Drug storage and dispensing devices and systems comprising the same

• US 8,905,964 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2013
• Issued: 12/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AcelRx Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
• Original Assignee: AcelRx Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
• Inventors: Poutiatine, Andrew I., Rampersaud, Charles, Schreck, Thomas, Kolosi, William, Retailleau, Sascha
• Primary Examiner(s): Berdichevsky, Aarti B
• Assistant Examiner(s): Osinski, Bradley
• Application Number:
  US13/744,448
• Publication Number:
  US 20130131586A1
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 604 57- 64
• US Class Current: 604/59
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/30 Compliance analysis for taking medication
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0038 Straws
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0053 Syringes, pipettes or oral dispensers
• 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: A61J 7/02 Pill counting devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0418 with electronic history memory
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0445 for preventing drug dispensing during a predetermined time period
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/00 Inhalators drug delivery in endotracheal tubes A61M16/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/008 Electronic counters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0081 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0083 Timers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/276 preventing unwanted use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3561 local, e.g. within room or hospital
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3584 using modem, internet or bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6054 Magnetic identification systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/609 Biometric patient identification means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/086 : Docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/007 : Injectors for solid bodies, e.g. suppositories
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/0418 : the articles being substantially flat and stacked one upon the other and the dispensing-closing device sliding the article to be dispensed along the flat side of the next article
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 9/02 : Details
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/22 : in combination with an identity check of the pass holder
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 : for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 : delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2208 : associated with components used in interrogation type services, i.e. in systems for information exchange between an interrogator/reader and a tag/transponder, e.g. in Radio Frequency Identification [RFID] systems methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns G06K7/00; record carrier for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00

Abstract

Drug storage and dispensing devices for dispensing a drug dosage form to a patient are disclosed. A cartridge includes a cartridge housing and a pusher. The cartridge housing defines a channel within which multiple tablets are disposed. The cartridge housing is configured to be removably coupled to a tablet dispensing device. A first portion of the pusher is disposed outside of the channel. A second portion of the pusher is movably disposed within the channel, and is configured to exert a force on the plurality of tablets to convey a first tablet from the channel into the tablet delivery device when the force is exerted on the first portion of the pusher.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a cartridge housing defining a channel and an opening, the cartridge housing configured to be removably coupled to a tablet delivery device such that the opening is in communication with the tablet delivery device, an end portion of the cartridge housing defines the opening, the end portion of the cartridge housing configured to be disposed within the tablet delivery device such that a push rod of the tablet delivery device slides through the opening to deliver a first tablet of a plurality of tablets from the tablet delivery device;

the plurality of tablets stacked within the channel along a longitudinal axis of the channel;

a pusher having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the pusher disposed outside of the channel offset from the longitudinal axis of the channel, the second portion of the pusher movably disposed within the channel, the first portion of the pusher configured to receive a force, the second portion of the pusher configured to exert the force on the plurality of tablets to urge the first tablet of the plurality of tablets along the channel towards the opening; and

a spring coupled to the pusher.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the opening is aligned with a delivery passageway of the tablet delivery device when the cartridge housing is coupled to the tablet delivery device.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one first tablet of the plurality of tablets includes a dosage of sufentanil.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first tablet of the plurality of tablets is a placebo tablet, a second tablet of the plurality of tablets including a dosage of sufentanil.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an engagement member including a protrusion configured to engage the first portion of the pusher.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an engagement member configured to engage the first portion of the pusher to limit movement of the pusher.