Systems and methods for compounding medications

Abstract

The present invention discloses a drug dispensing system and a drug dispensing method, wherein the drug dispensing system can receive one or more drugs and diluents, and the drug dispensing system comprises an array of movable transfer cylinders to access drug containers and transfer drugs. The transferred drugs can be combined with diluents to form prepared drugs. Then, the obtained prepared drugs can be guided to a filling port, which can be connected to the prepared drug container. A second drug container can be aligned with a second transfer cylinder to transfer a second drug. Since the device can include one or more drugs and diluents, a separate transfer cylinder can be used for each drug to form a series of prepared drugs.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the patent application with application number 201510387633.7, application date June 30, 2015, and invention name “System and method for preparing drugs”. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates generally to the mixing or processing of medications and, more particularly, to systems and methods for compounding medications. Background Art

[0003] The drug preparation process is usually carried out by a pharmacist or physician who collects, measures and mixes various drugs or diluents. After preparation, the pharmacist or physician places the prepared drugs into bags, bottles, syringes or other prepared drug containers.

[0004] Various machines can be used to perform the compounding process. Manual compounders require human action to measure and transfer a predetermined volume of medication, while automatic compounders mimic human motion to operate the medication container and transfer the medication. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the present invention discloses a system for preparing a drug, the system comprising: a transfer module having one or more transfer cartridges, each transfer cartridge having an access device connected to a first pump; a drug module having a plurality of drug containers, wherein the access device is configured to access (or communicate with) at least one drug container and extract the drug from the drug container; a diluent module having one or more diluent containers containing a diluent, the diluent module comprising a second pump; a filling module receiving the drug from the first pump and receiving the diluent from the second pump to form a prepared drug including at least one drug and the diluent, the filling module having a filling port, the filling port being configured to: (i) connect to the prepared drug container, and (ii) guide the prepared drug to the prepared drug container through the filling port. The system (method) also comprises a transfer module having a removable transfer cartridge, wherein at least one of the transfer module and the drug module is configured to be rotatable.

[0006] In some embodiments of the present invention, a system for forming a plurality of compounded drugs comprises: an array of access devices, each access device having a drug receiving portion; an array of drug containers, each drug container having a fluid port, the fluid port being configured to receive the drug receiving portion of the access device so as to fluidly connect the drug container to the access device, thereby extracting the drug from the drug container through the drug receiving portion, wherein at least one of the array of access devices and the array of drug containers is configured to be movable so as to align the drug receiving portion with at least one drug container; and an exhaust port being configured to fluidly connect to the access device to receive the drug from at least one drug container, and the exhaust port communicating the drug with the compounded drug container.

[0007] In some embodiments of the present invention, a system (method) for forming a plurality of formulated drugs includes: directing a diluent to a drug container to reconstitute a non-aqueous drug. In some embodiments, reconstitution of the drug can be performed in a drug container that initially contains a non-aqueous drug when provided to the system.

[0008] Some methods for compounding a medication include: receiving at least one instruction for compounding a medication; receiving at least one medication container; receiving at least one diluent container; fluidly connecting a transfer cartridge to a medication container; extracting medication from at least one medication container; extracting diluent from at least one diluent container; receiving medication and diluent at a port; transferring medication from the port to a compounded medication container. Some methods for compounding a medication also include: fluidly connecting a second transfer cartridge to a second compounded medication container.

[0009] It should be understood that those skilled in the art will easily understand other configurations (configurations) of the subject technology of the present invention from the following detailed description, wherein the various configurations of the subject technology are shown and described in the form of illustrations. It should be understood that the subject technology can have other and different configurations without departing from the scope of the subject technology, and some of its details can be modified in various aspects. Accordingly, the accompanying drawings and detailed description are exemplary and non-restrictive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in the specification and constitute a part of the specification to provide a further understanding of the present invention, illustrate embodiments disclosed by the present invention, and together with the description, are used to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments. In the drawings:

[0011] Figure 1 An exemplary schematic diagram of a drug dispensing system is shown.

[0012] Figure 2 An exemplary flow diagram of a medication compounding system is shown.

[0013] Figure 3A A front perspective view of an embodiment of a medication dispensing system is shown.

[0014] Figure 3B Shows Figure 3A Exploded view of a drug dispensing system.

[0015] Figure 3C Shows Figure 3A A cross-sectional view of a drug dispensing system.

[0016] Figure 3D Shows Figure 3C A cross-sectional view of a drug dispensing system.

[0017] Figure 4A A front perspective view of an embodiment of a medication dispensing system is shown.

[0018] Figure 4B Shows Figure 4A Exploded anatomical view of a drug dispensing system.

[0019] Figure 4C Shows Figure 4B Exploded view of a drug dispensing system.

[0020] Figure 5 A front perspective view of an embodiment of a medication dispensing system is shown.

[0021] Figure 6 A front perspective view of an embodiment of a medication dispensing system is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] In the following detailed description, many specific details are listed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the present invention. However, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention can be implemented without a part of these specific details. In other cases, even if known structures and methods are not shown in detail, the present invention will not be unclear.

[0023] Expressions such as "aspects" do not mean that such aspects are essential to the subject technology or that such aspects apply to all configurations of the subject technology. The disclosure related to an aspect may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. An aspect may provide one or more examples of the disclosure. Expressions such as "aspects" may refer to one or more aspects, and vice versa. Expressions such as "embodiments" do not mean that such embodiments are essential to the subject technology or that such embodiments apply to all configurations of the subject technology. The disclosure related to an embodiment may apply to all embodiments, or one or more embodiments. An embodiment may provide one or more examples of the disclosure. Expressions such as "embodiments" may refer to one or more embodiments, and vice versa. Expressions such as "constructions" do not mean that such constructions are essential to the subject technology or that such constructions apply to all configurations of the subject technology. The disclosure related to a construction may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A construction may provide one or more examples of the disclosure. Expressions such as "constructions" may refer to one or more constructions, and vice versa.

[0024] The drug preparation system disclosed herein comprises a preparation device that can receive one or more medicines and diluents. One or more transfer cylinders can be used for accessing and transferring medicines and diluents. In the preparation process, the transferred medicine can be added with diluents to form prepared medicines. Then, the prepared medicine obtained can be guided to a filling port, which can be connected with a prepared medicine container. The drug preparation system comprises one or more medicines and diluents and one or more transfer cylinders, so as to form a series of prepared medicines for each medicine or each patient using a separate transfer cylinder.

[0025] refer to Figure 1 , which shows a schematic diagram of a drug compounding system 100 capable of performing one or more drug compounding processes. The drug compounding system 100 may include a transfer module 110, a drug module 120, a diluent module 140, and a filling module 160 in fluid communication.

[0026] Transfer module 110 is configured to access medicine 122 and diluent 142 and medicine 122 and diluent 142 are transferred to filling module 160. Transfer module 110 can comprise one or more transfer cylinders 112, and these transfer cylinders 112 are configured to access, extract and transfer medicine 122 from medicine container. Transfer module 110 can comprise the independent transfer cylinder 112 that is used for each preparation process, or can comprise the array of transfer cylinder 112. The array of transfer cylinder 112 can be arranged on one or more movable racks. A transfer cylinder 112 can be used for every kind of medicine, thus, can access, extract and transfer medicine 122 when there is no risk of cross contamination with other medicine 122 or cross contamination between prepared medicine. In order to help the replacement of transfer cylinder 112, single transfer cylinder can be removed and replaced, or the whole array of transfer cylinder 112 can be removed and replaced.

[0027] In some embodiments, the rack can be moved to align a single transfer cartridge 112 with a drug container. The transfer cartridge 112 can then be fluidly connected to the drug container via an access device such as a needle or other fluid interface.

[0028] In order to extract the medicine 122, one or more first pumps can be connected to the transfer cartridge 112. In some embodiments, the array of first pumps can move with the transfer cartridge rack. A new pump can be used for each medicine 122, or the same pump can be used for each medicine preparation process. The first pump can be a low flow type pump so that the medicine 122 is accurately transferred from the medicine module 120.

[0029] The medication module 120 is configured to hold one or more medications 122 to be used in the medication preparation process. The medication module 120 can work with the transfer module 110 to allow the transfer cartridge 112 to access and extract medications 122. The medication module 120 can be configured to receive one or more medication containers. The medication container can be disposed on a removable medication tray, which can be, for example, a rack or a rotary rack. The medication tray can be removable to facilitate access and placement of medication containers in the medication module 120. When the medication tray is installed in the medication module 120, the medication tray can align the medication container with the transfer cartridge 112, which in turn allows the transfer cartridge 112 to access medications 122.

[0030] The diluent module 140 is configured to hold and direct one or more diluents for a compounding process. The diluent 142 can be used as a component of a compounded drug, can be used to reconstitute the drug 122, or can be used to fill a compounded drug container such as an IV bag and an IV tube. The diluent module 140 can include one or more diluent containers, and a second pump. The second pump can be a high-flow type pump to transfer the diluent 142 at a high speed or a large volume. In some embodiments, the second pump can be easily replaced, for example, with each compounding process, or with the replacement of each diluent 142 in the diluent module 140.

[0031] The filling module 160 is configured to receive the prepared drug and communicate the prepared drug with the prepared drug container. The drug 122 and the diluent 142 are communicated with the filling module 160, and the drug 122 and the diluent 142 are then transferred to the prepared drug container through the filling port in the filling module 160. The filling port can be configured to be able to communicate with various prepared drug containers 900 ( Figure 5 ) fluid connection. For example, an IV bag or a syringe can be connected to the fill port.

[0032] During the preparation process, the contents of the prepared drug container can be confirmed. For example, the prepared drug container can be placed on a scale or other sensor when connected to the filling module 160.

[0033] refer to Figure 2 , wherein a flow chart of a method of a system process 200 for compounding medications is shown. In operation, the medication compounding system process 200 receives instructions for forming one or more compounded medications in step 202. The instructions can be input using a user interface, or the instructions can be received by the system process 200 over a network. In some embodiments, the system process 200 can evaluate each compounded medication instruction and determine what medication or diluent is needed to implement each instruction. In step 204, a medication container containing the medication to be compounded is loaded into a medication tray of a medication module.

[0034] When loading the drug container, the user can input data related to each drug being loaded into the drug module. The data can include information such as drug type, expiration date, concentration, volume, or the position of the drug container in the drug tray. In some embodiments, the drug compounding system process 200 includes identification features such as bar code scanners to identify each drug. In another embodiment, the drug compounding system process 200 can use one or more sensors such as RFID sensors to detect which drug is placed in the drug module and identify the specific position of each drug container in the drug tray.

[0035] In step 206, one or more diluents such as saline, sterile water, or glucose solution may be connected to the system at the diluent module. The diluent container may be of such a size and configuration that it is suitable for replacement at a lower frequency than the frequency of replacement of the drug container. Next, in step 208, each transfer cartridge is loaded into a transfer module or a rack having an array of transfer cartridges, and a first pump may be loaded.

[0036] Once the required medication, diluent, and transfer cartridge are provided, the components are mixed in the next step 210 to prepare the medication. In step 212, the medication compounding system process 200 may prompt the user to connect the specified prepared medication container to the filling port of the filling module. The prepared medication container may be a conventional type such as an intravenous infusion bag or a syringe for containing the prepared medication. In some embodiments, once the prepared medication container is connected to the filling port, the medication compounding system process 200 may require the user to confirm the connection of the prepared medication container, or the connection of the prepared medication container may be identified by the system itself. Since a container with a sufficiently large internal volume may be used, the user may be required to input or confirm the size of the prepared medication container using a user interface, or the system process 200 may use an identification feature or sensor to confirm that the required container size is connected.

[0037] In order to form the prepared medicine, in step 214, the medicine preparation system process 200 aligns the required medicine container with the transfer cylinder so that the fluid port in the medicine container can be connected to the transfer cylinder fluid. This fluid connection can be achieved by, for example, using a needle extending into the fluid port in the medicine container or using other connection methods such as a needleless access valve. The system process 200 determines in step 215 whether it is necessary to restore the medicine before extracting the medicine. If it is necessary to restore the medicine, then in step 217, a diluent can be directed to the medicine container to restore the medicine. Then, the medicine is extracted from the medicine container, and in step 216, the medicine is transferred to the filling module. Once the required medicine has been transferred, the access device can be disconnected from the medicine container.

[0038] In the case where the drug is not an aqueous drug or in other required cases, the system can direct the diluent to the drug container in step 218 to facilitate subsequent extraction of the drug. In the case where it is necessary to stir the drug before extraction, the system process 200 can move or rotate the drug module to stir the contents of the drug container. In the case where a diluent is required for intravenous infusion, the system process 200 directs the specified diluent from the diluent module to the filling module. In the case where a prepared drug container needs to be filled, some methods provide that the system process 200 first transfers the prepared drug to the container and then transfers the diluent to the container.

[0039] During the preparation process, the drug preparation system process 200 can, for example, confirm the content of the drug container, diluent container or prepared drug container in step 220. The content can be confirmed by, for example, weighing the weight or by visually confirming the filling amount. In some embodiments, the system can determine whether to transfer other drugs during the preparation process in step 222. If it is necessary to transfer other drugs, the system process 200 can transfer other drugs by returning to step 214, wherein, in this step, another drug can be aligned with the transfer cylinder to continue the drug preparation process. In some embodiments, before continuing the drug preparation process, the system process 200 aligns another drug with a new transfer cylinder. The alignment of the drug with the transfer cylinder can be achieved by the following methods: (i) rotating at least one of the drug (e.g., a drug module or a part of a drug module) and the transfer cylinder, or both of the drug and the transfer cylinder, (ii) linearly translating the drug and the transfer cylinder or translating the two relative to each other, (iii) combining the rotation and linear movement of one or both of the drug and the transfer cylinder, or (iv) other moving methods or relative movement combinations. In some embodiments, the system process 200 can identify the location of each transfer cartridge and pump and designate a specific transfer cartridge for use with a particular medication or patient.

[0040] Once the medication compounding system process 200 has completed a particular compounding process, the user may then disconnect the compounded medication container from the filling port in step 224. In some embodiments, the system process 200 is coupled to a printer that can produce a label containing compounded medication data. In some embodiments, the system process 200 may assign an identifier, such as RFID data, to the compounded medication container. Finally, the system process 200 may prompt the user to connect another compounded medication container to the filling port and repeat the compounding process.

[0041] Still reference Figure 2 , the system process 200 may include and use a processor, a data storage device, and a memory. The system process 200 may be configured to provide or assist in communication with a database so as to receive or send an indication including one or more instructions for a prepared drug in step 202. In some embodiments, the system process 200 may include: receiving or sending instructions via a user interface. For example, a user may input or receive a series of prepared drug instructions through a user interface. The database may be local or networked and may include drug data such as formula, expiration date, or concentration. The database may also include data on the drug preparation process. In some methods, the user may be instructed to connect one or more drugs, diluents, or prepared drug containers. In steps 204, 206, 208, and 212, the system process 200 may include: identifying each item connected and its location in the system, or receiving such information through a user interface.

[0042] In step 212, the system process 200 can prepare the medicine by indicating that the medicine container is aligned with the transfer cylinder. Once aligned, the medicine module and the transfer module are directed to each other so that the medicine container is connected to the transfer cylinder. In steps 216 and 218, the medicine or diluent is directed to the prepared medicine container. In step 220, the system process 200 can confirm the content of the medicine container, the diluent container or the prepared medicine container. In step 222, the system can guide other medicines or diluents to be transferred, or, in step 224, the system can disengage the prepared medicine container.

[0043] refer to FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D , which shows an exemplary embodiment of a drug compounding system 300. In these embodiments, a user interface 380 can be used to receive or input instructions. The drug module 320, the transfer module 310, and the filling module 360 ​​are each rotated around a common axis. Preferably, each module is configured as a removable circular array surrounded by a cover 382. Figure 3B , the medication module 320 may include a medication tray 326 configured to hold an array of medication containers 324; the transfer module 310 may include a rack 316 configured to hold an array of transfer cartridges; and the filling module 360 ​​may be configured to hold an array of first pumps 318 and / or an array of filling ports 362. These modules may be loaded into the system 300 by rotating the cover 382 upward. The filling module 360 ​​may then be placed onto the hub 384, followed by the transfer module 310 and medication module 320. The medication container 324 may be inserted into the medication tray 326 before or after the medication module 320 is connected to the system 300. The diluent 342 may be connected to the system 300 by hanging the diluent container 346 on the hook 350. The compounded medication container 900 may be connected to the filling port 362 and placed on the sensor 364.

[0044] like Figure 3C As best shown, each array can be configured such that the drug container 324, the transfer cartridge 312, and the first pump 318 are aligned circumferentially, or about a tangential axis parallel to the axis of rotation. When the drug container 324, the transfer cartridge 312, and the first pump 318 are aligned, the fill port 362 extends from the fill module 360, for example, laterally or distally, so that the fill port 362 can be fluidly connected to a flow path connected to the drug container 900.

[0045] refer to Figure 3D, the array of transfer cartridges 312 is disposed between the array of medication modules 326 and the first pump 318. The medication container 324 can be fluidly connected to the first pump 318 via the access device 314 in the transfer cartridge 312. In some embodiments, the fluid connection is achieved by lowering the medication container 324 from the medication holder 326 onto the transfer cartridge 312 so that the proximal end of the access device 314 proximal to the medication container 324 extends into the fluid port 328 of the medication container 324. The medication container 324 and the access device 314 can continue to be lowered together so that a portion of the access device 314 extends distally or in a direction away from the medication container 324 and can extend into the first pump 318.

[0046] In some embodiments, the first access device 314 can extend into the drug container 324, while the second access device (not shown) can extend into the first pump 318. In some embodiments, the drug module 320 and the transfer module 310 can be independently rotated about a common axis before translating along the rotation axis to engage and fluidly connect with each other. The user interface 380 facilitates operation of the drug compounding system 300 by a user. For example, the user interface can include a touch screen that allows the user to input information or instructions, and receive updates and information related to the compounding system or process.

[0047] refer to FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C , which shows an embodiment of a drug compounding system 400 having a drug module 420 and a transfer module 410 that rotate around two axes. In these embodiments, the transfer module 410, the diluent module 440, and the filling module 460 rotate around a common axis that is parallel to and offset from the axis around which the drug module rotates. A circular array of transfer cartridges 412 is arranged around the common axis.

[0048] Fill ports 462 are arranged on a circle parallel to the array of transfer cartridges 412. Diluent ports 444 are arranged on the same plane as fill ports 462 and close to the axis of rotation. Transfer module 410, diluent module 440 and fill module 460 can all rotate independently of each other.

[0049] refer to Figure 4C , the modules can be loaded into the system 400 in the following manner: First, the transfer cartridge 412 is connected to the frame 416 of the transfer module 410. Then, the filling module 460 and the diluent module 440 can be connected as an assembly to the transfer module 410. The assembly can then be loaded by removing the cover 482 and connecting the assembly to the hub 484. The diluent (not shown) is hung on the hook 450 and connected to the diluent port 444. A prepared drug container (not shown) can be connected to the filling port 462.

[0050] To dispense the medication, the transfer module 410 can be rotated to align and connect the transfer cartridge 412 with the medication container 424. In some embodiments, the transfer cartridge 412 is connected to the medication container 424 by lowering the medication tray 426 so that the access device 414 extends into the fluid port 428 of the medication container 424. The transfer cartridge 412 can also be connected to the medication container 424 by raising the transfer module 410, the diluent module 440, and the filling module 460. The transfer cartridge 412 can also be connected to the medication container 424 by extending the retractable access device 414 into the fluid port of the medication container 424.

[0051] After the transfer cylinder 412 is connected with the drug container 424, the drug 422 can be extracted from the drug container 424 and the drug 422 can be guided to the filling port 462. In addition, the diluent can be transferred from the diluent port 444 to the filling port 462. After completing the transfer of the first drug (not shown), the drug tray 426 can be raised or extended away from the transfer cylinder so that the drug container 424 is disengaged from the transfer cylinder 412, and then, the drug tray 426 rotates to align with the second drug container 424. The transfer module 410 can also rotate to align with the new transfer cylinder 412. In some embodiments, the diluent module 440 is disengaged from the diluent port 444 before the transfer module 410 moves. Then, the drug tray 426 can be lowered to connect the transfer cylinder 412 with the drug container 424 again. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C The embodiments facilitate removal or replacement of individual medication containers 424 without removing medication tray 426.

[0052] refer to Figure 5 , which shows an embodiment of a drug compounding system 500 having a drug module and a transfer module that rotate about a generally vertical or transverse axis. The drug module and the user interface 580 are disposed on a horizontal plane parallel to the transfer module rotation axis. The drug module may include a drug rack 526 configured to hold an array of drug containers 524.

[0053] In these embodiments, the array of transfer tube 512 and the array of the first pump (not shown) are configured as the concentric arrays rotating around a common axis. Comprise the inner array of the outer array of the transfer tube 512 maintained by frame 516 around the first pump. The inner array can also include filling port 562, can be connected thus prepared drug container 900. The outer array of transfer tube 512 or the inner array of the first pump can be removed or replaced individually, without removing another. Diluent container 546 can be connected with drug compounding system 500, so that diluent (not shown) is connected with filling port 562 fluids.

[0054] In order to prepare the drug, the transfer module can be rotated to align and connect the transfer cylinder 512 with the drug container 524. In some embodiments, the drug container 524 is fluidly connected by aligning the drug container 524 with the transfer cylinder 512 and lowering the drug container 524 from the drug tray 526 to the access device (not shown) of the transfer cylinder 512 so that the access device enters the fluid port 528 of the drug container 524. Once the drug is extracted and transferred to the prepared drug container 900 through the filling port 562, the drug container 524 can be returned to the drug tray 526. The preparation process can be continued by transferring the diluent to the prepared drug container 900. The system 500 can transfer other drugs by rotating the drug tray 526 and / or the transfer module to align the second transfer cylinder 512 and / or the drug container 524.

[0055] refer to Figure 6 , which shows an embodiment having a first medication module 620a and a second medication module 620b that rotate on opposite sides of a medication compounding system 600. A user interface 680, a diluent hook 650, and a surface having a sensor 664 can be disposed between the first medication module 620a and the second medication module 620b. In some embodiments, the diluent hook 650 is connected to a sensor (not shown). Each medication module 620a, 620b may include a medication tray 626 configured to hold an array of medication containers 624. The medication containers 624 may be inserted into the medication tray 626 before each medication module 620a, 620b is mounted on a hub 684. In some embodiments, the medication containers may be inserted into the medication tray 626 by removing a cover 682. A transfer module 610 having an array of transfer cylinders 612 may be inserted into the center of each cylindrical medication module 620a, 620b.

[0056] In order to prepare the medicine, the medicine module 620a or 620b and the transfer module 610 can be rotated to align and connect the transfer cylinder (not shown) with the medicine container 624. The first medicine module 620a can be used for medicines in a liquid state, and the second medicine module 620b can be used for medicines that need to be reconstituted. The medicine in the second medicine module 620b can be reconstituted by guiding the diluent (not shown) into the medicine container 624. Then the medicine module 620b can be rotated to stir and reconstitute the medicine 622. The diluent can be guided into the medicine container 624 by adjusting the valve in the medicine preparation system 600 and / or reversing the operation of the first pump (not shown). The preparation process can be continued by transferring the medicine and / or the diluent to the prepared medicine container (not shown) connected to the system 600. The system 600 can transfer other medicines by rotating the medicine modules 620a, 620b and / or the transfer module 610 to align the second transfer cylinder (not shown) and / or the medicine container 624. During the compounding process, the system 600 can confirm the contents of the compounded drug container by weighing it using the sensor 664.

[0057] The term "computer-readable storage medium" or "computer-readable medium" as used herein refers to any medium or medium that participates in providing instructions for execution to a processor. Such a medium can take many forms, including but not limited to: non-volatile media, volatile media, transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical disks or disks, such as data storage devices. Volatile media include dynamic memory, such as memory. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wires and optical fibers, including wires containing buses. Common forms of machine-readable media include, for example, floppy disks, flexible disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes, any other magnetic media, CD-ROMs, DVDs, any other optical media, punch cards, paper tapes, any other physical media with hole patterns, RAM, PROMs, EPROMs, FLASH EPROMs, any other memory chips or cassettes, carriers, or any other medium that can be read by a computer. A machine-readable storage medium can be a machine-readable storage device, a machine-readable storage substrate, a storage device, a composite of materials that affect machine-readable propagation signals, or a combination of one or more of them.

[0058] In one aspect of the subject technology, a machine-readable medium is a computer-readable medium encoded with instructions or storing instructions, which defines a structural or functional association between the instructions and other parts of the system that enables the functions of the instructions to be implemented. The instructions can be executed by, for example, the system or a processor of the system. The instructions can be, for example, a computer program containing code. The machine-readable medium can include one or more media.

[0059] The foregoing description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to implement the various configurations described herein. Although the subject technology has been specifically described with reference to the various drawings and configurations, it should be understood that these drawings and configurations are only for illustrative purposes and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the subject technology.

[0060] There can also be many other ways to realize the subject technology. Without departing from the subject technology and the scope, the division of various functions and elements described herein may be different from the (functions and elements) shown. It is obvious to those skilled in the art to various modifications to these structures, and the general principles defined in this article can be applied to other structures. Therefore, without departing from the scope of the subject technology, those of ordinary skill in the art can make many modifications and modifications to the subject technology.

[0061] It should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the disclosed process is for the purpose of showing an exemplary process. It should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the process can be reorganized according to design choices. Certain steps can be performed simultaneously. The attached method claims show the elements of each step in an exemplary order, but are not limited to the specific order or hierarchy shown.

[0062] As used herein, the phrase "at least one of" preceding a series of items, any items separated by the terms "and" or "or," modifies the list of items as a whole, rather than each member of the items (i.e., each item). The phrase "at least one of" does not require selection of at least one item; rather, the phrase allows for a meaning that includes at least one of any one of the items, and / or at least one of any combination of the items, and / or at least one of each item. For example, the phrase "at least one of A, B, and C" or "at least one of A, B, or C" all mean only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and / or at least one of each of A, B, and C.

[0063] As used herein, terms such as "top", "bottom", "front", "back", etc. should be understood as referring to an arbitrary reference system, not the ordinary gravitational reference system. Thus, the top surface, bottom surface, front surface, and back surface may extend upward, downward, diagonally, or horizontally in the gravitational reference system.

[0064] Furthermore, to the extent that the terms "including," "having," and the like are used in the specification and claims, these terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising" as if "comprising" were used as a transitional term in a claim.

[0065] The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0066] Unless expressly stated otherwise, references to singular elements do not mean "one and only one", but rather "one or more". The term "some" refers to one or more. The use of underlined and / or italicized headings and subheadings is for convenience only, not to limit the subject technology, and has nothing to do with the interpretation of the description of the subject technology. Throughout the disclosure, all structural and functional equivalents of the elements of the various structures described that are known or will be known in the future to a person of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are included within the scope of the claims. In addition, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be freely dedicated to the public, regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recorded in the above description.

[0067] Although some aspects and embodiments of the subject technology have been described, these aspects and embodiments are only presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the subject technology. In fact, the novel method and novel system described in the present invention may be embodied in a variety of other forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The attached claims and their equivalents are intended to cover these forms or modifications that fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

[0068] The present invention discloses at least the following concepts:

[0069] Concept 1. A dispensing system comprising:

[0070] a transfer module having one or more transfer cartridges, each transfer cartridge having an access device connected to a first pump;

[0071] a medication module having a medication container, wherein the access device is configured to access the medication container and extract medication from the medication container;

[0072] a diluent module having one or more diluent containers containing diluent, the diluent module comprising a second pump;

[0073] A filling module that receives the drug from the first pump and the diluent from the second pump to form a prepared drug including at least one drug and the diluent, the filling module having a filling port that is configured to: (i) connect to a prepared drug container, and (ii) guide the prepared drug to the prepared drug container through the filling port.

[0074] Concept 2. The dispensing system of Concept 1, wherein the one or more transfer cartridges are removable.

[0075] Concept 3. The dispensing system of Concept 1, wherein the access device is a needle.

[0076] Concept 4. The dispensing system of Concept 1, wherein the access device is a needleless connector.

[0077] Concept 5. The compounding system of Concept 1, wherein at least one of the transfer module and the medication module is configured to move relative to the other of the transfer module and the medication module.

[0078] Concept 6. The compounding system according to Concept 5, wherein at least one of the transfer module and the medication module is configured to be rotatable.

[0079] Concept 7. The compounding system according to Concept 1, wherein the access device of the transfer module accesses the drug container and the compounded drug container.

[0080] Concept 8. The compounding system of Concept 1, wherein said filling module comprises at least one sensor for measuring the weight of said compounded medication container.

[0081] Concept 9. The compounding system of Concept 1, wherein a new transfer cartridge is used for a subsequent compounding medication process.

[0082] Concept 10. The compounding system of Concept 1, wherein at least one of the drug, the diluent, and the compounded drug is sensed by at least one sensor.

[0083] Concept 11. The dispensing system of Concept 10, wherein said sensor measures weight.

[0084] Concept 12. The dispensing system of Concept 10, wherein said sensor measures volume.

[0085] Concept 13. A dispensing system comprising:

[0086] A transfer module having a transfer cylinder having a plurality of access devices;

[0087] a drug module having a plurality of drug containers, wherein each access device is configured to access at least one drug container and extract a drug from the at least one drug container;

[0088] a diluent module having one or more diluent containers, each diluent container containing a diluent;

[0089] A filling module mixes at least one drug received from at least one access device with a diluent from the diluent module to form a formulated drug, the filling module having a filling port for communicating the formulated drug with a formulated drug container.

[0090] Concept 14. The compounding system of Concept 13, wherein the drug is received at the filling module from a first pump.

[0091] Concept 15. The dispensing system of Concept 13, wherein the diluent is received at the filling module from a second pump.

[0092] Concept 16. A compounding system for forming a plurality of compounded medicaments, the compounding system comprising:

[0093] a transfer cartridge comprising a plurality of access devices, each access device being configured for use with a single formulated medication;

[0094] a drug cartridge comprising a plurality of drug containers, each drug container having a portion configured to receive at least a portion of an access device to fluidly connect at least one drug container with the access device to thereby extract a drug from the at least one drug container through the access device, wherein at least one of the transfer cartridge and the drug cartridge is configured to rotate about at least one axis to align the access device with the at least one drug container; and

[0095] A filling module is fluidly connected to the access device to receive the drug from the at least one drug container to form the compounded drug, the filling module including a discharge port to direct the compounded drug to the compounded drug container.

[0096] Concept 17. The dispensing system of Concept 16, further comprising a diluent, wherein the diluent is fluidly connected to the filling module.

[0097] Concept 18. A compounding system for forming a plurality of compounded medicaments, the compounding system comprising:

[0098] an array of access devices, each access device having a drug receiving portion;

[0099] an array of drug containers, each drug container having a fluid port configured to receive the drug receiving portion of an access device to fluidly connect the drug container to the access device to thereby extract drug from the drug container through the drug receiving portion, wherein at least one of the array of access devices and the array of drug containers is configured to be movable to align the drug receiving portion with at least one drug container; and

[0100] An outlet port is configured to be fluidly connected to the access device to receive a drug from at least one drug container, and the outlet port communicates the drug with a compounded drug container.

[0101] Concept 19. The compounding system of Concept 18, wherein the drug receiving portion comprises a needle.

[0102] Concept 20. The dispensing system of Concept 18, wherein said fluid port comprises an opening in said drug container.

[0103] Concept 21. The dispensing system of Concept 20, wherein the opening comprises an elastic member.

[0104] Concept 22. The dispensing system of Concept 18, wherein at least one of the array of access devices and the array of drug containers is configured to be rotatable.

[0105] Concept 23. The compounding system of Concept 22, wherein at least one of said array of access devices and said array of drug containers rotates about a common axis.

[0106] Concept 24. A dispensing system comprising:

[0107] a transfer module having one or more transfer cartridges, each transfer cartridge having an access device connected to a first pump;

[0108] a drug module comprising one or more drugs, wherein the access device is configured to access the drugs;

[0109] a diluent module having one or more diluents, the diluent module comprising a second pump;

[0110] a filling module having a filling port configured to be connected to a container; and

[0111] wherein (i) the first pump transfers the drug to the filling module, and (ii) the second pump directs the diluent to the filling module to form a prepared drug, the filling module being configured to communicate the prepared drug with the filling port.

[0112] Concept 25. The compounding system of Concept 24, wherein at least one of the transfer module and the medication module moves to align the medication with the transfer cartridge.

[0113] Concept 26. A method of preparing a medicament, comprising:

[0114] receiving at least one drug container;

[0115] fluidly connecting a transfer cartridge to the drug container;

[0116] extracting a drug from the drug container;

[0117] Receiving medication at the mouth; and

[0118] The drug is delivered from the port to a compounded drug container.

[0119] Concept 27. The method of Concept 26, further comprising: receiving at least one instruction for compounding the medicament.

[0120] Concept 28. The method of Concept 26, further comprising: receiving at least one diluent container.

[0121] Concept 29. The method of Concept 26, further comprising fluidly connecting a second transfer cartridge to a second compounded medication container.

[0122] Concept 30. The method of Concept 26, further comprising: priming said compounded medication container.

[0123] Concept 31. The method of Concept 26, further comprising: drawing diluent from at least one diluent container.

[0124] Concept 32. The method of Concept 26, further comprising: introducing a diluent to the compounded medication container.

[0125] Concept 33. The method of Concept 26, further comprising weighing at least one of said medication container, said diluent container, and said compounded medication container.

[0126] Concept 34. A non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising machine-readable instructions for causing a processor to perform a method of compounding a medication, the method comprising:

[0127] receiving at least one drug container;

[0128] fluidly connecting a transfer cartridge to the drug container;

[0129] extracting a drug from the drug container;

[0130] Receiving medication at the mouth; and

[0131] The drug is delivered from the port to a compounded drug container.

[0132] Concept 35. The method of Concept 34, further comprising: receiving at least one dispensing instruction.

[0133] Concept 36. The method of Concept 34, further comprising: receiving at least one diluent container.

[0134] Concept 37. The method of Concept 34, further comprising fluidly connecting a second transfer cartridge to a second compounded medication container.

[0135] Concept 38. The method of Concept 34, further comprising: priming said compounded medication container.

[0136] Concept 39. The method of Concept 34, further comprising: introducing a diluent to said drug container.

[0137] Concept 40. The method of Concept 34, further comprising weighing at least one of said medication container, said diluent container, and said compounded medication container.

Claims

1. A drug preparation system, comprising: a circular medication module rotatable about a first rotational axis and comprising a medication tray configured to hold a plurality of medication containers; a transfer module rotatable about a second rotational axis and configured to hold a circular array of a plurality of transfer cartridges, and the transfer module is configured to rotate and align a corresponding transfer cartridge held by the rotatable transfer module with a selected medicament container of the plurality of medicament containers held by the medicament tray, the corresponding transfer cartridge comprising a corresponding access device configured to connect the corresponding transfer cartridge with the selected medicament container when the corresponding transfer cartridge is aligned with the selected medicament container, wherein the medicament module is engaged and fluidly connected with the transfer module; a rotatable filling module circumferentially aligned with the transfer module along the second rotation axis, wherein the rotatable filling module includes a circular portion and a plurality of filling ports arranged on the circular portion about the second rotation axis, wherein the circular portion is parallel to the array of the plurality of transfer cartridges such that a corresponding filling port of the plurality of filling ports is placed in fluid connection with the corresponding transfer cartridge; and a diluent module circumferentially aligned with the transfer module along the second rotation axis, wherein the diluent module includes a diluent port disposed in the same plane as the circular portion of the rotatable filling module and proximate to the second rotation axis, The drug dispensing system is configured such that after the corresponding transfer cylinder is aligned with and connected to the selected drug container, the drug is extracted from the selected drug container into the corresponding transfer cylinder and guided to the corresponding filling port, and the second rotation axis is parallel to and offset from the first rotation axis.

2. The drug dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein: The corresponding transfer cartridge is coupled to the selected drug container by lowering the drug holder relative to a body portion of the drug compounding system such that the corresponding access device extends into a fluid port of the selected drug container.

3. The drug dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein: The transfer module and the rotatable filling module are engaged together and connected as an assembly to a bottom hub of a body portion of the drug compounding system.

4. The drug dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein: The diluent port is in fluid communication with the corresponding filling port, and the diluent port is configured to connect with a diluent tube carrying diluent and transfer the diluent received from the diluent tube to the corresponding filling port.

5. A method for preparing a drug, comprising: rotating a circular medication module about a first rotation axis, the medication module comprising a medication tray configured to hold a plurality of medication containers; rotating a transfer module about a second rotation axis, the transfer module being configured to hold a circular array of a plurality of transfer cartridges to rotate and align a corresponding transfer cartridge held by the rotatable transfer module with a selected drug container of the plurality of drug containers held by the drug tray, the corresponding transfer cartridge comprising a corresponding access device configured to couple the corresponding transfer cartridge with the selected drug container when the corresponding transfer cartridge is aligned with the selected drug container, wherein the drug module is engaged and fluidly connected to the transfer module, and the second rotation axis is parallel to and offset from the first rotation axis; causing drug to be drawn from the selected drug container to the corresponding transfer cartridge after the corresponding transfer cartridge is aligned with and connected to the selected drug container; receiving medication at a fill port; as well as transferring the drug from the fill port to a compounded drug container; a rotating filling module, the filling module being circumferentially aligned with the transfer module along the second rotation axis, wherein the rotatable filling module includes a circular portion and a plurality of filling ports arranged on the circular portion about the second rotation axis, wherein the circular portion is parallel to the array of the plurality of transfer cartridges such that a corresponding filling port of the plurality of filling ports is placed in fluid connection with the corresponding transfer cartridge; and After the corresponding transfer cartridge is aligned and connected with the selected drug container, the drug is drawn from the selected drug container into the corresponding transfer cartridge and directed to the corresponding fill port.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising: The medication tray is lowered relative to a body portion of the medication compounding system such that the corresponding access device extends into the fluid port of the selected medication container, the lowering coupling the corresponding transfer cartridge with the selected medication container.

7. The method according to claim 5, further comprising: connecting a diluent module to the transfer module, the diluent module being circumferentially aligned with the transfer module along the second rotation axis, wherein the diluent module includes a diluent port disposed in the same plane as the circular portion of the rotatable filling module and proximate to the second rotation axis, wherein the diluent port is in fluid communication with the corresponding filling port; connecting a diluent tube carrying a diluent to the corresponding filling port; and The diluent received from the diluent tube is transferred to the corresponding filling port.

8. A preparation device comprising: ontology; a circular medication module rotatably connected to the body and rotatable about a first rotational axis, and comprising a medication tray configured to hold a plurality of medication containers; a transfer module rotatably connected to the body and rotatable about a second rotation axis, wherein the transfer module is configured to hold a circular array of a plurality of transfer cartridges, and wherein the transfer module is configured to rotate and align a corresponding transfer cartridge held by the rotatable transfer module with a selected drug container of the plurality of drug containers held by the drug tray, wherein the corresponding transfer cartridge includes a corresponding access device configured to connect the corresponding transfer cartridge with the selected drug container when the corresponding transfer cartridge is aligned with the selected drug container, wherein the drug module is engaged with and fluidly connected to the transfer module; a rotatable filling module circumferentially aligned with the transfer module along the second rotation axis, wherein the rotatable filling module includes a circular portion and a plurality of filling ports arranged on the circular portion about the second rotation axis, wherein the circular portion is parallel to the array of the plurality of transfer cartridges such that a corresponding filling port of the plurality of filling ports is placed in fluid connection with the corresponding transfer cartridge; and a diluent module circumferentially aligned with the transfer module along the second rotational axis, wherein the diluent module includes a diluent port disposed in the same plane as the circular portion of the rotatable filling module and proximate the second rotational axis; The compounding device is configured such that after the corresponding transfer cylinder is aligned with and connected to the selected drug container, the drug is extracted from the selected drug container into the corresponding transfer cylinder and guided to the corresponding filling port, and the second rotation axis is parallel to and offset from the first rotation axis.

9. The dispensing device according to claim 8, wherein: The transfer module and the rotatable filling module are engaged together and connected to the bottom hub of the body as an assembly.

10. The dispensing device according to claim 8, wherein: The diluent port is in fluid communication with the corresponding filling port, and the diluent port is configured to connect with a diluent tube carrying diluent and transfer the diluent received from the diluent tube to the corresponding filling port.

11. The dispensing device according to claim 8, wherein: The corresponding transfer cartridge is coupled to the selected medicament container by lowering the medicament tray relative to the body such that the corresponding access device extends into the fluid port of the selected medicament container.

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