The invention relates to a medicament dispensing device and system. In particular, the invention relates to a system having multiple containers capable of dispensing multiple medicaments. A center dispensing mechanism then actuates the containers release tray based on prscribed computer controlled settings.

A system enables management of dispensable units by supporting functions such as retrieval, scheduled distribution, analysis, and notifications. To this end, a dispensable retrieval mechanism may be programmed to carry out blind retrievals of dispensable units using a retrieval strategy with a predetermined sequence of retrieval attempts (e.g., fixed or varying two-dimensional retrieval patterns), which may be open loop or closed loop. Techniques may also include the identification of dispensable units through optical sensors and weight measurement devices that can detect, e.g., a texture, a shape, and a size of dispensable units. Such identification can be used to program retrieval attempts by a retrieval robot and in the formulation of the retrieval pattern. Additionally, networked notification systems for dispensable units can be used for updating rules or schedules related to the dispensable units, or alerting users and remote resources of any potential misuse or hazards of the dispensable units.

An apparatus for counting and dispensing tablets includes a vibratory tablet feeder for feeding tablets to be counted to an output opening, at least one electrically-controlled vibrator coupled to the tablet feeder for vibrating the tablet feeder such that a singulated flow of tablets exits the output opening, and an optical system including at least one light source and at least one detector array located about a channel disposed downstream from the output opening of the tablet feeder. The optical system is configured to count tablets that pass through the channel as well as determine a tablet size class for the tablets that pass through the channel. Operation of the at least one electrically-controlled vibrator is controlled based on the tablet size class determined by the optical system.

An apparatus for counting and dispensing tablets includes a vibratory tablet feeder for feeding tablets to be counted to an output opening, at least one electrically-controlled vibrator coupled to the tablet feeder for vibrating the tablet feeder such that a singulated flow of tablets exits the output opening, and an optical system including at least one light source and at least one detector array located about a channel disposed downstream from the output opening of the tablet feeder. The optical system is configured to count tablets that pass through the channel as well as determine a tablet size class for the tablets that pass through the channel. Operation of the at least one electrically-controlled vibrator is controlled based on the tablet size class determined by the optical system.

Medicinal container bags are presented. Bags can include openers capable of sealing an opening of the bag. Disclosed bags further comprise electronic assemblies configured to detect opening or closing events as the openers move along the rims of the bag opening. The assemblies can compile usage data based on opener movement, and then provide the data to remote monitoring systems.

Medicinal container bags are presented. Bags can include openers capable of sealing an opening of the bag. Disclosed bags further comprise electronic assemblies configured to detect opening or closing events as the openers move along the rims of the bag opening. The assemblies can compile usage data based on opener movement, and then provide the data to remote monitoring systems.

A tamper-resistant, handheld pill dispenser includes a housing including a container to hold a plurality of pills and an opening on a side of the housing. The opening is sized sufficiently to deposit the pills into the container. The dispenser also includes a locking assembly in the opening, and a delivery channel sufficient to pass a pill therethrough. The delivery channel extends from the container to an exterior of the dispenser. The dispenser also includes a user input device on an exterior of the housing and a dispensing mechanism within the dispenser adjacent to the container. The locking assembly can open and close the opening in the housing to restrict access to the container through the opening by unauthorized users. The dispensing mechanism can dispense a pill from the container to the exterior of the dispenser via the delivery channel when activated by an authorized user of the pill dispenser.

A dispensing cartridge may be improved by the inclusion of an actuator and an agitator. Specifically, activation of the actuator may move the agitator within the cartridge to agitate the items and to direct one of the items into a position for dispensing. Concurrently, activation of the actuator may move a cap of the cartridge to align a dispensing hole with the position for dispensing, thereby allowing for the dispensing of a single item.

A dispensing cartridge may be improved by the inclusion of an actuator and an agitator. Specifically, activation of the actuator may move the agitator within the cartridge to agitate the items and to direct one of the items into a position for dispensing. Concurrently, activation of the actuator may move a cap of the cartridge to align a dispensing hole with the position for dispensing, thereby allowing for the dispensing of a single item.

A container storing pills or other discrete objects and which provides restricted access to the pills. The container has a rotatable pill drum allowing selective access to pills when the drum is rotated to various dispensing positions. A rotatable combination disk or other component is provided that has a plurality of channels formed therein and which can be rotationally locked to the drum. Movable pegs engage the channels. Each dispensing position has an associated peg position combination. Rotation of the pill drum from one dispensing position to the next is blocked unless the pegs are moved into the appropriate peg position combination. The pill drum can be rotated from one dispensing position to the next using a handle or via an automatic spring loaded mechanism.