Method and apparatus for printing labels for medical applications
Inventors
Srnka, Lawrence • Botten, Peter O.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8582171-B2
Publication Date
2013-11-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
Provided is a method and apparatus for generating a label for use in a medical application. Label content specified by a user that is to be applied to a surface of the label is received. The label content, which includes a machine-generated character, is printed on demand onto the surface of the label. The label bearing the label content is dispensed in a condition suitable for use in the sterile environment.
Core Innovation
The invention describes on-demand machine-printed medical labels dispensed in a condition suitable for use in a sterile environment. The background identifies illegible handwriting associated with presterilized labels and handwritten content as the problem being addressed. The disclosed method receives user-specified label content, prints machine-generated characters on a label, substantially sterilizes at least a label surface, and dispenses the label in a condition suitable for the sterile environment.
The document also describes a computer-controlled printer integrating a label feeder, print head, sterilizer, and dispenser, and a printer accessory that receives printed labels for sterilization and packaging. Disclosed embodiments include UV exposure followed by sealing between film layers, packaging labels with presterilized laminating material and a release layer, and thermal printing on a presterilized label while it remains in an individual package.
Claims Coverage
The three independent claims cover a method, a printer, and a printer accessory for producing or preparing machine-printed labels for medical applications involving a sterile environment.
On-demand label generation and dispensing
The method receives user-specified label content and a label before substantial sterilization, prints machine-generated characters on demand, substantially sterilizes at least a label surface before dispensing, and dispenses the printed label in a condition suitable for a sterile environment.
Printer with integrated label feeding, printing, sterilizing, and dispensing
The printer includes a label feeder supplying labels before substantial sterilization, a print head applying machine-generated content on demand, a sterilizer exposing the printed label to a sterilizing agent before dispensing, and a dispenser providing the label in a condition suitable for a sterile environment.
Printer accessory for sterilizing and packaging printed labels
The accessory receives a non-sterile label with machine-generated content printed on demand at the facility where it is to be used, exposes the label to a sterilizing agent before packaging, and introduces it to a package that at least partially encloses it for dispensing in a condition suitable for a sterile environment.
The independent claims address on-demand printing and sterile-condition dispensing through a method, an integrated printer, and an accessory that sterilizes and packages a printed label.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Generating and dispensing labels for medical applications involving a sterile environment.
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