Systems and methods for automating pharmacy operations utilizing robotic pick and place technology

摘要

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.

主权项

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.