The Pivotell Mk3/24 Automatic Pill Dispenser

The Pivotell Automatic Pill Dispenser reminds the user by means of an alarm and flashing light when to take their medication. It will make the correct dose available at the correct time of day or night, whilst keeping other pills locked out of sight. Medication is dispensed from an internal tray containing 29 sections. Maximum number of alarm settings - 24.

When the alarm sounds the internal tray will rotate one position and the correct dosage will come into view in the lid opening. Pills should be removed from the dispenser by tilting it and pouring the pills into the hand or suitable container. This will also cancel the alarm signal and flashing light.

Pivotell^® Automatic Pill Dispensers have been widely used throughout the UK since 2002. The Mark 3/24 dispenser, with its enhanced functionality and proven reliability is the preferred choice among professional care agencies within the NHS and Local Authority Social Services and has been continuously developed since it was first designed and patented in 1997. Registered with the MHRA as Medical Device: Class 1.  Pivotell automatic pill dispenser plastics incorporate an antibacterial silver ion technology to provide protection against harmful microbes such as bacteria and viruses. 

Features Include:

• Daily Alarm Times - 1-24 

Accomodates the most complicated of medication regimes

• Compartments - 29

For easy pharmacy filling one compartment is left empty

• Two or more compartments can be programmed to alarm at the same time 

For those with many or large pills

• Start Delay and Stop functions

​Delays activation or deactivates dispenser - useful for those using multiple dispensers and to allow pharmacists or family members to fill in advance away from home.

• A Pharmacy label carrier and label case is supplied 

To comply with Royal Pharmacy Society of Great Britain labelling requirements

• Upside Down Function

Upside-down - if a dosage time occurs when the dispenser is upside down it will alarm as normal but the tray will not move forward. Then when it is returned upright it will move to the correct position for that time of day..

This also allows for the possibility that the dispenser could be transported upside down. If a dosage time occurs when the dispenser is upside down it will alarm as usual but the tray will not move forward. If the dispenser is upside down for some time the dispenser will record on how many occasions it should have rotated and when returned to the upright position will move to the correct position for the next scheduled dose so that the correct medication for that time will be presented.

• Alarm can sound for up to 5 hours
• Self adjusting for GMT/BST
• Upside-down Function
• Review actual 'dose taken' time
• Low battery warning
• 4 alarm sounds
• CE marked, RoHS compliant
• Made in Sweden

The Dispenser Box Includes:

• 1 Mark 3/24 PivoTell^® Automatic Pill Dispenser
• 2 time discs for 1-4 times a day regime
• 2 blank time discs for more than 4 times a day
• Key and battery cover securing screw
• Prescription booklet and holder to apply pharmacy labels or medication information
• 4 x AA batteries

Further Details:

• Day / time discs supplied for 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 times daily dosage and one blank disc for five or more doses per day
• Battery life - up to 12 months. It possible to use either Alkaline AA or re-chargeable batteries
• Battery level meter and warning indicator
• Secure battery case cover to deter tampering (screw provided)
• Spare trays, lids and time discs available for off-site filling by family members or pharmacists
• Filling aids are available to assist with accurate filling of the trays.
• A Pivotell Dispenser Tipper is available for those with limited strength or wrist dexterity and those who might forget to turn the dispenser upright after dispensing their medication see tipper
• Four different alarm sounds. 
• Flashing light for those with hearing impairment
• Lockable - only the medication due can be accessed by the user
• Can be Telecare enabled (e.g. Lifeline / Carephone / Sayphone systems) with Alarm Response Centre response. For this function the dispenser must be purchased from your Telecare provider

If you do not have adobe reader, please use the link to download it.

How the Pivotell^® Automatic Pill Dispenser Works

Open a pdf copy of the PivoTell model 3/11 instructions (size 558kb).

Dispenser shown unlocked and with lid open

Figure 1: The Pivotell^® Automatic Pill Dispenser. It can be filled by the user, carer or relative. It is easily programmed and will dispense pills up to 24 times a day.

Dispenser shown in the position after rotation and before being tilted.

Figure 2: At the pre-programmed times, the internal pill cassette rotates, the alarm signal is heard, the light flashes and the correct dosage comes into view through the opening in the lid. The alarm can be set to continue to ring for up to 5 hours.

Dispenser shown in a tipper and the pills being dispensed into a bowl.

Figure 3: To stop the alarm ringing and dispense the pills, the user merely tilts the Pivotell^® dispenser and the pills fall into the hand or a suitable container. A Pivotell^® tipper is available for those with insufficient strength or limited dexterity to lift and dispense their medication.

Spare Cassette with lid, discs and prescription booklet

Figure 4: Spare internal cassettes can be pre-filled to replace the empty tray when necessary (protective cover provided).

Loading the Pivotell^® Dispenser

The dispenser is supplied with clearly printed discs. The discs identify the appropriate number of doses per day (between 1 and 4). Blank discs are supplied which should be manually completed for those on five or more doses daily.

The appropriate disc for the pill regime is then placed on the tray prior to filling it, and used as a guide as to where to place the pills. The red section remains empty to help with offsite filling by Pharmacy and transport home.

The refill frequency will depend upon the number of daily medications (up to 24) for example:-

• Once a day medication refill every 28 days
• Twice a day medication refill every 14 days
• Three times a day medication refill every 9 days
• Four times a day medication refill every 7 days
• Seven times a day medication refill every 4 days

N.B. Certain medication should not be placed in medication dispensing systems. If in doubt check with a pharmacist.

12/24 Hour Time The clock can be set to either 12 or 24 hour display.
The clock is self adjusting for British Summer Time and Greenwich Mean Time.

Security An alarm signal (different to the pre set alarm sound) is activated if any fault should arise which effects the rotation of the dispenser

Testing The Pivotell dispenser has an in built test function which should be activated periodically.

Lock The Pivotell^® dispenser is equipped with a lock to ensure that only the medication which is due is accessible to the user.

Maintenance The batteries should be changed when the low charge indicator is displayed. At normal usage the batteries last for at least 12 months. Four alkaline AA batteries should be used. All pre set functions (alarm times,alarm sound etc) remain the same after the batteries are changed. Only the real time clock which needs correcting if the batteries are left out, or are out of charge.

emC emission and immunity, FDA, Medical Device Registration Class 1. Pivotell dispensers fulfill all necessary requirements. 

Dimensions Size: Diameter 190mm or 7.5 ins Height 56mm or 2.5ins.

Weight with batteries 480 gms (approx. 1 lb)