Unit dose packaging and associated robotic dispensing system and method
First Claim
1. A robotic dispensing system comprising:
- a first storage location including a first rod for storing at least one first unit dose package that is hung upon the first rod, each first unit dose package having a first predetermined number of individually packaged unit dose medication(s);
a second storage location including a second rod for storing at least one second unit dose package that is hung upon the second rod, each second unit dose package having a second predetermined number of individually packaged unit dose medications, wherein the second predetermined number is different than the first predetermined number, wherein at least one of the first and second unit dose packages has a plurality of individually packaged unit dose medications that are configured such that each individually packaged unit dose medication is connected to at least one other individually packaged unit dose medication while hung upon the respective rod such that the plurality of individually packaged unit dose medications are interconnected, and wherein the first and second unit dose packages include a same medication; and
a controller configured to direct picking of the first unit dose package or the second unit dose package, dependent upon a requested number of unit dose medication(s), so as to remove the first unit dose package or the second unit dose package from the respective rod.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A unit dose package is provided that facilitates the automated picking of the package. The unit dose package includes a plurality of individually packaged unit dose medications separated by perforations. The unit dose package also defines a hole that may be located along at least one perforation, such as at an intersection of at least two perforations, to permit the package to be stored by being suspended by a rod. A robotic dispensing system and method are also provided that facilitate the selective dispensation of unit dose packages having different numbers of individually packaged unit dose medications. The system includes first and second storage locations for storing first and second unit dose packages which have different numbers of individually packaged unit dose medication(s). The system also includes a controller to direct picking of the first or second unit dose packages dependant upon a requested number of individually packaged unit dose medication(s).
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A robotic dispensing system comprising:
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a first storage location including a first rod for storing at least one first unit dose package that is hung upon the first rod, each first unit dose package having a first predetermined number of individually packaged unit dose medication(s); a second storage location including a second rod for storing at least one second unit dose package that is hung upon the second rod, each second unit dose package having a second predetermined number of individually packaged unit dose medications, wherein the second predetermined number is different than the first predetermined number, wherein at least one of the first and second unit dose packages has a plurality of individually packaged unit dose medications that are configured such that each individually packaged unit dose medication is connected to at least one other individually packaged unit dose medication while hung upon the respective rod such that the plurality of individually packaged unit dose medications are interconnected, and wherein the first and second unit dose packages include a same medication; and a controller configured to direct picking of the first unit dose package or the second unit dose package, dependent upon a requested number of unit dose medication(s), so as to remove the first unit dose package or the second unit dose package from the respective rod. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An automated method of dispensing medication comprising:
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storing at least one first unit dose package having a first predetermined number of individually packaged unit dose medication(s) at a first storage location by hanging the at least one first unit dose package upon a first rod; storing at least one second unit dose package having a second predetermined number of individually packaged unit dose medications at a second storage location by hanging the at least one second unit dose package upon a second rod, wherein the second predetermined number is different than the first predetermined number, wherein at least one of the first and second unit dose packages has a plurality of individually packaged unit dose medications that are configured such that each individually packaged unit dose medication is connected to at least one other individually packaged unit dose medication while hung upon the respective rod such that the plurality of individually packaged unit dose medications are interconnected, and wherein the first and second unit dose packages include a same medication; and directing picking, with a controller, of the first unit dose package or the second unit dose package, dependent upon a requested number of individually packaged unit dose medication(s), so as to remove the first unit dose package or the second unit dose package from the respective rod. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A robotic dispensing system comprising:
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a unit dose package comprising a plurality of individually packaged unit dose medications, wherein each of the plurality of individually packaged unit dose medications is separably connected to at least one other individually packaged unit dose medication such that the plurality of individually packaged unit dose medications are separably interconnected; a storage location for storing at least one unit dose package having a plurality of individually packaged unit dose medications, wherein the storage location includes a rod upon which the at least one unit dose package is hung while the plurality of individually packaged unit dose medications of the at least one unit dose package remain connected; a controller configured to direct picking of the at least one unit dose package so as to remove the at least one first unit dose package from the rod. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification