Items dispenser

• US 8,032,252 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2008
• Issued: 10/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Rochester
• Original Assignee: University of Rochester
• Inventors: Berg, Michel
• Primary Examiner(s): WAGGONER, TIMOTHY R
• Application Number:
  US12/347,188
• Publication Number:
  US 20090112361A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,007 Days
• Field of Search: 221/7, 221/124, 221/194, 700/236, 700/240, 700/244
• US Class Current: 700/240
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/03 for pills or tablets containers for pills or tablets with special dispensing means therefor B65D83/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/30 Compliance analysis for taking medication
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/70 Audible labels, e.g. for pre-recorded info or messages
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0084 for multiple medicaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/02 Pill counting devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0454 for dispensing of multiple drugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/24 Rotary or oscillatory members
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/44 in which magazines the articles are stored in bulk
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/54 about vertical axes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/00 Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers

Abstract

An automated small items dispensing apparatus is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the invention includes a networked, programmable, automatic medication items dispensing apparatus for use by individual patients who are enrolled in a medication protocol or medication therapy regimen. The device is located separate from the patient'"'"'s health care provider'"'"'s facility, such as in the patient'"'"'s home.

Claims

1. An automated items dispensing apparatus comprising:

at least one storage receptacle containing an item;

a longitudinally extending hollow first member having a plurality of through holes disposed on a proximate end of the first member, wherein the first member is displaceable between a first position and a second position and a third position;

at least one temporary storage receptacle proximate the at least one storage receptacle, wherein the temporary storage receptacle has a first opening for receiving the item from the storage receptacle and a second opening for discharging the item to one of the plurality of through holes, and wherein the second opening and the one of the plurality of through holes are aligned upon the first member being advanced from the first position to the second position which allows the item to discharge from the second opening to the aligned one of the plurality of through holes, and wherein when the first member is advanced from the first position to the third position the item is allowed to discharge back to the at least one storage receptacle; and

a dispensing receptacle adjacent a distal opening of the first member for receiving the discharged item.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for preventing the item from moving from the at least one temporary storage receptacle into the first member or into the at least one storage receptacle except during discharge.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a motor interconnected to the first member for causing the first member to advance from the first position to the second position.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising:

a microprocessor operatively connected to the motor; and

a communications device for receiving electronic instruction commands sent remotely from the apparatus.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the item is a medicament.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the medicament is one of a medication package, individual tablet, and individual capsule.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor for detecting the position of the dispensing receptacle.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a lid adapted to cover the at least one storage receptacle and the at least one temporary storage receptacle.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one storage receptacle and the at least one temporary storage receptacle has a sloped bottom.

10. An automated items dispensing apparatus comprising:

at least one storage receptacle containing a medicament;

a longitudinally extending hollow first member having a plurality of through holes disposed on a proximate end of the first member, wherein the first member is displaceable between a first position and a second position and a third position;

at least one temporary storage receptacle proximate each of the plurality of through holes, wherein the at least one temporary storage receptacle has a first opening for receiving the medicament from the at least one storage receptacle and a second opening for discharging the medicament to one of the plurality of through holes, and wherein the second opening and the one of the plurality of through holes are aligned upon the first member being advanced from the first position to the second position, and wherein when the first member is advanced from the first position to the third position the item is allowed to discharge back to the at least one storage receptacle;

a dispensing receptacle adjacent a distal opening of the first member for receiving the medicament; and

a probe device for transferring the medicament from the at least one storage receptacle to the at least one temporary storage receptacle.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising means for preventing the item from moving from the at least one temporary storage receptacle into the first member or into the at least one storage receptacle except during discharge.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a motor interconnected to the first member for causing the first member to advance from the first position to the second position.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising:

a microprocessor operatively connected to the motor; and

a communications device for receiving electronic instruction commands sent remotely from the apparatus.

14. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the medicament is one of a medication package, individual tablet, and individual capsule.

15. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a sensor for detecting the position of the dispensing receptacle.

16. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a lid adapted to cover the at least one storage receptacle and the at least one temporary storage receptacle.

17. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the at least one storage receptacle and the at least one temporary storage receptacle has a sloped bottom.

18. An automated items dispensing apparatus comprising:

at least one storage receptacle containing a medicament;

a longitudinally extending hollow first member having a plurality of through holes disposed on a proximate end of the first member, wherein the first member is displaceable between a first position and a second position;

at least one temporary storage receptacle proximate each of the plurality of through holes, wherein the at least one temporary storage receptacle has a first opening for receiving the medicament from the at least one storage receptacle and a second opening for discharging the medicament to one of the plurality of through holes, and wherein the second opening and the one of the plurality of through holes are aligned upon the first member being advanced from the first position to the second position;

a dispensing receptacle adjacent a distal opening of the first member for receiving the medicament;

a probe device for transferring the medicament from the at least one storage receptacle to the at least one temporary storage receptacle, wherein the probe device comprises;

a vacuum probe having a tip for retrieving the item; and

a hinged plate device for directing the item away from the vacuum probe and into the at least one temporary storage receptacle.

19. An automated small items dispensing apparatus comprising:

a storage container comprising at least one storage receptacle, wherein the at least one storage receptacle is adapted to containing an item;

at least one temporary storage container;

at least one dispensing receptacle spaced apart from the at least one storage receptacle;

a longitudinally extending first member disposed between the at least one storage receptacle and the at least one dispensing receptacle and having at least one individual temporary storage receptacle, wherein the first member is rotatable about its longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position, whereby in the first position the first member is adapted to receive the item into the at least one individual temporary storage receptacle, and in the second position the first member is adapted to discharge the item from the at least one temporary storage container into the at least one dispensing receptacle; and

a motor interconnected to the first member for causing the first member to rotate about the longitudinal axis from the first position to the second position.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising:

a microprocessor operatively connected to the motor; and

a communications device for receiving electronic instruction commands sent remotely from the apparatus.

21. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the item is a medicament.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the medicament is one of a medication package, individual tablet, and individual capsule.

23. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the at least one temporary storage receptacle has a bottom door that is adapted to open for discharging the item to a second dispensing receptacle.

24. An automated small items dispensing apparatus comprising:

a storage container comprising at least one storage receptacle, wherein the at least one storage receptacle is adapted to containing an item;

at least one temporary storage container;

at least one dispensing receptacle spaced apart from the at least one storage receptacle;

a longitudinally extending first member disposed between the at least one storage receptacle and the at least one dispensing receptacle and having at least one individual temporary storage receptacle, wherein the first member is rotatable about its longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position, whereby in the first position the first member is adapted to receive the item into the at least one individual temporary storage receptacle, and in the second position the first member is adapted to discharge the item from the at least one temporary storage container into the at least one dispensing receptacle; and

a vacuum device for transferring the item from the at least one storage container to the at least one temporary storage container.

25. An automated small items dispensing apparatus comprising:

at least one storage container containing an item;

a removable dispensing tray having at least one receptacle for receiving the item;

means for transferring the item from the storage container to the at least one receptacle, wherein the means for transferring the item from the storage receptacle to the at least one receptacle comprises a vacuum device;

a longitudinally extending base for supporting the dispensing tray, wherein the base is rotatable about its longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position, whereby in the first position the dispensing tray is adapted to being removed from the base, and in the second position the dispensing tray is adapted to discharge the item from the at least one receptacle into the at least one storage container; and

a sensor for detecting the position of the dispensing tray on the base.

26. The apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising a lid adapted to cover the at least one receptacle.

27. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the at least one receptacle has a sloped bottom.

28. A method of dispensing an item according to a pre-determined dispensing protocol, comprising the steps of:

providing an automated dispensing apparatus comprising;

at least one storage container containing an item;

a removable dispensing tray having at least one receptacle for receiving the item;

means for transferring the item from the storage container to the at least one receptacle; and

a longitudinally extending base for supporting the dispensing tray, wherein the base is rotatable about its longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position, whereby in the first position the dispensing tray is adapted to being removed from the base, and in the second position the dispensing tray is adapted to discharge the item from the at least one receptacle into the at least one storage container;

causing the item to be moved from the storage container to the at least one receptacle;

notifying a user of the item; and

upon failing to receive an instruction from the user, advancing the base to the second position and restocking the item in the storage container.