Patent Publication Number: US-9888774-B2

Title: Medication cabinetry

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/329,787, filed on Dec. 19, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/351,679, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,103,379, filed on Jan. 9, 2009, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter described herein relates generally to the field of cabinetry. In particular, the subject matter described herein relates to the medication cabinetry to securely store and/or controllably distribute medical items, instruments, articles, products, and the like. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One embodiment of the invention relates to a drawer assembly having at least one drawer with selectable access. The drawer assembly includes at least one drawer housing, and a drawer unit slidable therein. The drawer unit includes walls defining an interior, and a belt moveable relative to the drawer unit such that the belt provides a closure for the drawer unit. An opening in the belt provides access to a portion of the drawer unit interior. An electric actuator is coupled to the belt and a controller coupled to the actuator provides for controlled movement of the opening relative to the drawer interior in response to signals generated from a user interface. 
     Another embodiment of the invention relates to a cabinet having at least one drawer with selectable access. The cabinet includes at least one drawer housing, and a drawer unit slidable therein. The drawer unit includes walls defining an interior, and a cover slidable relative to the drawer unit such that the cover provides a closure for the drawer unit. The cover flexibly bends about a portion of the drawer unit, and an opening in the cover provides access to a portion of the drawer interior. An electric actuator is coupled to the cover and a controller coupled to the actuator provides for controlled movement of the opening relative to the drawer interior in response to signals generated from a user interface. 
     Yet another embodiment of the invention relates to an automated dispensing system. The system includes a cabinet which itself includes at least one drawer housing, and a drawer unit slidable therein with walls defining an interior. The cabinet also includes a flexibly bendable cover moveable relative to the drawer unit such that the cover provides a closure for the drawer unit. An opening in the cover provides access to a portion of the drawer interior. The system also includes an electric actuator coupled to the cover, a controller coupled to the actuator, and a user control interface coupled to the controller. The controller includes an electronic memory that holds access authorization information, cabinet contents information, and medical patient information. Signals generated from the controller allow a user to control the actuator which moves the opening relative to the drawer interior. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram of an item management system according to one invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an access-controlled cabinetry system according to one invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a drawer assembly according to one invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded, perspective view of a drawer unit according to one invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded, perspective view of a controllable insert according to one invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a first end of the controllable insert in  FIG. 5  according to one invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of a second end of the controllable insert in  FIG. 5  according to one invention. 
         FIG. 8  is an inside perspective view of a shell and latch according to one invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Medical items, such as medications, medical instruments and applicators, may require controlled-access storage to inhibit misuse, mistake, or theft. As such, doctors, nurses, technicians, pharmacists, and the like, may utilize medication cabinetry specifically designed to securely store and/or controllably distribute medical items, instruments, articles, products, and the like. A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides storage for which to securely store such items, where the cabinetry provides selectable access to the contents of drawers. While certain preferred embodiments of the invention may be specifically intended for use with medication cabinetry, it should be noted that the claimed technology can also be used in a variety of other secured-storage applications, such as by jewelers storing jewelry, weapons magazine operators storing ammunition, chemists storing chemicals, bankers storing contents of safe deposit boxes, and the like. 
       FIG. 1  presents a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an item management system  10  (also called a dispensing station). Such a system  10  may, for example, serve as a controlled-access medication system. The system  10  includes an electronic control system  14  that is coupled to a cabinet hardware  16 . The system  10  allows a system user to interact with the cabinet hardware  16  through the electronic control system  14 . For example, an authorized user may direct the electronic control system  14  to release locks in the cabinet hardware  16 , such that contents stored within the cabinetry  16  may be accessed by the authorized user. 
     The control system  14  in  FIG. 1  further includes a number of components coupled to a controller  20 , such as a user interface  22  (also called a terminal), a software  24  with a memory. The user interface  22  relays information signals between a user and controller  20 . The software  24  provides ordered logical algorithms used by the controller  20  to interact with the user, the memory, and the hardware  16 . Through the control system  14 , the user may manipulate portions of the cabinet hardware  16 . 
     The memory stores data in various databases on a server  30  (or hard drives, disks, and/or the like), including for example a cabinetry-contents information database, an authorization information database, and a client or patient information database. One exemplary control system embodiment includes a network of hospital computers, linked to medical patient-related data, medication cabinetry-contents data, and medical personnel authorization data. A user may access, add to, take from, and/or augment the data in the memory. However, other embodiments may not include a memory with databases related to contents, authorization, and/or client information. 
     The cabinet hardware  16  in  FIG. 1  further includes a drawer unit  50 , a drawer housing  52 , a latch  54 , and an actuator  40  coupled to both a movable access portion  42  of the drawer unit  50 , and a sensor  44 . One exemplary movable access portion is a belt with an access opening, wherein the belt is slidable about the drawer unit  50 . Another exemplary movable access portion is a flexible cover that bends about the drawer unit, wherein the cover has an opening. The cover flexibly bends in that it is actively bendable, as opposed to fixedly or rigidly bent. When the movable access portion  42  is in a closed position (e.g., an opening in the movable access portion is not aligned to access the drawer unit&#39;s interior), then the system  10  may prevent access to stored items, such as medication. Cabinets  90 ,  92  are both forms of stationary cabinetry, while cabinet  80  is movable on casters  82 . The control system  14  and cabinets  90 ,  92  are in wired communication through ports  70 . Information is relayed to cabinet  92  through cabinet  90  in a “daisy chain” linkage  74 . The control system  14  communicates with cabinet  80  through wireless communication  76 . Additional terminals  72  may also be connected to the server  30 . 
     However upon instruction, control signals from the controller  20  induce the actuator  40  to move the access portion  42  relative to the drawer unit  50 , from the closed position into an open position. Sensory data signals from the sensor  44  may then allow the controller  20  to detect the position and/or orientation of the access portion with respect to the drawer unit  50 . 
     Additionally, the latch  54  holds the drawer unit  50  fully within the drawer housing  52  (i.e., holds the drawer closed), such that a user could not access items within the drawer unit  50  even if the movable access portion  42  was in the open position. However, upon instruction, signals from the controller  20  induce the latch  52  to release the drawer unit  50 , allowing the drawer unit  50  to slide partially out of the drawer housing  52  by the user. With both the drawer unit  50  slid out of the drawer housing  52  and the movable access portion  42  in the open position, the user has access to the selected items. 
       FIG. 2  presents an access-controlled cabinetry system  110 , including a cabinetry  112  that is coupled (wireless or hardwired) to a controller  114  via electronic signaling. Cabinetry  110  includes a plurality drawer housings  122  sized to hold a plurality of drawer units  120 . The drawer units  120  may slide within the drawer housings  122 , such that an authorized user may access the contents of a drawer unit by sliding the drawer unit within the drawer housing to expose an access portion  132  of the drawer unit. In an exemplary embodiment, the controller  114  may emit electronic signals  116  to direct an actuator within the cabinetry  112  to adjust a movable cover  130  on a drawer unit  120  and/or to release a latch binding the drawer unit  120  to the drawer housing  122 . For example, a nurse may then slide the drawer unit  120  partially out of the cabinetry drawer housing  122  and then reach into the interior of the drawer unit  120  through the access portion  132  to retrieve a medication item. 
     The cabinetry  112  in the system  110  embodiment of  FIG. 2  shows individual drawer units  120  and drawer housings  122  in a variety of sizes. In other embodiments, all drawer units and drawer housings are of a uniform size and shape, such that the drawer units are interchangeable within a cabinetry. The drawer units  120  in the system  110  are box-shaped. In other embodiments, some drawer units are cylindrical, cubical, hexagonal in cross-section, or other shapes. 
     The controller  114  in the  FIG. 2  system  110  embodiment is a stand-alone laptop computer. The laptop contains software and memory dedicated to the operation of the cabinetry  112 . Other controller embodiments include personal computers, computers physically joined to the cabinetry, wireless remote controls (similar to typical television remote controls), hardwired remote controls, data entry ports, control circuitry, circuit boards, and the like. Instructions from a user via the controller  114  to the cabinetry  112  may direct a drawer unit  120  to position its cover  130  to allow access to contents stored in compartments within the interior of the drawer unit  120 . Additional instructions from the user via the controller  114  to the cabinetry  112  may direct a latch to release an individual drawer unit  120 , such that the drawer unit  120  may be free to slide within a drawer housing  122  in the cabinetry. In other embodiments, a controller may only control access to a subset of drawer units in a cabinetry. For example, a first controller may control access to a first subset of drawers; a second controller may control access to an overlapping, but larger second subset of drawers; and still third subset of drawers may not be affected by either controller. 
       FIG. 3  shows a drawer assembly  210  of drawer units  212  attached to a back wall  214  of cabinetry, where the drawer assembly  210  is analogous to a row  140  shown in the cabinetry  112  of  FIG. 2 . The drawer assembly  210  in  FIG. 3  includes eight drawer units  212  of uniform size and shape in two rows (or four columns), where each drawer unit  212  includes a face  224  and a slidable cover  220  with an opening  222 . The drawer unit  212  further includes a plurality of walls  230  that form a drawer unit interior  232  with individual compartments  234 . In some embodiments, the cover  220  may only be controllably slid when the drawer unit  212  is fully in a drawer housing. Upon sliding the drawer unit  212  from the drawer housing, spring-loaded connection pins separate drawer unit connectivity from the back wall  214  and electrical power is cut to an actuator attached to the cover  220 . In other embodiments, electrical power is not cut, but a signal directs the actuator not to slide the cover  220 . In some cabinetry embodiments, the drawer assembly in  FIG. 3  may be retrofit and inserted in place of an older drawer assembly. 
     The cover  220  forms a closure over the drawer unit interior compartments  234 , such that the cover  220  may block a user trying to reach the contents of a first compartment (not shown, because it would be beneath the cover  220  in  FIG. 3 ). At the same time, the opening  222  of the cover may allow the user access to a second compartment  234 . The cover  220  then can be slid by an actuator, repositioning the cover&#39;s opening  222  to instead allow access to the first compartment and form a closure with the second compartment. In other positions, the cover  220  may form a closure with both openings. 
     The back wall  214  includes circuitry board  240  (also called firmware, e.g., PROM) and a latch actuator  242  (e.g., a solenoid; motor with a pulley; mating electromagnets biased apart; and the like), both coupled to a controller that is analogous to the controller  114  in  FIG. 2 . The drawer unit  212  may slide along a slide rail  244  that extends from the back wall  214 , to slide relative to a drawer housing. However a latch attached to the back wall  214  may prohibit such sliding when the drawer unit is locked within a drawer housing (i.e., the latch may hold the drawer closed). The latch actuator  242  may then release the latch when directed by the controller. The back wall  214  may also include an interlock (e.g., a switch, spring pin connection, and the like) that can break electronic communication between the controller and the drawer unit  212  when the drawer unit  212  is partially slid outside a drawer housing such that a substantial portion of the drawer unit  212  is not located within the drawer housing. The portion is “substantial” when an unauthorized user could grip and pull the drawer unit  212  and/or cover in order to force access to interior compartments  234 . 
       FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of a drawer unit  310 , including three components: a drawer top frame  312  (also called a shell cover), a controllable insert  314 , and a drawer shell  316  (also called a drawer body). The insert  314  fits primarily within the shell  316 , and the frame with flanges fits over the top of the insert  314  and attaches to the shell  316  in order to prevent removal of the insert from the shell  316 . In some embodiments, the frame  312  can be tightened to the shell  316  by means of turning a thumb screw. The drawer shell  316  is sized to fit within a drawer housing, in a manner analogous to the drawer unit  120  and drawer housing  122  in  FIG. 2 . The insert  314  includes a slidable cover  320 , a sidewall  322 , and a pair of rollers  324 . The cover  320  may slide relative to the drawer unit  310  (i.e., components of the drawer unit other than the cover  320 ). In some embodiments, the insert  314  includes intermediary flanges extending from the insert sidewall  322  to contact the shell  316  in order to separate the insert cover  320  from contact with the shell  316 . In other embodiments intermediary flanges extend from the shell. 
       FIG. 5  shows an exploded, perspective view of a controllable insert  410 , including two components: a belt  412  and an insert body  414 . The body  414  includes a plurality of walls, such as dividers  430 ,  432 , and side walls  420 , that together form an interior  422  of the body with four compartments  424 . Items may be stored in the compartments  424 . Each longitudinal end  440  of the insert  414  includes a roller  440 , where the roller  440  is in the form of a sprocket  442  with teeth  444  that are attached to the sides of each roller  440 . Additionally, the belt  412  includes two perforated tracks  454 , one on each transverse side of the belt  412 . The belt  412  is sized to fit around the insert  414 , such that rotation of the sprockets  442 , with the teeth  444  tracking the belt  412  perforations, causes the belt  412  to slide relative to the compartments  424 . The belt  412  includes two openings, a larger opening  450  and a smaller opening  452 . 
     In the insert  410  embodiment, some of the dividers  430 ,  432  are fixed dividers  430  while other dividers are removable dividers  432  providing an optional wall. Fixed dividers  430  may be injection molded with the insert body  414 , glued, welded, etc. to the body  414 . Removable dividers  432  may be taken out of the insert  410  interior  422  in order to produce a larger compartment (e.g., a compartment formed when a divider  432  is removed). The larger opening  450  is sized to fit a larger compartment  424 , while the smaller opening  452  is sized to fit a smaller compartment  424 . For example, the insert  414  can have either two, three, or four compartments  424 , depending upon the use or removal of the removable inserts  432 . 
     While the  FIG. 5  embodiment shows four compartments  424 , other insert body embodiments include fewer or greater numbers of compartments. For example, variant embodiment insert bodies have ranges of one to a thousand compartments (e.g., for a long insert with single item access to one-thousand small items), but preferably between one and ten compartments, and even more preferably between one and four compartments, such as the four-compartmented embodiment insert body  410  shown in  FIG. 5 . Also, in the insert  410  embodiment the walls  420  form compartments  424 , each with an open side. However, in other embodiments, some compartments may include a lid. Some lids may be attached to a wall by a hinge, while other lids may be completely separable from the walls. When the slidable cover (or belt) positions an opening over the lid, the lid may be lifted allowing access to the contents of the compartment. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 5  is the belt  412 , which in some embodiments may be an indexing belt and/or a shutter. The belt  412  is made of a continuous material, such as about a 0.125 millimeter (or 0.005 inch) thick stainless steel sheet. Other embodiments include belts of a thicker clear mylar or polycarbonate sheet. Some embodiments include belts made from links, similar to the treads of a tank or the bands of some metal watches. The covers are preferably made to be flexible, such that they may bend about a portion of the insert, such as a roller. Bending of the cover allows for a more-compact design, because the unused portions of the cover may be stored beneath or inside the insert, instead of jutting out from the insert. In some embodiments, belts are sized to be much larger than the periphery of the insert, such that an excess length of belt is stretched back and forth beneath the insert via a series of rollers (much like a rope would extend back and forth in a pulley system or a block and tackle). The excess length of belt allows for additional openings of various sizes. Still other embodiments include flexible covers that are not belts. For example, some embodiments include rollers that are spools that wind the cover within or around the spool. Such covers are straps, strips, bands, and the like, and do not slide completely around the insert. Some embodiment covers form openings with reinforced cross edges, such as a folded-over stainless steel cover. The reinforcement can prevent sharp opening edges and help prevent unauthorized “fishing” between compartments, where a user has access to one compartment but then “fishes” by lifting the belt to reach items in an adjacent compartment. 
     The sprockets  442  in  FIG. 5  include teeth  444  for gripping the perforated belt track. Some embodiments include sprockets  442  injection molded from Celcon or Delrin materials, while other embodiments are cast or molded metals and composites. In other embodiments, the sprocket surfaces have a high-friction surface, such as sandpaper grit or a gripping rubber, for providing the sliding force on the belt (or other cover) without teeth. Still other embodiments included rollers that are bearings, bushings, ball bearings, wheels, cogs, cogwheels, and the like. Other embodiments include fixed rollers, such as rounded and/or lower-friction surfaces, such as a rounded Teflon-coated end. The use of teeth has some advantages, because the teeth may prevent misuse of the drawer unit by an unauthorized user pulling the cover to move a cover opening over a desired compartment. However, the same benefit may be achieved by adding a lock to the belt, such as a locking member that engages a belt perforation when the drawer unit is slid from its drawer housing, such as a spring latch. Some embodiments do not use rollers to impart a sliding force on the cover, but instead use mechanical arms with hooks attached the sides of the belt. The mechanical arms are actuated by electromagnets that pull or push the arms and/or solenoids (i.e., forms of electric actuator), causing the cover to slide relative to the compartments. Such embodiments may also use wheels, bearings, sprockets, and the like in conjunction with the arms. In some embodiments, the controller can drive the actuator in two directions (i.e., bi-directional movement). Bi-directional movement of the cover may allow for faster positioning of a cover opening than uni-directional sliding. 
       FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a first end of the controllable insert  414 , including sidewalls  434  and removable divider  432  forming an interior  422 , two sprockets  442 , and an end surface  460  (that was not shown in  FIG. 5  because it would have been beneath the end covers  440 ). The end surface forms a motor box  462  in which a DC motor  470  and gearing  472  are positioned. The DC motor  470  is coupled to the gearing  472  by a motor shaft (not shown), and the gearing  472  is coupled to a sprocket  442 . The motor  470  is also coupled to a controller, and the motor performs as an actuator under the direction of the controller to drive the sprocket, which pushes or pulls the cover  440 . Third, the motor  470  is coupled to a power source. Such a source could be an internal battery; a series of copper leads running through the insert connected to an outside source, such as an outlet; or the like. It should be recalled that an arm connected to an electromagnet could also be an actuator to push or pull the belt, as discussed above. In some embodiments, the gearing  472  is in the form of a high-reduction gear box that resists movement when not actuated, which may help to prevent unauthorized users from being able to manually force the cover open. 
       FIG. 7  shows a side cross-sectional view (as indicated in  FIG. 3 ) of a second side of the controllable insert  414 , including, a belt  412  (or other cover), a sprocket  442  with teeth  444 , and a side wall  434 . Also present in  FIG. 7  is a belt tensioning assembly  480  with tighteners  482  and a sensor assembly  490 , which includes an optical sensor  492  attached to the back wall  496  on one side of the belt  412  and a light source  494  on the other side of the belt. The tensioning assembly  480  allows for removal and tensioning of the belt  412  on the insert  414 . The sensor assembly provides belt  412  orientation information to a controller, so that the controller may operate a motor (or other actuator) in relation to a current and/or desired orientation of the belt  412  and a belt opening. 
     The embodiment of  FIG. 7  shows a form of tensioning assembly  480 . Tighteners  482  (e.g., screws; crisscrossing arms, i.e. similar to a jack to raise a car&#39;s chassis for repairing tires; a pulley system; and the like) can be tightened or loosed to push the sprockets  442  (or an entire insert  414  end) closer or further from the controllable insert  414  center. For example, actuating the tighteners  482  pushes the sprockets  442  further from the center of the insert  414 , thus adding tension to the belt (or other cover). A belt  412  with greater tension may help to prevent “fishing” between compartments. Tension in the belt also may help the sprocket  442  and teeth  444  to engage and grip the belt  412 . Other embodiment tensioning assemblies include springs in place of tighteners, where the sprockets must be manually pushed toward the center of the insert in order to fit the belt onto the insert. Then, when the belt is in position, the sprockets can be released and the springs add tension to the belt through the sprockets. Still other embodiment tensioning assemblies include automated tighteners, where a controller directs an actuator to drive the sprockets or insert ends to add tension to the belt. 
     The embodiment of  FIG. 7  shows a form of sensor assembly  490  that provides belt position information to the controller. In one embodiment, light passes from the light source  494  (e.g., light-emitting diodes, bulbs, etc.) through evenly-spaced perforations or apertures in the belt to the light sensor  492 . The controller, then counts the number of perforations detected by the sensor  492  to determine the relative position of the belt  412 . In other embodiments, the belt includes a series of small holes that are in coded sequences. The coded sequence varies at different positions on the belt, such that detection of the coded sequence by the sensor provides positional information to a controller. Still other embodiments do not include an optical sensor for detecting belt position. For example, at least one embodiment counts the rotations of the sprockets, and determines the orientation of the belt relative to a starting position (e.g., “counting teeth” of the sprocket). 
       FIG. 8  shows an inside perspective view of a shell  510  coupled to the back wall  512  of a cabinetry. A latch arm  520  is positioned beneath the bottom wall  530  of the shell  510  and a latch head  522  connects to the shell  510  through a gripping hole  532  (also called an internal strike) formed within the shell floor  530 . In some embodiments the internal strike  532  is reinforced, such as with an overlapping metal border fixed to the shell floor  530 . In other embodiments, the latch connects to a strike coupled to the outside of the shell. The latch arm  520  is coupled a latch actuator  514  that can be directed by a controller to release the latch, i.e. remove the latch head  522  from the hole  532 . Additionally the latch arm  520  is attached to a spring or other biasing member and automatically engages the shell  510  when the shell gripping hole  532  is placed over the latch head  522 . The latch may help prevent an unauthorized user from being able to slide a drawer unit within a drawer housing of a controlled-access cabinetry. However, after an authorized user has actuated the drawer unit cover to allow access to a compartment, the user may have the latch released via directions from the controller (i.e., the drawer unit unlocked from the cabinetry). Still other embodiments automatically unlock the drawer unit, without direct user instruction, when an authorized user may access the contents of the cabinetry. Present in  FIG. 4  is a security deflection tab  310  (also called a “fishability bracket”) to block misuse of the cabinetry by manipulating the latch from an above position, such as by drilling a hole in the top of a cabinet and reaching down through the hole with a rod to release the latch.  FIG. 8  also shows a fishability bracket  540  extending downward from the gripping hole  532  to block fishing from the front of the cabinetry. Other embodiments include deflection tabs extending from the shell  510 .  FIG. 8  shows a manual release plate  542  to release the latch  520  manually from the outside of cabinetry with key, code, and/or the like, such as during a power outage or with a controller malfunction. 
     It should be noted that for the purposes of this disclosure that the term “coupled” means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or moveable in nature and/or such joining may allow for the flow of electricity, electrical signals, or other types of signals or communication between two members. Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature. In the context of the controller and actuator, coupling generally means coupling components in electric signal communication. 
     It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the cabinetry as shown in the preferred and other exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. For example, the cabinetry may be used on a mobile cart with casters and an independent power supply (e.g., battery) such that it can be pushed by nurses to hospital rooms. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. In the claims, any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and/or omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention as expressed in the appended claims.