Pharmacy Order Transport Loop for Secure Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pharmacies face inefficiencies and security issues when manually searching for and storing prescription orders on open shelves, which can lead to errors and tampering, especially with controlled substances.
Innovation Solution
A pharmacy order delivery and transport system featuring an enclosure with a transport assembly forming a continuous loop, driven by an actuator, and an electronic processor for secure and efficient dispensing of filled prescription orders, using dispensing openings and transport blocks with hooks and wheels to manage and track orders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual searching and storage on open shelves is used, then ease of operation is improved, but security and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the pharmacy into secure storage zones and customer service zones, with automated transport systems separating the functions of order preparation and customer pickup, thereby maintaining security while enabling efficient operation
Solution Approach 2:
An automated robotic transport system acts as an intermediary between the secure storage area and customer pickup points, eliminating direct human access to stored medications while maintaining operational efficiency through automated delivery
2Productivity
If more technicians and stations are added, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automated transport system operates autonomously to deliver orders without requiring additional technicians, allowing the system to service itself and maintain productivity while reducing human intervention and operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Manual labor by technicians is replaced with an automated robotic transport system, substituting mechanical human operations with an automated mechanism that increases productivity while reducing the complexity associated with managing multiple human-operated stations
3Ease of operation
If open shelf storage is used, then ease of access is improved, but security against tampering deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Orders are prepared and sealed in advance in secure locations before being transported to pickup points, preventing tampering during storage while maintaining easy access for authorized pickup through pre-positioned automated delivery
Data Source
AI summary
System and method for dispensing orders. One embodiment provides a pharmacy order delivery and transport system including an enclosure and a transport assembly provided in the enclosure and configured to transport a plurality of filled prescription orders. The transport assembly includes a track extending continuously throughout the enclosure and a plurality of transport blocks connected together to form a continuous loop. Each transport block of the plurality of transport blocks includes a transport hook and a wheel configured to move along the track. The transport hook is configured to receive a storage bag containing a filled prescription order of the plurality of filled prescription orders. The transport assembly also includes a transport actuator configured to drive the plurality of transport blocks along the track.