McKesson Automation Inc. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150091705 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, APPARATUSES, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR INVENTORY TRACKING AND CONTROL - A system, method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for tracking and controlling inventory with a container. A container that defines a cavity may include an access detection system configured to detect when the cavity of the container is accessed, a radio frequency identification reader configured to be activated in response to the access detection system detecting that the cavity has been accessed, and a communications interface configured to transmit a signal identifying the contents of the cavity in response to the radio frequency identification reader identifying a change in contents of the cavity. The container may also include a lid movable between an open position in which the cavity is accessible, and a closed position in which the cavity is inaccessible, where the access detection system is configured to detect when the lid is moved to the open position. | 04-02-2015 |
20150066205 | METHOD, APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR THE PACKAGING AND VERIFICATION OF MEDICATION INFORMATION - Example embodiments of the present invention may provide an efficient method of identifying unit doses of medication, and more specifically, to dispensing, identifying, packaging, and labeling unit doses of medication for distribution. In particular, methods may include receiving medication information, causing identifying information related to the medication information to be printed to a web of material, where the identifying information is printed at regular intervals, and preparing a medication unit dose to be dispensed to a container. Methods may further include verifying that the medication unit dose corresponds to the identifying information printed to the web of material, and joining the web of material to the container in response to the dispensed unit dose corresponding to the identifying information. | 03-05-2015 |
20140297027 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, APPARATUSES, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR PROVIDING CONTROLLED ACCESS TO INTRAVENOUS BAGS - A system, method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for controlling access to intravenous bags. A system may include a cabinet including a vertically oriented drawer configured to be movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the cabinet, where the contents of the vertically oriented drawer are configured to be accessible from two opposing sides of the vertically oriented drawer when the drawer is in the open position. Systems of example embodiments may include a plurality of overpacks configured to be received within the vertically oriented drawer of the cabinet, where each of the plurality of overpacks is configured to receive therein a single intravenous bag, where each of the plurality of overpacks may include a retention feature, and where the retention feature of each overpack may be configured to be received by a complementary retention feature in the vertically oriented drawer. | 10-02-2014 |
20140292476 | APPARATUSES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR STORING AND DISPENSING MEDICATION PROXIMATE A PATIENT - 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 storing and dispensing medications to an authorized medical person for administration to a patient in a healthcare facility. A storage and dispensing system may include a housing defining a cavity, a door movable between an open and a closed position to provide access to the cavity, two or more receivers disposed within the cavity, a lock to lock the door in the closed position, and a user interface configured to receive a request for medications stored within the cavity. The medications may be configured to be presented to a user in response to a request for the medications, while unrequested medications remain inaccessible. | 10-02-2014 |
20140292165 | MEDICATION DISPENSING CABINET, COMPUTING DEVICE AND ASSOCIATED METHOD FOR MEASURING THE FORCE APPLIED TO A DRAWER - A medication dispensing cabinet, a computing device and an associated method are provided to measure the force applied to a drawer of a medication dispensing cabinet. By measuring the force applied to the drawer of a medication dispensing cabinet, certain predefined condition(s) may be detected, such as the closure of a drawer of a medication dispensing cabinet with an excessive amount of force. In this regard, a medication dispensing cabinet is provided that includes a cabinet body defining an internal cavity and a plurality of drawers disposed within the internal cavity of the cabinet body. The drawers are configured to be slidably opened and closed relative to the cabinet body. The medication dispensing cabinet also includes a force sensor carried by at least one of the cabinet body or one or more of the drawers and configured to measure force applied to a drawer of the medication dispensing cabinet. | 10-02-2014 |
20140290189 | COMPARTMENT CONFIGURED FOR PRESENTATION OF STORED ARTICLES - Storage units are described for storing articles. The storage units include a number of compartments, and the compartments include a receptacle, a lid, and a holding member. The receptacle receives the article via an opening, and the lid may move into and out of engagement with the opening so as to define an open position and a closed position. The holding member may be disposed on the lid and may be configured to releasably secure the article to the lid. Thus, in the closed position, the holding member and an article secured to the lid via the holding member may be received within the receptacle, whereas in the open position the article may be at least partially removed from the receptacle. Thus, when the lid is opened, the article is automatically presented to the user for dispensing the article from the compartment. | 10-02-2014 |
20140180476 | METHOD, APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR THE DISPENSING AND IDENTIFICATION OF MEDICATION - Example embodiments of the present invention may provide an efficient method of identifying unit doses of medication, and more specifically, to dispensing, identifying, packaging, and marking unit doses of medication for distribution. In particular, methods may include receiving a plurality of unit dose medications, dispensing one of the plurality of unit dose medications, and capturing an image of the one of a plurality of unit dose medications. The method may also compare the captured image to a database of known medications, where each known medication includes a medication type and a medication dose. In response to the captured image satisfying a confidence threshold match to one of the known medications, the one of the plurality of unit dose medications may be identified. Dispensing one of the plurality of unit dose medications may include dispensing one of the plurality of unit dose medications to a unit dose package. | 06-26-2014 |
20140108027 | APPARATUSES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING MEDICATIONS FROM A CENTRAL PHARMACY TO A PATIENT IN A HEALTHCARE FACILITY - 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. Medications that are anticipated to be needed may be predicted based on a number of factors. The medications may be gathered, transported, stored, staged, and dispensed using one or more of the components described herein. Combinations of the components may be implemented for a system to automate or partially automate the dispensing of medications from a central pharmacy of a healthcare facility to a patient. | 04-17-2014 |
20140102860 | APPARATUSES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR TRANSPORTING MEDICATIONS FROM A CENTRAL PHARMACY TO A PATIENT IN A HEALTHCARE FACILITY - 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. | 04-17-2014 |
20140102859 | APPARATUSES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR DISPENSING MEDICATIONS FROM A CENTRAL PHARMACY TO A PATIENT IN A HEALTHCARE FACILITY - 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. A system for transporting medication in a healthcare facility may include: a carrier; a plurality of clips disposed on the carrier; a shuttle configured to receive the carrier; and a track on which the shuttle is configured to advance. The shuttle may be configured to transport the carrier along the track from a first location to a second location proximate a patient. The system may include a loading device disposed at the first location configured to receive the carrier and load the carrier onto the shuttle. The carrier may include a plurality of receivers, each configured to receive a clip. | 04-17-2014 |
20140034535 | STORAGE APPARATUS WITH SUPPORT STRUCTURES - 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. | 02-06-2014 |
20140002245 | System, Methods, Apparatuses, And Computer Program Products For Detecting That An Object Has Been Accessed | 01-02-2014 |
20140001012 | MODULAR, MULTI-ORIENTATION CONVEYOR | 01-02-2014 |
20130340227 | MATERIAL SEPARATING TOOL - A tool for separating material layers may include a first arm including a first end and a second end; a second arm including a first end and a second end; a first material contact pad carried by the first arm proximate the first end of the first arm; and a second material contact pad carried by the second arm proximate the first end of the second arm. The second end of the first arm may be joined to the second end of the second arm, and the first material contact pad and the second material contact pad may be movable with respect to one another along two substantially orthogonal axes. | 12-26-2013 |
20130262002 | MONITORING AND MATCHING BATTERIES AND BATTERY POWERED DEVICES - Provided herein are systems, methods and computer readable media for matching one or more batteries that were charged in a charging station with a remote device that is depleting its availble battery power. In providing such matching functionality, the system can be configured to, for example, monitor the amount of power the remote device, such as a rechargeable battery-powered device used in a hospital, requires over one or more periods of time, monitor the health of a number of batteries, match one or more of the batteries to the rechargeable battery-powered device, and then convey to a user which rechargeable battery-powered device should have its depleted battery replaced with a remotely-charged battery. | 10-03-2013 |
20130261791 | ITEM DISPENSING UNIT - Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for dispensing items. In one embodiment, a magazine defining a channel adapted to store a plurality of items of substantially similar size in a uniform manner is provided. The magazine may also define (a) a rake element path adapted to allow one item of the plurality of items to be engaged and (b) a dispensing opening adapted to allow the engaged item to be urged out of the dispensing opening. In such an embodiment, a receptacle may also be provided. The receptacle may comprise a storage cavity and a rake element, wherein the rake element is adapted to (a) pass through the rake element path of the magazine to engage the item and (b) urge the item out of the dispensing opening of the magazine into the storage cavity of the receptacle. | 10-03-2013 |
20130261788 | METHOD, APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR OPTIMIZATION OF ITEM LOCATION IN AN AUTOMATED STORAGE SYSTEM - The present invention generally relates to a method, apparatus, and computer program product for optimizing article or bin location in an automated storage device to increase the efficiency of article retrieval in filling an order. Methods of example embodiments may determine a number of touches of each of a plurality of bins of a storage system, where the touches are calculated over a predetermined period of time, identify a bin with more touches than a bin at a first location, where the bin with more touches is at a second location, and direct the bin with more touches than the bin at the first location to be swapped with the bin at the first location. Identifying a bin with more touches may include identifying a bin with a number of touches that exceeds the number of touches of the bin in the first location by a predetermined amount. | 10-03-2013 |
20130257592 | SYSTEMS AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING A STORAGE COMPARTMENT THAT IS ACCESSED - Methods, apparatuses and computer program products are provided for identifying which storage compartment of a plurality of storage compartments is moved from an inaccessible state to an accessible state. An apparatus according to example embodiments may include a plurality of storage compartments, each configured to transition from an inaccessible state to an accessible state. Each of the plurality of storage compartments may include a respective auditory generation device which may be configured to generate an audible tone in response to the associated storage compartment being transitioned from an inaccessible state to an accessible state. The apparatus of example embodiments may include a processing device configured to detect the audible tone and to identify the storage compartment transitioned from the inaccessible state to the accessible state in response to identifying the audible tone. The processing device may include a microphone configured to receive the audible tone. | 10-03-2013 |
20130254966 | PATIENT POINT-OF-CARE GARMENT - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a point-of-care garment configured for providing more efficient, effective, and accurate care to patients. Embodiments may include a point-of-care garment that includes an image sensing apparatus disposed proximate a cuff of a sleeve of the garment and at least one storage pocket, where each of the at least one storage pocket including identifying indicia. The point-of-care garment may further include a display disposed on a sleeve of the garment. The garment may further include a communications apparatus including a microphone and a speaker. The image sensing apparatus may be a barcode scanning apparatus. The identifying indicia of example embodiments may include a removable tag with at least one patient name, a barcode identifying a patient, or a patient location. | 10-03-2013 |
20130248547 | AUTOMATED DISPENSING SYSTEM AND METHOD - Automated dispensing systems and mechanisms for queuing output from an automated dispensing system are provided for the dispensing of articles. The automated dispensing system may increase efficiency of the automated dispensing system by reducing cycle time, increasing throughput, and reducing the time required for the unloading process. A system for dispensing articles may include a carousel including a plurality of stations, a plurality of carrier holders , each configured to be received at a respective station, and a robot configured to retrieve a carrier holder from the carousel. The robot may further be configured to move the carrier holder proximate the location of a first article, load the first article onto the carrier holder, and return the carrier holder to a station of the carousel. | 09-26-2013 |
20130139662 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND CORRESPONDING APPARATUS FOR DETECTING PERFORATIONS ON A UNIT DOSE BLISTER CARD - 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. | 06-06-2013 |
20130085766 | CASE AND MEDICATION TRACKING - Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for medication management. In one embodiment, a medication dispense queue can be created for a medical procedure to pre-stock a medication dispensing unit prior to the medical procedure. Then, the medications can be tracked to determine when a medication has been, for example, dispensed, administered, wasted, and/or returned. | 04-04-2013 |
20130082581 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR VISUALLY EMPHASIZING PORTIONS OF A MEDICATION STORAGE DEVICE - 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 medication storage device to facilitate the presentation of one or more highlighting lights and projection displays that include features to expedite the removal, stocking and counting of medications safely and effectively. | 04-04-2013 |
20130079924 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR STREAMLINED MEDICATION DISPENSING - 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. | 03-28-2013 |
20130070090 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR MONITORING INTERACTIONS WITH A MEDICATION STORAGE DEVICE - Methods, apparatuses and computer program products are provided for monitoring the stocking and dispensing of medications from an automated medication storage device. In this regard, a method may cooperate with the automated medication storage device to facilitate surveillance of internal components and users of the medication storage device. For example, a user and/or the user's interactions can be imaged by one or more cameras while the user is interacting with the automated medication storage device. | 03-21-2013 |
20120233862 | SHRINK WRAP REMOVAL TOOL - A tool for removing shrink wrap from a product may include a first abrasive surface, a second abrasive surface, and a pressing surface, where the first and second abrasive surfaces are movable with respect to one another between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and where in the engaged position, the pressing surface presses the product into engagement with the first abrasive surface and the second abrasive surface. The first abrasive surface and the second abrasive surface may be located on a first arm and a second arm respectively. The first abrasive surface may be stationary relative to the first arm and the second abrasive surface may be stationary with respect to the second arm. The pressing surface may include a pressing element which is rotatable around an axis. | 09-20-2012 |
20110234419 | MEDICATION STORAGE DEVICE USAGE STATUS NOTIFICATIONS - A usage status notification method and corresponding medication storage device (e.g., mobile medication dispensing cart, medication cabinet, nurse server, etc.) are provided. To generate the usage status notification, the status of one or more components of the medication storage device may be monitored. An in-use notification signal may be generated if it is determined that the medication storage device is in use at a certain point in time (e.g., when a user is logged into the medication storage device). An available notification signal may be generated if it is determined that the medication storage device is available for use at a certain point in time (e.g., when a user is logged out of the medication storage device). Other types of usage status signals may also be provided. | 09-29-2011 |
20110077771 | Unit Dose Packaging And Associated Robotic Dispensing System And Method - 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). | 03-31-2011 |
20100241446 | Visibly-Coded Medication Label And Associated Method, Apparatus And Computer Program Product For Providing Same - A visibly-coded medication label and an associated method, apparatus and computer program product for providing a visibly-coded medication label are provided. A label having an attachment portion and an informational portion may be provided. The informational portion includes a plurality of regions having different visible indicia, such as different colors. Information may be imprinted upon the informational portion that is related to the medication with which the label is to be associated. At least one region that has visible indicia representative of the associated medication may be identified. At least one of the regions other than the region that has been identified to have visible indicia representative of the associated medication may then be overprinted and at least partially obscured. However, the region that has been identified to have visible indicia representative of the associated medication remains visible following the overprinting. | 09-23-2010 |
20100239169 | System And Method For Determining The Orientation Of A Unit Dose Package - A method and system are provided for determining an orientation of a unit dose package, such as by determining whether the cavity that houses the medication is facing upwards or downwards. As a result of the determination of the orientation of the unit dose package, a method and system may also be provided for selectively picking a unit dose package, thereby enabling automated restocking of singulated unit dose packages by taking into account the orientation of the unit dose packages. | 09-23-2010 |
20100228392 | Medication Storage And Dispensing Unit Having A Vial Dispenser - A medication storage and dispensing unit is provided which includes a support platform and a vial dispenser supported by the support platform. The vial dispenser may include a chute configured to store a plurality of vials of medication and a gate configured to be alternately positioned in a closed position in which the vials remain within the chute and an open position in which a vial is dispensed from the chute. The medication storage and dispensing unit may be computer controlled so as to include a computing device configured to receive user input regarding dispensation of a vial. The computing device may be further configured to actuate the gate to thereby permit the gate to move to the open position such that the vial is dispensed from the chute. | 09-09-2010 |
20080306740 | REMOTELY AND INTERACTIVELY CONTROLLING SEMI-AUTOMATIC DEVICES - An apparatus, system, method and computer program product are provided for enabling a user to remotely and interactively control, using voice commands, the processing tasks of multiple pieces of equipment, such as semi-automatic medication storing, dispensing and packaging devices. In particular, an apparatus may be configured to provide a user with a voice prompt associated with a dynamically prioritized task. In response, the apparatus may further be configured to receive, a voice command from the use and to transmit an instruction associated with the voice command to one of the multiple pieces of equipment for performance of the prioritized task. | 12-11-2008 |
20080300794 | SYSTEM, METHOD, APPARATUS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR CAPTURING HUMAN-READABLE TEXT DISPLAYED ON A UNIT DOSE PACKAGE - A system, method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for capturing human-readable text displayed on a unit dose package. In particular, identification information associated with a unit dose package may be used to determine a location and/or a format in which human-readable text, such as an expiration date or lot number associated with the corresponding unit dose medication, is displayed on the unit dose package. Once the location and/or format of the human-readable text has been determined, this information can be used in order to scan the unit dose medication and translate the human-readable text into machine-readable text using, for example, optical character recognition. | 12-04-2008 |