System and method for conveying pharmaceuticals from an automated machine

• US 7,912,578 B1
• Filed: 06/21/2007
• Issued: 03/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qmeds Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Quiq, Inc.
• Inventors: Frankel, Mark E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Waggoner; Timothy R
• Application Number:
  US11/820,564
• Time in Patent Office: 1,370 Days
• Field of Search: 700/236, 700/237, 700/240, 700/249
• US Class Current: 700/237
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/12 comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/00 Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers

Abstract

A system and method for conveying regulated pharmaceuticals to a patient in an automated manner. A database is provided that contains information on patients and the prescriptions prescribed to those patients. An automated conveying machine is supplied that contains an inventory of prepackaged pharmaceuticals that can be independently vended. An interface is provided proximate the automated conveying machine. Prescription data is entered into the interface. The prescription data identifies a specific patient and a specific prepackaged pharmaceutical. The prescription data is compared to information in the database for confirmation. The automated conveying machine receives a confirmation signal if the prescription data is valid. If the requested prepackaged pharmaceutical is present within the inventory of said automated conveying machine and the confirmation signal has been received, then the automated conveying machine is activated. Inventory controls are present that prevent the system from overselling.

Claims

1. A method of conveying regulated pharmaceuticals, comprising the steps of:

providing a database that contains information on patients and prescriptions prescribed to said patients;

providing an automated conveying machine having an inventory of prepackaged pharmaceuticals stored therein that can be independently vended upon the activation of said automated conveying machine, wherein each of said prepackaged pharmaceuticals contains a removable label with a first code pattern that is unique for a type of prepackaged pharmaceutical;

providing an interface proximate said automated conveying machine;

entering prescription data into said interface, said prescription data identifying a specific patient and a specific prepackaged pharmaceutical;

comparing said prescription data with information in said database for confirmation, wherein said automated conveying machine receives a confirmation signal if said prescription data is valid;

checking if a specific prepackaged pharmaceutical from said prepackaged pharmaceuticals is present within said inventory of said automated conveying machine;

activating said automated conveying machine if said specific prepackaged pharmaceutical is available in said inventory and said confirmation signal has been received;

providing a printer proximate said automated conveying machine, said printer printing a printout each time one of said prepackaged pharmaceuticals vends from said automated conveying machine, wherein said printout has a second code pattern thereon; and

removing said removable label from said specific prepackaged pharmaceutical and placing said removable label onto said printout so that said first code pattern on said removable label lays in close proximity to said second code pattern on said printout.

2. The method according to claim 1, further including the step of electronically tracking said inventory of said prepackaged pharmaceuticals stored within said automated conveying machine.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said step of electronically tracking said inventory includes identifying if said specific prepackaged pharmaceutical is both physically present in said automated conveying machine and is available for vending.

4. The method according to claim 2, further including the step of indicating that a prepackaged pharmaceutical is available for vending only to said specific patient after said confirmation signal is received.

5. The method according to claim 1, further including the step of printing a printout if said confirmation signal is not received.

6. The method according to claim 1, further including the step of printing a printout if said prepackaged pharmaceutical is not in said inventory of said automated conveying machine.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein each said printout contains a label image.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of providing a printer includes providing said printer within said automated conveying machine, wherein said printout extends from said automated conveying machine when printed.

9. The method according to claim 1, further including the step of sensing if one of said prepackaged pharmaceuticals vends from said automated conveying machine after said automated conveying machine is activated.