Planar drive, pharmaceutical plant and method for decontaminating a planar drive

Abstract

The invention relates to a planar drive (10) with at least one stator (12) and at least one mover (14), wherein the planar drive (10) is designed to be resistant to hydrogen peroxide. The invention further relates to a pharmaceutical plant with said type of planar drive (10) and to a method for decontaminating said type of planar drive (10).

Description

[0001] Title : Planar drive , pharmaceutical plant and

[0002] Procedure for decontamination of a planar drive

[0003] Description

[0004] The invention relates to a planar drive having features of claim 1, a pharmaceutical plant having features of claim 7 and a method for decontaminating a planar drive having features of claim 8.

[0005] A planar drive is a planar transport system with at least one mover, which can be moved, in particular, in a plane of motion suspended above a stator. The movement and the suspended state of the mover are due to magnetic interaction between the mover and the stator. Such planar drives have not typically been used for aseptic applications to date, since such applications place particularly high demands on hygiene. For example, decontamination of the individual elements is usually provided for in aseptic applications.

[0006] Due to their shape and the typically narrow gap between the motor and the stator, planar drives have the disadvantage that gaseous decontaminating agents have little or no access. This can lead to the decontamination of these areas or surfaces being impossible or only possible with considerable time and effort.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a planar drive, a pharmaceutical system and a method for decontaminating a planar drive, whereby the use in aseptic applications is enabled.

[0008] The problem is solved by a planar drive with the features of claim 1.

[0009] The planar drive comprises at least one stator with at least one first magnetic device for generating a first magnetic field. The stator can extend within a plane. In other words, the stator can have a planar, in particular flat, extension. The stator can in particular be flat. The planar drive comprises at least one mover with at least one second magnetic device for generating a second magnetic field.

[0010] The mover can be moved along a plane of motion oriented parallel to the stator (or to a side of the stator facing the mover) due to magnetic interaction between the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field. The distance or gap between the mover and the stator (or their mutually facing surfaces) can be variable or adjustable.

[0011] The planar drive is designed to be resistant to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). In other words, the planar drive is designed to be decontaminated using hydrogen peroxide. Due to its resistance to hydrogen peroxide, the planar drive can be decontaminated using hydrogen peroxide, enabling its use in aseptic applications.

[0012] For this purpose, for example, electrical components of the planar drive can be encapsulated. The planar drive can be made at least partially, in particular its outer surfaces can be made entirely, of stainless steel. The individual (mechanically) connected elements of the planar drive can be firmly connected and / or sealed (e.g., by means of hydrogen peroxide-resistant seals) such that no hydrogen peroxide can penetrate, particularly at the contact or connection points of the respective (mechanically) connected elements.

[0013] A planar drive in the present sense enables the mover to move in at least (in particular, exactly) two dimensions within a plane of motion. This plane of motion can be oriented parallel to the stator or to a side of the stator facing the mover.

[0014] The mover can be moved at a constant distance from the stator within the plane of motion. The distance of the mover can be influenced to a certain extent, meaning that in such a case, movements of the mover in a direction oriented perpendicular to the plane of motion are also possible. The extent of the movements perpendicular to the plane of motion (variation of the distance) is small compared to the movements in the plane of motion.

[0015] In this case, a 2-dimensional movement within the plane of movement means a free movement of the mover within the plane of movement. The mover can be moved to any position within the plane of movement. In this case, a free movement in the plane of movement means that the mover is not coupled or connected to any rail or rail system (guided movement). In other words, the movement of the mover within the plane of movement is not restricted, particularly by means of a rail. This distinguishes the present concept of a planar drive in particular from a magnetic levitation train, which can only be moved along a rail, i.e. along a fixed movement path in a quasi-l-dimensional manner (e.g. along a curved rail that extends further l-dimensionally).Movement across the rail is not possible with such a track; only the distance to the rail can be slightly varied in some cases.

[0016] According to a further development, the planar drive can comprise at least one cooling device which is assigned to the mover. The cooling device can be arranged within the mover. The cooling device can be designed to cool the mover. In particular, the cooling device can be set up for cooling below the ambient temperature. In particular, active cooling is provided and not just passive cooling, for example by cooling fins. By cooling the mover, hydrogen peroxide from the environment of the mover can be deposited (or condensed or adsorbed) on the mover (or its surface).

[0017] Additionally or alternatively, the planar drive can comprise at least one cooling device which is assigned to the stator. The cooling device can be arranged inside the stator. The cooling device can be designed to cool the stator. In particular, the cooling device can be set up for cooling below the ambient temperature. In particular, active cooling is provided and not just passive cooling, for example by cooling fins. By cooling the stator, hydrogen peroxide from the environment of the stator can be deposited (or condensed or adsorbed) on the stator (or its surface).

[0018] By means of the cooling device for the mover or for the stator, a temperature (particularly on the surface of the mover and / or stator) can be set below the dew point, so that hydrogen peroxide can be deposited in a controlled manner on the mover and / or on the stator (or on their surfaces).

[0019] According to a further development, the planar drive can comprise at least one heating device associated with the mover. The heating device can be arranged within the mover. The heating device can be designed to heat (or warm) the mover. By heating the mover, the hydrogen peroxide deposited (or condensed or adsorbed) on the mover can be evaporated (or vaporized).

[0020] Additionally or alternatively, the planar drive can comprise at least one heating device associated with the stator. The heating device can be arranged within the stator. The heating device can be designed to heat (or warm) the stator. By heating the stator, the hydrogen peroxide deposited (or condensed or adsorbed) on the stator can be evaporated (or vaporized). By heating (or warming) the mover and / or the stator, in particular, the hydrogen peroxide evaporates or is removed quickly from the surfaces of the mover and / or the stator.

[0021] According to a further development, the planar drive can comprise at least one bioindicator. The bioindicator can be arranged on the mover and / or the stator. A bioindicator can, in particular, be an element that indicates whether it has been exposed to hydrogen peroxide to an extent sufficient to kill biologically active substances, e.g., germs or spores.

[0022] A bioindicator can be a plate onto which spores have been dropped and dried. The spores are inactivated by hydrogen peroxide. This allows contact with hydrogen peroxide to be detected or verified, for example, by means of a spore growth test. This allows the exposure of certain

[0023] Surface sections are verified against the hydrogen peroxide used for decontamination.

[0024] The plate may be round. The plate may be made of stainless steel. The bioindicator may be packaged in a sleeve or surrounded by a sleeve, particularly for handling the bioindicator. The sleeve may be permeable (through-hole), particularly for hydrogen peroxide. The sleeve may be made of a

[0025] Nonwoven fabric, in particular high-density polyethylene (PE-HD). According to a further development, the mover can have a recess on its side facing the stator for receiving or placing the bioindicator. Thus, the bioindicator can be arranged at least partially (in particular completely) in the gap between the mover and the stator. This makes it possible to verify whether or not decontamination has taken place within the gap.

[0026] According to a further development, an indicator device detachable from the mover can be arranged on the mover. The indicator device can comprise a bioindicator. The bioindicator can be arranged on or within the indicator device. The indicator device can be attached to the mover for decontamination or verification of the decontamination. After decontamination or verification of the decontamination, the indicator device can be removed from the mover again.

[0027] The above object is further achieved by a pharmaceutical system, in particular an aseptic isolator, having the features of claim 7. The pharmaceutical system, in particular the aseptic isolator, comprises a planar drive according to the above embodiments.

[0028] Regarding the advantages that can be achieved, reference is made to the relevant explanations regarding the planar drive. The measures described in connection with the planar drive and / or those explained below can be used to further configure the pharmaceutical system.

[0029] The above object is further achieved by a method for decontamination of a planar drive with the features of claim 8.

[0030] The planar drive comprises at least one stator with at least one first magnetic device for generating a first magnetic field.

[0031] The planar drive comprises at least one mover with at least one second magnetic device for generating a second magnetic field.

[0032] The mover can be moved along a plane of motion oriented parallel to the stator (or to a side of the stator facing the mover) due to magnetic interaction between the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field. The distance or gap between the mover and the stator (or their mutually facing surfaces) can be variable or adjustable.

[0033] The planar drive is arranged at least partially, in particular completely, within a working space that is sealed off from its surroundings (or environment). The working space can be designed as an insulator.

[0034] The method comprises the steps of: Providing the planar drive within the

[0035] workspace .

[0036] Introducing a decontaminating agent, particularly a gaseous one, into the work area.

[0037] Moving the mover by means of magnetic interaction while the decontaminant is within the working space.

[0038] By moving the mover, shaded areas or surfaces of a stationary mover, which would be difficult or impossible for the decontaminant to reach, can be exposed (or released). This allows the decontaminant to reach the otherwise shaded areas of the planar drive.

[0039] This allows for automatic decontamination of the planar drive within the workspace (e.g., within an isolator) without manual intervention by an operator. Accordingly, glove access for manual access into the workspace can be omitted.

[0040] According to a further development, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) can be used as a decontamination agent.

[0041] The method may further comprise the steps of: cooling the agitator (or its surface) in order to deposit (or condense or adsorb) decontamination agent on the agitator (or its surface).

[0042] Alternatively or additionally, cooling the stator (or its surface) in order to deposit (or condense or adsorb) the decontaminant on the stator (or its surface).

[0043] The procedure may include the steps:

[0044] Heating the mover (or its surface) to remove (or evaporate or vaporize) decontaminant from the mover (or its surface).

[0045] Alternatively or additionally, heating the stator (or its surface) to remove (or evaporate or vaporize) decontaminant from the stator (or its surface).

[0046] According to a further development, the heating of the mover (or its surface) can be implemented by increasing an electrical and / or magnetic current within the mover.

[0047] Alternatively or additionally, the heating of the stator (or its surface) can be achieved by increasing an electrical and / or magnetic current within the stator.

[0048] The method may further comprise the step of:

[0049] Verifying decontamination using at least one bioindicator. The bioindicator can be located on the mover and / or the stator.

[0050] According to a further development, a planar drive according to the above statements or a pharmaceutical system according to the above statements can be used to carry out the method.

[0051] With regard to the advantages that can be achieved, reference is made to the relevant explanations regarding the planar drive or the pharmaceutical system. The measures described in connection with the planar drive or the pharmaceutical system and / or those explained below can be used to further refine the process.

[0052] Further features, details, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the wording of the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. They show, schematically:

[0053] Fig. 1 shows a cross section through a planar drive according to a first embodiment; Fig. 2 shows a bottom view of a mover of the planar drive according to Fig. 1;

[0054] Fig. 3 shows a cross section through the planar drive according to a second embodiment;

[0055] Fig. 4 is a view from below of the mover of the planar drive according to Figure 3 and

[0056] Fig. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a process for decontamination of the planar drive.

[0057] In the following description and in the figures, corresponding components and elements bear the same reference symbols. For the sake of clarity, not all reference symbols are shown in all figures.

[0058] Figure 1 schematically shows a cross-section through a planar drive 10 according to a first exemplary embodiment. The planar drive 10 has a stator 12 and a mover 14. Figure 2 schematically shows a bottom view of the mover 14 of the planar drive 10 from Figure 1. In this case, the stator 12 and the mover 14 are each flat. In other words, the stator 12 and the mover 14 each have a flat extension.

[0059] The stator 12 has a first magnetic device (not shown) for generating a first magnetic field. The mover 14 has a second magnetic device (not shown) for generating a second magnetic field.

[0060] The mover 14 can be freely moved within a movement plane 11 due to magnetic interaction between the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field. In this case, the movement plane 11 is arranged parallel to a side 13 of the stator 12 facing the mover 14 and is indicated only by dashed lines in Figure 1.

[0061] The planar drive 10 is designed to be resistant to hydrogen peroxide. In other words, the planar drive 10 can be decontaminated using hydrogen peroxide as a decontamination agent.

[0062] The agitator 14 has a cooling device 16. The cooling device 16 is arranged within the agitator 14 and is configured to cool the agitator 14. By cooling the agitator 14, hydrogen peroxide from the environment of the agitator 14 can be deposited on the agitator 14 or its surface during decontamination.

[0063] It is conceivable that the stator 12 may also have a cooling device 16 in order to cool the stator 12 during decontamination and thus to deposit hydrogen peroxide from the environment of the stator 12 on the stator 12 or its surfaces.

[0064] The agitator 14 further comprises a heating device 18. The heating device 18 is arranged within the agitator 14 and is configured to heat or warm the agitator. By heating the agitator 14, the hydrogen peroxide deposited on the agitator 14 or its surface can be evaporated or vaporized again after decontamination.

[0065] It is conceivable that the stator 12 may also have a heating device 18 for heating or warming the stator 12. By heating the stator 12, the hydrogen peroxide deposited on the stator 12 or its surface can be evaporated or vaporized again after decontamination.

[0066] In this case, the agitator 14 has a bioindicator 20. The bioindicator 20 has a round plate 21 onto which spores have been dropped and dried. Upon contact with hydrogen peroxide, the spores are inactivated. Complete inactivation is verified by a growth control in a bacterial medium. Inactivated spores no longer show growth. Thus, the bioindicator 20 can be used to verify whether decontamination was successful, particularly at the location where the bioindicator 20 is located.

[0067] To accommodate the bioindicator 20, the mover 12 has a recess 24 on its side 22 facing the stator 12. The bioindicator 20 is arranged in the recess 24 of the mover 12. Since the gap between the mover 14 and the stator 12, or their mutually facing sides 22, 13, represents a difficult-to-reach or the most difficult-to-reach location for the hydrogen peroxide, arranging the bioindicator 20 in the recess 24 can be used to check whether the decontamination was successful overall. If, for example, a bioindicator 20 arranged in the recess 24 shows no growth in a bacterial medium, it can be assumed that other locations that are more easily accessible for the hydrogen peroxide have also been successfully decontaminated.

[0068] Figure 3 shows schematically a cross section through the planar drive 10 according to a second embodiment and Figure 4 shows schematically a view from below of the mover 14 of the planar drive 10 according to Figure 3.

[0069] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the mover 14 does not have a recess 24 for receiving the bioindicator 20. Instead, the mover 14 has an indicator device 26. In this case, the indicator device 26 is detachably arranged laterally on the mover 14. The indicator device 26 has an indicator receptacle 25 for receiving the bioindicator 20.

[0070] The indicator device 26 can be attached to the mover 14 for decontamination (or for its verification) and removed from the mover 14 after decontamination (or after its verification). The indicator device 26 can therefore be removed from the mover 14 for proper operation of the planar drive 10. Figure 5 shows a flow chart to illustrate a

[0071] Procedure for decontamination of the planar drive 10 .

[0072] For decontamination of the planar drive 10, it is arranged within a working space (not shown) that is sealed off from its surroundings. This is indicated in Figure 5 by a first method step 28.

[0073] To decontaminate the planar drive 10, a decontamination agent, in particular hydrogen peroxide, is introduced into the working space (second method step 30).

[0074] During and / or after the introduction of the decontamination agent into the working space, the mover 14 is moved by means of magnetic interaction (third method step 32).

[0075] By moving the mover 14 while the decontamination agent is located within the working space, the areas or surfaces that were switched off when the mover 14 was at a standstill are released. This allows the decontamination agent to reach the places (e.g. within the gap between the stator 12 and the mover 14) of the planar drive 10, which would otherwise not be accessible or would be difficult to reach (when the mover 14 was at a standstill). In order to prevent the deposition or condensation of the

[0076] In order to accelerate and / or improve the decontamination agent on the mover 14 and / or the stator 12, the mover 14 and / or the stator 12 is cooled (fourth method step 34).

[0077] After decontamination, the decontaminant is removed again. For this purpose, the mover 14 and / or the stator 12 is warmed or heated (fifth method step 36). The higher temperature accelerates or promotes the evaporation or vaporization of the decontaminant from the mover 14 and / or the stator 12.

[0078] After the decontaminant has been removed, the decontamination is verified using the bioindicator 20 (sixth method step 38). For this purpose, the bioindicator 20 can be placed in a location that is as difficult as possible for the decontaminant to reach (e.g., within the gap between the mover 14 and the stator 12). If a bioindicator 20 positioned in this way indicates a positive result, it can be assumed that decontamination was also successful at other locations that are more easily accessible for the decontaminant.

Claims

Patent claims Planar drive (10) with at least one stator (12) with at least one first magnetic device for generating a first magnetic field, at least one mover (14) with at least one second magnetic device for generating a second magnetic field, wherein the mover (14) can be moved along a movement plane (11) oriented parallel to the stator (12) due to magnetic interaction between the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field, in particular with a variable distance between the mover (14) and the stator (12), wherein the planar drive (10) is designed to be hydrogen peroxide-resistant.Planar drive (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the planar drive (10) comprises at least one cooling device (16) which is assigned to the mover (14) in order to cool it, in particular which is arranged inside the mover (14), in particular in order to deposit hydrogen peroxide from the environment of the mover (14) on the mover (14), and / or that the planar drive (10) comprises at least one cooling device (16) which is assigned to the stator (12) in order to cool it, in particular which is arranged inside the stator (12). in particular to deposit hydrogen peroxide from the environment of the stator (12) on the stator (12). Planar drive (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the planar drive (10) comprises at least one heating device (18) which is assigned to the mover (14) in order to heat it, in particular which is arranged inside the mover (14), in particular to evaporate the hydrogen peroxide deposited on the mover (14), and / or that the planar drive (10) comprises at least one heating device (18) which is assigned to the stator (12) in order to heat it, in particular which is arranged inside the stator (12), in particular to evaporate the hydrogen peroxide deposited on the stator (12). Planar drive (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the planar drive (10) comprises at least one bioindicator (20), wherein the bioindicator (20) is arranged on the mover (14) and / or on the stator (12).Planar drive (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the mover (14) has a recess (24) for receiving the bioindicator (20) on its side (22) facing the stator (12). Planar drive (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the mover. (14) a detachable from the mover (14) Indicator device (26) is arranged, wherein the Indicator device (26) comprises a bioindicator (20). Pharmaceutical system, in particular an aseptic isolator, comprising a planar drive (10) according to one of the preceding claims.Method for decontaminating a planar drive (10) with at least one stator (12) with at least one first magnetic device for generating a first magnetic field, at least one mover (14) with at least one second magnetic device for generating a second magnetic field, wherein the mover (14) can be moved along a movement plane (11) oriented parallel to the stator (12) due to magnetic interaction between the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field, in particular with a variable distance between the mover (14) and the stator (12), wherein the planar drive (10) is arranged at least partially, in particular completely, within a working space that is closed off from its surroundings, the method comprising the steps of: providing the planar drive (10) within the working space (28);. Introducing a particularly gaseous Decontamination agent into the working space (30); Moving the mover (14) by means of the magnetic interaction while the decontamination agent is located within the working space (32). The method according to claim 8, characterized in that hydrogen peroxide is used as the decontamination agent. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the method further comprises the steps of: Cooling the mover (14) to deposit (34) decontamination agent on the mover (14) and / or Cooling the stator (12) to deposit (34) the decontaminant on the stator (12). A method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the method further comprises the steps of: Heating the mover (14) to remove decontaminant from the mover (14) (36) and / or Heating the stator (12) to remove decontaminant from the stator (12) (36). Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the heating of the mover (14) is implemented by increasing an electrical and / or a magnetic current within the mover (14), and / or that the heating of the stator (12) is implemented by increasing an electrical and / or a magnetic current within the stator (12). Method according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the method further comprises the step: Verifying the decontamination by means of at least one bioindicator (20), in particular wherein the bioindicator (20) is arranged (38) on the mover (14) and / or the stator (12). Method according to one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that a planar drive (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6 or a pharmaceutical system according to claim 7 is used to carry out the method.

Images