GB2377696A

GB2377696A - Monitored dosage apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2377696A
Application number: GB0206130A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David John Fenn
Original assignee: Wright Fenn and Co Ltd
Current assignee: Wright Fenn and Co Ltd
Priority date: 2001-03-15
Filing date: 2002-03-15
Publication date: 2003-01-22
Anticipated expiration: 2022-03-15
Also published as: GB2377696B; GB0106361D0; GB0206130D0

Abstract

A monitored dosage apparatus 10 includes a base member 12 having a plastics sheet with a plurality of formations therein, the formations providing open-topped receptacles 16 for receiving medication. The apparatus 10 also includes a lid member 14 having a plastics sheet for sealing to the base member 12 to close and seal the receptacles 16, the seal being formed by an adhesive. The apparatus 10 also has means for selectively opening individual sealed receptacles to release the medication contained therein, such means comprising weakened portions 24 having release tabs 26. The base and lid members 12, 14 are preferably formed integrally from polypropylene, being joined by a hinge 20.

Description

Monitored Dosage Apparatus The invention relates to a monitored dosage apparatus for containing and presenting medication, particularly medication in the form of tablets, pills, or capsules.

Monitored dosage apparatus are designed to contain and present medication safely and securely for dosage to patients on a regular basis. Such patients are often in care homes or hospitals and nurses or carers are required to provide the patient with regular medication in a reliable manner.

Monitored dosage systems essentially take the form of a container with, for example, twenty eight pockets marked with the day of the week and date or day, into which a pharmacist places the prescribed dose for that particular patient on that day. The container is then sealed and provided to the nurse of carer who may open the appropriate sealed pocket on the appropriate day.

Conventional monitored dosage systems consist of a plastics member provided with at least seven formations for creating individual pockets, each for receiving a particular day's medication. In one form of these monitored dosage systems, the pharmacist sorts the relevant medication into the relevant pockets and then places the plastics member on a framework in a holding fixture. The pockets are then closed by heat-sealing an aluminium foil, for example, to the plastics member. When it is time to dose the patient, the medication may be released from the pockets by manually pushing through the aluminium foil.

The above containers are tested to a standard set by the United States Pharmacopoeia for vapour transmission. According to this standard, a container is classed as Grade A if the moisture transmission is less than 0.5 g/m2 per day and as Grade B if the vapour transmission is less than 5 g/m2 per day. No conventional monitored dosage systems perform better than Grade B.

According to the invention there is provided a monitored dosage apparatus including: a base member including a plastics sheet having a plurality of formations therein, each providing an open-topped receptacle for receiving medication; a lid member including a plastics sheet for sealing to the base member to close and seal the receptacles, the seal being formed by an adhesive ; and means for selectively opening individual sealed receptacles, to release the medication contained therein.

Preferably the base member and the lid member are formed as a unitary component. A plastics hinge may be provided between the base member and the lid member so that the lid member may be hinged between an open position and a closed position where it closes the receptacles.

Alternatively the base member and the lid member may be formed as separate components.

Preferably the base member and the lid member are formed from polypropylene which is preferably between 200 and 400 micrometers thick and most preferably about 300 micrometers thick.

The receptacles may be generally cuboid in shape. Preferably each receptacle is between 15mm and 40mm in length, between 5mm and 25mm in width and between 5mm and 25mm in depth. Most preferably, each receptacle is about 25mm in length, 15mm in width and 10mm in depth. Preferably the base member includes at least 28 receptacles.

The means for selectively opening the individual sealed receptacles may include means for removing a part of the plastics sheet of the lid member covering the top of the receptacle to be opened. These means may include a weakened region in the plastics sheet defining a perimeter of the portion of plastics sheet to be removed. A protruding tab may be attached to the portion of the sheet to be removed, manipulation of the tab enabling the weakened

region to tear, thereby allowing the removal of the portion of plastics sheet.

Preferably the plastics material of the base member and/or the lid member is pre-coated with the adhesive. Preferably the thickness of the coating is at least 15 micrometers.

The adhesive is preferably a hot melt adhesive which may include a polyester resin. The hot melt adhesive may be a single component, solventborne formulation based on the polyester resin. The resin may a thermoplastic, high molecular weight, saturated polyester. The polyester resin may be a flexible amorphous polymer, which preferably has slight tackiness at room temperature, high elongation and moderate tensile strength.

Alternatively the adhesive may be a heat salable plastic film, preferably polyethylene. The film is preferably at least 40 micrometers thick. The polyethylene film may be a food-grade film.

According to the invention there is further provided a method of sealing a monitored dosage apparatus according to any of the preceding definitions, the method including the steps of: bringing an inner face of the lid member into contact with a top face of the base member; and applying heat and pressure to melt the adhesive and to push the lid member and the base member into firm contact with one another to seal the two members together.

Preferably a pressure of up to about SOlb/sq inch, and preferably 30lb/sq inch is applied.

According to the invention, there is further provided a sealed monitored dosage apparatus including: a base member including a plastics sheet having a plurality of formations therein, each providing an open-topped receptacle for receiving medication; a lid member including a plastics sheet sealed to the base member to close and seal the receptacles, the seal being formed by an adhesive; and means for selectively opening individual sealed receptacles, to release the

medication contained therein.

The adhesive may be applied all over the top face of the base member or may be applied to selected areas only.

The adhesive may be applied all over the inner face of the lid member or may be applied to selected areas only.

An embodiment of the invention will be described for the purpose of illustration only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a monitored dosage apparatus according to the invention in an open position before sealing, viewed from the inside; Fig. 2 is a side view of the monitored dosage apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of the monitored dosage apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2, in the closed position; and Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic side view of the monitored dosage apparatus of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, a monitored dosage apparatus 10 includes a base 12 and a lid 14. The base 12 includes a sheet of polypropylene provided with a plurality of formations, which create open-topped pockets 16, protruding down from a generally planar part 18. The pockets 16 are generally cuboid in shape and, when the pack is in its open position as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, their open tops allow medication to be placed therein, as described in more detail below.

Each pocket 16 is about 25mm in length, 15mm in width and 10mm in depth and there are twenty eight pockets provided in the base 12.

The base 12 is made of polypropylene which is about 300 micrometers thick.

The lid 14 is also made of polypropylene and is formed as a unitary component with the base 12, a plastics hinge 20 being provided therebetween.

The lid 14 comprises a sheet of polypropylene which again is about 300 micrometers thick.

The lid 14 is provided with twenty eight widows 22 which, when the lid is hinged into contact with the base 12, cover the open tops of the pockets 16.

Each window 22 is defined by a weakened portion 24 in the plastics material of the lid 14, each weakened portion defining a perimeter of its respective window 22. The weakened portion 24 is formed by partially cutting through the plastics sheet of the lid 14. Attached to each window 22 is a release tab 26, manipulation of which allows the weakened portion 24 to be broken and the window 22 to be removed from the remainder of the lid 14.

A top face of the generally planar part 18 of the base 12 is pre-coated with a hot melt adhesive. A suitable adhesive is Bostik Estersol 5309 which is a single component, solvent-borne formulation based on polyester resin. The resin is a thermoplastic, high molecular weight, saturated polyester which is a flexible amorphous polymer, very slight tacky at room temperature, with high elongation and moderate tensile strength. The coating may be about 15 to 20 micrometers thick. An inner face of the lid 14 is also pre-coated with hot melt adhesive.

The monitored dosage apparatus is used as follows. With the apparatus in the open position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, a pharmacist de-blisters the relevant medication for the patient in question and places the medication for each day of a four week period into the appropriate pocket 16.

The lid 14 is then pivoted about the hinge 20 to bring its inner face into contact with the top face of the base 12. Temperature and pressure is then applied to melt the adhesive and force the lid 14 and the base 12 into contact

with one another thereby adhering the two to each other. A known heat sealing apparatus may be used, which applies temperatures of about 160 C and pressures of about 301b/sq inch.

Once the lid 14 has been sealed to the base 12, each individual pocket 16 forms a sealed container (see Figs. 3 and 4). The monitored dosage apparatus may then be provided to the nurse or carer who is to dose the patient. On the appropriate day, the appropriate pocket may be opened by manipulating its release tab 26 and pulling, causing the weakened portion 24 to break and allowing the window 22 to be released from the remainder of the lid 14. This opens the individual pocket 16 allowing the medication to be released therefrom.

There is thus provided a monitored dosage apparatus which is straightforward to both fill and to eventually use and which is economical to produce. Further, the apparatus of the invention tends to have a much lower moisture transmission than the prior art and may be classified as Grade A moisture transmission, i. e. less than 0.5 g/m2 per day.

Various modifications may be made to the above described embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, an alternative adhesive could be used to pre-coat the base 12. For example, a polyethylene film, which is heat salable, could be used. The film may be about 40 to 50 micrometers thick. A suitable film would be 40 micron LP8 which is a natural, three layer co-extruded film from British Polythene Limited.

The lid 14 and the base 12 may be formed as separate units. The shape of the pockets 16 may be altered as may the system for releasing the medication from the pockets. For example, a thin polypropylene film could form the lid and the film could be perforated by thumb pressure in order to release the medication from the pockets.

The preferred plastics material for both the lid and the base is approximately 300 micrometers thick polypropylene having a density of about

0.9 g/cm3. This has a tensile strength of at least 30N/mm2 and a permeability of less than 0.4 g/m2 per day. However, alternative plastics materials may be used.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A monitored dosage apparatus including: a base member including a plastics sheet having a plurality of formations therein, each providing an open-topped receptacle for receiving medication; a lid member including a plastics sheet for sealing to the base member to close and seal the receptacles, the seal being formed by an adhesive; and means for selectively opening individual sealed receptacles, to release the medication contained therein.
2. A monitored dosage apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the base member and the lid member are formed as a unitary component.
3. A monitored dosage apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein a plastics hinge is provided between the base member and the lid member so that the lid member is hinged between an open position and a closed position where it closes the receptacles.
4. A monitored dosage apparatus according to Claim 1, or Claim 3 when dependent on Claim 1, wherein the base member and the lid member are formed as separate components.
5. A monitored dosage apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the base member and the lid member are formed from polypropylene.
6. A monitored dosage apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein the polypropylene is between 200 and 400 micrometers thick.
7. A monitored dosage apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein the polypropylene is about 300 micrometers thick.
8. A monitored dosage apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the receptacles are generally cuboid in shape.

<Desc/Clms Page number 9>
9. A monitored dosage apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein each receptacle is between 15mm and 40mm in length, between 5mm and 25mm in width and between 5mm and 2 5mm in depth.
10. A monitored dosage apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein each receptacle is about 2 5mm in length, I Smm in width and 10mm in depth.
11. A monitored dosage apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the base member includes at least 28 receptacles.
12. A monitored dosage apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for selectively opening the individual sealed receptacles include means for removing a part of the plastics sheet of the lid member covering the top of the receptacle to be opened.
13. A monitored dosage apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein these means include a weakened region in the plastics sheet defining a perimeter of the portion of plastics sheet to be removed.
14. A monitored dosage apparatus according to Claim 13, wherein a protruding tab is attached to the portion of the sheet to be removed, manipulation of the tab enabling the weakened region to tear, thereby allowing the removal of the portion of plastics sheet.
15. A monitored dosage apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the plastics material of the base member and/or the lid member is pre-coated with the adhesive.
16. A monitored dosage apparatus according to Claim 15, wherein the thickness of the coating is at least 15 micrometers.
17. A monitored dosage apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the adhesive is a hot melt adhesive.

<Desc/Clms Page number 10>
18. A monitored dosage apparatus according to Claim 17, wherein the hot melt adhesive includes a polyester resin.
19. A monitored dosage apparatus according to Claim 18, wherein the hot melt adhesive is a single component, solvent-borne formulation based on the polyester resin.
20. A monitored dosage apparatus according to Claim 18 or Claim 19, wherein the resin is a thermoplastic, high molecular weight, saturated polyester.
21. A monitored dosage apparatus according to Claim 20, wherein the polyester resin is a flexible amorphous polymer.
22. A monitored dosage apparatus according to Claim 22, wherein the flexible amorphous polymer has slight tackiness at room temperature, high elongation and moderate tensile strength.
23. A monitored dosage apparatus according to any of Claim 1 to 16, wherein the adhesive is a heat salable plastic film.
24. A monitored dosage apparatus according to Claim 23, wherein the adhesive is polyethylene.
25. A monitored dosage apparatus according to Claim 23 or Claim 24, wherein the film is at least 40 micrometers thick.
26. A monitored dosage apparatus according to Claim 24 or Claim 25, wherein the polyethylene film is a food grade film.
27. A method of sealing a monitored dosage apparatus according to any preceding claim, the method including the steps of: bringing an inner face of the lid member into contact with a top face of the base member; and applying heat and pressure to melt the adhesive and to push the lid member and the base member into firm contact with one another to seal the two

<Desc/Clms Page number 11>

members together.
28. A method according to Claim 27, wherein a pressure of up to about 50lb/sq inch is applied.
29. A method according to Claim 28, wherein a pressure of 30lb/sq inch is applied.
30. A sealed monitored dosage apparatus including: a base member including a plastics sheet having a plurality of formations therein, each providing an open-topped receptacle for receiving medication; a lid member including a plastics sheet sealed to the base member to close and seal the receptacles, the seal being formed by an adhesive; and means for selectively opening individual sealed receptacles, to release the medication contained therein.
31. A sealed monitored dosage apparatus according to Claim 30, wherein the adhesive is applied all over the top face of the base member.
32. A sealed monitored dosage apparatus according to Claim 30, wherein the adhesive is applied to selected areas over the top face of the base member.
33. A sealed monitored dosage apparatus according to any of Claims 30 to 32, wherein the adhesive is applied all over the inner face of the lid member.
34. A sealed monitored dosage apparatus according to any of Claims 30 to 32, wherein the adhesive is applied to selected areas over the inner face of the lid member.
35. A monitored dosage apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
36. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter

<Desc/Clms Page number 12>

disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.