Systems, devices, and methods for liquid collection and analysis

Abstract

Disclosed herein are methods and systems for disposal of liquid medications. The medications can originate from a liquid bag such as an IV bag. The liquid can be advanced through one or more tubes until it can be measured in a cup, graduated cylinder, or other measuring device with a user- visible measurement of the liquid. Once measured, the liquid can be poured from the measuring device into a canister containing a neutralizer for disposal of the liquid, or can be delivered through tubing to the canister.

Description

[0001] Cross-references This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 590,566, filed October 16, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0002] Liquid products (e.g., pharmaceuticals, chemicals, etc.) may be provided in the source container, for example, when being transferred from one place to another or when being used. In some cases, after use, excess liquid product remains in the source container, while the source container, including the excess liquid product, is discarded as a whole. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This document describes a system for disposing of one or more liquid medications in one or more liquid bags. The system may include a computer processor communicating with one or more sensors. The computer processor may be configured to perform a transfer analysis procedure to determine, at least in part, the risk or probability of transfer of one or more liquid medications based on data from the one or more sensors. The system may include a measuring container configured to contain one or more liquid medications and including a scale indicating the amount of one or more liquid medications within the measuring container. The system may include one or more pumps configured to move one or more liquid medications from one or more liquid bags to the measuring container and from the measuring container to one or more disposal containers containing a medication neutralizer. The system may include a rotary valve configured to guide one or more liquid medications through the system. In some cases, the rotary valve has at least two orientations. In some cases, the rotary valve is configured to rotate between at least two orientations.

[0004] In some cases, one or more disposal containers include at least one hazardous container and at least one non-hazardous container. The system may further include a piping system configured to connect a measuring container, one or more liquid bags, one or more pumps, valves, and two or more of the one or more disposal containers. In some cases, the measuring container includes one or more cups or graduated cylinders. In some cases, the measuring container includes a liquid container disposed inside a graduated cylinder. In some cases, the liquid container is disposable.

[0005] In some cases, the computer processor is configured to guide one or more liquid medications through the system via controlling one or more pumps or rotary valves. In some cases, the rotary valve is controllable by a dial rotated by a user. In some cases, the rotary valve has at least three orientations. In some cases, at least one of the at least three orientations of the rotary valve is configured to dispose of one or more liquid medications into one or more disposal containers. In some cases, at least one of the at least three orientations of the rotary valve is configured to allow one or more liquid medications to move from one or more liquid bags to a measuring container. The system may further include a check valve configured to prevent backflow of one or more liquid medications. In some cases, one or more sensors include a camera. The system may further include a precision balance configured to measure the amount of liquid being disposed of.

[0006] In some cases, one or more pumps include one or more of a piston pump, peristaltic pump, rotary pump, diaphragm pump, vacuum pump, or any combination thereof. In some cases, one or more pumps include one or more vacuum pumps. In some cases, one or more vacuum pumps are configured to alternate between negative pressure vacuum pumps and positive pressure vacuum pumps. In some cases, at least one of the one or more vacuum pumps is a negative pressure vacuum pump, and at least one of the one or more vacuum pumps is a positive pressure vacuum pump.

[0007] This document provides a tubing for use with a system for disposing of one or more liquid medications in one or more liquid bags. The tubing may include a first end comprising at least two heads. At least one of the at least two heads may include a puncture device configured to puncture a port in one or more liquid bags. At least one of the at least two heads may include a Luer connector configured to connect to a second tubing. The tubing may include a second end comprising a rigid conduit. The tubing may include a central portion disposed between the first and second ends, wherein the central portion comprises a flexible conduit.

[0008] In some cases, the second conduit includes tubing attached to one or more liquid bags. In some cases, the second conduit includes an extension assembly. In some cases, rigid tubing is configured to stabilize the position of the tubing. In some cases, the tubing is single-use tubing. In some cases, the tubing is disposable.

[0009] This document describes a method for disposing of one or more liquid medications from one or more liquid bags via a drug dispensing system. The method may include connecting one or more liquid bags to tubing in the drug dispensing system. The method may include rotating a dial disposed on the housing of a measuring container to a first orientation. In some cases, rotating the dial causes a rotary valve configured to guide one or more liquid medications through the drug dispensing system. In some cases, the rotary valve has at least two orientations. In some cases, the rotary valve is configured to rotate between at least two orientations. The method may include activating aspiration of the drug dispensing system. The method may include measuring the amount of one or more liquid medications aspirated into the measuring container. The method may include dispensing one or more liquid medications aspirated into the measuring container into one or more dispensing containers containing a drug neutralizer.

[0010] The method may further include suspending one or more liquid bags on a support. The method may further include entering the names of one or more liquid medications into a computer system. In some cases, the computer system is configured to compare the names with a database of known medications to determine whether one or more liquid medications are hazardous or non-hazardous.

[0011] In some cases, activating aspiration involves interacting with an actuator. In some cases, the actuator includes one or more of a button, slider, or switch. In some cases, activating aspiration includes activating one or more pumps configured to move one or more liquid medications from one or more liquid bags to a measuring container and from the measuring container to one or more disposal containers. In some cases, the one or more pumps include one or more vacuum pumps. In some cases, the one or more vacuum pumps are configured to alternate between negative and positive pressure vacuum pumps. In some cases, at least one of the one or more vacuum pumps is a negative pressure vacuum pump, and at least one of the one or more vacuum pumps is a positive pressure vacuum pump. In some cases, measuring the amount of one or more liquid medications includes measuring the liquid medication via a precision balance.

[0012] In some cases, disposing of one or more liquid medications includes pouring the contents of a measuring container into one or more disposal containers. In some cases, disposing of one or more liquid medications includes activating aspiration. In some cases, disposing of one or more liquid medications includes rotating a dial to a second orientation. In some cases, the second orientation includes a substantially diagonal valve orientation configured to fluidly couple tubing from the measuring container to tubing leading to one or more disposal containers. In some cases, rotating the dial to the second orientation reverses the flow direction of one or more pumps. In some cases, the first orientation includes a substantially vertical straight-through valve orientation configured to fluidly couple tubing from one or more liquid bags to tubing leading to the measuring container.

[0013] This document provides a method for disposing of one or more liquid medications from one or more liquid bags via a drug dispensing system. The method may include inputting the names of one or more liquid medications into a computer system. In some cases, the computer system is configured to compare the names with a known drug database to determine whether one or more liquid medications are hazardous or non-hazardous. In some cases, the computer system is electrically coupled to one or more pumps and a rotary valve in the drug dispensing system. In some cases, the rotary valve, in a first orientation, is configured to fluidly couple conduits from one or more liquid bags to conduits leading to a measuring container. The method may include connecting one or more liquid bags to conduits in the drug dispensing system. The method may include activating aspiration in the drug dispensing system. The method may include measuring the amount of one or more liquid medications aspirated into the measuring container. The method may include dispensing one or more liquid medications aspirated into the measuring container into one or more dispensing containers containing a drug neutralizer.

[0014] The method may further include suspending one or more liquid bags on a support.

[0015] In some cases, activating aspiration involves interacting with an actuator. In some cases, the actuator includes one or more of a button, slider, or switch. In some cases, activating aspiration includes activating one or more pumps configured to move one or more liquid medications from one or more liquid bags to a measuring container and from the measuring container to one or more disposal containers. In some cases, the one or more pumps include one or more vacuum pumps. In some cases, the one or more vacuum pumps are configured to alternate between negative and positive pressure vacuum pumps. In some cases, at least one of the one or more vacuum pumps is a negative pressure vacuum pump, and at least one of the one or more vacuum pumps is a positive pressure vacuum pump. In some cases, measuring the amount of one or more liquid medications includes measuring the liquid medication via a precision balance.

[0016] In some cases, disposing of one or more liquid medications involves pouring the contents of a measuring container into one or more disposal containers.

[0017] In some cases, disposing of one or more liquid medications includes activating aspiration. In some cases, the disposal includes inputting a measured volume of liquid into a computer system. In some cases, the disposal includes the computer system electrically rotating a rotary valve to a second orientation. In some cases, the second orientation includes a substantially diagonal valve orientation configured to fluidly couple a line from a measuring container to a line leading to one or more disposal containers after the measured volume of liquid has been input. In some cases, the disposal includes the computer system electrically reversing the flow direction of one or more pumps. In some cases, the first orientation includes a substantially vertical straight-through valve orientation.

[0018] Additional aspects and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, in which only illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are shown and described. As will be appreciated, other different embodiments of the disclosure are possible, and several details thereof can be modified in various obvious ways, all without departing from the disclosure. Therefore, the drawings and description are to be considered illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

[0019] Incorporation All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are incorporated herein by reference to the extent that each individual publication, patent, or patent application is specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where any publication or patent or patent application incorporated by reference conflicts with the disclosure contained in this specification, the specification is intended to supersede and / or take precedence over any such contradictory material. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The novel features of this disclosure are specifically set forth in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of this disclosure will be obtained by referring to the following detailed description of illustrative examples in which the principles of this disclosure are utilized, along with the accompanying drawings (also referred to herein as “Figures” and “Illustrations”), in which: Figure 1A A schematic diagram of the internal system of an example intelligent drug dispensing system according to an example implementation described herein is shown.

[0021] Figures 1B-1F It shows Figure 1A An enlarged version.

[0022] Figure 2 A top perspective view of an example intelligent drug dispensing system according to an example implementation described herein is shown.

[0023] Figure 3 A perspective view of an example intelligent drug dispensing system according to an example implementation described herein is shown.

[0024] Figures 4A-4I A perspective view of an example intelligent drug dispensing system according to an example embodiment described herein is shown. Figures 4A-4D ) and schematic side view ( Figures 4E-4I ).

[0025] Figure 5 A perspective view of an example piping system according to an example implementation described herein is shown.

[0026] Figures 6A-6F An enlarged perspective view of a method of using an example intelligent drug dispensing system according to an example embodiment described herein is shown. Figures 6A-6D , Figure 6F ) and top view ( Figure 6E ).

[0027] Figure 6G-Figure 6L A side view shows a method of using an example intelligent drug dispensing system according to an example embodiment described herein.

[0028] Figure 7 An example computer system is shown that is programmed or otherwise configured to implement the methods provided herein, according to the example implementation described herein.

[0029] Figure 8 An experiment illustrating a method for determining liquid waste according to an example embodiment described herein is shown.

[0030] Figure 9 Experimental data on the time required to empty a liquid bag using different methods according to the example embodiments described herein are shown.

[0031] Figure 10 A first method for emptying a liquid bag according to an example implementation described herein is shown.

[0032] Figures 11A-11B A second method for emptying a liquid bag according to an example embodiment described herein is shown.

[0033] Figures 12A-12B A third method for emptying a liquid bag according to the example embodiments described herein is shown.

[0034] Figures 13A-13B A fourth method for emptying a liquid bag according to the example embodiments described herein is shown.

[0035] Figure 14A fifth method for emptying a liquid bag according to an example embodiment described herein is shown.

[0036] Figure 15 A sixth method for emptying a liquid bag according to an example embodiment described herein is shown.

[0037] Figure 16 A comparative chart is shown illustrating methods for emptying liquid bags according to exemplary embodiments described herein.

[0038] Figure 17 A seventh method for emptying a liquid bag according to an example embodiment described herein is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0039] This document describes apparatus, systems, and methods for the management of liquid medications. Management may include the disposal, disposal, and / or destruction of liquid medications.

[0040] The terms “drug” and “medicine” used interchangeably in this document generally refer to any form of medicine, such as tablets, capsules, pills, powders, granules, sugar-coated pills, gels, slurries, ointments, solutions, suppositories, injections, inhalers, aerosols, coverings (e.g., transdermal delivery systems such as transdermal patches), other forms of medicine, modifications thereof, or combinations thereof. Medicines may be regulated or non-regulated.

[0041] The medications described in this article may or may not require a prescription (e.g., from a medical professional such as a doctor). In some examples, no prescription is required for over-the-counter medications such as Robitusin, Tylenol, and Sudafed. The medications described in this article may or may not be regulated. Examples of non-regulated prescription substances include antibiotics, cholesterol medications, and Viagra.

[0042] Examples of controlled substances can include opioids and opioids, as well as central nervous system (CNS) depressants and stimulants. Examples of opioids can include morphine, codeine, thebaine, oripavine, morphine dipropionate, and morphine dianiacinamide. dinicotinate, dihydrocodeine, buprenorphine, etorphine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone, oxymorphone, fentanyl, alpha-methylfentanyl, alfentanil, trefantinil, bifentanil, remifentanil, octfentanil, sufentanil, carfentanyl. Meperidine, prodine, promedol, propoxyphene, dextropropoxyphene, methadone, diphenoxylate, dezocine, pentazocine, phenazocine, butorphanol, nalbuphine, levorphanol, levomethorphan, tramadol, tapentadol, anileridine, any functional variant thereof, or any functional combination thereof. Examples of CNS inhibitors and stimulants may include methylphenobarbital, pentobarbital, diazepam, clonazepam, chlordiazepoxide, alprazolam, triazolam, estazolam, any functional variants thereof, or any functional combination thereof.

[0043] Additional examples of drugs and related therapeutic uses include scopolamine for motion sickness, nitroglycerin for angina, clonidine for hypertension, and estradiol for female hormone replacement therapy. Other examples of drugs include, but are not limited to, methylphenidate, selegiline, rivastigmine, rotigotine, granisteron, buprenorphine, estradiol, fentanyl, nicotine, testosterone, and propofol.

[0044] In one aspect, this disclosure provides liquid management systems, apparatus, and methods for monitoring and / or assisting in liquid management, such as the removal and collection of unused, unwanted, and / or residual liquids. In some embodiments, digital data from liquid waste monitoring can be used to detect improper management of liquids by users (e.g., improper handling or misuse, such as transfer). In some embodiments, the liquid may include liquid pharmaceuticals. In some embodiments, the liquid may be a non-medical liquid, such as chemicals for consumer or commercial use.

[0045] Non-limiting examples of non-medical liquids may include fluoromethane, difluoromethane, trifluoromethane, fluoroethane, difluoroethane, tetrafluoroethane, fluoropropane, difluoropropane, trifluoropropane, vinyl fluoride, difluoroethylene, trifluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene, or chloromethane, dichloromethane, trichloromethane, chloroethane, dichloroethane, tetrachloroethane, chloropropane, and vinyl chloride.

[0046] In some embodiments, liquids to be disposed of by the systems, apparatus, and methods of this disclosure may be provided in or sealed within a container (e.g., a bag, box, sack, carrier, etc.). For example, intravenous (IV) solutions (e.g., normal saline, lactated Ringer's solution, etc.) with or without added medications may be contained in an IV bag. In some cases, liquid medications may be contained in a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) box or pump. The intelligent medication disposal system described herein can access and pump out the medication inside the box for disposal without opening or damaging the box. In another embodiment, one or more reactants for a chemical reaction (e.g., for chemical synthesis) may be contained within a container. The container may be referred to as a liquid container or a raw liquid container.

[0047] In some implementations, the liquid container may include excess liquid. A portion of the liquid may be drawn out and used (e.g., administered to a patient), while the remainder of the liquid in the container may be excess liquid that needs to be discarded (e.g., to prevent the misuse of regulated substances). Alternatively, the liquid in the container may end up completely unused, and the remaining liquid (e.g., substantially the same amount as the original liquid in the container) may need to be discarded (e.g., after the liquid's expiration date).

[0048] In some implementations, after a portion of the liquid has been used, an excess (or remaining) portion of the liquid may remain in the liquid container. Alternatively or additionally, the liquid in the container may be completely unused, but the entire liquid may need to be discarded (e.g., expired liquid, controlled substances, etc.). In some cases, it may be helpful, necessary, or required to remove excess liquid from the liquid container for disposal / disposal rather than discarding the liquid container as a whole, including the excess liquid. For example, it may be necessary to monitor and / or record the removal of excess liquid from the liquid container for disposal / disposal (e.g., to comply with regulatory requirements such as those of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), or to handle the situation responsibly in other ways in the presence of excess liquid). Alternatively or additionally, it may be necessary to measure and / or record the amount of excess liquid, and removing excess liquid from the liquid container may provide a simpler, faster, more convenient, or more accurate way to measure and / or record the amount of excess liquid from the liquid container.

[0049] Device / System This document discloses apparatus and systems for the proper disposal and handling of pharmaceuticals. Proper disposal and handling may include tracking the amount of pharmaceuticals disposed of to trace transfers. In some cases, the pharmaceuticals are liquids. This document describes apparatus for use in piping to assist in the disposal of liquid pharmaceuticals.

[0050] Intelligent drug disposal system or waste management system This document provides a smart drug disposal system and apparatus for monitoring and / or assisting in the management of drugs, such as drug dispensing or drug disposal (e.g., unused, unwanted, and / or surplus drugs). In some embodiments, digital data from monitoring drug dispensing or its disposal can be used to detect improper management of the drug by the user (e.g., improper handling or use of the drug, such as drug transfer). In some cases, the system described herein can be used for liquid drugs. In some cases, the system described herein can be used for liquid or solid (tablets, capsules, patches, pills, etc.) drugs. In some cases, liquid and solid drugs can be disposed of in different waste containers. In some cases, liquid and solid drugs can be disposed of in the same waste container.

[0051] In some implementations, the liquid management system may include a housing to house a liquid collector. Alternatively, the liquid collector may be located outside the housing, such as on or adjacent to the top working surface of the housing. Such a housing may be a liquid extraction and collection station or may be part of it.

[0052] In some embodiments, the housing may further accommodate at least a portion of a channel that is in or may be in fluid communication with (i) a liquid container (e.g., via an opening of the generated liquid container) and (ii) a liquid collector. For example, a first portion of the channel including a coupling module for an inlet orifice may be located outside the housing of the liquid management system, while a second portion of the channel including a coupling module for an outlet orifice may be located inside the housing of the liquid management system.

[0053] In some embodiments, the channels of the coupling module may not and need not be located within the internal space / volume of the housing of the liquid management system. The housing may (e.g., on the working surface of the platform of the housing) include an opening in fluid communication with a liquid collector inside the housing. The discharge port of the coupling module's channels may be located at or adjacent to the opening of the housing. Once excess liquid is extracted from the fluid container and enters the channels of the coupling module, the excess liquid can be discharged from the discharge port of the coupling module's channels (e.g., located outside the housing of the liquid management system), and the excess liquid can flow toward the opening of the housing (e.g., by gravity), through the opening of the housing, and toward / into the liquid collector inside the housing.

[0054] The opening of the housing of the liquid management system may not be in direct contact with the liquid collector inside the housing (e.g., not in direct fluid communication). Alternatively, the liquid drug system may include a channel (e.g., a conduit such as a pipe, tube, funnel, etc.) that fluidly connects the opening of the housing to the liquid collector inside the housing. The channel of the housing of the liquid drug system provided herein and the channel of the coupling module may be different components of the liquid management system.

[0055] In some implementations, the liquid retrieval and collection station provided herein may be referred to as a “Verified Institutional Environment for Wasting” (VIEW) station, which includes at least the user identification device and / or drug monitoring module provided herein.

[0056] In some embodiments, excess liquid in a liquid can be used for medical applications. Such excess liquid may be a pharmaceutical liquid or may include one or more drugs. Therefore, the liquid management system provided herein may be a drug management system, apparatus, or method thereof, or may be part of a drug management system, apparatus, or method thereof, for monitoring and / or assisting in the management of drugs, such as the dispensing of drugs (e.g., prescription or over-the-counter drugs) or the disposal of drugs (e.g., unused, unwanted, and / or remaining drugs). In some embodiments, digital data from monitoring drug dispensing or its disposal may be used to detect improper management of drugs by the user (e.g., improper handling or use of drugs, such as drug transfer). In some embodiments, the liquid collector may be referred to as a drug collector.

[0057] In some embodiments, the drug management system may include a drug collector to receive and store discarded drugs. The drug management system may include a housing to house at least one drug collector internally, such that at least one drug container is not visible from the outside of the drug management system. For example, the housing of the drug management system may include a lockable door that can be opened to provide access to at least one drug collector, for example, to place or remove (e.g., replace) at least one drug collector.

[0058] Any of the drug management systems disclosed herein may include a pressurized vacuum chamber. The vacuum may be generated and / or regulated by a vacuum pump. The vacuum pump may generate both negative and positive pressure. The vacuum chamber may vary in size, shape, and pressure, and may have structural variations and various mechanisms for generating the vacuum. The vacuum chamber may be pressurized using a built-in evacuation chamber (e.g., a chamber using a membrane mounted on the device, which generates negative pressure in an adjacent enclosed space when the membrane is punctured). The size of the vacuum chamber may vary; for example, the vacuum chamber may have a volume greater than 2 mL, greater than 4 mL, greater than 6 mL, greater than 8 mL, or greater than 10 mL.

[0059] Before vacuum activation, the pressure in the vacuum chamber and connected piping can be at atmospheric pressure (or ambient pressure). During activation, the vacuum pressure in the vacuum chamber and associated piping can range from approximately -4 psig to -15 psig to generate negative pressure, or from approximately +4 psig to approximately +15 psig to generate positive pressure.

[0060] The vacuum pressure range of the vacuum chamber and associated piping can be from about -15 psig to about -4 psig. The vacuum pressure range of the vacuum chamber and associated piping can be from about -4 psig to about -6 psig, from about -4 psig to about -8 psig, from about -4 psig to about -10 psig, from about -4 psig to about -12 psig, from about -4 psig to about -15 psig, from about -6 psig to about -8 psig, from about -6 psig to about -10 psig, from about -6 psig to about -12 psig, from about -6 psig to about -15 psig, from about -8 psig to about -10 psig, from about -8 psig to about -12 psig, from about -8 psig to about -15 psig, from about -10 psig to about -12 psig, from about -10 psig to about -15 psig, or from about -12 psig to about -15 psig. The vacuum pressure range of the vacuum chamber and associated piping can be approximately -4 psig, approximately -6 psig, approximately -8 psig, approximately -10 psig, approximately -12 psig, or approximately -15 psig. The vacuum pressure range of the vacuum chamber and associated piping can be at least approximately -4 psig, approximately -6 psig, approximately -8 psig, approximately -10 psig, or approximately -12 psig. The vacuum pressure range of the vacuum chamber and associated piping can be at most approximately -6 psig, approximately -8 psig, approximately -10 psig, approximately -12 psig, or approximately -15 psig.

[0061] The vacuum pressure of the vacuum chamber and associated piping can range from about 4 psig to about 15 psig. The vacuum pressure of the vacuum chamber and associated piping can range from about 4 psig to about 6 psig, about 4 psig to about 8 psig, about 4 psig to about 10 psig, about 4 psig to about 12 psig, about 4 psig to about 15 psig, about 6 psig to about 8 psig, about 6 psig to about 10 psig, about 6 psig to about 12 psig, about 6 psig to about 15 psig, about 8 psig to about 10 psig, about 8 psig to about 12 psig, about 8 psig to about 15 psig, about 10 psig to about 12 psig, about 10 psig to about 15 psig, or about 12 psig to about 15 psig. The vacuum pressure of the vacuum chamber and associated piping can range from approximately 4 psig, approximately 6 psig, approximately 8 psig, approximately 10 psig, approximately 12 psig, or approximately 15 psig. The vacuum pressure of the vacuum chamber and associated piping can range from at least approximately 4 psig, approximately 6 psig, approximately 8 psig, approximately 10 psig, or approximately 12 psig. The vacuum pressure of the vacuum chamber and associated piping can range from at most approximately 6 psig, approximately 8 psig, approximately 10 psig, approximately 12 psig, or approximately 15 psig.

[0062] In some embodiments, the drug collector may be a container including a housing. The housing may contain one or more neutralizers internally to inactivate the drug (e.g., chemically by modifying the drug, physically by trapping the drug, etc.). For example, the drug collector may include one or more neutralizers to inactivate (or deactivate) any drug received by the drug collector. Non-limiting examples of neutralizers may include neutralizers found in commercially available products, such as Rx Destroyer. TM DrugBuster TM Narc-X TM Pill Terminator TM Element MDS TM Cactus Smart Sink TM Mallinckrodt MDS TM Pill Catcher TM and Stericycle CsRx TM .

[0063] In some implementations, the medication management system may include a user identification device (e.g., a camera, scanner, sensor, magnetic stripe reader, etc.). The user identification device may be configured to verify a user's identity (e.g., before, during, or after using the medication management system) and / or monitor the user during their use of the medication management system (e.g., when the user discards medication into the system). The user identification device may be configured to read or scan the user's identifier. Therefore, the user identification device may or may not be user-activated. The user identification device may operate automatically during the use of the medication management system, preventing the user from manually turning it off, to ensure secure monitoring of the user. For example, the user identification device may include one or more cameras configured to observe at least a portion of the user and at least a portion of the medication management system the user is using (e.g., the workstation of the medication management system platform for discarded medications provided herein).

[0064] In some implementations, the user identification device may include an analysis engine or be able to digitally communicate with the analysis engine, which is configured to analyze data (e.g., images, videos, sensor data, etc. from reading or scanning the user's identifier) ​​to verify the user's identity and / or monitor the user during the user's use of the medication management system.

[0065] In some implementations, a drug management system may include a drug monitoring module (e.g., a camera, scanner, sensor, magnetic stripe reader, etc.) to monitor one or more properties of a drug while the user is using the drug management system (e.g., before, during, or after the user discards a drug into the drug management system). The drug monitoring module may be configured to read or scan identifiers of the drug. Non-limiting examples of one or more properties of a drug may include presence, brand, color, size, shape, weight, density, and chemical contents. The drug monitoring module may be a permanent or non-permanent part of the drug management system. For example, the drug monitoring module may be located on or adjacent to a permanent part of the drug management system (e.g., the platform workstation provided herein). Alternatively or additionally, the drug monitoring module may be located on or adjacent to a removable part of the drug management system (e.g., a drug collector, a structure such as a channel connecting (e.g., fluidly connecting) the drug collector and the workstation of the drug management system).

[0066] In some implementations, the methods and systems disclosed herein can record and generate digital records of a user's actual medication waste transactions (e.g., visual transaction receipts such as one or more images and / or videos). In addition to video, the digital record may also include digital transaction records that enable detection and transfer prevention. Transaction records can also aid in associated future analyses. The digital record can serve as a virtual witness to a user discarding medication into a container within the system disclosed herein. The digital record can be stored, easily transferred, and can (e.g., automatically) generate copies for record keeping, accountability, tracking, reverse tracing, etc. The digital record can be more informative, accurate, and / or supplementary to evidence of medication information (e.g., waste data) provided by the user via handwritten documents and / or the GUI disclosed herein. The digital record may include a standard camera, a 360-degree camera, 3D or 4D animation capabilities, and other recording methods.

[0067] Virtual “on-demand” witness functionality can be used to confirm disposal. Cameras can capture the entire disposal process described herein and then store and / or upload it to the cloud or a server. Nurses, practicing medical professionals, licensed DEA-regulated individuals, or individuals transferring prevention and / or investigations can view these at selected or designated times to confirm proper disposal and no medication transfer. Viewing can be synchronous or asynchronous (“on-demand”). This can improve disposal efficiency and turnaround time because users no longer wait for a witness to dispose of medication. It can also reduce the clinical time spent by waste witnesses, create HD video capture of the disposal process, and provide high-level waste confirmation. Users can also dispose of medications in any location containing an intelligent medication disposal system, whether in a hospital, pharmacy, or dedicated room (e.g., narcotic drug storage, cleanroom, etc.). The system can also have a locking function to prevent collusive disposal, where individuals can be prevented from authorizing the disposal if they are suspected of conspiring. In some cases, AI systems can be trained instead of human witnesses to act as witnesses by identifying items, medications, behaviors, suspicious activity measurements of medications, camera boundaries, and unusual behavior at the time of disposal.

[0068] In some embodiments, the drug management system may include a platform comprising a workstation that a user of the drug management system can physically interact with. The workstation may include an opening (e.g., including an aperture) for a user to discard medications intended for disposal (e.g., liquid medications as described herein) and for the drug management system to receive the discarded medications. The opening of the workstation may be coupled to a drug collector, thereby allowing the discarded medications to be guided toward and stored within the drug collector. The connection between the opening, the drug collector, and / or the opening and the drug collector may include a drug monitoring module (e.g., a camera, a sensor such as a spectrophotometer, etc.) to detect the properties of the medication during disposal (or alleged disposal).

[0069] In some implementations, the drug monitoring module may include or digitally communicate with an analytics engine configured to analyze data (e.g., images, videos, sensor data, etc.) to retrieve or estimate the nature of drugs being disposed of. The analytics engine may be configured to analyze the data using one or more algorithms. The one or more algorithms used by the analytics engine may include natural language processing (NLP), computer vision systems, or statistical models. Computer vision systems may include artificial intelligence (AI), deep learning, or optical character recognition (OCR) capabilities.

[0070] In some implementations, the GUI provided herein may be a touchscreen GUI, thereby allowing users to physically interact with the GUI. For example, a flat panel display may be used to provide the touchscreen GUI.

[0071] In some implementations, the flow meter may be part of a drug monitoring module. Alternatively, the flow meter and the drug monitoring module may be separate modules.

[0072] In some implementations, the drug management system may be freestanding, for example, on the floor or on a table or countertop. The drug management system may be wall-mounted, floor-standing, or countertop-mounted. A wall-mounted, floor-standing, or countertop-mounted drug management system may be operatively coupled to at least one connecting mechanism (e.g., a swivel) to allow the drug management system to move in at least one degree of freedom, thereby enabling its user to access different components of the drug management system.

[0073] In some implementations, a user can interact with the drug management system via a user interface (e.g., the GUI provided herein) provided on one or more displays, such as a touchscreen display. Users can input data via a touchscreen (e.g., via an on-screen keyboard) or a physical keyboard operatively coupled to the GUI. In some cases, data input can be activated by selecting (or touching) one of the options provided on the GUI. Options can be numbers, letters, and / or symbols set within distinguishable shapes (e.g., squares, ovals, triangles, rectangles, etc.).

[0074] In some implementations, the GUI of the drug management system may be configured to be paused, locked, deactivated, or shut down after (i) a predetermined period of time during which no interaction with the user takes place and / or (ii) a predetermined period of time during which the user (or the user and witness who has discarded any unused / remaining medication) is not visually identified by one or more cameras of the drug management system (e.g., one or more cameras via a user identification device).

[0075] In some implementations, the user identification device may be configured to identify a user (e.g., a healthcare provider such as a nurse) who is retrieving medication, returning unused / remaining medication (or used medication containers), or discarding (or abandoning) any remaining medication. The user identification device may be configured to scan the identifier of a user of the medication management system (e.g., a key, work ID badge, and / or biometric data). Examples of biometric data may include a user's fingerprint, palm print, hand geometry, finger and / or palm vein patterns, facial patterns, iris, retina, heart rate, and / or behavioral patterns (e.g., typing rhythm, voice, etc.). In some cases, the user identification device may include a physical user interface (PUI), such as a keyboard and / or mouse, to enter a password or PIN number to access the medication management system for use. Alternatively, the user identification device may not include, and does not need to include, any PUI, and may rely solely on a display and GUI to interact with the user.

[0076] In some implementations, the user identification device can be operatively and digitally communicated with the housing. Alternatively or additionally, the user identification device can be part of the housing. The user identification device can be located on the surface of the housing (e.g., the outer surface). The user identification device can be fixed in a permanent position relative to the housing or movable relative to the housing (e.g., extended via a retractable or coilable cable, etc.).

[0077] In some embodiments, the display provided herein (e.g., a touchscreen display) can be mounted to the body of the drug management system (e.g., the housing of the drug management system) via a coupling unit such as a screen mount. This coupling unit can be stable, fixed, or flexible. In one example, the coupling unit can be a robotic mount configured to hold the display and / or user device, and (ii) is movable between various locations (e.g., manually moved by the user or automatically moved by the processor provided herein). In another example, the coupling unit can be a telescopic tabletop mount.

[0078] In some implementations, examples of user identification devices may include one or more scanners configured to scan and / or analyze any of biometric data, such as facial recognition scanners, iris scanners, fingerprint scanners, voice recognition devices, etc. Alternatively or additionally, a user identification device may include at least one identifier reader configured as described above to scan a user-specific identifier. The user's identifier may include an MRC (e.g., a barcode) and / or an identification device (e.g., an RFID system) identifiable by at least one identifier reader.

[0079] In some implementations, a user identification device or drug monitoring module (e.g., via the use of one or more of its sensors or cameras) can be used to confirm drug dispensing, drug disposal, calculation of the amount of discarded drug, and / or calibration of a drug management system. Such use of a user identification device or drug monitoring module may be referred to as a “smart imaging” system or method thereof.

[0080] In some implementations, the user identification device or drug monitoring module may direct one or more of its corresponding sensors (e.g., cameras) to capture digital images or videos of the drug management system. In some cases, such images or videos may be used to verify when the drug management system is being used (e.g., turned on, turned off, or manipulated) in order to, for example, discourage, prevent, or detect tampering with the drug management system.

[0081] In some implementations, the drug monitoring module may guide one or more sensors (e.g., cameras) to capture digital images or videos of identifiers (e.g., MRCs such as barcodes) of the drug package (i.e., drug packaging). By scanning the package identifier, the drug monitoring module can retrieve information about the drug, such as (i) the drug order or prescription, (ii) returned / discarded order information, and (iii) one or more of the following: the stock keeping unit (SKU) number or national drug code (NDC) of the original drug (e.g., the original pill), the master carton, the inner carton, or individual items.

[0082] In some implementations, the identifiers disclosed herein (e.g., identifiers of healthcare providers, patients, drugs, or drug containers, etc.) can be scanned by an identifier reader (such as a scanner, barcode reader, RFID reader, NFC reader, etc., as part of a user identification device or drug monitoring module). In some cases, the identifier reader may be a device that digitally communicates with a machine (e.g., a computer with a processor) configured to read and identify identifiers. In some cases, the identifier reader may be a user device (e.g., a smartphone with a camera) that digitally communicates with the machine (e.g., wirelessly). In some cases, the identifier reader may be adjacent to or part of a drug management system (e.g., externally or internally). Alternatively or additionally, the identifier reader may be operatively coupled (e.g., communicatively coupled) to the drug management system. The identifier reader may be communicatively coupled to one or more databases, such as one or more databases of the drug management system or other databases such as a hospital staff database, an eMAR or CPOE database, a pharmacy database, etc. In some cases, the identifier may be a sound wave. The sound wave may be the user's voice (i.e., sound transmission). The sound waves can originate from a user's identifier device, a drug, a drug package, and / or a drug processing unit disclosed herein. For example, voiceprint recognition can be used to match a user's voice with existing voice profiles in a database of the system provided herein. The identifier can learn the user's voice using one or more algorithms (e.g., machine learning algorithms), for example, to ensure that only legitimate users are authorized to access the system.

[0083] In some implementations, drug detection (e.g., via a drug monitoring module) may include measuring one or more of the following: (1) the number of drugs, (2) the weight of the drugs, (3) the volume of the drugs, (4) the optical properties of the drugs, or (5) the chemical contents of the drugs. This detection may occur before, during, or after drug dispensing. This detection may occur before any excess drug is discarded (e.g., exactly before any excess drug is discarded).

[0084] In some implementations, a drug monitoring module or an analysis engine operatively coupled thereto (e.g., a drug analysis engine) may be configured to estimate the properties of the drug (e.g., brand, color, size, shape, weight, density, and / or chemical contents) using data generated during drug monitoring (e.g., images or videos of the drug acquired by the user device according to instructions from the drug monitoring module). In some implementations, the drug monitoring module or analysis engine may include one or more sensors for measuring or estimating drug properties. Based on one or more estimated properties, the drug monitoring module or analysis engine may determine the probability or likelihood that the discarded drug is the same as the discarded drug reported by a user (e.g., a nurse or the user of the drug). The drug monitoring module or analysis engine can achieve a rate of at least approximately 10%, at least or at most approximately 15%, at least or at most approximately 20%, at least or at most approximately 25%, at least or at most approximately 30%, at least or at most approximately 35%, at least or at most approximately 40%, at least or at most approximately 45%, at least or at most approximately 50%, at least or at most approximately 55%, at least or at most approximately 60%, at least or at most approximately 65%, at least or at most approximately 70%, at least or at most approximately 75%, at least or at most approximately 80%, at least or at most approximately 85%, at least or at most approximately 90%. The probability is determined to be at least or at most about 95%, at least or at most about 99% or higher that (i) the discarded medication matches the medication reported by the user, (ii) the quantity of the discarded medication (e.g., number of pills, number of patches, volume of liquid medication, etc.) matches the quantity of the discarded medication reported by the user, (iii) the quantity of the discarded medication (e.g., number of pills, number of patches, volume of liquid medication, etc.) matches the quantity that the user should return, and / or (iv) the user mismanaged the medication (e.g., it was lost or transferred).

[0085] In some implementations, the analytics engine may use one or more algorithms provided herein to analyze data from a drug monitoring module (e.g., one or more sensors such as a camera). In some cases, the analytics engine's algorithms may be used to (1) verify that a discarded or returned drug is associated with a user, a specific patient, or the container in which the drug is stored, or (2) estimate the amount of the returned drug. In some cases, the analytics engine or its algorithms may be configured to compare an image of the discarded / returned drug (e.g., a pill) with one or more real images of the drug (e.g., retrieved from a database) to confirm or authenticate the discarded / returned drug or its contents. The database may be, for example, from the National Library of Medicine (NLM).

[0086] In some embodiments, at least one sensor of the drug monitoring module or analysis engine has a field of view of at least about 90, at least about 120, at least about 150, at least about 180, at least about 210, at least about 240, at least about 270, at least about 300, at least about 330, at least about 345, at least about 350, at least about 355, at least about 356, at least about 357, at least about 358, at least about 359, or about 360 degrees. In some embodiments, the field of view is measured horizontally. In some embodiments, at least one sensor is at least one camera.

[0087] In some implementations, the analytics engine may (directly or indirectly) acquire data including information about the user (e.g., a patient) and the medication being discarded or stored in a medication collector. Examples of such data may include one or more electromagnetic spectra (e.g., light absorption and / or reflection), images, videos, and / or the weight of the discarded / stored medication. The analytics engine may be configured to analyze the data using one or more algorithms (e.g., AI algorithms provided herein) to track user compliance with medication dispensing / disposal guidelines or instructions. The analytics engine may be configured to provide the user with the progress or results of the analysis via a display of the medication management system, the user's user device, or the user device of the user's supervisor or the administrator of the medication management system. The analytics engine may be configured to approve one or more reward programs for the user based on the analysis of the discarded / stored medication. Non-limiting examples of rewards may include incentives such as bonuses or salaries for the user, coupons, gift cards, etc. In some cases, such rewards may be offered to the user (e.g., a healthcare provider such as a nurse or pharmacist) after the medication has been properly discarded / stored in the medication management system.

[0088] In some embodiments, the medicine is provided as one or more members selected from: tablets, capsules, pills, powders, granules, sugar-coated pills, gels, slurries, ointments, solutions, suppositories, solutions, inhalers, aerosols, transdermal patches, modifications thereof, or combinations thereof.

[0089] In some embodiments, a drug management system (e.g., a drug collector) may be configured to receive drugs in multiple forms (e.g., pills, liquids, patches, etc.) for disposal. In some embodiments, a drug management system (e.g., a drug collector) may be configured to receive only a single form of drug for disposal. In some embodiments, a drug management system (e.g., a drug collector) may be configured to receive only a single specific type of drug (e.g., propofol emulsion only, fentanyl liquid only, etc.) for disposal.

[0090] In some embodiments, one or more components of a liquid drug management system (e.g., a coupling module) or one or more components of a drug management system (e.g., a housing, channel, drug collector, etc.) can be made of any type of material suitable for contacting and / or protecting the drug. For example, non-limiting examples of such materials may include polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, low-density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, polyisobutylene, poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) copolymer, lightweight aluminum foil and combinations thereof, stainless steel alloys, commercially pure titanium, titanium alloys, silver alloys, copper alloys, grade 5 titanium, superelastic titanium alloys, cobalt-chromium alloys, stainless steel alloys, superelastic metal alloys (e.g., nickel-titanium), ceramics and composites thereof (such as calcium phosphate (e.g., SKELITE)). TM Thermoplastics such as polyaryletherketone (PAEK) (including polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) and polyetherketone (PEK)), carbon-PEEK composites, PEEK-BaSO4 polymer rubber, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), fabrics, silicone, polyurethane, silicone-polyurethane copolymers, polymer rubber, polyolefin rubber, hydrogels, semi-rigid and rigid materials, elastomers, rubber, thermoplastic elastomers, thermosetting elastomers, elastomer composites, rigid polymers (including polyphenylene, polyamide, polyimide, polyetherimide, polyethylene, epoxy resins), glass and combinations thereof.

[0091] The systems and apparatus disclosed herein may be located (e.g., installed in) hospitals (e.g., public, private, military or civilian hospitals), medical offices (e.g., doctors' offices, dental clinics, outpatient surgery centers, same-day or other non-hospital surgery facilities, medication dispensing rooms or pharmacies, such as locations with automated dispensing machines (ADMs), etc.), non-acute medical facilities (e.g., long-term care facilities), specialized nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, hospice care facilities, clinics (e.g., pain clinics), emergency response units (e.g., nursing staff transport, emergency medical services (EMS) transport, etc.), veterinary hospitals, veterinary clinics, veterinary laboratories, medical research institutions, hospice care facilities, long-term acute care (LTAC) facilities, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, pharmacies, pharmacy-in-clinics, law enforcement locations, etc.

[0092] Figure 1A A schematic diagram of the internal system of the intelligent drug disposal system 100 is shown. Figures 1B-1F It shows Figure 1A An enlarged version.

[0093] The intelligent drug disposal system 100 may include a computing and recording device 106; a non-liquid non-hazardous waste disposal unit 102 and a non-liquid hazardous waste disposal unit 104; an anti-tampering device 108; a non-hazardous Rx destroyer 128 and a hazardous Rx destroyer 130; a small-volume liquid waste disposal unit 110; a small-volume liquid waste disposal unit Luer lock or sliding tip 112; an RxIntercept collection tank 122; an RxIntercept turntable motor 124; an RxIntercept collection and dispensing port 116; a large-volume liquid waste disposal unit 118; and a large-volume liquid waste disposal unit Luer lock or sliding tip. Equipped with a tip 120; an electrically controlled diverter valve 126; electrically controlled valves for positive pressure 136, negative pressure 140, fluid output valve 146, and fluid inlet valve 134 of the small cylinder, positive pressure 170, negative pressure 166, fluid output valve 176, and fluid inlet valve 164 of the large cylinder, positive pressure air output 150, negative pressure exhaust 160, positive pressure air inlet 154, and negative pressure air inlet 160 of the large cylinder; precision balances 148 and 174; a small-capacity stainless steel containment cylinder 142; a large-capacity stainless steel containment cylinder 172; return filters 138 and 158; and a vacuum pump 156.

[0094] The computing and recording device 106 may include a monitor, personal computer, tablet computer, or other computer. It can be inserted independently into and / or attached to the housing of the intelligent drug dispensing system 100. The computing and recording device 106 may include cameras (e.g., panoramic cameras, fisheye cameras, focusing cameras, 360-degree cameras, 180-degree cameras, motion detection cameras, etc.), 3D / 4D camera animation, and / or other sensors and monitors.

[0095] Tanks or openings for disposing of non-liquid substances (102 for non-hazardous waste and 104 for hazardous waste) can lead to various Rx destroyers (e.g., waste disposal units) based on whether the waste is hazardous (N) or non-hazardous (M). Examples of destroyers, as mentioned above, may include Rx Destroyer. TM Drug Buster TM Narc-X TM Pill Terminator TM Element MDS TM Cactus Smart Sink TM Mallinckrodt MDS TM PillCatcher TM and Stericycle CsRx TM One or more of them.

[0096] The tamper-proof device 108 may include a physical barrier between the orifice for solid medication disposal and the waste container with an Rx destroyer. This prevents the disposal of medication from being drawn through a straw or other elongated device.

[0097] The entry of stainless steel containment cylinders into the Rx disposal units (waste disposal units) 130 and 128 can be controlled by an electrically controlled diversion valve 126. Depending on the information input to the computing device 106 by the user (such as the name of the drug or whether it is hazardous or non-hazardous), the program can determine how the diversion valve 126 should be oriented: so that the diversion valve 126 faces and allows entry into the non-hazardous disposal unit 128 or the hazardous disposal unit 130. The diversion valve can control the entry into the two disposal units from both stainless steel containment cylinders.

[0098] Similar to the electrically controlled diverter valve 126, the electrically controlled valves for the positive pressure 136 of the small cylinder, the negative pressure 140 of the small cylinder, the fluid output valve 146 of the small cylinder, the fluid inlet valve 134 of the small cylinder, the positive pressure 170 of the large cylinder, the negative pressure 166 of the large cylinder, the fluid output valve 176 of the large cylinder, the fluid inlet valve 164 of the large cylinder, the positive pressure output 150, the negative pressure exhaust 160, the positive pressure air inlet 154, and the negative pressure air inlet 160 can guide the flow of liquid based on user input information and a Luer lock for allowing liquid waste to flow into the intelligent drug disposal system 100. In some cases, the housing of the intelligent drug disposal system 100 may include one, two, three, four, or more holes or vents for air inflow and outflow. For example, air may flow into the positive pressure air inlet 154 and out at the negative pressure exhaust 160. In some cases, the fluid inlet valve can control the fluid inflow to the containment cylinder, while the fluid outlet valve can control the fluid flow from the containment cylinder to the destroyer.

[0099] The small-volume liquid waste disposal unit 110 may include a Luer lock or slip-fit ​​tip 112 for docking with a tube. The tube may be an IV tube. The tube may be a collection tube. The tube may be the tube disclosed below. The small-volume liquid waste disposal unit 110 can hold liquids from about 0.5 ml to about 20 ml. Small-volume liquid waste disposal unit 110 can hold liquids of about 0.5 ml to about 1 ml, about 0.5 ml to about 2.5 ml, about 0.5 ml to about 5 ml, about 0.5 ml to about 10 ml, about 0.5 ml to about 15 ml, about 0.5 ml to about 20 ml, about 1 ml to about 2.5 ml, about 1 ml to about 5 ml, about 1 ml to about 10 ml, about 1 ml to about 15 ml, about 1 ml to about 20 ml, about 2.5 ml to about 5 ml, about 2.5 ml to about 10 ml, about 2.5 ml to about 15 ml, about 2.5 ml to about 20 ml, about 5 ml to about 10 ml, about 5 ml to about 15 ml, about 5 ml to about 20 ml, about 10 ml to about 15 ml, about 10 ml to about 20 ml, or about 15 ml to about 20 ml. The small-capacity liquid waste disposal unit 110 can hold approximately 0.5 ml, 1 ml, 2.5 ml, 5 ml, 10 ml, 15 ml, or 20 ml of liquid. The small-capacity liquid waste disposal unit 110 can hold at least approximately 0.5 ml, 1 ml, 2.5 ml, 5 ml, 10 ml, or 15 ml of liquid. The small-capacity liquid waste disposal unit 110 can hold up to approximately 1 ml, 2.5 ml, 5 ml, 10 ml, 15 ml, or 20 ml of liquid.

[0100] The small-volume liquid waste disposal unit 110 can flow into the small-volume stainless steel containment container 142 through the fluid inlet valve S. The small-volume stainless steel containment container 142 can hold about 1 ml to about 30 ml. The small-volume stainless steel containment container 142 can hold about 1 ml to about 5 ml, about 1 ml to about 10 ml, about 1 ml to about 15 ml, about 1 ml to about 20 ml, about 1 ml to about 25 ml, about 1 ml to about 30 ml, about 5 ml to about 10 ml, about 5 ml to about 15 ml, about 5 ml to about 20 ml, about 5 ml to about 25 ml, about 5 ml to about 30 ml, about 10 ml to about 15 ml, about 10 ml to about 20 ml, about 10 ml to about 25 ml, about 10 ml to about 30 ml, about 15 ml to about 20 ml, about 15 ml to about 25 ml, about 15 ml to about 30 ml, about 20 ml to about 25 ml, about 20 ml to about 30 ml, or about 25 ml to about 30 ml. The small-capacity stainless steel container 142 can hold approximately 1 ml, approximately 5 ml, approximately 10 ml, approximately 15 ml, approximately 20 ml, approximately 25 ml, or approximately 30 ml. The small-capacity stainless steel container 142 can hold at least approximately 1 ml, approximately 5 ml, approximately 10 ml, approximately 15 ml, approximately 20 ml, or approximately 25 ml. The small-capacity stainless steel container 142 can hold at most approximately 5 ml, approximately 10 ml, approximately 15 ml, approximately 20 ml, approximately 25 ml, or approximately 30 ml.

[0101] The large-capacity liquid waste disposal unit 118 may include a Luerlock large-capacity filling pump (LVP) adapter 120. In some cases, 120 may include a slip-fit ​​tip. The large-capacity liquid waste disposal unit 118 can hold approximately 20 ml to approximately 100 ml of liquid for disposal. The large-capacity liquid waste disposal unit 118 can hold liquids of about 20 ml to about 30 ml, about 20 ml to about 40 ml, about 20 ml to about 50 ml, about 20 ml to about 60 ml, about 20 ml to about 80 ml, about 20 ml to about 100 ml, about 30 ml to about 40 ml, about 30 ml to about 50 ml, about 30 ml to about 60 ml, about 30 ml to about 80 ml, about 30 ml to about 100 ml, about 40 ml to about 50 ml, about 40 ml to about 60 ml, about 40 ml to about 80 ml, about 40 ml to about 100 ml, about 50 ml to about 60 ml, about 50 ml to about 80 ml, about 50 ml to about 100 ml, about 60 ml to about 80 ml, about 60 ml to about 100 ml, or about 80 ml to about 100 ml. The large-capacity liquid waste disposal unit 118 can hold approximately 20 ml, 30 ml, 40 ml, 50 ml, 60 ml, 80 ml, or 100 ml of liquid. The large-capacity liquid waste disposal unit 118 can hold at least approximately 20 ml, 30 ml, 40 ml, 50 ml, 60 ml, or 80 ml of liquid. The large-capacity liquid waste disposal unit 118 can hold up to approximately 30 ml, 40 ml, 50 ml, 60 ml, 80 ml, or 100 ml of liquid.

[0102] A large-capacity liquid waste disposal unit 118 can be fluidly coupled to a large-capacity stainless steel containment vessel 172 via a fluid inlet valve 164 in a large cylinder. The large-capacity stainless steel containment vessel 172 can hold approximately 10 ml to approximately 1 L. The large-capacity stainless steel container 172 can hold approximately 10 ml to approximately 30 ml, approximately 10 ml to approximately 50 ml, approximately 10 ml to approximately 100 ml, approximately 10 ml to approximately 200 ml, approximately 10 ml to approximately 300 ml, approximately 10 ml to approximately 400 ml, approximately 10 ml to approximately 500 ml, approximately 10 ml to approximately 750 ml, approximately 10 ml to approximately 1 L, approximately 30 ml to approximately 50 ml, approximately 30 ml to approximately 100 ml, approximately 30 ml to approximately 200 ml, approximately 30 ml to approximately 300 ml, approximately 30 ml to approximately 400 ml, approximately 30 ml to approximately 500 ml, approximately 30 ml to approximately 750 ml, approximately 30 ml to approximately 1 L, approximately 50 ml to approximately 100 ml, approximately 50 ml to approximately 200 ml, approximately 50 ml to approximately 300 ml, approximately 50 ml to approximately 400 ml, approximately 50 ml to approximately 500 ml, approximately 50 ml to approximately 750 ml, approximately 50 ml to approximately 1 L. L, about 100 ml to about 200 ml, about 100 ml to about 300 ml, about 100 ml to about 400 ml, about 100 ml to about 500 ml, about 100 ml to about 750 ml, about 100 ml to about 1 L, about 200 ml to about 300 ml, about 200 ml to about 400 ml, about 200 ml to about 500 ml, about 200 ml to about 750 ml, about 200 ml to about 1 L, about 300 ml to about 400 ml, about 300 ml to about 500 ml, about 300 ml to about 750 ml, about 300 ml to about 1 L, about 400 ml to about 500 ml, about 400 ml to about 750 ml, about 400 ml to about 1 L, about 500 ml to about 750 ml, about 500 ml to about 1 L or about 750 ml to about 1 L. The large-capacity stainless steel container 172 can hold approximately 10 ml, 30 ml, 50 ml, 100 ml, 200 ml, 300 ml, 400 ml, 500 ml, 750 ml, or 1 L. The large-capacity stainless steel container 172 can hold at least approximately 10 ml, 30 ml, 50 ml, 100 ml, 200 ml, 300 ml, 400 ml, 500 ml, or 750 ml.The large-capacity stainless steel container 172 can hold up to approximately 30 ml, 50 ml, 100 ml, 200 ml, 300 ml, 400 ml, 500 ml, 750 ml or 1 L.

[0103] In some cases, the intelligent drug disposal system 100 can be used in conjunction with the Rx Intercept function to prevent substitution. Rx Intercept includes random, targeted, and / or intelligent (e.g., analytics / AI-based) selection of discarded drugs to identify the type and quantity of the drug. Intercepted drugs are not neutralized but are automatically placed in bags (e.g., transparent drug or hazardous materials bags) for further qualitative analysis by the pharmacy to identify the drug type. For liquid drugs, the drugs can be placed in leak-proof vials. Vials can hold approximately 10 ml of liquid. Vials can hold approximately 5 ml of liquid. Vials can hold approximately 1 ml, approximately 2 ml, approximately 3 ml, approximately 4 ml, approximately 5 ml, approximately 10 ml, approximately 15 ml, approximately 20 ml, or more than approximately 20 ml. Sample bags can have a unique barcode and include a tamper-evident seal. If disposal occurs in an auxiliary pharmacy or mini-pharmacies, the bags can then be transported to a central pharmacy after being placed in a separate transport bag containing multiple sample bags. During transport, the bags can be scanned at each intelligent drug management device to maintain the chain of custody. The removal and destruction of the bags can be performed on camera to continue the complete chain of custody. This can be aided by tamper-proof bags with barcodes. The barcodes can be unique. In some cases, such as when more than one bag can hold the medication, the barcodes can be duplicated. RxIntercept can be used during the collection and / or securing of the medication when creating a chain of custody to inspect the medication or to transport it for final destruction.

[0104] In the intelligent drug disposal system 100, the RxIntercept system can be driven by one or more of the following: RxIntercept collection tank 122, RxIntercept turntable motor 124, or RxIntercept collection dispensing port 116. The RxIntercept collection dispensing port 116 can use RxIntercept vials. The RxIntercept collection dispensing port 116 can also use non-dedicated vials. The RxIntercept collection dispensing port 116 can serve as a gate into the RxIntercept collection tank 122, which is managed by the RxIntercept turntable motor 124. For example, the RxIntercept turntable motor 124 can rotate the collection tank 122. A program in the system can determine whether a tank contains a vial by weight calculation or other means. The program can instruct the motor 124 to rotate the collection tank 122 until an empty tank is below the collection dispensing port 116. The user can then dispense the desired vial into the collection dispensing port 116.

[0105] Precision balances 148 and 174, with two containment cylinders, can be used to measure the captured liquid in milliliters.

[0106] The backflow filters 138 and 158 leading from the two containment chambers to the vacuum pump 156 prevent contaminated air or liquid from flowing back from the containment chambers to the vacuum pump 156. This helps to minimize contamination of the device by the liquid being handled.

[0107] Vacuum pump 156 can help maintain air circulation (e.g., to maintain temperature) within the intelligent drug disposal system 100. Vacuum pump 156 can help move the liquid being disposed of. Vacuum pump 156 can be a negative pressure pump. Vacuum pump 156 can draw liquid from the IV line. This can be achieved indirectly through other lines in the system. For example, vacuum pump 156 can control the movement of liquid from the IV line to the containment container via valves and lines. In some cases, vacuum pump 156 can be a positive pressure pump. Positive pressure can be used to push the liquid being disposed of and / or residual air toward the Rx destroyer with a neutralizer. Vacuum pump 156 can switch between negative and positive pressure. In some cases, multiple vacuum pumps can be present. When multiple vacuum pumps are present, at least one of the pumps can be a negative pressure pump and at least one can be a positive pressure pump, rather than alternating between negative and positive pressure. This allows control of the activity levels of multiple pumps (e.g., on / off) instead of switching a single pump between positive and negative pressure states.

[0108] In some cases, the intelligent drug dispensing system 100 may include internal working components of other intelligent drug dispensing systems described herein, such as intelligent drug dispensing system 200 and intelligent drug dispensing system 300.

[0109] Figure 2 A top perspective view of a drug intelligent disposal system 200 is shown. The drug intelligent disposal system 200 may include a support 202, a cup 204, a pump 206, a drug opener storage 208, a computing system 210, a recording device 212, an RxIntercept sample lock box 214, an RxIntercept bag and vial storage 216, a fingerprint scanner 218, and a liquid waste disposal unit 220.

[0110] The holder 202 can have a variety of uses. The holder 202 can be used to hook liquid sources (e.g., IV bags, other perforated bags), such as... Figure 6J As shown. Bracket 202 can be used to hold (e.g., from IV lines or from the coupling mechanism described below) additional tubing, such as... Figures 6J-6L As shown.

[0111] Liquid can be poured from a liquid source into cup 204 through a pipe or coupling mechanism. In some cases, the cup may be without a lid, and the liquid can be poured directly into cup 204, such as... Figure 6D As shown. In some cases, a lid may be attached to the holder 202. The lid may be rotatable around the holder 202. The lid may have a hole to receive a second end of a conduit attached to a liquid source (where the first end is attached to the liquid source). The lid may simply cover the cup, acting as a funnel. In some cases, the lid may be sealable on the cup, similar to a plastic cup lid.

[0112] Cup 204 may have measuring lines (e.g., in milliliters, in ounces, etc.) drawn, etched, or otherwise marked on its side, such as... Figure 6D As shown. Once cup 204 receives liquid, the user can see how much liquid in the cup is for disposal based on the measuring line. Once the user has recorded the amount of liquid used for disposal, the user can pour the liquid in cup 204 into liquid waste disposal unit 220.

[0113] Pump 206 can be used to draw liquid from a liquid bag into a pipeline and into a cup 204. Pump 206 may include one or more of a plunger pump, peristaltic pump, rotary pump, diaphragm pump, vacuum pump, or any combination thereof.

[0114] Pump 206 may include a peristaltic pump. In a medium-intensity peristaltic pump that does not cause tubing collapse, the peristaltic pump can pump approximately 300 ml in 33 seconds. The peristaltic pump can pump approximately 300 ml in approximately 25 to approximately 40 seconds. The peristaltic pump can pump approximately 300 ml in approximately 25 to approximately 28 seconds, approximately 25 to approximately 31 seconds, approximately 25 to approximately 34 seconds, approximately 25 to approximately 37 seconds, approximately 25 to approximately 40 seconds, approximately 28 to approximately 31 seconds, approximately 28 to approximately 34 seconds, approximately 28 to approximately 37 seconds, approximately 28 to approximately 40 seconds, approximately 31 to approximately 34 seconds, approximately 31 to approximately 37 seconds, approximately 31 to approximately 40 seconds, approximately 34 to approximately 37 seconds, approximately 34 to approximately 40 seconds, or approximately 37 to approximately 40 seconds. A peristaltic pump can deliver approximately 300 ml in approximately 25, 28, 31, 34, 37, or 40 seconds. A peristaltic pump can deliver approximately 300 ml in at least approximately 25, 28, 31, 34, or 37 seconds. A peristaltic pump can deliver approximately 300 ml in at most approximately 28, 31, 34, 37, or 40 seconds.

[0115] Pump 206 can be a vacuum pump. Pump 206 can be a negative pressure pump. Pump 206 can draw liquid from the IV line. This can be achieved indirectly through other lines in the system. For example, pump 206 can control the movement of liquid from the IV line to the containment vessel via valves and lines. In some cases, pump 206 can be a positive pressure pump. Positive pressure can be used to push the liquid to be disposed of and / or residual air toward the Rx destroyer with a neutralizer. Pump 206 can switch between negative and positive pressure. In some cases, there can be multiple vacuum pumps. When there are multiple vacuum pumps, at least one of the pumps can be a negative pressure pump and at least one can be a positive pressure pump, rather than alternating between negative and positive pressure. In this way, the activity levels of multiple pumps (e.g., on / off) can be controlled, rather than switching a single pump between positive and negative pressure states.

[0116] The drug opener storage 208 may include an open or closed box. The drug opener storage 208 may store or contain openers for drugs, such as those described in International Patent Application No. PCT / US24 / 41508, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The storage 208 may be attached to the top of the intelligent drug dispensing system 200 or may be removable.

[0117] The computing device 210 may be a monitor, personal computer, tablet computer, or other computer. It can be inserted independently into and / or attached to the housing of the intelligent drug dispensing system 200.

[0118] The recording device 212 may include a camera (e.g., a panoramic camera, a fisheye camera, a focusing camera, a 360-degree camera, a 180-degree camera, a motion detection camera, etc.), 3D / 4D camera animation, and / or other sensors and monitors.

[0119] In some cases, the intelligent drug disposal system 200 can be used in conjunction with the Rx Intercept function to prevent substitution. Rx Intercept includes random, targeted, and / or intelligent (e.g., analytics / AI-based) selection of discarded drugs to identify the type and quantity of the drug. Intercepted drugs are not neutralized but are automatically placed in bags (e.g., transparent drug or hazardous materials bags) for further qualitative analysis by the pharmacy to identify the drug type. For liquid drugs, the drugs can be placed in leak-proof vials. Vials can hold approximately 10 ml of liquid. Vials can hold approximately 5 ml of liquid. Vials can hold approximately 1 ml, approximately 2 ml, approximately 3 ml, approximately 4 ml, approximately 5 ml, approximately 10 ml, approximately 15 ml, approximately 20 ml, or more than approximately 20 ml. Sample bags can have a unique barcode and include a tamper-evident seal. If disposal occurs in an auxiliary pharmacy or mini-pharmacies, the bags can then be transported to the central pharmacy after being placed in a separate transport bag containing multiple sample bags. During transport, the bags can be scanned at each intelligent drug management device to maintain the chain of custody. The removal and destruction of the bags can be performed on camera to continue the complete chain of custody. This can be aided by tamper-proof bags with barcodes. The barcodes can be unique. In some cases, such as when more than one bag can hold the medication, the barcodes can be duplicated. RxIntercept can be used during the collection and / or securing of the medication when creating a chain of custody to inspect the medication or to transport it for final destruction.

[0120] Users can remove vials and bags from 216 for their liquid samples and store them in lockbox 214. Lockbox 214 may be accessible via one or more identification features, such as, but not limited to, fingerprints, retinal scans, personal codes, barcodes, ID badge scans, or other personal identification methods. For example, a fingerprint scanner 218 may be used. This user identification can help generate a chain of ownership to determine who has controlled the Rx Intercept vials once they have been removed from lockbox 214. In some cases, lockbox 214 may include a simple lock-key mechanism. In this case, security can be based on only certain individuals having the key and making those individuals responsible for the contents of lockbox 214.

[0121] Figure 3A perspective view of a drug intelligent disposal system 300 is shown. The drug intelligent disposal system 300 may include a support 302, a cup 304, a pump 306, a surplus cup holder 308, a computing system 310, a recording device 312, an RxIntercept sample lock box 314, an RxIntercept bag and vial storage container 316, a door 318, a liquid waste disposal unit 320, a liquid bag 322, and tubing 324.

[0122] The holder 302 can have a variety of uses. The holder 302 can be used to hook liquid sources (e.g., IV bags, other perforated bags), such as... Figure 6J As shown. Bracket 302 can be used to hold (e.g., from IV lines or from the coupling mechanism described below) additional tubing, such as... Figures 6J-6L As shown.

[0123] Liquid can be poured from a liquid source into cup 304 through a pipe or coupling mechanism. In some cases, the cup may be without a lid, and the liquid can be poured directly into cup 304, such as... Figure 6D As shown. In some cases, a lid may be attached to the holder 302. The lid may be rotatable around the holder 302. The lid may have a hole to receive a second end of a conduit attached to a liquid source (where the first end is attached to the liquid source). The lid may simply cover the cup, acting as a funnel. In some cases, the lid may be sealable on the cup, similar to a plastic cup lid.

[0124] The cup 304 may have measuring lines (e.g., in milliliters, in ounces, etc.) drawn, etched, or otherwise marked on its side, such as... Figure 6D As shown. Once cup 304 receives liquid, the user can see how much liquid in the cup is for disposal based on the measuring line. Once the user has recorded the amount of liquid used for disposal, the user can pour the liquid in cup 304 into liquid waste disposal unit 320.

[0125] Pump 306 can be used to increase the speed at which liquid advances through line 324. Pump 306 may be half on the tabletop and half inside the tabletop, or entirely on the tabletop. In some cases, pump 306 is inside the tabletop. Pump 306 can be used to direct line 324 to cup 304. Pump 306 can be used to draw liquid from a liquid bag into the line and into cup 304. Pump 306 may include one or more of a plunger pump, peristaltic pump, rotary pump, diaphragm pump, vacuum pump, or any combination thereof.

[0126] Pump 306 can be a peristaltic pump. In a medium-strength peristaltic pump that does not cause tubing collapse, the peristaltic pump can pump approximately 300 ml in 33 seconds. The peristaltic pump can pump approximately 300 ml in approximately 25 to approximately 40 seconds. The peristaltic pump can pump approximately 300 ml in approximately 25 to approximately 28 seconds, approximately 25 to approximately 31 seconds, approximately 25 to approximately 34 seconds, approximately 25 to approximately 37 seconds, approximately 25 to approximately 40 seconds, approximately 28 to approximately 31 seconds, approximately 28 to approximately 34 seconds, approximately 28 to approximately 37 seconds, approximately 28 to approximately 40 seconds, approximately 31 to approximately 34 seconds, approximately 31 to approximately 37 seconds, approximately 31 to approximately 40 seconds, approximately 34 to approximately 37 seconds, approximately 34 to approximately 40 seconds, or approximately 37 to approximately 40 seconds. A peristaltic pump can deliver approximately 300 ml in approximately 25, 28, 31, 34, 37, or 40 seconds. A peristaltic pump can deliver approximately 300 ml in at least approximately 25, 28, 31, 34, or 37 seconds. A peristaltic pump can deliver approximately 300 ml in at most approximately 28, 31, 34, 37, or 40 seconds.

[0127] Pump 306 can be a vacuum pump. Pump 306 can be a negative pressure pump. Pump 306 can draw liquid from the IV line. This can be achieved indirectly through other lines in the system. For example, pump 306 can control the movement of liquid from the IV line to the containment vessel via valves and lines. In some cases, pump 306 can be a positive pressure pump. Positive pressure can be used to push the liquid to be disposed of and / or residual air toward the Rx destroyer with a neutralizer. Pump 306 can switch between negative and positive pressure. In some cases, there can be multiple vacuum pumps. When there are multiple vacuum pumps, at least one of the pumps can be a negative pressure pump and at least one can be a positive pressure pump, rather than alternating between negative and positive pressure. In this way, the activity levels of multiple pumps (e.g., on / off) can be controlled, rather than switching a single pump between positive and negative pressure states.

[0128] In some cases, cup 304 can be single-use. This can help prevent potential cross-contamination of liquids that have not yet been neutralized. When cup 304 is single-use, there may be a shelf or other compartment (such as compartment 308) that acts as a holder for single-use cups. A user can use one cup 304 for each type of liquid to be disposed of. The cup can then be disposed of in a bag, box, or other container for incineration or other disposal methods.

[0129] The computing device 310 may be a monitor, personal computer, tablet computer, or other computer. It can be inserted independently into and / or attached to the housing of the intelligent drug dispensing system 300.

[0130] The recording device 312 may include a camera (e.g., a panoramic camera, a fisheye camera, a focusing camera, a 360-degree camera, a 180-degree camera, a motion detection camera, etc.), 3D / 4D camera animation, and / or other sensors and monitors.

[0131] In some cases, the intelligent drug disposal system 300 can be used in conjunction with the Rx Intercept function to prevent substitution. Rx Intercept includes random, targeted, and / or intelligent (e.g., analytics / AI-based) selection of discarded drugs to identify the type and quantity of the drug. Intercepted drugs are not neutralized but are automatically placed in bags (e.g., transparent drug or hazardous materials bags) for further qualitative analysis by the pharmacy to confirm the drug type. For liquid drugs, the drugs can be placed in leak-proof vials. Vials can hold approximately 10 ml of liquid. Vials can hold approximately 5 ml of liquid. Vials can hold approximately 1 ml, approximately 2 ml, approximately 3 ml, approximately 4 ml, approximately 5 ml, approximately 10 ml, approximately 15 ml, approximately 20 ml, or more than approximately 20 ml. Sample bags can have a unique barcode and include a tamper-evident seal. If disposal occurs in an auxiliary or mini-pharmacies, the bags can then be transported to the central pharmacy after being placed in a separate transport bag containing multiple sample bags. During transport, the bags can be scanned at each intelligent drug management device to maintain the chain of custody. The removal and destruction of the bags can be performed on camera to continue the complete chain of custody. This can be aided by tamper-proof bags with barcodes. The barcodes can be unique. In some cases, such as when more than one bag can hold the medication, the barcodes can be duplicated. RxIntercept can be used during the collection and / or securing of the medication when creating a chain of custody to inspect the medication or to transport it for final destruction.

[0132] Users can remove the vials and bags from 316 for their liquid samples and store them in lockbox 314. Lockbox 314 may be accessible via one or more identification features, such as, but not limited to, fingerprints, retinal scans, personal codes, barcodes, ID badge scans, or other personal identification methods. This user identification can help generate a chain of ownership to determine who has controlled the Rx Intercept vials once they have been removed from lockbox 314. In some cases, lockbox 314 may include a simple lock-key mechanism. In this case, security can be based on only certain individuals having the key and making those individuals responsible for the contents of lockbox 314.

[0133] Door 318 can be used for a variety of purposes. Door 318 can be used to replace the neutralizer and other components of the intelligent drug disposal system 300. Door 318 can be used to remove neutralized liquid from the intelligent drug disposal system 300. Door 318 can be used to access internal components of the system for maintenance. In some cases, door 318 may be accessible via one or more identification features, such as, but not limited to, fingerprints, retinal scans, personal codes, barcodes, ID badge scans, or other personal identification methods. This user identification can help identify who has controlled the intelligent drug disposal system 300. In some cases, door 318 may include a simple lock-and-key mechanism. In this case, security can be based on only certain individuals having the key and making those individuals responsible for the contents of the intelligent drug disposal system 300.

[0134] Liquid bag 322 may include any liquid that may be found in hospitals, pharmacies, third-party drug manufacturers, research laboratories, etc. In some cases, liquid bag 322 may include an IV bag. In some cases, liquid bag 322 may have a hole punched in a segment on one side so that it can be suspended on bracket 302. In some cases, liquid bag 322 may include expired liquid. In some cases, liquid bag 322 may include foreign liquid (e.g., after the preparation or manufacture of a batch of medicine). In some cases, liquid bag 322 may be full, nearly full, half full, mostly empty, or almost completely empty. Regardless of how much liquid is in liquid bag 322, it may be important to track the use of liquid medicines via intelligent drug disposal systems 100, 200, and / or 300.

[0135] Tubing 324 may include IV tubing. Tubing 324 may include tubing such as the coupling mechanism described below. In some cases, tubing 324 is a combination of two types of tubing. For example, IV tubing may be used at the top and extend to the pump, while the coupling mechanism described below may be used in the area above the pump and vice versa. Tubing 324 may include single-use, disposable tubing. Tubing 324 may include reusable tubing. However, if reusable, it may be important to clean and / or sterilize the tubing before reuse to minimize cross-contamination and reactions between past and current medications.

[0136] Figures 4A-4I A perspective view of the intelligent drug dispensing system 400 is shown. Figures 4A-4D ) and schematic side view ( Figures 4E-4I ).

[0137] In some cases, the intelligent drug disposal system 400 can be used in conjunction with the Rx Intercept function to prevent substitution. Rx Intercept includes random, targeted, and / or intelligent (e.g., analytics / AI-based) selection of discarded drugs to identify the type and quantity of the drug. Intercepted drugs are not neutralized but are automatically placed in bags (e.g., transparent drug or hazardous materials bags) for further qualitative analysis by the pharmacy to identify the drug type. For liquid drugs, the drugs can be placed in leak-proof vials. Vials can hold approximately 10 ml of liquid. Vials can hold approximately 5 ml of liquid. Vials can hold approximately 1 ml, approximately 2 ml, approximately 3 ml, approximately 4 ml, approximately 5 ml, approximately 10 ml, approximately 15 ml, approximately 20 ml, or more than approximately 20 ml. Sample bags can have a unique barcode and include a tamper-evident seal. If disposal occurs in an auxiliary pharmacy or mini-pharmacies, the bags can then be transported to the central pharmacy after being placed in a separate transport bag containing multiple sample bags. During transport, the bags can be scanned at each intelligent drug management device to maintain the chain of custody. The removal and destruction of the bags can be performed on camera to continue the complete chain of custody. This can be aided by tamper-proof bags with barcodes. The barcodes can be unique. In some cases, such as when more than one bag can hold the medication, the barcodes can be duplicated. RxIntercept can be used during the collection and / or securing of the medication when creating a chain of custody to inspect the medication or to transport it for final destruction.

[0138] Rx Intercept can be automated or manual. In manual mode, the user can place a sample of liquid to be disposed of into a vial and submit it for review, either through a lockbox stored in a drug intelligent disposal system such as 200 or 300, or by placing the vial into a turntable opening in a drug intelligent disposal system such as 100. In automated mode, the drug intelligent disposal system device itself can transfer samples of liquids to be disposed of randomly or selectively into vials.

[0139] Figure 4A The diagram shows a bracket 402, a measuring cylinder 404, a door 406, a user interface 408, a drug opener storage unit 208, a computing system 210, a recording device 212, a fingerprint scanner 218, and a liquid waste disposal unit 220. The drug opener storage unit 208, computing system 210, recording device 212, fingerprint scanner 218, and liquid waste disposal unit 220 may be similar to the components described above for the intelligent drug disposal system 200.

[0140] The holder 402 can have a variety of uses. The holder 402 can be used to hook liquid sources (e.g., IV bags, other perforated bags), such as... Figure 6JAs shown. Bracket 402 can be used to hold (e.g., from IV lines or from the coupling mechanism described below) additional tubing, such as... Figures 6J-6L As shown.

[0141] Measuring cylinder 404 can be used to receive liquids for measurement. In some cases, measuring cylinder 404 can replace the cup in intelligent drug dispensing systems 100, 200, or 300. Liquid can be poured from a liquid source into measuring cylinder 404 through a tube or coupling mechanism. The measuring cylinder may include a graduated cylinder. The graduated cylinder may have measuring lines (e.g., in milliliters, in ounces, etc.) drawn, etched, or otherwise marked on its side. Figure 4A As shown. Once the measuring cylinder 404 receives liquid, the user can see how much liquid in the measuring cylinder is for disposal based on the measuring line. Once the user has recorded the amount of liquid for disposal, the user can instruct the intelligent drug disposal system 400 to reverse the direction of the pump (e.g., from clockwise to counterclockwise if it is a peristaltic pump, and from positive pressure to negative pressure if it is a vacuum pump) and change the valve to one of the waste containers, thereby removing the liquid from the measuring cylinder 404, as shown. Figures 4E-4G As shown.

[0142] In some cases, the measuring cylinder 404 can be used with a precision balance (e.g., Figure 1A This can be used in conjunction with a precision balance. This can serve as an alternative to or supplement to an approximate visual quantity of liquid to be input into the system by the user. In some cases, the precision balance can be internal to the intelligent drug handling system 400. For example, it can be coupled to a separate container within the intelligent drug handling system 400 for measuring the weight and / or volume of the liquid, similar to... Figure 1A The container is located within the drug intelligent handling system 400. In some cases, the precision balance is external to the system. The precision balance may be coupled to the measuring cylinder 404, and particularly to the graduated cylinder 422. For example, the precision balance may be located within the base 442.

[0143] Door 406 can be used for a variety of purposes. Door 406 can be used to replace the neutralizer and other components of the intelligent drug disposal system 400. Door 406 can be used to remove neutralized liquid from the intelligent drug disposal system 400. Door 406 can be used to access internal components of the system for maintenance. In some cases, door 406 may be accessible via one or more identification features, such as, but not limited to, fingerprints, retinal scans, personal codes, barcodes, ID badge scans, or other personal identification methods. Such user identification can help identify who has controlled the intelligent drug disposal system 400. In some cases, door 406 may include a simple lock-and-key mechanism. In this case, security can be based on only certain individuals having the key and making those individuals responsible for the contents of the intelligent drug disposal system 400.

[0144] User interface 408 may include an interface between the user and computing system 210. In some cases, user interface 408 may include a keyboard, mouse, and other accessories associated with the computing system. In some cases, user interface 408 may include a scanner for user identification (such as, but not limited to, fingerprints, palm prints, hand geometry, finger and / or palm vein patterns, or any other user identifier). In some cases, user interface 408 may be used to scan medications (e.g., vials of liquid medication already poured into a liquid bag, barcodes on liquid bags, barcodes on tubing, etc.).

[0145] In some cases, the intelligent drug disposal system 400 can be used in conjunction with the Rx Intercept function to prevent substitution. Rx Intercept includes random, targeted, and / or intelligent (e.g., analytics / AI-based) selection of discarded drugs to identify the type and quantity of the drug. Intercepted drugs are not neutralized but are automatically placed in bags (e.g., transparent drug or hazardous materials bags) for further qualitative analysis by the pharmacy to identify the drug type. For liquid drugs, the drugs can be placed in leak-proof vials. Vials can hold approximately 10 ml of liquid. Vials can hold approximately 5 ml of liquid. Vials can hold approximately 1 ml, approximately 2 ml, approximately 3 ml, approximately 4 ml, approximately 5 ml, approximately 10 ml, approximately 15 ml, approximately 20 ml, or more than approximately 20 ml. Sample bags can have a unique barcode and include a tamper-evident seal. If disposal occurs in an auxiliary pharmacy or mini-pharmacies, the bags can then be transported to the central pharmacy after being placed in a separate transport bag containing multiple sample bags. During transport, the bags can be scanned at each intelligent drug management device to maintain the chain of custody. The removal and destruction of the bags can be performed on camera to continue the complete chain of custody. This can be aided by tamper-proof bags with barcodes. The barcodes can be unique. In some cases, such as when more than one bag can hold the medication, the barcodes can be duplicated. RxIntercept can be used during the collection and / or securing of the medication when creating a chain of custody to inspect the medication or to transport it for final destruction.

[0146] Figure 4BThe diagram shows a measuring cylinder 404, a pump 414, a waste line 436, a funnel 438, and hazardous / non-hazardous waste containers 416 and 418. Pump 414, waste line 436, funnel 438, and hazardous / non-hazardous waste containers 416 and 418 are housed within a housing 448 of a pharmaceutical intelligent disposal system 400. Hazardous waste can be disposed of in 416 or 418. Non-hazardous waste can be disposed of in 416 or 418. Hazardous and non-hazardous waste can be separated between the two waste containers 416 and 418. Hazardous and non-hazardous waste can be separated between the two waste lines 436. To properly dispose of liquids directed toward waste containers 416 and 418, 416 and 418 may contain neutralizers. As described above, an example of a destroyer may include an Rx Destroyer. TM Drug Buster TM Narc-X TM Pill Terminator TM Element MDS TM CactusSmart Sink TM Mallinckrodt MDS TM Pill Catcher TM and Stericycle CsRx TM One or more of them.

[0147] Measuring cylinder 404 can be used to receive liquids for measurement. In some cases, measuring cylinder 404 can replace the cup in intelligent drug dispensing systems 100, 200, or 300. Liquid can be poured from a liquid source into measuring cylinder 404 through a tube or coupling mechanism. The measuring cylinder may include a graduated cylinder. The graduated cylinder may have measuring lines (e.g., in milliliters, in ounces, etc.) drawn, etched, or otherwise marked on its side. Figure 4B As shown. Once the measuring cylinder 404 receives liquid, the user can see how much liquid in the measuring cylinder is for disposal based on the measuring line. Once the user has recorded the amount of liquid for disposal, the user can instruct the intelligent drug disposal system 400 to reverse the pump direction and switch the valve to one of the waste containers, thereby removing the liquid from the measuring cylinder 404, as shown. Figures 4E-4G As shown.

[0148] Pump 414 can be bidirectional. Pump 414 can guide liquid from a liquid bag to a measuring cylinder 404 and / or from a measuring cylinder 404 to a waste container. Pump 414 can be coupled to a valve. Pump 414 can be physically or fluidly coupled to a valve. The valve can be located between the suction section of pump 414 and the point where the connecting line splits into two waste lines 436. As discussed below, the valve can guide liquid to the correct (hazardous or non-hazardous) waste container based on user-input data.

[0149] Pump 414 can be used to draw liquid from a liquid bag into a pipeline. Pump 414 may include one or more of a plunger pump, peristaltic pump, rotary pump, diaphragm pump, vacuum pump, or any combination thereof.

[0150] Pump 414 can be a peristaltic pump. In a medium-intensity peristaltic pump that does not cause tubing collapse, the peristaltic pump can pump approximately 300 ml in 33 seconds. The peristaltic pump can pump approximately 300 ml in approximately 25 to approximately 40 seconds. The peristaltic pump can pump approximately 300 ml in approximately 25 to approximately 28 seconds, approximately 25 to approximately 31 seconds, approximately 25 to approximately 34 seconds, approximately 25 to approximately 37 seconds, approximately 25 to approximately 40 seconds, approximately 28 to approximately 31 seconds, approximately 28 to approximately 34 seconds, approximately 28 to approximately 37 seconds, approximately 28 to approximately 40 seconds, approximately 31 to approximately 34 seconds, approximately 31 to approximately 37 seconds, approximately 31 to approximately 40 seconds, approximately 34 to approximately 37 seconds, approximately 34 to approximately 40 seconds, or approximately 37 to approximately 40 seconds. A peristaltic pump can deliver approximately 300 ml in approximately 25, 28, 31, 34, 37, or 40 seconds. A peristaltic pump can deliver approximately 300 ml in at least approximately 25, 28, 31, 34, or 37 seconds. A peristaltic pump can deliver approximately 300 ml in at most approximately 28, 31, 34, 37, or 40 seconds.

[0151] Pump 414 can be a vacuum pump. Pump 414 can be a negative pressure pump. Pump 414 can draw liquid from the IV line. This can be achieved indirectly through other lines in the system. For example, pump 414 can control the movement of liquid from the IV line to the containment vessel via valves and lines. In some cases, pump 414 can be a positive pressure pump. Positive pressure can be used to push the liquid to be disposed of and / or residual air toward the Rx destroyer with a neutralizer. Pump 414 can switch between negative and positive pressure. In some cases, there can be multiple vacuum pumps. When there are multiple vacuum pumps, at least one of the pumps can be a negative pressure pump and at least one can be a positive pressure pump, rather than alternating between negative and positive pressure. In this way, the activity levels of multiple pumps (e.g., on / off) can be controlled, rather than switching a single pump between positive and negative pressure states.

[0152] In some cases, in addition to or as an alternative to a pump system, liquid from measuring cylinder 404 can be poured directly into funnel 438 into the relevant hazardous or non-hazardous waste container. In some cases, solid pharmaceutical products (such as, but not limited to, pills, packets, patches, tablets, capsules, etc.) can be disposed of into funnel 438 into the relevant hazardous or non-hazardous waste container.

[0153] Figure 4C A measuring cylinder 404 is shown, comprising a graduated cylinder 422, a liquid container 424, and a cap 426. In use, the liquid container 424 is inside the graduated cylinder 422 and is capped / closed by the cap 426. The liquid container 424 and the cap 426 may be removable from the measuring cylinder 404. The liquid container 424 may be replaceable, disposable, and / or single-use. The liquid container 424 may be reusable because the intelligent drug disposal system 400 may include methods for cleaning systems (including replaceable containers).

[0154] Measuring cylinder 404 can be used to receive liquid for measurement. In some cases, measuring cylinder 404 can replace the cup in intelligent drug dispensing systems 100, 200, or 300. Liquid can be poured from a liquid source into measuring cylinder 404 through a tube or coupling mechanism. Measuring cylinder 404 may include container 424, which receives liquid poured from the liquid source. Measuring cylinder may include graduated cylinder 422. Graduated cylinder 422 may have measuring lines (e.g., in milliliters, in ounces, etc.) drawn, etched, or otherwise marked on its side. Figure 4A As shown. Once the measuring cylinder 404 receives liquid, the user can see how much liquid in the measuring cylinder is for disposal based on the measuring line. Once the user has recorded the amount of liquid for disposal, the user can instruct the intelligent drug disposal system 400 to reverse the pump direction and switch the valve to one of the waste containers, thereby removing the liquid from the measuring cylinder 404, as shown. Figures 4E-4G As shown.

[0155] Figure 4D The lower portion of the measuring cylinder 404 is shown, including a graduated cylinder 422, a Luer lock 428, a conduit 430, an actuator 432, a dial 434, and a base 442. In some cases, the graduated cylinder 422 may be inserted into the base 442. The graduated cylinder 422 may be attached / coupled to the base 442. The graduated cylinder 422 may be removable from the base 442.

[0156] Tubing 430 can be the original tubing from the liquid bag. In some cases, retaining the original tubing used to deliver the liquid from the liquid bag to the object can provide more accurate measurements of the liquid to be disposed of. In some cases, the original tubing can be connected to subsequent tubing in the intelligent drug disposal system 400. In some cases, the tubing of the intelligent drug disposal system 400 can be directly connected to the liquid bag, for example, via a flexible rubber port. In some cases, the negative pressure of the vacuum pump described herein can be sufficient to sequentially or simultaneously aspirate both the liquid bag and the original tubing.

[0157] Tubing 430 may be tubing 500 as described below. Tubing 430 may be a short or long attachment to measuring cylinder 404 that interfaces with other tubing (such as from a liquid bag or tubing 500). Tubing 430 may have one end in which a Luer lock 428 is attached to base 442, and a second end inside the housing of intelligent drug dispensing system 400, such as... Figure 4I As shown.

[0158] Actuator 432 may include a button, slider, switch, or other activation mechanism. Actuator 432 may be used to start and stop the pump of the intelligent drug dispensing system 400.

[0159] Dial 434 may be a click dial that presents setting options. Setting options may include one or more waste containers. Setting options may include two waste containers. Setting options may include the number of waste containers plus additional options for external contact. Setting options may include, for example, external contact with tubing connected to a liquid bag or cleaning solution. A user can rotate the click dial to rotate a valve in the intelligent drug disposal system 400 described below, thereby changing the direction of liquid flow. By rotating the valve with dial 434 so that it is not aligned with tubing connected to the liquid bag, dial 434 can be used to prevent liquid from entering the intelligent drug disposal system 400.

[0160] In some cases, the computer system of the intelligent drug disposal system can control the dial, rather than the user physically turning it. In some cases, the dial 434 may still exist but be inaccessible to the user, making the dial an external indication of the valve's internal position. In some cases, the dial 434 may exist and be accessible, allowing the user to change the waste container between hazardous and non-hazardous if they believe the computer system is incorrect (e.g., for compound drugs that become hazardous due to preparation). In some cases, the dial may not be present on the measuring cylinder 404, and control of the valve may not be visible to the user. When the computer system controls the valve, particularly the rotary valve 412, the computer system may rotate the valve based on (i) which step of the waste process the system is in (e.g., extraction from the liquid bag, extraction from the measuring cylinder 404, etc.) and / or (ii) the direction of the pump. The computer controls the valve based on input information about the drug (such as the drug name and whether it is hazardous or non-hazardous). In some cases, if the drug is common enough to be present in a hazardous drug database that the computer may contain, only the name is used.

[0161] As mentioned in this article, depending on the stage of the treatment, a vacuum pump can provide negative or positive pressure, and a peristaltic pump can rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. The direction indicator for the peristaltic pump is... Figures 4A-4G In this configuration, when using a vacuum pump, a negative pressure is supplied to move the liquid from the IV bag or IV line into the containment cylinder, and then a positive pressure is applied. If the containment cylinder is coupled to a precision balance, the amount of liquid being weighed can be disposed of, and the positive pressure directs the liquid from the containment cylinder to the associated waste container. In some cases, positive pressure can be used to move the liquid into the measuring cylinder 404, and then the negative and positive pressures can be circulated to move the liquid to the associated waste container.

[0162] Figures 4E-4G The diagram shows a measuring cylinder 404, a liquid bag 410, a valve 412, a pump 414, a first waste container 416, a second waste container 418, a Luer lock and / or a check valve 420, and a waste line 436. Figure 4H The cleaning solution 446 is shown to be processed by, for example... Figures 4E-4G The illustrated intelligent drug handling system 400 follows a path until the solution reaches the measuring cylinder 404. The cleaning solution 446 can proceed through any or all tubing and can also enter the measuring cylinder 404 for cleaning. Figure 4G The diagram illustrates consumable and replaceable components of the intelligent drug dispensing system 400, including container 424 and tubing 444. In each figure, 448 may show an area within the housing of the intelligent drug dispensing system 400.

[0163] like Figures 4E-4GAs shown, when measuring the liquid in the liquid bag 410, the valve can be straight-through, and the pump can pump from the direction of the liquid bag 410 towards the measuring cylinder 404. Once the bag is empty, the user can visually measure the amount of liquid in the measuring cylinder to determine the amount of liquid to be disposed of. The user can wait until the pump has finished pumping the liquid in the tubing into the measuring cylinder 404 for a more accurate reading. Once the liquid has been measured, the user can influence the direction of the valve to direct the liquid waste to one waste line or another waste line to guide it into the non-hazardous / hazardous waste container 416 or 418. To accomplish this, the pump direction can be automatically reversed by the intelligent drug disposal system 400 or manually reversed by the user (e.g., when the user enters the drug type). For example, the pump direction can be coupled to the direction of valve 412 such that the pump can be reversed if the user turns dial 434 onto either of the waste containers.

[0164] In some cases, the intelligent drug dispensing system 400 may include one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or more piping lines. In some cases, the intelligent drug dispensing system 400 may include eight piping lines. A first piping line may exist from an external liquid source (e.g., liquid bag 410 or cleaning solution 446) to the top of the intelligent drug dispensing system 400 or between the internal and external areas of the intelligent drug dispensing system 400. A second piping line may exist from the first piping line into the intelligent drug dispensing system 400. The second piping line may be movable with the pump 414, allowing the connection between the first piping lines to migrate or be shifted shallowly within the housing of the intelligent drug dispensing system 400 below the valve 412. A third piping line may exist from the second piping line through the pump 414 and to the other side of the pump 414, while remaining within the housing of the intelligent drug dispensing system 400. In some cases, the second end of the third tubing can be flush with the first end (e.g., when the second tubing terminates shallowly within the intelligent drug delivery system 400, such as...). Figure 4I (As shown). In some cases, the second end of the third conduit can be higher than the first end, such as... Figure 4HAs shown. A fourth conduit may exist from the third conduit to the measuring cylinder 404. The fourth conduit may include a conduit 430 attached to the base 442 of the measuring cylinder 404 via a Luer lock 428. A fifth and sixth conduit may exist protruding from the valve 412 toward the waste container, and may be attached to a seventh and eighth conduit, which are also attached to the waste container. The fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth conduits may constitute waste line 436. The third, seventh, and eighth conduits 444 may be replaceable and / or consumable. In some cases, such as when there are more or fewer waste containers, more or fewer conduits may exist.

[0165] Measuring cylinder 404 can be used to receive liquids for measurement. In some cases, measuring cylinder 404 can replace the cup in intelligent drug dispensing systems 100, 200, or 300. Liquid can be poured from a liquid source into measuring cylinder 404 through a tube or coupling mechanism. Measuring cylinder 404 may include container 424, which receives liquid poured from the liquid source. Measuring cylinder 404 may include a graduated cylinder. Measuring cylinder 404 may have measuring lines (e.g., in milliliters, in ounces, etc.) drawn, etched, or otherwise marked on its side. Figure 4A As shown. Once the measuring cylinder 404 receives liquid, the user can see how much liquid in the measuring cylinder is for disposal based on the measuring line. Once the user has recorded the amount of liquid for disposal, the user can instruct the intelligent drug disposal system 400 to reverse the pump direction and switch the valve to one of the waste containers, thereby removing the liquid from the measuring cylinder 404, as shown. Figures 4E-4G As shown.

[0166] Liquid bag 410 may include another liquid medication. Liquid bag 410 may include any liquid that may be found in hospitals, pharmacies, third-party drug manufacturers, research laboratories, etc. In some cases, liquid bag 410 may include an IV bag. In some cases, liquid bag 410 may have a hole punched in a segment on one side so that it can be suspended on a support. In some cases, liquid bag 410 may include expired liquid. In some cases, liquid bag 410 may include foreign liquid (e.g., after the preparation or manufacture of a batch of medication). The liquid may be viscous. In some cases, liquid bag 410 may be full, nearly full, half full, mostly empty, or almost completely empty. Regardless of how much liquid is in liquid bag 410, it may be important to track the use of liquid medications via intelligent drug disposal systems 100, 200, 300, and / or 400.

[0167] Valve 412 may be electrically or physically connected to dial 434, allowing valve 412 to be controlled by dial 434. Valve 412 may include a single tunnel opening that, when rotated, determines the direction of the liquid. The tunnel may be straight, diagonal, or curved. In a first position, the single tunnel opening may be substantially vertical, allowing it to connect tubing from liquid bag 410 to other tubing in the intelligent drug dispensing system 400 that subsequently advances to measuring cylinder 404. This can be for inlet or measurement orientation. Figure 4E In some cases, a single tube rack opening can be substantially diagonal, such that it connects the tubing from measuring cylinder 404 to one of the waste lines 436. In this orientation, there is no inlet for liquid from liquid bag 410. Therefore, this orientation can also be used to block the inflow even when no liquid is being actively moved from measuring cylinder 404 to waste containers 416 and 418. This orientation can be a waste orientation ( Figures 4F-4G ).

[0168] Pump 414 can be bidirectional. Pump 414 can guide liquid from a liquid bag to a measuring cylinder 404 and / or from a measuring cylinder 404 to a waste container. Pump 414 can be coupled to valve 412. Pump 414 can be physically or fluidly coupled to the valve. The valve can be located between the suction section of pump 414 and the point where the connecting line splits into two waste lines 436. As discussed above, the valve can guide liquid to the correct (hazardous or non-hazardous) waste container based on user-input data or based on how the user turns dial 434.

[0169] Pump 414 can be used to draw liquid from a liquid bag into a pipeline. Pump 414 may include one or more of a plunger pump, peristaltic pump, rotary pump, diaphragm pump, vacuum pump, or any combination thereof.

[0170] Pump 414 can be a peristaltic pump. In a medium-intensity peristaltic pump that does not cause tubing collapse, the peristaltic pump can pump approximately 300 ml in 33 seconds. The peristaltic pump can pump approximately 300 ml in approximately 25 to approximately 40 seconds. The peristaltic pump can pump approximately 300 ml in approximately 25 to approximately 28 seconds, approximately 25 to approximately 31 seconds, approximately 25 to approximately 34 seconds, approximately 25 to approximately 37 seconds, approximately 25 to approximately 40 seconds, approximately 28 to approximately 31 seconds, approximately 28 to approximately 34 seconds, approximately 28 to approximately 37 seconds, approximately 28 to approximately 40 seconds, approximately 31 to approximately 34 seconds, approximately 31 to approximately 37 seconds, approximately 31 to approximately 40 seconds, approximately 34 to approximately 37 seconds, approximately 34 to approximately 40 seconds, or approximately 37 to approximately 40 seconds. A peristaltic pump can deliver approximately 300 ml in approximately 25, 28, 31, 34, 37, or 40 seconds. A peristaltic pump can deliver approximately 300 ml in at least approximately 25, 28, 31, 34, or 37 seconds. A peristaltic pump can deliver approximately 300 ml in at most approximately 28, 31, 34, 37, or 40 seconds.

[0171] Pump 414 can be a vacuum pump. Pump 414 can be a negative pressure pump. Pump 414 can draw liquid from the IV line. This can be achieved indirectly through other lines in the system. For example, pump 414 can control the movement of liquid from the IV line to the containment vessel via valves and lines. In some cases, pump 414 can be a positive pressure pump. Positive pressure can be used to push the liquid to be disposed of and / or residual air toward the Rx destroyer with a neutralizer. Pump 414 can switch between negative and positive pressure. In some cases, there can be multiple vacuum pumps. When there are multiple vacuum pumps, at least one of the pumps can be a negative pressure pump and at least one can be a positive pressure pump, rather than alternating between negative and positive pressure. In this way, the activity levels of multiple pumps (e.g., on / off) can be controlled, rather than switching a single pump between positive and negative pressure states.

[0172] Hazardous waste can be disposed of in waste containers 416 or 418. Non-hazardous waste can be disposed of in waste containers 416 or 418. Hazardous and non-hazardous waste can be separated between the two waste containers 416 and 418. Hazardous and non-hazardous waste can be separated between the two waste lines 436.

[0173] Connections between pipelines can be Luer locks and / or check valves 420. Luer locks can facilitate connecting pipeline networks within and outside the intelligent drug dispensing system 400. Figure 1A Similar to the check valve in the pump, the check valve helps to minimize contamination of the device by liquids being processed. The check valve 420, which connects to the pump from both containment chambers, prevents contaminated air or liquid from flowing back into the pump from the containment chambers.

[0174] Tubing devices used with drug delivery systems In some embodiments, the liquid management system or apparatus provided herein may include a coupling module coupled to a liquid container to allow the extraction of residual liquid from the liquid container. In some cases, the coupling module may be compatible with one or more types (e.g., multiple types) of liquid containers. For example, even if the liquid container is not specifically designed to be coupled to the coupling module in the liquid management system, the coupling module may be configured to be coupled to the liquid container to extract at least a portion of the residual liquid from the liquid container.

[0175] The liquid management device may include one or more coupling modules (e.g., at least or at most about 1, at least or at most about 2, at least or at most about 3, at least or at most about 4, at least or at most about 5, at least or at most about 6, at least or at most about 7, at least or at most about 8, at least or at most about 9 or at least or at most about 10 coupling modules).

[0176] In some implementations, the coupling module may include a visual code that can be scanned to track or monitor user use of the coupling module, for example, during the disposal of excess liquid from a liquid container. The visual code may be a machine-readable code (MRC), such as, for example, a barcode (e.g., a linear barcode, a matrix barcode, etc.).

[0177] In some implementations, the visual code of the coupling module may be a reconfigurable visual code (RVC). A portion of the coupling module (e.g., an arm) may include a portion of the RVC, and additional portions of the coupling module (e.g., different arms of the coupling module body) may include additional portions of the RVC, such that engagement of the coupling module with the liquid container (e.g., for creating an opening in the liquid container) enables the combination of the portion of the RVC with the additional portions of the RVC, thereby forming a functional visual code. The functional visual code may be readable (e.g., via a user identification device provided herein or a separate user device) to confirm the proper installation and / or use of the coupling module. In some cases, the RVC on the coupling module may be configured so that it does not form a functional visual code unless the coupling module is properly coupled to the liquid container.

[0178] In some implementations, at least a portion of the coupling module (e.g., including one or more arms, one or more channels, and / or flow meters) may be attached to a station (e.g., the station's housing). For example, at least a portion of the coupling module may be a permanent fixture of the station. Alternatively, at least a portion of the coupling module may be a replaceable module.

[0179] The coupling module of the liquid management device may include an arm (e.g., one or more arms) to contact a liquid container and create an opening (e.g., a hole, tear, etc.) that can be used to extract at least a portion of the remaining liquid. The liquid container may not include such an opening before the coupling module creates it. The created opening may or may not be a pinhole. The arm may be coupled to the body of the coupling module. The arm may not be configured to move relative to the body. Alternatively, the arm may be configured to move relative to the body, for example, by means of a hinge including one or more degrees of freedom axes (e.g., selected from x, y, z, pitch, yaw, and roll).

[0180] In some implementations, the cross-sectional shape of the opening can be circular, triangular, quadrilateral (e.g., square, rectangle, rhombus, trapezoid, parallelogram, etc.), pentagonal, hexagonal, or any partial shape or combination thereof.

[0181] In some embodiments, the coupling module can be configured to create an opening in the liquid container, and the opening can have a cross-sectional dimension of at least or at most about 1 mm, at least or at most about 2 mm, at least or at most about 3 mm, at least or at most about 4 mm, at least or at most about 5 mm, at least or at most about 6 mm, at least or at most about 7 mm, at least or at most about 8 mm, at least or at most about 9 mm, at least or at most about 10 mm, at least or at most about 15 mm, at least or at most about 20 mm, at least or at most about 30 mm, at least or at most about 40 mm, at least or at most about 50 mm, at least or at most about 60 mm, at least or at most about 70 mm, at least or at most about 80 mm, at least or at most about 90 mm, or at least or at most about 100 mm. In some embodiments, the opening can have at least or at most about 1 square millimeter (mm²). 2 ), at least or at most about 2 mm 2 At least or at most about 3 mm 2 At least or at most about 4mm 2 At least or at most about 5 mm 2 At least or at most about 6 mm 2 At least or at most about 7mm 2 At least or at most about 8 mm 2 At least or at most about 9 mm 2 At least or at most about 10 mm 2 At least or at most about 15 mm 2 At least or at most about 20 mm 2 At least or at most about 30 mm 2 At least or at most about 40 mm 2At least or at most about 50 mm 2 At least or at most about 60 mm 2 At least or at most about 70 mm 2 At least or at most about 80 mm 2 At least or at most about 90mm 2 At least or at most about 100 mm 2 At least or at most about 150 mm 2 At least or at most about 200 mm 2 At least or at most about 300 mm 2 At least or at most about 400 mm 2 Or a cross-sectional area of ​​at least or at most about 500 mm2 (e.g., an open area that allows excess liquid to flow).

[0182] In some implementations, the relative movement (or permitted relative movement) between the arm and the body of the coupling module can be at least or at most about 5 degrees, at least or at most about 10 degrees, at least or at most about 15 degrees, at least or at most about 20 degrees, at least or at most about 30 degrees, at least or at most about 40 degrees, at least or at most about 50 degrees, at least or at most about 60 degrees, at least or at most about 70 degrees, at least or at most about 80 degrees, at least or at most about 90 degrees, at least or at most about 100 degrees, at least or at most about 110 degrees, at least or at most about 120 degrees, at least or at most about 150 degrees, or at least or at most about 180 degrees.

[0183] In some embodiments, the relative movement (or permitted relative movement) between the arm and the body of the coupling module can be at least or at most about 1 mm, at least or at most about 2 mm, at least or at most about 3 mm, at least or at most about 4 mm, at least or at most about 5 mm, at least or at most about 6 mm, at least or at most about 7 mm, at least or at most about 8 mm, at least or at most about 9 mm, at least or at most about 10 mm, at least or at most about 15 mm, at least or at most about 20 mm, at least or at most about 30 mm, at least or at most about 40 mm, at least or at most about 50 mm, at least or at most about 60 mm, at least or at most about 70 mm, at least or at most about 80 mm, at least or at most about 90 mm, or at least or at most about 100 mm.

[0184] In some embodiments, the coupling module may include an arm that can be used (e.g., may be sufficient) to create an opening in the liquid container. Alternatively, the coupling module may include multiple arms (e.g., multiple arms movable relative to the body of the coupling module) that can be used (e.g., may be sufficient) to create an opening in the liquid container. In some cases, moving the multiple arms toward each other while positioning at least a portion of the liquid container between the multiple arms, such that the relative movement of the multiple arms toward each other can result in the creation of one or more openings in at least a portion of the liquid container. For example, the operation of the coupling module may resemble the operation of a clamping nail remover, where at least two arms of the coupling module may squeeze and clamp onto at least a portion of the liquid container to create an opening in at least a portion of the liquid container. In some embodiments, the relative movement mechanism for creating an opening between the coupling module (e.g., the arms of the coupling module) and the liquid container may be punching, twisting, gripping, clenching, rolling, rotating, etc.

[0185] In some embodiments, the arm of the coupling module may include protrusions (e.g., sharp protrusions such as toothed protrusions) configured to pierce the outer surface of a liquid container to create one or more openings in the liquid container. For example, movement of the arm relative to the body may induce the protrusions of the arm to pierce the outer surface of the liquid container. Alternatively, relative movement of at least the arm (whether or not the arm is moving relative to the body) by a user of the coupling module may enable the arm and its protrusions to pierce the outer surface of the liquid container. The arm may include one or more protrusions (e.g., at least or at most about 2, at least or at most about 3, at least or at most about 4, at least or at most about 5, at least or at most about 6, at least or at most about 7, at least or at most about 8, at least or at most about 9, or at least or at most about 10 protrusions).

[0186] In some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion can be circular, triangular, quadrilateral (e.g., square, rectangle, rhombus, trapezoid, parallelogram, etc.), pentagonal, hexagonal, or any partial shape or combination thereof.

[0187] In some embodiments, the protrusion of the arm of the coupling module may have a cross-sectional dimension of at least or at most about 1 mm, at least or at most about 2 mm, at least or at most about 3 mm, at least or at most about 4 mm, at least or at most about 5 mm, at least or at most about 6 mm, at least or at most about 7 mm, at least or at most about 8 mm, at least or at most about 9 mm, at least or at most about 10 mm, at least or at most about 15 mm, at least or at most about 20 mm, at least or at most about 30 mm, at least or at most about 40 mm, at least or at most about 50 mm, at least or at most about 60 mm, at least or at most about 70 mm, at least or at most about 80 mm, at least or at most about 90 mm, or at least or at most about 100 mm. In some embodiments, the protrusion of the arm of the coupling module may have a cross-sectional dimension of at least or at most about 1 mm², at least or at most about 2 mm. 2 At least or at most about 3 mm 2 At least or at most about 4 mm 2 At least or at most about 5 mm 2 At least or at most about 6 mm 2 At least or at most about 7 mm 2 At least or at most about 8mm 2 At least or at most about 9 mm 2 At least or at most about 10 mm 2 At least or at most about 15 mm 2 At least or at most about 20 mm 2 At least or at most about 30 mm 2 At least or at most about 40 mm 2 At least or at most about 50 mm 2 At least or at most about 60 mm 2 At least or at most about 70 mm 2 At least or at most about 80 mm 2 At least or at most about 90 mm 2 At least or at most about 100 mm 2 At least or at most about 150 mm 2 At least or at most about 200 mm 2 At least or at most about 300 mm 2 At least or at most about 400 mm 2 or at least or at most about 500 mm 2 The cross-sectional area (e.g., the open area that allows excess liquid to flow).

[0188] In some embodiments, the opening created by the coupling module on the liquid container can allow excess liquid to flow at a rate of at least or at most about 10 drops per minute (ggt / min), at least or at most about 20 ggt / min, at least or at most about 30 ggt / min, at least or at most about 40 ggt / min, at least or at most about 50 ggt / min, at least or at most about 60 ggt / min, at least or at most about 70 ggt / min, at least or at most about 80 ggt / min, at least or at most about 90 ggt / min, at least or at most about 100 ggt / min, at least or at most about 120 ggt / min, at least or at most about 150 ggt / min, at least or at most about 200 ggt / min, at least or at most about 300 ggt / min, at least or at most about 400 ggt / min, at least or at most about 500 ggt / min, at least or at most about 600 ggt / min, at least or at most about 700 ggt / min. Flow rates of at least 800 ggt / min, at least 900 ggt / min, at least 1,000 ggt / min, at least 2,000 ggt / min, at least 3,000 ggt / min, at least 4,000 ggt / min, or at least 5,000 ggt / min.

[0189] In some embodiments, the opening created by the coupling module on the liquid container may allow excess liquid to flow at a rate of at least or at most about 1 liter per hour (L / hr), at least or at most about 2 L / hr, at least or at most about 3 L / hr, at least or at most about 4 L / hr, at least or at most about 5 L / hr, at least or at most about 6 L / hr, at least or at most about 7 L / hr, at least or at most about 8 L / hr, at least or at most about 9 L / hr, at least or at most about 10 L / hr, at least or at most about 15 L / hr, at least or at most about 20 L / hr, at least or at most about 30 L / hr, at least or at most about 40 L / hr, at least or at most about 50 L / hr, at least or at most about 60 L / hr, at least or at most about 70 L / hr, at least or at most about 80 L / hr, at least or at most about 90 L / hr, at least or at most about 100 L / hr, at least or at most about 120 L / hr, at least or at most about 150 L / hr, at least or at most about 200 L / hr. Flow rates of at least 300 L / hr, at least 400 L / hr, at least 500 L / hr, at least 600 L / hr, at least 700 L / hr, at least 800 L / hr, at least 900 L / hr, at least 1,000 L / hr, at least 2,000 L / hr, at least 3,000 L / hr, at least 4,000 L / hr, or at least 5,000 L / hr.

[0190] In some implementations, the coupling module may include a channel (e.g., a conduit such as a pipe, tube, funnel, etc.) to receive and guide the flow of liquid extracted from a liquid container (e.g., into a liquid collector provided herein). The channel may be a permanent part of the coupling module. Alternatively, the channel may be reversibly coupled to the coupling module (e.g., removable from the coupling module).

[0191] In some implementations, once the coupling module contacts the liquid container and creates an opening in the liquid container, the channel of the coupling module can be in liquid communication with the opening of the liquid container. This liquid communication can be substantially sealed off from the atmosphere, for example, preventing any other foreign matter from the surrounding environment outside the liquid container and the coupling module from entering the channel. Alternatively, the liquid communication between the opening and the channel may not be, and does not need to be, sealed off from the atmosphere. For example, when the coupling module remains coupled to the drug container after creating an opening, a gap may exist between the opening of the liquid container and the channel of the coupling module, and at least a portion of the inlet orifice of the channel may be positioned below the opening of the liquid container, thereby guiding excess liquid flowing out of the opening (e.g., by gravity) through the gap toward / into the inlet orifice of the channel.

[0192] In some embodiments, the gap length between the opening of the liquid container and the inlet port of the channel of the coupling module (e.g., the gap length between the opening and the inlet port along the liquid flow axis) can be at least or at most about 1 mm, at least or at most about 2 mm, at least or at most about 3 mm, at least or at most about 4 mm, at least or at most about 5 mm, at least or at most about 6 mm, at least or at most about 7 mm, at least or at most about 8 mm, at least or at most about 9 mm, at least or at most about 10 mm, at least or at most about 15 mm, at least or at most about 20 mm, at least or at most about 30 mm, at least or at most about 40 mm, at least or at most about 50 mm, at least or at most about 60 mm, at least or at most about 70 mm, at least or at most about 80 mm, at least or at most about 90 mm, or at least or at most about 100 mm.

[0193] In some implementations, the coupling module may include a liquid flow regulator (e.g., a liquid pump) configured to regulate the rate at which excess liquid flows out of the liquid container's opening and into the inlet of the channel leading to the coupling module. Alternatively, the coupling module may not have, and does not require, such a liquid flow regulator, but instead relies on the natural flow of excess liquid out of the liquid container (e.g., gravity flow).

[0194] In some implementations, the channel may be operatively coupled to a flow meter configured to detect, measure, or estimate the amount of excess liquid entering and / or flowing through the channel. The flow meter may or may not be further configured to regulate or alter the flow rate of excess liquid through the channel. The flow meter may be permanently coupled to the channel. Alternatively, the flow meter may be reversibly coupled to the channel (e.g., removable from the channel). Non-limiting examples of flow meters may include magnetic (e.g., electromagnetic) flow meters, ultrasonic flow meters, vortex flow meters, Coriolis flow meters, thermally dispersive (e.g., thermomass) flow meters, variable area (e.g., rotor) flow meters, differential pressure flow meters, volumetric (e.g., gear) flow meters, impeller (e.g., turbine) flow meters, turbine flow meters, baffle (e.g., vane, blade, target) flow meters, oscillating flow meters, and open channel (e.g., optical sensor, ultrasonic sensor) flow meters.

[0195] In some embodiments, the channel may include an inlet (e.g., for receiving excess liquid from a liquid container) and an outlet. The outlet may be in liquid communication with a liquid collector to receive and store excess liquid collected from the liquid container. The liquid communication between the outlet of the channel and the liquid collector may be substantially sealed to the atmosphere, for example, preventing any other foreign matter from the liquid collector and the external environment surrounding the outlet of the channel from entering the channel. Alternatively, the liquid communication between the outlet and the liquid collector may not be, and does not need to be, sealed to the atmosphere. In some embodiments, the channel may not be configured and / or may not be used for liquid communication with intravenous (IV) lines or with the user's body (e.g., the patient's blood flow).

[0196] In some implementations, the flow meter may be coupled to a location along the length of the channel. This location along the channel length may be closer to the channel's inlet or outlet, closer to the channel's outlet, or substantially between the channel's inlet and outlet. Alternatively, the channel may comprise multiple channels (e.g., multiple tubes) in fluid communication with each other, including (i) a first channel directly coupled to a liquid container (e.g., a source of raw liquid) and (ii) a second channel in fluid communication with both the first channel and a liquid collector (e.g., in closer contact with the liquid collector than the first channel), and the flow meter may be coupled to either the first or second channel to detect, measure, or estimate the nature (e.g., quantity) of excess liquid removed from the liquid container.

[0197] In some implementations, the flow meter may include or be operatively coupled to (e.g., in digital communication with) an analysis module configured to (i) acquire data from the flow meter indicating the amount of excess liquid extracted from the liquid container, (ii) store such data in a database (e.g., a hard database, an online database, a blockchain database, etc.), and / or (iii) analyze such data. The analysis module may communicate digitally with the flow meter to digitally acquire data from it. Alternatively, the analysis module may utilize sensors (e.g., a camera) to observe at least a portion of the flow meter, such that the sensors can capture images and / or video of the flow meter's display, which is (e.g., substantially in real-time) displaying the amount of excess liquid flowing through or having flowed through the channel. For example, a user may provide an estimate of the amount of excess liquid in the liquid container to the liquid management system (e.g., via a user's device or a graphical user interface (GUI) of the liquid management system's device), and the analysis module may use the data from the flow meter to calculate and / or confirm the actual amount of excess liquid extracted from the liquid container. The analysis module can be configured to store such calculations and / or confirmations in a database for security, tracking, and / or monitoring purposes.

[0198] In some implementations, the analysis module may be operatively coupled to the user identification device (e.g., camera, scanner, sensor, magnetic stripe reader, etc.) provided herein to acquire and / or analyze data indicating a user or user use of the liquid management system (e.g., during the removal of excess liquid from a liquid container and its disposal) for security, tracking, and / or monitoring purposes.

[0199] In some implementations, the analysis module may be operatively coupled to the monitoring module (e.g., similar to or substantially the same as the drug monitoring module provided herein) to obtain and / or analyze data indicating one or more properties of excess liquid removed from and collected from the liquid container.

[0200] In some implementations, the terms "analysis module" and "analysis engine" are used interchangeably herein. An analysis engine can be configured to analyze data using one or more algorithms. The one or more algorithms used by the analysis engine may include natural language processing (NLP), computer vision systems, or statistical models. Computer vision systems may include artificial intelligence (AI), deep learning, or optical character recognition (OCR) capabilities.

[0201] In some implementations, the analytics engine may (directly or indirectly) acquire data including information about the user and excess liquid being disposed of or stored in a liquid collector. Examples of such data may include one or more electromagnetic spectra (e.g., absorption and / or reflection of light), images, videos, and / or the weight of the disposed / stored excess liquid. The analytics engine may be configured to analyze the data using one or more algorithms (e.g., AI algorithms provided herein) to track user compliance with liquid distribution / disposal instructions or directives. The analytics engine may be configured to provide the user with the progress or results of the analysis via a display of the liquid management system, the user's user device, or the user device of the user's supervisor or the administrator of the liquid management system. The analytics engine may be configured to approve one or more reward programs for the user based on the analysis of the disposed / stored medication. Non-limiting examples of rewards may include incentives such as bonuses or salary payments, coupons, gift cards, etc. In some cases, such rewards may be offered to the user after the medication has been properly disposed of / stored in the medication management system.

[0202] In some implementations, the coupling module can be used for a single purpose. Once a coupling module is used to remove excess liquid from a first liquid container and collect it into a liquid collector, a different coupling module can be used to remove excess liquid from another liquid container and collect it into the same or a different liquid collector. Alternatively, the coupling module can be used multiple times, for example, at least or at most about 2 times, at least or at most about 3 times, at least or at most about 4 times, at least or at most about 5 times, at least or at most about 6 times, at least or at most about 7 times, at least or at most about 8 times, at least or at most about 9 times, at least or at most about 10 times, at least or at most about 15 times, at least or at most about 20 times, at least or at most about 30 times, at least or at most about 40 times, or at least or at most about 50 times.

[0203] In some implementations, the coupling module may include a locking mechanism (e.g., a self-locking mechanism) such that, after the coupling module is engaged with the liquid container and creates an opening in the liquid container, the configuration of the coupling module (e.g., the position of the arm relative to the body of the coupling module) can be locked (e.g., substantially fixed) in a locked position to allow excess liquid to be extracted from the liquid container and / or collected into an inlet orifice of the coupling module's channel. The locking mechanism may or may not be reversible. Non-limiting locking mechanisms may include mechanical locks (e.g., keyhole locking mechanisms, spring locking mechanisms, etc.) or magnetic locks (e.g., electromagnetic locks).

[0204] In some implementations, users may be required to discard the empty liquid container after discarding any excess liquid from it.

[0205] In some implementations, the liquid collector may be a container, bottle, or tray (e.g., an open tray).

[0206] In some implementations, at least a portion of the coupling module (e.g., one or more arms, channels, etc.) may display markings to indicate its specific purpose. The markings may be displayed (e.g., printed) on the surface of at least a portion of the coupling module, or may be affixed to at least a portion of the coupling module. Non-limiting examples of markings may include images, symbols, letters (e.g., alphabetic characters), words, etc. For example, the markings may be “FOR WASTE,” “FOR WASTE ONLY,” “NOT FOR INFUSION,” “DO NOT CONNECT TO CATHETER,” etc. For example, channels of the coupling module may be prefabricated with “FOR WASTE ONLY” markings printed on the surface (e.g., the outer surface) of the channel to prevent or reduce the likelihood of a user using the channel or coupling module for unapproved purposes (e.g., for guiding fluid from a fluid container to a patient).

[0207] In some implementations, the coupling module may be provided separately, for example, separately from the liquid container and / or liquid collector. Alternatively, the coupling module may be provided as part of a kit, and the kit may further include the liquid container and / or liquid collector. For example, the kit may include an IV bag and the coupling module. In another example, the kit may include the coupling module and the liquid collector.

[0208] In some implementations, the liquid container may not be a body, a part thereof, or a derivative thereof. For example, the liquid container may not be a human object such as a patient.

[0209] In some implementations, the coupling module provided herein can be configured or used to measure IV fluid removed from an IV bag. The coupling module may be referred to as a Measure IV Fluid Calculating Clamp (MICC) line.

[0210] Figure 5 A perspective view of a conduit as an example of the coupling mechanism described above is shown. Conduit 500 may include a puncture device 502, a Luer interface 504, a flexible tube 506, and a rigid tube 508. Conduit 500 may include a single-use conduit. Conduit 500 may be disposable.

[0211] The puncture device 502 can be used to couple to an IV bag and other fluid bags described above by puncturing the bag. For example, the puncture device 502 can be inserted into a soft rubber port of the IV bag, which can be a second inlet port where medication can initially be injected into the IV bag. The Luer connector 504 can be used for extension assembly. For example, when the IV bag already has its own tubing, the Luer connector 504 can be used to connect to that tubing. The Luer locking side 504 can also be locked to a drug delivery system. The flexible tube 506 can be used in a variety of ways. For example, the flexible tube 506 can be hooked over an IV stent or other stents described above. The flexible tube 506 can be inserted into or guided along a pump, such as... Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown in Figure B, the shape of the rigid tube 508 can be designed to position the end of the funnel opening. For example, this funnel nozzle could be the nozzle of a pump assembly, such as... Figure 6D As shown. A funnel can also be... Figure 2 The hole in the lid of the cup. A more rigid material can help keep the end of the tube in a position with less movement, thus minimizing splashing during the extraction of liquid from the liquid bag into the cup or other container.

[0212] Piping 500 may include one or more of the following: polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, low-density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, polyisobutylene, poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) copolymer, lightweight aluminum foil and combinations thereof, stainless steel alloys, commercially pure titanium, titanium alloys, silver alloys, copper alloys, grade 5 titanium, superelastic titanium alloys, cobalt-chromium alloys, stainless steel alloys, superelastic metal alloys (e.g., nickel-titanium), ceramics and their composites (such as calcium phosphate (e.g., SKELITE)). TM Thermoplastics such as polyaryletherketone (PAEK) (including polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) and polyetherketone (PEK)), carbon-PEEK composites, PEEK-BaSO4 polymer rubber, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), fabrics, silicone, polyurethane, silicone-polyurethane copolymers, polymer rubber, polyolefin rubber, hydrogels, semi-rigid and rigid materials, elastomers, rubber, thermoplastic elastomers, thermosetting elastomers, elastomer composites, rigid polymers (including polyphenylene, polyamide, polyimide, polyetherimide, polyethylene, epoxy resins), glass and combinations thereof.

[0213] Methods of handling liquid medicines This document discloses methods of using the intelligent drug disposal system disclosed herein. In some cases, the intelligent drug disposal system disclosed herein can be used in conjunction with the coupling mechanism disclosed above. In some cases, the intelligent drug disposal system disclosed herein can be used in conjunction with the original coupling mechanism (e.g., original tubing) of the IV bag. In some cases, retaining the original tubing for delivering liquid from the liquid bag to the object can provide more accurate measurements of the liquid to be disposed of. In some cases, the original tubing can be connected to subsequent tubing in the intelligent drug disposal system. In some cases, the tubing of the intelligent drug disposal system can be directly connected to the liquid bag, for example, through a flexible rubber port. In some cases, the negative pressure of the vacuum pump described herein can be sufficient to sequentially or simultaneously aspirate both the liquid bag and the original tubing.

[0214] Figures 6A-6F An enlarged view showing how to use the intelligent drug disposal system 300 is shown. Figure 6A A smart drug delivery system 300 is shown, comprising a stent 302, a liquid bag 322, and tubing 324. Figure 6B The piping 324 and pump 306 of the intelligent drug handling system 300 are shown. Figures 6C-6D A drug intelligent disposal system 300 is shown, comprising a cup 304, a pump 306, and tubing 324. Figure 6E A drug intelligent disposal system 300 is shown, including a pump 306, a pipeline 324, and a recording device 312. Figure 6F A smart drug disposal system 300 is shown, comprising a cup 304 and a liquid disposer 320. The liquid disposer 320 may lead to one or more waste containers (such as those discussed above), which may contain a drug neutralizer. As mentioned above, an example of a destroyer may include Rx Destroyer. TM Drug Buster TM Narc-X TM Pill Terminator TM Element MDS TM Cactus Smart Sink TM Mallinckrodt MDS TM Pill Catcher TM and StericycleCsRx TM One or more of them.

[0215] The holder 302 can have a variety of uses. The holder 302 can be used to hook liquid sources (e.g., IV bags, other perforated bags), such as... Figure 6J As shown. Bracket 302 can be used to hold (e.g., from IV lines or from the coupling mechanism described below) additional tubing, such as... Figures 6J-6L As shown.

[0216] Liquid can be poured from a liquid source into cup 304 through a pipe or coupling mechanism. In some cases, the cup may be without a lid, and liquid can be poured directly into cup 304, such as... Figure 6D As shown. In some cases, a lid may be attached to the holder 302. The lid may be rotatable around the holder 302. The lid may have a hole to receive a second end of a conduit attached to a liquid source (where the first end is attached to the liquid source). The lid may simply cover the cup, acting as a funnel. In some cases, the lid may be sealable on the cup, similar to a plastic cup lid.

[0217] The cup 304 may have measuring lines (e.g., in milliliters, in ounces, etc.) drawn, etched, or otherwise marked on its side, such as... Figure 6D As shown. Once cup 304 receives liquid, the user can see how much liquid in the cup is for disposal based on the measuring line. Once the user has recorded the amount of liquid used for disposal, the user can pour the liquid in cup 304 into liquid waste disposal unit 320.

[0218] Pump 306 can be used to increase the speed at which liquid advances through line 324. Pump 306 can be half on the countertop and half inside the countertop, or entirely on the countertop. In some cases, pump 306 is inside the countertop. Pump 306 can be used to direct line 324 to cup 304.

[0219] Pump 306 can be used to draw liquid from a liquid bag into a pipeline. Pump 306 may include one or more of a plunger pump, peristaltic pump, rotary pump, diaphragm pump, vacuum pump, or any combination thereof.

[0220] Pump 306 can be a peristaltic pump. In a medium-strength peristaltic pump that does not cause tubing collapse, the peristaltic pump can pump approximately 300 ml in 33 seconds. The peristaltic pump can pump approximately 300 ml in approximately 25 to approximately 40 seconds. The peristaltic pump can pump approximately 300 ml in approximately 25 to approximately 28 seconds, approximately 25 to approximately 31 seconds, approximately 25 to approximately 34 seconds, approximately 25 to approximately 37 seconds, approximately 25 to approximately 40 seconds, approximately 28 to approximately 31 seconds, approximately 28 to approximately 34 seconds, approximately 28 to approximately 37 seconds, approximately 28 to approximately 40 seconds, approximately 31 to approximately 34 seconds, approximately 31 to approximately 37 seconds, approximately 31 to approximately 40 seconds, approximately 34 to approximately 37 seconds, approximately 34 to approximately 40 seconds, or approximately 37 to approximately 40 seconds. A peristaltic pump can deliver approximately 300 ml in approximately 25, 28, 31, 34, 37, or 40 seconds. A peristaltic pump can deliver approximately 300 ml in at least approximately 25, 28, 31, 34, or 37 seconds. A peristaltic pump can deliver approximately 300 ml in at most approximately 28, 31, 34, 37, or 40 seconds.

[0221] Pump 306 can be a vacuum pump. Pump 306 can be a negative pressure pump. Pump 306 can draw liquid from the IV line. This can be achieved indirectly through other lines in the system. For example, pump 306 can control the movement of liquid from the IV line to the containment vessel via valves and lines. In some cases, pump 306 can be a positive pressure pump. Positive pressure can be used to push the liquid to be disposed of and / or residual air toward the Rx destroyer with a neutralizer. Pump 306 can switch between negative and positive pressure. In some cases, there can be multiple vacuum pumps. When there are multiple vacuum pumps, at least one of the pumps can be a negative pressure pump and at least one can be a positive pressure pump, rather than alternating between negative and positive pressure. In this way, the activity levels of multiple pumps (e.g., on / off) can be controlled, rather than switching a single pump between positive and negative pressure states.

[0222] The recording device 312 may include a camera (e.g., a panoramic camera, a fisheye camera, a focusing camera, a 360-degree camera, a 180-degree camera, a motion detection camera, etc.), 3D / 4D camera animation, and / or other sensors and monitors.

[0223] Liquid bag 322 may include any liquid that may be found in hospitals, pharmacies, third-party drug manufacturers, research laboratories, etc. In some cases, liquid bag 322 may include an IV bag. In some cases, liquid bag 322 may have a hole punched in a segment on one side so that it can be suspended on bracket 302. In some cases, liquid bag 322 may include expired liquid. In some cases, liquid bag 322 may include foreign liquid (e.g., after the preparation or manufacture of a batch of medicine). In some cases, liquid bag 322 may be full, nearly full, half full, mostly empty, or almost completely empty. Regardless of how much liquid is in liquid bag 322, it may be important to track the use of liquid medicines via intelligent drug disposal systems 100, 200, and / or 300.

[0224] Pipeline 324 may include IV piping. Pipeline 324 may include, for example... Figure 5 The tubing of the coupling mechanism described above is shown. In some cases, tubing 324 is a combination of two types of tubing. For example, IV tubing may be used at the top and extend to the pump, while the coupling mechanism described below may be used in the area above the pump and vice versa. Tubing 324 may include single-use, disposable tubing. Tubing 324 may include reusable tubing. However, if used multiple times, it may be important to clean and / or sterilize the tubing before reuse to minimize cross-contamination and reactions between past and current medications.

[0225] In some cases, the user may suspend the liquid bag 322 (e.g., an IV bag) on ​​the holder 302. In some cases, the liquid bag 322 may already be connected to its original purpose conduit 324. In some cases, the conduit 324 may include conduit 500. In some cases, the top end (e.g., the end connected to the liquid bag 322) may include one type of conduit 324, while the bottom end (e.g., the end for pouring liquid into a cup) may include conduit 500, and both may be connected via a Luer connector (such as a Luer interface 504).

[0226] In some cases, retaining the original tubing used to deliver the liquid from the liquid bag to the object can provide more accurate measurements of the liquid to be disposed of. In some cases, this original tubing can be connected to subsequent tubing in the intelligent drug disposal system. In some cases, the tubing of the intelligent drug disposal system can be directly connected to the liquid bag, for example, via a flexible rubber port. In some cases, the negative pressure of the vacuum pump described herein is sufficient to sequentially or simultaneously aspirate both the liquid bag and the original tubing.

[0227] After suspending the liquid bag 322, the user can guide the tubing 324 around / through / through the pump, such as... Figure 6BAs shown. Arrow B illustrates pulling a portion of the pump away from the housing (e.g., pushing and pulling with the thumb or other fingers), and arrow C illustrates placing the tubing along the pump's path. Arrow A illustrates screwing the tubing end into the funnel coupled to the pump, such that the open end of tubing 324 is open to the underside of the cup where it will be placed, as shown. Figures 6C-6D As shown.

[0228] Once the pump 306 and tubing 324 are set up, the user can place the cup under the spout / funnel at the open end of tubing 324. In some cases, a cup holder coupled to the pump may be provided to stabilize the cup in the desired position under the spout.

[0229] Once cup 304 is in the area where liquid will be released, the user can press / push a button, slider, or other activation mechanism to activate pump 306 and dispose of liquid into cup 304. As mentioned above, cup 304 may have measuring lines, such as... Figure 6D As shown, this is to determine how much liquid is being disposed of. During the process of filling cup 304, the recording device 312 can record the filling of the cup, the user, and any other area around or in the room containing the intelligent drug disposal system, such as... Figure 6E As shown.

[0230] Once all or substantially all of the liquid has been removed from the liquid bag into cup 304 and the user has entered the indicated volume into the intelligent drug disposal system based on the measuring line, the user can pour the liquid from cup 304 into liquid disposal port 320. In some cases, the port can be distinguished between hazardous and non-hazardous waste. The user can pour the liquid into the correct port.

[0231] Figure 6G-Figure 6L A side view showing how to use the intelligent drug dispensing system 200 is shown. Figure 6G and Figure 6I A smart drug delivery system 200 is shown, comprising a stent 202, a liquid bag 222, and tubing 224. Figure 6H A drug intelligent disposal system 200 including pump 206 and pipeline 224 is shown. Figure 6J A smart drug delivery system 200 is shown, comprising a support 202, a cup 204, a pump 206, a liquid bag 222, and tubing 224. Figure 6K A smart drug delivery system 200 is shown, comprising a support 202, a cup 204, a liquid bag 222, and tubing 224. Figure 6LA smart drug disposal system 200 is shown, comprising a cup 204 and a liquid disposer 220. The liquid disposer 220 may lead to one or more waste containers, such as those discussed above, which may contain a drug neutralizer. As mentioned above, an example of a destroyer may include Rx Destroyer. TM Drug Buster TM Narc-X TM Pill Terminator TM Element MDS TM Cactus Smart Sink TM Mallinckrodt MDS TM Pill Catcher TM and Stericycle CsRx TM One or more of them.

[0232] The holder 202 can have a variety of uses. The holder 202 can be used to hook liquid sources (e.g., IV bags, other perforated bags), such as... Figure 6J As shown. Bracket 202 can be used to hold (e.g., from IV lines or from the coupling mechanism described below) additional tubing, such as... Figures 6J-6L As shown.

[0233] Liquid can be poured from a liquid source into cup 204 through a pipe or coupling mechanism. In some cases, the cup may be without a lid, and the liquid can be poured directly into cup 204, such as... Figure 6D As shown. In some cases, a lid may be attached to the holder 202. The lid may be rotatable around the holder 202. The lid may have a hole to receive a second end of a conduit attached to a liquid source (where the first end is attached to the liquid source). The lid may simply cover the cup, acting as a funnel. In some cases, the lid may be sealable on the cup, similar to a plastic cup lid.

[0234] Cup 204 may have measuring lines (e.g., in milliliters, in ounces, etc.) drawn, etched, or otherwise marked on its side, such as... Figure 6D As shown. Once cup 204 receives liquid, the user can see how much liquid in the cup is for disposal based on the measuring line. Once the user has recorded the amount of liquid used for disposal, the user can pour the liquid in cup 204 into liquid waste disposal unit 220.

[0235] Liquid bag 222 may include any liquid that may be found in hospitals, pharmacies, third-party drug manufacturers, research laboratories, etc. In some cases, liquid bag 222 may include an IV bag. In some cases, liquid bag 222 may have a hole punched in a segment on one side so that it can be suspended on bracket 202. In some cases, liquid bag 222 may include expired liquid. In some cases, liquid bag 222 may include foreign liquid (e.g., after the preparation or manufacture of a batch of medicine). In some cases, liquid bag 222 may be full, nearly full, half full, mostly empty, or almost completely empty. Regardless of how much liquid is in liquid bag 222, it may be important to track the use of liquid medicines via intelligent drug disposal systems 100, 200, and / or 300.

[0236] Pipeline 224 may include IV piping. Pipeline 224 may include, for example, Figure 5 The tubing of the coupling mechanism described above is shown. In some cases, tubing 224 is a combination of two types of tubing. For example, an IV tubing may be used at the top and extend to the pump, while the coupling mechanism described below may be used in the area above the pump and vice versa. Tubing 224 may include single-use, disposable tubing. Tubing 224 may include reusable tubing. However, if used multiple times, it may be important to clean and / or sterilize the tubing before reuse to minimize cross-contamination and reactions between past and current medications.

[0237] In some cases, the user may suspend the liquid bag 222 (e.g., an IV bag) on ​​the holder 202. In some cases, the liquid bag 222 may already be connected to its original purpose conduit 224. In some cases, the conduit 224 may include conduit 500. In some cases, the top end (e.g., the end connected to the liquid bag 222) may include one type of conduit 224, while the bottom end (e.g., the end for pouring liquid into a cup) may include conduit 500, and both may be connected via a Luer connector (such as a Luer interface 504).

[0238] In some cases, retaining the original tubing used to deliver the liquid from the liquid bag to the object can provide more accurate measurements of the liquid to be disposed of. In some cases, the original tubing can be connected to subsequent tubing in the intelligent drug disposal system. In some cases, the tubing of the intelligent drug disposal system can be directly connected to the liquid bag, for example, via a flexible rubber port. In some cases, the negative pressure of the vacuum pump described herein is sufficient to sequentially or simultaneously aspirate both the liquid bag and the original tubing.

[0239] After suspending the liquid bag 222, the user can guide / insert the tubing 224 to the pump, such as... Figure 6HAs shown. In some cases, such as when the tubing is long, it may be advantageous to hold the tubing in one hand until the second end is attached to the pump, so that tubing 224 is not caught anywhere. Once inserted into the pump, tubing 224 can also be placed on the support 202, as shown. Figures 6I-6J As shown.

[0240] Once pump 206 and tubing 224 are set up, the user can place a cup under the spout / funnel at the open end of tubing 224. In some cases, additional tubing (e.g., tubing associated with the pump) may be present to connect tubing 224 to the cap. The cap can be attached to bracket 202. The cap can rotate about bracket 202, as... Figure 6J As shown. Once rotated to cover the cup, the user can press / press the button, slider, or other activation mechanism to activate pump 206 and dispose of liquid into cup 204. As mentioned above, cup 204 may have a measuring line to determine how much liquid is being disposed of / disposed of.

[0241] Once all or substantially all of the liquid has been removed from the liquid bag into cup 204 and the user has entered the indicated amount into the intelligent drug disposal system based on the measuring line, the user can pour the liquid from cup 204 into liquid disposal port 220. In some cases, the port can be distinguished by whether it is for hazardous or non-hazardous waste. In some cases, the two disposals may have different colors or labels based on their hazard status. The user can pour the liquid into the correct port.

[0242] Electronic systems Blockchain In some implementations, one or more blockchains may be used to track or monitor data associated with (i) users of a fluid management system or drug management system or (ii) liquids such as drugs (e.g., liquids to be distributed or discarded). In some cases, a blockchain may refer to a shared and immutable ledger used to record transactions and track assets. In some implementations, a blockchain may be used to record transactions concerning liquids such as drugs. In some implementations, a transaction may exist between any two entities disclosed herein. In some implementations, a transaction may include exchanging items (e.g., drugs to be discarded) for currency or other rewards. In some implementations, a transaction may include destroying or discarding items in exchange for currency or other rewards. In some implementations, the item may be a liquid such as a drug. In some implementations, the item may be contraband. In some implementations, the item may be a commodity that has become unsuitable for sale to consumers. In some implementations, the currency may be cryptocurrency.

[0243] In some embodiments, the transaction record may include the quantity of items traded and currency or other rewards. In some embodiments, the transaction record may include the quantity of items destroyed. In some embodiments, the transaction record may include the quantity of items destroyed in exchange for currency or other rewards. In some embodiments, the transaction record may include proof of item destruction. In some embodiments, the transaction record may include a record of the type of items. In some embodiments, the transaction record may include identifiers of the entities involved in the transaction. In some embodiments, the transaction record may include the signatures of one or more entities involved in the transaction. In some embodiments, the transaction record may include the signatures of witnesses involved in the transaction.

[0244] In some implementations, blockchain can be used to record transactions concerning various items, such as contraband, weapons, ammunition, illicit drugs, commercial chemicals, expired goods, unsold goods, etc. In some implementations, transactions can exist between any two entities disclosed herein. In some implementations, a transaction can include exchanging one or more items for currency or other rewards. In some implementations, the currency can be cryptocurrency. In some implementations, a transaction can include destroying or discarding items in exchange for currency.

[0245] In some implementations, the transaction record may include the quantity of items traded and currency or other rewards. In some implementations, the transaction record may include the quantity of items destroyed. In some implementations, the transaction record may include the quantity of items destroyed in exchange for currency or other rewards. In some implementations, the transaction record may include proof of item destruction. In some implementations, the transaction record may include a record of item type. In some implementations, the transaction record may include identifiers of entities involved in the transaction. In some implementations, the transaction record may include signatures of one or more entities involved in the transaction.

[0246] In some implementations, a blockchain database operatively coupled to a drug management system can store data collected by the drug management system (e.g., scanned identifiers of healthcare providers, patients, dispensed medications, and returned medications) and / or analytical data generated by an analytics engine (e.g., indications or likelihood of mismanagement of medications by individual users or agencies). The blockchain database described herein can be a modifiable and secure peer-to-peer network between patients, prescribers, pharmacies, and government agencies (e.g., FDA, DEA, etc.) to record and transmit data (e.g., medical history, prescription history, patient medication use and / or adherence analysis, prescription dates, dates of unused medications, or returns, etc.). Compared to conventional centralized databases, blockchain databases can offer one or more advantages, including, for example, transparency, security, auditability, tamper resistance, and accountability for (1) users of the drug management system, (2) physicians, (3) pharmacies, (4) government agencies, (5) registered reverse distributors who destroy unused medications, and / or (6) pharmaceutical companies that supply medications to the market.

[0247] AI In some embodiments of the methods or systems disclosed herein, artificial intelligence (AI) systems may be used. In some embodiments, the AI ​​can identify the type of items. In some embodiments, the AI ​​can identify the quantity of items.

[0248] For example, artificial intelligence (AI) can be trained on data including liquid images and liquid type labels. In some implementations, AI can be trained to output a logical output (e.g., true / false), a classification output (e.g., the type of liquid), or a probability output (e.g., the probability that an image corresponds to a picture of a certain type of liquid) given a liquid image. In some implementations, AI can be trained to output the volume of liquid present in an IV bag or syringe. In some implementations, AI can be trained using supervised learning algorithms. In some implementations, AI can be trained using self-supervised learning algorithms. In some implementations, AI can be trained using unsupervised learning algorithms.

[0249] For example, AI can be trained on data including drug images and drug type labels. In some embodiments, AI can be trained to output a logical output (e.g., true / false), a classification output (e.g., the drug category), or a probability output (e.g., the probability that an image corresponds to a picture of a certain type of drug) given an image of a pill or tablet. In some embodiments, AI can be trained to output the number of pills and / or tablets in an image. In some embodiments, AI can be trained to output the volume of drug present in an IV bag or syringe. In some embodiments, AI can be trained using supervised learning algorithms. In some embodiments, AI can be trained using self-supervised learning algorithms. In some embodiments, AI can be trained using unsupervised learning algorithms.

[0250] In some implementations, the AI ​​segments an image comprising multiple drugs. In some implementations, the AI ​​can segment individual unit doses within an image comprising multiple drugs. In some implementations, the AI ​​can identify the drug in each segmented portion of the image. In some implementations, the AI ​​can calculate the number of drugs for a given type in the image. In some implementations, the AI ​​can determine the amount of drug in the image. In some implementations, the multiple drugs may include at least one of the following: pills, tablets, syringes, IV bags, patches, eye drops, ear drops, their containers, or any combination thereof.

[0251] Computer System This disclosure provides a computer system programmed to implement the disclosed methods. Figure 7 An electronic system 600 is shown, including a computer system 601, which is programmed or otherwise configured to monitor the fluid management (e.g., medication management) (e.g., dispensing or disposal) provided herein. The computer system 601 can control various aspects of the fluid management system or medication management system, such as user identification devices, monitoring modules or medication monitoring modules, and analysis engines operatively coupled thereto. The computer system 601 can be a user's electronic device or a computer system for remotely locating that electronic device. The electronic device can be a mobile electronic device.

[0252] Computer system 601 includes a central processing unit (CPU, also referred to herein as a "processor" or "computer processor") 605, which may be a single-core or multi-core processor or multiple processors for parallel processing. Computer system 601 also includes memory or memory location 55 (e.g., random access memory, read-only memory, flash memory), electronic storage unit 615 (e.g., hard disk), communication interface 620 for communicating with one or more other systems (e.g., network adapter), and peripheral devices 625 (such as cache, other memory, data storage, and / or electronic display adapter). Memory 55, storage unit 615, interface 620, and peripheral devices 625 communicate with CPU 605 via a communication bus (solid line), such as a motherboard. Storage unit 615 may be a data storage unit (or data repository) for storing data. Computer system 601 may be operatively coupled to computer network ("network") 630 via communication interface 620. Network 630 may be the Internet, the Internet of Things, and / or an extranet, or an intranet and / or extranet communicating with the Internet. In some cases, network 630 is a telecommunications and / or data network. Network 630 may include one or more computer servers that can enable distributed computing, such as cloud computing. In some cases, network 630 may enable a peer-to-peer network via computer system 601, which may allow devices coupled to computer system 601 to act as clients or servers.

[0253] CPU 605 can execute a sequence of machine-readable instructions, which may be embodied in a program or software. The instructions may be stored in a memory location such as memory 55. The instructions may be passed to CPU 605, which may then be programmed or otherwise configured to implement the methods of this disclosure. Examples of operations performed by CPU 605 may include instruction fetching, decoding, execution, and write-back.

[0254] CPU 605 may be part of a circuit such as an integrated circuit. One or more other components in system 601 may be included in the circuit. In some cases, the circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0255] Storage unit 615 may store files, such as drivers, libraries, and saved programs. Storage unit 615 may store user data, such as user preferences and user programs. In some cases, computer system 601 may include one or more additional data storage units located outside computer system 601, such as those located on a remote server communicating with computer system 601 via an intranet or the Internet.

[0256] Computer system 601 can communicate with one or more remote computer systems via network 630. For example, computer system 601 can communicate with a user's remote computer system. Examples of remote computer systems include personal computers (e.g., portable PCs), tablet PCs (e.g., Apple® iPad, Samsung® Galaxy Tab), telephones, smartphones (e.g., Apple® iPhone, Android-enabled devices, Blackberry®), or personal digital assistants. A user can access computer system 601 via network 630.

[0257] The methods described herein can be implemented via machine-executable code (e.g., a computer processor) stored in an electronic storage location (such as, for example, memory 610 or electronic storage unit 615) of computer system 601. The machine-executable code or machine-readable code can be provided in software form. During use, the code can be executed by processor 605. In some cases, the code can be retrieved from storage unit 615 and stored in memory 610 for access by processor 605 at any time. In some cases, electronic storage unit 615 can be omitted, and machine-executable instructions are stored in memory 610.

[0258] The code can be pre-compiled and configured for use with machines that have processors adapted to execute the code, or it can be compiled during runtime. The code can be provided in a programming language, which can be selected to enable the code to be executed either pre-compiled or compiled.

[0259] Aspects of the systems and methods provided herein (such as computer system 601) can be embodied in programming. Aspects of the technology can be considered as “products” or “manufactured goods” typically in the form of machine (or processor) executable code carried on or embodied in a machine-readable medium and / or associated data. Machine-executable code can be stored on electronic storage units, such as memory (e.g., read-only memory, random access memory, flash memory) or hard disks. “Storage” media can include any or all of the tangible storage of computers, processors, etc., or their associated modules (such as various semiconductor memories, tape drives, disk drives, etc.), which can provide non-transitory storage for software programming at any time. All or part of the software can sometimes communicate via the Internet or other various telecommunications networks. Such communication can, for example, enable the loading of software from one computer or processor to another, e.g., from a management server or host to a computer platform for an application server. Therefore, another type of medium that can carry software elements includes physical interfaces between local devices, light waves, radio waves, and electromagnetic waves used via wired and optical landline networks, and via various wireless links. Physical elements carrying such waves (such as wired or wireless links, optical links, etc.) can also be considered as media carrying software. As used herein, unless limited to non-transitory tangible "storage" media, the term "readable medium" for a computer or machine refers to any medium that participates in providing instructions to a processor for execution.

[0260] Therefore, machine-readable media (such as computer-executable code) can take many forms, including but not limited to tangible storage media, carrier media, or physical transmission media. Non-volatile storage media (including, for example, optical discs or disks, any of the storage devices in any computer) can be used to implement databases as shown in the figures. Volatile storage media include dynamic memory, such as the main memory of such a computer platform. Tangible transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wires, and optical fibers, including wires that form buses within a computer system. Carrier transmission media can take the form of electrical signals or electromagnetic signals or sound waves or light waves (such as sound waves or light waves generated during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data communication). Therefore, common forms of computer-readable media include, for example: floppy disks, flexible disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes, any other magnetic media, CD-ROMs, DVDs or DVD-ROMs, any other optical media, punched card tapes, any other physical storage media with a perforated pattern, RAM, ROM, PROM and EPROM, FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chips or tapes, carrier waves for transmitting data or instructions, cables or links for transmitting such carrier waves, or any other media from which a computer can read programming code and / or data. Many of these forms of computer-readable media may involve carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to a processor for execution.

[0261] Computer system 601 may include or communicate with an electronic display 635, the electronic display 635 including a user interface (UI) 640 for providing, for example, the UI on a display of a user device. Examples of UIs include, but are not limited to, graphical user interfaces (GUIs) and web-based user interfaces. In some embodiments, the electronic display includes a touchscreen.

[0262] The methods and systems disclosed herein can be implemented via one or more algorithms. These algorithms can be implemented in software when executed by the central processing unit 605. For example, the algorithms can analyze data acquired by a user identification device or monitoring module (or drug monitoring module).

[0263] In some embodiments, examples and details of drug monitoring and tracking are provided, for example, in International Patent Application No. PCT / US2020 / 026434 and International Patent Application No. PCT / US2022 / 015595, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In some embodiments, examples and details of RVC and methods of using it are provided, for example, in International Patent Application No. PCT / US2020 / 019122, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0264] definition Unless otherwise defined, all terms, symbols, and other technical and scientific terms or technical terms used herein are intended to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed subject matter pertains. In some instances, terms having a commonly understood meaning are defined herein for clarity and / or for ease of reference, and the inclusion of these definitions herein should not necessarily be construed as materially different from their commonly understood meaning in the art.

[0265] In this application, various embodiments may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is for convenience and brevity only and should not be construed as a rigid limitation on the scope of disclosure. Therefore, a description of a range should be considered as specifically disclosing all possible subranges within that range as well as individual numerical values. For example, a description of a range such as 1 to 6 should be considered as specifically disclosing subranges such as 1 to 3, 1 to 4, 1 to 5, 2 to 4, 2 to 6, 3 to 6, etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

[0266] The scope disclosed herein also includes any and all overlapping portions, subranges, and combinations thereof. Terms such as “at most,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” and “between” include the stated numbers. Numbers preceded by terms such as “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” as used herein include the stated numbers and also represent quantities close to the stated amount that still perform the required function or achieve the required result. The term “approximately” or “about” can mean an acceptable range of error for a particular value that will depend in part on how the value is measured or determined (e.g., limitations of the measurement system). For example, the terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” can refer to a quantity within less than 10% of the stated amount, a quantity within less than 5% of the stated amount, a quantity within less than 1% of the stated amount, a quantity within less than 0.1% of the stated amount, and a quantity within less than 0.01% of the stated amount. For example, according to practice in the art, “approximately” can mean one or more standard deviations. Alternatively, “approximately” can mean a range of up to 20%, up to 10%, up to 5%, or up to 1% of a given value. As used herein, the term "about" means a number plus or minus 10% of that number. The term "about" means a range minus 10% of its minimum value and plus 10% of its maximum value. If a particular value is described in the application and claims, the term "about" may be assumed to mean within an acceptable range of error for that particular value, unless otherwise stated.

[0267] As used in the specification and claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, the term “a sample” includes multiple samples, including mixtures thereof.

[0268] The terms “determine,” “measure,” “assess,” “evaluate,” “evaluate,” “determine,” and “analyze” are generally used interchangeably in this document to refer to forms of measurement. Terms include determining the presence of an element (e.g., detecting). These terms can include quantitative, qualitative, or both quantitative and qualitative determinations. Evaluations can be relative or absolute. Besides determining whether something exists or does not exist based on context, “detecting the presence of…” can include a quantity used to determine its presence.

[0269] The chapter titles used in this article are for organizational purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the subject matter.

[0270] Example The following examples are included for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0271] Example 1: Determining a method for effectively extracting liquid from a liquid bag Numerous experiments were conducted to discover an efficient method for extracting liquid from liquid bags (such as IV bags). Figures 8-17 The experiments and the experimental data associated with these experiments are shown.

[0272] Figure 8 Experiments are shown to narrow down the range of liquid waste disposal methods. The first experiment uses only gravity to remove liquid from a liquid bag. The bag is suspended at a high point, and the liquid is allowed to travel naturally through the tubing. The drawback of this experiment is that it is a slow method for disposing of liquid waste. The second experiment compresses the liquid bag while the liquid bag and tubing are on a table. A heavy object is used to compress the bag—in this case, a thick book on a piece of wood. The problem here is that the liquid bag is at risk of bursting due to pressure—if the pressure is significant, the liquid bag will burst; if the pressure is low, the method will be slow. The third experiment uses suction via a pump to extract liquid from the bag. However, this method is noisy and introduces air bubbles into the liquid, making overall liquid measurements inaccurate. The fourth experiment simply pours the liquid out of the bag, but this results in a high rate of some liquid spillage, making overall liquid measurements inaccurate. The fifth experiment uses a Luer connector fitted to the end of the tubing, but the relatively small diameter of the Luer connector restricts liquid flow, thus also slowing down the disposal of liquid waste.

[0273] Figure 9A comparative time graph shows the emptying of 300 mL IV bags using the first four experimental methods (gravity, squeeze / compression, pumping, and pouring). The graph uses both water as the substance in the IV bag and milk to represent liquid drugs that may have a higher viscosity than water. Time is shown on the y-axis, and the height of the IV bag above the table (in inches) is shown on the x-axis. Direct pouring is the fastest method, followed by pumping, then hand squeezing, while gravity-based experiments are the slowest. Liquid bags containing milk are emptied more slowly than bags containing water.

[0274] Figure 10 A first method 700 for emptying a liquid bag is shown. This method uses a powered roller 702 to squeeze the liquid bag 704 and roll it along the liquid bag 704. The rollers can be automatic or manual. They can have squeezing points. They can be spring-loaded. However, as... Figure 8 As with the experiment described above, too much compression / pressure may cause the liquid bag to rupture.

[0275] Figures 11A-11B A second method 800 for emptying a liquid bag using lever 804 is shown. The lever can be manual or automatic. The lever can be spring-loaded. Figure 11A The image shows an open, nearly full bag, 802. Figure 11B A closed, empty bag 802 is shown. However, as... Figure 8 As with the experiment described above, too much compression / pressure may cause the liquid bag 802 to rupture.

[0276] Figures 12A-12B A third method 900 for emptying a liquid bag is shown. This method combines gravity and pumping methods by suspending the liquid bag 904 on a support 902 and allowing tubing 906 to pass through a vacuum-generating pump 908. In some cases, the liquid bag 904 may be placed on a surface instead of being suspended. The pump can be designed as a circular pump 908, a triangular pump 910, or any other type of negative pressure pump. However, as... Figure 8 As with the aforementioned experiment, the use of a vacuum may introduce air bubbles when discharging the collected liquid into it for disposal.

[0277] Figures 13A-13B A fourth method 1000 for emptying a liquid bag is shown. The bag 1002 can be placed on a shelf or tray 1004, allowing the tubing to hang. Regardless of the bag size or type, the tray can position the bag outlet in a similar position each time. A properly positioned shelf allows for the emptying of IV bags of various sizes (with or without extension sets). Figure 12BThe correlation between head pressure and liquid discharge rate is also shown. A shorter shelf that does not elongate the bag 1002 and its contents may have a faster discharge time. A shelf that elongates the liquid bag 1002 and positions it further away from the suspension point may have a slower discharge time.

[0278] Figure 14 A fifth method 1100 for emptying a liquid bag using a weighing scale is shown. An IV bag, or an IV bag with a tubing extension assembly, is placed in a box 1104 located on a weighing scale 1106. The weighing scale 1106 can be a load cell platform. The IV bag is connected to a disposal port via a peristaltic pump 1102 and tubing 500. In this way, the liquid in the bag is first weighed and then disposed of.

[0279] Figure 15 A sixth method 1200 for emptying liquid bags using an ultrasonic flow meter concept is illustrated. The liquid bags can be placed in a shelf, housing, box, or other container. They flow through the flow meter via a conduit 500, which has… Figure 15 The pointed ends 502 are shown in Figure 1206 and 1108. Two separate flow meters / sensors are shown to analyze the liquid flow rate as it advances through machine 1200. However, during the experiment, the ultrasonic sensor failed to measure the liquid flow rate at both the start and end of the pumping process. This resulted in inaccurate readings of how much liquid was actually present in the bag.

[0280] Figure 16 A comparative chart of methods for emptying liquid bags is shown. In addition to the experiments mentioned above and below, experiments were conducted on using differential pressure to effectively move liquid from the liquid bag, using electromagnetic, ultrasonic, volumetric, turbine, and Coriolis forces. The chart compares whether the measurement system can account for bubbles in the final measurement, whether the flow meter might be contaminated, and the costs of production and sales. Differential pressure does not account for bubbles and has flow meter contamination, but is low-cost. Electromagnetic measurement accounts for bubbles and has no flow meter contamination, but is expensive. Ultrasonic measurement accounts for bubbles and has no flow meter contamination, but is expensive. Volumetric measurement does not account for bubbles, results regarding flow meter contamination are inconsistent, and the cost is moderate. Turbine use does not account for bubbles and has flow meter contamination, but is low-cost. Coriolis force use does not account for bubbles and has flow meter contamination, but is low-cost.

[0281] Example 2: Iteration of the concept of a cup Figure 17 The seventh method 1300 for emptying a liquid bag is shown. Figure 17 The intelligent drug disposal system 100, 200 or 300 can be used. Figure 17This includes a pumping chamber 1402, an IV extension assembly 1404, and a pump 1406. The pumping chamber 1402 is a long-stroke 3D-printed prototype that allows the IV extension assembly to be used as a pumping chamber to pour liquid into a cup. The pump 1406 is a 1000 ml pump attached to a larger diameter tube with a greater flow rate. While using the larger diameter tube with the 1000 ml pump 1406 results in faster emptying of the liquid bag, splashing occurs, preventing accurate measurements.

[0282] While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. The invention is not intended to be limited to the specific examples provided in the specification. Although the invention has been described with reference to the foregoing specification, the description and illustration of embodiments herein are not intended to be construed as limiting. Many variations, alterations, and substitutions will now be conceived by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Furthermore, it should be understood that all aspects of the invention are not limited to the specific descriptions, configurations, or relative proportions set forth herein, which depend on various conditions and variables. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in carrying out the invention. Therefore, the invention is also intended to cover any such substitutions, modifications, variations, or equivalents. The appended claims are intended to define the scope of the invention and are thereby intended to cover the methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A system for disposing of one or more liquid medications in one or more liquid bags, comprising: (a) A computer processor communicating with one or more sensors, wherein the computer processor is configured to execute a transfer analysis procedure to determine the risk or probability of transfer of the one or more liquid drugs, based at least in part on data from the one or more sensors. (b) A measuring container configured to contain the one or more liquid medications and including graduations indicating the amount of the one or more liquid medications inside the measuring container; (c) One or more pumps configured to move the one or more liquid drugs from the one or more liquid bags to the measuring container and from the measuring container to one or more disposal containers containing a drug neutralizer; (d) A rotatable valve configured to guide one or more liquid drugs through the system, wherein the rotatable valve has at least two orientations and is configured to rotate between the at least two orientations.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more disposal containers comprise at least one hazardous container and at least one non-hazardous container.

3. The system of claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a piping system configured to connect two or more of the measuring container, the one or more liquid bags, the one or more pumps, the valve, and the one or more disposal containers.

4. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the measuring container comprises one or more of a cup or a graduated cylinder.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the measuring container comprises a liquid container disposed inside the graduated cylinder.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the liquid container is disposable.

7. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the computer processor is configured to guide the one or more liquid drugs through the system by controlling one or more of the one or more pumps or the one or more of the rotary valves.

8. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the rotary valve is controllable by a dial rotated by a user.

9. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the rotatable valve has at least three orientations.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein at least one of the at least three orientations of the rotatable valve is configured to dispose of the one or more liquid drugs into the one or more disposal containers.

11. The system of claim 9 or 10, wherein at least one of the at least three orientations of the rotatable valve is configured to allow the one or more liquid drugs to move from the one or more liquid bags to the measuring container.

12. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a check valve configured to prevent backflow of the one or more liquid medications.

13. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the one or more sensors include a camera.

14. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising a precision balance configured to measure the amount of liquid being disposed of.

15. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the one or more pumps comprise one or more of a piston pump, a peristaltic pump, a rotary pump, a diaphragm pump, a vacuum pump, or any combination thereof.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more pumps comprise one or more vacuum pumps.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the one or more vacuum pumps are configured to alternate between a negative pressure vacuum pump and a positive pressure vacuum pump.

18. The system according to claim 16 or 17, wherein at least one of the one or more vacuum pumps is a negative pressure vacuum pump, and at least one of the one or more vacuum pumps is a positive pressure vacuum pump.

19. A conduit for use with a system for disposing of one or more liquid medications in one or more liquid bags, the conduit comprising: (a) A first end, the first end comprising at least two heads, wherein: (i) at least one of the at least two heads includes a puncture device configured to puncture a port of the one or more liquid bags; and (ii) At least one of the at least two heads includes a Luer connector configured to be connected to the second tube; (b) A second end, the second end comprising a rigid conduit; and (c) A central portion disposed between the first end and the second end, wherein the central portion includes a flexible conduit.

20. The conduit of claim 19, wherein the second conduit includes a conduit attached to the one or more liquid bags.

21. The conduit according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the second conduit comprises an extension assembly.

22. The conduit according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the rigid conduit is configured to stabilize the position of the conduit.

23. The conduit according to any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein the conduit is a single-use conduit.

24. The conduit according to any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein the conduit is disposable.

25. A method for disposing of one or more liquid medications in one or more liquid bags via a drug dispensing system, the method comprising: (a) Connecting the one or more liquid bags to the piping of the drug delivery system; (b) Rotating a dial disposed on the housing of the measuring container to a first orientation, wherein rotating the dial causes a rotatable valve to rotate, the rotatable valve being configured to guide the one or more liquid drugs through the drug dispensing system, wherein the rotatable valve has at least two orientations, wherein the rotatable valve is configured to rotate between the at least two orientations; (c) Activate the aspiration of the drug delivery system; (d) Measuring the amount of the one or more liquid drugs aspirated into the measuring container; (e) The one or more liquid drugs aspirated into the measuring container are disposed of into one or more disposal containers containing a drug neutralizer.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising suspending the one or more liquid bags on a support.

27. The method of claim 25 or 26, further comprising inputting the name of the one or more liquid drugs into a computer system, wherein the computer system is configured to compare the name with a known drug database to determine whether the one or more liquid drugs are hazardous or non-hazardous.

28. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein activating suction includes interacting with the actuator.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the actuator comprises one or more of a button, a slider, or a switch.

30. The method of any one of claims 25 to 29, wherein activating aspiration comprises activating one or more pumps configured to move the one or more liquid drugs from the one or more liquid bags to the measuring container and from the measuring container to one or more disposal containers.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the one or more pumps comprise one or more vacuum pumps, wherein the one or more vacuum pumps are configured to alternate between a negative pressure vacuum pump and a positive pressure vacuum pump.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein at least one of the one or more vacuum pumps is a negative pressure vacuum pump, and at least one of the one or more vacuum pumps is a positive pressure vacuum pump.

33. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 32, wherein measuring the amount of the one or more liquid drugs comprises measuring the liquid drugs via a precision balance.

34. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 33, wherein disposing of the one or more liquid drugs comprises pouring the contents of the measuring container into the one or more disposal containers.

35. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 34, wherein disposing of the one or more liquid drugs includes activating aspiration.

36. The method of any one of claims 25 to 35, wherein disposing of the one or more liquid medications comprises rotating the dial to a second orientation, wherein the second orientation comprises a substantially diagonal valve orientation configured to fluidly couple conduit from the measuring container to conduit leading to the one or more disposal containers.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein rotating the dial to the second orientation reverses the flow direction of one or more pumps.

38. The method of any one of claims 25 to 37, wherein the first orientation comprises a substantially vertical straight-through valve orientation configured to fluidly couple conduits from the one or more liquid bags to conduits leading to the measuring container.

39. A method for disposing of one or more liquid drugs in one or more liquid bags via a drug dispensing system, the method comprising: (a) Inputting the name of one or more liquid drugs into a computer system, wherein the computer system is configured to compare the name with a known drug database to determine whether the one or more liquid drugs are hazardous or non-hazardous, wherein the computer system is electrically coupled to one or more pumps and a rotary valve in the drug dispensing system, wherein the rotary valve is in a first orientation configured to fluidly couple tubing from the one or more liquid bags to tubing leading to the measuring container; (b) Connecting the one or more liquid bags to the piping of the drug delivery system; (c) Activate the aspiration of the drug delivery system; (d) Measuring the amount of the one or more liquid drugs aspirated into the measuring container; (e) The one or more liquid drugs aspirated into the measuring container are disposed of into one or more disposal containers containing a drug neutralizer.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising suspending the one or more liquid bags on a support.

41. The method of claim 39 or 40, wherein activating suction includes interacting with the actuator.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the actuator comprises one or more of a button, a slider, or a switch.

43. The method of any one of claims 39 to 42, wherein activating aspiration comprises activating the one or more pumps configured to move the one or more liquid drugs from the one or more liquid bags to the measuring container and from the measuring container to one or more disposal containers.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the one or more pumps comprise one or more vacuum pumps, wherein the one or more vacuum pumps are configured to alternate between a negative pressure vacuum pump and a positive pressure vacuum pump.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein at least one of the one or more vacuum pumps is a negative pressure vacuum pump, and at least one of the one or more vacuum pumps is a positive pressure vacuum pump.

46. ​​The method according to any one of claims 39 to 45, wherein measuring the amount of the one or more liquid drugs comprises measuring the liquid drugs via a precision balance.

47. The method according to any one of claims 39 to 46, wherein disposing of the one or more liquid drugs comprises pouring the contents of the measuring container into the one or more disposal containers.

48. The method according to any one of claims 39 to 47, wherein disposing of the one or more liquid drugs includes activating aspiration.

49. The method according to any one of claims 39 to 48, wherein the disposal includes inputting the measured amount of liquid into the computer system.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the disposal includes the computer system electrically rotating the rotatable valve to a second orientation, wherein the second orientation includes a substantially diagonal valve orientation configured to fluidly couple a line from the measuring container to a line leading to the one or more disposal containers after the amount of the measured liquid is input.

51. The method according to any one of claims 39 to 50, wherein the disposal includes the computer system electrically reversing the flow direction of the one or more pumps.

52. The method according to any one of claims 39 to 51, wherein the first orientation comprises a substantially vertical straight-through valve orientation.

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