System, method and corresponding apparatus for storing, retrieving and delivering unit dose blisters

• US 8,483,867 B2
• Filed: 10/18/2010
• Issued: 07/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omnicell Incorporated
• Original Assignee: McKesson Automation Incorporated (Omnicell Inc)
• Inventors: Braun, Patrick J., Greyshock, Shawn T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Burgess, Ramya
• Application Number:
  US12/906,398
• Publication Number:
  US 20110024444A1
• Time in Patent Office: 995 Days
• Field of Search: 700/213, 700/214, 700/215, 700/228, 700/219, 700/220, 700/221, 700/225, 414/331.01, 414/331.02, 414/331.07
• US Class Current: 700/215
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/14 using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light G06K7/10831 - G06K7/1097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/245 by locating a pattern; Special marks for positioning
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/62 in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00

Abstract

A system, method and corresponding apparatus are provided for storing, retrieving and delivering unit dose blisters in their natural, raw state (i.e., without over-wrapping or repackaging). In particular, a plurality of unit dose blister mounts are configured to position a corresponding plurality of different types of unit dose blisters in a predetermined, repeatable orientation, so that they can be retrieved and delivered using, for example, an automated retrieval system. The storage apparatus (or unit dose blister mount) may include a cavity that is configured to receive a unit dose medication or medication cavity of the unit dose blister in such a way that the unit dose blister lies substantially flat in the horizontal plane, enabling any identification information displayed on the underside of the unit dose blister (i.e., the side opposite the unit dose medication, or medication cavity) to be viewed.

Claims

1. A storage apparatus configured to accept a plurality of different types of unit dose packages, the storage apparatus comprising:

a carrier defining at least one cavity, wherein the at least one cavity is configured to receive a plurality of different types of unit dose packages of different shapes and sizes held by the carrier, such that when held, the respective unit dose packages lie and are maintained in a predetermined plane relative to the carrier.

2. The storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein (a) each unit dose package comprises a unit dose blister and (b) the respective unit dose blisters comprise a support panel and a unit dose medication carried by the support panel, such that when the unit dose blister is held by the carrier, the support panel is maintained in the predetermined plane relative to the carrier.

3. The storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein (a) the carrier comprises a surface through which the cavity opens and (b) the carrier is configured to receive the plurality of different types of unit dose blisters such that the support panel of each unit dose blister contacts and is supported by the surface in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the carrier.

4. The storage apparatus of claim 2, wherein (a) the support panel has opposed first and second sides with the unit dose medication proximate the first side and the second side including an identification code that includes information identifying the unit dose medication and (b) the carrier is configured to contact the first side of the support panel such that the identification code is exposed.

5. The storage apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a retention mechanism configured to hold the unit dose package in the predetermined plane relative to the carrier.

6. The storage apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a clipping mechanism configured to hold the storage apparatus in a storage system while the storage system is in motion.

7. The storage apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a handle (a) extending from the storage apparatus and (b) configured for being engaged by a picking system (i) to move the storage apparatus and (ii) for delivering at least one of the plurality of different types of unit dose packages.

8. A storage apparatus configured to accept a plurality of different types of unit dose packages of different shapes and sizes, the storage apparatus comprising:

a first cavity comprising side walls and a bottom with a second cavity extending from the bottom of the first cavity, wherein the first cavity is configured to hold a plurality of different types of unit dose packages of different shapes and sizes, such that when held, the respective unit dose packages lie and are maintained in a predetermined plane relative to the bottom of the first cavity.

9. The storage apparatus of claim 8, wherein (a) each unit dose package comprises a unit dose blister and (b) the respective unit dose blisters comprise a support panel and a unit dose medication carried by the support panel, such that when the unit dose blister is held by the first cavity, the support panel is maintained in the predetermined plane relative to the first cavity.

10. The storage apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first cavity is configured to receive the plurality of different types of unit dose blisters such that the support panel of each unit dose blister contacts and is supported by the bottom of the first cavity in a plane substantially parallel to the bottom of the first cavity.

11. The storage apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second cavity is configured to receive the unit dose medication of a respective unit dose blister, such that the support panel of the unit dose blister is maintained in a predetermined plane relative to the first cavity.

12. The storage apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a retention mechanism configured to hold the unit dose package in the predetermined plane relative to the first cavity.

13. The storage apparatus of claim 8, wherein the storage apparatus is configured for being engaged by a picking system (i) to move the storage apparatus and (ii) for delivering at least one unit dose package.

14. A storage apparatus configured to accept a plurality of different types of unit dose packages of different shapes and sizes, the storage apparatus comprising:

a plurality of carriers, wherein (a) each carrier defines at least one cavity and (b) each carrier is configured to hold a plurality of different types of unit dose packages of different shapes and sizes, such that when held, the respective unit dose packages lie and are maintained in a predetermined plane relative to the carrier.

15. The storage apparatus of claim 14, wherein (a) each unit dose package comprises a unit dose blister and (b) the respective unit dose blisters comprise a support panel and a unit dose medication carried by the support panel, such that when a unit dose blister is held by a carrier, the support panel is maintained in the predetermined plane relative to the carrier.

16. The storage apparatus of claim 15, wherein (a) the support panel has opposed first and second sides with the unit dose medication proximate the first side and the second side including an identification code that includes information identifying the unit dose medication and (b) the carrier is configured to contact the first side of the support panel such that the identification code is exposed.

17. The storage apparatus of claim 14 further comprising retention mechanisms configured to hold the unit dose packages in the predetermined plane relative to the carriers.

18. The storage apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a clipping mechanism configured to hold the storage apparatus in a storage system while the storage system is in motion.

19. The storage apparatus of claim 14, wherein the storage apparatus is configured for being engaged by a picking system (i) to move the storage apparatus and (ii) for delivering at least one unit dose package.