Abstract: Techniques for improved resupply for medical items are provided. An event relating to resupply of one or more medical items for a patient is identified. The resupply requires approval from a physician. Resupply of the one or more medical items is automatically initiated, based on receiving an electronic indication of approval for the resupply from the physician. The indication of approval is received from an electronic healthcare system for the physician based on an automatically generated request for approval sent to the electronic healthcare system for the physician using an application programming interface (API). An electronic notification of the initiated resupply is transmitted to an electronic system associated with the patient. The one or more medical items are used to treat the patient. The electronic system associated with the patient is compatible with the electronic notification.

Abstract: A computer network system containing a concentrator with a backplane that has a plurality of lines. The backplane contains data lines and control lines for managing and organizing the transfer of data between modules in the concentrator. The system contains intelligent devices that allow the selection of transmitting modules to occur at the same time as actual data transfer is going on between other modules. This is preferably done in a round robin arbitration process where, while data is being transferred by a first module, a bus arbitration device is placing addresses of modules which sequentially follow the transmitting module onto the control lines. Modules will see their address on the control lines, and if they have a packet to transmit, they then reserve the right to transmit after the presently transmitting module is finished. In this way the selection of the next module to transmit is performed in parallel, and does not slow down, the transfer of data between modules.

Abstract: A gantry has four separate base members adapted to move along spaced parallel tracks. In most configurations, adjustable tie rods connect the four base members into two associated pairs, each of the associated pairs being positioned to follow along one of the rails. A hydraulic ram or rams extends upward from each of the base members. A superstructure, usually in the form of four I- or H-beams in a somewhat rectangular frame configuration, is attached at the corners to the tops of the hydraulic rams for lifting a load within the space which is straddled by the gantry. Between the top of each of the rams and the beams forming the frame is a coupling which provides flexibility in a plane above the tracks. Part of the coupling is an arcuate section of a cylinder which enables the superstructure to rock by about 10.degree.. The gantry may be reconfigured in many optional ways to enable it to change the attitude of the load.