A method for preparing an aliquot of solution comprising a plurality of particles is disclosed. The method includes agitating the solution with a baffle at a predetermined mixing speed to suspend the plurality of particles in the solution, wherein the baffle positioned at least partially within a vessel containing the solution, and wherein the vessel is engaged with a vessel receptacle configured to hold the vessel. The method also includes withdrawing, during the agitating, the aliquot of solution from the vessel with a pipette, such that an end of a pipette tip is positioned within the vessel.

The disclosed electronic smart mat includes a planar surface configured to receive a mobile electronic container configured to store one or more medications, an antenna configured to wirelessly communicate with the mobile electronic container when the mobile electronic container is received over the surface, a communication module configured to communicate with a server, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine a medication content of the mobile electronic container responsive to the mobile electronic container being received over the surface, receive patient data associated with a patient responsive to placement of a mobile computing device associated with the patient over the surface of the electronic mat, and provide, to the server using the communication module, the patient data, and updated medication inventory based on the determined medication content of the mobile electronic container. The electronic mat may form a bottom surface of an enclosure within a dispensing machine.

There is provided a method by which microtags can be attached to a product at a product processing facility other than the manufacturer such as a dispensing pharmacy. Also, it is an object to attach microtags to a hard capsule in a simple manner. There is provided a band seal preparation liquid for sealing a hard capsule, the band seal preparation liquid containing microtags that enable a product to be identified.

A medication container for validating self-administration of prescription medication by a patient wherein the prescription medication is administered over a series of timed dosages. A machine-readable optical code label such as a QR Code is affixed to an interior surface of a medication container containing the medication such as the interior of the bottle cap. The container must be open to electronically read the optical code label. The label contains data associated with the medication and is read by a software application installed on a smartphone. The software receives the label-embedded data and a timestamp to validate the patient is self-administering the medication consistent with the series of timed dosages.

The present specification describes a medicine dispensing system for automatically dispensing medication at a predetermined time. The system includes a cartridge that carries a strip of medicine pouches. When the cartridge is dropped into a dispensing unit, it automatically aligns with the dispensing unit without requiring any installation work from the user. The automatic alignment is enabled because of self-aligning features manufactured in the cartridge housing. The cartridge includes a flapper baffle that assists the conveyance of the strip of pouches through the dispensing unit.

Provided herein is a system for automated dispensing of articles. Systems may include: a robotic arm; an end-of-arm tool attached to the robotic arm; a scanning device proximate the end-of-arm tool; and a controller to control the robotic arm and the end-of-arm tool. The end-of-arm tool may include a body and two or more vacuum cups extending from the body, where the controller controls a level of suction provided to each of the two or more vacuum cups individually. Each of the two or more vacuum cups extending from the body may be movable between a retracted position proximate the body, and an extended position away from the body of the end-of-arm tool in response to instruction from the controller. Suction may be provided only to the vacuum cups of the two or more vacuum cups that are disposed in the extended position.

A method for reconciliation in a drug filling line includes providing a batch number relating to a predetermined batch of containers to be filled with a drug. Each one of the containers is marked with a unique identifier differentiating and/or identifying each container among others. Each unique identifier is stored and associated with the batch number by a processing and control unit, before starting the filling step of each container. Filled containers are flashed by at least one identifier reader to check correspondence between the batch number being processed and each filled container, in order to validate or reject in real time each container with respect to a predetermined batch being processed by the filling line.

A medicine compounding system has a plurality of containers for containing medical compounds to be used to make up a medicine. A dosing chamber is connected to each of the plurality of containers and a drawing mechanism is used to draw compounds from the plurality of containers to the dosing chamber. A controller receives a script via a communications module which includes details of a patient and a medicine to be dispensed. The controller determines from the script which medical compounds and what quantities of each compound are to be used to form the medicine. The controller controls the drawing mechanism to draw the determined quantity of the medical compound from the container holding the compound into the dosing chamber, and once all of the required medical compounds have been drawn into the chamber to form the medicine, to eject the medicine formed in the dosing chamber via an outlet.

A system includes a medical item affixed with an electronically readable label, and a receptacle having a sensor configured to read the electronically readable label and communicate data pertaining to the electronically readable label with a server-based medical adherence application.

A medication dispensing system includes an automated dispensing device that includes cells with electronically activated locks. The device is configured to detect when medication counts in the cells fall below predetermined thresholds. The system further includes a plurality of first electronic devices that are associated with some of the cells and that have imagers. In response to any of the medication counts in the cells being below the predetermined threshold, the automated dispensing device is configured to automatically send a replenishment needed notification to the first electronic device associated with the cell. That first electronic device is configured to transmit a picture of a medication to a second electronic device. In response to a positive verification by a user of the second electronic device that the medication in the picture is the correct medication, the second electronic device is configured to transmit an unlock signal to the automated dispensing device.