Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Specific application – apparatus or process – Article handling
Reissue Patent
1999-01-15
2002-09-03
Grant, William (Department: 2122)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Specific application, apparatus or process
Article handling
C221S009000, C053S493000, C700S224000
Reissue Patent
active
RE037829
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to methods and apparatus for dispensing prescriptions. More specifically, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for dispensing and filling containers, such as vials, with medications.
Generally, out-patients have been provided with prescriptions in one of two ways. One way is to provide oral, solid prescriptions that are pre-filled in vials at a remote location and kept in inventory at a pharmacy. These pre-filled vials are removed from stock when needed and relabelled with patient specific information. Another method involves filling prescriptions by having a pharmacist hand-count the required drugs from a bulk supply and then place a patient specific label on a vial.
There are disadvantages to both of these prescription filling methods. If pharmacists elect to use pre-filled vials, they must carry an inventory of several hundred drug types. Further, they must manage inventory levels and monitor stock for expiring products. Generally, a pharmacist will pay a premium for having the vials pre-filled.
On the other hand, filling prescriptions from bulk on an individual basis is very labor intensive and subject to human accounting errors. Further, servicing a large out-patient population requires large numbers of pharmacists.
Many out-patient facilities use a combination of these two systems, supplying pre-filled vials on high volume products and hand-filling vials with products that are less in demand.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for dispensing prescriptions. The invention eliminates the need for pre-filled vials and greatly reduces the number of pharmacists required to service a large out-patient population. To these ends, the invention provides an automated prescription vial filling system.
In an embodiment, the invention provides a system whereby a pharmacist inputs a patient's order including prescription and patient identification information via a computer terminal. The system processes the information and automatically fills one or more vials with one or more drugs, and then automatically labels and caps the vials containing drugs, pursuant to the -pharmacist's order. When all of the patient's prescriptions are filled, the order is accumulated by an intelligent conveyor and presented to the pharmacist as the patient's complete order, ready for pick-up or mailing.
In an embodiment, the invention provides that a system for accomplishing the foregoing consists of at least one line of machines that will automatically fill, label, cap, and sort vials with one or more prescriptions in accordance with a patient order. Each line fills a vial of a certain size with medication. The three lines preferably are identical with the exception of the vial size used. Vial sizes are determined by prescription quantity, drug mix, and drug volume of the institution where the system is placed. A typical size distribution could be 60 cc, 120 cc, and 250 cc vial sizes.
Located at an end of the three lines is a sorting conveyor. The conveyor places the patient's complete order together for pickup or mailing.
An advantage of the invention is the ability to employ a minimum number of technicians or pharmacists for counting drugs to be dispensed. Another advantage of the invention is the reduction and inventory of pre-filled drug vials.
Another advantage of the invention is a prescription filling system that provides cost reductions such as for labor and purchases of bulk medication over current filling methods.
Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments and from the drawings.
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“Future Distribution System—Picking, AutoSorting, Reading” published by Nikkan Kogho Shimbun, Ltd., Mar. 1979, pp. 197-203 and 214-218.
Blechl Joseph
Charhut Kenneth A.
Goodale Keith
Skou Will
AutoMed Technologies, Inc.
Garland Steven R.
Grant William
Jansson & Shupe & Munger Ltd.
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