System and method for high-volume filling of pharmaceutical prescriptions

• US 10,035,258 B2
• Filed: 01/19/2016
• Issued: 07/31/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Parata Systems, LLC (Becton, Dickinson & Co), Andrew LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Parata Systems, LLC (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Davis, Craig Steven, Smith, Bradley Kenneth, Uebel, Mark Alan, Jordan, Michael Lee, Hertzler, Merle Elmer, Heineck, Tobias, Oshatz, Daryl
• Primary Examiner(s): Niesz, Jason K
• Application Number:
  US15/000,922
• Publication Number:
  US 20160129585A1
• Time in Patent Office: 924 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/06 Ampoules or carpules syringe ampoules or carpules A61M5/28
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/20 Arrangements for transferring or mixing fluids, e.g. from vial to syringe
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 11/00 Manipulators not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 15/00 Gripping heads and other end effectors grippers used in machine tools B23Q7/04; gripping members fitted on cranes B66C1/42, B66C1/44; gripping means used in the manufacture of semiconductors H01L21/68707; gripping means used for mounting electrical components H05K13/04
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/00 Programme-controlled manipulators
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 3/003 Filling medical containers such as ampoules, vials, syringes or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/103 for packaging pills or tablets
• CPC Class Codes: B67C 3/242 engaging with bottle necks B67C3/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/165 using xyz-picker or multi-dimensional article picking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/1657 the picking arrangements using suction
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00

Abstract

A method of retrieving a vial from a carrier includes the steps of: contacting a vial contained within a carrier with a gripper assembly to shift the position of the container to one end of the carrier and to adjust the position of the carrier on a platform from a diverted position to a retrieval position; lifting the vial from the carrier with the gripper assembly; and returning the vial to the carrier with the gripper assembly. Such a method can improve the accuracy and precision of moving the vial to and from the carrier for dispensing.

Claims

1. An automated pharmacy machine, comprising:

a frame defining a peripheral footprint;

a plurality of bins, each of the bins containing a bulk supply of a pharmaceutical;

a transition platform mounted to the frame and having at least one retrieval position configured to receive a vial for filling, the vials being received for filling from a source outside the footprint of the frame, the retrieval position being located within the footprint of the frame; and

a gripper assembly mounted within the frame and configured to grasp and convey a vial from the transition platform to one of the bins for dispensing and to return a filled vial from a dispensing bin to the transition platform.

2. The automated pharmacy machine defined in claim 1, wherein the transition platform includes a plurality of retrieval positions.

3. The automated pharmacy machine defined in claim 1, wherein the retrieval position is configured to receive a carrier in which a vial resides.

4. The automated pharmacy machine defined in claim 1, wherein the retrieval position is defined by a recess in the transition platform.

5. The automated pharmacy machine defined in claim 1, wherein the gripper assembly is mounted on a vertical rail and can travel vertically thereon.

6. The automated pharmacy machine defined in claim 5, wherein the vertical rail is mounted on a horizontal rail and can travel horizontally thereon.

7. An automated pharmacy machine, comprising:

a frame defining a peripheral footprint;

a plurality of bins, each of the bins containing a bulk supply of a pharmaceutical;

a transition platform mounted to the frame and having a plurality of retrieval positions configured to receive a vial for filling, the vials being received for filling from a source outside the footprint of the frame, the retrieval positions being located within the footprint of the frame and being defined by recesses in the transition platform; and

a gripper assembly mounted within the frame and configured to grasp and convey a vial from the transition platform to one of the bins for dispensing and to return a filled vial from a dispensing bin to the transition platform.

8. An automated pharmacy machine, comprising:

a frame defining a peripheral footprint;

a plurality of bins, each of the bins containing a bulk supply of a pharmaceutical;

a transition platform mounted to the frame and having at least one retrieval position configured to receive a vial for filling, the retrieval position being located within the footprint of the frame and being defined by a recess in the transition platform configured to receive a carrier in which a vial resides; and

a gripper assembly mounted within the frame and configured to grasp and convey a vial from the transition platform to one of the bins for dispensing.