DATA COLLECTION DEVICE, SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR COLLECTING DATA RELATED TO THE DISPENSING OF CONTRAST MEDIA

• US 20080004507A1
• Filed: 04/23/2007
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ACIST Medical Systems Incorporated (Bracco SPA)
• Original Assignee: E-Z-EM Incorporated (Bracco SPA)
• Inventors: Hartman, Steven, Godfrey, Clark, Cross-Hansen, Alan, Williams, Robert, Tengco, Tito
• Application Number:
  US11/738,833
• Publication Number:
  US 20080004507A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/00 Measuring for diagnostic purposes radiation diagnosis A61B6/00; diagnosis by ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/00; Identification of persons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/055 involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/481 involving the use of contrast agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/481 involving the use of contrast agent, e.g. microbubbles introduced into the bloodstream analysis of echo signal exploiting properties of a contrast enhancer in devices for short-range imaging with acoustic waves G01S7/52039
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

The present invention comprises devices, systems, methods, and computer program products for managing data related to the dispensing of contrast media as part of a medical procedure. The device and system provide a controller that is capable of communicating with a dispensing device so as to extract, arrange, process, and present a data set (e.g., a usage data set) from the dispensing device to a user such that the user may selectively monitor statistics related to the administration of contrast media, saline, or other consumables used during one or more dispensing operations. The method and computer program product for managing data related to the dispensing of contrast media may further allow for extraction, arrangement, processing, and presentation of the data set via the controller, via a user interface that is operably engaged with the dispensing device and/or via a computer network that may be in communication with the dispensing device.

Claims

1. A device adapted to be capable of communicating with a medical device configured to be capable of dispensing a contrast media as part of a medical procedure, the device comprising:

a controller adapted to be capable of communicating with the medical device, the controller configured to be capable of transmitting or receiving a data set from the medical device, the controller being further configured to be capable of arranging and modifying data within the data set, data within the data set being related to an operation of the medical device;

a storage device configured to be in communication with the controller, the storage device further configured to be capable of receiving the data within the data set such that the data within the data set may be selectively retained by the storage device; and

a user interface configured to be capable of communicating with the storage device and the controller so as to enable a user of the device to selectively access, modify, and supplement the data within the data set with patient data related to a recipient of the contrast media.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the patient data comprises blood chemistry data related to the recipient of the contrast media, and wherein the controller is further configured for calculating a glomerular filtration rate based at least in part on the blood chemistry data comprising a serum creatinine level.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the patient data comprises data selected from the group consisting of:

weight;

height;

age;

gender;

race;

one or more preexisting medical conditions;

one or more allergies;

a unique identification number; and

combinations thereof

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the medical device is a dispensing device and wherein the controller is further adapted to be capable of communicating with an extravasation detection device, the controller being further configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving an extravasation data set from the extravasation detection device and wherein the storage device is further configured to be capable of receiving the data within the extravasation data set such that the extravasation data set is integrated with the data set selectively retained within the storage device.

5. A device according to claim 1 wherein the controller is further adapted to be capable of communicating with one or more electronic devices, the controller being further configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving a supplemental data set from the one or more electronic devices and wherein the storage device is further configured to be capable of receiving the data within the supplemental data set such that the supplemental data set is integrated with the data set selectively retained within the storage device.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the supplemental electronic devices are chosen from the group consisting of:

(i) medical imaging devices;

(ii) medical imaging device controllers;

(iii) vital sign monitoring devices;

(iv) blood chemistry analysis devices;

(v) computer devices; and

(vi) combinations thereof.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the user interface is chosen from the group consisting of:

(i) touch screen displays;

(ii) keyboards;

(iii) computer mice;

(iv) computers;

(v) personal computing devices; and

(vi) combinations thereof

8. A device according to claim 4, wherein the controller is configured to be capable of communicating with the dispensing device and the extravasation detection device via a computer network.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving the data set comprising data selected from a group consisting of:

(i) a date of the medical imagining procedure;

(ii) a time of the medical imaging procedure;

(iii) a quantity of contrast media dispensed;

(iv) a quantity of contrast media pre-loaded into the dispensing device;

(v) a quantity of a consumable devices used by the dispensing device;

(vi) a quantity of saline solution dispensed;

(vii) a time and pressure history related to the dispensing operation;

(viii) a time and flow rate history related to the dispensing operation;

(ix) a number of one or more syringe load-fill-unload cycles arranged by date and time wherein the cycles do not correspond to the dispensing operation, so as to indicate a syringe pre-filling operation;

(x) a number of one or more syringe load-fill-inject-re-fill cycles arranged by date and time wherein the cycles to not correspond to a removal of a syringe, so as to indicate a syringe re-use;

(xi) one or more of flow rate, volume, pressure, and programmed pause data corresponding to a dispensing operation;

(xii) one or more protocol-identifying data corresponding to a pre-programmed dispensing protocol corresponding to a dispensing operation;

(xiii) one or more individual-identifying data;

(xiv) one or more physical measurements of the recipient of the contrast media;

(xv) one or more blood chemistry data related to a recipient of the contrast media;

(xvi) one or more imaging device data corresponding to a medical imaging procedure;

(xvii) one or more contrast media data; and

(xviii) combinations thereof.

10. A device according to claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving the extravasation data set comprising data selected from a group consisting of:

(i) a date of the medical imaging procedure;

(ii) a time of the medical imaging procedure;

(iii) an indication of whether or not the extravasation detection device was enabled;

(iv) an indication of whether or not an extravasation event was detected;

(v) an impedance profile corresponding to the detection operation; and

(vi) combinations thereof.

17. A system according to claim 11, wherein the user interface is chosen from the group consisting of:

(i) touch screen displays;

(ii) keyboards;

(iii) computer mice;

(iv) computers;

(v) personal computing devices; and

(vi) combinations thereof.

11. A system for collecting data related to the dispensing of contrast media comprising:

a dispensing device configured to be capable of dispensing a contrast media as part of a medical imaging procedure;

a controller adapted to be capable of communicating with the dispensing device, the controller configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving a data set from the dispensing device, data within the data set being related to a dispensing operation of the dispensing device;

a storage device configured to be capable of receiving the data within the data set such that the data within the data set may be selectively retained by the storage device; and

a user interface configured to be capable of communicating with the storage device and the controller so as to enable a user of the device to selectively access, modify, and supplement the data within the data set with patient data related to a recipient of the contrast media.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein the patient data comprises blood chemistry data related to the recipient of the contrast media, and wherein the controller is further configured for calculating a glomerular filtration rate based at least in part on the blood chemistry data comprising a serum creatinine level.

13. A system according to claim 11, wherein the patient data comprises data selected from the group consisting of:

weight;

height;

age;

gender;

race;

one or more preexisting medical conditions;

one or more allergies;

a unique identification number; and

combinations thereof.

14. A system according to claim 11, further comprising an extravasation detection device, the controller being further configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving an extravasation data set from the extravasation detection device and wherein the storage device is further configured to be capable of receiving the data within the extravasation data set such that the extravasation data set is integrated with the data set selectively retained within the storage device.

15. A system according to claim 11, further comprising one or more electronic devices, the controller being further configured to be capable transmitting and receiving a supplemental data set from the one or more electronic devices and wherein the storage device is further configured to be capable of receiving the data within the supplemental data set such that the supplemental data set is integrated with the data set selectively retained within the storage device.

16. A system according to claim 11, wherein the supplemental electronic devices are chosen from the group consisting of:

(i) medical imaging devices;

(ii) medical imaging device controllers;

(iii) vital sign monitoring devices;

(iv) blood chemistry analysis devices;

(v) computer devices; and

(vi) combinations thereof.

18. A system according to claim 14, wherein the controller is configured to be capable of communicating with the dispensing device and the extravasation detection device via a computer network.

19. A system according to claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving the data set comprising data selected from a group consisting of:

(i) a date of the medical imagining procedure;

(ii) a time of the medical imaging procedure;

(iii) a quantity of contrast media dispensed;

(iv) a quantity of contrast media pre-loaded into the dispensing device;

(v) a quantity of a consumable devices used by the dispensing device;

(vi) a quantity of saline solution dispensed;

(vii) a time and pressure history related to the dispensing operation;

(viii) a time and flow rate history related to the dispensing operation;

(ix) a number of one or more syringe load-fill-unload cycles arranged by date and time wherein the cycles do not correspond to the dispensing operation, so as to indicate a syringe pre-filling operation;

(x) a number of one or more syringe load-fill-inject-re-fill cycles arranged by date and time wherein the cycles to not correspond to a removal of a syringe, so as to indicate a syringe re-use;

(xi) one or more of flow rate, volume, pressure, and programmed pause data corresponding to a dispensing operation;

(xii) one or more protocol-identifying data corresponding to a pre-programmed dispensing protocol corresponding to a dispensing operation;

(xiii) one or more individual-identifying data;

(xiv) one or more physical measurements of the recipient of the contrast media;

(xv) one or more blood chemistry data related to a recipient of the contrast media;

(xvi) one or more imaging device data corresponding to a medical imaging procedure;

(xvii) one or more contrast media data; and

(xviii) combinations thereof.

20. A system according to claim 14, wherein the controller is configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving the extravasation data set comprising data selected from a group consisting of:

(i) a date of the medical imaging procedure;

(ii) a time of the medical imaging procedure;

(iii) an indication of whether or not the extravasation detection device was enabled;

(iv) an indication of whether or not an extravasation event was detected;

(v) an impedance profile corresponding to the detection operation; and

(vi) combinations thereof.

21. A method for collecting, storing, processing, and accessing a data set related to the dispensing of contrast media as part of a medical imaging procedure, the method comprising:

collecting the data set from a dispensing device, data within the data set being related to a dispensing operation of the dispensing device;

directing the data set to a storage device, the storage device being in communication with the dispensing device via a controller, the storage device being configured to be capable of selectively retaining the data within the data set;

collecting a patient data set related to a recipient of the contrast media; and

directing the patient data set to the storage device.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the patient data set comprises blood chemistry data related to the recipient of the contrast media, the method further comprising for calculating a glomerular filtration rate based at least in part on the blood chemistry data comprising a serum creatinine level.

23. A method according to claim 21, wherein the patient data set comprises data selected from the group consisting of:

weight;

height;

age;

gender;

race;

one or more preexisting medical conditions;

one or more allergies;

a unique identification number; and

combinations thereof

24. A method according to claim 21, further comprising:

collecting an extravasation data set from an extravasation detection device, data within the extravasation data set being related to a detection operation of the extravasation detection device performed during the medical imaging procedure; and

directing the extravasation data set to the storage device such that the extravasation data set is integrated with the data set selectively retained within the storage device.

25. A method according to claim 21, further comprising:

collecting a supplemental data set from one or more electronic devices, data within the supplemental data set being related to one or more operations of the one or more electronic devices performed in support of the medical imaging procedure; and

directing the supplemental data set to the storage device such that the supplemental data set is integrated with the data set selectively retained within the storage device.

26. A method according to claim 25, wherein the collecting step further comprises collecting the supplemental data set from the one or more electronic devices selected from a group consisting of:

(i) medical imaging devices;

(ii) medical imaging device controllers;

(iii) vital sign monitoring devices;

(iv) blood chemistry analysis devices;

(v) computer devices; and

(vi) combinations thereof

27. A method according to claim 21, wherein the collecting a data set step further comprises collecting data selected from a group consisting of:

(i) a date of the medical imagining procedure;

(ii) a time of the medical imaging procedure;

(iii) a quantity of contrast media dispensed;

(iv) a quantity of contrast media pre-loaded into the dispensing device;

(v) a quantity of a consumable devices used by the dispensing device;

(vi) a quantity of saline solution dispensed;

(ix) a time and pressure history related to the dispensing operation;

(x) a time and flow rate history related to the dispensing operation;

(ix) a number of one or more syringe load-fill-unload cycles arranged by date and time wherein the cycles do not correspond to the dispensing operation, so as to indicate a syringe pre-filling operation;

(x) a number of one or more syringe load-fill-inject-re-fill cycles arranged by date and time wherein the cycles to not correspond to a removal of a syringe, so as to indicate a syringe re-use;

(xi) one or more of flow rate, volume, pressure, and programmed pause data corresponding to a dispensing operation;

(xii) one or more protocol-identifying data corresponding to a pre-programmed dispensing protocol corresponding to a dispensing operation;

(xvi) one or more individual-identifying data;

(xvii) one or more physical measurements of the recipient of the contrast media;

(xviii) one or more blood chemistry data related to a recipient of the contrast media;

(xvi) one or more imaging device data corresponding to a medical imaging procedure;

(xvii) one or more contrast media data; and

(xviii) combinations thereof.

28. A method according to claim 24, wherein the collecting an extravasation data set step further comprises collecting data selected from a group consisting of:

(i) a date of the medical imaging procedure;

(ii) a time of the medical imaging procedure;

(iii) an indication of whether or not the extravasation detection device was enabled;

(iv) an indication of whether or not an extravasation event was detected;

(v) an impedance profile corresponding to the detection operation; and

(vi) combinations thereof.

29. A method according to claim 21, further comprising directing a portion of the data within the data set corresponding to one or more individual medical imaging procedures into one or more procedure data subsets, each corresponding to an individual medical imaging procedure.

30. A method according to claim 29, further comprising arranging the one or more procedure data subsets by a date of the medical imaging procedure.

31. A method according to claim 21, further comprising displaying data within the data set to a user via a user interface adapted to be capable of communicating with the storage device and the controller.

32. A computer program product capable of controlling a host device comprising a controller and a storage device, the host device being adapted to be capable of communicating with a dispensing device configured to be capable of dispensing a contrast media as part of a medical imaging procedure, the computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising:

an executable portion for collecting a data set from the dispensing device, data within the data set being related to a dispensing operation of the dispensing device;

an executable portion for directing the data set to the storage device, the storage device being in communication with the dispensing device via the controller, the storage device being configured to be capable of selectively retaining the data within the data set;

an executable portion for collecting a patient data set related to a recipient of the contrast media; and

an executable portion for directing the patient data set to the storage device.

33. A computer program product according to claim 32, wherein the patient data set comprises blood chemistry data related to the recipient of the contrast media, the computer program product further comprising an executable portion for calculating a glomerular filtration rate based at least in part on the blood chemistry data comprising a serum creatinine level.

34. A computer program product according to claim 32, wherein the patient data set comprises data selected from the group consisting of:

weight;

height;

age;

gender;

race;

one or more preexisting medical conditions;

one or more allergies;

a unique identification number; and

combinations thereof.

35. A computer program product according to claim 32, further comprising:

an executable portion for collecting an extravasation data set from an extravasation detection device, data within the extravasation data set being related to a detection operation of the extravasation detection device performed during the medical imaging procedure; and

an executable portion for directing the extravasation data set to the storage device such that the extravasation data set is integrated with the data set selectively retained within the storage device.

36. A computer program product according to claim 32, further comprising:

an executable portion for collecting a supplemental data set from one or more supplemental electronic devices, data within the supplemental data set being related to one or more operations of the one or more supplemental electronic devices performed in support of the medical imaging procedure; and

an executable portion for directing the supplemental data set to the storage device such that the supplemental data set is integrated with the data set selectively retained within the storage device.

37. A computer program product according to claim 36, wherein the executable portion for collecting further comprises an executable portion for collecting the supplemental data set from the one or more supplemental electronic devices selected from a group consisting of:

(i) medical imaging devices;

(ii) medical imaging device controllers;

(iii) vital sign monitoring devices;

(iv) blood chemistry analysis devices;

(v) computer devices; and

(vi) combinations thereof

38. A computer program product according to claim 32, wherein the executable portion for collecting a data set step further comprises an executable portion for collecting data selected from a group consisting of:

(i) a date of the medical imagining procedure;

(ii) a time of the medical imaging procedure;

(iii) a quantity of contrast media dispensed;

(iv) a quantity of contrast media pre-loaded into the dispensing device;

(v) a quantity of a consumable devices used by the dispensing device;

(vi) a quantity of saline solution dispensed;

(vii) a time and pressure history related to the dispensing operation;

(viii) a time and flow rate history related to the dispensing operation;

(ix) a number of one or more syringe load-fill-unload cycles arranged by date and time wherein the cycles do not correspond to the dispensing operation, so as to indicate a syringe pre-filling operation;

(x) a number of one or more syringe load-fill-inject-re-fill cycles arranged by date and time wherein the cycles to not correspond to a removal of a syringe, so as to indicate a syringe re-use;

(xi) one or more of flow rate, volume, pressure, and programmed pause data corresponding to a dispensing operation;

(xii) one or more protocol-identifying data corresponding to a pre-programmed dispensing protocol corresponding to a dispensing operation;

(xiii) one or more individual-identifying data;

(xiv) one or more physical measurements of the recipient of the contrast media;

(xv) one or more blood chemistry data related to a recipient of the contrast media;

(xvi) one or more imaging device data corresponding to a medical imaging procedure;

(xvii) one or more contrast media data; and

(xviii) combinations thereof.

39. A computer program product according to claim 35, wherein the executable portion for collecting an extravasation data set step further comprises an executable portion for collecting data selected from a group consisting of:

(i) a date of the medical imaging procedure;

(ii) a time of the medical imaging procedure;

(iii) an indication of whether or not the extravasation detection device was enabled;

(iv) an indication of whether or not an extravasation event was detected;

(v) an impedance profile corresponding to the detection operation; and

(vi) combinations thereof.

40. A computer program product according to claim 32, further comprising an executable portion for directing a portion of the data within the data set corresponding to one or more individual medical imaging procedures into one or more procedure data subsets, each corresponding to an individual medical imaging procedure.

41. A computer program product according to claim 40, further comprising an executable portion for arranging the one or more procedure data subsets by a date of the medical imaging procedure.

42. A computer program product according to claim 32, further comprising an executable portion for displaying data within the data set to a user via a user interface adapted to be capable of communicating with the storage device and the controller.

43. A computer program product according to claim 32, wherein the host device is further adapted to be in communication with one or more dispensing devices, the computer program product further comprising an executable portion for automatically synchronizing one or more data sets collected from the corresponding one or more dispensing devices.

44. A computer program product according to claim 43, further comprising an executable portion for receiving a user-defined identifier for each of the one or more dispensing devices.

45. A computer program product according to claim 43, further comprising an executable portion for selectively displaying data from at least one of the one or more data sets.

46. A computer program product according to claim 43, wherein the one or more dispensing devices are adapted to be in communication with a storage device, the computer program product further comprising an executable portion for storing the one or more data sets in the storage device.

47. A computer program product according to claim 46, further comprising an executable portion for automatically synchronizing the stored one or more data sets.

48. A computer program product according to claim 46, further comprising an executable portion for transferring at least one of the stored one or more data sets to at least one of the one or more dispensing devices.

49. A computer program product according to claim 43, further comprising an executable portion for exporting at least one of the one or more data sets to an alternate computer application selected from a group consisting of:

(i) a word processing program;

(ii) a spreadsheet program;

(iii) a database program;

(iv) a statistical analysis program;

(v) an inventory management program;

(vi) an enterprise resource planning program;

(vii) a radiology visualization program; and

(viii) combinations thereof.

50. A system for collecting, storing, and accessing a data set related to the dispensing of contrast media as part of a medical imaging procedure, the system comprising:

means for collecting the data set from a dispensing device, data within the data set being related to a dispensing operation of the dispensing device; and

means for directing the data set to a storage device, the storage device being configured to be capable of selectively retaining the data within the data set;

means for collecting a patient data set related to a recipient of the contrast media; and

means for directing the patient data set to the storage device.

51. A system according to claim 50, wherein the patient data set comprises blood chemistry data related to the recipient of the contrast media, the system further comprising means for calculating a glomerular filtration rate based at least in part on the blood chemistry data comprising a serum creatinine level.

52. A system according to claim 50, wherein the patient data set comprises data selected from the group consisting of:

weight;

height;

age;

gender;

race;

one or more preexisting medical conditions;

one or more allergies;

a unique identification number; and

combinations thereof.

53. A system according to claim 50, further comprising:

means for collecting an extravasation data set from an extravasation detection device, data within the extravasation data set being related to a detection operation of the extravasation detection device performed during the medical imaging procedure; and

means for directing the extravasation data set to the storage device such that the extravasation data set is integrated with the data set.

54. A system according to claim 50, further comprising:

means for collecting a supplemental data set from one or more supplemental electronic devices, data within the supplemental data set being related to one or more operations of the one or more supplemental electronic devices performed in support of the medical imaging procedure; and

means for directing the supplemental data set to the storage device such that the supplemental data set is integrated with the data set.

55. A system according to claim 54, wherein the means for collecting further comprises means for collecting the supplemental data set from the one or more supplemental electronic devices selected from a group consisting of:

(i) medical imaging devices;

(ii) medical imaging device controllers;

(iii) vital sign monitoring devices;

(iv) blood chemistry analysis devices;

(v) computer devices; and

(vi) combinations thereof.

56. A system according to claim 50, wherein the means for collecting a data set further comprises means for collecting data selected from a group consisting of:

(i) a date of the medical imagining procedure;

(ii) a time of the medical imaging procedure;

(iii) a quantity of contrast media dispensed;

(iv) a quantity of contrast media pre-loaded into the dispensing device;

(v) a quantity of a consumable devices used by the dispensing device;

(vi) a quantity of saline solution dispensed;

(vii) a time and pressure history related to the dispensing operation;

(viii) a time and flow rate history related to the dispensing operation;

(ix) a number of one or more syringe load-fill-unload cycles arranged by date and time wherein the cycles do not correspond to the dispensing operation, so as to indicate a syringe pre-filling operation;

(x) a number of one or more syringe load-fill-inject-re-fill cycles arranged by date and time wherein the cycles to not correspond to a removal of a syringe, so as to indicate a syringe re-use;

(xi) one or more of flow rate, volume, pressure, and programmed pause data corresponding to a dispensing operation;

(xii) one or more protocol-identifying data corresponding to a pre-programmed dispensing protocol corresponding to a dispensing operation;

(xiii) one or more individual-identifying data;

(xiv) one or more physical measurements of the recipient of the contrast media;

(xv) one or more blood chemistry data related to a recipient of the contrast media;

(xvi) one or more imaging device data corresponding to a medical imaging procedure;

(xvii) one or more contrast media data; and

(xviii) combinations thereof.

57. A system according to claim 53, wherein the means for collecting an extravasation data set further comprises means for collecting data selected from a group consisting of:

(i) a date of the medical imaging procedure;

(ii) a time of the medical imaging procedure;

(iii) an indication of whether or not the extravasation detection device was enabled;

(iv) an indication of whether or not an extravasation event was detected;

(v) an impedance profile corresponding to the detection operation; and

(vi) combinations thereof.

58. A system according to claim 50, further comprising means for directing a portion of the data within the data set corresponding to one or more individual medical imaging procedures into one or more procedure data subsets, each corresponding to an individual medical imaging procedure.

59. A system according to claim 58, further comprising means for arranging the one or more procedure data subsets by a date of the medical imaging procedure.

60. A system according to claim 50, further comprising means for displaying data within the data set to a user.

61. A system according to claim 50, wherein the means for collecting further comprises means for collecting one or more data sets from a corresponding one or more dispensing devices, the system further comprising means for automatically synchronizing the one or more data sets collected from the corresponding one or more dispensing devices.

62. A system according to claim 61, further comprising means for receiving a user-defined identifier for each of the one or more dispensing devices.

63. A system according to claim 61, further comprising means for selectively displaying data from at least one of the one or more data sets.

64. A system according to claim 61, further comprising means for storing the one or more data sets in a storage device.

65. A system according to claim 64, further comprising means for automatically synchronizing the stored one or more data sets.

66. A system according to claim 64, further comprising means for transferring at least one of the stored one or more data sets to at least one of the one or more dispensing devices.

67. A system according to claim 61, further comprising means for exporting at least one of the one or more data sets to a computer application selected from a group consisting of:

(i) a word processing program;

(ii) a spreadsheet program;

(iii) a database program;

(iv) a statistical analysis program;

(v) an inventory management program;

(vi) an enterprise resource planning program;

(vii) a radiology visualization program; and

(viii) combinations thereof.