Method of manufacturing a multiple component device

Abstract

Disclosed are methods of manufacturing a product from individual components comprising the steps of providing data regarding components to a customer; permitting the customer to request a product comprising the combination of the components; transmitting the request to a first location remote from the customer; receiving one of the components at a first location; transporting the components from a first location to a second location; assembling the components into the desired product at the second location; and transporting the assembled product to the customer.

1 . A system for reducing manufacturing response time of a medical device comprising: 
 a computer database configured to store information relating to components, said information comprising possible combinations of said components, availability of said components, and/or government regulations relating to said components;    a computer device configured to allow a customer to select a combination of components, ascertain at least some of said information relating to said components, indicate if a combination of said components is acceptable, illustrate at least one component on a viewing screen, and transmit an order to a control entity;    a control entity configured to receive an order from the computer device, transmit a first corresponding order to at least one component supplier, and transmit a second corresponding order to a kit factory; and    a kit factory configured to receive the second corresponding order, receive at least two components from the component suppliers, and send a third corresponding order and components to an assembly location.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a schematic picture of the combined components.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a post-production location.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the post-production location comprises a sterilization and packaging facility.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer device comprises a main computer and a remote computer.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer device configured to indicate if a combination of said components is acceptable is further configured to indicate if a combination of medical components is approved by a government agency.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the government agency is the United States Food and Drug Administration.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer database configured to store information relating to components is further configured to store information relating to components from a wide variety of manufacturers.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control entity is a control office.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control entity is a second computer device.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an assembly location configured to receive a third corresponding order, assemble components, and send assembled components.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the kit factory is generally in the same geographic location as the assembly location.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the kit factory and the assembly location are in different rooms of the same building.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the control entity is generally the same geographic location as the kit factory.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the control entity and the kit factory are in different rooms of the same building.