# US 6,364,158 B1 · Anesthetic dispensing station and method of using same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,364,158 B1 - Document ID: US6364158B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/534,722 - Filed: 2000-03-24 - Granted: 2002-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2000-03-24 - Inventors: John Dimoulis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6364158B1 ## CPC - A47F 1/10: having mechanical dispensing means {, e.g. with buttons or handles} - A61B 50/30: Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments (for wound clamps A61B17/10; for ligaturing clips A61B17/122; packages or dispensers for surgical gloves or finger-stalls A61B42/40) - A61J 7/0084: {for multiple medicaments} - A61B 50/3001: {for sharps} - A61B 2050/3013: {having means for automatically ejecting the stored article} - A61J 1/05: for collecting, storing or administering blood, plasma or medical fluids {(multiple bags systems for separating or storing blood components A61M1/0209); Infusion or perfusion containers} - A47F: SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61J: CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE ## Abstract A dispensing station for individually dispensing tubular members is disclosed herein. The dispensing station includes a housing having an aperture therein. Tubular members are stored within the housing and an actuator protrudes from the housing. When a force is exerted on the actuator in a first direction, a tubular member is dispensed through the aperture in the housing in a second direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The actuator protrudes from the housing such that the actuator may be depressed without a user's hands. For example, the actuator may be depressed using one's forearm or elbow. Furthermore, the tubular member is dispensed through the aperture such that the user may manually retrieve the tubular member without contacting the housing. Advantageously, the tubular member may be dispensed without contaminating the dispenser. A method for individually dispensing tubular members is also disclosed herein. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A dispensing station for individually dispensing tubular members comprising: a housing having an aperture therein, said tubular members being stored within said housing; an actuator protruding from said housing, wherein a force exerted on the actuator in a first direction causes a tubular member to dispensed through the aperture in the housing in a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction, and wherein the actuator protrudes from the housing such that the actuator may be depressed without a user's hands and wherein the tubular member is dispensed through said aperture such that the user may manually retrieve the tubular member without contacting the housing. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The dispensing station of claim 1 wherein the tubular member is dispensed from the dispenser in a substantially longitudinal direction relative to said tubular member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The dispensing station of claim 1 wherein the tubular member is an anesthetic cartridge and wherein the dispensing station farther includes means for dispensing gauze and means for storing a topical anesthetic container. ### Claim 4 A dispensing station for individually dispensing tubular members comprising: a housing having an aperture therein, said tubular members being stored within said housing; an actuator protruding from said housing, wherein a force exerted on the actuator in a first direction causes a tubular member to dispensed through the aperture in the housing in a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction; a ramped surface, located inside the housing, used to guide said tubular members toward said aperture; and, a dispensing lever, located inside the housing, used to push the tubular member through the aperture, wherein the dispensing lever has a roller attached thereto and wherein the roller moves in a direction opposite to that of tubular member when said tubular member is being dispensed from said housing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The dispensing station of claim 4 wherein the actuator includes an arm for agitating at least one tubular member, while another tubular member is being dispensed. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The dispensing station of claim 4 further including a singulating wall used to singulate tubular members as they move down the ramped surface towards the aperture. ### Claim 7 A dispensing station for individually dispensing tubular members comprising: a housing having an aperture therein, said tubular members being stored within said housing; and, an actuator protruding from said housing, wherein a force exerted on the actuator in a first direction causes a tubular member to dispensed through the aperture in the housing in a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction and wherein the actuator includes an arm for agitating at least one tubular member, while another tubular member is being dispensed. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The dispensing station of claim 7 wherein the tubular member is dispensed from the dispenser in a substantially longitudinal direction relative to said tubular member. ### Claim 9 A dispensing station for individually dispensing tubular members comprising: a housing having an aperture therein, said tubular members being stored within said housing; an actuator protruding from said housing, wherein a force exerted on the actuator in a first direction causes a tubular member to dispensed through the aperture in the housing in a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction; a ramped surface, located inside the housing, used to guide said tubular members toward said aperture; and, a singulating wall used to singulate tubular members as they move down the ramped surface towards the aperture. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The dispensing station of claim 9 wherein the tubular member is an anesthetic cartridge and wherein the dispensing station further includes means for dispensing gauze and means for storing a topical anesthetic container. ### Claim 11 A method of individually dispensing tubular members comprising the steps of: providing a housing having an aperture, said tubular members being stored within said housing; providing an actuator which protrudes from said housing; and, exerting a force in a first direction upon said actuator causing a tubular member to be dispensed in a second direction, said second direction being perpendicular to said first direction, wherein the force is exerted using something other than a user's hands. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 further including the step of: manually retrieving said tubular member, once it has been dispensed through said aperture, without contacting the housing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 wherein a ramped surface, located inside the housing, is used to guide said tubular members toward said aperture. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 wherein a dispensing lever, located inside the housing, is used to push the tubular member through the aperture. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 wherein the dispensing lever is pivoted about a pivot pin. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method claim 14 wherein the dispensing lever has a roller attached thereto, wherein the roller moves in a direction opposite to that of tubular member when said tubular member is being dispensed from said housing. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 wherein the actuator includes an arm for agitating at least one tubular member, while another tubular member is being dispensed. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 further including a trough located at a bottom of said ramped surface, said trough being aligned with said aperture. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 further including a singulating wall used to singulate tubular members as they move down the ramped surface towards the aperture. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 further including a biasing spring, located inside said housing, for biasing said dispensing lever away from said aperture. ### Claim 21 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the tubular member is dispensed from the dispenser in a substantially longitudinal direction relative to said tubular member. ### Claim 22 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 wherein the tubular member is an anesthetic cartridge and wherein the dispensing station further includes means for dispensing gauze and means for storing a topical anesthetic container. ### Claim 23 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 further comprising a heating element for warming the tubular members. ### Claim 24 A method of individually dispensing tubular members comprising the steps of: providing a housing having an aperture, said tubular members being stored within said housing; providing an actuator which protrudes from said housing; exerting a force in a first direction upon said actuator causing a tubular member to be dispensed in a second direction, said second direction being perpendicular to said first direction; and, providing a dispensing lever, located inside the housing, used to push the tubular member through the aperture, wherein the dispensing lever has a roller attached thereto and wherein the roller moves in a direction opposite to that of tubular member when said tubular member is being dispensed from said housing. ### Claim 25 A method of individually dispensing tubular members comprising the steps of: providing a housing having an aperture, said tubular members being stored within said housing; providing an actuator which protrudes from said housing; and, exerting a force in a first direction upon said actuator causing a tubular member to be dispensed in a second direction, said second direction being perpendicular to said first direction, wherein the actuator includes an arm for agitating at least one other tubular member, while another tubular member is being dispensed. ### Claim 26 A method of individually dispensing tubular members comprising the steps of: providing a housing having an aperture, said tubular members being stored within said housing; providing an actuator which protrudes from said housing; exerting a force in a first direction upon said actuator causing a tubular member to be dispensed in a second direction, said second direction being perpendicular to said first direction; providing a ramped surface, located inside the housing, is used to guide said tubular members toward said aperture; and, providing a singulating wall used to singulate tubular members as they move down the ramped surface towards the aperture. ### Claim 27 A method of individually dispensing tubular members comprising the steps of: providing a housing having an aperture, said tubular members being stored within said housing; providing an actuator which protrudes from said housing; exerting a force in a first direction upon said actuator causing a tubular member to be dispensed in a second direction, said second direction being perpendicular to said first direction, wherein the tubular member is an anesthetic cartridge and wherein the dispensing station further includes means for dispensing gauze and means for storing a topical anesthetic container.