Pharmaceutical counting and packaging device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12220386-B2
Application number	US-202117909226-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 2, 2021
Priority date	Mar 2, 2020
Publication date	Feb 11, 2025
Grant date	Feb 11, 2025

Abstract

One embodiment provides a pharmaceutical counting device ( 160, 800 ) including a base portion ( 810 ) and a counting tray ( 830 ) provided on the base portion ( 810 ). The counting tray ( 830 ) is tilted about a first axis to empty medications into a first package and tiled above a second axis to empty medications into a second package. The pharmaceutical counting device ( 160, 800 ) also includes a camera system ( 950 ) to capture images of the counting tray ( 830 ), the packages, and a label on the packages. The pharmaceutical counting device ( 160, 800 ) verifies whether a correct number and type of medications are received on the counting tray ( 830 ).

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for packaging medications using a pharmaceutical counting device including a counting tray configured to receive medications, the method comprising:
receiving, at a pharmacy management system, a prescription to be filled;
receiving a plurality of medications from one or more bulk containers on the counting tray;
determining, using an electronic processor of the pharmaceutical counting device, that a correct number of medications to fill the prescription is received on the counting tray;
capturing, using a camera system of the pharmaceutical counting device, a first image of the correct number of medications on the counting tray;
capturing, using the camera system, a second image of package including packaged medications, wherein the correct number of medications on the counting tray is packaged into the package; and
generating, using the electronic processor, a transaction record corresponding to filling the prescription including the first image and the second image.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
capturing, using the camera system, a third image of a label affixed to the package, wherein the transaction record further includes the third image.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
displaying, on a display device of the pharmaceutical counting device, the first image; and
overlaying, using the electronic processor, a plurality of indications on the first image displayed on the display device to facilitate manual counting of a number of medications.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining, using the electronic processor, an expected medication type to be counted using the pharmaceutical counting device; and
prompting, using a display of the pharmaceutical counting device, to remove medications from the counting tray when the medications on the counting tray do not match the expected medication type.

5. A pharmaceutical counting device comprising:
a base portion;
a counting tray provided on the base portion and configured to receive medications for counting;
a camera system including a camera positioned above the counting tray and configured to capture an image of contents of the counting tray; and
an electronic processor coupled to the camera system and configured to
receive a prescription to be filled;
determine, using the camera system, that a correct number of medications to fill the prescription is received on the counting tray;
capture, using the camera system, a first image of the correct number of medications on the counting tray;
capture, using the camera system, a second image of a package including packaged medications, wherein the correct number of medications on the counting tray is packaged into the package; and
generate a transaction record corresponding to filling the prescription including the first image and the second image.

6. The pharmaceutical counting device of claim 5 , wherein the electronic processor is further configured to
capture, using the camera system, a third image of a label affixed to the package, wherein the transaction record further includes the third image.

7. The pharmaceutical counting device of claim 5 , further comprising a display device, wherein the electronic processor is coupled to the display device and is further configured to
display, on the display device, the first image; and
overlay a plurality of indications on the first image displayed on the display device to facilitate manual counting of a number of medications.

8. The pharmaceutical counting device of claim 5 , further comprising a display device, wherein the electronic processor is further configured to
determine an expected medication type to be counted using the pharmaceutical counting device; and
prompt, using the display device, to remove medications from the counting tray when the medications on the counting tray do not match the expected medication type.

Assignees

• Rxsafe Llc

Inventors

• Holmes William K

Classifications

• B65B57/16

  and operating to stop, or to control the speed of, the machine as a whole · CPC title

• B65B57/14

  and operating to control, or stop, the feed of articles or material to be packaged · CPC title

• B65B35/12

  by gravity · CPC title

• B65B5/103 Primary

  for packaging pills or tablets · CPC title

• A61J2205/60

  using magnetic or electronic identifications, e.g. chips, RFID, electronic tags · CPC title