Other

Pearson Ventures, L.l.c.

Pearson Research & Development Limited

Pearson Medical Technologies, Inc.

Walter G Pearson

Dennis J Murdock

Todd R Funderburk

W Brent Pearson

Kerney J Hurst

Charles Nunnink

Brett A Tompkins

The present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium containing computer executable code for instructing a computer to first display a field selection screen which includes selection indicators for a plurality of label fields. Then there is displayed a field content screen responsive to the label fields previously selected with the field content screen allowing editing of at least one label field. A bar code corresponding with one of said label fields is then selected and a print preview screen containing a plurality of said label fields is displayed. Then a print command for printing a label substantially as displayed on the print preview screen and including the bar code (regardless of whether or not said bar code is included on said print preview screen) is transmitted.

Drug packaging machine & printing software for same

A method for packaging a plurality of objects, the method including the steps of placing the plurality of objects on a top surface of a planar member which defines an array of recesses, each of the recesses being sized and configured to receive one of the plurality of objects, sweeping at least some of the plurality of objects across the top surface to ensure that each of the recesses has received a respective one of the objects, removing all of any excess number of the plurality of objects from the top surface, and placing in contact with, or at least in close proximity to, the top surface a sheet which forms an array of blister-like chambers for receiving at least a portion of the plurality of objects, the array of recesses of the top surface being substantially aligned with and opening into the blister-like chambers of the sheet, and transferring each of the objects to be transferred from its respective recess to a corresponding blister-like chamber of the sheet.

Packaging system and related method

A device one version of which comprises a planar member having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface defines an array of recesses configured for substantial alignment with an array of blister-like chambers in a sheet to receive a plurality of objects. All of the recesses defined by the planar member are substantially uniform in size and each recess is sized and configured so that substantially all of at least one of the objects may fit in a respective recess. The planar member also defines a plurality of fluid passageways, each passageway opening respectively into one of the recesses defined by the top surface of the planar member, at least a portion of each fluid passageway being more narrow in cross-section than its respective recess to retain the object in its respective recess. Related vacuum apparatus employing the device is described.

Packaging device

A vacuum driven pill counter having a counter housing with a pill discharge aperture formed therein. vacuum disk is rotatably positioned in the housing and has a front wall including a pill aperture and an agitating finger extending outwardly from the front wall. A vacuum source is positioned in communication with the housing and is capable of drawing a vacuum through the pill aperture in the vacuum disk. A torque source is operatively connected to the vacuum disk in order to rotate the vacuum disk. A pill shelf is positioned adjacent to the front wall of the vacuum disk and a pill separator for removing pills retained on the pill apertures by the vacuum source is connected to the pill shelf. Finally, a pill sensor is positioned to detect pills which will exit the discharge aperture.

Vacuum drum pill counter

Apparatus for packaging a plurality of objects, the apparatus including (i) a vacuum chamber housing which defines an opening sized and configured to receive, and be placed in a substantially sealed relationship with, a planar member having a bottom surface and a top surface, which top surface in turn defines an array of recesses, each of the recesses being sized and configured to receive one of the objects, and which planar member further defines a plurality of fluid passageways extending through the planar member, each of the plurality of fluid passageways opening in a respective one of the recesses defined by the planar member and extending completely through the planar member to a passageway opening in the bottom surface of the planar member, (ii) a support member pivotally attached to the vacuum chamber and sized and configured to receive a sheet which forms an array of blister-like chambers for receiving at least a portion of the plurality of objects, and (iii) a switch configured for operative connection to a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber, the switch being disposed to enable a user to turn off the vacuum pump after the vacuum chamber is pivoted to a position in which the opening of the vacuum chamber and the planar member in sealed relation therewith are above the support member and the sheet when the sheet has been received by the support member and the array of blister-like chambers and the array of recesses are substantially aligned. The invention also concerns related component devices and methods of packaging objects.

A vacuum driven pill counter includes a counter housing with a pill discharge aperture formed therein. An integrally formed vacuum drum is rotatably positioned in the housing and the vacuum drum includes a front wall, a rear wall, and a perimeter wall. The front wall of the vacuum drum has a plurality of pill apertures formed therein. A vacuum source communicates with the housing such that the vacuum sources is capable of drawing a vacuum through the pill apertures formed in the vacuum drum and a torque source is operatively connected to the vacuum drum in order to rotate the vacuum drum. A pill shelf is positioned adjacent to the front wall of the vacuum drum and a pill separator removes pills retained on the pill apertures while a pill sensor detects pills which are removed by the pill separator and exit the discharge aperture. Additionally, the pill counter may include a pill feeder. The pill feeder has a frame with a top and bottom aperture and with the bottom aperture being positioned over an opening in the counter housing. A pill reservoir is positioned on the frame to allow pills to flow into the top aperture of the frame. A feed gate positioned within the frame is slidably movable between the top and bottom apertures.

A pill dispensing system which includes a container constructed to hold a plurality of pills and that container includes a lower aperture and an upper portion. A pill lifting assembly located below the pill container includes a pill platform which lifts a pill into the upper portion of the container. A pill ejector is connected to the pill platform and the pill ejector places the pill into motion as the pill platform approaches the upper portion of the container. An exit passage communicates with the upper portion of the pill container and the exit passage is configured to receive a pill placed into motion by the ejector. A sensor is operatively connected to the exit passage such that the sensor is capable of detecting a pill moving through the exit passage. Finally, a micro-controller is operatively connected to the pill lifting assembly and the sensor. This micro-controller accepts an input representing the number of pills to be dispensed and initiates sufficient cycles of the pill lifting assembly to insure the desired number of pills are dispensed.

Medication dispensing system

A pill dispensing system which includes a container constructed to old a plurality of pills and that container includes a lower aperture and an upper portion. A pill lifting assembly located below the pill container includes a pill platform which lifts a pill into the upper portion of the container. A pill ejector is connected to the pill platform and the pill ejector places the pill into motion as the pill platform approaches the upper portion of the container. An exit passage communicates with the upper portion of the pill container and the exit passage is configured to receive a pill placed into motion by the ejector. A sensor is operatively connected to the exit passage such that the sensor is capable of detecting a pill moving through the exit passage. Finally, a micro-controller is operatively connected to the pill lifting assembly and the sensor. This micro-controller accepts an input representing the number of pills to be dispensed and initiates sufficient cycles of the pill lifting assembly to insure the desired number of pills are dispensed.

A medication delivery cartridge for dispensing unit dose medication packages is provided, comprising a base; a plurality of support members extending upwardly from the base, the support members being shaped and dimensioned to hold a plurality of unit dose medication packages; and an attachment device on the base for allowing the cartridge to be installed within a medication delivery system. Preferably, the medication delivery cartridge further includes a removable retaining device connected to each of the support members, wherein the retaining device is shaped and dimensioned to retain the unit dose medication packages within the cartridge prior to installation of the cartridge within the medication delivery system. Also, a bar code or other identifying indicia are located on the cartridge corresponding to the particular unit dose medication packages within the cartridge, wherein the identifying indicia are readable by the medication delivery system. The cartridges are pre-loaded by the medication supplier, and are intended for vertical retrieval of unit dose medication packages from the top-most package downward until the supply of packages within the cartridge is exhausted.

Medication delivery cartridge

A medication delivery cartridge for dispensing consumable medical supplies is provided, comprising a base; a hollow guide member, preferably in the shape of a tube, removably connectable to the base by a guide sleeve, wherein the guide member is shaped and dimensioned to contain a plurality of medical supply containers; and attachment means on the base for allowing the cartridge to be installed within a medication delivery system. The hollow guide member preferably includes an indexing device for aligning the guide member with the base. Each of the medical supply containers may include a lifting device attached thereto for allowing temporary attachment to the probe of the delivery system. Where a magnetic probe is employed, each of the lifting devices includes a ferrous material sufficient to allow magnetic attachment of the probe to the lifting device. The medical supply containers are stacked end to end within a medication tube, and the medication tube is inserted into the guide member. For alignment purposes the medication tube may further include a plurality of alignment elements disposed therealong, the alignment elements resulting in slidable contact with the guide member when the medication tube is inserted therein. Each cartridge further includes identifying indicia operatively attached to the cartridge, such as to the medication tube or the guide member, corresponding to a particular type of medical supply container and readable by the medication delivery system. In a preferred embodiment, the identifying indicia comprises a bar code.

A pill dispenser is provided, comprising a container constructed to hold a plurality of pills, the container including an upper portion and a lower portion; an inclined baffle disposed within the container separating the upper portion from the lower portion, wherein the baffle has an aperture; a first opening in the lower portion; a pill holder, slidably disposed within the first opening and sized to fit through the aperture, for holding a pill located in the container; and an exit port in the upper portion aligned with the inclined baffle, wherein the exit port is sized to allow the pill to exit the upper portion. A pill release mechanism is provided within the pill holder to dislodge the pill from the pill holder by pneumatic pressure once the pill has risen above the baffle. Sensors are located on the exit port to detect the presence of a dispensed pill, which is recorded by an attached computer. Optionally, a locking device is attached to the pill dispensing units to prevent unauthorized dispensation of medication. A plurality of the pill dispensing units may be placed within a portable cart so that medication can be provided to multiple patients in a variety of health care environments.

Medication dispenser

A suction tube for use with a medication dispensing system is provided, comprising a handle which houses a suction motor powered by an external power source; a stationary tube attached to and extending from the handle in fluid communication with the suction motor; a screen to prevent the passage of pills into the suction motor; a second tube slidably attached to the stationary tube, the second tube having a distal end; a pill obstructor on the second tube for preventing a retrieved pill from traveling through the second tube; collection cup retainer attached to the handle for holding a collection cup; a pill guide positioned adjacent to the collection cup retainer for guiding the retrieved pill to the collection cup; and a sensor located within the pill guide for detecting the passage of the retrieved pill through the suction tube. Preferably, the suction tube includes an adjustable pill exit aperture which can also be used to adjust the suction strength through the suction tube. Optionally, the suction tube may also include an attachment which allows for adjustment of the pill inlet as well.

Semi-automated medication dispenser

A semi-automated medication dispenser is disclosed that greatly simplifies the logistics of correctly dispensing multiple medications to multiple patients in the correct dosages at the correct times, in a manner that is cost-efficient and labor-efficient, that greatly reduces the probability of errors, and that inhibits pilferage. The novel dispenser can be loaded with many days' worth of medication (e.g., 30 days) at one time, and requires no special packaging for the medications. The novel dispenser is controlled by a computer. Patient information and physician orders are entered into the computer's memory. Medications needed by all the patients in a ward are loaded into individual compartments, for example by a pharmacist. Many days' worth of medication may often be loaded at once. After the medications are loaded into the dispenser, access to the individual compartments is controlled by the computer. When a proper password is entered--for example by the dispensing nurse--followed by identifying information for a particular patient, the computer allows access to only those compartments containing medications that are appropriate for the individual patient at that time. In many cases, the computer controls the dosage of the medication being dispensed as well, by controlling the number of pills dispensed. Thus each patient receives all appropriate medications, and only the appropriate medications. The computer also simultaneously makes a record of the medications administered to each patient. In the entire process, human hands need never touch the tablets or capsules being dispensed to the patient.

In a nurse administered medication dispensing system a mobile cart contains a plurality of doctor prescribed medication in accordance with a like plurality of patients scheduled to receive such medication. The medication containers stored in the cart is accessible by the nurse only in response to a patient ID code entered by the nurse into the keyboard of a cart supported microprocessor including a software program responding to the input code energizing mechanical components which obtains the medication from an onboard supply and transfers it to a specified nurse accessible cubicle or which releases secured medication dispensing units on or in the cart and records the time, date and quantity of medication dispensed.

Growing community of inventors

Pineville, LA, United States of America

Walter G Pearson