System and method for loading a dispensing cassette useful in a system for dispensing pre-packaged pharmaceuticals

1. A system for preparing medication cartridges for use with a pharmaceutical dispensing system, comprising:

a device for loading a medication strip into a cartridge for the pharmaceutical dispensing system, comprising:

a housing with an opening, the housing having an internal compartment and a slot;

a first drive unit mounted in the housing for turning a cylinder within the cartridge; and

a second drive unit mounted in the housing wherein operation of the second drive unit conveys the medication strip along a path between the cylinder and the slot through direct interaction with the medication strip; and

a cartridge comprising:

a frame with:

opposed sidewalls and a cylinder disposed between the sidewalls,

a floor and a base, the floor positioned above the base and including a routing hole,

an opening between the floor and the base at an end opposite the routing hole;

a starter strip attached to the cylinder and passing through the routing hole toward the opening; and

wherein, when the cartridge is inserted in the compartment of the device, the starter strip is routed through the opening in the cartridge, out of the device housing through the slot such that a strip of medication pouches can be attached to the starter strip for spooling around the cylinder.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the cartridge is inserted into the device through the opening in the housing and into the compartment of the housing.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the device comprises one or more sensors.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the one or more sensors are cameras.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the device further comprises a platform over which the medication strip is conveyed by the second drive unit.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the platform contains a window.

7. The system of claim 5 , wherein at least one of the cameras is positioned above the platform.

8. The system of claim 6 , wherein at least one of the cameras is positioned below the platform.

9. A method of loading a cartridge for use in a pharmaceutical dispensing system comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a cartridge comprising:

a frame with:

opposed sidewalls and a cylinder disposed between the sidewalls,

a floor and a base, the floor positioned above the base and including a routing hole,

an opening between the floor and the base at an end opposite the routing hole;

(b) providing a plurality of individually sealed pouches of pharmaceuticals to be loaded in the cartridge, the pouches formed as an elongate strip and containing information on the pouches;

(c) providing, a spooler device comprising:

a housing with an opening, an internal compartment and a slot;

a first drive unit mounted in the housing to engage the cartridge cylinder;

a second drive unit mounted in the housing to engage the strip of pouches;

one or more sensors for reading pouch and cartridge information;

(d) inserting the cartridge into the housing through the opening in the housing and into the compartment of the housing;

(e) introducing the strip of pouches into the spooler device through the slot;

(f) using the first drive unit, wrapping the strip of pouches around the cylinder of the cartridge; and

(g) using the second drive unit, positioning an end of the strip of pouches near the opening in the cartridge.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein:

the cartridge includes a starter strip attached to the cylinder and the starter strip is fed out of the slot of the spooler device; and

introducing the strip of pouches into the spooler device through the slot includes attaching the strip of pouches to the starter strip.

11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising the steps of:

(a) removing the loaded cartridge from the spooler device;

(b) applying a cover to the cartridge frame;

(c) applying one or more labels to the cover that contain information about contents of the cartridge;

(d) inserting the covered cartridge into the housing of the spooler device through the opening in the housing and into the compartment of the housing; and

(e) using the sensors in the spooler device, validating that the information on the cartridge cover matches the information on the pouches in the cartridge.

12. The method of claim 11 additionally comprising the steps of:

using the second drive unit to advance the first pouch out of the cartridge through the opening between the floor and base so that the pouch information can be viewed by the sensor(s), and

using the second drive unit to move the first pouch back into position inside the cartridge near the opening when the validation step is complete.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein a single sensor captures both the information on the cartridge cover and the information on the pouches.

14. The method of claim 9 , wherein the cartridge further comprises a cover and the cover contains information about contents of the cartridge.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising the step of:

using the sensors in the spooler device, validating that the information on the cartridge cover matches the information on the pouches in the cartridge.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the validating step occurs as the first drive unit is wrapping the strip of pouches around the cylinder of the cartridge frame or as the second drive unit positions the end of the strip of pouches near the opening in the cartridge.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein a single sensor captures both the information on the cartridge cover and the information on the pouches.