Replacement liner and methods for a dispensing device

• US 20010032035A1
• Filed: 04/03/2001
• Published: 10/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John D. Higham, Richard C. Arnold, William K. Holmes
• Original Assignee: John D. Higham, Richard C. Arnold, William K. Holmes
• Inventors: Arnold, Richard C., Higham, John D., Holmes, William K.
• Granted Patent: US 6,640,159 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/231
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 88/90 Constructional details of drawers
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 88/975 in the form of repositionable partition walls
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 88/994 in the form of trays or inserts
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 12/001 Trolleys for transport of medicaments, food, linen, nursing supplies carts specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis A61B50/13; hand carts B62B3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00

Abstract

The invention provides an exemplary method for restocking pharmaceutical or medical supply items into a dispensing unit having a processor, with at least some of the pharmaceutical or medical supply items being held in removable liners having a plurality of receptacles. According to the method, a request is entered into the processor to restock pharmaceutical or medical supply items. One of the liners is then removed from the dispensing unit and is replaced with a replacement liner having a new inventory of pharmaceutical or medical supply items. Information identifying the replacement liner is also entered into the processor.

Claims

1. A method for restocking pharmaceutical or medical supply items into a dispensing unit having a processor, wherein at least some of the pharmaceutical or medical supply items are held in removable liners having a plurality of receptacles for holding the pharmaceutical or medical supply items, the method comprising:

entering a request into the processor to restock pharmaceutical or medical supply items into the processor;

removing one of the liners from the dispensing unit;

replacing the removed liner with a replacement liner having a new inventory of pharmaceutical or medical supply items; and

entering information identifying the replacement liner into the processor.

2. A method as in

claim 1

, wherein the replacement liner includes an identification device having information on the configuration of the receptacles, the types of items held in the receptacles, and the quantity of items held in the receptacles, and further comprising reading the information from the identification device with a reader upon placement of the liner into the dispensing unit, and transferring the information from the reader to the processor.

3. A method as in

claim 2

, wherein the identification device comprises an electronic memory device, and wherein the dispensing unit includes a recording device to record information regarding the items removed from the liner, and further comprising comparing the record of removal stored in the memory device with actual inventory levels to determine any discrepancies.

4. A method as in

claim 3

, further comprising comparing the record of removal with the actual inventory levels at a pharmacy station following removal of the liner.

5. A method as in

claim 1

, wherein the liners are held within drawers, and further comprising withdrawing one of the drawers prior to removing the liner.

6. A method as in

claim 1

, wherein the liners are grouped into types based on the configuration of the receptacles and the types and par levels of items held within the receptacles, wherein the processor includes a record of each type of liner, and further comprising entering into the processor the type of liner to which the replacement liner is grouped.

7. A method as in

claim 6

, wherein the dispensing unit is partitioned into separate locations, wherein the processor includes a record of which types of liners may be placed into each of the locations.

8. A method as in

claim 7

, wherein the type of liner being replaced is entered into the processor, and further comprising producing an error message and audible alert if the liner type entered is incorrect.

9. A method as in

claim 6

, wherein the dispensing unit is partitioned into separate locations, wherein the processor includes a record of the particular type of liner held in each location, and further comprising updating the processor'"'"'s record to reflect new quantities of each item upon entry of the information into the processor that the replacement liner has been placed into the dispensing unit.

10. A method as in

claim 7

, further comprising transferring to the processor a list of liner types to be replaced in the unit and the quantities of items held in each of the receptacles that are being delivered from a central pharmacy for restocking.

11. A method as in

claim 6

, wherein the type of liner is stored on the liner, and further comprising reading the type of liner from the liner by a reader in communication with the processor before the liner is placed into the dispensing unit.

12. A method as in

claim 11

, wherein the dispensing unit includes a plurality of drawers to hold the liners, and wherein the drawers are locked, and further comprising unlocking only the drawer containing the entered type of liner when the type of liner has been electronically read by the reader.

13. A method as in

claim 12

, wherein the user is guided to the unlocked drawer by a visual indicator.

14. A method as in

claim 6

, wherein the dispensing unit includes a plurality of drawers to hold the liners, and wherein each drawer is marked with one of the types so that a user may visually identify the type of liner to place in each drawer.

15. A method as in

claim 14

, further comprising opening one of the drawers, the processor detecting which drawer is open, replacing the liner, entering into the processor a confirmation of the liner type placed in the drawer, and producing an alarm with the processor if an incorrect liner is placed into the drawer.

16. A method as in

claim 15

, wherein the liner type is electronically read upon placement of the liner into the drawer by a single reader attached to the dispensing unit.

17. A method as in

claim 14

, wherein all the drawers are locked, and further comprising entering into the processor the type of liner to be restocked, and unlocking the drawer containing the entered liner type for replacement.

18. A method as in

claim 17

, wherein the user is guided to the unlocked drawer by a visual indicator.

19. A method as in

claim 1

, wherein the liners are each assigned a unique identifier, further comprising entering into the processor the identifier for an expected replacement liner prior to entering the restocking request, and further comprising entering the unique identifier for the replacement liner into the processor upon placement of the replacement liner into the dispensing unit.

20. A method as in

claim 19

, further comprising producing an alarm if the identifier for the expected liner is different from the identifier entered upon replacement of the replacement liner.

21. A method as in

claim 19

, wherein the replacement liner filled at a pharmacy station, wherein the pharmacy station assigns the unique identifier to the replacement liner and produces a record of the configuration of the receptacles, the types of items held in the receptacles, and the quantity of items held in the receptacles, and further comprising transmitting the unique identifier and the associated record to the processor of the dispensing unit.

22. A method as in

claim 19

, wherein the unique identifier is included on the liner, and further comprising reading the identifier from the liner with a reader that is in communication with the processor prior to placement of the replacement liner into the dispensing unit.

23. A method as in

claim 19

, wherein the unique identifier is included on the liner, and further comprising entering the identifier manually into the processor.

24. A method as in

claim 19

, wherein the liners are held within lockable drawers, and further comprising unlocking only one drawer at a time when replacing the liners.

25. A method as in

claim 24

, wherein the user is guided to the unlocked drawer by a visual indicator

26. A method as in

claim 1

, wherein each liner includes a unique identifier, wherein the liners are grouped into types based on the configuration of the receptacles and the types and par levels of items held within the receptacles, wherein the processor includes a table having a list of each identifier, the type corresponding to the identifier, and the drawer corresponding to the type, and wherein the dispensing unit includes an entry-device to enter the identifier for each liner that is to be restocked into the processor prior to replacing the liner.

27. A method as in

claim 26

, further comprising transferring to the processor the entry of the table upon initial configuration of the dispensing unit, and further comprising, during restocking, electronically transferring to the processor a list of liner identifiers and the quantities of items held in each liner that are to be restocked from a central pharmacy station which fills the liners with the items.

28. A method as in

claim 26

, wherein the unique identifier is included on a bar code label, and further comprising reading the bar code label with a bar code reader that is in communication with the processor.

29. A method as in

claim 26

, further comprising configuring the processor to indicate which drawer is to receive the replacement liner upon entry of the identifier into the processor.

30. A method as in

claim 26

, further comprising configuring the processor to unlock the drawer that is to receive the replacement liner upon entry of the identifier into the processor.

52. A method as in

claim 1

, further comprising entering into the processor the quantity of one or more items that are contained in the replacement liner.

53. A method as in

claim 9

, wherein the new quantities of each item are sent electronically from a central pharmacy processor to the processor of the dispensing unit.

54. A method as in

claim 53

, wherein a restock technician may modify or enter the item quantities to be restocked manually at the dispensing unit processor when the quantities brought are less than expected by the dispensing unit processor.

31. A system for dispensing and replenishing pharmaceutical or medical supply items, the system comprising:

a dispensing unit comprising a cabinet having a plurality of retractable drawers;

a plurality of liners that are divided into receptacles for holding pharmaceutical or medical supply items, wherein at least some of the drawers hold at least one liner; and

a processor having a data base to store a record of the configuration of the receptacles in each liner and the types and quantities of items held within the receptacles.

32. A system as in

claim 31

, wherein the replacement liners each include an identification device having information on the configuration of the receptacles, the types of items held in the receptacles, and the quantity of items held in the receptacles, and further comprising a reader in communication with the processor to read the information from the identification device and to transfer the information to the processor.

33. A system as in

claim 32

, wherein the identification device comprises an electronic memory device, and wherein the dispensing unit includes a recording device to record information regarding the items removed from the liner so that a record of removal that is stored in the memory device may be compared with actual inventory levels to determine any discrepancies.

34. A system as in

claim 31

, wherein the dispensing unit includes a plurality of drawers, and wherein the liners are held within the drawers.

35. A system as in

claim 31

, wherein the liners are grouped into types based on the configuration of the receptacles and the types of items held within the receptacles, and wherein the processor includes a record of each type of liner.

36. A system as in

claim 35

, wherein the dispensing unit is partitioned into separate locations, wherein the processor includes a record of which types of liners may be placed into each of the locations so that an error message may be produced with the processor if the replacement liner is placed into an unpermitted location.

37. A system as in

claim 35

, wherein the dispensing unit is partitioned into separate locations, and wherein the processor is adapted to be placed in communication with a central pharmacy so that a restock list of liner types may be transferred to the processor from the central pharmacy, and so that the processor may provide a set of instructions as to which type of liner may be placed into each of the locations.

38. A system as in

claim 35

, wherein the type of liner is stored on the liner, and further comprising a reader in communication with the processor to read the type of liner from the liner.

39. A system as in

claim 38

, wherein the dispensing unit includes a plurality of drawers to hold the liners, wherein the drawers are locked, and wherein the processor is configured to send a signal to unlock the drawer containing the type of liner when the type of liner has been read electronically with the reader.

40. A system as in

claim 39

, further comprising a visual indicator disposed on each of the drawers.

41. A system as in

claim 35

, wherein the dispensing unit includes a plurality of drawers to hold the liners, and wherein each drawer is marked with one of the types so that a user may visually identify the type of liner to place in each drawer.

42. A system as in

claim 31

, wherein the liners each include a unique identifier, wherein the processor includes a list of identifiers corresponding to replacement liners that are expected to be placed into the dispensing unit prior to entering the restocking request, and wherein the dispensing unit further includes an entry device to enter the unique identifier for the replacement liner into the processor.

43. A system as in

claim 42

, wherein the processor further includes a record of the configuration of the receptacles for each liner, the types of items held in the receptacles, and the quantity of items held in the receptacles.

44. A system as in

claim 42

, wherein the unique identifier is included on the liner, and further comprising a reader in communication with the processor to read the identifier from the liner prior to placement of the replacement liner into the dispensing unit.

45. A system as in

claim 42

, wherein the liners are held within lockable drawers, and wherein the processor is configured to send a signal to unlock only one drawer at a time when replacing the liners.

46. A system as in

claim 45

, further comprising a visual indicator disposed on each of the drawers.

47. A system as in

claim 31

, wherein each liner includes a unique identifier, wherein the liners are grouped into types based on the configuration of the receptacles and the types and par levels of items held within the receptacles, wherein the processor includes a table having a list of each identifier, the type corresponding to the identifier, and the drawer corresponding to the type, and wherein the dispensing unit includes an entry device to enter the identifier for each liner that is to be restocked into the processor prior to replacing the liner.

48. A system as in

claim 47

, wherein the processor is adapted to receive the entry of the table upon initial configuration of the dispensing unit, and wherein, during restocking, the processor is adapted to electronically receive a list of liner identifiers and the quantities of items held in each liner that are to be restocked from a central pharmacy station which fills the liners with the items.

49. A system as in

claim 47

, wherein the unique identifier is included on a bar code label, and further comprising a bar code reader that is in communication with the processor to read the bar code from the label.

50. A system as in

claim 47

, wherein the processor is configured to indicate which drawer is to receive the replacement liner upon entry of the identifier into the processor.

51. A system as in

claim 47

, wherein the processor is configured to unlock the drawer that is to receive the replacement liner upon entry of the identifier into the processor.