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 apparatus for sealing prepared medications in enclosures includes a tubular sleeve having an open first end, an open second end, and an outer surface. The first end includes at least one first locking member for securely attaching the tubular sleeve to another member. The apparatus also includes a length of a flexible packaging sleeve that is open at one end and has an open interior space. The packaging sleeve is disposed about the outer surface of the tubular sleeve in a compressed form. The open end of the sleeve is sealingly attached to the first end of the tubular sleeve. A tensioner device is disposed about an outer surface of the packaging sleeve and includes a first section that couples the first end of the packaging sleeve to the tubular sleeve and at least two elongated tensioner arms that extend along a length of the tubular sleeve.

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: According to one embodiment, an integrated multi-stage end-to-end cytotoxin handling system includes a first stage for receiving a cytotoxin drug and for preparation of a dose of the cytotoxin drug; a second stage in selective communication with the first stage for further processing the prepared dose; and a third stage in selective communication with the second stage for further processing of the prepared dose. The third stage includes an automated apparatus for sealing the prepared dose in an enclosure. During the entire time from reception into the first stage for drug preparation thereof and to produce a cytotoxin dose to being scaled in the enclosure, the cytotoxin drug remains in a controlled, sealed environment.

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: 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: 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: 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: According to one embodiment, an integrated multi-stage end-to-end cytotoxin handling system includes a first stage for receiving a cytotoxin drug and for preparation of a dose of the cytotoxin drug; a second stage in selective communication with the first stage for further processing the prepared dose; and a third stage in selective communication with the second stage for further processing of the prepared dose. The third stage includes an automated apparatus for sealing the prepared dose in an enclosure. During the entire time from reception into the first stage for drug preparation thereof and to produce a cytotoxin dose to being scaled in the enclosure, the cytotoxin drug remains in a controlled, sealed environment.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing prepared medications in enclosures includes a tubular sleeve having an open first end, an open second end, and an outer surface. The first end includes at least one first locking member for securely attaching the tubular sleeve to another member. The apparatus also includes a length of a flexible packaging sleeve that is open at one end and has an open interior space. The packaging sleeve is disposed about the outer surface of the tubular sleeve in a compressed form. The open end of the sleeve is sealingly attached to the first end of the tubular sleeve. A tensioner device is disposed about an outer surface of the packaging sleeve and includes a first section that couples the first end of the packaging sleeve to the tubular sleeve and at least two elongated tensioner arms that extend along a length of the tubular sleeve.

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 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: A system for preparing and managing patient-specific dose orders includes an order processing server configured to receive the patient-specific dose orders, define a queue of dose orders and distribute the dose orders to at least one dose preparation station. The dose preparation station is in bi-directional communication with the order processing server and has an interface for providing an operator with a protocol associated with each received drug order and specifying a set of steps to fill the drug order. Steps to fill the drug order are captured at the station and a display, positionable independent of the station outputs the dose order queue and metrics concerning activity at the dose preparation station. Systems for preparing patient-specific doses and a method for telepharmacy in which data captured while following the protocol are provided to a remote site for review and approval by a pharmacist.

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: In accordance with the present invention, a method for determining an orientation of a drug vial in an automated drug preparation system that includes a number of stations includes the steps of: (a) identifying the drug vial using identification information that is associated with the drug vial; (b) obtaining a photoimage of identified drug vial; and (c) comparing the photoimage with a reference image that corresponds to the identified drug vial to determine whether the orientation of the drug vial.

Abstract: Broadly speaking the present invention is directed to a system for calculating a volume of fluid that is disposed within a container. The system includes (1) an imaging device that captures and stores an image of at least the volume of fluid in the container; (2) a background disposed behind the container so that at least the volume of fluid in the container is disposed in front of the background; and (3) a processor that performs at least one operation on the stored image to calculate the volume of the fluid within the container.

Abstract: A centralized system and method for preparing and managing medications prepared in anticipation of use for at a remote location. An order processing server receives a patient-specific dose order from a remote site connected to a remote location through a network. A dose preparation station prepares doses in anticipation of use, information about which is stored in a database. The dose preparation stations can be instructed to prepare certain non-patient-specific doses based on the availability of the stations or the patient-specific dose orders received from the remote site. An application server matches any received dose order with one of the prepared inventory doses based on the stored inventory data, and associates the patient-specific dose order with the inventory dose order. The inventory data is managed to reflect the association of the patient-specific dose order with the matched inventory dose, and the association can be stored in the database.

Abstract: Central management of dose order preparation retrieves an unprocessed dose order record, selects a workstation from a set of workstations, forwards the order for conversion into a drug dosage form, and repeats the process for additional unprocessed dose order records. Depending on the operation type of the selected workstation (manual, automatic), protocol information concerning preparation of the dose order is selectively provided to the selected workstation. Interrogatable elements enable tracking of dose orders and dosage forms throughout preparation, storage and distribution cycles. Further methods enable rapid fulfillment by utilizing inventory ahead of drug order processing if suitable dosage forms exist in inventory records.

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: 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.