Parata Systems, LLC

Mckesson Automation Systems, Inc.

Joseph Popovich, Jr

Michael A Bergeron

Steven J Remis

Monroe Milton

John Volkar

Brian G Broussard

Michael C Jordan

William Toole

A stand alone imaging system is disclosed that captures undistorted, high resolution, stop-action images of objects (e.g., medicine pills) moving at automation speeds, processes the images in real time, and then performs real-time I/O based control that is a function of the image processing results. The imaging system has a form factor that enables it to be embedded inside a product (e.g., a pill dispenser). The imaging system also has a flexible I/O system so that a variety of different applications can be handled by changing only the programming and the external hardware connected to the device in which the imaging system is embedded. In the case of pill dispensing and quality control, a miniature, low cost imaging system can be embedded in a pill dispenser to obtain a pill image and then process the image in real time as the pill moves through a counting system. The embedded imaging system processes the images fast enough and with sufficient quality and resolution so as to command a pill counting mechanism to dispense or reject the pill based on the image processing results. Images of the pills can also be sent to a remote location or an archive. The embedded imaging system has sufficient processing power and I/O to control the entire pill counting mechanism. Lighting may be provided by a separate solid state lighting source which may be controlled by the embedded imaging system's camera or operated independently. Because of the rules governing abstracts, this abstract should not be used to construe the claims.

Embedded imaging and control system

The automated drug discrimination system inspects the drug being dispensed during the dispensing process so that the pharmacist can be certain the correct formulation, dosage and quality of pharmaceuticals were dispensed so the pharmacist does not need to spend as much time examining the dispensed drug. The pills are dispensed through a dispensing area using a dispensing apparatus and are collected in a collection area. At least two sensors take a plurality of measurements of an aggregate of the pills during the dispensing process or of each pill as it moves through the dispensing area. A discrimination system compares the measurements taken to verify that the pills dispensed are the type of pharmaceuticals intended to be dispensed as identified in the individual prescription for at least one of formulation and dosage of the pill.

Automated drug discrimination during dispensing

One embodiment of the present invention includes a system comprising a housing having an upper end and a lower end. The housing carries a plurality of movable blades defining an entry aperture proximate to the upper end, an exit aperture proximate to the lower end, and a chamber there between. An adapter may be provided for connection to the housing and for receiving an article storage container. The upper end of the housing carries a sensor responsive to the presence and absence of the article storage container. A memory device carries information about the presence and absence of the article storage container. An article determining and actuating station has electronics for interrogating the memory device, for controlling the plurality of blades and for determining the number of items dispensed. A receptacle collects articles that have been dispensed. Methods of associating a flow control device with an article storage container and of dispensing items are also disclosed.

Article dispensing and counting method and device

Growing community of inventors

McMurray, PA, United States of America

Joseph Popovich, Jr