Systems and methods for automating pharmacy operations utilizing robotic pick and place technology
The present invention is directed to a computer-controlled system for automatically transferring individual solid pharmaceutical products from bulk containers into a selected solid pharmaceutical product package from among a variety of different packaging solutions. Advantageously, in accordance with the preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a robotic pick and place arm incorporates a contact holding mechanisms such as a suction tube which selectively temporarily secures a solid pharmaceutical product for transfer from a bulk container into a desired solid pharmaceutical product package.
1. A system for transferring solid pharmaceutical products from a plurality of bulk containers into individual product packages comprising:
a plurality of bulk containers each having a plurality of solid pharmaceutical products contained therein;
at least one product package having a plurality of locations for receiving solid pharmaceutical products;
a computer controlled robotic transfer device for selectively removing and thereafter transferring one or more solid pharmaceutical products from bulk storage locations into one or more product package cavity locations for each individual product package corresponding to electronically stored patient prescription information, wherein the robotic transfer device automatically operates to transfer solid pharmaceutical products form the bulk containers to the at least one product package having a plurality of locations for receiving solid pharmaceutical products and the plurality of locations receive solid pharmaceuticals transferred from the bulk storage locations corresponding to the electronically stored patient prescription information, and further wherein the robotic transfer device simultaneously transfers at least two individual solid pharmaceutical products during a single transfer motion into two corresponding product package locations.
2. The system for transferring solid pharmaceutical products from a plurality of bulk containers into product packaging according to claim 1 , wherein the bulk containers, product package and computer controlled robotic transfer device are located within a common housing.
3. The system for transferring solid pharmaceutical products from a plurality of bulk containers into product packaging according to claim 1 , wherein the robotic transfer device includes an electronic camera that traverses with the robotic transfer device.
4. The system for transferring solid pharmaceutical products from a plurality of bulk containers into product packaging according to claim 1 , further comprising an electronic database containing information concerning physical characteristics for solid pharmaceuticals.
5. The system for transferring solid pharmaceutical products from a plurality of bulk containers into product packaging according to claim 1 , further comprising an electronic vision verification system for confirming pill placement in product packaging.
6. The system for transferring solid pharmaceutical products from a plurality of bulk containers into product packaging according to claim 1 , wherein the bulk containers are patient prescription vials.
7. A method for transferring solid pharmaceutical products from a plurality of bulk containers into product packaging comprising:
providing a plurality of bulk containers each having a plurality of solid pharmaceutical products contained therein;
providing at least one product package having one or more locations for receiving solid pharmaceutical products;
controlling a computer controlled robotic transfer device for selectively removing and thereafter transferring one or more solid pharmaceutical products from a bulk storage location into one or more product package cavity locations corresponding to electronically stored patient prescription information, wherein the robotic transfer device automatically operates to transfer solid pharmaceutical products form the bulk containers to the at least one product package having a plurality of locations for receiving solid pharmaceutical products and the plurality of locations receive solid pharmaceuticals transferred from the bulk storage locations corresponding to the electronically stored patient prescription information, and further wherein the robotic transfer device simultaneously transfers at least two individual solid pharmaceutical products during a single transfer motion into two corresponding product package locations.
8. The method for transferring solid pharmaceutical products from a plurality of bulk containers into product packaging according to claim 7 , wherein the bulk containers, product package and computer controlled robotic transfer device are located within a common housing.
9. The method for transferring solid pharmaceutical products from a plurality of bulk containers into product packaging according to claim 7 , further comprising moving the robotic transfer device with an electronic camera that traverses with the robotic transfer device.
10. The method for transferring solid pharmaceutical products from a plurality of bulk containers into product packaging according to claim 7 , further comprising storing an electronic database containing information concerning physical characteristics for solid pharmaceuticals and comparing determined physical characteristics of an unknown solid pharmaceutical with the database and identifying the unknown solid pharmaceutical based on the identification.
11. The method for transferring solid pharmaceutical products from a plurality of bulk containers into product packaging according to claim 7 , further comprising confirming pill placement in product packaging with an electronic vision verification system.
12. The method for transferring solid pharmaceutical products from a plurality of bulk containers into product packaging according to claim 7 , wherein the bulk containers are patient prescription vials.