EP1923034B1 - Method and device for management of objects - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves transmitting movements to one of a set of objects from a set of individual housings (24) containing the set of objects, where the movements are chosen from extractions of the object outside its corresponding housing and reinsertion of the object into an empty housing among the set of the housings. The movement is automatically and instantaneously detected using a spring system and a pressure sensor (32), and the movement detection is utilized according to computing processes. An independent claim is also included for a device for implementing an object monitoring and managing method.

Description

The present invention relates generally to a method for managing objects as well as a device for its implementation.

More specifically, the invention relates to a method for monitoring and automated management of objects, in particular drugs in a hospital environment, this method consisting of a network of n individual dwellings containing a set of n objects, to transmitting, to at least one of these objects, one or more movements selected from extractions of said object out of its housing and re-introductions of this object into an empty housing among the n dwellings, to be detected automatically and instantly, by the intermediate of a pressure sensor, the movement realized and to exploit this detection according to computer processes.

To date, there is no computer system in a hospital environment for the complete management of drugs, such a system not being marketed. For this reason, this management is practiced at least partially manually.

Since nurses may have access to any type of medication for administration, it is almost impossible to know exactly the nature and quantity of each medication administered to a patient for billing purposes. This situation is all the more real and worrying in emergency circumstances because in ordinary situations it is possible to imagine that nurses can record on a form medicines administered to a patient which is, in any case, a waste of time.

On the other hand, the supply of local pharmacies, ie decentralized pharmacies in each hospital service, is usually done at regular intervals, for example, every day or every two days following an inspection. operated in these pharmacies where missing drugs are listed, noted and ordered at the hospital's central pharmacy. As a result, a member of the nursing staff may be required to move unnecessarily, with no replenishment necessary after verification.

The management of narcotics and anesthetic products deserves special attention. Indeed, these drugs are a class whose control of transit through local pharmacies must be organized scrupulously. However, these controls were often too weak or so complex that they caused a loss of time.

As for the invoicing of medicines to the patients, this is established in most cases, on the basis of the prescriptions made by the doctors and notes of the nurses. As a result, it is not always possible to know precisely the drugs actually administered so that the billing of these drugs to the patient is based more on the type of pathology treated than on the actual delivery of drugs. .

It has been described in the patent application WO 2004/014189 a method for managing objects which involves housing containing objects and, in particular, a single object per housing. In that case Specific different means for detecting the removal of this object from its housing are provided including pressure sensors. However, no indication whatsoever appears in this document as to the implementation of such a pressure sensor for the detection of this withdrawal.

It appears, therefore, highly important to have a hospital drug management system that is fully automated excluding any manual intervention including billing of these drugs to patients. Ideally, this system should ensure the automation not only of the monitoring of the stock of drugs in local pharmacies involving the supply of medicines but also the recording of the withdrawal of drugs from these pharmacies to a patient. . This system should also manage the automation of restricted access authorization for secure drugs such as narcotics as well as the recording of drug invoices in the hospital's billing device.

Accordingly, the present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the state of the art by proposing a method of monitoring and automatic management of objects which is simple, rational and flexible application particularly for the management and automatic monitoring of drugs in hospitals, especially for billing, drugs actually administered to a patient.

1. a. lors d'une introduction d'un objet dans ledit logement, en transformant la force nécessaire à l'écartement des deux lamelles en une force perpendiculaire au capteur de pression laquelle résulte en une pression sur ce capteur et un contact avec celui-ci, ce qui génère une information de mouvement,
2. b. lors d'un retrait d'un objet hors dudit logement, en provoquant le rapprochement des deux lamelles et conséquemment la rupture d'un contact préétabli avec le capteur de pression, ce qui génère une information de mouvement.

To achieve this goal, the method of the type indicated above is characterized in that a movement of introduction of an object in an empty housing or of removal of an object from a housing, this housing being formed of a spring system comprising two lamellae secured to a support block, is detected:

1. at. during an introduction of an object into said housing, by transforming the force required to separate the two lamellae into a force perpendicular to the pressure sensor which results in a pressure on this sensor and a contact therewith, that generates motion information,
2. b. during removal of an object from said housing, causing the bringing together of the two lamellae and consequently the breaking of a pre-established contact with the pressure sensor, which generates a motion information.

The above method can be applied in various fields where there is the obligation to automatically record movements of objects among a stock thereof for the management of this stock. However, in some applications, it is necessary in addition to knowing the individual who made this movement of objects and / or in the name of what physical or moral person this movement was made.

This need appears to be essential in a hospital environment where the handling of certain potentially dangerous products such as narcotics should only be allowed to certain members of the hospital staff.

Thus, the method according to the invention makes it possible in particular, by implementing appropriate computer processes exploiting the motion detection in question, to monitor and manage a stock of objects, particularly the monitoring of the stock of drugs. in the various pharmacies established within the hospital, the registration of medicines administered to a patient for example for their automatic billing to the patient or the registration of hospital staff members, doctors or nurses, who proceeded to donated medication movements.

• créer et à stocker, dans la mémoire d'une unité de traitement informatique, des données propres à un ensemble d'objets et/ou d'individus,
• constituer un réseau de n logements individuels pour l'ensemble desdits objets,
• déposer dans les n logements un desdits objets par logement de façon que le réseau contienne un nombre égal à n objets,
• transmettre à l'unité de traitement informatique une information mémorisée d'identification d'un individu mémorisé.

Accordingly, according to another of its aspects, the method according to the invention is characterized in that the step of transmitting movements to objects is preceded by the following sequence of steps which consist of:

• create and store, in the memory of a computer processing unit, data specific to a set of objects and / or individuals,
• constitute a network of n individual dwellings for all of the said objects,
• depositing in the n slots one of said objects per housing so that the network contains a number equal to n objects,
• transmitting to the computer processing unit stored information of identification of a stored individual.

Furthermore, according to a particular aspect, the method according to the invention is characterized in that the motion detection step is followed by a step of transmitting, to the computer processing unit, identification information. of this movement which takes into account in the stored data of the individual respectively the addition or the withdrawal of the object.

• un réseau de n logements individuels aptes à accueillir un ensemble de n objets, chaque logement étant pourvu d'un moyen de détection automatique de mouvements de l'objet initialement déposé dans un des n logements, ce moyen de détection comprenant un capteur de pression et ces mouvements étant choisis parmi des extractions dudit objet de son logement et des ré-introductions de cet objet dans un logement vide parmi les n logements du réseau,
• des moyens aptes à transformer cette détection de mouvement en une information d'identification de ce mouvement représenté par un retrait ou une réintroduction,
• ainsi que des moyens aptes à recueillir cette information d'identification de mouvement et à exploiter celle-ci au niveau d'une unité de traitement informatique, ce dispositif étant caractérisé en ce que le moyen de détection de mouvement comprend également un système à ressort pourvu de deux lamelles aptes à s'éloigner l'une de l'autre lors de l'introduction d'un objet entre elles ou à se rapprocher l'une de l'autre lors du retrait d'un objet inséré entre elles.

According to another of its aspects, the invention relates to a device for implementing the method of the invention above, which device comprises:

• a network of n individual dwellings able to accommodate a set of n objects, each dwelling being provided with means for automatically detecting movements of the object initially deposited in one of the n housings, this detecting means comprising a pressure sensor and these movements being chosen from extractions of said object from its housing and re-introductions this object in an empty slot among the n dwellings of the network,
• means capable of transforming this motion detection into information identifying this movement represented by a withdrawal or reintroduction,
• as well as means capable of collecting this movement identification information and using it at a computer processing unit, this device being characterized in that the motion detection means also comprises a spring system provided two slats adapted to move away from each other during the introduction of an object between them or to get closer to each other when removing an object inserted between them.

In particular, the device for implementing the method of the invention is characterized in that it comprises a central computer data processing unit comprising a stored database specific to a set of n objects and / or individuals, as well as means capable of transmitting the movement identification information to the data processing unit and to record and store it in the database of objects and / or individuals.

The above device for object management essentially relies on a means of automatic, electronic and instantaneous detection of movements objects relative to a housing containing or likely to contain this object, this system being managed by computer software.

This detection means can be advantageously used to record withdrawals of pharmaceutical products out of dwellings in which they are initially arranged or, as necessary, to record re-introductions of these products in dwellings intended initially to contain them.

Thus, according to another of its aspects, the device according to the invention is characterized in that the spring system comprises two symmetrical lamellae each formed of an upper wing and a lower wing hinged together and forming at rest an angle obtuse, these slats being positioned back to back at their articulation, in that the upper wings are configured to form together a housing for the object and in that the lower wings are interconnected by a spring wire which cooperates with a push button adapted to move perpendicularly to the pressure sensor until it comes into contact with it or free from it.

Advantageously, and according to a particular characteristic of the invention, each detection means forming part of the network of n housings comprises a spring system, usually arranged in a support block, and a pressure sensor. This spring system, which essentially constitutes the housing accommodating or intended to receive the object, makes it possible to transform the force necessary for the insertion of this object into this housing into a force perpendicular to a pressure sensor and, by even there, in a pressure on this one. This pressure is also independent of the dimensions of the object housed or to accommodate in particular its diameter if it is a cylindrical object.

According to a particular and preferred embodiment, this spring system itself comprises two symmetrical lamellae usually molded from a thermoplastic material such as a polyamide. These slats are each formed of two wings, an upper wing and a lower wing hinged together and each forming at rest an obtuse angle. On the other hand, these slats are positioned back to back at their hinge so that the obtuse angles in question are opposed by their top. Usually, the two upper wings are configured to form together the housing for receiving the object while the lower wings are interconnected by a spring wire which cooperates with a push button capable of moving vertically, that is to say - say perpendicular to a sensor, until it comes into contact with it or free from it.

The spring system thus formed is secured to a support usually a support block in which it is arranged to be fixed preferably removably.

Generally, this block is formed of four longitudinal walls joined by their longitudinal edges thus delimiting a volume devoid of transverse walls of base and vertex. In this volume is a tubular portion parallel to these walls and having at least one longitudinal groove, usually two grooves. This tubular portion is secured to the walls via arms rigid so that these grooves can cooperate by sliding with longitudinal reliefs lining the outer wall of the push button. In addition, the opposite upper edges of two of these transverse walls are configured to participate in fixing the spring system within this volume. This attachment is advantageously effected by means of the upper wings of this system and more particularly the upper edges thereof so that the spacing of these upper wings remains constant whether an object is present or not in the housing that they form.

Usually, these wings are secured to the walls in question by conventional means, for example by means of tenons. These tenons, derived from the extension of the two upper edges of the upper flanges, cooperate with orifices formed in two opposite walls of the support block or, preferably, with notches formed in the edges of these two opposite walls.

Furthermore, the support of the spring system, preferably the support block, is itself secured to a support plate of the pressure sensor so that it is positioned in the extension of the displacement of the push button.

This attachment, which is preferably removable, can be made by any appropriate known means, in particular by means of hooks coming from the lower edges of the support block, these cooperating, by engagement, with orifices formed in the pressure sensor support plate. .

This pressure sensor advantageously corresponds to a device that converts pressure, weight and force into a measurable electrical resistance. The value of this resistance, as well as its sensitivity, can be adapted, as required, by modifying the topology of the sensor and selecting the materials suitable for the specific application envisaged. In addition, this sensor can be used in extreme conditions or special circumstances, for example in the presence of a low pressure and / or a low temperature or on the contrary high or mounting on difficult surfaces.

The spring system of which a portion forms the housing for the object, the support block and the associated pressure sensor together form the means of automatic detection of objects.

• en juxtaposition les uns aux autres pour former un ensemble compact, ou
• en sous-groupes ou modules juxtaposés les uns aux autres, chaque module étant formé d'au moins deux moyens de détection en question dont les parois adjacentes sont juxtaposées ou fusionnées entre elles, ou
• en un ou plusieurs modules tels que précédemment complétés par un ou plusieurs moyens de détection en question complètement isolés, ou
• de manière complètement isolée.

The network of n housings, which is part of the device for implementing the method according to the invention comprises, therefore, n automatic detection means arranged for example:

• in juxtaposition with each other to form a compact assembly, or
• in subgroups or modules juxtaposed to each other, each module being formed of at least two detection means in question whose adjacent walls are juxtaposed or merged together, or
• in one or more modules as previously completed by one or more detection means in question completely isolated, or
• completely isolated.

According to particular embodiments mentioned above, two adjacent walls of two detection means support blocks may be juxtaposed or even fused into a single wall common to these two support blocks. In such a configuration, the support plates of the pressure sensors of the detection means concerned are brought together in juxtaposition by their adjacent edges.

Similarly, the support plates of two detection means whose two adjacent walls are fused are themselves merged by their adjacent edges. Thus, according to an advantageous embodiment, the various support plates of the n pressure sensors of a network are, after juxtaposition between them, merged by their adjacent edges into a single support plate.

Usually, all the pressure sensors of the network of n housings is managed by an electronic card which performs the intermittent or, preferably, permanent scanning of these sensors. This scanning thus makes it possible to detect the nature of movements possibly transmitted to the various objects distributed in the housing network, namely an introduction into an empty housing, reflecting the presence of an object in this housing, detected by the contacting with this pressure sensor and extraction out of a housing, translating the absence of object in this housing, detected by the release of a contact with this pressure sensor. This detection then generates motion information that is transmitted to the central computer processing unit for its exploitation as needed.

The automatic detection means described above can be used for the detection of movements of an object compatible with the dimensions of the housing intended to accommodate it. Moreover, this object will be of solid consistency and of sufficient rigidity to cause, when introduced into this housing or its withdrawal from it, respectively a pressure on the upper wings of the spring system or a release of this pressure.

Various objects meeting these criteria may be envisaged in particular, and without limitation, bottles, vials, tubes, boxes or the like, these being for example glass, metal, rigid plastic material, rigid cardboard or the like and containing for example liquids such as beverages, cosmetics, cleaning agents, cleaning products, crop protection products or other.

According to a particular and preferred embodiment, the objects intended for management, according to the method and device of the invention, are represented by drugs, that is to say pharmaceutical and / or veterinary products, possibly in packaging or by medical or surgical devices or apparatus arranged in a packaging if necessary.

Accordingly, these drugs and devices or medical or surgical devices, in packaging or not, will be designated later, in general, by "medical or surgical products".

The drugs in question may be in any solid, flexible, semi-solid, liquid pharmaceutical form or in the form of pressurized pharmaceutical preparations.

By way of nonlimiting examples, these different pharmaceutical forms can be chosen from cachet, tablet, soft capsule, dragee, capsule, chewing gum, granule, pill, oral powder, powder for injection, suppository, ovum, transdermal device, poultice, cream, plaster, gel, paste, ointment, eye drops, oral emulsion, otic drop, lotion, mousse, shampoo, syrup, oral or injectable solution, oral suspension, oral liquid, preparation for inhalation in the nebulizer, pressurized or powdered inhaler .

Given their consistency, size or weight not adapted for use according to the invention, most of the galenic forms mentioned above will be arranged in a container that meets the criteria of solidity and rigidity mentioned above, for example a tube, preferably cylindrical .

• une unité centrale de traitement informatique de données comprenant une base de données mémorisées propres à un ensemble de n produits médicaux ou chirurgicaux, habituellement des médicaments, et/ou d'individus représentés essentiellement par des membres du personnel médical hospitalier notamment des médecins et infirmiers,
• au moins un chariot interactif pourvu de moyens EDD répartis en réseaux disposés dans un ou plusieurs tiroirs de ce chariot,
• au moins une armoire de stockage de produits médicaux ou chirurgicaux munie de moyens EDD répartis en réseaux disposés dans un ou plusieurs tiroirs de cette armoire,
• au moins une borne interactive fonctionnant comme terminal de communication et de commandes vers l'unité centrale de traitement informatique et les armoires.

In such an application of the invention, application intended in particular to the hospital environment, the means for electronic and automatic detection of movements of medical or surgical products, hereinafter also referred to as "EDD means"("electronic detection of drugs") and the computer software related to their operation form a group of elements completed by a specific hardware incorporating these elements including:

• a central computer data processing unit comprising a stored database specific to a set of n medical or surgical products, usually drugs, and / or individuals represented essentially by members of the hospital medical staff including doctors and nurses,
• at least one interactive carriage provided with EDD means distributed in networks arranged in one or more drawers of this carriage,
• at least one storage cabinet for medical or surgical products provided with EDD means distributed in networks arranged in one or more drawers of this cabinet,
• at least one interactive terminal functioning as a communication terminal and commands to the central computer processing unit and the cabinets.

The various elements of the group mentioned above are interconnected according to autonomous subgroups of constituents, usually two such subgroups, namely a "cabinet subgroup" composed of an interactive terminal and at least one fixed cabinet such as previously and a "trolley subgroup" consisting of a single mobile trolley as previously.

Each subgroup is connected to the central computer unit via a network, preferably wireless, for example of the Wi-Fi type.

• la figure 1 est une représentation schématique d'un dispositif pour la mise en oeuvre de la méthode de gestion de médicaments selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une représentation en perspective d'un chariot compris dans le dispositif à la figure 1,
• les figures 3 et 4 sont des représentations en perspective d'un bloc support modulaire,
• la figure 5 est une représentation en perspective d'un bloc support modulaire pourvu d'un système à ressort,
• les figures 6 et 7 sont des représentations en perspective d'un système à ressort,
• la figure 8 est une représentation en perspective d'un tiroir pourvu d'une plaque support de capteurs de pression et d'un module formé de moyens EDD,
• la figure 9 est une représentation schématique d'une coupe frontale A-A d'un système à ressort et d'une plaquette support d'un capteur de pression,
• la figure 10 est une représentation d'une armoire destinée à contenir des moyens EDD,
• la figure 11 est une représentation d'une borne pour la gestion de l'armoire à la figure 10.

The invention will be better understood and other objects, features and advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the following explanatory description made with reference to the accompanying drawings given solely by way of examples illustrating various embodiments of the invention. the invention and in which:

• the figure 1 is a schematic representation of a device for implementing the drug management method according to the invention,
• the figure 2 is a perspective representation of a cart included in the device at the figure 1 ,
• the Figures 3 and 4 are perspective representations of a modular support block,
• the figure 5 is a perspective representation of a modular support block provided with a spring system,
• the Figures 6 and 7 are perspective representations of a spring system,
• the figure 8 is a perspective representation of a drawer provided with a pressure sensor support plate and a module formed by EDD means,
• the figure 9 is a schematic representation of a front cut AA of a spring system and a support plate of a pressure sensor,
• the figure 10 is a representation of a cabinet intended to contain EDD means,
• the figure 11 is a representation of a terminal for the management of the cabinet to the figure 10 .

As shown in figure 1 , the device for implementing the method according to the invention for managing drugs in a hospital environment comprises interactive carts 1 incorporating one or more drawers provided with automatic detection means, or EDD means for the detection of drugs, cupboards 2 provided with drawers containing EDD means, interactive terminals 3 and a central processing unit 4 (central server).

The various elements of this group are interconnected into subgroups, namely three "trolley subgroups" each comprising a trolley 1 and two "cabinet subgroups" each comprising cabinets 2 and a terminal 3.

Generally, trolleys and terminals are connected to the central server by Wi-Fi type networks based on the TCP / IP protocol while the terminals are connected to cabinets via RS 485 networks usually based on an internal protocol at the hospital.

The device according to the invention thus designed is then also connected via a Wi-Fi network to different entities of the hospital in general to its central pharmacy, its administrative system and its accounting system.

I CART AND MEANS FOR DETECTING MOVEMENTS

The carriage 1, visible at figure 2 , comprises side walls 5, a transverse wall 6 forming a bottom and a transverse wall 7 defining a work plane. These walls are usually metal, made for example of aluminum or stainless steel.

The assembly thus formed is attached to means capable of ensuring its movement, namely wheels 8 which can be omitted to make this carriage stationary.

On the other hand, the carriage in question is also provided, in its interior, a computer processing unit (not shown) provided with memory elements, usually a personal computer connected to different devices. These include a screen 9, preferably touch screen where all functions are accessible by a simple action on it, a keyboard with a pointer system integrated in a drawer 10, a barcode reader (not shown) allowing or to identify an individual such as a patient or a member of the hospital staff or to scan a drug for example for billing a patient, a printer (not shown) for example to the impression identification labels for medicinal preparations and an electronic card (not shown) capable of managing the central carriage. The figure 2 also shows through the 9 neighboring screen with a series of 9 'shelves for storing various products or objects.

Incidentally, this carriage may be provided with a mouse intended for the use of the operator, a port for loading or unloading data from another computer processing unit or a modem for loading / unloading data. from another computer processing unit via a telephone line or a wireless link for example Wi-Fi type.

It will also be mentioned that this trolley is autonomous and is also provided with a clean energy supply which keeps it in operation during travel. On the other hand, its infrastructure makes it completely scalable and capable of applications for example in the operating room, recovery room, intensive care however without the need to modify its computer equipment.

Referring back to figure 2 it is furthermore noted that the front face of this carriage is occupied by different drawers 11: one of them, accessible via an unlocking code, is intended for high security products such as narcotics, the others each have a set or network of EDD means for the electronic, automatic and instant detection of drugs.

These EDD means, for example 30 in number per network, are distributed in a plurality of subsets or modules. These can group a number arbitrary means EDD determined for example according to the size of the network to be formed, the dimensions of the drawer for containing it or other parameters. For example, an EDD means module can group three means of this type developed from three support blocks.

The Figures 3 and 4 show such a set of three support blocks 12, 13, 14 configured as a modular support block. As can be seen, the three blocks in question are delimited each by walls 15, parallel in pairs while the adjacent walls of two contiguous blocks are fused together in walls 16.

Generally, this modular support block is obtained from a plastic material capable of ensuring very good rigidity to the assembly, for example acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

This modular support block is then juxtaposed with other similar blocks through their longitudinal walls whose upper edges are provided with hooks 17. These hooks serve as a support for the fixation of drug identification plates showing their names or arbitrary color codes for their designation. This juxtaposition thus forms a series of modular support blocks. Several series of such suites of modular blocks are thus developed and arranged in juxtaposition for the constitution of the network in its entirety.

Referring back to figure 4 it is observed that within the modular block, the support blocks 12, 13, 14 are each completed by a tubular portion 18, parallel to the walls 15, centered in the interior volume of this block and secured by rigid arms 19 to the walls in question.

As shown in figure 5 each support block contains a spring system, a portion of which is equivalent to a housing for receiving a medication. This spring system, visible Figures 6 and 7 comprises two lamellae 20, 20A generally integrally molded from a plastic material, preferably polyoxymethylene (POM). These slats articulated respectively at 21, 21A, form, at rest, an obtuse angle, each of them comprising an upper flange respectively 22, 22A and a lower flange respectively 23, 23A. As we also observe at Figures 5 to 7 , the walls of the wings 20, 20A located opposite, each have a curvature such that the combination of these two curvatures form a substantially conical volume equivalent to the housing 24 adapted to accommodate a drug unit. Generally, the dimensions of this housing will be sufficient to receive a drug or a packaging of a drug with a width ranging for example from 9 mm to 25 mm.

On the other hand, the lower wings 23, 23A are interconnected by a spring wire 25 whose ends 26, 26A are bent hook cooperating with the edges of these lower wings through the orifices 27, 27A. This assembly is completed by a push button 28 advantageously ABS. This one, visible in particular to the figure 6 , is integral with the spring 25 and has diametrically opposed longitudinal projections 29 which cooperate, by sliding, with grooves 30 formed longitudinally in the tubular portion 18.

As shown schematically in figure 9 , the spring system thus produced overhangs a plate 31, for example stainless steel and a thickness of about 2 mm. This plate provides support for a pressure sensor 32 positioned in the extension of the tubular portion 28. This pressure sensor is fixed, for example by gluing to the support plate, which is covered, in its entirety, with a film 33 about 1 mm of a protective material, for example silicone.

The value of the resistance of these sensors, during a contact with a drug, is of the order of 1500 Ω and more than 10 000 Ω in the absence of contact, which allows to perform a faultless detection of the product.

Referring back to figure 6 it is also observed that the edges of the upper wings of the spring system extend, on either side, into four pins 34 which are able to fit into notches 35 formed at the upper edges of two parallel walls of the support block.

As it also appears in figure 3 , the lower edges of the modular block further have hooks 36. These hooks are intended to engage in notches 37 formed in the plate 31, visible at the figure 8 . This plate covers the entire base of the module 38 which, represented by way of example, comprises, introduced into EDD means, a drug packaged in a bulb 39.

On the other hand, it is observed that each half of the bottom of the drawer shown is covered with three plates 31, each of them supporting a network, for example EDD means developed from 10 modular blocks, such as the one shown in 40 at the figure 2 .

The pressure sensors of the EDD means of this network are under the control of an electronic card (not shown) capable of performing permanent scanning. It consists of input / output ports managed by a microcontroller and a communication port. In fact, this card performs in less than 0.5 seconds and with a low power consumption (less than 50 mA) the scanning, for example 180 pressure sensors that can equip the drawer to the figure 8 , which makes it possible to obtain an almost instantaneous response during the extraction of a drug from its housing or during the re-introduction of such a drug into a housing to cause contact with this sensor. Moreover, a backup memory makes it possible to keep all the contacts or releases of contacts with the pressure sensors even in the event of malfunction of the central server or communication failure with it.

In light of the above, it is understood that the introduction of a drug 39 into the housing 24, for example an ampoule containing an injectable solution, causes the spacing of the strips 20 and 20A secured for example to the support block 12 by the intermediate pins 34 and notches 35. This spacing generates a vertical force on both ends of the spring 25 at the hooks 26 and 26A. Simultaneously, the spring echoes this force in a vertical force on the push button 28 on which it is placed. This pressure, for example of the order of 15 newtons, is always constant and maximum since this push button is held by a stopping point to avoid exerting too much pressure on the pressure sensor and thus risk of weaken. The push button then moves in the direction of the pressure sensor 32 to come into contact with it, which causes the emission of an electrical pulse translating this introduction movement and, consequently, the presence of this drug in the housing.

Conversely, the withdrawal of a drug from its housing 24 brings the strips 20 and 20A closer, secured to the support block, due to the release of the spring tension 25 and simultaneously that of the push button contact 28 with the pressure sensor 32. This push button then moves away from this sensor causing the emission of an electrical pulse translating this withdrawal movement and, consequently, the absence of this drug in the housing. These electrical pulses, which constitute drug movement information, are transmitted, via an electronic card and a Wi-Fi network, to the central server 4 for their exploitation by appropriate software including an accounting software.

The carriage described above with its various accessories, in particular drawers equipped with EDD means also described above can be used in hospital in various ways including multiple patient registration mode or single patient registration.

In multiple patient registration mode, multiple patients are assigned to a cart via an individual control button at the on-board computer unit. This mode of use will be implemented for example, for post-operative rooms (recovery rooms), intensive care rooms, ...

At the initialization of the trolley or at each admission of a patient, a member of the nursing staff records it in the trolley by scanning its identification barcode and specifying the command button reserved for him to report it. .

When a nurse has to take from the cart a medicament for the patient concerned, this nurse presses the control button reserved for this patient.

After opening the drawer, following the identification of the nurse, it identifies the drug to be administered by its name or a color code that was previously assigned. This nurse then extracts this medication from his home in an EDD facility. This operation thus causes the breaking of the contact of the push button with the pressure sensor of this EDD means, which results in the immediate generation of information following the permanent scanning of the pressure sensors. This information is transmitted to the central server, collected and processed in particular by an accounting software for the accounting of this medicine to the patient concerned.

In a single patient registration mode, taking a drug out of the housing of an EDD means automatically counts that drug to that patient.

This mode of implementation is used for example in operating rooms or intensive care.

II CABINET

Wardrobe 2, visible at figure 10 is divided into a lower part 41 and an upper part 42.

The lower part 40 comprises drawers 43 each provided with networks which count in total, for example 180 EDD means preferably in the form of modules grouping three means of this type as described above.

As in the case of the trolley, these EDD means are intended to detect the presence of drugs housed individually in their spring systems or on the contrary the absence of these drugs.

This detection is carried out very quickly, in a few milliseconds, following the permanent scanning of the pressure sensors realized by the electronic card which manages it.

Each of these drawers is under the control of an independent electronic lock which requires, for its opening, the identification of a user for example by reading a bar code.

The lower part is also provided with a barcode reader 44 for a direct identification of a user at the same level of the cabinet and also houses, in a secure locked drawer, all the electronic means of management of this wardrobe.

As for the upper part 42 of the cabinet, it is provided with shelves 45 for the storage of drugs larger than those of the lower part, these drugs being marked with a bar code to allow, at the same level. from this cabinet, a direct identification of a user.

The cabinet thus developed allows to know at any time the state of the stock of drugs available to it and is ready to react when this stock reaches pre-programmed critical values.

III TERMINAL

The cabinet 2 above is connected to a control terminal 3, shown in FIG. figure 11 , including a computer processing unit (not shown) of a touch screen 46, a keyboard 47 and a barcode reader 48 for the identification of a user. Through software, this kiosk performs various tasks automatically. Thus, it allows the loading of configuration of the drawers sheltering the EDD means, the diffusion of alerts relating to the stocks of medicines, the security of the access to these drawers and more generally the access to all the data and functionalities from device to figure 1 .

The device adapted to implement the method according to the invention is based, as described above, on an automation of different hospital sectors including decentralized pharmacies, operating and wake-up rooms with specific hardware and a comprehensive management software .

• de garder les stocks de produits médicaux ou chirurgicaux à des niveaux maximals. A titre d'exemple, lorsque le stock de ces produits dans une armoire atteint un seuil critique, le dispositif selon l'invention informe automatiquement la pharmacie centrale de l'hôpital. En outre, la vérification du stock de cette armoire peut être exécutée à distance de celle-ci,
• d'effectuer un suivi de l'ensemble des mouvements opérés par les produits médicaux ou chirurgicaux,
• de facturer automatiquement tout produit médical ou chirurgical administré à un patient. Par exemple, lorsqu'un médicament est extrait du logement d'un moyen EDD à bord d'un chariot et ce, après avoir transmis l'identification d'un patient à l'unité informatique de ce chariot, ce médicament est automatiquement comptabilisé à ce patient. A l'inverse lorsque ce médicament, s'il n'est pas administré à ce patient mais ré-introduit dans un moyen EDD de ce chariot, sera automatiquement crédité au compte dudit patient,
• d'augmenter le niveau de sécurité lors de manipulations de produits médicaux ou chirurgicaux,
• d'économiser le temps du personnel hospitalier,
• de sécuriser la mise à disposition de médicaments tels que des narcotiques.

This automation allows:

• keep inventories of medical or surgical products at maximum levels. For example, when the stock of these products in a cabinet reaches a critical threshold, the device according to the invention automatically informs the central pharmacy of the hospital. In addition, verification of the stock of this cabinet can be performed at a distance from it,
• to follow all the movements operated by medical or surgical products,
• to automatically bill any medical or surgical product administered to a patient. For example, when a drug is extracted from the housing of an EDD means in a carriage and this, after transmitting the identification of a patient to the computer unit of the cart, this drug is automatically counted to this patient. Conversely, when this drug, if it is not administered to this patient but re-introduced in an EDD means of this cart, will be automatically credited to the account of said patient,
• to increase the level of safety when handling medical or surgical products,
• to save the time of the hospital staff,
• to secure the availability of drugs such as narcotics.

Claims (10)

1. Method for the automated monitoring and management of objects, in particular of medications in hospital environments, wherein this method, which consists, from a network of n individual housings (24) containing a set of n objects, of transmitting to at least one of these objects, one or several movements chosen from the extractions of said object from its housing and of the reintroductions of this object into an empty housing among the n housings, of automatically and instantaneously detecting, by means of a pressure sensor (32), the movement made and using this detection of the computer process, is characterised in that a movement introducing an object into an empty housing or withdrawing an object from a housing, wherein this housing is formed by a spring system comprising two blades (20,20 A) attached to a support block (12), is detected:

   a) during an introduction of an object in said housing, by transforming the force required to separate the two blades into a force perpendicular to the pressure sensor which results in a pressure on this sensor and a contact with it, which generates an item of movement information,

   b) during a withdrawal of an object from said housing, by causing the two blades to move towards one another and consequently the breaking of a preestablished contact with the pressure sensor, which generates an item of movement information.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the object movement transmission step is preceded by the series of following steps consisting of:

   - creating and storing, in the memory of a computer processing unit (4), the data specific to a set of objects and/or individuals,

   - constituting a network of n individual housings (24) for the set of said objects,

   - placing in the n housings one of said objects per housing so that the network contains a number equal to n objects,

   - transmitting to the computer processing unit an item of memorised identification information of a memorised individual.
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the movement detection step is followed by a transmission step, to the computer processing unit, of the identification information of this movement which takes into account in the data memorised of the individual respectively the addition or the withdrawal of the object.
4. Device for the implementation of the method according to claim 1, of the type comprising:

   - a network of n individual housings (24) capable of accommodating a set of n objects, wherein each housing is equipped with automatic detection means for the movements of the object initially placed in one of the n housings, wherein this detection means comprises a pressure sensor and these movements are chosen from the extractions of said object from its housing and the reintroductions of this object into an empty housing vide among the n housings of the network,

   - means capable of transforming this movement detection into an item of identification information for this movement represented by a withdrawal or a reintroduction,

   - as well as means capable of collecting this movement identification information and using it in a computer processing unit,

   characterised in that the movement detection means also comprises a spring system equipped with two blades capable of moving apart from one another when an object is introduced between them or moving towards one another when an object between them is withdrawn.
5. Device according to claim 4, characterised in that it comprises a central computer unit (4) for processing the memorised data comprising a memorised data base specific to a set of n objects and/or individuals, as well as means capable of transmitting the movement identification information to the data processing unit and saving and memorising it in the data base of objects and/or individuals.
6. Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the spring system comprises two symmetrical blades (20, 20A) each formed by an upper wing (22,22A) and a lower wing (23, 23A) articulated between one another and forming at rest an obtuse angle, wherein these blades are positioned back to back at their articulation (21,21A), and in that these upper wings are configured to form together a housing (24) for the object and in that the lower wings are connected to one other by a wire (25) forming a spring which cooperates with a push button (28) capable of moving perpendicularly to the pressure sensor (32) until it comes into contact with it or is freed.
7. Device according to any of claims 4 to 6 characterised in that the spring system is attached to a support (12).
8. Device according to any of claims 4 to 7, characterised in that the support of the spring system is itself attached to a support plate (31) of the pressure sensor so that it is positioned in the extension of the displacement of the push button.
9. Device according to any of claims 4 to 8, characterised in that the objects are medical products, represented by medications (39) possibly in packaging by medical devices or appliances or surgical products represented by the surgical devices or appliances.
10. Device according to any of claims 4 to 9, characterised in that it comprises:

    - a central computer data processing unit (4) comprising a memorised data base specific to a set of n medical or surgical products and/or individuals,

    - at least one interactive trolley (1) equipped with automatic means of detection for the movements of medical or surgical products distributed in networks located in one or several drawers (11) of this trolley,

    - at least one storage cabinet (2) for medical or surgical products equipper with automatic detection means for the movements of medical or surgical products distributed in networks located in one or several drawers (43) of this cabinet,

    - at least one interactive terminal (3) operating as a communication and control terminal to the central computer processing unit and cabinets.

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