Patent Publication Number: US-8109917-B2

Title: Twistable medication dispensing system

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention generally relates to medication dispensing systems and more particularly to a portable, pre-measured medication dispensing systems. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     One of the greatest benefits of modern medicine has been the ability of antibiotics and other medications to cure and treat diseases that have plagued mankind from the beginning of time. While many individuals have access to medications whose usage can be lifesaving, the availability and dispersal of these medications to individuals that truly need them throughout the world has not yet been properly established. One of the reasons for which the dispersal of medication has not been effective in all locations is that, in many locations, individuals do not know how much medication to impart to reach the desired dosing requirements for efficacy while also preventing damage to the individual. Another problem that occurs is that, in some instances, the ability to take the medication cannot be effectively performed because of a lack of dispensatory materials at the designated location. 
     Additionally, medication to be dispensed in small amounts is often sold in large containers and sent in shipments that may require refrigeration. Thus, the cost of a relatively small amount of medication is increased by the cost of transporting the medication to the desired location and storing the medication. In other instances, the individual needing to use medication is required to purchase a greater amount of medication than is actually needed. In these circumstances the cost of the more-than-needed medication can be prohibitive for the individual. 
     Further, the administration of medication often requires more time, knowledge, or precision than an individual is able to apply to the administration of medication. When this occurs, an individual could measure and utilize the medication inappropriately. As a result, individuals may become ill from taking too much of the medication or find that the medication is ineffective against the disease to be treated when improperly-small dosages of the medications are administered. This in turn can lead to a variety of otherwise-avoidable health issues including sickness, discomfort, pain, irritability, and even death to individuals who fail to take the proper medication at the proper times or in the proper amounts. 
     As a particular example, in treating bacterial inventions and other bio-hazards, including the defenses against organisms used as bio-weaponry, the improper use or dosing of antibiotics can lead to mutations of the bacteria involved, leading to the creation of medication-resistant bacteria that will not respond to the traditionally-outlined antibacterial regimens. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present dispenser is a dispensing system for dispensing pre-measured doses of selected materials, particularly medications, in a safe and effective manner and in any of a variety of circumstances. The dispenser can be utilized by individuals with little to no medical training and without the need to measure medications to be dispensed. 
     The dispenser includes a first chamber containing a first fluid, such as a reconstituting liquid, and a second chamber containing a second material, such as a medication powder. The first chamber has first screw threads lining an external area. The first chamber further has an open top end that is covered by a breakable membrane. The second chamber has second screw threads lining an internal area. The second chamber further has an openable tip, which, when opened defines an opening. Contained within the second chamber is a breaker ring, the lower edge of which is configured to break the breakable membrane when the lower edge of the breaker ring is brought into forced contact with the breakable membrane. 
     The first and second screw threads are configured to interact with one another such that the first and second chambers can be joined via the screw threads. The first chamber and second chamber are twistable, relative to one another, to move the chambers closer to or further away from one another. The first chamber and second chamber are to be twisted into an extended position in which the lower edge of the breaker ring is situated so as to be above the breakable membrane. The first chamber and second chamber can then be twisted relative to each other to bring the lower edge of the breaker ring into forced contact with the breakable membrane, eventually resulting in breakage of the breakable membrane. Additional twisting of the first chamber and second chamber relative to one another transitions the dispenser to a compact position. In the compact position the first fluid within the first chamber and the second material within the second chamber are able to join into a mixture. When the openable tip is opened, the mixture can be forced out of the dispenser to be administered to a patient. 
     Alternatively, as the first and second screw threads interact to allow twisting of the first and second chambers both closer to and further away from one another, the two chambers of the dispenser can be unconnected from one another and the material within the second chamber, which could be medication in a powder form, dispensed by emptying the second chamber via the open bottom end of the chamber, without having to open the openable tip. Similarly, the material within the first chamber can be separately dispensed, when the two chambers of the dispenser are unconnected, by breaking the breakable membrane and emptying the contents of the first chamber via the open top end of the first chamber. 
     The dispenser is further configured to be stored and transported within a storage container. The storage container is formed, at least in part, by a container wall. In some embodiments, a puncturing device protrudes from the container wall and is configured to enable puncturing of a puncturable openable tip in the second chamber by applying the openable tip against the puncturing device with some pressure. Accordingly, the user of the dispensing system need not have available a separate puncturing device. 
     In any regard, this dispenser allows a pre-measured dosage of medication to be administered without having to use separate medication delivery devices and without the necessity of separately or carefully measuring the material to be dispensed. Having the material to be dispensed contained within one device lessens the risk of spillage and waste of the material. Further, the dispenser is used with only easy manipulation of a simple and safe device as no external sharp objects need be utilized. Thus, the dispenser can be utilized in a broad variety of circumstances by individuals with little or no training, either in medicine or in use of the dispenser. 
     The purpose of the foregoing summary is to enable the public, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The summary is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     Still other features and advantages of the claimed dispensing system will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description describing preferred embodiments of the dispensing system, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out the dispensing system. As will be realized, the dispensing system is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiments are to be regarded as illustrative, and not restrictive. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the front, top, and right sides of a medication dispenser according to a first embodiment of a dispensing system where the dispenser is in an extended position. 
         FIG. 2  is an elevation view of the front side of a medication dispenser according to the first embodiment of a dispensing system where the dispenser is in an extended position. 
         FIG. 3  is an elevation view of the back side of a medication dispenser according to the first embodiment of a dispensing system where the dispenser is in an extended position. 
         FIG. 4  is an elevation view of the right side of a medication dispenser according to the first embodiment of a dispensing system where the dispenser is in an extended position. 
         FIG. 5  is an elevation view of the left side of a medication dispenser according to the first embodiment of a dispensing system where the dispenser is in an extended position. 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of the top side of a medication dispenser according to the first embodiment of a dispensing system. 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view of the bottom side of a medication dispenser according to the first embodiment of a dispensing system. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional, elevation view, taken along line A-A from the front side, of a medication dispenser according to the first embodiment of a dispensing system where the dispenser is in an extended position. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional, elevation view taken along line B-B from the right side, of a medication dispenser according to the first embodiment of a dispensing system where the dispenser is in a compact position. 
         FIG. 10  is an isometric view of the front, top, and right sides of a first chamber of a medication dispenser according to the first embodiment of a dispensing system. 
         FIG. 11  is an isometric view of the front, top, and right sides of a first chamber of a medication dispenser according to the first embodiment of a dispensing system with the breakable membrane removed. 
         FIG. 12  is an elevation view of the right side of a first chamber of a medication dispenser according to the first embodiment of a dispensing system. 
         FIG. 13  is an isometric view of the front, top, and right sides of a second chamber and breaker ring of a medication dispenser according to the first embodiment of a dispensing system with the breakable membrane removed. 
         FIG. 14  is cross-sectional, elevation view taken along line A-A from the left side, of a second chamber and breaker ring of a medication dispenser according to the first embodiment of a dispensing system. 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional, elevation view taken along line A-A from the left side, of a second chamber of a medication dispenser according to the first embodiment of a dispensing system. 
         FIG. 16  is an isometric view of the front and top sides of a breaker ring of a medication dispenser according to the first embodiment of a dispensing system. 
         FIG. 17  is an isometric view of the back and bottom sides of a breaker ring of a medication dispenser according to the first embodiment of a dispensing system. 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional, elevation view, taken along line A-A from the front side, of a medication dispenser containing medication and reconstituting fluid according to the first embodiment of a dispensing system where the dispenser is in an extended position. 
         FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional, elevation view taken along line B-B from the right side, of a medication dispenser containing medication and reconstituting fluid according to the first embodiment of a dispensing system where the dispenser is in a compact position. 
         FIG. 20  is cross-sectional, elevation view taken along line A-A from the left side, of a second chamber and breaker ring of a medication dispenser according to the second embodiment of a dispensing system. 
         FIG. 21  is an isometric view of the back and bottom sides of a breaker ring of a medication dispenser according to the second embodiment of a dispensing system. 
         FIG. 22  is an elevation view of the front side of a breaker ring of a medication dispenser according to a third embodiment of a dispensing system. 
         FIG. 23  is an isometric view of the front and right sides of a medication dispenser within a storage container according to the first embodiment of a dispensing system. 
         FIG. 24  is an isometric view of the back, top, and left sides of a medication dispenser within a storage container according to the first embodiment of a dispensing system. 
         FIG. 25  is an elevation view of the bottom of a medication dispenser within a storage container according to the first embodiment of a dispensing system. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     While the dispensing system is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the medication dispenser as defined in the claims. 
     As depicted in the drawings, embodiments of the dispensing system provide a system for storing, transporting, and eventually dispensing a pre-measured amount of a mixture of material, such as a medication mixture, where such mixture is originally stored in two separated containers. As such, medication in a solid, powder form can be kept separate from a reconstituting fluid, but in containers quickly and easily combined to provide for mixture of the substances before dispensing of the same without having to use separate dispensing devices and without having to have medical or technological training. 
     In the following description and in the figures, like elements are identified with like reference numerals. The use of “e.g.,” “etc.,” and “or” indicates non-exclusive alternatives without limitation unless otherwise noted. The use of “including” means “including, but not limited to,” unless otherwise noted. 
     As shown in the figures, the dispensing system includes a dispenser  12  and a storage container  80 . According to a first embodiment, the dispenser  12  includes a first chamber  26  that has an open top end  24 . First screw threads  36  line an upper area of the first chamber  26 &#39;s external surface  22 . The first chamber  26  is at least partially compressible, preferably laterally compressible. At least before use, the first chamber  26  contains a first material, such as a fluid. According to the preferred embodiments, the first material is a fluid, specifically a reconstituting fluid  32 . In some embodiments, such as the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 18 , the reconstituting fluid  32  is a liquid such as water. In other embodiments, the reconstituting fluid  32  is a gas such as air. Further, at least before use, the open top end  24  (shown in  FIG. 11 ) is covered by a breakable membrane  30  (shown in  FIG. 10 ). The breakable membrane  30  closes off the open top end  24  so that the reconstituting fluid  32  is contained within the first chamber  26 . 
     The dispenser  12  of the depicted embodiments further includes a second chamber  28  that has an open bottom end  38  (shown in  FIG. 13 ). Second screw threads  46  line a lower area of the second chamber  28 &#39;s internal surface  20 . Preferably, the second screw threads  46  are recessed within the wall of the second chamber  28 , as shown in  FIG. 15 . This minimizes the bulk of the second chamber  28  and thus the bulk of the dispenser  12  itself. Contained within the second chamber  28  is a second material, preferably the second material is a medication  14 , preferably in a solid, powder form (as shown in  FIG. 18 ). In other embodiments, the second material is a second fluid, such as a medication in liquid form. 
     The second chamber  28  further includes an openable tip  34 , preferably at the upper-most portion of the second chamber  28 . In the depicted embodiments, the openable tip  34  is a relatively thin layer plastic (shown in  FIG. 14 ) that is puncturable to form an opening  16  (shown in  FIGS. 13 ). In other embodiments, the openable tip  34  is an opening covered by a removable tab. In still other embodiments, the openable tip  34  is a relatively thin layer of plastic that can be removed by snipping off the openable tip  34  or by ripping off the openable tip  34 . In further embodiments, the openable tip  34  is also fitted with an attachment configured to connect the dispenser  12  with an intravenous line. 
     Also, according to the depicted embodiments, the dispenser  12  further includes a breaker ring  40  within the second chamber  28 , situated above the second screw threads  46 . Preferably, the breaker ring  40  is fixedly connected to the internal surface  20  of the second chamber  28  via a peripheral protrusion  50 . Preferably, the peripheral protrusion  50  comprises a ring protruding from the side of the breaker ring  40  where the circumference of the peripheral protrusion  50  is greater than the circumference of the wide upper edge  42 . The peripheral protrusion  50  protrudes into and is received within the wall of the second chamber  28 , as shown in  FIG. 14 . In some embodiments, the breaker ring  40  tapers from a wide upper edge  42  to a narrow lower edge  44 , the peripheral protrusion  50  being located therebetween. According to the depicted embodiments, the circumference of the wide upper edge  42  is greater than the circumference of the narrow lower edge  44 , and the breaker ring  40  is open at both the wide upper edge  42  and narrow lower edge  44 . The narrow lower edge  44  is configured to be received within the open top end  24  of the first chamber  26  when the breakable membrane  30  is broken or not in place. That is, preferably, the circumference of the exterior of the narrow lower edge  44  is less than the circumference of the interior of the open top end  24 . 
     The second screw threads  46  of the second chamber  28  are configured to correspond with the first screw threads  36  of the first chamber  26  such that the second chamber  28  and first chamber  26  are configured to be selectively joinable to one another via interaction of the first screw threads  36  and second screw threads  46 . Correspondingly, the first chamber  26  and second chamber  28  are configured to be selectively disconnected from one another via interaction of the first screw threads  36  and the second screw threads  46 . For example, in some embodiments, the screw threads  36 ,  46  are configured such that a clockwise rotation of the first chamber  26  relative to the second chamber  28  will draw the two chambers  26 ,  28  into closer proximity with one another while a counterclockwise rotation of the first chamber  26  relative to the second chamber  28  will move the two chambers  26 ,  28  further away from one another, eventually disconnecting the chambers  26 ,  28  from one another. As shown in the figures, twisting the second chamber  28  relative to the first chamber  26  to join the two together effectively closes the second chamber  28  to prevent the material within, such as the medication  14  depicted in  FIG. 18 , from leaving the dispenser  12 . 
     Ideally, during transport and storage, at least before use, the first chamber  26  and second chamber  28  are joined and arranged in an extended position, shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5  and  18 , in which the narrow lower edge  44  of the breaker ring  40  is external to the second chamber  28  and is not in contact with the breakable membrane  30 . The first chamber  26  and second chamber  28  are further twistable, relative to one another, via interaction of the second screw threads  46  and first screw threads  36 , so that the second chamber  28  and first chamber  26  are brought into closer proximity to one another. Enough twisting eventually transitions the dispenser  12  to a compact position, shown in  FIGS. 9 and 18 . In the compact position, the narrow lower edge  44  of the breaker ring  40  is received within the open top end  24  of the first chamber  26 . During twisting of the first chamber  26  and second chamber  28  relative to one another to transition the dispenser  12  from the extended position to the compact position, the narrow lower edge  44  of the breaker ring  40  is brought into forced contact with the breakable membrane  30  covering the open top end  24  of the first chamber  26 . Additional twisting results in the narrow lower edge  44  breaking the breakable membrane  30 . Once the breakable membrane  30  is broken, the first chamber  26  and second chamber  28  form a joined chamber within the dispenser  12 . Accordingly, the medication  14  that was originally contained within the second chamber  28  and the reconstituting fluid  32  that was originally contained with the first chamber  26  can mix and form a medication mixture  18 . Ideally, the medication  14  may be shaken or otherwise agitated to encourage mixing of the medication  14  and reconstituting fluid  32  between the two chambers  26 ,  28 . It is further preferable that the first screw threads  36  of the first chamber  26  and the second screw threads  46  of the second chamber  28  are configured to form a fluid-tight seal so that, once the breakable membrane  30  is broken, none of the reconstituting fluid  32  or medication mixture  18  will unintentionally leave the dispenser  12 . 
     The breaker ring  40  of the first depicted embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , includes a narrow lower edge  44  that is smooth and even along its edge. According to the first depicted embodiment, the narrow lower edge  44  defines a lower plane that is essentially parallel to an upper plane defined by the wide upper edge  42 . Such lower plane and upper plane are also essentially parallel to the middle plane defined by the peripheral protrusion  50 . 
     The breaker ring  40  of the second depicted embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21 , includes a narrow lower edge  44  that has a protruding member  48 . The protruding member  48  is configured to break the breakable membrane  30  upon forced contact with the breakable membrane  30 . Preferably, the protruding member  48  is a sharp point. As such, forced contact of the tip of the sharp point with the breakable membrane  30  will result in first a puncturing of the breakable membrane  30  followed by a general breakage of the breakable membrane  30  as the breaker ring  40  is brought into further forced contact with the breakable membrane  30  as the first chamber  26  and second chamber  28  are twisted relative to one another. In other embodiments, the breaker ring  40  includes a number of protruding member  48   s  along the narrow lower edge  44 . 
     The breaker ring  40  of the third depicted embodiment, shown in  FIG. 22 , includes a narrow lower edge  44  that is smooth and even along its edge. Further the narrow lower edge  44  defines a lower plane that is not parallel to an upper plane defined by the wide upper edge  42 . Rather, the narrow lower edge  44  of the breaker ring  40 , according to the third depicted embodiment, slants such that one area of the narrow lower edge  44  will come into contact with the breakable membrane  30  first, before the other areas of the narrow lower edge  44  as the dispenser  12  is transitioned between the extended position and the compact position. As such, the forced interaction of the narrow lower edge  44  and the breakable membrane  30  will, at least at first, be concentrated on the lowest area of the narrow lower edge  44 , encouraging breakage of the breakable membrane  30  in that area of contact. 
     To dispense the medication mixture  18  to a patient, once the breakable membrane  30  is broken and the dispenser  12  twisted so that it is in the compact position, the openable tip  34  can be opened so as to form an opening  16 . Thereafter, the first chamber  26  may be compressed so as to force the medication mixture  18  out of the first chamber  26 , through the breaker ring  40 , and out of the second chamber  28  via the opening  16 . In some situations, the first chamber  26  is compressed due to physical squeezing of the first chamber  26 . In other situations, the first chamber  26  is compressed due to the application of suction within the dispenser  12 . 
     The dispenser  12  is further figured such that the material within the first chamber  26  can be dispensed without opening the openable  34 . That is, the first chamber  26  and second chamber  28  can be selectively disconnected from one another via twisting in the opposite direction that one would twist to transition the dispenser  12  from the extended position to the compact position. This twisting will eventually separate the two chambers  26 ,  28  from each other. Thereafter, the material within the second chamber  28 , such as the medication  14 , can be emptied via the open bottom end  38 . Alternatively or additionally, the breakable membrane  30  can be broken with means other than the breaker ring  40 , such as by application of pressure with a finger or fingernail against the breakable membrane  30  or with the use of a separate puncturing device, so as to make accessible the open top end  24 . Thereafter, the material within the first chamber  26  can be emptied via the open top end  24 . Accordingly, separation of the two chambers  26 ,  28  from one another provides an option for dispensing of the medication to a patient without mixing the materials  14 ,  32 . Further, the separation of the two chambers  26 ,  28  allows a user to refill or replace material within one or the other chamber  26 ,  28  before or without mixing the materials. 
     In some embodiments, the dispenser  12  is configured to be disposable, such that after dispensing the medication mixture  18 , the entire dispenser  12  can be discarded or recycled. In other embodiments, the dispenser  12  is configured to be reusable, such that the first chamber  26  and second chamber  28  are twisted relative to one another in such a manner as to transition the dispenser  12  from the compact position to the extended position and then to disconnect the second chamber  28  from the first chamber  26 . The first chamber  26  is then refilled with reconstituting fluid  32  and a new breakable membrane  30  put in place to cover the open top end  24 . The opening  16  in the openable tip  34  is covered with a selectively removable tab and additional medication  14  filled into the second chamber  28 . Thereafter, the refilled first chamber  26  and second chamber  28  are again rejoined into the extended position. This reuse may be repeated as desired. 
     According to the depicted embodiments, the medication  14  within the second chamber  28  is a solid powder. In other embodiments, the medication  14  is a medication in fluid form. In still other embodiments, the material within the second chamber  28  is a non-medicinal material. Further, according to the depicted embodiments, the second chamber  28  is made up of a translucent plastic that is noncompressible. Also according to the depicted embodiments, the first chamber  26  tapers in width along the lower part of the first chamber  26  such that the open top end  24  is broader than the bottom edge  52 . In this way, the tapering section forms a handle. As it is preferred that the first chamber  26  be compressible, according to the depicted embodiments, the first chamber  26  is preferably compressible laterally, such that the individual dispensing the medication would squeeze along the tapering area. 
     According to some embodiments, the openable tip  34  of the dispenser  12  is puncturable. As such, the dispenser  12  is configured to be utilized as the puncturable, compressible ampule of the oral liquid medication dispensing system for dispensing measured dosages of selected oral medication described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,452,350, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Further, the dispenser  12  is configured to be utilized with the storage container  80  of the depicted dispensing system, as shown in  FIGS. 23 through 25 . The depicted storage container  80  of the dispensing system includes a container wall  84  that is configured to receive within the dispenser  12 . The storage container  80  includes a puncturing device  82  ( FIG. 23 ). Preferably, the puncturing device  82  is formed within a bottom portion of the container wall  84  of the storage device  80 . In other embodiments, the puncturing device  82  is fixedly attached to the container wall  84 . The puncturing device  82  protrudes from the container wall  84 , and the puncturing device  82  is configured to enable puncturing of a puncturable openable tip  34  of the first chamber  26  of the dispenser  12 . More particularly, the puncturing device  82  is configured such that manipulation of the dispenser  12  so as to position the openable tip  34  to be in forced contact with the puncturing device  82  will result in puncturing of the openable tip  34  with the opening  16  being created thereby. Preferably, the puncturing device  82  is calibrated to create an opening  16  of a pre-determined size. Also, preferably, the puncturing device  82  is recessed within the storage container  80 , as shown in  FIG. 23 , so as to avoid unintended interaction with external items and to lessen the risk of unintended interaction with a user&#39;s fingers. The container wall  84  further defines an upper ridge forming the upper border of the storage container  80 . In some embodiments, the storage container  80  is covered with a removable covering along the upper ridge, thereby providing additional protection to the dispenser  12  within the storage container  80  during transport or otherwise before use thereof. 
     The exemplary embodiments shown in the figures and described above illustrate, but do not limit, the dispensing system. It should be understood that there is no intention to limit the dispensing system to the specific form disclosed; rather, the dispensing system is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the dispenser as defined in the claims. For example, while the dispensing system is not limited to use with orally-administered medication, it is expected that various embodiments of the dispensing system will be particularly useful in such applications. Hence, the foregoing description should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined in the following claims. 
     Accordingly, while there is shown and described the present preferred embodiments of the dispensing system, it is to be distinctly understood that this dispensing system is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.