FI124394B - Method and apparatus for recovery of liquid pharmaceutical waste - Google Patents

Description

Method and apparatus for recovering liquid pharmaceutical waste

Background

The invention relates to a method for recovering liquid pharmaceutical wastes, comprising: inserting a drug package to be emptied into a drain member, inserting a drain tube through said cap of the drug package, forming a vacuum or overpressure to expel the drug package from the drug package.

The invention further relates to a device for emptying liquid pharmaceutical waste comprising: a pump for generating vacuum and / or overpressure, at least one emptying member adapted to be connected to a medicament to be emptied to create a vacuum or overpressure in said package, and the emptying member comprising a shear emptying tube which can be inserted through the cap of the medicament package.

Disposable medical waste must be handled safely and reliably. A significant proportion of pharmaceutical waste is in liquid form. However, there are currently no devices or methods for recovering liquid pharmaceutical wastes suitable for use in emptying drug packages of varying characteristics.

Short description

The method and apparatus of the invention are characterized by what is stated in the characterizing parts of the independent claims. Other embodiments of the invention are characterized by what is set forth in the other claims.

According to one idea, the method is characterized by: inserting a drug container to be emptied into the discharge member, inserting a drain tube through the cap of said drug package, forming a vacuum or overpressure in the drug package to discharge the drug package from the drug.

According to one idea, the device is characterized in that it comprises: a pump for generating a vacuum and / or an overpressure, at least one discharge member adapted to be connected to the evacuated drug package to create a vacuum or overpressure in said package, and a receptacle the emptying member comprising a shear emptying tube which can be inserted through the cap of the medicament package.

The advantage is that liquid drug waste can be safely and easily removed from most drug packages. For example, almost all medicine bottles have a pierceable cap or lid, whether the bottle material itself is plastic or glass.

The following is a list of features of some embodiments of the invention in random order:

The idea of one embodiment is to create an underpressure in the pharmaceutical package. The advantage is to minimize the risk of spillage during discharge. The idea of one embodiment is that the drain tube which passes through the cap is integral with the receiving recess of the device.

The advantage is that the device is safe to use because the user does not have to handle loose or otherwise exposed needles.

The idea of one embodiment is that the device also comprises a Luer connector. The advantage is that packages with a Lu-er-Lok® or Luer-Slip® counterpart, such as pain cartridges and syringes, can be emptied in the same container with some other drugs.

The idea of one embodiment is that the device also comprises a drainage site for thin glass ampoules. The advantage is that the same device can also be used to empty thin glass ampoules.

The idea of one embodiment is that the device also comprises a syringe drainage site. The advantage is that syringes, such as contrast media, can also be discharged with the same device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This is explained in more detail in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 schematically illustrates a method and apparatus for partially liquid-recovered liquid pharmaceutical waste, Figure 2 schematically illustrates the device of Figure 1 on its user interface side, and Figures 3A-3C schematically show details of the device of Figure 1.

For the sake of clarity, the figures are simplified. Like parts are denoted by like reference numerals in the figures.

Detailed description

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a method and apparatus for recovering liquid pharmaceutical waste, and Figure 2 illustrates such a device from its user interface side.

The liquid drug residue may be, for example, a solution or a drug or infusion liquid in suspension form.

In the method and apparatus shown in Figure 1, the following types of packages can be emptied: - glass bottle with a plastic or rubber stopper, - a bottle with a polymeric material with a plastic or rubber stopper, - a thin glass ampoule, - a bag containing a polymeric material, for example.

The device 10 comprises six packaging drainage means for emptying, for example, glass bottles with screw caps, glass bottles with a stopper rubber stopper, thin glass ampoules, a plastic bottle with a piercable rubber portion, pouches for a pain pump, and syringes.

The drainage means comprise a suction tip 3, four drainage locations 4a -4d, and a Luer connector 7. It should be noted that the number and configuration of the drainage means may be different. For example, according to one idea, the device 10 comprises no discharge means other than a single discharge location 4a to 4d.

The device 10 comprises a pump 5, by means of which a vacuum or an overpressure is formed in the container to be emptied. Thus, the pump 5 may be a vacuum pump or a positive pressure pump or a pump capable of generating both negative pressure and negative pressure. In another embodiment, the device 10 comprises two pumps, for generating a first negative pressure and a second positive pressure, wherein the user of the device 10 can select whichever pump is to be used.

The device may comprise a pressure regulator 16 for controlling the amount of vacuum or excess pressure exerted on the container to be emptied. Advantageously, the pressure regulator 16 can be controlled from a user interface fitted to the drain unit 1.

The device 10 further comprises the necessary number of containers 6a, 6b - in the embodiment shown two pieces - in which the liquid removed from the packages is stored. According to one idea, the containers 6a, 6b with their medical waste are delivered for destruction.

The device 10 further comprises a duct system 9 which connects the pump 5 and the tanks 6a, 6b to the container discharge members 3, 4a to 4d, 7.

When using a vacuum suction, air flows through tank 6a, 6b to pump 5 and further away from device 10. Before leaving the device, exhaust air A is preferably filtered in filter 17, for example HEPA filter, after which exhaust air A can be led to a building ventilation duct. Filter 17 removes any drug residues from the exhaust air.

From the emptying unit 1, a desired emptying position 4a - 4d is selected into which the emptying package is fitted.

The emptying position 4a - 4d has a hollow drain tube 11, for example a needle with a bevelled tip and a shearing tip, a hollow blunt insert whose head preferably comprises a cutting surface, or simply a tube without cutting surfaces. Through the drain tube 11, the drug contained in the package is discharged using a vacuum or an overpressure.

The third and fourth emptying sites 4c, 4d comprise a cutting needle or sting. When using the third or fourth emptying position 4c, 4d in the method, the needle or staple passes through the cap, lid or other closure of the package. It should be noted that in this specification, the term "cap" is intended to mean not only caps but also lids and other closures on the package, unless otherwise stated.

An advantage of the process is, inter alia, that the majority of the liquid pharmaceutical packaging bottles in use comprise a stopper made of plastic, rubber or other permeable material.

The details of some of the drainage locations 4a to 4d are discussed in connection with Figures 3A-3C.

The container to be emptied may also be fitted to a suction tip 3 for emptying packages which have no place in the emptying unit 1. The suction tip emptying tube may comprise a cutting or non-cutting tip. The suction tip 3 is preferably shaped to be worn in a hand; it further preferably comprises an operating switch, by means of which the suction nozzle 3 can be switched on and off at the suction nozzle.

The suction tip 3 is connected to the emptying unit 1 via a flexible suction hose 12 which allows the position of the suction tip to be freely changed. The liquid sucked in by the suction tip 3 can be directed to the quantity measuring container 2, and thereafter, after measurement, to the container 6a, 6b by opening the shut-off valve 19. According to another idea, the liquid aspirated at the suction tip 3 is directed directly to the container 6a, 6b.

According to another idea, a suction nozzle 3 is provided with an overpressure hose in addition to the suction hose 12, through which excess pressure can be exerted on the container to be emptied.

The container to be emptied can also be fitted to the Luer connector 7, which can be replaced with a male or female connector. The term "Luer connector" as used in this specification means a standard dimensioned connector that can be fitted to a standard matching connector. The Luer connector 7 is preferably compatible with at least either a Luer-Lok® or Luer-Slip® type matching connector.

The Luer connector 7 is particularly suitable for emptying pain cartridges and pumps. Through the Luer connector 7, the fluid can be directed to a metering container 2 for measuring the amount of fluid discharged before being directed to the container 6a, 6b.

The device interface is mainly adapted to the drain unit 1.

In the figures, the user interface comprises buttons I - V, but of course the user interface may be implemented in other ways. The I-V buttons control the shut-off valve 19 and the solenoid valves 20. By opening a particular solenoid valve 20, the desired discharge pressure, i.e. vacuum or excess pressure.

The method and the device 10 implementing it evacuate the package either by vacuum, overpressure or alternately. To this end, a controller can be fitted to change and regulate the pressure acting on the package to overpressure or underpressure.

When evacuated under vacuum, device 10 interrupts, if necessary, the creation of vacuum in the package and provides replacement air / pressure to the package via valve, whereupon device 10 returns to absorb vacuum in the package so that the package is completely emptied of medical waste. These replacements can be made automatically by the control unit 13 of the device or manually. According to one idea, liquid, for example water and / or solvent, is supplied to the package to remove the drug from the package and / or to rinse the package so that no trace of drug remains in the emptied package.

The liquid to be discharged from the package is directed through a channel 9 to a selected container 6a, 6b. The fluid may pass through the fluid counter 8a, which displays the amount of fluid in the desired unit of measurement, by the time of the container 6a, 6b. In the embodiment of the method and apparatus shown in the figures, the first drainage location 4a is connected to the right container 6a of Figure 1 and the other drainage locations 4b to 4d as well as the suction tip 3 and Luer connector 7 to the left container 6b respectively. These connections can, of course, be made in other ways than when the number of containers may be more than two.

The container 6a, 6b preferably comprises pressure-resistant caps or lids 14 having overfill sensors 15. The overfill sensor 15 prevents overfill of the container 6a, 6b by closing the filling channel leading to the container 6a, 6b.

A pressure cap or cap 14 is removed from the full container 6a, 6b, which is replaced by a sealed cap or lid, which preferably comprises locking means which prevent the container from being opened subsequently. The pressure cap or cap 14 is placed in a new container 6a, 6b, after which the container can be started to be filled.

The device 10 may comprise a device 18 for opening a thin glass ampoule in which the unopened ampoule can be opened safely. The device 18 comprises a slot or a slot in which the neck of the ampoule can be severed sideways.

Figures 3A-3C schematically show some details of the device of Figure 1.

Figure 3A shows an embodiment of the third and fourth emptying stations 4c, 4d. The structure of said emptying locations 4c, 4d may be similar except for sizing: the third emptying space 4c is dimensioned for larger packaging bottles and the fourth emptying space 4d for smaller packaging bottles.

The third and fourth drainage locations 4c, 4d comprise a drainage tube 11, in this case an inclined needle. The drain tube 11 is disposed on the bottom of the receiving recess 21 so that it extends a distance from the bottom of the receiving recess 21. The diameter of the receiving recess 21 is dimensioned such that a standard-sized packaging bottle 23 of a certain size can be conveniently fitted thereto.

At the mouth of the receiving recess 21, guiding means 22 may be provided, which may either form an annular member around the receiving recess 21, or alternatively, spaced apart projections spaced about the receiving recess 21.

The guide means 22 guides the packaging bottle 23 in the correct position to the receiving recess 21. The guide means 22 is preferably made of polyamide or other suitable plastic. The guide means 22 can be dimensioned to be narrower than the receiving recess 21, thereby guiding the packaging bottles 23 smaller than the standard-sized packaging bottle 23, for example when the emptying packaging bottle 23 is too large for the said control means 22.

The guide means 22 are dimensioned such that the packaging bottle 23 may be inserted into the receptacle 21 by the cap or lid 24 so that the drain tube 11 pierces said cap or lid 24. The guide recess 21 may also be provided with other guide means 27 which prevent contact of the with drain pipe 11.

Figure 3B shows an embodiment of the second drainage site 4b. The second emptying site 4b is intended in particular for emptying the thin glass ampoules. The thin glass ampoule may first be opened by the opening means 18, after which the opened end of the ampoule is introduced into the receiving recess 21 so that the drain tube 11 rests within the ampoule. The open end of the ampoule may be loose relative to the drain tube 11. The drug can then be discharged into the conical receiving recess 21 from where it can be sucked into the container 6 through the holes 28.

Figure 3C shows an embodiment of the first emptying site 4a. This is intended primarily for emptying the contrast syringes 26. The drain tube 11 is arranged at the bottom of a tapered receiving recess 21. The injection head 26 of the contrast syringe 25 is fitted into the receiving recess 21, after which the contents of the syringe 25 are sucked into the container 6

In some cases, the features set forth in this application may be used as such, despite other features. On the other hand, the features disclosed in this application may be combined, if necessary, to form different combinations.

The drawings and the description related thereto are intended only to illustrate the idea of the invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, in which the invention is illustrated by some examples, but that many modifications and various embodiments of the invention are possible within the inventive concept defined in the claims below.

Reference Numbers 1 Drain Unit 2 Determination Tank 3 Suction Tip 4a-4d Drain Site 5 Pump 6a, 6b Tank 7 Luer Connector 8 Liquid Counter 9 Duct 10 Device 11 Drain Tube 12 Suction Hose 13 Control Unit 14 Lid 15 Overflow Detector 16 Push-In Valve 18 Push-In Closer 17 22 control means 23 packing bottle 24 cap 25 contrast medium syringe 26 injection head 27 other control means

Claims (3)

A method for collecting liquid pharmaceutical waste, in which method: a drug package is to be emptied into an emptying means (3, 4a-4d, 7), an emptying tube (11) is arranged through the cork (24) of said drug packaging For example, in the drug package, an under or overpressure is formed for emptying the drug package to a drug, and the drug removed from the drug package is led to a container (6a, 6b), characterized by alternating the underpressure and overpressure directed against the drug package. An apparatus for discharging liquid pharmaceutical waste from a pharmaceutical package, comprising: a pump (5) for forming a vacuum and / or an overpressure, at least one discharge means (3, 4a to the drug package to be emptied to form a vacuum or overpressure in said package, and a container (6a, 6b) coupled to said discharge means (3, 4a-4d, 7) for receiving drug waste, which discharge means (3 , 4a-4d, 7) comprises a cutting discharge tube (11) which can be arranged through the cork (24) of the drug package, characterized in that the device comprises means for alternating the underpressure and overpressure directed against the drug package. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the discharge means (3, 4a-4d, 7) comprise a receiving recess (21), on the bottom of which the cutting discharge tube (11) is arranged, and control means (22) for the drug packaging. arranged around the receiving recess (21).