System and method for high-volume filling of pharmaceutical prescriptions
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. 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 vials being received for filling from a source outside the footprint of the frame, the retrieval position being located within the footprint of the frame; and
a gripper assembly mounted within the frame and configured to grasp and convey a vial from the transition platform to one of the bins for dispensing and to return a filled vial from a dispensing bin to the transition platform.
2. The automated pharmacy machine defined in claim 1 , wherein the transition platform includes a plurality of retrieval positions.
3. The automated pharmacy machine defined in claim 1 , wherein the retrieval position is configured to receive a carrier in which a vial resides.
4. The automated pharmacy machine defined in claim 1 , wherein the retrieval position is defined by a recess in the transition platform.
5. The automated pharmacy machine defined in claim 1 , wherein the gripper assembly is mounted on a vertical rail and can travel vertically thereon.
6. The automated pharmacy machine defined in claim 5 , wherein the vertical rail is mounted on a horizontal rail and can travel horizontally thereon.
7. 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 vials being received for filling from a source outside the footprint of the frame, the retrieval positions being located within the footprint of the frame and being defined by recesses in the transition platform; and
a gripper assembly mounted within the frame and configured to grasp and convey a vial from the transition platform to one of the bins for dispensing and to return a filled vial from a dispensing bin to the transition platform.
8. 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 being defined by a recess in the transition platform configured to receive a carrier in which a vial resides; and
a gripper assembly mounted within the frame and configured to grasp and convey a vial from the transition platform to one of the bins for dispensing.