B65G51/34

Instrument conveyance using a shuttle

A system for instrument conveyance may include a shuttle device including an internal compartment for containing instruments; at least one handling unit configured to dispense instruments, where the handling unit includes: an opening mechanism configured to open the shuttle device to expose the internal compartment of the shuttle device, and a loading mechanism configured to load instruments into the internal compartment of the shuttle device; at least one head unit configured to obtain input from a user in connection with a transaction involving instruments; and a transportation system disposed between the at least one handling unit and the at least one head unit, where the transportation system is configured to transport the shuttle device between the at least one handling unit and the at least one head unit.

Multiple dock station for pneumatic transport system

Provided herein is a pneumatic tube system station having a rotating carriage with multiple carrier ports. The multiple carrier ports allow for receiving multiple carriers and/or staging multiple carries for dispatch. In one arrangement, one or more carriers may be securely maintained within the station while permitting users to continue utilizing the station.

Multiple dock station for pneumatic transport system

Provided herein is a pneumatic tube system station having a rotating carriage with multiple carrier ports. The multiple carrier ports allow for receiving multiple carriers and/or staging multiple carries for dispatch. In one arrangement, one or more carriers may be securely maintained within the station while permitting users to continue utilizing the station.

Sharps disposing system and method
09549784 · 2017-01-24 ·

Systems, methods, and modes for automatic disposal of sharps in a medical environment via a pneumatic tube system and without a dedicated carrier from one of a plurality of dispersed sending stations to a secured central location. The system comprises a plurality of sending stations, a receiving stations routably connected to the plurality of sending stations via the pneumatic tubing and comprising a receiving container configured for storing sharps received via multiple deliveries, and a pump configured for creating a pressure differentiation within the pneumatic tubing for transmitting the sharps from one of the sending stations to the receiving station. The receiving container may be replaced by another receiving container when the receiving container is full.

Medical object distribution system and method
09539178 · 2017-01-10 ·

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.