Device for Packaging Dosed Quantities of Solid Medicines

Abstract

Apparatus for packaging dosed quantities of solid medicines on the basis of a predetermined prescription, comprising: a control unit for controlling the apparatus and for receiving the prescription; a plurality of medicine holders, wherein a medicine holder is configured to hold a blister pack with medicines; a separating device for separating subject to the received prescription at least one of the medicines from a blister pack held in a medicine holder; and a packaging device configured to package the medicines separated by the separating device.

Claims

1. An apparatus for packaging dosed quantities of solid medicines on the basis of a predetermined prescription, comprising: a control unit for controlling the apparatus and for receiving the prescription; a separating device for separating at least one medicine from a blister pack subject to the received prescription; and a packaging device configured to package the medicines separated by the separating device, wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of medicine holders, wherein a medicine holder is configured to hold a blister pack with medicines, wherein the medicine holders are movable away from and toward the separating device and wherein the separating device is configured to separate medicines from a plurality of blister packs held in the respective medicine holders movable away from and toward the separating device.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a medicine holder comprises a gripper which is configured to grip a blister pack.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the separating device is disposed substantially above the packaging device.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, also comprising an endless conveyor belt provided with the plurality of medicine holders, wherein the separating device is disposed along the path of the medicine holders, and a drive for driving the endless conveyor belt for the purpose of moving the medicine holders along the separating device.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, comprising a plurality of separating devices with medicine holders associated therewith, wherein the separating devices are disposed on a central, vertically extending collection tube which debouches in the packaging device.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, also comprising a housing in which at least the medicine holders are located, wherein the housing is provided with a climate control system for controlling the climate in the housing.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, also comprising a buffering device between a separating device and the packaging device for buffering separated medicines for dispensing to the packaging device.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, comprising a buffering device between a separating device and the central collection chute for buffering separated medicines for dispensing to the collection tube.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the buffering device comprises a diaphragm provided with a plurality of movable blades.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, also comprising a detection device for inspecting and identifying the buffered medicine, wherein the control unit is configured to check the identified medicine on the basis of the prescription.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises a memory which comprises position data, wherein the position data for the plurality of blister packs comprise the positions of medicines in the respective blister packs, wherein the separating device is configured to separate at least one of the medicines from the blister pack on the basis of the position data of the respective blister pack.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a detection device for detecting the positions of the medicines in a blister pack for the purpose of providing the position data.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the separating device is configured to press at least one medicine out of the blister pack, wherein the separating device comprises a first body and clamping body, wherein the separating device is configured to press at least one medicine out between the first body and the clamping body.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first body and the clamping body is moved relative to the blister pack depending on the position data of this blister pack for the purpose of separating at least one medicine by pressing it out.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first body comprises an opening for receiving the medicine during movement of the clamping body toward the first body.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the separating device is configured to move the first body and the clamping body on the basis of the position data for the purpose of aligning the medicine relative to the opening.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first body is provided with a milling device, preferably in the form of serrations, for cutting into the blister pack.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the separating device is provided with a cutting device for severing a part of the blister pack with the at least one medicine therein.

19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the cutting device comprises a laser.

20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one storage for holding a plurality of blister packs.

21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the storage cabinet comprises a transport mechanism for carrying a blister pack to a medicine holder.

22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the storage cabinet comprises a centring device for centring blister packs.

23. A method for packaging dosed quantities of solid medicines on the basis of a predetermined prescription, wherein the method comprises the steps of: providing a plurality of blister packs with medicines and held in medicine holders, wherein a medicine holder is configured to hold a blister pack; selecting at least one predetermined type of medicine from the plurality of medicines subject to the prescription; separating a predetermined quantity of medicines from the selected medicine with a separating device; and packaging the separated medicines.

24. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein the selection comprises of moving one of the medicine holders which holds a blister pack with the predetermined type of medicine to the separating device.

25. The method as claimed in claim 23, also comprising the step of buffering a separated medicine prior to the step of packaging.

26. The method as claimed in claim 25, further comprising the step of inspecting and identifying the buffered medicine and checking the identified medicine against the prescription.

27. The method as claimed in claim 26, further comprising of inspecting and identifying a set of separated medicines for packaging in a single package.

28. The method as claimed in claim 23, further comprising the step of providing position data, wherein position data for the plurality of blister packs comprise the positions of medicines in the respective blister packs, wherein separation comprises of separating at least one medicine subject to the positions of the medicines in the respective blister pack.

29. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein separation comprises of pressing a medicine out between two bodies.

30. The method as claimed in claim 28, wherein at least one of the bodies is moved subject to the position data for the purpose of separating the at least one medicine.

31. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein separation comprises of severing a part of the blister pack with the at least one medicine therein.

32. The method as claimed in claim 31, wherein severing a part of the blister pack comprises of severing with a laser.

Description

[0057] The present invention is further illustrated on the basis of the following figures which show a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way, wherein:

[0058] FIGS. 1A and B show respectively a top and bottom view of a blister pack;

[0059] FIG. 2 shows an overview of the apparatus wherein a part of the apparatus is shown cut-away and so shows a part of the internal systems;

[0060] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the components in the apparatus;

[0061] FIGS. 4A and B show respectively a partial front view and a top view of the medicine transport system;

[0062] FIG. 5 shows in perspective details of an endless conveyor belt with a medicine holder with blister pack;

[0063] FIG. 6 shows in perspective two endless conveyor belts with a medicine holder with blister pack, a separating device and a first buffering device;

[0064] FIG. 7 shows in perspective a press-out unit for pressing medicines out of the blister packs;

[0065] FIG. 8 shows a section along the line VIII in FIG. 7;

[0066] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the pressing-out process;

[0067] FIG. 10 shows in perspective the underside of a blister pack, wherein a single medicine is being pressed out;

[0068] FIG. 11 shows in perspective a cutting device which makes use of a laser to cut out the blister packs to be singulated;

[0069] FIG. 12 shows in perspective the process of cutting out by means of a laser;

[0070] FIGS. 13A and B show respectively a perspective front and rear view of a storage for blister packs;

[0071] FIG. 14 shows a storage in schematic cross-section along the line XIV in FIG. 13B;

[0072] FIG. 15 shows in perspective a first buffering device with inspection device;

[0073] FIG. 16 shows in perspective the second buffering device;

[0074] FIG. 17 shows a package with medicines; and

[0075] FIG. 18 shows a processing diagram for packaging medicines.

[0076] FIGS. 1A and B show respectively a top and bottom view of a blister pack 8 for medicines. Such a blister pack generally comprises one or more individually enclosed/packaged medicines 100. A blister pack comprises a first layer 101, in which a number of, in this example 16, holders for holding medicines 100 are arranged. The holders are closed by arranging a second layer 102 on first layer 101. First layer 101 is usually made of an optionally transparent plastic, while second layer 102 generally comprises a thin plastic or metal foil. A medicine can be taken out of blister pack 8 by pressing on the holders for medicines 100, as shown in FIG. 10.

[0077] An important aspect of the invention, as will be discussed in greater detail below, is that the location, indicated in this example with X and Y in the coordinate system, of medicines 100 in a blister pack is known.

[0078] FIG. 2 shows an apparatus 1 for packaging dosed quantities of solid medicines 100. The apparatus is constructed in this example from a central part 2, wherein cabinets 3 are placed on either side. Central part 2 is provided with a number of receiving spaces 50 in which medicine dispensing devices such as canisters can be placed. Larger canisters can also be placed in the central part by providing the apparatus with mutually adjacent receiving spaces. These can be seen on the upper part of central part 2. In order to reduce the drop height of the medicines coming from these canisters it can be advantageous to place these canisters lower in central part 2. Although not shown, apparatus 1 can moreover be provided, for instance in central part 2, with a receiving space for a drawer for holding and dispensing broken and/or oddly shaped medicines.

[0079] Central part 2 is moreover provided with a screen 51 for displaying the status of the apparatus. The screen can be embodied as touchscreen as input unit; alternatively or additionally a separate input unit 55 can be provided in the form of for instance a keyboard (indicated schematically in FIG. 3). Placed on the underside of central part 2 is a packaging device 52 which is configured to package batches of medicines. Such a packaging in the form of a bag is for instance shown in FIG. 17, for which an outlet 56 is provided in packaging device 52. Packaging devices for packaging medicines, for instance in the form of a flow pack machine, or for packaging medicines in blister cards are known as such. Packaging device 52 is in addition provided with a separate outlet 57 for blister cards.

[0080] Cabinets 3 comprise on the front and rear sides a plurality of storages 4 in which medicines can be stored in blister form. A storage 4 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 13 and 14 and the construction will be discussed in greater detail below. Different types of medicine can be stored in storages 4 in order to be packaged in packaging device 52 on the basis of a prescription. Central part 2 is moreover provided with a scanning device 53 in which blister packs 8 can be scanned prior to filling of storages 4. This will be elucidated in greater detail below.

[0081] A central processing unit or control unit 1000 (FIG. 3), for instance in the form of computer, and preferably a memory 1000A thereof, is configured to store data relating to the type of medicine in each of the storages 4, which are for instance provided for this purpose with a unique identification number. Control unit 1000 is operatively connected to each of the components of the apparatus, such as display unit 51, input 55, scanning device 53. The control unit moreover controls the different components such as packaging device 52, separating devices 9 and medicine transport system 5. Also shown schematically in FIG. 3 is a receiver unit 54 which is configured to receive prescriptions. Receiver unit 54 is for instance configured to receive digital data from for instance a pharmacist system.

[0082] This prescription, which is preferably received in digital form and processed by control unit 1000 and an example of which is shown in FIG. 18, comprises a list of medicines which have to be packaged together in a single packaging. Those medicines which for instance have to be taken at one ingestion time are generally packaged together for a patient. Control unit 1000 is then configured to select these medicines, for instance from storages 4, on the basis of the prescription and provide them to packaging device 52 for packaging.

[0083] Apparatus 1 is configured to hold at least a portion of the medicines in the blister pack. Apparatus 1 is provided for this purpose with a plurality of transport systems 5 for selecting and transporting the medicines 100 in blister packs 8 to separating devices 9, see FIGS. 4A and B. In this example seven separate transport systems 5 are arranged one above another per cabinet. A transport system 5 comprises an endless conveyor belt 6 on which a plurality of medicine holders in the form of grippers 7 are arranged. Conveyor belt 6 is driven by a drive which is designated schematically with reference numerals 61 in FIG. 4. Each transport system 5 in apparatus 1 can be individually controlled by control unit 1000.

[0084] An individual medicine holder is shown more clearly in FIG. 5. Gripper 7 of a medicine holder is coupled to endless conveyor belt 6 such that, by driving conveyor belt 6, for instance with drives 61, the exact position of gripper 7 is known. In this example gripper 7 is coupled with a central body 16 to conveyor belt 6, wherein at an outer end a gripping mechanism is provided which is formed by a first clamping element 17 and a second clamping element 18. The gripping mechanism is configured to clamp a blister pack 8 fixedly therebetween, preferably such that the position of blister pack 8 relative to the whole of gripper 7, for instance central body 16 thereof, and thereby conveyor belt 6, is known. By driving conveyor belt 6 blister pack 8 can be carried in accurate manner along the path of endless conveyor belt 6, indicated schematically with arrow 62 in FIG. 4B.

[0085] In order to enable packaging of a predetermined number of medicines from a blister pack 8 on the basis of the prescription the apparatus 1 comprises separating devices 9. A separating device 9 is configured to separate, subject to the prescription, at least one of the medicines 100 from a blister pack 8 held in a medicine holder 7. In this example each transport system 5 in a layer is provided with separating device 9, and the separating devices are disposed vertically relative to each other above packaging device 52.

[0086] Control unit 1000 is configured here to store for each medicine holder 7 in the apparatus which type of medicine 100 is held in blister packs 8. When a specific type of medicine has to be packaged, control unit 1000 controls the respective transport system 5 and drives conveyor belt 6 such that medicine holder 7 with the specific type of medicine 100 therein is aligned with a separating device 9. Separating device 9 separates the desired number of medicines and feeds these to packaging device 52 for packaging.

[0087] Provided under separating devices 9 for an efficient feed of the separated medicines to packaging device 52 are funnels 11 (see also FIG. 6) which guide the separated medicines to a first buffering device 12. First buffering device 12 is situated between funnel 11 and connecting tube 13, which is in turn connected to a central collection tube 14. As discussed above, the canisters in receiving spaces 50 also debouch, directly or indirectly, into collection tube 14 so that, subject to the control by control unit 1000, medicines can also be guided out of the canisters via collection tube 14 to packaging device 52.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 4, a climate control unit 70 which controls the climate in the housing of apparatus 1 is provided on the upper side of central part 2. Climate control unit 70 cools the interior of the apparatus so that the medicines held in storages 4 and in the medicine holders are stored cooled. Climate control unit 70 comprises an extraction system for extracting possible dust resulting from guiding and/or separation of the medicines. The interior of apparatus 1 is moreover kept at an underpressure relative to the surrounding area in order to prevent contamination of this surrounding area. Outlet 58 for discharging empty or no longer required blister packs 8 held in medicine holders 7 is further also provided in cabinet 3. As soon as a blister pack is empty or if for instance more medicine units are required for a single packaging than still remain in the blister pack, this is carried to the discharge station on the end surface of the cabinet and released by gripper 7, after which the discharged blister packs accumulate at the bottom of cabinet 3 in outlet 58.

[0089] Also shown in FIG. 6 is a separating device 9 which is configured to press medicines selectively from a blister pack 8. This type of separating device 9 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 7-9. Separating device 9 comprises a first body 19 in the form of a platform 19 with passage 21 and a second body 20 in the form of clamping block 20 which is movable away from and toward platform 19 as indicated with arrow Z in FIG. 7. Both platform 19 and clamping block 20 are movable relative to blister pack 8 in a plane parallel to this blister pack 8. This is indicated schematically with arrows X and Y in FIG. 7. The separating device is configured to align clamping block 20 in X and Y direction with opening 21 so that, when clamping block 20 and platform 19 are moved toward each other (direction Z) with a holder 101 for a medicine 100 therebetween, this medicine 100 is pressed out of holder 101, see FIG. 9. Platform 19 and clamping block 20 are preferably movable together in the X-Y plane inside the separating device so that opening 21 and clamping block 20 are always aligned with each other in the X-Y plane. Passage 21 here receives the separated medicine 100.

[0090] Clamping block 20 and passage 21 of platform 19 must therefore be securely aligned with a holder 101 with the medicine 100 to be separated. As already noted above, it is important for this purpose that for each blister pack 8 the locations, for instance including dimensions, and state (full or empty) of each of the holders 101 in a blister pack 8 are known. Control unit 1000 can comprise for this purpose a database in which an overview of the configuration of holders 101 is stored for each type of medicine. During filling of storages 4 a blister pack can be presented to scanning device 53 which for instance reads and detects a unique identification number on the blister pack. On the basis of this number the correct configuration from the database can be linked to the blister pack. It is moreover possible for the scanning device to detect the positions and dimensions (as shown in FIG. 1A) for subsequent storage.

[0091] If control unit 1000 were for instance to determine that the supply of a specific medicine is (almost) finished, this can be indicated, for instance on screen 51 or via a remote system. The user can then fetch and present a new supply of medicines to scanning device 53. Apparatus 1, in particular control unit 1000, is preferably configured to detect whether the presented medicine corresponds to the type of medicine requested, for instance on the basis of a detected unique identification number on the presented blister pack 8. Once it has been ensured that the correct medicine is being presented, one of the storages 4 can be made available for filling. It is for instance possible here to envisage storages 4 being placed behind doors, wherein control unit 1000 is configured to lock and unlock the doors. The precise content, at least in respect of the type of medicine, per storage 4 is then known and is stored in memory 1000A of control unit 1000.

[0092] On the basis of the position data and states of holders 101 in the respective blister pack 8 in separating device 9 a holder 101 with medicine 100 is aligned with passage 21 and subsequently pressed out. The state of this holder 101 is then stored in memory 1000A, in the sense that what is stored is that this respective holder 101 in this respective blister pack 8 is empty.

[0093] Efficient pressing-out of medicines 100 takes place when a cutting device is provided close to an edge of passage 21, preferably in the form of serrated edge 22 which cuts into second layer 102 on the edge of the medicine for pressing out, whereby second layer 102 is easily split. Less force need be exerted here on medicine 100 by bodies 19 and 20, so that the risk of damage to medicine 100 is reduced. It can for instance be seen in FIG. 10 that cuts have been made in three edges of a holder 101. Following separation the medicine 100 drops into funnel 11 for further transport.

[0094] An alternative separating device is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. Where in the previous embodiment a medicine is separated from blister pack 8, in this embodiment a portion 26 of blister pack 8 with medicine is separated by being cut from the rest of blister pack 8. In this embodiment cutting takes place using a laser unit 24, wherein laser beam 25 is shown in FIG. 12. Laser beam 25 is movable, in per se known manner in a laser unit, in the plane parallel to the blister pack. Here too the separation takes place on the basis of the position data of holders 101 of blister pack 8. Since the position and dimensions of holders 101 are known, laser 25 can be controlled so as to move neatly round one or more holders 101 and thereby cut through the blister pack. The separated portion 26 will drop downward and enter funnel 11. Because, just as in the case of the pressing-out mechanism, the memory 1000A stores which part of the blister pack has already been cut out, the control unit controls laser device 24 to cut out a part of blister pack 8 which has not yet been cut away.

[0095] Alignment of holders 101 in a blister pack 8 for separation takes place subject to the stored position data of these holders 101 and the position of medicine holder 7. As stated, the relative position of medicine holder 7 and blister 8 is known, while the position of medicine holder 7 and conveyor belt 6 is also known. Through driving of conveyor belt 6 the position of blister 8, and thereby also the holders 101 thereof, is therefore known. The separation takes place on the basis hereof, for instance by aligning the bodies 20 and 19 or moving the laser 24. As alternative or as addition to this system, detection means can be provided for detecting the relative position of blister 8 and holders 101 thereof and separating device 9.

[0096] The construction of storages 4 will be discussed in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. One storage 4 is filled with one type of medicine/blister pack 8, whereby different types of medicine can be accommodated in cabinets 3. As stated, control unit 1000 is configured to store the type of medicine per storage 4 in a memory 1000A. As shown best in FIGS. 3 and 4, the plurality of grippers 7 on conveyor belt 6 are aligned with storages 4. Grippers 7 can then easily remove a new blister pack 8 from storages 4.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 13A, a storage comprises a first side 28 which can be provided with a door (not shown), whereby a number of blister packs can be placed in a centring device 27. Side 28 faces toward the outside of cabinets 3. Centring device 27 is configured to centre the held blister packs 8 in at least the X-direction. The opposite side 40 adjoins a transport system 5 and comprises an opening 31 for throughfeed of a blister pack (as also shown in FIG. 13B).

[0098] Centring device 27 further comprises a first 29 and second movable wall 30 which can move proportionally in opposite direction to each other in order to centre blister packs 8 in the X-direction when the centring device is activated. The position of blister pack 8 relative to a gripper 7 is then known. Provided for the purpose of transporting a blister pack 8 in the Y-direction so that it can be gripped by a gripper 7 is a transport system 34 for transporting a single blister pack 8 from storage cabinet 4 to gripper 7 (FIG. 14). Transport system 34 preferably comprises a transport element in the form of a wheel 32 which is driven by a drive element 33 and which engages on the lower surface of a blister pack and so feeds blister pack 8 through a passage opening 31. Blister pack 8 can now be clamped between first clamping element 17 and second clamping element 18.

[0099] When it is determined that a blister pack 8 is emptythe states of the different holders 101 in a blister pack 8 are after all tracked per blister pack 8the empty blister pack can be released by gripper 7 above a waste system (not shown). The empty blisters and perhaps other waste are discharged herein. Gripper 7 is then moved to a storage 4 in which the respective medicine is stored and a new blister pack 8 is picked up by gripper 7 in the above described manner.

[0100] As already described above, buffering devices 12 are situated between funnels 11 and connection tubes 13. Such a buffer 12 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 15. A buffering device 12 is provided with a diaphragm 15 provided with a plurality of movable blades. In the closed situation as shown in FIG. 15 the medicines 100 are received (buffered), while when the blades are moved the diaphragm is thereby opened, the medicine 100 drops downward into connection tube 13. Also shown in FIG. 15 is a detection device in the form of a camera 35. Camera 35 makes recordings of the medicines on diaphragm 15, on the basis of which for instance control unit 1000 can determine whether the number and/or the type of medicine corresponds to the prescription. Should it for instance be determined that the number is not correct, the medicines can then be discharged in the case of an excess or be supplemented in the case of a shortfall. Through image recognition of medicines 100 the type can for instance also be determined and checked. Memory 1000A can comprise suitable comparison material for this purpose.

[0101] Connecting tubes 13 run out into the central collection tube 14 situated upstream of packaging device 52. In FIG. 16 can be seen that, following approval, the pressed-out medicine 100 is guided through connecting tube 13 to central collection device 14 where other medicines 36, 37, from for instance other tubes 13 or already separated earlier, are already present on a similar diaphragm 36. When all medicines for a packaging have been brought together, a detection device 35 once again checks whether the collected medicines correspond to the prescription. Following approval, diaphragm 36 opens and medicines 100, 37 and 38 are guided to packaging device 532 where the medicines are packaged. In FIG. 17 can be seen that the collected medicines 100, 37, 38 have been packed together in a foil packaging 39.

[0102] FIG. 18 shows a processing diagram for packaging medicines. In a first step 1001 a prescription, designated schematically with 2000, is received for processing with the apparatus. The prescription 2000 comprises in this example a unique identification code 2001 for the patient and different unique codes 2003 for medicines which have been grouped per package 2002. In this example the first package must comprise three medicines (designated with 3), the next one four (4) and the last one only two (2).

[0103] In a subsequent step 1002 the first medicine is selected from the list, in this example by carrying the correct medicine holder with the correct type of medicine to a separating device, and in a following step 1003 the correct number of this medicine are separated and buffered. A check is made in step 1004 as to whether the respective package 2002 has to comprise any more medicines. If so, steps 1002 and 1003 are repeated, in this example three times, for all medicines in the respective package.

[0104] Once all medicines of a single package have been selected and separated, the apparatus goes to step 1005 where the separated medicines for packaging are inspected and identified (see for instance FIG. 16). Alternatively or additionally hereto, a check can also be carried out after each separating step 1003 (see FIG. 15). When it is found in a step 1007 that the identified medicines do not correspond to the prescription, in particular the medicine in the first batch 2002, a procedure 1007A is carried out. This procedure can for instance entail the discharge of the medicines, wherein the schedule starts again from the beginning.

[0105] If the check is completed successfully, the separated medicines are packaged in a step 1006 in for instance a bag as shown in FIG. 17. In a step 1008 a check is then made as to whether there are still subsequent batches 2002 in this prescription. If this is the case, the procedure for selecting 1002 and selecting 1003 begins for the following batch 2002. The processing of the prescription for the patient is otherwise completed in step 1009 and a following prescription can be loaded in a step 1001.

[0106] The present invention is not limited to the shown embodiments but also extends to other embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.