Dispensing device

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices used for dispensing pharmaceutical compositions to patients in a time-controlled manner.

BACKGROUND

Dispensing pharmaceutical compositions to patients is often complicated by the need to limit the delivery to specific dosing regimens over specific time periods. In the case of many pharmaceuticals, delivery times must be controlled to provide adequate and effective dosing over time, while at the same time preventing inadequate dosing as well as overdosing.

The problem is particularly acute with drugs that demand patient compliance to optimize safety, while maximizing efficacy. Drugs that fall into this class may have strict administration schedules and stringent dosing amounts as exemplified by such classes of molecules to include, but not limited to analgesics, cardiovascular agents, metabolic disorder treatments, and drugs used to treat certain cancers. Such drugs may be subject to overdosing as patients often seek medication prior to the recommended or allowable prescribed dose and schedule, leading to the possibility of adverse events, abuse or fatality.

In supervised healthcare settings, i.e., hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, clinics, and the like, the problem is addressed by enabling healthcare practitioners to dispense fixed amounts of medication for patients at prescribed times in a controlled fashion. In addition, dosing requires the presence of a practitioner to determine, monitor, and sometimes adjust the dosing regimen of the required drug or drugs delivered to the patient in order to optimize efficacy and safety. Such necessary oversight places a large burden on the healthcare provider, as it requires personnel and detailed record-keeping for each patient. Likewise, in less controlled settings, supervision is still required to ensure adequate treatment and to prevent either under or overdosing and/or abuse. A relevant example includes the home healthcare setting, where visiting nurses are often required to be present for the delivery of individual drug doses to patients.

Therefore, a need exists for a user-friendly, simple drug-dispensing device that may contain several doses of a drug, provide individual doses available to a patient at prescribed time intervals, and which moderates some degree of protection to the patient, both by deterring potential over dosage and by making diversion by a family member or other visitor obvious.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide a simple device for storing and dispensing prescription drugs.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a simple device for storing and dispensing drugs which are administered to a patient via intranasal means.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a simple drug dispensing device that would allow a patient to receive drug doses at prescribed time intervals.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a drug dispensing device that is suitable for use in supervised, semi-supervised, and unsupervised healthcare settings.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a drug dispensing device having indicia thereon to indicate tampering or other attempts to gain unauthorized access to the drugs contained therein.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a drug dispensing device that can be programmed by a healthcare practitioner to dispense drugs to a patient at prescribed intervals.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a drug dispensing device that can be programmed by a healthcare practitioner to prevent dispensing drugs to a patient at less than prescribed time intervals.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a drug dispensing device that would allow patients to self-administer drugs over a prescribed time period.

It is another object of the present invention is to provide a drug dispensing device that would allow patients to self-administer such drugs as analgesics, cardiovascular drugs, drugs used to treat metabolic disorders, and drugs used to treat certain cancers when desired, but no earlier than at prescribed intervals.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a drug dispensing device that can dispense a prescribed drug regimen to a patient at prescribed time intervals.

The above and other objects may be achieved by providing a device for the controlled release of drug delivery units which comprises a magazine for containing a plurality of drug delivery units, a housing containing the magazine having an aperture allowing drug delivery units to be removed through the housing, a link by which the magazine may be moved relative to the housing, and a timing mechanism in communication with the link, for causing the magazine to be moved relative to the housing, thereby periodically allowing removal of individual drug delivery units through the aperture at pre-selected intervals. The device may be configured to allow dispensing of a specified number of drug delivery units over an extended time period, for example 12 or 24 hours or more, or it may be configured to allow dispensing of individual drug delivery units as desired by the patient, provided that the minimum interval between each delivery is of a pre-specified length. The various timing and delivery issues may be controlled by a healthcare provider during loading of the device or at some time thereafter.

The above objects and summary of the invention will be more fully set forth in the Figures and detailed description of the invention below.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of the device of the present invention.

FIGS. 2a and 2b are schematic depictions of intranasal drug delivery units delivered by one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3a and 3b are schematic top and side views of the base of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4a and 4b are schematic top and side views of the housing of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5a-5d are schematic top and side views of the magazine of two embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 6a and 6b are schematic top and side views of the link of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic depiction of the timing mechanism of one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention relates broadly to a device for the controlled dispensing of drug delivery units. As used herein, the term “drug delivery unit” is intended to refer to a unit dose of a pharmaceutical composition or an applicator for providing a unit dose of a pharmaceutical composition. Thus, while the term “drug delivery unit” may refer to a pill, tablet, capsule, caplet, etc., (i.e., a unit dose of a pharmaceutical composition) which is ingested by a patient, the term is also intended to refer to a device for delivering a unit dose of a pharmaceutical composition to a patient. Examples herein include, but are not limited to, intranasal applicators, such as applicators designed to deliver a single unit or bidose or multiunit dose of a pharmaceutical composition to a patient. Thus, as will become apparent, the present device may be used to dispense compositions which are ingestible as well as devices for delivering compositions which are administered by means other than ingestion. In one preferred embodiment, the invention is configured to dispense intranasal applicators (such as those manufactured by Ing. Erich Pfeiffer GmbH, Radofzell, Germany; Pfeiffer of America, Princeton, N.J.), each loaded with a unit dose of intranasal ketamine, intranasal morphine, or mixtures thereof, either with or without other constituents. Likewise, the invention may be configured to dispense more than one drug delivery unit at any given time, or it may be configured to dispense a drug delivery unit in the form of, for example, a capsule at one or more time intervals and a drug delivery unit in the for of, for example, an intranasal applicator at one or more different time intervals.

While the device is intended to be used to dispense any of a wide variety of drug delivery units, it is particularly adapted for dispensing controlled, scheduled drugs in a manner that prevents or provides indicia of overdosing. As noted above, the device is well-suited for the delivery of intranasal applicators, each loaded with a unit dose of intranasal ketamine, intranasal morphine, or mixtures thereof, either with or without other constituents; however, other drug delivery units are contemplated as well. These include, but are not limited to, the following drugs listed on DEA Schedules II, III, IV and V:

SCHEDULE II

		DEA
	Substance	Number
	1-Phenylcyclohexylamine	7460
	1-Piperidinocyclohexanecarbonitrile	8603
	Alfentanil	9737
	Alphaprodine	9010
	Amobarbital	2125
	Amphetamine	1100
	Anileridine	9020
	Benzoylecgonine	9180
	Bezitramide	9800
	Carfentanil	9743
	Coca Leaves	9040
	Cocaine	9041
	Codeine	9050
	Dextropropoxyphene, bulk (non-dosage forms)	9273
	Dihydrocodeine	9120
	Diphenoxylate	9170
	Diprenorphine	9058
	Ecgonine	9180
	Ethylmorphine	9190
	Etorphine HCl	9059
	Fentanyl	9801
	Glutethimide	2550
	Hydrocodone	9193
	Hydromorphone	9150
	Isomethadone	9226
	Levo-alphacetylmethadol	9648
	Levomethorphan	9210
	Levorphanol	9220
	Meperidine	9230
	Meperidine intermediate-A	9232
	Meperidine intermediate-B	9233
	Meperidine intermediate-C	9234
	Metazocine	9240
	Methadone	9250
	Methadone intermediate	9254
	Methamphetamine	1105
	Methylphenidate	1724
	Metopon	9260
	Moramide-intermediate	9802
	Morphine	9300
	Nabilone	7379
	Opium extracts	9610
	Opium fluid extract	9620
	Opium poppy	9650
	Opium tincture	9630
	Opium, granulated	9640
	Opium, powdered	9639
	Opium, raw	9600
	Oxycodone	9143
	Oxymorphone	9652
	Pentobarbital	2270
	Phenazocine	9715
	Phencyclidine	7471
	Phenmetrazine	1631
	Phenylacetone	8501
	Piminodine	9730
	Poppy Straw	9650
	Poppy Straw Concentrate	9670
	Racemethorphan	9732
	Racemorphan	9733
	Remifentanil	9739
	Secobarbital	2315
	Sufentanil	9740
	Thebaine	9333

SCHEDULE III

		DEA
	Substance	Number
	Amobarbital & noncontrolled active ingred.	2126
	Amobarbital suppository dosage form	2126
	Anabolic steroids	4000
	Aprobarbital	2100
	Barbituric acid derivative	2100
	Benzphetamine	1228
	Boldenone	4000
	Buprenorphine	9064
	Butabarbital	2100
	Butalbital	2100
	Chlorhexadol	2510
	Chlorotestosterone (same as clostebol)	4000
	Chlorphentermine	1645
	Clortermine	1647
	Clostebol	4000
	Codeine & isoquinoline alkaloid 90 mg/du	9803
	Codeine combination product 90 mg/du	9804
	Dehydrochlormethyltestosterone	4000
	Dihydrocodeine combination product 90 mg/du	9807
	Dihydrotestosterone (same as stanolone)	4000
	Dronabinol in sesame oil in soft gelatin capsule	7369
	Drostanolone	4000
	Ethylestrenol	4000
	Ethylmorphine combination product 15 mg/du	9808
	Fluoxymesterone	4000
	Hydrocodone & isoquinoline alkaloid 15 mg/du	9805
	Hydrocodone combination product 15 mg/du	9806
	Ketamine	7285
	Lysergic acid	7300
	Lysergic acid amide	7310
	Mesterolone	4000
	Methandienone (see Methandrostenolone)	4000
	Methandranone	4000
	Methandriol	4000
	Methandrostenolone	4000
	Methenolone	4000
	Methyltestosterone	4000
	Methyprylon	2575
	Mibolerone	4000
	Morphine combination product/50 mg/100 ml or gm	9810
	Nalorphine	9400
	Nandrolone	4000
	Norethandrolone	4000
	Opium combination product 25 mg/du	9809
	Oxandrolone	4000
	Oxymesterone	4000
	Oxymetholone	4000
	Pentobarbital & noncontrolled active ingred.	2271
	Pentobarbital suppository dosage form	2271
	Phendimetrazine	1615
	Secobarbital & noncontrolled active ingred	2316
	Secobarbital suppository dosage form	2316
	Stanolone	4000
	Stanozolol	4000
	Stimulant compounds previously excepted	1405
	Sulfondiethylmethane	2600
	Sulfonethylmethane	2605
	Sulfonmethane	2610
	Talbutal	2100
	Testolactone	4000
	Testosterone	4000
	Thiamylal	2100
	Thiopental	2100
	Tiletamine & Zolazepam Combination Product	7295
	Trenbolone	4000
	Vinbarbital	2100

SCHEDULE IV

		DEA
	Substance	Number
	Alprazolam	2882
	Barbital	2145
	Bromazepam	2748
	Butorphanol	9720
	Camazepam	2749
	Cathine	1230
	Chloral betaine	2460
	Chloral hydrate	2465
	Chlordiazepoxide	2744
	Clobazam	2751
	Clonazepam	2737
	Clorazepate	2768
	Clotiazepam	2752
	Cloxazolam	2753
	Delorazepam	2754
	Dexfenfluramine	1670
	Dextropropoxyphene dosage forms	9278
	Diazepam	2765
	Dichloralphenazone	2467
	Diethylpropion	1610
	Difenoxin 1 mg/25 ug AtSO4/du	9167
	Estazolam	2756
	Ethchlorvynol	2540
	Ethinamate	2545
	Ethyl loflazepate	2758
	Fencamfamin	1760
	Fenfluramine	1670
	Fenproporex	1575
	Fludiazepam	2759
	Flunitrazepam	2763
	Flurazepam	2767
	Halazepam	2762
	Haloxazolam	2771
	Ketazolam	2772
	Loprazolam	2773
	Lorazepam	2885
	Lormetazepam	2774
	Mazindol	1605
	Mebutamate	2800
	Medazepam	2836
	Mefenorex	1580
	Meprobamate	2820
	Methohexital	2264
	Methylphenobarbital (mephobarbital)	2250
	Midazolam	2884
	Modafinil	1680
	Nimetazepam	2837
	Nitrazepam	2834
	Nordiazepam	2838
	Oxazepam	2835
	Oxazolam	2839
	Paraldehyde	2585
	Pemoline	1530
	Pentazocine	9709
	Petrichloral	2591
	Phenobarbital	2285
	Phentermine	1640
	Pinazepam	2883
	Pipradrol	1750
	Prazepam	2764
	Quazepam	2881
	Sibutramine	1675
	SPA	1635
	Temazepam	2925
	Tetrazepam	2886
	Triazolam	2887
	Zaleplon	2781
	Zolpidem	2783

SCHEDULE V

		DEA
	Substance	Number
	Codeine preparations - 200 mg/100 ml or 100 gm
	Difenoxin preparations - 0.5 mg/25 ug AtSO4/du
	Dihydrocodeine preparations 10 mg/100 ml or 100 gm
	Diphenoxylate preparations 2.5 mg/25 ug AtSO4
	Ethylmorphine preparations 100 mg/100 ml or 100 gm
	Opium preparations - 100 mg/100 ml or gm
	Pyrovalerone	1485

Apart from the above-noted intranasal applicators, each loaded with a unit dose of intranasal ketamine, intranasal morphine, or mixtures thereof, other preferred drug delivery units include unit doses of prescription drugs such as digoxin, β-blockers, α₂-antagonists, thyroid replacement drugs, drugs to treat specific diseases (Alzheimer's, AIDS, diabetes, etc.), anticoagulants, vitamins having potentially toxic overdosages, and any other ingestible, inhalable, injectable or topical drug that is provided according to a scheduled regimen. Other representative drugs include, but are not limited to: betamethasone, budesonide, cortisone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, methyl-predinisolone, prednisolone, triamcinolone, capecitabine, chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, etoposide, hydroxyurea, imatinib, mercaptopurine, methotrexate, buprenorphine, butorphanol, codeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, levorphanol, meperidine, methadone, morphine, opium, oxycodone, pentazocine, oxymorphone, anisindione, dicumarol, warfarin, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, amitriptyline, amoxaphine, clomipramine, desipramine, doxapin, imipramine, nortriptyline, protriptyline, trimipramine, olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine, ziprasidone, aripiprazole, clozapine, chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, trifluoperazine, perphenazine, thioridazine, haloperidol, thiothixene, molindone, loxapine, apomorphine, benztropine mesylate, entacapone, levodopa/carbidopa/entacapone, carbidopa/levodopa, pergolide, ropinirole Hcl, amantadine Hcl, and selegiline Hcl.

Broadly, in one embodiment, the device is intended to be loaded with multiple doses of one or more drug delivery units and programmed to allow the drug delivery units to be dispensed at predetermined time intervals. In another embodiment, the device is intended to be loaded with multiple doses of one or more drug delivery units and programmed to allow the drug delivery units to be dispensed to a patient when desired, provided that a minimum time interval has passed between dispensing cycles. In another embodiment, patients requiring a regimen of several different drugs over an extended time period may use the device to dispense the particular prescribed multi-drug regimen at specified time periods.

One necessary element of the present invention is a controllable timing mechanism which is in operable communication with a delivery system within the device. While the timing mechanism will be discussed in greater detail below, it is noted that it may be either an electrical or mechanical timing mechanism. Although both offer desired utility, mechanical timing mechanisms offer the advantage of employing the device in the absence of an electrical source.

For dispensing of drug delivery units over a scheduled time period, it is contemplated herein that the timing mechanism may be controlled either by the device manufacturer or at the time it is loaded with the desired drug delivery units. Thus, in one non-limiting example, in which the devise is intended to dispense drug delivery units hourly over a 12 hour time period, the timing mechanism may be preprogrammed by the manufacturer. In a further embodiment, the timing mechanism may include a user interface through which a particular dosing and time period may be input. One such non-limiting example would allow a healthcare practitioner to load the device with, for example, 12 doses of intranasal ketamine, and then program the timing mechanism to allow the devise to provide one dose every 2 hours.

Likewise, it is also contemplated that the device may include an interface through which a patient may self-administer drugs on an interval-limited basis. In this embodiment, the device may include a patient dosing interface through which the patient requests a drug delivery unit to be dispensed. The timing mechanism may be programmed by either the manufacturer or a healthcare practitioner to allow drug delivery units to be dispensed freely, provided a minimum interval has passed between each dispensing.

In one embodiment, the device may be used to simplify a complicated dosing regimen required by a patient. For example, many patients, particularly elderly patients, require doses of several different drugs one or more times per day. Selecting the particular drugs required at particular times can often be complicated or confusing. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a means by which proper dosing may be simplified. In particular, the device may be loaded in a manner which allows several drug delivery units to be dispensed at one time. As one example, consider the case of a patient requiring drugs A, B, and C every morning, and drugs B and D every evening. The chambers in the magazine of the device may be loaded with alternating combinations of drugs A, B and C and drugs B and D, and the device may be set to dispense the alternating combinations to the patient at twelve hour intervals.

In a preferred embodiment, it is contemplated that the entire device, loaded with the required drug delivery units, may be provided to a patient. This configuration is best applied in situations where the device will be used for short periods, such as for acute post-surgical pain relief. Upon termination of pain medication, the device may be cleaned, loaded with drug delivery units for a different patient, sealed and re-used. Alternatively, in applications in which the device will be used for longer periods, a patient may be provided with a version of the device in which the magazine used to contain drug delivery units is absent. In this case, a healthcare practitioner, pharmacist, or other authorized person may provide a magazine loaded with the appropriate drug delivery units to the patient. Depleted magazines may be either refilled, or replaced with fully loaded units.

The device may be best understood from the description below with reference to the accompanying Figures.

In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 1, the device 10 comprises a base 12, a housing 14 having an aperture 16 which provides access to the interior of the housing, a magazine 18 for containing drug delivery units and at least one tamper indicia 20. Each of these elements, as well as other device components (not shown in FIG. 1) is described in detail below. The device is well-suited for use with individual (FIG. 2a) and multiple (FIG. 2b) intranasal drug delivery units, however, it is not intended to be limited in this manner. Rather, it is contemplated that any of a wide variety of delivery units, including but not limited to, intranasal applicators, pills, capsules, caplets, syringes, inhalers, patches, vials, and the like may be used in connection with the device.

The base 12 of the device is depicted schematically as a top view in FIG. 3a and side view in FIG. 3b. In FIGS. 3a and 3b, the base 12 comprises a substantially circular platform 22 containing a central aperture 24. A wall 26 extends downward from the platform 22 periphery to define an interior space below the platform. The interior space communicates with the central aperture 24. Optionally, a plurality of feet 28 may extend from portions of the wall 26 to support the device. In some embodiments, it is desirable to provide the device 10 with tamper indicia 20 which provide evidence of attempts to open the device by unauthorized individuals. While such tamper indicia 20 will be described in greater detail below, in one embodiment, the base 12 may include one or more flanges 30 extending outwardly from the platform. These flanges may contain a bore 32 adapted to mate with similar structures on the housing 14 to provide a means for securing the housing 14 to the base 12 in a manner which would evidence attempts to separate these elements and gain unauthorized access to the device interior.

The housing 14 of the device is depicted schematically as a top view in FIG. 4a and side view in FIG. 4b. In FIGS. 4a and 4b, the housing comprises a substantially circular enclosure having a top 34 and a wall 36 extending therefrom. As with the base 12, the housing 14 may include one or more flanges 38 extending outwardly from the housing. These flanges may contain a bore 40 adapted to mate with similar structures on the base 12 to provide a means for securing the housing 14 to the base 12 in a manner which would evidence attempts to separate these elements and gain unauthorized access to the device interior. The wall 36 includes an aperture 42 allowing access to the interior of the housing. The aperture 42 may comprise simply a region on the circumference of the top 34 from which the wall 36 does not extend, or it may be formed as a separate opening in the wall. An optional door, not shown, may cover the aperture to prevent dust and other unwanted substances from entering the device interior. The door may include a simple mechanism that allows it to be opened when a drug delivery unit is available, and closes and optionally locks it when a drug delivery unit is not available. The aperture 42, with or without the optional door, must be large enough to allow a drug delivery unit to be removed from the device when it is positioned within the housing 14 adjacent to the aperture 42.

Positioned within the device in the chamber formed between the base 12 and the housing 14 is a magazine 50, shown in FIGS. 5a-5d. The magazine 50 comprises a hub 52 having a link interface 54 and a plurality of partitions 56 extending therefrom. When positioned within the device in the chamber formed between the base 12 and the housing 14, the link interface 54 mates with a link (described below) and a timing mechanism (described below) to allow the magazine 50 to be rotated within the device. The partitions 56 define storage regions for the drug delivery units and serve to move the units through the device, toward the aperture 42, as the magazine 50 is rotated in a controlled manner. The hub 52 may contain a drug delivery unit aperture 58 in the regions formed between the partitions to assist in positioning each drug delivery unit within the device. The number of partitions used depends on the particular anticipated dosing regimen with which the device will be used, as well as the particular timing mechanism selected. For example, if the device is intended to dispense 12 drug delivery units over a 24 hour period, the device could have 12 partitions and a 24-hour timing mechanism. As will be apparent from FIGS. 5a and 5b, a magazine having 12 partitions defines 12 storage regions between them. Likewise, in another non-limiting embodiment, shown in FIGS. 5c and 5d, the magazine may include 24 partitions to define 24 storage regions. Such a device could be used to deliver 24 drug delivery units hourly over the course of a day when used with a one-day timing mechanism, or 12 drug delivery units daily over the course of two days when used with a two-day timing mechanism. Numerous other combinations of timing and dosing regimens will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

The magazine 50 is rotated within the device using a link 60 shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b. The link 60 comprises, generally, an axle having a magazine interface 62 and a timing mechanism interface 64. The magazine interface 62 mates with the link interface 54 on the magazine 50 to allow the link, when rotated, to rotate the magazine. The timing mechanism interface mates with a timing mechanism, described below, which rotates the link and the magazine in a controlled manner.

The timing mechanism 70 is depicted schematically in FIG. 7. It is anticipated that any of a wide variety of timing mechanisms may be embodied in the present invention. For example, the timing mechanism may be an electrical timer that is driven by AC current, or it may be an electrical timer that is driven by battery power. In one preferred embodiment, however, the timing mechanism is a mechanical timer. Mechanical timers are preferred because they are simple, durable, reliable and do hot require a current source to operate. Thus, the use of a mechanical timer allows the device to be employed in a wide variety of environments where electrical timers would offer little or no usefulness. For example, the device of the present invention is well suited for military applications where AC current may be unavailable. Likewise, the device is suitable for civil defense applications where it may be stored for extended periods of time prior to use. Mechanical timers are unaffected by such storage, whereas batteries may not be reliable in such circumstances.

The timing mechanism 70 is selected such that it provides the magazine with one complete rotation over a predetermined dosing period. Thus, a “one-day” timing mechanism is one that provides the magazine with one complete rotation over a 24 hour period, a “two-day” timing mechanism is one that provides the magazine with one complete rotation over a 48 hour period, a “half-day” timing mechanism is one that provides the magazine with one complete rotation over a 12 hour period, etc. The timing device includes a rotating rod that mates with the link via the timing mechanism interface 64. As such, as the rod on the timing mechanism is rotated, it rotates the link, which, in turn, rotates the magazine.

The timing mechanism 70 may optionally include an audible and/or visual indicator that provides an indication when a drug deliver unit is available for withdrawal from the device. The audible indicia may be, for example, a bell that rings when a dose is available, and the visual indicia may be, for example, a colored segment that becomes visible through the aperture 42 when a dose is available. Thus, in the case of a 12 dose regimen over the course of one day, an audible indicia would sound every two hours.

As noted in FIGS. 3a and 3b and FIGS. 4a and 4b, the device may include tamper indicia. In the embodiments shown, the tamper indicia 20 comprises flanges on the base and the housing each having a bore through which a seal may be inserted. In one preferred embodiment, the seal comprises an electrical tie-wrap which can be formed into a loop using a one-way ratchet mechanism thereon. By inserting tie wraps through the flanges on the base and housing, the base and housing are secured together in a manner that prevents unauthorized access to the interior of the device unless the tie wraps are cut.

The device is not intended to be tamper-proof. Rather, the device is intended to provide an indication to a healthcare practitioner that unauthorized access, or attempts at unauthorized access, to the device interior have occurred. It should be understood as well, that any of a wide variety of devices may be used to secure the housing to the base via the flanges. These include dial locks, keyed locks, scored labels and tapes, etc.

In one embodiment of the assembled device, a mechanical timing mechanism is mounted to the underside of the base in a manner such that rotating rod extends through the center of the base and mates with the timing mechanism interface on the link. The magazine, selected for the particular dosing regimen and loaded with drug delivery units is positioned on the base in a manner such that it mates with the magazine interface on the link. The housing is positioned over this assembly and the tamper indicia is employed to hold the housing to the base. In one preferred embodiment, the drug delivery units comprise intranasal dispensers of analgesic medications intended to be dispensed every two hours over the course of a full day. As such, a one-day timer and a magazine having 12 partitions is employed.

The device above could be stored until needed, and then employed simply by providing it to a patient and activating the mechanical timing mechanism, such as by winding. The timing mechanism will begin to rotate the magazine within the device in a manner such that a patient can withdraw one drug delivery unit from the aperture in the housing every two hours. Once a drug delivery unit is removed from the device, another one will not be available until the magazine has rotated sufficiently to make another drug delivery unit available. If the patient attempts to accelerate the dosing by gaining access to the interior of the device, this attempt will be evident via the tamper indicia. If the dosing is intended to be continued over the course of a second day, a healthcare practitioner can open the device, and either reload the magazine or replace it with a preloaded magazine.

In other embodiments of the present invention, individuals may use the device at home to dispense medications according to their particular needs. Thus, a patient taking multiple medications over the course of one or more days may load the magazine, or obtain personalized preloaded magazines, to provide the appropriate medications at the appropriate times.

The individual elements of the device may be made of any of a wide variety of materials. In one preferred embodiment, the base, housing, link and magazine are fabricated from a cast or thermoformed polymer. It is anticipated that the device may be employed in a manner where the elements are reusable, and thus, durable plastics are preferred. In one embodiment, however, the base, housing, timing mechanism and link are intended to be made available as a packaged unit, and the magazine, loaded with the appropriate drug delivery units is obtained separately. In this case, the magazine may be returned during the process of refilling, or it may be discarded. In the latter case, it is preferred that the magazine be formed of a biodegradable or recyclable material.

The device of the present invention offers a simple, durable alternative to conventional patient controlled analgesia (PCA) devices. Unlike common PCA systems, a preferred embodiment the present invention can operate in the absence of electrical power, while providing periodic doses of analgesics in a manner that is tamper evident and self-accounting.

The device lends itself to use in hospitals, semi-supervised care environments, and independent supervised care environments. In post operative patients, the device reduces the cost of care as there is no need for a healthcare practitioner to periodically administer the dispensed medications. For end-of-life care, the device can be used to deliver analgesic medications at a greatly reduced cost and improved safety. For settings where the patient needs assistance with determining when to take the medications, i.e., nursing homes, the device reduces the needs for a healthcare practitioner at each dosing event. Finally, in natural disaster or military situations, the device provides a durable means of dispensing medications in environments where electrical power may be unavailable.

Equivalents

The present invention is not intended to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein, each of which is presented by way of example only. Various modifications of the invention in addition to those described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and the accompanying figures. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the claims.