Pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system and methods of storing and retrieving pharmaceuticals
First Claim
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1. A method of managing inventory across multiple facilities, the method comprising:
- providing a first pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system in a first facility, the first pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system storing a first supply of pharmaceuticals;
providing a second pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system in a second facility, the second pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system storing a second supply of pharmaceuticals;
monitoring the first supply of pharmaceuticals and the second supply of pharmaceuticals at a central ordering authority;
transferring pharmaceuticals from the first pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system to the second pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system in response to the second supply of pharmaceuticals becoming depleted;
wherein providing the first pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system includes providing a first housing configured to store a first plurality of containers, at least one of the first plurality of containers storing the first supply of pharmaceuticals;
wherein providing the second pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system includes providing a second housing configured to store a second plurality of containers, at least one of the second plurality of containers storing the second supply of pharmaceuticals;
wherein providing the first pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system also includes providing a first container-moving assembly positioned within the first housing, the first container-moving assembly operable to move the first plurality of containers within the first housing;
wherein providing the second pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system also includes providing a second container-moving assembly positioned within the second housing, the second container-moving assembly operable to move the second plurality of containers within the second housing;
wherein providing the first pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system also includes providing a first controller operatively connected to the first container-moving assembly, the first controller operable to control movement of the first container-moving assembly;
wherein providing the second pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system also includes providing a second controller operatively connected to the second container-moving assembly, the second controller operable to control movement of the second container-moving assembly;
wherein providing the first pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system also includes providing a first user access assembly having a first port supported by the first housing, wherein the first container-moving assembly is operable to move each of the first plurality of containers to the first port; and
wherein providing the second pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system also includes providing a second user access assembly having a second port supported by the second housing, wherein the second container-moving assembly is operable to move each of the second plurality of containers to the second port.
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Abstract
A pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system and a method of storing and retrieving pharmaceutical containers from the system. The system includes a pharmaceutical storage and retrieval and a controller operatively coupled to the device to control storage and retrieval functions of the device. The device includes a gantry assembly, a shelving assembly, a user access assembly, and a user authorization system that function in a coordinated manner to carry out the storage and retrieval functions of the device.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method of managing inventory across multiple facilities, the method comprising:
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providing a first pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system in a first facility, the first pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system storing a first supply of pharmaceuticals; providing a second pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system in a second facility, the second pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system storing a second supply of pharmaceuticals; monitoring the first supply of pharmaceuticals and the second supply of pharmaceuticals at a central ordering authority; transferring pharmaceuticals from the first pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system to the second pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system in response to the second supply of pharmaceuticals becoming depleted; wherein providing the first pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system includes providing a first housing configured to store a first plurality of containers, at least one of the first plurality of containers storing the first supply of pharmaceuticals; wherein providing the second pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system includes providing a second housing configured to store a second plurality of containers, at least one of the second plurality of containers storing the second supply of pharmaceuticals; wherein providing the first pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system also includes providing a first container-moving assembly positioned within the first housing, the first container-moving assembly operable to move the first plurality of containers within the first housing; wherein providing the second pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system also includes providing a second container-moving assembly positioned within the second housing, the second container-moving assembly operable to move the second plurality of containers within the second housing; wherein providing the first pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system also includes providing a first controller operatively connected to the first container-moving assembly, the first controller operable to control movement of the first container-moving assembly; wherein providing the second pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system also includes providing a second controller operatively connected to the second container-moving assembly, the second controller operable to control movement of the second container-moving assembly; wherein providing the first pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system also includes providing a first user access assembly having a first port supported by the first housing, wherein the first container-moving assembly is operable to move each of the first plurality of containers to the first port; and wherein providing the second pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system also includes providing a second user access assembly having a second port supported by the second housing, wherein the second container-moving assembly is operable to move each of the second plurality of containers to the second port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification