Abstract: A system and method for securely storing and retrieving prescriptions. The system may include storage containers into which the prescriptions may be placed, a storage matrix with an outer housing and compartments for the storage containers, a transport system, scanners, and a control system. The transport system within the outer housing may selectively move the storage containers attached to the attachment device to locations or coordinates of any of the compartments. The control system may command the transport system to relocate any of the storage containers from one of the compartments to another of the compartments and may track locations of the prescriptions based on information from the scanners or other sensors for later retrieval by authorized user.

Abstract: A system and method for securely storing and retrieving prescriptions. The system may include storage containers into which the prescriptions may be placed, a storage matrix with an outer housing and compartments for the storage containers, a transport system, scanners, and a control system. The transport system within the outer housing may selectively move the storage containers attached to the attachment device to locations or coordinates of any of the compartments. The control system may command the transport system to relocate any of the storage containers from one of the compartments to another of the compartments and may track locations of the prescriptions based on information from the scanners or other sensors for later retrieval by authorized user.

Abstract: A medication dispensing system for use in a home, assisted living, nursing home, or other outpatient setting includes a dispensing apparatus and a control system. The dispensing apparatus is compact and portable and broadly comprises a cassette and a dispensing unit for receiving medication vials and selectively and automatically dispensing medications from the medication vials. The control system receives data regarding the medications to be received in the dispensing apparatus, instructs the dispensing apparatus to dispense the medications according to a medication regimen, monitors patient usage of the dispensing system, and alerts the patient and/or caregiver when medications are ready to be taken or that scheduled medications have not been taken. The medication dispensing system is configured for use with standard medication vials fitted with specially designed vial caps for interfacing with the dispensing unit so as to singulate and selectively retrieve the medications from the medication vials.

Abstract: A system for storing a plurality of solid objects and dispensing the solid objects into a plurality of containers. The system comprises non-automated dispensing cells, physically actuated to dispense solid objects one at a time into one of the containers, and automated dispensing cells, electrically actuated to dispense solid objects from a holding tank simultaneously in bulk into one of the containers. The automated dispensing cells may independently dispense objects into the holding tank one at a time while a manipulator arm of the system simultaneously brings a container to one of the non-automated or automated dispensing cells. Then, when the manipulator arm brings a container to one of the automated dispensing cells, the solid objects may be dispensed into the container in bulk by simply opening a gate mechanism.

Abstract: A system for storing a plurality of solid objects and dispensing the solid objects into a plurality of containers. The system comprises non-automated dispensing cells, physically actuated to dispense solid objects one at a time into one of the containers, and automated dispensing cells, electrically actuated to dispense solid objects from a holding tank simultaneously in bulk into one of the containers. The automated dispensing cells may independently dispense objects into the holding tank one at a time while a manipulator arm of the system simultaneously brings a container to one of the non-automated or automated dispensing cells. Then, when the manipulator arm brings a container to one of the automated dispensing cells, the solid objects may be dispensed into the container in bulk by simply opening a gate mechanism.

Abstract: A medicament storage and dispensing system (10) operable for storing and dispensing products (12) such as pre-packaged pharmaceutical boxes and/or bottles and broadly includes a cabinet (14); a plurality of product shelves (16) mounted within the cabinet; an infeed conveyor (18) for transporting products into the cabinet; an outfeed conveyor (20) for transporting products out of the cabinet; a transporter (22) moveable within the cabinet for transporting products between the shelves and the infeed and outfeed conveyors; and a control system (24) for controlling operation of the conveyors and the transporter in response to prescriptions received from a host computer (26). The shelves having a plurality of vertical walls (56) upon which the products rest and between which tines (130) of the transporter slide in order to retrieve products from and place products upon the shelves.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying a label to a specific location on a vial. The apparatus may comprise a label dispenser, a vial placement assembly for orienting the vial and placing it onto a track, a pushing device for pushing the vial down the track into an adhesive side of the label, and a labeling gate for contacting a non-adhesive side of the label to smooth the label onto the vial. The apparatus may further comprise a label positioning device for correcting unwanted curling of the label, a stopper positioned to engage a portion of the pushing device as the vial contacts the label to cause the pushing device to release the vial, and a label-release switch configured to signal for the label dispenser to release a trailing edge of the label once the vial contacts the labeling gate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying a label to a specific location on a vial. The apparatus may comprise a label dispenser, a vial placement assembly for orienting the vial and placing it onto a track, a pushing device for pushing the vial down the track into an adhesive side of the label, and a labeling gate for contacting a non-adhesive side of the label to smooth the label onto the vial. The apparatus may further comprise a label positioning device for correcting unwanted curling of the label, a stopper positioned to engage a portion of the pushing device as the vial contacts the label to cause the pushing device to release the vial, and a label-release switch configured to signal for the label dispenser to release a trailing edge of the label once the vial contacts the labeling gate.

Abstract: A bulk loading medicament bottle dispenser comprises a hopper and a medicament bottle dispenser. The hopper includes a ramped shelf and a bin and is configured to receive a plurality of medicament bottles from an external source and roughly align the plurality of medicament bottles to be picked up one at a time. The medicament bottle dispenser includes at least one pick arm, a pick wheel, a chute, a pickup platform, and a gating mechanism. The pick arm is coupled to the pick wheel and may pick up and retain a first medicament bottle from the plurality of medicament bottles as the pick wheel rotates. The chute may receive the first medicament bottle from the pick arm and may pass the first medicament bottle to the pickup platform. However, the gating mechanism may retain the first medicament bottle in the chute if there is already a second medicament bottle present on the pickup platform.

Abstract: A vial dispensing mechanism for dispensing oblong or other non-cylindrical shaped vials. The vial dispensing mechanism includes at least one spirally-disposed guide wall that defines a vial delivery chute for guiding a plurality of vials; a rotatable platter positioned below the guide wall; a motor coupled with the rotatable platter; and a control system for selectively directing the motor to rotate the platter in a first direction to load the vials into the vial dispensing mechanism or in a second direction to dispense the vials from the vial dispensing mechanism.

Abstract: A system for storing a plurality of solid objects and dispensing the solid objects into a plurality of containers. The system comprises non-automated dispensing cells, physically actuated to dispense solid objects one at a time into one of the containers, and automated dispensing cells, electrically actuated to dispense solid objects from a holding tank simultaneously in bulk into one of the containers. The automated dispensing cells may independently dispense objects into the holding tank one at a time while a manipulator arm of the system simultaneously brings a container to one of the non-automated or automated dispensing cells. Then, when the manipulator arm brings a container to one of the automated dispensing cells, the solid objects may be dispensed into the container in bulk by simply opening a gate mechanism.

Abstract: A medicament storage and dispensing system (10) operable for storing and dispensing products (12) such as pre-packaged pharmaceutical boxes and/or bottles and broadly includes a cabinet (14); a plurality of product shelves (16) mounted within the cabinet; an infeed conveyor (18) for transporting products into the cabinet; an outfeed conveyor (20) for transporting products out of the cabinet; a transporter (22) moveable within the cabinet for transporting products between the shelves and the infeed and outfeed conveyors; and a control system (24) for controlling operation of the conveyors and the transporter in response to prescriptions received from a host computer (26). The shelves having a plurality of vertical walls (56) upon which the products rest and between which tines (130) of the transporter slide in order to retrieve products from and place products upon the shelves.

Abstract: A medicament storage and dispensing system (10) operable for storing and dispensing products (12) such as pre-packaged pharmaceutical boxes and/or bottles and broadly includes a cabinet (14); a plurality of product shelves (16) mounted within the cabinet; an infeed conveyor (18) for transporting products into the cabinet; an outfeed conveyor (20) for transporting products out of the cabinet; a transporter (22) moveable within the cabinet for transporting products between the shelves and the infeed and outfeed conveyors; and a control system (24) for controlling operation of the conveyors and the transporter in response to prescriptions received from a host computer (26). The shelves having a plurality of vertical walls (56) upon which the products rest and between which tines (130) of the transporter slide in order to retrieve products from and place products upon the shelves.

Abstract: An identification tag (100) facilitates use of a secure computer system (300). The tag (100) is adapted to be worn on a user's wrist and includes an identification and registration circuit (102) that includes an identification component (106), an affiliation component (110), and a light-emitting diode (112). The computer system includes an RF identification tag registration device (302) operable to acquire user physical information and communicate the physical information to a computer (202), wherein the computer verifies that a valid user is wearing the tag (100). The identification and registration device (302) ensures that the physical information communicated to the computer pertains to the user wearing the tag by comparing pulse signals acquired from the user's hand and wrist as the device (302) is acquiring physical information.

Abstract: A robotic arm (10) for use with a pharmaceutical unit of use transport and storage system (200) comprises a base plate (14) with a first cam track segment (16) and a second cam track segment (18). A first arm segment (20) is rotatably attached to the base plate (14) and a second arm segment (26) is rotatably attached to the first arm segment (20) and includes a cam track follower (110) that engages with the first and second cam track segments (16, 18) to guide the movement of the second arm segment (26). A platform (36) is secured to an end of the second arm segment (26) and is adapted to engage a product (214). A series of orientation sprockets (102, 124, 126, 142) and drive chains (148, 150) cooperate to maintain the platform (36) rearwardly oriented as the arm (10) extends from a retracted position to an extended position.

Abstract: A robotic arm for transporting products in a product storage and dispensing system is disclosed. The robotic arm broadly includes a base operable to couple the arm to the dispensing system; a sprocket coupled with the base; an extendible arm segment coupled with the base; and a chain coupled with the sprocket and the extendible arm segment such that rotation of the sprocket causes movement of the chain and extension of the extendible arm segment. The robotic arm provides a compact and effective retrieval tool that is compatible with closely spaced and densely packed product shelves.

Abstract: An identification tag (100) facilitates use of a secure computer system (300). The tag (100) is adapted to be worn on a user's wrist and includes an identification and registration circuit (102) that includes an identification component (106), an affiliation component (110), and a light-emitting diode (112). The computer system includes an RF identification tag registration device (302) operable to acquire user physical information and communicate the physical information to a computer (202), wherein the computer verifies that a valid user is wearing the tag (100). The identification and registration device (302) ensures that the physical information communicated to the computer pertains to the user wearing the tag by comparing pulse signals acquired from the user's hand and wrist as the device (302) is acquiring physical information.

Abstract: An identification tag (100) facilitates use of a secure computer system (300). The tag (100) is adapted to be worn on a user's wrist and includes an identification and registration circuit (102) that includes an identification component (106), an affiliation component (110), and a light-emitting diode (112). The computer system includes an RF identification tag registration device (302) operable to acquire user physical information and communicate the physical information to a computer (202), wherein the computer verifies that a valid user is wearing the tag (100). The identification and registration device (302) ensures that the physical information communicated to the computer pertains to the user wearing the tag by comparing pulse signals acquired from the user's hand and wrist as the device (302) is acquiring physical information.

Abstract: A robotic arm (10) for use with a pharmaceutical unit of use transport and storage system (200) comprises a base plate (14) with a first cam track segment (16) and a second cam track segment (18). A first arm segment (20) is rotatably attached to the base plate (14) and a second arm segment (26) is rotatably attached to the first arm segment (20) and includes a cam track follower (110) that engages with the first and second cam track segments (16, 18) to guide the movement of the second arm segment (26). A platform (36) is secured to an end of the second arm segment (26) and is adapted to engage a product (214). A series of orientation sprockets (102, 124, 126, 142) and drive chains (148, 150) cooperate to maintain the platform (36) rearwardly oriented as the arm (10) extends from a retracted position to an extended position.

Abstract: A robotic arm (10) for use with a pharmaceutical unit of use transport and storage system (200) comprises a base plate (14) with a first cam track segment (16) and a second cam track segment (18). A first arm segment (20) is rotatably attached to the base plate (14) and a second arm segment (26) is rotatably attached to the first arm segment (20) and includes a cam track follower (110) that engages with the first and second cam track segments (16, 18) to guide the movement of the second arm segment (26). A platform (36) is secured to an end of the second arm segment (26) and is adapted to engage a product (214). A series of orientation sprockets (102, 124, 126, 142) and drive chains (148, 150) cooperate to maintain the platform (36) rearwardly oriented as the arm (10) extends from a retracted position to an extended position.