US5564803A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable nursing center
Assignee: Aesynt Inc
•
Filing: 1994-03-21
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Granted: 1996-10-15
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Expires: 2014-03-21
Abstract
Abstract A portable nursing center has a plurality of selectively locked patient drawers carried in a housing. Each of said drawers are movable between a given open position and a closed position each drawer sized and configured for holding pharmaceutical items which have been prescribed for a specific patient. A nurse enters a predetermined access data and other data, using a keyboard or bar code reader which may be removable from the nursing center. Entry of correct data causes the unit to selectively unlock the appropriate patient drawer or on demand drawer while maintaining other drawers in a locked condition. Whenever the patient is given medicine or otherwise treated the nurse enters or receives information pertinent to that treatment. The unit has a transmitter/receiver to transmit and receive such patient information.
Inventors
- 👤 Sean C. McDonald
- 👤 Robert H. McDonald
- 👤 Richard R. Lunak
- 👤 Aldo Zini
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:09
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F11/00; G07F11/62; A; A61; A61G; A61G12/00; A61G12/001; G07F17/00; G07F17/0092; G16; G16H; G16H20/00; G16H20/10; G16H20/13; A47; A47B; A47B31/00; A47B2031/003; A47B2031/006; G16H40/00; G16H40/60; G16H40/67; G16H70/00; G16H70/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
A portable nursing center comprising: a) a housing having a base and a plurality of wheels attached to the base; b) a plurality of drawers carried by the housing, each of said drawers being movable between a given position and a closed position at least some drawers sized and configured for holding pharmaceutical items which have been prescribed for a specific patient; c) a control unit for locking at least some of said drawers to prevent access thereto, said control unit including data entry means for entry of predetermined access data and other data, wherein the data entry means is removable from the nursing center and contains a transmitter for transmitting entered data to a transmitter/receiver, locking means for locking and unlocking the at least some of said drawers and a processing unit with an associated memory for unlocking at least one drawer in response to entry of access data and recording at least a portion of the access data; and d) a transmitter/receiver connected to the control unit for transmitting selected access data and other data from the portable nursing center to a remote receiver and for receiving data from a remote transmitter, the nursing center being sized and constructed so that when filled with pharmaceuticals and other nursing items, the nursing center can be moved through a nursing area by a single nurse.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
A portable nursing center comprising: a) a housing having a base and a plurality of wheels attached to the base; b) a plurality of drawers carried by the housing, each of said drawers being movable between a given position and a closed position at least some drawers sized and configured for holding pharmaceutical items which have been prescribed for a specific patient; c) a control unit for locking at least some of said drawers to prevent access thereto, said control unit including data entry means for entry of predetermined access data and other data, wherein the data entry means is removable from the nursing center and contains a transmitter for transmitting entered data to a transmitter/receiver, locking means for locking and unlocking the at least some of said drawers and a processing unit with an associated memory for unlocking at least one drawer in response to entry of access data and recording at least a portion of the access data; and d) a transmitter/receiver connected to the control unit for transmitting selected access data and other data from the portable nursing center to a remote receiver and for receiving data from a remote transmitter, the nursing center being sized and constructed so that when filled with pharmaceuticals and other nursing items, the nursing center can be moved through a nursing area by a single nurse.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The nursing center of claim 1 wherein the data entry means is comprised of at least one of a keyboard and a bar code reader.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The nursing center of claim 1 also comprising patient identification means affixed to at least one of the drawers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The nursing center of claim 1 wherein the control unit includes a memory and a processing unit, the memory containing a program which permits only authorized users to enter data and remove selected pharmaceuticals from the nursing center.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The nursing center of claim 1 also comprising a receiver connected to the control unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The nursing center of claim 1 also comprising a writing surface sized and positioned to be used by a care-giver to record information about patient care.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nursing center of claim 1 also comprising a touch screen connected to the control unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The nursing center of claim 1 wherein the data entry means is at least one of a keyboard and a bar code reader.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The nursing center of claim 1 also comprising a display connected to the control unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nursing center of claim 1 wherein the display may also function as a touch screen.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The nursing center of claim 1 also comprising a printer connected to the control unit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The nursing center of claim 1 also comprising an equipment holder attached to the housing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The nursing center of claim 1 also comprising at least one spring attached to at least one patient drawer, the spring being sized and positioned to bias the patient drawer to extend from the housing when the patient drawer is unlocked.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The nursing center of claim 1 wherein the housing contains a top at least a portion of the top being sized and positioned to serve as a writing surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The nursing center of claim 1 also comprising a handle attached to the housing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The portable nursing center of claim 1 wherein the control unit and lock means can selectively lock and unlock at least some of said drawers while maintaining other drawers in a locked position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
236 words
A portable nursing center comprising: a) a housing having a base and a plurality of wheels attached to the base; b) a plurality of drawers carried by the housing, each of said drawers being movable between a given position and a closed position, at least some drawers sized and configured for holding pharmaceutical items which have been prescribed for a specific patient; c) at least one removable partition positioned between adjacent drawers, wherein the at least one removable partition is sized and positioned to permit one larger drawer to be substituted for at least two smaller drawers when the removable partition is removed; d) a control unit for locking at least some of said drawers to prevent access thereto, said control unit including data entry means for entry of predetermined access data and other data, lock means for locking and unlocking the at least some of said drawers and a processing unit with an associated memory for locking at least one drawer in response to entry of access data and recording at least a portion of the access data; and e) a transmitter connected to the control unit for transmitting selected access data and other data from the portable nursing center to a remote receiver, the nursing center being sized and constructed so that when filled with pharmaceuticals and other nursing items, the nursing center can be moved through a nursing area by a single nurse.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
236 words
A portable nursing center comprising: a) a housing having a base and a plurality of wheels attached to the base; b) a plurality of drawers carried by the housing, each of said drawers being movable between a given position and a closed position, at least some drawers sized and configured for holding pharmaceutical items which have been prescribed for a specific patient; c) at least one removable partition positioned between adjacent drawers, wherein the at least one removable partition is sized and positioned to permit one larger drawer to be substituted for at least two smaller drawers when the removable partition is removed; d) a control unit for locking at least some of said drawers to prevent access thereto, said control unit including data entry means for entry of predetermined access data and other data, lock means for locking and unlocking the at least some of said drawers and a processing unit with an associated memory for locking at least one drawer in response to entry of access data and recording at least a portion of the access data; and e) a transmitter connected to the control unit for transmitting selected access data and other data from the portable nursing center to a remote receiver, the nursing center being sized and constructed so that when filled with pharmaceuticals and other nursing items, the nursing center can be moved through a nursing area by a single nurse.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The nursing center of claim 17 wherein the control unit and lock means can selectively lock and unlock at least some of said drawers while maintaining other drawers in a locked position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The nursing center of claim 17 also comprising patient identification means affixed to at least one of the drawers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The nursing center of claim 1 also comprising a handle attached to the housing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The nursing center of claim 1 wherein the housing contains a top, at least a portion of the top being sized and positioned to serve as a writing surface.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
The nursing center of claim 17 wherein the control unit includes a memory and a processing unit, the memory containing a program which permits only authorized users to enter data and remove selected pharmaceuticals from the nursing center.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The nursing center of claim 1 also comprising a receiver connected to the control unit.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The nursing center of claim 1 also comprising a writing surface sized and positioned to be used by a care-giver to record information about patient care.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nursing center of claim 1 also comprising a touch screen connected to the control unit.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The nursing center of claim 1 wherein the data entry means is at least one of a keyboard and a bar code reader.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The nursing center of claim 1 also comprising a display connected to the control unit.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nursing enter of claim 1 wherein the display may also function as a touch screen.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The nursing center of claim 1 also comprising a printer connected to the control unit.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The nursing center of claim 1 also comprising an equipment holder attached to the housing.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
41 words
The nursing center of claim 1 also comprising at least one spring attached to at least one patient drawer, the spring being sized and positioned to bias the patient drawer to extend from the housing when the patient drawer is unlocked.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
The nursing center of claim 17 also comprising a receiver attached to the nursing cart for receiving data from a remote transmitter.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
The nursing center of claim 32 wherein the data entry means is removable from the nursing center and contains a transmitter for transmitting entered data to the receiver.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
The nursing center of claim 33 wherein the data entry means is comprised of at least one of a keyboard and a bar code reader.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-10-15 | 2000-04-15 | 2000-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-15 | 2004-04-15 | 2004-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-15 | 2008-04-15 | 2008-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |