Abstract: A system for adaptably collecting pharmaceuticals into various containers is provided. The system includes an automated pharmaceutical counting device with a loading portion for accepting the pharmaceuticals for counting, an exit portion for dispensing the pharmaceuticals, and a receiving area configured to interchangeably accommodate a bulk collection vessel and an adapter for an individual container for an individual prescription. The automated pharmaceutical counting device dispenses the pharmaceuticals through the exit portion and into an inserted one of the bulk collection vessel and the adapter.

Abstract: The invention includes a medical technology station and a method for using the medical technology cart. The station can be a portable cart that can be movable, such as rollable, and has a computer system. Attached to the cart is a housing that communicates with the computer system. Insertable in the housing is a cassette system that includes a series of drawers. The drawers are openable and preferably closeable on command from a user. The drawers have a readable unique drawer identifier that is readable by sensors in the cassette. The cassette also preferably includes proximity sensors, while the drawers contain a target for the proximity sensors. In use, an operator, with proper credentials, can, though the computer system, identify a drawer to be opened by the computer system. The cassette and drawers can be removed from the housing and transported to another location for filling of the drawers with medications or other supplies.

Abstract: A medical cart providing data continuity, and methods regarding the same, are provided. A holder associated with a body of the cart is configured to receive a removeable battery having a terminal. A connector located at the holder is positioned to receive the terminal when the removeable battery is received within the holder. A power bus is in electrical connection with the connector and an alternative power source. A controller in electrical connection with the power bus automatically begins utilizing the alternative power source following a determination that a loss of power event has occurred.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for providing a user with remote real time access to pharmaceuticals, the system comprising a plurality of carts which accept cassettes that contain pharmaceuticals. The carts preferably contain a CPU which can communicate with a database. A remote CPU is also in electrical communication with the database and may be placed at a pharmacy. When a specific pharmaceutical is required for a specific patient, a user can electronically request a one time access code (OTAC) from the remote CPU. If the request is valid, an OTAC can be sent both electronically to the database in addition to being sent to the user. If the user inputs an OTAC that matches the one stored on the database, the cart is unlocked to provide access to the requested pharmaceutical. Pharmaceuticals that are currently found in the cart can be checked remotely by communicating with the database.

Abstract: A rectangular shaped lockable bin is defined by four walls and a bottom wall. A lid is hingedly mounted to the rear wall and has a slot located in a front portion thereof. A lock having a latch is pivotably mounted to the front wall of said bin at a pivot point and is configured to be selectively rotated between a locked position and an unlocked position by an actuator. A tail extending from the lock contacts a post located on the wall of the bin and basis the lock in the unlocked position. A series of such bins may be received in a delivery module, which may be received in a drawer.

Abstract: An apparatus for counting and dispensing tablets includes a vibratory tablet feeder for feeding tablets to be counted to an output opening, at least one electrically-controlled vibrator coupled to the tablet feeder for vibrating the tablet feeder such that a singulated flow of tablets exits the output opening, and an optical system including at least one light source and at least one detector array located about a channel disposed downstream from the output opening of the tablet feeder. The optical system is configured to count tablets that pass through the channel as well as determine a tablet size class for the tablets that pass through the channel. Operation of the at least one electrically-controlled vibrator is controlled based on the tablet size class determined by the optical system.

Abstract: A vibratory tablet feeder includes a reservoir for storing a supply of tablets with a pathway that leads to an exit opening for discharging tablets therefrom. Vibration of the reservoir moves tablets as a flow of tablets along the pathway to the exit opening. The feeder can include a wiper spaced vertically from the pathway. The wiper has a wiping surface that is configured to guide at least one vertically-bunched tablet in the flow of tablets away from the exit opening for return to the reservoir in order to provide singulated flow of tablets at the exit opening. A portion of the pathway may define a chamfered edge that is configured to guide at least one horizontally-bunched tablet in the flow of tablets away from the exit opening for return to the reservoir in order to provide singulated flow of tablets at the exit opening.

Abstract: A medical cart includes a controller, display unit and display application that enables a user to select controls to specify different functions to be executed by the controller and to specify different status data to be displayed. A system for providing remote services to the medical cart includes a database and a server, both of which are located remotely from the cart. The database includes a plurality of applications. The server includes a data collection unit to collect data associated with the medical carts, and an analysis unit to analyze the collected data to detect a condition associated with the cart. In response to the detected condition, the control unit executes one or more of the applications, determines parameters to be communicated to the cart, automatically downloads one or more applications to the cart, and/or activating a web page having information to a user displaying information about the cart.

Abstract: An apparatus for counting and dispensing tablets includes a vibratory tablet feeder for feeding tablets to be counted to an output opening, at least one electrically-controlled vibrator coupled to the tablet feeder for vibrating the tablet feeder such that a singulated flow of tablets exits the output opening, and an optical system including at least one light source and at least one detector array located about a channel disposed downstream from the output opening of the tablet feeder. The optical system is configured to count tablets that pass through the channel as well as determine a tablet size class for the tablets that pass through the channel. Operation of the at least one electrically-controlled vibrator is controlled based on the tablet size class determined by the optical system.

Abstract: A vibratory tablet feeder includes a reservoir for storing a supply of tablets with a pathway that leads to an exit opening for discharging tablets therefrom. Vibration of the reservoir moves tablets as a flow of tablets along the pathway to the exit opening. The feeder can include a wiper spaced vertically from the pathway. The wiper has a wiping surface that is configured to guide at least one vertically-bunched tablet in the flow of tablets away from the exit opening for return to the reservoir in order to provide singulated flow of tablets at the exit opening. A portion of the pathway may define a chamfered edge that is configured to guide at least one horizontally-bunched tablet in the flow of tablets away from the exit opening for return to the reservoir in order to provide singulated flow of tablets at the exit opening.

Abstract: A method for controlling medicament dispensing from a cassette moved from a mount for the cassette includes mounting the cassette fully on the mount, the cassette being loaded with bulk-form medicaments, generating a first signal indicating that the cassette is fully mounted, enabling operation of the cassette responsive to the first signal, unmounting the cassette at least partially from the mount, generating a second signal indicating that the cassette has been at least partially unmounted, and disabling further operation of the cassette responsive to the second signal even if the cassette is fully remounted. The method may include also generating a third signal indicating that the cassette is ready for further dispensing of medicaments, remounting the cassette fully on the mount, generating the first signal indicating that the cassette is fully remounted, and enabling further operation of the cassette responsive to the first and third signals after disabling further operation of the cassette.

Abstract: A power system for a medical cart includes a power supply, a direct current power bus electrically coupled to the power supply, and an electrical output power module electrically coupled to the direct current power bus. The power supply is positioned within the base of the medical cart and outputs direct current electrical power. The direct current power bus is the support of the medical cart, with the base being at one end of the support. The electrical output power module is within the work platform of the medical cart at the other end of the support. The electrical output power module inputs the direct current electrical power from the direct current power bus, and converts the input direct current electrical power to an electrical power output having a different state.

Abstract: Embodiments of medical carts and associated apparatuses and methods are disclosed herein. A medical cart configured in accordance with one embodiment includes a cart base assembly, a work platform, and a height adjustment assembly carrying the work platform above the cart base assembly. The cart base assembly includes an upper portion and a touch-sensitive foot panel generally below the upper portion. The touch-sensitive foot panel includes a resilient cover having a contact surface and a contact switch underlying the resilient cover. The contact switch is operably coupled to the height adjustment assembly, and the contact switch is configured to detect for operator foot contact at the contact surface and to raise or lower the work platform via the height adjustment assembly when the operator foot contact is detected.

Abstract: A medical cart includes a work platform having a work surface and at least one compartment, a base, and a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the work platform relative to the base. A medication module includes a plurality of compartments. The medical cart can be joined with a medication module. In addition, a plurality of medication modules can joined to form a train. The medical cart and medication module can be used collectively and individually in a variety of methods far transferring medicine.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for providing a user with remote real time access to pharmaceuticals, the system comprising a plurality of carts which accept cassettes that contain pharmaceuticals. The carts preferably contain a CPU which can communicate with a database. A remote CPU is also in electrical communication with the database and may be placed at a pharmacy. When a specific pharmaceutical is required for a specific patient, a user can electronically request a one time access code (OTAC) from the remote CPU. If the request is valid, an OTAC can be sent both electronically to the database in addition to being sent to the user. If the user inputs an OTAC that matches the one stored on the database, the cart is unlocked to provide access to the requested pharmaceutical. Pharmaceuticals that are currently found in the cart can be checked remotely by communicating with the database.

Abstract: A system and method for managing access to a plurality of carts. A plurality of users may be created in a database, each user having unique identifying information. Users may be grouped into user groups when having similar attributes. Each cart may have an entry in the database with associated attributes. Carts may be grouped into cart groups for carts having similar attributes. Users may be given access to cart either individually, through a user group that has access to the cart, by given access to an entire group of carts, or through a user group that has access to an entire group of carts. The various associations can be interwoven to provide groups and sub-groups for managing applications where multiple users must interact with multiple carts. The carts can store access logs which may be communicated in real time to a computing device or may be stored locally at the cart for later access by an administrator.