Method for analyzing fluid container

Abstract

An apparatus for determining the volume of a liquid in a container. A digital camera is provided to view the container. A processor can optically detect certain characteristics of the container as viewed by the camera and accesses a computer memory having stored characteristics of a plurality of known containers, and the compare the detected certain characteristics with the stored characteristics to identify the container from the plurality of known containers. The processor can calculate the volume of the container as a function of the distance between the first and second ends of the container as viewed by the camera. The processor can receive at least one image from the camera and determine whether the liquid in the container contains any air pockets based on the at least one image. Methods are provided, including a method for use by an apparatus having a camera and a processor electrically coupled to the camera to confirm the dosage of a medicament in a container.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . An apparatus for use to determine the presence of air and liquid in a container, comprising:
 a light assembly configured to project first and second different colors of light simultaneously through the entire container, the first and second colors emitted from the container in a first pattern after passing through air and in a second pattern when passing through the liquid,   a digital camera adapted for viewing the container,   a processor electrically coupled to the camera and configured to analyze the pattern of the first and second colors emitted from the container and viewed by the camera so as to determine whether the container contains air, liquid or both.   
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the processor is configured to analyze the pattern of the first and second colors emitted from the container and viewed by the camera so as to determine whether the container is filled entirely with the liquid. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the processor is configured to provide an output signal if the container is filled entirely with the liquid. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the processor is configured to not provide an output signal if the container is not entirely filled with the liquid. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the container is a syringe having a barrel and a plunger. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the light assembly includes a light source and a first filter of the first color and a second filter of the second color disposed alongside the first filter so that a first portion of the light from the light source travels through the first filter and a second portion of the light from the light source travels through the second filter. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein each of the first pattern and the second pattern includes the first color disposed alongside the second color. 
     
     
         33 . An apparatus for use with a volume of a liquid in a container, comprising:
 a light assembly configured to project first and second different colors of light through the entire container to detect the presence of any air in the container,   a digital camera adapted for viewing the liquid within the container and providing at least one image of the entire container and the first and second colors emitted from the container, and   a processor electrically coupled to the camera for receiving the at least one image from the camera and configured to analyze the image for any first and second colors of light refracted from within the container in a first manner after passing through any air and refracted from within the container in a second manner after passing through the liquid.   
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the processor is configured to provide an output signal if the container does not contain any air. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , further comprising an input interface for receiving the identity of the liquid and a printer, the processor being configured to cause the printer to print a label which includes the identity of the liquid if the container does not contain any air. 
     
     
         36 . A method for use with a transparent container filled entirely with a fluid, comprising:
 viewing the entire container with a camera to obtain at least one image of the fluid in the container,   delivering the at least one image to a processor,   causing the processor to calculate a volume of the fluid in the container utilizing the at least one image.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , where in the fluid is selected from the group consisting of a liquid, a clear liquid, an opaque liquid, an opaque liquid and a clear liquid, liquid medicine, insulin, cloudy insulin, cloudy insulin that has partially settled so as to be partially transparent and air. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the fluid is an opaque liquid and clear liquid, and the causing step includes causing the processor to calculate the volume of the opaque liquid and the volume of the clear liquid. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the viewing step includes viewing the container with the camera to obtain at least one image of a pattern of first and second colors emitted from the container. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the container is a closed container.