AUTOMATED DRUG PREPARATION APPARATUS INCLUDING AUTOMATED DRUG RECONSTITUTION
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automated medication preparation system for preparing a prescribed dosage of medication in a drug delivery device includes a plurality of stations for receiving, handling and processing the drug delivery device so that the prescribed dosage of medication is delivered to the drug delivery device and a transporting device that receives and holds more than one drug delivery device and moves the drug delivery devices in a controlled manner from one station to another station. The system is configured so that two or more separate drug delivery devices can be acted upon at the same time.
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Citations
67 Claims
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1-38. -38. (canceled)
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39. An automated device for removing a tip cap from an empty syringe, placing the tip cap at a remote location, and replacing the tip cap on a filled syringe, the device comprising:
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a support frame that is movable along at least an x axis and a y axis; a gripper mechanism movable by the support frame including a pair of gripper arms at first and second locations, respectively, that are positionable between an open position and a closed position in which the tip cap is securely held in contact therebetween during both removal of the tip cap from the empty syringe at the first location and during the subsequent replacement of the tip cap on the filled syringe at the second location, wherein the tip cap is released from the gripper mechanism between its removal and replacement when the tip cap is disposed at the remote location; a programmable controller in communication with a plurality of drive actuators that controllably drive the gripper arms and the support frame to desired positions; and a sensor for detecting whether the tip cap is disposed between the gripper arms. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65)
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59. The automated device according to clam 39, further including a device for holding the syringe in an upstanding position while the gripper mechanism contacts the tip cap and the remote location includes a post on which the tip cap is placed, the post being located adjacent the upstanding syringe, both the device that holds the syringe and the post being indexed to advance the syringe from one station to another station.
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66. An automated system including an automated first device for removing a tip cap from an empty syringe, placing the tip cap at a remote location, and replacing the tip cap on a filled syringe, the first device being located at a first station and a fourth station comprising:
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a support frame that is movable along at least an x axis and a y axis; a gripper mechanism movable by the support frame including a pair of gripper arms that are positionable between an open position and a closed position in which the tip cap is securely held in contact therebetween during both removal of the tip cap from the empty syringe at the first station and during the subsequent replacement of the tip cap on the filled syringe at the fourth station; a programmable controller in communication with a plurality of drive actuators that controllably drive the gripper arms and the support frame to desired positions; a sensor for detecting whether the tip cap is disposed between the gripper arms; and wherein the system further includes; a third station configured to fill the syringe; a second station where a plunger of the syringe is extended prior to filling the syringe at the third station, the syringe being advanced to the second station after the automated first device removes the tip cap at the first station; and an automated rotary device that receives and holds a plurality of syringes in a nested manner and is indexed to advance one syringe from one station to another station including the first station, the second station, and the third station, the tip cap being removed and replaced while the syringe is nested within the rotary device and the plunger being extended while the syringe is nested within the rotary device.
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67. An automated system including an automated first device for removing a tip cap from an empty syringe, placing the tip cap at a remote location, and replacing the tip cap on a filled syringe, the first device being located at a first station and a fourth station comprising:
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a support frame that is movable along at least an x axis and a y axis; a gripper mechanism movable by the support frame including a pair of gripper arms that are positionable between an open position and a closed position in which the tip cap is securely held in contact therebetween during both removal of the tip cap from the empty syringe at the first station and during the subsequent replacement of the tip cap on the filled syringe at the fourth station; a programmable controller in communication with a plurality of drive actuators that controllably drive the gripper arms and the support frame to desired positions; a sensor for detecting whether the tip cap is disposed between the gripper arms; and wherein the system further includes; a third station configured to fill the syringe; a second station where a plunger of the syringe is extended prior to filling the syringe at the third station, the syringe being advanced to the second station after the automated first device removes the tip cap at the first station; and an automated rotary device that receives and holds a plurality of syringes in a nested manner and is indexed to advance one syringe from one station to another station including the first station, the second station, and the third station, the tip cap being removed and replaced while the syringe is nested within the rotary device and the plunger being extended while the syringe is nested within the rotary device.
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Specification