Abstract: An atomizing nebulizer for dispensing a substance or medicament is described. The nebulizer is formed with a reservoir base releasably secured to an effluent vent cap that together capture a diffuser and integral dispersing baffle that are further formed with an uptake lumen or channel terminating with a nozzle jet. The diffuser dispersing baffle is positioned relative to the jet nozzle to optimize atomization of any of a number of such substances so as to maximize disbursement of the substance. The reservoir base also incorporates a pressurized fluid-accelerating inlet tube terminated with a metering orifice that cooperates with the nozzle jet when the inlet tube is received within the diffuser uptake lumen or channel.

Abstract: A solution applicator includes a container, a head and a cap. The head includes a top portion for use in applying the solution, a spike member which is used to pierce or open a membrane and at least one protrusion extending from the head. The cap includes a top portion that receives the spike member, a bottom portion that connects to the container and a middle portion that defines a circumferential channel and an axial channel. The protrusion is received within the circumferential channel and the axial channel such that the head can be moved relative to the cap in first a rotational motion and then an axial motion to open the solution container.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat and moisture exchange (HME) unit that includes a housing having a fibrous media in the housing that is designed to absorb and retain moisture and heat from exhaled air passing through the housing. The HME unit is designed to transfer the moisture and heat to inhaled air passing through the HME unit. The HME unit has an internal bypass in the housing to enable air to pass through the heat HME unit without passing through the fibrous media. The present invention also provides a breathing circuit that includes a medication bypass HME unit, a medication treatment device and a ventilator that is connected in a closed system.

Abstract: The child-resistant blister pack for unit dosage forms has a blister film sheet with depressions therein, unit dosage forms within the depressions and a lidding sheet which overlies the depressions and which is secured to the film sheet so as to seal the unit dosage forms within the depressions. A network of lines of weakness in the pack define a plurality of dosage units. Each dosage unit includes one of said dosage forms and a peel region where part of the lidding sheet is not secured to the blister film sheet. Each peel region is disposed adjacent a respective one of the lines of weakness.

Abstract: A solution applicator comprising a solution container having a frangible twist-off member that enables solution in the solution container to flow out of the solution container when the twist-off member is twisted. The solution applicator also comprises an applicator head having a proximal end and a distal end and a solution pathway extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the applicator head being engaged with said solution container at the proximal end, the applicator head having an aperture and applicating material at the distal end, and the applicator end having a receiving member that the twist-off member engages when the applicator is rotated relative to the solution container to thereby open the solution container at the twist-off member to enable fluid to flow from the solution container to the applicating material.

Abstract: The present invention is an automated and integrated method and apparatus for packaging, loading, storing, and/or retrieving a specified product. A preferred embodiment of a system comprises a packager, a feeder device, a magazine, an unloading device, and a control unit. The packager is adapted to package a predetermined quantity of a product in a package. The feeder device has a loading screw which engages the package and transfers it to a storage screw in the magazine. The magazine preferably comprises multiple horizontal rows of storage screws. Each horizontal row of storage screws may be individually rotated about a central axis of the magazine. The control unit maintains a data base of the location and contents of each package in the magazine. The unloading device is adapted to retrieve a desired package from the magazine. The unloading device then transfers the desired package to a predetermined location such as a tote, bin, or patient specific drawer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for inventorying packages on a storage device which consists of removing packages from the storage device with a variable pitch inventory screw, scanning a surface of the packages to read indicia on the surface and recording information obtained from the indicia about the contents in the packages. The present invention enables users to quickly and efficiently scan and store packages of items hanging on a lead screw in a centralized storage/retrieval system.

Abstract: A computerized medication dispensing station that addresses anesthesia medication management and tracking problems is disclosed. Medications, including narcotic and non-narcotic, and supplies for use in anesthesia, are stored in secured, semi-secured, and unsecured containers of a mobile station. A computer housed in the station is used to track the anesthesiology items that have been removed from the station. For each item removed, the time of removal, who removed it, and to whom it was administered is tracked. Items that are not administered to a patient are returned to the pharmacy or wasted (i.e., disposed in accordance with regulations). Each type of event (administration to a patient, return, or waste) is documented so that a health care institution can track usage of items, including narcotic medications, for use in anesthesia.

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.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a sustained release drug delivery system which comprises a core of active ingredient, an enteric coating, a second coating of active ingredient and lastly a readily gastric-soluble protective coating. In another embodiment, the sustained release drug delivery system comprises a core of active ingredient, an enteric coating; a second coating of active ingredient; a second enteric coating and a third coating of active ingredient The sustained release dosage form of this invention is useful for pharmaceutically active ingredients that have limited aqueous solubility, especially phenytoin sodium, and other pH dependent soluble drugs.

Abstract: A system and apparatus are described in which modular receptacles are filled and transported to automatic 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. A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for distribution of items such as medical supplies and drugs.

Abstract: A drawer operating system for controlling a plurality of elongated drawers having a sliding direction, each drawer terminated by a front end and a rear end and partitioned by walls into a plurality of bins consecutive with one another along the sliding direction for holding various dispensable items, the drawers housed in an array in a cabinet, each drawer arranged to move independently between a closed position and graduated, progressively opened positions to allow access to one or more bins and the contents stored therein, the system for each drawer including a monitor for tracking the length of opening of the drawer on its immediately preceding excursion, a drive train responsive to the monitor for controlling the drawer from a fully closed and locked position to an open position exposing an item-filled bin flexible, non-stretchable first device for interconnecting the drawer and the drive train to control the increment of bin exposed in the drawer, and the second control device, including a keyboard for i

Abstract: A drawer operating system for controlling a drawer having a sliding direction, the drawer defined by a front end and a rear end and partitioned by walls into a plurality of bins consecutive with one another along the sliding direction for holding various dispensable items, the drawer housed in a cabinet and arranged to move between a closed position and graduated, progressively open positions to allow access to one or more bins and the contents stored therein, the system including a linear encoder for monitoring the position and direction of movement of the drawer, including the length of opening the drawer on its preceding excursion, and for producing a plurality of electronic signals specific to the position and movement of the drawer, a drawer stop device arranged between the drawer and the cabinet, a controller for receipt of the electronic signals, and an electric solenoid, including a spring-loaded plunger slidingly mounted therein, for activation by the controller, after the beginning of the drawer-ope

Abstract: A blister package is disclosed that comprises a blister layer having an article receiving blister formed therein for holding medicaments, and a base layer. The blister layer has one or more tearing blisters formed therein and the blister layer is joined to the base layer except in the areas of the article receiving blister and the tearing blisters. The base layer and the blister layer are joined such that opening the blister package to access the medicament requires tearing through one of the tearing blisters and the article receiving blister. The tearing blisters preferably extend from one or more outer edges, which may include the corners, of the blister layer toward said article receiving blister.

Abstract: A system is described in which a drug distribution center operates a computer software drug inventory management program in electronic communication with a health care provider computer software program for drug and health care supply distribution to patients. The system incorporates low unit dose measure drug and supply packaging including bar codes for automatically tracking drug information. The system further includes hand held drug information collection units for collecting the drug and supply information from the bar coded packages. The system provides complete drug and supply tracking from the drug supplier to a nursing station automated drug/supply dispensing machine.

Abstract: A system and method are described in which a drug distribution center operates a computer software drug inventory management program in electronic communication with a health care provider computer software program for drug distribution to patients. The system and method preferably incorporate low unit dose measure drug packaging including bar codes. The bar codes may be scanned into either software program for automatically tracking such information as drug lot numbers and expiration dates.

Abstract: A mechanical system opens a selected drawer in a multiple-drawer cabinet. The drawers are arranged in rows and columns. A selected drawer is unlatched by moving a rod which has protruding fingers, only one of which is positioned to engage a latch in a column of drawers. When the rod moves longitudinally, the selected drawer becomes unlatched. The unlatched drawer can open only to a distance determined by a cable which unwinds from a drum and passes around a pulley attached to the drawer. Thus, by controlling the rotation of the drum, the system can be programmed to open the drawer only to a distance which exposes the first non-empty compartment in the drawer. A computer controls the selection and opening of the drawers. The computer keeps a record of which compartments of each drawer have been emptied. Each time a drawer is opened, it is opened to the next non-empty compartment, allowing access to one and only one compartment in the drawer.

Abstract: A system for monitoring, dispensing and reordering medication to patients who use patient-owned medication, including, in combination, a central site computer including device for receiving and storing therein data relevant to specific patients, their medical needs and the reorder sources of medication they require, at least one mobile charting computer, connected by radio frequency data link to the central site computer and including a central process unit to receive, store and process data received from the central site computer, an electronic camera for obtaining a picture of the patient and joining it with the patient's specific medical needs and his or her reorder sources of medication for storing in the central site computer and transmitting it on demand to the charting computer, and a monitor device connected to the charting computer to display the pertinent data on a specific patient as well as his or her electronic picture so that identification of the specific patient and his or her personal medical