clamping relationship relative to the pill tray  48  in another manner (i.e. other than with biasing members  37 ). In this embodiment (not shown), each primary aperture  30  may include a threaded surface and each primary clamp member has proximal end having a threaded bolt-like configuration. The threaded configuration allows each clamping member to be incrementally threaded into a clamping configuration bearing against the pill tray  48  and, therefore, to constantly maintain a tight engagement in a manner similar to the embodiment described above having a spring biased configuration. 
     In an embodiment, the primary clamp members  32  may be held in a clamping relationship relative to the pill tray  48  in another manner (i.e. other than with biasing members  37 ). In this embodiment (not shown), the clamp members can position and center the pill using a gear mechanism that is controlled by a single knob. Clockwise rotation of the knob causes all the clamp members to retract which allows the user to place the pill in between. Once the knob has been released, the clamp members automatically place and hold the pill at a centered position where the center of the pill coincides with the center of the cutting blade/blades. 
     Each primary clamp member  32  includes a surface (such as a flattened surface), having a plurality of measurement indicia  39  imprinted or engraved thereon. Similarly, an upper surface  49  of the cutting platform  44  maybe include a plurality of the measurement indicia thereon ( FIG. 5 ). The measurement indicia  39  may be indicative of the size of pill being clamped atop the pill tray  48  and, correspondingly how far the primary clamp members  32  are to be inserted into the base  20 . In practical use, the measurement indicia  39  enable a nurse or caregiver to properly position the pill at a centered position before compressing the plunger assembly  50  to split the pill, as will be described in greater detail later. 
     Similarly, the continuous side wall  22  of the base  20  may define a pair of secondary apertures  40  opposed from one another and that, together, define an imaginary secondary horizontal axis. As indicated above, the secondary horizontal axis is above the horizontal axis and is in a horizontal plane defined by the pair of secondary apertures  40 . The pill splitting apparatus  10  includes a pair of secondary clamp members  42  extending through respective secondary apertures  40  and into the interior area of the base  20  ( FIG. 1 ). Each secondary clamp member  42  includes a first end  41  configured to bear against an end of a pill when a pill is, in fact, positioned atop the pill tray  48  as described above. Clamp members  42  help to accurately center the pill, so that the center of the pill is aligned with the center of cutting blade/blades. Together, the pair of secondary clamp members  42  cooperate to hold a pill in position before and during an operation of the plunger assembly  50 . Each secondary clamp member  42  may include a plurality of measurement indicia  39  that, as described previously, may aid a user in confirming that a pill is properly positioned and centered prior to a splitting action. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the plunger assembly  50  is configured to be thrust vigorously and downwardly into the interior area of the base  20  so as to split a pill. More particularly, the plunger assembly  50  includes a compression portion  52  and a cutting portion  60  removably coupled to the compression portion  52  and having at least one blade  70 . The compression portion  52  includes a compression plate  54  and a side wall  56  extending downwardly from the compression plate  54  in a manner that, together, defines an open interior space and an open bottom providing access to the interior space ( FIG. 9 ). In an embodiment, the compression plate  54  has a planar surface although a convex, domed, or other configuration would also work. In an embodiment, a peripheral edge of the compression plate may have a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the side wall  56  depending therefrom as well as the continuous side wall  22  of the base  20  so as to form a ledge  55  to make it easier for the user to hold the plunger assembly in order to insert it in or pull it out. 
     The side wall  56  of the compression portion  52  defines at least one cutout  58 —a void in communication with the open bottom. The cutout  58  extends from the open bottom toward surface body  51  that is a lower surface of the compression plate  54 . Preferably, the side wall  56  of the compression portion  52  defines a plurality of spaced apart cutouts  58 , each cutout  58  to be used in coupling the cutting and compression portions. 
     The cutting portion  60  of the plunger assembly  50  includes a framework  62  that is removably coupled to the compression portion  52 . More particularly, the framework  62  includes a least one flange  64  having a configuration complementary to at least one cutout  58  such that the cutting portion  60  may be slidably coupled to the compression portion  52 , such as in a friction fit engagement. Accordingly, the cutting portion  60  may be selectively removed by a user from the compression portion  52  or even interchanged with another cutting portion  60  as will be discussed later. In an embodiment in which the side wall  56  defines a plurality of cutouts  58 , the framework  62  includes a plurality of flanges  64  configured to selectively couple with respective cutouts  58 . 
     In addition, a plurality of nubs  59  may be spaced apart along a surface body  51  which is a lower surface of the compression plate  54  ( FIGS. 9, 10, and 10   b ). More particularly, each flange  64  includes an L-shaped configuration having a side section  66  selectively mating with a respective cutout  58  and a top section  68  defining a plurality of recesses  69  ( FIG. 11 d   ) configured to matingly receive corresponding nubs  59  in a friction fit and selectively removable arrangement. The cutting portion  60  is situated within the interior space defined by the side wall  56  of the compression portion  52  of the plunger assembly  50  when the framework  62  is coupled to cutouts  58  and nubs  59  as described above. 
     One or more cutting blades  70  are coupled to a lower extent of the framework  62 , such extending between opposed flanges  64  or opposed walls ( FIGS. 12 a  to 12 d   ). It is understood that the pill splitting apparatus  10  described above may include a plurality of cutting portions  60  that have similar configurations such that one cutting portion may be interchangeably connected to the compression portion  52 . For instance, various cutting portions  60  may include different numbers of cutting blades, i.e. to cut a pill into two or more sections ( FIG. 12 a   ). More particularly, the “at least one blade” described above may, in some cutting portions  60 , actually include two blades arranged in a crisscross pattern so as to split a pill held on the pill tray  48  into four portions upon operation of the plunger assembly  50  ( FIG. 12 b   ). Similarly, another cutting portion  60  may include three blades arranged in a spaced apart pattern so as to split a pill held on the pill tray  48  into six portions upon operation of the plunger assembly  50  ( FIG. 12 c   ). Or, four blades would split a pill into eight portions ( FIG. 12 d   ). It is understood that a user of the pill splitting apparatus  10  may be a hospital, nursing, or other health care provider and may desire access to multiple cutting portions  60  having different blade patterns so as to split medications as needed. The cutting portions  60  may be quickly interchanged as described above. 
     In addition, once the blades are worn out, users can purchase a new cutting portion having new blades that can be quickly interchanged as described above. 
     In use, the plunger assembly  50  is removed from the base  20  when use of the pill splitting apparatus  10  is desired so that a pill may be positioned atop the pill tray  48 . The pair of primary clamp members  32  may need to be momentarily urged outwardly so that the engagement members  38  provide enough space for pill placing and positioning. Upon release, the pair of primary clamp members  32  are automatically urged by respective biasing members  37  toward the pill tray  48  and the engagement members  38  toward the pill itself. Using the plurality of spaced apart measurement indicia, users adjust the clamp members in order to position the pill/tablet accurately into the desired position. In this case, position the center of the pill in the center of the pill splitting apparatus, so it coincides with the center of the cutting blades. Then, the secondary clamp members  42  may be inserted through respective secondary apertures  40  so they can be used to make it easier to accurately position the pill into the desired position (such as in the center) and to add more clamping force on the pill Hence, the pill is more stable during the cutting process. The primary and secondary clamp members, therefore, clamp and position the pill from four directions so as to hold it still during a pill splitting action. The plunger assembly  50  may then be inserted into the interior area of the base  20  so that the blade or blades will sever the pill into a desired number of pieces. 
     The plunger assembly  50  is aligned with the base  20 , with the help of the grooves  53  on the outer side of the compression portion  52 , and the alignment keys  23  that are on the inner sides of the base  20 . 
     It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.