Autonomous controlled drug dispensing system

• US 5,441,165 A
• Filed: 07/22/1991
• Issued: 08/15/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David Hullender, Janie Nichols, Martha Brushwood, Vivian Kemp
• Original Assignee: David Hullender, Janie Nichols, Martha Brushwood, Vivian Kemp
• Inventors: Kemp, Vivian, Hullender, David, Nichols, Janie, Brushwood, Martha
• Primary Examiner(s): Terrell, William E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): REICHARD, DEAN ALAN
• Application Number:
  US07/734,152
• Time in Patent Office: 1,485 Days
• Field of Search: 221/2, 221/13, 221/21, 221/82, 221/89, 221/92, 221/102, 221/113, 221/129, 221/130, 221/131, 221/132, 221/133, 221/15, 221/97
• US Class Current: 221/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0084 for multiple medicaments
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/54 about vertical axes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00

Abstract

A stand-alone drug dispensing system suitable for a nursing station at a health care facility is described. A microprocessor controlled secure system makes it particularly suitable for dispensing narcotics and other controlled substances. The system comprises a cylinder having a plurality of stacked carrousels, each having plurality of drug slots. Each carousel holds a different drug and it is the rotation of these carrousels over a hole or chute that runs the entire length of the cylinder that allows the dispensing of a particular drug under the control of a programmed microprocessor. The system provides accurate accounting as well as advisory information about the drug being dispensed. A plurality of peripherals such as a Video Display Terminal, an alphanumeric printer, and an alphanumeric keyboard are integrated into the system. Also included are an alarm system, a back up power source and a slot for returning unused drugs.

Claims

1. An autonomous stand-alone controlled drug dispensing system particularly adapted for a nursing station at a health care facility comprising:

a) a plurality of front loading vertically stacked drawers each said drawer including a carrousel, and each said carrousel comprising a plurality of slots;

b) a motor connected to each said carrousel in said drawer for independently rotating said carrousel one slot at a time;

c) a controller means connected to each said motor;

d) a programmable microprocessor connected to said controller means;

e) an alpha-numeric keyboard connected to said microprocessor;

f) a video display terminal connected to said microprocessor; and

g) a printer connected to said microprocessor;

and wherein further said carrousels in said drawers, said motors, said controller means, said microprocessor, said alphanumeric keyboard, said video display terminal and said printer are integrated into a box which further comprises;

a) a dual lock and key front door connected to said box,

b) a drug dispensing chute connected to said box at a lower portion thereof; and

c) a drug return slot separate from said drug dispensing chute in an upper portion of said box.

2. A microprocessor controlled drug dispensing system particularly adapted for installation at a nursing station of a health care facility comprising:

a) a unitary box including a drug dispensing chute at a lower portion thereof and a separate drug return slot in an upper portion thereof, integrated into the cabinetry of said nursing station;

b) a microprocessor housed in said unitary box;

c) an alphanumeric key board mechanically and physically connected to said unitary box and electrically and electronically connected to said microprocessor;

d) a video display terminal and a printer mechanically and physically connected to said unitary box and electrically and electronically connected to said microprocessor;

e) a plurality of vertically stacked carrousels each separated by a horizontal base plate wherein further each said carrousel has a plurality of slots;

f) a motor means connected to said carrousel and concomitant said horizontal base plate for independently rotating any one of said carousels by one slot at a time;

g) a controller means interconnecting said microprocessor and said motor means;

h) and wherein further said drug dispensing chute is aligned with an empty slot in each of said carrousels because the corresponding surface area below said empty slot is removed from each said drawer;

i) and wherein further said microprocessor is further programmed to permit access to certain pre-authorized personnel via modifiable preassigned passwords wherein further drug advisory information and accounting information in addition to patient information is output on at least one of said video display terminal and said printer prior to dispensing of the desired drug.

3. A method of dispensing controlled drugs at a nursing station in a health care facility comprising the steps of:

a) stacking a plurality of carrousels vertically, each said carrousel having a plurality of drug slots and filing each said carrousel with a different drug;

b) providing a computer and a control means for independently rotating any one of said carrousels one slot at a time and thereby dispensing corresponding drug contained in that slot;

c) connecting to said computer an alphanumeric keyboard as an input device and an output device;

d) programming said computer to maintain a status of plurality of modules including an inventory module, a nurses module, a patients module, a billings module and a drug advisory data module;

e) further programming said computer to present to a user a selected one of many menus and sub-menus;

f) further programming the computer to process and execute a transaction selected by the user via said alpha-numeric key board;

g) updating any and all affected modules by said transaction;

h) further programming said computer to permit access to certain pre-authorized personnel via modifiable preassigned passwords; and

i) providing drug advisory information from said advisory data module onto said output.