Medical object distribution system and method

摘要

Systems, methods, and modes for distribution of medical objects, such as medicines, from a sending station at a pharmacy or a nursing station to one of a plurality of receiving stations located by the patient's bedside via pneumatic tubing without a dedicated carrier. The system is a one-way system configured for allowing the medical object to travel in one direction from a sending station to one of the receiving stations. The pneumatic tube system comprises a sending station, a plurality of receiving stations routably connected to the sending station via the pneumatic tubing, a pump, and a system controller in signal communication with the sending station, the receiving station, and the pump. The system controller receives delivery information from the sending station, identifies an intended receiving station using the delivery information, and sends commands to the pneumatic tube system to control routing of the medical object from the sending station to the identified receiving station in the pneumatic tubing.

主权项

1. A pneumatic tube system that distributes medical objects in a medical environment without a dedicated carrier, comprising:
a sending station comprising a housing having a first opening on its front face for receiving a medical object and a second opening in communication with pneumatic tubing for transporting the medical object from the sending station, wherein the second opening comprises a funnel portion that tapers from a wide end to a narrow end, wherein the wide end is in communication with the first opening and wherein the narrow end is in communication with a terminal end of the pneumatic tubing, wherein the funnel portion is configured for guiding the medical object into the pneumatic tubing; a plurality of receiving stations routably connected to the sending station via the pneumatic tubing; a pump configured for creating a pressure differentiation within the pneumatic tubing for transmitting the medical object from the sending station to one of the receiving stations; a system controller in signal communication with the sending station, the receiving station, and the pump, the system controller comprises a processor and a memory encoding one or more processor-executable instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause acts to be performed comprising:
receiving delivery information from the sending station;identifying an intended receiving station using the delivery information; andsending commands to the pneumatic tube system to control routing of the medical object from the sending station to the identified receiving station in the pneumatic tubing.