Patent ID: 7913720
Filing Date: 2011-03-29
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
1. An automated drug preparation system for preparing a prescribed dosage of medication in a syringe comprising: a source of a first fluid that is for delivery to the syringe; a source of a second fluid that is for delivery to the syringe, wherein one of the first and second fluid comprises a drug and the other of the first and second fluids comprises a diluent, the first and second fluids being different from one another; an adjustable plunger extension mechanism that includes a movable component that intimately engages a plunger of the syringe so that a first movement of the movable component is translated into a first extension of the plunger a first defined distance which causes a first volume of the first fluid to be drawn into the syringe; and a controller that includes stored medication orders including a final volume and concentration of the prescribed diluted dosage of medication, wherein and based on the stored medication orders, the controller calculates the first defined distance that the plunger is moved to draw the first volume of the first fluid and sends a signal to cause the plunger to extend the first defined distance, wherein when the first volume is less than the final volume, the controller calculates the difference between the final volume and the first volume and disengages the fluid communication between the source of the first fluid and the syringe and then calculates a second defined distance, the plunger is to be moved to permit reception of a second volume of the second fluid and sends a signal to cause the plunger to extend the second defined distance, wherein the sum of the first and second volumes is equal to the final volume.