Abstract:
An inventory supply system and method of use to effectively manage equipment and supply inventory. Specifically there is a need for a precise control and data acquisition system that can be easily implemented and readily used for a large number of medical devices and supplies contained in a single area.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/061,510, filed Oct. 8, 2014, entitled “Inventory Supply System and Methods of Use,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    There is a need to track supplies and the current inventory within healthcare institutions. These include sterile and non-sterile medical devices and supplies. The medical devices and supplies include diapers, personal care items, syringes, needles, diapers, and the like. In some institutions, medical devices are contained within secured areas to allow access to authorized personnel. These secured regions allow for medical devices to be stored in an area, whether it be an entire room or a small cabinet, that has precise physical parameter control(s), including control of temperature, pressure, humidity, and the like. Many regulatory agencies also require reporting of adverse events, such as when the temperature exceeds an acceptable level. Thus, the limited access to the medical devices and supplies provides protection against contamination. 
         [0003]    Medical device and supply vendors spend countless hours sending staff to hospitals and clinics to replenish supplies that are needed. Conversely, hospitals and clinics may employ facility personnel that are tasked with the duty to constantly manage inventory. When a particular device or supply is needed, the facility personnel can order the supplies. These supplies are then delivered. However, the use of external vendors or facility personnel to manage supply rooms is cumbersome and inefficient. Further, the need for non-healthcare providers to enter supply rooms poses a risk of contamination of the medical devices and supplies. 
         [0004]    Examples of healthcare facilities include hospitals, nursing homes, home-health care organizations, a research facility, a health care clinic, a doctor&#39;s office, government facility, a surgery center and a medical center. 
         [0005]    Other industries also employ similar inventory management protocols, which are equally inefficient. Industries such as automotive, chemical, transportation, food supply, pharmaceutical, aerospace, mechanical and electrical are a non-exclusive list of industries that employ such protocols. 
         [0006]    Thus there is a need in the art for systems, methods and apparatus for effectively managing equipment inventory. Specifically there is a need for a precise control and data acquisition system that can be easily implemented and readily used for a large number of medical devices and supplies contained in a single area. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the Inventory Supply System. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the Inventory Supply System illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a rear elevation view of the Inventory Supply System thereof. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a right side elevation view of the Inventory Supply System thereof. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a left side elevation view of the Inventory Supply System thereof. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the Inventory Supply System thereof. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of the Inventory Supply System thereof. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of the Inventory Supply System in a down configuration. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of the Inventory Supply System in a container shown in an upright configuration. 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a top perspective view of the Inventory Supply System in a container shown in a down configuration. 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a top perspective view of the Inventory Supply System in a container shown in an upright configuration. 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a top perspective view of the Inventory Supply System in a container shown in a down configuration. 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  is a top perspective view of multiple Inventory Supply Systems with data center system. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1-12  illustrate one embodiment of an inventory supply system  10 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , inventory supply system  10  generally includes a base  20 , a locking plate  50  and a divider  60 . Inventory supply system  10  may be made of a material comprising silicon, polyurethane, rubbers, neoprene, nylon, PVC, polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene and the like. Other materials, such as nanomaterials and composite plastics are also within the scope of the invention. The material may optionally include an antimicrobial material. In some example embodiments, the material is autoclavable. Although not wanting to be bound by any particular theory, inventory supply system  10  is made of a material that can be sterilized and is lightweight. 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 6-7  which illustrates base  20  having top side  25 , a bottom side  30  connected by a terminal edge  35  comprising; a left edge  37 , right edge  39 , front edge  43  and back edge  41 . Base  20  is fabricated in a manner to allow for a substantially level surface to dispose inventory supply system  10  along the bottom of a container, described more fully below. As shown, base  20  is a substantially solid planar structure; however, other modifications to base  20  are within the scope of the invention. For example, in an alternative embodiment, base  20  may include apertures throughout to allow for access to the bottom side  30  to clean or sterilize base  20 . In at least this example embodiment, the base  20  may have a screen or mesh appearance. It should be appreciated that base  20  may be designed in several ways so long as base  20  can provide a stable surface for which to dispose inventory supply system  10  when in use. 
         [0022]    Divider  60 , as best shown in  FIGS. 1-5 and 8 , generally includes a main body portion  64  and a blocking surface  68  which, as shown, is integrally related to main body portion  64  and forms a continuous surface between the two related parts. Main body portion  64  is planar having two recesses  74 ,  76  shown on opposing sides of main body portion  64 . Recesses  74 ,  76  allow for main body portion  64  to engage a locking plate  50 . 
         [0023]    Front portion  66  comprises a blocking surface  68  that contains a signal block  70  which is used to cover signaling means  72  (i.e. a receiver or transmitter) when in use and as explained in further detail below. Front portion  66  must be fashioned in a manner to allow for coverage of signaling means  72  to prevent a signal from reaching the data center when in inventory supply system  10  is in a lowered position. 
         [0024]    Signal block  70  is positioned on the blocking surface  68  of divider  60 . Signal block  70  may be integrally related to blocking surface  68  such that the two respective pieces form a single unitary structure. As shown, signal block  70  is disposed upon the outer surface of front portion  66 . Signal block  70  may be made of a material such as carbon steel, aluminum, composites, ceramics, gels, liquids and the like. The material should be able to block the signaling means  72  from either receiving or sending communication to data center. 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIG. 11  where signaling means  72  is positioned along the front wall of supply container  150  and is capable of generating a signal, such as light, radio waves, magnetic, electromagnetic, etc. Signaling means  72  may be permanently fixed to supply container  150  or removably coupled. In embodiments where signaling means  72  is permanently fixed to supply container  150 , there is a need to ensure that the proper supplies are contained within the particular supply container associated with a particular signaling means  72 . Conversely, in embodiments where signaling means  72  is removably disposed on supply container  150 , the signaling means  72  must be attached to a container with the correct supplies contained therein. Thus, a user can establish inventory protocols to provide data center and signaling means the ability to cross-check that the proper supplies are contained within a specific supply container. To state another way, both example embodiments have metrics to give the user the ability to have a particular supply correspond with a particular signaling mean  72  which is essential for data center  200  to initiate notification and/or order initiation sequence which corresponds to the correct supply. 
         [0026]    Referring again to  FIGS. 1, 4-5 and 8  wherein locking plate  50  is perpendicularly configured in relation to base  20 . Locking plate  50  is shown having a front arch  55 , a back arch  57 , an upper locking groove  52  and a lower locking groove  54 . Although not necessary, locking plate  50  may be formed from a single unitary structure with base  20 . As best shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , back arch  57  is higher than front arch  55  to provide support to divider  60  when in an upright configuration. Further, front arch  55  being shorter will provide less travel before the top notch  78  and bottom notch  80  are removed from upper locking groove  52  and lower locking groove  54  respectively. It should be appreciated that the height differential between front arch  55  and back arch  57  allows for divider  60  to move in a forward position, but not backwards from the substantially vertical position. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 13  which illustrates a data center  200 . Data center  200  includes a number of systems known by those of ordinary skill in the art, and may include software, hardware, wireless communication means, and the like. When in use, inventory supply system  10  will have a signaling means  72  that is unique for a particular supply container  150  and/or supply. Signaling means may include wireless and wired communication, a non-exclusive list of communication means include: RFID, radio, ultrasonic, infrared, free-space optical communication, light, magnetic, electromagnetic and electronic magnetic induction. Data center  200  and the accompanying systems are capable of calibrating data obtained from signaling means  72 . In accordance with at least one example embodiment, there is provided a method that includes establishing set points for acceptable differences between baseline control data and comparison data, for differences between consecutive baseline data to accommodate the end user with metrics for managing supply inventory. For example, data center  200  may open a means for receiving a communication from signaling means  72  at a predetermined time interval. This time interval could be constant, or turn on and off in select time intervals, such as seconds, minutes, hours or days between the activation of receiving means. The time interval will depend on the need and frequency of supply usage. When data center  200  is available to receive a signal, data signals will be collected from the inventory supply room from each of the activated signaling means  72 . 
         [0028]    As illustrated in  FIG. 13  data center  200  activates a receiving means which will detect signals from bins B, C, E, F, G, H and J. In this scenario, data center  200  will document that the supplies in supply containers A, D, and I are now at approximately 50%. This will in turn initiate a notification prompt to the user to order or refill the supplies contained within A, D and I. It should be appreciated that the program utilized for inventory management may include a modified receiving time interval (i.e. 5 minutes) when data center  200  does not receive a signal from a particular signaling means to verify that the divider  60  has not been inadvertently knocked down by someone desiring a particular supply. This feature will prevent a false prompt in the situation where the divider  60  was accidently placed down, but ultimately placed back in an upright position within a relatively short period of time. This additional verification step will help to reduce the number of false activation prompts to the user. 
         [0029]    In an alternative embodiment, data center  200  may open a means for receiving communication from signaling means  72  at a predetermined time interval. When data center  200  is available to receive a signal data, signals will be collected from the inventory supply room from each of the activated signaling means  72 . In the illustration in  FIG. 13  data center  200  activates a receiving means which will detect signals from bins A, D, and I, but not B, C, E, F, G, H and J. In this scenario, data center  200  will document that the supplies in supply containers A, D, and I are now at approximately 50%. This will in turn initiate a notification prompt to the user. However, in this example, the moving of divider  60  to a down position will move a portion of supply container  150  and the signaling means  72  will be able to send a communication to data center  200 . Similar to above, the program may optionally utilize a modified receiving time interval (i.e. 5 minutes) to verify that the divider  60  has not been inadvertently knocked down by someone desiring a particular supply, but who ultimately places the divider  60  back in an upright position, which would in turn recover the signaling mean. 
         [0030]    Although a number of initiation prompts may be utilized, when data center receives a prompt that a particular supply container  150  is in need of additional supplies, data center  200  may facilitate system supply ordering and may be programmed to directly order a particular good from a vendor. Moreover, the data center  200  may collect data as to the amount of additional supplies that may be located in another storage room and prompt facility personnel to resupply a particular supply container  150  in a particular room. Additionally, the data center  200  may also track the shipping order to provide metrics for the user to access the timeliness of delivery or status of supplies in transit. 
         [0031]    The example methods provided herein describe an inventory supply system  10  that is capable of generating additional metrics to provide a supply room with an environment conducive to maintaining supply life and usability. For example, in at least one example embodiment, data center  200  may optionally include sensing probe(s) (not shown) to determine the temperature and other related physical data (e.g., humidity, pressure, etc.) on a periodic basis for monitoring and reporting purposes of an supply room or a particular supply container  150  (via signaling means data). 
         [0032]    Data center  200  inventory analysis of the supply container  150  may monitor inventory, monitor the healthcare provider who accessed the supply container when the divider was moved down, and/or monitor the facility employee who stocked the supply container  150 . Thus, the data center  200  will be in communication with a central server or the like (either directly via a LAN line or wirelessly) that may be accessible by multiple sources including device manufacturers, regulatory agencies, hospital administration, and the like. 
         [0033]    While particular examples of the inventory supply system are illustrated and described herein, those skilled in the art will understand that other configurations of the inventory supply system may be implemented. The foregoing description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment of the apparatus, and the general principles and features of the system and methods described herein will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Thus, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments of the apparatus and methods described herein and illustrated in the drawing figures, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the spirit and scope of the appended claims.