Patent attributes
This invention provides a medication dispensing system that instructs the user through visual and audio cues, such as the illumination of individual medication cups that are arrayed in accordance with a daily and weekly schedule in separate orifices within the dispenser body. The system and method monitors compliance by determining when an indicated cup is accessed, based upon at least one of manipulating a lid and/or placing into, removing from, or replacing into the correct orifice based upon the indication. The cups can be refilled at an appropriate time based upon an indication by the system, and/or can be provided in removable refill tray (that is prefilled by a pharmacist) which simplifies the refill process. The dispenser can include an on-board processor that stores a current configuration including the treatment schedule. The configuration can be programmed/re-programmed, and compliance can be monitored, via a wired or wireless server connection that communicates with interested parties (e.g., the user, family, caregivers, physicians and the like), and that supports a graphical user (web-based) interface. The server allows interested parties to generate reports regarding compliance. The server also transmits alerts to interested parties via a variety of communications mechanisms (telephone, e-mail, text-messaging (SMS), etc.) in cases of current or continuing non-compliance by the user/patient.
