Patent Application
20100181332
This invention relates to an apparatus for automatically loading, dispensing, and taking inventory of ophthalmic lenses
Due to advances in the design and cosmetic appearance of ophthalmic lenses the dispensers of such lenses need to maintain a large stock of such lenses to fit patients. In the trade theses lenses are commonly known as diagnostic lenses. For example when a patient suffers from astigmatism, an individual ophthalmologist may need to try several different prescriptions on a patient before the appropriate degree of vision correction is found. Given that space is limited in most dispenser's offices, maintaining sufficient quantities of different prescriptions is an administrative and logistical problem. Therefore it would be beneficial to have an apparatus that loads, stores, dispenses, keeps an inventory of a variety of different diagnostic lenses. This need and others are met by the following invention.
This invention includes an apparatus for storing, and dispensing ophthalmic lens packages comprising
The invention is further described in further detail in reference an embodiment illustrated in
Once gripper 19 holds ophthalmic lens package 16 and cartridge 22, it moves the package and cartridge to housing 14 for insertion. In this embodiment the “means for inserting at least one ophthalmic lens package of said plurality of ophthalmic lens packages to said housing” includes a motor 20 and gripper 19, and this means is the preferred means. Other means for inserting at least one ophthalmic lens package of said plurality of ophthalmic lens packages to said housing include but are not limited to pinchers 30 (see
Once gripper 19 moves the ophthalmic lens package towards housing 14 it inserts the ophthalmic lens package in a location in the housing. This location and the identity of the package are sent to a computer (incorporated in the apparatus and not shown or a remote computer at the manufacture's facility or some other location), which builds and maintains a database correlating the location of the package in the housing and the identity of said package. A computer that is incorporated in the apparatus is the preferred means for recording the location and the identity of each of said ophthalmic lens packages in said housing.
When a user wishes to retrieve a lens from apparatus 10, the user may enter the identity of the desired lens in keypad 11, which contains a processor, not shown, connected to the computer and its database. The computer notes the location of the desired ophthalmic lens package in the housing and in the case of housing 14, instructs drive chain 25 to bring the desired ophthalmic lens package (optionally enclosed in cartridge 22) to a position where it may be retrieved by gripper 19, as manipulated by motor 20 and the XYZ-robot. Optionally, the retrieved package (or cartridge enclosed package) may be scanned by bar code reader 21, to confirm its identity. In this embodiment, the means for retrieving at least one ophthalmic lens package from said housing is gripper 19, motor 20 and the XYZ-robot and this is the preferred means. Other such means include but are not limited pinchers 30 (see
Yet still further the invention includes a cartridge for enclosing an ophthalmic lens package comprising, a flexible means for holding the package until a user removes it. As used herein said flexible means for holding the package includes but is not limited to any of all, stops, plates, ribs and walls. Such cartridges may be made of polymers, metal nylon, rubber, or paper. It is preferred that the cartridges are made of polymers, nylon or rubber. In the preferred cartridges of the invention, the cartridges further comprise any or all of the following interconnecting grooves, pins or hooks, which permit the cartridges to be connected to each other plates to protect the product from accidental protrusion or puncture, and ribs to provide orientation. The most preferred cartridges comprise grooves, ribs and plates. Two advantages of the cartridge are protecting the package from being damaged by the apparatus and maintaining orientation package to enable consistent presentment to the mechanisms of the apparatus. Preferably each cartridge holds one ophthalmic lens package, however, the cartridge may be sized to hold multiple ophthalmic lens packages may be enclosed in a single cartridge, as illustrated by
Software control the functions of the apparatus of and the flow chart for the software of the illustrated embodiment follows in
If loading is selected step 43 displays loading instructions on the screen and door 13 unlocks to permit the user access to tray 15. The user places at least one ophthalmic lens package 16 (optionally enclosed in cartridge 22) in tray 15. In the preferred apparatus of the invention accepts loading of ophthalmic lens packages 16 enclosed in cartridges 22. In addition the preferred apparatus accepts a random assembly of ophthalmic lens packages 16. A “random assembly” means a variety of different ophthalmic lenses having different identities presented to the apparatus in no particular order. Typically a random assembly will contain about 2 individual ophthalmic lens packages to about 200, preferably about 2 to about 60 individual ophthalmic lens packages. In addition, the random assembly typically contains individual ophthalmic lens packages have about 2 to about 199, different identities, preferably about 2 to about 59 different identities. For the stack of packages of
Once the ophthalmic lens packages are loaded to tray 15, tray 15 is reinserted and door 13 is closed during step 44. Gripper 19 is moved by the XYZ-robot to the start position of tray 15 during step 45. The presence sensor determines if an ophthalmic lens package is present in this location during step 46. If a package is present, gripper 19 moves it to the housing in during step 48, otherwise, gripper 19 moves to another position on tray 15 during step 47 and the sensor determine if an ophthalmic lens is present in that location during step 46. Steps 47 and 46 will continue until all of the locations in tray 15 have been searched and any found packages moved to housing 14. To pick up an ophthalmic lens package during step 48, motor 20 engages gripper 19 to retract one ophthalmic lens package during step 48. The identity of the ophthalmic lens package is determined by scanning it during step 49 and the apparatuses database is queried to find an empty location in housing 14 during step 50. If an empty location is found, step 51 instructs chain drive 25 and the XYZ-robot to place the open section of housing 14 close to gripper 19. If there are no open sections in housing 14, the database displays a message on the screen in step to the user during step 52. Alternatively, commonly used identities may be places in particular locations in the housing to facilitate easy retrieval during the manual mode of operation discussed below.
Step 53 instructs gripper 19 to insert the ophthalmic lens package in the open section and step 54 updates the database with the identity and location of the ophthalmic lens package. Gripper 19 is moved by the XYZ-robot to detect the subsequent package on tray 15 during step 55 and another ophthalmic lens package may be inserted to the housing. Alternatively, if the machine is dispensing an ophthalmic lens package, package may be loaded to tray 15, they may remain in the tray until the dispensing task is completed.
To dispense ophthalmic lens packages from the apparatus, the user selects the dispensing function from the main menu of step 42. Step 56 displays the dispensing screen to the user and the user inputs the identity of the desired ophthalmic lens package. A query is sent to the database in step 57 and if the requested lens is not found in the database, step 58 displays a message for the user noting that the requested lens is not available and recommending alternative lenses which are in the inventory. If the requested lens is found in the database, the process goes to step 59, where the location or locations of the requested lenses are found. Step 60 identifies the ophthalmic lens package with the earliest expiration date and sends a signal to the XYZ-robot, which controls gripper 19. Gripper 19 moves, to location near housing 14, and chain drive 25 rotates to bring the location of the requested ophthalmic lens package near to gripper 19. In step 61 gripper 19 picks up the requested package and in step 62 this piece is scanned to confirm its identity. Alternatively the scanner 21 scans the package before gripper 19 picks up the piece. If the identity is correct, gripper 19 takes the piece to the dispensing orifice for retrieval by the user during step 63. If the identity is not correct gripper 19 removes the incorrect piece during step 64 and places it in tray 15, so that it may be reloaded at a later time during step 65.
In order to manually retrieve the ophthalmic lens package the user selects manual access during step 42 and enters the identity of the requested ophthalmic lens package in step 66. The database is queried in step 67 and if the ophthalmic lens package is not found, the user is notified in step 68. If the ophthalmic lens package is found the location of package in the housing is displayed in step 69. The computer disables the XYZ-robot, drive chain 25 and other apparatus driven motors mechanisms and unlocks the side panel access door to the housing in step 70. The user may now open the side panel access door and manually move chain drive 25 to the location (as marked on the location) of the requested lens. When the user finishes, and closes the side panel access door, the user engages the program and notifies the program that the requested ophthalmic lens package was removed during step 71. Step 72 locks the side panel access door and returns to the main menu.
In order to take inventory of all of the identity and location of all ophthalmic lens packages in the housing the user selects inventory in step 42. Under the control of the XYZ-robot, scanner 21 advance to housing 14 during step 73. The scanner 21 determines the identity of the ophthalmic lens in the housing location during step 74, and correlates this information against the database in step 75. If the wrong lens is in the location, the database is corrected in step 77. If the correct lens is in the location the database is maintained as is in step 76. Scanner 21 moves to another location in the housing and steps 74 to 76 are repeated until all locations of the housing are evaluated.— Step 78 informs the user when the inventory process is complete. In addition, step 79 may send the results of the inventory electronically (via hardwire, wireless, internet, or phone connection) to the manufacturer, in order to facilitate ordering of the lenses or optimize the placement of the lenses in the housing.
As used herein ophthalmic lens packages include but are not limited to receptacle portion (commonly known as a blister bowl) and a cover that is sealed to the blister bowl that are used to house an individual ophthalmic lens. Examples of suitably shaped blister bowls are disclosed in the following documents which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, U.S. Pat. Nos. D 458,023; 4,691,820; 5,054,610; 5,337,888; 5,375,698; 5,409,104; 5,467,868; 5,515,964; 5,609,246; 5,695,049; 5,697,495; 5,704,468; 5,711,416; 5,722,536; 5,573,108; 5,823,327; 5,704,468; 5,983,608; 6,029,808; 6,044,966; and 6,401,915. The receptacle portion of some ophthalmic lens packages is not bowl shaped. For purposes of this invention, the receptacles of those packages are included in the term blister bowl. Examples of such packages include but are not limited to ophthalmic lens packages disclosed in WO 2005/082721, U.S. Pat. No. 7,086,526, WO 03/016175, US 2004/0238380, and US 2008/0023345 which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Preferably, the cover is a flexible sheets made from adhesive laminates of an aluminum foil and extruded or co-extruded polymer film that can be sealed to the top surface of the blister bowl in order to form a hermetic seal for the ophthalmic lens. Examples of such materials are disclosed in the following publications, U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2002/0197478; U.S. Pat Nos. 6,090,471; 5,908,527; 5,656,362; 5,653,844; and 5,620,087, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
As used herein “ophthalmic lens” refers to a device that resides in or on the eye. These devices can provide optical correction or may be cosmetic. Ophthalmic lenses include but are not limited to soft contact lenses, hard contact lenses, intraocular lenses or punctual plugs. The preferred lenses of the invention are soft contact lenses are made from hydrogels and silicone elastomers, which include but are not limited to silicone hydrogels, and fluorohydrogels, particularly when such lenses are used are bifocal lenses, toric lenses, or other forms of custom lenses. Soft contact lens formulations are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,710,302, WO 9421698, EP 406161, JP 2000016905, U.S. Pat. No. 5,998,498, U.S. Pat. No. 6,087,415, U.S. Pat. No. 5,760,100, U.S. Pat. No. 5,776, 999, U.S. Pat. No. 5,789,461, U.S. Pat. No. 5,849,811, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,965,631. The foregoing references are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The particularly preferred ophthalmic lenses of the inventions are know by the United States Approved Names of etafilcon A, genfilcon A, lenefilcon A, lotrafilcon A, lotrafilcon B, balafilcon A, polymacon, bafilcon, acofilcon A acquafilcon A, alofilcon A alphafilcon A, amifilcon A, astifilcon A, atalafilcon A, bisfilcon A bufilcon A, crofilcon A, cyclofilcon A, darfilcon A deltafilcon A, deltafilcon B, dimefilcon A, drooxifilcon A, epsifilcon A, esterifilcon A, focofilcon A, galyfilcon A, govafilcon A, hefilcon A hefilcon B, hefilcon D, hilafilcon A, hilafilcon B, hixoifilcon A, hioxifilcon B, hioxifilcon C, hydrofilcon A, lenefilcon A, licryfilcon A, licryfilcon B, lidofilcon B, lidofilcon A, mafilcon A, mesifilcon A, methafilcon B, mipafilcon A, narafilcon A, nelfilcon A, netrafilcon A, ocufilcon A, ocufilcon B, ocufilcon C, ocufilcon D, ocufilcon E, ofilcon A, omafilcon A, oxyfilcon A, pentafilcon A, perfilcon A, pevafilcon A, phemfilcon A, senofilcon A, silafilcon A, siloxyfilcon A, tefilcon A, tetrafilcon A, trifilcon A, vifilcon A, or xylofilcon A. More particularly preferred ophthalmic lenses of the invention are genfilcon A, lenefilcon A, lotrafilcon A, lotrafilcon B, or balafilcon A. The most preferred lenses include but are not limited to galyfilcon, senofilcon A, etafilcon A, nelfilcon A, hilafilcon, and polymacon. The apparatus of the invention is used to store and dispense both diagnostic lenses and revenue lenses, and it is preferred that the apparatus is used to store and dispense diagnostic lenses.
Further this invention includes an apparatus for storing, and dispensing ophthalmic lens packages comprising
For example a user could manually enter the identity of an ophthalmic lens package to the database via keypad 11 prior to loading the ophthalmic lens package into tray 15. The manufacturer of the lenses could send a random assortment of ophthalmic lens packages, enclosed in interconnecting cartridges to the doctor's office with a packaging slip. The packaging slip would list the identity of each of the random assortment in the order in which they are stacked together. The doctor's office could use a hand held scanner to read the invoice and transmit the information via hardwire connection or wirelessly to the apparatuses' computer. Alternatively, the manufacture could transmit this information wirelessly to the doctor's office when the stack of packages is placed into tray 15.
Still further the invention includes a method of storing, and dispensing ophthalmic lens packages comprising storing, dispensing and such packages in an apparatus comprising
Yet still further, the invention includes a method of storing, and dispensing ophthalmic lens packages comprising storing, dispensing and such packages in an apparatus comprising
The advantages of the invention are many. The preferred apparatuses and methods of this invention load anywhere from about 2 to about 200 ophthalmic lens packages to the apparatus in about 2 to about 60 seconds. The preferred apparatuses and methods of this invention insert an individual ophthalmic lens package to the housing from a random assembly of such packages in about 10 seconds to about 30 seconds per package. Further, the apparatuses and methods of the invention retrieve an individual ophthalmic lens package from the housing in about 5 seconds to 30 about seconds. The device allows for the storage of a large number of ophthalmic lens packages (preferably about 20 to about thousands, more preferably about 50 to about 30,000, most preferably about 1000 to about 8000) in a small space and provides the eyecare professionals easy access to such lenses and quick replenishment of used lenses through automatic inventory and ordering processes. Due to the apparatuses and methods of this invention, the timing of inserting and retrieving such ophthalmic lens packages is substantially independent of the number and the variety of ophthalmic packages loaded to the apparatus and stored in the housing, such that a user would not notice the difference. Still further advantages of the invention include, the ability to track which lenses are dispensed at a particular time at a particular location, and to deliver such information to the manufacturer. Further the apparatus may be fitted with a printer to directly print encrypted or unencrypted product identity and patient's contact information for mailing or other types of delivery to the patient. Still further, the apparatus can be placed in a retail establishment and so that patients as well as ophthalmic practitioners may use the apparatus to dispense ophthalmic lenses. Yet further still, to increase the storage and dispensing capacity one or more apparatuses may be coupled together.
The aforementioned embodiments of the invention are meant to illustrate the invention and suggest methods and devices that embody the invention. In addition to the embodiments enclosed herein, U.S. Ser. No. 61/141,714, filed on Dec. 31, 2008 and its non-provisional counterpart filed on Dec. 16, 2009, which are both incorporated by reference for the disclosures contained therein, contain embodiments of certain aspects of this invention. Those knowledgeable in the production three-dimensional objects as well as other specialties may find other methods of practicing the invention. However, those methods are deemed to be within the scope of this invention.
This application claims the benefit of provisional applications, U.S. Ser. No. 61/171,593 filed on Apr. 22, 2009 and U.S. Ser. No. 61/141,714, filed on Dec. 31, 2008.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61171593 | Apr 2009 | US | |
| 61141714 | Dec 2008 | US |
