Abstract:
An apparatus for verifying the identity of a dispensed pharmaceutical comprises an analysis unit adapted to determine a property of the dispensed pharmaceutical, an input device adapted to receive predetermined identifying information corresponding to the dispensed pharmaceutical, and a comparison unit adapted to compare the determined property of the dispensed pharmaceutical with the predetermined identifying information. In addition, a method of verifying a prescription, wherein the prescription comprises a pharmaceutical compound, comprises associating the prescription with a unique identifier, storing the unique identifier, determining the identity of the pharmaceutical compound, and comparing the identity of the pharmaceutical compound with the unique identifier.
Abstract:
A radiometrically stable, spectrally tunable, solid-state source combines the radiometric outputs of individually controlled, narrow bandwidth, solid-state sources (e.g., LEDs) with different spectral distributions in an integrating sphere so as to approximate any desired spectral distribution. By using a sufficient number of independent solid-state source channels, the source can be tuned to approximate the spectral distribution of any desired source distribution. A stable reference spectroradiometer, integrated into the solid-state light source, measures the spectral radiance or irradiance and is used to adjust the output of the individual channels of the individually controlled sources.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a measuring device by which, even if a radiation intensity from a light source, a beam size or a beam intensity distribution of the light source changes, an optical characteristic of an optical element to be measured can be measured very precisely. In a measuring device according to the present invention, to this end, light from a light source is diffracted by a diffracting grating to thereby resolve the same into plural light beams, and by using different light beams, the object to be measured is measured and the intensity of incident light from the light source is measured. With this structure, even if the light from the light source changes, the intensity of the light from the light source is specified concurrently, and therefore, the optical characteristic of the object to be measured can be measured very accurately.
Abstract:
An apparatus for selection and detection of at least two spectral regions of a light beam is disclosed. The light beam is spectrally spread and focused into a focus line. The apparatus has means, modifiable in their position parallel to the focus line, for blocking out a first spectral region and for reflecting at least a portion of the unblocked spectral region and a detection device that encompasses means for detecting the first spectral region and means for detecting the reflected spectral region, whereby the detection device is arranged in a plane perpendicular to the focus line.
Abstract:
An apparatus for detecting the homogeneity of a pharmaceutical mixture has a hopper for containing a mixture of two or more pharmaceutical components and that is situated within a production line of preparation of a pharmaceutical dosage form. A spectroscope is mounted to the hopper for measuring spectroscopic characteristics of the mixture, and a processing device that is not physically coupled to the spectroscope analyzes the spectroscopic characteristics of the mixture and derives information regarding the homogeneity of the mixture. The spectroscope wirelessly sends the spectroscopic characteristics to the processing device, which derives information regarding the homogeneity of the mixture. The wireless transmission of the spectroscopic characteristics can be done through infrared radiation or near infrared radiation, and the spectroscopic characteristics can be converted to digital signals prior to being transmitted.
Abstract:
A diffraction grating and a prism with the appropriate characteristics are employed to provide a combined dispersive characteristic that is substantially linear over the visible spectrum. Radiation from the grating and prism is collimated by a lens towards a detector array. The grating or a telecentric stop between the grating and prism is placed at a focal point of the lens in a telecentric arrangement so that equal magnification is achieved at the detector array. If the detector array is replaced by a plurality of optical channels, a multiplexer/demultiplexer is obtained.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an optical measurement device, comprising first phase grating and second phase grating, a light source, and at least two optical detectors, said first and second gratings being stationary binary gratings on transparent carrier. The first phase grating is arranged to be reproduced on said second phase grating upon illumination with the light source, which reproduction is coherently achieved, so that periods of the image of the first phase grating and the second phase grating are in an integral relationship with respect to one another, and so that the grating lines of the image of one grating and the other grating are parallel. A relative positional displacement between the image of one phase grating on the other phase grating is registered by said at least two optical detectors.
Abstract:
A wavelength monitoring system for continuously monitoring the wavelengths of different optical channels transmitted through a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) fiberoptic system. In one construction, an optical diffraction grating is used to disperse the light being monitored onto a rotating polygon having mirrors on the facets thereof, such that the rotating polygon reflects the light onto a detector located behind a slit. In a second construction, the light is projected onto a rotating, hollow transparent cylinder having a thin film filter deposited on a surface thereof, wherein the thin film filter comprises a Fabry-Perot structure which has a gap which varies as a function of its position on the rim of the cylinder, such that the varying gap allows for a varying transmission wavelength which varies as a function of angular position. A detector is positioned in the interior of the cylinder to detect light passing through the rotating thin film filter.
Abstract:
Auto-calibrating spectrometers and methods that measure transmission or reflection versus wavelength of a sample without need for calibration for long periods of time. Reflection and transmission spectrometers along with auto-calibrating methods for use therewith are disclosed. Light is focused onto a sample using a lens or similar optical element that transmits light towards the sample reflects light impinging upon it, and transmits light reflected from the sample. If one monitors the light reflected from the first lens and sample, very useful information is available related to the system response versus time. The present invention monitors the reflected light from the first lens and sample, and corrects for the system changes over time using this reflected light.