Device for offloading capped vials useful in system and method for dispensing prescriptions

Abstract

An offloading unit for an automated pharmaceutical machine that dispenses filled, capped pharmaceutical vials includes at least one offload location; at least one tote to receive the vials at each offload location, the tote assigned for distribution to a remote pharmacy location; at least one sensor to detect the presence or absence of the tote; and at least one sensor to detect a fill level of the vials in the tote.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An offloading unit for an automated pharmaceutical machine that dispenses filled, capped pharmaceutical vials, comprising:
 at least one offload location;   at least one tote to receive the vials at each offload location, the tote assigned for distribution to a remote pharmacy location;   at least one detection sensor to detect the presence or absence of the tote; and   at least one fill sensor to detect a fill level of the vials in the tote.   
     
     
         2 . The offloading unit of  claim 1 , wherein a chute guides the vials into the tote. 
     
     
         3 . The offloading unit of  claim 2  wherein the chute is illuminated with at least one light. 
     
     
         4 . The offloading unit of  claim 3  wherein the at least one light communicates the status of the offload location. 
     
     
         5 . The offloading unit of  claim 4  wherein the status of the offload location is communicated by at least one of a color or an illumination pattern of the at least one light. 
     
     
         6 . The offloading unit of  claim 1  wherein the at least one tote comprises a unique code. 
     
     
         7 . The offloading unit of  claim 6  wherein the unique code indicates at least one of: information about the vials loaded in the tote and information about the remote pharmacy location. 
     
     
         8 . A pharmaceutical dispensing system, comprising:
 a frame;   a plurality of cells configured to house pharmaceutical pills;   a processor;   memory coupled to the processor; and   a computer program residing in the memory that is executable by the processor for transmitting a message to one or more pre-identified recipients about a status or function of the system.   
     
     
         9 . The pharmaceutical dispensing system of  claim 8  wherein the message is delivered by at least one of text message, email message, instant message, or voice message. 
     
     
         10 . The pharmaceutical dispensing system of  claim 8  wherein the message comprises information about at least one of: a system error; a power failure; a fill level of a tote; an inventory level; a prescription order status; a service requirement of the system; a problem encountered by the system while filling orders; instructions for responding to the message; and a service request. 
     
     
         11 . The pharmaceutical dispensing system of  claim 8  further comprising a camera for capturing images of filled prescriptions. 
     
     
         12 . The pharmaceutical dispensing system of  claim 8  further comprising a bagger for automatically bagging the filled prescriptions. 
     
     
         13 . The pharmaceutical dispensing system of  claim 11  further comprising a computer program residing in the memory that is executable by the processor for automatically analyzing the images captured by the camera. 
     
     
         14 . The pharmaceutical dispensing system of  claim 8  further comprising a weight sensor for determining a weight of a filled vial. 
     
     
         15 . A pharmaceutical dispensing system, comprising:
 a frame;   a plurality of cells configured to house pharmaceutical pills;   a processor;   memory coupled to the processor;   at least one offload location;   at least one tote to receive the vials at each offload location, the tote assigned for distribution to a remote pharmacy location;   at least one detection sensor to detect the presence or absence of the tote;   at least one fill sensor to detect a fill level of the vials in the tote; and   a GUI, wherein the GUI includes a portion specific to filling of the at least one tote.   
     
     
         16 . The pharmaceutical dispensing system of  claim 15  wherein the GUI communicates information about a status of the totes. 
     
     
         17 . The pharmaceutical dispensing system of  claim 16  wherein the status is at least one of: the association of the tote with the system, a number of prescriptions in the tote, a designation of the pharmacy location assigned to the tote, a number of prescriptions directed to the tote, and a fill level of the tote. 
     
     
         18 . The pharmaceutical dispensing system of  claim 17  wherein the fill level of the tote is indicated by at least one of a dynamic fill line or a color. 
     
     
         19 . The pharmaceutical dispensing system of  claim 15  further comprising a camera for capturing images of filled prescriptions. 
     
     
         20 . The pharmaceutical dispensing system of  claim 15  further comprising a bagger for automatically inserting the filled prescriptions into bags. 
     
     
         21 . The pharmaceutical dispensing system of  claim 19  further comprising a computer program residing in the memory that is executable by the processor for automatically analyzing the images captured by the camera. 
     
     
         22 . The pharmaceutical dispensing system of  claim 20  wherein the bagger further comprises a printer for printing identifying information on a label or on a bag. 
     
     
         23 . The pharmaceutical dispensing system of  claim 20  wherein documentation is added to one or more of the bags. 
     
     
         24 . The pharmaceutical dispensing system of  claim 15  wherein in the portion of the GUI specific to filling of the at least one tote allows a user to create a manifest for the at least one tote.