Container and method for dispensing transdermal dosage forms

• US 6,865,444 B2
• Filed: 11/24/2003
• Issued: 03/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Purdue Pharma L.P.
• Original Assignee: Euroceltique SA
• Inventors: Howard, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Khoi H.
• Application Number:
  US10/724,348
• Publication Number:
  US 20040122554A1
• Time in Patent Office: 470 Days
• Field of Search: 700/231, 700/237, 221/12, 221/66, 221/102
• US Class Current: 700/237
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/551 Packaging before or after use general packaging of absorbent pads B65D85/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 15/00 Auxiliary appliances for wound dressings; Dispensing containers for dressings or bandages packaging of absorbent articles such as diapers, feminine hygiene absorbing pads or tampons A61F13/551; packaging of wound dressings A61F13/00072
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/10 Bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/30 Printed labels
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/40 by shape or form, e.g. by using shape recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0076 Medicament distribution means with pill counting devices A61J7/02; with time indication A61J7/04; containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents B65D83/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 35/00 Devices for applying media, e.g. remedies, on the human body devices for handling toiletry or cosmetic substances A45D; absorbent pads, e.g. swabs, A61F13/15

Abstract

The present invention provides a two compartment device (10), and method of use, for the disposal of used transdermal dosage forms (26) and the dispensing of unused transdermal dosage forms (28). The first compartment (12) has a dosage form inlet (16) and a detector (20), and the second compartment (14) has a dosage form outlet (22) in communication with the detector (20). The detector (20) permits the dispensing of an unused transdermal dosage (28) form from the outlet (22).

Claims

1. A container for dispensing transdermal dosage forms comprising:

a housing having a first compartment and a second compartment, the first compartment having an inlet of a sufficient size to receive a used transdermal dosage form, the second compartment having an outlet of a sufficient size to dispense an unused transdermal dosage form, and

a detector of used transdermal dosage forms placed in the inlet to permit the dispensing of an unused transdermal dosage form from the outlet.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the second compartment contains a plurality of unused transdermal dosage forms.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein the second compartment contains a plurality of unused patches.

4. The container of claim 1, further comprising a CPU in communication with the detector, the CPU permits receipt of a used transdermal dosage form through the inlet.

5. The container of claim 4, wherein the CPU permits receipt of the used transdermal dosage form through the inlet before an unused transdermal dosage form is dispensed through the outlet.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein the detector comprises a bar code scanner.

7. The container of claims 1, wherein the detector comprises a hologram reader.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein the detector detects the placement of a used untampered transdermal dosage form proximate to said inlet.

9. The container of claim 1, wherein said first compartment is sealed from said second compartment.

10. The container of claim 2, wherein the transdermal dosage forms contains an active agent.

11. The container of claim 10, wherein the active agent is an opioid.

12. A container for dispensing transdermal dosage forms comprising:

a housing having a first compartment and a second compartment, the first compartment having an inlet of a sufficient size to receive a used transdermal dosage form, the second compartment having an outlet of a sufficient size to dispense an unused transdermal dosage form, and

means for detecting when a used transdermal dosage form has been placed in the inlet to permit the dispensing of an unused transdermal dosage form from the outlet.

13. The container of claim 12, wherein the second compartment contains a plurality of unused transdermal dosage forms.

14. The container of claim 13, wherein the second compartment contains a plurality of unused patches.

15. The container of claim 12, further comprising a CPU in communication with the detector, the CPU having means for permitting receipt of a used transdermal dosage form through the inlet.

16. The container of claim 15, wherein the CPU having means for permitting receipt of the used transdermal dosage form through the inlet before an unused transdermal dosage form is dispensed through the outlet.

17. The container of claim 12, wherein the means for detecting includes scanning a bar code.

18. The container of claims 12, wherein the means for detecting includes reading a hologram.

19. The container of claim 12, wherein the means for detecting detects the placement of a used untampered transdermal dosage form proximate to said inlet.

20. The container of claim 12, wherein said first compartment is sealed from said second compartment.

21. The container of claim 13, wherein the transdermal dosage forms contains an active agent.

22. The container of claim 21, wherein the active agent is an opioid.

23. A method of dispensing unused transdermal dosage forms comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a patient with a first container for receiving used transdermal dosage forms to permit dispensing unused transdermal dosage forms; and

(b) rewarding the patient upon the return of the container with used transdermal dosage forms.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein said rewarding step includes selling said new container at a lower price than the cost of said first container.

25. The method according to claim 23, wherein said rewarding step includes providing said patient with coupons.

26. The method according to claim 23, wherein said rewarding step includes providing said patient with funds.

27. The method according to claim 23, wherein the unused transdermal dosage form contains an active agent.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the active agent is an opioid.

29. A method of dispensing unused transdermal dosage forms comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a patient with (i) a first container for receiving used transdermal dosage forms to permit dispensing unused transdermal dosage forms; and

(ii) means of rewarding the patient upon the return of the container with used transdermal dosage forms.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein said means of rewarding includes selling said new container at a lower price than the cost of said first container.

31. The method according to claim 29, wherein said means of rewarding includes providing said patient with coupons.

32. The method according to claim 29, wherein said means of rewarding includes providing said patient with funds.

33. A device for the regulated dispensing of medication comprising:

a container having a first compartment and a second compartment;

a detection device disposed in relation to said first compartment, said first compartment comprising;

an used dosage form inlet being unidirectional, wherein said detection device determining the presence of a used dosage form at said used dosage form inlet and generating a data signal in response to the recognition of said used dosage form;

an inlet door being selectively opened and closed in response to said data signal received from said detection device to access said used dosage form inlet, said detection device generating a second data signal in response to said used dosage form being identified at said used dosage form inlet and disposed in said first compartment, said detection device transmitting said second data signal to said second compartment,

said second compartment comprising;

an unused dosage form outlet being unidirectional and dispensing an unused dosage;

an outlet door being selectively opened and closed in response to said second data signal received from said detection device to access said unused dosage form outlet.

34. The device according to claim 33, wherein said detection device is disposed within said first compartment.

35. The device according to claim 33, wherein said used dosage being a transdermal patch and wherein said unused dosage being a transdermal patch.

36. The device according to claim 33, wherein said used dosage further comprises a tamperproof identification being detected by said detection device.

37. The device according to claim 36, wherein said tamperproof identification comprises at least one of a barcode, a hologram, an electromagnetic transmitter and a key form.

38. A method of dispensing an unused transdermal dosage forms and receiving used transdermal dosage forms, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a container having a first compartment for receiving used transdermal dosage forms and a second compartment for dispensing unused transdermal dosage forms;

scanning a used transdermal dosage form proximate to an inlet of the first compartment to verify that a used transdermal dosage form is being receiving in the first compartment;

communicating with an outlet mechanism of the second compartment that a used transdermal dosage form has been receiving in the first compartment; and

dispensing an unused transdermal dosage form from an outlet of the second compartment.

39. The method according to claim 38, wherein the scanning step verifies that a used untampered transdermal dosage form is being received in the first compartment.

40. The method according to claim 39, wherein the used transdermal dosage form is received in the first compartment before an unused transdermal dosage form is dispensed from the outlet of the second compartment.

41. The method according to claim 40, wherein said dispensing step occurs only after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the immediate previous dispensing of an unused transdermal dosage form.

42. The method according to claim 38, wherein a medical dispensing technician fills the second compartment with unused transdermal dosage forms.