Prescription dispensing system

• US 9,477,815 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2013
• Issued: 10/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cor3, LLC
• Original Assignee: Cor3, LLC
• Inventors: Butler, C. David
• Primary Examiner(s): WAGGONER, TIMOTHY R
• Application Number:
  US14/141,787
• Publication Number:
  US 20140114682A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 700/237
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers

Abstract

A prescription dispensing system having a dispensing station for holding an inventory of prescription medications, a secure internet connection to the dispensing station for access by a potential prescription medication recipient, by healthcare personnel in a physician office and by pharmacy personnel at the pharmacy distribution center in a remote location, at least two webcams for visual and auditory communication between the location of the dispensing station and the pharmacy personnel via the internet to allow identification of the correct medication, identification and communication with the correct potential prescription medication recipient, and visual validation and recording of all documentation from the physician'"'"'s office or potential prescription medication recipient, and a biometric reader disposed at the dispensing station for identifying a potential prescription medication recipient. The system may include various enhancements to allow accurate dispensing of the proper medication and direct secure internet communication between the pharmacist and the authorized recipient of the medication.

Claims

1. A prescription dispensing system comprising:

a dispensing station for holding an inventory of prescription medications that matches a profile of usually dispensed medications wherein the dispensing station is located in a physician office, wherein the dispensing station is responsive to a prescription signal from the healthcare professional in the physician office representing an amount and type of medication for a patient to insert said amount of medication of the specified type into a vial, wherein the dispensing station dispenses said vial of medication upon receipt of an authorization signal from the pharmacist at the remote location, and wherein the dispensing station includes a tube containing said medication and a drive system for moving predetermined amounts of said medication into said vial;

a secure internet connection to the dispensing station for access by a potential prescription medication recipient, by healthcare personnel in a physician office and by pharmacy personnel at the pharmacy distribution center in a remote location;

at least two webcams for visual and auditory communication between the location of the dispensing station and the pharmacy personnel via the internet to allow identification of the correct medication, identification and communication with the correct potential prescription medication recipient, and visual validation and recording of all documentation from the physician'"'"'s office or potential prescription medication recipient wherein one of the webcams supplies to the pharmacist a visual verification of the amount and type of medication inserted into said vial prior to authorization to dispense;

a biometric reader disposed at the dispensing station for identifying a potential prescription medication recipient, said biometric reader being connected via the secure internet connection to the remote location.

2. The prescription dispensing system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drive system drives the medication into said vial one unit of medication at a time.

3. The prescription dispensing system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tube containing said medication is sealed to the vial during insertion of the medication from the tube into the vial.

4. The prescription dispensing system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the drive system is disposed to move the medication horizontal from the tube to the vial.

5. The prescription dispensing system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the drive system is disposed to move the medication linearly from the tube to the vial.

6. The prescription dispensing system as set forth in claim 5 wherein the drive system is disposed to move the medication vertically before it is moved linearly from the tube to the vial.

7. The prescription dispensing system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the drive system operates under visual observation by the pharmacist via one of the webcams.

8. The prescription dispensing system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tube includes a barcode label identifying the medication contained therein.

9. The prescription dispensing system as set forth in claim 8 wherein the dispensing station includes a barcode reader to insure that the medication being disposed corresponds to the medication prescribed.

10. The prescription dispensing system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the dispensing station includes means for providing a state board of pharmacy approved label on the vial, said label including information concerning the type and amount of medication inserted into the vial and all labeling requirements of the state within which the prescription dispensing system is located.

11. The prescription dispensing system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the vial includes a flat surface for said label.

12. The prescription dispensing system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said dispensing station includes means for attaching a top to the vial after the medication is inserted into the vial.

13. The prescription dispensing system as set forth in claim 12 wherein the vial is threaded to receive said top.

14. The prescription dispensing system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said top includes an external slot to facilitate manual removal thereof to obtain access to the medication.

15. The prescription dispensing system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the medication is liquid, said liquid medication being stored in the dispensing station in predetermined units.