Dispensing system and methods
First Claim
1. A method for dispensing medical supply items, the method comprising:
- providing a dispensing cabinet having a processor;
providing an auxiliary storage location which is separate from the dispensing cabinet and has at least one door and at least one lock to lock the door, wherein the lock is operable upon receipt of a signal from the processor, and wherein the auxiliary storage location holds at least one medical supply item;
entering into the processor user identification information and charge account information to cause the processor to send a signal to unlock the lock;
actuating an item sensor on the dispensing cabinet to record removal of the medical supply item from the auxiliary storage location; and
removing the medical supply item from the auxiliary storage location.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides exemplary dispensing systems and methods for dispensing medical supply items. According to one exemplary method, a dispensing cabinet is provided having a processor. An auxiliary storage location is also provided and is separate from the dispensing cabinet. The auxiliary storage location has at least one door and at least one lock to lock the door, with the lock being operable upon receipt of a signal from the processor. Further, the auxiliary storage location holds at least one medical supply item. User identification information and charge account information are entered into the processor to cause the processor to send a signal to unlock the lock. An item sensor on the dispensing cabinet is actuated to record removal of the medical supply item from the auxiliary storage location. The medical supply item is then removed from the auxiliary storage location.
348 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method for dispensing medical supply items, the method comprising:
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providing a dispensing cabinet having a processor; providing an auxiliary storage location which is separate from the dispensing cabinet and has at least one door and at least one lock to lock the door, wherein the lock is operable upon receipt of a signal from the processor, and wherein the auxiliary storage location holds at least one medical supply item; entering into the processor user identification information and charge account information to cause the processor to send a signal to unlock the lock; actuating an item sensor on the dispensing cabinet to record removal of the medical supply item from the auxiliary storage location; and removing the medical supply item from the auxiliary storage location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for dispensing medical supply items, the method comprising:
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providing a dispensing cabinet having a processor; providing an auxiliary storage location which is separate from the dispensing cabinet and has at least one door and at least one lock to lock the door, wherein the lock is operable upon receipt of a signal from the processor, and wherein the auxiliary storage location holds at least one medical supply item; entering into the processor user identification information and charge account information to cause the processor to send a signal to unlock the lock; actuating an item sensor on the dispensing cabinet after the lock has been unlocked to record removal of the medical supply item from the auxiliary storage location; and removing the medical supply item from the auxiliary storage location.
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18. A system for dispensing medical supply items, the system comprising:
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a dispensing cabinet having a processor with an entry device to enter user identification information and charge account information into the processor; an auxiliary storage location separate from the dispensing cabinet and having at least one door and a lock to lock the door, wherein the lock is operated upon receipt of a signal from the processor that is produced upon entry of the user identification information and charge account information into the processor; and wherein the dispensing cabinet further includes at least one item sensor which is in communication with the processor, wherein actuation of the item sensor after the lock has been unlocked records removal of an item from the auxiliary storage location. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification