System and apparatus for the dispensing of drugs
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for distributing drugs, the apparatus comprising:
- an automated dispensing machine having at least one drawer;
a plurality of receptacles adapted to be placed in said at least one drawer, said receptacles each having a plurality of side walls, a bottom adjoined to said side walls, and a top movably secured to at least one of said side walls such that said top is adapted for movement between an open position and a closed position, said receptacles being individually removable from said at least one drawer;
an information storage device secured to or in each of said receptacles for storing information relative to contents of each of said receptacles;
a communication contact on each of said receptacles enabling the wireless transfer of information between said information storage device and an information source,wherein said automated dispensing machine is adapted to receive information and to process a signal to one of said receptacles to cause said one of said receptacles to open and enable removal of at least a portion of the contents of said one of said receptacles.
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Abstract
A system and apparatus are described in which modular receptacles are filled and transported to automated dispensing machines for later retrieval and distribution. A system of the present invention includes the loading, refilling, and replacement of the modular receptacles at various stages in the process of the invention. The present invention results in a more efficient and easier to manage system for distribution of such items as medical supplies and drugs.
130 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for distributing drugs, the apparatus comprising:
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an automated dispensing machine having at least one drawer; a plurality of receptacles adapted to be placed in said at least one drawer, said receptacles each having a plurality of side walls, a bottom adjoined to said side walls, and a top movably secured to at least one of said side walls such that said top is adapted for movement between an open position and a closed position, said receptacles being individually removable from said at least one drawer; an information storage device secured to or in each of said receptacles for storing information relative to contents of each of said receptacles; a communication contact on each of said receptacles enabling the wireless transfer of information between said information storage device and an information source, wherein said automated dispensing machine is adapted to receive information and to process a signal to one of said receptacles to cause said one of said receptacles to open and enable removal of at least a portion of the contents of said one of said receptacles. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus, comprising:
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a receptacle adapted for removable placement in a dispensing machine, said receptacle having a lid that is adapted for movement between an open position and a closed position;
said receptacle being individually removable from said dispensing machine; andan information storage device secured to or in said receptacle for storing information relative to contents of said receptacle and for wirelessly porting said information to said dispensing machine and for exchanging and updating said information stored in said information storage device with a computer operating said dispensing machine. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A method for distributing a plurality of items, comprising:
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providing individual receptacles for said items, each of said receptacles including a plurality of side walls, a bottom adjoined to said side walls, and a top movably secured to at least one of said side walls, such that said top is adapted for movement between an open position and a closed position, said receptacles being individually removable from a dispensing machine, and an information storage device secured to or in each of said receptacles for storing information relative to said items to be contained in said receptacles; loading said items in individual ones of said receptacles and closing said top of said receptacles; and inputting information relative to said items loaded into each of said receptacles into said information storage devices, wherein the information is transmitted wirelessly at least in part. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification