Method and device for inspecting a string of drugs
Inventors
Van den Brink, Richard Rudolf Theodoor
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-7792349-B2
Publication Date
2010-09-07
Expiration Date
Abstract
Method and device for inspecting a string of packs. Each of the packs contains drugs, and consumer data such as patient data are provided on the packs. Specific characteristics of the drugs to be scanned are fed into a central processing unit. These characteristics are compared with the drugs present in the actual pack. According to the invention, a graphic image of the pack, the drugs and the patient data is produced and stored. To optimize scanning of a group of drugs spreading is proposed by means of a resilient cam which rotates in a plane essentially parallel with the plane of the carrier. Such cam is mounted in a bush and can move resiliently in said bush at right angles to the plane of the carrier and said bush is caused to rotate. It is possible to provide a number of such constructions adjacent to one another.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an inspection system for groups of drugs in packs that are interconnected to provide strings. An input provides patient and drug data, and each string is provided with at least some of the patient data. The groups are conveyed, and optical scanning is performed on the drugs in the packs and on the patient data provided on the strings to read scanned patient and drug data and to produce an image of the packs and at least some of the patient data.
The scanned patient and drug data and the image of the packs with at least some of the patient data are entered into memory, and the scanned drug data are compared with input drug data. The drugs are then accepted or rejected based on the comparison. The stored image is maintained as proof of the state of the packs at the time of inspection, and data relating to the drugs are stored in memory together with the scanned images to provide such proof.
To support reliable scanning, the system includes handling of drugs to spread them out prior to inspection. The spreading uses a resilient cam-shaped part with displaceable and rotatable pins, where the engagement produces an annular engagement movement in a plane parallel to the carrier. Multiple spreading units can be arranged adjacent and/or behind one another to cover the carrier area and ensure complete pill separation before camera inspection.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are directed to inspection of groups of drugs in pack strings with optical scanning, comparison, accept/reject, and proof storage, with additional device and pre-scanning spreading features. Across the independent claims, the core coverage includes multiple inventive features: patient/drug data input, camera optical scanning of drugs and patient data, memory storage of scans and images as proof, comparison to input data, and accept/reject decisions.
Optical scanning with proof image storage for inspection of drug pack strings
A method includes providing groups of the drugs in packs interconnected to provide strings, inputting patient and drug data, providing each string with at least some of the patient data, conveying said drugs, optical scanning said drugs in said packs and said patient data on said strings to read scanned patient and drug data and to produce an image of said packs and at least some of the patient data, entering into memory the scanned patient and drug data and the image of said packs and at least some of the patient data, comparing said scanned drug data with said input drug data, accepting or rejecting said drugs, wherein said stored image is maintained as proof of the state of the packs at the time of inspection.
Camera-based device for scanning patient/drug data and storing scans for proof
A device for inspecting a string of interconnected drug packs includes an infeed for a string of packs, conveyance means for said packs, a camera for scanning the drugs in said packs, a discharge for said string of packs, an input for patient/drug data, a comparison device for comparing said patient/drug data with said camera scans, scanning means for scanning of said patient data, and storage means for storing said patient data scans with said drug scans.
Memory-stored proof of patient data and pack state based on camera inspection with accept/reject
A method includes providing the groups of the drugs in packs and interconnecting the packs to provide strings, the input of patient and drug data, conveying said drugs past a camera, optical scanning said drugs in said packs by a camera, said camera inspecting said packs, the group of drugs therein and the patient data provided on said strings, comparing said scanned drugs with said in-feed, accepting or rejecting said drugs based on the inspection, wherein data relating to said drugs are stored in a memory, and the scanned image of the patient data and packs having the group of drugs therein is entered in said memory for providing proof of the state of each pack at the time of inspection.
Device architecture for patient specific string inspection with stored proof scans
A device for inspecting a patient specific string of interconnected drug packs comprises an infeed for a string of packs wherein patient data are provided on each pack, conveyance means for said packs, a camera for scanning the drugs in said packs and the patient data on said packs, a discharge for said string of packs, an input for patient/drug data, scanning means present for scanning of said patient data and also a comparison device for comparing said patient/drug data with said camera scans, and storage means for storing said patient data scans and said drug scans for providing proof of the state of each pack at the time of inspection.
The inventive coverage centers on camera optical scanning of drugs and associated patient data on interconnected pack strings, comparison with input drug data, accept/reject decisions, and storing scanned patient/drug data and images in memory as proof of the pack state at inspection time. A device claim further organizes infeed, conveyance, discharge, camera scanning, scanning means for patient data, comparison, and storage of associated scans.
Stated Advantages
Provides proof of the state of the packs at the time of inspection by maintaining a stored image and by storing scanned images in memory.
Documented Applications
Inspection of groups of drugs in packs interconnected to provide strings, including patient specific strings, using optical scanning to read scanned patient and drug data and to accept or reject the drugs.
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