Pharmaceutical dispensing system
First Claim
1. A pharmaceutical dispensing system, comprising:
- a pharmaceutical product dispenser at a first location;
a control workstation at a second location;
a control system operatively connected to the control workstation and the dispenser, the control system being adapted to control dispenser operation such that the dispenser dispenses a packaged pharmaceutical product associated with a prescription;
a code reader operative to read a code associated with the packaged pharmaceutical product; and
a video communication apparatus associated with the dispenser such that a person at the first location may consult with a pharmacist at the second location.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automated drug dispensing system includes a cabinet adapted to store a variety of prepackaged pharmaceuticals in a plurality of bins for filling patient prescriptions. Each bin stores a particular variety of packaged multiple-dose pharmaceutical. Each variety of pharmaceutical is associated with a particular code. A controller receives request signals and in response generates dispense signals. Each bin includes a dispenser coupled to the controller for dispensing the packaged pharmaceuticals therefrom in response to a dispense signal sent from the controller. After a package is dispensed, a code reader determines the code of the dispensed package and verifies whether the code on the dispensed package matches the code of the requested package.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A pharmaceutical dispensing system, comprising:
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a pharmaceutical product dispenser at a first location; a control workstation at a second location; a control system operatively connected to the control workstation and the dispenser, the control system being adapted to control dispenser operation such that the dispenser dispenses a packaged pharmaceutical product associated with a prescription; a code reader operative to read a code associated with the packaged pharmaceutical product; and a video communication apparatus associated with the dispenser such that a person at the first location may consult with a pharmacist at the second location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for dispensing pharmaceuticals including a communication system enabling consultation between a person and a pharmacist at a location remote from the person, the system comprising:
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a pharmaceutical product dispenser at a first location, the dispenser including machine structure adapted to store and dispense a plurality of pharmaceutical products; a computer adapted to control operation of the dispenser; a data entry device for entering a prescription into the computer; a control facility at a second location operatively connected to the computer, the control facility being operative to receive the prescription and transmit a signal to the computer if fulfillment of the prescription is authorized, the dispenser being operative, in response to the signal, to dispense a packaged pharmaceutical product corresponding to the prescription; a code reader operative to read a code associated with the packaged pharmaceutical product; and a two-way video communication system associated with the dispenser such that a person at the first location may consult with a pharmacist at the second location. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A pharmaceutical dispensing system, comprising:
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a pharmaceutical product dispenser at a first location; a control workstation at a second location; a control system operatively connected to the control workstation and the dispenser, the control system being adapted to control dispenser operation such that the dispenser dispenses a packaged pharmaceutical product responsive to a signal from the control workstation; a code reader operative to read a code associated with the packaged pharmaceutical product; and video communication apparatus enabling a person at the first location to communicate with a person at the second location. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A pharmaceutical product dispensing system, comprising:
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a pharmaceutical product dispenser at a first location, the dispenser including machine structure adapted to store and dispense a plurality of pharmaceutical products; a computer adapted to control operation of the dispenser; a data entry device for entering information relating to a request for a pharmaceutical product into the computer; a control facility at a second location operatively connected to the computer, the control facility being operative to receive the request and transmit a signal to the computer if fulfillment of the request is authorized, the dispenser being operative, in response to the signal, to dispense a packaged pharmaceutical product corresponding to the request; a code reader operative to read a code associated with the packaged pharmaceutical product; and a two-way video communication system associated with the dispenser and control facility such that a person at the first location may communicate with a person at the second location.
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Specification