Medicament dispenser

• US 7,198,172 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2003
• Issued: 04/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited (GSK plc)
• Original Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited (GSK plc)
• Inventors: Harvey, Stephen James, Lintell, Daniel Thomas de Sausmarez
• Primary Examiner(s): Crawford; Gene O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Waggoner; Timothy
• Application Number:
  US10/513,101
• Publication Number:
  US 20050177275A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,439 Days
• Field of Search: 221/71, 221/17, 221/8, 221/6, 221/4, 221/2, 128/200.23, 206/459.1, 206/459.5, 434/262
• US Class Current: 221/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/035 Blister-type containers blisters in general B65D75/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0436 resulting from removing a drug from, or opening, a container
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0472 of the count-down type, i.e. counting down a predetermined interval after each reset
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0026 Hinged caps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0043 Non-destructive separation of the package, e.g. peeling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0045 using multiple prepacked dosages on a same carrier, e.g. blisters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0051 the dosages being arranged on a tape, e.g. strips
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0055 the used dosages being coiled
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/008 Electronic counters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0083 Timers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0024 with an on-off output signal, e.g. from a switch
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/064 Powder
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/12 with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3306 Optical measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3569 sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/505 Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8212 : with means or measures taken for minimising energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 1/005 : using electronic timing, e.g. counting means pulse time delay arrangements H03K5/13; modifications of electronic switches for introducing a time delay before switching H03K17/28
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 9/0082 : by building-up characters using a combination of indicating elements and by selecting desired characters out of a number of characters or by selecting indicating elements the positions of which represents the time, i.e. combinations of G04G9/02 and G04G9/08
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 : for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00

Abstract

Disclosed is a medicament dispenser having a base unit and a replaceable refill container. The base unit has one or more sensors for sensing one or more conditions of the medicament dispenser and a display for displaying indicia representing a state of the medicament dispenser. First indicia show the base unit and second indicia show the refill container. The display of at least one of said first and said second indicia is selectively controllable independently of the display of the other of said first and said second indicia in order to indicate said one or more sensed conditions of the medicament dispenser.

Claims

1. A medicament dispenser comprising a base unit, the base unit being adapted for receiving a replaceable refill container and for sensing one or more conditions of the medicament dispenser, said base unit comprising display means for displaying indicia representing a state of the medicament dispenser, wherein:

said display means are configured to display first indicia providing a graphical representation of the base unit; and

said display means are configured to display second indicia providing a graphical representation of a refill container,

wherein the dispenser is adapted such that the display of at least one of said first and said second indicia is selectively controllable independently of the display of the other of said first and said second indicia in order to indicate said one or more sensed conditions of the medicament dispenser.

2. A medicament dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the base unit is adapted for sensing one or more conditions of the refill container.

3. A medicament dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said second indicia are selectively controllable independently of the display of said first indicia.

4. A medicament dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the base unit is adapted for sensing one or more conditions of the base unit.

5. A medicament dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said first indicia are selectively controllable independently of the display of said second indicia.

6. A medicament dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said first and said second indicia are displayable together in a graphical representation of the base unit with a refill container attached thereto.

7. A medicament dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said base unit includes a mechanical priming component for initiating the dispensing of medicament and wherein said display means is configured to display indicia providing a graphical representation of actuation of the mechanical priming component, the display of the mechanical priming indicia being selectively controllable in accordance with a sensed condition of the mechanical priming component.

21. A medicament dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said one or more sensed conditions comprise a condition at to whether or not a refill container is attached.

23. A medicament dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the medicament dispenser is an inhalation device.

26. A medicament dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said one or more sensed conditions comprise a condition in which medication has been dispensed to an output part of the dispenser.

32. A medicament dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the medicament is in a form selected from the group consisting of capsule;

a tablet;

an aqueous solution;

an aerosol; and

a dry powder.

35. A medicament dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the medicament is selected from the group consisting of albuterol, salmeterol, fluticasone propionate and beclomethasone dipropionate and salts or solvates thereof and any combination thereof.

36. A method of dispensing medicament comprising the steps of

(i) providing of a medicament dispenser according to claim 1 and

(ii) dispensing medicament therefrom.

8. A medicament dispenser comprising a base unit, the base unit being adapted for receiving a replaceable refill container and for sensing one or more conditions of the medicament dispenser, said base unit comprising display means for displaying indicia representing a state of the medicament dispenser, wherein:

said display means are configured to display first indicia providing a graphical representation of the base unit; and

said display means are configured to display second indicia providing a graphical representation of a refill container,

wherein the dispenser is adapted such that the display of at least one of said first and said second indicia is selectively controllable independently of the display of the other of said first and said second indicia in order to indicate said one or more sensed conditions of the medicament dispenser,

wherein said base unit includes a mechanical priming component for initiating the dispensing of medicament and wherein said display means is configured to display indicia providing a graphical representation of actuation of the mechanical priming component, the display of the mechanical priming indicia being selectively controllable in accordance with a sensed condition of the mechanical priming component, and

wherein the dispenser is arranged to monitor medicament reminder periods, the display of the mechanical priming indicia being selectively controllable in accordance with a timing condition relating to a medicament reminder period.

9. A medicament dispenser comprising a base unit, the base unit being adapted for receiving a replaceable refill container and for sensing one or more conditions of the medicament dispenser, said base unit comprising display means for displaying indicia representing a state of the medicament dispenser, wherein:

said display means are configured to display first indicia providing a graphical representation of the base unit; and

said display means are configured to display second indicia providing a graphical representation of a refill container,

wherein the dispenser is adapted such that the display of at least one of said first and said second indicia is selectively controllable indecendently of the display of the other of said first and said second indicia in order to indicate said one or more sensed conditions of the medicament dispenser

wherein said one or more sensed conditions comprise a medicament quantity condition.

10. A medicament dispenser according to claim 9, wherein said display means are further configured to display indicia representing a medicament remaining in the form of numeric characters.

11. A medicament dispenser according to claim 10, wherein said refill container contains a plurality of discrete medicaments and said numeric characters represent the number of discrete medicaments remaining.

12. A medicament dispenser according to claim 10, wherein the second indicia define a contained area representing an area inside the refill container and said medicament quantity indicia are located in said contained area.

13. A medicament dispenser according to claim 9, wherein said one or more sensed conditions comprise a no medicament remaining condition, or a low medicament remaining condition.

14. A medicament dispenser according to claim 13, wherein said dispenser is configured, in response to said one or more sensed conditions, to alternately display and hide said first and/or said second indicia.

15. A medicament dispenser comprising a base unit, the base unit being adapted for receiving a replaceable refill container and for sensing one or more conditions of the medicament dispenser, said base unit comprising display means for displaying indicia representing a state of the medicament dispenser, wherein:

said display means are configured to display first indicia providing a graphical representation of the base unit; and

said display means are configured to display second indicia providing a graphical representation of a refill container,

wherein the dispenser is adapted such that the display of at least one of said first and said second indicia is selectively controllable indenendentlv of the display of the other of said first and said second indicia in order to indicate said one or more sensed conditions of the medicament dispenser

wherein said display means is configured to display further indicia representing removal of the refill container from the base unit.

16. A medicament dispenser according to claim 15, wherein said removal indicia comprise indicia in the form of an arrow shape.

17. A medicament dispenser according to claim 15, wherein said removal indicia comprise indicia providing a graphical representation of at least part of the external appearance of a refill container.

18. A medicament dispenser comprising a base unit, the base unit being adapted for receiving a replaceable refill container and for sensing one or more conditions of the medicament dispenser, said base unit comprising display means for displaying indicia representing a state of the medicament dispenser, wherein:

said display means are configured to display first indicia providing a graphical representation of the base unit; and

said display means are configured to display second indicia providing a graphical representation of a refill container,

wherein the dispenser is adapted such that the display of at least one of said first and said second indicia is selectively controllable independently of the display of the other of said first and said second indicia in order to indicate said one or more sensed conditions of the medicament dispenser

wherein said display means are configured to display further indicia representing attachment of a refill container to the base unit.

19. A medicament dispenser according to claim 18, wherein said attachment indicia comprise indicia in the form of an arrow shape.

20. A medicament dispenser according to claim 18, wherein said attachment indicia comprise indicia providing a graphical representation of at least part of the external appearance of a refill container.

24. A medicament dispenser according to claim 20, wherein said dispenser includes a mouthpiece and a sensor for sensing the inhalation of medicament through said mouthpiece.

25. A medicament dispenser according to claim 24, wherein said display means are configured to display indicia representing medicament to be dispensed, and wherein the display of said indicia representing medicament is selectively controllable in accordance with an output of said inhalation sensor.

22. A medicament dispenser comprising a base unit, the base unit being adapted for receiving a replaceable refill container and for sensing one or more conditions of the medicament dispenser, said base unit comprising display means for displaying indicia representing a state of the medicament dispenser, wherein:

said display means are configured to display first indicia providing a graphical representation of the base unit; and

said display means are configured to display second indicia providing a graphical representation of a refill container,

wherein the dispenser is adapted such that the display of at least one of said first and said second indicia is selectively controllable independently of the display of the other of said first and said second indicia in order to indicate said one or more sensed conditions of the medicament dispenser, and

wherein said one or more sensed conditions comprise a condition as to whether or not which the refill container is validated by the base unit as an authentic refill container.

27. A medicament dispenser comprising a base unit, the base unit being adapted for receiving a replaceable refill container, said base unit comprising a display for displaying indicia representing a state of the medicament dispenser, wherein said display means are configured to display:

first indicia providing a graphical representation of a physical appearance of at least part of the medicament dispenser; and

second indicia representing one or more sensed conditions of the medicament dispenser,

wherein said medicament dispenser includes a mechanical priming component for initiating the dispensing of medicament and said second indicia comprise indicia representing actuation of the mechanical priming component.

28. A medicament dispenser comprising a base unit, the base unit being adapted for receiving a replaceable refill container, said base unit comprising a display for displaying indicia representing a state of the medicament dispenser, wherein said display means are configured to display:

first indicia providing a graphical representation of a physical appearance of at least part of the medicament dispenser; and

second indicia representing one or more sensed conditions of the medicament dispenser,

wherein said medicament dispenser includes a mechanical priming component for initiating the dispensing of medicament and said second indicia comprise indicia representing actuation of the mechanical priming component, and

wherein the dispenser is arranged to monitor medicament reminder periods, the display of the mechanical priming indicia being selectively controllable in accordance with a timing condition relating to a medicament reminder period.

29. A medicament dispenser comprising a base unit, the base unit being adapted for receiving a replaceable refill container and for sensing one or more conditions of the medicament dispenser, said base unit comprising display means for displaying indicia representing a state of the medicament dispenser, wherein:

said display means are configured to display first indicia providing a graphical representation of the base unit; and

said display means are configured to display second indicia providing a graphical representation of a refill container,

wherein the dispenser is adapted such that the display of at least one of said first and said second indicia is selectively controllable independently of the display of the other of said first and said second indicia in order to indicate said one or more sensed conditions of the medicament dispenser, and

wherein said base unit comprises;

a cover; and

a holder, shaped to fit within said body and movable relative to the cover,

wherein said refill container is receivable by said holder, and wherein movement of the holder relative to the cover results in movement of the refill container between a first position and a second position such that the refill container is reversibly removable from the holder when the refill container is in the second position.

30. A medicament dispenser according to claim 29, wherein medicament is dispensable from said dispenser when the tefill container is in the first position.

31. A medicament dispenser according to claim 30, wherein the medicament dispenser is arranged to actuate said display means in response to movement of said refill container from said second position to said first position.

33. A medicarnent dispenser comprising a base unit, the base unit being adapted for receiving a replaceable refill container and for sensing one or more conditions of the medicament dispenser, said base unit comprising display means for displaying indicia representing a state of the medicament dispenser, wherein:

said display means are configured to display first indicia providing a graphical representation of the base unit; and

said display means are configured to display second indicia providing a graphical representation of a refill container,

wherein the dispenser is adapted such that the display of at least one of said first and said second indicia is selectively controllable independently of the display of the other of said first and said second indicia in order to indicate said one or more sensed conditions of the medicament dispenser, and

wherein the refill container comprises a medicament carrier comprising an elongate strip formed from a base sheet having a plurality of recesses spaced along its length and a lid sheet peelably sealed in superposed relationship thereto to define a plurality of blisters, each for containing medicament therein.

34. A medicament dispenser comprising a base unit, the base unit being adapted for receiving a replaceable refill container and for sensing one or more conditions of the medicament dispenser, said base unit comprising display means for displaving indicia representing a state of the medicament dispenser, wherein said display means are configured to display:

said display means are configured to display first indicia providing a graphical representation of the base unit; and

said display means are configured to display second indicia providing a graphical representation of a refill container,

wherein the dispenser is adapted such that the display of at least one of said first and said second indicia is selectively controllable independently of the display of the other of said first and said second indicia in order to indicate said one or more sensed conditions of the medicament dispenser, and

wherein the base unit comprises a first transceiver for receiving data from a second transceiver located on the refill container.