Automated Pharmacy Carrier Assembly for Secure Dose Dispensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Long-term care facilities face challenges in securely and efficiently storing and dispensing medications due to the lack of on-site pharmacy facilities and limited mechanized systems, which can lead to errors in medication administration.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a housing with multiple storage locations and a carrier assembly that moves pharmaceutical dose packages within the housing for storage and dispensing, utilizing bar code reading technology for verification and secure access, and featuring a carousel assembly for rotating storage bins to facilitate easy loading and retrieval of medications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual selection and removal processes are used by facility staff, then access to medications is simple and direct, but the risk of wrong quantity or wrong drug removal increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedication dispensing accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service through automated identification and verification. Bar code scanners automatically read medication identifiers, and the system autonomously verifies correctness against prescription data, eliminating the need for manual verification by staff while maintaining simplicity of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical selection and verification processes are replaced with automated optical scanning (bar code reading) and electronic verification systems. The mechanical action of manual checking is substituted with automated digital identification and validation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If secure access features with credentials and passcodes are implemented, then access control is improved, but the speed and ease of accessing medications is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess securityVSAvoidaccess speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

User credentials and authorization levels are verified in advance when users log into the system. Once authorized, the system remembers and maintains this authorization state, allowing rapid subsequent access without requiring repeated credential entry, thus balancing security with operational speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides immediate feedback on access attempts through the interface, indicating whether a user is authorized and what medications they can access. This real-time feedback mechanism streamlines the access process by eliminating trial-and-error attempts and guiding users efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If medications are stored in non-mechanized containers with manual tracking, then the system is simple and inexpensive, but tracking accuracy and efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedication tracking efficiencyVSAvoidstorage system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Manual paper-based tracking is replaced with automated electronic tracking through bar code scanning. The mechanical process of writing and reading manual logs is substituted with automated optical scanning and digital database updates, dramatically improving tracking efficiency and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Bar code identifiers serve as intermediaries between the physical medication containers and the electronic tracking system. These optical codes bridge the gap between simple physical storage and complex digital management, enabling automated tracking without requiring complex storage mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Measurement precision

If bar code reading technology is integrated for verification, then medication identification accuracy is improved, but system complexity and initial cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedication identification accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Bar code identifiers act as intermediaries that carry medication identification information in a machine-readable format. This simple optical intermediary enables precise automated identification without requiring complex sensing or analysis systems, maintaining technical simplicity while achieving high accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10219984B2Automated pharmacy system for dispensing unit doses of pharmaceuticals and the like

Publication Date: 2019.03.05 PARATA SYSTEMS LLC

AI summary

A system for storing and dispensing discrete doses of pharmaceuticals includes: a housing with an internal cavity having a front wall with first and second windows; multiple storage locations positioned within the housing; and a carrier assembly positioned and movable within the housing. The carrier assembly is configured to receive a pharmaceutical dose package loaded into either the first or second window and convey the pharmaceutical dose package to one of the storage locations for storage therein, and is further configured to retrieve a pharmaceutical dose package from one of the storage locations and return the pharmaceutical dose package to the first or second window for dispensing therefrom.