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 spectrometer for measuring the intensity of light, comprises a grating having a major axis, a first entrance aperture aligned with the grating major axis and configured to direct light energy onto the grating, wherein the grating is adapted to produce a focused light beam, a first exit aperture aligned with the grating major axis and configured to accept the focused light beam, a second entrance aperture configured to direct the light energy onto the grating, wherein the second entrance aperture is offset from the grating major axis, and a second exit aperture configured to accept the focused light beam.

Abstract: A method of verifying the contents of a package comprising obtaining a spectral image of a first package, the first package having a plurality of receptacles configured to receive an item, wherein the plurality of first package receptacles do not contain any items, acquiring a spectral image of a second package, the second package having a plurality of receptacles configured to receive an item, wherein the plurality of second package receptacles each contain an item, and comparing the spectral image of the first package with the spectral image of the second package wherein acquiring a spectral image of a second package comprises acquiring a plurality of spectral image lines and wherein each of the spectral image lines comprises a plurality of image pixels.

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: An inspection system for verifying package contents comprises a spectrometer having an input for receiving light energy and a light energy aggregator. The light energy aggregator comprises a light energy input terminal, a light energy output terminal, where the light energy output terminal is coupled to the spectrometer input, and at least two sample probes coupled to the light energy input terminal. Each of the sample probes is configured to direct light energy from a source to the light energy input terminal.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a spectrographic inspection system, comprises providing a plurality of packages, each of the plurality of packages containing a group of items, wherein each of the groups of items has a known composition, measuring the reflectance value of each of the groups of items and thereby obtaining a reference reflectance value set, normalizing the reference reflectance value set and thereby creating a normalized reference reflectance value set, and storing the normalized reference reflectance value set.

Abstract: A spectrophotometric system uses an immersible spectrophotometric probe that can be directly interfaced to a pH/ISE meter for calibration and read-out. The probe contains a light source, a photodetector, and interface circuitry for converting the signal from the photodetector to an output voltage within a predetermined range suitable for the pH/ISE meter (e.g., 0-1.8 volts). The probe housing can also include a sample chamber to provide a predefined optical path from the light source through a portion of the sample fluid to the photodetector. An optical filter can be included in the optical path to allow measurements within a selected wavelength range. The pH/ISE meter receives the output voltage from the probe, applies a calibration function, and displays the resulting value. In the preferred embodiment, the probe is designed as a unitary structure that is plug-compatible with most conventional pH/ISE meters.