Abstract
A device for loading medical containers on dosing machines, includes an adaptor for medical containers and a support for the adaptor, in which the support includes an attachment means to the dosing machine and in which the adaptor and the support include means for pivoting relative to one another and means for clipping to each other. The means being arranged in such a way that the pivoting of the adaptor and of the support by means of the pivoting means produces the clipping together of the adaptor and the support.
Claims
1. A device for loading medical containers on a dosing machine comprising: an adaptor for medical containers, a support for said adaptor, wherein the support comprises an alignment projection and an alignment aperture that engage with the dosing machine, a latch, and a hinge comprising at least one pivoting surface and at least one pivot interacting with the at least one pivoting surface, wherein said adaptor and said support come in contact with the at least one pivot and the at least one pivoting surface such that the adaptor and support pivot relative to one another so as to engage each other via the latch, and the at least one pivot comprises a projection with a rounded surface which allows pivoting when the projection and the at least one pivoting surface come in contact with one another, such that the pivoting relative to one another produces the engagement of the adaptor and the support.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the hinge comprises two of the pivots, wherein each pivot comprises the projection with the rounded surface situated at an end proximal to the a dosing point.
3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one pivoting surface comprises two recesses, each recess accommodates said respective projections with a rounded surface and comprises a limit stop which extends a concave surface of the recess, said recesses being situated on the base of the support.
4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the latch comprises at least one clipping projection and at least one clipping aperture interacting with the at least one clipping projection.
5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the at least one aperture is a single aperture situated on the adaptor for medical containers.
6. The device according to claim 4, wherein the at least one clipping projection is situated on the adaptor for medical containers.
7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the adaptor for medical containers comprises two elongate tabs on a contact surface with the support, and the support comprises elongate apertures to accommodate respective elongate tabs on the contact surface with the adaptor.
8. The device according to a claim 1, wherein the adaptor for medical containers comprises a zone for the reception of syringes, bags, vials and/or bottles.
9. An adaptor for medical containers comprising: a hinge and a latch to attach the adaptor to respective support, wherein the hinge comprises a pivot and a pivoting surface to allow pivoting when the pivoting surface and the pivot come in contact with each other.
10. The adaptor according to claim 9, wherein the hinge comprises two projections, each projection comprises a rounded surface situated at one end of said adaptor.
11. The adaptor according to claim 9, wherein the one end of said adaptor is an end proximal to a dosing point.
12. The adaptor according to claim 9, wherein the latch comprises a clipping projection.
13. The adaptor according to claim 9 further comprising, on the contact surface thereof with said respective support, two elongate tabs situated in a zone immediately below said latch.
14. The adaptor according to claim 9, further comprising a zone for the reception of syringes, bags, vials and/or bottles.
15. A support for adaptors for medical containers, wherein the comprising: an alignment projection and an alignment aperture that engage with a dosing machine, a hinge and a latch suitable for receiving an adaptor for medical containers, wherein the adaptor comprises: a hinge and a latch to attach the adaptor to respective support, wherein the hinge comprises a pivot and a pivoting surface to allow pivoting when the pivoting surface and the pivot come in contact with each other.
16. The support according to claim 15, wherein hinge comprises one or two recesses, each recess comprises a limit stop which extends the concave surface of the recess, and is on the base of the support.
17. The support according to claim 15 further comprising, on a contact surface with said adaptor for medical containers, two elongate apertures situated in a zone immediately below the latch, wherein each of said apertures is in contact with respective lateral walls of the support.
18. A dosing machine, comprising at least one support according to claim 15.
19. A dosing machine, comprising at least one device according to claim 1.
20. The dosing machine according to claim 18, wherein the dosing machine is a dosing machine for intravenous medications.
21. The dosing machine according to claim 20, wherein the dosing machine is a dosing machine for non cytostatic intravenous medications.
22. The dosing machine according to claim 19, wherein the dosing machine is a dosing machine for intravenous medications.
Description
[0071] For a better understanding, the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are shown as an example and in no case claim to limit the present invention. It should be noted that equivalent or similar structures in the various figures have been indicated with the same reference numeral. Throughout the description of all the figures, the spatial references use as a reference the position of the adaptor on the support on the dosing machine. In addition, it is indicated that in the figures the syringe is shown with the cap inserted on the point thereof, but this does not involve a limitation of the present invention. Person skilled in the art know that the syringe will not have the cap when dosing takes place. Following said dosing, the cap would be inserted on the syringe as indicated in the figures.
[0072] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device for loading medical containers on dosing machines according to. the present invention, in which the support is connected to an adaptor for syringes which is not loaded with the corresponding syringe.
[0073] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a device for loading medical containers on dosing machines according to the present invention, in which the support is connected to an adaptor for syringes which is loaded with the corresponding syringe.
[0074] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of h support which appears in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0075] FIG. 4 is a view in front elevation of the support of FIG. 3.
[0076] FIG. 5 is a view in rear elevation of the support of FIG. 3.
[0077] FIG. 6 is a view in front elevation of the adaptor for syringes which appears in FIG. 1 (that is, the adaptor for syringes is not loaded with the corresponding syringe).
[0078] FIG. 7 is a view in rear elevation of the adaptor for syringes which appears in FIG. 1 (that is, the adaptor for syringes is not loaded with the corresponding syringe).
[0079] FIG. 8 is a side view of the first step of the process of loading the adaptor for syringes on the support, said adaptor for syringes being loaded with a syringe. Both the adaptor for syringes and the support correspond to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 to 8.
[0080] FIG. 9 is a side view of the second step of the process of loading the adaptor for syringes on the support, said adaptor for syringes being loaded with a syringe. Both the adaptor for syringes and the support correspond to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 to 8.
[0081] FIG. 10 is a side view of the third step of the process of loading the adaptor for syringes on the support, said adaptor for syringes being loaded with a syringe. Both the adaptor for syringes and the support correspond to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 to 8.
[0082] FIG. 11 is a central transverse cross section of the device shown in FIG. 10 parallel to a lateral wall of the support, which passes through the centre of the syringe.
[0083] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a device for loading medical containers on dosing machines according to the present invention, in which the support is connected to an adaptor for vials or bottles which is not loaded with the corresponding vial or bottle.
[0084] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the device for loading medical containers which appears in FIG. 12, the adaptor for vials or bottles and the support for said adaptor being separated. In this figure, as in the previous one, the adaptor for vials or bottles is not loaded with the corresponding vial or bottle.
[0085] FIG. 14 is another perspective view of the device for loading medical containers which appears in FIG. 12, the adaptor for vials or bottles and the support for said adaptor being separated. In this figure, the adaptor for vials or bottles is not loaded with the corresponding vial or bottle.
[0086] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a device for loading medical containers on dosing machines according to the present invention, in which the support is connected both to a first embodiment of the adaptor for bags (not loaded with the corresponding bag), and to a bag cage.
[0087] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the device for loading medical containers on dosing machines which appears in FIG. 15, the structures thereof (adaptor for bags according to a first embodiment, support for said adaptor and bag cage) being separated. As in FIG. 15, the adaptor for bags is not loaded with the corresponding bag.
[0088] FIG. 17 is a view in front elevation of the device for loading medical containers on dosing machines which appears in FIG. 15.
[0089] FIG. 18 is a view in rear elevation of the device for loading medical containers on dosing machines which appears in FIG. 15.
[0090] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a device for loading medical containers on dosing machines according to the present invention, in which the support is connected both to a second embodiment of the adaptor for bags (not loaded with the corresponding bag) and to a bag cage.
[0091] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the device for loading medical containers on dosing machines which appears in FIG. 19, the structures thereof (adaptor for bags according to a second embodiment, support for said adaptor and bag cage) being separated. As in FIG. 19, the adaptor for bags is not loaded with the corresponding bag.
[0092] FIG. 21 is a view in front elevation of the device for loading medical containers on dosing machines which appears in FIG. 19.
[0093] FIG. 22 is a view in rear elevation of the device for loading medical containers on dosing machines which appears in FIG. 19.
[0094] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of one more embodiment in which the adaptor has the clipping tab and the support has the corresponding clipping aperture.
[0095] FIG. 24 is a detail of FIG. 23 in which the support has been eliminated.
[0096] FIG. 25 is another perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 23, in which the adaptor has been eliminated.
[0097] An embodiment of the device -1- for loading medical containers on dosing machine according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In said figures the adaptor for syringes -2- is shown connected to the support -3-.
[0098] The support -3- has two lateral walls -26-. Also with respect to said support -3-, the attachment means -4- to the dosing machine can be seen in part on the base of said support, said attachment means consisting of two projections -5- and two apertures -6- (only one of which can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2). The side of one of the limit stops -7- can also be seen in said figures, situated on the front portion of the base of the support -3- and which forms part of the pivoting means of said support -3-.
[0099] With respect to the adaptor for syringes -2-, it can be seen on the front upper portion thereof that there is a housing -8- for a flange -15- of the syringe -14- followed by two clamps, -9- and -10-, for the body -16- of the syringe -14-. Between said clamps -9- and -10-, on the rear portion of the adaptor for syringes -2- (on the contact surface with the support -3-), are situated the vertical elongate tabs -11- (only one can be seen in said figures), inserted in the corresponding paired elongate apertures -17- (not visible in said figures; see FIG. 3 to 5) present on the support -3- (on the corresponding contact surface with the adaptor for syringes -2-). Finally, on the lower portion of the adaptor for syringes -2- (proximal to the dosing point -18-) is situated a support for RFID labels -12-. It is clear that both the adaptor for syringes -2- and the support -3- may comprise additional structures for subsequent interaction with other machines, such as for example, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the adaptor for syringes -2- has two rounded projections -13- and a horizontal extension structure -27-, all situated on the upper rear portion of said adaptor for syringes -2- and with functions in the interaction thereof with other machines or processes that follow the dosing machine.
[0100] It should be noted that the adaptor for syringes -2- in FIG. 1 is shown unloaded.
[0101] In FIG. 2, in contrast, the adaptor for syringes -2- is shown loaded with a syringe -14-. Thus it can be seen that one of the flanges -15- of the syringe -14- is inserted in the housing -8- of the adaptor for syringes -2-. In addition, it also shows how the clamps -9- and -10- of said adaptor for syringes -2- interact with the body -16- of the syringe -14- and hold said body. In FIG. 2 the dosing point -18- can also be seen.
[0102] In FIG. 3 to 5 different views of the support -3- shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be seen. As mentioned earlier, the support -3- has two lateral walls -26-.
[0103] In addition, said support -3- has on the base thereof attachment means -4- to the dosing machine (completely visible in FIG. 3 and partly visible in FIGS. 4 and 5) which consist of two projections -5- and two apertures -6-. In FIGS. 3 and 4 the limit stops -7- can also be seen situated on the front lower portion of the support -3- and which form part of the pivoting means of said support -3-.
[0104] Said support -3- also comprises a clipping structure which has the following configuration: [0105] a) a central projection -19- which comprises a vertical clipping tab -20-; and [0106] b) two horizontal lateral clipping projections -21-, situated one on either side of said central projection -19-.
[0107] In addition, in a zone immediately below said clipping structure it can be seen that the support -3- has an elongate aperture -17- on each side (each of said elongate apertures -17- making contact with one of the lateral walls -26- of the support -3-).
[0108] FIGS. 6 and 7 show different views of the adaptor for syringes -2- unloaded. In said figures the different structures mentioned earlier can be seen. Specifically, firstly, on the rear upper portion of the adaptor for syringes -2- are situated two rounded projections -13- and a horizontal extension structure -27- (only visible in FIG. 7). As mentioned above, said structures have functions in the interaction of the adaptor for syringes -2- with other machines or processes that follow the dosing machine. Next, on the front portion of the adaptor for syringes -2- is situated the housing -8- for a flange -15- of the syringe -14- followed, next, by two clamps, -9- and -10-, for the body -16- of the syringe -14-. Situated at the same level as the clamp -9-, on the body of the adaptor for syringes -2-, is the clipping aperture -24- (an aperture with a height similar to that of the clamp -9- and a breadth which covers practically the entire width of the body of said adaptor for syringes -2- in said zone). Situated on the rear portion of the adaptor for syringes -2-, between said clamps -9- and -10- (situated on the front portion, as mentioned earlier), that is, in a zone immediately below the clipping aperture -24-, are the two vertical elongate tabs -11-, one on either side of said adaptor for syringes -2-. Finally, at the lower rear end of the adaptor for syringes -2- the rounded projections -22- y -23- can be seen, which act as means for pivoting the adaptor for syringes -2- with the support -3-. The lower front portion of the adaptor for syringes -2- extends farther than the rear portion until a support for RFID labels -12- with a horizontal rounded shape is produced.
[0109] FIG. 8 to 10 show, from a side perspective, the process of loading the adaptor for syringes -2- on the support -3-.
[0110] FIG. 8 shows the first step of said loading process, as said two parts approach one another. In said approach, the adaptor for syringes -2- (in this case loaded with a syringe-14-) adopts the necessary tilt for the pivoting means thereof to be able to interact with the pivoting means of the support -3-, that is, the rounded projections -22- and -23- (only the rounded projection -22- is visible in FIG. 8) of the adaptor for syringes -2- interact with the two recesses -25- (pivoting surfaces) (structure not visible in this figure; see FIG. 11) and the two limit stops -7- present on the support -3- (only one of the two limit stops -7- is visible in FIG. 8).
[0111] The remaining structures seen in said figure are those already explained in detail previously. Briefly, the adaptor for syringes -2- is shown in said FIG. 8 holding the syringe -14- by means of the housing -8- in which a flange -15- of the syringe -14- is introduced; and by means of the clamps -9- and -10- which interact with the body -16- of said syringe -14- and hold said syringe. In addition, on the upper rear portion of the adaptor for syringes -2-, from top to bottom, can be seen one of the rounded projections -13- and the horizontal extension structure -27-, after which can be seen one of the two vertical elongate tabs -11-. Finally, on the lower portion it can be seen that the front zone of the adaptor for syringes -2- extends as far as the support for RFID labels -12- with a horizontal rounded shape.
[0112] With respect to the support -3-, one of the lateral walls thereof -26- can be seen. The clipping structure is also shown, of which one of the two horizontal lateral clipping projections -21- can also be seen, as can the vertical clipping tab -20- present on the central projection -19- (not visible or discernible in said figure).
[0113] Situated on the base of the support -3- are the holding means -4- of which only the detail of the two projections -5- can be seen.
[0114] In FIG. 9 the second step of the above-mentioned loading process can be seen, in which the pivoting means of the adaptor for syringes -2- and of the support -3- are interacting or in contact. Taking advantage of the tilt of the adaptor for syringes -2- shown in FIG. 8, the rounded projections -22- and -23- (not shown in FIG. 9) are placed in contact with the two recesses -25- (pivoting surfaces) and the two limit stops -7- present on the support -3- (only one of the two limit stops -7- is visible in FIG. 9). The remaining structures visible in FIG. 9 are those already explained for FIG. 8.
[0115] Shown in FIG. 10 is the third step of the above-mentioned loading process, in which the adaptor for syringes -2-, taking advantage of the contact between the pivoting means of said adaptor for syringes -2- arid the support -3-, swings towards said support -3- so that the clipping means of each of said parts come in contact and the corresponding clipping and securing of the adaptor for syringes -2- on the support -3- is produced. The remaining structures visible in FIG. 10 are those that have already been explained for FIGS. 8 and 9.
[0116] FIG. 11 is a central transverse cross section of the device -1- shown in FIG. 10 and therefore shows the third step of the above-mentioned loading process. Specifically, said figure makes it possible to see the detail of the interaction between the pivoting means and the clipping means present on the adaptor for syringes -2- and the support -3-. Specifically, it shows how the rounded projection -23- is placed in a recess -25- and one of the limit stops -7-. In addition, it also shows the clipping produced by the vertical clipping tab -20- present on the central projection -19-. Behind said central projection -19- can be seen one of the two horizontal lateral clipping projections -21-. It also shows how one of the two flanges -15- of the syringe -14- is inserted in the housing -8-. The remaining structures visible are those that have already been explained for FIGS. 8 and 9.
[0117] FIG. 12 to 14 shows another embodiment of the device -1- for loading medical containers on dosing machines according to the present invention. In said figures, the device -1-comprises a support -3- and an adaptor for vials or bottles -28-.
[0118] The support -3-, as explained above, has two lateral walls -26-. The structures already explained above can also be seen with respect to said support -3-: the attachment means -4- to the dosing machine consist of two projections -5- and two apertures -6- (completely visible in FIG. 12 and only partly visible in FIGS. 13 and 14); the limit stops -7- (in FIG. 12 only one of said limit stops -7- can be seen; in FIG. 13 the side of one of said limit stops -7- and in FIG. 14 both limit stops -7- can be seen); the recesses -25- (only one partly visible in FIG. 14); the two elongate apertures -17- (only one of said apertures visible in both FIG. 13 and FIG. 14); and the clipping structure which has the configuration explained above, that is, a central projection -19- which comprises a vertical clipping tab -20-; and two horizontal lateral clipping projections -21-, situated one on either side of said central projection -19-.
[0119] With respect to the adaptor for vials or bottles -28- various structures can be seen which are the same as, or equivalent to, those already explained with respect to the adaptor for syringes -2- and which have been indicated with the same reference numeral. Specifically, there are shown the two rounded projections -13-, the horizontal extension structure -27- (only visible in FIGS. 12 and 13, not in FIG. 14), the rounded projections -22- and -23- (both visible in FIG. 13 arid the rounded projection -22- is also visible in FIG. 14), the clipping aperture -24- (which can be seen in FIGS. 13 and 14, while in FIG. 12 the clipping structure of the support -3- is shown inserted in said clipping aperture -24-), the two vertical elongate tabs -11- and the support for RFID labels -12-. As well as said structures, the adaptor for vials or bottles -28- also comprises the anti-rotation structure -29- (helps avoid rotation of the vial or bottle, especially when a Luer-Lock punch is to be inserted or fitted therein) and the clamp for an opening -30-, which serves to secure the inlet opening of the vial or bottle or, if applicable, the Luer-Lock punch which is to be positioned or fitted in the vial or bottle, as explained above and in the cases where this is applicable.
[0120] FIG. 15 to 18 show another embodiment of the device -1- for loading medical containers on dosing machines according to the present invention. In said figures, the device -1- comprises a support -3-, an adaptor for bags -31- and a bag cage -32-.
[0121] The support -3-, as explained above, has two lateral walls -26- (only one of which can be seen in FIGS. 15 and 16 and the front or rear portion of both in FIGS. 17 and 18, respectively). Also with respect to said support -3-, the structures already explained above can be seen: the attachment means -4- to the dosing machine which consist of two projections -5- and two apertures -6- (completely visible in FIGS. 15 and 16 and only partly visible in FIGS. 17 and 18); the limit stops -7-; the two elongate apertures -17- (visible in FIG. 16); and the clipping structure which has the configuration explained above, that is, a central projection -19- which comprises a vertical clipping tab -20-; and two horizontal lateral clipping projections -21-, situated one on either side of said central projection -19-.
[0122] For its part, the adaptor for bags -31- has various structures that are the same or equivalent to those already explained with respect to the adaptor for syringes -2- and which have been indicated with the same reference numeral. Specifically, the two rounded projections -13-, the horizontal extension structure -27- (only visible in FIGS. 16 and 18), the rounded projection -22- (only visible in FIG. 16, the rounded projection -23- is not visible in any of FIG. 15 to 18, although it has a structure equivalent to, or the same as, that described for the adaptor for syringes -2-), the clipping aperture -24- (visible in FIGS. 16 and 17, in FIGS. 15 and 18 the clipping structure of the support -3- is inserted in said aperture) and the support for RFID labels -12- can be seen. In addition to said structures, the adaptor for bags -31- also comprises a clamp for an opening -30- which serves to secure the inlet opening of the bag (the opening through which dosing is effected) or, if applicable, the Luer-Lock punch which is to be positioned on, or fitted to, the bag, as explained above and in the cases applicable.
[0123] The bag cage -32- is shown with two lateral arms -33- which prevent the bag from moving forwards or backwards. Said two lateral arms -33- are not centred with respect to the axis of the support -3- but are centred with respect to the axis of the corresponding bag.
[0124] Said bag cage -32- also has two guides -34- (both visible in FIG. 16) and an edge -35- (only visible in FIG. 16) and which serve to limit the movement of the bag cage -32- with respect to the support -3-. The guides -34- have a form or structure that is complementary to that of the upper portion of the lateral wails -26- of the support -3-, so that it is possible to insert the bag cage -32-, by means of the zone delimited by the two guides -34- and the edge -35-, in the upper portion of the support -3- (portion proximal to the clipping structure) by sliding. The structure of the bag cage -32- determines that, after the positioning thereof in the support -3- by sliding, the front portion of said support -3-, which comprises the above-mentioned clipping structure, is free to interact with the adaptor for bags -31-.
[0125] The use of said bag cage -32- in the device -1- of the present invention, as indicated above, is optional, and will depend to a great extent on the size and weight of the bag which is to be loaded (depending on the size and weight of the bag it may be advisable to have means which prevent the forward or backward movement of the bag, such as the bag cage -32-).
[0126] FIG. 19 to 22 show an alternative embodiment of the device -1- of the present invention, in which said device -1-, as in the case explained for FIG. 15 to 18, comprises a support -3-, an adaptor for bags -31- and a bag cage -32-.
[0127] The support -3- and the bag cage -32- have the characteristics explained above for FIG. 15 to 18.
[0128] For its part, the adaptor for bags -31- shown in FIG. 19 to 22 has the structures explained for Fig, 15 to 18 and, in addition, a seating -36- (also known as a foolproof ‘poke-yoke’ device) which allows one of the openings of the bag to he folded at 90° in order not to interfere during both the loading and dosing process on the dosing machine.
[0129] FIG. 23 to 25 show another embodiment of the present invention. In the figures, elements which are the same as, or equivalent to, those of the previous figures have been identified with identical reference numerals, and will not be described in depth.
[0130] In this case it can be seen that the projection -19- with the main clipping tab -20- is situated on the adaptor -2- and not on the support -3-. Correspondingly, the clipping aperture -24- is situated on the support -3-. Similarly, it can be seen that the adaptor -2- has a single rounded projection -22- which interacts with the corresponding surface -25- of the support -3- to produce pivoting.
[0131] FIG. 24 shows apertures -96- arranged on the machine which receive the projections which act as a means of attaching the support (not shown in the figures).
[0132] This embodiment can be combined with any of the characteristic of the previous embodiments: the adaptor could be used for another type of package, vial or bag, the pivoting projection could be situated on the support, projections, walls and apertures from other embodiments could be added, etc.
[0133] Although the invention has been presented and described with reference to embodiments thereof, it will be understood that said embodiments do not limit the invention, and there may therefore be many variable structural or other details which would be evident to persons skilled in the art after interpreting the subject matter which is disclosed in the present description, claims and drawings. Thus all variants and equivalents will fall within the scope of the present invention if they can be considered as comprised within the widest context of the following claims.
