EP1916187B1 - Device for filling packaging units with patients' weekly required supply of medicine - Google Patents
Device for filling packaging units with patients' weekly required supply of medicine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1916187B1 EP1916187B1 EP08101316A EP08101316A EP1916187B1 EP 1916187 B1 EP1916187 B1 EP 1916187B1 EP 08101316 A EP08101316 A EP 08101316A EP 08101316 A EP08101316 A EP 08101316A EP 1916187 B1 EP1916187 B1 EP 1916187B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- blister
- arrangement according
- strip
- medicaments
- filling arrangement
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Not-in-force
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
- B65B5/10—Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles
- B65B5/101—Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles by gravity
- B65B5/103—Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles by gravity for packaging pills or tablets
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B57/00—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices
- B65B57/02—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of binding or wrapping material, containers, or packages
- B65B57/06—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of binding or wrapping material, containers, or packages and operating to control, or to stop, the feed of articles or material to be packaged
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
- A61J1/00—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes
- A61J1/03—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes for pills or tablets
- A61J1/035—Blister-type containers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
- A61J7/00—Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoons; Pill counting devices; Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
- A61J7/04—Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine, e.g. programmed dispensers
Definitions
- the invention relates to a system for automatically equipping packaging units of medicaments with the individual weekly requirements of numerous patient - corresponding administration units - capsules, tablets, dragees - of various medications, arranged in a by - day - day - and daytime - morning, noon, evening, night Sequence according to a patient-related medical prescription to be taken by the respective patient, and with the other, mentioned in the preamble of claim 1, genus-defining features (see US-B-6,318,051 ).
- Packing units of the type corresponding to the prior art have been obviously used by the company Temmler GmbH in the Federal Republic of Germany in the form of medication cartridges and thus well known.
- Such packaging units should be for patients who regularly need to take several different drugs, a help to not only forget the intake of important drugs and on the other hand, to have a reliable overview of what medications are already taken, an over-medication, the harmful could be avoided.
- a compact system suitable for hospital use is known [(IV / MEDI CO., LTD. 390-1, Shin Won Dong, Seo Cho Gu, Seoul, Korea)], the weekly requirement of Patients can be filled with appropriate medication by machine in a packaging unit, which also supports the adherence to the chronological order of the drug intake.
- Data entry of the patient and the data relating to the medical prescription are computer-controlled by separating the medicaments from a magazine containing up to 400 different medicaments in separate cassettes and the orderly packaging of the separated medicaments in tubular packaging units where necessary the medicines can be taken for further sorting.
- the patient-related selection of drugs and their packaging is serial, such that sets of medicines associated with different patients are obtained sequentially, i. H. with the selection of drugs for a patient is only started after the selection of drugs for a previously considered patient is completed.
- the known system is associated with the disadvantage that the loading of a plurality of packaging units is associated with a relatively large amount of time, since the filling of a packaging unit can only be started after a previously to be filled need package is completely filled.
- the known system would not be suitable. Such a quantity requirement would not be meaningful coverable with the required reliability.
- the object of the invention is therefore to provide a system of the type mentioned above, which allows to achieve a drastic increase in the number of dispensable individually different consumption packaging units, with a typical magnitude for a 24-hour operation of the plant a figure of 100,000 is to be regarded, of course, under the constraint, highest possible safety of the regulation conformity.
- the medication individually assigned output stations are provided on which a daytime or weekday-related placement "line by line” juxtaposed receiving compartments of the packaging unit, is feasible; Furthermore, a "longitudinal" transport device is provided, by means of which the packaging units in a predetermined transport direction can be transported sequentially to the different medication individually assigned output stations, which are hereafter provided in a multiplicity corresponding to the number of drugs and usable for equipping different cassettes; the delivery of the drug administration units to the dispensing stations takes place by means of the medicaments of individually associated transverse conveyors, which are controllable in parallel to the dispensing of medicaments which are dispensed for the purpose of equipping a multiplicity of different packaging units; For this purpose, the longitudinal transport device and the transverse conveyors with respect to transport stroke and conveying capacity are coordinated so that per transport stroke of the packaging units and per delivery stroke of the cross-conveyors each row-wise placement of the receiving compartments is achieved, which expediently each takes place in
- processable data are provided in machine-readable form in spatially fixed association with the respective packaging units, d. H. can be transported with these and thus reach reading stations, which are assigned to the output stations, the assembly process is controlled in a simple manner in the manner of a sequencer, which manages with a relatively low data processing effort and accordingly operates quickly and reliably.
- an arrangement of an output station associated reading station is useful, which allows reading the data already before the cassette to be loaded has arrived at the respective output station.
- the packaging units or the receiving compartments bordering parts thereof are expediently also provided with printable fields, on which by means of the output stations individually assigned and integrated in this integrated printing devices protocol information can be printed on the basis of which the assembly of the respective packaging unit can be followed in each case, for reasons the failure safety and any required fault analysis can be of great importance.
- the medicaments - tablets, capsules, dragees or the like - are arranged equidistantly on StMOblistem, which are wound on a supply roll and there are transport drives between the reel and the output stations arranged, seen in the transport direction of the blister sequentially arranged ejection units, by means of which the medicaments can be ejected from the Blisterhöfen and be dispensed into the receiving compartments of the respective packaging units.
- This type of drug storage of the system and realization of the drug output to the packaging units is particularly suitable for a modular design of the entire system, such that an extension of the system to a larger variety of drugs is readily possible and by inserting one of the new Medication types assigned unit can be done.
- a "modular" division of the system into groups of output stations and their associated supply roles for example, in groups of ten output stations or a parent grouping in which, for example, five such groups of ten are combined to form a parent modular unit, is readily possible, as far as so Control purposes, eg. B. from the viewpoint of achieving the most balanced loading times for all drug cartridges, advantageous.
- the output stations can for the transport of the strip blister a z. B. realizable by means of a Maltese cross, simple stepper mechanism transport, which allows in functional connection with a pedometer in a simple way a reliable feed path control. It is understood that in combination with a suitably selected path measuring system, a continuous strip blister feed can be provided.
- Particularly suitable as ejection units are pneumatic Learcylinders which can be designed as single-acting cylinders equipped with return springs or else, depending on the force requirement in the alternative directions of movement, as double-acting cylinders. Due to the features of claims 10 to 12, alternatively or in combination, realizable features of the strip blisters are specified, which enable secure transport and also enable a simple "automatic threading" of strip blisters to be used successively.
- both a constructive simplification of dispensing stations and a time-saving implementation of the dispensing of medication into the receiving compartments of the packaging units can be achieved.
- simple incremental displacement sensor according to claim 21 can be used for path measurement or feed detection of the strip blister, their signals in combination with position sensors for edge markings of the strip blister, as according to the features Of claims 22 and 23 indicated, can be used to sufficiently precise position determinations for the motion control of the strip blister, for which purpose suitable edge markings can be obtained by means provided in accordance with claim 24 marking facilities of the plant itself.
- cutting stations according to claim 25 can be used.
- the security sensor devices can be realized in an advantageously simple arrangement and design according to claims 27 to 29.
- modules each include an output station, a cross conveyor, a supply roll for each strip blister and delivery drives and auxiliary drives and the required Wegmess- and monitoring sensors, it is by adding such modules for statistically often needed drugs readily possible, with relatively little effort "evenly” and needs-based placement systems according to the features of claim 30, preferably in the design according to claim 31 to realize.
- a demand-based expansion of the capacity of a placement system according to the invention can also be represented according to the features of claim 32 with two or more transport systems for packaging units.
- a continuous placement operation can also be realized with a uniformly continuous flow of medicament if the time requirement at the individual dispensing stations is different.
- a particularly efficient production of weekly-requirement blisters as packaging units can be achieved in a preferred embodiment of the placement system according to the invention according to the features of claim 34.
- a placement system is intended for the filling of packaging units 11 with medicaments to be taken by a patient during the course of a week, these packaging units providing assistance to the patient should be that he, according to a medical prescription, a plurality of different drugs in prescription-appropriate dosage and temporal consequence takes, this nothing forgets and also can easily control what has been taken from him or must still be taken.
- the packaging units 11 are designed in the manner of blister packs, in which a multiplicity of receptacles 12 of rectangular shape in the basic form are combined into a uniform transporting board 13 in a regular rectangular matrix configuration.
- the transport board 13 comprises a total of twenty eight receptacles 12 of the same basic form, in the selected for explanation, special embodiment in a number of days of the week corresponding number of columns and in four , the different intake times - morning, noon; Evening and night-assigned lines are arranged.
- the receiving compartments 12 are each arranged equidistantly.
- a generally designated 14 only schematically indicated longitudinal transport device, which may be implemented in the manner of a “linear” conveyor belt device, which has its own drive, or can be realized by means of a plurality of drives, the "direct” engage the transport boards 13, which are to be equipped with the medication transport boards 13 sequentially to along this transport means 14 arranged, a total of 16 designated output stations transportable.
- a drug is dispensed, the medication dispensing at the respective dispensing station 16 being "line by line” such that during a stoppage phase the longitudinal transport device 14 each of the administration time - morning, noon, evening or night - associated with administration units in the respective administration days Monday and / or Tuesday, etc. to Sunday assigned receiving compartments 12 are entered.
- the delivery of the medicaments to the dispensing stations 16 takes place in turn by means of the medications individually assigned, in each case designated 17 transverse conveyors, which are arranged in the transport direction of the transport boards 13 equidistant along the conveyor 14, wherein the distance between adjacent transverse conveyors 17th expediently equal to the width measured in the transport direction b of the transport boards 13 is selected and the boards 13 are in turn designed so that in a transport configuration of the boards 13, in which these with their transverse to the transport direction edges 18 / r and 18 / v directly to each other abut, the distance of each adjacent receptacle rows, one of which is the night-taking and the other of the morning revenue is the same as the distance between two adjacent each other within a board 13 rows of bins and the feed increment correspond t, with a z.
- the medicaments individually associated transverse conveyor are realized by means of strip blisters 21 which are wound on supply rolls 22 and deducted from these.
- the supply rolls 22 are of - for the sake of simplicity not shown - recorded flat cassettes, the can also form the bearings in which the rollers, when the - interchangeable - cartridges are inserted into the system 10, are rotatably mounted.
- the farms containing the respective medicaments are covered with a cover strip 24, which in turn is foil-bonded to the plastic strips 26 forming the courtyards 23.
- the cover strip 24 may in turn be formed as a plastic strip, but is often also designed as a thin aluminum strip or metallized plastic strip, which is provided in the region of the yard openings with acting as predetermined breaking lines line embossing or functionally similar perforations therewith, the opening or the machine removal the drugs from the farms 23 facilitate.
- the yards 23 are in the design example illustrated for explanation on the strip blisters 21 immediately "tight" -nonapt arranged to achieve the highest possible storage capacity per supply roll 22. Seen in the transport direction of the strip blister 21, which cross the seven receiving compartments each arranged in a time-of-day row receiving compartments 12, these are also dense, ie, each other immediately adjacent arranged so that between two adjacent storage compartments 12 remaining, in the transport direction of the weekly blister extending dividers are narrow against the transversely to the transport direction of the weekly blister measured clear width of the receiving compartment openings.
- the periodicity length Lp of the row arrangement of the receiving compartments 12 of the transport board 13 measured transversely to the transport direction of the weekly blister 11 corresponds to three times the value lp of the correspondingly measured periodicity length of the arrangement of the yards 23 of the strip blister 21 or another integer multiple of this periodicity length lp, preferably an odd-numbered multiple thereof.
- the actuating cylinder 28 of the respective output station 16 are arranged with identical design so that their central longitudinal axes 29, which are also the central longitudinal axes of the ejector plunger 27, a perpendicular to the opening plane of the transport boards 13 and perpendicular to the transport direction of the transport boards 13 extending longitudinal center plane 31 (FIGS. Fig.1 ) of the respective output station.
- the actuation cylinders 28/1 to 28/7 can be actuated both individually at different times and simultaneously in several and in any desired combination. Furthermore, it is assumed that the actuating cylinder have a return spring 32, which the piston 33 of the respective actuating cylinder 28 and thus also the respective plunger 27 in its upper end position as Basic position urges, in which the respective actuating plunger 27 is disengaged from the respectively associated receiving compartment 12 of a transport board 13 to be equipped and its free Endstim nature 34, which suitably adapted to the shape of the drug to be ejected, for example, has its shape approximately complementary concave curved shape, is arranged at a vertical distance from the outer sides of the Blisterhöfe 23, so that a strip blister 21 can be moved freely between a pickup transport board 13 and the above arranged actuating cylinders 28 of the output station 16 in its dispensing positions, which possibly a multiple back and forth Procedure of the strip blister 21 may require at the output station 16.
- the "monday" cylinder 28/1 is the first to be actuated, resulting in that in which, as shown in FIG Fig. 2a Drug contained on the leftmost court is dispensed into the underneath mounted "Montags" receptacle 12 of the transport board 13.
- the plunger 27 of the ejection cylinder 28/1 is again disengaged from the transport blister 21, it is retracted so far in the direction of the arrow 36 "to the right” until the now furthest left, still containing a drug court 23rd is arranged below the plunger 27 of Wednesday associated ejection cylinder 28/3, which is operated thereon.
- the blister 21 is retracted until the now leftmost, still filled courtyard is located under the plunger of Friday associated output cylinder 28/5, whereupon this is actuated. After the most recent output operation, the strip blister 21 can remain in the position now occupied and transported in a subsequent output cycle in the most suitable starting position for this.
- a "day" step size of the amount b / 4 ( Fig.1 ) and further transport of the strip blister 21 with respect to the discharge station by a periodicity length of the yard arrangement results in the Fig. 2c illustrated configuration of the strip blister 21 with respect to the output station 16, in which again by common control of the actuating cylinder 28/1 the next on the time of day related receptacle line of the transport board 13 can be filled with one administration unit of the drug provided at the dispensing station.
- the configuration of the strip blister 21 given hereinafter is shown schematically simplified in FIG.
- Control signals for in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2a only schematically illustrated electromechanical feed drives 36, by means of which the strip blister 21 - transversely to the transport direction of the transport boards 13 - transportable to the individual, formed by the pneumatic output cylinder 28/1 to 28/7 output stations 16 and the cylinders are like deliverable and, if necessary, too limited backward movements are controllable and control signals for solenoid valves 37, by means of which the ejection cylinder 28/1 to 28/7 individually or to several, possibly all at the same time, with Pressure from a source of compressed air, not shown, can be acted upon and relieved of pressure after execution of your working stroke as well as further control signals for electromechanical auxiliary drives 38, which for transporting emptied Büster sections and / or for tensioning the strip blister below the Ausstroßzylinder 28/1 to 28/7 are usable are generated by the output stations 16 individually associated electronic control units 41 which are controllable in the cycle of the feed-transport movements of the transport boards 13 in the signal generation operation; such that the operating
- the transport device 14 is expediently designed as a progressing device, with short transport phases and with respect to these much longer standstill phases, wherein in each case the next "line" per transport cycle - group of seven receiving compartments 12 - the delivery position below the output cylinder 28/1 to 28 / 7 of the respective output station 16 passes.
- the electronic control units 41 of the dispensing stations 16 generate the control signals for the blister feed drives 36, the control valves 37 of the ejection cylinders 28/1 to 28/7 and for the respective auxiliary drives 38 of the dispensing station 16 from a processing of patient-related data in a machine-readable form a data carrier are stored, which is assigned to a transport board "fixed" and is carried by this as it were.
- the disk contains in a suitably coded form, z. B. as a binary number, the name of the drug to be issued at the mentioned output station 16. Through this information, the corresponding output station 16 is addressed as it were, ie prepared for an output cycle. Accordingly, in the Fig.
- the data carrier 43 on the one, according to Fig. 1 left extending in the direction of transport transverse edge of the respective transport board 13.
- data which also individualize the patient as well as data containing the temporal administration pattern are stored on the data medium 43 in a machine-readable manner.
- the time window within which the ejection cylinders 28/1 to 28/7 of the respective ejection station 16 are actuated is determined by the number of advancing steps of the conveyor 14 to which the read head 42 is earlier than the read head 42 each receiving tray line is passed as their receiving compartments are equipped at the output station with the respective drug.
- the "response" - preparation of the assembly operation phase at a selected output station 16i - takes place in that the information signals to be processed by the electronic control unit 41i are already read into them by means of a read head 42i assigned to this electronic control unit 41i the to be equipped at the output station 16i transport board 13 still in the region of that output station 16 (i-1), which is located in front of the discharge station 16i in the direction of transport.
- the loading operation for the still at the station 16 (i -1) located transport board 13 be prepared by the deductible from the supply roll 22i strip blister 21i in the for the Be Publishedungsvorgang suitable starting position is transported, for example, in the Fig. 2a position shown for the basis of the 2a to 2e described function example a displacement of the strip blister 21i by the distance St ( Figure 2e ) would require.
- this On the basis of the data read into the control unit 41 i, this generates the set of control signals which trigger the advancing and retracting movements of the strip blisters which are executed at the "line" traces assigned to the different intake times - morning, noon, evening, night and the data for the selection of the output cylinders to be activated.
- the output of the control signals representing these data is then clock-controlled by electrical signals which are generated continuously with execution of the advancing movements of the transport boards 13.
- the different, within an output game of the output station 16i also be carried out in alternate directions feed movements are given by amount and direction.
- TransportWeges is a in the Fig. 3a shown schematically, generally designated 44 "incremental" Wegmeßsystem provided that emits a count pulse for each traveled in a given direction "small” Weginkrement to the electronic control unit 41i, which are summed depending on the direction of movement - forward / backward - with a positive or negative sign so that reached within an output game Sum is a measure of the case deducted length of the strip blister.
- Fig. 3a is a simple realization of an incremental position measuring system indicated by the fact that along a marginal strip 46 of his movements to be followed strip blister 21 at a small distance ⁇ s consecutive "stroke" marks 47 are provided which are arranged on one or more only schematically arranged sensors 48 of a stationary Measuring head 49 pass by thereby triggering the generation of a count pulse.
- edge markings 47 are optically recognizable in a simple manner perforations, but also from the magnetic tape technology known magnetic markers that can be detected with standard read heads and used to output incremental counts.
- incremental measuring system 51 may, like the Fig. 3b removable, alternatively, be designed as an "independent" functional unit that manages without marking measures on the respective strip blister 21.
- the measuring system 51 acc. Fig. 3b has two parallel to parallel axes 52 and 53 freely rotatable rollers 54 and 56, which are arranged opposite to each other with a minimum force to the opposing edge strip boundary surfaces of the strip blister 21 are pressed and these are frictionally coupled with movement.
- the upper roller 52 is connected via a flat peripheral teeth with a gear 57 of smaller diameter in positive engagement, which in turn is rotatably connected to an impeller 58, the wings 59 for the purpose of generating counts for interrupting light barriers or a position-dependent detuning of inductive sensor circuits can be used, whereby by the use of suitable ratios a quasi high-resolution division of the strip blister displacement path can be achieved in a variety of Weginkrementen, which are small in magnitude against the expansion of Blisterhöfe 23 in the transport direction.
- the drive and guide rollers 60 and 61 of the feed drive 36 which are used for a temporary pulling, temporarily sliding strip blister drive, as well as the drive and guide rollers 62 and 63 (FIG. Fig. 2a ) of auxiliary drives 38 are expediently provided with "flat”, ie radially only slightly expanded and also substantially edge-free formed serrations, which can enter due to an elastic deformability of the carrier material of the strip blister 21 in a quasi-positive engagement with this, the transport Reliability promotes.
- an incremental measuring system is used for position control and monitoring, it is necessary, from time to time, to set a defined, selected reference position for the selected arrangement and design of the incremental position measuring system used with a defined counter reading is to be able to generate characteristic display signal to be able to check on the basis of the occurrence of this signal, whether the measuring system has reached that count, which must be given at the detected by the signal position of the strip blister.
- the occurrence of the position-characteristic signal can be used to carry out a "post-calibration" of the measuring system by setting the counter of the measuring system to the position-characteristic value.
- a Such recalibration or verification automatically made always when the strip blister reaches the reference position.
- the position-characteristic reference signal is generated for the generation of the reference mark indication signal. This signal occurs as soon as a free transverse edge of the "spent" blister strip end portion, from which a spent end of the strip blister 21 has previously been cut by means of a cutting device designated 66, interrupts the sensor flux of the light barrier 64.
- reference marks can also be set in other ways, for example by punching out a perforation hole "somewhere" at the edge of the blister carrier through which the sensor luminous flux of a light barrier can pass for the purpose of triggering a position indication signal. Also, prints that are optically detectable, or inductively detectable metal marks can be used appropriately as reference marks.
- the position of the strip blister 21 both before entering the dispensing station 16 and after emerging from the same found, d. H. can be used to output a "calibration" control signal.
- Fig. 4a Represented design of a loading device according to the invention to an automatic transition from a supply roll 22/1 used on a second supply roll 22/2, so that at an output station 16, which are associated with the two supply rollers 22/1 and 22/2, after exhaustion of the blister stock at the first used supply roll 22/1 on the use of wound on the second supply roll 22/2 strip blister supply can be passed without the To suspend assembly operation of the assembly system 10.
- switching means here mediates the function that, as soon as the strip blister stock that can be deducted from the supply roll 22/1 is exhausted, is switched to peeling off the strip blister 21 of the second supply roll 22/2 and a common transport of both blister strips 21/1 and 21/2 is achieved, such that the free "rear" end 69 of the "spent" strip blister 21/1 and the free “start” end face 71 of the subsequently used strip blister 21/2 in Plant are brought together and, while the end portion of the exhausted strip blister 21/1 and the initial portion of the subsequent strip blister 21/2 are transported through the discharge station 16, held against each other until the transition to the second blister strip 21/2 is completed and thereafter, sufficient time is available to arrive at the considered output station 16 to exchange the "spent" supply roll 22/1 against a new supply roll, which is then available when the other supply roll 22/1 is exhausted.
- a design of the switching device 68 suitable for implementing these functions is again explained on the basis of the functions of subunits of the switching device, by means of which a person skilled in precision engineering and control technology can implement the switching device 68, so that the explanation of design details seems unnecessary.
- the switching device 68 essentially consists of a total of 72 designated "Y" -Fhakungungssystem, the two each one of the two Strip Blister 21/1 and 21/2 associated guide branches 73/1 and 73/2 and these each individually associated transport drives 74/1 and 74/2 includes, as well as one from the union of the two guide branches 73/1 and 73/2 forthcoming and continuing Guide branch 73/3, over which the deductible from the various supply rolls 22/1 and 22/2 strip blister strands can be transported by means of the Zustellantriebes 36 alternatively to the output station 16.
- the transport drives 74/1 and 74/2 can be largely analogous to the delivery drives 36 and the further auxiliary drives 38 in terms of their design and the particular drive concept used; However, these transport drives 74/1 and 74/2 should be controlled so that they are at least temporarily operable at a higher transport speed than the respective subsequent feed drive 36, the transport speed of each strip blister used in the unified leadership branch 73/3 and in the following Dispensing station 16 determines, so that the one strip blister end portion, which has been deducted from the exhausted supply roll 22/1 or 22/2, subsequent initial sections of einzädeinden strip blister 21/2 or 21/1 the end of the arrived in the unified guide portion 73/3 Stripe blaster "catch up", d. H. can be brought into contact with this, so that these stripe blisters continue as it were "uninterrupted" each other and in the output station 16 a gap in the used for equipping the drug cartridge 91 Blisterhöfe 23 is avoided.
- the transport drives 74/1 and 74/2 have one on the "smooth" output side 76 of the strip blister 21/1 and 21/2, each arranged on guide element-free sections of the switching device 68, at a purely schematic indicated frame 77 freely rotatable about parallel to the axes of rotation of the supply rollers 22/1 and 22/2 extending axes 78/1 and 78/2 mounted rollers 79/1 and 79/2, which are pressed over the entire width of them pressed to them
- Strip blister 21/1 and 21/2 extend, and by means not shown electric motors drivable drive rollers 81/1 and 81/2, which are arranged opposite the rollers 79/1 and 79/2 opposite and to an edge strip of the rollers 79/1 and 79/2 opposite Hofge 82/1 and 82/2 of the strip blister 21/1 and 21/2 can roll off, with the drive rollers 81/1 and 81/2 in frictional or kraftformschlüssigem, essentially, that is apart from elastic deformations , slip-free engagement
- Fig. 5a reproduced - functional - design of the transport drives 74/1 and 74/2 whose drive rollers 81 are designed and arranged so that they attack only one of the two edge strips 83/1 and 83/2 of the respective strip blister 21, between which the Blisterhöfe 23rd
- the strip blisters 21 are each formed symmetrically with respect to their longitudinal center planes 84, which extend between the edge strips 83/1 and 83/2.
- the "vertical" distance between the mutually parallel profile legs 87/1 and 87/2 of the guide U-profiles 86/1 and 86/2 is slightly, z. B. by 10% 20%, greater than the sum of the thicknesses of the guide edge strips 83/1 and 83/2 of the strip blister 21/1 and 21/2 and the Blisterhöfe 23 "down" final Blisfier cover strips 91, so that although a smooth sliding of the Strip blister 21/1 and 21/2 is ensured in the horizontal unification guide branch 73/3 of the respective "Y" Guiding 72, an overlap of two Stsammlungblister in the region of an end portion of a disposed in the discharge station area strip blister with an initial portion of a "nachgeschobenen "Strip blister, however, is reliably excluded.
- the structure of the guide branches 73/1 and 73/2 extending between the transport drives 74/1 and 74/2, on the one hand, and the junction 92 of the respective "Y" guiding system 72, on the other hand, is analogous to that of the merging section 73/3, wherein instead of U-profiles, as per Fig. 5b for realizing the guide branch 73/3 leading directly to the output station 16, for the realization of the two "convergent", superimposed guide branches 73/1 and 73/2 also simple angle profiles 93 (FIG. Fig. 5c ), which are fastened on mutually facing sides of frame plates 94/1 and 94/2, which form housing elements of a switching device 68 formed as a functional module.
- connection guides 96 and 97 are expediently realized in the context of the switching device 68.
- connection guides 96 and 97 are equipped with end sensors 98/1 and 98/2 which are shown schematically as light barriers and emit an output signal that can be evaluated for controlling the system 10, if the end of one of the respective Supply roll withdrawn strip blister 21/1 or 21/2 a barrier light beam releases - no longer shaded - or generate a characteristic of the interruption of the barrier light beam signal when the beginning of a deductible from the respective role strip blister shields the barrier light beam ,
- a suitable for detecting the position of a strip blister light barrier assembly 99 can also with the in the Fig. 4b schematically shown construction in which the barrier light beam 101 is released when it can pass through the gap between two blister yards 23, but by the Blisterhöfe itself is largely shadowed.
- cover strip 104 is suitably made of a plastic material which is flexible in bending at the intended dimensions.
- the cover strip 104 is narrower than the tub-forming plastic strip 100, but wide enough that the tub openings 103 are located entirely within the strip width of the cover strip 104.
- the cover strip 104 is provided with narrow longitudinal slots 106/1 and 106/2 and between these extending transverse slots 107, in each case in the region of its openings covering the trough openings 103, which in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the region of the respective opening 103 is that of FIG Fig. 6c detachable H-shaped slit image, which is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal center plane 108 of the strip blister 21 and in each case also symmetrically with respect to the transverse center plane 109 (FIG. Fig. 6b ) of the respective Blisterhofes 23.
- the cohesive fixation of the cover strip 104 on the tub-forming plastic strip 100 is realized such that a solid cohesive connection between these two plastic strips only in the area Longitudinal strips 111/1 and 111/2 of the cover strip as well as in the region of transverse bands 112 of the cover strip 100, which extend between longitudinally adjacent blister yams 23.
- each of the two offset by the transverse slot 107 rectangular wings 113/1 and 113/2, which cover coplanar, cover the trough opening 103, remain movable and, when the respective ejection cylinder is actuated, in the manner of a hinged door open ( Fig. 6d ), through which the respective drug emerge and in the case of a design of the plant as in the Fig. 2a represented in the arranged receiving compartment of the transport board 13 can be output.
- This intermediate level is determined by the arrangement of a generally designated 117 movable cover strip, which is arranged at a vertical distance from the blister strip 21 below the same and parallel to this immediately above the transport board 13 and in a not specifically illustrated transverse guide, which is analogous to the reference of the Fig. 5b is constructed, is transverse to the transport direction of the board 13 slidably.
- This cover strip with which at the respective output station 16 in a row juxtaposed receiving compartments 12 of the transport board 13 can be covered, has a to the cover strip ( Fig. 5b such as Fig. 6a to 6d ) of the strip blister 21 analog design with wing-shaped flaps bounded by H-shaped flaps 119/1 and 119/2, the periodicity Lp this periodic flap structure of the cover strip 117 of those of the receiving compartments 12 of the transport board 13 corresponds within a row of such subjects.
- a transport drive for the cover strip 117 which is not shown for the sake of simplicity, is designed such that the transport step size corresponds to the periodicity length Lp or a natural fracture thereof, and the transport is controlled from step to step such that the transverse slot 118 is at standstill of the cover strip 117 between the two cover wings 119/1 and 119/2, which cover each one of the receiving compartments 12 at standstill, extends in the respective "vertical" longitudinal center plane 121; in which also the transverse slot 107 of the strip blister cover strip arranged above runs in the dispensing position of the strip blister 21.
- the periodicity length Lp of the cover strip 117 is twice the amount of the priority length of the strip blister 21.
- the drug delivery units 122 ejected from the respective yards 23 of the strip blister are initially "centered" on top of the cover strip 117 and are supported by the edges of the pivotable wings 119/1 and 119/2 of the cover strip 117 disposed on either side of the longitudinal center plane 121.
- the output of the medication 122 into the below the cover strip 117 arranged receiving compartments 12 of the respective Transport board 13 takes place in the illustrated embodiment by 90 ° pivoting in the representation of Fig. 7a hammer-shaped Austriebs elements 123, which consists of a in the right part of the Fig.
- a common drive is provided in the embodiment chosen for explanation, which is realized by means of a double-acting pneumatic cylinder 126, by means of which a flat bar 127 on the housing block 124 back and forth; this flat bar 127 is provided with vertically extending guide slots 128, with which a driving pin 129 of the sprouting elements 123 is in a sliding-form-locking engagement, such that with the in the direction of the double arrow 131 of Fig. 7b taking "horizontal" forward and backward movements of the flat bar 128 in the direction of the double arrow 132 of FIG Fig. 7b extending 90 ° -Schwenkterrorismen the expulsion elements 123 can be achieved.
- the output cylinders 28/1 to 28/7 are individually assigned, in each case in total labeled 133 ( Fig. 7c ), whose respective optical axis 134 extends in the vertical longitudinal center plane 121 between the transverse edges 125/1 and 125/2 of the wing-shaped flaps 119/1 and 119/2 of the "lower" cover strip 117 and at a clear distance above the same, about half the diameter of the drug to be dispensed 122 equivalent.
- the cover strip 117 is made of an elastic material, so that the hill-shaped flaps 119/1 and 119/2, after the medicament 122 is ejected downward, snap back into their original position, in which the flaps 119/1 and 119/2 coplanar again are arranged.
- a suitable material may be an elastic plastic, wherein the cover strip 117 may additionally be metallized.
- the cover strip 117 is a functional element of an as it were integrated into the system 10 device for function control and quality assurance and therefore may not be exposed to the risk of damage in turn. Accordingly, the cover strip is slidable - "renewable" - such that the dispensing station 16 is at least from time to time populated with a "new" cover strip portion, the cover strip being shifted in cycles by a periodicity length Lp, for example after the expiration of ten output cycles of the respective one Dispensing station, of course, as required to the effect that a conceivable by a damage of the cover strip in the output station area danger is excluded.
- multiple dispensing modules each including a dispensing station and a supply roll, may be provided.
- a design of a placement system according to the invention such that of a blister supply roll a double output station is supplied, if in a placement system with two placement lines a supply roll sufficient to serve both placement lines, in which case the more frequently used drugs are supplied by a respective supply roll and one of these associated output station.
- An expedient modification may also be that in the design with two transport lines, the matrix lines of the cassette arrangement are assigned to the times of the day and the sequence of days as it corresponds to the columns of the matrix arrangement of the parallel to be loaded pairs of transport boards 13.
- the dispensing station has eight ejection elements in the event that the daily division morning, noon, evening and night is given, in the case of the Fig. 1 to 7c described embodiments was represented by the matrix lines.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
- Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
- Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
- Medicines Containing Material From Animals Or Micro-Organisms (AREA)
- Medicines Containing Plant Substances (AREA)
- Sheet Holders (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Die Erfindung betrifft eine Anlage zur automatischen Bestückung von Verpackungseinheiten von Medikamenten mit dem individuellen Wochenbedarf zahlreicher Patienten entsprechenden Verabreichungseinheiten - Kapseln, Tabletten, Dragees - verschiedener Medikamente, die in einer nach Datum - Wochentag - und Tageszeit - Morgen, Mittag, Abend, Nacht - geordneten Folge entsprechend einer patientenbezogenen ärztlichen Verordnung vom jeweiligen Patienten eingenommen werden sollen, und mit den weiteren, im Oberbegriff des Patentanspruchs 1 genannten, gattungsbestimmenden Merkmalen (siehe
Verpackungseinheiten der dem Stand der Technik entsprechenden Art sind durch die Firma Temmler GmbH in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland in Form von Medikamenten-Kassetten offenkundig vorbenutzt worden und dadurch allgemein bekannt.Packing units of the type corresponding to the prior art have been obviously used by the company Temmler GmbH in the Federal Republic of Germany in the form of medication cartridges and thus well known.
Derartige Verpackungseinheiten sollen für Patienten, die regelmäßig mehrere verschiedene Medikamente einnehmen müssen, eine Hilfe dafür sein, einerseits das Einnehmen wichtiger Medikamente nicht zu vergessen und, andererseits auch einen zuverlässigen Überblick darüber zu haben, welche Medikamente schon eingenommen sind, um eine Übermedikation, die schädlich sein könnte, zu vermeiden.Such packaging units should be for patients who regularly need to take several different drugs, a help to not only forget the intake of important drugs and on the other hand, to have a reliable overview of what medications are already taken, an over-medication, the harmful could be avoided.
Die "übliche" Bestückung solcher Kassetten "von Hand" ist sehr zeitaufwendig und praktisch nur von hochqualifizierten Fachkräften hinreichend zuverlässig durchführbar, was mit entsprechend hohen Personalkosten verbunden ist.The "usual" placement of such cassettes "by hand" is very time consuming and practically only by highly qualified professionals sufficiently reliable feasible, which is associated with correspondingly high personnel costs.
Um derartige Kosten zu reduzieren, ist eine kompakt bauende und für eine Anwendung im Klinikbereich geeignete Anlage bekannt [(IV/MEDI CO., LTD. 390-1, Shin Won Dong, Seo Cho Gu, Seoul, Korea)], dem Wochenbedarf eines Patienten entsprechende Medikamente maschinell in eine Verpackungseinheit eingefüllt werden können, die auch das Einhalten der zeitlichen Folge der Medikamenteneinnahme sinnfällig unterstützt. Auf eine Eingabe der Daten des Patienten und der die ärztliche Verordnung betreffenden Daten erfolgt rechnergesteuert die Vereinzelung der Medikamente aus einem Magazin, das bis zu 400 verschiedene Medikamente in gesonderten Kassetten enthält, sowie die in der Reihenfolge der Einnahme geordnete Verpackung der ausgesonderten Medikamente in schlauchförmigen Verpackungseinheiten, denen die Medikamente erforderlichenfalls zur weiteren Sortierung entnommen werden können. Die patientenbezogene Auswahl der Medikamente und deren Verpackung erfolgt seriell, derart, dass verschiedenen Patienten zugeordnete Medikamentensätze nacheinander gewonnen werden, d. h. mit der Auswahl der Medikamente für einen Patienten erst dann begonnen wird, nachdem die Auswahl der Medikamente für einen zuvor berücksichtigten Patienten abgeschlossen ist.In order to reduce such costs, a compact system suitable for hospital use is known [(IV / MEDI CO., LTD. 390-1, Shin Won Dong, Seo Cho Gu, Seoul, Korea)], the weekly requirement of Patients can be filled with appropriate medication by machine in a packaging unit, which also supports the adherence to the chronological order of the drug intake. Data entry of the patient and the data relating to the medical prescription are computer-controlled by separating the medicaments from a magazine containing up to 400 different medicaments in separate cassettes and the orderly packaging of the separated medicaments in tubular packaging units where necessary the medicines can be taken for further sorting. The patient-related selection of drugs and their packaging is serial, such that sets of medicines associated with different patients are obtained sequentially, i. H. with the selection of drugs for a patient is only started after the selection of drugs for a previously considered patient is completed.
Die bekannte Anlage ist mit dem Nachteil behaftet, dass das Bestücken einer Vielzahl von Verpackungseinheiten mit einem relativ großen Zeitbedarf verknüpft ist, da mit dem Befüllen einer Verpackungseinheit erst dann begonnen werden kann, nachdem eine zuvor zu befüllende Bedarfspackung vollständig befüllt ist. Für eine - gleichsam industrielle - Nutzung im Bereich des pharmazeutischen Großhandels, in dem es erforderlich wäre, täglich eine im Bereich von einigen 50.000 liegende Zahl von individuellen Verpackungseinheiten erstellen zu können, wäre die bekannte Anlage nicht geeignet. Ein solcher Mengenbedarf wäre mit der erforderlichen Zuverlässigkeit nicht sinnvoll abdeckbar.The known system is associated with the disadvantage that the loading of a plurality of packaging units is associated with a relatively large amount of time, since the filling of a packaging unit can only be started after a previously to be filled need package is completely filled. For a - almost industrial - use in the field of pharmaceutical wholesaling, in which it would be necessary to create daily in the range of some 50,000 lying number of individual packaging units, the known system would not be suitable. Such a quantity requirement would not be meaningful coverable with the required reliability.
Aufgabe der Erfindung ist es daher, eine Anlage der Eingangs genannten Art zu schaffen, die eine drastische Erhöhung der Zahl der ausgebbaren individuell verschiedenen Verbrauchs-Packungseinheiten zu erzielen erlaubt, wobei eine typische Größenordnung für einen 24-Stunden-Betrieb der Anlage eine Zahl von 100.000 anzusehen ist, selbstverständlich unter der Nebenbedingung, höchstmöglicher Sicherheit der Verordnungskonformität.The object of the invention is therefore to provide a system of the type mentioned above, which allows to achieve a drastic increase in the number of dispensable individually different consumption packaging units, with a typical magnitude for a 24-hour operation of the plant a figure of 100,000 is to be regarded, of course, under the constraint, highest possible safety of the regulation conformity.
Diese Aufgabe wird, gemäß dem Grundgedanken der Erfindung, durch die kennzeichnenden Merkmale des Patentansprüche 1 und 35 und in vorteilhaften Ausgestaltungen und Weiterbildungen der Erfindung durch die Merkmale der weiteren Ansprüche gelöst.This object is achieved according to the principles of the invention by the characterizing features of
Hiernach sind bei der erfindungsgemäßen Bestückungsanlage den Medikamenten einzeln zugeordnete Ausgabestationen vorgesehen, an denen eine tageszeit- oder wochentag-bezogene Bestückung "zeilenweise" nebeneinander angeordneter Aufnahmefächer der Verpackungseinheit, durchführbar ist; weiter ist eine "Längs"-Transporteinrichtung vorgesehen, mittels derer die Verpackungseinheiten in vorgegebener Transportrichtung sequentiell zu den verschiedenen Medikamenten individuell zugeordneten Ausgabestationen transportierbar sind, die hiernach in einer der Zahl der Medikamente entsprechenden Multiplizität vorgesehen und zur Bestückung verschiedener Kassetten nutzbar sind;
die Zuführung der Medikament-Verabreichungseinheiten zu den Ausgabestationen erfolgt mittels den Medikamenten individuell zugeordneter Quer-Fördereinrichtungen, die parallel zur Ausgabe von Medikamenten ansteuerbar sind, die zur Bestückung einer Vielzahl verschiedener Verpackungseinheiten ausgegeben werden; hierzu sind die Längs-Transporteinrichtung und die Quer-Fördereinrichtungen hinsichtlich Transporthub und Förderkapazität dahingehend aufeinander abgestimmt, dass pro Transporthub der Verpackungseinheiten und pro Förderhub der Quer-Fördereinrichtungen eine jeweils zeilenweise Bestückung der Aufnahmefächer erzielbar ist, die zweckmäßigerweise jeweils in synchronisierten Stillstandsphasen der Längs-Transport und Medikament-Förderzyklen erfolgt; für den Fall bestimmter einfacher, regelmäßiger Befüllmuster ist sowohl für den "Längs"-Transport der Verpackungseinheiten als auch, alternativ oder zusätzlich für die Querförderung des Medikaments ein kontinuierlicher Vorschub möglich; mittels einer zur Ansteuerung der Ausgabestationen vorgesehenen elektronischen Steuereinheit, welche die erforderlichen Steuersignale aus einer Verarbeitung von Informationssignalen generiert, welche die Informationen über die Patienten und den diesen jeweils zugeordneten Inhalt der Verpackungseinheiten beinhalten und der Steuereinheit in einer mit den Kassetten-VorschubBewegungen streng korrelierten und den Patienten eindeutig zugeordneten Folge fortlaufend zugeleitet werden, ist eine weitestmögliche Zuverlässigkeit der korrekten Bestückung der Verpackungseinheiten mit Medikamenten erzielbar und auch eine hohe zeitliche Bestückungsrate erreichbar, so dass etwa im Sekundentakt aus der Anlage fertig bestückte Verpackungseinheiten entnehmbar sind, die jeweils einer individuellen ärztlichen Verordnung entsprechen.Thereafter, in the placement system according to the invention the medication individually assigned output stations are provided on which a daytime or weekday-related placement "line by line" juxtaposed receiving compartments of the packaging unit, is feasible; Furthermore, a "longitudinal" transport device is provided, by means of which the packaging units in a predetermined transport direction can be transported sequentially to the different medication individually assigned output stations, which are hereafter provided in a multiplicity corresponding to the number of drugs and usable for equipping different cassettes;
the delivery of the drug administration units to the dispensing stations takes place by means of the medicaments of individually associated transverse conveyors, which are controllable in parallel to the dispensing of medicaments which are dispensed for the purpose of equipping a multiplicity of different packaging units; For this purpose, the longitudinal transport device and the transverse conveyors with respect to transport stroke and conveying capacity are coordinated so that per transport stroke of the packaging units and per delivery stroke of the cross-conveyors each row-wise placement of the receiving compartments is achieved, which expediently each takes place in synchronized shutdown phases of the longitudinal transport and drug delivery cycles; in the case of certain simple, regular filling patterns, a continuous feed is possible both for the "longitudinal" transport of the packaging units and, alternatively or additionally, for the transverse conveyance of the medicament; by means of an electronic control unit provided for controlling the dispensing stations, which generates the required control signals from a processing of information signals which contain the information about the patients and the respectively associated contents of the packaging units and the control unit in a strictly correlated with the cassette advancing movements and Patients unambiguously assigned sequence continuously supplied, the widest possible reliability of the correct placement of the packaging units with drugs can be achieved and a high temporal loading rate achievable, so that about every second from the plant ready stocked packaging units are removable, each corresponding to an individual medical prescription.
Wenn, wie gemäß Anspruch 3 vorgesehen, zu den Steuersignalen verarbeitbare Daten in maschinenlesbarer Form in räumlich fester Zuordnung zu den jeweiligen Verpackungseinheiten vorgesehen sind, d. h. mit diesen weitertransportierbar sind und dadurch zu Lesestationen gelangen, die den Ausgabestationen zugeordnet sind, so ist der Bestückungsablauf auf einfache Weise in der Art einer Folgesteuerung steuerbar, die mit einem relativ geringen Datenverarbeitungsaufwand auskommt und demgemäß rasch und zuverlässig arbeitet.If, as provided in accordance with claim 3, to the control signals processable data are provided in machine-readable form in spatially fixed association with the respective packaging units, d. H. can be transported with these and thus reach reading stations, which are assigned to the output stations, the assembly process is controlled in a simple manner in the manner of a sequencer, which manages with a relatively low data processing effort and accordingly operates quickly and reliably.
Hierbei ist eine Anordnung einer einer Ausgabestation zugeordneten Lesestation zweckmäßig, die ein Einlesen der Daten schon ermöglicht, bevor die zu bestückende Kassette an der jeweiligen Ausgabestation angelangt ist.Here, an arrangement of an output station associated reading station is useful, which allows reading the data already before the cassette to be loaded has arrived at the respective output station.
Die Verpackungseinheiten bzw. die Aufnahmefächer berandenden Teile derselben sind zweckmäßigerweise auch mit bedruckbaren Feldern versehen, auf die mittels den Ausgabestationen jeweils einzeln zugeordneter und in diese integrierter Druckeinrichtungen protokollarische Angaben aufdruckbar sind, anhand derer die Bestückung der jeweiligen Verpackungseinheit jeweils nachvollzogen werden kann, was aus Gründen der Fehlersicherheit und einer eventuell erforderlichen Fehleranalyse von großer Bedeutung sein kann.The packaging units or the receiving compartments bordering parts thereof are expediently also provided with printable fields, on which by means of the output stations individually assigned and integrated in this integrated printing devices protocol information can be printed on the basis of which the assembly of the respective packaging unit can be followed in each case, for reasons the failure safety and any required fault analysis can be of great importance.
In bevorzugter Gestaltung der erfindungsgemäßen Bestückungsanlage sind die Medikamente - Tabletten, Kapseln, Dragees oder dergleichen - äquidistant auf Streifenblistem angeordnet, die auf eine Vorratsrolle aufgewickelt sind und es sind Transportantriebe zwischen den Rollen- und den Ausgabestationen angeordnet, die, in Transportrichtung des Blisters gesehen aufeinanderfolgend angeordnete Ausstoßeinheiten haben, mittels derer die Medikamente aus den Blisterhöfen ausstoßbar und in die Aufnahmefächer der jeweiligen Verpackungseinheiten ausgebbar sind.In a preferred embodiment of the placement system according to the invention the medicaments - tablets, capsules, dragees or the like - are arranged equidistantly on Streifenblistem, which are wound on a supply roll and there are transport drives between the reel and the output stations arranged, seen in the transport direction of the blister sequentially arranged ejection units, by means of which the medicaments can be ejected from the Blisterhöfen and be dispensed into the receiving compartments of the respective packaging units.
Diese Art der Medikamenten-Bevorratung der Anlage und Realisierung der Medikament-Ausgabe an die Verpackungseinheiten eignet sich insbesondere für einen modularen Aufbau der Gesamtanlage, derart, dass eine Erweiterung der Anlage auf eine größere Varietät von Medikamenten ohne weiteres möglich ist und durch Einfügung einer der neuen Medikamentsorte zugeordnete Einheit erfolgen kann. Auch eine "modulare" Aufteilung der Anlage in Gruppen von Ausgabestationen und diesen zugeordneter Vorratsrollen, beispielsweise in Gruppen von zehn Ausgabestationen oder eine übergeordnete Gruppierung, in der beispielsweise fünf solcher Zehnergruppen zu einer übergeordneten modularen Einheit zusammengefasst sind, ist ohne weiteres möglich, soweit dies zu Steuerungszwecken, z. B. unter dem Gesichtspunkt der Erzielung möglichst ausgeglichener Bestückungszeiten für alle Medikamenten-Kassetten, vorteilhaft erscheint.This type of drug storage of the system and realization of the drug output to the packaging units is particularly suitable for a modular design of the entire system, such that an extension of the system to a larger variety of drugs is readily possible and by inserting one of the new Medication types assigned unit can be done. Also, a "modular" division of the system into groups of output stations and their associated supply roles, for example, in groups of ten output stations or a parent grouping in which, for example, five such groups of ten are combined to form a parent modular unit, is readily possible, as far as so Control purposes, eg. B. from the viewpoint of achieving the most balanced loading times for all drug cartridges, advantageous.
Steuerungstechnisch ist es besonders vorteilhaft, wenn auch die Ausstoßeinheiten einer Ausgabestation untereinander äquidistant angeordnet sind, vorzugsweise so, dass der Abstand Lp einander benachbarter Ausstoßeinheiten ein ganzzähliges Vielfaches des Abstandes Ip benachbarter Blisterhöfe der Streifenblister ist. Bei dieser Gestaltung der Ausgabestationen kann für den Transport des Streifenblisters ein z. B. mittels eines Malteser-Kreuzes realisierbarer, einfacher Schrittschaltwerk-Transport vorgesehen werden, der in Funktionsverbindung mit einem Schrittzähler auf einfache Weise eine zuverlässige Vorschubweg-Steuerung ermöglicht. Es versteht sich, dass in Kombination mit einem geeignet gewählten Weg-Meßsystem auch ein kontinuierlicher Streifenblister-Vorschub vorgesehen werden kann.Control technology, it is particularly advantageous if the ejection units of an output station are arranged equidistantly with each other, preferably so that the distance Lp of adjacent ejection units is a ganzzähliges multiple of the distance Ip adjacent Blisterhöfe the Streifenblister. In this design, the output stations can for the transport of the strip blister a z. B. realizable by means of a Maltese cross, simple stepper mechanism transport, which allows in functional connection with a pedometer in a simple way a reliable feed path control. It is understood that in combination with a suitably selected path measuring system, a continuous strip blister feed can be provided.
Als Ausstoßeinheiten geeignet sind insbesondere pneumatische Learzylinder, die als mit Rückholfedern ausgestattete einfach wirkende Zylinder ausgebildet sein können oder auch, je nach Kraftbedarf in den alternativen Bewegungsrichtungen, als doppelt wirkende Zylinder ausgebildet sein können.
Durch die Merkmale der Ansprüche 10 bis 12 sind alternativ oder in Kombination realisierbare Merkmale der Streifenblister angegeben, die einen sicheren Transport ermöglichen und auch auf einfache Weise ein automatisches "Einfädeln" nacheinander zu benutzender Streifenblister ermöglichen.Particularly suitable as ejection units are pneumatic Learcylinders which can be designed as single-acting cylinders equipped with return springs or else, depending on the force requirement in the alternative directions of movement, as double-acting cylinders.
Due to the features of
Durch die Merkmale der Ansprüche 13 und 14 sind Gestaltungen der Vorrats-Streifenblister angegeben, die eine schonende Ausgabe der Medikamente aus den Blisterhöfen durch Ausstoß mittels der Ausstaßelemente gewährleisten, da die mittels der Ausstoßelemente der jeweiligen Ausgabestation auf die Medikamente auszuübenden "Ausstoß"-Kräfte gering gehalten werden können. Das zu den Merkmalen der Ansprüche 11 und 12 Ausgeführte gilt sinngemäß auch für die Gestaltung der Ausgabestationen gemäß den Merkmalen der Ansprüche 15 bis 17, deren Vorteil in einer besonders schonenden und gegen Verschleiß sowie auch gegen Verschmutzung geschützten Behandlung der auszugeben Medikamente zu sehen ist.By the features of
Mittels einer gemäß Anspruch 18 vorgesehenen Einrichtung zu einer gemeinsamen Öffnungsbetätigung von Freigabeelementen lässt sich sowohl eine konstruktive Vereinfachung von Ausgabestationen als auch eine zeitsparende Implementierung der Medikamenten-Abgabe in die Aufnahmefächer der Verpackungseinheiten erzielen.By means of a device provided according to
In Kombination mit Antrieben, wie durch die Merkmale der Ansprüche 19 und 20 angegeben, können zur Wegmessung bzw. Vorschub-Erfassung der Streifenblister einfache inkrementale Weggeber gemäß Anspruch 21 genutzt werden, deren Signale in Kombination mit Positionsgebern für Randmarkierungen der Streifenblister, wie gemäß den Merkmalen der Ansprüche 22 und 23 angegeben, zu hinreichend genauen Positionsbestimmungen für die Bewegungs-Steuerung der Streifenblister genutzt werden können, wobei hierzu geeignete Rand-Markierungen mittels gemäß Anspruch 24 vorgesehener Markierungs-Einrichtungen der Anlage selbst gewonnen werden können. Hierzu können auch Schnittstationen gemäß Anspruch 25 genutzt werden.
Gemäß Anspruch 26 zur Funktionsüberprüfung vorgesehene, der Sicherheit dienende Sensor-Einrichtungen können in vorteilhaft einfacher Anordnung und Gestaltung gemäß den Ansprüchen 27 bis 29 realisiert 24 sein.In combination with drives, as indicated by the features of
According to
Dank eines modularen Aufbaus der erfindungsgemäßen Bestückungsanlage, derart, dass deren Module jeweils eine Ausgabestation, eine Querfördereinrichtung, eine Vorratsrolle für je einen Streifenblister sowie Zustellantriebe und Hilfsantriebe umfassen sowie die erforderliche Wegmess- und Überwachungssensorik, ist es durch Hinzufügung solcher Module für statistisch häufig benötigte Medikamente ohne weiteres möglich, mit vergleichsweise geringem Aufwand "gleichmäßig" und bedarfsgerecht arbeitende Bestückungsanlagen gemäß den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 30, bevorzugt in der Gestaltung gemäß Anspruch 31 zu realisieren.Thanks to a modular structure of the assembly system according to the invention, such that their modules each include an output station, a cross conveyor, a supply roll for each strip blister and delivery drives and auxiliary drives and the required Wegmess- and monitoring sensors, it is by adding such modules for statistically often needed drugs readily possible, with relatively little effort "evenly" and needs-based placement systems according to the features of claim 30, preferably in the design according to
Alternativ oder zusätzlich ist eine bedarfsgerechte Erweiterung der Kapazität einer erfindungsgemäßen Bestückungsanlage auch gemäß den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 32 mit zwei oder mehr Transportsystemen für Verpackungseinheiten darstellbar.Alternatively or additionally, a demand-based expansion of the capacity of a placement system according to the invention can also be represented according to the features of claim 32 with two or more transport systems for packaging units.
Durch eine Gestaltung der Bestückungsanlage gemäß den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 33 lässt sich ein kontinuierlicher Bestückungsbetrieb auch dann mit einem gleichmäßig stetigen Medikamentenfluss realisieren, wenn der Zeitbedarf an den einzelnen Ausgabestationen unterschiedlich ist.By means of a design of the placement system according to the features of claim 33, a continuous placement operation can also be realized with a uniformly continuous flow of medicament if the time requirement at the individual dispensing stations is different.
Eine besonders rationelle Fertigung von Wochenbedarfs-Blistern als Verpackungseinheiten lässt sich in bevorzugter Gestaltung der erfindungsgemäßen Bestückungsanlage gemäß den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 34 erreichen.A particularly efficient production of weekly-requirement blisters as packaging units can be achieved in a preferred embodiment of the placement system according to the invention according to the features of claim 34.
Weitere Einzelheiten der Erfindung ergeben sich aus der nachfolgenden Beschreibung von Ausführungsbeispielen anhand der Zeichnung. Es zeigen:
- Fig. 1
- ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Anlage zur Bestückung von Verpackungseinheiten von Medikamenten in schematisch vereinfachter Draufsicht,
- Fig. 2a
- Details einer Ausgabestation der Anlage gemäß
Fig. 1 im Schnitt längs der Linie II/II derFig. 1 , ebenfalls schematisch vereinfacht; - Fig. 2b bis 2e
- verschiedene Phasen der Medikamenten-Ausgabe an der Ausgabestation gemäß
Fig. 1 zur Erläuterung der Funktion der Anlage; - Fig. 3a
- Einzelheiten eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Anlage in einer der
Fig. 1 entsprechenden Darstellung; - Fig. 3b
- eine schematisch vereinfachte Ansicht eines bei der Anlage gemäß der
Fig. 1 oder3a einsetzbaren inkremental arbeitenden Weggebers; - Fig. 4a
- eine zum Wechseln von Streifenblister-Vorratsrollen geeignete Umschalteinrichtung in schematisch vereinfachter Seitenansicht;
- Fig. 4b
- eine zur Erzeugung von Markierungssignalen bei einer Anlage gemäß der
Fig. 1 oder3a geeignete Lichtschrankenanordung; - Fig. 5a
- eine Antriebseinrichtung für den Transportantrieb eines Streifenblisters gemäß
Fig. 4a ; - Fig. 5b
- und 5c je eine Führungseinrichtung der Umschalteinrichtung gemäß
Fig. 4a ; - Fig. 6a
- bis 6d Einzelheiten der Streifenblister-Konfiguration zur Erläuterung ihrer Funktion;
- Fig. 7a
- eine weitere Gestaltung einer Ausgabestation einer Anlage gemäß
Fig. 1 in einer derFig. 2a entsprechenden Ansicht; - Fig. 7b
- Einzelheiten eines Antriebes der Ausgabestation gemäß
Fig. 7a und - Fig. 7c
- eine vereinfachte Schnittdarstellung einer Überwachungs-Lichtschranke für die Ausgabestation gemäß
Fig. 7a .
- Fig. 1
- a first embodiment of a system according to the invention for the assembly of packaging units of medicaments in a schematically simplified plan view,
- Fig. 2a
- Details of an output station of the system according to
Fig. 1 in section along the line II / II ofFig. 1 also schematically simplified; - Fig. 2b to 2e
- different phases of medication delivery at the delivery station according to
Fig. 1 to explain the function of the system; - Fig. 3a
- Details of a further embodiment of a system according to the invention in one of
Fig. 1 corresponding representation; - Fig. 3b
- a schematically simplified view of one in the system according to the
Fig. 1 or3a deployable incremental position encoder; - Fig. 4a
- a suitable for changing strip blister supply rolls switching device in a schematically simplified side view;
- Fig. 4b
- one for generating marking signals in a system according to
Fig. 1 or3a suitable Lichtschrankenanordung; - Fig. 5a
- a drive device for the transport drive of a strip blister according to
Fig. 4a ; - Fig. 5b
- and 5c each guide means of the switching device according to
Fig. 4a ; - Fig. 6a
- to 6d details of the striped blister configuration to explain its function;
- Fig. 7a
- a further design of an output station of a system according to
Fig. 1 in one of theFig. 2a corresponding view; - Fig. 7b
- Details of a drive of the output station according to
Fig. 7a and - Fig. 7c
- a simplified sectional view of a monitoring photocell for the output station according to
Fig. 7a ,
Die in der
Die Verpackungseinheiten 11 sind in der Art von Blister-Verpackungen ausgebildet, bei denen eine Vielzahl von der Grundform nach rechteckigwannenförmigen Aufnahmefächern 12, die in einer regelmäßigen Rechteck-Matrix-Konfiguration zu einer einheitlichen Transportplatine 13 zusammengefasst sind. Entsprechend einer Auslegung als sogenannter Wochenblister, mit dem der wöchentliche Medikamentenbedarf eines Patienten bereitgestellt wird, umfasst die Transportplatine 13 insgesamt achtundzwanzig Aufnahmefächer 12 gleicher Grundform, die bei dem zur Erläuterung gewählten, speziellen Ausführungsbeispiel in einer der Anzahl der Wochentage entsprechenden Zahl von Spalten und in vier, den verschiedenen Einnahmezeiten - Morgen, Mittag; Abend und Nacht-zugeordneten Zeilen angeordnet sind.The packaging units 11 are designed in the manner of blister packs, in which a multiplicity of
In Richtung der - vier - Zeilen und in Richtung der - sieben - Spalten der jeweiligen Transportplatine 13 gesehen, sind die Aufnahmefächer 12 jeweils äquidistant angeordnet.In the direction of the - four - lines and seen in the direction of the - seven - columns of the
Mittels einer insgesamt mit 14 bezeichneten, lediglich schematisch angedeuteten Längs-Transporteinrichtung, die in der Art einer "linearen" Förderband-Einrichtung realisiert sein kann, die einen eigenen Antrieb hat, oder mittels einer Vielzahl von Antrieben realisiert sein kann, die "direkt" an den Transportplatinen 13 eingreifen, sind die mit den Medikamenten zu bestückenden Transportplatinen 13 sequentiell zu entlang dieser Transporteinrichtung 14 angeordneten, insgesamt jeweils mit 16 bezeichneten Ausgabestationen transportierbar. An diesen Ausgabestationen wird jeweils ein Medikament ausgegeben, wobei die Medikamenten-Ausgabe an der jeweiligen Ausgabestation 16 "zeilenweise" erfolgt, derart dass während einer Stillstandsphase der Längs-Transporleinrichtung 14 die jeweils der Verabreichungszeit - Morgen, Mittag, Abend oder Nacht - zugeordneten Verabreichungseinheiten in die den jeweiligen Verabreichungstagen Montag und/oder Dienstag usw. bis Sonntag zugeordneten Aufnahmefächer 12 eingegeben werden.By means of a generally designated 14, only schematically indicated longitudinal transport device, which may be implemented in the manner of a "linear" conveyor belt device, which has its own drive, or can be realized by means of a plurality of drives, the "direct" engage the
Die Zuführung der Medikamente zu den Ausgabestationen 16 erfolgt ihrerseits mittels den Medikamenten individuell zugeordneter, jeweils insgesamt mit 17 bezeichneter Quer-Fördereinrichtungen, die, in Transportrichtung der Transportplatinen 13 äquidistant entlang der Transporteinrichtung 14 angeordnet sind, wobei der Abstand zwischen einander benachbarten Quer-Fördereinrichtungen 17 zweckmäßiger Weise gleich der in Transportrichtung gemessenen Breite b der Transportplatinen 13 gewählt ist und die Platinen 13 ihrerseits so gestaltet sind, dass in einer Transportkonfiguration der Platinen 13, in denen diese mit ihren quer zur Transportrichtung verlaufenden Rändern 18/r und 18/v unmittelbar aneinander anliegen, der Abstand der jeweils benachbarten Aufnahmefachreihen, deren eine der Nacht-Einnahme und deren andere der Morgen-Einnahme zugeordnet ist, derselbe ist, wie der Abstand zweier einander innerhalb einer Platine 13 benachbarten Fachreihen und der Vorschub-Schrittweite entspricht, mit der ein z. B. taktgesteuerter Vorschub der Transportplatinen 13 in Transportrichtung der Transporteinrichtung 14 erfolgt. In einer typischen Gestaltung der Transportplatinen 13 sind diese symmetrisch bezüglich ihrer jeweiligen Längsmittelebene 19 ausgebildet, die zwischen den beiden inneren der Mittags- und der Abend-Einnahme zugeordneten Reihen von Aufnahmefächern 12 verläuft und senkrecht auf der durch die Öffnungsränder der Aufnahmefächer 12 markierten Ebene steht.The delivery of the medicaments to the dispensing
Die den Medikamenten einzeln zugeordneten Quer-Fördereinrichtung sind mit Hilfe von Streifenblistern 21 realisiert, die auf Vorratsrollen 22 aufgewickelt und von diesen abziehbar sind. Die Vorratsrollen 22 sind von - der Einfachheit halber nicht dargestellten - flachen Kassetten aufgenommen, die auch die Lager bilden können, in denen die Rollen, wenn die - auswechselbaren - Kassetten in die Anlage 10 eingesetzt sind, drehbar gelagert sind.The medicaments individually associated transverse conveyor are realized by means of strip blisters 21 which are wound on supply rolls 22 and deducted from these. The supply rolls 22 are of - for the sake of simplicity not shown - recorded flat cassettes, the can also form the bearings in which the rollers, when the - interchangeable - cartridges are inserted into the
Die Streifenblister 21, zu deren Erläuterung nunmehr auch auf die
Die Höfe 23 sind bei dem zur Erläuterung dargestellten Gestaltungsbeispiel auf den Streifenblistern 21 unmittelbar-"dicht"-nebeneinander angeordnet, um eine möglichst hohe Vorrats-Kapazität pro Vorratsrolle 22 zu erzielen. In der Transportrichtung der Streifenblister 21 gesehen, welche die sieben Aufnahmefächer der jeweils in einer Tageszeit-Zeile nebeneinander angeordneten Aufnahmefächer 12 überqueren, sind auch diese gleichsam dicht, d. h. einander unmittelbar benachbart derart angeordnet, dass zwischen zwei benachbarten Aufnahmefächern 12 verbleibende, in Transportrichtung der Wochenblister verlaufende Trennstege schmal gegen die quer zur Transportrichtung der Wochenblister gemessene lichte Weite der Aufnahmefach-Öffnungen sind. In einer typischen Gestaltung der Wochenblister-Transportplatinen 13 entspricht die quer zur Transportrichtung der Wochenblister 11 gemessene Periodizitätslänge Lp der Zeilenanordnung der Aufnahmefächer 12 der Transportplatine 13 dem Dreifachen des Wertes lp der entsprechend gemessenen Periodizitätslänge der Anordnung der Höfe 23 der Streifenblister 21 oder einem anderen ganzzahligen Vielfachen dieser Periodizitätslänge lp, vorzugsweise einem ungeradzahligen Vielfachen derselben.The
Bei dieser Abstimmung der Periodizitätslängen lp und Lp der Streifenblister 21 und der Zeilen-Anordnungen der Aufnahmefächer 12 der Transportplatinen 13 ist es immer möglich, über jedem der Aufnahmefächer 12 "zentral" einen Hof 23 des entlang der Aufnahmefachzeile verlaufenden Streifenblisters zu platzieren und in dieser zentralen Anordnung das in dem Hof 26 enthaltene Medikament in das unmittelbar darunter geordnete Aufnahmefach 12 der Transportplatine 13 des Wochenblisters 11 auszugeben.In this vote periodicity lp and Lp of the
Zur Ausgabe-Steuerung von Medikamenten aus den Streifenblistern 21 in die Aufnahmefächer 12 der Transportplatine 13 sind pro Ausgabestation 16 sieben senkrecht zur Öffnungsebene der Aufnahmefächer 12 der Transportplatine 13 auf- und ab- bewegbare Auswurfstössel 27 vorgesehen, zu deren Auswurfbetätigung je ein pneumatischer Betätigungszylinder 28/1 bis 28/7 vorgesehen ist.For output control of drugs from the strip blisters 21 in the receiving compartments 12 of the
Die Betätigungszylinder 28 der jeweiligen Ausgabestation 16 sind bei identischer Ausbildung so angeordnet, dass ihre zentralen Längsachsen 29, die auch die zentralen Längsachsen der Auswurfstössel 27 sind, eine senkrecht zur Öffnungsebene der Transportplatinen 13 und rechtwinklig quer zur Transportrichtung der Transportplatinen 13 verlaufende Längsmittelebene 31 (
Zum Zweck der Erläuterung sei zunächst vorausgesetzt, dass die Betätigungszylinder 28/1 bis 28/7 sowohl einzeln zu verschiedenen Zeiten als auch gleichzeitig zu mehreren und in beliebiger Kombination betätigbar sind. Desweiteren ist vorausgesetzt, dass die Betätigungszylinder eine Rückholfeder 32 haben, welche den Kolben 33 des jeweiligen Betätigungszylinders 28 und damit auch den jeweiligen Stössel 27 in deren obere Endstellung als Grundstellung drängt, in welcher der jeweilige Betätigungsstössel 27 aus dem jeweils zugeordneten Aufnahmefach 12 einer zu bestückenden Transportplatine 13 ausgerückt ist und seine freie Endstimfläche 34, die zweckmäßigerweise eine an die Form des auszustoßenden Medikaments angepasste, z.B. zu dessen Form etwa komplementäre konkav gewölbte Form hat, in einem vertikalen Abstand von den Außenseiten der Blisterhöfe 23 angeordnet ist, sodass ein Streifenblister 21 ungehindert zwischen einer zu bestückenden Transportplatine 13 und den oberhalb dieser angeordneten Betätigungszylindern 28 der Ausgabestation 16 in seine Ausgabepositionen verfahren werden kann, was ggf. ein mehrfaches Hin-und Her-Verfahren des Streifenblisters 21 an der Ausgabestation 16 erfordern kann.For the purpose of explanation, it is first assumed that the actuation cylinders 28/1 to 28/7 can be actuated both individually at different times and simultaneously in several and in any desired combination. Furthermore, it is assumed that the actuating cylinder have a return spring 32, which the piston 33 of the respective actuating cylinder 28 and thus also the
Die diesbezügliche Notwendigkeit ist beispielsweise dann gegeben, wenn ein Medikament nicht an jedem Tag der Woche einzunehmen ist, sondern beispielsweise nur Montag, Mittwoch und Freitag und vermieden werden soll, dass durch einen kontinuierlichen Weitertransport des jeweiligen Streifenblisters Medikamente über die Ausgabestation hinaus transportiert werden und dadurch entweder erheblicher Aufwand zur Rückgewinnung dieser Medikamente getrieben werden muß oder deren Verlust hinzunehmen wäre. Um in diesem Fallbeispiel mit einem möglichst geringen Transport- bzw. Zeitaufwand die geeignete Ausgabesteuerung zu realisieren, wird zweckmäßigerweise wie folgt vorgegangen:The need in this regard is given, for example, when a drug is not taken every day of the week, but for example, only Monday, Wednesday and Friday and should be avoided that are transported by the continuous transport of the respective strip blister medication beyond the output station and thereby either considerable effort to recover these drugs must be driven or their loss would be acceptable. In order to realize the appropriate output control in this case example with the lowest possible transport or time expenditure, it is expedient to proceed as follows:
Zur Erläuterung sei von der in der
In dieser "Anfangs"-Konfiguration wird der "Montags"-Zylinder 28/1 als erster betätigt, wodurch das in dem gemäß der Darstellung der
Für den - statistisch bedeutsameren - Fall, dass an einer Ausgabestation 17 jeweils alle sieben Aufnahmefächer 12 mit dem Ausgabe-Medikament dieser Station 16 bestückt werden sollen, ist eine einfache Art der Ausgabe-Steuerung wie folgt möglich:For the - statistically significant - case that at an
Zur Erläuterung sei wiederum von der in der
Erneute Wiederholung der vorgenannten Transport- und Fortschaltschritte führt schließlich zu der in der
Steuersignale für in den
Die elektronischen Steuereinheiten 41 der Ausgabestationen 16 generieren die Ansteuersignale für die Blister-Zustellantriebe 36, die Steuerventile 37 der Ausstoßzylinder 28/1 bis 28/7 sowie für die jeweiligen Hilfsantriebe 38 der Ausgabestation 16 aus einer Verarbeitung von patientenbezogenen Daten die in einer maschinenlesbaren Form auf einem Datenträger gespeichert sind, der je einer Transportplatine "fest" zugeordnet ist und von dieser gleichsam mitgeführt wird. Der Datenträger enthält in geeignet codierter Form, z. B. als Binärzahl, die Benennung des Medikaments, das an der angesprochenen Ausgabestation 16 ausgegeben werden soll. Durch diese Information wird die entsprechende Ausgabestation 16 gleichsam angesprochen, d. h. auf einen Ausgabezyklus vorbereitet. Demgemäß ist ein in der
Bei dem zur Erläuterung gewählten, speziellen Ausführungsbeispiel ist der Datenträger 43 an dem einen, gemäß
Bei der geschilderten Anordnung von Lesekopf 42i und Ausgabestation 16i ist das Zeitfenster, innerhalb dessen die Ausstoßzylinder 28/1 bis 28/7 der jeweiligen Ausgabestation 16 betätigt werden, durch die Zahl der Fortschaltschritte der Transporteinrichtung 14 bestimmt, um die der Lesekopf 42 früher von der jeweiligen Aufnahmefach-Zeile passiert wird als deren Aufnahmefächer an der Ausgabestation mit dem jeweiligen Medikament bestückt werden.In the described arrangement of the reading head 42i and output station 16i, the time window within which the ejection cylinders 28/1 to 28/7 of the
Die Steuerung der Zustellbewegungen der Streifenblister 21 wird für das zur Erläuterung gewählte Ausführungsbeispiel anhand der Funktion der hieran beteiligten Steuerungs- und Antriebselemente erläutert, deren apparative Implementierung hiernach dem Fachmann ohne weiteres auf vielfältige Weise möglich ist; demgemäß soll auf apparative Einzelheiten nur insoweit angegangen werden, als diese für die erfindungsgemäße Bestückungsanlage 10 spezifisch sind.The control of the feed movements of the
Das "Ansprechen" - Vorbereiten der Bestückungs-Betriebsphase an einer ausgewählten Ausgabestation 16i - erfolgt dadurch, dass die von der elektronischen Steuereinheit 41i zu bearbeitenden Informations-Signale, mittels eines dieser elektronischen Steuereinheit 41 i zugeordneten Lesekopfes 42i in diese schon eingelesen werden, während sich die an der Ausgabestation 16i zu bestückende Transportplatine 13 noch im Bereich derjenigen Ausgabestation 16(i -1) befindet, die, in Transportrichtung gesehen, vor der Ausgabestation 16i angeordnet ist.The "response" - preparation of the assembly operation phase at a selected output station 16i - takes place in that the information signals to be processed by the electronic control unit 41i are already read into them by means of a read head 42i assigned to this electronic control unit 41i the to be equipped at the output station
Schon in dieser Situation kann, falls die Ausgabestation 16i nicht ihrerseits noch im Bestückungsbetrieb arbeitet, der Bestückungsbetrieb für die noch an der Station 16 (i -1) befindliche Transportplatine 13 dadurch vorbereitet werden, dass der von der Vorratsrolle 22i abziehbare Streifenblister 21i in die für den Bestückungsvorgang geeignete Ausgangslage transportiert wird, beispielsweise die in der
Anhand der in die Steuereinheit 41 i eingelesenen Daten generiert diese den Satz von Steuersignalen, welche die Vorschub- und Rückzugs-Bewegungen der Streifenblister auslösen, die an den den verschiedenen Einnahmezeiten - Morgen, Mittag, Abend, Nacht - zugeordneten "Zeilen"-Spuren ausgeführt werden müssen, sowie die Daten für die Auswahl der zu aktivierenden Ausstoßzylinder. Die Ausgabe der diese Daten repräsentierenden Steuersignale erfolgt sodann takt-gesteuert durch elektrische Signale, welche mit Ausführung der Fortschaltbewegungen der Transportplatinen 13 fortlaufend erzeugt werden. Hierbei werden die verschiedenen, innerhalb eines Ausgabespiels der Ausgabestation 16i ebenfalls in abwechselnden Richtungen auszuführenden Zustellbewegungen nach Betrag und Richtung vorgegeben.On the basis of the data read into the control unit 41 i, this generates the set of control signals which trigger the advancing and retracting movements of the strip blisters which are executed at the "line" traces assigned to the different intake times - morning, noon, evening, night and the data for the selection of the output cylinders to be activated. The output of the control signals representing these data is then clock-controlled by electrical signals which are generated continuously with execution of the advancing movements of the
Zur Erfassung des in einer vorgegebenen Richtung ausgeführten TransportWeges ist ein in der
In der
Ein für eine erfindungsgemäße Bestücksanlage geeignetes inkrementales Wegmeßsystem 51 kann, wie der
Das Wegmeßsystem 51 gem.
Mittels der Umfangszahnung, mit der die Gleitrolle 54 sich am Randstreifen des Streifertblisters 21 abstützt, wird dank einer stets vorhandenen Nachgiebigkeit des Blister-Materials auch ein formschlüssig wirkender Eingriff der Rolle 54 mit dem Streifenblister 21 erzielt , der eine präzise Wegmessung ermöglicht.By means of the circumferential toothing, with which the sliding
Auch die zu einem zeitweise ziehenden, zeitweise schiebenden Streifenblisterantrieb genutzten Antriebs- und Führungsrollen 60 und 61 des Zustellungsantriebes 36, wie auch die Antriebs- und Führungsrollen 62 und 63 (
Wenn zur Positions-Steuerung und -Überwachung ein inkrementales Mess-system verwendet wird, ist es notwendig, von Zeit zu Zeit ein für eine definierte, ausgewählte Referenzposition, die bei der gewählten Anordnung und Gestaltung des benutzten inkrementalen Wegmess-Systems mit einem definierten Zählerstand verknüpft ist, charakteristisches Anzeigesignal erzeugen zu können, um anhand des Auftretens dieses Signals überprüfen zu können, ob das Mess-System auch denjenigen Zählerstand erreicht hat, der bei der durch das Signal erkannten Position des Streifenblisters gegeben sein muss. Im Falle einer Abweichung kann das Auftretert des positionscharakteristischen Signals dazu benutzt werden, eine "Nach"-Eichung des Mess-Systems dadurch vorzunehmen, dass der Zähler des Mess-Systems auf den positionscharakteristischen Wert gesetzt wird. Zweckmäßigerweise wird eine derartige Nacheichung bzw. Überprüfung selbsttätig immer dann vorgenommen, wenn der Streifenblister die Referenzposition erreicht.If an incremental measuring system is used for position control and monitoring, it is necessary, from time to time, to set a defined, selected reference position for the selected arrangement and design of the incremental position measuring system used with a defined counter reading is to be able to generate characteristic display signal to be able to check on the basis of the occurrence of this signal, whether the measuring system has reached that count, which must be given at the detected by the signal position of the strip blister. In the case of a deviation, the occurrence of the position-characteristic signal can be used to carry out a "post-calibration" of the measuring system by setting the counter of the measuring system to the position-characteristic value. Appropriately, a Such recalibration or verification automatically made always when the strip blister reaches the reference position.
Bei dem zur Erläuterung dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel ist zur Erzeugung des Referenzmarken-Anzeigesignals eine insgesamt mit 64 (
Es versteht sich, dass geeignete Referenzmarken auch auf andere Weise gesetzt werden können, beispielsweise dadurch, dass "irgendwo" am Rand des Blisterträgers ein Perforationsloch ausgestanzt wird, durch das zum Zweck der Auslösung eines Positions-Anzeigesignals der Sensor-Lichtstrom einer Lichtschranke hindurchtreten kann. Auch Aufdrucke, die optisch detektierbar sind, oder induktiv detektierbare Metallmarken können als Referenzmarken zweckentsprechend genutzt werden.It is understood that suitable reference marks can also be set in other ways, for example by punching out a perforation hole "somewhere" at the edge of the blister carrier through which the sensor luminous flux of a light barrier can pass for the purpose of triggering a position indication signal. Also, prints that are optically detectable, or inductively detectable metal marks can be used appropriately as reference marks.
Zweckmäßig ist es, wenn, in Transportrichtung gesehen, die Position des Streifenblisters 21 sowohl vor dem Eintreten in die Ausgabestation 16 als auch nach dem Austreten aus derselben festgestellt, d. h. zur Ausgabe eines "Eich"-Kontrollsignals genutzt werden kann.It is expedient if, as seen in the transport direction, the position of the
Die Fähigkeit, den Vorschub und eventuelle Rückzugsbewegungen der Streifenblister 21 erfassen und sowohl dem Betrage nach als auch hinsichtlich der Geschwindigkeit steuern zu können, wird bei einer durch die Detaildarstellung der
Eine hierzu vorgesehene, insgesamt mit 68 bezeichnete Umschalteinrichtung vermittelt hier die Funktion, dass, sobald der Streifenblistervorrat, der von der Vorratsrolle 22/1 abgezogen werden kann, erschöpft ist, auf Abziehen des Streifenblisters 21 von der zweiten Vorratsrolle 22/2 umgeschaltet wird und ein gemeinsamer Transport beider Streifenblister 21/1 und 21/2 erzielt wird, derart, dass das freie "rückwärtige" Ende 69 des "verbrauchten" Streifenblisters 21/1 und die freie "Anfangs"-Stirnseite 71 des anschließend zu nutzenden Streifenblisters 21/2 in Anlage aneinander gebracht werden und, während der Endabschnitt des erschöpften Streifenblisters 21/1 und der Anfangsabschnitt des nachfolgenden Streifenblisters 21/2 durch die Ausgabestation 16 hindurch transportiert werden, aneinander anliegend gehalten werden, bis der Übergang auf den zweiten Streifenblister 21/2 vollständig vollzogen ist und hiernach genügend Zeit zur Verfügung steht, um an der betrachteten Ausgabestation 16 die "verbrauchte" Vorratsrolle 22/1 gegen eine neue Vorratsrolle austauschen zu können, die sodann nutzbar ist, wenn die andere Vorratsrolle 22/1 erschöpft ist.A designated thereto, generally designated 68 switching means here mediates the function that, as soon as the strip blister stock that can be deducted from the
Eine zur Implementierung dieser Funktionen geeignete Gestaltung der Umschalteinrichtung 68 sei wiederum anhand der Funktionen von Untereinheiten der Umschalteinrichtung erläutert, anhand derer ein Fachmann der Feinwerktechnik und der Steuerungstechnik die Umschalteinrichtung 68 realisieren kann, so dass die Erläuterung konstruktiver Details entbehrlich erscheint.A design of the
Die Umschalteinrichtung 68 besteht im wesentlichen aus einem insgesamt mit 72 bezeichneten "Y"-Führungssystem, das zwei je einem der beiden Streifenblister 21/1 und 21/2 zugeordnete Führungszweige 73/1 und 73/2 und diesen je einzeln zugeordnete Transportantriebe 74/1 und 74/2 umfasst, sowie einen aus der Vereinigung der beiden Führungszweige 73/1 und 73/2 hervorgehenden und weiterführenden Führungszweig 73/3 umfasst, über den die von den verschiedenen Vorratsrollen 22/1 und 22/2 abziehbaren Streifenblister-Trume mittels des Zustellantriebes 36 alternativ zu der Ausgabestation 16 transportierbar sind.The switching
Die Transportantriebe 74/1 und-74/2 können hinsichtlich Ihres Aufbaus und des jeweils genutzten Antriebskonzepts zu den Zustellantrieben 36 und den weiteren Hilfsantrieben 38 weitgehend analog sein; allerdings sollten diese Transportantriebe 74/1 und 74/2 so ansteuerbar sein, dass sie mindestens zeitweise mit einer höheren Transportgeschwindigkeit betreibbar sind als der jeweils nachfolgende Zustellantrieb 36, der die Transportgeschwindigkeit des jeweils genutzten Streifenblisters in dem vereinigten Führungszweig 73/3 sowie in der nachfolgenden Ausgabestation 16 bestimmt, damit der einem Streifenblister-Endabschnitt, der von der erschöpften Vorratsrolle 22/1 oder 22/2 abgezogen worden ist, nachfolgende Anfangsabschnitte des einzufädeinden Streifenblisters 21/2 oder 21/1 den Endabschnitt des in den vereinigten Führungsabschnitt 73/3 gelangten Streifenblisters gleichsam "einholen", d. h. in Anlage mit diesem gebracht werden kann, damit diese Streifenblister Trume gleichsam "ununterbrochen" einander fortsetzen und in der Ausgabestation 16 eine Lücke in der zur Bestückung der Medikamentenkassette 91 genutzte Blisterhöfe 23 vermieden wird.The transport drives 74/1 and 74/2 can be largely analogous to the delivery drives 36 and the further auxiliary drives 38 in terms of their design and the particular drive concept used; However, these transport drives 74/1 and 74/2 should be controlled so that they are at least temporarily operable at a higher transport speed than the respective
Bei dem zur Erläuterung gewählten Ausführungsbeispiel haben die Transportantriebe 74/1 und 74/2 je eine auf der "glatten" Ausgabeseite 76 des Streifenblister 21/1 und 21/2, jeweils an führungselement-freien Abschnitten der Umschalteinrichtung 68 angeordnete, an einem lediglich schematisch angedeuteten Gestell 77 frei drehbar um parallel zu den Drehachsen der Vorratsrollen 22/1 und 22/2 verlaufende Achsen 78/1 und 78/2 gelagerte Gleitrollen 79/1 und 79/2, die sich über die gesamte Breite der an sie angedrückten Streifenblister 21/1 und 21/2 erstrecken, sowie mittels nicht dargestellter Elektromotore antreibbare Antriebsrollen 81/1 und 81/2, die den Gleitrollen 79/1 und 79/2 gegenüberliegend angeordnet sind und sich an einen Randstreifen der den Gleitrollen 79/1 und 79/2 gegenüberliegenden Hofseiten 82/1 und 82/2 der Streifenblister 21/1 bzw. 21/2 abwälzen können, die mit den Antriebsrollen 81/1 bzw. 81/2 in kraftschlüssigem oder kraftformschlüssigem, im wesentlichen, d. h. abgesehen von elastischen Verformungen, schlupffreiem Eingriff stehen.In the embodiment chosen for explanation, the transport drives 74/1 and 74/2 have one on the "smooth"
Bei der durch die
Die gemäß
Der "vertikale" Abstand der zueinander parallelen Profilschenkel 87/1 und 87/2 der Führungs-U-Profile 86/1 und 86/2 ist geringfügig, z. B. um 10% bis 20%, größer als die Summe der Dicken der Führungs-Randstreifen 83/1 und 83/2 der Streifenblister 21/1 und 21/2 und der die Blisterhöfe 23 "nach unten" abschließenden Blisfier-Deckstreifen 91, sodaß zwar eine leichtgängige Gleitführung der Streifenblister 21/1 bzw. 21/2 in dem horizontalen Vereinigungs-Führungszweig 73/3 des jeweiligen "Y"-Führungssystems 72 gewährleistet ist, eine Überlappung zweier Streifenblister im Bereich eines Endabschnittes eines im Ausgabestation-Bereich angeordneten Streifenblisters mit einem Anfangsbereich eines "nachgeschobenen" Streifenblisters jedoch zuverlässig ausgeschlossen ist.The "vertical" distance between the mutually parallel profile legs 87/1 and 87/2 of the guide U-profiles 86/1 and 86/2 is slightly, z. B. by 10% 20%, greater than the sum of the thicknesses of the guide edge strips 83/1 and 83/2 of the
Der Aufbau der sich zwischen den Transportantrieben 74/1 und 74/2, einerseits und der Vereinigungsstelle 92 des jeweiligen "Y"-Führungssystems 72, andererseits erstreckenden Führungszweige 73/1 und 73/2 ist zu demjenigen des Vereinigungsabschnitts 73/3 analog, wobei anstelle von U-Profilen, wie gemäß
Das zum Aufbau des "Y"-Führungssystems 72 Ausgeführte gilt sinngemäß auch für eine insgesamt mit 96 bezeichnete "vertikale" Anschlussführung, mittels derer der von der einen Vorratsrolle 22/1 abziehbare Streifenblister 21/1 zu dem zugeordneten Transportantrieb 74/1 der Umschalteinrichtung zugeleitet ist, sowie auch für die gemäß
Bei der zur Erläuterung dargestellten Version der Umschalteinrichtung 68 sind die Anschlussführungen 96 und 97 mit schematisch als Lichtschranken dargestellten End-Sensoren 98/1 und 98/2 ausgerüstet, die ein zur Steuerung der Anlage 10 auswertbares Ausgangssignal abgeben, wenn das Ende eines von der jeweiligen Vorratsrolle abgezogenen Streifenblisters 21/1 bzw. 21/2 einen Schranken-Lichtstrahl freigibt - nicht mehr abschattet - bzw. ein für die Unterbrechung des Schranken-Lichtstrahles charakteristisches Signal erzeugen, wenn der Anfang eines von der jeweiligen Rolle abziehbaren Streifenblisters den Schranken-Lichtstrahl abschattet.In the version of the
Diese Signale können zu einer Eichung oder Überprüfung der Anzeigen von Weggebern genutzt werden, wie die z. B. anhand der
Eine zur Erfassung der Position eines Streifenblisters geeignete Lichtschrankenanordnung 99 kann auch mit dem in der
In einer in den
Auch der Deckstreifen 104 besteht zweckmäßigerweise aus einem Kunststoff-Material, das bei den vorgesehenen Abmessungen biegeelastisch ist.Also, the
Gemäß
Die stoffschlüssige Fixierung des Deckstreifens 104 am wannenbildenden Kunststoffstreifen 100 ist derart realisiert, dass eine feste stoffschlüssige Verbindung zwischen diesen beiden Kunststoffstreifen nur im Bereich der Längsrandstreifen 111/1 und 111/2 des Deckstreifens sowie im Bereich von Querbändem 112 des Deckstreifens 100 gegeben ist, die zwischen in Längsrichtung einander benachbart angeordneter Blisterhöfe 23 verlaufen.The cohesive fixation of the
Hierdurch bleiben jeweils die beiden durch den Querschlitz 107 gegeneinander abgesetzten rechteckigen Flügel 113/1 und 113/2, die, koplanar verlaufend, die Wannenöffnung 103 abdecken, beweglich und können sich, wenn der jeweilige Ausstoßzylinder betätigt wird, in der Art einer Flügeltüre öffnen (
Im Verlauf des Rückzuges des Auswurfstössels 27 in dessen Ausgangsstellung gelangen auch die beiden "Tür"-Flügel 113/1 und 113/2 aufgrund ihrer Elastizität wieder in ihre Ausgangsstellungen zurück, in der sie den Weitertransport des Streifenblisters 21, der auch im Bereich der Ausstoßzylinder in U-profilförmigen Führungselementen geführt sein kann, wie anhand der
Im Unterschied zu der Ausgabestation 16 gemäß
Dieses Zwischenniveau ist durch die Anordnung eines insgesamt mit 117 bezeichneten beweglichen Deckstreifens bestimmt, der in einem vertikalen Abstand von dem Blisterstreifen 21 unterhalb desselben und parallel zu diesem verlaufend unmittelbar oberhalb der Transportplatine 13 angeordnet und in einer nicht eigens dargestellten Querführung, die analog zu der anhand der
Dieser Deckstreifen, mit dem die an der jeweiligen Ausgabestation 16 in einer Zeile nebeneinander angeordneten Aufnahmefächer 12 der Transportplatine 13 abdeckbar sind, hat eine zu dem Deckstreifen (
Bei dem zur Erläuterung dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel hat die Periodizitätslänge Lp des Deckstreifens 117 den doppelten Betrag der Priorizitätslänge des Streifenblisters 21.In the illustrative embodiment, the periodicity length Lp of the
Bei der Gestaltung der Ausgabestation gemäß
Zur Ausstoß-Betätigung der Austriebselemente 123 ist bei dem zur Erläuterung gewählten Ausführungsbeispiel ein gemeinsamer Antrieb vorgesehen, der mittels eines doppelt wirkenden Pneumatik-Zylinders 126 realisiert ist, mittels dessen ein Flachstab 127 an dem Gehäuseblock 124 hin- und herverschiebbar ist; dieser Flachstab 127 ist mit vertikal verlaufenden Führungs-Langlöchem 128 versehen, mit denen ein Mitnahme-Zapfen 129 der Austriebselemente 123 in gleitfähig-formschlüssigem Eingriff steht, derart, dass mit den in Richtung des Doppelpfeils 131 der
Zur Funktionskontrolle der Ausgabestation 116 sind den Ausgabezylindern 28/1 bis 28/7 einzeln zugeordnete, insgesamt jeweils mit 133 bezeichnete Lichtschranken (
Der Deckstreifen 117 besteht aus einem elastischen Material, so dass die hügelförmigen Klappen 119/1 und 119/2, nachdem das Medikament 122 nach unten ausgestoßen ist, wieder in ihre Ausgangslage zurückschnellen, in der die Klappen 119/1 und 119/2 wieder koplanar angeordnet sind.The
Ein geeignetes Material kann ein elastischer Kunststoff sein, wobei der Deckstreifen 117 zusätzlich metallisiert sein kann.A suitable material may be an elastic plastic, wherein the
Der Deckstreifen 117 ist Funktionselement einer gleichsam in die Anlage 10 integrierten Einrichtung zur Funktions-Kontrolle sowie zur QualitätsSicherung und darf daher seinerseits nicht der Gefahr einer Beschädigung ausgesetzt sein. Demgemäß ist der Deckstreifen verschiebbar - "erneuerbar" -, derart, dass die Ausgabestation 16 zumindest von Zeit zu Zeit mit einem "neuen" Deckstreifenabschnitt bestückt wird, wobei der Deckstreifen taktweise um eine Periodizitätslänge Lp verschoben wird, beispielsweise nach Ablauf von zehn Ausgabezyklen der jeweiligen Ausgabestation, selbstverständlich bedarfsgerecht dahingehend, dass eine durch eine Beschädigung des Deckstreifens im Ausgabestationenbereich denkbare Gefahr ausgeschlossen ist.The
Dem Erfindungsgedanken unterfallende Bestückungsanlagen, wie vorausgehend erläutert, können auf vielfältige Weise abgewandelt sein. Nicht dargestellte Abwandlungen sind z.B. die Folgenden:Inventive placement equipment, as previously explained, may be modified in a variety of ways. Variations not shown are e.g. the following:
Für vielfältig benötigte Medikamente können mehrere Ausgabe-Module, die jeweils eine Ausgabestation und eine Vorratsrolle umfassen, vorgesehen sein.For a variety of drugs required, multiple dispensing modules, each including a dispensing station and a supply roll, may be provided.
Möglich ist auch eine Gestaltung einer erfindungsgemäßen Bestückungsanlage derart, dass von einer Blister-Vorratsrolle eine Doppel-Ausgabestation versorgt wird, wenn in einer Bestückungsanlage mit zwei Bestückungslinien eine Vorratsrolle ausreicht, um beide Bestückungslinien zu bedienen, wobei in einem solchen Falle die häufiger gebrauchten Medikamente von je einer Vorratsrolle aus und einer dieser zugeordneten Ausgabestation versorgt werden.It is also possible a design of a placement system according to the invention such that of a blister supply roll a double output station is supplied, if in a placement system with two placement lines a supply roll sufficient to serve both placement lines, in which case the more frequently used drugs are supplied by a respective supply roll and one of these associated output station.
Eine zweckmäßige Abwandlung kann auch darin bestehen, dass in der Gestaltung mit zwei Transportlinien die Matrix-Zeilen der Kassettenanordnung den Tageszeiten zugeordnet sind und der Tagesfolge gleichsam die Spalten der Matrix-Anordnung der parallel zu bestückenden Paare von Transportplatinen 13 entspricht. In diesem Falle hat die Ausgabestation acht Ausstoßelemente für den Fall, dass die Tageseinteilung Morgen, Mittag, Abend und Nacht gegeben ist, die bei den anhand der
Claims (36)
- Arrangement for the individual filling of packaging units with a plurality of medicaments, wherein the packaging units have receiving compartments for the medicament administration units, which compartments are arranged as blister packs in a matrix configuration in lines corresponding to a number of ingestion times during a day and columns corresponding to a number of weekdays, said arrangement comprising the following features,a) delivery stations (16) individually associated with the various medicaments are provided, at which a line-by-line filling of all or only a partial number of selected compartments (12) of the packaging units (11), which are held on a matrix-shaped transporting sheet (13) in each case, takes place automatically;b) a longitudinal transporting device (14) is provided, by means of which the packaging units (11) can be transported in a predetermined direction sequentially to the delivery stations (16) associated individually with the various medicaments;c) the supplying of the medicament administration units to the delivery stations takes place by means of transverse conveying devices individually associated with the medicaments;d) the longitudinal transporting device (14) and the transverse conveying devices (36, 38) are matched to one another as regards transporting stroke and conveying capacity so that filling of the receiving compartments (12) sequentially line by line can be achieved per transporting stroke of the packaging units (11) - which takes place in the column direction of the receiving compartment arrangement - and per conveying stroke of the transverse conveying devices - which takes place in the line direction of the receiving compartment arrangement - the said filling taking place, in each case, in synchronised stoppage phases of the longitudinal transporting and transverse conveying cycles;e) for activating the delivery stations (16) within the context of the filling of the packaging units (11) with medicaments in line with prescriptions, an electronic control unit (41) is provided that generates the control signals required in this respect by processing information signals that contain the information concerning the patients and concerning the contents of the packaging units associated in each case with the latter, which signals are continuously passed to the control unit (41) in a sequence synchronised with the forward feed movements of the packaging units (11) and unambiguously associated with the patients,characterised in that the administration units are arranged equidistantly on blister strips (21) that are wound onto a storage roll (22) and can be withdrawn from the latter,
and that that the delivery stations (16), viewed in the direction of transport of the blister strips (21), have a number, which corresponds to the number of receiving compartments (12) in a line of a packaging unit (11), of individually activatable ejection units (28) arranged in succession, by means of which the medicaments can be ejected individually or simultaneously from the blister wells (23) and delivered into the receiving compartments (12) of the packaging units (11). - Filling arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the transporting device (14) is designed as a stepping device.
- Filling arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that there are provided, in a spatially defined configuration with respect to the packaging units (11), data carriers which are associated with the latter and which contain the patient-related data in machine-readable form.
- Filling arrangement according to claim 3, characterised in that reading stations (42) for the data carriers of the packaging units are provided at the delivery stations (16) and are integrated into the latter.
- Filling arrangement according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the reading station (42) provided for a delivery station (16) is arranged in such a way that reading-in of the data is made possible even before the packaging unit (11) to be filled has arrived at the respective delivery stations (16).
- Filling arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the packaging units (11) have areas which can be printed on and on which record-type information, in particular concerning procedures occurring at the delivery station, can be printed by means of printing devices associated - preferably individually - with the delivery stations (16).
- Filling arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the interspacing Lp of ejection units (28) adjacent to one another corresponds to an integral multiple of the interspacing Ip of adjacent blister wells (23) of the respective blister strip (21).
- Filling arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the ejection units (28) are designed as pneumatic linear cylinders.
- Filling arrangement according to claim 8, characterised in that piston rods projecting from the housing of the pneumatic cylinders (28) are provided with tappet heads that have a shape which is approximately concave in a manner complementary to that of the medicaments to be ejected.
- Filling arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the blister strips (21) have edge strips (83/1 and 83/2) running preferably on both sides of a strip-shaped middle region in which the blister wells (23) are arranged, the said edge strips being acted upon by the drive devices (36, 38).
- Filling arrangement according to claim 10, characterised in that U-profile-shaped guide elements (86/1 and 86/2) that engage, at least in sections, round the edge strips (83/1 and 83/2) of the blister strips (21) are provided for the transporting guidance of the latter and bring about form-locking guidance of the blister strips (21) on both sides of drive devices.
- Filling arrangement according to claim 10 or claim 11, characterised in that the clear distance between the mutually parallel guide arms (87/1 and 87/2) of the U-shaped profiles (86/1 and 86/2) is less than double the thickness of the edge strips of the blister strips.
- Filling arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the blister strips (21) have plastics strips (100) forming the wells (23) for the medicaments, as well as flexularly elastic cover strips (104) covering the well openings (103), which cover strips are provided, in the region of the openings, with embossings and/or perforations and/or narrow slits which facilitate the ejection of the medicaments.
- Filling arrangement according to claim 13, characterised in that the embossings and/or slits extend in an H-shaped manner, covering wings (113/1 and 113/2), which are offset with respect to one another by means of a transverse slit (107) and offset with respect to the edge strips (47) of the blister strip (21) by means of longitudinal slits (106/1 and 106/2), forming cover flaps that open and close again in the manner of a double doors.
- Filling arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that a guide for a movable cover strip (117) is arranged at a vertical distance (h) from the blister strip guide, in a manner running parallel thereto and at a level between the blister strips (21) and the transporting guide for the packaging unit (11), which cover strip is likewise provided with embossings, perforations or slits facilitating the unblocking of pass-through openings, as well as with a device (123, 126, 127) for actuating the opening of cover flaps bordered by such embossings, perforations and/or slits.
- Filling arrangement according to claim 15, characterised in that the cover strip (117) arranged at the intermediate level has the same periodicity length Lp as the blister strip (21), and is independently transported onwards, per delivery cycle that takes place at the respective delivery station and after completion of said cycle, by a defined stretch, preferably by a step corresponding to the periodicity length Lp.
- Filling arrangement according to claim 15 or claim 16, characterised in that L-shaped or T-shaped unblocking elements (123) that can swivel by at least 90° are provided, which can be swivelled from a base position, in which vertical pass-through channels of a housing block (124) that extend between the blister strip (121) and the guide for the cover strip (117) are unblocked, into a position in which these channels are blocked off and the medicaments are delivered into the compartments (12) of the respective packaging unit (11) which are arranged underneath the cover strip (117).
- Filling arrangement according to claim 17, characterised in that a device is provided for jointly actuating the opening of the unblocking elements (123).
- Filling arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterised in that, as drives for the transverse conveyance of the blister strips (21), pairs of rollers are provided, which are supported, in a manner acting upon at least one of the edge strips of the blister strip, on the respective edge strip by means of drive rollers and sliding rollers, and which bring about the conversion of driving force into forward movement by force-locking and/or form-locking.
- Filling arrangement according to claim 19, characterised in that drive elements are provided that are designed in the manner of toothed pinions with smoothly curved teeth which, on account of the elasticity of the blister material, bring about an engagement with said material that operates in a form-locking manner.
- Filling arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterised in that, in order to determine the path of the blister strips (21), incremental path transmitters (51) - which count successively covered path sections of equal length - are provided.
- Filling arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterised in that position transmitters that detect edge markings of the blister strips (21) are provided, which display a defined position of the respective blister strip (21) by means of their output signals.
- Filling arrangement according to claim 21, characterised in that cutting or stamping devices that put in the edge markings are provided, which are arranged at a defined distance away from the delivery station (16) in the region of the blister guide devices.
- Filling arrangement according to claim 22 or claim 23, characterised in that, viewed in the direction of transport of the blister strips (21), at least one marking device is provided on this side of the delivery station (16) in each case, and at least one marking device is arranged on the other side of the delivery station (16).
- Filling arrangement according to claim 24, characterised in that a cutting station (66) for severing the emptied end section of the blister strip (21) is arranged on the other side of the delivery station (16), viewed in the direction of transport of the respective blister strip (21).
- Filling arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 25, characterised in that sensor devices are provided that check whether medicaments are present, and detectors are provided that recognise that medicaments have been delivered.
- Filling arrangement according to claim 26, characterised in that the verification of medicaments in the respective delivery station (16) takes place at the intermediate level, which is marked by the arrangement of the transportable cover strip (117) which covers the receiving compartments (12) of the respective transporting sheet (13) in such a way that they can be unblocked in a controlled manner.
- Filling arrangement according to claim 26, characterised in that sensors and/or detectors that recognise the presence of medicaments in the blister wells (23) are provided in front of, and on the other side of, the delivery stations (16), viewed in the direction of transport of the blister strip (21).
- Filling arrangement according to claim 22, characterised in that the sensors and/or the detectors are realised as light barriers.
- Filling arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 29, characterised in that at least two delivery stations (16) are provided for medicaments, the statistical requirement for which is significantly higher than the average requirement.
- Filling arrangement according to claim 30, characterised in that a plurality of delivery stations intended for the same medicament are, in each case, arranged immediately adjacent to one another.
- Filling arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 31, characterised in that two - parallel - transporting systems for packaging units are provided, in which, for statistically relatively infrequently required medicaments (2), delivery stations associated with the individual systems are arranged next to one another and can be supplied by means of a common transverse conveying device, and an individual transverse conveying device for supplying medicaments is associated with each of the statistically more commonly required medicaments.
- Filling arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 32, characterised in that the longitudinal transportation of the packaging units takes place in groups, the packaging units making up a group being moved with the same transporting speed or with the same step sizes, though these speeds or step sizes may be different, and there being provided, between successive groups of packaging units, free buffer zones which permit the relative movement of the mutually adjacent groups.
- Filling arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 33, characterised in that the packaging units intended for accommodating the medicaments each have a thermoformed part forming the receiving compartments, which part is fabricated by a thermoforming station forming the first workstation of a transporting stretch of the filling arrangement (10), but can be transported from there to the delivery stations of the arrangement, via any post-treatments that may be necessary.
- Method for the individual filling of packaging units (11) with a plurality of medicaments, wherein the packaging units have receiving compartments (12) for the medicament administration units, which compartments are arranged in a matrix configuration in lines and columns, said method comprising the following steps:a) the medicaments, which are arranged equidistantly in respective blister strips (21), are withdrawn from a storage roll (22) and supplied, in a transverse direction, to the delivery stations (16) individually associated with the respective medicament;b) the packaging units (11) are transported sequentially, in a predetermined longitudinal direction, to the delivery stations (16) associated, in each case, with the various medicaments;c) in the delivery stations (16), the medicament administration units are ejected individually or simultaneously, line by line, by means of a number, which corresponds to the number of receiving compartments (12) in a line of a packaging unit (11), of individually activatable ejection units (28) arranged in succession, and are delivered into the receiving compartments (12) of the packaging units (11).
- Method according to claim 35, characterised in that the filling of the receiving compartments (12) of a packaging unit (11) sequentially line by line takes place, in each case, in synchronised stoppage phases of the longitudinal transporting cycles of the packaging units (11) and of the transverse conveying cycles of the medicaments arranged in the blister strips (21).
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PL08101316T PL1916187T3 (en) | 2004-04-26 | 2005-01-03 | Device for filling packaging units with patients' weekly required supply of medicine |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE102004020510A DE102004020510B4 (en) | 2004-04-26 | 2004-04-26 | Plant for the placement of packaging units with the prescribed weekly requirement of patients appropriate drugs |
EP05706833A EP1740459B1 (en) | 2004-04-26 | 2005-01-03 | Installation for filling packaging units with medicaments for patients according to the prescribed weekly requirements |
Related Parent Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP05706833A Division EP1740459B1 (en) | 2004-04-26 | 2005-01-03 | Installation for filling packaging units with medicaments for patients according to the prescribed weekly requirements |
EP05706833.0 Division | 2005-01-03 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1916187A1 EP1916187A1 (en) | 2008-04-30 |
EP1916187B1 true EP1916187B1 (en) | 2010-05-12 |
Family
ID=34960027
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP08101316A Not-in-force EP1916187B1 (en) | 2004-04-26 | 2005-01-03 | Device for filling packaging units with patients' weekly required supply of medicine |
EP05706833A Not-in-force EP1740459B1 (en) | 2004-04-26 | 2005-01-03 | Installation for filling packaging units with medicaments for patients according to the prescribed weekly requirements |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP05706833A Not-in-force EP1740459B1 (en) | 2004-04-26 | 2005-01-03 | Installation for filling packaging units with medicaments for patients according to the prescribed weekly requirements |
Country Status (11)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US7637079B2 (en) |
EP (2) | EP1916187B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4568328B2 (en) |
AT (2) | ATE467562T1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2005234853B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2565210C (en) |
DE (3) | DE102004020510B4 (en) |
DK (2) | DK1916187T3 (en) |
ES (2) | ES2342743T3 (en) |
PL (2) | PL1740459T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2005102841A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2023194542A1 (en) * | 2022-04-08 | 2023-10-12 | Knapp Ag | Tablet carrier for an intermediate transport of tablets in a blister-packaging process, filling device for a tablet carrier, and method for filling a tablet carrier |
Families Citing this family (67)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9141764B2 (en) | 2010-11-12 | 2015-09-22 | Edge Medical Properties, Llc | System and method for online integrated multiple tablet ordering |
US8914298B1 (en) | 2004-10-01 | 2014-12-16 | Edge Medical Properties, Llc | System and method for integrated verification and assembly of multi-script pouches into a housing container |
US8789700B2 (en) | 2004-10-01 | 2014-07-29 | Edge Medical Properties, Llc | System and method for communicating and inspecting a multiple tablet order |
US8266878B2 (en) | 2004-10-01 | 2012-09-18 | Edge Medical Properties, Llc | System and method for verifying and assembling a multiple prescription package |
US8074426B2 (en) * | 2005-09-30 | 2011-12-13 | Edge Medical, Llc | Multiple prescription package and method for filling the package |
US9710866B2 (en) | 2005-09-30 | 2017-07-18 | Edge Medical, Llc | System and method for processing a multiple prescription order |
US7690173B2 (en) | 2005-09-30 | 2010-04-06 | Edge Medical, Inc. | Multiple prescription production facility |
US8123036B2 (en) | 2004-10-01 | 2012-02-28 | Edge Medical Properties, Llc | Pill assembly for pill packaging and delivery systems |
US9015058B2 (en) | 2004-10-01 | 2015-04-21 | Edge Medical Properties, Llc | Matrix based dosage scheduling |
US10315450B1 (en) | 2006-10-24 | 2019-06-11 | Edge Medical Properties, Llc | System and method for generating an integrated label for container housing multi-script pouches |
US9334096B2 (en) | 2004-10-01 | 2016-05-10 | Edge Medical Properties, Llc | Multiple inspection system and method that inspects different medications |
US8972288B2 (en) | 2004-10-01 | 2015-03-03 | Edge Medical Properties, Llc | System and method for online matrix-based dosage scheduling |
US9245304B2 (en) | 2004-10-01 | 2016-01-26 | Edge Medical Properties, Llc | Manufacturing separable pouches with a center cut blade |
US9238518B2 (en) | 2004-10-01 | 2016-01-19 | Edge Medical Properties, Llc | Inspection system and method with a control process that inspects different medications |
US8712582B1 (en) | 2004-10-01 | 2014-04-29 | Edge Medical Properties, Llc | System and method for combining different tablets into a pouch |
US8146747B2 (en) * | 2004-10-01 | 2012-04-03 | Edge Medical Properties, Llc | Tablet dispensing container |
EP1800645A1 (en) * | 2005-12-21 | 2007-06-27 | Körber AG | Package for medicinal products and the like |
DE102006027521B4 (en) * | 2006-06-10 | 2016-01-07 | Edwin Kohl | Plant for the personal placement of medication dispensers |
DE502007003215D1 (en) * | 2007-01-22 | 2010-05-06 | Edwin Kohl | Blister pack and method for temporary storage of products |
DE502007000406D1 (en) * | 2007-05-03 | 2009-03-12 | Uhlmann Pac Systeme Gmbh & Co | Process for the production of multi-day packages with various medicines |
US7971414B1 (en) | 2007-05-30 | 2011-07-05 | Walgreen Co. | Multi-dose filling machine |
EP2062822A1 (en) * | 2007-11-24 | 2009-05-27 | UHLMANN PAC-SYSTEME GmbH & Co. KG | Method and device for individual filling of blister packages |
ES2336880B1 (en) * | 2008-04-02 | 2011-02-10 | Marti Garcia Sala | BLISTER TYPE DISPENSING MACHINE. |
US8200366B2 (en) * | 2008-08-06 | 2012-06-12 | Walgreen Co. | Method and system for determining a volume-based fill pattern of a multi-dose medicament container |
US8627639B2 (en) * | 2008-09-19 | 2014-01-14 | Walgreen Co. | Method and system for determining an order of fill for a plurality of pills in a multi-dose medicament container |
EP2343243B1 (en) | 2010-01-07 | 2012-06-13 | Uhlmann VisioTec GmbH | Assembly for monitored filling of solid pharmaceutical products |
US10435192B2 (en) | 2011-05-16 | 2019-10-08 | Edge Medical Properties, Llc | Multiple inspection system and method that inspects different medications |
US9073206B2 (en) | 2012-06-21 | 2015-07-07 | Omnicare, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for automated filling of packagings with medications |
US8914146B2 (en) | 2011-07-11 | 2014-12-16 | Omnicare, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for filling of packagings with medications |
JP6355881B2 (en) * | 2011-08-26 | 2018-07-11 | 株式会社タカゾノテクノロジー | Drug packaging device |
NL2007384C2 (en) * | 2011-09-09 | 2013-03-12 | Ppm Engineering B V | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PACKING DOSED QUANTITIES OF SOLID MEDICINES |
DE102011086575B4 (en) | 2011-11-17 | 2015-10-08 | Martin Halm | Device and method for individual filling of blisters |
USD687313S1 (en) | 2012-03-28 | 2013-08-06 | Aventisub Ii Inc. | A-shaped blister card |
US8919559B2 (en) | 2012-03-28 | 2014-12-30 | Aventisub Ii Inc. | Package with break-away clamshell |
US8899419B2 (en) | 2012-03-28 | 2014-12-02 | Aventisub Ii Inc. | Package with break-away clamshell |
USD693695S1 (en) | 2012-03-28 | 2013-11-19 | Aventisub Ii Inc. | Package for product |
USD694644S1 (en) | 2012-03-28 | 2013-12-03 | Aventisub Ii Inc. | Clamshell package having blisters |
USD695625S1 (en) | 2012-03-28 | 2013-12-17 | Aventisub Ii Inc. | Package for product |
USD697813S1 (en) | 2012-03-28 | 2014-01-21 | Aventisub Ii Inc. | Clamshell having blisters received therein |
ES2649140T3 (en) | 2012-07-05 | 2018-01-10 | P.C.O.A. Devices Ltd. | Medication dispenser |
WO2014020594A2 (en) | 2012-07-30 | 2014-02-06 | P.C.O.A. Devices Ltd. | A receptacle for containing and dispensing solid medicinal pills |
US9150119B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2015-10-06 | Aesynt Incorporated | Apparatuses, systems, and methods for anticipating and delivering medications from a central pharmacy to a patient using a track based transport system |
US20140108028A1 (en) | 2012-10-12 | 2014-04-17 | Mckesson Automation Inc. | Apparatuses, systems, and methods for anticipating and delivering medications from a central pharmacy to a patient in a healthcare facility |
EP2740679B2 (en) * | 2012-12-04 | 2019-12-04 | MULTIVAC Sepp Haggenmüller SE & Co. KG | Deep draw packaging machine with clock cycled positioning of a sealing station and corresponding method |
EP2754615B1 (en) * | 2013-01-14 | 2015-07-29 | Edwin Kohl | System for personalised filling of blister packs with medications according to specified prescription data |
EP2754614B1 (en) | 2013-01-14 | 2015-06-24 | Edwin Kohl | System and method for personalised filling of blister packages with drugs |
US20140230376A1 (en) * | 2013-02-18 | 2014-08-21 | Qem, Inc. | System, Method, and Apparatus for Forming and Filling Pill Compartments |
IL233295B (en) | 2014-06-22 | 2019-11-28 | Ilan Paz | A controlled pill-dispensing system |
ES2626779T3 (en) | 2014-09-08 | 2017-07-26 | Edwin Kohl | Installation and procedure for repackaging different medicines from their respective original blisters to filling blisters |
US10155603B2 (en) | 2015-04-17 | 2018-12-18 | Carefusion Germany 326 Gmbh | Apparatus for packaging individual medication doses and method for its operation |
IL238387B (en) | 2015-04-20 | 2019-01-31 | Paz Ilan | Medication dispenser depilling mechanism |
US10490016B2 (en) * | 2015-05-13 | 2019-11-26 | Carefusion Germany 326 Gmbh | Device for packaging medication portions |
WO2017064709A1 (en) | 2015-10-15 | 2017-04-20 | P.C.O.A.Devices Ltd | Image recognition-based dosage form dispensers |
US11458072B2 (en) | 2015-11-02 | 2022-10-04 | Dosentrx Ltd. | Lockable advanceable oral dosage form dispenser containers |
US10327994B2 (en) * | 2016-05-02 | 2019-06-25 | Dose Pack Llc | System and methods for customized medicine dosages in a capsule |
CN107651239B (en) * | 2016-07-25 | 2024-01-23 | 江苏雷镈智能科技有限公司 | Medical heparin tube discernment and equipment of packing |
EP3415137A1 (en) * | 2017-06-16 | 2018-12-19 | Koninklijke Philips N.V. | Harvesting energy during compression of a pill pack |
US10741275B2 (en) * | 2017-09-14 | 2020-08-11 | Dosepack Corporation | Medicine dispensing system with feedback pre-fill apparatus |
US10723492B2 (en) * | 2017-09-21 | 2020-07-28 | Yamato Corporation | Depositor apparatus |
US11338990B2 (en) * | 2017-09-21 | 2022-05-24 | Yamato Corporation | Depositor apparatus |
FR3074041B1 (en) | 2017-11-28 | 2019-11-01 | Distraimed | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PREPARING A PILULAR |
DE102017130735A1 (en) * | 2017-12-20 | 2019-06-27 | Delphi Salesconsulting Ag | Device for automated modification of the composition of a batch |
DE102017130737A1 (en) * | 2017-12-20 | 2019-06-27 | Delphi Salesconsulting Ag | Method for the automated production of creams |
DE102018111098A1 (en) * | 2018-05-09 | 2019-11-14 | Jdm Innovation Gmbh | Device for dispensing medicaments and operating methods therefor |
DE102019105131A1 (en) * | 2019-02-28 | 2020-09-03 | Jdm Innovation Gmbh | Drug dispensing device and operating procedures therefor |
CN110893921B (en) * | 2019-12-09 | 2021-09-10 | 红塔辽宁烟草有限责任公司营口卷烟厂 | Cigarette carton packing equipment and application thereof |
CN114655480B (en) * | 2022-02-28 | 2024-04-09 | 安徽金源药业有限公司 | Icariin slow-release nano microcapsule intelligent packaging equipment and method |
Family Cites Families (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2339115A (en) * | 1940-07-05 | 1944-01-11 | Robert P Scherer | Machine for and method of packaging capsules |
FR1001466A (en) * | 1946-05-15 | 1952-02-25 | Devices for the rapid filling of plastic blister sheets intended for the packaging of tablets, lozenges, pills and other products of regular shape | |
US3732544A (en) * | 1970-11-25 | 1973-05-08 | D Obland | Computer-controlled article merchandising system for prescription drugs and like articles |
DE2239344A1 (en) * | 1972-08-10 | 1974-02-28 | Hoefliger & Karg | DEVICE FOR ORDERLY FEEDING AND INSERTING TABLETS, DRAGEES OR THE LIKE |
GB8519036D0 (en) * | 1985-07-29 | 1985-09-04 | Jefferies F W | Blister pack machine |
US4655026A (en) * | 1985-12-11 | 1987-04-07 | Wigoda Luis T | Pill dispensing machine |
JP3417961B2 (en) * | 1992-07-21 | 2003-06-16 | ローム株式会社 | Continuous taping device for electronic components |
DE9416212U1 (en) * | 1994-10-07 | 1995-02-02 | Klumpen, Heinz Willi, 40668 Meerbusch | Automatic dispenser for consumable objects, in particular for medication, removal device for objects accommodated in a magazine, in particular an automatic dispenser, and packaging for consumable objects |
AU1921597A (en) * | 1996-12-30 | 1998-07-31 | P+P Materialfluss-Systeme Gmbh | Method and device for automatic dispatching of singular items, specially an individual pill |
CA2404589C (en) * | 2000-03-31 | 2009-08-18 | Medical Technology Systems, Inc. | Automated solid pharmaceutical product packaging machine |
DE10026331B4 (en) * | 2000-05-26 | 2005-09-01 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Device for feeding products |
EP1294610B1 (en) * | 2000-06-05 | 2005-12-28 | Manrex Pty. Ltd. | Medication dispenser |
FR2810974B1 (en) | 2000-06-30 | 2002-11-29 | Assist Publ Hopitaux De Paris | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR THE AUTOMATED PREPARATION OF MEDICINE TAKES FROM COMPUTERIZED ORDINACES |
US6449921B1 (en) * | 2001-04-16 | 2002-09-17 | Jv Medi Co., Ltd. | Tablet supplying and packaging apparatus having turntable and tablet cassettes |
-
2004
- 2004-04-26 DE DE102004020510A patent/DE102004020510B4/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2005
- 2005-01-03 ES ES08101316T patent/ES2342743T3/en active Active
- 2005-01-03 CA CA002565210A patent/CA2565210C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2005-01-03 AT AT08101316T patent/ATE467562T1/en active
- 2005-01-03 ES ES05706833T patent/ES2310332T3/en active Active
- 2005-01-03 PL PL05706833T patent/PL1740459T3/en unknown
- 2005-01-03 DE DE502005009576T patent/DE502005009576D1/en active Active
- 2005-01-03 EP EP08101316A patent/EP1916187B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2005-01-03 AT AT05706833T patent/ATE402075T1/en active
- 2005-01-03 PL PL08101316T patent/PL1916187T3/en unknown
- 2005-01-03 DE DE502005004809T patent/DE502005004809D1/en active Active
- 2005-01-03 US US11/568,303 patent/US7637079B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2005-01-03 WO PCT/EP2005/000002 patent/WO2005102841A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2005-01-03 DK DK08101316.1T patent/DK1916187T3/en active
- 2005-01-03 JP JP2007509887A patent/JP4568328B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2005-01-03 DK DK05706833T patent/DK1740459T3/en active
- 2005-01-03 AU AU2005234853A patent/AU2005234853B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2005-01-03 EP EP05706833A patent/EP1740459B1/en not_active Not-in-force
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2023194542A1 (en) * | 2022-04-08 | 2023-10-12 | Knapp Ag | Tablet carrier for an intermediate transport of tablets in a blister-packaging process, filling device for a tablet carrier, and method for filling a tablet carrier |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2565210C (en) | 2009-08-11 |
CA2565210A1 (en) | 2005-11-03 |
JP4568328B2 (en) | 2010-10-27 |
ATE402075T1 (en) | 2008-08-15 |
DE102004020510A1 (en) | 2005-11-10 |
DE502005004809D1 (en) | 2008-09-04 |
PL1916187T3 (en) | 2010-10-29 |
ATE467562T1 (en) | 2010-05-15 |
EP1740459B1 (en) | 2008-07-23 |
DK1740459T3 (en) | 2008-11-24 |
EP1740459A1 (en) | 2007-01-10 |
EP1916187A1 (en) | 2008-04-30 |
WO2005102841A1 (en) | 2005-11-03 |
DE102004020510B4 (en) | 2007-11-29 |
US7637079B2 (en) | 2009-12-29 |
US20080190076A1 (en) | 2008-08-14 |
AU2005234853B2 (en) | 2009-07-23 |
JP2007534568A (en) | 2007-11-29 |
ES2310332T3 (en) | 2009-01-01 |
AU2005234853A1 (en) | 2005-11-03 |
PL1740459T3 (en) | 2009-04-30 |
DE502005009576D1 (en) | 2010-06-24 |
ES2342743T3 (en) | 2010-07-13 |
DK1916187T3 (en) | 2010-08-23 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP1916187B1 (en) | Device for filling packaging units with patients' weekly required supply of medicine | |
DE102006027521B4 (en) | Plant for the personal placement of medication dispensers | |
EP1966066B1 (en) | Automated store arrangement and method for storing and dispensing medicaments | |
EP2754615B1 (en) | System for personalised filling of blister packs with medications according to specified prescription data | |
EP1978912B1 (en) | Packaging for medical products and similar | |
DE69425877T2 (en) | AUTOMATIC PILL DELIVERY DEVICE | |
EP2993133B1 (en) | Assembly and method for repackaging different medication from their respective original blister packs into filling blister packs | |
DE102006016942A1 (en) | System and method for dispensing medicaments from a package | |
EP1988019A1 (en) | Method for manufacturing supply packs with various medicines for several days | |
DE60128348T2 (en) | AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR PACKAGING SOLID PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS | |
EP3081500B1 (en) | Device for the production of blister tubes | |
DE102008047975A1 (en) | Tablets e.g. capsules, packing method for e.g. pharmacies, involves transferring tablets arranged on carriers to packaging device and packing tablets in portions, if tablets are correctly arranged on carriers | |
DE102005047429A1 (en) | System for personal placing of medicament dispensers, has medicament storage, which is designed for supplying number of different medicaments whereby medicament contained in standard blister packaging are arranged in pile over one another | |
DE19648447A1 (en) | Appliance for handling blister strips | |
EP1102573A2 (en) | Container for medicaments | |
EP1985550A1 (en) | Packaging unit for medicines and method for its manufacture | |
EP2393467A1 (en) | Method for the production of a stack of medicament pouches used for storing and supplying medicament wafers, medicament pouch template for producing said stack, and use of the medicament pouch template | |
CH634012A5 (en) | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR INSERTING END CAPS IN THE WINDING CORE ENDS OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL, e.g. TOILET PAPER, WRAPPED CORES. | |
DE29802035U1 (en) | Dispenser | |
DE2734664C2 (en) | ||
DE102009017869B3 (en) | Method for individual arrangement of tablets used as medicines or food supplement by patient in e.g. pharmacies, involves loosely holding tablets in storage containers, and supplying and packing tablets in portions to packing device | |
AT403797B (en) | Order-picking apparatus | |
DE102017215917A1 (en) | Individual blister packaging, packaging machine and method of making an individual blister package |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AC | Divisional application: reference to earlier application |
Ref document number: 1740459 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: P |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20080529 |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20080724 |
|
AKX | Designation fees paid |
Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AC | Divisional application: reference to earlier application |
Ref document number: 1740459 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: P |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D Free format text: NOT ENGLISH |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: GERMAN |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 502005009576 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 20100624 Kind code of ref document: P |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: NV Representative=s name: RENTSCH & PARTNER |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: ES Ref legal event code: FG2A Ref document number: 2342743 Country of ref document: ES Kind code of ref document: T3 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: T3 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: SE Ref legal event code: TRGR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DK Ref legal event code: T3 |
|
LTIE | Lt: invalidation of european patent or patent extension |
Effective date: 20100512 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20100512 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: PL Ref legal event code: T3 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20100512 Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20100912 Ref country code: SI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20100512 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CY Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20100526 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: EE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20100512 Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20100913 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: RO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20100512 Ref country code: SK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20100512 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: PL Payment date: 20101103 Year of fee payment: 7 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20110215 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20100813 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CH Payment date: 20110125 Year of fee payment: 7 Ref country code: CZ Payment date: 20101231 Year of fee payment: 7 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R097 Ref document number: 502005009576 Country of ref document: DE Effective date: 20110214 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PFA Owner name: KOHL, EDWIN Free format text: KOHL, EDWIN#IM HOLZHAU 8#66663 MERZIG (DE) -TRANSFER TO- KOHL, EDWIN#IM HOLZHAU 8#66663 MERZIG (DE) |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MC Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20110131 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IE Payment date: 20120120 Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CZ Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20120103 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20120131 Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20120131 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: PL Ref legal event code: LAPE |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20110103 Ref country code: PL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20120103 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: TR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20100512 Ref country code: BG Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20100812 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: MM4A |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: HU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20100512 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20130103 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Payment date: 20150122 Year of fee payment: 11 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DK Payment date: 20150126 Year of fee payment: 11 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: AT Payment date: 20150121 Year of fee payment: 11 Ref country code: SE Payment date: 20150123 Year of fee payment: 11 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BE Payment date: 20150119 Year of fee payment: 11 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 12 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20160131 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DK Ref legal event code: EBP Effective date: 20160131 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: MM01 Ref document number: 467562 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20160103 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: MM Effective date: 20160201 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20160103 Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20160201 Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20160104 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 13 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20160131 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20170131 Year of fee payment: 13 Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20170124 Year of fee payment: 13 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20170125 Year of fee payment: 13 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Payment date: 20170125 Year of fee payment: 13 Ref country code: ES Payment date: 20170124 Year of fee payment: 13 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R119 Ref document number: 502005009576 Country of ref document: DE |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20180103 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180801 Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180131 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: ST Effective date: 20180928 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180103 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180103 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: ES Ref legal event code: FD2A Effective date: 20190730 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180104 |