Delivery device for medicaments

Abstract

An apparatus for dispensing solid dosage forms includes a chamber for storing the solid dosage form, an outlet, and a rotatable element including a disc. The disc includes at least one aperture in a radially outer section of the disc and a surface configured to guide the solid dosage form in the chamber toward the radially outer section. The disc is configured to rotate to deliver the solid dosage form from the chamber to the outlet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to delivery devices for medicines, particularly solid dosage forms. Background Technology

[0002] Drugs can be manufactured in solid dosage forms, such as tablets (which are typically larger and held / administered as a single unit) or pills (which are typically smaller and held / administered as a multiplier unit). These may contain different substances, with the main component being the active pharmaceutical ingredient (“Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient API”).

[0003] Dispensing mechanisms for various forms of solid dosage forms are known, and range from blister packs to dispensing bottles, in which individual tablets can be held in a bag and held therein by means of foil.

[0004] Known dispensing mechanisms often lack accuracy or do not allow for the dispensing of variable doses, especially in the case of solid dosage forms in tablet form. There is a need to create a device that is highly accurate in dispensing tablets but also allows for the dispensing of individualized doses according to the patient's needs. It is in this context that the present invention was designed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides an apparatus for dispensing solid dosage forms. The apparatus includes a chamber configured to store solid dosage forms and an outlet through which the solid dosage forms are dispensed from the chamber. The apparatus also includes a rotatable element comprising a disk. The disk is configured to convey solid dosage forms from the chamber to the outlet and includes at least one orifice in its radially outer section. The disk also includes a surface configured to guide solid dosage forms in the chamber (e.g., radially) toward the radially outer section. This helps ensure that each orifice of the disk receives solid dosage forms from the chamber during dispensing.

[0006] The device described above can dispense solid dosage forms in a reliable and efficient manner. The rotatable element allows the device to easily dispense different doses of solid dosage forms according to the patient's needs, because the angle of rotation of the rotatable element can be adjusted to change the amount of solid dosage form delivered from the chamber to the outlet.

[0007] The reliability and accuracy of the device used to dispense solid dosage forms are critically important, as incorrect dosage dispensing can have serious consequences for patients. The device described above has been found to be effective in dispensing solid dosage forms in a manner that is both efficient (because multiple units of solid dosage forms can be dispensed relatively quickly by rotating the disc) and reliable, partly because the guide surface of the disc ensures that each orifice contains a solid dosage form when it reaches the outlet.

[0008] The aforementioned device is also safer than other dispensing devices. This is partly because the dispensing of solid dosage forms will automatically stop when the disc stops rotating (for example, the device does not rely on valves). This prevents the user from obtaining solid dosage forms if they have not yet been dispensed by the device.

[0009] While this device can efficiently dispense various forms of solid dosage forms, it is particularly well-suited for accurately dispensing tablets. This is because each orifice of the disc can be designed to receive one tablet (or a specific number of tablets), allowing the disc to dispense tablets in a controlled, sequential manner (e.g., one after another). This means the device can dispense a more accurate number of tablets, and therefore, an accurate dose.

[0010] This device can be used to dispense "mini-tablets" (as defined below) that are smaller than regular tablets. The device is capable of accurately dispensing a specific number (or dose) of such mini-tablets, which has been found to be particularly challenging to dispense in an accurate manner. For example, their size can cause some types of dispenser clogging. When using the device of the present invention, a precise, individualized dose of mini-tablets can be calculated and dispensed according to the patient's needs. Another advantage is that mini-tablets dispensed in an accurate manner (using the present invention) can be easily swallowed by the patient, who may otherwise have to manipulate (e.g., crush) the tablets to obtain the dose. For example, mini-tablets can have a maximum size between 1 mm and 7 mm.

[0011] The dispensed tablets can have a circular cross-sectional shape and a diameter-to-height ratio between 0.8 and 1.2 (height is defined as the longest dimension perpendicular to the plane of the cross-section). Alternatively, the tablets can have an elliptical / rectangular cross-sectional shape and a width-to-height ratio between 0.8 and 1.2 (width is the maximum dimension of the tablet perpendicular to its height). Mini-tablets of this size and shape offer the advantages described above regarding dosage individualization and are particularly suitable for accurate dispensing using the device described herein.

[0012] The disk has a generally circular cross-section and is relatively flat. For example, the maximum thickness of the disk, that is, the thickness defined in the direction parallel to the disk's axis of rotation or central axis, may be less than 50% of the disk's diameter, optionally less than 40%.

[0013] Each of at least one orifice is formed through a radially outer section of the disk, such that the entire periphery of each of at least one orifice is defined by the radially outer section of the disk. This helps ensure that the solid dosage form successfully enters and remains in the corresponding orifice.

[0014] Equally important is the reliable dispensing of the solid dosage form from the device without damage during the dispensing step. In arrangements where at least one side of the orifice is formed by a stationary portion of the device, for example, this stationary portion will slide across the disk as it rotates, there is a risk that the solid dosage form may be damaged due to relative movement of the sides of the orifice (and static electricity problems may also arise due to frictional contact between the solid dosage form and the sidewalls), and / or that the solid dosage form in the orifice may be pushed out of the orifice due to relative movement. Therefore, arrangements with orifices formed as through-holes through the disk are more stable and reliable.

[0015] Each pore can be circular, or it can have an elliptical or rectangular cross-sectional shape. This has been found to reduce the likelihood of more units in excess of the solid dosage form unintentionally entering the pore.

[0016] Each hole can have a maximum width that is less than twice the minimum width of the dispensed mini-tablet, and can be at least 1.1 times the minimum width of the dispensed mini-tablet. A maximum hole width range of 4 mm to 10 mm has been found to be effective for dispensing mini-tablets. Hole widths of 5 mm to 9 mm, or 5 mm to 8 mm, or 6 mm to 8 mm have also been found to be effective for dispensing mini-tablets.

[0017] The orifice can extend through the thickness of the radially outer section of the disc. This means that solid dosage forms can enter the orifice from a chamber above the disc and exit the orifice to an outlet below the disc. This allows the disc to be generally horizontal in use. An advantage of this orientation is that it allows chambers to be positioned above multiple orifices of the disc at a time, giving the orifices more opportunities to be filled with solid dosage forms before reaching the outlet, compared to if the disc were vertical in use.

[0018] The outlet may include a straight, optionally vertical channel extending to the outlet, advantageously excluding a bend that could unintentionally hold the tablet in place if the device is held at an angle during dispensing.

[0019] The orifice can be cylindrical, optionally having a central axis extending parallel to the axis of rotation of the disc. This shape prevents tablets from clogging in the separator (if present). Other orifice shapes are available, and the orifice shape can be selected according to the shape of the solid dosage form being dispensed.

[0020] A particularly efficient arrangement features a disc with multiple holes circumferentially spaced around a radially outer section, which may be the periphery of the disc. This allows the disc to deliver a greater number of units of solid dosage forms to the outlet during each complete rotation of the disc, and allows for rapid and accurate drug dispensing.

[0021] The holes can be circumferentially spaced such that the minimum distance between each hole is 50% or less of the diameter of each hole. Minimizing the spacing between holes helps ensure that each hole is filled with a tablet (or more broadly, a solid dosage form) before tablet dispensing, at least because if a tablet falls onto the portion of the disc between each hole, it is more likely to roll into one of the holes rather than remain on top of the disc. It can also contribute to providing an efficient system capable of rapidly dispensing tablets.

[0022] The size of each orifice can be selected based on the size of the tablets (or more broadly, solid dosage forms) being dispensed. The orifice diameter can be selected to be larger than the maximum size of the tablet, allowing the tablet to be received in the orifice regardless of its orientation. For example, the ratio of the orifice diameter to the maximum tablet size can be between 1.1 and 1.8, or between 1.2 and 1.7, or between 1.3 and 1.6. The orifice diameter can also be selected to be less than twice the minimum size of the tablet to prevent receiving two tablets in each orifice. The orifice height (defined along the central axis of the orifice) can be selected to be less than the minimum size of each tablet. This helps ensure that only one tablet can be received in each orifice (regardless of tablet orientation) and can help prevent any excess tablet at the top of the orifice from becoming stuck between the disc and the separator (if present). For example, the ratio of the orifice height to the minimum tablet size can be between 0.6 and 0.95, or between 0.6 and 0.9, or between 0.7 and 0.9.

[0023] The surface may be inclined toward one or more orifices, such that the solid dosage form in contact with the inclined surface during use rolls downward toward the radially outer segment. The surface may be angled relative to the horizontal plane (or the radial direction of the disc) during use, and the angle may be selected depending on the properties of the solid dosage form and the material forming the disc. Typically, angles between about 10 degrees and 75 degrees, and more preferably between about 15 degrees and 45 degrees, have been found to be effective for a range of different solid dosage forms.

[0024] A surface can be formed on the radially inner section of the disc, such that the surface in the radially inner section moves the solid dosage form toward the orifice in the radially outer section. This facilitates the flow of the solid dosage form into the orifice during dispensing.

[0025] The radially outer section can be a flat surface extending perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the disc. In such an arrangement, the radially outer section extends horizontally when the device is held in an upright position. This helps ensure that the solid dosage form successfully enters the orifice, and that each orifice is filled with solid dosage form upon reaching the outlet. In a particularly advantageous arrangement, an inclined surface meets the flat radially outer section such that the inclined surface extends directly into the horizontal, flat radially outer section (which includes the orifice). This helps to efficiently guide the solid dosage form directly from the chamber into the orifice, while reducing the possibility of solid dosage form clogging within the device.

[0026] In a particularly preferred arrangement, the surface is conical, with the center of the cone aligned with the axis of rotation of the disk. The cone is formed in the radially inner section of the disk and slopes downward toward the radially outer section. This means that regardless of where the solid dosage form in the chamber falls into the radially inner section of the disk, the solid dosage form will always be pushed toward the radially outer section (where the orifice is located). This arrangement can be further optimized by providing a plurality of orifices circumferentially spaced around the periphery of the disk, wherein the orifices are circumferentially spaced such that the minimum distance between each orifice is 50% or less of the diameter of each orifice, as described above.

[0027] The radially inner section of the disc can extend from the center of the disc to the radially outer section. The radially inner section, and therefore the surface therein, can extend radially to at least 50% of the entire radius of the disc, and in a more preferred arrangement, to at least 60%, 70%, or 80% of the radius of the disc. This results in a relatively narrow radially outer section, meaning that the orifice will occupy more space in the radially outer section, making it more likely that solid dosage forms already guided to the radially outer section will fall into the orifice.

[0028] The radial outer segment can be approximately annular and can have a constant thickness.

[0029] As mentioned above, the outlet is located below the disc and is positioned such that when the orifice passes over the outlet, the solid dosage form in the orifice will fall out of the orifice and enter through the outlet. The outlet may be provided by a channel formed in a part of the device below the disc (e.g., in the housing of the device below the disc).

[0030] The disc is located at the bottom of the chamber, allowing solid dosage forms in the chamber to fall onto the disc. A surface defining the bottom of the chamber may approach or contact the bottom surface of the disc (e.g., the bottom surface of a radially outer section of the disc), which closes the bottom of the orifice to retain any solid dosage form within the orifice as the disc rotates until the orifice reaches the outlet. The outlet may be a channel formed in the housing of the defining surface.

[0031] The chamber for storing solid dosage forms can have any shape, but a cylindrical shape is particularly convenient. This allows the inner surface of the walls defining the chamber to easily mate with the radial outer surface of the disk, preventing the solid dosage form from falling between the outer diameter of the disk and the surface defining the chamber. Shapes that avoid sharp corners (e.g., chambers with circular or elliptical cross-sections) have also been found to be easier to manufacture in a moisture-proof manner, preventing moisture from entering the chamber and potentially contaminating the tablets. Depending on the solid dosage form being dispensed, the chamber can advantageously be selected to have a diameter at least six times the average diameter of the solid dosage form (e.g., tablets), as this allows the solid dosage form to flow easily within the chamber.

[0032] The device is preferably a handheld device, which allows it to be portable and easy to use in a range of settings, such as for home use. To allow the device to be handheld, it may have a length between 50 mm and 250 mm, more specifically between 100 mm and 200 mm; a width between 20 mm and 100 mm, more specifically between 30 mm and 50 mm; and a depth between 20 mm and 100 mm, more specifically between 30 mm and 50 mm.

[0033] The device may include a separator configured to separate solid dosage form (e.g., a tablet) in the orifice from solid dosage form in the rest of the chamber, ensuring that only the solid dosage form in the orifice is dispensed from the outlet. As the disc rotates, the separator can allow the orifice (and the solid dosage form in it) to travel beneath it, while acting as a barrier to prevent solid dosage form at the top of the disc from traveling to the outlet. The outlet may be provided behind the separator (relative to the rotation of the disc) such that once the orifice has passed beneath the separator, only the solid dosage form in the orifice will reach the outlet.

[0034] To achieve this, the separator can be a component positioned above the radially outer section of the disc. A gap can exist between the bottom of the separator and the top surface of the radially outer section of the disc. This gap extends in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the disc and can be sized such that it is large enough to accommodate a solid dosage form (e.g., a tablet) within the orifice, while being small enough to prevent solid dosage forms in the remaining portion of the chamber from fitting below the separator.

[0035] The gap (if present) between the bottom surface of the separator and the top surface of the radially outer section of the disc is sized such that it is large enough to accommodate a solid dosage form (e.g., a tablet) in each orifice without damaging the solid dosage form, while being small enough to prevent solid dosage forms outside the orifice from passing under the separator.

[0036] The gap can be less than 50% or less than 40% of the orifice height. The gap can have a height between 10% and 50% of the height of each orifice. For example, in the case of mini tablets, the gap can be less than or equal to about 1 mm. A gap may also be provided between the separator and the radially outer section of the disc.

[0037] The separator can be a plate placed above the disc. In use, the plate can be positioned horizontally and aligned with the outlet (in the vertical direction) above the radially outer section of the disc, such that the plate covers the side of the orifice opposite the outlet.

[0038] If circular, the plate can be a circular sector that covers only a portion of the radially outer section of the disk and does not extend around the entire circumference. In use, each orifice in the chamber that is not covered by a circular sector will receive the solid dosage form from the chamber. The orifice (now containing the solid dosage form) will then travel beneath the plate to the outlet.

[0039] The plate can be positioned close enough to the top of the radially outer section of the disc so that only the solid dosage form in the orifice can be fitted below the separator.

[0040] It has been found that using a separator is effective in separating solid dosage forms in the orifice from the rest of the solid dosage forms in the chamber, and has the added advantage that the chamber can extend across the entire area of ​​the disc (thus maximizing the volume of the chamber).

[0041] The plate may have a chamfer at its circumferentially facing end to allow solid dosage forms in the bulk of the chamber to flow more easily through the plate. This helps to effectively separate the solid dosage forms in the chamber from those in the orifices, as the solid dosage forms above the tablets in the orifices can flow more easily over the top of the separator.

[0042] The separator can be provided in the form of a rod or wall defining at least a portion of a chamber. The wall can extend through the disc such that only a portion of the disc is in the chamber. The wall can be flat and extend vertically through the chamber (vertical being parallel to the axis of rotation of the disc). In this arrangement, the outlet is located below the disc, on the side of the wall opposite the chamber. As in other embodiments, the bottom of the wall is positioned adjacent to the top surface of the radially outer section of the disc such that the orifice and the solid dosage form within it can travel below the wall, but no other solid dosage form in the chamber (above the orifice) can be fitted below the wall. As explained in more detail below, this separator has been found to be particularly effective in separating tablets in the body of the chamber from the solid dosage form in the orifice, at least in part because the separator functions to remove excess tablets from the separator and back into the body of the chamber as the disc rotates.

[0043] As described above, when the separator is in the form of a chamber wall, a rounded corner may also be present between the wall of the separator and the adjacent walls of the device (defining the chamber). This helps solid dosage forms blocked by the wall to flow more easily along the wall and back into the body of the chamber. This is partly because it reduces the chance of solid dosage forms getting stuck in the corner between the wall of the separator and the wall of the adjacent chamber. It has been found that the separator is particularly reliable if the rounded corner has a radius of curvature less than 20% of the radius of the disc and even more preferably less than 10% of the radius of the disc. It is believed that this is because a separator with a relatively small rounded corner is able to shear the tablet above the orifice from the tablet in the orifice in a more direct step compared to a separator with a larger rounded corner (which may overlap more than one orifice at a time).

[0044] In a particularly advantageous arrangement, the chamber may extend between a top end and a bottom end, with the disc positioned at the bottom end. In such an arrangement, the chamber may be defined by a cylindrical sidewall extending from an outer section of the disc. The sidewall may extend for at least 50% of the entire height of the chamber. The inner surface of the cylindrical sidewall may follow the shape of a cylinder and may be without protrusions. This allows for a simpler arrangement that is less likely to cause the solid dosage form to become overcompacted / clogged compared to arrangements with a more meandering / restricted path between the chamber and the orifice in the disc. Therefore, the solid dosage form is allowed to flow efficiently onto the disc at the bottom end for dispensing from the device. This effect is further enhanced if the chamber is cylindrical and has no protrusions at the top end. The cylindrical sidewall may also be formed as a single piece, which again contributes to device simplification and helps reduce the chance of air or other contaminants entering the chamber, which could affect the effectiveness of the dispensed solid dosage form.

[0045] In the aforementioned chamber, the bottom end of the chamber may be defined by the top surface of the radially outer section of the disc and the surface of the disc, such that the disc forms the bottom of the chamber. In this arrangement, the chamber may be defined by sidewalls extending between the bottom and top ends of the chamber, and the disc may extend across the entire width of the sidewalls at the bottom end of the chamber. This helps ensure that any solid dosage form at the bottom of the chamber is guided into at least one orifice. In this arrangement, the solid dosage form stored in the chamber can be in direct contact with the surface of the disc and the upper surface of the radially outer section of the disc. Again, this ensures that the solid dosage form successfully and reliably enters the orifice even under suboptimal conditions (e.g., if the device is held at an angle, or if there is almost no solid dosage form in the chamber).

[0046] As explained above, a rotatable element is rotated to dispense a solid dosage form from the device. This rotation can be driven by an actuator of the device. For example, the device may include an electric motor drivably connected to the rotatable element. In a simple and efficient arrangement that allows the motor to be conveniently spaced above or below the disc, the rotatable element may include a shaft extending from the disc along its axis of rotation. The actuator can then drive the shaft (e.g., via a connection at the end of the shaft) to rotate the disc. However, the shaft is not necessary, and other arrangements for driving the disc can be provided. For example, the actuator may be connected to the disc via a gear system, or the actuator may be drivably connected to the radially outer edge of the disc. Using an actuator in the form of a motor allows for accurate and variable dosage dispensing because the motor can continuously rotate the rotatable element through a series of different angles depending on the desired dosage. For example, in an arrangement with an electric motor, the actuator may receive an input corresponding to the dosage to be dispensed (which may vary), and can then rotate the electric motor through an angle, which will dispense the received dosage from the device. This can be achieved through a single operation / continuous motion of the motor, allowing for the dispensing of variable doses in response to a single input. Therefore, the device can be used to accurately and conveniently dispense a wide range of different doses in response to a single input.

[0047] The actuator can be configured to cause the rotatable element to rotate at a rate between about 0 rpm and about 300 rpm, optionally between about 5 rpm and about 30 rpm, optionally between about 10 rpm and about 25 rpm. For example, actuator 112 can be configured to cause the rotatable element 102 to rotate at a rotational speed that results in the orifice traveling at a speed between 10 and 20 mm / s (the rotational speed depends on the radial position of the orifice). This speed has been found to work well because it is neither so low as to cause tablet interlocking in the body, nor so high as to cause tablet blockage or tablet shearing in the separator.

[0048] In embodiments that include a shaft (as defined above), the shaft may extend below the disk. This avoids the shaft extending upwards and through the chamber. The absence of a shaft within the chamber improves the reliability of the device because the tablets within the chamber can flow more freely and move toward the disk. In this arrangement, tablets are considered less likely to become clogged within the chamber.

[0049] It may also be desirable to provide an arrangement in which the shaft extends above the disc and through the chamber. Such an arrangement could allow the actuator (if present) to be positioned above the cylinder comprising the chamber and the rotatable element, which may be desirable in terms of ergonomics and ease of use, as the device's outlet can then be conveniently placed at the bottom of the device. The user could also hold the top of the device during dispensing, which could be more intuitive. To reduce interference of the shaft with the solid dosage form, the device could further include a cylindrical wall surrounding the shaft within the chamber. This prevents the shaft from directly contacting the solid dosage form in the chamber, thus preventing undesirable movement of the solid dosage form in the chamber caused by the rotation of the shaft during shaft rotation.

[0050] If the device has an actuator, the device can be arranged to include a cylinder or the cylinder including a chamber and a rotatable element; and a control unit including the actuator. The cylinder can be removed from the control unit, such that the same control unit can be used to control and actuate different cylinders (e.g., containing different drugs). The control unit may include a control system configured to control the actuator. The cylinder can be connected to the control unit by any suitable means; for example, the cylinder may have a track, and the control unit may have a corresponding groove to receive the track, and may have a flange and a corresponding indentation into which the flange can engage. The control unit can be configured to receive an input corresponding to the dose to be dispensed, calculate an angle by which the disk must be rotated to dispense the dose, and thus cause the actuator to rotate the disk by the calculated angle.

[0051] In one example, the control unit may include a container for receiving the cartridge, and the control unit and the cartridge may be configured such that the cartridge can be replaced with other similar cartridges. This allows the cartridge to be discarded once the solid dosage form is emptied and replaced with a new cartridge containing the new / different medication. The result is a more flexible arrangement that can be used to dispense different types of medications.

[0052] The control unit may include a control panel configured to receive input from the user (e.g., requested dosage or patient data). This allows for a more intelligent and adaptive device compared to relatively simple mechanical mechanisms.

[0053] The control unit may also include means for vibrating the tablets within the cylinder. This can be any suitable device that causes vibration. The vibration means can be a motor, such as an eccentric rotating mass (“Eccentric Rotating MassERM”) or a linear resonant actuator (“Linear Resonant Actuator LRA”) motor. The vibration means can be positioned adjacent to or near the cylinder such that the vibration motor is configured to vibrate the tablets within the cylinder. The unit for vibrating solid dosage forms within the cylinder results in a particularly reliable and accurate means. This is because it helps ensure that the tablets move effectively to the bottom of the chamber and into the exposed orifices during use, such that each orifice is filled with tablets when the tablets reach the outlet. It also helps ensure that the tablets fall effectively into the corresponding orifices (i.e., it ensures that the tablets fall to the bottom of the orifice). The means for vibrating the tablets can be in a portion of the control unit near the disc, such as in a side portion. This can potentially help to more effectively vibrate the tablets within and near the disc.

[0054] The control unit may be able to measure the torque in the disc. In the case of an actuator in the form of an electric motor, the torque can be calculated based on the current in the motor (e.g., in the device's control system). The control system can be programmed so that the torque does not exceed a preset value. Spikes in the torque may be caused by a solid dosage form (e.g., tablet) unit becoming clogged somewhere in the dispensing mechanism. Torque limiting ensures that the disc does not continue to rotate in the same direction and that the solid dosage form unit is not potentially crushed in such a clogging event.

[0055] Another method to detect if solid dosage forms have become clogged in or around the tray is to use a sensor to measure the tray's rotational position. If, within a short period of time, the sensor reading does not match the predicted trajectory (based on the torque applied to the tray), a potential clogging event will be detected.

[0056] When the control system detects a potential blockage in the solid dosage form, it can be programmed to reverse the rotation direction to release the blockage. The control system can then instruct the actuator to continue rotating in the forward dispensing direction and continue the dispensing action. This helps the device continue to dispense accurate doses, even if the solid dosage form becomes blocked within the mechanism.

[0057] The position sensor described above can additionally or alternatively compare with the expected position of the disc to calculate any difference between the actual and expected rotational positions of the disc. This difference can be addressed by the control system to avoid cumulative errors between the actual and predicted positions of the wheel. This helps ensure that the dose requested by the control unit is accurately dispensed by the device.

[0058] The device may additionally or alternatively include a sensor at the outlet to detect how many units of the solid dosage form have been dispensed. This can be used by the control system to check that the correct dose or expected dose of the solid dosage form has been dispensed.

[0059] The total volume of chamber 124 can be less than about 170 ml, for example less than 60 ml or less than 55 ml. A volume of 170 ml provides a device containing a dose of 00 capsules twice daily for about 3 months, and a volume of 60 ml provides a device containing a dose of 00 capsules twice daily for about 1 month.

[0060] It should be noted that the directions above, below, on, and under are defined relative to the device in use. As mentioned above, in use, the device can be oriented such that the disk is approximately horizontal, in which case the directions above and below are approximately parallel to the axis of rotation of the disk.

[0061] definition

[0062] Solid dosage forms—pharmaceuticals, drugs, or medicines in solid form. This includes (but is not limited to) tablets (e.g., mini tablets) and pills. Solid dosage forms may contain multiple units of pharmaceuticals, drugs, or medicines in solid form. The units may be substantially uniform in size or may include a range of unit sizes.

[0063] Solid oral dosage forms—solid dosage forms formulated for oral administration.

[0064] Mini tablets – solid dosage forms in tablet form (e.g., pharmaceuticals, drugs, medicines, etc.) each having a size smaller than that of a conventional pharmaceutical tablet, optionally having a maximum dimension (e.g., diameter, if the solid dosage form has a circular cross-section) between about 1 mm and 7 mm, optionally between about 1 mm and 5 mm, optionally between about 1 mm and 4 mm, optionally between about 2 mm and 5 mm, optionally between about 2 mm and 4 mm, optionally between about 1 mm and 3 mm, optionally between about 3 mm and 4 mm. The height of the mini tablet (which is the dimension of the tablet perpendicular to its width) can be between about 1 mm and 7 mm, optionally between about 1 mm and 5 mm, optionally between about 2 mm and 5 mm, optionally between about 2 mm and 4 mm, optionally between about 1 mm and 3 mm, optionally between about 3 mm and 4 mm. The width-to-height ratio can be between 0.8 and 1.2. “Diameter” means assuming that the mini tablet is approximately spherical, although they can be irregularly shaped. For example, mini tablets can have an oval shape. Each mini tablet can typically be shaped into a cylinder with a domed cap. The diameter or width / dimension can correspond to the maximum width of the mini tablet. Mini tablets may or may not have a surface coating. Mini tablets can be manufactured using a molding process.

[0065] Pills—Single particles of a solid oral dosage form (e.g., medicines, pharmaceuticals, drugs, etc.) optionally having a size (e.g., width, diameter, or maximum size) of less than 2000 μm, optionally having a size (e.g., maximum size, width, or diameter) between about 150 μm and about 1200 μm (or even about 1500 μm), optionally between about 200 μm and about 300 μm, between about 300 μm and about 900 μm, between about 500 μm and about 700 μm, between about 50 μm and about 2000 μm, or between about 250 μm and 1000 μm. “Diameter” means assuming the pill is approximately spherical, although they may be irregularly shaped. If they are not assumed to be spherical, the diameter may correspond to the maximum width of the pill. Pills may have a surface coating or may not have a surface coating. When a surface coating is provided, the dimensions provided herein correspond to pills with any surface coating.

[0066] In various embodiments, the pellets may have a size (e.g., maximum size, width, or diameter) within one or more of the following ranges: 150-300 μm; 150-400 μm; 200-400 μm; 200-500 μm; 300-500 μm; 400-600 μm; 300-700 μm; 500-700 μm; 200-800 μm; 600-800 μm; 700-900 μm; 700-1200 μm; 800-1000 μm; 800-1100 μm; 900-1100 μm; 900-1200 μm; and 1000-1200 μm.

[0067] Dosage—a single measurement of a solid dosage form (e.g., volume or weight or number of units). For example, a dosage may consist of 1 to 50 units of a solid dosage form, especially in the case of mini tablets. In other embodiments, the dosage may total between about 0.01 ml and about 5 ml by volume (such as about 0.1 ml to about 0.6 ml), for example about 0.3 ml by volume, especially in the case of pills (although sometimes such solid dosage forms are measured by weight).

[0068] Dispensing mechanism—a system, for example, an electromechanical system that translates a user's actions into dose dispensing.

[0069] A cylinder is a component, such as a replaceable component for storing and dispensing solid dosage forms, which optionally includes devices such as a rotating element, a movable plunger, and certain features of the solid dosage form, in the form of, for example, a central threaded rod.

[0070] A plunger is a component that ensures that the solid dosage form remains packaged together toward the dispensing end of the cartridge.

[0071] It should be understood that reference to “one” drug or pharmaceutical agent as used herein can be considered as “one or more” drugs or pharmaceutical agents. For example, a solid dosage form may contain several drugs or pharmaceutical agents. This can be achieved by mixing solid dosage forms that each contain different drugs or pharmaceutical agents, and / or by mixing drugs or pharmaceutical agents into the same unit of a solid dosage form. Attached Figure Description

[0072] Various embodiments will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0073] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an apparatus capable of dispensing solid dosage forms is shown, with the cross-section taken along the longitudinal axis of the apparatus;

[0074] Figure 2 Examples Figure 1The device shown is a cross-sectional view, with the cross-section taken along line AA;

[0075] Figure 3 Examples Figure 1 and Figure 2 A perspective view of the apparatus shown, wherein the cylinder of the apparatus is shown in cross-section;

[0076] Figure 4 A schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the radial outer section of the disc, the solid dosage form unit, and a portion of the separator is shown.

[0077] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the apparatus capable of dispensing solid dosage forms is shown, the cross-section being taken along the longitudinal axis of the apparatus;

[0078] Figure 6 Examples Figure 5 The device shown is a cross-sectional view, with the cross-section taken along line AA;

[0079] Figure 7 A cross-sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the apparatus capable of dispensing solid dosage forms is shown, the cross-section being taken along the longitudinal axis of the apparatus;

[0080] Figure 8 Examples Figure 7 The device shown is a cross-sectional view, with the cross-section taken along line AA;

[0081] Figure 9 A cross-sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the apparatus capable of dispensing solid dosage forms is shown, the cross-section being taken along the longitudinal axis of the apparatus;

[0082] Figure 10 Examples Figure 9 The device shown is a cross-sectional view, with the cross-section taken along line AA;

[0083] Figure 11 A cross-sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the apparatus capable of dispensing solid dosage forms is shown, the cross-section being taken along the longitudinal axis of the apparatus;

[0084] Figure 12 exemplify Figure 11 The device shown is a cross-sectional view, with the cross-section taken along line AA;

[0085] Figure 13 A cross-sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the apparatus capable of dispensing solid dosage forms is shown, the cross-section being taken along the longitudinal axis of the apparatus;

[0086] Figure 14 Examples Figure 13 The device shown is a cross-sectional view, with the cross-section taken along line AA;

[0087] Figure 15 A cross-sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the apparatus capable of dispensing solid dosage forms is shown, the cross-section being taken along the longitudinal axis of the apparatus;

[0088] Figure 16 Examples Figure 15 The device shown is a cross-sectional view, with the cross-section taken along line AA;

[0089] Figure 17 A cross-sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the apparatus capable of dispensing solid dosage forms is shown, the cross-section being taken along the longitudinal axis of the apparatus;

[0090] Figure 18 Examples Figure 17 The device shown is a cross-sectional view, with the cross-section taken along line AA;

[0091] Figure 19 A cross-sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the apparatus capable of dispensing solid dosage forms is shown, the cross-section being taken along the longitudinal axis of the apparatus;

[0092] Figure 20 Examples Figure 19 The device shown is a cross-sectional view, with the cross-section taken along line AA;

[0093] Figure 21 A cross-sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the apparatus capable of dispensing solid dosage forms is shown, the cross-section being taken along the longitudinal axis of the apparatus;

[0094] Figure 22 Examples Figure 21 The device shown is a cross-sectional view, with the cross-section taken along line AA;

[0095] Figure 23 A cross-sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the apparatus capable of dispensing solid dosage forms is shown, the cross-section being taken along the longitudinal axis of the apparatus;

[0096] Figure 24 Examples Figure 23 The device shown is a cross-sectional view, with the cross-section taken along line AA;

[0097] Figure 25 A cross-sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the apparatus capable of dispensing solid dosage forms is shown, the cross-section being taken along the longitudinal axis of the apparatus;

[0098] Figure 26 Examples Figure 25 The device shown is a cross-sectional view, with the cross-section taken along line AA;

[0099] Figure 27A cross-sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the apparatus capable of dispensing solid dosage forms is shown, the cross-section being taken along the longitudinal axis of the apparatus;

[0100] Figure 28 Examples Figure 27 The device shown is a cross-sectional view, with the cross-section taken along line AA;

[0101] Figure 29 It shows Figure 27 and Figure 28 A perspective view of the device shown;

[0102] Figure 30 It shows Figures 27 to 29 Another perspective view of the device shown;

[0103] Figure 31 A front view illustrating another embodiment of a device capable of dispensing solid dosage forms;

[0104] Figure 32 Examples Figure 31 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the device, with the cross-section taken along the longitudinal axis of the device.

[0105] Figure 33 Examples are shown Figure 31 and Figure 32 The device shown is a cross-sectional view, with the cross-section taken along line AA;

[0106] Figure 34 A front view illustrating another embodiment of a device capable of dispensing solid dosage forms;

[0107] Figure 35 Examples Figure 34 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the device, with the cross-section taken along the longitudinal axis of the device.

[0108] Figure 36 Examples Figure 34 and Figure 35 The device shown is a cross-sectional view, with the cross-section taken along line AA;

[0109] Figure 37 A front view illustrating another embodiment of a device capable of dispensing solid dosage forms;

[0110] Figure 38 Examples Figure 37 Side view of the device shown;

[0111] Figure 39 Examples Figure 37 and Figure 38 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the device, with the cross-section taken along the longitudinal axis of the device.

[0112] Figure 40 Examples Figures 37 to 39 The device shown is a cross-sectional view, with the cross-section taken along line AA;

[0113] Figure 41 A perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the device is shown;

[0114] Figure 42 Examples Figure 41 Exploded perspective view of the device shown;

[0115] Figure 43 A perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the device is shown;

[0116] Figure 44 Examples Figure 43 An exploded perspective view of the device shown. Detailed Implementation

[0117] Figures 1 to 3 An apparatus 100 capable of dispensing solid dosage forms is illustrated. The apparatus 100 aims to make the dosage dispensing of solid dosage forms more reliable and efficient. Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the device 100 is shown, the cross-section being taken along the longitudinal axis X of the device 100. Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the device 100 is shown, with the cross-section taken along line AA. Figure 3 A perspective view of the device 100 is shown, in which the cylinder 110 (described below) is shown in cross-section.

[0118] Figures 1 to 3 The apparatus 100 shown will be described with respect to solid dosage forms in tablet form. However, it should be understood that the apparatus 100 can also be advantageously used to dispense other forms of solid dosage forms, such as pills, and may be particularly advantageous when used to dispense solid dosage forms in mini tablet form (as explained in more detail below).

[0119] The device 100 includes a cylinder 110 and a control unit 120. The cylinder 110 includes a rotatable element 102, which includes a shaft 104 and a disk 106. As described below, rotation of the rotatable element 102 causes tablets to be dispensed from the cylinder 110.

[0120] Cylinder 110 is detachable from control unit 120, allowing different cylinders to be connected to the same control unit 120. This allows control unit 120 to be reused for different cylinders that may contain different pharmaceutical substances. However, this feature is not required, and in other embodiments, cylinder 110 and control unit 120 are not detachable from each other; for example, cylinder 110 may be integrally formed with control unit 120.

[0121] The first end 108 of the rotatable element 102 includes a connecting element (not shown) configured to engage with a connecting element (not shown) of the control unit 120. The connecting element of the rotatable element 102 is provided at the first end 108 of the shaft 104. The control unit 120 includes an actuator 112 configured to rotate the connecting element of the control unit 120, which in turn causes rotation of the rotatable element 102 of the cylinder 110. The connection between the connecting element of the control unit 120 and the connecting element of the rotatable element 102 of the cylinder 110 can be provided by any suitable connection (e.g., a spline connection).

[0122] The second end 109 of the rotatable element 102 of the cylinder 110 includes a disk 106. The disk 106 includes a radially inner section 114 and a radially outer section 116 (radii defined relative to the central axis or axis of rotation X of the disk 106). The radially inner section 114 is gradually narrowed such that the thickness of the radially inner section 114 decreases from the central axis of the disk 106 toward the radially outer section 116. In this embodiment, the radially inner section 114 is generally conical in shape.

[0123] like Figure 2 As best illustrated, the radially outer section 116 of the disk 106 includes a plurality of circumferentially distributed holes 122. Each hole 122 extends through the thickness of the radially outer section 116. In this embodiment, the radially outer section 116 has a constant thickness.

[0124] In this embodiment, each hole 122 has a circular cross-section. The hole 122 has a generally cylindrical shape, with its central axis generally parallel to the central axis of the disk 106. The diameter and height of the hole 122 may be too small to receive two tablets (e.g., the diameter and height may be chosen such that they are less than twice the minimum width of each tablet), but larger than the maximum size of the tablets, so that the tablets can be received in the holes regardless of their orientation.

[0125] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the cylinder 110 includes a chamber 124 for receiving tablets. The tablets are stored in the chamber 124 and can be dispensed from the chamber 124 by rotation of the rotatable element 102. A tray 106 is located at the bottom of the chamber 124 (the bottom defined in use) such that tablets fall onto the tray 106 during use.

[0126] In use, tablets fall into the holes 122 of the disc 106. The holes 122 are sized such that each hole 122 is configured to hold only one tablet. The cylinder 110 also includes an outlet 126 below the disc 106. In use, the disc 106 can be rotated to allow tablets from the holes 122 to be dispensed from the outlet 126. The outlet 126 is positioned adjacent to the radially outer segment 116 of the disc 106 such that as the disc 106 rotates, the holes 122 align with the outlet 126 to allow tablets in the holes 122 to fall through the outlet 126. In this embodiment, the outlet 126 is sized such that only one hole 122 can overlap with the outlet 126 at any given time.

[0127] Due to the shape of the radially inner section 114, the disk 106 is particularly effective in ensuring that all exposed holes 122 (i.e., all holes 122 in direct contact with or exposed to the tablet in the chamber 124) are filled with tablets. When a tablet comes into contact with the top surface 128 of the radially inner section 114 of the disk 106, the tablet is guided toward the radially outer section 116 of the disk 106 and into the holes 122. This is because the radially inner section 114 provides a slope that guides the tablet toward the radially outer section 116.

[0128] The cartridge 110 also includes a separator 132. The separator 132 is configured to separate tablets within each hole 122 of the disc 106 from the remaining tablets in the chamber 124 as each hole 122 passes beneath it. This means that only one tablet is dispensed from each hole 122 at a time. The separator 132 extends above the outlet 126 of the device 100.

[0129] In this embodiment, the separator 132 is in the form of a plate 132. The plate 132 is shaped into annular sectors that mate with a portion of the radially outer section 116 of the disk 106. The separator 132 is located above (in use) a section of the radially outer section 116 of the disk 106. Figure 4The illustration shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the radially outer section 116 of the disc (viewed radially inward), a unit 117 of the solid dosage form, and a portion of the separator 132, which may have a gap 134 provided between the separator 132 and the radially outer section 116 of the disc 106. In use, as the rotatable element 102 rotates, tablets fall into each exposed orifice 122 of the disc 106 (in this example, the exposed orifices 122 are those not covered by the separator 132). As each orifice 122 reaches the edge of the separator 132, the tablet contained in the orifice 122 remains in the orifice 122 and travels below the separator 132, and any remaining tablets are forced over the top of the separator 132 and back into the chamber 124. The gap 134 (if present) between the bottom surface of separator 132 and the top surface 130 of the radially outer section 116 of disk 106 can be sized such that it is large enough to contain a tablet in each orifice 122 without breaking the tablet, while being small enough to prevent more than one tablet from passing under separator 132. For example, the gap 132 can be between 10% and 50% of the orifice height, optionally between 15% and 40% of the orifice height.

[0130] The separator 132 provides a simple, effective and reliable device for ensuring that each orifice 122 through outlet 126 contains only one tablet.

[0131] like Figure 1 As shown in the diagram, in this embodiment, the shaft 104 of the rotatable element 102 extends below the disk 106. Therefore, the shaft 104 does not extend through the chamber 124 of the cylinder 110. This can contribute to the reliability of the device 100 because the tablets within the chamber 124 can move more easily within the chamber 124 and flow toward the disk 106 of the device 100. Therefore, the tablets are less likely to become clogged within the chamber 124. However, this feature is not essential, and in other embodiments (described below), the shaft 104 may extend through the chamber 124 of the device 100.

[0132] The chamber 124 can be substantially hermetically sealed (e.g., except for the channel through which it dispenses solid dosage forms). A suitable seal (not shown) may be provided between the rotatable element 102 and the wall of the chamber 124. A packaging seal may also be provided to cover and seal the outlet 126 of the device 100, which the user may remove (e.g., peel off) when wishing to begin use. Additionally or alternatively, a valve may be used to at least partially seal the outlet 126. These features can help prevent air and / or moisture from entering the chamber 124 and undesirably interacting with the unit of the solid oral dosage form.

[0133] In this embodiment, the chamber 124 is generally cylindrical in shape. This allows the inner surface of the walls defining the chamber 124 to easily match the radial outer surface of the disc 106. It has also been found that shapes that avoid sharp corners (e.g., chamber 124 with a circular or elliptical cross-section) are easier to manufacture in a moisture-proof manner to prevent moisture from entering the chamber 124 and potentially contaminating the tablet.

[0134] The radially outer surface of disc 106 is spaced apart from the adjacent radially inner surface of device 100 by gap 136. This allows disc 106 to rotate smoothly and freely, and can help mitigate small movements of disc 106 relative to other components of device 100, and / or vibrations of disc 106. Gap 136 is chosen to be large enough that there is no contact between disc 106 and the adjacent inner surface of device 100, but not so large that a tablet might fall into gap 136. In other embodiments, the radially outer surface of disc 106 may substantially contact the adjacent radially inner surface, such that a sliding contact exists between disc 106 and the adjacent inner surface of device 100 when rotatable element 102 rotates. In such arrangements, the adjacent surfaces may be made of a low-friction material (e.g., a non-stick coating).

[0135] As mentioned above, the control unit 120 includes an actuator 112 for rotating the rotatable element 102. The actuator 112 can advantageously be in the form of a DC motor. A DC motor allows the rotation direction of the rotatable element 102 to be reversed. This can be particularly advantageous for the device 100 because if the control unit 120 detects a blockage in the dispensing step, the rotatable element 102 can be slightly rotated in the opposite direction to the dispensing direction to remove the blockage. However, other types of actuators 112 can also be provided, such as a stepper motor.

[0136] The control unit 120 may also include a control system, which can be configured to control the actuator 112. The actuation signal of the control system can be activated, for example, by a user pressing a suitable button or other input mechanism located on the control unit 120, to initiate the distribution. The control system may be provided in the form of a computer, processor, processing device 100, or microcontroller, for example on a PCB, and may be located within the control unit 120.

[0137] The motor and control system (if present) can be powered by an integrated battery (which may be user-replaceable) that can be kept within the control unit 120.

[0138] In use, the control system (if present) may receive a signal (e.g., an actuation signal) indicating the desired dose to be dispensed, and the control system calculates the angle by which disk 106 needs to be rotated to dispense that dose. The control system then sends a signal to actuator 112, which rotates disk 106 by the calculated angle to dispense the correct number of tablets. The rotatable element 102 enables the device 100 to easily dispense a specific and accurate number of tablets to supply a specific dose of medication.

[0139] In this embodiment, the control unit 120 includes a bottom portion (defined in use) which may contain the actuator 112, and / or the control unit 120 (if present), and / or a battery (if present). The control unit 120 in this embodiment also includes a side portion, and the bottom and side portions define a pouch for receiving the tube 110. However, this particular shape of the control unit 120 is not necessary, and various other configurations of the control unit 120 can be provided. For example, in use, the control unit 120 may be above the tube 110, or it may extend only along one side of the tube 110.

[0140] Control unit 120 may include means for vibrating tablets within cylinder 110. This can be any suitable means to induce vibration. The vibration means can be a motor, such as an eccentric rotating mass (“ERM”) or a linear resonant actuator 112 (“LRA”) motor. The vibration means can be positioned adjacent to or near cylinder 110 such that the vibration motor is configured to vibrate the tablets within cylinder 110. The unit of solid dosage form in cylinder 110 results in means 100 being particularly reliable and accurate. This is because it helps ensure that tablets move effectively to the bottom of chamber 124 and into exposed orifices 122 during use, such that each orifice 122 is filled with tablets when the tablets reach outlet 126. It also helps ensure that tablets fall effectively into the corresponding orifices 122 (i.e., it ensures that tablets fall to the bottom of orifices 122). The means for vibrating tablets can be in a portion of control unit 120 near disk 106, for example, in a side portion. This can help to vibrate tablets within and near disk 106 more effectively.

[0141] Figure 5 and Figure 6 Another embodiment of the apparatus 200 capable of dispensing solid dosage forms is illustrated. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The device 200 shown is similar to Figures 1 to 3 The device 100 shown, and regarding Figures 1 to 3 The features and advantages described in the embodiments can be equally applied to... Figure 5 and Figure 6 The device 200 shown. Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the device 200 is shown, the cross-section being taken along the longitudinal axis X of the device 200. Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of device 200 is illustrated, the cross-section being taken along line AA. However, in this device 200, the shaft 204 of the rotatable element 202 extends through chamber 224, and the actuator 212 is located above, rather than below, chamber 224. In this embodiment, because the shaft 204 extends from the top of the disc 206, the disc 206 has a frustoconical shape. This arrangement remains very efficient in terms of accurately dispensing tablets, and it also allows the control unit 220 to be positioned above the cylinder 210. This can result in device 200 being more ergonomic and easier to use, as the outlet 126 of device 200 can be conveniently placed at the bottom of device 200, and the user can hold the top of device 200 during dispensing, which can be more intuitive.

[0142] Figure 7 and Figure 8 Another embodiment of the apparatus 300 capable of dispensing solid dosage forms is illustrated. Figure 7 and Figure 8 The device 300 shown is similar to Figures 1 to 6 The apparatus shown, and about Figures 1 to 6 The features and advantages described in the embodiments can be equally applied to... Figure 7 and Figure 8 The device 300 shown. Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the device 300 is shown, the cross-section being taken along the longitudinal axis X of the device 300. Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of device 300 is shown, the cross-section being taken along line AA. Similar to... Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the illustrated device 200, in this embodiment, the shaft of the rotatable element 302 extends through the chamber 324, and the actuator 312 is located above, rather than below, the chamber 324. However, in this embodiment, a cylindrical wall 304 surrounding the shaft is provided within the chamber 324. This prevents the shaft from contacting the tablets in the chamber 324, preventing rotation of the shaft from interfering with the movement of the tablets in the chamber 324, or causing unwanted breakage of the tablets in the chamber 324. The cylindrical wall 304 may also be attached in a sealing manner to other walls forming the chamber 324, thereby preventing moisture from entering the chamber 324 that contains the tablets.

[0143] Figure 9 and Figure 10 Another embodiment of the apparatus 400 capable of dispensing solid dosage forms is illustrated. Figure 9 and Figure 10 The device 400 shown is similar to Figures 1 to 3 The device 100 shown, and regarding Figures 1 to 3The features and advantages described in the embodiments can be equally applied to... Figure 9 and Figure 10 The device 400 shown. Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of the device 400 is shown, the cross-section being taken along the longitudinal axis X of the device 400. Figure 10 A cross-sectional view of the device 400 is illustrated, the cross-section being taken along line AA. However, in this device 400, the separator 432 is provided by the wall 432 of the cylinder 410, which extends through the chamber 424. In this embodiment, the wall 432 is generally flat and extends parallel to the central axis of the disk 406. The wall 432 extends along the entire length of the chamber 424. Figure 10 As shown, chamber 424 is formed by a curved wall 436 with a constant radius of curvature (i.e., its cross-section follows the outline of a portion of a circle) and a wall forming a separator 432, which connects to the end of the curved wall 436. The separator 432 functions similarly to... Figures 1 to 3 The separator 432 shown creates a barrier to prevent more than one tablet from each orifice 422 from traveling below the separator 432 and reaching the outlet 426, which is the other side of the wall of the chamber 424. Similar to... Figures 1 to 3 The separator 432 in the disc 406 may have a gap 434 between its bottom surface and the top surface 430 of the radially outer section 416 of the disc 406. The separator 432 is particularly effective in separating tablets in the body of the chamber 424 from individual tablets in the holes 422 of the disc 406. This is at least in part because as the disc 406 rotates, the separator effectively removes excess tablets from the outlet, as tablets can move upward along the separator 432 and then laterally back into the bulk of the chamber 424. Furthermore, as... Figure 10 As shown, the wall is angled relative to the radial direction of the disc 406. This angle helps to more effectively remove excess tablets (i.e., tablets on top of tablets in the orifice 422) from the orifice 422 and pass under the separator without causing the excess tablets to become clogged. It is believed that this is because the angle of the separator relative to the radial direction means that excess tablets are gradually pushed along the wall 432 toward the central portion of the chamber / disc wall 432 and back into the bulk of the chamber 424.

[0144] Figure 11 and Figure 12 Another embodiment of the apparatus 500 capable of dispensing solid dosage forms is illustrated. Figure 11 and Figure 12 The device 500 shown is similar to Figure 9 and Figure 10 The device 400 shown, and regarding Figure 9 and Figure 10 (as well as Figures 1 to 3The features and advantages described in the embodiments of the present invention can be equally applied to the present invention. Figure 11 and Figure 12 The device 500 shown. Figure 11 A cross-sectional view of the device 500 is shown, the cross-section being taken along the longitudinal axis X of the device 500. Figure 12 A cross-sectional view of device 500 is shown, the cross-section being taken along line AA. In this device 500, the separator 532 is similar to... Figure 9 and Figure 10 The separator shown, in addition to having recessed fillets 538 at each joint between the inner surface of the wall forming the separator 532 and the adjacent walls defining the remainder of the chamber 524. The fillets 538 in... Figure 12 The best example is shown below. The fillet 538 can advantageously have a radius of curvature less than 20% of the radius of the disk 506, and more preferably less than 10% of the radius of the disk 506. This separator 532 is even more efficient in separating tablets in the body of the chamber 524 from individual tablets in the holes 522 of the disk 506, because tablets in the chamber 524 can be more easily removed from the wall forming the separator 532, as they are less likely to become stuck in the corner between the separator 532 and the curved wall 536 forming the chamber 524, and can be more easily moved back into the large number of tablets in the chamber 524. This contributes to the reliability of the device 500.

[0145] While the advantages described above are not limited to small fillets, it has been found that small fillets (as defined above) result in a particularly reliable separator 532. This is believed to be because the arrangement with smaller fillets 538 enables the shearing of tablets above orifices 622 from tablets in orifices 522 in a more direct step. This is partly because the smaller fillet 538 can overlap with only one orifice 522 at any given time, and thus the tablets in each orifice 522 are separated from the tablets in the body of the chamber one at a time, thus achieving a more direct (and efficient) separation step.

[0146] Figure 13 and Figure 14 Another embodiment of the apparatus 600 capable of dispensing solid dosage forms is illustrated. Figure 13 and Figure 14 The device 600 shown is similar to Figure 11 and Figure 12 The device 500 shown, and regarding Figure 11 and Figure 12 (as well as Figures 1 to 3 The features and advantages described in the embodiments of the present invention can be equally applied to the present invention. Figure 13 and Figure 14 The device 600 shown. Figure 13A cross-sectional view of the device 600 is shown, the cross-section being taken along the longitudinal axis X of the device 600. Figure 14 A cross-sectional view of device 600 is shown, the cross-section being taken along line AA. In this device 600, the separator 632 is similar to... Figure 11 and Figure 12 The separator shown has a larger fillet 642. For example, in this embodiment, fillet 642 may have a radius of curvature of at least 50% of the radius of disk 606. Although this separator 632 is more efficient in separating tablets from orifice 622 than embodiments without fillet 642 (because fillet 642 helps guide tablets back into the body after they have been separated from orifice 622), it has been found that a larger fillet 642 is less effective than... Figure 11 and Figure 12 The embodiment shown with smaller rounded corners is effective.

[0147] Figure 15 and Figure 16 Another embodiment of the apparatus 700 capable of dispensing solid dosage forms is illustrated. Figure 15 and Figure 16 The device 700 shown is similar to Figures 1 to 3 The device 100 shown, and regarding Figures 1 to 3 The features and advantages described in the embodiments can be equally applied to... Figure 15 and Figure 16 The device 700 shown. Figure 15 A cross-sectional view of the device 700 is shown, the cross-section being taken along the longitudinal axis X of the device 700. Figure 16 A cross-sectional view of device 700 is shown, the cross-section being taken along line AA. In this embodiment, the shaft extends through chamber 724, and control unit 720 is located above chamber 724, similar to... Figure 5 and Figure 6 The device 200 is shown. Furthermore, in this device 700, the separator 732 is in the form of a wall, similar to... Figure 9 and 10 The separator 732 is shown. This embodiment incorporates... Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 The device has advantages and provides a device 700 that is ergonomic and easy to use, and has a separator 632 that is particularly effective in separating tablets.

[0148] Figure 17 and Figure 18 Another embodiment of the apparatus 800 capable of dispensing solid dosage forms is illustrated. Figure 17 and Figure 18 The device 800 shown is similar to Figures 15 to 16The device 800 shown, except that the separator 832 has a small rounded corner 838, is similar to Figure 11 and Figure 12 The separator 832 is shown. (And...) Figure 11 and Figure 12 The advantages associated with the arrangement shown also apply to this arrangement, and due to the relatively small corner radius 838 (as mentioned above regarding...). Figure 11 and Figure 12 (As explained), separator 832 is further optimized to separate tablets in chamber 824 from tablets in orifice 822.

[0149] Figure 19 and Figure 20 Another embodiment of the apparatus 900 capable of dispensing solid dosage forms is illustrated. Figure 19 and Figure 20 The device 900 shown is similar to Figures 17 to 18 The device 900 shown, except that the separator 932 has a large rounded corner 942, is similar to Figure 13 and Figure 14 The separator 932 is shown. This device 900 remains very effective, even if not as efficient, in separating tablets from the orifice 922. Figure 17 and Figure 18 The layout shown is optimized.

[0150] Figure 21 and Figure 22 Another embodiment of the apparatus 1000 capable of dispensing solid dosage forms is illustrated. Figure 21 and Figure 22 The device 1000 shown is similar to Figure 15 and Figure 16 The device 700 shown, and with Figure 15 and Figure 16 The advantages associated with the illustrated device 700 also apply to the device 1000. The difference with device 1000 is that, similar to... Figure 7 and Figure 8 The shaft shown has a cylindrical wall surrounding it within the chamber 1024. This contributes to the reliability of the device 1000 because rotation of the shaft of the rotatable element 1002 does not interfere with the flow of tablets within the chamber 1024 toward the disc 1006.

[0151] Figure 23 and Figure 24 Another embodiment of the apparatus 1100 capable of dispensing solid dosage forms is illustrated. Figure 23 and Figure 24 The device 1100 shown is similar to Figure 21 and Figure 22The device 1100 shown, except that in this device 1100, a small radius 1138 is provided between the wall of the separator 1132 and the curved wall 1136 forming the chamber 1124, similar to Figure 11 and Figure 12 The separator 1132 is shown. The device 1100 is particularly efficient in dispensing accurate quantities of tablets, while also being ergonomic and easy to use.

[0152] Figure 25 and Figure 26 Another embodiment of the apparatus 1200 capable of dispensing solid dosage forms is illustrated. Figure 23 and Figure 24 The device 1200 shown is similar to Figure 21 and Figure 22 The illustrated device 1000, except that in the device 1200, provides a large radius 1242 between the wall of the separator 1232 and the curved wall 1236 forming the chamber 1224, is similar to Figure 19 and Figure 20 The separator 1232 is shown. Even if it is not like... Figure 23 and Figure 24 As optimized as the device 1100 shown, the device 1200 remains highly efficient in dispensing accurate quantities of tablets, while also being ergonomic and easy to use.

[0153] Figures 27 to 30 A particularly advantageous embodiment of the device 1300 is illustrated. Figure 27 A cross-sectional view of the device 1300 is shown, the cross-section being taken along the longitudinal axis X of the device 1300. Figure 28 A cross-sectional view of the device 1300 is shown, with the cross-section taken along line AA. Figure 29 A front perspective view of the device is shown, and Figure 30 A rear perspective view of the device 1300 is shown, in which the cylinder 1310 (described below) is shown in cross-section. Figures 26 to 28 The device 1300 shown is similar to Figure 23 and Figure 24 The device shown, and with Figure 24 and Figure 25 (as well as Figures 1 to 3 The features and advantages associated with the device 1100 shown also apply to this embodiment. The device 1300 has a particularly ergonomic design. (As shown in...) Figure 27 and Figure 28As can be seen, the control unit 1312 has a top portion 1314 and a side portion 1316, which together define a cavity 1318 for the receiving cartridge 1310. For example, such an arrangement could accommodate a vibrating device in the side portion. One side of the control unit 1320 has a user interface 1322 for inputting the desired dose to be dispensed. At the bottom of the device 1300 (below the outlet 1326), there is a cap 1324 for receiving the dispensed dose. After the tablet dose has been dispensed, the user can easily remove the cap 1324 to obtain the medication. Figure 27 and Figure 28 As shown, shaft 1328 extends above disk 1330 and through chamber 1332. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a separator 1334 in the form of a wall is provided, and a fillet 1338 is provided between separator 1334 and the wall 1336 forming chamber 1332, similar to... Figure 23 and Figure 24 The separator shown.

[0154] Figures 31 to 33 Another embodiment of the device 1400 is illustrated. Figure 31 A front view of device 1400 is shown. Figure 32 A cross-sectional side view of the device 1400 is shown, the cross-section being cut along the longitudinal axis, and... Figure 33 A cross-sectional view of the device 1400 is shown, the cross-section along... Figure 32 The illustrated line AA is cut. The device 1400 is similar to... Figures 27 to 30 The illustrated device, except that in this embodiment the control unit 1412 does not have a side portion, allows the cylinder 1410 to be attached to the bottom surface of the control unit 1412. The cylinder 1410 is connected to the control unit 1412 by any suitable means; for example, the cylinder 1410 may have a flange that engages with a groove in the control unit 1412. This arrangement may be able to accommodate a larger cylinder 1410 (and therefore a larger chamber 1432). This arrangement has a plate-shaped separator 1415 to maximize the space within the chamber 1432.

[0155] Figures 34 to 36 Another embodiment of the device 1500 is illustrated. Figure 34 A front view of device 1500 is shown. Figure 35 A cross-sectional side view of the device 1500 is shown, the cross-section being cut along the longitudinal axis, and... Figure 36 A cross-sectional view of the device 1500 is shown, the cross-section along... Figure 35 The illustrated line AA is cut. This device is similar to... Figures 31 to 33The illustrated device 1400, except that in this device 1500, the control unit 1512 has a cylindrical wall 1514 defining a cavity for receiving the cartridge 1510. The cylindrical wall 1514 extends along most of the length of the cartridge 1510. The inner surface of the cylindrical wall 1514 may have a threaded shaft, and the outer surface of the cartridge 1510 may have a corresponding threaded shaft, such that the cartridge 1510 can be attached to the control unit 1512 via a threaded connection. This device 1500 can be particularly tamper-proof because the cartridge 1510 (which contains a solid dosage form) may be more difficult to access.

[0156] Figures 37 to 40 Another embodiment of the device 1600 is illustrated. Figure 37 A front view of device 1600 is shown. Figure 38 A side view of device 1600 is shown. Figure 39 A cross-sectional side view of the device 1600 is shown, the cross-section being taken along the longitudinal axis, and... Figure 40 A cross-sectional view of the device 1600 is shown, the cross-section along... Figure 39 The illustrated line AA is cut off. In this device 1600, the cylinder 1610 is above the control unit 1612, and the cap 1624 is at the bottom of the device 1600. The control unit 1612 provides a channel 1625 extending between the cylinder 1610 and the cap 1624, allowing the solid dosage form to travel from the outlet 1626 of the cylinder 1610 to the cap 1624. The cylinder 1610 includes a funnel 1628 in the chamber 1632, which guides the solid dosage form toward the disc 1627. This allows for a wider chamber 1632 because the disc 1627 does not need to extend across the entire width of the chamber 1632. This arrangement allows the solid dosage form to be dispensed from the bottom of the device 1600, which may be more intuitive, while avoiding an axial extension through the chamber 1632.

[0157] Figure 41 and Figure 42 Another embodiment of the device 1700 is illustrated. Figure 41 A perspective view of the device is shown, and Figure 42 An exploded perspective view of device 1700 is shown. Device 1700 is similar to... Figures 34 to 36 In the illustrated device, except in this embodiment, the user input portion 1713 of the control unit 1712 is positioned on the top surface 1714 of the control unit 1712. The top surface 1714 is provided on a portion 1716 of the control unit 1712 that projects laterally from the body 1717 of the control unit 1712. The device 1700 can provide... Figures 34 to 36 The device shown embodies all the advantages associated with it, and is more ergonomic and easier to use (at least in part because the user can see the user input section 1713 from above). Figure 42In the exploded view shown, cylinder 1711 can be seen.

[0158] Figure 43 and Figure 44 Another embodiment of the device 1800 is illustrated. Figure 43 A perspective view of device 1800 is shown, and Figure 44 An exploded perspective view of device 1800 is shown. Device 1800 is similar to... Figures 37 to 40 The illustrated device 1600 includes a cylinder 1810 above a control unit 1812 and a funnel 1828. In this device 1800, a cap 1824 is located below the cylinder 1810 and attached to one side of the control unit 1812. The control unit 1812 is shorter and wider than in previous arrangements, allowing it to be easily stored on a surface. A user input section 1813 is positioned on a portion 1815 of the control unit 1812 that protrudes from one side of the body 1816 of the control unit 1812. This contributes to increased stability of the device 1800 when placed on a surface.

[0159] In embodiments where the shaft of the rotatable element extends through the chamber, a plunger (not shown) may optionally be provided, which is configured to move automatically or due to rotation of the rotatable element along the shaft. In embodiments involving the plunger, the volume of the chamber varies due to the action of the plunger during operation of the device and throughout the device's lifespan.

[0160] If present, a plunger extends across the chamber (in the radial direction) and rests on top of the tablet located within the chamber. The plunger can move the solid dosage form contained within the chamber toward the disc by gravity. For example, the plunger can be a weight configured to rest on top of the tablet contained within the chamber when the device is in an orientation that allows dispensing of solid dosage forms.

[0161] The plunger can be configured to move automatically or due to rotation of the rotatable element along the axis of the rotatable element. For example, in embodiments without a cylindrical wall extending around the axis, a portion of the axis within the chamber may include threads configured to engage with corresponding threads on the plunger, and the plunger may form a nut around the axis, configured to travel along the threads of the axis in use, such that when the rotatable element rotates in use, the plunger moves toward the disc, thereby forcing the tablet contained within the chamber toward the disc 106.

[0162] In this way, as the plunger translates along the axis, the volume of the chamber gradually decreases. Furthermore, throughout the entire operation and lifespan of the device, the tablets contained within the chamber are pushed towards the disk by the plunger. This further helps ensure that the tablets fill the orifices of the disk throughout the entire use of the device. The plunger also ensures that the tablets do not click within the chamber, which improves the user experience of the product.

[0163] The device described above is particularly well-suited for accurately dispensing solid dosage forms in tablet form. This is because the disc is able to dispense tablets one after another in a manner that is both efficient (as multiple tablets can be dispensed relatively quickly by the rotation of the disc) and reliable, partly because the disc's design ensures that each orifice contains a tablet when it reaches the outlet. A single unit containing only solid dosage forms is particularly accurate because the drug within a single unit can be controlled very precisely. It has been found that dispensing tablets makes dispensing an accurate and predictable number of tablets particularly challenging, and the device described provides a simple yet effective solution to this problem. The separator further contributes to the reliability of the device, as it also helps ensure that one tablet is dispensed from each orifice as it passes the outlet.

[0164] It has also been found that when the device is used to dispense mini-tablets (as defined above), it is still able to dispense a specific number (or dose) of mini-tablets very accurately, as dispensing in an accurate manner has been found challenging (because the size of mini-tablets can mean they will become clogged in some types of dispensers). Because mini-tablets are smaller than regular tablets, a more precise, individualized dose can be calculated and dispensed according to the patient's needs. This is extremely useful in a pharmaceutical setting, as the dispensed dose can be better optimized for the patient's needs. Another advantage of using the device to dispense mini-tablets is that they can be easily swallowed by patients with dysphagia, who can use them as an alternative to dissolving tablets.

[0165] Although this device is optimized for dispensing tablets, and particularly mini tablets, it can also be used to dispense other forms of solid dosage forms. For example, it can be used to dispense solid dosage forms in the form of pills. In such an example, each orifice will be configured to contain multiple pills and deliver multiple pills to the outlet.

[0166] The device defined herein combines medical knowledge with digital functionality. The control unit is reusable and can be combined with various cartridges pre-filled with prescription medications. For example, for ADHD, a cartridge may be pre-filled with the relevant medication for use over a one-month period. The cartridge may be filled with a solid oral dosage form. The solid oral dosage form can be taken with liquids or soft foods to support swallowing. The technology disclosed herein is applicable to many treatments, and particularly for pediatric use or for the treatment of psychiatric, neurological, cardiometabolic disorders, or oral cancer.

[0167] Exemplary treatments that may be associated with the devices described herein include Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). "ADHD"—where the medications used in the device may include amphetamines and / or methylphenidate, general pain (where the medications may include one or more of fentanyl, methadone, meperidine, tramadol, morphine, codeine, thebaine, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, oxycodone, hydromorphone, naltrexone, buprenorphine, and methadone), post-organ transplant immunosuppression (where the medications may include one or more of tacrolimus, sirolimus, everolimus, corticosteroids, cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, and azathioprine), diabetes (where the medications may include one or more of sitagliptin, vildagliptin, saxagliptin, linagliptin, metformin, canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, and smegglutide), heart failure (where the medications may include one or more of carvedilol, metoprolol, bisoprolol, and diuretics), and Parkinson's disease. "PD"—where the medication may include levodopa, and / or carbidopa, epilepsy (where the medication may include one or more of sodium valproate, carbamazepine, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, ethosuximide, and topiramate), depression (where the medication may include one or more of citalopram, bupropion, paroxetine, mirtazapine, fluoxetine, duloxetine, fluvoxamine, and reboxetine), schizophrenia (where the medication may include one or more of aripiprazole, asenapine, epipiprazole, cariprazine, clozapine, ipraridone, lurasidone, and olanzapine), cancer, animal health, oncology (substances mercaptopurine, methotrexate, temozolomide, isotretinoin, imatinib). For example, the device may be combined with medications (e.g., in mini-tablet form) that are targeted at or associated with the above treatments or with any or all of the above treatments (e.g., any or all of those treatments described above).

[0168] Using medications formulated as mini-tablets can support accurate dosing and help pediatric patients with swallowing difficulties, as well as elderly patients. The development of pediatric medications typically involves different formulations or devices designed to address one or two of the challenges faced by this patient population. Combining digitally capable medications with the handheld device disclosed herein results in improvements in dosing, titration, ease of use, swallowing ability, and adherence. This technology can be tailored to different treatment regimens (including combination therapies) for the pediatric population. Other therapeutic areas using the device disclosed herein may include epilepsy and general pain relief. This dispensing technology can also be developed for infectious diseases, such as childhood infectious diseases, where medications used with the device (e.g., in mini-tablet form) may include amoxicillin and / or penicillin.

[0169] The control unit (in any aspect or embodiment described herein) may include an input device or user interface, which may include one or more buttons for operating the device (e.g., the dispensing mechanism therein).

[0170] Pre-filled cartridges (e.g., for ADHD, with a one-month prescription) may have an integrated circuit board trip unit that transmits relevant information to the control unit. The control unit can set the dosage, prevent exceeding the maximum dose, allow titration, and ensure notification of tampering. The control system can record medication dispensing, for example, within a defined time period (e.g., a one-month prescription).

[0171] Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for dispensing solid dosage forms, the apparatus comprising: A chamber for storing solid dosage forms; exit; and A rotatable element comprising a disk, wherein the disk includes at least one aperture in a radially outer section of the disk and a surface configured to guide the solid dosage form in the chamber toward the radially outer section, wherein the disk is configured to rotate to deliver the solid dosage form from the chamber to the outlet.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a solid dosage form in the chamber, the solid dosage form comprising a plurality of drug tablets having a maximum size between 1 mm and 7 mm.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of drug tablets has a circular cross-sectional shape, and the ratio of the diameter to the height of the plurality of tablets is between 0.8 and 1.

2.

4. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the surface is an inclined surface.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the inclined surface is formed on a radially inner section of the disk.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the radially inner segment extends radially to at least 50% of the radially outer edge of the disk, optionally to at least 60% or 70% of the radially outer edge of the disk.

7. The device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the inclined surface follows the contour of a cone or a truncated cone.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the radially outer section of the disk is a flat surface extending perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the disk.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the inclined surface meets the flat surface.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the angle between the inclined surface and the radial direction is between 10 degrees and 75 degrees, optionally between 15 degrees and 45 degrees.

11. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the at least one hole is formed through the radially outer segment of the disk, such that the entire periphery of each of the at least one hole is defined by the radially outer segment of the disk.

12. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one hole comprises a plurality of holes spaced circumferentially around or around the axis of rotation of the disk.

13. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, the apparatus further comprising a separator adjacent to the top surface of the radially outer segment of the disc, wherein the separator is configured to allow the at least one orifice to travel beneath the separator, and wherein the separator is configured to act as a barrier to prevent solid dosage forms in the chamber outside the orifice from traveling beneath it.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the separator is located above the outlet.

15. The apparatus according to any one of claims 13 or 14, wherein the separator includes a wall of the apparatus defining at least a portion of the chamber.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising at least one rounded corner defined between the wall of the separator and an adjacent wall of the apparatus defining the chamber.

17. The apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the separator comprises a plate.

18. The apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 17, the apparatus further comprising a gap between the separator and the disc.

19. The device according to any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the chamber extends between a top end and a bottom end, the disk is disposed at the bottom end, and the chamber is defined by a cylindrical sidewall extending from the separator along at least 50% of the entire height of the chamber, wherein the inner surface of the cylindrical sidewall follows the shape of a cylinder.

20. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the chamber extends between a top end and a bottom end, the disk is disposed at the bottom end, and the chamber is defined by a cylindrical sidewall extending from the radially outer segment of the disk along at least 50% of the entire height of the chamber, optionally extending the cylindrical sidewall to the top end.

21. The device according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the cylindrical sidewall is formed as a single piece.

22. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the maximum thickness of the disk is less than 50% of the diameter of the disk, optionally less than 40% of the diameter of the disk.

23. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus further comprises an actuator, the actuator comprising an electric motor.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the actuator is configured to receive an input corresponding to a variable dose of the solid dosage form and to rotate the disk by an angle to dispense the dose, wherein the dose is dispensed in a single operation, and the actuator is configured to rotate the disk by different angles for different doses.

25. The apparatus of claim 23 or 24, wherein the rotatable element further comprises a shaft configured to connect the disk to the actuator such that rotation of the actuator causes rotation of the disk.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the shaft extends below the disk during use.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the shaft extends through the chamber.

28. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising a cylindrical wall surrounding the axis within the cavity.

29. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus comprises: A cylinder, the cylinder including the chamber and the rotatable element; and A control unit, the control unit including an actuator or the actuator.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the control unit includes a container, and the cylinder is capable of being received in the container, the cylinder being replaceable.

31. The apparatus of claim 29 or 30, wherein the control unit includes a control panel configured to receive input from a user.

32. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet comprises a straight, optionally vertical, channel extending to the outlet.

33. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one hole has a circular or elliptical shape.

34. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, the apparatus further comprising a solid dosage form in the chamber, the solid dosage form comprising a plurality of drug tablets, wherein the orifice has a maximum width between 1.1 and 2 times the maximum size of the tablets.

35. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom end of the chamber or the bottom end is defined by the top surface of the radially outer segment of the disk or the top surface and the surface of the disk.

36. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the chamber is defined by a sidewall extending between a bottom end or the bottom end and a top end or the top end of the chamber, and the disk extends across the entire width of the sidewall at the bottom end of the chamber.

37. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the solid dosage form stored in the chamber is in direct contact with the surface of the disc and the upper surface of the radially outer segment of the disc or the upper surface.

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