Medicament dispenser

• US 20030183226A1
• Filed: 12/16/2002
• Published: 10/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited (Glaxosmithkline Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited (Glaxosmithkline Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Rand, Paul Kenneth, Godfrey, James William, Brand, Peter John
• Granted Patent: US 7,191,777 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/200.23
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0418 with electronic history memory
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0051 the dosages being arranged on a tape, e.g. strips
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0065 Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices A61M15/0028 takes precedence; dosage devices incorporated in aerosol cans B65D83/52
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0068 Indicating or counting the number of dispensed doses or of remaining doses
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/008 Electronic counters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/009 using medicine packages with incorporated spraying means, e.g. aerosol cans pocket atomiser of the injector type A61M11/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/026 specially adapted for predicting, e.g. for determining an information representative of a flow limitation during a ventilation cycle by using a root square technique or a regression analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/161 with means for measuring the humidity
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0036 in the breathing tube and used in both inspiratory and expiratory phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3306 Optical measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3553 remote, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3584 using modem, internet or bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/60 with identification means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6018 providing set-up signals for the apparatus configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6054 Magnetic identification systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/80 voice-operated command
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/06 : Packaging for specific medical equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/42 : Rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/43 : Composition of exhalation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/432 : partial CO2 pressure (P-CO2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/435 : partial O2 pressure (P-O2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/63 : Motion, e.g. physical activity

Abstract

There is provided a medicament dispenser for use in the storage, presentation and/or dispensing of medicament comprising a body shaped for receipt of a medicament container. In association with the body, there is a first transceiver for transmitting and receiving data. A medicament container is receivable by the body. In association with the medicament container, there is a second transceiver for transmitting and receiving data. Data is transferable in two-way fashion from the first transceiver to the second transceiver. The medicament dispenser may be supplied in kit of parts form.

Claims

1. A medicament dispenser comprising

a body, said body shaped for receipt of a medicament container;

in association with the body, a first transceiver for transmitting and receiving data;

a medicament container receivable by the body; and

in association with the medicament container, a second transceiver for transmitting and receiving data,

wherein data is transferable in two-way fashion from the first transceiver to the second transceiver.

2. A medicament dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said data is transferable when the medicament container is received wholly or partly by the body.

3. A medicament dispenser according to either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the data is transferable when the medicament container and the body establish a defined point of registration therebetween.

4. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the data is transferable in the absence of direct physical contact between the first and second transceiver.

5. A medicament dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the data is transferable wirelessly between the first and second transceiver.

6. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first transceiver is an active transceiver and the second transceiver is a passive transceiver.

7. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second transceiver comprises a tag comprising

an antenna for transmitting or receiving energy;

and

an integrated circuit chip connecting with said antenna,

and the first transceiver comprises a reader for said tag.

8. A medicament dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the integrated circuit chip has a read only memory area.

9. A medicament dispenser according to either of claims 7 or 8, wherein the integrated circuit chip has a memory area with restricted read access.

10. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the integrated circuit chip has a read/write memory area.

11. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the integrated circuit chip has a one-time programmable memory area.

12. A medicament dispenser according to claim 11, wherein the one time programmable memory area contains a unique serial number.

13. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 7 to 12, wherein the integrated circuit chip has a preset memory area containing a non-changeable data item.

14. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 7 to 13, wherein the integrated circuit chip has plural memory areas thereon.

15. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 7 to 14, wherein any memory area on the integrated circuit chip contains data in encrypted form.

27. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 7 to 26, wherein said antenna is capable of transmitting or receiving radiofrequency energy.

28. A medicament dispenser according to claim 27, wherein said radiofrequency energy has a frequency of from 100 KHz to 2.5 GHz.

29. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 7 to 26, wherein said antenna is capable of transmitting or receiving magnetic field energy.

30. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 7 to 26, wherein the second transceiver comprises a passive microelectronic memory chip and the first transceiver comprises an active reader for said microelectronic memory chip.

31. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 30, wherein the first transceiver is integral with the body.

32. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 31, wherein the first transceiver forms part of a base unit which is reversibly associable with the body.

33. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 32, additionally comprising an electronic data management system comprising

a memory for storage of data;

a microprocessor for performing operations on said data; and

a transmitter for transmitting a signal relating to the data or the outcome of an operation on the data,

wherein said electronic data management system is in association with the first transceiver and/or second transceiver.

34. A medicament dispenser according to claim 33, wherein the electronic data management system is integral with the body.

35. A medicament dispenser according to claim 33, wherein the electronic data management system and first transceiver form part of a base unit which is reversibly associable with the body.

36. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 35, including release means for releasing medicament from the medicament container.

37. A medicament dispenser according to claim 36, including an actuation detector for detecting actuation of said release means wherein said actuation detector transmits actuation data to the electronic data management system.

38. A medicament dispenser according to either of claims 35 or 36, wherein the release means is primable by a priming step.

39. A medicament dispenser according to claim 38, additionally comprising a prime detector for detecting priming of the release means wherein said prime detector transmits priming data to the electronic data management system.

40. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 33 to 39, additionally comprising a release detector for detecting release of medicament from the medicament container, wherein said release detector transmits release data to the electronic data management system.

41. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 33 to 40, additionally comprising a communicator for wireless communication with a gateway to a network computer system to enable transfer of data between the network computer system and the electronic data management system.

42. A medicament dispenser according to claim 41, wherein the communicator communicates directly with the gateway.

43. A medicament dispenser according to claim 41, wherein the communicator communicates with the gateway via a second communications device.

44. A medicament dispenser according to claim 43, wherein the second communications device is a telecommunications device.

45. A medicament dispenser according to either of claims 43 or 44, wherein the communicator communicates with the second communications device using spread spectrum radiofrequency signals.

46. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 41 to 45, wherein the network computer system comprises a public access network computer system.

47. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 41 to 45, wherein the network computer system comprises a private access network computer system and the gateway is a secure gateway.

48. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 41 to 47, wherein the communicator enables communication with a user-specific network address in the network computer system selected from the group consisting of a web-site address, an e-mail address and a file transfer protocol address.

49. A medicament dispenser according any of claims 33 to 48, additionally comprising a data input system for user input of data to the electronic data management system.

50. A medicament dispenser according to claim 49, wherein said data input system comprises a man machine interface (MMI).

51. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 33 to 50, additionally comprising a visual display unit for display of data from the electronic data management system to the user.

52. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 33 to 51, additionally comprising a datalink for linking to a local data store to enable communication of data between the local data store and the electronic data management system.

53. A medicament dispenser according to claim 52, wherein the datalink comprises a hard-wired link or an infrared link and the local data store comprises a personal computer, a network computer system or a set-top box.

54. A system according to any of claims 33 to 53, wherein the electronic data management system includes a predictive algorithm or look-up table for calculating the optimum amount of medicament to dispense.

55. A system according to claim 54, wherein the memory includes a dose memory for storing dosage data and reference is made to the dose memory in calculating the optimum amount of medicament to dispense.

56. A system according to any of claims 1 to 55, additionally comprising a selector for selecting the amount of medicament to dispense from said dispensing mechanism.

57. A system according to claim 56, wherein the selector is operable in response to a signal from the electronic data management system.

58. A system according to any of claims 1 to 57, additionally comprising a geographic positioning system.

59. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 33 to 58 for the delivery of respirable medicament, additionally comprising a breath sensor which senses the breath of a user, wherein the sensor communicates breath data to the electronic data management system.

60. A medicament dispenser according to claim 59, wherein said sensor comprises a breath-movable element which is movable in response to the breath of a patient.

61. A medicament dispenser according to claim 60, wherein said breath-movable element is selected from the group consisting of a vane, a sail, a piston and an impeller.

62. A medicament dispenser according to claim 59, wherein the sensor comprises a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure profile associated with the breath of a user.

63. A medicament dispenser according to claim 59, wherein the sensor comprises an airflow sensor for sensing the airflow profile associated with the breath of a user.

64. A medicament dispenser according to claim 59, wherein the sensor comprises a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature profile associated with the breath of a user.

65. A medicament dispenser according to claim 59, wherein the sensor comprises a moisture sensor for sensing the moisture profile associated with the breath of a user.

66. A medicament dispenser according to claim 59, wherein the sensor comprises a gas sensor for sensing the oxygen or carbon dioxide profile associated with the breath of a user.

67. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 59 to 66, wherein said breath data includes breath cycle data.

68. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 59 to 66, wherein said breath data includes peak flow data.

69. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 59 to 66, additionally comprising

triggerable release means for releasing medicament from said medicament container;

and

a breath trigger for triggering the triggerable release means, said breath trigger being actuable in response to a trigger signal from the electronic data management system.

70. A medicament dispenser according to claim 69, wherein the electronic data management system includes a predictive algorithm or look-up table for deriving from the breath data when to transmit the trigger signal.

71. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 70, wherein said medicament container is an aerosol container.

72. A medicament dispenser according to claim 71, wherein said aerosol container comprises a suspension of a medicament in a propellant.

73. A medicament dispenser according to claim 72, wherein, said propellant comprises liquefied HFA134a, HFA-227 or carbon dioxide.

74. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 71 to 73, wherein said aerosol container comprises a solution of a medicament in a solvent.

75. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 70, wherein said medicament container is a dry-powder container.

76. A medicament dispenser according to claim 75, wherein said dry-powder container comprises medicament and optionally excipient in dry-powder form.

77. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 70, wherein said medicament container is a tablet container.

78. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 71 to 77, wherein the medicament is selected from the group consisting of albuterol, salmeterol, fluticasone propionate, beclomethasone dipropionate, salts or solvates thereof and any mixtures thereof.

79. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 58 in the form of a syringe.

82. A system comprising

(a) a medicament dispenser according to any of claims 33 to 79 including an electronic data management system;

and

(b) a remote data management system, wherein data is transferable between the electronic data management system of the medicament dispenser and the remote data management system.

83. A system according to claim 82, wherein the remote data management system comprises a local data store.

84. A system according to claim 82, wherein the remote data management system comprises a network computer system.

25. A medicament dispenser according to claim 24, wherein the insulating material comprises a glass material, a paper material, a ceramic material or an organic polymeric material.

26. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 18 to 23, wherein the carrier includes a ferrite material.

80. A kit of parts comprising

(a) a medicament dispenser comprising a body, said body shaped for receipt of a medicament container;

in association with the body, a first transceiver for transmitting and receiving data; and

(b) a medicament container receivable by the body of the medicament dispenser;

in association with the medicament container, a second transceiver for transmitting and receiving data, wherein data is transferable in two-way fashion from the first transceiver to the second transceiver.

81. Kit of parts according to claim 80, wherein the data is transferable in two-way fashion from the first transceiver to the second transceiver when the medicament container is received within the body of the medicament dispenser.