Automatic prescription drug dispenser

• US 7,444,203 B2
• Filed: 06/21/2007
• Issued: 10/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Instymeds Corporation
• Original Assignee: Instymeds Corporation
• Inventors: Rosenblum, Ken
• Primary Examiner(s): Crawford; Gene O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Waggoner; Timothy R
• Application Number:
  US11/821,004
• Publication Number:
  US 20070293982A1
• Time in Patent Office: 495 Days
• Field of Search: 700/231, 700/235
• US Class Current: 700/235
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms

Abstract

An automatic prescription drug dispenser including a remote dispenser, a prescription entry system, and a communications network. The remote dispenser transmits and receives information from the communications network and dispenses prescription drugs to the patient. The prescription entry system transmits and receives information from the communications network and provides an input system for the prescriber to electronically enter individual prescriptions for each patient. The communications network coordinates communications between the doctor, insurance carrier, and the remote dispenser. The remote dispenser stores, retrieves, and labels prescription drug and over-the-counter products directly to patients through a remote automated dispenser, a prescription entry system, and a communications network. The remote dispenser transmits and receives information from the communications network and dispenses drugs to the patient. The prescription entry system transmits and receives information from the communications network and provides an input system for the doctor to electronically enter individual prescriptions for each patient. The communications network coordinates communications between the prescriber, insurance carrier, and the remote dispenser. Also described are various embodiments of apparatus and method of the invention useful in pharmacy settings as for example found in drug stores or “big box” retailers or other such settings. Other methods include providing a remote dispenser in virtually any location.

Claims

1. A method for dispensing medications or medical supplies, comprising:

a medical service provider prescribing a medication for a patient;

entering data about the prescription into a data input device that relays the data to a medication dispensing machine; and

the dispensing machine automatically labeling a container holding the medication by rotating the container proximate a label applicator, the label applicator being positioned above the container during labeling and configured such that the label applicator is supported by the container during labeling so that the dispensing machine can label different sizes of containers, wherein the container is automatically labelled with patient-specific information by the dispensing machine.

2. A method according to claim 1 further wherein the medication is automatically labelled by the dispensing machine at the time that the patient picks up the medication.

3. A method according to claim 1 further wherein the medication is automatically labelled by the dispensing machine prior to the time the patient arrives at the location of the dispensing machine to pick up the medication.

4. A method according to claim 1 further wherein the pharmacy service provider takes a medication container from the dispensing machine and gives it to a patient or patient'"'"'s representative.

5. A method according to claim 1 further including providing the patient with a code and the patient entering the code into the dispensing machine to obtain the labelled container.

6. A method according to claim 1 further including networking a control system for the dispensing machine with a pharmacy management software system.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the dispensing machine scans and verifies the labeled container before dispensing the labeled container.

8. A method according to claim 1 further including presenting the prescription in written form by an electronic deliver mechanism.

9. A method according to claim 1 further wherein the medical service provider is located in a medical service delivery facility, and the dispensing machine is in a location that is not co-located with the medical service delivery facility.

10. A method according to claim 9 further wherein the medical service facility is one of the group of:

doctor'"'"'s office, medical HCF or hospital.

11. A method according to claim 1 further including insurance information being provided over an electronic or telephonic link.

12. A method for dispensing prescribed medications, comprising:

a medical service provider prescribing a medication for a patient;

entering the prescription into a control system that communicates with a medication dispensing machine;

the dispensing machine automatically labeling a medication container holding the prescription medication with patient-specific information by rotating the container proximate a label applicator, the label applicator being positioned above the container during labeling and configured such that the label applicator is supported by the container during labeling so that the dispensing machine can label different sizes of containers.

13. A method according to claim 12 further wherein the medication is automatically labelled by the dispensing machine at the time that the patient comes to the drug store to pick up the medication.

14. A method according to claim 12 further wherein the medication is automatically labelled by the dispensing machine prior to the time the patient comes to the drug store to pick up the medication.

15. A method according to claim 12 further including providing the patient with a code and the patient entering the code into the dispensing machine to obtain the labelled medication.

16. An apparatus comprising:

a medication dispensing machine;

a label applicator located within the dispensing machine to automatically label a container holding medication after a user has selected the medication, the label including patient specific information, wherein the label applicator includes a product rotator to rotate the container and a label applicating member to apply the label to the container, wherein the label applicating member includes a transfer wheel that holds the label as the label is being applied to the container.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the product rotator includes first and second disks that can vary the distance there between to accommodate different sizes of containers.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the transfer wheel includes a vacuum to hold the label.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the label on the transfer wheel contacts the container while the container spins and the transfer wheel is supported by the container as the label is applied.

20. An apparatus comprising:

a medication dispensing machine;

a label applicator located within the dispensing machine to automatically label a container holding medication after a user has selected the medication, the label including patient specific information, wherein the label applicator includes a product rotator to rotate the container and a label applicating member to apply the label to the container, wherein the product rotator includes first and second disks that can vary the distance there between to accommodate different sizes of containers.