Tamper evident syringe tip cap and automated method for preparing tamper-evident syringes

An automated medication preparation system including automated syringe preparation comprising:

• a first automated device for removing a tip cap from a barrel of one syringe and placing the removed tip cap at a first location;
• an automated transfer device for delivering a prescribed dosage amount of medication to the syringe by injecting the medication through the uncapped barrel in a just-in-time for use manner;
• a second automated device for replacing the removed tip cap on the syringe barrel after the medication is injected therein;
• and
• a station for making the syringe tamper evident, the station including a device for joining the tip cap to the syringe barrel in a local area by heating and reflowing a section of the tip cap into contact with the syringe barrel whereupon cooling, a local weld is formed between the tip cap and the syringe barrel, wherein the syringe is automatically advanced from the second automated device to the station for making the syringe tamper evident.

An automated medication preparation system including automated syringe preparation comprising:

• a first automated gripping means for removing a tip cap from a barrel of one syringe and placing the removed tip cap at a first location;
• an automated device for delivering a prescribed dosage amount of medication to the syringe by injecting the medication through the uncapped barrel in a just-in-time for use manner;
• a second automated gripping means for replacing the removed tip cap on the syringe barrel after the medication is injected therein;
• and
• a mechanism for capturing the syringe containing the prescribed dosage amount between two sheets of plastic material and then evacuating air from between the sheets to form and capture the syringe in a shrink wrapped package which has a perforated seam formed therein to assist a user in opening of the package.

A method for just-in-time removal of a tip cap from a syringe barrel, filling the syringe with a prescribed dose of medication, replacing the tip cap on the syringe barrel and making the syringe tamper evident, the method including the steps of:

• removing the tip cap from the syringe luer connector to open the syringe barrel and placing the removed tip cap at a first location;
• delivering the prescribed dose to an interior of the syringe barrel;
• gripping the removed tip cap at the first location and moving it to the syringe barrel containing the prescribed dose;
• replacing the tip cap on a syringe luer connector;
• and
• joining the tip cap to the syringe luer connector in a local area by heating and reflowing a section of the tip cap into contact with the syringe luer connector whereupon cooling, a local weld is formed between the tip cap and the syringe luer connector, wherein the syringe is automatically advanced from a station where the tip cap is replaced to a station for making the syringe tamper evident where the local weld is formed.