Systems, methods, and apparatuses for securely dispensing one or more prescribed substances to a securely identified intended user

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for securely dispensing one or more prescribed substances at a given time and/or date are disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, a pill dispensing device may include a generally tamper-proof portable housing. A replaceable cartridge may be configured to be removably disposed within the portable housing. The replaceable cartridge also may be generally tamper-proof. The portable housing and/or the replaceable cartridge may be operable to dispense a predefined amount of a prescribed substance at a given time and/or date.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system for dispensing a solid drug unit comprising a prescription medication to a patient, the system comprising:
 a portable pill dispensing device, comprising:
 a pill storage area configured to bulk store a plurality of the solid drug units therein, 
 an opening for dispensing the solid drug units from the portable pill dispensing device, 
 a rotational pill exchange assembly disposed between the opening and the pill storage area, wherein the rotational pill dispensing exchange assembly comprises a rotatable wheel with a cutout sized and shaped to receive at least one of the solid drug units from the pill storage area, wherein rotation of the rotatable wheel moves the received at least one of the solid drug units from the pill storage area to the opening, and 
 a movable arm rotatably disposed between the pill storage area and the rotational pill exchange, wherein the movable arm is configured to control passage of the solid drug units from the pill storage area to the rotational pill exchange assembly. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a handheld mobile device associated with the patient and in wireless communication with the portable pill dispensing device, wherein the handheld mobile device is configured to verify an identity of the patient in order for the patient to access the solid drug unit from the portable pill dispensing device. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the portable pill dispensing device is operable to dispense a predefined number of the solid drug units only at a specific time and date based on a prescribed dosage schedule. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the prescribed medication comprises an opioid drug. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the solid drug unit is a tablet or capsule. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the portable pill dispensing device comprises at least one of a processor, a memory, a power source, a communication interface, or a remote monitoring component. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the portable pill dispensing device comprises a locking mechanism configured to secure the plurality of the solid drug units within the portable pill dispensing device, 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a mechanical lock, a biometric lock, an electronic lock, voice activated lock, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the portable pill dispensing device comprises an access port that is accessible by the patient once the identity of the patient is verified at the handheld mobile device based on instructions provided by an authorized personnel. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the handheld mobile device is configured to transmit an alert to remind the patient to dispense and self-administer a dose of the prescribed medication, or to provide the patient with medication instructions. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the handheld mobile device must be within a certain proximity of the portable pill dispensing device in order for the pill dispensing device to dispense the prescribed medication. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the identity of the patient is verified by the patient entering a code into the handheld mobile device, answering a question on the handheld mobile device, activating an identity encryption sequence on the handheld mobile device, providing biometric recognition on the handheld mobile device, speaking into the handheld mobile device, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the portable pill dispenser comprises a remote monitoring component in wireless communication with an authorized user system over a network. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the authorized user system dynamically adjusts the prescribed dosage schedule based on feedback from the portable pill dispensing device. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the authorized user system is alerted if someone other than the patient attempts to access the prescribed medication. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pill storage area comprises a funnel, and wherein the movable arm is rotatably attached to an end of the funnel between the pill storage area and the rotational pill exchange. 
     
     
         17 . A method for securely dispensing a drug to a patient, comprising:
 providing a plurality of units of the drug within a portable pill dispensing device, wherein portable pill dispensing device, comprises:
 a pill storage area configured to bulk store the plurality of units of the drug therein, 
 an opening for dispensing the plurality of units of the drug from the portable pill dispensing device, 
 a rotational pill exchange assembly disposed between the opening and the pill storage area, wherein the rotational pill dispensing exchange assembly comprises a rotatable wheel with a cutout sized and shaped to receive at least one of the plurality of units of the drug from the pill storage area, and 
 a movable arm rotatably disposed between the pill storage area and the rotational pill exchange, wherein the movable arm is configured to move at least one of the plurality of units of the drug from the pill storage area to the rotational pill exchange assembly. 
   
     
     
         18 . A portable pill dispensing device for dispensing a solid drug unit comprising a prescribed medication to a patient, the device comprising:
 a pill storage area configured to bulk store a plurality of the solid drug units therein;   an opening for dispensing the solid drug units from the portable pill dispensing device;   a rotational pill exchange assembly disposed between the opening and the pill storage area, wherein the rotational pill dispensing exchange assembly comprises a rotatable wheel with a cutout sized and shaped to receive at least one of the solid drug units from the pill storage area; and   a movable arm disposed between the pill storage area and the rotational pill exchange, wherein the movable arm is configured to permit the solid drug units to pass one at a time from the pill storage area to the rotational pill exchange assembly.