US 7,117,902 B2 · Automated means of storing, dispensing and orienting injectable drug vials for a robotic application

Abstract

In one exemplary embodiment, an automated means for storing, dispensing and orienting injectable drug vials for a robotic application is provided and includes a plurality of automated syringe preparation stations is provided. The drug vial stores the medication that is either is either in solid form and thus needs to be reconstituted into the injectable drug or the vial can contain medication that was already been previously reconstituted and is ready for delivery to the syringe. The automated means includes a robotic vial gripper device for holding and transferring one vial from one station to a next station of the robotic application; and a detector that determines whether the vial is in a correct orientation throughout one or more stations of the robotic application.

Claims21

Dependent claims

An automated means for storing, dispensing and orienting injectable drug vials for a robotic application comprising:

a robotic vial gripper device for holding and transferring one vial from one station to a next station of the robotic application;
and
a detector that determines whether the vial is in an upright orientation or is in an opposite inverted orientation relative to ground throughout one or more stations of the robotic application.

An automated medication preparation system including automated syringe preparation in which medication contained in an injectable drug vial is delivered in a prescribed dosage amount to a syringe, the system comprising:

a robotic vial gripper device for capturing the injectable drug vial from a drug storage area and delivering it to one or more vial processing stations;
an automated device associated with a fluid transfer station for delivering a prescribed dosage amount of medication from the vial to the syringe through an uncapped barrel thereof in a just-in-time for use manner, the fluid transfer station being located downstream of the vial processing stations;
and
a detector for determining whether the vial is in an upright orientation or is in an opposite inverted orientation relative to ground prior to the vial being delivered to the fluid transfer station by the robotic vial gripper device.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

10/728,371Filed 3 Dec 2003 · us provisional application

Priority

3 Dec 2002

Published

US 2005/0045242 A13 Mar 2005

Granted

10 Oct 2006

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification3 codes

B65B 7/2821
By applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers: applying plugs or threadless stoppers
B65B 3/003
Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes,…:…
B65B
Machines, apparatus or devices for, or methods of, packaging articles or materials

Automated means of storing, dispensing and orienting injectable drug vials for a robotic application

Life of this patent

Automated means of storing, dispensing and orienting injectable drug vials for a robotic application

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21