Automated means for storing, dispensing and orienting injectable drug vials for a robotic application
First Claim
1. An automated medication preparation system comprising:
- a medication preparation station where a dosage of medication is prepared in a just-in-time manner;
a holding station for storing multi-use injectable medication vials, the contents of which have been previously accessed for preparing the dosage of medication at the medication preparation station and that are cataloged according to prescribed criteria to permit later use in preparing another dosage of medication at the medication preparation station; and
an automated transfer device for transferring the vial from one station to another station.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automated medication preparation system according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a medication preparation station where a dosage of medication is prepared in a just-in-time manner and a holding station for storing multi-use injectable medication vials, the contents of which have been previously accessed for preparing the dosage of medication at the medication preparation station and. The medication vials are cataloged according to prescribed criteria to permit later use in preparing another dosage of medication at the medication preparation station. The system include an automated transfer device for-transferring the vial from one station to another station.
61 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An automated medication preparation system comprising:
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a medication preparation station where a dosage of medication is prepared in a just-in-time manner;
a holding station for storing multi-use injectable medication vials, the contents of which have been previously accessed for preparing the dosage of medication at the medication preparation station and that are cataloged according to prescribed criteria to permit later use in preparing another dosage of medication at the medication preparation station; and
an automated transfer device for transferring the vial from one station to another station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for handling multi-use medication vials in an automated medication preparation system comprising the steps of:
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retrieving a first multi-use medication vial from a source;
transferring from the first medication vial a predetermined amount of its contents and preparing, in a just-in-time manner, a dosage of medication from the predetermined amount, wherein the predetermined amount is less than 100% of its contents; and
delivering the first medication vial to a holding station that is configured to store a plurality of multi-use medication vials, the contents of which have been previously accessed for preparing the dosage of medication at the medication preparation station but still contain contents that can be used in preparing another dosage of medication. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification