WO2016000954A1

WO2016000954A1 - Storage container for a device for automated dispensing of individual portions of medication

Info

Publication number: WO2016000954A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/063463
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dietmar Gross
Original assignee: Carefusion Germany 326 Gmbh
Priority date: 2014-07-03
Filing date: 2015-06-16
Publication date: 2016-01-07
Also published as: PT2962956T; DK2962956T3; MX2016016772A; EP2962956A1; CA2953650A1; BR112016030617B1; BR112016030617A2; AU2015283080A1; AU2015283080B2; JP6937360B2; JP2017523013A; ES2609060T3; KR102423995B1; KR20170029493A; JP2020058854A; EP2962956B1; CA2953650C; MX356673B

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage container (1) for a device for automated dispensing of individual portions of medication. Corresponding devices are used in large numbers for blister dispensers and a main problem during use of these containers regards, among other things, the separation of contaminant particles which arise. To reduce loading with these particles, the storage container according to the invention comprises a housing (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e) enclosing a receiving chamber (2), the housing having a bottom surface (4), a separation device (100) arranged on the bottom surface (4) having at least one channel (102) for receiving at least one portion of medication, wherein the at least one channel (102) has an opening (103) facing the receiving chamber (2) and an opening (104) facing the bottom surface (4), wherein a contact region (10) arranged on the bottom surface (4) is assigned to the opening (104) facing the bottom surface (4), via which contact surface the portions of medication are guided during a movement of the separation device (100), and at least one recess (7) arranged in the bottom surface (4) outside of the contact surface (10) for receiving contaminant particles present in the container.

Description

Storage container for a device for the automated dispensing of individual medication portions

The present application relates to a storage container for individual portions of medication, and in particular one

Storage container for a device for the automated dispensing of individual medication portions.

Devices for automated delivery of individual

Portions of medication, for example individual tablets of a drug, are used in blister machines used in particular in hospitals and blister centers, with which portions of medication are blistered patient-specifically in accordance with the medically prescribed administration times / combinations. Corresponding blister machines contribute to the optimization of drug management and the

Pharmaceutical logistics at. With modern blister machines, the individual medication portions are blistered patient-specifically within a very short time, with a very small number of operators.

The different portions of medication blistered with the blister machines are stored in a variety of devices for automatically dispensing individual portions of medication, and a single blister machine may include several hundred of such devices, depending on the site requirements.

The devices for the automated dispensing of individual medication portions usually comprise two

Main components, namely a reservoir for storing the individual portions of medication, said reservoir including, inter alia, at least a portion of a necessary for departing individual medication portions singulator, and a container receptacle on which the container is mounted. This container receptacle can likewise comprise parts of the singling device (for example the motor and / or a control device). Usually the two are Main components of the device for dispensing individual medication portions separate components, but it is also conceivable to carry out the device in one piece.

The device for dispensing individual medication portions is usually on the container receptacle on the

Blister machines attached. If the reservoir needs refilling or the medication in the reservoir

will usually be changed only the

Reservoir removed from the container receptacle and it will be filled at a filling station new drugs.

When filling the medication portions into one

Recording space of the reservoir as well as the separation itself, it regularly happens that smallest particles flake off of the individual medication portions and, together with other registered or resulting impurities, settle as unwanted impurity particles in the reservoir or be discharged at a levy with.

On the one hand, the contamination particles impair the mechanics within the reservoir and settle in it. Especially when changing the nature of

Medication portions in a storage container must be taken to ensure that it is thoroughly cleaned, so that it is possible to avoid any remainders of medication in the reservoir

Reservoir stored drug in another, subsequently stored drug on the

Separation device are discharged from the reservoir, and, in the extreme case, be blistered with.

The formation of contaminant particles in the

Reservoir is virtually unavoidable, especially in those drugs that are often in demand. Also, the entry of contaminant particles in the refilling of medication portions in regular operation can not be prevented.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a

Provide reservoir for a device for automated dispensing of individual portions of medication, in which the burden is reduced by impurity particles. This object is achieved by a

Storage container for a device for the automated dispensing of individual medication portions according to claim 1.

The storage container according to the invention comprises a

Housing enclosing housing with a bottom surface, wherein in the receiving space, the individual drug portions are stored. On the bottom surface is a separating device with at least one channel for receiving at least one

Drug serving arranged, wherein the at least one channel to the receiving space facing opening and one of the

Having bottom surface facing opening, wherein the

Floor surface facing opening a contact area on the

Floor plate is assigned, over which the

Portions of medication during a movement of the

Separation device are performed.

The separating device in the storage container may comprise all components which are necessary for the separation of medicament portions stored in the receiving space. Depending on the exact configuration of the storage container and a container receptacle carrying the reservoir, the separating device of the invention

Reservoir but also only a part of the components of the singulator include, with other parts

(For example, the drive and a controller) in the

Container receptacle are arranged. In the context of this application, the term "singularizing device" encompasses "complete" separating devices and only partial singulating devices, ie such

Singulation facilities, not all for one

Separation include necessary parts.

The reservoir according to the invention further comprises

at least one in the bottom surface outside the contact surface arranged recess for receiving in the container

existing contaminant particles.

During singulation, the medication portions reach the opening of the channel facing the receiving space in the latter and further through the channel to that of the bottom surface Opening the channel where it is in the contact area on the

Floor surface rest. If a single portion of medication is requested, arranged in the channel at the opening facing the bottom opening and resting on the contact area of the bottom surface drug portion with the

Singling device over the contact area towards an opening (which may also be part of the singulation device) guided in the housing / the bottom surface over which the

Medication portion leaves the reservoir.

Impurity particles arise firstly when filling the receiving space with individual medication portions and secondly when separating itself, for example when a single portion of medication in the singulation on the

Contact area of the floor surface strikes or is guided over this.

In the operation of the blister machine, especially when singling, the reservoir is constantly minor

Exposed to vibrations that cause the

Contamination particles are constantly moved on the floor surface. In the vibration-induced movements of the

Impurity particles inevitably get to and in the at least one depression in the bottom surface in which they are held. The well will thus ensure that contaminant particles that inevitably arise during operation are constantly "captured." The contaminant particles held in the well can no longer be discharged or disturb the mechanics, effectively reducing the overall contamination by contaminant particles ,

The singulating device can be made by a person skilled in the art

known principles work and be structured accordingly. For example, it is conceivable that the

Singling device only has a channel for receiving a single medication portion, wherein the channel in a receiving position, in which the receiving space

facing the opening of the channel is released, and in a

Abgabestellung is movable, in which the receiving space facing opening of the channel closed and the bottom surface facing opening is open to a discharge opening in the housing / the bottom surface.

A correspondingly constructed separating device is structurally kept very simple, with such

Separation device but can not be achieved the required speeds in the delivery of individual portions of medication. In a preferred embodiment of the storage container according to the invention, it is therefore provided that the separating device on the bottom surface

arranged rotor having a plurality of channels, wherein the rotor is arranged such that between the underside of the rotor and the bottom surface, a gap is provided, through which impurity particles can pass. Due to the plurality of channels in the rotor, individual medication portions are always arranged in several channels and one

Delivery of a single portion of medication can be achieved by rotating the rotor only by a certain angle to a dispensing position in which a single

Medication portion can be discharged from a corresponding channel via a discharge opening in the housing.

The arrangement of the channels in the rotor is dependent on the exact structural design of the singulator, but it is preferred that the channels are arranged on the outer circumference of the rotor and open to the outside, d. H. the

Channels are formed by a plurality of webs on the circumference of the rotor. In such a case, the housing is then adapted to the rotor so that a special portion of the housing is adapted to receive the rotor and has a corresponding circular cylindrical portion whose diameter is slightly larger than that

Outer diameter of the rotor is. Correspondingly arranged channels are easier to clean. Furthermore, the entry of medication portions into the channels is facilitated by a corresponding formation of the top of the rotor.

As already indicated above are the

Contamination particles due to the vibrations of the Reservoir to the at least one recess in the

Floor surface moves. In order to assist this movement towards the at least one depression and to ensure that a larger number of contaminant particles are moved more quickly to the at least one depression, it is provided in a preferred embodiment that at least a portion of the floor area funnel-shaped, wherein the rotor of the separating device is arranged in the center of the funnel-shaped portion and the at least one formed in the bottom surface recess between the center of the funnel-shaped portion and the contact region is arranged. In this embodiment, the at least one recess is thus formed within the annular contact area, so that the impurity particles not only by the vibration of the reservoir, but also by gravity due to the inclination of the funnel-shaped

Moved section to the at least one depression or

be steered.

In order to be able to receive as many impurity particles as possible in a large area of the bottom surface, it is provided in a preferred embodiment that the at least one recess is formed as a groove coaxial with the rotor axis. The exact configuration of the depression or depressions is of the special construction of the

Singulation dependent. For example, the recess may be annular, ie. H. that a groove formed as a groove the entire center of

surrounds funnel-shaped portion and is ensured so that as many impurity particles are absorbed. In other embodiments of the separating device, it may be necessary that the recess is formed only as a ring portion and a certain angular range remains free, in which no recess is arranged.

In order to further support the movement of the contaminant particles towards the at least one depression, it is in a preferred embodiment of the invention

Reservoir provided that the rotor on his Bottom surface facing bottom a plurality of

Includes cleaning agents that supply impurity particles of at least one recess. These cleaning agents may be formed, for example, as small brushes, which depend on the direction of rotation of the rotor on the

Bottom of the rotor are formed.

If the reservoir according to the invention has a separating device comprising a rotor, the rotor can, for example, penetrate the bottom surface

Be mounted rotor axis. To prevent that

Contamination particles enter the axle area and cause a mechanical disturbance, it is provided in a preferred embodiment, that on the bottom surface

circular, coaxial with the rotor axis projection is formed, wherein the at least one recess is arranged outside the area enclosed by the projection bottom surface.

To prevent the movement of contaminant particles on the

To further accelerate the bottom surface towards the depression and to prevent the contamination particles from settling on the bottom surface itself is the preferred one

Embodiment of the storage container according to the invention

provided that at least a portion of the bottom surface is coated with a non-stick coating.

As already mentioned, the contaminant particles reach the at least one depression, inter alia, due to the vibrations occurring during operation. In order to actively support the transport, for example when the blister machine is not actively blistering, it is provided in a preferred embodiment that the reservoir contains a vibration device which actively exposes the reservoir to vibrations to actively contaminate the contaminant particles formed during operation to the at least one recess to move.

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1A and 1B are oblique views of the embodiment of the reservoir according to the invention, wherein Figure 1A the reservoir from obliquely above and Figure 1B the

Storage tank pointing diagonally from below,

FIG. 2 shows a further oblique view of the embodiment of the storage container with the cover removed,

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the housing of the embodiment,

Figures 4, 5 and 6 show sectional views of the embodiment,

FIG. 7 shows a further sectional view, wherein this is rotated by 180 ° with respect to FIG. 6,

Figure 8 shows an enlargement of a detail of Figure 7, and the

FIGS. 9A and 9B are detailed views of a part of FIG

Singling device and cooperating with this

Show components.

FIG. 1A shows an oblique view of the embodiment of the storage container 1 according to the invention for a device for the automated dispensing of individual medication portions. The reservoir shown is merely a part of the aforementioned device, which is a further main component

Container receptacle includes. However, the container receptacle is not part of the present application and will not be discussed in detail here.

The storage container 1 according to the invention comprises a housing with a plurality of housing sections, with an upper one

Supply section 3a, a middle circular cylindrical

trained section 3b for receiving a part of

Singling device, a lower bottom portion 3c and a handle portion 3d. In the embodiment shown, the upper portion 3a is closed with a cover 5.

In the oblique view from below according to FIG. 1B, it can be seen that an axle 106, which is guided through an opening in a bottom surface 4 of the housing, is arranged in the lower housing section 3c. Coaxially to the axis 106, a projection 7 is arranged along a circular arc. Looking at the reservoir from above, this "projection" as a recess 7 in the bottom surface 4 is. FIG. 2 shows a further oblique view of FIG

Embodiment, wherein in this illustration, the lid for better insight into the reservoir is omitted.

In this representation, one recognizes in the

circular-cylindrical portion 3b of the housing, a rotor 101, which is part of a singulator 100. The rotor 101 comprises (see in particular FIG. 9B) a plurality of channels 102, which are arranged outwardly open on the circumference of the rotor by webs 108 separated from each other and have an upper opening 103 and a lower opening 104. As can be seen in FIG. 9B, the rotor 101 itself is mounted on a rotor axis 106 which extends through the bottom surface 104 (see FIG. 1B).

In the oblique view shown in Figure 2 can also be seen a further housing portion 3e, which is formed obliquely to the rotor 101 out. The housing sections 3a and 3e and the rotor 101 define a receiving space 2, in which individual medication portions are stored in the operating state.

Figure 3 shows a plan view of the housing of the first

Embodiment of the storage container according to the invention, wherein in this embodiment, parts of the singulator 100 are omitted, including the rotor 101 and the

Rotor axis 106. In Figure 3 it can be seen that the

circular-cylindrical portion 3b of the housing has a bottom surface 4 with a central rotor axis opening and a

Medication delivery opening 109 encloses. In the bottom surface can also be seen on a circular arc groove-shaped and coaxial with the rotor axis opening formed recess 7.

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the embodiment of the storage container according to the invention. In FIG. 4, the housing section 3e inclined towards the rotor 101 can be seen. At the circular cylindrical housing portion 3b is followed by the bottom surface 4 down, which in the shown

Embodiment is designed funnel-shaped towards the rotor axis opening. The rotor 101 and the rotor axis 106 are arranged such that between the underside of the rotor and the top of the bottom surface 4, a gap 11 is formed, through which impurity particles can move to the recess 7, wherein the recess coaxial with the

Rotor axis opening in the funnel-shaped

Floor surface 4 is formed as a circumferential groove.

On the left side of the rotor 101, a "section" through a channel is shown, on the right side a section through a web 108. In the channel 102, the receiving space 2 facing opening 103 and facing the bottom surface

Opening 104, wherein the opening 104 is aligned with an opening 109 in the bottom surface 4. In the position of the rotor 101 shown in Figure 4, the discharge position is shown, d. H. in this position is a scattered

Medicated portion supplied via a correspondingly aligned channel of the opening 109, via which they the device for the automated dispensing of individual medication portions

leaves .

In the case of the web cut on the right side, it can be seen that the web region covers over a section of the bottom surface 4 which is free in the region of the channels. Relative to arbitrary positions of the rotor 101, this results in the

shown embodiment of the rotor, an annular region formed at the outer bottom surface 4, which is interrupted only by the opening 109. About this contact area 10 lying in the channels drug portions are moved (when singling) to the opening 109. At u. a. This movement can chip off the smallest drug particles from the individual portions of medication and contaminate the

Contribute reservoir. These contaminant particles would be solely due to the constant vibration of the reservoir

finally moved to the recess 7 and in this

be held. In the embodiment shown, however, the bottom surface is funnel-shaped, wherein these

Training of the floor area contributes to that

Pollution particles (due to gravity) to reach the recess 7. On the left side, a retaining means 105 is further shown, wherein a portion of this retaining means a

Opening 6 in the housing penetrates and engages part of the aligned with the opening 109 channel. In this way it is prevented at the moment where a scattered

Medication portion is discharged through the opening 109, another portion of medication slips from above and also discharged. It follows that in the event that two

Drug portions should be delivered, two rotation steps of the rotor are necessary.

Below the contact region 10, a vibration device 12 is arranged on the housing, with which

Impurity particles can be moved to the recess 7 by exposing the housing to vibrations.

FIG. 5 shows a further sectional view of FIG

Embodiment of the storage container according to the invention, wherein in this figure, the rotor is omitted. In FIG. 5, the annular contact region 10 is on the bottom surface

illustrated. In Figure 5, the opening 6 is also illustrated in the housing portion 3b.

In the sectional view shown in FIG. 6, furthermore, the rotor axis 106 is omitted, and it can be seen that a projection 9 is formed coaxially with the central rotor axis opening in the bottom surface 4, between the two

Rotor axis opening and the recess 7. This projection is prevented that, if impurity particles pass through the recess, this in the mechanically sensitive

Area at the rotor axis 106 reach.

Figure 7 shows the illustration shown in Figure 6 rotated by 180 °, and in this view is in a channel

engaging portion 105b of the retaining means 105. The channel engaging portion 105b is either elastically deformed to be deformed by a land (eg, brush-like configuration of the engaging portion 105b), or the retaining means 105 includes an elastic portion such that the channel engaging portion 105b can be pressed out of the channel during a movement of the rotor.

As can be seen in Figure 7, the coaxial with the central opening in the bottom surface recess 7 is not

completely annular, d. H. formed without interruption, but a part of the bottom surface 4 has no recess. This is due to the fact that in this area a cooperating with the rotor axis 106 stop mechanism 107th

is formed, of which only a stop means 107b is shown in Figure 7, which engages in the area where

Usually the rotor axis is arranged.

FIG. 8 illustrates the details given above in a detail enlargement.

Figures 9A and 9B show detailed views of a part of the separating device and with this cooperating

Components. The separating device comprises u. a. the rotor 101 with a plurality of channels 102, which are separated by webs 108 from each other. On the underside 111 of the rotor 101, a plurality of cleaning means 110 are arranged, which contribute to the on the bottom surface between the

annular contact area 10 and the recess 7 on the bottom surface 4 resting impurity particles to the

To move recess, the orientation of the

Detergent 110 is dependent on the direction of rotation of the rotor.

FIG. 9A further shows the stop mechanism 107, which cooperates with the rotor axis 106. This includes the

Stop mechanism 107 u. a. an at least partially elastic arm 107c, which in depressions one in the

Rotor axle 106 formed teeth 106b (see Figure 9B) can intervene. This stop mechanism is used to set the rotor at certain operating conditions, so that unintentional rotation of the rotor is avoided. This can prevent unintentionally dispensing a portion of medication. For example, the stop mechanism can lock the rotor when the reservoir from the

Container receptacle is removed. This can for example be provided that when placing the reservoir on the container receptacle of the stop mechanism 107 is brought about the at least partially elastic arm 107c out of engagement with the toothing 106b, when removing the

Reservoir but again takes an engagement in the teeth and the rotor is fixed so.

Claims

claims

1. storage container (1) for a device for

automated dispensing of individual medication portions, comprising

a housing (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e) surrounding a receiving space (2) with a bottom surface (4),

one on the bottom surface (4) arranged

Singling device (100) with at least one channel (102) for receiving at least one medication portion, wherein the at least one channel (102) has an opening (103) facing the receiving space (2) and an opening (104) facing the bottom area (4),

wherein the bottom surface (4) facing the opening (104) is associated with a contact area (10) on the bottom surface (4), via which the medicament portions in a movement of the

Separation device (100) are performed,

at least one in the bottom surface (4) outside the

Contact surface (10) arranged recess (7) for receiving impurity particles present in the container.

2. Storage container (1) according to claim 1, characterized

characterized in that the separating device comprises a rotor (101) arranged on the bottom surface (4) with a plurality of channels (102), the rotor being arranged such that between the underside of the rotor (101) and the rotor

Bottom surface (4) is provided a gap through which

Pollution particles can pass.

3. reservoir (1) according to claim 2, characterized

marked,

in that at least a portion of the bottom surface (4)

is funnel-shaped, wherein the rotor (101) is arranged in the center of the funnel-shaped portion, and in that the at least one depression (7) formed in the bottom surface lies between the center of the funnel-shaped

Section and the contact area is arranged.

4. reservoir (1) according to claim 3, characterized

characterized in that the at least one recess (7) is designed as a groove coaxial with the rotor axis.

5. Storage container (1) according to any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that the rotor (101) on its side facing the bottom surface a plurality of

Cleaning agent (110), the contaminant particles of the at least one recess (7) supply.

6. reservoir (1) according to any one of claims 2-5, characterized in that on the bottom surface (4) has a circular, coaxial with the rotor axis projection (9)

is formed, wherein the at least one recess (7) outside of the projection (9) enclosed bottom surface (4) is arranged.

7. Storage container (1) according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that at least a portion of

Floor surface (4) is coated with a non-stick coating.

8. Storage container (1) according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the storage container a

Vibration device (12).