Abstract:
Embodiments disclosed herein describe systems and methods for systems and methods to dynamically filling inoculations in proper quantities. Embodiments are directed towards a multi-dose prefilled reconstituted device (MPRD) that is configured to automatically prepare a plurality of vials for inoculations quickly and accurately, wherein the MPRD is a transportable device that may be moved from a laboratory environment to a field environment and/or a clinical environment.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims a benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Provisional Application No. 61/985,328 filed on Apr. 28, 2014, which is fully incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Disclosure 
         [0003]    Examples of the present disclosure are related to systems and methods for filling inoculations. More particularly, embodiments relate to dynamically filling inoculations in proper quantities within a closed, sterilized environment. 
         [0004]    2. Background 
         [0005]    Inoculations, vaccinations, immunizations, etc. refer to the process of artificial induction of immunity against various diseases. Specifically, inoculation refers to a process done in vitro, wherein microorganisms are transferred into laboratory equipment (e.g. test tubes, petri dishes, etc.), and later into a patient. Conventionally, inoculations include a plurality of parts, such as a vaccine and a diluent. Different inoculations require different vaccines and different amounts of diluent to function properly. 
         [0006]    In certain circumstances, the inoculations are required to be used in remote areas outside of a clinical or laboratory setting. However, vaccines have an expiration period, wherein the vaccines may not be prepared or mixed in final form in a laboratory and then later used. When medical practitioners are creating or mixing (reconstituting) inoculations in the field and in the clinical environment, they are required to spend an enormous amount of time preparing the inoculations individually. This is because the medical practitioners must create new inoculations, ensure whether previously created inoculations have expired, are spoiled, and what amount of diluent to apply to different inoculations, etc. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, needs exist for more effective and efficient systems and methods to dynamically fill inoculations in proper quantities within a closed, sterile environment. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    Embodiments disclosed herein describe systems and methods to dynamically fill inoculations in proper quantities within a closed, sterile environment. 
         [0009]    Embodiments are directed towards a multi-dose prefilled reconstituted device (MPRD). The MPRD may be configured to automatically prepare a plurality of vials for inoculations quickly and accurately. In embodiments, the MPRD is a transportable device that may be moved from a laboratory environment to a field environment and/or a clinical environment. By utilizing the MPRD to automatically prepare vials for inoculations, human interaction and human error may be minimized, which may increase the amount of vials for inoculations that can be prepared over a given time period. 
         [0010]    In embodiments, the MPRD may be a stationary or a portable device and self-contained system with a computer processor configured to automatically reconstitute vaccines and medications, such as lyophilized medications and liquid medications. The MPRD may be configured to automatically load a diluent, in the proper quantities, to fill the vials including the lyophilized medication. 
         [0011]    In embodiments, the MPRD may include a scanning device configured to determine a diluent cartridge that is stored within the system. Responsive to determining the vaccines and/or medications with the MPRD, the MPRD may determine the volume of diluent to be loaded into a vial with the lyophilized medication. Therefore, vials for inoculations may be dynamically created in a sterile environment and remote environment. 
         [0012]    In embodiments, the MPRD may include a quantity measuring device configured to determine the number of vials loaded on a carousel or in a linear cartridge for reconstruction of the inoculation. Responsive to the quantity measuring device determining the number of vials on the carousel or in the linear cartridge, the MPRD may load the determined number of vials with the diluent. 
         [0013]    In embodiments, either a carousel or linear cartridge including a plurality of vials may be configured to be interfaced with the MPRD. In embodiments, a first carousel may be removed from the MPRD and a second carousel may be inserted into the MPRD. The carousels and linear cartridges may be interchangeable cartridges that may be inserted and removed into a sterile environment; the MPRD may be configured to hold multiple linear cartridges or carousels simultaneously. In embodiments, the vials or other containers within the carousels or linear cartridges may be preloaded with medication before being inserted into the MPRD. Responsive to determining that the medication within the inserted carousel or linear cartridge is mapped with the medication within the diluent, each of the vials or containers within the carousels or linear cartridges may be automatically mixed with a proper amount of diluent. Accordingly, different medications may be mixed with different quantities of diluent. 
         [0014]    In embodiments, the MPRD may include GPS or location tracking devices that are configured to determine the locations where inoculations are reconstituted. 
         [0015]    In embodiments, the MPRD may also include a memory device configured to store software to capture individual patient, administrator and demographic information for tracking and epidemiology. The memory device may also be configured to capture amount of vials, containers, medication and diluent processed by the MPRD for inventory management purposes. 
         [0016]    These, and other, aspects of the invention will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. The following description, while indicating various embodiments of the invention and numerous specific details thereof, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many substitutions, modifications, additions or rearrangements may be made within the scope of the invention, and the invention includes all such substitutions, modifications, additions or rearrangements. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  depicts a topology for a medical processing system, according to one embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  depicts a method for distributing diluent from a diluent cartridge into a vial utilizing an MPRD, according to an embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  depicts a diluent cartridge and a MPRD, according to an embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  depicts a topology for a medical processing system, according to one embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  depicts a linear cartridge system, according to one embodiment. 
       
    
    
       [0023]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art that the specific detail need not be employed to practice the present embodiments. In other instances, well-known materials or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present embodiments. 
         [0025]    Embodiments disclosed herein describe systems and methods dynamically filling inoculations in proper quantities. By utilizing a MPRD to automatically prepare vials or other containers, human error may be minimized, which may increase the amount of vials or containers for inoculations that can be prepared over a given time period. Moreover, within the system, all vials or containers may be filled simultaneously, offering significant time savings potential. 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  depicts one embodiment of a topology  100  for a medical processing system including a diluent cartridge  110 , MPRD  120 , and carousel  140 . Diluent cartridge  110  and MPRD  120  may be configured to interface with each other to dynamically and automatically produce inoculations in a closed, sterile environment. 
         [0027]    Diluent cartridge  110  may be a transportable cartridge that is configured to store at least one diluent for an inoculation. Diluent cartridge  110  may include one or more diluent reservoirs  112  and a unique identifier  114 . The one or more diluent reservoirs  112  may be configured to store diluent, wherein the diluent stored in diluent reservoir  112  may be configured to be transferred to MPRD  120  to create an inoculation. Unique identifier  114  may be the name of the diluent, bar code identification number, Q-code, etc. Unique identifier  114  may be utilized by MPRD  120  to determine that the correct diluent stored in diluent reservoir  112  is combined with a medication stored within MPRD  120 . The unique identifier  114  may utilized to determine information associated with the diluent, diluent reservoirs, etc. For example, the unique identifier  114  may be linked to a database identifying the total quantity of diluent with each reservoir, the type of diluent within each reservoir, the quantity of diluent stored within each reservoir, the location of each diluent within each reservoir, etc. 
         [0028]    Carousel  140  may be a hardware device including a unique identifier  142  and a plurality of vials  144 . Carousel  140  may be shaped to be inserted into and removed from MPRD  120 . After vials  144  receive a diluent, carousel  140  may be removed from MPRD  120  and a new carousel may be inserted into MPRD  120 . Accordingly, vials  144  may not be removed from MPRD  120 , while carousel  140  is inserted into MPRD  120 . In embodiments, carousel  140  may be circularly shaped, such that at least a portion of carousel  140  may be rotated within MPRD  120 . 
         [0029]    MPRD  120  may be a hardware device configured to receive diluent from diluent cartridge  110 , receive a vial or other containers with a lyophilized medication or liquid medication (referred to individually and collectively hereinafter as “medication”), and mix the diluent with the medication to form an inoculation. MPRD  120  may include an inner chamber, wherein the inner chamber is a sterile environment configured to store inoculations. The sterile environment may include a low level of environmental pollutants, dust, airborne microbes, aerosol particulars, and chemical vapors. MPRD  120  may be configured to create inoculations based on the components within MPRD  120 , diluent cartridge  110 , and carousel  140 . 
         [0030]    MPRD  120  may include processing device  122 , communication device  124 , memory device  124 , temperature module  126 , injection interface  126 , carousel interface  128 , identification module  130 , logic module  132 , and graphical user interface  134 . 
         [0031]    Processing device  122  can include memory, e.g., read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM), storing processor-executable instructions and one or more processors that execute the processor-executable instructions. In embodiments where processing device  122  includes two or more processors, the processors may operate in a parallel or distributed manner. Processing device  122  may execute an operating system of MPRD  120 , firmware for MPRD  120 , or software associated with other elements of MPRD  120 . 
         [0032]    Communication device  123  may be a device that allows MPRD  120  to communicate with another device, e.g., a firmware server, diluent cartridge  110 , or another networked device. Communication device  123  may include one or more wireless transceivers for performing wireless communication and/or one or more communication ports for performing wired communication. In embodiments, communication device  123  may be configured to communicate data over a wired or wireless network such as the Internet, an intranet, a LAN, a WAN, a NFC network, Bluetooth, infrared, radio frequency, a cellular network, satellite network or another type of network. 
         [0033]    Memory device  124  may be a device configured to store data generated or received by MPRD  120 . Memory device  124  may include, but is not limited to a hard disc drive, an optical disc drive, and/or a flash memory drive, including a slot for an SD card or similar solid state storage. Multiple memory devices may exist on the MPRD, both removable and non-removable. In embodiments, memory device  124  may include a database that includes entries associated with diluent cartridges  110 , carousels  140 , and/or a mapping between the diluent cartridges  110  and carousels  140 . The entries associated with diluent cartridges  110  may include information associated with unique identifiers  114  associated with diluent cartridge  110 , the name of the diluent within diluent cartridge  110 , the amount of diluent within diluent cartridge  110 , etc. The entries associated with carousel  140  may include information associated with a unique identifier  142  associated with carousel  140 , a number of vials  144  within carousel  140 , medication within each of the vials  144 , a lower temperature threshold and/or an upper temperature threshold associated with carousel  140 , wherein if a recorded temperature is outside of the temperature thresholds the medication may become spoiled, an expatriation date associated with the medication, etc. 
         [0034]    The mapping between the diluent cartridges  110  and carousels  140  may indicate which carousels  140  may be able to receive diluent from diluent cartridges  110 . If a carousel  140  is not mapped to a diluent cartridge  110 , then the carousel may not receive the diluent from the diluent cartridge  110 . Furthermore, the mapping may indicate how much diluent from diluent cartridge  110  should be displaced into a vial  144  located within carousel  140 . The mappings may also include locations within the diluent reservoirs  114  that are mapped to vials  144  within a carousel  140 . Accordingly, in embodiments, a first subset of the diluent reservoirs  112  may be allocated to certain vials  144 , while a second subset of diluent reservoirs  112  may not be allocated to a carousel  140 . This may be based on the type of medications associated with the vials  144 , or other factors. In embodiments, if the unique identifier  114  associated with diluent cartridge  110  is not associated with a unique identifier  142  associated with carousel  140  within the mapping, the diluent  110  within diluent cartridge  110  may not be placed into a vial  144 . 
         [0035]    Temperature module  126  may be a hardware processing device configured to determine the temperature within MPRD  120  and/or carousel  140 . Temperature module  126  may be configured to determine the temperature within MPRD  120  and/or carousel  140  at set intervals, which may be any desired period of time (e.g., every 1/10 th  of a second, every second, every minute, every ten minutes, etc.), responsive to communication device  124  transmitting and/or receiving information, responsive to carousel  140  being inserted into MPRD  120 , responsive to diluent cartridge  110  being inserted into MPRD  120 , or a combination. Responsive to temperature module  126  determines the temperature within MPRD  120  and/or carousel  140 , temperature module  126  may transmit the temperature to memory device  124  to be stored. 
         [0036]    Upon a carousel  140  being inserted within MPRD  120 , temperature module  126  may be configured to determine the upper and lower temperature thresholds associated with the carousel  140  by parsing the corresponding entry within memory device  124  for the carousel  140 . If temperature module  126  determines that the temperature is outside of the upper or lower temperature thresholds associated with carousel  140 , then temperature module  126  may transmit data to memory device  124  indicating that the vials  144  within carousel  140  are spoiled and should not be used for inoculations. Temperature module  126  may be affixed to carousel  140 , such that temperature module  126  may continuously determine the temperature associated with carousel  140 . In embodiments, different carousels  140  may have different temperature thresholds. 
         [0037]    Injection interface  126  may be configured to receive a diluent from diluent cartridge  110  and place the diluent into vial  144  loaded within carousel  140 . Because MPRD  120  is a sterile environment, diluent cartridge  110  may not be inserted into the inner chamber of MPRD  120 . Injection interface  126  may include input port  150 , tubing  152 , and outlet port  154 . Input port  150  may be configured to interface with an outlet of diluent cartridge  110 , such that fluid may be transferred from diluent cartridge  110  into input port  150 . In embodiments, the input port  150  may only be configured to interface with diluent cartridge  110 , and may be a separate interface from carousel interface  150 . Tubing  152  may be a series of pipes, tubes, or any other structures with a hollow section that a diluent may flow through. 
         [0038]    Outlet port  154  may be a device that is configured to receive diluent via tubing, and distribute the diluent into vials  144 . Outlet port  154  may include a syringe, pump, or any other device  156  that may direct the flow of the diluent. In embodiments, input port  150 , tubing  152 , and/or outlet port  154  may be removable devices, wherein the devices may be removed for sanitization purposes and/or to ensure that the correct diluent is distributed into vials  144 . The syringe  156  may be configured to output the diluent directly into vials  144 , wherein vials  144  may not be removed from MPRD  120  while carousel  120  is inserted into MPRD  120 . 
         [0039]    Carousel interface  128  may be a hardware device configured to receive, store, and hold a carousel  140  inserted into MPRD  120 . Carousel  140  may be configured to rotate within MPRD  120  to align a first, upper end of vials  144  with outlet port  154  to receive the diluent. In embodiments, the entirety of carousel  140  may be configured to be inserted within MPRD  120 , while vials  144  are receiving diluent. Before inserting carousel  140  into MPRD  120 , medicine may be displaced within each of the vials  144 . When the medicine is combined with the diluent an inoculation may be formed. Because carousels  140  may store medicine that has an expiration period, carousels  140  may have an expiration date, which may be stored in an entry of memory device  124  corresponding to unique identifier  142  associated with carousel  140 . If carousel  140  is placed within MPRD  120  after an expiration date associated with carousel  140 , then carousel  140  may not be able to receive the diluent from the diluent cartridge  110 . In embodiment, carousel interface  128  may be configured to rotate while positioned within carousel interface  128 . The angle of rotation of carousel  140  may be perpendicular 
         [0040]    In embodiment, carousel interface  128  may be configured to rotate while positioned within carousel interface  128 . The direction of rotation of carousel  140  may be perpendicular to a direction that syringed  156  place diluent within vials  144 . Furthermore, the angle of rotation of vials  144  within carousel  140  may be perpendicular to the direction of rotation of carousel  140 . 
         [0041]    Identification module  130  may be a hardware processing device configured to determine a unique identifier associated with diluent cartridge  110  and/or carousel  140 . In embodiments, identification module  130  may be configured to obtain an image of the unique identifier associated with the diluent cartridge  110  and/or carousel  140 , and parse memory device  124  to determine a matching unique identifier. Responsive to determining matching unique identifiers, identification module  130  may transmit the corresponding information associated with the unique identifier stored within memory device  124  to logic module  132 . In embodiments, if identification module  130  cannot determine a unique identifier associated with diluent cartridge  110  and/or carousel  140 , identification module  130  may determine that either diluent cartridge  110  and/or carousel  140  may not be used for inoculations. Accordingly, identification module  130  may determine the unique identifiers associated with diluent cartridge  110  and/or carousel  140  without communicating date to or from MPRD  120 . 
         [0042]    Logic module  132  may be a hardware processing device configured to determine the quantity and/or timing of when diluent from diluent cartridge  110  is distributed to vials  144  within carousel  140 . Logic module  132  may be configured to transmit instructions to injection interface  126  to move the diluent responsive to identification module  130  determining what diluent cartridge  110  and/or carousel  140  are interfaced with MPRD  120 , information associated with diluent cartridge  110  and/or carousel  140  (e.g. temperature thresholds, expiration dates, etc.) stored within memory device  124 , and/or the mapping between the identified client cartridge  110  and carousel  140 . Logic module  132  may be configured to determine to inject diluent from diluent cartridges  110  to vials  144  responsive to determining that the temperatures are within the desired temperatures thresholds, within a given time period of a carousel  140  being inserted into MPRD  120 , etc. For example, if within a given time period after carousel  140  being inserted into MPRD  120 , the temperature within MPRD  120  does not fall between the desired temperature thresholds, logic module  132  may determine to not move the diluent into vials  144 . However, if within the given time period after carousel  140  being inserted into MPRD  120 , the temperature within MPRD  120  does fall between the desired temperature thresholds, logic module  132  may determine to automatically move the diluent into vials  144 . 
         [0043]    In embodiments, the mapping may include information associated with the number of vials  144  within carousel  140  that may be filled with diluent from diluent cartridge  110 , the amount of diluent to be displaced within each vial  144 , how many vials  144  to automatically fill with diluent from diluent cartridge  110 , etc. In embodiments, if there is not a mapping between the unique identifiers of diluent cartridge  110  and/or carousel  140 , then logic module  132  may transit instructions to identification module  130  to not distribute the diluent from diluent cartridge  110  to injection interface  126 . For example, the mapping may include information to fill a desired number of vials  144  within carousel  140  with diluent from diluent cartridge, wherein the desired number may be all of the vials  144  within carousel  140  or only a subset of the vials  144  within carousel  140 . 
         [0044]    Graphical user interface  134  may be a device that allows a user to interact with MPRD  120  over a network. While one user interface is shown, the term “user interface” may include, but is not limited to being, a touch screen, physical keyboard, mouse, camera, video camera, microphone, and/or speaker. Utilizing graphical user interface  134 , a user may perform actions to enter information associated with a diluent cartridge  110 , carousel  140 , and/or MPRD  120 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 2  depicts a method  200  for distributing diluent from a diluent cartridge into a vial utilizing an MPRD, according to an embodiment. The operations of method  200  presented below are intended to be illustrative. In some embodiments, method  200  may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described, and/or without one or more of the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in which the operations of method  200  are illustrated in  FIG. 2  and described below is not intended to be limiting. 
         [0046]    In some embodiments, method  200  may be implemented in one or more processing devices (e.g., a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuit designed to process information, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing information). The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices executing some or all of the operations of method  500  in response to instructions stored electronically on an electronic storage medium. The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices configured through hardware, firmware, and/or software to be specifically designed for execution of one or more of the operations of method  200 . 
         [0047]    At operation  210 , a diluent cartridge  110  may be inserted into an MPRD  120 . Responsive to diluent cartridge  110  being inserted into MPRD  120 , a unique identifier associated with diluent cartridge  110  may be determined. Operation  210  may be performed by an identification module that is the same as or similar to identification module  130 , in accordance with one or more implementations. 
         [0048]    At operation  220 , a carousel  140  including a plurality of vials  144  may be inserted into MPRD  120 . Responsive to carousel  140  being inserted into MPRD  120 , a unique identifier associated with carousel  140  may be determined. Operation  220  may be performed by an identification module that is the same as or similar to identification module  130 , in accordance with one or more implementations. 
         [0049]    At operation  230 , a mapping between the unique identifier associated with carousel  140  and diluent cartridge  110  may be determined. The mapping between the unique identifiers may be determined by comparing the unique identifier associated with carousel  140  and/or diluent cartridge  110  with unique identifiers stored within a memory device. Responsive to matching a unique identifier with a carousel  140 , it may be determined if an entry associated with the carousel within the database is associated with the unique identifier with the diluent cartridge  110 , or vice versa. Operation  230  may be performed by a logic module that is the same as or similar to logic module  132 , in accordance with one or more implementations. 
         [0050]    At operation  240 , responsive to determine a carousel  140  is linked with diluent cartridge  110 , diluent from diluent cartridge  110  may be distributed to a vial within carousel  140 . In embodiments, the amount of diluent distributed to the vial may be based on information corresponding to the mapping stored within the memory device, wherein vials within different carousels  140  may receive different amounts of diluent and different vials within the same carousel  140  may receive different amounts of diluent. Operation  240  may be performed by a logic module that is the same as or similar to logic module  132 , in accordance with one or more implementations. 
         [0051]    At operation  250 , diluent cartridge  110  and/or carousel  140  may be removed from MPRD  120 , and a second diluent cartridge  110  and/or carousel  140  may be inserted into MPRD  120 . Operation  250  may be performed by an injection interface that is the same as or similar to injection interface  126 , in accordance with one or more implementations. 
         [0052]      FIG. 3  depicts one embodiment of a diluent cartridge  110  and a MPRD  120 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that the placement of elements within or on diluent cartridge  110  and MPRD  120  may be changed, substituted for other elements, and/or removed entirely from the system. 
         [0053]      FIG. 4  depicts a topology for a MPRD  400 , according to one embodiment. Elements of  FIG. 4  are described above. Therefore, for the sake of brevity another description of these elements is omitted. 
         [0054]    As depicted in  FIG. 4 , MPRD  400  may include a linear cartridge  410  that is configured to be received by a linear cartridge interface  420 . Linear cartridge  410  may be configured to hold vials with an inoculant. Linear cartridge interface  420  is configured to receive the linear cartridge  410 , and inject diluent into the vials. 
         [0055]    Embodiments that utilize linear cartridge  410  may consume less power than other embodiments. The cartridge system is a lower power consumption, yet lower throughput, option to the carousel. Embodiments utilizing a carousel may require motors that can be heavy and utilize a lot of power. While embodiments utilizing a linear cartridge  410  may allow linear cartridge  410  to be manually inserted and removed from MPRD  400 . 
         [0056]    MPRD  400  may utilize injectors for the linear cartridge  410 . The injections would be a straight injector strip with needles (injectors), wherein the injectors are positioned over the vials or containers once linear cartridge  410  is inserted within MPRD  400 . For example, if there are to be ten vials in cartridge  410 , then there would be ten needles on the injector strip. In embodiments, the injector may be a removable device that is configured to be slide in and out of a slot on the side of the MPRD  400 . These linear cartridges are also simpler for backpacks, fitting many more vials into a single backpack than you can get with a carousel. 
         [0057]    In embodiments, MPRD  400  may be configured to receive a plurality of linear cartridges  410  simultaneously. Additionally, MPRD  400  may include a plurality of injectors. Therefore, a plurality of linear cartridges  410  may be inserted into a plurality of receiving doors within MPRD  400 . For example, five linear cartridges  410  with ten vials each could be simultaneously loaded into MPRD  400 . Then, injectors aligned with the different linear cartridges  410  may simultaneously insert diluent into the vials on the different linear cartridges  410 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 5  depicts one embodiment of a linear cartridge  500 . Linear cartridge  500  may be a container holding vaccine vials or containers. Linear cartridge  500  may be configured to slide through a door into the MPRD  400 . Once inside, the linear cartridge  500  rests on a platform that has a small motor for shaking the vials when called for and for ejection of the vials when reconstitution is complete. In embodiments, this may be useful for maintaining sterile conditions on the injectors and the tops of the vaccine vials or containers. A reader within the MPRD moves along the belt inside the device identifying what the vials contain via bar code, OCR, or other method for identifying contents from the labels on the vials or containers. The reader can be moved by a stepper motor or similar mechanical device. 
         [0059]    The injectors within MPRD  400  may be positioned on a strip above the linear cartridge  410  inside MPRD  400 . When the user is ready to inject diluent into the vials or containers, the injectors come down inserting their needles into the vials or containers at the same time. Once the diluent is injected, the injectors move away from the vials and the cartridge containing the medication. The linear cartridge  410  can be ejected through the door manually by pressing a button or automatically ejected via the system firmware upon completion of the injection of diluent, and shaking of the vials or containers when desired or necessary. 
         [0060]    Although the present technology has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the technology is not limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present technology contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any implementation can be combined with one or more features of any other implementation. 
         [0061]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “one example” or “an example” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, “one example” or “an example” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable combinations and/or sub-combinations in one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, it is appreciated that the figures provided herewith are for explanation purposes to persons ordinarily skilled in the art and that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
         [0062]    Embodiments in accordance with the present invention may be embodied as an apparatus, method, or computer program product. Accordingly, the present embodiments may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.), or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “module” or “system.” Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in any tangible medium of expression having computer-usable program code embodied in the medium. 
         [0063]    Any combination of one or more computer-usable or computer-readable media may be utilized. For example, a computer-readable medium may include one or more of a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM) device, a read-only memory (ROM) device, an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory) device, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CDROM), an optical storage device, and a magnetic storage device. Computer program code for carrying out operations of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. 
         [0064]    The flowcharts and block diagrams in the flow diagrams illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowcharts or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, may be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function/act specified in the flowcharts and/or block diagrams.