SYSTEM, METHOD AND CORRESPONDING APPARATUS FOR STORING, RETRIEVING AND DELIVERING UNIT DOSE BLISTERS

• US 20070265729A1
• Filed: 05/10/2006
• Published: 11/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omnicell Incorporated
• Original Assignee: McKesson Automation Incorporated (Omnicell Inc)
• Inventors: Braun, Patrick, Greyshock, Shawn
• Granted Patent: US 8,036,773 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/215
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/14 using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light G06K7/10831 - G06K7/1097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/245 by locating a pattern; Special marks for positioning
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/62 in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00

Abstract

A system, method and corresponding apparatus are provided for storing, retrieving and delivering unit dose blisters in their natural, raw state (i.e., without over-wrapping or repackaging). In particular, a plurality of unit dose blister mounts are configured to position a corresponding plurality of different types of unit dose blisters in a predetermined, repeatable orientation, so that they can be retrieved and delivered using, for example, an automated retrieval system. The storage apparatus (or unit dose blister mount) may include a cavity that is configured to receive a unit dose medication or medication cavity of the unit dose blister in such a way that the unit dose blister lies substantially flat in the horizontal plane, enabling any identification information displayed on the underside of the unit dose blister (i.e., the side opposite the unit dose medication, or medication cavity) to be viewed.

Claims

1. A storage apparatus configured to accept a plurality of different types of unit dose packages, said apparatus comprising:

a carrier configured to hold a plurality of different types of unit dose packages of different shapes and sizes, such that when held, respective unit dose packages lie and are maintained in a predetermined plane relative to said carrier.

2. The storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of unit dose packages comprise a plurality of unit dose blisters, and wherein respective unit dose blisters comprise a support panel and a unit dose medication carried by said support panel, such that when said unit dose blister is held by said carrier, said support panel is maintained in said predetermined plane relative to said carrier.

3. The storage apparatus of claim 2, wherein said carrier defines a cavity therein, said cavity configured to receive said unit dose medication.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said support panel has opposed first and second sides with said unit dose medication proximate the first side and the second side including an identification code that includes information identifying said unit dose medication, and wherein said carrier is configured to contact the first side of said support panel such that the identification code is exposed.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the identification code is selected from the group consisting of a barcode, a radio frequency identification tag and text.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said carrier comprises a surface, through which said cavity opens, and wherein said carrier is configured to receive the plurality of different types of unit dose blisters such that said support panel of each unit dose blister contacts and is supported by said surface in a plane substantially parallel to said surface of said carrier.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said carrier defines a plurality of cavities, each configured to receive said unit dose medication of a respective unit dose blister, such that said support panel of each unit dose blister is maintained in a respective predetermined plane relative to said carrier.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the surface of said carrier further comprises a plurality of surface portions with each cavity opening through a respective surface portion, wherein each surface portion is substantially parallel to and offset from another surface portion.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a retention mechanism configured to hold said unit dose package in said predetermined plane relative to said carrier.

10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said carrier further comprises a unique identifier capable of identifying at least one of said carrier or said unit dose medication carried by said support panel of said unit dose blister held by said carrier.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a clipping mechanism configured to hold said carrier in a storage system while said storage system is in motion.

12. A system for retrieving and delivering one or more unit dose packages, said system comprising:

a storage system capable of storing a plurality of unit dose packages;

a picking system configured to retrieve a unit dose package from said storage system and to deliver said unit dose package to a predefined location;

a unit dose package mount configured to position a plurality of different types of unit dose packages of different shapes and sizes, such that respective unit dose packages are repeatably maintained in a predetermined plane while the unit dose package is disposed at a storage location within the storage system or the predefined location to which said picking system delivers said unit dose package; and

a controller capable of directing said picking system to retrieve and deliver said unit dose package.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said plurality of unit dose packages comprise a plurality of unit dose blisters, and wherein respective unit dose blisters comprise a support panel and a unit dose medication carried by said support panel, such that said support panel is repeatedly maintained in said predetermined plane.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said unit dose package mount comprises a carrier defining a cavity therein, said cavity of said carrier configured to receive said unit dose medication, while said support panel of said unit dose blister lies and is maintained in a predetermined plane relative to said carrier.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said carrier comprises a surface, through which said cavity opens, and wherein said carrier is configured to receive the plurality of different types of unit dose blisters such that said support panel of each unit dose blister contacts and is supported by said surface in a plane substantially parallel to said surface of said carrier.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said carrier defines a plurality of cavities, each configured to receive said unit dose medication of a respective unit dose blister, such that said support panel of each unit dose blister is maintained in a respective predetermined plane relative to said carrier.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein said support panel of each unit dose blister has opposed first and second sides with said unit dose medication proximate the first side and the second side including an identification code, and wherein the system further comprises a reader configured to read said identification code of said unit dose blister, while said unit dose blister is positioned in said predetermined plane, to determine an identity of said unit dose medication, and to transmit said identity to said controller.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said identification code comprises at least one of a barcode, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, or text, and wherein said reader comprises at least one of a barcode reader, an RFID tag reader, or a camera.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein said controller is further capable of receiving said identity and of verifying that said unit dose medication is correct based at least in part on said identity.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein said storage system is capable of storing a plurality of unit dose package mounts with each containing at least one unit dose package, and wherein said picking system comprises a mount removal mechanism configured to at least partially remove respective unit dose package mounts from said storage system.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein said unit dose package mount further comprises a handle, and wherein said mount removal mechanism further comprises:

a gripper configured to grip said handle of said unit dose package mount;

an extension mechanism configured to extend said gripper from a first position to a second position, wherein said second position is proximate to said unit dose package mount such that said gripper is capable of engaging the handle of the unit dose package mount; and

a retraction mechanism configured to retract said gripper from said second position to said first position once said handle has been gripped.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein said gripper is configured to grip said handle when said gripper and said handle are misaligned.

23. The system of claim 12, wherein said picking system comprises a package removal mechanism configured to remove one or more unit dose packages from respective unit dose package mounts following identification of said unit dose package.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein said package removal mechanism comprises one or more vacuum generators configured to generate a sufficient suction to remove said unit dose package from said unit dose package mount.

25. The system of claim 12, wherein said controller stores a location associated with respective unit dose packages within said storage system.

26. The system of claim 12, wherein said controller stores one or more prescription orders, each comprising an identification number and corresponding one or more unit dose medications.

27. The system of claim 12 further comprising:

a container into which said unit dose package is delivered following identification.

28. A method of retrieving and delivering one or more unit dose packages, said method comprising:

determining a location in a storage system at which a unit dose package is stored;

removing said unit dose package from said storage system;

delivering said unit dose package to a predefined location; and

positioning said unit dose package delivered to the predefined location and having any one of a plurality of different shapes and sizes, such that said unit dose package is maintained in a predetermined plane.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein said one or more unit dose packages comprise one or more unit dose blisters, and wherein respective unit dose blisters comprise a support panel and a unit dose medication carried by said support panel, such that positioning said unit dose package such that said unit dose package is maintained in a predetermined plane comprises positioning said unit dose blister such that said support panel is maintained in said predetermined plane.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein said support panel has opposed first and second sides with said unit dose medication proximate the first side and the second side including an identification code that includes information identifying said unit dose medication, and wherein said method further comprises:

reading said identification code of said unit dose blister to determine an identity of said unit dose medication when said unit dose blister is delivered to said predefined location; and

verifying that said unit dose medication is correct, based at least in part on said identity.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein said identification code is selected from the group consisting of a barcode, a radio frequency identification tag, and text.

32. The method of claim 28 further comprising:

reading an identification code associated with a patient-specific medication container to determine an identity of a patient for which a prescription is to be filled; and

identifying, based at least in part on said identity, one or more unit dose medications necessary to fill the prescription.

33. The method of claim 32 further comprising

delivering said unit dose blister to said patient-specific medication container following verification of said unit dose medication.

34. The method of claim 28 further comprising:

reading an identification code associated with a floor stock container to determine one or more unit dose medications necessary for restocking.

35. The method of claim 29, wherein positioning said unit dose blister comprises:

holding said unit dose blister with a carrier that defines a cavity therein that is configured to receive a plurality of different types of unit dose blisters of different shapes and sizes; and

positioning the carrier in a predetermined position at the predefined location, and

wherein the method further comprises disposing the unit dose medication within the cavity and maintaining the support panel in a predetermined plane relative to the carrier.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein maintaining the support panel in a predetermine plane relative to the carrier comprises maintaining the support panel as a result of contact between the support panel and the carrier.

37. A method of retrieving and delivering one or more unit dose packages, said method comprising:

storing a plurality of unit dose packages of different shapes and sizes in a storage system, such that respective unit dose packages are maintained in a predetermined plane

determining a location in the storage system at which one of the plurality of unit dose packages is stored;

removing said unit dose blister from said storage system; and

delivering said unit dose blister to a predefined destination.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein said plurality of unit dose packages comprise a plurality of unit dose blisters, and wherein respective unit dose blisters comprise a support panel and a unit dose medication supported by said support panel, such that storing a plurality of unit dose packages such that respective unit dose packages are maintained in a predetermined plane comprises storing a plurality of unit dose blisters such that respective support panels are maintained in said predetermined plane.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein said support panel has opposed first and second sides with said unit dose medication proximate the first side and the second side including an identification code that includes information identifying said unit dose medication, and wherein said method further comprises, prior to removing said unit dose blister from said storage system:

reading said identification code of said unit dose blister to determine an identity of said unit dose medication; and

verifying that said unit dose medication is correct, based at least in part on said identity.

40. The method of claim 37 further comprising:

reading an identification code associated with a patient-specific medication container to determine an identity of a patient for which a prescription is to be filled; and

identifying, based at least in part on said identity, one or more unit dose medications necessary to fill the prescription prior to determining the location in the storage system.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein said predefined destination comprises said patient-specific medication container.

42. The method of claim 37 further comprising:

reading an identification code associated with a floor stock container to determine one or more unit dose medications necessary for restock.

43. The method of claim 38, wherein storing said plurality of unit dose blisters comprises holding respective unit dose blisters with a carrier within the storage system, wherein the carrier defines a cavity therein that is configured to receive a plurality of different types of unit dose blisters of different shapes and sizes, wherein holding said unit dose blister comprises disposing the unit dose medication within the cavity and maintaining the support panel in a predetermined plane relative to the carrier.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein maintaining the support panel in a predetermined plane relative to the carrier comprises maintaining the support panel in the predetermined plane as a result of contact between the support panel and the carrier