WO2012048324A2 - Étiquette conforme aux normes, procédé de production d'une étiquette conforme aux normes et imprimante d'étiquettes conformes aux normes - Google Patents

Étiquette conforme aux normes, procédé de production d'une étiquette conforme aux normes et imprimante d'étiquettes conformes aux normes Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012048324A2
WO2012048324A2 PCT/US2011/055631 US2011055631W WO2012048324A2 WO 2012048324 A2 WO2012048324 A2 WO 2012048324A2 US 2011055631 W US2011055631 W US 2011055631W WO 2012048324 A2 WO2012048324 A2 WO 2012048324A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
label
content
medicinal substance
labeled
color
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2011/055631
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2012048324A3 (fr
Inventor
Lawrence Srnka
Peter Botten
Original Assignee
Codonics, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US12/901,088 external-priority patent/US8582171B2/en
Priority claimed from US12/901,110 external-priority patent/US20120089411A1/en
Application filed by Codonics, Inc. filed Critical Codonics, Inc.
Priority to CN201190000931.1U priority Critical patent/CN203759721U/zh
Priority to JP2013533006A priority patent/JP2014500806A/ja
Publication of WO2012048324A2 publication Critical patent/WO2012048324A2/fr
Publication of WO2012048324A3 publication Critical patent/WO2012048324A3/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J3/00—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
    • B41J3/407—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
    • B41J3/4075—Tape printers; Label printers

Definitions

  • This application relates generally to a standard-compliant label and, more specifically, to a method of providing a label on-demand that is compliant with a medical labeling standard.
  • each label has been sterilized by the manufacturer before being sealed within an individual wrapper before the wrapped labels were distributed to users.
  • pens used for hand writing label content on sterile labels have also been sterilized by the manufacturers and sealed in individual wrappers to be distributed to users in the medical field.
  • a wrapped label would be retrieved from a bin of such labels along with a wrapped pen. Both the label and the pen were opened by the user within or near the sterile environment, and the label content applied to the sterile label with the sterile pen.
  • this traditional method and system for providing sterile labels in the medical field is prone to errors due to illegible handwriting.
  • the subject application involves a method of providing a label for a medicinal or other substance in the medical field.
  • the method includes receiving an identification of the medicinal substance entered via a computer- input peripheral. Based on the identification of the medicinal substance received, selecting at least one requirement mandated by a labeling standard such as a color code associated with the medicinal substance, a font to be used for label content, any other requirement of the labeling standard, or any combination thereof.
  • a labeling standard such as a color code associated with the medicinal substance, a font to be used for label content, any other requirement of the labeling standard, or any combination thereof.
  • the label content optionally comprising at least one of a name of the medicinal substance on a label stock and a color code to produce a color-coded label for the medicinal substance, said label being compliant with a labeling standard governing at least one aspect of a label employed in a medical application.
  • the subject application involves a computer terminal for generating a label for identifying a medicinal substance to be administered to a patient.
  • the computer terminal includes a processor; a computer-input peripheral for entry of an identification of the medicinal substance; a printer for printing label content on the label; and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed, control the terminal in performing a method.
  • the method includes receiving the identification of the medicinal substance entered via the computer-input peripheral. Based on the identification of the medicinal substance received, a color code for the medicinal substance is selected in compliance with a medicinal substance labeling standard. With the printer, label content that is required by the medicinal substance labeling standard is printed.
  • the label content includes at least a name of the medicinal substance on label stock to produce a color- coded label for the medicinal substance, said color-coded label being compliant with the medicinal substance labeling standard.
  • the subject application involves a healthcare facility that includes a substantially sterile environment in which a medical procedure is to be performed on a patient.
  • a computer terminal is provided for generating a label for a medicinal substance to be administered to the patient, or for labeling any other object or substance involved in a medical application.
  • the terminal includes a processor, a computer-input peripheral for entry of an identification of the medicinal substance, a printer for printing label content on the label, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed, control the terminal in performing a method.
  • the method includes receiving the identification of the medicinal substance entered via the computer-input peripheral.
  • a color code for the medicinal substance is selected in compliance with a medicinal substance labeling standard.
  • label content that is required by the medicinal substance labeling standard is printed.
  • the label content includes at least a name of the medicinal substance on label stock to produce a color-coded label for the medicinal substance.
  • the color-coded label is compliant with the medicinal substance labeling standard.
  • the subject application involves a label generated on-demand for identifying a medicinal substance to be administered to a patient.
  • the label includes a content surface on which label content is printed on-demand by a computer printer.
  • the label content includes information required by a medical labeling standard.
  • An adhesive surface is provided to be applied against a container for storing the medicinal substance and adhering the label to the container.
  • a color code is visible when viewing the content surface.
  • the color code is specified by the medical labeling standard for conveying information about the medicinal substance to be stored in the container, and the label content and color code render the label compliant with the medical labeling standard.
  • the subject application involves a method of generating a label for use in a medical application.
  • the method includes receiving label content specified by a user that is to be applied to a surface of the label.
  • the label content comprising a machine-generated character is printed, on demand, onto the label, and the label bearing the label content is dispensed in a substantially-sterile condition for use in the medical application.
  • the subject application involves a printer for generating a label for use in a medical application.
  • the printer includes a label feeder that supplies labels on which label content is to be printed, and a print head that applies the label content comprising a machine-generated character to the label on demand.
  • a dispenser that dispenses the label bearing the label content in a substantially-sterile condition for use in the medical application is also provided.
  • the subject application involves a printer accessory that is to cooperate with a printer for producing labels for use in a medical application.
  • the printer accessory includes a receiver for receiving the label with label content printed, on demand and at a facility where the label is to be used in the medical application, and dispensed by the printer.
  • the label content includes machine-generated characters.
  • a packager that introduces the label with the label content to a package that is to at least partially enclose the label and dispenses the label in a substantially-sterile condition suitable for use in the medical application is also provided.
  • FIG. 1 shows an illustrative embodiment of a computer terminal for producing, on demand, a label that is compliant with a medical labeling standard and in a substantially-sterile condition;
  • FIG. 2 shows a block diagram illustrating components of the computer terminal shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 shows an illustrative embodiment of a label that complies with a medical labeling standard
  • FIG. 4 shows an illustrative embodiment of a syringe provided with a label that is compliant with a medicinal labeling standard
  • FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram schematically depicting an embodiment of a method of producing a label that complies with a medicinal labeling standard
  • FIG. 6 shows a block diagram illustrating components of a computer terminal for producing labels in a substantially-sterile condition according to an alternate embodiment
  • FIG. 7 shows an illustrative embodiment of a dispenser provided to a printer for dispensing labels in a substantially-sterile condition
  • FIG. 8 shows another illustrative embodiment of a dispenser provided to a printer for dispensing labels in a substantially-sterile condition.
  • the phrase "at least one of, if used herein, followed by a plurality of members herein means one of the members, or a combination of more than one of the members.
  • the phrase "at least one of a first widget and a second widget” means in the present application: the first widget, the second widget, or the first widget and the second widget.
  • “at least one of a first widget, a second widget and a third widget” means in the present application: the first widget, the second widget, the third widget, the first widget and the second widget, the first widget and the third widget, the second widget and the third widget, or the first widget and the second widget and the third widget.
  • the computer terminal 10 includes a touch-screen display 14 pivotally attached to the a cabinet 20 that displays a virtual label 16 to be printed as the label 12, and displays soft keys that can be touched by a technician or any user to input data and commands into the computer terminal 10.
  • the virtual label 16 is a computer-generated rendering of the label 12 that offers the user visual confirmation of the appearance of the physical label 12 to be printed by a printer 26.
  • a computer-input peripheral such as a contactless scanner 18 can be provided at a convenient location such as integrally formed as part of the display 14, adjacent a bottom portion of the display 14 to read a machine -readable code. Integrating the scanner 18 into the monitor 14 allows for efficient use of space.
  • the computer-input peripheral can be a barcode reader or radio-frequency identification (“RFID”) tag reader, or any other device that reads a machine -readable code such as a barcode or RFID code, respectively, or any other machine-readable code, with or without requiring contact between the computer terminal and the code, and optionally without requiring additional input from the user during entry of the code.
  • RFID radio-frequency identification
  • Alternate embodiments can include a scanner 18 that can not only read the machine-readable code, but also transmit data to programmable embodiments of the code such as a RFID tag.
  • the display 14 can be utilized by a user as the computer-input peripheral.
  • the soft keys displayed by the display 14 can be selected to input information such as a medicinal substance being prepared to be administered to a patient or other information to be utilized in generating the label as described herein.
  • FIG. 1 shows an illustrative embodiment of a computer terminal 10 for generating a label 12 for identifying a medicinal substance to be administered to a patient, a tissue sample, a medical device, a solvent, or any other material encountered in a medical application.
  • the medical application can be considered any activity, object or substance relating to, or otherwise involved in the provision of medical treatment, healthcare, and the performance of any activity in the life sciences.
  • the labeling of a medicinal substance is described in the examples below.
  • the invention is not limited to the labeling of a medicinal substance according to a medicinal substance labeling standard, but encompasses the labeling of any material encountered in the medical field according to a standard observed in the medical field governing the labeling of that material.
  • the computer terminal 10 includes a touch-screen display 14 that is pivotally coupled to a cabinet 20 and displays a virtual label 16 to be printed as the label 12, and displays soft keys that can be touched by a technician or any user to input data and commands into the computer terminal 10.
  • the pivotal coupling allows the display 14 to be pivoted between upward and downward orientations relative to the cabinet 20, making the display 14 readable by users of various different heights. Further, the pivotal nature of the display 14 provides great flexibility in the height at which the computer terminal 10 can be positioned for use.
  • the virtual label 16 is a computer-generated rendering of the label 12 that offers the user visual confirmation of the appearance of the physical label 12 to be printed by a printer 26.
  • a computer-input peripheral such as a contactless scanner 18 can be provided at a convenient location such as integrally formed in a bottom portion of the display 14 to read a machine -readable code supported beneath the scanner 18. Integrally forming the scanner 18 as part of the display 14 provides for space savings over an arrangement where the scanner 18 is formed as a separate peripheral, which can be repositioned relative to the display 14. However, other embodiments can allow for a separate and distinct scanner 18 and/or display 14.
  • the computer-input peripheral can be a barcode reader or radio- frequency identification (“RFID”) tag reader, or any other device that reads a machine- readable code such as a barcode or RFID code, respectively, or any other machine- readable code without requiring contact between the computer terminal and the code, and optionally the user during entry of the code.
  • the display 14 can be utilized by a user as the computer-input peripheral.
  • the soft keys displayed by the display 14 can be selected to input information such as a medicinal substance being prepared to be administered to a patient or other information to be utilized in generating the label as described herein.
  • the computer terminal 10 also includes the cabinet 20 housing components that are operable to produce the label 12 in compliance with a medical labeling standard. But again, if what is being labeled is anything other than the medicinal substance, then the label 12 produced is to be compliant with a standard developed by a trade or professional organization, governing body, government agency, a healthcare provider or facility such as a hospital, or any other standards body setting forth policies for labeling such material.
  • the cabinet 20 can also pivotally support the display 14 with the integrated scanner 18 to form a self-contained, stand-alone unit.
  • the internal components housed within the cabinet 20 are schematically illustrated by the block diagram of FIG. 2.
  • a computer processor 22 is provided to execute computer-executable instructions stored in a non-transitory computer readable memory 24 such as a hard disk drive, read-only memory (“ROM”), random access memory (“RAM”), optical disc, or any other suitable memory device.
  • the computer-executed instructions when executed by the computer processor 22, result in the performance of the method of generating a label for a medicinal substance described in detail below.
  • a bus system 28 facilitates communication between components such as the display 14, scanner 18, processor 22, memory 24 and printer 26.
  • the printer 26 like the scanner 18, can be integrally formed as part of the stand-alone configuration of the computer terminal 10, meaning all components necessary for operation are packaged together as part of a common enclosure.
  • the printer 26 includes a print head 30 enclosed within the cabinet 20 for applying label content onto label stock delivered from a supply 32 of labels, which can be blank, or at least in partial compliance with a medical labeling standard.
  • the print head 30 can fall within any category of printing technology suitable to apply label content onto label stock.
  • the print head 30 can be an inkjet print head that deposits droplets of ink in a pattern to create the label content, a laser print head that directs a laser across a photoreceptor to create the pattern for the label content to be printed, a solid-ink print head, a dot matrix print head, and the like.
  • the label supply 32 can include a roll of label stock that has blank labels supported on a release tape, a tray of individual blank labels, or any other source of labels on which label content is to be printed.
  • the label supply 32 can be internally disposed within the printer 26 or fed into the printer from an external location.
  • the computer terminal 10 can optionally be deployed at a healthcare facility such as a hospital or surgical center, for example, where medicinal substances are prepared and administered to patients.
  • a healthcare facility such as a hospital or surgical center, for example, where medicinal substances are prepared and administered to patients.
  • An operating room, treatment room, or other facility including a sterile field that is a substantially-sterile environment can optionally be provided within the healthcare facility, and the computer terminal 10 disposed within, or immediately adjacent to such a sterile environment.
  • the label can be generated as described in detail below within, or at least within a close proximity to the sterile environment, and applied to the syringe, vial or other container in which the medicinal substance is to be contained with minimal exposure to other environments that are not sterile.
  • FIG. 3 shows an illustrative embodiment of a label 12 to be generated by the computer terminal 10.
  • the label 12, as shown, includes label content that is compliant with, and renders the label 12 compliant with a medical substance labeling standard.
  • the medicinal substance labeling standard can be the guidelines promulgated by the National Safety Patient Goals of the Joint Commission, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, any other medicinal labeling standard established by a professional governing or trade organization or a governmental organization, or any combination thereof. Such guidelines can be based on other medicinal substance labeling standards such as those created by ASTM International, for example.
  • the medicinal substance labeling standards can also require specific sizes, colors and patterns, type faces and other label content used on labels applied to unlabeled syringes that are filled by the users (i.e., those who will administer the medicinal substance to the patient) or their agents to identify the medicinal substance. Such standards are typically not intended to govern the requirements of labels applied by the drug manufacturer.
  • the label content required to render the label 12 compliant with a labeling standard created to govern the labeling of any material in the medical field can be specific to the particular standard against which compliance is to be measured.
  • the label content can include one, a plurality, or all of the following:
  • the label content 36 is applied by the printer 26 to a content surface 34 of the label 12 that is exposed and viewable when the label 12 is applied to the syringe or other container.
  • An adhesive surface (opposite the content surface 34) can also be provided to be applied against a syringe or other container for storing the medicinal substance and adhere the label 12 to such syringe or other container.
  • the label content is printed on-demand by the computer printer 26 under the control of the users who are involved in preparing the syringe or other container with the medical substance, administering the medicinal substance to the patient, or their agents.
  • on demand it is meant that the label is caused to be generated by the aforementioned users, as opposed to a drug manufacturer, at a time when the syringe or other container is being prepared with the medicinal substance to be labeled, or shortly before or after preparation of the syringe or other container with the medicinal substance to be labeled.
  • the illustrative embodiment of the label 12 in FIG. 3 is compliant with a medicinal substance labeling standard requiring the name 38 of the medicinal substance, which is Propofol in the present embodiment, along with a concentration 40 of the medicinal substance, which is 10 mg/mL.
  • the name of the medicinal substance can be printed using so-called "tall man lettering" to help emphasize the difference between different medicinal substances with similar spellings. Tall man lettering requires printing a distinguishing portion of the name in all caps, and the remainder of the name in common with the distinguished medicinal substance in lower case letters.
  • the label content 36 on the label 12 also includes the identity 42 of the person who prepared the label 12 and/or the syringe of the medicinal substance, along with the date and time 44 the syringe of the medicinal substance was prepared, and the expiration date and time 46 of that syringe of the medicinal substance.
  • the label 12 also includes a color code that is visible when viewing the content surface 34 of the label 12.
  • the color code appears as a solid colored background 48 to printed text such as the name 38, concentration 40, identity 42 of the preparer, and preparation and expiration dates and times 44, 46.
  • the color code is specified in this example by the medicinal substance labeling standard.
  • induction agents such as thiopental and ketamine are identified by a solid yellow color code.
  • Tranquilizers such as diazepam and midazolam are identified by a solid orange color background.
  • Narcotics such as morphine and fentanyl are identified by a solid blue color background.
  • Antagonist medicinal substances are denoted by diagonal stripes of the agonist color alternating with white stripes.
  • the color code can optionally be printed onto the content surface 34 as label content 36 by the printer 26.
  • the color code is pre-applied to the label 12 to be visible when viewing the content surface 34 by a manufacturer of the label stock before the label 12 is introduced to the printer 26.
  • the appropriate pre-color-coded label stock is selected from among available label stock that is pre-color coded with a plurality of different colors. Each of the different colors corresponds to a different medicinal substance in accordance with the medicinal substance labeling standard. Thus, several rolls of different colored label stock may be available, and the appropriate roll having the color code
  • corresponding to the medicinal substance to be labeled can be selected.
  • a machine -readable code 50 can also optionally be printed by the printer 26 as label content 36 on the label 12.
  • the machine-readable code can be a barcode, RFID code, or other suitable code that is indicative of the medicinal substance being labeled.
  • the machine-readable code 50 can represent the other label content 36, and optionally the color code, for integrating the labeling of the syringe or other container with an Anesthesiology Information Management System ("AIMS") or other hospital information system.
  • FIG. 4 shows an illustrative embodiment of a syringe 52 storing a medicinal substance that is labeled with a label 12 generated according to the method described herein.
  • the label 12 bearing the machine -readable code 50 can be applied to the syringe 52 and, before administration of the medicinal substance, the machine-readable code 50 can be scanned by scanner 18 (FIG. 1) provided to the computer terminal 10.
  • the computer terminal 10 can optionally display the virtual label 16, and optionally audibly announce the medicinal substance identified by the label 12 for confirmation purposes.
  • a method of providing a label for a medicinal substance is illustrated schematically in FIG. 5.
  • the method includes receiving, at step 100, an identification of the medicinal substance entered via a computer-input peripheral such as the display 14, scanner 18, or a combination thereof.
  • a vial from which the medicinal substance is to be extracted into a syringe 52 is also labeled with a barcode or other machine -readable code identifying the medicinal substance. That barcode can be scanned by the scanner 18 to automatically input into the computer terminal 10 information such as the name of the medicinal substance, concentration and preparation and expiration dates to be included in the label content 36.
  • a machine-readable code on a badge worn by the user preparing the label and/or syringe can also be scanned by scanner 18 to input the identity of the person who is to appear as the preparer on the label 12.
  • a color code for the medicinal substance is selected in compliance with a medicinal substance labeling standard and the label content, optionally including the color code, is printed in compliance with the medicinal substance labeling standard at step 110.
  • a color code for the medicinal substance is selected in compliance with a medicinal substance labeling standard and the label content, optionally including the color code, is printed in compliance with the medicinal substance labeling standard at step 110.
  • Propofol is an induction agent, so the yellow color code can be selected according to one labeling standard.
  • a lookup table storing relationships between the color code, text font, label size, and the various medicinal substances can be stored in the non-transitory computer-readable memory provided to the computer terminal 10.
  • the printing on demand at step 110 can optionally occur automatically without operator intervention, with a computer printer.
  • the label content can optionally comprise at least the name 38 (FIG. 3) of the medicinal substance on the content surface 34 of label stock to produce a color-coded label 12 for the medicinal substance that is compliant with the medicinal substance labeling standard.
  • FIGs. 6-8 Another embodiment of the computer terminal 10 provided with a printer 26 for printing sterile labels suitable for use in sterile conditions is illustrated in FIGs. 6-8.
  • the printer 26 includes a print head 30 for applying label content comprising at least one machine-generated character to the label 12, on demand, delivered to the print head 30 by a feeder 32 of label stock.
  • the print head 30 can fall within any category of printing technology suitable to apply label content onto label stock.
  • the print head 30 can be an inkjet print head that deposits droplets of ink in a pattern to create the label content, a thermal print head that applies label content through application of a thermal printing process, a laser print head that directs a laser across a photoreceptor to create the pattern for the label content to be printed, a solid-ink print head, a dot matrix print head, and the like.
  • the feeder 32 can be adapted to support a roll of label stock that has base labels supported on a release tape, can include a tray for storing a supply of individual base labels, or any other source of labels on which label content is to be printed.
  • the feeder 32 can be internally disposed within the printer 26 or located at an external location relative to the printer 26 from where it can feed base labels into the printer 26.
  • the computer terminal 10 can be deployed at a healthcare facility such as a hospital or surgical center, or anywhere a substantially- sterile label 12 is desired to minimize the risk of infection to a living organism, for example.
  • a healthcare facility such as a hospital or surgical center
  • An operating room, treatment room, or other substantially-sterile environment such can optionally be provided within the healthcare facility, and the printer 26 disposed within, or immediately adjacent to such a substantially- sterile environment.
  • the label 12 can optionally be generated as described in detail below within, or at least within a close proximity to the substantially-sterile environment, or elsewhere the same facility where the label 12 is to be used.
  • the label content is applied by the printer 26 on a content surface 34 of the label 12 that is exposed and viewable by observers when the label 12 is applied to a syringe or other container storing the medicinal substance.
  • An adhesive surface (opposite the content surface 34) can also be provided to be applied against a syringe, other container or any other object to adhere the label 12 to such objects.
  • the label content can include any identifying or other desired information about the object to be labeled, and is printed on-demand by the computer printer 26 under the control of one or more users who are involved in labeling the medicinal substance or other object in the medical field, or their agents.
  • on demand it is meant that the label is caused to be generated by the aforementioned users at a moment when the label 12 is desired. That moment can be when the label 12 is to be used for labeling purposes, such as when the label 12 is desired to be placed on a syringe storing a medicinal substance or while the syringe is being prepared, for example, or as needed at any other time prior to use of the label in the sterile environment.
  • the label 12 can be printed at a time when the syringe or other container is being prepared with the medicinal substance to be labeled, or shortly before or after preparation of the syringe or other container with the medicinal substance to be labeled.
  • the embodiment of the printer 26 in FIG. 6 also includes a dispenser 136 that dispenses the label 12 bearing label content in a substantially-sterile condition for use in the medical application.
  • a dispenser 136 that dispenses the label 12 bearing label content in a substantially-sterile condition for use in the medical application.
  • a label 12 to be in a substantially-sterile condition at least one of the following mush occur: a portion, and optionally the entire label 12 must have undergone a sterilization procedure; a portion, or optionally all of a package 138 (FIGs. 3 and 4) that is to least partially enclose the label 12 must have undergone a sterilization procedure; or a combination thereof.
  • the content surface 34 or other portion of the label 12 can be exposed to a sterilizing agent that can kill a substantial portion of any living organisms on the content surface 34.
  • sterilizing agents include, but are not limited to UV light, liquid or dry chemical disinfectants, steam, radiation, etc.
  • the sterilization procedure can optionally be performed by the dispenser 136 provided to the printer 26, or by another party such as a manufacturer of label stock before the label stock is provided to the feeder 32 of the printer.
  • FIG. 7 An embodiment of a dispenser 136 is shown schematically in FIG. 7. As shown, the dispenser is provided to a printer 26 as an after-market peripheral, connected to receive labels 12 bearing label content printed by an inkjet print head 30. The labels 12 are received by the dispenser 136 through a receiver 40, which in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is an aperture through which the labels 12 enter the dispenser 136. Other embodiments can optionally include a dispenser 136 integrally formed as a portion of the printer 26, within the cabinet 20.
  • the labels 12 have had the label content printed thereon and have been received by the dispenser 136, those labels 12 are introduced to a sterilizer 142, which exposes at least the content surface 34 of the labels 12 to a sterilizing agent.
  • the sterilizing agent is UV light 144 emitted from an UV illumination source 146.
  • a plurality of UV illumination sources 146 are provided on opposite sides of the labels 12 being subjected to the sterilization procedure. Such an arrangement allows for substantial sterilization of opposite sides of the label 12.
  • the labels 12 are subsequently introduced to a packager 148, identified by broken lines.
  • the packager 148 introduces the labels 12 to a package material that at least partially encloses the labels 12.
  • the packager 148 includes two rolls 150 of a non-sterile plastic film 152.
  • materials other than plastic can be used for the film 152, which can also be supplied in forms other than rolls 150.
  • a segment of the film 152 is placed over the content surface 34 of the labels 12 and another segment of film from the other roll 150 under the opposite planar surface of the label 12 relative to the segment passing over the label 12.
  • the film 152 can be subjected to the sterilizing procedure, or can be formed from a material that is not subjected to a sterilizing procedure and, thus, is in a substantially-sterilized condition.
  • the inward-facing surface of each film 152 that is to face the label 12 when formed into the package 138 is exposed to the UV light 144 from the UV illumination source 146.
  • this UV light 144 can optionally be transmitted through the films 152 to also substantially sterilize the other outward-facing major surface of one or both films 152.
  • dispenser 136 can include one or a plurality of additional UV illumination sources (instead of, or in addition to the UV illumination sources 146) disposed adjacent to the outward-facing surface of one or both films 152 to expose those outward-facing surfaces to the UV light 144 to substantially sterilize those outward facing surfaces.
  • the outward-facing surface of each film 152 faces away from the label 12 when formed into the package 138.
  • a pair of adjustable heat stakes 154 is used to seal the package 138 formed by the films 152 at opposite ends of the label 12.
  • the heat stakes 154 are brought together to pinch the films together at the pinch point 158.
  • At least the pinching ends of one or both of the stakes that contact the films 152 is heated to a suitable elevated temperature to melt the films 152 together at the pinch point 158.
  • the user can retrieve the substantially-sterile label 12a being dispensed and peel the segments of films 152 that collectively form the package 138 away from each other.
  • a release liner against which the adhesive surface of the substantially-sterile label 12a is applied can be removed and the substantially-sterile label 12a adhered to the object to be labeled.
  • the printer 26 receives label content specified by a user. The user can specify the label content by keying the label content into the computer 10 using a keyboard or soft keys presented on the display 14, scanning a machine -readable code using the scanner 18, or in any other manner.
  • the printer 26 can, on demand, and optionally automatically without user intervention in response to receiving the label content, print the label content on the label 12.
  • the label 12 Between packaging the label 12 and printing the label content, the label 12, or at least a portion thereof, is exposed to the UV light 144 to place the label 12 in a substantially-sterile condition. Following exposure to the UV light 144 the label 12 is packaged between the plastic films 152, one from each roller 150. The heat stakes 154 come together and are heated, thereby completing the enclosure of the label 12 and separating the label 12 from others being dispensed.
  • FIG. 8 Another illustrative embodiment of a dispenser 66 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 8. Like the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the present embodiment includes a receiver 62 in the form of an aperture through which labels 12 with label content already printed thereon by the print head 30 can enter the dispenser 66.
  • the present embodiment also includes a packager 64 comprising two rolls 56a, 56b of material that collectively form a package 68 around the labels 12 to be dispensed from the dispenser 66.
  • a packager 64 comprising two rolls 56a, 56b of material that collectively form a package 68 around the labels 12 to be dispensed from the dispenser 66.
  • at least one of the rolls 56a, 56b of material is in a substantially-sterile condition, having been previously subjected to a sterilization procedure.
  • the dispenser 66 lacks a sterilizer such as that described with reference to FIG. 7. Instead, the labels 12 are laminated between laminating material 70 from roll 56a and a release layer 72 from roll 56b.
  • the laminating material 70 can be adhesively coupled to the label 12 and or release layer 72, can be heat activated to bond with the release layer and/or label 12 when subjected to heat and pressure, or can be coupled to the release layer in any desired manner to enclose and seal substantially the entire label 12 between the laminating material 70 and release layer 72.
  • Laminating nip rollers 74 can be provided to apply heat and/or pressure against the laminating material 70 and release layer 72 as necessary to seal the package 68 collectively formed thereby.
  • Labels 12 enclosed within the package are in the substantially-sterile condition because the unsterilized label 12 is substantially entirely, and optionally entirely enclosed by the package 68, which has been subjected to a sterilizing procedure by a manufacturer before being coupled to the printer 26.
  • An optional cutting device 76 can be provided between the laminating nip rollers and the location where the labels 12 in the substantially- sterilized condition are dispensed from the dispenser 66. The cutter 76 is operable to separate the labels 12 from one another to be individually dispensed, each in their own individual package 68.
  • an optional cutter 78 can be provided between the print head 30 and the dispenser 66 such that individual labels 12 are received by the dispenser 66 rather than a continuous tape supporting a plurality of labels 12.
  • the label 12 on which the label content is to be printed has already been subjected to a sterilization procedure and enclosed within an individual package prior to the printing of the label content.
  • the label within the package is introduced to the print head 30, which can be a thermal print head, already packaged and in a substantially- sterile condition.
  • a thermal printing operation is performed with the thermal print head to apply label content onto the label 12 while the label 12 is enclosed within the package.
  • the resulting label bearing the thermally-printed label content and packaged in a substantially-sterile condition is then dispensed for use in the medical field.

Landscapes

  • Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
  • Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)
  • Printers Characterized By Their Purpose (AREA)
  • Accessory Devices And Overall Control Thereof (AREA)
  • Record Information Processing For Printing (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne une étiquette générée à la demande pour identifier une substance médicinale à administrer à un patient, et un appareil d'impression pour générer une telle étiquette. L'étiquette comprend une surface de contenu sur laquelle le contenu de l'étiquette est imprimé à la demande par une imprimante informatique. Le contenu de l'étiquette comprend des informations exigées par une norme d'étiquetage médical. Une surface adhésive est produite pour être appliquée contre un récipient pour stocker la substance médicinale et coller l'étiquette au récipient. Un code couleur est visible lors de l'observation de la surface du contenu. Le code couleur est spécifié par la norme d'étiquetage médical pour contenir des informations sur la substance médicinale à stocker dans le récipient, et le contenu de l'étiquette et le code couleur rendent l'étiquette conforme à la norme d'étiquetage médical.
PCT/US2011/055631 2010-10-08 2011-10-10 Étiquette conforme aux normes, procédé de production d'une étiquette conforme aux normes et imprimante d'étiquettes conformes aux normes WO2012048324A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN201190000931.1U CN203759721U (zh) 2010-10-08 2011-10-10 用于生成标签的计算机终端、保健设施以及按需生成的用于标识用于医疗应用的材料的标签
JP2013533006A JP2014500806A (ja) 2010-10-08 2011-10-10 規格準拠ラベル、規格準拠ラベルを提供する方法、および規格準拠ラベルプリンタ

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/901,088 US8582171B2 (en) 2010-10-08 2010-10-08 Method and apparatus for printing labels for medical applications
US12/901,110 US20120089411A1 (en) 2010-10-08 2010-10-08 Standard-compliant label and method of providing a standard compliant label
US12/901,110 2010-10-08
US12/901,088 2010-10-08

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2012048324A2 true WO2012048324A2 (fr) 2012-04-12
WO2012048324A3 WO2012048324A3 (fr) 2012-06-21

Family

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PCT/US2011/055631 WO2012048324A2 (fr) 2010-10-08 2011-10-10 Étiquette conforme aux normes, procédé de production d'une étiquette conforme aux normes et imprimante d'étiquettes conformes aux normes

Country Status (3)

Country Link
JP (1) JP2014500806A (fr)
CN (1) CN203759721U (fr)
WO (1) WO2012048324A2 (fr)

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JP2016508853A (ja) * 2013-03-07 2016-03-24 デイヴィッド ビー． ブラザーズ、 無駄の少ない注射器及び針集合体
WO2017095779A1 (fr) * 2015-12-01 2017-06-08 Id Technology Llc Applicateur d'étiquette en ligne
WO2018111448A1 (fr) * 2016-12-12 2018-06-21 Bajovic Filip Étiquette vestimentaire électronique sur l'entretien et la composition
US10780229B2 (en) 2013-03-07 2020-09-22 David B. Brothers Low waste syringe and needle assemblage
US11488228B2 (en) 2016-12-12 2022-11-01 Cacotec Corporation Electronic care and content clothing label

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EP3245137A4 (fr) * 2015-01-15 2018-09-05 Codonics, Inc. Appareil d'étiquetage médical avec des informations de médicament
KR20180035738A (ko) * 2015-07-29 2018-04-06 가부시키가이샤 유야마 세이사쿠쇼 혼주 지원 시스템
US10984683B2 (en) * 2017-01-20 2021-04-20 Iconex Llc Two-ply channel liner, label, and roll
JP2021124736A (ja) * 2020-01-31 2021-08-30 ブラザー工業株式会社 印刷データ編集装置、印刷データ作成プログラム、及び印刷システム

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JP2016508853A (ja) * 2013-03-07 2016-03-24 デイヴィッド ビー． ブラザーズ、 無駄の少ない注射器及び針集合体
US10780229B2 (en) 2013-03-07 2020-09-22 David B. Brothers Low waste syringe and needle assemblage
US11980745B2 (en) 2013-03-07 2024-05-14 David B. Brothers Low waste syringe and needle assemblage
WO2017095779A1 (fr) * 2015-12-01 2017-06-08 Id Technology Llc Applicateur d'étiquette en ligne
US10287050B2 (en) 2015-12-01 2019-05-14 Id Technology Llc In-line label applicator
WO2018111448A1 (fr) * 2016-12-12 2018-06-21 Bajovic Filip Étiquette vestimentaire électronique sur l'entretien et la composition
US10255629B2 (en) 2016-12-12 2019-04-09 Filip Bajovic Electronic care and content clothing label
US10699322B2 (en) 2016-12-12 2020-06-30 Filip Bajovic Electronic care and content clothing label
US10977714B2 (en) 2016-12-12 2021-04-13 Cacotec Corporation Electronic care and content clothing label
US11488228B2 (en) 2016-12-12 2022-11-01 Cacotec Corporation Electronic care and content clothing label

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2014500806A (ja) 2014-01-16
CN203759721U (zh) 2014-08-06
WO2012048324A3 (fr) 2012-06-21

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