Apparatus and method for obtaining an identification of drugs for enhanced safety

Abstract

A device for identifying a drug, the device including at least one sensor for sensing and recording selected characteristics of a drug to be identified for compatibility with a pre-selected drug regimen, elements for transferring the recorded characteristics for analysis, elements for receiving analyzed data of the recorded characteristics, and a display for displaying the received data.

1 . A device for identifying a drug, the device comprising:
 at least one sensor for sensing and recording selected characteristics of a drug to be identified;   means for transferring said recorded characteristics for analysis of compatibility of said drug with a pre-selected drug regimen;   means for receiving analyzed data of said recorded characteristics regarding compatibility; and   a display for displaying said received data.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 ,
 further comprising:   a housing including a sensing area for receiving a drug to be identified;   and wherein:   said at least one sensor is mounted in said housing for sensing and recording selected characteristics of a drug in said sensing area.   
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one sensor includes at least one camera for capturing at least one image of said drug from at least one selected angle. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one sensor includes a Near Infra-Red camera for sensing composition of a surface coating of said drug. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 2 , further comprising an analysis unit in said housing, said analysis unit including:
 a database of drug characteristics; and   a processor for comparing said sensed characteristics with characteristics in said database and providing output data indicating compatibility of said drug with said regimen.   
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 said analysis unit further includes a database of drug interactions; and   said processor includes means for providing an indication of potential drug interactions for display on said display.   
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 said analysis unit further includes data regarding time and dosage of each drug in said drug regimen; and   said processor includes means for providing an indication of correctness of time and dosage.   
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising;
 a user interface including means for entry of at least one user's drug regimen to the device;   means for transferring said drug regimen to said analysis unit;   wherein said analysis is for compatibility with the drug regimen of one of said users.   
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein said device further includes:
 a drug path in said housing having a drug entry and drug exit;   a drug retaining element in said drug path for selectively retaining said drug in said sensing area adjacent said at least one camera; and   an electronics and software module for controlling said drug retaining element and said at least one sensor.   
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 communication link capabilities to an external server;   said external server including an analysis unit including:
 a database of drug characteristics; and 
 a processor for comparing said sensed characteristics with characteristics in said database and providing output data indicating compatibility of said drug with said regimen. 
   
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein said processor further includes a clock and software for calculating a time for taking a drug and providing an output signal to display a reminder to a user to take said drug at said calculated time. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a drug dispenser coupled to said device for dispensing into said sensing area at least one drug to be identified. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 2 , further comprising a central drug organizer, releasably coupled to said housing, for holding a plurality of drugs to be identified. 
     
     
         14 . A method for identifying a drug, the method comprising:
 sensing and recording selected characteristics of a drug to be identified;   transferring said recorded characteristics for analysis for compatibility with a pre-selected drug regimen;   receiving analyzed data of said recorded characteristics regarding compatibility; and   displaying said received data.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 introducing a drug to a sensing area in a drug identification device;   capturing at least one image of said drug by at least one camera from at least one angle; and   said step of transferring includes transferring said at least one image for analysis; and   said step of receiving includes receiving analyzed data of said at least one image.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 entering a drug regimen of at least one user to the device;   and wherein
 said step of introducing a drug includes introducing a drug to be taken by one of said users; 
 said step of receiving analyzed data includes receiving an indication regarding compatibility said drug with said one of said user's drug regimen; 
   and further comprising permitting said drug to exit said sensing area when said drug is compatible with said user's drug regimen.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 providing an analysis unit in said device, said analysis unit including:
 a database of drug characteristics; and 
 a processor; and 
   comparing in said processor said sensed characteristics with characteristics in said database and providing an output signal corresponding to compatibility.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said database of drug characteristics includes logos and imprints on drugs for comparison with sensed elements on said drug to be identified. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising providing a reminder to take a drug in said drug regimen. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising providing an alert when said drug is not compatible with said drug regimen. 
     
     
         21 . A device for identifying a drug, the device comprising:
 at least one sensor for sensing selected characteristics of a drug to be identified and providing an output signal corresponding to said sensed characteristics; and   a personal computer (PC), coupled to said sensor for receiving said output signal, the PC comprising:
 means for transferring said sensed characteristics for analysis of compatibility of said drug with a pre-selected drug regimen; 
 means for receiving analyzed data of said sensed characteristics regarding compatibility; and 
 a display for displaying said received data. 
   
     
     
         22 . The device according to  claim 21 , wherein said PC further comprises:
 communication link capabilities to an external server;   said external server including an analysis unit including:
 a database of drug characteristics; and 
 a processor for comparing said sensed characteristics with characteristics in said database and providing output data indicating compatibility of said drug with said regimen.