Abstract: A vial gripping mechanism (10) includes a pivotally mounted swing arm (26). A sensor receiving array (44) is mounted to a sensor end (34) on an inward edge (46) of the arm (26). A channel (38) protecting a cable (64) follows an outside edge (42) from the receiving array (44) to a cam end (36). A torsion spring (28) forces the cam end (36) against a cam (30) which is fixedly mounted to the mechanism (10) adjacent the arm (26). By action of the mechanism (10), the arm (26) is moved relative to the cam (30) such that in a sensing position, the receiving array (44) is directly opposite a sensor transmitting array (74), and in a shielded position, the receiving array (44) is housed within a shield (32). The shield (32) is fixedly mounted to the mechanism (10) and protects the receiving array (44) while in transit.

Abstract: A vial gripping mechanism (10) includes a pivotally mounted swing arm (26). A sensor receiving array (44) is mounted to a sensor end (34) on an inward edge (46) of the arm (26). A channel (38) protecting a cable (64) follows an outside edge (42) from the receiving array (44) to a cam end (36). A torsion spring (28) forces the cam end (36) against a cam (30) which is fixedly mounted to the mechanism (10) adjacent the arm (26). By action of the mechanism (10), the arm (26) is moved relative to the cam (30) such that in a sensing position, the receiving array (44) is directly opposite a sensor transmitting array (74), and in a shielded position, the receiving array (44) is housed within a shield (32). The shield (32) is fixedly mounted to the mechanism (10) and protects the receiving array (44) while in transit.

Abstract: A pill count sensor (10) comprises an electromagnetic energy emitting array (40) and an electromagnetic energy receiving array (42), with a pill detection zone (44) defined therebetween; a sensor amplifier (28); a control board (30) interfaced with a computing device (24); and interconnecting cabling (34, 36, 38). The electromagnetic energy emitting and receiving arrays (40,42) emit and receive, respectively, beams of electromagnetic energy (46) across the zone (44) such that any pill (50) entering the zone (44) is detected by a resulting disruption in received electromagnetic energy at the receiving array (42). The sensor amplifier (28) is operable to automatically self-calibrate in order to compensate for detected electromagnetic energy levels, and to generate a pill sense signal in response to a detected pill (50). The control board (30) is operable to increment a pill count.

Abstract: A vial gripping mechanism (10) includes a pivotally mounted swing arm (26). A sensor receiving array (44) is mounted to a sensor end (34) on an inward edge (46) of the arm (26). A channel (38) protecting a cable (64) follows an outside edge (42) from the receiving array (44) to a cam end (36). A torsion spring (28) forces the cam end (36) against a cam (30) which is fixedly mounted to the mechanism (10) adjacent the arm (26). By action of the mechanism (10), the arm (26) is moved relative to the cam (30) such that in a sensing position, the receiving array (44) is directly opposite a sensor transmitting array (74), and in a shielded position, the receiving array (44) is housed within a shield (32). The shield (32) is fixedly mounted to the mechanism (10) and protects the receiving array (44) while in transit.

Abstract: An automatic medicament dispensing machine (10) that does not remain idle while medicaments are transferred to a vial and counted and that therefore dispenses medicaments at a much faster rate. The machine includes a cabinet (12); a plurality of medicament dispensing cells (14) arranged in the cabinet for holding and dispensing medicaments; a plurality of medicament counting units (18) each including a vial gripper for holding a vial and a transfer mechanism for transferring medicaments from one of the medicament dispensing cells to the vial; and a transporter (20) for transporting the counting units to the cells for filling the vials held by the counting units.