A medication adherence device and method

Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of medical devices, and particularly relates to a medicine taking auxiliary device and method. The device comprises a medicine suction cover, a variable diameter joint, 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 number of medicines to be taken, taking the required number of medicines through the controller, closing the medicine storage tube and taking medicines. The present application discloses a medicine taking auxiliary device and method. The device only needs to replace the variable diameter joint to realize accurate medicine taking of different medicines. The medicines include long tablets, round tablets, pills and capsules. Patients or the elderly only need to master the use method of the device to completely solve the problem of difficulty in taking medicines through a medicine bottle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of medical device technology, specifically relating to a medication administration aid device and method. Background Technology

[0002] Oral medications are the most common type of medication in clinical practice. Patients or the elderly often have considerable difficulty obtaining medication from a bottle due to health reasons. This is manifested in several ways: trembling hands may cause them to dispense the wrong amount of medication; sometimes, pills, capsules, or other medications may fall to the ground, requiring them to bend down to pick them up.

[0003] Currently, there are many prescription medication bottles in the patent database, but these devices cannot completely solve the problem of patients or the elderly having difficulty taking medication. This is because patients or the elderly often have to deal with many bottles, and even if some bottles can dispense a specific amount, the problems of shaky hands or even dropping medication when using other bottles remain. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a device that can dispense medication in a specific quantity, based on ordinary medication bottles or containers. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the problems existing in the prior art, this invention discloses a medication assistance device and method. This device can achieve precise dispensing of different medications simply by changing the reducing connector. The medications include long tablets, round tablets, pills, and capsules. Patients or elderly people only need to master the use of this device to completely solve the problem of difficulty in dispensing medications from medicine bottles.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of this invention is as follows:

[0006] A medication administration aid includes a suction mask, a reducing connector, a medication storage tube, a handle, a negative pressure device, a locking mechanism, a power module, and a controller. One end of the reducing connector is connected to the suction mask, and the other end is connected to one end of the medication storage tube. The other end of the medication 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 medication storage tube. A handle is fixedly sleeved on the outer wall of the medication storage tube. The handle is embedded with an electrically connected power module and controller. A counting mechanism is provided at the end of the medication storage tube near the reducing connector. The locking mechanism, the counting mechanism, and the negative pressure device are electrically connected to the controller via wires.

[0007] Preferably, the side of the suction hood is funnel-shaped and the longitudinal section is rectangular. A guide roller is rotatably connected to the middle of the open end of the suction hood, and the end of the suction hood away from the open end is screwed to one end of the reducing connector.

[0008] Preferably, the reducing connector includes a tube body with a reduced diameter section in the middle. The two ends of the reduced diameter section are a first threaded section and a second threaded section, respectively. The reducing connector is available in 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 of both ends of the reduced diameter section are rounded. The first threaded section is connected to the drug suction hood, and the second threaded section is screwed to one end of the drug storage tube.

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

[0010] Preferably, the counting mechanism includes a transmitter and a receiver of a through-beam photoelectric sensor located on the wall of the drug storage tube on one side of the reducing joint. The opposite side walls of the drug storage tube are respectively provided with a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole. The transmitter and receiver are fixedly connected to the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole, respectively. The transmitter and receiver are 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 is provided on the top wall of the medicine storage tube near the counting mechanism. The bottom end of the first wedge block extends downwards and is slidably connected to the through groove. Installation grooves are provided longitudinally on the walls of the medicine storage tube on both sides of the through groove. One end of the return spring is fixedly connected to the bottom of the installation groove, and the other end extends upwards and is fixedly connected to a fixed plate pre-set at the top of both sides of the first wedge block. In its natural state, 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 to the second wedge block. The first and second wedge blocks have mutually cooperating inclined surfaces. When the electric push rod extends, the second wedge block presses against the first wedge block, causing the first wedge block to move downwards along the through groove, thus sealing the medicine storage tube.

[0012] Preferably, the distance H between the side end of the guide roller and the same side end of the suction hood is greater than the length of the longest tablet of the largest size.

[0013] Preferably, the handle is also equipped with a control panel electrically connected to the controller. The control panel is equipped with a negative pressure mechanism adjustment button, a medicine storage tube closing button, a medicine storage tube opening button, and a controller start button. The control panel is equipped with a touch screen input module for inputting the quantity of medicine to be dispensed.

[0014] A method of using a medication administration aid device includes the following steps:

[0015] Step 1: Replace the reducer with the one that corresponds to the size of the medication to be dispensed. When dispensing the medication, first press the medication storage tube open button. At this time, the electric push rod retracts, and the first and second wedge blocks disengage. The first wedge block opens the medication storage tube opening due to the action of the return spring. Then, input the quantity of medication to be dispensed through the touch screen input module.

[0016] Step 2: Position the suction hood over the desired medication in the container, press the start button on the controller, and the negative pressure device will be activated. Due to the suction effect of the negative pressure, the medication passes through the suction hood, through the reducing connector, and into the storage tube. When the medication enters the storage tube, the controller calculates the amount of medication entering the storage tube based on the signal from the through-beam photoelectric sensor.

[0017] Step 3: When the preset quantity is reached, the controller shuts off the negative pressure device and simultaneously activates the electric push rod to close the medicine storage tube; the user shakes the handle to allow any medicine that has not entered the medicine storage tube to fall back into the container.

[0018] Step 4: Position the inhalation mask over your open mouth or the designated container, and press the drug delivery tube open button to dispense the required number of tablets, pills, or capsules.

[0019] Step 5: After the user takes the medication, activate the medication storage tube closing button.

[0020] Preferably, in step 2, the long tablets or capsules are straightened when entering the reducing joint due to the guiding effect of the guide roller or the inner wall of the suction hood, thus avoiding blockage of the reducing joint.

[0021] The beneficial effects of the medication administration aid device and method of the present invention are as follows:

[0022] This invention discloses a medication administration aid device and method. The device can accurately dispense different medications simply by changing the reducing connector. The medications include long tablets, round tablets, pills, and capsules. Patients or the elderly only need to master the use of the device to completely solve the problem of difficulty in dispensing medications from medicine bottles. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a side view structural diagram of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a top view of the structure of the present invention.

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

[0026] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the reducing connector of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 5 This is a front view structural schematic diagram of the reducing joint of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 6 This is a partial structural diagram of point A in the present invention.

[0029] Figure 7 This is a front view schematic diagram of the first wedge block and the drug storage tube of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 8 This is a front view structural diagram of the open end of the drug-absorbing mask of the present invention.

[0031] The diagram shows: 1-handle, 2-power module, 3-drug storage tube, 4-drug suction hood, 5-guide roller, 6-reducing connector, 61-first threaded section; 62-second threaded section; 63-reducing section, 7-transmitter, 8-receiver, 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-mounting groove, 21-reset spring, 22-inner cavity of drug storage tube, 23-fixing plate. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The following description is merely 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 within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] The following embodiments can be understood as illustrating a part of the structure or method of the present invention individually, or as combining the embodiments to explain the broader structure or method of the present invention.

[0034] Example 1

[0035] A medication administration aid, such as Figure 1-7 As shown, the device includes a suction hood 4, a reducing connector 6, a 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 reducing connector 6 is connected to the suction hood 4, and the other end is connected to one end of the storage tube 3. The other end of the storage tube 3 is connected to the negative pressure device 17 through a flexible connecting tube 16. The front end of the storage tube 3 is provided with a locking mechanism. The handle 1 is fixedly sleeved on the outer wall of the storage tube 3. The handle 1 is embedded with the power module 2 and the controller 13, which are electrically connected to each other. The end of the storage tube 3 near the reducing connector 6 is provided with a counting mechanism. The locking mechanism, the counting mechanism, and the negative pressure device 17 are electrically connected to the controller 13 through wires.

[0036] In this embodiment, the drug can be drawn into the storage tube by the suction action of the negative pressure device. Different sizes of drugs can be adapted by the reducing connector. The opening and closing of the storage tube can be controlled by the locking structure. The counting mechanism can count the drugs entering the storage tube. The suction hood can correct the posture of long tablets or capsules that are difficult to quantify, so that they can be straightened before entering the reducing connector, thus enabling them to enter the reducing connector smoothly.

[0037] Example 2

[0038] like Figure 1-3 As shown in Figure 8, the side of the suction hood 4 is funnel-shaped and the longitudinal section is rectangular. A guide roller 5 is rotatably connected to the middle of the open end of the suction hood 4. The end of the suction hood 4 away from the open end is screwed to one end of the reducing connector 6.

[0039] Because long tablets or capsules are prone to clogging when placed horizontally at the front end of the reducing connector, the suction hood is designed in a funnel shape and a guide roller is included. Figure 3 As shown, taking the long tablet 18 as an example, when it comes into contact with the guide roller, its posture will be straightened due to the guiding effect of the guide roller. If one end of the long tablet comes into contact with the inner wall of the suction hood, its posture will also be straightened due to the guiding effect of the inner wall of the suction hood, so that it can smoothly enter the drug storage tube through the reducing joint.

[0040] Example 3

[0041] like Figure 4 , 5 As shown, the reducing connector 6 includes a tube body, with a reduced diameter section 63 in the middle of the tube body. The two ends of the reduced diameter section 63 are a first threaded section 61 and a second threaded section 62, respectively. The reducing connector is available in several models based on the difference in the inner diameter of the reduced diameter section 63, to accommodate tablets, pills, or capsules of different sizes. The edges of both ends of the reduced diameter section 63 are rounded (e.g., ...). Figure 4 As shown, to facilitate drug passage, the first threaded section 61 is connected to the drug suction hood 4, and the second threaded section 62 is screwed 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 installed on the inner wall of the end of the drug storage tube 3 away from the reducing joint 6, such as... Figure 7 As shown, the outer wall and inner hole cross-section of the drug storage tube 3 are rectangular, and the inner hole of the reducing section 63 of the reducing joint can only accommodate a single tablet, a single pill, or a single capsule.

[0044] Example 5

[0045] like Figure 1-3As shown in Figure 6, the counting mechanism includes a transmitting end 7 and a receiving end 8 of a through-beam photoelectric sensor located on the wall of the drug storage tube 3 on one side of the reducing joint 6. The opposite side walls of the drug 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). The transmitting end 7 and the receiving end 8 are fixedly connected to the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole, respectively. The transmitting end 7 and the receiving end 8 are electrically connected to the controller 13 through wires.

[0046] Example 6

[0047] like Figure 1-3 As shown in Figure 6, the locking mechanism includes a first wedge block 12, a second wedge block 11, an electric push rod 9, and a return spring 21. A through groove 19 is provided on the top wall of the medicine storage tube 3 near the counting mechanism, penetrating the interior of the medicine storage tube. The bottom end of the first wedge block 12 extends downwards and is slidably connected to the through groove 19. Mounting grooves 20 are provided longitudinally on the walls of the medicine storage tube 3 on both sides of the through groove 19. One end of the return spring 21 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the mounting groove 20, and the other end extends upwards and is connected to the first wedge block 12. The fixed plates 23 at the top of both ends are fixedly connected. In the natural state of the return spring 20, 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. The piston rod extends forward and is fixedly connected to the second wedge block 11. The first wedge block 12 and the second wedge block 11 are provided with mutually cooperating inclined surfaces. When the electric push rod 9 extends, the second wedge block 11 squeezes the first wedge block 12 and causes the first wedge block 12 to move 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 suction hood 4 is greater than the length of the largest long tablet 18. This ensures that long tablets or capsules are not blocked by the open end of the suction hood and provides a basis for the guiding effect of the guide roller and the inner wall of the suction hood.

[0050] Example 8

[0051] like Figure 1 , 2 As shown, the handle 1 is also equipped with a control panel 15 electrically connected to the controller 13. The control panel 15 is equipped with a negative pressure mechanism adjustment button 14 (used to adjust the negative pressure of the drug suction), a drug storage tube closing button, a drug storage tube opening button, and a controller start button. The control panel 15 is equipped with a touch screen input module for inputting the amount of drug to be taken.

[0052] Example 9

[0053] Based on the above embodiments, this embodiment discloses a method for using a medication administration aid device, such as... Figure 1-8 As shown, it includes the following steps:

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

[0055] Step 2: Position the suction hood 4 directly over the container (this container can be a medicine bottle or a container selected by the user that can be used in conjunction with this invention) to take out the required medicine. Press the start button on the controller to start the negative pressure device. Due to the suction effect of the negative pressure, the medicine passes through the suction hood, through the reducing connector and into the storage tube 3. When entering the storage tube 3, the controller calculates the amount of medicine entering the storage tube 3 based on the signal from the through-beam photoelectric sensor.

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

[0057] Step 4: Position the inhalation mask 4 over the open mouth or the designated container, and press the drug storage tube open button to dispense the required number of tablets, pills, or capsules.

[0058] Step 5: After the user takes the medication, activate the medication storage tube closing button.

[0059] It should be noted that in step 2, the long tablets or capsules are straightened when they enter the reducing joint 6 due to the guiding effect of the guide roller 5 or the inner wall of the suction hood 4, so as to avoid blockage of the reducing joint.

[0060] With the above-described design, this invention avoids modifying the structure of medicine bottles and eliminates the need for all bottles to be quantitative dispensing bottles. Users only need to master the usage method of this invention to achieve quantitative dispensing of medicines of various sizes, fundamentally solving the problem of difficulty in obtaining medicines for patients or the elderly.

[0061] It should be noted that, due to the limitations of existing technology, the preferred through-beam photoelectric sensor used in this invention is the smallest through-beam photoelectric sensor currently available on the market, the Lanbao Sensing PSW-TC50 series, with a thickness of only 3.8mm¹. This sensor, with its ultra-thin housing and compact installation advantages, is particularly suitable for use in precision machinery, intelligent manufacturing equipment, and automated production lines, providing stable and reliable data support. The electric actuator can be a mini electric actuator; the smallest mini electric actuator currently available on the market is the TOMUU pen-style electric actuator. This electric actuator can be less than 5 cm in length, weighs only a few tens of grams, and its housing material can be plastic or metal. Its thrust is between 5-20N, making it suitable for very confined spaces¹. Nevertheless, many medicine bottles are still very small, and users can pour the medicine into larger containers for easier dispensing. With further miniaturization of electrical devices, this invention can be further applied to dispensing medicine from even smaller bottles.

Claims

1. A medication administration aid device, characterized in that: The device includes a suction hood, a reducing connector, a drug storage tube, a handle, a negative pressure device, a locking mechanism, a power module, and a controller. One end of the reducing connector is connected to the suction hood, 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. The front end of the drug storage tube is equipped with a locking mechanism. A handle is fixedly fitted on the outer wall of the drug storage tube. The handle is embedded with an electrically connected power module and controller. The end of the drug storage tube near the reducing connector is equipped with a counting mechanism. The locking mechanism, the counting mechanism, and the negative pressure device are electrically connected to the controller via wires. The side of the suction hood is funnel-shaped and the longitudinal section is rectangular. A guide roller is rotatably connected to the middle of the open end of the suction hood. The end of the suction hood away from the open end is screwed to one end of the reducing connector. The reducing connector includes a tube body with a reduced diameter section in the middle. The two ends of the reduced diameter section are a first threaded section and a second threaded section, respectively. The reducing connector is available in 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 of both ends of the reduced diameter section are rounded. The first threaded section is connected to the drug suction hood, and the second threaded section is screwed to one end of the drug storage tube. A metal filter screen is fixedly provided on the inner wall of the end of the medicine storage tube away from the reducing joint. The outer wall and inner hole cross-section of the medicine storage tube are rectangular. The inner hole of the reducing section of the reducing joint can only accommodate a single tablet, a single pill, or a single capsule to pass through. The locking mechanism includes a first wedge block, a second wedge block, an electric push rod, and a return spring. A through groove is provided on the top wall of the medicine storage tube near the counting mechanism, penetrating the interior of the medicine storage tube. The bottom end of the first wedge block extends downwards and is slidably connected to the through groove. Installation grooves are provided longitudinally on the walls of the medicine storage tube on both sides of the through groove. One end of the return spring is fixedly connected to the bottom of the installation groove, and the other end extends upwards and is fixedly connected to a fixed plate pre-set at the top of both sides of the first wedge block. In its natural state, 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 to the second wedge block. The first and second wedge blocks have mutually cooperating inclined surfaces. When the electric push rod extends, the second wedge block presses against the first wedge block, causing the first wedge block to move downwards along the through groove, thus sealing the medicine storage tube.

2. The medication administration aid device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The counting mechanism includes a transmitter and a receiver of a through-beam photoelectric sensor located on the wall of the drug storage tube on one side of the reducing joint. The opposite side walls of the drug storage tube are respectively provided with a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole. The transmitter and receiver are fixedly connected to the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole, respectively. The transmitter and receiver are electrically connected to the controller through wires.

3. The medication administration aid device as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The distance H between the side end of the guide roller and the same side end of the suction hood is greater than the length of the longest tablet of the largest size.

4. The medication administration aid device as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The handle is also equipped with a control panel that is electrically connected to the controller. The control panel has a negative pressure mechanism adjustment button, a medicine storage tube closing button, a medicine storage tube opening button, and a controller start button. The control panel is equipped with a touch screen input module for inputting the amount of medicine to be dispensed.

5. The method of using the medication administration aid device as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The steps include the following: Step 1: Replace the reducer with the one that corresponds to the size of the medication to be dispensed. When dispensing the medication, first press the medication storage tube open button. At this time, the electric push rod retracts, and the first and second wedge blocks disengage. The first wedge block opens the medication storage tube opening due to the action of the return spring. Then, input the quantity of medication to be dispensed through the touch screen input module. Step 2: Position the suction hood over the desired medication in the container, press the start button on the controller, and the negative pressure device will be activated. Due to the suction effect of the negative pressure, the medication passes through the suction hood, through the reducing connector, and into the storage tube. When the medication enters the storage tube, the controller calculates the amount of medication entering the storage tube based on the signal from the through-beam photoelectric sensor. Step 3: When the preset quantity is reached, the controller shuts off the negative pressure device and simultaneously activates the electric push rod to close the medicine storage tube; the user shakes the handle to allow any medicine that has not entered the medicine storage tube to fall back into the container. Step 4: Position the inhalation mask over your open mouth or the designated container, and press the drug delivery tube open button to dispense the required number of tablets, pills, or capsules. Step 5: After the user takes the medication, activate the medication storage tube closing button.

6. The method of using the medication administration aid device as described in claim 5, characterized in that: In step 2, the long tablets or capsules are straightened as they enter the reducing joint due to the guiding action of the guide roller or the inner wall of the suction hood, thus preventing the reducing joint from becoming clogged.

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