US 6,742,671 B2Granted

Integrated automated drug dispenser method and apparatus

AssigneeAutoMed Technologies, Inc.

InventorsTerrance J. Hebron, Douglas L. Vandy Bogurt

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A system is provided for automatically dispensing prescriptions according to a patient's order. The system includes at least one line of machines that can automatically fill a patient's prescription order with countable oral solid medication under the control of an appropriate control system. The system includes containers provided to store the oral solid medication. One or more medication-containing containers are detachably coupled to a vibratory dispenser according to a patient's order. The vibratory dispenser automatically vibrates the container to dispense a predetermined amount of medication from the container into a vial according to the patient's order. Labeling and capping apparatus may be provided to apply a patient-specific label to the vial and to apply a cap or closure to the vial. Vials containing medication according to the patient's order may be collected in accumulation receptacles prior to delivery to a patient.

Claims27

Dependent claims

Apparatus for vibratory dispensing of plural types of solid medications comprising:

a vibratory dispenser;
a plurality of canisters each for selective engagement with the vibratory dispenser, each canister containing and dispensing one medication type and having a canister body comprising a bottom wall, at least one sidewall and inner and outer canister surfaces, the body defining a discharge opening through which the medication is dispensed from the canister and a further opening through which the medication is loaded into the canister;
a quick coupling mechanism adapted to detachably couple each of the canisters to the vibratory dispenser in order to dispense medication therefrom and to rapidly decouple the coupled canister following dispensing so that one of the other canisters may be detachably coupled to the vibratory dispenser in place thereof, and
a controller operatively controlling the vibratory dispenser, said controller causing the vibratory dispenser to vibrate the coupled canister such that the medication contained in the coupled canister is dispensed in a predetermined manner;
whereby, the vibratory dispenser vibrates the canister when coupled thereto, said vibration causing medication contained in the coupled canister to be dispensed from the coupled canister through the discharge opening and into a vial.

2 more elements

A system for vibratory dispensing of solid medication comprising:

a plurality of canisters each for containing a solid medication type, each canister being structured for attachment to a vibratory dispenser and having a discharge opening for dispensing the solid medication;
the vibratory dispenser being structured to vibrate a canister attached thereto, said vibration causing solid medication contained in the attached canister to be dispensed through the discharge opening;
and
a quick coupling mechanism structured for attaching any of the canisters to the vibratory dispenser and for rapidly detaching the coupled canister so that one of the other canisters may be attached to the vibratory dispenser in place thereof.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/186,755Filed 16 Sep 2002 · continuation
Priority: 27 Aug 1998
Published: US 2003/0066841 A110 Apr 2003
Granted: 1 Jun 2004
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

G07F 11/44
From non-movable magazines: in which magazines the articles are stored in bulk
B65B 5/103
By gravity: for packaging pills or tablets
B65B 57/20
Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices: applications of counting devices for controlling the feed of articles
G06Q 10/087
Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management: inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling,…

Family

Application60/098,124Us provisional application · filed 27 Aug 1998
Application09/209,995Parent of this continuation · filed 11 Dec 1998
Application09/860,204Parent of this continuation · filed 18 May 2001
US 2003/0066841 A1Pre-grant publication · published 10 Apr 2003
US 6,449,927 B2Parent of this continuation
US 6,256,967 B1Parent of this continuation
US 2001/0027634 A1Published application
US 6,742,671 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.