Automated Medication Dispensing Device with Robotic Cassette Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated medication dispensers in the pharmaceutical industry face challenges such as high acquisition costs, large footprints, and inefficiencies in resource management, leading to potential contamination and inaccuracies in medication packaging.
Innovation Solution
A compact automated medication dispensing device featuring a cassette storage system with a robotic subsystem that can move and position cassettes to dispense medication units into specific packages, minimizing human error and resource requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual medication packaging is used, then flexibility and minimal space requirements are maintained, but human error, contamination risk, and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into modular components: a robotic subsystem with multi-axis movement capability, a separate cassette storage area with multiple slots, and individual cassette units that can be independently loaded and removed. This segmentation allows the system to achieve automated precision while maintaining operational simplicity and ease of maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service through automated robotic operations that perform medication packaging without human intervention. The robotic head automatically retrieves cassettes, positions them, and executes dispensing operations based on programmed instructions, eliminating the need for manual packaging while ensuring consistent accuracy.
2Reliability
If automated medication dispensers are used, then packaging accuracy is improved, but acquisition cost and device footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges multiple functions into a single integrated unit: the robotic subsystem, cassette storage area, and dispensing mechanism are combined in one compact apparatus. This consolidation achieves automated packaging accuracy while minimizing the overall device footprint compared to traditional separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The cassette storage area utilizes vertical stacking with multiple slots arranged in a compact configuration. The robotic head moves along multiple axes (X, Y, Z) to access cassettes from different positions, effectively utilizing three-dimensional space to maximize storage capacity within a minimal footprint.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple apparatuses are used to handle numerous container types, then versatility is improved, but acquisition cost and footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic head is designed as a universal interface that can accommodate and manipulate various container types through a standardized engagement mechanism. The same robotic subsystem handles different cassette configurations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized apparatuses while maintaining versatility across container types.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic head features dynamic positioning capability with multi-axis movement that allows it to adapt to different cassette positions and orientations. This dynamic flexibility enables a single apparatus to handle numerous container types by adjusting its movement parameters rather than requiring dedicated fixed apparatuses for each container type.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides efficient, accurate, and cost-effective automated medication packaging with minimal space requirements, reducing the risk of contamination and improving productivity by leveraging a compact and versatile robotic system.
Implementation Method 1
a slotted disk positioned at a lower section of the housing with slots being defined in a periphery of the slotted disk to receive medication units being guided therein by gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A medication units dispensing device having at least one cassette and a robotic subsystem including a motorized system and a robotic head where each cassette stores medication units of a medication drug and includes a housing, a slotted disk positioned at a lower section of the housing with slots being defined in a periphery of the slotted disk and a coupling wheel positioned under the housing and engaged with the slotted disk to rotate simultaneously with the slotted disk and where the robotic head is removably engageable with the cassette and is movable about at least an x-axis, a y-axis and a z-axis by the motorized system. The robotic head includes a motorized activation wheel engaged with the coupling wheel of the cassette when the robotic head is engaged to the cassette and an actuator for rotating the activation wheel. A method for dispensing medication units is also provided.