Packaging systems and methods
Systems and methods are provided for delivering single-dose packages sequentially from a substantially continuous strip having a first dispensing end and a second end, e.g., contained within a cassette or other dispenser. The strip includes a cover layer attached to a base layer to define a plurality of blisters therebetween that have one or more medications therein. The blisters are aligned in single file generally along the longitudinal axis between the first and second ends and/or otherwise arranged in single-dose packages adjacent one another, e.g., at least some of the single-dose packages including a plurality of blisters having different types of medications therein. A first single-dose package at the first dispensing end may be separable from a second adjacent single-dose package such that individual single-dose packages may be removed successively from the first dispensing end.
1. An apparatus for administering medications to a patient, comprising:
a strip comprising a first dispensing end, a second end, and a plurality of blisters aligned in single file generally along a longitudinal axis between the first and second ends and arranged in single-dose packages adjacent one another, at least some of the single-dose packages including a plurality of blisters having different types of medications therein;
a housing for receiving the strip therein such that the first dispensing end extends from an outlet of the housing;
a drive mechanism within the housing and coupled to the strip for selectively advancing the strip to dispense single-dose packages sequentially from the outlet;
a reader adjacent the outlet for reading one or more labels on each of the single-dose packages;
a controller coupled to the reader and the drive mechanism for analyzing a label on a first single-dose package adjacent the outlet to determine a scheduled administration time for medications in the first single-dose package and for actuating the drive mechanism to dispense the first single-dose package from the outlet at or about the scheduled administration time;
a communication interface coupled to the controller for accessing a patient database or other information source, the controller analyzing information from the one or more labels using the reader to identify medications in the first single-dose package and acquire an intended patient identity for the identified medications, the controller comparing the medications in the first single-dose package with a schedule of medications for the intended patient stored in the patient database to confirm whether all of the medications are scheduled to be administered to the intended patient; and
a marker device coupled to the controller, the controller activating the marker device to label one or more blisters of the first single-dose package if medications within the one or more blisters are no longer scheduled to be administered to the intended patient before actuating the drive mechanism to dispense the first single-dose package.
2. An apparatus for administering medications to a patient, comprising:
a strip comprising a first dispensing end, a second end, and a plurality of blisters aligned in single file generally along a longitudinal axis between the first and second ends and arranged in single-dose packages adjacent one another, at least some of the single-dose packages including a plurality of blisters having different types of medications therein;
a housing for receiving the strip therein such that the first dispensing end extends from an outlet of the housing;
a drive mechanism within the housing and coupled to the strip for selectively advancing the strip to dispense single-dose packages sequentially from the outlet;
a reader adjacent the outlet for reading one or more labels on each of the single-dose packages;
a controller coupled to the reader and the drive mechanism for analyzing a label on a first single-dose package adjacent the outlet to determine a scheduled administration time for medications in the first single-dose package and for actuating the drive mechanism to dispense the first single-dose package from the outlet at or about the scheduled administration time;
a communication interface coupled to the controller for accessing a patient database or other information source, the controller analyzing information from the one or more labels using the reader to identify medications in the first single-dose package and acquire an intended patient identity for the identified medications, the controller comparing the medications in the first single-dose package with a schedule of medications for the intended patient stored in the patient database to confirm whether all of the medications are scheduled to be administered to the intended patient; and
a separation mechanism coupled to the controller, the controller activating the separation mechanism to separate one or more blisters of the first single-dose package from remaining blisters if medications within the one or more blisters are no longer scheduled to be administered to the intended patient before actuating the drive mechanism to dispense the first single-dose package.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the separation mechanism comprises one or more of punches and wherein the strip comprises weakened regions surrounding each blister such that actuation of one or more punches causes the weakened regions to separate a targeted blister from the first single-dose package.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the separation mechanism comprises one or more of cutting elements such that activation of one or more cutting elements cuts through the strip to separate a targeted blister from the first single-dose package.
5. The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising a waste receptacle adjacent the separation mechanism for receiving one or more blisters separated from the first single-dose package.