System and Method for High-Volume Filling of Pharmaceutical Prescriptions

Abstract

A method of retrieving a vial from a carrier includes the steps of: contacting a vial contained within a carrier with a gripper assembly to shift the position of the container to one end of the carrier and to adjust the position of the carrier on a platform from a diverted position to a retrieval position; lifting the vial from the carrier with the gripper assembly; and returning the vial to the carrier with the gripper assembly. Such a method can improve the accuracy and precision of moving the vial to and from the carrier for dispensing.

1 . A method of retrieving a vial from a carrier, comprising the steps of:
 contacting a vial contained within a carrier with a gripper assembly to shift the position of the container to one end of the carrier and to adjust the position of the carrier on a platform from a diverted position to a retrieval position;   lifting the vial from the carrier with the gripper assembly; and   returning the vial to the carrier with the gripper assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The method defined in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of dispensing a pharmaceutical into the vial after the lifting step and before the returning step. 
     
     
         3 . The method defined in  claim 1 , wherein the carrier includes a round cavity, and the vial resides in the cavity. 
     
     
         4 . The method defined in  claim 1 , wherein the platform includes a recess, and wherein the vial carrier and the vial are positioned in the recess. 
     
     
         5 . The method defined in  claim 2 , wherein the dispensing step comprises dispensing the pharmaceutical with an automated pharmaceutical dispensing machine. 
     
     
         6 . The method defined in  claim 1 , wherein contacting the vial comprises grasping the vial with the gripper assembly, then pushing the vial within the carrier with the gripper assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The method defined in  claim 6 , wherein contacting the vial further comprises pushing the vial and the vial carrier downwardly against the platform to register the vial at a desired height. 
     
     
         8 . The method defined in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of recording the position of the vial during the contacting step, and wherein returning the vial to the vial carrier comprises positioning the vial over the vial carrier based on the position of the vial carrier after the contacting step and lowering the vial into the vial carrier. 
     
     
         9 . An automated pharmacy machine, comprising:
 a frame defining a peripheral footprint;   a plurality of bins, each of the bins containing a bulk supply of a pharmaceutical;   a transition platform mounted to the frame and having at least one retrieval position configured to receive a vial for filling, the retrieval position being located within the footprint of the frame; and   a gripper assembly mounted within the frame and configured to grasp and convey a vial from the transition platform to one of the bins for dispensing.   
     
     
         10 . The automated pharmacy machine defined in  claim 9 , wherein the transition platform includes a plurality of retrieval positions. 
     
     
         11 . The automated pharmacy machine defined in  claim 9 , wherein the retrieval position is configured to receive a carrier in which a vial resides. 
     
     
         12 . The automated pharmacy machine defined in  claim 9 , wherein the retrieval position is defined by a recess in the transition platform. 
     
     
         13 . The automated pharmacy machine defined in  claim 9 , wherein the gripper assembly is mounted on a vertical rail and can travel vertically thereon. 
     
     
         14 . The automated pharmacy machine defined in  claim 13 , wherein the vertical rail is mounted on a horizontal rail and can travel horizontally thereon.