Unit dose dispensing systems and methods

US10262490B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Omnicell, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Edith Wilson · Healdsburg, US
• Gerardo Moreno · Pleasanton, US
• Guillermo Trejo · San Jose, US
• Vikram Mehta · Greensboro, US
• Herbert Lawson Fisher · Portola Valley, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 6, 2017
• Grant date: Apr 16, 2019
• Expiry date: Oct 6, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G07F17/0092
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Mechanisms for dispensing items such as medications and medical supplies. Different mechanisms may be tailored to dispensing different kinds of items, for example medications in single dose packages, vials, syringes, or other similarly-shaped items. The dispensers may be placed in a dispensing unit that includes a lockable restock drawer and a dispense drawer into which items are dispensed by the dispensing mechanisms. The various kinds of dispensing mechanisms may be installed in the restock drawer in any workable proportion and arrangement. The dispensing mechanisms include multiple sensing technologies for tracking and inventory of items and for accurate sensing of items as they are dispensed.