Dispensing device
The invention pertains to a time-controlled dispensing device comprising at least a tray and a cover, which may be lockable, for example via snap fitting, for consecutive dispensing of doses of medicaments. The device comprises a desired number of storage compartments and/or cartridges, for example disposable cartridges, each containing a predetermined dose of one or several medicaments. The tray is fitted with a transporting means for displacing the tray to a position where a desired compartment and/or cartridge will be in the only dispensing position suitable for removal of the dose, as a response to a signal from a timing means. The timing means is connected to a reminder and/or an alarming means, directed to the person using the device and a person at a distance, respectively. By way of the alarming means, removal of doses is indicated, for example through the manipulation of a lever or a hatch, and a signal may be sent for example via GSM or via the internet.
1. A time-controlled dispensing device comprising at least a tray and a cover for consecutive dispensing of doses of medicaments, comprising
(a) a desired number of pre-filled storage compartments and/or cartridges each containing one predetermined dose of one or several medicaments, said tray being fitted with a transport for displacing the tray to a position where a desired compartment and/or cartridge will be in the only dispensing position suitable for removal of the dose from the compartment and/or the cartridge,
(b) a timer connected to the transport for controlling the transport of the tray in (a) at predetermined time intervals;
(c) a reminder device directed to the person using the device, and/or
(d) an alarm indicating at a distance that removal of the dose has or has not occurred;
wherein the dispensing device is configured for mounting to a wall, whereby the medicaments could easily drop out of the dispensing device at pre-set times by way of gravity, and wherein the reminder device and/or the alarm is triggered respectively by nonmovement of a lever and/or a hatch dependent on the removal or not of the dose.
2. The dispensing device according to claim 1 , wherein the cover of the dispensing device has a lock.
3. The dispensing device according to claim 1 , characterized in the lock comprising a snap fitting.
4. The dispensing device according to claim 1 , wherein the transport comprises an electric motor or a mechanical propulsion device connected to the tray of the dispensing device.
5. The dispensing device according to claim 1 , wherein the alarm comprises a GSM signal or a signal via internet.
6. The dispensing device according to claim 1 , wherein the reminder device comprises one or several of an acoustic or visual signal or a vibrating motion.
7. The dispensing device according to claim 1 , comprising a detent for locking the tray in a fixed position when the tray is not displaced to a new position.
8. The dispensing device according to claim 1 , comprising the cartridge, and wherein the cartridge is a disposable cartridge.
9. The dispensing device according to claim 1 , mounted on a wall.
10. A time-controlled dispensing device comprising at least a tray and a cover for consecutive dispensing of doses of medicaments, comprising:
(a) a plurality of pre-filled storage compartments and/or cartridges each configured to contain one predetermined dose of one or several medicaments, said tray being fitted with a transport for displacing the tray to a position where a desired compartment and/or cartridge will be in the only dispensing position suitable for removal of the dose from the compartment and/or the cartridge;
(b) a timer connected to the transport for controlling the transport of the tray in (a) at predetermined time intervals;
(c) a reminder device directed to the person using the device; and
(d) an alarm indicating at a distance that removal of the dose has or has not occurred after a predetermined time lapse;
wherein the dispensing device is configured for mounting to a wall, whereby the medicaments could easily drop out of the dispensing device into a cup extending from the cover at pre-set times by way of gravity, and wherein the reminder device and the alarm is triggered respectively by nonmovement of a lever and/or a hatch dependent on the removal or not of the dose.
11. The dispensing device according to claim 10 , wherein the tray is mounted for rotation about a central axis.
12. The dispensing device according to claim 10 , wherein the cover comprises a shroud circumferentially surrounding the tray and configured to prevent the medicaments from exiting the tray.
13. The dispensing device according to claim 12 , wherein the shroud includes an opening configured to allow passage of medicaments from one of the plurality of pre-filled storage compartments and/or cartridges.
14. The dispensing device according to claim 13 , wherein the opening connects the one of the plurality of pre-filled storage compartments and/or cartridges with a cup for receiving dispensed medicaments, the cup is positioned radially outward of the tray and includes the lever and/or hatch.
15. The dispensing device according to claim 14 , wherein the cup is integral with the shroud.
16. The dispensing device according to claim 10 , wherein the alarm comprises a GSM signal or a signal via internet.
17. The dispensing device according to claim 10 , wherein the reminder device comprises one or several of an acoustic or visual signal or a vibrating motion.
18. The dispensing device according to claim 10 , wherein the reminder device comprises one or several of an acoustic or visual signal or a vibrating motion and wherein the alarm comprises a GSM signal or a signal via internet.
19. A time-controlled dispensing device for consecutive dispensing of doses of medicaments, comprising:
a tray mounted for rotation about a central axis;
a cover including a shroud circumferentially surrounding the tray and configured to prevent the medicaments from exiting the tray, the shroud having an opening configured to allow passage of medicaments from one of a plurality of pre-filled storage compartments and/or cartridges;
the plurality of pre-filled storage compartments and/or cartridges each configured to contain one predetermined dose of one or several medicaments, said tray being fitted with a transport for displacing the tray to a position where a desired compartment and/or cartridge will be in the only dispensing position suitable for removal of the dose from the compartment and/or the cartridge;
a timer connected to the transport for controlling the transport of the tray at predetermined time intervals;
a reminder device comprising one or several of an acoustic or visual signal or a vibrating motion, the reminder device directed to the person using the device and indicating a medicament has been dispensed; and
an alarm comprising a GSM signal or a signal via internet, the alarm indicating at a distance that removal of the dose has or has not occurred after a predetermined time lapse,
wherein the dispensing device is configured for mounting to a wall, whereby the medicaments could easily drop out of the tray at pre-set times by way of gravity, and wherein the reminder device and the alarm is triggered respectively by nonmovement of a lever and/or a hatch dependent on the removal or not of the dose,
wherein the opening connects the one of the plurality of pre-filled storage compartments and/or cartridges with a cup for receiving dispensed medicaments, the cup is positioned radially outward of the tray and includes the lever and/or hatch.