Patent Description:
The subject matter described herein relates generally to secure disposal and/or wasting of medications. Such systems are discloses in the <CIT> and <CIT>.

Diversion may refer to the transfer of a controlled substance to a third party who is not legally (or otherwise) authorized to receive, possess, administer, and/or consume the controlled substance. High-value and/or controlled prescription medications, notably opioids, may be especially prone to diversion. For instance, prescription medications may be diverted while being loaded into and/or retrieved from a dispensing cabinet. Some prescription medications, such as morphine, hydromorphone, fentanyl, and/or the like, may be administered to a patient via a pump, for example, a patient-controlled analgesic (PCA) pump, that is capable of holding more doses of the prescription medication than is needed by the patient or administering partial doses for a patient. The extra or residual doses of prescription medication may be susceptible to being diverted by the clinicians. For example, some of the prescription medication may be removed before being loaded into the pump and/or administered to the patient. Alternatively and/or additionally, prescription medication that remains in the pump and/or that has not been administered to the patient may be held back instead of properly disposed of at a wasting site.

Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture, including computer program products, are provided for securely and efficiently wasting medications and auditing the wasting of medications.

The claims that follow this disclosure are intended to define the scope of the protected subject matter.

Diversion of a medication may occur at any point in time including, for example, during the shipping, receiving, stocking, dispensing, administering, or wasting of the medication. Prescription pain medication may be especially prone to diversion due to a lack of sufficient custodial oversight, for example, during the shipping, receiving, stocking, dispensing, administering, or wasting of the prescription pain medication. For example, dispensing cabinets at medical facilities may be accessible to multiple clinicians or other personnel or users. Moreover, different users may be responsible for different aspects of dispensing, administering, and/or wasting of the medication. Thus, even if diversion is detected, it may be difficult to determine when the diversion actually occurred and to further identify the person or persons responsible for the diversion.

To provide incentives to not engage in predatory or improper practices, such as the diversion of medication and/or improper wasting of medication, and to identify clinicians or other users who may be engaged in the predatory practices, a wasting system consistent with implementations of the current subject matter includes a wasting station. The wasting station includes features for securely receiving, storing, and identifying wasted medication for later analysis, such as during an audit. The wasting station may further include capabilities to analyze waste items. The wasting system may including one or more sensors and may provide for waste containers that include electronic tags, biomarkers, and/or reagents that may be used to analyze waste items.

The wasting system including the wasting station consistent with implementations of the current subject matter may be used to dispose of fluid medications, such as medication from a syringe, an intravenous bag or other types of fluid containers, and/or leftover solid medications, such as pills, patches, or other solids after a portion of the medication has been administered to a patient. For example, the wasting system may allow for multiple syringes to be emptied into a waste container in various sequences. The wasting system may accurately measure and/or track the dispensed weight and/or volume of the wasted medication that is deposited into and/or captured by a waste container. The wasting system may additionally and/or alternatively identify the wasted medication, such as when the medication is deposited into the waste container. The wasting system may additionally and/or alternatively secure the wasting station, such that only authorized users may access one or more components of the wasting station.

In some situations, a medication may be wasted at the wasting station. Generally, wasting stations do not provide for the ability to control access to the waste container. These wasting stations allow a clinician or other user easy access to the waste container after the medication is wasted, and do little to prevent or limit diversion of wasted medication. For example, wasting stations may not include sufficient preventative measures that reduce the likelihood that the waste containers will be removed by an unauthorized user, at an unauthorized time, and/or the like. The wasting system including the wasting station described herein includes one or more locking systems and/or authentication systems that helps to ensure that only an authorized user is granted access to the waste container to waste medication and/or remove the waste container.

Additionally and/or alternatively, wasting stations generally fail to provide accurate measurements of the amount of waste be wasted into a particular waste container and/or fail to verify the amount of waste that actually enters the waste container. For example, some wasting stations may only rely on a sensor, such as a flow sensor, to determine the amount of waste that has been deposited into a waste container. While such sensors may determine the amount of waste that passes the flow sensor, wasting stations using only these sensors to detect the amount of waste deposited to the waste container fail to accurately measure the amount of waste actually deposited into the waste container. Thus, such systems may allow clinicians or other users to more easily engage in "predatory" procedures when wasting, as these systems may have no way of verifying the actual amount of waste that has been wasted and deposited into the waste container. The wasting system including the wasting station described herein includes one or more sensors, such as a weight sensor, load sensor and/or load cell, and/or the like, that determines a weight of the medication wasted into the waste container to verify and/or otherwise calculate an accurate amount of waste that has been wasted into the waste container. This helps to prevent or limit diversion by verifying that the correct amount of medication has actually been deposited into the waste container. This also helps during a later audit, as the wasting system can track and/or compare the amount of medication that should have been deposited into the waste container and the amount of medication actually deposited into the waste container. The wasting system may additionally and/or alternatively track the user and the weight measurements for later analysis and/or audit, to help identify a clinician or other user engaging in diversion.

Additionally and/or alternatively, some wasting stations take a significant amount of time to identify medications being wasted and/or to waste the medication being deposited into the waste container. For example, in some instances, the wasting process may take up to <NUM> minutes, an hour, or longer to identify the medication being wasted and/or to deposit the waste into the waste container. As described herein, the wasting system may waste (e.g., via an automated process and/or via a batch waste process) medication more efficiently and/or quickly, thereby reducing the resources required to waste medication and allowing users to perform additional tasks during the wasting process. This may also improve the user experience of the wasting system while wasting medication.

<FIG> depicts a system diagram illustrating a wasting system <NUM> consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. The wasting system <NUM> may be used, for example, for wasting medications (e.g., fluid and/or solid medications) after a medication has been dispensed, administered to a patient, and/or during one or more other wasting workflows. As used herein, the "wasting" of a medication may refer to the disposal of a substance in accordance with institutional guidelines and/or government regulations.

Referring to <FIG>, the wasting system <NUM> includes a wasting station <NUM>, a user interface <NUM> accessible to a clinician <NUM>, and a witnessing client <NUM> accessible to a witness <NUM>. The user interface <NUM> and the witnessing client <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to the wasting station <NUM>, for example, via a network. In some implementations, the user interface <NUM> and/or the witnessing client <NUM> may be part of and/or integrated with the wasting station <NUM>. The wasting station <NUM>, the user interface <NUM>, and the witnessing client <NUM> may be implemented as or include processor-based devices, for example, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a wearable apparatus, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a workstation, or the like. The network may be a wired and/or wireless network including, for example, a public land mobile network (PLMN), a local area network (LAN), a virtual local area network (VLAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, a short range radio connection, for example a BLUETOOTH® compatible connection, a peer-to-peer mesh network, or the like.

In some implementations, the proper wasting of certain medications, such as prescription pain medications or other controlled substances, may require the controlled substance to be collected in a designated receptacle (e.g., the wasting station <NUM>) while in the presence of one or more witnesses, such as the witness <NUM>. In some implementations, the witnessing client <NUM> allows for the witness <NUM> to observe a wasting process and may provide for remote observation. The witnessing client <NUM> may be in communication with the wasting station <NUM> over one or more of: a local area network, a wireless connection, and a direct connection. The witnessing client <NUM> may include, for example, a laptop computer or a dedicated computer that allows a witness <NUM> to observe a wasting process taking place at the wasting station <NUM>. The witnessing client <NUM> may be located near or at the wasting station <NUM>. Alternatively, the witnessing client <NUM> may be remote, for example, at a physical location that is separate from the wasting station <NUM>, allowing the witness <NUM> to observe the wasting process remotely, for example, using a camera on the wasting station <NUM>. As such, the witnessing client <NUM> may reduce or eliminate the need to seek an authorized witness <NUM> to observe the wasting operation in real-time at the wasting station <NUM>.

The witnessing client <NUM> may request credentials from the witness <NUM>. For example, the witnessing client <NUM> may be prompted to enter a user name and password, scan a badge using a card reader, perform a fingerprint scan or a retina scan, and/or use facial recognition to identify the witness <NUM>. The witnessing client <NUM> may transmit a control message to the wasting station <NUM> to collect the credential information. For example, the control message may activate a scanning device (e.g., camera, badge reader, optical scanner, etc.) associated with the wasting station <NUM> or cause display of a user interface to collect the credential information. The witnessing client <NUM> may include a display that is updated with actions performed by the clinician <NUM> during the wasting process. The witnessing client <NUM> may include the ability to communicate, view, and/or record the wasting process. Records captured at the witnessing client <NUM> may be stored and used during an audit of the wasting process.

Consistent with implementations of the current subject matter, the user interface <NUM> may be in communication with and/or form a part of the wasting station <NUM>. For example, the user interface <NUM> may be integrated with at least a portion of the wasting station <NUM> and/or be coupled to the wasting station <NUM> via a local area network, a wireless connection, and/or a direct connection. The user interface <NUM> may include, for example, a display, a touch display, a keyboard, a mouse, one or more cameras, a card reader, a barcode scanner, a retina scanner, and/or a fingerprint scanner.

The wasting system <NUM> may include features to ensure coordination between the witnessing client <NUM> and the wasting station <NUM>. For example, when remotely witnessing an event, the witness may require certain verifications that what is being witnessed and attested to is actually what is happening. Further, the wasting system <NUM> may coordinate the collection of event information (e.g., scans, credential presentation, authentication, authorization, waste container location, wasting station operational state, connectivity status (e.g., connection, disconnection, retry attempt), etc.). Accordingly, the wasting system <NUM> may include features to provide assurance to the users that the remote witnessing is secured and authentic along with features to capture and correlate the information collected by the separate devices (e.g., the witnessing client <NUM>, the wasting station <NUM>, and/or the like).

A user, such as a clinician <NUM> (e.g., a doctor, nurse, or other staff member or personnel), also referred to herein as a "user," may interact with the user interface <NUM> to access the functions of the wasting station <NUM>. The user interface <NUM> may display prompts on the display and/or accept inputs from the clinician <NUM> to guide the clinician <NUM> through the wasting workflow, thereby confirming each step is complete, secure, and auditable.

The user interface <NUM> may authenticate the clinician <NUM> prior to allowing the clinician <NUM> to use the wasting station <NUM>. For example, the user interface <NUM> may prompt the clinician <NUM> for a username and password or other identifying information. Alternatively or additionally, the user interface <NUM> may read the clinician's badge using a card reader. Alternatively or additionally, the user interface <NUM> may obtain biometric information from the clinician <NUM> including, for example, a retina scan, fingerprint scan, and/or facial recognition features.

Referring to <FIG>, the wasting station <NUM> may securely collect and store waste and/or one or more waste containers <NUM> as part of a wasting workflow. The wasting station <NUM> may be configured to receive and handle the waste, which as noted above, may be in the form of solids, liquids, medication dispensers, or applicators, such as syringes, patches, IV bags, and/or the like. Additionally and/or alternatively, the wasting station <NUM> may be configured to receive and handle one or more waste containers <NUM>, in which the medication in the form of solids or liquids, or medication dispensers or applicators, is contained. The one or more waste containers <NUM> may include a bottle, a bin, and/or the like for receiving and storing the wasted medication. The waste container <NUM> may include one or more substances to neutralize the wasted medication held within the waste container <NUM>.

In some implementations, as described in more detail below, the waste container <NUM> may be removable from the wasting station <NUM> by an authorized clinician or other personnel. The removal of the waste container <NUM> may be subject to authentication by the wasting station <NUM>, where the authentication is a verification that the clinician (e.g., the clinician <NUM>) or other personnel (e.g., the auditor <NUM>) are authorized to handle the dispensed waste container. Such authentication may include, for example, prompting by the user interface <NUM> for the clinician <NUM> or the auditor <NUM> to enter a username and password or other identifying information. Alternatively or additionally, the user interface <NUM> may read the clinician's or the auditor's badge using a card reader. Alternatively or additionally, the user interface <NUM> may obtain biometric information from the clinician <NUM> or the auditor <NUM> including, for example, a retina scan, fingerprint scan, and/or facial recognition features. Authentication of the clinician <NUM> or other personnel may cause the wasting station <NUM> to disengage one or more locking systems, such as removal of an enclosure surrounding the waste container <NUM>, actuation of a locking arm <NUM> to allow for removal of the waste container <NUM>, release of a smart lock, and/or the like.

As shown in <FIG>, both an analysis facility <NUM> and a disposal facility <NUM> may be provided as part of the wasting system <NUM>. Once the waste container <NUM> is removed from the wasting station <NUM>, the waste container <NUM> may subsequently be transferred to one or more of the analysis facility <NUM> and/or the disposal facility <NUM>. Such transfer may be performed by the clinician <NUM> or the auditor <NUM>, for example, after authentication of the auditor <NUM>, or other authenticated user. The transfer of the waste container <NUM> from the wasting station <NUM> may be tracked and recorded by the wasting station <NUM> as part of a record detailing the wasting process wasting the wasted medication. In particular, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter, the wasting station <NUM> may collect and store information about the wasting process. The stored information may be used during an audit to ensure compliance with rules and regulations governing the safe disposal of medications. The wasting process may include establishing a chain of custody for the waste container <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the wasting station <NUM> may be part of a system <NUM> that includes a remote server <NUM> and a medication dispensing station <NUM>. The wasting station <NUM> and the medication dispensing station <NUM> may be an integrated unit or more be separate stations remote from one another. The wasting station <NUM>, the remote server <NUM>, and the medication dispensing station <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to one another via a network. The network may be a wired and/or wireless network including, for example, a public land mobile network (PLMN), a local area network (LAN), a virtual local area network (VLAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, a short range radio connection, for example Bluetooth, a peer-to-peer mesh network, and/or the like. The remote server <NUM> may provide data and/or instructions to the wasting station <NUM> to implement one or more features of the wasting process consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. For example, the remote server <NUM> may coordinate the communication session between the wasting station <NUM> and a witnessing client. Additionally and/or alternatively, the remote server <NUM> may cause the wasting station <NUM> to begin, continue, and/or stop one or more wasting processes.

<FIG> is a block diagram depicting aspects of the wasting station <NUM>, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter.

The wasting station <NUM> may include a controller <NUM> which controls one or more functions of the wasting station <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may include, for example one or more processors, one or more computers, one or more programmable logic controllers, and/or the like. The controller <NUM> may include actuators, for example, motors, solenoids, and/or the like. The controller <NUM> may use the actuators to move mechanisms, such as a locking system <NUM>, a manifold assembly <NUM>, a sequencing mechanism (e.g., sequencing mechanism <NUM>, <NUM>), a plunger mechanism <NUM>, a medication dispenser, and/or the like into a desired position. The controller <NUM> may include or be coupled to one or more sensors <NUM>, for example, limit switches, flow sensors, optical sensors, tachometers, encoders, load cells, weight sensors, torque sensors, and/or the like. The controller <NUM> may use the sensors <NUM> to detect whether a mechanism, such as the locking system, manifold assembly, sequencing mechanism, plunger mechanism and/or medication dispenser is, for example, in position, out of position, moving, applying a force, applying a torque, and/or the like. The wasting station <NUM> may also include the user interface <NUM> (which may include a badge reader <NUM>, a biometrics scanner <NUM>, a display <NUM>, a user input <NUM>, and/or the like), the locking system <NUM> (which may include a locking mechanism <NUM>, an enclosure <NUM>, a smart lock <NUM>, and/or the like), an medication analyzer <NUM>, a camera <NUM>, the waste container <NUM>, a sensor <NUM>, a manifold assembly <NUM>, and a base <NUM>, which are described in more detail below.

The manifold assembly <NUM> may receive one or more medication dispensers, such as syringes. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the manifold assembly <NUM> may include one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or more slots, in which at least a portion of the medication dispensers may be coupled and/or inserted. The manifold assembly <NUM> includes an interior cavity, which collects the medication dispensed from at least one of the medication dispensers. The interior cavity may hold at least a portion of the dispensed medication for a period of time (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM> seconds, <NUM> to <NUM> seconds, <NUM> to <NUM> seconds, <NUM> to <NUM> minutes, <NUM> to <NUM> minutes, <NUM> to <NUM> minutes, <NUM> to <NUM> minutes, <NUM> to <NUM> minutes and/or other ranges therebetween). The interior cavity defines a channel through which the dispensed medication passes from the medication dispenser to the waste container <NUM>. The manifold assembly <NUM> may be positioned above the waste container <NUM> to allow the wasted medication to pass from the medication dispenser to the waste container <NUM> or the interior cavity more easily, such as via gravity, or physical manipulation of the medication dispenser (e.g., depression of a syringe, squeezing an IV bag, and/or the like). In some implementations, the manifold assembly <NUM> includes one or more valves to allow the medication to pass from the medication dispenser into the interior cavity, and/or from the interior cavity to the waste container <NUM>. The manifold assembly <NUM> may include a sequencing mechanism that rotates and/or otherwise moves the manifold assembly <NUM> into the proper position such that the medication dispenser is appropriately located above the waste container <NUM>. As described herein, the manifold assembly <NUM> may rotate and/or move so that each medication dispenser may dispense the wasted medication at the appropriate time, such as when each medication dispenser is in the proper position to waste the wasted medication.

As noted above, the waste container <NUM> may include a bottle, a bin, and/or the like for receiving and storing the wasted medication. The waste container <NUM> may be removably positioned on the base <NUM>. The base <NUM> may support the waste container <NUM> and/or the locking system <NUM>. The base <NUM> may include one or more sensors <NUM> and/or the user interface <NUM>. For example, the one or more sensors <NUM> may include one or more weight sensors or load cells 250A. The one or more weight sensors 250A may be positioned on or may be integrated with the base <NUM>. In some implementations, the one or more weight sensors 250A may measure and/or calculate a weight of the medication wasted and deposited into the waste container <NUM>. For example, the one or more weight sensors 250A may measure a total weight of the waste container <NUM> and the waste deposited into the waste container <NUM>. In such implementations, the controller <NUM> may remove a weight of the waste container <NUM> from the total weight of the waste container <NUM> and the waste deposited into the waste container <NUM> to determine the actual weight of the waste deposited into the waste container <NUM>. In some implementations, the weight of the waste container <NUM> is predetermined. In other implementations, the one or more weight sensors 250A measures a weight of the waste container <NUM> before any waste is deposited into the waste container <NUM> to obtain the weight of the waste container <NUM>. In some implementations, the controller <NUM> and/or the one or more weight sensors 250A measures a change in the total weight to determine the actual weight of the waste deposited into the waste container <NUM>, such as after each medication dispenser is emptied into the waste container <NUM>.

In some implementations, the controller <NUM> determines a volume of the wasted medication that has been deposited into the waste container <NUM> based on the total weight, the actual weight of the wasted medication deposited into the waste container <NUM>, the change in the total weight, and/or the like. As explained in more detail herein, based on the measured and/or calculated weight and/or volume of wasted medication, the wasting station <NUM> (e.g., via the controller <NUM>) may determine whether a diversion of medication has occurred. For example, the controller <NUM> may compare the measured and/or calculated weight and/or volume of wasted medication with an expected weight and/or volume of wasted medication to verify whether the expected weight and/or volume is equal to the measured and/or calculated weight and/or volume. If the measured weight and/or volume of wasted medication is equal to or is within an acceptable range (e.g., within <NUM> to <NUM>, <NUM> to <NUM>, <NUM> to <NUM>, <NUM> to <NUM> and/or other ranges therebetween) of the expected weight and/or volume of wasted medication, the controller <NUM> may determine that no diversion has occurred. Alternatively, if the measured weight and/or volume of wasted medication is not equal to or is not within an acceptable range (e.g., within <NUM> to <NUM>, <NUM> to <NUM>, <NUM> to <NUM>, <NUM> to <NUM> and/or other ranges therebetween) of the expected weight and/or volume of wasted medication, the controller <NUM> may determine that a suspected diversion has occurred.

Based on the detection of a suspected diversion, the controller <NUM> may flag the waste process for further review, and/or may store, or transmit to a database, various aspects of the wasting process, such as the clinician ID, the type of medication wasted, the expected weight and/or volume of wasted medication, the measured weight and/or volume of wasted medication, and/or the like. Flagging an item for review may include storing, in a data storage device, a review indicator for the waste process. Additionally and/or alternatively, the controller <NUM> may trigger an alert (e.g., an audio, visual, message, or other alert) upon the detection of suspected diversion. In other implementations, however, an alert generated at the wasting station <NUM> may not be generated. Instead, an alert may not be generated and/or an alert may be generated at a remote location to warn a supervisor, auditor, and/or other personnel. As a result, the clinician <NUM> may not know whether the wasted medication is being flagged for audit, providing an incentive for the clinician <NUM> to not engage in diversion of medications. Accordingly, the wasting station <NUM> including the weight sensor 250A described herein more accurately measures a volume of medication that has been wasted and actually deposited into the waste container <NUM>.

In some implementations, to determine whether a diversion and/or suspected diversion of medication has occurred, the wasting station <NUM> (e.g., the controller <NUM>) may take into account one or more factors, such as the difference between the expected weight and/or volume of wasted medication and the measured weight and/or volume of wasted medication, the wasting user, the witnessing user, a wasting location, the substance (e.g., medication) being wasted, or other properties detectable or accessible by the wasting station <NUM>. For example, if the substance being wasted is an uncontrolled solid (e.g., excess ibuprofen) or liquid (e.g., excess acetaminophen), the risk of diversion may be less than when wasting a controlled substance such as oxycodone, fentanyl, and/or the like. In some implementations, a risk score may be generated based on one or more of the factors described herein, such as the difference between the expected weight and/or volume of wasted medication and the measured weight and/or volume of wasted medication, the wasting user, witnessing user, wasting location, substance being wasted, or other property detectable or accessible by the wasting station <NUM>. If the risk score corresponds to (e.g., is greater than, less than, or equal to) a threshold, the substance being wasted may be flagged for later audit and/or an alert may be generated. Features for generating risk scores are described in, for example, U. Patent Publication No. <CIT> entitled "Controlled substance diversion detection systems and methods," commonly owned and assigned, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Referring to <FIG>, the user interface <NUM> may include a badge reader <NUM>, a biometrics scanner <NUM>, a display <NUM>, a user input <NUM>, and/or the like. The user interface <NUM> may be coupled to or integrated with the wasting station <NUM>, such as the base <NUM> of the wasting station <NUM>. In some implementations, at least a portion of the user interface <NUM> forms a part of the wasting station <NUM>, and at least a portion of the user interface <NUM> is coupled to an external client device, such as a computer, mobile phone, and/or the like, which is communicatively coupled to the wasting station <NUM>.

The user interface <NUM> may receive data that is used for a later audit of the wasted medication at the wasting station <NUM>. For example, the wasting station <NUM> may include one or more auditing features. The one or more auditing features may be features that allow for the wasted medication and/or the waste container <NUM> to be tracked and associated with a user, such as the clinician <NUM>. For example, the wasting station <NUM> may record information collected when the waste is deposited, including the identification tag (barcode, RFID tag, etc.) of the clinician <NUM> and/or the identity of the clinician <NUM> who deposited the waste, videos recorded during the wasting process, and physical property measurements taken during the wasting process. The user interface <NUM> may provide the badge reader <NUM> for reading an identification code of the clinician <NUM> and/or the biometrics scanner <NUM> for obtaining biometric features of the clinician <NUM>. The identification code of the clinician <NUM> and/or the biometric features of the clinician may be received by the user interface <NUM> and be stored as a part of a record. The record may be linked to or associated with the clinician <NUM> for tracking and later auditing. The record may also include time and date details to associate timing with the wasting process.

In some implementations, the user interface <NUM> includes a display <NUM>. The display <NUM> may display one or more measured and/or calculated aspects during the wasting process. For example, the display <NUM> may display a weight and/or a volume of the wasted medication deposited into the waste container <NUM> and/or a total weight of the wasted medication and the waste container <NUM>. In some implementations, the display <NUM> presents the type of medication deposited into the waste container <NUM>.

Referring again to <FIG>, the user interface <NUM> includes a user input <NUM>. The user input <NUM> may include dials, buttons, icons, selectable areas, or other perceivable indicia presented via the user interface <NUM> that, when interacted with (e.g., clicked, touched, selected, etc.), initiates an exchange of data for the wasting station <NUM> to present via the user interface <NUM>. For example, the user input <NUM> may receive information about the medication being wasted, such as an expected volume and/or weight of the medication to be wasted and deposited into the waste container <NUM> and/or a type of medication to be wasted and deposited into the waste container <NUM>.

In some implementations, the wasting station <NUM> includes one or more cameras <NUM>. The camera <NUM> may be used to monitor and/or record the wasting process, including recording video of the user who places or otherwise connects the medication dispenser to the wasting station <NUM> and/or deposits the wasted medication into the wasting station <NUM>. One or more cameras <NUM> may be used to record video of the waste item as it is placed in the waste container <NUM> and/or coupled to the wasting station <NUM>. In some implementations, the one or more cameras <NUM> may be used for image analysis of a medication and/or medication dispenser. Image analysis of the medication and/or medication dispenser may include identification of medications based on, for example, color, size, shape, and/or markings on the medication and/or medication dispenser.

Consistent with implementations of the current subject matter and as shown in <FIG>, the wasting station <NUM> may include a medication analyzer <NUM>. The medication analyzer <NUM> may analyze the wasted medication. The medication analyzer <NUM> may be integrated with and/or be coupled to one or more of the sensors <NUM>, such as a medication analysis sensor 250B, such as a flow sensor, an optical sensor, and/or a spectrometer. The sensor 250B and/or the medication analyzer <NUM> may be positioned between the manifold assembly <NUM> and the waste container <NUM> such that the wasted medication passes through and/or around the sensor 250B from the manifold assembly <NUM> and/or the medication dispenser to the waste container <NUM>. In other words, the sensor 250B is positioned along a flow path of the wasted medication from the manifold assembly <NUM> and/or the medication dispenser to the waste container <NUM>, and the wasted medication contacts the sensor 250B. The sensor 250B may measure one or more aspects of the medication as the medication contacts and/or passes the sensor 250B. For example, the sensor 250B may measure a flow rate, a volume of medication that passes the sensor 250B, a type of medication, a color for the medication, and/or the like.

In some implementations, the medication analyzer <NUM> may be separate and/or remote from the base <NUM>, the waste container <NUM>, and/or the manifold assembly <NUM>. In other implementations, the medication analyzer <NUM> forms a part of at least one of the base <NUM>, the waste container <NUM>, and/or the manifold assembly <NUM>. As noted above, the medication analyzer <NUM> may perform analysis of liquid and/or solid wasted medication. For example, the medication analyzer <NUM> and/or the sensor 250B may perform, on a wasted medication, Raman spectroscopy, refractometry, image analysis (e.g., color, size, shape, markings, and/or the like), and/or the like to determine the type of medication being wasted. This may be useful to verify that the medication being wasted matches the type of medication expected to be wasted based on, for example, the type of medication received via the user interface <NUM>. In some implementations, the medication analyzer <NUM> holds at least a portion of the wasted medication as the wasted medication passes between the manifold assembly <NUM> and the waste container <NUM> to perform the analysis, such as via the sensor 250B. In other implementations, the medication analyzer <NUM> and/or the sensor 250B performs analysis of the wasted medication as the wasted medication passes between the manifold assembly <NUM> and the waste container <NUM>. In some implementations, the medication analyzer <NUM> and/or the sensor 250B measures one or more aspects of the wasted medication at various times during the wasting process, such as at the beginning, middle, and end of the wasting process to confirm that the same medication is being wasted throughout the entire wasting process. This helps to prevent or reduce the likelihood of diversion as it may be more difficult for users to remove the medication being wasted and/or replace the medication with another substance during the wasting process.

As noted above, the wasting station <NUM> may include one or more sensors <NUM>, such as the sensors 250A, 250B. Each of the one or more sensors <NUM> may be positioned at various locations on and/or in the wasting station <NUM>, such as between the manifold assembly <NUM> and the waste container <NUM>, along the flow path of the wasted medication, at the base <NUM>, and/or the like. The one or more sensors <NUM> may measure one or more properties (e.g., physical properties) of the wasted medication and/or the waste container <NUM> as the wasted medication is being deposited, stored, and/or analyzed. For example, the one or more sensors <NUM> may include one or more flow rate sensors, color sensors, density sensors, scales, load cells, weight sensors, spectrometers, optical sensors, temperature sensors, and/or other sensors.

Referring again to <FIG>, the wasting station <NUM> may include a locking system <NUM>. The locking system <NUM> may include one or more locking features, such as a locking mechanism <NUM>, an enclosure <NUM>, and a smart lock <NUM>, which help to secure the waste container and/or the wasting process. The locking features may help to limit or prevent diversion of the wasted medication at various stages of the wasting process by, for example, limiting access to and/or the removal of the waste container <NUM>, the one or more sensors <NUM>, and/or the like, to authorized personnel, such as personnel that have been verified by the wasting station <NUM> and/or personnel whose credentials have been received and/or stored by the wasting station <NUM> for later audit.

In some implementations, the locking mechanism <NUM> includes a locking arm <NUM> that may be mounted on a surface of the wasting station <NUM>. For example, at least one end of the locking arm <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the base <NUM> of the wasting station <NUM>. The locking arm <NUM> may include another end that is coupled to and/or surrounds an open end of the waste container <NUM> when the wasting station <NUM> is in a first or locked position. Upon receipt of credentials of an authorized user, the wasting station <NUM> (e.g., via the controller <NUM>) may transmit a command to move the locking arm <NUM> to a second or unlocked position. For example, the locking arm <NUM> may pivot or rotate (e.g., about a hinge) from the first position away from the waste container <NUM> to provide access to the waste container <NUM> in the second position for removal. Thus, in the second position, the waste container <NUM> may be detached and/or removed from the wasting station <NUM>. In some implementations, the manifold assembly <NUM> and/or one or more of the sensors <NUM> are coupled to and/or are supported by a portion of the locking arm <NUM>. In such implementations, the manifold assembly <NUM> and/or one or more of the sensors <NUM> move from the first position to the second position together with the locking arm <NUM> when the user is authorized to remove the waste container <NUM>. The locking arm <NUM> of the locking mechanism <NUM> helps to ensure that only an authorized user is provided access to the waste container <NUM> and/or its contents, such as during removal of the waste container <NUM> from the wasting station <NUM>. This helps to limit or prevent diversion of the wasted medication.

Additionally and/or alternatively the locking system <NUM> includes the enclosure <NUM>. The enclosure <NUM> surrounds at least a portion of the wasting station <NUM>, such as at least the waste container <NUM> during the wasting process. Similar to the locking arm <NUM>, upon receipt of credentials of an authorized user, the wasting station <NUM> (e.g., via the controller <NUM>) may transmit a command to move the enclosure from a first or locked position in which the enclosure surrounds at least the waste container <NUM> to a second or unlocked position. The enclosure <NUM> helps to ensure that only an authorized user is provided access to the waste container <NUM> and/or its contents, such as during removal of the waste container <NUM> from the wasting station <NUM>. This help to limit or prevent diversion of the wasted medication.

Additionally and/or alternatively, the locking system <NUM> includes a smart lock <NUM>, which may be separate from and/or integrated with one or more of the other locking features, such as the locking mechanism <NUM> and/or the enclosure <NUM>. The smart lock <NUM> may be configured to release or engage based on multiple factors that are dynamically assessed. For example, the smart lock <NUM> may be applied to the waste container <NUM> of the wasting station <NUM>. The smart lock <NUM> may include location awareness to determine a current location of the smart lock <NUM>. The smart lock <NUM> may consider the location along with the credentials of a user when the user requests access to the locked element. The smart lock <NUM> may determine, based on the location and/or user credentials, whether to release the smart lock <NUM>. This ensures that only authorized personnel are allowed to access the locked element (e.g., the waste container <NUM>), and that such access only takes place in an appropriate location and/or at an appropriate time (e.g., at the end of a wasting process). The smart lock <NUM> may include additional and/or other sensors. For example, the smart lock <NUM> may include a temperature sensor to record the environment around the locked element. This temperature information may affect the results of tests performed on waste items stored in the locked element. The smart lock <NUM> may include a memory element to store the sensor, location, time, and/or other information detected or generated by the smart lock <NUM>. The smart lock <NUM> may include a communications module for transmitting sensor data along with access requests. Thus, if the clinician <NUM> is suspected of diverting medications, the wasting station <NUM> may flag for an audit the wasted medication and/or the waste container <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate an example of the wasting station <NUM> including the base <NUM> including one or more of the sensors <NUM> such as the weight sensor, the waste container <NUM>, the locking system <NUM>, the medication analyzer <NUM> including one or more sensors <NUM> such as the flow sensor and/or the optical sensor, and/or the manifold assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a close-up view of the base <NUM>, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. The base <NUM> may support the locking mechanism <NUM> and/or the waste container <NUM>. For example, the base <NUM> may include a recess <NUM> in which a portion of the waste container <NUM> is supported. The recess <NUM> helps to secure at least a portion, such as a bottom portion, of the waste container <NUM>, to prevent or limit unauthorized removal of the waste container <NUM> from the wasting station <NUM>. In other implementations, the base <NUM> does not include the recess <NUM>, and instead includes a flat surface that supports the waste container <NUM>.

The recess <NUM> (or another portion of the base <NUM> upon which the waste container <NUM> is supported) may include one or more sensors, such as a weight sensor (e.g., a sensor, scale, and/or load cell) 250A. The weight sensor 250A may be positioned on and/or may be integrated with a portion of the base <NUM>, such as a bottom surface of the recess <NUM>. The one or more weight sensors 250A may measure and/or calculate a weight of the medication wasted and deposited into the waste container <NUM>. For example, the one or more weight sensors 250A may measure a total weight of the waste container <NUM> and the waste deposited into the waste container <NUM>. As described herein, the controller <NUM> may remove a weight of the waste container <NUM> from the total weight of the waste container <NUM> and the waste deposited into the waste container <NUM> to determine the actual weight of the waste deposited into the waste container <NUM>. In some implementations, the controller <NUM> and/or the one or more weight sensors 250A measures a change in the total weight to determine the actual or measured weight of the waste deposited into the waste container <NUM>, such as after each medication dispenser is emptied into the waste container <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the base <NUM> includes the user interface <NUM>. The user interface <NUM> includes a display <NUM>, which may display a weight and/or a volume of the wasted medication deposited into the waste container <NUM> and/or a total weight of the wasted medication and the waste container <NUM>. The display <NUM> may additionally and/or alternatively present a volume remaining in the waste container <NUM>. In some implementations, the controller <NUM> of the wasting station <NUM> may determine that no more medication may be wasted into the waste container <NUM>, such as when the waste container <NUM> is full or has reached a predefined maximum weight and/or volume, or that no more medication may be wasted into the waste container <NUM> within an amount of time (e.g., <NUM> minute, <NUM> minutes, <NUM> minutes, <NUM> minutes, <NUM> hour, and/or the like). In such implementations, the controller <NUM> may determine that no more medication may be wasted into the waste container <NUM> based on the weight and/or volume of the medication already wasted into the waste container <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may generate, via the user interface <NUM>, one or more perceivable alerts (visual, audio, and/or the like), that indicate that the waste container <NUM> should be removed and no more medication should be wasted into the waste container <NUM>.

Additionally and/or alternatively, the user interface <NUM> includes a user input <NUM>. The user input <NUM> may include dials, buttons, icons, selectable areas, or other perceivable indicia presented via the user interface <NUM> that, when interacted with (e.g., clicked, touched, selected, etc.), initiates an exchange of data for the wasting station <NUM> to present via the user interface <NUM>. For example, the user input <NUM> may receive information about the medication being wasted, such as an expected volume and/or weight of the medication to be wasted and deposited into the waste container <NUM> and/or a type of medication to be wasted and deposited into the waste container <NUM>. The information about the medication being wasted may be entered by the user before the wasting process. The controller <NUM> may compare one or more measurements, such as an identified type of medication and/or a measured volume of wasted medication to the entered information about the medication, such as the type of medication and/or the expected volume of wasted medication, to determine whether a diversion has occurred, and/or a suspected diversion has occurred.

Additionally and/or alternatively, the user interface includes an authentication feature <NUM>, such as one or more a badge reader for reading an identification code of the clinician <NUM> and/or a biometrics scanner for obtaining one or more biometric features of the clinician <NUM>. The authentication feature <NUM> may authenticate a user before, during, and/or after medication has been wasted and deposited into the wasting station <NUM>. In some implementations, upon verification of the user, such as via the authentication feature <NUM>, the locking mechanism <NUM> may move from a locked position to an unlocked position, allowing the authorized user to remove the waste container <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates cross-sectional view of the wasting station <NUM>, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. As shown in <FIG>, the wasting station <NUM> includes a locking mechanism <NUM>. The locking mechanism <NUM> secures the waste container <NUM> during the wasting process to limit or prevent diversion of the wasted medication at various stages of the wasting process by, for example, limiting access to and/or the removal of the waste container <NUM>, the one or more sensors <NUM>, and/or the like, to authorized personnel, such as personnel that have been authorized by the wasting station <NUM> and/or personnel whose credentials have been received and/or stored by the wasting station <NUM> for later audit.

In some implementations, the locking mechanism <NUM> includes a locking arm <NUM> that may be coupled to the base <NUM>. For example, the locking mechanism <NUM> may include a first end <NUM> pivotably coupled to the base <NUM>, and a second end <NUM> coupled to an open end of the waste container <NUM>. For example, the waste container <NUM> may include an open end that is configured to receive the wasted medication, and a closed end opposite the open end. The closed end may be positioned within the recess of the base <NUM>. The second end <NUM> of the locking mechanism <NUM> may cover and/or surround at least a portion of the open end of the waste container <NUM> to prevent access to the contents of the waste container <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the second end <NUM> may include a channel <NUM>. The channel <NUM> extends through the second end <NUM> of the locking mechanism <NUM> to define at least a portion of the flow path between the medication dispenser and the waste container <NUM>. For example, the channel <NUM> may be in fluid communication with the manifold assembly <NUM> and/or the medication dispenser. Accordingly, the second end <NUM> of the locking mechanism <NUM> alone, or together with the manifold assembly <NUM>, provides a closed system that allows the wasted medication to pass from the medication dispenser to the waste container <NUM> without allowing access to the wasted medication along the flowpath between the medication dispenser and the waste container <NUM>. Thus, the wasting station <NUM> described herein securely stores the wasted medication and helps to prevent or limit diversion of the wasted medication.

In some implementations, upon receipt of credentials of an authorized user, such as via the user interface <NUM>, the wasting station <NUM> (e.g., via the controller <NUM>) may transmit a command to move the locking arm <NUM> from a first locked position (see <FIG> and <FIG>) to a second or unlocked position (see <FIG>). For example, the locking arm <NUM> may move (e.g., rotate, pivot, slide, and/or the like) from the first position away from the waste container <NUM> to provide access to the waste container <NUM> in the second position, for removal. Thus, in the second position, the waste container <NUM> may be detached and/or removed from the wasting station <NUM>. The locking mechanism <NUM> helps to ensure that only an authorized user is provided access to the waste container <NUM> and/or its contents, such as during removal of the waste container <NUM> from the wasting station <NUM>. This help to limit or prevent diversion of the wasted medication.

In some implementations, the locking mechanism <NUM> supports the manifold assembly <NUM> and/or the one or more sensors <NUM>. For example, the manifold assembly <NUM> and/or one or more of the sensors <NUM> may move from the first position to the second position together with the locking mechanism <NUM> when the user is authorized to remove the waste container <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the wasting station <NUM> also includes the medication analyzer <NUM>, which may analyze the wasted medication. The medication analyzer <NUM> may be integrated with and/or be coupled to one or more of the sensors <NUM>, such as a medication analysis sensor 250B, such as a flow sensor, an optical sensor, and/or a spectrometer. The sensor 250B and/or the medication analyzer <NUM> may be positioned between the manifold assembly <NUM> and the waste container <NUM> such that the wasted medication passes through and/or around the sensor 250B from the manifold assembly <NUM> and/or the medication dispenser to the waste container <NUM>. In other words, the sensor 250B is positioned along a flow path of the wasted medication from the manifold assembly <NUM> and/or the medication dispenser to the waste container <NUM>, and the wasted medication contacts the sensor 250B. The sensor 250B may measure one or more aspects of the medication as the medication contacts and/or passes the sensor 250B. For example, the sensor 250B may measure a flow rate, a volume of medication that passes the sensor 250B, a type of medication, and/or the like.

The medication analyzer <NUM> may perform an analysis of the wasted medication, to determine the type of medication being wasted. This may be useful to verify that the medication being wasted is the same as the type of medication expected to be wasted, based on, for example, the type of medication received via the user interface <NUM>. In some implementations, the medication analyzer <NUM> holds at least a portion of the wasted medication to perform the analysis, such as via the sensor 250B. In other implementations, the medication analyzer <NUM> performs the analysis of the wasted medication as the wasted medication passes along the flow path between the manifold assembly <NUM> and the waste container <NUM>. In some implementations, the medication analyzer <NUM> and/or the sensor 250B measures one or more aspects of the wasted medication at various times during the wasting process, such as at the beginning, middle, and end of the wasting process to confirm that the same medication is being wasted throughout the entire wasting process. This helps to prevent or reduce the likelihood of diversion as it may be more difficult for users to remove the medication being wasted and/or replace the medication with another substance during the wasting process.

As shown in <FIG>, one or more medication dispensers <NUM>, such as one or more syringes, may be coupled to the wasting station <NUM>. In particular, the one or more medication dispensers <NUM> may be coupled to the manifold assembly <NUM>. The manifold assembly <NUM> may be cylindrical, rectangular, oval, and/or have another shape. The manifold assembly <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes four slots <NUM>, each configured to receive at least a portion, such as a tip end, of a corresponding medication dispenser <NUM>. The slots <NUM> may form openings that extend through an outer surface of the manifold assembly <NUM>. In some implementations, the manifold assembly <NUM> includes one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or more slots <NUM>, each of which receive a corresponding medication dispenser <NUM>. In some implementations, the slots <NUM> include a coupling feature <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) that is configured to receive at least a portion of the medication dispenser <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view of the wasting station <NUM>, showing an interior of the manifold assembly <NUM>. The manifold assembly <NUM> includes an interior cavity <NUM>. The interior cavity <NUM> may include one or more compartments <NUM>. In some implementations, the one or more compartments <NUM> includes a single compartment occupying the entire interior cavity <NUM> that is configured to receive the medication dispensed from at least one of the medication dispensers <NUM>. In other implementations, the one or more compartments <NUM> includes one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or more compartments <NUM>, which correspond to each of the slots <NUM>. For example, each of the one or more compartments <NUM> may be positioned below and/or adjacent to a corresponding slot <NUM>. The one or more compartments <NUM> of the interior cavity <NUM> collect the wasted medication dispensed from each corresponding medication dispenser <NUM>.

Each of the one or more compartments <NUM> may be configured to hold all or a portion of the medication dispensed from one or more of the medication dispensers <NUM>. As described above, the one or more compartments <NUM> of the interior cavity <NUM> may hold at least a portion of the dispensed medication for a period of time (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM> seconds, <NUM> to <NUM> seconds, <NUM> to <NUM> seconds, <NUM> to <NUM> minutes, <NUM> to <NUM> minutes, <NUM> to <NUM> minutes, <NUM> to <NUM> minutes, <NUM> to <NUM> minutes and/or other ranges therebetween). In other implementations, the interior cavity defines a channel through which the dispensed medication passes from the medication dispenser to the waste container <NUM>, either directly, or indirectly through a portion of the locking mechanism <NUM>.

The manifold assembly <NUM> may be positioned above the waste container <NUM> to allow the wasted medication to pass from the medication dispenser <NUM> to the waste container <NUM> or the interior cavity <NUM> more easily, such as via gravity, or by physical manipulation of the medication dispenser <NUM> (e.g., depression of a syringe, squeezing an IV bag, and/or the like). In some implementations, the manifold assembly <NUM> includes one or more valves to allow the medication to pass from the medication dispenser into the interior cavity, and/or from the interior cavity to the waste container <NUM>. The one or more valves may be controlled by the controller <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may open and/or close the one or more valves depending on which medication dispenser <NUM> is dispensing the medication into the waste container <NUM>. In some implementations, at least one of the valves, such as a flush valve, is coupled to a flush line. The flush line is configured to deliver a flushing solution to the manifold assembly <NUM> and/or to the flow path of the wasted medication to clean at least a portion of the flow path from the medication dispenser to the waste container <NUM>. In some implementations, the controller <NUM> is configured to actuate the flush valve to allow the flushing solution to clean the flow path periodically, after a predetermined amount of medication has been wasted, after each medication dispenser <NUM> has been emptied, and/or at other designated time intervals. Flushing at least a portion of the flow path of the wasted medication helps to ensure that the flow path does not become clogged and/or that the one or more sensors are accurately measuring and/or identifying the wasted medication being deposited into the waste container <NUM>. In some implementations, the one or more valves may allow at least some of the wasted medication to pass between the compartment <NUM> and the waste container <NUM>.

The manifold assembly <NUM> may include a sequencing mechanism <NUM>. The sequencing mechanism <NUM> causes the manifold assembly <NUM> to rotate and/or otherwise move into a proper position such that the desired medication dispenser <NUM>, and/or compartment <NUM> is appropriately located along the flow path to the waste container <NUM>. In some implementations, the controller <NUM> may cause the sequencing mechanism <NUM> to rotate the manifold assembly <NUM> in a sequence. For example, the sequencing mechanism <NUM> may rotate (e.g., automatically) the manifold assembly <NUM> to the next medication dispenser to dispense the wasted medication at set time intervals, after the current medication dispenser is emptied, and/or after a predetermined amount of medication has been deposited into the waste container <NUM>. For example, because the medication analyzer <NUM> may take several seconds to identify the wasted medication, the sequencing mechanism <NUM> and/or the manifold assembly <NUM> allow for multiple medication dispensers <NUM> to be coupled to the wasting station <NUM>, and allow for sequencing of the wasted medication to pass through the medication analyzer <NUM> from the manifold assembly <NUM> and/or the medication dispenser <NUM> after the medication analyzer <NUM> has identified the wasted medication from the corresponding medication dispenser. The sequencing mechanism <NUM> may rotate the manifold assembly <NUM> by <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees, and/or the like. The sequencing mechanism helps to more efficiently and/or quickly dispense the medication into the waste container <NUM> with, or without, requiring a clinician to manipulate the medication dispenser.

<FIG> illustrates another example of the wasting station <NUM>, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter, in which the wasting station <NUM> includes an enclosure <NUM>. The enclosure <NUM> may be formed of plastic, metal, or another material to secure at least the waste container <NUM>, the locking mechanism <NUM>, the sensor 250B, the manifold assembly <NUM>, and/or the medication dispenser <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the enclosure <NUM> is supported by the base <NUM> and surrounds at least a portion of the waste container <NUM> and the locking mechanism <NUM> to prevent unauthorized access to the waste container <NUM> and its contents, thereby reducing or eliminating the risk of diversion of the wasted medication.

In some implementations, the enclosure <NUM> may be removably coupled to the wasting station <NUM>, such as to the base <NUM>. For example, after authorizing a user, such as via the user interface <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may open at least a portion of the enclosure <NUM> to allow access to the waste container <NUM>. In other implementations, after authorizing a user, such as via the user interface <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may cause the enclosure <NUM> to unlock, thereby allowing for the enclosure to be removed, and/or to pivot along with the locking mechanism <NUM> when the locking mechanism <NUM> moves from the unlocked position to the unlocked positon. Thus, the enclosure <NUM> may provide enhanced security for the wasting station <NUM>, as a second means (e.g., in addition to the locking mechanism <NUM>) of preventing unauthorized access to the waste container <NUM>. In some implementations, the enclosure <NUM> is not removable until the wasting station <NUM> grants access to the waste container <NUM> via a dual-authentication process. For example, the wasting station <NUM> may grant a first authorization to allow the locking mechanism <NUM> to be unlocked and a second authorization to allow the enclosure to be moved. Alternatively, the wasting station <NUM> may grant a first authorization to allow the enclosure to be moved and a second authorization for the locking mechanism <NUM> to be unlocked. The enclosure <NUM> may also shield at least a portion of the flow path between the medication dispenser <NUM> and the waste container <NUM>, including the medication analyzer <NUM>, from manipulation from an unauthorized user during the wasting process.

<FIG> illustrate an example of a wasting station <NUM>, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. For example, the wasting station <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> may include one or more of the same or similar properties and/or components of the wasting station <NUM>, such as the base <NUM> (including one or more of the sensors <NUM> such as the weight sensor), the waste container <NUM>, the locking system <NUM>, the medication analyzer <NUM> including one or more sensors <NUM> such as the flow sensor and/or the optical sensor, and/or the manifold assembly <NUM>. As shown, the wasting station <NUM> may additionally and/or alternatively include a sequencing mechanism <NUM>, a plunger mechanism <NUM>, and/or an enclosure <NUM>.

The wasting station <NUM> may allow for the medication to be wasted from the medication dispenser <NUM> automatically, without intervention from a user during the wasting process. For example, as noted above, the wasting station <NUM> includes the sequencing mechanism <NUM> and the plunger mechanism <NUM>. The sequencing mechanism <NUM> may be the same or similar to the sequencing mechanism <NUM>, and may include one or more of the same features and/or function as the sequencing mechanism <NUM>. The sequencing mechanism <NUM> and the plunger mechanism <NUM> may be supported by and/or form a part of the manifold assembly <NUM>.

The sequencing mechanism <NUM> positions the medication dispenser <NUM> to the plunger mechanism <NUM>, which causes the medication dispenser <NUM> (e.g., by depressing, squeezing, and/or another type of physical manipulation) to dispense the wasted medication. For example, the sequencing mechanism <NUM> may extend from the manifold assembly <NUM>. The sequencing mechanism may include structure shaped as a cylinder, rectangle, square, and/or the like. The sequencing mechanism <NUM> may include one or more attachment features <NUM> to secure at least one (one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or more medication dispensers) to the sequencing mechanism <NUM>. The one or more attachment features <NUM> may include a clamp, magnet, snap-fit, or another attachment feature that secures the medication dispenser <NUM> to the sequencing mechanism <NUM>. The one or more attachment features <NUM> may include one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or more attachment features <NUM>, each of which configured to receive and secure at least a portion of a corresponding medication dispenser <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, for example, the attachment feature <NUM> wraps around at least a portion of the medication dispenser <NUM> to secure the medication dispenser to the sequencing mechanism <NUM>. The attachment feature <NUM> may hold the medication dispenser <NUM> in an upright position to allow for the medication dispenser <NUM> to more easily couple to the slot <NUM> when the medication dispenser <NUM> is located by the sequencing mechanism <NUM> within the plunger mechanism <NUM>.

The sequencing mechanism <NUM> may include one or more walls <NUM> that extend radially outwardly from a central portion of the sequencing mechanism <NUM> (see <FIG>). The one or more walls <NUM> are positioned between adjacent attachment features <NUM>. In some implementations, the one or more walls <NUM> are configured to separate the medication dispensers when the medication dispensers are coupled to the wasting station <NUM>.

The sequencing mechanism <NUM> rotates and/or otherwise moves into a proper position such that the desired medication dispenser <NUM> is appropriately within and/or coupled to the plunger mechanism <NUM>. In some implementations, the controller <NUM> may cause the sequencing mechanism <NUM> to rotate the medication dispensers <NUM> in a sequence. For example, the sequencing mechanism <NUM> may rotate (e.g., automatically), after a first medication dispenser has dispensed the wasted medication, to a second, third, or fourth medication dispenser to dispense the wasted medication at set time intervals, after the first medication dispenser is emptied, and/or after a predetermined amount of medication has been deposited into the waste container <NUM>. For example, because the medication analyzer <NUM> may take several seconds to identify the wasted medication, the sequencing mechanism <NUM> allows for multiple medication dispensers <NUM> to be coupled to the wasting station <NUM>, and allows for sequencing of the wasted medication to pass to the waste container <NUM> after the medication analyzer <NUM> has identified the wasted medication from the corresponding medication dispenser. The sequencing mechanism <NUM> may rotate in sequence by <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees, and/or the like, to position the next medication dispenser. The sequencing mechanism <NUM> helps to more efficiently and/or quickly dispense the medication into the waste container <NUM> without requiring a clinician to manipulate the medication dispenser.

Referring to <FIG>, the plunger mechanism <NUM> includes a dispensing feature <NUM> and a track <NUM>. The dispensing feature <NUM> is configured to slide along the track <NUM>. The dispensing feature <NUM> is configured to contact a portion of the medication dispenser <NUM> to cause at least some of the wasted medication to be dispensed from the medication dispenser. In the example illustrated in <FIG>, the dispensing feature <NUM> is configured to slide along the track <NUM> and contact and depress a plunger of the medication dispenser (e.g., a syringe in this scenario) to cause the wasted medication to be dispensed from the medication dispenser <NUM>. The plunger mechanism <NUM> may include a motor or other power source, and/or may be coupled to an external power source. The controller <NUM> may activate the plunger mechanism <NUM> to cause the plunger mechanism <NUM> to contact the medication dispenser <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may send a command to the plunger mechanism <NUM> to cause the plunger mechanism to dispense at least some of the wasted medication from the medication dispenser <NUM>. In some implementations, the plunger mechanism <NUM> causes the medication dispenser to dispense all of the wasted medication from the medication dispenser. In some implementations, the plunger mechanism <NUM> (e.g., after receiving a command from the controller <NUM>) causes the medication dispenser to dispense a first portion of the wasted medication from the medication dispenser to be analyzed by the medication analyzer <NUM>. In some implementations, the plunger mechanism (e.g., after receiving a command from the controller <NUM>) causes the medication dispenser to dispense the remaining portion of the wasted medication from the medication dispenser after the medication analyzer <NUM> has identified the wasted medication.

Similar to the wasting station <NUM>, the wasting station <NUM> may include one or more valves, such as a flush valve, that are coupled to a flush line. The flush line is configured to deliver a flushing solution through the slot <NUM> of the manifold assembly <NUM> and/or to the flow path of the wasted medication to clean at least a portion of the flow path from the medication dispenser to the waste container <NUM>. In some implementations, the controller <NUM> is configured to actuate the flush valve to allow the flushing solution to clean the flow path periodically, after a predetermined amount of medication has been wasted, after each medication dispenser <NUM> has been emptied, and/or at other designated time intervals. Flushing at least a portion of the flow path of the wasted medication helps to ensure that the flow path does not become clogged and/or that the one or more sensors are accurately measuring and/or identifying the wasted medication being deposited into the waste container <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an example of the enclosure <NUM>, which may be the same or similar to the enclosure <NUM>, and may include one or more of the same features and/or function as the enclosure <NUM>. The enclosure <NUM> may be formed of plastic, metal, or another material. The enclosure <NUM> may be supported by the base <NUM>, and may secure at least a portion of the wasting station <NUM>, such as the waste container <NUM>, the locking mechanism <NUM>, the sensor 250B, the manifold assembly <NUM>, the sequencing mechanism <NUM>, the plunger mechanism <NUM>, and/or the medication dispensers <NUM> coupled to the wasting station <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the enclosure <NUM> is supported by the base <NUM> and surrounds the remaining components of the wasting station <NUM> to prevent unauthorized access to the waste container <NUM> and its contents and/or the medication dispensers coupled to the wasting station <NUM>, thereby reducing or eliminating the risk of diversion of the wasted medication during the wasting process.

In some implementations, the enclosure <NUM> may be removably coupled to the wasting station <NUM>, such as to the base <NUM>. In some implementations, after authorizing a user, such as via the user interface <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may open at least a portion of the enclosure <NUM> to allow access to the waste container <NUM>, at least one medication dispenser <NUM>, and/or the like. For example, the enclosure <NUM> may include an access door <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may open the access door <NUM> to allow access to the waste container <NUM>, at least one medication dispenser <NUM>, and/or the like. As shown in <FIG>, the access door <NUM> provides access to at least one of the medication dispensers <NUM> coupled to the sequencing mechanism <NUM> for removal of the medication dispenser <NUM>. Additionally and/or alternatively, the access door <NUM> provides access to at least one open position on the sequencing mechanism <NUM> at which no medication dispenser <NUM> is coupled to the sequencing mechanism <NUM>. The sequencing mechanism <NUM> may be capable of receiving a new medication dispenser at the open position. In some implementations, the access door <NUM> provides access to an open position on the sequencing mechanism <NUM> between two adjacent walls <NUM>. Once the medication dispenser <NUM> is coupled to the sequencing mechanism <NUM>, the sequencing mechanism <NUM> moves the medication dispenser away from the access door <NUM>. The walls <NUM> and the access door <NUM>, together with attachment features <NUM> may help to prevent or reduce the likelihood of unauthorized removal of the medication dispenser. This helps to ensure that only empty medication dispensers can be removed by an authorized user. As described herein, the enclosure <NUM> may only be opened by authorized user for removal of an empty medication dispenser, loading of a medication dispenser to the wasting station <NUM>, and/or removal of the waste container <NUM>.

In some implementations, after the controller <NUM> authorizes a user, such as via the user interface <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may cause the enclosure <NUM> to unlock, thereby allowing for the enclosure to be removed, and/or to pivot along with the locking mechanism <NUM> when the locking mechanism <NUM> moves from the unlocked position to the unlocked positon. Thus, the enclosure <NUM> may provide enhanced security for the wasting station <NUM>, as a second means (e.g., in addition to the locking mechanism <NUM>) of preventing unauthorized access to the waste container <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts a flowchart illustrating an example process <NUM>, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter.

At <NUM>, a wasting station (e.g., the wasting station <NUM>, <NUM>), via a controller (e.g., the controller <NUM>), may authenticate a user, such as the clinician <NUM>, using the wasting station. The wasting station may receive one or more credentials from the user, such as via a user interface (e.g., the user interface <NUM>). The user, via the user interface, may be prompted to enter a user name and password, provide a fingerprint scan, provide a retina scan, swipe an employee card, or provide other information, such as biometric information, to verify the user is authorized to use the wasting station <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the wasting station may perform a wasting workflow. During and/or after authorization of the user, the wasting station may receive, via the user interface, a type of medication to be wasted and a quantity of medication to be wasted. In some implementations, the wasting station may receive an indication, such as via the user interface, that the wasting workflow should begin.

In some implementations, the wasting station may receive one or more medication dispensers. In other words, the user may couple one or more medication dispensers to the wasting station. For example, a manifold assembly (e.g., the manifold assembly <NUM>) and/or a sequencing mechanism (e.g., the sequencing mechanism <NUM>, <NUM>) may receive one or more medication dispensers. In some implementations, one or more slots (e.g., the slots <NUM>) on the manifold assembly may receive at least a portion of the medication dispenser. In such implementations, the user may position the medication dispenser such that an end of the medication that dispenses the wasted medication is coupled to a corresponding slot.

Additionally, and/or alternatively, the sequencing mechanism may receive at least a portion of the medication dispenser. In such implementations, the user may couple the medication dispenser to one or more attachment features on the sequencing mechanism. In some implementations, the wasting station includes an enclosure that surrounds at least the sequencing mechanism. After the wasting station authorizes the user, the controller of the wasting station may cause an access door in the enclosure to open, allowing access to at least one of the attachment features for the user to load the medication dispenser onto the wasting station.

In some implementations, as part of the wasting workflow, the controller causes rotation of the medication dispenser, such as via the sequencing mechanism. For example, the medication dispenser is rotated by the wasting station to position the medication dispenser to dispense the wasted medication along a flow path (e.g., through the manifold assembly and/or medical analyzer) to a waste container coupled to the wasting station. Once the medication dispenser is in the proper position, the at least a portion of the wasted medication may be dispensed. In some implementations, the user may physically manipulate the medication dispenser to dispense the medication. Additionally and/or alternatively, rotation of the medication dispenser causes the medication dispenser to couple with a plunger mechanism. The plunger mechanism may contact the medication dispenser to cause the wasted medication to be dispensed. As described herein, such configurations may provide an automated process that efficiently wastes medication. This may also allow for a closed system that causes the wasted medication to be dispensed into the waste container while preventing unauthorized access to the wasted medication and/or the waste container.

In some implementations, the wasting station may include one or more valves, such as a flush valve, that are coupled to a flush line. The flush line is configured to deliver a flushing solution through at least a portion of the flow path clean at least the portion of the flow path. In some implementations, the controller is configured to actuate the flush valve to allow the flushing solution to clean the flow path periodically, after a predetermined amount of medication has been wasted, after each medication dispenser has been emptied, and/or at other designated time intervals. Flushing at least a portion of the flow path of the wasted medication helps to ensure that the flow path does not become clogged and/or that the one or more sensors accurately measure and/or identify the wasted medication being deposited into the waste container.

Before, during, and/or after the wasted medication is dispensed, the wasting station may perform one or more wasting workflows to help limit or prevent diversion of the wasted medication. <FIG> depicts an example wasting workflow <NUM>, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. At <NUM>, as noted above, the wasting station may receive, via the user interface, an expected volume of the wasted medication to be wasted.

At <NUM>, the one or more weight sensors described herein may measure a measured weight of the wasted medication deposited into the waste container. For example, as described herein, the base of the wasting station may include a weight sensor positioned beneath the waste container. The weight sensor may measure a weight of the waste container, including its contents. The weight sensor may determine the measured weight of the wasted medication deposited into the waste container by subtracting a weight of the waste container.

At <NUM>, based on the measured weight, the wasting station (e.g., the controller) may determine a measured volume of the wasted medication deposited into the waste container. For example, the controller may convert the measured weight of the wasted medication to the measured volume of the wasted medication. In some implementations, the controller converts the measured weight of the wasted medication to the measured volume of the wasted medication based on a density of the wasted medication. The controller may retrieve the density of the wasted medication from a database of the wasting station and/or communicatively coupled to the wasting station. In other implementations, the wasting station receives the density of the wasted medication via the user interface.

At <NUM>, the wasting station (e.g., the controller) compares the measured volume of the wasted medication to the expected volume of the wasted medication. For example, the wasting station may determine whether the measured volume is the same as or within an acceptable range of the expected volume.

At <NUM>, the wasting station (e.g., the controller) may determine whether a suspected diversion has occurred. For example, the wasting station may determine that a suspected diversion of the wasted medication has occurred based upon a determination that the measured volume is not the same as or is not within an acceptable range of the expected volume. Based on the determination of the suspected diversion, the wasting station may store information associated with the user, either collected during authorization of the user or from a database, and information associated with the wasted medication, such as the expected volume, the measured volume, and/or the like, for later audit. In some implementations, based on the determination of the suspected diversion, the wasting station generates an alert, flags the wasting workflow for later audit, generates an alert at a remote location, and/or the like. Additionally and/or alternatively, the wasting station may determine that a suspected diversion of the wasted medication has not occurred based upon a determination that the measured volume is the same as or is within an acceptable range of the expected volume. Based on the determination that no suspected diversion has occurred, the wasting station may store information associated with the user, either collected during authorization of the user or from a database, and information associated with the wasted medication, such as the expected volume, the measured volume, and/or the like, for later audit.

<FIG> depicts another example wasting workflow <NUM>, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. At <NUM>, as noted above, the wasting station may receive, via the user interface, an expected medication type of the wasted medication to be wasted.

At <NUM>, the medication analyzer (e.g., the medication analyzer <NUM>) including one or more sensors, such as the optical sensor, described herein may identify an actual medication type of the wasted medication deposited into the waste container. For example, the medication analyzer may identify the medication type of the wasted medication as the wasted medication passes along the flow path. Additionally and/or alternatively, the medication analyzer collects a portion of the wasted medication to analyze.

At <NUM>, the wasting station (e.g., the controller) compares the expected medication type to the actual medication type of the wasted medication. For example, the wasting station may determine whether the identified actual medication type is the same as the expected medication type.

At <NUM>, the wasting station (e.g., the controller) may determine whether a suspected diversion has occurred. For example, the wasting station may determine that a suspected diversion of the wasted medication has occurred based upon a determination that the actual medication type is not the same as the expected medication type. Based on the determination of the suspected diversion, the wasting station may store information associated with the user, either collected during authorization of the user or from a database, and information associated with the wasted medication, such as the expected medication type, the actual medication type, and/or the like, for later audit. In some implementations, based on the determination of the suspected diversion, the wasting station generates an alert, flags the wasting workflow for later audit, generates an alert at a remote location, and/or the like. Additionally and/or alternatively, the wasting station may determine that a suspected diversion of the wasted medication has not occurred based upon a determination that the actual medication type is the same as the expected medication type. Based on the determination that no suspected diversion has occurred, the wasting station may store information associated with the user, either collected during authorization of the user or from a database, and information associated with the wasted medication, such as the expected medication type, the actual medication type, and/or the like, for later audit.

Referring back to <FIG>, at <NUM>, the wasting station may enable access to the waste container for removal of the waste container. In some implementations, the wasting station determines that the waste container is ready for removal, such as when the waste container has reached its maximum storage capacity and/or after a medication dispenser has been emptied. Additionally and/or alternatively, the wasting station may receive a request to access and/or remove the waste container.

Based on the determination that the waste container is ready for removal and/or the receipt of the request to access and/or remove the waste container, the wasting station may authenticate the user. The wasting station may receive one or more credentials from the user, such as via the user interface, which may be associated with the wasted medication, the removal and/or access of the waste container, and/or the like, and stored for later audit. The user, via the user interface, may be prompted to enter a user name and password, provide a fingerprint scan, provide a retina scan, swipe an employee card, or provide other information, such as biometric information, to verify the user is authorized to use the wasting station.

To enable access to the waste container for removal of the waste container, the wasting station may unlock an enclosure surrounding at least a portion of the wasting station. Additionally and/or alternatively, to enable access to the waste container for removal of the waste container, the wasting station may cause a locking mechanism securing the waste container to the wasting station to unlock. Unlocking the locking mechanism may include pivoting the locking mechanism from a first position, in which a portion of the locking mechanism is positioned over an open end of the waste container, to a second positon, in which the portion of the locking mechanism is positioned away from the open end of the waste container, and allows access to the waste container.

At <NUM>, the wasting station may create a record of the access to the waste container. For example, as noted above, the wasting station may associate one or more of the credentials of the user with one or more details about the wasted medication. The wasting station may store the association between the user and the wasted medication and/or the waste container for later audit.

Accordingly, the wasting station described herein may accurately measure and/or track the dispensed weight and/or volume of the wasted medication that is deposited into and/or captured by the waste container. The wasting system may additionally and/or alternatively identify the wasted medication, such as when the medication is deposited into the waste container. This helps to limit or prevent diversion of the wasted medication, by creating records of the wasting process for later audit, and by providing a system that flags a particular wasting process for later audit at least when the system determines that a suspected diversion has occurred. The wasting system may additionally and/or alternatively secure the wasting station, such that only authorized users may access one or more components of the wasting station, further preventing or limiting diversion of the wasted medication. Additionally and/or alternatively, the wasting station described herein may reduce the resources required to waste medication and allows users to perform additional tasks while the wasting station performs the wasting process. This may also improve the user experience of the wasting system while wasting medication.

<FIG> depicts a block diagram illustrating a computing system <NUM> consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the computing system <NUM> may be used to implement one or more components of the wasting system <NUM>, such as the various components of the wasting station <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the computing system <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a storage device <NUM>, and input/output device <NUM>. The processor <NUM>, the memory <NUM>, the storage device <NUM>, and the input/output device <NUM> may be interconnected via a system bus <NUM>. The processor <NUM> is capable of processing instructions for execution within the computing system <NUM>. Such executed instructions may implement one or more components of the wasting system <NUM>, such as the wasting station <NUM>. In some example embodiments, the processor <NUM> may be a single-threaded processor. Alternatively, the processor <NUM> may be a multi-threaded processor. The processor <NUM> is capable of processing instructions stored in the memory <NUM> and/or on the storage device <NUM> to display graphical information for a user interface provided via the input/output device <NUM>.

The memory <NUM> is a computer readable medium such as volatile or nonvolatile that stores information within the computing system <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may store data structures representing configuration object databases, for example. The storage device <NUM> is capable of providing persistent storage for the computing system <NUM>. The storage device <NUM> may be a floppy disk device, a hard disk device, an optical disk device, a tape device, a solid-state device, and/or any other suitable persistent storage means. The input/output device <NUM> provides input/output operations for the computing system <NUM>. In some implementations, the input/output device <NUM> includes a keyboard and/or pointing device. In various implementations, the input/output device <NUM> includes a display unit for displaying graphical user interfaces.

According to some implementations, the input/output device <NUM> may provide input/output operations for a network device. For example, the input/output device <NUM> may include Ethernet ports or other networking ports to communicate with one or more wired and/or wireless networks (e.g., a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet).

In some implementations, the computing system <NUM> may be used to execute various interactive computer software applications that may be used for organization, analysis, and/or storage of data in various formats. Alternatively, the computing system <NUM> may be used to execute any type of software applications. These applications may be used to perform various functionalities, e.g., planning functionalities (e.g., generating, managing, editing of spreadsheet documents, word processing documents, and/or any other objects, etc.), computing functionalities, communications functionalities, etc. The applications may include various add-in functionalities or may be standalone computing products and/or functionalities. Upon activation within the applications, the functionalities may be used to generate the user interface provided via the input/output device <NUM>. The user interface may be generated and presented to a user by the computing system <NUM> (e.g., on a computer screen monitor, etc.).

One or more aspects or features of the subject matter described herein can be realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry, specially designed ASICs, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinations thereof. A client and server are remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network.

These computer programs, which can also be referred to as programs, software, software applications, applications, components, or code, include machine instructions for a programmable processor, and can be implemented in a high-level procedural and/or object-oriented programming language, and/or in assembly/machine language. The machine-readable medium can alternatively or additionally store such machine instructions in a transient manner, such as for example, as would a processor cache or other random access memory associated with one or more physical processor cores.

To provide for interaction with a user, one or more aspects or features of the subject matter described herein can be implemented on a computer having a display device, such as for example a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a light emitting diode (LED) monitor for displaying information to the user and one or more hardware buttons, a keyboard and/or a pointing device, such as for example a mouse or a trackball, by which the user may provide input to the computer. For example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, such as for example visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user may be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input. Other possible input devices include touch screens or other touch-sensitive devices such as single or multi-point resistive or capacitive track pads, voice recognition hardware and software, optical scanners, optical pointers, digital image capture devices, hardware buttons, and associated interpretation software, and the like.

Although the disclosure, including the figures, described herein may describe and/or exemplify different variations separately, it should be understood that all or some, or components of them, may be combined.

Although various illustrative embodiments are described above, any of a number of changes may be made to various embodiments. Therefore, the foregoing description is provided primarily for exemplary purposes and should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the claims.

References to a structure or feature that is disposed "adjacent" another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

Terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

Spatially relative terms, such as, for example, "under", "below", "lower", "over", "upper" and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising" means various components can be co-jointly employed in the methods and articles (e.g., compositions and apparatuses including device and methods).

The phrase "about" "or "approximately" may be used when describing magnitude and/or position to indicate that the value and/or position described is within a reasonable expected range of values and/or positions.

In the descriptions above and in the claims, phrases such as, for example, "at least one of' or "one or more of" may occur followed by a conjunctive list of elements or features.

As used herein a "user interface" (also referred to as an interactive user interface, a graphical user interface or a UI) may refer to a network based interface including data fields and/or other control elements for receiving input signals or providing electronic information and/or for providing information to the user in response to any received input signals. Control elements may include dials, buttons, icons, selectable areas, or other perceivable indicia presented via the UI that, when interacted with (e.g., clicked, touched, selected, etc.), initiates an exchange of data for the device presenting the UI. A UI may be implemented in whole or in part using technologies such as hyper-text mark-up language (HTML), FLASH™, JAVA™,. NET™, C, C++, web services, or rich site summary (RSS). In some embodiments, a UI may be included in a stand-alone client (for example, thick client, fat client) configured to communicate (e.g., send or receive data) in accordance with one or more of the aspects described. The communication may be to or from a medical device or server in communication therewith.

As used herein, the terms "determine" or "determining" encompass a wide variety of actions. For example, "determining" may include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, generating, obtaining, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, a database or another data structure), ascertaining and the like via a hardware element without user intervention. Also, "determining" may include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory) and the like via a hardware element without user intervention. "Determining" may include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and the like via a hardware element without user intervention.

As used herein, the terms "provide" or "providing" encompass a wide variety of actions. For example, "providing" may include storing a value in a location of a storage device for subsequent retrieval, transmitting a value directly to the recipient via at least one wired or wireless communication medium, transmitting or storing a reference to a value, and the like. "Providing" may also include encoding, decoding, encrypting, decrypting, validating, verifying, and the like via a hardware element.

As used herein, the term "message" encompasses a wide variety of formats for communicating (e.g., transmitting or receiving) information. A message may include a machine readable aggregation of information such as an XML document, fixed field message, comma separated message, JSON, a custom protocol, or the like. A message may, in some implementations, include a signal utilized to transmit one or more representations of the information. While recited in the singular, it will be understood that a message may be composed, transmitted, stored, received, etc. in multiple parts.

As used herein, the term "selectively" or "selective" may encompass a wide variety of actions. For example, a "selective" process may include determining one option from multiple options. A "selective" process may include one or more of: dynamically determined inputs, preconfigured inputs, or user-initiated inputs for making the determination. In some implementations, an n-input switch may be included to provide selective functionality where n is the number of inputs used to make the selection.

As user herein, the terms "correspond" or "corresponding" encompasses a structural, functional, quantitative and/or qualitative correlation or relationship between two or more objects, data sets, information and/or the like, preferably where the correspondence or relationship may be used to translate one or more of the two or more objects, data sets, information and/or the like so to appear to be the same or equal. Correspondence may be assessed using one or more of a threshold, a value range, fuzzy logic, pattern matching, a machine learning assessment model, or combinations thereof.

Claim 1:
A wasting station (<NUM>) configured to receive a wasted medication from a medication dispenser, comprising:
a base (<NUM>) comprising:
a weight sensor (250A) configured to measure a weight of a waste container (<NUM>) supported by the base (<NUM>), the wasting station (<NUM>) configured to determine, based on the measured weight, a volume of the wasted medication positioned within the waste container (<NUM>);
a locking mechanism (<NUM>) comprising:
a first end (<NUM>) configured to be coupled to the base (<NUM>); and
a second end (<NUM>) configured to be coupled to the waste container (<NUM>) when the locking mechanism (<NUM>) is in a first position and decoupled from the waste container (<NUM>) when the locking mechanism (<NUM>) moves from the first position to a second position, thereby allowing for removal of the waste container (<NUM>);
a manifold assembly (<NUM>) comprising an interior cavity (<NUM>) configured to receive at least a portion of the wasted medication from the medication dispenser, wherein at least the portion of the wasted medication is configured to pass from the interior cavity (<NUM>) to the waste container (<NUM>); and
a medication analyzer (<NUM>) positioned along a flow path between the manifold assembly (<NUM>) and the waste container (<NUM>), the medication analyzer (<NUM>) comprising a sensor (250B) to measure one or more aspects of the wasted medication.