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Pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system and methods of storing and retrieving pharmaceuticals

  • US 9,727,701 B2
  • Filed: 08/14/2014
  • Issued: 08/08/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2007
  • Status: Active Grant
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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