Patent ID: 6256967
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: B65B,G06Q,G07F

Abstract:
Apparatus for automatically filling prescription orders for oral solid medication and unit-of-use articles in accordance with patient-specific prescription order information comprising:a controller for receiving the patient-specific prescription information and for controlling prescription filling apparatus for filing the prescription order;a plurality of unit-of-use containers for containing unit-of-use articles;a plurality of oral solid medication containers for containing oral solid medication contained therein;at least one vibratory dispenser operatively controlled by the controller and including a coupling for attachment of an oral solid medication container in a detachable relationship, the dispenser providing vibration to a coupled container in response to the prescription information so that medication is dispensed from the container into a vial;at least one robotic transport assembly operatively controlled by the controller, the transport assembly for transporting the oral solid medication containers to and from the at least one vibratory dispenser and for transporting the unit-of-use containers to at least one predetermined location positioned about the apparatus in response to the prescription information; anda vial transport assembly operatively controlled by the controller, the vial transport assembly for transporting empty vials to a vibratory dispenser and filled vials to at least one of the predetermined locations in response to the prescription information;whereby the filled prescription order is collected in at least one predetermined location.