Abstract: An automated workstation (10) for the preparation, from different substances, each of which is contained in a vessel, of a final product for medical or pharmaceutical use packaged in a container, includes at least an isolated chamber (16) which delimits different internal functional areas, a loading area (18) including rapid decontamination elements, a lock device for introducing the vessels and containers into the loading area (18), an area (20) for storing the filled vessels and containers which communicates with the loading area (18), a transfer area (24), an area (22) for preparing the final products which communicates at least with the storage area via the transfer area, and which includes the rapid decontamination elements, a lock device (26) for unloading the final products from the workstation; and at least one robot or one programmable logic controller for handling the objects contained in the storage area and/or in the preparation area.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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 invention relates to a four-step automated system for the transportation, through a pneumatic tube system or a robotics transfer system, of pharmaceutical products to any location within a hospital. The system comprises an input queue, a dispensing apparatus comprising a robot device and a number of stations from which the robot device works, an inspection station, and a transportation system. A computer interface provides bi-directional communication between 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 necessary item, and manipulation of retrieved items such that desired product is produced.