U.S. patent application number 17/394434 was filed with the patent office on 2021-11-25 for means and methods for providing a continuous pharmaceutical operation service.
This patent application is currently assigned to Tech Pharmacy Services, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Tech Pharmacy Services, LLC. Invention is credited to Tamir BEN DAVID, Omer EINAV, Moshe LIBERMAN, Eyal LIVSCHITZ, Thomas A. MCKINNEY, Doron SHABANOV, Yuval SIMAN, Anthony Joseph SPERO.
Application Number | 20210366599 17/394434 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005756740 |
Filed Date | 2021-11-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210366599 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
EINAV; Omer ; et
al. |
November 25, 2021 |
MEANS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING A CONTINUOUS PHARMACEUTICAL
OPERATION SERVICE
Abstract
An aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to a
method of scheduling maintenance for a pharmaceutical dispensing
device, comprising: receiving a request to perform said
maintenance; automatically generating at least one proposed
maintenance time window matching production goals of said
pharmaceutical dispensing device and mechanical capability of said
pharmaceutical dispensing device and said maintenance and said
request; and responding to said request with said at least one
proposed maintenance time window.
Inventors: |
EINAV; Omer; (Kfar-Monash,
IL) ; SHABANOV; Doron; (Tzur-Yigal, IL) ;
SIMAN; Yuval; (Ramat-HaSharon, IL) ; BEN DAVID;
Tamir; (Tel-Aviv, IL) ; SPERO; Anthony Joseph;
(Queensbury, NY) ; LIVSCHITZ; Eyal; (Givat Shmuel,
IL) ; MCKINNEY; Thomas A.; (Boonton, NJ) ;
LIBERMAN; Moshe; (Yehud, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Tech Pharmacy Services, LLC |
Fort Lee |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Tech Pharmacy Services, LLC
Fort Lee
NJ
|
Family ID: |
1000005756740 |
Appl. No.: |
17/394434 |
Filed: |
August 5, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16379835 |
Apr 10, 2019 |
11120905 |
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17394434 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 35/10 20130101;
B65B 1/30 20130101; G16H 10/60 20180101; G16H 20/13 20180101; G16H
40/20 20180101; G06Q 10/087 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G16H 40/20 20060101
G16H040/20; G06Q 10/08 20060101 G06Q010/08; G16H 10/60 20060101
G16H010/60; G16H 20/13 20060101 G16H020/13 |
Claims
1. A method of scheduling maintenance for a pharmaceutical
dispensing device, said pharmaceutical dispensing device in
communication with at least one server, the method comprising: a.
receiving a request to perform said maintenance on said
pharmaceutical dispensing device via said server; b. automatically
generating, by said server or by said pharmaceutical dispensing
device, at least one proposed maintenance window matching: i.
production goals of said pharmaceutical dispensing device, said
production goals being pharmaceuticals needed to be prepared and
dispensed to subjects according to a production schedule; ii.
mechanical capability of said pharmaceutical dispensing device to
finish preparing and dispensing said pharmaceuticals needed to be
dispensed to said subjects according to said production schedule;
iii. an estimated time to perform said maintenance; and iv. said
request; c. responding to said request with said at least one
proposed maintenance window for said pharmaceutical dispensing
device via said server.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said request comprises at least
one preferred time window to perform said maintenance.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein generating comprises comparing
said at least one preferred time window to perform said maintenance
with a production schedule of said pharmaceutical dispensing
device.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein when said generating comprises
amending said production schedule to achieve said production goals
to enable the generation of said at least one proposed maintenance
window at said at least one preferred time window to perform said
maintenance.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein said amending comprises utilizing
a mechanical capability of said pharmaceutical dispensing device
from about 50% to about 100%.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein said amending comprises utilizing
a mechanical capability of said pharmaceutical dispensing device
from about 100% to about 200% by activating back up pharmaceutical
modules.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein said maintenance comprises a
known time window required to perform said maintenance.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one proposed
maintenance window is scheduled when said pharmaceutical dispensing
machine is not active.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one proposed
maintenance window is scheduled when said pharmaceutical dispensing
machine is active and said pharmaceutical dispensing machine
comprises at least one redundant hardware, adapted to perform the
same task as a module requiring maintenance.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein said request to perform said
maintenance is generated by said pharmaceutical dispensing
device.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein said request to perform said
maintenance is generated after said pharmaceutical dispensing
device had run a self-diagnostic program on one or more of its
software, hardware and inventory.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein said self-diagnostic program is
activated upon a failure or a scheduled diagnostic.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein said self-diagnostic program is
activated remotely.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein said self-diagnostic program is
activated based on statistics of technical issues and failures of
pharmaceutical dispensing devices.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein said self-diagnostic program
comprises performing visual confirmation of technical issues and
failures.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein said generating at least one
proposed maintenance window comprises dividing said at least one
proposed maintenance window into multiple different time windows if
no one proposed maintenance window is found.
17. The method of claim 3, further comprising activating a
secondary pharmaceutical dispensing machine to provide
pharmaceuticals during said at least one proposed maintenance
window if said at least one proposed maintenance window interferes
with achieving said production goals.
18. The method of claim 1, wherein said method is performed at a
central server.
19. The method of claim 1, wherein said generating said at least
one proposed maintenance window is performed at said pharmaceutical
dispensing machine.
20. The method of claim 11, further comprising performing a mock
pharmaceutical dispensing process to test the performance of said
pharmaceutical dispensing machine.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 16/379,835 filed on Apr. 10, 2019. The
contents of the above application are all incorporated by reference
as if fully set forth herein in their entirety.
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates
to a pharmaceutical operation service and, more particularly, but
not exclusively, to means and methods for providing a continuous
pharmaceutical operation service.
[0003] Additional background art includes U.S. Pat. No. 7,698,019
discloses "a system, software and related methods of enhanced
pharmaceutical operations in long term care facilities. An
embodiment of a system includes a long-term care facility pharmacy
group management server, long-term care facility pharmacy
management software associated with the long-term care facility
pharmacy group management server to manage pharmacological
operations in a plurality of long-term care facilities, a plurality
of pharmaceutical storage and electronic dispensing carts each
positioned in a long-term care facility remote from the long-term
care facility pharmacy group management server and in communication
therewith, a remote pharmacy group server in communication with the
long-term care facility pharmacy group management server, and a
plurality of pharmaceutical prescription document processors each
positioned in a long-term care facility and in communication with
the remote pharmacy group server or the long-term care facility
pharmacy group management server".
[0004] US patent application No. 20130123977 discloses "systems and
methods for managing canisters used to automatically dispense
medication. Canisters are configurable via a design process and a
build process to accurately dispense a variety of medications.
Design profiles are created and stored by a canister management
system, and are federated to workstations used to build and fill
the canisters, and to workstations used to dispense the medication.
Information related to the build process, the fill process, and the
dispense process is also federated by the system. The system also
enables the transmission of other types of messages between client
applications on the workstations and the canister management
system. The system is useful to federate data regardless of a
structure of a supply chain used to design, build, distribute, and
use the canisters".
[0005] US patent application No. 20130240555 discloses "a tablet
cassette of a medicine packing apparatus capable of sensing the
tablet congestion occurred inside the tablet cassette and settling
the congestion and a method for operating the same are provided.
The tablet cassette includes a cartridge having space for
containing tablets and an outlet for discharging the tablets, a
tablet installation unit, and an oscillator vibrating the cartridge
when tablets may not be discharged even if they are remained inside
the cartridge".
[0006] International patent application No. WO2018052160 discloses
"a medication dispenser having high space utilization, having a
large quantity of medication packages loaded therein, having high
medication-dispensing efficiency, and enabling smooth dispensing
regardless of the size and type of the medication package. Provided
is the medication dispenser comprising: a canister module in which
a canister having the medication packages loaded therein is
accommodated; and a pickup robot for picking up the medication
packages in individual units, wherein the canister includes:
L-shaped first and second walls for providing a loading space
allowing the medication packages to move therein in the long axis
direction of the canister; a guide for moving the first wall toward
the second wall so as to adjust a gap with the second wall; a
contact plate moving along the loading space, and bringing the
medication packages into close contact with each other by pressure;
and a spiral spring providing the pressure to the contact plate,
having a strip shape, and wound in a coil shape".
[0007] US patent application No. 20180122177 discloses "storage and
distribution system for products in unit doses, including a
plurality of housing units, each including a plurality of locations
for products in unit doses. The housing units are organised on a
vertical plane to produce at least one portion of a picking wall,
in which the locations for products in unit doses face selective
picking members. A picking unit includes picking members oriented
on the picking wall for picking products packaged in unit doses. A
collecting unit, arranged on a second side of the picking unit,
includes a rack having a plurality of pegs facing towards the first
side of the picking unit. The pegs are reached by the picking
members so as to pick therefrom or deposit thereon products
packaged in unit doses. The plurality of pegs as a whole can
collect a smaller number of unit dose products than those that can
be stored in the automatic store".
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 8,280,550 discloses "devices, systems, and
methods for remotely managing items that are configured to be
stored in at least one dispensing device. This includes receiving
user identification information at a host computer system from an
electronic device that is remotely located from the dispensing
device. This also includes transmitting from the host computer
system to the electronic device a disposition of at least one item,
wherein the at least one item is associated with a patient.
Further, this includes receiving, at the host computer system from
the remote electronic device, information about the item
originating from the dispensing device, wherein the information
includes a further disposition of the item".
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present
invention there is provided a method of scheduling maintenance for
a pharmaceutical dispensing device, comprising: receiving a request
to perform said maintenance; automatically generating at least one
proposed maintenance time window matching production goals of said
pharmaceutical dispensing device and mechanical capability of said
pharmaceutical dispensing device and said maintenance and said
request; and responding to said request with said at least one
proposed maintenance time window.
[0010] According to some embodiments of the invention, said request
comprises at least one preferred time window to perform said
maintenance.
[0011] According to some embodiments of the invention, generating
comprises comparing said at least one preferred time window to
perform said maintenance with a production schedule of said
pharmaceutical dispensing device.
[0012] According to some embodiments of the invention, when said
generating comprises amending said production schedule to achieve
said production goals to enable the generation of said at least one
proposed maintenance time window at said at least one preferred
time window to perform said maintenance.
[0013] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
amending comprises utilizing a mechanical capability from about 50%
to about 100%.
[0014] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
amending comprises utilizing a mechanical capability from about
100% to about 200% by activating back up pharmaceutical
modules.
[0015] According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present
invention there is provided a self-configuring pharmaceutical
dispensing device, comprising: at least one replaceable module
configured to perform at least a part of a pharmaceutical
dispensing process; at least one additional hardware component
which interfaces with said at least one replaceable module to
assist in said pharmaceutical dispensing process; at least one
identification circuit associated with said at least one
replaceable module and configured to detect an indication of at
least one property of said at least one replaceable module; a
control circuitry which controls and coordinates the activities of
said at least one replaceable module and said additional hardware
using at least one setup parameter value; and a configuration
circuitry which receives said detected indication and modifies said
at least one setup parameter value in response to said detected
indication.
[0016] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one replaceable module is selected from a group consisting
of: a pharmaceutical array module, a pharmaceutical tote module, a
pharmaceutical operational modules section and a mechanical arm
module.
[0017] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
dispensing process comprises at least one selected from the group
consisting of:
[0018] a. storing at least one pharmaceutical;
[0019] b. identifying at least one pharmaceutical;
[0020] c. identifying at least one location of said at least one
pharmaceutical;
[0021] d. collecting said at least one pharmaceutical from said at
least one location;
[0022] e. transporting said at least one pharmaceutical from said
at least one location to at least one secondary location in said
dispensing machine;
[0023] f. releasing said at least one pharmaceutical in said at
least one secondary location;
[0024] g. printing at least one information on at least one
pharmaceutical transporting container;
[0025] h. closing said at least one pharmaceutical transporting
container;
[0026] i. inserting said at least one container in at least one
tote; and
[0027] j. dispensing said at least one tote to at least one
authorized user.
[0028] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one location is located in said pharmaceutical array
module.
[0029] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
transporting is performed by said mechanical arm module.
[0030] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one secondary location is a pharmaceutical transporting
container.
[0031] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
pharmaceutical transporting container is an envelope.
[0032] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one property comprises at least one selected from the group
consisting of:
[0033] a. correct functioning of said at least one replaceable
module;
[0034] b. type of pharmaceutical;
[0035] c. size of pharmaceutical;
[0036] d. quantity of pharmaceuticals; and
[0037] e. type of pharmaceutical transporting container.
[0038] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
indication is a change in said correct functioning of said at least
one replaceable module.
[0039] According to some embodiments of the invention, indication
is at least one selected from the group consisting of:
[0040] a. a change in said type of pharmaceutical;
[0041] b. a change in said size of pharmaceutical;
[0042] c. a change in said quantity of pharmaceuticals; and
[0043] d. a change in said type of pharmaceutical transporting
container.
[0044] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one replaceable module comprises at least one replaceable
unit, and said at least one replaceable unit comprises at least one
replaceable element.
[0045] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one replaceable module, said at least one replaceable unit
and said at least one element comprise at least one sensor in
communication with said control circuitry and configured to monitor
part of said pharmaceutical dispensing process.
[0046] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one replaceable module, said at least one replaceable unit
and said at least one element comprise at least one camera in
communication with said control circuitry and configured to
visually monitor part of said process.
[0047] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one sensor and said at least one camera are activated
remotely by a user via a dedicated server.
[0048] According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present
invention there is provided a pharmaceutical dispensing machine
configured to perform a pharmaceutical dispensing process including
recovering at least one pharmaceutical from a dedicated container,
relaying said at least one pharmaceutical to the inside of at least
one pharmaceutical carrier package, sealing and labeling said at
least one pharmaceutical carrier package, and dispensing said at
least one pharmaceutical inside said at least one pharmaceutical
carrier package, comprising:
[0049] a. at least one module including a first configuration
configured to perform at least one first part of said process;
[0050] b. dispensing hardware including a second configuration
configured to perform at least one second part of said process;
and
[0051] c. circuitry, which coordinates the operation of, said at
least one module and said dispensing hardware using at least one
parameter related to dispensing pharmaceuticals;
[0052] wherein said at least one first part of said process and
said at least one second part of said process overlap in
functionality in said process and are performed at a same
dispensing event.
[0053] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one first part of said process and said at least one second
part of said process are different parts of said process.
[0054] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one first configuration and said at least one second
configuration are the same configuration.
[0055] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one first configuration and said at least one second
configuration are different configurations.
[0056] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one first part of said process and said at least one second
part of said process are performed at the same time.
[0057] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one first part of said process and said at least one second
part of said process are performed at different times.
[0058] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one module is selected from a group consisting of: a
pharmaceutical array module, a pharmaceutical tote module, a
pharmaceutical operational modules section and a mechanical arm
module.
[0059] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
dispensing hardware is operated when said at least one module
cannot be operated.
[0060] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one module comprises at least one first unit including a
third configuration configured to perform at least one third part
of said process.
[0061] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one module comprises at least one second unit including a
fourth configuration configured to perform at least one fourth part
of said process.
[0062] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one third part of said process and said at least one fourth
part of said process are the same part of said process.
[0063] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one third part of said process and said at least one fourth
part of said process are different part of said process.
[0064] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one third configuration and said at least one fourth
configuration are the same configuration.
[0065] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one third configuration and said at least one fourth
configuration are different configurations.
[0066] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one third part of said process and said at least one fourth
part of said process are performed at the same time.
[0067] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one third part of said process and said at least one fourth
part of said process are performed at different times.
[0068] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one unit comprises at least one first element including a
fifth configuration configured to perform at least one fifth part
of said process.
[0069] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one unit comprises at least one second element including a
sixth configuration configured to perform at least one sixth part
of said process.
[0070] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one fifth part of said process and said at least one sixth
part of said process are the same part of said process.
[0071] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one fifth part of said process and said at least one sixth
part of said process are different part of said process.
[0072] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one fifth configuration and said at least one sixth
configuration are the same configuration.
[0073] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one fifth configuration and said at least one sixth
configuration are different configurations.
[0074] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one fifth part of said process and said at least one sixth
part of said process are performed at the same time.
[0075] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one fifth part of said process and said at least one sixth
part of said process are performed at different times.
[0076] According to some embodiments of the invention, modules,
hardware, units and elements comprise at least one sensor in
communication with said circuitry and configured to monitor part of
said process.
[0077] According to some embodiments of the invention, modules,
hardware, units and elements comprise at least one camera in
communication with said circuitry and configured to visually
monitor part of said process.
[0078] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one sensor and said at least one camera are activated
remotely by a user via a dedicated server.
[0079] According to some embodiments of the invention, modules,
hardware, units and elements are configured to be independently
dismounted from said pharmaceutical dispensing device.
[0080] According to some embodiments of the invention, dismounting
said modules, hardware, units and elements does not interrupt the
part of said process of said pharmaceutical dispensing machine.
[0081] According to some embodiments of the invention, modules,
hardware, units and elements are configured to be independently
replaced from said pharmaceutical dispensing device.
[0082] According to some embodiments of the invention, replacing
said modules, hardware, units and elements does not interrupt the
part of said process of said pharmaceutical dispensing machine.
[0083] According to some embodiments of the invention, replacing
said modules, hardware, units and elements is from about 1 minute
to about 10 minutes.
[0084] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
pharmaceutical array module comprises a plurality of drug
units.
[0085] According to some embodiments of the invention, the number
of said plurality of drug units is from about 4 to about 300.
[0086] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
plurality of drug units comprise a plurality of drug elements.
[0087] According to some embodiments of the invention, the number
of said drug elements is from about 2 to about 200.
[0088] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
plurality of drug units have a horizontal orientation with respect
to said pharmaceutical array module.
[0089] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
plurality of drug units have a vertical orientation with respect to
said pharmaceutical array module.
[0090] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
pharmaceutical tote module comprise a plurality of trays.
[0091] According to some embodiments of the invention, envelopes
that have been marked, filled with pharmaceuticals, closed, crimped
and ready to be dispensed are inserted in said trays.
[0092] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
pharmaceutical operational module section comprises a plurality of
submodules.
[0093] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
plurality of submodules are selected from a group consisting of: a
printer module, a crimper module, at least one envelope module and
a control module.
[0094] According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present
invention there is provided a method of operating a pharmaceutical
dispensing device comprising:
[0095] a. providing a pharmaceutical dispensing device with at
least one first removable pharmaceutical dispensing module, at
least one second removable pharmaceutical dispensing module and
circuitry interconnecting and coordinating mechanical operations in
a pharmaceutical dispensing process of said first and said second
removable pharmaceutical dispensing modules using at least one
parameter related to dispensing pharmaceuticals;
[0096] c. configuring, before a dispensing event, said at least one
second removable pharmaceutical dispensing module to perform a
mechanical operation of said at least one first removable
pharmaceutical dispensing module;
[0097] d. mechanically operating said first and said second
removable pharmaceutical dispensing modules at a same dispensing
event;
[0098] e. continuing mechanically operating, during the same
dispensing event, one of said modules when the other cannot
operate.
[0099] According to some embodiments of the invention, providing
said first and said second removable pharmaceutical dispensing
modules from a group consisting of: a pharmaceutical array module,
a pharmaceutical tote module, a pharmaceutical operational modules
section and a mechanical arm module.
[0100] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one parameter is storing at least one pharmaceutical.
[0101] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one parameter is identifying at least one pharmaceutical.
[0102] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one parameter is identifying at least one location of said at
least one pharmaceutical.
[0103] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one location is located in said pharmaceutical array
module.
[0104] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one parameter is collecting said at least one pharmaceutical
from said at least one location.
[0105] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one parameter is transporting said at least one
pharmaceutical from said at least one location to at least one
secondary location in said dispensing machine.
[0106] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
transporting is performed by said mechanical arm module.
[0107] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one secondary location is a pharmaceutical transporting
container.
[0108] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
pharmaceutical transporting container is an envelope.
[0109] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one parameter is releasing said at least one pharmaceutical
in said at least one secondary location.
[0110] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one parameter is printing at least one information on at
least one pharmaceutical transporting container.
[0111] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one parameter is sealing said at least one pharmaceutical
transporting container.
[0112] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one parameter is inserting said at least one container in at
least one tote.
[0113] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one parameter is dispensing said at least one tote to at
least one authorized user.
[0114] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
mechanical operation is storing at least one pharmaceutical.
[0115] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
mechanical operation is identifying at least one
pharmaceutical.
[0116] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
mechanical operation is identifying at least one location of said
at least one pharmaceutical.
[0117] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
mechanical operation is collecting said at least one pharmaceutical
from said at least one location.
[0118] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
mechanical operation is transporting said at least one
pharmaceutical from said at least one location to at least one
secondary location in said dispensing machine.
[0119] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one secondary location is a pharmaceutical transporting
container.
[0120] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
pharmaceutical transporting container is an envelope.
[0121] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
mechanical operation is releasing said at least one pharmaceutical
in said at least one secondary location.
[0122] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
mechanical operation is printing at least one information on at
least one pharmaceutical transporting container.
[0123] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
mechanical operation is sealing said at least one pharmaceutical
transporting container.
[0124] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
mechanical operation is inserting said at least one container in at
least one tote.
[0125] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
mechanical operation is dispensing said at least one tote to at
least one authorized user.
[0126] According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present
invention there is provided a method of scheduling maintenance for
a pharmaceutical dispensing device, comprising:
[0127] a. receiving a request to perform said maintenance;
[0128] b. automatically generating at least one proposed
maintenance window matching production goals of said pharmaceutical
dispensing device and mechanical capability of said pharmaceutical
dispensing device and said maintenance and said request;
[0129] c. responding to said request with said at least one
proposed maintenance window.
[0130] According to some embodiments of the invention, said request
comprises at least one preferred time window to perform said
maintenance.
[0131] According to some embodiments of the invention, generating
comprises comparing said at least one preferred time window to
perform said maintenance with a production schedule of said
pharmaceutical dispensing device.
[0132] According to some embodiments of the invention, when said
generating comprises amending said production schedule to achieve
said production goals to enable the generation of said at least one
proposed maintenance window at said at least one preferred time
window to perform said maintenance.
[0133] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
amending comprises utilizing a mechanical capability from about 50%
to about 100%.
[0134] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
amending comprises utilizing a mechanical capability from about
100% to about 200% by activating back up pharmaceutical
modules.
[0135] According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present
invention there is provided a self-configuring pharmaceutical
dispensing device, comprising: [0136] (a) at least one replaceable
module configured to perform part of a pharmaceutical dispensing
process; [0137] (b) at least one additional hardware component
which interfaces with said at least one replaceable module to
assist in said dispensing process; [0138] (c) at least one
identification circuit associated with said at least one
replaceable module and configured to detect an indication of at
least one property of said at least one replaceable module; [0139]
(d) a control circuitry which coordinates the activities of said at
least one replaceable module and said additional hardware using at
least one setup parameter value; and [0140] (e) a configuration
circuitry, which receives said detected indication and modifies
said at least one setup parameter value in response to said
detected indication.
[0141] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one replaceable module is selected from a group consisting
of: a pharmaceutical array module, a pharmaceutical tote module, a
pharmaceutical operational modules section and a mechanical arm
module.
[0142] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
dispensing process comprises storing at least one
pharmaceutical.
[0143] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
dispensing process comprises identifying at least one
pharmaceutical.
[0144] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
dispensing process comprises identifying at least one location of
said at least one pharmaceutical.
[0145] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one location is located in said pharmaceutical array
module.
[0146] According to some embodiments of the invention, wherein said
dispensing process comprises collecting said at least one
pharmaceutical from said at least one location.
[0147] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
dispensing process comprises transporting said at least one
pharmaceutical from said at least one location to at least one
secondary location in said dispensing machine.
[0148] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
transporting is performed by said mechanical arm module.
[0149] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one secondary location is a pharmaceutical transporting
container.
[0150] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
pharmaceutical transporting container is an envelope.
[0151] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
dispensing process comprises releasing said at least one
pharmaceutical in said at least one secondary location.
[0152] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
dispensing process comprises printing at least one information on
at least one pharmaceutical transporting container.
[0153] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
dispensing process comprises sealing said at least one
pharmaceutical transporting container.
[0154] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
dispensing process comprises inserting said at least one container
in at least one tote.
[0155] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
dispensing process comprises dispensing said at least one tote to
at least one authorized user.
[0156] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one property comprises correct functioning of said at least
one replaceable module.
[0157] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one property comprises type of pharmaceutical.
[0158] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one property comprises size of pharmaceutical.
[0159] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one property comprises quantity of pharmaceuticals.
[0160] According to some embodiments of the invention, said at
least one property comprises type of pharmaceutical transporting
container.
[0161] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
indication is a change in said correct functioning of said at least
one replaceable module.
[0162] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
indication is a change in said type of pharmaceutical.
[0163] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
indication is a change in said size of pharmaceutical.
[0164] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
indication is a change in said quantity of pharmaceuticals.
[0165] According to some embodiments of the invention, said
indication is a change in said type of pharmaceutical transporting
container.
[0166] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific
terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by
one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains.
Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those
described herein can be used in the practice or testing of
embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials
are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification,
including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials,
methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to
be necessarily limiting.
[0167] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, some
embodiments of the present invention may be embodied as a system,
method or computer program product. Accordingly, some embodiments
of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware
embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware,
resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining
software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to
herein as a "circuit," "module" or "system." Furthermore, some
embodiments of the present invention may take the form of a
computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable
medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.
Implementation of the method and/or system of some embodiments of
the invention can involve performing and/or completing selected
tasks manually, automatically, or a combination thereof. Moreover,
according to actual instrumentation and equipment of some
embodiments of the method and/or system of the invention, several
selected tasks could be implemented by hardware, by software or by
firmware and/or by a combination thereof, e.g., using an operating
system.
[0168] For example, hardware for performing selected tasks
according to some embodiments of the invention could be implemented
as a chip or a circuit. As software, selected tasks according to
some embodiments of the invention could be implemented as a
plurality of software instructions being executed by a computer
using any suitable operating system. In an exemplary embodiment of
the invention, one or more tasks according to some exemplary
embodiments of method and/or system as described herein are
performed by a data processor, such as a computing platform for
executing a plurality of instructions. Optionally, the data
processor includes a volatile memory for storing instructions
and/or data and/or a non-volatile storage, for example, a magnetic
hard-disk and/or removable media, for storing instructions and/or
data. Optionally, a network connection is provided as well. A
display and/or a user input device such as a keyboard or mouse are
optionally provided as well.
[0169] Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s)
may be utilized for some embodiments of the invention. The computer
readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a
computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage
medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,
magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor
system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the
foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the
computer readable storage medium would include the following: an
electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer
diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only
memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or
Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only
memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage
device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the
context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be
any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by
or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus,
or device.
[0170] A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated
data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein,
for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a
propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including,
but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable
combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any
computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage
medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program
for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,
apparatus, or device.
[0171] Program code embodied on a computer readable medium and/or
data used thereby may be transmitted using any appropriate medium,
including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber
cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.
[0172] Computer program code for carrying out operations for some
embodiments of the present invention may be written in any
combination of one or more programming languages, including an
object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++
or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such
as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages.
The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer,
partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package,
partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or
entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,
the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through
any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide
area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external
computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet
Service Provider).
[0173] Some embodiments of the present invention may be described
below with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block
diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program
products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be
understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or
block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart
illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer
program instructions. These computer program instructions may be
provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special
purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus
to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via
the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing
apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts
specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or
blocks.
[0174] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a
computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other
programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to
function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored
in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture
including instructions which implement the function/act specified
in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0175] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a
computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other
devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on
the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to
produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions
which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus
provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in
the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0176] Some of the methods described herein are generally designed
only for use by a computer, and may not be feasible or practical
for performing purely manually, by a human expert. A human expert
who wanted to manually perform similar tasks, might be expected to
use completely different methods, e.g., making use of expert
knowledge and/or the pattern recognition capabilities of the human
brain, which would be vastly more efficient than manually going
through the steps of the methods described herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0177] Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by
way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is
stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for
purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the
invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings
makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the
invention may be practiced.
[0178] In the drawings:
[0179] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of exemplary previous
pharmaceutical dispensing systems/methods;
[0180] FIG. 2 is showing an exemplary pharmaceutical dispensing
machine, according to some embodiments of the present
invention;
[0181] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a pharmaceutical
dispensing machine comprising backup and/or redundant modules,
according to some embodiments of the present invention;
[0182] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a pharmaceutical
tote module, according to some embodiments of the present
invention;
[0183] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a pharmaceutical
array module, according to some embodiments of the present
invention;
[0184] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a drug unit being
disconnected (dismounted) from the frame of the pharmaceutical
array module, according to some embodiments of the present
invention;
[0185] FIG. 7 is an exemplary drug unit and/or drug subunit with
five spaces for five drug elements, according to some embodiments
of the present invention;
[0186] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a drug element being
disconnected (dismounted) from drug unit, according to some
embodiments of the present invention;
[0187] FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of a drug element,
according to some embodiments of the present invention;
[0188] FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of a mechanical arm
module, according to some embodiments of the present invention;
[0189] FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of the internal
mechanism of the pill engagement mechanism, according to some
embodiments of the present invention;
[0190] FIG. 12 is schematic representation of a pill engagement
mechanism being disconnected (dismounted) from the vertical axle,
according to some embodiments of the present invention;
[0191] FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of a pharmaceutical
tote module, according to some embodiments of the present
invention;
[0192] FIG. 14 is a schematic representation of a pharmaceutical
tote module being disconnected (dismounted) from the frame of the
pharmaceutical dispensing machine, according to some embodiments of
the present invention;
[0193] FIG. 15 is a schematic representation of an exemplary
pharmaceutical operational modules section, according to some
embodiments of the present invention;
[0194] FIGS. 16a-16c are three schematic representations of
disconnected parts from the pharmaceutical operational modules
section, according to some embodiments of the present
invention;
[0195] FIGS. 17a-17c are schematic representations of the envelope
modules (a), printer module (b) and crimper module (c), according
to some embodiments of the present invention;
[0196] FIGS. 18a-18c are schematic representations of exemplary
configurations of the pharmaceutical dispensing machine, according
to some embodiments of the present invention;
[0197] FIGS. 19-20 are schematic flowcharts of a method performed
by an exemplary pharmaceutical operation service system, according
to some embodiments of the present invention; and
[0198] FIGS. 21-23 are schematic flowcharts of another method
performed by an exemplary pharmaceutical operation service system,
according to some embodiments of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0199] The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates
to a pharmaceutical operation service and, more particularly, but
not exclusively, to means and methods for providing a continuous
pharmaceutical operation service.
Overview
[0200] An aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to
pharmaceutical dispensing machines with at least one redundant
and/or backup hardware therefore providing said pharmaceutical
dispensing machines with high reliability and/or easy
maintainability. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical dispensing
machine comprises at least one module. In some embodiments, the
pharmaceutical dispensing machine comprises a plurality of modules.
In some embodiments, said at least one module is selected from a
group consisting of: a pharmaceutical array module, a
pharmaceutical tote module, a pharmaceutical operational modules
section and a mechanical arm module. In some embodiments, said at
least one redundant and/or backup hardware is adapted to perform
the same and/or similar and/or different tasks of said at least one
of said modules. In some embodiments, when said at least one module
cannot perform, said at least one redundant and/or backup hardware
performs the task instead of said module. In some embodiments, said
at least one module and said at least one redundant and/or backup
hardware perform the same and/or similar and/or different tasks at
the same time.
[0201] An aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to
modular pharmaceutical dispensing machines comprising at least one
module and at least one redundant hardware, said at least one
redundant hardware adapted to perform the same task as said at
least one module, with the same configuration and/or a similar
configuration and/or a different configuration of said at least one
module. In some embodiments, said at least one module and said at
least one redundant hardware operate concomitantly. In some
embodiments, said at least one module and/or said at least one
redundant hardware can be replaced with a different configuration
according to the demands and/or the needs of the place where said
modular pharmaceutical dispensing machine is located. In some
embodiments, replacement of said at least one module or said at
least one redundant hardware does not interrupt the operation of
each other. In some embodiments, the configuration of said at least
one module and/or said at least one redundant hardware are the
same. In some embodiments, the configuration of said at least one
module and/or said at least one redundant hardware are similar. In
some embodiments, the configuration of said at least one module
and/or said at least one redundant hardware are different. In some
embodiments, the configuration of said at least one module and/or
said at least one redundant hardware complement each other
according to the demands and/or the needs of the place where said
modular pharmaceutical dispensing machine is located.
[0202] An aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to
pharmaceutical dispensing machines comprising at least one module
where said at least one module can be removed and/or replaced from
said pharmaceutical dispensing machine without interrupting the
functioning of said machine.
[0203] An aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to
maintaining a pharmaceutical dispensing machine comprising at least
one module where the time required to remove and/or replace said at
least one module is known. In some embodiments, scheduling and/or
performing maintenance is done according to the scheduled activity
of said pharmaceutical dispensing machine and/or said known time
required to remove and/or replace said at least one module. In some
embodiments, maintenance is schedule when said pharmaceutical
dispensing machine is not active. In some embodiments, maintenance
is schedule when said pharmaceutical dispensing machine is active
and said pharmaceutical dispensing machine comprises at least one
redundant hardware, adapted to perform the same task as said at
least one module.
[0204] An aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to
modular pharmaceutical dispensing machines comprising at least one
module and at least one redundant hardware, where said modular
pharmaceutical dispensing machine comprises hardware and software
adapted to perform monitoring of the performance of said at least
one module and at least one redundant hardware and operate them
according to said monitoring. In some embodiments, operation of
said at least one module and at least one redundant hardware means
activating one of them and deactivating the other. In some
embodiments, operation of said at least one module and at least one
redundant hardware means activating both of them concomitantly. In
some embodiments, when the performance of said at least one module
and/or at least one redundant hardware is not according to
determined parameters, the machines sends a signal to the server
and/or user notifying of the occurrence.
[0205] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention
in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not
necessarily limited in its application to the details of
construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods
set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the
drawings and/or the Examples. The invention is capable of other
embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various
ways.
Exemplary Previous Pharmaceutical Dispensing Systems/Methods
[0206] Over the years, pharmacies have been a backbone in providing
prescription drugs and other medications to people and have been a
convenience as retail pharmacies have expanded to locating close to
most residential areas. Recently, pharmacies also have been placed
inside of facilities such as hospitals, physician offices, malls,
nursing homes, retirement homes, assisted living facilities, and
other locations to make it easier for people to get access to
medications and to facilitate interaction with medical personnel.
Because of the numerous types of medications stored and dispensed
by pharmacies, automation within the pharmacy industry has been
desirable. Accordingly, numerous developments have been made to
automate the pharmacy ordering, dispensing, and storage
capabilities. For example, machines have been developed to store
and dispense medication responsive to security codes or other
identification from medical personnel or users. Also, electronic
storage and dispensing carts have been developed which are often
stored on each floor of a hospital to allow the carts to
electronically receive dispensing instructions from a hospital
pharmacy computer. Additionally, machines have been developed to
store several hundred different types of medications and to
dispense the medications to medical personnel for distribution to
patients.
[0207] Nevertheless, little has been done to enhance storage and
distribution of medications in nursing homes, retirement homes,
Alzheimer's living facilities, senior communities, assisted living
facilities, and other types of long term care facilities
(hereinafter collectively "long-term care facilities") which are
significantly different in operation, personnel structure, and
physical structure than hospitals, physician offices, and home
care. Because more and more people are and will be entering these
long-term care facilities and because medication costs have been
rising over the years, attempting to help make pharmacies,
providing services to these long term facilities, profitable can
often be important in successfully operating a long-term care
facility. Further, technical reliability of the pharmaceutical
dispensing machines is critical for these facilities since
malfunctioning of the machines can cause patients to not receive
the necessary pharmaceuticals on time.
[0208] Referring now to FIG. 1, showing a schematic representation
of an exemplary prior art system used, for example, in a long term
care facility. The system usually comprises a storage and
dispensing machine 100, which is brought to the long term care
facility. There, a nurse 102 collects the pharmaceuticals and
brings them to the patients 104.
[0209] While this system provides a partial response to the needs
of the long term care facility, it does not guarantee a reliable
long-term solution. It is common, in these prior art systems, that
the machine stops working due to, for example, a technical
malfunction, maintenance or unscheduled refill of pharmaceuticals.
In any of these scenarios, the personnel of the long term care
facility is required again to deal directly with the
pharmaceuticals until the machine is repaired and/or
resupplied.
Exemplary Pharmaceutical Dispensing Machine According to Some
Embodiments of the Invention
[0210] In some embodiments, a pharmaceutical dispensing machine
comprising at least one backup and/or redundant software and/or
hardware is provided.
[0211] In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical dispensing machine
comprises at least one module. In some embodiments, the
pharmaceutical dispensing machine comprises a plurality of modules.
In some embodiments, said at least one module comprises at least
one backup and/or redundant hardware and/or module adapted to
perform the same and/or similar and/or different functions. In some
embodiments, said at least one module and said at least one backup
and/or redundant hardware and/or module perform tasks at the same
time.
[0212] In some embodiments, said at least one module comprises at
least one unit. In some embodiments, said at least one module
comprises a plurality of units. In some embodiments, said at least
one unit comprises at least one backup and/or redundant hardware
and/or unit adapted to perform the same and/or similar and/or
different functions. In some embodiments, said at least one unit
and said at least one backup and/or redundant hardware and/or unit
perform tasks at the same time.
[0213] In some embodiments, said at least one unit comprises at
least one element. In some embodiments, said at least one unit
comprises a plurality of elements. In some embodiments, said at
least one element comprises at least one backup and/or redundant
hardware and/or element adapted to perform the same and/or similar
and/or different functions. In some embodiments, said at least one
element and said at least one backup and/or redundant hardware
and/or element perform tasks at the same time.
[0214] Referring now to FIG. 2, showing an exemplary pharmaceutical
dispensing machine according to some embodiments of the present
invention. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical dispensing
machine comprises at least one module selected from the group
consisting of: a pharmaceutical array module 106, a pharmaceutical
tote module 108, a pharmaceutical operational modules section 110
and a mechanical arm module 112.
[0215] In some embodiments, the modules, the units and the
elements, comprise at least one dedicated sensor adapted to monitor
the functioning and/or the performance and/or the demands of the
modules/units/elements. In some embodiments, the at least one
dedicated sensor is activated remotely by a user via a dedicated
server.
[0216] In some embodiments, verification on functionality of
hardware, updated software, content (i.e. pharmaceuticals),
consumables (i.e. envelopes) is performed on the modules, the units
and the elements. In some embodiments, a user and/or a technician
at the site of the pharmaceutical dispensing machine perform the
verification. In some embodiments, a user and/or a technician
perform the verification remotely.
[0217] Referring now to FIG. 3, showing a schematic representation
of an exemplary pharmaceutical dispensing machine comprising backup
and/or redundant hardware and/or modules. In some embodiments, the
pharmaceutical dispensing machine comprising backup and/or
redundant hardware and/or modules comprises at least two
pharmaceutical array modules (106a and 106b), at least two
pharmaceutical tote modules (108a and 108b), at least two
pharmaceutical control modules (110a and 110b) and at least two
mechanical arm modules (112a and 112b).
[0218] In some embodiments, only one module is operated while the
backup and/or redundant hardware and/or module is inactive. In some
embodiments, both the main module and the backup and/or redundant
hardware and/or module are operated simultaneously.
[0219] In some embodiments, the modules, either main module or
backup and/or redundant hardware and/or module can be operated
independently to other hardware and/or modules. For example, in the
pharmaceutical dispensing machine shown in FIG. 3, the two
pharmaceutical array modules (106a and 106b) can be operated while
only one pharmaceutical tote module (108a or 108b) is operated.
Similarly, the two pharmaceutical array modules (106a and 106b) and
the two pharmaceutical tote modules (108a and 108b) are operated
while only one pharmaceutical operational module section (110a or
110b) is operated.
[0220] In some embodiments, the modules are designed to be an
independent part of the pharmaceutical dispensing machine. For
example, the pharmaceutical tote module 108 can be disconnected
(dismounted) from the frame of the pharmaceutical dispensing
machine completely, without affecting the rest of the modules.
Referring now to FIG. 4, showing a schematic representation of a
pharmaceutical tote module 108 being disconnected (dismounted) from
the frame of the pharmaceutical dispensing machine as example of
dismounting a module. In some embodiments, each module (106, 108,
110 and 112) can be extracted from the frame of the pharmaceutical
dispensing machine. In some embodiments, each module (106, 108, 110
and 112) can be extracted from the frame of the pharmaceutical
dispensing machine without the need to stop the operation of the
machine.
[0221] In some embodiments, this configuration is potentially
advantageous during repairs and/or maintenance. In some
embodiments, the time required to bring the pharmaceutical
dispensing machine to normal functioning is very short (i.e.
minutes). In some embodiments, the technician can pull out a module
and then insert a new one at its place. In some embodiments, the
time to replace either a module, a unit or an element from said
pharmaceutical dispensing device is from about 1 minute to about 10
minutes. Optionally from about 5 minutes to about 30 minutes.
Optionally from about 10 minutes to about 60 minutes.
Exemplary Pharmaceutical Array Module 106
[0222] Referring now to FIG. 5, showing a schematic representation
of a pharmaceutical array module 106. In some embodiments, the
pharmaceutical array module 106 is responsible for the storage of a
variety of pharmaceuticals. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical
array module 106 comprises a plurality of drug units 114, which
each further comprise a plurality of drug elements 116, in which
pharmaceuticals are stored.
[0223] In some embodiments, the number of drug units 114 in the
pharmaceutical array module 106 is from about 1 to about 500.
Optionally, the number of drug units 114 in the pharmaceutical
array module 106 is from about 4 to about 300. Optionally, the
number of drug units 114 in the pharmaceutical array module 106 is
from about 10 to about 200. In some embodiments, each drug unit
comprises a backup and/or redundant drug unit adapted to include
the same drug elements 116.
[0224] In some embodiments, each drug unit 114 is designed to be an
independent part of the pharmaceutical array module 106. For
example, the drug unit 114a can be disconnected (dismounted) from
the frame of the pharmaceutical array module 106, completely,
without affecting, for example, the correct functioning of the drug
units 114b and/or 114c. In some embodiments, a drug unit 114 is
adapted to include a specific number of drug elements 116 within.
In some embodiments, the number of drug elements within a drug unit
is from about 2 to about 200. Optionally, is from about 5 to about
150. Optionally, is from about 10 to 100. In some embodiments, each
row of drug unit 114 comprises a plurality of drug subunits 115a-e
arranged one after the other, as shown for example, in row drug
unit 114d.
[0225] In some embodiments, a drug unit comprises a backup and/or
redundant drug unit adapted to perform the same function. In some
embodiments, a drug subunit comprises a backup and/or redundant
drug subunit adapted to perform the same function.
[0226] Referring now to FIG. 6, showing a schematic representation
of a drug unit 114 being disconnected (dismounted) from the frame
of the pharmaceutical array module 106 as example of dismounting a
drug unit.
[0227] In some embodiments, this configuration is potentially
advantageous during repairs and/or maintenance. In some
embodiments, the time required to bring the pharmaceutical
dispensing machine to normal functioning is very short (i.e.
minutes). In some embodiments, the technician can pull out a unit
and then insert a new one at its place. In some embodiments, during
repairs and/or maintenance a backup and/or redundant drug unit
and/or drug subunit performs the function of the drug unit and/or
drug subunit that is being repaired and/or maintained.
Exemplary Drug Unit 114/Drug Subunit 115
[0228] Referring now to FIG. 7, showing an exemplary drug unit 114
and/or drug subunit 115 with five spaces for five drug elements
116. In some embodiments, the drug units 114/subunits 115 are
adapted to include a plurality of drug elements 116 within. In some
embodiments, the number of drug elements within a drug subunit is
from about 2 to about 20. Optionally, is from about 5 to about 15.
Optionally, is from about 7 to 10. In some embodiments, the drug
units 114/subunits 115 comprise an adapter 118 configured to
receive and lock in place a drug element 116. In some embodiments,
pharmaceuticals are stored in the drug elements. In some
embodiments, each drug element stores a different pharmaceutical.
Optionally, several drug elements store the same kind of
pharmaceuticals.
[0229] In some embodiments, the drug units 114/subunits 115 can
have a horizontal orientation with respect to the pharmaceutical
array module 106. In some embodiments, the drug units 114/subunits
115 can have a vertical orientation with respect to the
pharmaceutical array module 106.
[0230] In some embodiments, the adapters 118 are configured to
provide the drug elements 116 with an angle .alpha. in relation to
the wall of the drug unit 114/subunit 115 on which they are
connected. In some embodiments, the angle .alpha. is from about 10
degrees to about 90 degrees. Optionally, the angle .alpha. is from
about 20 degrees to about 60 degrees. Optionally, the angle .alpha.
is from about 30 degrees to about 50 degrees. Optionally, the angle
.alpha. is 30 degrees or 45 degrees or 60 degrees.
[0231] In some embodiments, each drug element comprises a backup
and/or redundant drug element including the same type of
pharmaceuticals.
[0232] In some embodiments, each drug element 116 is designed to be
an independent part of the drug unit 114/subunit 115. Referring now
to FIG. 8, showing a schematic representation of a drug element
116b being disconnected (dismounted) from drug unit 114 as example
of dismounting a drug element. For example, the drug element 116b
can be disconnected (dismounted) from the frame of the drug unit
114, completely, without affecting, for example, the correct
functioning of the drug elements 116a and/or 116c.
[0233] In some embodiments, this configuration is potentially
advantageous during repairs and/or maintenance. In some
embodiments, the time required to bring the pharmaceutical
dispensing machine to normal functioning is very short (i.e.
minutes). In some embodiments, the technician can pull out a unit
and then insert a new one at its place. In some embodiments, during
repairs and/or maintenance a backup and/or redundant drug element
performs the function of the drug element that is being repaired
and/or maintained.
Exemplary Drug Element 116
[0234] Referring now to FIG. 9, showing a schematic representation
of a drug element 116. In some embodiments, each drug element 116
comprises two main parts: a cartridge 120 and a container 122. In
some embodiments, the cartridge 120 and the container 122 can be
separated from each other. In some embodiments, the cartridge 120
is filled with single pharmaceutical pills. In some embodiments,
after the cartridge 120 is connected to the container 122, at the
first use, a component in the mechanical arm module 112, engages
button 123, which releases a flap 124, located at the bottom of the
cartridge 120, thereby releasing the pharmaceutical pills into the
container 122. In some embodiments, the pill located in the
cartridge 120 are released only when pills located in the container
122 are finished. In some embodiments, the pills located in the
cartridge 120 are used as backup pills for the pills located in the
container 122. In some embodiments, the cartridge comprises a tag
125 (or a barcode or a qcode) at the top, comprising the relevant
information regarding the pharmaceutical inside the cartridge. In
some embodiments, the container 122 comprises a base 126 configured
to interconnect with the adapter 118 of the drug unit 114. In some
embodiments, the container 122 comprises an electronic tag 128,
which includes the information related to the pharmaceuticals in
the drug element 116. In some embodiments, the electronic tag 128
is an RFID tag. Optionally, the electronic tag is a data dot, a
barcode or qcode. In some embodiments, the container 122 comprises
a probe assembly 130 comprising a cap 132 with an adaptor 134
configured to interconnect with a part of the mechanical arm module
112 and a probe 136 adapted to engage a single pharmaceutical pill
(see below pill engagement mechanism 146). In some embodiments, the
container 122 optionally comprises a pill dam 138 adapted to
partially hold and separate the single pharmaceutical pills from
the zone of the straw 136 of the probe 130. In some embodiments,
this configuration is potentially advantageous to facilitate the
engagement with a single pharmaceutical pill.
[0235] In some embodiments, the cartridge 120 and/or the container
122 can be replaced without discarding the other.
[0236] In some embodiments, the machine comprises a plurality of
spare probes in case a probe wears out and/or malfunctions. In some
embodiments, a variety of designs of probes are used in the
machine, for example, adapted to engage different types of pills.
For example, the distal end of the probe, which engages the pills,
can be designed with a circular geometry adapted to engage circular
pills. Optionally, bigger probes are adapted to engage bigger
pills.
[0237] In some embodiments, the drug elements may comprise
different number of pills, different size of pills and/or different
weight of pills.
Exemplary Mechanical Arm Module 112
[0238] Referring now to FIG. 10 showing a schematic representation
of a mechanical arm module 112. In some embodiments, the mechanical
arm module 112 comprises two horizontal rails (138 and 140) on
which a vertical axle 142 runs horizontally (right and left, left
and right) by means of a motor 144 (located, for example, on the
right corner of the machine in FIG. 10). In some embodiments, the
vertical axle 142 moves horizontally as much as the length of the
two horizontal axles (138 and 140). In some embodiments, the
mechanical arm module 112 further comprises a pharmaceutical pill
engagement mechanism 146 that runs vertically (up and down, down
and up) on the vertical axle 142 by means of a motor 148. In some
embodiments, the pharmaceutical pill engagement mechanism 146 moves
vertically as much as the length of the vertical axle 142.
[0239] In some embodiments, the mechanical arm module 112 can be
disconnected (dismounted) from the frame of the pharmaceutical
dispensing machine without the need to dismount and/or disassemble
the other modules (106, 108 and 110). Optionally, only one of the
two rails is used 138 or 140. In these cases, the left right motion
mechanism that provides the motion is either hanging from the top
rail 138 or standing from the bottom 140.
Exemplary Pill Engagement Mechanism 146
[0240] Referring now to FIG. 11, showing a schematic representation
of the internal mechanism of the pill engagement mechanism 146.
[0241] In some embodiments, the pill engagement mechanism 146
utilizes a vacuum system to engage a single pharmaceutical pill. In
some embodiments, the pill engagement mechanism 146 comprises a
vacuum mechanism 150, which includes all necessary electronics and
pumps. In some embodiments, the vacuum mechanism 150 comprises a
probe engagement tool 152 adapted to engage the probe 130 in the
container 122. In some embodiments, the pill engagement mechanism
146 optionally comprises an envelope engaging tool 154 adapted to
hold and handle an envelope 156 into which the pharmaceuticals will
be inserted.
[0242] Referring now to FIG. 12 showing a schematic representation
of a pill engagement mechanism 146 being disconnected (dismounted)
from the vertical axle 142. In some embodiments, the engagement
mechanism 146 can be disconnected (dismounted) from the vertical
axle 142 easily and without the need to disconnect any other part
of the machine. In some embodiments, this configuration is
potentially advantageous during repairs and/or maintenance.
Exemplary Pharmaceutical Tote Module 108
[0243] Referring now to FIG. 13, showing a schematic representation
of a pharmaceutical tote module 108. In some embodiments, after the
envelopes are marked, filled with pharmaceuticals, closed, crimped
and ready to be dispensed, they are inserted in trays 158 located
in the pharmaceutical tote module 108. In some embodiments, the
trays 158 are then picked up by the personnel of the facility and
dispensed to the patients. In some embodiments, the number of trays
158 in the pharmaceutical tote module 108 is from about 1 to about
50. Optionally, the number of trays 158 in the pharmaceutical tote
module 108 is from about 4 to about 40. Optionally, the number of
trays 158 in the pharmaceutical tote module 108 is from about 6 to
about 30. Optionally, the number of trays 158 in the pharmaceutical
tote module 108 is from about 12 to about 20.
[0244] Referring now to FIG. 14, showing a schematic representation
of a pharmaceutical tote module 108 being disconnected (dismounted)
from the frame of the pharmaceutical dispensing machine as example
of dismounting a module. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical
tote module 108 can be extracted from the frame of the
pharmaceutical dispensing machine without the need to dismount
and/or disassemble the other modules (106, 110 and 112).
[0245] In some embodiments, this configuration is potentially
advantageous during repairs and/or maintenance. In some
embodiments, the time required to bring the pharmaceutical
dispensing machine to normal functioning is very short (i.e.
minutes). In some embodiments, the technician can pull out a module
and then insert a new one at its place.
Exemplary Pharmaceutical Operational Modules Section 110
[0246] In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical operational modules
section 110 comprises a plurality of modules, each one responsible
for a different operational aspect of the preparation and/or
dispensing of the pharmaceuticals. Referring now to FIG. 15,
showing a schematic representation of an exemplary pharmaceutical
operational modules section 110. In some embodiments, the
pharmaceutical operational modules section 110 comprises, for
example, a printer module 160, a crimper module 162, at least one
envelope module 164 (in this example two are shown) and a control
module 166. Optionally, other techniques can be used in the
different modules, for example a stapler or gluing instead of
crimping. Optionally, in the pharmaceutical operational modules
section 110, spare consumable parts can be stored in order for the
machine to use them when necessary. For example, in FIG. 15, a
plurality of probes 168 in a probe station, are shown.
[0247] In some embodiments, each of the modules located in the
pharmaceutical operational modules section 110 can be disconnected
(dismounted) from the frame of the pharmaceutical operational
modules section 110, without affecting the operation of the rest of
the modules (i.e. 160, 162, etc.). Referring now to FIGS. 16a-16c,
showing three schematic representations of disconnected parts from
the pharmaceutical operational modules section 110. FIG. 16a shows
the envelope modules 164 being disconnected (dismounted) from the
pharmaceutical operational modules section 110. FIG. 16b shows the
printer module 160 being disconnected (dismounted) from the
pharmaceutical operational modules section 110. FIG. 16c shows the
crimper module 162 being disconnected (dismounted) from the
pharmaceutical operational modules section 110. In some
embodiments, other backup consumables found are: ink for the
printer, staples for the stapler, more envelopes, and other. In
some embodiments, the personnel of the facility can replace the
consumables of the modules.
Exemplary Printer Module 160
[0248] In some embodiments, the printer module 160 is responsible
for printing on the envelopes 156. An exemplary printer module can
be seen, for example, in FIG. 17b.
Exemplary Crimper Module 162
[0249] In some embodiments, the crimper module 162 is responsible
for closing the envelopes 156 after the pharmaceutical have being
inserted in them. An exemplary crimper module can be seen, for
example, in FIG. 17c.
Exemplary Envelope Module 164
[0250] In some embodiments, the envelope module 164 is responsible
for storing and preparing the envelopes 156 before use. An
exemplary envelope module can be seen, for example, in FIG.
17a.
Exemplary Control Module 166
[0251] In some embodiments, the control module 166 is responsible,
for example, for controlling the packaging and dispensing
operations (i.e. control of the other modules), communicate with
external regional or central server and perform routinely
self-diagnostic test to ensure the continuous operation of the
pharmaceutical dispensing machine.
Exemplary Different Configurations of the Pharmaceutical Dispensing
Machine
[0252] In some embodiments, due to the modular nature of the
pharmaceutical dispensing machine, a plurality of configurations
are achieved. Referring now to FIGS. 18a-18c, showing schematic
representations of exemplary configurations of the pharmaceutical
dispensing machine. FIG. 18a shows a schematic representation of a
pharmaceutical dispensing machine where the pharmaceutical array
module 106 is located on the upper side of the machine while the
pharmaceutical tote module 108 and the pharmaceutical operational
modules section 110, are located at the bottom. The mechanical arm
module 112 is adapted to reach all necessary parts of the machine
due to a modified pill engagement mechanism 146. FIG. 18b shows a
schematic representation of a pharmaceutical dispensing machine
where the pharmaceutical array module 106 is divided in two
sections, one inside the machine and the other on the door of the
machine. The pharmaceutical tote module 108 and the pharmaceutical
operational modules section 110, are located at the side of the
machine, as previously shown. The mechanical arm module 112 is
adapted to reach both sides of the pharmaceutical array module 106
due to a modified pill engagement mechanism 146, which is enabled
to rotate on its axis therefore reaching both sides of the
pharmaceutical array module 106. Alternatively, two mechanical arms
modules (heads) may be used, for example, one facing the back and
the other facing the door. FIG. 18c shows a schematic
representation of a carousel pharmaceutical dispensing machine. In
these embodiments, the pharmaceutical array module 106, the
pharmaceutical tote module 108 and the pharmaceutical operational
modules section 110 are located on a column-type frame enabled to
rotate on its axis. The mechanical arm module 112 is located on the
side of the machine, and the rotation of the column-type frame
brings the relevant modules in front of the mechanical arm module
112. Optionally, two mechanical arms are installed, for example, at
180 degrees to each other. In some embodiments, this configuration
can be used for speeding up processes and/or for backup for the
mechanical arm.
Exemplary Uses for Modular Pharmaceutical Dispensing Machines
[0253] In some embodiments, the modularity of the pharmaceutical
dispensing machine can be used for more than just backup and/or
redundancy in cases of technical malfunctions. In some embodiments,
the modularity of the pharmaceutical dispensing machine is used to
respond to demands and operational needs of the specific locations
where the machines are located.
[0254] In some embodiments, examples of demands and/or needs may
be, for example: [0255] Different sizes of dispensing machines: a
specific size of machine that can handle and storage a different
amount of pills is provided according to the needs of the place.
For example, machines that can handle 150 or 200 or 250 different
types of pills can be provided by adding or removing specific
modules. [0256] Increase/Decrease in population: when a specific
place suffers either an increase or a decrease in the population
that requires the pharmaceutical dispensing service, different
modules can be added/removed according to the change. [0257]
Multiple modules that perform the same task can have different
configurations: for example, a dispensing machine that comprises
two different envelope modules, each one with a different size of
envelops can work simultaneously. In the case where one of the two
sizes is not required, a module can be replaced so the two envelope
modules comprise the same envelope size. [0258] Easy upgradability:
modules can be upgraded, either in their hardware or in their
software, outside the dispensing machine, and the technician only
needs to replace an old module with an upgraded module without the
need to replace the whole pharmaceutical dispensing machine. [0259]
Easy to transport: separate small modules are transported more
easily than whole machines. [0260] Special size pills: in case a
pharmaceutical dispensing machine requires to dispense a pill that
has a special size, either bigger or smaller than the average pill
size, a dedicated module/unit/element can be incorporated into the
pharmaceutical dispensing machine without the need to replace the
whole machine. [0261] Different pill mix and amount of pills
requires system adjustment [0262] Modules can be tested remotely
for diagnostics: besides the built-in diagnostic mechanism of the
pharmaceutical dispensing machine, the modules can be monitored
and/or diagnosed remotely from the main server, without the need to
monitor and/or diagnose the whole machine.
[0263] In some embodiments, different sizes of pharmaceutical
dispensing machines utilize the same modules. In some embodiments,
the different modules are interchangeable between pharmaceutical
dispensing machines of different sizes.
[0264] In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical dispensing machine
uses redundancy of the modules, the units and the elements to
perform the dispensing process. For example, in the cases where
there are two mechanical arms, both mechanical arms are used to
transport pharmaceuticals from their container (or multiple
redundant containers containing the same and/or different
pharmaceuticals) to the envelope (or multiple envelopes in the case
where there are more than one envelope module).
Exemplary Methods
[0265] In some embodiments, the modules in the pharmaceutical
dispensing machine do not work independently to each other. In some
embodiments, the modules work as a series of actions performed by
each module. For example, the control module receives information
about the next batch of pharmaceuticals to be dispensed. The
mechanical arm module is activated to reach for a specific
pharmaceutical located in a drug unit located in the pharmaceutical
array module. The pill is engaged by the pill engagement mechanism
and the mechanical arm module transports the pharmaceutical to the
envelope taken from the envelope module. Once all the necessary
pharmaceutical are inserted in the envelope, the envelope is then
closed, for example, by the crimper module, and the printer module
marks the envelope with the relevant information. Then the
mechanical arm module transports the envelope to the pharmaceutical
tote module, where eventually a user will pick up the tray with all
the envelopes.
[0266] In some embodiments, a user has discretion of deciding in
what order the modules, units, elements and/or pharmaceuticals are
used. In some embodiments, insertion of input regarding
preferential order of activations of different components and/or
pharmaceuticals is performed at the pharmaceutical dispensing
machine itself via a display. In some embodiments, insertion of
input regarding preferential order of activations of different
components and/or pharmaceuticals is performed remotely by the
user.
[0267] Referring now to FIG. 19, showing a schematic flowchart of a
method performed by an exemplary pharmaceutical operation service
system. In some embodiments, the dispensing machine runs a
self-diagnostic program 200 on its software, hardware and
inventory. In some embodiments, the dispensing machine might detect
an issue 202 during the self-diagnostic program. In some
embodiments, self-diagnostics are performed at given times (e.g.
startup of machine, before each med run etc.). In some embodiments,
diagnostic are performed upon some failure and/or schedule
maintenance/diagnostic. In some embodiments, the machine comprises
the option of remote diagnostics, in which the control center can
interrogate the system and review all sensors and modules in order
to assess their status. In some embodiments, the device comprises
at least one camera on the arm module that can be moved remotely to
see various elements of the machine. In some embodiments, the
subcomponent and/or modules comprise at least one sensor and
control logic for self-testing, for example, the rails will provide
status report on their motors and encoders. In some embodiments,
the operational modules are capable to detect, for example, low
count on the consumables. In some embodiments, the at least one
dedicated sensor and/or at least one camera are activated remotely
by a user via a dedicated server. In some embodiments, issues
revealed by the self-diagnostic program might be, for example, a
technical issue 204, an inventory issue 206 and/or an unknown issue
208.
[0268] In some embodiments, statistics are used to anticipate
and/or identify issues in the pharmaceutical dispensing machine.
For example, modules that are used more often are more susceptible
to technical issues and failures. In some embodiments, statistics
and visual confirmation of issues are used to monitor the
performance of the pharmaceutical dispensing machines.
[0269] In some embodiments, tests are used to monitor the
performance of the pharmaceutical dispensing machine. In some
embodiments, a user can remotely activate the pharmaceutical
dispensing machine to prepare a mock envelope containing mock
pharmaceuticals. The machines goes through the whole processing of
picking the mock pharmaceutical, inserting it in an envelope,
closing it and printing on it "mock" or "test". All this while
observing via the cameras located in the different modules of the
pharmaceutical dispensing machine, and monitoring the different
sensors of each module.
[0270] In some embodiments, a cascade of inquiries is activated in
each of the scenarios in order to assess the situation and proceed
accordingly, as will be explained in the following paragraphs. In
some embodiments, the dispensing machine continues the diagnostic
program 210 either until it receives an "all ok" response or until
the issue is detected and identified. In some embodiments, if the
issue is and inventory issue 206, then the dispensing machine
contacts the server 212 to solve the issue. In some embodiments, if
the issue is, a technical issue 204 and/or an unknown issue 208,
then a more specified identification of which module and/or unit
and/or element has the issue 214. Once identified, the machine
inquiries if there is a there a backup and/or redundant module
and/or unit and/or element that can replace the affected module
and/or unit and/or element 216. If there is not a backup and/or
redundant module and/or unit and/or element that can replace the
affected module and/or unit and/or element, then the machine
contacts the server 218 to solve the issue. If there is a backup
and/or redundant module and/or unit and/or element that can replace
the affected module and/or unit and/or element, then (Flowchart
continues following the letter A 220 to FIG. 20) the machine
changes the primary module and/or unit and/or element to the backup
and/or redundant module and/or unit and/or element and contacts the
server 222 to notify the issue.
[0271] Referring now to FIG. 21 showing a schematic flowchart of an
exemplary maintenance scheduling method for pharmaceutical
operation service systems. In some embodiments, when a dispensing
machine requires maintenance 230, the central server software
brings up the estimated known time to perform maintenance to the
modules/units/elements 232. Then, the central servers brings up the
dispensing machine activity schedule 234. At this point, the
software searches for a time window where all maintenance can be
performed and the dispensing machine is inactive 236. If there is
such time window, then the software schedules the maintenance 238.
In some embodiments, there will be a follow up of the maintenance a
period of time after the scheduled maintenance 240. In some
embodiments, follow up is performed a day after the scheduled
maintenance. Optionally can be a week after the scheduled
maintenance. Optionally can be two weeks or more after the
scheduled maintenance. If there is no such time window, (following
letter "B" to FIG. 22), the software inquires if the maintenance
can be divided in different time windows 242. If the answer is yes,
then the maintenance tasks are divided and scheduled in different
time windows 244. After that, a follow up will be done 246. If the
maintenance cannot be divided then the software inquiries if the
machine has backup and/or redundant hardware for the parts that
require maintenance 248. If the answer is yes, then the software
schedules the maintenance 250 since the backup and/or redundant
hardware can be operated while performing the scheduled
maintenance. After that, a follow up will be done 252. If the
answer is no, (following letter "C" to FIG. 23), then the software
chooses the least busy activity window in said dispensing machine
activity schedule 254. Then the software schedules the maintenance
and activates a secondary dispensing machine to provide
pharmaceuticals during said least busy activity window where the
maintenance is scheduled 256. After that, a follow up will be done
258.
Examples
[0272] Reference is now made to the following examples, which
together with the above descriptions illustrate some embodiments of
the invention in a non limiting fashion.
Preparation of a Batch of Pharmaceuticals
[0273] In a scenario of a hospital having several rooms in a floor,
in each room several patients, it scheduled to deliver the morning
medicines at 08:00 in the morning. The pharmaceutical dispensing
machine receives the information regarding each patient, what
medicine he/she needs to receive, in which bed is located in which
room on the floor mentioned in the scenario. The pharmaceutical
dispensing machine automatically commences the preparation of a
batch of pharmaceuticals for the morning medicines for the patients
calculating the required time to prepare all the pharmaceuticals.
The pharmaceutical dispensing machine can prepare the batched per
room and/or per floor and/or in the order of beds in each room on
the floor. The mechanical arm module begins to pick up pills from
the drug elements and transport them to the designated envelope.
Once all the required pills are in the envelope, the envelope is
closed and the information of the patient is printed on the
envelope. Then the envelope is transported into the tray in the
pharmaceutical tote module. This process goes on until all the
envelopes containing all the pills for all the patients of the
floor are ready. Then the user and/or the nurse picks up the tray,
ready to be delivered according to the predetermined order.
Field Replacement of Modules
[0274] In a scenario where a pharmaceutical dispensing machine,
having all the modules mentioned above and at least one redundant
module for each module, is located in a hospital. During the
preparation of a batch, the one of the envelope modules ceases to
function. At this point, the pharmaceutical dispensing machine
continues to operate utilizing only one envelope module. A signal
is sent to the technician and/or a user that an envelope module is
not working. For the sake of the scenario, a technician arrives
with a brand new envelope module. While the pharmaceutical
dispensing machine continues to prepare the batches of
pharmaceuticals, the technician opens the machine, extracts the
faulty envelope module and introduces the new envelope module at
its place. All this while the pharmaceutical dispensing machine
continues to prepare the pharmaceuticals to be delivered. The
introduction of the new envelope module is received by the
pharmaceutical operational modules section and the pharmaceutical
dispensing machine begins using again both envelopes modules for
the preparation of the batch. The same principle applies also to
modules, hardware, units and elements.
Time/Production Optimization and Scheduling
[0275] In this scenario, a technician is required to schedule a
maintenance in a pharmaceutical dispensing machine. The
pharmaceutical dispensing machine already has the schedule for the
preparation of the morning batch. The technician must perform the
maintenance at a certain time, which coincides with the schedule of
the preparation of the morning batch. In one scenario, the
pharmaceutical dispensing machine can optimize the preparation of
the morning batch by utilizing all available modules at its
disposal. This way, for example, the pharmaceutical dispensing
machine can prepare the batches in less time, therefore opening a
window where the technician can come and perform the scheduled
maintenance. In another scenario, the system can coordinate the
maintenance with the preparation of the batches by using one set of
modules while the technician performs maintenance on the other set
of modules, and then, at a certain point, the roles change, the
second set (already passed maintenance) works on preparing the
batches while the first set is being maintained.
[0276] As used herein with reference to quantity or value, the term
"about" means "within .+-.20% of".
[0277] The terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes",
"including", "has", "having" and their conjugates mean "including
but not limited to".
[0278] The term "consisting of" means "including and limited
to".
[0279] The term "consisting essentially of" means that the
composition, method or structure may include additional
ingredients, steps and/or parts, but only if the additional
ingredients, steps and/or parts do not materially alter the basic
and novel characteristics of the claimed composition, method or
structure.
[0280] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the"
include plural references unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise. For example, the term "a unit" or "at least one unit"
may include a plurality of units, including sub-units thereof.
[0281] Throughout this application, embodiments of this invention
may be presented with reference to a range format. It should be
understood that the description in range format is merely for
convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an
inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly,
the description of a range should be considered to have
specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as
individual numerical values within that range. For example,
description of a range such as "from 1 to 6" should be considered
to have specifically disclosed subranges such as "from 1 to 3",
"from 1 to 4", "from 1 to 5", "from 2 to 4", "from 2 to 6", "from 3
to 6", etc.; as well as individual numbers within that range, for
example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the
breadth of the range.
[0282] Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein (for example
"10-15", "10 to 15", or any pair of numbers linked by these another
such range indication), it is meant to include any number
(fractional or integral) within the indicated range limits,
including the range limits, unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise. The phrases "range/ranging/ranges between" a first
indicate number and a second indicate number and
"range/ranging/ranges from" a first indicate number "to", "up to",
"until" or "through" (or another such range-indicating term) a
second indicate number are used herein interchangeably and are
meant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all the
fractional and integral numbers therebetween.
[0283] Unless otherwise indicated, numbers used herein and any
number ranges based thereon are approximations within the accuracy
of reasonable measurement and rounding errors as understood by
persons skilled in the art.
[0284] It is appreciated that certain features of the invention,
which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate
embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single
embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which
are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment,
may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination
or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention.
Certain features described in the context of various embodiments
are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments,
unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.
[0285] It is the intent of the applicant(s) that all publications,
patents and patent applications referred to in this specification
are to be incorporated in their entirety by reference into the
specification, as if each individual publication, patent or patent
application was specifically and individually noted when referenced
that it is to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition,
citation or identification of any reference in this application
shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is
available as prior art to the present invention. To the extent that
section headings are used, they should not be construed as
necessarily limiting. In addition, any priority document(s) of this
application is/are hereby incorporated herein by reference in
its/their entirety.
* * * * *