GB2288040A

GB2288040A - Medication Dispensing Unit

Info

Publication number: GB2288040A
Application number: GB9507119A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ann-Angela Mccalliog
Original assignee: MCCALLIOG ANN ANGELA
Current assignee: MCCALLIOG ANN ANGELA
Priority date: 1995-04-06
Filing date: 1995-04-06
Publication date: 1995-10-04
Also published as: GB9507119D0

Abstract

A clock timing mechanism unit is linked to a tablet, and liquid, medication supply. The unit delivers pre-set dose and time medications in a pre-dated and time stamped medication container onto a weight sensitive dispensing base which is able to correlate with pre-set input. The facilities to pre-set the non-compliance threshold and the low stock level threshold can trigger a pre-recorded alert message to a pre-designated Health Care Facility. The medication available period is also pre-set, if a non-compliance is registered there is the facility to re-set the unit to alter the time of the next medication available period. The medication available period is indicated by a voice tape and or noise and prompting lights. Waste medications are removed and lift in a medication waste area. The integral computer unit has the ability to store non-compliance information and can provide this in printout form.

Description

MEDICATION DISPENSING UNIT This invention relates to a medication timed delivery dispensing clock with a non-compliance monitor alert.

As the elderly population increases and the trend towards keeping Patients in their homes for as long as possible continues, so too does the need for safe medication compliance. Patients, in particular the elderly, have been found to have difficulties complying with their medication regime. The reasons for this are varied; from difficulty reading and understanding instructions on labels, problems handling small tablets, and opening containers, to memory and cognitive problems. This invention caters for all these difficulties it provides an easy to follow guidance and dispensing service for its patient. While also providing the attending health care professional with medication complicity up dates in print out form and the safe guards of the non-compliance threshold alert and the low medication stock level alert.With such information it is hoped that distressing and expensive crisis interventions possibly culminating in hospitalization could be avoided.

According to the present invention there is provided a medication timed delivery dispensing clock comprising a clock mechanism linked to a medication supply. The present invention provides for six tablet medications and two liquid medication accommodation. The unit has two dispensing areas, both with very sensitive weight scale bases. Medication containers are stored at both sides and are date and time stamped by the stamper prior to medication dispensing. The health care professional can preset the following facilities; the low stock alert threshold, time and dosage medication availability period and resetting of next medication time to reflect a missed dose medication, the non-compliance threshold alert which if reached can trigger a pre-recorded message to the pre-designated health care facility giving the patients name and address and informing of potential problem.The unit may have cooler/refrigerator unit attached to keep liquid medications at the appropriate temperature levels and possibly have thermos flask containers. The unit has the facility to register non-compliance and hold it in its memory to give a non-compliance report. A cartridge refill system may be possible for the unit, the cartridge being loaded at the pharmacy according to a physicians prescription.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing which: Figure 1 shows in perspective the front of the unit with voice and alert recording speakers 13 along with prompting lights 14, dispensing outlets with weight sensitive scales 19 and medication waste area 20, the medication supply storage 17 and dispensing shutters 10 along with medication container storage area and sweeper with stamper date and time mechanism.

Figure 2 Illustrates the back of the unit with electrical and telephone outlets 21 along with computer units area with print out 22 master key hole 23 and cooler unit 24, battery backup unit 25 and tape recording storage unit 26..

Figure 3 shows the tablet medication and delivery conveyor 27 which is weight and or light sensitive with size adjustable teeth/grooves 28 with the electronic shutter dispenser 29 leading to medication delivery chute 18.

Figure 4 shows the liquid medication container (also light and or weight sensitive) 30, measuring funnel 31 with shutter 32.

Figure 5 illustrates a multi patient medication unit 33 showing the predispensed medications in situ 34 for preset delivery via sweeper onto the weight scale 19.

Figure 6 illustrates an infusion based adaptation of this invention driven by a compressor 35 on top of a syringe 36 linked to timing mechanism.

Referring to the drawing the medication timed delivery clock comprises a clock mechanism linked electronically to a tablet 12 and liquid 11 Medication supply. Fifteen minutes prior to preset medication time the taped voice 13 and or noise and prompting lights 14 come on informing the patient of imminent medication time. The timing mechanism allows the medication to be dispensed either in tablet 12 or liquid form via their respective dispensing shutters 14. The sweeper 15 collects the medication containers from the container storage area 17 and moves it to the bottom of the dispensing chute 18 where the pre-dated and timed medication container collects the dispensed medication. The medication container is then placed on to the weight sensitive scales where the unit does an internal check to ensure that the preset weight for that time correlates. The medication available period now begins and the taped voice and or noise and prompting lights reflect this. At the end of the preset medication available period, if the dose is not removed, it is registered as a non-compliance and moved to medication waste area 19. If the missed dose reaches the preset non-compliance threshold the unit automatically triggers a prerecorded alert to the pre-designated health care facility. Also, if preset, the missed dose can be allowed for and the unit timer can be reset accordingly for the following dose.

Claims

1. A medication timed delivery dispensing clock comprising a clock mechanism linked to a medication supply. The present invention provides for six tablet medications and two liquid medications 30 accommodation with two dispensing areas 19 both with very sensitive weight scale bases 19. The unit has the facility to pre-set, time and dose of medication, non-compliance threshold and low stock level threshold. The latter two thresholds, if reached, can trigger a pre-recorded message to a pre-designated Health Care Facility.

2. A medication timed delivery dispensing clock as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the medication available period, which is pre-set, is preceded by a voice tape 13 and or noise alert and prompting lights 14.

3. A medication time delivery dispensing clock in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein is provided a facility for a re-set control for missed dose reflection in the timing of the next medication.

4. A medication timed delivery dispensing clock as in Claim 1 and Claim 2 wherein the medication containers are taken from their storage area by a sweeper and time and date stamped 10 prior to medication dispensing.

5. A medication timed delivery dispensing clock as in Claim 1 and Claim 2 wherein the medication container, if a medication non-compliance is registered, is removed by the sweeper at the end of the medication available period and placed in the medication waste area 20

6. A medication timed delivery dispensing clock as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 wherein non-compliance can be registered and held in its computer unit memory and is available in print out forms.

7. A medication timed delivery dispensing clock as claimed in Claims 1 and Claim 2 wherein the tablet medication conveyor 27 is adjustable to required tablet size.

8. A medication timed delivery dispensing clock as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 wherein the tablet and liquid medication containers are weight and /or light sensitive to facilitate correct medication monitoring and delivery.

9. A medication timed delivery dispensing clock as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 wherein a cooler unit 24 and or thermos containers are used to ensure appropriate temperature for the medications contained within.

10. A medication timed delivery dispensing clock as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 wherein a cartridge re-fill system is possible.

11. A medication timed delivery dispensing clock as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 wherein a pre-dispensed multi-patient 33 dispensing system could be adapted as in Figure 5

12. A medication timed delivery dispensing clock as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 wherein an infusion based adaptation is possible as in Figure 6.

13. A medication timed delivery dispensing clock substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-6 of the accompanying drawings.