Aerodynamically streamlined enclosure for input devices of a medication preparation system

(CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application is entitled "Automated Visual Document Functionality With Minimal User Input," filed September 8, 2014, U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/047,325, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/072,160, filed October 29, 2014, entitled "ENHANCED PHARMACIST REVIEW MODULE FOR A SYSTEM FOR PREPARING PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOUNDS," entitled "For an Input Device for a Pharmaceutical Compounding System." U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/072,054, entitled "Aerodynamically Streamlined Enclosure", filed Oct. 29, 2014, entitled "Aerodynamically Streamlined Enclosure for Input Devices of Pharmaceutical Compounding Systems". U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/078,067, filed November 11, 2014, entitled "Enhanced Enclosure," and entitled "Enhanced Platen for Pharmaceutical Compounding," November 11, 2014. No. 62/077,968, filed in U.S.A., the entire disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates generally to an aerodynamically streamlined enclosure for housing input devices, such as scanners and/or cameras that are part of a drug dispensing system. A streamlined enclosure may be positioned within the flow hood and positioned in the upstream airflow proximate the scale.

Sterile drug compounding is typically performed in flow hoods that provide an air flow that creates a clean zone. During such formulations, cameras, scanners, and/or scales can be used to record the formulations. These devices are typically located in a flow hood and placed in the upstream airflow near the scale. However, any object creates airflow turbulence that affects the airflow downstream of the object. If this flow disturbance is present near the upstream of the scale, for example, inconsistent pressure or turbulent flow conditions will occur near the weighing surface of the scale. Depending on the level of flow turbulence, which is a function of multiple formation parameters and position, this may result in no scale stability. A scale that cannot be stabilized cannot be used to accurately dispense drugs such as sterile compound drugs. In some cases, flow disturbances may result in precision tolerances that exceed system tolerance limits for drug compounding.

<p>Therefore, there is a need for smaller and/or more streamlined devices that will result in less flow disturbance near the scale of the system to increase the likelihood of meeting accuracy and stability requirements. .</p>

<p>According to one aspect of the invention, a system for compounding pharmaceuticals is provided. The system includes a scale having a platen configured to place an object thereon, a first end coupled to a portion of the scale, and a second end of the scale extending to a position above the platen. and an enclosure housing extending from a second end of the support arm and configured to house at least one input device. The enclosure housing has a curved front profile to minimize flow turbulence when the system is positioned within the flow hood.</p><p>The enclosure housing may be formed from an upper portion and a lower portion. Additionally, the enclosure housing may have a first end coupled to the second end of the support arm and a second end extending above the platen of the scale. At least a portion of the second end of the enclosure housing may have a height greater than the height of at least a portion of the first end of the enclosure housing.</p><p>The at least one input device may include an image capture device, barcode scanner, or both. If both the image capture device and the barcode scanner are provided within the enclosure housing, the barcode scanner may be positioned relative to the image capture device within the enclosure housing at an angle such as 45° to the field of view of the image capture device. May be angled.</p><p>According to another aspect of the invention, a system for compounding pharmaceuticals is provided. The system includes a computing device comprising a processor and a user interface for providing instructions to an operator for dispensing a pharmaceutical product, a scale operably coupled to the processor of the computing device, and an image capture device and barcode scanner. and an enclosure housing. An enclosure housing is supported by the support arm and coupled to a portion of the scale. An image capture device is operatively connected to the processor of the computing device and has a field of view arranged to capture an object positioned on the scale. Barcode scanners have their sensors offset from the scale.</p><p>The barcode scanner may be angled relative to the image capture device within the enclosure housing. For example, the barcode scanner may be angled at a 45° angle to the field of view of the image capture device. The enclosure housing may be supported by support arms such that the enclosure housing is positioned above the scale. The enclosure housing may have a curved front profile to minimize flow disturbances within the flow hood.</p><p>According to yet another aspect of the invention, a system for compounding pharmaceuticals is provided. The system includes a computing device having a user interface that provides an operator with instructions for compounding a pharmaceutical product, a flow hood, a scale operably connected to the user interface, and a flow hood for controlling the scale during compounding of the pharmaceutical product. A flow hood having an enclosure housing positioned therein with a camera positioned to capture an image of the flow hood.</p><p>An enclosure housing may be positioned above the scale. The enclosure housing may further include a barcode scanner. The enclosure housing may have a curved front profile to minimize flow disturbances within the flow hood.</p><p>These and other features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the function of the associated elements of method of operation and structure, and the economies of combination and manufacture of parts, will be apparent from the following description and appended claims, with reference to the accompanying drawings. A consideration of range will make this clearer. All of these figures form part of the present specification and like reference numerals indicate corresponding parts of the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the specification and claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.</p>

<figref num="1">FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary drug compounding system for compounding pharmaceuticals, according to one embodiment of the present invention.</figref><figref num="2">2 is a perspective view of the drug dispensing system of FIG. 1 in a laminar flow hood having a user interface, according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG.</figref><figref num="3">3 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the drug dispensing system of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG.</figref><figref num="4">FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a scale platen according to one embodiment of the present invention.</figref><figref num="5">FIG. 5 is a top view of the platen of the scale of FIG. 4, according to one embodiment of the invention.</figref><figref num="6">6 is a cross-sectional side view of the grooves of the scale platen of FIG. 4 taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5, according to one embodiment of the present invention.</figref><figref num="7">FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a flow hood system having an aerodynamically streamlined enclosure for an input device, according to one embodiment of the invention.</figref><figref num="8A">FIG. 8A is a perspective visual representation of airflow distribution in a flow hood with scale and without enclosure.</figref><figref num="8B">FIG. 8B is a visual representation side view of the airflow distribution in the flow hood with scale and without enclosure.</figref><figref num="9A">FIG. 9A is a perspective visual representation of airflow distribution in a flow hood with scales and a large, dull enclosure.</figref><figref num="9B">FIG. 9B is a visual representation side view of airflow distribution in a flow hood with scale and large blunt enclosure.</figref><figref num="10A">FIG. 10A is a perspective visual representation of airflow distribution in a flow hood having a scale and medium size blunt enclosure.</figref><figref num="10B">FIG. 10B is a visual representation side view of airflow distribution in a flow hood having a scale and medium sized blunt enclosure.</figref><figref num="11A">FIG. 11A is a perspective visual representation of airflow distribution in a flow hood having a streamlined enclosure of scale and medium size.</figref><figref num="11B">FIG. 11B is a visual representation side view of airflow distribution in a flow hood having a streamlined enclosure of scale and medium size.</figref><figref num="12A">FIG. 12A is a perspective visual representation of airflow distribution in a flow hood having a streamlined enclosure of scale and small size.</figref><figref num="12B">FIG. 12B is a visual representation side view of airflow distribution in a flow hood having a streamlined enclosure of scale and small size.</figref><figref num="13A">FIG. 13A is a perspective visual representation of airflow distribution in a flow hood having a streamlined enclosure shortened to scale and small size.</figref><figref num="13B">FIG. 13B is a visual representation side view of airflow distribution in a flow hood having a streamlined enclosure shortened to scale and small size.</figref><figref num="14">FIG. 14 is a side view of a scale and housing enclosure, according to one embodiment of the invention.</figref><figref num="15">15 is a cross-sectional view of the housing enclosure of FIG. 14 taken along line 15-15;</figref><figref num="16">16 is a cross-sectional view of the housing enclosure of FIG. 14 taken along line 16-16;</figref>

For the purposes of the following description, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "lateral", "longitudinal" and derivatives thereof shall relate to the present invention in the orientation shown in the drawings. However, it is to be understood that the invention is susceptible to various alternative variations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification are merely exemplary embodiments of the invention. Therefore, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics associated with the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered limiting.

The present invention relates to an aerodynamically streamlined enclosure that houses input devices such as scanners and/or cameras that are part of a pharmaceutical compounding system, such as a sterile drug compounding system. These devices are typically located in a flow hood and placed in the upstream air stream near the scale. The aerodynamically streamlined enclosure is designed to minimize airflow turbulence caused by having the device in a laminar airflow. This configuration ensures that the device is positioned upstream near the scale and has acceptable weight accuracy (i.e., +/- 0.05 g) and stabilization time (i.e., greater than 2 seconds) to verify drug compounding purposes. not).

All objects generate airflow turbulence that affects the airflow downstream of the object. If this flow turbulence exists near the upstream of the scale, it can create inconsistent pressure or turbulent flow conditions near the weighing surface of the scale. Corresponding to the level of flow turbulence that is a function of multiple formation parameters and position, there is the possibility of a scale condition that is not quite stable. A scale that cannot be stabilized cannot be used to accurately dispense drugs such as sterile compound drugs. In some cases, flow disturbances may result in precision tolerances that exceed system tolerance limits for drug compounding.

Smaller and/or more streamlined devices produce less flow turbulence and are therefore more likely to meet accuracy and stability requirements. The streamlined enclosure of the present invention has a configuration that minimizes flow disruption and drag, enabling stable and accurate weight measurements required for drug compounding purposes. The streamlined enclosure of the present invention allows for the required weight scale accuracy and stability while placing the input device in close proximity to the scale and in the upstream airflow. Placing these objects (ie scanners and/or cameras) near the scale is usually the ideal area for a number of reasons. A second advantage of the streamlined enclosure of the present invention is that it provides and maintains a clean working environment for sterile compounding of drugs. In use, the purpose of the airflow in the flow hood is to create a clean zone for hygiene reasons. Turbulence zones created by objects near or upstream of the airflow can potentially pose a contamination hazard during drug dispensing. As a result, having an aerodynamically shaped enclosure housing for the input device minimizes the amount of laminar flow turbulence and reduces the chances of contamination of any kind.

According to one aspect of the invention, a single enclosure houses at least one input device above the scale. The enclosure may house multiple input devices such as scanners and cameras above the scale. The enclosure is small, streamlined, and has little effect on scale stability and accuracy.

In some cases, the enclosure of the input device is located on the side or rear of the scale and not directly upstream near the weighing surface of the scale with respect to the direction of air flow. While this configuration can provide stable and accurate weight scale readings because disturbed airflow does not reach near the weighing surface of the scale, the input device may be located in a less ideal location. . For example, if the input device is a camera, this side or rear placement of the camera will most likely require the photograph to be taken in perspective. If the input device is a scanner, this side or rear placement would place the scanner in a less ergonomic location for use by the user.

In other cases, the input device may have a small enough footprint to be suitable for use without an enclosure. This configuration can provide efficient ergonomic scanning and the ability to have photographs taken directly from above. This configuration may require that the housing of the device itself be optimized so as to hardly disturb the airflow.

In still other cases, positioning the input device above the scale but in an orientation and/or with assistance from additional airflow manipulation features will cause air to be directed sufficiently away from the scale weighing surface. and have no appreciable effect on the gravimetric reading of the scale. Similarly, the additional airflow manipulation features are such that when the air hits the scale weighing surface, it is deflected and/or damped sufficiently so that it does not adversely affect the stability and accuracy of the scale. , can be designed to sufficiently reorient the disturbed air.

In another configuration, an enclosure (i.e., a box-type housing used with high precision scales) is provided around the scale to eliminate all types of potential airflow disturbances to the weight reading. good too. A blunted, non-aerodynamic enclosure for the scale could meet gravimetric stability and accuracy requirements because airflow patterns and flow velocities differ between hoods.

In yet another configuration, the scale may be provided with high filtering for noisy environments or processing the weight signal outside of the logic system of the scale. This configuration can be used as a solution for more accurate and stable results with blunt or non-streamlined objects.

In yet another configuration, a scale platen is provided to minimize the effect of airflow turbulence on the scale reading. Raising the device high enough above the scale can be a solution for more accurate and stable results with blunt or non-streamlined objects.

Under typical hoods used in sterile formulations, the scale has a degree of sensitivity on the order of (+/- 0.05 g) for downflows of 55-80 cfm (cubic feet per minute). To understand why this is the case, it is necessary to understand the relationship between the pressure seen on the weighing surface of the scale and its desired level of accuracy. According to simulations, the pressure experienced by the platen (the weighing surface of the scale) ranges from -1.2Pa to 0.1Pa with an average of about -0.07Pa. To obtain an accuracy of +/- 0.05g, a deviation of +/- 0.0126Pa or less may be experienced by the scale due to airflow turbulence. This is very small compared to the full range of pressures experienced by the scale. Qualitatively, this magnitude is so small that a user's hand moving near the surface easily induces air movement, resulting in much greater pressure disturbances. As a result, parameters such as shape position in the hood (different regions have different flow patterns) and hood brand/model were realized to have a sufficiently large impact on scale stability and accuracy performance.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, a drug dispensing system, generally indicated as reference numeral 1, dispenses one or more prescribed pharmaceuticals into a syringe, drug vial, or intravenous (IV) bag. to support pharmacists or non-pharmacist technicians, etc. The drug compounding system is operatively connected to a user interface 3 which includes a computer having a processor and stored memory, as well as a display 5 and a user input device 7 such as a keyboard, mouse or the like. A scale 9 having a scale output interface 11 may be operatively connected to the processor of the user interface 3 . Scale 9 may be implemented as any suitable device for detecting changes in mass or weight when an object is placed on it. Therefore, the scale 9 can be used as a highly accurate scale that provides an accurate reading of the weight of an object placed thereon or a device that sends a signal when the mass or weight of the object is greater than or less than a predetermined threshold. It may be configured simply.

In one embodiment, barcode scanner 13 is coupled to at least one of processor of user interface 3 and scale 9 such that barcode scanner 13 may scan drug vials having barcodes placed on a portion of scale 9 . operably connected to one. In another embodiment, image capture device 15 has a user interface such that image capture device 15 can take an image of an item such as a drug vial, IV bag, or syringe placed on a portion of scale 9. 3 and at least one of the scale 9 are operatively connected. In one embodiment, image capture device 15 captures multiple still images or running videos of articles placed on a portion of scale 9 during the drug compounding process for documentation and/or subsequent review of the compounding process. medium can be obtained.

In yet another embodiment, at least one of barcode scanner 13 and image capture device 15 may be at least partially enclosed within housing 17 . In certain configurations, housing 17 can completely enclose barcode scanner 13 and image capture device 15 . As an option, housing 17 may contain only one of barcode scanner 13 and image capture device 15 . In one configuration, barcode scanner 13 is located within housing 17 such that barcode scanner 13 can easily scan the barcode of an item placed on a portion of scale 9 without further manipulation by the user. placed. In another configuration, the image capture device is located within the enclosure 17 such that the image capture device 15 can easily acquire an image of an item placed on a portion of the scale 9 without further manipulation by the user. It is

With particular reference to FIG. 3, housing 17 includes upper portion 17A and lower portion 17B that are joined to provide minimal surface perturbation to minimize surface attachment of contaminants such as microorganisms or other pathogens. may be formed from In one embodiment, manufacturing of housing 17 complies with USP797. Optical lenses 6, 8 may be attached to housing 17 to further secure attachment to USP797. In one configuration, optical lens 6 may be attached to housing 17 in optical communication with image capture device 15 . Alternatively, optical lens 8 may be attached to housing 17 in optical communication with barcode scanner 13 .

In one configuration, the barcode scanner 13 has a scanner that is offset from immediately scanning the barcode of an item placed on a portion of the scale 9 without further manipulation by the user. , located within the housing 17 . This configuration avoids false scans. As shown in FIG. 3, the barcode scanner 13 may be positioned such that the sensor is angled to the scale platen 31 by the mounting bracket 18, for example at an angle of 45°. In this configuration, the user must actively position the object to be scanned within range of the bar code scanner 13 sensor. In another configuration, the image capture device is positioned within housing 17 such that image capture device 15 can readily acquire an image of an item placed on a portion of scale 9 without further manipulation by the user. good too.

Housing 17 may be positioned over a portion of scale 9 so as to be supported by support arms 19 . As shown in FIG. 2, the drug compounding system 1 is placed in a laminar flow hood 25 having an inlet air source 23 and an outlet air port 27 for creating a laminar flow of air in an interior 29 of the laminar flow hood 25. good too. The outer surface 21 of the housing 17 is, as shown in FIGS. It may have a curved frontal profile.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, scale 9 may include a base portion 43 that supports platen 31 thereon. The base portion 43 includes a force converter such as a strain gauge load cell that measures the strain of an object placed on the platen 31 and a load cell sensor that converts the force applied to the platen 31 into an electrical signal that is relayed to the scale output interface 11 . It contains a container and a container. Base portion 43 is like a portion of the weighing surface of scale 9 that provides the technician with a visual indication, such as cross-shaped recess 35, of the center or other desired portion of the image to be acquired by image capture device 15. It supports platen 31. This allows a technician to view drug formulation related agents 37 and related supplies within the field of view of an image capture device 15, such as an image capture device enclosed within a housing 17 located above platen 31 of scale 9. allow the proper placement of In one configuration, as shown in FIGS. 4-6, the top surface 41 of the platen 31 defines a plurality of recessed grooves 39 and/or protrusions extending from the surface of the platen 31 to provide drug formulation-related agents 37 and associated supplies. An object is frictionally constrained to the upper surface 41 of the platen 31 . In another configuration, the top surface 41 of the platen 31 can include a tackifier or other friction enhancing surface to similarly constrain the drug formulation-related agent 37 and associated supplies on the top surface 41 of the platen 31. . The placement of grooves 39 and/or protrusions can easily indicate to the user the center of platen 31 which can be positioned to coincide with the center of the field of view of image capture device 15 . The surface of the platen 31 can be coated with a durable composition that resists deterioration caused by exposure to corrosive agents such as chemotherapeutic compounds and drugs, and cleaning agents such as bleach, isopropyl alcohol. In certain configurations, the durable composition may be an epoxy or epoxy-based paint or coating.

A plurality of recessed grooves 39 and/or protrusions extending from the surface of platen 31 may be configured to contain any liquid material accidentally spilled on top surface 41 of platen 31 during a compounding operation. A plurality of recessed grooves 39 serve to collect and restrain accidental spilled material in a limited area within platen 31 until suitable disposal techniques can be employed. ) can be defined.

In another embodiment, platen 31 may be removable from base unit 43 of scale 9 . In this configuration, platen 31 is disposable and can be removed and disposed of by a technician after a single sterile drug compounding procedure. This configuration may require calibration of scale 9 for each individual platen 31 engaged to base 43 . In another configuration, platen 31 can include a disposable cover layer (not shown) that can be removed and disposed of after a sterile drug compounding procedure. The disposable aspect of platen 31 ensures that platen 31 is clean prior to each drug compounding procedure and that no contaminants are transferred to the components of the drug compounding procedure. Platen 31 may be formed of metal, composite or polymeric material, as is known from conventional scale weighing surfaces. In a further configuration, each platen 31 can include a unique individual identifier 45 embedded therein or attached to its surface, which can be captured in images captured by image capture device 15 . This allows technicians and/or later reviewers of images captured by image capture device 15 of the drug compounding procedure to confirm that platen 31 has been changed during compounding. This can provide documented evidence that technicians are complying with institutional safety and sterility requirements. In certain configurations, individual identifiers are used to determine whether platens 31 have been replaced at specified intervals, e.g., shift, day, ready, and/or after contamination has been detected. 45 can be detected by system software. In a further arrangement, the user's need to change the platen 31 may be indicated via the user interface 3, such as via a GUI. In a further configuration, the system can include a safety feature to prevent the user from performing the compounding procedure until the platen 31 has been replaced. User verifies that platen 31 usage period is within compliance parameters

In a further embodiment, platen 31 may include absorbent material to absorb accidental spillage of material until appropriate disposal techniques are employed. In a further configuration, at least one receiving well 47 of platen 31 can include an absorbent material therein.

In certain situations, such as aerosolization, it is difficult for a technician to determine whether a cytotoxic agent has been accidentally released from the container. Accordingly, top surface 41 of platen 31 may include a coating layer that provides a visual indication, such as a color change, in response to fluid contacting the coating layer. In one configuration, the coating layer provides a visual indication in response to leakage or unintentional spillage of material onto the coating layer of platen 31 . The coating layer can be configured to provide a color change upon contact with a cytotoxic agent. Visual instructions may be visually observed by a technician or user of the system. In other configurations, the visual indication may be observable by image capture device 15 or additional image capture devices such as infrared cameras.

In another configuration, platen 31 may be formed of transparent and/or translucent materials that allow the passage of light therethrough. In this configuration, the base portion 43 of the scale 9 also includes a light source 49 for illuminating a portion of the platen 31, such as by passing light through the platen 31 from a location below the platen 31. can also This allows for improved visual inspection of drug formulation related agents 37 and related supplies to ensure that they are free of defects. For example, an illuminated platen 31 can allow the technician to visualize coring found in fluid-filled IV bags. Light source 49 may be tuned to a particular wavelength suitable for illuminating particular particles present within drug formulation-related agent 37 . In certain configurations, platen 31 may include opaque or substantially opaque regions and transparent, substantially transparent, translucent, and/or substantially transparent regions to selectively allow illumination of specific portions of platen 31 . It may also include regions that are substantially translucent.

Alternatively, the scanner may be housed within the base portion 43 of the scale 9 . The scanner may be a bar code scanner optically configured to scan bar code labels present on the drug formulation related agent 37 through translucent and/or transparent portions of the platen 31 . A barcode scanner may be configured to obtain information from the barcode to determine the contents of a vial placed on platen 31 . In another configuration, a bar code writer or integrated label printer may be located within the base portion 43 of the scale 9 to write information to the labels of drug formulation related agents 37 placed on the platen 31 . In one configuration, the barcode writer may be configured to write information to the drug compound 37 label relating to compounding result, date, time, lot number, and the like.

In yet another configuration, platen 31 can communicate wirelessly with one or more system components. For example, a wireless interface may be provided in electrical communication with platen 31 to read and/or write data to devices provided on top of platen 31 . The wireless interface may be a Bluetooth® connection to a pump connected to a drug container provided on platen 31 . The information conveyed thereby can include pump operating parameters such as patient-specific flow rates and volumes. Thus, an automatically programmed device can be provided without the need for additional user handling steps.

In yet another configuration, platen 31 may be configured to provide a visual indication, such as a color change, when the weight measured by scale 9 is within specified tolerances. For example, platen 31 may be equipped with an illuminated display that is activated when scale 9 is stabilized and the measured units are within specified tolerances for a given drug formulation process. good.

During operation, the pharmacist/technician may be prompted through a series of display screens provided on the display of user interface 3 to perform the following steps. First, the operator may scan with the barcode scanner 13 the first barcode of the drug compounding related drug 37 containing the drug to be reconstituted in order to compound the prescribed drug compound. The drug container may be placed on the scale 9 during scanning, or the user may first scan the barcode and then place the drug preparation related drug 37 on the platen 31 of the scale 9 . Once the weight stabilizes, the system uses a mathematical algorithm to verify that the measured weight meets the weight target plus/minus predetermined tolerances. In addition, the image capture device 15 captures an image of the compounded drug 37 and displays it to the user on the display portion of the user interface 3 . The user then removes the drug formulation related drug 37 from the platen 31 and the image is saved in the drug formulation data record. If the system cannot verify that the measured weight is within its target weight tolerance, the technician is required to re-perform this step until the correct weight is achieved.

The technician then scans a second barcode on the fluid container of the fluid to be mixed with the reconstituted drug. As described above, the drug container containing the fluid may be placed on the scale 9 during scanning, or the user may first scan the barcode and then place the drug preparation-related drug 37 on the platen 31 of the scale 9. can be placed in Once the weight has stabilized, the image capture device 15 takes an image of the compounded drug 37 and displays it to the user on the display of the user interface 3 . The user then removes the drug compound related drug 37 and the image is saved in the drug compound data record. Again, if the system fails to verify that the measured weight is within its target weight tolerance, the technician will be required to rerun this step until the correct weight is achieved. be done.

The user then mixes the reconstituted medicament with the fluid in the fluid container (both drug formulation related medicaments 37) by injecting the fluid from the fluid container into the medicament container. The drug container is then returned to the platen 31 of the scale 9 and the weight of the drug container is verified. Once the weight has been stably verified (confirmed), the image capture device 15 automatically acquires an image of the completed drug formulation-related agent 37 based on the signals received from the scale and displays the image. It is displayed on the display part of the user interface 3. If the system cannot verify that the measured weight is within its target weight tolerance, the technician will be required to re-perform this step until the correct weight is achieved. be.

If the technician determines that any of the images above do not meet their particular needs, they have the option of requesting new or additional images. Requesting another image can automatically switch the image capture device 15 to the live video mode displayed on the user interface 3 . The technician can now move the drug container on scale 9 to the desired position and trigger image capture via user interface 3 . As before, the acquired image is displayed on the user interface 3 and by removing the item from the scale 9 the technician accepts the image and the system automatically moves to the next compounding step.

Once the drug compounding is complete, the system may optionally print a bar code label containing encoded information representing the name of the drug and patient information for placement on the completed drug compounding.

The drug compounding system 1 can work in conjunction with a number of sequential computer-executable modules for compounding and administering prescribed fluid compounds, such as chemotherapeutic compounds. The modules each contain code that allows for input from a user, generation of output, and computation and determination of instructions for compounding and administering pharmaceuticals that may be performed on one or more processors. . More specifically, the module is subsequently validated for accuracy, prepared based on computer-assisted instructions, validated based on gravimetric measurements, and administered to the patient by the physician entering the patient's prescription. enable The module (i) retrieves the prescribing information data entered by the physician in the CPOE module from the hospital network during drug compounding, (ii) verifies that the scanned barcode corresponds to the prescribing information. (iii) determining whether the weight of the syringe and/or IV bag is within a predetermined threshold accuracy level for the amount of drug administered; (iv) what adjustments to make if the weight is not accurate; and (v) data regarding the weight of the syringe and/or IV bag may be sent back to the hospital network. These modules and processes may be implemented on several networked computing devices, or independent computing devices with their own processors, and data and information may be transferred to, but not limited to, Ethernet ) may be communicated using any suitable wired or wireless communication protocol such as WiFi, Cellular, Bluetooth.

Thus, the present invention provides step-by-step instructions on a computer screen to prepare medication orders in a pharmacy and verifies the different compounding steps by weighing the compounded liquid on a scale. , pharmacist or technician. The measured weight is then analyzed with a mathematical algorithm that checks whether the required blending accuracy has been achieved. Each time an item is placed on the scale, a photograph of the top portion of the scale is captured to create a visual documentation trail of the compounding process. The photos are saved along with the measurements recorded from the scale and the algorithm goes into a log file. If the measured weight of the drug is not within the predetermined tolerance of the expected weight, the software generates instructions to vary the amount of drug within the acceptable range. The software will not proceed to the next blending step unless the required tolerances for this step are achieved.

<p>Referring specifically to FIG. 7, a flow hood is shown having inlet laminar flow conditions of 70 ft/min (0.3 m/min) and outlet flow conditions of 533 ft/min. The flow hood contains an inlet ambient pressure condition of 0Pa. The flow hood also contains the weighing surface of the scale and the rated enclosure. For modeling purposes, a simplified semi-model environment is shown.</p><p>Referring to FIGS. 8A-13B, a series of computational fluid dynamics simulations are reflected showing differences in airflow turbulence between different enclosure geometries. For each of these figures, the flow trajectory and velocity contours were used as outputs, and the same environment, grid and boundary conditions were used in each simulation. For each test run, a 3 minute stability test was used in which vibrations occurring within 3 minutes without contact were recorded. For the test run, a weight of 100 g was used and 25 sample tests were performed. The first stabilized value at which the registered scale was recorded and two standard deviations were calculated and recorded as precision.</p><p>Figures 8A-8B also represent the airflow in the flow hood in an idealized state where there is no enclosure within the flow hood. An experimental evaluation of the scale under these conditions was a stability of +/- 0.00g and a precision of +/- 0.0229g. In order to understand the design variables important to scale stability, a typical air flow within a compounding hood, such as that shown in FIG. 8A, must be understood. In FIG. 8A, the flow is directed from the top to the bottom of the hood, and air is present in two regions (seen in red), front and rear of the hood. Near the platen of the scale, the air splits into separate paths. Referring to FIG. 8B, because the enclosure housing is positioned above the scale, the enclosure housing tends to introduce instability and inaccuracy of the scale and create turbulence in the downstream airflow. A particular enclosure housing design may be optimized to reduce this downstream airflow turbulence.</p><p>Figures 9A-9B also represent airflow in a flow hood with a large, relatively blunt enclosure head present in the flow hood positioned above the scale. An experimental evaluation of the scale under these conditions was a stability of +/- 0.06 g, with an unknown accuracy because the scale readings obtained were too erratic.</p><p>Figures 10A and 10B also represent airflow in a flow hood with a medium sized, relatively blunt enclosure head present in the flow hood positioned above the scale. Experimental evaluation of scale under these conditions was inconclusive.</p><p>Figures 11A and 11B also represent the airflow in a flow hood with a medium sized relatively streamlined enclosure head residing in the flow hood positioned above the scale. An experimental evaluation of the scale under these conditions was a stability of +/- 0.02g and a precision of +/- 0.0445g.</p><p>Figures 12A and 12B also represent airflow in a flow hood with a medium sized, highly streamlined enclosure head present in the flow hood positioned above the scale. An experimental evaluation of the scale under these conditions was a stability of +/- 0.015g and a precision of +/- 0.0297g.</p><p>Figures 13A-13B also represent airflow in a flow hood with a medium sized but shortened and relatively streamlined enclosure head residing in the flow hood positioned above the scale. ing. An experimental evaluation of the scale under these conditions was a stability of +/- 0.1 g and a precision of +/- 0.0153 g.</p><p>Also shown in each of FIGS. 8A-13B are the pressure and air velocity of the air in the flow hood. The area labeled B corresponds to the lowest air velocity and lowest pressure where airflow turbulence is minimal. In contrast, the region labeled R corresponds to the highest air velocity and highest pressure corresponding to maximum airflow turbulence.</p><p>It is an object of the present invention to minimize the amount of turbulence reaching the platen 31 of the scale 9, as shown in Figures 14-16. Maximizing the distance "Z" between the housing 17 and the platen 31 ensures that any turbulence created by the housing 17 sweeps toward the back of the hood before reaching the surface of the platen 31. help to tolerate being Minimizing the distance "Y" helps in a similar manner, as this is directly related to the distance the disturbed air needs to travel before reaching the platen 31 of scale 9. Minimizing "Y" and cross-sectional diameter "a" results in the smallest orthogonal area to the flow stream, thereby minimizing airflow turbulence. Maximizing the b/a cross-sectional ratio in conjunction with the smooth curvature of the housing 17 creates a streamlined profile in the direction of the flow stream. This will minimize the amount of air that becomes turbulent by gradually splitting the laminar flow and then allowing it to rejoin.</p><p>Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alterations to those details can be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. be. Therefore, the particular configurations disclosed are exemplary only and do not limit the scope of the invention, which is to be given the full scope of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof. .</p>