Insert for turning device, turning device and method for turning medical ampoules

Abstract

To provide an insert for a turning device for medical ampoules.SOLUTION: An insert 1 for a turning device for medical ampoules 2 includes an input section 3 having a plurality of input apertures 4 for receiving one ampoule in each case and provided in a first arrangement structure, a dispensing section 5 having a plurality of output apertures 6 for dispensing one ampoule in each case and provided in a second arrangement structure, and a transition section 7 having a plurality of pieces of guide means 8. The transition section is arranged and / or designed such that the output apertures are arranged and / or designed in the second arrangement structure, and the output apertures are arranged in the second arrangement structure.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the use of a rotating device for rotating medical ampoules, to a rotating device for rotating medical ampoules, and to a method for rotating medical ampoules. [Background technology]

[0002] Medical ampoules, such as glass cylindrical ampoules and cartridges, are widely used as the primary container material for delivering intravenously administered drugs. These ampoules can be administered using a cylindrical ampoule syringe, which is particularly suitable for drugs that are self-administered by the patient. Such a cylindrical ampoule syringe can be loaded with the ampoule without the need to remove the drug from the ampoule (e.g., by drawing it into the syringe). This can be done, for example, by inserting the ampoule into the cylindrical ampoule syringe from the back or by inserting the ampoule from the side. The ampoule has a connection part for the needle of the cylindrical ampoule syringe on its top side and a contact surface for the plunger of the cylindrical ampoule syringe on its bottom side and is designed accordingly. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] Generally, increased control standards are applied to medicines administered intravenously. This means that the medicine contained in the ampule must be subjected to what is called 100% inspection. Optical control methods are used to determine whether there are impurities, particles or other anomalies in the ampoule. Ampoules are usually filled from the side where the plunger of the cylindrical ampoule syringe engages the ampoule, so that the filled cylindrical ampoule comes out of the filling with the plunger contact element facing upwards. In order to safely and adequately inspect the ampoule, the ampoule must be rotated. This is due in part to the fact that the entire contents of the ampoule cannot be visually inspected in all orientations of the ampoule, since the syringe contact element of the ampoule obscures parts of the ampoule or the medicine contained therein.

[0004] It is therefore necessary to rotate the ampoules before inspection. In the prior art, the ampoules are rotated individually or in rows using star turners, conveyor belts with deflection or robots. This has the disadvantage that the ampoules have to be placed at a certain product distance, which limits the ampoule processing speed. Furthermore, known rotating devices are usually very large and therefore require a lot of space. Furthermore, since glass ampoules are easily damaged by glass-to-glass contact, the ampoules are transported in such a way that contact between the individual ampoules is avoided.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method that allows for efficient rotation of medical ampoules, taking into consideration the above considerations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This problem is solved by a device and a method having the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are defined in the respective dependent claims.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a device for rotating medical ampoules is provided. The device may include a receiving section having a plurality of receiving openings for receiving one ampoule each, and the receiving openings may be provided in a first arrangement. The device may further include a delivery section having a plurality of delivery openings for delivering one ampoule each, and the delivery openings may be provided in a second arrangement. Furthermore, the device may include a transition section having a plurality of guide means, and the transition section may be arranged and / or designed such that the ampoules may be guided from the receiving openings through the guide means to the delivery openings. The receiving openings and the delivery openings may be arranged eccentrically with respect to each other.

[0008] The present invention has the advantage that, compared to the known prior art, medical ampoules can be efficiently handled even in any arrangement. The arrangement can be a distribution of medical ampoules in a plane (for example, along the X direction and the Y direction perpendicular thereto). Considering the condition of avoiding direct contact of the ampoules (keyword: avoiding contact between glass and glass) and at the same time arranging as many ampoules as possible in a small space, when rotated, different arrangements that are not symmetrical are generated. Therefore, the arrangement of ampoules provided in the transport container cannot be simply rotated, since it will result in an arrangement that is not compatible with the transport container or the further processing method. Furthermore, problems arise in identifying the ampoules, since the position of the ampoules cannot be tracked. However, in the present invention, the ampoules can be guided from the receiving opening to the sending opening so that after being rotated, the ampoules are in a desired or predetermined arrangement. This allows a large number of ampoules to be rotated simultaneously, significantly speeding up the process and thereby improving efficiency.

[0009] The medical ampoules are made of glass and can have an internal volume of up to 20 ml. The ampoules can be adapted to be held in nested containers. The ampoules can have, at one side, a contact part for the syringe of the ampoule syringe (syringe contact element). At a second opposite end of the ampoule, the ampoule can have a plunger part (plunger contact element) that can interact with the plunger of the ampoule syringe. The ampoules are usually filled so that the plunger part faces upwards (against gravity). The ampoules are usually inspected in a rotated orientation (i.e. the syringe contact element faces upwards with respect to gravity). The ampoules can also be syringes without collars (i.e. suspended transport is not possible).

[0010] The receiving portion can define a receiving area of ​​the device, in which the ampoules can be slid into the device. The arrangement in which the receiving openings are provided can correspond to the holding parts for the provided ampoules. The ampoules can be provided in holding structures (so-called nests). The ampoules can be held in the holding parts. In a top view, the holding structures for the ampoules can form a diamond pattern. Each holding part can be designed in the shape of a diamond. This allows for arranging as many ampoules as possible in a given area, while preventing glass-glass contact between the ampoules held in each holding part. However, if such an arrangement of ampoules is rotated by 180°, swapping the positions of the syringe contact element and the plunger contact element, the individual holding parts defined by one diamond of the arrangement will no longer coincide. The arrangement of the receiving openings is therefore different from the arrangement of the delivery openings. The ampoules delivered through the delivery opening can therefore be inserted again into the same configuration of the holding structure from which the ampoules were removed. In particular, the first arrangement can correspond to an arrangement of the ampoules in a non-rotated orientation and the second arrangement can correspond to an arrangement of the ampoules in a rotated orientation. The non-rotated and rotated orientations can differ by a rotation angle of 180°. The sending section can be a region of the device where the ampoules are sent out of the device. The transition section can connect the receiving section and the sending section. The transition section can include a guide means which can be realised for example in the form of a channel-like section or in the form of a grid-like section. The transition section (for example the guide means) can be inclined with respect to the receiving section and / or the sending section. This can ensure that the ampoules are moved from the first arrangement to the second arrangement. It is important that the guide means can guide the ampoules from the receiving opening to the sending opening. "Guide" in this sense means that the direction of movement of the ampoules is predefined. The direction of movement can be varied in three-dimensional space by the guide means. That is to say, it can be designed such that the direction of movement in three-dimensional space changes in all three spatial coordinates of the guided ampoules.Furthermore, the receiving part and / or the sending part can be inclined with respect to each other. This can simplify the intake of the ampoules when the device is rotated around an axis (for example the first axis). An early reception or sliding of the ampoules into the device can be achieved. The same applies to the sending part. The receiving opening can be directly connected to the guide means. Downstream of the guide means, the sending opening can be in direct contact with the guide means. In other words, the receiving opening, the guide means and the sending opening can form a unit designed to move the ampoules from the first arrangement to the second arrangement. The terms receiving part and sending part can depend on the orientation of the device. In other words, the part of the device that is in the upper part in the direction of gravity can function as the receiving part and the part of the device that is in the lower part in the direction of gravity can function as the sending part. In other words, these designations can be changed when the device is rotated (i.e. when the orientation of the device is changed). The direction of movement of the ampoules through the device remains the same from the receiving section through the transition section to the sending section (from upstream starting from the receiving section through the transition section to downstream to the sending section, i.e. in the main direction of movement). The sending and receiving openings can be arranged eccentrically with respect to each other. "Eccentric" in this context means that the receiving and sending openings are arranged so that they are not coaxial. In other words, the receiving and sending openings can be displaced with respect to each other. Thus, in the process of rotating the ampoules, the sending openings can be provided with a different arrangement than the receiving openings. In other words, the first arrangement can be different (e.g. not coincident) with the second arrangement. This provides the advantage that the ampoules provided in an asymmetric arrangement can also be returned to the asymmetric arrangement even after being rotated. This means that the ampoules can be moved back into an arrangement that makes the most efficient use of the available space. Thus, it is possible to avoid rotating the ampoules individually and to rotate a large number of ampoules simultaneously.This avoids separating the ampoules to provide a constant product distance and allows high processing speeds to be achieved (e.g. 1000 ampoules per minute). The transition section can be movable so that the arrangement of the receiving and discharging openings can be changed. This allows the device to be adapted to different initial situations (e.g. different arrangements within the nest). The transition section can be variable with respect to the receiving and / or discharging openings. For example, the transition section can be deformable and / or shiftable. It is further conceivable that the receiving and / or discharging sections are also deformable and / or shiftable. This allows the device to be even better adapted to different initial situations.

[0011] Preferably, the first arrangement and the second arrangement are different, in particular in their spatial arrangement. In other words, the spatial coordinates (i.e. the spatial coordinates) of the receiving opening and the delivery opening assigned to this through the transition can be different. More precisely, at least two spatial coordinates can be different. This makes it possible to provide any second arrangement (i.e. the arrangement in which the rotated ampoules are delivered) for a given first arrangement (i.e. the arrangement in which the ampoules are provided).

[0012] Preferably, the receiving opening and the delivery opening are designed identically with regard to their geometrical design. In other words, the receiving opening and the delivery opening assigned to this receiving opening can have the same geometrical cross section. For example, both the receiving opening and the delivery opening can have a circular cross section. Alternatively, both the receiving opening and the delivery opening can have a rectangular cross section. This ensures that both geometrical designs can function as both receiving opening and delivery opening. Thus, by changing the orientation of the device, the geometrical shape located at the top (respectively in the direction of gravity) can function as a receiving opening and the geometrical shape located at the bottom can function as a delivery opening. This allows a seamless operation of the device without the need to return it to a specific starting position every time.

[0013] Preferably, the receiving opening and the delivery opening are arranged offset from each other in a top view of the device. This ensures that in the top view of the device, the delivery opening does not coincide with the receiving opening. The top view of the device can be defined along a main transport direction of the ampoules from the receiving opening to the delivery opening. The main transport direction can be stretched along the direction of gravity. In some embodiments, the main transport direction is inclined with respect to the direction of gravity. This allows an offset positioning of the ampoules at the delivery opening with respect to their original positioning at the receiving opening.

[0014] Preferably, the receiving section, the delivery section, and the transition section are integrally formed, i.e., the device can be designed as a one-piece (i.e., integral) construction, which simplifies manufacturing of the device and prevents errors when assembling a multi-piece system.

[0015] Preferably, each guide means guides the ampoules along a guide path, and each guide means is designed such that the guide path is deflected. Thus, the guide means can move the ampoules from the receiving part to any second arrangement. Furthermore, the spatial coordinates can be changed from an initial position where the ampoules enter the receiving part to a new position where the ampoules are delivered from the delivery part of the device. Preferably, all three spatial coordinates can be changed.

[0016] Preferably, the receiving opening, the delivery opening and / or the guide means have a substantially circular cross section. In other words, the cross section can be the area that defines the passage path of the ampoule from the receiving opening to its assigned delivery opening. The advantage of having an identical cross section is that manufacturing can be simplified (e.g. in terms of the mould design for injection moulded parts). Alternatively, at least the receiving opening and the delivery opening preferably have a substantially similar cross section. The guide means can also be a structural element that contacts the ampoule in a point-like or cross-sectional manner and guides it in the right direction. It is also conceivable that the guide means is designed as a kind of lattice frame. By providing the receiving opening and the delivery opening with the same cross section, the receiving opening and the delivery opening can advantageously be interchanged, regardless of the orientation of the device. Essentially, in this case, this means that an exact circular shape is not required, but also shapes that deviate from the ideal circular shape by, for example, 5%. This allows for manufacturing tolerances to be taken into account. Preferably, the receiving opening, the delivery opening and / or the guide means have a substantially U-shaped cross section. This offers the advantage that the device can be manufactured layer by layer. Each layer can have at least one receiving opening, at least one delivery opening and at least one guide means. The guide means can be opened on one side of the layer. Each guide means (and possibly each receiving and / or delivery part) of a layer can thus be formed, for example, by means of a ball end mill. The individual layers can then be assembled. In this way, the guide means can be closed by the adjacent layer. In other words, each layer can be realized as a machined disk. Here, the cross section can correspond to a "U" for manufacturing reasons (ball end mill from the side).

[0017] Preferably, the device is designed such that the ampoules can be gravity-driven from the receiving part to the sending part. In other words, the device does not need to include an actuator or a drive (such as a suction device) to ensure that the ampoules are moved from the receiving part to the sending part. For example, gravity-driven movement of the ampoules can be realized. This can be realized, for example, by turning and / or moving the device. For example, the ampoules can be provided at at least one receiving opening, after which the ampoules are gravity-driven moved by rotating the device by about 180° and moved through the transition part to the sending part. Since no separate actuator or the like is required to move the ampoules, an overall simple design can be achieved.

[0018] Preferably, each guide means includes at least one damping portion designed to reduce the speed of movement of the ampule when it is guided from the receiving part to the delivery part. This makes it possible to prevent even delicate ampules handled by the device from being damaged. The damping portion can define the maximum allowable speed of movement of the ampule. The damping portion can be an elastic protruding element protruding into the path of movement defined by the guide means. When the ampule passes through the damping portion, the ampule can come into contact with the damping portion, which can slow down (i.e. reduce the speed) the ampule. Furthermore, the damping portion can also be considered as a portion that increases the friction between the ampule and the guide means and reduces the speed of movement of the ampule. For example, the guide means can have a portion with increased friction, such as by partially providing a soft material that reduces the speed of movement of the ampule when it comes into contact with it. This is also advantageous in systems in which the ampule is gravity-driven from the receiving part to the delivery part. Here, the maximum speed of movement of the ampule can be limited. This makes it possible to prevent damage to the ampule.

[0019] Preferably, the device is designed as a molded part. The molded part can be a part designed for a specific insertion purpose in a specially made production tool. Providing the device as a molded part also offers the advantage that the user can easily replace the molded part himself. Thus, different molded parts can be provided for different ampoules. Furthermore, different molded parts can be provided for different arrangement configurations (e.g. the first arrangement configuration and / or the second arrangement configuration). This can further simplify the insertion of the device.

[0020] Preferably, the receiving opening and the delivery opening are directly adjacent to the guide means, in other words, there are no elements between the receiving opening and the delivery opening other than the guide means designed to guide the ampule. This allows to achieve compact dimensions of the device. Furthermore, this allows to minimize the path that the ampule must travel from the receiving part to the delivery part (i.e. from the receiving opening to the delivery opening), reducing the risk of damage to the ampule.

[0021] Preferably, the first and second array configurations are defined by the arrangement of the receiving and dispensing openings in a two-dimensional plane. In other words, the array configuration can be characterized by how the respective openings of the receiving and dispensing parts are arranged in a two-dimensional plane. As a result, the array configuration can also be defined by the arrangement in which the ampoules are provided to the device. For example, the ampoules can be arranged in a certain way in a container (e.g., nested in a tub). The arrangement of the ampoules can correspond to the array configuration. The first array configuration can describe the arrangement in which the ampoules are provided to the device or exist before the handling of the ampoules by the device. The second array configuration can describe how the ampoules are delivered by the device after being rotated. Thus, the array configuration of the receiving openings, i.e., how the receiving openings are arranged, is defined by how the ampoules are provided to the device. This can be defined, for example, by how the ampoules are delivered by a filler (i.e., a person who fills the ampoules with a drug). In contrast, the second array configuration can be defined by the device (i.e., by the array configuration of the dispensing openings). In other words, any second arrangement can be provided by the device. In one embodiment of the present invention, it is advantageous if the first arrangement defined by the filler is defined by a specific transport container (e.g. nested in a tub). According to said embodiment, the device is capable of designing the second arrangement (i.e. the arrangement delivered by the device) so that the rotated ampoules can be reinserted into the transport container from which they were taken. This provides the advantage that no separate or separately designed transport container is required, but the transport container originally provided by the filler can also be used for the rotated ampoules. This also provides the advantage that the identification and tracking method started by the filler can be continued in further processing sequences (preferably with the determination procedure described below).

[0022] Preferably, the device comprises polyoxymethylene, polyamide, polytetrafluoroethylene and / or polyethylene terephthalate. Polyoxymethylene (POM) is characterized by high strength, hardness and rigidity over a wide temperature range. It is therefore particularly durable and has a long life. Polyamide also has high strength, rigidity, toughness and very good chemical resistance and processability. The amide groups of the polyamide can define further properties. This depends on the specific application of the device, since hygiene requirements often require chemical cleaning. For example, in some areas cleaning is done with hydrogen peroxide, which attacks many other materials. It is therefore advantageous to use high quality plastics in the device to ensure durability. In other insertion areas this is not necessary and would be an unnecessary cost. Furthermore, it is conceivable to use polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). PTFE is also known by the trade name Teflon. It is particularly advantageous that a very low coefficient of friction can be achieved, allowing the ampoules to be handled smoothly through the device. Furthermore, PTFE is very inert, so aggressive acids cannot attack it. Another option is to use polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is also highly resistant to chemicals and is widely used in medical technology and the food industry. Furthermore, PET also has high mechanical resistance, ensuring an increased durability of the device.

[0023] Preferably, the ampoule has a maximum capacity of 20 ml, which allows the ampoule to be used with an ampoule syringe.

[0024] Preferably, the medical ampoules are placed in a nest. In other words, the ampoules provided for rotation by the device are placed in a holder or holding structure (i.e., nest). Generally, the ampoules can stand on their bottom due to gravity. In other words, the ampoules can stand on their bottom in a tub and are held by a grid-like structure (the nest). In contrast, syringes are carried hanging down. The nest can hold the ampoules. Thus, the nest can be designed to hold the ampoules in a specific arrangement, in particular spaced apart from each other. The weight can be held by the nest and / or by other elements, such as tubs (more on this below). The nest can participate in a first and / or second arrangement.

[0025] Preferably, the medical ampule is held in the nest at the shoulder region of the ampule. The shoulder region of the ampule can be a particularly strong region, so that the ampule can be best held there without risking damage. Each further nest can be designed to lift the ampule from the tab. For this purpose, the nest can be designed to hold the ampule in an area adjacent to a relatively thick area (e.g. the cap area or the syringe contact element). This allows the ampule to be lifted from the tab by the nest. Preferably, the nest is designed so that the ampule can only be held in one direction, so that the ampule can be pushed out of the nest.

[0026] Preferably, the nest is disposed within a tub. The tub may be a clamshell-like structure into which the nest, together with the ampule, is disposed. The nest may be designed to fit precisely within the tub, thereby preventing the nest from moving relative to the tub.

[0027] Preferably, the tab comprises an identification element, which can indicate, for example, which ampoule is located in which position in the tab and / or in which position in a nest provided in the tab, and through which additional information, such as the type of contents and / or process-oriented prerequisites or requirements, can be retrieved.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present invention, a rotating device for rotating medical ampoules is provided, the rotating device including a device according to one of the previously described embodiments. The rotating device may include a holding device for holding the device. The holding device may be designed to move the device along a first direction. The holding device may be designed to rotate the device around a first axis. The rotating device may represent an automatic insertion of the device according to one of the previously described embodiments. In other words, the above-mentioned device may be used manually or in the course of other handling or processing of ampoules. The rotating device described here may be a separate handling device designed to rotate the ampoules. Preferably, the rotating device is at least partially automated so that at least some of the handling steps can be performed fully automatically. This allows reducing manual labor and increasing efficiency. The holding device may be a structural device capable of movably holding the device. Preferably, the holding device is a two-arm device rotatably supporting the device at the outer end of each arm. The two arms may be connected to a base arm. The base arm may be movably arranged on a stand or mast. Thereby, the holding device is capable of moving the device along a first direction. The first direction may extend along the direction of gravity. The rotatable support of the device on the two arms of the holding device allows the holding device to rotate the device around a first axis. Preferably, the device is held on the holding device such that the first axis passes through the center of gravity of the device. This allows a particularly homogeneous (e.g. jerk-free) rotational movement around the first axis to be achieved.

[0029] Preferably, the first direction and the first axis are mutually orthogonal. Thus, by moving in the first direction, an ampoule can be picked up and then, or at least partially simultaneously, moved by rotating the device about the first axis. In other words, by moving in the first direction, a nest can be lifted from the tab, and once the nest is lifted from the tab, gravity-driven movement of the ampoule can be initiated to move it from the receiving opening to the associated dispensing opening (e.g., in the main direction of movement).

[0030] Preferably, the first direction is stretched along the direction of gravity. This provides the advantage that the ampoule will remain in its original position as long as the device is only moved in the first direction by gravity. Only by rotating about the first axis can the ampoule be effected to move through the device.

[0031] Preferably, the rotating device includes an actuator, which can be designed to perform a movement in a first direction and / or a rotation around a first axis. In other words, only a single actuator can be provided, responsible for the movement in the first direction and the rotation around the first axis. This can be realized, for example, by mechanical control of the holding device. By providing only a single actuator, the control electronics and the control effort can be reduced. Furthermore, a synchronized movement sequence can be realized by a single actuator (i.e. by mechanical control of both movements, i.e. translation in the first direction and rotation around the first axis), such that the movements are performed in the desired order and at the desired time. Thus, the system can be designed more simply and at the same time more reliable. Preferably, the rotating device has a control unit, which can be designed to obtain an initial position of the medical ampoules and to determine the new position of the medical ampoules after they have been discharged from the dispensing opening. This is particularly advantageous when the ampoules are provided to the rotating device in a specific arrangement. For example, it is conceivable that a tub with a nest full of ampoules is provided by the filler with identification means or other information-carrying indications that indicate exactly which ampoules are in which position. This is particularly important in tracking systems. When the ampoules are rotated by a rotating device, it is necessary to clarify which ampoules are located in which position in the rotated state. This depends on how the transition guides the ampoules from the receiving opening to the sending opening. Based on the type of device used in the rotating device, the control unit can determine which ampoules after rotation correspond to their original position. In other words, the control unit can mathematically determine where the ampoules are located after the rotation process by the rotating device. This is then sent out by the control unit, for example to a database. It can therefore be clearly determined where each ampoules is located in the nest in the tub after the ampoules are rotated by the rotating device.

[0032] Preferably, the rotating device includes a holding device designed to hold a first nest having a plurality of ampoule holding positions, such that the ampoule holding positions face one of the receiving openings. As mentioned above, the first arrangement is determined by how the ampoules are presented to the device or the rotating device. The device is adjusted accordingly. For further automation, the rotating device can now include a holding device capable of gripping the nest, such that the ampoules present in the nest are exactly facing the receiving opening of the device. This provides the advantage that the ampoules slide out of the nest and fall into the device when the device is rotated about the first axis.

[0033] Preferably, the holding device is designed to hold a second nest with a plurality of ampoule holding positions, such that the ampoule holding positions face one of the delivery openings. In other words, the rotating device can hold two nests through the holding device. This is particularly advantageous if the ampoules are returned to the nests or tubs in a rotated state. According to an embodiment of the invention, the ampoules are returned to the same nests and to the same tubs from which they were removed. In other words, the rotating device only changes the orientation of the ampoules while keeping the ampoule transport means the same. The rotating device can therefore be easily integrated into existing processes without requiring structural changes to the process. According to this embodiment, the rotating device comprises a first nest provided on the side of the receiving opening and a second nest provided on the side of the delivery opening. The ampoule holding positions in each nest can face the respective receiving and delivery openings. This ensures that the ampoules are moved (e.g. gravity driven) from the receiving opening through the transition to the associated delivery opening. The retaining device may be designed to retain the first nest and the second nest on the device.

[0034] Preferably, the holding device is a suction device. The suction device may include at least one suction cup that is able to suck up and lift the nest from the tub. The suction device is also called a suction gripping device. The holding device may be designed to apply a suction force to a shoulder of the nest in order to hold it. Alternatively, a mechanical gripping device may be provided that is able to grip and hold the nest.

[0035] Preferably, the rotating device includes at least one positioning aid, which can be designed to ensure a predetermined position of the nest when it comes into contact with the rotating device. The positioning aid can help align the ampoule holding positions in the nest with the respective openings of the device, thereby ensuring optimal alignment of the nest with respect to the device. This ensures smooth operation of the rotating device.

[0036] Preferably, the positioning aid can include a protrusion protruding from the rotating device and designed to interact with the nest. The positioning aid can thus include at least one protrusion protruding from the device. The protrusion can, for example, have a tapered shape towards its outer end and interact with an opening of the nest. When the nest approaches the device, the protrusion is guided into a recessed portion of the nest and, via the shape of the protrusion, can guide the nest and / or the receiving device to achieve an optimal position between the nest and the device. This can further increase the safety of the process.

[0037] Preferably, the rotating device includes at least one distance element designed to ensure a predefined distance from the rotating device to the nest in case of contact with the rotating device. The distance element can serve to limit the distance between the device and the nest to a minimum. This can prevent damage due to direct contact between the ampoules contained in the nest and the device. For example, this allows ampoules of different heights to be processed by the rotating device without problems. Furthermore, gripping devices that are controllable with low precision can also be used, which can grip, hold and guide the nest into the device until the distance element contacts the nest element. The distance element can be, for example, a protrusion that can interact with a shoulder of the nest. This can increase the safety of the process and prevent damage to the ampoules.

[0038] It is further conceivable that the control unit can control the rotation about the first axis such that the rotation is not continuous but adaptive or variable. This provides the advantage that a free fall of the ampoules from the first nest towards the second nest (i.e. from the receiving opening towards the assigned delivery opening) is avoided. By rotating about the first axis, the static friction between the ampoules and the nests or the device is overcome and is passed over to sliding friction. As the sliding friction is lower than the static friction, a sudden acceleration of the ampoules occurs due to gravity. For this purpose, the control unit can be designed to rotate the device about the first axis only until the static friction is overcome. The rotation can then be stopped to avoid further acceleration of the ampoules. The stopping can be done after a rotation of an angle of at least 90°. Preferably, the stopping is done after a rotation of an angle in the range of 100° to 135°. This proves to be advantageous for the handling of glass ampoules, since in this range the static friction is overcome. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the control unit can even perform a short reverse rotation after overcoming static friction to avoid excessive acceleration of the ampoules. For example, the device can be rotated back by about 5°. This allows particularly sensitive ampoules to be handled problem-free with the rotating device. Once the ampoules have passed through the device and are captured in the second nest, the control unit can complete the remaining rotation to achieve a rotation of 180°.

[0039] Preferably, the rotating device includes a sensor capable of determining the position of the ampule. This sensor can be, for example, a center of gravity sensor that determines the center of gravity of the device together with the first and second nests. Since one nest is filled with ampoules and the other is empty, the center of gravity is not on the first axis. Depending on where the center of gravity is, the control unit can determine the current position of the ampule. This allows the control unit to detect the start of the movement of the ampule (i.e. overcoming static friction). The control unit can then adjust the rotational movement around the first axis. Thus, for example, the rotational movement can also be continued more slowly than at the beginning in order to achieve the desired movement speed of the ampule. This can be done automatically, based on pre-stored information. This avoids the need for individual adjustments, for example when handling ampoules with different filling volumes. This further increases the safety of the work and reduces the damage rate of the ampules.

[0040] According to another aspect of the invention, a method of rotating medical ampoules with an apparatus is provided, the method including providing a plurality of medical ampoules in a first array configuration, picking up the ampoules in a receiving opening of the apparatus, guiding the ampoules from the receiving opening to a delivery opening of the apparatus through a guide means of the apparatus, and delivering the ampoules through the delivery opening in a second array configuration, the first array configuration being different from the second array configuration.

[0041] Preferably, the ampoules are provided in a first nest and the method comprises holding the first nest on the device. This holding can be achieved, for example, by a suction gripping device. Preferably, the ampoules are delivered into a second nest and the second nest is held on the device. The second nest can have the same geometric dimensions as the first nest. The first nest can be held on the device such that the ampoules can be introduced into the receiving opening. The second nest can be held on the device such that the ampoules delivered by the device can be received by the delivery opening of the second nest. Preferably, the method comprises moving the device such that the ampoules are gravity-driven from the receiving opening through the guide means to the delivery opening. Preferably, the moving comprises rotating the device around a first axis. Preferably, the first nest is provided in a tub and the first nest is lifted from the tub along the first direction. Preferably, the second nest with the ampoules is reinserted back into the tub from which the first nest was removed. The ampoules are thus returned to the same tub from which they were removed. In other words the identification means provided on the tab remains valid for the ampoule after the rotating step.Preferably the method includes recording the identification of the tab with which the ampoule was provided.

[0042] Preferably, the method further comprises determining a new position of the ampoules in the second nest. The method then sends information about the new position of the ampoules in the tub, on which further processing can be performed. After the ampoules are rotated, they can be subjected to inspection. Preferably, 120 ampoules can be placed in each tub. In other words, 120 ampoules can be rotated at one time. Preferably, the average distance between the ampoules in the nest is about 116 mm.

[0043] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided the use of a device according to one of the above embodiments for rotating medical ampoules, in particular one of the above rotating devices, which can provide an advantageous process flow with increased efficiency.

[0044] Individual features of the above embodiments can be combined with other embodiments or with other features to form new embodiments. Features and advantages mentioned in connection with features or embodiments apply analogously to the new embodiments. Advantages and features mentioned in connection with the method apply analogously to the apparatus and vice versa. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0045] In the following, preferred embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a tab, a nest, and a number of ampoules used in one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a nest filled with ampoules. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a nest filled with ampoules housed in a tub provided in a rotating device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a rotation device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic side view of a rotation device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic perspective view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention for use in a rotational device according to an embodiment of the invention; [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a rotation device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] 1A-1D are multiple schematic perspective views of a rotation device in operation according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0046] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The device 1 comprises a receiving part 3, a transition part 7 and an output part 5. The receiving part 3 has a number of receiving openings 4 (only one receiving opening is given the reference number 4 in FIG. 1). The device 1 is designed to transport medical ampoules 2. In other words, the device can move and output the ampoules 2 to different spatial positions. For this purpose, the ampoules 2 can be received in the receiving part 3 through the receiving opening 4. The receiving opening 4 can only accommodate one ampoule 2. Afterwards (i.e. downstream), the ampoule 2 can enter the transition part 7. The transition part 7 has a number of guide means 8 designed to guide the ampoule 2. The guidance of the ampoule 2 in this embodiment includes the output of the ampoule 2 to different positions. The output of the ampoule 2 takes place through the output part 5 which has a number of output openings 6. The ampoule 2 can be provided, for example, in a first nest 11 (shown in the upper part in FIG. 1). The ampoules 2 can then leave the first nest 11, enter the device 1 through the receiving opening 4, be guided through the transition 7 and the guide means 8 provided therein, and finally be discharged from the device 1 through the discharge opening 6. Adjacent to the discharge opening 6 a second nest 12 can be arranged for receiving the ampoules 2 after they have been discharged from the device 1. It is not necessary to provide a second nest 12, since other devices for capturing the ampoules can also be provided. For example, it is conceivable to directly further process the ampoules 2 in a processing step. However, in a preferred embodiment, the ampoules 2 are introduced into a second nest 12 after they have been discharged through the discharge opening 6, which second nest 12 is identical to the first nest 11. During the passage of the ampoules 2 through the device 1, the ampoules 2 are transported along the main transport direction H (see arrow in FIG. 1). In other words, the ampoules 2 are moved by the device 1 in all three spatial directions (X, Y, Z directions).

[0047] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of nests 11, 12 in which a number of ampoules 2 are housed. The nests are arranged in tubs 13. The tubs 13 with the nests are usually used to transport the ampoules 2 filled with a drug from the filler to further processing equipment. The nests 11, 12 and the tubs 13 are often steam sterilized to allow safe handling even in sterile areas. The nests 11, 12 serve to prevent direct contact between the ampoules 2, thereby reducing the risk of damage due to glass-to-glass contact. In order to maximize the number of ampoules in the nests 11, 12, the ampoules are arranged in a first arrangement in the nests 11, 12. When these ampoules 2 are supplied by the filler, the ampoules 2 are arranged with the bottom side facing up, since the filler fills the ampoules intended to be used with an ampoule syringe from the bottom side. When the ampoules 2 are to be subjected to visual inspection, they need to be rotated. This is because the top portion of the ampoule (i.e., the area where a syringe is attached to remove medication from the ampoule) obscures part of the ampoule or its contents. Therefore, the ampoule must be rotated or inverted. In the situation shown in Figure 2, the ampoule is already in the correct orientation for inspection.

[0048] 3 is a schematic perspective view of nests 11, 12 housed in a tub 13, seen from diagonally above. It can be seen that an ampoule 2 is each held in a diamond-shaped portion (ampule holding position). If this arrangement is, for example, turned upside down (i.e. rotated 180°) and placed on an empty nest of the same arrangement, the ampoule 2 will not fall into the diamond-shaped holding position of the new nest, since the holding positions are not aligned. To address this issue, the device 1 of the present invention is used to move the ampoule 2 into a different arrangement configuration while rotating the ampoule 2.

[0049] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a tub 13 with nests 11, 12 housing a number of ampoules 2. In this situation, the ampoules 2 are oriented in such a way that they require rotation for subsequent inspection. In other words, the ampoules 2 are oriented so that they are bottom-up. The situation shown in Figure 4 thus represents the initial situation before any rotation of the ampoules 2.

[0050] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a rotating device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The rotating device 10 is used to move a medical ampoule 2 from an initial state shown in FIG. 4 to a final state shown in FIG. 3. For this purpose, the device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is placed in the rotating device 10. The rotating device 10 also includes a holding device 13 capable of holding the device 1. The rotating device 10 can rotate the device 1 around a first axis A1. For this purpose, the rotating device 10 has two actuators 14. Furthermore, the holding device 13 can be moved along a first direction R1 (i.e. translationally). In this embodiment, the first direction R1 extends along the direction of gravity (i.e. from the bottom up). The rotating device 10 holds a first nest 11 and a second nest 12 on two opposite sides of the device 1. The first nest 11 contains an ampoule 2. The second nest 12 is empty and identical to the first nest 11. The first nest 11 faces the second nest 12, so that the ampoule holding positions in each nest 11, 12 are not aligned. The ampoule holding positions of the first nest 11 and the second nest 12 are connected only by the device 1 through the receiving section 3, the transition section 7 and the sending section 5. By rotating the rotating device 10 about the first axis A1, the main movement direction H of the ampoules through the device can be selected arbitrarily. In this embodiment, an ampoule 2 that is incorrectly placed in the first nest 11 is moved through the device 1 to the second nest 12 by rotating it about the first axis A1. In the second nest 12, the ampoule 2 is present with its top side facing upwards. Thus, all the ampoules 2 provided in the first nest 11 can be rotated at once. This makes it possible to avoid the need to handle single ampoules or rows of ampoules individually, but to move the entire matrix of ampoules directly from the first nest 11 to the second nest 12, changing the orientation of the ampoules. The rotating device 10 includes a holding device 13 capable of holding and moving the device 11. To this end, the holding device 13 may have a first arm 17 and a second arm 18. Overall, the holding device 13 may have a U-shaped cross section, the first arm 17 and the second arm 18 extending from a connecting arm 20.The connecting arm 20 can be movably fixed to the stand or mast 15. More precisely, the connecting arm 20 can be guided in a rail provided on the stand 15. This allows a first direction of movement R1 to be defined. In a preferred embodiment, the rotating device 10 can be moved automatically along the first direction R1. This can be realized, for example, by a gear that can mesh with a threaded rod or a rack. This allows the rotating device to lift the first nest 11 from the tab 13. This allows the rotating device to lift the first nest 11 from the tab 13. The rotating device 10 only needs to lift the first nest 11 from the tab 13 a sufficient distance to rotate the first nest 11 around the first axis A1. The second nest 13 can initially be provided on one side of the device 1 facing the outfeed opening 6.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a rotating device 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. This embodiment corresponds to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5. In FIGS. 6 and 5, it is shown that the rotating device 10 is provided with a gripping device 16. In this embodiment, the gripping device 16 is designed as a suction gripping device. In particular, in this embodiment, a number of suction gripping devices 16 are arranged, which are designed to lift and hold the nests 11, 12 out of the tray 13. This ensures that the nests 11, 12 do not fall out of the insert 1 during the rotating process. Furthermore, the rotating device of this embodiment includes a positioning aid 19. In this embodiment, the positioning aid 19 is designed as a protrusion protruding from the insert 1. The positioning aid 19 has a shape that tapers towards its outer end. The positioning aid 19 can thus cooperate with the openings of the nests 11, 12 and thus ensure the correct positioning of the nests relative to the insert 1. This ensures that both the receiving opening 4 and the sending opening 6 are opposite the ampoule holding positions in the first nest 11 and the second nest 12, respectively. Furthermore, the rotating device has a number of spacer elements 20 designed to maintain a distance between the nests 11, 12 gripped by the rotating device 10 and the inserts 1. This makes it possible to prevent the ampoules 2 housed in the nests 11, 12 from being damaged by the insertion or by direct contact with other objects. The spacer elements can be, for example, cylindrical rods protruding from the rotating device. The distance elements can be in direct contact with the nests 11, 12.

[0052] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the rotating device 10 without the nests 11, 12 provided. The upper part of the insert 1 is shown, in which the receiving openings 4 are provided. The suction gripping devices 16 are also visible. In this embodiment, eight suction gripping devices 16 are provided, four of which are arranged on each side. A positioning aid 19 is provided in the middle of each side of the insert 1. In this embodiment, the receiving openings 4 have a rectangular cross section. The guide means 8 also have a rectangular cross section. The delivery opening 6 also has an angular cross section. In a further embodiment, not shown, the cross sections of the receiving openings 4, the guide means 8 and the delivery opening 6 have a circular cross section.

[0053] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the rotating device just before the first nest 11 is picked up. It is shown that on one side of the insert 1, an empty second nest 12 is placed. A tub 13 with the nest 11 and filled with ampoules 2 is provided below the rotating device 10. The rotating device 10 is then moved along a first direction R1 towards the first nest 11. On contact with the first nest 11, a positioning assistant fine-tunes the position of the first nest 11 until the finished suction gripping device 16 contacts the first nest. The first nest 11 is then sucked from the tub 13 in the first direction R1 and lifted up. Above the tub 13, the insert 1 is rotated about a first axis A1 so as to move the ampoules 2 from the first nest 11 through the insert 1 to the second nest 12. The speed of rotation about the first axis is controlled by a control unit. In a preferred embodiment, the control unit (not shown) can control the rotation in such a way that the insert 1 is stopped or rotated in the opposite direction after the ampules 2 in the first nest 11 have overcome static friction. This prevents the ampules 2 from accelerating too much in the main transport direction H. When the ampules 2 arrive at the second nest 12, the insert can be rotated by 180° to complete the rotation. The second nest 12 can then be inserted again into the original tub 13 by moving the rotating device 10 in the first direction. In this way, the same ampules 2 are again placed in the same tub 13 (only in a different nest), so that the identification of the ampules placed in the tub 13 can be preserved. The control unit can also be designed in such a way that the new position of the ampules 2 is compared with the data placed in the tub 13 and it is stored which ampules 2 are placed in which position in the second nest 12. In other words, the control unit converts the position of the ampules 2 that were in the first nest 11, and knows where the same ampules are placed in the second nest 12. This makes it possible to track the ampoule 2 throughout all the steps in which it is handled.

[0054] FIG. 9 shows 10 individual images (a)-(j) illustrating the working steps of rotating medical ampoules. FIG. 9(a) shows that medical ampoules 2 have been provided in nests 11 arranged in a tray 13. In FIG. 9(b), the rotating device 10 is lowered onto the first nest 11 and grips it by means of a suction gripping device. The rotating device already has a second nest 12 on the opposite side of the insert 1. In FIG. 9(c), the nest 11 is lifted from the tab 13 in a first direction of movement R1. In FIG. 9(d), a rotation about a first axis of rotation A1 is started in order to move the ampoules 2 from the first nest 11 to the second nest 12. In FIG. 9(e), a rotation of 90° has been performed and the ampoules 2 have not yet been moved from the first nest 11 to the second nest 12. In FIG. 9(f), the rotation continues about the first axis A1. In Fig. 9(g), the rotation about the first axis A1 is completed such that the insert 1 together with the first nest 11 is rotated 180°. In Fig. 9(h), the cap is opened to allow the ampoule 2 to pass through the insert 1. Driven by gravity, the ampoule passes from the first nest 11 through the insert 1 into the second nest 12. In Fig. 9(i), the rotating device 10 moves downwards again along the first direction R1 to reinsert the second nest 12 with the now rotated ampoule 2 into the tub 13. In Fig. 9(j), the rotating device 10 moves upwards again along the first direction R1 to release the tub 13 for further processing.

[0055] The rotation device 10 shown in Figure 9 differs from the previously shown rotation devices 10 in that the passage through the insert 1 can be opened and closed by a lock (not shown). This allows active control of when the ampoule 2 is moved through the insert 1. In the above embodiment, the movement of the ampoule 2 was initiated when the static friction between the ampoule and the nest was overcome. In this embodiment, this is actively controlled by the lock.

[0056] In a further embodiment, not shown, it is conceivable to arrange multiple turning devices 10 along the handling line so that several nests can be turned in parallel, which means that the delivery can be increased even further. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1 Insert 2 ampoules 3. Reception Department 4 Receiving opening 5. Sending section 6 Delivery opening 7 Transition 8 Guide means 10 Rotating device 11 First Nest 12 Second Nest 13 Tabs 14 Actuator 15 Bar 16 Suction gripping device 17 First Arm 18 Second Arm 19 Positioning aid 20 Connecting Arm 21 Distance Element H Main movement direction R1 First direction H1 first axis

Claims

1. An insert (1) for a rotating device (10) for medical ampoules (2), comprising: a receiving portion (3) having a plurality of receiving openings (4) for receiving respective ampoules (2), said receiving openings (4) being provided in a first array configuration; a dispensing section (5) having a plurality of delivery openings (6) for dispensing one ampule (2) at a time, said delivery openings (6) being provided in a second array configuration; a transition section (7) having a plurality of guide means (8) arranged and / or designed to allow the ampoules (2) to pass from the receiving opening (4) through the guide means (8) to the delivery opening (6); Including, the receiving opening (4) and the delivery opening (6) are arranged eccentrically with respect to each other; Insert (1).

2. 2. The insert (1) according to claim 1, wherein the receiving opening (4) and the delivery opening (6) are arranged offset from each other in a plan view of the insert (1).

3. The insert (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the receiving portion (3), the launch portion (5) and the transition portion (7) are integrally formed.

4. The insert (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each guide means (8) comprises at least one braking portion configured to slow down the speed of movement of the ampoule (2) when guiding it from the receiving portion (3) to the dispensing portion (5).

5. The insert (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert (1) comprises polyoxymethylene, polyamide, polytetrafluoroethylene and / or polyethylene terephthalate.

6. A rotating device (10) for rotating a medical ampoule (2), comprising: An insert (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, a holding device (13) for holding the insert (1); Including, the holding device (13) is designed to move the insert (1) along a first direction (R1), said holding device (13) is designed to rotate said insert (1) about a first axis (A1); A rotating device (10).

7. The rotating device (10) according to claim 6, wherein the first direction (R1) and the first axis (A1) are perpendicular to each other.

8. 8. The rotating device (10) of claim 6 or 7, wherein the rotating device (10) includes an actuator (14), the actuator (14) configured to perform movement in the first direction (R1) and rotation about the first axis (A1).

9. The rotating device (10) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the rotating device (10) comprises a control unit configured to obtain an original position of the medical ampoule (2) and to determine a new position of the medical ampoule (2) after it leaves the delivery opening (6).

10. the holding device (10) is designed to hold a first nest (11) having a plurality of ampoule holding positions, one ampoule holding position facing in each case one of the receiving openings (4), and / or The rotating device (10) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the holding device (13) is designed to hold a second nest (12) having a plurality of ampoule holding positions, one ampoule holding position facing one of the delivery openings (6).

11. The rotating device (10) according to any one of claims 6 to 10, comprising at least one positioning assistant device (19) configured to ensure a predetermined position of the nests (11, 12) when the nests (11, 12) come into contact with the rotating device (10).

12. A method for rotating a medical ampoule (2) by an insert (1), comprising the steps of: Providing a plurality of medical ampoules (2) in a first array configuration; picking up the ampoule (2) in one of the receiving openings (4) of the insert (1); guiding said ampoule (2) from said receiving opening (4) of said insert (1) to said delivery opening (6) through a guide means (8) of said insert (1); dispensing said ampoules from said delivery opening (6) in a second array configuration; Including, The method comprises: causing the first array configuration to differ from the second array configuration.

Images