CA2130252A1 - Automatic medication dispenser - Google Patents
Automatic medication dispenserInfo
- Publication number
- CA2130252A1 CA2130252A1 CA 2130252 CA2130252A CA2130252A1 CA 2130252 A1 CA2130252 A1 CA 2130252A1 CA 2130252 CA2130252 CA 2130252 CA 2130252 A CA2130252 A CA 2130252A CA 2130252 A1 CA2130252 A1 CA 2130252A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- drawer
- dispensing
- medication
- switch
- motor
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
- A61J7/00—Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoons; Pill counting devices; Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
- A61J7/04—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
- A61J7/0409—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers with timers
- A61J7/0481—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers with timers working on a schedule basis
Abstract
A relatively simple electronic pill dispenser includes a housing with several drawers slidably mounted therein, each drawer containing a plurality of compartments for separate pill dosages, the compartments having open bottom ends for dispensing the pills when the drawers are moved to one of a plurality of open positions; a separate motor and gear train engaging a rack on the bottom of each drawer for moving the drawer between the open and closed positions; and a mechanical monitor for monitoring drawer movement and closing a switch to relay information concerning drawer movement to a control circuit, which controls movement of the drawers to successive open positions for dispensing the contents of one compartment at a time at preselected time intervals.
Description
213û2~
This invention relates to an electronic medication dispensing apparatus, and in particular to an apparatus for automatically dispensing pills at predetermined intervals.
While the apparatus was specifically designed to dispense pills, it will be appreciated that the apparatus can be used with other medication with a solid exterior such as capsules containing solid or liquid medication.
Dispensers for use when dispensing medication at regular intervals are well known. Examples of such devices are described in United States Patents Nos. 3,752,359, which issued to J.D. Shaw on August 17, 1973; 3,762,601, issued to J.T. McLaughlin on October 2, 1973; 3,802,600, issued to J.D.
Shaw on April 9, 1974; 3,814,281, issued to J.D. Shaw on June 4, 1974; 3,847,301, issued to J.D. Shaw on November 12, 1974;
4,473,156, issued to D.C. Martin on September 25, 1984;
4,626,105, issued to L.D. Miller on December 2, 1986;
4,674,651, issued to F.A. Scidmore et al on June 23, 1987;
4,872,559, issued to H. Schoon on October 10, 1989 and 5,176,285, issued to T.J. Shaw on January 5, 1993.
The patented devices vary from the extremely simple to the fairly complicated. In the case of the former, the dispensers provide nothing for alerting a user that the time has arrived for more pills to be taken. The more complicated devices of the type in question are often unnecessarily complex in terms of structure and operation.
An object of the present invention is to provide a relatively simple electronic medication dispenser which can be used to alert a user that medication is due to be dispensed at 21302~2 predetermined intervals of time, and to dispense the medication only after user initiation of a dispensing operation.
Another object of the invention is to provide an electronic pill dispenser with built-in safety features including a shut-out device, which ensures that if one dosage of medication is missed the apparatus will not automatically dispense the next scheduled dosage.
Accordingly the invention relates to an electronic dispensing apparatus for solid medication comprising housing means; drawer means in said casing means movable between a closed position and one of a plurality of open positions;
partition means dividing said drawer means into a plurality of discrete compartments for holding solid medication; normally closed mediation dispensing openings in said drawer means permitting dispensing of the contents of one said compartment when the drawer means is in an open position; drive means for moving said drawer means between said closed position and said open positions; monitor means for monitoring the position of said drawer means; and control means connected to said monitor means and to said drive means for controlling movement of said drawer means to successive open positions for dispensing the contents of one compartment at a time at preselected time intervals.
The invention is described hereinafter in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:
213~2 Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an electronic pill dispenser in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of Fig. 1 taken near the lefthand end thereof;
Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a drive system used in the dispenser of Figs. 1 and 2;
Figure 4 is a schematic end view of a drawer position monitoring device used in the dispenser of Fig. 1;
and Figure 5 is a block circuit diagram of a control for operating the dispenser of Fig. 1.
In the drawings, some parts have been omitted for the sake of simplicity.
With reference to Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings, a medication dispenser in accordance with the present invention includes a housing generally indicated at 1. The housing, is defined by a bottom wall 2, side walls 3 (one shown) a stepped front wall 4, a rear wall 5 and a top wall 6 partially closing the upper end of the housing. The top wall 6 completely closes the rear of the open upper end of the casing 1 and one end of the front of the open upper end of the casing. A
portion 8 of the top wall extends forwardly from an inclined shoulder 10 to the front wall 4. The portion 8 of the top wall contains openings 11 for receiving pills (not shown) or other solid mediation. A lid 12 is pivotally mounted on the top wall 6 for manually closing the front end of the housing 1 including the openings 11. The lid 12 can be opened to place medication in the apparatus. A tray 13 for receiving mediation is slidably mounted in the stepped front wall 4 of the casing 1 for movement between a retracted position (solid lines in Fig. 1) and an extended position (phantom outline in Fig. 1). Partitions 14 divide the tray 13 into a plurality of medication receiving wells 15.
A horizontal ledge 17 extends between the side walls 3 and rearwardly from the front wall 4 of the housing 1 for slidably supporting seven narrow, rectangular drawers 18 (only three shown). Each drawer 18 is defined by side walls 20, a rear wall 21 and a front wall 22. The front wall 22 extends slightly beyond the outside surfaces of the side walls 20 for preventing movement of the drawers 18 inwardly beyond the closed position shown in solid lines in Fig. 1. Partitions 24 extending between the side walls 22 divide the interior of each drawer 18 into discrete compartments 25 for receiving solid medication. The ledge 17 normally closes the open bottom of the drawer 18.
Each drawer 18 is moved between the closed position and one of a plurality of open positions (shown in phantom outline in Fig. 1) by its own drive system. In the open positions, one or more of the compartments 25 extends beyond the front wall 4 of the housing 1 so that medication can drop through the open bottom of a compartment. As best shown in Fig. 3, each drive system includes a reversible electric motor 27 mounted on a stand 28 in the housing 1. The shaft 29 of each motor 27 is supported by a partition 30 (Fig. 2). A
small gear 32 on the shaft 29 defines the input end of a gear 213~25~
train, which includes a compound planet gear 33, the small output portion 34 of which drives a larger gear 36 on one end of a shaft 37. The other end of the shaft 37 is defined by a worm gear 39, which drives a compound planet gear 40. The gear 40 is mounted on a shaft 41. The smaller wheel 42 of the gear 40 defines a pinion for engaging a rack 44 on the bottom edge of a rectangular plate 45, which is attached to one side 20 of a drawer 18. Thus, operation of the motor 27 results in rotation of the gears in the gear train, and consequently longitudinal movement of the plate 45 and of the drawer 18.
Power for the motor 27 and for a control circuit generally indicated at 47 (Figs. 2 and 5) mounted on a wall 48 extending longitudinally of the housing 1 is provided by batteries 50 (Fig. 1). The batteries 50 are removably mounted in a compartment 51 at the front end of the housing 1 proximate an on/off switch 52.
Movement of the drawer 18 is monitored by a mechanism including levers 54 (one shown) mounted on the shaft 41. One lever 54 is provided for each drawer. The lever 54 extends into the path of travel of a pair of cams or lugs 56 on one side of the larger wheel 57 of the compound planet gear 40. The lugs 56 are diametrically opposed, whereby they engage the lever 54 twice during each complete revolution of the gear 40. When the lug 56 engages the lever 54, the latter rotates the shaft 41 and conæequently an arm 59 on the outer end thereof. The arm 59, which normally rests on a stop 60 on one end wall 3 of the housing 1, rotates with the shaft 41 to close a spring contact 62 on a drawer posi~ion switch 63 (Fig.
~13~252 -5) which forms part of the control circuit 47 of the apparatus.
Operation of the apparatus is described below with reference to Fig. 5. The main element of the control circuit 47 is a microcontroller unit 65, all other elements of the circuit being directly or indirectly connected thereto. When the apparatus is being used for the first time, the first step is to install the batteries 50 in the compartment 51 (Fig. 1).
After the batteries are installed, the apparatus is switched on using the on-off switch 52. The user then closes a service enable switch 66 in combination with a user control button 67, a dispense schedule switch 69 and a switch 70 for setting the correct time of day. After the time is set, the user selects the dispensing schedule using the switch 69. The user also selects the number of compartments 25 to be used each day by operating the switch 70. A dispenser lockout switch 72 is set only if the user wishes to prevent the dispensing of medication if a previous dosage has not been dispensed for that day.
At this point, the microcontroller unit 65 performs certain tasks to ensure that the apparatus is on standby or sleep mode. The microcontroller unit 65 enables a system enable switch 73 to permit the distribution of power (in this case 6 volts) from the batteries 50 to peripheral devices including a low battery monitor 74, a voltage regulator 75 for maint~;n;ng the voltage to the motors at 2.6 volts, a motor controller 76 and a buzzer control 77. The microcontroller unit 65 ensures that all of the drawers 18 are in the closed ~3325~
position by turning on each motor 27 using the motor controller 76 to select the appropriate motor. While only a single motor 27 is shown in Fig. 5, it will be appreciated that there i8 a separate motor for each drawer 18, and all motors are connected to the motor controller 76. The motor 27 causes each drawer 18 to move outwardly to an open position.
As the drawer 18 moves outwardly, (as if to dispense medication) the unit 65 monitors the drawer position switch 63 for a signal indicating that the drawer is fully extended.
After a signal is received to indicate that a particular drawer 18 is fully extended, the motor 27 is reversed to return the drawer 18 to the closed position. As the shaft 29 of the motor 27 turns in the drawer closing direction, the microcontroller unit 65 monitors an overload protection indicator line 78 extending between the voltage regulator 75 and the microcontroller unit 65 which provides a signal that the motor 27 has overloaded, i.e. the drawer 18 is fully closed. While the overload protection indicator line is being monitored, the unit 65 also monitors the drawer position switch 63 to ensure that it is functioning properly (there is one pulse or signal produced each time the drawer 18 travels one compartment length). The unit 63 repeats the process for each of the six remaining drawers 18.
After the drawers 18 have been closed, the unit 65 proceeds by updating the system clock (not shown). The real time is determined and recorded in memory within the unit 65 by the unit counting the number of one hertz-one second intervals - clock counts received from an external oscillator.
~ 3~Z~2 Updating the clock, turns off the system enable 52 putting the unit 65 into standby or sleep mode which reduces power consumption to a minimum, conserving the batteries 50. The lid 12 i8 opened and medication in the form of pills is placed in the compartment 25.
While in the sleep mode, the external oscillator 79 continues to operate, generating a "wake-up" pulse every one second (or 1 Hz output). When the unit 65 receives the pulse, it comes out of its sleep mode to check the real time against the time scheduled for the next dispensing operation. If the two times coincide, the unit 65 activates the system enable 52 and the buzzer control 77 to alert the user that a dispensing operation is about to occur. The buzzer control 77 supplies the power (approximately 1 to 2 volts) and the frequency (2048 Hz) necessary to provide an audible signal to alert the user.
The buzzer continues sounding at regular intervals for a predetermined period of time. If the user does not respond to the buzzer, the unit 65 attempts to alert the user at a later time. The volume of the buzzer alert signal can be adjusted using the buzzer volume control switch 80. The user presses the button 67 (Figs. 1 and 5) on the housing 1 to send a signal to the unit 65 that a dispensing operation should begin. The unit recognizes this action as an input voltage difference supplied from the user control button 67 while the system enable 52 is activated.
The unit 65 determines which drawer 18 to extend by checking an internal memory register which is updated with current information based on the schedule and the number of 213ii~52 compartments pre-selected by the user. After determining the drawer 18 and compartment 25 from which medication is to be dispensed, the unit 65 selects the appropriate motor 27 using the motor controller 76 to determine the forward direction and S the time of operation of the motor 27. As the motor 27 operates, a drawer 18 is driven by the gear train illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. The distance the drawer travels is monitored by the unit 65 and the drawer position switch 63, the latter being closed by the lever 54 and the arm 59 (Fig.
4). The unit 65 counts one pulse for each compartment length.
When the correct compartment count is reached, the unit 65 stops the motor 27. As the motor 27 operates, the unit 65 also monitors the overload protection indicator line to ensure that the motor is not overloaded because of drawer jamming by an obstruction. If an electrical current overload is sensed, the unit 65 reverses the motor 27 in an attempt to clear the jam, and then resumes the intended operation. When the drawer 18 is extended the correct distance, medication drops into the tray 13. By pressing the button 67 or after a predetermined time in the extended position, the unit 65 causes the drawer 18 to retract to the closed position. As the drawer 18 closes, the unit 65 monitors the drawer position by counting the number of pulses from the drawer position switch 63. When the number of pulses counted in the reverse direction matches the number in the forward direction, the unit 65 stops the motor 27 by deselecting the motor using the motor controller 76. The overload protection for the extend direction is also provided for the retract direction.
213~32~Z
After a dispensing operation, the unit 65 may prevent the dispensing of medication until the next scheduled buzzer signal. The unit 65 also updates the real time clock, checks for low battery conditions and voltage differences produced by comparing the power supply voltages to a preset voltage within the lower battery circuitry - and checks for any other button pressed by the user. If the batteries are low, the unit 65 sets an internal memory flag and then periodically alerts the user with a unique buzzer tone by activating the system enable and buzzer enable lines in conjunction with the buzzer control 77.
During the updating sequence, if the unit 65 detects that the service enable switch 66 has been pressed in combination with the compartments select switch 70 and user control button 67, the unit 65 performs one of three operations, namely (1) time of day set-up (2) enabling medication dispensing after time of day set-up, and (3) enabling operation so that user can clean drawers 18. The first two operations are followed through by switching an appropriate combination of switches to preset the time of day.
The third operation involves the activation of the system enable 52 and the motor controller 76 by the unit 65 to sequentially fully extend the drawers 18. When the first drawer 18 is extended by turning on the motor 27 associated therewith, in conjunction with the unit 65 monitoring the drawer position switch 63 and the overload protection indicator line, the user can clean the drawer compartments 25 and the cavity in which the drawer slides. When the first 213~52 drawer is cleaned, the user simply presses the user control button 67, and the unit 65 retracts the first drawer and extends the second in like manner. The process continues until all drawers are cleaned. After cleaning, the unit 65 disables all peripheral devices by disabling the system enable 52, updates the real time clock and places itself into the sleep mode until the next wake-up call is initiated.
This invention relates to an electronic medication dispensing apparatus, and in particular to an apparatus for automatically dispensing pills at predetermined intervals.
While the apparatus was specifically designed to dispense pills, it will be appreciated that the apparatus can be used with other medication with a solid exterior such as capsules containing solid or liquid medication.
Dispensers for use when dispensing medication at regular intervals are well known. Examples of such devices are described in United States Patents Nos. 3,752,359, which issued to J.D. Shaw on August 17, 1973; 3,762,601, issued to J.T. McLaughlin on October 2, 1973; 3,802,600, issued to J.D.
Shaw on April 9, 1974; 3,814,281, issued to J.D. Shaw on June 4, 1974; 3,847,301, issued to J.D. Shaw on November 12, 1974;
4,473,156, issued to D.C. Martin on September 25, 1984;
4,626,105, issued to L.D. Miller on December 2, 1986;
4,674,651, issued to F.A. Scidmore et al on June 23, 1987;
4,872,559, issued to H. Schoon on October 10, 1989 and 5,176,285, issued to T.J. Shaw on January 5, 1993.
The patented devices vary from the extremely simple to the fairly complicated. In the case of the former, the dispensers provide nothing for alerting a user that the time has arrived for more pills to be taken. The more complicated devices of the type in question are often unnecessarily complex in terms of structure and operation.
An object of the present invention is to provide a relatively simple electronic medication dispenser which can be used to alert a user that medication is due to be dispensed at 21302~2 predetermined intervals of time, and to dispense the medication only after user initiation of a dispensing operation.
Another object of the invention is to provide an electronic pill dispenser with built-in safety features including a shut-out device, which ensures that if one dosage of medication is missed the apparatus will not automatically dispense the next scheduled dosage.
Accordingly the invention relates to an electronic dispensing apparatus for solid medication comprising housing means; drawer means in said casing means movable between a closed position and one of a plurality of open positions;
partition means dividing said drawer means into a plurality of discrete compartments for holding solid medication; normally closed mediation dispensing openings in said drawer means permitting dispensing of the contents of one said compartment when the drawer means is in an open position; drive means for moving said drawer means between said closed position and said open positions; monitor means for monitoring the position of said drawer means; and control means connected to said monitor means and to said drive means for controlling movement of said drawer means to successive open positions for dispensing the contents of one compartment at a time at preselected time intervals.
The invention is described hereinafter in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:
213~2 Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an electronic pill dispenser in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of Fig. 1 taken near the lefthand end thereof;
Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a drive system used in the dispenser of Figs. 1 and 2;
Figure 4 is a schematic end view of a drawer position monitoring device used in the dispenser of Fig. 1;
and Figure 5 is a block circuit diagram of a control for operating the dispenser of Fig. 1.
In the drawings, some parts have been omitted for the sake of simplicity.
With reference to Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings, a medication dispenser in accordance with the present invention includes a housing generally indicated at 1. The housing, is defined by a bottom wall 2, side walls 3 (one shown) a stepped front wall 4, a rear wall 5 and a top wall 6 partially closing the upper end of the housing. The top wall 6 completely closes the rear of the open upper end of the casing 1 and one end of the front of the open upper end of the casing. A
portion 8 of the top wall extends forwardly from an inclined shoulder 10 to the front wall 4. The portion 8 of the top wall contains openings 11 for receiving pills (not shown) or other solid mediation. A lid 12 is pivotally mounted on the top wall 6 for manually closing the front end of the housing 1 including the openings 11. The lid 12 can be opened to place medication in the apparatus. A tray 13 for receiving mediation is slidably mounted in the stepped front wall 4 of the casing 1 for movement between a retracted position (solid lines in Fig. 1) and an extended position (phantom outline in Fig. 1). Partitions 14 divide the tray 13 into a plurality of medication receiving wells 15.
A horizontal ledge 17 extends between the side walls 3 and rearwardly from the front wall 4 of the housing 1 for slidably supporting seven narrow, rectangular drawers 18 (only three shown). Each drawer 18 is defined by side walls 20, a rear wall 21 and a front wall 22. The front wall 22 extends slightly beyond the outside surfaces of the side walls 20 for preventing movement of the drawers 18 inwardly beyond the closed position shown in solid lines in Fig. 1. Partitions 24 extending between the side walls 22 divide the interior of each drawer 18 into discrete compartments 25 for receiving solid medication. The ledge 17 normally closes the open bottom of the drawer 18.
Each drawer 18 is moved between the closed position and one of a plurality of open positions (shown in phantom outline in Fig. 1) by its own drive system. In the open positions, one or more of the compartments 25 extends beyond the front wall 4 of the housing 1 so that medication can drop through the open bottom of a compartment. As best shown in Fig. 3, each drive system includes a reversible electric motor 27 mounted on a stand 28 in the housing 1. The shaft 29 of each motor 27 is supported by a partition 30 (Fig. 2). A
small gear 32 on the shaft 29 defines the input end of a gear 213~25~
train, which includes a compound planet gear 33, the small output portion 34 of which drives a larger gear 36 on one end of a shaft 37. The other end of the shaft 37 is defined by a worm gear 39, which drives a compound planet gear 40. The gear 40 is mounted on a shaft 41. The smaller wheel 42 of the gear 40 defines a pinion for engaging a rack 44 on the bottom edge of a rectangular plate 45, which is attached to one side 20 of a drawer 18. Thus, operation of the motor 27 results in rotation of the gears in the gear train, and consequently longitudinal movement of the plate 45 and of the drawer 18.
Power for the motor 27 and for a control circuit generally indicated at 47 (Figs. 2 and 5) mounted on a wall 48 extending longitudinally of the housing 1 is provided by batteries 50 (Fig. 1). The batteries 50 are removably mounted in a compartment 51 at the front end of the housing 1 proximate an on/off switch 52.
Movement of the drawer 18 is monitored by a mechanism including levers 54 (one shown) mounted on the shaft 41. One lever 54 is provided for each drawer. The lever 54 extends into the path of travel of a pair of cams or lugs 56 on one side of the larger wheel 57 of the compound planet gear 40. The lugs 56 are diametrically opposed, whereby they engage the lever 54 twice during each complete revolution of the gear 40. When the lug 56 engages the lever 54, the latter rotates the shaft 41 and conæequently an arm 59 on the outer end thereof. The arm 59, which normally rests on a stop 60 on one end wall 3 of the housing 1, rotates with the shaft 41 to close a spring contact 62 on a drawer posi~ion switch 63 (Fig.
~13~252 -5) which forms part of the control circuit 47 of the apparatus.
Operation of the apparatus is described below with reference to Fig. 5. The main element of the control circuit 47 is a microcontroller unit 65, all other elements of the circuit being directly or indirectly connected thereto. When the apparatus is being used for the first time, the first step is to install the batteries 50 in the compartment 51 (Fig. 1).
After the batteries are installed, the apparatus is switched on using the on-off switch 52. The user then closes a service enable switch 66 in combination with a user control button 67, a dispense schedule switch 69 and a switch 70 for setting the correct time of day. After the time is set, the user selects the dispensing schedule using the switch 69. The user also selects the number of compartments 25 to be used each day by operating the switch 70. A dispenser lockout switch 72 is set only if the user wishes to prevent the dispensing of medication if a previous dosage has not been dispensed for that day.
At this point, the microcontroller unit 65 performs certain tasks to ensure that the apparatus is on standby or sleep mode. The microcontroller unit 65 enables a system enable switch 73 to permit the distribution of power (in this case 6 volts) from the batteries 50 to peripheral devices including a low battery monitor 74, a voltage regulator 75 for maint~;n;ng the voltage to the motors at 2.6 volts, a motor controller 76 and a buzzer control 77. The microcontroller unit 65 ensures that all of the drawers 18 are in the closed ~3325~
position by turning on each motor 27 using the motor controller 76 to select the appropriate motor. While only a single motor 27 is shown in Fig. 5, it will be appreciated that there i8 a separate motor for each drawer 18, and all motors are connected to the motor controller 76. The motor 27 causes each drawer 18 to move outwardly to an open position.
As the drawer 18 moves outwardly, (as if to dispense medication) the unit 65 monitors the drawer position switch 63 for a signal indicating that the drawer is fully extended.
After a signal is received to indicate that a particular drawer 18 is fully extended, the motor 27 is reversed to return the drawer 18 to the closed position. As the shaft 29 of the motor 27 turns in the drawer closing direction, the microcontroller unit 65 monitors an overload protection indicator line 78 extending between the voltage regulator 75 and the microcontroller unit 65 which provides a signal that the motor 27 has overloaded, i.e. the drawer 18 is fully closed. While the overload protection indicator line is being monitored, the unit 65 also monitors the drawer position switch 63 to ensure that it is functioning properly (there is one pulse or signal produced each time the drawer 18 travels one compartment length). The unit 63 repeats the process for each of the six remaining drawers 18.
After the drawers 18 have been closed, the unit 65 proceeds by updating the system clock (not shown). The real time is determined and recorded in memory within the unit 65 by the unit counting the number of one hertz-one second intervals - clock counts received from an external oscillator.
~ 3~Z~2 Updating the clock, turns off the system enable 52 putting the unit 65 into standby or sleep mode which reduces power consumption to a minimum, conserving the batteries 50. The lid 12 i8 opened and medication in the form of pills is placed in the compartment 25.
While in the sleep mode, the external oscillator 79 continues to operate, generating a "wake-up" pulse every one second (or 1 Hz output). When the unit 65 receives the pulse, it comes out of its sleep mode to check the real time against the time scheduled for the next dispensing operation. If the two times coincide, the unit 65 activates the system enable 52 and the buzzer control 77 to alert the user that a dispensing operation is about to occur. The buzzer control 77 supplies the power (approximately 1 to 2 volts) and the frequency (2048 Hz) necessary to provide an audible signal to alert the user.
The buzzer continues sounding at regular intervals for a predetermined period of time. If the user does not respond to the buzzer, the unit 65 attempts to alert the user at a later time. The volume of the buzzer alert signal can be adjusted using the buzzer volume control switch 80. The user presses the button 67 (Figs. 1 and 5) on the housing 1 to send a signal to the unit 65 that a dispensing operation should begin. The unit recognizes this action as an input voltage difference supplied from the user control button 67 while the system enable 52 is activated.
The unit 65 determines which drawer 18 to extend by checking an internal memory register which is updated with current information based on the schedule and the number of 213ii~52 compartments pre-selected by the user. After determining the drawer 18 and compartment 25 from which medication is to be dispensed, the unit 65 selects the appropriate motor 27 using the motor controller 76 to determine the forward direction and S the time of operation of the motor 27. As the motor 27 operates, a drawer 18 is driven by the gear train illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. The distance the drawer travels is monitored by the unit 65 and the drawer position switch 63, the latter being closed by the lever 54 and the arm 59 (Fig.
4). The unit 65 counts one pulse for each compartment length.
When the correct compartment count is reached, the unit 65 stops the motor 27. As the motor 27 operates, the unit 65 also monitors the overload protection indicator line to ensure that the motor is not overloaded because of drawer jamming by an obstruction. If an electrical current overload is sensed, the unit 65 reverses the motor 27 in an attempt to clear the jam, and then resumes the intended operation. When the drawer 18 is extended the correct distance, medication drops into the tray 13. By pressing the button 67 or after a predetermined time in the extended position, the unit 65 causes the drawer 18 to retract to the closed position. As the drawer 18 closes, the unit 65 monitors the drawer position by counting the number of pulses from the drawer position switch 63. When the number of pulses counted in the reverse direction matches the number in the forward direction, the unit 65 stops the motor 27 by deselecting the motor using the motor controller 76. The overload protection for the extend direction is also provided for the retract direction.
213~32~Z
After a dispensing operation, the unit 65 may prevent the dispensing of medication until the next scheduled buzzer signal. The unit 65 also updates the real time clock, checks for low battery conditions and voltage differences produced by comparing the power supply voltages to a preset voltage within the lower battery circuitry - and checks for any other button pressed by the user. If the batteries are low, the unit 65 sets an internal memory flag and then periodically alerts the user with a unique buzzer tone by activating the system enable and buzzer enable lines in conjunction with the buzzer control 77.
During the updating sequence, if the unit 65 detects that the service enable switch 66 has been pressed in combination with the compartments select switch 70 and user control button 67, the unit 65 performs one of three operations, namely (1) time of day set-up (2) enabling medication dispensing after time of day set-up, and (3) enabling operation so that user can clean drawers 18. The first two operations are followed through by switching an appropriate combination of switches to preset the time of day.
The third operation involves the activation of the system enable 52 and the motor controller 76 by the unit 65 to sequentially fully extend the drawers 18. When the first drawer 18 is extended by turning on the motor 27 associated therewith, in conjunction with the unit 65 monitoring the drawer position switch 63 and the overload protection indicator line, the user can clean the drawer compartments 25 and the cavity in which the drawer slides. When the first 213~52 drawer is cleaned, the user simply presses the user control button 67, and the unit 65 retracts the first drawer and extends the second in like manner. The process continues until all drawers are cleaned. After cleaning, the unit 65 disables all peripheral devices by disabling the system enable 52, updates the real time clock and places itself into the sleep mode until the next wake-up call is initiated.
Claims (9)
1. An electronic dispensing apparatus for solid medication comprising housing means; drawer means in said casing means movable between a closed position and one of a plurality of open positions; partition means dividing said drawer means into a plurality of discrete compartments for holding solid medication; normally closed mediation dispensing openings in said drawer means permitting dispensing of the contents of one said compartment when the drawer means is in an open position; drive means for moving said drawer means between said closed position and said open positions; monitor means for monitoring the position of said drawer means; and control means connected to said monitor means and to said drive means for controlling movement of said drawer means to successive open positions for dispensing the contents of one compartment at a time at preselected time intervals.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, including buzzer means for signalling a user that one said preselected time interval has passed, and a dispensing operation can begin.
3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said control means includes a microcontroller unit for receiving signals concerning drawer means location from said monitor means, and for activating said buzzer means; and motor control means for receiving signals from said microcontroller unit for actuating said drive means.
4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said control means includes user control switch means connected to said microcontroller means for preventing operation of said drive means until said user control switch means is closed after a signal is received from said buzzer means.
5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said control means includes dispense schedule switch means connected to said microcontroller unit for setting a medication dispensing schedule; and compartment select switch means for selecting the compartments to be used to contain and dispense medication.
6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said monitor means includes drawer position switch means connected to said microcontroller unit; and linkage means connecting said drawer position switch means to said drive means for monitoring movement in said drive means and consequently of said drawer means.
7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said drive means includes separate reversible motor means for each said drawer means; and gear train means connecting said motor means to said drawer means for moving the drawer means out of and into said housing means.
8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said linkage means includes cam means in said gear train means; and lever means connecting said cam means to said drawer position switch means.
9. An apparatus according to claim 8, including lockout means for preventing a medication dispensing operation if a previous such operation has not occurred.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2130252 CA2130252A1 (en) | 1994-08-16 | 1994-08-16 | Automatic medication dispenser |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2130252 CA2130252A1 (en) | 1994-08-16 | 1994-08-16 | Automatic medication dispenser |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2130252A1 true CA2130252A1 (en) | 1996-02-17 |
Family
ID=4154181
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2130252 Abandoned CA2130252A1 (en) | 1994-08-16 | 1994-08-16 | Automatic medication dispenser |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2130252A1 (en) |
Cited By (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5905653A (en) * | 1994-07-14 | 1999-05-18 | Omnicell Technologies, Inc. | Methods and devices for dispensing pharmaceutical and medical supply items |
| US6011999A (en) * | 1997-12-05 | 2000-01-04 | Omnicell Technologies, Inc. | Apparatus for controlled dispensing of pharmaceutical and medical supplies |
| US6039467A (en) * | 1996-12-05 | 2000-03-21 | Omnicell Technologies, Inc. | Lighting system and methods for a dispensing device |
| US6151536A (en) * | 1998-09-28 | 2000-11-21 | Omnicell.Com | Dispensing system and methods |
| US6640159B2 (en) | 1996-12-05 | 2003-10-28 | Omnicell Technologies, Inc. | Replacement liner and methods for a dispensing device |
| CN106963589A (en) * | 2017-03-23 | 2017-07-21 | 上海市肺科医院 | The distributing vehicle of self-action medicine record |
| CN107031995A (en) * | 2017-05-15 | 2017-08-11 | 冯瑞芳 | A kind of medicine box of medical quantitative tablet taking |
| US9953140B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2018-04-24 | Intent Solutions, Inc. | Systems, methods, and apparatuses for securely dispensing one or more prescribed substances to a securely identified intended user |
| US10792224B2 (en) | 2015-04-04 | 2020-10-06 | Intent Solutions, Inc. | Systems and methods for portable pill dispensers |
| US11241365B2 (en) | 2017-12-27 | 2022-02-08 | Intent Solutions, Inc. | Systems and methods for portable pill dispensers with various dispensing mechanisms |
-
1994
- 1994-08-16 CA CA 2130252 patent/CA2130252A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (12)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5905653A (en) * | 1994-07-14 | 1999-05-18 | Omnicell Technologies, Inc. | Methods and devices for dispensing pharmaceutical and medical supply items |
| US6039467A (en) * | 1996-12-05 | 2000-03-21 | Omnicell Technologies, Inc. | Lighting system and methods for a dispensing device |
| US6640159B2 (en) | 1996-12-05 | 2003-10-28 | Omnicell Technologies, Inc. | Replacement liner and methods for a dispensing device |
| US6011999A (en) * | 1997-12-05 | 2000-01-04 | Omnicell Technologies, Inc. | Apparatus for controlled dispensing of pharmaceutical and medical supplies |
| US6151536A (en) * | 1998-09-28 | 2000-11-21 | Omnicell.Com | Dispensing system and methods |
| US9953140B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2018-04-24 | Intent Solutions, Inc. | Systems, methods, and apparatuses for securely dispensing one or more prescribed substances to a securely identified intended user |
| US11217337B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2022-01-04 | Intent Solutions, Inc. | Systems, methods, and apparatuses for securely dispensing one or more prescribed substances to a securely identified intended user |
| US10792224B2 (en) | 2015-04-04 | 2020-10-06 | Intent Solutions, Inc. | Systems and methods for portable pill dispensers |
| CN106963589A (en) * | 2017-03-23 | 2017-07-21 | 上海市肺科医院 | The distributing vehicle of self-action medicine record |
| CN107031995A (en) * | 2017-05-15 | 2017-08-11 | 冯瑞芳 | A kind of medicine box of medical quantitative tablet taking |
| US11241365B2 (en) | 2017-12-27 | 2022-02-08 | Intent Solutions, Inc. | Systems and methods for portable pill dispensers with various dispensing mechanisms |
| US11666511B2 (en) | 2017-12-27 | 2023-06-06 | Intent Solutions, Inc. | Systems and methods for portable pill dispensers with various dispensing mechanisms |
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