WO2016062911A1 - Portable identification element, system, and method for dispensing products - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a portable identification element (3), and to a system (1) and method for dispensing products (100) from drawers (101) in a carousel (102) to a plurality of boxes (103) in a dispensing trolley (104). The system (1) comprises: the portable elements (3) designed to be coupled to the drawers (101) or the boxes (103); and a processing means that communicates with said elements (3), the processing means (6) being configured so as to obtain the identifier of the collection drawer (101) and/or the target box (103) for each product (100), ordering the actuation of the device (4) of the element (3) corresponding to the collection drawer (101) or target box (103) of the said product (100), and checking that the push-button (5) of the element (3) corresponding to said drawer (101) or box (103) has been pressed.

Description

 PORTABLE ELEMENT OF IDENTIFICATION, SYSTEM AND PROCEDURE OF

DISPENSATION OF GOODS

DESCRIPTION

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains in general to the field of devices for dispensing and / or restocking of goods, and more specifically to the distribution of unit drugs in individualized boxes by patients.

A first object of the present invention is a portable identification element specially designed for use with an individualized merchandise dispensing system compatible with any existing dispensing and / or current replenishment system, both in hospital and industrial or other environments.

The invention also describes an individualized merchandise dispensing system comprising the above portable identification elements and which is compatible with any existing current dispensing and / or replacement system.

A second object of the invention is directed to a method of dispensing merchandise using the previous system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The dispensing and / or replacement of goods stored in large warehouses, such as parts or spare parts in the field of industry or medicines in the hospital environment, presents a difficulty that grows exponentially as the number of merchandise models to be dispensed increases . This problem becomes more important if it fits in a hospital environment where it is necessary to dispense specific medications to specific patients, and where an error can have potentially fatal consequences. Indeed, in a hospital setting it is necessary to dispense daily the medications required by each patient in each room. This requires fundamentally two different tasks: first, correctly pick up a specific medication from the store located in the hospital pharmacy (a task commonly referred to as "p / ^' c / c"); secondly, correctly place that medicine in a specific accommodation of a medication dispensing cart that is subsequently taken to the rooms, each of said accommodation of the dispensing cart corresponding to a certain patient or room (task commonly referred to as "pouf ).

Currently, several models of Unit Dose Dispensing Systems (commonly called SDMDUs) that are already implanted in many hospitals are known. These systems essentially comprise one or more cabinets or carousels provided with a plurality of drawers and that are in communication with processing means (for example, a computer) connected to the hospital data system. The carousel drawers can be automated in such a way that they are normally closed and only open when they receive the corresponding order of the processing medium. Another option is also known in which the drawers do not open and close automatically, which consists in rotating the carousel automatically until the appropriate drawer is visible at all times, although in this case the operator must manually open the drawer. In both cases, each drawer can also have an indicator, for example an LED, that lights up to indicate the exact position from where the medicine in question should be taken.

To use such a system, the operator first enters the list of medications to be dispensed to a group of patients in the processing medium. Next, the computer gives the order to open and / or move / turn the carousel drawer containing a certain medicine, and the corresponding LED also lights up. The operator quickly sees the LED on and picks up the corresponding medication, either directly in case of automatic opening or manually opening the drawer otherwise. Next, the operator must place that medicine in the patient / room box that is part of the dispensing car that will pass through the rooms. To do this, you must display on the computer an identifier of the patient or room to which that medicine should be dispensed (for example, a 5-digit bed number), look for the specific box of the dispensing cart marked with that identifier, open that box, and introduce the medicine inside. To end the process, the operator then presses a button that indicates the system

SDMDU that has completed the operation. The processing means then gives the closing order to the drawer from which the medication has been collected (if necessary), and returns to act on the carousel to open and / or move / rotate the drawer corresponding to a next medication, repeating the process.

As can be seen, this type of known SDMDU system solves only the "pick" problem, but they do not solve the "put" problem. That is to say, the collection of the correct medication from the carousel is adequately automated, but not the subsequent introduction of said medication into the correct dispenser cart. The operator must repeat this process up to 100 times in a row for each dispensing trolley, which generates not only mental fatigue but also physical fatigue, since sometimes the button is located in a position of difficult access, increasing the probability of error. In addition, no validation is carried out to verify that the medication actually collected has been placed in the correct dispenser box.

Therefore, current SDMDU systems do not provide a complete solution to the problem posed. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Terms used

In order to ensure the clarity of this description, the following terms will be used in this document:

Merchandise: This term generally refers to any item to be dispensed, be it medicines, parts, spare parts, etc. Receiver: Refers to the person or entity that will receive the goods that are dispensed. For example, in a hospital setting it would be patients.

Carousel: This is the automated device in which the goods to be dispensed are stored. For example, in a hospital environment it could be a rotating carousel of the type used in current SDMDU systems.

Drawer: Refers to each of the carousel housings in which the goods to be dispensed are stored. Each type of merchandise is stored in a different drawer of the carousel.

Dispensing cart: It is the device in which you want to store the goods for dispensing or distribution. This term should be interpreted broadly, since it can take various forms depending on the environment in which the invention is implemented. For example, in the case of a hospital environment it is a cart with wheels that is pushed to the rooms and that consists, among other things, of multiple boxes.

Box: Refers to each of the housings in the dispensing cart where you want to store the goods according to your receiver. That is to say, at the end of the process each box will have in its interior certain merchandise destined for a specific receiver.

Carousel Terminal: Refers to the computer screen that controls the operation of the carousel in an existing system. Through this terminal the identifier of the box in which the merchandise that the operator has collected to the terminal the "pick" process is shown is shown.

Existing system: It refers to a dispensing system known in the art that is configured to solve the problem of the "pick" of goods but not the "pouf. For example, in a hospital environment it would be a conventional SDMDU system. Description of the portable identification element

A first aspect of the present invention is directed to a new portable identification element suitable for use with a merchandise dispensing system configured to dispense merchandise from drawers of a carousel to a plurality of boxes of a dispensing cart. The portable identification elements are configured to fit each of the drawers or boxes to facilitate identification to the operator. These are elements that can be placed, placed or fixed in the drawers and / or boxes that are desired, thus forming an absolutely configurable network.

The new portable identification element basically includes:

- Coupling means for attaching to a carousel drawer or a dispensing cart cage.

- A luminous device to identify the collection drawer or destination box of a merchandise. For example, the luminous device may be constituted by an LED.

- A confirmation button for an operator to confirm that he has collected or deposited the merchandise respectively from the collection drawer or in the destination box.

- A processor configured to receive an order to turn on the luminous device of the portable identification element corresponding to the collection drawer or destination box of said merchandise, and to send a confirmation that the confirmation button of the corresponding portable identification element is pressed to said collection drawer or destination box once the merchandise has been collected or deposited. For example, the processor can be implemented by microcontrollers, microprocessors, FPGAs, DSPs or ASICs. - A means of communication to receive the ignition order and send the confirmation of pulsation. Normally it is a wireless communication medium, such as a radio frequency transmitter / receiver connected to a radio frequency antenna, Bluetooth, Wifi, MiWi or Zigbee. Additionally, this means of communication preferably allows communication between the portable identification element and devices such as smartphones, tablets, or computers. This provides flexibility to carry out the configuration of the element, the update of information stored in the device or for the reading of data possibly stored by it.

These components can be physically arranged in different ways to form a single portable identification element. For example, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the portable identification element further comprises a housing in which an electronic board that supports the processor and the communication medium is housed. The housing is essentially formed by a circular base, a cylindrical lateral surface and an elastically deformable circular top cover that constitutes the confirmation button. Therefore, the general shape of the device is cylindrical, the confirmation button being the upper cover of the cylinder itself, so that the user can press said lid anywhere to confirm that he has collected or deposited the merchandise.

Additionally, the luminous device may adopt a ring shape located around the confirmation button that constitutes the circular top cover. The hoop shape allows better visibility of said luminous device from any angle, as well as being visually pleasing. This device can be configured in different ways, although according to a preferred embodiment of the invention it is simply a diffuser that receives illumination from a multi-colored light emitting LED located on the electronic board.

In order to achieve the coupling of the different elements that make up the housing and of the ring-shaped luminous device, preferably the portable identification element further comprises a clamping ring that fixes so The electronic plate, the upper circular cover that constitutes the confirmation button, and the ring-shaped luminous device to an upper end of the cylindrical lateral surface are removable. In addition, preferably a lower end of the cylindrical side surface is detachably attached to the circular base. This configuration allows to "open" the portable identification element, with the circular base on one side, and on the other hand the rest of the elements forming a single piece. This allows easy access to the internal components of the element if necessary. On the other hand, the coupling means are located in the circular base. For example, the coupling means can be implemented by means of an adhesive sheet, an elastic flange, or screw holes, thus allowing the portable identification element to be fixed quickly and safely to any housing to be used to configure a system. of dispensing merchandise. Thus, once the portable identification element has been fixed to a drawer or box, it is possible to separate most of it if necessary without disassembling the circular base of the drawer or box to which it is fixed. In another preferred embodiment, the portable identification element may further comprise an information storage medium that allows storing any data that may be relevant to the procedure. For example, in the specific case of application of this invention to a hospital environment, the information could include the name and medical history of the associated patient, quantity and type of medications housed in the corresponding box, time or date of the dispensation, name of the operator who performed the dispensing, etc. These data would be available for later consultation if necessary.

In additional embodiments, the device may also include other elements such as a digit display to display information, additional push buttons, actuators capable of activating mechanisms such as a small size lock or sensors capable of measuring variables such as temperature, humidity, brightness or acceleration . Merchandise Dispensing System

The present invention also describes a merchandise dispensing system configured to dispense merchandise from drawers of a carousel to a plurality of boxes of a dispensing cart. The dispensing system essentially comprises: a central processing means and a plurality of portable identification elements as described above. Each of these elements is briefly described below: a) Portable identification elements

These are portable identification elements in accordance with what is described earlier in this document. b) Central processing medium

The central processing means is in communication with said portable identification elements to manage the entire operation of the system. The central processing means is also configured to obtain the identification of the collection drawer and / or destination box of each merchandise, ordering the luminous device of the portable identification element corresponding to the collection drawer or destination box of said merchandise to be turned on. , and receive confirmation that the confirmation button of the portable identification element corresponding to said collection drawer or destination box is pressed once the merchandise has been collected or deposited.

The communication between the central processing means and the portable identification elements described above can be carried out in different ways known in the art, although to optimize the flexibility and ease of deployment of the system of the invention it is preferably carried out wirelessly, for example by radio frequency, Bluetooth, Wifi, MiWi or Zigbee. Optionally, the system of the invention may further comprise a headset as described below. c) Headset

It is a headset that is in communication with the central processing means to provide instructions to the operator during the dispensing task. The communication will preferably be wireless, for example via Bluetooth. The central processing means can thus transmit to the operator voice messages with indications such as the number of goods that must be collected from a particular collection drawer to be deposited in the corresponding destination box, the name of the merchandise to be dispensed, the name of the person to whom it is intended (in the case of a hospital environment, the patient), etc.

Thanks to this merchandise dispensing system, it is possible to convert any group of items provided with drawers or boxes into a complete dispensing system capable of solving both the "pick" problem and the "pouf problem. That is, it allows to implement a complete dispensing system in environments where currently all operations are performed manually.In this document, this configuration is called "first configuration of the merchandise dispensing system".

In addition, the great versatility and flexibility of the new portable identification elements that make up this system make it compatible with any existing conventional system of the type described in the previous section. In other words, in environments where there is already a conventional system that totally or partially automates the "pick" process but where the "pouf process is still manual, the present system links with said conventional existing system from the moment that it is no longer automated to provide a complete dispensing system.In this document, this configuration is called "second configuration of the merchandise dispensing system". a) First configuration of the merchandise dispensing system

The first generic configuration of the system of the invention makes it possible to convert any set of drawers or boxes into a complete dispensing system that solves the problems of the "pick" and the "pouf.

For this, the user would only have to fix a first plurality of portable identification elements to the drawers from which the merchandise is to be collected and a second plurality of portable identification elements to the boxes where the merchandise is to be deposited. Then, the processing means can receive, for example from the central management system of a hospital, a list of the goods to be collected. Then, the processing means orders that the luminous device of the portable identification element corresponding to the drawer from which a merchandise is to be collected be illuminated. The operator in question clearly sees the illuminated drawer and collects the corresponding merchandise.

In the event that the system incorporates a headset, the operator also receives in this step an audible indication about the drawer from which to collect the merchandise, the number of individual items to be collected, or other information. Next, the operator presses the confirmation button of the portable identification element. The central processing means then receives from said portable identification element a confirmation signal that the pulsation of said button has been performed, thereby determining that the "pick" operation has been completed. The result of this process is that the operator has the right merchandise in his hand, and must now enter it in the corresponding box. Obviously, the drawer stops lighting once the operator has collected the merchandise, for example when you press the confirmation button.

To perform the second part of the dispensing process, just repeat the above procedure to, in this case, identify the operator with the destination box. In fact, first of all the central processing means receives the identification of the box where the merchandise is going to be deposited. As will be discussed later in this document, this can be done in different ways. Then, the central processing means orders that the luminous device of the portable identification element corresponding to the box where the unit is to be deposited be illuminated commodity. The operator in question clearly sees the illuminated box and deposits the merchandise inside. In embodiments equipped with a headset, the operator also receives audible instructions that support and complement the light indications. Then press the confirmation button on the portable identification element. The central processing means receives a confirmation from the portable identification element that the pressing of said button has been carried out and determines that the "put" operation has been completed. The box stops lighting and then goes to the next merchandise to be dispensed. Therefore, the system of the invention can be used to create a complete dispensing system simply from a set of housings of any type.

But in addition, as described below, this system can be used to automate only the "put" operation in case the facilities in question already have an existing dispensing system of the type that only resolves the "pick" operation.

In addition, the central processing means can incorporate an intelligent algorithm for carrying out the dispensing process in an order that minimizes the time spent, the number of movements, and / or the space traveled by the operator. For this, the algorithm will take into account the position of each merchandise in the collection carousel. b) Second configuration of the merchandise dispensing system

As mentioned earlier in this document, existing systems automate the collection of merchandise from a carousel and then indicate to the operator through the terminal of a carousel computer the identifier of the destination box where they must deposit said merchandise. As a consequence, errors can occur in the second part of the procedure, since the user may be mistaken when reading the identifier in the computer terminal or when reading the identifier in the destination box itself, or he can simply forget or change some character of the identifier due to a mistake or fatigue. Well, the system of the invention can also be configured to automate only this second part of the process. In this way, not only the possible errors mentioned are eliminated but, being compatible with any existing system, it can also be implemented very quickly in any hospital without the need to uninstall or modify the existing system that is being used at that time.

To link to an existing system, the central processing medium needs to have knowledge of the identifier of the destination box of each merchandise. One possibility would simply be that the list of destination boxes be transmitted to the central processing medium, for example from the central management system of a hospital.

If this is not possible, in a preferred embodiment of the invention the central processing means is in communication with a carousel computer to capture the identifier of the destination box of each merchandise. For example, the central processing medium can communicate with the carousel's computer simply through a USB connection.

In an alternative embodiment, the system of the invention further comprises a device as described below. d) Optical character capture device

The optical character capture device is in communication with the central processing medium, for example via a USB or Bluetooth connection. This optical character capture device is configured to detect from the terminal of the carousel computer the identifier of the destination box of each merchandise and communicate it to the central processing medium. For example, it may be a video camera or similar that acquires images from the terminal or from the terminal area where the identifiers of the destination boxes appear and sends them to the central processing medium, where image recognition software is responsible for to extract the identifier. Another alternative would be that the own Optical recognition device has the image recognition software, in which case it would send the identifier directly to the central processing medium. Therefore, the operation of this second configuration of the system of the invention that links with an existing system would be essentially the following. It starts from the situation in which the operator has in his hand a merchandise that he has collected from a drawer following the instructions of the existing system, and must now introduce said merchandise in the appropriate destination box. First, the central processing means of the system of the invention obtains the identifier of said destination box, either through an external transmission, by a software capture of the computer of the existing system carousel, or by its detection of the terminal of the Carousel computer through an optical recognition device. Then, the central processing means illuminates the corresponding destination box for the operator to enter the goods. The operator enters the merchandise in the destination box to which the portable identification element that is illuminated is fixed and presses the confirmation button. Finally, the central processing means verifies that the operator has pressed the confirmation button of the appropriate portable identification element (and not another), indicating that the "put" operation was successful. The destination box stops lighting once the operator has introduced the merchandise inside.

Additionally, the existing system may have an existing confirmation button that the operator must press when the merchandise has been deposited in its corresponding destination box. As mentioned earlier in this document, it is usually a single button that forces the operator to, after having moved from the collection drawer to the destination box, return repeatedly to a fixed location as the end of each individual operation. It should be noted that the operator can carry out these operations hundreds of times, so this final step of return to the existing confirmation button not only implies a waste of time, but can also cause injury.

To avoid this, in another preferred embodiment of the invention the central means of processing is in communication with the carousel's computer so that, after receiving the confirmation that the confirmation button of the identification element corresponding to the destination box of a merchandise that has been deposited has been pressed, send a corresponding indicative signal to said computer. This indicative signal emulates the signal of the existing confirmation button belonging to the existing system when the operator presses it to indicate to the existing system that it can proceed to the dispensing of the following merchandise, thus preventing the operator from having to do so. The system of the invention thus replaces the repetitive pulsation of the existing confirmation button located in a unique and fixed position by the pulsation of the buttons of the portable identification elements in which the goods have been deposited. Note that this does not imply any extra movement for the operator, since when he deposits the merchandise in the corresponding box he has in that same place the button of the portable identification element that is fixed to said box.

A second aspect of the invention is directed to a method of dispensing merchandise performed by a system of the type described above, which essentially comprises the following steps:

1) Receive, in the central processing medium, an identifier of the collection drawer or the destination box of a merchandise.

2) Order, by means of the central processing means, the lighting of the luminous device of the portable identification element corresponding to the collection drawer or destination box of said merchandise.

3) Turn on, in the portable identification element corresponding to said collection drawer or destination box, the corresponding luminous device.

4) Send, from the portable identification element corresponding to said collection drawer or destination box of said merchandise, a confirmation signal that the confirmation button has been pressed.

5) Receive, through the central processing means, the signal of confirmation that the confirmation button of the portable identification element corresponding to said collection drawer or destination box has been pressed once the merchandise has been collected or deposited. Pressing this confirmation button itself can be the signal to turn off the light device.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises the step of capturing, by means of the central processing means, the identifier of the destination box of a merchandise from a carousel computer.

In another alternative embodiment, the method comprises the step of detecting, by means of an optical character capture device, the identifier of the destination box of each merchandise of a terminal of the carousel computer, and communicating said identifier to the central processing means.

In another preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the step of sending to the carousel computer a signal indicating that the confirmation button of the portable identification element corresponding to said collection drawer or destination box has been pressed.

In another preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the step of sending to the carousel computer a signal indicating that the confirmation button of the portable identification element corresponding to the collection drawer or destination box has been pressed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of the portable identification element according to the present invention.

Figs. 2a-2c show different views of the portable identification element mounted in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 3 schematically shows the components of an example system of according to the invention.

Fig. 4 schematically shows a conventional dispensing installation with completely manual operation.

Fig. 5 schematically shows the system of the invention installed according to a first configuration in the manual dispensing installation of Fig. 4.

Figs. 6a-6e schematically show the operation of the installation shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 schematically shows a conventional dispensing installation equipped with an existing system designed to solve only the "pick" operation.

Figs. 8a and 8b respectively show two examples of systems of the invention installed according to a second configuration in the conventional semi-automated installation of Fig. 7. Figs. 9a-9d schematically show the operation of the installation shown in Fig. 8a.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION An example of a portable identification element (3) according to the present invention is described below with reference to the attached figures.

Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of the element (3) of the invention showing the different parts that comprise it: a luminous device (4), a push button (5), a clamp ring (14), a plate (11) electronics, a cylindrical side surface (13), and a circular base (12).

The electronic board (11) supports the system electronics, primarily the processor and the communication medium. The processor can be chosen from among a wide range of commercial devices, such as a microcontroller, a microprocessor, an FPGA, a DSP or an ASIC. For its part, the communication medium is in this example a radio frequency transmitter / receiver connected to a radio frequency antenna. In addition, the electronic board (11) also supports a power battery (not shown) of the portable identification element (3).

This electronic plate (11), together with the cover (5) and the luminous device (4), are fixed to the cylindrical lateral surface (13) by means of the clamping ring (14). As can be seen in Fig. 1, this clamping ring has a series of tabs and projections specially configured to achieve the pressure fixing of the mentioned components to said cylindrical lateral surface (13), thus forming a rigid body. This entire rigid body is coupled to the circular base (12) at the lower end of the cylindrical lateral surface (13), also under pressure but in this case in a way that can be disassembled quickly and easily. For its part, the circular base (12) has holes that constitute the means (10) for coupling to the corresponding drawer (101) or box (103).

As mentioned above, the button (5) is of elastically deformable type, usually referred to as a membrane, so that the operator can press it anywhere on its surface. In addition, it fulfills the additional function of serving as an upper cover for the element (3).

As for the luminous device (4), as mentioned above it can be configured in various ways. In this example, the ring itself marked as (4) is a transparent diffuser of plastic material that, when the portable element (3) is completely assembled, is placed on an LED of the electronic board (1 1), so that when the LED turns on, the light is transmitted to said diffuser and it is illuminated throughout its circumference. The mode of use of this new portable identification element (3) would basically be the following. Starting the device already assembled, as shown in Figs. 2a-2c, the circular base (12) is removed from the rest of the portable element (3). The circular base (12) is then fixed to the corresponding drawer (101) or box (103) using screws that are introduced through the holes (10) Once this is done, the rest of the body of the element (3) is fixed again to the base (12), said element (3) being ready for operation.

Some examples of dispensing systems (1) according to the invention using a portable identification element (3) of the type described are described below. In this regard, note that such examples of dispensing systems (1) are specifically applied to the dispensing of medications (100) in a hospital environment. Because of this, the goods that are dispensed in this example are medicines (100). However, as mentioned earlier in this document, it should be understood that the scope of the present invention covers other fields that present a similar problem, such as the management of large warehouses of parts or spare parts at an industrial level, or in general the preparation of orders in any field. Fig. 3 shows a generic example of a system (1) according to the present invention that is formed by a central processing means (6) that is in wireless communication with a set of portable identification elements (3) according to the present invention Fig. 4 shows a completely manual conventional dispensing system.

In this case, a carousel (102) stores the medications (100) in a plurality of drawers (101). Certain medications (100) must be collected from these drawers (101) and deposited in some boxes (103) of a dispensing cart (104) that will be taken through the rooms to give each patient their medication. In this case, this is done completely by an operator, who reads in a list which medications (100) to extract from the drawers (101) of the carousel (102) and in which boxes (103) of the cart (104) the You must enter. It is clear that this procedure is very prone to human errors, so it would be desirable to automate it as much as possible.

Fig. 5 shows the system (1) of the invention installed according to the first configuration in a completely manual conventional installation of the type shown in Fig. 4. A first plurality of portable identification elements (3) has simply been fixed. to each of the drawers (101) of the carousel (102) and a second plurality of portable identification elements (3) to each of the boxes (103) of the dispensing trolley (104). All these elements (3) are in wireless communication by radiofrequency with a central processing means (6).

The operation of this system is shown in Figs. 6a-6e:

Fig. 6a. The central processing means (6) receives the list of medications (100) to be extracted from the carousel (102) and deposited in the cart (104). This list can be received directly from a hospital management system or it can be entered manually by the operator.

Fig. 6b. Next, the central processing means (6) communicates with the portable identification element (3) corresponding to the drawer (101) of the carousel (102) from which the first medication (100) must be extracted and instructs it to turn on the device (4) corresponding light. The operator clearly sees which is the drawer (101) whose identification element (3) has the light device (4) turned on and is directed towards it. Fig. 6c. The operator opens the corresponding drawer (101), removes the medication

(100), close the drawer (101), and press the confirmation button (5). The activation of this specific button (5) is communicated wirelessly from the portable identification element (3) corresponding to the central processing means (6), which in this way knows that the medication (100) that has been extracted has left indeed the correct drawer (101). Note that this contrasts with some systems existing in the prior art, where there is only a single confirmation button (107) that does not ensure that the medication (100) has been collected from the correct drawer (101). Obviously, the luminous device (4) turns off once the operator has picked up the medication (100). Pressing the confirmation button (5) itself can be used to turn off the light device (4).

Fig. 6d. Once the processing center (6) receives the confirmation that the operator has pressed the drawer confirmation button (5) (101) correctly, it communicates with the portable identification element (3) corresponding to the box (103) of the cart (104) where that particular medicine (100) must be deposited and tells you to turn on the corresponding light device (4). The operator clearly sees which is the box (103) whose identification element (3) has the light device (4) turned on and is directed towards it.

Fig. 6e. The operator opens the corresponding box (103), deposits the medicine (100) inside, and presses the push button (5) for confirming the corresponding identification element (3). The activation of this specific button (5) is communicated wirelessly to the central processing means (6), which in this way knows that the medicine (100) has been effectively deposited in the correct drawer (101). Fig. 7 shows an existing dispensing system according to the prior art where only the "pick" process is automated, but not the "pouf process. In fact, this system comprises a carousel (102) provided with a plurality of drawers (101) and a dispensing trolley (104) having several boxes (103) The carousel (102) is connected to a computer (106) that has a terminal (105) The system also comprises a push button (107) of existing confirmation The operation of such a system is essentially the following: the computer (106) orders the lighting of an LED in one of the drawers (101) of the carousel (102) and shows the identifier through the terminal (105) from the box (103) where that medicine (100) should be introduced; the operator picks up the medicine (100) from the lit drawer (101), memorizes the identifier that appears in the terminal (105), looks for that identifier in one of the boxes (103) of the cart (104), and deposit the medication (100) in the box (103) in question; Finally, the operator presses the existing confirmation button (107) that indicates to the computer (106) of the carousel (102) that it must pass to the next medication (100). Note that here you cannot make sure that the operator has introduced the medication in the correct box (103). In fact, you cannot make sure that you have collected the correct medicine from the drawer (101).

As shown in Figs. 8a and 8b, the second system configuration (1) of The invention can be installed quickly and easily to solve this problem. For this, a plurality of portable identification elements (3) are fixed to each of the boxes (103) of the cart (104) and the processing means (6) is located in a suitable place. To obtain the identifier of the cart (104) to which each medication (100) is to be dispensed, said central processing means (6) can, as in the case described above, receive the list of an external entity, such as a system hospital management center, or that the operator himself enter it manually. Alternatively, the system (1) in this second configuration comprises additional means that will allow it to obtain that information directly from the existing conventional system.

In a first option shown in Fig. 8a, the system (1) further comprises a connection between the central processing means (6) and the computer (106) of the carousel (102), for example a USB type connection (also it could be a wireless type connection). Thus, the central processing means (6) makes a software capture of the identifier of the box (103) where each medicine (100) must be deposited (for example, the existing system can be modified so that said computer identifier ( 106) sent to the processing center (6).

In a second option shown in Fig. 8b, the system (1) further comprises an optical character capture device (2). This optical device (2), which can be for example a video camera or the like, is oriented towards the terminal (105) of the computer (106) of the carousel (102) to optically capture the identifier of the box (103) where it should be deposit each medication (100). As an example, if the existing system is configured so that, next to the identifier of the box (103) where the medicine must be deposited (100), the barcode that encodes said identifier also appears, the optical device (2) of Character capture can simply be a barcode reader.

In addition, since the existing system has an existing confirmation button (107) that the operator must press to pass to each next medication (100), in this second system configuration the central processing means (6) is configured to send to the carousel computer (106) (102) a signal that emulates the pressing of said button (107), thus preventing the operator from having to do it.

Figs. 9a-9d show an example of system operation (1) according to the first option of this second configuration. In this case, since there is already a conventional existing system that indicates to the operator the drawer (101) from which each medication must be collected (100), it starts from a situation in which said operator has the medication (100) in his hand and you must enter it in a box (103) of the cart (104) whose identifier is shown by the terminal (105) of the computer (106) of the carousel (102). From there, the following steps are carried out:

Fig. 9a. The central processing means (6) makes a software capture of the identifier of the box (103) where the collected medicine (100) must be introduced.

Fig. 9b. The central processing means (6) communicates with the portable identification element (3) attached to the box (103) of the cart (104) corresponding to the captured identifier and instructs it to turn on the corresponding light device (4). The operator clearly sees which is the box (103) whose identification element (3) has the light device (4) turned on and is directed towards it.

Fig. 9c. The operator opens the corresponding box (103), deposits the medicine (100) inside, and presses the push button (5) for confirmation of the portable identification element (3) in question. The activation of this specific button (5) is communicated wirelessly to the central processing means (6), which in this way knows that the medicine (100) has been effectively deposited in the correct drawer (101). The luminous device (4) of the box (103) goes out.

Fig. 9d. The central processing means (6) emits a signal to the computer (106) of the carousel (102) that emulates the pressing of the existing confirmation button (107) of the existing system. The computer (106) of the carousel (102) interprets that the operator has operated the button (107) indicating the end of the dispensing operation and move on to the next medication (100).

Claims

1. Portable identification element (3) for a merchandise dispensing system (1), the system (1) being configured to dispense merchandise (100) from drawers (101) of a carousel (102) to a plurality of boxes (103) of a dispensing trolley (104), characterized in that said portable identification element comprises:  - coupling means (10) for coupling to a drawer (101) of the carousel (102) or to a box (103) of the dispensing trolley (104);  - a luminous device (4) to identify the collection drawer (101) or box (103) of destination of a good (100);  - a confirmation button (5) for an operator to confirm that he has collected or deposited the merchandise (100) respectively from the collection drawer (101) or in the destination box (103);  - a processor configured to receive a power-on order from the device (4) luminous of the portable identification element (3) corresponding to the collection drawer (101) or destination box (103) of said merchandise (100), and to send a confirmation that the confirmation button (5) is pressed of the portable identification element (3) corresponding to said collection drawer (101) or destination box (103) once the merchandise (100) has been collected or deposited; Y - a means of communication to receive the ignition order and send the pulse confirmation. 2. Portable identification element (3) according to claim 1, further comprising a housing inside which an electronic board (11) is housed that supports the processor and the communication medium, the housing being essentially formed by a base (12) circular, a cylindrical lateral surface (13) and an elastically deformable circular top cover constituting the confirmation button (5). 3. Portable identification element (3) according to claim 2, wherein the luminous device (4) adopts a ring shape located around the confirmation button (5) constituting the circular top cover. 4. Portable identification element (3) according to claim 3, further comprising a clamping ring (14) that detachably fixes the electronic plate (1 1), the circular top cover constituting the push button (5) confirmation, and the ring-shaped luminous device (4) at an upper end of the cylindrical lateral surface (13). 5. Portable identification element (3) according to claim 4, wherein a lower end of the cylindrical side surface (13) is detachably attached to the circular base (12). 6. Portable identification element (3) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling means (10) are located in the circular base (12). 7. Portable identification element (3) according to claim 6, wherein the coupling means (10) are chosen from: an adhesive foil, an elastic flange, and screw holes. 8. Portable identification element (3) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ring-shaped luminous device (4) is a diffuser that receives illumination from a multi-colored light emitting LED located on the electronic board ( eleven). 9. Portable identification element (3) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the communication medium is of the wireless type. 10. Portable identification element (3) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a storage medium. 1 1. Merchandise dispensing system (1) (100) configured to dispense merchandise (100) from drawers (101) of a carousel (102) to a plurality of boxes (103) of a dispensing trolley (104), characterized in that it comprises: - a plurality of portable identification elements (3) according to any of claims 1-10, which are configured to engage the drawers (101) of the carousel (102) or the boxes (103) of the dispensing trolley (104); Y  - a central processing means (6) in communication with said portable identification elements (3), where the central processing means (6) is configured to obtain the identifier of the collection drawer (101) and / or cassette (103) of destination of each merchandise (100), order that the luminous device (4) of the portable identification element (3) corresponding to the collection drawer (101) or destination box (103) of said merchandise (100) be turned on, and Receive confirmation that the confirmation button (5) of the portable identification element (3) corresponding to said collection drawer (101) or destination box (103) is pressed once the merchandise (100) has been collected or deposited . 12. Dispensing system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the central processing means (6) is in communication with a computer (106) of the carousel (102) to capture the identifier of the destination box (103) of each merchandise (100). 13. Dispensing system (1) according to claim 11, further comprising an optical character capture device (2) in communication with the central processing means (6), wherein said optical capture device (2) characters is configured to detect from a terminal (105) of the computer (106) of the carousel (102) the identifier of the destination box (103) of each merchandise (100) and communicate it to the central processing means (6). 14. Dispensing system (1) according to any of claims 1 1-13, wherein the central processing means (6) is in communication with the computer (106) of the carousel (102) for, after receiving confirmation of that the confirmation button (5) of the identification element (3) corresponding to the destination box (103) of a merchandise (100) that has been deposited has been pressed, send a corresponding indicative signal to said computer (106). 15. System (1) according to any of claims 1 1-14, further comprising a headset in communication with the central processing means (6) to provide instructions to the operator. 16. System (1) according to any of claims 1 1-15, wherein the communication between the central processing means (6) and the identification elements (3) is carried out wirelessly. 17. Procedure for dispensing goods (100) performed by a system (1) according to any of claims 1 1-16, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:  - receive, in the middle (6) processing center, a drawer identifier (101) for collection or the destination box (103) of a merchandise (100); - order, by means of the central processing means (6), the lighting of the luminous device (4) of the portable identification element (3) corresponding to the collection drawer (101) or destination box (103) of said merchandise (100) ;  - turn on, on the portable identification element (3) corresponding to said collection drawer (101) or destination box (103), the corresponding luminous device (4);  - send, from the portable identification element (3) corresponding to said collection drawer (101) or destination box (103) of said merchandise (100), a confirmation signal that the push button (5) has been pressed confirmation; Y  - receive, by means of the central processing means (6), the confirmation signal that the confirmation button (5) corresponding to the portable identification element (3) corresponding to said collection drawer (101) or box ( 103) of destination once the merchandise (100) has been collected or deposited. 18. Procedure for dispensing merchandise (100) according to claim 17, further comprising the step of capturing, by means of the central processing means (6), the identifier of the destination box (103) of destination of a merchandise (100) of a computer (106) of the carousel (102). 19. Method of dispensing goods (100) according to claim 17, further comprising the step of detecting, by means of an optical character capture device (2), the identifier of the destination box (103) of each merchandise ( 100) of a terminal (105) of the computer (106) of the carousel (102), and communicating said identifier to the central processing means (6). 20. Procedure for dispensing merchandise (100) according to any of claims 17-19, which also includes the step of sending to the computer (106) of the carousel (102) an indicative signal that the button (5) has been pressed confirmation of the portable identification element (3) corresponding to the collection drawer (101) or destination box (103).