Drug dispensing apparatus

• US 3,917,045 A
• Filed: 04/25/1974
• Issued: 11/04/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: George Dunham, Robert L. Williams
• Original Assignee: George Dunham, Robert L. Williams
• Inventors: Dunham, George, Williams, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tollberg, Stanley H.
• Application Number:
  US05/463,999
• Time in Patent Office: 558 Days
• Field of Search: 194/7,4,4B,4C 221/12,71,72,6,13,30,15
• US Class Current: 194/210
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0445 for preventing drug dispensing during a predetermined time period
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/342 Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/28 in which the magazines are inclined
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/68 in which the articles are torn or severed from strips or sheets
• 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 7/025 by means, e.g. cards, providing billing information at the time of purchase, e.g. identification of seller or purchaser, quantity of goods delivered or to be delivered
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines

Abstract

A drug dispensing apparatus for automatically dispensing one or more individual drug doses to a common collection area in accordance with input information which represents the unique medicinal needs of a patient. Each of the three embodiments disclosed includes a locked cabinet which houses a plurality of removable and refillable cartridges. Each cartridge stores a plurality of individual identical drug doses and includes means for sequentially dispensing the drug doses on a demand basis. The dispensing apparatus further includes means for receiving the input information and control means which responds to the received input information and selectively operates the cartridges to dispense an individual drug dose or doses according to the patient'"'"''"'"'s unique medicinal needs.

Claims

1. Apparatus for automatically dispensing one or a plurality of single drug doses in response to input information representing unique medicinal needs of a patient, comprising:

a. a cabinet defining an internal cavity with cartridge supporting members disposed therein for slidably accepting and retaining a plurality of cartridge means;

b. a plurality of refillable cartridge magazine means removably mounted in side-by-side alignment within said cabinet upon said cartridge supporting members for holding and dispensing individual drug doses, each of said cartridge magazine means being disjunct from but slidably mounted for rapid replacement upon said cartridge supporting members, wherein each cartridge means comprises;

i. a housing defining an outlet;

ii. means in said housing for storing a plurality of single drug doses;

iii. means for effecting movement of said single drug doses toward said housing outlet in sequential order; and

iv. means for dispensing said single drug doses from said housing outlet, one at a time;

c. information input receptor means for receiving said input information; and

d. control means operatively connected with said plurality of said cartridge means and with said information input means for automatically sequentially operating selected ones of said plurality of cartridge means in response to a single entry of said received input information to dispense said single drug doses from those ones of said plurality of cartridge means which will satisfy said unique medicinal needs of a a patient, wherein said unique medicinal patient needs may comprise those single drug doses prescribed to be administered to a patient at a specified time of the day.

2. Apparatus for automatically dispensing individual drug doses as recited in claim 1, wherein said input information is encoded upon punched data cards, one each of such data cards containing said input information representing said unique medicinal needs of one or more patients;

and wherein said information input means comprises data card handling and processing means for sequentially receiving said data cards, for decoding said input information carried thereby and for providing energization signals to said control means, said control means being operative to energize said cartridge means for filling the unique medicinal needs of a patient from said input information carried by a single one of said data cards.

3. Apparatus for automatically dispensing individual drug doses as recited in claim 1, wherein said input information is encoded upon a magnetic tape, said tape sequentially containing said input information representing said unique medicinal needs of a plurality of patients;

and wherein said information input means comprises magnetic tape handling and processing means for receiving said input information from said tape and for providing energization signals to said control mEans in response thereto.

4. Apparatus for automatically dispensing individual drug doses as recited in claim 1, wherein said input information is stored within the memory of a digital computer, and wherein said information input means comprises digital computer interface means suitable for operative connection with said digital computer for receiving said input information from said digital computer and for providing energization signals to said control means in response thereto for automatically sequentially filling said unique medicinal needs of a plurality of patients.

5. Apparatus for automatically dispensing individual drug doses as recited in claim 1, wherein said information input means comprises settable timing means for receiving a schedule of time interval settings corresponding to said input information.

6. Apparatus for automatically dispensing individual drug doses as recited in claim 1, including control override means operatively connected with at least one of said cartridge means for causing said cartridge means to operatively dispense an individual drug dose or doses or a demand basis, independent of said received input information.

7. Apparatus for automatically dispensing individual drug doses as recited in claim 1, wherein said cabinet includes lock means for securably enclosing said plurality of cartridge means within said cabinet.

8. Apparatus for automatically dispensing individual drug doses as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of said cartridge magazine means is generally horizontally disposed within said cabinet with said cartridge outlet being positioned near the upper surface of said cartridge housing, wherein said one cartridge means is further characterized by the means thereof for dispensing said individual drug doses comprising an electrical solenoid having a plunger disposed adjacent said housing outlet and movable to directly eject a single drug dose therefrom, upon activation of said solenoid.

9. Apparatus for automatically dispensing individual drug doses as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of cartridge magazine means includes an electrical connector in its housing, wherein said cabinet further includes a plurality of mating connectors each disposed along said cartrige support members for mating engagement with said electrical connector of a respective one of said cartridge magazines, said mating connectors being positioned for snap-in alignment with the respective cartridge connector to enable rapid operative replacement of said cartridge magazines in a single sliding motion.

10. A refillable drug dispensing cartridge for detachable use in a drug dispensing system, comprising:

a. a housing designed for rapid snap-in securement within a cabinet of said drug dispensing system, said housing defining an outlet;

b. means in said housing for storing a plurality of single drug doses;

c. means for effecting movement in sequential order of said single drug doses toward said housing outlet; and

d. means for automatically dispensing said individual drug doses from said housing outlet one at a time in response to a received electrical activation signal.

11. Apparatus for automatically dispensing individual drug doses in response to input information representing unique medicinal needs of a patient, comprising:

a. a cabinet;

b. a plurality of refillable cartridge means removably disposed within said cabinet for holding and dispensing individual drug doses, wherein at least one of said plurality of cartridge means comprises;

i. a housing defining an outlet;

ii. means in said housing for storing a plurality of individual drug doses having tape handling means for retainably holding a tape upon which a plurality of said individual drug doses are sequentially disposed;

iii. means for effecting movement of said individual drug doses toward said housing outlet in sequential order by advancing said tape toward said housing outlet; and

iv. means foR dispensing said individual drug doses carried thereby from said housing outlet, one at a time;

c. information input receptor means for receiving said input information; and

d. control means operatively connected with said plurality of said cartride means and with said information input means for selectively operating said plurality of cartridge means in response to said received input information to dispense an individual drug dose or doses in accordance with said unique medicinal needs of a patient.

12. Apparatus for automatically dispensing individual drug doses as recited in claim 11, wherein at least one of said plurality of cartridge means is further characterized by:

a. said tape handling means being configured to retainable hold said tape upon which a plurality of said individual drug doses are sequentially removably disposed; and

b. said means engaging said tape at the housing outlet being operative to remove said individual drug doses from said tape one at a time, and to guide the removed drug doses out of the housing outlet.

13. Apparatus for automatically dispensing individual drug doses as recited in claim 12, wherein said one of the plurality of cartridge means is further characterized by:

a. said means for advancing said tape toward said housing outlet including means for guiding said tape past said housing outlet to present said individual drug doses disposed thereon adjacent the housing outlet; and

b. wherein said means for removing the drug doses from the tape comprises a blade-like member mounted adjacent said housing outlet and in close proximity with that surface of the tape sequentially bearing the drug doses for removably engaging said individual drug doses therefrom as the tape advances past said housing outlet and for slidably directing said removed drug doses out of the housing outlet.

14. Apparatus for automatically dispensing individual drug doses as recited in claim 1, wherein said one of the plurality of cartridge means is further characterized by:

a. said tape handling means thereof comprising a mounting member upon which said tape is wound; and

b. wherein said means thereof for advancing said tape comprising, means operatively connected with said control means and engagable with said tape for controllably removing said wound tape from said mounting member and for advancing said tape adjacent said housing outlet.

15. Apparatus for automatically dispensing individual drug doses as recited in claim 14, wherein said one of the plurality of cartridge means is further characterized by said means for controllably removing the wound tape from said mounting member including, an electromechanical devide operatively connected with said control means.

16. Apparatus for automatically dispensing individual drug doses as recited in claim 14, wherein said one of the plurality of cartridge means further includes means in said housing for providing an output signal indicative of the number of individual drug doses stored in said cartridge means.

17. An automatic drug dispenser for dispensing individual drug doses in response to input information representing unique medicinal needs of a patient, comprising:

a. a cabinet;

b. a plurality of refillable cartridge means removably disposed within said cabinet for holding and dispensing individual drug doses, wherein each cartridge means comprises;

i. a housing defining an outlet;

ii. means in said housing for storing a plurality of individual drug doses;

iii. means for effecting movement of said individual drug doses toward said housing outlet in sequential order; and

iv. means for dispensing said individual drug doses from said housing outlet one at a time;

c. information input means for receiving said input information;

d. control means operatively connected with said plurality of cartridge means and with said information input means for selectively operating said plurality of cartridge means in response To said received input information to dispense an individual drug dose or doses to a common collection area within said cabinet in accordance with said unique medicinal needs of a patient;

e. a plurality of individualized receptacle means for receiving and holding said dispensed drug doses from said common collection area, wherein each of said individualized receptacle means may be uniquely identifiable with one of said patients; and

f. means operatively connected with said control means for sequentially presenting said plurality of individualized receptacle means, one at a time, adjacent said common collection area to be deposited in that receptacle means presented adjacent said common collection area.

18. An automatic drug dispenser for dispensing individual drug doses as recited in claim 17, wherein said information input means comprises card handling and processing means for receiving said input information from data cards bearing said input information.

19. An automatic drug dispenser for dispensing individual drug doses as recited in claim 17, wherein said input information means comprises magnetic media handling and processing means for receiving said input information from magnetizable media bearing said input information.

20. An automatic drug dispenser for dispensing individual drug doses as recited in claim 17, wherein said information input means comprises digital computer interface means suitable for operative connection with a digital computer for receiving said input information from said digital computer.

21. An automatic drug dispenser for dispensing individual drug doses as recited in claim 17, including a tray having a plurality of bins, each of said bins comprising one of said plurality of individualized receptacle means and being suitable for receiving and holding a plurality of said drug doses, and wherein said means for sequentially presenting said plurality of individualized receptacle means comprises means for sequentially moving said tray adjacent said common collection area to enable said dispensed drug dose or doses at said common collection area to be selectively deposited therefrom into said bins.

22. An automatic drug dispenser for dispensing individual drug doses as recited in claim 21, wherein said plurality of bins of said tray are arranged in generally contiguous fashion, and wherein said means for sequentially moving said tray includes conveyer means for supporting and moving said tray such that only one of said bins is adjacent said common collection area when said drug doses are being deposited from said common collection area to said bin.

23. An automatic drug dispenser for dispensing individual drug doses as recited in claim 22, wherein said conveyor means includes a cogged belt, and wherein the bottom of said tray includes cogs sized to mate with cogs of said belt for maintaining a predetermined position of said tray relative said belt.

24. An automatic drug dispenser for dispensing individual drug doses as recited in claim 22, wherein said control means includes means adjacent said conveyer means for sensing the advance of said tray relative to said common collection area.

25. An automatic drug dispenser for dispensing individual drug doses as recited in claim 17, including sensing means adjacent said common collection area for detecting the number of drug doses transferred from said common collection area to said individualized receptacle means.

26. A refillable drug dispensing cartridge as recited in claim 10, wherein said means for storing said plurality of drug doses comprises tape holding means for retainably holding a tape upon which a plurality of said individual drug doses are sequentially carried, wherein said movement effecting means includes electromechanical means for advancing said tape toward said housing outlet, and wherein said dispensing means comprises means engaging said tape at the housing outlet for dispensing the individual drug doses carried thereby, one at a time.

27. A refillable drug dispensing cartridge as recited in claim 26, wherein said tape holding means comprises a mounting member upon which said tape is wound, and wherein said electromechanical means for advancing said tape includes electric motor means for controllably removing said wound tape from said mounting member and for carrying said tape adjacent said housing outlet.

28. A refillable drug dispensing cartridge as recited in claim 10, wherein said means for storing a plurality of individual drug doses comprises tape holding means for retainably holding a single tape upon which a plurality of individual drug doses are sequentially removably attached, wherein said means for effecting movement of said individual drug doses toward the housing outlet includes electromechanical means for advancing said tape toward said housing outlet, and wherein said dispensing means for the individual drug doses comprises means at the housing outlet for detaching said individual drug doses from said tape and for guiding the removed drug doses out of the housing outlet.

29. A refillable drug dispensing cartridge as recited in claim 28, wherein said means for removing said individual drug doses from said tape comprises a blade-like member mounted adjacent said housing outlet and in close proximity with that surface of the tape sequentially carrying the plurality of drug doses for removably disengaging said individual drug doses therefrom as the tape advances past said housing outlet and for slidably directing said removed drug doses out of the housing outlet.

30. A refillable drug dispensing cartridge for detachable use in a drug dispensing system, comprising:

a. a housing designed for rapid snap-in operative securement within said drug dispensing system, said housing forming an inner chamber and defining an outlet therefrom, said housing being shaped for enabling said chamber to hold a plurality of single drug doses in ordered sequential alignment therein;

b. means on said housing for effecting movement of said single drug doses toward said housing outlet, one of said drug doses being presented at said outlet at a time; and

c. an electrical solenoid operatively connected at said housing outlet and having a plunger element extendable upon energization of said solenoid to directly engage and eject from said outlet that single drug dose presented thereat.

31. Apparatus for automatically dispensing individual drug doses in response to input information representing unique medicinal needs of a patient, comprising:

a. a cabinet;

b. a plurality of refillable cartridge means removably disposed within said cabinet for holding and dispensing individual drug doses, wherein each cartridge means comprises;

i. a housing defining an outlet;

ii. means in said housing for storing a plurality of individual drug doses;

iii. means for effecting movement of said individual drug doses toward said housing outlet in sequential order; and

iv. means for dispensing said individual drug doses from said housing outlet, one at a time;

c. information input receptor means for receiving said input information, having settable timing means for receiving a schedule of time interval settings corresponding to said input information, said timing means including a plurality of timing elements, each having settable means for providing a sequence of timed responses according to said time interval schedule; and

d. control means operatively connected with said plurality of said cartridge means and with said information input means for selectively operating said plurality of cartridge means in response to said received input information to dispense an individual drug dose or doses in accordance with said unique medicinal needs of a patient, said control means including a plurality of switching means, each of said switching means being operatively connected with at least one of said cartridge means and with at least one of said timing elements, for selectively Operating said plurality of cartridge means according to said sequence of timed responses.

32. Apparatus for automatically dispensing individual drug doses in response to input information representing unique medicinal needs of a patient, comprising:

a. a cabinet;

b. a plurality of refillable cartridge means removably disposed within said cabinet for holding and dispensing individual drug doses, wherein each cartridge means comprises;

i. a housing defining an outlet;

ii. means in said housing for storing a plurality of individual drug doses;

iii. means for effecting movement of said individual drug doses toward said housing outlet in sequential order; and

iv. means for dispensing said individual drug doses from said housing outlet, one at a time;

c. information input receptor means for receiving said input information;

d. control means operatively connected with said plurality of said cartridge means and with said information input means for selectively operating said plurality of cartridge means in response to said received input information to dispense an individual drug dose or doses in accordance with said unique medicinal needs of a patient;

e. control override means operatively connected with at least one of said cartridge means for causing said cartridge means to operatively dispense an individual drug dose or doses on a demand basis, independent of said received input information, and f. presettable interrupt means operatively connected with said control override means for inhibiting operation of said control override means for periodic spaced time intervals of predetermined duration.

33. Apparatus for automatically dispensing individual drug doses as recited in claim 31, wherein said timing means includes means for sequentially recycling said input information set into said timing means by recycling said plurality of timed sequence of responses on a predetermined recycling time basis.