Medical gas cylinder distribution system

FR3154923A1Pending Publication Date: 2025-05-09AIR LIQUIDE SANTE
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Patent Information

Application Number
FR2023012050
Authority / Receiving Office
FR · FR
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-11-07
Publication Date
2025-05-09

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Abstract

Title of the Invention: Medical Gas Cylinder Dispensing System. 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).Figure from the summary: Figure 1.
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Description

Title of the invention: Installation for distributing medical gas cylinders

[0001] The invention relates to an automatic distribution system for pressurized gas cylinders for medical use, i.e. medical gas cylinders, intended for out-of-hospital healthcare professionals and to be carried in patient transport vehicles such as ambulances, or even by general practitioners or specialists, in particular medical oxygen cylinders.

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

[0003] Medical oxygen is generally supplied in pressurized gas cylinders, commonly called "gas cylinders," which allow oxygen to be distributed to patients in need during their transport in a medical vehicle. The same applies to other medical gases such as air or oxygen / nitrous oxide mixtures (i.e., N2O / O2).

[0004] When one or more medical gas cylinders, such as oxygen cylinders, carried in an emergency vehicle are empty, it is necessary to be able to replace them with full cylinders. However, healthcare personnel working on board these medical vehicles, such as ambulances or similar vehicles, often face a recurring problem: being able to easily, quickly, and / or simply replenish their supply of full cylinders.

[0005] Indeed, the pharmaceutical outlets which allow these exchanges of empty bottles for full bottles are never open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

[0006] Moreover, the distance to be covered by an emergency vehicle to reach such a pharmacy allowing the exchange of gas cylinders can be significant and may encounter certain problems, such as the aforementioned opening hours of the pharmacy, the availability of oxygen cylinders in the pharmacy in question due to insufficient stock, waiting times to be served... Furthermore, multiplying the trips by vehicle leads to significant fuel consumption and premature wear of vehicles, which has an obvious negative impact on the economic but also environmental level.

[0007] In all cases, it is understood that there is a risk to transported patients in the event of a disruption, even a temporary one, in the oxygen supply due to the impossibility or complexity for out-of-hospital healthcare professionals, i.e. those present in patient transport vehicles, to be able to easily and simply replenish their supplies with full gas cylinders, in particular oxygen cylinders.

[0008] The present invention aims to solve all or part of these problems by proposing a solution allowing for 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 person, i.e. secure.

[0009] The solution of the invention relates to an automatic distribution system for medical gas cylinders, enabling better continuity of supply for out-of-hospital healthcare professionals, in particular of medical oxygen cylinders.

[0010] This installation includes a cabinet comprising: - several compartments or lockers configured to receive gas cylinders for distribution, each compartment including a door and controllable opening means to open the door, - a human-machine interface or HMI including a display screen, - user identification means configured to allow a user to identify themselves, - bottle recognition methods configured to allow recognition of a bottle to be returned, and - microprocessor-based control means configured to cooperate with:

[0011] . on the one hand, user identification means and recognition means bottle to determine: a. if the user is authorized, i.e., permitted, to withdraw at least one gas cylinder, and b. a type (i.e., a category) and / or a number of gas cylinders that the user is authorized to withdraw from the compartments,

[0012] . and, on the other hand, the means for opening compartments to authorize or not the opening of the door of at least one compartment according to the determinations made in a) and b).

[0013] Depending on the embodiment considered, the installation of the invention may include one or more of the following features: - in b), determine the number of bottles per category, preferably at each bottle exchange session or operation. - it includes at least 10 bottle compartments, preferably at least 20 compartments. - Gas cylinders include oxygen, air, or Oxygen / nitrous oxide mixture (i.e., N2O / O2), such as MEOPA (50% / 50%). 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 receive gas cylinders of different sizes, in particular oxygen cylinders. It includes compartments configured to receive gas cylinders of different sizes or capacities, such as B5 and B11, in particular oxygen cylinders. The type or category of a bottle includes the range of the bottle (as bottles can have different shapes or appearances) and its size or gas capacity (as bottles do not all contain the same amount 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 position, i.e. vertical. at least some of the compartments are configured and sized to receive gas cylinders in a horizontal position, in particular oxygen cylinders. It includes at least one 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 one second compartment configured to receive a gas cylinder stored in a horizontal position, i.e. horizontal, in said at least one second compartment, in particular oxygen cylinders. The installation is configured to allow the removal of a full gas cylinder which is identical to the one returned, i.e. to operate an exchange of cylinders of the same category / type. The HMI is located in the front panel of cabinet 2. The display screen of the HMI is a touch screen, i.e. a touch panel. The display screen is in color. The opening means include an electrically operated unlocking mechanism. The unlocking mechanism is in the locked / closed position by default. The unlocking mechanism is configured to open only in response to a command or signal (i.e., an electrical signal) from the means of control, in particular a microprocessor of the control means, so as to prevent any untimely opening of compartment in the event of a power outage. the unlocking mechanism includes an electric strike; the opening means are controlled by the control means; the control means include a (micro)controller. the control means include at least one electronic board carrying at least one (micro)processor. said at least one (micro)processor implements one or more algorithms. In one embodiment, the user identification means and the bottle recognition means are part of or included in a single device. According to another embodiment, the user identification means and the bottle recognition means are part of, or included in, separate devices. User identification methods include a QR code reader, an RFID chip reader and / or the HMI, or any other suitable device. User identification means include a QR-Code reader configured to read a user QR Code which can be dematerialized on a multifunction phone (smartphone) or printed on a sheet of paper, badge or other medium. the bottle recognition means include a barcode, RFID chip or data matrix reader, or any other suitable device, preferably the user identification means and the bottle 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 bottle includes a data matrix comprising a two-dimensional barcode encoding data in black / dark and white / light cells. The data encoded by the data matrix includes a GTN ID, in particular a bottle size / range, an expiry date of the gas contained and / or a batch number. Each bottle includes a barcode representing bottle identification. In one embodiment, the data matrix and the barcode are carried by a protective cover fitted over each bottle. - it includes means of memorization to store a list of authorized users and preferably at least one type and / or number of gas cylinders for each authorized user, in particular oxygen cylinders. - the means of memorization include computer memory, for example flash memory. - the memorization methods are integrated into the control methods. - the storage devices are arranged on the electronic card bearing the or microprocessors, - The HMI is configured to allow the user to enter or confirm their identity and to transmit said entry or identity confirmation to the control means. - The HMI is configured to allow the user to type their identity on HMI keys, in particular virtual keys displayed on the digital screen, specifically their first and last name. - it includes telecommunication means allowing data exchange with a remote management center, for example at an oxygen cylinder supplier, and optionally with the customer, i.e. an ambulance driver, a doctor or similar.

[0014] According to another aspect, the invention also relates to the use of an automatic dispensing system comprising a cabinet according to the invention to supply one or more medical gas cylinders to a user, in particular a healthcare worker in a patient transport vehicle, such as a rescue or emergency vehicle, typically an ambulance or the like.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the gas cylinders are oxygen, air or oxygen / nitrous oxide (i.e. N2O / O2) mixture cylinders, such as MEOPA (50% / 50%), preferably oxygen cylinders.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the gas cylinders contain a mixture of nitrogen (N2), oxygen (O2), and carbon monoxide (CO), and optionally helium (He), methane (CH4) and / or acetylene (C2H2).

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

[0018] The invention will now be better understood with reference to the following detailed description, given by way of illustration but not limitation, with reference to the accompanying figures, among which:

[0019] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates an embodiment of a distribution installation at automatic gas cylinders for medical use according to the invention, namely here pressurized oxygen cylinders.

[0020] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a procedure for replenishing oxygen cylinders operated by a user using the installation of [Fig. 1].

[0021] [Fig.3] represents an embodiment of an oxygen cylinder.

[0022] In order to enable healthcare professionals to easily and quickly exchange one (or more) empty medical gas cylinder(s) for one (or more) full cylinder(s), namely oxygen cylinders, while ensuring 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 automatic distribution system 1 for medical gas cylinders is proposed, one embodiment of which is shown in [Fig.1].

[0023] Generally, a medical gas cylinder 10, in particular an oxygen cylinder, comprises a cylinder body 11 of generally cylindrical shape, typically ogive-shaped, with an internal volume for storing the gas under pressure, as illustrated in [Fig. 3]. For the purposes of this example, the gas stored in the cylinder is considered to be oxygen. The oxygen is stored at a pressure of 150 to 250 bar abs (full cylinder), or even higher. The cylinder body 11 is equipped with a gas dispensing valve (not visible) comprising an internal gas circuit for conveying the oxygen contained in the cylinder body. The valve may include an integrated gas regulator for reducing the oxygen pressure to a working pressure, for example, a pressure of less than 4 bar abs.The gas dispensing valve is preferably fitted with a protective cover 12 or "cap" to protect it against impacts, damage, dust, etc. Gas cylinders 10 can have different dimensions or sizes / capacities depending on the amount of oxygen they contain. Thus, cylinders designated "B2" allow the storage of 2L of oxygen (water equivalent), those designated "B5" allow the storage of 5L of oxygen (water equivalent), those designated "B11" allow the storage of 1L of oxygen (water equivalent), etc. Examples of oxygen cylinders are given by EP4056962, EP2918892 and EPI643182.

[0024] The automatic gas cylinder distribution system 1, such as oxygen cylinders, of [Fig.1] allows for the exchange of an empty cylinder for a full one, or even for the return of a defective cylinder and its replacement with a functional full one.

[0025] It comprises a cabinet 2 including individual compartments 3 configured to receive gas cylinders, namely oxygen cylinders, as well as microprocessor-based control means, such as a (micro)controller, for example an electronic board (or boards) carrying one or more microprocessors putting into one or more algorithms are used. The control means (not visible) are arranged in the internal volume of cabinet 2, for example in a dedicated compartment accessible from the outside via a lockable door or a coded door.

[0026] The cabinet 2 typically comprises right and left side panels, a rear panel, a top panel, and optionally a bottom panel. The panels can be assembled directly to each other or, as appropriate, to an internal frame, particularly a metallic one. The cabinet 2 preferably has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, but other shapes are possible. Its front face includes the doors 3.1 providing access to the compartments 3 or lockers used to hold the gas cylinders. The panels of the cabinet 2 are preferably made of metal, for example, steel, aluminum alloy, or the like. They may be painted.

[0027] By way of example, cabinet 2 may have a width of approximately 2.35 m, a height of approximately 1.90 m and a depth of approximately 0.75 m.

[0028] Each bottle compartment 3 includes a door 3.1 controlling access to the interior of the compartment 3 for inserting or removing a gas cylinder. The doors 3.1 are preferably pivotable between at least one closed position in which access to the interior of the compartment is not permitted, i.e., blocked 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.

[0029] The compartments 3 can be sized to receive, i.e. store, gas cylinders of several different sizes / capacities, such as B5 and B11, which can be stored, as appropriate, in a horizontal position, i.e. substantially horizontally, or in an upright position, i.e. substantially vertically. Each compartment 3 contains a single gas cylinder.

[0030] Preferably, the cabinet 2 includes at least 10 compartments, preferably at least 20 compartments, for a first bottle size, typically "small" bottles, such as B5, and less than 10 compartments for a second bottle size, typically "medium" bottles, such as B11.

[0031] For example, cabinet 2 may include 21 compartments for B5s stored in a horizontal position, and 6 compartments for B11s stored in an upright position. Of course, other arrangements are possible.

[0032] The cabinet 2 is preferably installed on a concrete slab or similar surface laid 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 similar.

[0033] In order to control access to the various compartments 3, each compartment 3 is equipped with controllable opening means for controlling the opening of doors 3.1, in particular an electrically operated mechanism, such as an electric strike or similar device. The opening means are controlled by the control means of the installation 1; that is, the control means command the opening of each door 3.1 as detailed below. By default, the controllable opening means are in the locked position, meaning that even in the event of a power outage, the doors 3.1 remain closed until their opening is commanded by the control means of the installation 1.

[0034] The cabinet 2 also includes a human-machine interface or HMI 4 comprising a display screen 5, preferably a touchscreen, i.e. a touch panel that recognizes the user's finger pressure on its surface. Advantageously, the screen 5 is a color display.

[0035] 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 an encrypted code, or other, for example by means of virtual touch keys displayed on the touch display screen 5.

[0036] Furthermore, preferably, one or more ventilation grilles ensure air circulation ventilation in each gas cylinder compartment 3.

[0037] One or more lifting hooks (not shown) are also provided for installing, removing, and / or subsequently moving the cabinet 2, for example using lifting equipment. They are preferably arranged on the top of the cabinet 2.

[0038] Furthermore, cabinet 2 is supplied with electrical current by a power supply, typically a mains power connection (110 / 220V), for example a 3-core single-phase 220V / 16A electrical conduit. The electrical current supplies the various components of installation 1 that require it to function, in particular the control means, the HMI 4, the screen 5... Preferably, the mains power connection cable is at least partially embedded in the concrete slab and emerges from under cabinet 2 to connect to the components that require electrical current to function.

[0039] In addition, installation 1 also includes: - User identification means 6, for example a QR code reader or other similar device, configured to allow a user to identify themselves, for example via a specific QR code present on a medium presented by the user to the QR code reader, such as a 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 (size / capacity and bottle range), such as a barcode 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 cap of each empty or defective bottle, i.e. bottles to be exchanged for full functional bottles.

[0040] Preferably, the user identification means 6 and the bottle recognition means 7 are formed of a single reading device, for example an infrared reader, allowing the reading or recognition of barcodes, data matrix and QR-Code.

[0041] As illustrated in [Fig. 3], the data matrix 14 of each cylinder 10 includes a two-dimensional barcode encoding cylinder data called "GTN ID," including the product identification, cylinder size / range, the expiry date of the gas contained, for example, oxygen, and a batch number. Furthermore, the cylinder 10 also includes a barcode 13 representing an identification (ID) of the cylinder in question. The data matrix 14 and the barcode 13 are mounted on the protective cover 12 arranged on the body 11 of the gas cylinder 10.

[0042] According to another embodiment, RFID chips and an RFID chip reader can also be used.

[0043] The control means are configured to cooperate with the user identification means 6 and the cylinder recognition means 7 to determine, i.e. to ascertain, whether the user who has just identified himself is authorized or not to take one (or more) cylinder of oxygen, i.e. authorized and not blocked, and, if so, the type or category and / or number of gas cylinders, e.g. oxygen, that the user is authorized to take from the compartments 3 of the cabinet 2.

[0044] 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 concluded with the user.

[0045] These determinations can be made by comparing the user identification information and the type of bottle, i.e. bottle size / capacity (e.g. B2, B5, B11, B15...) and / or bottle range (e.g. bottle appearance or shape and / or different names...), with data stored in storage means, such as computer memory, for example flash memory or similar.

[0046] For example, the cabinet 2 can be configured to store, within the storage means, at least 2 different bottle sizes / capacities, such as B5 and B11, and 3 ranges of bottles, such as bottles of a first appearance / shape bottles with a second appearance / shape called "Présence®", bottles with a second appearance / shape called "Oyan®", and bottles with a third appearance / shape called "Takeo®".

[0047] The storage means can be integrated into the control means, for example arranged on the electronic card carrying the microprocessor(s), or, depending on the embodiment chosen, be independent but electrically connected to the control means, in particular to the microprocessor(s).

[0048] In all cases, the list of all authorized users is stored and, associated with each user, a number of oxygen cylinders that can be withdrawn or exchanged and / or a type (e.g., size or range) of cylinders, for example, B5, Bll or other type cylinders.

[0049] When the control means have determined that the user is indeed authorized to take at least one oxygen cylinder 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 strike, of this compartment 3 containing the oxygen cylinder intended for the user, typically an identical cylinder, that is to say of the same type or of the same category (i.e. same capacity and same range), to the one to be returned.

[0050] The latter must then extract the full bottle from compartment 3 whose door has opened, and then place the empty or defective bottle to be replaced inside.

[0051] The withdrawal operation is preferably memorized by the memorization means for traceability purposes, as detailed below.

[0052] In other words, the oxygen cylinder replenishment procedure followed by a user, in particular a medical personnel of an ambulance or similar, is schematically as follows and is shown schematically in [Fig.2].

[0053] 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 similar which is unique to him and / or which has been provided to him, this QR-Code may be dematerialized on the user's multifunction phone (smartphone) or present on a printed document.

[0054] The control means which receive this QR Code information will then compare it to those in a user database in order to perform a 101 check of his right of access to cabinet 2, that is to say to check that he is properly authorized and / or not blocked.

[0055] Once this authorization check 101 has been completed, the control systems will retrieve from the storage devices the quantity and type of oxygen cylinders to which the user is entitled 102, for example by size and range, to prevent the user from exchanging more cylinders than is planned and authorized. Preferably, the quantities, ranges, and sizes of the cylinders are entered and recorded from a method associated with each user.

[0056] The user can also optionally enter or confirm their identity (ID) by entering, for example, their first and last name via the HMI 4, specifically using virtual input keys displayed on the touchscreen 5. Providing one's 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.

[0057] Next, the user can perform an initial scan 103 of a first marking present on the cap of the bottle to be returned, typically a barcode 13 (see [Fig. 3]) (or alternatively an RFID tag), using bottle recognition means, such as a barcode (or RFID chip) reader. This also ensures that the returned bottle(s) is / are compatible with cabinet 2 and guarantees its traceability. This barcode 13 contains an identification of the returned bottle.

[0058] 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 data matrix 14 (see [Fig.3]), which contains other additional information useful for tracking, i.e. traceability, typically the product identification (e.g. oxygen bottle, capacity and range), an expiry date of the medicine, a batch number... or any other useful information.

[0059] In the event of malfunction of the reader or deterioration of the label bearing the barcode or the data matrix, the cabinet 2 is configured to allow the user to manually enter the information contained in the barcode and / or the data matrix (batch number, expiry date and product ID) of the bottle, via the HMI 4.

[0060] Once the user is recognized and the number and type of bottle are determined, the control means of cabinet 2 will then command the opening of door 3.1 of one of the compartments 3 containing a full bottle that can be provided to the user in exchange for the empty bottle, i.e., of the same range and size. Of course, the control means will only open door 3.1 if a full bottle identical to the one to be returned is available in one of the compartments 3.

[0061] The user can then proceed to exchange the cylinders 105, i.e. extract the full oxygen cylinder and replace it with the empty or defective cylinder which he places in the corresponding compartment 3, before closing the door 3.1 of this compartment 3.

[0062] For traceability purposes, information relating to the full bottle retrieved in compartment 3 and that returned by the user in exchange are recorded by the means of memorization, typically a database.

[0063] Advantageously, the cabinet 2 can be configured to operate itself or to allow the user to perform other actions. Thus, the cabinet 2 can be configured to allow the user to validate the exchange once compartment 3 is closed, via the HMI 4, or, if necessary, to be able to reopen compartment 3, which has been closed, as long as the exchange has not been validated by the latter.

[0064] 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.

[0065] In addition, the control means of cabinet 2 can also be configured to send an email summarizing the information of the transaction carried out by the user, such as user's first and last name, installation name 1, date and time, user information, information concerning the bottles exchanged, delivery slip number, legal information....

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the cabinet 2 can be connected to a remote management center, for example at the oxygen cylinder supplier's premises, via telecommunications means enabling data exchange. Thus, it can communicate with the management center via a wireless telecommunications network, such as a GSM (4G / 5G), LoRa or similar communication network, or via the internet.

[0069] The restocking of cabinet 2 by the gas cylinder supplier, with full cylinders and removal of empty or defective cylinders, can be done according to a procedure similar to that described above.

[0070] Generally, 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 medical personnel of these vehicles to easily and quickly replenish their supplies, 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

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), - 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: A) on the one hand, the user identification means (6) and the cylinder recognition means (7) to determine: a. whether the user is authorized to withdraw at least one gas cylinder, and b.the type and / or number of gas cylinders that the user is authorized to take from the compartments (3), B) and, on the other hand, the means for opening compartments to authorize 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 opening means are controlled by the piloting means.

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 a controlled unlocking mechanism electric, preferably an electric strike.

6. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises 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 a barcode and / or data matrix reader.

9. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises storage means for storing: - a list of authorized users, and - at least one type and / or number of gas cylinders for each authorized user.

10. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas cylinders comprise cylinders of oxygen, air or oxygen / nitrous oxide mixture, preferably oxygen cylinders.

Citation Information

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