U.S. patent application number 12/881865 was filed with the patent office on 2011-01-13 for methods and apparatus for dispensing solid pharmaceutical articles.
This patent application is currently assigned to PARATA Systems, LLC. Invention is credited to Edward Joseph Karwacki, JR., Richard D. Michelli, David Newcomb.
Application Number | 20110006073 12/881865 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40026470 |
Filed Date | 2011-01-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110006073 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Karwacki, JR.; Edward Joseph ;
et al. |
January 13, 2011 |
Methods and Apparatus for Dispensing Solid Pharmaceutical
Articles
Abstract
A method is provided for dispensing solid pharmaceutical
articles using an apparatus including a housing and a sensor
system, the housing defining a dispensing passage having a
dispensing inlet and a dispensing outlet downstream of the
dispensing inlet, the sensor system including first and second
sensors spaced apart along the dispensing channel such that the
second sensor is located downstream of the first sensor. The method
includes: forcing at least one article along a path through the
dispensing passage; generating detection signals using the first
and second sensors responsive to articles passing through the
dispensing channel; and using the detection signals from the first
and second sensors to monitor dispensing performance of the
apparatus.
Inventors: |
Karwacki, JR.; Edward Joseph;
(Garner, NC) ; Michelli; Richard D.; (Raleigh,
NC) ; Newcomb; David; (Morrisville, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MYERS BIGEL SIBLEY & SAJOVEC
PO BOX 37428
RALEIGH
NC
27627
US
|
Assignee: |
PARATA Systems, LLC
|
Family ID: |
40026470 |
Appl. No.: |
12/881865 |
Filed: |
September 14, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11834936 |
Aug 7, 2007 |
7832591 |
|
|
12881865 |
|
|
|
|
60938835 |
May 18, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
221/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 9/026 20130101;
G16H 20/13 20180101; G07F 11/44 20130101; G07F 17/0092
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
221/1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/04 20060101
B65D083/04 |
Claims
1. A method for dispensing solid pharmaceutical articles using an
apparatus including a housing and a sensor system, the housing
defining a dispensing channel having a dispensing inlet and a
dispensing outlet downstream of the dispensing inlet, the sensor
system including first and second sensors spaced apart along the
dispensing channel such that the second sensor is located
downstream of the first sensor, the method comprising: forcing at
least one article along a path through the dispensing channel;
generating detection signals using the first and second sensors
responsive to articles passing through the dispensing channel; and
using the detection signals from the first and second sensors to
monitor dispensing performance of the apparatus.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first sensor is located
proximate the dispensing inlet and the second sensor is located
proximate the dispensing outlet.
3. The method of claim 1 including counting the articles passing
through the dispensing channel using at least one of the first and
second sensors.
4. The method of claim 3 including: counting the articles passing
through the dispensing channel using the second sensor; and
detecting jams of the articles using the first sensor.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein forcing at least one article along
the path through the dispensing channel includes generating at
least one drive gas flow using a flow generator to force the at
least one article along the path through the dispensing
channel.
6. The method of claim 5 including forcing the articles through the
dispensing channel using a drive gas jet.
7. The method of claim 5 including positively controlling a
positive pressure source to provide the at least one drive gas
flow.
8. The method of claim 1 including dispensing the articles from a
hopper chamber of the housing into the dispensing channel.
9-28. (canceled)
29. A method for dispensing solid pharmaceutical articles using an
apparatus including a housing and a sensor system, the housing
defining a dispensing channel having a dispensing inlet and a
dispensing outlet downstream of the dispensing inlet, the sensor
system including at least one sensor positioned along the
dispensing channel, the method comprising: forcing at least one
article along a path through the dispensing channel; generating
detection signals using the at least one sensor responsive to
articles passing through the dispensing channel; and using a
duration of at least one of the detection signals from the at least
one sensor to determine whether a dispensing fault condition has
occurred.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] The present application is a continuation patent application
of and claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/834,936, filed Aug. 7, 2007, which claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/938,835, filed May 18, 2007,
the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference in their entireties.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed generally to the
dispensing of solid pharmaceutical articles and, more specifically,
is directed to the automated dispensing of solid pharmaceutical
articles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Pharmacy generally began with the compounding of medicines
which entailed the actual mixing and preparing of medications.
Heretofore, pharmacy has been, to a great extent, a profession of
dispensing, that is, the pouring, counting, and labeling of a
prescription, and subsequently transferring the dispensed
medication to the patient. Because of the repetitiveness of many of
the pharmacist's tasks, automation of these tasks has been
desirable.
[0004] Some attempts have been made to automate the pharmacy
environment. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,971,541 to Williams et
al. describes an automated system for dispensing pharmaceuticals
using dispensing bins. Each dispensing bin includes a hopper in
which tablets are stored and a dispensing channel fluidly
connecting the hopper to a dispensing outlet. Forward and reverse
air flows are used to selectively convey the tablets through the
dispensing channel in each of a dispensing direction (toward the
outlet) and a reverse direction (toward the hopper). A counting
sensor is positioned proximate the outlet of the dispensing channel
and used to detect tablets passing the sensor in order to maintain
a count of the tablets dispensed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a
method is provided for dispensing solid pharmaceutical articles
using an apparatus including a housing and a sensor system, the
housing defining a dispensing passage having a dispensing inlet and
a dispensing outlet downstream of the dispensing inlet, the sensor
system including first and second sensors spaced apart along the
dispensing channel such that the second sensor is located
downstream of the first sensor. The method includes: forcing at
least one article along a path through the dispensing passage;
generating detection signals using the first and second sensors
responsive to articles passing through the dispensing channel; and
using the detection signals from the first and second sensors to
monitor dispensing performance of the apparatus.
[0006] According to some embodiments of the present invention, an
apparatus for dispensing solid pharmaceutical articles includes a
housing, a drive mechanism and a sensor system. The housing defines
a dispensing passage having a dispensing inlet and a dispensing
outlet downstream of the dispensing inlet. The drive mechanism
serves to force the articles along a path through the dispensing
passage between the dispensing inlet and the dispensing outlet. The
sensor system includes first and second sensors operative to detect
articles passing through the dispensing passage and a controller to
receive and use detection signals from the first and second sensors
to monitor dispensing performance of the apparatus. The first and
second sensors are spaced apart along the dispensing channel such
that the second sensor is located downstream of the first
sensor.
[0007] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a
method is provided for dispensing solid pharmaceutical articles
using an apparatus including a housing and a sensor system, the
housing defining a dispensing channel having a dispensing inlet and
a dispensing outlet downstream of the dispensing inlet, the sensor
system including first and second sensors positioned along the
dispensing channel. The method includes: forcing at least one
article along a path through the dispensing channel; generating
detection signals using the first and second sensors responsive to
articles passing through the dispensing channel; and comparing the
detection signals from the first and second sensors to determine
whether a dispensing fault condition has occurred.
[0008] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a
method is provided for dispensing solid pharmaceutical articles
using an apparatus including a housing and a sensor system, the
housing defining a dispensing channel having a dispensing inlet and
a dispensing outlet downstream of the dispensing inlet, the sensor
system including at least one sensor positioned along the
dispensing channel. The method includes: forcing at least one
article along a path through the dispensing channel; generating
detection signals using the at least one sensor responsive to
articles passing through the dispensing channel; and using a
duration of at least one of the detection signals from the at least
one sensor to determine whether a dispensing fault condition has
occurred.
[0009] Further features, advantages and details of the present
invention will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art
from a reading of the figures and the detailed description of the
preferred embodiments that follow, such description being merely
illustrative of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating methods according to
embodiments of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pharmaceutical tablet
dispensing system including a sensor system according to
embodiments of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a cutaway view of the tablet dispensing system of
FIG. 2 illustrating a container dispensing station, a labeling
carrier, a dispensing carrier, and a closure dispensing station
thereof.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a dispensing bin
according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the bin of FIG. 4 filled
with tablets at rest.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the bin of FIG. 4
wherein tablets contained therein are being agitated and dispensed
in a forward or dispensing direction.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the bin of FIG. 4
wherein a tablet is being returned to a hopper of the bin in a
reverse direction.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a block diagram representing a sensor system and
control valves of the pharmaceutical dispensing system of FIG.
1.
[0018] FIGS. 9-13 are schematic diagrams representing detection
pulse signals of an entrance sensor and an exit sensor of the
sensor system of FIG. 8 over time.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The present invention now will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown. In the
drawings, the relative sizes of regions or features may be
exaggerated for clarity. This invention may, however, be embodied
in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to
the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are
provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and
will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in
the art.
[0020] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as
being "coupled" or "connected" to another element, it can be
directly coupled or connected to the other element or intervening
elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is
referred to as being "directly coupled" or "directly connected" to
another element, there are no intervening elements present. Like
numbers refer to like elements throughout.
[0021] In addition, spatially relative terms, such as "under",
"below", "lower", "over", "upper" and the like, may be used herein
for ease of description to describe one element or feature's
relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in
the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative
terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the
device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted
in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned
over, elements described as "under" or "beneath" other elements or
features would then be oriented "over" the other elements or
features. Thus, the exemplary term "under" can encompass both an
orientation of over and under. The device maybe otherwise oriented
(rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially
relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
[0022] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As
used herein the expression "and/or" includes any and all
combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0023] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this
invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such
as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be
interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their
meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be
interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly
so defined herein.
[0024] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention
apparatus and methods are provided for dispensing solid
pharmaceutical articles. In particular, such methods and apparatus
may be used to dispense pharmaceuticals. With reference to FIG. 1,
methods according to embodiments of the present invention may be
executed using an apparatus including a housing, a flow generator,
and a sensor system, the housing defining a dispensing channel
having a dispensing inlet and a dispensing outlet downstream of the
dispensing inlet, the sensor system including first and second
sensors spaced apart along the dispensing channel such that the
second sensor is located downstream of the first sensor. At least
one drive gas flow is generated using the flow generator to force
at least one article along a path through the dispensing channel
(Block 20). The dispensing channel may or may not be fully
enclosed. Responsive to articles passing through the dispensing
channel, detection signals are generated using the first and second
sensors (Block 22). The detection signals from the first and second
sensors are used to monitor dispensing performance of the apparatus
(Block 24). According to some embodiments, the articles are
pharmaceutical tablets.
[0025] A dispensing system according to embodiments of the present
invention and that can carry out the foregoing methods is
illustrated in FIGS. 2-8 and designated broadly therein at 40
(FIGS. 2 and 3). The dispensing system 40 includes a sensor system
102 (FIG. 8) according to embodiments of the present invention. The
system 40 includes a support frame 44 for the mounting of its
various components. Those skilled in this art will recognize that
the frame 44 illustrated herein is exemplary and can take many
configurations that would be suitable for use with the present
invention. The frame 44 provides a strong, rigid foundation to
which other components can be attached at desired locations, and
other frame forms able to serve this purpose may also be acceptable
for use with this invention.
[0026] The system 40 generally includes as operative stations a
controller (represented herein by a graphical user interface 42), a
container dispensing station 58, a labeling station 60, a tablet
dispensing station 62, a closure dispensing station 64, and an
offloading station 66. In the illustrated embodiment, containers,
tablets and closures are moved between these stations with a
dispensing carrier 70; however, in some embodiments, multiple
carriers are employed. The dispensing carrier 70 has the capability
of moving the container to designated locations within the cavity
45 of the frame 44. Except as discussed herein with regard to the
dispensing station 62, each of the operative stations and the
conveying devices may be of any suitable construction such as those
described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,971,541 to Williams et al.
and/or U.S. Patent Publication No. US-2006-0241807-A1, the
disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein in their
entireties.
[0027] The controller 42 controls the operation of the remainder of
the system 40. In some embodiments, the controller 42 will be
operatively connected with an external device, such as a personal
or mainframe computer, that provides input information regarding
prescriptions. In other embodiments, the controller 42 may be a
stand-alone computer that directly receives manual input from a
pharmacist or other operator. An exemplary controller is a
conventional microprocessor-based personal computer.
[0028] In operation, the controller 42 signals the container
dispensing station 58 that a container of a specified size is
desired. In response, the container dispensing station 58 delivers
a container for retrieval by the carrier 70. From the container
dispensing station 58, the container is moved to the labeling
station 60 by the carrier 70. The labeling station 60 includes a
printer that is controlled by the controller 42. The printer prints
and presents an adhesive label that is affixed to the
container.
[0029] Filling of labeled containers with tablets is carried out by
the tablet dispensing station 62. The tablet dispensing station 62
comprises a plurality of tablet dispensing bin assemblies or bins
100 (described in more detail below), each of which holds a bulk
supply of individual tablets (typically the bins 100 will hold
different tablets). Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the dispensing bins
100, which may be substantially identical in size and
configuration, are organized in an array mounted on the rails of
the frame 44. Each dispensing bin 100 has a dispensing passage or
channel 120 with an outlet 124 that faces generally in the same
direction, to create an access region for the dispensing carrier
70. The identity of the tablets in each bin is known by the
controller 42, which can direct the dispensing carrier 70 to
transport the container to the proper bin 100 to fill the
particular prescription. In some embodiments, the bins 100 may be
labeled with a bar code or other indicia to allow the dispensing
carrier 70 to confirm that it has arrived at the proper bin
100.
[0030] The dispensing bins 100 are configured to singulate, count,
and dispense the tablets contained therein, with the operation of
the bins 100 and the counting of the tablets being controlled by
the controller 42. Some embodiments may employ the controller 42 as
the device which monitors the locations and contents of the bins
100; others may employ the controller 42 to monitor the locations
of the bins, with the bins 100 including indicia (such as a bar
code or electronic transmitter) to identify the contents to the
controller 42. In still other embodiments, the bins 100 may
generate and provide location and content information to the
controller 42, with the result that the bins 100 may be moved to
different positions on the frame 42 without the need for manual
modification of the controller 42 (i.e., the bins 100 will update
the controller 42 automatically).
[0031] Any of a number of dispensing units that singulate and count
discrete objects may be employed if suitably modified to include
the inventive aspects disclosed herein. In particular, dispensing
units that rely upon targeted air flow and a singulating nozzle
assembly may be used, such as the devices described in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,631,826 to Pollard et al. and/or U.S. Patent Publication No.
US-2006-0241807-A1, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety. Bins of this variety may also include
additional features, such as those described below.
[0032] After the container is desirably filled by the tablet
dispensing station 62, the dispensing carrier 70 moves the filled
container to the closure dispensing station 64.
[0033] The closure dispensing station 64 may house a bulk supply of
closures and dispense and secure them onto a filled container. The
dispensing carrier 70 then moves to the closed container, grasps
it, and moves it to the offloading station 66.
[0034] Turning to the bins 100 in more detail, an exemplary bin 100
is shown in more detail in FIGS. 4-8. The bin 100 includes a
housing 110 having a hopper portion 112 and a nozzle 114.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 6, the hopper portion 112 defines a hopper
chamber 112A that can be filled with tablets T. A lower screen 130A
is provided in the floor of the hopper portion 112 and an upper
screen 130B is provided in the ceiling of the hopper portion 112.
As discussed below, air or other suitable gas can be flowed through
the screens 130A, 130B and the chamber 112A to agitate the tablets
T contained therein.
[0036] With reference to FIG. 5, the nozzle 114 defines a
dispensing channel 120 through which the tablets T can be dispensed
one at a time. The dispensing channel 120 has an inlet 122 adjacent
and fluidly connecting the channel 120 to the chamber 112A. The
dispensing channel 120 has an outlet 124 downstream from and
opposite the inlet 122 and through which tablets may exit the
nozzle 114 to be dispensed into the container C (FIG. 7).
[0037] The housing 110 further includes a low pressure port 132 and
a high pressure nozzle 134 (FIGS. 4 and 6). A door 132A is provided
to selectively open and close the port 132 by operation of an
associated solenoid 132B.
[0038] With continued reference to FIG. 5, a forward jet passage
140 is fluidly connected to the high pressure nozzle 134 and
terminates in a forward jet aperture 140A at the dispensing channel
120. A forward control valve 142 is operable to control airflow to
the jet aperture 140A. A rearward or reverse jet passage 144 is
also fluidly connected to the high pressure nozzle 134 and
terminates in a rearward or reverse jet aperture 144A at the
dispensing channel 120. A reverse control valve 146 is operable to
control airflow to the jet aperture 144A.
[0039] According to some embodiments and as described in U.S.
Patent Publication No. US-2006-0241807-A1, the tablet dispensing
station 62 includes a low pressure manifold 74 fluidly connected to
a low pressure source such as a vacuum motor (not shown), which
provides low level (i.e., about 2 psi) suction to draw air FA
through (in succession) the screen 130A, the chamber 112A, the
screen 130B and the port 132 to agitate tablets within the hopper
chamber 112A (FIG. 6). Also, a high pressure (i.e., about 30 psi)
conduit 72 fluidly connected to a high pressure source (not shown)
is fluidly connected to the high pressure nozzle 134 to supply high
pressure air to the jet apertures 140A, 144A. Further, a connector
circuit board 77 is mounted horizontally below the manifold 74. The
circuit board 77 or other electrical connector provides an
electrical connection between the controller 42 and a
bin-controlling circuit board 78 (or other electronic component) of
the bin 100 for power and data signals to/from the controller
42.
[0040] The sensor system 102 includes a front or exit sensor 80 and
a rear or entrance sensor 84 positioned along the channel 120. The
exit sensor 80 is located downstream (i.e., in the forward or
dispensing direction of the tablet flow path through the dispensing
channel 120) from the entrance sensor 84 along the dispensing
channel 120. The exit sensor 80 is mounted in the nozzle 114
proximate the outlet 124 and distal from the inlet 122 and faces
the channel 120. The entrance sensor 84 is mounted in the nozzle
114 proximate the inlet 122 and distal from the outlet 124 and also
faces the channel 120. The sensors 80, 84 are tablet detecting
sensors and are operably connected to associated sensor
receiver/processor electronics. The sensors 80, 84 may be
electrically connected to an associated controller by lead wires
80A, 84A. According to some embodiments, the associated controller
is or includes the controller 42 and/or the circuit board 78. As
further discussed below, the sensors 80, 84 are configured and
positioned to detect the tablets T as they pass through the
dispensing channel 120. The sensors 80, 84 and the associated
controller 42 together comprise a sensor system 102 operative to
monitor flow of tablets T through the channel 120 and, thereby,
dispensing performance of the bin 100. According to some
embodiments, the controller 42 uses detection signals from at least
one of the sensors 80, 84 to count the dispensed tablets. According
to some embodiments, at least the exit sensor 80 is used for this
purpose. In some cases, the sensor system operates the valves 142,
146 or other devices in response to identified or determined
conditions or performance in dispensing. While two sensors 80, 84
are described herein, apparatus and methods according to
embodiments of the present invention may use sensor systems that
use more than two tablet detection sensors along the flow path.
[0041] According to some embodiments, the sensors 80, 84 are
photoelectric sensors. According to some embodiments, the sensors
80, 84 are infrared (IR) sensors. According to some embodiments,
photoemitters 82 and 86 (e.g., IR emitters) are mounted in the
nozzle opposite the sensors 80 and 84, respectively, to emit
photoemissions toward the respective sensors 80, 84 across the
channel 120. The photoemitters 82, 86 may be operatively connected
to the controller 42 or circuit board 78 by wires 82A, 86A.
According to some embodiments, all or some of the components 80, 84
and 82, 86 may include both a photoemitter and a photodetector,
whereby the components 82, 86 may also serve as sensors. For the
purpose of explanation, the illustrated embodiment will be
described with only the components 80, 84 being sensors (i.e., the
sensors 80, 84 receive photoemissions from the photoemitters 82,
86). Other types of sensors may be employed as well. Other suitable
types of sensors may include, for example, UV, RF, capacitive and
EMF sensors.
[0042] The exit sensor 80 and the entrance sensor 84 are spaced
apart along the channel 120 a distance D (FIG. 5). The preferred or
minimum distance D may be determined by the type of sensor and/or
other parameters or arrangements or physical limitations of the
components. According to some embodiments, the distance D should be
large enough to prevent cross-talk between the components and to
provide two distinct signals from the respective sensors 80, 84.
The minimum distance D may also be limited or determined by the
time needed to prevent an extra pill from exiting the channel 120
(i.e., once the requested count is reached, the distance D should
allow enough time to stop an extra pill from exiting).
[0043] According to some embodiments, the entrance sensor 84 is
positioned along the channel 120 at, in or immediately adjacent the
inlet 122. According to some embodiments, the exit sensor 80 is
positioned along the channel 120 at, in or immediately adjacent the
outlet 124.
[0044] Exemplary operation of the dispensing system 40 will now be
described. The bin 100 is filled with tablets T to be dispensed.
The tablets T may initially be at rest as shown in FIG. 5. At this
time, the valves 142, 146 are closed so that no gas flow is
provided through the jet outlets 140A, 144A.
[0045] To fill the container C, the dispensing carrier 70, directed
by the controller 42, moves the container C to the exit port of the
selected dispensing bin 100. The controller 42 signals the solenoid
132B to open the door 132A. This opening of the door 132A draws low
pressure air up through the hopper chamber 112A to the manifold 74,
thereby agitating the tablets T contained in the hopper chamber
112B.
[0046] Once agitation has commenced, the controller 42 signals the
forward valve 142 to open (while the reverse valve 146 remains
closed). The opened valve 142 permits the pressurized gas from the
gas source 72 to flow through the passage 140 and out through the
forward drive jet outlet 140A. The pressurized flow from the jet
outlet 140A creates a high velocity gas jet that generates suction
that causes a forward flow FF of high pressure, high velocity air
to be drawn outwardly through the dispensing channel 120 in a
dispensing direction (FIG. 6). Tablets T are oriented into a
preferred orientation by the shape of the inlet 122 to the
dispensing channel 120 and dispensed into the container C through
the dispensing channel 120 and the outlet 124 under the force of
the forward flow FF.
[0047] Once dispensing is complete (i.e., a predetermined number of
tablets have been counted by the controller 42 as dispensed), the
controller 42 activates the forward valve 142 to close and the
reverse valve 146 to open. The opened valve 146 permits the
pressurized gas from the gas source 72 to flow through the passage
144 and out through the reverse drive jet outlet 144A. The
pressurized flow from the jet outlet 144A creates a high velocity
gas jet that generates suction that causes a reverse (i.e.,
rearward) flow FR of high pressure air to be drawn inwardly through
the dispensing channel 120 toward the chamber 112A in a reverse or
return direction. In this manner, the airflow is reversed and any
tablets T remaining in the channel 120 are returned to the chamber
112A under the force of the reverse flow (FIG. 7).
[0048] While, in the foregoing description, the controller 42
controls the valves 142, 146, the valves 142, 146 may alternatively
be controlled by a local controller unique to each bin 100. The bin
100 can be filled or replenished with tablets via access from a
pivoting door 127 (FIG. 5) located at the upper rear portion of the
bin 100, for example. As disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No.
US-2006-0241807-A1, the bin 100 may include components that permit
the entry to the dispensing channel 120 to be adjusted in size to
complement the size and configuration of the tablet to be
dispensed.
[0049] During the dispensing phase (i.e., when the forward flow FF
is being generated), a tablet jam may occur. A tablet jam is a
condition wherein one or more tablets are caught up in the bin 100
such that tablets T will not feed into or through the dispensing
channel 120 under the force of the forward flow FF. A jam is
indicated if the entrance sensor 84 has not detected a pill within
a specified time period (e.g., one second). When a tablet jam is
identified by the controller 42, the controller 42 will close the
forward valve 142 and open the reverse valve 146 to generate the
reverse flow FR to clear a perceived tablet jam. This action of the
controller 42 may be referred to as issuing a "jam clear".
[0050] According to some embodiments, the controller 42 will
execute a calibration procedure between dispensing sessions (i.e.,
between the end of a forward flow FF and the initiation of the next
forward flow FF) in order to calibrate the sensors 80, 84.
According to some embodiments, the calibration procedure includes
opening the reverse valve 146 to generate the reverse flow FR while
calibrating the sensors 80, 84. This may ensure that no tablets or
tablet fragments occlude the sensors 80, 84 and thereby corrupt the
calibration. The controller 42 may conduct the calibration
procedure automatically and/or shortly or immediately after a
dispensing session and the bin 100 may remain idle (i.e., with
neither a forward flow FF nor a reverse flow FR being generated)
during an idle period between the end of the calibration reverse
flow FR and the initiation of the next dispensing session.
[0051] Typically, an operator will request that a desired number of
tablets be dispensed ("the requested count"). The sensors 80, 84
detect the tablets T as they pass through predetermined points in
the dispensing channel 120, as discussed in more detail below. The
controller 42 uses the detection signals from the sensors 80, 84 to
monitor and maintain a registered count of the tablets T dispensed
("the system count"). When the system count matches the requested
count, the controller 42 will deem the dispensing complete and
cease dispensing of the tablets T. If the controller miscounts the
tablets actually dispensed, there may be a mismatch between the
requested count and the final actual count.
[0052] In practice and in the absence of the apparatus and methods
of the present invention, the foregoing processes may suffer from
various fault conditions or other dispensing concerns. In prior art
systems of the type employing only a single counting sensor or set
of counting sensors at one location along the dispensing channel
(e.g., at the exit end) to detect tablets in the dispensing channel
(hereinafter referred to as "prior art single sensor systems"),
these fault conditions may result in inaccurate counts such as
counting a tablet that is not dispensed, failing to count a tablet
that is dispensed, or failing to recognize a partial tablet.
[0053] The foregoing concerns may be addressed by the sensor system
102 of the bin 100 and methods in accordance with embodiments of
the present invention. According to some embodiments, the entrance
sensor 84 proximate the inlet 122 of the channel 120 performs the
duty of detecting tablet jams and the exit sensor 80 proximate the
exit or outlet 124 performs the duty of counting the dispensed
tablets. By separating these two functions, the exit sensor 80
(i.e., the count sensor) can be guarded by the entrance sensor 84
(i.e., the jam sensor) to ensure that no tablets are in the
dispensing channel 120 during a jam clear. The two sensors 80, 84
can also be cooperatively employed to detect and identify other
modes of failure.
[0054] Such failure modes are called "exception events" and arise
when the sensor output does not follow the expected pulse width and
travel times for a singulated pill in standard operation of the bin
100. Some exception events and corresponding operations of the bin
100 that may be encountered will be described hereinbelow. However,
it will be appreciated that this description is not exhaustive of
the advantageous uses of the apparatus in accordance with
embodiments of the present invention.
[0055] In some cases, two or more tablets T may be disposed or
"preloaded" in the channel 120 in or closely adjacent the inlet 122
prior to actuation of the forward valve 142 to generate the forward
flow FF. This condition may be referred to as a "preload dispensing
fault condition". A preload dispensing fault condition may occur
when tablets in the dispensing channel 120 are not fully returned
to the hopper chamber 112A by a reverse flow or "jam clear"
intended to clear the dispensing channel 120, for example. A
preload dispensing fault condition may also occur when tablets
unintentionally migrate into the dispensing channel 120 from the
hopper. For example, during the idle period between a jam clear or
other reverse flow FR and the initiation of the next forward flow
FF, tablets may slide or vibrate out of the hopper chamber 112A and
into the inlet 122 or the dispensing channel 120. In prior art
single sensor systems, upon initiation of the forward flow FF, the
two or more preloaded tablets may travel down the channel 120 in
contact with or very closely adjacent one another so that the two
or more tablets pass the counting sensor (which is typically
located proximate the dispensing outlet) together. The counting
sensor may generate only a single, extra long detection pulse for
the two or more tablets rather than two or more discrete pulses
that are required to register a count of two or more tablets. As a
result, two or more tablets are dispensed through the dispensing
outlet but the system count of dispensed tablets is only
incremented by one tablet.
[0056] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a
preload dispensing fault condition can be identified and corrected
by monitoring the entrance sensor 84. More particularly, the
entrance sensor 84 is configured and located with respect to the
dispensing channel 120 and the inlet 122 such that, in the case of
a preload dispensing fault condition, one or more of the tablets
will occlude the entrance sensor 84. When this condition occurs
prior to initiation of the forward flow FE, the entrance sensor 84
will provide a detection signal to the controller 42 indicating
that the one or more tablets is/are at the entrance sensor 84. In
response to the detection signal from the entrance sensor 84 prior
to initiating the forward flow FF, the controller 42 identifies the
existence of the preload dispensing fault condition. Further in
response, the controller 42 will thereafter open the reverse valve
146 to generate the reverse flow FR to force any tablets T
lingering in the channel 120 back into the hopper chamber 112A. In
this manner, the channel 120 is cleared and the preload dispensing
fault condition is removed prior to the onset of tablet
dispensing.
[0057] A preload dispensing fault may also occur wherein the
preloaded tablet or tablets are disposed in the dispensing channel
120 between the entrance sensor 84 and the exit sensor 80 prior to
actuation of the forward valve 142 to generate the forward flow FF.
The preloaded tablets may not occlude the entrance sensor 84.
According to some embodiments of the present invention, preload
dispensing fault conditions of this type are identified and
corrected by continuously monitoring the entrance sensor 84 even
when the bin 100 is idle. According to some embodiments, the
entrance sensor 84 is continuously monitored at least from the end
of the actuation of the reverse flow FR during calibration as
discussed above to the start of the forward flow FF to begin a
dispensing session (i.e., the idle period). According to some
embodiments, the entrance sensor 84 is also continuously monitored
throughout the calibration period. According to some embodiments,
the entrance sensor 84 is continuously monitored at all times. If a
tablet is detected by the entrance sensor 84 during the idle
period, the controller 42 identifies the existence of a preload
dispensing fault condition. The controller 42 may respond to the
identified fault condition by generating the reverse flow FR to
force any tablets lingering in the channel 120 back into the hopper
chamber 112A. In this manner, the channel 120 is cleared and the
preload dispensing fault condition is removed prior to the onset of
tablet dispensing.
[0058] The sensor system 102 may employ the following method to
address a "tandem dispensing fault condition." With reference to
FIG. 9, when a tandem dispensing fault condition is present, the
controller 42 may generate the forward flow FF to dispense the
tablets as discussed above with regard to the prior art single
sensor systems. This may occur if the entrance sensor 84 is not
relied upon to sense preloaded tablets or the tandem condition is
not detectable because the configuration/locations of the tablets
do not cause the sensor 84 to immediately start with a tablet
detection. The outputs of the sensors 80, 84 are monitored by the
controller 42 and compared. Each of the two tablets passes the
entrance sensor 84 in immediate succession, which causes the
entrance sensor to generate a single pulse P2 as represented by the
signal pulse graph A) of FIG. 9. The signal pulse P2 has a duration
that is larger than that of a prescribed or average reference
duration for a single tablet passing the sensor 84 during
dispensing. Thereafter, the two tablets pass the exit sensor 80 in
immediate succession, which causes the exit sensor 80 to generate
one continuous, long duration signal pulse P4 as represented by the
detector pulse graph B) of FIG. 9. The signal pulse P4 has a
duration that is larger than that of a prescribed or average
reference duration for a single tablet passing the sensor 80 during
dispensing. The controller 42 compares the durations of the signals
P2, P4 with the corresponding expected or average signal pulse
durations and also compares the time TBP between the pulses P2, P4
with the expected or average time between pulses for standard
operation, and determines that a tandem dispensing fault condition
has occurred. In response, the controller 42 may increment the
system dispensed count by an appropriate amount and/or alert an
operator. The expected or average signal pulse durations for the
sensors 80, 84 and the expected or average time between the pulses
of the sensors 80, 84 may be determined using average entrance,
exit and nozzle velocities determined as described below.
[0059] In some cases, a first tablet T lingers in the dispensing
channel 120 during dispensing so that a second tablet T catches up
to and collides with the first tablet before the first tablet is
detected or completely detected by a counting sensor. The second
tablet travels down the channel 120 in contact with the first
tablet so that the first and second tablets pass the counting
sensor together, responsive to which the counting sensor generates
a single, extended duration signal pulse. This condition may be
referred to as a "collision dispensing fault condition". In prior
art single sensor systems, the single, extended duration signal
pulse may simply be counted as a single tablet. As a result, two
tablets are actually dispensed from the outlet but the system
tablet dispense count is only incremented by one tablet.
[0060] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a
collision dispensing fault condition can be identified and
corrected by monitoring the exit sensor 80 and the entrance sensor
84. More particularly, the outputs of the exit sensor 80 and the
entrance sensor 84 are monitored by the controller 42 and compared.
In the case of a collision dispensing fault condition, each of the
two tablets passes the entrance sensor 84 in turn and with spacing
between the tablets, which causes the entrance sensor 84 to
generate two discrete signal pulses P10, P12 in sequence over time,
as represented by the signal pulse graph A) of FIG. 10. These two
pulses P10, P12 have a duration corresponding to a typical single
tablet. Thereafter, the two tablets pass the exit sensor 80 in
immediate succession, which causes the exit sensor 80 to generate
one long duration signal pulse P14 as represented by the detector
pulse graph B) of FIG. 10. The controller 42 compares the signals
P10, P12, P14 from the sensors 80, 84 and determines that a
collision dispensing fault condition has occurred. In response, the
controller 42 may increment the system dispensed count total by the
appropriate amount (in this example, two). Alternatively, in
response, the controller 42 may issue an alert to an operator or
the like indicating that a tablet may have been dispensed but not
counted.
[0061] In some cases in prior art single sensor systems, a tablet
that has been previously detected by a count sensor and counted by
the sensor as dispensed is drawn back into or through the
dispensing channel by a reverse drive gas flow FR (i.e., the tablet
is aspirated back into the dispensing channel or hopper chamber).
This occurrence may be referred to as an "aspiration dispensing
fault condition". In prior art single sensor systems, the system
count will exceed the actual number of dispensed tablets.
[0062] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, an
aspiration dispensing fault condition can be identified and
corrected by monitoring the exit sensor 80 and the entrance sensor
84, and the direction of drive gas flow. More particularly, the
outputs of the exit sensor 80 and the entrance sensor 84 are
monitored by the controller 42 and compared. Each signal pulse from
the exit sensor 80 will be accounted for if preceded by a
corresponding signal pulse from the entrance sensor 84. Under
normal (nonfault) conditions, each tablet drawn from the hopper
112A passes the entrance sensor 84 and then the exit sensor 80 and
generates corresponding signal pulses in sequence. In the case of
an aspiration dispensing fault condition, a tablet previously
counted as dispensed passes the exit sensor 80, which causes the
exit sensor 80 to generate a signal pulse P20 as represented by the
detector pulse graph B) of FIG. 11. Thereafter, the tablet passes
the entrance sensor 84, which causes the entrance sensor 84 to
generate a signal pulse P22 as represented by the detector pulse
graph A) of FIG. 11. The controller 42 determines that the drive
gas flow was in the reverse direction when the pulses P20, P22 were
generated and compares the signals P20, P22 from the sensors 80,
84. The controller determines that the exit signal pulse P20 did
not have a corresponding preceding entrance sensor pulse and the
exit sensor detection pulse P20 was triggered or generated prior to
the entrance sensor detection pulse P22. From this, the controller
42 determines that an aspiration dispensing fault condition has
occurred. In response, the controller 42 may decrement the system
dispensing count total by one. Alternatively, in response, the
controller 42 may issue an alert to an operator indicating that a
tablet may have been counted and thereafter aspirated.
[0063] In some cases in prior art single sensor systems, jams are
detected using the single sensor, which is typically positioned
proximate the outlet of the dispensing channel. If, when the
forward drive gas flow is being generated, some prescribed length
of time (e.g., 1.0 second) passes without a tablet being detected
by the single sensor, the system will issue a reverse drive gas
flow in order to clear an upstream jam in the dispensing channel
(i.e., the presumed cause of the failure to detect a tablet at the
sensor). However, because of the length of time required for a
tablet to travel from the entrance, the reverse drive gas jet flow
may be initiated while a tablet is in fact en route to the exit
count sensor such that the tablet occludes the count sensor,
reverses direction in the dispensing channel, and returns back to
the hopper chamber. This occurrence may be referred to as a "tablet
reversal dispensing fault condition". In prior art single sensor
systems, the tablet may be counted as dispensed and the reversal
may not be registered so that the system count is increased over
the actual number of tablets dispensed by one. Moreover, in some
cases, the reversed tablet may be counted twice (once when passing
the count sensor in the dispensing direction and once when passing
the count sensor in the reverse direction).
[0064] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a
tablet reversal dispensing fault condition is prevented by
triggering the reverse drive gas flow (jam clear) off of the
entrance sensor 84 instead of the counting sensor 80. More
particularly, the controller 42 monitors the entrance sensor 84. If
a tablet is not detected by the entrance sensor 84 within a
prescribed length of time (wait time) while the forward drive gas
flow (i.e., the dispensing flow) is being generated, the controller
42 will identify a tablet jam condition. Responsive to the tablet
jam condition, the controller 42 will issue a jam clear (i.e., open
the reverse valve 146 to generate a burst or sustained reverse flow
FR). In this manner, the entrance sensor 84 "guards" the exit
sensor 80.
[0065] The sensor system 102 may additionally or alternatively
employ the following method to identify and correct a tablet
reversal dispensing fault condition by monitoring the exit sensor
80, the entrance sensor 84, and the direction of drive gas flow.
The outputs of the exit sensor 80 and the entrance sensor 84 are
monitored by the controller 42 and compared. In the case of a
tablet reversal dispensing fault condition, a tablet passes the
entrance sensor 84 (which causes the entrance sensor 84 to generate
a typical duration signal pulse P30 as represented by the detector
pulse graph A) of FIG. 12), thereafter passes the exit sensor 80
(which causes the exit sensor 80 to generate an extra long duration
signal pulse (or two signal pulses as shown by the dotted line) P32
as represented by the detector pulse graph B) of FIG. 12), and
thereafter again passes the entrance sensor 84 (which causes the
entrance sensor 84 to generate a typical duration signal pulse
P34). The controller 42 determines that the drive gas flow was in
the forward direction during the pulse P30 and in the reverse
direction during the pulse P34, compares the signals P30, P32, P34
from the sensors 80, 84, and determines that a tablet reversal
dispensing fault condition has occurred. In response, the
controller 42 may decrement the dispensing count total by one.
Alternatively, in response, the controller 42 may issue an alert to
an operator indicating that a tablet may have been counted and
thereafter reversed.
[0066] While events such as those described above may be
characterized by specific sequences of events, the sensor system
102 may also derive information about the events themselves or the
dispensing system operation from the information embodied in the
sensor signals (e.g., in the sensor signal pulse trains),
comparison between the outputs of the sensors 80, 84, and
externally determined or known information about the tablets and
tablet flow direction.
[0067] The sensor system 102 may allow for measurement of speed and
time related to tablet dispensing. According to some embodiments,
the length of a complete prescribed tablet (hereinafter, "Tablet
Length") is known. With reference to FIG. 13, for each tablet
dispensed through the channel 120, the controller 42 will receive a
detection signal pulse JP from the entrance sensor 84 and a
detection signal pulse CP from the exit sensor 80. The pulse JP has
a duration or width JPW corresponding to the duration of occlusion
of the sensor 84 by the tablet. Likewise, the pulse CP has a
duration or width CPW corresponding to the duration of occlusion of
the sensor 80 by the tablet. The controller 42 determines the
velocity of each tablet through the outlet 124 (its "exit
velocity") and the velocity of the tablet through the inlet 122
(its "entrance velocity") using the pulse widths JPW, CPW and the
known Tablet Length. More particularly, the exit velocity can be
calculated as:
Tablet Length/Pulse width CPW=exit velocity
[0068] The entrance velocity can be calculated as:
Tablet Length/Pulse width JPW=entrance velocity
[0069] Additionally, the controller can determine the velocity at
which the tablet travels through the channel 120 (nozzle velocity)
using the known distance ("sensor distance"; e.g., the distance D
(FIG. 5)) between the operative trailing edge of the signal from
the sensor 84 and the operative trailing edge of the signal from
the sensor 80, and the measured time between pulses (TBP) (i.e.,
the duration between the end times CP End and JP End of the pulses
CP and JP (i.e., the trailing edges of the pulses CP and JP),
respectively). Using the trailing edges (CP End and JP End) may
assist in determining when an event is over; however, the start
times of the pulses CP, JP can be used instead. More particularly,
the nozzle velocity can be calculated as:
sensor distance/(CP End-JP End)=nozzle velocity
[0070] From these measurements and prescribed values, the
controller 42 can "learn" or determine the average exit velocity,
the average entrance velocity, and the average nozzle velocity for
tablets dispensed through the channel 120. These average values can
be applied to specific events (i.e., dispensed tablets) to identify
or evaluate additional characteristics of the events.
[0071] According to some embodiments, when the pulses CP, JP for a
given tablet indicate that the tablet has passed through the
channel 120 at the average nozzle velocity but one or both of the
pulses CP, JP has a duration that is less than the average by more
than a prescribed amount (e.g., one or two standard deviations),
the controller 42 will identify the tablet as a partial tablet
(i.e., a tablet having a length less than the prescribed or
standard length for the tablets). Using the pulse duration or width
measurements, the known tablet length, and the typical time between
signal pulses, the sensor system 102 can determine the number of
whole tablets and partial tablets that are dispensed, and even the
sizes of the partial tablet fragments.
[0072] According to some embodiments, when a detection signal pulse
CP, JP from a sensor 80, 84 has a duration that exceeds the average
pulse for that sensor by more than a prescribed amount (e.g., one
or two standard deviations), the controller 42 will identify an
exception event. The controller 42 may further evaluate and catalog
the exception event using this and additional available performance
information. The controller 42 may assess the measured data and
compare the measured data to the expected data for known specific
events to identify a specific event corresponding to the measured
data. Once the event or event type is identified, the controller
may perform appropriate corrective action to the count, if any
exists. The controller 42 may incorporate the states of the valves
142, 146 and/or the sequence in which the pulses from the sensors
80, 84 occurred in determining and cataloging the exception
event.
[0073] The sensor system 102 can also provide real time statistics
of dispensing performance for the bin 100, as well as a record of
the performance of the bin 100.
[0074] While the sensor system has been described hereinabove with
regard to the bin 100 and the dispensing system 40, sensor systems
according to embodiments of the present invention may be used with
bins and/or systems of other types and configurations. Sensor
systems according to embodiments of the present invention may
include sensors differently configured than the sensors 80, 84.
[0075] While embodiments employing forced gas drive mechanisms are
described herein, other embodiments of the present invention may
employ other drive mechanisms in place of or in addition to forced
gas. For example, the pharmaceutical articles may be forced in the
forward and/or reverse direction by vibration and/or gravity.
[0076] While various methods are described herein to identify
dispensing fault conditions, these methods may also serve to
confirm proper count conditions. More particularly, the lack of
identification of a dispensing fault condition may be registered or
affirm a valid count or count session. Accordingly, sensor systems
as disclosed herein may provide improvements in count
confidence.
[0077] The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and
is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few
exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those
skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications
are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially
departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this
invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of this invention. Therefore, it is to be
understood that the foregoing is illustrative of the present
invention and is not to be construed as limited to the specific
embodiments disclosed, and that modifications to the disclosed
embodiments, as well as other embodiments, are intended to be
included within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *