Secure medication storage and retrieval system

• US 5,883,806 A
• Filed: 10/02/1996
• Issued: 03/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Carefusion 303 Incorporated (Becton Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: KVM Technologies, Inc. (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kraft, Thomas L., Meador, James W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Terrell, William E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Khoi H.
• Application Number:
  US08/725,078
• Time in Patent Office: 895 Days
• Field of Search: 221/1, 221/2, 221/7, 221/271, 221/99, 221/69, 221/87, 221/125, 221/154, 312/291, 364/479.12, 364/479.14, 49/279, 220/507, 220/524, 220/528, 220/260, 220/503
• US Class Current: 700/244
• 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: A61J 7/0084 for multiple medicaments
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00

Abstract

A container for pharmaceutical items, comprising a tray having at least one compartment adapted to retrievably contain at least one pharmaceutical item, each said compartment having associated therewith a lid movable between a closed position restricting access to the associated compartment and an open position permitting access to the associated compartment, and each lid having associated therewith a mechanism responsive to control signals from a computer to permit movement between the closed and open positions. The invention also includes a system for dispensing pharmaceutical items comprising at least one support structure supporting at least one drawer, each said drawer being adapted to receive at least one of the above described containers and being movable with respect to said support structure between an open position permitting access to a given compartment of a given container and a closed position restricting access to all containers in each said drawer; and at least one said computer operable to control access to each compartment in each container. The invention also includes a method of controllably and securably dispensing pharmaceutical items comprising, storing pharmaceutical items in locations identifiable by a computer and to which access is controlled by a computer, inputting data identifying a desired pharmaceutical item, and having said computer identify a location having the desired item and issue appropriate control signals to permit access to the desired item.

Claims

1. A dispensing apparatus for a dispensing pharmaceutical items, comprising:

at least one container having at least one compartment suitable for retrievably containing at least one pharmaceutical item, wherein each said compartment having associated therewith a lid moveable between a closed position restricting access to said compartment and an open position permitting access to said compartment; and

at least one computer operable to restrict the accessibility of each said compartment to authorized users by controlling the movement of each said lid between said closed and opened position.

2. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an information source associated with each container accessible by said at least one computer.

3. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said information source is adapted to store information identifying each pharmaceutical item contained in each compartment.

4. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said information source comprises electronic memory in communication with said at least one computer.

5. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said electronic memory comprises a distinct electronic memory associated with each container.

6. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said distinct electronic memory comprises a read/write memory device affixed to said container.

7. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said read/write memory device records the time at which the container is loaded with said at least one pharmaceutical item.

8. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein each said container has associated therewith a unique identifier and said electronic memory stores data related to the identity of a pharmaceutical item contained in each said container by reference to the unique identifier associated with the container containing the pharmaceutical item.

9. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one computer is operable to receive input related to a request for a specific pharmaceutical item, identify a compartment containing said specific pharmaceutical item, and send appropriate control signals to cause an authorized user to have access to said compartment containing said specific pharmaceutical item.

10. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 9 further comprising a mechanism securing each said lid in a closed position and responsive to control signals from said at least one computer to permit each said lid to be movable to an open position.

11. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said mechanism comprises electromechanical means for releasably securing said associated lid in a first configuration of said electromechanical means and wherein said control signals from said at least one computer comprises electrical signals suitable to energize said electromechanical means to change to a second configuration permitting movement of said associated lid to an opened position.

12. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 9, further comprising an information source accessible by said at least one computer, said information source being adapted to store information identifying the specific pharmaceutical item contained in each respective compartment.

13. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said at least one computer identifies the compartment containing said specific pharmaceutical item by reference to said information source.

14. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein said input related to a request for a specific pharmaceutical item comprises a keyboard entry.

15. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said mechanism comprises electromechanical means for releasably securing said associated lid in a first configuration of said electromechanical means, and wherein said control signals from at least one computer comprising electrical signals suitable to energize said electromechanical means to change to a second configuration permitting movement of said associated lid to an open position.

16. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said input related to a request for a specific pharmaceutical item comprises a keyboard entry.

17. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said at least one computer records the identity of each compartment to which a user has been permitted access.

18. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said at least one computer does not permit access to the same compartment more than once without receiving an indication that said compartment has been refilled with a pharmaceutical item.

19. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein no more than one lid of any container is permitted to open at any one time.

20. A container for pharmaceutical items, comprising:

a tray having at least one compartment adapted to retrievably contain at least one pharmaceutical item;

each said compartment having associated therewith a lid movable between a closed position restricting access to the associated compartment and an open position permitting access to the associated compartment; and

each said lid having associated therewith a mechanism responsive to control signals from a source outside said container to permit movements of each said lid between said closed and open positions such that access to said compartment is restricted to authorized users.

21. A container as claimed in claim 20, wherein said source outside the container comprises at least one computer.

22. A container as claimed in claim 20, wherein each said compartment is configured to permit ready access in a region near the upper part of the compartment to pharmaceutical items of varying shapes which can be contained in said compartment.

23. A container as claimed in claim 22, wherein each compartment is further configured to retrievably contain vials in a vertical orientation, ampules in a horizontal orientation, and dosage envelopes in a vertical orientation.

24. A container as claimed in claim 20, wherein each said compartment is adapted to contain said at least one pharmaceutical item in a position within said each compartment such that at least a portion of said pharmaceutical item is positioned in the upper portion of said compartment.

25. A container as claimed in claim 20, wherein said tray has at least two compartments with aligned notches, said notches being successively longer in each successive compartment and together configured so as to hold an elongated object at an angle within said container.

26. A container as claimed in claim 25, wherein said elongated object is retrievable by a human user only when the lid associated with the compartment having the shortest of the aligned notches is open.

27. A container as claimed in claim 20, wherein each said lid is mounted in pivotable relationship with said tray.

28. A container as claimed in claim 27, which further comprises a torsion spring associated with each said lid to bias each said lid in an open position.

29. A container as claimed in claim 20, wherein each said lid is biased in a closed position.

30. A container as claimed in claim 20, wherein each said lid is secured in the closed position.

31. A container as claimed in claim 30, wherein said mechanism serves to secure the lid when said lid is in the closed position.

32. A container as claimed in claim 20, wherein said mechanism comprises a latch and a latch release associated with each said lid retaining said lid in a closed position, said latch being releasable by said latch release to permit said lid to be movable to an open position.

33. A container as claimed in claim 32, wherein said latch release includes a release element movable in response to a control signal from said outside source to contact and move said latch to a position which permits said lid to be movable to an open position.

34. A container as claimed in claim 33, wherein said release element comprises a solenoid-driven plunger.

35. A container as claimed in claim 33, wherein said release element comprises a memory metal.

36. A container as claimed in claim 33, wherein at least a portion of said latch release is located outside the container.

37. A container as claimed in claim 20, wherein said mechanism includes means for retaining each said lid in a closed position.

38. A container as claimed in claim 37, wherein said means comprises an electromechanical means.

39. A container as claimed in claim 38, wherein said electromechanical means comprises a latch and a latch release comprising a solenoid-driven plunger.

40. A container as claimed in claim 20 wherein said container has associated therewith a unique identifier.

41. A container as claimed in claim 40, wherein said unique identifier is readable by electromagnetic means.

42. A container as claimed in claim 41, wherein said unique identifier is readable only by electronic contact.

43. A container as claimed in claim 42, wherein said unique identifier comprises an electronic memory affixed to said container and operable to serve as a unique identifier of the container to said at least one computer.

44. A container as claimed in claim 41, wherein said unique identifier comprises magnetically readable material affixed to said container.

45. A container as claimed in claim 40, wherein said unique identifier comprises a radio frequency device affixed to said container.

46. A container as claimed in claim 40, wherein said unique identifier comprises a barcode affixed to said container.

47. A container as claimed in claim 40, wherein said unique identifier comprises a visible mark affixed to said container.

48. A container as claimed in claim 47, wherein said unique identifier is removable from said container.

49. A container as claimed in claim 47, wherein said unique identifier is replaceable.

50. A container as claimed in claim 40, wherein said unique identifier is removable from said container.

51. A container as claimed in claim 40, wherein said unique identifier is readily replaceable.

52. A dispensing system for dispensing pharmaceutical items, comprising:

at least one support structure supporting at least one drawer, each said drawer being adapted to receive at least one container as claimed in claim 20, and being movable with respect to said support structure between an open position permitting access to a given compartment of a given container and a closed position restricting access to all containers in each said drawer; and

at least one computer operable to restrict access to each compartment in each container to authorized users.

53. A dispensing system as claimed in claim 52, further comprising a drawer mechanism associated with each drawer suitable for releasably securing each said drawer in a closed position.

54. A dispensing system as claimed in claim 53, wherein each said drawer is spring-biased to move to an open position.

55. A dispensing system as claimed in claim 53, wherein said drawer mechanism includes a latch which retains said drawer in a closed position and is releasable to permit said drawer to move to an open position.

56. A dispensing system as claimed in claim 55, wherein said drawer mechanism further includes a electromechanical member which moves in response to a control signal from said at least one computer to contact and move said latch to a position which releases said drawer to move to an open position.

57. A dispensing system as claimed in claim 56, wherein said electromechanical member comprises a solenoid-driven plunger.

58. A dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 56, wherein said electromechanical member is a portion of memory metal.

59. A dispensing system as claimed in claim 53, further comprising an electromechanical means for retaining each said drawer in a closed position.

60. A dispensing system as claimed in claim 59, wherein said electromechanical means is an electromagnet.

61. A dispensing system as claimed in claim 59, wherein said electromechanical means is a solenoid.

62. A dispensing system as claim in claim 52, wherein each of said drawers is adapted to receive at least one container and wherein each said compartment is configured to permit ready access in a region near the upper part of the compartment to pharmaceutical items of varying shapes which can be contained in said compartment.

63. A dispensing system as claimed in claim 62, wherein each compartment is further configured to retrievably contain vials in a vertical orientation, ampules in a horizontal orientation, and dosage envelopes in a vertical orientation.

64. A dispensing system as claimed in claim 52, wherein each of said drawers is adapted to receive at least one container and wherein each said compartment is adapted to contain said at least one pharmaceutical item in a position within said each compartment such that at least a portion of said pharmaceutical item is positioned in the upper portion of said compartment.

65. A dispensing system as claimed in claim 52, wherein each of said drawers is adapted to receive at least one container and wherein said tray has at least two compartments with aligned notches, said notches being successively longer in each successive compartment and together configured so as to hold an elongated object at an angle within said container.

66. A dispensing system as claimed in claim 65, wherein said elongated object is retrievable by a human user only when the lid associated with the compartment having the shortest of the aligned notches is open.

67. A dispensing system as claimed in claim 52, wherein each of said drawers is adapted to receive at least one container and wherein each said lid is mounted in pivotable relationship with said tray.

68. A dispensing system as claimed in claim 67 which further comprises a torsion spring associated with each said lid to bias each said lid in an open position.

69. A dispensing system as claimed in claim 52, wherein each of said drawers is adapted to receive at least one container and wherein each said lid is biased in a closed position.

70. A dispensing system as claimed in claim 52, wherein each of said drawers is adapted to receive at least one container and wherein each said lid is secured in the closed position.

71. A dispensing system as claimed in claim 70, wherein said mechanism serves to secure the lid when said lid is in the closed position.

72. A dispensing system as claimed in claim 52, wherein each of said drawers is adapted to receive at least one container and wherein said mechanism comprises a latch and a latch release associated with each said lid retaining said lid in a closed position, said latch being releasable by said latch release to permit said lid to be movable to an open position.

73. A dispensing system as claimed in claim 70, wherein said latch release includes a release element movable in response to a control signal from said outside source to contact and move said latch to a position which permits said lid to be movable to an open position.

74. A dispensing system as claimed in claim 73, wherein said release element comprises a solenoid-driven plunger.

75. A dispensing system as claimed in claim 73, wherein said release element comprises a memory metal.

76. A dispensing system as claimed in claim 73, wherein at least a portion of said latch release is located outside the container.

77. A dispensing system as claimed in claim 52, wherein each of said drawers is adapted to receive at least one container and wherein said mechanism includes means for retaining each said lid in a closed position.

78. A dispensing system as claimed in claim 77, wherein said means comprises an electromechanical means.

79. A dispensing system as claimed in claim 78, wherein said electromechanical means comprises a latch and a latch release comprising a solenoid-driven plunger.

80. A dispensing system as claimed in claim 52, further comprising an information source accessible by said at least one computer.

81. A dispensing system as claimed in claim 80, wherein said information source is adapted to store information related to the identity of said at least one pharmaceutical item contained in each said compartment.

82. The dispensing system of claim 52, wherein said computer has access to data identifying the pharmaceutical items stored in each said compartment.

83. The dispensing system of claim 52, wherein said at least one computer comprises a primary computer and at least one secondary computer, wherein said primary computer is adapted to receive and store data representing the pharmaceutical items stored in each compartment of each said container, and each secondary computer is adapted to serve as said outside source of control signals.

84. The dispensing system of claim 83, wherein each secondary computer is associated with at least one support structure.

85. The dispensing system of claim 84, wherein each secondary computer is adapted to receive input indicating a request for a pharmaceutical item.

86. The dispensing system of claim 85, further comprising an information source to which each secondary computer is cooperatively coupled to identify one or more compartments in which requested pharmaceutical items are located.

87. The dispensing system of claim 86, in which said primary computer serves as said information source.

88. The dispensing system of claim 83, further comprising a drawer mechanism associated with each drawer suitable for releasably securing each said drawer in a closed position.

89. The dispensing system of claim 88, wherein said at least one secondary computer is adapted to send control signals to said drawer mechanism and control signals to said mechanism associated with each said lid to cause each said mechanism to operate to permit access by a human user to the compartment identified as containing said requested pharmaceutical item.

90. The dispensing system of claim 89, wherein said primary computer is adapted to record the identity of the compartments in each drawer of the dispensing system to which access has been permitted.

96. A dispensing system as claimed in claims 62-78, 86, or 87, wherein each container is properly aligned within a drawer by having alignment pins on each container which correspond to alignment holes on each drawer.

91. A method for dispensing pharmaceutical items, comprising:

loading at least one pharmaceutical item into at least one compartment of at least one container each compartment having associated therewith a lid movable between a closed position restricting access to the associated compartment and an open position permitting access to the associated compartment;

restricting the access to the compartment to an authorized user by providing a mechanism associated with each lid responsive to control signals from one or more computers to permit movement of each lid between the closed and open positions;

storing in an information source the identity of each pharmaceutical item loaded into each compartment;

inserting each container into a drawer of a dispensing apparatus;

inputting data into one or more of the computers to identify a specific pharmaceutical item the authorized user wishes to retrieve, one or more of the computers operable to use the information source to identify a compartment which contains the specific pharmaceutical item the authorized user wishes to retrieve and to cause the drawer and lid associated with the identified compartment to open and permit access by the authorized user to the specific pharmaceutical item within the compartment.

92. The method as claimed in claim 91, further comprising the steps of updating the information source to indicate that a human user has accessed the identified compartment and to assume that the identified compartment no longer contains the specific pharmaceutical item.

93. The method as claimed in 92, further comprising the step of providing an indication to a user that all compartments of a particular container have been accessed.

94. The method as claimed in claim 93, further comprising the step of identifying to a user the specific pharmaceutical items to be loaded in a container.

95. The method as claimed in claim 94, further comprising the step of maintaining each compartment in a secured configuration except when said at least one computer causes an identified compartment to open to permit access.