초록 ▼

A semi-automated pharmaceutical dispensing arrangement has a drug cabinet in which a control mechanism permits opening of the front door for an authorized attendant and permits the attendant to obtain the pre-filled bottles or containers of medication for a patient's prescription order. An array of

A semi-automated pharmaceutical dispensing arrangement has a drug cabinet in which a control mechanism permits opening of the front door for an authorized attendant and permits the attendant to obtain the pre-filled bottles or containers of medication for a patient's prescription order. An array of linear dispensing modules each hold a front-to-back row of filled containers, which can be manually lifted out one at a time. A pusher mechanism in the module pushes the containers forward, so that containers are pushed into position for removal. These may be spring actuated. Each of the modules also has an associated signaling device, such as an LED that lights up to guide the attendant to the appropriate dispensing module. A controller processor, e.g., a computer, is associated with the cabinet for inputting patient-medication information and lighting the signaling LEDs for the modules. When the correct medicine is taken from the cabinet, an audible sound is provided and when an incorrect container is taken out, a different audible signal is sounded. Restocking the modules is limited only to authorized pharmacy staff with the proper access codes.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [3.] Semi-automated pharmaceutical dispensing arrangement for providing a medical/pharmacy attendant with one or more filled containers to satisty a prescription order for a patient, comprising:a cabinet having a housing, a front door, and a control mechanism opening the front door for a

[ I claim:] [3.] Semi-automated pharmaceutical dispensing arrangement for providing a medical/pharmacy attendant with one or more filled containers to satisty a prescription order for a patient, comprising:a cabinet having a housing, a front door, and a control mechanism opening the front door for an authorized attendant;an array of linear dispensing modules within the cabinet, each module containing a front-to-back row of containers filled with a particular respective medicament; each module including means at a front end thereof to permit containers to be manually lifted out by the attendant one at a time, means for pushing the containers forward so that when one container is lifted out another container behind it is pushed into position for removal, and means for accounting for the number of containers in the respective module;each of the modules having an associated signalling means that identifies to the attendant the module from which a container is to be taken to satisfy the patient prescription order; anda controller processor including means for inputting patient-medication information and providing a signal to the signalling means of the appropriate one of the modules in the cabinet containing the medicament prescribed for the patient; andwherein each said linear dispensing module includes a sensor to detect when a container has been removed therefrom; and said controller processor includes means responsive to said detector to generate a first indication to the attendant when the attendant has removed the container from the module containing the prescribed medicament for the patient; and generating a second indication to the attendant when the attendant has incorrectly removed a container from another such module.