Abstract: A dispensing system for medication comprising a dispenser (55, 56) into which the canister (60) of medication is placed. The dispenser has a locking mechanism for selectively preventing dispensing of the medication. The system receives input data from a user and has a control device remote from the dispenser to lock the dispenser until the input data is correctly entered. The dispenser may be configured by a cartridge (100) inserted into the dispenser in place of the canister (60). The dispenser also has means for determining its location and locking the device if the dispenser is not at or within a fixed location.

Abstract: A dispensing system for medication comprising a dispenser (55, 56) into which the canister (60) of medication is placed. The dispenser has a locking mechanism for selectively preventing dispensing of the medication. The system receives input data from a user and has a control device remote from the dispenser to lock the dispenser until the input data is correctly entered. The dispenser may be configured by a cartridge (100) inserted into the dispenser in place of the canister (60). The dispenser also has means for determining its location and locking the device if the dispenser is not at or within a fixed location.

Abstract: A secure dispensing system comprising a container (10) arranged to dispense a quantity of a material through a delivery port (40). The system has a locking mechanism to prevent the dispensing of the material and a control device (70) to enable release of the locking mechanism. A key (110) is also provided to allow access to restricted functions of the system. The system will only enable release of the locking mechanism once a user has been authenticated by one or more biometric means of identification. The key (110) may also comprises a biometric means of authentication which must be provided in order to functionalize the key (110).

Abstract: A dispenser having a socket (42) for receiving a cartridge (40) of material to be dispensed. The dispenser has a plurality of pins (44) which engage in apertures (36) in the cartridge to enable dispensing of the material. The pins are retractable, upon insertion of the cartridge into the socket, from a retracted position generally adjacent to the wall of the socket to a deployed position in which they engage with the apertures.

Abstract: A dispensing system for controlled, especially remote controlled, dispensing of medicaments is disclosed. The system consists of a dispensing mechanism adapted to receive a sealed or resealable container of material to be dispensed and to validate that it is the correct material, and which includes a mechanical actuation mechanism which, when actuated, causes a measured dose of material to be dispensed from the material container. The mechanical actuation mechanism may be inhibited from operation by a locking mechanism which, when actuated, locks the device against the further dispensing of a dose of material until release in accordance with the desired dispensing programme, e.g. until a certain time period has elapsed, or until the programme permits dispensing to occur on some other basis. The dispensing system may be in two parts, a hand-held hand-actuated dispensing mechanism (1) and a base or docking station (2) into which the hand-held unit may be placed in order to release the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A device for vaporizing a medicament (4). The device comprises a resistive element (9) on which the medicament is deposited. The device also comprises a source of electrical power which can be connected across the resistive element to vaporize the medicament. The element is configured to provide a central cool region (11) on which the medicament is deposited and a relatively hotter region (12) surrounding the cool region. Through holes (13) are also provided. The resistive element may be a mesh, foil or a tile on which a resistive pattern is deposited.

Abstract: A dispensing system for controlled, especially remote controlled, dispensing of medicaments is disclosed. The system consists of a dispensing mechanism adapted to receive a sealed or resealable container of material to be dispensed and to validate that it is the correct material, and which includes a mechanical actuation mechanism which, when actuated, causes a measured dose of material to be dispensed from the material container. The mechanical actuation mechanism may be inhibited from operation by a locking mechanism which, when actuated, locks the device against the further dispensing of a dose of material until release in accordance with the desired dispensing programme, e.g. until a certain time period has elapsed, or until the programme permits dispensing to occur on some other basis. The dispensing system may be in two parts, a hand-held hand-actuated dispensing mechanism (1) and a base or docking station (2) into which the hand-held unit may be placed in order to release the locking mechanism.