Universal dosage verification system and method for medical syringe
Inventors
Shaw, Thomas J. • Duesman, Kathryn • Small, Mark • Zhu, Ni
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12491319-B2
Publication Date
2025-12-09
Expiration Date
Abstract
Systems and methods of a dosage verification system are disclosed that can be used by a healthcare worker or an individual self-administering an injection to create a digital record verifying the dosage of a medicinal fluid drawn into a syringe prior to an injection. The dosage verification system includes a medical syringe and an imaging device configured to view and selectively capture, process, store, and transmit a digital image of the syringe from which the volumetric dose of medicinal fluid drawn into the fluid chamber of the barrel can be determined and/or verified prior to an injection.
Core Innovation
The claim describes a syringe for verification of a volume of medicinal fluid. It comprises a barrel with a fluid chamber configured to hold the medicinal fluid and a plunger that slidably engages the chamber. The plunger is a first-colored component, and a needle safety device is a second component of a different color, with the first component movable relative to the second component, the barrel, or both.
A processor distinguishes the first and second components in a digital image containing at least part of each and determines the position of the first component relative to the second component to indicate the medicinal-fluid volume. Disclosed aspects include image processing, volume value presentation, storage, report generation, transmission, and alerts. Syringe assembly depictions include a barrel, graduations, plunger, needle, and needle safety cover.
Claims Coverage
The claims identify one independent claim covering four inventive features addressing syringe structure and image-based medicinal-fluid volume verification, alongside dependent claims adding color, marking, transparency, and placement limitations.
Image-based volume verification using differently colored components
The syringe comprises a barrel with a fluid chamber and a slidably engaging plunger as a first colored component, and a needle safety device as a differently colored second component, movable relative to the second component, the barrel, or both. A processor distinguishes the components in a digital image and determines the relative position of the first component to indicate medicinal-fluid volume.
Color relationship and specified colors
The dependent claims specify that the first and second colors are contrasting, and specifically that one color is orange while the other color is blue.
Absence of volumetric markings
A dependent claim specifies that the barrel, the plunger, or both have no volumetric markings.
Component placement and barrel transparency
The dependent claims specify placement alternatives where the first component is at least partially within the fluid chamber and the second component is at a forward or rearward end of the barrel, or longitudinally along its outside, along with barrel transparency.
The independent claim centers on determining medicinal-fluid volume from the image-detected relative position of differently colored syringe components, while dependent claims restrict color relationships, markings, barrel transparency, and component placement.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Verification of the volume of medicinal fluid in a syringe using a digital image to determine the relative position of the plunger and needle safety device.
Comparison of a measured dose with prescribed or patient-linked data, along with storage or transmission of an image record.
Interested in licensing this patent?