Apparatuses, systems, and methods for storing and dispensing medication proximate a patient
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a housing defining a cavity;
a door, wherein the door is movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the housing, wherein in the open position the cavity of the housing is accessible;
two or more receivers disposed within the cavity, wherein each receiver is configured to hold an article for a patient, wherein each of the receivers is movable between an accessible position, in which the contents of the receiver are accessible, and an inaccessible position, in which the contents of the receiver are inaccessible;
a lock configured to lock the door in the closed position; and
a user interface configured to receive a request from a user, wherein the request identifies the contents of one of the receivers;
wherein, in response to the request received at the user interface, the door is unlocked,wherein the receiver including the contents identified by the request is moved to the accessible position in response to the door being moved to the open position, andwherein the one or more receivers not including the contents identified by the request remain in the inaccessible position in response to the door being moved to the open position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Provided herein are various apparatuses, systems, and methods for improving the efficiency of medication distribution within a healthcare facility. In particular, embodiments may provide for storing and dispensing medications to an authorized medical person for administration to a patient in a healthcare facility. A storage and dispensing system may include a housing defining a cavity, a door movable between an open and a closed position to provide access to the cavity, two or more receivers disposed within the cavity, a lock to lock the door in the closed position, and a user interface configured to receive a request for medications stored within the cavity. The medications may be configured to be presented to a user in response to a request for the medications, while unrequested medications remain inaccessible.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a housing defining a cavity; a door, wherein the door is movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the housing, wherein in the open position the cavity of the housing is accessible; two or more receivers disposed within the cavity, wherein each receiver is configured to hold an article for a patient, wherein each of the receivers is movable between an accessible position, in which the contents of the receiver are accessible, and an inaccessible position, in which the contents of the receiver are inaccessible; a lock configured to lock the door in the closed position; and a user interface configured to receive a request from a user, wherein the request identifies the contents of one of the receivers; wherein, in response to the request received at the user interface, the door is unlocked, wherein the receiver including the contents identified by the request is moved to the accessible position in response to the door being moved to the open position, and wherein the one or more receivers not including the contents identified by the request remain in the inaccessible position in response to the door being moved to the open position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method comprising:
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receiving, at a housing, two or more articles, wherein each article is received within a receiver within a cavity of the housing, wherein the articles are each received within a receiver arranged in an accessible position through a door arranged in an open position; securing the two or more articles in the housing, wherein securing comprises arranging the receivers in an inaccessible position and locking the door in a closed position; receiving a request at a user interface of the housing for one of the two or more articles received within the housing; providing for unlocking of the door; providing for release of the receiver including the requested article, wherein in response to the door being moved to the open position, the receiver including the requested article is moved to the accessible position; and maintaining the receivers that do not contain the requested article in an inaccessible position in response to the door being moved to the open position. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system comprising:
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a housing defining a cavity and a cooling pack receiver; a door, wherein the door is configured to be movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the housing, wherein two or more articles for patients are received within the cavity, wherein the articles are movable between an accessible position and an inaccessible position; a lock configured to lock the door in the closed position; a cooling pack received within the cooling pack receiver, wherein the cooling pack cools at least one of the two or more articles received within the cavity; and a user interface configured to receive a request from a user, wherein the request identifies at least one of the two or more articles for patients; wherein, in response to the request received at the user interface, the door is configured to be unlocked, wherein the at least one of the two or more articles for patients identified by the request is moved to an accessible position in response to the door being moved to the open position, and wherein at least one of the two or more articles for patients that is not identified by the request is maintained in an inaccessible position in response to the door being moved to the open position.
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Specification