Medicine taking auxiliary device and method

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of medical instruments, and particularly relates to a medicine taking auxiliary device and method. The device comprises a medicine suction cover, a reducer union, a medicine storage tube, a handle, a negative pressure device, a locking mechanism, a power module, a controller and a counting mechanism. The method comprises the steps of opening the medicine storage tube, inputting the medicine taking quantity, taking the required quantity of medicine through the controller, closing the medicine storage tube, taking the medicine and the like. According to the medicine taking auxiliary device and method, accurate medicine taking of different medicines can be achieved only by replacing a reducer union, the medicines comprise long tablets, round tablets, pills and capsules, and the problem that the medicines are difficult to take through a medicine bottle can be thoroughly solved only by skillfully mastering the using method of the device by a patient or the old.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of medical devices, and in particular relates to a medication assisting device and method. Background Art

[0002] Oral medicine is the most common type of medicine in clinical practice. Patients or the elderly often have great difficulty taking medicine from medicine bottles due to health reasons. This is reflected in the fact that due to trembling hands, the amount of medicine taken out does not match the amount needed. Sometimes, tablets, pills or capsules will fall to the ground and need to bend over to pick them up.

[0003] At present, there are many quantitative medicine bottles in the patent library, but these devices cannot completely solve the problem of patients or the elderly having difficulty taking medicine. The reason is that patients or the elderly usually need to face many medicine bottles. Even if individual medicine bottles can achieve quantitative medicine, it still cannot solve the problem of hand shaking or even medicine falling when taking medicine from other medicine bottles. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a device that can quantitatively take medicine, which can achieve quantitative medicine taking based on ordinary medicine bottles or medication containers. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the problems existing in the prior art, the present invention discloses a medication assisting device and method. The device can realize accurate medication dispensing of different medicines only by replacing a reducer. The medicines include long tablets, round tablets, pills, and capsules. Patients or elderly people only need to master the use of the device to completely solve the problem of difficulty in dispensing medicines through medicine bottles.

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the technical solution of the present invention is:

[0006] A medication assisting device comprises a drug inhalation cover, a reducer, a drug storage tube, a handle, a negative pressure device, a locking mechanism, a power module, and a controller. One end of the reducer is connected to the drug inhalation cover, and the other end is connected to one end of the drug storage tube. The other end of the drug storage tube is connected to the negative pressure device via a flexible connecting tube. A locking mechanism is provided at the front end of the drug storage tube. A handle is provided at a fixed sleeve on the outer wall of the drug storage tube. A power module and a controller electrically connected to each other are embedded in the handle. A counting mechanism is provided at one end of the drug storage tube close to the reducer. The locking mechanism, the counting mechanism, and the negative pressure device are electrically connected to the controller via wires, respectively.

[0007] Preferably, the side surface of the drug absorption cover is trumpet-shaped and the longitudinal section is rectangular. A guide roller is rotatably connected to the middle of the open end of the drug absorption cover, and one end of the drug absorption cover away from the open end is screwed to one end of the reducer.

[0008] Preferably, the reducer comprises a tube body, a reduced diameter section is provided in the middle of the tube body, and the two ends of the reduced diameter section are respectively a first threaded section and a second threaded section. The reducer is provided with several models according to the difference in the inner diameter of the reduced diameter section to adapt to tablets, pills or capsules of different sizes. The edges at both ends of the reduced diameter section are chamfered, the first threaded section is connected to the drug absorption cover, and the second threaded section is threadedly connected to one end of the drug storage tube.

[0009] Preferably, a metal filter is fixedly provided on the inner wall of one end of the medicine storage tube away from the reducer, the outer wall and inner hole cross-section of the medicine storage tube are rectangular, and the inner hole of the reduced diameter section of the reducer can only accommodate a single tablet, a single pill or a single capsule to pass through.

[0010] Preferably, the counting mechanism includes a transmitting end and a receiving end of a beam-type photoelectric sensor arranged on the wall of the medicine storage tube on one side of the reducer, and a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole are respectively provided on the opposite side walls of the medicine storage tube. The transmitting end and the receiving end are respectively fixedly connected to the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole, and the transmitting end and the receiving end are respectively electrically connected to the controller through wires.

[0011] Preferably, the locking mechanism includes a first wedge block, a second wedge block, an electric push rod, and a return spring, a through groove that runs through the interior of the medicine storage tube is provided on the top tube wall of the medicine storage tube near the counting mechanism, the bottom end of the first wedge block extends downward and is slidably connected to the through groove, and mounting grooves are provided in the longitudinal direction on the tube wall of the medicine storage tube at both sides of the through groove, one end of the return spring is fixedly connected to the groove bottom of the mounting groove, and the other end extends upward and is fixedly connected to the fixing plates preset on the top of the two side ends of the first wedge block. In the natural state of the return spring, the bottom end of the first wedge block is flush with the inner wall of the medicine storage tube, the cylinder of the electric push rod is fixedly connected to the top of the medicine storage tube, the piston rod extends forward and is fixedly connected with the second wedge block, the first wedge block and the second wedge block are provided with inclined surfaces that cooperate with each other, and when the electric push rod is extended, the second wedge block squeezes the first wedge block and causes the first wedge block to move downward along the through groove to close the medicine storage tube.

[0012] Preferably, the distance H between the side end of the guide roller and the end on the same side of the drug absorption cover is greater than the length of the largest size long tablet.

[0013] Preferably, the handle is also provided with a control panel electrically connected to the controller, and the control panel is provided with a negative pressure mechanism control button, a medicine storage tube closing button, a medicine storage tube opening button, and a controller start button; the control panel is provided with a touch screen input module for inputting the required amount of medicine to be taken.

[0014] A method for using a medication assisting device comprises the following steps:

[0015] Step 1: Replace the reducer according to the size of the medicine to be taken. When taking medicine, first press the medicine storage tube opening button. At this time, the electric push rod shrinks, the first wedge block and the second wedge block are separated, and the first wedge block opens the mouth of the medicine storage tube due to the action of the return spring; then input the amount of medicine to be taken through the touch screen input module;

[0016] Step 2, place the drug suction cover directly against the drug to be taken from the container, press the controller start button, and the negative pressure device is started. Due to the suction effect of the negative pressure, the drug passes through the drug suction cover and the reducer into the drug storage tube. When entering the drug storage tube, the controller calculates the amount of the drug entering the drug storage tube according to the signal of the opposite-beam photoelectric sensor;

[0017] Step 3: When the preset quantity is reached, the controller turns off the negative pressure device and simultaneously starts the electric push rod to close the drug storage tube; the user shakes the handle to make the drug that has not entered the drug storage tube fall back into the container;

[0018] Step 4: Align the drug suction cover with the open oral cavity or a set container, and press the drug storage tube opening button to output the required number of tablets, pills or capsules;

[0019] Step 5: After taking the medicine, the user activates the medicine storage tube closing button.

[0020] Preferably, in step 2, the long tablets or capsules are straightened when entering the reducer due to the guiding effect of the guide roller or the inner wall of the drug absorption cover, thereby avoiding blockage of the reducer.

[0021] The beneficial effects of the medication assisting device and method of the present invention are:

[0022] The present invention discloses a medication assisting device and method. The device can realize accurate medication dispensing of different medicines only by replacing a reducer. The medicines include long tablets, round tablets, pills, and capsules. Patients or elderly people only need to master the use of the device to completely solve the problem of difficulty in dispensing medicines through medicine bottles. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 It is a side structural schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the top structure of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 3 It is a partial structural schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 4 It is a schematic cross-sectional structural diagram of the reducer of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 5 It is a front view structural schematic diagram of the reducer of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the local structure of location A of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 7 It is a front view structural schematic diagram of the cooperation between the first wedge-shaped block and the medicine storage tube of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 8 The figure is a schematic diagram of the front view structure of the open end of the drug absorption cover of the present invention.

[0031] The figure shows: 1-handle, 2-power module, 3-drug storage tube, 4-drug suction cover, 5-guide roller, 6-reducing joint, 61, first threaded section; 62, second threaded section; 63-reducing section, 7-transmitting end, 8-receiving end, 9-electric push rod, 10-metal filter, 11-second wedge block, 12-first wedge block, 13-controller, 14-negative pressure mechanism control button, 15-control panel, 16-flexible connecting tube, 17-negative pressure device, 18-long tablet, 19-through groove, 20-installation groove, 21-reset spring, 22-inner cavity of drug storage tube, 23-fixing plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The following description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] The following embodiments may be understood as individually expressing a part of a local structure or method of the present invention, or may be understood as a combination of the embodiments to explain the connotation of a larger structure or method of the present invention.

[0034] Example 1

[0035] A medication assist device, such as Figure 1-7 As shown, it includes a drug suction cover 4, a reducer 6, a drug storage tube 3, a handle 1, a negative pressure device 17, a locking mechanism, a power module 2, and a controller 13. One end of the reducer 6 is connected to the drug suction cover 4, and the other end is connected to one end of the drug storage tube 3. The other end of the drug storage tube 3 is connected to the negative pressure device 17 through a soft connecting tube 16. A locking mechanism is provided at the front end of the drug storage tube 3. A handle 1 is fixedly sleeved on the outer wall of the drug storage tube 3. The power module 2 and the controller 13 that are electrically connected to each other are embedded in the handle 1. A counting mechanism is provided at one end of the drug storage tube 3 close to the reducer 6. The locking mechanism, the counting mechanism, and the negative pressure device 17 are electrically connected to the controller 13 through wires, respectively.

[0036] In this embodiment, the drug can enter the drug storage tube through the suction effect of the negative pressure device, the drug of different sizes can be adapted through the reducer, the opening and closing of the drug storage tube can be controlled by the locking structure, the counting mechanism can realize the counting of the drugs entering the drug storage tube, and the drug suction cover can be used to correct the posture of long tablets or capsules that are difficult to quantitatively take out of the drug, so that they can be straightened before entering the reducer, so that they can smoothly enter the reducer.

[0037] Example 2

[0038] like Figure 1-3 As shown in , 8, the side of the drug absorption cover 4 is trumpet-shaped, and the longitudinal section is rectangular. A guide roller 5 is rotatably connected to the middle of the open end of the drug absorption cover 4, and one end of the drug absorption cover 4 away from the open end is screwed to one end of the reducer 6.

[0039] Since long tablets or capsules are easily blocked when placed horizontally at the front end of the reducer, the drug suction cover is set to be trumpet-shaped and a guide roller is provided, such as Figure 3 As shown, taking the long tablet 18 as an example, when it contacts the guide roller, it will be straightened due to the guiding effect of the guide roller. If one end of the long tablet contacts the inner wall of the drug absorption cover, it will also be straightened due to the guiding effect of the inner wall of the drug absorption cover, so that it can smoothly enter the drug storage tube through the reducer.

[0040] Example 3

[0041] like Figure 4 , 5 As shown, the reducer 6 includes a tube body, a reduced diameter section 63 is provided in the middle of the tube body, and the two ends of the reduced diameter section 63 are respectively a first thread section 61 and a second thread section 62. The reducer is provided with several models according to the difference in the inner diameter of the reduced diameter section 63 to adapt to tablets, pills or capsules of different sizes. The edges of the two ends of the reduced diameter section 63 are both chamfered (such as Figure 4 As shown, to facilitate the passage of drugs), the first threaded section 61 is connected to the drug absorption cover 4, and the second threaded section 62 is threadedly connected to one end of the drug storage tube 3.

[0042] Example 4

[0043] like Figure 1 , 2 As shown, a metal filter screen 10 is fixedly disposed on the inner wall of one end of the medicine storage tube 3 away from the reducer 6. Figure 7 As shown, the outer wall and inner hole cross-section of the medicine storage tube 3 are rectangular, and the inner hole of the reducer section 63 can only accommodate a single tablet, a single pill or a single capsule to pass through.

[0044] Example 5

[0045] like Figure 1-3As shown in , 6, the counting mechanism includes a transmitting end 7 and a receiving end 8 of a beam-type photoelectric sensor arranged on the wall of the medicine storage tube 3 on one side of the reducer 6, and the opposite side walls of the medicine storage tube 3 are respectively provided with a first mounting hole (not shown in the figure) and a second mounting hole (not shown in the figure), and the transmitting end 7 and the receiving end 8 are respectively fixedly connected to the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole, and the transmitting end 7 and the receiving end 8 are respectively electrically connected to the controller 13 through wires.

[0046] Example 6

[0047] like Figure 1-3 6, the locking mechanism includes a first wedge block 12, a second wedge block 11, an electric push rod 9, and a reset spring 21. The top tube wall of the medicine storage tube 3 near the counting mechanism is provided with a through groove 19 that penetrates the inside of the medicine storage tube. The bottom end of the first wedge block 12 extends downward and is slidably connected to the through groove 19. The tube wall of the medicine storage tube 3 on both sides of the through groove 19 is provided with mounting grooves 20 in the longitudinal direction. One end of the reset spring 21 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the mounting groove 20, and the other end extends upward and is connected to the first wedge block 12. The fixed plates 23 preset on the top of both side ends are fixedly connected. When the return spring 20 is in the natural state, the bottom end of the first wedge block 12 is flush with the inner wall of the medicine storage tube 3, the cylinder of the electric push rod 9 is fixedly connected to the top of the medicine storage tube 3, and the piston rod extends forward and is fixedly connected with the second wedge block 11. The first wedge block 12 and the second wedge block 11 are provided with mutually matching inclined surfaces. When the electric push rod 9 is extended, the second wedge block 11 squeezes the first wedge block 12 and moves the first wedge block 12 downward along the through groove 19 to close the medicine storage tube 3.

[0048] Example 7

[0049] like Figure 3 As shown, the distance H between the side end of the guide roller 5 and the same side end of the drug inhalation cover 4 is greater than the length of the largest long tablet 18. This ensures that the long tablet or capsule will not be blocked by the open end of the drug inhalation cover, and provides a basis for the guiding effect of the guide roller and the inner wall of the drug inhalation cover.

[0050] Example 8

[0051] like Figure 1 , 2 As shown, the handle 1 is also provided with a control panel 15 electrically connected to the controller 13, and the control panel 15 is provided with a negative pressure mechanism control button 14 (for adjusting the negative pressure of the suctioned medicine), a medicine storage tube closing button, a medicine storage tube opening button, and a controller start button; the control panel 15 is provided with a touch screen input module for inputting the required amount of medicine to be taken.

[0052] Example 9

[0053] Based on the above embodiments, this embodiment discloses a method for using a medication assisting device, such as Figure 1-8 As shown, the following steps are included:

[0054] Step 1: Replace the reducer 6 according to the size of the medicine to be taken. When taking medicine, first press the opening button of the medicine storage tube 3. At this time, the electric push rod 9 shrinks, the first wedge block 12 and the second wedge block 11 are separated, and the first wedge block 12 opens the tube mouth of the medicine storage tube 3 due to the action of the return spring 20; then input the amount of medicine to be taken through the touch screen input module;

[0055] Step 2, place the drug suction cover 4 directly against the drug to be taken from the container (this container can be a medicine bottle or a container selected by the user that can be matched with the present invention), press the controller start button, the negative pressure device is started, and due to the suction effect of the negative pressure, the drug passes through the drug suction cover and the reducer into the drug storage tube 3. When entering the drug storage tube 3, the controller calculates the amount of the drug entering the drug storage tube 3 according to the signal of the opposite-beam photoelectric sensor;

[0056] Step 3: When the preset amount is reached, the controller turns off the negative pressure device 17 and simultaneously starts the electric push rod 9 to close the medicine storage tube 3; the user shakes the handle 1 to make the medicine that has not entered the medicine storage tube 3 fall back into the container;

[0057] Step 4, align the drug absorption cover 4 with the open oral cavity or a set container, and press the drug storage tube opening button to output the required number of tablets, pills or capsules;

[0058] Step 5: After taking the medicine, the user activates the medicine storage tube closing button.

[0059] It should be noted that in the step 2, the long tablets or capsules are straightened when entering the reducer 6 due to the guiding effect of the guide roller 5 or the inner wall of the drug absorption cover 4, so as to avoid blockage of the reducer.

[0060] The present invention can avoid the need to modify the medicine bottle structure through the above arrangement, and does not require all medicine bottles to be quantitative medicine dispensing bottles. Users only need to master the use method of the present invention to achieve quantitative medicine dispensing of medicines of various sizes, thereby fundamentally solving the problem of difficulty in taking medicines for patients or the elderly.

[0061] It should be noted that: due to the limitations of the prior art, the through-beam photoelectric sensor that can be used in the present invention is preferably the PSW-TC50 series of Lanbao Sensor, which is the smallest through-beam photoelectric sensor on the market, and its thickness is only 3.8mm1. This sensor is particularly suitable for use in precision machinery, intelligent manufacturing equipment and automated production lines with its ultra-thin shell and small space installation advantages, and can provide stable and reliable data support. Among them, the electric push rod can choose a mini electric push rod. The smallest mini electric push rod on the market is the TOMUU pen-type electric push rod. The length of this electric push rod can be controlled within 5 cm, the weight is tens of grams, the shell material can be plastic or metal, the thrust is between 5-20N, and it is suitable for places with very small spaces1. Despite this, many medicine bottles are still very small in size. In order to facilitate the removal of medicines, users can pour the medicines into large containers. With the further miniaturization of electrical equipment, the present invention will be further applied to the removal of medicines from smaller medicine bottles.

Claims

1. A medication assisting device, characterized by: It includes a drug suction cover, a reducer, a drug storage tube, a handle, a negative pressure device, a locking mechanism, a power module, and a controller. One end of the reducer is connected to the drug suction cover, and the other end is connected to one end of the drug storage tube. The other end of the drug storage tube is connected to the negative pressure device through a soft connecting tube. A locking mechanism is provided at the front end of the drug storage tube. A handle is provided at the outer wall fixed sleeve of the drug storage tube. A power module and a controller electrically connected to each other are embedded in the handle. A counting mechanism is provided at the end of the drug storage tube close to the reducer. The locking mechanism, counting mechanism, and negative pressure device are electrically connected to the controller through wires.

2. A medication assisting device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The side of the drug absorbing cover is trumpet-shaped and the longitudinal section is rectangular. A guide roller is rotatably connected to the middle of the open end of the drug absorbing cover. One end of the drug absorbing cover away from the open end is screwed to one end of the reducer.

3. A medication assisting device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The reducer comprises a tube body, a reduced diameter section is provided in the middle of the tube body, and the two ends of the reduced diameter section are respectively a first thread section and a second thread section. The reducer is provided with several models according to the difference in the inner diameter of the reduced diameter section to adapt to tablets, pills or capsules of different sizes. The edges at both ends of the reduced diameter section are chamfered, the first thread section is connected to the drug absorption cover, and the second thread section is threadedly connected to one end of the drug storage tube.

4. A medication assisting device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that: A metal filter is fixedly arranged on the inner wall of one end of the medicine storage tube away from the reducer. The outer wall and inner hole of the medicine storage tube are rectangular in cross section. The inner hole of the reduced diameter section of the reducer can only accommodate a single tablet, a single pill or a single capsule.

5. A medication assisting device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that: The counting mechanism includes a transmitting end and a receiving end of a beam-type photoelectric sensor arranged on the wall of the medicine storage tube on one side of the reducer. The opposite side walls of the medicine storage tube are respectively provided with a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole. The transmitting end and the receiving end are respectively fixedly connected to the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole. The transmitting end and the receiving end are respectively electrically connected to the controller through wires.

6. A medication assisting device as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that: The locking mechanism comprises a first wedge block, a second wedge block, an electric push rod, and a return spring. A through groove that runs through the inside of the medicine storage tube is provided on the top tube wall of the medicine storage tube near the counting mechanism. The bottom end of the first wedge block extends downward and is slidably connected to the through groove. The tube wall of the medicine storage tube at both sides of the through groove is provided with a mounting groove in the longitudinal direction. One end of the return spring is fixedly connected to the bottom of the mounting groove, and the other end extends upward and is fixedly connected to the fixing plate preset at the top of the two side ends of the first wedge block. In the natural state of the return spring, the bottom end of the first wedge block is flush with the inner wall of the medicine storage tube, the cylinder of the electric push rod is fixedly connected to the top of the medicine storage tube, and the piston rod extends forward and is fixedly connected with the second wedge block. The first wedge block and the second wedge block are provided with inclined surfaces that cooperate with each other. When the electric push rod is extended, the second wedge block squeezes the first wedge block and causes the first wedge block to move downward along the through groove to close the medicine storage tube.

7. A medication assisting device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that: The distance H between the side end of the guide roller and the end of the medicine absorption cover on the same side is greater than the length of the longest tablet of the largest size.

8. A medication assisting device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that: The handle is also provided with a control panel electrically connected to the controller, and the control panel is provided with a negative pressure mechanism regulating button, a medicine storage tube closing button, a medicine storage tube opening button, and a controller start button; the control panel is provided with a touch screen input module for inputting the required amount of medicine to be taken.

9. The method for using the medication assisting device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The steps include: Step 1: Replace the reducer according to the size of the medicine to be taken. When taking medicine, first press the medicine storage tube opening button. At this time, the electric push rod shrinks, the first wedge block and the second wedge block are separated, and the first wedge block opens the mouth of the medicine storage tube due to the action of the return spring; then input the amount of medicine to be taken through the touch screen input module; Step 2, place the drug suction cover directly against the drug to be taken from the container, press the controller start button, and the negative pressure device is started. Due to the suction effect of the negative pressure, the drug passes through the drug suction cover and the reducer into the drug storage tube. When entering the drug storage tube, the controller calculates the amount of the drug entering the drug storage tube according to the signal of the opposite-beam photoelectric sensor; Step 3: When the preset quantity is reached, the controller turns off the negative pressure device and simultaneously starts the electric push rod to close the drug storage tube; the user shakes the handle to make the drug that has not entered the drug storage tube fall back into the container; Step 4: Align the drug suction cover with the open oral cavity or a set container, and press the drug storage tube opening button to output the required number of tablets, pills or capsules; Step 5: After taking the medicine, the user activates the medicine storage tube closing button.

10. The method for using the medication assisting device according to claim 9, characterized in that: In the step 2, the long tablets or capsules are straightened when entering the reducer due to the guiding effect of the guide roller or the inner wall of the drug absorption cover, thereby avoiding blockage of the reducer.

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