Medical cart, medication module, height adjustment mechanism, and method of medicaton transport

Abstract

A medical cart is described and includes a work platform having a work surface and at least one compartment, a base, and a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the work platform relative to the base. A medication module is described and includes a plurality of compartments. The medical cart can be joined with a medication module. In addition, a plurality of medication modules can joined to form a train. The medical cart and medication module can be used collectively and individually in a variety of methods for transferring medicine.

1 . A cart comprising:
 a work platform including a movable platform, a work surface area, and at least one compartment for containing an item within the compartment, wherein the movable platform and the work surface area are disposed above a top of the at least one compartment;   a base configured to be movable in at least a rearward direction; and   a height adjustment mechanism configured to position the work platform at a plurality of heights relative to the base,   wherein the base includes a portion projecting, relative to the height adjustment mechanism, in a forward direction that is substantially opposite to the rearward direction,   wherein the work platform includes a portion projecting, relative to the height adjustment mechanism, in the forward direction,   wherein the at least one compartment is disposed in the portion of the work platform projecting in the forward direction, and the compartment is configured to permit a user facing in the rearward direction to access the item within the compartment, and   wherein the movable platform is movable relative to the work surface area from an extended position to a non-extended position.   
     
     
         2 . The cart of  claim 1 , wherein the height adjustment mechanism comprises a driver, an actuator configured to control the driver, a first telescoping portion connected to the base, and a second telescoping portion connected to the work platform and configured to move relative to the first telescoping portion, and
 wherein the driver is configured to releasably position the second telescoping portion relative to the first telescoping portion.   
     
     
         3 . The cart of  claim 2 , wherein the first telescoping portion is a stationary outer casing, and the second telescoping portion is a movable inner casing. 
     
     
         4 . The cart of  claim 2 , wherein the actuator is disposed above the compartment and on the portion of the work platform projecting in the forward direction. 
     
     
         5 . The cart of  claim 2 , wherein the driver includes a piston that, in response to the user's actuation of the actuator, is configured to permit gas to flow out of the piston during lowering of a height of the work platform, and that, in response to the user's actuation of the actuator, is configured to permit gas to flow into the piston during increasing of the height of the work platform. 
     
     
         6 . The cart of  claim 1 , wherein the movable platform is configured to move in at least one of the forward direction and the rearward direction relative to the work surface area. 
     
     
         7 . The cart of  claim 6 , wherein the work platform is configured such that both the movable platform and the work surface area are exposed after the movable platform has moved in the at least one of the forward and rearward directions relative to the work surface area. 
     
     
         8 . The cart of  claim 6 , wherein the work surface area does not move in the forward and rearward directions relative to the base. 
     
     
         9 . The cart of  claim 6 , wherein the work surface area is positioned between the movable platform and the top of the at least one compartment in a vertical direction. 
     
     
         10 . The cart of  claim 1 , further comprising a work surface configured to move in at least one of a leftward direction and a rightward direction relative to the work surface area. 
     
     
         11 . The cart of  claim 10 , wherein the work surface is configured to move in the at least one of the leftward direction and the rightward direction through a slot in a side of the portion of the work platform projecting in the forward direction. 
     
     
         12 . The cart of  claim 10 , wherein the work surface is configured to move in the at least one of the leftward direction and the rightward direction along an arcuate path that faces the forward direction. 
     
     
         13 . The cart of  claim 10 , wherein the work surface is configured to move in the at least one of the leftward direction and the rightward direction such that the work surface can be disposed below the movable platform. 
     
     
         14 . The cart of  claim 1 , wherein the movable platform is a laptop platform. 
     
     
         15 . The cart of  claim 1 , wherein the work platform is configured such that the work surface area can be positioned in vertical alignment with the movable platform when the movable platform is in the non-extended position. 
     
     
         16 . The cart of  claim 1 , wherein the movable platform is movable relative to the work surface area from the extended position to the non-extended position in a linear manner. 
     
     
         17 . The cart of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one compartment comprises a plurality of drawers. 
     
     
         18 . The cart of  claim 1 , wherein each drawer of the plurality of drawers comprises a labeling portion configured to allow a label to be displayed on the respective drawer. 
     
     
         19 . The cart of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of drawers are configured to be locked using one of a manual key system and a keyless entry system. 
     
     
         20 . The cart of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of drawers are configured to be locked using a keyless entry system comprising a keypad. 
     
     
         21 . The cart of  claim 20 , wherein the keyless entry system further comprises a solenoid, a print circuit board, a piston, a spring-biased hinge having an active side and a stationary side, and an actuating lever connected to the piston which is pivotable around an axis of rotation,
 wherein, in a locked orientation, the active side of the hinge is configured to be engaged with a notch formed on one of the drawers in an engagement position, and   wherein the keyless entry system is configured to unlock the one of the drawers by the print circuit board receiving an entry signal from the keypad, the print circuit board sending an unlock signal to the solenoid based on said entry signal, the solenoid withdrawing the piston based on the unlock signal, an end of the actuating lever in contact with the active side of the hinge swinging in response to the withdrawal of the piston, and the active side of the hinge swinging out of the engagement position with the notch and into a disengagement position with the notch in response to the end of the actuating lever swinging.