Abstract: A child restraint apparatus connectable to a vehicle and having a chassis with a back portion and a seat portion. A U-shaped guard is pivotally connected to the chassis so as to be movable between an up position and a down position, in the down position the guard forming a frontal and lateral barrier around the child. A seat member of appropriate size is detachably connected to the seat portion of the chassis. A harness assembly is connected to the seat member. The harness assembly comprises a retractor assembly connected to the seat member and a torso strap having a lower end fixed to the retractor and a pair of upper ends connectable to a helmet via a latch assembly connected to the helmet. The helmet is adjustabty connected to the chassis and has a rigid shell shaped to extend about at least a portion the head of the child.

Abstract: A child restraint apparatus connectable to a vehicle and having a chassis with a back portion and a seat portion. A U-shaped guard is pivotally connected to the chassis so as to be movable between an up position and a down position, in the down position the guard forming a frontal and lateral barrier around the child. A seat member of appropriate size is detachably connected to the seat portion of the chassis. A harness assembly is connected to the seat member. The harness assembly comprises a retractor assembly connected to the seat member and a torso strap having a lower end fixed to the retractor and a pair of upper ends connectable to a helmet via a latch assembly connected to the helmet. The helmet is adjustably connected to the chassis and has a rigid shell shaped to extend about at least a portion the head of the child.

Abstract: A child restraint apparatus having a base connectable to a vehicle. The base has a chassis with a back portion and a seat portion. /A U-shaped guard is pivotally connected to the chassis so as to be movable between an up position and a down position, in the down position the guard forming a frontal and lateral barrier around the child. A seat member of appropriate size is detachably connected to the seat portion of the chassis. A harness assembly is connected to the seat member. The harness assembly comprises a retractor assembly connected to the seat member and a torso strap having a lower end fixed to the retractor and a pair of upper ends connectable to a helmet via a latch assembly connected to the helmet. The helmet is adjustably connected to the chassis and has a rigid shell shaped to extend about at least a portion the head of the child.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, an automated syringe preparation mechanism for an automated medication preparation system is provided and the mechanism includes (1) a first automated gripping mechanism having a pair of adjustable gripper arms for removing a tip cap from a barrel of one syringe and placing the removed tip cap at a first location and (2) a second automated gripping mechanism having a pair of adjustable gripper arms for replacing the removed tip cap on the syringe barrel after the medication is injected therein.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, an automated means for withdrawing a syringe plunger a method for just-in-time extension of the plunger to permit filling the syringe with a prescribed dose of medication are provided. The method includes the steps of: (1) inputting a desired volume of the prescribed dose of medication; (2) inputting syringe identifying information; (3) calculating a distance that the plunger is to be extended based on the inputted desired volume and syringe identifying information; (4) calculating drive parameters for a controllable drive that causes extension of the plunger when actuated and ensures that the plunger is extended the desired distance; and (5) controlling the drive in view of the calculated drive parameters to cause the plunger to be extended the desired distance.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, an automated syringe preparation mechanism for an automated medication preparation system is provided and the mechanism includes (1) a first automated gripping mechanism having a pair of adjustable gripper arms for removing a tip cap from a barrel of one syringe and placing the removed tip cap at a first location and (2) a second automated gripping mechanism having a pair of adjustable gripper arms for replacing the removed tip cap on the syringe barrel after the medication is injected therein.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, an automated means for withdrawing a syringe plunger a method for just-in-time extension of the plunger to permit filling the syringe with a prescribed dose of medication are provided. The method includes the steps of: (1) inputting a desired volume of the prescribed dose of medication; (2) inputting syringe identifying information; (3) calculating a distance that the plunger is to be extended based on the inputted desired volume and syringe identifying information; (4) calculating drive parameters for a controllable drive that causes extension of the plunger when actuated and ensures that the plunger is extended the desired distance; and (5) controlling the drive in view of the calculated drive parameters to cause the plunger to be extended the desired distance.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for cleaning a contaminated cannula so that it may be reused includes moving the contaminated cannula from a drug reconstitution station where the cannula is used to prepare a drug solution into a first rinsing station where the cannula is cleaned. A database is referred to to determine what drug solution the cannula has been contaminated with, and to determine a first amount of cleaning fluid that needs to be passed internally through the cannula, and a second amount of cleaning fluid that needs to be passed externally about the cannula so that there is effectively no contaminant remaining inside and outside of the cannula. The first amount of cleaning fluid is passed internally through the cannula. The second amount of cleaning fluid is passed externally about the cannula. After the cannula is cleaned, the cannula is moved to the drug reconstitution station to prepare another drug solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automated safety cap removal mechanism for an automated medication preparation system. The mechanism includes an automated gripping device for securely holding and transporting a vial containing the medication to and from a first station and a cap removal device for removing a safety cap of the vial in a just-in-time for use manner. The cap removal device being located at the first station. By providing a just-in-time for use safety cap removal mechanism, the labor intensive task of removing safety caps can be incorporated into an automated medication preparation system.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automated safety cap removal mechanism for an automated medication preparation system. The mechanism includes an automated gripping device for securely holding and transporting a vial containing the medication to and from a first station and a cap removal device for removing a safety cap of the vial in a just-in-time for use manner. The cap removal device being located at the first station. By providing a just-in-time for use safety cap removal mechanism, the labor intensive task of removing safety caps can be incorporated into an automated medication preparation system.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for cleaning a contaminated cannula so that it may be reused includes moving the contaminated cannula from a drug reconstitution station where the cannula is used to prepare a drug solution into a first rinsing station where the cannula is cleaned. A database is referred to to determine what drug solution the cannula has been contaminated with, and to determine a first amount of cleaning fluid that needs to be passed internally through the cannula, and a second amount of cleaning fluid that needs to be passed externally about the cannula so that there is effectively no contaminant remaining inside and outside of the cannula. The first amount of cleaning fluid is passed internally through the cannula. The second amount of cleaning fluid is passed externally about the cannula. After the cannula is cleaned, the cannula is moved to the drug reconstitution station to prepare another drug solution.