System and method for high-volume filling of pharmaceutical prescriptions
View Patent ↗A method of retrieving a vial from a carrier includes the steps of: contacting a vial contained within a carrier with a gripper assembly to shift the position of the container to one end of the carrier and to adjust the position of the carrier on a platform from a diverted position to a retrieval position; lifting the vial from the carrier with the gripper assembly; and returning the vial to the carrier with the gripper assembly. Such a method can improve the accuracy and precision of moving the vial to and from the carrier for dispensing.
1. A method of filling a pharmaceutical vial, comprising:
(a) providing an automated pharmacy machine, comprising:
a frame defining a peripheral footprint;
a plurality of bins, each of the bins containing a bulk supply of a pharmaceutical;
a transition platform mounted to the frame and having at least one retrieval position configured to receive a vial for filling, the retrieval position being located within the footprint of the frame; and
a gripper assembly mounted within the frame;
(b) receiving a vial from a source outside the peripheral footprint of the frame in the retrieval position;
(c) grasping the vial with the gripper assembly as the vial resides in the retrieval position;
(d) conveying the vial from the retrieval position to one of the bins with the gripper assembly;
(e) dispensing a pharmaceutical from the bin into the vial;
(f) returning the filled vial from a dispensing bin to the retrieval position with the gripper assembly.
2. The method defined in claim 1 , wherein the transition platform includes a plurality of retrieval positions.
3. The method defined in claim 1 , wherein the retrieval position is configured to receive a carrier in which a vial resides, and wherein the receiving step comprises receiving the vial as it resides in the carrier.
4. The method defined in claim 1 , wherein the retrieval position is defined by a recess in the transition platform.
5. The method defined in claim 1 , wherein the gripper assembly is mounted on a vertical rail and is movable vertically thereon.
6. The method defined in claim 5 , wherein the vertical rail is mounted on a horizontal rail and is movable horizontally thereon.
7. A method of filling a pharmaceutical vial, comprising:
(a) providing an automated pharmacy machine, comprising:
a frame defining a peripheral footprint;
a plurality of bins, each of the bins containing a bulk supply of a pharmaceutical;
a transition platform mounted to the frame and having a plurality of retrieval positions configured to receive a vial for filling, the retrieval positions being located within the footprint of the frame; and
a gripper assembly mounted within the frame;
(b) receiving a vial from a source outside the peripheral footprint of the frame in one of the retrieval positions, the vial residing in a carrier;
(c) grasping the vial with the gripper assembly as the vial resides in the retrieval position;
(d) conveying the vial with the gripper assembly from the retrieval position to one of the bins as the carrier remains in the retrieval position;
(e) dispensing a pharmaceutical from the bin into the vial;
(f) returning the filled vial from a dispensing bin to the carrier in the retrieval position with the gripper assembly.
8. The method defined in claim 7 , wherein each retrieval position is defined by a recess in the transition platform.
9. The method defined in claim 7 , wherein the gripper assembly is mounted on a vertical rail and is movable vertically thereon.
10. The method defined in claim 9 , wherein the vertical rail is mounted on a horizontal rail and is movable horizontally thereon.