EP3093826B1 - Device for packaging of medicament portions - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for packaging medicament portions.

One type of device for packaging medication portions are the so-called blister machines. For example, this describes WO 2013/034504 A1 such a blister machine. The device according to the aforementioned publication is used in pharmacies and hospitals or, with appropriate dimensioning, also in blister centers and automatically compiles medicines composed of several portions of medication individually for each patient in accordance with the prescribed intake times. The device packs order data corresponding drug compilations in bags formed from a packaging material web, so-called blister bags, these bags leave the device for further use as a strand of blister bags (also referred to as "blister"). A blister bag regularly corresponds to a time of administration of a patient, ie contains all portions of medication that a patient must take at a given time of day. The order data itself may be, for example, data derived from recipes or the like.

The device described in the aforementioned document is due to their special construction suitable to produce a plurality (several hundred) of blister packs per hour and is therefore especially in the application where appropriate blister bags are to create for a variety of patients. If the requirement for the production speed of the blister bag is not so high, other blister machines are used, since the aforementioned device is relatively expensive to achieve the high blinding speed. In the simpler blister machines is a variety of Storage and dispensing stations arranged in a matrix on or on a holding device. From the storage and dispensing stations, the medication portions are fed via a central guide device to a packaging device which blisters the provided portions of medication. Alternatively, the provided medication portions can also be packaged in a different way.

The storage and dispensing stations are attached "externally" to the holding device, and the portions of medication dispensed from the storage and dispensing stations pass through medicated slides to the central guide means. Due to the variety of different drugs that may be stored in the storage and dispensing stations, the guide device is contaminated with a variety of different drug fragments. The drug fragments can be blistered or packaged with the medication portions and can cause unwanted side effects or allergic reactions when the patient is taking the medication.

It is therefore also essential in the case of packaging devices whose packing speed is not so high as that of the above-mentioned device, that the parts of the device which come into contact with different portions of medicament are cleaned regularly. In the known devices, this cleaning process is very time consuming, since the devices must first be partially disassembled to u.a. to carefully clean the central guide device by hand.

The US 2004/0226855 A1 discloses a device for packaging medication portions comprising a plurality of semi-cabinets each having a plurality of storage and dispensing stations. At their backsides, the semi-cabinets have projections and grooves which define guide means when aligning two semi-cabinets together. To clean the guide means defined by the grooves and projections, the semi-cabinets must be separated from each other; a removal and a replacement of Dirty guide devices is not possible due to the design of the device.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for packaging medicament portions, wherein cleaning-related downtime is reduced.

The object is achieved by a device for packaging medicament portions according to claim 1. The inventive device comprises a frame structure to which at least one guide device is attached, wherein the guide means comprises a plurality of receiving openings and at least one discharge opening. In the device according to the invention, the guide device is an independent component which can participate in the formation or support of a basic structure of the device, but is not necessary for the basic structure as such.

The apparatus further includes a plurality of storage and dispensing stations for dispensing individual portions of medicaments, said storage and dispensing stations having a medicament supply reservoir and a delivery station having a drug delivery channel for dispensing individual portions of medicament. The individual storage and dispensing stations are connected to a control device, and on the basis of a control command of this control device, individual medication portions can be dispensed from each storage and dispensing station.

The device further comprises a holding device for the storage and dispensing stations, wherein the holding device has a plurality of holders, in each of which a drug slide with a receiving opening and a discharge opening and a storage and dispensing station are arranged, in such a way that the receiving openings of the Medication chutes are associated with the medication delivery channels of the dispensing stations and the dispensing openings of the drug chutes are associated with the receiving openings of the at least one guide device. In other words, the drug slides form the link between the drug delivery channel of a storage and dispensing station and the guide means, ie isolated portions of medication arrive via a drug slide in the guide device.

Finally, for receiving medication portions from the at least one guide means and forwarding to a packaging station packaging the provided medication portions, the apparatus comprises a collection device. The manner of execution of the collection device is not relevant to the present invention. For example, it can be a band or a funnel which is arranged under the at least one guide device and which guides the dispensed medication portions to the packaging device.

Due to the large number of different portions of medication that are dispensed from the storage and dispensing stations in the at least one guide device, this is quickly contaminated with drug fragments. The higher the level of contamination with drug fractions, the greater the risk that drug fragments will be packaged with the collected medication portions. Regular cleaning of the guide device is therefore necessary. In order to simplify such a cleaning and thus to reduce the downtime of the device, it is provided that the guide device is detachably arranged or attached to the frame structure. Furthermore, it is provided according to the invention that the at least one holding device and the frame structure are fastened to or in the device in such a way that the holding device and the frame structure are movable relative to one another in such a way that the at least one guide device is accessed in an access position from outside the device can.

Due to the detachable arrangement of the at least one guide device on the frame structure, the guide device can be removed and subsequently an already cleaned guide device can be arranged in or on the frame structure. The inventive combination of the aforementioned features enables the Cleaning the device can be done much faster. As a result of a single movement, all the storage and dispensing stations located on the holding device are quickly moved away from the at least one guide device, removed and replaced by a clean guide device. Tedious cleaning of a fixed guide device, as is necessary in the prior art, is eliminated.

Depending on the type of drug composition to be expected and the number of portions of medication to be packaged, a guide device or a plurality of guide devices can be used in the device according to the invention. If, for example, it is to be expected that only a relatively small number of medicament compilations are to be packaged, only one guide device with only one inner guide channel can be used, medicament portions entering the guide channel via the receiving openings and emerging again via the delivery opening.

Alternatively, a guide device may be used with a plurality of guide channels, wherein then each guide channel is associated with a plurality of receiving openings and a discharge opening. It is also conceivable to use a plurality of guide devices with one or more guide channels.

The holding device for the storage and dispensing stations is preferably pivotably attached to, for example, the frame structure. In such a case, the complete holding device together with the storage and dispensing stations attached thereto can be pivoted away from the guide device (s) so that direct access to the guide device (s) is possible. A corresponding embodiment of the device is structurally simple and inexpensive to implement.

As an alternative to the pivoting of the at least one holding device on, for example, the frame structure, it is possible for the at least one holding device and the Guide device (s) to move parallel to each other, ie the frame structure relative to a stationary holding device or a holding device relative to a stationary frame structure. For this purpose, a sliding mechanism which is well known to a person skilled in the art is to be installed in the device.

As already indicated, the guide device (s) is or are detachably arranged or attached to the frame structure. In order to enable a release of the frame structure as quickly as possible, it is provided in a preferred embodiment that the at least one guide device is designed such that there is a positive releasable connection between the guide device and the frame structure. This also has the advantage that no special tool is necessary for releasing the guide device from the frame structure. According to the invention, the guide device, or a composite of several guide devices, for example, be mounted on a special support of the frame structure. A further fixation of the guide device is not absolutely necessary, since this is fixed by the holding device or the holding devices themselves when "closing" the device.

In addition to the or the guide devices, the drug slides are components that are heavily contaminated with drug fragments, so that a frequent cleaning of the drug slides is necessary, especially if in a drug slide a storage and dispensing station with a drug, which from the previously stored there drug deviates, is used. In the prior art, the drug slides are usually an integral part of the holding device, the storage and dispensing stations or the guide device. This leads to the fact that the aforementioned components have a complicated and therefore expensive to clean construction. According to the invention, it is provided that the medicament slides are releasably secured to the holders of the at least one holding device, so that they can be easily removed for cleaning and replaced by cleaned medicament slides. Out Already mentioned above reasons, it is particularly preferred that the drug slides are formed such that there is a positive releasable connection between the drug chutes and a holding device.

The collection device can be designed, for example, as a conveyor belt, which transports delivered medication portions to the packaging device. With appropriate design of the conveyor belt, for example, arranged on the conveyor release means, several drug compositions can be transported simultaneously with the conveyor belt. However, it is impractical and difficult to provide the conveyor belt with a variety of release agents in view of the reliability of the separation of the individual drug compilations.

In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, it is therefore provided that the collecting device comprises a plurality of collecting devices which serve as temporary medicament stores. Regularly, a collecting device is associated with a guide device, so that a plurality of medicament compilations can be created in parallel, which can then be transferred after completion, for example by opening a closing flap of a collecting device, a funnel or the like, from where they reach the packaging device.

Alternatively, the collection devices may also be attached to a circulating conveyor belt and passed under the guide means so that each collection device may be passed past each guide means (and thus at each storage and dispensing station), thus reducing the number of different portions of medication required for a drug composition can be used significantly increased. As soon as a collecting device is guided past the packaging device by means of the conveyor belt, the medicament portions intermediately stored in the collecting device are transferred to the packaging device.

In order to prevent drug fragments from sticking to the drug chutes or the guide means and being taken up or entrained by subsequent drug portions, in a preferred embodiment it is provided that the medication chutes and / or the guide means have an anti-stick coating on the inside. An adhesion of drug fragments forming during operation is reduced, these traps are directed downward through the device and may be removed in dedicated areas.

When cleaning the device regularly all drug slides are removed and replaced with purified drug chutes. The number of these drug slides is significant, so when replacing contaminated drug slides, one or more retainers may not be provided with a cleaned medication chute. This has the consequence that the medication portions at these points do not pass as desired in the associated guide means after delivery by the delivery station, which in turn means that the medication portion does not get as intended to the drug composition, so that it is faulty. In order to avoid overlooking re-insertion of a medication chute when cleaning the device, in a preferred embodiment it is provided that the device has a plurality of sensor devices which detect the presence of all drug chutes. If it is determined that one or more drug chutes are missing after closing the device, a beep or other indication, such as a message on a display device, may be issued requesting the onset of the missing drug chutes.

• Figur 1 eine Schnittansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zeigt;
• Figur 2 eine Schnittansicht einer zweiten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zeigt;
• die Figuren 3a bis 3c Detailansichten eines Abschnittes der zweiten Ausführungsform zeigen;
• Figuren 4a und 4b weitere Detailansichten eines Abschnitts der zweiten Ausführungsform zeigen;
• Figuren 5a bis 5c Detailansichten einer Halteeinrichtung mit Speicher- und Abgabestationen und Medikamentenrutschen zeigen; und
• Figuren 6a und 6b Detailansichten einer dritten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zeigen.

In the following, the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings with reference to several preferred embodiments, wherein

• FIG. 1 a sectional view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention;
• FIG. 2 a sectional view of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention;
• the FIGS. 3a to 3c Show detailed views of a portion of the second embodiment;
• FIGS. 4a and 4b show further detailed views of a portion of the second embodiment;
• FIGS. 5a to 5c Show detailed views of a holding device with storage and dispensing stations and drug chutes; and
• Figures 6a and 6b Show detail views of a third embodiment of the device according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a sectional view through a first embodiment of the device according to the invention for packaging medicament portions. In this first embodiment, a plurality of guide means (20) are implemented, which are designed as elongated downpipes with a plurality of receiving openings 21 and a discharge opening 22, wherein the receiving openings 21 and discharge openings 22 in FIG. 1 are merely indicated. In the embodiment shown, a plurality of guide means are arranged parallel to one another and form a bundle of guide means, wherein the guide means may be interconnected. Two such bundles are arranged in parallel one behind the other, but at FIG. 1 is not recognizable (see FIG. 3a ). The individual guide devices are each mounted on a suspension 13 of a frame structure 10, so that a positive connection between the guide means and the suspensions is formed. Each management facility includes a (in FIG. 1 not visible) guide channel, the medication portions are supplied via the receiving openings 21.

The frame structure 10 comprises at least one horizontal support 11 and at least two vertical supports 12 at the edges of the bundles of guide means, the supports 13 being fixed to the horizontal support 11. The frame structure 10 forms a structure disposed within the device, to which the guide means are releasably attached, the However, guide devices themselves do not form part of the inner support structure of the device according to the invention, but can be completely removed from the device without affecting the inner support structure.

The device according to the invention further comprises a holding device 40, which in the illustration according to FIG. 1 can be seen in the background, and which will be described in more detail with reference to the following figures. The retainer 40 serves to hold and align a plurality of drug slides and storage and dispensing stations with respect to the guide means.

Disposed below the guide means 20 is a collection device 50 which, in the first embodiment shown, comprises a plurality of collection means 52 which are attached to a circulating conveyor belt 53 (shown only) and are moved beneath the guide means. As a result, each collection device 52 is aligned with each guide device for a certain period of time so that medication portions of each guide device can be transferred to a specific collection device. The collection device 50 further includes a funnel 51 into which the collected medication portions are transferred from the collection devices 52 (eg, by opening a closure flap at a particular position above the funnel). From the funnel 51, the medicament compilations formed by the medicament portions reach a packaging device 60 which is shown only schematically and with which the medicament compositions are packaged. Whether the drug compositions are, for example, blistered or otherwise packaged depends on the particular circumstances.

The packaging device 60, the collecting device 50 and the (not shown) storage and dispensing stations are coupled to a control device 60, via which the individual components of the device according to the invention are controlled.

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the second embodiment is largely consistent with the first embodiment and are described below only those aspects that differ from the first embodiment.

As it is in the upper part of FIG. 2 can be seen, the guide means of the second embodiment are mounted only on two suspensions 13 within the device, ie, the bundles of guide means 20 are each combined into one or two packages. The packages on guide means can be removed only as a whole, which is advantageous in view of the time period of replacement of the guide means, but also conditionally that always a plurality of guide means is replaced.

Among the guide means in this embodiment, a collecting device 50 is arranged, but this does not include, as in the first embodiment, the case of a plurality of collection devices, but only a large collection funnel 51, which supplies the drug compositions of a packaging device 60, which with a control device 70 is coupled. Also in this embodiment, the storage and dispensing stations (not shown) are coupled to the controller 70 so that each of them may be individually driven to dispense portions of medication.

The device according to the invention is not limited to the two aforementioned embodiments. For example, specific features of one embodiment may be combined with features of another embodiment. For example, it is conceivable to combine a collecting device with a plurality of collecting devices with the manner of designing the guiding devices according to the second embodiment.

FIGS. 3a and 3b show detailed views of a portion of the second embodiment. As can be seen in both figures, the device comprises two bundles of parallel ones successively arranged guide means 20, wherein the guide means or the bundles are arranged such that the receiving openings 21 of the guide means 20 are arranged opposite and away from the middle plane between the bundles. A corresponding arrangement of the guide means is particularly useful if, as with respect to the FIGS. 4a and 4b is shown in more detail, two holding devices 40 are each installed with a plurality of storage and dispensing stations.

According to the invention, it is provided that the at least one holding device 40 and the frame structure 10 are fastened to or in the device in such a way that the holding device 40 and the frame structure 10 are movable relative to one another such that the guide devices 20 are accessed from the outside in an access position can be. In the second embodiment of the device according to the invention such a relative movement of the frame structure and the holding device is realized to each other by the holding device 40 is arranged pivotably.

As this particular FIG. 3a can be seen, the holding device 40 is formed as a kind of door, which comprises a vertical holding plane 45 and substantially horizontal and vertical frame members 46 and 47, wherein the frame members 46 and 47, as still with reference to the Figure 3c form a kind of protective frame for the plurality of storage and dispensing stations.

As already indicated, the manner of arranging the guide means 20 implies that the first and the second embodiment of the device according to the invention each comprise two holding means 40, which are pivotable with respect to the guide means, to those in FIGS. 3a and 3b indicated pivot axes SA1 and SA2. In order to realize such a pivoting, corresponding pivot hinges are arranged either on the "rear" vertical support 12 or other additional components of the frame structure 10 or the device itself. In FIG. 3a is a corresponding pivot joint 14 for the (not shown) second holding device 40 indicated.

FIG. 3b shows a rear view of the illustration according to FIG. 3a , wherein it can be clearly seen that the two bundles of guide devices lie "back to back" and the respective receiving openings 21 are arranged opposite to one another. The guide means have in the embodiment so "outside", ie away from the center plane of the device, a plurality of receiving openings 21.

In FIG. 3b only a holding device 40 is shown on the right side. This includes, as with reference to Figure 3c will be described in more detail, a plurality of storage and dispensing stations, of which only the dispensing stations 32 are indicated for the sake of clarity.

Each dispensing station is associated with a merely indicated medication slide 42 which extends through the support plane 45 and provides communication between the drug delivery channel of the dispensing station and the receiving openings of the guide means. The dispensing stations themselves therefore do not extend with any section through the holding plane, but are arranged or fastened "from the outside" on this.

Figure 3c illustrates how the dispensing stations 32 of the storage and dispensing stations are arranged on the holding device 40. The storage and dispensing stations are arranged in a matrix which is surrounded and protected by the horizontal and vertical frame elements 46, 47 of the holding device. The dispensing stations 32 are (releasably) attached to the holding plane 45 of the holding device 40 and (not shown) storage 31 are detachably mounted on the dispensing stations 32.

FIGS. 4a and 4b show detailed views of portions of the second embodiment, wherein in these figures, two holding devices 40 are shown, which are arranged pivotably within the device. Like this in the FIGS. 3a, 3b is indicated, the holding means 40th with (not shown here) pivot joints pivotally mounted in the device.

In the figures, the "back" or "left" holder 40 is shown in a closed state, that is, in a state in which the storage and dispensing stations and the drug chutes are aligned with the guide means. The "front" or "right" holding device 40 is already slightly pivoted away from the guide means, on the pivot axis SA2. By pivoting up or down the complete holding device 40, all guide devices 20 within the device and the medication chutes of the holding device can be accessed. The in the FIGS. 4a and 4b shown position is not yet suitable for unimpeded access to the aforementioned components. For unimpeded access, the holding device 40 must be further pivoted away from the guide means.

Like this in FIG. 4b is shown, the guide means 20 may be multi-part, in particular formed in two parts, wherein in the embodiment shown, a holding device 40 facing half 20a has the receiving openings 21. A half of the device facing half 20b includes a guide channel 23, said guide channel has projections which are to slow the rate of fall of drug portions within the guide means. In FIG. 4b It is further indicated that the guide means are internally provided with a non-stick coating 24, which is intended to prevent adherence of detached drug fragments.

In the embodiment shown, each guide device 20 comprises a guide channel 23. As already indicated, the guide devices can also be designed differently in alternative embodiments. For example, a guide device with a plurality of guide channels or two guide devices, each with a plurality of guide channels can be used. In the simplest case, only a guide device with be used at least one guide channel. The particular distribution / arrangement of the receiving openings and the discharge opening (s) depends on the exact number and design of the guide channels.

The FIGS. 5a-5c show detailed views of a holding device 40 with a plurality of attached thereto discharge stations 32, which are each part of a storage and dispensing station 30. In the view according to FIG. 5a For example, two rows of dispensing stations 32 and medication chutes associated therewith have been omitted, and it can be seen that the holding plane 45 of the holder 40 has a plurality of holders 41. The brackets 41 are in this embodiment designed as openings in the holding plane 45, and in these openings the drug slides 42 are arranged positively and releasably (see FIGS. 5b, 5c ). The holders 41 each have projections 48 to which the dispensing stations 32 of the storage and dispensing stations 30 can be attached.

How to look in particular FIG. 5b can be taken, is usually in each holder 41, a drug slide 42 is arranged, via which the medication portions are passed from the delivery channels of the delivery stations in the guide means.

As already described, it is particularly preferred that the medicament slides 42 are arranged in a form-fitting manner with the holders 41. How one FIG. 5c can be removed, the drug slides 42 are simply inserted into the holders 41 in the embodiment shown, wherein the receiving openings 43 abut the drug delivery channels 33 of the dispensing stations 32. The delivery openings 44 of the drug slides are aligned (in the closed state of the device) to the receiving openings of the guide means.

In FIG. 5c It is further indicated that the drug slides have a non-stick coating 49b, which prevents or complicates the adhesion of drug fragments. Furthermore, the holding device 40 in the a plurality of sensors 49a, which detect a presence of the drug chutes. The arrangement and number of sensors is dependent on their exact structure and should only be indicated here. The sensors may be connected to the controller of the device, and a lack of a medication chute may be displayed centrally. In addition, it is conceivable that the sensors determine the degree of contamination of the drug slides and transmit them to the control device.

The Figures 6a and 6b show detailed views of a third embodiment of the device according to the invention. In this third embodiment, unlike the two embodiments described above, not a double layer of guide devices are installed, each having receiving openings only on one side, but a single layer of parallel guide means having receiving openings 21 on both sides of the guide means , where in the Figures 6a and 6b only the receiving openings 21 are shown, which are not covered by a holding device 40. In the embodiment shown, portions of medication from storage and dispensing stations may be dispensed into both sides of the guide means.

In the first and second embodiments of the device according to the invention, the holding devices were arranged pivotably in the device. The possibility according to the invention for relative movement of the holding devices or the guide devices is realized differently in the third embodiment, namely by providing a sliding mechanism at the lower end of the holding device 40. A guide rail 101 is arranged on a bottom plate 100 of the device according to the invention, in which rollers 102 at the bottom Are guided end of the holding device. Comparable with a sliding door, the holding device 40 with all the storage and dispensing stations and drug chutes can be pushed away from the guide means 20, whereby the Possibility of access to the leadership facilities and the drug chutes is given. Alternatively, it is possible to displaceably mount the frame structure 10 within the device, so that the guide devices can be pulled out of the composite holding device / guide device / holding device.

The two specific features described with respect to the third embodiment of the device according to the invention may, of course, be combined with other features described only in relation to the first and second embodiments of the invention.

Claims (8)

1. A device (1) for packaging medication portions, having
   a frame structure (10), on which at least one guide unit (20) is fastened, wherein the guide unit (20) has a plurality of receptacle openings (21) and at least one dispensing opening (22),
   a plurality of storage and dispensing stations (30) for dispensing individual medication portions, wherein the storage and dispensing stations (30) have a supply store (31) for medication portions and a dispensing station (32) having a medication dispensing channel (33) for dispensing individual medication portions,
   at least one holding unit (40) for storage and dispensing stations (30), wherein the holding unit (40) has a plurality of mounts (41), in each of which a medication slide (42) having a receptacle opening (43) and a dispensing opening (44) and a storage and dispensing station (20) are arranged such that the receptacle openings (43) of the medication slides (42) are associated with the medication dispensing channels (33) of the dispensing stations (32) and the dispensing openings (44) of the medication slides (42) are associated with the receptacle openings (21) of the at least one guide unit (20),
   at least one collecting device (50) for receiving medication portions from the at least one guide unit (20) and relaying them to a packaging device (60), which packages the provided medication portions,
   characterized in that
   the at least one guide unit (20) is removably arranged on the frame structure (10) and
   the at least one holding unit (40) and the frame structure (10) are fastened on or in the device (1) such that the holding unit (40) and the frame structure (10) are movable relative to one another such that the at least one guide unit (20) can be accessed from outside the device (1) in an access position.
2. The device (1) for packaging medication portions as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the at least one holding unit (40) is mounted so it is pivotable.
3. The device (1) for packaging medication portions as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one guide unit (20) is implemented such that a formfitting removable connection exists between the guide unit (20) and the frame structure (10).
4. The device (1) for packaging medication portions as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the medication slides (42) are removably fastened on the mounts (41) of the at least one holding unit (40).
5. The device (1) for packaging medication portions as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the medication slides (42) are implemented such that a formfitting connection exists between the medication slides (41) and the holding unit (40).
6. The device (1) for packaging medication portions as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the collecting device (50) comprises a plurality of collecting units (52), which are used as temporary medication stores.
7. The device (1) for packaging medication portions as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the medication slides (42) and/or the guide units (20) have an antistick coating (24, 42b) on the inside.
8. The device (1) for packaging medication portions as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the device (1) has a plurality of sensor units (49a) which detect the presence of the medication slides (41).

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