Drug delivery regulator

Abstract

An apparatus for receiving, dispensing, and regulating controlled substances is provided. Furthermore, the apparatus may comprise a portable, handheld container which is tamper-resistant and can withstand severe physical manipulation. The apparatus may only permit the dispensing of medication according to a prescribed schedule and dosage.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tamper-resistant drug receiving, regulating and dispensing apparatus comprising:
 a tamper-resistant canister including at least one access compartment, at least one regulating unit, and a locking mechanism, wherein the tamper-resistant canister is configured to withstand a vertical load of 600 pounds (2670 Newtons) without breaking;   a controller operably in communication with the locking mechanism, the controller configured to at least control the locking mechanism; and   a communication component operably in communication with the controller, the communication component configured to communicate with a device external to the tamper-resistant drug receiving, regulating and dispensing apparatus.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tamper-resistant canister is fabricated from at least one of polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), PET, PETG, Kevlar, Lexan, carbon fiber composites, Nalgene®, Acrylite®, Duraplex®, Hygard®, Makrolon®, Micarta®, Nylatron®, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the tamper-resistant canister is fabricated from polycarbonate. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the tamper-resistant canister is fabricated from ABS. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the tamper-resistant canister is fabricated from a blend of ABS and polycarbonate. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tamper-resistant canister can withstand a force of 40,000 pounds (178 kilonewtons) applied across the median of the tamper-resistant canister without breaking. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising at least one of a display and a user interface. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the tamper-resistant canister further comprises a dispensing unit. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the controller includes a governing protocol associated with a programmable timer. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one access compartment contains a dosage form selected from the group consisting of pill, tablet, capsule, solution, suspension, emulsion, aerosol, elixir, patch, cream, lotion, ointment, gel, inhalant, lozenge, wafer and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . A method for securing and controlling the dispersion of drugs contained in a tamper-resistant apparatus, the method comprising:
 providing a tamper-resistant apparatus having a removable cover, a controller, and a body having a portion thereof configured to receive and retain drugs, wherein the tamper-resistant apparatus is capable of withstanding a 600-pound (2670-Newton) load without breaking;   engaging a locking mechanism to prevent the separation of the apparatus cover from the apparatus body;   programming the controller with a security input to control the operation of the locking mechanism;   programming the controller to facilitate dispersion of the contents of the apparatus body at a controlled rate; and   communicating activity of the apparatus body to an external administrative user.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein engaging a locking mechanism includes rotating the locking mechanism wherein upon rotation at least one locking pin extends through a bore capable of accepting the locking pin. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein programming the controller includes syncing a timer. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein communicating activity includes transmitting apparatus information via a communication component. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising sterilizing the tamper-resistant apparatus. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein sterilizing includes replacing the body having a portion thereof configured to receive and retain drugs with a pre-sterilized disposable body. 
     
     
         17 . A method for securing drugs, the method comprising:
 inserting at least one dose of at least one drug into a tamper-resistant apparatus;   locking the tamper-resistant apparatus; and   resisting forced extraction of the at least one drug, such that the tamper-resistant apparatus is catastrophically destroyed when the at least one dose is forcibly extracted.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein resisting forced extraction includes resisting a vertical load of at least 600 pounds (2670 Newtons). 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein resisting forced extraction includes resisting a plurality of impacts by an 8-pound (3.63 kg) sledge hammer. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein locking the tamper-resistant apparatus includes programming a controller to lock and unlock the tamper-resistant apparatus according to input from a user.