Storage and dosing station for storage and dispensing dosed quantities of solid drug portions

Abstract

A storage and dosing station for storage and dispensing dosed quantities of solid drug portions. A stationary part of the station is to be mounted to a frame of an apparatus for packaging solid drug portions, the stationary part comprising a first part of a dispensing device. A controller and a drive for driving an individualizing mechanism for dispensing separate solid drug portions is comprised by the first part. A detachable part is coupled to the stationary part and comprises a storage container for receiving a plurality of solid drug portions. A second part of the dispensing device, and an information memory means is comprised in the second part. Information reading means on the stationary part are coupled to the controller, wherein the information reading means can read information stored in the information memory means, if the detachable part is coupled to the stationary part. The information memory means store data that are used by the controller to control the operation of components of the dispensing device.

Claims

1. A storage and dosing station comprising: a stationary portion comprising: a controller; a sensor configured to monitor dispensing of solid drug portions through an outlet; a drive configured to drive an individualizing mechanism to dispense separate solid drug portions; and an information reading device coupled to the controller; and a detachable portion comprising: a storage container configured to store solid drug portions; the outlet configured to output the solid drug portions; and an information memory, wherein the information reading device is configured to read information stored in the information memory when the detachable portion is coupled to the stationary portion, wherein the information memory stores data comprising one of a glossiness level of the surface of the solid drug portions and a reflectivity level of the surface of the solid drug portions that is used by the controller to control operation of the stationary portion.

2. The storage and dosing station of claim 1, wherein the sensor is an optical sensor and the information memory stores data comprising optical characteristics of the solid drug portions contained in the storage container, wherein the controller adjusts the optical sensor based on the optical characteristics.

3. The storage and dosing station of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the sensor based on background light conditions.

4. The storage and dosing station of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to calculate a moving average of signals from the sensor.

5. The storage and dosing station of claim 4, wherein a detection signal is based on a signal peak above or below the moving average.

6. The storage and dosing station of claim 1, wherein the information memory stores data determining movement of the drive.

7. The storage and dosing station of claim 1, wherein the individualizing mechanism is mounted in the stationary portion and positioned adjacent to the outlet when the detachable portion is coupled to the stationary portion.

8. The storage and dosing station of claim 1, wherein the individualizing mechanism is mounted in the detachable portion and connected to the drive when the detachable portion is coupled to the stationary portion.

9. The storage and dosing station of claim 8, wherein the individualizing mechanism contains an identifier, and wherein the detachable portion comprises a reader for reading and storing the identifier to be read by the information reading device.

10. The storage and dosing station of claim 1, wherein the drive comprises an electric motor and a measuring element configured to measure a current through the electric motor, the controller configured to reverse the electric motor when the current detected by the measuring element exceeds a predefined value.

11. The storage and dosing station of claim 1, wherein the data stored in the information memory includes one or more of rotational speed, acceleration and deceleration, maximum torque, rotation angles and/or rotation positions of the movement of the individualizing mechanism for dispensing separate solid drug portions.

12. The storage and dosing station of claim 1, further comprising at least one light emitting diode (LED) configured to indicate a status of the storage and dosing station.

13. The storage and dosing station of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to verify that the stationary portion is compatible with the solid drug portions stored in the detachable portion upon connection of the detachable portion to the stationary portion.

14. A method for operating the storage and dosing station of claim 1, the method comprising: attaching the detachable portion of the storage and dosing station having the storage container to be filled to a docking station, the docking station comprising a reader and a writer for reading and writing the information memory of the detachable portion; filling a predetermined number of solid drug portions into the storage container; writing of data into the information memory, the data comprising characteristics of the solid drug portions filled into the storage container; removing the detachable portion from the docking station and attaching the detachable portion to the stationary portion; reading the information memory; verifying that the stationary portion is compatible with the solid drug portions stored in the detachable portion; and controlling operation of the stationary portion based on one of a glossiness of the surface of the solid drug portions and a reflectivity of the surface of the solid drug portions.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising adjusting a sensor based on optical characteristics of the solid drug portions contained in the storage container.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein data indicating the weight of a single solid drug portion is provided to the docking station and the weight of the attached detachable portion is monitored by the docking station, wherein the number of solid drug portions filled into the storage container is calculated on the basis of measured weight differences of the attached detachable portion.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising: monitoring, with the sensor, dispensing of solid drug portions through the outlet of the storage and dosing station; and adjusting the sensor based on background light conditions.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the individualizing mechanism contains an identifier, the method further comprising: reading and storing, by a reader of the detachable portion, the identifier in the information memory.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the drive comprises an electric motor, the method further comprising: measuring a current through the electric motor; and reversing the electric motor when the measured current exceeds a predefined value.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising: indicating, by a light emitting diode, a status of the storage and dispensing station.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be discussed on the basis of non-limitative exemplary embodiments shown in the following figures. Herein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of a system using the invention for transporting dosed quantities of solid medicines from a plurality of dosing stations to a packaging station,

(3) FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the system according to FIG. 1,

(4) FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the system according to FIG. 1,

(5) FIG. 4 is a side view of the system according to FIG. 1,

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective rear view of a dosing station according to the invention for use in a system as shown in FIGS. 1-4,

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective front view of the dosing station according to the invention as shown in FIG. 5,

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a collecting container for use in a system 1 as shown in FIGS. 1-4,

(9) FIG. 8 is a side view of the collecting container according to FIG. 8,

(10) FIG. 9 is a perspective front view of the dispensing and packaging station as applied in a system as shown in FIGS. 1-4,

(11) FIG. 10 is a perspective rear view of the dispensing and packaging station according to FIG. 9,

(12) FIG. 11 shows a fall tube as applied in a system according to FIGS. 1-4, and

(13) FIG. 12 is a schematic example of the control of four dosing stations on the basis of four prescriptions received for four patients.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(14) FIGS. 1 and 2 show different perspective views, FIG. 3 shows a bottom view and FIG. 4 shows a side view of a system 1 using the invention for dosing quantities of solid medicines from a plurality of dosing stations 2 to a packaging station 3. System 1 comprises for this purpose a support structure 4 (frame) to which a plurality of dosing stations 2 are connected in stationary, releasable manner.

(15) Each dosing station 2 is adapted here to hold a supply of a type of medicine. Different dosing stations 2 will generally hold a supply of different types of medicine, although it is also possible to envisage frequently-dosed medicines being held by a plurality of dosing stations 2. The majority of the number of applied dosing stations 2 are arranged in two matrix structures 5 (of which only a single matrix structure is shown in the figure), which matrix structures 5 together enclose a part of two first horizontally running conveyor belts 6a, 6b for fall tubes 7. Fall tubes 7 are mounted releasably here on mounting elements 8 forming part of both first conveyor belts 6a, 6b. In the shown exemplary embodiment only a few fall tubes 7 are shown, although in practice each mounting element 8 will generally be connected to a fall tube 7, whereby the first conveyor belts 6a, 6b are provided all the way round with fall tubes 7. The first conveyor belts 6a, 6b are driven by drive wheels 9 which are coupled by means of a vertical shaft 10 to an electric motor 11. In order to be able to counter slippage of conveyor belts 6a, 6b the running surfaces 12 of the drive wheels take a profiled form. Through driving of the first conveyor belts 6a, 6b the fall tubes 7 can be guided along the dosing stations 2 arranged in matrix structures 5 for the purpose of receiving dosed quantities of medicines dispensed by dosing stations 2. Each fall tube 7 is adapted here for simultaneous co-action with a plurality of dosing stations 2 positioned above each other. Each fall tube 7 is provided for this purpose with a number of passage openings 13 corresponding to the number of dosing stations 2 with which fall tube 7 will simultaneously co-act. Fall tube 7 is also provided with several break walls 14 for limiting the maximum length of the free fall of falling medicines, in order to limit the falling speed, and thereby limit damage to the falling medicines (see FIG. 11). Use is generally made here of a maximum free-fall length of 20 cm. System 1 also comprises a second conveyor belt 15 provided with mounting elements 16 on which a plurality of collecting containers 17, also referred to as medicine carriages, are releasably mounted. Each mounting element 16 will generally be provided here with a collecting container 17 adapted for temporary storage of a dosed quantity of medicines made up in accordance with a prescription. Not all collecting container 17 are shown in the figures. The second conveyor belt 15 is coupled mechanically to first conveyor belts 6a, 6b and is also driven by electric motor 11, wherein the direction of displacement and displacement speed of conveyor belts 6a, 6b, 15 are the same. It is moreover advantageous for the first conveyor belts 6a, 6b and the second conveyor belt 15 to be mutually aligned, wherein mounting elements 8, 16 lie in a substantially vertical line (directly under each other). The distance between adjacent mounting elements 8, 16 amounts to 80 mm, this substantially corresponding to the width of collecting containers 17, fall tubes 7 and dosing stations 2. Collecting containers 17 are adapted to receive medicines falling through fall tubes 7. Each fall tube 7 is provided for this purpose on an underside with a passage opening for falling medicines. For a part of the transport route each collecting container 17 will be positioned here directly under a fall tube 7. In order to be able to prevent as far as possible sagging of conveyor belts 6a, 6b, 15 due to the weight of respectively fall tubes 7 and collecting containers 17, conveyor belts 6a, 6b are tensioned under a bias of about 600 N. Conveyor belts 6a, 6b, 15 are generally manufactured from a relatively strong plastic such as nylon. As shown in the figures, the second conveyor belt 15 is longer than each of the first conveyor belts 6a, 6b. The advantage hereof is that collecting containers 17 can be transported further along and/or under one or more special dosing stations (not shown), preferably formed by preferential drawers, provided with special—less frequently administered—medicines, which special dosing stations 2 are adapted for direct delivery of selected medicines to collecting containers 17, so not via fall tubes 7. Collecting containers 17 will then be guided in the direction of the dispensing and packaging station 3 where the medicines collected in accordance with prescription are removed from collecting containers 17, wherein the medicines are transferred to an opened foil packaging 18. In packaging station 3 the foil packaging 18 will be successively sealed and provided with specific (user) information. The overall control of system 1 is realized by applying a control unit 19.

(16) FIG. 5 is a perspective rear view of a dosing station 2 according to the invention for use in a system 1 as shown in FIGS. 1-4. Dosing station 2 is formed as a unit which can be coupled realisably to support structure 4 and which comprises a container housing 20 and a cover closing the housing of detachable part 20a. The housing is preferably manufactured at least partially from a transparent material so that the degree of filling of dosing station 2 can be determined without opening dosing station 2.

(17) According to the invention, the container housing 20a is detachable from stationary part 20b. The detachable part 20a is detached from stationary part 20b for refilling or cleaning of the detachable part 20a. There are releasable connecting means, such as clips, which hold the detachable part 20a on the stationary part 20b when the detachable part 20a is mounted on the stationary part 20b.

(18) The detachable part 20a has a memory and communication assembly 21a attached to the handle of the detachable part 20a. In this particular embodiment, the communication assembly 21a is an NFC device. NFC devices are short-range communication tags having integrated circuitry containing information which can be read out by an NFC reader during a communication according to the NFC standard. The distance between NFC tag and reader during the communication must be short, about 10 cm at a maximum. NFC technology is well known in the art and there are various NFC tag/reader combinations and systems available.

(19) On the stationary part 20b, a counterpart to the NFC tag 20a is attached. The NFC reading device 21b is in close proximity to the NFC tag 21a if the detachable part 20a is mounted to the stationary part 20b. In this particular embodiment, the distance between the tag 21a and reader 21b is less than 2 cm once the detachable part 20a is inserted to the stationary part 20b.

(20) Once the detachable part 20a and the stationary part 20b are connected, the dispensing controller instructs the reader 21b to read the information from the memory 21a. Depending on the information read from the memory, the control of the stationary part 20b is adjusted as explained below.

(21) For refilling, the detachable part 20a is put in a docking station that allows for writing information to the memory 21a. To this end the docking station (not shown) is equipped with a writer to wirelessly store information in the NFC tag 21a. The docking station is further equipped with a scanner for scanning information attached to a refill package from which the tablets or capsules are filled into the detachable part 20a. After scanning the information, e.g. using a barcode scanner, information from a database is read by the docking station dependent on the read information. The information is stored in the memory 21a, overwriting existing information stored therein. The information may particularly contain information on make, type and unique ID of the filled medicine. Further, the information may contain information on supplier, date of first usage, and information on the geometry and appearance of the medicine. In this regard, the size of the medicine entities and some specification of the surface or optical characteristics may be stored. Particularly, the glossiness and colour of the surface of the medicine may be stored.

(22) In the perspective front view of dosing station 2 as shown in FIG. 6 the housing 20a is shown partially transparently in order to make visible the inner mechanism of stationary part 20b. Accommodated partly as shown in container housing 20a is an axially rotatable individualizing wheel 24 which is adapted during axial rotation to separate a single tablet or single pill which can subsequently be removed from housing 20a via a fall guide 25 arranged in the stationary part 20b and can be transferred to a passage opening 13 of a fall tube 7 connecting onto fall guide 25. Individualizing wheel 24 is provided here with a plurality of receiving spaces 26 for pills or tablets distributed over the edge periphery. The size of receiving spaces 26 can generally be adapted to the size of the pills or tablets to be held in supply. Individualizing wheel 24 can be rotated axially by means of an electric motor 27 also accommodated in housing 20a. Arranged in fall guide 25 is a sensor 28 which can detect the moment at which a pill or tablet for separation falls, and thereby also whether housing 20a has been emptied. Dosing stations 2 are visible from an outer side of system 1 and accessible for possible replenishment of dosing stations 2. Housing 20a or stationary part 20b will generally be provided with multiple LEDs 22 to enable indication of the current status of dosing station 2, and particularly in the case that dosing station 2 has to be replenished or is functioning incorrectly.

(23) The control (not shown) of the stationary part 20b controls the motor 27 and receives signals from the sensor 28. Further, the information read from the memory 21a via the reader 21b is stored in the control. The stationary part 20b is controlled in a manner which takes the information in the memory 21a into account. In this particular embodiment, the optical sensor 28 is adjusted in order to detect the tablets or capsules passing the sensor 28. This is done by using the information on the surface or colour of the medicine stored in the memory 21b. For example, if according to the stored information the tablets have a dark coating, the sensor may be adjusted to detect such dark tablets. If the tablets, according to the stored information, have a shiny or glossy surface, the detection is adapted to compensate for reflection or to suppress false recognition due to multiple reflections.

(24) Additionally, the sensor may be configured to compensate for background light or ambient light. In the dispenser, depending on the surroundings, the time of day, the fill level of the attached container etc., the basic level of light may vary. However, discharge of a tablet or capsule should always be safely detected. To this end a compensation of the signals produced by the sensor is provided. One possibility is to calculate a moving average of the sensor signal and detect only short signals peaks above or below this moving average. The moving average may be calculated by averaging the signals over some second to some minutes. A weighted moving average may even be used.

(25) The compensation is advantageous if a system is to be used in different environments. Further, if a dosing station can be connected to a system as explained above at different positions in an array of dosing station, the automatic compensation adapts the dosing station to every place and condition.

(26) Moreover, the turning speed, stepping speed or turning angle of motor 27 may also be adapted depending on the information stored. The motor may turn faster for small tablets and more slowly for larger tablets. In any case, the control of the dispensing process takes into account the information read from the memory 21a on the container.

(27) According to this embodiment, by way of example a discharge of a tablet occurs when the separating wheel is turned by 10 degrees, as stored in the information memory. After a tablet has been discharged the control controls the motor on basis of this information to turn the wheel by a fraction of the required angle for the next discharge, e.g. by 7 degrees. The next time a discharge is commanded, this discharge will require a turn of only 3 degrees because the wheel has already been pre-positioned. This way of control helps to speed up the discharge process an keep it safe because no undesired discharge will take place due to false information about the stored medicine.

(28) This approach according to the invention has the advantage that it is possible to combine containers with dispensing stations without the need for calibrating the dispensing station if the dispensing station was previously used with other types of medicine. This makes the process of refilling or cleaning a container and the subsequent recombination with a stationary part safer and more convenient.

(29) Further, after connection of a detachable part 20a to a stationary part 20b, the control of the stationary part 20b immediately reads the information stored in the memory of the container and it may be instantly verified that the stationary part 20b is compatible with the medicine stored in the detachable part 20a. For instance, it may be that the separating wheel 24 is not suitable for the filled medicine because the spaces 26 are too small. This may be immediately indicated via the mentioned signal LEDs. Additionally, it may be checked on connection of container and stationary part if the stationary part is approved for this type of medicine. For instance, it may be that certain types of medicine which bear the risk of contamination may only be dispensed with certain dispensers. The check whether the stationary part is approved for the medicine is done on connection and therefore before any medicine passes the dispenser. The dispenser will not dispense any of the filled medicine if the controller recognizes the filled medicine as a non-approved type of medicine.

(30) FIG. 7 is a perspective view and FIG. 8 is a side view of a collecting container 17 for use in system 1 as shown in FIGS. 1-4. Collecting container 17 comprises here a mating mounting element 29 for co-action with mounting element 16 of the second conveyor belt 15. In order to increase the stability of collecting container 17, the collecting container 17 also comprises two securing gutters 30a, 30b for clamping or at least engaging round the second conveyor belt 15. An upper side of collecting container 17 takes an opened form and has a funnel-like shape so that it can receive medicines falling out of a fall tube 7. An underside of collecting container 17 is provided with a pivotable closing element 31 provided with an operating tongue via which the closing element 31 can be pivoted to enable opening, and thereby unloading, of collecting container 17. Collecting container 17 will generally be provided with a biasing element (not shown), such as a compression spring, in order to urge closing element 31 in the direction of the position closing the collecting container 17, whereby erroneous opening of collecting container 17 can be prevented.

(31) FIGS. 9 and 10 respectively show a perspective front view and perspective rear view of the dispensing and packaging station 3 as applied in system 1 as shown in FIGS. 1-4. Packaging station 3 comprises a foil roll 32 which can be unwound by means of an electric motor 33, after which the unwound foil 34 is guided via a plurality of guide rollers 35 in the direction of the collecting containers 17 to be emptied. The transport direction of foil 34 is indicated by means of arrows in both FIGS. 9 and 10. Before foil 34 is transported below a collecting container 17 for emptying, foil 34 is provided with a longitudinal fold, whereby a V-shaped fold 36 is created in which the medicines can be received following opening of collecting container 17. Foil 34 can be provided with two transverse seals and a longitudinal seal to enable complete sealing of packaging 18. Applied in making the longitudinal seal are two heat bars 37, of which only one heat bar 37 is shown and which press on either side of the two foil parts to be attached to each other, whereby the foil parts fuse together and the longitudinal seal is formed. It is advantageous here for each heat bar 37 to engage foil 34 via a stationary strip manufactured from plastic, in particular Teflon, or displaceable band 38 in order to prevent adhesion of heat bars 37 to the foil. The transverse seals are also created by two upright rotatable heat bars 39 which co-act with each other and press the foil parts against each other in realizing a transverse seal. Packaging 18 can optionally be further provided with a label. Successive packages 18 remain mutually connected in the first instance and together form a packaging strip.

(32) FIG. 11 shows a fall tube 7 provided with two mating mounting elements 40a, 40b for co-action with mounting elements 8 of the two first conveyor belts 6a, 6b as applied in a system 1 according to any of the FIGS. 1-4. A particular feature however of the fall tube 7 shown in FIG. 11 is that fall tube 7 is provided with an additional central guide element 41 for co-action with a stationary guide 42 which can be attached to support structure 4 of system 1, whereby additional stability is imparted to fall tube 7 and both first conveyor belts 6a, 6b.

(33) FIG. 12 shows a schematic and simplified example of the control of four dosing stations 43 (A, B, C, D) on the basis of four prescriptions received for four patients (1, 2, 3, 4). Applied for the sake of clarity in this simplified example are only four collecting containers 44, wherein each collecting container 44 is assigned to a specific patient and is thus used to collect a prescription for this patient. For the sake of convenience the fall tubes which in fact couple dosing stations 43 to collecting containers 44 are omitted. Collecting containers 44 are coupled to a conveyor belt and in this way pass the different dosing stations 43. In this example the patients require the following quantities of medicine (A, B, C, D) (see table).

(34) TABLE-US-00001 Patient Medicine A B C D 1 0 1 1 2 2 2 2 0 1 3 0 1 0 1 4 1 2 3 4

(35) It follows from the table that patient 1 for instance requires no tablets of medicine A, one tablet of medicine B, one tablet of medicine C and two tablets of medicine D. FIG. 12 shows seven different positions I-VII of the train of collecting containers 44. In position I the collecting container 44 of patient 4 is positioned under dosing station 43 filled with medicine A, whereby dosing station 43 will allow one tablet A to drop into collecting container 44 of patient 4. In position II collecting container 44 of patient 4 is positioned under dosing station 43 filled with medicine B, and collecting container 44 of patient 3 is positioned under the dosing station filled with medicine A. In this position II two tablets B will be deposited into collecting container 44 of patient 4; since patient 3 does not require a tablet A, the associated dosing station 43 will remain inactive. The following conversion can in this way be made to position-dependent dosages (see table).

(36) TABLE-US-00002 A B C D I 1 0 0 0 II 0 2 0 0 III 2 1 3 0 IV 0 2 0 4 V 0 1 0 1 VI 0 0 1 1 VII 0 0 0 2

(37) The prescriptions of the different patients can be found here in a diagonal line (from top left to bottom right). Dosing stations 43 are activated on the basis of the above-stated analysis. Dosing station 43 can be activated at the correct moment on the basis of determining a reference position of a first collecting container 44, the transport speed of collecting containers 44 and the length of the transport path.

(38) It will be apparent that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described here, but that numerous variants which will be self-evident to the skilled person in this field are possible within the scope of the appended claims.