Medication dose underfill detection system and application in an automated syringe preparing system

A method for automated preparation of a medication including automated preparation and dispensing of medication to an individual product container and detection of an underfill condition where an insufficient amount of medication is delivered to the product container comprising the steps of:

• providing an automated device for preparing and dispensing a prescribed unit dose of medication;
• operatively connecting a controller to the automated device;
• inputting a first value to the controller that represents a volume of the prescribed unit dose of medication that is to be delivered to the product container;
• providing an optical device for detecting the underfill condition when the actual amount of the unit dose of medication that is delivered to the product container is less than the inputted volume;
• and
• whereupon, if an underfill condition is detected, then the controller instructs the automated device to deliver medication to the product container until the amount of medication in the container is equal to the inputted volume.

An automated medication preparation system including preparation and dispensing of medication to an individual product container and detection of any underfill condition where an insufficient amount of medication is delivered to the product container, the system comprising:

• an automated device for preparing and dispensing a prescribed unit dose of medication;
• a controller operatively connected to the automated device, the controller receiving a first input that represents a volume of the prescribed unit dose of medication that is to be delivered to the product container;
• and
• an optical device for detecting the underfill condition when the actual amount of the unit dose of medication that is delivered to the product container is less than the value of the first input and whereupon, if an underfill condition is detected, then the controller instructs the automated device to deliver medication to the product container until the amount of medication in the product container is equal to the inputted volume wherein the controller calculates a top off volume of medication that is delivered to the product container when an underfill condition is detected, the top off volume being an amount equal to the first input volume minus the actual amount of the unit dose that is delivered to the product container.

An automated medication preparation system including preparation and dispensing of medication to an individual product container and detection of any underfill condition where an insufficient amount of medication is delivered to the product container, the system comprising:

• an automated device for preparing and dispensing a prescribed unit dose of medication;
• a controller operatively connected to the automated device, the controller receiving a first input that represents a volume of the prescribed unit dose of medication that is to be delivered to the product container;
• and
• an optical device for detecting the underfill condition when the actual amount of the unit dose of medication that is delivered to the product container is less than the value of the first input and whereupon, if an underfill condition is detected, then the controller instructs the automated device to deliver medication to the product container until the amount of medication in the product container is equal to the inputted volume, wherein the optical device is configured to detect at least one condition selected from the group consisting of (a) particles being present in the unit dose of medication and (b) bubbles being present within the unit dose of medication.