U.S. patent application number 10/360994 was filed with the patent office on 2003-10-30 for storage device for health care facility.
Invention is credited to Richardson, William R..
Application Number | 20030201697 10/360994 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29255543 |
Filed Date | 2003-10-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030201697 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Richardson, William R. |
October 30, 2003 |
Storage device for health care facility
Abstract
A storage device (100') is provided for controlling access to
medical items. The storage device (100') has a drawer (104') with a
plurality of rows (115'), and a cover (200') over each row (115')
of the drawer (104') to secure the medical items in the bins (116')
located in the individual rows (115') of the drawer (104'). The
storage device (104') has an unlocking member (208') that is
moveable between a first position and a second position to engage a
specific cover (200') of the drawer (104') and thereby allow one of
the covers (200') to be opened when the drawer (104') is opened. A
sensor (130') detects the position of the drawer (104') and, when
access to the contents of a particular bin (116') is authorized, a
control mechanism (117') disengages until the specific bin (116')
is exposed, as determined by the sensor (130').
Inventors: |
Richardson, William R.;
(Etobicoke, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WALLENSTEIN & WAGNER, LTD.
53rd Floor
311 South Wacker Drive
Chicago
IL
60606-6630
US
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Family ID: |
29255543 |
Appl. No.: |
10/360994 |
Filed: |
February 7, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10360994 |
Feb 7, 2003 |
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10160564 |
May 31, 2002 |
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60377027 |
Apr 30, 2002 |
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60376625 |
Apr 30, 2002 |
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60376655 |
Apr 30, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
312/209 ;
312/330.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G 12/001 20130101;
A47B 81/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/209 ;
312/330.1 |
International
Class: |
A47B 081/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A storage device for controlling access to medical items,
comprising: a cabinet, a drawer fitted within the cabinet, the
drawer having a plurality of rows, wherein a plurality of the rows
are separated into a plurality of bins, and a control mechanism
engaging the drawer, the control mechanism allowing locked
positioning of the drawer between an open drawer position and a
closed drawer position, including progressively opened drawer
positions therebetween.
2. The storage device of claim 1, further comprising separate
covers for a plurality of the rows, respectively, of the drawer,
the covers being moveable from an open cover position to a closed
cover position, including progressively opened cover positions
therebetween, to allow controlled access to individual rows of the
drawer and to the bins in each respective row.
3. The storage device of claim 2, wherein the covers are closedly
secured to the drawer in the closed cover position, wherein each of
the bins of a row are covered in the closed cover position
preventing access to any of the bins of the row in the closed cover
position, and wherein the covers are in sliding engagement with the
drawer to allow opening of the covers.
4. The storage device of claim 2, wherein the covers are connected
to the drawer in sliding engagement to sequentially expose the bins
of one of the rows.
5. The storage device of claim 2, further comprising a latch
mounted to the drawer, the latch engaging one of the covers in the
closed cover position to prevent the cover from being opened in the
closed cover position, the latch being moveable to an open latch
position to allow opening of the cover.
6. The storage device of claim 5, further comprising a separate
latch for a plurality of the covers.
7. The storage device of claim 5, further comprising an unlocking
member having a tab, the unlocking member being moveable between a
first position and a second position, wherein the tab of the
unlocking member disengages the latch from the cover in the second
position, and further wherein the tab engages the cover in the
second position allowing the cover to be moved into the open cover
position when the drawer is opened.
8. The storage device of claim 7, wherein the cover is prevented
from movement with the drawer when the tab of the unlocking member
engages the cover.
9. The storage device of claim 6, further comprising separate
unlocking members for each of the plurality of covers, each of the
unlocking members having a tab and being moveable between a first
position and a second position, wherein the tab of the unlocking
member disengages the latch from the respective cover in the second
position, and further wherein the tab engages the respective cover
in the second position allowing the cover to be moved into the open
cover position when the drawer is opened.
10. The storage device of claim 7, further comprising a second
drawer fitted within the cabinet, the second drawer having a
plurality of rows, wherein a plurality of the rows of the second
drawer are separated into a plurality of bins, and a separate
control mechanism engaging the second drawer, the control mechanism
allowing independent positioning of the second drawer between an
open drawer position and a closed drawer position, including
progressively opened drawer positions therebetween, the second
drawer also having individual covers for a plurality of the rows of
the second drawer, the covers being moveable from an open cover
position to a closed cover position, including progressively opened
cover positions therebetween, to allow controlled access to the
bins of the second drawer, the second drawer also having a latch
mounted to the second drawer, the latch engaging one of the covers
of the second drawer in the closed cover position to prevent the
cover from being opened in the closed cover position, the latch
being moveable to an open latch position to allow opening of the
cover, wherein a second tab of the unlocking member disengages the
latch from the cover of the second drawer when the unlocking member
is in the second position.
11. The storage device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor
connected to one of the drawer or the cabinet, the sensor providing
a signal to the control mechanism of the position of the
drawer.
12. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the control mechanism
comprises a ratchet member connected to the drawer, a latching
mechanism releasably engaging the ratchet member, a sensor for
determining a position of the drawer, and a controller electrically
connected to the sensor and the latching mechanism, the controller
receiving a position signal from the sensor, and the controller
providing a control signal to the latching mechanism to manipulate
engagement and disengagement of the ratchet member for allowing
movement of the drawer.
13. The storage device of claim 12, wherein the ratchet member
comprises a linear ratcheting gear.
14. The storage device of claim 12, wherein the ratchet member is
configured to resist opening and allow closing of the drawer when
engaged by the latching mechanism.
15. A storage device for controlling access to medical items,
comprising: a drawer, a plurality of dividers extending about a
width of the drawer and separating the drawer into a plurality of
bins, a drawer control mechanism engaging the drawer and adapted to
provide locked positioning of the drawer between an open drawer
position and a closed drawer position, including progressively
opened drawer positions therebetween, and a cover slidingly
engaging the drawer and being moveable between an open cover
position and a locked closed cover position, including
progressively opened cover positions therebetween, to allow access
to the bins when the drawer is in one of the opened drawer position
and a progressively opened drawer position.
16. The storage device of claim 15, further comprising a latch
mounted to the drawer, the latch engaging the cover to prevent the
cover from being opened in the closed cover position, the latch
being moveable to an open latch position to allow opening of the
cover.
17. The storage device of claim 16, further comprising an unlocking
member having a tab, the unlocking member being moveable between a
first position and a second position, wherein the tab of the
unlocking member disengages the latch from the cover in the second
position of the unlocking member, and wherein the tab engages the
cover in the second position allowing the cover to be moved into
the open cover position when the drawer is opened.
18. The storage device of claim 17, wherein the cover is prevented
from movement with the drawer when the tab of the unlocking member
engages the cover.
19. The storage device of claim 15, wherein the drawer is further
divided into a plurality of rows that are separated into a
plurality of bins with dividers, wherein the rows have individual
covers, wherein each cover has a latch associated therewith, each
latch engaging the respective cover to prevent the cover from being
opened in the closed cover position, the latch being moveable to an
open latch position to allow opening of the cover.
20. The storage device of claim 19, further comprising an unlocking
member for each row of the drawer.
21. The storage device of claim 15, further comprising a second
drawer adjacent the first drawer, the second drawer having a cover
and a latch mounted to the second drawer and engaging the cover on
the second drawer to prevent the cover from being opened in the
closed cover position, and an unlocking member having a first tab
and a second tab, and the unlocking member being moveable between a
first position and a second position, in the second position the
first tab of the unlocking member disengages the latch from the
cover of the first drawer and the second tab of the unlocking
member disengages the latch from the cover of the second drawer,
and in the second position the first tab engages the cover of the
first drawer and the second tab engages the cover of the second
drawer allowing the cover of one of the first drawer or the second
drawer to be moved into the open cover position when one of the
first drawer or the second drawer is opened.
22. A storage device for controlling access to medical items,
comprising: a first drawer having a cover that is secured to the
first drawer in the closed cover position; a second drawer having a
cover that is secured to the second drawer in the closed cover
position; and, an unlocking member having a first tab and a second
tab, and being moveable between a first position and a second
position, in the first position the unlocking member does not
engage either of the covers, and in the second position the first
tab of the unlocking member engages the cover of the first drawer
and the second tab of the unlocking member engages the cover of the
second drawer to allow the cover of one of the first or second
drawer to be opened when one of the first or second drawers,
respectively, is opened.
23. The storage device of claim 22, further comprising a first
control mechanism engaging the first drawer and providing
positioning of the first drawer between an open drawer position and
a closed drawer position, including progressively opened drawer
positions, and a second control mechanism engaging the second
drawer and providing positioning of the second drawer between an
open drawer position and a closed drawer position, also including
progressively opened drawer positions, wherein only one of the
first and second control mechanisms is operable at one time to open
one of the first or second drawers, thereby maintaining the other
of the first or second drawers in the closed drawer position at
that time.
24. The storage device of claim 22, wherein the covers for the
first and second drawers slidingly engage their respective
drawer.
25. A storage device for medical items, comprising: a cabinet, a
drawer slidably retained in the cabinet, the drawer having a
plurality of rows for holding medical items, the rows extending
from a front portion of the drawer to a rear portion of the drawer,
and a portion of a control mechanism located between two of the
plurality of rows in the drawer.
26. The storage device of claim 25, wherein each row of the drawer
has a cover movable between a closed cover position and an open
cover position, and wherein each cover has a latch removably
locking the cover to the drawer in the closed cover position, the
latch being moveable to an open position to allow opening of the
cover.
27. The storage device of claim 26, wherein the covers slide about
the respective rows to sequentially expose a plurality of bins in
each row.
28. The storage device of claim 25, wherein the control mechanism
comprises a ratcheting member with a plurality of one-way teeth,
and a latching member engaging the ratcheting member in a plurality
of positions to prevent the drawer from opening a controlled
distance beyond the current position, while allowing the drawer to
be closed at any time.
29. The storage device of claim 28, further comprising a sensor in
the drawer, the sensor providing a signal of the position of the
drawer.
30. A storage device for controlling access to medical items,
comprising: a cabinet; a drawer within the cabinet, the drawer
having a plurality of rows separated into a plurality of bins; a
control member engaging the drawer and allowing locked positioning
of the drawer between a closed drawer position and an open drawer
position, including progressively opened drawer positions
therebetween, to sequentially expose any open bins; a sensor
providing a signal of the location of the drawer relative to the
cabinet to assist in determining a current position of the drawer
relative to the plurality bins, the signal being transferred to a
controller, wherein the controller controls engagement of the
control mechanism to allow opening of the drawer; individual covers
over the rows in the drawer, the covers being moveable from an open
cover position to a closed cover position as the drawer is
progressively opened, including progressively opened cover
positions therebetween to allow controlled access to the bins,
wherein the covers are secured to the drawer in the closed cover
position; and, an unlocking member engaging the covers to
selectively unlock the covers to allow the bins to be exposed as
the drawer is opened.
31. The storage device of claim 30, wherein the control member
comprises a ratcheting member connected to the drawer, and a
latching mechanism configured to engage the ratcheting member at
any of a plurality of positions to prevent the drawer from opening
a controlled distance beyond the current position, while allowing
the drawer to be closed at any time.
32. The storage device of claim 31, wherein the ratcheting member
has a plurality of unidirectional teeth.
33. The storage device of claim 30, wherein the unlocking member
comprises a solenoid having an engaging member, the engaging member
contacting the ratcheting member to prevent exterior movement of
the drawer.
34. The storage device of claim 30, wherein the unlocking member is
moveable from a first position to a second position, and wherein at
tab of the unlocking member engages the cover in the second
position to secure the cover to the unlocking member.
35. A storage device for controlling access to medical items,
comprising: a cabinet, a drawer being moveable between a closed
drawer position and an open drawer position, including
progressively opened drawer positions therebetween, a means for
retaining the drawer in various positions, a cover engaging the
drawer and being moveable between an open cover position and a
closed cover position, including progressively opened cover
positions therebetween, and a means for retaining the cover within
the cabinet when the drawer is moved to an opened drawer
position.
36. The storage device of claim 35, further comprising a plurality
of rows in the drawer, and a separate cover for each row.
37. A storage device for controlling access to medical items,
comprising: a cabinet, a drawer having a plurality of bins, the
drawer being moveable between a closed drawer position and an open
drawer position, including progressively opened drawer positions
therebetween, a means for retaining the drawer in various
positions, a cover engaging the drawer and being moveable between
an open cover position and a closed cover position, including
progressively opened cover positions therebetween, and a means for
exposing the bins of the drawer when the drawer is moved to an
opened drawer position.
38. A method of providing access to medical items in a drawer of a
cabinet, comprising the steps of: providing a cabinet having a
drawer, the drawer having a row divided into a plurality bins, and
a cover over the row, the cover moveably engaging the drawer;
securing the cover in a rear portion of the cabinet; allowing the
drawer to be moved to an open position, wherein as the drawer is
progressively opened, the drawer moves relative to the cover to
sequentially expose and provide access to the bins of the
drawer.
39. The method of claim 38, further comprising the steps of:
providing a plurality of rows in the draw, each row being divided
into a plurality of bins, and each row having an individual cover
moveably engaging the drawer; securing one of the plurality of
covers to a rear portion of the cabinet, the remaining covers of
the drawer being secured to the drawer; allowing the drawer to be
moved into the open position, wherein as the drawer is
progressively opened, the bins of the row having the cover secured
to the rear portion of the cabinet become sequentially accessible,
and wherein the bins of the remaining rows are covered and
inaccessible.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/160,564, filed May 31, 2002, which is
expressly incorporated herein by reference and made a part
hereof.
[0002] The present application also incorporates by reference the
following applications: U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/377,027
filed Apr. 30, 2002; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/376,625
filed Apr. 30, 2002; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/376,655
filed Apr. 30, 2002; U.S. application Ser. No. 10/135,180 filed
Apr. 30, 2002; and U.S. application Ser. No. 10/059,929 filed Jan.
29, 2002.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] The present invention relates generally to a device for
storing and dispensing medical items, and more specifically to a
storage device providing controlled access to the medical
items.
BACKGROUND PRIOR ART
[0004] Hospitals and other health care facilities commonly use
locked cabinets to store and dispense medications and other medical
items. Locked cabinets can provide efficient and accessible storage
of medications and other medical items by using different shelves
for storage of the different medical items. Additionally, locked
drawers also prevent unauthorized access to the medications and
other medical items. Such measures, while unfortunate, are
typically provided in order to prevent theft of the medical items,
particularly narcotics and other controlled substances. Sometimes,
medication cabinets incorporate a computer or microprocessor to
selectively provide access to a particular drawer in response to an
input requesting a specific medication.
[0005] Nevertheless, narcotics and other controlled substances
require even a greater degree of access control. One approach to
providing this control involves incorporating individually lockable
bins in drawers containing narcotics or other controlled
substances. This solution, however, presents a choice between
storing a unit dose in each individually lockable bin, incurring
considerable cost, or storing multiple doses in an individually
lockable bin, affording reduced security.
[0006] One approach to medication control is described in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,065,819, (issued to William K. Holmes and David R. Williams).
The '819 patent discloses a device wherein the unit includes an
engine and dispensing drawer operably connected in end-to-end
fashion with a lead screw type of mechanism. The engine comprises a
motor for retracting the drawer and a complex engagement mechanism
designed to engage cross-pieces disposed at intervals beneath the
drawer. This approach, however has several potential disadvantages.
First, the engine uses a substantial portion of the drawer depth,
thereby reducing storage density, increasing the number of drawers
required for a given quantity of medication, and increasing cost.
Second, the numerous mechanical and electrical components of the
engine and engagement mechanism also provide increased cost.
Finally, the engagement mechanism is normally disengaged so that a
power failure during operation could enable access to the entire
drawer.
[0007] Further, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,961,036, 5,957,372 and 6,073,834,
commonly assigned to Diebold, Inc., disclose an apparatus and
method for accepting return of unused medical items. The apparatus
includes a return drawer and a retrieve drawer which are opened
responsive to signals received from a display terminal networked
with a computer. The return drawer includes a pocket that is
accessible from outside of the housing when the return drawer is
moved to an open position. The pocket includes an opening and is
closed by a trap door when the return drawer is in the open
position. Medical items to be returned are placed in the pocket and
the return drawer is closed. Upon the closing of the return drawer
the trap door is moved to an open position by an actuator. The
return medical item passes from the pocket to a retrieve area in
the retrieve drawer. Medical items are stored in the retrieve area
until the retrieve drawer is controlled responsive to the input of
data at the display terminal. Such a device, however, is expensive
to manufacture and complicated to operate.
[0008] Accordingly, an inexpensive and reliable drawer operating
system that provides graduated access to a drawer so that items
stored in the drawer may be extracted from the front of the drawer
and access given to more rearward portions of the drawer only after
inventories have been depleted is desired. Additionally, an
inexpensive and reliable return system that allows users to deposit
unused medical items, including medications such as narcotics, for
safe return to authorized personnel, such as a pharmacist, is
desired. Thus, the present invention is provided.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides a device for controlling
access to medications and other medical items in various
compartments of the drawer. One embodiment of the device comprises
a ratcheting drawer and a latching mechanism. Generally, one or
more ratcheting drawers are provided in modules which are placed in
a cabinet. One type of cabinet is a moveable medication depot. The
ratcheting drawer, or one or more modules containing a plurality of
ratcheting drawers, is fitted within the cabinet.
[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, the
ratcheting drawer has a ratcheting member that is connected to the
drawer. The ratcheting member may include a series of
one-directional teeth affixed to the ratcheting drawer. The
ratcheting member is engaged by the latching mechanism for
controlled access to the ratcheting drawer.
[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
latching mechanism is removably connected to the cabinet, or to the
module connected to the cabinet. Additionally, the latching
mechanism may also be a component of the drawer. The latching
mechanism is configured to engage the ratcheting drawer at any of a
plurality of positions to prevent the drawer from being opened
beyond a specific position, while still allowing the drawer to be
closed at any time. The latching mechanism may include a solenoid
that receives a signal from a controller for
engagement/disengagement with the ratcheting member. In one
embodiment, the latching mechanism is adapted to engage one of the
one-directional teeth to resist opening of the ratcheting drawer,
while still allow closing of the drawer when engaged.
[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
controller is provided. The controller is operatively connected to
the latching mechanism. The controller controls engagement of the
ratcheting member by the latching mechanism. Additionally, the
controller may receive signals from a computer as to which drawer
to open, as well as how far to open each drawer to access a
specific bin.
[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
sensor is provided. The sensor is operatively connected to the
latching mechanism. The sensor senses the position of the drawer
and sends a signal to the controller of the position of the
ratcheting drawer. In one embodiment, the ratcheting drawer has
markings thereon which are sensed by the sensor as the drawer moved
in and out. The sensors may be fixedly mounted to the framework of
the depot, to read the markings and to determine the absolute
position of the ratcheting drawer.
[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
ratcheting drawer is divided into a plurality of bins adapted to
hold the medical items. Generally, the bins are disposed to become
exposed sequentially as the drawer is opened. In one embodiment,
the controller receives authorization for access to the medical
items in the depot. The controller may determine which drawer and
which bin to access. The controller also tracks which bins have
been accessed and the position of the ratcheting drawer. Based on
certain information, the controller typically allows access to the
first bin of the ratcheting drawer containing one of the medical
items, as opposed to the empty bins in front of that bin.
[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
latching mechanism is normally engaged with one of the series of
one-directional teeth to prevent the ratcheting drawer from opening
beyond its current position. Upon receipt of a signal, the
controller disengages the latching mechanism until the ratcheting
drawer is positioned to expose the bin authorized for access. When
the sensor reads the marking that indicates that the ratcheting
drawer is appropriately positioned (i.e., the authorized bin is
exposed), the controller allows the latching mechanism to re-engage
to prevent further withdrawal of the ratcheting drawer.
[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
particular bin authorized for access may be determined by a
processing unit included in a cabinet or depot. Alternatively, a
processing unit may be configured to authorize opening of a
particular ratcheting drawer, and the ratcheting drawer assembly
may comprise a controller which tracks the bins that were
previously accessed and allows access to the next sequential
bin.
[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
ratcheting drawer is mounted in a module that is removably secured
in the cabinet. Further a plurality of ratcheting drawers may be
mounted in the module. The module is adapted to be removably
inserted within a cabinet so that a variety of modules having
various drawer configurations may be inserted in the cabinet.
[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
motorless device for controlling access to one or more medical
items is provided. The motorless device comprises at least one
ratcheting drawer with a plurality of bins adapted to hold medical
items and disposed to become exposed sequentially as the drawer is
opened, a sensor for determining a current position of the
ratcheting drawer relative to the plurality bins, and a latching
mechanism configured to engage the ratcheting drawer at any of a
plurality of positions to prevent the drawer from opening beyond
the current position while allowing the drawer to be closed.
Further, a ratcheting mechanism is operatively connected to the
drawer, and the ratcheting mechanism is selectively engaged by the
latching mechanism.
[0019] According to another embodiment, one of the drawers is a
return drawer. The controller obtains a signal that a medical item
is to be returned, the controller provides a signal to the latching
mechanism to disengage the ratcheting member to expose the next
empty bin in the series of bins for placement of a medical item to
be returned therein. After the medical item to be returned is
placed in the next empty bin, the bin is returned to an unexposed
position. Further, the controller does not allow exposure of the
contents of that bin until the controller receives a signal by an
authorized user.
[0020] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
storage device for controlling access to returned medical items in
a medical facility is provided. The storage device comprises a
housing having a return bin secured in the interior of the housing.
The return bin has a cavity with an opening, and the return bin is
movable to a plurality of positions. The housing has a first
aperture that mates with the opening in the return bin when the
return bin is positioned in a first position. The housing also has
a cover which overlays the first aperture in the housing to provide
controlled access to the cavity of the return bin inside the
housing. An actuator is provided and connected to the return bin.
The actuator manipulates movement of the return bin. A controller
electrically connected to the actuator provides the actuator with a
signal for manipulating the return bin between the first and second
positions. Additionally, the housing has a second aperture
providing access to the interior of the housing. A locking door
covers the second aperture to control access to the interior of the
housing through the second aperture.
[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
method for securing access to medical items in a container is
provided. The method comprises the steps of providing a drawer
having a unidirectional ratcheting member, providing a latching
mechanism, providing a controller operatively connected to the
latching mechanism, and sending a signal from the controller to the
latching mechanism to manipulate the latching mechanism for
controlling engagement of the latching mechanism with the
ratcheting member. Additionally, a sensor may be provided and be
operatively connected to the controller. The sensor senses a
position of the drawer, and sends a signal from the sensor to the
controller of the position of the drawer.
[0022] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
method of returning a medical item to the storage device is
provided. The method comprises providing a housing having an
interior and a return bin in the housing. The housing has a cover
which is opened. When the cover is opened, the a cavity in the
return bin is accessible through a first aperture in the housing.
The medical items to be returned are then deposited within the
cavity of the return bin, and the cover is closed. When the cover
is closed an actuator manipulates the return bin from a first
position to a second position when the cover is closed, to expel
the contents of the items from the cavity into the interior of the
housing. The contents in the interior of the housing can then be
removed through a locking door.
[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
drawer is provided having a plurality of rows that are separated
into a plurality of bins. A control mechanism engages the drawer
and allows the drawer to be positioned between an open drawer
position and a closed drawer position. The control mechanism also
allows the drawer to be positioned at progressively opened drawer
positions between the open drawer position and the closed drawer
position.
[0024] According to another aspect of the present invention,
separate covers are provided for a plurality of the rows of the
drawer. The covers are moveable from an open cover position to a
closed cover position, including progressively opened cover
positions therebetween. The moveable cover assists in providing
controlled access to individual rows of the drawer and to the bins
in each respective row. In one embodiment the covers are connected
to the drawer in sliding engagement to sequentially expose the bins
of the rows.
[0025] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
latch is mounted to the drawer. Further, separate latches may be
provided for each cover. Generally, one latch engages one of the
covers in the closed cover position to prevent the cover from being
opened in the closed cover position. Additionally, the latch is
moveable to an open latch position to allow opening of the cover
when required.
[0026] According to another aspect of the present invention, an
unlocking member having a tab is provided for the drawer. The
unlocking member is moveable between a first position and a second
position. In the second position the tab of the unlocking member
disengages the latch from the cover, and the tab engages the cover
allowing the cover to be moved into the open cover position when
the drawer is opened. As such, when the tab of the unlocking member
engages the cover, the cover is prevented from movement with the
drawer.
[0027] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
second drawer is fitted within the cabinet. The second drawer has a
plurality of rows that are separated into a plurality of bins, and
a separate control mechanism engaging the second drawer. The
control mechanism for the second drawer provides independent
positioning of the second drawer between an open drawer position
and a closed drawer position, as well as progressively opened
drawer positions therebetween. Similar to one embodiment of the
first drawer, the second drawer may also have individual covers for
a plurality of the rows of the second drawer. These covers are
moveable from an open cover position to a closed cover position,
and including progressively opened cover positions therebetween.
Unlocking and opening of the cover of the second drawer allows
controlled access to the bins of the second drawer. The second
drawer may also have a latch mounted to the second drawer to engage
one of the covers of the second drawer in the closed cover
position, thereby preventing the cover from being opened in the
closed cover position. This latch is moveable to an open latch
position to allow opening of the cover. When a second drawer is
utilized, the unlocking member may have a second tab that
disengages the latch from the cover of the second drawer when the
unlocking member is in the second position.
[0028] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
storage device for controlling access to medical items has a
drawer, a drawer control mechanism, and a cover that slidingly
engages the drawer and is moveable between an open cover position
and a locked closed cover position, including progressively opened
cover positions therebetween. The drawer has a plurality of
dividers extending about a width of the drawer and separating the
drawer into a plurality of bins. The drawer control mechanism
engages the drawer and is adapted to provide positioning of the
drawer between an open drawer position and a closed drawer
position, including progressively opened drawer positions
therebetween.
[0029] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
rows have individual covers and each cover has a latch associated
therewith. The latches engage their respective cover to prevent the
cover from being opened in the closed cover position. The latches,
however, are moveable to an open latch position to allow opening of
the cover. Additionally, each row may have an unlocking member.
[0030] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
storage device has a second drawer adjacent a first drawer. The
second drawer has a cover and a latch mounted to the second drawer
and engaging the its cover to prevent the cover from being opened
in the closed cover position. An unlocking member having a first
tab and a second tab is provided. The unlocking member is moveable
between a first position and a second position. In the second
position the first tab of the unlocking member disengages the latch
from the cover of the first drawer and the second tab of the
unlocking member disengages the latch from the cover of the second
drawer. Similarly, in the second position the first tab engages the
cover of the first drawer and the second tab engages the cover of
the second drawer allowing the cover of one of the first drawer or
the second drawer to be moved into the open cover position when one
of the first drawer or the second drawer is opened.
[0031] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
storage device has a first drawer having a cover that is secured to
the first drawer in the closed cover position, a second drawer
having a cover that is secured to the second drawer in the closed
cover position, and an unlocking member having a first tab and a
second tab. The unlocking member is moveable between a first
position and a second position. In the first position the unlocking
member does not engage either of the covers, and in the second
position the first tab of the unlocking member engages the cover of
the first drawer and the second tab of the unlocking member engages
the cover of the second drawer to allow the cover of one of the
first or second drawer to be opened when one of the first or second
drawers, respectively, is opened.
[0032] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
storage device further has a first control mechanism engaging the
first drawer and providing positioning of the first drawer between
an open drawer position and a closed drawer position, including
progressively opened drawer positions, and a second control
mechanism engaging the second drawer and providing positioning of
the second drawer between an open drawer position and a closed
drawer position, also including progressively opened drawer
positions. However, only one of the first and second control
mechanisms is operable at one time to open one of the first or
second drawers, thereby maintaining the other of the first or
second drawers in the closed drawer position at that time.
[0033] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
storage device has a cabinet, a drawer slidably retained in the
cabinet, the drawer having a plurality of rows that extend from a
front portion of the drawer to a rear portion of the drawer, and a
control mechanism located between two of the plurality of rows in
the drawer.
[0034] Other features and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with
the following drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] To understand the present invention, it will now be
described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a medication depot having a
ratcheting drawer and a return storage system of the present
invention;
[0037] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a module of ratcheting
drawers of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of one ratcheting drawer
of the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of one ratcheting drawer
of the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 5 is a partial top view of the framework of the
ratcheting drawer assembly of FIG. 1, with one ratcheting drawer
removed;
[0041] FIG. 6A is a partial cut-away side elevation view of FIG.
5;
[0042] FIG. 6B is top plan view of FIG. 6a;
[0043] FIG. 7 is another embodiment of the latch mechanism of FIG.
5;
[0044] FIG. 8A is a partial cut-away side elevation view of the
return storage system of FIG. 1;
[0045] FIG. 8B is a partial cut-away side elevation view of the
return storage system of FIG. 1;
[0046] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
storage device of the present invention;
[0047] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a drawer assembly of the
storage device of the present invention;
[0048] FIG. 11 is a partial cut-away perspective view of the drawer
assembly of FIG. 10, with the covers in the closed cover
position;
[0049] FIG. 12 is a partial cut-away perspective view of the drawer
assembly of FIG. 10, with one of the latches in an open
position;
[0050] FIG. 13 is a partial cut-away perspective view of the drawer
assembly of FIG. 10, with the drawer in a partial open drawer
position and with one of the covers in a partial open cover
position;
[0051] FIG. 14 is another partial cut-away perspective view of the
drawer assembly of FIG. 13; and,
[0052] FIG. 15 is a partial cut-away perspective view of the
control mechanism of the storage device of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0053] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many
different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be
described in detail, preferred embodiments of the invention with
the understanding that the present disclosures are to be considered
as exemplifications of the principles of the invention and are not
intended to limit the broad aspects of the invention to the
embodiments illustrated.
[0054] Referring now in detail to the Figures, and initially to
FIG. 1, there is shown a storage device in the form of a medical
item/medication cabinet or depot 100 for storing and dispensing
medical items, such as medications, and for controlling and
monitoring access to the medical items in the depot 100. The
medication depot 100 may have wheels 101, and thus be moveable by a
nurse or other clinician. The medication depot 100 has a frame that
includes one or more apertures configured to accommodate drawer
assemblies 102. The drawer assemblies 102 include a drawer 104 for
storing and dispensing medical items. The drawer assemblies 102 may
also include a framework 134. The drawers 104 may be provided as
individual drawers of varying sizes. Additionally, as shown in FIG.
2, the drawers 104 may be provided as interchangeable modular units
108, having a plurality of drawers 104, that are inserted into the
cabinet 100. The drawers 104 may be lockable. As described herein,
any of the drawers 104 may also be of the ratcheting type to
control access to the individual drawers 104, and to control access
to various portions of each drawer.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 2, one embodiment of the medication depot
100 has an interchangeable modular unit 108. The interchangeable
modular unit 108 comprises an array of ratcheting drawers 104
(i.e., five drawers wide and four drawers high, however, it is
understood that the module 108 can be of a variety of sizes to hold
a variety of drawers 104). The modular unit 108 is a retrofittable
unit that may be inserted into a modular opening in the cabinet
100. Drawers 104 of varying sizes may be provided in the modules
108, and different module units 108 may be interchangeably
installed in the same opening of the cabinet 100. Thus, by
combining drawer modules 108 with different types of drawers 104, a
medication depot 100 may be assembled to provide a desired quantity
of various size and various access-controllable drawers. For
example, in the medication depot 100 of FIG. 1, one module 108 of
ratcheting drawers 104 is combined with standard locking drawers
104 located below the module unit 108.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 2, the modular unit 108 is illustrated in a
retracted position (i.e., prior to insertion or during removal of
the modular unit 108), however, in FIG. 1 the modular unit 108 is
shown in its fully seated position in the cabinet 100. The modular
unit 108 has slides 110, which are on the side of the modular unit
in the embodiment illustrated. The slides 110 engage a mating
member 112 of the cabinet 100. As such, the modular unit 108 is
easily insertable and removable from the cabinet 100.
[0057] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate one of the ratcheting drawers 104
of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 3 illustrates a front
perspective view of one embodiment of the ratcheting drawer 104,
and FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom perspective view of one embodiment
of the ratcheting drawer 104. As shown in these figures, the
ratcheting drawer 104 has a height (H), width (W) and depth (D).
The ratcheting drawer 104 may further have a plurality of dividers
114 which divide the drawers 104 into separate bins 116 for storage
of the medical items, including medications and controlled
medications such as narcotics. The dividers 114 allow the bins 116
to become exposed sequentially as the drawer 104 is opened. Each
bin 116 is preferably configured to hold an individual item, and
with respect to medication, each bin 116 is preferably configured
to hold a unit dose of the medication. The size of bins 116 can be
adjusted by repositioning the dividers 114 which are adapted to be
adjustably positioned in the drawer 104.
[0058] The ratcheting drawer 104 has a ratcheting member 118. As
shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in one embodiment the ratcheting member 118
is a unidirectional member having a plurality of teeth 120. The
term unidirectional identifies that in one direction the ratcheting
member 118 does not prevent movement (i.e., the drawer 104 may be
pushed back into the cabinet 100 at any time), while in a second
direction the ratcheting member 118 may prevent movement if so
engaged (i.e., the latching mechanism 122 may engage the ratcheting
member 118 to stop the drawer 104 from further outward
movement).
[0059] As shown in FIG. 4, the ratcheting member 118 is a linear
ratcheting gear, however, it is understood that other mechanical
and electrical configurations are interchangeable for the linear
ratcheting gear 118. The linear ratcheting gear 118 comprises a
series of one-directional or one-way teeth 120. The linear
ratcheting gear 118 having the one-directional teeth 120 is
disposed on the drawer 104 such that the assembly resists extension
of the drawer 104 (movement from back to front) when engaged, but
yet still allows retraction of the drawer 104 (movement of the
drawer from front to back) when engaged.
[0060] The ratcheting member 118 may be formed in a "U" shape as
shown in FIG. 3. In the embodiment illustrated, the ratcheting
member 118 is disposed on the bottom surface of ratcheting drawer
104, and is affixed to ratcheting drawer 104 with the use of
screws, rivets, welding, brazing, or other attachment means known
in the art.
[0061] The ratcheting drawer 104 further has a first mating member
124 to physically support the ratcheting drawer 104 and to assist
the ratcheting drawer 104 to be slidingly opened and closed. The
first mating member engages a second mating member 126 for guiding
and supporting the drawer 104 as the drawer 104 is extended and
retracted. Typically, the second mating member 126 is fixedly
mounted within the medication depot 100 by being affixed to either
the framework 134 of the drawer assembly 102, the framework of the
modular unit 108, or the medication cabinet 100 itself. In the
embodiment illustrated, the second mating member 126 is affixed to
the framework 134 of the drawer assembly 102, however, it may also
be affixed to either the cabinet 102 or the modular unit 108.
Additionally, in the embodiment illustrated, the first mating
member 124 is centrally disposed on the bottom surface of the
ratcheting drawer 104 adjacent the ratcheting member 118. Further,
in the embodiment illustrated the first mating member 124 comprises
a channel or rail and the second mating member 124 comprises a
slide member (it is understood that these components may be
reversed). The first mating member 124 freely and slidingly engages
the second mating member 126 for providing sliding movement of the
drawer 104. It should be understood that while the first and second
mating members are illustrated and described as a rail and slide
engagement mechanism in the figures, other mating configurations
known in the art are contemplated and are within the scope of the
present invention.
[0062] As best shown in FIG. 4, the ratcheting drawer 104 also has
markings 128 thereon. Typically, the markings 128 are located on
the bottom of the drawer 104 opposing the ratcheting member 118,
however the markings 128 may also be placed at other locations. The
markings 128 are configured to provide data to a sensor 130 for
determining the position of the drawer 104. Further, the markings
128 may indicate the currently accessible bin 116. In the disclosed
embodiment, the markings 128 comprise binary marking stickers
(i.e., stickers where each of a series of positions is either light
or dark to provide a binary data word), however, other markings or
types of indicators are understood by those in the art. The
markings 128 extend about the entire depth (D) of the drawer 104 to
provide positioning information about the entire depth (D) of the
drawer 104.
[0063] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the sensor 130 is provided for
determining the position of the drawer 104. The sensor 130 may be
an optical sensor, such as a binary optical sensor, or it may be
any other type of sensor know in the art. The sensor 130 is
positioned to read the markings 128 disposed on the ratcheting
drawer 104. As the ratcheting drawer 104 is extended and retracted,
the markings 128 are sensed and sequentially read by sensor 130.
The sensor 130 then transmits data or other signals to a controller
132, or to a central processing unit that controls the controller
132, corresponding to the sensed information from the markings 128,
and indicative of the position of the drawer 104. Typically, the
sensor 130 is affixed to either the framework 134 of the drawer
assembly 102, the framework of the modular unit 108, or the
medication cabinet 100 itself. In the specific embodiment
illustrated, the sensor 130 is affixed to the framework 134 of the
drawer assembly 102. The sensor 130 remains stationary as the
ratcheting drawer 104 is extended and retracted. Affixing the
electronic components in a stationary position enhances the
reliability of the system.
[0064] The markings 128 for the drawer 104 are calibrated to allow
controller 132 to properly control access to the ratcheting drawer
104. Typically, calibration is conducted by calibrating the
markings 128 to the one-directional ratcheting member 118 and to
the bins 116. This calibration may be consummated by physical
alignment of the markings 128 with the one-directional ratcheting
member 118 and the bins 116, by software embedded in controller
132, or by a combination thereof.
[0065] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the drawer assembly 102 for the
ratcheting drawers 104 also includes a latching mechanism 122. The
latching mechanism 122 controllably engages the ratcheting member
118. Typically, the latching mechanism 122 is affixed to either the
framework 134 of the drawer assembly 102, the framework of the
modular unit 108, or the medication cabinet 100 itself. In the
specific embodiment illustrated, the latching mechanism 122 is
affixed to the framework 134 of the drawer assembly 102. As such,
the latching mechanism 122 remains stationary as the ratcheting
drawer 104 is extended and retracted. Generally, when the
ratcheting drawers 104 are separate from a modular unit 108, the
latching mechanism 122 is a component of the assembly of the
ratcheting drawers 104. Additionally, when the ratcheting drawers
104 are part of the modular unit 108, the latching mechanism 122 is
also a component of the assembly 102 of the ratcheting drawers 104,
however, in this configuration the latching assembly 122 is also a
component of the module unit 108.
[0066] As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, one embodiment the latching
mechanism 122 comprises a solenoid 136 having an engaging member
138. The solenoid 136 is operatively connected to the controller
132. The engaging member 138 operatively engages the ratcheting
member 118 to prevent outward movement of the drawer 104. The
latching mechanism 122 is normally engaged with linear ratcheting
gear 118. Accordingly, when engaging member 138 of the latching
mechanism 122 is engaged with linear ratcheting gear 118, the
ratcheting drawer 104 is prevented from being further extended.
When the engaging member 138 of the latching mechanism 122 is
released from the linear ratcheting gear 118, however, an
authorized operator, such as a nurse, may extend the ratcheting
drawer 104 until the authorized one of the bins 116 is exposed.
Typically, when the latching mechanism 122 releases a drawer 104,
the drawer can be extended only one bin 116 length. At that point,
the sensor 130 senses the position of the drawer 104 and the
controller 132 transmits a signal to the latching mechanism 122 to
engage the linear ratcheting gear 118 so that the drawer 104 cannot
be extended further to prevent access to additional bins 116, if so
required. The ratcheting drawer 104, however, may be closed while
the latching mechanism 122 is engaged with the ratcheting mechanism
118. As such, the controller 132 controls engagement of the
ratcheting member 118 by the latching mechanism 122. And, the
present invention provides access to a first full one of the bins
upon each successive authorization, whereupon the medical item in
the one of the bins is withdrawn by the medication depot operator,
and the next one of the bins becomes the first full one of the
bins.
[0067] As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, an ejection mechanism 140 is
provided in the ratcheting drawer assembly 102. In the embodiment
illustrated, the ejection mechanism 140 is affixed to the framework
134, however it may also be affixed to other stationary items such
as the modular unit 108 or the cabinet 100. The ejection mechanism
140 may comprise, for example, a spring 142 and a pusher 146,
whereby the spring 142 applies a force to the pusher 146 relative
to a fixed point of the medication depot 100 structural framework.
As such, when the drawer 104 is in the fully closed position and
the controller 132 sends a signal to the latching mechanism 122 to
disengage the ratcheting member 118 to open the drawer, the
ejection mechanism 140 provides an initial force to slide the
drawer 104 to a slightly open position, providing a visual
indication of the correct drawer to be accessed for authorized
removal of the medical item.
[0068] The controller 132 is configured to receive an authorization
signal from either a central computer or processor (not shown) or a
local computer or processor 148. The signal may be, for example, a
data signal corresponding to a specific one of the bins (210 in
FIG. 2) that a user, such as a nurse, is authorized to access.
Typically, the controller 132 includes a printed circuit board and
has software or controls which receives data, interprets data and
performs routines with the data to develop output, and it also
transmits the output. Further, the controller 132 may store data
and/or output. The signal may also correspond to a particular
ratcheting drawer 104, all of whose bins hold unit doses of one
particular medication, or a particular medication stored in one or
more ratcheting drawers. The controller 132 may be hardwired to the
central computer and/or local processor 148. In one embodiment the
controller 132 receives a remote signal, typically via a radio
frequency (RF) signal from the central processor. With remote use,
the cabinet 100 generally has a transmitter/receiver (not shown)
which can receive and transmit RF and other type signals with the
central processor. In one embodiment the controller 132 is a
separate unit from the local processor 148. In another embodiment,
the controller 132 and the local processor 148 are integral as in
FIG. 1.
[0069] When the authorization signal corresponds to a particular
drawer or medication, the controller 132 may be configured to track
which bins 116 of the ratcheting drawer 104 or ratcheting drawers
104 have been accessed. As explained above, the authorization
signal may be provided, for example, by the central processor.
Additionally, the authorization signal may be provided by a local
computer or processor 148. Typically, the central processor
controls both the local processor 148 and the controller 132. Both
the central processor unit and the local processor unit 148
interfaces with data files of the medical center and pharmacy.
Patient or medication data can be entered into the system at any
location, including at the local processing unit 148 via an
interface, such as a scanner 150 (e.g., by scanning a patient
identification strap) or a keyboard 152 (e.g., by entering a
patient identification code or a medication code). The local
processing unit 148 receives the patient or medication data,
verifies access authorization (e.g., by matching a prescription
file with patient identification data, and matching a personnel
identification with a medication control level) and provides a
control signal that unlocks a particular one of drawers 104 for
which access has been authorized.
[0070] As explained above, the controller 132 is electrically
connected to and configured to receive a signal from the sensor 130
indicating the position of the ratcheting drawer 104. Further, the
controller 132 tracks which bins have been accessed and the
position of the ratcheting drawer 104. As such, the controller 132
typically only allows access to the first bin 116 of the ratcheting
drawer 104 containing one of the medical items. When the controller
132 receives a certain authorization signal, it energizes the
solenoid 136, releasing the engaging member 138 of the latching
mechanism 122. The latching mechanism 122 is normally engaged with
linear ratcheting gear 118 attached to the drawer 104. Accordingly,
when latching mechanism 122 is engaged with linear ratcheting gear
118, it prevents the ratcheting drawer 104 from being further
extended. When latching mechanism 122 releases the ratcheting gear
118, however, an authorized operator, such as a nurse, pulling on
the drawer 104 may extend the ratcheting drawer 104 from the
cabinet 100. Further, when the latching mechanism 122 releases the
ratcheting gear 118 in the fully closed position the spring
mechanism above provides an initial force to at least partially
open the drawer 104. Then, when the ratcheting drawer 104
approaches a position exposing the authorized bin 116, as indicated
by sensor 130 reading the markings 128, controller 132 de-energizes
solenoid 136, and latching mechanism 122 re-engages the ratcheting
mechanism 118 to prevent the drawer 104 from being opened
further.
[0071] In the embodiment illustrated, all electronic components of
the ratcheting drawer assembly 102 (i.e., sensor 130, controller
132, and solenoid 136) are affixed to some framework and remain
stationary as the ratcheting drawer 104 is extended and retracted.
Affixing the electronic components in a stationary position will
enhance the reliability of the system in comparison to devices that
incorporate moving electronic components. As shown in FIG. 6, the
latching mechanism 122 and the sensor 130 are positioned generally
below the top of second mating member 126. The sensor 130 and the
components of the latching mechanism 122 have a height such that
they can be positioned below the ratcheting drawer 104 and still
leave sufficient height for the bins 116 of the ratcheting drawer
104 to contain medical items. Therefore, essentially the full depth
D of the drawer may comprise storage bins 116. Using the full depth
of the drawer 104 for storage increases the number of bins 116 that
are provided in a drawer 104 of a given depth, and increases
storage density which is an important attribute of medication
depots.
[0072] FIGS. 5 and 7 show alternative latching mechanisms 122,
respectively accommodating different orientations of solenoid 136.
In FIG. 5, the solenoid 136 is oriented to provide displacement of
the engaging member 138. The solenoid 136 is positioned parallel to
linear ratcheting gear 118 (i.e., parallel to the direction of
sliding motion of the ratcheting drawer). The engaging member 138
in FIG. 5 is connected to the solenoid 136 through a pivoting
linkage 154 which translates the motion approximately 90.degree.. A
biasing member (not shown) in the form of a spring may also be
provided to maintain the engaging member 138 in contact with the
ratcheting member 118 when the solenoid 136 is not energized. As
such, the ratcheting member is normally engaged by the latching
mechanism to resist opening of the ratcheting drawer beyond the
current position. Then, when the controller obtains authorization
for access to the one or more medical items stored in a particular
bin 116 the controller 132 provides a signal to the latching
mechanism 122 to disengage the ratcheting member 118 to expose the
particular bin 116 of the particular drawer 104.
[0073] In FIG. 7, solenoid 136 is oriented to provide displacement
of an engaging member 138 directly away from linear ratcheting gear
118 when the solenoid 136 is positioned perpendicular to the
direction of sliding motion of ratcheting drawer (i.e.,
perpendicular to the linear ratcheting gear 118). The
one-directional teeth 120 of linear ratcheting gear 11 8 have an
engaging face 119 perpendicular to the direction of sliding motion
of ratcheting drawer 104 and a sliding face 121 at a small angle to
the to the direction of sliding motion of ratcheting drawer 104 to
provide a mechanical advantage that allows the ratcheting drawer to
be easily retracted. In the latching mechanisms illustrated in
FIGS. 5 and 7, the engaging member 138 is disposed to engage the
engaging face 119 of one of the one-directional teeth 120 when the
solenoid 136 is de-energized. When solenoid 136 is energized the
plunger 137 of the solenoid 136 withdrawals the engaging member 138
from linear ratcheting gear 118, allowing the ratcheting drawer 104
to slide open. The engaging member 138 may be a rotating wheel to
provide minimal resistance to closing the ratcheting drawer by
rolling on the sliding face 121.
[0074] Further, one of the drawers 104 may be a return drawer. A
return drawer is an empty drawer where medical items may be
returned to the system, as opposed to containing a medical item for
disbursement thereof. Typically, the control of return drawer
system operates in the reverse manner as the standard distribution
drawer. As such, when the controller 132 obtains a signal that a
medical item is to be returned, the controller 132 provides a
signal to the latching mechanism 122 to disengage the ratcheting
member 118 to expose the next empty bin 116 in series adjacent the
front of the drawer 104 for placement of a medical item to be
returned therein. After the medical item to be returned is placed
in the next empty bin 116, the bin is returned to an unexposed
position, i.e. the bin and/or the drawer is closed, and the
controller 132 does not allow exposure of the contents of that bin
116 until the controller receives a signal by an authorized user.
The user may then provide a command to the system indicating that
the specific medical item has been returned.
[0075] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8a-8b, a return storage device 160
is provided for controlling access to returned medical items in a
medical facility. The return storage device 160 may be connected to
the medical cart or some other fixture, or it may be a separate,
stand-alone component. The return storage device 160 generally
includes a housing 162 and a return bin 164. The housing 162 has an
interior 166, a first aperture 168, and a second aperture 170.
Typically, the first aperture 168 is located on a top or upper
portion of the housing 162, and the second aperture 170 is located
toward a bottom or lower portion of the housing 162, well below the
first aperture 168. The first aperture 168 has a cover 172 which is
operated by a solenoid (not shown) to provide controlled access to
the interior of the housing 162. The second aperture 170 has a
locking door 171 covering it to control access to the interior 166
of the housing 162. In one embodiment, access to unlock the locking
door 171 is prevented by the cover 172 overlaying the lock of the
locking door 171.
[0076] The return bin 164 is secured in the interior of the housing
162, and the return bin 164 has a cavity 174 with an opening 176.
In one embodiment, the return bin 164 is a drum. The return bin is
movable in the interior 166 of the housing 162 to a plurality of
positions. Two such positions include the first position 178 and
the second position 180 (shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b). The return bin
164 is movable through an actuator 182, which may be mechanically
driven or may be weight driven. Additionally, the return bin 164
may be moveable through a weight (not shown). Finally, the return
bin 164 may be moveable through a combination of an actuator 164
and a separate weight. In one embodiment, the actuator 182 is a
linkage controlled with a solenoid (not shown). The actuator 182
and/or the weight (not shown) manipulate movement of the return bin
164. Typically, all movement of the return bin 164, including the
actuator 182, and the cover 172 of the housing is controlled by the
controller, which may be the same controller 132 for the ratcheting
drawer 104.
[0077] As shown in FIG. 8a the return bin 164 is shown in the
second position 180. In the second position 180, and typically in
any position other than the first position 178, an exterior 184 of
the return bin 164 mates with the first aperture 168 in the housing
162 to operatively close the interior of the housing 162. Further,
in the second position 180, with the opening 176 of the return bin
164 facing downward, gravity acts on the contents in the cavity 174
to all the contents of the cavity to be expelled into the interior
166 of the housing 162. The return bin 164 may have a weight (not
shown) to assist or provide movement of the return bin 164 from the
second position 180 to the first position 178 such that motors,
solenoids, springs, etc. are not required. The actuator 182,
however, maintains the return bin 164 in the second position 180
when the cover 172 of the housing 162 is closed. Further, the
actuator 182 assists in moving the return bin 164 from the first
position 178 to the second position 180 after the cover 172 has
been closed. In the second position 180 the cover 172 remains
locked in the closed position by the solenoid (not shown).
[0078] As shown in FIG. 8b, the return bin 164 is shown in the
first position 178. In the first position 178 the opening 176 of
the return bin 164 is positioned in-line or mating with the first
aperture 168 in the housing 162. Typically, the cover 172 of the
housing only opens with the opening 176 of the return bin 168 mates
with the first opening 176. In this position medical items can be
deposited in the cavity 174 of the return bin 164 through the
opening 176. To position the return bin 164 in the first position
178, the weight manipulates movement of the return bin 164 from the
second position 180, or any other position, to the first position
178. As explained above, in one embodiment the movement is
conducted through rotation of the return bin 164. Alternatively,
the actuator 182 may assist or provide movement of the return bin
164 to the first position 178. The actuator 182 may be operatively
connected to the cover 172 such that when the cover 172 opens, the
weight and/or the actuator 182 has manipulated, or is manipulating,
the return bin 164 to have the opening 176 in the cavity 174 mate
with the first aperture 178 in the housing 162, and such that when
the cover 174 is closed, the actuator 182 manipulates the return
bin 164 to have the exterior 184 covering the first aperture 178 to
prevent access to the interior 166 of the housing 162.
[0079] Additionally, a keyed lock (not shown) may be provided to
override the controller for opening and closing the cover,
especially during malfunction of the system or during a power
failure.
[0080] Another embodiment of the storage device 100', or medication
depot 100', for storing and dispensing medical items, such as
medications, and for controlling and monitoring access to the
medical items in the depot is shown in FIG. 9. This embodiment may
incorporate any of the features previously described, as well as
any features and modifications described below. Further, the
modifications described below may be incorporated into the storage
device 100 previously described. Additionally, while not
illustrated in the figures, the storage device 100' may include a
portable printer, computer, scanner, etc. The storage device 100'
generally includes a frame 103 and a plurality of drawer assemblies
102'.
[0081] As shown in FIG. 9, the storage device 100' may have wheels
101', and thus be moveable by a nurse or other clinician. The frame
103 of the medication depot 100' includes one or more apertures
configured to accommodate the drawer assemblies 102'. The drawer
assemblies 102' include a drawer 104' for storing and dispensing
medical items. The drawer assemblies 102' may also include a
framework 134', and as shown in FIG. 10, the drawer assemblies 102'
may be provided as interchangeable modular units 108 having a
plurality of drawers 104' that are inserted into the frame 103 of
the cabinet as a unit 108. Further, the drawers 104' have a first
mating member 124' to physically support the drawer 104' and to
assist the ratcheting drawer 104' to be slidingly opened and
closed. The first mating member 124' engages a second mating member
126' for guiding and supporting the drawer 104' as the drawer is
extended and retracted. The drawers 104' are typically lockable,
and may be of the ratcheting type to control access to the
individual drawers 104' and individual rows 115' and bins 116'
defined in the drawers 104' (See FIG. 10).
[0082] The drawer 104' shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 has a height (H'),
width (W') and depth (D'). Additionally, the drawers 104' have a
front, a rear and a bottom. The width (W') of the drawer 104' is
typically divided into a plurality of rows 115', with partitions
113' between the rows 115'. Generally, the rows 115' extend from a
front portion of the drawer 104' to a rear portion of the drawer
104'. Additionally, each of the rows 115' typically have dividers
114' which divide the rows 115', or the drawer 104' if the-drawer
104' has only one row 115', into separate bins 116' for storage of
the medical items, including medications. The dividers 114'
generally extend about a width of the row 115'. The dividers 114'
allow the bins 116' to become exposed sequentially as the drawer
104' is opened. As described above, each bin 116' is preferably
configured to hold an individual item, and with respect to
medication, each bin 116' is preferably configured to hold a unit
dose of medication. The size of the bins 116' can be adjusted by
repositioning the dividers 114' within the row 115' or drawer 104'
as is applicable.
[0083] As shown in FIG. 10, each of the drawers 104' typically has
a control mechanism 117' that controls the movement of the drawer
104'. The control mechanism 117' allows positioning of the drawer
104' between a closed drawer position 107' (as shown by several of
the closed lower drawers 104' in FIG. 9) where the drawer 104' is
fully retracted in the cabinet, and an open position wherein the
drawer 104' is fully extended, as well as any progressively opened
drawer position 109' therebetween (as shown by the progressively
opened drawer in FIG. 9). In a preferred embodiment of the
invention as shown in FIG. 10, a portion of the control mechanism
117' is located between two of the plurality of rows 115' of each
drawer 104', generally at a central portion of the drawer 104'. In
a preferred embodiment, only one control mechanism 117' is provided
for each drawer 104'. Previously, separate control mechanisms were
provided for each row. By providing a single control mechanism
117', and most preferably by providing the control mechanism
centrally in the drawer, the same control mechanism may be utilized
for a plurality of rows.
[0084] Accordingly, less space for the control mechanism 117' is
required in the depot 100', thereby allowing additional space for
storage of medical items.
[0085] Depending on the complexity of the depot 100', the control
mechanism 117' may be comprised of a variety of mechanical and
electrical components. In a preferred embodiment, as best shown in
FIGS. 10 and 15, two of the components configured in the control
mechanism 117' are a ratcheting member 118' and a latching
mechanism 122', however it is understood that other components are
interchangeable for these members. As previously explained above,
one embodiment of the ratcheting member 118' comprises a
unidirectional member or gear having a plurality of one-way teeth
120'. In the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 9 through 15, the
ratcheting member 118' is typically a linear gear that is fixed to
the drawer 104' and extends substantially from a front of the
drawer 104' to a rear of the drawer 104'. Additionally, the
ratcheting member 118' is typically disposed about a top of the
drawer 104'. The ratcheting member 118' has a top surface 123' and
a bottom surface 125'. The gear or teeth portion 120' of the
ratcheting member 1 18' are found on the bottom surface 125' of the
ratcheting member 118', thereby remaining internal to the drawer
104'. In the embodiment disclosed, the ratcheting member 118' is
connected to rail members 127a', 127b' on either side of the
ratcheting member 118'.
[0086] Also as shown in FIG. 15, the control mechanism 117'
comprises a latching mechanism 122'. In one embodiment, the
latching mechanism 122' comprises a latching or engaging member
138', a support assembly 129', and a solenoid 136'. As previously
explained, the latching or engaging member 138' engages the
ratcheting member 118' in a plurality of positions to prevent the
drawer 104' from opening a controlled distance, while still
allowing the drawer 104' to be closed at any time. The support
assembly 129' of the latching mechanism 122' has a U-shaped support
member 131' which is generally fixed to a framework, either the
framework 134' of the drawer, or of a modular unit 108.
Additionally, the support assembly 129' may be fixed to the
medication cabinet 100'. Cam members 133' or rollers depend from
opposing sides of the support member 131. The rollers 133' engage a
slot 135' in the rail members 127' to allow the drawer 104' to
traverse inward and outward of the cabinet in a controlled manner,
and to maintain the latching mechanism 122' is position relative to
the ratcheting member 118'. As such, the support assembly 129' of
the control mechanism 117' remains fixed in place, and the drawer
104' moves in and out as required with the attached ratcheting gear
118.
[0087] The engaging member 138' is connected to the solenoid 136'
which controls movement of the engaging member 138'. Further, as
explained above, the solenoid 136' is operatively connected to a
controller 132 which controls the overall operation of the storage
device 100. The latching or engaging member 138' operatively
engages the ratcheting member 118' to prevent outward movement of
the drawer 104'. As shown in FIG. 15, the solenoid 136' of the
latching mechanism 122' is adapted to position the latching member
138a' into a first position (shown in the top drawer 104a' of FIG.
15) whereby the latching member 138a' is disengaged from the
ratcheting member 118' of the drawer 104a', allowing the drawer
104a' to be opened until engaged, and a second position (shown in
the bottom drawer 104b' of FIG. 15) whereby the latching member
138b' is engaging the ratcheting member 118' of the drawer 104b' to
prevent the drawer 104b' from being opened. The engaging member
138' is connected to solenoid 136' through a pivoting linkage 154
which translates motion to the engaging member 138'. A biasing
member 139' may be incorporated to maintain the engaging member
138' in contact with the ratcheting member 118' when the solenoid
136' is not energized to prevent the drawer 104' from being opened.
Then, when the controller 132 obtains authorization for access to
open the drawer 104' to a particular bin 116', the controller 132
provides a signal to the solenoid 136' of the latching mechanism
122' to energize and disengage the engaging member 138' from the
ratcheting member 118' to allow the drawer 104' to be opened a set
distance. A detailed explanation of the operation of the controller
132, as well as the sensor 130' is provided above.
[0088] Accordingly, the latching member 138' is normally engaged
with the linear ratcheting gear 118', thereby preventing the drawer
104' from being opened or, if already opened, from being extended
to any progressively opened drawer position. When the latching
member 138' is released from the linear ratcheting gear 118',
however, the drawer 104' may be typically extended one bin 116'
length outward. At that point, the sensor 130' senses the position
of the drawer 104' and the controller 132 transmits a signal to the
latching mechanism 122' to engage the linear ratcheting gear 118'
so that the drawer 104' cannot be extended further to prevent
access to additional bins 116', if so required. The ratcheting
drawer 104', however, may be closed while the latching mechanism
122' is engaged with the ratcheting mechanism 118'.
[0089] As shown in FIGS. 9-14, the drawer 104' also has a cover
200'. In a preferred embodiment, each separate row 115' has a
separate cover 200'. The covers 200' are moveable from an open
cover position to a closed cover position, including progressively
opened cover positions therebetween, to allow controlled access to
the bins 116' in each row 115' of each drawer 104'. The term closed
cover position generally means that the cover is retained to the
drawer and the bins are not accessible. Conversely, the term open
cover position generally means that as the drawer is opened, bins
will be exposed. In a preferred embodiment, the covers 200' have
relative movement with the drawer by sliding about the drawer 104'
(and conversely the drawers 104' slide about the covers 200') to
provide access to a bin 116'. Further, in a preferred embodiment,
when the cover 200' is in the open position, the cover' is retained
in the rear of the cabinet 100', and as the drawer 104' opens, the
bins 116' are exposed due to the fact that the drawer 104' becomes
extended from the cabinet 100' while the cover 200' has been
retained in the cabinet 100'.
[0090] FIG. 10 discloses a two drawer 104' unit wherein the top
drawer 104a' is in the opened drawer position, and the lower drawer
104b' is in the closed drawer position. The top drawer 104a' has
eight rows 115', four rows (R1-R8) on one side of the control
mechanism 117' and four additional rows 115' on the opposing side
of the control mechanism 117'. The cover 200' of row six (R6) is in
the opened cover position, while the covers 200' of the remaining
rows 115' are in the closed cover position. Typically, only one
cover 200' of a drawer 104' is open at any time, and the remaining
covers 200' are in the closed cover position.
[0091] In a preferred embodiment, the covers 200' are secured to
the drawer 104', and they also slide about the partitions 113' in
the drawer 104'. As best shown in FIG. 13, the partitions 113' have
a top portion 113a' having a groove 113b' which mates with the
cover 200'. As such, if the controller 132 sends a signal to
provide access to a specific bin 116' of a row 115', the
appropriate drawer 104' will open, the cover 200' of the
appropriate row 115' will be retained in the cabinet 100', and as
the drawer 104' is projected from the cabinet 100'the retained
cover 200' slides about the drawer 104', thereby sequentially
exposing the appropriate bin 116'.
[0092] FIG. 11 illustrates a partial view of the drawer assembly
shown in FIG. 10 (i.e., the control mechanism 117' and rows R5-R8).
In this assembly, each of the covers 200' of the both drawers
(104a' and 104b') are in the closed cover position (note that cover
200' over row R7 is shown in phantom for illustrative purposes
only. In the closed cover position the cover 200' is secured to the
drawer 104' and each of the bins 116' of the specific row 115' are
covered, thereby preventing access to any of the bins 116' in the
row 115' in the closed cover position. In the open cover position
the covers 200' are secured to a the cabinet or a rear portion of
the cabinet such that as the drawer 104' is positioned out of the
closed drawer position the bins 116' are sequentially
uncovered.
[0093] In the preferred embodiment, each cover 200' has a latch
202' associated therewith. The latch 202' is mounted to the drawer
104' and engages the cover 200' in the closed cover position to
prevent the cover 200' from being opened in the closed cover
position. As shown in FIG. 14, the latches 202' have a first member
204' which mates with a mating member 206' of the cover 200'. In
the embodiment illustrated, the mating member of the cover 200' is
an opening 206', and the first member 204' of the latch 202' is a
tab 204'. A portion of the tab 204' passes into the opening 206' in
the cover 200' to fixedly retain the cover 200' to the drawer
104'.
[0094] The latches 202' are moveable from a closed latch position
to an open latch position. FIG. 12 illustrates a latch 202a' which
is in the open latch position at row R7, and a latch 202b' which is
in the closed latch position at row R8. In the preferred
embodiment, the latch 202' is pivotable to allow the latch 202' to
disengage from the cover 200' by pivoting the tab 204' out of
mating engagement with the opening 206'. In the closed latch
position the cover 200' is fixed to the drawer 104'. In the open
latch position the cover 200' is no longer fixedly secured to the
drawer 104', rather the cover 200' is transitioned to a moveably
secured state, secured about a rear of the cabinet, thereby
preparing the drawer 104' to be accessed.
[0095] As shown in FIGS. 12 through 14, the storage device 100' has
an unlocking member 208'. The unlocking member 208' has a tab 210'
which extends from the unlocking member 208' and which is adapted
to engage the cover 200'. The unlocking member 208' is moveable
from a first position to a second position. In FIG. 13, unlocking
member 208a' of row R7 is shown in the second position, and
unlocking member 208b' of rows R5, R6 and R8 is shown in the first
position. A solenoid 212' is utilized to transition the unlocking
member 208' between the first position and the second position, and
to retain the unlocking member 208' in the appropriate
position.
[0096] As best shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, when the unlocking member
208' is transitioned to the second position, the tab 210' of the
unlocking member 208' pushes up on the tab 204' of the latch 202'
and disengages the latch 202' from the cover 200'. In the same
process, the tab 210' of the unlocking member 208' engages the
cover 200' in a reverse manner as that of the latch 202'. When the
unlocking member 208' engages the cover 200', the cover 200' is no
longer fixedly secured to the drawer 104' and is adapted to be
moved into the open cover position when the drawer 104' is opened
as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. Similarly, when the unlocking member
208' engages the cover 200', the cover 200' is prevented from
retained movement with the drawer 104', and instead the cover 200'
stays fixed to the unlocking member 208', and the drawer 104' and
the cover 200' slide about one another. In a preferred embodiment,
each cover 200' of a drawer 104' has a separate unlocking member
208'.
[0097] While the above system has been described to retain the
cover 200' in the cabinet while the drawer 104' is opened, one of
ordinary skill in the art would fully understand that other
methods, such as other mechanical or electrical means, including
but not limited to magnetic means, are available to retain the
cover 200' without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
[0098] A single cover unlocking system described above is adapted
to be utilized with a plurality of drawers. In the embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 9-14, two drawers 104a', 104b' have a single
cover unlocking system, however with modifications to the unlocking
member 208', such as providing additional tabs to the unlocking
member, the covers 200' of additional drawers 104' may be
controlled therewith.
[0099] By way of example, when two drawers 104' are utilized (104a'
and 104'b), the unlocking member 208' has a first tab 210a' and a
second tab 210b' as shown in FIG. 14. In the first position the
unlocking member 208b' does not engage either of the covers 200',
as shown in row R6 of FIG. 14. In the second position as shown in
row R5 of FIG. 14, however, the first tab 210a' of unlocking member
208a' engages the cover 200' of the first drawer 104a' and the
second tab 210b' engages the cover 200' of the second drawer 104b'
to allow the cover 200' of one of the first or second drawers
104a',104b' to be opened when one of the first or second drawers
104a',104b', respectively, is opened with its respective control
mechanism.
[0100] With this system, however, each drawer 104' has its own
drawer control mechanism 117' to allow independent positioning of
each drawer 104'. The first drawer 104a' has a first control
mechanism 117a' that engages the first drawer 104a' and provides
positioning of the first drawer 104a' between an open drawer
position and a closed drawer position. The second drawer 104b' has
a second control mechanism 117b' that engages the second drawer
104b' and provides positioning of the second drawer 104b' between
an open drawer position and a closed drawer position. Additionally,
for security reasons, only one of the first and second control
mechanisms 117a', 117b' is operable at one time to allow one of the
first or second drawers 104a', 104b' to be opened, thereby
maintaining the other of the first or second drawers 104a', 104b'
in the closed drawer position at that time.
[0101] As such, the apparatus described above provides a simplified
drawer-control mechanism which utilizes fewer parts, but which
maintains greater control to access to the medical items in the
storage cabinet.
[0102] It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in
other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central
characteristics thereof. The present embodiments, therefore, are to
be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive,
and the invention is not to be limited to the details given
herein.
* * * * *