Optical sensing-based inventory control systems and methods
Granted: April 16, 2024
Patent Number:
11961043
An inventory tracking system includes storage modules that hold one or more items. Each item is positionable at locations within the storage modules independent of physical characteristics of the item. Inventory monitoring modules are included to monitor storage modules for adding an item, retrieving an item, consuming of the item, returning an unused item, discarding at least a portion of a consumed item, or combinations thereof. Each act is used to determine information about items…
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for the automated dispensing of articles
Granted: March 26, 2024
Patent Number:
11941938
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…
Sensor driven secure dispensing unit
Granted: November 28, 2023
Patent Number:
11831913
A secure dispensing unit includes a housing comprising a first end and a second end and a number of storage assemblies. The number of storage assemblies are arranged in parallel with one another within the housing. Each storage assembly includes a number of compartments arranged linearly along an axis of the housing with each of the compartments being configured to store an item. A cover is coupled with the housing and extends between the first end and the second end such that the cover…
Cabinet with integrated pick-and-place mechanism
Granted: June 27, 2023
Patent Number:
11684549
A method of performing location teaching of a robotic arm includes maneuvering an end of arm tooling of a robotic arm to a predefined position of an interface object. The robotic arm is mounted within a mounting site of a mechanical mounting structure. The interface object is positioned on a sub-system of a medication dosing system that is mounted on the mechanical mounting structure. The interface object includes an alignment feature of a known size and shape. A sensor of the end of arm…
Medication dispensing cabinet systems and methods
Granted: May 2, 2023
Patent Number:
11640855
A medication dispensing cabinet provides controlled access to medications and supplies stored in it. The cabinet may include at least one lockable storage compartment, and a controller that controls access to the at least one lockable storage compartment. The cabinet may include multiple printers integrated into the cabinet. The cabinet may include a camera operably coupled to the controller. The cabinet may include a set of cabinet electronics, and a power distribution and…
Sensor driven secure dispensing unit
Granted: March 28, 2023
Patent Number:
11615875
A secure dispensing unit includes a housing comprising a first end and a second end and a number of storage assemblies. The number of storage assemblies are arranged in parallel with one another within the housing. Each storage assembly includes a number of compartments arranged linearly along an axis of the housing with each of the compartments being configured to store an item. A cover is coupled with the housing and extends between the first end and the second end such that the cover…
Unit dose dispensing mechanisms
Granted: March 28, 2023
Patent Number:
11612545
Mechanisms for dispensing items such as medications and medical supplies. Different mechanisms may be tailored to dispensing different kinds of items, for example medications in single dose packages, vials, syringes, or other similarly-shaped items. The dispensers may be placed in a dispensing unit that includes a lockable restock drawer and a dispense drawer into which items are dispensed by the dispensing mechanisms. The various kinds of dispensing mechanisms may be installed in the…
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for storage and dispensing of articles
Granted: February 28, 2023
Patent Number:
11591161
Provided herein is a methods, apparatus, and system for the configuration of customizable trays for the storage and dispensing of articles. Methods may include: receiving an indication of a plurality of articles to be stored in a tray; determining a plurality of bins corresponding to the plurality of articles; generating a layout of the bins on the tray; identifying locations of the plurality of articles within the bins on the tray; and causing the tray to be configured according to the…
Compounding device system
Granted: February 28, 2023
Patent Number:
11590283
A system for compounding medications. The system includes one or more compounding devices, and a central computer system. The central computer system receives requests, at least some of which require the compounding of one or more medications, and pushes assignments of respective compounding tasks to the one or more compounding devices. The assignments are made in accordance with a set of rules designed to promote efficient use of compounding resources.
Temperature controlled dispense drawer
Granted: December 27, 2022
Patent Number:
11536506
A device for dispensing items includes a cabinet, and a drawer within the cabinet. The drawer includes one or more compartments for storing items and a cooling system within the drawer. The cooling system is configured to maintain the one or more compartments in the drawer at a temperature below the temperature of the environment surrounding the cabinet. The drawer further includes thermal insulation at sides of the drawer and thermal insulation beneath the one or more compartments. The…
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for the grasping of objects
Granted: May 10, 2022
Patent Number:
11325265
Provided herein is an apparatus and system to increase the capacity for grasping or engagement of an object using an accessory tool. Methods of increasing the capacity of a tool can include: engaging an accessory tool with a tool, where the tool includes a first vacuum cup and the accessory tool includes one or more second vacuum cups; securing the tool to the accessory tool with a securing mechanism; drawing a vacuum through the first vacuum cup, where the vacuum is drawn through the…
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for the automated dispensing of articles
Granted: April 26, 2022
Patent Number:
11315381
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…
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for the automated dispensing of and packaging of articles
Granted: January 4, 2022
Patent Number:
11214391
Provided herein is a system for automated dispensing and packaging of articles. Systems may include: a controller configured to receive an indication of an order to be packaged, where the order includes one or more articles; a packaging station; a web of bags, where the web of bags is fed to the packaging station; a pneumatic table configurable to support a bag disposed at the packaging station; an opening mechanism including a pneumatic nozzle to open the bag disposed at the packaging…
Multi-camera imaging for IV compounding
Granted: April 27, 2021
Patent Number:
10991264
Systems and methods for compounding pharmaceuticals, for example for intravenous delivery. The devices include an infrared camera and an infrared light source, and can backlight and photograph items such as syringes in infrared light for enhanced clarity. A visible light camera may also be provided, for example a color digital camera, for documenting other parts of the compounding process. The device may have other sensors, for example a bar code scanner and a weight sensor, for…
Compounding device system
Granted: April 6, 2021
Patent Number:
10967125
A system for compounding medications. The system includes one or more compounding devices, and a central computer system. The central computer system receives requests, at least some of which require the compounding of one or more medications, and pushes assignments of respective compounding tasks to the one or more compounding devices. The assignments are made in accordance with a set of rules designed to promote efficient use of compounding resources.
Storage cabinet with multiple RFID readers
Granted: January 5, 2021
Patent Number:
10885494
An RFID cabinet system is provided for monitoring items having an RFID tag. System includes cabinet having open interior where items are stored and at least one door providing access to items. Static RFID system is provided for reading and identifying data embedded on RFID tag located on at least some of the items placed within cabinet. Static RFID system is configured to monitor substantially all items located within the interior of cabinet when door is closed. Transaction RFID system…
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for transporting medications from a central pharmacy to a patient in a healthcare facility
Granted: December 1, 2020
Patent Number:
10850926
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…
Medication dispensing cabinet systems and methods
Granted: November 17, 2020
Patent Number:
10839952
A medication dispensing cabinet provides controlled access to medications and supplies stored in it. The cabinet may include at least one lockable storage compartment, and a controller that controls access to the at least one lockable storage compartment. The cabinet may include multiple printers integrated into the cabinet. The cabinet may include a camera operably coupled to the controller. The cabinet may include a set of cabinet electronics, and a power distribution and…
Facility-wide medication management systems
Granted: November 10, 2020
Patent Number:
10832207
A system for managing medications facilitates documentation of medication returned from remote dispensing units to a central storage location such as a pharmacy vault. The system may be especially useful in facilitating the tracking of controlled substances. The system receives an indication that a medication previously removed from the remote dispensing units has been designated for return to the medication management system. The system computes an estimated return amount of the…
Relay tray
Granted: October 20, 2020
Patent Number:
10806676
A relay tray for securely transporting items includes a lockable transportable container for holding items to be transported, and an electronic controller including a processor. The relay tray receives electric power through a power interface, and includes a commination interface through which the controller can communicate electronically. The relay tray includes a mechanism operable under control of the controller to make items in the locked container accessible in response to…
