Compounding device system
Inventors
Trovato, Giuseppe • Schiavinato, Andrea • Amato, Luca • Marsh, Charles • McCutchan, Larry
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12017046-B2
Publication Date
2024-06-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system for compounding medications. The system includes one or more compounding devices, and a central computer system. The central computer system receives requests, at least some of which require the compounding of one or more medications, and pushes assignments of respective compounding tasks to the one or more compounding devices. The assignments are made based at least in part on records of performance to promote efficient use of compounding resources.
Core Innovation
A centralized computer-controlled system for compounding medications includes one or more compounding devices in bidirectional communication with the computer via a communications network. The computer receives a plurality of requests for compounding, including compounding of one or more medications, and maintains records of performance that identify performance of at least some of the one or more compounding devices in completion of previous compounding assignments, where the identifying of performance comprises identifying speeds of completion of previous compounding assignments.
For each received request for compounding, the computer assigns a task of compounding the medication to at least one of the one or more compounding devices based at least in part on the records of performance. The assignment is configured to promote efficient use of compounding resources and to maximize speed of completion of the task. The system uses a set of rules and supports load balancing across compounding devices and resource availability monitoring.
The described compounding devices include a compounding assistance device, a robotic compounder, and a hazardous drug robotic compounder. The computer-controlled system supports an architecture in which operator-guided IV compounding assistance is prompted, and in which documentation and verification are supported using barcode scanning, weight sensing, and visible and infrared imaging, including analysis of syringe geometry using fiducial marks and annotated infrared images.
Claims Coverage
The provided claim set includes two independent claims. Both center on computer-controlled receiving of compounding requests and assigning compounding tasks to one or more compounding devices using records of performance that include completion speeds, to promote efficient resource use and maximize speed of completion.
Computer-controlled assignment using performance records and completion speeds
A system for compounding of medications including one or more compounding devices in bidirectional communication with a computer via a communications network, where the computer receives a plurality of requests for compounding, maintains records of performance identifying performance of at least some of the one or more compounding devices in completion of previous compounding assignments by identifying speeds of completion, and for each received request assigns a task of compounding the medication to at least one of the one or more compounding devices based at least in part on the records of performance to promote efficient use of compounding resources and to maximize speed of completion of the task.
Load balancing method using performance records and completion speeds
A method of load balancing in a compounding system comprising receiving, at a computer, a plurality of requests for compounding of one or more medications, monitoring availability of one or more compounding devices, maintaining records of performance identifying performance of at least some of the one or more compounding devices in completion of previous compounding assignments comprising speeds of completion, and for each of the requests assigning a task of compounding the medication to at least one of the one or more compounding devices based at least in part on the records of performance to promote efficient use of compounding resources and to maximize speed of completion of the task.
Overall, the claim coverage ties load-balancing and task assignment to maintained performance records that include completion speeds, using a computer to assign compounding tasks to available compounding devices to improve efficient use of resources and maximize speed of completion.
Stated Advantages
Promote efficient use of compounding resources.
Maximize speed of completion of the task.
Documented Applications
Centralized, computer-controlled medication compounding across network-connected compounding devices, including compounding assistance devices and robotic compounders, to support task assignment based on performance records and load balancing.
Multi-facility resource control/load-balancing architecture for pharmacies/facilities (including coordination considerations such as availability and performance-based selection across devices).
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