Method for monitoring the filling of a medication dispenser, and medication dispenser
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for monitoring the filling of a medication dispenser, comprising:
- inserting a second strip of medication packages into a second container of the medication dispenser by a person;
transferring a first medication package of the second strip to a reader of the medication dispenser during a filling phase of the medication dispenser;
reading a taking time of the first medication package of the second strip from a label of the first medication package of the second strip during the filling phase;
comparing the taking time of the first medication package of the second strip with a taking time of a last medication package of a first strip inserted into a first container of the medication dispenser during the filling phase, in order to immediately determine if the delivery of medication packages can be continued after the first strip with the second strip and that the medication dispenser has been correctly filled;
each of the first and second strips comprising at least two medication packages, and sequentially arranging the at least two medication packages in the first and second strips in time order; and
performing the transferring of the first medication package of the second strip to the reader of the medication dispenser, the reading of the taking time of the first medication package of the second strip from the label of the first medication package of the second strip, and the comparing of the taking time of the first medication package of the second strip with the taking time of the last medication package of the first strip immediately once the second strip has been inserted into the second container, and wherein the steps of the transferring, the reading, and the comparing of the taking time of the first medication package of the second strip with the taking time of the last medication package of the first strip are not delayed until the last medication package of the first strip has been delivered to a patient.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for monitoring the filling of a medication dispenser that comprises a first and a second container for receiving a strip of medication packages. In the method a taking time of the first medication package of the second strip inserted into the second container is compared with a taking time of the last medication package of the first strip inserted into the first container, in order to determine if the delivery of medication packages can be continued after the first strip with the second strip. The invention also relates to a medication dispenser.
54 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A method for monitoring the filling of a medication dispenser, comprising:
-
inserting a second strip of medication packages into a second container of the medication dispenser by a person; transferring a first medication package of the second strip to a reader of the medication dispenser during a filling phase of the medication dispenser; reading a taking time of the first medication package of the second strip from a label of the first medication package of the second strip during the filling phase; comparing the taking time of the first medication package of the second strip with a taking time of a last medication package of a first strip inserted into a first container of the medication dispenser during the filling phase, in order to immediately determine if the delivery of medication packages can be continued after the first strip with the second strip and that the medication dispenser has been correctly filled; each of the first and second strips comprising at least two medication packages, and sequentially arranging the at least two medication packages in the first and second strips in time order; and performing the transferring of the first medication package of the second strip to the reader of the medication dispenser, the reading of the taking time of the first medication package of the second strip from the label of the first medication package of the second strip, and the comparing of the taking time of the first medication package of the second strip with the taking time of the last medication package of the first strip immediately once the second strip has been inserted into the second container, and wherein the steps of the transferring, the reading, and the comparing of the taking time of the first medication package of the second strip with the taking time of the last medication package of the first strip are not delayed until the last medication package of the first strip has been delivered to a patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A medication dispenser, comprising:
-
a first container arranged to receive a first strip of medication packages; a second container arranged to receive a second strip of medication packages; a reader arranged to read a taking time of a medication package from a label of the medication package; transfer means for transferring medication packages from the first and the second container to the reader and then to an outlet of the medication dispenser; a control unit arranged to control the reader and the transfer means, wherein the control unit is arranged to compare a taking time of the first medication package of the second strip with a taking time of the last medication package of the first strip during a filling phase of the medication dispenser, in order to immediately determine if the delivery of medication packages can be continued after the first strip with the second strip and that the medication dispenser has been correctly filled; each of the first and second strips comprises at least two medication packages, and wherein the at least two medication packages in the first and second strips are sequentially arranged in time order; and wherein the transferring of the first medication package of the second strip to the reader of the medication dispenser, the reading of the taking time of the first medication package of the second strip from the label of the first medication package of the second strip, and the comparing of the taking time of the first medication package of the second strip with the taking time of the last medication package of the first strip is performed immediately once the second strip has been inserted into the second container, and wherein the transferring, the reading, and the comparing of the taking time of the first medication package of the second strip with the taking time of the last medication package of the first strip are not delayed until the last medication package of the first strip has been delivered to a patient. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
Specification