Distribution system for medical gas cylinders

Abstract

The invention relates to an automated medical gas cylinder dispensing system (1), such as for oxygen cylinders, comprising a cabinet (2) with several compartments (3) configured to receive gas cylinders for dispensing. Each compartment (3) includes a door (3.1) and controllable opening means for opening the door (3.1), a human-machine interface (HMI) (4) with a display screen (5), user identification means (6), and cylinder recognition means (7) for identifying the type of cylinder to be dispensed. Control means determine whether the user is authorized to dispense at least one gas cylinder, and the type and / or number of gas cylinders the user is authorized to dispense from the compartments (3), and then authorize or deny the opening of the door (3.1) of at least one compartment (3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an installation for the automatic distribution of pressurized gas cylinders for medical use, i.e. medicinal gas, more simply called medical gas cylinders, intended for extra-hospital health professionals and to be carried in patient transport vehicles such as ambulances, or even general practitioners or specialists, in particular medical oxygen cylinders.

[0002] Medical oxygen is widely used to treat patients in hospitals but also outside hospitals, particularly in medical patient transport vehicles, such as emergency vehicles like ambulances, SAMUs or similar.

[0003] Medical oxygen is usually packaged in pressurized gas containers, commonly called "gas cylinders," which allow oxygen to be distributed to patients in need during transport in a medical vehicle. The same applies to other medical gases such as air or oxygen / nitrous oxide mixtures (i.e., N 2 O / O 2 ).

[0004] When one or more medical gas cylinders, such as oxygen cylinders, on board an emergency vehicle are empty, it is necessary to be able to replace them with a full cylinder(s). However, healthcare personnel working on board these medical vehicles, such as ambulances or similar vehicles, are often faced with a recurring problem, namely that of being able to easily, quickly and / or simply restock with full cylinders.

[0005] In fact, the pharmacies that allow these exchanges of empty bottles for full bottles are never open 24 / 7.

[0006] In addition, the distance to be covered by an emergency vehicle to reach such a pharmacy authorizing the exchange of gas cylinders can be significant and may encounter certain problems, such as the aforementioned one of the opening hours of the pharmacy, the availability of oxygen cylinders in the pharmacy in question due to insufficient stock, waiting times to be served, etc. In addition, increasing the number of journeys by vehicle leads to significant fuel consumption and premature wear of vehicles, which has an obvious negative impact on both the economic and environmental levels.

[0007] In any case, it is understood that there is a risk for transported patients in the event of a break, even if only temporary, in the supply of oxygen due to the impossibility or complexity for extra-hospital health professionals, i.e. those present in patient transport vehicles, to be able to easily and simply replenish their supplies of full gas cylinders, in particular oxygen cylinders.

[0008] EP-A-3651129 is also known, which teaches an automatic gas cylinder distribution installation comprising compartments for storing gas cylinders which are equipped with a door and controllable opening means for opening the door, user identification means and control means. However, this installation is not entirely satisfactory in terms of safety, in particular when the gas cylinders contain medicinal gases, i.e. medical gases intended for the treatment of patients.

[0009] The present invention aims to solve all or part of these problems by proposing a solution allowing an easy and rapid exchange of one (or more) empty medical gas cylinder(s) for one (or more) full medical gas cylinder(s), while guaranteeing traceability of this exchange and / or ensuring that the exchange is carried out by an authorized / qualified person, i.e. secure.

[0010] The solution of the invention relates to an automatic distribution installation for medical gas cylinders making it possible to ensure better continuity of supply for extra-hospital healthcare professionals, in particular medical oxygen cylinders.

[0011] This installation includes a cabinet comprising: several compartments or lockers configured to receive gas cylinders to be distributed, each compartment comprising a door and controllable opening means for opening the door, a human-machine interface or HMI comprising a display screen, storage means for storing a list of authorized users and at least one type of gas cylinder for each authorized user, user identification means configured to allow a user to identify himself, cylinder recognition means configured to allow recognition of a cylinder to be returned, and microprocessor control means configured to cooperate with: . on the one hand, the user identification means and the cylinder recognition means to determine: a) whether the user is authorized, i.e. authorized, to withdraw at least one gas cylinder, and b) a type (i.e.a category) and / or a number of gas bottles that the user is authorized to take from the compartments, . and, on the other hand, the means for opening compartments to authorize or not the opening of the door of at least one compartment depending on the determinations made in a) and b). .

[0012] Depending on the embodiment considered, the installation of the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics: - in b), determine the number of cylinders per category, preferably at each cylinder exchange session or operation. - it comprises at least 6 compartments, preferably at least 10 cylinder compartments, more preferably at least 20 compartments, for example from 20 to 40 compartments. - the gas cylinders comprise cylinders of oxygen, air, oxygen / nitrous oxide mixture (i.e. N 2 O / O 2 ), such as MEOPA (50% / 50%), nitrogen, CO 2 , NO / N 2 mixture or any other gas used in the medical field. - the gas cylinders are preferably oxygen cylinders, i.e. containing medical oxygen under pressure. - at least some of the compartments have different dimensions, preferably the compartments have at least two different dimensions so as to be able to accommodate gas cylinders of different sizes, in particular oxygen cylinders.- it comprises compartments configured to receive gas cylinders of different sizes or capacities, such as B2, B5 and / or B11, in particular oxygen cylinders. - for example, the installation comprises 27 compartments, 21 of which are for B2 and B5 stored in a horizontal position and 6 compartments for B11 stored in a vertical position. - the type or category of a cylinder includes the range of the cylinder (because the cylinders can have different shapes or appearances) and its size or gas capacity (because the cylinders do not all contain the same quantity of gas under pressure). - each compartment is configured to receive, i.e. house, only one gas cylinder, in particular an oxygen cylinder. - at least some of the compartments are configured and sized to receive gas cylinders in an upright, i.e. vertical, position.- at least some of the compartments are configured and sized to receive gas cylinders in a lying position, i.e. horizontal, in particular oxygen cylinders. - it comprises at least a first compartment configured to receive a gas cylinder stored in an upright position, i.e. vertical, in said at least one first compartment and at least a second compartment configured to receive a gas cylinder stored in a lying position, i.e. horizontal, in said at least one second compartment, in particular oxygen cylinders. - the installation is configured to allow a withdrawal of a full gas cylinder which is identical to that returned, i.e. to carry out an exchange of cylinders of the same category / type. - the HMI is arranged in the front face of the cabinet. - the display screen of the HMI is a touch screen, i.e. with a touch panel. - the display screen is a color display.- the opening means comprise an electrically controlled unlocking mechanism. - the unlocking mechanism is by default in the locked / closed position. - the unlocking mechanism is configured to open only in response to an order or command (i.e. electrical signal) from the control means, in particular a microprocessor of the control means, so as to prevent any untimely opening of the compartment in the event of a power outage. - the unlocking mechanism comprises an electric strike, i.e. an electric hinge. - the opening means are controlled by the control means. - the control means comprise a (micro)controller. - the control means comprise at least one electronic card carrying at least one (micro)processor. - said at least one (micro)processor implements one or more algorithms.- preferably, the electric hinges of the doors are controlled individually by the microcontroller. - according to one embodiment, the user identification means and the bottle recognition means are part of or included in a single device, in particular an infrared reader. - according to another embodiment, the user identification means and the bottle recognition means are part of or included in separate devices. - the user identification means comprise a QR-Code reader and / or the HMI, or any other suitable device, in particular an infrared reader. - the user identification means (i.e., healthcare personnel or maintenance personnel) comprise a QR-Code reader configured to read a QR-Code of the user which can be dematerialized on a multifunction telephone (smartphone) or printed on a sheet of paper, a badge or other support.- the user identification means comprise the HMI configured to allow the user (e.g. maintenance personnel) to enter a secret code or the like, so as to confirm his identity, such as a PIN code. - the healthcare personnel uses the gas cylinders, returns them after use, i.e. when they are empty, by exchanging them for full cylinders. - the maintenance personnel, for example a pharmacist, ensures the replenishment of the installation with full gas cylinders and the removal of empty gas cylinders having been returned by the healthcare personnel. - the user identification means comprise an infrared reader configured to read a QR-Code, a barcode and / or a datamatrix. - the cylinder recognition means comprise a barcode, datamatrix or RFID chip reader, or any other suitable device, in particular an infrared reader.- preferably, the user identification means and the cylinder recognition means are part of or included in a single reading device configured to read barcodes, data matrix and QR-Code, in particular an infrared reading device, i.e. an infrared reader. - each cylinder comprises a data matrix (data matrix) comprising a two-dimensional barcode encoding data in black / dark and white / light cells. - the data encoded by the data matrix comprises a GTN ID, in particular a cylinder size / range, an expiry date of the contained gas and / or a batch number. - each cylinder comprises a barcode (barcode) representing an identification of the cylinder. - each cylinder comprises an RFID label or tag. - it comprises an RFID reader.- according to one embodiment, the datamatrix and the barcode are carried by a protective cover arranged on each bottle. - it comprises storage means for storing a list of authorized users, each authorized user being associated with at least one type and / or number of gas bottles that can be taken and / or returned by each authorized user, in particular oxygen bottles. - the storage means comprise a computer memory, for example a flash memory. - the storage means are integrated into the control means, for example the microcontroller. - the storage means are arranged on the electronic card carrying the microprocessor(s). - the HMI is configured to allow an exchange of information between the user and the installation. - the HMI comprises a touch screen, i.e. a touch panel operated by the user's digital pressure.- the HMI is configured to allow the user to enter or confirm his identity, for example via a secret code (PIN) or via a preferably virtual keyboard, and to transmit said entry or confirmation of identity to the control means. - the HMI is configured to allow the user to type his identity on keys of the HMI, in particular virtual keys displayed on the digital screen, in particular his first name and last name. - it comprises telecommunication means allowing data exchanges with a remote management center, for example at a supplier of oxygen cylinders, and optionally with the customer, i.e. an ambulance driver, a doctor or the like. - the user identification means provide user identification data (i.e. QR Code read and / or PIN entered and / or first name and last name) to the control means, in particular to the microcontroller. - the microcontroller is configured to compare (i.e.process) the user identification data with the user data (such as a user account) stored by the storage means, ie in a database, so as to authorize or prohibit access to the compartments and / or the gas cylinders. - the microcontroller is configured to check that the user account is not blocked. - the HMI screen is configured to display the number of gas cylinders that the user, ie nursing staff, can take in each category, ie of each type. In other words, the maximum number of cylinders per category that the user can exchange during each session is displayed. - alternatively, for a user of the maintenance staff / pharmacist type, the HMI screen is configured to display the number of gas cylinders of each category, ieof each type, which are full and / or empty, and preferably the number of empty (without cylinders) or malfunctioning (defective) compartments, in particular displayed by type, for example by cylinder size. In other words, the maximum number of cylinders per category that the user (i.e. maintenance personnel / pharmacist) can replace and the maximum number of compartments per size in which the user can insert or place a full cylinder of the same size are displayed. - the installation is configured to allow access to one of the cylinders present in the compartments, after the user has scanned a cylinder of the same size and type as the one he wants to remove. To do this, the user first scans the cylinder's barcode (i.e. an identifier) ​​and then the data matrix (i.e. label with information concerning the gas in the cylinder, in particular the batch concerned).- in the event of a malfunction of the infrared reader or deterioration of the barcode labels or data matrix present on the gas cylinders, the HMI is configured to allow the user to manually enter the encoded information. - the control means are configured to control the compartment opening means to authorize an opening of the door of at least one compartment, after verification that the type and size of the cylinder to be exchanged correspond to those of at least one cylinder present in one of the compartments of the installation. - the control means are configured to control the compartment opening means to authorize an opening of the door of at least one compartment after verification that said at least one available cylinder has an expiry date of more than 6 months.- the control means are configured to process the information provided by the user identification means and the bottle recognition means by comparing them with the data stored by the storage means. - the storage means are configured to record (i.e. store) data or information, in particular the list of authorized users, types of bottles, sizes of bottles, numbers of bottles, expiry dates, etc. or any other data or information useful or necessary for the proper functioning of the installation.

[0013] According to another aspect, the invention also relates to the use of an automatic distribution installation comprising a cabinet according to the invention for supplying one or more medical gas cylinders to a user, in particular a healthcare personnel of a patient transport vehicle, such as a rescue or emergency vehicle, typically an ambulance or the like.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the gas cylinders are cylinders of oxygen, air or oxygen / nitrous oxide mixture (i.e. N 2 O / O 2 ), such as MEOPA (50% / 50%), nitrogen, CO 2 , NO / N 2 mixture or any other gas usable in the medical field, preferably oxygen cylinders.

[0015] Preferably, gas bottles have a capacity (in water equivalent) between 1.5 L and 12 L.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the gas cylinders contain a mixture of nitrogen (N 2 ), oxygen (O 2 ), and carbon monoxide (CO), and optionally helium (He), methane (CH 4 ) and / or acetylene (C 2 H 2 ).

[0017] The installation according to the invention is preferably installed on or near a site or place of recurring passage for ambulances or the like, such as the emergency department of a hospital.

[0018] Generally speaking, according to the invention, access by the user of the healthcare personnel type, such as a nurse for example, to a bottle of size and type equivalent to that scanned is preferably conditioned by all or part of the following requirements and / or verifications (i.e. carried out by the control means), after valid identification of the user: - the barcode format of the bottle to be exchanged (i.e. empty bottle) is compliant. - the barcode of the scanned bottle to be exchanged does not correspond to the barcode of a bottle present in one of the lockers. - the datamatrix format of the bottle to be exchanged is compliant. - the type and size of the bottle to be exchanged correspond to one of the categories or types of bottles accepted by the locker, i.e. configured in the internal database as a possible category / type. - the type and size of the bottle to be exchanged correspond to one of the bottles that the user is authorized to exchange. - the number of bottles to be exchanged scanned (type and size) by the user has not exceeded the number of identical bottles that the user is authorized to exchange. - there remains at least one "available" bottle (type and size) in one of the compartments corresponding to the one that the user wishes to exchange.- there is at least one "available" bottle (type and size) in one of the compartments corresponding to the one the user wishes to exchange and it has an expiry date of more than 6 months.

[0019] In a similar manner, according to the invention, the access of the user of the maintenance personnel type, e.g. a pharmacist, all or part of the following checks are carried out (i.e. via the control means), after valid identification of the user: - the barcode format of the full bottle to be inserted into the installation is compliant. - the barcode of the scanned full bottle does not correspond to the barcode of a bottle present in the rack. - the datamatrix format of the full bottle is compliant. - the type and size of the scanned full bottle correspond to one of the categories of bottles accepted by the rack, i.e. configured in the internal database as a possible category. - the type and size of the scanned full bottle correspond to one of the categories of bottles to be replaced, i.e. a bottle with a status of "empty" or "defective", or correspond to one or more empty compartments that can receive the scanned full bottle. - there remains at least one bottle with a status of "empty" or "defective" or at least one empty compartment in the installation so as to allow at least one full bottle to be placed there.

[0020] In either case, if all the preceding conditions or checks carried out by the control means are met, the door of a compartment containing a bottle of equivalent size and type opens, in response to a command by the control means, allowing the user to exchange his bottle for the one present in the open compartment.

[0021] Once the exchange is made, the user is prompted to close the compartment to validate the exchange, then either exchange a new bottle if the previous conditions are met, or complete the exchange operations.

[0022] According to the invention, the traceability of the bottles is ensured by the barcode and the data matrix which are scanned by the infrared reader for example, which provides the scanned information to the control means, which process them, in particular compare them to stored data.

[0023] The bottle barcode or barcode is an identifier comprising alphanumeric characters, for example 5 to 15 characters.

[0024] Furthermore, the data matrix is ​​a type of high-density two-dimensional barcode (QR code), meeting the ISO / IEC 16022 standard, which contains the following information, separated by prefixes or separators: - a GTIN code (Global Trade Item Number = international article code) which identifies the product (i.e. gas) as well as the size and type of the cylinder. This information is used by the control means to validate or not the conditions of access to the cylinders. - the expiry date of the gas which is used to offer priority in exchange for cylinders with the expiry date closest to the current date (principle "First Expired, First Out" or "FEFO"), to block a cylinder by changing its status to "defective" if the expiry date is less than 6 months away, and / or to highlight (for example in red and bold) this cylinder in the internal database. - the batch number, in the form of alphanumeric characters, which is used to identify the batch of the medicine, which makes it possible to block the bottle (by changing its status to "defective") in the event of a batch recall in particular.

[0025] At the end of the transaction, an email summarizing the user's information (e.g. account number, address, name, etc.) and the exchanged bottles (e.g. barcode, data matrix information, status if "defective" or empty compartment) can be sent to the user and / or to a Supervision Center to ensure traceability of the operations.

[0026] Advantageously, in the event of a non-compliant bottle, the user has the option of reporting the bottle he brings and / or the one he collects: for a bottle returned non-compliant, the user can normally exchange his non-compliant bottle for a proposed bottle if the conditions of access to the bottles are respected (see above), and after the non-compliant bottle has acquired the status "defective" in the internal database. for a recovered non-compliant bottle, the user can refuse this bottle. If another bottle of the same size and type contained in the locker has the status "available", then he is offered to close the compartment without making an exchange and a new compartment opens so that this bottle is offered to him and he can exchange it for the empty bottle that he must return.

[0027] Furthermore, the installation can be configured so that in the event of a batch recall or identification of defective cylinder(s), the cylinders concerned can be searched for remotely, for example from a Supervision Center, and made unavailable (i.e. "defective" status). Thus, they will no longer be offered during future exchanges, unless maintenance personnel come to collect them and replace them with full, non-defective cylinders.

[0028] Preferably, a Supervision Centre or similar can remotely access the lockers of the installation and the installation itself, in particular the control means and the storage means, in particular for: - check the operating status of the various lockers and possibly remotely act on basic functions of said lockers of the installation. - obtain, establish or check the list of bottles that have passed through the installation. - obtain, establish or check the list of bottle exchanges carried out by users. - obtain, establish or check the list of users who have intervened. - establish or check the list of the different categories (type and size) of bottles accepted by the installation. - check the different compartments of the installation and their status, with the possible possibility of opening them remotely. - obtain, establish or check the list of emails sent to the different contacts according to different scenarios, with the possibility of updating them.

[0029] Furthermore, the different possible statuses for the gas bottles distributed by the installation of the invention are, for example, the following: - Creation: the cylinder was created directly from the Supervision Center but is not present in the installation, so is not offered for exchange. - Defective: the cylinder has been marked remotely (Supervision Center) or on site (via the HMI) as defective and is blocked during cylinder exchanges operated by users, except maintenance users. - Available: the cylinder is available and is offered during a cylinder exchange. - In use: the cylinder has been delivered to a user in exchange for their empty (or defective) cylinder. It can either return to the installation during a subsequent exchange. - In replenishment: the cylinder has been delivered to a user in exchange for a full cylinder. - Returned: the cylinder has been returned by a user in exchange for a new full cylinder of equivalent size and type.It is present in the installation and therefore cannot be offered for exchange to a user such as a healthcare worker. It will be offered for exchange to a maintenance user, for example during a restocking.

[0030] For each category (type and size) of bottle, it is possible to set a threshold determining the number of remaining "available" full bottles of this category before placing an order. Once at least one of the thresholds is reached, an automatic email retrieving the quantities of empty and defective bottles of all categories as well as empty compartments, is preferentially sent to the Supervision Center to trigger a replenishment order.

[0031] The invention will now be better understood thanks to the following detailed description, given for illustrative but non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended figures among which: Fig. 1 schematizes an embodiment of an installation for the automatic distribution of gas cylinders for medical use according to the invention, namely here pressurized oxygen cylinders. Fig. 2 schematizes an oxygen cylinder replenishment procedure carried out by a user using the installation of Fig. 1 . Fig. 3 represents an embodiment of an oxygen cylinder.

[0032] In order to allow healthcare professionals, i.e. nursing staff, to easily and quickly exchange one (or more) empty medical gas cylinder(s) for one (or more) full cylinder(s), namely for example oxygen cylinders, while guaranteeing traceability of this exchange and ensuring that the exchange is carried out by an authorized person, i.e. in a secure manner, according to the invention, an installation 1 for automatically dispensing gas cylinders for medical use is proposed, one embodiment of which is shown in Fig. 1 .

[0033] Generally speaking, a medical gas cylinder 10, in particular an oxygen cylinder, comprising a cylinder body 11 of generally cylindrical shape, typically in the form of an ogive, with an internal volume for storing the gas under pressure, as illustrated in Fig. 3 . For example, it is considered below that the gas stored in the cylinder is oxygen. The oxygen is stored there at a pressure ranging from 150 to 250 bar abs (full cylinder), or even higher. The cylinder body 11 is equipped with a gas distribution tap or valve (not visible) comprising an internal gas circuit used to convey the oxygen contained in the cylinder body. The tap may include an integrated gas regulator used to reduce the oxygen pressure to a working pressure, for example a pressure of less than 4 bar abs. The gas distribution tap is preferably provided with a protective cover 12 or “cap” used to protect it against impacts, damage, dust, etc. The gas cylinders 10 may have different dimensions or sizes / capacities depending on the quantity of oxygen they contain. Thus, the so-called “B2” cylinders can store 2L of oxygen (in equiv.in water), those called "B5" allow 5L of oxygen to be stored (in water equiv.), those called "B11" allow 11L of oxygen to be stored (in water equiv.).... Examples of oxygen cylinders are given by EP4056962, EP2918892 and EP1643182.

[0034] According to the invention, the installation 1 for automatic distribution of gas cylinders, such as oxygen cylinders, Fig. 1 allows you to exchange an empty bottle for a full one, or even to return a defective bottle and replace it with a full, functional bottle.

[0035] It comprises a cabinet 2 comprising compartments 3 or individual lockers configured to receive gas cylinders, i.e. medical or medicinal gas, for example here oxygen cylinders, as well as microprocessor control means, such as a (micro)controller, for example an electronic card (or cards) carrying one or more microprocessors implementing one or more algorithms. The control means (not visible) are arranged in the internal volume of the cabinet 2, for example in a dedicated compartment accessible from the outside via a lockable door or a coded door.

[0036] The cabinet 2 typically comprises right and left side walls, a rear wall, a top wall and possibly a bottom wall. The walls can be assembled directly to each other or, as the case may be, to an internal frame, in particular a metal one. The cabinet 2 preferably has a rectangular parallelepiped shape but other shapes are possible. Its front face or facade comprises the doors 3.1 for access to the compartments 3 or lockers used to receive the gas bottles. The walls of the cabinet 2 are preferably made of metal, for example steel, aluminum alloy or other. They can be painted.

[0037] For example, cabinet 2 may have a width of around 2.35 m, a height of around 1.90 m and a depth of around 0.75 m.

[0038] Each bottle compartment 3 comprises a door 3.1 controlling access to the interior of the compartment 3 for inserting or removing a gas bottle. The doors 3.1 are preferably pivotable, via a hinge or the like, between at least one closed position in which access to the interior of the compartment is not permitted, i.e. closed by the door 3.1, and at least one open position in which access to the interior of the compartment is free, i.e. permitted / possible, and preferably intermediate positions. By default, the doors 3.1 of the compartments 3 are in the closed position, i.e. locked.

[0039] The compartments 3 can be sized to receive, i.e. store, gas cylinders of several different sizes / capacities, such as B2, B5 and B11, which can be, as appropriate, stored in a lying position, i.e. substantially horizontally, or in an upright position, i.e. substantially vertically. Each compartment 3 contains a single gas cylinder.

[0040] Preferably, the cabinet 2 comprises at least 10 compartments, preferably at least 20 compartments, for a first bottle size, typically “small” bottles, such as B2 and / or B5, and less than 10 compartments for a second bottle size, typically “medium” bottles, such as B11.

[0041] For example, cabinet 2 can have 21 compartments for B2 or B5s stored lying down, and 6 compartments for B11s stored upright. Of course, other layouts are possible, giving a total of 27 compartments.

[0042] The cabinet 2 is preferably installed on a concrete slab or the like arranged on the ground and capable of supporting the weight of the cabinet 2 and the gas cylinders it contains, i.e. a weight of several hundred kg, for example 400 to 500 kg. It is fixed to the slab by suitable fixing means, such as bolts or the like.

[0043] In order to be able to control access to the different compartments 3, each compartment 3 is equipped with controllable opening means for controlling the opening of doors 3.1, in particular an electrically controlled mechanism, such as an electric strike or the like. The opening means are controlled by the control means of the installation 1, that is to say that it is the control means which control the opening of each door 3.1 as detailed below.

[0044] By default, the controllable opening means are in the locked position, i.e. even in the event of a power cut, the doors 3.1 remain closed until their opening is commanded by the control means of the installation 1.

[0045] The cabinet 2 also includes a human-machine interface or HMI 4 comprising a display screen 5, preferably a touch screen, i.e. a touch screen recognizing the user's digital pressures on its surface. Advantageously, the screen 5 has a color display.

[0046] The HMI 4 allows interaction with a user, in particular it allows a user to enter information, validate or select choices, enter their first and last name or a numerical code, or other, for example by means of virtual touch keys displayed on the touch display screen 5. At least part of the information entered and / or the choices made are transmitted to the control means which can process them.

[0047] Furthermore, preferably, one or more ventilation grilles provide ventilation by air circulation in each gas bottle compartment 3.

[0048] Advantageously, one or more lifting hooks (not shown) are also provided for positioning the cabinet 2 or for removing it and / or moving it subsequently, for example by means of a lifting device. They are preferably arranged on top of the cabinet 2.

[0049] Furthermore, the cabinet 2 is supplied with electrical current by a power supply, typically a connection to the mains current (110 / 220V), for example a 3-wire single-phase 220V / 16A electrical conduit. The electrical current supplies the various components of the installation 1 that need it to operate, in particular the control means, the HMI 4, the screen 5, etc. Preferably, the connection cable to the mains current is at least partially arranged in the concrete slab and emerges from it under the cabinet 2 to connect to the components that need electrical current to operate.

[0050] In addition, installation 1 also includes: - user identification means 6, for example an infrared reader or another similar device acting as a QR code reader, configured to allow a user to identify himself, for example via a specific QR code present on a medium presented by the user to the QR-Code reader, such as a multifunction telephone (smartphone) or a document on which the QR-code is printed, - and bottle recognition means 7 configured to allow recognition of a type or category of bottle to be returned (i.e. size / capacity and range of bottle), such as a barcode and / or datamatrix reader, which can recognize a marking, such as a barcode for example, affixed to each bottle, i.e. present in particular on the protective cover of each empty or defective bottle, i.e. bottles to be exchanged for full functional bottles.

[0051] Preferably, the user identification means 6 and the bottle recognition means 7 are formed from a single reading device, typically an infrared reader, making it possible to read or recognize barcodes, datamatrix and QR-Codes.

[0052] As illustrated in Fig. 3 , the datamatrix 14 of each bottle 10 comprises a two-dimensional barcode encoding bottle data called "GTN ID" including the identification of the 'product', the bottle size / range, the expiry date of the gas contained, for example oxygen, and a batch number.

[0053] Furthermore, the bottle 10 also includes a barcode 13 representing an identification (ID) of the bottle in question.

[0054] The data matrix 14 and the bar code 13 are preferably carried by the protective cover 12 arranged on the body 11 of the gas bottle 10.

[0055] According to another embodiment, the installation 1 may also include an RIFD chip reader for reading RIFD chips affixed to the gas cylinders.

[0056] The control means are configured to cooperate with the user identification means 6 and the bottle recognition means 7, for example an infrared reader, to determine, that is to say to ensure, whether the user who has just identified himself is authorized or not to take one (or more) oxygen bottle(s), that is to say authorized and not blocked, and, if so, the type or category and / or the number of gas bottles, e.g. oxygen, that the user is authorized to take from the compartments 3 of the cabinet 2.

[0057] For example, the control means can be configured to limit the number of bottle exchanges to a defined number, for example 2 or 3 exchanges per day or to a maximum number of bottles provided for in a service contract entered into with the user.

[0058] These determinations may be made by comparing user identification information and bottle type, i.e. bottle size / capacity (e.g. B2, B5, B11, B15, etc.) and / or bottle range (e.g. bottle appearance or shape and / or different denominations, etc.), with data stored in storage means, such as computer memory, for example flash memory or the like.

[0059] For example, the cabinet 2 can be configured to store within the storage means at least 2 different bottle sizes / capacities, such as B2 or B5 and B11, and 3 ranges of bottles, such as bottles of first appearance / shape called “Présence ®<”, bottles of second appearance / shape called “Oyan ®<” and bottles of third appearance / shape called “Takeo ®<”.

[0060] The storage means can be integrated into the control means, for example arranged on the electronic card carrying the microprocessor(s), or else, depending on the embodiment chosen, be independent but electrically connected to the control means, in particular to the microprocessor(s).

[0061] In all cases, the list of all authorized users is stored and, associated with each user, a number of oxygen cylinders that can be removed or exchanged and / or a type (eg size or range) of cylinders, for example cylinders of type B2, B5, B11 or other.

[0062] When the control means have determined that the user is indeed authorized to take at least one oxygen bottle of a given type, they control the opening means of one of the compartments 3 to authorize the opening of the door 3.1, such as an electric latch, of this compartment 3 containing the oxygen bottle intended for the user, typically an identical bottle, i.e. of the same type or category (i.e. same capacity and same range), to the one to be returned.

[0063] The latter must then remove the full bottle from compartment 3 whose door has opened, then place the empty or defective bottle to be replaced there.

[0064] The withdrawal operation is preferably stored by the storage means for traceability purposes, as detailed below.

[0065] In other words, the procedure for replenishing oxygen cylinder(s) followed by a user, in particular a nursing staff member in an ambulance or similar, is schematically as follows and is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 2 .

[0066] First, the user identifies himself 100 by scanning, using the user identification means 6, such as an infrared reader, a personal identification code, for example a QR code or the like which is specific to him and / or which has been provided to him. This QR-Code can be dematerialized on the user's multifunction telephone (smartphone) or present on a printed document.

[0067] The control means which receive this QR Code information will then compare it to that of a user database in order to carry out a 101 verification of their right of access to cabinet 2, that is to say to verify that they are authorized and / or not blocked.

[0068] Once this authorization check 101 has been carried out, the control means will find in the storage means, the quantity and type of oxygen cylinders to which he is entitled 102, for example by size and by range, so as not to allow him to exchange more cylinders than what is planned and authorized. Preferably, the quantities, ranges and sizes of the cylinders are entered and recorded in a manner associated with each user.

[0069] The user can also optionally enter or confirm their identity (ID) by entering, for example, their first and last name via the HMI 4, in particular virtual entry keys displayed on the touch screen 5. Providing their identity is mandatory or strongly recommended for traceability purposes. This information may, for example, be included on the delivery slip sent by email at the end of the transaction to simplify the identification of the person who carried out the transaction if necessary.

[0070] Then, the user can perform a first scan 103 of a first marking present on the cover of the bottle to be returned, typically a barcode 13 (cf. Fig. 3 ) or alternatively an RFID tag, via bottle recognition means, such as a barcode or RFID chip reader. This also makes it possible to ensure that the returned bottle(s) is indeed a bottle compatible with the cabinet 2 and to ensure its traceability. This barcode 13 or this RFID chip contains an identification of the returned bottle.

[0071] Then, the user performs a second scan 104 of a second marking present on the protective cover of the bottle to be returned, typically a datamatrix 14 (cf. Fig. 3 ), which contains other additional information useful for monitoring, i.e. traceability, typically the identification of the product (e.g. oxygen cylinder, capacity and range), an expiry date of the medication, a batch number... or any other useful information.

[0072] In the event of a reader malfunction or damage to the barcode label or datamatrix, cabinet 2 is configured to allow the user to manually enter the information contained in the barcode and / or datamatrix (batch number, expiry date and product ID) of the bottle, via HMI 4.

[0073] Once the user has been recognized and the number and type of cylinders determined, the control means of the cabinet 2 will then command the opening of the door 3.1 of one of the compartments 3 containing a full cylinder that can be provided to the user in exchange for the empty cylinder, that is to say of the same range and same size. Of course, the control means only command the opening of the door 3.1 if a full cylinder identical to the one to be returned is available in one of the compartments 3.

[0074] The user can then proceed to exchange the bottles 105, i.e. extract the full oxygen bottle and replace it with the empty or defective bottle which he places in the corresponding compartment 3, before closing the door 3.1 of this compartment 3.

[0075] For traceability purposes, information relating to the full bottle recovered from compartment 3 and the one returned by the user in exchange are recorded by the storage means, typically a database.

[0076] Advantageously, the cabinet 2 can be configured to operate itself or allow the user to perform other actions. Thus, the cabinet 2 can be configured to allow the user to validate the exchange once the compartment 3 is closed, via the HMI 4, or if necessary, to be able to reopen the compartment 3 having been closed as long as the exchange has not been validated by the latter.

[0077] Of course, the user can also be authorized by cabinet 2 to carry out several successive exchanges of bottles, after having identified himself only once, by following the aforementioned procedure.

[0078] In addition, the control means of the cabinet 2 can also be configured to send an email summarizing the information of the transaction carried out by the user, such as for example the user's first and last name, name of the installation 1, date and time, user information, information concerning the bottles exchanged, delivery slip number, legal information, etc.

[0079] Such information may also be stored for traceability purposes and / or used later to send a summary to the user, or even for billing purposes.

[0080] Advantageously, the display screen 5 can also display, preferably at any time, the quantities, by range and by size, of bottles present in the cabinet 2, for example of full bottles and empty bottles, and possibly of defective bottles.

[0081] According to one embodiment, the cabinet 2 can be connected to a remote management center, for example at the oxygen cylinder supplier, via telecommunications means allowing data exchanges. Thus, it can communicate with the management center via a wireless telecommunications network, such as a GSM (4G / 5G), Lora or similar type communication network, or via the internet network.

[0082] The replenishment of cabinet 2 by the gas cylinder supplier with full cylinders and removal of empty or defective cylinders can be carried out using a procedure similar to that described above.

[0083] Generally speaking, the installation 1 according to the invention is advantageously installed on or near a site or place of recurring passage for ambulances or the like, such as the emergency department of a hospital, which allows the health personnel of these vehicles to restock easily and quickly, during their recurring visits to the emergency department of the hospital in question, in particular with oxygen cylinders or, where appropriate, with other medical gases.

Claims

1. Installation (1) for automatic distribution of medical gas cylinders comprising a cabinet (2) comprising: - several compartments (3) configured to receive gas cylinders to be distributed, each compartment (3) comprising a door (3.1) and controllable opening means for opening the door (3.1), - a human-machine interface or HMI (4) comprising a display screen (5), - storage means for storing a list of authorized users and at least one type of gas cylinder for each authorized user, - user identification means (6) configured to allow a user to identify himself, - cylinder recognition means (7) configured to allow recognition of a type of cylinder to be returned, and - microprocessor control means configured to cooperate with: .on the one hand, the user identification means (6) and the bottle recognition means (7) for determining: a) whether the user is authorized to take at least one gas bottle, and b) the type and / or number of gas bottles that the user is authorized to take from the compartments (3), . and, on the other hand, the compartment opening means for authorizing or not the opening of the door (3.1) of at least one compartment (3) depending on the determinations made in a) and b).

2. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottle recognition means (7) comprise a data matrix reader encoding coded data comprising a bottle size and / or range, an expiry date of the gas contained and a batch number.

3. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least 10 compartments (3), preferably at least 20 compartments.

4. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the display screen (5) of the HMI (4) is a touch screen, i.e. a touch panel.

5. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening means comprise an electrically operated unlocking mechanism, preferably an electric strike.

6. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that It includes compartments (3) configured to receive gas bottles of different sizes.

7. Installation according to one of claims 1 or 6, characterized in that it comprises at least one first compartment (3) configured to receive a gas cylinder stored in a vertical position in said at least one first compartment (3) and at least one second compartment (3) configured to receive a gas cylinder stored in a lying position in said at least one second compartment (3), in particular oxygen cylinders.

8. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that : - the user identification means (6) comprise a QR Code reader and / or the HMI (4) and / or - the bottle recognition means (7) comprise an infrared reader making it possible to read a bar code and / or a data matrix.

9. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage means are configured to further store a number of gas cylinders for each authorized user.

10. Installation according to one of claims 1, 2 or 8, characterized in that the user identification means (6) comprise an infrared reader configured to be able to read a QR Code, a bar code and / or a data matrix.

11. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that It also includes an RFID tag reader.

12. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe control means are configured to control the compartment opening means to authorize opening of the door (3.1) of at least one compartment (3), after verification that the type and size of the bottle to be exchanged correspond to those of at least one bottle present in one of the compartments (3) of the installation (1).

13. Installation according to claim 12, characterized in that the control means are configured to control the compartment opening means to authorize opening of the door (3.1) of at least one compartment (3) after verification that said at least one available bottle has an expiry date of more than 6 months.

14. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes one or more lifting hooks, preferably arranged on the top of the cabinet (2).

15. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in thatgas cylinders include oxygen, air or O2 / N2O mixture, CO2, nitrogen or NO / N2 mixture cylinders, preferably oxygen cylinders.

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