System and method for dispensing prescriptions
First Claim
1. A method of dispensing solid pharmaceutical items of substantially identical size and configuration from a bulk of such solid pharmaceutical items stored in a housing, comprising the steps of:
- providing a singulating bin comprising a hopper and a dispensing channel fluidly connected thereto, the dispensing channel defining a flow path;
applying a forwardly-directed jet into the dispensing channel;
passing a series of solid pharmaceutical items in single file from the hopper into the dispensing channel;
accelerating the solid pharmaceutical items in the dispensing channel with the forwardly-directed jet;
counting the number of solid pharmaceutical items that pass a predetermined point in the dispensing channel;
comparing the number of solid pharmaceutical items that have passed the predetermined point with a predetermined number; and
applying a rearwardly-directed jet into the dispensing channel after a predetermined number of solid pharmaceutical items have passed the predetermined point to draw any additional items in the dispensing channel back into the hopper.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automated method for dispensing pharmaceuticals particularly tablets and capsules, and other small discrete objects, includes: receiving prescription information, selecting a container, labeling the container, dispensing the tablets or capsules into the labeled container, applying a closure to the filled, labeled container, and offloading the container to a designated location. Preferably, the tablets are dispensed with high speed dispensing bins that employ forced air to agitate and singulate the tablets. The other functions within the system are typically carried out at stations designed to offer speed, flexibility and precision to the dispensing operation.
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Citations
55 Claims
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1. A method of dispensing solid pharmaceutical items of substantially identical size and configuration from a bulk of such solid pharmaceutical items stored in a housing, comprising the steps of:
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providing a singulating bin comprising a hopper and a dispensing channel fluidly connected thereto, the dispensing channel defining a flow path;
applying a forwardly-directed jet into the dispensing channel;
passing a series of solid pharmaceutical items in single file from the hopper into the dispensing channel;
accelerating the solid pharmaceutical items in the dispensing channel with the forwardly-directed jet;
counting the number of solid pharmaceutical items that pass a predetermined point in the dispensing channel;
comparing the number of solid pharmaceutical items that have passed the predetermined point with a predetermined number; and
applying a rearwardly-directed jet into the dispensing channel after a predetermined number of solid pharmaceutical items have passed the predetermined point to draw any additional items in the dispensing channel back into the hopper. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An apparatus for dispensing solid pharmaceutical items, comprising:
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a frame;
a container dispensing station attached to the frame;
a labeling station attached to the frame;
a labeling carrier configured to grasp a container and transport the container from the container dispensing station to the labeling station;
a dispensing station having a plurality of bins that receive and dispense solid pharmaceutical items; and
a dispensing carrier that receives a labeled container from the labeling carrier, transports the labeled container to the dispensing station for filling with solid pharmaceutical items from one of the bins; and
a controller operatively connected with and controlling the operation of the container dispensing station, the labeling station, the labeling carrier, the dispensing station, and the dispensing carrier. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for dispensing solid pharmaceutical items, comprising:
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a dispensing station comprising a plurality of bins for storing the items, each of the bins containing items of substantially identical size and configuration, and at least some of the bins containing items that differ in size and/or composition from the items contained in others of the bins;
each of the bins including a dispensing outlet on one side that dispenses items and a replenishment opening on a side thereof opposite the dispensing outlet, each of the bins further including an electronic unit that monitors the counting of items traveling through the dispensing outlet;
the bins being mounted on a frame such that the dispensing outlets face an access region within the frame and the replenishment openings face away from the frame;
a dispensing carrier configured to transport containers to be filled with the items, the dispensing carrier positioned within the access region; and
a controller that controls the operation of the dispensing carrier. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for dispensing containers, comprising:
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a rotatable mounting platform with a plurality of apertures;
a plurality of dispensing tubes mounted in a generally vertical disposition on the mounting platform and configured to receive a plurality of containers in vertically stacked relationship, each dispensing tube being positioned above a respective aperture and rotatable with the mounting platform;
a rotary drive unit connected with the mounting platform that rotates the mounting platform;
a sorting member positioned below the mounting platform and fixed relative thereto, the sorting member having an aperture positioned such that, as the mounting platform is rotated, the mounting platform apertures pass over the sorting member aperture; and
a receiving member pivotally interconnected with the sorting member, the receiving member being pivotable between a receiving position, in which the receiving member is positioned below the sorting member aperture to receive a container from one of the plurality of dispensing tubes, and a donating position, in which the receiving member extends away from the sorting member to present a container to a grasping apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. An apparatus for transporting a hollow container, comprising:
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a mounting arm;
a base rotatably mounted on the mounting arm;
a plurality of fingers having an outer surface, each of the fingers being eccentrically mounted on the base to extend generally parallel to each other in a first direction, each finger being rotatable about an axis of rotation that is generally parallel to the first direction; and
a rotary drive unit mounted to the mounting arm that rotates the plurality of fingers about their respective axes of rotation;
wherein the fingers are moveable between a retracted position, in which the outermost portions of the outer surfaces of the fingers define a first circle, and an extended position, in which the outermost portions of the outer surfaces of the fingers define a second circle that is larger in diameter than the first circle. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An apparatus for transporting a workpiece within a three-dimensional volume, comprising:
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a first rail extending in a generally horizontal direction;
a first carriage that is slidably connected to the first rail for movement in the horizontal direction;
a second rail attached to the first carriage and extending in a generally vertical direction;
a second carriage that is slidably connected to the second rail for movement in the vertical direction;
a traveler unit mounted to and revolvable along a generally horizontal annular path about the second carriage; and
a gripper unit mounted to the traveler unit configured to grip the workpiece. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. An apparatus for dispensing a bulk collection of items, the apparatus comprising:
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a housing including a hopper that houses the bulk collection of items;
an electrical connector mounted on the housing, the electrical connector including electrical contacts adapted to conduct electrical signals from an external signal generator;
a high pressure connector attached to the housing that provides fluid communication into the housing, the high pressure connector adapted to be connected to a high pressure fluid source, the high pressure connector facing in the first direction;
a low pressure inlet included in the housing that provides fluid communication into the housing, the low pressure inlet adapted to be connected to a low pressure fluid source, the low pressure inlet facing in the first direction; and
a mechanical connector associated with the housing, the mechanical connector being configured to mount the housing on a frame so that the electrical connector, the high pressure connector, and the low pressure inlet face in the first direction and so that, substantially simultaneous with the mounting of the housing in position on the frame, the electrical contacts connect to a complementary electrical device associated with the frame, the high pressure connector connects with a high pressure source associated with the frame, and the low pressure inlet connects with a low pressure source. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. An apparatus for dispensing a bulk collection of items from a container, the apparatus comprising:
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a housing having a hopper that houses the bulk collection of items;
a dispensing channel fluidly connected to the hopper, the dispensing channel having an inlet and an outlet defining a flow path;
the inlet being defined by a floor, a ceiling, and walls, all of which are connected with the housing, and at least two of which are moveable relative to the housing so that the size of the inlet can be adjusted to singulate the bulk items passing through the inlet. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. An apparatus for applying a closure to a cylindrical container, comprising:
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a mounting member;
a platform that is slidably mounted on the mounting member;
a drive unit connected with the platform that is configured to slide the platform along the mounting post;
a cup mounted on the platform; and
a closure holder positioned above the platform, the closure holder including a ceiling and two supporting ledges beneath the ceiling to support a closure from below, the closure holder being sized and configured to permit an upper edge of container to pass between supporting ledges. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46)
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47. An apparatus for singulating a bulk supply of flat cylindrical items, each of the items having an open end, comprising:
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a bin configured to house the bulk supply of items, a hopper connected to the bin, the hopper including a central island having a perimeter edge, an external wall surrounding the island, and a circumferential groove positioned between the island and the wall;
a protrusion extending radially inwardly from the wall, the protrusion being located and configured such that an item positioned between a portion of the edge the island and the protrusion and oriented with its open end facing the island can fit into the groove, but an item positioned between a portion of the edge of the island and the protrusion and oriented with its open end facing the protrusion cannot fit into the groove. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49)
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50. An apparatus for dispensing solid pharmaceutical items, comprising:
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a dispensing station comprising a plurality of bins for storing the items, each of the bins containing items of substantially identical size and configuration, and at least some of the bins containing items that differ in size and/or composition from the items contained in others of the housings;
each of the bins including a dispensing outlet and an electronic unit that monitors the counting of items traveling through the dispensing outlet, each bin further including an identifier that is unique to that bin. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52)
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53. A method of dispensing solid pharmaceutical items, comprising the steps of:
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loading a plurality of bins into a frame, each of the bins containing items of substantially identical size and configuration, and at least some of the bins containing items that differ in size and/or composition from the items contained in others of the bins, each of the bins including a dispensing outlet and an electronic unit that monitors the counting of items traveling through the dispensing outlet, each bin further including an identifier that is unique to that bin;
transmitting a signal indicative of the identity of the bin from each bin to a controller; and
dispensing items from the bin upon an appropriate signal from the controller. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55)
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Specification