Automatic prescription drug dispenser
First Claim
1. A medication dispensing machine comprising:
- a housing having a medication product storage system including a plurality of rows of medication products;
a plurality of cantilevered lead screws extending from a rear of the housing to a front of each of the plurality of rows;
a pushing member associated with each lead screw and located at a back of each of the rows of medication products; and
a driving member to turn each lead screw to advance the pushing member towards a front of the housing such that a front medication product in the row of medication products is pushed from the row; and
wherein each of the plurality of rows of medication products is mounted within a magazine which is mountable over one of the cantilevered lead screws.
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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.
103 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A medication dispensing machine comprising:
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a housing having a medication product storage system including a plurality of rows of medication products; a plurality of cantilevered lead screws extending from a rear of the housing to a front of each of the plurality of rows; a pushing member associated with each lead screw and located at a back of each of the rows of medication products; and a driving member to turn each lead screw to advance the pushing member towards a front of the housing such that a front medication product in the row of medication products is pushed from the row; and wherein each of the plurality of rows of medication products is mounted within a magazine which is mountable over one of the cantilevered lead screws. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A medication dispensing machine comprising:
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a housing having a medication product storage system including a plurality of rows of medication products; a plurality of cantilevered lead screws extending from a rear of the housing to a front of each of the plurality of rows; a pushing member associated with each lead screw and located at a back of each of the rows of medication products; and a driving member to turn each lead screw to advance the pushing member towards a front of the housing such that a front medication product in the row of medication products is pushed from the row, wherein the driving member is mounted to an end effector, the end effector further including bar-code scanner. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A method comprising:
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providing a housing having a medication product storage system including a plurality of rows of medication products, wherein a plurality of cantilevered lead screws extend from a rear of the housing to a front of each of the plurality of rows, there being a pushing member associated with each lead screw and located at a back of each of the rows of medication products, wherein each of the plurality of rows of medication products is mounted within a magazine which is mountable over one of the cantilevered lead screws, and wherein each of the magazines includes a bar code located on an outboard end of the magazine; moving a driving member to a selected row of medication products; and turning a selected lead screw using the driving member to advance the pushing member towards a front of the housing such that a front medication product in the selected row of medication products is pushed from the row. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification