Personalized medication packaging

• US 7,454,880 B1
• Filed: 05/31/2007
• Issued: 11/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Austin, Paul R., German, Kristine A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Durand; Paul R
• Application Number:
  US11/807,962
• Publication Number:
  US 20080300718A1
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 534/11, 534/15, 534/67, 531/312, 531/351, 532/81, 532/86, 700/216, 283/900, 283/75, 283/89
• US Class Current: 53/411
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/03 for pills or tablets containers for pills or tablets with special dispensing means therefor B65D83/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/20 Colour codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/30 Printed labels
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0084 for multiple medicaments
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers

Abstract

A system for personalized packaging of prescription medication includes a processing device having a CPU and a user interface. The user interface is configured to receive input data related to at least one type of medication to be packaged, wherein the user interface communicates the input data to the CPU for processing. A dispensing system is in communication with the processing device, wherein the dispensing system is configured to be pre-supplied with the at least one type of medication and to dispense the at least one type of medication based on the input data communicated from the CPU to the dispensing system. Also included in the system is a printing system in communication with the processing device. A printing system is configured to generate a print of instructional data based on the input data communicated from the CPU to the printing system, wherein the print of instructional data includes data correspondingly related to the at least one type of medication dispensed by the dispensing system. A packaging system is in communication with the dispensing system and configured to seal the at least one type of medication dispensed from the dispensing system within the personalized packaging.

Claims

1. A method of packaging medication comprising:

generating input data related to the medication to be packaged through a user interface in communication with a processing device, wherein the processing device includes a CPU configured to process the input data received from the user input;

dispensing the medication from a dispensing system in bilateral communication with the processing device, the dispensing system being configured to receive the user input from the CPU, wherein the medication dispensed is based on the user input, said system having scanning means for reading machine readable data and for counting medicaments being dispensed by said dispensing system;

generating a print of instructional data from a printing system in communication with the processing device, the printing system being configured to receive the user input from the CPU, wherein the print of instructional data is based on the user input, wherein the steps of dispensing the medication and generating the print of instructional data are performed substantially simultaneously; and

packaging the dispensed medication through a packaging system in communication with the dispensing device, the packaging system being configured to package the medication dispensed from the dispensing system.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of mating the print of instructional data to the packaging.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the packaging is a blister package.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of pre-formatting the print of instructional data through the user interface.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the print of instructional data further includes encoded data related to the layout of the instructional data on the print.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the packaging further includes a coating of cohesive for mating the print of instructional data thereto.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the processing system communicates with at least one of the user interface, the dispensing system and the printing system in a networked configuration.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the packaging system is integrated within the dispensing system.

9. A system for personalized packaging of medication comprising:

a processing device having a CPU and a user interface, the user interface being configured to receive input data related to at least one type of medication to be packaged, wherein the user interface communicates the input data to the CPU for processing;

a dispensing system in communication with the processing device, wherein the dispensing system is configured to be pre-supplied with the at least one type of medication and to dispense the at least one type of medication based on the input data communicated from the CPU to the dispensing system, said system having scanning means for reading machine readable data and for counting medicaments being dispensed by said dispensing system;

a printing system in communication with the processing device and configured to generate a print of instructional data based on the input data communicated from the CPU to the printing system, wherein the print of instructional data includes data correspondingly related to the at least one type of medication dispensed by the dispensing system; and

a packaging system in communication with the dispensing system and configured to seal the at least one type of medication dispensed from the dispensing system within the personalized packaging.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the dispensing system is configured to dispense the at least one type of medication into the packaging for sealing by the packaging system.

11. The system according to claim 9, wherein the packaging is a blister package.

12. The system according to claim 9, wherein the processing system is at least one of an electronic planner and a computer.

13. The system according to claim 9, wherein the dispensing system further includes scanning means for monitoring information related to the medication to be dispensed.

14. The system according to claim 9, wherein the processing system communicates with at least one of the dispensing system and printing system over a network.

15. The system according to claim 9, wherein the user interface communicates with the processing device over a network.

16. The system according to claim 9, wherein the at least one type of medication is pre-supplied in a container-form configured for attachment to the dispensing system.

17. The system according to claim 9, wherein the personalized package is configured for mated relation to the print of instructional data.

18. The system according to claim 9, wherein the print of instructional data includes information related to the at least one type medication and at least one of a color image of the at least one type of medication, dosage information related to the least one type of medication, and the purpose of the at least one type of medication.

19. The system according to claim 9, wherein the system for personalized packaging substantially simultaneously counts and dispenses the at least one type of medication, and prints the print of instructional data.

20. A system for personalized packaging of medication comprising:

a processing device having a user interface, the user interface being configured to receive input data related to at least one container of medication to be packaged, the at least one container of medication including machine readable data related to the medication encoded thereon for monitoring by the processing device;

a dispensing system having a machine readable memory device in communication with the processing device, wherein the dispensing system is configured to be pre-supplied with the at least one container of medication and to dispense the at least one container of medication based on the input data communicated from the processing device to the dispensing system, the dispensing system further including scanning means for reading the machine readable data and for counting medication being dispensed, wherein the machine readable data is stored in the machine readable memory device for communication to the processing device;

a printing system in communication with the processing device and configured to generate a print of instructional data based on the input data communicated from the processing device to the printing system, wherein the print of instructional data includes data correspondingly related to the at least one container of medication dispensed by the dispensing system; and

a packaging system in communication with the dispensing system and configured to seal the medication from the at least one container of medication dispensed from the dispensing system within the personalized packaging, wherein the personalized packaging is configured for mated relation to the print of instructional data.

21. The system according to claim 20, wherein the machine readable memory device is an RFID device.

22. The system according to claim 20, wherein the scanning means substantially simultaneously counts and dispenses medication, and prints the print of instructional data.