Multi-lidded Cartridge with Selective Latch Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated Dispensing Machines (ADMs) face challenges in restocking and efficiently dispensing single doses of medications, particularly controlled substances, due to the need for pharmacist involvement and space inefficiency in existing systems.
Innovation Solution
A multi-lidded cartridge system with individually actuated compartments that can be loaded and secured at a remote location, allowing secure transportation and easy installation into ADMs, enabling single-dose dispensing without access to other doses, and a dispensing system with a controller to command lid opening for secure access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If medications are loaded into fixed drawers of ADMs by pharmacists, then secure storage and dispensing is achieved, but pharmacist time is consumed and ADM availability to nurses decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the medication storage into multiple sealed, individual compartments within a single cartridge. Each compartment is independently sealed and can be opened only when the entire cartridge is authenticated and placed in the ADM. This segmentation allows pre-packaging of medications into ready-to-dispense units that maintain security while eliminating the need for pharmacist involvement in the loading process.
Solution Approach 2:
Medications are pre-packaged into sealed cartridges with individual compartments before being transported to the ADM. The cartridges are prepared in advance with medications organized in specific compartments, allowing for rapid loading into the ADM without requiring pharmacist intervention during the dispensing process. This preliminary preparation resolves the contradiction by maintaining security through pre-sealed compartments while improving productivity through faster loading.
2Reliability
If single-dose dispensing capability is provided, then access to larger stock is restricted, but existing products are complex and space-inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple single-dose compartments into a single integrated cartridge that functions as one secure unit. The cartridge merges authentication, sealing, and compartmentalization functions into a unified structure. When the cartridge is authenticated and placed in the ADM, all compartments become accessible simultaneously, providing single-dose control without requiring complex individual mechanisms for each dose. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining access control reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge design provides multi-functionality by serving as both the packaging container, the security mechanism, and the dispensing unit. A single cartridge can contain multiple medications or doses, and the same authentication mechanism controls access to all compartments. This universal design eliminates the need for separate complex mechanisms for each single-dose compartment, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable access control.
3Ease of operation
If multiple lids are individually actuated, then single-item dispensing is enabled, but the release mechanism must selectively engage only one latch
Solution Approach 1:
The release mechanism employs a dynamic, movable actuator that can be positioned at different locations along the cartridge to engage different latches. Rather than having multiple independent actuators, a single dynamic actuator moves to the required position based on which compartment needs to be opened. This dynamic approach enables single-item dispensing while reducing device complexity by using one movable component instead of multiple static ones.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a movable actuator as an intermediary between the control system and the multiple latches. The actuator translates control signals into selective latch engagement by moving to the appropriate position. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the overall system by providing a single point of control that can selectively engage any latch, rather than requiring direct control mechanisms for each individual latch.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4A~4C
Figure 5A~5E
AI summary
A cartridge for use in a dispensing system is disclosed. The cartridge includes a body having an exterior and a plurality of bins. A plurality of lids are movably attached to the body and are configured to cover a bin. A release mechanism is movable along an axis. A plurality of latches are movably attached to the body. Each latch is configured to secure the respective lid when in a first position and to release the respective lid when in a second position. The release mechanism will not cause a latch to move to the second position when the release mechanism is moving along the axis in a first direction. The release mechanism will cause a single latch to move to the second position while leaving the remaining latches in the first position when the release mechanism is moving along the axis in a second direction.