Automated prescription vial filling system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for automatically filling prescriptions comprising:
- means for receiving a patient'"'"'s order, said order comprising patient identification information and one or more prescriptions;
at least one prescription filling line including machines for automatically filling, labeling, and capping vials with drugs;
means for assigning one of said prescriptions to said prescription filling line for processing;
means for receiving vials from said filling line and for sorting said vials according to patient orders; and
means for collecting vials pertaining to one patient'"'"'s order.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for dispensing drugs, wherein a patient'"'"'s order of one or more prescriptions is automatically filled. Various drugs are stored in three or more filler lines. A vial size is assigned to each line. When a prescription is filled, it is automatically assigned to a line in view of the vial size requirements and processed accordingly. Provisions are made for the inability to fill a prescription or order. Subsequently, all of the patient'"'"'s prescriptions are collected and made available as a single order.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A system for automatically filling prescriptions comprising:
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means for receiving a patient'"'"'s order, said order comprising patient identification information and one or more prescriptions; at least one prescription filling line including machines for automatically filling, labeling, and capping vials with drugs; means for assigning one of said prescriptions to said prescription filling line for processing; means for receiving vials from said filling line and for sorting said vials according to patient orders; and means for collecting vials pertaining to one patient'"'"'s order. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A system for automatically filling prescriptions, comprising:
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a controller for receiving a patient order, said order comprising patient identification information and at least one prescription; at least one filling line conveyor; a device for storing at least one empty vial associated with said filling line conveyor; an unscrambler disposed along said filling line conveyor for retrieving said vial and to position said vial on said filling line conveyor; a filler positioned along said filling line conveyor downstream of said unscrambler for placing drugs in said vial in accordance with said prescription; a labeler positioned along said filling conveyor downstream of said filler for applying a label to said vial; a capper positioned along said filling line conveyor downstream of said filler for securing a cap on said vial; an accumulator positioned at a downstream end of said filling line conveyor for receiving said vial; a sorting conveyor disposed adjacent said accumulator; at least one removable receptacle carried on said sorting conveyor; and a device for transferring said vial from said accumulator to said receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for filling a prescription comprising the steps of:
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waiting for presentation of a patient order, said order comprising one or more prescriptions and patient identification information; determining whether said order is valid; rejecting an invalid order; placing said order in a first-in, first-out list if said order is valid; acknowledging placement of said order on said first-in, first-out list; assigning each prescription in said order to a separate filling process; assigning a collection receptacle to said order, receiving said filled prescriptions from said filling process; determining a vial size required to fill a prescription; determining whether filling the prescription will deplete a drug supply below a minimum; determining whether filling the prescription will fully deplete the drug supply; and
terminating the process if filling the prescription will fully deplete the drug supply.
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12. A method for filling prescriptions comprising the steps of:
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providing a patient order, said order comprising patient identification data and at least one prescription; assigning each prescription in said order to a separate filling process; assigning a collection receptacle to said order, said receptacle receiving filled prescriptions from said filling process; determining a vial size required to fill a prescription; determining whether filling the prescription will deplete a drug supply below a minimum; generating a re-fill request is filling the prescription will deplete the drug supply below the minimum; determining whether the prescription will fully deplete the requisite drug supply; and terminating the process if filling the prescription will fully deplete the drug supply.
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13. A system for filling prescriptions, comprising:
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at least one filling line including devices for automatically filling a vial with prescribed drugs, labelling said vial, and capping said vial; a sorting system disposed at a terminal of said filling line for receiving vials therefrom and transporting collections of said vials, each collection pertaining to a particular patient; and a control system for controlling said filling line in said sorting system. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification