Multi-layer Medication Carrier

• US 20080035520A1
• Filed: 07/18/2007
• Published: 02/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EMMA Health Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: INRange Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Arnold, William, Bossi, Christopher, Caracciolo, Cathy
• Granted Patent: US 7,828,147 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/531
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/30 Compliance analysis for taking medication
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/60 using magnetic or electronic identifications, e.g. chips, RFID, electronic tags
• 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 7/04 Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
• 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: Y02A 90/10 Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

A multi-layer medication carrier or blister card may comprise a plurality of layers. A support layer is provided with one or more openings to receive corresponding blisters formed in a blister layer. A backing layer is provided over the blister layer to form one or more enclosures capable of holding unit doses of a medication. Perforations provided in at least the blister layer define unit dose packages. Dimples may be provided in the blister layer within a boundary defined by the perforations, which dimples may be used to ensure subsequent ejection of each unit dose package. An adhesive-free region in the backing layer may be provided in alignment with the perforations defining each unit dose package to further ensure proper ejection. Additionally, a partial-depth cut in the backing layer may be provided in substantial alignment with each blister, thereby facilitating removal of the unit dose of medication.

Claims

1. A medication carrier comprising:

a blister layer comprising at least one blister; and

a backing layer, coupled to a first side of the blister layer such that the at least one blister and the backing layer form at least one enclosure for holding at least one unit dose of a medicament, the backing layer further comprising at least one partial-thickness cut through a thickness of the backing layer corresponding to and substantially aligned with the at least one blister.

2. The medication carrier of claim 1, the blister layer further comprising a plurality of blisters arranged in a two-dimensional array.

3. The medication carrier of claim 2, the blister layer further comprising ribbing between the plurality of blisters and a plurality of first perforations corresponding to the plurality of blisters, each one of the plurality of first perforations defining a boundary between the ribbing and an individually-ejectable, unit dose package comprising a corresponding blister of the plurality of blisters.

4. The medication carrier of claim 3, each one of the plurality of blisters further comprising at least one dimple disposed within the boundary.

5. The medication carrier of claim 3, each one of the plurality of blisters further comprising at least one first web member interrupting a corresponding one of the plurality of first perforations and attaching the blister to the ribbing.

6. The medication carrier of claim 5, the backing layer further comprising a plurality of second perforations substantially aligned with the plurality of first perforations.

7. The medication carrier of claim 6, the backing layer further comprising, for each one of the plurality of second perforations, at least one second web member interrupting the second perforation.

8. The medication carrier of claim 6, the backing layer further comprising an adhesive applied to a second side of the backing layer facing the blister layer, except that a plurality of adhesive-free regions is provided corresponding to the plurality of second perforations.

9. The medication carrier of claim 1, each one of the at least one partial-thickness cut substantially aligned with an opening perimeter of a corresponding one of the at least one blister.

10. The medication carrier of claim 1, further comprising:

a support layer, coupled to a second side of the blister layer, comprising at least one opening, each one of the at least one opening configured to receive a corresponding one of the at least one blister.

11. A medication carrier comprising:

a blister layer comprising a plurality of blisters formed therein for holding a unit dose of a medicament, the blister layer further comprising ribbing between the plurality of blisters and a plurality of first perforations corresponding to the plurality of blisters, each one of the plurality of first perforations defining a boundary between the ribbing and an individually-ejectable, unit dose package comprising a corresponding blister of the plurality of blisters; and

a backing layer, coupled to the blister layer, comprising a plurality of second perforations substantially aligned with the plurality of first perforations and further comprising an adhesive applied to a side of the backing layer facing the blister layer, except that a plurality of adhesive-free regions is provided corresponding to the plurality of second perforations.

12. The medication carrier of claim 11, wherein each one of the plurality of adhesive-free regions includes a corresponding one of the plurality of second perforations.

13. The medication carrier of claim 11, the backing layer further comprising, for each one of the plurality of second perforations, at least one web member interrupting the second perforation.

14. The medication carrier of claim 11, the backing layer further comprising a plurality of partial-thickness cuts through a thickness of the backing layer corresponding to and substantially aligned with the plurality of blisters.

15. The medication carrier of claim 14, each one of the plurality of partial-thickness cuts substantially aligned with an opening perimeter of a corresponding one of the plurality of blisters.

16. The medication carrier of claim 11, each one of the plurality of blisters further comprising at least one dimple disposed within the boundary.

17. The medication carrier of claim 11, further comprising:

a support layer, coupled to a second side of the blister layer, comprising a plurality of openings, each one of the plurality of openings configured to receive a corresponding one of the plurality of blisters.

18. The medication carrier of claim 11, the blister layer further comprising the plurality of blisters arranged in a two-dimensional array.

19. A medication carrier comprising:

a blister layer comprising at least one blister and at least one first perforation corresponding thereto, each one of the at least one first perforation defining a boundary of an individually-ejectable, unit dose package comprising a corresponding one of the at least one blister, each one of the at least one blister further comprising at least one dimple disposed within the boundary; and

a backing layer, coupled to a first side of the blister layer such that the at least one blister and the backing layer form at least one enclosure for holding at least one unit dose of a medicament.

20. The medication carrier of claim 19, each one of the at least one blister further comprising a plurality of dimples disposed within the boundary.

21. The medication carrier of claim 20, each one of the at least one blister further comprising four dimples disposed within the boundary.

22. The medication carrier of claim 19, the at least one dimple disposed outside an opening perimeter of the blister.

23. The medication carrier of claim 19, the at least one dimple aligned to receive at least one pin of a punch used to eject each unit dose package.

24. The medication carrier of claim 19, the backing layer further comprising at least one partial-thickness cut through a thickness of the backing layer corresponding to and substantially aligned with the at least one blister.

25. The medication carrier of claim 19, the backing layer comprising at least one second perforation substantially aligned with the at least one first perforation, the backing layer further comprising an adhesive applied to a side of the backing layer facing the blister layer, except that at least one adhesive-free region is provided corresponding to the at least one second perforation.