IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,220,386
Granted Patent B2
US 12,220,386 · App. 17/909,226 · Granted Feb 11, 2025

Pharmaceutical counting and packaging device

Inventor: William K. Holmes (San Diego, CA)
Assignee: RXSAFE LLC
A61J7/02A61J7/0069B65B5/103B65B35/12B65B57/14B65B57/16A61J2200/70A61J2205/10A61J2205/20A61J2205/30A61J2205/60
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,220,386
App. No.
17/909,226
Granted
Feb 11, 2025
Kind
B2
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 ).

Claims (33)

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.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 29, 2022
From: HOLMES, WILLIAM K.
To: RXSAFE LLC
Reel/Frame 062233/0165 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62984143 · Mar 2, 2020
Related Publication 20230101967A1 · Mar 30, 2023
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