Pharmacy Container Disassembly for Automated Drug Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Pharmaceutical order processing systems face inefficiencies in removing pharmaceuticals from small volume containers and transferring them to larger containers, particularly in high volume or specialty order processing centers, requiring substantial operator interaction and labor-intensive processes.
Innovation Solution
A pharmacy order processing system with a container disassembly workstation that includes a holding area, cutter device, container manipulation device, pharmaceutical receptacle, and container receptacle, allowing for the separation and transfer of pharmaceuticals from small containers to bulk containers with minimal operator input, using a scanner to determine container positions and types, and a gripper device to move containers between holding and cutting positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual processes are used to remove pharmaceuticals from small volume containers and transfer them to larger containers, then operator control and flexibility are maintained, but labor intensity and processing time increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the container handling process into distinct functional modules: a container disassembly workstation for opening small volume containers, a pharmaceutical transfer mechanism for moving drugs, and a bulk storage system for receiving pharmaceuticals. This segmentation allows automated processing while maintaining operator oversight at each stage, resolving the contradiction between automation and operator control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary automated transfer mechanism between the container disassembly workstation and bulk storage containers. This intermediary device handles the labor-intensive transfer operations automatically, reducing operator interaction requirements while maintaining system flexibility through programmable control, thus improving productivity without complete automation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple small volume manufacturer containers are emptied to fill a single custom order, then order customization is achieved, but the complexity and time required for order fulfillment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning multiple small volume manufacturer containers in the container disassembly workstation before a custom order is received. When an order arrives, the system can quickly retrieve and process the pre-positioned containers, significantly reducing order fulfillment time while maintaining custom order capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous operation of the container disassembly workstation, where containers are opened and pharmaceuticals are transferred to bulk storage continuously rather than in batches. This continuous action eliminates idle time between orders and maintains adaptability for custom orders, resolving the time loss contradiction.
3Productivity
If operators manually handle container opening and pharmaceutical transfer, then process flexibility is maintained, but operator safety and efficiency are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The container disassembly workstation is designed to perform self-service operations where the automated mechanism opens containers and transfers pharmaceuticals without direct operator intervention in the hazardous zone. Operators monitor and control the process remotely, eliminating physical exposure to potential safety hazards while maintaining full control over the process, thus improving productivity without compromising safety.
Data Source
AI summary
A pharmacy order processing system includes a container disassembly workstation defining a container disassembly workspace and a bulk container area including a plurality of bulk containers configured to receive a plurality of pharmaceuticals. The container disassembly workstation includes a holding area, a cutter device, a container manipulation device, a pharmaceutical receptacle, and a container receptacle. The cutter device includes a cutter head and is configured to cut through at least one wall of at least one container to separate at least a first portion of the at least one container of the plurality of containers from a second portion of the at least one container when the at least one container is in a cutter position. The container manipulation includes a gripper device and is configured to move the at least one container between at least the holding position and the cutter position within the container disassembly workspace.