System and method for prescribing and conveying pharmaceuticals within the premises of a healthcare provider
US7483766B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 27, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jan 27, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 28, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG16H20/13
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system and method of prescribing and conveying regulated pharmaceuticals. Prepackaged pharmaceuticals are kept in a vending machine. Upon the completion of a patient's diagnosis, a physician may prescribe a regulated pharmaceutical. The physician enters the prescription into a terminal. The prescription is read by a central processing unit that controls the vending machine. The central processing unit identifies the location of the pharmaceutical in the vending machine and awaits a proper vending code. Once a physician enters a prescription into the system, the physician hands the patient an electronic key card. The key card is encoded with the vending code needed to activate the vending machine. The patient carries the key card to the vending machine. If the code on the key card matches the prescription code previously entered by a physician, the vending machine vends the prepackaged pharmaceutical.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.