MLchartDataset catalogue

Patent · US8986476B2 · B2 · US

Apparatus and methods for dispensing pre-filled containers with precisely-applied patient-specific information

(11) Publication number
US8986476B2
(21) Application number
13/536,594
(22) Filing date
2012-06-28
(30) Priority date
2005-06-02
(43) Publication date
2015-03-24
(45) Date of grant
2015-03-24
(51) IPC
A61J 7/00; B32B 41/00; G06F 19/00; G07F 11/16; G07F 11/42; G07F 11/62; G07F 17/00; G09F 3/00; G16H 10/60; H04L 29/08
(52) CPC
  • G16H Healthcare informatics, i.e. information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for the handling or processing of medical or healthcare data: 40/60, 10/60, 20/10, 20/13
  • A61J Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes; devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms; devices for administering food or medicines orally; baby comforters; devices for receiving spittle: 2205/10, 2205/30, 2205/60, 7/0084
  • B65G Transport or storage devices, e.g. conveyors for loading or tipping, shop conveyor systems or pneumatic tube conveyors: 43/08
  • G06F Electric digital data processing: 19/3462
  • G06Q Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial or supervisory purposes; systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial or supervisory purposes, not otherwise provided for: 50/24
  • G07F Coin-freed or like apparatus: 11/165, 11/42, 11/62, 17/0092
  • G09F Displaying; advertising; signs; labels or name-plates; seals: 3/0288
  • H04L Transmission of digital information, e.g. telegraphic communication: 67/12
  • Y04S Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation, communication or information technologies for improving the electrical power generation, transmission, distribution, management or usage, i.e. smart grids: 40/18
  • Y10T Technical subjects covered by former us classification: 156/1062, 156/12, 156/17, 156/1702, 156/1734, 156/1744, 156/1768
(73) Assignee
Automed Technologies Inc
(72) Inventors
Jacob A. Dent; Brian Gorman; Mark Bidus
(54) Title
Apparatus and methods for dispensing pre-filled containers with precisely-applied patient-specific information
(57) Abstract

Apparatus and methods for fulfillment of patient prescription orders by adapting a standard or stock container pre-filled with medication or the like for use as a patient-specific container through precise application of patient-specific information to the pre-filled container. Precise placement of the patient-specific information to the pre-filled container enables pharmacy management to fully utilize valuable information provided with the pre-filled container, thereby improving the quality of service to the patient while making the process of prescription order fulfillment more efficient. In general, preferred embodiments comprise control apparatus and information-application apparatus. In embodiments, the information-application apparatus is adapted to place a patient-specific label on the container. Preferred forms of the information-application apparatus include a label printer and a positioner. The preferred printer applies patient-specific information on a label. The preferred positioner orients the pre-filled container to receive the label from the printer such that information provided with the container is available for use.

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Claims (22)

  1. A system for application of patient-specific information to pre-filled drug containers each having alpha-numeric information and a bar code representative of the container contents comprising: a positioner configured to rotate containers including alpha-numeric information and a bar code, the positioner comprising: a first support arm; a second support arm; a first idler roller coupled to the first support arm; a second idler roller coupled to the second support arm; a first actuator coupled to the first support arm and configured to move the first support arm independent of the second support arm; and a second actuator coupled to the second support arm and configured to move the second support arm independent of the first support arm, wherein the first and second actuators are configured to the move the first and second support arms, respectively, to bring the first and second idler rollers into contact with the container; a bar code reader configured to read the bar code; a labeler which applies pressure-sensitive adhesive labels including patient-specific information to containers; and an electronic control device operably coupled to the positioner and the labeler; wherein the electronic control device is programmed to control the positioner to rotate containers based upon rotation time information for the containers associated with their respective bar code to a label-receiving orientation at the labeler which applies the pressure-sensitive adhesive label without obscuring a portion of one of the alpha-numeric information and the bar code.
  2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a database accessible by the electronic control device, the database including, for each container, the rotation time information, wherein the rotation time information is positioning information utilized by the controller to rotate containers for a proper amount of time such that the pressure-sensitive adhesive label is applied without obscuring a portion of one of the alpha-numeric information and the bar code.
  3. The system of claim 1 wherein the electronic control device is configured to determine the initial orientation of containers based upon information read by the bar code reader.
  4. The system of claim 1 wherein the positioner further comprises: a drive mechanism operative to rotate the container to the label-receiving orientation.
  5. The system of claim 4 wherein the drive mechanism comprises: a motor; and a drive roller operatively coupled to the motor, wherein the electronic control device is configured to control the motor to drive the drive roller.
  6. The system of claim 5 wherein the first and second idler rollers are positionable to urge the container against the drive roller such that rotation of the drive roller moves the container to the label-receiving orientation.
  7. The system of claim 6 wherein the labeler comprises: a label source; a print element adapted to print the patient-specific information on the adhesive labels; a feed mechanism adapted to supply the adhesive labels to the print element from the label source; a peel bar configured to remove a backing from the adhesive labels exposing an adhesive surface; and a guide bar configured to direct the adhesive surface of the adhesive labels into contact with an outer surface of the container.
  8. The system of claim 1 wherein the adhesive labels each include a leading edge and trailing edge, wherein the labeler applies the adhesive label to the container by first bringing the leading edge of the adhesive label into contact with the container and then sequentially affixing the adhesive label to the container in a direction from the leading edge to the trailing edge.
  9. The system of claim 1 further comprising: a dispenser operatively connected to the electronic control device and adapted to store and dispense the containers; and a transport mechanism configured to deliver the container from the dispenser to the positioner.
  10. The system of claim 9 wherein the transport mechanism comprises a conveyor.
  11. The system of claim 10 further comprising an apparatus configured to collect and sort labeled containers such that containers for a common prescription order are grouped together.
  12. A system for application of patient-specific information to a pre-filled drug container having a first label representative of the container contents comprising: a positioner configured to position the container, the container having a first sidewall portion, a second sidewall portion and the first label covers the first sidewall portion and the second sidewall portion is unlabeled, the positioner comprising: a first support arm; a second support arm; a first idler roller coupled to the first support arm; a second idler roller coupled to the second support arm; a first actuator coupled to the first support arm and configured to move the first support arm independent of the second support arm; and a second actuator coupled to the second support arm and configured to move the second support arm independent of the first support arm, wherein the first and second actuators are configured to the move the first and second support arms, respectively, to bring the first and second idler rollers into contact with the container; a labeler configured to print and to apply a second label including patient-specific information to the container; and a controller operably coupled to the positioner and the labeler, the controller configured to control the labeler to print patient-specific information on the second label, to control the positioner to orient the container relative to the labeler such that the second sidewall portion of the container faces the labeler, and to control the labeler to move the second label into contact with the second sidewall portion of the container without obscuring the first label.
  13. The system of claim 12 further comprising a reader operatively connected to the controller, the reader configured to detect a reference point and to communicate information regarding the reference point to the controller, wherein the controller utilizes the information regarding the reference point to determine the location of the second sidewall portion relative to the labeler.
  14. The system of claim 13 wherein the positioner is configured to rotate the container based on the determination of the location of the second sidewall portion relative to the labeler.
  15. The system of claim 14 wherein the reader is further configured to read container-identification information associated with the container and communicate the container-identification information to the controller, and wherein the controller is configured to identify the container based on the container-identification information.
  16. The system of claim 12 wherein the second label is a pressure-sensitive adhesive label, wherein the second label includes a leading edge and trailing edge, wherein the labeler applies the second label to the second sidewall portion of the container by first bringing the leading edge of the second label into contact with the container and then sequentially affixing the label to the container in a direction from the leading edge to the trailing edge.
  17. The system of claim 16 wherein the controller is configured to control the labeler such that both the leading edge and the trailing edge of the second label are attached to the second sidewall portion after attachment of the first label such that the second label does not overlap the first label.
  18. A method of adapting a pre-filled stock container for use as a patient-specific container through application of a label including patient-specific information to the container comprising the steps of: providing the pre-filled stock container to a labeler in a first orientation, the container including first indicia representative of the container contents and a reference point; detecting the location of the reference point; processing information representative of the location of the reference point to determine the first orientation of the container; controlling a positioner to move the container from the first orientation to a label application orientation based upon the determined first orientation of the container, the positioner comprising: a first support arm; a second support arm; a first idler roller coupled to the first support arm; a second idler roller coupled to the second support arm; a first actuator coupled to the first support arm and configured to move the first support arm independent of the second support arm; and a second actuator coupled to the second support arm and configured to move the second support arm independent of the first support arm, wherein the first and second actuators are configured to the move the first and second support arms, respectively, to bring the first and second idler rollers into contact with the container; printing a label including patient specific information via a labeler; and controlling the labeler to move the label with patient specific information into contact with the container such that the first indicia is unobscured by the label.
  19. The method of claim 18 wherein controlling the labeler to move the label comprises bringing a leading edge of the label into contact with the container and then sequentially affixing the label to the container in a direction from the leading edge to a trailing edge.
  20. The method of claim 18 wherein the first indicia is a bar code and the reference point is a portion of the bar code.
  21. The system of claim 12 wherein the positioner further comprises: a motor; and drive roller operatively coupled to the motor, wherein the controller is configured to control the motor to drive the drive roller.
  22. The system of claim 21 further comprising: a dispenser operatively connected to the controller and adapted to store and dispense the containers; and a transport mechanism configured to deliver the container from the dispenser to the positioner.

Description

The field relates in general to the dispensing of medication and like products and, more specifically, to the application of patient-specific information to containers used to hold such medication and products.

The efficient and accurate dispensing of medication and like products by a pharmacy is important to the process of fulfilling patient prescription orders. Fulfillment of a patient prescription order refers to the process of providing medication and other articles and things to a patient (or care giver acting for the patient) responsive to a prescription. The prescription order may be fulfilled by any suitable pharmacy including, for example, retail pharmacies, mail order outpatient pharmacies, and hospital/extended care inpatient pharmacies.

A prescription order fulfilled by such pharmacies will typically comprise one or more prescriptions for medication and may include other articles and things, such as nutriceuticals (e.g, nutritional supplements and vitamins), over-the-counter (“OTC”) medications, therapeutics, medication applicators, bandages, tape and like items. It is of the utmost importance to fulfill each prescription order such that the patient is provided with the correct medication, products, articles and things of the highest quality and to do so in a way which is as cost-effective as possible.

One way of fulfilling patient prescription orders for medication and like items has been to provide medication in a pre-filled container, such as a bottle, vial or other container type. The pre-filled containers are typically loaded by the manufacturer, repackager or other supplier.

Citations (48)

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  • US6152364A
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  • US20050230478A1
  • US7242301B2
  • US7080755B2
  • US20060277269A1
Record as JSON 
{
  "publication_number": "US8986476B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Apparatus and methods for dispensing pre-filled containers with precisely-applied patient-specific information",
  "abstract": "Apparatus and methods for fulfillment of patient prescription orders by adapting a standard or stock container pre-filled with medication or the like for use as a patient-specific container through precise application of patient-specific information to the pre-filled container. Precise placement of the patient-specific information to the pre-filled container enables pharmacy management to fully utilize valuable information provided with the pre-filled container, thereby improving the quality of service to the patient while making the process of prescription order fulfillment more efficient. In general, preferred embodiments comprise control apparatus and information-application apparatus. In embodiments, the information-application apparatus is adapted to place a patient-specific label on the container. Preferred forms of the information-application apparatus include a label printer and a positioner. The preferred printer applies patient-specific information on a label. The preferred positioner orients the pre-filled container to receive the label from the printer such that information provided with the container is available for use.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A system for application of patient-specific information to pre-filled drug containers each having alpha-numeric information and a bar code representative of the container contents comprising: a positioner configured to rotate containers including alpha-numeric information and a bar code, the positioner comprising: a first support arm; a second support arm; a first idler roller coupled to the first support arm; a second idler roller coupled to the second support arm; a first actuator coupled to the first support arm and configured to move the first support arm independent of the second support arm; and a second actuator coupled to the second support arm and configured to move the second support arm independent of the first support arm, wherein the first and second actuators are configured to the move the first and second support arms, respectively, to bring the first and second idler rollers into contact with the container; a bar code reader configured to read the bar code; a labeler which applies pressure-sensitive adhesive labels including patient-specific information to containers; and an electronic control device operably coupled to the positioner and the labeler; wherein the electronic control device is programmed to control the positioner to rotate containers based upon rotation time information for the containers associated with their respective bar code to a label-receiving orientation at the labeler which applies the pressure-sensitive adhesive label without obscuring a portion of one of the alpha-numeric information and the bar code.",
    "2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a database accessible by the electronic control device, the database including, for each container, the rotation time information, wherein the rotation time information is positioning information utilized by the controller to rotate containers for a proper amount of time such that the pressure-sensitive adhesive label is applied without obscuring a portion of one of the alpha-numeric information and the bar code.",
    "3. The system of claim 1 wherein the electronic control device is configured to determine the initial orientation of containers based upon information read by the bar code reader.",
    "4. The system of claim 1 wherein the positioner further comprises: a drive mechanism operative to rotate the container to the label-receiving orientation.",
    "5. The system of claim 4 wherein the drive mechanism comprises: a motor; and a drive roller operatively coupled to the motor, wherein the electronic control device is configured to control the motor to drive the drive roller.",
    "6. The system of claim 5 wherein the first and second idler rollers are positionable to urge the container against the drive roller such that rotation of the drive roller moves the container to the label-receiving orientation.",
    "7. The system of claim 6 wherein the labeler comprises: a label source; a print element adapted to print the patient-specific information on the adhesive labels; a feed mechanism adapted to supply the adhesive labels to the print element from the label source; a peel bar configured to remove a backing from the adhesive labels exposing an adhesive surface; and a guide bar configured to direct the adhesive surface of the adhesive labels into contact with an outer surface of the container.",
    "8. The system of claim 1 wherein the adhesive labels each include a leading edge and trailing edge, wherein the labeler applies the adhesive label to the container by first bringing the leading edge of the adhesive label into contact with the container and then sequentially affixing the adhesive label to the container in a direction from the leading edge to the trailing edge.",
    "9. The system of claim 1 further comprising: a dispenser operatively connected to the electronic control device and adapted to store and dispense the containers; and a transport mechanism configured to deliver the container from the dispenser to the positioner.",
    "10. The system of claim 9 wherein the transport mechanism comprises a conveyor.",
    "11. The system of claim 10 further comprising an apparatus configured to collect and sort labeled containers such that containers for a common prescription order are grouped together.",
    "12. A system for application of patient-specific information to a pre-filled drug container having a first label representative of the container contents comprising: a positioner configured to position the container, the container having a first sidewall portion, a second sidewall portion and the first label covers the first sidewall portion and the second sidewall portion is unlabeled, the positioner comprising: a first support arm; a second support arm; a first idler roller coupled to the first support arm; a second idler roller coupled to the second support arm; a first actuator coupled to the first support arm and configured to move the first support arm independent of the second support arm; and a second actuator coupled to the second support arm and configured to move the second support arm independent of the first support arm, wherein the first and second actuators are configured to the move the first and second support arms, respectively, to bring the first and second idler rollers into contact with the container; a labeler configured to print and to apply a second label including patient-specific information to the container; and a controller operably coupled to the positioner and the labeler, the controller configured to control the labeler to print patient-specific information on the second label, to control the positioner to orient the container relative to the labeler such that the second sidewall portion of the container faces the labeler, and to control the labeler to move the second label into contact with the second sidewall portion of the container without obscuring the first label.",
    "13. The system of claim 12 further comprising a reader operatively connected to the controller, the reader configured to detect a reference point and to communicate information regarding the reference point to the controller, wherein the controller utilizes the information regarding the reference point to determine the location of the second sidewall portion relative to the labeler.",
    "14. The system of claim 13 wherein the positioner is configured to rotate the container based on the determination of the location of the second sidewall portion relative to the labeler.",
    "15. The system of claim 14 wherein the reader is further configured to read container-identification information associated with the container and communicate the container-identification information to the controller, and wherein the controller is configured to identify the container based on the container-identification information.",
    "16. The system of claim 12 wherein the second label is a pressure-sensitive adhesive label, wherein the second label includes a leading edge and trailing edge, wherein the labeler applies the second label to the second sidewall portion of the container by first bringing the leading edge of the second label into contact with the container and then sequentially affixing the label to the container in a direction from the leading edge to the trailing edge.",
    "17. The system of claim 16 wherein the controller is configured to control the labeler such that both the leading edge and the trailing edge of the second label are attached to the second sidewall portion after attachment of the first label such that the second label does not overlap the first label.",
    "18. A method of adapting a pre-filled stock container for use as a patient-specific container through application of a label including patient-specific information to the container comprising the steps of: providing the pre-filled stock container to a labeler in a first orientation, the container including first indicia representative of the container contents and a reference point; detecting the location of the reference point; processing information representative of the location of the reference point to determine the first orientation of the container; controlling a positioner to move the container from the first orientation to a label application orientation based upon the determined first orientation of the container, the positioner comprising: a first support arm; a second support arm; a first idler roller coupled to the first support arm; a second idler roller coupled to the second support arm; a first actuator coupled to the first support arm and configured to move the first support arm independent of the second support arm; and a second actuator coupled to the second support arm and configured to move the second support arm independent of the first support arm, wherein the first and second actuators are configured to the move the first and second support arms, respectively, to bring the first and second idler rollers into contact with the container; printing a label including patient specific information via a labeler; and controlling the labeler to move the label with patient specific information into contact with the container such that the first indicia is unobscured by the label.",
    "19. The method of claim 18 wherein controlling the labeler to move the label comprises bringing a leading edge of the label into contact with the container and then sequentially affixing the label to the container in a direction from the leading edge to a trailing edge.",
    "20. The method of claim 18 wherein the first indicia is a bar code and the reference point is a portion of the bar code.",
    "21. The system of claim 12 wherein the positioner further comprises: a motor; and drive roller operatively coupled to the motor, wherein the controller is configured to control the motor to drive the drive roller.",
    "22. The system of claim 21 further comprising: a dispenser operatively connected to the controller and adapted to store and dispense the containers; and a transport mechanism configured to deliver the container from the dispenser to the positioner."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The field relates in general to the dispensing of medication and like products and, more specifically, to the application of patient-specific information to containers used to hold such medication and products.\n\nThe efficient and accurate dispensing of medication and like products by a pharmacy is important to the process of fulfilling patient prescription orders. Fulfillment of a patient prescription order refers to the process of providing medication and other articles and things to a patient (or care giver acting for the patient) responsive to a prescription. The prescription order may be fulfilled by any suitable pharmacy including, for example, retail pharmacies, mail order outpatient pharmacies, and hospital/extended care inpatient pharmacies.\n\nA prescription order fulfilled by such pharmacies will typically comprise one or more prescriptions for medication and may include other articles and things, such as nutriceuticals (e.g, nutritional supplements and vitamins), over-the-counter (“OTC”) medications, therapeutics, medication applicators, bandages, tape and like items. It is of the utmost importance to fulfill each prescription order such that the patient is provided with the correct medication, products, articles and things of the highest quality and to do so in a way which is as cost-effective as possible.\n\nOne way of fulfilling patient prescription orders for medication and like items has been to provide medication in a pre-filled container, such as a bottle, vial or other container type. The pre-filled containers are typically loaded by the manufacturer, repackager or other supplier.",
  "cpc": [
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  "assignees": [
    "Automed Technologies Inc"
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  "inventors": [
    "Jacob A. Dent",
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    "Mark Bidus"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2012-06-28",
  "publication_date": "2015-03-24",
  "grant_date": "2015-03-24",
  "priority_date": "2005-06-02",
  "application_number": "US-201213536594-A",
  "family_id": "37495412",
  "cited_by_count": 7,
  "citations": [
    "US4519522A",
    "US5058724A",
    "US6152364A",
    "US6352200B1",
    "US20030088333A1",
    "US6814255B2",
    "US5797515A",
    "US20050065645A1",
    "US6814254B2",
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}

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