A drug delivery system comprising a controller adapted to detect when a given user-actuated operation being part of the expelling of an amount of drug is performed, record detected operations as a function of time, and estimate, based on recorded operations, time parameters for the detected operations, thereby providing time parameters for a medical regimen on which the detected operations are assumed to be based upon.

Techniques are provided for intelligent and secure dispensing of medication to a patient. A methodology implementing the techniques according to an embodiment includes receiving a pill vial into a receptacle of a base unit of a pill dispensing device. The method also includes engaging a locking mechanism to secure the pill vial in the base unit until a release condition is satisfied. The method further includes scanning a label on the pill vial to record a prescription identifier and a dosage schedule, and to register the prescription for usage tracking. The method further includes monitoring patient usage of the prescription based on a count of removals of the pill vial from the receptacle and a timing of the removals and alerting the patient of a missed dose based on the dosage schedule and on detection of an elapsed time since a previous removal of the pill vial from the receptacle.

Devices, systems, and methods are provided for adherence monitoring, and devices, systems, and methods are provided for monitoring use of consumable dispensers. In general, the devices, systems, and methods can facilitate an individual's adherence to a schedule for consuming consumables and can facilitate monitoring and tracking of the individual's adherence to the schedule. The devices, systems, and methods can allow data regarding the individual's historical adherence to the schedule to be accessible via a computer system. In one embodiment, an accessory is provided that can be configured to attach to consumable dispensers. The accessory can be configured to be removably and replaceably coupled to the dispenser. The accessory can be configured to provide a notification to a user indicating that a certain event occurred and/or that a certain action needs to be taken. The accessory can be configured to sense attachment thereof to and removal thereof from the dispenser.

In an example, monitoring circuitry includes a first and second coupling, at least one of which is to capacitively couple the monitoring circuitry to a monitored circuit on a product packaging. The monitored circuit has a resistance which is indicative of a status of a product stored in the product packaging, and the monitored circuit is to be connected in series between the first coupling and the second coupling. The monitoring apparatus may determine the resistance of the monitored circuit via the first and second couplings.

A gamified pharmaceutical packaging, dispensing system, and methodology is disclosed. The innovative gamified smart packaging system and methodology provides a variety of incentives to patients and relevant teams to take their medications, on time, and at the correct dosage. The system comprises monitored pharmaceutical dispensing devices that communicate with a plurality of compute devices, or smartphones. Each time the patient dispenses the medicine from the dispensing device, a signal is transmitted to the compute device. Upon receiving the signal, the compute device records the dispensing event, calculates a specific “score” for that event, and reports the patient's cumulative “score” of successfully dispensing the medicine. If a dispensing event signal is not received in a timely fashion, the system sends a prompt to the patient to take their medication. Accumulating points by properly taking the prescribed medication allows the patient and/or team to be eligible to receive various benefits.

A blister packaging including a blister card including a plurality of flexible blisters; and a backing sheet including blister backing portions and backing securing portions, wherein when the backing securing portions are secured to the blister card, the blister backing portions are aligned to each blister forming a plurality of compartments adapted to store a medicament, and wherein the backing includes two or more conductive first leads affixed to the backing, two or more conductive second leads affixed to the backing, and a plurality of conductive zones, wherein each conductive zone electrically connects one of the first leads to one of the second leads, and wherein each blister backing portion includes a conductive zone.

A medication container comprises a body portion and a grid coupled to the body portion. The grid and the tray each comprise a corresponding number of wells configured to contain medication. The tray is configured to be inserted into and removed from the body portion, above the grid. The tray may be configured to be connected to and disconnected from the grid, when the tray is inserted into the body portion. The wells of the grid may be configured to be manually loaded with medication by a user and the wells of the tray may be configured to be received by the user loaded with medication in accordance with a medication regimen. The first wells may be integral with the grid and the second wells may be integral with the tray.

A medication dispensing system is provided and includes a medicine transfer device (MTD) and a controller. The MTD transfers medicine between first and second containers. The first container initially stores medicine. The controller: determines a first predetermined amount of medicine to be dispensed from the medicine dispensing system; causes the MTD to discharge a second predetermined amount of the medicine from the first container onto the MTD, and transfer a third predetermined amount of the medicine from the MTD to the second container; subsequent to the transfer of the third predetermined amount, determine whether the second container has greater than or equal to the first predetermined amount; and if the second container has less than the first predetermined amount, cause the MTD to transfer a portion of the medicine on the MTD into the second container or discharge a portion of the medicine in the first container onto the MTD.

A pill case (100) includes a pocket (9) which receives one pill (10) from an accommodation unit (8) in which a plurality of pills (10) are accommodated, and an extraction port (11) for ejecting the pill (10) in the pocket (9) to the outside. The pill case (100) includes a manipulation unit (for example, pill ejection button (4) and pill tray (5)) which converts a state in which the pill (10) in the pocket (9) cannot be ejected through the extraction port (11) to a state in which the pill (10) in the pocket (9) can be ejected through the extraction port (11) by being manipulated by a user. The pill case (100) includes a moving unit which is moved by indirectly or directly receiving a pressure from the pill (10) in the pocket (9) according to the moving manipulation to the manipulation unit, and a detection unit which detects that the moving unit is moved up to a position of the moving unit which corresponds to a state in which the pill (10) in the pocket (9) can be ejected.

Technologies are generally described for providing a pill dispensing device with adherence monitoring and alerting features, as well as communication capabilities. A pill pack may be integrated within a housing of the pill dispensing device, where removal of each pill in the pill pack may be monitored through a conductive trace or comparable mechanism. Timing of the removal, remaining pills, and similar information may also be detected by the pill dispensing device and provided along with additional information such as health status of the consumer monitored by one or more sensors to a health care provider or similar entity over wired and/or wireless networks. The pill dispensing device may include audio and/or visual output device(s) to provide alerts and health/medication related information to the consumer. A display technology may employed enabling continuous display with low power usage such as ink display while providing color and/or video capabilities.