Remote Pharmacy Verification Using Image-Based Pill Counting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing pharmacy workflow involves significant physical handling of prescription products, leading to time consumption and potential human errors in the verification process.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system and method that utilizes a camera to capture images of prescription products, allowing for automated counting and virtual verification at a remote site, reducing the need for physical handling and enhancing accuracy through image analysis and confidence factor determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual physical handling and verification of prescription products is performed, then verification accuracy can be maintained through human inspection, but time consumption increases and human errors are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual verification process with an automated image-based verification system. A camera captures images of the prescription product, and an image analysis engine automatically compares the captured image with a stock image to verify product accuracy, eliminating the need for physical handling and human inspection while maintaining verification reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy (image) of the prescription product and uses this copy for verification purposes. The image analysis engine performs verification on the captured image rather than requiring physical manipulation of the actual product, thus saving time while maintaining accuracy through visual comparison.
2Reliability
If multiple physical handling steps are performed (opening vial, pouring contents, inspecting, repouring, closing), then thorough verification can be achieved, but the complexity of the process increases and potential for error is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the verification function from the physical handling process. Instead of requiring the pharmacist to perform multiple physical steps (opening, pouring, inspecting, repouring, closing), the system extracts only the essential verification action by capturing an image and performing automated comparison, thereby reducing process complexity while maintaining verification thoroughness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary (the image analysis engine) between the prescription product and the verification decision. The engine acts as a mediator that automatically compares the captured image with the stock image, eliminating the need for complex manual handling steps while ensuring thorough verification through automated image analysis.
3Productivity
If automated image analysis is implemented for counting and verification, then productivity increases and time is reduced, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the image analysis engine evaluates the quality of captured images and determines whether they meet the required precision standards. If the image quality is insufficient, the system requests recapture, ensuring that only high-quality images are used for verification. This feedback loop maintains measurement precision while enabling automated high-speed verification.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system provide for automated counting of prescription product and enables virtual verification of the dispensed prescription product. The method and system include capturing by a camera at a first site an image of the prescription product to be dispensed according to a prescription to a patient, electronically displaying the image on a display at a second site remote from the first site, and electronically transmitting a verification from the second site to the first site in response to the image of the prescription product being determined at the second site to be consistent with the prescription.