# US 12,217,845 B2 · Integrated device and system for drug dispensing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,217,845 B2 - Document ID: US12217845B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/202,039 - Filed: 2023-05-25 - Published: 2023-09-21 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2018-10-30 - Assignees: Verinetics, Inc. - Applicants: Verinetics, Inc. - Inventors: Thomas J. Mercolino; John Gerard McKeon; Colin Daniel Zico O'Dowd; Matthew Hanlon - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12217845B2 ## CPC - G16H 20/13: delivered from dispensers - A61J 1/03: for pills or tablets (containers for pills or tablets with special dispensing means therefor B65D83/04) - A61J 7/0053: {Syringes, pipettes or oral dispensers} - A61J 7/0084: {for multiple medicaments} - A61J 7/04: Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers - G16H 40/63: for local operation - G16H 40/67: for remote operation - A61J 2200/30: Compliance analysis for taking medication - G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA - A61J: CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE ## Abstract In one embodiment, a device includes a plurality of vials each bearing a unique identifier and in discrete locations in the device and an alignment assembly for aligning one of the discrete locations with an access point for dispensing one of the plurality of vials. Computer instructions select a vial of the plurality of vials to be dispensed and inventory information of the plurality of vials is stored, including unique identifiers and a status for each vial. Instructions can deactivate dispensing of the vials based on a signal from an environmental sensor. A deactivation assembly deactivates dispensing of the vials based on the instructions. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device comprising: a plurality of vials each bearing a unique identifier and in discrete locations in the device; an alignment assembly for aligning one of the discrete locations with an access point for dispensing one of the plurality of vials; a computer readable memory comprising executable instructions for: selecting a vial of the plurality of vials to be dispensed; ring inventory information of the plurality of vials, wherein the inventory information associates the unique identifiers with a status for each the plurality of vials, the status selected from among the group indicating whether a vial is: loaded, dispensed, returned, or remaining undispensed in the device; deactivating dispensing of the vials from the device, wherein the instructions for deactivating dispensing are based on at least one signal received from at least one environmental sensor, wherein the at least one environmental sensor is configured to detect one of: location, temperature, humidity, vibration, shock, and light intrusion of the device; and a deactivation assembly for deactivating dispensing of the vials based on the instructions. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the discrete locations are fixed and the access point is movable. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the discrete locations are movable and the access point is fixed. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3, wherein the movable discrete locations include storing the plurality of vials in a movable conveyor selected from the group: a carousel, a linear conveyor belt, or a serpentine conveyor belt. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the deactivation assembly comprises a locking mechanism for prohibiting alignment of the access point with an unauthorized discrete location, where the locking mechanism is selected from the group: an escapement, a latching solenoid plunger, or a worm gear. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one source includes one or more sensors for detecting removal and return of a vial. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6, wherein the sensors further detect if a vial is full, empty, or partially full. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the instructions further comprise an additional signal received from an additional source, the additional source being selected from the group: a user wearable, a GPS location, an onboard mobile network connection, a paired mobile device, an internet connection, a Bluetooth connection, an elapsed time measurement. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the instructions further comprise an additional signal received from an additional source, the additional source being selected from the group: an acceleration sensor, an impact sensor, and a gyroscope. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the environmental sensor includes a GPS sensor. ### Claim 11 A device comprising: a cartridge for holding articles to be dispensed, wherein the cartridge contains chambers and wherein each chamber is separated one from another in respective discrete chamber locations within the cartridge such that a selected one of the chambers may be selected for dispensing an article contained therein; processor-executable instructions that select among the chambers containing an article to be dispensed by the dispenser, a dispenser for dispensing the articles from the cartridge, wherein the dispenser dispenses the article from the selected chamber; and a deactivation assembly configured to deactivate the articles remaining in the chamber, wherein the deactivation assembly for deactivating is triggered in response to environmental sensors configured to detect an environment of the device, wherein the deactivation assembly includes: a deactivation solution injector configured to pierce the chambers and inject a deactivation solution through the chambers; and a pressure detector configured to detect the deactivation solution, wherein the deactivation solution contains an antagonist to the article rendering the article ineffective. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, further comprising a memory capable of storing inventory information about the articles, wherein the inventory information is the number of articles loaded, dispensed, and remaining in the device and wherein the inventory information further comprises unique identifier information about the articles. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the articles are pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals or recreational drugs. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the processor-executable instructions comprise a signal received from a source selected from among the group: a motion sensor, an acceleration sensor, an impact sensor, a gyroscope, a user wearable, a GPS location, an onboard mobile network connection, a paired mobile device, an internet connection, a Bluetooth connection, an elapsed time measurement, or sensors that monitor removal and return of a vial. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the cartridge is a rotary cartridge. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12, wherein the inventory information is tracked in an external database. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The device of claim 16, wherein the database is selected from among the group: a blockchain, a distributed ledger technology, or a serialization database. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The device of claim 16, wherein the database information is displayed on a dashboard.