After an in depth discussion, we've decided to go with the cartridge style (option 2) design. Although a cartridge system limits openness, we feel that it is ultimately a better direction.

Benefits of cartridge style:

• Eliminate many machine mechanisms
  • Pill intake
  • Pill sorting
• Eliminates the need to input (most) pill information
  
  • Pill info can be linked to cartridge
  • Dosing information can be linked to cartridge
• More consistent pill dispensing
• More open-ended packing options
  • Cartridges can be upgraded or design after the fact
  • Not constrained to pre-chosen pill sizes
  • Not constrained to standard pill shapes