Method and apparatus for printing labels for medical applications
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of generating a label for use in a medical application involving a sterile environment, the method comprising:
- receiving, at a computer printing system, label content specified by a user that is to be applied to a surface of the label;
receiving the label on which the label content is to be printed before the label is substantially sterilized;
printing, on demand using the computer printing system, the label content comprising a machine-generated character onto the label;
after said receiving the label, substantially sterilizing at least a surface of the label before the label is dispensed from the computer printing system; and
dispensing the label bearing the label content from the computer printing system in a condition suitable for use in the sterile environment.
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Abstract
Provided is a method and apparatus for generating a label for use in a medical application. Label content specified by a user that is to be applied to a surface of the label is received. The label content, which includes a machine-generated character, is printed on demand onto the surface of the label. The label bearing the label content is dispensed in a condition suitable for use in the sterile environment.
32 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of generating a label for use in a medical application involving a sterile environment, the method comprising:
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receiving, at a computer printing system, label content specified by a user that is to be applied to a surface of the label; receiving the label on which the label content is to be printed before the label is substantially sterilized; printing, on demand using the computer printing system, the label content comprising a machine-generated character onto the label; after said receiving the label, substantially sterilizing at least a surface of the label before the label is dispensed from the computer printing system; and dispensing the label bearing the label content from the computer printing system in a condition suitable for use in the sterile environment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A printer for generating a label for use in a medical application involving a sterile environment, the printer comprising:
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a label feeder that supplies labels on which label content is to be printed before the label is substantially sterilized; a print head that applies the label content comprising a machine-generated character to the label on demand; a sterilizer that receives the label bearing the label content and exposes the label bearing the label content to a sterilizing agent, thereby substantially sterilizing at least a surface of the label before the label is dispensed from the printer; and a dispenser that dispenses the label bearing the label content from the printer in a condition suitable for use in the sterile environment. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A printer accessory that is to cooperate with a printer for producing labels for use in a medical application involving a sterile environment, the printer accessory comprising:
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a receiver for receiving the label comprising label content printed, on demand at a facility where the label is to be used in the medical application, and dispensed by the printer, said label content comprising machine-generated characters; a packager that introduces the label bearing the label content to a package that is to at least partially enclose the label and dispenses the label in a condition suitable for use in the sterile environment; and a sterilizer that a exposes the label bearing the label content to a sterilizing agent before the label is introduced to the packager, wherein the label is received by the receiver in a non-sterile condition. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification