A dispensing system comprising a main body, a carousel, and a shuttle. The carousel is configured to sequentially align each of a plurality of cartridges with a dispensing outlet of the dispensing system. The shuttle is configured to sequentially align each of a plurality of compartments of each cartridge with the dispensing outlet. The dispensing system is configured to dispense a dose only after a predetermined interval of time based on a prescription. In addition, the dispensing system is connected to a network to allow the prescriber to remotely modify the prescription. The dispensing system may additionally have a biometric scanner to verify the identity of a patient, an ID scanner to authorize a pharmacist to refill the dispensing system, and a plurality of tamper sensors to alert the prescriber or the pharmacist if a patient attempts to access the dispensing system without authorization.

An automated medication dispensing system includes a lightning sensor configured to detect an electromagnetic signature of a lightning strike and a dispenser bank configured to store and dispense a medication for a pet. A user interface is configured to input one or more dispensing parameters for dispensing the medication stored in the dispenser bank. A microcontroller is in signal communication with the lightning sensor, the dispenser bank, and the user interface. The microcontroller is configured to generate a dispensing signal for opening the dispenser bank based on data received from the lightning sensor and the user interface. The dispenser bank is configured to dispense the medication once receives the dispensing signal from the microcontroller.

A medication dispensing device and method that forces patient compliance with a health-care-provider-prescribed medication schedule. The device may be filled with medication by a health care provider, but not by the patient. The device may be programmed to limit access to medication with prescribed minimum time intervals between access to doses. These minimum time intervals may be uniform or flexible. The device may unlock to grant a patient access to a dose of medication through a lock. The device may also be programmed to prevent any release of medication after a prescribed period of time has elapsed. The device may include an insert to prevent cross contamination between uses. The device may include an unlocked compartment housing limited amounts of medication to be accessed as needed. The device may be returned to a health care provider to dispose of excess medication.

An apparatus and method for holding a container comprising of a carriage and timing mechanism. The apparatus is comprised of a lever with at least two positions relative to the carriage, a timer, and a timer reset mechanism such that when the lever is in the first position, the timer will start counting time. When the lever is moved to the second position, the timer reset mechanism will modify the timer such as by resetting the amount of time that has been counted. The user thus knows how much time has passed since the user last changed the position of the lever.

Methods and systems are described for 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 dispensing system comprising a main body, a carousel, and a shuttle. The carousel is configured to sequentially align each of a plurality of cartridges with a dispensing outlet of the dispensing system. The shuttle is configured to sequentially align each of a plurality of compartments of each cartridge with the dispensing outlet. The dispensing system is configured to dispense a dose only after a predetermined interval of time based on a prescription. In addition, the dispensing system is connected to a network to allow the prescriber to remotely modify the prescription. The dispensing system may additionally have a biometric scanner to verify the identity of a patient, an ID scanner to authorize a pharmacist to refill the dispensing system, and a plurality of tamper sensors to alert the prescriber or the pharmacist if a patient attempts to access the dispensing system without authorization.

A timed medicant dispensing device for limiting abuse of controlled substances includes a shell, which is selectively securable to the disc so that the shell and the disc define an interior space. The shell has an aperture positioned therein proximate to a perimeter thereof. A ring positioned in the interior space has a plurality of slats engaged thereto and extending outwardly therefrom to define a plurality of compartments. Each compartment is configured to have positioned therein a respective medicant. A rotator engaged to the disc and operationally engaged to the ring is positioned to selectively rotate the ring to align a respective compartment with the aperture. A timer engaged to the disc and operationally engaged to the rotator is positioned to selectively actuate the rotator to rotate the ring to align the respective compartment with the aperture. The aperture is configured to allow dispensing of the respective medicant.

A medication bottle includes an outer container wall, an inner container wall and a fluid, such as an aversive liquid, located between the walls. In another aspect, the fluid is located within separate compartments or channels located between the walls where the walls contact or are secured to each other. A further aspect provides a removeable cap including multiple sensors, at least one of which is a biometric sensor.

A programmable medication dispenser is provided to securely dispense medication to a patient and mitigate the risk of diversion of the medication to an unauthorized user. The programmable medication dispenser may include a processor, a memory, a housing, a biometric verification module, an inner receptacle having a plurality of compartments for storing the medication, and a gate for dispensing the medication from one of the compartments. A patient may access the medication stored within the medication dispenser according to a prescribed dosing schedule based on instructions executed by the processor after verifying his or her identify via the biometric verification module. A system is also provided for securely dispensing, monitoring, controlling medication for a patient using the programmable medication dispenser and for mitigating the risk of diversion of the medication to an unauthorized user. The system could be implemented in a cloud-based environment wherein centralized, cloud-based monitoring and control of a network of medication dispensing systems is provided, and the system could function as a centralized portal for allowing healthcare providers to access patient healthcare data, as well as for allowing insurers and other entities to access such data, as needed.

This invention relates to a lockable, tamper resistant medication dispenser for medications with abuse potential and for monitoring medication compliance. The medication dispenser is programmed to dispense a specified dose of medication at a specified interval. The medication chamber of the dispenser is filled by the pharmacist and locked before being dispensed to the patient. This prevents direct access to the medication by the patient. The medication is dispensed to the patient dissolved in a large volume of liquid to prevent intravenous and intranasal abuse and diversion. The medication dispenser is equipped with biometric access control to prevent diversion. It can be equipped with a self destruct mechanism when tampered with and have the ability to record video of the actual ingestion of the medication infused liquid by the patient for subsequent analysis.