JP4806153B2 - Automated solid drug product packaging machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A fully automated pharmaceutical product packaging machine (10) is capable of selectively depositing one or more different solid pharmaceutical products into an individual cavity for each of a plurality of individual patient product package cavities (17). The system employs a plurality of solid pharmaceutical product dispensing canisters which are capable of selectively dispensing a pre-designated number of solid pharmaceutical product (15). The machine fills a template containing temporary storage cavities and the template is automatically positioned over a sheet of clear plastic material containing a plurality of cavities corresponding to the cavities in the template (17). A barrier between the cavities in the template and the sheet of clear plastic material is moved and the pharmaceuticals in the template cavities drop into the corresponding cavities in the clear plastic sheet of material. The clear plastic sheet of material is then manoeuvred into subsequent product packaging stations and the template is returned to beneath the canister region.

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the field of automated drug packaging machines. More specifically, the present invention simultaneously fills a product packaging template with the desired dosage of a solid drug and, on the other hand, simultaneously seals a final package containing multiple individual patient doses. Oriented to automated drug packaging machines.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Currently, there are a wide variety of available automated drug packaging machines. Most of these machines are designed to package a single drug product in drug packaging. These machines generally transfer individual doses of solid drug product into a cavity formed in a clear plastic carver member. Usually, a plurality of cavities are formed in a single sheet of transparent plastic material, and a corresponding plurality of solid drug products are placed by a filling machine. Once the solid drug component is placed in the cavity, the backing is then glued to a transparent plastic sheet to seal the solid drug product in the cavity.
[0003]
These automated machines meet most of the packaging requirements for solid drugs that result in a single product being packaged. However, there is a great need for an automated drug packaging machine that can selectively dispense one or more drugs into each individual cavity of a drug product package, especially in a managed care facility.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Managed care facilities now use patient-specific packaging that provides all the patient's prescription drug requirements for a given period of time. Conventional packaging solutions generally employ a solid drug product package card that contains all prescribed patient doses for a week. Each dose of one or more drugs is placed in a clear plastic cavity. These dosage cards usually have 3 to 4 different clear plastic cavities for any given day, corresponding to each prescribed dosing time as required by the patient's medication. Yes. Currently, it is possible to selectively fill a plurality of different dosing cavities with a plurality of different solid drug drug therapies for a single patient, and simultaneously seal the packaging cavities. There is no automated system.
[0005]
As a result, managed care facilities require more time-consuming processing to create a package containing the patient's dose of solid drug for a given period of time. Thus, one or more solid drug products can be automatically selected into multiple drug therapy packages for the patient, and at the same time can be sealed simultaneously, further processing the package for solid drug products There remains a need in the industry for automated drug packaging machines that can.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and can selectively place one or more different solid drug products into each cavity for each of a plurality of individual patient product packaging cavities. Provide fully automated drug product packaging machine. The system described below is a fully automated machine that is computer controlled and employs multiple solid drug product dispensing cans. Each of these solid drug dispensing cans can selectively dispense a pre-specified number of solid drug products. The can is programmable and operated with a computer controller. These cans can be selected on an individual pill regardless of their size and shape and are commercially available.
[0007]
The system of the present invention employs a can array arranged in a mechanical feed mechanism. Each can is designed to deliver a solid drug product selectively dispensed from one of the cans to a funnel or jar that delivers into the cavity of the product packaging template. It is also configured that multiple drugs can be selected for a single cavity member. This process is repeated for each of a plurality of cavities in the template corresponding to the cavities in a single sheet or card consisting of cavities that provide the patient's medication requirements for a given period of time. The
[0008]
For example, a single sheet will generally contain all of the solid drug product formulated for the patient for a week. The patient's doctor may prescribe three or four different medications per week, and thus the medication card will generally have between 21 and 28 different individual cavities. Each of the cavities is adapted to hold the amount of solid drug required for the patient's dosage requirements. Once filled with a template with a temporary storage cavity for each combination of drugs, the template is made of a transparent plastic material with multiple cavities corresponding to the cavity of the template. It is automatically positioned on the sheet. The partition between the template cavity and the sheet of clear plastic material is shifted or moved so that the drug in the template cavity falls into the corresponding cavity of the sheet of clear plastic material. The sheet of clear plastic material is then steered to the subsequent product packaging station and the template is returned below the can area. The template member spans a range of movement limited by the XY axis so that each cavity of the template is selectively positioned below the supply mechanism to transfer the drug in the can. It can be moved selectively.
[0009]
The system then simultaneously fills the template with either a dosing requirement for the same patient for another week or a dosing requirement for another patient for a predetermined period of time. While the template is being filled, a sheet of clear plastic material, now containing each of the solid drug doses for the first patient, is enclosed at the same time so that the prescribed drug is removed from the product package. It is packaged into a final package that is given to the patient and the person taking care of the patient to be administered.
[0010]
Advantageously, the machine saves significant time by simultaneously filling the template and, on the other hand, further packaging the preselected drug. The present invention employs commercially available cans to selectively dispense the desired amount of solid drug product. To complete the packaging process, a sheet of backing material is attached to a clear plastic member and encloses the drug product within a clear plastic cavity as is known in the art. The machine of the present invention utilizes an automated machine that is pneumatically controlled to package and handle the product. Furthermore, the system of the present invention comprises a drug product packaging station and a sealing station.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An implementation of a fully automated drug product packaging machine capable of selectively placing one or more different solid drug products into each individual cavity for each of a plurality of individual patient product packaging cavities. An example is shown generally at 10 in FIG. The computer 12 is linked to the various components of the system and controls the operation of each of them. This system employs a plurality of solid drug product distribution cans, each mounted on a drug distribution mechanism 15. Drug dispensing cans are commercially available products. Each of the solid drug dispensing cans disposed within the drug dispensing mechanism 15 can selectively dispense a predesignated number of solid drug products. Each can is independently program-controllable and is operated via the computer controller 12. Cans can select individual pills regardless of their size or shape.
[0012]
Each can is disposed in a drug dispensing mechanism for supplying a solid drug product selectively dispensed from one or more cans to a funnel or jar that delivers the product packaging template 17. This step is performed for each of the plurality of cavities of the template 17 corresponding to the cavities in a single sheet or card, which is a package that provides the patient's required dosage for a predetermined period of time. Repeated. The template member 17 is selectively positioned below the supply mechanism of the mechanism 15 to transfer the drug contained in the cans in which the cavities of the template 17 are disposed in the medication dispensing mechanism 15. In addition, it can be selectively moved over a range of motion limited by the XY axes. The distribution mechanism 15 has a plurality of cans controlled by signals from a computer. Each can can have a separate address so that the can simply responds to the command intended for the selected can.
[0013]
FIG. 1 further illustrates a cart 19 in which a computer controller 12 is conveniently located. The movable cart 19 could also provide space for a pneumatically driven generator used to drive the machine station. A package transfer trajectory is indicated at 22 and provides a mechanism for transferring the drug product package 23 between each of the other stations of the machine. The lift mechanism 24 lifts and transfers the drug product package 23 filled from the transfer start 22.
[0014]
The product package dispensing unit is indicated at 27 and transfers an empty package member onto the transfer track 22. One skilled in the art will recognize that one or more product package dispensing members are used to transfer a portion of the package to the filling machine. The system of the present invention further includes a product packaging sealing station 30 and a printing station 32. Product package dispensing unit 27 is shown adjacent to printing station 32, however, it is desirable that each package dispensing station be located adjacent to or near drug product dispensing unit 15. This eliminates the movement of the product package during the manufacturing process and also allows the filling of the drug packaging template to occur simultaneously with the sealing and / or further processing of another package member.
[0015]
Each cavity of the drug product package can hold a volume of solid drug required for the patient's dosage requirements. Once the template 17 with temporary storage cavities for each combination of medicines is filled, the template can be used for a drug product package having a sheet of transparent plastic material with a plurality of cavities. It is automatically positioned above a part. The cavity of the transparent plastic material corresponds to the cavity of the template. The partition between the cavity in the template 17 and the transparent plastic material sheet fills the desired number of cavities and the drug in the cavity of the template falls into the corresponding cavity in the transparent plastic sheet. Moved.
[0016]
The sheet of transparent plastic material is then steered in the vicinity of the at least one packaging sealing member, and the combined structure of the now filled plastic sheet and sealing member is then moved along the transfer track 22 to the product packaging sealing station 30. Forwarded to While this is happening, the template 17 is returned to the lower side of the drug delivery mechanism 15.
[0017]
The system 10 then simultaneously fills the template with either another weekly dosage requirement for the same patient or a certain predetermined period dosage requirement for another patient. While the stencil 17 is being filled, a clear plastic sheet now containing each of the solid drug doses for the first patient is enclosed at the same time so that the prescribed drug is the product. Sealed by the sealing station 30 to a final package to be given to the patient or patient caregiver to be dispensed from the package. A sheet of backing material is attached to the transparent plastic member to wrap the drug product within the transparent plastic cavity, as is known in the art.
[0018]
Advantageously, the machine saves significant time by simultaneously filling the template and, on the other hand, also packaging preselected drugs. The machine of the present invention desirably utilizes a pneumatically controlled automated machine to package and operate the product, however, those skilled in the art will recognize that the machine of the present invention is either We recognize that it is powered by conventional or future developed drive mechanisms. For example, stepper motors may be used for mechanical operation of various elements as described above.
[0019]
FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the system described above with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 illustrates the relative spacing of the various manufacturing stations described above. As you may have noticed, it is practically preferred that the empty product package dispensing station 27 is actually located adjacent to the drug dispensing station 15. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that additional product package dispensing stations can be placed between the sealing station 30 and the drug dispensing mechanism depending on the number of separate package elements that are to be sealed together by the sealing station 30. I will do it.
[0020]
FIG. 3 shows the drug product dispensing unit 15 and the template member 17. As shown in FIG. 3, the drug product dispensing unit 15 is supported by structural support members 36, 37, 38. Control line 42 connects the can to the computer so that the desired medication is dispensed by the machine. FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the packaging sealing station 30. As shown in FIG. 4, the product package transfer track 22 passes directly below the sealing station 30. The sealing station 30 may consist of any conventional sealing mechanism. For example, the sealing station 30 may use heat, pressure, or some type of electromagnetic radiation, or a combination of these sealing techniques to cure any adhesive previously applied to the product packaging. Would be applicable. One important feature is that these structural relationships can simultaneously fill the product template and seal another filled package, or otherwise process the package further. It is a point to do.
[0021]
FIG. 5 shows a conventional printing station mounted above the drug product package transfer track 22. The station prints information on the sealed product package such as patient identification, time and date the medication was prescribed, content information and / or expiration date information. Importantly, this station can also operate in parallel and independent of the drug dispensing station 15.
[0022]
FIG. 6 shows a drug product package distribution station 27. The station is also typically represented by a known automated product package dispensing device. The station is preferably mounted adjacent to the product package transfer track 22 so that the product package or partial package can be easily installed on the track member 22. As will be appreciated, one or more of these stations are preferably located between the sealing station 30 and the dispensing station 15.
[0023]
FIG. 7 shows an automated device 24 that automatically removes the finished product package from the transfer track 22. FIG. 7 also shows the completed package placed on the transfer mechanism 42 mounted on the product package transfer track 22.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a plan view of an embodiment of the apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 shows an automated can delivery mechanism.
FIG. 4 shows a machine used to transfer a solid drug from a template into a sheet of clear plastic material having a cavity for receiving the solid drug product.
FIG. 5 illustrates a machine for selectively sealing a backing member onto a transparent plastic sheet.
FIG. 6 shows a machine used to dispense card backing.
FIG. 7 shows a machine used to lift a finished product from an assembly line.

Claims (11)

A method of filling a package of solid drug product comprising:
B c and the step of supplying a product packaging type plate having a plurality of cavity arranged in the array with a column;
And providing a product package having a plurality of cavity which may be aligned with said cavity of said product packaging template;
A step of selectively dispensing one or more solid pharmaceutical products into the funnel of Common from a plurality of different drug sources;
One or more solid drug products from a plurality of different drug sources are generated by automatically causing relative motion in two orthogonal directions between the common funnel and the plurality of product packaging template cavities, a step of selectively positioning the common funnel over one of the individual cavity to put in each mold plate cavity of said plurality of;
Then, he said cavity and said product package automatically aligned to the cavity of the product packaging template; the corresponding cavity of and said the Tei was solid agent is placed in the product packaging template lumen product package A method of filling a package of a solid drug product comprising the step of transferring into the department . The method of claim 1 , further comprising simultaneously sealing another solid drug product package pre-filled with various solid drugs during the step of selectively dispensing the solid drug product . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of printing information on the solid drug product package. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of printing information on the solid drug product package. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of dispensing the first and second medicaments from the first and second dispensing cans into a single template cavity at least approximately simultaneously. The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of dispensing the first and second medicaments from the first and second dispensing cans into a single template cavity at least approximately simultaneously. A method of filling a package of solid drug product;
B c and the step of supplying a product package having a plurality of cavity arranged in the array with a column;
Automatically and selectively dispensing one or more solid drug products from a plurality of different drug sources into a common funnel; and 2 orthogonal between the common funnel and the plurality of product package cavities. causing the automatic relative motion direction, a plurality of different one from the drug source or more solid pharmaceutical products, to put in each cavity of the plurality of product package, selectively individual cavity Positioning the common funnel over one of the parts . The solid shaped pharmaceutical product during the process of selectively dispensing method of claim 7 including the step of simultaneously sealing another pharmaceutical product package filled with various solid agent first. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising printing information on the solid drug product package . 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of dispensing the first and second medicaments from the first and second dispensing cans into a single cavity substantially simultaneously . The step of automatically cause the relative movement, such that each desired cavity is positioned below the funnel method of claim 7 for moving a cavity of a product package under the funnel.

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