System and apparatus for the dispensing of drugs

IS 2 330 360 T3

DESCRIPTION

System and apparatus for dispensing drugs.

Background and presentation of the invention

The present invention relates generally to the dispensing of articles, such as drugs, and more particularly to a system and apparatus for the dispensing of articles such as drugs, including an apparatus for storing, transporting, receiving, refilling and tracking. of drugs through its distribution channels.

It is known in the art to dispense drugs to a healthcare center or other care facility through an automated dispensing machine, for example, as described in US-A-5014875. By this citation the entire content of US-A-5014875 is incorporated herein by reference. As described in this patent, a pharmacist or a pharmacy technician makes provision for drugs to be transferred to each automated dispensing machine and manually placed in drawers, and more particularly compartments within these drawers, for later removal and administration. by medical and nursing staff. The patent referenced above describes the benefits of such an approach, as well as the drawbacks of previously known systems to achieve similar purposes.

Patent EP 0689824A discloses a method for sealing containers and ensuring their correct placement to a user of the present container. Aspects of the invention are disclosed in claims 1 and 26.

The apparatus of the present invention comprises a single receptacle having a bottom and a plurality of sides, and an attached lid that can be operated to open to expose the contents of the receptacle. The receptacle further includes an information storage device, such as a memory chip, for storing information regarding the contents of the receptacle.

In a preferred embodiment, the receptacle includes an electronically actuated latch for opening the lid that opens as a result of receiving a required information that must be entered by an operator. The latch provides a receptacle security solution throughout the medication dispensing process, whereby an unauthorized person cannot gain access to the receptacle other than by vandalizing the receptacle.

The single receptacle of the present invention may be adapted to reside in an automated dispensing machine in conjunction with a plurality of other like receptacles. The receptacles are preferably purposely configured to allow efficient and optimal placement within the dispensing machine to facilitate access by an operator, such as a nurse or physician, or other authorized individual. In this exemplary embodiment, each receptacle preferably contains individual packages of particular drugs, sets of drugs, medical supplies, or combinations thereof. The individual receptacles can hold multiple types of drugs or medical supplies for a particular patient or a plurality of the same type of drugs or medical supplies for use with multiple patients. In this exemplary embodiment of the invention, each of the receptacles contains associated hardware to support information about the contents of the receptacle in the automated dispensing machine. Also, the data entry device associated with the automated dispensing machine allows an operator to enter certain required information, such as operator identification information, or required drug information, or patient identification information, which will then be transmitted. electronically to the appropriate receptacle within the automated dispensing machine, which actuates the latch to open the lid of the appropriate receptacle so that it can be accessed by the operator. All information for these transactions is maintained by the system, so that a record of the operator, patient, required drug, receptacle that has been accessed, etc. is available.

In another embodiment of the present invention a system is described in which the receptacles are loaded with particular items in a loading facility and then "programmed" with a memory chip containing information. The information about the articles loaded in each receptacle must be stored in data storage devices that can be integrated into each receptacle, and / or the information about the articles loaded in each receptacle can be entered in the form of a barcode on a barcode label and affixed to the receptacle. The receptacles, with the items now contained therein, are then closed and transported to a receiving station, such as a pharmacy or healthcare facility. There, information about the contents of each receptacle can be obtained from the receptacle's information storage device. In another embodiment, information about the contents of the receptacle can be scanned with a hand held scanner that reads a barcode label that was placed on each receptacle in the charging facility. The data obtained from the information storage device and / or from the scanning of the barcode labels can be stored in an existing computer in the receiving station for the purpose of inventory control. The same computer in the receiving station may be in communication with the automated dispensing machines, even though the automated dispensing machines may be in locations remote from the receiving station's computer. When the users / operators of the automated dispensing machine enter information to access the contents of the receptacles within the automated dispensing machine, the information entered by the operator can be delivered to the receiving station computer to maintain an inventory in real time

ES 2 330 360 T3 of each receptacle in each automated dispensing machine. The receptacle information storage device can also maintain a real-time inventory of the contents of the receptacle as users / operators access the contents of the receptacles.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a manual recharging cart is provided with a surface for receiving receptacles. This refill device is used when reservoirs are filled with drugs from inventory (for example, at the hospital pharmacy). The manual recharging cart may have electronic connections on board to facilitate communication between each receptacle and a computer associated with the cart.

The manual refill cart may have a barcode scanner attached to it to scan existing barcodes on drug unit dose containers to be loaded into the receptacle. Information from the barcoded drug packages is transferred from the barcode scanner into the refill cart computer and / or into the memory chip in the receptacle. This enables the memory chip to maintain information about the items stored in the receptacle.

The present invention overcomes many of the disadvantages of known approaches to drug delivery. No manual operation is needed to pack or unpack medicines at the nursing station for later use with patients. The receptacle of the present invention can arrive at the nursing station ready to be used with patients without further manipulation of the drugs until their administration to the patient. The receptacle also allows for fewer human errors in drug handling. In known systems, a drug drawer can be opened exposing several compartments with different varieties of drugs. With the preferred embodiment of the present invention, only one receptacle is opened at a time exposing only the drugs contained in this receptacle. The charging of the receptacles is also safer. Since typically only one type of drug would be placed in each receptacle, there is less chance that a person loading this type of drug could accidentally load a second variety into the same receptacle. Because the tops of the receptacles are preferably hermetically sealed until they are automatically opened as a result of the reception of an authorized signal at the delivery station, the need for skilled personnel to handle the receptacles is generally diminished. In other words, if the receptacle cannot be opened without proper reception of signals from the delivery station, such as a dispensing machine, then there is less need for sophisticated personnel to transport the receptacles.

The present invention can also be a smart receptacle. In an exemplary embodiment, information about the content may be integrated into the receptacle, such as by a barcode or by an electronic chip that can be machine read. This allows you to keep track of content, such as lot numbers and expiration dates of the content. When this information is fed to the dispensing machine and then to a central computer system, the expiration dates of each drug contained in each receptacle can be monitored to be replaced at the appropriate time.

A single latch can also be used with the receptacles. The latch can be composed of a bimetallic wire that contracts when heated by current. As a result of the contraction, the cable pulls to one side and opens the latch allowing a spring to spring the cover to the open position.

Various other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, the accompanying drawings of the invention, and the claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the receptacle of the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the receptacle of Fig. 1, shown in a position in which the lid is open;

Fig. 3 shows a partial exploded view of the receptacle of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3A shows an enlarged detail view of a portion of the receptacle of Fig. 3;

Fig. 4 shows a plan view of a latch assembly of a preferred embodiment of the receptacle of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 shows the latch assembly of Fig. 4 shown in the open position;

Fig. 6 shows a side elevation view of the latch assembly of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the latch assembly shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of the receptacle of Fig. 1, shown from a bottom perspective point of view;

Fig. 9 shows a bottom plan view of the receptacle shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 shows another embodiment of the present invention in which the receptacle shown in Fig. 1 is stacked on a similar receptacle;

Fig. 11 shows a side elevation view of the stacked receptacles of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 shows a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 13 shows a perspective view of the receptacle of Fig. 12, shown in the position in which the lid is open;

Fig. 14 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in which receptacles such as the receptacle shown in Fig. 1 are loaded into an automated dispensing machine;

FIG. 14A is an enlarged detail view of a receptacle receiving station within the automated dispensing machine assembly shown in FIG. 14;

Fig. 14B shows an enlarged perspective detail view of a docking station of the automated dispensing machine assembly shown in Fig. 14;

Fig. 15 shows a partial perspective view of a tray drawer of the automated dispensing machine shown in Fig. 14;

Fig. 15A shows a detailed plan view of a portion of the tray drawer shown in Fig. 15;

Fig. 15B shows a partial elevation view of a spring subassembly shown in Fig. 15A;

Fig. 16 shows a side elevation view of the insertion of a receptacle into a drawer of an automated dispensing machine;

Fig. 17 shows a side elevation view of the receptacle shown in Fig. 16, now fully inserted into the drawer;

Fig. 18 shows a side elevation view of the receptacle shown in Fig. 17, now released by the latch for removal;

Fig. 19 shows a perspective view of a drawer subassembly of the automated dispensing machine shown in Fig. 14;

Fig. 20 shows another perspective view of the drawer subassembly of Fig. 19, shown from a bottom perspective;

Fig. 21 shows a side perspective view of the drawer subassembly shown in Fig. 19;

Fig. 22 shows an electrical schematic of a preferred embodiment of the receptacle latch assembly of the present invention;

Fig. 23 shows a photographic view of a plurality of nested receptacles, with an open receptacle revealing its contents;

Fig. 24 shows a schematic representation of a preferred system of the present invention;

Fig. 25 shows a schematic representation of a second preferred system of the present invention;

Fig. 26 shows a schematic representation of a third preferred system of the present invention;

Fig. 27A shows the start of four flow charts of a pharmaceutical preparation process that may have applicability to the present invention;

Fig. 27B shows the continuation of Fig. 27A through a collection process that may have applicability to the present invention;

Fig. 27C shows the continuation of Fig. 27B through a filling process that may have applicability to the present invention;

Fig. 27D shows another continuation of Fig. 27B through a filling process that may have applicability to the present invention;

Fig. 27E shows another continuation of Fig. 27B through a filling process that may have applicability to the present invention; and Fig. 27F shows a continuation of Figs. 27D and 27E through a return process that may have applicability to the present invention.

Detailed description of some preferred embodiments

Referring now to the figures, a receptacle 30 of the present invention is shown in Fig. 1. The receptacle 30 has a plurality of side walls 32 that define a storage compartment 42, which is best shown in Fig. 2. In Fig. 2, a lid 34 is opened and closed around a hinge 40. Between the lid 34 and one of the side walls 32 a latch assembly 38 is formed to hold the lid in a closed position until an authorized operator has access to the receptacle. The latch assembly 38 includes a latch member 44 and a latch receiving cavity 46.

The receptacle 30 can be used to hold various items, for example medications. Each receptacle can house multiple units of one type of drug or medical supply or can house several varieties of drugs or medical supplies in storage compartment 42. The receptacle of the present invention is adapted for use in a variety of systems. For example, it can be used on a patient's bedside table, on a medication cart, as a part of a drug delivery kit in an operating room environment, or in many other settings both on and off the premises. medical industry. The invention has been described herein with reference to the medical industry but it must be recognized that the invention has found long application in many industries.

The receptacle of the present invention can also be used as a removable return container for later disposal of items, such as used or discarded medicine administration items. The receptacle of the present invention may also be adapted for communication with one or more devices via one of several possible communication means. For example, the receptacle may communicate via an existing chip within the receptacle that has been programmed with information, and the chip may be adapted for communication with another electronic device to download, or share, information. Another form of communication can be remotely, such as via an RF (radio frequency) proximity chip disposed within the receptacle for RF communication with an RF station. Of course, the receptacle 30 can also be "mute", without an on-board intelligence, and information about its contents can be contained within a bar code, for example, placed on the receptacle. In one such application of the invention, a receiving area of ​​an apparatus, for example on or within an automated dispensing machine, may acquire the necessary information through a scan of the barcode placed on the receptacle to allow the dispensing machine to know enough information about the contents of the enclosure. The receiving area can be a drawer within a smart dispensing machine that has either an on-board computer processor or a connection to one that is remote from it.

In another embodiment, the receptacle 30 may have limited on-board intelligence. For example, the information storage device or the barcode label on the receptacle 30 may contain only information about the receptacle, such as the receptacle number (eg, No. 1234567). This pre-programmed information could typically be entered when the receptacle is filled. In this exemplary embodiment, a regular label (not a barcode label) or a mark on the receptacle itself could be used with the receptacle number and the operator / user could manually enter the receptacle number to the computer that had the preprogrammed information about the contents of the particular receptacle.

The receptacle 30 of the present invention can be refilled and reused many times in a preferred embodiment thereof. In a single system of the present invention, a refilling station may be provided to refill each receptacle. If the receptacle is "smart", it can be programmed with information at the refill station and the refill station may be purposefully adapted to provide this communication to the receptacle. The refill station can be in a pharmacy or a distribution center, in the application of this invention to the medical industry.

The receptacle 30 can be made of injection molded plastic, or formed from metal and, as such, can be durable and reusable multiple times. Alternatively, the receptacle 30 may be made of inexpensive, disposable materials to be discarded after use.

The receptacle 30 may also include a label 36 for identifying the contents within the receptacle and / or a part or all of the lid 34 may be transparent. In Figs. 3 and 3A the receptacle 30 is shown in greater detail. The hinge assembly 40 includes a spring 48 and a pin 50 that joins the compartment of the

ES 2 330 360 T3 receptacle with lid 34. Although a hinged lid is preferred, a sliding lid may be used. The receptacle 30 may further include a compartment 58 to house a latch assembly 52. ​​The latch assembly 52 may include a latch member 56 and a cover 54.

In Figs. 4-7 shows the latch assembly in greater detail. Fig. 4 shows the latch member 56 in an open position. A switch 57 can electronically inform an automated dispensing machine computer that the lid 34 is in an open or closed position. A memory chip 62 can store information concerning the receptacle. This memory chip 62 can store a wide variety of information, including data from the Corporation's National Drug Data File, as shown in Table 1, such as expiration date, batch number, NDC number, type of drug or drug delivery dosage, size of containers, number of items in containers, etc. Memory chip 62 can also store information about receptacle 30, including when it was commissioned, how many times it has been used, and so on. This is beneficial because the receptacles 30 will have a limited useful life and it is desirable to take the receptacles out of service before they fail (eg, hinge breaks, latch breaks, etc.).

The receptacle 30 itself may be a drug container containing drugs and a container insert. The receptacle 30 can replace bottles and other types of standard drug containers. An electrical communications contact 66 allows a connection from the receptacle to a receiving location located within an automated dispensing machine, thus facilitating communication between the receptacle and the computer associated with the automated dispensing machine. When required signals from the automated dispensing machine are received at the electrical contact 66, an electronic circuit, such as that shown in Fig. 22, operates a muscle cable 64 that causes a latch actuation, thus opening the lid 34 . The muscle cable works by receiving a current and, as a result of an increase in temperature, the cable 64 pulls to one side due to shrinkage and thus causes the latch to be susceptible to an elastic force that acts on it from a spring located in hinge assembly 40. Spring 48 biases the lid open when the latch is released. In a preferred embodiment, the top or lid 34 will impulsively open about 15 degrees when the latch is opened.

An advantage of having the latch assembly as a separate component that can be removed from the receptacle 30 is that the latch assembly 52 and its components are more expensive and have a longer life expectancy than the storage compartment part of the receptacle 30. Accordingly, the latch assembly 58 can be reused if the remainder of the receptacle cracks or breaks (eg, the hinge breaks, etc.). Preferably, the latch assembly cannot be removed unless the lid is open.

Figs. 8 and 9 show a bottom portion of the receptacle 30. Each receptacle may include legs 27, 29, 33, and 35, as well as a hook member 37 for coupling the receptacle to a location, such as in an automated dispensing machine. Alternatively, the legs themselves may include gripping or engaging features. An opening 39 allows electrical connection 66 to be contacted with a port of the automated dispensing machine.

Figs. 10 to 13 show other features of the present invention. In Figs. 10 and 11 show the receptacle 30 stacked on a similar receptacle 70. Legs 72 and 74 of receptacle 70 may be designed to reside within a location within an automated dispensing machine and / or within an area on an upper surface of another receptacle. This allows receptacles to be stacked one on top of the other for ease of storage and transport. Fig. 12 shows a double width receptacle 80 with lid surfaces 82, 84 and latch 86. Fig. 13 shows the interior compartment of the receptacle 80 as well as a hinge assembly 88. It should be appreciated that the receptacle can come in a variety of sizes and shapes according to the use and storage site for which they are intended. The receptacles are preferably of modular design to allow them to be used in combination, for example in a drawer of an automated dispensing machine, with several other similar receptacles, fitting closely together to efficiently use the available space in each. drawer.

Figs. 14, 14A and 14B show views of the receptacles of the present invention installed within an automated dispensing machine 110. Zones or locations 100 within a drawer 114 of the dispensing machine 110 are adapted to receive receptacles, such as receptacle 102 A terminal display screen 112 may be provided with the machine 110 to allow an operator to receive displayed information. In dispensing machine 110, a keyboard 113 may be provided to enter certain required information. In dispensing machine 110, a docking station 104 may be provided to receive receptacles, such as receptacle 102 within a docking receiver 126, leg receivers 120, 122, and an electrical port 124. In this way, each receptacle such as receptacle 102, can dock in machine 110 to allow certain information stored within the receptacle's memory to be downloaded to the processor or computer associated with machine 110. If receptacle 102 has to be loaded into drawer 114 of dispensing machine 110, drawer 114 may be impulsively opened to allow receptacle 102 to be loaded into the correct area 100 of drawer 114.

Within each drawer 114 may reside a tray 115 to hold receptacles 99, etc. Individual zones 100 are adapted to receive one of said individual receptacles. Elastic assemblies 130, 128

ES 2 330 360 T3 function in a way that will be described later. Resilient assembly 128 includes springs 136 and 138 as shown in greater detail in FIG. 15B.

The area 100 shown in FIG. 15A also includes cavities 133, 135, 137 and 139 to receive the legs of the receptacle. Figs. 16, 17 and 18 show the insertion, locking and release, respectively, of a receptacle being positioned within the tray 115 of the drawer. Also shown is a nested or adjacent receptacle 140 already in place. In Figs. 16 and 18 a compression spring 143 is shown in its relaxed state, which is compressed and not visible in Fig. 17. In cross section a latch member 145 is shown in contact with an electrical circuit 151. In Fig 16. A latch engagement member 150 is shown in a position ready to receive the retaining hook 152 of the engagement member 148 of the socket 142. As shown in Fig. 17, when coupling member 148 is pressed into area 149 (shown in Fig. 16), it catches or engages end 154 of latch coupling member 150. In Fig. 18, the member latch engagement 150 is driven away from engagement member 148 (shifted to the right as shown in FIG. 18), thereby releasing the connection between coupling member 148 and latch coupling member 150, allowing spring 143 to return to its relaxed state by pushing socket 142 up and out of zone 100 to allow an operator to remove the receptacle from the machine 110. Actuation of latch engagement member 150 away from engagement member 148 may be accomplished by a muscular mechanism such as that shown in Fig. 22 or by other suitable means.

Fig. 19 shows a drawer 114 with a guide 160 and a rail 162, which is adapted to reside within machine 110. Cables 164 lead from a processor into machine 110, for example along a path. 165, to each of the zones, such as zone 100, to carry a communication between the receptacles 30 and the machine's computer. Figs. 20 and 21 show other views of drawer 114. In Fig. 21, along the rail 162 a grid 168 may be installed for reading by a sensor 169 so that the computer at the edge of the machine 110 knows how far each drawer 114 of the machine has been pulled, thereby exposing rows of receptacles 30. Sensor 169 may be an optical sensor or other suitable sensor adapted to read the bars or grids of the grid 168 and communicate the information via cables 166 and through cables 164 to the computer. In another embodiment, RF communication links may be used instead of, or in addition to, cables 166 and 164. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the drawer will open before the lid of the receptacle is impulsively opened or the receptacle itself is urged upward to be removed from the drawer.

Fig. 22 shows a preferred embodiment of electrical wiring that forms a circuit for use with the latch assembly of each receptacle 30. The circuit communicates with the muscle cable that controls the movement of the latch to allow the latch to open. door in each receptacle. The inputs to the circuit can be from the computer on the edge of the machine 10. When an operator enters information required to access the receptacle, the computer can send the necessary signal to the receptacle via the circuit to open the latch. As stated above, the latch can be opened by an elastic force applied when the muscle cable contracts under a current to give the latch freedom of movement.

In a preferred embodiment of the latch assembly of the present invention, a microprocessor is used. The microprocessor may include an analog-to-digital (A / D) converter and a pulse width modulator (PWM). The PWM produces a fixed frequency, variable duty cycle output signal. This is fed to an RC (resistor-capacitor) filter that produces a DC voltage (direct current) between zero and five volts, depending on the duty cycle. To drive the muscle cable, a voltage follower, an n-channel FET (field effect transistor), a bipolar transistor, or another type of amplifier circuit is preferred. FETs are used to direct a single muscle cable. Row controllers are p-channel FETs that supply the current generated by the voltage follower. The microprocessor produces a zero volt output signal to the gate of the desired row and plus zero volts to the rest. Column drivers are n-channel FETs that carry current to ground. The microprocessor produces an output signal of plus five volts to the gate of the desired column and zero volts to the rest. In a muscle cable matrix, each cable has a diode in series with it to isolate it from the other muscle cables in the matrix. The current sense resistor generates a feedback voltage to the microprocessor proportional to the amount of current flowing in the muscle cable. The temperature sensor generates a voltage proportional to the ambient temperature.

The algorithm inside the computer is preferably structured as follows:

1. Select the desired row and column handles.

2. Read the temperature sensor.

3. Determine the starting duty cycle and a desired feedback target based on temperature (can be done via a look-up table).

Four. Start the PWM generator.

5. Read the feedback voltage.

IS 2 330 360 T3

6. Calculate error = (feedback current reading) - (desired target).

7. If the error is less than zero, the output current is too low, increase the duty cycle.

8. If the error is greater than zero, the output current is too high, decrease the duty cycle.

9. If the error is zero, do not adjust the duty cycle.

10. If the duty cycle cannot be increased, the circuit can be broken. Disconnect the generator from

PWM and report an error to the system.

eleven. If the duty cycle is below a predetermined threshold, there may be a short circuit. Disconnect the PWM generator and report an error to the system.

12. Check the elapsed time until the muscle cable was energized. If it is above the desired time, disconnect the PWM generator.

13. Wait for the PWM value to stabilize.

14. Go back to step 5.

Fig. 23 shows a group of receptacles configured, for example, 170 and 180. The lid 172 is open to expose the compartment 174 and, in this example, within the compartment 174 are shown syringes 176 containing a predetermined drug. In a conspicuous place on the surface of each lid of each receptacle is a label with information about the drug printed on the label as well as a barcode containing additional information about the item contained within the particular receptacle.

From the foregoing description it should be appreciated that the present invention is useful in the field of drugs and medical supplies. However, the present invention has applicability to a wide range of industries other than the medical industry, where similar inventory control and security measures are preferred. The present invention is not intended to be limited to the medical drug and supplies industry.

Figs. 24-26 show three (3) system diagrams for respective system implementations of the present invention, starting with a wholesaler and all the way to a patient's bedside. As shown in Fig. 24, the wholesaler receives the drugs and fills the receptacles of the present invention with doses of the drugs. The receptacles are then transferred to a pharmacy, such as a hospital pharmacy, where they are loaded into an automated dispensing machine. From the automated dispensing machine, medications can be removed from the receptacles by appropriate personnel and administered to a patient at the patient's bedside. The lower part of the diagram in Fig. 24 shows a flow of information from the automated dispensing machine to the various computer systems in communication with the automated dispensing machine computer. For example, as Fig. 24 shows, information concerning drugs administered to patients can be communicated to a hospital pharmacy computer, the wholesaler's computer, and the packaging company's computer. Fig. 25 shows a similar diagram. However, in this implementation, the receptacles not filled before the drugs have reached the automated dispensing machine. Instead, the receptacles are filled in the automated dispensing machine and arrive at the automated dispensing machine in unit dose containers. Fig. 26 shows another embodiment of a system of the present invention in which unit dose containers and prefilled receptacles are delivered to the automated dispensing machine, where some previously existing receptacles in the automated dispensing machine are exchanged for new receptacles.

Many advantages derive from the receptacle of the present invention. Another advantage can be seen from Figs. 24-26. Due to the independent nature of each receptacle, much of the receptacle processing and handling can be done automatically. For example, in Fig. 24, an automated storage and transfer machine 200 can receive packaged medications and move the packages to a station where the receptacles are filled with the packages by robotic means.

Figs. 27A to 27F show flow diagrams of preferred embodiments of the present invention, showing the receptacles, referred to by the present inventors as Cubies®, to be prepared in a pharmacy, through a collection process, a refilling process, and a return process. Various possible modifications can be made to these flow processes without departing from the present invention. These flow charts are offered as an example.

It is expected that numerous modifications and variations will occur to those skilled in the art as a consequence of considerations in the foregoing descriptions. The invention should not be construed as being limited to the preferred embodiments and modes of preparation described herein, since these should be viewed as illustrative rather than restrictive.