US5208762A — Automated prescription vial filling system

Claim 1

Independent Claim 82 words

A system for automatically filling prescriptions comprising: means for receiving a patient's order, said order comprising patient identification information and one or more prescriptions; at least one prescription filling line including machines for automatically filling, labeling, and capping vials with drugs; means for assigning one of said prescriptions to said prescription filling line for processing; means for receiving vials from said filling line and for sorting said vials according to patient orders; and means for collecting vials pertaining to one patient's order.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 82 words

A system for automatically filling prescriptions comprising: means for receiving a patient's order, said order comprising patient identification information and one or more prescriptions; at least one prescription filling line including machines for automatically filling, labeling, and capping vials with drugs; means for assigning one of said prescriptions to said prescription filling line for processing; means for receiving vials from said filling line and for sorting said vials according to patient orders; and means for collecting vials pertaining to one patient's order.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 46 words

The system of claim 1, wherein said means for receiving vials from said filling line and for sorting said vials comprises an accumulator positioned at a terminus of said filling line operative to position a vial received from said filling line in a designated accumulator area.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 37 words

The system of claim 1, wherein said means for collecting vials comprises a conveyor disposed adjacent the terminus of said filling line and selectable receptacles carried by said conveyor, said selectable receptacles operative to receive therein vials.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 27 words

The system of claim 3 further comprising means for removing said receptacles from said conveyor and for directing said receptacles to one of a plurality of spurs.

Claim 6

Independent Claim 174 words

A system for automatically filling prescriptions, comprising: a controller for receiving a patient order, said order comprising patient identification information and at least one prescription; at least one filling line conveyor; a device for storing at least one empty vial associated with said filling line conveyor; an unscrambler disposed along said filling line conveyor for retrieving said vial and to position said vial on said filling line conveyor; a filler positioned along said filling line conveyor downstream of said unscrambler for placing drugs in said vial in accordance with said prescription; a labeler positioned along said filling conveyor downstream of said filler for applying a label to said vial; a capper positioned along said filling line conveyor downstream of said filler for securing a cap on said vial; an accumulator positioned at a downstream end of said filling line conveyor for receiving said vial; a sorting conveyor disposed adjacent said accumulator; at least one removable receptacle carried on said sorting conveyor; and a device for transferring said vial from said accumulator to said receptacle.

Claim 7

Independent Claim 174 words

A system for automatically filling prescriptions, comprising: a controller for receiving a patient order, said order comprising patient identification information and at least one prescription; at least one filling line conveyor; a device for storing at least one empty vial associated with said filling line conveyor; an unscrambler disposed along said filling line conveyor for retrieving said vial and to position said vial on said filling line conveyor; a filler positioned along said filling line conveyor downstream of said unscrambler for placing drugs in said vial in accordance with said prescription; a labeler positioned along said filling conveyor downstream of said filler for applying a label to said vial; a capper positioned along said filling line conveyor downstream of said filler for securing a cap on said vial; an accumulator positioned at a downstream end of said filling line conveyor for receiving said vial; a sorting conveyor disposed adjacent said accumulator; at least one removable receptacle carried on said sorting conveyor; and a device for transferring said vial from said accumulator to said receptacle.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 51 words

The system of claim 5, wherein said receptacle is coded, and said system includes a reader disposed adjacent said sorting conveyor so that said reader can read a code on said receptacle, said reader being in communication with said controller so that said receptacle can be correlated with a particular order.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 29 words

The system of claim 5, further including at least one spur adjacent said sorting conveyor and a device for transferring said receptacle from said sorting conveyor to said spur.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 34 words

The system of claim 7, comprising a plurality of spurs disposed adjacent said sorting conveyor and said device for transferring said receptacle to a spur selectively transfers said receptacle to any of said spurs.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 44 words

The system of claim 6, including a plurality of filling line conveyors, each filling line conveyor having associated therewith a device storing at least one vial, an unscrambler, a filler, a labeler, a capper and an accumulator; said sorting conveyor running adjacent said accumulator.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 20 words

The system of claim 9, wherein said device storing at least one vial stores a vial of a different volume.

Claim 13

Independent Claim 134 words

A method for filling a prescription comprising the steps of: waiting for presentation of a patient order, said order comprising one or more prescriptions and patient identification information; determining whether said order is valid; rejecting an invalid order; placing said order in a first-in, first-out list if said order is valid; acknowledging placement of said order on said first-in, first-out list; assigning each prescription in said order to a separate filling process; assigning a collection receptacle to said order, receiving said filled prescriptions from said filling process; determining a vial size required to fill a prescription; determining whether filling the prescription will deplete a drug supply below a minimum; determining whether filling the prescription will fully deplete the drug supply; and terminating the process if filling the prescription will fully deplete the drug supply.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 134 words

A method for filling a prescription comprising the steps of: waiting for presentation of a patient order, said order comprising one or more prescriptions and patient identification information; determining whether said order is valid; rejecting an invalid order; placing said order in a first-in, first-out list if said order is valid; acknowledging placement of said order on said first-in, first-out list; assigning each prescription in said order to a separate filling process; assigning a collection receptacle to said order, receiving said filled prescriptions from said filling process; determining a vial size required to fill a prescription; determining whether filling the prescription will deplete a drug supply below a minimum; determining whether filling the prescription will fully deplete the drug supply; and terminating the process if filling the prescription will fully deplete the drug supply.

Claim 15

Independent Claim 114 words

A method for filling prescriptions comprising the steps of: providing a patient order, said order comprising patient identification data and at least one prescription; assigning each prescription in said order to a separate filling process; assigning a collection receptacle to said order, said receptacle receiving filled prescriptions from said filling process; determining a vial size required to fill a prescription; determining whether filling the prescription will deplete a drug supply below a minimum; generating a re-fill request is filling the prescription will deplete the drug supply below the minimum; determining whether the prescription will fully deplete the requisite drug supply; and terminating the process if filling the prescription will fully deplete the drug supply.

Claim 16

Independent Claim 114 words

A method for filling prescriptions comprising the steps of: providing a patient order, said order comprising patient identification data and at least one prescription; assigning each prescription in said order to a separate filling process; assigning a collection receptacle to said order, said receptacle receiving filled prescriptions from said filling process; determining a vial size required to fill a prescription; determining whether filling the prescription will deplete a drug supply below a minimum; generating a re-fill request is filling the prescription will deplete the drug supply below the minimum; determining whether the prescription will fully deplete the requisite drug supply; and terminating the process if filling the prescription will fully deplete the drug supply.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 69 words

A system for filling prescriptions, comprising: at least one filling line including devices for automatically filling a vial with prescribed drugs, labelling said vial, and capping said vial; a sorting system disposed at a terminal of said filling line for receiving vials therefrom and transporting collections of said vials, each collection pertaining to a particular patient; and a control system for controlling said filling line in said sorting system.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 69 words

A system for filling prescriptions, comprising: at least one filling line including devices for automatically filling a vial with prescribed drugs, labelling said vial, and capping said vial; a sorting system disposed at a terminal of said filling line for receiving vials therefrom and transporting collections of said vials, each collection pertaining to a particular patient; and a control system for controlling said filling line in said sorting system.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 34 words

The prescription filling system of claim 13, wherein said sorting system includes a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle being coded with information so that said receptacles can be temporarily correlated with a particular patient.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 28 words

The prescription filling system of claim 13, wherein said control system includes a plurality of lists to which prescription information is successively transferred during processing of a prescription.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1996-05-03	1996-11-02	1997-05-04	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2000-05-03	2000-11-02	2001-05-04	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2004-05-03	2004-11-02	2005-05-04	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Automated prescription vial filling system

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