The present invention relates to a device for automatically filling one or more product containers with liquids held in one or more source containers.

Several of such devices are known in the pharmaceutical field and have been developed for computer controlled production of personalised medication in hospital pharmacies and compounding centres. The known devices greatly enhance safety, both for patients, since human errors are minimized, and for operators, as direct contact with hazardous medication is prevented. Furthermore, the speed of production is greatly improved because of the automation.

The invention has for its object to further improve a device according to the preamble. According to the invention this object is achieved by a device according to the preamble comprising first positions for the product containers and second positions for the source containers, wherein the device further comprises a syringe manipulator which is adapted to manipulate a syringe for withdrawal of a predetermined amount of liquid from one of the source containers and delivery of the predetermined amount of liquid to one or more of the product containers, wherein the device further comprises a control system for controlling the syringe manipulator, wherein the syringe manipulator is movable along a substantially linear path of travel, wherein the first and second positions are located along both sides of said path of travel and wherein the syringe manipulator is rotatable around its longitudinal axis to move the syringe to one of the first and/or one of the second positions.

The device according to the invention is very compact as its dimensions are defined by the first and second positions and the syringe only moves along a path between said first and second positions. Consequently, the path of travel of the syringe within said compact dimensions is limited resulting in a fast production time per product container.

Advantageously the device according to the invention fits in a standard housing, such as a Laminated Air Flow (LAF) workbench and an Isolator.

In a preferred embodiment the device according to the invention further comprises third positions for one or more syringes. In order to comply with GMP standards a separate syringe must be used for each liquid type containing medicine molecules. In this preferred embodiment multiple syringes can be accommodated allowing for the use of multiple different types of liquids. Preferably the third positions are located at one end of said path of travel to maintain a short path of travel. According to an elegant elaboration the device comprises a syringe storage, wherein the third positions are provided, that is movable in a direction that runs substantially perpendicular to the path of travel of the syringe manipulator. By moving the syringe storage a selected one of the syringes can be positioned in front of the syringe manipulator 40.

According to a further preferred embodiment the device according to the invention comprises weighing means for weighing the product containers before and after delivery of the predetermined amount of liquid. The resulting real time weighing of the product containers is fast, safe and simple. Preferably the weighing means comprise load cells arranged at the first positions. Weighing at the first positions of the product containers allows the device to completely empty the source containers and assists in minimizing waste.

In another preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention the product containers and/or the source containers are provided with identification labels and the syringe manipulator is provided with a read device for reading an identification label of a container and with means for comparing the data of the identification label with a list of data made available beforehand prior to withdrawal of liquid from and delivery of liquid to the container by a syringe. The use of identification labels ensures accurate recognition of both product and source containers and guarantees product integrity.

In a practical preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention the read means comprise camera means. Preferably the syringe manipulator is provided with two cameras, each facing either the first or the second positions. In a further development the identification label comprises a QR code.

In a favourable preferred embodiment the device according to the invention comprises a frame having at least one longitudinal beam defining the path of travel, wherein the first positions are located along one longitudinal side of the beam and the second positions are located along the other longitudinal side of the beam. Preferably the frame is provided with at least one traverse beam arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal beam, wherein the third positions are located along the traverse beam.

Preferably the frame further comprises legs to stand on. The use of a compact frame carrying the main components of the device allows for easy installation of the device in a dedicated housing.

Preferably the first positions respectively the second positions are arranged to receive the product containers respectively the source containers upside down. More preferably third positions for one or more syringes are arranged to receive the syringes with the needles pointing upwards. The upside-down orientation of the containers and the corresponding orientation of the syringes minimise the path of travel and the necessary movements of the syringes and thus contribute to a fast production time.

In a preferred embodiment the product containers are IV bags and the source containers are vials. The invention will now be further elucidated with reference to the following figures, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a first schematic view of a preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention in a first orientation;

Fig. 2 schematically shows the device of figure 1 in a second orientation;

Fig. 3 shows a second schematic view of the device of figure 1 in a third orientation;

Fig. 4 schematically shows a part of figure 1 in more detail; and

Fig. 5 shows a diagram of the control system of the device according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a first schematic view of a preferred embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention. In the preferred embodiment the device 1 is suitable for filling one or more product containers 10 with liquids, comprising medicines, that are held in one or more source containers 20.

The device 1 comprises first positions 11 for the product containers 10 that are preferably arranged in a first row. The device 1 further comprises second positions 22 for the source containers 20 that are preferably arranged in a second row. The first row and the second row run substantially parallel.

The device 1 further comprises a syringe manipulator 40 which is adapted to manipulate a syringe 30 for withdrawal of a predetermined amount of liquid from one of the source containers 20 and delivery of the predetermined amount of liquid to one or more of the product containers 10.

The device 1 further comprises a drive 50 for controlling the syringe manipulator 40. The syringe manipulator 40 is movable along a substantially linear path of travel P extending between the first and second row substantially parallel to the first and second row. The syringe manipulator 40 is rotatable around its longitudinal axis R to move the syringe 30 between the first and second positions. In figure 1 the syringe manipulator 40 has a first orientation, in figure 2 the syringe manipulator 40 has a second orientation and in figure 3 the syringe manipulator 40 has a third orientation.

The device 1 further comprises third positions 33 for one or more syringes 30, that are located at one end of said path of travel P. The third positions are provided in a syringe storage 34 that is movable to position one of the syringes in front of the syringe manipulator 40. The syringe storage 34 is movable in a direction S that runs substantially perpendicular to the path of travel P of the syringe manipulator 40.

Fig. 4 schematically shows the syringe manipulator 40 in more detail. The syringe manipulator 40 comprises a first housing part 43 and a second housing part 44 that is rotatable around the rotation axis R relative to the first housing part 43. The second housing part 44 is movable relative to the first housing part 43 in longitudinal direction L. The distance L1 consequently varies.

The second housing part 44 consists of two second housing part elements 44A and 44B that are connected by guiding elements 47. First clamping means 41 are present on the second housing part element 44A to clamp the cylindrical tube or barrel 32 of a syringe 30. Second clamping means 42 are present on the second housing part element 44B to clamp the plunger or piston 31 of the syringe 30. The second housing part element 44B is movable relative to the second housing part element 44A in longitudinal direction L. The distance L2 consequently varies.

The device 1 is provided with weighing means 6 for weighing the product containers before and after delivery of the predetermined amount of liquid. In the preferred embodiment shown the weighing means comprise load cells 6 arranged at the first positions 1 1.

The product containers 10 and/or the source containers 20 are provided with identification labels, such as a QR code. The syringe manipulator 30 is provided with a read device for reading an identification label of a container. A suitable reading device is a camera 46. In the preferred embodiment two cameras 46 are provided on the first housing part 43, each facing either the first or the second positions 1 1 , 22.

Preferably the device 1 comprises means for comparing the data of the identification label with a list of data made available beforehand prior to withdrawal of liquid from the container 20 and delivery of liquid to the container 10 by a syringe 30.

The device 1 comprises a frame having one or more longitudinal beams 2 defining the path of travel P. In the preferred embodiment the syringe manipulator 40 is movably attached to two parallel longitudinal beams 2. The first positions 11 are located along one longitudinal side of the pair of beams 2 and the second positions 22 are located along the other, opposite longitudinal side of the pair of beams 2. The first positions 1 1 are arranged to receive the product containers 10 upside down. The second positions 22 are arranged to receive the source containers 20. For illustration purposes the product containers are IV bags 10 and the source containers are vials 20.

The frame is further provided with a first traverse beam 3 arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal beam(s) 2 at one end thereof. The third positions 33 are located along the traverse beam 3 and are arranged to receive the syringes 30 in an upward position, i.e. with the needles pointing upwards.

The frame is further provided with a second traverse beam 5 arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal beam(s) 2 at the opposite end of the first traverse beam 3. The drive 50 is arranged on the second traverse beam 5.

The frame of the device 1 further comprises legs 4 to stand on. The device can be installed by manipulating the frame. Fig. 5 shows a diagram of the control system of the device 1 according to the invention. The control system comprises a computer 100, preferably an industrial or mini pc. The computer 100 can receive manual input via input means 101 , such as a touch screen, to which it can be coupled by an interface 11. The computer 100 can also automatically receive input from a remote system 102, such as a prescription software system from a hospital, to which it can be coupled by an interface I2.

The computer 100 receives information from the device 1. Device 1 comprises a circuit board 60 that receives input from the read means 46, the weighing means 6 and P sensors or encoders indicating the actual linear position of the syringe manipulator 40 on path P and R sensors or encoders indicating the actual rotational position of the syringe manipulator 40 with respect to axis R.

Based on the input and the information received the computer 100 controls movement of the syringe manipulator 40 by controlling the following motors of the device 1.

Drive or first motor 50 drives the movement of the syringe manipulator 40 on path P. The control system can move the syringe manipulator 40 to any of the positions 1 1 or 22 and to and from the syringe storage 34.

When the syringe manipulator 40 is near the syringe storage 34, a second motor 54 drives the syringe storage 34 in direction S. The control system can thus move any of the syringes 30 in front of the syringe manipulator 40.

To grab a selected syringe 30, a third motor 51 drives the first clamping means 41 and a fourth motor 52 drives the second clamping means 42.

Next the control system can move the syringe manipulator 40 with the syringe 30 to any of the positions 22 by driving motor 50.

A fifth motor 53 drives the rotational movement of the second housing part 44 of the syringe manipulator 40 around axis R to position the syringe 30 under a selected one of the positions 22.

A sixth motor 55 drives movement of the second housing part 44 in direction L, thereby shortening distance L1 sufficiently for the needle of the syringe to contact the liquid in the source container 20 present at the selected position 22.

A motor 56 drives only the second housing part element 44B in direction L to vary the distance L2 for withdrawal of a predetermined amount of liquid from the source container 20.

Then the sixth motor 55 drives movement of the second housing part 44 in direction L, thereby enlarging distance L1 sufficiently for the syringe manipulator 40 to move away from the selected position 22 to a selected position 1 1 of a product container 10. The control system will drive motors 50 and/or 53 to position the syringe 30 under a selected one of the positions 11. Again the sixth motor 55 drives movement of the second housing part 44 in direction L, thereby shortening distance L1 sufficiently for the needle of the syringe to enter the product container 10 present at the selected position 11.

Finally the motor 56 drives only the second housing part element 44B in direction L to vary the distance L2 for delivery of the predetermined amount of liquid to the product container 10.

A person skilled in the art will understand that the control system can control all motors 50 through 56 in random order to automatically fill product containers 10 with any combination of liquids held in source containers 20.

Optionally for each finished product container 10 an identification label can be printed by printer 103.

The invention is of course not limited to the described and shown preferred embodiment, but extends to any embodiment falling within the scope of protection as defined in the claims and as seen in the light of the foregoing description and accompanying drawings.