Apparatus and method for accepting return of unused medical items

A method for accepting unused medical items and for storing and delivering such unused items, said method performed with an apparatus including a terminal including a data input device, a housing including a return drawer and a retrieve drawer, a first latch in operative connection with the return drawer and the terminal, wherein the return drawer includes a pocket therein, and wherein the pocket has an opening with a trap door selectively movable into a first position in adjacent blocking relation with the opening, and a second open position disposed from the opening, and wherein the retrieve drawer includes a retrieve area therein, said method comprising the steps of:

• entering predetermined data through the data input device of the terminal;
• unlatching the first latch responsive to input of the predetermined data, wherein the return drawer is rendered movable relative to the housing responsive to input of the predetermined data;
• moving the return drawer outward relative to the housing to an open position, wherein the pocket is accessible from outside the housing and wherein in the open position the trap door blocks the opening of the pocket;
• placing a medical item in the pocket of the return drawer when the return drawer is in the open position;
• moving the return drawer to a closed position wherein the pocket is within the housing;
• and
• opening said trap door wherein the item passes from the pocket into the retrieve area of the retrieve drawer.

A method for accepting unused medical items and for storing and delivering such unused items said method performed with an apparatus including a terminal having a data input device, a housing including a return drawer and a retrieve drawer, a first latch in operative connection with the return drawer and the terminal, and a second latch in operative connection with the retrieve drawer and the terminal, wherein the return drawer includes a pocket therein, and wherein the pocket has an opening with a trap door selectively movable into a first position in adjacent blocking relation with the opening, and a second open position disposed from the opening, and wherein the retrieve drawer includes a retrieve area therein, said method comprising the steps of:

• moving the return drawer outward relative to the housing to an open position, wherein the pocket is accessible from outside the housing and wherein in the open position the trap door blocks the opening of the pocket;
• placing a medical item in the pocket of the return drawer when the return drawer is in the open position;
• moving the return drawer to a closed position wherein the pocket is within the housing;
• opening the trap door, wherein the item passes from the pocket into the retrieve area of the retrieve drawer;
• entering predetermined data through the data input device of the terminal;
• unlatching the second latch responsive to input of the predetermined data, wherein the retrieve drawer is rendered movable relative to the housing responsive to input of the predetermined data;
• and
• moving the retrieve drawer relative to the housing to a delivery position, wherein the item in the retrieve area is accessible from outside the housing.

A method comprising the steps of:

• (a) entering input data through a data input device;
• (b) comparing the input data and stored data stored in a data store, for a predetermined relationship;
• (c) unlatching a first latch responsive to the input data and the stored data compared in step (b) having the predetermined relationship, wherein the first latch is in operative connection with a return drawer movably mounted in supporting connection with a housing, and wherein the return drawer is rendered movable relative to the housing responsive to unlatching the first latch;
• (d) moving the return drawer outward relative to the housing to an open position, wherein a pocket in the return drawer becomes accessible from outside the housing and wherein in the open position a trap door blocks an opening of the pocket;
• (e) placing a medical item in the pocket of the return drawer when the return drawer is in the open position;
• (f) moving the return drawer relative to the housing to a closed position, wherein in the closed position the pocket is within the housing;
• (g) moving the trap door relative to the opening with an actuator such that when the return drawer is in the closed position the medical item is passed from the pocket through the opening to a retrieve area disposed in the housing from the return drawer.

Apparatus for accepting return of unused medical items and for storing and delivering the returned medical items, comprising:

• a housing;
• a return drawer movably mounted in supporting connection with the housing, the return drawer having a pocket therein, the pocket having an opening, and wherein the return drawer is movable between an open position wherein the pocket is accessible from outside the housing, and a closed position wherein the pocket is within the housing;
• a first latch in operative connection with the return drawer, wherein the first latch is selectively operative to hold the return drawer in a closed position;
• a retrieve drawer movably mounted in supporting connection with the housing, the retrieve drawer including a retrieve area therein, wherein the retrieve drawer is movable between a secure position wherein the retrieve area is within the housing, and a delivery position wherein the retrieve area is accessible from outside the housing;
• a second latch in operative connection with the retrieve drawer, wherein the second latch is selectively operative to hold the retrieve drawer in the secure position;
• a door adjacent the opening of the pocket of the return drawer, wherein the door is movable between a first position wherein the door closes the opening and a second position wherein the pocket is accessible through the opening;
• and
• an actuator in operative connection with the door, wherein the actuator is operative to position the door in the first position when the return drawer is in the open position and to position the door in the second position when the return drawer is in the closed position, wherein in the closed position of the return drawer and the door in the second position the retrieve area is in communication with the pocket through the opening;
• a computer in operative connection with the first latch;
• an input device in operative connection with the computer;
• a data store in operative connection with the computer, wherein the data store includes data corresponding to at least one user input authorizing a user to place a medical item in the apparatus;
• a medical item;
• wherein responsive to a first user input through the input device the computer is operative to cause to be determined if the data store includes data corresponding to the first user input, and the computer is operative responsive to the determination that the data store includes such corresponding data to cause the first latch to cease holding the return drawer in the closed position, wherein when the return drawer is moved to the open position the medical item is enabled to be placed in the pocket, and when the return drawer is moved to the closed position the medical item passes to the retrieve area.