Robotic pick-and-place automation is used to transfer oral solid pharmaceuticals from moveable trays or canisters. A variety of sensors Oral solid pharmaceutical products are located within dispensing trays or canisters which are used to present the oral solid pharmaceutical products for picking and placing via the robotic pick-and-place machinery. The dispensing canisters are comprised of a reservoir portion for holding a plurality of solid oral pharmaceuticals and a staging area adjacent the reservoir from which the oral solid pharmaceuticals are transferred to packing via a pick- and-place robotic transfer mechanism.
A61J 7/00 - Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoonsPill counting devicesArrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
B65B 5/00 - Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
B65B 5/08 - Packaging groups of articles, the articles being individually gripped or guided for transfer to the containers or receptacles
2.
Systems and methods for automatically verifying packaging of solid pharmaceuticals via robotic technology according to patient prescription data
Robotic pick-and-place automation is used to transfer oral solid pharmaceuticals from moveable trays or canisters. Sensors are used to verify that the pharmaceuticals have been properly placed in the desired pharmaceutical locations precisely according to the patient prescription data. A pharmacist places pharmaceutical products within dispensing trays or canisters to present the pharmaceutical products for picking and placing via the robotic pick-and-place machinery. Once the canister or tray is located adjacent the pick-and-place device, a sensor or imaging unit associated with the pick-and-place device verifies that the pharmaceutical product, the size, shape, and/or color of an expected pharmaceutical product that is to be placed within the packaging material in accordance with patient prescription data stored by a computer associated with the system. Sensors verify that each individual pharmaceutical specified by a patient prescription have been deposited into each specified location strictly in accordance with the patient prescription data.
B65B 57/10 - Automatic control, checking, warning or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of articles or materials to be packaged
B65B 35/18 - Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles by grippers by suction-operated grippers
B65B 39/00 - Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers
B65B 5/10 - Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles
B65B 5/12 - Introducing successive articles, e.g. confectionery products, of different shape or size in predetermined positions
G16H 40/60 - ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilitiesICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices for the operation of medical equipment or devices
G16H 20/13 - ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans, e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient compliance relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients delivered from dispensers
B65B 61/26 - Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for marking or coding completed packages
B65G 47/91 - Devices for picking-up and depositing articles or materials incorporating pneumatic, e.g. suction, grippers
B25J 15/06 - Gripping heads with vacuum or magnetic holding means
3.
Dispensing canisters for packaging oral solid pharmaceuticals via robotic technology according to patient prescription data
Robotic pick-and-place automation is used to transfer oral solid pharmaceuticals from moveable trays or canisters. Sensors are used to verify that the pharmaceuticals have been properly placed in the desired pharmaceutical locations precisely according to the patient prescription data. A pharmacist places pharmaceutical products within dispensing trays or canisters to present the pharmaceutical products for picking and placing via the robotic pick-and-place machinery. Once the canister or tray is located adjacent the pick-and-place device, a sensor or imaging unit associated with the pick-and-place device verifies that the pharmaceutical product the size, shape, and/or color of an expected pharmaceutical product that is to be placed within the packaging material in accordance with patient prescription data stored by a computer associated with the system. Sensors verify that each individual pharmaceutical specified by a patient prescription have been deposited into each specified location strictly in accordance with the patient prescription data.
Robotic pick-and-place automation is used to transfer oral solid pharmaceuticals from moveable trays or canisters. A variety of sensors Oral solid pharmaceutical products are located within dispensing trays or canisters which are used to present the oral solid pharmaceutical products for picking and placing via the robotic pick-and-place machinery. The dispens- ing canisters are comprised of a reservoir portion for holding a plurality of solid oral pharmaceuticals and a staging area adjacent the reservoir from which the oral solid pharmaceuticals are transferred to packing via a pick- and-place robotic transfer mechanism.
A61J 7/00 - Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoonsPill counting devicesArrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
B07C 5/342 - Sorting according to other particular properties according to optical properties, e.g. colour
B65B 5/00 - Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
B65B 5/08 - Packaging groups of articles, the articles being individually gripped or guided for transfer to the containers or receptacles
B65B 35/10 - Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles
B65B 57/00 - Automatic control, checking, warning or safety devices
5.
DISPENSING CANISTERS FOR PACKAGING PHARMACEUTICALS VIA ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGY
Robotic pick-and-place automation is used to transfer oral solid pharmaceuticals from moveable trays or canisters. A variety of sensors Oral solid pharmaceutical products are located within dispensing trays or canisters which are used to present the oral solid pharmaceutical products for picking and placing via the robotic pick-and-place machinery. The dispensing canisters are comprised of a reservoir portion for holding a plurality of solid oral pharmaceuticals and a staging area adjacent the reservoir from which the oral solid pharmaceuticals are transferred to packing via a pick- and-place robotic transfer mechanism.
Sensors are used in order to automatically verify that the oral solid pharmaceuticals have been properly placed in the desired oral solid pharmaceutical package locations precisely according to the patient prescription data. Dispensing trays or canisters present the oral solid pharmaceutical products for picking and placing via the robotic pick-and-place machinery. A further sensor associated with the pick-and-place device verifies that the oral solid pharmaceutical product presented by the tray or canister matches the size and shape and/or color of an expected oral solid pharmaceutical product that is to be placed within the packaging material in accordance with patient prescription data that is stored by a computer associated with the system. Additional sensors automatically verify that each individual oral solid pharmaceutical specified by a patient prescription have been deposited into each specified package location strictly in accordance with the patient prescription data.
A61J 7/00 - Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoonsPill counting devicesArrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
B65B 5/10 - Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles
B65B 35/18 - Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles by grippers by suction-operated grippers
7.
AUTOMATICALLY VERIFYING PACKAGING OF SOLID PHARMACEUTICALS VIA ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGY
Sensors are used in order to automatically verify that the oral solid pharmaceuticals have been properly placed in the desired oral solid pharmaceutical package locations precisely according to the patient prescription data. Dispensing trays or canisters present the oral solid pharmaceutical products for picking and placing via the robotic pick-and-place machinery. A further sensor associated with the pick-and-place device verifies that the oral solid pharmaceutical product presented by the tray or canister matches the size and shape and/or color of an expected oral solid pharmaceutical product that is to be placed within the packaging material in accordance with patient prescription data that is stored by a computer associated with the system. Additional sensors automatically verify that each individual oral solid pharmaceutical specified by a patient prescription have been deposited into each specified package location strictly in accordance with the patient prescription data.
Robotic pick-and-place automation is used to transfer oral solid pharmaceuticals from moveable trays or canisters. Sensors are used to verify that the pharmaceuticals have been properly placed in the desired pharmaceutical locations precisely according to the patient prescription data. A pharmacist places pharmaceutical products within dispensing trays or canisters to present the pharmaceutical products for picking and placing via the robotic pick-and-place machinery. Once the canister or tray is located adjacent the pick-and-place device, a sensor or imaging unit associated with the pick-and-place device verifies that the pharmaceutical product the size, shape, and/or color of an expected pharmaceutical product that is to be placed within the packaging material in accordance with patient prescription data stored by a computer associated with the system. Sensors verify that each individual pharmaceutical specified by a patient prescription have been deposited into each specified location strictly in accordance with the patient prescription data.
B65B 57/10 - Automatic control, checking, warning or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of articles or materials to be packaged
B65B 35/18 - Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles by grippers by suction-operated grippers
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
B65B 39/00 - Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers
B65B 5/10 - Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles
B65B 5/12 - Introducing successive articles, e.g. confectionery products, of different shape or size in predetermined positions
B65B 61/26 - Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for marking or coding completed packages
B65G 47/91 - Devices for picking-up and depositing articles or materials incorporating pneumatic, e.g. suction, grippers
B25J 15/06 - Gripping heads with vacuum or magnetic holding means
9.
Dispensing canisters for packaging oral solid pharmaceuticals via robotic technology according to patient prescription data
Robotic pick-and-place automation is used to transfer oral solid pharmaceuticals from moveable trays or canisters. Sensors are used to verify that the pharmaceuticals have been properly placed in the desired pharmaceutical locations precisely according to the patient prescription data. A pharmacist places pharmaceutical products within dispensing trays or canisters to present the pharmaceutical products for picking and placing via the robotic pick-and-place machinery. Once the canister or tray is located adjacent the pick-and-place device, a sensor or imaging unit associated with the pick-and-place device verifies that the pharmaceutical product the size, shape, and/or color of an expected pharmaceutical product that is to be placed within the packaging material in accordance with patient prescription data stored by a computer associated with the system. Sensors verify that each individual pharmaceutical specified by a patient prescription have been deposited into each specified location strictly in accordance with the patient prescription data.
The present invention is directed to a computer-controlled system for automatically transferring individual solid pharmaceutical products from bulk containers into a selected solid pharmaceutical product package from among a variety of different packaging solutions. Advantageously, in accordance with the preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a robotic pick and place arm incorporates a contact holding mechanisms such as a suction tube which selectively temporarily secures a solid pharmaceutical product for transfer from a bulk container into a desired solid pharmaceutical product package.
G06F 7/00 - Methods or arrangements for processing data by operating upon the order or content of the data handled
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
B65B 35/18 - Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles by grippers by suction-operated grippers
B25J 15/06 - Gripping heads with vacuum or magnetic holding means
B65B 5/10 - Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles
11.
Systems and methods for automating pharmacy operations utilizing robotic pick and place technology
The present invention is directed to a computer-controlled system for automatically transferring individual solid pharmaceutical products from bulk containers into a selected solid pharmaceutical product package from among a variety of different packaging solutions. Advantageously, in accordance with the preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a robotic pick and place arm incorporates a contact holding mechanisms such as a suction tube which selectively temporarily secures a solid pharmaceutical product for transfer from a bulk container into a desired solid pharmaceutical product package.
G06F 7/00 - Methods or arrangements for processing data by operating upon the order or content of the data handled
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
B65B 35/18 - Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles by grippers by suction-operated grippers
B65B 5/10 - Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles
12.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATING PHARMACY OPERATIONS UTILIZING ROBOTIC PICK AND PLACE TECHNOLOGY
The present invention is directed to a computer-controlled system for automatically transferring individual solid pharmaceutical products from bulk containers into a selected solid pharmaceutical product package from among a variety of different packaging solutions. Advantageously, in accordance with the preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a robotic pick and place arm incorporates a contact holding mechanisms such as a suction tube which selectively temporarily secures a solid pharmaceutical product for transfer from a bulk container into a desired solid pharmaceutical product package.
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
13.
DOSAGE FORM PACKAGE AND A FRANGIBLE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT SHEET THEREFOR
A frangible electrical circuit sheet for a dosage form package includes a first plurality of electrically conductive trace subnetworks interconnected with one another to form a network of electrically conductive traces and disposed on the sheet. The sheet further includes a second plurality of circuit elements connected to the network of electrically conductive traces such that each circuit element is associated with one of the subnetworks. At least some of the circuit elements have element values that differ from one another.
A61J 7/00 - Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoonsPill counting devicesArrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
A frangible electrical circuit sheet for a dosage form package includes a first plurality of electrically conductive trace subnetworks interconnected with one another to form a network of electrically conductive traces and disposed on the sheet. The sheet further includes a second plurality of circuit elements connected to the network of electrically conductive traces such that each circuit element is associated with one of the subnetworks. At least some of the circuit elements have element values that differ from one another.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
16 - Paper, cardboard and goods made from these materials
Goods & Services
(1) Packaging machines, namely, machines to prepare customized medicine delivery packages.
(2) Computer software for the preparation of customized patient medicine packages; computer software for controlling and managing patient medical information.
(3) Packaging, namely, blister cards; printed products, namely, customized cardboard medicine packages.
16.
HIGH SPEED AUTOMATED FILLING OF SOLID PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT PACKAGING VIA A CONVEYOR SYSTEM
Systems and methods for providing individualized solid pharmaceutical product packaging solutions preferably utilize a plurality of filling stations preferably arranged proximate to a conveyor system. Each of the filling stations may be embodied as a version of a conventional flood fill type mechanism wherein a hopper is used to store a large number of a single type of solid pharmaceutical products. The filling stations preferably incorporate transition blocks and/or row or column transfer gates.
Systems and methods for providing individualized solid pharmaceutical product packaging solutions preferably utilize a plurality of filling stations preferably arranged proximate to a conveyor system. Each of the filling stations may be embodied as a version of a conventional flood fill type mechanism wherein a hopper is used to store a large number of a single type of solid pharmaceutical products. The filling stations preferably incorporate transition blocks and/or row or column transfer gates.
Systems and methods for providing individualized solid pharmaceutical product packaging solutions preferably utilize a plurality of filling stations preferably arranged proximate to a conveyor system. Each of the filling stations may be embodied as a version of a conventional flood fill type mechanism wherein a hopper is used to store a large number of a single type of solid pharmaceutical products. The filling stations preferably incorporate transition blocks and/or row or column transfer gates.
Improved solid pharmaceutical dispensing systems and methods provide direct transfer of doses from bulk blister packaging material. An embodiment comprises a positioning mechanism that alters spacing between portions of a de-blister apparatus. The de-blister apparatus comprises a de-blister roller, cylinder or elongated cylindrical toothed gear which pushes against a first side of packaging material to remove individual doses from a conventional blister package. The apparatus may operate under manual or automatic control and preferably includes adjustable package holding rollers which are preferably aligned with portions of packaging material between the rows of blister cavities at a side of the packaging material opposite the side at which the roller or cylinder is located. The de-blister apparatus enables the rapid removal of solid pharmaceutical products from blister cavities and provides a convenient mechanism for altering the device in order to accommodate different sizes of packaging material.
B65B 69/00 - Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for
B65D 75/58 - Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
B65D 83/04 - Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing annular, disc-shaped, spherical or like small articles, e.g. tablets or pills
B67B 7/46 - Cutting devices, i.e. devices including at least one cutting element having one or more cutting edges for piercing through the wall of a closed container, e.g. can openers
B67B 7/78 - Cutting devices, i.e. devices including at least one cutting element having one or more cutting edges for piercing through the wall of a closed container, e.g. can openers including plural cutters
20.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REMOVING MEDICATION FROM PACKAGING
Improved solid pharmaceutical dispensing systems and methods provide direct transfer of doses from bulk blister packaging material. An embodiment comprises a positioning mechanism that alters spacing between portions of a de-blister apparatus. The de-blister apparatus comprises a de-blister roller, cylinder or elongated cylindrical toothed gear which pushes against a first side of packaging material to remove individual doses from a conventional blister package. The apparatus may operate under manual or automatic control and preferably includes adjustable package holding rollers which are preferably aligned with portions of packaging material between the rows of blister cavities at a side of the packaging material opposite the side at which the roller or cylinder is located. The de-blister apparatus enables the rapid removal of solid pharmaceutical products from blister cavities and provides a convenient mechanism for altering the device in order to accommodate different sizes of packaging material.
Improved solid pharmaceutical dispensing systems and methods provide direct transfer of doses from bulk blister packaging material. In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a positioning mechanism that alters the spacing between portions of a de-blister apparatus. The de-blister apparatus comprises a de-blister roller, cylinder or elongated cylindrical toothed gear which pushes against a first side of packaging material to remove individual doses from a conventional blister package. The apparatus may operate under manual or automatic control and preferably includes adjustable or movable package holding rollers which are preferably aligned with portions of packaging material between the rows of blister cavities at a side of the packaging material opposite the side at which the roller or cylinder is located. The de-blister apparatus enables the rapid removal of solid pharmaceutical or nutraceutical products from blister cavities and provides a convenient mechanism for altering the device in order to accommodate different sizes of packaging material.
A machine for packaging solid pharmaceuticals includes a plurality of storage locations for storing a variety of pharmaceutical dispensing canisters and a robotic arm for retrieving said dispensing canisters and providing the canister at a location proximate the package to be filled thus minimizing the distance which the pharmaceutical travels from the dispensing canister and the package cavity.
At least one movable interlocking sidewall structure provides alteration of the physical dimensions for a solid pharmaceutical or nutraceutical temporary storage cavity and/or transmission channel. Preferably a plurality of interlocking sidewall structures are simultaneously adjusted so that an array of cavities and/or transmission channels may have their physical dimensions simultaneously altered by the mechanical action of a drive member. Advantageously the adjustment of the structure provides a more suitable space within which a solid pharmaceutical or nutraceutical product may be temporarily stored or transferred.
At least one movable interlocking sidewall structure provides alteration of the physical dimensions for a solid pharmaceutical or nutraceutical temporary storage cavity and/or transmission channel. Preferably a plurality of interlocking sidewall structures are simultaneously adjusted so that an array of cavities and/or transmission channels may have their physical dimensions simultaneously altered by the mechanical action of a drive member. Advantageously the adjustment of the structure provides a more suitable space within which a solid pharmaceutical or nutraceutical product may be temporarily stored or transferred.
Systems and methods are provided for altering a random three-dimensional orientation of solid pharmaceutical or nutraceutical products into either a two- dimensional arrangement of solid products or for transferring the solid products directly into one or more linear transmission channels. At least one elongated straight edge member (23, 24) is periodically vertically displaced into the mass of solid products and the displacement of this straight edge structure alone or in combination with other rotating or displaceable structures (14, 16, 18) facilitate reorientation of the solid products.
Machine for packaging and dispensing medication, namely, automated filling and sealing machines, medication dispensing cassettes, automated sealers, conveyor stacker, unit dose printer, label applicator and the operating software therein
27.
COMPACT STRUCTURE FOR AUTOMATICALLY FILLING SOLID PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT PACKAGES
An automated solid pharmaceutical product packaging machine includes a plurality of temporary storage members for receiving a plurality of solid pharmaceutical products in a plurality of cavities. The use of the temporary storage cavities enables the machine to process several prescriptions simultaneously. Advantageously, at least one of the temporary storage members is capable of being automatically displaced in a vertical direction in order to increase the capacity of the overall filling system for processing a greater number of solid pharmaceutical products while minimizing the overall footprint of the device.
16 - Paper, cardboard and goods made from these materials
Goods & Services
packaging machines for pharmaceutical and pill packaging [ paper punch cards and laminated paper for packaging pharmaceuticals; plastic trays and blister sheets for packaging pharmaceuticals ]
Packaging system for dispensing medication, namely a machine that creates blister cards of pills customized to an individual's prescriptions and needs and the operating software therein
