System and method for high-volume filling of pharmaceutical prescriptions

• US 9,241,875 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2013
• Issued: 01/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Parata Systems, LLC (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Parata Systems, LLC (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Davis, Craig Steven, Smith, Bradley Kenneth, Uebel, Mark Alan, Jordan, Michael Lee, Hertzler, Merle Elmer, Heineck, Tobias, Oshatz, Daryl
• Primary Examiner(s): NIESZ, JASON KAROL
• Application Number:
  US14/059,937
• Publication Number:
  US 20140041750A1
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 141/165, 141/172, 198/597, 198/600, 414/225.01, 414/226.02
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/06 Ampoules or carpules syringe ampoules or carpules A61M5/28
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/20 Arrangements for transferring or mixing fluids, e.g. from vial to syringe
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 11/00 Manipulators not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 15/00 Gripping heads and other end effectors grippers used in machine tools B23Q7/04; gripping members fitted on cranes B66C1/42, B66C1/44; gripping means used in the manufacture of semiconductors H01L21/68707; gripping means used for mounting electrical components H05K13/04
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/00 Programme-controlled manipulators
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 3/003 Filling medical containers such as ampoules, vials, syringes or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/103 for packaging pills or tablets
• CPC Class Codes: B67C 3/242 engaging with bottle necks B67C3/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/165 using xyz-picker or multi-dimensional article picking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/1657 the picking arrangements using suction
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00

Abstract

A method of retrieving a vial from a carrier includes the steps of: contacting a vial contained within a carrier with a gripper assembly to shift the position of the container to one end of the carrier and to adjust the position of the carrier on a platform from a diverted position to a retrieval position; lifting the vial from the carrier with the gripper assembly; and returning the vial to the carrier with the gripper assembly. Such a method can improve the accuracy and precision of moving the vial to and from the carrier for dispensing.

Claims

1. A method of filling a pharmaceutical vial, comprising:

(a) providing an automated pharmacy machine, comprising;

a frame defining a peripheral footprint;

a plurality of bins, each of the bins containing a bulk supply of a pharmaceutical;

a transition platform mounted to the frame and having at least one retrieval position configured to receive a vial for filling, the retrieval position being located within the footprint of the frame; and

a gripper assembly mounted within the frame;

(b) receiving a vial from a source outside the peripheral footprint of the frame in the retrieval position;

(c) grasping the vial with the gripper assembly as the vial resides in the retrieval position;

(d) conveying the vial from the retrieval position to one of the bins with the gripper assembly;

(e) dispensing a pharmaceutical from the bin into the vial;

(f) returning the filled vial from a dispensing bin to the retrieval position with the gripper assembly.

2. The method defined in claim 1, wherein the transition platform includes a plurality of retrieval positions.

3. The method defined in claim 1, wherein the retrieval position is configured to receive a carrier in which a vial resides, and wherein the receiving step comprises receiving the vial as it resides in the carrier.

4. The method defined in claim 1, wherein the retrieval position is defined by a recess in the transition platform.

5. The method defined in claim 1, wherein the gripper assembly is mounted on a vertical rail and is movable vertically thereon.

6. The method defined in claim 5, wherein the vertical rail is mounted on a horizontal rail and is movable horizontally thereon.

7. A method of filling a pharmaceutical vial, comprising:

(a) providing an automated pharmacy machine, comprising;

a frame defining a peripheral footprint;

a plurality of bins, each of the bins containing a bulk supply of a pharmaceutical;

a transition platform mounted to the frame and having a plurality of retrieval positions configured to receive a vial for filling, the retrieval positions being located within the footprint of the frame; and

a gripper assembly mounted within the frame;

(b) receiving a vial from a source outside the peripheral footprint of the frame in one of the retrieval positions, the vial residing in a carrier;

(c) grasping the vial with the gripper assembly as the vial resides in the retrieval position;

(d) conveying the vial with the gripper assembly from the retrieval position to one of the bins as the carrier remains in the retrieval position;

(e) dispensing a pharmaceutical from the bin into the vial;

(f) returning the filled vial from a dispensing bin to the carrier in the retrieval position with the gripper assembly.

8. The method defined in claim 7, wherein each retrieval position is defined by a recess in the transition platform.

9. The method defined in claim 7, wherein the gripper assembly is mounted on a vertical rail and is movable vertically thereon.

10. The method defined in claim 9, wherein the vertical rail is mounted on a horizontal rail and is movable horizontally thereon.