Abstract: An automated medication preparation system for preparing a prescribed dosage of medication in a drug delivery device. The system includes a plurality of stations for receiving, handling and processing the drug delivery device so that the prescribed dosage of medication is delivered to the drug delivery device and a transporting device that receives and holds more than one drug delivery device and moves the drug delivery devices in a controlled manner from one station to another station. The system is configured so that two or more separate drug delivery devices can be acted upon at the same time.

Abstract: An automated system is provided and includes a safety and cost reducing feature that is capable of detecting whether an underfill condition exists within the product container as a unit dose of medication is delivered thereto. More specifically, the medication is typically injected into the product container under action of a delivery device, such as a pump, and the underfill detection device is capable of calculating if air (air bubbles) has been dispensed into the product container and based on this information, the device is able to measure the amount of the unit dose of medication within the product container and if necessary, additional medication can be added if it is determined that an underfill condition exists in order to compensate for the presence of the air bubbles.

Abstract: An automated medication preparation system for delivering a dosage of medication to a drug delivery bag having a fill port through which the medication is delivered into the bag includes an automated transport device for controllably delivering each drug delivery bag from one location to another location via a driven member. The system has a carrier that releasably captures and holds a portion of the bag and orients each bag such that the fill port of each bag is positioned at a uniform location relative to the carrier. The carrier is coupled to the transport device such that movement of the driven member is translated into movement of the carrier and the captured drug delivery bag. An automated drug delivery device is part of the system and includes a drug delivery member that sealingly mates with the fill port for delivering the dosage of medication to the bag.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, an automated medication preparation system according to the present invention includes automated preparation of a dosage of medication in a drug delivery devices, such as a syringe, and includes an automated transport device for controllably delivering each drug delivery device from one location to another location and a receiving member that is associated with the automated transport device and includes at least two pockets for receiving and retaining at least two differently sized drug delivery devices according to a predetermined orientation. The system also includes a controller in communication with the automated transport device for moving the automated transport device in an indexed manner.

Abstract: An integrated, automated system concerning pharmaceutical products is provided. The system comprises an input queue, a dispensing apparatus comprising a robot device and a number of stations from which the robot device works, and an inspection station. A computer interface provides bi-directional communication between the analytical instruments, robots and peripheral devices and a computer. The robot employed by the system is responsive to computer commands and capable of performing mechanical functions including selection and retrieval of a necessary item and manipulation of retrieved items such that the desired product is produced.

Abstract: An automated medication preparation system according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a medication preparation station where a dosage of medication is prepared in a just-in-time manner and a holding station for storing multi-use injectable medication vials, the contents of which have been previously accessed for preparing the dosage of medication at the medication preparation station and. The medication vials are cataloged according to prescribed criteria to permit later use in preparing another dosage of medication at the medication preparation station. The system include an automated transfer device for-transferring the vial from one station to another station.

Abstract: An automated medication preparation system for preparing a prescribed dosage of medication in a drug delivery device includes a plurality of stations for receiving, handling and processing the drug delivery device so that the prescribed dosage of medication is delivered to the drug delivery device and a transporting device that receives and holds more than one drug delivery device and moves the drug delivery devices in a controlled manner from one station to another station. The system is configured so that two or more separate drug delivery devices can be acted upon at the same time.

Abstract: A method and software interface enables selective processing of data transmissions containing one or more medication orders intended for a pharmacy. Data transmissions are monitored and parsed for prescribed information which is utilized to populate a prescribed data structure. The data structure and parsing rules can be associated with a specific source that can be determined from the data transmission. The parsed data is tested against an order database to determine suitability for automated handling. If suitable, the medication preparation system prepares the medications identified by the data. Those portions of the data that are not suited for automated handling are released (e.g., from the parser). Further verification can be performed by determining the source of the data transmission and verifying it as a valid source. Data transmissions can be monitored over a network, within a network component, or in cooperation with another software program.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, an automated medication preparation system including automated syringe preparation that involves reconstitution of the medication is provided. The system includes: an automated device for delivering a prescribed unit dose of medication to the syringe by delivering the medication through the uncapped barrel. One exemplary automated device for delivering a prescribed unit dose of medication to the syringe is in the form of an automated device having a fluid delivery device that is movable in at least one direction. The fluid delivery device is adapted to perform the following operations: (1) receiving and discharging diluent from a diluent supply in a prescribed amount to reconstitute the medication in a drug vial; and (2) aspirating and later discharging reconstituted medication from the drug vial into the syringe. The system further includes a sensor for detecting any foreign matter (e.g., undissolved drug, pieces of septum, etc.

Abstract: An automated medication preparation system including reconstitution of medication and its delivery to a syringe. An automated fluid delivery device that is movable in at least one direction and is adapted to perform at least one of the following operations: receiving and discharging diluent in a prescribed amount to reconstitute the medication in a drug vial; and aspirating and discharging reconstituted medication from the vial into the syringe. Further including a transfer device that includes a first section for piercing a septum of the vial and a second section for releasably mating with the fluid delivery device. The transfer device can remain within the vial for multiple uses without the need to repierce the septum. The transfer device has a first channel for carrying diluent or reconstituted medication and a second channel in fluid communication with a vent formed as part of the transfer device to permit airflow into the vial.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, an automated means for storing, dispensing and orienting injectable drug vials for a robotic application is provided and includes a plurality of automated syringe preparation stations is provided. The drug vial stores the medication that is either is either in solid form and thus needs to be reconstituted into the injectable drug or the vial can contain medication that was already been previously reconstituted and is ready for delivery to the syringe. The automated means includes a robotic vial gripper device for holding and transferring one vial from one station to a next station of the robotic application; and a detector that determines whether the vial is in a correct orientation throughout one or more stations of the robotic application.

Abstract: An automated medication preparation system according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a medication preparation station where a dosage of medication is prepared in a just-in-time manner and a holding station for storing multi-use injectable medication vials, the contents of which have been previously accessed for preparing the dosage of medication at the medication preparation station and. The medication vials are cataloged according to prescribed criteria to permit later use in preparing another dosage of medication at the medication preparation station. The system include an automated transfer device for-transferring the vial from one station to another station.

Abstract: A method and software interface enables serial data streams to be trapped, parsed, tested for suitability for automated handling by a medication preparation system. Only those portions of the serial data stream that are not suitable for such handling are released for printing and manual handling. A serial data interface includes a listener software module (“LSM”) that receives serial data streams and a parser software module (“PSM”) communicatively connectable to the LSM that processes the serial data streams received from the LSM. A set of configuration rules accessible by the PSM defines the manner of processing by the PSM on the serial data streams. A data structure results that enables data handling by an automated medication preparation system.

Abstract: A bandolier of syringes for use in an automated syringe handling system is provided. The automated syringe handling system generally receives syringes and fills the syringe with a substance, such as a medicament. In one exemplary embodiment, the syringe handling system is a system that disperses one or more medicaments into the syringes in an automated manner. The bandolier includes a web, e.g., a strip of transparent material partially encapsulating bodies of syringes that are bound to the web at a prescribed interval. The bandolier includes a feature disposed within the prescribed interval and between the syringes with the feature being different from the surrounding web.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, an automated syringe preparation mechanism for an automated medication preparation system is provided and the mechanism includes (1) a first automated gripping mechanism having a pair of adjustable gripper arms for removing a tip cap from a barrel of one syringe and placing the removed tip cap at a first location and (2) a second automated gripping mechanism having a pair of adjustable gripper arms for replacing the removed tip cap on the syringe barrel after the medication is injected therein.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, an automated medication preparation is provided and typically involves the preparation and dispensing of drug products, whether they are in a bag, a syringe or via some other type of administration vehicle. The system includes: an automated device for delivering a prescribed unit dose of medication to a drug product container from a drug container. A label containing medication information (medication identifying indicia) is disposed about an outer surface, e.g., a circumference, of the drug container.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automated system and method of banding (bandoliering) a plurality of syringes. The system includes a feed device for receiving the plurality of syringe barrels and positioning the plurality of syringes according to a predetermined orientation and an indexed device for transferring the plurality of syringes in the predetermined orientation to a transport device that includes individual pockets for receiving and holding the syringes in a spaced relationship as the syringes are advanced due to movement of the transport device.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, an automated medication preparation system including a plurality of automated syringe preparation stations is provided and includes (1) a first automated gripper for removing a tip cap from a barrel of one syringe and placing the removed tip cap at a first location; (2) an automated device having a positionable cannula that is operatively connected to an aspirating device for drawing a prescribed dosage amount of medication from a supply and delivering the dosage to the syringe by injecting the medication through the cannula and into uncapped barrel in a just-in-time for use manner; (3) a second automated gripper for replacing the removed tip cap on the syringe barrel after the medication is injected therein; and (4) a station for making the syringe tamper evident that includes an instrument for joining the tip cap to the syringe luer connector in a localized area (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automated system and method of banding (bandoliering) a plurality of syringes. The system includes a feed device for receiving the plurality of syringe barrels and positioning the plurality of syringes according to a predetermined orientation and an indexed device for transferring the plurality of syringes in the predetermined orientation to a transport device that includes individual pockets for receiving and holding the syringes in a spaced relationship as the syringes are advanced due to movement of the transport device.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, an automated medication preparation system including automated syringe preparation that involves reconstitution of the medication is provided.