MEDICINE CRUSHER

This patent application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/ 659,297, filed March 8, 2005, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a medicine crusher, and more particularly to a portable, hand-held medicine crusher that allows for easy crushing of medicine, typically pills, with little exertion on the part of the user.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND There are many prior art medicine crushing devices. However, most prior art medicine crushing devices exhibit significant shortcomings, especially in institutional applications. High volume daily use often results in repetitive stress injury to the operator. The most common alternative to ineffectual crushing devices typically involves loud noises (hammering). These loud noises tend to agitate patients who then refuse to take the medicine in their agitated state. Other tabletop devices, which are not easily portable, require that the medicine be crushed in a formulary or at a user- specific, stable surface height for effective operation. After the crushing of the medicine, most medicines are unrecognizable or can not be differentiated from one another. Such a situation may allow incorrect medicines be given to patients or portions of the powder may be lost (and the correct dosage as well) on the way to the patient.

There are some portable devices that are quieter than simple impact crushing, but are impractical due to the effort needed to crush some of the medicines and to clean the devices in order to avoid cross contamination. Some of the tabletop devices that are available, including for example, U.S.

Patent Nos. 5,915,637 (Parsons); 6,059,209 (Barson); and 6,637,685 (Kruger) all disclose manually operated medicine crushing devices, but they are relatively large and cumbersome, making it inconvenient to transport these devices or find suitably stable, adequately elevated surfaces required for their operation. U.S. Patent No. 5,178,337 (Lupoli) and U.S. Patent No. 5,924,636 (Calderon) both disclose smaller pill crushing

devices. However, these devices do not contain the medicine once it is crushed. These devices also pose problems with cross contamination, cleaning and musculoskeletal injury. The same also is true with U.S. Design Patent No. D337,828 to Gordon.

U.S. Patent No. 6,637,683 to Wilbur requires two steps in order to crush the pill using multiple components in the device. U.S. Patent No. 6,508,424 to Marshall is a battery-operated pill crusher that has potential issues with cross contamination, cleaning, and time required per crushing cycle. U.S. Patent No. 6,966,509 to Janzen is a lever based pill crusher. While dimensions are not included, if the crusher in Janzen is small enough to be portable, then the crushing area for the medicine would be too small to adequately contain the crushed medicine.

Therefore, a medicine crusher that is easy to use, self-contained, and allows for quick and complete crushing of the medicine is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention is directed in one aspect to a medicine crushing device including a first body having a handle portion and a crushing portion, a second body having a handle portion and a opening at one end there of, the opening to receive the crushing portion of the first body, and at least one arm rotatably connected to the first and second bodies, thereby allowing the first body to rotate relative to the second body such that the crushing portion rotates into at least a portion of the opening.

In yet another aspect, disclosed herein is also a medicine crushing device including a first body having a handle portion and a crushing portion, and a second body rotatably mounted to the first body, the second body having a handle portion and a receptacle in one end thereof, the receptacle configured to receive at least a portion of the crushing portion of the first body, and the second body being rotatable relative to the first body about two different axes.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present embodiments of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operations of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a medicine crushing device according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the medicine crushing device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross section of the medicine crushing device of FIG. 1 along the lines 3-3;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the medicine crushing device in a first position, ready to accept medicine;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the medicine crushing device in a second position; and

FIG.6 is a side view of the medicine crushing device in a third position, when the medicine has been crushed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. One embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 and is designated generally throughout by the reference numeral 100.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a medicine crusher 100 that through a multiplication of forces crushes the medicine. Referring to FIGS. 1 - 3, the medicine crusher 100 preferably includes a first body 102 and a second body 104. The first body 102 has a handle portion 106 and a crushing portion 108. The handle portion 106 is connected to the crushing portion 108 by a neck portion 110, which has a reduced portion on one side, which allows the

crushing portion 108 to engage the medicine in the second body 104 as described in more detail below. The handle portion 106 of first body 102 is preferably hollow to allow for storage of papers cups or other supplies that may be used with the medicine crushing device 100. See, e.g, Fig. 3. Since the medicine crushing device 100 is also preferably made of stainless steel, the hollow handle portion 106 also assists in making the medicine crushing device 100 lighter and easier to transport. Similarly, the crushing portion 108 may also preferably at least partially hollow, again to reduce the weight of the device. The crushing portion 108 preferably has indicia 112 to allow a user to identify a particular medicine crushing device 100, particularly in an institutional setting.

In one preferred embodiment, the crushing portion 108 has an opening 114 extending therethrough, and the indicia 112 is a colored, cylindrical acrylic member 116 that snuggly fits within the opening 114. Different colors of the indicia 112 may represent different medicines or correspond to particular users or departments. While an opening 114 and acrylic member 116 are the preferred elements of the indicia 112 due to the potential autoclaving of the medicine crushing device 100, other elements are also possible for acting as indicia 112 as well. For example, the indicia 112 could be stickers, engraved marks, engraved symbols, engraved words, or any other permanent or temporary markings. Similarly, the acrylic member 116 could be of different shapes or even of different configurations. If the indicia 112 were only temporary and the medicine crushing device 100 were to be autoclaved, the temporary indicia would most likely need to be replaced after each autoclaving. With the more permanent indicia 112, the need to replace the indicia 112 is eliminated.

The first body 102 also has a longitudinal axis Al extending through its center. See FIG. 4. Attached to the crushing portion 108 are two extensions 118 to engage two arms 120,122, which are discussed in detail below. The extensions 118 extend outwardly along an axis A3, which is orthogonal to but does not intersect the longitudinal axis Al of the first body 102.

The second body 104 has a handle portion 124 and an opening 126 into which a receptacle 128 is inserted, which is described in detail below, and a longitudinal axis

A2 extending lengthwise therethrough. Adjacent the opening 126 is an inward facing surface 130 that matches with the configuration of the receptacle 128. On an inside portion 132 of the second body 104 and adjacent inward facing surface 130 are

preferably ten elongated projections 134, which cooperate with the receptacle 128 as discussed in detail below. Spaced further down on the inside portion 132 of the second body 104 are five more elongated projections 136. The five elongated projections 136 are aligned with alternating ones of the ten elongated projections 134 near the opening 126. The bottom 138 of the second body 104 is also open to allow the receptacle 128 to be inserted and to also engage a base 140, if so desired. As with first body 102, supplies may also be stored in the hollow portion 142 of the second body 104 below the receptacle 128.

The receptacle 128, a spring member 144, and a receptacle support member 146 are inserted into the bottom 138 and through the hollow portion 142 of the second body

104. The receptacle 128 has an upper surface 148 that has a configuration that is generally similar to and for receiving the crushing portion 108 of the first body 102. The upper surface 148 also preferably has raised portions 150 that assist with the breaking up of the medicine when the crushing portion 108 makes contact with the medicine. While raised concentric circles 150 are illustrated on receptacle 128, any configuration of raised portions or depressions may be used and are within the scope of the present invention.

Alternating around the periphery of receptacle 128 are preferably five slots 152 and five notches 154 that correspond to and cooperate with the ten elongated projections 134 on the inside portion 132 of the second body 104. There may be more or fewer projections 134, slots 152 and/or notches 154, but is preferable that the number of projections 134 equals the number of slots 152 and notches 154, although that need not be the case. A groove 156 preferably runs around the circumference of the receptacle 128 and serves as a "gutter" for migration of any particulate that may enter the notches 154. The bottom of the groove 156 also acts as the bottom of the notches 154, preventing the receptacle 128 from exiting through the opening 126. The underside of receptacle 128 is configured to receive and retain the spring member 144. The spring member 144 is illustrated as a helical coil spring, but it may be of any appropriate configuration or type of spring. To install receptacle 128, it is inserted through the bottom 138 and hollow portion

142 of the second body 104, where each of the five elongated projections 136 on inside portion 132 pass through slots 152. As receptacle 128 reaches the opening 126, the ten elongated projections 134 pass into the slots 152 and notches 154, respectively. The

elongated projections 134 that pass into the notches 154 engage and catch on the bottom 158 of the groove 156, preventing the receptacle 128 from exiting the second body 104 through the opening 126.

Engaging the other end of the spring member 144 is the receptacle support member 146, which is configured to support and retain the spring member 144.

Around the periphery of receptacle support member 146 are preferably five slots 160 that extend from the top 162 of receptacle support member 146 to the bottom 164 of the receptacle support member 146 as did the slots 152 in receptacle 128. The five slots 160 are preferably spaced equally around the periphery of receptacle support member 146 and are positioned to correspond with the five elongated projections 136 on the inside portion 132 of second body 104. Also positioned around the periphery of receptacle support member 146 are five notches or openings 166. Each of the five notches 166 are spaced around and evenly between the five slots 160 and have the same spacing as the slots 160 and the five elongated projections 136. As the receptacle support member 146 is inserted into the second body 104, the five slots 160 are aligned with the five elongated projections 136 and the receptacle support member 146 is pushed upward against the spring member 144 and past the five elongated projections 136. Once the receptacle support member 146 clears the five elongated projections 136, it is rotated approximately 36° so that each of the five notches 166 are aligned with the five elongated projections 136. Since the receptacle support member 146 is in contact with the spring member 144, which is in turn in contact with the receptacle 128, which is held in place by the upper projections 134 engaging the notches 154, the receptacle support member 146 is then urged back on to the elongated projections 136 by the spring member 144, thereby holding the receptacle 128, the spring member 144, and the receptacle support member 146 in place in the second body 104. This configuration means that the receptacle 128 is springingly engaged in medicine crushing device 100. As described in more detail below, as the medicine is crushed, the receptacle 128 and the crushing portion 108 will move slightly downward, e.g., 3-5 mm, compressing the spring member 144. As the receptacle 128 moves up and down during the crushing process, the slots 152 and the notches 154 move along the projections 134.

While the three elements inserted into the second body 104 (the receptacle 128, a spring member 144, and a receptacle support member 146) are illustrated as being

three separate pieces, it is possible that they may be joined together to make a single element as well.

Attached to the outside of second body 104 are two projections 168, disposed on opposite sides of the second body 104. The two projections 168 are preferably aligned on an axis A4 that intersects the longitudinal axis A2 of the second body 104. The projections 168 are to engage opposite ends of the two arms 120,122 that are attached to the two extensions 118. The arms 120, 122 are preferably attached the two extensions 118 and the two projections 168 by machine screws, but any appropriate method is within the scope of the present invention. It is noted that the only requirement be that the arms are rotatable relative to the extensions and the projections, thereby allowing the first body 102 and the second body 104 to rotate relative to one another about the two axes A3 and A4.

While medicine crushing device 100 is preferably made from stainless steel, other appropriate materials may be used. For example, it may be made of any hard plastic, ceramic or any other appropriate material. It is also possible that some of the parts are made from one material while other portions are made from a separate material.

The operation of the medicine crushing device 100 will now be explained in reference to FIGS. 4-6. FIG. 4 illustrates the medicine crushing device 100 in a first position, in which the medicine crushing device 100 is ready to accept the medicine into the receptacle 128. It should be noted that, depending on the use of the medicine crushing device 100, the medicine may be put directly into the receptacle 128 or it may first be put into a container. Acceptable containers included cups, folded sheets, etc. If the medicine comes in a blister pack or other sealed packages, those packs may also be put into the receptacle 128. The receptacle 128 is preferably sized to hold several medicines at one time (e.g., a vitamin and allergy medicine), even if some of the medicines are relatively large.

The first body 102 is then rotated relative to the second body 104. The second body 104 may be held in one hand by the user or mounted in the base 140, with the first body 102 held in the user's other hand. As the first body 102 is rotated around the two axes A3 and A4, the crushing portion 108 is positioned over the receptacle 128 and medicine (not shown). At this point, the longitudinal axes Al and A2 of the first and second bodies, respectively, are parallel to one another, and thus the bodies are at 180°

to one another. At about 210°, the crushing portion 108 of the first body 102 will engage the medicine or it's container. See, e.g., FIG. 4. As the user continues to rotate the first body 102 relative to the second body 104, the crushing portion 108 will rotate with the movement of the first body relative to the medicine and the receptacle 128. As the user continues to rotate the first body 102, the arms 120,122 and projections 168

(axis A4) becomes a fulcrum, amplifying the pressure applied by the user to crush the medicine. Also, with the rotation of the crushing portion 108 relative to the receptacle 128, the medicine is also partially sheared against the raised portions 150. The receptacle 128 may also move downward against spring member 144, allowing the crushing portion 108 to rotate even farther in the receptacle (which is the reason that the neck 110 has reduced portion - see FIG. 6), providing for a better crushing of the medicine.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.