Controlled substance distribution network systems and methods thereof

Abstract

In various embodiments, multiple pumps may be used to deliver substances to multiple respective animals. A computer system may send/receive information to/from the pumps (e.g., to control and monitor various aspects of the pumps and/or store information associated with the pump). In some embodiments, the computer system may determine respective controlled delivery rates for the pumps (e.g., based in part on a weight of an animal receiving the substance from the respective pump) and send the determined controlled delivery rates to the respective pumps. The computer system may also receive user identifications from operators controlling a pump (e.g., in response to a pump alarm) and documentation indicators entered by the operator and/or pump to use in documenting pump activity.

1 - 176 . (canceled) 
   
   
       177 . A system, comprising:
 a plurality of pumps operable to deliver a substance to one or more animals via a syringe coupled to the pump at one or more controlled delivery rates; and   a computer system communicatively coupled to one or more of the plurality of pumps; wherein the computer system is operable to access respective calibration information for the one or more pumps,   wherein the computer system is further operable to provide an indication if the one or more pumps are outside of a calibration interval or will fall outside of the calibration interval during a predetermined operation time.   
   
   
       178 . The system of  claim 177 , wherein the calibration information comprises a last date that the pump was calibrated, and wherein the calibration interval is a fixed interval. 
   
   
       179 - 428 . (canceled) 
   
   
       429 . The system of  claim 177 , wherein the computer system is further operable to determine the one or more controlled delivery rates of substance delivery. 
   
   
       430 . The system of  claim 177 , wherein the computer system is communicatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of pumps through a wireless network. 
   
   
       431 . The system of  claim 177 , further comprising at least one box coupled to the one or more pumps, wherein the box is configured to store calibration information received from the computer system for the pump. 
   
   
       432 . The system of  claim 177 , wherein the indication is an audible alarm. 
   
   
       433 . The system of  claim 177 , wherein the indication is a graphic display. 
   
   
       434 . The system of  claim 177 , wherein the system is further operable to inhibit the operation of one or more of the pumps that are outside of a calibration interval or will fall outside of the calibration interval during a predetermined operation time. 
   
   
       435 . The system of  claim 177 , wherein the computer system comprises a calibration database comprising pump calibration information. 
   
   
       438 . The system of  claim 177 , wherein the computer system is further operable to calibrate the one or more pumps according to a predetermined schedule. 
   
   
       439 . The system of  claim 438 , wherein the computer system is configured to poll the one or more pumps and determine which of the pumps is currently coupled to the network. 
   
   
       440 . The system of  claim 177 , wherein calibration information is stored in firmware of the at least two pumps. 
   
   
       441 . A method of calibrating one or more pumps communicatively coupled to a computer system, wherein the one or more pumps are operable to deliver a substance to one or more animals via a syringe coupled to the one or more pumps at one or more controlled delivery rates, the method comprising:
 polling one or more pumps, with the computer system, to obtain calibration information from the one or more pumps; and   providing an indication, with the computer system, if the one or more pumps are outside of a calibration interval or will fall outside of the calibration interval during a predetermined operation time.   
   
   
       442 . The method of  claim 441 , wherein the calibration information comprises a last date that the pump was calibrated, and wherein the calibration interval is a fixed interval. 
   
   
       443 . The method of  claim 441 , wherein the computer system is further operable to determine the one or more controlled delivery rates of substance delivery. 
   
   
       444 . The method of  claim 441 , wherein the indication is an audible alarm. 
   
   
       445 . The method of  claim 441 , wherein the indication is a graphic display. 
   
   
       446 . The method of  claim 441 , further comprising inhibiting the operation of one or more of the pumps that are outside of a calibration interval or will fall outside of the calibration interval during a predetermined operation time. 
   
   
       447 . The method of  claim 441 , further comprising automatically calibrating the one or more pumps according to a predetermined schedule stored in the computer system, wherein the calibration is performed by the computer system.