Abstract:
The secure controlled substance dispensing device includes a lid with an RFID reader and a container that engages that lid. The container includes a hopper that is configured to hold a plurality of pills and a tray that is connect that hopper. The container can dispense a pill from the hopper into the tray when an authorized RFID rob is read by the RFID reader.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to the field of medication packaging and particularly to the dispensing of pills. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The health industry is faced with a multibillion dollar problem of prescription controlled substance diversion. Patients often either inadvertently or intentionally take their medication too frequently or outside the guidance of their treating physician. This problem is exacerbated when unauthorized persons attempt to utilize pills or other prescribed medication from an authorized patient&#39;s pill supply. Accordingly, there is a need for a secure pill dispensing device that will ensure that patients do not take their medication more frequently than prescribed and that unauthorized persons are unable to access the medication. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Presently preferred embodiments of the invention include a pill dispensing device. The pill dispensing device preferably includes a container, a lid, and a processing unit. The container preferably includes a first cylinder, a second cylinder, a bottom, a top ring, a dispensing mechanism and a tamper resistance mechanism. The first and second wall of the container form a space containing a conductive solution and are connected to the bottom of the container. The dispensing mechanism preferably includes a hopper, a first trap door, a first chute, a first sensor, a second trap door, a second chute, a second sensor, and a tray. In a preferred embodiment, the hopper is configured to accept a plurality of pills, which are then dispensed through the first chute and the second chute into the tray. The lid engages the container&#39;s top ring and preferably includes an RFID reader and a display. The processing unit monitors the conductive solution to ensure that the pill dispensing device has not been tampered with, and when necessary, activates the tamper resistance mechanism to render the plurality of pills unusable. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a side cross-sectional view of the secure controlled substance pill dispenser. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the lid of the secure controlled substance pill dispenser. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a top cross-sectional view of the secure controlled substance pill dispenser container and lid. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of the components of the processing module. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0008]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 1  shows a cross-sectional side view of a pill dispensing device  10 . The pill dispensing device  10  includes a container  100 , a lid  200  and a processing unit  300 . As shown, the container  100  includes a top ring  116  that engages the lid  200 . In the preferred embodiment the processing unit  300  is displaced within a recess in the lid  200 , but it will be understood that numerous placements of the processing unit  300  are possible without any restriction in the utility of the pill dispensing device  10 . 
         [0009]    In the preferred embodiment, the container  100  is cylindrical and includes a first cylinder  110 , a second cylinder  112 , a bottom  114 , the top ring  116 , a dispending mechanism  120  and a tamper resistance mechanism  130 . The first cylinder  110  and second cylinder  112  are formed so that the diameter of the first cylinder  110  is greater than the diameter of the second cylinder  112 . Both the first cylinder  110  and second cylinder  120  engage the bottom  114 . It is understood that the positioning of the first cylinder  110  and the second cylinder  112  forms a space  113  between the first cylinder  110  and second cylinder  112 . This space  113  is filled with a conductive liquid  115  capable of conducting an electric current. 
         [0010]    The dispensing mechanism  120  is positioned within the second cylinder  112  of the container  100 , and includes a hopper  121 , a first trap door  122 , a first chute  123 , a first sensor  124  a second trap door  125 , a second chute  126 , a second sensor  127  and a tray  128 . The hopper  121  is configured to hold pills (P). The first trap door  122  engages the hopper  121  in a manner that permits the first trap door  122  to selectively open and close. Notably,  FIG. 1  depicts the first trap door  122  in an open position. The first trap door  122  also engages with the first chute  123  such that when the first trap door is open, pills (P) can move from the hopper  121  into the first chute  123 . The first sensor  124  is positioned alongside the first chute  123  so that it can detect the presence of a pill (P) in the first chute  123 . The second trap door  125  is positioned between the first chute  123  and the second chute  126 . The second trap door  125  can selectively be in an open or closed position. In a closed position, the second trap door  125  prevents pills (P) from moving from the first chute  123  to the second chute  126 . Notably, in  FIG. 1 , the second trap door  125  is depicted in a closed position. The second sensor  127  is positioned alongside the second chute  126  so that it can detect the passage of a pill (P) in the second chute  126 . The second chute  126  also engages the tray  128  such that a pill (P) passing through the second chute  126  will be delivered into the tray  128 . 
         [0011]    In the preferred embodiment, the tamper resistance mechanism  130  is positioned within the hopper  121  and includes a fluid vessel  132 , a tamper resistance fluid  133 , and a rupture device  134 . The tamper resistance fluid  133  is contained within the tamper resistance vessel  132 , and may consist of a variety of fluids that would spoil or otherwise damage the pills (P) upon exposure. Such fluids are known in the art, and include without limitation saline, food dye and syrup of ipecac. It will be understood that the particular makeup of the tamper resistance fluid  133  may depend upon the particular makeup of the pills (P) being used in the embodiment of the pill dispensing device  10 . The fluid vessel  132  has a first surface  135  that engages the rupture device  134 . The rupture device  134  is capable of rupturing the first surface  135  such that the tamper resistance fluid  133  will spill out of the fluid vessel  132  and engage the pills (P) within the hopper  121 , rendering such pills (P) less functional or alternatively unusable. It will be understood that while  FIG. 1  depicts the tamper resistance mechanism  130  engaged with the hopper  121 , other configurations are possible. In an alternative embodiment, the tamper resistance mechanism is attached to an underside  202  of the lid  200 . 
         [0012]    Turning to  FIG. 2 , shown therein is a top-view of the lid  200  of the pill dispensing device  10 , which includes a display  220  and an RFID reader  230 . As further depicted in  FIG. 1  the lid  200  further includes a locking mechanism  240 , a first wire  250  and a second wire  252 . The display  220  is connected to the processing unit  300  and displays relevant information which may include the number of pills (P) in the pill dispensing device  10 , the amount of time left until a new pill (P) can be dispensed, and other general information which may include the contact information regarding the pharmacy where the pill dispensing device  10  was obtained, personal information regarding the user of the pill dispensing device  10 . It will be understood that the RFID reader  230  is also connected to the processing unit  300  and is configured to communicate with an RFID fob or other similar device. 
         [0013]    Turning to  FIG. 3 , depicted therein is a cross-sectional view of the interface between the container  100  and the lid  200  that particularly shows the locking mechanism  240  of the lid  200 . As shown, the locking mechanism  240  includes a servo motor  242 , and a locking pin  244 . In the preferred embodiment, the servo motor  242  is centrally located on the bottom of the lid  200  and is connected to the processing unit  300  (not depicted in  FIG. 3 ) and the locking pin  244 . The locking pin  244  is selectively capable of being extended and retracted by the servo motor  242 . When extended, the locking pin  244  fits into a recess  118  that is formed into the top ring  116  of the container  100 . Notably,  FIG. 3  shows the locking pin  244  in the extended position. In this position, the locking pin  244  prevents the disengagement of the lid  200  with the container  100 , effectively locking the pill dispensing device  10 , and preventing the extraction of pills (P) from the container  100 . It will be understood that alternative embodiments of the locking mechanism  240  are possible. In one alternative embodiment, the locking mechanism  240  includes of a plurality of locking pins  240 , each of which fits in each of a plurality of recesses  118  formed into the top ring  116 . 
         [0014]    Turning back to  FIG. 1 , the first wire  250  and second wire  252  extend from the lid  200  into the space  113  between the first wall  112  and the second wall  113  of the container  100 . The first wire  250  and second wire  252  are both configured to engage the conductive liquid  115 . In the preferred embodiment show in  FIG. 1 , the first wire  250  is shorter than second wire  252 . 
         [0015]    Turning to  FIG. 4 , depicted therein is a schematic of the processing unit  300 , which includes a CPU  310 , a data store  320 , and may include a communication module  330 . It will be understood that these components can be either combined or divided into different physical components as desired. For example, the functions of the CPU  310  and the data store  320  could be combined into a single physical component, or the functions of the communications module  330  could be divided into several different physical components. 
         [0016]    In the preferred embodiment, the communications module  330  is a universal serial bus port that will accepts a standard USB cable and is configured to communicate with a personal computer. It will be understood, however, that the communications module  300  may also support other communications protocols including wifi, bluetooth, etc., so long as the communications module can communicate with a personal computer. 
         [0017]    Now referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , the processing module  300  is connected to the dispensing mechanism  120 , the tamper resistance mechanism  130 , the display  220 , the RFID reader  230 , the locking mechanism  240 , the first wire  250  and the second wire  252 . In operation, the processing module  300  manages the various functions of the components of the pill dispensing device  10 . 
         [0018]    It will be understood that a pharmacist must first setup the pill dispensing device  10  before it can be used by a patient. In the preferred embodiment the pharmacist must first open the pill dispensing device  10  by bringing an authorized RFID fob in proximity with the RFID reader  230 . The RFID reader then signals the processing unit  300  that an authorized RFID fob has been used. The processing unit  300  will then signal the locking mechanism  240  to selectively change the position of the locking pin  244 , which thereby either locks or unlocks the lid  200  from the container  100 . 
         [0019]    In an alternative embodiment, the pharmacist opens the pill dispensing  10  by plugging a USB cable into the communications module  330  thereby connecting with the personal computer. So long as the USB cable is plugged into the communications module  330 , the locking mechanism  240  will maintain the locking pin  244  in an open position. As soon as the USB cable is removed from the communications module  330 , the locking mechanism  240  will change the position of the locking pin  244  into a closed position. In a further aspect of this alternative embodiment, once the USB cable is connected to the communication module  330 , an authentication code specific to the pharmacist&#39;s pharmacy is stored by the processing unit  300 . Thereafter, the locking mechanism  240  cannot be disengaged unless the authentication code specific to the pharmacist&#39;s pharmacy is transmitted by the pharmacist over the USB cable to the communication moule  330 . It will be understood that this functionally “pairs” the pill dispensing device  10  with the pharmacists&#39; pharmacy thereby preventing the user from using that pill dispensing device  10  with at a different pharmacy. 
         [0020]    Once the lid  200  is removed from the container  100 , the pharmacist fills the hopper  121  with the desired type and number of pills (P). The pharmacist then uses a personal computer to communicate with the processing unit  300  via the communications module  330 . In particular, the pharmacist will indicate how often a pill (P) can be dispensed, how many pills were loaded into the hopper  121 , and a code identifying a patient RFID fob. In alternative embodiments, the pharmacist may indicate what type of pills (P) were loaded into the hopper  121 , whether any refills will be allowed, the patient&#39;s name and other related personal information. Such information is stored on the data store  320  as needed. Once the pharmacist has indicated all of the desired information, the lid  200  is engaged back onto the top ring  116  of the container  100 , which is then locked by the locking mechanism  240 , and the pill dispensing device  10  is given to the patient for use. 
         [0021]    A patient operates the pill dispensing device  10  by placing a personal RFID fob in close proximity with the RFID reader  230 . After detecting the patient&#39;s RFID fob, the RFID reader  230  will signal the processing unit  300  that the patient wishes to dispense one of the pills (P). The processing unit  300  will then evaluate the request against the information previously entered by the pharmacist. In particular, the processing unit  300  will determine if enough time has passed since the last pill was dispensed, and if this particular patient RFID fob is authorized. For example, if the pharmacist desires the particular type of pills (P) in the pill dispensing device  10  to be used only once every 4 hours, then the processing unit  300  will determine whether 4 hours has passed since the last pill (P) was dispensed. If 4 hours have not passed, then the processing unit  300  will signal the display  220  to display the amount of time left until a pill (P) can be dispensed. 
         [0022]    Alternatively, if the processing unit  300  determines based upon the information input by the pharmacist, that a pill (P) can be dispensed, then the processing unit  300  will signal the first trap door  122  to open so that a pill (P) can move from the hopper  121  into the first chute  123 . When a pill (P) moves from the hopper  121  past the first trap door  122  into the first chute  123 , the first sensor  124  signals the processing unit  300  that a pill (P) is now in the first chute  123 . The processing unit  300  will then signal the first trap door  122  to close, and then signal the second trap door  125  to open, thus preventing any more pills (P) from moving into the first chute  123  and permitting the pill (P) in the first chute  123  to move through the second chute  126  into the tray  128 . As the pill (P) passes through the second chute  126 , the second sensor  127  signals the processing unit  300  and indicates that a pill (P) has been dispensed into the tray  128 . The processing unit  300  counts the number of pills of dispensed and stores that count in the data store  320 . The number of dispensed pills can then be later communicated to the pharmacist via the communications module  330 . After a pill is dispensed, the processing unit  300  then signals the second trap door  125  to close. The patient may then open the tray  128  and retrieve the dispensed pill (P). 
         [0023]    It will therefore be understood that unauthorized users (those without an authorized patient RFID fob) are unable to dispense pills (P) from the pill dispensing device  10 . It will also be understood that even authorized users (those with an authorized patient RFID fob) can only dispense pills (P) in accordance with the schedule indicated by the pharmacist when the pill dispensing device  10  was setup. 
         [0024]    The pill dispensing device  10  is further secured through the operation of the tamper resistance mechanism  130 . It will be understood that the processing unit  300  monitors the conductive liquid  113  by passing a current from the first wire  250  through the conductive liquid  113  to the second wire  252 . It will be further understood that if a user attempts to tamper with the pill dispensing device  10  by breaking through the first cylinder  110  of the container  100 , the conductive liquid  115  will spill through any rupture in the first wall  100  thus breaking the circuit between the first wire  250 , the conductive liquid  115  and the second wire  252 . When the processing unit  300  detects that circuit break, it signals the tamper resistance mechanism  130  to activate. As discussed above, activation of the tamper resistance mechanism  130  will result in rending the pills (P) unusable. It will be understood that because the first wire  250  and second wire  252  are preferably of different lengths, the function of the tamper resistance mechanism  130  cannot be circumvented by tilting the pill dispensing device  10  upside down to ensure at the conductive liquid  115  maintains contact with the first wire  250  and second wire  252 . 
         [0025]    It is clear that the present invention is well adapted to carry out its objectives and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in varying detail for purposes of disclosure, it will be understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention disclosed, as defined in the written description and appended claims.