Carefusion 303, Inc.

Pyxis Corporation

Cardinal Health 301, Inc.

David T Heffron

Brendan John Burgess

Thomas William Utech

Peter Phillip Godlewski

Maria Consolacion Jaskela

Gary Latorraca

John J Rodenrys

Joseph M Calabro

Laird P Broadfield

Guy Eldredge

Kelly Larrabee

Albert W Dibelka

Jitendra Urankar

Paul M Seelinger

Robert J Feeney

William Conrad

Patricia M Lee

Melvin Muecke

A medication dispensing cabinet includes one or more lockable compartments, each containing medication, and a biometric input device at least partially disposed within and recessed below a surface of a medication dispensing cabinet. A compartment containing the medication is unlocked when an authorized biometric input is received by the biometric input device. The medication dispensing cabinet may verify that the user attempting access to the medication is authorized to dispense the medication before unlocking the compartment.

Managing medications at the bedside

Modular automated dispensing systems for dispensing secured medications in a medical environment are provided. The system includes a compact enclosure configured to be disposed in a medical treatment area without taking up valuable floor space. The system includes lockable drawers having one or more compartments for storing and dispensing medications or medical supplies. The system is unlocked by use of an access control interface internally or externally connected directly to the system, or networked to the system through a medical center network.

A medication delivery system is disclosed that includes a portable container and a controller. The portable container includes a body and a lid that forms a securable storage compartment, and a latch that is coupled to the body and configured to releasably secure the lid. The portable container also includes a processor and a power source coupled to the latch, the processor causing the latch to release when an access signal based on a unique identifier is received.

Portable medication dispensing containers

Systems and methods for dispensing medications to hospitalized individuals through a first apparatus containing optional medications that is configured to be replenished by optional medication from a central storage location. Some embodiments provide that the first apparatus is associated with an individual patient. The first apparatus is preferably secured at a location near the individual patient, such as, for example, within the individual patient's room. By creating multiple dispensing apparatuses, a caregiver who administers required medications no longer has to retrieve optional medications from a central storage location.

A medication dispenser is provided, comprising a securable container configured to store one or more doses of one or more medications and an access device configured to selectably permit access to the one or more doses of the one or more medications. The medication dispenser further comprises an electronic interface configured to acquire user input from a user and a processor. The processor is configured to perform the steps of comparing the user input to a database, selecting, responsive to the comparing, an appropriate dose from the one or more doses, and permitting access through the access device to the appropriate dose. A method for dispensing medication is also provided. The method comprises the steps of locating a medication dispenser at a point-of-care, acquiring user input from a user at the point-of-care, comparing the user input to a database, selecting, responsive to the comparing, an appropriate dose from the one or more doses, and permitting access through the access device to the appropriate dose.

Point-of-care medication dispensing

Storage systems for inventory control are disclosed. The storage systems include a vertical storage structure having a plurality of vertically-stacked pockets. Each vertically-stacked pocket can be configured to be separately openable for providing user access to contents of the vertically-stacked pocket. The vertical storage structure can be a vertical sliding-type door, a hinged-type door, or a wall-mounted cabinet.

Vertical medication storage system

Storage systems for inventory control are disclosed. The storage systems includes a vertical storage structure having a plurality of vertically-stacked pockets. Each vertically-stacked pocket can be configured to be separately openable for providing user access to contents of the vertically-stacked pocket. The vertical storage structure can be a vertical sliding-type door, a hinged-type door, or a wall-mounted cabinet.

A medication dispenser is provided, comprising a securable container configured to store one or more doses of one or more medications and an access device configured to selectably permit access to the one or more doses. The medication dispenser further comprises an electronic interface configured to acquire user input from a user, and a processor configured to compare the user input to a database, to select, responsive to the comparing, an appropriate dose from the one or more doses, and to permit access through the access device to the appropriate dose. A method for dispensing medication is provided, comprising the steps of locating a medication dispenser at a point-of-care, acquiring user input from a user at the point-of-care, comparing the user input to a database, selecting, responsive to the comparing, an appropriate dose from the one or more doses, and permitting access through the access device to the appropriate dose.

A portable container is disclosed that includes a body and a lid that cooperatively form a securable storage compartment and a latch that is coupled to the body and configured to releasably secure the lid. The portable container also includes a location-sensing element configured to determine the location of the portable container in a facility and provide location information to a processor coupled to the latch and the location sensing element. The processor is configured to receive the location information from the location-sensing element and allow the latch to release the lid upon a determination that the portable container is located in an area of the facility where access to the contents of the portable container is permitted.

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.

Growing community of inventors

San Diego, CA, United States of America

David T Heffron