| CPC G16H 20/13 (2018.01) [A61J 1/035 (2013.01); A61J 7/0069 (2013.01); A61J 7/0084 (2013.01); A61J 7/0418 (2015.05); A61J 7/0427 (2015.05); A61J 7/0454 (2015.05); A61J 7/0481 (2013.01); A61J 2200/30 (2013.01); A61J 2200/70 (2013.01); A61J 2205/60 (2013.01)] | 21 Claims |
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1. A secure medication dispensing system comprising:
a multi-tray medication dispensing apparatus and software for operating the multi-tray medication dispensing apparatus, the multi-tray medication dispensing apparatus comprising:
a. a microprocessor;
b. memory in signal communication with the microprocessor;
c. software comprising a set of instructions that are executed by the microprocessor, the software being stored in the memory;
d. a wireless transceiver in signal communication with the microprocessor;
e. a first tray, the first tray comprising a plurality of first tray medication compartments containing primary medication, the first tray being arranged to dispense the primary medication from each first tray medication compartment into a medication dispensing location;
f. a second tray, the second tray comprising a plurality of second tray medication compartments containing secondary supplemental medication, the second tray being arranged to dispense the secondary medication from each second tray medication compartment into the medication dispensing location;
g. at least one closure, wherein the at least one closure provides access to and a secure seal to each of the first tray and the second tray;
h. a user identification system in signal communication with the microprocessor,
i. a first tray operating control mechanism, wherein the first tray operating control mechanism positions the first tray respective to the dispensing location, the first tray operating control mechanism being controlled by the software;
j. a second tray operating control mechanism, wherein the second tray operating control mechanism positions the second tray respective to the dispensing location, the second tray operating control mechanism being controlled by the software;
k. a sensor in signal communication with the microprocessor, the sensor being arranged to detect when medication has been dispensed; and
l. A housing carrying the microprocessor, the memory, the sensor mechanism, the first tray, the second tray, and at least one medication dispensing mechanism,
the software comprising steps of:
requesting dispensing of the primary medication from the first tray;
initiating a request for information from the user as a result of the request for dispensing of the primary medication from the first tray, wherein the information requested is to determine an appropriateness of the primary medication for the user;
entry of information for authorizing dispensing of the primary medication from the first tray, wherein the entry of information is provided by the user,
the entered information is considered to determine:
(a) if dispensing the primary medication from the first tray is appropriate based upon the information entered by the user,
(b) if dispensing the supplemental medication from the second tray is appropriate based upon the information entered by the user, or
(c) if providing an alternative action to dispensing any medication is appropriate based upon the information entered by the user;
wherein, in a condition where the entered information determines the condition to be appropriate to dispense primary medication from the first tray, the multi-tray medication dispensing apparatus dispenses primary medication from the first tray,
wherein, in a condition where the entered information determines the condition to be appropriate to dispense supplemental medication from the second tray, the multi-tray medication dispensing apparatus dispenses supplemental medication from the second tray, and
wherein, in a condition where the entered information determines the condition to be appropriate to provide an alternative action to dispensing any medication, the system initiates an alternative action.
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