Controlled substance analysis, wastage disposal and documentation system, apparatus and method

• US 6,868,344 B1
• Filed: 06/19/2002
• Issued: 03/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vigilant Devices, LLC
• Original Assignee: Vigilant Devices, LLC
• Inventors: Nelson, David Austin
• Primary Examiner(s): Barlow, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAU, TUNG S
• Application Number:
  US10/175,339
• Time in Patent Office: 1,000 Days
• Field of Search: 702/31, 702/19, 435/6, 435/7, 435/7.92, 436/523, 436/172, 436/518, 436/47, 436/86, 427/2, 427/421, 427/7, 428/195, 428/82, 422/82, 422/98, 382/128, 424/486, 604/318
• US Class Current: 702/31
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/31 Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry G01N21/72 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/553 and using surface plasmons fluorescence excitation G01N21/648; enhanced Raman G01N21/658
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/64 Fluorescence; Phosphorescence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/65 Raman scattering

Abstract

A method, system, and apparatus for the collection, analysis, and disposal of controlled substances are described. A collector receives an excess of controlled substance and stores the controlled substance so that unauthorized access is minimized. An analysis determines the chemical composition and concentration. The results of the analysis are reviewed and reconciled against information in an overseeing authority information system or against information provided by the depositor of the controlled substance or both. The controlled substance is disposed of once it has been confirmed that the substance deposited in the collector is the same substance claimed to be deposited and the same substance issued by the pharmacy or other qualified authorities.

Claims

1. A method for the disposal of a controlled substance, comprising the steps of:

collecting a controlled substance into a collector, said controlled substance being defined by a chemical composition concentration and amount, including storing said controlled substance to prevent access by unauthorized persons;

receiving pre-analysis information about said controlled substance from a depositor of said controlled substance, wherein said pre-analysis information comprises a disclosed chemical composition, concentration and/or amount of said controlled substance;

analyzing said controlled substance to determine the chemical composition, concentration and amount of said controlled substance;

recording information about the chemical composition, concentration and amount of said controlled substance; and

disposing of said controlled substance.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the depositor of said controlled substance is an automated injection system.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of analyzing a controlled substance to determine said composition and concentration of said controlled substance is performed using Raman scattering techniques.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of analyzing a controlled substance to determine said composition and concentration of said controlled substance is performed using surface plasmon resonance techniques.

3. A method for the disposal of a controlled substance, comprising the steps of:

collecting a controlled substance into a collector, said controlled substance being defined by a chemical composition concentration and amount;

receiving pre-analysis information about said controlled substance from a depositor of said controlled substance, wherein said pre-analysis information comprises a disclosed chemical composition concentration and/or amount of said controlled substance;

analyzing said controlled substance to determine the chemical composition, concentration and amount of said controlled substance;

recording information about the chemical composition, concentration and amount of said controlled substance;

disposing of said controlled substance;

reviewing the analysis of said controlled substance; and

reconciling the recorded information about said controlled substance against information stored in an overseeing authority information system.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of reviewing the analysis comprises verifying that the chemical composition, concentration and amount of said collected and analyzed controlled substance is identical to the pre-analysis information provided by the depositor of said controlled substance.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of reconciling includes verifying said information stored in an overseeing authority information system with results discovered during said step of analyzing and with the pre-analysis information provided by the depositor of said controlled substance.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein said information stored in said overseeing authority information system is a Medication Administration Report, anesthesia record, a pharmacy report of medications, information from an automated injection system, information from an automated drug dispensing system, or other types of data.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of reconciling is automatic upon receiving information from said analysis, obtaining the pre-analysis information about said controlled substance from said depositor, and receiving information from said overseeing authority information system.

10. A system for disposing of controlled substances, comprising:

a collector for receiving one or more amounts of controlled substances;

an analyzer for determining the composition and concentration of a controlled substance received in said collector; and

an information recorder for receiving pre-analysis information about the controlled substance from a depositor of the controlled substance, receiving post-analysis information about the analysis of the controlled substance from said analyzer, storing said pre-analysis and post-analysis information, and operable to transfer the pre-analysis and post-analysis information for subsequent reconciliation; and

an overseeing authority information system operably connected to a network, wherein information is stored in said information recorder may be reconciled against information stored in said overseeing authority information system.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a disposer operable to dispose of said received controlled substance.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein said overseeing authority information system is configured for reconciling the information stored in said information recorder against information stored in said overseeing authority information system.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein said analyzer is configured for reconciling the information stored in said information recorder against information stored in said overseeing authority information system.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein said analyzer determines the composition or concentration based on Raman scattering techniques.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein said analyzer determines the composition or concentration based on surface plasmon resonance techniques.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the pre-analysis information stored within said information recorder is received from an automated injection system.

17. A system for disposing of controlled substances, comprising:

a collector for receiving one or more amounts of controlled substances adapted to prevent access by unauthorized persons;

an analyzer for determining the composition and concentration of a controlled substance received in said collector; and

an information recorder for receiving pre-analysis information about the controlled substance from a depositor of the controlled substance, receiving post-analysis information about the analysis of the controlled substance from said analyzer storing said pre-analysis and post-analysis information, and operable to transfer the pre-analysis and post-analysis information for subsequent reconciliation.

18. A method for collecting and analyzing a controlled substance, comprising:

collecting a controlled substance deposit;

analyzing said controlled substance deposit to determine chemical composition;

determining the amount of said controlled substance deposit;

receiving information from a depositor of said controlled substance indicating the chemical composition and amount of said controlled substance deposit;

comparing said determined chemical composition and amount with said depositor information;

recording said determined chemical composition and amount; and

reconciling said recording and depositor information with information stored in an overseeing authority information system.

19. The method of claim 18, including analyzing said controlled substance deposit to determine concentration.

20. The method of claim 18, including recording said depositor information and the results of said comparing step.

21. The method of claim 18, including disposing of said controlled substance.