Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for separating medication packages from a strip of medication packages. The device comprises a cutting base along which the strip of medication packages is to be moved, a circular cutting blade arranged perpendicularly against the cutting base, and an actuator connected to the circular cutting blade and configured to move the circular cutting blade in opposite first and second directions for cutting the strip between two successive medication packages. In the device the actuator is connected to the circular cutting blade with a spring suspension allowing the circular cutting blade to move in opposite third and fourth directions perpendicular to the cutting base.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61J 7/04 - Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
• B65B 61/06 - Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for severing webs, or for separating joined packages by cutting
• G07F 11/42 - Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which the magazines are horizontal the articles being delivered by motor-driven means
• A61J 7/00 - Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoonsPill counting devicesArrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
• B65B 61/28 - Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for discharging completed packages from machines
• B26D 7/24 - Safety devices specially adapted for cutting machines arranged to disable the operating means for the cutting member
• B26D 7/22 - Safety devices specially adapted for cutting machines
• B26D 5/00 - Arrangements for operating and controlling machines or devices for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting
• B26D 1/20 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis with a circular cutting member, e.g. disc cutter coacting with a fixed member
• B26D 1/18 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis with a circular cutting member, e.g. disc cutter rotating about a movable axis mounted on a movable carriage
• B26D 7/26 - Means for mounting or adjusting the cutting memberMeans for adjusting the stroke of the cutting member
• B26F 1/10 - Roller type punches
• B26D 1/00 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a medication dispenser that comprises a first container for holding medication packages to be dispensed, and conveying means for conveying medication packages from the first container to an outlet of the medication dispenser, the conveying means comprising a first conveyor that is arranged in connection with the outlet and is capable of conveying a medication package in a first and a second conveying direction, so that a medication package can be conveyed to the outlet and retracted inside the medication dispenser. The first conveyor comprises two opposing belt conveyors between which a medication package is arranged to be conveyed, both of the belt conveyors comprising an endless belt and a plurality of rollers around which the endless belt is arranged. The invention also relates to a method for dispensing medications.

IPC Classes  ?

• G07F 11/42 - Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which the magazines are horizontal the articles being delivered by motor-driven means
• A61J 7/04 - Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
• G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
• B65D 83/04 - Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing annular, disc-shaped, spherical or like small articles, e.g. tablets or pills

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for obtaining information from a medication package. In the method, an image of the medication package is provided, the image is analyzed to determine positions and formats of patterns in the image, a layout, which has similar pattern formats in the same positions as the image, is selected from a set of layouts stored in the medication dispenser, the selected layout defining the type of information for each pattern in the image, and the information contained in at least one of the patterns of the image is interpreted by linking the content of the pattern to the type of information defined in the selected layout. The invention also relates to a medication dispenser.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
• G06K 9/00 - Methods or arrangements for reading or recognising printed or written characters or for recognising patterns, e.g. fingerprints
• A61J 7/00 - Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoonsPill counting devicesArrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
• A61J 7/04 - Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
• B26D 5/00 - Arrangements for operating and controlling machines or devices for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting
• G07F 11/68 - Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles in which the articles are torn or severed from strips or sheets
• G07F 17/00 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articlesCoin-freed facilities or services
• B26D 5/20 - Arrangements for operating and controlling machines or devices for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting with interrelated action between the cutting member and work feed
• B65B 57/00 - Automatic control, checking, warning or safety devices
• B65B 61/06 - Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for severing webs, or for separating joined packages by cutting
• B65B 61/28 - Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for discharging completed packages from machines

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for obtaining information from a medication package (103). In the method, an image of the medication package (103) is provided, the image is analysed to determine positions and formats of patterns (304, 305, 306) in the image, a layout, which has similar pattern formats in the same positions as the image, is selected from a set of layouts stored in the medication dispenser (100), the selected layout defining the type of information for each pattern (304, 305, 306) in the image, and the information contained in at least one of the patterns (304, 305, 306) of the image is interpreted by linking the content of the pattern (304, 305, 306) to the type of information defined in the selected layout. The invention also relates to a medication dispenser (100).

IPC Classes  ?

• A61G 12/00 - Accommodation for nursing, e.g. in hospitals, not covered by groups , e.g. trolleys for transport of medicaments or foodPrescription lists
• A61J 7/00 - Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoonsPill counting devicesArrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
• A61J 7/04 - Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and a system for controlling the dispensation of medications from a medication dispenser, which includes medication packages containing medications to be taken at predetermined taking times. The method comprises several steps, including providing the medication dispenser with a medication profile of a patient and notifying the medication dispenser of a period of absence of the patient. Thereafter, the medications that should be taken by the patient during the period of absence are determined and the appropriate medications delivered to the patient.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
• A61J 7/00 - Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoonsPill counting devicesArrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
• A61J 7/04 - Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and a system for controlling the dispensation of medications from a medication dispenser, which includes medication packages containingmedications to be taken at predetermined taking times. The method comprises several steps, including providing the medication dispenser with a medication profileof a patient and notifying the medication dispenser of a period of absence of the patient. Thereafter, the medicationsthat should be taken by the patient during the period of absence are determined and the appropriate medications delivered to the patient.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61G 12/00 - Accommodation for nursing, e.g. in hospitals, not covered by groups , e.g. trolleys for transport of medicaments or foodPrescription lists
• A61J 7/00 - Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoonsPill counting devicesArrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine

Abstract

A method for monitoring the filling of a medication dispenser that comprises a first and a second container for receiving a strip of medication packages. In the method a taking time of the first medication package of the second strip inserted into the second container is compared with a taking time of the last medication package of the first strip inserted into the first container, in order to determine if the delivery of medication packages can be continued after the first strip with the second strip. The invention also relates to a medication dispenser.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
• G07F 9/02 - Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when emptyAdvertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus
• G07F 17/00 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articlesCoin-freed facilities or services
• G07F 11/68 - Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles in which the articles are torn or severed from strips or sheets
• A61J 7/00 - Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoonsPill counting devicesArrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
• A61J 1/03 - Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes for pills or tablets