Patent ID: 8284386
Filing Date: 2012-10-09
Classification: G01N,G16H

Abstract:
1. A method of confirming the identity of the contents of pharmaceutical vials, comprising the steps of: (a) scanning a bar code on a first vial to determine the expected contents of the first vial; (b) conveying the first vial to a vision station; (c) acquiring an image of the contents of the first vial at the vision station; (d) scanning a bar code on a second vial to determine the expected contents of the second vial; (e) conveying the first vial to a spectroscopy station; (f) conveying the second vial to the vision station; (g) acquiring an image of the contents of the second vial at the vision station; (h) acquiring a spectrum of the contents of the first vial at the spectroscopy station; (i) scanning a bar code on a third vial to determine the expected contents of the third vial; (j) conveying the first vial to an approval station; (k) conveying the second vial to the spectroscopy station; (l) conveying the third vial to the vision station; (m) acquiring an image of the contents of the third vial at the vision station; (n) acquiring a spectrum of the contents of the second vial at the spectroscopy station; (o) determining, based on at least one of steps (c) and (h), whether the contents of the first vial match the expected contents of the first vial and, if so, affixing indicia of approval on the first vial at the approval station; (p) scanning a bar code on a fourth vial to determine the expected contents of the fourth vial; (q) conveying the first vial to an offload station; (r) conveying the second vial to the approval station; (s) conveying the third vial to the spectroscopy station; and (t) conveying the fourth vial to the vision station.