Medication verification and dispensing
US9251493B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 8, 2011 |
| Grant date | Feb 2, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 22, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61J2205/60
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Medication errors happen frequently in hospital, home, and pharmacy environments. A medication verification and dispensing system provides protection against such errors. The apparatus includes a guide tube that receives a medication and imaging device(s) adjacent to the guide tube that take image(s) of the medication. The imaging devices(s) and light source(s) are oriented for capturing images that reveal markings, color, size, shape, etc., of the medication. A verification system uses a signature of the image to identify the medication or compares the image(s) to reference images to identify the medication and to a prescription record of the patient to ensure it is a correct medication, dose, amount, timing, etc., for administration. If the medication is correct, it is dispensed into a dispensing vessel that locks the medication inside, but unlocks when it recognizes a unique patient identifier worn by a patient that is a correct recipient for the medication.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.