Plant and process for preparing drugs

• US 10,259,608 B2
• Filed: 08/10/2017
• Issued: 04/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AEA s.r.l. (Summa SRL)
• Original Assignee: AEA s.r.l. (Summa SRL)
• Inventors: Fianchini, Massimo, Bartolucci, Sandro, Giampieri, Simone
• Primary Examiner(s): Bhatia, Anshu
• Application Number:
  US15/673,538
• Publication Number:
  US 20180044047A1
• Time in Patent Office: 614 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0084 for multiple medicaments
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/22 Mixing of ingredients for pharmaceutical or medical compositions
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/2202 Mixing compositions or mixers in the medical or veterinary field
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/80 Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/522 comprising compartments keeping the materials to be mixed separated until the mixing is initiated containers or packages for packaging two or more different materials which must be maintained separate prior to use in admixture B65D81/32
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 21/005 Clean rooms
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 3/003 Filling medical containers such as ampoules, vials, syringes or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 31/02 Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 35/16 by grippers
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 43/46 using grippers
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 43/465 for bags
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 43/50 using rotary tables or turrets B65B43/46 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 55/027 Packaging in aseptic chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 57/04 and operating to control, or to stop, the feed of such material, containers, or packages
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 57/10 responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of articles or materials to be packaged
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 61/28 for discharging completed packages from machines
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 65/02 Driving gear
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/165 using xyz-picker or multi-dimensional article picking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/54 about vertical axes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00

Abstract

The embodiments include a plant for the preparation of drugs. A casing defining at least one storage chamber in communication with at least one preparation chamber by a passage opening is provided. A compartment in the storage chamber is configured to receive a plurality of base components suitable for containing substances for the preparation of drugs. A manipulator is housed in the preparation chamber and configured to define a loading condition. The manipulator takes at least one base component from the compartment and positions it in the preparation chamber. The manipulator is configured to combine substances contained in the base components brought into the preparation chamber to form at least one finished product containing a drug. The plant includes a control unit configured to command the rotation of the component, the loading position to the manipulator, and the working condition to the manipulator for the preparation of the finished product.

Claims

1. A plant for preparing drugs comprising:

a casing defining at least one storage chamber and at least one preparation chamber flanked and communicating with each other by means of at least one passage opening,

at least one compartment disposed inside the storage chamber and configured to receive a plurality of base components adapted to contain substances for preparing drugs, such compartment in turn including;

at least one outer sector configured to house a predetermined number of the base components and to rotate around a first rotation axis, and

at least one inner sector configured to house a predetermined number of the base components and to rotate around a second rotation axis, the inner sector being at least partly housed in the outer sector,

at least one manipulator housed in the preparation chamber and configured for defining a load condition, wherein the manipulator takes at least one base component from the compartment, through the passage opening, and places it in the preparation chamber, the manipulator being further configured for defining a working condition, wherein the manipulator itself combines the substances contained in the base components transported into the preparation chamber for forming at least one finished product containing a drug, and

at least one control unit connected to the compartment and to the manipulator, the control unit configured to;

command the compartment to rotate in order to position at least one base component, housed in the outer sector or in the inner sector, at the passage opening,

command the load condition to the manipulator so that the manipulator takes the base component from the compartment and positions the base component in the preparation chamber, and

command the working condition to the manipulator to prepare the finished product.

2. The plant according to claim 1, wherein the outer sector and the inner sector of the compartment exhibit a circular perimeter shape and are concentrically arranged, wherein the outer sector and the inner sector have a common rotation axis.

3. The plant according to claim 1, wherein the outer sector exhibits a side opening defining a side passage seat adapted to enable access from the outside of the compartment to the inner sector,

wherein the outer sector exhibits, according to a section transverse to the first rotation axis, a circular open outline delimiting, at an aperture of the circular open outline, the side opening, and

wherein the inner sector exhibits, according to the section transverse to the second rotation axis of the sector itself, a circular closed outline, at least one portion of the inner sector being arranged at the side passage seat of the outer sector.

4. The plant according to claim 1, wherein the outer sector comprises a plurality of outer levels overlapped and consecutive to each other along a direction defined by the first rotation axis, and wherein each outer level comprises a plurality of gripping members, each configured to engagingly receive and support at least one base component.

5. The plant according to claim 4, wherein the inner sector comprises a plurality of inner levels overlapped and consecutive to each other along a direction defined by the second rotation axis, and wherein each inner level comprises a plurality of gripping members each configured to engagingly receive and support at least one base component.

6. The plant according to claim 4, wherein the gripping members of each level are placed at an outer edge portion of the outer sector along a circular trajectory.

7. The plant according to claim 4, wherein the gripping members of each inner level are placed at an outer edge portion of the inner sector along a circular trajectory.

8. The plant according to claim 4, wherein the side opening of the outer sector axially extends a height of the inner sector along a plurality of inner levels of the inner sector.

9. The plant according to claim 1, wherein the outer and inner sectors are relatively movable with respect to each other.

10. The plant according to claim 1, wherein the outer sector and the inner sector of the compartment exhibit a circular perimeter shape and are concentrically arranged, wherein the outer sector and the inner sector have the same rotation axis, the outer and inner sectors relatively movable by rotating about a common axis.

11. The plant according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one first motor connected to the outer sector, the first motor configured to put in rotation the outer sector around the first axis;

at least one second motor connected to the inner sector, the second motor configured to put in rotation the outer sector around the second axis, and

the control unit connected to the first and second motors, and the control unit configured to independently command the first and second motors to determine the rotation of the outer and inner sectors.

12. The plant according to claim 1, wherein the outer sector comprises at least one crown inwardly having an open circular outline, and wherein, in a position radially inside the outer sector, there is the inner sector comprising at least one crown having a closed circular outline, at least the inner sector defining a through seat extending all along the development of the inner sector,

wherein the crown of the inner sector and the crown of the outer sector comprise a plurality of openings crossing a thickness of the crown, the plurality of crossing openings of the crown being uniformly distributed.

13. The plant according to claim 12, further comprising a ventilation circuit exhibiting at least one blowing opening and one intake opening defined on the walls of the storage chamber opposite and facing the first and second longitudinal end portions of the compartment, the ventilation circuit configured to generate a gaseous fluid flow passing through the storage chamber and adapted to hit the compartment along a direction parallel to the first and to the second rotation axes through the through-openings of the crowns of the inner and outer sectors, respectively.

14. The plant according to claim 1, wherein the storage chamber comprises an inlet facing the compartment along a direction perpendicular to at least one of the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis, the inlet configured to enable access to the compartment,

wherein the control unit is configured to:

determine at least one predetermined loading position of a base component on the outer sector of the compartment, defined at a gripping member of the outer sector itself, and

put in rotation the outer sector so that the gripping member defining the predetermined loading position of the base component faces the inlet of the storage chamber, and

determine at least one predetermined loading position of a base component on the inner sector of the compartment, defined at a gripping member of the inner sector itself,

put in rotation the outer sector so that the gripping member defining the predetermined loading position of the base component faces the inlet of the storage chamber, and

put in rotation the outer sector so that the side opening faces the inlet to enable access from the outside to the loading position of the inner sector.

15. The plant according to claim 1, further comprising at least one first sensor configured for emitting a control signal representative of the presence of a base component at the predetermined loading position on the outer sector, the control unit being connected to the first sensor and being configured for:

receiving, from the first sensor, the control signal;

determining, based on the control signal, the presence of a base component at the predetermined loading position;

if the presence of a base component at the predetermined load position has been verified, identifying the base component and/or determining if the base component is correctly positioned on a respective gripping member, wherein the control unit is configured for;

following the determination of the presence of a base component on the respective loading position on the outer sector, commanding the rotation of the outer sector for taking the base component placed on the predetermined loading position at the passage opening,

following the rotation of the outer sector, commanding the loading position to the manipulator so that the latter takes the base component from the outer sector and positions it in the preparation chamber.

16. The plant according to claim 14, further comprising at least one second sensor configured to emit a control signal representative of presence of a base component at the predetermined loading position on the inner sector, the control unit being connected to the second sensor and being configured to:

receive, from the second sensor, the control signal;

determine, based on the control signal, the presence of a base component at the predetermined loading position on the inner sector;

if the presence of a base component at the predetermined loading position on the inner sector has been verified, identify the base component and/or determining if the base component is correctly positioned on the respective gripping member, wherein the control unit is configured to;

follow the determination of the presence of a base component on the respective loading position on the inner sector, command the rotation of the inner sector for taking the base component placed on the predetermined loading position at the passage opening,

follow determination of the presence of a base component on the respective loading position on the inner sector, command the rotation of the outer sector for taking a side opening at the passage opening so that the base component may be taken from the outside, and

follow the rotation of the outer sector and inner sector, command the loading position to the manipulator so that the latter takes the base component from the inner sector and positions it in the preparation chamber.

17. The plant according to claim 11, wherein the control unit is configured to:

follow the command of the working condition and therefore, of the preparation of the finished product, determining at least one predetermined unloading position of the finished product on the outer sector or on the inner sector of the compartment, defined at a gripping member of the outer or inner sector itself,

if the predetermined unloading position is defined on the outer sector, putting in rotation the outer sector so that the gripping member defining the predetermined unloading position of the finished product faces the passage opening,

if the predetermined unloading position is defined on the inner sector, putting in rotation the inner sector so that the gripping member defining the predetermined unloading position of the finished product faces the passage opening, putting in rotation the outer sector so that the side opening is placed at the passage opening and the inner sector is reachable by the manipulator,

command a laying condition to the manipulator wherein the same lays a finished product on the gripping member of the predetermined unloading position,

if the predetermined unloading position is defined on the outer sector, putting in rotation the outer sector so that the gripping member defining the predetermined unloading position of the finished product faces the inlet,

if the predetermined unloading position is defined on the inner sector, putting in rotation the inner sector so that the gripping member defining the predetermined unloading position of the finished product faces the inlet, putting in rotation the outer sector so that the side opening is placed at the inlet and the inner sector reachable by an operator or an external automatic system.

18. The plant according to claim 1, wherein the casing defines at least one unloading chamber distinct and separated from the storage chamber, the unloading chamber flanking the preparation chamber and divided by at least one divider,

wherein the plant comprises at least one drawer which can be associated to the unloading chamber which is configured to position itself in a collection state, wherein the drawer is engaged in the unloading chamber and in a collecting state wherein the drawer is at least partially positioned outside the unloading chamber, the divider comprises at least one unloading opening configured to allow, at least in the drawer'"'"'s collecting state, communication between the unloading chamber and the preparation chamber, and

wherein the control unit, following the command of working condition and therefore, of the preparation of the finished product, is configured to command a laying condition to the manipulator wherein the same lays a finished product on the drawer through the unloading opening.