Patent Abstract:
A medication dispensing device comprises a cartridge unit and a control unit. The cartridge unit comprises a cartridge housing defining a dispensing channel to allow passage of the dosage from the cartridge to the patient. A cartridge holds dosages, with a driven member engaging the cartridge. The driven member drives the cartridge to dispense a dosage. The control unit comprises a main housing for coupling to the cartridge housing. A driver member engages the driven member to actuate the driven member. A motor driven locking mechanism is moveable between locked and unlocked positions. When in the locked position the cartridge unit is secured to the control unit. When in the unlocked position the cartridge unit is separable from the control unit thereby providing access to the cartridge. A mobile computing device stores dosage availability and receives an authorized patient identification input before dispensing a dosage.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/469,266, filed Aug. 26, 2014, and entitled “Prescription Control System”, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/869,956 filed Aug. 26, 2013, the contents of which are fully incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a prescription control system for regulating the dispensing of medications; more particularly, the present invention is directed to a prescription control system for regulating the dispensing of addictive pharmaceutical agents such as narcotics, wherein the system includes a pill dispenser with a simplified delivery device and a number of safety systems, including audio and visual recording and tamper warning capabilities. 
         [0003]    The highly addictive properties of many medications can pose a large threat to patients prescribed these medications by medical personnel, such as doctors or nurse practitioners. While these medications are considered controlled substances, the only layer of control is between the manufacturer and the pharmacy. Control is lost once the pharmacy distributes the narcotics to the patient. 
         [0004]    In an attempt to create additional control, prescription narcotics have warnings that doctors and pharmacists are required by law to explain to the patient. Unfortunately, there is no way to ensure that the patient will follow these warnings. This inability to regulate the patient&#39;s use of prescription narcotics makes it easy for noncomplying patients to enter a cycle of drug abuse, such as that outlined in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0005]    Everyone is subject to the danger of becoming addicted. Addiction is not selective or isolated to any social or economic class and does not age discriminate. Anybody may become an addict, even if they have no initial intentions of becoming addicted. Patients from all walks of life are handed a 28 to 30 day supply of medication, given the warnings, and instructed to use the medication only as prescribed. The problem is that the addictive properties of these medications can make it difficult for the patient to heed the warnings and abide by the prescription. 
         [0006]    If addiction takes its hold on a patient, the results can be devastating. Often, the first step is that the patient will progressively run out of their medication within shorter and shorter periods of time; a 30 day prescription may be consumed in 20 days while the next 30 day supply may be consumed in an even shorter amount of time, such as 10 to 15 days. As patients seek to replenish their supply, they may begin to “shop” for medications by making up stories about how their medication was lost, damaged, or stolen. They may ask doctors for early refills or in some cases seek to buy the drug from illegal street vendors at exorbitant prices. 
         [0007]    Patients can become so addicted that they will beg, borrow, and steal to get more of the medication. When all else fails, they may feel forced by the nature of their addiction to turn to non-pharmaceutical drugs such as heroin or cocaine. This often leads to legal problems where the patients may end up in drug court, with the ultimate result being that the government becomes responsible for providing and paying for rehabilitation. In worst cases, a patient may die due to an overdose. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, there exists a need for a device which dispenses controlled substances, such as narcotics, only at the rate designated by the prescribing doctor. This device should be portable so as to provide proper regulation of the patient&#39;s drug regimen without requiring the patient to be tied to a non-portable, home-based medication dispenser. The present invention fills these and other needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention is directed to a medication dispensing device for dispensing a dosage of a medication to a patient. The dosage is dispensed to the patient upon receipt of a valid request, the valid request including an authorized patient identification input and a dosage availability determined in accordance with a medical professional&#39;s prescription. In one aspect, the medication dispensing device comprises a case defining a medication holding area and a dosage holding area, the dose holding area including an entry end and a dispensing end. A first gate is located at the entry end between the medication holding area and the dosage holding area, and is operable to selectively open to allow the dosage to pass from the medication holding area to the dosage holding area. A second gate is located at the dispensing end and is operable to selectively open to allow the dosage to pass from the dosage holding area to a retrieval area accessible to the patient. A central processing unit (CPU) is disposed within the case and includes a memory, wherein the dosage availability is stored in memory. A patient authentication device is in communication with the CPU, and is configured to receive the authorized patient identification input. A battery is configured for providing electrical energy to the CPU. Upon receipt of the valid request, the CPU operates to: i) open the first gate to pass the dosage to the dosage holding area; ii) close the first gate after the dosage has passed to the dosage holding area; iii) open the second gate after the first gate has closed to dispense the dosage to the patient; and iv) close the second gate after the dosage has been dispensed to the patient. 
         [0010]    In another aspect, the first gate and the second gate are each operably coupled to first and second actuators, respectively, wherein each of first and second actuators are powered by the battery to selectively open its respective gate upon receiving the respective command from the CPU. The medication dispensing device may further comprises a photogate associated with the dosage holding area, wherein the photogate is operable to initiate a control signal to the CPU when the dosage interrupts the photogate so that the CPU closes the first gate. Also, a camera and microphone may be provided for recording video data and audio data in the memory upon receipt of an unauthorized patient identification input. 
         [0011]    In another aspect, the medication dispensing device may further comprise a tray for holding the medication, wherein the tray is configured to be positioned within the medication holding area. The tray may include a dispensing slot configured to coincide with the first gate, and the dispensing slot may be proportioned so that only a single dosage may pass through the dispensing slot at a time. The case may include a tray shutter operable to selectively open to allow loading of the tray within the medication holding area, and a tray shutter locking pin to secure the tray shutter in a closed position. The tray shutter locking pin is retractable to allow the tray shutter to open for loading of the tray. The case may further define a dosage retrieval area, wherein the dosage passes into the dosage retrieval area after passing through the second gate. Further, the case may include a retrieval shutter operable to selectively open to allow the patient to remove the dosage from the dosage retrieval area. A retrieval shutter locking pin may secure the retrieval shutter in a closed position, wherein the retrieval shutter locking pin is retractable to allow the retrieval shutter to open. The medication dispensing device may further comprises a vibrating motor associated with the medication holding area, wherein the vibrating motor is powered by the battery upon receipt of the valid request to aid transport of the dosage to and through the first gate. 
         [0012]    In another aspect, the case may include a first panel and a second panel having first and second sidewalls, respectively. Each of the first and second sidewalls may include at least one pair of corresponding case contacts that form a completed circuit when the first and second panels are disposed together. The CPU operates to secure at least one of the first and second gates in the closed position upon severing of the completed circuit. 
         [0013]    In yet another aspect, the device may further include a camera and microphone, wherein the camera and microphone operate to record video data and audio data in the memory upon severing of the completed circuit. Further, the device may include a wireless transceiver that operates to transmit the video and audio data to a remote monitoring server. In addition, a global positioning system (GPS) node may be provided to transmit a location of the device to the remote monitoring server upon severing of the completed circuit. The device may also include a camera, microphone and touchscreen display, wherein the CPU is operable to initiate a videoconferencing application program to remotely engage with a medical professional via a videoconference session. 
         [0014]    In another aspect, a medication dispensing device is provided that includes a case including a medication delivery system for selectively holding the medication and delivering the dosage to the patient. A CPU is disposed within the case and including a memory, wherein the dose availability is stored in the memory. A patient authentication device is in communication with the CPU and configured to receive the authorized patient identification input. A camera is configured to record video data in the memory, and a microphone configured to record audio data in the memory. A battery is configured for providing electrical energy to the CPU. Upon receipt of the valid request, the CPU operates the medication delivery system to deliver the dosage to the patient. Upon receipt of an invalid request, the camera and microphone operate to record video data and audio data in the memory, wherein the invalid request includes an unauthorized patient identification input at the patient authentication device. Further, the case may include a first panel and a second panel, wherein the first panel includes a first sidewall, and the second panel includes a second sidewall. Each of the first and second sidewalls include at least one pair of corresponding case contacts that form a completed circuit when the first and second panels are disposed together, wherein the camera and the microphone operate to record video data and audio data in the memory upon severing of the completed circuit. 
         [0015]    In yet another aspect, a medication dispensing device is provided that includes a case including a medication delivery system configured for selectively holding the medication and delivering the dosage to the patient. The case further includes a first panel and a second panel, wherein the first panel includes a first sidewall, and the second panel includes a second sidewall. Each of the first and second sidewalls includes at least one pair of corresponding case contacts that form a completed circuit when the first and second panels are disposed together. A CPU is disposed within the case and includes a memory, wherein the dose availability is stored in the memory. A camera is configured to record video data in the memory, and a microphone is configured to record audio data in the memory. A battery is configured for providing electrical energy to the CPU. Upon receipt of the valid request, the CPU operates the medication delivery system to deliver the dosage to the patient, and the camera and microphone operate to record video data and audio data in the memory upon severing of the completed circuit. 
         [0016]    In a further aspect of the present invention, a medication dispensing device comprises a cartridge unit and a control unit. The cartridge housing has a bottom surface and an upwardly extending sidewall defining a cartridge receiving area with the sidewall further defining a dispensing channel formed therethrough to allow passage of the dosage from the cartridge receiving area to the patient. A cartridge is configured to reside within the cartridge receiving area and hold one or more dosages. A driven member is positioned within the cartridge receiving area and is configured to engage the cartridge with the driven member being selectively actuatable to drive the cartridge so as to cause dispensing of a next sequential dosage through the dispensing channel. The control unit comprises a main housing configured for removable coupling to the cartridge housing and having a top surface and a downwardly extending sidewall defining a controller receiving area. The downwardly extending sidewall is configured to coincide with the upwardly extending sidewall of the cartridge housing to prevent access to the cartridge receiving area and the controller receiving area. A driver member is positioned with the controller receiver area and is configured to engage the driven member such that actuation of the driver member upon receipt of the valid request operates to actuate the driven member. A motor driven locking mechanism is moveable between locked and unlocked positions, wherein when in the locked position the cartridge unit is secured to the control unit and wherein when in the unlocked position the cartridge unit is separable from the control unit thereby providing access to the cartridge. A mobile computing device includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory, wherein the dosage availability is stored in the memory and the mobile computing device is configured to receive the authorized patient identification input. A battery is configured for providing electrical energy to the driver member and the motor driven locking mechanism. 
         [0017]    In still a further aspect, a medication dispensing device comprises a cartridge unit and a control unit. The cartridge unit comprises a cartridge housing having a bottom surface and an upwardly extending sidewall defining a cartridge receiving area. The sidewall further defines a dispensing channel formed therethrough to allow passage of the dosage from the cartridge receiving area to the patient. A cartridge is configured to reside within the cartridge receiving area and hold one or more dosages. The cartridge includes a plurality of walls in spaced parallel relation with one another and extending generally perpendicular to the dispensing channel. A back wall extends across a rear edge of the plurality of wells to thereby define a plurality of dosage wells wherein each well is configured to contain a stack of dosages. A respective dispensing wheel is positioned at a forward edge of the plurality of wells wherein each dispensing wheel includes a recess configured to receive a single dosage at a time from its respective stack. A driven member is positioned within the cartridge receiving area and configured to engage the cartridge and wherein the driven member is coupled to the dispensing wheels. Upon receipt of a valid request the driver member is energized to drive rotation of the driven member and dispensing wheels so as to advance each respective recess until the next sequential dosage becomes aligned with the dispensing channel thereby dispensing the dosage. The control unit comprises a main housing configured for removable coupling to the cartridge housing and having a top surface and a downwardly extending sidewall defining a controller receiving area. The downwardly extending sidewall is configured to coincide with the upwardly extending sidewall of the cartridge housing. When coupled to the sidewalls prevent access to the cartridge receiving area and the controller receiving area. A driver member is positioned within the controller receiver area and is configured to engage the driven member such that actuation of the driver member upon receipt of the valid request operates to actuate the driven member. A mobile computing device includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory, wherein the dosage availability is stored in the memory. The mobile computing device is configured to receive the authorized patient identification input and a battery is configured to provide electrical energy to the driver member and the motor driven locking mechanism. 
         [0018]    In yet another aspect, a prescription control system is provided. The system includes a medication filling device configured to sort and count one or more medications; a tray configured to engage the medication filling device, wherein a selected medication is sorted, counted and loaded onto the tray; and a medication dispensing device for dispensing a dosage of the selected medication to a patient. The dosage is dispensed to the patient upon receipt of a valid request. The medication dispensing device comprises a case defining a medication holding area and a dosage holding area, wherein the dose holding area includes an entry end and a dispensing end. The case includes a tray shutter operable to selectively open to allow loading of the tray within the medication holding area. The device further includes a first gate located at the entry end between the medication holding area and the dosage holding area. The first gate is operable to selectively open to allow the dosage to pass from the medication holding area to the dosage holding area. The device includes a second gate located at the dispensing end that is operable to selectively open to allow the dosage to pass from the dosage holding area to a retrieval area accessible to the patient. The device includes a CPU disposed within the case and including a memory, wherein the dosage availability is stored in memory. The device includes a patient authentication device in communication with the CPU that is configured to receive the authorized patient identification input, and a battery configured for providing electrical energy to the CPU. Upon receipt of the valid request, the CPU operates to: i) open the first gate to pass the dosage to the dosage holding area; ii) close the first gate after the dosage has passed to the dosage holding area; iii) open the second gate after the first gate has closed to dispense the dosage to the patient; and iv) close the second gate after the dosage has been dispensed to the patient. 
         [0019]    Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and will in part become apparent to those in the practice of the invention, when considered with the attached figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The accompanying drawings form a part of the this specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith, wherein like reference numerals are employed to indicate like parts in the various views, and wherein: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a flow diagram illustrating the cycle of abuse suffered by patients that become addicted to one or more medications; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a system schematic of an embodiment of a prescription control system in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3A  is a plan view of an embodiment of a medication dispensing device used within the prescription control system shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3B  is an internal plan view of the components comprising the medication dispensing device shown in  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3C  is a side view of the medication dispensing device used within the prescription control system shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing communication pathways of the components comprising the medication dispensing device shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is an embodiment of a prescription drug tray configured to be used in conjunction with the medication dispensing device shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  shows a logic flow diagram for initialization of the medication dispensing device shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  shows a logic flow diagram for dispensing a medication from the medication dispensing device shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  shows a logic flow diagram for a catastrophic sequence encountered by the medication dispensing device shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a medication dispensing device in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 10  is an end perspective view of the medication dispensing device shown in  FIG. 9  showing the dispensing door in a closed position; 
           [0033]      FIG. 11  is an end perspective view of the medication dispensing device shown in  FIG. 9  showing the dispensing door in an open position; 
           [0034]      FIG. 12  is an exploded view of the medication dispensing device shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 13  is a side perspective view of the housing members of the medication dispensing device shown in  FIG. 9  in a decoupled position; 
           [0036]      FIG. 14A  is a side perspective view of the main housing of the medication dispensing device shown in  FIG. 9  showing the locking tab in the extended position; 
           [0037]      FIG. 14B  is a side perspective view of the main housing of the medication dispensing device shown in  FIG. 9  showing the locking tab in the retracted position; 
           [0038]      FIG. 15  is a side perspective view of the cartridge housing of the medication dispensing device shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 16  is a side perspective view of the cartridge housing of the medication dispensing device shown in  FIG. 9  with the cartridge cover removed; 
           [0040]      FIG. 17  is a detailed view of the dispensing channel of the cartridge housing of the medication dispensing device shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 18  is a side perspective view of the cartridge housing of the medication dispensing device shown in  FIG. 9  with a replaceable cartridge in an unloaded position; 
           [0042]      FIG. 19  is a side perspective view of the cartridge housing of the medication dispensing device shown in  FIG. 9  with a replaceable cartridge in a loaded position; and 
           [0043]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a cartridge for use within a medication dispensing device in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0044]    Referring now to the drawings in detail, and specifically to  FIG. 2 , a schematic of a prescription control system in accordance with an aspect of the present invention is generally designated by reference numeral  10 . Following surgery or after being involved in an accident or some other traumatic event, for instance, a patient may receive a prescription  12  from his or her treating physician/trained medical professional (“physician” or “doctor”). This prescription may be for a medication known to lead to addiction, such as a narcotic. Prescription  12  may be a hardcopy prescription slip or may be an electronic prescription. Patient data (such as, but not limited to, name, birth date, purported symptoms, etc.) and prescription data (such as, but not limited to, medication name(s), dosage data, etc.) may be entered onto a physician&#39;s computing system  14 , which then communicates  15  this data to a designated pharmacy computing system  16  for processing and fulfillment. While the present invention will be described with regard to electronic communications, such as those exchanged through a wireless network or over the Internet, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that all or some of such communications may include exchange of hardcopy materials, such as a traditional written prescription, and such hardcopy communications are to be regarded as within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0045]    After prescription  12  is received by pharmacy computing system  16 , pharmacy computing system  16  uploads  17  information related to the prescription, such as the prescription data and patient data, received from physician&#39;s computing system  14  or from a traditional written prescription  12  to a hand-held medication dispensing device  18 . This information can be uploaded by populating an onboard central processing unit (CPU)  20  having on-chip internal memory storage, as seen in  FIGS. 3B and 4 . Alternatively, CPU  20  may operate to access a separate external memory storage module housed within medication dispensing device  18 . In another aspect, the information related to the prescription may be uploaded  21  to medication dispensing device  18  directly form physician&#39;s computing system  14  or may be manually entered into medication dispensing device  18  by the pharmacist who received and is charged with filling prescription  12  ordered by the prescribing physician. As described, uploading of the information or data related to the prescription into the memory of CPU  20  may be conducted through wireless connectivity or may be conducted through a wired connection, such as through a USB data port  22 . Medication dispensing device  18  is then loaded with the prescribed type and number of medication as per the prescription&#39;s orders. 
         [0046]    The prescribed medication may be either manually loaded into medication dispensing device  18  by a pharmacist or it may be loaded  23  via a medication filling device  24  in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention. Medication filing device  24  may also independently receive the electronically transmitted prescription  12  either directly from physician&#39;s computing system  14  via communication  25 , from pharmacy computing system  16  filling the prescription ordered by the prescribing physician via communication  26 , or it may be manually entered into medication filling device  24  device by the pharmacist who received and is charged with filling the prescription. Medication filling device  24  can then assist the pharmacist in filling the prescription, such as by mechanically sorting and counting the prescribed medication. The sorted and counted medication can then be directly loaded into medication dispensing device  18  or may be loaded onto a tray  27  for verification by the pharmacist before tray  27  is loaded into medication dispensing device  18 . A more detailed description of a tray  27  in accordance with this aspect of the present invention will be provided below with regard to  FIG. 5 . Medication filling device  24  may also be used to program medication dispensing device  18  with the patient data and prescription data through a hardware/software interface via a hard wire connection or wirelessly. 
         [0047]    As will be discussed in more detail below, medication dispensing device  18  will only dispense a dosage of medication upon receipt of a valid request. A valid request includes input of an authorized patient identification input or access code (discussed below) and requires a dosage availability in accordance with the directions provided by prescription  12  that is stored in the memory of medication dispensing device  18 . By way of example, if a dosage may be taken 4 times daily, medication dispensing device  18  will define a dosage availability as a dosage retrieval once every 6 hours (plus or minus a margin of time, such as, for example, 15 to 30 minutes) plus any emergency doses allocated by the prescription, i.e. a limited number of doses in addition to those regularly scheduled as per prescription  12 . Emergency doses may be requested at any time until all such emergency doses have been exhausted by the patient, at which point no additional emergency doses will be available and the patient will only be able to receive regularly scheduled doses until a new prescription is obtained and stored with the memory of medication dispensing device  18 . A third party vendor, which may include a remote monitoring server  28 , may be responsible for servicing and monitoring medication dispensing device  18  and may receive  29   a ,  29   b  prescription data from physician&#39;s computing system  14  and/or pharmacist&#39;s computing system  16  and monitor patient compliance and medication dispensing device  18  integrity (described below) to ensure that the patient is adhering to prescription  12 . Should indications warrant (such as a physical breach of the medication dispensing device  18 ), remote monitoring server  28  may communicate  30  such information to additional parties  31 , such as law enforcement entities, for appropriate intervention/action. 
         [0048]    Turning now to  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  3 C and  4 , medication dispensing device  18  generally includes a case  32  having a front panel  34  and a back panel  35 . Medication dispensing device  18  is powered by a rechargeable battery  36 . Battery  36  may be recharged through a USB charge port  38 . After a predetermined time period of non-activity, CPU  20  will place the battery and other components within device  18  in a low energy state. If the battery level drops below a first programmed level, an alarm will sound on the device using a speaker  48  and/or an alert will be shown on a display  58 . If the battery level drops to a second programmed level device  18  will report  37  the event or alarm (hereinafter “event”) to remote monitoring server  28  and power down. CPU  20  will automatically reboot to the last programmed state when the battery level is increased by charging above the first programmed level, and communicate  37  this event to remote monitoring server  28  to inform vendor that device  18  is back online. While offline, reserve power from battery  36  will allow for a global positioning system (GPS) ping from node  40  until battery  36  is completely discharged. Medication dispensing device  18  can only be manually powered down via an override request issued by remote monitoring server  28  when it is intended that medication dispensing device  18  be placed in storage. The override request allows the vendor to access a power down protocol stored in the memory of CPU  20  so as to deactivate medication dispensing device  18 . 
         [0049]    Front and back panels  34 ,  35  include corresponding intermediate sides which join to form completed side walls  41  of case  32 . In accordance with an aspect of the invention, case  32  is proportioned so as to be a portable, hand-held unit. By way of example, case  32  may be configured to be no more than about 3 inches (7.5 cm) wide, about 5 inches (12.5 cm) long and about 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep. Intermediate sides  41  of both front and back panels  34 ,  35  may include at least one pair of corresponding case contacts  42  which form a completed circuit upon formation of the completed side walls  41 . As will be discussed in more detail below, the completed circuit(s) created by case contacts  42  may be monitored by CPU  20  such that a warning or other security feature may be initiated should the circuit(s) become severed, such as during an attempt to pry open case  32 , which would be considered a catastrophic event. While shown and described as case contacts on respective side walls of front and back panels  34 ,  35 , it should be understood by those skilled in the art that any suitable circuit configuration may be used so long as the circuit is interrupted when front panel  34  and back panel  35  become partially or completely separated from one another so as to generate the warning or other security feature. Such circuit configurations should be interpreted as within the scope of the present invention. To that end, medication dispensing device  18  may further include one or more of video camera  44 , microphone  46  and speaker  48 . Speaker  48  may be activated using an amplifier  49  to issue an audible warning. Additionally and/or alternatively, video camera  44  and/or microphone  46  may be activated so as to record video data and/or audio data, respectively, upon occurrence of a catastrophic event, such as a break in the circuit that is formed by case contacts  42 . The objective of recording the video and audio data is to help determine the facts surrounding the occurrence of the catastrophic event. This video and audio data can then be transmitted  37  to remote monitoring server  28  by way of a wireless receiver/transceiver (R/T)  50  for review and evaluation by the owner of device  18  or additional parties  31 . Furthermore, GPS node  40  may provide information regarding the location of device  18  should a warning/security breach take place when case contacts  42  are compromised. GPS node  40  may be either an active node continually transmitting  37  its location at predetermined time intervals or may be a passive node which will transmit  37  its location after being “pinged” automatically by remote monitoring server  28  or manually by additional party  31 . The video, audio and/or GPS data may then be forward to additional party  31 , such as a law enforcement entity, (see  FIG. 2 ) if police action is indicated by such data. 
         [0050]    A dosage  52  of medication  54  is dispensed by medication dispensing device  18  to a patient only upon the receipt of a valid dose request, wherein the valid dose request must comply with the prescription/dosage data in accordance with prescription  12 . A dose request may be initiated by activation of a patient authentication device  56 . Patient authentication device  56  may be a biometric sensor such as, but not limited to, one or more of a fingerprint scanner, facial recognition device, retinal scanner, voice recognition or similar system. 
         [0051]    Medication dispensing device  18  may also include a touchscreen display  58 . Touchscreen display  58  may only be activated upon proper authentication via patient authentication device  56 , or may become activated upon a failed authentication wherein touchscreen display  58  is used to receive an optional access code override (such as via a touchscreen keypad and associated passcode as is known in the art). The access code override may be any type of access code, such as an alpha-numeric access code. If the authentication attempt is invalid (i.e., the entered biometric or access code does not match an authorized stored biometric or access code stored in memory), touchscreen display  58  will display an error and request that the user re-authenticate using patient authenticate device  56  or input of the optional code override. After a set number of authentication attempts and/or code attempts, the system will timeout for a preset period of time and report the event to remote monitoring server  28  via WiFi, SMS, or similar wireless communication using R/T  50 . If failed attempts continue, CPU  20  will interpret these attempts as a catastrophic event such that camera  44  and microphone  46  may be activated to transmit video and audio data to remote monitoring server  28  and GPS node  40  may be “pinged” as described above. 
         [0052]    If “emergency doses” have been prescribed (i.e., doses in addition to those regularly scheduled as per prescription  12 ), a patient may selectively access an emergency dose contained within medication dispensing device  18  at any time until all emergency doses have been consumed. Using an emergency dose will record an event in a data file stored in the memory of CPU  20 , and if desired upload the event to remote monitoring server  28 , pharmacist computing system  16  and/or physician computing system  14 . Otherwise, dosing times will be restricted to those programmed into the memory of CPU  20  as described above. An upcoming dosing interval (e.g., every 6 hours plus or minus 15 to 30 minutes) will trigger an alert through speaker  48 , with programmed repeated alerts given during the dosing interval. The patient can request a dose at any time during this interval. If the interval passes without a dose request, this will be recorded on the data file in the memory of CPU  20 . 
         [0053]    Touchscreen display  58  may also allow for additional functionality such as displaying information regarding the medication dispensing device (e.g., serial number, service number, etc.), prescribed medication (e.g., medication name, side effects, compatibilities, incompatibilities, etc.), prescription data (e.g., number and timing of dosages, etc.), dosage data (e.g., time of last dosage, time of next available dosage, number of emergency doses remaining, etc.), prescription compliance and the like. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, CPU  20  and its associated memory may also include a videoconferencing program application, such as SKYPE or FACETIME, which may be initiated by the patient wherein the touchscreen display  58 , video camera  44 , microphone  46  and speaker  48  enable remote videoconferencing between the patient and the physician and/or the pharmacist and/or third party vendor personnel associated with remote monitoring server  28  should the patient have any questions or concerns regarding the medication, its dosage or medication dispensing device  18 . In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, the code override may be remotely utilized by third party vendor associated with remote monitoring server  28  such as for system maintenance/trouble shooting or by an additional party  31  (e.g., law enforcement) such as to gain access to the prescription/dosage data stored within the memory of CPU  20 . 
         [0054]    In order to dispense dosage  52  upon receipt of a valid request, case  32  including a medication delivery system for holding the medication and delivering the dose to the patient, wherein the medication delivery system includes a medication holding area  60  and a dosage holding area  62 . The system further includes a first gate  64  is located at an entry end dosage holding area  62  of between medication holding area  60  and dosage holding area  62  and is operable (such as by way of a first actuator  66 ) to selectively open and thereby allow an individual dosage  52  of medication  54  housed in medication holding area  60  to enter dosage holding area  62 . The system further includes a second gate  68  is located at a dispending end at the opposing end of dosage holding area  62  and prevents release of dosage  52  until second gate  68  is selectively opened (such as by way of a second actuator  70 ). To facilitate movement of the medication/individual dosage through medication dispensing device  18 , a vibrating motor  72  is associated with the medication holding area  60  and is energized when dosage  52  is being dispensed. The vibration of motor  72  serves to jostle medication  54  until individual dosage  52  is immediately adjacent the opening created by opened first gate  64  and in the proper orientation so as to enter dosage holding area  62 . In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, first and second actuators  66 ,  70  are servomotors  73  where, at most, only one servomotor  73  is operable at a time so that first or second gates  64 ,  68  are never both in an open position at the same time. 
         [0055]    In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a photogate  74  is associated with dosage holding area  62  wherein photogate  74  regulates activation of actuators  66 ,  70 . For instance, first actuator  66  may be powered so as to open first gate  64  wherein dosage  52  exits medication holding area  60  and enters dosage holding area  62 . Dosage  52  interrupts photogate  74  such that first actuator  66  is returned to its original state and first gate  64  is closed. Second actuator  70  can then be powered to open second gate  68  and thereby allow dosage  52  to exit the dosage holding area  65 . Once photogate  74  is no longer impeded by dosage  52 , second actuator  70  can then return to its original state thereby closing second gate  68 . In this manner, release of medication may be controlled so as to limit distribution of medication  54  to a single dosage  52  per valid request. 
         [0056]    Case  32  may be configured so as to be substantially waterproof. To help ensure waterproofing of the interior components of device  18 , medication dispensing device  18  may further define a dosage retrieval area  76  located after second gate  68 . Case  32  includes a retrieval shutter  78  operable to selectively open once dosage  52  enters the dosage retrieval area  76  and second gate  68  is closed by second actuator  70 . Retrieval shutter  78  is sealed within case  32  by a watertight gasket along the inner and/or outer edges of retrieval shutter  78 . Retrieval shutter  78  is configured to slidably engage case  32  wherein retrieval shutter  78  slides open to allow passage of dosage  52 . To secure retrieval shutter  78  in a closed position when a dosage is not being removed, case  32  carries a retrieval shutter locking pin  80  that engages retrieval shutter  78  to prevent unwanted or unauthorized sliding of the shutter. Retrieval shutter locking pin  80  may be retracted upon command from CPU  20  such that retrieval shutter  78  can open and dosage  52  be removed. When retrieval shutter  78  is opened, a time stamp will be recorded in the data file and associated with this event. If retrieval shutter  78  has not been closed satisfactorily in certain period of time, the device will continuously sound a warning through speaker  48  and/or touchscreen display  58 . After a second period of time, an alarm may be sent to remote monitoring server  28  notifying the third party vendor of the retrieval shutter&#39;s malfunction so that proper corrective action may be readily employed. 
         [0057]    As best seen in  FIG. 5 , medication  54  may be loaded into medication dispensing device  18  via a tray  27 . As described above, tray  27  may be manually loaded by the pharmacist or may be loaded via medication filling device  24 . In either case, once tray  27  has been filled with the proper type and number of medication  54 , tray  27  is inserted into medication holding area  60 . To facilitate insertion of tray  27 , case  32  is configured to include a tray shutter  82  configured to allow passage of tray  27  therethrough. Similar to retrieval shutter  78  described above, tray shutter  82  is slidably sealed within case  32  by a watertight gasket along the inner and/or outer edges of tray shutter  82  wherein tray shutter  82  slides open to allow passage of tray  27 . To secure tray shutter  82  in a closed position when tray  27  is not being inserted or removed, case  32  carries a tray shutter locking pin  84  that engages tray shutter  82  to prevent unwanted or unauthorized sliding of tray shutter  82 . Pin  84  may be retracted upon command from CPU  20  such that tray shutter  82  can open and tray  27  can be inserted or removed. 
         [0058]    Tray  27  includes a bottom  86  with upwardly extending side walls  88 ,  90 , rear wall  92  and front wall  94  defining a tray interior  96 . Each of side walls  88 ,  90  form an acute angle with rear wall  92  such that rear wall  92  has a greater length than front wall  94 . Additionally, each of side walls  88 ,  90  also increase in width as they extend from rear wall  92  toward front wall  94  such that rear wall  92  has a smaller width than front wall  94 . Bottom  86  may also include a central valley  98  such that bottom halves  86   a  and  86   b  are sloped as they extend from central valley  98  to side walls  88 ,  90 , respectively. 
         [0059]    Tray  27  is proportioned so as to substantially occupy medication holding area  60  defined by case  32 . That is, side walls  88 , 90  of tray  27  are configured to lie against medication holding area side walls  60   a , 60   b , respectively, such that little to no gap is formed between tray  27  and medication holding area side walls  60   a ,  60   b . Tray side walls  88 , 90  are of such length that rear wall  92  lies against tray shutter  82  while front wall  94  abuts first gate  64  when tray  27  is loaded into medication dispensing device  18 . Front wall  94  is configured to define an opening  100  proportioned to allow individual dosage  52  (see  FIG. 3B ) to pass from tray interior  96  through first gate  64  into dosage holding area  62 . The internal surface of case front panel  34  is configured to seat against the top edges of walls  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94  so as to prevent ejection of medication  54  from tray  27  should medication dispensing device  18  be inverted after tray  27  is loaded into the device. Further, the interior surface of the bottom panel of case  32  includes a ramp portion or other retaining feature so as to hold the top edge of rear wall  92  against the inner surface of front panel  34 . As a result, tray  27  is pitched such that the portion of tray bottom  86  closest to rear wall  92  is higher than the portion closest to front wall  94 . This pitch, combined with the slope created by bottom halves  86   a ,  86   b  in conjunction with valley  98 , operates to direct medication  54  toward tray front wall  94 , opening  100  and first gate  64 . 
         [0060]    Multiple versions of tray  27  may be fabricated wherein each tray  27  includes a tray opening  100  having a different size. In this manner, a pharmacist can selectively choose a tray  27  for loading wherein tray opening  100  is selected to be slightly larger than medication  54  prescribed. As a result, tray opening  100  effectively throttles the dispensing of individual dosages  52  such that only one pill is distributed into dosage holding area  62  per request. 
         [0061]      FIGS. 6-8  show logic flow diagrams for various actions carried out by medication dispensing device  18 . The power-up and initialization protocol is shown in  FIG. 6 . Initially, at step  102 , CPU  20  queries the security measures (i.e., case contacts  42 , actuators  66 ,  70 ) to verify that all measures are intact and operating. If the measures are not intact, a warning is issued (such as an auditory warning via speaker  48 ) at step  104 . Following the warning, CPU  20  determines whether the warning is a catastrophic warning at step  106  requiring initiation of the defense routine and device lockdown (see  FIG. 8 ) at step  108 . Alternatively, at step  110 , if the security measures are intact or if the warning is not a catastrophic warning, CPU  20  queries receiver/transceiver (R/T)  50  to determine if there is external wireless connectivity. If there is wireless connectivity, R/T  50  conducts a data exchange with physician computing system  14 , the pharmacy computing system  16  and/or the data server of remote monitoring server  28  at step  112 . 
         [0062]    Following the data exchange, or should no wireless connectivity be detected, CPU  20  then interrogates the memory of CPU  20  to determine if there is a valid prescription file stored in memory at step  114 . At step  116 , if there is no valid prescription file, medication dispensing device  18  enters hibernation mode until another power-up sequence is initiated. If a valid prescription  12  is on file, medication dispensing device  18  enters stand-by mode awaiting a dose request from the patient at step  118 . The device exits stand-by mode upon a dose request, such as through activation of patient authorization device  56  (i.e., the biometric sensor) at step  120 . If the biometric scan is successful, touchscreen display  58  is activated and the patient can request a dosage at step  122 . If the biometric scan is unsuccessful at step  124 , a warning is issued and the patient is prompted to attempt a new scan at step  126 . If there are a preselected number of unsuccessful scans (e.g., 3 unsuccessful scans) CPU  20  reinitiates the power-up protocol and queries the device&#39;s security measures as discussed above at step  128 . 
         [0063]    Turning now to  FIG. 7 , displayed is a logic flow diagram to determine if a dosage may be dispensed upon a patient request (i.e. whether the request is a valid request). Prior to dispensing a dosage, CPU  20  queries the security measures to verify that they are intact at step  130  (as discussed above). If the security measures are not intact, a warning is issued at step  132  and CPU  20  determines whether the warning constitutes a catastrophic warning at step  134  necessitating initiation of device&#39;s  18  defense routine and device lockout (see  FIG. 8 ) at step  136 . If the security measures are intact or if the warning is not a catastrophic warning, CPU  20  interrogates the data file stored in its memory to determine whether the request is within an authorized prescription window at step  138 . If the request is not within an authorized prescription window, CPU  20  interrogates the data file to determine whether any emergency doses are available at step  140 . If no emergency doses are available, CPU  20  reinitiates the dispense routine. 
         [0064]    If the request is within an authorized prescription window, of if an emergency dosage is available (step  142 ), CPU  20  initiates engagement of first actuator  66 , motor  72  and photogate  74  at step  144  so as to direct an individual dosage  52  from medication holding area  60 /tray  27  into dosage holding area  62  as described above. Upon passage of dosage  52  into dosage holding area  62 , photogate  74  is blocked/interrupted at step  146  wherein photogate  74  sends a signal to CPU  20  of its state change. CPU  20  then disengages first actuator  66  so as to close first gate  64 , deactivates motor  72  and photogate  74  at step  148 . Once first gate  64  is closed, CPU  20  sends a command to engage second actuator  70  and logs the occurrence of the dosage dispensing in the data file at step  150 . If case  32  includes a retrieval shutter  78 , CPU  20  issues a command to retrieval shutter locking pin  80  to retract and thereby allow retrieval shutter  78  to open and dispense dosage  52  to the patient at step  152 . At step  154 , CPU  20  then disengages second actuator  70  thereby dosing second gate  68  and issues a command to close retrieval shutter  78  and extend retrieval shutter locking pin  80 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 8  shows a logic flow diagram for a catastrophic warning. If a warning is determined to constitute a catastrophic warning (see above), CPU  20  generates a data log of the occurrence and activates camera  44  and microphone  46  to record video and audio data at step  156 . CPU  20  also locks all gates, shutters, servomotors and the touchscreen display. CPU  20  then determines whether there is external connectivity via R/T  50  at step  158 . At step  160 , if there is no connectivity and the warning has not been fixed, CPU  20  logs the time and tags all data (i.e., camera and microphone recordings) for upload once external connectivity is established at step  162 . If there is no connectivity and the warning has been fixed, CPU  20  still logs the time and tags all data for upload once external connectivity is established at step  164 , but also attempts to place all systems in normal operating condition. If all systems are operable at step  166 , the device is returned to normal operation at step  168 . However, is all systems are not operable, CPU  20  determines whether there is external connectivity so as to exchange the catastrophic warning data collected. 
         [0066]    On the other hand, if there is external connectivity, the data (i.e., camera and microphone recordings) are exchanged with an external server at step  170 , such as remote monitoring server  28 . CPU  20  then determines whether the warning has been fixed at step  172 . If the warning has not been fixed, CPU  20  logs the event and camera  44  and microphone  46  continue to record video and audio data. This data is then exchanged with remote monitoring server  28  or tagged for later upload should external connectivity have been lost at step  174 . However, if the warning has been fixed, CPU  20  attempts to place all systems in normal operating condition. If all systems are operable, the medication dispensing device  18  is returned to normal operation. If all systems are not operable, CPU  20  determines whether there is external connectivity so as to continue to exchange the catastrophic warning data being collected, such as by camera  44 , microphone  46  and/or GPS node  40 . 
         [0067]    Turning now to  FIGS. 9-19 , an additional embodiment of a medication dispensing device in accordance with the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral  218 . Medication dispensing device  218  generally includes a cartridge housing  220  having an upwardly extending sidewall  222  removably secured to a downwardly extending sidewall  224  of a main housing  226 . In certain embodiments, sidewalls  222 / 224  may include one or more pairs of opposing case contacts so as to verify device integrity as described above with regard to device  18 . Should anybody attempt to tamper with device  218 , the case contacts will become disrupted such that a trigger signal may be initiated as discussed above, and as further discussed below. An optional rubber guard  225  may encircle part or all of sidewalls  222 / 224  when cartridge housing  220  is coupled with main housing  226 . In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a portion of sidewalls  222 / 224  may be configured to include an extended lobe  222   a / 224   a  whose external edge  228  defines the terminus of a dispensing channel  230 . Rubber guard  225  does not overlap lobe portion  222   a / 224   a  such that a door  232  may selectively open and close channel  230 . 
         [0068]    As seen most clearly in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , lobe  222   a  (and  224   a , not shown) defines an extended channel  230  through which a dosage  52  must pass when being dispensed. Channel  230  may be proportioned so as to allow only a single dosage to pass through the channel at a time, and such proportions may be varied as needed depending upon the size and shape of the prescribed medication. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, channel  230  may be configured to have a non-linear profile such that dosage  52  must traverse a tortuous path before exiting device  218 . Non-linear channel  230  may assist in preventing unauthorized dispensing of a dosage as any tool inserted within non-linear channel  218  in an attempt to dislodge an authorized dosage will become obstructed by one or more walls of channel  218 . 
         [0069]    Returning now to  FIGS. 9-12 , medication dispensing device  218  may also include a mobile computing device, such as, for example, a smartphone  234 . Smartphone  234  may be secured to main housing  226  by a front cover  236 . In accordance with an aspect of the embodiment of device  218 , smartphone  234  may be utilized so as to harness its inherent memory and computing power, and may replace one or more of the functionalities and modalities described above with regard to device  18 , namely CPU  20 , GPS module  40 , camera  44 , microphone  46 , speaker  48 , amplifier  49 , patient authentication device  56  and touchscreen  58 . Thus, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that medication dispensing device  218  may include individual components such as those described above with regard to device  18 , but instead utilizes smartphone  234  to provide similar features and functionalities. 
         [0070]    Turning now to  FIG. 13 , in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, cartridge housing  220  is configured for removable attachment to main housing  226 , such as through one or more corresponding slots and tabs. Cartridge housing  220  may include one or more slots  238  (only one shown) which are configured to mate with corresponding tabs  240 , such as  240   a ,  240   b  as shown, so as to secure the two housings  220 / 226  together. As shown most clearly in  FIGS. 14A and 14B , one of tabs  240 , such as tab  240   b , may be coupled to an actuator member, such as motor  242  via a threaded rotating shaft  243 . Tab  240   b  may be driven upon powering of motor  242  via battery  244 . In this manner, tab  240   b  may be slidably driven upon shaft  243  between an extended position (as shown in  FIG. 14A ) whereby tab  240   b  resides in its respective slot  238  to secure housings  220 / 226  together, and a retracted position (as shown in  FIG. 14B ) whereby tab  240   b  is withdrawn from its slot thereby permitting removal of cartridge housing  220  from main housing  226 . In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, motor  242  is only powered upon receipt of a proper authentication input by a device administrator, such as a pharmacist, for example. An authentic input by an administrator may also operate to override any warning issued by the disruption of the case contacts, if provided. 
         [0071]    As further shown in  FIGS. 12 ,  14 A and  14 B, main housing  226  may further include a driver member  246  and associated actuator (drive motor)  248 . Driver member  246  is coupled to a driven member  250 , such as a pulley, in cartridge housing  220  as will be described in more detail below. By way of example, and by no means limiting specifically thereto, driver member  246  may include a gear  252  extending outwardly from the plane formed by the terminal edge of downwardly extending sidewall  224 . To prevent dust or debris from entering main housing  226 , a main housing cover  227  may be included. Rotation of driver member  246  and gear  252  may be translated through mating 45 degree miter gears, where a first miter gear  254   a  is coupled to drive motor  248  and a second miter gear  254   b  is coupled to driver member  246 . 
         [0072]    With reference to  FIGS. 15-17 , gear  252  may be configured to engage pulley shaft  256  on driven member (pulley)  250  residing within cartridge housing  220 . Thus, as gear  252  is rotated upon powering of drive motor  248 , pulley shaft  256  is caused to rotate such that driven member  250  advances belt  258  within cartridge receiving area  260  defined by cartridge wall  261 . Drive motor  248  may only be powered once a valid request for a dosage has been inputted into smartphone  234 , similar to that process discussed above with regard to device  18 . A passive member (pulley)  262  may be employed to assist advancement of belt  258  as will be discussed in greater detail below. To prevent contamination of cartridge receiving area  260  and any loaded dosages  52  contained therein, cartridge housing  220  may include a cover plate  264  which is selectively removable, such as through a thumb screw  266 . An additional pulley cover plate  268  may also be used to prevent contamination (see  FIG. 18-19 ). 
         [0073]    As shown in  FIGS. 16-19 , a belt  258  has a plurality of outwardly extending fingers  272  which define a plurality of dosages slots  274  therebetween. Dosage slots  274  are proportioned to receive a single respective dosage  52  therein. Inner wall  276  of belt  258  is sized to snuggly engage pulley  250 / 262  so as to enable rotation of belt  258  upon powering of drive motor  248  as discussed above. Pulleys  250 / 262  and/or inner wall  276  of belt  258  may also be configured to include cogs  278  and/or slots (not shown) to assist rotation of the belt, prevent slipping of the belt and improve indexing of the belt with respect to dispensing slot  230 . That is, drive motor  248  may be indexed to power rotation of driver member  246  so as to advance belt  258  only that distance required to align a next sequential dosage  52  with dispensing slot  230 . Proper indexing ensures that only a single dosage is dispensed upon receipt of a valid request as discussed above with regard to embodiment  18 . 
         [0074]    In accordance with an aspect of the embodiment of medication dispensing device  218 , belt  258  may be configured to remain within cartridge receiving area  260  while dosages  52  are individually added to respective dosage slots  274  when device  218  is being loaded. In a further aspect, such as that shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , medication dispensing device  218  may include a cartridge  270  comprising belt  258 ′ and cartridge cover  280 . Belt  258 ′ is similar to belt  258  but is configured to include a floor  282  integrally formed with belt inner wall  276 ′ and outwardly extending fingers  272 ′. Cover  280  includes a top panel  284  and outer sidewall  286 . Cover  280  is proportioned so as to snuggly fit upon belt  258 ′ such that dosages  52  cannot fall out of dosage slots  274 ′ when the cover is in place. In this manner, cartridge  270  may be loaded within cartridge receiving area  260  such that belt  258 ′ fits snuggly upon pulleys  250 / 262  as described above. Cover  280  may then be removed from cartridge  270  via one or more cartridge tabs  288 . Dosages  52  will then be retained within their respective dosage slots  274 ′ via fingers  272 ′ of the belt and cartridge cover  264  and cartridge wall  261  of the cartridge housing  220 . 
         [0075]    Turning now to  FIG. 20 , a further embodiment of a medication dispensing device  218  may replace cartridge housing  220  with cartridge housing  320 . Cartridge housing  320  includes an upwardly extending sidewall  322  configured to mate with downwardly extending sidewall  224  of main housing  226  as described above. As shown in  FIG. 20 , cartridge housing  320  may be configured not to include an extended lobe as described above. Main housing  226  would likewise be configured so as not to include an extended lobe  224   a . However, for improved security, an extended lobe portion, and non-linear dispensing channel, may be included if desired. 
         [0076]    Cartridge housing  320  includes a cartridge receiving area  360  which includes a plurality of walls  362  arranged in spaced parallel relation with one another. A back wall  364  extends across the rear end of walls  362  so as to define a number of dispensing channels  366 . By way of example, cartridge  320  is shown to include five dispensing channels  366 , although it should be understood by those skilled in the art that any number of channels may be included. The opposing, forward edge of walls  362  terminate at a plurality of dispensing wheels array, wherein each dispensing channel  366  terminates at a dedicated dispensing wheel  368 . Each dispensing wheel  368  includes a recess  370  which is proportioned to receive a single dosage  52  from a stack of dosages loaded within the dispensing channels. Recesses  370  may be rotationally offset from one another a common number of degrees, such that the sum of the total number of degrees equals 360. By way of example, cartridge  320  having five dispensing channels would have five associated dispensing wheels. As a result, each recess  370  would have its center offset 72 degrees apart from the next adjacent recess (72 degrees multiplied by 5 equals 360 degrees). 
         [0077]    Driven member  372 , such as a toothed gear, is coupled to dispensing wheels  368  via a common shaft (not shown) such that powering of drive motor  248  operates to drive driven member  372  to rotate dispensing wheels  368  the common number of degrees (i.e. 72 degrees as shown in  FIG. 20 ). In this manner, recess  370  of one dispensing wheel is rotated so as to correlate with the dispensing slot  230 ′ and thereby dispense a single dosage. The recess of three other dispensing wheels may then advance 72 degrees such that the dosage residing within each respective recess is trapped between its respective dispensing wheel  368  and cartridge housing  320  or cover plate  264  (not shown). The remaining dispensing wheel, which was earlier emptied by dispensing its dosage, may advance 72 degrees so as to coincide with its stack of dosages whereby a single dosage  52  is loaded into the empty recess. 
         [0078]    To assist loading of dosages  52  into their respective recesses  370 , each dispensing channel  366  may include a biasing member  374 . One end of biasing member  374  may rest against or be secure to back wall  364  while the opposing end of biasing member  374  engages the stack of dosages within its respective channel  366 . Optionally, a biasing plate (not shown) may be placed between biasing member  374  and dosage  52 . It is further envisioned that cartridge  360  may be a removable/replaceable cartridge similar to cartridge  270  such that an empty cartridge may be removed from cartridge receiving area  360  while a loaded cartridge may be inserted into the receiving area such that its dispensing channels properly align with dispensing wheels  368 . 
         [0079]    In accordance with the above, the present invention provides numerous advantages and aspects that are not provided for in the existing art. For example, medication dispensing device  18  operates to dispense controlled substances, such as narcotics, only at the rate designated by the prescribing doctor using, among other components, first and second gates that define a dosage holding area and selectively and controllably dispensing such medication. Further, medication dispensing device  18  is portable so as to provide proper regulation of the patient&#39;s drug regimen without requiring the patient to be tied to a non-portable, home-based medication dispenser. Also, medication dispensing device  18  includes security features that operate to record sound data, video data, and/or GPS data, when a breach of device  18  occurs, and transmits such data to a remote monitoring system so that appropriate action may be taken by the owner of device  18  or a third party vendor. Other advantages are also provided. 
         [0080]    The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive nor is it intended to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed embodiments may be modified in light of the above teachings. The embodiments described are chosen to provide an illustration of principles of the invention and its practical application to enable thereby one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Therefore, the foregoing description is to be considered exemplary, rather than limiting, and the true scope of the invention is that described in the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6