Product information management system

• US 20080027997A1
• Filed: 07/13/2006
• Published: 01/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: New Directions Technology Consulting LLC
• Original Assignee: Henry Schein Incorporated
• Inventors: Monroe, O. Napoleon
• Granted Patent: US 7,752,085 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 1/0015 Electrical systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 19/04 Measuring instruments specially adapted for dentistry A61C5/44 takes precedence; testing vitality of teeth A61B5/0534; radiation diagnosis specially adapted for dentistry A61B6/51
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3553 remote, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3584 using modem, internet or bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/178 Syringes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/25 Integrating or interfacing systems involving database management systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/17 delivered via infusion or injection
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A product information tag, typically for a medical product such as a drug or device, is prepared in accordance with various rules. The product information tag is associated with the product as it travels from a product distributor to a shipper, to a customer such as a doctor and possibly even to a patient. When the product information tag is created, a database record for the product is also created. As the product passes into the possession of different parties, the database record is updated with information regarding the location and usage of the product. Different field devices, possessed by different parties such as the shipper or the doctor, are able to read the product information tag to obtain additional information relating to the product from the database and/or to provide supplemental information about the product to the database.

Claims

1. A method of processing product related information, comprising:

storing original information relating to a product in a database record prior to distribution of the product by a product distributor, the database record associated with a product information tag that accompanies the product,

receiving additional information relating to the product after it has been distributed by the product distributor,

storing the additional information in association with the original information in accordance with the product information tag accompanying the product, and

producing a report based on the stored original information and the stored additional information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the product is a drug or medical device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the original information is prepared in accordance with product tag rules relating to at least two of:

package layout and appearance;

what type of product tag should be used;

what historical information about the product must be on its product tag;

product tag information for the product container;

associated products;

product trademark requirements; and

promotional materials.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the additional information is received from a shipper and relates to how much time the product spent in shipment.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the additional information is received from a customer and relates to usage of the product.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the additional information is received from a field device and includes product tag information to identify the product.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the product tag provides electronic information, and the field device reads the electronic information from the product tag.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of creating a product tag to accompany the product, the product tag including the original information.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the product tag uniquely identifies the product.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the additional information is received from a practice management system.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the report is transmitted to a practice management system.

12. A method of using a product tag, comprising:

reading tag information from the product tag relating to the product,

using the tag information to access a remote database containing stored information about the product, and

providing the stored information for local access.

13. A method of using a product tag, comprising:

reading tag information from the product tag relating to the product,

collecting sensor information relating to the product, and

transmitting the tag information and the sensor information to a remote database.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the remote database is part of a product management system.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the remote database is part of a practice management system.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the practice management system stores the transmitted tag information and sensor information in association with a patient record.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the practice management system forwards the tag information and the sensor information to a product management system.