Controlled substance delivery 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 - 428 . (canceled) 
   
   
       429 . A system, comprising:
 a plurality of pumps operable to deliver a substance to a plurality of animals via a syringe coupled to the pump at one or more controlled delivery rates;   a computer system communicatively coupled to at least two of the plurality of pumps, wherein the computer system is operable to send and receive, to and from one or more of the plurality of pumps, information identifying one or more syringes to be used to deliver the substance, wherein the information comprises a size of the one or more syringes;   wherein the one or more pumps coupled to the computer system are configured to: detect a size of a syringe coupled to the one or more pumps and determine if the size of the syringe coupled to the one or more pumps is the same as a size indicated in the information sent to the one or more pumps.   
   
   
       430 . The system of  claim 429 , wherein the computer system is further operable to determine the one or more controlled delivery rates of substance delivery based on a weight of the animal. 
   
   
       431 . The system of  claim 429 , wherein the computer system is communicatively coupled to at least one of the one or more pumps through a wireless network. 
   
   
       432 . The system of  claim 429 , further comprising a box coupled to at least one of the one or more pumps, wherein the box is operable to store information received from the computer system for the pump. 
   
   
       433 . The system of  claim 429 , wherein at least one of the one or more pumps is operable to receive syringes of different diameters. 
   
   
       434 . The system of  claim 429 , wherein the information identifying one or more syringes comprises a diameter of the syringe. 
   
   
       435 . The system of  claim 429 , wherein the information identifying one or more syringes comprises a length of the syringe. 
   
   
       436 . The system of  claim 429 , wherein the one or more pumps comprise a mechanism comprising a lever coupled to a gear, wherein the pump is capable of determining a size of a syringe coupled to the pump based on a displacement of a component of the mechanism. 
   
   
       437 . The system of  claim 429 , wherein the one or more pumps are further operable to provide an indication if the detected size of the syringe coupled to the pump does not correspond to the size indicated in the information sent to the pump. 
   
   
       438 . The system of  claim 437 , wherein the indication is an audible alarm. 
   
   
       439 . The system of  claim 437 , wherein the indication is a graphic display. 
   
   
       440 . The system of  claim 429 , wherein the one or more pumps are further operable to inhibit operation of the pump while the detected syringe size does not correspond to the size indicated in the information sent to the pump. 
   
   
       441 . A method, comprising:
 sending information identifying one or more syringes to be used to deliver a substance to a respective animal to one or more pumps, wherein the information comprises a size of the one or more syringes, and wherein the one or more pumps are operable to deliver the substance to the respective animal via a syringe coupled to the pump at one or more controlled delivery rates; and   coupling a syringe to one or more of the pumps receiving the information, wherein the one or more pumps automatically detect a size of the syringe coupled to the one or more pumps;   determining if the detected size of the syringe coupled to the one or more pumps is the same as a size indicated in the information sent to the one or more pumps.   
   
   
       442 . The method of  claim 441 , wherein the information identifying one or more syringes comprises a diameter of the syringe. 
   
   
       443 . The method of  claim 441 , wherein the information identifying one or more syringes comprises a length of the syringe. 
   
   
       444 . The method of  claim 441 , further comprising the pump providing an indication if the detected size of the syringe coupled to the pump does not correspond to the size indicated in the information sent to the pump. 
   
   
       445 . The method of  claim 444 , wherein the indication is an audible alarm. 
   
   
       446 . The method of  claim 444 , wherein the indication is a graphic display. 
   
   
       447 . The method of  claim 441 , inhibiting operation of a pump while the detected syringe size does not correspond to the size indicated in the information sent to the pump. 
   
   
       448 . The method of  claim 441 , further comprising storing the sent information in a box coupled to the pump. 
   
   
       449 . The method of  claim 448 , further comprising:
 decoupling the box from the pump; and   coupling the box to a different pump;   wherein the box is operable to communicate the stored information to the different pump when coupled to the different pump.