Container for receiving at least one drug and method for filling a container
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE102023208593
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-09-06
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-06
Smart Images
Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Abstract
Description
State of the art
[0001] The approach is based on a device or method according to the class of the independent claims. The present approach also relates to a computer program.
[0002] Typical containers are optimized for either human operators or machines, and each design is inherently unfavorable for use by the other means, i.e., manual containers may be difficult to handle by machines, and machine dispensing may be unfavorable for humans. Disclosure of the invention
[0003] Against this background, the approach presented here provides a receptacle for accommodating at least one medication, a method for filling a receptacle, a device using this method, and a corresponding computer program according to the main claims. The measures listed in the dependent claims allow advantageous refinements and improvements of the device specified in the independent claim.
[0004] The advantages achievable with the presented approach are that a multifunctional container for medication is created, which is semi-automatic and can be used manually, for example, filled.
[0005] A receptacle for receiving at least one medicament comprises at least one receiving element and a cover element. The receiving element has at least one receiving chamber for receiving the medicament. The cover element is shaped to at least partially cover the receiving element on at least one side when the receptacle is closed, wherein the cover element is shaped to be detachably coupled to the receiving element.
[0006] The medication can be at least partially in the form of a piece of medication, such as a pill or tablet. However, the medication can also have a liquid portion, for example in the form of a capsule. The receiving element can be shaped as a pill box, for example at least partially or completely made of plastic. For example, the receiving element can be injection-molded and / or formed in one piece. The covering element can be shaped as a lid for the receiving chamber of the receiving element, for example at least partially or completely made of plastic. For example, the covering element can be injection-molded and / or formed in one piece. The covering element can be shaped to cover the receiving element, for example a chamber opening of the receiving chamber, when the receiving container is closed.The receiving element can be designed to be linearly retractable from the cover element, starting from the closed state, to open the receiving container and allow a patient to remove the medication from the receiving container. Such a receiving container, which can also be referred to as a "medication cassette," for example, is advantageously easy to fill, for example, using a semi-automatic or automatic sorting device.
[0007] The receptacle can further comprise at least one second receptacle element having at least one second receptacle chamber for accommodating a second medicament, wherein the cover element is shaped to further cover the second receptacle element at least partially, at least to the side, when the receptacle container is in the closed state, wherein the cover element is shaped to be detachably coupled to the second receptacle element. The second receptacle element can be arranged adjacent to the receptacle element. In this way, several receptacle elements can be held together by the cover element and their contents protected. For example, more than two receptacle elements, for example exactly seven receptacle elements that can be arranged adjacently, can be covered by the cover element in the closed state, wherein, for example, each of the seven receptacle elements can hold one or more medicaments for a different day of the week.For example, the design of the receptacle can prevent more than one receptacle from being opened at the same time. This can prevent accidental mixing of medications.
[0008] It is further advantageous if, according to one embodiment, the receiving container has a coupling device designed to releasably couple the cover element to the receiving element in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner. The coupling device can be actuated, for example, decoupled, manually for uncoupling and / or coupling or only with a tool or only in the sorting device. Depending on the intended loading of the receiving container, advantageous coupling and / or decoupling can thus be implemented. For example, the coupling device can be actuated only using the sorting device if the loading of the receiving container is provided in the sorting device. Thus, error-prone manual loading of the receiving container can be prevented by the coupling device according to one embodiment.
[0009] The coupling device can form at least one snap element arranged on the cover element, which is shaped to engage in or on a counter-snap region of the receiving element when the receptacle is in the closed state, in order to couple the receiving element to the cover element. The snap element can, for example, have a movable lip to enable a snap mechanism. The counter-snap region can, for example, be a recess in the receiving element, wherein the snap element engages in the recess when the receptacle is in the closed state. The coupling device can also form a plurality of the snap elements in order to couple the receptacle in the closed state and / or to further lock the receiving element in the open state.If the receiving element has a plurality of receiving chambers, the coupling device can be shaped to lock the receiving element in a corresponding locking position in each open state of each of the receiving chambers.
[0010] According to one embodiment, the receptacle can have an actuating device that is shaped to cause the receiving element to be uncoupled from the cover element in response to a defined actuation. The defined actuation of the actuating device can, for example, enable a mechanism that is not limited to pulling and pushing the receiving element out of the cover element in order to intentionally make uncoupling the receiving element from the cover element more difficult. The defined actuation can be a manual actuation or one that can be carried out using a tool. For example, the defined actuation can be carried out by pressing in at least a portion of the receiving element and / or cover element in order to release a positive and / or non-positive coupling between the receiving element and the cover element.
[0011] The receiving chamber can be at least 20 mm wide and / or at least 20 mm deep and / or have a curved chamber base and / or the receiving container can be substantially maximum 250 mm wide and / or substantially maximum 320 mm long. Such a shape of the receiving chamber enables easy removal of medication from the receiving chamber with a finger, so that, for example, tablets can be removed from the receiving chamber without the receiving element having to be turned upside down. A radius of curvature of the curved chamber base can be shaped to resemble a human fingertip, for example, have a large bevel on one side of an opening direction of the receiving element. Such a shape of the receiving container enables one-handed use of the receiving container.
[0012] It is further advantageous if, according to one embodiment, the cover element has a fastening device for fastening a further cover element on or to the cover element, wherein the further cover element is shaped to at least partially cover a further receiving element on at least one side when the further receiving container is closed. The fastening device can be shaped as a positive and / or non-positive fastening device and / or enable a detachable fastening of the further cover element. Thanks to such a fastening device, a receiving container stack can be realized in which several receiving containers can be stored in a space-saving manner, for example, stacked one on top of the other.The receiving container can optionally further comprise a blocking device which is designed to prevent the individual receiving elements from being transferred into the open state in the stacked state of several receiving containers.
[0013] The receiving container can further comprise a base plate that is shaped to at least partially cover the receiving element on at least one side opposite the side when the receiving container is closed. In particular, the base plate can be detachably coupled to the cover element and / or receiving element. When closed, the base plate can cover a rear side of the chamber floor of the receiving chamber. The base plate can have an additional locking function for the receiving elements, thus preventing accidental opening of the receiving elements.
[0014] The receiving element can have a plurality of receiving chambers, in particular, which can be arranged one behind the other in a row.
[0015] For example, the receiving element can have three or four receiving chambers. Each of the receiving chambers can be designated for a different time of day, such as morning, midday, evening, and optionally also night, or as a special compartment for specific medications. To open the individual receiving chambers arranged one behind the other, the receiving element can be designed to be progressively retractable from the cover element.
[0016] According to one embodiment, the receiving element can be sled-shaped and / or formed with at least one slide rail, and / or the cover element can have at least one sliding guide for inserting and / or removing the receiving element from the receiving element. Thus, the receiving element can be easily pulled out of the cover element into the open state via the slide rail or inserted into the cover element into the closed state.
[0017] The cover element can have a cover plate for covering the side, at least one side wall arranged transversely to the cover plate and / or at least one receiving wall arranged transversely to the cover plate and / or the side wall and having at least one receiving opening for inserting the receiving element. The side wall can be arranged perpendicular to the cover plate. The receiving wall can be arranged perpendicular to the cover plate and / or the side wall. The cover element can also have a further side wall opposite the side wall and / or a further receiving wall opposite the receiving wall. The further receiving wall can have at least one further receiving opening for inserting the receiving element, so that according to one embodiment, the receiving element is formed so that it can be pulled out of the cover element at two opposite ends and / or pushed into the cover element.The cover plate can have at least one transparent window that, when closed, allows a view into the receiving chamber. Such a cover element can advantageously enclose the receiving element in a box-like manner to protect it.
[0018] The receptacle can further comprise a locking device configured to lock the receptacle element in a locking position in the cover element, at least in the closed state and / or the open state. The locking position can serve to prevent the receptacle element from being pushed over and thus preventing the loss of medication. The locking device can further comprise a bridging mechanism so that the locking position can be overcome, for example, by applying a defined force. Furthermore, the locking device can be part of the coupling device.
[0019] The receiving element and / or the cover element can have at least one visual or haptic indication for a user and / or regarding a content or application of the medication. Each individual receiving chamber can also have such a visual or haptic indication for a user and / or regarding a content or application of the medication. The indication can include at least one icon, pictogram, symbol, pattern, grooves, dots, text, letters, numbers, and / or Braille. Such an indication can make it easier for a user to take the medication.
[0020] A method for filling a receptacle with at least one medicament is presented. The method comprises a receiving step, a filling step, and a coupling step. In the receiving step, at least the receiving element of the receptacle is received in a sorting device for sorting medicaments. In the filling step, the receiving element is filled with at least the medicament, for example using the sorting device, to obtain a filled receptacle element. In the coupling step, the cover element is coupled to the filled receptacle element, in particular, establishing the closed state.
[0021] Alternatively, in the receiving step, the entire receiving container can also be received in the sorting device, wherein the method can then further comprise a removal step in which the cover element in the sorting device is removed from the receiving element.
[0022] In addition or alternatively to the coupling step, the method may further comprise a dispensing step in which the filled receiving element or the entire receiving container is dispensed from the sorting device or a storing step in which the filled receiving element or the entire receiving container is stored in the sorting device.
[0023] The sorting device can be designed to transport at least the medication at least semi-automatically or even fully automatically into the receiving chamber of the receiving container, which can then be accessed by a patient or nursing staff. Accordingly, a plurality of required medications can be transported into the receiving container and be ready for patient treatment. Thanks to the sorting device, the nursing staff can thus advantageously save time spent manually sorting medications.
[0024] This method can be implemented, for example, in software or hardware or in a mixed form of software and hardware, for example in a control unit.
[0025] The approach presented here further provides a device configured to perform, control, or implement the steps of a variant of a method presented here in corresponding devices. This variant of the approach in the form of a device also allows the problem underlying the approach to be solved quickly and efficiently.
[0026] For this purpose, the device can have at least one computing unit for processing signals or data, at least one memory unit for storing signals or data, at least one interface to a sensor or an actuator for reading sensor signals from the sensor or for outputting data or control signals to the actuator, and / or at least one communication interface for reading or outputting data embedded in a communication protocol. The computing unit can be, for example, a signal processor, a microcontroller, or the like, wherein the memory unit can be a flash memory, an EEPROM, or a magnetic storage unit.The communication interface can be designed to read in or output data wirelessly and / or wired, wherein a communication interface that can read in or output wired data can read this data, for example, electrically or optically from a corresponding data transmission line or output it to a corresponding data transmission line.
[0027] In this case, a device can be understood as an electrical device that processes sensor signals and outputs control and / or data signals depending on them. The device can have an interface, which can be implemented in hardware and / or software. In a hardware implementation, the interfaces can, for example, be part of a so-called system ASIC, which contains a wide variety of functions of the device. However, it is also possible for the interfaces to be separate integrated circuits or to consist at least partially of discrete components. In a software implementation, the interfaces can be software modules that are present, for example, on a microcontroller alongside other software modules.
[0028] Also advantageous is a computer program product or computer program with program code that can be stored on a machine-readable carrier or storage medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk memory or an optical memory and is used to carry out, implement and / or control the steps of the method according to one of the embodiments described above, in particular when the program product or program is executed on a computer or a device.
[0029] Examples of the approach presented here are shown in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. It shows: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a receptacle according to an embodiment for receiving at least one medicament; Fig. 2 a perspective view of a receptacle according to an embodiment; and Fig. 3 a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment for filling a receiving container.
[0030] In the following description of advantageous embodiments of the present approach, the same or similar reference numerals are used for the elements shown in the various figures and having a similar effect, whereby a repeated description of these elements is omitted.
[0031] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a receptacle 100 according to an embodiment for receiving at least one medicament.
[0032] The receiving container 100 has at least one receiving element 105 and a cover element 110. The receiving element 105 has at least one receiving chamber 115 for receiving the medication. The cover element 110 is shaped to at least partially cover at least one side 120 of the receiving element 105 when the receiving container 100 is closed, wherein the cover element 110 is designed to be detachably coupled to the receiving element 105.
[0033] According to one embodiment, the medicament is at least partially a particulate medicament such as a pill or tablet. According to another embodiment, the medicament has a liquid portion, for example in the form of a capsule. According to this embodiment, the receiving element 105 is shaped as a pill box, for example, at least partially or completely made of plastic. For example, the receiving element 105 was injection-molded and / or is formed in one piece. According to this embodiment, the cover element 110 is shaped as a lid for the receiving chamber 115 of the receiving element 105 and / or, for example, at least partially or completely made of plastic. For example, the cover element 110 was injection-molded and / or is formed in one piece.According to this embodiment, the receiving container 100 is shown in an open state 125, in which the receiving element 105 is arranged to be linearly pulled out of the cover element 110 starting from the closed state in order to enable a patient to remove the medication from the receiving container 100.
[0034] In the closed state of the receiving container 100, the receiving element 105, for example, at least one chamber opening or all chamber openings of several receiving chambers 115 of the receiving element 105, is covered by the cover element 110, thus preventing removal of the medication from the receiving chamber 115. The receiving container 100, which can also be referred to as a "medication cassette," for example, is advantageously easy to fill, for example, using a semi-automatic or automatic sorting device.
[0035] According to this exemplary embodiment, the receiving container 105 has, purely by way of example, at least one second receiving element 130 which has at least one second receiving chamber for receiving a second medicament, wherein the cover element 110 is shaped to further cover the second receiving element 130 at least partially to at least the side 120 when the receiving container is closed, wherein the cover element 110 is shaped to be detachably coupled to the second receiving element 130. According to this exemplary embodiment, the second receiving element 130 is arranged adjacent to the receiving element 105. According to this exemplary embodiment, the receiving element 105 and at least the second receiving element 130 are held together by the cover element 110 and their contents are protected.
[0036] For example, according to this exemplary embodiment, the receiving container 130 has more than two of the receiving elements 105, 130, here, for example, exactly seven adjacently arranged receiving elements 105, 130, which are covered by the cover element 110 when closed, so that, for example, each of the seven receiving elements 105, 130 can hold one or more medications for a different day of the week. According to this exemplary embodiment, the receiving container 100 has a coupling device 135 designed to releasably couple the cover element 110 to the receiving element 105 and / or the second receiving element 130 and / or further receiving elements in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner. According to different exemplary embodiments, the coupling device 135 can be actuated for coupling and / or decoupling manually, only with a tool, or only in the sorting device.According to one embodiment, the coupling device 130 can only be actuated using the sorting device if the loading of the receiving container 100 is provided in the sorting device.
[0037] According to this embodiment, the coupling device forms at least one snap element 140 arranged on the cover element 110, which is shaped to snap into or onto a Fig. 2, in order to couple the receiving element 105 to the cover element 110. According to one embodiment, the receiving container 110 has an actuating device that is shaped to cause the receiving element 105 to be uncoupled from the cover element 110 in response to a defined actuation. According to one embodiment, the defined actuation represents an actuation that differs from pulling and pushing the receiving element 105 in order to intentionally make it more difficult to uncouple the receiving element 105 from the cover element 110. According to various embodiments, the defined actuation is a manual actuation or actuation that can be carried out using a tool.For example, the defined actuation can be carried out by pressing in at least one portion of the receiving element 105 and / or cover element 110 in order to release a positive and / or non-positive coupling between the receiving element 105 and the cover element 110.
[0038] According to this exemplary embodiment, the receiving chamber 115 is at least 20 mm wide, at least 20 mm long, and / or at least 20 mm deep and / or has a curved chamber bottom 145. According to this exemplary embodiment, the receiving container 100 as a whole, specifically the cover element 110, is essentially 250 mm wide at most and / or 320 mm long at most and / or 30 mm deep at most. According to this exemplary embodiment, a radius of curvature of the curved chamber bottom 145 is modeled on a human fingertip; for example, the curved chamber bottom 145 has a large bevel on one side of an opening direction 150 of the receiving element 100.
[0039] According to this exemplary embodiment, the receiving element 105 has a plurality of receiving chambers 115, which, according to this exemplary embodiment, are arranged one behind the other in a row. For example, the receiving element 105 here has three or four receiving chambers 115. To open the individual receiving chambers 115 arranged one behind the other, the receiving element 105 is designed to be continuously pulled out of the cover element 110 in a linear manner along the opening direction 150.
[0040] According to this exemplary embodiment, the cover element 110 has a cover plate 155 for covering the side 120, at least one side wall 160 arranged transversely to the cover plate 155 and / or at least one receiving wall 165 arranged transversely to the cover plate 155 and / or the side wall 160 and having at least one receiving opening 170 for inserting the receiving element 105 into an interior of the cover element 110. The side wall 160 is arranged perpendicular to the cover plate 155 according to this exemplary embodiment. The receiving wall 165 is arranged perpendicular to the cover plate 155 and / or the side wall 160 according to this exemplary embodiment. The cover element 110 further has, according to this exemplary embodiment, a further side wall 175 opposite the side wall 160 and / or a further receiving wall 180 opposite the receiving wall 165.According to this exemplary embodiment, the further receiving wall 180 has at least one further receiving opening for inserting the receiving element 105, so that the receiving element 105, according to this exemplary embodiment, is designed to be removable from the cover element 110 at two opposite ends and / or pushable into the cover element 110. According to this exemplary embodiment, the cover plate 155 has at least one transparent window 190, which, when closed, allows a view into the receiving chamber 115. According to this exemplary embodiment, the cover plate 155 is designed to be flat. According to this exemplary embodiment, the cover element 110 encloses the receiving element 105 / the receiving elements 105, 130 in a box-like manner in order to protect the receiving element 105 / the receiving elements 105, 130.
[0041] According to this exemplary embodiment, the receiving element 105 has at least one visual or haptic indication 195 for a user and / or regarding a content or application of the medication. According to this exemplary embodiment, the indication 195 is arranged on a free end of the slide-shaped receiving element 105, for example, in the form of a label attached to the end. According to an alternative exemplary embodiment, each individual receiving chamber 115 has such a visual or haptic indication for the user and / or regarding the content or application of the medication. According to various exemplary embodiments, the indication 195 has at least one icon, pictogram, symbol, pattern, grooves, dots, text, letters, numbers, and / or Braille.According to an alternative embodiment, the cover element 110 additionally or alternatively has at least one visual or haptic indication 195 for the user and / or regarding the content or application of the medicament.
[0042] The medication cassette container 100 presented here is suitable for use with a sorting device, which can also be referred to as a "medication dispenser" or "medication dispensing device." For people who regularly take medication, it is important to keep track of the prescribed tablets and medications and to administer them in the correct dose at the right time throughout the day. This task is often facilitated by the use of medication containers of various shapes, designs, and sizes, such as boxes, sachets, blisters, tubes, etc. These containers are usually filled and emptied either by the patients themselves, their relatives, or by experienced and trained nursing staff: the containers are therefore generally designed to be operated by people.In an alternative product line, some healthcare facilities solve the filling of the necessarily large number of containers in an almost entirely automated manner. Therefore, the containers are alternatively designed to be served by machines. Therefore, typical containers are optimized either for human operators or for machines, and each design is inherently unfavorable for use by the other means. That is, manual containers can be difficult to handle by machines, and machine dispensing can be unfavorable for humans.
[0043] Classic containers optimized for human operators tend to overemphasize aesthetic and design aspects and typically use mechanisms unsuitable for machine operation, such as drawers, flaps, hinges, etc. Alternatives optimized for automation generally lack aesthetics and design and can be clunky, ugly, oversized, and / or impractical for human handling.
[0044] The receptacle 100 presented here targets the product area of partial automation, where the task of medical professionals is supported by machines, but the process is not fully automated. Therefore, both the aspects of human operators and those of machine automation are taken into account. In this way, a synergistic optimum in medication dispensing is achieved: Combining the reliability and endurance of machines with the flexibility and adaptability of humans leads to higher throughput in a less error-prone and better documented manner.
[0045] The receptacle 100 consists of a combination of components that integrate into a semi-automatic medication dispensing process, which is implemented using a semi-automatic sorting device. A typical application of the receptacle 100 described here—in combination with the semi-automatic sorting device—is to assist nurses or other healthcare professionals in administering medication to many patients and / or nursing home residents in an effective and easily traceable manner. The receptacle 100, which can also be referred to as a "medication container" or "medication cassette," enables the semi-automatic process to increase productivity by reliably accepting the dispensed medications and storing them until administration. Other applications are conceivable, such as use in pharmacies, hospitals, sanatoriums, correctional facilities, educational institutions, etc.
[0046] According to this embodiment, the receptacle 100 comprises a set of removable receptacle elements 105, 130 in the form of pill boxes, tablet boxes, or boxes, which can be assembled with a removable cover element 110 in the form of a lid to form a medication cassette; with optional additions and alternatives. The cover element 110 and the receptacle element 105 are reusable, and the medication cassette can be filled multiple times. This avoids waste production. According to one embodiment, the cover element 110 is removed from the receptacle elements 105, 130 during the filling process. This way, the cover element 110 does not block the filling path, and thus, many receptacle elements 105, 130 can be tightly packed into the medication dispenser and filled simultaneously with high efficiency.According to one embodiment, the cover element 110 is placed onto the receiving elements 105, 130 after filling: In this way, the receiving elements 105, 130 are held together by the cover element 110 of the medication cassette, and their contents are protected. The contents of the receiving elements 105, 130 are accessible by sliding the receiving elements 105, 130 out of the medication cassette, but according to one embodiment, cannot simply be removed manually: This prevents the pill boxes from being lost so easily. According to one embodiment, the receiving elements 105, 130 can only be pushed out of the cover element 110 through user interaction and not through their own weight. This prevents accidental opening and the loss of medication.According to one embodiment, the receiving elements 105, 130 and the cover element 110 can only be detached from the medication cassette with the aid of tools or by actuating an additional mechanism, which is not limited to pulling and pushing the receiving elements 105, 130 and is intentionally made more difficult: In this way, unintentional disassembly can be prevented.
[0047] According to this exemplary embodiment, the cover element 110 is intentionally attached to the receiving elements 105, 130 simply by means of the coupling device 135 with a snap-in mechanism. This facilitates the assembly of the medication cassette. According to this exemplary embodiment, the receiving elements 105, 130 contain the receiving chambers 115 in the form of compartments or slots for storing medications such as pills and are tightly covered by the cover element 110, so that in the closed state, only a narrow gap remains between the cover plate 155 and the chamber opening of the receiving chamber(s) 115. This prevents the medications from falling out of their original slots and from entering other slots or other receiving elements 105, 130.According to this exemplary embodiment, the receiving chambers 115 are large enough to fit a finger, for example, at least 20 mm wide. This allows the medication to be removed from the receiving chambers 115 without having to turn the receiving elements 105, 130 upside down. According to this exemplary embodiment, the chamber base 145 of the receiving chambers 115 does not have sharp edges, so a finger can slide the medication / tablets sideways to reach underneath them, and even the last tablet can be easily removed. The receiving container 100 is so small and light that it can be held with one hand, making it easy to handle even for older people.According to this exemplary embodiment, the receiving elements 105, 130 provide space for the information 195, for example in the form of a human-readable label 196, a machine-readable label 197, and / or a logo 198. This allows information to be written on them that can be processed by both automation and human operators. According to this exemplary embodiment, the information 195 is located in a location that is protected from sliding movements, thus preventing any deterioration in readability.
[0048] An exemplary life cycle of the receptacle 100 is shown in Fig. 3 described.
[0049] Further optional features of the receptacle 100 are described below: According to this exemplary embodiment, the receptacle 100 contains more than one receptacle element 105, 130. In this way, several separate sets of medication can be stored together, e.g., for several patients. According to one exemplary embodiment, the number of receptacle elements 105, 130 is exactly seven. This allows the days of the week to be represented. According to one exemplary embodiment, the receptacle elements 105, 130 are arranged next to one another in the medication cassette. In this way, it is possible for the arrangement of the receptacle elements 105, 130 in the sorting device / medication dispensing device to be directly analogous to the arrangement in the medication cassette, and the cover element 110 is easy to attach.According to one embodiment, the design of the receiving elements 105, 130 and the cover element 110 is intentionally incompatible so as to be joined together in a manner other than through correct assembly. This makes assembly of the medication cassette foolproof. A box-to-lid connection of the coupling device 135 is implemented, according to one embodiment, such that multiple assembly techniques are considered correct. This takes many different types of user interaction into account. The box-to-lid connection of the coupling device 135 is implemented, according to one embodiment, such that the coupling / assembly within the sorting device can take place without human interaction. This allows for a higher degree of automation.According to one embodiment, the receiving elements 105, 130 have more than one slot: In this way, several separate sets of medication can be stored together. The number of receiving chambers 115 is exactly three according to one embodiment: This allows the times of day, e.g., morning, afternoon, and evening, to be represented and the medication to be administered more precisely. According to another embodiment, the number of receiving chambers 115 is exactly four: This allows the times of day, e.g., morning, noon, evening, and night, to be represented even more precisely. According to one embodiment, the receiving chambers 115 are arranged one after the other in the receiving elements 105, 130: This allows them to be opened / uncovered gradually, with their contents gradually being released as time passes.According to one embodiment, the receiving chambers 115 are covered by the cover element 110 such that only one receiving chamber 115 can be opened at a specific location on the receiving elements 105, 130. This minimizes the loss of medication. According to one embodiment, one or more of the receiving chambers 115 serve as a special compartment 115', which, for example, is not intended for a specific time of day. This allows specific types of medication to be stored. The special compartments 115' can, for example, have a separate access, in this case, being pullable and / or insertable via the additional receiving opening.
[0050] According to one embodiment, some of the receiving chambers 115 are identically shaped, or according to one embodiment, they differ in size from other receiving chambers 115: This means that larger and smaller medications can also fit into the receiving elements 105, 130. According to one embodiment, some of the receiving chambers 115 differ in shape from other receiving chambers 115: This makes it easier to recognize the individual receiving chambers 115. According to one embodiment, some of the receiving elements 105, 130 are identically shaped, or according to one embodiment, they differ in shape from the other receiving elements 105, 130: This makes it easier to recognize the individual receiving elements 105, 130.According to one embodiment, some of the receiving elements 105, 130 are shaped such that they only fit into certain locations in the receiving container 100: This can make it difficult to insert the receiving elements 105, 130 into the cover element 110.
[0051] According to one embodiment, the receiving elements 105, 130 can be pushed out of the receiving container 100 in more than one direction. In this way, direct access to the receiving chambers 115 on different sides of the receiving container 100 is possible. According to one embodiment, the receiving chambers 115 are provided with a large bevel at the bottom on the side of the opening direction 150, into which the user can insert their finger. In this way, the user's finger can pull the tablets onto the bevel in an ergonomic and user-friendly manner. According to one embodiment, some of the receiving chambers 115 have visual or haptic cues 195, e.g., icons, pictograms, symbols, patterns, grooves, dots, text, letters, numbers, Braille, etc. In this way, the receiving chambers 115 can be distinguished from one another.According to this embodiment, the receiving elements 105, 130 have visual or haptic cues 195, e.g., icons, pictograms, symbols, patterns, grooves, dots, text, letters, numbers, Braille, etc.: In this way, the receiving elements 105, 130 can be distinguished from one another. According to one embodiment, the receiving elements 105, 130 each have a label 196, 197, 198, which is written directly onto the receiving elements 105, 130 or attached via a label: In this way, the receiving elements 105, 130 can be identified. According to one embodiment, the cue 195 on the receiving elements 105, 130 contains machine-readable content: This facilitates automatic information processing. According to one embodiment, the inscription on the recording elements 105, 130 contains content that is readable by humans: this enables human information processing.According to one embodiment, the labeling 196, 197, 198 of the receiving elements 105, 130 is directed outward. This makes it possible to identify the boxes even on an assembled medication cassette. According to one embodiment, the markings 195 on the receiving elements 105, 130 form a shape that is recognizable when several receiving elements 105, 130 are viewed together. This makes it easy to detect an incorrect arrangement of the receiving elements 105, 130 in the cover element 110.
[0052] According to one embodiment, the cover element 110 contains visual or haptic cues 195, e.g., icons, pictograms, symbols, patterns, grooves, dots, text, letters, numbers, Braille, etc.: In this way, the cover can provide users with additional information.
[0053] According to one embodiment, the cover element 110 contains a cover element label 199, which is written directly onto the cover element 110 or applied via a label. In this way, the cover elements 110 can be made identifiable. According to one embodiment, the cover element label 199 on the cover element 110 contains machine-readable content. This facilitates automatic information processing. According to one embodiment, the cover element label 199 on the cover element 110 contains human-readable content. This enables human information processing. According to one embodiment, the cover element 110 further contains at least one logo 198.
[0054] According to one embodiment, the size of the receptacle 100 is limited to the approximate size of a folder for A4 papers, for example, a maximum of ~250 mm wide and / or a maximum of ~320 mm long. This facilitates one-handed use of the receptacle 100. According to one embodiment, the design of the receptacle 100 is shock-resistant. This prevents the loss of medication if accidentally dropped. According to one embodiment, the design of the receptacle 100 allows the receiving elements 105, 130 to follow different movement paths than the sliding movement for opening and closing the receiving chambers 115 under certain conditions, e.g., rotating and / or tilting at the end of the sliding movement. This facilitates cleaning or the removal of tablets from the receiving chambers 115.According to one embodiment, the design of the receptacle 100 prevents more than one receptacle element 105, 130 from being opened simultaneously. This can prevent accidental mixing of medications. According to one embodiment, some components of the receptacle 100 have an additional, one-time sealing function for a desired part of the receptacle 100. This can detect the opening of receptacle elements 105, 130 or even the opening of individual receptacle chambers 115. According to one embodiment, some components of the receptacle 100 are designed for single use. This is particularly useful for providing the sealing / closure function.
[0055] The design of the receiving container 100 is stackable according to one embodiment, see also Fig. 2: This facilitates the transport and storage of multiple receptacles 100. According to one embodiment, stackable receptacles 100 are stacked or stackable in such a way that they remain together until intentionally separated. This further simplifies the transport and storage of the receptacles 100. According to one embodiment, stackable receptacles 100 are designed to intentionally prevent the individual receptacles 100 from opening when stacked. This can prevent tampering with and loss of medication during transport and storage of the receptacles 100.According to another embodiment, stackable receptacles 100 are designed such that the individual receptacles 100 can be opened even when stacked. This allows medication to be administered to a large number of patients without the receptacles 100 having to be rearranged. According to one embodiment, the cover element 110 is designed as a single component. This allows production costs to be minimized. The construction of an injection-molded cover element 110 according to one embodiment allows it to be manufactured without a slide. This allows tool costs to be minimized. According to one embodiment, the cover element 110 is designed such that it has transparent windows 190 in the slots. This allows the contents of the receptacle chambers 115 to be monitored even when closed.According to one embodiment, the design of the individual receiving elements 105, 130 is each realized as a single component. This allows for minimizing production costs. The construction of the injection-molded receiving elements 105, 130, according to one embodiment, enables their production without slides. This allows for minimizing tooling costs. According to one embodiment, the design of the receiving elements 105, 130 has rounded features and / or avoids sharp corners. This allows for easier cleaning and allows for ergonomic consideration of user interaction.The design of the receiving elements 105, 130 allows, according to one embodiment, the size of the receiving chambers 115 to be changed by rearranging walls of the receiving elements 105, which are removable according to one embodiment. In this way, the size of the receiving chambers 115 can be adapted to the current need. The receiving elements 105, 130 are designed, according to one embodiment, to contain transparent windows to the receiving chambers 115. In this way, the contents of the receiving chambers 115 can be checked even when closed. The size of the receiving elements 105, 130 is designed, according to one embodiment, to have a sufficient volume to contain the typical amount of tablets for an entire day for most patients, for example, at least 40 cm. 3In this way, the receiving container 100 can replace known medication containers. According to one embodiment, the receiving chambers 115 are deep enough to accommodate the typical number of tablets for most patients without the tablets protruding beyond the uppermost edge of the slot, for example, at least 20 mm deep. This way, automatic filling of the receiving chambers 115 is not hindered.
[0056] According to one embodiment, the cover element 110 is supplemented by an additional cover: this allows tool-related openings and defects to be covered. According to one embodiment, the additional cover of the cover element 110 contains visual or haptic cues, e.g., icons, pictograms, symbols, patterns, grooves, dots, text, letters, numbers, Braille, etc.: This allows the additional cover to provide the user with additional information. According to one embodiment, the design of the additional cover is realized as a simple blank: this allows production costs to be minimized.
[0057] According to one embodiment, the receiving container 100 is supplemented by a magazine that is shaped to accommodate multiple receiving containers 100. This facilitates the transport and storage of the receiving containers 100. According to one embodiment, the design of the magazine is designed to resemble a trolley or a suitcase. This further simplifies the transport and storage of the receiving containers 100.
[0058] Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a receptacle 100 according to an embodiment. This can be the container shown in Fig. 1 described receiving container 100, of which in Fig. 2 a section from below is shown.
[0059] According to this exemplary embodiment, the receiving element 105 is slide-shaped and / or formed with at least one slide rail 200. According to this exemplary embodiment, the cover element 110 has at least one partition 202 that delimits a receiving area 203 for the cover element 110 in the cover element 110. According to this exemplary embodiment, the cover element 110 has at least one sliding guide 205 that can be coupled to the slide rail 200 for inserting and / or removing the receiving element 105 from the cover element 110. Thus, the receiving element 105 can be easily pulled out of the cover element 110 into the open state via the slide rail 200 or inserted into the cover element 110 into the closed state. According to this exemplary embodiment, the sliding guide 205 is arranged on the partition 202.According to this exemplary embodiment, the coupling device forms at least one snap element 140 arranged on the cover element 110, which is shaped to engage in or on the counter-snap region 210 of the receiving element 105 when the receiving container 100 is closed, in order to couple the receiving element 105 to the cover element 110. The snap element 140 here has, for example, a movable lip that enables a snap mechanism. According to this exemplary embodiment, the counter-snap region 210 is formed as a recess in the receiving element 105, here, for example, as a recess in the slide rail 200, wherein the snap element 140 engages in the recess when the receiving container 100 is closed.According to this exemplary embodiment, the coupling device forms at least one second snap element 140 arranged on the cover element 110 and / or an opposite third snap element 215, which is shaped to engage in or on a second counter-snap region 210 of the receiving element 105 when the receptacle 100 is closed, in order to couple the receiving element 105 to the cover element 110. According to this exemplary embodiment, the snap element 140 and the second snap element 140 are arranged on the partition wall 202, wherein the third snap element 215 is arranged on a second partition wall 220 of the cover element 110 opposite the partition wall 202, so that the receiving element 105 can be coupled from two opposite sides by the snap elements 140, 215 in the closed state.According to this exemplary embodiment, the third snap element 215 is arranged between a further snap element 140 and a further second snap element 140 on the second partition wall 220. The further snap element 140 and the further second snap element 140 are shaped to engage in or on a further counter-snap region 210 of the second receiving element 130 when the receiving container 100 is closed, in order to couple the second receiving element 130 to the cover element 110. Optionally, the second partition wall 220 according to this exemplary embodiment 205 has at least one sliding guide 205.
[0060] According to one embodiment, the cover element 110 has at least one associated snap element 140 for each receiving chamber 115 of each receiving element 105, which is shaped to hold the respective receiving chamber 115 in an open state of the receiving chamber 115, for example to lock it.
[0061] According to this exemplary embodiment, the receiving container 100 further comprises a locking device 225, which is shaped to lock the receiving element 105 in at least the closed state and / or the open state in the cover element 110 in a locked position. According to this exemplary embodiment, the locking device 225 comprises a protrusion 227 in the receiving opening and / or further receiving opening and / or an end stop 229 on the receiving element 105. According to one exemplary embodiment, pulling the receiving element 105 out of the cover element 110 is only possible up to the end stop 229. According to this exemplary embodiment, the receiving element 105 comprises the end stop 229 on a rear side of the chamber base of the special compartment, which is curved with a finger radius 230 and faces away from the receiving chamber, and at least one second end stop 229 on the rear side of the curved chamber base of the middle of three receiving chambers.The locking position serves to prevent the receiving element 105 from being pushed over and thus preventing the loss of medication. According to this exemplary embodiment, the locking device 225 further comprises a bridging mechanism, so that, for example, by applying a defined force, for example a defined compressive force at a pushing position 232 or a defined tensile force at a pulling position 235 of the receiving element 105, the locking position is overcome in order to bring about the open state of the receiving container 100 or to be able to completely remove the receiving element 105 from the cover element 100. According to one exemplary embodiment, the locking device 225 is part of the coupling device.
[0062] According to this exemplary embodiment, the cover element 110 further comprises a fastening device 240 for fastening a further cover element on or to the cover element 110, wherein the further cover element is shaped to at least partially cover a further receiving element on at least one side when the further receiving container is closed. According to this exemplary embodiment, the fastening device 240 is shaped as a positive and / or non-positive fastening device, here as a snap pin or stacking tower, and / or enables a releasable fastening of the further cover element to the cover element 110. According to this exemplary embodiment, the receiving container 100 optionally further comprises a blocking device designed to prevent the individual receiving elements 105, 130 from being transferred into the open state when a plurality of receiving containers 100 are stacked.
[0063] According to one exemplary embodiment, the receptacle 100 further comprises a base plate which is shaped to at least partially cover the receptacle element 105 and / or second receptacle element 130 and / or all receptacle elements to at least one side 245 opposite the side when the receptacle 100 is in the closed state. The base plate is shaped, for example, so as to be detachably coupled to the cover element 110 and / or the receptacle element 105, 130. According to this exemplary embodiment, the opposite side 245 represents a rear side or underside of the receptacle 100. According to one exemplary embodiment, the base plate has an additional locking function for the receptacle elements 105, 130, so that accidental opening of the receptacle elements 105, 130 can be prevented.According to one embodiment, the receiving container 100 is supplemented by a base plate. This allows the underside of the receiving container 100 opposite side 120 to be covered. According to one embodiment, the design of the base plate is realized integrally with the cover element 110, i.e., as a single component. This allows production costs to be minimized. A design of the injection-molded base plate according to one embodiment allows its production without a slide. This allows tooling costs to be minimized.
[0064] In summary, the receptacle 100 according to this embodiment has the locking device 225 with a locking function at the exact opening point of the receptacle chamber 115. This prevents the receptacle elements 105, 130 from being pushed over, thus preventing the loss of medication. According to one embodiment, the locking function is designed to be strong enough to withstand attempts to open it by children. This prevents them from accidentally accessing the medication. According to one embodiment, the locking function has a bridging mechanism that reduces the opening force. This ensures that only targeted opening attempts are made, preventing accidental opening.According to this exemplary embodiment, the locking function works in both directions, optionally also differently: This makes it easy to indicate whether the medication due at a certain time of day has already been administered. According to this exemplary embodiment, the design of the receiving elements 105, 130 has one or more special locations, here, for example, the push position 232 and / or the pull position 235, for the user action to push the receiving elements 105, 130 out of the medication cassette. This enables intuitive use. According to this exemplary embodiment, the receiving element 105, 130 has a label recess 250 on a front side.
[0065] Fig.Figure 3 shows a flowchart of a method 300 according to an embodiment for filling a receptacle with at least one medication. This can be one of the receptacles described with reference to the preceding figures.
[0066] The method 300 comprises a receiving step 305, a filling step 310, and a coupling step 315. In receiving step 305, at least the receiving element of the receiving container is received in a sorting device for sorting medications. In filling step 310, the receiving element is filled with at least the medication, for example, using the sorting device, to obtain a filled receiving element. In coupling step 315, the cover element is coupled to the filled receiving element, for example, establishing the closed state.
[0067] Alternatively, in step 305 of receiving, the entire receiving container can also be received in the sorting device, wherein the method 300 then optionally further comprises, according to one embodiment, a step 320 of removal in which the cover element in the sorting device is removed from the receiving element.
[0068] Optionally, the method 300 according to this embodiment further comprises a step 325 of dispensing or a step 330 of storing.
[0069] In step 325 of dispensing, the filled receiving element or the entire receiving container is dispensed from the sorting device. In storage step 330, the filled receiving element or the entire receiving container is stored in the sorting device.
[0070] The dispensing step 325 or the storing step 330 may be performed alternatively to the coupling step 315 or after the coupling step 315.
[0071] The procedural steps presented here can be repeated and carried out in a different order than described.
[0072] An exemplary life cycle of the receptacle 100 is described below: 1. The empty receptacle / medication cassette is ready to be filled, for example in a closed state. 2. The receptacle is opened with a special tool, separating the cover element, optionally also the base plate, and the receptacle elements. Optionally, the special tool is part of the sorting device / medication dispensing device. 3. At least the receiving elements are inserted into the sorting device. Optionally, the receiving container is inserted into the sorting device as a whole, and the receiving elements are automatically inserted into a filling position during the opening process. 4. The receiving chambers are filled with the correct medication. 5. The cover element, and optionally the base plate, are reassembled with the receiving elements. This can optionally be done within the sorting device. Optionally, the receiving container is closed. 6. The collection container is delivered to the appropriate patient. This can be done either using a magazine or by stacking several of the collection containers. 7. The corresponding receiving elements are opened by sliding them out of the receiving container to expose the corresponding receiving chamber. This may require breaking a seal. It may be necessary to unlock a locking mechanism. 8. The medication is removed from the appropriate receiving chamber and administered to the patient. 9. The receiving element is closed by pushing it back into the receiving container. This may require unlocking a locking mechanism. 10. Repeat steps 6 to 9 until all medications have been administered. 11. The empty receiving container is transported to the sorting device / refilling station. A magazine can be used for this purpose. Multiple receiving containers can be stacked.
[0073] If an embodiment comprises an “and / or” link between a first feature and a second feature, this is to be read as meaning that the embodiment according to one embodiment has both the first feature and the second feature and according to another embodiment has either only the first feature or only the second feature.
Claims
[1] Receptacle (100) for receiving at least one medicament, wherein the receptacle (100) has the following features: at least one receiving element (105) having at least one receiving chamber (115) for receiving the medicament; and a cover element (110) which is shaped to at least partially cover the receiving element (105) on at least one side (120) when the receiving container (100) is in a closed state; wherein the cover element (110) is shaped to be detachably coupled to the receiving element (105). [2] Receptacle (100) according to claim 1, with at least one second receiving element (130) which has at least one second receiving chamber for receiving a second medicament, wherein the cover element (110) is shaped to further cover the second receiving element (130) to at least the side (120) in the closed state of the receptacle (100), wherein the cover element (110) is shaped to be detachably coupled to the second receiving element (130). [3] Receiving container (100) according to one of the preceding claims, with a coupling device (135) which is designed to couple the cover element (110) to the receiving element (105) in a form-fitting and / or non-positively releasable manner. [4] Receptacle (100) according to claim 3, wherein the coupling device (135) forms at least one snap element (140; 215) arranged on the cover element (110), which is shaped to engage in or on a counter-snap region (210) of the receiving element (105) in the closed state of the receptacle (100) in order to couple the receiving element (105) to the cover element (110). [5] Receiving container (100) according to one of the preceding claims, with an actuating device which is shaped to cause a decoupling of the receiving element (105) from the cover element (110) in response to a defined actuation. [6] Receiving container (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving chamber (115) is formed to be at least 20 mm wide and / or at least 20 mm deep and / or has a curved chamber bottom (145) and / or the receiving container (100) is formed to be substantially at most 250 mm wide and / or substantially at most 320 mm long. [7] Receiving container (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover element (110) has a fastening device (240) for fastening a further cover element on or to the cover element (110), wherein the further cover element is shaped to at least partially cover a further receiving element on at least one side in a closed state of the further receiving container (100). [8] Receiving container (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a base plate which is shaped to at least partially cover the receiving element (105) on at least one side (245) opposite the side (120) when the receiving container (100) is in the closed state; in particular, wherein the base plate is shaped to be detachably coupled to the covering element (110) and / or receiving element (105). [9] Receiving container (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the receiving element (105) is shaped like a slide and / or with at least one slide rail (200) and / or the cover element (110) has at least one slide guide (205) for inserting and / or withdrawing the receiving element (105) from the cover element (110). [10] Method (300) for filling a receptacle (100) with at least one medicament, the method (300) comprising the following steps: Receiving (305) at least the receiving element (105) in a sorting device for sorting medicines; Filling (310) the receiving element (105) with at least the medicament to obtain a filled receiving element (105); and Coupling (315) the cover element (110) to the filled receiving element (105), in particular whereby the closed state is established.