VACUUM PILL DISPENSING CASSETTE AND COUNTING MACHINE

• US 20080017656A1
• Filed: 09/26/2007
• Published: 01/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: McKesson Automation Incorporated (Omnicell Inc)
• Original Assignee: McKesson Automation Incorporated (Omnicell Inc)
• Inventors: HUTCHINSON, KEVIN, Inabnet, Joseph, Bergeron, Mike, Self, Anthony, Milton, Monroe
• Granted Patent: US 7,753,229 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 221/7
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/103 for packaging pills or tablets
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 57/20 Applications of counting devices for controlling the feed of articles other applications B65B65/08
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/1657 the picking arrangements using suction
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/44 in which magazines the articles are stored in bulk
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/54 about vertical axes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/58 the articles being supported on or by endless belts or like conveyors
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/62 in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/64 in which the articles are individually suspended from stationary supports
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00

Abstract

A counter is disclosed for use with a medication storing and dispensing cassette. The counter is comprised of a loader for receiving a cassette, a sensor for sensing whether a cassette is in the loader, means for moving the loader into an operative position, a vacuum unit for applying a vacuum to the cassette, a drive unit for driving a driven portion of the cassette and a counter for counting medication within a portion of the cassette. Methods of operating the counter are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A counter for use with a cassette of the type having a chamber for carrying medication to be counted and dispensed, comprising:

a loader for receiving a cassette;

a sensor for sensing whether a cassette is in said loader;

means for moving the loader into an operative position;

a vacuum unit for applying a vacuum to the cassette;

a drive unit for driving a driven portion of the cassette; and

a counter for counting medication within a portion of the cassette.

2. The counter of claim 1 additionally comprising a passive vial gripper for receiving a vial.

3. The counter of claim 2 additionally comprising a sensor for sensing the presence of a vial.

4. The counter of claim 1 additionally comprising means for opening a chute gate on the cassette.

5. The counter of claim 4 additionally comprising a sensor for sensing the position of the chute gate.

6. The counter of claim 1 wherein said portion of the cassette includes a discharge chute, said counter additionally comprising means for opening a valve at an entrance end of the discharge chute.

7. The counter of claim 1 additionally comprising means for controlling the position of a calibration mechanism within the cassette.

8. A counter for use with a cassette of the type having a chamber for carrying medication to be counted and dispensed, comprising:

a sensor for sensing whether a cassette is in said counter;

a calibration driver for automatically controlling the position of a calibration mechanism with the cassette;

a vacuum unit for applying a vacuum to the cassette;

a drive unit for driving a driven portion of the cassette; and

a counter for counting medication within a portion of the cassette.

9. The counter of claim 8 additionally comprising a passive vial gripper for receiving a vial.

10. The counter of claim 9 additionally comprising a sensor for sensing the presence of a vial.

11. The counter of claim 8 additionally comprising means for opening a chute gate on the cassette.

12. The counter of claim 11 additionally comprising a sensor for sensing the position of the chute gate.

13. The counter of claim 8 wherein said portion of the cassette includes a discharge chute, said counter additionally comprising means for opening a valve at an entrance end of the discharge chute.

14. The counter of claim 8 additionally comprising a loader for receiving the cassette and means for moving the loader into and out of an operative position.

15. A method, comprising:

sensing the presence of a cassette; and

determining if a calibration setting of the cassette is proper and, if not, automatically resetting the calibration setting of the cassette.

16. A method, comprising:

sensing the presence of a cassette;

precounting a predetermined number of medication units into a discharge chute;

discharging the predetermined number of medication units from the discharge chute; and

continuing to count and discharge medication units until a prescribed number of units is counted and discharged.

17. A method, comprising:

inserting a cassette into a loader;

sensing the presence of the cassette in the loader;

moving the loader into an operative position;

applying a vacuum to the cassette;

applying a rotary force to the cassette;

counting medication units as they pass a counting sensor; and

discharging the medication units after they have been counted.