Facility-wide medication management systems
Granted: July 25, 2017
Patent Number:
9715671
A system for managing medications facilitates documentation of medication returned from remote dispensing units to a central storage location such as a pharmacy vault. The system may be especially useful in facilitating the tracking of controlled substances. The system receives an indication that a medication previously removed from the remote dispensing units has been designated for return to the medication management system. The system computes an estimated return amount of the…
Medication dispensing cart
Granted: March 7, 2017
Patent Number:
9587878
Embodiments of the invention provide medication dispensing carts and methods. The medication dispensing carts may include a base having wheels that allow the carts to be transported within a facility, a computing device configured to receive input from a user, a display device communicatively coupled with the computing device for displaying information to the user, a post that couples the display device with the base, and a plurality of cassettes that have one or more bins within which…
Computer controlled and monitored medical storage system
Granted: December 20, 2016
Patent Number:
9523534
A system is disclosed for monitoring and controlling a refrigerated medical storage unit. The system may include a control station. The control station may receive temperature information from the refrigerated medical storage unit and may cause at least a portion of the temperature information to be stored. The control station may determine whether the temperature is outside a predefined range and may causes an alarm to be generated when the temperature is outside the predefined range.…
Versatile lighting system for dispensing cabinets
Granted: June 14, 2016
Patent Number:
9365315
In one implementation, a device for dispensing items includes a plurality of compartments for storing medicines or medical supplies, a respective light source associated with each of the plurality of compartments, and a computerized controller coupled to the light sources. The computerized controller maintains an inventory of the contents of the plurality of compartments and receives requests to dispense medicines or medical supplies from the plurality of compartments. In response to a…
Medication dispensing cabinet systems and methods
Granted: May 31, 2016
Patent Number:
9355220
A medication dispensing cabinet provides controlled access to medications and supplies stored in it. The cabinet may include at least one lockable storage compartment, and a controller that controls access to the at least one lockable storage compartment. The cabinet may include multiple printers integrated into the cabinet. The cabinet may include a camera operably coupled to the controller. The cabinet may include a set of cabinet electronics, and a power distribution and…
Dispensing cabinet with articulating arm
Granted: May 31, 2016
Patent Number:
9355219
It may be advantageous to equip a medication dispensing cart with an adjustable user interface. An exemplary dispensing device may include a cabinet having one or more compartments for dispensing health care supplies to one or more patients. The dispensing device may also include a control system that provides various operational functions related to dispensing the health care supplies. A user interface may be communicatively coupled with the control system and may be configured to…
Storage cabinet with multiple RFID readers
Granted: April 26, 2016
Patent Number:
9324051
An RFID cabinet system is provided for monitoring items having an RFID tag. System includes cabinet having open interior where items are stored and at least one door providing access to items. Static RFID system is provided for reading and identifying data embedded on RFID tag located on at least some of the items placed within cabinet. Static RFID system is configured to monitor substantially all items located within the interior of cabinet when door is closed. Transaction RFID system…
Cabinet with remote integration
Granted: October 13, 2015
Patent Number:
9158892
Devices, systems, and methods are described for remotely managing items that are configured to be stored in at least one dispensing device. This includes receiving user identification information at a host computer system from an electronic device that is remotely located from the dispensing device. This also includes transmitting from the host computer system to the electronic device a disposition of at least one item, wherein the at least one item is associated with a patient. Further,…
System and method for user access of dispensing unit
Granted: May 26, 2015
Patent Number:
9042607
Dispensing units for dispensing items, such as in a healthcare facility, are linked in a network. The dispensing units use a fingerprint to authenticate users. The fingerprints on a short list reflect recent authorization, and permit access without other identifying information. Dispensing units in the network may use different fingerprint scanning technologies, but are made compatible by enrolling fingerprints using the different technologies. Two or more reference fingerprints may be…
Medication dispensing cart
Granted: August 19, 2014
Patent Number:
8812153
A medication dispensing cart having a computer and monitor, a work surface with pull out keyboard, and plural drawers arranged as a vertical series of cassettes that can be added as needed. The battery powered device uses software and pass codes for controlling access to each drawer, and requires a second pass code for any drawer designated to contain narcotics. Records can be kept of who dispenses what medication and when for each cart in a system of carts. The cart in the system is in…
Computer controlled and monitored medical storage system
Granted: July 8, 2014
Patent Number:
8773270
A system is disclosed for monitoring and controlling a refrigerated medical storage unit. The system may include a control station. The control station may receive temperature information from the refrigerated medical storage unit and may cause at least a portion of the temperature information to be stored. The control station may determine whether the temperature is outside a predefined range and may causes an alarm to be generated when the temperature is outside the predefined range.…
Tissue tracking
Granted: July 9, 2013
Patent Number:
8484049
A tissue tracking system is disclosed that provides tissue tracking, for example, at medical facilities. The tissue tracking system may be incorporated with a supply chain, billing, inventory, and/or order systems. In some embodiments, the tissue tracking system may also track environmental conditions of the tissue during reception, storage and issuance. Tissue sequestration methods are also disclosed.
RFID cabinet
Granted: April 9, 2013
Patent Number:
8416080
An RFID cabinet for monitoring items having an RFID tag includes a cabinet having at least one locking front door. An RFID detector is used for monitoring each item placed within the cabinet and is located within the interior of the cabinet. A computer is coupled to the RFID cabinet and controls opening and closing of the front door and is configured to receive an input that identifies the user. In this way, the computer is configured to periodically record data read from the RFID tags…
Solar charged mobile working stations
Granted: February 19, 2013
Patent Number:
8378620
A medical work station having a solar charging system. The medical work station includes a cart that carries a computer for providing access to and keeping track of medical information. The solar charging system is operatively connected to the computer to provide a solar power input. This solar input provides a constant replenishing of power to the computer as long as there is a source of UV light, such as through inside lighting or through sunlight.
Cabinet with remote integration
Granted: October 2, 2012
Patent Number:
8280550
Devices, systems, and methods are described for remotely managing items that are configured to be stored in at least one dispensing device. This includes receiving user identification information at a host computer system from an electronic device that is remotely located from the dispensing device. This also includes transmitting from the host computer system to the electronic device a disposition of at least one item, wherein the at least one item is associated with a patient. Further,…
Removal or return of items associated with a patient-specific bin systems and methods
Granted: August 7, 2012
Patent Number:
8239062
Systems, methods, and devices are described related to the assignment and management of patient-specific bins. A dispensing device at a healthcare facility includes a number of bins for storage of medical supplies, with some of the bins designated as patient-specific bins allocated to be assigned to patients for storage of their medications or certain other supplies. A central server computer system, in communication with a computer of the dispensing device, may monitor and assign…
Medication dispensing cart
Granted: May 15, 2012
Patent Number:
8180485
A medication dispensing cart (10) having a computer and monitor (12), a work surface (16) with pull out keyboard (18), and plural drawers (30) arranged as a vertical series of cassettes that can be added as needed. The battery powered device uses software and pass codes for controlling access to each drawer, and requires a second pass code for any drawer designated to contain narcotics. Records can be kept of who dispenses what medication and when for each cart in a system of carts. The…
Status designation for dispensing device systems and methods
Granted: April 10, 2012
Patent Number:
8155786
Systems, methods, and devices are described related to the assignment and management of patient-specific bins. A dispensing device at a healthcare facility includes a number of bins for storage of medical supplies, with some of the bins designated as patient-specific bins allocated to be assigned to patients for storage of their medications or certain other supplies. A central server computer system, in communication with a computer of the dispensing device, may monitor and assign…
Bin allocation systems, methods, and devices
Granted: March 20, 2012
Patent Number:
8140186
Systems, methods, and devices are described related to the assignment and management of patient-specific bins. A dispensing device at a healthcare facility includes a number of bins for storage of medical supplies, with some of the bins designated as patient-specific bins allocated to be assigned to patients for storage of their medications or certain other supplies. A central server computer system, in communication with a computer of the dispensing device, may monitor and assign…
Identifying items for restocking of a dispensing device systems and methods
Granted: March 6, 2012
Patent Number:
8131397
Systems, methods, and devices are described related to the assignment and management of patient-specific bins. A dispensing device at a healthcare facility includes a number of bins for storage of medical supplies, with some of the bins designated as patient-specific bins allocated to be assigned to patients for storage of their medications or certain other supplies. A central server computer system, in communication with a computer of the dispensing device, may monitor and assign…
