Device for closing medical containers

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for closing medical containers with a stopper (30), the device being suitable for use in a toxic environment.

Description

[0001] Title: Device for closing medical

[0002] containers

[0003] Description

[0004] The present invention relates to a device for sealing medical containers using plugs. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for sealing medical containers using plugs and an insulator having a device for sealing medical containers using plugs located therein.

[0005] Devices and methods of the type mentioned above are known from the prior art, for example from DE 197 16 846 CI. In known systems, plugs are typically removed from a storage container using an insertion plunger, guided to the container, and inserted. The plugs are typically sucked onto the insertion plunger using a vacuum or negative pressure and, after being pressed into the container, are released by switching off the negative pressure.

[0006] A disadvantage of such vacuum-based devices is that, when used in toxic environments, the vacuum can draw in toxic components from the surroundings. Therefore, complex filtering devices must be provided in the vacuum system. The use of systems that use compressed air to eject a plug is also problematic in toxic environments, as they introduce additional gas into the toxic atmosphere, which must be purified.

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a means of inserting plugs into containers reliably and with little effort, particularly in toxic atmospheres.

[0008] The invention solves this problem by a device for closing medical containers by means of stoppers according to claim 1 and by a method according to claim 10.

[0009] The device comprises a receiving sleeve, in particular an elongated one, with a longitudinal axis, wherein a first end of the receiving sleeve has a receiving section. The receiving section is provided for clamping and holding a plug. "Detecting" refers to picking up a new plug, for example, from a storage container.

[0010] A plug ejector is arranged in the receiving sleeve coaxially to the longitudinal axis. The plug ejector is movable along the longitudinal axis in the receiving sleeve. The plug ejector is also coupled to an ejector drive, by means of which a relative movement can be effected between the receiving sleeve and the plug ejector, so that the plug ejector is movable along the longitudinal axis in the receiving sleeve.

[0011] Various types of relative movement are conceivable. For example, it is conceivable that the plug ejector remains stationary and the ejector drive brings about a relative movement between the plug ejector and the receiving sleeve by moving the receiving sleeve back and forth on the stationary plug ejector. Such a configuration is also within the meaning of the invention and brings about the relative movement between the receiving sleeve and the plug ejector, so that the plug ejector can be moved along the longitudinal axis in the receiving sleeve. The receiving sleeve and plug ejector can also both be moved via corresponding actuators, with the actuators then jointly forming an ejector drive which can bring about the relative movement between the receiving sleeve and the plug ejector. Typically, the receiving sleeve is held stationary and the plug ejector is moved by means of the ejector drive. E.g.The receiving sleeve can be firmly connected to a movement device that can move the entire device in space. The movement device can be, for example, a robotic arm.

[0012] The movement device for moving the device, in particular the receiving sleeve and the plug ejector together, through the space, can be part of the device.

[0013] In the home position, the plug ejector is not deflected. This home position is characterized in particular by the fact that the receiving section remains free. When changing to the ejection position, the plug ejector is moved by the ejector drive toward the first end of the receiving sleeve. In the ejection position, the plug ejector thus penetrates the receiving section.

[0014] A plug is received by pressing the receiving sleeve onto the plug. The plug ejector is in the home position. The pressure exerted pushes the plug into the receiving section, where it is clamped and held. For example, as explained further below, the receiving section can comprise clamping elements that enclose the plug. Once the plug is received in a receiving opening defined by the clamping elements, the pressing-on process is completed. The plug is now held in the receiving opening of the receiving section and can move together with the receiving sleeve. The receiving section or its clamping elements can, in particular, be designed such that the plug is held in a form-fitting manner.

[0015] The plug can, for example, be a mushroom-shaped plug. Such a mushroom-shaped plug has a head section and a neck section, with the head section having a larger diameter than the neck section. However, other plug designs and shapes are also conceivable.

[0016] Among other advantages, the device eliminates the need for a vacuum system. Furthermore, its design is simple and its operation is reliable.

[0017] In order to close a medical container with the stopper, the receiving sleeve and a medical container are aligned such that the stopper and the opening of the medical container are aligned. The stopper is placed over the opening of the container. In order to press the stopper into the container and thus close it, the stopper ejector changes from the basic position to the ejection position. The force exerted by the stopper ejector on the stopper releases the stopper from the clamp and allows it to move relative to the receiving section. In addition, the stopper is pressed firmly into the opening of the medical container and the container is firmly closed. Since the stopper is held clamped to the receiving sleeve and mechanically pressed into the medical container by the stopper ejector, a vacuum system and the associated, complex filter system are not necessary.

[0018] In a further development of the invention, the receiving section has a clamping device which has at least 2, in particular at least 3, expandable, in particular jaw-like or finger-like, clamping elements which are arranged in a circumferentially distributed manner. The expandability can be provided by the flexibility of the clamping elements and / or their pivotability, for example via an articulated fastening. The clamping elements or their end facing the first end can be moved radially outwards to receive a plug, in particular can be bent, and moreover the receiving opening with a receiving opening cross-section is defined between them. The receiving opening cross-section is in particular matched to the cross-section of the plug. The bendable clamping elements allow a simple possibility of receiving the plug and holding it on the receiving sleeve.

[0019] The clamping elements can have an insertion section in which the receiving opening cross-section increases in the direction of the longitudinal axis towards the first end. Due to the bevelled edge of the insertion section, a plug can be received or inserted into the receiving section particularly easily. In particular, the clamping elements can have a holding section following the insertion section in the direction of the longitudinal axis from the first end, in which the receiving opening cross-section is larger than an area adjacent to the first end. The plug can be held particularly securely in the holding section.

[0020] Coming from the first end, the

[0021] The receiving opening cross-section is thus initially reduced, making the receiving opening essentially narrower, and then the receiving opening cross-section can be expanded in the form of the holding section. For example, the holding section can be designed in the form of a circumferential groove with beveled or rounded side walls.

[0022] Bevelled or rounded side walls make it easier to eject the plug.

[0023] Another embodiment provides for the ejector drive to be mechanically or electromechanically operated. In particular, the use of vacuum, negative pressure, compressed air, or other compressed gases can be dispensed with, which further increases the safety of the system.

[0024] It is preferred that the plug ejector is in the

[0025] The basic position is arranged in the receiving sleeve in such a way that, when a plug is received, the plug can be pressed into the receiving section by pressing on the receiving sleeve until it contacts the plug ejector, wherein the plug ejector prevents further insertion of the plug and forms a stop. This ensures that the plug is received and held in the holding section with a positive fit.

[0026] A further embodiment provides for the receiving sleeve and / or the receiving section and / or the plug ejector to be interchangeable. This allows for easy conversion of the device when changing to a different plug size and / or plug shape.

[0027] In particular, according to the invention, a set with a device as described above and below can also be provided, wherein the set comprises, in addition to the device, at least one replacement sleeve that is designed differently from the receiving sleeve. In particular, wherein the receiving sleeve and the replacement sleeve are designed to accommodate plugs of a different size and / or a different structure.

[0028] Part of the invention is also a system for closing medical containers with stoppers, which is suitable for use in a toxic environment. The system comprises a plurality of devices as described here. These can be arranged parallel to one another and can in particular be operated individually. The ability to close a plurality of containers simultaneously allows the throughput of such a system to be significantly increased. Part of the invention is also an isolator with a toxic internal environment located inside the isolator and shielded from the environment of the isolator, wherein a device or a system according to one of the preceding claims is arranged in the isolator. The ability to hold a stopper by clamping it on the receiving sleeve and to dispense it by using the stopper ejector to close a medical container makes it possible to dispense with a complex filter device.The device for picking up and inserting the plugs works without a vacuum and therefore does not create a toxic atmosphere that would then have to be cleaned.

[0029] The method for closing medical containers, in which in particular a device as described above can be used, comprises at least the following steps: providing, receiving, aligning and pressing on.

[0030] In a first step (provision), at least one plug is provided for closing an opening of a medical container. Such provision can be effected, for example, by means of a storage container for plugs in which the plugs are contained in an aligned manner. At least one medical container is also provided. Subsequently, a plug is received in the receiving section of the receiving sleeve (receiving). This is effected by pressing the receiving sleeve onto the plug. The plug is held in the receiving sleeve, for example, by the clamping elements of the receiving section described above. In this case, the first end of the receiving sleeve with its receiving section is typically pressed onto the plug, with the head section of the plug facing the first end.

[0031] The plug and the medical container are then aligned relative to each other (alignment) so that the plug and the opening of the medical container are flush with each other. The plug and container are thus aligned such that the plug fits onto the container. This is particularly characterized by the fact that the central longitudinal directions of the plug and the medical container coincide.

[0032] In a final step (pressing), the stopper is pressed onto the medical container to close the opening of the medical container. This is done by changing the position of the stopper ejector from the home position to the ejection position. The stopper ejector exerts a force on the stopper, releasing the stopper from the clamp and pressing it onto the medical container. The pressing-on process is particularly pneumatic-free. Further features and advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and the drawings of embodiments of the device.

[0033] The drawing shows

[0034] Fig. 1 is a side view of a device for closing medical containers;

[0035] Fig. 2 is a side view of the device with a plug ejector in an ejection position;

[0036] Fig. 3 shows an enlarged section of a receiving section designated III in Fig. 1,

[0037] Fig. 4 shows an enlarged section of the receiving section, designated III in Fig. 1, with a plug received therein,

[0038] Fig. 5 is a side view of the device with a plug and a medical container in place;

[0039] Fig. 6 is a side view of the device with the plug placed on the medical container;

[0040] Fig. 7 is a side view of the device with the medical container closed; Fig. 8 is a plan view of a receiving portion of the device of the previous figures from a first end of the device; and

[0041] Fig. 9 is a schematic representation of an insulator according to the invention.

[0042] Figure 1 shows a device for closing medical containers, the device being designated overall by the reference numeral 10.

[0043] The device comprises a receiving sleeve 12. A first end 13 of the receiving sleeve 12 has a receiving portion 14. It is connected by means of a connecting element 13 to a movement device 15 for the device 10. The movement device 15 can be used to move the device in space.

[0044] A plurality of clamping elements 16 are formed on the receiving section 14 (see also Figure 8). The clamping elements 16 extend along a longitudinal axis 18 of the receiving sleeve 12 and are arranged circumferentially in partial areas. The clamping elements 16 are finger-like and flexible. The clamping elements 16 are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction and spaced apart from one another. The clamping elements 16 are shown schematically in Figures 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7 and in detail in Figures 3, 4 and 8, so that a bevelled edge 24 can be seen. A plug ejector 20 is arranged in the receiving sleeve 12 coaxially to the longitudinal axis 18 of the receiving sleeve 12. The plug ejector 20 is coupled to an ejector drive 22 and can be moved parallel to the longitudinal axis 18 of the receiving sleeve 12. The receiving sleeve 12 is held rigidly on the movement device 15.A modified configuration is also conceivable in which the plug ejector 20 is fixedly connected to the movement device 15 and the ejector drive 22 brings about a relative movement between the plug ejector 20 and the receiving sleeve 12 by the receiving sleeve 12 being moved back and forth on the stationary plug ejector 20. Such a configuration is also within the meaning of the invention and brings about the relative movement between the receiving sleeve 12 and the plug ejector 20, so that the plug ejector 20 can be moved along the longitudinal axis 18 in the receiving sleeve 12. The receiving sleeve 12 and the plug ejector 20 can also both be moved relative to the movement device 15 via corresponding actuators, the actuators then jointly forming an ejector drive 22 which can bring about the relative movement between the receiving sleeve 12 and the plug ejector 20.

[0045] In a basic position of the plug ejector 20, it is completely received in the receiving sleeve 12, in particular the receiving section 14 remains free (see position of the plug ejector 20 in Fig. 1).

[0046] The ejector drive 22 can move the plug ejector 20 from the home position into an ejection position (see position of the plug ejector 20 in Fig. 2). In the ejection position, the plug ejector 20 is deflected relative to the receiving sleeve 12 or to the receiving section 14. In particular, the plug ejector 20 passes through the receiving section 14.

[0047] Fig. 3 shows the first end of the receiving sleeve 12 and the receiving section 14 in an enlarged view. The finger-like clamping elements 16 circumferentially delimit a receiving opening cross-section 23 which lies in a plane E running orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 18. The clamping elements 16 have the bevelled edge 24 on their side facing the longitudinal axis 18, as a result of which the receiving opening cross-section 23 increases towards the first end of the receiving sleeve 12, see also Figure 8. The bevelled edge of the clamping elements 16 defines an insertion section 26 of the receiving section 14.

[0048] Following the insertion section 26 in the direction of the longitudinal axis from the first end, the receiving opening cross-section 23 is enlarged compared to an area adjacent to the first end. The area of ​​the enlarged receiving opening cross-section 23 defines a holding section 28 of the receiving section 14.

[0049] In order to receive a plug 30 in the receiving sleeve 12, the receiving sleeve 12 is pressed onto the plug 30. For this purpose, in the example illustrated here, the movement device 15 with the receiving sleeve 12 attached to it is lowered. The pressing pressure first presses the plug 30 into the insertion section 26. In the process, the clamping elements 16 are bent radially away from the longitudinal axis 18 of the receiving sleeve 12 until at least a portion of the plug 30 is received in the holding section 28. The clamping elements 16 then move back to their starting position and the plug 30 is held firmly in the receiving section 14, see Fig. 4. The plug 30 used here is mushroom-shaped. It has a head section 31 and a neck section 33, the head section 31 having a larger diameter than the neck section 33.

[0050] Fig. 5 shows the device 10 with the plug 30 received in the receiving section 14. The plug 30 is clamped to the receiving sleeve 12 by the clamping elements 16. The plug ejector 20 is in the home position. The receiving sleeve 12 is arranged such that the plug 30 and an opening 32 of a medical container 34 are aligned with one another.

[0051] In order to close the medical container 34, the plug 30 is placed through the receiving sleeve 12 onto the opening 32 of the medical container 34, see Fig. 6. Subsequently, the plug ejector 20 changes from the basic position to the ejection position (Fig. 7). Due to the force exerted by the plug ejector 20 on the plug 30, the latter is released from the clamping by the clamping elements 16 and pressed into the opening 32 of the medical container 34. The medical

[0052] Container 34 is then tightly closed ( Figure 8 ).

[0053] Figure 8 shows a plan view of the receiving section 14 of the device 10 as viewed from the first end 13 of the device 10. In this view, the four clamping elements 16 in this case are clearly visible in their circumferentially distributed arrangement. Their inner contour, which follows the radius of curvature of the receiving sleeve 12, is also clearly visible. Other numbers of clamping elements 16, for example three or five or even more, are conceivable. The clamping elements 16 can also have a different shape as long as they are suitable for clampingly receiving a plug.

[0054] Figure 9 shows an isolator 40 containing a toxic internal environment 44 within its interior 42. Within its interior 42, the isolator 40 further comprises one of the previously described devices 10 for closing containers 34.

Claims

Claims: Device (10) for closing medical containers (34) with a stopper (30) suitable for use in a toxic environment, the device (10) comprising: a receiving sleeve (12) with a longitudinal axis (18) and a first end, the first end having a receiving section (14) for clamping and holding a stopper (30); a stopper ejector (20) which is movably arranged in the receiving sleeve (12) along its longitudinal axis (18), in particular coaxially to the receiving sleeve (12);and an ejector drive (22) which is coupled to the plug ejector (20) and by means of which a relative movement between the receiving sleeve (12) and the plug ejector (20) can be effected, so that the plug ejector (20) is movable along the longitudinal axis (18) in the receiving sleeve (12), wherein the plug ejector (20) can be moved from a home position to an ejection position in the receiving sleeve (12) by means of the ejector drive (22); to cause the ejection of a plug (30) held in a receiving opening in the receiving section (14) by a movement from the home position to the ejection position, wherein the plug ejector (20) releases the receiving section (14) in the home position, so that a plug (30) can be received into the receiving opening of the receiving section (14) by pressing the receiving sleeve (12) onto the plug (30) and held there clamped. Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving section (14) has a clamping device, wherein the clamping device has at least two, in particular at least three, circumferentially distributed expandable, in particular jaw- or finger-like, clamping elements (16) which are radially outwardly movable, in particular bendable, to receive a plug (30) and between which a receiving opening cross-section is defined.Device (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the clamping elements (16) have an insertion section (26) in which the receiving opening cross-section increases in the direction of the longitudinal axis (18) towards the first end. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the clamping elements (16) increase in the direction of the longitudinal axis (18) from the first end. following the way to the introductory section (26) have a holding section (28) in which the receiving opening cross-section is enlarged compared to an area adjacent on the side of the first end.

5. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ejector drive (22) is designed to operate mechanically or electromechanically.

6. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug ejector (20) is arranged in the receiving sleeve (12) in the home position such that when picking up a plug (30) the plug can be pressed into the receiving section (14) by pressing on the receiving sleeve (12) until it contacts the plug ejector (20), wherein the plug ejector (20) prevents further insertion of the plug (30) and forms a stop.

7. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving sleeve (12) and / or the receiving section (14) and / or the plug ejector (20) are interchangeable.

8. System for closing medical containers (34) with stoppers (30) suitable for use in a toxic environment, wherein the system comprises several devices (10) according to one of the preceding claims. insulator (40) with an inside (42) of the insulator (40) located in and shielded from the surroundings of the insulator (40), wherein a device (10) or a system according to one of the preceding claims is arranged in the insulator. Method for operating a device according to one of claims 1-7 or a system according to claim 8, in particular in a toxic environment, wherein the method comprises: - Providing at least one medical container (34) and at least one stopper (30) for closing an opening (32) of the container (34) , - Picking up the plug (30) by pressing a receiving sleeve (12) onto the plug (30), whereby the plug (30) is held clampingly on the receiving sleeve (12), - Aligning the medical container (34) and the stopper (30) relative to each other, so that the stopper (30) and the opening (32) of the container are aligned with each other, - Pressing the stopper (30) onto the container (34) by means of a plug ejector (20) . Set comprising a device (10) according to one of claims 1-7 or a system according to claim 8, wherein a plug (30) is arranged in the receiving sleeve (12), wherein the plug (30) is mushroom-shaped and has a head section (31) and a neck section (33) has a neck section (33), wherein the head section (31) has a larger diameter than the neck section (33).

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