DK3199463T3

DK3199463T3 - Method for filling a transport tray for transferring drug portions and filling station for such a transport tray

Info

Publication number: DK3199463T3
Application number: DK16153272.6T
Authority: DK
Inventors: Christoph Hellenbrand
Original assignee: Becton Dickinson Rowa Germany Gmbh
Priority date: 2016-01-29
Filing date: 2016-01-29
Publication date: 2018-07-23
Also published as: KR20180107115A; AU2016389160A2; KR102641059B1; TR201809371T4; JP2019504678A; AU2016389160A1; EP3199463A1; BR112018013696A2; CN108698724A; CN108698724B; CA3012893A1; WO2017129303A1; EP3199463B1; AU2016389160B2

Description

The present invention relates to a method for filling a transport tray for the delivery of pharmaceutical products into a machine tray of an automatic dispensing station and a filling station for such a transport tray.

Modern blister vending machines, as disclosed, for example, in WO 2013/034504 Al, comprise, depending on their capacity, several hundred storage and dispensing stations. In each of these a plurality of pharmaceutical portions of a particular pharmaceutical type are stored, and individual pharmaceutical portions can be delivered on request. With the blister vending machines, the pharmaceutical portions in the storage and dispensing stations are assembled and blister-packed according to the individual patient in accordance with the entries prescribed by a doctor.

Due to the nature of storage and dispensing stations, usually only those types of pharmaceuticals are stored in the latter, which are needed relatively frequently and/or have a longer shelf life. In other words, the supply and delivery stations used in large numbers are not suitable for those types of pharmaceuticals that are not used frequently, have a very short shelf life or, due to their physical or galenic properties, cannot or should not be separated in the supply and dispensing stations.

The above-mentioned types of pharmaceuticals are supplied to the blistering process in known blister vending machines, as also described in the aforementioned WO publication, via an alternative automatic dispensing station. These automatic dispensing stations can be designed, for example, as permanently mounted drawer systems that have a pull-out machine tray for the temporary storage of pharmaceutical portions of the aforementioned pharmaceutical type. In the retracted or pulled-out state, a mobile transport tray can be placed on the machine tray, from where pharmaceutical portions are transferred to the machine tray of the automatic dispensing station. For this purpose, both the machine tray and the transport tray have a plurality of receptacles for pharmaceutical portions, wherein the arrangements of the receptacles of the transport and the machine tray are coordinated to ensure a smooth transfer. The receptacles of both the machine tray and transport tray have bottom openings that can be released and closed with a locking device.

With the aid of the transport tray, several pharmaceutical portions or only one pharmaceutical portion can be transferred. Usually, the transport trays are manually loaded by a user (for example, according to an automatically created filling plan). Depending on the pharmaceutical compositions to be blister-packed by the blister vending machine, it is common for the receptacles of a transport tray to be filled with different types of pharmaceuticals and/or a different number of pharmaceutical portions. As a result, the desired fillings of the receptacles of the transport tray may differ from each other, i.e. that, for example, according to nominal filling in the receptacle 1, three pharmaceutical portions of pharmaceutical type 1 and in receptacle 2 two pharmaceutical portions of pharmaceutical type 1 and two pharmaceutical portions of pharmaceutical type 2 are to be filled. In order to enable correct and error-free blistering, it is essential that the correct target filling is present in the correct receptacle. Due to the relatively high number of receptacles of a transport tray and the similar design of all receptacles, it is soon possible to erroneously fill known transport trays, which then need to be corrected in a time-consuming manner . DE 10 2011 086 575 A1 discloses an apparatus and a method for the individual filling of pharmaceuticals into blisters. The area of the blister to be filled is illuminated by a monitor, whereupon the pharmaceutical is filled accordingly in the illuminated positions of the blister. After each tablet, a picture of the blister is documented by means of a camera.

The objective of the present invention to provide a method for filling a transport tray, by means of which the risk of incorrectly filling the receptacles of the transport tray is reduced. A further objective of the present invention is to provide a corresponding filling station for a transport tray.

The objective is achieved by a method for filling a transport tray for transferring pharmaceutical portions into a machine tray of an automatic dispensing station according to claim 1. The transport tray used in the method according to the invention comprises a plurality of receptacles for pharmaceutical portions, and according to the invention a target filling of a plurality of receptacles of the transport tray is transmitted to a control device, wherein the target filling comprises at least information about the at least one pharmaceutical type to be filled and the number of pharmaceutical portions per pharmaceutical type and receptacle.

Based on the provided target filling and on a filling regime, at least one filling pattern is created and displayed by means of a display device. The "filling regime" thereby determines the filling pattern based on the created criteria, wherein the filling regime itself may again be influenced by the composition of the target filling, in particular by the number of pharmaceutical types to be filled according to the target filling. Depending on the filling regime, per target filling, only one filling pattern or a plurality of filling patterns can be created and displayed. According to the invention, corresponding pharmaceutical portions are transferred to a filling pattern in the receptacles of the transport tray to be filled according to the filling pattern. This can be done manually by a user, alternatively, the transfer can also be automated and/or performed using a tool. Depending on the number of filling patterns and the filling regime one or more transfers can take place. If the transfer is performed by a user, it corresponds to "normal" filling or filling by hand.

After all pharmaceutical portions have been transferred into the receptacles of the transport tray, i.e. when all filling patterns have been processed, an image of at least the receptacles to be filled in accordance with the target filling is created by means of an optical detection device and the actual filling, quantity and quality of the filled pharmaceutical portions is determined based on the image and compared with the target filling. For this purpose, the image or the images are analysed, for example, by a special image processing software, wherein in the analysis the target filling of the receptacle(s) and the characteristics of individual pharmaceutical portions are used. These characteristics are known to the software. Alternatively, the target filling may include this, for example, in the event that a completely new type of drug has been inserted. The target filling then includes not only the requirement that receptacle X should contain a number of Y pharmaceutical portions of a certain new pharmaceutical type, but also, for example, how large the individual pharmaceutical portions are and what colour they are.

If, when comparing the actual filling of all the receptacles to be filled, no deviation from the target filling (a target deviation) is determined, the transport tray is released.

The optical detection device can thus be used to determine unambiguously whether the receptacles to be filled in accordance with the target filling have been filled with the correct pharmaceutical portions, wherein not only the quantity but also the quality is taken into account. It is therefore not possible for a transport tray to be released for further processing, in which not all receptacles are filled correctly according to target filling.

When transferring the pharmaceutical portions into the receptacles, it may happen that a pharmaceutical portion accidentally enters receptacles that should remain free according to the target filling. It is therefore preferred that the actual filling not only of the receptacles to be filled in accordance with the target filling, but of all receptacles of the transport tray is detected, determined and compared with the target filling.

As already explained, the at least one filling pattern is created on the basis of a filling regime. If the target filling comprises a plurality of types of pharmaceuticals, it can be advantageous, for example, to make work easier for a user, to create a plurality of filling patterns, which are processed one after the other. With "simple" target fillings, to speed up the processing, it may be preferable for a filling pattern to be created, which comprises all the receptacles to be filled and all of the types of drugs to be packaged.

In particular, when the target filling comprises a plurality of pharmaceutical types and/or portions, incorrect filling may occur. In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is therefore preferable for a plurality of filling patterns to be created, these in each case comprising all the receptacles to be filled but only one pharmaceutical type. The pharmaceutical portions according to target filling are thus filled sequentially according to type. In this case, the steps b) (displaying the various filling patterns in succession) and c) are repeated until the target filling of all the receptacles to be filled is achieved. In this embodiment, a filling pattern is virtually a filling step, the subsequent transfer according to process step c) a transfer step, wherein both steps are repeated until all receptacles are filled according to target filling. In this embodiment, only one pharmaceutical type per filling pattern is filled. This reduces the likelihood that errors occur in the composition of the target filling. Thus, for example, it is conceivable to provide the user with only one pharmaceutical type to be filled according to the filling pattern. Possibly, exactly as many pharmaceutical portions can be provided, as must be transferred into the receptacles, so that a user already detects a possibly faulty filling during the transfer.

In an alternative embodiment, provision can be made for a plurality of filling patterns to be created, these comprising all the pharmaceutical portions for a receptacle to be filled, and for steps b) and c) to be repeated until the target filling of all receptacles to be filled is achieved. The pharmaceutical portions according to target filling are thus filled sequentially based on receptacles. Unlike the previous embodiment, different pharmaceutical types are not filled sequentially, but a receptacle is completely filled before moving on to the next. A corresponding embodiment may be advantageous depending on the type of display of a filling pattern; since only a fill pattern for a receptacle is displayed and processed, the likelihood of faulty filling is reduced.

As an alternative to the above-described ways of creating the filling patterns, in an extreme case, the filling regime can also provide that only one single portion of medication per filling pattern is filled into a receptacle, i.e. that in this case the number of filling patterns corresponds to the total number of pharmaceutical portions.

Which of the above-mentioned ways of creating the filling pattern or patterns, that is, which filling regime is used, depends on the exact composition of the target filling. If the transfer is done manually by a user, individual properties of the user can also influence the filling regime. In general, it can be provided that the user by different settings has a far-reaching influence on the creation of the filling pattern(s) or according to which filling regime the filling pattern or patterns are created.

Regardless of which filling regime is used to create the filling patterns, in a preferred embodiment of the method, it is provided that a filling pattern is displayed by displaying and processing a plurality of partial filling patterns. A filling pattern is thus subdivided into a plurality of sub-patterns, wherein different receptacles and/or different pharmaceutical types can be assigned to the latter. The partial filling patterns are easier to process, and the probability of errors when transferring or filling the receptacles decreases .

According to the invention, pharmaceutical portions are transferred to the receptacles of the transport tray. This can be done manually, for example, by a user. In the case of a "direct" transfer of the pharmaceutical portions into the receptacles of the transport tray, the target filling is compiled directly in these receptacles, in accordance with the filling regime or the filling pattern(s). In particular, when the target filling is compiled sequentially with regard to various pharmaceutical types, it may be advantageous to configure the transfer to the receptacles of the transport tray with an interposed temporary receptacle. In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the pharmaceutical portions are filled prior to transfer into the receptacles of the transport tray according to filling pattern in corresponding receptacles of a transfer tray disposed above the transport tray. This handover tray enables a variety of other embodiments that reduce the probability of incorrect filling, facilitate the documentation of the filling operation, and simplify the display of a filling pattern and make it more user-friendly. In other words, the interposition of the transfer tray greatly increases the flexibility of the process.

According to the invention the actual filling of the receptacles of the transport tray is checked before release, and only if all receptacles are filled according to their target does the release take place. If an error (target deviation) is determined, the actual filling has to be checked and supplemented or corrected by the corresponding pharmaceutical portions, wherein the supplemental pharmaceutical portions are determined when comparing the actual filling with the target filling. Especially with complex target fillings, this can be time-consuming. Furthermore, this is a disadvantage in the event that the wrong type of pharmaceutical type is present in a receptacle, if necessary, all pharmaceutical portions of a receptacle must be discarded (as there is a risk of allergic reaction).

To make it possible to detect an error as early as possible, it is provided in a preferred embodiment that an image of at least the receptacles to be filled according to the filling pattern is created by means of an optical detection device and based on the image the actual filling, the quantity and quality of the filled pharmaceutical portions, is comprised, detected, determined and compared with the corresponding filling pattern, and, if no filling deviation is determined, the next filling pattern is displayed until the target filling of all receptacles to be filled is achieved.

In this embodiment, not only the final actual filling, but also the "temporary" actual fillings are determined according to the current filling pattern and compared with the current filling pattern. In this way, one can immediately detect an error, and the "continuance" of the error until the point of target filling is avoided. This embodiment can be combined particularly effectively with the interposition of the transfer tray, especially if the filling patterns are generated according to the pharmaceutical type. For each filling pattern/filling step, only pharmaceutical portions of one pharmaceutical type are included in a receptacle of the transfer tray, so it is particularly easy to identify a possible error.

However, even with the sequential-type filling without transfer tray, this embodiment is advantageously applicable. To determine a filling deviation, in the case of the second and each subsequent pharmaceutical type, for example, a receptacle image of a previous filling can be used and a difference image can be generated with the current receptacle image, which is then used to determine the actual filling. With this embodiment, it is also possible to process very extensive target fillings, in which possibly pharmaceutical portions of overlying pharmaceutical portions can be obscured completely.

In the event of an incorrect filling of the transfer tray, the user is asked to correct them and only then should the pharmaceutical portions be transferred to the receptacles of the transport tray. In order to prevent a transfer being initiated even in the presence of an error (a filling deviation), in a preferred embodiment, provided no filling deviation is determined, the transfer of the pharmaceutical portions from the transfer tray into the transport tray is released; otherwise the transfer will not be released. The "release", for example, can be done by a light signal. However, the transfer tray will regularly include a locking device that allows a transfer of the pharmaceutical portions only when released.

Alternatively, the transfer can also take place automatically after the release, for which purpose the locking device is then designed accordingly, for example, is coupled to a corresponding drive or has such a drive.

The filling pattern (s) are displayed on a display device according to the invention. To simplify possible error correction, it is preferred that when determining a filling deviation, this is displayed by means of the display device.

The one or several filling pattern/s can be displayed on the display device besides the transport tray. To do this, the user must constantly move his gaze back and forth between the display device and the transport tray (or transfer tray). In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that each receptacle of the transport or transfer tray is associated with at least one display means of the display device, which displays the filling pattern in the corresponding receptacles. For this purpose, for example, several diodes may be provided per receptacle. Alternatively, small displays can be installed in the trays .

The allocation of display means reduces the probability of incorrect filling, but the display means also increases the cost of the trays. In an alternative embodiment, it is therefore intended that filling patterns be displayed by projecting filling patterns onto the transport tray or the transfer tray. This can be done for example with a laser or any other display device. This type of display of the filling patterns has the advantage that the user does not have to constantly look back and forth between the display and receptacle, furthermore, there are no costs for additional display means for the receptacles. Although a projection device is necessary, this can be used for all transport trays to be filled. In addition, this can also interact easily with transfer trays.

For documentation purposes, it may be provided that the images generated by the optical detection device are stored to determine the actual filling according to the filling pattern and/or the actual filling according to the target filling.

According to the invention, it is provided that an image is produced of at least the receptacles to be filled in accordance with the target filling after all pharmaceutical portions have been distributed amongst the receptacles. The actual filling of the receptacles is thus only determined when all filling patterns that were created and displayed based on the filling regime and target filling have been processed. This means that an incorrect filling, for example, of the first filling pattern is not detected directly, but remains undetected until the alleged completion of the target filling.

In a preferred embodiment of process in which multiple filling patterns are created, it is provided that after appropriate pharmaceutical portions have been transferred into the receptacles to be filled according to a filling pattern, an image of at least a receptacle to be filled according to the filling pattern is created by means of an optical detection device and the actual filling is determined on the basis of the image and compared with the filling pattern and the next filling pattern is displayed, if no deviation is determined. But if a deviation is detected, it can be displayed to the user, so that the same can be corrected early. After the correction, the filling is then rechecked according to the current filling pattern.

With appropriate choice of filling regime (one filling pattern per receptacle or even one filling pattern per pharmaceutical portion) , one can freely choose the level of testing, from a check after filling all pharmaceutical portions of a target filling to a check per pharmaceutical portion. According to the invention, the at least one filling pattern is displayed by means of a display device. If several filling patterns are created based on the filling regime, they are usually displayed in succession; this procedure is intended to facilitate work for the user and to avoid incorrect filling.

However, it may be more comfortable for a user in certain constellations (particularly with regard to "orientation" on the tray) that not every filling pattern is displayed sequentially, but several filling patterns, for example, for a pharmaceutical type (in type-sequential filling) are displayed simultaneously and a processed filling pattern is "deleted", that is - no longer displayed. When a filling pattern is assigned to each receptacle, this has the effect that the user perceives a "large" changing filling pattern composed of a plurality of fill patterns.

The invention is further achieved by a filling station for a transport tray for transferring pharmaceutical portions into a machine tray of an automatic dispensing station according to claim 12. The filling station comprises a transport tray with a plurality of receptacles in each case for at least one pharmaceutical portion, wherein each receptacle has a bottom opening, and a closing device disposed under the receptacles, with which the bottom openings of the receptacles can be opened and closed. The filling station further comprises a display device with which filling patterns can be displayed, which in each case indicate to a user which of the receptacles are to be filled with which pharmaceutical portions, an optical detection device with which images of receptacles with the pharmaceutical portions disposed therein can be created, and a control device coupled with the display device and the optical detection device.

The control device is configured according to the invention in such a way that depending on a predetermined nominal filling of the receptacles of the transport tray and depending on a predetermined filling regime, at least one filling pattern is generated and transmitted to the display device based on images the actual filling of the receptacles is determined and compared with the filling of the receptacles according to target filling a possible target deviation is determined, and, if no target deviation is determined, the transport tray is released for transfer of the pharmaceutical portions to the machine tray. How exactly the filling pattern or patterns are created has already been explained with reference to the method, so there is no need for repetition here.

In a preferred embodiment of the filling station, which permits increased flexibility with regard to the guidance of the process according to the invention, the filling station comprises a transfer tray disposed above the transport tray with a plurality of receptacles, wherein the arrangement of the receptacles of the transfer tray corresponds to the arrangement of receptacles of the transport tray and wherein the transfer tray comprises a locking device disposed under the receptacles, with which bottom openings of the receptacles can be released and closed.

In order to simplify the reading of the filling pattern for a user, and thus further avoid the possibility of incorrect filling, it is provided in an embodiment that the display device comprises a plurality of display means associated with the receptacles. A corresponding design makes it possible that the filling patterns are displayed directly in the receptacles that are currently to be filled. Alternatively (or possibly additionally), the filling station may comprise a projection device with which filling patterns can be projected onto the transport or transfer tray. Depending on the exact development of the filling station, the display device can be configured as a projection device, or else the display device can comprise a projection device.

In the following, preferred embodiments of the process and of the filling station are described with reference to the drawing, in which:

Figure 1A and IB show two stages of a first embodiment of the process according to the invention and a first embodiment of the filling station according to the invention,

Figures 2A - 2C show various stages of a second embodiment of the process according to the invention and a second embodiment of the filling station according to the invention,

Figures 3A and 3B show two oblique views of a combination transfer tray/transport tray according to a third embodiment,

Figures 4A - 4D show various oblique views of the third embodiment of the transfer tray.

Figures 5A - 5D show various oblique views of the third preferred embodiment of the transport tray.

Figures 6A - 6C show various sections through the combination of transfer tray/transport tray shown in Figures 3A and 3B, and

Figures 7A and 7B show various views of a fourth embodiment of the transfer tray, and

Figure 7C shows a fifth embodiment of the transfer tray.

Figures 1A and IB show two stages of a first embodiment of the process according to the invention and a first embodiment of the filling station according to the invention. The filling station comprises a transport tray 100 with a plurality of receptacles 110, of which bottom openings of a closing device are blocked by a closing plate 121. The closing device is described in more detail with reference to the following figures. The filling station according to the first embodiment further comprises an optical detection device 300 disposed above the transport tray 100 as well as a projection device 450, wherein both aforementioned devices are coupled with a control device 500.

In Figure 1A, a schematic plan view of the transport tray is shown below the transport tray 100 on the left, and a magnified detail of this plan view on the right. In the plan view, it is apparent that the transport tray 100 has receptacles 110, which are divided into 12 columns with two rows. In the magnified detail, the individual receptacles are numbered, wherein the receptacle has the number (1,1) in the top left. In the magnified detail, one can further see that a filling pattern FM is projected on the transport tray 100, wherein each receptacle is associated with a portion FM (1,1), FM (1,2), etc. of the filling pattern. Depending on the operation of the projection device 450 and depending on the precise process control, the sections of the filling pattern may all be displayed simultaneously or sequentially as partial filling patterns.

In the embodiment described here, the target filling comprises only one pharmaceutical type and therefore only one filling pattern was generated. The sections of the filling pattern FM (1,1), FM (1,2), etc. associated with the receptacles were sequentially displayed with a laser but are simultaneously displayed in the detail enlargement for illustration purposes.

In the illustration of Figure 1A, the transfer is completed according to the first (and only) filling pattern, i.e. all receptacles to be filled according to the target filling have been filled. In this embodiment, this is done manually by a user. As can be seen in a comparison of the section FM (1,2) of the filling pattern with receptacle 110 (1,2), this receptacle has only one pharmaceutical portion, although the target filling provided two pharmaceutical portions.

According to the invention, an image at least of the receptacles to be filled is created (or an image per receptacle) with the optical detection device 300 (e.g. a digital camera), and on the basis of this image and of the information that is available on the pharmaceutical portions, the actual filling at least according to the target filling of receptacles to be filled are determined and compared with the target filling.

For the receptacle 110 (1,2) a target deviation occurs, since only one pharmaceutical portion of two provided in the receptacle 100 (1,2) is present. In the depicted embodiment, this target deviation is displayed for the receptacle 100 (1,2) by projecting a " + 1" (see Figure IB). Due to the target deviation, the transport tray 100 is not yet released. A release takes place only when there is no more target deviation.

Figures 2A - 2C show various stages of a second embodiment of a process for filling a transport tray 100. In Figures 2A - 2C a second embodiment of the filling station according to the invention is shown.

The filling station according to the invention comprises a transfer tray 200 with a plurality of receptacles 210, which are disposed in a matrix-like manner in a receptacle region (shown in Figure 3A), wherein each of these receptacles 210 has a bottom opening, which, in Figures 2A-2C, are closed by a closing plate 221 of a closing device. The closing device is described in more detail with reference to the following figures .

The filling station further comprises a display device 400, with which filling patterns can be displayed, which in each case indicate to a user which of the receptacles 210 are to be filled in each case with how many pharmaceutical portions. In Figure 2A, the display device 400 is designed such that it has 24 different cells 420, which reflect 24 receptacles 210 of the transfer tray 200. In the embodiment shown, the 24 receptacles are divided into 12 columns with two rows .

In the second embodiment of the process according to the invention, the target filling comprises two pharmaceutical types, which are filled sequentially according to type, i.e. the filling regime dictates that two filling patterns be created and displayed (one fill pattern per pharmaceutical type) . Due to the design of the display device, the filling pattern is completely displayed on the latter.

In Figure 2A, the display device displays a first filling pattern that indicates to a user of the filling station, how many pharmaceutical portions per receptacle are to be filled in a first filling step, wherein the number of pharmaceutical portions to be filled in is reproduced by a number in the upper half of one of the cells 420 of the display device 400. As can be seen, receptacles 210 (1,1) and 210 (1,2) according to the filling patterns are each to be filled with one pharmaceutical portion, receptacle 210 (1,3) with zero pharmaceutical portions, receptacle 210 (1,4) with two pharmaceutical portions, etc.

In the depicted embodiment of the filling station/of the process, not the transport tray, but a transfer tray 200 disposed above it, is filled with pharmaceutical portions, and from this the pharmaceutical portions per filling pattern are transferred to the receptacles 110 of the transport tray 100.

As can be derived from Figure 2A, the transport tray also has a plurality of receptacles 110, wherein the arrangement of the receptacles 110 is adapted to the arrangement of the receptacles 210. The receptacles 110 of the transport tray are closed by a closing plate 121 of a closing device, which is described in more detail with reference to subsequent figures.

In the stage of the process according to the invention shown in Figure 2A, the first filling pattern has already been processed. As can be seen in a comparison between the cells (1,3), (1,5) of the display device 400 and the corresponding receptacles, the number of the pharmaceutical portions disposed in the receptacles 210 (1,3) and 210 (1,5) does not correspond to the number according to the filling pattern as indicated on the display device 400. According to filling patterns, zero pharmaceutical portions had to be disposed in the receptacle 210 (1,3) and one pharmaceutical portion in receptacle 210 (1,5). This is not the case. In receptacle 210 (1,3) one pharmaceutical portion is disposed and in receptacle 210 (1,5) zero pharmaceutical portions are disposed.

In the depicted embodiment, the filling deviation is determined by producing an image of the receptacles (or one image per receptacle) with the optical detection device. Based on the image (or images) and the information known about the filled pharmaceutical type, the number of pharmaceutical portions and thus the actual filling can be determined. In the depicted embodiment, only the number needs to be determined because only one pharmaceutical type is filled per filling pattern. In other embodiments, however, it may be necessary to determine the type and number of pharmaceutical portions filled.

The depicted embodiment of the filling station further comprises a plurality of sensor means 213 associated with the receptacles 210, with which the number (and only the number) of the pharmaceutical portions per receptacle can be determined. The determination of the number by means of the sensor means 213 can be advantageous in such a case, since no complex image processing is necessary.

According to the invention, based on the determined actual filling and of the filling pattern a possible filling deviation is determined. In the event that such a filling deviation is determined, a transfer of the pharmaceutical portions into the receptacles of the transport tray 100 is not released. Only when it has been determined that there is no filling deviation, may the pharmaceutical portions be transferred.

According to Figure 2A, a filling deviation exists in the receptacles 210 (1,3) and 210 (1,5), which is made clear on the display device 400, whereby the user is requested to correct the filling of the two receptacles with incorrect filling.

In the process depicted in Figures 2A - 2C, two pharmaceutical types are to be filled in accordance with the target filling, so that after the first pharmaceutical type has been transferred to the transport tray, a further filling pattern is displayed, which is shown in Figure 2B. As can be seen from the filling pattern according to row 1 of the display device 400 and the filled receptacles 210, the filling of row 1 of the receptacles 210 corresponds to the filling pattern, and the filled pharmaceutical portions can be transferred into the transport tray.

Figure 2C depicts a stage of the process in which the transfer tray has been removed from the transport tray to determine the actual filling of the receptacles 110 of the transport tray. Although it follows that when each filling pattern was transferred without errors, the target filling of all receptacles 110 of the transport tray should be error-free. However, an intermediate control of the individual filling patterns is provided only in a preferred embodiment of the process and is not absolutely necessary, so that a final inspection of the receptacles of the transport tray cannot be dispensed with generally.

And even when all filling patterns have been filled in without error, it can happen that during a transfer a pharmaceutical portion jumps out of the receptacles through, for instance, the movement of a closing plate under the bottom openings of the receptacles or remains glued to the wall of the receptacle. This can lead to the target filling of the receptacles 110 of the transport tray not being correct in all receptacles, despite the correct filling of the receptacles according to the filling pattern(s).

This is checked according to the invention, in that, by using an optical detection device (or several, for example one per receptacle) an image is made at least of the receptacles to be filled according to the target filling and the images are subjected to image processing, which, based on the information on the filled-in pharmaceutical types, delivers the pharmaceutical portions per pharmaceutical type.

In the image processing, it can also be provided that the detection of foreign objects, such as residues of blister packs, causes the receptacle or the filling to be marked as faulty and a user instructed to make a correction (removal of foreign body). A release then takes place only after removal of the faulty filling.

As can be seen in Figure 2C, the filling of the receptacle 110(1,9) is not correct, although the two upstream checks of the respective filling patterns resulted in a correct filling of the transfer tray. If a faulty filling of a receptacle 110 is determined, it is displayed on the display device, and the transport tray is not released yet.

In the embodiment shown, the filling pattern and a possible filling deviation and target deviation are displayed on the display device 400. Alternatively, the display device may also comprise a plurality of display means, wherein each receptacle is or can be associated with a display means. With these display means, the number of pharmaceutical portions to be filled can be displayed directly on the receptacle, which may avoid transmission errors from a remotely disposed display device. The display means thereby can be formed, for example, as a digital display. Provided that the filling takes place only of one pharmaceutical portion per filling step, the display means can also only indicate the receptacle in which a pharmaceutical portion is to be filled. These display means can also be used for representing a deviation after determining the actual filling.

Figures 3A and 3B show a combination of a transfer tray 200 and a transport tray 100, wherein the transfer tray is placed on the transport tray, wherein this arrangement results from the function of both trays .

Figure 3A shows a plan view of the aforementioned combination. The transfer tray 200 disposed at the top comprises a frame 201, in which a receptacle plate 203 is inserted, which has a plurality of receptacles 210 for receiving one or several pharmaceutical portions. As can be seen in Figure 3A, the receptacles 210 in the depicted embodiment are divided into four rows with twelve columns. The transfer tray 200 comprises at the front face side a handle 202, with which a closing device 220 of the transfer tray 200 described with reference to subsequent figures can be operated. Under the transfer tray 200 is the transport tray 100 disposed, which also has a frame 101 and a handle 102.

Figure 3B shows a bottom view of the aforementioned combination, and thus a view of the bottom portion of the transport tray 100. In this illustration, in particular, a closing device 120 of the transport tray 100 can be seen, with which (not visible in Figure 3B) bottom openings 111 of the receptacles in the transport tray can be released and closed. For this purpose, the closing device comprises a closing plate 121, which is held by a plurality of guides 122 and holding means 123 on the frame 101 of the transport tray. The closing plate 121 comprises a plurality of openings 124 for releasing the bottom openings. As can also be seen from this view, the receiving plate 103 of the transport tray comprises a plurality of openings 104, which are disposed between the rows of receptacles 110 for weight reduction. On the frame 101, an additional holder 125 is mounted, which supports the closing plate in the central region.

Figures 4A - 4D show various perspective views of the transfer tray 200, wherein Figure 4A shows a perspective view from above. Figures 4B and 4C show the transfer tray in perspective from below, wherein the receptacles in Figure 4B are closed and almost completely released in Figure 4C. As can also be seen from Figure 4B, also the receptacle plate 203 of the transfer tray has openings 204 for weight reduction. The closing plate 221 of the locking device 220, as is also the case with the transport tray, is held by guides/ holders 222, 223 on the frame 201. The frame 201 further comprises four projections 205 with which the transfer tray 200 can be aligned on the transport tray 100. Figure 3D depicts the transfer tray without receptacle plate 202 and allows a top view of the closing plate 221, which comprises a plurality of openings 224. The locking device 220 can be manually operated via the handle 202. The receptacle plate 203 is removably formed in the embodiment depicted with respect to the frame 201 to facilitate the cleaning of the receptacles and the closing plate.

Figures 5A - 5D once again depict different views of the transport tray 100, wherein in Figure 5A, in particular, a plurality of display means 113 are apparent, which can display a correct or faulty filling of the receptacles 110 of the transport tray 100. Otherwise, the design of the transport tray largely corresponds to that of the transfer tray, so that reference is made here to the previous description.

Figures 6A - 6C depict various sectional views through a combination of a transfer tray 200 and a transport tray 100. In figures 6A and 6B, the bottom openings 111, 211 of the receptacles 210 and the receptacles 110 are closed by means of the closing plates. It can further be seen from Figures 6A, 6B that the receptacles 210 or the receptacles 110 are aligned with one another in such a way that the easiest possible transfer can take place. It can also be seen from Figure 6B that the receptacles 210 have a wall that is slightly conical in shape. This prevents shadow formation from taking place at the bottom area of the transfer openings, so that the determination of the actual filling of the receptacles is not made complicated by shadows.

Figure 6C depicts a position in which the closing plate 221 of the closing device of the transfer tray is moved almost completely into the release position by actuation of the handle 202, in which pharmaceutical portions are transferred from the receptacles 210 into the receptacles 110 of the transport tray.

Figures 7A and 7B depict various views of a fourth embodiment of the transfer tray 200, wherein Figure 7A depicts a top view of the transfer tray 200. In this embodiment, two circular display means 230, 231 are provided with each receptacle 210, with which a filling pattern can be displayed. In alternative embodiments, each receptacle 210 may also be associated with only one circular display means or more than two. The circular display means may be formed as continuous light rings, wherein different illumination scenarios may indicate a different number of pharmaceutical portions. The display means can display the lighting scenarios "digital" or "analogue".

Thus, the outer ring can stand for one portion, the inner ring for two portions and both rings for three portions ("digital"). Alternatively (or additionally), the number may be colour-coded (analogue). Figure 7B depicts a sectional view of this embodiment, wherein Figure 7B depicts a combination transport tray/transfer tray.

Figure 7C finally depicts a further embodiment in which a plurality of display means 250, 251 are respectively disposed on two annular surfaces 240, 241 that are formed coaxially with the centre of the receptacle 210. In this embodiment, also "complicated" filling patterns can be displayed. This is particularly helpful if the filling is not sorted, but the receptacles are filled sequentially with different pharmaceutical portions and types. The display means of the outer ring surface can then indicate pharmaceutical type 1, the inner ring surface pharmaceutical type 2.

Claims

A method of filling a transport tray (100) for transferring drug portions to a machine tray in an automatic dispensing station, wherein the transport tray (100) comprises a plurality of containers (110) for drug portions, a) thereto a control device ( 500) a reference filling of a plurality of containers (110) is transmitted in the transport tray (100), wherein the reference filling information comprises at least information regarding the at least one drug type to be filled and the number of drug portions per drug type and container; b) at least one filling pattern, based on the reference filling and on a filling system, is generated and displayed by means of a display device (400, 450), c) the drug portions corresponding to the filling pattern are transferred to the containers (110) in the transport tray (100) (d) a picture of at least the containers to be filled according to the reference filling, genes is determined by means of an optical detection device (300) and the actual filling comprising the amount and quality of the drug portions filled therein is ascertained using the image and compared with the reference filling, and, (e) if no deviating from the reference, the transport tray (100) is released for transfer of the drug portions to the machine tray.

Method for filling a transport tray (100) for transferring drug portions to a machine tray in an automatic dispensing station according to claim 1, characterized in that a filling pattern is generated, which comprises all containers (110) to be filled. , and all drug types to be placed therein.

Method for filling a transport tray (100) for transferring drug portions to a machine tray in an automatic dispensing station according to claim 1, characterized in that a number of filling patterns are generated, each of which comprises all containers (110), which is to be filled and a drug type, and that steps b) and c) are repeated until the reference filling of all the containers to be filled is obtained.

Method for filling a transport tray (100) for transferring drug portions to a machine tray in an automatic dispensing station according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of filling patterns are generated, thereby providing for a container (110) which filled, includes all drug portions, and that steps b) and c) are repeated until the reference filling of all containers to be filled is obtained.

Method for filling a transport tray (100) for transferring drug portions to a machine tray in an automatic dispensing station according to one of claims 1-4, characterized in that a filling pattern is displayed by displaying a number of partial filling patterns. .

Method for filling a transport tray (100) for transferring drug portions to a machine tray in an automatic dispensing station according to one of claims 2-5, characterized in that the drug portions prior to transfer to the containers (110) in the transport tray (100) 100) is filled according to filling patterns in corresponding containers (210) in a transfer tray (200) located above the transport tray (100).

Method for filling a transport tray (100) for transferring drug portions to a machine tray in an automatic dispensing station according to one of claims 2-6, characterized in that an image of at least the containers (110, 210) which is to be filled according to the filling pattern is generated by an optical detection device (300) and the actual filling comprising the amount and quality of the filled drug portions is determined using the image and compared with the corresponding filling pattern and, if no deviation is detected, the next fill pattern displays until the reference fill of all the containers to be filled is obtained.

Method for filling a transport tray (100) for transferring drug portions to a machine tray in an automatic dispensing station according to claim 7, characterized in that, if no filling deviation is found, the transfer of the drug portions from the filling tray (200) ) to the transport tray (100) is released.

Method for filling a transport tray (100) for transferring drug portions to a machine tray in an automatic dispensing station according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, if a filling deviation is found, this displays by means of the display device (400).

Method for filling a transport tray (100) for transferring drug portions to a machine tray in an automatic dispensing station according to one of claims 1-9, characterized in that the filling pattern is displayed, the filling pattern being projected onto the transport tray or filling tray. tray (200).

Method for filling a transport tray (100) for transferring drug portions to a machine tray in an automatic dispensing station according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that images generated by the optical detection device for detecting of the current filling according to the filling pattern and / or the current filling in relation to the reference filling is stored.

Method for filling a transport tray (100) for transferring drug portions to a machine tray in an automatic dispensing station according to one of claims 1-11, characterized in that, after a drug portion corresponding to a filling pattern is transferred to the containers, to be filled according to fill patterns, an image of at least the containers to be filled according to fill patterns is generated by an optical detection device (300) and the actual fill is determined using the image and compared with the fill pattern, and , if there is no deviation, the next fill pattern is displayed.

Method for filling a transport tray (100) for transferring drug portions to a machine tray in an automatic dispensing station according to claim 12, characterized in that a number of filling patterns are simultaneously displayed and the display is updated after a filling pattern has been effected. .

A filling station for filling a transport tray (100) for transferring drug portions to a machine tray in an automatic dispensing station comprising a transport tray (100) with a plurality of containers (110) for a respective, at least one, drug portion, container (110) comprises a bottom opening (111), and with a closure device (120) located below the transfer containers (110), by means of which closure device the bottom openings (111) of the containers (110) can be opened and closed, a display device (400, 450), with which can be displayed filling patterns, each showing to a user which containers (110) to be filled with which drug portions, an optical detection device (300), with which images of containers with drug portions located therein can be displayed. and a control device (500) coupled to the display device (400) and the optical detection device (300), wherein the control device (500) is configured such that ia dependence on a predetermined reference filling of the containers (110) of the transport trays (100) and, depending on a predetermined filling system, at least one filling pattern is generated and transmitted to the display device (400), the actual filling of the containers is determined from pictures of the containers (110) and is compared with the filling of the containers according to the reference filling, and any deviation from the reference is detected, and if no deviation from the reference is detected, the transport tray (100) is released for transfer of the drug portions to the machine tray.

Filling station for filling a transport tray (100) for transferring drug portions to a machine tray in an automatic dispensing station according to claim 14, characterized in that the filling station comprises a filling tray (200) arranged above the transport tray (100) with a plurality of containers (210), wherein the placement of the filling trays (210) corresponds to the placement of the transport tray containers (110), and wherein the filling tray (200) comprises a closing device (220) arranged below the containers (210) with which the bottom opening (211) of the containers (210) can be opened and closed.

Filling station for a transport tray (100) for transferring drug portions to a storage tray in an automatic dispensing station according to one of claims 14 or 15, characterized in that the display device comprises a plurality of display means (113, 410, 230, 231, 250, 251), which are attached to the containers (110, 210).

A filling station for a transport tray (100) for transferring drug portions to a storage tray in an automatic dispensing station according to one of claims 14 - 16, characterized in that the filling station comprises a projection device (450) with which filling patterns can be projected onto the transport or filling tray.