CARTRIDGE, DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PROVIDING ACCESS TO A SINGLE CARTRIDGE COMPARTMENT

专利摘要:
multi-cap dispensing cartridge system, discloses a cartridge for use in a dispensing system; the cartridge includes a body (34) having an exterior and a plurality of compartments; a plurality of covers (30) are movably coupled to the body (34) and are configured to cover a compartment; a release mechanism moves along an axis (53); a plurality of latches is movably coupled to the body (34); each latch is configured to hold the respective cover (30) when in a first position and to release the respective cover (30) when in a second position; the release mechanism will prevent a latch from moving to the second position when the release mechanism is moving along the axis (53) in a first direction; the release mechanism will cause a single latch to move to the second position while leaving the remaining latches in the first position when the release mechanism is moving along the axis (53) in a second direction.
公开号:BR112012031811B1
申请号:R112012031811-0
申请日:2011-05-23
公开日:2020-10-06
发明作者:Michael RAHILLY；Frank Dean Weber
申请人:Carefusion 303, Inc；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

HISTORIC Field
[001] The present patent application in general, is related to systems and methods for distribution of items and, in particular, systems having compartments with individually activated lids, suitable for distribution of single items. Description of the Related Art
[002] Automated drug distribution using Automated Distribution Machines (ADMs) has become common in hospitals worldwide. The benefits include a reduction in the amount of pharmacist work required to distribute medications as well as enabling nurses to obtain medications more quickly, as many ADMs are located at nursing stations. ADMs also provide safe storage of drugs, especially controlled substances, as users must generally identify themselves and the patient to whom the drug will be administered before the ADM delivers the drug.
[003] One of the challenges of ADMs is the method of refueling. ADMs having fixed drawers require the pharmacist to transport the medication to the ADM and load the medication, which both consumes the pharmacist's time and makes the ADM unavailable for nurses during the loading process. Another challenge is to provide the ability to distribute a single dose of medication, especially controlled substances, without providing access to a larger stock of the same drugs. Existing single-dose delivery products can be complex, unreliable or inefficient in space usage.
[004] ADM technology is applicable to a wide range of non-medical uses, such as distributing cutting tools subject to wear in a workshop or locating tools while repairing an aircraft engine, where it is crucial to ensure that no tools has been left on the engine. Applications where inventory control is a concern or where the user's identity has to be authenticated before allowing access to the content of the storage system are candidates for the use of ADM technology. SUMMARY
[005] The multi-cap cartridge and delivery system disclosed in this document offers a distinct and safe method of delivering items such as medicines. The cartridge can be loaded in a remote location such as a pharmacy and safely transported to ADM by a non-pharmacist and quickly loaded into ADM, saving the pharmacist's time and improving ADM's availability for nurses. The cartridges provide single-dose delivery capability in an efficient use of space.
[006] A cartridge is released. The cartridge comprises a body having an exterior and a plurality of compartments, each compartment having an opening. There are a plurality of covers movably coupled to the body. Each cover is configured to cover the opening of a compartment and each cover has a fastener. A release mechanism is movably coupled to the body. The release mechanism moves along an axis. A plurality of latches is movably coupled to the body. Each plurality of latches is configured to engage the respective fixing element of the plurality of covers when in a first position and to release the respective fixation element when in a second position. The latches and the release mechanism are configured so that the release mechanism prevents the latch from moving to the second position when the release mechanism is moving along the axis in a first direction and the release mechanism will cause a single latch moves to the second position while maintaining the remaining latches in the first position when the release mechanism is moving along the axis in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.
[007] A distribution system is disclosed. The distribution system comprises a cartridge and a cabinet. The cartridge comprises a body having an exterior and a plurality of compartments, with a plurality of lids movably coupled to the body and a connector having exposed contacts outside the body. The lids have closed positions characterized by the fact that the lids cover the respective compartments. The cartridge is configured so that the covers cannot be opened except by receiving a command signal from the cartridge through the connector. The enclosure comprises a housing having an anchoring location configured to accept a cartridge, an anchoring connector attached to the housing and a controller attached to the anchoring connector. The housing is configured so that the docking connector connects to the cartridge connector when the cartridge is placed in the docking location. The controller is configured to send the command signals to the cartridge via the anchor connector to open one of the covers.
[008] A method of providing access to a single compartment of a cartridge having a plurality of compartments is disclosed. The method includes the step of moving a latch command along a movement axis. The latch control has a drive mode and a bypass mode. The latch command will not trigger a latch when it moves in the first direction in the trigger mode, but it will trigger the latch to open a cover covering the compartment when it moves in a second direction in the trigger mode, the second direction being opposite to the first direction. The latch command will not trigger the latch when moving in the first or second direction in bypass mode. The method also includes the steps of switching the latch command to bypass mode when reaching a first end of a range of motion while moving in the first direction along the axis of motion, moving the latch command in the second direction over the range entire motion, switching the latch control to drive mode when reaching a second end of the motion range while moving in the second direction along the axis of movement, moving the latch command in the first direction until the latch command passes the latch, and moving the latch command in the second direction until the latch command moves the latch enough to disengage the latch from the lid, allowing the lid to open and allowing access to the compartment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[009] The accompanying drawings, included to provide additional understanding, are incorporated and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate disclosed applications and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosed applications. In the drawings: Figure 1 shows an ADM used in medical facilities. Figure 2 shows a distribution cartridge insert in an ADM drawer according to certain applications of the present patent application. Figure 3 shows an ADM drawer containing distribution cartridges according to certain applications of the present patent application. Figures 4A-4C illustrate an exemplary configuration of a cartridge lid release system in accordance with certain applications of the present application. Figures 5A-5E illustrate a cartridge lid latch according to certain applications of the present application. Figures 6A-6F illustrate an operational sequence for releasing a cartridge lid latch according to certain applications of the present application. Figures 7A-7B illustrate an alternative application of a cartridge lid latch and a lid release system in accordance with certain applications of the present application. Figures 8A-8G illustrate an operational sequence for configuring the lid latch of figures 7A-7B according to certain applications of the present application. Figures 9A-9B illustrate an alternative application of the cartridge latch release system according to certain applications of the present patent application. Figures 10A-10H illustrate an operational sequence for configuring the lid latch of Figures 9A-9B according to certain applications of the present application. Figures 11A-11D illustrate an alternative application of the cartridge release system according to certain applications of the present application. Figures 12A-12H illustrate an operational sequence for releasing a lid for configuring the lid latch of Figures 11A - 11D according to certain applications of the present application. Figures 13A-13E illustrate an exemplary application of a latch release system in accordance with certain applications of the present application. Figure 14 illustrates an exemplary application of a latch release system according to certain applications of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] Pharmacists are under increasing pressure to deal with drugs that are provided to nurses and other caregivers in a medical facility. There is an increasing level of regulations, particularly for controlled substances, related to the handling and location of medicines. Many of these regulations require the pharmacist to carry out inspections on medicines, increasing the pharmacist's workload. Controlled substances, which may include the drugs listed in Annexes I - V of the Controlled Substances Act. In addition, many hospitals are finding that they cannot find pharmacists to fill open positions, placing greater burdens on pharmacists who are part of the hospital's staff. Therefore, there is a need to deal with drugs with a reduced amount of time from the pharmacist.
[0011] The cartridge, system and method disclosed allow a pharmacist to make medications available in an ADM for nurses at a reduced level of effort from the pharmacist. A cartridge can be filled and checked by a pharmacist at the pharmacy and then safely transported to an ADM and loaded into the ADM by a non-pharmaceutical employee such as a pharmacy technician. Alternatively, drugs can be checked at the pharmacy by a pharmacist and then transported to ADM by a pharmacy technician who then loads the drugs in the cartridge. Since the compartments cannot be opened until the cartridge is installed in an ADM or equivalent loading station at the pharmacy, the pharmacist does not need to inspect the cartridge again at the ADM.
[0012] Certain exemplary applications of the present patent application include a cartridge having a plurality of compartments with lids that open individually. This cartridge is suitable for single dose distribution while a single dose of medicine can be placed in each compartment. Opening a single cap provides the caregiver with access to that single dose without providing the caregiver with access to other doses. This eliminates the need for periodic drug verification counts as the possibility of undetected drug withdrawal from compartments has been eliminated.
[0013] While the discussion of the cartridge, system and method is directed to the distribution of medicines in a hospital, the methods and devices disclosed apply to the distribution of medicines in other environments as well as the distribution of other types of items in a variety of fields . For example, bodyshops often have tooling run by an individual who provides drivers with cutting machines, drills and other supplies subject to wear without providing unsupervised access to the stock of tools and parts. An ADM may be supplied with these supplies subject to wear and tear and used in place of the tooling to supply these items to drivers in a controlled and traceable manner. Similarly, items such as an expensive specialized tool may be removed by an individual for use and returned to the same compartment after use, allowing the tool to be located and making a single tool available to multiple people.
[0014] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are provided to provide a complete understanding of the present application for an invention patent. It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that the applications of the present invention patent application may be practiced without some of the specific details. In other examples, well-known structures and techniques were not shown in detail so as not to confuse disclosure.
[0015] Figure 1 is a drawing of an ADM used in medical facilities. This exemplary ADM 10 includes a plurality of drawers 12, some of which may be configured to receive dispensing cartridges (not shown). This configuration of an ADM can be referred to as a cabinet, which includes housing 11, drawers 12, a variety of electronic devices and controls (not shown) and the user interface. The ADM 10 user interface includes a display 16 and a keyboard 14 so that a user, such as a nurse, can identify which medicine they want to take from the ADM.
[0016] Figure 2 is a drawing showing how a distribution cartridge 20 fits in a drawer 12 of ADM 10 according to certain applications of the present application for an invention patent. In this view, a drawer 12 has been removed from the ADM 10 housing 11 for clarity. Distribution cartridges 20 can be supplied in a variety of widths. In this example, the cartridges 20 are of the width that can be defined as "unit width", "single width" or "IX" with a certain number of compartments 22 of the same size. Cartridge 24 is the same width as cartridge 20 with a reduced number of compartments so that the compartments are larger and can hold larger items. Cartridge 26 is wider than cartridge 20 and has four large compartments, allowing each compartment to hold a single large item or a larger quantity of small items. In some applications, larger cartridges are provided in incremental widths that are integer multiples of width IX. This allows a user to install a variable cartridge configuration. In the example of FIG. 2, drawer 12 has five IX 28 spaces, with three IX 20 cartridges and a 2X 26 cartridge installed. Other cartridge widths can be installed up to, in this example, a 5X cartridge.
[0017] Figure 3 is a drawing of an ADM 12 drawer containing distribution cartridges according to certain applications of the present application for an invention patent. In Figure 3, drawer 12 of Figure 2 is installed in housing 11 and is shown in a state after a user has ordered a medication that was contained in one of the cartridges placed in drawer 12. A cartridge compartment 20 was opened by the controller of the ADM (not shown), revealing the lid 30 that covered compartment 32 of the compartment containing the desired drug. In this example, the lid 30 is coupled by a hinge to the body of the cartridge 20. The lid 30 has a hook or other fastening element (not shown in FIG. 3) that allows a latch or other mechanism (not shown in FIG. 3) inside the cartridge it can retain the lid 30 in the closed position. The remaining lids 30 remain closed and locked, preventing access to the contents of the other compartments.
[0018] Figures 4A-4C illustrate an exemplary configuration of a cartridge lid release system in accordance with certain applications of the present patent application. Figure 4A shows a dispensing cartridge 20 having a plurality of caps 30 coupled to the body 34. Figure 4B shows a side section of the cartridge 20 where a side panel has been removed from the body 34 to show the release mechanism 36 and the latches 40 hooks 38. The distal and proximal directions are defined in this document in relation to the cartridge 20 for discussion of the operation in later sections. Figure 4C is an enlarged section of the section of Figure 4B. The lid 30 is shown in Figure 4C in the closed position and has a hook 38 attached as an exemplary fastener, the latch 40 is engaged with a hook 38 and holds the lid 30 in the closed position. The details of the structure and operation of this example of latch 40 are discussed below. This application of the release mechanism 36 includes a continuous belt 42 passing over a pulley 44 at each end of the cartridge body 34, as shown in FIG. 4C. FIG. 4G is shown with a split across the body between pulley 44 and latch 40 to indicate that this same configuration of lid 30 and latch 40 is repeated on each lid along cartridge 20. Belt continues 42 has a latch command 46 coupled which will be discussed in more detail below. The continuous belt 42 has an upper or primary path 42A and a lower or secondary path 42B, and the latch control 46 can travel the entire circumference of the continuous belt, traversing along primary path 42A or secondary path 42B, whether in the proximal or distal direction. In this example, the continuous belt 42 is moved in any direction by rotation of one of the pulleys 44, as driven by a motor (not shown).
[0019] Figures 5A-5E illustrate the structure of a cartridge lid latch 40 according to certain applications of the present patent application. Figure 5A is a side section of the latch 40 showing the upper latch arm 52 and the lower latch arm 54, both of which revolve about an axis 53. The axis 53 may be a part of the body to which the latch 40 is attached or may be a separate item. The distal and proximal directions of Figure 4B are repeated for the exemplary application shown on this instrument. Figure 5B is an enlarged and perspective section of latch 40, where a retaining bar 55 of the upper latch arm 52 is visible. In operation, a compensation element (not shown), such as a torsion spring, causes the upper latch arm 52 to rotate counterclockwise on axis 53 to the position shown in FIG. 5A. Similarly, a compensating element (not shown) causes the lower latch arm 54 to rotate clockwise on axis 53 to the position shown in FIG. 5A. In some applications, a single compensation element may provide both functions while multiple compensation elements may be used in alternative applications.
[0020] Figure 5C shows a degree of freedom of movement of the latch 40, where the upper latch arm 52 rotates clockwise on the axis 53 while the lower latch arm 54 remains in its original position. Figure 5D shows a second degree of freedom of movement for the latch 40 where the lower latch arm 54 rotates counterclockwise, while the upper latch arm 52 remains in its original position. Figure 5E shows another degree of freedom where the lower latch arm 54 rotates clockwise and the retaining bar 55 engages the upper latch arm 52, causing the upper latch arm 52 to also rotate clockwise. It can be seen that the movements of Figures 5C-5E are all opposed by the action of the respective compensation elements so that each element returns to the position of FIG. 5A in the absence of an applied force. The points where these movements occur during the operation of the release mechanism 36 will be discussed below.
[0021] Figures 6A-6F illustrate an operational sequence for releasing a cartridge lid latch according to certain applications of the present application. FIG. 6A shows an initial position where the latch 40 is in a stable configuration and is engaged with hook 38. The latch command 46 is coupled to the continuous belt 42 and is positioned on the distal side of the latch 40. It can be seen that the latch command 46 and the latch 40 have inclined joining surfaces. In FIG. 6B, latch control 46 is moving in the proximal direction, as indicated by the arrow, forcing the lower latch arm 54 to rotate counterclockwise. It can be seen that this movement does not release the hook 38. FIG. 6C shows latch command 46 as having the lower latch arm 54 passed and stopped on the proximal side of latch 40, where the lower latch arm 54 has returned to the position of FIG. 6A. In FIG. 6D, the belt 42 has reversed the direction and the latch control 46 is moving in the distal direction and is forcing the lower latch arm 54 to rotate clockwise, which causes the upper latch arm 52 to also rotate in the direction schedule. Clockwise, rotation of the upper latch arm 52 releases the hook 38. In this example, there is a compensating element (not shown) causing the cover to which the hook 38 is attached to open, over which the hook 38 moves up and out of the engagement position of the upper latch arm 52. In Figure 6E, latch command 46 again moved to the proximal side of latch 40 and allowed latch 40 to return to the position of FIG. 6A. FIG. 6F shows how the hook 38 moves down and engages the upper latch arm 52 while the lid (not shown) is closed, while the upper latch arm 52 rotates clockwise to allow the hook 38 to pass the latching feature of the upper latch arm 52 and move to the engagement position of FIG. 6A, on which the upper latch arm 52 will rotate counterclockwise under the pressure of the compensation element (not shown) and the system will return to the configuration of Figure 6A.
[0022] FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate an alternative application of a cartridge lid latch and lid release system in accordance with certain applications of the present application. Figure 7A shows a dispensing cartridge 60 having the same release mechanism 36 as shown in FIGS. 4A-B, with a different latch (not shown). Figure 7B shows an enlarged section of the distal end of the cartridge 60, where two latches 62 are visible. The proximal latch 62 is shown engaged with the hook 38 of the lid 30. It can be seen that the latch 62 does not rotate about a fixed axis and, instead, slides and rotates within a partial cavity 64 formed in the body 34. A compensating element 66, which is a spring in this example, applies force to the latch 62 in a downward and proximal direction.
[0023] Figures 8A-8G illustrate the sequence of operation for configuring the lid latch of figures 7A-B according to certain applications of the present application. Figure 8A shows an initial position where latch 62 is in the fully lowered position and engaged with hook 38 with latch command 46 positioned on the distal side of latch 62. Figure 8B shows latch command 46 by pushing latch 62 upwards as it passes under latch 62, with latch 62 remaining engaged with hook 38. Figure 8C shows latch command 46 stopped on the proximal side of latch 62 which has returned to its fully lowered position. In figure 8D, latch command 46 is moving in the distal direction and forcing latch 62 in the distal direction as well, causing latch 62 to disengage from hook 38. Figure 8E shows the lid 30 fully opened by its trim element (not shown). Figure 8F shows the latch command 46 moved distally out of the way of the open lid 30 and the associated latch 62, which has returned to its fully open position. Hook 38 is visible very close, but not yet in contact with latch 62. It can be seen that there are inclined combination surfaces on both hook 38 and latch 62 that will force latch 62 to be moved distally while hook 38 descends . Figure 8G shows the lid 30 fully closed and the hook 38 engaged with the latch 62, which has returned to the original position of Figure 8A.
[0024] Figures 9A-9B illustrate an alternative application of a cartridge latch release system in accordance with certain applications of the present patent application. Cartridge 70 is similar to cartridges 20 and 40 of FIGS. 4A and 7A, respectively, except that the release mechanisms have been replaced by the release mechanism 72. Figure 9B shows an enlarged section of the distal end of the two components of the release mechanism 72, inner slide 74 and outer slide 76. A inner slide part 74 has a coupled pin 78 that protrudes in the direction of the outer slide part 76 and fits through the molded hole 80. The molded hole 80 has lock positions 82 and 84 at the distal and proximal ends, respectively, with a path center 85 connecting the two lock positions. The two sliding parts 74 and 76 are positioned adjacent to each other when installed in the cartridge 70, with the pin 78 projecting through the molded hole 80. The internal sliding piece 74 can be moved parallel to the external sliding piece 76 along a path defined by the movement of the pin 78 along the central path 85. The inner slide 74 also includes the latch control 46 as a molded element that is an integral part of the slide. The equivalence of this molded element to the locking control of previous applications is discussed below.
[0025] Figures 10A - 10H illustrate the operational sequence for configuring the lid latch of FIGS. 9A-9B according to certain applications of the present application. Figure 10A shows an initial position where pin 78 is located on latch 82. In this configuration, the inner slide 74 is in its lowest position in relation to the outer slide 76 and it can be seen that the tip of the latch control 46 it is lower than the lower part of latch 86 and will pass underneath without touching latch 86. This is a "bypass mode" of this application. Latch 86 again is a sliding latch with a compensating element 66 forcing it downwards and in a proximal direction. In figure 10B, the outer slide 76 has been moved distally until the end of the inner slide 74 comes into contact with the distal travel stop 88. Figure 10C shows the outer slide 76 continuing to move in a distal direction, forcing pin 78 to move out of latch 82 and follow the molded path upward, which forces inner slide 74 to rise as well. Figure 10D shows that the outer slide 76 has moved distally enough that pin 78 has reached lock 84, interrupting the movement of outer slide 76. Since lock 84 is higher than lock 82, the remote latch 46 is now higher in relation to latch 86 and can be seen as being high enough to engage latch 86 while passing under latch 86.
[0026] In figure 10E, the external slide 76 is moving in the proximal direction. Latch command 46 is forcing latch 86 upwards while latch command 46 passes under latch 86 without causing latch 86 to disengage hook 38. The outer slide 76 could continue to move proximally and the lock command latch 46 could pass under additional latches 86 so that a single latch command could selectively open any one of a plurality of latches. In figure 10F, the outer slide 76 has moved more proximally so that the latch command is now on the proximal side of latch 86. Figure 10G shows how the outer slide 76 again moves in a distal direction. The latch command 4 6 is now in its "drive mode", eg in the highest position of the molded orifice 80 and then the latch command 46 pushes latch 86 in the distal direction, which causes latch 86 disengagement from hook 38. Figure 10H shows the lid 30 fully open. This application will engage again by closing the lid 30 similar to the same mode as shown in FIGS. 8F-8G for the previous application.
[0027] Figures 11A-11D illustrate an alternative application of the cartridge latch release system according to certain applications of the present patent application. Figure 11A shows a dispensing cartridge 90 having a latch and release mechanism 92 different from previous cartridge applications. Figure 11B is an approximate section of the distal end of the cartridge 90, showing a latch 94 and a sliding conveyor 96 having flexible arms 98. Latch 94 and sliding conveyor 96 are shown on an even larger scale in Figures 11C and FIG. 11D, respectively. In Figure 11C, it can be seen that latch 94 has a molded cavity 100 and deflection path 102, the function of which will be discussed below. In Figure 11D, it can be seen that the flexible arms 98 have tips 104.
[0028] Figures 12A - 12H illustrate the sequences of operation for releasing the lid for configuring the lid latch of Figures 11A -11D according to certain applications of the present application. Figure 12A shows the sliding conveyor 96 in an initial position where the tip 104 is not in contact with the latch 94. This latch application 94 moves along a distal - proximal axis and engages the hook 38 at the distal end of the path as shown in Figure 12A. Compensating element 66, which is a spring in this application, can be seen to cause latch 94 to move in a distal direction. In Figure 12B, the sliding conveyor 96 has moved distally so that the tip 104 is in contact with the outer latch surface 94, forcing the flexible arm 98 to bend outwardly. FIG. 12C shows the sliding conveyor as having moved more distally so that the tip 104 is now in contact with the molded cavity 100. The molded cavity 100 has a sloping surface on the distal side so that if the sliding conveyor 96 continues to moving in the distal direction, tip 104 will then rise and exit molded cavity 100. Molded cavity 100 has a straight or cut edge on the proximal side so that tip 104 will not leave molded cavity 100, but will instead otherwise, engage the edge. FIG. 12D shows this situation, where the sliding conveyor 96 has reversed the direction so that the tip 104 has reached the proximal edge of the molded cavity 100 and engaged in, or attached to, the proximal edge of the molded cavity 100. While the sliding conveyor 96 continues to if it moves proximally, tip 104 will pull latch 94 in the proximal direction, releasing hook 38 as shown in Figure 12D.
[0029] Figure 12E continues from the configuration of FIG. 12C where the tip 104 is in contact with the molded cavity 100. The molded cavity 100 has a sloping surface on the distal side so that if the sliding conveyor 96 continues to move in the distal direction, the tip 104 will then rise and out of the molded cavity 100. Figure 12E shows a tip 104 moving on the outer surface of the latch 94 on the distal side of the molded cavity 100, having followed the surface with an upward slope and exiting the molded cavity 100. Figure 12F shows the configuration after the sliding conveyor 96 has moved more distally so that the tip 104 is not in contact with the latch 94. In Figure 12G, the sliding conveyor 96 has reversed direction and is traveling in a proximal direction. While tip 104 comes into contact with the outer surface of latch 94, approaching the distal side of latch 94, tip 104 follows deviation path 102. While tip 104 follows deviation path 102, flexible arm 98 moves curve up. Bypass path 102 continues around molded cavity 100 and tip 104 will not engage latch 94. Figure 12H shows the configuration after tip 104 is no longer in contact with the outer surface of latch 94, which is identical to FIG. 12A.
[0030] Figures 13A-13E illustrate an exemplary application of a latch release system in accordance with certain applications of the present application. Figure 13A shows a distal portion of the inner slide 74 of the release mechanism of Figures 11A-11D and five identical latches 86A-86E, evenly spaced at the distal end of a cartridge 70. The inner slide 74 includes three latch controls 46A -46C within the portion of the inner slide 74 shown in Figure 13A. Latch controls 46A-46C are spaced slightly less than twice the latch interval. In FIG. 13A, latch control 46A is touching the proximal edge of latch 8 6A so that a slight distal movement from inner slide 74 will cause latch 86A to release its respective hook 38. At the same time, latch controls 46B and 46C are pushing latches 86C and 86E, respectively, upward, and the distal movement of inner slide 74 will not cause latch 86C or 86E to release their respective hooks 38. Thus, inner slide 74 is positioned so that a small distal movement, eg a movement that is a fraction of the latch interval, of the inner slide 74 will release the cover over latch 86A while you are not releasing the other four covers over latches 86B-86E.
[0031] In figure 13B, the inner slide 74 moved proximally to a position where the latch control 46B is in contact with the latch 8 6C so that a small distal movement of the inner slide 74 will cause the latch 86C release its hook. At the same time the latch command 46C is pushing latch 86E upward and a distal movement of the inner slide 74 will not cause latch 86E to release its respective hook. Thus, the inner slide 74 is positioned so that a small distal movement of the inner slide 74 will release the cover over latch 86C while not releasing the other four covers over latches 86A-86B and 86D-86E.
[0032] Similarly, it can be seen that in Figure 13C, the inner slide 74 is positioned to release latch 86E without releasing the other latches. Figure 13D shows the inner slide 74 positioned to release the latch 86B and Figure 13E shows the inner slide 74 positioned to release the latch 86D. Figures 13A-13E collectively show how a release mechanism, applied as an internal slide part 74 in this example, can selectively release one of a plurality of covers without releasing the remaining covers by selecting a spacing, or longitudinal tilt, between the control commands. latches that is less than an integer multiple of the latch spacing. This same approach can be applied to the flexible arms 98 and the tips 104 of the application of the figures. 11A-11D.
[0033] Figure 14 illustrates an exemplary application of a latch release system in accordance with certain applications of the present application. In this application, the internal slide part 74 has a plurality of latch controls 46 where each can release two latches when operated according to the procedure illustrated in Figures 13A-13E. The separation, or longitudinal inclination, of the adjacent lock controls 46A and 46B is less than the separation of the locks 86A and 86C. In this example, latch controls 46A and 46B are separated by 72,950 millimeters while latches 86A and 86C are separated by 78,339 millimeters.
[0034] It can be seen that the published applications of the distribution cartridge with multiple covers allow the distribution of one or more items from a single compartment without allowing access to the contents of other compartments. If a single item is placed in each compartment, this allows for the individual distribution of items such as medicines or high-value supplies and controlled substances. The use of a single release mechanism to selectively release all caps on a cartridge enables a simpler and less expensive system. Cartridges can be supplied in a variety of widths, allowing the user to easily configure a drawer to provide a variety of compartment sizes so that large items can be handled in some compartments while the remaining compartment can be efficiently used to distribute smaller items .
[0035] The previous description is provided to enable anyone with common skill in the technique to practice the various aspects described in this instrument. While the above content has described what is considered the best mode and / or other examples, it is understood that several modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the generic principles defined in this instrument may be applied to other aspects . Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown in this instrument, but must agree with the full scope consistent with the language claims, where the reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless specifically stated , but instead "one or more". Unless specifically stated otherwise, the terms "a set" and "some" refer to one or more. Pronouns in the masculine (eg yours, his) include the feminine and neutral gender (eg, yours, hers) and vice versa. Headings and sub-headings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit the invention.
[0036] It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the disclosed processes is an illustration of exemplary approaches. Based on the design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or the hierarchy of steps in the processes can be rearranged. Some of the steps can be taken simultaneously. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in a sample order and are not intended to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.
[0037] Terms such as "top", "bottom", "front", "rear" and the like, as used in this patent application, should be understood as referring to an arbitrary reference structure, rather than the gravitational structure common reference. Thus, an upper surface, a lower surface, a front surface and a rear surface may extend upwards, downwards, diagonally or horizontally in a reference gravitational structure.
[0038] A phrase, for example, "aspect" does not imply that such aspect is essential to the technology exposed or that this aspect applies to all configurations of the technology exposed. An aspect-related disclosure may be applied to all configurations or to one or more configurations. A sentence, for example, an aspect may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa. A phrase, for example, an "application" does not imply that such an application is essential to the technology exposed or that that application applies to all configurations of the technology exposed. An application-related disclosure may be applied to all applications or to one or more applications. A sentence, for example, an application may refer to one or more applications and vice versa.
[0039] The word "exemplary" is used in this document to mean "serving as an example or illustration". Any aspect or design described in this document as "exemplary" is not necessarily interpreted as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs.
[0040] All structural and functional equivalents of the elements of the various aspects described in all this disclosure that are known or later become known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated into this document by reference and must be encompassed by the claims. In addition, nothing disclosed in this document is intended to be dedicated to the independent public if such disclosure is explicitly mentioned in the claims. No claim element shall be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of 35 USC §112, paragraph six, unless the element is expressly mentioned using the phrase "means for" or, in the case of a method claim, the element is mentioned using the phrase "step to." Additionally, to the extent that the term "includes," "owns" or the like is used in the description or in the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a similar way as the term "comprises" as "comprises" is interpreted when used as a word transitional in a claim.
[0041] All elements, parts and steps described in this document are preferably included. It should be understood that any of these elements, parts and steps can be replaced by other elements, parts and steps or excluded all together as will be obvious to those with common skill in the technique.
[0042] In one aspect, this document discloses the following: a cartridge for use in a distribution system. The cartridge includes a body having an exterior and a plurality of compartments. A plurality of covers are movably coupled to the body and are configured to cover a compartment. A release mechanism moves along an axis. A plurality of latches is movably coupled to the body. Each latch is configured to secure the respective cover when in a first position and to release the respective cover when in a second position. The release mechanism will not cause a latch to move to the second position when the release mechanism is moving along the axis in a first direction. The release mechanism will cause a single latch to move to the second position while leaving the remaining latches in the first position when the release mechanism is moving along the axis in a second direction. CONCEPTS
[0043] The following broad concepts were disclosed in this instrument.
[0044] Concept 1, a cartridge, comprising: a body having an exterior and a plurality of compartments, each compartment having an opening; a plurality of lids movably coupled to the body, each lid configured to cover the opening of the compartment, each lid having a fastener; a release mechanism mobilely coupled to the body, the mobile release mechanism along an axis; and a plurality of latches movably coupled to the body, each plurality of latches configured to engage the respective fixing element of the plurality of lids when in a first position and to release the respective fixation element when in a second position; characterized by the fact that the latches and release mechanism are configured so that the release mechanism will prevent a latch from moving to the second position when the release mechanism is moving along the axis in a first direction and the release mechanism releasing will cause a single latch to move to the second position while keeping the remaining latches in the first position when the release mechanism is moving along the axis in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.
[0045] Concept 2, the Concept 1 cartridge characterized by the fact that the body is configured so that the compartments are in a single row.
[0046] Concept 3. The Concept 1 or 2 cartridge, also comprising the plurality of compensation elements coupled to the plurality of latches, each compensation element configured to cause the respective latch to move to the first position.
[0047] Concept 4. The Concept 1, 2 or 3 cartridge, also comprising a command input coupled to the release mechanism so that a first movement of the command input causes the release mechanism to move in the first direction and a second movement of the command input causes the release mechanism to move in the second direction, the second movement being opposite to the first movement.
[0048] Concept 5. The Concept 4 cartridge, also comprising a control motor coupled to the body and coupled to the control input.
[0049] Concept 6. The Concept 5 cartridge, also comprising: a motor control processor coupled to the drive motor; and a connector coupled to the motor control processor and coupled to the body, the connector having contacts exposed outside the body; characterized by the fact that the motor control processor is configured to receive command signals through the connector.
[0050] Concept 7. The Concept 6 cartridge, characterized by the fact that the body and covers are configured so that the covers cannot be opened except by receiving command signals through the connector.
[0051] Concept 8. The Concept 1 cartridge characterized by the fact that the release mechanism comprises; a continuous belt passing over the first and second pulley, the continuous belt following a path that starts at a starting point on the first pulley and follows a first straight path from the first pulley to the second pulley, partially around the second pulley , a second path from the second pulley to the first pulley and partially around the first pulley to the starting point, characterized by the fact that the first path forms the axis of movement of the release command; and a latch command fixedly coupled to the continuous belt, characterized by the fact that the latch command interacts with the latches while the latch command moves along the first path and characterized by the fact that the movement of the release mechanism in the first direction along the axis of movement it comprises the movement of the latch command along the first path in the first direction.
[0052] Concept 9. The Concept 8 cartridge characterized by the fact that the latch control can be moved continuously around the continuous belt path in the first direction.
[0053] Concept 10. The Concept 1 cartridge characterized by the fact that the release mechanism comprises: an external slide part having a hole molded with a central path with a first locking position at a first end of the central path and a second lock position at a second end of the central path; an inner slide piece having a coupled pin that passes through the molded hole of the outer slide piece and moves between the first and the second locking position, characterized by the fact that the inner slide piece moves parallel to the outer slide piece following a path defined by the pin following the central path of the molded hole, the internal slide part also having a latch control attached.
[0054] Concept 11. The Concept 10 cartridge is characterized by the fact that the second lock is closer to the latches than the first lock, so that the latch command will disengage the latches when it moves in the second direction with the pin on the second lock and the latch control will not disengage the latches when moving in the first or second direction when the pin is in the second lock.
[0055] Concept 12. The Concept 11 cartridge characterized by the fact that: the body comprises a first and a second travel stop; the pin of the inner slide is moved from the first lock to the second lock by moving the outer slide in the first direction until the inner slide contacts the first travel stop on which the outer slide moves in relation to the internal slide piece until the pin reaches the second lock; and the pin is moved from the second lock to the first lock by moving the outer slide in the second direction until the inner slide comes into contact with the second travel stop, on which the outer slide moves in relation to the slide internal until the pin reaches the first lock.
[0056] Concept 13. The Concept 1 cartridge characterized by the fact that; the release mechanism comprises a sliding conveyor having a plurality of flexible arms; the latches have external surfaces that are closer to the sliding conveyor; the flexible arms have tips that come into contact with the external surfaces of the latches while the sliding conveyor moves along the axis, the tips flexing outwards to follow the shape of the external surface of the latches; the outer surfaces of the latches have molded cavities so that the tips of the flexible arms pass through the molded cavities when the tips of the flexible arms are initially not in contact with the latches and the sliding conveyor moves in the first direction, and the tips of the flexible arms they catch the latch when the tips of the flexible arms are initially not in contact with the latches and the sliding conveyor moves in the first direction until the tips are in contact with the cavity and then moves in the second direction, on which the latches move with the sliding conveyor while the sliding conveyor continues to move in the second direction, the movement of the latches in the second direction disengaging the cover retention features; and the outer surfaces of the latches have deviation paths around the molded cavities so that the tips of the flexible arms follow the deviation paths when the tips of the flexible arms are initially not in contact with the latches and the sliding conveyor moves on the second direction.
[0057] Concept 14. A distribution system, comprising: a cartridge comprising: a body having an exterior and a plurality of compartments; a plurality of lids movably coupled to the body, the lids having closed positions characterized by the fact that the lids cover the respective compartments; and a connector having exposed contacts outside the body; characterized by the fact that the cartridge is configured so that the covers cannot be opened except for the receipt of a command signal by the cartridge through the connector; and an enclosure comprising: a housing having an anchoring location configured to accept a cartridge; an anchoring connector coupled to the housing, characterized by the fact that the housing is configured so that the anchoring connector connects to the cartridge connector when the cartridge is placed in the anchorage location; and a controller coupled to the anchor connector, the controller configured to send command signals to the cartridge via the anchor connector to open one or more of the covers.
[0058] Concept 15. The Concept 14 distribution system, characterized by the fact that: the cartridge body comprises a retention feature and the enclosure housing comprises a latch movably coupled to the enclosure and coupled to the controller; the latch is configured to engage the retention feature when the cartridge is placed in the anchorage location; and the controller is configured to cause the latch to release the cartridge retention feature.
[0059] Concept 16. The distribution system of Concept 14 or 15, characterized by the fact that: the enclosure has a plurality of anchoring locations and a plurality of anchoring connectors associated with the respective anchoring locations; and characterized by the fact that the cartridge can be placed in a plurality of anchoring locations.
[0060] Concept 17. The Concept 16 distribution system is characterized by the fact that: at least one cartridge has a first width; at least one cartridge has a second width which is approximately an integer multiple of the first width; at least one anchorage location is configured to accept both the first width cartridge and the second width cartridge.
[0061] Concept 18. The concept 17 distribution system characterized by the fact that: the cartridges are supplied in a plurality of widths that are approximately multiple integers of the first width; and at least one anchoring location is configured to accept any of the plurality of cartridge widths.
[0062] Concept 19. The Concept 14 distribution system, also comprising: a user interface coupled to the controller; and a memory attached to the controller, a memory containing instructions and data related to the cartridge; characterized by the fact that the controller is additionally configured to receive a request for an item from a user via the user interface, where the controller is configured to retrieve instructions and data from memory and send a command signal to the cartridge as instructed recovered and data to open the lid on the compartment containing the requested item.
[0063] Concept 20. The distribution system of Concept 19, characterized by the fact that the item is a medicine.
[0064] Concept 21. The distribution system of Concept 20, characterized by the fact that the drug is a controlled substance.
[0065] Concept 22. The Concept 19 distribution system, also comprising a communication module coupled to the controller and a remote database containing information about a plurality of cartridges, the information including identification of the contents of at least one compartment of the plurality of cartridges, and characterized by the fact that the cartridge comprises an identifier, and characterized by the fact that the controller is additionally configured to retrieve the cartridge identifier from the cartridge when the anchorage location has accepted the cartridge, transmit the identifier from the cartridge to the remote database, receive the cartridge information from the remote database and store the information about the cartridge.
[0066] Concept 23. The Concept 22 distribution system, characterized by the fact that the cartridge additionally comprises a cartridge memory comprising the cartridge identifier, and characterized by the fact that the controller is additionally configured to retrieve the identifier from the cartridge cartridge memory cartridge when the cartridge is connected to the docking connector.
[0067] Concept 24. The Concept 22 distribution system, characterized by the fact that the controller is additionally configured to send information related to each item to which the lid on the compartment containing the item opens to the remote database via communication module.
[0068] Concept 25. The Concept 22 distribution system, characterized by the fact that the remote database also contains information about users, and characterized by the fact that the controller is additionally configured to request information about bank users remote data upon receipt of a request for an item from a user via the user interface, and the controller is additionally configured to compare the user's request with the information received from the remote databases and to verify that the user is authorized to remove the requested item before sending the command signal to the cartridge to open the cover over the compartment containing the requested item.
[0069] Concept 26. The Concept 22 delivery system, characterized by the fact that the cartridge contains a medication, and the remote database also contains information on ordering patients to administer medication, and where the controller is additionally configured to request information about drug administration, remote database orders upon receipt of the request for a drug from a user via the user interface where the request includes an identification of a patient to whom the drug will be administered, and the controller is additionally configured to compare the user's request with the information received from the remote database and verify that the requested drug was requested to be administered to the identified patient before sending the command signal to the cartridge to open the lid on the compartment containing the drug requested.
[0070] Concept 27. A method of providing access to a single compartment of a cartridge having a plurality of compartments, comprising the steps of: moving a latch command along an axis of movement, the latch command having a trigger mode and a bypass mode, where the latch command will not trigger a latch while moving in a first direction in the trigger mode, but will trigger the latch to open a cover that covers the compartment while moving in a second direction in the drive mode, the second direction being opposite the first direction, and where the latch command will not trigger the latch when moving either in the first or the second direction in the bypass mode; switching the latch command to the bypass mode when reaching the first end of the range of motion while moving in the first direction along the axis of motion; movement of the latch command in the second direction over the entire movement range; switching the latch command to the drive mode when reaching a second end of the motion range while moving in the second direction along the motion axis; movement of the latch command in the first direction until the latch command passes the latch; and moving the latch command in the second direction until the latch command dislocates the latch enough to disengage the lid latch, allowing the lid to open and allowing access to the compartment.
[0071] Concept 28. The Concept 16 method characterized by the fact that: the latch control comprises a belt that continues to pass over two pulleys and thus forming an upper path and a lower path between the pulleys, characterized by the fact that the belt continuous is moved by the rotation of the pulleys, and is characterized by the fact that the latch control is fixedly coupled to the continuous belt and can follow the continuous belt around the complete circumference of the upper and lower belt of the continuous belt; the steps of moving the latch command in the first direction comprise the rotation of the pulleys in an forward direction so that the belt continues to move in the first direction along the upper path; the step of changing the latch command to the bypass mode comprises the rotation of the pulleys in the forward direction so that the latch command passes over a pulley and is positioned in the lower path; the step of moving the latch command in the second direction over the entire movement range comprises the rotation of the pulleys in the forward direction so that the belt continues to move in the second direction along the lower path; the step of changing the latch command to the drive mode comprises the rotation of the pulleys in the forward direction so that the latch command passes over the pulley and is positioned in the upper path; and the step of moving the latch command in the second direction until the latch command's traction feature displaces the latch comprises rotating the pulleys in a reverse direction, the reverse direction being opposite to the forward direction, so that the belt continues to move in the second direction along the upper path.
[0072] Concept 29. The Concept 16 method is characterized by the fact that: the latch control comprises an internal slide and an external slide, characterized by the fact that the internal slide comprises a pin that fits into a hole molded on the external slide part, the molded orifice having a first lock and a second lock; the step of changing the latch command to the bypass mode is achieved by moving the pin to the first lock; the step of changing the latch command to the drive mode is achieved by moving the pin to the second lock.
[0073] Concept 30. The Concept 16 method characterized by the fact that: the latch control comprises a sliding conveyor having a plurality of flexible arms, each arm having a tip that slides through an external surface of the latch; the step of changing the latch command to the bypass mode is achieved by moving the pin to the first lock; the step of changing the latch command to drive mode is achieved by moving the sliding conveyor in the second direction until the point of a flexible arm is positioned in a molded cavity on the outer surface of the latch and then moving the sliding conveyor in the first direction , where the tip grabs an edge of the molded cavity and pulls the latch in the second direction thereby disengaging the latch from the lid. Figures Legend Figures 4B, 5A, 6A, 9B, 10A, 10E, 11B, 13A D) Distai P) Proximal

权利要求:
Claims (30)
[0001]
1. "CARTRIDGE", having a body (34) with an exterior and a plurality of compartments (22, 32), each compartment (22, 32) having an opening; a plurality of covers (30) movably coupled to the body (34), each cover (30) configured to cover the opening of a compartment (22, 32), each cover (30) having a hook (38); a release mechanism (36, 72) movably coupled to the body (34), the mobile release mechanism along an axis (53); and a plurality of latches (40, 62) movably coupled to the body (34), each of the plurality of latches (40, 62.94) configured to engage the respective hook (38) of the plurality of caps (30) when in a first position and to release the respective hook (38) when in a second position; characterized in that when the release mechanism is moving along the axis (53) in a first direction, the release mechanism will cause a portion of a latch to rotate, so that the release mechanism does not cause the latch to move the second position; and where the release mechanism will cause a single latch to move to the second position while leaving the remaining latches in the first position when the release mechanism is moving along the axis (53) in a second direction that is different from the first position.
[0002]
2. "CARTRIDGE" according to claim 1, characterized in that the body (34) is configured so that the compartments (22, 32) are in a single row.
[0003]
3. "CARTRIDGE" according to claim 1, characterized in that it also has a plurality of compensation elements (66) coupled to the plurality of latches (40, 62), each compensation element (66) configured to make the respective latch (40, 62) moves to the first position.
[0004]
4. "CARTRIDGE", according to claim number 1, characterized by having a control input coupled to the release mechanism (36, 72) so that a first movement of the control input causes the release mechanism (36 , 72) moves in the first direction and a second movement of the command input causes the release mechanism (36, 72) to move in the second direction, the second movement being opposite to the first movement.
[0005]
5. "CARTRIDGE", according to claim number 4, characterized in that it also has a control motor coupled to the body (34) and coupled to the control input.
[0006]
6. "CARTRIDGE", according to claim number 5, also having: a motor control processor coupled to the control motor; and a connector coupled to the motor control processor and coupled to the body (34), the connector having exposed contacts outside the body (34); characterized by the motor control processor being configured to receive command signals through the connector.
[0007]
7. "CARTRIDGE", according to claim number 6, characterized in that the body (34) and the covers (30) are configured so that the covers (30) cannot be opened except by receiving command signals through the connector.
[0008]
8. "CARTRIDGE" according to claim 1, characterized in that the release mechanism (36, 72) has: a continuous belt (42) passing over the first and second pulleys (44), the continuous belt (42 ) following a path that starts at a starting point on the first pulley (44) and follows a first straight path from the first pulley (44) to the second pulley (44), partially around the second pulley (44), a second path from the second pulley (44) to the first pulley (44), and partially around the first pulley (44) to the starting point, where the first path forms the axis of movement of the release command; and a latch command (46) fixedly attached to the continuous belt (42), where the latch command (46) interacts with the latches (40, 62) while the latch command (46) moves along the first path, and where the movement of the release mechanism (36, 72) in the first direction along the axis of movement has the movement of the latch command (46) along the first path in the first direction.
[0009]
9. "CARTRIDGE" according to claim 8, characterized in that the latch control (46) can be moved continuously around the continuous belt path (42) in the first direction.
[0010]
10. "CARTRIDGE", having a body (34), having an exterior and a plurality of compartments (22, 32), each compartment (22, 32) having an opening; a plurality of covers (30) movably coupled to the body (34), each cover (30) configured to cover the opening of a compartment (22, 32), each cover (30) having a fastening element (38); a release mechanism (72) movably coupled to the body (34) and movable along an axis, the release mechanism (72) having: an external slide part (76) having a molded hole (80) with a path central (85) with the first lock position (82) at a first end of the central path (85) and a second lock position (84) at a second end of the central path (85); an inner slide piece (74) having a coupled pin (78) that passes through the molded hole (80) of the outer slide piece (76) and moves between the first and the second lock position, according to claim number 1, characterized in that the inner slide (74) moves parallel to the outer slide (76) following a path defined by the pin (78) following the central path (85) of the molded hole (80), the inner slide (74) also having a latch command (46) coupled with a plurality of latches (86) movably coupled to the body, each of the plurality of latches configured to engage the respective fixing element (38) of the plurality of caps (30), when a first position, and to release the respective fixing element (38), when in a second position; wherein the latches (86) and the release mechanism (72) are configured so that the release mechanism (72) will not cause a latch (86) to move to the second position when the release mechanism (72) is moving along the axis in a first direction; and the release mechanism (72) will cause a single latch (86) to move to the second position, while leaving the remaining latches (86) in the first position when the release mechanism (72) is moving along the axis in a second direction that is opposite the first position.
[0011]
11. "CARTRIDGE" according to claim number 10, characterized in that the second lock (84) is closer to the latches than the first lock (82), so that the latch control will disengage the latches when moving in the second direction with the pin (78) in the second lock (84) and the latch control will not disengage the latches when moving either in the first or the second direction when the pin (78) is in the second lock (84).
[0012]
12. "CARTRIDGE" according to claim 11, characterized in that: the body (34) has a first and a second travel stop; the pin (78) of the inner slide (74) is moved from a first lock to the second lock by moving the outer slide (76) in the first direction until the inner slide (74) comes into contact with the first stop path, where the outer slide (76) moves in relation to the inner slide (74) until the pin (78) reaches the second lock; and the pin (78) is moved from the second lock to the first lock by moving the external slide part (76) in the second direction until the internal slide part (74) contacts the second travel stop, where the external slide part (76) moves in relation to the inner slide (74) until the pin (78) reaches the first lock.
[0013]
13. "CARTRIDGE" according to claim 1, characterized by: having a body (34), having an exterior and a plurality of compartments (22, 32), each compartment having an opening; a plurality of covers (30) movably coupled to the body (34), each cover (30) configured to cover the opening of a compartment (22, 32), each cover (30) having a fastening element (38); a release mechanism (72) movably coupled to the body (34), the release mechanism (72) movable along an axis; and a plurality of latches (94) movably coupled to the body, each of the plurality of latches configured to engage the respective fixing element (38) of the plurality of covers, when in a first position, and to release the respective locking element. fixation (38), when in a second position; where the latches and the release mechanism are configured so that the release mechanism will not cause a latch to move to the second position, when the release mechanism is moving along the axis in a first direction, and the release mechanism releasing will cause a single latch to move to the second position, while leaving the remaining latches in the first position when the release mechanism is moving along the axis in a second direction that is opposite the first position; and wherein the release mechanism has a sliding conveyor (96) having a plurality of flexible arms (98); the latches have external surfaces that are closer to the sliding conveyor (96); the flexible arms (98) have tips (104) that come into contact with the outer surfaces of the latches while the sliding conveyor (96) moves along the axis, the tips (104) flexing outward to follow the shape of the outer surface the latches; the outer surfaces of the latches have molded cavities (100) so that the tips (104) of the flexible arms (98) pass through the molded cavities when the tips (104) of the flexible arms (98) are initially not in contact with the latches and the sliding conveyor (96) moves in the first direction, and the tips (104) of the flexible arms (98) secure the latch when the tips (104) of the flexible arms (98) are initially not in contact with the latches and the conveyor slide (96) moves in the first direction until the tips (104) are in contact with the cavity and then moves in the second direction where the latches move with the slide conveyor (96) while the slide conveyor (96) continues to move move in the second direction, the movement of the latches in the second direction, disengaging the retaining features of the covers (30); and the outer surfaces of the latches have deviation paths (102) around the molded cavities so that the tips (104) of the flexible arms (98) follow the deviation paths when the tips (104) of the flexible arms (98) initially are not in contact with the latches and the sliding conveyor (96) moves in the second direction.
[0014]
14. "DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM", having at least one cartridge (20), as defined in any one of claims 1 to 10, and a cabinet having: a housing (11) having an anchoring place configured to accept the cartridge; an anchoring connector coupled to the housing (11), characterized in that the housing (11) is configured so that the anchoring connector connects to the contacts of the cartridge when the cartridge is placed in the anchorage location; and a controller coupled to the anchoring connector, the controller configured to send the command signals to the cartridge via the anchoring connector to open one or more covers (30).
[0015]
15. "DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM", according to claim number 14, characterized in that: the cartridge body (34) has a retention feature and the enclosure (11) of the cabinet has a latch movably coupled to the enclosure (11 ) and attached to the controller; the latch is configured to engage the retention feature when the cartridge is placed in the anchorage location; and the controller is configured to cause the latch to release the cartridge retention feature.
[0016]
16. "DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM", according to claim number 14, characterized in that: the housing (11) has a plurality of anchoring locations and a plurality of anchoring connectors associated with the respective anchoring locations; and where the cartridge can be placed in a plurality of anchoring locations.
[0017]
17. "DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM", according to claim number 16, characterized in that: at least one cartridge has a first width; at least one cartridge has a second width which is approximately an integer multiple of the first width; at least one anchoring location is configured to accept both the first width cartridge and the second width cartridge.
[0018]
18. "DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM" according to claim 17, characterized in that: the cartridges (20, 60, 70, 90) are provided in a plurality of widths that are approximately multiple integers of the first width; and at least one anchoring location is configured to accept any of the plurality of cartridge widths (20, 60, 70, 90).
[0019]
19. "DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM", according to claim number 14, also having: a user interface coupled to the controller; and a memory attached to the controller, a memory containing instructions and data related to the cartridge; characterized in that the controller is additionally configured to receive a request for an item from a user via the user interface, where the controller is configured to retrieve instructions and data from memory and send a command signal to the cartridge according to the retrieved instructions and data to open the cover (30) on the compartment (22, 32) containing the requested item.
[0020]
20. "DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM", according to claim number 19, characterized in that the item is a medicine.
[0021]
21. "DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM", according to claim number 20, characterized in that the medicine is a controlled substance.
[0022]
22. "DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM", according to claim number 19, also having a communication module coupled to the controller and to a remote database containing information about a plurality of cartridges, the information including identification of the content of at least one compartment (22, 32) of the plurality of cartridges (20, 60, 70, 90), and characterized in that the cartridge has an identifier, and where the controller is additionally configured to retrieve the identifier from the cartridge when the anchorage location has accepted the cartridge, transmit the cartridge identifier to the remote database, receive the cartridge information from the remote database and store the cartridge information (20, 60, 70, 90).
[0023]
23. "DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM" according to claim number 22, characterized in that the cartridge additionally has a cartridge memory that has the cartridge identifier, and where the controller is additionally configured to retrieve the cartridge identifier from the cartridge memory when the cartridge is connected to the docking connector.
[0024]
24. "DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM", according to claim number 22, characterized in that the controller is additionally configured to send information related to each item to which the cover (30) over the compartment (22, 32) containing the item is opens to the remote database via communication module.
[0025]
25. "DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM", according to claim number 22, characterized in that the remote database also contains information about users, and where the controller is additionally configured to request information about users of remote databases upon receipt of a request for an item from a user via the user interface, and the controller is additionally configured to compare a user's request with information received from the remote database and to verify that the user is authorized to remove the requested item before to send the command signal to the cartridge (20, 60, 70, 90) to open the cover (30) on the compartment (22, 32) containing the requested item.
[0026]
26. "DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM", according to claim number 22, characterized in that the cartridge (20, 60, 70, 90) contains a medication, and the remote database also contains information on ordering medications to patients , and where the controller is additionally configured to request drug administration order information from the remote database upon receipt of a drug order from a user via the user interface, where the request includes a patient identification for who the drug will be administered to, and the controller is additionally configured to compare a user's request to the information received from the remote database and verify that the requested drug has been ordered to be administered to the identified patient before sending the command signal to the cartridge ( 20, 60, 70, 90) to open the lid (30) on the compartment (22, 32) containing the medication requested of.
[0027]
27. "METHOD OF PROVIDING ACCESS TO A SINGLE CARTRIDGE COMPARTMENT", having a plurality of compartments (32), with the steps of: moving a latch command (46) along a movement axis, the command latch (46) having a trigger mode and a bypass mode, characterized in that the latch command (46) does not trigger a latch while moving in a first direction in the trigger mode, but activates the latch to open the lid ( 30) covering the compartment while moving in a second direction in the trigger mode, the second direction being opposite the first direction, where the latch command (46) will not trigger the latch when moving either on the first or second direction in detour mode; switching the latch command (46) to the bypass mode when reaching the first end of the motion range while moving in the first direction along the motion axis; movement of the latch command (46) in the second direction over the entire movement range; switching the latch command (46) to the drive mode when reaching a second end of the movement range while moving in the second direction along the axis of movement; moving the latch command (46) in the first direction until the latch command (46) passes the latch; and moving the latch command (46) in the second direction until the latch command moves the latch enough to disengage the lid latch (30), allowing the lid (30) to open and allowing access to the compartment (22, 32 ); and in which the latch control (46) has a continuous belt (42) passing over two pulleys (44) and thus forming an upper path (42A) and a lower path (42B) between the pulleys (44), in that the continuous belt (42) is moved by the rotation of the pulleys (44), and that the latch command (46) is fixedly coupled to the continuous belt (42) and can follow the continuous belt (42) around the complete circumference of the upper (42A) and lower (42B) paths of the continuous belt (42); the steps for moving the latch command (46) in the first direction with the rotation of the pulleys (44) in a forward direction, so that the continuous belt (42) moves in the first direction along the upper path (42A) ; the method by switching the latch command (46) to the bypass mode, having the pulleys (44) rotate in the forward direction, so that the latch command (46) passes over a pulley (44) and is positioned on the lower path (42B); the movement of the latch command (46) in the second direction over the entire range of movement with the rotation of the pulleys (44) in the forward direction, so that the continuous belt (42) moves in the second direction along the lower path (42B); said exchange of the latch command (46) for the drive mode with the rotation of the pulleys (44) in the forward direction, so that the latch command (46) passes over the pulley (44) and is positioned in the path upper (42A); and said movement of the latch command (46) in the second direction until the latch command pull feature (46) displaces the latch (40) with the rotation of the pulleys (44) in a reverse direction, the reverse direction being opposite to the forward direction, so that the belt continues (42) moves in the second direction along the upper path (42A).
[0028]
28. "METHOD OF PROVIDING ACCESS TO A SINGLE CARTRIDGE COMPARTMENT", having a plurality of compartments (32), with the steps of: moving a latch command (46) along a movement axis, the command latch (46) having a drive mode and a bypass mode, according to claim number 27, characterized in that the latch command (46) does not trigger a latch (86) while moving in a first direction in the drive mode actuation, but activate the latch (86) to open the cover (30) covering the compartment (22, 32) while moving in a second direction in the actuation mode, the second direction being opposite to the first direction, in which the command latch (46) will not trigger latch (86) when moving in either the first or second direction in bypass mode; switching the latch command (46) to the bypass mode when reaching the first end of the motion range while moving in the first direction along the motion axis; movement of the latch command (46) in the second direction over the entire movement range; switching the latch command (46) to the drive mode when reaching a second end of the movement range while moving in the second direction along the axis of movement; moving the latch command (46) in the first direction until the latch command (46) passes the latch; and moving the latch command (46) in the second direction until the latch command moves the latch enough to disengage the lid latch, allowing the lid to open and allowing access to the compartment; where the latch control (46) has an inner slide (74) and an outer slide (76), where the inner slide (74) has a pin (78) that fits into a hole molded in the piece external slide (76), the molded hole (80) having a first lock and a second lock; said switching of the latch command (46) to the bypass mode being carried out by moving the pin (78) to the first lock; and said exchange of the latch command (46) for the actuation mode being carried out by moving the pin (78) to the second lock.
[0029]
29. "METHOD OF PROVIDING ACCESS TO A SINGLE CARTRIDGE COMPARTMENT", having a plurality of compartments (22, 32), taking the steps of: moving a latch command (46) along a movement axis, the latch command (46) having a drive mode and a bypass mode, according to claims 27 and 28, characterized in that the latch command (46) does not trigger a latch (86) while moving in a first direction in the drive mode, but activate the latch (86) to open the cover (30) covering the compartment (22, 32) while moving in a second direction in the drive mode, the second direction being opposite to the first direction, wherein the latch command (46) will not activate the latch (86) when moving in either the first or the second direction in the bypass mode; switching the latch command (46) to the bypass mode when reaching the first end of the motion range while moving in the first direction along the motion axis; movement of the latch command (46) in the second direction over the entire movement range; switching the latch command (46) to the drive mode when reaching a second end of the movement range while moving in the second direction along the axis of movement; moving the latch command (46) in the first direction until the latch command (46) passes the latch (86); and moving the latch command (46) in the second direction until the latch command (46) moves the latch (86) enough to disengage the latch (86) from the lid (30), allowing the lid (30) to open and allowing access to the compartment (22, 32); wherein the latch control (46) has a sliding conveyor, having a plurality of flexible arms (98), each arm having a tip (104) that slides through an external surface of the latch (94); said switching of the latch command (46) to the bypass mode being carried out by moving the pin to the first lock; and said exchange of the latch command (46) for the drive mode being carried out by moving the sliding conveyor in the second direction until the end (104) of the flexible arm (98) is positioned in a molded cavity (100) on the outer surface the latch and then moving the sliding conveyor in the first direction, where the tip grabs an edge of the molded cavity and pulls the latch in the second direction, thus disengaging the lid latch.
[0030]
30. "METHOD OF PROVIDING ACCESS TO A SINGLE CARTRIDGE COMPARTMENT", having the steps of: placing an item in one of the plurality of compartments (32) formed in a body (34) of a cartridge (20), the cartridge having a plurality of covers (30) movably coupled to the body (34), each cover (30) having a closed position, according to claims numbers 27, 28 and 29, characterized in that the covers (30) cover the opening of a compartment, the cartridge also having a plurality of latches (40, 62, 86) movably coupled to the body (34), each of the plurality of latches configured to engage a respective plurality of caps (30), when in a first position, and to release the respective cover (30), when in a second position, each of the plurality of latches compensated to the first position; closing the lid (30) on the compartment in which the item was placed, thus engaging the respective latch in a first position, thus securing the respective lid (30) in the closed position; movement of a release mechanism (36, 72) in a first direction until a latch command (46) that is coupled to the release mechanism is arranged close to the latch that is securing the cover (30) over the compartment in which the item was placed, in which the release mechanism will cause a portion of a latch to rotate, so that the release mechanism does not cause the latch to move to the second position; and moving the release mechanism in a second direction until the latch command (46) moves the latch that is holding the cover (30) over the compartment in which the item was placed to the second position, thus releasing the respective cover (30) and providing access to the item.

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同族专利:

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WO2012005817A3|2012-04-05|

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RU2016130047A3|2019-11-26|

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AU2016203540A1|2016-06-16|

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CA2811518A1|2012-12-12|

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TWI524886B|2016-03-11|

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AU2011277000A1|2012-12-20|

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CN102958490A|2013-03-06|

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TW201201788A|2012-01-16|

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WO2012005817A2|2012-01-12|

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RU2016130047A|2018-12-07|

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KR101821437B1|2018-01-23|

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AU2011277000B2|2016-03-03|

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KR20130086293A|2013-08-01|

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RU2012154077A|2014-06-20|

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BR112012031811A2|2016-11-01|

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CA2811518C|2018-05-22|

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AU2016203540B2|2017-07-06|

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法律状态:
2018-12-26| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|

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2019-08-06| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|

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2019-12-03| B06A| Patent application procedure suspended [chapter 6.1 patent gazette]|

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2020-05-19| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|

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2020-10-06| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted [chapter 16.1 patent gazette]|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 23/05/2011, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |

优先权:

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申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

---

US12/828,124|2010-06-30|

---

US12/828,124|US8335588B2|2010-06-30|2010-06-30|Multi-lidded dispensing cartridge system|

---

PCT/US2011/037567|WO2012005817A2|2010-06-30|2011-05-23|Multi-lidded dispensing cartridge system|

---