Automated label verify systems and methods for dispensing pharmaceuticals
AssigneeOmnicare, Inc.
InventorsMichael J. Szesko, Bradley Carson, Kevin R. Fearon, Robert A. Smith, Thomas P. Bonkenburg, Jonathan M. Herring
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for filling a prescription order with plurality of products each containing a pharmaceutical. The apparatus and method verifying a barcode on each of the products and printing and applying a patient label with a verified barcode to each of the products. After the patient label is applied, the barcodes are independently verified before the products are released.
Claims25
An apparatus for filling a prescription order with a plurality of products each containing a pharmaceutical, each shaped with either a card form factor or a box form factor, and each marked with a product barcode, the apparatus comprising:
- a conveyor configured to move the products along a workflow path;
- a first verification station in the workflow path of the conveyor and configured to verify that the product barcode on each product belongs in the prescription order being filled;
- a label application station in the workflow path of the conveyor and configured to print and apply a patient label onto each of the products;
- and
- a second verification station in the workflow path of the conveyor and configured to independently verify that the product barcode on each of the products matches a patient barcode on the patient label after application to the product, the second verification station including a first barcode reader configured to read the product barcode and patient barcode on the products shaped with the card form factor, a second barcode reader configured to read the product barcode on the products shaped with the box form factor, and a third barcode reader configured to read the patient barcode on the products shaped with the box form factor.
An apparatus for filling a prescription order with a plurality of products each containing a pharmaceutical, each shaped with either a card form factor or a box form factor, and each marked with a product barcode, the apparatus comprising:
- a conveyor configured to move the products along a workflow path;
- a first verification station in the workflow path of the conveyor and configured to verify that the product barcode belongs in the prescription order being filled;
- a label application station in the workflow path of the conveyor and configured to print and apply a patient label onto each of the products;
- a second verification station in the workflow path of the conveyor and configured to independently verify that the product barcode on each of the products matches a patient barcode on the patient label after application to the product,
- a first product feed device configured to receive and singulate batches of the products with the card form factor;
- and
- a second product feed device configured to receive and singulate batches of products shaped with the box form factor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.