WO2025085454A1

WO2025085454A1 - Systems, devices, and methods for liquid collection and analysis

Info

Publication number: WO2025085454A1
Application number: PCT/US2024/051446
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael A. LAFAUCI; Pamela A. BAGLINO; Jonathan PINSKY; Jeffrey R. WAHL
Original assignee: Midas Healthcare Solutions Inc
Current assignee: Midas Healthcare Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2023-10-16
Filing date: 2024-10-15
Publication date: 2025-04-24
Anticipated expiration: 2026-04-16

Abstract

Disclosed herein are methods and systems for disposing of liquid medications. The medications can originate from a liquid bag such as an IV bag. The liquid can proceed through one or more tubes until it can be measured in a cup, graduated cylinder, or other measuring device with liquid measurements visible to a user. Once measured, the liquid can either be poured from the measuring device into a tank containing neutralizer for liquid disposal or can be sent through tubing to the tank.

Description

SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS FOR LIQUID COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

CROSS-REFERENCE

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/590,566, filed October 16, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Liquid products (e.g., medications, chemicals, etc.) can be provided in a source container, e.g., when being transferred from one place to another, or when being used. In some cases, after use, excess liquid products remain in the source container, and the source container comprising the excess liquid products are discarded away as a whole.

SUMMARY

[0003] Described herein is a system for disposing of one or more liquid medications in one or more liquid bags. The system can comprise a computer processor in communication with one or more sensors. The computer processor can be configured to execute a diversion analysis program to determine a risk or probability of diversion of the one or more liquid medications based at least in part on data from the one or more sensors. The system can comprise a measuring container configured to be filled with the one or more liquid medications and comprising striations indicating an amount of the one or more liquid medications inside the measuring container. The system can comprise one or more pumps configured to move the one or more liquid medications from the one or more liquid bags to the measuring container and from the measuring container to one or more disposal containers containing a medication neutralizer. The system can comprise a rotatable valve configured to direct the one or more liquid medications through the system. In some cases, the rotatable valve has at least two orientations. In some cases, the rotatable valve is configured to rotate between the at least two orientations.

[0004] In some cases, the one or more disposal containers comprise at least one hazardous container and at least one non-hazardous container. The system can further comprise a tubing system configured to connect two or more of the measuring container, the one or more liquid bags, the one or more pumps, the valve, and the one or more disposal containers. In some cases, the measuring container comprises one or more of a cup or a graduated cylinder. In some cases, the measuring container comprises a liquid container disposed inside the graduated cylinder. In some cases, the liquid container is disposable.

[0005] In some cases, the computer processor is configured to direct the one or more liquid medications through the system via controlling one or more of the one or more pumps or the rotatable valve. In some cases, the rotatable valve is controllable by a dial turned by a user. In some cases, the rotatable valve has at least three orientations. In some cases, at least one orientation of the at least three orientations of the rotatable valve is configured to dispose of the one or more liquid medications in the one or more disposal containers. In some cases, at least one orientation of the at least three orientations of the rotatable valve is configured to allow movement of the one or more liquid medications from the one or more liquid bags to the measuring container. The system can further comprise backflow valves configured to block backflow of the one or more liquid medications. In some cases, the one or more sensors comprise cameras. The system can further comprise a precision scale configured to measure an amount of liquid disposed of.

[0006] In some cases, the one or more pumps comprise one or more of piston pumps, peristaltic pumps, rotary pumps, diaphragm pumps, vacuum pumps, or any combination thereof. In some cases, the one or more pumps comprise one or more vacuum pumps. In some cases, the one or more vacuum pumps are configured to alternate between negative pressure vacuum pumps and positive pressure vacuum pumps. In some cases, at least one of the one or more vacuum pumps is a negative pressure vacuum pump and at least one of the one or more vacuum pumps is a positive pressure vacuum pump.

[0007] Provided herein is tubing for use with a system for disposing of one or more liquid medications in one or more liquid bags. The tubing can comprise a first end comprising at least two heads. At least one head of the at least two heads can comprise a spike configured to puncture a port of the one or more liquid bags. At least one head of the at least two heads can comprise a luer connector configured to connect to a second tube. The tubing can comprise a second end comprising stiff tubing. The tubing can comprise a center part disposed between the first end and the second end, wherein the center part comprises flexible tubing.

[0008] In some cases, the second tube comprises a tube attached to the one or more liquid bags. In some cases, the second tube comprises an extension set. In some cases, the stiff tubing is configured to stabilize a position of the tubing. In some cases, the tubing is single-use tubing. In some cases, the tubing is disposable.

[0009] Described herein is a method for disposing of one or more liquid medications in one or more liquid bags via a medication disposal system. The method can comprise connecting the one or more liquid bags to tubing of the medication disposal system. The method can comprise rotating a dial disposed on a housing of the measuring container to a first orientation. In some cases, rotating the dial rotates a rotatable valve configured to direct the one or more liquid medications through the medication disposal system. In some cases, the rotatable valve has at least two orientations. In some cases, the rotatable valve is configured to rotate between the at least two orientations. The method can comprise activating suction of the medication disposal system. The method can comprise measuring an amount of the one or more liquid medications suctioned into the measuring container. The method can comprise disposing of the one or more liquid medications suctioned into the measuring container into one or more disposal containers containing a medication neutralizer.

[0010] The method can further comprise hanging the one or more liquid bags on a stand. The method can further comprise entering a name of the one or more liquid medications into a computer system. In some cases, the computer system is configured to compare the name to a known medication database to determine if the one or more liquid medications are hazardous or non-hazardous.

[0011] In some cases, activating suction comprises interacting with an actuator. In some cases, the actuator comprises one or more of a button, a slider, or a switch. In some cases, activating suction comprises activating one or more pumps configured to move the one or more liquid medications from the one or more liquid bags to the measuring container and from the measuring container to one or more disposal containers. In some cases, the one or more pumps comprise one or more vacuum pumps. In some cases, the one or more vacuum pumps are configured to alternate between negative pressure vacuum pumps and positive pressure vacuum pumps. In some cases, at least one of the one or more vacuum pumps is a negative pressure vacuum pump and at least one of the one or more vacuum pumps is a positive pressure vacuum pump. In some cases, measuring an amount of the one or more liquid medications comprises measuring the liquid medications via a precision scale.

[0012] In some cases, disposing of the one or more liquid medications comprises pouring the contents of the measuring container into the one or more disposal containers. In some cases, disposing of the one or more liquid medications comprises activating suction. In some cases, disposing of the one or more liquid medications comprises rotating the dial to a second orientation. In some cases, the second orientation comprises a substantially diagonal valve orientation configured to fluidically couple tubing from the measuring container and tubing leading to the one or more disposal containers. In some cases, rotating the dial to a second orientation reverses a direction of flow of one or more pumps. In some cases, the first orientation comprises a substantially vertically straight valve orientation configured to fluidically couple tubing from the one or more liquid bags and tubing leading to the measuring container.

[0013] Provided herein is a method for disposing of one or more liquid medications in one or more liquid bags via a medication disposal system. The method can comprise entering a name of the one or more liquid medications into a computer system. In some cases, the computer system is configured to compare the name to a known medication database to determine if the one or more liquid medications are hazardous or non-hazardous. In some cases, the computer system is electrically coupled to one or more pumps and a rotatable valve in the medication disposal system. In some cases, the rotatable valve is in first orientation configured to fluidically couple tubing from the one or more liquid bags and tubing leading to the measuring container. The method can comprise connecting the one or more liquid bags to tubing of the medication disposal system. The method can comprise activating suction of the medication disposal system. The method can comprise measuring an amount of the one or more liquid medications suctioned into the measuring container. The method can comprise disposing of the one or more liquid medications suctioned into the measuring container into one or more disposal containers containing a medication neutralizer.

[0014] The method can further comprise hanging the one or more liquid bags on a stand.

[0015] In some cases, activating suction comprises interacting with an actuator. In some cases, the actuator comprises one or more of a button, a slider, or a switch. In some cases, activating suction comprises activating the one or more pumps configured to move the one or more liquid medications from the one or more liquid bags to the measuring container and from the measuring container to one or more disposal containers. In some cases, the one or more pumps comprise one or more vacuum pumps. In some cases, the one or more vacuum pumps are configured to alternate between negative pressure vacuum pumps and positive pressure vacuum pumps. In some cases, at least one of the one or more vacuum pumps is a negative pressure vacuum pump and at least one of the one or more vacuum pumps is a positive pressure vacuum pump. In some cases, measuring an amount of the one or more liquid medications comprises measuring the liquid medications via a precision scale.

[0016] In some cases, disposing of the one or more liquid medications comprises pouring the contents of the measuring container into the one or more disposal containers.

[0017] In some cases, disposing of the one or more liquid medications comprises activating suction. In some cases, disposing comprises entering the amount of liquid measured into the computer system. In some cases, disposing comprises the computer system electrically rotating the rotatable valve to a second orientation. In some cases, the second orientation comprises a substantially diagonal valve orientation configured to fluidically couple tubing from the measuring container and tubing leading to the one or more disposal containers after entering the amount of liquid measured. In some cases, disposing comprises the computer system electrically reversing a direction of flow of the one or more pumps. In some cases, the first orientation comprises a substantially vertically straight valve orientation. [0018] Additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description, wherein only illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described. As will be realized, the present disclosure is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the disclosure.

Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0019] All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. To the extent publications and patents or patent applications incorporated by reference contradict the disclosure contained in the specification, the specification is intended to supersede and/or take precedence over any such contradictory material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The novel features of the present disclosure are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present disclosure will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the present disclosure are utilized, and the accompanying drawings (also “Figure” and “FIG.” herein), of which:

[0021] FIG. 1A shows an internal system schematic of an example medication intelligent disposal system in accordance with example embodiments described herein.

[0022] FIGS. 1B-1F show magnified versions of FIG. 1A.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the top of an example medication intelligent disposal system in accordance with example embodiments described herein.

[0024] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an example medication intelligent disposal system in accordance with example embodiments described herein.

[0025] FIGS. 4A-4I show perspective (FIGS. 4A-4D) and schematic side (FIGS. 4E-4I) views of an example medication intelligent disposal system in accordance with example embodiments described herein.

[0026] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of example tubing in accordance with example embodiments described herein. [0027] FIGS. 6A-6F show magnified perspective (FIGS. 6A-6D, 6F) and top-down (FIG. 6E) views of a method of use of an example medication intelligent disposal system in accordance with example embodiments described herein.

[0028] FIGS. 6G-6L show side views of a method of use of an example medication intelligent disposal system in accordance with example embodiments described herein.

[0029] FIG. 7 shows an example computer system that is programmed or otherwise configured to implement methods provided herein in accordance with example embodiments described herein.

[0030] FIG. 8 shows experiments to determine a liquid wasting method in accordance with example embodiments described herein.

[0031] FIG. 9 shows experimental data on times to empty a liquid bag using different methods in accordance with example embodiments described herein.

[0032] FIG. 10 shows a first method to empty a liquid bag in accordance with example embodiments described herein.

[0033] FIGS. 11A-11B show a second method to empty a liquid bag in accordance with example embodiments described herein.

[0034] FIGS. 12A-12B show a third method to empty a liquid bag in accordance with example embodiments described herein.

[0035] FIGS. 13A-13B show a fourth method to empty a liquid bag in accordance with example embodiments described herein.

[0036] FIG. 14 shows a fifth method to empty a liquid bag in accordance with example embodiments described herein.

[0037] FIG. 15 shows a sixth method to empty a liquid bag in accordance with example embodiments described herein.

[0038] FIG. 16 shows a comparison chart of methods to empty a liquid bag in accordance with example embodiments described herein.

[0039] FIG. 17 shows a seventh method to empty a liquid bag in accordance with example embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Described herein are devices, systems, and methods for management of liquid medications. Management can include disposal, wasting, and/or destruction of liquid medications.

[0041] The terms “medication(s)” and “drug(s)”, as used interchangeably herein, generally refer to any forms of medications, e.g., tablets, capsules, pills, powders, granules, dragees, gels, slurries, ointments, solutions suppositories, injections, inhalants, aerosols, coverings (e.g. transdermal delivery systems, such as transdermal patches), other forms of medications, modifications thereof, or combinations thereof. Medications can be controlled or non-controlled. [0042] The medications, as provided herein, may or may not require prescription (e.g., by healthcare professionals, such as physicians). In some examples, prescriptions are not needed for over-the-counter medications, such as, for example, Robitussin, Tylenol, and Sudafed. The medications, as provided here, may or may not be controlled. Examples of non-controlled prescription substances include antibiotics, cholesterol medication, and Viagra.

[0043] Examples of controlled substances can comprise opiate and opioids, as well as central nervous system (CNS) depressants and stimulants. Examples of opioids can include morphine, codeine, thebaine, oripavine, morphine dipropionate, morphine dinicotinate, dihydrocodeine, buprenorphine, etorphine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone, oxymorphone, fentanyl, alpha-methylfentantyl, alfentanil, trefantinil, brifentanil, remifentanil, octfentanil, sufentanil, carfentanyl, meperidine, prodine, promedol, propoxyphene, dextropropoxyphene, methadone, diphenoxylate, dezocine, pentazocine, phenazocine, butorphanol, nalbuphine, levorphanol, levomethorphan, tramadol, tapentadol, anileridine, any functional variant thereof, or any functional combinations thereof. Examples of CNS depressants and stimulants can include methylphenobarbital, pentobarbital, diazepam, clonazepam, chlordiazepoxide, alprazolam, triazolam, estazolam, any functional variant thereof, or any functional combinations thereof. [0044] Additional examples of the medications and the relevant therapeutic applications include scopolamine for motion sickness, nitroglycerin for angina, clonidine for hypertension, and estradiol for female hormone replacement therapy. Other examples of the drugs include, but are not limited to, methylphenidate, selegiline, rivastigmine, rotigotine, granisteron, buprenorphine, estradiol, fentanyl, nicotine, testosterone, propofol, etc.

[0045] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides liquid management systems, devices, and methods thereof for monitoring and/or assisting management of liquids, such as retrieval and collection thereof (e.g., unused, unwanted, and/or leftover liquid). In some embodiments, digital data from monitoring of the liquid wasting can be utilized to detect mismanagement of the liquid by the user (e.g., mishandling or misuse, such as diversion). In some embodiments, the liquids can comprise liquid medications. In some embodiments, the liquids can be non-medical liquids, such as chemicals for consumer or commercial uses.

[0046] Non-limiting examples of the non-medical liquids can include fluoromethane, difluoromethane, trifluoromethane, fluoroethane, difluoroethane, tetrafluoroethane, fluoropropane, difluoropropane, trifluoropropane, fluoroethylene, difluoroethylene, trifluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene or chloromethane, dichloromethane, trichloromethane, chloroethane, dichloroethane, tetrachloroethane, chloropropane, and chloroethene.

[0047] In some embodiments, the liquids to be discarded by the systems, devices, and methods of the present disclosure can be provided in or enclosed within a container (e.g., bag, box, sack, carrier, etc.). For example, intravenous (IV) solutions (e.g., saline, Lactated Ringers Solution, etc.) with or without added drugs can be contained within an IV bag. In some cases, liquid medication may be contained within a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) cassette or pump. The medication intelligent disposal system described herein can access the medication inside the cassette and pump it out for disposal without opening or crushing the cassette. In another example, one or more reactants for a chemical reaction (e.g., for a chemical synthesis) can be contained within a container. The container may be referred to as a liquid container or an original liquid container.

[0048] In some embodiments, the liquid container can comprise excess liquid. A portion of the liquid may be drawn out and used (e.g., administered into a patient), and the remaining portion of the liquid in the liquid container may be an excess liquid that needs to be discarded (e.g., to avoid misuse of controlled substances). Alternatively, none of the liquid in the liquid container may end up being used, and the remaining liquid (e.g., substantially the same as the original amount of the liquid in the liquid container) may need to be discarded (e.g., after expiration date of the liquid).

[0049] In some embodiments, after use of a portion of the liquid, an excess (or leftover) portion of the liquid may still be present in the liquid container. Alternatively, or in addition to, none of the liquid in the liquid container may be used, but the entirety of the liquid may need to be discarded (e.g., expired liquids, controlled liquid substances, etc.). In some cases, instead of discarding the liquid container comprising the excess liquid as a whole, it may be helpful, needed, or required to extract the excess liquid out of the liquid container for discarding/wasting the excess liquid. For example, it may be needed to monitor and/or record extraction of the excess liquid out of the liquid container for discarding/wasting of the excess liquid (e.g., in order to be compliant with regulatory agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) or to otherwise act responsibly with the excess liquid). Alternatively, or in addition to, it may be needed to measure and/or record an amount of the excess liquid, and extracting the excess liquid out of the liquid container may provide and easier, faster, more convenient, or more accurate way of measuring and/or recording the amount of the excess liquid from the liquid container.

Devices/Systems [0050] Disclosed herein are devices and systems for properly wasting and disposing of medications. Properly wasting and disposing can comprise tracking the amount of medication disposed to track diversion. In some cases, the medications are liquid. Described herein are devices for tubing for assisting in disposing of liquid medications.

Medication Intelligent Disposal System or Waste Management System

[0051] Provided herein is a medication intelligent disposal system and devices for monitoring and/or assisting management of medications, such as distribution of medications or wasting thereof (e.g., unused, unwanted, and/or leftover medications). In some embodiments, digital data from monitoring of the distribution of medications or wasting thereof can be utilized to detect mismanagement of the medications by the user (e.g., mishandling or misuse of the medications, such as medication diversion). In some cases, the systems described herein may be used for liquid medications. In some cases, the systems described herein may be used for liquid or solid (tablet, caplet, patch, pill, etc.) medications. In some cases, liquid and solid medications may be disposed into different waste containers. In some cases, liquid and solid medications may be disposed into the same waste containers.

[0052] In some embodiments, the liquid management systems can comprise a housing to contain the liquid collector within the housing. Alternatively, the liquid collector may be disposed outside of the housing, e.g., on or adjacent to a top work surface of the housing. Such housing can be or can be part of a liquid retrieval and collection station.

[0053] In some embodiments, the housing can further contain at least a portion of the channel that is or can be in fluid communication with (i) the liquid container (e.g., via the generated opening of the liquid container) and (ii) the liquid collector. For example, a first portion of the channel of the coupling module comprising the entry orifice may be disposed outside the housing of the liquid management system, and a second portion of the channel of the coupling module comprising the exit orifice may be disposed inside the housing of the liquid management system.

[0054] In some embodiments, the channel of the coupling module may not and need not be disposed within an inner space/volume of the housing of the liquid management system. The housing can comprise an opening (e.g., on a work surface of a platform of the housing) in fluid communication with the liquid collector inside the housing. The exit orifice of the channel of the coupling module can be disposed at or adjacent to the opening of the housing. Once the excess liquid is extracted out of the fluid container and into the channel of the coupling module, the excess liquid can exit out of the exit orifice of the channel of the coupling module (e.g., which exit orifice is disposed outside of the housing of the liquid management system), the excess liquid can flow (e.g., naturally glow via gravitational force) toward the opening of the housing, through the opening of the housing, and toward/into the liquid collector inside the housing. [0055] The opening of the housing of the liquid management system may not be indirect contact (e.g., not be in direct fluid communication) with the liquid collector inside the housing of liquid management system. Alternatively, the liquid medication system can comprise a channel (e.g., a conduit such as a pipe, tube, funnel, etc.) that fluidically connects the opening of the housing and the liquid collector inside the housing. The channel of the housing of the liquid medication system and the channel of the coupling module as provided herein may be different components of the liquid management system.

[0056] In some embodiments, the liquid retrieval and collection station as provided herein can be referred to as “Verified Institutional Environment for Wasting” (VIEW) station, which station comprising at least a user identification device and/or a medication monitoring module as provided herein.

[0057] In some embodiments, the excess liquid in the liquid can be usable for medical applications. Such excess liquid can be a medication liquid or can comprise one or more medications. Accordingly, the liquid management system as provided herein can be or can be a part of a medication management system, device, and method thereof for monitoring and/or assisting management of medications, such as distribution of medications (e.g., prescribed or over-the-counter medications) or wasting thereof (e.g., unused, unwanted, and/or leftover medications). In some embodiments, digital data from monitoring of the distribution of medications or wasting thereof can be utilized to detect mismanagement of the medications by the user (e.g., mishandling or misuse of the medications, such as medication diversion). In some embodiments, the liquid collector may be referred to as a medication collector.

[0058] In some embodiments, the medication management system can comprise a medication collector to receive and store medications wasted. The medication management system can comprise a housing for containing inside the at least one medication collector, e.g., such that the at least one medication container is not visible from outside the medication management system. For example, the housing of the medication management system can comprise a lockable door that can be opened to provide access to the at least one medication collector, e.g., to put in or take our (e.g., replace) the at least one medication collector.

[0059] Any of the embodiments medication management systems disclosed herein can comprise a pressurized vacuum chamber. The vacuum can be generated and/or moderated by a vacuum pump. The vacuum pump can generate both negative pressures and positive pressures. Vacuum chambers can vary in size, shape, pressure, and can have structural variations as well as a variety of mechanisms for generating the vacuum. A vacuum chamber can come pressurized using an onboard evacuated chamber (e.g. a chamber installed on the device using a membrane that when penetrated generates negative pressure in contiguous enclosures). Vacuum chamber sizes can vary, for example the vacuum chamber can be greater than 2 mL, greater than 4 mL, greater than 6 mL, greater than 8 mL, or greater than 10 mL in volume.

[0060] Prior to vacuum activation, the pressures within the vacuum chamber and connected tubing can be at atmospheric pressure (or ambient pressure). During activation, the vacuum pressure of the vacuum chamber and associated tubing can range from about -4 psig to about -15 psig during use for generating negative pressure, or from about +4 psig to about +15 psig during use for generating positive pressure.

[0061] The vacuum pressure of the vacuum chamber and associated tubing can range from about -15 psig to about -4 psig. The vacuum pressure of the vacuum chamber and associated tubing can range from about -4 psig to about -6 psig, about -4 psig to about -8 psig, about -4 psig to about - 10 psig, about -4 psig to about -12 psig, about -4 psig to about -15 psig, about -6 psig to about -8 psig, about -6 psig to about -10 psig, about -6 psig to about -12 psig, about -6 psig to about -15 psig, about -8 psig to about -10 psig, about -8 psig to about -12 psig, about -8 psig to about -15 psig, about -10 psig to about -12 psig, about -10 psig to about -15 psig, or about -12 psig to about -15 psig. The vacuum pressure of the vacuum chamber and associated tubing can range about -4 psig, about -6 psig, about -8 psig, about -10 psig, about -12 psig, or about -15 psig. The vacuum pressure of the vacuum chamber and associated tubing can range at least about -4 psig, about -6 psig, about -8 psig, about -10 psig, or about -12 psig. The vacuum pressure of the vacuum chamber and associated tubing can range at most about -6 psig, about -8 psig, about -10 psig, about -12 psig, or about -15 psig.

[0062] The vacuum pressure of the vacuum chamber and associated tubing can range from about 4 psig to about 15 psig. The vacuum pressure of the vacuum chamber and associated tubing can range from about 4 psig to about 6 psig, about 4 psig to about 8 psig, about 4 psig to about 10 psig, about 4 psig to about 12 psig, about 4 psig to about 15 psig, about 6 psig to about 8 psig, about 6 psig to about 10 psig, about 6 psig to about 12 psig, about 6 psig to about 15 psig, about 8 psig to about 10 psig, about 8 psig to about 12 psig, about 8 psig to about 15 psig, about 10 psig to about 12 psig, about 10 psig to about 15 psig, or about 12 psig to about 15 psig. The vacuum pressure of the vacuum chamber and associated tubing can range about 4 psig, about 6 psig, about 8 psig, about 10 psig, about 12 psig, or about 15 psig. The vacuum pressure of the vacuum chamber and associated tubing can range at least about 4 psig, about 6 psig, about 8 psig, about 10 psig, or about 12 psig. The vacuum pressure of the vacuum chamber and associated tubing can range at most about 6 psig, about 8 psig, about 10 psig, about 12 psig, or about 15 psig.

[0063] In some embodiments, the medication collector can be a receptacle comprising a housing. The housing can contain inside one or more neutralizers to deactivate the medication (e.g., chemically by modifying the medication, physically by entrapping the medication, etc.). For example, the medication collector can comprise one or more neutralizing agents to deactivate (or inactivate) any medication received by the medication collector. Non-limiting examples of the neutralizing agents can include those found in commercially available, such as Rx Destroyer™, Drug Buster™, Narc-X™, Pill Terminator™, Element MDS™, Cactus Smart Sink™, Mallinckrodt MDS™, Pill Catcher™, and Stericycle CsRx™.

[0064] In some embodiments, the medication management system can comprise a user identification device (e.g., a camera, a scanner, a sensor, a magnetic stripe reader, etc.). The user identification device can be configured to verify identification of the user (e.g., prior to, during, or subsequent to use of the medication management system) and/or monitor the user during the user’s use of the medication management system (e.g., during the user’s wasting of medication into the medication management system). The user identification device can be configured to read or scan an identifier of the user. Accordingly, the user identification device may or may not be activatable by the user. The user identification device may automatically function during use of the medication management system, such that the user cannot manually turn it off, to ensure secure monitoring of the user. For example, the user identification device can comprise one or more cameras configured to view at least a portion of the user and at least a portion of the medication management system that the user is utilizing (e.g., a work station of a platform of the medication management system for wasting medications as provided herein).

[0065] In some embodiments, the user identification device can comprise or can be in digital communication with an analysis engine configured to analyze data (e.g., image(s), video(s), sensing data, etc. from reading or scanning the identifier of the user) to verify identification of the user and/or monitor the user during the user’s use of the medication management system. [0066] In some embodiments, the medication management system can comprise a medication monitoring module (e.g., a camera, a scanner, a sensor, a magnetic stripe reader, etc.) for monitoring one or more properties of the medication when the user is using the medication management system (e.g., prior to, during, or subsequent to wasting of the medication to the medication management system by the user). The medication monitoring module can be configured to read or scan an identifier of the medications. Non-limiting examples of the one or more properties of the medication can include presence, brand, color, size, shape, weight, density, and chemical content. The medication monitoring module can be a permanent or nonpermanent part of the medication management system. For example, the medication monitoring module can be disposed on or adjacent to a permanent portion of the medication management system (e.g., a work station of a platform as provided herein). Alternatively, or in addition to, the medication monitoring module can be disposed on or adjacent to a removable portion of the medication management system (e.g., a medication collector, a structure such as a channel that connects (e.g., fluidically connects) the medication collector and a work station of the medication management system, etc.).

[0067] In some embodiments, the methods and systems disclosed herein can record and generate a digital recording (e.g., a visual transactional receipt, such as one or more images and/or videos) of the user's actual medication wasting transaction. The digital recording can include a digital transactional record in addition to a video, which can open the door to monitoring and diversion prevention. The transactional record can also assist in associated future analytics. The digital recording can serve as a virtual witness of the user's wasting of medications into a receptacle of the system as disclosed herein. The digital recording can be stored, easily transferable, and duplicates can be generated (e.g., automatically) for records keeping, accountability, tracking, reverse tracking, etc. The digital recording can be more informative, more accurate, and/or complimentary to the user's attestation of information about the medications (e.g., waste data) provided via hand-written documents and/or the GUI as disclosed herein. The digital recording can include a regular camera, 360 degree camera, 3D or 4D animation capabilities, and other recording methods.

[0068] The virtual “anytime” witness functionality can be used for confirming wasting. The cameras can capture the entirety of the wasting process as described herein, and then store them and/or upload them to a cloud or server. A nurse, licensed medical practitioner, licensed DEA regulation individual, or individual for diversion prevention and/or investigation can then review them at a chosen or designated time to confirm proper wasting with no diversion of the medication. The review can be synchronous or asynchronous (“anytime”). This can improve wasting efficiency and turnover, as users no longer wait for a witness to waste medication. This can also decrease clinical time used by the waste witness, creates an HD video capture of the waste process, and has a high degree of waste confirmation. The users can also waste at any location that contains a medication intelligent disposal system, whether in a hospital, pharmacy, or specialized room (e.g., Narc Vault, clean room, etc.). The system can also have lock out functionality to prevent buddy wasting, where an individual can be prevented from authorizing a waster if it is believed they are colluding. In some cases, instead of a human witness, an Al system can be trained to act as a witness by recognizing item, medication, behavior, suspicious activity measurement of medication, camera boundaries, and unusual behavior when wasting. [0069] In some embodiments, the medication management system can comprise a platform comprising a work station that a user of the medication management system can physically interact with. The work station can comprise an opening (e.g., comprising a hole) for the user to discard the medication (e.g., liquid medication as provided herein) for wasting, and for the medication management system to receive the wasted medication. The opening of the work station can be coupled to the medication collector thereby allowing the wasted medication to be directed towards the medication collector and stored inside the medication collector. The opening, the medication collector, and/or a connection between the opening and the medication collector can comprise the medication monitoring module (e.g., a camera, a sensor such as spectrophotometer, etc.) to detect a property of the medication during wasting (or alleged wasting) of the medication.

[0070] In some embodiments, the medication monitoring module can comprise or can be in digital communication with an analysis engine configured to analyze data (e.g., image(s), video(s), sensing data, etc.) to retrieve or estimate the property of the medication being wasted. The analysis engine can be configured to use one or more algorithms to analyze the data. The one or more algorithms utilized by the analysis engine can include a natural language processing (NLP), a computer vision system, or a statistical model. The computer vision system can include artificial intelligence (Al), deep learning, or optical character recognition (OCR) capabilities. [0071] In some embodiments, a GUI as provided herein can be a touch screen GUI, thereby allowing the user to physically interact with the GUI. For example, a tablet display can be utilized to provide the touch screen GUI.

[0072] In some embodiments, the flow meter can be a part of the medication monitoring module. Alternatively, the flow meter and the medication monitoring module can be different modules. [0073] In some embodiments, the medication management system can be free standing, e.g., on a floor or on top of a table or counter. The medication management system can be wall-, floor-, or counter top-mounted. The wall-, floor-, or counter top-mounted medication management system can be operatively coupled to at least one joint mechanisms (e.g., a swivel) to permit the medication management system to move in at least one degree of freedom, thereby to provide access to different components of the medication management system to its users.

[0074] In some embodiments, the user can interact with the medication management system via a user interface (e.g., a GUI as provided herein) provided on one or more displays, such as a touchscreen display. The user can perform data entry via the touchscreen (e.g., via an on-screen keyboard) or a physical keyboard operatively coupled to the GUI. In some cases, data entry can be activated by selecting (or touching) one of the choices provided on the GUI. The choices can be numbers, letters, and/or symbols provided inside distinguishable shapes (e.g., a square, oval, triangle, square, etc.).

[0075] In some embodiments, the GUI of the medication management system can be configured to be paused, locked out, deactivated, or turned-off after (i) a predetermined duration of time without any interaction with a user and/or (ii) a predetermined duration of time without any visual recognition of a user (or a user and a witness to waste any unused/leftover medications) via the one or more cameras of the medication management system (e.g., via the one or more cameras of the user identification device).

[0076] In some embodiments, the user identification device can be configured to identify the user (e.g., healthcare provider, such as a nurse) who is retrieving the medications, returning the unused/leftover medications (or used medication containers), or discarding (or wasting) any leftover medications. The user identification device can be configured to scan an identifier (e.g., a key, an employment ID badge, and/or biometric data) of the user of the medication management system. Examples of the biometric data can include fingerprint, palm print, hand geometry, finger and/or palm vein pattern, facial pattern, iris, retina, heart rate, and/or pattern of behavior of the user (e.g., typing rhythm, voice, etc.). In some cases, the user identification device can comprise a physical user interface (PUI), such as a keyboard and/or a mouse, to type in a password or a pin number to gain access to the medication management system for use. Alternatively, the user identification device may not and need not comprise any PUI, and only rely on display(s) and the GUI for interacting with the users.

[0077] In some embodiments, the user identification device can be in operative and digital communication with the housing. Alternatively, or in addition to, the user identification device can be part of the housing. The user identification device can be on a surface (e.g., an outer surface) of the housing. The user identification device can be fixed at a permanent position relative to the housing, or be movable (e.g., extendable via a stretchable or coiled chord, etc.) relative to the housing.

[0078] In some embodiments, the display as provided herein (e.g., a touchscreen display) can be mounted to a body of the medication management system (e.g., a housing of the medication management system) via a coupling unit such as a screen mount. Such coupling unit can be stable, affixed, or flexible. In an example, the coupling unit can be a robot mount configured to hold the display and/or user device and (ii) be movable (e.g., manually by the user or automatically by the processor as provided herein) among various locations. In another example, the coupling unit can be a telescoping counter mount.

[0079] In some embodiments, examples of the user identification device can comprise one or more scanners configured to scan and/or analyze any of the biometric data, such as a facial recognition scanner, iris scanner, fingerprint scanner, voice recognition device, etc.

Alternatively, or in addition to, the user identification device can comprise at least one identifier reader, as above-mentioned, configured to scan an identifier specific to the user. The identifier of the user may comprise a MRC (e.g., a barcode) and/or an identification device (e.g., a RFID system) that is recognizable by the at least one identifier reader.

[0080] In some embodiments, the user identification device or the medication monitoring module (e.g., via using one or more sensors or cameras thereof) can be utilized to confirm dispensing of medications, wasting of medications, calculations of the amount of medications wasted, and/or calibrations of the medication management system. Such use of the user identification device or the medication monitoring module may be referred to as “smart imaging” systems or methods thereof.

[0081] In some embodiments, the user identification device or the medication monitoring module can direct its respective one or more sensors (e.g., cameras) to capture digital images or videos of the medication management system. In some cases, such images or videos can be utilized to verify when the medication management system is being utilized (e.g., opened, closed, or manipulated) to, for example, discourage, avoid, or capture tampering of the medication management system.

[0082] In some embodiments, the medication monitoring module can direct one or more sensors (e.g., cameras) of the medication monitoring module to capture digital images or videos of an identifier (e.g., a MRC, such as a barcode) of a packaging of the medication (i.e., medication package). By scanning the identifier of the packaging, the medication monitoring module can retrieve information about the medication, such as one or more of: (i) order or prescription of the medication, (ii) retum/waste order information, (iii) stock keeping unit (SKU) number or national drug code (NDC) for the original medication (e.g., original pellet), master carton, inner carton, individual item, etc.

[0083] In some embodiments, an identifier as disclosed herein (e.g., identifier of the healthcare providers, identifier of the patients, identifier of the medications or medication containers, etc.) can be scanned by an identifier reader, such as a scanner, a barcode reader, RFID reader, a NFC reader, etc. that is part of the user identification device or the medication monitoring module. In some cases, the identifier reader can be a device in digital communication with a machine (e.g., a computer with a processor) configured to read and identify the identifier. In some cases, the identifier reader may be a user device (e.g., a smart phone with a camera) that is in digital communication (e.g., a wireless communication) with the machine. In some cases, the identifier reader may be adjacent to or part of (e.g., on the outside or inside) the medication management system. Alternatively, or in addition to, the identifier reader can be operatively coupled to (e.g., communicatively coupled to) the medication management system. The identifier reader can be communicatively coupled to one or more databases, e.g., one or more databases of the medication management system or other databases, such as hospital employee database(s), eMAR or CPOE database(s), pharmacy database(s), etc. In some cases, the identifier can be a sound wave. The sound wave can be from a voice of the user (i.e., voice transmission). The sound wave can be from an identifier device of the user, medication, medication packaging, and/or a medication handling unit, as disclosed herein. For example, voiceprint identification can be used to match the user's voice to an existing voice profile in a database of the system as provided herein. The identifier can utilize one or more algorithms (e.g., machine learning algorithms) to learn the voice(s) of the user(s), for example, to ensure that only legitimate users are granted access to the system.

[0084] In some embodiments, detecting of the medication (e.g., by the medication monitoring module) can comprise measuring one or more of the following: (1) a number of the medication, (2) a weight of the medication, (3) a volume of the medication, (4) an optical property of the medication, or (5) a chemical content of the medication. Such detecting can occur prior to, during, or subsequent to distribution of the medication. Such detecting can occur prior to (e.g., right before) wasting of any excess medication.

[0085] In some embodiments, the medication monitoring module or an analysis engine (e.g., a medication analysis engine) operatively coupled thereto can be configured to utilize data generated during monitoring of the medications (e.g., images or videos of the medications obtained by the user device, as directed by the medication monitoring module) to estimate properties of the medications (e.g., brand, color, size, shape, weight, density, and/or chemical content). In some embodiments, the medication monitoring module or the analysis engine may comprise one or more sensors for measuring or estimating properties of the medications. Based on one or more estimated properties, the medication monitoring module or the analysis engine can determine a probability or likelihood that the medication wasted is what was reported by a user (e.g., a nurse or the user of the medications) who wasted the medication. The medication monitoring module or the analysis engine can determine (i) that the probability that the medication wasted matches what is reported by the user, (ii) that an amount (e.g., a number of pills, a number of patches, a volume of liquid medications, etc.) of the medication wasted matches what is reported by the user, (iii) that an amount (e.g., a number of pills, a number of patches, a volume of liquid medications, etc.) of the medication wasted matches an amount that is supposed to be returned by the user, and/or (iv) that the user has mismanaged (e.g., lost or diverted) the medication, with a probability of at least about 10%, at least or up to about 15%, at least or up to about 20%, at least or up to about 25%, at least or up to about 30%, at least or up to about 35%, at least or up to about 40%, at least or up to about 45%, at least or up to about 50%, at least or up to about 55%, at least or up to about 60%, at least or up to about 65%, at least or up to about 70%, at least or up to about 75%, at least or up to about 80%, at least or up to about 85%, at least or up to about 90%, at least or up to about 95%, at least or up to about 99%, or more.

[0086] In some embodiments, the analysis engine can analyze data from the medication monitoring module (e.g., one or more sensors such as camera(s)) using one or more algorithms as provided herein. In some cases, the algorithm(s) of the analysis engine can be used to (1) validate that the wasted or returned medication is associated with the user, a specific patient, or a container that the medication was stored in, or (2) estimate an amount of the medication returned. In some cases, the analysis engine or algorithm(s) thereof can be configured to compare an image of the wasted/retumed medication (e.g., a pill) to one or more authentic images of the medication (e.g., retrieved from a database) to confirm or authenticate the wasted/retumed medication or contents thereof. The database can be, for example, from the National Library of Medicine (NLM).

[0087] In some embodiments, at least one sensor of the medication monitoring module or the analysis engine has an angle of view of at least about 90, at least about 120, at least about 150, at least about 180, at least about 210, at least about 240, at least about 270, at least about 300, at least about 330, at least about 345, at least about 350, at least about 355, at least about 356, at least about 357, at least about 358, at least about 359, or about 360 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle of view is measured horizontally. In some embodiments, the at least one sensor is at least one camera.

[0088] In some embodiments, the analysis engine can obtain (directly or indirectly) data comprising information about the user (e.g., the patient) and the medication being wasted or deposited in the medication collector. Examples of such data can include one or more electromagnetic spectroscopies (e.g., absorbance and/or reflectance of light), images, videos, and/or weight of the wasted/deposited medications. The analysis engine can be configured to use one or more algorithms (e.g., Al algorithm as provided herein) to analyze the data to track the user’s compliance to medication distribution/wasting guidance or instruction. The analysis engine can be configured to provide progress or results of the analysis to the user via a display of the medication management system, a user device of the user, or a user device of the user’s supervisor or manager of the medication management system. The analysis engine can be configured to approve one or more rewards programs for the user based on analysis of the wasted/deposited medications. Non-limiting examples of a reward may be an incentive toward bonus or salary of the user, a coupon, a gift card, etc. In some cases, upon proper wasting/depositing of the medications to the medication management system, the user (e.g., healthcare provider such as a nurse or a pharmacist) can be provided with such reward(s).

[0089] In some embodiments, the medication is provided in one or more members selected from the group consisting of of tablets, capsules, pills, powders, granules, dragees, gels, slurries, ointments, solutions suppositories, solutions, inhalants, aerosols, transdermal patches, modifications thereof, or combinations thereof.

[0090] In some embodiments, the medication management system (e.g., the medication collector) can be configured to receive a plurality of forms (e.g., pills, liquids, patches, etc.) of medications for wasting. In some embodiments, the medication management system (e.g., the medication collector) can be configured to receive only a single form of medications for wasting. In some embodiments, the medication management system (e.g., the medication collector) can be configured to receive only a single specific type of medication (e.g., only propofol emulsions, only fentanyl liquids, etc.) for wasting.

[0091] In some embodiments, one or more components of the liquid medication management system (e.g., the coupling module) or the medication management system (e.g., the housing, the channel, the medication collector, etc.) can be made of any type of material suitable for being in contact with and/or protecting the medications. For example, non-limiting examples of such material can include polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, polyisobutene, poly(ethylene-vinylacetate) copolymer, lightweight aluminum foil and combinations thereof, stainless steel alloys, commercially pure titanium, titanium alloys, silver alloys, copper alloys, Grade 5 titanium, super-elastic titanium alloys, cobalt-chrome alloys, stainless steel alloys, superelastic metallic alloys (e.g., Nitinol), ceramics and composites thereof such as calcium phosphate (e.g., SKELITE™), thermoplastics such as polyaryletherketone (PAEK) including polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) and polyetherketone (PEK), carbon-PEEK composites, PEEK- BaS04 polymeric rubbers, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), fabric, silicone, polyurethane, silicone-polyurethane copolymers, polymeric rubbers, polyolefin rubbers, hydrogels, semi-rigid and rigid materials, elastomers, rubbers, thermoplastic elastomers, thermoset elastomers, elastomeric composites, rigid polymers including polyphenylene, polyamide, polyimide, polyetherimide, polyethylene, epoxy, glass, and combinations thereof.

[0092] Systems and devices of the present disclosure can be located at (e.g., installed at) hospitals (e.g., public, private, military, or non-military hospitals), medical offices (e.g., physician clinics, dental clinics, ambulatory surgery centers, same-day or other non-hospital surgery facilities, a medication dispensing room or a pharmacy, such as a place having an automated dispensing machine (ADM), etc.), non-acute healthcare institutions (e.g., long term care facilities), skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, hospice, clinics (e.g., pain clinics), emergency response units (e.g., paramedic transportations, emergency medical service (EMS) transportations, etc.), veterinary hospitals, veterinary clinics, veterinary laboratories, medical research facilities, hospice, long-term acute care (LTAC) facility, nursing home, assisted living facility, pharmacy, in-pharmacy clinic, law enforcement sites, etc.

[0093] FIG. 1A shows an internal system schematic of medication intelligent disposal system 100. FIGS. 1B-1F show magnified versions of FIG. 1A.

[0094] The medication intelligent disposal system 100 can comprise a computing device and recording device 106; non-liquid non-hazardous waste disposal 102 and non-liquid hazardous waste disposal 104; tamper prevention devices 108; Rx destroyer non-hazardous 128 and Rx destroyer hazardous 130; small volume liquid waste disposal 110; small volume liquid waste disposal luer lock or slip tip 112; Rxlntercept collection slots 122; Rxlntercept carousel motor 124; Rxlntercept collection drop 116; large volume liquid waste disposal 118; large volume liquid waste disposal luer lock or slip tip 120; electronically controlled shunt valve 126; electronically controlled valves for positive air pressure of the small cylinder 136, negative air pressure of the small cylinder 140, fluid output valve of the small cylinder 146, fluid intake valve of the small cylinder 134, positive air pressure of the large cylinder 170, negative air pressure of the large cylinder 166, fluid output valve of the large cylinder 176, fluid intake valve of the large cylinder 164, positive pressure air output 150, negative air pressure exhaust 160, positive pressure air intake 154, and negative pressure air intake 160; precision scales 148 and 174; small volume stainless steel containment cylinder 142; large volume stainless steel containment cylinder 172; backflow filters 138 and 158; and vacuum pump 156.

[0095] The computing device and recording device 106 can comprise a monitor, personal computer, tablet, or other computer. It can be freestanding slotted into, and/or attached to a housing of the medication intelligent disposal system 100. The computing device and recording device 106 can comprise a camera (e.g., panoramic, fish eye, focal, 360 degree, 180 degree, motion detecting, etc.), 3D/4D camera animation, and/or other sensors and monitors.

[0096] The slots or holes for disposal of non-liquid substances (102 for non-hazardous waste and 104 for hazardous waste) can lead to various Rx destroyers (e.g., waste disposals) based on hazardous (N)) or non-hazardous (M) waste. As mentioned above, examples of destroyers can include one or more of Rx Destroyer™, Drug Buster™, Narc-X™, Pill Terminator™, Element MDS™, Cactus Smart Sink™, Mallinckrodt MDS™, Pill Catcher™, and Stericycle CsRx™.\ [0097] Tamper prevention devices 108 can comprise a physical barrier between the holes for solid medication disposal and the waste containers with Rx destroyers. This can prevent suction by a straw or other long device of disposed medications.

[0098] Access to the Rx destroyers (waste disposals) 130 and 128 from the stainless steel containment cylinders may be controlled by the electronically controlled shunt valve 126. Depending on the information entered by a user into the computing device 106, such as medication name or whether it is hazardous or non-hazardous, the program can determine how to orient the shunt valve 126: for it to face and allow access to the non-hazardous destroyer 128 or the hazardous destroyer 130. The shunt can control access from both stainless steel containment cylinders to both destroyers.

[0099] Similarly to the electronically controlled shunt valve 126, electronically controlled valves for positive air pressure of the small cylinder 136, negative air pressure of the small cylinder 140, fluid output valve of the small cylinder 146, fluid intake valve of the small cylinder 134, positive air pressure of the large cylinder 170, negative air pressure of the large cylinder 166, fluid output valve of the large cylinder 176, fluid intake valve of the large cylinder 164, positive air pressure output 150, negative air pressure exhaust 160, positive pressure air intake 154, and negative pressure air intake 160, can direct the flow of liquid based on the information entered by the user and the luer locks used to flow the liquid waste into the medication intelligent disposal system 100. In some cases, the housing of the medication intelligent disposal system 100 can comprise 1, 2, 3, 4, or more holes or vents for air to flow in and out. For example, air can flow in to positive pressure air intake 154 and flow out at negative air pressure exhaust 160. In some cases, the fluid intake valves can control fluid access to the containment cylinders, and the fluid output valves can control fluid flow from the containment cylinders to the destroyers. [0100] The small volume liquid waste disposal 110 can comprise a luer-lock or slip tip 112 for interfacing with a tube. The tube can be an IV tube. The tube can be a collection tube. The tube can be a tube as disclosed below. The small volume liquid waste disposal 110 can accommodate disposal of liquids of from about 0.5 ml to about 20 ml. The small volume liquid waste disposal 110 can accommodate disposal of liquids of from about 0.5 ml to about 1 ml, about 0.5 ml to about 2.5 ml, about 0.5 ml to about 5 ml, about 0.5 ml to about 10 ml, about 0.5 ml to about 15 ml, about 0.5 ml to about 20 ml, about 1 ml to about 2.5 ml, about 1 ml to about 5 ml, about 1 ml to about 10 ml, about 1 ml to about 15 ml, about 1 ml to about 20 ml, about 2.5 ml to about 5 ml, about 2.5 ml to about 10 ml, about 2.5 ml to about 15 ml, about 2.5 ml to about 20 ml, about 5 ml to about 10 ml, about 5 ml to about 15 ml, about 5 ml to about 20 ml, about 10 ml to about 15 ml, about 10 ml to about 20 ml, or about 15 ml to about 20 ml. The small volume liquid waste disposal 110 can accommodate disposal of liquids of about 0.5 ml, about 1 ml, about 2.5 ml, about 5 ml, about 10 ml, about 15 ml, or about 20 ml. The small volume liquid waste disposal 110 can accommodate disposal of liquids of at least about 0.5 ml, about 1 ml, about 2.5 ml, about 5 ml, about 10 ml, or about 15 ml. The small volume liquid waste disposal 110 can accommodate disposal of liquids of at most about 1 ml, about 2.5 ml, about 5 ml, about 10 ml, about 15 ml, or about 20 ml.

[0101] The small volume liquid waste disposal 110 can flow into the small volume stainless steel containment cylinder 142 through the fluid intake valve S. The small volume stainless steel containment cylinder 142 can accommodate from about 1 ml to about 30 ml. The small volume stainless steel containment cylinder 142 can accommodate from about 1 ml to about 5 ml, about 1 ml to about 10 ml, about 1 ml to about 15 ml, about 1 ml to about 20 ml, about 1 ml to about 25 ml, about 1 ml to about 30 ml, about 5 ml to about 10 ml, about 5 ml to about 15 ml, about 5 ml to about 20 ml, about 5 ml to about 25 ml, about 5 ml to about 30 ml, about 10 ml to about 15 ml, about 10 ml to about 20 ml, about 10 ml to about 25 ml, about 10 ml to about 30 ml, about 15 ml to about 20 ml, about 15 ml to about 25 ml, about 15 ml to about 30 ml, about 20 ml to about 25 ml, about 20 ml to about 30 ml, or about 25 ml to about 30 ml. The small volume stainless steel containment cylinder 142 can accommodate about 1 ml, about 5 ml, about 10 ml, about 15 ml, about 20 ml, about 25 ml, or about 30 ml. The small volume stainless steel containment cylinder 142 can accommodate at least about 1 ml, about 5 ml, about 10 ml, about 15 ml, about 20 ml, or about 25 ml. The small volume stainless steel containment cylinder 142 can accommodate at most about 5 ml, about 10 ml, about 15 ml, about 20 ml, about 25 ml, or about 30 ml.

[0102] The large volume liquid waste disposal 118 can comprise a luer-lock large-volume infusion pump (LVP) adapter 120. In some cases, 120 can comprise a slip tip. The large volume liquid waste disposal 118 can accommodate disposal of liquids of from about 20 ml to about 100 ml. The large volume liquid waste disposal 118 can accommodate disposal of liquids of from about 20 ml to about 30 ml, about 20 ml to about 40 ml, about 20 ml to about 50 ml, about 20 ml to about 60 ml, about 20 ml to about 80 ml, about 20 ml to about 100 ml, about 30 ml to about 40 ml, about 30 ml to about 50 ml, about 30 ml to about 60 ml, about 30 ml to about 80 ml, about 30 ml to about 100 ml, about 40 ml to about 50 ml, about 40 ml to about 60 ml, about 40 ml to about 80 ml, about 40 ml to about 100 ml, about 50 ml to about 60 ml, about 50 ml to about 80 ml, about 50 ml to about 100 ml, about 60 ml to about 80 ml, about 60 ml to about 100 ml, or about 80 ml to about 100 ml. The large volume liquid waste disposal 118 can accommodate disposal of liquids of about 20 ml, about 30 ml, about 40 ml, about 50 ml, about 60 ml, about 80 ml, or about 100 ml. The large volume liquid waste disposal 118 can accommodate disposal of liquids of at least about 20 ml, about 30 ml, about 40 ml, about 50 ml, about 60 ml, or about 80 ml. The large volume liquid waste disposal 118 can accommodate disposal of liquids of at most about 30 ml, about 40 ml, about 50 ml, about 60 ml, about 80 ml, or about 100 ml.

[0103] The large volume liquid waste disposal 118 can be fluidically coupled to large volume stainless steel containment cylinder 172 via fluid intake valve of the large cylinder 164. The large volume stainless steel containment cylinder 172 can accommodate from about 10 ml to about 1 L. The large volume stainless steel containment cylinder 172 can accommodate from about 10 ml to about 30 ml, about 10 ml to about 50 ml, about 10 ml to about 100 ml, about 10 ml to about 200 ml, about 10 ml to about 300 ml, about 10 ml to about 400 ml, about 10 ml to about 500 ml, about 10 ml to about 750 ml, about 10 ml to about 1 L, about 30 ml to about 50 ml, about 30 ml to about 100 ml, about 30 ml to about 200 ml, about 30 ml to about 300 ml, about 30 ml to about 400 ml, about 30 ml to about 500 ml, about 30 ml to about 750 ml, about 30 ml to about 1 L, about 50 ml to about 100 ml, about 50 ml to about 200 ml, about 50 ml to about 300 ml, about 50 ml to about 400 ml, about 50 ml to about 500 ml, about 50 ml to about 750 ml, about 50 ml to about 1 L, about 100 ml to about 200 ml, about 100 ml to about 300 ml, about 100 ml to about 400 ml, about 100 ml to about 500 ml, about 100 ml to about 750 ml, about 100 ml to about 1 L, about 200 ml to about 300 ml, about 200 ml to about 400 ml, about 200 ml to about 500 ml, about 200 ml to about 750 ml, about 200 ml to about 1 L, about 300 ml to about 400 ml, about 300 ml to about 500 ml, about 300 ml to about 750 ml, about 300 ml to about 1 L, about 400 ml to about 500 ml, about 400 ml to about 750 ml, about 400 ml to about 1 L, about 500 ml to about 750 ml, about 500 ml to about 1 L, or about 750 ml to about 1 L. The large volume stainless steel containment cylinder 172 can accommodate about 10 ml, about 30 ml, about 50 ml, about 100 ml, about 200 ml, about 300 ml, about 400 ml, about 500 ml, about 750 ml, or about 1 L. The large volume stainless steel containment cylinder 172 can accommodate at least about 10 ml, about 30 ml, about 50 ml, about 100 ml, about 200 ml, about 300 ml, about 400 ml, about 500 ml, or about 750 ml. The large volume stainless steel containment cylinder 172 can accommodate at most about 30 ml, about 50 ml, about 100 ml, about 200 ml, about 300 ml, about 400 ml, about 500 ml, about 750 ml, or about 1 L.

[0104] In some cases, the medication intelligent disposal system 100 can be used in conjunction with Rx Intercept functionality to deter substitution. Rx Intercept comprises a randomly targeted and/or intelligent (e.g., based on Analytics/ Al) selection of the medications wasted to confirm type and quantity of medication. The intercepted medications, instead of being neutralized, are automatically placed into bags (e.g., medication or hazardous clear bags) for further qualitative analysis by the pharmacy to confirm the type of medication. For liquid medications, the medication can be placed in a leak-proof vial. The vial can hold about 10 ml of liquid. The vial can hold about 5 ml of liquid. The vial can hold about 1 ml, about 2 ml, about 3 ml, about 4 ml, about 5 ml, about 10 ml, about 15 ml, about 20 ml, or greater than about 20 ml. Sample bags can have a unique barcode and include tamper-evident closures. If the wasting was done in an auxiliary or small pharmacy, the bags can then be transported to a central pharmacy after being placed in a separate transport bag that contains multiple sample bags. The bags can be scanned at each medication intelligent management device during a transport process to maintain chain of custody. The withdrawal and destruction of bags can be done on camera to continue full chain of custody. This can be assisted by tamper-evident bags with barcodes. The barcodes can be unique. In some cases, such as when there is more medication than can fit in one bag, the barcodes can be duplicate. Rx Intercept can be utilized during the collection and/or securing of medications when creating a chain of custody to inspect medications or send them for final destruction.

[0105] In medication intelligent disposal system 100, the Rxlntercept system can be driven by one or more of the Rxlntercept collection slots 122, Rxlntercept carousel motor 124, or Rxlntercept collection drop 116. Rxlntercept collection drop 116 can use Rxlntercept vials. The Rxlntercept collection drop 116 can use non- special! zed vials. Rxlntercept collection drop 116 can act as a gateway into the Rxlntercept collection slots 122 managed by Rxlntercept carousel motor 124. For example, Rxlntercept carousel motor 124 can rotate the collection slots 122. Through weight calculation or other means, a program in the computing system can determine if a certain slot has a vial. The program can instruct the motor 124 to rotate the collection slots 122 until an empty slot is under the collection drop 116. A user can then drop the intended vial into the collection drop 116.

[0106] The precision scales 148 and 174 below both containment cylinders can be used to measure the amount of liquid captured in milliliters. [0107] Backflow filters 138 and 158 leading from both containment cylinders to the vacuum pump 156 can block any backflow of contaminated air or liquid from the containment cylinders to the vacuum pump 156. This can help to minimize contamination of the device from the liquids being disposed.

[0108] Vacuum pump 156 can help to maintain circulation of air in the medication intelligent disposal system 100 (e.g., to maintain temperature). The vacuum pump 156 can help to move disposed liquids. Vacuum pump 156 can be a negative pressure pump. Vacuum pump 156 can draw liquid from an IV line. It can do so indirectly through the othner tubing in the system. For example, vacuum pump 156 can control liquid movement from an IV line to a containment cylinder via valves and tubing. In some cases, vacuum pump 156 can be a positive pressure pump. The positive pressure can be used to push disposed liquids and/or remaining air towards the Rx destroyers with neutralizers. Vacuum pump 156 can switch between negative pressure and positive pressure. In some cases, there may be multiple vacuum pumps. When there are multiple vacuum pumps, rather than alternating between negative and positive pressure, at least one of the multiple pumps can be a negative pressure pump and at least one may be a positive pressure pump. This way, the activity levels (e.g., on/off) of multiple pumps can be controlled, rather than switching an individual pump between positive and negative pressure states.

[0109] In some cases, medication intelligent disposal system 100 can comprise the internal working components of the other medication intelligent disposal systems described herein, such as medication intelligent disposal system 200 and medication intelligent disposal system 300. [0110] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the top of a medication intelligent disposal system 200. The medication intelligent disposal system 200 can comprise a stand 202, a cup 204, a pump 206, medication opener storage 208, computing system 210, recording device 212, Rx Intercept sample lock box 214, Rx Intercept bag and vial storage 216, fingerprint scanner 218, and liquid waste disposal 220.

[oni] Stand 202 can serve multiple purposes. Stand 202 can be used to hook liquid sources onto (e.g., IV bags, other hole-punched bags) as shown in FIG. 6J. Stand 202 can be used to hold extra tubing (e.g., from an IV line or from the coupling mechanisms described below) as shown in FIGS. 6J-6L.

[0112] A liquid can be poured from a liquid source through a tube or coupling mechanism into cup 204. In some cases, the cup can be without a lid and the liquid can be poured directly into the cup 204, as in FIG. 6D. In some cases, there can be a lid attached to stand 202. The lid can be rotatable around stand 202. The lid can have a hole in it to receive a second end of the tubing attached to the liquid source (wherein the first end is attached to the liquid source). The lid can just cover the cup, acting as a funnel. In some cases, the lid can be sealable on the cup, similar to a plastic cup lid.

[0113] Cup 204 can have measurement lines (e.g., in milliliters, in ounces, etc.) drawn, etched, or otherwise represented on its sides as in FIG. 6D. Once cup 204 receives a liquid, a user can see how much liquid there is in the cup for wasting based on the measurement lines. Once the user has recorded the amount of liquid for wasting, the user can pour out the liquid in the cup 204 into the liquid waste disposal 220.

[0114] Pump 206 can be used to draw liquid from a liquid bag to tubing and to the cup 204. Pump 206 can comprise one or more of a piston pump, a peristaltic pump, a rotary pump, a diaphragm pump, a vacuum pump, or any combination thereof.

[0115] Pump 206 can comprise a peristaltic pump. The peristaltic pump can pump about 300 ml in 33 seconds on a medium strength peristaltic pump which does not collapse the tubing. The peristaltic pump can pump about 300 ml in from about 25 s to about 40 s. The peristaltic pump can pump about 300 ml in from about 25 s to about 28 s, about 25 s to about 31 s, about 25 s to about 34 s, about 25 s to about 37 s, about 25 s to about 40 s, about 28 s to about 31 s, about 28 s to about 34 s, about 28 s to about 37 s, about 28 s to about 40 s, about 31 s to about 34 s, about 31 s to about 37 s, about 31 s to about 40 s, about 34 s to about 37 s, about 34 s to about 40 s, or about 37 s to about 40 s. The peristaltic pump can pump about 300 ml in about 25 s, about 28 s, about 31 s, about 34 s, about 37 s, or about 40 s. The peristaltic pump can pump about 300 ml in at least about 25 s, about 28 s, about 31 s, about 34 s, or about 37 s. The peristaltic pump can pump about 300 ml in at most about 28 s, about 31 s, about 34 s, about 37 s, or about 40 s.

[0116] Pump 206 can be a vacuum pump. Pump 206 can be a negative pressure pump. Pump 206 can draw liquid from an IV line. It can do so indirectly through the other tubing in the system. For example, pump 206 can control liquid movement from an IV line to a containment cylinder via valves and tubing. In some cases, pump 206 can be a positive pressure pump. The positive pressure can be used to push disposed liquids and/or remaining air towards the Rx destroyers with neutralizers. Pump 206 can switch between negative pressure and positive pressure. In some cases, there may be multiple vacuum pumps. When there are multiple vacuum pumps, rather than alternating between negative and positive pressure, at least one of the multiple pumps can be a negative pressure pump and at least one may be a positive pressure pump. This way, the activity levels (e.g., on/off) of multiple pumps can be controlled, rather than switching an individual pump between positive and negative pressure states.

[0117] Medication opener storage 208 can comprise an open or closed box. Medication opener storage 208 can store or hold openers for medications, such as those described in International Patent Application No. PCT/US24/41508, the contents of which are herein incorporated in their entirety. The storage 208 can be attached to the top of the medication intelligent disposal system 200 or can be mobile.

[0118] The computing device 210 can be a monitor, personal computer, tablet, or other computer. It can be freestanding slotted into, and/or attached to a housing of the medication intelligent disposal system 200.

[0119] The recording device 212 can comprise a camera (e.g., panoramic, fish eye, focal, 360 degree, 180 degree, motion detecting, etc.), 3D/4D camera animation, and/or other sensors and monitors.

[0120] In some cases, the medication intelligent disposal system 200 can be used in conjunction with Rx Intercept functionality to deter substitution. Rx Intercept comprises a randomly targeted and/or intelligent (e.g., based on Analytics/ Al) selection of the medications wasted to confirm type and quantity of medication. The intercepted medications, instead of being neutralized, are automatically placed into bags (e.g., medication or hazardous clear bags) for further qualitative analysis by the pharmacy to confirm the type of medication. For liquid medications, the medication can be placed in a leak-proof vial. The vial can hold about 10 ml of liquid. The vial can hold about 5 ml of liquid. The vial can hold about 1 ml, about 2 ml, about 3 ml, about 4 ml, about 5 ml, about 10 ml, about 15 ml, about 20 ml, or greater than about 20 ml. Sample bags can have a unique barcode and include tamper-evident closures. If the wasting was done in an auxiliary or small pharmacy, the bags can then be transported to a central pharmacy after being placed in a separate transport bag that contains multiple sample bags. The bags can be scanned at each medication intelligent management device during a transport process to maintain chain of custody. The withdrawal and destruction of bags can be done on camera to continue full chain of custody. This can be assisted by tamper-evident bags with barcodes. The barcodes can be unique. In some cases, such as when there is more medication than can fit in one bag, the barcodes can be duplicate. Rx Intercept can be utilized during the collection and/or securing of medications when creating a chain of custody to inspect medications or send them for final destruction.

[0121] A user can withdraw a vial and bag from 216 for their liquid sample and store it in lock box 214. Lock box 214 may be accessible via one or more identification features, such as, but not limited to, finger print, retinal scan, personal code, barcode, ID badge scan, or other methods of personal identification. For example, the fingerprint scanner 218 can be used. This identification of the user can help generate a chain of ownership to discern who had control over the Rx Intercept vials once removed from lock box 214. In some cases, lock box 214 may comprise a simple lock a key mechanism. In such instances, security can be based on only certain individuals having a key and making those individuals accountable for the contents of the lock box 214.

[0122] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of medication intelligent disposal system 300. The medication intelligent disposal system 300 can comprise a stand 302, a cup 304, a pump 306, excess cup holder 308, computing system 310, recording device 312, Rx Intercept sample lock box 314, Rx Intercept bag and vial storage 316, door 318, liquid waste disposal 320, liquid bag 322, and tubing 324.

[0123] Stand 302 can serve multiple purposes. Stand 302 can be used to hook liquid sources onto (e.g., IV bags, other hole-punched bags) as shown in FIG. 6J. Stand 302 can be used to hold extra tubing (e.g., from an IV line or from the coupling mechanisms described below) as shown in FIGS. 6J-6L.

[0124] A liquid can be poured from a liquid source through a tube or coupling mechanism into cup 304. In some cases, the cup can be without a lid and the liquid can be poured directly into the cup 304, as in FIG. 6D. In some cases, there can be a lid attached to stand 302. The lid can be rotatable around stand 302. The lid can have a hole in it to receive a second end of the tubing attached to the liquid source (wherein the first end is attached to the liquid source). The lid can just cover the cup, acting as a funnel. In some cases, the lid can be sealable on the cup, similar to a plastic cup lid.

[0125] Cup 304 can have measurement lines (e.g., in milliliters, in ounces, etc.) drawn, etched, or otherwise represented on its sides as in FIG. 6D. Once cup 304 receives a liquid, a user can see how much liquid there is in the cup for wasting based on the measurement lines. Once the user has recorded the amount of liquid for wasting, the user can pour out the liquid in the cup 304 into the liquid waste disposal 320.

[0126] Pump 306 can be used to increase the speed that liquid proceeds through the tubing 324. Pump 306 can be located half on and half within the counter, or entirely on the counter. In some cases, pump 306 is within the counter. Pump 306 can be used to guide tubing 324 to the cup 304. Pump 306 can be used to draw liquid from a liquid bag to tubing and to the cup 304. Pump 306 can comprise one or more of a piston pump, a peristaltic pump, a rotary pump, a diaphragm pump, a vacuum pump, or any combination thereof.

[0127] Pump 306 can be a peristaltic pump. The peristaltic pump can pump about 300 ml in 33 seconds on a medium strength peristaltic pump which does not collapse the tubing. The peristaltic pump can pump about 300 ml in from about 25 s to about 40 s. The peristaltic pump can pump about 300 ml in from about 25 s to about 28 s, about 25 s to about 31 s, about 25 s to about 34 s, about 25 s to about 37 s, about 25 s to about 40 s, about 28 s to about 31 s, about 28 s to about 34 s, about 28 s to about 37 s, about 28 s to about 40 s, about 31 s to about 34 s, about 31 s to about 37 s, about 31 s to about 40 s, about 34 s to about 37 s, about 34 s to about 40 s, or about 37 s to about 40 s. The peristaltic pump can pump about 300 ml in about 25 s, about 28 s, about 31 s, about 34 s, about 37 s, or about 40 s. The peristaltic pump can pump about 300 ml in at least about 25 s, about 28 s, about 31 s, about 34 s, or about 37 s. The peristaltic pump can pump about 300 ml in at most about 28 s, about 31 s, about 34 s, about 37 s, or about 40 s. [0128] Pump 306 can be a vacuum pump. Pump 306 can be a negative pressure pump. Pump 306 can draw liquid from an IV line. It can do so indirectly through the other tubing in the system. For example, pump 306 can control liquid movement from an IV line to a containment cylinder via valves and tubing. In some cases, pump 306 can be a positive pressure pump. The positive pressure can be used to push disposed liquids and/or remaining air towards the Rx destroyers with neutralizers. Pump 306 can switch between negative pressure and positive pressure. In some cases, there may be multiple vacuum pumps. When there are multiple vacuum pumps, rather than alternating between negative and positive pressure, at least one of the multiple pumps can be a negative pressure pump and at least one may be a positive pressure pump. This way, the activity levels (e.g., on/off) of multiple pumps can be controlled, rather than switching an individual pump between positive and negative pressure states.

[0129] In some cases, cups 304 can be disposable. This can help to prevent potential crosscontamination of liquids that are not yet neutralized. In cases where cups 304 are disposable, there may be a rack or other compartment, such as compartment 308, that acts as a disposable cup holder. A user can use one cup 304 per liquid to be disposed. The cup can then be disposed of in a bag, box, or other receptacle for incineration or other disposal methods.

[0130] The computing device 310 can be a monitor, personal computer, tablet, or other computer. It can be freestanding slotted into, and/or attached to a housing of the medication intelligent disposal system 300.

[0131] The recording device 312 can comprise a camera (e.g., panoramic, fish eye, focal, 360 degree, 180 degree, motion detecting, etc.), 3D/4D camera animation, and/or other sensors and monitors.

[0132] In some cases, the medication intelligent disposal system 300 can be used in conjunction with Rx Intercept functionality to deter substitution. Rx Intercept comprises a randomly targeted and/or intelligent (e.g., based on Analytics/ Al) selection of the medications wasted to confirm type and quantity of medication. The intercepted medications, instead of being neutralized, are automatically placed into bags (e.g., medication or hazardous clear bags) for further qualitative analysis by the pharmacy to confirm the type of medication. For liquid medications, the medication can be placed in a leak-proof vial. The vial can hold about 10 ml of liquid. The vial can hold about 5 ml of liquid. The vial can hold about 1 ml, about 2 ml, about 3 ml, about 4 ml, about 5 ml, about 10 ml, about 15 ml, about 20 ml, or greater than about 20 ml. Sample bags can have a unique barcode and include tamper-evident closures. If the wasting was done in an auxiliary or small pharmacy, the bags can then be transported to a central pharmacy after being placed in a separate transport bag that contains multiple sample bags. The bags can be scanned at each medication intelligent management device during a transport process to maintain chain of custody. The withdrawal and destruction of bags can be done on camera to continue full chain of custody. This can be assisted by tamper-evident bags with barcodes. The barcodes can be unique. In some cases, such as when there is more medication than can fit in one bag, the barcodes can be duplicate. Rx Intercept can be utilized during the collection and/or securing of medications when creating a chain of custody to inspect medications or send them for final destruction. [0133] A user can withdraw a vial and bag from 316 for their liquid sample and store it in lock box 314. Lock box 314 may be accessible via one or more identification features, such as, but not limited to, finger print, retinal scan, personal code, barcode, ID badge scan, or other methods of personal identification. This identification of the user can help generate a chain of ownership to discern who had control over the Rx Intercept vials once removed from lock box 314. In some cases, lock box 314 may comprise a simple lock a key mechanism. In such instances, security can be based on only certain individuals having a key and making those individuals accountable for the contents of the lock box 314.

[0134] Door 318 can be used for multiple purposes. Door 318 can be used to refresh neutralizers and other components of medication intelligent disposal system 300. Door 318 can be used to retrieve neutralized liquids for the medication intelligent disposal system 300. Door 318 can be used to access the internal components of the system for maintenance. In some cases, door 318 may be accessible via one or more identification features, such as, but not limited to, finger print, retinal scan, personal code, barcode, ID badge scan, or other methods of personal identification. This identification of the user can help to discern who had control over the medication intelligent disposal system 300. In some cases, door 318 may comprise a simple lock a key opening mechanism. In such instances, security can be based on only certain individuals having a key and making those individuals accountable for the contents of the medication intelligent disposal system 300.

[0135] Liquid bag 322 can comprise any liquid that can be found in a hospital, pharmacy, third party medication producer, research lab, etc. In some cases, liquid bag 322 can comprise an IV bag. In some cases, the liquid bag 322 can have a hole punched out of a section on one side, such that it can be hung on stand 302. In some cases, the liquid bag 322 can comprise expired liquid. In some cases, the liquid bag 322 can comprise extraneous liquid (e.g., after compounding or creating batch medications). In some cases, liquid bag 322 can be full, nearly full, half full, mostly empty, or almost entirely empty. Regardless of how much liquid is in the liquid bag 322, it can be important to track the usage of liquid medications via the medication intelligent disposal system 100, 200, and/or 300.

[0136] Tubing 324 can comprise IV tubing. Tubing 324 can comprise tubing such as the coupling mechanism described below. In some cases, tubing 324 is a mix of the two types of tubing. For example, IV tubing can be used at the top and reach to the pump, and the coupling mechanism described below can be used in the area over the pump, or vice versa. Tubing 324 can comprise single use, disposable tubing. Tubing 324 can comprise multi-use tubing. However, if used multiple times, it can be important to sanitize and/or sterilize the tubing before reusing it to minimize cross-contamination and reactions between past and current medications. [0137] FIGS. 4A-4I show perspective (FIGS. 4A-4D) and schematic side (FIGS. 4E-4I) views of medication intelligent disposal system 400.

[0138] In some cases, the medication intelligent disposal system 400 can be used in conjunction with Rx Intercept functionality to deter substitution. Rx Intercept comprises a randomly targeted and/or intelligent (e.g., based on Analytics/ Al) selection of the medications wasted to confirm type and quantity of medication. The intercepted medications, instead of being neutralized, are automatically placed into bags (e.g., medication or hazardous clear bags) for further qualitative analysis by the pharmacy to confirm the type of medication. For liquid medications, the medication can be placed in a leak-proof vial. The vial can hold about 10 ml of liquid. The vial can hold about 5 ml of liquid. The vial can hold about 1 ml, about 2 ml, about 3 ml, about 4 ml, about 5 ml, about 10 ml, about 15 ml, about 20 ml, or greater than about 20 ml. Sample bags can have a unique barcode and include tamper-evident closures. If the wasting was done in an auxiliary or small pharmacy, the bags can then be transported to a central pharmacy after being placed in a separate transport bag that contains multiple sample bags. The bags can be scanned at each medication intelligent management device during a transport process to maintain chain of custody. The withdrawal and destruction of bags can be done on camera to continue full chain of custody. This can be assisted by tamper-evident bags with barcodes. The barcodes can be unique. In some cases, such as when there is more medication than can fit in one bag, the barcodes can be duplicate. Rx Intercept can be utilized during the collection and/or securing of medications when creating a chain of custody to inspect medications or send them for final destruction. [0139] Rx Intercept can be automated or manual. When manual, a user can place a sample of a liquid for disposal into a vial and submit that vial for review, whether by storing in a lock box as in medication intelligent disposal system 200 or 300 or placing the vial into a carousel opening as in medication intelligent disposal system 100. When automated, the medication intelligent disposal system device itself can divert a randomly or intentionally selected sample of the liquid disposed of into a vial.

[0140] FIG. 4A shows stand 402, measurement cylinder 404, doors 406, user interface 408, medication opener storage 208, computing system 210, recording device 212, fingerprint scanner 218, and liquid waste disposal 220. Medication opener storage 208, computing system 210, recording device 212, fingerprint scanner 218, and liquid waste disposal 220 may be similar to those described above as applying to medication intelligent disposal system 200.

[0141] Stand 402 can serve multiple purposes. Stand 402 can be used to hook liquid sources onto (e.g., IV bags, other hole-punched bags) as shown in FIG. 6J. Stand 402 can be used to hold extra tubing (e.g., from an IV line or from the coupling mechanisms described below) as shown in FIGS. 6J-6L.

[0142] Measurement cylinder 404 can be used to receive a liquid for measurement. In some cases, measurement cylinder 404 can take the place of the cups in medication intelligent disposal system 100, 200, or 300. A liquid can be poured from a liquid source through a tube or coupling mechanism into measurement cylinder 404. Measurement cylinder can comprise a graduated cylinder. It can have measurement lines (e.g., in milliliters, in ounces, etc.) drawn, etched, or otherwise represented on its sides as in FIG. 4A. Once measurement cylinder 404 receives a liquid, a user can see how much liquid there is in the measurement cylinder for wasting based on the measurement lines. Once the user has recorded the amount of liquid for wasting, the user can indicate for the medication intelligent disposal system 400 to reverse the direction of the pump (e.g., clockwise to counterclockwise if a peristaltic pump and positive pressure to negative pressure if a vacuum pump), change the valve to one of the waste containers, and thus remove the liquid from measurement cylinder 404 as shown in FIGS. 4E-4G.

[0143] In some cases, measurement cylinder 404 can be used in conjunction with a precision scale, such as the one in FIG. 1A. This can be an alternative to, or in addition to an approximate visual amount of liquid to be entered into the system by the user. In some cases, the precision scale may be inside medication intelligent disposal system 400. For example, it can be coupled to a separate container inside medication intelligent disposal system 400 for measuring the weight and/or milliliter amount of liquid, similar to the ones in FIG. 1A. In some cases, the precision scale external to the medication intelligent disposal system 400. The precision scale can be coupled to the measurement cylinder 404 and especially graduated cylinder 422. For example, it may be located in the base 442.

[0144] Doors 406 can be used for multiple purposes. Doors 406 can be used to refresh neutralizers and other components of medication intelligent disposal system 400. Doors 406 can be used to retrieve neutralized liquids for the medication intelligent disposal system 400. Doors 406 can be used to access the internal components of the system for maintenance. In some cases, doors 406 may be accessible via one or more identification features, such as, but not limited to, finger print, retinal scan, personal code, barcode, ID badge scan, or other methods of personal identification. This identification of the user can help to discern who had control over the medication intelligent disposal system 400. In some cases, doors 406 may comprise a simple lock a key opening mechanism. In such instances, security can be based on only certain individuals having a key and making those individuals accountable for the contents of the medication intelligent disposal system 400.

[0145] User interface 408 can comprise an interface between the user and computing system 210. In some cases, user interface 408 can comprise a keyboard, mouse, and other accessories associates with computing systems. In some cases, user interface 408 can comprise a scanner for user identification, such as, but not limited to, fingerprint, palm print, hand geometry, finger and/or palm vein pattern, or any other user identification. In some cases, user interface 408 can be for scanning the medication (e.g., vial of liquid medication that was poured into a liquid bag, barcode on a liquid bag, barcode on tubing, etc.).

[0146] In some cases, the medication intelligent disposal system 400 can be used in conjunction with Rx Intercept functionality to deter substitution. Rx Intercept comprises a randomly targeted and/or intelligent (e.g., based on Analytics/ Al) selection of the medications wasted to confirm type and quantity of medication. The intercepted medications, instead of being neutralized, are automatically placed into bags (e.g., medication or hazardous clear bags) for further qualitative analysis by the pharmacy to confirm the type of medication. For liquid medications, the medication can be placed in a leak-proof vial. The vial can hold about 10 ml of liquid. The vial can hold about 5 ml of liquid. The vial can hold about 1 ml, about 2 ml, about 3 ml, about 4 ml, about 5 ml, about 10 ml, about 15 ml, about 20 ml, or greater than about 20 ml. Sample bags can have a unique barcode and include tamper-evident closures. If the wasting was done in an auxiliary or small pharmacy, the bags can then be transported to a central pharmacy after being placed in a separate transport bag that contains multiple sample bags. The bags can be scanned at each medication intelligent management device during a transport process to maintain chain of custody. The withdrawal and destruction of bags can be done on camera to continue full chain of custody. This can be assisted by tamper-evident bags with barcodes. The barcodes can be unique. In some cases, such as when there is more medication than can fit in one bag, the barcodes can be duplicate. Rx Intercept can be utilized during the collection and/or securing of medications when creating a chain of custody to inspect medications or send them for final destruction.

[0147] FIG. 4B shows measurement cylinder 404, pump 414, waste lines 436, funnels 438, and hazardous/non-hazardous waste containers 416 and 418. Pump 414, waste lines 436, funnels 438, and hazardous/non-hazardous waste containers 416 and 418 are within the medication intelligent disposal system 400 housing 448. Hazardous waste can be in 416 or 418. Non- hazardous waste can be in 416 or 418. Hazardous and non-hazardous waste can be separated between the two waste containers 416 and 418. Hazardous and non-hazardous waste can be separated between the two waste lines 436. For proper destruction of the liquids that are guided towards waste containers 416 and 418, 416 and 418 can contain a neutralizer. As mentioned above, examples of destroyers can include one or more of Rx Destroyer™, Drug Buster™, Narc- X™, Pill Terminator™, Element MDS™, Cactus Smart Sink™, Mallinckrodt MDS™, Pill Catcher™, and Stericycle CsRx™.

[0148] Measurement cylinder 404 can be used to receive a liquid for measurement. In some cases, measurement cylinder 404 can take the place of the cups in medication intelligent disposal system 100, 200, or 300. A liquid can be poured from a liquid source through a tube or coupling mechanism into measurement cylinder 404. Measurement cylinder can comprise a graduated cylinder. It can have measurement lines (e.g., in milliliters, in ounces, etc.) drawn, etched, or otherwise represented on its sides as in FIG. 4B. Once measurement cylinder 404 receives a liquid, a user can see how much liquid there is in the measurement cylinder for wasting based on the measurement lines. Once the user has recorded the amount of liquid for wasting, the user can indicate for the medication intelligent disposal system 400 to reverse the direction of the pump, change the valve to one of the waste containers, and thus remove the liquid from measurement cylinder 404 as shown in FIGS. 4E-4G.

[0149] Pump 414 can be bi-directional. Pump 414 can direct liquid from a liquid bag to measurement cylinder 404 and/or from measurement cylinder 404 to the waste containers. Pump 414 can be coupled to a valve. Pump 414 be physically or fluidically coupled to a valve. The valve can be between the suction section of the pump 414 and where the connecting tubing splits between the two waste lines 436. As discussed below, the valve can direct the liquid into the correct (hazardous or non-hazardous) waste container based on data inputted by a user. [0150] Pump 414 can be used to draw liquid from a liquid bag to tubing. Pump 414 can comprise one or more of a piston pump, a peristaltic pump, a rotary pump, a diaphragm pump, a vacuum pump, or any combination thereof.

[0151] Pump 414 can be a peristaltic pump. The peristaltic pump can pump about 300 ml in 33 seconds on a medium strength peristaltic pump which does not collapse the tubing. The peristaltic pump can pump about 300 ml in from about 25 s to about 40 s. The peristaltic pump can pump about 300 ml in from about 25 s to about 28 s, about 25 s to about 31 s, about 25 s to about 34 s, about 25 s to about 37 s, about 25 s to about 40 s, about 28 s to about 31 s, about 28 s to about 34 s, about 28 s to about 37 s, about 28 s to about 40 s, about 31 s to about 34 s, about 31 s to about 37 s, about 31 s to about 40 s, about 34 s to about 37 s, about 34 s to about 40 s, or about 37 s to about 40 s. The peristaltic pump can pump about 300 ml in about 25 s, about 28 s, about 31 s, about 34 s, about 37 s, or about 40 s. The peristaltic pump can pump about 300 ml in at least about 25 s, about 28 s, about 31 s, about 34 s, or about 37 s. The peristaltic pump can pump about 300 ml in at most about 28 s, about 31 s, about 34 s, about 37 s, or about 40 s.

[0152] Pump 414 can be a vacuum pump. Pump 414 can be a negative pressure pump. Pump 414 can draw liquid from an IV line. It can do so indirectly through the other tubing in the system. For example, pump 414 can control liquid movement from an IV line to a containment cylinder via valves and tubing. In some cases, pump 414 can be a positive pressure pump. The positive pressure can be used to push disposed liquids and/or remaining air towards the Rx destroyers with neutralizers. Pump 414 can switch between negative pressure and positive pressure. In some cases, there may be multiple vacuum pumps. When there are multiple vacuum pumps, rather than alternating between negative and positive pressure, at least one of the multiple pumps can be a negative pressure pump and at least one may be a positive pressure pump. This way, the activity levels (e.g., on/off) of multiple pumps can be controlled, rather than switching an individual pump between positive and negative pressure states.

[0153] In some cases, in addition to, or alternatively to the pump system, liquid from the measurement cylinder 404 can be directly poured into funnels 438 into the relevant hazardous or non-hazardous waste container. In some cases, solid medications, such as, but not limited to, pills, packets, patches, tablets, caplets, etc. may be disposed into funnels 438 into the relevant hazardous or non-hazardous waste container.

[0154] FIG. 4C shows measurement cylinder 404 comprising graduated cylinder 422, liquid container 424, and lid 426. When in use, the liquid container 424 is inside graduated cylinder 422 and topped/closed with lid 426. Liquid container 424 and lid 426 can be removable from measurement cylinder 404. Liquid container 424 can be replaceable, disposable, and/or single- use. Liquid container 424 can be reusable, as the medication intelligent disposal system 400 can include a method of cleaning the system, including the replaceable container.

[0155] Measurement cylinder 404 can be used to receive a liquid for measurement. In some cases, measurement cylinder 404 can take the place of the cups in medication intelligent disposal system 100, 200, or 300. A liquid can be poured from a liquid source through a tube or coupling mechanism into measurement cylinder 404. Measurement cylinder 404 can comprise a container 424 which receives the liquid poured from a liquid source. Measurement cylinder can comprise a graduated cylinder 422. Graduated cylinder 422 can have measurement lines (e.g., in milliliters, in ounces, etc.) drawn, etched, or otherwise represented on its sides as in FIG. 4A. Once measurement cylinder 404 receives a liquid, a user can see how much liquid there is in the measurement cylinder for wasting based on the measurement lines. Once the user has recorded the amount of liquid for wasting, the user can indicate for the medication intelligent disposal system 400 to reverse the direction of the pump, change the valve to one of the waste containers, and thus remove the liquid from measurement cylinder 404 as shown in FIGS. 4E-4G.

[0156] FIG. 4D shows the lower part of measurement cylinder 404, comprising graduated cylinder 422, luer lock 428, tubing 430, actuator 432, dial 434, and base 442. In some cases, graduated cylinder 422 can be inserted into base 442. Graduated cylinder 422 can be attached/ coupled to base 442. Graduated cylinder 422 can be removable from base 442.

[0157] Tubing 430 can be original tubing from a liquid bag. In some cases, retaining the original tubing that was used to convey the liquid from the liquid bag to a subject can provide a more accurate measurement of liquid to be disposed. In some cases, this original tubing can be connected to subsequent tubing in the medication intelligent disposal system 400. In some cases, the tubing of the medication intelligent disposal system 400 can be directly connected to the liquid bag, from example through the gummy port. In some cases, the negative pressure of a vacuum pump as described herein may be sufficient to suction both the liquid bag and the original tubing, sequentially or simultaneously.

[0158] Tubing 430 can be tubing 500 as described below. Tubing 430 can be a short or long attachment to the measurement cylinder 404 that interfaces with other tubing, such as from a liquid bag or tubing 500. Tubing 430 can have one end with a luer lock 428 attached at base 442, and have a second end inside the medication intelligent disposal system 400 housing as shown in FIG. 41

[0159] Actuator 432 can comprise a button, slider, switch, or other activation mechanisms. Actuator 432 can be used to start and stop the pump of medication intelligent disposal system 400. [0160] Dial 434 can be a click dial presenting set options. The set options can comprise one or more waste containers. The set options can comprise two waste containers. The set options can comprise as the number of waste containers plus an additional option for external contact. The set options can comprise external contact, for example with tubing connecting to the liquid bag or a cleaning solution. A user can rotate the click dial to rotate the valve in medication intelligent disposal system 400 described below, thereby changing the direction that a liquid travels. By turning the valve with dial 434 such that it is not aligned with the tubing connecting to the liquid bag, dial 434 can be used to block access of a liquid into the medication intelligent disposal system 400.

[0161] In some cases, rather than the user physically rotating the dial, the medication intelligent disposal system computer system can control the dial. In some cases, the dial 434 may still be present but not accessible to the user, such that the dial is an outward display of the inner position of the valve. In some cases, the dial 434 may be present and accessible, such that the user can change the waste container between hazardous and non-hazardous if the user believes the computer system is incorrect, for example for a compounded medication that became hazardous due to compounding. In some cases, the dial may be absent on the measurement cylinder 404, and the control of the valve may be not visible to the user. When the computer system controls the valves, especially the rotating valve 412, the computer system can rotate the valve depending on one or more of (i) which step in the wasting process the system is in (e.g., withdrawal from a liquid bag, withdrawal from the measurement cylinder 404, etc.), and/or (ii) the direction of the pump. The computer controls the valves based on the entered information about the drug, such as its name and whether it is hazardous or non-hazardous. In some cases, the name alone may be sufficient if the drug is sufficiently common to be in a database of hazardous drugs that the computer may contain.

[0162] As mentioned herein, depending on the stage of the disposal, a vacuum pump may supply negative or positive pressure, and a peristaltic pump may rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. The peristaltic pump directions are indicated in FIGS. 4A-4G. When using the vacuum pump, negative pressure is supplied to move liquid from the IV bag or IV line into the containment cylinder, and then positive pressure is applied. If the containment cylinder was coupled to a precision scale, then the weighed amount of liquid can be disposed of and the positive pressure directs the liquid from the containment cylinder to the relevant waste container. In some cases, positive pressure can be used to move the liquid to measurement cylinder 404, then cycle negative and positive pressure to move that liquid to the relevant waste container. [0163] FIGS. 4E-4G show measurement cylinder 404, liquid bag 410, valve 412, pump 414, first waste container 416, second waste container 418, luer locks and/or backflow valves 420, and waste lines 436. FIG. 4H shows a path of cleaning solution 446 through medication intelligent disposal system 400 as shown in FIGS. 4E-4G until the solution reaches the measurement cylinder 404. The cleaning solution 446 can proceed through any or all of the tubing, and can enter the measurement cylinder 404 for cleaning as well. FIG. 4G shows the parts of the medication intelligent disposal system 400 which can be consumable and replaceable, including container 424 and tubing 444. In each, 448 may show the area within the medication intelligent disposal system 400 housing.

[0164] As shown in FIGS. 4E-4G, when measuring the liquid in a liquid bag 410, the valve can be straight and the pump can pump from the direction of liquid bag 410 to the direction of the measurement cylinder 404. Once the bag is empty, a user can visually measure the amount of liquid in the measurement cylinder to determine the amount of liquid for wasting. A user may wait until the pump has finished pumping the liquid in the tubes into measurement cylinder 404 to get a more accurate reading. Once the liquid is measured, a user can affect the direction of the valve to point in the direction of one waste line or another to direct the liquid waste into the non- hazardous/hazardous waste containers 416 or 418. To accomplish this, the direction of the pump can be reversed automatically by the medication intelligent disposal system 400 (e.g., when the user enters the type of medication) or manually by the user. For example, the direction of the pump may be coupled to the direction of the valve 412, such that if a user turns the dial 434 onto either of the waste containers, the pump may be reversed.

[0165] In some cases, medication intelligent disposal system 400 can comprise 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more tubing lines. In some cases, medication intelligent disposal system 400 can comprise 8 tubing lines. There may be a first tubing line from an external liquid source (e.g., liquid bag 410 or cleaning solution 446) to the top of the medication intelligent disposal system 400 or between the internal and external areas of the medication intelligent disposal system 400. There may be a second tubing line from the first tubing line to within the medication intelligent disposal system 400. The second tubing line can be moved with pump 414 such that the connection between the first tubing line can migrate or translate from shallowly within the medication intelligent disposal system 400 housing to below the valve 412. There may be a third tubing line from the second tubing line past the pump 414 and to the other side of the pump 414 while remaining inside the medication intelligent disposal system 400 housing. In some cases, the second end of the third tubing line may be level with the first end (e.g., when the second tubing line ends shallowly within the medication intelligent disposal system 400 as in FIG. 41). In some cases, the second end of the third tubing line may be higher than the first end, as in FIG. 4H. There may be a fourth tubing line from the third tubing line to the measurement cylinder 404. This fourth tubing line can comprise tubing 430 that attaches at base 442 of the measurement cylinder 404 via luer lock 428. There may be fifth and sixth tubing lines projecting from the valve 412 towards the waste containers, and may attach to the seventh and eighth tubing lines attached to the waste containers. The fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth tubing lines can make up waste lines 436. Third, seventh, and eighth tubing lines 444 can be replaceable and/or consumable. In some cases, for example when there are more or less than two waste containers, there may be more or fewer tubing lines.

[0166] Measurement cylinder 404 can be used to receive a liquid for measurement. In some cases, measurement cylinder 404 can take the place of the cups in medication intelligent disposal system 100, 200, or 300. A liquid can be poured from a liquid source through a tube or coupling mechanism into measurement cylinder 404. Measurement cylinder 404 can comprise a container 424 which receives the liquid poured from a liquid source. Measurement cylinder 404 can comprise a graduated cylinder. Measurement cylinder 404 can have measurement lines (e.g., in milliliters, in ounces, etc.) drawn, etched, or otherwise represented on its sides as in FIG. 4A. Once measurement cylinder 404 receives a liquid, a user can see how much liquid there is in the measurement cylinder for wasting based on the measurement lines. Once the user has recorded the amount of liquid for wasting, the user can indicate for the medication intelligent disposal system 400 to reverse the direction of the pump, change the valve to one of the waste containers, and thus remove the liquid from measurement cylinder 404 as shown in FIGS. 4E-4G.

[0167] Liquid bag 410 can comprise another liquid medication. Liquid bag 410 can comprise any liquid that can be found in a hospital, pharmacy, third party medication producer, research lab, etc. In some cases, liquid bag 410 can comprise an IV bag. In some cases, the liquid bag 410 can have a hole punched out of a section on one side, such that it can be hung on a stand. In some cases, the liquid bag 410 can comprise expired liquid. In some cases, the liquid bag 410 can comprise extraneous liquid (e.g., after compounding or creating batch medications). The liquid can be viscous. In some cases, liquid bag 410 can be full, nearly full, half full, mostly empty, or almost entirely empty. Regardless of how much liquid is in the liquid bag 410, it can be important to track the usage of liquid medications via the medication intelligent disposal system 100, 200, 300 and/or 400.

[0168] Valve 412 can be electrically or physically coupled to dial 434, such that valve 412 can be controlled by dial 434. Valve 412 can comprise a single tunnel opening that, when rotated, can determine a direction of the liquid. The tunnel can be straight, diagonal, or curved. In a first position, the single tunnel opening can be substantially vertical, such that it can connect tubing from liquid bag 410 to further tubing in the medication intelligent disposal system 400 that later proceeds to measurement cylinder 404. This may be the intake or measurement orientation (FIG. 4E). In some cases, the single tunnel opening can be substantially diagonal, such that it connects tubing from measurement cylinder 404 to one of the waste lines 436. In this orientation, there is no entrance for the liquid from liquid bag 410. As such, this orientation can also be used to just block intake flow, even if no liquid is actively being moved from the measurement cylinder 404 to the waste containers 416 and 418. This orientation can be the wasting orientation (FIGS. 4F- 4G)

[0169] Pump 414 can be bi-directional. Pump 414 can direct liquid from a liquid bag to measurement cylinder 404 and/or from measurement cylinder 404 to the waste containers. Pump 414 can be coupled to valve 412. Pump 414 be physically or fluidically coupled to a valve. The valve can be between the suction section of the pump 414 and where the connecting tubing splits between the two waste lines 436. As discussed above, the valve can direct the liquid into the correct (hazardous or non-hazardous) waste container based on data inputted by a user or based on how the dial 434 is turned by the user.

[0170] Pump 414 can be used to draw liquid from a liquid bag to tubing. Pump 414 can comprise one or more of a piston pump, a peristaltic pump, a rotary pump, a diaphragm pump, a vacuum pump, or any combination thereof.

[0171] Pump 414 can be a peristaltic pump. The peristaltic pump can pump about 300 ml in 33 seconds on a medium strength peristaltic pump which does not collapse the tubing. The peristaltic pump can pump about 300 ml in from about 25 s to about 40 s. The peristaltic pump can pump about 300 ml in from about 25 s to about 28 s, about 25 s to about 31 s, about 25 s to about 34 s, about 25 s to about 37 s, about 25 s to about 40 s, about 28 s to about 31 s, about 28 s to about 34 s, about 28 s to about 37 s, about 28 s to about 40 s, about 31 s to about 34 s, about 31 s to about 37 s, about 31 s to about 40 s, about 34 s to about 37 s, about 34 s to about 40 s, or about 37 s to about 40 s. The peristaltic pump can pump about 300 ml in about 25 s, about 28 s, about 31 s, about 34 s, about 37 s, or about 40 s. The peristaltic pump can pump about 300 ml in at least about 25 s, about 28 s, about 31 s, about 34 s, or about 37 s. The peristaltic pump can pump about 300 ml in at most about 28 s, about 31 s, about 34 s, about 37 s, or about 40 s.

[0172] Pump 414 can be a vacuum pump. Pump 414 can be a negative pressure pump. Pump 414 can draw liquid from an IV line. It can do so indirectly through the other tubing in the system. For example, pump 414 can control liquid movement from an IV line to a containment cylinder via valves and tubing. In some cases, pump 414 can be a positive pressure pump. The positive pressure can be used to push disposed liquids and/or remaining air towards the Rx destroyers with neutralizers. Pump 414 can switch between negative pressure and positive pressure. In some cases, there may be multiple vacuum pumps. When there are multiple vacuum pumps, rather than alternating between negative and positive pressure, at least one of the multiple pumps can be a negative pressure pump and at least one may be a positive pressure pump. This way, the activity levels (e.g., on/off) of multiple pumps can be controlled, rather than switching an individual pump between positive and negative pressure states.

[0173] Hazardous waste can be in waste containers 416 or 418. Non-hazardous waste can be in 416 or 418. Hazardous and non-hazardous waste can be separated between the two waste containers 416 and 418. Hazardous and non-hazardous waste can be separated between the two waste lines 436.

[0174] The connectors between the tubing can be luer locks and/or backflow valves 420. Luer locks can help to connect the web of tubing within and external to the medication intelligent disposal system 400. The backflow valves, as with the backflow valves in FIG. 1A, can help to minimize contamination of the device from the liquids being disposed. Backflow valves 420 leading from both containment cylinders to the pump can block any backflow of contaminated air or liquid from the containment cylinders to the pump.

Tube Devices for Use with Medication Disposal Systems

[0175] In some embodiments, the liquid management systems or devices as provided herein can comprise a coupling module to couple to the liquid container, to allow extraction of the leftover liquid out of the liquid container. In some cases, the coupling module may be compatible with one or more types (e.g., a plurality of types) of liquid containers. For example, even though a liquid container is not specifically designed to couple to the coupling module of the liquid management system, the coupling module can be configured to couple to the liquid container to extract at least a portion of the leftover liquid out of the liquid container.

[0176] The liquid management device can comprise one coupling module or a plurality of coupling modules (e.g., at least or up to about 1, at least or up to about 2, at least or up to about 3, at least or up to about 4, at least or up to about 5, at least or up to about 6, at least or up to about 7, at least or up to about 8, at least or up to about 9, or at least or up to about 10 coupling modules).

[0177] In some embodiments, the coupling module can comprise a visual code that can be scanned to track or monitor use of the coupling module by the user, e.g., during wasting of the excess liquid from the liquid container. The visual code can be machine readable code (MRC) such as, e.g., a barcode (e.g., a linear barcode, a matrix barcode, etc.).

[0178] In some embodiments, the visual code of the coupling module can be a reconstructable visual code (RVC). A portion of the coupling module (e.g., an arm) can comprise a portion of the RVC, and an additional portion of the coupling module (e.g., a different arm of the main body of the coupling module) can comprise an additional portion of the RVC, such that engagement of the coupling module with the liquid container (e.g., for generating the opening on the liquid container) can effect combination of the portion of the RVC and the additional portion of the RVC, thereby forming a functional visual code. The functional visual code can be readable (e.g., by a user identification device as provided herein or a separate user device) to confirm proper installation and/or usage of the coupling module. In some cases, the RVC on the coupling module may be configured such that it does not form a functional visual code unless the coupling module is properly coupled to the liquid container.

[0179] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the coupling module (e.g., comprising the one or more arms, the one or more channels, and/or the flow meter) can be attached to the station (e.g., the housing of the station). For example, the at least the portion of the coupling module can be a permanent fixture of the station. Alternatively, at least a portion of the coupling module can be a replaceable module.

[0180] The coupling module of the liquid management device can comprise an arm (e.g., one arm or a plurality of arms) to generate contact with the liquid container and generate an opening (e.g., a hole, a tear, etc.), which opening can be utilized to extract at least a portion of the leftover liquid. The liquid container may not comprise such opening prior to generation of the opening by the coupling module. The generated opening may or may not be a needle hole. The arm can be coupled to a main body of the coupling module. The arm may not be configured to move relative to the main body. Alternatively, the arm can be configured to move relative to the main body, e.g., the arm can be coupled to the main body via a hinge comprising one axis of freedom or a plurality of axes of freedom (e.g., one or more members selected from the group consisting of x, y, z, pitch, yaw, and roll).

[0181] In some embodiments, a cross-sectional dimension of the opening can be circular, triangular, quadrilateral (e.g., square, rectangle, rhombus, trapezoid, parallelogram, etc.), pentagonal, hexagonal, or any partial shape or combination of shapes thereof.

[0182] In some embodiments, the coupling module can be configured to generate the opening in the liquid container, and the opening can have a cross-sectional dimension of at least or up to about 1 millimeter (mm), at least or up to about 2 mm, at least or up to about 3 mm, at least or up to about 4 mm, at least or up to about 5 mm, at least or up to about 6 mm, at least or up to about 7 mm, at least or up to about 8 mm, at least or up to about 9 mm, at least or up to about 10 mm, at least or up to about 15 mm, at least or up to about 20 mm, at least or up to about 30 mm, at least or up to about 40 mm, at least or up to about 50 mm, at least or up to about 60 mm, at least or up to about 70 mm, at least or up to about 80 mm, at least or up to about 90 mm, or at least or up to about 100 mm. In some embodiments, the opening can have a cross-sectional area (e.g., open area to permit flow of the excess liquid) of at least or up to about 1 mm squared (mm^A2), at least or up to about 2 mm^A2, at least or up to about 3 mm^A2, at least or up to about 4 mm^A2, at least or up to about 5 mm^A2, at least or up to about 6 mm^A2, at least or up to about 7 mm^A2, at least or up to about 8 mm^A2, at least or up to about 9 mm^A2, at least or up to about 10 mm^A2, at least or up to about 15 mm^A2, at least or up to about 20 mm^A2, at least or up to about 30 mm^A2, at least or up to about 40 mm^A2, at least or up to about 50 mm^A2, at least or up to about 60 mm^A2, at least or up to about 70 mm^A2, at least or up to about 80 mm^A2, at least or up to about 90 mm^A2, at least or up to about 100 mm^A2, at least or up to about 150 mm^A2, at least or up to about 200 mm^A2, at least or up to about 300 mm^A2, at least or up to about 400 mm^A2, or at least or up to about 500 mm^A2.

[0183] In some embodiments, a relative movement (or a permitted relative movement) between the arm and the main body of the coupling module can be at least or up to about 5 degrees, at least or up to about 10 degrees, at least or up to about 15 degrees, at least or up to about 20 degrees, at least or up to about 30 degrees, at least or up to about 40 degrees, at least or up to about 50 degrees, at least or up to about 60 degrees, at least or up to about 70 degrees, at least or up to about 80 degrees, at least or up to about 90 degrees, at least or up to about 100 degrees, at least or up to about 110 degrees, at least or up to about 120 degrees, at least or up to about 150 degrees, or at least or up to about 180 degrees.

[0184] In some embodiments, a relative movement (or a permitted relative movement) between the arm and the main body of the coupling module can be at least or up to about 1 millimeter (mm), at least or up to about 2 mm, at least or up to about 3 mm, at least or up to about 4 mm, at least or up to about 5 mm, at least or up to about 6 mm, at least or up to about 7 mm, at least or up to about 8 mm, at least or up to about 9 mm, at least or up to about 10 mm, at least or up to about 15 mm, at least or up to about 20 mm, at least or up to about 30 mm, at least or up to about 40 mm, at least or up to about 50 mm, at least or up to about 60 mm, at least or up to about 70 mm, at least or up to about 80 mm, at least or up to about 90 mm, or at least or up to about 100 mm. [0185] In some embodiments, the coupling module can comprise one arm, and the one arm may be utilized (e.g., may be sufficient) to generate an opening on the liquid container. Alternatively, the coupling module can comprise a plurality of arms (e.g., a plurality of arms capable of moving relative to the main body of the coupling module), and the plurality of arms may be utilized (e.g., may be sufficient) to generate an opening on the liquid container. In some cases, the plurality of arms can be moved towards one another, while having at least a portion of the liquid container disposed between the plurality of arms, such that the relative movement of the plurality of arms closer towards each other can result in generation of one or more openings in the at least the portion of the liquid container. For example, operation of the coupling module can be similar to that of a clamp staple remover, e.g., at least two arms of the coupling module can squeeze and clamp onto the at least the portion of the liquid container to generate the opening in the at least the portion of the liquid container. In some embodiments, a relative movement mechanism between the coupling module (e.g., the arm of the coupling module) and the liquid container to generate the opening can be punching, twisting, tight grasping, clawing, rolling, turning, etc. [0186] In some embodiments, the arm of the coupling module can comprise a protrusion (e.g., a sharp protrusion, such as a tooth-like protrusion) configured to puncture through an outer surface of the liquid container, to effect generation of one or more openings on the liquid container. For example, a movement of the arm relative to the main body can induce the protrusion of the arm to puncture though the outer surface of the liquid container. Alternatively, a relative movement between at least the arm (e.g., regardless of whether the arm is moving relative to the main body or not) by a user of the coupling module can effect puncturing of the outer surface of the liquid container by the arm and its protrusion. The arm can comprise one protrusion or a plurality of protrusions (e.g., at least or up to about 2, at least or up to about 3, at least or up to about 4, at least or up to about 5, at least or up to about 6, at least or up to about 7, at least or up to about 8, at least or up to about 9, or at least or up to about 10 protrusions).

[0187] In some embodiments, a cross-sectional dimension of the protrusion can be circular, triangular, quadrilateral (e.g., square, rectangle, rhombus, trapezoid, parallelogram, etc.), pentagonal, hexagonal, or any partial shape or combination of shapes thereof.

[0188] In some embodiments, the protrusion of the arm of the coupling module can have a cross- sectional dimension of at least or up to about 1 millimeter (mm), at least or up to about 2 mm, at least or up to about 3 mm, at least or up to about 4 mm, at least or up to about 5 mm, at least or up to about 6 mm, at least or up to about 7 mm, at least or up to about 8 mm, at least or up to about 9 mm, at least or up to about 10 mm, at least or up to about 15 mm, at least or up to about 20 mm, at least or up to about 30 mm, at least or up to about 40 mm, at least or up to about 50 mm, at least or up to about 60 mm, at least or up to about 70 mm, at least or up to about 80 mm, at least or up to about 90 mm, or at least or up to about 100 mm. In some embodiments, the protrusion of the arm of the coupling module can have a cross-sectional area (e.g., open area to permit flow of the excess liquid) of at least or up to about 1 mm squared (mm^A2), at least or up to about 2 mm^A2, at least or up to about 3 mm^A2, at least or up to about 4 mm^A2, at least or up to about 5 mm^A2, at least or up to about 6 mm^A2, at least or up to about 7 mm^A2, at least or up to about 8 mm^A2, at least or up to about 9 mm^A2, at least or up to about 10 mm^A2, at least or up to about 15 mm^A2, at least or up to about 20 mm^A2, at least or up to about 30 mm^A2, at least or up to about 40 mm^A2, at least or up to about 50 mm^A2, at least or up to about 60 mm^A2, at least or up to about 70 mm^A2, at least or up to about 80 mm^A2, at least or up to about 90 mm^A2, at least or up to about 100 mm^A2, at least or up to about 150 mm^A2, at least or up to about 200 mm^A2, at least or up to about 300 mm^A2, at least or up to about 400 mm^A2, or at least or up to about 500 mm^A2.

[0189] In some embodiments, the opening on the liquid container that is generated by the coupling module can permit flow of the excess liquid at a flow rate of at least or up to about 10 drops per minute (ggt/min), at least or up to about 20 ggt/min, at least or up to about 30 ggt/min, at least or up to about 40 ggt/min, at least or up to about 50 ggt/min, at least or up to about 60 ggt/min, at least or up to about 70 ggt/min, at least or up to about 80 ggt/min, at least or up to about 90 ggt/min, at least or up to about 100 ggt/min, at least or up to about 120 ggt/min, at least or up to about 150 ggt/min, at least or up to about 200 ggt/min, at least or up to about 300 ggt/min, at least or up to about 400 ggt/min, at least or up to about 500 ggt/min, at least or up to about 600 ggt/min, at least or up to about 700 ggt/min, at least or up to about 800 ggt/min, at least or up to about 900 ggt/min, at least or up to about 1,000 ggt/min, at least or up to about 2,000 ggt/min, at least or up to about 3,000 ggt/min, at least or up to about 4,000 ggt/min, or at least or up to about 5,000 ggt/min.

[0190] In some embodiments, the opening on the liquid container that is generated by the coupling module can permit flow of the excess liquid at a flow rate of at least or up to about 1 liter per hour (L/hr), at least or up to about 2 L/hr, at least or up to about 3 L/hr, at least or up to about 4 L/hr, at least or up to about 5 L/hr, at least or up to about 6 L/hr, at least or up to about 7 L/hr, at least or up to about 8 L/hr, at least or up to about 9 L/hr, at least or up to about 10 L/hr, at least or up to about 15 L/hr, at least or up to about 20 L/hr, at least or up to about 30 L/hr, at least or up to about 40 L/hr, at least or up to about 50 L/hr, at least or up to about 60 L/hr, at least or up to about 70 L/hr, at least or up to about 80 L/hr, at least or up to about 90 L/hr, at least or up to about 100 L/hr, at least or up to about 120 L/hr, at least or up to about 150 L/hr, at least or up to about 200 L/hr, at least or up to about 300 L/hr, at least or up to about 400 L/hr, at least or up to about 500 L/hr, at least or up to about 600 L/hr, at least or up to about 700 L/hr, at least or up to about 800 L/hr, at least or up to about 900 L/hr, at least or up to about 1,000 L/hr, at least or up to about 2,000 L/hr, at least or up to about 3,000 L/hr, at least or up to about 4,000 L/hr, or at least or up to about 5,000 L/hr.

[0191] In some embodiments, the coupling module can comprise a channel (e.g., a conduit such as a pipe, tube, funnel, etc.) to receive and direct flow of the extracted liquid from the liquid container (e.g., into a liquid collector as provided herein). The channel can be a permanent part of the coupling module. Alternatively, the channel can be reversibly coupled to the coupling module (e.g., removable from the coupling module).

[0192] In some embodiments, once the coupling module is in contact with the liquid container and generates an opening on the liquid container, the channel of the coupling module can be in liquid communication with the opening of the liquid container. The liquid communication can be substantially sealed, e.g., from the atmosphere, such that any other foreign substance from the ambient environment outside of the liquid container and the coupling module may not enter into the channel. Alternatively, the liquid communication between the opening and the channel may not and need not be sealed from the atmosphere. For example, when the coupling module is still coupled to the medication container subsequent to generation of the opening, there may be a gap between the opening of the liquid container and the channel of the coupling module, and at least a portion of an entry orifice of the channel can be disposed beneath the opening of the liquid container, such that the excess liquid flowing out of the opening can be directed through the gap and towards/into the entry orifice of the channel (e.g., via gravitational force).

[0193] In some embodiments, a length of the gap between the opening of the liquid container and the entry orifice of the channel of the coupling module (e.g., a length of the gap along a liquid flow axis between the opening and the entry orifice) can be at least or up to about 1 millimeter (mm), at least or up to about 2 mm, at least or up to about 3 mm, at least or up to about 4 mm, at least or up to about 5 mm, at least or up to about 6 mm, at least or up to about 7 mm, at least or up to about 8 mm, at least or up to about 9 mm, at least or up to about 10 mm, at least or up to about 15 mm, at least or up to about 20 mm, at least or up to about 30 mm, at least or up to about 40 mm, at least or up to about 50 mm, at least or up to about 60 mm, at least or up to about 70 mm, at least or up to about 80 mm, at least or up to about 90 mm, or at least or up to about 100 mm.

[0194] In some embodiments, the coupling module may comprise a liquid flow regulator (e.g., a liquid pump) configured to regulate flow rate of the excess liquid out of the opening of the liquid container and into the entry orifice of the channel of the coupling module. Alternatively, the coupling module may not and need not have such liquid flow regulator, and instead rely on natural flow (e.g., gravitational flow) of the excess liquid out of the liquid container.

[0195] In some embodiments, the channel can be operatively coupled to a flow meter configured to detect, measure, or estimate an amount of the excess liquid entering into and/or flowing through the channel. The flow meter may or may not be further configured to regulate or modify flow rate of the excess liquid through the channel. The flow meter can be permanently coupled to the channel. Alternatively, the flow meter can be reversibly coupled to the channel (e.g., removable from the channel). Non-limiting examples of a flow meter can include a magnetic (e.g., electromagnetic) flow meter, an ultrasonic flow meter, a vortex flow meter, a Coriolis flow meter, a thermal dispersion (e.g., thermal mass) flow meter, a variable area (e.g., rotameter) flow meter, a differential pressure flow meter, a positive displacement (e.g., gear meter) flow meter, a paddle wheel (e.g., impeller) flow meter, a turbine flow meter, a paddle type (e.g., flap, vane, target) flow meter, an oscillation flow meter, and an open channel (e.g., optical sensor, ultrasonic sensor) flow meter.

[0196] In some embodiments, the channel can comprise the entry orifice as provided herein (e.g., to receive the excess liquid from the liquid container) and an exit orifice. The exit orifice can be in liquid communication with a liquid collector for receiving and storing the excess liquid collected from the liquid container. The liquid communication between the exit orifice of the channel and the liquid collector can be substantially sealed, e.g., from the atmosphere, such that any other foreign substance from the ambient environment outside of the liquid collector and the exit orifice of the channel may not enter into the channel. Alternatively, the liquid communication between the exit orifice and liquid collector may not and need not be sealed from the atmosphere. In some embodiments, the channel may not be configured to and/or may not be used to be in liquid communication with an intravenous (IV) line or with a body of a user (e.g., a blood stream of a patient).

[0197] In some embodiments, the flow meter can be coupled to a position along a length of the channel. The position along the length of the channel can be closer to the entry orifice of the channel, closer to the exit orifice of the channel, or substantially between the entry orifice and the exit orifice of the channel. Alternatively, the channel can comprise a plurality of channels (e.g., a plurality of tubes) in fluid communication with one another, comprising (ii) a first channel that is coupled directly to the liquid container (e.g., original liquid source) and (ii) a second channel that is in fluid communication with the first channel and with the liquid collector (e.g., in closer contact with the liquid collector than the first channel, and the flow meter can be coupled to the first channel or the second channel, to detect, measure, or estimate a property (e.g., an amount) of the excess liquid retrieved from the liquid container.

[0198] In some embodiments, the flow meter can comprise or can be operatively coupled to (e.g., in digital communication with) an analysis module configured to (i) obtain data from the flow meter indicative of the amount of the excess liquid extracted from the liquid container, (ii) store such data in a database (e.g., hard database, online database, blockchain database, etc.), and/or (iii) analyze such data. The analysis module can be in digital communication with the flow meter, to digitally obtain the data from the flow meter. Alternatively, the analysis module can utilize a sensor (e.g., a camera) to view at least a portion of the flow meter, such that the sensor can capture image(s) and/or video(s) of a display of the flow meter, which display is displaying (e.g., substantially in real-time) the amount of excess liquid flowing or has flown through the channel. For example, the user can provide to the liquid management systems (e.g., via a graphical user interface (GUI) of the user’s user device or a device of the liquid management system) an estimated amount of the excess liquid in the liquid container, and the analysis module can utilize data from the flow meter to calculate and/or confirm an actual amount of the excess liquid drawn out from the liquid container. The analysis module can be configured to store such calculation and/or confirmation in the database for security, tracking, and/or monitoring purposes.

[0199] In some embodiments, the analysis module can be operatively coupled to a user identification device (e.g., a camera, a scanner, a sensor, a magnetic stripe reader, etc.) as provided herein, to obtain and/or analyze data indicative of the user or the user’s usage of the liquid management systems (e.g., during retrieval and wasting of the excess liquid from the liquid container), for security, tracking, and/or monitoring purposes.

[0200] In some embodiments, the analysis module can be operatively coupled to a monitoring module (e.g., similar or substantially the same as the medication monitoring module as provided herein), to obtain and/or analyze data indicative of one or more properties of the excess liquid retrieved and collected from the liquid container.

[0201] In some embodiments, the terms “analysis module” and “analysis engine” can be used interchangeably herein. The analysis engine can be configured to use one or more algorithms to analyze the data. The one or more algorithms utilized by the analysis engine can include a natural language processing (NLP), a computer vision system, or a statistical model. The computer vision system can include artificial intelligence (Al), deep learning, or optical character recognition (OCR) capabilities. [0202] In some embodiments, the analysis engine can obtain (directly or indirectly) data comprising information about the user and the excess liquid being wasted or deposited in the liquid collector. Examples of such data can include one or more electromagnetic spectroscopies (e.g., absorbance and/or reflectance of light), images, videos, and/or weight of the wasted/deposited excess liquid. The analysis engine can be configured to use one or more algorithms (e.g., Al algorithm as provided herein) to analyze the data to track the user’s compliance to liquid distribution/wasting guidance or instruction. The analysis engine can be configured to provide progress or results of the analysis to the user via a display of the liquid management system, a user device of the user, or a user device of the user’s supervisor or manager of the liquid management system. The analysis engine can be configured to approve one or more rewards programs for the user based on analysis of the wasted/deposited medications. Non-limiting examples of a reward may be an incentive toward bonus or salary of the user, a coupon, a gift card, etc. In some cases, upon proper wasting/depositing of the liquid to the liquid management system, the user can be provided with such reward(s).

[0203] In some embodiments, the coupling module can be for a single use. Once one coupling module is used to retrieve excess liquid from a first liquid container and collect the excess liquid into the liquid collector, and a different coupling module can be used to retrieve excess liquid from another liquid container and collect such excess liquid into the same liquid collector or a different liquid collector. Alternatively, the coupling module can be for a plurality of uses, e.g., at least or up to about 2 uses, at least or up to about 3 uses, at least or up to about 4 uses, at least or up to about 5 uses, at least or up to about 6 uses, at least or up to about 7 uses, at least or up to about 8 uses, at least or up to about 9 uses, at least or up to about 10 uses, at least or up to about 15 uses, at least or up to about 20 uses, at least or up to about 30 uses, at least or up to about 40 uses, or at least or up to about 50 uses.

[0204] In some embodiments, the coupling module can comprise a locking mechanism (e.g., a self-locking mechanism), such that upon engagement of the coupling module to the liquid container and generation of the opening on the liquid container, a configuration of the coupling module (e.g., a position of the arm relative to the main body of the coupling module) can be locked (e.g., substantially fixed) in a locked position to permit extraction and/or collection of the excess liquid from the liquid container into the entry orifice of the channel of the coupling module. The locking mechanism may or may not be reversible. Non-limiting locking mechanism can include a mechanical lock (e.g., key-and-hole locking mechanism, spring locking mechanism, etc.) or a magnetic lock (e.g., electromagnetic lock). [0205] In some embodiments, the user may be required to discard the liquid container that is empty after discarding any excess liquid from the liquid container.

[0206] In some embodiments, the liquid collector can be a container, a bottle, or a tray (e.g., an open tray).

[0207] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the coupling module (e.g., the one or more arms, the channel, etc.) can display a sign to indicate its specific use. The sign can be displayed (e.g., printed) on a surface of the at least the portion of the coupling module, or can be tagged to the at least the portion of the coupling module. Non-limiting examples of the sign can include image(s), symbol(s), letter(s) (e.g., alphabet), word(s), etc. For example, the sign can be “FOR WASTE”, “FOR WASTE ONLY”, “NOT FOR INFUSION”, “DO NOT CONNECT TO CATHETER”, etc. For example, a channel of the coupling module can be prefabricated with the sign “FOR WASTE ONLY’ printed on a surface (e.g., external surface) of the channel, to prevent or reduce a chance of the user from using the channel or the coupling module for nonapproved uses (e.g., for directing fluid from the liquid container to a patient).

[0208] In some embodiments, the coupling module can be provided on its own, e.g., provided separately from the liquid container and/or the liquid collector. Alternatively, the coupling module can be provided as part of a kit, and the kit can further comprise the liquid container and/or the liquid collector. For example, the kit can comprise an IV bag and the coupling module. In another example, the kit can comprise the coupling module and a liquid collector. [0209] In some embodiments, the liquid container may not be a bodily object, a portion thereof, or a derive thereof. For example, the liquid container may not be a human subject, such as a patient.

[0210] In some embodiments, the coupling module as provided herein can be configured to or can be utilized to measure IV fluid retrieved from an IV bag. The coupling module can be referred to as a Measure IV Fluid Calculating Clamp (MICC) line.

[0211] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of tubing as an example of the coupling mechanism described above. Tubing 500 can comprise a spike 502, a luer 504, a flexible tube 506, and a stiff tube 508. Tubing 500 can comprise single-use tubing. Tubing 500 can be disposable.

[0212] Spike 502 can be used to couple with IV bags and other liquid bags as discussed above by piercing the bag. For example, spike 502 can be inserted into a gummy port of an IV bag, which can be the second port of access where medications may originally be injected into the IV bag. Luer 504 can be used for extension sets. For example, when an IV bag already has its own tubing, luer 504 can be used to connect to that tubing. The luer lock side 504 can also lock into the medication intelligent disposal system. Flexible tube 506 can be used in a variety of ways. For example, flexible tube 506 can be hooked over an IV stand or another stand as described above. Flexible tube 506 can be inserted into or guided along a pump machine as in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5B. Stiff tube 508 can be shaped to locate an end of the funnel opening. For example, this funnel spout can be a spout of a pump device, as in FIG. 6D. The funnel can also be the hole in the lid of the cup in FIG. 2. The stiffer material can help to maintain the end of the tube in position with less motion, thereby minimizing spillage during liquid extraction from the liquid bag into a cup or other receptacle.

[0213] Tubing 500 can comprise one or more of polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, polyisobutene, polyethylenevinylacetate) copolymer, lightweight aluminum foil and combinations thereof, stainless steel alloys, commercially pure titanium, titanium alloys, silver alloys, copper alloys, Grade 5 titanium, super-elastic titanium alloys, cobalt-chrome alloys, stainless steel alloys, superelastic metallic alloys (e.g., Nitinol), ceramics and composites thereof such as calcium phosphate (e.g., SKELITE™), thermoplastics such as polyaryletherketone (PAEK) including polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) and polyetherketone (PEK), carbon-PEEK composites, PEEK-BaS04 polymeric rubbers, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), fabric, silicone, polyurethane, silicone-polyurethane copolymers, polymeric rubbers, polyolefin rubbers, hydrogels, semi-rigid and rigid materials, elastomers, rubbers, thermoplastic elastomers, thermoset elastomers, elastomeric composites, rigid polymers including polyphenylene, polyamide, polyimide, polyetherimide, polyethylene, epoxy, glass, and combinations thereof.

Methods of Disposing of Liquid Medications

[0214] Disclosed herein are methods of using medication intelligent disposal system as disclosed herein. In some cases, the medication intelligent disposal system disclosed herein can be used with the coupling mechanisms disclosed above. In some cases, the medication intelligent disposal system disclosed herein can be used with original coupling mechanisms (e.g., the original tubing) of IV bags. In some cases, retaining the original tubing that was used to convey the liquid from the liquid bag to a subject can provide a more accurate measurement of liquid to be disposed. In some cases, this original tubing can be connected to subsequent tubing in the medication intelligent disposal system. In some cases, the tubing of the medication intelligent disposal system can be directly connected to the liquid bag, from example through the gummy port. In some cases, the negative pressure of a vacuum pump as described herein may be sufficient to suction both the liquid bag and the original tubing, sequentially or simultaneously. [0215] FIGS. 6A-6F show magnified views of a method of use of medication intelligent disposal system 300. FIG. 6A shows medication intelligent disposal system 300 comprising stand 302, liquid bag 322, and tubing 324. FIG. 6B shows medication intelligent disposal system 300 tubing 324, and pump 306. FIGS. 6C-6D show medication intelligent disposal system 300 comprising cup 304, pump 306, and tubing 324. FIG. 6E shows medication intelligent disposal system 300 comprising pump 306, tubing 324, and recording device 312. FIG. 6F shows medication intelligent disposal system 300 comprising cup 304 and liquid disposal 320. Liquid disposal 320 can lead to one or more waste containers, such as those discussed above, which may contain neutralizers of medications. As mentioned above, examples of destroyers can include one or more of Rx Destroyer™, Drug Buster™, Narc-X™, Pill Terminator™, Element MDS™, Cactus Smart Sink™, Mallinckrodt MDS™, Pill Catcher™, and Stericycle CsRx™.

[0216] Stand 302 can serve multiple purposes. Stand 302 can be used to hook liquid sources onto (e.g., IV bags, other hole-punched bags) as shown in FIG. 6J. Stand 302 can be used to hold extra tubing (e.g., from an IV line or from the coupling mechanisms described below) as shown in FIGS. 6J-6L.

[0217] A liquid can be poured from a liquid source through a tube or coupling mechanism into cup 304. In some cases, the cup can be without a lid and the liquid can be poured directly into the cup 304, as in FIG. 6D. In some cases, there can be a lid attached to stand 302. The lid can be rotatable around stand 302. The lid can have a hole in it to receive a second end of the tubing attached to the liquid source (wherein the first end is attached to the liquid source). The lid can just cover the cup, acting as a funnel. In some cases, the lid can be sealable on the cup, similar to a plastic cup lid.

[0218] Cup 304 can have measurement lines (e.g., in milliliters, in ounces, etc.) drawn, etched, or otherwise represented on its sides as in FIG. 6D. Once cup 304 receives a liquid, a user can see how much liquid there is in the cup for wasting based on the measurement lines. Once the user has recorded the amount of liquid for wasting, the user can pour out the liquid in the cup 304 into the liquid waste disposal 320.

[0219] Pump 306 can be used to increase the speed that liquid proceeds through the tubing 324. Pump 306 can be located half on and half within the counter, or entirely on the counter. In some cases, pump 306 is within the counter. Pump 306 can be used to guide tubing 324 to the cup 304. [0220] Pump 306 can be used to draw liquid from a liquid bag to tubing. Pump 306 can comprise one or more of a piston pump, a peristaltic pump, a rotary pump, a diaphragm pump, a vacuum pump, or any combination thereof. [0221] Pump 306 can be a peristaltic pump. The peristaltic pump can pump about 300 ml in 33 seconds on a medium strength peristaltic pump which does not collapse the tubing. The peristaltic pump can pump about 300 ml in from about 25 s to about 40 s. The peristaltic pump can pump about 300 ml in from about 25 s to about 28 s, about 25 s to about 31 s, about 25 s to about 34 s, about 25 s to about 37 s, about 25 s to about 40 s, about 28 s to about 31 s, about 28 s to about 34 s, about 28 s to about 37 s, about 28 s to about 40 s, about 31 s to about 34 s, about 31 s to about 37 s, about 31 s to about 40 s, about 34 s to about 37 s, about 34 s to about 40 s, or about 37 s to about 40 s. The peristaltic pump can pump about 300 ml in about 25 s, about 28 s, about 31 s, about 34 s, about 37 s, or about 40 s. The peristaltic pump can pump about 300 ml in at least about 25 s, about 28 s, about 31 s, about 34 s, or about 37 s. The peristaltic pump can pump about 300 ml in at most about 28 s, about 31 s, about 34 s, about 37 s, or about 40 s.

[0222] Pump 306 can be a vacuum pump. Pump 306 can be a negative pressure pump. Pump 306 can draw liquid from an IV line. It can do so indirectly through the other tubing in the system. For example, pump 306 can control liquid movement from an IV line to a containment cylinder via valves and tubing. In some cases, pump 306 can be a positive pressure pump. The positive pressure can be used to push disposed liquids and/or remaining air towards the Rx destroyers with neutralizers. Pump 306 can switch between negative pressure and positive pressure. In some cases, there may be multiple vacuum pumps. When there are multiple vacuum pumps, rather than alternating between negative and positive pressure, at least one of the multiple pumps can be a negative pressure pump and at least one may be a positive pressure pump. This way, the activity levels (e.g., on/off) of multiple pumps can be controlled, rather than switching an individual pump between positive and negative pressure states.

[0223] The recording device 312 can comprise a camera (e.g., panoramic, fish eye, focal, 360 degree, 180 degree, motion detecting, etc.), 3D/4D camera animation, and/or other sensors and monitors.

[0224] Liquid bag 322 can comprise any liquid that can be found in a hospital, pharmacy, third party medication producer, research lab, etc. In some cases, liquid bag 322 can comprise an IV bag. In some cases, the liquid bag 322 can have a hole punched out of a section on one side, such that it can be hung on stand 302. In some cases, the liquid bag 322 can comprise expired liquid. In some cases, the liquid bag 322 can comprise extraneous liquid (e.g., after compounding or creating batch medications). In some cases, liquid bag 322 can be full, nearly full, half full, mostly empty, or almost entirely empty. Regardless of how much liquid is in the liquid bag 322, it can be important to track the usage of liquid medications via the medication intelligent disposal system 100, 200, and/or 300. [0225] Tubing 324 can comprise IV tubing. Tubing 324 can comprise tubing such as the coupling mechanism described above as in FIG. 5. In some cases, tubing 324 is a mix of the two types of tubing. For example, IV tubing can be used at the top and reach to the pump, and the coupling mechanism described below can be used in the area over the pump, or vice versa. Tubing 324 can comprise single use, disposable tubing. Tubing 324 can comprise multi-use tubing. However, if used multiple times, it can be important to sanitize and/or sterilize the tubing before reusing it to minimize cross-contamination and reactions between past and current medications.

[0226] In some cases, a user can hang a liquid bag 322 (e.g., an IV bag) on stand 302. In some cases, the liquid bag 322 may already be connected to its original use tubing 324. In some cases, tubing 324 can comprise tubing 500. In some cases, the top end (e.g., the end connected to the liquid bag 322) may comprise one type of tubing 324 and the bottom end (e.g., the end that pours liquid into the cup) can comprise tubing 500, and the two can be connected through a luer connector such as luer 504.

[0227] In some cases, retaining the original tubing that was used to convey the liquid from the liquid bag to a subject can provide a more accurate measurement of liquid to be disposed. In some cases, this original tubing can be connected to subsequent tubing in the medication intelligent disposal system. In some cases, the tubing of the medication intelligent disposal system can be directly connected to the liquid bag, from example through the gummy port. In some cases, the negative pressure of a vacuum pump as described herein may be sufficient to suction both the liquid bag and the original tubing, sequentially or simultaneously.

[0228] After hanging liquid bag 322, the user can guide the tubing 324 around/through/across the pump as shown in FIG. 6B. Arrow B shows pulling part a part of the pump away from the housing (e.g., push and pull with a thumb or other finger), and arrows C show placing the tubing along the path of the pump. Arrow A shows screwing in the end of the tubing into the funnel coupled to the pump, such that the open end of the tubing 324 is open to the underside where the cup would be placed as shown in FIGS. 6C-6D.

[0229] Once the pump 306 and tubing 324 is set up, a user can place a cup under the spout/funnel of the open end of the tubing 324. In some cases, there may be a cup holder coupled to the pump to stabilize the cup in a desired location under the spout.

[0230] Once the cup 304 is located in the area where the liquid will be released, a user can press/depress a button, slider, or other activation mechanism to activate pump 306 and have the liquid be disposed into cup 304. As mentioned above, cup 304 can have measuring lines, as shown in FIG. 6D, to determine how much liquid is being wasted/disposed. During the process of filling up the cup 304, recording device 312 can be recording the filling of the cup, the user, and any other area around or in the room of the medication intelligent disposal system, as shown in FIG. 6E

[0231] Once all of the liquid, or substantially all of the liquid has been removed from the liquid bag into the cup 304 and the user has entered the amount shown based on the measurement lines into the medication intelligent disposal system, the user can pour the liquid in cup 304 into the liquid disposal holes 320. In some cases, the holes can be differentiated by hazardous or non- hazardous waste. The user can pour the liquid into the proper hole.

[0232] FIGS. 6G-6L show side views of a method of use of medication intelligent disposal system 200. FIGS. 6G and 61 show medication intelligent disposal system 200 comprising stand 202, liquid bag 222, and tubing 224. FIG. 6H shows medication intelligent disposal system 200 comprising pump 206 and tubing 224. FIG. 6J shows medication intelligent disposal system 200 comprising stand 202, cup 204, pump 206, liquid bag 222, and tubing 224. FIG. 6K shows medication intelligent disposal system 200 comprising stand 202, cup 204, liquid bag 222, and tubing 224. FIG. 6L shows medication intelligent disposal system 200 comprising cup 204 and liquid disposal 220. Liquid disposal 220 can lead to one or more waste containers, such as those discussed above, which may contain neutralizers of medications. As mentioned above, examples of destroyers can include one or more of Rx Destroyer™, Drug Buster™, Narc-X™, Pill Terminator™, Element MDS™, Cactus Smart Sink™, Mallinckrodt MDS™, Pill Catcher™, and Stericycle CsRx™.

[0233] Stand 202 can serve multiple purposes. Stand 202 can be used to hook liquid sources onto (e.g., IV bags, other hole-punched bags) as shown in FIG. 6J. Stand 202 can be used to hold extra tubing (e.g., from an IV line or from the coupling mechanisms described below) as shown in FIGS. 6J-6L.

[0234] A liquid can be poured from a liquid source through a tube or coupling mechanism into cup 204. In some cases, the cup can be without a lid and the liquid can be poured directly into the cup 204, as in FIG. 6D. In some cases, there can be a lid attached to stand 202. The lid can be rotatable around stand 202. The lid can have a hole in it to receive a second end of the tubing attached to the liquid source (wherein the first end is attached to the liquid source). The lid can just cover the cup, acting as a funnel. In some cases, the lid can be sealable on the cup, similar to a plastic cup lid.

[0235] Cup 204 can have measurement lines (e.g., in milliliters, in ounces, etc.) drawn, etched, or otherwise represented on its sides as in FIG. 6D. Once cup 204 receives a liquid, a user can see how much liquid there is in the cup for wasting based on the measurement lines. Once the user has recorded the amount of liquid for wasting, the user can pour out the liquid in the cup 204 into the liquid waste disposal 220.

[0236] Liquid bag 222 can comprise any liquid that can be found in a hospital, pharmacy, third party medication producer, research lab, etc. In some cases, liquid bag 222 can comprise an IV bag. In some cases, the liquid bag 222 can have a hole punched out of a section on one side, such that it can be hung on stand 202. In some cases, the liquid bag 222 can comprise expired liquid. In some cases, the liquid bag 222 can comprise extraneous liquid (e.g., after compounding or creating batch medications). In some cases, liquid bag 222 can be full, nearly full, half full, mostly empty, or almost entirely empty. Regardless of how much liquid is in the liquid bag 222, it can be important to track the usage of liquid medications via the medication intelligent disposal system 100, 200, and/or 300.

[0237] Tubing 224 can comprise IV tubing. Tubing 224 can comprise tubing such as the coupling mechanism described above as in FIG. 5. In some cases, tubing 224 is a mix of the two types of tubing. For example, IV tubing can be used at the top and reach to the pump, and the coupling mechanism described below can be used in the area over the pump, or vice versa. Tubing 224 can comprise single use, disposable tubing. Tubing 224 can comprise multi-use tubing. However, if used multiple times, it can be important to sanitize and/or sterilize the tubing before reusing it to minimize cross-contamination and reactions between past and current medications.

[0238] In some cases, a user can hang a liquid bag 222 (e.g., an IV bag) on stand 202. In some cases, the liquid bag 222 may already be connected to its original use tubing 224. In some cases, tubing 224 can comprise tubing 500. In some cases, the top end (e.g., the end connected to the liquid bag 222) may comprise one type of tubing 224 and the bottom end (e.g., the end that pours liquid into the cup) can comprise tubing 500, and the two can be connected through a luer connector such as luer 504.

[0239] In some cases, retaining the original tubing that was used to convey the liquid from the liquid bag to a subject can provide a more accurate measurement of liquid to be disposed. In some cases, this original tubing can be connected to subsequent tubing in the medication intelligent disposal system. In some cases, the tubing of the medication intelligent disposal system can be directly connected to the liquid bag, from example through the gummy port. In some cases, the negative pressure of a vacuum pump as described herein may be sufficient to suction both the liquid bag and the original tubing, sequentially or simultaneously.

[0240] After hanging liquid bag 222, the user can guide/insert the tubing 224 into the pump as shown in FIG. 6H. In some cases, for example when the tubing is long, it may be advantageous to hold the tubing in one hand until the second end is attached to the pump so that the tubing 224 does not snag anywhere. Once inserted into the pump, tubing 224 can be rested on stand 202 as well, as shown in FIGS. 6I-6J.

[0241] Once the pump 206 and tubing 224 is set up, a user can place a cup under the spout/funnel of the open end of the tubing 224. In some cases, there may be additional tubing (e.g., tubing associated with the pump) connecting the tubing 224 to the lid. The lid can be attached to stand 202. The lid can be rotated around stand 202, as shown in FIG. 6J. Once rotated to cover the cup, a user can press/depress a button, slider, or other activation mechanism to activate pump 206 and have the liquid be disposed into cup 204. As mentioned above, cup 204 can have measuring lines to determine how much liquid is being wasted/disposed.

[0242] Once all of the liquid, or substantially all of the liquid has been removed from the liquid bag into the cup 204 and the user has entered the amount shown based on the measurement lines into the medication intelligent disposal system, the user can pour the liquid in cup 204 into the liquid disposal holes 220. In some cases, the holes can be differentiated by hazardous or non- hazardous waste. In some cases, the two disposals may be differently colored or labeled based on their hazard status. The user can pour the liquid into the proper hole.

Electronic Systems

Blockchain

[0243] In some embodiments, one or more blockchains may be used to track or monitor data associated with (i) the user of the liquid management system or the medication management system or (i) the liquids such as the medications (e.g., to be distributed or discarded). In some cases, a blockchain may refer to a shared and immutable ledger for recording transactions and tracking assets. In some embodiments, a blockchain may be used to record transactions regarding liquids such as medications. In some embodiments, a transaction may be between any two entities disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a transaction may comprise a trade of an item (e.g., medications to be wasted) for currency or other reward. In some embodiments, a transaction may comprise destruction or waste of an item in exchange for currency or other reward. In some embodiments, the item may be a liquid such as a medication. In some embodiments, the item may be a contraband. In some embodiments, the item may be a good rendered unfit for sale to a consumer. In some embodiments, the currency may be cryptocurrency.

[0244] In some embodiments, a transaction record may comprise an amount of the item and the currency other reward that was traded. In some embodiments, a transaction record may comprise an amount of the item that was destroyed. In some embodiments, a transaction record may comprise an amount of the item that was destroyed in exchange for currency or other reward. In some embodiments, a transaction record may comprise a proof of destruction of the item. In some embodiments, a transaction record may comprise a record of the type of item. In some embodiments, a transaction record may comprise identifiers of the entities involved in the transaction. In some embodiments, a transaction record may comprise a signature of one or more entities involved in the transaction. In some embodiments, a transaction record may comprise a signature of a witness involved in the transaction.

[0245] In some embodiments, a blockchain may be used to record transactions regarding various items (e.g., contraband, weapons, ammunition, illicit drugs, commercial chemicals, expired goods, unsold goods, etc.). In some embodiments, a transaction may be between any two entities disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a transaction may comprise a trade of one or more items for currency or other reward. In some embodiments, the currency may be cryptocurrency. In some embodiments, a transaction may comprise destruction or waste of an item in exchange for currency.

[0246] In some embodiments, a transaction record may comprise an amount of item and currency or other reward that was traded. In some embodiments, a transaction record may comprise an amount of item that was destroyed. In some embodiments, a transaction record may comprise an amount of item that was destroyed in exchange for currency or other reward. In some embodiments, a transaction record may comprise a proof of destruction of an item. In some embodiments, a transaction record may comprise a record of the type of item. In some embodiments, a transaction record may comprise identifiers of the entities involved in the trade. In some embodiments, a transaction record may comprise a signature of one or more entities involved in the trade.

[0247] In some embodiments, the blockchain database that is operatively coupled to the medication management system can store data (e.g., scanned identification of the healthcare providers, patients, dispensed medications, returned medications, etc.) collected by the medication management system and/or analysis data generated by the analysis engine (e.g., indication or chance of medication mismanagement by an individual user or institution). The blockchain database, as provided herein, can be an alterable and secured P2P network among patients, prescribers, pharmacy, government agencies (e.g., FDA, DEA, etc.) to record and transfer data (e.g., medical history, prescription history, medication utilization and/or compliance analysis of a patient, date of prescription, date or return of unused medications, etc.). In comparison to a conventional, centralized database, the blockchain database can provide one or more advantages including, for example, transparency, safety, auditability, resistant to tampering, and accountability for (1) users of the medication management system, (2) physicians, (3) pharmacies, (4) government agencies, (5) registered reverse distributors for destruction of unused medications, (6) and/or pharmaceutical companies that provide the medications to the market.

Artificial Intelligence

[0248] In some embodiments of the methods or systems of the present disclosure, an artificial intelligence (Al) system may be used. In some embodiments, the Al may identify a type of an item. In some embodiments, the Al may identify an amount of an item.

[0249] For example, an Al may be trained on data comprising images of the liquid, and labels for the type of the liquid. In some embodiments, the Al may be trained to output, given an image of the liquid, a logical output (e.g., True/False), a categorical output (e.g., categories of the liquid), or a probability output (e.g., probability that an image corresponds to a picture of a type of the liquid). In some embodiments, the Al may be trained to output a volume of the liquid present in an IV bag or a syringe. In some embodiments, the Al may be trained with a supervised learning algorithm. In some embodiments, the Al may be trained with a selfsupervised learning algorithm. In some embodiments, the Al may be trained with an unsupervised learning algorithm.

[0250] For example, an Al may be trained on data comprising images of medicine, and labels for the type of medicine. In some embodiments, the Al may be trained to output, given an image of a pill or tablet, a logical output (e.g., True/False), a categorical output (e.g., categories of medicine), or a probability output (e.g., probability that an image corresponds to a picture of a type of medicine). In some embodiments, the Al may be trained to output a number of pills and/or tablets in an image. In some embodiments, the Al may be trained to output a volume of the medicine present in an IV bag or a syringe. In some embodiments, the Al may be trained with a supervised learning algorithm. In some embodiments, the Al may be trained with a selfsupervised learning algorithm. In some embodiments, the Al may be trained with an unsupervised learning algorithm.

[0251] In some embodiments, the Al segment an image comprising a plurality of medicines. In some embodiments, the Al may segment individual unit doses in the image comprising a plurality of medicines. In some embodiments, the Al may identify a medicine in each segment of the image. In some embodiments, the Al may count the number for a given type of medicine in the image. In some embodiments, the Al may determine an amount of medicine in the image. In some embodiments, the plurality of medicines may comprise at least one of: pills, tablets, syringes, IV bags, patches, eye drops, ear drops, a container thereof, or any combination thereof.

Computer Systems

[0252] The present disclosure provides computer systems that are programmed to implement methods of the disclosure. FIG. 7 shows an electronics system 600 comprising computer system 601 that is programmed or otherwise configured to monitor liquid management (e.g., medication management) as provided herein (e.g., distribution or wasting). The computer system 601 can regulate various aspects of the liquid management system or the medication management system, such as the user identification device, the monitoring module or the medication monitoring module, the analysis engine operatively coupled thereto, etc. The computer system 601 can be an electronic device of a user or a computer system that is remotely located with respect to the electronic device. The electronic device can be a mobile electronic device.

[0253] The computer system 601 includes a central processing unit (CPU, also “processor” and “computer processor” herein) 605, which can be a single core or multi core processor, or a plurality of processors for parallel processing. The computer system 601 also includes memory or memory location 55 (e.g., random-access memory, read-only memory, flash memory), electronic storage unit 615 (e.g., hard disk), communication interface 620 (e.g., network adapter) for communicating with one or more other systems, and peripheral devices 625, such as cache, other memory, data storage and/or electronic display adapters. The memory 55, storage unit 615, interface 620 and peripheral devices 625 are in communication with the CPU 605 through a communication bus (solid lines), such as a motherboard. The storage unit 615 can be a data storage unit (or data repository) for storing data. The computer system 601 can be operatively coupled to a computer network (“network”) 630 with the aid of the communication interface 620. The network 630 can be the Internet, an internet and/or extranet, or an intranet and/or extranet that is in communication with the Internet. The network 630 in some cases is a telecommunication and/or data network. The network 630 can include one or more computer servers, which can enable distributed computing, such as cloud computing. The network 630, in some cases with the aid of the computer system 601, can implement a peer-to-peer network, which may enable devices coupled to the computer system 601 to behave as a client or a server. [0254] The CPU 605 can execute a sequence of machine-readable instructions, which can be embodied in a program or software. The instructions may be stored in a memory location, such as the memory 55. The instructions can be directed to the CPU 605, which can subsequently program or otherwise configure the CPU 605 to implement methods of the present disclosure. Examples of operations performed by the CPU 605 can include fetch, decode, execute, and writeback.

[0255] The CPU 605 can be part of a circuit, such as an integrated circuit. One or more other components of the system 601 can be included in the circuit. In some cases, the circuit is an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0256] The storage unit 615 can store files, such as drivers, libraries and saved programs. The storage unit 615 can store user data, e.g., user preferences and user programs. The computer system 601 in some cases can include one or more additional data storage units that are external to the computer system 601, such as located on a remote server that is in communication with the computer system 601 through an intranet or the Internet.

[0257] The computer system 601 can communicate with one or more remote computer systems through the network 630. For instance, the computer system 601 can communicate with a remote computer system of a user. Examples of remote computer systems include personal computers (e.g., portable PC), slate or tablet PC’s (e.g., Apple® iPad, Samsung® Galaxy Tab), telephones, Smart phones (e.g., Apple® iPhone, Android-enabled device, Blackberry®), or personal digital assistants. The user can access the computer system 601 via the network 630. [0258] Methods as described herein can be implemented by way of machine (e.g., computer processor) executable code stored on an electronic storage location of the computer system 601, such as, for example, on the memory 610 or electronic storage unit 615. The machine executable or machine readable code can be provided in the form of software. During use, the code can be executed by the processor 605. In some cases, the code can be retrieved from the storage unit 615 and stored on the memory 610 for ready access by the processor 605. In some situations, the electronic storage unit 615 can be precluded, and machine-executable instructions are stored on memory 610.

[0259] The code can be pre-compiled and configured for use with a machine having a processer adapted to execute the code, or can be compiled during runtime. The code can be supplied in a programming language that can be selected to enable the code to execute in a pre-compiled or as- compiled fashion.

[0260] Aspects of the systems and methods provided herein, such as the computer system 601, can be embodied in programming. Various aspects of the technology may be thought of as “products” or “articles of manufacture” typically in the form of machine (or processor) executable code and/or associated data that is carried on or embodied in a type of machine readable medium. Machine-executable code can be stored on an electronic storage unit, such as memory (e.g., read-only memory, random-access memory, flash memory) or a hard disk. “ Storage” type media can include any or all of the tangible memory of the computers, processors or the like, or associated modules thereof, such as various semiconductor memories, tape drives, disk drives and the like, which may provide non-transitory storage at any time for the software programming. All or portions of the software may at times be communicated through the Internet or various other telecommunication networks. Such communications, for example, may enable loading of the software from one computer or processor into another, for example, from a management server or host computer into the computer platform of an application server. Thus, another type of media that may bear the software elements includes optical, electrical and electromagnetic waves, such as used across physical interfaces between local devices, through wired and optical landline networks and over various air-links. The physical elements that carry such waves, such as wired or wireless links, optical links or the like, also may be considered as media bearing the software. As used herein, unless restricted to non-transitory, tangible “storage” media, terms such as computer or machine “readable medium” refer to any medium that participates in providing instructions to a processor for execution.

[0261] Hence, a machine readable medium, such as computer-executable code, may take many forms, including but not limited to, a tangible storage medium, a carrier wave medium or physical transmission medium. Non-volatile storage media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as any of the storage devices in any computer(s) or the like, such as may be used to implement the databases, etc. shown in the drawings. Volatile storage media include dynamic memory, such as main memory of such a computer platform. Tangible transmission media include coaxial cables; copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a bus within a computer system. Carrier-wave transmission media may take the form of electric or electromagnetic signals, or acoustic or light waves such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data communications. Common forms of computer-readable media therefore include for example: a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD or DVD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards paper tape, any other physical storage medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a ROM, a PROM and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave transporting data or instructions, cables or links transporting such a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer may read programming code and/or data. Many of these forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to a processor for execution.

[0262] The computer system 601 can include or be in communication with an electronic display 635 that comprises a user interface (UI) 640 for providing, for example, a UI on a display of the user device. Examples of UI’s include, without limitation, a graphical user interface (GUI) and web-based user interface. In some embodiments, the electronic display may comprise a touch screen.

[0263] Methods and systems of the present disclosure can be implemented by way of one or more algorithms. An algorithm can be implemented by way of software upon execution by the central processing unit 605. The algorithm can, for example, analyze data obtained by the user identification device or the monitoring module (or the medication monitoring module).

[0264] In some embodiments, examples and details of medication monitoring and tracking are provided in, for example, International Patent Application No. PCT/US2020/026434 and International Patent Application No. PCT/US2022/015595, each of which is entirely incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, examples and details of the RVC and methods of use thereof are provided in, for example, International Patent Application No. PCT/US2020/019122, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.

Definitions

[0265] Unless defined otherwise, all terms of art, notations and other technical and scientific terms or terminology used herein are intended to have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed subject matter pertains. In some cases, terms with commonly understood meanings are defined herein for clarity and/or for ready reference, and the inclusion of such definitions herein should not necessarily be construed to represent a substantial difference over what is generally understood in the art.

[0266] Throughout this application, various embodiments may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the disclosure.

Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

[0267] The ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all overlap, sub-ranges, and combinations thereof. Language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” “between,” and the like includes the number recited. Numbers preceded by a term such as “approximately”, “about”, and “substantially” as used herein include the recited numbers, and also represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. The term “about” or “approximately” may mean within an acceptable error range for the particular value, which will depend in part on how the value is measured or determined, e.g., the limitations of the measurement system. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”, and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of the stated amount. For example, “about” may mean within 1 or more than 1 standard deviation, per the practice in the art. Alternatively, “about” may mean a range of up to 20%, up to 10%, up to 5%, or up to 1% of a given value. As used herein, the term “about” a number refers to that number plus or minus 10% of that number. The term “about” a range refers to that range minus 10% of its lowest value and plus 10% of its greatest value. Where particular values are described in the application and claims, unless otherwise stated the term “about” meaning within an acceptable error range for the particular value may be assumed.

[0268] As used in the specification and claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term “a sample” includes a plurality of samples, including mixtures thereof.

[0269] The terms “determining,” “measuring,” “evaluating,” “assessing,” “assaying,” and “analyzing” are often used interchangeably herein to refer to forms of measurement. The terms include determining if an element is present or not (for example, detection). These terms can include quantitative, qualitative or quantitative and qualitative determinations. Assessing can be relative or absolute. “Detecting the presence of’ can include determining the amount of something present in addition to determining whether it is present or absent depending on the context.

[0270] The section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

Examples

[0271] The following examples are included for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0272] Example 1: DETERMINING A METHOD OF EFFICIENTLY EXTRACTING LIQUID FROM A LIQUID BAG

[0273] Many experiments were conducted to discover an efficient method of extracting liquid from a liquid bag, such as an IV bag. FIGS. 8-17 show experiments and experimental data associated with these experiments. [0274] FIG. 8 shows experiments to narrow down a liquid wasting method. A first experiment used gravity alone to remove liquid from a liquid bag. The bag was hung at a high point and the liquid was allowed to naturally travel through the tubing. The drawback from this experiment was that it was a slow method of disposing of liquid waste. A second experiment compressed the liquid bag while it, and the tubing, were on a table. A heavy object was used to compress the bag - in this case, a thick book on a piece of wood. The issue here was that there was a risk of the liquid bag bursting due to pressure - if there was significant pressure, it would burst; if there was less pressure, it would be slow. A third experiment used suction via pumping to withdraw the liquid from the bag. However, this method was noisy and introduced air bubbles into the liquid, thereby making the overall liquid measurement inaccurate. The fourth experiment was simply pouring the liquid out of the bag, but this had a high rate of spilling some of the liquid, thereby making the overall liquid measurement inaccurate. The fifth experiment used a luer fitted to the end of the tubing, but the relatively smaller diameter of the luer restricted the flow of liquid, thereby also slowing the disposing of liquid waste.

[0275] FIG. 9 shows a graph of comparative times to empty a 300 mL IV bag using the first four experimental methods (gravity, squeezing/compression, pumping, and pouring. The graph uses both water as the substance in the IV bag and milk to represent liquid medications that may have a higher viscosity than water. Time is displayed on the y-axis and the height of the IV bag above a table (in inches) is on the x-axis. Straight pouring was the fastest method, followed by pump suction, followed by hand squeezing, with gravity-based experiments being the slowest. Liquid bags with milk were slower to empty than bags with water.

[0276] FIG. 10 shows a first method 700 to empty a liquid bag. This method can use powered rollers 702 to pinch and roll along a liquid bag 704. The rollers can be automatic or manual. They can have pinch points. They can be spring loaded. However, as with the experiment described in FIG. 8, too much compression/pressure may rupture the liquid bag.

[0277] FIGS. 11A-11B show a second method 800 to empty a liquid bag using lever 804. The lever can be manual or automatic. The lever can be spring loaded. FIG. 11 A shows an open, substantially full bag 802, and FIG. 11B shows a closed and empty bag 802. However, as with the experiment described in FIG. 8, too much compression/pressure may rupture the liquid bag 802.

[0278] FIGS. 12A-12B show a third method 900 to empty a liquid bag. This method combines the gravity and the pump method by hanging the liquid bag 904 on stand 902 and allowing tubing 906 to go through pump 908 which draws a vacuum. In some cases, rather than hanging, the liquid bag 904 may be lying on a surface. The pump can be designed as a circular pump 908, a triangular pump 910, or any other kind of negative pressure pump. However, as with the experiment described in FIG. 8, use of the vacuum may introduce bubble on discharge into the collected liquid for disposal.

[0279] FIGS. 13A-13B show a fourth method 1000 to empty a liquid bag. The bag 1002 can be placed on a rack or cradle 1004 such that the tubing is allowed to hang. The cradle can position the bag outlets in a similar location each time regardless of bag size or type. A well-located rack can allow for IV bags of various sizes, with or without extensions sets, to be emptied. FIG. 12B also shows the relevance of the head pressure on liquid draining speed. A shorter rack that does not elongate the bag 1002 and its contents may have a faster draining time. A rack located further away from the hanging point which elongates the liquid bag 1002 may have a slower draining time.

[0280] FIG. 14 shows a fifth method 1100 to empty a liquid bag using a weigh scale. IV bags or IV bags with tubing extension sets are placed in box 1104 which is located on weigh scale 1106. The weigh scale 1106 can be a load cell platform. The IV bags are connected through the peristaltic pump 1102 to the disposal hole via tubing 500. This way, the liquid in the bags is first weighed and then disposed.

[0281] FIG. 15 shows a sixth method 1200 to empty a liquid bag using an ultrasonic flow meter concept. The liquid bags can be placed in a rack, housing, box, or other receptacle. They flow through the flow meter via tubing 500, with sharp end 502 shown in FIG. 15. 1206 and 1108 show two separate flow meters/ sensors for analyzing the flow of the liquid as it proceeds through machine 1200. However, during experiments, the ultrasonic sensors failed to measure the flow of liquid at the beginning of the pumping process and at the end. This resulted in an inaccurate reading of how much fluid is actually in the bag.

[0282] FIG. 16 shows a comparison chart of methods to empty a liquid bag. Experiments were conducted, in addition to those mentioned above and below, on use differential pressure to efficiently move liquid from the liquid bag, using electromagnetism, using ultrasound, using positive displacement, using a turbine, and using Coriolis force. The chart compares whether the measurement system can account for bubbles in the final measurement, whether the meter may be contaminated, and what the cost would be to produce and sell. Differential pressure did not account for bubbles and had meter contamination but was low cost. Electromagnetic measurement accounted for bubbles and did not have meter contamination but was expensive. Ultrasonic measurement accounted for bubbles and did not have meter contamination but was expensive. Positive displacement did not account for bubbles, had mixed results regarding meter contamination, and had moderate costs. Turbine use did not account for bubbles and had meter contamination but was low cost. Coriolis force use did not account for bubbles and had meter contamination but was low cost.

[0283] Example 2: ITERATION ON CUP CONCEPT

[0284] FIG. 17 shows a seventh method 1300 to empty a liquid bag. FIG. 17 may use medication intelligent disposal system 100, 200, or 300. FIG. 17 includes pumping chamber 1402, IV extension set 1404, and pump 1406. Pumping chamber 1402 was a long stroke 3D printed test mule that allowed the IV extension set to be used as a pumping chamber to pour liquid into the cup. Pump 1406 was a 1000 ml pump attached to a larger diameter tube with a larger flow rate. Although use of the larger diameter tube with the 1000 ml pump 1406 resulted in faster emptying of liquid bags, there was spillage, preventing accurate measurement.

[0285] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. It is not intended that the invention be limited by the specific examples provided within the specification. While the invention has been described with reference to the aforementioned specification, the descriptions and illustrations of the embodiments herein are not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Furthermore, it shall be understood that all aspects of the invention are not limited to the specific depictions, configurations or relative proportions set forth herein which depend upon a variety of conditions and variables. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is therefore contemplated that the invention shall also cover any such alternatives, modifications, variations or equivalents. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.

Claims

CLAIMS WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A system for disposing of one or more liquid medications in one or more liquid bags, comprising:

(a) a computer processor in communication with one or more sensors, wherein the computer processor is configured to execute a diversion analysis program to determine a risk or probability of diversion of the one or more liquid medications based at least in part on data from the one or more sensors,

(b) a measuring container configured to be filled with the one or more liquid medications and comprising striations indicating an amount of the one or more liquid medications inside the measuring container;

(c) one or more pumps configured to move the one or more liquid medications from the one or more liquid bags to the measuring container and from the measuring container to one or more disposal containers containing a medication neutralizer;

(d) a rotatable valve configured to direct the one or more liquid medications through the system, wherein the rotatable valve has at least two orientations, wherein the rotatable valve is configured to rotate between the at least two orientations;

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more disposal containers comprise at least one hazardous container and at least one non-hazardous container.

3. The system of claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a tubing system configured to connect two or more of the measuring container, the one or more liquid bags, the one or more pumps, the valve, and the one or more disposal containers.

4. The system of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the measuring container comprises one or more of a cup or a graduated cylinder.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the measuring container comprises a liquid container disposed inside the graduated cylinder.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the liquid container is disposable.

7. The system of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the computer processor is configured to direct the one or more liquid medications through the system via controlling one or more of the one or more pumps or the rotatable valve.

8. The system of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the rotatable valve is controllable by a dial turned by a user.

9. The system of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the rotatable valve has at least three orientations.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein at least one orientation of the at least three orientations of the rotatable valve is configured to dispose of the one or more liquid medications in the one or more disposal containers.

11. The system of claim 9 or 10, wherein at least one orientation of the at least three orientations of the rotatable valve is configured to allow movement of the one or more liquid medications from the one or more liquid bags to the measuring container.

12. The system of any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising backflow valves configured to block backflow of the one or more liquid medications.

13. The system of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the one or more sensors comprise cameras.

14. The system of any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising a precision scale configured to measure an amount of liquid disposed of.

15. The system of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the one or more pumps comprise one or more of piston pumps, peristaltic pumps, rotary pumps, diaphragm pumps, vacuum pumps, or any combination thereof.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more pumps comprise one or more vacuum pumps.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the one or more vacuum pumps are configured to alternate between negative pressure vacuum pumps and positive pressure vacuum pumps.

18. The system of claim 16 or 17, wherein at least one of the one or more vacuum pumps is a negative pressure vacuum pump and at least one of the one or more vacuum pumps is a positive pressure vacuum pump.

19. Tubing for use with a system for disposing of one or more liquid medications in one or more liquid bags, the tubing comprising:

(a) a first end comprising at least two heads, wherein:

(i) at least one head of the at least two heads comprises a spike configured to puncture a port of the one or more liquid bags; and

(ii) at least one head of the at least two heads comprises a luer connector configured to connect to a second tube;

(b) a second end comprising stiff tubing; and

(c) a center part disposed between the first end and the second end, wherein the center part comprises flexible tubing.

20. The tubing of claim 19, wherein the second tube comprises a tube attached to the one or more liquid bags.

21. The tubing of claim 19 or 20, wherein the second tube comprises an extension set.

22. The tubing of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the stiff tubing is configured to stabilize a position of the tubing.

23. The tubing of any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein the tubing is single-use tubing.

24. The tubing of any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein the tubing is disposable.

25. A method for disposing of one or more liquid medications in one or more liquid bags via a medication disposal system, the method comprising:

(a) connecting the one or more liquid bags to tubing of the medication disposal system;

(b) rotating a dial disposed on a housing of the measuring container to a first orientation, wherein rotating the dial rotates a rotatable valve configured to direct the one or more liquid medications through the medication disposal system, wherein the rotatable valve has at least two orientations, wherein the rotatable valve is configured to rotate between the at least two orientations;

(c) activating suction of the medication disposal system;

(d) measuring an amount of the one or more liquid medications suctioned into the measuring container;

(e) disposing of the one or more liquid medications suctioned into the measuring container into one or more disposal containers containing a medication neutralizer.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising hanging the one or more liquid bags on a stand.

27. The method of claim 25 or 26, further comprising entering a name of the one or more liquid medications into a computer system, wherein the computer system is configured to compare the name to a known medication database to determine if the one or more liquid medications are hazardous or non-hazardous.

28. The method of any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein activating suction comprises interacting with an actuator.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the actuator comprises one or more of a button, a slider, or a switch.

30. The method of any one of claims 25 to 29, wherein activating suction comprises activating one or more pumps configured to move the one or more liquid medications from the one or more liquid bags to the measuring container and from the measuring container to one or more disposal containers.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the one or more pumps comprise one or more vacuum pumps, wherein the one or more vacuum pumps are configured to alternate between negative pressure vacuum pumps and positive pressure vacuum pumps.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein at least one of the one or more vacuum pumps is a negative pressure vacuum pump and at least one of the one or more vacuum pumps is a positive pressure vacuum pump.

33. The method of any one of claims 25 to 32, wherein measuring an amount of the one or more liquid medications comprises measuring the liquid medications via a precision scale.

34. The method of any one of claims 25 to 33, wherein disposing of the one or more liquid medications comprises pouring the contents of the measuring container into the one or more disposal containers.

35. The method of any one of claims 25 to 34, wherein disposing of the one or more liquid medications comprises activating suction.

36. The method of any one of claims 25 to 35, wherein disposing of the one or more liquid medications comprises rotating the dial to a second orientation, wherein the second orientation comprises a substantially diagonal valve orientation configured to fluidically couple tubing from the measuring container and tubing leading to the one or more disposal containers.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein rotating the dial to a second orientation reverses a direction of flow of one or more pumps.

38. The method of any one of claims 25 to 37, wherein the first orientation comprises a substantially vertically straight valve orientation configured to fluidically couple tubing from the one or more liquid bags and tubing leading to the measuring container.

39. A method for disposing of one or more liquid medications in one or more liquid bags via a medication disposal system, the method comprising:

(a) entering a name of the one or more liquid medications into a computer system, wherein the computer system is configured to compare the name to a known medication database to determine if the one or more liquid medications are hazardous or non-hazardous, wherein the computer system is electrically coupled to one or more pumps and a rotatable valve in the medication disposal system, wherein the rotatable valve is in first orientation configured to fluidically couple tubing from the one or more liquid bags and tubing leading to the measuring container;

(b) connecting the one or more liquid bags to tubing of the medication disposal system;

(c) activating suction of the medication disposal system; (d) measuring an amount of the one or more liquid medications suctioned into the measuring container;

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising hanging the one or more liquid bags on a stand.

41. The method of claim 39 or 40, wherein activating suction comprises interacting with an actuator.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the actuator comprises one or more of a button, a slider, or a switch.

43. The method of any one of claims 39 to 42, wherein activating suction comprises activating the one or more pumps configured to move the one or more liquid medications from the one or more liquid bags to the measuring container and from the measuring container to one or more disposal containers.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the one or more pumps comprise one or more vacuum pumps, wherein the one or more vacuum pumps are configured to alternate between negative pressure vacuum pumps and positive pressure vacuum pumps.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein at least one of the one or more vacuum pumps is a negative pressure vacuum pump and at least one of the one or more vacuum pumps is a positive pressure vacuum pump.

46. The method of any one of claims 39 to 45, wherein measuring an amount of the one or more liquid medications comprises measuring the liquid medications via a precision scale.

47. The method of any one of claims 39 to 46, wherein disposing of the one or more liquid medications comprises pouring the contents of the measuring container into the one or more disposal containers.

48. The method of any one of claims 39 to 47, wherein disposing of the one or more liquid medications comprises activating suction.

49. The method of any one of claims 39 to 48, wherein disposing comprises entering the amount of liquid measured into the computer system.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein disposing comprises the computer system electrically rotating the rotatable valve to a second orientation, wherein the second orientation comprises a substantially diagonal valve orientation configured to fluidically couple tubing from the measuring container and tubing leading to the one or more disposal containers after entering the amount of liquid measured.

51. The method of any one of claims 39 to 50, wherein disposing comprises the computer system electrically reversing a direction of flow of the one or more pumps.

52. The method of any one of claims 39 to 51, wherein the first orientation comprises a substantially vertically straight valve orientation.