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 - 78 . (canceled)  
   
   
       79 . A device for the controlled release of drug delivery units, the device comprising: 
 a magazine for containing a plurality of drug delivery units;    a housing containing the magazine, said housing having an aperture allowing drug delivery units to be removed therethrough;    a door having an open position in which drug delivery units may be removed through the aperture, and a closed position in which drug delivery units are not accessible through the aperture;    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, wherein the timing mechanism is deactivated when the door is in its open position and is activated when the door is in its closed position.    
   
   
       80 . The device of  claim 79 , wherein the timing mechanism is a mechanical timing mechanism.  
   
   
       81 . The device of  claim 79 , wherein the magazine moves relative to the housing via rotation.  
   
   
       82 . The device of  claim 81 , wherein the link comprises an axle upon which the magazine may be rotated.  
   
   
       83 . The device of  claim 79 , wherein the drug delivery units are intranasal, ingestible, topical or injectable drug delivery units.  
   
   
       84 . The device of  claim 79 , wherein the timing mechanism is deactivated when a drug delivery unit is positioned adjacent the aperture.  
   
   
       85 . A device for the controlled release of drug delivery units, the device comprising: 
 a magazine for containing a plurality of drug delivery units;    a housing containing the magazine, said housing having an aperture allowing drug delivery units to be removed therethrough;    a drug delivery unit detector within the magazine for indicating whether a drug delivery unit is positioned adjacent the aperture;    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, wherein the timing mechanism is activated once said drug delivery unit detector indicates that a drug delivery unit is not positioned adjacent the aperture.    
   
   
       86 . The device of  claim 85 , wherein the timing mechanism is deactivated when a drug delivery unit is positioned adjacent the aperture.  
   
   
       87 . The device of  claim 86 , wherein the timing mechanism is deactivated once said drug delivery unit detector indicates that a drug delivery unit is positioned adjacent the aperture.  
   
   
       88 . The device of  claim 85 , wherein the timing mechanism is a mechanical timing mechanism.  
   
   
       89 . The device of  claim 85 , wherein the drug delivery unit detector is a mechanical detector.  
   
   
       90 . The device of  claim 88 , wherein the drug delivery unit detector is a push button.  
   
   
       91 . The device of  claim 88 , wherein the drug delivery unit detector is a lever.  
   
   
       92 . The device of  claim 85 , wherein the drug delivery unit detector includes a plurality of detectors spaced about the magazine.  
   
   
       93 . The device of  claim 85 , further comprising a door having a closed position in which the door covers the aperture, and an open position in which drug delivery units may be removed through the aperture.  
   
   
       94 . The device of  claim 85 , wherein the magazine moves relative to the housing via rotation.  
   
   
       95 . The device of  claim 85 , wherein the drug delivery units are intranasal, ingestible, topical or injectable drug delivery units.  
   
   
       96 . A method for providing drug delivery units to a patient, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a system for the controlled delivery of drugs, the system comprising: 
 at least one drug unit;  
 a magazine constructed and arranged to contain a plurality of drug delivery units, the magazine containing said at least one drug delivery unit;  
 a housing containing the magazine, said housing having an aperture allowing said at least one drug delivery unit to be removed therethough;  
 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;  
   providing the timing mechanism with data indicative of the dosing schedule for the patient;    activating the timing mechanism to thereby allow the patient to withdraw drug delivery units from the system according to the dosing schedule;    deactivating the timing mechanism once a drug delivery unit is positioned adjacent the aperture; and    reactivating the timing mechanism once a drug delivery unit is not positioned adjacent the aperture for causing the magazine to be moved relative to the housing.    
   
   
       97 . The method of  claim 96 , wherein the deactivation of the timing mechanism is triggered by a drug delivery unit detector within the magazine for indicating whether a drug delivery unit is positioned adjacent the aperture.  
   
   
       98 . The method of  claim 96 , wherein the reactivation of the timing mechanism is triggered by a drug delivery unit detector within the magazine for indicating whether a drug delivery unit is positioned adjacent the aperture.