Patent ID: 7681606
Filing Date: 2010-03-23
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
1. An automated medication preparation system including a number of stations including a station having an automated device for preparing and delivering a dosage of medication to a syringe comprising: an automated transport device for controllably delivering each syringe from one location to another location; a plurality of syringe blocks formed along the periphery of the automated transport device, each syringe block includes at least a first pre-shaped pocket and a second pre-shaped pocket for receiving and retaining at least two differently sized syringes, that have different volumes, according to a predetermined orientation, the first and second pre-shaped pockets being formed side-by-side within the loading site; and a controller in communication with the automated transport device for moving the automated transport device in an indexed manner; wherein each syringe includes a readable/rewritable medium fixed thereto that contains at least a first set of information that identifies the type of syringe to which the readable/rewritable medium is coupled to, whereby by reading the readable/rewritable media fixed to the syringes, the controller identifies the overall number of syringes, as well as the number of different types of syringes and the locations of the syringes, wherein the controller tracks positions of all the syringes and advances the transport device from station to station and makes any necessary incremental adjustments with respect to the advancement of the transport device to cause all of the first and second syringes to be processed at any one particular station.