Filling apparatus and method for filling a reusable reservoir of a medical dispensing device - Patent Application 20070122997

Abstract

The present invention relates to a filling apparatus for filling a reusable reservoir of a medical dispensing device, the filling apparatus comprising: a receiving portion for the reusable reservoir; a supply container for containing a medicinal solution; a first connection port for fluidly connecting an interior volume of the reusable reservoir with the supply container; and a sterilization device configured to sterilize the interior volume of the reusable reservoir. To provide improved sterilization, the filling apparatus further comprises an evacuation device for evacuation of sediment from the interior volume, and the sterilization device comprises a radiation source for providing radiation to sterilize the reusable reservoir. The reusable reservoir is housed within a radiation chamber.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a filling apparatus for filling a reusable reservoir of a medical dispensing device, the filling apparatus comprising: a receiving portion configured to hold the reusable reservoir of the medical dispensing device; a supply container configured to contain a medicinal liquid; a first connection port configured to fluidly connect the internal volume of the reusable reservoir of the medical dispensing device with the supply container; and a sterilization device configured to sterilize the internal volume of the reusable reservoir of the medical dispensing device. [Background technology]

[0002]

[0003] Conventionally known medical dispensing devices include a reservoir configured to contain a medicinal solution. During use of the medical dispensing device, the medicinal solution is dispensed from the reservoir through an opening in the reservoir and administered to a patient. However, after being used up, the empty reservoir must be disposed of, thereby increasing the amount of waste that stresses the environment.

[0003] Providing a reusable reservoir instead of a disposable one reduces waste, however care must be taken to ensure that the refilled reservoir can be used safely and that, for example, the reservoir does not become contaminated and could cause harm to the user of the medical dispensing device.

[0004] U.S. Patent No. 8,839,828 discloses a system for filling a reusable medical reservoir of a drug administration device. The filling device further includes a purification device that enables sterile cleaning of the reusable medical reservoir before refilling the reusable medical reservoir with a drug. For sterile cleaning, a cleaning agent, such as an isotonic saline solution or an alcohol solution, is provided in a container or supply tank of the filling device. This design has the disadvantage that residual amounts of drug and / or cleaning agent may remain in the reusable medical reservoir after cleaning. When refilling the medical reservoir, the residual amounts of cleaning agent and / or drug solution are mixed with the newly filled drug. This reduces the quality of the refilled reusable medical reservoir and makes refilling the reusable medical reservoir less attractive to users. Summary of the Invention

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a filling device which avoids at least one of the problems associated with filling devices known from the prior art. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved filling device for sterilizing reusable reservoirs of medical dispensing devices.

[0006] At least one of the above objectives is achieved by providing subject matter disclosed in the claims and throughout the specification.

[0007] According to a first aspect, there is provided a filling apparatus for filling a reusable reservoir of a medical dispensing device. The filling apparatus comprises a receiving portion configured to hold the reservoir of the medical dispensing device, a supply container configured to contain a medicinal fluid, a first connection port configured to fluidly connect an interior volume of the reusable reservoir of the medical dispensing device with the supply container, and a sterilization device configured to sterilize the interior volume of the reusable reservoir of the medical dispensing device. The filling apparatus further comprises a drainage device configured to drain sediment from the reusable reservoir of the medical dispensing device during use of the filling apparatus. The drainage device is configured to fluidly connect the interior volume of the reusable reservoir of the medical dispensing device with the drainage device. The sterilization device comprises a radiation chamber configured to house the reusable reservoir of the medical dispensing device. The radiation chamber comprises an access opening configured to be opened and closed and a protective barrier configured to prevent radiation from exiting the radiation chamber. The sterilization device further comprises a radiation source configured to supply radiation into the radiation chamber.

[0008] During use, a reusable reservoir is inserted into the radiation chamber of the filling device through the radiation chamber access opening. The radiation chamber access opening is configured so that it can be opened and closed to place the reusable reservoir in the radiation chamber and remove the reusable reservoir from the radiation chamber. The sterilization device can further include a safety mechanism, such as a safety switch, that prevents the spread of radiation within the radiation chamber when the radiation chamber access opening is open. The safety mechanism can turn off and / or prevent operation of the radiation source when the radiation chamber access opening is open so as not to generate and / or supply radiation to the radiation chamber. The safety mechanism enhances the safety of organisms and the environment near the filling device by preventing at least excessive exposure of organisms and the environment to radiation exiting the radiation chamber.

[0009] The reusable reservoir is brought into engagement with the receiver when placed within the radiation chamber. The receiver holds the reusable reservoir in place within the radiation chamber. The connection port is coupled to an opening in the reusable reservoir, thereby fluidly connecting the interior volume of the reusable reservoir to the supply container. The supply container is configured to store the medicinal fluid such that the reusable reservoir can be filled or refilled, respectively, with the medicinal fluid from the supply container. A medicinal fluid in the context of the present invention refers to a liquid drug or a pharmaceutically active solution. For example, the medicinal fluid can be insulin or a solution containing insulin.

[0010] By way of example only, the supply container can be a replaceable supply container and / or a refillable supply container fixedly incorporated into the filling apparatus. The replaceable container can be disposable or reusable. The replaceable disposable supply container can include a tamper-evident closure that indicates the first opening or first use of the disposable supply container. Alternatively or additionally, the tamper-evident closure of the disposable supply container can prevent refilling of the disposable supply container. These supply container designs aid in providing larger volumes of medicinal fluid for filling and refilling the reusable reservoir of the medical dispensing device in a safe and convenient manner. The tamper-evident closure further improves patient safety by preventing use of an unauthorized / manipulated user reservoir.

[0011] After use of the reusable reservoir and after the reservoir is depleted by the medical dispensing device, sediment may still be present in the reusable reservoir. Accordingly, reusable reservoir sediment that may be contained in the reusable reservoir is removed from the reusable reservoir by a drainage device of the filling apparatus before refilling. In the context of the present invention, sediment refers to one or more of residual amounts of medicinal liquid, residual amounts of cleaning agent, residual amounts of bodily fluids, and / or residual amounts of contaminants in the reusable reservoir, and combinations thereof.

[0012] The radiation chamber is part of a sterilization device included in the filling apparatus and includes a protective barrier configured to prevent radiation from exiting the radiation chamber. The protective barrier serves to protect organisms near the filling apparatus, particularly the user of the filling apparatus, from radiation generated by the radiation source to sterilize the reusable reservoir during use of the sterilization device. The protective barrier limits the presence of radiation generated by the radiation source outside the filling apparatus that could otherwise harm the user of the filling apparatus or the environment near the filling apparatus. The selection of the radiation source is coordinated with the selection of the protective barrier, and vice versa. For example, the radiation source can include or form a UV-C radiation source, a gamma radiation source, and / or an X-ray radiation source. Thus, the protective barrier can be configured to prevent the respective UV-C radiation, gamma rays, and / or X-ray radiation provided by the radiation source from passing through the protective barrier of the radiation chamber during use of the filling apparatus.

[0013] In the sense of the present invention, UV-C radiation refers to electromagnetic waves with a wavelength in the range of 100 nm to 280 nm. In one variant, the radiation source is configured to generate UV-C radiation in the range of 265 nm to 270 nm. According to one embodiment, the radiation source generates a UV-C radiation of 10 J / m 2 More than 450J / m 2 Alternatively, the median radiation source is configured to provide a median radiation efficiency of UV-C radiation within the radiation chamber in the range of 10 J / m 2 More than 50J / m 2 It is configured to provide a median radiation efficiency within the radiation chamber in the following range:

[0014] A gamma radiation source in the sense of the present invention is a radiation source configured to provide electromagnetic waves with wavelengths less than or equal to 0.005 nm and greater than 0 nm.

[0015] An X-ray radiation source in the sense of the present invention is a radiation source adapted to provide electromagnetic waves having a wavelength in the range from 0.1 nm to 10 nm.

[0016] According to one embodiment, each radiation source is -6 The radiation chamber is configured to provide the median radiation dose required to achieve a sterility assurance level of 10, which means that after sterilization of the reservoir in the radiation chamber, only one or fewer microorganisms in one million of the bacterium Bacillus pumilus will remain active. -6 represents the absorbed radiation dose required to achieve a Sterility Assurance Level of 25 kJ / kg or more. For example, each radiation source may be configured to provide a median radiation dose of UV-C radiation and / or gamma and / or X-ray radiation within the radiation chamber within the range of 25 kJ / kg or more and 32 kJ / kg or less.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the protective barrier is integrated into a housing element forming the radiation chamber. Alternatively or additionally, the protective barrier forms the housing element of the radiation chamber or forms at least a circumferential layer of the housing element of the radiation chamber. In the sense of the present invention, housing elements refer, inter alia, to wall and door elements defining the closed administration chamber. "Closed" in the context of the present invention does not exclude the presence of supply lines, connectors, and piping for operating the radiation chamber as a component of a filling device. Preventing radiation from leaving a closed radiation chamber is achieved if the median radiation dose of each of the radiation sources outside the radiation chamber at a distance of 1 cm from the closed access opening of the radiation chamber is less than 5%, preferably less than 1%, of the median radiation dose inside the radiation chamber.

[0018] The radiation source may be housed within the radiation chamber or may be located outside the radiation chamber. If the radiation source is located outside the radiation chamber, it may include an additional protective barrier that prevents radiation from exiting the filling apparatus. In either case, the sterilization device is configured such that, during use of the filling apparatus, radiation emanating from the radiation source propagates into the radiation chamber to sterilize the reusable reservoir.

[0019] The medical dispensing device is a device for dispensing a medication, preferably a medicinal solution, to a patient. By way of example, the medical dispensing device can be a medical infusion pump for injecting a medicinal solution into a patient's body. The medical infusion pump can be, for example, a body-worn infusion pump. Thus, the reusable reservoir of the medical dispensing device can be a reusable reservoir of the medical infusion pump. In one embodiment, the medical dispensing device is an insulin patch pump and the reusable reservoir is a reusable reservoir of the insulin patch pump.

[0020] In one embodiment, the discharge device includes a waste container configured to store sediment discharged from the reusable reservoir of the medical dispensing device during use of the discharge device. For example, the waste container is a removable, disposable container. Sediment discharged from the reusable reservoir is stored in the waste container and can therefore be disposed of together with the waste container in a clean, sterile manner.

[0021] The filling device can further include a drive mechanism configured to actuate the discharge mechanism of the reusable reservoir. For example, the discharge mechanism of the reusable reservoir can include a plunger movably disposed within an internal volume of the reusable reservoir, such that the internal volume can be increased or decreased when the plunger is moved within the reusable reservoir. Decreasing the internal volume of the reusable reservoir can expel sediment or contents within the reusable reservoir from the reusable reservoir, for example, into a waste container of the discharge device. Similarly, increasing the internal volume of the reusable reservoir can transport a medicinal solution from a supply container into the reusable reservoir through the connection port.

[0022] In one embodiment, the evacuation device includes a heating module configured to vaporize deposits within the interior volume of the reusable reservoir of the medical dispensing device. For example, the heating module can include a heating coil and / or a heating lamp. Once the deposits are vaporized by the heating module, the vaporized, and therefore gaseous, deposits can be easily evacuated from the reusable reservoir during use of the filling apparatus.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the first connection port is configured to alternately fluidly connect the interior volume of the reusable reservoir with the supply container and to fluidly connect the interior volume of the reusable reservoir with the waste container of the evacuation device. The connection port can include a valve configured to be operated in an evacuation state and a supply state. In the evacuation state, the valve of the connection port fluidly connects the interior volume of the reusable reservoir with the waste container. In the supply state, the valve of the connection port fluidly connects the interior volume of the reusable reservoir with the supply container. A connection port including a valve configured to alternately fluidly connect the interior volume of the reservoir with either the waste container or the supply container helps to provide a compact and easy-to-use filling apparatus.

[0024] The filling apparatus can further include a cleaning agent container configured to contain a cleaning agent for cleaning the reusable reservoir of the medical dispensing device. During use of the filling apparatus, the cleaning agent container is fluidly connected to the interior volume of the reservoir. For example, the cleaning agent is one or more of isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, distilled water, or ethylene oxide gas.

[0025] When present, the supply container and / or waste container and / or cleaning agent container may be fluidly connected to a first connection port such that the respective containers are fluidly connected to the interior volume of the reusable reservoir by the first connection port during use of the filling device. To alternately fluidly connect the respective containers to the interior volume of the reusable reservoir, the first connection port may include a valve configured to alternately fluidly couple the respective containers to the interior volume of the reusable reservoir one at a time. Alternatively, the filling device may include a second connection port configured to fluidly connect the waste container to the interior volume of the reusable reservoir and / or a third connection port configured to fluidly connect the cleaning agent container to the interior volume of the reusable reservoir. Similarly, the reusable reservoir may include a first opening configured to couple the interior volume of the reusable reservoir to the first connection port. Furthermore, the reusable reservoir may include a second opening configured to couple the interior volume of the reusable reservoir to the second connection port. The second connection port may be configured to fluidly couple the interior volume of the reusable reservoir to a waste container and / or a cleaning agent container via the second opening of the reusable reservoir. Additionally, the reusable reservoir may include a third opening configured to couple the interior volume of the reusable reservoir to a third connection port. The third connection port may be configured to fluidly couple the interior volume of the reusable reservoir to the cleaning agent container via the third opening of the reusable reservoir.

[0026] In one embodiment, the cleaning device and the discharge device are fluidly connected to the internal volume of the reusable reservoir by two different connection ports. For example, the cleaning agent container can be fluidly connected to the internal volume of the reusable reservoir through a first connection port, while the waste container of the discharge device is fluidly connected to the internal volume of the reusable reservoir through a second connection port. During use of the filling device, the internal volume of the reusable reservoir is flushed with cleaning agent supplied by the cleaning agent container through one of the two connection ports, while cleaning agent is removed from the internal volume of the reusable reservoir through the other of the two connection ports. This allows the direction of flow of cleaning agent within the internal volume of the reusable reservoir to be achieved from one connection port to the other connection port. For example, during use, cleaning agent from the cleaning agent container flows into the internal volume of the reusable reservoir through the first connection port and flows from the internal volume of the reusable reservoir into the waste container through the second connection port. The flow of cleaning agent within the interior volume of the reusable reservoir from one connection port to another allows for a continuous flow of cleaning agent through the reservoir, which can sweep air bubbles and sediments from the interior volume of the reservoir. In one embodiment, the two connection ports are positioned such that, when the filling device is placed on a ready-to-use table, the connection port fluidly connected to the cleaning agent container is closer to the geocenter than the connection port fluidly connected to the waste container. This allows the flow of cleaning agent within the interior volume to be directed at least partially against gravity, so that air bubbles that may be contained in the interior volume of the reusable reservoir during cleaning of the interior volume already naturally tend to rise toward the connection port fluidly connected to the waste container.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the filling apparatus further comprises a charging device for charging the rechargeable battery of the reusable reservoir and / or for charging the rechargeable battery of the medical dispensing device. The filling apparatus may comprise a docking station configured to electrically connect the charging device to the rechargeable battery of the medical dispensing device.

[0028] The present invention further relates to a medical dispensing device system comprising a reusable reservoir for a medical dispensing device and a filling apparatus for filling the reusable reservoir of the medical dispensing device, the filling apparatus comprising: a receptacle configured to hold a reservoir of a medical dispensing device; a supply container configured to contain a medical solution; a first connection port configured to fluidly connect an interior volume of the reservoir of the medical dispensing device with a supply container; a sterilization device configured to sterilize an interior volume of a reservoir of a medical dispensing device; Equipped with the filling apparatus further comprising a drainage device configured to drain sediment from the reusable reservoir of the medical dispensing device during use of the filling apparatus; the drainage device is configured to fluidly connect an interior volume of the reusable reservoir of the medical dispensing device with the drainage device; The sterilization device further comprises a radiation chamber configured to house the reusable reservoir of the medical dispensing device, the radiation chamber comprising: an access opening configured to be opened and closed; a protective barrier configured to prevent radiation from exiting the radiation chamber; Equipped with The sterilization device includes a radiation source configured to provide radiation into a radiation chamber.

[0029] In one embodiment, the reusable reservoir comprises an opening configured to fluidly connect an interior volume of the reusable reservoir to the first connection port. The reusable reservoir may further comprise a removable plug portion comprising a septum that, when inserted into the opening, fluid-tightly seals the opening but allows access to the interior volume of the reusable reservoir through the septum, for example, by a connection needle of a medical dispensing device. When removed, the at least one opening allows access to the interior volume of the reservoir through the first connection port.

[0030] The reusable reservoir can be a reusable reservoir of a body-worn insulin infusion pump, for example an insulin patch pump, and the medical dispensing device system comprises a medical dispensing device that is a body-worn insulin infusion pump. In one embodiment, the radiation chamber is configured to house the body-worn insulin infusion pump alone, separately from, or including the reusable reservoir.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the radiation source of the filling apparatus of the medical dispensing device system comprises or is one or more of a UV-C radiation source, a gamma radiation source, or an X-ray radiation source, and the reusable reservoir is configured to be transparent to the respective radiation provided by the radiation source. Transmission in the sense of the present invention with respect to the respective radiation provided by the radiation source means that when the radiation provided by the radiation source encounters the reusable reservoir, substantially all of the radiation, preferably at least 70%, passes through the reusable reservoir and enters the internal volume of the reusable reservoir. In one embodiment, the reusable reservoir is at least partially made of glass and / or transparent plastic material that transmits electromagnetic waves having wavelengths in the range of 400 nm to 780 nm. This design not only allows visual inspection of the internal volume of the reservoir by the human eye, but also allows the radiation generated by the respective radiation source to reach the internal volume of the reservoir by passing through the material of the reusable reservoir.

[0032] In the above and the following detailed description of embodiments of a filling apparatus for filling a reusable reservoir and in the claims, to the extent that reference is made to a filling apparatus or a reusable reservoir of a medical dispensing device, the described features are also applicable to a filling apparatus as part of a medical dispensing device system or a reusable reservoir as part of a medical dispensing device system, respectively.

[0033] The present invention further relates to a method for filling a reusable reservoir of a medical dispensing device, the method being adapted to be performed by the filling apparatus of the present invention, the method comprising: Discharging the sediment from the reusable reservoir by a discharge device of the filling apparatus; sterilizing an interior volume of the reusable reservoir by providing radiation into a radiation chamber by a radiation source of a sterilization device of the filling machine; filling an interior volume of the reusable reservoir by supplying a medicinal solution from a supply container of the filling device through a first connection port of the filling device; Includes:

[0034] First, any sediment that may still be contained within the interior volume of the reusable reservoir is removed by the discharge device of the filling apparatus. The sediment is discharged from the interior volume of the reusable reservoir into a waste container, allowing for disposal of the sediment in a clean and simple manner. The emptied reusable reservoir is then sterilized by sterilizing the interior volume of the reusable reservoir by supplying radiation into a radiation chamber with a radiation source of a sterilization device of the filling apparatus. The interior volume of the reusable reservoir is then filled with a drug solution from a supply container of the filling apparatus through a first connection port of the filling apparatus.

[0035] The method for filling a reusable reservoir of a medical dispensing device may further include evaporating residual deposits within the interior volume of the reusable reservoir with a heating module of the filling apparatus.

[0036] Further optionally, the method for filling a reusable reservoir of a medical dispensing device can include flushing the interior volume of the reusable reservoir by capping the interior volume of the reusable reservoir with a cleaning agent provided by a cleaning agent container of the filling apparatus. Flushing the interior volume of the reusable reservoir helps to thoroughly remove residual deposits from the interior volume of the reusable reservoir, thus helping to provide a safe reusable reservoir.

[0037] In one embodiment, a method for filling a reusable reservoir of a medical dispensing device includes charging a rechargeable battery of the reusable reservoir and / or charging a rechargeable battery of the medical dispensing device by a charging device of the filling apparatus.

[0038] In the above and the following detailed description of embodiments and claims of methods for filling a reusable reservoir of a medical dispensing device with a filling device of the present invention, to the extent that reference is made to a filling device or a reusable reservoir of a medical dispensing device, the described features are applicable to the filling device alone and as part of the medical dispensing device, or to the reusable reservoir alone and as part of the medical dispensing device, respectively.

[0039] Further advantages, features and technical effects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0040] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a medical dispensing device system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a medical dispensing device system according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a medical dispensing device system according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a medical dispensing device system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The medical dispensing device system 1 comprises a reusable reservoir 2 for a medical dispensing device, and a filling apparatus 1a configured to drain sediment that may be contained in an interior volume 2a of the reusable reservoir 2, sterilize the empty interior volume 2a of the reusable reservoir 2, and fill the interior volume 2a of the reusable reservoir 2 with a medicinal solution so that the reusable reservoir 2 can be reused in a medical dispensing device 3 (not shown).

[0042] The medical dispensing device system 1 further comprises a pump base (not shown) which together with the reusable reservoir 2 forms a medical dispensing device 3 (not shown).

[0043] The filling apparatus 1a includes a discharge device 8 configured to discharge sediment from the interior volume 2a of the reusable reservoir 2 during use of the filling apparatus 1a. The discharge device 8 includes a waste container 15 configured to store sediment discharged from the interior volume 2a of the reusable reservoir 2. The waste container 15 is a disposable, removable container that can be placed with sediment discharged from the interior volume 2a of the reusable reservoir 2. The discharge device 8 is fluidly connected to the interior volume 2a of the reusable reservoir 2 via a first connection port 6. The first connection port 6 allows access to the interior volume 2a of the reusable reservoir 2 through an opening in the reusable reservoir 2.

[0044] The filling apparatus 1a further comprises a sterilization device 7 configured to sterilize the interior volume 2a of the reusable reservoir 2. The sterilization device 7 comprises a radiation chamber 9 that houses the reusable reservoir 2 when received in the receiving portion 4 of the filling apparatus 1a. The receiving portion 4 holds the reusable reservoir 2 in place within the radiation chamber 9 during draining, sterilization, and filling of the interior volume 2a of the reusable reservoir 2. To sterilize the interior volume 2a of the reusable reservoir 2, the sterilization device 7 further comprises a radiation source 12 configured to provide radiation within the radiation chamber 9 during use of the filling apparatus. The radiation provided by the radiation source 12 is 10 -6 The radiation source 12 is selected to achieve a sterility assurance level of 1000 psi. However, to protect organisms close to the filling device 1a from the radiation provided by the radiation source 12, the radiation chamber 9 includes a protective barrier 11. The protective barrier 11 prevents radiation from escaping from the radiation chamber 9. The radiation chamber 9 includes an access opening 10 configured to be opened and closed. When the access opening 10 is opened, the access opening 10 allows the reusable reservoir 2 to be inserted into and removed from the radiation chamber 9. When the access opening 10 is closed, the closed access opening 10, together with the protective barrier 11, prevents radiation from escaping from the radiation chamber 9.

[0045] After being sterilized, the interior volume 2a of the reusable reservoir 2 is filled with a medicinal solution. The filling device 1a comprises a replaceable supply container 5 configured to contain the medicinal solution. The supply container 5 is fluidly connected to the interior volume 2a of the reusable reservoir 2 via a first connection port 6. The first connection port 6 is fluidly connected to a valve 19 for draining sediment from the interior volume 2a of the reusable reservoir 2 or for filling the interior volume 2a of the reusable reservoir with the medicinal solution. The valve 19 is configured to alternately fluidly connect the first connection port 6 to either the supply container 5 or a waste container 15.

[0046] The filling apparatus (1a) is thus configured to perform a method for filling a reusable reservoir (2) of a medical dispensing device (3), the method comprising the steps of draining sediment from the reusable reservoir (2) by means of a drainage device (8) of the filling apparatus, sterilizing the interior volume (2a) of the reusable reservoir (2) by supplying radiation into a radiation chamber (9) by a radiation source (12) of a sterilization device (7) of the filling apparatus (1a), and filling the interior volume (2a) of the reusable reservoir (2) by supplying a medicinal liquid from a supply container (5) of the filling apparatus (1a) via a first connection port (6) of the filling apparatus (1a).

[0047] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a medical dispensing device system 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment of the medical device system 1 differs from the embodiment of the medical dispensing device system 1 according to Figure 1 in that the filling apparatus 1a further comprises a drive mechanism 20. Furthermore, the reusable reservoir 2 further comprises a plunger 2b and a plunger rod 2c.

[0048] During use of the filling device 1a, the plunger rod 2c is operably coupled to the drive mechanism 20. The drive mechanism 20 is configured to actuate the plunger rod 2c, which in turn is configured to move the plunger 2b within the internal volume 2a of the reusable reservoir 2. By moving the plunger 2b within the internal volume 2a of the reusable reservoir 2, the internal volume 2a is increased or decreased. By decreasing the internal volume 2a, any sediment that may be present within the internal volume 2a is expelled into the waste container 15 via the first connection port 6. Similarly, by moving the plunger 2b within the internal volume 2a of the reusable reservoir 2 to increase the internal volume 2a, the medicinal liquid from the supply container 5 can be delivered into the internal volume 2a of the reusable reservoir 2 via the first connection port 6.

[0049] The first connection port 6 and / or valve 19 in this embodiment further comprises a vent configured to fluidly connect the interior volume 2a of the reusable reservoir 2 to the ambient air, thereby allowing the plunger 2b to move within the interior volume 2a without draining sediment into the waste container 15 and without filling the interior volume 2a with a chemical solution from the supply container 5. This design allows for providing a maximum volume of empty interior volume 2a such that radiation can pass through the interior volume 2a of the reservoir 2 along a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the plunger 2b without being substantially impeded by the plunger 2b and / or plunger rod 2c.

[0050] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of a medical dispensing device system 1 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment of the medical dispensing device system 1 shown in Figure 3 differs from the embodiment of the medical dispensing device system 1 shown in Figure 1 in that it comprises a first connection port 6 configured to fluidly connect the interior volume 2a of the reusable reservoir 2 to a waste container 15. The supply container 5 is fluidly connected to the interior volume 2a of the reusable reservoir 2 via a second connection port 21. Thus, the second connection port 21 is configured to fluidly connect the interior volume 2a of the reusable reservoir 2 to the supply container 5. Furthermore, the second connection port 21 is also configured to fluidly connect the interior volume 2a of the reusable reservoir 2 to a cleaning agent container 16.

[0051] The cleaning agent container 16 supplies a cleaning agent for cleaning the interior volume 2 a of the reusable reservoir 2. For example, the cleaning agent from the cleaning agent container 16 can be delivered into the interior volume 2 a of the reusable reservoir 2 via the second connection port 21 to flush the interior volume 2 a. A valve 19 is provided to prevent unintentional flow of a chemical solution into the cleaning agent container and / or to prevent flow of cleaning agent from the cleaning agent container 16 into the supply container 5. The valve 19 is configured to alternately fluidly connect the supply container 5 to the interior volume 2 a of the reusable reservoir 2 or the cleaning agent container 16 to the interior volume 2 a of the reusable reservoir 2.

[0052] The discharge device 8 further comprises a heating module 17 configured to vaporize the deposits in the interior volume 2 a of the reusable reservoir 2. The vaporized deposits may then be discharged from the interior volume 2 a of the reusable reservoir 2. The vaporized deposits may be discharged into the ambient air or into a waste container 15 via a vent (not shown).

[0053] Furthermore, the filling apparatus 1 a comprises a charging device 22 configured to charge the rechargeable battery of the reusable reservoir 2 and / or the rechargeable battery of the medical dispensing device 3 . [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] Reference Number List 1. Medical dispensing device system 1a Filling device 2 Reusable Reservoirs 2a Reusable reservoir volume 2b Plunger 2c plunger rod 3 Medical dispensing devices 4 Receiving part 5 Supply container 6 First connection port 7 Sterilization Devices 8. Emission Device 9 Radiation Chamber 10 Access opening 11 Protective Barriers 12 Radiation source 13 Safety mechanism 14 Tamper-evident closure 15 Waste container 16 Detergent container 17 Heating Module 19 Valve 20 Drive mechanism 21 Second connection port 22 Charging Devices

Claims

1. A filling apparatus (1a) for filling a reusable reservoir (2) of a medical dispensing device (3), said filling apparatus (1a) comprising: a receiving portion (4) configured to hold a reusable reservoir (2) of a medical dispensing device (3); a supply container (5) configured to contain a chemical solution; a first connection port (6) configured to fluidly connect the interior volume (2a) of said reservoir (2) of the medical dispensing device (3) with said supply container (5); a sterilization device (7) configured to sterilize the internal volume (2a) of the reservoir (2) of the medical dispensing device (3); Equipped with the filling apparatus (1) comprises a drainage device (8) configured to drain deposits from the reusable reservoir (2) of the medical dispensing device (3) during use of the filling apparatus (1a); the discharge device (8) is configured to fluidly connect the internal volume (2a) of the reusable reservoir (2) of the medical dispensing device (3) with the discharge device (8); The sterilization device (7) comprises a radiation chamber (9) configured to accommodate the reusable reservoir (2) of a medical dispensing device (3), the radiation chamber (9) comprising: an access opening (10) configured to be opened and closed; a protective barrier (11) configured to prevent radiation from exiting said radiation chamber (9); Equipped with The sterilization device (7) further comprises a radiation source (12) configured to provide radiation into the radiation chamber (9). A filling device (1a) characterized in that

2. 2. The filling apparatus (1a) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sterilization device (7) comprises a safety mechanism (13) which switches off and / or prevents the operation of the radiation source (12) when the access opening (10) of the radiation chamber (9) is open.

3. 3. The filling device (1a) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the radiation source (12) comprises or is one or more of a UV-C radiation source, a gamma radiation source or an X-ray radiation source.

4. 4. A filling device (1a) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the supply container (5) is a disposable, replaceable supply container with a tamper-evident closure (14), the tamper-evident closure (14) being configured to indicate initial opening of the supply container and / or to prevent refilling of the disposable, replaceable supply container (5).

5. 5. The filling device (1a) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the discharge device (8) comprises a waste container (15) configured to store sediment discharged from the reusable reservoir (2) of the medical dispensing device (3) during use of the filling device (1a).

6. 6. The filling device (1a) according to claim 5, characterized in that the waste container (15) is a removable, disposable container.

7. The filling device (1a) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the filling device (1a) comprises a drive mechanism (20) configured to actuate the discharge mechanism of the reusable reservoir (2).

8. 8. The filling apparatus (1a) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the filling apparatus (1a) comprises a cleaning agent container (16) configured to contain a cleaning agent for cleaning the internal volume (2a) of the reusable reservoir (2) of the medical dispensing device (3), and during use of the filling apparatus (1a), the cleaning agent container (16) is fluidly connected to the internal volume (2a) of the reusable reservoir (2) of the medical dispensing device (3).

9. 9. The filling apparatus (1a) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the discharge device (8) comprises a heating module (17) configured to evaporate deposits in the internal volume (2a) of the reusable reservoir (2) of the medical dispensing device (3).

10. The filling device (1a) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the filling device (1a) comprises a charging device (22) for charging the rechargeable battery of the reusable reservoir (2) and / or the rechargeable battery of the medical dispensing device (3).

11. A medical dispensing device system (1) comprising a reusable reservoir (2) for a medical dispensing device (3) and a filling device (1a) for filling the reusable reservoir (2) of the medical dispensing device (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A method for filling a reusable reservoir (2) of a medical dispensing device (3), configured to be performed by a filling apparatus (1 a) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising: Discharging the sediment from the reusable reservoir (2) by the discharge device (8) of the filling device (1a); sterilizing the internal volume (2a) of the reusable reservoir (2) by supplying radiation into the radiation chamber (9) by a radiation source (12) of a sterilization device (7) of the filling machine (1a); filling the internal volume (2a) of the reusable reservoir (2) by supplying a drug solution from the supply container (5) of the filling device (1a) through the first connection port (6) of the filling device (1a); A method comprising:

13. evaporating residual deposits in the internal volume (2a) of the reusable reservoir (2) by means of a heating module (17) of the discharge device (8) of the filling device (1a), 13. The method for filling a reusable reservoir (2) of a medical dispensing device (3) according to claim 12, further comprising:

14. cleaning the internal volume (2a) of the reusable reservoir (2) by flushing it with a cleaning agent supplied by a cleaning agent container (16) of the filling device (1a); 14. The method for filling a reusable reservoir (2) of a medical dispensing device (3) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that it further comprises:

15. charging the rechargeable battery of the reusable reservoir (2) and / or charging the rechargeable battery of the medical dispensing device (3) by means of a charging device (22) of the filling apparatus (1 a), 15. A method for filling a reusable reservoir (2) of a medical dispensing device (3) according to any of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that it further comprises:

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