Drug delivery devices

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a delivery device (10) for delivering a drug, comprising: a body (11) including a storage compartment (20) sized to receive a medication container (1); - a motion sensor (50, 59) attached to the body (11) and operable to generate an electrical motion signal indicative of motion of the body (11); a support (30) in the storage compartment (20) and comprising at least one actuator (34, 35, 36), the support (30) further comprising a holder (40) for the medicament container (1), the holder (40) being movable relative to the body (11) by the actuator (34, 35, 36); a controller (60, 65) connected to the motion sensor (50, 59) and to at least one actuator (34, 35, 36), the controller (60, 65) operative to control the actuation of the at least one actuator (34, 35, 36) based on an operating signal obtained from the motion sensor (50, 59); The present invention relates to a transport device (10) comprising:

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a delivery device for delivering a drug. In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a delivery system and a method for delivering a drug. [Background technology]

[0002] Drug delivery devices that allow for multiple administration of required doses of a liquid medication and further provide for the administration of such liquid medication to a patient are well known in the prior art. Generally, such devices have substantially the same purpose as that of a conventional syringe. Some medications require administration by injection.

[0003] For example, patients suffering from certain diseases, such as hemophilia, or those requiring enzyme replacement therapy, must receive regular intravenous (IV) infusions. Infusion solutions often must be mixed and prepared (sometimes shortly before drug administration) to suit the patient's specific needs, which may involve reconstituting drug powder from multiple vials with precise amounts of sterile liquid, such as water and / or saline. Because this preparation process is typically complex and laborious, it is usually performed by healthcare professionals in a clinic or pharmacy, sometimes using laboratory equipment.

[0004] After preparation, the resulting infusion solution must be administered within a limited time frame because it is often sensitive to environmental factors, such as high temperature, light, long travel times, or shock. Furthermore, the passage of time can reduce the effectiveness of the mixture for other reasons, such as if the mixture is prone to separation or demixing over time. Therefore, patients must regularly come to a medical center to receive the infusion directly after preparation. Because some medications require infusion over several hours at a defined flow rate, patients must stay at the clinic for extended periods, adding to travel time and overall inconvenience. This places a significant burden on patients, especially if they live far from a suitable clinic. Patients may prefer to receive regular infusions at home if they are familiar with the treatment, can handle the corresponding user tasks, and tolerate it well. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to provide improvements in the transportation and logistics of sensitive drugs. Each drug delivery should be reliable, physically stable, fail-safe, and cost-effective. Drug delivery should also be provided in a highly automated manner to reduce the number of people or trained personnel involved in the transportation and logistics. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one aspect, a transport device for transporting a medication is provided. The transport device includes a body. The body includes a storage compartment sized to receive a medication container. The transport device further includes a motion sensor affixed to or attached to the body. The motion sensor functions to generate an electrical operating signal, the operating signal indicative of motion of the body. The transport device further includes a support within the storage compartment.

[0007] The support includes at least one actuator. The support further includes a holder for a medication container, where the holder is movable relative to the body by the actuator of the support. The transport device also includes a controller connected to a motion sensor and to the at least one actuator. The controller functions to control actuation of the at least one actuator based on an actuation signal obtained from the motion sensor or based on multiple actuation signals.

[0008] Based on information from a motion sensor connected or coupled to the controller, the controller functions to control the operation of at least one actuator, so that the holder for the medication can be moved according to the movement of the body, which can be caused by an external influence such as a mechanical blow, impact, shaking, or vibration, or can be caused by a force applied externally to the body of the transport device.

[0009] In some examples, the holder, actuator, motion sensor, and controller form or establish a control loop such that externally applied forces that cause movement of the body of the transport device can be effectively compensated for by the holder of the drug container.

[0010] In particular, for example in a further example, the controller is operable to generate a motion control signal in response to processing of a motion signal obtained from the motion sensor, whereby processing of the motion signal by the controller essentially results in generation of a motion control signal for at least one actuator, whereby the holder is movable by the actuator to effectively compensate for externally induced movement of the body.

[0011] Thus, in some examples, the holder is movable by the actuator to effectively compensate for externally induced movement of the body, and the actuator thus functions to actively move the holder relative to the body to compensate for or dampen externally induced movement of the holder relative to the body, for example by the application of a blow or impact to the transport device.

[0012] In this way, the control loop forms or constitutes a kind of actively controlled shock absorption or movement compensation for the holder.

[0013] In some examples, the control loop may be implemented as an analog or digital control loop. In some examples, the control loop may include and / or provide active stabilization of the holder. The control loop may include a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller, which may be implemented within or by the controller.

[0014] The motion of the holder may be governed completely or at least partially by the motion of the body, which motion of the body is quantitatively detectable by the motion sensors. In this way, externally applied forces that result in movement of the body relative to an external reference frame can be effectively compensated for by actively controlling the motion of the holder, but processing the motion signals of the motion sensors so as to cause respective opposite motions of the holder when the actuators are appropriately controlled by control signals generated by the controller.

[0015] In other words, a controller connected to a motion sensor and to at least one actuator can provide a kind of active mechanical stabilization of the holder within the body so that externally applied forces that would inevitably cause vibration or movement of the body in a drug container fixed to the holder of the support can be suppressed and / or damped, if not completely compensated for.

[0016] The interaction between the motion sensor, the controller, the actuator, and the holder driven by the actuator can provide a kind of self-controlled mechanical stabilization of the holder against externally applied forces such as mechanical shock, shaking, or vibration.

[0017] In some examples, the motion sensor, controller, and at least one actuator form a type of active gimbal mechanism that can track unexpected vibrations or movements of the body and at least suppress, if not completely compensate for or eliminate, such movements or vibrations of the body in the holder that holds the drug container.

[0018] In this way, the transport device functions to provide active mechanical movement stabilization of the holder which functions to hold the drug container while the transport device is moving, particularly while the transport device is subjected to externally applied forces, thereby resulting in acceleration and / or deceleration of the transport device and its body.

[0019] According to a further example, the motion sensor includes an acceleration sensor, e.g., in the form of an accelerometer, that functions to quantitatively measure the acceleration and / or deceleration or retardation of the body. The acceleration sensor or motion sensor may function to measure acceleration along a predetermined direction. The acceleration sensor or motion sensor may be implemented as a one-dimensional motion sensor or acceleration sensor. In a further example, the motion sensor, and thus the acceleration sensor, is implemented as a two-dimensional or three-dimensional acceleration sensor that functions to quantitatively measure the magnitude of acceleration acting on the body as well as to measure the direction of the acceleration.

[0020] Both the magnitude and direction of acceleration acting on the acceleration sensor, and thus the body of the transport device, can be suitably processed by the controller to generate a respective control signal for at least one actuator. By quantitatively measuring the acceleration of the body and / or transport device, the controller can generate respective motion control signals to appropriately drive the actuators to appropriately move the holder to suppress or damp the measured movement of the body or transport device.

[0021] In some examples, when the motion sensor detects a relatively high acceleration of the body or transport device, the controller generates a respective motion control signal, which causes the actuator to move the holder, for example, with a relatively strong acceleration in the opposite direction.

[0022] When the motion sensor detects movement of the body with a relatively weak acceleration or deceleration, the controller generates a respective control signal that causes, for example, a relatively weak acceleration or deceleration of the holder relative to the body, typically in the opposite direction.

[0023] According to a further example, the controller functions to control, invoke, cause or trigger movement of the holder relative to the body based on the actuation signal. Typically, the actuation signal indicates movement of the body, e.g., acceleration or deceleration, so that the controller may invoke, cause or control complementary, opposite movement of the holder relative to the body, e.g., to minimize mechanical shock to the holder and / or medication containers secured or attached to the holder.

[0024] In another example, the controller may function to superimpose movement of the holder relative to the body with motion caused from outside the body so as to provide or cause a predetermined movement or movement pattern of the holder with respect to the environment or with respect to an external reference system.

[0025] According to a further example, the controller functions to move the holder relative to the body based on the actuation signal to compensate for and / or dampen the transmission of mechanical shocks or mechanical momentum or impacts from the body to the holder. In this example, the controller and the at least one actuator may be controlled by actuation signals provided by a motion sensor. In this way, the holder may undergo a compensating movement relative to the body when the body moves, e.g., accelerates or decelerates, due to an external influence, such as a mechanical shock or impact applied to the body.

[0026] Typically, the motion signals indicate the magnitude and direction of acceleration or deceleration. The motion signals indicate the magnitude and direction of acceleration or deceleration of the body. Thus, the controller functions to generate respective motion control signals that, when received and / or processed by the actuator, result in the generation of respective opposite movement, i.e., acceleration or deceleration, of the holder relative to the body. Processing of the motion control signals by the controller causes the actuator to generate opposite movement of the holder, this opposite movement being opposite in direction and / or magnitude to the motion signal detectable or detected by the motion sensor.

[0027] Here, the actuator functions, when provided with a motion control signal, to move the holder with an acceleration or deceleration of substantially the same magnitude as the magnitude of acceleration or deceleration of the body relative to the ground, and the opposing movement of the holder caused by the actuator relative to the body is directed opposite the direction of movement of the body relative to the ground.

[0028] The movement, i.e., acceleration or deceleration, of the holder relative to the body may point in a direction opposite to, and be of the same magnitude as, the direction of movement, acceleration or deceleration of the body.

[0029] In this way, an active shock absorption or mechanical restraint of the holder within the storage compartment can be provided, and medicinal products and medicinal containers that are sensitive to mechanical shocks or impacts can be effectively protected from mechanical shocks or similar forces acting on the body of the transport device, for example during transport.

[0030] According to a further example, the controller is operable to generate an electrical compensation signal that is effective to cause at least one actuator to move the holder relative to the body or base such that the overall movement of the body, i.e., the movement of the holder relative to the body superimposed on the movement relative to the ground or relative to the reference frame, corresponds to a damped or suppressed movement of the holder relative to the ground or relative to the reference frame.

[0031] In some examples, the electronic compensation signal is effective to attenuate or fully compensate for any forces that naturally act on the holder when the holder is rigidly fixed to the main body and when the main body is subjected to an externally applied force such as a mechanical shock or strike.

[0032] In some examples, the overall movement of the body, and therefore the movement, acceleration or deceleration of the body relative to the ground or an external reference frame, is attenuated, suppressed or compensated at least in part by the opposing movement of the holder relative to the body caused by the motion sensor.

[0033] In this way, forces, mechanical shocks or blows applied to the body and therefore the transport device can be at least partially damped or compensated for to provide active shock absorption or mechanical restraint of the holder within the storage compartment.

[0034] In some instances, it may be beneficial or necessary for the holder to remain in a sort of steady state so that externally applied forces on the body are effectively suppressed or damped. In such instances, the holder should be kept in a somewhat steady state configuration. This applies particularly to medications and medication containers that are sensitive to mechanical shock or impact.

[0035] According to further examples, the controller functions to generate a predetermined movement pattern of the holder. This may be useful when the medicament containers undergo a predetermined movement while stored or held in the storage compartment. Some medicaments may require constant shaking, rotation, or vibration motion, for example, to avoid separation or clogging. Specifically, in some examples, the controller functions to generate a shaking, rotation, or vibration motion of each of the holders relative to the body.

[0036] Here, the controller may be operable in at least two different modes: In a deterministic mode, the controller may function to generate control signals that, when provided to at least one actuator, cause the holder to perform a predetermined shaking, rotation, or vibration motion, and the generation of each control signal may be performed independently of a signal obtained from a motion sensor.

[0037] In further operating modes, for example in a sensing mode, the operating control signals generated by the controller to move the holder may take into account the operating signals provided by the motion sensor. In this way, a predetermined shaking, rotational, or oscillatory movement of the holder relative to the ground or relative to an external reference frame may be provided, which movement takes into account the final movement of the body relative to the ground. In this way, the movement of the holder relative to the body, caused or controlled by the controller, may be superimposed with the movement of the body relative to the ground to provide a predetermined movement or movement pattern of the holder relative to the ground.

[0038] According to a further example, the controller is operable to control the at least one actuator to effect a predetermined movement pattern of the holder, thereby further taking into account the electronic movement signals from the motion sensor.

[0039] The controller thus functions to generate a control signal based on the motion sensor, which provides or causes movement of the holder relative to the body such that the net movement of the body relative to the ground is superimposed with the controller-induced movement of the holder relative to the body. The superposition of the movement of the body relative to the ground and the movement of the holder relative to the body thus results in a predetermined movement pattern of the holder relative to the ground or an external reference system.

[0040] In this way, the transport device functions to cause a predetermined movement of the holder relative to the ground, independent of any movement of the body relative to the ground that may occur during transport of the transport device.

[0041] According to a further example, the controller is operable to generate an electronic agitation signal, the electronic agitation signal being effective to cause at least one actuator to move the holder relative to the body such that movement of the holder relative to the body superimposed with the overall movement of the body results in a predetermined movement pattern of the holder.

[0042] In situations where the transport device is not undergoing movement and remains in a steady state, the electronic agitation signal may directly invoke or cause a predetermined movement of the holder relative to the body. In an example, when the transport device is undergoing movement and the body is subjected to an externally applied force, such as a mechanical blow or impact, the electronic agitation signal causes a corresponding modified movement of the holder relative to the body, which, when superimposed with the overall movement of the body, results in a predetermined movement pattern of the holder relative to the ground or an external reference frame.

[0043] In some examples, the motion sensor is a three-dimensional motion sensor that functions to quantitatively measure the direction of force and the magnitude of a force or force effect acting on the body. The motion sensor may include a single sensor element or multiple sensor elements spatially distributed on the body, within the body, within the storage compartment, outside the storage compartment, or on at least one of the support and its at least one actuator. When the motion sensor includes multiple sensor elements, for example, more than two, more than three, or even more than four individual, spatially separated sensor elements, the motion of the body, for example, acceleration or deceleration of the body, may be quantitatively measured with greater precision.

[0044] The controller functions to process each of the actuation signals or actuation signals. The support typically comprises a multi-dimensional actuator or several one- or two-dimensional actuators to move the holder in three dimensions. Typically, the support is also configured and implemented to cause rotation of the holder about three different rotation axes.

[0045] Typically, the support functions to dynamically move the holder relative to the body in three translational and three rotational degrees of freedom.

[0046] According to further examples, the support includes a foot, an arm section, and a head section. The head section includes a holder. The foot is connected to the body of the transport device. The arm section is rotatable relative to the foot, and the head section is rotatable relative to the arm section. In some examples, the support can include a type of gimbal mechanism or cardan suspension that includes three translational degrees of freedom and three rotational degrees of freedom.

[0047] In some examples, the feet are rotatably or pivotally attached and secured to the body. The arm sections are pivotally connected to the feet, and the head section is pivotally connected to the arm sections. In some examples, the feet may be rotatable relative to the body about a first axis. The arm sections may be rotatable relative to the feet about a second axis, and the head section may be rotatable relative to the arm sections about a third axis.

[0048] The feet, arm sections, and head section may all have their own actuators. Thus, the feet may have a first actuator. The arm sections may have a second actuator, and the head section may have a third actuator. The first, second, and third actuators may be independently controlled. The first, second, and third actuators may be operated by motion control signals generated by a controller, which may be generated based on one or more motion signals obtained from a motion sensor.

[0049] In some examples, the feet, arm sections, and head section form or include a gimbal arrangement or cardan suspension that is actively controlled to compensate for mechanical shocks or blows applied to the body.

[0050] In a further example, it is contemplated that at least one of the feet, arm sections, and head sections may be translationally movable relative to any other of the body, feet, arm sections, and head sections, for example, by a translation stage, where the translation stage may comprise an additional actuator or may be provided by any of the first, second, or third actuators described above.

[0051] According to a further example, the third actuator is rotatable relative to the body about a first axis by a first activator, in this way the orientation of the foot relative to the body can be controlled by the first actuator.

[0052] According to a further example, the arm section is pivotable relative to the foot about a second axis by a second actuator, such that the orientation of the arm section relative to the foot and relative to the second axis can be controlled or modified by actuation of the second actuator.

[0053] According to a further example, the head section is rotatable relative to the arm section about a third axis by a third actuator, and actuation of the third actuator can modify the orientation of the head section relative to the arm section about the third axis.

[0054] In some examples, the first axis, the second axis, and the third axis are non-parallel to one another. The orientations of the first axis, the second axis, and the third axis may be modified. Because the arm section is pivotally supported by the foot about the second axis and the foot itself may undergo rotation about the first axis, the orientation of the second axis and / or the orientation of the third axis may also undergo respective modification or rotational movements.

[0055] In some examples, the support may be devoid of a translation stage and may be provided or constituted exclusively by the feet, arm section, and head section.

[0056] The head section includes a holder. The holder may include mounts for the drug containers. The drug containers may be secured to the holder by respective mounts. Typically, the drug containers are removably securable to the holder.

[0057] According to a further example, the motion sensor is attached to the holder. In this way, the movement of the medication container can be directly detected and / or quantitatively measured. In another example, the motion sensor is attached to the body. The motion sensor may be attached to the bottom, ceiling, or side wall section of the body and / or to the storage compartment. In this way, the motion sensor serves in particular to detect and / or quantitatively measure any force effects, mechanical shock effects, applied externally to the body or the transport device.

[0058] In some examples, a first motion sensor and a second motion sensor may be provided, each of which is operable to generate an electrical operating signal indicative of the operation of a portion or component of the transport device to which the respective motion sensor is attached, wherein a controller may be connected to both the first motion sensor and the second motion sensor and may further be operable to process the first electrical operating signal and the second electrical operating signal obtained from each of the first motion sensor and the second motion sensor.

[0059] In some examples, the first motion sensor may be directly attached to or fastened to the body. The second motion sensor may be directly attached to or fastened to the holder. The first motion sensor may be attached to the body and the second motion sensor may be attached to the holder, thereby deriving or providing a differential electrical operating signal that directly indicates relative motion between the holder and the body. The use of the first and second motion sensors may simplify the structure and implementation of the movable holder. Here, the joints or hinges of the holder or gimbal may not require any position, rotation, or motion sensors. The movable holder may not have any motion sensors, such as position or rotation sensors.

[0060] However, in instances where the support and / or holder for the drug container is provided with position or rotation sensors at its joints or hinges, a single motion sensor, for example attached to one of the holder and the body, may be sufficient to provide active motion stabilization of the holder.

[0061] According to a further example, the transport device includes a temperature sensor within the storage compartment. The transport device further includes a heater or heating element and / or a cooler or cooling element within the storage compartment. The temperature sensor and / or the heating element and / or the cooling element are connected to a controller or separate temperature controllers. Each controller functions to activate or deactivate the heating element and / or the cooling element in response to a signal received from the temperature sensor to maintain the temperature within the storage compartment within a predetermined range.

[0062] The temperature sensor, at least one cooling or heating element, and the controller provide or form a control loop to maintain the temperature within the storage compartment within a predetermined range. In this manner, the temperature within the storage compartment can be actively controlled.

[0063] In some examples, the storage compartment is insulated. Insulating the storage compartment is beneficial for stabilizing the temperature within the storage compartment. Insulated storage compartments can also reduce energy consumption for active heating or cooling of the storage compartment.

[0064] In a further example, the storage compartment may be hermetically sealable or sealed. Thus, the storage compartment may be hermetically closable. In this way, the ingress of dust, moisture, or other contaminants may be effectively avoided, and the drug container may be stored within the storage compartment in a fairly protected environment.

[0065] According to a further example, the storage compartment is accessible from the exterior of the transport device via a closable door or lid that is equipped with an interlock. The interlock may be controllable by a controller. The interlock may protect the drug containers in the storage compartment from unauthorized access or use. The interlock may be implemented as a mechanical interlock and / or as an electronic or electromechanical interlock. In an electronic interlock, the interlock may be locked or unlocked by the controller. The closable door may be pivotably or slidably movable relative to the body. The same may apply to the lid.

[0066] In some examples, the closable door or lid may be provided on a side wall, rear panel, or front panel of the transport device's main body. Providing the closable door on or within the side wall or side wall structure of the main body or storage compartment can provide fairly easy and intuitive access to the storage compartment. Furthermore, by mounting the closable door or lid on or on one of the side wall, rear panel, and front panel of the main body, the ceiling, top, or bottom portion of the main body can be used for attachment to a mobile unit. In this way, the interior of the storage compartment may be accessible through the opening of the closable door or lid while the transport device is attached to and remains attached to a mobile unit that functions to move the transport device itself from a starting point to a destination.

[0067] According to a further example, the transport device includes a communication interface operable to communicate with at least one of a wearable electronic device, a portable electronic device, and a database. Communication with the database is typically provided via a communication network. Via the communication interface, the transport device can exchange data with the outside world. In some examples, via the communication interface, the instantaneous position or location of the transport device can be communicated to at least one of the sender and the recipient during transport of the transport device.

[0068] Furthermore, electronic access control may be provided via the communication interface, such that a user equipped with a portable or wearable electronic device may be authenticated in front of the transport device via the communication interface to gain access to the storage compartment.

[0069] The portable electronic device may be implemented as a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a similar electronic processing device. The wearable electronic device may be implemented as a smart watch or an electronically readable identification tag. The communication interface may be particularly configured for wireless transmission. The communication interface may be implemented as a local-range communication interface and / or a short-range communication interface using a predetermined wireless communication protocol such as NFC, Bluetooth, WiFi, IEEE802.11, GSM, LTE, G3, G4, G5, etc.

[0070] Via the communication interface, live surveillance and tracking of the transport device during transport can be provided. Via the communication interface, all data available to the controller and / or stored on the transport device can be transmitted to, for example, a database or cloud service provider.

[0071] According to a further example, the transportation device includes a position detection sensor connected to the controller and operable to capture electromagnetic signals indicative of the transportation device's instantaneous position or orientation. The position detection sensor may operate to determine the transportation device's instantaneous position by receiving and processing signals obtained from, for example, a satellite navigation system. The position detection sensor may operate to process GPS, Galileo, or Glonass signals or similar satellite-based positioning signals.

[0072] In this way, the transport device can determine its position during transport and / or storage.

[0073] According to a further example, the controller includes electronic storage and is operative to record data collected from at least one of the motion sensor, the temperature sensor, and the position sensor. The controller is coupled to the motion sensor, the temperature sensor, and the position sensor to record or receive the respective sensor data.

[0074] The controller functions to monitor each sensor signal history via the storage during transport and / or storage. In this manner, a user of the transport device may read the electronic storage and obtain at least one of an operational history, a temperature history, and a location history of the transport device and its storage compartment.

[0075] According to a further example, the controller is operative to monitor a signal from at least one of a motion sensor, a temperature sensor, and a position detection sensor, and the control is further operative to compare the monitored signal to a predetermined signal range.

[0076] In this manner, the monitor functions to evaluate signals obtained from at least one of the motion sensor, the temperature sensor, and the position detection sensor to control whether the transport device and / or the storage compartment always remain within predetermined parameter ranges. Each deviation from the predetermined temperature range can be at least monitored and recorded if the temperature in the storage compartment falls below or exceeds the predetermined range.

[0077] According to a further example, the controller is operable to generate an alert if a signal obtained from at least one of the motion sensor, the temperature sensor, and the position detection sensor is outside a predetermined signal range. Such an alert may be generated or stored locally in the electronic storage of the controller. The alert may also be transmitted to at least one of the sender and recipient of the transport device via the communication interface. In this way, non-compliance with predetermined transport parameters may be detected at an early stage, even during transport, so that the sender or recipient can take any corrective measures.

[0078] In some examples, in response to receiving the alert, an ongoing transport process may be interrupted or canceled, or a transport device already in transit between the sender and recipient may be immediately returned to the sender.

[0079] According to a further example, the body includes a bottom enclosing the storage compartment, sidewalls, and a ceiling. At least one of the ceiling and sidewalls includes a mechanical coupling on an exterior surface for releasably fastening the transport device to a complementary mechanical counter-coupling of the mobile unit. In this manner, the transport device includes a standardized mechanical coupling for releasably fastening the transport device to the mobile unit.

[0080] The transport device itself may lack transport capabilities. The transport device may need to be mechanically connected to a mobile unit that provides transport for the transport device. Generally, the mobile unit may be provided by any of airborne, waterborne, and land vehicles.

[0081] According to another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a transport unit for transporting a medication. The transport unit includes a self-propelled mobile unit and a transport device as described above. The transport device is connected to or supported by the self-propelled mobile unit. The transport device is movable by the self-propelled mobile unit, for example, from a sender to a recipient.

[0082] According to a further example, the self-propelled mobile unit may include one of an automated guided vehicle and an unmanned aerial vehicle such as an unmanned drone. The self-propelled mobile unit may be automatically guided and may include or comprise a transport robot. In this way, the cost of transporting the transport device, and therefore the medication container, from the sender to the recipient can be minimized.

[0083] Highly sensitive medications or drugs, such as infusion bottles or bags containing liquid medication in a ready-to-administer configuration, can be prepared, for example, by a local healthcare provider and automatically transported to the patient or local healthcare provider.

[0084] In some examples, the transport device includes or comprises a smart transport box that provides a predefined environment for transporting variable doses of medication, such as prepared infusion solutions, from a laboratory, clinic, or pharmacy to a patient's home, suitable for delivery by an aerial drone, a ground-based delivery robot, a delivery person, or any combination thereof.

[0085] According to a further aspect, the present disclosure also relates to a method of transporting a medication container. The method includes providing a transport device including a body, a motion sensor, a support, and a controller, e.g., as described above. The method further includes generating an electrical operating signal by the motion sensor, the operating signal indicating a motion of the body of the transport device. The method further includes controlling actuation of at least one actuator of the support, the actuator functioning to move a medication holder relative to the body of the transport device. The actuation of the at least one actuator is controlled based on the operating signal obtained from the motion sensor.

[0086] Typically, the method of transporting the medication container is performed by using a transport device and / or transport unit as described above, and insofar as all of the effects, features and advantages as described above in relation to the transport device apply equally to the method of transport, and vice versa.

[0087] In general, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the content of the claims. The transport device is not limited to specific embodiments or examples, but includes any combination of elements from different embodiments or examples. To that extent, the present disclosure covers any combination of claims and any technically feasible combination of features disclosed in relation to different examples or embodiments.

[0088] The terms "drug" or "medicament" are used synonymously herein to refer to a pharmaceutical formulation containing one or more active pharmaceutical ingredients or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates thereof, and, optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. An active pharmaceutical ingredient ("API"), in its broadest sense, is a chemical structure that has a biological effect on humans or animals. In pharmacology, drugs or medications are used to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose disease or otherwise improve physical or mental well-being. Drugs or medications may be used for a limited period of time or periodically for chronic conditions.

[0089] As described below, drugs or pharmaceutical agents can include at least one API or a combination thereof in various types of formulations for the treatment of one or more diseases. Examples of APIs include small molecules having a molecular weight of 500 Da or less, polypeptides, peptides, and proteins (e.g., hormones, growth factors, antibodies, antibody fragments, and enzymes), carbohydrates and polysaccharides, as well as nucleic acids, double-stranded or single-stranded DNA (including naked and cDNA), RNA, antisense nucleic acids such as antisense DNA and RNA, small interfering RNA (siRNA), ribozymes, genes, and oligonucleotides. Nucleic acids can be incorporated into molecular delivery systems such as vectors, plasmids, or liposomes. Mixtures of one or more drugs are also contemplated.

[0090] Drugs or agents may be contained in primary packaging or "drug containers." Drug containers may be, for example, cartridges, syringes, reservoirs, or other sturdy or flexible vessels configured to provide suitable chambers for storage (e.g., short-term or long-term storage) of one or more drugs. For example, in some cases, the chambers may be designed to store the drug for at least one day (e.g., from one day to at least 30 days). In some cases, the chambers may be designed to store the drug for about one month to about two years. Storage may occur at room temperature (e.g., about 20°C) or at refrigerated temperatures (e.g., from about -4°C to about 4°C). In some cases, the drug container may be or include a dual-chamber cartridge configured to separately store two or more components of a pharmaceutical formulation to be administered (e.g., an API and a diluent, or two different drugs), one in each chamber. In such cases, the two chambers of the dual-chamber cartridge may be configured to allow mixing of the two or more components prior to and / or during administration to the human or animal body. For example, the two chambers may be configured so that they are in fluid communication with each other (e.g., by a conduit between the two chambers), allowing the user to mix the two components if desired prior to administration. Alternatively, or additionally, the two chambers may be configured to allow mixing upon administration of the components into the human or animal body.

[0091] Drugs or agents contained in drug delivery devices as described herein can be used to treat and / or prevent many different types of medical disorders. Examples of disorders include, for example, diabetes mellitus or complications associated with diabetes mellitus, such as diabetic retinopathy, and thromboembolic disorders, such as deep vein thromboembolism or pulmonary thromboembolism. Further examples of disorders include acute coronary syndrome (ACS), angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, cancer, macular degeneration, inflammation, hay fever, atherosclerosis, and / or rheumatoid arthritis. Examples of APIs and drugs are those listed in handbooks such as the Rote Liste 2014, e.g., but not limited to, Main Group 12 (antidiabetic drugs) or 86 (oncology drugs), and the Merck Index, 15th edition.

[0092] Examples of APIs for the treatment and / or prevention of type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus or complications associated with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus include insulin, e.g., human insulin or a human insulin analog or derivative; glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1); GLP-1 analog or GLP-1 receptor agonist or analog or derivative thereof; dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitor or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, or any mixture thereof. As used herein, the terms "analog" and "derivative" refer to a polypeptide having a molecular structure that can be formally derived from the structure of a naturally occurring peptide, e.g., the structure of human insulin, by deleting and / or substituting at least one amino acid residue present in the naturally occurring peptide and / or by adding at least one amino acid residue. The added and / or substituted amino acid residue may be either a codable amino acid residue or another naturally occurring residue, or a purely synthetic amino acid residue. Insulin analogs are also referred to as "insulin receptor ligands." In particular, the term "derivative" refers to a polypeptide having a molecular structure formally derivable from that of a naturally occurring peptide, such as the structure of human insulin, in which one or more organic substituents (e.g., fatty acids) are attached to one or more of the amino acids. Optionally, one or more amino acids present in the naturally occurring peptide may be deleted and / or substituted with other amino acids, including non-codable amino acids, or amino acids, including non-codable amino acids, may be added to the naturally occurring peptide.

[0093] Examples of insulin analogues are Gly(A21), Arg(B31), Arg(B32) human insulin (insulin glargine); Lys(B3), Glu(B29) human insulin (insulin glulisine); Lys(B28), Pro(B29) human insulin (insulin lispro); Asp(B28) human insulin (insulin aspart); human insulin in which the proline in position B28 can be replaced by Asp, Lys, Leu, Val or Ala and in position B29 Lys can be replaced by Pro; Ala(B26) human insulin; Des(B28-B30) human insulin; Des(B27) human insulin and Des(B30) human insulin.

[0094] Examples of insulin derivatives are, for example, B29-N-myristoyl-des(B30) human insulin, Lys(B29)(N-tetradecanoyl)-des(B30) human insulin (insulin detemir, Levemir®); B29-N-palmitoyl-des(B30) human insulin; B29-N-myristoyl human insulin; B29-N-palmitoyl human insulin; B28-N-myristoylLysB28ProB29 human insulin; B28-N-palmitoyl-LysB28ProB29 human insulin; B30-N-myristoyl-ThrB29LysB30 human insulin. B29-N-palmitoyl-ThrB29LysB30 human insulin; B29-N-(N-palmitoyl-gamma-glutamyl)-des(B30) human insulin, B29-N-omega-carboxypentadecanoyl-gamma-L-glutamyl-des(B30) human insulin (insulin degludec, Tresiba®); B29-N-(N-lithocholyl-gamma-glutamyl)-des(B30) human insulin; B29-N-(ω-carboxyheptadecanoyl)-des(B30) human insulin, and B29-N-(ω-carboxyheptadecanoyl) human insulin.

[0095] Examples of GLP-1, GLP-1 analogs and GLP-1 receptor agonists include, for example, lixisenatide (Lyxumia®), exenatide (exendin-4, Byetta®, Bydureon®), Hiramonster (Gila a 39-amino acid peptide produced by the salivary glands of the glandular membrane of the thyroid gland (monster), liraglutide (Victoza®), semaglutide, taspoglutide, albiglutide (Syncria®), dulaglutide (Trulicity®), exendin-4, CJC-1134-PC, PB-1023, TTP-054, langrenatide / HM-11260C (efpegrenatide), HM-15211, CM-3, GLP-1 Erigen, ORMD-0901, NN-9423, NN-9709, NN-9924, NN -9926, NN-9927, nodexene, Viadol-GLP-1, CVX-096, ZYOG-1, ZYD-1, GSK-2374697, DA-3091, MAR-701, MAR709, ZP-2929, ZP-3022, ZP-DI-70, TT-401 (pegapamodtide), BHM-034, MOD-6030, CAM-2036, DA-15864, ARI-2651, ARI-2255, tirzepatide (LY3298176), bamadutide (SAR425899), exenatide-XTEN, and glucagon-Xten.

[0096] An example of an oligonucleotide is, for example, mipomersen sodium (Kynamro®), a cholesterol-lowering antisense therapeutic agent for the treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia, or RG012 for the treatment of Alport syndrome. Examples of DPP4 inhibitors are linagliptin, vildagliptin, sitagliptin, denagliptin, saxagliptin, berberine.

[0097] Examples of hormones include pituitary or hypothalamic hormones or regulatory active peptides such as gonadotropins (follitropin, lutropin, chorion gonadotropin, menotropin), somatropin (somatropin), desmopressin, terlipressin, gonadorelin, triptorelin, leuprorelin, buserelin, nafarelin, and goserelin, and their antagonists.

[0098] Examples of polysaccharides include glycosaminoglycans, hyaluronic acid, heparin, low molecular weight heparin, or ultra-low molecular weight heparin, or derivatives thereof, or sulfated polysaccharides, such as polysulfated forms of the above polysaccharides, and / or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. An example of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of polysulfated low molecular weight heparin is enoxaparin sodium. An example of a hyaluronic acid derivative is Hylan GF 20 (Synvisc®), sodium hyaluronate.

[0099] As used herein, the term "antibody" refers to an immunoglobulin molecule or an antigen-binding portion thereof. Examples of antigen-binding portions of immunoglobulin molecules include F(ab) and F(ab')2 fragments that retain antigen-binding ability. An antibody can be a polyclonal antibody, a monoclonal antibody, a recombinant antibody, a chimeric antibody, a deimmunized or humanized antibody, a fully human antibody, a non-human (e.g., murine) antibody, or a single-chain antibody. In some embodiments, an antibody has effector function and is capable of fixing complement. In some embodiments, an antibody has reduced or no binding ability to Fc receptors. For example, an antibody can be an isotype or subtype, antibody fragment, or mutant that does not support Fc receptor binding, e.g., with a mutation or deletion of the Fc receptor binding region. The term antibody also includes antigen-binding molecules based on tetravalent bispecific tandem immunoglobulins (TBTIs) and / or dual variable region antibody-like binding proteins with a crossover binding region orientation (CODV).

[0100] The term "fragment" or "antibody fragment" refers to a polypeptide derived from an antibody polypeptide molecule (e.g., an antibody heavy and / or light chain polypeptide) that does not include the full-length antibody polypeptide but comprises at least a portion of the full-length antibody polypeptide that is still capable of binding to antigen. Antibody fragments can include truncated portions of a full-length antibody polypeptide, although the term is not limited to such truncated fragments. Antibody fragments useful in the present invention include, for example, Fab fragments, F(ab')2 fragments, scFv (single-chain Fv) fragments, linear antibodies, monospecific or multispecific antibody fragments, such as bispecific, trispecific, tetraspecific, and multispecific antibodies (e.g., diabodies, triabodies, tetrabodies), monovalent or multivalent antibody fragments, such as bivalent, trivalent, tetravalent, and multivalent antibodies, minibodies, chelating recombinant antibodies, tribodies or bibodies, intrabodies, nanobodies, small modular immunopharmaceuticals (SMIPs), binding domain immunoglobulin fusion proteins, camelized antibodies, and VHH-containing antibodies. Additional examples of antigen-binding antibody fragments are known in the art.

[0101] The term "complementarity determining region" or "CDR" refers to short polypeptide sequences within the variable regions of both heavy and light chain polypeptides that are primarily responsible for mediating specific antigen recognition. The term "framework region" refers to amino acid sequences within the variable regions of both heavy and light chain polypeptides that are not CDR sequences but are primarily responsible for maintaining the proper orientation of the CDR sequences to enable antigen binding. Although the framework regions themselves typically do not directly participate in antigen binding, as is known in the art, certain residues within the framework regions of a particular antibody can be directly involved in antigen binding or can affect the ability of one or more amino acids in the CDRs to interact with the antigen.

[0102] Examples of antibodies are anti-PCSK-9 mAb (e.g., alirocumab), anti-IL-6 mAb (e.g., sarilumab), and anti-IL-4 mAb (e.g., dupilumab).

[0103] Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of any of the APIs described herein are contemplated for use in the drug or medicament within the drug delivery device. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, for example, acid addition salts and base salts.

[0104] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that modifications (addition and / or deletion) of various components of the APIs, formulations, devices, methods, systems and embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the full scope and spirit of the invention, and that the invention encompasses such modifications and any and all equivalents thereof.

[0105] In the following, examples of delivery devices for delivering drugs are described in more detail with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0106] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic representation of an example of a transport device with supports within a storage compartment. [Figure 2] 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a transport device. [Figure 3] 1 shows a schematic front view of an example of a transport device with the door or lid closed. [Figure 4] 4 shows a schematic side view of the transport device according to FIG. 3 with the lid open. [Figure 5] 1 shows an example of a transport unit. [Figure 6] 10 shows a schematic representation of another example of a transport unit. [Figure 7] 1 is a flow chart of a method for delivering a drug by utilizing a delivery device. [Figure 8] 1 shows a block diagram of multiple electronic devices in communication with a transport device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0107] The transport device as shown in Figures 1-4 includes a body 11 that includes or forms a storage compartment 20 sized to receive and / or contain a drug container 1. The drug container 1 may include a rigid drug container or a flexible drug container. When implemented as a rigid drug container 1, the drug container 1 may include one of a bottle, a cartridge, a vial, or a syringe. When implemented as a flexible drug container, the drug container may include a flexible pouch or a flexible bag that contains the drug.

[0108] The medication may include one of an injectable medication or an injectable medication. In some examples, the medication may include a liquid substance, such as an injectable fluid or an injectable substance.

[0109] The body 11 may include or form the housing of the transport device 10. The body 11 may be of rigid structure. The body 11 may include a bottom 12, two opposing side walls 13, 14, a rear panel 15, a front panel 16, a door 18, for example, located on the front panel 16, and a ceiling 17. The side walls 13, 14, the rear panel 15, the front panel 16, and the ceiling 17 may be interconnected to form the cubic-shaped body 11 of the transport device 10. The storage compartment 20 is contained or confined by the exterior structure of the body 11. In that respect, the side walls 13, 14 form or include the outer side walls of the body 11. The rear panel 15 forms or includes the outer rear panel. The front panel 16, the ceiling 17, and the bottom 12 also form or include the exterior surface of the body 11.

[0110] The storage compartment 20 may be immediately surrounded by a bottom 12, side walls 13, 14, a rear panel 15, a front panel 16, and a ceiling 17. In the example shown in Figure 1, the storage compartment 20 is enclosed or surrounded by an inner bottom 22, an inner side wall 23, an opposing inner side wall 24, an inner rear panel 25, an inner ceiling 27, and an inner front panel (not shown). Insulation 28 may be provided between the exterior or outer structure of the body 11 and the storage compartment 20, thus providing an insulated storage compartment 20 having a storage volume 21 sized to receive the drug container 1.

[0111] Inside the storage compartment 20, a support 30 is provided which comprises at least one actuator 34, 35, 36 and a holder 40. The holder 40 comprises a fastener 41 for holding and / or fastening the medicament container 1. By means of the fastener 41, the medicament container 1 can be fixed and fastened to the holder 40. The holder 14 can be provided at a free end of the movable support 30. The movement of the support or parts thereof is caused by at least one of the actuators 34, 35, 36.

[0112] Transport device 10 further includes a controller 60 and a motion sensor 50. Motion sensor 50 is attached to body 11 and functions to generate an electrical motion signal indicative of motion of body 11. Here, the term motion not only includes continuous motion, but also any kind of acceleration or deceleration motion of body 11, for example, relative to the ground or relative to the environment or external reference frame.

[0113] The motion sensor 50 can be attached to the support 30. The motion sensor 50 can be attached to the holder 40. In some examples, the motion sensor 50 is attached directly to the body 11 of the transport device. The motion sensor 50 can also be attached to one of the bottom 12, 22, the side walls 13, 14, 23, 24, the rear panel 15, 25, the front panel 16, or the ceiling 17, 27.

[0114] When the body 11 undergoes motion relative to a frame of reference, e.g., acceleration or deceleration, the motion sensor 50 provides or generates a motion signal, or a plurality, and therefore a series of motion signals, indicative of the type of motion of the body. The motion signal may indicate the direction of the motion and the magnitude of the motion, e.g., the magnitude of acceleration or deceleration relative to an external frame of reference.

[0115] A controller 60 connected to the motion sensor 50 is also connected to the at least one actuator 34, 35, 36 and functions to control the actuation of the at least one actuator 34, 35, 36 based on an actuation signal or signals obtained from the motion sensor 50. In this way, the controller 60 functions to provide active suppression or active movement compensation of the support 30, and therefore the holder 40, which is movable relative to the body 11, by actuating or driving the at least one actuator 34, 35, 36.

[0116] In some examples, the transport device may include a first motion sensor 50 attached or fixed to, for example, one of the support 30 and the holder 40. A second motion sensor 59 may be attached or fixed to the body 11. Both motion sensors 50, 59 function to generate respective first and second electrical operating signals that are received and processed by the controller to control the operation of the at least one actuator 34, 35, 36.

[0117] Two separate motion sensors 50, 59 attached to the movable holder 40 and the body 11 allow differential motion to be derived directly between the movable holder 40 and the body 11.

[0118] In some examples, the support 30 includes a multi-dimensional gimbal device adapted to compensate for and / or damp external motion of the body 11 relative to an external reference system, effectively isolating motion of the holder 40 within the storage compartment 20 from motion of the body 11, and vice versa.

[0119] In some examples, the support 30 includes a foot 31 attached to the body 11. The support 30 further includes an arm section 32 movably attached to the foot 31. The support 30 may further include a head section 33 movably disposed on or movably supported by the arm section 32. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the foot 31 is rotatable relative to the body 11 about a first rotation axis 37. The arm section 32 is rotatable relative to the foot 31 about a second axis 38, and the head section 33 is rotatable relative to the arm section 32 about a third axis 39. The axes 37, 38, and 39 may extend non-parallel to one another. In this manner, the support 30 functions to provide multiple translational and rotational degrees of freedom for the holder 40 provided on the head section 33.

[0120] The support 30 further comprises a first actuator 34 that functions to cause or control rotation of the foot 31 about a first axis 37. The support 30 further includes a second actuator 35 that functions to cause or control rotation of the arm section 32 relative to the foot 31 about a second axis 38. The support 30 further includes a third actuator 36 that functions to cause or control rotation of the head section 33 about a third axis 39.

[0121] All of the actuators 34, 35, 36 are operably connected to a controller 60. The controller 60 is configured to activate and / or control the operation of the actuators 34, 35, 36 to cause and / or control movement of the holder 40 relative to the body 11, for example, to provide active mechanical isolation between the holder 40 and the body 11. The controller 60 typically functions to process movement signals obtained from the motion sensor 50 and may function to activate and / or control any of the actuators 34, 35, 36 to cause movement of the holder 40 relative to the body 11. This movement offsets or effectively compensates for movement of the body 11 relative to an external reference frame, for example, relative to the ground, when the body 11, and thus the entire transport device 10, is subjected to a mechanical blow or mechanical shock, or the like, and an externally applied force causes movement of the transport device 10.

[0122] In this way, active shock absorption and compensation for mechanical shocks can be provided, which is particularly useful for transporting highly shock-sensitive drugs within the storage compartment 20.

[0123] Furthermore, the active shock absorption provided by the transport device 10 and the movement of the holder 40 caused by the motion sensor 50 and controller is effective in providing active mechanical shock absorption of the holder 40, thus enabling the transport device 10 to be used for carrying and transporting highly shock-sensitive medications, such as injectable medications such as infusion solutions.

[0124] The actuators 34, 35, 36 may be implemented as part of an active suspension unit 64. The active suspension unit 64 may include its own suspension controller 65 controlled by the central controller 60. The suspension controller 65 may function to directly process signals from the motion sensors 50. The suspension controller 65 may provide active control or steering of the individual actuators 34, 35, 36 to provide a desired damping movement of the holder 40 to compensate for externally applied forces, mechanical blows, or shocks presented to the body 11 of the transport device 10.

[0125] In another example, the functionality of the suspension controller 65 may be incorporated into the central controller 60. In this case, the central controller 60 may function directly to control the actuation of the individual actuators 34, 35, 36.

[0126] In a further example, the controller 60 may be operable to generate an electrical agitation signal effective to cause at least one actuator 34, 35, 36 to move the holder 40 relative to the body 11 according to a predetermined movement pattern. This may be particularly beneficial where the medication requires a well-defined rocking, shaking, mixing, or swirling action to avoid separation or clogging during transport or storage.

[0127] The generation of such an agitation signal may occur independently of the motion signal from the motion sensor 50 or by taking into account the motion signal from the motion sensor 50. In the latter case, the electrical agitation signal is calculated or generated based on the recorded motion signal such that the movement of the holder caused by the controller relative to the body is superimposed with the overall movement of the body relative to an external reference frame such that the superimposed movement imparted to the holder corresponds to an intended predetermined movement pattern.

[0128] A heater 57 and / or cooler 58 may also be provided within the first compartment 20. The heater 57 and cooler 58 may be controlled by separate temperature controllers 66. Alternatively, the heater 57 and / or cooler 58 may be controlled by a central controller 60. A temperature sensor 51 is also provided that functions to measure the temperature inside and / or outside the storage compartment 20. The temperature sensor 51, controllers 60, 66 and at least one heater 57 or cooler 58 may provide an active temperature control loop, thereby maintaining the temperature within the storage compartment 20 within a predetermined range.

[0129] This is particularly beneficial for medications and medication containers 1 that require storage or transportation within a predetermined temperature range.

[0130] The exterior surface of the body 11 may include one or multiple mechanical couplings 48. These couplings 48 may be provided on the exterior surfaces of the side walls 13, 14 and the exterior surface of the ceiling 17. The mechanical couplings 48 may be configured to mechanically engage with complementary shaped counter-couplings 88 of a mobile motion unit 82, for example, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. In this manner, the transport device 10 may be removably connected to various mobile units 82, 82' in a well-defined manner, for example, to provide automated transportation of the transport device 10.

[0131] It may be particularly advantageous if the coupling or couplings 84 are located on or in the side walls 13, 14, 33, 34 and / or on or in the ceiling 17, so that the front panel 16 and optionally also the rear panel 15 are free of such couplings 48. This provides unhindered access to the door 18 or lid 44 provided in or on the front panel 16 while the transport device 10 is attached to and remains attached to the moving unit 82.

[0132] 3 and 4, the front panel 16 is provided with a pivotable lid 44 that functions as a door 18 for gaining access to the storage volume 21 of the storage compartment 20. The lid 44 may be pivotally arranged on or within the front panel 16. The lid 44 may pivot about an axis 45 that extends substantially parallel to the base 12, 22. In this way, when in the open configuration as shown in FIG. 4, the inside of the lid 44 may serve as a support for the medicament container 1. The medicament container 1 may be placed or rested in a dedicated portion of the inside of the lid 44, for example for or during fastening of the container 1 to the holder 40.

[0133] The door 18 or lid 44 may further include an interlock 46, which effectively locks the lid 44 or door 18 closed.

[0134] Interlock 46 may be implemented as a mechanical interlock, an electronic interlock, and / or an electromechanical interlock. When lid 44 is closed, interlock 46 functions to prevent unauthorized access to storage compartment 20. To unlock interlock 46, a user requires the respective mechanical or electronic key. In this way, only authorized personnel can gain access to the interior of storage compartment 20.

[0135] The interlock 64 may be coupled to an access controller 55, which may be connected or coupled to the central controller 60. The access controller 55 may function to read and / or authenticate at least one of the mechanical and / or electronic keys of a user attempting to unlock the interlock 46.

[0136] The transport device 10 further includes at least one communication interface 53, 54. The communication interface 53 may be implemented as a short-range communication and / or a near-field communication interface. The communication interface 53 may include one of an NFC reader, a Bluetooth transmitter, or an RFID reader and may have a limited radio transmission range of, for example, less than 2 cm, 3 cm, 5 cm, or 10 cm. The near-field communication interface 53 may be used to read a user's electronic key or electronic identifier to unlock or lock the interlock 46. To this end, the access controller 55 may also be directly coupled to the communication interface 53 or may include its own short-field communication interface 53.

[0137] The further communication interface 54 may be implemented as a local-range or wide-range wireless transmission interface. The communication interface 54 may be implemented to communicate with any of a wireless network, a wireless personal area network, and a cellular phone interface. The communication interface 54 may be operable for wireless signal transmission. Typically, the communication interface 54 serves to communicate with a corresponding communication interface of an external electronic device 92, 98, for example, implemented as a wearable electronic device 92 or as a smartphone or tablet computer.

[0138] The communication interface 54 may further be operable to communicate via a communication network 94 with a storage device 96 of an external electronic device 95, implemented for example as a database or as a cloud service provider as shown in Figure 8. The communication interface 54 may be operable to communicate via any available communication or telecommunication standard suitable for wide area network (WAN) communication. The communication interface 54 may be implemented as a WiFi interface, as a Bluetooth interface, or according to a mobile communication standard such as 3G, 4G, 5G, LTE, LoRa (long range), WAN or NbIOT (narrowband Internet of Things), or a similar communication protocol.

[0139] In some examples, transport device 10 includes a position sensor 52 connected or coupled to controller 60. Position sensor 52 may be implemented as a satellite-based position sensor that functions to detect or receive satellite positioning signals. By means of position sensor 52, controller 60 may function to determine at least one of the instantaneous position or orientation of transport device 10.

[0140] In some examples, the controller 60 includes a central processor 61 or processing unit and internal electronic storage 62. The controller 60 may function to monitor and / or store signals from any of the sensors 50, 51, 52 over time in the electronic storage 62. The controller 60, and in particular its processor 61, may further function to monitor and / or record any communication data received and / or transmitted by any of the communication interfaces 53, 54.

[0141] The controller 60 may also function to record the operation of the access controller 55 or interactions with external devices to provide monitoring of the use or usage of the transport device 10 .

[0142] The transport device 10 may further include an indicator 68 that functions to generate a perceptible alert, e.g., a visual, tactile, or audible alert, when the controller 60 should monitor the use of the transport device 10 outside of a predetermined range. For example, the controller 60 may function to record the operation of the holder 40, and therefore the medication container 1 attached thereto, over time.

[0143] In the event that the acceleration or mechanical shock applied to the holder 40 exceeds a predetermined maximum threshold, such an event may be recorded by the processor 61 in the electronic storage 62 and thus lead to the generation of a respective alarm. The alarm may be indicated directly on site by an indicator 68. The alarm may also be broadcast or transmitted by either of the communication interfaces 53, 54.

[0144] In this manner, each alert can be received by either the sender or recipient of the transport device 10 via a continuous or temporary communication link between the transport device 10 and the communication network 94. By monitoring any available parameters, such as instantaneous position, temperature, and mechanical shock, each alert can be generated if the transport device 10 or medication container 1 is subjected to excessive mechanical shock, excessive temperature, or an unacceptable or unintended position.

[0145] A continuous or temporary communication link between the transport device 10 and either the external electronic device 94 or the database 96 ultimately allows the sender or recipient of the transport device 10 to take their respective actions. In some cases, the transport of the transport device 10 from the sender to the recipient may be prematurely terminated or interrupted.

[0146] Furthermore, by establishing a continuous or temporary communication link between the transport device 10 and the communication network 94, the recipient of the transport device 10 may continuously track the location or configuration of the transport device 10 during the transport process.

[0147] The transport device 10 also includes an energy source 56, such as a rechargeable battery, which powers a number of electronic sensors 50, 51, 52, controllers 60, 66, 65, actuators 34, 35, 36, heater 57 and cooler 58, as well as communication interfaces 53, 54 and access controller 55.

[0148] 2 and 8 illustrate an example of a controller 60 and examples of external electronic computing devices 92, 95, and 97, implemented, for example, as stationary or mobile computing devices, that may be used to implement the techniques described herein. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by the controller 60, by the electronic devices 92, 95, and 97, or by a system including both the controller 60 and the electronic devices 92, 95, and 97 configured to communicate with each other. The electronic device 95 is intended to represent various forms of digital computers, such as laptops, desktops, workstations, personal digital assistants, servers, blade servers, mainframes, and other suitable computers. The electronic devices 92 and 97 are intended to represent various forms of mobile electronic devices, such as personal digital assistants, mobile phones, smartphones, wearable electronic devices, smart watches, and other similar computing devices. The components, their connections and relationships, and their functions illustrated herein are intended to be merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the implementation of the embodiments described and / or claimed herein.

[0149] The controller 60 and external electronic devices 92, 95, and 97 may each include a processor 61, a memory 62, a storage device 96, high-speed interfaces connecting to the memory and multiple high-speed expansion ports, and low-speed interfaces connecting to low-speed expansion ports and storage devices. The processor 61, memory 62, storage device 96, high-speed interfaces, high-speed expansion ports, and low-speed interfaces are interconnected using various buses and may be mounted on a common motherboard or in other suitable manners. The processor 61 may process instructions for execution within the controller 60 and / or external electronic devices 92, 95, and 97, including instructions stored in the memory 62 or storage devices, to display GUI graphical information on an internal or external input / output device, such as a display coupled to the high-speed interface. In other implementations, multiple processors and / or multiple buses may be used, along with multiple memories and types of memory, as appropriate. Multiple computing devices may also be connected, each providing a portion of the required operations (e.g., as a server bank, a cluster of blade servers, or a multiprocessor system).

[0150] The memory 62 may store information within the controller 60. In some implementations, the memory 62 is one or more volatile memory units. In some implementations, the memory 62 is one or more non-volatile memory units. The memory 62 may also be another form of computer-readable medium, such as a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0151] The storage device 96 can provide mass storage for the computing device 95. In some implementations, the storage device 96 and / or the memory 62 can be or include a computer-readable medium such as a floppy disk device, a hard disk device, an optical disk device, or an array of devices, including a tape device, a hard disk device, a flash memory or other similar solid-state memory device, or a device in a storage area network or other configuration. A computer program product can be tangibly embodied on an information carrier. The computer program product can also include instructions that, when executed, perform one or more methods, such as those described above. A computer program product can also be tangibly embodied on a computer-readable or machine-readable medium, such as the memory 62, the storage device 96, or memory on the processor 61. The memory 62 and / or the storage device 96 may include read-only memory, random-access memory, or both. In some examples, the memory 62 and / or the storage device 96 can be used as active or physical memory by one or more executing software modules.

[0152] The electronic computing devices 92, 95, and 97 can be implemented in several different forms, as shown. For example, the electronic computing devices 92, 95, and 97 can be implemented as standard servers or multiple times in a group of such servers. Additionally, the electronic computing devices 92, 95, and 97 can be implemented in personal computers, such as laptop computers. The electronic computing devices 92, 95, and 97 can also be implemented as part of a rack server system. Alternatively, the components of the computing device 95 can be combined with other components of other devices, such as the components of the mobile computing devices 92 and 97. Each such device can include one or more of the computing device 95 and the mobile computing devices 92 and 97, and the entire system can be comprised of multiple computing devices communicating with each other.

[0153] The mobile computing devices 92, 97 include, among other components, a processor, memory, input / output devices such as a display, a communication interface, and a transceiver. The mobile computing devices 92, 97 may also include a storage device such as a microdrive or other device to provide additional storage. Each of the processor, memory, display, communication interface, and transceiver are interconnected using various buses, and some of the components may be mounted on a common motherboard or in other suitable manners.

[0154] A separate mobile processor (not shown) can execute instructions, including instructions stored in memory, within the mobile computing device 92, 97. The processor can be implemented as a chipset of chips including separate analog and digital processors. The processor can provide, for example, a user interface, applications executed by the mobile computing device 92, 97, coordination of other components of the mobile computing device 92, 97, control of wireless communications by the mobile computing device 92, 97, etc.

[0155] The processor 61 of the controller 60 can communicate with a user via a control interface and a display interface coupled to a display provided by one of the controller 60 and the mobile computing device 92, 97. The display can be, for example, a TFT (thin film transistor liquid crystal display) display, an OLED (organic light emitting diode) display, an LED display (e.g., a micro-LED display), or other suitable display technology. The display interface can include appropriate circuitry for driving the display to present graphical and other information to the user. The control interface can receive commands from a user or another user device and translate them for submission to the processor 61. Additionally, either of the communication interfaces 53, 54 can provide communication with the processor 61 to enable short-range communication of the controller 60 with the other devices 92, 95, 97. Such a communication interface can be provided, for example, for wired communication in some implementations or for wireless communication in other implementations, and multiple interfaces can also be used.

[0156] The memory 62 stores information within the controller 60. The memory 62 may be implemented as one or more computer-readable media, one or more volatile memory units, or one or more nonvolatile memory units. Expansion memory may also be provided and connected to the controller 60 via an expansion interface, which may include, for example, a Single In-Line Memory Module (SIMM) card interface. The expansion memory may provide additional storage space for the controller 60 or may store applications or other information for the controller 60. Specifically, the expansion memory may include instructions for performing or supplementing the processes described above and may also include secure information. Thus, for example, the expansion memory may be provided as a security module for the controller 60 and may be programmed with instructions that enable secure use of the controller 60. Furthermore, secure applications may be provided via SIMM cards, along with additional information, such as placing identifying information on the SIMM card in an unhackable manner.

[0157] The memory 62 may include, for example, flash memory and / or NVRAM memory (non-volatile random access memory), as described below. In some implementations, a computer program product is tangibly embodied on an information carrier. The computer program product includes instructions that, when executed, perform one or more methods, such as those described above. The computer program product may be a computer-readable or machine-readable medium, such as the memory 62, expansion memory, or processor memory. The computer program product may be one or more modules of computer program instructions encoded on a tangible, non-transitory program carrier for execution by or for controlling the operation of a data processing device. In some implementations, the computer program product may be received on a propagated signal, for example, via one of the communication interfaces 53, 54. The program instructions may be encoded on an artificially generated propagated signal, such as, for example, a machine-generated electrical, optical, or electromagnetic signal, generated to encode information for execution by the data processing device and transmit it to an appropriate destination device. The propagated signal is an artificially generated signal, such as, for example, a machine-generated electrical, optical, or electromagnetic signal, generated to encode information for transmission to an appropriate receiving device.

[0158] The controller 60 can communicate wirelessly via communication interfaces 53, 54, which may include digital signal processing circuitry as needed. The communication interfaces 53, 54 can provide communication under various modes or protocols, such as GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) voice calls, SMS (Short Message Service), EMS (Enhanced Message Service), or MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access), PDC (Personal Digital Cellular), WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), CDMA2000, or GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), among others. Such communication can occur, for example, via a transceiver using radio frequencies. Additionally, short-range communication can occur using Bluetooth, WiFi, or other such transceivers (not shown). Additionally, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver module can provide additional navigation- and location-related wireless data to the controller 60, which can be used as appropriate by applications running on the controller 60.

[0159] The controller 60 can also communicate voice using an audio codec that can receive voice information from a user and convert it into usable digital information. The audio codec can also generate audible sounds for the user, for example, via a speaker in the controller's handset. Such sounds can include sounds from a voice call, recorded sounds (e.g., voice messages, music files, etc.), and sounds generated by applications running on the controller 60.

[0160] Either or both of the controller 60 and the mobile computing devices 92, 97 may include one or more input / output devices. The input / output devices may include one or more input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, pen, game controller, touch input device, audio input device (e.g., microphone), gesture input device, tactile input device, image or video capture device (e.g., camera), or other device. In some examples, the input / output devices may also include one or more output devices such as a display, LED, audio output device (e.g., speaker), printer, haptic output device, etc. In some examples, input and output functions may be combined into a single input / output device (e.g., a touchscreen or haptic input / output mechanism, etc.). The input / output devices may be physically incorporated into either or both of the controller 60 and the mobile computing devices 92, 97, or may be external to either the controller 60 or the devices 92, 97.

[0161] Either or both of the memory 62 or the storage device 96 may include one or more computer-readable storage media (CRSM). The CRSM may include one or more of electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, magneto-optical storage media, quantum storage media, mechanical computer storage media, etc. The CRSM may provide storage of computer-readable instructions describing data structures, processes, applications, programs, other modules, or other data for operation of the computing device 800. In some implementations, the CRSM may include a data store that provides storage of computer-readable instructions or other information in a non-transitory format. The CRSM may be incorporated into the controller 60 or may be external to the controller 60. Similarly, the memory 62 may include one or more CRSMs that may provide storage of computer-readable instructions for operation of the mobile computing devices 92, 97. The CRSM may be incorporated into the mobile computing devices 92, 97 or may be external to the mobile computing devices 92, 97.

[0162] The CRSM may include read-only memory, random-access memory, or both. One or more CRSMs suitable for tangibly embodying computer program instructions and data may include any type of non-volatile memory, including, but not limited to, semiconductor memory devices such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. In some examples, the processor and corresponding memory may be supplemented by or incorporated in one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs).

[0163] Various implementations of the systems and techniques described herein may be realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuits, specially designed ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits), computer software, firmware, hardware, and / or combinations thereof, including the structures disclosed herein and equivalents of those structures. These various implementations may include implementation in one or more computer programs executable and / or interpretable by a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which may be special purpose or general purpose, coupled to receive data and instructions from, and transmit data and instructions to, a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device.

[0164] A computer program (which may also be referred to or described as a program, software, software application, module, software module, script, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, or declarative or procedural languages, and can be arranged in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program may, but need not, correspond to a file in a file system. A program can be stored as part of a file that holds other programs or data, for example, in one or more scripts stored in a markup language document, in a single file dedicated to the program, or in multiple cooperating files, for example, a file that stores one or more modules, subprograms, or portions of code. A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communications network.

[0165] A computer program may include machine instructions for a programmable processor and may be implemented in a high-level procedural and / or object-oriented programming language, and / or assembly / machine language. As used herein, the terms machine-readable medium and computer-readable medium refer to any computer program product, apparatus, and / or device (e.g., magnetic disk, optical disk, memory, programmable logic device (PLD)) used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The term machine-readable signal refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor.

[0166] Processors 61 suitable for executing computer programs include, by way of example, any one or more processors of any suitable kind of digital computer, including both general purpose and special purpose microprocessors, and CPUs (central processing units). Further, the term "processor" may refer to more than one individual processor. Generally, a processor may receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. Elements of a computer may include a processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data.

[0167] Generally, a computer may also include a mass storage device for storing data, such as a magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, or optical disk, or may be operatively coupled to receive data therefrom, transfer data thereto, or both. However, a computer need not have such a device. Moreover, a computer may be embedded in another device, such as a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable audio player, or a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. The processor and the memory may be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

[0168] To provide for user interaction, the systems and techniques described herein can be implemented on a computer having a display device (e.g., a TFT (thin film transistor liquid crystal display) display, an OLED (organic light emitting diode) display, an LED display (e.g., a microLED display), etc.) for displaying information to a user, and a keyboard and pointing device (e.g., a mouse or trackball) that allows a user to provide input to the computer. Other types of devices can be used to provide for user interaction as well; for example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback (e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or haptic feedback), and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic input, speech input, or tactile input.

[0169] One or both of the controller 60 and the electronic computing devices 92, 95, 97 may communicate with each other or with other computing devices using one or more networks. Such networks may include a public network such as the Internet, a private network such as an institutional or personal intranet, or any combination of private and public networks. The networks may include any type of wired or wireless network, including, but not limited to, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless WAN (WWAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), or a mobile communication network (e.g., 3G, 4G, Edge, etc.). In some implementations, communications between computing devices may be encrypted or otherwise secured. Communications may use one or more public or private encryption keys, ciphers, digital certificates, or other authentication information supported by a security protocol such as any version of the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) or Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocols.

[0170] The systems and techniques described herein may be implemented in a computing system that includes back-end components (e.g., as data servers), middleware components (e.g., application servers), or front-end components (e.g., client computers having a graphical user interface or web browser that allows a user to interact with an implementation of the systems and techniques described herein), or any combination of such back-end, middleware, or front-end components. The components of the system may be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication (e.g., a communications network). Examples of communications networks include a LAN, a WAN, and the Internet.

[0171] A computing system may include clients and servers. Clients and servers are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other. A single computer may function as a client for some purposes or programs and as a server for other purposes or programs.

[0172] The term "computing system" encompasses all apparatus, devices, and machines for processing data, including, for example, a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple processors or computers. In addition to hardware, an apparatus may include code that creates an environment for the execution of the computer program, such as code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, or one or more combinations thereof.

[0173] The techniques described in this disclosure can be implemented by a computing system including any number of computing devices of any type, such as the controller 60, mobile computing devices 92, 97, or stationary computing device 95. The computing devices may include, but are not limited to, personal computers, smartphones, tablet computers, wearable computers, virtual reality or augmented reality devices, embedded computers, mobile gaming devices, e-readers, in-vehicle computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, notebook computers, game consoles, home entertainment devices, network computers, server computers, mainframe computers, distributed computing devices, cloud computing devices, microcomputers, systems-on-chips (SoCs), systems-in-packages (SiPs), and the like. Although examples herein may describe computing devices as physical devices, implementations are not so limited. In some examples, the computing devices may include one or more of a virtual computing environment, a hypervisor, an emulation, or a virtual machine running on one or more physical computing devices. In some examples, two or more computing devices may comprise a cluster, cloud, farm, or other grouping of multiple devices that coordinate operations to provide load balancing, failover support, parallel processing capabilities, shared storage resources, shared networking capabilities, or other aspects.

[0174] As further shown in Figures 5 and 6, a transport unit may be provided that includes the transport device 10 described above in connection with Figures 1-4 and a mobile unit 82. In the example of Figure 5, the mobile unit 82 includes an airborne vehicle 86, such as an unmanned helicopter or drone. The airborne vehicle 86 includes a counter-coupling 88 that is complementary in shape and configured to engage with the mechanical coupling 48 provided on the exterior surface of the body 11 of the transport device 10. In this manner, the transport device 10 may be removably connected to the mobile unit 82 in a standardized manner.

[0175] The mobile unit 82 may provide self-controlled delivery of the transport device 10 from, for example, a sender's origin to, for example, a recipient's destination.

[0176] 6, transport unit 80' includes mobile unit 82' implemented as a land vehicle 84 with a storage compartment 83 sized to receive transport device 10. Alternatively, coupling 48 may similarly be used to detachably connect transport device 10 to mobile unit 82. Both air vehicle 86 and land vehicle 84 may be implemented as driverless automated guided vehicles. In this manner, costs and expenses for transporting transport devices from origin to destination may be optimized and reduced.

[0177] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of a method for transporting a drug container using the transport device 10 as described above. In a first step 100, the drug container 1 is attached to the holder 40 of the support 30 in the storage compartment 20 of the transport device 10. In a subsequent step 102, transport of the transport device 10 from a starting point to a destination is initiated or continued. During this operation, and in step 104, the motion sensor 50 generates a motion signal or a series of motion signals indicative of the respective motion of the body 11 relative to an external reference frame, e.g., relative to the ground. In a subsequent step 106, the controllers 60, 65 connected to the motion sensor 50 process the motion signals and generate motion control signals, e.g., compensation or agitation signals, effective to cause at least one actuator 34, 35, 36 to move the holder 40 relative to the body 11 such that the movement of the holder 40 relative to the body 11 superimposed with the overall movement of the body 11 relative to the external reference frame results in a damped or suppressed movement of the holder 40 relative to the external reference frame. In a subsequent step 108 , control signals generated or calculated by the controllers 60 , 65 are applied to at least one actuator 34 , 35 , 36 to cause movement of each of the holders 40 relative to the body 11 .

[0178] The procedure then returns to step 102. In other words, the loop of steps 102-108 is repeatedly performed to provide active stabilization of the holder's motion when the body 11 of the transport device 10 is subjected to an externally applied force or mechanical shock. In this way, the active control of the transport device and support 30 and its movable holder 40 provides active containment of the drug container 1 attached to the holder 40 and damping or elimination of the mechanical shock or shock. [Explanation of symbols]

[0179] 1 container 5 User 6 Tags 10. Transportation Devices 11 Main unit 12 Bottom 13 Side wall 14 Side wall 15 Rear Panel 16 Front Panel 17 Ceiling 18 Doors 20 Storage Compartment 21 Storage volume 22 Bottom 23 Side wall 24 Side wall 25 Rear Panel 27 Ceiling 28 Insulation 30 Support 31 feet 32 Arm Section 33 Head Section 34 Actuator 35 Actuator 36 Actuator 37 axis 38 axis 39 axis 40 Holder 41 Fasteners 42 Cardan bearing 44 Lid 45 axis 46 Interlock 48 Coupling 50 sensors 51 Sensors 52 Position Sensor 53 Communication Interface 54 Communication Interface 55 Access Controller 56 Energy Sources 57 Heater 58 Cooler 59 Sensors 60 Controller 61 processors 62 Storage 64 Suspension unit 65 Suspension Controller 66 Temperature Controller 68 Indicators 80 transport units 82 Mobile Unit 83 Storage compartment 84 vehicles 86 Aerial Vehicle 88 Counter Coupling 90 User 92 Mobile Electronic Devices 94 Network 95 Electronic Computing Devices 96 Storage Devices 97 Electronic Computing Devices 98 Mobile Electronic Devices

Claims

1. A delivery device (10) for delivering a drug, comprising: a body (11) including a storage compartment (20) sized to receive a drug container (1); a motion sensor (50, 59) attached to said body (11) and operative to generate an electrical motion signal indicative of the motion of said body (11); a support (30) in said storage compartment (20) and comprising at least one actuator (34, 35, 36), said support (30) further comprising a holder (40) for said drug container (1), said holder (40) being movable relative to said body (11) by said actuator (34, 35, 36); a controller (60, 65) connected to said motion sensor (50, 59) and to said at least one actuator (34, 35, 36), said controller (60, 65) being operative to control the actuation of said at least one actuator (34, 35, 36) based on said actuation signal obtained from said motion sensor (50, 59); A transport device (10) comprising:

2. 2. The transport device (10) of claim 1, wherein the motion sensor (50, 59) comprises an acceleration sensor that functions to quantitatively measure acceleration of the body (11).

3. 3. The transport device (10) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the controller (60, 65) is operative to control movement of the holder (40) relative to the body (11) based on the operation signal.

4. 4. The transport device (10) of claim 3, wherein the operation signal indicates the magnitude of acceleration or deceleration and the direction of movement of the body (11), and the controller (60, 65) functions to generate the operation control signal, which, when received and / or processed by the actuators (35, 36, 37), results in the generation of oppositely directed movement of each of the holders (40) relative to the body (11).

5. A transport device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the actuators (34, 35, 36), the motion sensors (50, 59) and the controller (60, 65) form or establish a control loop such that externally applied forces that cause movement of the body (11) can be effectively compensated for by the holder (40) of the drug container (1).

6. The transport device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the holder (40) is movable by the actuators (34, 35, 36) so as to effectively compensate for externally induced movements of the body (11).

7. The transport device (10) of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the controller (60, 65) functions to move the holder (40) relative to the main body (11) based on the operating signal to at least one of compensate for and attenuate the transmission of mechanical shock or mechanical momentum from the main body (11) to the holder (40).

8. 8. The transport device of claim 7, wherein the controller (60, 65) is operative to generate an electrical compensation signal, the electrical compensation signal being effective to cause the at least one actuator (34, 35, 36) to move the holder (40) relative to the body (11) such that the movement of the holder (40) relative to the body (11) superimposed with the overall movement of the body (11) corresponds to a damped or suppressed movement of the holder (40).

9. The transport device (10) of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the controller (60, 65) is operable to generate a predetermined movement pattern of the holder (40).

10. The transport device (10) of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the support (30) includes a foot (31), an arm section (32), and a head section (33), the head section (33) being provided with the holder (40), the foot (31) being connected to the body (11), the arm section (32) being rotatable relative to the foot (31), and the head section (33) being rotatable relative to the arm section (32).

11. 11. The transport device (10) of claim 10, wherein the foot (31) is rotatable relative to the body (11) about a first axis (37) by a first actuator (34).

12. 12. The transport device (10) of claim 10 or 11, wherein the arm section (32) is pivotable relative to the foot (31) about a second axis (38) by a second actuator (35).

13. The transport device (10) of any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the head section (33) is rotatable relative to the arm section (32) about a third axis (39) by a third actuator (36).

14. a temperature sensor (51) located within said storage compartment (20); a heating element (57) and / or a cooling element (58) located within said storage compartment (20); Further comprising: the temperature sensor (51) and the at least one of the heating element (57) and the cooling element (58) are connected to the controller (60, 66), the controller (60, 66) being operative to activate or deactivate the heating element (57) and / or the cooling element (58) in response to a signal received from the temperature sensor (51) in order to maintain the temperature in the storage compartment (20) within a predetermined range; A transport device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The transport device (10) of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the storage compartment (20) is accessible from outside the transport device (10) through a closable door (18) or lid (44) having an interlock (46), the interlock (46) being controllable by the controller (60, 65).

16. The transport device (10) of any one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising a communication interface (53, 54) operable to communicate with at least one of a wearable electronic device (92), a portable electronic device (98), and a database (96) via a communication network (94).

17. A transport device (10) as described in any one of claims 1 to 16, further comprising a position detection sensor (52) connected to the controller (60) and operative to capture electromagnetic signals and / or generate data indicative of the instantaneous position or orientation of the transport device (10).

18. The transport device (10) of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the controller (60) comprises electronic storage (62) and functions to record data collected from at least one of the motion sensors (50, 59), the temperature sensor (51), and the position detection sensor (52).

19. The transport device (10) of any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the controller (60) is operative to monitor signals from at least one of the motion sensor (50, 59), the temperature sensor (51), and the position detection sensor (52), and further operative to compare the monitored signals with a predetermined signal range.

20. 20. The transport device of claim 1, wherein the body (11) includes a bottom (12) enclosing the storage compartment (20), side walls (13, 14), and a ceiling (17), and at least one of the ceiling (17) and the side walls (13, 14) includes a mechanical coupling (48) for detachably fastening the transport device (10) to a complementary mechanical counter-coupling (88) of a moving unit (82).

21. A delivery unit (80) for delivering a drug, comprising: a self-propelled mobile unit (82), A transport device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 20, connected to or supported by said self-propelled mobile unit (82), and A transport unit (80).

22. 22. The transport unit (80) of claim 21, wherein the self-propelled mobile unit (82) comprises one of an automated guided vehicle (84) and an unmanned aerial vehicle (86).

Images