Methods and devices for dispensing pharmaceutical and medical supply items
US5905653A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 4, 1997 |
| Grant date | May 18, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 4, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61G12/001
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention provides an exemplary method for dispensing medical supply or pharmaceutical items from a dispensing unit which comprises a processor and a cabinet having a plurality of drawers which are lockable within the cabinet by a locking mechanism. The drawers include a plurality of bins for holding the pharmaceutical or medical supply items, with at least some of the bins having lids equipped with a sensor that communicates with the processor to indicate when the lid is lifted. Further, the processor includes a record of the items held within each drawer and which items may be accessed by specific users or user types. According to the method, user identification information is entered into the processor to identify a user that is requesting access to one of the pharmaceutical or medical supply items held in the dispensing unit. The processor then determines which drawer or drawers may be unlocked for access by the user by comparing the user identification information with the record of which items may be accessed by specific users. A signal is then sent from the processor to unlock at least one of the drawers to which the user may have access. The user then looks in the bins …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.