Medication Verification and Dispensing

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A medication verification apparatus comprising:
 a guide tube having an entry area on a first end for receiving a medication and at least one exit area on a second end for providing the medication;   an imaging device positioned adjacent to an imaging zone of the guide tube for taking an image of the medication within the imaging zone;   a verification system in communication with the imaging device for comparing the image of the medication to a plurality of images of medications in a database to identify the medication; and   an output system in communication with the verification system for generating an indication of the medication identified.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the verification system further comprises:
 a medication identification system that includes an image analyzer for analyzing the image and comparing the image to the plurality of images in the database; and   a dispensing analysis system for comparing the medication identified by the medication identification system to a prescription record of a patient to verify that the medication is appropriate for the patient.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the dispensing analysis system is adapted to make a determination selected from a group consisting of: a) whether the medication is a correct medication to be administered to the patient, b) whether the medication is of a correct dosage to be administered to the patient, c) whether the medication is of a correct strength to be administered to the patient, and d) whether a time for administering the medication is a correct time for administration of the medication to the patient. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a gating system mounted to the guide tube and positioned to accept or reject the medication based on input received from the verification system, the gating system comprising a gating mechanism for routing the medication to different pathways in the guide tube. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the gating mechanism is selected from a group consisting of: a) a plunger air gate for pushing the pill toward or away from a rejection or acceptance zone, b) an accept/reject gate adapted to swing within the guide tube to direct the medication to a rejection or acceptance zone, and c) a holding gate for receiving and holding medication while it is determined whether the medication is accepted or rejected. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor positioned adjacent to a trigger zone of the guide tube for recording information about the pill as it passes through the guide tube to set a proper timing for taking the image of the medication or providing light in the imaging zone. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a dispensing vessel having an opening for receiving the medication from the guide tube, a lid, an identification system programmable with an identification code for a particular patient to whom the medication is to be administered, and a locking mechanism adapted to lock the lid closed and to unlock responsive to the identification system recognizing a unique identifier for the particular patient. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein an internal surface of a passage of the guide tube comprises: a) one or more ridges, grooves, indentations, bumps or discontinuities, or b) one or more coatings that adjust a coefficient of friction between the guide tube and the medication moving through the guide tube, wherein a) and b) are configured to control orientation, position, translational velocity or angular velocity of the medication as it moves through the guide tube. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guide tube includes a gaseous system for providing a gas inside the guide tube or a mechanical device for adjusting movement, orientation, position, translational velocity, or angular velocity of the medication, wherein the mechanical device is selected from a group consisting of: a vibration device, a conveyor belt, and a plunger. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guide tube is oriented at approximately 5 to 89 degrees to a force of gravity or other external force exerted on the medication. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guide tube is positioned at an angle relative to a force of gravity to orient a long axis of the medication in a direction of travel through the guide tube or with a long axis of the guide tube, and to orient the medication face down, wherein the guide tube is configured for allowing the medication to slide through the imaging zone of the guide tube. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the imaging device comprises a plurality of imaging devices arranged for taking a plurality of images from multiple different perspectives, wherein the imaging devices are: a) arranged circumferentially around the imaging zone of the guide tube, b) coupled to a mechanism for moving the imaging devices, or c) arranged opposite a plurality of mirrors positioned around the imaging zone. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more light sources positioned adjacent to the imaging zone for illuminating the medication during imaging. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more light sources comprise a plurality of light sources surrounding a field of view of a plurality of imaging devices, with an incident light path of the light sources raised or recessed and at an acute angle with respect to a plane containing the medication. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more light sources comprise a) a plurality of light sources positioned above or below the medication and projecting at an acute angle of incidence to a plane of the medication, or b) a plurality of light sources positioned on a side of the medication and projecting at an acute angle of incidence to the medication. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more light sources are oriented around the imaging zone and timed or coordinated with one another to provide high-contrast illumination of embossed, debossed, or engraved features on the medication, printed markings on a surface of the medication, and color, shape, and size of the medication. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more light sources are positioned around the imaging zone to provide incident light reflected off an indented or raised edge of embossed or debossed markings on the medication or reflected off a surface, a valley, or a peak of the embossed or debossed markings. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more light sources comprise a plurality of light sources oriented around the imaging zone with at least one light source providing direct illumination for imaging printed markings on the medication and at least one light source providing tangential illumination for enhancing contrast of surface features of the medication.