A pill dispenser (10) has a core (12) with outward-facing compartments (14) arranged in rows and layers about a central axis. A first sleeve (22) overlying the core has an elongated slot (24) extending parallel to the central axis, and is rotatable relative to the first sleeve to align the slot with one of the rows of compartments. A second sleeve (26), coaxial with the first sleeve, has a pattern of staggered openings 28 positioned in an axial direction to align with a corresponding one of the layers. The second sleeve is rotatable relative to the first sleeve to bring each of the staggered openings into alignment with the elongated slot, thereby providing access to one of the compartments of the core. Preferably, the core includes a number of axially removable cartridges (30), each including a row of compartments, that can be inserted while the compartments contain pills.

Medication magazines including one or more compartments that hold respective sleeves of medication, as well as a respective blister card, are provided. The blister card(s) include blisters of medication, and the blister sleeve(s) include openings designed to align with the blisters of the blister card(s). The removal of medication from each blister may be automatically detected and digitally recorded, along with the time and the individual who removed the medication. In addition to permitting alignment of each blister on the blister card, the openings on the sleeve also permit the ejection of the medicine through the openings without being removed from the sleeve. Intelligent medication management systems configured to provide end-to-end management and monitoring for patient dosing regimens are also provided.

A medication support device includes a container to store a plurality of medicine packs, a medicine dispenser in which a specific one of the plurality of medicine packs is arranged to a prescribed position, a pickup device to pick up a specific one of the plurality of medicine packs from the container, a conveyor to convey the specific one of the plurality of medicine packs picked up from the container, a medication-related information reader to read medication-related information of the plurality of medicine packs including at least a name of a patient who takes a medicine and a time of medication, a pack data management system to manage the medication-related information of the plurality of medicine packs, and a medicine dispensing data management system to read and manage medicine dispensing data including at least the name of the patient who takes the medicine and the time of medication.

A portable, versatile pill dispensing system can be used in a variety of settings and for a variety of pill dispensing regimens. Such systems and methods can be configured for intuitive filling or refilling, early or flexible dispensing, remote monitoring software to verify user compliance with a predetermined medication regimen, and features designed to improve compliance while traveling.

The disclosed electronic smart mat includes a planar surface configured to receive a mobile electronic container configured to store one or more medications, an antenna configured to wirelessly communicate with the mobile electronic container when the mobile electronic container is received over the surface, a communication module configured to communicate with a server, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine a medication content of the mobile electronic container responsive to the mobile electronic container being received over the surface, receive patient data associated with a patient responsive to placement of a mobile computing device associated with the patient over the surface of the electronic mat, and provide, to the server using the communication module, the patient data, and updated medication inventory based on the determined medication content of the mobile electronic container. The electronic mat may form a bottom surface of an enclosure within a dispensing machine.

A portable, versatile pill dispensing system can be used in a variety of settings and for a variety of pill dispensing regimens. Such systems and methods can be configured for intuitive filling or refilling, early or flexible dispensing, remote monitoring software to verify user compliance with a predetermined medication regimen, and features designed to improve compliance while traveling.

Methods and systems are provided for tracking and guiding a patient's clinically directed medication usage. Medicaments are placed in secure passive packaging that must be unlocked to enable dispensing of a dose or a set of doses. This packaging is designed to be difficult to open manually, and instead is designed to dispense only when used in combination with an unlocking device. The unlocking device is a separate device containing electronics, mechatronics or both, to unlock and dispense from the packaging and to track and guide usage. Together, the secure container and the unlocking device track medication usage, deter an excessive rate of patient usage, and deter unauthorized access to medication.

The present discloser provides methods and systems related to a medication container that may be locked using a locking mechanism. In one exemplary method, a request from a user may be received by a medication provider for a medication. The medication may be placed in a medication container with a locking mechanism that is operable to lock and unlock the medication container. The medication container may be locked using the locking mechanism. The locked medication container with the medication within may be provided to the user. Subsequent to providing the locked medication container to the user, a request may be received from the user to access the medication in the medication container. A credential may be sent to the user that is usable, via the locking mechanism, to unlock the medication container. The user may then input the credential into the locking mechanism to unlock the medication container and access the medication therein.

The present discloser provides methods and systems related to a medication container that may be locked using a locking mechanism. In one exemplary method, a request from a user may be received by a medication provider for a medication. The medication may be placed in a medication container with a locking mechanism that is operable to lock and unlock the medication container. The medication container may be locked using the locking mechanism. The locked medication container with the medication within may be provided to the user. Subsequent to providing the locked medication container to the user, a request may be received from the user to access the medication in the medication container. A credential may be sent to the user that is usable, via the locking mechanism, to unlock the medication container. The user may then input the credential into the locking mechanism to unlock the medication container and access the medication therein.

A medicinal dosage device may comprise a base having dosing indicators operably connected to the base. The dosing indicators may comprise about four arms spaced at about ninety degree intervals, which may indicate a three hour block of time. The dosing indicators may be selectably movable as a unit relative to the base to indicate medicinal dosage times for at least two different medications.