Dispensing device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the time-controlled dispensing of pharmaceutical compositions to a patient. The device is intended to allow multiple doses of pharmaceutical compositions to be delivered to a patient over a predetermined or programmable dosing schedule.

1 . A device for the controlled release of drug delivery units, which comprises:
 a) a magazine for containing a plurality of drug delivery units;   b) a housing containing the magazine, said housing having an aperture allowing drug delivery units to be removed therethrough;   c) a link by which the magazine may be moved relative to the housing; and   d) a mechanical 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.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the magazine is configured to hold 12 drug delivery units. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the magazine is configured to hold 24 drug delivery units. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , further including at least one tamper detection element. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the tamper detection element provides an indication of at least one condition selected from the group comprising: opening the housing, adjusting the timing mechanism, movement of the magazine by other than the timing mechanism, and attempts of each. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the magazine moves relative to the housing via rotation. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the link comprises an axle upon which the magazine may be rotated. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the timing mechanism communicates with the axle in a manner such that drug delivery units may be removed at pre-selected time intervals. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the combined plurality of drug delivery units in the magazine comprises a daily drug dose for a patient. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the drug delivery units comprises a single unit dispenser for delivering a drug selected from the group comprising intranasal ketamine, intranasal morphine, and mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein each of the drug delivery units comprises a Pfieffer intranasal applicator. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture is accessed via a door. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1 , further including a patient dosing interface. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the patient dosing interface includes a lock-out to prevent removal of drug delivery units at time intervals less than a pre-selected minimum interval. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 1 , further including an indicator to alert a patient that a drug delivery unit is available. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the indicator is an audible alarm, a visual indication, or a combination of both. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the drug delivery units are intranasal, ingestible, topical or injectable drug delivery units. 
   
   
       18 . A device for the controlled release of drug delivery units, which comprises:
 a) a magazine for containing a plurality of drug delivery units;   b) a housing containing the magazine, said housing having an aperture allowing drug delivery units to be removed therethrough;   c) a link by which the magazine may be moved relative to the housing; and   d) a mechanical timing mechanism in communication with the link, for causing the magazine to be moved relative to the housing, the device having a time-based lock-out to prevent access to the magazine except at pre-selected time intervals, thereby allowing removal of individual drug delivery units through the aperture only at pre-selected time intervals.   
   
   
       19 - 34 . (canceled) 
   
   
       35 . A system for the controlled delivery of drugs, the system comprising:
 a) at least one drug delivery unit;   b) a magazine constructed and arranged to contain a plurality of drug delivery units, the magazine containing said at least one drug delivery unit;   c) a housing containing the magazine, said housing having an aperture allowing said at least one drug delivery unit to be removed therethrough;   d) a link by which the magazine may be moved relative to the housing; and   e) a mechanical 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.   
   
   
       36 - 51 . (canceled) 
   
   
       52 . A method for providing drug delivery units to a patient at pre-selected time intervals, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a system for the controlled delivery of drugs, the system comprising:
 i) at least one drug delivery unit; 
 ii) a magazine constructed and arranged to contain a plurality of drug delivery units, the magazine containing said at least one drug delivery unit; 
 iii) a housing containing the magazine, said housing having an aperture allowing said at least one drug delivery unit to be removed therethrough; 
 iv) a link by which the magazine may be moved relative to the housing; and 
 v) a mechanical 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; 
   b) providing the timing mechanism with data indicative of the dosing schedule for the patient;   c) activating the timing mechanism to thereby allow the patient to withdraw drug delivery units from the system according to the dosing schedule.   
   
   
       53 - 68 . (canceled) 
   
   
       69 . A device for the controlled release of drug delivery units, which comprises:
 a magazine containing a plurality of drug delivery units, wherein the magazine is intended to operate with a device comprising:
 a) a housing for containing the magazine, said housing having an aperture allowing drug delivery units to be removed therethrough; 
 b) a link by which the magazine may be moved relative to the housing; and 
 c) a mechanical 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. 
   
   
   
       70 - 78 . (canceled)