Dose dispensing apparatus
First Claim
1. A dispensing system comprising a programmable dispensing mechanism adapted to receive a sealed container containing multiple doses of material to be dispensed, and including a mechanical actuation mechanism which, when actuated, causes a measured dose of material to be dispensed from the container, and wherein the dispensing mechanism is selectively inhibited from operation by a locking mechanism which, when actuated, locks the dispensing mechanism against the further dispensing of a dose of material until released in accordance with a desired dispensing programme, and wherein the container and dispensing mechanism are provided with an authenticator to check the authenticity of the container placed in the dispensing mechanism, wherein release of the locking mechanism is effected by remote control.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dispensing system for controlled, especially remote controlled, dispensing of medicaments is disclosed. The system consists of a dispensing mechanism adapted to receive a sealed or resealable container of material to be dispensed and to validate that it is the correct material, and which includes a mechanical actuation mechanism which, when actuated, causes a measured dose of material to be dispensed from the material container. The mechanical actuation mechanism may be inhibited from operation by a locking mechanism which, when actuated, locks the device against the further dispensing of a dose of material until release in accordance with the desired dispensing programme, e.g. until a certain time period has elapsed, or until the programme permits dispensing to occur on some other basis. The dispensing system may be in two parts, a hand-held hand-actuated dispensing mechanism (1) and a base or docking station (2) into which the hand-held unit may be placed in order to release the locking mechanism. The docking or base station (2) may be triggered to cooperate with a remote overall control system, for example a remote computer, by placing the hand-held dispensing mechanism (1) in it.
23 Citations
13 Claims
- 1. A dispensing system comprising a programmable dispensing mechanism adapted to receive a sealed container containing multiple doses of material to be dispensed, and including a mechanical actuation mechanism which, when actuated, causes a measured dose of material to be dispensed from the container, and wherein the dispensing mechanism is selectively inhibited from operation by a locking mechanism which, when actuated, locks the dispensing mechanism against the further dispensing of a dose of material until released in accordance with a desired dispensing programme, and wherein the container and dispensing mechanism are provided with an authenticator to check the authenticity of the container placed in the dispensing mechanism, wherein release of the locking mechanism is effected by remote control.
Specification