Abstract: A fluid container, such as an intravenous (IV) bag, including a fluid sensor for analyzing, identifying, and verifying a fluid is provided. The container includes an at least partially enclosed body defining an interior volume and one or more ports having an opening for accessing a fluid in the interior. A sensor device may be attachable to one of the ports. The sensor device includes a sensor for measuring a parameter of the fluid. A channel may extend between the port and the sensor for providing fluid from the interior volume of the body to the sensor. The sensor may be connected to a processing apparatus, such as a computer, for determining at least the type of fluid present based on the measured parameter obtained with the sensor. A method for analyzing, identifying, and verifying a fluid contained in a fluid container, such as an IV bag, is also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are various apparatuses, systems, and methods for improving the efficiency of medication distribution within a healthcare facility. In particular, embodiments may provide for dispensing medications needed and medications anticipated to be needed to an authorized medical person for administration to a patient in a healthcare facility. Methods may include receiving an indication of one or more unit dose medications anticipated to be needed by a patient; retrieving the one or more unit dose medications from a unit storage device; loading the one or more unit dose medications onto a transport device; transporting the one or more unit dose medications from the unit storage device to a location proximate the patient; and transferring the one or more unit dose medications from the transport device to a staging area at the location proximate the patient.

Abstract: Provided herein are various apparatuses, systems, and methods for improving pneumatic tube system operating efficiency and facilitating secure access to pneumatic tube carriers. In particular, a system is provided that includes a magazine that has a first carrier chamber and a second carrier chamber and a pneumatic tube operably coupled to the magazine, where the pneumatic tube is configured to be in fluid communication with one of the first carrier chamber or the second carrier chamber. The magazine may be configured to be moved relative to the pneumatic tube between a first position in which the first carrier chamber is in fluid communication with the pneumatic tube and a second position in which the second carrier chamber is in fluid communication with the pneumatic tube. The first carrier chamber and the second carrier chamber may each be individually accessible to a user.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and computer program products are provided for facilitating the expedited dispensing of medications from an automated medication storage device. In this regard, a method may cooperate with the first device to facilitate the presentation of various displays that include features to reduce number of user interactions to dispense medications safely and effectively.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of pharmaceutical products is provided that utilizes a machine having a containing liner, a dosing chamber for preparing at least one pharmaceutical product accommodated within the containing liner, and a pneumatic ventilation device for feeding two air flows through the dosing chamber and through the containing liner, respectively. Operation of the pneumatic ventilation device is selectively controlled so that the containing liner has inside a pressure lower than a pressure existing within the dosing chamber and than a pressure existing in the environment outside the containing liner itself.

Abstract: A medication dispensing cabinet, a computing device and an associated method are provided to measure the force applied to a drawer of a medication dispensing cabinet. By measuring the force applied to the drawer of a medication dispensing cabinet, certain predefined condition(s) may be detected, such as the closure of a drawer of a medication dispensing cabinet with an excessive amount of force. In this regard, a medication dispensing cabinet is provided that includes a cabinet body defining an internal cavity and a plurality of drawers disposed within the internal cavity of the cabinet body. The drawers are configured to be slidably opened and closed relative to the cabinet body. The medication dispensing cabinet also includes a force sensor carried by at least one of the cabinet body or one or more of the drawers and configured to measure force applied to a drawer of the medication dispensing cabinet.

Abstract: A method, system, and corresponding apparatus are provided for mapping product identification to medication identification. In particular, a method may include receiving a product identifier associated with a medication container; comparing the product identifier with a database of product identifier formats; and retrieving a medication identifier from the product identifier in response to the product identifier corresponding to a single product identifier format in the database. Methods may include applying an algorithm to the product identifier in response to the product identifier failing to correspond with a product identifier format in the database and creating a mapped product identifier to a single medication identifier in the database in response to the application of the algorithm to the product identifier resulting in the single medication identifier match.

Abstract: A medication dispensing cabinet and an associated medication dispensing drawer assembly are provided in order to controllably convey and dispense medication. A medication dispensing cabinet may include a cabinet body, a plurality of drawers disposed within and configured for slidable extension relative to the cabinet body, a conveyor belt disposed within a first drawer and a plurality of bins operably connected to the conveyor belt and configured to receive medication for movement with the conveyor belt. Each bin may includes an openable support surface which, in one embodiment, is biased to open. In addition, the first drawer may define an opening and the conveyor belt may be configured to move a respective bin into alignment with the opening. The support surface of the respective bin may then be permitted to open and the medication carried by the respective bin may be dispensed through the opening.

Abstract: Provided herein are a method and apparatus for identifying and labeling medications in overpack containers, and more specifically, to identifying a medication and generating information relating to the medication to be included on a label for an overpack container of the medication. In particular, methods may include receiving an article at an imaging station, capturing images of the article from a plurality of positions about the imaging station, receiving the article into a container, and identifying the article from at least one of the captured images. The at least one of the captured images may include identifying indicia. Methods may also include generating information related to the identified article in response to identifying the article, and causing the information related to the identified article to be presented on a label associated with the container. Generating information related to the identified article may include generating destination information associated with the article.

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for controlling access to intravenous bags. A system may include a cabinet including a vertically oriented drawer configured to be movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the cabinet, where the contents of the vertically oriented drawer are configured to be accessible from two opposing sides of the vertically oriented drawer when the drawer is in the open position. Systems of example embodiments may include a plurality of overpacks configured to be received within the vertically oriented drawer of the cabinet, where each of the plurality of overpacks is configured to receive therein a single intravenous bag, where each of the plurality of overpacks may include a retention feature, and where the retention feature of each overpack may be configured to be received by a complementary retention feature in the vertically oriented drawer.

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for detecting that an object has been accessed. A system may include a first surface carrying a first signaling tag and a second surface carrying a second signaling tag. The first and second signaling tags may be positioned such that when the second surface is in a first position, the first signaling tag and the second signaling tag are sufficiently proximate to each other such that a coupling between the first signaling tag and the second signaling tag results in a first signal state being emitted by at least one of the signaling tags. When the second surface is transitioned from the first position to a second position, a decoupling between the first signaling tag and the second signaling tag may in a second signal state being emitted by at least one of the signaling tags.

Abstract: Provided herein are various apparatuses, systems, and methods for transporting medication within a healthcare facility. An example system for connecting sections of a track having an electrically conductive bus bar may include a first end cap including an alignment ridge, where the first end cap is received at the end of a first track section having a first bus bar, and a second end cap having an alignment channel, where the second end cap is received at the end of a second track section having a second bus bar. The alignment ridge may be configured to be received within the alignment channel when the first track section and the second track section are out of alignment, and in response to the first track section being brought into alignment with the second track section, the alignment ridge and alignment channel cooperate to draw the first and second bus bar into contact.

Abstract: A medication storage and dispensing unit is provided which includes a support platform and a vial dispenser supported by the support platform. The vial dispenser may include a chute configured to store a plurality of vials of medication and a gate configured to be alternately positioned in a closed position in which the vials remain within the chute and an open position in which a vial is dispensed from the chute. The medication storage and dispensing unit may be computer controlled so as to include a computing device configured to receive user input regarding dispensation of a vial. The computing device may be further configured to actuate the gate to thereby permit the gate to move to the open position such that the vial is dispensed from the chute.

Abstract: Provided herein are various apparatuses, systems, and methods for improving pneumatic tube system operating efficiency and facilitating secure access to pneumatic tube carriers. In particular, a system is provided that includes a magazine that has a first carrier chamber and a second carrier chamber and a pneumatic tube operably coupled to the magazine, where the pneumatic tube is configured to be in fluid communication with one of the first carrier chamber or the second carrier chamber. The magazine may be configured to be moved relative to the pneumatic tube between a first position in which the first carrier chamber is in fluid communication with the pneumatic tube and a second position in which the second carrier chamber is in fluid communication with the pneumatic tube. The first carrier chamber and the second carrier chamber may each be individually accessible to a user.

Abstract: Provided herein are various apparatuses, systems, and methods for improving the efficiency of medication distribution and replenishment within a healthcare facility. In particular, embodiments may provide for receiving an indication of a transfer of a medication unit of the first medication type to the container and advancing the container away from the automated storage device in response to receiving the indication of a transfer. The indication of a transfer of the medication unit of the first medication type may include receiving a barcode scan indicative of the first medication type. The indication of a transfer may further include receiving a barcode scan indicative of the container and associating the medication unit with the container.

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for interim volume verification. A system may include a first fluid container defining a first cavity, a second fluid container defining a second cavity, and a third fluid container defining a third cavity. Systems may include a pneumatic valve, where the pneumatic valve may be in pneumatic communication with the second cavity of the second fluid container. A controller may be configured to control the pneumatic valve. Systems may include a display configured to present a volume measurement to a user. A target volume of fluid may be caused by the controller to be drawn from the first cavity of the first fluid container into the second cavity of the second fluid container in response to the first cavity of the first fluid container being in fluid communication with the second cavity of the second container and the pneumatic valve causing a vacuum to be applied to the second cavity of the second fluid container.

Abstract: Provided herein are various apparatuses, systems, and methods for enclosing or substantially enclosing a product within a package, and more particularly, to enclosing medication in a packaging with at least a portion that can be transitioned between a substantially transparent state and a substantially opaque state. In particular, a medication package is provided that includes an enclosure, a medication disposed within the enclosure, and indicia carried by the enclosure. The enclosure may include a variable transparency material, wherein the material transparency is configured to vary from a substantially transparent state to a substantially opaque state. The indicia may be visible in response to the variable transparency material being in the substantially transparent state and the indicia may not be visible in response to the variable transparency material being in the substantially opaque state.

Abstract: A method, system, and corresponding apparatus are provided for mapping product identification to medication identification. In particular, a method may include receiving a product identifier associated with a medication container; comparing the product identifier with a database of product identifier formats; and retrieving a medication identifier from the product identifier in response to the product identifier corresponding to a single product identifier format in the database. Methods may include applying an algorithm to the product identifier in response to the product identifier failing to correspond with a product identifier format in the database and creating a mapped product identifier to a single medication identifier in the database in response to the application of the algorithm to the product identifier resulting in the single medication identifier match.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention may provide a modular conveyor that includes a conveyor frame including an access opening, a plurality of conveyor buckets configured to move along a continuous path within the conveyor frame, and an access station where the contents of a conveyor bucket disposed at the access station may be accessible through the access opening. Each of the plurality of conveyor buckets may be configured to be substantially enclosed by the conveyor frame when not at the access station. The conveyor frame may include at least one channel disposed about a perimeter of the continuous path, where each of the plurality of conveyor buckets include at least one projection configured to engage the at least one channel. The conveyor buckets may be driven along the continuous path by a drive mechanism disposed outside of the conveyor frame.

Abstract: Provided herein are a method and apparatus for identifying and labeling medications in overpack containers, and more specifically, to identifying a medication and generating information relating to the medication to be included on a label for an overpack container of the medication. In particular, methods may include receiving an article at an imaging station, capturing images of the article from a plurality of positions about the imaging station, receiving the article into a container, and identifying the article from at least one of the captured images. The at least one of the captured images may include identifying indicia. Methods may also include generating information related to the identified article in response to identifying the article, and causing the information related to the identified article to be presented on a label associated with the container. Generating information related to the identified article may include generating destination information associated with the article.