United States Patent Application 20050077476
Kind Code A1
Poteet, Wade Martin ; et al. April 14, 2005
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System and methods for detection and identification of chemical substances
Abstract
The invention provides a system and method utilizing, among other things, fluorescence spectroscopy in the ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum to determine chemical species and concentrations. The basic measuring system includes optics, a spectrograph, a detector, and an energy source ("head" components), along with a computer and control electronics and power source capable of generating and detecting unique fluorescence signatures for individual and unique mixtures of chemical substances including, for example, prescribed and/or compounded medications, alcohol products, food types, synthetic drugs, narcotics, perfumes, liquids, and the like.
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Inventors: Poteet, Wade Martin; (Tucson, AZ) ; Marsteller, Laurence; (Tuscon, AZ) ; Shriver, Timothy D.; (Vail, AZ)
Correspondence Name and Address: HOGAN & HARTSON LLP
IP GROUP, COLUMBIA SQUARE
555 THIRTEENTH STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20004
US
Assignee Name and Adress: CDEX, Inc
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the signature data includes data for at least one of a drug, a medication, a compounded medication, a compounded chemical formulation, a controlled substance, a narcotic, an illegal drug, an alcohol, a food product and a perfume.
14. The method for verifying the composition of at least one chemical substance of claim 4, wherein said at least one chemical substance is at least one of a drug, a medication, a compounded medication, a compounded chemical formulation, a controlled substance, a narcotic, an illegal drug, an alcohol a food product and a perfume.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The invention relates to a system and methods for material detection, inspection, and classification. In particular, the invention includes an electronic scanning detection system (e.g., a fluorescence spectrograph) with a high degree of specificity and accuracy, operating in the ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum used to identify specific individual and unique mixtures of substances (including remote, real-time measurements of individual chemical species in complex mixtures). The substances can include prescribed and/or compounded medications and/or alcohol products. Alternatively, the substances may be food types, synthetic drugs, narcotics, perfumes, liquids, and the like.
[0030] Thus, the invention provides a system and methods for the detection of various chemical substances, including medications, drugs, alcohols, perfumes and food products.
[0033] The invention further provides a system and methods for verifying the purity and/or authenticity of a variety of substances, such as perfumes and alcohols.
[0056] FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a UV absorption detection system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention suitable for detecting chemical substances. FIG. 1 shows the IN fluorescence detection system 100 configured for detection of various substances such as chemicals, medications, perfumes, alcohols and food products. The system may be contained in a light-tight enclosure to minimize interference from unwanted extraneous light sources during the measurement and detection process.
[0076] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a process for quality control and quality analysis (QA/QC) testing at chemical, drug, alcohol, perfume and other similar manufacturing facilities in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 5, the QA/QC process begins at step S510 in which raw materials and chemicals for the manufacturing of chemical, drugs, alcohol, drug, perfumes, etc. are tested before being used in a manufacturing process. Step S510 can include testing raw materials in accordance with the process described above in FIG. 3. The process then moves to step S520 in which the raw materials are used to manufacture the target chemical, drugs, alcohol, drug, perfume, etc. Step S520 can include testing raw materials in accordance with the process described above in FIG. 3 as each component is mixed with the others during the manufacturing process as well as testing intermediate products during the manufacturing process. Next, in step S530, the target product is tested for, among other things, purity. Step S530 can include testing for purity in accordance with the process described above in FIG. 3. Next, the process moves to step S540 in which the manufacturing equipment is cleaned and waste materials are isolated. Step S540 can include testing equipment surfaces and waste products in accordance with the process described above in FIG. 3. Thereafter, the process moves to step S550 that includes post-manufacturing procedures that can include pill formation, packaging, etc. Step S550 can include testing and verifying content in accordance with the process described above in FIG. 3. In particular, for example, the process described above in FIG. 3 can be used to verify that medications that have been packaged are properly labeled. Each of the foregoing steps can be linked to centralized database for tracking purposes, thus enabling the manufacturer to track the manufacturing process from receipt of raw materials until product shipment. Thereafter, in step S560, packaged materials can be tested to ensure they have not lost potency, been substituted, been tampered with or are forgeries. Step S560 can include testing the packaged materials in accordance with the process described above in FIG. 3. |
