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: 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 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: 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 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

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 refrigerated, medical dispensing drawer for use in a computerized medicine-dispensing station, the station of the type having a cabinet that houses a plurality of openable drawers in stacked arrangement containing pharmaceutical items in locked storage therein for retrieval following instructions inputted into a computer integrated the station, a drawer including a base plate, spaced-apart side walls, and spaced-apart front and rear walls, all attached together along their respective mating marginal edges to define an interior compartment of a size and shape available for reciprocal movement on a pair of side rails into and out of the cabinet, a tub reposed in the drawer covered by a tub lid hingedly attached to the drawer to form an air-tight chamber interior thereof and moveable with the drawer into and out of the cabinet, a plurality of individual baskets, each formed of fenestrated side walls and a bottom plate joined along their respective mating marginal edges, arranged in the tub with their open tops

Abstract: A supply station with internal computer, comprising an upright cabinet having integrally connected top, bottom, side and rear cabinet panels defining a tall storage and interior dispensing cavity accessible through a front opening, a plurality of horizontally openable and lockable doors, including door frames and transparent windows, hingedly mounted at various locations over the front opening, a mechanism for locking the doors when they are closed over the front opening, at least two partitions in the cavity in spaced-apart arrangement to form a smaller sub-cavity therein, a computer, including a keyboard, for inputting coded information concerning the particular dispensable items in the cabinet needed for a patient and information as to the party entering the information that causes electrical impulses to be issued therefrom in conformance with such information, mounted in the sub-cavity and accessible through the front opening; and, door unlocking mechanism interconnected the computer and the locking mecha

Abstract: A subassembly for use in a computerized medicine dispensing station is disclosed. The station has a cabinet for housing openable drawers in stacked arrangement containing dispensable pharmaceutical items. The subassembly includes a drawer having a base plate, side walls, and a front panel defining an interior compartment. The drawer can be inserted into the cabinet. The interior compartment of the drawer is divided into subcompartments, each subcompartment defined by spaced apart side walls and a curved rear wall. Each subcompartment contains a movable magazine mounted therein for racetrack-like movement therein between the spaced apart side wall and the curved rear wall. The magazine includes individual open cups for containing single dispensable pharmaceutical items therein. The front panel has an aperture which is normally closed and locked.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for a single application of wood bleach that improves the degree of whiteness, uniformity and depth of bleaching in the wood. The method includes the application of sufficient quantities of wood bleach to maintain an excess of liquid on the surface of wood for an extended time such as a minimum of 10 minutes to obtain penetration to a greater depth. Periodic motion of an abrasive powder, or an abrasive pad to continually relocate the excess bleach on the wood surface, either by machine or by hand, provides even distribution and eliminates the raised grain on the bleached wood. Another aspect to the invention is a single step process of bleaching and dyeing in which the dye is mixed in the bleach solution.

Abstract: An improved medication dispenser station is provided for controlled access storage of medications and other pharmaceuticals in a medical facility, such as a hospital or the like. The dispenser station comprises a housing with a plurality of normally locked drawers which have been preloaded with selected pharmaceutical items. A control unit on the housing is programmed to unlock the drawers one at a time to permit access to the contents thereof, with such access being contingent upon keyboard entry of a predetermined access code and other selected information sufficient to generate an access record. In a preferred form, each drawer includes multiple compartments containing multiple pharmaceutical items in a presorted array.

Abstract: An improved medication dispensing system is provided for controlled preprogrammed dispensing of medication to a patient and for creating a retrievable patient medication record. The system includes a dispensing unit located, for example, at patient bedside within a hospital room or the like and adapted to receive a pair of medication canisters having magazines with individual cassettes which have been preloaded in a preprogrammed manner in the hospital pharmacy or the like respectively to contain scheduled and unscheduled medications for administration to the patient. The dispensing unit is programmed according to individual patient needs to signal a nurse or other personnel at selected times when scheduled medication is prescribed, whereupon the scheduled medication can be accessed for dispensing only after entry of valid nurse or other personnel identification code into a dispensing unit memory.