Device Can Identify Specific Details of Your Prescription Medications
New Device Could Reduce Prescription Errors
A new device called LinkSquare, developed by startup company Stratio, could soon hit the market with the potential to significantly reduce the number of incorrectly filled prescriptions. According to Stratio, the device uses spectroscopy to accurately identify drugs by detecting both absorbed and reflected wavelengths, making it far more powerful and consistent than the human eye.
Stratio, founded by four Stanford electrical engineers in 2013, has already raised over $5 million in its four-year history. The company anticipates a starting price of roughly $250 USD for the LinkSquare device.
To use LinkSquare, simply hold the device like a jumbo pencil with the tip placed against the pill and press "Scan" on its companion iOS app. The device notates the slightest differences in hues, allowing it to differentiate the slightest differences in medications. This feature was demonstrated with counterfeit drugs, a feature that could be lifesaving.
LinkSquare's potential to reduce incorrectly filled prescriptions is particularly important given that NBC's New York affiliate found that as many as 50 million prescriptions are incorrectly filled each year due to confusion. The bigger a database is needed for identification, the higher the cost of LinkSquare, but the increased accuracy and potential for improved patient safety could make it a worthwhile investment.
The device has the potential to be particularly useful in areas with limited resources, where access to accurate medication identification might not be readily available. With its innovative technology, LinkSquare could help improve healthcare outcomes worldwide.
While specific details about LinkSquare's role in identifying medications and preventing incorrect prescriptions are not yet widely available, it is known that the device uses technology such as barcoding, QR codes, or AI-based recognition to accurately identify medications. This ensures that healthcare providers can verify the exact medication before prescribing or administering it, thus reducing errors related to wrong drugs or dosages. It may also cross-check prescriptions against databases to flag potential errors or interactions, improving patient safety.
For more detailed information about the LinkSquare device and its role in clinical settings, additional information from product literature or trusted medical technology sources would be necessary.
The new device, LinkSquare, developed by Stratio, leverages science and robotics innovation, using spectroscopy to accurately identify drugs and reduce prescription errors. With its potential to save lives by detecting counterfeit drugs, LinkSquare could be a valuable asset in health-and-wellness, particularly beneficial in resource-limited areas where medication identification may be scarce.
