Patent Description:
Patients who need to take drugs every day often need to take them at different times of day. Furthermore, in many situations, a different time can correspond to a different drug or a combination of different drugs.

Drug dispensers are used to fulfil this need and to allow patients to take the correct drug, or the combination of correct drugs, at the predefined time and day of the week.

However, dispensers of the known type are often too complex and difficult for patients to manage. Therefore, patients are discouraged from using them and they avoid accessing, and taking, the drug when necessary.

Most dispensers currently allow the management of a limited quantity of drugs.

Another limit of dispensers of the known type is that they make the drug, or the combination of drugs, available on the basis of a particular time period but do not make it possible to verify whether such drug has been collected by the patient, and therefore do not provide sufficient information to a social services operator in relation to the therapy in progress.

Some dispensers of the prior art are timed to make the drug, or group of drugs, accessible only at a predetermined time of a predetermined day. However, these dispensers comprise lock mechanisms for the drug housings which are very complex and impossible to unlock in the event that the dispenser is not connected to the power supply or has a flat battery. In this way, the drug is not available even if the patient is able to independently remember the time and day of the week at which to take it. An example of such dispenser is disclosed in <CIT>.

Yet another problem of dispensers of the known type, timed or not, is that the housings in which the drugs are stored for each administration are difficult to reach or very narrow so as not to excessively increase the dimensions of the dispenser. In these cases, in an attempt to collect the drug to be taken, patients find it very difficult to reach, grasp and take it out or even risk dropping it, with the consequence that they can no longer take the envisaged drug.

Document <CIT> solves such problem suggesting a drug dispenser according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

An object of the present invention is that of providing a device with easy application, reduced maintenance and improving the prior art solutions.

Such objects are achieved by the features of the invention indicated in independent claim <NUM>. The dependent claims outline preferred and/or particularly advantageous aspects of the invention.

In accordance with the aforesaid aims, the present invention makes available a drug dispenser comprising:.

said drug dispenser being characterized by the fact that it comprises a sensor mechanism, said sensor mechanism comprising the magnet arranged on a drawer and a proximity sensor arranged at a respective compartment and activatable by said magnet. Thanks to such solution it is possible to notably simplify the manufacturing of the dispenser, reduce the number of necessary components and use the dispenser also in reduced electric power conditions.

Another aspect of the invention envisages that the plurality of individual compartments is arranged in the container so as to define a series of columns and rows, each column representing one day of the week and each row representing a time part of the day at which the drug is to be dispensed, the dispenser further comprising an electronic control board to which said proximity sensor is connected.

Thanks to such solution, it is possible to transform the drug dispenser into a timed and automated dispenser, able to manage a complex and prolonged treatment plan over time.

Another aspect of the invention envisages a plurality of visual indicators arranged at each compartment and connected to said electronic board.

Thanks to such solution it is possible to facilitate the identification of the drug, or of the group of drugs to be taken and provide indications for the patient in the event of taking out the wrong drawer.

A further aspect of the invention envisages an RTC module, a power supply, a display and an alarm button.

Thanks to such solution it is possible to provide the patient with communication devices from and to a remote station, e.g. the physician or reception of a ward, for any emergencies or for verifying the correct implementation of treatment.

Another aspect of the invention envisages that the drawer also comprises a lower wall, two opposing lateral walls, a rear wall, a front wall, a base wall and at least one inclined wall that connects one of the lateral walls with the base wall.

Thanks to such solution, it is possible to facilitate the collection of the drug, or of the group of drugs, inside the drawer.

Another aspect of the invention envisages that the internal surfaces of the drawer are connected to one another with a curved surface.

Thanks to such solution it is possible to prevent the accumulation of dirt or residues inside the drawer, increasing the hygiene conditions of the device.

Another aspect of the invention envisages that on the front wall of the drawer there is a handle particularly suitable for facilitating the grip of the drawer.

Yet another aspect of the invention envisages that the sensor and the metal element are engaged with the electronic board.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention shall become clearer from the following description, provided by way of example with reference to the appended figures wherein:.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numbers have been used, to identify common identical elements in the figures.

Reference will now be made in detail to the various embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the appended figures. Each example is provided merely by way of illustration of the invention and is not intended as a limitation thereof. The present invention relates to a drug dispenser, generally indicated by number <NUM>, which comprises a container <NUM>, substantially rectangular, with an upper wall <NUM>, two opposing lateral walls <NUM>, <NUM>, a rear wall <NUM>, and a base wall <NUM>.

Within the container <NUM> a plurality of individual compartments <NUM> are obtained, elongated in the direction of the lateral walls <NUM>, <NUM> of the container <NUM> and with a polygonal cross section.

In the embodiment illustrated in the appended figures, the compartments <NUM> comprise at least one base wall <NUM>, two opposing lateral walls <NUM>, <NUM>, and an inclined lateral wall <NUM>, e.g. inclined by <NUM>°, which connects one of the lateral walls <NUM> of the compartment <NUM> with the base wall <NUM> thereof.

The compartments <NUM> are arranged in the container <NUM> so as to define a series of columns and rows, each column representing a day of the week and each row representing a time part of the day. In the embodiment illustrated in the appended figures, there are seven columns and three rows in each column, for the management of a pharmacological treatment organised on a weekly basis.

Naturally, it is possible to provide a different number of columns or lines according to the treatment requirements and the patient. For example, <FIG> illustrates an embodiment comprising a single column and three rows.

The compartments <NUM> can be obtained as a single piece, e.g. by moulding, within the container <NUM>, or by means of a plurality of vertical and horizontal walls inserted within the container <NUM>, or according to any other means of the known type without departing from the scope of the present invention. Likewise, the compartments <NUM> could have different shapes and sizes from those described herein and illustrated in the appended figures.

The seven columns are divided so as to represent one day of the week each. Each of the three rows must be assigned to different parts of the day, such as the morning, afternoon and evening. Alternatively, the rows can be assigned to certain hours of the day, e.g. when drugs are prescribed every eight hours.

The drug dispenser <NUM> further comprises a plurality of drug holder containers or drawers, generally indicated by <NUM>, corresponding to the number of compartments <NUM>. Each drawer <NUM> can be inserted slidably in a respective compartment <NUM>.

Each drawer <NUM> is a single separate container, with at least two opposing lateral walls <NUM>, <NUM>, a rear wall <NUM>, a front wall <NUM> and a base wall <NUM>. Each draw is open at the top.

The outer perimeter of each drawer <NUM> reproduces the same polygonal configuration as the internal surface of the compartments <NUM>. As can be seen more clearly in <FIG>, the drawer <NUM> comprises at least one inclined wall <NUM>, e.g. inclined by <NUM>°, which connects one of the lateral walls <NUM> with the base wall <NUM> of the drawer <NUM>.

A projection or handle, generally indicated by number <NUM>, is provided on the front wall <NUM> of the drawer <NUM> in order to facilitate the grip of the drawer <NUM> and the extraction thereof from and the insertion thereof into the compartment <NUM>.

According to a particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, the inner surfaces of the inclined wall <NUM>, of the lateral wall <NUM>, of the rear wall <NUM> and of the front wall <NUM> of each drawer <NUM> are connected with the inner surface of the base wall <NUM> so as not to create <NUM>° corners but a curved surface <NUM>, eliminating the possibility of deposits of dust, drug residues and impurities in general being collected in such connections.

Furthermore, together with the inclined wall <NUM>, such conformation of the inner surface of the drawer <NUM> promotes the collection of the drug also by patients with tremors or refined movement difficulties.

In order to retain each drawer <NUM> inside the respective compartment <NUM>, there is a lock mechanism for each drawer <NUM>. As illustrated in the embodiment of <FIG>, the lock mechanism includes a magnet <NUM> arranged on the drawer <NUM>, e.g. inserted into a housing <NUM> obtained on the rear wall <NUM> of each drawer <NUM>. The lock mechanism further comprises a metal element <NUM>, by way of non-limiting example, a spacer column <NUM>, arranged in proximity to the rear wall of the compartment <NUM>. In this way when the drawer <NUM> is inserted into the compartment <NUM> the magnetic field generated by the magnet <NUM> attracts the drawer <NUM> towards the spacer column <NUM> and locks it in position.

The magnet <NUM> of the drawer <NUM> is also used in a sensor mechanism for determining the presence of the drawer <NUM> within the compartment <NUM>. The sensor mechanism comprises the magnet <NUM> and a sensor <NUM>, e.g. a proximity sensor, more preferably a Hall effect sensor.

When the drawer <NUM> is inserted into the compartment <NUM>, the magnetic field generated by the magnet <NUM> activates the sensor <NUM> which, in turn, generates an electric voltage which, as will become clear below, makes it possible to determine if and when the drawer <NUM> is inserted into the compartment <NUM>.

The sensor mechanism, in alternative embodiments not falling under the scope of independent claim <NUM>, can also comprise further and/or different types of sensor such as, for example, a load cell <NUM> or a piezoresistive sensor for determining the weight of the drawer, so as to be able to determine the weight differences before the drawer <NUM> is extracted and after it has been re-inserted into the compartment <NUM>. In this way, it is possible to determine whether the drugs, or the group of drugs, have been collected by the patient or not.

The presence of the magnet <NUM> on the drawer <NUM> as a lock and sensor mechanism is a particularly advantageous characteristic also due to the fact that each drawer <NUM>, completely extractable from the respective compartment <NUM>, can be fully washed in water without the fear of damaging the lock and/or sensor mechanism.

According to a particularly advantageous characteristic, the drug dispenser <NUM> can also comprise an acoustic indicator.

In the embodiment illustrated, the drug dispenser <NUM> also comprises an alarm button <NUM>, which the patient can activate in the event of feeling unwell or for other needs.

The drug dispenser of the present invention can also be of the timed type. More in particular, it may be a drug dispensing device which, through a software program, controls the time intervals for the administration of drugs, and checks whether the drugs have been collected or not from their container on the predefined day and time.

In order to perform the aforesaid functions, the drug dispenser <NUM> of the invention comprises an electronic processing system, i.e. an electronic system able to provide an output signal after processing a determined input signal. In the embodiments illustrated, the timed drug dispenser <NUM> comprises an electronic board <NUM>, or electronic circuit, arranged in proximity to the rear wall <NUM> of the container <NUM>. The timed drug dispenser <NUM> further comprises a low consumption RTC (Real Time Clock) module, a power supply and a display <NUM>.

In order to identify the time and day at which the drug, or group of drugs, contained inside each drawer <NUM> is to be taken, there is a visual indicator at each compartment. In the embodiment illustrated in the appended figures, an LED or a lamp <NUM> is provided at the inclined wall <NUM> of each compartment <NUM>. The position of the LED <NUM> in the visual area of a "complete" drawer with a square section reduces the possibility of misunderstandings by the patient as to which drawer to access.

According to alternative embodiments, the timed drug dispenser <NUM> can comprise a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) and/or a video camera <NUM> for controlling the surrounding environment, in order to monitor even better the patient's behaviour and/or the effective compliance with the treatment. The video camera <NUM> may be either integrated or external.

According to a further particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, the video camera <NUM> can be used for the remote control of the patient by the care provider. In this case, the timed drug dispenser <NUM> will transmit the images acquired by the video camera <NUM> to predetermined appliances/clients connected remotely through a data connection. In this way, by also viewing the films from a long distance, the care provider will not only be able to make sure of the patient's state of health, but also check that the medicines are effectively taken.

According to another characteristic of the invention, software may be loaded onto the electronic board <NUM>, able to verify and record the taking of drugs by the patient, e.g. by means of the automated evaluation of the images of the drawers, the contents thereof and the way they are handled by the patient.

The sensors <NUM>, the LEDs <NUM>, the RTC module, the power supply and the display <NUM> are connected to the electronic board <NUM>.

As illustrated in the embodiment of <FIG>, the metal elements and the sensors <NUM> are engaged with the electronic board <NUM> and arranged, close to one another, at a respective compartment <NUM>. When the drawer <NUM> is inserted into the compartment <NUM>, the magnet <NUM> is coupled with the metal element <NUM>.

The magnetic field generated by the magnet <NUM> activates the sensor <NUM> which, in turn, generates an electric voltage that is received by the electronic board <NUM> and identified as a presence signal of the drawer <NUM> in the compartment <NUM>.

In the alternative embodiments, also the uninterruptible power supply and the video camera <NUM> are connected to the electronic board <NUM>.

During use, an operator, e.g. a nurse or social worker or the patient him/herself, fills each of the drawers <NUM> with the respective assortment of drugs required for a particular time of each day of the week. The timed drug dispenser <NUM> can be filled for a whole week at a time. The time of taking the drug for each day can already be set within the electronic board <NUM> according to standard programming, e.g. at <NUM> am, <NUM> pm and <NUM> pm. Otherwise, the operator can set an administration schedule, establishing a specific time for each drug for each day of the week.

To allow the interaction between the electronic board <NUM> and an operator, all the input systems of the known type can be used, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, the timed drug dispenser <NUM> can comprise an input for connection with an external keypad, or the electronic board <NUM> can comprise an input for receiving data wirelessly or via bluetooth coming from a computer or a smartphone, or the electronic board <NUM> could even comprise a device for data communication with a remote device by means of a network connection.

According to a further embodiment, the timed drug dispenser <NUM> can comprise a GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) able to send and receive an SMS (Short Message Service).

The display <NUM> can be used to allow further interactions of the operator with the electronic board <NUM> for the finalisation of the administration schedule. The display <NUM> can also be used to display the time and date, as well as the position of each drawer <NUM>, if inserted or extracted, even partially and therefore not locked, from the compartment <NUM>, like any other useful message for interaction with the operator and/or the patient.

Once the programming step is finished, the electronic board <NUM> can ensure that each drawer <NUM> is in the respective compartment <NUM>, verifying that all the sensors <NUM> are active. In the event of a positive outcome of the check, the timed drug dispenser <NUM> is ready for use.

When the time and day of the week provided by the RTC module to the electronic board <NUM> coincide with one of the times and days of the week set in the drug administration schedule, the electronic board <NUM> switches on the LED <NUM> of the corresponding compartment <NUM>, and/or switches on a sound signal, and/or shows information of interest to the patient on the display.

If the patient extracts the drawer <NUM> from the indicated compartment <NUM>, the sensor <NUM> of that compartment <NUM> is switched off due to the absence of the magnet <NUM>, the electronic board <NUM> detects the absence of signal, and therefore identifies the removal of the drawer <NUM>, compares the compartment <NUM> from which the drawer <NUM> was extracted with the envisaged compartment <NUM> for that time and day and, if they coincide, it can switch off the sound signal and/or the LED <NUM>.

If the patient extracts the drawer <NUM> from a different compartment <NUM> from the one indicated by the LED <NUM> and/or on the display, i.e. from the wrong compartment <NUM>, and therefore the compartment <NUM> envisaged for that time and that day, the electronic board <NUM> switches on a different sound signal and/or modifies the type of lighting on the LED <NUM> and/or displays error information on the display for the patient.

When the patient enters the drawer <NUM> again into the compartment <NUM>, the presence of the magnet <NUM> activates the sensor <NUM> of that compartment <NUM>, the electronic board <NUM> detects the signal presence, and therefore identifies the repositioning of the drawer <NUM>.

In the event, not falling under the scope of independent claim <NUM>, that the sensor mechanism comprises a load cell, the electronic board determines a weight value of the drawer and compares it with a weight value determined before the drawer was extracted. If the weight values coincide, the electronic board determines that the drugs, or the group of drugs, have not been collected by the patient and generates an alarm signal by means of the light and/or acoustic indicators and/or the display.

The time and date at which a drawer <NUM> is extracted or re-inserted into the compartment <NUM>, like the time intervals that pass between the switching on of <NUM> and the extraction of the drawer <NUM> are stored in the electronic board <NUM>.

In this way, the care provider is able to verify at any time whether the times have been respected, evaluate the reaction times of the patient to the warning emitted by the timed drug dispenser <NUM>, and also the time taken by the patient taking the drug, or the groups of drugs, prescribed.

The lock mechanism between the magnet <NUM> of the invention is particularly advantageous both because it keeps the drawers <NUM> inside the compartments <NUM> and in the event that the container <NUM> is inclined, and because it allows the detachment of the drawers <NUM> from the compartments <NUM> also in the event of a power cut and/or fault on the electronic board <NUM> of the timed drug dispenser <NUM>.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the electronic board <NUM> of the timed drug dispenser <NUM> can be programmed to perform the following actions through the communication devices indicated above:.

The systematic sending of messages during the day is an indirect index of the presence and active mobility of the subject using the dispenser.

Claim 1:
A drug dispenser (<NUM>) comprising:
- a container (<NUM>) having a plurality of individual compartments (<NUM>) arranged in the container (<NUM>) so as to define a series of columns and/or rows,
- a plurality of drug holding drawers (<NUM>) slidably insertable in a respective compartment (<NUM>), each drawer (<NUM>) being particularly adapted to receive within it one or more drugs to be dispensed,
- a lock mechanism for retaining each drawer (<NUM>) within the respective compartment (<NUM>),
wherein the lock mechanism comprises a magnet (<NUM>) arranged on the drawer (<NUM>) and a metal element (<NUM>) arranged in the container (<NUM>) at the compartment (<NUM>),
said drug dispenser (<NUM>) being characterised in that it comprises a sensor mechanism (<NUM>, <NUM>), said sensor mechanism comprising the magnet (<NUM>) arranged on the drawer (<NUM>) and a proximity sensor (<NUM>) arranged at a respective compartment (<NUM>) and activatable by said magnet (<NUM>).