The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 21, 2000
Filed:
Sep. 28, 1998
Richard C Arnold, Lamoine, ME (US);
John D Higham, Menlo Park, CA (US);
Omnicell.com, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
The invention provides exemplary dispensing systems and methods for dispensing medical supply items. According to one exemplary method, a dispensing cabinet is provided having a processor. An auxiliary storage location is also provided and is separate from the dispensing cabinet. The auxiliary storage location has at least one door and at least one lock to lock the door, with the lock being operable upon receipt of a signal from the processor. Further, the auxiliary storage location holds at least one medical supply item. User identification information and charge account information are entered into the processor to cause the processor to send a signal to unlock the lock. An item sensor on the dispensing cabinet is actuated to record removal of the medical supply item from the auxiliary storage location. The medical supply item is then removed from the auxiliary storage location.