System and method for tracking and regulating removal of patient medications

1. A pill packet dosage tracking device, the device comprising:

a container comprising:

a reservoir configured to hold a stream of pill packets; and

an extraction channel configured to guide passage of the stream of pill packets from the reservoir out of the container;

a gate comprising:

an inner slider;

an outer slider slidably coupled to the inner slider and having an engagement edge for engaging the stream of pill packets;

a motor for positioning the gate; and

a linkage connecting the motor to the inner slider wherein the linkage converts rotational movement of the motor to linear movement of the gate;

wherein the gate is disposed in the extraction channel and vertically transitions between a closed position blocking extraction of a pill packet of the stream of pill packets and an open position allowing extraction of a pill packet; and

a controller monitors the extraction of pill packets and controls the transition of the gate between the closed position and the open position.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the stream of pill packets comprises one or more packet of containing a predetermined dosage of pills wherein each pill packet is detachably connected to a next pill packet in the stream.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the container further comprises an upper shell and a lower shell wherein removing the upper shell provides access to the reservoir and extraction channel.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the gate is mechanically biased in a closed position by springs between the inner slider and outer slider.

5. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a receiver that receives the engagement edge of outer slider when the gate in a closed position.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the engagement edge of the outer slider has an asymmetrical shape.

7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the engagement edge has a guillotine blade configuration.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein extracting a pill packet from the container through the extraction channel causes the gate to transition from a closed position to an open position, indicating to the controller that a pill packet has been extracted.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is maintains a count of pill packet extracted from device.

10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the controller detects the extraction of one or more pill packets corresponding to a timed dosage and lock the gate in a closed position until a next timed dosage.

11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises:

a processor that monitors and controls the extraction of pill packets; and

one or more sensors that detect the position of the gate.

12. The device of claim 1 , wherein the controller further comprises wireless connectivity.

13. The device of claim 12 , wherein the device can be controlled remotely.

14. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a display mounted on the container providing a status of the device.

15. The device of claim 14 , wherein the display comprises a touch screen display.

16. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor disposed along the extraction channel configured to detect a pill packet.

17. The device of claim 16 , wherein the sensor comprises an optical scanner.

18. The device of claim 16 wherein the sensor comprises a camera.

19. The device of claim 1 , further comprising an authorization mechanism in communication with the controller.