Automated prescription vial filling system
AssigneeBaxter International Inc.
InventorsKenneth A. Charhut, Keith Goodale, Joseph Blechl, Will Skou
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims15
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 prescription filling line for processing;
- means for receiving vials from said filling line and for sorting said vials according to patient orders;
- and
- means for collecting vials pertaining to one patient's order.
A system for automatically filling prescriptions, comprising:
- a controller for receiving a patient order, said order comprising patient identification information and at least one prescription;
- at least one filling line conveyor;
- a device for storing at least one empty vial associated with said filling line conveyor;
- 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;
- a labeler positioned along said filling 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 cap on 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.
A method for filling a prescription comprising the steps of:
- 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.
A method for filling prescriptions comprising the steps of:
- 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 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.
A system for filling prescriptions, comprising:
- at least one filling line including devices for automatically filling a vial with prescribed drugs, labelling said vial, and capping said vial;
- a sorting system disposed at a terminal of said filling line for receiving vials therefrom and transporting collections of said vials, each collection pertaining to a particular patient;
- and
- a control system for controlling said filling line in said sorting system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.