Filling apparatus for drug containers and method for filling the same
First Claim
1. A filling apparatus for filling a container with a liquid, the apparatus comprising:
- a housing supported by a base structure, the base structure comprising a supporting structure configured to releasably support at least one barrel of at least one pumping syringe, the supported structure comprising at least one channel formed into the housing and configured to releasably support the at least one barrel of the at least one pumping syringe;
an actuating member slidingly mounted to the base structure, the actuating member being configured to releasably engage at least one plunger of the at least one pumping syringe;
a linear actuator fixedly mounted to the base structure and drivingly connected to the actuating member for linearly displacing the actuating member, wherein the linear actuator member comprises a step motor driving a thread shaft drivingly engaged to the actuating member such that rotation of the threaded shaft causes the actuating member to slide; and
a controller operatively connected to the linear actuator for controlling the linear actuator according to a predetermined program;
wherein the step motor, the linear actuator and the actuating member are protected by the housing and remain accessible via at least one door providing access to the at least one channel and to the actuating member such as to protect the at least one channel and the actuating member from contaminants;
wherein the at least one door is operatively connected to the controller such that opening the at least one door during will cause the apparatus to stop completely.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for filling drug containers such as syringes, and related filling methods, are disclosed. The apparatus uses a removable pumping syringe mounted to the apparatus and located intermediate between the bulk source of drug and the container (e.g. syringe) to be filled such that the drug is first pumped into the pumping syringe and then pumped into the container (e.g. syringe). Actuation of the intermediate pumping syringe is effected with a linear actuator such as a step motor which is engaged to the plunger of the pumping syringe. The linear actuator is controlled by a controller which typically allows different filling and calibrating procedures.
18 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A filling apparatus for filling a container with a liquid, the apparatus comprising:
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a housing supported by a base structure, the base structure comprising a supporting structure configured to releasably support at least one barrel of at least one pumping syringe, the supported structure comprising at least one channel formed into the housing and configured to releasably support the at least one barrel of the at least one pumping syringe; an actuating member slidingly mounted to the base structure, the actuating member being configured to releasably engage at least one plunger of the at least one pumping syringe; a linear actuator fixedly mounted to the base structure and drivingly connected to the actuating member for linearly displacing the actuating member, wherein the linear actuator member comprises a step motor driving a thread shaft drivingly engaged to the actuating member such that rotation of the threaded shaft causes the actuating member to slide; and a controller operatively connected to the linear actuator for controlling the linear actuator according to a predetermined program; wherein the step motor, the linear actuator and the actuating member are protected by the housing and remain accessible via at least one door providing access to the at least one channel and to the actuating member such as to protect the at least one channel and the actuating member from contaminants;
wherein the at least one door is operatively connected to the controller such that opening the at least one door during will cause the apparatus to stop completely. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A filling apparatus for filling a syringe with a liquid, the apparatus comprising:
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a base structure comprising a housing, the housing comprising at least one channel configured to releasably support at least one barrel of at least one pumping syringe; an actuating member slidingly mounted to the base structure and within the housing, the actuating member being configured to releasably engage at least one plunger of the at least one pumping syringe; a linear actuator mounted to the base structure and within the housing, the linear actuator being drivingly connected to the actuating member for linearly displacing the actuating member, wherein the linear actuator comprises a step motor driving a threaded shaft drivingly engaged to the actuating member such that rotation of the threaded shaft causes the actuating member to slide; and a programmable controller operatively connected to the linear actuator for controlling the linear actuator according to a predetermined program; wherein the housing comprises at least one door providing access to the at least one channel and to the actuating member such as to protect the at least one channel and the actuating member from contaminants, the at least one door being operatively connected to the programmable controller such that opening the at least one door causes the apparatus to stop completely. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification