Equipment, systems, and processes

Abstract

The device includes a housing that contains / protects / stores a plurality of containers / packages containing tablets / medicines; a power supply within the housing; an actuator array driven by the power supply for administering / delivering the tablets / medicines to a pre-selected patient; and a sensor driven by the power supply for biasing the actuator array to manually open / access at least one of the packages.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2022259848, filed on October 28, 2022, in the name of Hark Medical Research Pty Ltd, and Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2023903408, filed on October 25, 2023, in the name of Hark Medical Research Pty Ltd, and the descriptions herein are substituted by reference to their original filed patent specifications.

[0002] This disclosure relates to devices, systems, and processes for administering / delivering tablets / drugs, particularly to devices, systems, and processes for administering / delivering tablets / drugs within a container / package, and includes a medical sachet administration / delivery device, where the sachet contains multiple tablets / drugs per dose.

Background Art

[0003] For example, in drug management facilities such as hospitals, there is a need for a structured system not only to comply with regulatory authorities but also to manage compliance by consumers. For example, it has been reported that out of 10 care facilities that rely on analog reports by consumers, nurses, or caregivers for drug management, in patients suffering from chronic diseases, drug compliance may be only 50%. Furthermore, when administering more than one tablet per dose, patients are less likely to comply with taking their medications.

[0004] If a patient needs to take more than one tablet at a time, for example, to help patients take their prescribed medication, a prescription pharmacy may package the tablets in blister packs or sachets. Individually packaged portions may be labeled with information such as the date and time of administration. Despite these measures, patients may still forget to take their medication at the correct time or take more than prescribed. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] The negative impacts of these challenges / disadvantages include accidents caused by increased medication, such as hospitalization, increased reliance on caregivers and / or family members, and increased health risks.

[0006] It is desirable to address, improve upon, or at least provide a useful alternative to one or more problems / shortcomings in the conventional technology. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This specification describes devices for administering / delivering drugs in containers / packages (drug administration devices / drug delivery devices), each container / package configured to contain multiple tablets / drugs (including oral medications) per administration. The device includes the following: a. A (solid / waterproof / tamperproof) housing for containing / protecting / storing containers / packages (e.g., 14 or 28 containers, or 28 packages, rolls of sachets approximately 110 mm in diameter). b. Power supply inside the housing (battery and / or power supply connection), c. An actuator array (including at least one solenoid and / or at least one (stepper) motor) that is powered by a power source and configured to administer / deliver tablets / medicines for a pre-selected patient (e.g., by unlocking / releasing a housing and / or by moving a container / package out of the housing), d. A powered sensor, which, when the sensor detects a predefined identifier of a pre-selected patient, energizes an actuator array to allow manual opening / access to at least one package (e.g., by unlocking / releasing the housing and / or moving the container / package out of the housing).

[0008] At least one sensor may include a biometric sensor (optical or touch-type), and the predefined identifier may be a biometric identifier. At least one sensor may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor, and the predefined identifier may be an RFID identifier. At least one sensor may include multiple sensors, for example, a biometric sensor and an RFID sensor, and the actuator array may be energized only when one or all of the multiple sensors detect a predefined patient identifier.

[0009] Furthermore, the apparatus may include one or more of the following: a. At least one microcontroller unit (MCU) configured to control an actuator array (by activating the actuator array to unlock / open the housing or move a container / package from inside the housing) based on a sensor that detects a predefined identifier of a pre-selected patient, b. The MCU is configured to receive user input from at least one sensor representing a user / patient identifier (input identifier) ​​and to perform a configuration process that includes storing the input identifier as a predefined identifier. c. An audio / visual (A / V) system comprising an audio speaker and / or light / display within or on the housing, configured to play / display alerts for the patient. d. The MCU controls the A / V system based on a pre-selected schedule, calendar / clock, which is accessed by the MCU from a remote computing system, which may include a cloud server, and / or stored within the MCU. The pre-selected schedule defines reminders to administer / deliver tablets / medications based on the pre-selected schedule (from the patient's medication record). e. A network interface module / card (network interface) configured to enable electronic / data communication between the MCU and a remote computing system, and selectively including cellular / Bluetooth® / WiFi® / Ethernet® / Internet protocols, wherein the network interface may include a cellular module configured to connect to a market-available cellular network, such as a 4G or 5G network. f. The MCU is configured to access patient medication schedules (records of administration times) for pre-selected patients (stored in the MCU and / or accessed on a remote computing system). At least one sensor is configured to activate only when it detects a patient identifier. Patient medication schedules are provided / supplied by the medical provider (pharmacy) and the medications in containers / packages are dispensed / distributed based on the patient's medication records. g. The MCU is configured to send (remote) alerts to a remote computing system for distribution to the communication devices of selected users. The communication devices are, for example, the caregiver's mobile device, which has a contact identifier recorded in the MCU and / or remote computing system.

[0010] The systems described herein include an apparatus and one or more of the following: a. A remote computing system having at least one record / report module that (i) receives and stores usage data from the device representing records of tablet / drug administration / delivery (including which container / package it is and the corresponding date and time from a calendar / clock), and (ii) generates reports based on the stored records, including reports of compliance, drugs and analyses (vitals (core)) for access by care institutions, physicians and pharmacists. b. An application (app) on a handheld smart device (smartphone) and / or personal computer (PC) configured to communicate with a remote computing system, receive remote alerts, and generate A / V alerts that alert a remote user (e.g., caregiver) on the handheld smart device and / or PC using the handheld smart device and / or PC's display / light / speaker. c. An application on a computing system controlled by a medical provider (pharmacy, physician, caregiver), wherein the computing system is configured / authorized to access the patient's personal data, including the patient's medication schedule, and the application is configured to receive usage data from the device and the reports from the remote computing system, wherein the usage data includes a record of the operation of the sensor for energizing the actuator array (identified by a patent ID), and / or a record of the drugs / tablets / medications administered / delivered (identified by a patent ID), and the application is configured to match the record with the patient's medication schedule (identified by a patent ID),

[0011] The device may have the shape of a sachet delivery mechanism. The housing dimensions (mm) may be approximately 170L x 120W x 180H, or approximately 250L x 140W x 160H.

[0012] The device may take the form of a container (not sachet) delivery system. The housing dimensions (mm) may be approximately 110L x 55W x 182H for a 2x7 grid container, or 130L x 55W x 207H for a 4x7 grid container. In other embodiments, the housing dimensions (mm) may be substantially 262L x 159W x 155H.

[0013] The processes described herein include the following: a. To contain, protect, or store multiple containers / packages containing tablets / medicines. b. To mobilize an actuator array for administering / delivering tablets / medicines for a pre-selected patient (e.g., by unlocking / releasing the housing and / or by moving the container / package out of the housing). c. When the sensor detects a predefined identifier of a pre-selected patient, the actuator array is energized to allow manual opening / access to at least one package (for example, by unlocking / releasing the housing and / or moving the container / package out of the housing).

[0014] This specification describes cartridges for use in drug administration / delivery devices that administer / deliver drugs in containers / packages, each cartridge being configured to contain multiple tablets / drugs (including oral medications) for a single dose, and the cartridges include the following: a. axis and, b. A lever configured to hold / rotate the shaft and connected to the shaft during use, c. A cartridge comprising a gripper mounted on the shaft, the gripper being configured to grip the edge of a first sachet of a strip of interconnected sachets containing the tablets / medicine, in order to wind the strip of interconnected sachets onto the shaft by holding / rotating the lever.

[0015] The gripper can deform / perforate the edge of the first sachet. The gripper may include a portion made of woven material.

[0016] The lever may be provided with a disc having a rotating axis aligned with the axis of rotation of the shaft, configured for manual holding / rotation of the shaft. The disc may include two or more openings arranged around the disc, the openings being configured to be grasped by a person's fingers / hands.

[0017] The cartridge includes a cartridge housing that is connected to the shaft during use. The cartridge housing includes a strip of interconnected cassettes, and the cassettes are adapted to be administered / delivered through an opening of the cartridge housing. The cartridge housing includes one or two openings that, when on the shaft, hold one or both ends of the shaft that extend beyond the interconnected cassettes and are arranged to rotate the shaft to unwind the strip of interconnected cassettes from the shaft onto the cartridge housing.

[0018] At least one of both ends of the shaft extends through the cartridge housing to reach the lever. As a result, the lever holds / rotates the shaft without holding / rotating the cartridge housing.

[0019] The cartridge may include a handle for raising / lowering / carrying the cartridge when loaded with a strip of interconnected cassettes. The handle includes a hinge connection to the cartridge, whereby the handle can move between an open state for raising / lowering / carrying and a closed state (e.g., on the leg portion of a support surface) for storing / stationary of the cartridge.

[0020] The cartridge may include a foot portion that is connected to the shaft (through the cartridge housing) to hold the shaft substantially parallel to the support surface when the cartridge is stationary on the support surface (by gravity, e.g., on a table / bench in a drug administration / delivery machine). The handle is connected to the outer surface of the cartridge housing, the handle is arranged substantially opposite to the foot portion, and the handle can be bent to fit the outer surface of the housing when in the closed state.

[0021] The cartridge may include a machine-readable identification device configured to be detected / read by an optical / RF detector / reader to uniquely identify one of the plurality of cartridges. The identification device may include an optically readable label (barcode or QR code (registered trademark)) and / or an RF-readable tag (RFID tag).

[0022] The pharmaceutical administration / delivery device described herein includes the following. a. A housing for containing / protecting / storing a plurality of interconnected cassettes that contain tablets / drugs, b. An actuator assembly (e.g., a pair of wheels that rotate in opposite directions) mounted within the housing and configured to administer / deliver the cassettes that contain the tablets / drugs, c. At least one microcontroller unit (MCU) configured to control the actuator assembly (e.g., a motor coupled to one of the wheels), d. A sensor assembly disposed within the housing, wherein when the cassette is in a starting position defined by the position of the leading edge of the cassette relative to the actuator assembly or the housing, the sensor assembly detects the leading edge of the cassette and communicates with the MCU to stop the actuator assembly (e.g., the motor).

[0023] The sensor assembly is a non-contact sensor assembly that detects the cassette without interfering with the operation of the cassette. The sensor assembly may include a plurality of non-contact sensors. The sensor assembly may include, for example, at least one of an optical sensor and a motion sensor, such as two optical interrupters and one laser motion sensor.

[0024] The actuator array includes a pair of wheels that rotate in opposite directions and a motor connected to at least one of the wheels, the pair of wheels rotating in opposite directions being biased toward each other to grip interconnected sachets between them. One of the pair of wheels may include a grip material portion (e.g., a portion of a material having a high coefficient of static friction) for gripping the interconnected sachets. One of the pair of wheels may include a deformable material portion (e.g., a portion of an elastic material) that deforms around the tablets / medications in the interconnected sachets. When the tablets / medications are stacked on top of each other in the interconnected sachets, the wheels may be configured to disperse the tablets / medications in the interconnected sachets.

[0025] The MCU may be configured to control the actuator array (e.g., motors) based on a pre-selected dose / delivery length stored within the MCU or accessed by the MCU.

[0026] The apparatus may include an opening through which the sachet is administered / delivered by the actuator array. The apparatus may include two pairs of counter-rotating wheels that linearly direct interconnected sachet toward the opening.

[0027] The device may include a lockout clamp that is movable between an open position that opens the opening and a closed position that closes the opening, in order to prevent the interconnected sachets from passing through the opening.

[0028] Other processes described herein include (for example, in the following, but not necessarily) the following: a. To bias an actuator array (e.g., a first actuator) to move at least one of a plurality of interconnected sachets housed within the housing toward the opening of the housing (thus moving the container / package out of the housing), and / or to bias an actuator array (e.g., a first actuator) to move the plurality of interconnected sachets toward the opening of the housing, b. Detecting when the plurality of interconnected sachets are in a predetermined starting position using a plurality of sensors. c. Restricting manual access to the interconnected sachets stored within the housing.

[0029] The process further includes energizing the actuator array (e.g., a second actuator) to unlock or release at least one of the interconnected sachets when the sensor detects a predefined identifier of a pre-selected person. The actuator array (e.g., a first actuator) may include at least one wheel.

[0030] Further processes described herein include (for example, in the following, but not necessarily, the following order): a. When a sensor detects a predefined identifier of a pre-selected person, the actuator array is operated to unlock or release the housing. b. By biasing the actuator array, move at least one of the multiple sachets stored in the housing toward a position accessible to a person. c. Restricting a person's access to multiple sachets, with the exception of at least one sachet. d. Making it possible for a person to tear / separate at least one container / package, e. To bias an actuator array to move multiple containers / packages away from human-accessible locations. f. Detecting multiple containers / packages when they are in a predetermined starting position using multiple sensors. g. In response to detection that the container / package is in a predetermined starting position, lock the housing to restrict human access to multiple sachets, except for at least one sachet. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0031] Several embodiments of the present invention will be described below, but these will be described with reference only to the drawings. [Figure 1] a. Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of a device equipped with a sachet delivery mechanism in a closed state. [Figure 2] b. Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 in the closed state. [Figure 3] c. Figure 3 is a bottom view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] d. Figure 4 is a front perspective view of the device shown in Figure 1 in the open state. [Figure 5] e. Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of the device shown in Figure 1 in an open state. [Figure 6] f. Figure 6 is a front perspective view of a device with a closed container delivery mechanism. [Figure 7] g. Figure 7 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus shown in Figure 6 in a closed state. [Figure 8] h. Figure 8 is a front perspective view of the device shown in Figure 6 in the open state. [Figure 9] i. Figure 9 is a rear perspective view of the device shown in Figure 6 in the open state. [Figure 10] j. Figure 10 is a block diagram of the electronic circuit of the device shown in Figure 1 or Figure 6. [Figure 11] k. Figure 11 is a block diagram of the system including the apparatus shown in Figure 1 or Figure 6. [Figure 12] l. Figure 12 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of a device equipped with a sachet delivery mechanism in a closed state. [Figure 13]m. Figure 13 is a rear perspective view of the device in the closed state shown in Figure 12. [Figure 14] n. Figure 14 is a bottom view of the apparatus shown in Figure 12. [Figure 15] o. Figure 15 is a rear view of the apparatus shown in Figure 12. [Figure 16] p. Figure 16 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 12, showing the upper portion of the outer shell in the open position and the cartridge being inserted into / removed from the apparatus. [Figure 17] q. Figure 17 is a front view of the device of Figure 12, showing the upper part of the outer shell in the open position and the cartridge. [Figure 18] r. Figure 18 is a schematic side view of the apparatus of Figure 12, equipped with a sachet delivery mechanism in the open position. [Figure 19] Figure 19 is a schematic side view of the apparatus of Figure 12, equipped with a sachet delivery mechanism in the closed position. [Figure 20] t. Figure 20 is a schematic side view of the apparatus of Figure 12, which includes a sachet delivery mechanism in the closed position and a user for tearing / opening the sachet. [Figure 21] u. Figure 21 is a schematic side view of the apparatus shown in Figure 12, which shows the sensor for detecting the position of the sachet. [Figure 22] v. Figure 22 is a schematic side view of the apparatus of Figure 12, which includes a sachet delivery mechanism in a closed position and a sachet in a predefined starting position. [Figure 23] w. Figure 23 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a cartridge used in the apparatus shown in Figure 1 or Figure 12. [Figure 24] x. Figure 24 is a top-down front perspective view of the cartridge shown in Figure 23. [Figure 25] y. Figure 25 is a rear perspective view from above of the cartridge shown in Figure 23. [Figure 26] z. Figure 26 is a front perspective view from below of the cartridge shown in Figure 23. [Figure 27] aa. Figure 27 is a rear perspective view from below of the cartridge shown in Figure 23. [Figure 28] bb. Figure 28 is a top-down front perspective view of another embodiment of the cartridge. [Figure 29] Figure 29 is a rear perspective view from above of the cartridge in Figure 28. [Figure 30] Figure 30 is a front perspective view of the cartridge shown in Figure 28, viewed from below. [Figure 31] ee. Figure 31 is a rear perspective view from below of the cartridge shown in Figure 28. [Figure 32] ff. Figure 32 is a block diagram of the electronic circuit of the device shown in Figure 1, Figure 6, or Figure 12, which is equipped with an RFID sensor. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0032] The apparatus described herein is an apparatus configured and used for administering / delivering medicine / tablets / drugs in a container / package.

[0033] Each container / package of the device is configured to contain multiple tablets / medicines per single dose (including oral medications / tablets / drugs).

[0034] The first embodiment of this device includes the following: a. A solid, water-resistant, and tamper-resistant housing for containing, protecting, and storing multiple containers / packages, including tablets / medicines. b. Power supply including battery and / or electrical supply connection, c. An actuator array (including at least one solenoid and / or at least one (stepper) motor) powered by a power source, configured to administer / deliver tablets / medicines for a pre-selected patient (e.g., by unlocking / releasing a housing and / or by moving a container / package out of the housing), d. A power-driven sensor (including an optical biometric sensor, a touch / fingerprint biometric sensor, and / or an RFID sensor) that, when the sensor detects a predefined identifier (ID) of a pre-selected patient, energizes an actuator array to allow manual opening / access to at least one package (e.g., by unlocking / releasing the housing and / or by moving the container / package out of the housing).

[0035] The sensor may include a biometric sensor which may include a fingerprint scanner and / or a camera / optical scanner, and the ID is a biometric ID which may include the patient's fingerprint and / or face, respectively. At least one sensor may include an RFID sensor, and the predefined identifier may be an RFID identifier. The RFID sensor may include an RFID reader configured to read a tag containing a predefined identifier (ID) in or on a fob carried by a person, typically a pre-selected patient. At least one sensor may include multiple sensors, for example, a biometric sensor and an RFID sensor, and the actuator array may be energized only if one or all of the multiple sensors each detect a predefined patient identifier.

[0036] A second embodiment of this device includes the following: a. A housing for containing / protecting / storing multiple interconnected sachets containing tablets / medicines. b. An actuator array including a pair of counter-rotating wheels mounted on a housing and configured to administer / deliver a sachet containing a tablet / medicine (the wheels form part of the actuator array for moving the container / package from inside the housing), c. At least one microcontroller unit (MCU) configured to control the motor of an actuator array coupled to one of the wheels. d. A plurality of sensors disposed within a housing, each including at least one of an optical sensor and a motion sensor, wherein the sensors are configured to detect one of the leading edges of a sachet and communicate with an MCU when the sachet is in a starting position defined by the position of the leading edge of the sachet relative to an actuator array or housing.

[0037] This specification also describes cartridges that include the following: a. Axis; b. A lever configured to hold / rotate the shaft and connected to the shaft during use. c. A gripper mounted on an axis, configured to grip the edge of a first sachet within a strip of interconnected sachets containing medicine / pharmaceuticals, for winding up a strip of interconnected sachets connected to the axis by holding / rotating a lever.

[0038] The second embodiment may include features of the first embodiment, and includes the following: a. A (solid / waterproof / tamper-resistant) housing for containing / protecting / storing containers / packages. b. A power supply within a housing, which may include a battery and / or a power supply connection. c. An actuator array (including at least one solenoid and / or at least one (stepper) motor) that is powered by a power source and configured to administer / deliver tablets / medicines for a pre-selected patient (e.g., by unlocking / releasing a housing and / or by moving a container / package out of the housing), d. A powered sensor, which, when the sensor detects a predefined identifier (ID) of a pre-selected patient, energizes an actuator array to allow manual opening / access to at least one package (e.g., by unlocking / releasing the housing and / or moving the container / package out of the housing). Examples

[0039] As shown in Figure 1, the apparatus of the first embodiment may take the form of a sachet delivery device 100 configured and used for administering / delivering tablets / medicines in packages. The housing 102 of the sachet delivery device 100 has substantially dimensions of 170 L x 120 W x 180 H (in mm). The housing 102 can be sufficiently large to include 28 packages (for one month's use) or a roll of sachets having substantially a diameter of 110 mm, including, for example, a pre-prepared roll of DAA packages. Each package is pre-filled with a pre-selected daily dose of tablets based on the patient's medical record. As shown in Figure 4, the apparatus includes a reversibly extendable shelf 120 that moves to a protruding state projecting outward from the side of the housing 102. The shelf 120 has a tray / cup-shaped recess configured to hold the tablets / sachets to be administered / delivered. Thus, the shelf 120 is configured to hold one sachet in a state / position relative to the housing, so that the patient can easily grasp the sachet manually. An actuator array, such as a stepper motor, moves / extrudes / drives the shelf 120, thereby making the tablet visible / accessible when the actuator array is energized. As shown in Figure 4, the device may include protrusions / teeth / pins 122, which are at least partially sharp to assist in tearing action, or sharp enough to tear a package / sachet from a roll (and thus adjacent packages / sachets in the roll). The pins 122 are mounted / positioned / formed in locations on the shelf 120 where the tablet / sachet to be administered / delivered is held. Such locations are, for example, the sides of the shelf 120 where the pins 122 are positioned / shaped to automatically perforate the edge / side of the package / sachet when the package / sachet is pressed. Where the package / sachet is pressed, a perforation may be pre-formed between the package / sachet. The pin 122 may facilitate the removal of the administered / delivered package / sachet from the roll by patients who may have reduced hand strength without requiring another mechanism (which may increase cost / complexity / expense).The pin 122 may be formed from the same material as the shelf, for example, injection-molded plastic.

[0040] As shown in Figure 6, the device may be formed as a container (not a sachet) delivery device 200 configured and used to administer / deliver tablets / medicines in separate containers (rather than requiring a sachet). The container delivery device 200 may have a housing 201 having a size (in mm) of substantially 110L × 55W × 182H (e.g., 2 × 7 grids of containers) for 14 containers, or substantially 130L × 55W × 207H (e.g., 4 × 7 grids of containers) for 28 containers. The container delivery device 200 may be hand-portable, for example, so that an adult can carry it in one hand and / or in a handbag or laptop bag, and is more portable than, for example, a sachet delivery device 100. The top surface of the delivery device 200 may include a cartridge extractor 220. The cartridge extractor 220 pushes out from the housing to expose / reveal a container 222 in a reversibly openable cartridge-type drawer 224, for example, as shown in Figures 6 and 8. The actuator array includes a solenoid or motor for releasing / unlocking the cartridge-type drawer 224, thereby allowing it to be manually pulled up and / or pushed in / pulled up by a spring mechanism. The spring mechanism includes one or more springs within the device for pushing / pulling the drawer 224 along a track within the device (from the closed state shown in Figures 6 and 7) toward its open state shown in Figures 8 and 9. In this way, at least one container, in particular the container selected by the device based on its storage schedule, and the tablets to be administered to the patient on that day are manually accessible.

[0041] As shown in Figure 8, the containers are sealed / closed by their respective lids 202, which can be individually opened to access the container (and the tablets inside). Each container is pre-filled with tablets pre-selected for one day based on the patient's medical record.

[0042] The housing includes an outer shell, which may be solid, water-resistant to keep the tablets dry, and tamper-resistant to keep the tablets stable until administered / delivered according to a schedule. The outer shell may be formed from plastic. As shown in Figures 1 and 6, the outer shells 106,206 may fit onto main base bodies 108,208 configured to be placed on a table / bench. The main base bodies may also be solid, water-resistant to keep the tablets dry, and tamper-resistant to keep the tablets stable until administered / delivered according to a schedule, and may be formed from plastic. As shown in Figures 1 and 6, the outer shells 106,206 may include at least one surface of the outer shell, for example on the left side and the opposing right side, with a grid / pattern consisting of recesses / indentations 112,212.

[0043] The fingerprint scanner may be approximately circular in shape and may be mounted approximately in the center of one side of the device, for example, the front (as fingerprint scanner 104) as shown in Figure 1 or the front (as fingerprint scanner 204) as shown in Figure 6.

[0044] The device may include an audio / visual (A / V) system comprising an audio speaker and / or a display / light / speaker inside / on the housing. The A / V system is configured to play / display alerts (local alerts) for the patient. The display / light may include one or more optical indicators, e.g., multiple lights, light-emitting diodes. The display / light is configured / positioned to be visible to the patient when the device is in its normal upright orientation and the main base body is upright. The optical indicators may include one to four optical indicators positioned on the outer shell, either on the front (as a button / indicator 110) as shown in Figure 1, or on the front (as a button / indicator 210) as shown in Figure 6. The audio speaker may be mounted / positioned on the main base body with an acoustic outlet on the main base body, such as a perforation / hole in the main base body, e.g., a speaker outlet 114 as shown in Figure 3.

[0045] The device may include a user interface (UI) for a user or patient to control the device and its systems. The UI may include a plurality of control buttons and / or a touchscreen. The control buttons are mounted / positioned on the housing, for example on the outer shell, for example on the top or side of the outer shell. The control buttons may include one to four control buttons positioned on the outer shell, on the front (as button / indicator 110) as shown in Figure 1, or on the front (as button / indicator 210) as shown in Figure 6. The control buttons may be capacitive touch buttons. The touchscreen may be a capacitive touchscreen.

[0046] This device may include one or more printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs) located / mounted on a main base. The PCBAs are, for example, adjacent to and / or mounted on the floor of the main base. The power supply may be located / mounted adjacent to and / or mounted on the floor of the main base to improve stability / safety.

[0047] The housing may include a socket 118 for connecting the power supply connection to, for example, a main power source. The housing may also include a manually removable cover 116 configured to securely hold a battery. The socket 118 and cover 116 may also be located on the bottom surface of the main base, for example, as shown in Figure 3.

[0048] The device includes one or more electronic circuits 900 (e.g., PCBAs) equipped with an electronic controller in the form of at least one microcontroller unit (MCU) 902, as shown in Figure 10, for example. The MCU is configured to control actuators (by energizing the actuator array to unlock or release the housing) based on at least one sensor that detects a predetermined identifier of a pre-selected patient.

[0049] As shown in Figure 10, the electronic circuit 900 may also include at least one network interface module / card ("Network Interface") configured to enable electronic data communication between the MCU and a remote computing system. These may be via cellular / Bluetooth® / WiFi® / Ethernet® / Internet protocols, including, for example, Ethernet® (10 / 100 Mbit), WiFi® (2.4 and 5 GHz), cellular (including LTE®, Cat-M®, and NB IoT®), Serial / UART, Zigbee® / Z-Wave®, LoRa®, Modbus®, and / or Etheet® / IP. The network interface may include a cellular module 904, a SIM card 906, a translator module 936 (connected to the MCU 902), and an antenna 908 (connected to the cellular module 904) configured to connect to a commercial cellular network, such as a 4G or 5G network. The network interface may include a WiFi® and / or Bluetooth® module 910 for connecting to a WiFi® network and / or a BT (Bluetooth®) device, and a corresponding WiFi® / BT (Bluetooth®) antenna 912 for connecting to the WiFi® network and / or a BT (Bluetooth®) device.

[0050] As shown in Figure 10, the electronic circuit 900 includes an audio amplifier 914 and an audio control module 916, which are driven by the MCU 902 and are configured to energize the speaker 918.

[0051] As shown in Figure 10, the electronic circuit 900 has a power supply including a DC power supply 920 configured to receive a mains power supply, which can supply power to the protection module 922. The supply unit 920 powers an input circuit 924 which can power other components in the electronic circuit 900 via a switch 926, a regulator 928, and a power management module 930. The power supply may include at least one battery 932, such as a number of AA batteries. The battery 932 is monitored by the MCU 902 via a monitoring module 934 and can power other components in the electronic circuit 900 via a switch 926 (selectable between the mains power supply and the battery 932), a regulator 928, and a power management module 930.

[0052] As shown in Figure 10, the electronic circuit 900 may include a position detection switch 940 that detects / monitors within the device whether the housing is unlocked / open, i.e., whether the housing is open and accessible manually for dispensing / delivering tablets / medicines. The switch 940 can detect the open / extended state of the shelf 120 or the open state of the drawer 224.

[0053] As shown in Figure 10, the electronic circuit 900 may include the following: a. A motor in the form of a stepper motor controlled by a driver 944 controlled by an MCU 902, b. Buttons / indicators 110 in the form of touch keys 946 and touch switches 948 (which energize the device to turn on or off), both of which are connected to the MCU 902. c. Button / indicator 110 in the form of timer LED indicator 950 and / or status LED 956, controlled by MCU902. d. At least one sensor in the form of an electronic biometric sensor 952, which is powered by a power supply and connected to an MCU 902, and which supplies a detected pattern / signal to the MCU 902 to indicate the amount of biometric information detected. e. A lid switch 960 configured / positioned to detect that the lid of a housing typically filled with tablets / medication is open, and connected to an MCU 902 to maintain the MCU 902 in a filled / refilled state.

[0054] The MCU902 may be configured to perform a biometric authentication setup process. The biometric authentication setup process includes receiving user input from a biosensor representing a user / patient biometric identifier (input biometric identifier), and storing the input biometric identifier as a predefined biometric identifier.

[0055] The MCU902 may be configured to control the A / V system based on a clock / calendar and a pre-selected schedule stored in the MCU902 and / or accessed by the MCU902 from a remote computing system including a cloud server. The pre-selected schedule defines reminders to administer / deliver tablets / medications based on the pre-selected schedule (from the patient's medical records).

[0056] The MCU902 is configured to access a patient's medication schedule (including, for example, timing and amount for a given dose) for a pre-selected patient (stored within the MCU and / or accessed via a remote computing system). A biometric sensor is configured to be activated only when it detects the patient's biometric identifier (visually or tactilely), and the patient's medication schedule is provided / delivered by a medical provider (pharmacy) that dispenses / dispenses the medication in containers / packages according to the patient's medication schedule.

[0057] The MCU902 may be configured to send alarms (remotely) to a remote computing system for distribution to selected user communication devices (e.g., a caregiver's mobile device having a contact identifier recorded in the MCU and / or remote computing system).

[0058] The MCU902 can receive, for example, machine-readable routines that control the patient's medication schedule and / or its operation, via machine-readable memory within the MCU902 and / or within the memory module 938.

[0059] As shown in Figure 11, the device, for example 100 / 200, may be part of a system 1100 which includes one or more of the following: a. A remote computing system 1102 having at least one record / report module that (i) receives and stores usage data representing a record of tablet / medication administration / delivery from the device, or (ii) generates reports based on stored records including compliance, drug and analysis reports for access by care agencies, physicians and pharmacists, b. An application (app) on a handheld smart device (1104) (e.g., a smartphone) and / or personal computer (PC) configured to communicate with a remote computing system, receive remote alerts, and generate A / V alerts that alert a remote user (e.g., a caregiver) on the handheld smart device and / or PC using the display / light / speaker of the handheld smart device and / or PC. c. An application on a computing system 1106 controlled by a medical provider (pharmacy, doctor, care facility), wherein the computing system 1106 is configured / authorized to access the patient's personal data, including the patient's medication schedule or the patient's medical records, and the application is configured to receive usage data from the device and the reports from the remote computing system, wherein the usage data includes a record of the operation of the at least one sensor for energizing the actuator array (identified by a patent ID), and / or a record of medications administered / delivered, wherein the record includes an identifier for the recorded dose and the date and time of administration / delivery from the patient, and the application is configured to match the record with the patient's medication schedule (using the patent ID), d. Electronic / data communication links, including a BT (Bluetooth®) link, connecting the smart device 1104 to the cellular / WiFi® and Internet connection between the device 100 / 200 and the remote computing system 1102, as well as the Internet connection between the remote computing system 1102, the smart device 1104, and the provider's computing system 1106.

[0060] As shown in Figure 12, a second embodiment of the device may take the form of a sachet delivery device 300 configured and used for administering / delivering tablets / medicines in a package. The device comprises a housing 302 for containing / protecting / storing a plurality of interconnected packages containing tablets / medicines, or interconnected sachets 340, within a prepared roll of sachets, e.g., a DAA package. The housing 302 includes an outer shell 306 having an upper portion 307 and a lower portion 308. The dimensions of the housing (mm) may be substantially 250L x 140W x 160H, or preferably 252L x 136W x 156H.

[0061] As shown in Figures 13 and 15, the housing 302 may include an electrical supply connection, such as a socket 318 for connecting to a mains power supply. The housing 302 may also include a manually removable cover 316 configured to securely hold a battery. The socket 318 and cover 316 may be located on the rear surface of the main base, for example, as shown in Figure 15.

[0062] The housing 302 includes a solid outer shell that is water-resistant to keep the tablets dry and tamper-resistant to stabilize the tablets until they are administered / delivered according to schedule. The outer shell 306 may be formed from plastic. As shown in Figure 12, the outer shell 306 may include at least one surface of the outer shell, for example on the left or right side, having a grid / pattern consisting of recesses / indentations 312.

[0063] The fingerprint scanner is mounted (as fingerprint scanner 304) near the center of one surface of the device, on a surface with a forward-facing portion at an angle of approximately 45 degrees, as shown in Figure 12, and may be roughly circular in shape.

[0064] The device may include an audio / visual (A / V) system comprising an audio speaker and / or a display / light / speaker inside / on the housing. The A / V system is configured to play / display alerts (local alerts) for the patient. The display / light may include one or more optical indicators, e.g., multiple lights, light-emitting diodes. The display / light is configured / positioned to be visible to the patient when the device is in its normal upright orientation and the main base body is upright. On the top surface (as a button / indicator 310) as shown in Figure 12, the optical indicators may include multiple optical indicators positioned on the outer shell. The audio speaker may be mounted / positioned on the main base body with an acoustic outlet on the main base body, such as a perforation / hole in the form of a speaker outlet 314 as shown in Figure 14.

[0065] The device may include a user interface (UI) for a user or patient to control the device and its systems. The UI may include a number of control buttons and / or a touchscreen. The control buttons are mounted / positioned on the housing, for example on the outer shell, for example on the top or side of the outer shell. As shown in Figure 12, on the front (as buttons / indicators 310), the control buttons may include one to four control buttons positioned on the outer shell. The control buttons may be capacitive touch buttons. The control buttons may optionally / additionally be tactile buttons that click when pressed. The touchscreen may be a capacitive touchscreen.

[0066] As shown in Figure 13, the housing 302 may include a hinge 309 that rotates the upper portion 307 relative to the lower portion 308. Figures 16 and 17 show the upper portion 307 in the open position. In the open position, the user / patient can access the internal area for containing / protecting / storing multiple interconnected packages, such as sachets 340.

[0067] As shown in Figures 17 to 22, the actuator array of the device 300 may include a pair of counter-rotating wheels 360 mounted within a housing. The wheels are configured to administer / deliver sachets containing tablets / medicines. The pair of counter-rotating wheels 360 may be biased toward each other to grip interconnected sachets 340 between them. A biasing means may be formed using springs or a plurality of springs. One wheel in the pair may include a gripping material portion 361 (e.g., a portion of a material having a high coefficient of static friction) for gripping the interconnected sachets. The gripping material may be, for example, silicone rubber and may include protrusions / projections to increase the coefficient of friction. One wheel in the pair may include a deformable material portion 364 (e.g., a portion of an elastic material) that deforms around the tablets / medicines in the interconnected sachets. The deformable material may be, for example, silicone sponge and may have a substantially smooth surface.

[0068] For example, when tablets / medicines are stacked on top of each other in interconnected sachets, multiple wheels may be configured to distribute the tablets / medicines within the interconnected sachets 340. For instance, when one tablet is stacked on top of another in a sachet, as the sachet passes between the counter-rotating wheels, it is deformed by the additional thickness added by the stacked tablets, and then the deformable material portion biases these tablets into a single layer. In other words, these wheels can act to distribute the tablets more evenly within the sachet.

[0069] The device 300 may include at least one microcontroller unit (MCU) configured to control the motor of an actuator array coupled to one of the wheels, for example, MCU 902. The motor may be configured to have sufficient speed and torque to drive the wheel to administer / deliver a sachet. The MCU may be configured to control the motor based on a pre-selected administration / delivery length stored in or accessed by the MCU. The administration / delivery length is typically similar to the length of the individual sachet, which varies depending on the packaged tablets / medicine between different brands / providers. For example, one brand of sachet may be 75 mm long, while another brand may be 80 mm long. The number of rotations of the counter-rotating wheel required to administer / deliver one sachet is approximately equal to the circumference of the wheel connected to the motor divided by the length of the individual sachet. The administration / delivery length may be pre-selected by the operator when used for a new user / patient. Alternatively, the administration / delivery length may be selected by the user / patient.

[0070] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the device may include two pairs of wheels that rotate in opposite directions. In embodiments including two pairs of wheels, one wheel from each pair (i.e., two wheels) is rotatably mounted to the upper portion 307 of the housing, and the other wheel from each pair is rotatably mounted to the lower portion 308 of the housing. Embodiments with two pairs of opposite-rotating wheels can more reliably direct the sachet along a straight path during administration / delivery compared to embodiments with a single pair of opposite-rotating wheels.

[0071] The device 300 may also include a sensor array 362 in the form of a non-contact sensor array that detects the sash without interfering with its movement. The sensor array may include a plurality of (non-contact) sensors located within the housing 302. The plurality of sensors may include at least one of optical sensors and motion sensors. The sensors can be configured to detect the leading edge of the sash when it is in a starting position defined by the position of the leading edge of the sash relative to the wheel, and to communicate with the MCU to stop the motor. The starting position is shown in Figure 22. The plurality of sensors may include two optical interrupters and one motion sensor, the motion sensor being positioned between the optical interrupters so that the edge of the sash passes through one optical interrupter, then the motion sensor, and then the other optical interrupter. The sensor array 362 can reliably recognize the edge of the sash.

[0072] As shown in Figures 12, 18, and 22, the device 300 includes an opening 320 ("administration / delivery opening") through which the sachet can be administered / delivered by a wheel. The opening 320 has a width and height greater than the width and height of the sachet passing through the opening 320, and a width and height smaller than the width and height of a person's finger or at least a person's hand. As a result, at least when the sachet is inside the starting position, a person can access the sachet by hand through the opening 320. This prevents the sachet from moving. The device 300 may also include a lockout clamp 322 or gate that is movable between an open position (shown in Figures 18 and 21) that opens the opening 320 and a closed position (shown in Figures 19, 20 and 22) that closes the opening 320 and prevents the interconnected sachets from moving through the opening 320. The lockout clamp 322 provides greater safety and ensures that the user / patient cannot access more tablets / medication in the sachet than is included in the prescribed dosage.

[0073] As shown in Figures 23 to 27, the cartridge 330 may be provided for use in a drug administration / delivery device for administering / delivering medicine in a container / package / sachet, and each container / package / sachet is configured to contain multiple tablets / medications (including oral medications) per dose. The cartridge 330 includes a shaft 332, a lever that holds / rotates the shaft 332 and is connected to the shaft 332 when in use, and a gripper 338 attached to the shaft 332. The gripper 338 is configured to hold / rotate the lever, thereby gripping the edge of the first container / package / sachet in a strip of interconnected containers / packages / sachets, and winding the strip of interconnected containers / packages / sachets onto the shaft 332. The shaft 332 may have a diameter of 10 mm to 15 mm. The gripper 338 may be called a “tensioning member” because it acts to pull the sachet as it is wound onto the shaft 332. Cartridges provide a convenient means for pharmacies to package and store medications for patients. Each cartridge may be designed to store the required amount of a patient's medication for a specific period, such as a week or a month. The number of sachets that can be stored in a cartridge depends on the number and dimensions of tablets required for each sachet.

[0074] The gripper 338 may include a flexible tongue-shaped portion and / or a fastener (e.g., a press stud or a magnet). The fastener may deform / penetrate the edge of the first sachet to grip the sachet. For example, the gripper 338 may include a press stud having a male portion 337 and a female portion 341, as shown in Figures 24 to 27. The press stud can be manually attached and detached by a person. In some embodiments, the gripper 338 may include at least one magnetic element positioned to grip the sachet. For example, as shown in Figures 28 to 31, the gripper 338 may include a first magnetic element 351 connected to the tongue-shaped portion 339 and a second magnetic element 352 that can be (indirectly) coupled to the first magnetic element 351. As shown in Figures 28 and 29, the second magnetic element 352 is attracted to the first magnetic element 351 by a magnetic / attractive force that biases the two magnetic elements toward each other, and therefore grips the sachet portion when it is between the first magnetic element 351 and the second magnetic element 352. The first magnetic element 351 and the second magnetic element 352 are configured to provide sufficient magnetic / attractive force to prevent the sachet gripped by the gripper 338 from moving from the engaged position. The first magnetic element 351 is fixed to the flexible tongue-shaped portion of the gripper 338 by an adhesive element (e.g., an adhesive patch). and / or the first magnetic element 351 is fixed to the flexible tongue portion 339 of the gripper 338 by magnetic / attractive force when the first magnetic element 351 is fixed to one side of the tongue portion 339 and the second magnetic element 352 is attracted to the other side of the tongue portion 339 (thus gripping both the flexible tongue portion 339 and the end of the sachet when in use). One or both of the first magnetic element 351 and the second magnetic element 352 include at least one permanent magnet, e.g., a rare earth magnet (e.g., two rare earth magnets embedded in a ferromagnetic bar as shown in Figures 28 and 29), and one of the first magnetic element 351 and the second magnetic element 352 may include a ferromagnetic material portion (e.g., a ferromagnetic bar without embedded magnets). The magnetic elements are moved from the engaged position by being manually pulled by a person.Thus, the gripper 338 is detachable from the interconnected sachet strips.

[0075] The flexible tongue-shaped portion 339 of the gripper 338 may include a portion made of woven material. The gripper may include a material portion having durability, water resistance, abrasion resistance, bacterial penetration resistance and / or aging resistance. Such materials may include Tyvek®.

[0076] As shown in Figures 23, 24, and 26, the lever may be provided by a disc 335 having a rotation axis aligned with the rotation axis of the shaft 332, and may be configured to manually hold / rotate the shaft 332. The disc 335 may be substantially circular in shape. The disc 335 guides the interconnected strips of packages / containers / sachets, while the operator winds the strips onto the shaft 332. The disc 335 may include two or more openings 336 ("holding openings") arranged circumferentially around the disc 335 for holding / moving the disc 335. The openings 336 may be configured to be grasped manually / with human fingers. That is, the openings 336 are dimensioned so that the user can easily rotate the disc to wind and unwind the sachet by positioning one or more fingers in the openings 336. The disc 335 can be removed from the shaft 332.

[0077] As shown in Figures 16, 17, and 23-27, the cartridge 330 may include a cartridge housing 343 connected to the shaft 332 when in use. The cartridge housing 343 may be configured to include a strip of interconnected sachets and to allow the sachets to be administered / delivered through an opening 344 ("cartridge opening") within the cartridge housing 343. The cartridge housing 343 may be substantially cylindrical in shape. The cartridge housing 343 may include one or two openings 346 ("shaft openings"). The openings 346 are arranged to hold one or both ends of the shaft 332 extending beyond the interconnected sachets when on the shaft 332, and to rotate the shaft 332 relative to the cartridge housing 343 so that the strip of interconnected sachets unwinds from the shaft 332. At least one end of the shaft 332 extends through the cartridge housing 343 and reaches a lever, thereby allowing the lever to hold / rotate the shaft 332 (without holding / rotating the cartridge housing 343). The cartridge housing 343 may include two separable parts (e.g., two half-molded parts) so that the cartridge housing 343 can be easily assembled and disassembled.

[0078] As shown in Figures 16, 17 and 23-25, when the interconnected sachet strips are loaded, the cartridge 330 may include a handle 342 for raising / lowering / carrying the cartridge 330. The handle 342 may include a hinged connection 348 to the cartridge 330 so that the handle 342 can move between an open state for raising / lowering / carrying (shown in Figure 16) and a closed state for storing / resting the cartridge (shown in Figures 17, 24, and 25). When in the closed state, the handle 342 may be curved to conform to the curved shape of the outer surface of the cartridge housing 343.

[0079] As shown in Figures 26 and 27, the cartridge 330 may include a foot portion 350 connected to the shaft 332 (via a cartridge housing 343) configured to hold the shaft 332 substantially parallel to the support surface when the cartridge 330 is at rest on the support surface (e.g., on a table / bench and / or in a drug administration / delivery machine) due to gravity. A handle 342 may be connected to the outer surface of the cartridge housing 343. The handle 342 may be positioned substantially opposite the foot portion 350.

[0080] Cartridge 330 may include a machine-readable identification device configured to be detected / read by an optical / RF detector / reader to uniquely identify one of several cartridges. The identification device may include an optically readable label (e.g., a barcode or QR code®) and / or an RF-readable tag (e.g., an RFID tag). The identification device may include information such as the name of the patient to whom the medication is scheduled to be administered, the medication packaged in the cartridge, and the location where the cartridge was packaged. In some embodiments, two cartridges are supplied at once to the user / patient to prevent a situation where no medication is provided when the tablets / medication from the first cartridge have been completely administered / delivered. Cartridge 330 may be reusable.

[0081] As shown in Figures 18 to 22, the apparatus, for example, apparatus 300, may be part of a process that includes one or more of the following: a. To bias an actuator array including a first actuator to move at least one of a plurality of interconnected sachets stored in the housing toward an opening in the housing, and / or to bias an actuator array including a first actuator to move a plurality of interconnected sachets toward an opening in the housing. b. Detecting when multiple interconnected sachets are in a predetermined starting position using multiple sensors. c. Restrict manual access to interconnected sachets stored within the housing.

[0082] This process may include, when at least one sensor detects a predefined identifier of a pre-selected patient / person, energizing an actuator array, for example, a second actuator separate from the first actuator, to unlock or release at least one of the interconnected sachets. In this embodiment, at least one sensor may include a biometric sensor (e.g., a fingerprint scanner 304) and / or an RFID sensor. The first actuator may include one wheel, or a pair of counter-rotating wheels, and at least one motor configured to drive the wheels. The second actuator may include a solenoid and / or a linear stage.

[0083] The first step of a certain embodiment of this process is shown in Figure 18. In this embodiment, the first actuator is a pair of counter-rotating wheels 360 that are actuated to move at least one of the interconnected packages / containers / sachet toward the opening 320 in the housing. The second step of the above process is shown in Figure 21. In this embodiment, the counter-rotating wheels are driven to move the interconnected packages / containers / sachet away from the opening 320 in the housing. The third step of this process is shown in Figures 21 and 22. In this step, a sensor array 362 detects when the interconnected packages / containers / sachet are in a predefined starting position. The amount of manipulation required to return the package / container / sachet to the starting position is approximated by the MCU based on the length of administration / delivery and then confirmed by multiple sensors. The fourth step of this process is shown in Figure 22. In this step, manual access to the interconnected sachet housed in the housing can be further restricted by returning the lockout clamp 322 to the closed position. The lockout clamp 322 may be actuated by a second actuator, such as a solenoid.

[0084] As shown in Figures 18 to 22, the apparatus, for example, apparatus 300, may be part of another process which includes one or more of the following: a. When the sensor detects a predefined identifier of a pre-selected person, the actuator array (e.g., the second actuator) is operated to unlock or release the housing. b. The actuator array (e.g., the first actuator) is biased to move at least one of the multiple sachets stored in the housing toward a position accessible to a person (thus moving the container / package out of the housing), c. Restricting a person's access to multiple sachets, with the exception of at least one sachet. d. Making it possible for a person to tear / separate at least one container / package, e. When the sensor detects a predefined identifier of a pre-selected person, the actuator array (e.g., the second actuator) is energized to unlock or release the housing. f. By biasing an actuator array (e.g., the first actuator) to move multiple containers / packages away from human-accessible locations. g. When multiple containers / packages are in a predefined starting position, detection is performed using the sensor array 362. h. In response to detection that the container / package is in a predetermined starting position, lock the housing to restrict human access to multiple sachets, except for at least one sachet.

[0085] As shown in Figure 18, the housing 302 may be unlocked or released by activating the second actuator to move the lockout clamp 322 to the open position. Figures 18 to 20 show the sachet in a position accessible to a person; that is, the interconnected sachet extends beyond / outside the housing 302 of the device 300. As shown in Figures 19 and 20, once the sachet is in an accessible position, access to the interior of the device 300 is restricted by returning the lockout clamp to the closed position. This does not prevent access to the sachet extending beyond / outside the housing 302. As shown in Figure 20, a person can remove the sachet, for example, by cutting the sachet to detach it from a strip of interconnected sachets. Once the person has removed the sachet, the housing 302 can be unlocked or released by activating the actuator array (e.g., the second actuator, and in the embodiments described above, the first actuator) using the fingerprint scanner 304. As shown in Figure 21, the reverse-rotating wheel 360 is activated to move the outermost interconnected sash away from the opening 320 and towards the interior of the device 300. Once inside the housing 302, a person cannot access the sash. As illustrated in Figures 21 and 22, the sensor array 362 senses when the outermost interconnected sash is in a predetermined starting position. As shown in Figure 22, the lockout clamp 322 can be activated to return it to the closed position, restricting a person from accessing multiple sashes.

[0086] As shown in Figure 32, at least one sensor includes a powered RFID reader 3202. The RFID reader 3202 may be connected to an MCU 902 and send the detected pattern / signal to the MCU 902 to indicate data representing a tag containing a predefined identifier (ID). The RFID reader may include a contactless reader / writer from NXP Semiconductors, e.g., the MFRC522.

[0087] Purpose In the field of medical sachet administration / delivery devices, or DAA sachet administration / delivery devices, the device can operate safely and efficiently because sensors (biometric sensors and / or RFID sensors) are integrated to be biased for administration / delivery only to pre-selected patients, and / or because tablets / medications are only accessible as defined by a pre-selected schedule automatically generated from the patient's medication record.

[0088] interpretation Many modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without deviating from the technical scope of the present invention.

[0089] The presence of " / " in the drawings or in this specification is understood to mean "and / or" unless otherwise indicated, i.e., "A / B" means "A or B, or both A and B." Any description of a particular number or range of numbers in this specification is understood to be a description or representation of an approximate number or range of numbers within, for example, ±20%, ±15%, ±10%, ±5%, ±2.5%, ±2%, ±1%, ±0.5%, or ±0%. The terms "substantially" and "essentially all" may refer to percentages of 90% or more, e.g., 92.5%, 95%, 97.5%, 99%, or 100%.

[0090] References to prior publications (or information derived therefrom), or references in this Specified to known matters, are not prior publications (or information derived therefrom) that constitute part of the common knowledge in the field of the efforts relating to this Specified, nor should they be considered as recognition or acknowledgment, or prior publications (or information derived therefrom) or known matters.

[0091] Throughout this specification and the subsequent claims, unless otherwise required by the context, the term “comprise” and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising” will be understood to mean including a given integer or step or base of a step or integer or base of a step, but not to mean excluding other integers or steps or bases of steps.

Claims

1. A housing for containing, protecting, and storing multiple containers / packages, including tablets / medicines, The power supply inside the housing, An actuator array, driven by the power supply and configured to administer / deliver the tablets / medicine to a pre-selected patient, A device comprising at least one sensor driven by the aforementioned power supply, wherein when the at least one sensor detects a predefined identifier of a pre-selected patient, the actuator array is energized to allow at least one package to be manually opened / accessed.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the sensors includes a biometric measurement sensor, and the predefined identifier is a biometric authentication identifier.

3. At least one microcontroller unit (MCU) configured to control the actuator array based on the sensor that detects a predefined identifier of the pre-selected patient, An audio / visual (A / V) system comprising an audio speaker and / or light / display within or on the housing, configured to play / display alerts for the patient, wherein the MCU controls the A / V system based on a pre-selected schedule, calendar / clock accessed by the MCU from a remote computing system which may include a cloud server and / or stored within the MCU. A network interface is configured to enable electronic / data communication between the MCU and a remote computing system, and selectively includes cellular / Bluetooth® / Wi-Fi® / Ethernet® / Internet Protocol, The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, comprising one or more of the following.

4. The MCU is configured to access patient medication schedules for the pre-selected patients, The sensor is configured to be activated only when it detects the patient's identifier. The patient medication schedule states that the tablets / medications in the container / package are provided / delivered by the medical provider in accordance with the patient medication schedule. The apparatus according to claim 3, comprising the MCU, which delivers alerts to the remote computing system for distribution to selected user communication devices.

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the housing dimensions (mm) are selectively approximately 170L x 120W x 180H, or approximately 250L x 140W x 160H, forming the shape of a sachet delivery mechanism.

6. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a container delivery system shape having selectively container grids and housing dimensions (mm) of approximately 110L x 55W x 182H or 130L x 55W x 207H.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the apparatus is manually portable by an adult's hand and / or in a handbag / laptop bag.

8. (i) a remote computing system having at least one record / report module that receives and stores usage data representing a record of tablet / medication administration / delivery from the device, or (ii) generates reports based on stored records, including compliance, medication and analysis reports, for access by care providers, physicians and pharmacists. An application on a handheld smart device and / or personal computer configured to communicate with a remote computing system, receive remote alerts, and generate A / V alerts that alert remote users of the handheld smart device and / or PC using the handheld smart device and / or PC's display / light / speaker, An application on a computing system controlled by a medical provider, wherein the computing system is configured / authorized to access the patient's personal data, including the patient's medication schedule, and the application is configured to receive usage data from the device and the reports from the remote computing system, wherein the usage data includes a record of the operation of the sensor for biasing the actuator array (identified by a patent ID), and / or a record of the drugs / tablets / medications administered / delivered, and the application is configured to adapt the record to the patient's medication schedule. A system comprising one or more of the above and the apparatus described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. To contain, protect, or store multiple containers / packages containing tablets / medicines, To activate an actuator array for administering / delivering tablets / medications to pre-selected patients, A process comprising activating the actuator array to enable at least one package to be manually opened / accessed when the sensor detects a predefined identifier of the pre-selected patient.

10. The axis and A lever configured to hold / rotate the shaft and connected to the shaft during use, A cartridge comprising a gripper mounted on the shaft, the gripper being configured to grip the edge of a first sachet of a strip of interconnected sachets containing the tablets / medicine, in order to wind the strip onto the shaft by holding / rotating the lever.

11. The cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the gripper deforms / perforates the edge of the first sachet.

12. The cartridge according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the gripper includes a portion made of a woven material.

13. The cartridge according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the lever is provided with a disc having a rotating shaft aligned with the rotating shaft of the shaft, configured for manual holding / rotation of the shaft.

14. The cartridge according to claim 13, wherein the disc includes two or more openings arranged around the disc, the openings being configured to be grasped by a person's fingers / hands.

15. The cartridge includes a cartridge housing that is connected to the shaft when in use. The aforementioned cartridge housing is It includes a strip consisting of the interconnected sachets, The cartridge according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the sachet is administered / delivered through an opening in the cartridge housing.

16. The aforementioned cartridge housing includes one or two openings, The cartridge according to claim 15, wherein the one or two openings, when on the shaft, hold one or both ends of the shaft extending beyond the interconnected sachet, and are arranged to rotate the shaft so as to unwind a strip of the interconnected sachet toward the cartridge housing.

17. The cartridge according to claim 15 or 16, wherein at least one of the ends of the shaft extends through the cartridge housing to reach the lever, so that the lever holds / rotates the shaft.

18. The cartridge according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the cartridge includes a handle for raising / lowering / carrying the cartridge when loaded together with a strip of interconnected sachets.

19. The cartridge according to claim 18, wherein the handle includes a hinged connection to the cartridge, so that the handle can move between an open state for raising / lowering / carrying and a closed state for storing / resting the cartridge.

20. The cartridge according to any one of claims 10 to 19, wherein the cartridge includes a foot portion connected to the shaft so as to hold the shaft substantially parallel to the support surface when the cartridge is stationary on the support surface.

21. The cartridge according to claim 20, as opposed to claim 18 or 19, wherein the handle is connected to the outer surface of the cartridge housing, the handle is positioned substantially opposite to the foot portion, and the handle curves to conform to the outer surface of the housing when in the closed position.

22. The cartridge according to any one of claims 10 to 21, wherein the cartridge includes a machine-readable identification device configured to be detected / read by an optical / RF detector / reader in order to uniquely identify one of a plurality of the cartridges.

23. The cartridge according to claim 22, wherein the identification device includes an optically readable label and / or an RF-readable tag.

24. A housing for containing, protecting, and storing multiple interconnected sachets containing tablets / medicines, An actuator array mounted within the housing is configured to administer / deliver the sachet containing the aforementioned tablets / medicine, At least one microcontroller unit (MCU) configured to control the actuator array, A device comprising a sensor array disposed within the housing, wherein when the sachet is in a starting position defined by the position of its leading edge relative to the actuator array or the housing, the sensor array detects the leading edge of the sachet and communicates with the MCU to stop the actuator array.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the sensor array includes a plurality of non-contact sensors.

26. The apparatus according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the actuator array includes a pair of wheels that rotate in opposite directions and a motor connected to at least one of the wheels, and the pair of wheels that rotate in opposite directions are biased toward each other to grip an interconnected sachet between them.

27. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein one of the pair of wheels includes a grip material portion for gripping interconnected sachets.

28. The apparatus according to claim 26 or 27, wherein one of the pair of wheels includes a deformable material portion that deforms the area around the tablet / medicine in the interconnected sachet.

29. The apparatus according to any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein the wheel is configured to disperse the tablets / medicine in interconnected sachets when the tablets / medicine are stacked on top of each other in interconnected sachets.

30. The apparatus according to any one of claims 24 to 29, wherein the MCU is configured to control the actuator array based on a pre-selected dose / delivery length stored in or accessed by the MCU.

31. The apparatus according to any one of claims 24 to 30, wherein the apparatus includes an opening through which the sachet is administered / delivered by the actuator array.

32. The apparatus according to claim 31, when subject to claim 26, comprising two pairs of counter-rotating wheels that linearly direct interconnected sachets toward the opening.

33. The apparatus according to any one of claims 24 to 32, further comprising a lockout clamp movable between an open position that opens the opening and a closed position that closes the opening, in order to prevent the interconnected sachets from passing through the opening.

34. A biasing actuator array to move at least one of a plurality of interconnected sachets housed within the housing toward an opening in the housing, and / or a biasing actuator array to move the plurality of interconnected sachets toward an opening in the housing. The process involves using multiple sensors to detect when the multiple interconnected sachets are in a predetermined starting position. A process including restricting manual access to the interconnected sachets housed within the housing.

35. Furthermore, the process according to claim 34, comprising biasing the actuator array to unlock or release at least one of the interconnected sachets when the sensor detects a predefined identifier of a preselected person.

36. The process according to claim 34 or claim 35, wherein the actuator array includes at least one wheel.

37. When the sensor detects a predefined identifier of a pre-selected person, the actuator array is operated to unlock or release the housing. The actuator array is biased to move at least one of the multiple sachets stored in the housing toward a position accessible to a person. Restricting a person's access to multiple sachets, with the exception of at least one sachet. To enable a person to tear / separate at least one container / package, By biasing an actuator array, multiple containers / packages are moved away from human-accessible locations. Detecting when multiple containers / packages are in a predetermined starting position using multiple sensors. Upon detection that the container / package is in a predetermined starting position, the housing is locked to restrict human access to multiple sachets except for at least one sachet. A process that includes this.

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