Automated drug preparation apparatus including a bluetooth communications network
First Claim
1. A method of operating an automated medication preparation system to prepare and deliver a prescribed dosage of medication to a drug delivery device comprising the steps of:
- inputting a drug order that contains instructions for forming the prescribed dosage of medication;
providing a plurality of stations for receiving, handling and processing a drug delivery device so that the prescribed dosage of medication is delivered to the drug delivery device, wherein at least one of the stations includes a peripheral device for performing at least one operation;
operating a transporting device that receives and holds more than one drug delivery device such that each drug delivery device moves in a controlled manner from one station to another station;
communicating with the peripheral device by means of a Bluetooth communications network to monitor a status of the at least one operation performed at the peripheral device; and
delivering, in an automated manner, the prescribed dosage of medication to the drug delivery device in conformity with the drug order.
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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. At least one of the stations includes a peripheral device for performing at least one operation 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 includes a master controller that tracks and controls the movement of the transporting device and operation of equipment at one or more stations. In addition, a system further includes a Bluetooth communications network between the peripheral device and the master controller such that that the peripheral device automatically communicates with the controller when the peripheral device is within a predetermined distance from the controller.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of operating an automated medication preparation system to prepare and deliver a prescribed dosage of medication to a drug delivery device comprising the steps of:
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inputting a drug order that contains instructions for forming the prescribed dosage of medication; providing a plurality of stations for receiving, handling and processing a drug delivery device so that the prescribed dosage of medication is delivered to the drug delivery device, wherein at least one of the stations includes a peripheral device for performing at least one operation; operating a transporting device that receives and holds more than one drug delivery device such that each drug delivery device moves in a controlled manner from one station to another station;
communicating with the peripheral device by means of a Bluetooth communications network to monitor a status of the at least one operation performed at the peripheral device; anddelivering, in an automated manner, the prescribed dosage of medication to the drug delivery device in conformity with the drug order.
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2. An automated medication preparation system for preparing a prescribed dosage of medication in a drug delivery device comprising:
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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, wherein at least one of the stations includes a peripheral device for performing at least one operation; 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; a master controller that tracks and controls the movement of the transporting device and operation of equipment at one or more stations; and a Bluetooth communications network between the peripheral device and the master controller such that the peripheral device automatically communicates with the controller when the peripheral device is within a predetermined distance from the controller, wherein the Bluetooth communications network includes a first Bluetooth component that is operatively coupled to the master controller and a second Bluetooth component that is operatively coupled to the peripheral device, the two Bluetooth components in automatic communication with one another; wherein the system is configured so that two or more separate drug delivery devices are acted upon at the same time at two or more different stations. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An automated medication preparation system for preparing a prescribed dosage of medication in a drug delivery device comprising:
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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, wherein at least one of the stations includes a peripheral device for performing at least one operation; 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;
a master controller that tracks and controls the movement of the transporting device and operation of equipment at one or more stations;a Bluetooth communications network between the peripheral device and the master controller such that the peripheral device automatically communicates with the controller when the peripheral device is within a predetermined distance from the controller; wherein the system is configured so that two or more separate drug delivery devices are acted upon at the same time at two or more different stations and wherein the transporting device comprises a cam-indexed device that receives and releasably holds each drug delivery device as it is controllably advanced from one station to a next station.
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Specification