System and method for acquiring images of medication preparations

• US 10,554,937 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2018
• Issued: 02/04/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Original Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Inventors: Alexander, Emily H., Welch, Jerimiah G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Hee-Yong
• Application Number:
  US15/895,377
• Publication Number:
  US 20180213189A1
• Time in Patent Office: 721 Days
• Field of Search: 348143
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00973 pedal-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/361 Image-producing devices, e.g. surgical cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/96 using barcodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

A system for holding a camera for acquiring images of preparations includes a rail that can be mounted above a preparation surface. A camera carrier couples a camera with the rail such that the camera is movable relative to the rail and such that the camera can acquire images of preparations on the preparation surface.

Claims

1. A system for holding a camera and for acquiring images of preparation of sterile compounded medications, comprising:

a pharmaceutical preparation surface configured to be placed within a hood;

a camera configured to capture one or more images of the pharmaceutical preparation surface;

a camera case configured to at least partially house and protect the camera;

a camera carrier configured to hold the camera case above the pharmaceutical preparation surface, to provide power to the camera, and to allow adjustment of the camera relative to the pharmaceutical preparation surface;

a user-operated trigger;

a display; and

a computer in communication with the camera, the trigger, and the display,

wherein the computer is programmed or configured to;

control the camera to capture an image based on a trigger signal;

receive the captured image from the camera;

associate the captured image with pharmacy work task data; and

store the image and associated pharmacy work task data in a database.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer is in wired communication with the camera, the trigger, and the display.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer is in wireless communication with the camera, and/or the trigger.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a barcode scanner in communication with the computer.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the user-operated triggers is a foot pedal.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to provide the captured image over a computer network to a pharmacist, wherein the system is configured to transmit approval data from the pharmacist over the network.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein camera case comprises at least one seal to inhibit fluids outside the camera case from reaching the camera.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a printer in communication with the computer.

9. A method of acquiring images of preparation of sterile compounded medications, comprising:

selecting a sterile compounded medication to prepare;

scanning, with a barcode scanner, a barcode associated with an ingredient of a sterile compounded medication;

transmitting barcode data from the barcode scanner to a computer in communication with the barcode scanner;

placing the ingredient on a pharmaceutical preparation surface inside a hood;

triggering the camera, with a trigger in communication therewith, to capture an image of the ingredient, the camera held at least partially within a case and held by a camera carrier above the pharmaceutical preparation surface;

transmitting the captured image from the camera to a computer in communication with the camera;

associating, with a processor, the captured image with a medication record of the selected sterile medication being prepared; and

storing the captured image in a database.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising transmitting the captured image from the camera to the computer over a wireless connection.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the trigger is coupled to the camera or the computer.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the trigger is located inside the hood.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the trigger is located outside of the hood.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the trigger is a foot pedal.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the computer is further programmed or configured to compare the barcode data to the medication record and, based on determining that the ingredient is a component of the sterile compounded medication, providing an indication to continue preparing the sterile compounded medication.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the computer is further programmed or configured to transmit the captured image and associated medication record over a computer network to a pharmacist and receive an indication over the computer network and from the pharmacist that the proper ingredient was utilized in preparing the sterile medication.