Aesynt Incorporated

Mckesson Automation, Inc.

Omnicell, Inc.

Mckesson Automation Systems, Inc.

Mckesson Automated Systems Inc.

Shawn T Greyshock

Patrick Joseph Braun

Manoj Wangu

Anthony D Self

Robert Eckert

Jamie Vollm

William B Pattison

Bruce Thompson

William A Meyer

Ryan Thomas

Ben H Tylenda

Jyotsna Rao

David N Monto

James Kolodziej

Robert Jaynes

James Kolozs

David Deutsch

Pat Braun

Mark W Leng

Amy Blew

Wendy Armstrong

Laurie Garda

Benjamin H Tylenda

Anandhi Sarangan

Provided herein is a system for automated dispensing of articles. Systems may include: a robotic arm; an end-of-arm tool attached to the robotic arm; a scanning device proximate the end-of-arm tool; and a controller to control the robotic arm and the end-of-arm tool. The end-of-arm tool may include a body and two or more vacuum cups extending from the body, where the controller controls a level of suction provided to each of the two or more vacuum cups individually. Each of the two or more vacuum cups extending from the body may be movable between a retracted position proximate the body, and an extended position away from the body of the end-of-arm tool in response to instruction from the controller. Suction may be provided only to the vacuum cups of the two or more vacuum cups that are disposed in the extended position.

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for the automated dispensing of articles

Provided herein are various apparatuses, systems, and methods for improving the efficiency of medication distribution within a healthcare facility. In particular, embodiments may provide for dispensing medications needed and medications anticipated to be needed to an authorized medical person for administration to a patient in a healthcare facility. Methods may include receiving an indication of one or more unit dose medications anticipated to be needed by a patient; retrieving the one or more unit dose medications from a unit storage device; loading the one or more unit dose medications onto a transport device; transporting the one or more unit dose medications from the unit storage device to a location proximate the patient; and transferring the one or more unit dose medications from the transport device to a staging area at the location proximate the patient.

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for transporting medications from a central pharmacy to a patient in a healthcare facility

A storage apparatus is provided. The storage apparatus defines a storage cavity having an opening at the upper surface of the storage apparatus with a substantially planar flange extending outwardly from the opening of the storage cavity and defines a plurality of support structures, each support structure (a) having an opening at the upper surface of the storage apparatus and (b) adapted to support the storage apparatus.

Storage apparatus with support structures

Methods, apparatuses and computer program products are provided for facilitating the expedited dispensing of medications from an automated medication storage device. In this regard, a method may cooperate with the first device to facilitate the presentation of various displays that include features to reduce number of user interactions to dispense medications safely and effectively.

Systems, methods and computer program product for streamlined medication dispensing

An apparatus for filling vials comprises a shelving unit defining an array of storage locations. The shelving unit may be an array in an XY plane or one or more carousels. A plurality of storage containers are provided, each removably carried by one of the storage locations. A counting and dispensing unit, a source of vials, a label printer and application unit or units, and an output device are also provided. The output device may take a variety of forms such as an output chute, which is preferably used when a capping unit is provided, an output conveyor, a plurality of output lanes, and an output carousel, which may be a dedicated carousel or a portion of the carousel providing the plurality of storage locations. A computer controlled engagement device provides motion in a Z direction. The engagement device may be comprised of a first stage for engaging the storage containers and a second stage for engaging the vials. A computer controlled system carries the engagement device and moves the engagement device in XY directions among the plurality of storage locations, counting and dispensing unit, source of vials, label printer and application unit, and output device. Methods of operating and refilling the vial filling apparatus are also disclosed.

Automated apparatus and method for filling vials

A method, system and corresponding apparatus are provided for determining a perforation location on a blister card comprising at least one unit dose blister of medication. In particular, a data extraction operation with respect to a surface of the blister card may be performed and perforation location information defining a location of at least one perforation adjoining two unit dose blisters on the blister card may be determined based on the data extracted.

System, method and corresponding apparatus for detecting perforations on a unit dose blister card

An apparatus for singulating unit dose blisters from a blister card including at least two perforations separating unit dose blisters positioned adjacent to each other and extending along a longitudinal length of the blister card is provided. The apparatus may include a perforation determiner and a blister card cutter. The perforation determiner may be configured to generate information indicative of a distance between a first perforation location and a second perforation location of the blister card with respect to perforations extending along a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the blister card and separating unit dose blisters to be singulated. The blister card cutter may be configured to utilize the received information indicative of the distance and the total number of perforations to determine cutting locations for cutting at the first perforation location, the second perforation location and additional perforation locations and enable cutting of each perforation extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the blister card responsive to sequential cutting and repositioning operations based on determined cutting locations.

System, method and corresponding apparatus for singulating a unit dose blister card

A unit dose package is provided that facilitates the automated picking of the package. The unit dose package includes a plurality of individually packaged unit dose medications separated by perforations. The unit dose package also defines a hole that may be located along at least one perforation, such as at an intersection of at least two perforations, to permit the package to be stored by being suspended by a rod. A robotic dispensing system and method are also provided that facilitate the selective dispensation of unit dose packages having different numbers of individually packaged unit dose medications. The system includes first and second storage locations for storing first and second unit dose packages which have different numbers of individually packaged unit dose medication(s). The system also includes a controller to direct picking of the first or second unit dose packages dependant upon a requested number of individually packaged unit dose medication(s).

Unit dose packaging and associated robotic dispensing system and method

Growing community of inventors

Tarentum, PA, United States of America

Shawn T Greyshock