FR2854883A1 - Automatic medication dispenser has two-way switching system to provide alternating access to two transfer channels with parallel outlets - Google Patents

Abstract

The automatic dispenser consists of a storage zone for medication and a transfer zone that dispenses medication in accordance with prescriptions and has a storage unit, a temporary collection unit and a switching system with a pneumatic pusher. The automatic dispenser consists of a storage zone for medication and a transfer zone that dispenses medication in accordance with prescriptions and has a storage unit, a temporary collection unit and a switching system with a pneumatic pusher. The switching system is two-way and includes a hinged shutter (13) to permit alternative access to two transfer channels (11, 12) which lead to two parallel dispensing channels with pushers (19, 20) that operate alternately to distribute the stored medication.

Description

i

  Automated drug distribution facility.

  The invention relates to the technical sector of equipment and installations for the distribution of drugs, in pharmacies, in laboratories, public or private hospitals.

  The volume of drugs of all kinds being important to distribute daily, it is now common to introduce in pharmacies and similar places facilities which allow to store considerable batches of drugs in protected places, then to distribute them according to orders corresponding to each prescription, in other places which are reserved for the reception of customers and patients.

  Complex, automated installations are managed by automated systems.

  The Applicant has thus developed for several years an installation concept which is shown in Figures 1 and 2 under the prior art.

  An installation of this type is thus described, and this, without limitation. The storage part of the drugs is for example in a basement (SS) and the distribution part of the drugs in the ground floor part 20 (RC) of a public access room. The drugs are stored in an appropriate zone (Z1), one or more transport and handling circuits being provided to bring the selected drugs out of the storage zone to a transfer zone, and in a random order corresponding to the execution. of the order identified on the medical prescription. 25 At the exit from the storage zone (Z1), a complex device called a switch (2) is provided at the transfer zone in connection with a PLC system (3) for its control and command, then allocation, as well as a pneumatic transfer motor unit (4).

  The referral device is arranged in its upper part with a collection area (C1) and two medication distribution areas (C2, C3).

  The first collection zone (CI) constitutes a neutral channel, with a funnel shape 5 for receiving the products coming from a feed chute associated with the conveying means coming from the zone (Z 1). The other two zones (C2, C3) define the means for conveying the medicaments through two tubes (N1, N2), the ends of which open out at the medicament arrival stations in situ in the pharmacy or similar place. These tubes or pipes are made of plastic. The switching station also includes a storage chute (5) which is pivotally mounted so as to alternately face the abovementioned zones (CI, C2, C3), that is to say the transfer zone (C1) for the order, then to the distribution areas (C2, C3). Said storage chute (5) internally receives a pusher element (6) which is located at the bottom of the chute. This pusher element is capable of moving back and forth through the pipes (CI, C2) or (CI, C3) according to their arrangement for the distribution of the drugs, and this, under the effect of the pneumatic control (4). The pivoting of the chute 20 (5) is carried out in any suitable manner. The lower rear part of the switch is likely to be in relation to a tube (7) for distributing air from a compressor turbine operating either in the air propulsion phase causing the push of the pusher (6). and therefore drugs and their displacement through (C2, C3), ie in the aspiration phase occurring in the return phase of the pusher. Said turbine is in relation to the power cabinet (8).

  There is shown in Figure 2, the storage methods of drugs from the storage area (Cl) called neutral channel. It appears in practice that the drugs are stacked vertically in the chute according simply to their order of arrival. This causes shocks. In the hypothesis that it may be ampoules, it has been found that they have broken, and the liquids are spreading over the boxes for packaging the medicaments, but also in all the distribution and pipeline circuits.

  Another problem is the time it takes to distribute each order. The system described sets up by the neutral channel an intermediate transfer zone corresponding to the reception of the 0lo command. When it has been assigned to the medication arrival station (P1) or (P2), the intervention time of the pusher through the pipes (C2) or (C3), transfer and routing with rotation of the switching station. It is also necessary to count on a time space of the order of 6 seconds in the outward phase, and 15 6 seconds in the return phase, corresponding to the return to position of the switch post facing the neutral track, to allow reception of the following command.

  The referral system requires electronic cards with consequent maintenance constraints.

  The installation described above remains intrinsically reliable, but has the drawbacks mentioned above.

  The aim sought after according to the invention was therefore to remedy all of these drawbacks by reducing and limiting the risks of deterioration of certain medicaments when they arrive in the transfer and referral zone, with a view to transporting them to the distribution stations.

  Another goal sought was to reduce the intervention time for the reception and the transfer of the batches of drugs corresponding to an order.

  Another aim sought after according to the invention was to simplify the automatic systems necessary for installation and to reduce their cost.

  These goals and others will become apparent from the following description.

  According to a first characteristic of the invention, the switching device is two-way by integrating a means in the form of an articulated shutter register to allow access alternately to two transfer pipes which lead to two distribution conduits mounted in parallel and having a specific profile allowing the sliding of the drugs in a storage area, and in that in each distribution channel is provided a push-button operating alternately for the distribution and evacuation of the stored drugs to the distribution area and final acceptance.

  These characteristics and others will become clear from the rest of the

description.

  To fix the subject of the invention illustrated in a nonlimiting manner in the figures of the drawings o: - Figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating an installation according to the prior art.

  - Figure 2 is a partial large-scale view illustrating the storage of batches of drugs in the transfer phase at the referral station according to Figure 1.

  2854883 - Figure 3 is a schematic view of the installation according to the invention illustrated according to a phase of operation and distribution of drugs.

  - Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, in another distribution phase.

  In order to make the object of the invention more concrete, it is now described in a nonlimiting manner illustrated in the figures of the drawings.

  The installation according to the invention was designed to allow the execution of the 10 orders from the medication storage area and the dispensing stations via a buffer area allowing work in masked time to reduce intervention times, and on the other hand under conditions allowing the improvement of the storage of said drugs in the intermediate buffer zone, without risk of breakage. Said installation thus comprises, at the location of the buffer zone, a two-way switching device capable of being in communication with two outlets for intermediate storage of the drugs.

  To do this, the referral device comprises a chute (10) for the arrival of the drugs coming from the storage area (Z1) opening in its lower part into two transfer pipes (11, 12), while at the connection point of the chute and said pipes is provided with a shutter damper (13) mounted articulated from an axis (13a) 25 located at the end of the chute (10). This register is intended to block alternately one and the other of said pipes, thus operating in bypass. This register is controlled by an electro-pneumatic cylinder (14) as part of the installation operating cycle.

  Each of said transfer pipes (11, 12) opens specifically into the upstream part of two distribution conduits (15, 16) mounted in parallel and of identical initial base profile. Thus, each duct has a particular configuration with an upstream bottom portion (15.1), (16.1) horizontal extended by a first bend (15.2), (16.2) and an oblique median portion (15.3), (16.3), then a second elbow (15.4), (16.4), and finally a horizontal part (15.5), (16.5) which allows continuity to the medication distribution arrival station. In each of the oblique median parts (15.3), (16.3) is disposed a T-connector 10 (17), one branch of which angularly oriented between 30 and 90 fits over the transfer pipes, as shown in the drawings. Said conduits (15-16) are capable of receiving two identical pushers (19-20 which are in the initial phase in situation in the bottom part (15.1-16.1). Said conduits are connected to the turbine (18) with 15 two pneumatically operated intermediate valves (22, 23) operating alternately A compressor (24) supplies the electro-pneumatic cylinder (14) and the valves according to a determined cycle. A controller (25) manages the system.

  The operation is as follows. The register closes one of the transfer pipes for example (11). The drugs from the initial storage area (21) are therefore discharged via the chute (11) and the transfer pipe (12) in the conduit (15). The drugs fall into said conduit one by one, that is to say by packaging and are then stored in the part of the second elbow of the conduit (15).

  The drugs stick together by sliding in the oblique part of the duct with a suppression and limitation of shocks. When the order has been made, the damper (13) is requested to tilt and close the transfer pipe (12) and allow access to the pipe (11) for the execution of the following order. During this phase, the pusher (19) located in the conduit (15) is urged by the pneumatic control to transfer the collected medicaments to the distribution zone affected by them.

  The installation thus works in masked time.

  The advantages are as follows. Firstly, there is a substantial saving of time, since the distribution of the medicaments takes place much more quickly, since the pneumatic cylinder switches over on each channel in less than two seconds. Medicines are no longer damaged by inappropriate shocks, or at least the risks of deterioration are limited. There is a succession of dampings in the areas of contact of the drugs during their passage through the chute (11) in contact with the register (13), then the T-connector, then sliding in the conduit (15-16) by gravity and storage in the bent part.

  Another advantage is financial, because the cost of a referral according to the prior art is high. There is an economically advantageous regulation 20 by the register and the electro-pneumatic cylinder, products of current design on the market. Overall, the installation is less expensive and more efficient.

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Claims (3)

  -1- Automatic medication distribution installation, of the type comprising from a medication storage area, a medication transfer area corresponding to those identified in a prescription, the transfer area comprising a temporary storage and collection device of medicaments in the form of a switch in which there is a pushing means which can be activated by a pneumatic air control operating alternately in propulsion and in suction, said collecting and storage means making it possible, after positioning, to be in relation to two medication distribution pipes, said installation being characterized in that the referral device is two-way by integrating means in the form of a hinged shutter register to allow access alternately to two transfer pipes (11-12 ) which lead to two distribution pipes (15-16) mounted in parallel and aya nt a specific profile authorizing the sliding of the drugs in a storage area, and in that in each distribution channel (15-16) is provided a push means (19-20) operating alternately for distribution and evacuation medicines stored in the distribution and final reception area.   -2- Installation according to claim 1 characterized in that the referral device comprises a chute (10) of medication inlet 25 projecting in its lower part in two transfer pipes (1112) while at the place of connection of the chute and said pipes is arranged a shutter register (13) pivotally mounted and operating by bypass and being controlled by an electropneumatic jack (14).   -3- Installation according to any one of claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the transfer pipes (11-12) open into the upstream part of the two distribution conduits, and into an oblique median part (15-3, 16 -3) located in two bent parts (15.2 - 16.2) (15.4, 16.4), the first 5 bent part (15.2 - 16.2) being adjacent to the bottom part (15.1, 16.1) receiving pushing means (19-20) , and the second angled part (15.4 - 16.4) being adjacent to a horizontal part (15.5 - 16.5) located in a plane below the part (15.1 - 16.1) then extending towards the medication arrival and distribution station. 10 -4- Installation according to claim 3, characterized in that the conduits (15-16) are connected to a turbine (18) to the two intermediate valves (22-23) pneumatically controlled and operating alternately with the compressor (24) supplying the cylinder (14) and the valves.