Portable, personal medication dispensing apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A portable medication dispenser, comprising:
- a detachable storage chamber storing pills packaged in a pill strand, the detachable storage chamber having a first opening for the pill strand to pass through and a docking section of the storage chamber; and
a main body, comprising;
an external rotating knob;
an opening for the pill strand to pass through;
a docking section to secure to the docking section of the storage chamber;
a rotating hub rotatable by the external knob, the rotating hub comprising cogged edges for engaging with the pill strand and recesses spaced apart a predetermined distance along the center of a curved surface of the rotating hub;
a locking rod under spring tension to be positioned securely within the recesses of the rotating hub to lock the rotating hub from advance;
a controlling mechanism controlling locking rod by programming to retract the locking rod to allow advance of the rotating hub at predetermined times; and
an extruding rod under spring tension movable by force to move in a direction to force a pill out of the pill strand into a holding chamber.
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Abstract
A portable, medication dispensing device which dispenses prepackaged pill strands of medication from a secure, storage compartment through a mechanism which physically limits the quantity dispensed per a pre-programmed protocol. The device has a detachable storage component which can be filled by trained clinical or pharmacy staff, which can be locked. The device has a dispensing mechanism, which employs a user-powered, hub to advance a pill strand of pre-packaged medications, when appropriate. This advancing hub is secured from advancing inappropriately by a locking mechanism where a sturdy piston is moved into and out of recesses in the rounded surface of the hub. The device also contains standard electronic components, including a power source, central processing unit (CPU), visual and auditory outputs, and communications ports.
89 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A portable medication dispenser, comprising:
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a detachable storage chamber storing pills packaged in a pill strand, the detachable storage chamber having a first opening for the pill strand to pass through and a docking section of the storage chamber; and a main body, comprising; an external rotating knob; an opening for the pill strand to pass through; a docking section to secure to the docking section of the storage chamber; a rotating hub rotatable by the external knob, the rotating hub comprising cogged edges for engaging with the pill strand and recesses spaced apart a predetermined distance along the center of a curved surface of the rotating hub; a locking rod under spring tension to be positioned securely within the recesses of the rotating hub to lock the rotating hub from advance; a controlling mechanism controlling locking rod by programming to retract the locking rod to allow advance of the rotating hub at predetermined times; and an extruding rod under spring tension movable by force to move in a direction to force a pill out of the pill strand into a holding chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification