Container Type Medication Monitor: Dispenser for Recording the Time of Pill Removal and Preventing Unauthorized Removal

摘要

The Medication Monitor described in the material determines when an individual pill tablet or capsule 'Pill' is removed from a container of medication in which the medications are loose and not arranged in any order making the device as easy to load as filling any bottle. The device contains a pill positioning compartment which is adjustable to the size of any 'Pill' making the device capable of dispensing any solid oral medication. A light beam and photoelectric cell detects medication removal, an electronic clock determines the time of removal, and electronic memory components keep the information. The device includes a gate mechanism to prevent the removal of medication until all conditions kept in electronic memory have been met. The device can be equipped with reminder signals such as a beeper and instructional displays to assist the patient in following the treatment regimen. It was developed to monitor the use of medication where regular drug ingestion is critical, to assist the patients in taking their medication, prevent deliberate overdosing, reduce diversion of narcotics to illegal channels, and create a child proof container.