METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING DRUGS AND THE LIKE

• US 3,599,152 A
• Filed: 11/15/1968
• Issued: 08/10/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1968
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert L. Williams
• Original Assignee: Robert L. Williams
• Inventors: Williams, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US04/776,200
• Time in Patent Office: 998 Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.9
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/10 having mechanical dispensing means , e.g. with buttons or handles
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/50 according to destination signals stored in separate systems
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/18 specially adapted for controlling several coin-freed apparatus from one place
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines

Abstract

Command means located at a central pharmacy, including a touchtone or rotary dial phone or some other signal transmitting device, operatively connected to a plurality of remotely positioned dispensing stations, such as cabinets located at patients'"'"''"'"' bedsides or at centrally located nursing stations, the remote dispensing stations each containing a plurality of drugs or the like and including dispensing means and signal accepting means, such as commercially available decoders, for accepting and identifying signals from the command means to dispense the correct drug at the correct station upon the receipt of a signal therefor.

Claims

1. A method of distributing drugs and the like comprising the steps of:

a. an authorized pharmacist receiving a prescription from an authorized physician;

b. said pharmacist actuating signal producing means to transmit a coded signal to a plurality of remotely located distributing stations, said coded signal placing a desired one of said remote stations in a ready mode for receiving a second coded signal;

c. said pharmacist actuating said signal producing means to transmit a second coded signal to said desired one of said remote stations to dispense the prescribed medicine from a storage container associated therewith; and

d. a nurse removing the medicine from the remote station and administering it to a patient.

2. A method of distributing drugs and the like as set forth in claim 1 including in addition the step of identifying the authorized physician after receiving the prescription and before actuating the signal producing means.

3. A method whereby a pharmacist or the like can remotely distribute drugs and the like comprising the steps of:

a. a pharmacist receiving a prescription and information as to which drug dispensing unit of a plurality of remotely located drug dispensing units, each having a storage container and a locked material receiving closure in communication with the storage container, is the desired unit;

b. providing a code designating each of the plurality of dispensing units and a variety of materials in each of the dispensing units;

c. selecting the code for the desired unit;

d. actuating a command station, operatively connected to the plurality of remotely located drug dispensing units, to transmit a coded signal in accordance with the determined code placing the desired one of said remote units in a ready mode for receiving a second coded signal;

e. selecting the code for the prescribed material;

f. actuating the command station to transmit a second coded signal in accordance with the determined code to the desired one of said remote units to dispense the prescribed material from the storage container associated therewith into the associated locked closure; and

g. unlocking the associated closure and removing the dispensed material.