System and method for communicating and inspecting a multiple tablet order

• US 8,789,700 B2
• Filed: 01/07/2010
• Issued: 07/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edge Medical Properties, LLC
• Original Assignee: Edge Medical Properties, LLC
• Inventors: Luciano, Robert A. Jr., Luciano, Lawrence, Kerr, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zeender, Ryan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Amsdell, Dana
• Application Number:
  US12/684,060
• Publication Number:
  US 20100153129A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,664 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 206/531
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/03 for pills or tablets containers for pills or tablets with special dispensing means therefor B65D83/04
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/66 Trinkets, e.g. shirt buttons or jewellery items recognising microscopic objects G06V20/69
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients

Abstract

A system and method for communicating a multiple tablet order to a multiple tablet order production facility is described. The method includes communicating the multiple tablet order to the production facility, the verified multiple tablet order including a plurality of different tablets that are prescribed to be consumed at the same time. The multiple tablet package is filled with at least a first tablet and a second tablet that is different from the first tablet. The multiple tablet package is then sealed. An automated inspection of the sealed multiple tablet package after the multiple tablet package is filled with the first tablet and the second tablet is then performed. The automated inspection includes an inspection module that operates at visual wavelengths and analyzes a tablet color and a tablet shape.

Claims

1. A method for automatically managing inventory in a multiple tablet order production facility, the method comprising:

communicating a verified multiple prescription order to the production facility, a verified multiple prescription order including a plurality of different tablets that are prescribed to be consumed at the same time, wherein the plurality of different tablets include a first tablet medication that is different from a second tablet medication;

receiving the verified multiple prescription order that includes prescription medication at an order processing system;

detecting that additional inventory has been received and automatically updating a database of available inventory with the order processing system;

enabling a tablet management system to receive the multiple tablet order and to determine the tablets that are to be dispensed to a multiple tablet package, when there is inventory to fill the order, the tablet management system including,

a refill module configured to receive the additional inventory and configured to fill each multiple tablet package with inventory housed by the refill module,

a tablet refill control system communicatively coupled to the refill module, the tablet refill control system configured to count the tablets distributed by the refill module;

filling the multiple tablet package with at least the first tablet medication and the second tablet medication; and

performing an automated inspection of the multiple tablet package after the multiple tablet package is filled with the first tablet medication and the second tablet medication, wherein the automated inspection includes an inspection module that operates at visual wavelengths and analyzes a tablet color and a tablet shape.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising combining a plurality of multiple tablet packages that are prescribed to be consumed at the same time in a same time housing.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising combining a plurality of multiple tablet packages in a housing that that includes a label indicating a date and a time for consuming the tablets in the package and an image for each of the tablets in the package.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating a tablet type, size, quantity, frequency of consumption, packaging type, and a date and a time for consuming the tablets in the multiple tablet order to the tablet management system.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising comparing the multiple tablet order to the database of available inventory, and bypassing placement of an order for additional inventory in response to a determination that the inventory of all the medicinal tablets in the multiple tablet order is satisfactory.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the multiple tablet order is received electronically.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the multiple tablet order is received at a pharmacy window.

8. A system for automatically managing inventory in a multiple tablet order production facility, comprising:

a verified multiple prescription order that is communicated to the production facility, the verified multiple prescription order including a plurality of different tablets that are prescribed to be consumed at the same time, wherein the plurality of different tablets include a first tablet medication that is different from a second medication;

an order processing system configured to receive the verified multiple tablet order that includes prescription medication;

the order processing system further configured to detect that additional inventory has been received and automatically update a database of available inventory;

a tablet management system configured to receive the multiple tablet order and to determine the tablets to be dispensed to a multiple tablet package, when there is inventory to fill the order, the tablet management system including,

a refill module configured to receive the additional inventory and configured to fill each multiple tablet package with inventory housed by the refill module,

a tablet refill control system communicatively coupled to the refill module, the tablet refill control system configured to count the tablets distributed by the refill module; and

an automated inspection module for performing an inspection of the multiple tablet package to identify the first tablet medication and the second tablet medication within each multiple tablet container after the multiple container is filled with tablets, wherein the automated inspection includes an inspection module that operates at visual wavelengths and analyzes a tablet color and a tablet shape.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising a same time housing that receives a plurality of multiple tablet packages that are prescribed to be consumed at the same time.

10. The system of claim 8 further comprising a housing that includes,

a plurality of multiple tablet packages, and

a label indicating a date and a time for consuming the tablets in the package and an image for each of the tablets in the package.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the tablet management system is communicatively coupled to the refill module and the inventory management system, and configured to receive a tablet type, size, quantity, frequency of consumption, packaging type, and a date and a time for consuming the tablets in the multiple tablet order.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the tablet management system is configured to compare the multiple tablet order to the database of available inventory, and bypass placement of an order for additional inventory in response to a determination that the inventory of all the medicinal tablets in the multiple tablet order is satisfactory.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the multiple tablet order is received electronically.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the multiple tablet order is received at a pharmacy window.

15. A system for automatically managing inventory in a multiple tablet order production facility, comprising:

a verified multiple prescription order that is communicated to the production facility, the verified multiple prescription order including a plurality of different tablets that are prescribed to be consumed at the same time, wherein the plurality of different tablets includes a first tablet medication that is different from a second medication;

an order processing system that receives the verified multiple prescription order that includes prescription medication;

the order processing system detects that the additional inventory has been received and automatically updates a database of available inventory;

a tablet management system that receives the multiple tablet order and determines the tablets to be dispensed to a multiple tablet package, when there is inventory to fill the order, the tablet management system including,

a refill module that receives the additional inventory and fills each multiple tablet package with inventory housed by the refill module,

a tablet refill control system communicatively coupled to the refill module, the tablet refill control system counts the tablets distributed by the refill module;

an automated inspection module for performing an inspection of the multiple tablet package to identify the first tablet medication and the second tablet medication within each multiple tablet container after the multiple container is filled with tablets, wherein the automated inspection includes an inspection module that operates at visual wavelengths and analyzes a tablet color and a tablet shape; and

a same time housing that receives a plurality of multiple tablet packages that are prescribed to be consumed at the same time, wherein the same time housing includes,

the plurality of multiple tablet packages, and

a label indicating a date and a time for consuming the tablets in the package and an image for each of the tablets in the package.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the multiple tablet order is received electronically.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the multiple tablet order is received at a pharmacy window.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the tablet management system receives a tablet type, size, quantity, frequency of consumption, packaging type, and the date and the time for consuming the tablets in the multiple tablet order.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the tablet management system compares the multiple tablet order to the database of available inventory, and bypasses placement of an order for additional inventory in response to a determination that the inventory of all the medicinal tablets in the multiple tablet order is satisfactory.

20. A system for automatically managing inventory in a multiple tablet order production facility, comprising:

a verified multiple prescription order that is communicated to the production facility, the verified multiple prescription order including a plurality of different tablets that are prescribed to be consumed at the same time, wherein the plurality of different tablets include a first tablet medication that is different from a second medication;

an order processing system that receives the verified multiple prescription order that includes prescription medication;

the order processing system that detects that additional inventory has been received and automatically updates a database of available inventory;

a tablet management system that receives the multiple tablet order and determines the tablets to be dispensed to a multiple tablet package, when there is inventory to fill the order, the tablet management system including,

a refill module that receives the additional inventory and fills each multiple tablet package with inventory housed by the refill module,

a tablet refill control system communicatively coupled to the refill module, the tablet refill control system counts the tablets distributed by the refill module; and

an automated inspection module for performing an inspection of the multiple tablet package to identify the first tablet medication and the second tablet medication within each multiple tablet container after the multiple tablet container is filled with tablets, wherein the automated inspection includes an inspection module that operates at visual wavelengths and analyzes a tablet color and a tablet shape.

21. The system of claim 20 further comprising a same time housing that receives a plurality of multiple tablet packages that are prescribed to be consumed at the same time.

22. The system of claim 20 further comprising a housing that includes,

a plurality of multiple tablet packages, and

a label indicating a date and a time for consuming the tablets in the package and an image for each of the tablets in the package.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein the tablet management system is communicatively coupled to the refill module and the inventory management system, and receives a tablet type, size, quantity, frequency of consumption, packaging type, and a date and a time for consuming the tablets in the multiple tablet order.

24. The system of claim 20, wherein the tablet management system is configured to compare the multiple tablet order to the database of available inventory, and bypass placement of an order for additional inventory in response to a determination that the inventory of all the medicinal tablets in the multiple tablet order is satisfactory.

25. The system of claim 20, wherein the multiple tablet order is received electronically.

26. The system of claim 20, wherein the multiple tablet order is received at a pharmacy window.