Interactive medication dispensing system with locking compartments

摘要

This invention provides a system and method for dispensing medication and a dispensing apparatus that comprises a plurality of compartments in an array within a housing, the compartments having respective lids, each of the lids being movable from a closed position to an open position, the respective lids each having a latch that secures the lid in a locked configuration in the closed position. The apparatus has an actuator mechanism that selectively unlocks the latch of each of the lids at a predetermined time so as to place the unlocked lid in an unlocked configuration that enables the lid to be moved to the open position. The compartments of the medication dispenser each receive a removable cup therein that is accessible when a respective of the lids associated therewith is in the open position. Other features, such as communication and messaging and/or audible/visual displays can also be provided.

主权项

1. A medication dispenser comprising:
a plurality of compartments in an array within a housing, the compartments having respective lids, each of the lids being movable from a closed position to an open position, the respective lids each being secured in a locked configuration in the closed position; an actuator mechanism, comprising a plurality of bars arranged in each of at least a first direction and a second direction, crossing the first direction, operatively connected to a processor and that controls access to each of the compartments based on a pre-programmed schedule, the actuator mechanism constructed and arranged to selectively unlock each of the lids at a predetermined time so as to place the unlocked lid in an unlocked configuration that enables the lid to be moved to the open position; and a first cam assembly and a second cam assembly, each comprising a rotating camshaft having a plurality of eccentric lobes adjacent to ends of each of the bars arranged in the first direction and the bars arranged in the second direction, respectively, an apex of each of the lobes being located at a discrete rotational orientation about a circumference of the shaft that discretely engages one of the bars arranged in the first direction and one of the bars arranged in the second direction, respectively.