METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MAKING UP A PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATION

Abstract

A device for making up a pharmaceutical preparation comprising at least one first mounting device adapted to hold a source container filled with a liquid component of the pharmaceutical preparation, at least one second mounting device adapted to hold a target container provided with at least one access port for receiving the liquid component of the pharmaceutical preparation, and at least one third mounting device adapted to hold a transfer container adapted to transfer the liquid component from the source container to the target container. The at least one third mounting device is movable with respect to the at least one first mounting device and to the at least one second mounting device such that the liquid component can be transferred from the source container to the target container.

Claims

1. A device for making up a pharmaceutical preparation comprising a) at least one first mounting device adapted to hold a source container filled with a liquid component of the pharmaceutical preparation, b) at least one second mounting device adapted to hold a target container provided with at least one access port for receiving the liquid component of the pharmaceutical preparation, and c) at least one third mounting device adapted to hold a transfer container adapted to transfer the liquid component from the source container to the target container, wherein the at least one third mounting device is movable with respect to the at least one first mounting device and to the at least one second mounting device such that the liquid component can be transferred from the source container to the target container.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second mounting device comprises an adapter adapted to hold a syringe or an elastomeric pump as the target container.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the adapter comprises a through hole for loosely receiving the access port of the target container.

4. according to claim 2, wherein the adapter comprises a bracket movable between a locking position, wherein the target container is securely fixed to the adapter), and a release position, wherein the target container (5a) is separable from the adapter.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the target container comprises a syringe or an elastomeric pump, wherein the access port of the syringe or the elastomeric pump comprises an injection port with a septum that is puncturable in order to inject the liquid component into the syringe or the elastomeric pump.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the injection port is removably attached to the access port of the syringe or the elastomeric pump.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the third mounting device comprises at least one stop element for limiting a movement of the transfer container in a direction towards the at least one first mounting device and/or towards the at least one second mounting device.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the at least one third mounting device comprises two stop elements, arranged such as to receive the transfer container in between them and as to limit a movement of the transfer container in a direction towards the at least one first mounting device and/or towards the at least one second mounting device and a movement of the transfer container in a direction away from the at least one first mounting device and from the at least one second mounting device.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one third mounting device is adapted to hold a syringe with a tube and a plunger movable inside the tube.

10. The device according to claim 8, wherein the at least one third mounting device comprises a first subunit and a second subunit that are movable with respect to each other, wherein each of the subunits is provided with one of the stop elements and wherein the first subunit is adapted to hold the plunger of the syringe and the second subunit is adapted to hold the tube of the syringe.

11. The device according to claim 1, further comprising by a stepper motor, configured to move the at least one third mounting device with respect to the at least one first mounting device and to the at least one second mounting device.

12. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a camera adapted to capture an image of the source container and/or of the target container, wherein the image comprises image data representative of the liquid component filled in the source container and/or the pharmaceutical preparation to be made up in the target container.

13. The device according to claim 12, further comprising a processor adapted to receive the image data from the camera and to identify the liquid component filled in the source container and/or the pharmaceutical preparation to be made up in the target container by means of image recognition.

14. A method for making up a pharmaceutical preparation comprising: a) mounting a source container filled with a liquid component of the pharmaceutical preparation on a first mounting device, b) mounting a target container provided with at least one access port for receiving the liquid component on a second mounting device, c) mounting a transfer container adapted to transfer the liquid component from the source container to the target container on a third mounting device, d) withdrawing the liquid component from the source container using the transfer container, while the third mounting device is in a withdrawal position, and e) injecting the liquid component into the target container using the transfer container, wherein the transfer container for the injection is brought into an injection position by moving the third mounting device.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein filling a plurality of target containers with the liquid component is achieved by repeating steps d) and e) for each of the target containers.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein a speed for withdrawing the liquid component from the source container and a speed for injecting the liquid component into the target container is set in dependence of the liquid component, including in dependence of the viscosity of the liquid component.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein before withdrawing the liquid component from the source container: a) the third mounting device is moved along an X-axis and/or along a Y-axis and/or along a Z-axis, wherein the movement along the X-axis and the Y-axis is permitted only as long as a distance between the third mounting device and the first mounting device along a Z-axis does not fall below a predefined threshold value, b) once the third mounting device has reached a position along the X-axis and the Y-axis corresponding to the withdrawal position, the third mounting device moves along the Z-axis and reduces its distance to the first mounting device along the Z-axis until the withdrawal position is reached.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the withdrawal position along the Z-axis is set depending on the type of the source container.

19. The method according to claim 14, wherein a syringe comprising a needle with a needle tip (7a31) is used as the transfer container, wherein the source container comprises an injection port which is puncturable by the needle.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the step of withdrawing the liquid component from the source container comprises: before puncturing the injection port of the source container with the needle tip, sucking a predefined volume of air into the syringe.

21. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the steps of: a) after withdrawing the liquid component from the source container, moving the syringe away from the source container into a contamination prevention position in which the needle tip is placed within the injection port of the source container, wherein the contamination prevention position is set depending on the type of the source container, b) while the syringe is in the contamination prevention position, creating an underpressure in the syringe, and c) pulling the needle out of the injection port.

22. The method according to claim 14, wherein the status of the source container and the target container is tracked throughout a production run, including at the beginning and/or end of each step of withdrawal of the liquid component from the source container and at the beginning and/or end of each step of injection of the liquid component into the target container, in order to register a change of the status.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the source container and the target container each are provided with an identification means, wherein the identification means includes an individual RFID tag, and wherein the identification means is scanned regularly in order to track the status of the source container and of the target container.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein in case of an error related to the scanning of the identification means, an interface is provided that allows a user to choose between: a) scanning again the identification means, b) disregarding the error and continuing the production run, and c) aborting the production run, wherein the method is adapted according to the choice of the user.

25. The method according to claim 14, wherein prior to step e) or step d), an amount of a liquid component present in the target container is withdrawn from the target container and injected into a waste container.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein a production report is established for each production run, wherein the production report comprises information relating to the amount and/or type of liquid component present in the source container, the target container and the waste container.

27. The method according to claim 14, wherein the user enters a pre-defined command for specifying a volume relating to the pharmaceutical preparation to be made up.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein in dependence of the command entered by the user: a) the volume of the pharmaceutical preparation that is made up corresponds to the volume as specified by the user, b) the volume of the pharmaceutical preparation that is made up is smaller than or equal to a maximum volume as specified by the user, c) the volume of one liquid component of the pharmaceutical preparation that is made up corresponds to the volume as specified by the user, or d) the volume of the pharmaceutical preparation that is made up is within a volume range specified by the user.

29. The method according to claim 14, further comprising equipping an outlet of the elastomeric pump and/or an outlet of a tube connected to the outlet of the elastomeric pump with a gas permeable but liquid impermeable filter, and flushing the outlet of the elastomeric pump or the tube connected to the outlet of the elastomeric pump.

Description

[0054] The idea underlying the invention shall subsequently be described in more detail with reference to the figures. Herein:

[0055] FIG. 1 schematically shows a device for making up a pharmaceutical preparation according an embodiment of the invention;

[0056] FIG. 2 schematically shows an adapter as part of a mounting device of the device of FIG. 1 adapted to hold a target container;

[0057] FIG. 3 schematically shows the adapter of FIG. 2 with a syringe as the target container;

[0058] FIG. 4 schematically shows the adapter of FIG. 2 with an elastomeric pump as the target container;

[0059] FIG. 5 schematically shows the syringe of FIG. 3 with an injection port;

[0060] FIG. 6 schematically shows the elastomeric pump of FIG. 4 with an injection port;

[0061] FIG. 7 schematically shows a mounting device of the device of FIG. 1 adapted to hold a transfer container;

[0062] FIG. 8 schematically shows steps of a method for making up a pharmaceutical preparation;

[0063] FIG. 9 schematically shows the distribution of one liquid component of the pharmaceutical preparation among one source container, one transfer container and two target containers throughout several steps of a production run;

[0064] FIG. 10 schematically shows the relative position of a syringe as a transfer container and a vial as a source container and the relative position of a syringe plunger and a syringe tube throughout several steps of a production run; and

[0065] FIG. 11 shows a flow diagram of several steps related to a scan of an identification means of a source container or a target container.

[0066] FIG. 1 shows schematically a device 1 for making up a pharmaceutical preparation. The device 1 comprises a plurality of first mounting devices 3 adapted to hold a source container 3a, a plurality of second mounting devices 5 adapted to hold a target container 5a and one third mounting device 7 adapted to hold a transfer container 7a. In FIG. 1 exemplarily three first mounting devices 3 are holding a source container 3a and two second mounting devices 5 are holding a target container 5a. One first mounting device 3 adapted to hold a source container 3a and two second mounting devices 5 adapted to hold a target container 5a are free. The first mounting devices 3 and the second mounting devices 5 each comprise an adapter 31 and 51, respectively. The adapters 31 and 51 are configured to fix the source containers 3a and the target containers 5a, respectively, and are removably attached to a mounting structure 9. The adapters 31 and 51 are thus provided to securely attach the source containers 3a and the target containers 5a to the mounting structure 9. The adapters 31 and 51 may be the same or different, in dependence of the type of container 3a, 5a (vial, intravenous bag, syringe, elastomeric pump) that is used. Although in FIG. 1, only one mounting structure 9 is shown for the source containers 3a and the target containers 5a together, more than just one mounting structure 9 may be provided.

[0067] The source containers 3a are each filled with a liquid component of the pharmaceutical preparation to be made up by the device 1. The shown source containers 3a are glass vials filled with one liquid component and sealed with a puncturable septum. The target containers 5a are the containers in which the pharmaceutical preparation is to be provided. The shown target containers 5 are a syringe 5a1 and an elastomeric pump 5a2. Also an intravenous bag may be used as the target container 5a.

[0068] The third mounting device 7 adapted to hold the transfer container 7a is not attached to the mounting structure 9. The third mounting device 7 is instead movable with respect to the first mounting devices 3 and the second mounting devices 5. In order to move the third mounting device 7, three stepper motors 11x, 11y, 11z are or can be provided, one motor per axial movement along one of the axes X, Y and Z in a Cartesian coordinate system. The stepper motors 11x, 11y, 11z are of the same type, in particular of the type HECM246-F1.3. The stepper motors 11x, 11y, 11z are controlled by a processor 13.

[0069] The transfer container 7a is a syringe with a tube 7a1 and a plunger 7a2 movable in the tube 7a1 along a longitudinal axis of the syringe 7a. A needle 7a3 is attached to the tube and comprises a needle tip 7a31.

[0070] The third mounting device 7 comprises a first subunit 71 and a second subunit 72 that are movable with respect to each other. The first subunit 71 is configured to hold the plunger 7a2 of the syringe 7a and the second subunit 72 is configured to hold the tube 7a1 of the syringe 7a. For holding the tube 7a1 and the plunger 7a2 each subunit 71, 72 is provided with clamping jaws 73 that are configured to hold radially (with respect to the longitudinal axis of the syringe 7a) the tube 7a1 and the plunger 7a2. The third mounting device 7 also comprises stop elements 74 that will be described later with reference to FIG. 7.

[0071] In order to move the first subunit 71 with respect to the second subunit 72 a stepper motor 11t is provided. The stepper motor 11t may be of the same type as the stepper motors 11x, 11y, 11z provided to move the third mounting device 7 with respect to the first mounting devices 3 and the second mounting devices 5. If the syringe 7a is arranged at the third mounting device 7 as intended the movement of the first subunit 71 with respect to the second subunit 72 makes the plunger 7a2 move in and/or out of the tube 7a1.

[0072] The device 1 further comprises a fourth mounting device 14 adapted to hold a waste container 14a. The waste container 14a is for instance used to discharge an excess of a liquid component present in (one of) the target containers 5a before starting a production run. Often the target containers 5a that are used are prefilled with a defined amount of a so-called carrier solution as one liquid component of the pharmaceutical preparation. The carrier solution serves as a carrier for a liquid component (liquid drug) that is provided in one of the source containers 3a and that is added to the carrier solution in the target container 5a. In case that the amount of the liquid component to be added and the defined amount of the carrier solution exceed the volume that can be taken up by the target container 5a, a part of the carrier solution is withdrawn from the target container 5a and injected into the waste container 14a by means of the transfer container 7a. The waste container 14a comprises an access port that is sealed with a puncturable septum. The waste container 14a may be a glass or plastic vial or an intravenous bag. The fourth mounting device 14 comprises an adapter that is configured to fix the waste container 14a and that is removably attached to the mounting structure 9.

[0073] The device 1 further comprises a camera 15 adapted to capture an image of the source containers 3a and/or of the target containers 5a. The image comprises image data representative of the liquid component filled in the different source containers 3a and the pharmaceutical preparation to be made up in the different target containers 5a. For this purpose each source container 3a and each target container 5a is provided with an (adhesive) label 16 that comprises the information representative of the liquid component filled in the source container 3a and the pharmaceutical preparation to be made up in the target container 5a. The information is provided in form of a graphic representation adapted to be captured by the camera 15. The camera 15 is configured to send the image data to the processor 13 which in turn is configured to receive the image data from the camera 15 and to identify the liquid component filled in the source containers 3a and/or the pharmaceutical preparation to be made up in the target containers 5a by means of image recognition. Also the waste container 14a is provided with a label 16 indicating that the waste container 14a is intended to receive waste.

[0074] Additionally, the device 1 comprises an RFID (radio-frequency identification) scanner 17. The RFID scanner 17 is adapted to scan RFID tags 19 that are attached as an identification means to the source containers 3a and to the target containers 5a. The RFID scanner 17 is also adapted to send a corresponding signal to the processor 13. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 the RFID tags 19 are arranged on the adapters 31 and 51 of the source containers 3a and of the target containers 5a, respectively. By fixing the source containers 3a and the target containers 5a to the respective adapters 31, 51, the source containers 3a and the target containers 5a are simultaneously tagged with an RFID tag 19. Also the adapter of the waste container 14a comprises a RFID tag 19.

[0075] The camera 15 and the RFID scanner 17 are both connected to the processor 13. The camera 15, the labels 16, the RFID scanner 17 and the RFID tags 19 are used to assign features like a position on the mounting structure 9 (or with respect to another reference) and/or a weight to one specific container 3a, 5a and its content. Such an assignment is required to automate the method for making up a pharmaceutical preparation executed by the device 1. In particular, a correlation between image data provided by the camera 15 and signals of the RFID scanner 17 are correlated for the same container 3a, 5a by means of the processor 13. These means (the camera 15, the labels 16, the RFID scanner 17 and the RFID tags 19) are also used to track the status of the production run and of the different containers 3a, 5a used in the production run as well as to control the correct execution of the method by the device 1.

[0076] An interface 21, in particular a graphical user interface, is provided to the user in order to interact with the device 1. The interface 21 communicates with the processor 13.

[0077] Furthermore, the device 1 comprises a balance 23. The balance 23 serves to determine the weight of the source containers 3a, the target containers 5a and the waste container 14a at least at the beginning of a production run. As a control measure for controlling the correct dosing, the weight of the source containers 3a, the target containers 5a and the waste container 14a may be determined during the production run as well.

[0078] FIG. 2 shows in detail the adapter 51 of the second mounting device 5 adapted to hold a target container 5a. The adapter 51 is configured and designed such as to hold in particular a syringe or an elastomeric pump as the target container 5a. However, also an intravenous bag may be hold by the adapter 51 shown in FIG. 2.

[0079] The adapter 51 comprises a body 511 made of a plastic material. A through hole 512 traverses the body 511. The through hole 512 is adapted to loosely receive an access port of the target container 5a. A bracket 513 is pivotably attached to the body 511 such that the bracket 513 is movable between a locking position, wherein the target container 5a is securely fixed to the adapter 51, and a release position, wherein the target container 5a is separable from the adapter 51.

[0080] The bracket 513 comprises a recess 5131 for receiving the access port of the target container 5a. In the locking position, the access port is securely held in the recess 5131 by form fitting. The bracket 513 is made of a metal.

[0081] In order to avoid that the bracket 513 is moved (coming from the release position) beyond the locking position, a stop element 514 is provided on the body 511, against which the bracket 513 abuts when the bracket 513 has reached the locking position. The stop element 514 avoids on the one hand that the access port of the target container 5a is damaged by moving the bracket 513 beyond the locking position and indicates on the other hand to a user that the locking position has been reached and that the target container 5a is securely fixed to the adapter 51.

[0082] In FIG. 2 the bracket 513 is shown in the release position. In the release position the bracket 513, and in particular the recess 5131, is spaced apart from the through hole 512. In the locking position (FIGS. 3 and 4) the recess 5131 of the bracket 513 is in line with the through hole 512.

[0083] FIG. 3 shows a syringe 5a1 as the target container 5a securely hold by the adapter 51. The syringe 5a1 of FIG. 3 without the adapter 51 is shown in FIG. 5. The syringe 5a1 has an access port that is not provided with a needle but with an injection port 25 that is connected to the syringe for instance via a female-female connector 27. The injection port 25 comprises a septum 251 that is puncturable by the needle 7a3 of the syringe 7a as the transfer container.

[0084] FIG. 4 shows an elastomeric pump 5a2 as the target container 5a securely hold by the adapter 51. The elastomeric pump 5a2 of FIG. 4 without the adapter 51 is shown in FIG. 6. Also the elastomeric pump 5a2 is provided with an injection port 25 with a puncturable septum 251.

[0085] FIG. 7 shows the third mounting device 7 for holding a syringe 7a as the transfer container in detail. The two clamping jaws 73 of the first subunit 71 are arranged on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the syringe 7a if the syringe 7a is arranged at the third mounting device 7 as intended. At least one of the clamping jaws 73 is motor-driven in order to be movable (along an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the syringe 7a) with respect to the other clamping jaw 73 such that the plunger 7a2 is radially clamped between the two clamping jaws 73. A stop element 74 protrudes from each clamping jaw 73 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the syringe 7a, if the syringe 7a is arranged at the third mounting device 7 as intended. The stop elements 74 are oriented from the clamping jaws 73 towards the longitudinal axis of the syringe 7a.

[0086] If the syringe 7a is arranged at the third mounting device 7 as intended, the plunger 7a2 (with its free end) abuts against the stop elements 74. According to an alternative, the stop elements 74 comprise a notch to receive the free end of the plunger 7a2 such that the free end of the plunger 7a2 is blocked along the longitudinal axis of the syringe 7a in both directions. According to another alternative, the first subunit 71 may comprise another stop element that is axially displaced from the stop elements 74 of the first subunit 71 shown in FIG. 7. This other stop element 74 is arranged such that the free end of the plunger 7a2 is axially (with respect to the longitudinal axis of the syringe) hold in between the stop elements, preventing the plunger 7a2 from moving with respect to the clamping jaws 73 of the first subunit 71.

[0087] The second subunit 72 comprises a stop element 74 that extends in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the syringe 7a if the syringe 7a is arranged at the third mounting device 7 as intended. The stop element 74 is arranged such that the tube 7a1 axially abuts against the stop element 74 preventing the tube 7a1 from moving forward when the plunger 7a2 is pushed into the tube 7a1. According to an alternative, the second subunit 72 may comprise another stop element that extends in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the syringe 7a if the syringe 7a is arranged at the third mounting device 7 as intended and that is axially displaced from the stop element 74 shown in FIG. 7. This other stop element 74 is arranged such that the tube 7a1 on its opposite side axially abuts against the stop element preventing the tube 7a1 from moving backward when the plunger 7a2 is pulled out of the tube 7a1.

[0088] The clamping jaws 73 of the second subunit 72 are cylindrical rollers arranged on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the syringe 7a if the syringe 7a is arranged at the third mounting device 7 as intended. The axis of rotation of the cylindrical rollers are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the syringe 7a. The cylindrical rollers are arranged at a distance to each other that allows them to clamp the tube 7a1 of the syringe 7a in between them. Additionally the cylindrical rollers are provided with a rubbery surface in order to increase the friction between the tube surface and the surface of the cylindrical rollers. Additionally or alternatively, the cylindrical rollers may be pre-tensioned against each other such as to apply an additional, radially oriented force to the tube 7a1.

[0089] FIG. 8 shows the principle steps mounting, withdrawal and injection of a method of making up a pharmaceutical preparation. The method is implemented by using the device 1 for making up a pharmaceutical preparation shown in FIG. 1. The step mounting comprises mounting on respective first, second and third mounting devices 3, 5, 7 one or more source container(s) 3a (each) filled with a liquid component of the pharmaceutical preparation, a target container 5a for receiving the liquid component(s) from the source container(s) 3a and a transfer container 7a adapted to transfer the liquid component(s) from the source container(s) 3a to the target container 5a. The step withdrawal comprises withdrawing the liquid component from the source container 3a using the transfer container 7a, wherein the third mounting device 7 is in a withdrawal position. The step injection comprises injecting the liquid component withdrawn from the source container 3a into the target container 5a using the transfer container 7a.

[0090] In case that more than one source container 3a is provided and that the pharmaceutical preparation is to be made up of a plurality of liquid components that are present in the provided source containers 3a, the steps withdrawal and injection are iteratively repeated. For the transfer of each liquid component a separate transfer container 7a is used in one embodiment. It is also possible that the target container 5a is provided already comprising a carrier solution to which one (or more) liquid component(s) from the source container(s) 3a has/have to be added.

[0091] It may also happen that a user wants to prepare a plurality of target containers 5a with the same or different pharmaceutical preparations in one production run of the device 1. The method according to the invention provides a sequence of steps that will be described with reference to FIG. 9. Exemplarily two target containers 5a are provided that are each prefilled with a carrier solution. To each target container 5a the same liquid component present in one source container 3a needs to be added. The same or two separate transfer containers 7a can be used. In the example shown in FIG. 9 only one transfer container 7a is used. FIG. 9 schematically shows the distribution of the relevant liquid component of the pharmaceutical preparation (that is to be added to the carrier solution) among one source container 3a, one transfer container 7a and two target containers 5a. For the sake of clarity the carrier solution is not shown.

[0092] In the initial situation a) the liquid component is present only in the source container 3a. In the subsequent situation b) a predefined amount of the liquid component has been withdrawn from the source container 3a into the transfer container 7a, so that the liquid component is present in the source container 3a and the transfer container 7a. In the subsequent situation c) the liquid component has been injected in one of the target containers 5a from the transfer container 7a. The liquid component is present in the source container 3a and the one target container 5a. In the subsequent situation d) again a predefined amount of the liquid component has been withdrawn from the source container 3a into the transfer container 7a, so that the liquid component is present in the source container 3a, the one target container 5a and the transfer container 7a. In the subsequent situation e) the liquid component has been injected in the other one of the target containers 5a from the transfer container 7a. The liquid component is present in the source container 3a and the two target containers 5a. The procedure shown in FIG. 9 is in particular adapted if the target containers 5a are elastomeric pumps and syringes.

[0093] In case that a syringe is used as the transfer container 7a the method provides several particularities aiming at increasing the dosing precision on the one hand and at preventing contamination of the surrounding environment with the liquid components on the other hand. FIG. 10 shows the relative position of the syringe 7a as the transfer container and a vial as the source container 3a and the relative position of the syringe plunger 7a2 and the syringe tube 7a1 throughout several steps of the method. The relative position of the syringe 7a and the vial 3a and the relative position of the syringe tube 7a1 and the syringe plunger 7a2 change throughout the steps. The changes result from a movement of the third mounting device 7 relative to the first mounting device 3 and from a movement of the first subunit 71 of the third mounting device 7 relative to its second subunit 72, respectively. The vial 3a comprises an access port that is sealed with a septum 29 that is puncturable by the needle 7a3 of the syringe 7a. Means for venting the vial 3a are not illustrated in the figures. Instead of the vial other source containers 3a sealed with a septum may be used.

[0094] In the initial situation a) the syringe 7a, and in particular the needle 7a3 with its tip 7a31, is spaced apart from the vial 3a. In the subsequent step b) the plunger 7a2 has been slightly pulled out of the tube 7a1 such that a defined volume of air is sucked in the syringe 7a. As the material of the plunger 7a2 is somewhat flexible, this movement of the plunger 7a2 out of the tube 7a1 changes the shape of the plunger 7a2. When subsequently the liquid component is withdrawn from the vial 3a, the plunger has adopted this deformed shape already before starting the withdrawal. The shape change thus does not occur during the withdrawal of the liquid component avoiding that the dosing accuracy is adversely affected.

[0095] In the subsequent step c) the needle 7a3 punctures the septum 29 of the vial 3a and the syringe 7a is positioned in a predefined withdrawal position relative to the vial 3a. The withdrawal position, in particular the insertion depth of the needle 7a3 into the vial 3a, depends on the type, shape and size of the source container 3a. The withdrawal position is chosen such that the vial 3a can be optimally emptied and the residual amount of the liquid component that cannot be withdrawn from the vial 3a is as small as possible. In the subsequent step d) the withdrawal position is maintained and a predefined amount of the liquid component is withdrawn from the vial 3a.

[0096] In the subsequent step e) the syringe 7a is slightly, but not completely, pulled out of the vial 3a. The syringe 7a adopts a position relative to the vial 3a wherein the needle tip 7a31 is located inside the septum 29. In this so-called contamination prevention position the needle tip 7a31 neither contacts the liquid component in the vial 3a nor the air surrounding the vial 3a and the syringe 7a. The contamination prevention position depends on the type, shape and size of the source container 3a. In the subsequent step f) the contamination prevention position is maintained and the plunger 7a2 is slightly pulled out of the tube 7a1. As the needle tip 7a31 is sealed by the septum 29 neither air nor the liquid component can be sucked into the syringe 7a leading to an underpressure in the syringe 7a. By creating the underpressure residual droplets of the liquid component inside the needle 7a3 and/or at the needle tip 7a31 are sucked into the syringe 7a and may not contaminate the environment when pulling the needle 7a3 completely out of the septum 29 in the subsequent step g).

[0097] As shown in FIG. 1 the source containers 3a and the target containers 5a are provided with RFID tags 19 for tracking the status of these containers throughout a production run. With an RFID scanner 17 the RFID tags 19 are regularly scanned. FIG. 11 shows a flow diagram related to the scanning of the RFID tags 19. According to FIG. 11 the RFID tag 19 is first scanned by the RFID scanner 17. The RFID scanner 17 provides a scanning signal that is read out by the processor 13 already described with reference to FIG. 1. As a result, the scan may be successfully read out. In this case a further scanning step follows after a predetermined amount of time has lapsed. In case that the scanning signal cannot be read out successfully, different options are presented to the user via the interface 21. The first option is to scan again the RFID tag 19. If this option is selected by the user, the RFID tag 19 is immediately scanned again by the RFID scanner 17 without awaiting the next regular scanning step. The second option is to abort the production run. If this option is selected by the user, the entire production run is immediately aborted. The third option is to disregard the reading error. If this option is selected by the user, the procedure continues as if the scanning signal has been read out successfully and a further scanning step follows after a predetermined amount of time has lapsed.