Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for the routing of totes and bottles within a pharmacy fulfillment center are disclosed. The system, method, and apparatus are configured to transmit routing tables from an application server to station controllers (e.g., PLCs) to enable each station to locally make a routing decision. Since the routing logic is locally stored at each station, the controllers do not need to transmit request messages to the server every time a tote or bottle is scanned. The system, method, and apparatus increase conveyor throughput by enabling each station to make a routing decision without having to wait for a response from a server.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing improved prescription filling systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a prescription filling system is provided that includes a primary module and at least one expansion module. The primary module may include shelves that each contains a plurality of equipment brackets. The primary module may also include a supplementary system positioned between the shelves. The at least one expansion module may also include shelves that each contain a plurality of equipment brackets. Furthermore, the primary module may contain a robotic arm that is substantially equidistant from each of the shelves within the primary module and the at least one expansion module.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improved collection and evaluation of audit responses for healthcare sites are provided. In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes receiving responses associated with an audit of a healthcare site. A deficiency score and a total score may be calculated based on the responses. The deficiency scores may be calculated based on a quantity of responses indicating a deficient status and/or an improvement required status. The total score may be calculated based on a total quantity of the responses and a quantity of the responses that indicate an inapplicable status. The risk score may then be calculated based on the deficiency score.

Abstract: An arrangement includes: a plurality of mesh tubes arranged in parallel and extending along an axial direction, each mesh tube of the plurality of mesh tubes having a mesh tube length in the axial direction; and a first mesh sheet having a first surface. The plurality of mesh tubes is disposed on the first surface. The arrangement provides structural support to surrounding tissues upon placement of the arrangement into a human body.

Abstract: A lightweight reinforced mesh, such as a surgical mesh, suitable for use in various applications, including breast reconstruction, cosmetic breast surgery, mastopexy, breast augmentation, breast reduction, soft tissue reconstruction, hernia repair, tissue plication reinforcement, tissue support and repair, tendon support and repair, tissue engineering, and procedures or other applications requiring additional soft tissue strength or thickness. In addition, disclosed is a use of such a mesh for tissue engineering, regardless of the surgical application. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a surgical mesh capable of providing enhanced support while maintaining flexibility, low density, and absorbable characteristics. Further the present disclosure, focuses on reducing the material burden of a scaffold while increasing void space to facilitate tissue ingrowth.

Abstract: A method for creating a surgical mesh includes heat treating a plurality of fibers; knitting the plurality of fibers into a mesh; and heat treating the mesh by applying heat at a temperature that falls within a range of 65 degrees Celsius to 110 degrees Celsius while subjecting the mesh to a tension that falls in a range of 4.0 Newtons per centimeter (N/cm) to 32.0 N/cm for a period of time that falls in a range of 1 hour to 9 hours.

Abstract: A method for creating a surgical mesh includes heat treating a plurality of fibers; knitting the plurality of fibers into a mesh; and heat treating the mesh by applying heat at a temperature that falls within a range of 65 degrees Celsius to 110 degrees Celsius while subjecting the mesh to a tension that falls in a range of 4.0 Newtons per centimeter (N/cm) to 32.0 N/cm for a period of time that falls in a range of 1 hour to 9 hours.

Abstract: An implementation of a mesh pouch includes a mesh wall that defines an enclosure having an opening at an end. The mesh pouch further includes a drawstring configured to close the opening when drawn so as to prevent the surgical implant from leaving the enclosure. The mesh pouch may further include a mesh tab extending from the mesh wall, the mesh tab providing a surface for suturing the mesh pouch to an inner surface of the patient's body. The mesh pouch may further include a strand extending from the mesh wall and a needle attached to a terminus of the strand. The strand may be configured to tighten the mesh wall around the surgical implant when pulled.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to assemblies and methods that include (1) strips or cords of material configured to lift, restrain, or hold whole body organs (e.g., of a human patient) or parts of body organs in desired positions via tissue anchors (e.g., barbs, hooks, or cones), (2) an introducer device that facilitates the introduction of such strips or cords into a patient, and (3) the process of inserting such strips or cords of material into a patient (e.g., using an introducer device).

Abstract: A novel puck and cover assembly and method for retaining the contents of a container, such as a prescription bottle, during processing and order-filling operations. The puck and cover assembly allows access to the opening of a container when required to perform operations, and automatically returns to cover the opening of a container when operations are completed, to prevent loss of any container contents.

Abstract: A self-contained pill dispenser is disclosed. A housing is provided and a hopper for containing a plurality of pills is supported by the housing. A transport tube receives pills from the hopper. The transport tube has a controllable aperture for facilitating or inhibiting delivery of pills to the transport tube. A microcontroller is also operatively connected to the hopper, the transport tube, and the input aperture. Optionally, a feed chute can be operatively connected between the hopper and the transport tube. The system can self-calibrate the mechanism for counting and dispensing pills by dynamically adjusting the input aperture based upon the stored information representative of the pulse width signal and the amplitude signal.

Abstract: A self-contained pill dispenser is disclosed. A housing is provided and a hopper for containing a plurality of pills is supported by the housing. A transport tube receives pills from the hopper. The transport tube has a controllable aperture for facilitating or inhibiting delivery of pills to the transport tube. A microcontroller is also operatively connected to the hopper, the transport tube, and the input aperture. Optionally, a feed chute can be operatively connected between the hopper and the transport tube. The system can self-calibrate the mechanism for counting and dispensing pills by dynamically adjusting the input aperture based upon the stored information representative of the pulse width signal and the amplitude signal.

Abstract: A self-contained pill dispenser is disclosed. A housing is provided and a hopper for containing a plurality of pills is supported by the housing. A feed chute having a detector mechanism is operatively connected to the hopper for receiving pills therefrom. A microcontroller is also operatively connected to the hopper, the feed chute, and the detector mechanism. The microcontroller calculates the volume of each of the pills transiting the detector mechanism based on occluded electromagnetic signals detected by the detector mechanism and the time of transit of each pill relative thereto.

Abstract: A self-contained pill dispenser is disclosed. A housing is provided and a hopper for containing a plurality of pills is supported by the housing. A transport tube is operatively connected to the hopper for receiving pills therefrom, the transport tube having an input aperture. A microcontroller is electrically connected to the hopper, the transport tube, and the input aperture. A mechanism accepts a desired number of pills to be delivered by the transport tube by an operator. The microcontroller is adapted to determine whether the actual average number of pills delivered by the transport tube is equal to the desired number of pills specified by the operator. If the actual average number of pills is greater than the desired number, the microcontroller decreases the opening of the input aperture. A mechanism connected to the inlet aperture controls opening and closing operations thereof, pursuant to instructions transmitted by the microcontroller.

Abstract: A self-contained pill dispenser is disclosed. A housing is provided and a hopper for containing a plurality of pills is supported by the housing. A feed chute having a transport spiral therein is operatively connected to the hopper for receiving pills therefrom. The transport spiral has an outlet and controllable aperture. A vibrating plate is disposed proximate the outlet. A drive mechanism is connected to the vibrating plate for imparting vibration thereto. The drive mechanism can abruptly stop the vibration of the vibrating plate. A microcontroller is also operatively connected to the hopper, the transport spiral, and the drive mechanism. The system can self-calibrate the mechanism for counting and dispensing pills.

Abstract: A self-contained pill dispenser is disclosed. A housing is provided and a hopper for containing a plurality of pills is supported by the housing. A feed chute is operatively connected to the hopper for receiving pills therefrom. The feed chute has an outlet and controllable aperture. A vibrating plate is disposed proximate the outlet. A drive mechanism is connected to the vibrating plate for imparting vibration thereto. The drive mechanism has a mechanism for abruptly stopping the vibration of the vibrating plate. A microcontroller is also operatively connected to the hopper, the feed chute, and the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A canister arrangement for refilling a pharmaceutical dispenser. The dispenser can hold a predetermined number of pills, tablets, or capsules at one time. Since the canister arrangement can hold considerably more than the dispenser can, the canister is able to fill the dispenser to capacity multiple times before the canister must be refilled. The canister has a housing and one or more chambers in the housing. When a plurality of chambers is present, at least one of the chambers has a sloping floor at the bottom of the housing. A swinging door is disposed between each pair of adjacent chambers. The swinging door(s) are automatically activated when the dispensing apparatus senses that the dispenser and the previous chamber are both empty. An opening is also provided at the bottom of the housing. A sliding door covers the opening to prevent pills, tablets and capsules from exiting the housing.

Abstract: A process for more accurately delivering a hitting device to a ball, including positioning a stiff and straight leading or front leg at the start of and during the process (with no step forward of the front foot or leg) until after contact with the ball, pointing and planting the leading or front foot at least partially in the direction from which the ball is traveling, positioning the hands and the hitting device such that the distal end of the hitting device is below the shoulders and the hitting device is held substantially parallel to the ground at the start of the process, delivering the hitting device directly forward in the same plane as the ball is traveling, and utilizing pivoting of the torso and hips about an axis to deliver the hitting device to a ball with little or no forward or lateral movement of the body.

Abstract: A low profile, color-based counting system. A housing has a light source, such as a matrix of LEDs, preferably disposed in the housing for generating electromagnetic radiation upwardly. A removable, translucent tray is disposed above the light source. A second light source can be added above the tray, directing light downwardly thereto. A color camera is mounted on the housing and above the removable translucent tray.