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Automated prescription vial filling system

a prescription vial and automatic technology, applied in the direction of instruments, packaging goods types, pharmaceutical product form changes, etc., can solve the problems of large number of pharmacists, large number of outpatient patients, and high labor intensity of individual prescription filling methods, so as to reduce the inventory of pre-filled prescription vials

Inactive Publication Date: 2002-09-03
AUTOMED TECH
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

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.
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.

Problems solved by technology

There are disadvantages to both of these prescription filling methods.
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.

Method used

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  • Automated prescription vial filling system
  • Automated prescription vial filling system
  • Automated prescription vial filling system

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

In accordance with the invention, a system is provided for dispensing prescriptions, preferably for out-patients, wherein the system packages an order of one or more prescriptions in view of patient prescription information and then presents a complete patient's order to a pharmacist for pick-up or delivery. Such a system is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Data flow diagrams for such a system are illustrated in FIGS. 3-5. Processes employed in the system are described below.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a system 10 is provided which includes three lines 12, 14 and 16 of machines that can automatically fill, label, cap, and sort vials 18 in accordance with a patient's prescription order under the control of an appropriate control system. While three lines are depicted in the illustrated embodiment, the present invention encompasses any number of lines. Preferably, the lines are identical with the exception of the vial sizes filled. While vial sizes will be determined by prescription...

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for dispensing drugs, wherein a patient's order of one or more prescriptions is automatically filled. Various drugs are stored in three or more filler lines. A vial size is assigned to each line. When a prescription is filled, it is automatically assigned to a line in view of the vial size requirements and processed accordingly. Provisions are made for the inability to fill a prescription or order. Subsequently, all of the patient's prescriptions are collected and made available as a single order.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe 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 exp...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A61J3/00A61J7/00G16H20/13
CPCA61J3/002G06Q10/087B65B3/003G16H20/13
Inventor CHARHUT, KENNETH A.GOODALE, KEITHBLECHL, JOSEPHSKOU, WILL
Owner AUTOMED TECH
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