Automated prescription vial filling system
DC CAFCFirst Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for automatically filling prescriptions comprising:
- means for receiving a patient'"'"'s order, said order comprising patient identification information and one or more prescriptions;
at least one prescription filling line including machines for automatically filling, labeling, and capping vials with drugs;
means for assigning one of said prescriptions to said at least one prescription filling line for processing;
the at least one prescription filling line serving to automatically process the assigned prescription without human intervention and comprising;
vial filling means for filling at least one discrete vial with oral solid medication according to the prescription, said vial defining a re-closable vial opening and said medication being selected from a plurality of different bulk-form oral solid medications;
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for dispensing drugs, wherein a patient'"'"'s order of one or more prescriptions is automatically filled. Various drugs are stored in three or more filler lines. A vial size is assigned to each line. When a prescription is filled, it is automatically assigned to a line in view of the vial size requirements and processed accordingly. Provisions are made for the inability to fill a prescription or order. Subsequently, all of the patient'"'"'s prescriptions are collected and made available as a single order.
157 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A system for automatically filling prescriptions comprising:
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means for receiving a patient'"'"'s order, said order comprising patient identification information and one or more prescriptions;
at least one prescription filling line including machines for automatically filling, labeling, and capping vials with drugs; means for assigning one of said prescriptions to said at least one prescription filling line for processing;
the at least one prescription filling line serving to automatically process the assigned prescription without human intervention and comprising;
vial filling means for filling at least one discrete vial with oral solid medication according to the prescription, said vial defining a re-closable vial opening and said medication being selected from a plurality of different bulk-form oral solid medications;
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A system for automatically filling prescriptions, comprising:
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a controller for receiving a patient order, said order comprising patient identification information and at least one prescription;
automated prescription filling apparatus operatively controlled by the controller for automatically processing the order without human intervention comprising;
at least one filling line conveyor;
a device for storing at least one empty vial associated with said filling line conveyor, each vial defining a re-closable vial opening;
an unscrambler disposed along said filling line conveyor for retrieving said vial and to position said vial on said filling line conveyor;
a filler positioned along said filling line conveyor downstream of said unscrambler for placing drugs in said vial in accordance with said prescription and including plural canisters each for storing a discrete type of oral solid medication in bulk, the filler directing selected medication into the vial in accordance with said order;
a labeler positioned along said filling line conveyor downstream of said filler for applying a label to said vial;
a capper positioned along said filling line conveyor downstream of said filler for securing a replaceable cap on over the opening of said vial;
an accumulator positioned at a downstream end of said filling line conveyor for receiving said vial;
a sorting conveyor disposed adjacent said accumulator;
at least one removable receptacle carried on said sorting conveyor; and
a device for transferring said vial from said accumulator to said receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for filling a prescription comprising the steps of:
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waiting for presentation of a patient order, said order comprising one or more prescriptions and patient identification information;
determining whether said order is valid;
rejecting an invalid order;
placing said order in a first-in, first-out list if said order is valid;
acknowledging placement of said order on said first-in, first-out list;
assigning each prescription in said order to a separate filling process;
assigning a collection receptacle to said order, receiving said filled prescriptions from said filling process;
determining a vial size required to fill a prescription;
determining whether filling the prescription will deplete a drug supply below a minimum;
determining whether filling the prescription will fully deplete the drug supply; and
terminating the process if filling the prescription will fully deplete the drug supply.- View Dependent Claims (16)
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12. A method for filling prescriptions comprising the steps of:
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providing a patient order, said order comprising patient identification data and at least one prescription;
assigning each prescription in said order to a separate filling process;
assigning a collection receptacle to said order, said receptacle receiving filled prescriptions from said filling process;
determining a vial size required to fill a prescription;
determining whether filling the prescription will deplete a drug supply below a minimum;
generating a re-fill request is if filling the prescription will deplete the drug supply below the minimum;
determining whether the prescription will fully deplete the requisite drug supply; and
terminating the process if filling the prescription will fully deplete the drug supply. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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13. A system for automatically filling prescriptions, comprising:
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at least one automated filling line including devices for automatically filling a vial with prescribed drugs, labelling labeling said vial, and capping said vial;
without human intervention comprising;
a vial-transport mechanism positioned to transport the vial to filler apparatus and receive the filled, capped vial from a capper;
the filler apparatus is positioned to receive the vial from the vial-transport mechanism and includes plural canisters each for storing a discrete type of oral solid medication in bulk, the filler apparatus directing the prescribed drugs into the vial from at least one canister;
- View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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- 18. A system for automatically filling patient prescription orders, the system comprising:
- 22. A system for automatically filling patient prescription orders, the system comprising:
- 25. A method for automatically filling patient prescription orders without human intervention comprising the steps of:
- 31. A method for automatically filing patient prescription orders with medication in at least one discrete vial defining a re-closable vial opening and having a vial surface, said medication corresponding to a person'"'"'s prescription order and for automatically collecting the at least one filled, labeled vial corresponding to the person'"'"'s prescription order comprising the steps of:
Specification