Device for handling syringes and automated device for preparing intravenous drugs comprising said device for handling syringes - Patents.com

Abstract

To provide a device for handling a syringe increased in the productivity and reliability.SOLUTION: A device for handling a syringe comprises a main body. The syringe comprises a needle covered by a cap. The main body comprises: a cap support comprising a housing for the cap of a needle, the housing configured to hold the cap during removal of the needle from the cap and / or insertion of the needle into the cap by means of a linear movement; a device for joint removal of the cap and needle from the syringe by means of a rotation, where the device comprises a slot defining two spaced parallel faces and configured to interfere dimensionally with the cap of the syringe; and a device for closing the syringe by means of a cap, the device comprising a projection for fixing a support for the cap, the support being replaceable and comprising a recess having a shape matching the shape of the projection and a housing for the cap.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for handling syringes, a support for a closed system drug transfer device, i.e. a cap for use with said device for handling syringes, a combination comprising said device for handling syringes and at least one support or cap for a closed system drug transfer device, a system for handling syringes, an automated device for preparing intravenous drugs comprising said device for handling syringes, an automated device for preparing intravenous drugs comprising said system for handling syringes and a method for handling syringes. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, intravenous drugs were prepared manually by appropriately qualified personnel. However, in recent years, automated devices have emerged for preparing intravenous drugs with the aim of increasing patient safety, such as by reducing possible administration errors, and also the safety of those involved in preparing said drugs, since this type of device significantly reduces or eliminates the exposure of personnel to substances that may be harmful to health.

[0003] Devices for automatically preparing intravenous medications are disclosed, for example, in US Pat. Nos. 5,393,631, 5,491,625, 5,543,342 and 5,613,626.

[0004] The drugs prepared by an automated device for preparing intravenous drugs are usually mixtures of different base products in specific amounts, and in many cases, once the drugs are prepared, they are packaged in containers configured to contain the drugs. The base products are usually stored in vials, from which specific amounts are extracted to prepare the required drug. The vials or containers containing the required base products are usually located in the device, which handles them to prepare the required drug by handling the vials or containers in a specific order.

[0005] Often, the required medication is stored in syringes which are subsequently used by qualified medical personnel to administer the medication to a corresponding patient. To avoid loss of the medication contained within the syringe and to ensure sterility of the medication, among other reasons, it is advisable to close the syringe using a cap or the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application No. 2535034 [Patent Document 2] European Patent Application No. 2624802 [Patent Document 3] European Patent Application No. 2952171 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Traditionally, the closure of the syringe has been achieved, for example, by using a Luer lock type cap. Although the use of a cap to close the syringe has very good results, it has the drawback of having to remove the cap before the drug can be delivered to the patient, for example by placing the needle. Continuing with the example, during the process of removing the cap and placing the needle, there is a risk of losing the liquid contained in the syringe or releasing gas, vapor, etc. Among other advantages, with the aim of limiting or eliminating the above risks, what are known as closed system drug transfer devices (hereinafter CSTDs) have emerged, which mechanically prevent contamination from entering the system, leakage or loss of substances, or vapor of substances from leaving the system.

[0008] Closing a syringe with one of the various types of CSTDs currently available on the market (Phaseal®, Chemolock®, Onguard®, Tevadaptor®, Equashield®) avoids the above-mentioned drawbacks of conventional caps. However, given that there are several types of CSTDs, each of these CSTDs has a different shape and characteristics than the other CSTDs, and using CSTDs in automated and / or robotic systems similarly has the drawback of being complicated, especially when more than one type of CSTD needs to be used.

[0009] Drug preparation in an automated system for preparing intravenous drugs often requires the transfer of fluids from one container to another. This action can or must be performed by using syringes equipped with corresponding needles to introduce and / or remove liquids from one or more containers. However, needles, although they may be necessary at certain stages of drug preparation, also have the risk of accidentally puncturing or tearing other components, containers, etc. For this reason, a particular advantage of an automated device for preparing intravenous drugs is the possibility of disconnecting the needle from its corresponding syringe and inserting a cap that normally protects the injection needle, thereby increasing the flexibility and operational safety of the device. The presence of a cap that protects the needle eliminates the risk of accidentally tearing or puncturing other containers or elements of the automated intravenous drug preparation device, and in particular of puncturing the container or the operator involved in handling the device, since it is necessary to take into account the possibility of contaminating the needle in addition to the risk of puncturing oneself. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a device, which allows capping and uncapping of injection needles, i.e. removing and inserting the needle cap, and removing or decoupling the needle from the syringe, and closing said syringe, increasing the productivity and reliability of the devices known in the art. A further object of the present invention is also to provide a device which allows the use of various types of CSTDs for closing syringes, as well as the above. To this end, the present invention discloses a device for handling syringes, said syringe comprising a needle covered by a cap, said device comprising a main body, said main body comprising: a cap support comprising a storage for a needle cap, said storage being configured to hold said cap during removal of the needle from the cap and insertion of the needle into the cap by means of a linear movement; - a device for removing the cap and needle together from the syringe by means of rotation, the device comprising a slot defining two spaced apart parallel surfaces and configured to dimensionally interfere with the cap of the syringe; at least one device for closing a syringe with a closed system drug transfer device (CSTD) or cap, said device comprising a protrusion for fixing a support for said CSTD or cap, said support being exchangeable and comprising a recess having a shape that matches the shape of said protrusion and of the housing of said CSTD or cap; Equipped with.

[0011] The device for handling syringes is preferably adapted for use in an automated device for preparing intravenous medications, however, the device may be adapted for use in other types of devices, systems, etc. as well.

[0012] Advantageously, the device for removing the cap and needle together from the syringe defines a longitudinal axis and is rotatable about said longitudinal axis, or alternatively, said device for removing the cap and needle together from the syringe may not be capable of rotation, in which case the syringe, together with its cap and needle, should rotate relative to said device for removing the cap and needle together.

[0013] In a preferred form, the slot is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device for removing the cap and needle together.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment, the device for removing the cap and the needle together from the syringe is connected to the main body of the device by means of a resilient element, preferably comprising at least one spring.

[0015] Preferably, the cap support includes a second slot disposed perpendicular to the cap recess and configured to receive a flange of the cap.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the cap receiving portion is configured to dimensionally interfere with the cap.

[0017] The dimensional interference between the second slot and the cap and cap recess may be complementary or alternative properties.

[0018] Advantageously, the cap support comprises a sensor for detecting the presence of said cap, which makes it possible, among other advantages, to verify that the cap remains in the support after the needle has been removed, to verify that the cap has left the support after the needle has been reinserted into the cap, and / or to verify that the compartment of the cap support is empty and therefore ready to start removing the needle cap. Preferably, said sensor is a photocell.

[0019] Advantageously, said cap support is connected to the main body of the device by means of a resilient element, preferably said resilient element comprising at least one spring.

[0020] Advantageously, the projection of the device for closing a syringe comprises at least one retaining element on a support for a closed system drug transfer device (CSTD) or cap. Preferably, said projection comprises two opposing faces, each face comprising at least one retaining element on a support for a closed system drug transfer device (CSTD) or cap. Preferably, said retaining element comprises a spherical or semi-spherical part connected to said projection by means of an elastic element. Advantageously, said elastic element comprises a spring.

[0021] Advantageously, at least one device for closing the syringe defines a longitudinal axis and has the ability to rotate about said longitudinal axis, or said device for closing the syringe may not have the ability to rotate, in which case the syringe must be rotated relative to said device in order to close itself.

[0022] Preferably, the device for handling the syringe includes a sensor for verifying that the needle and cap have been removed from the syringe.

[0023] Advantageously, the device for handling the syringe comprises a sensor for verifying that a cap or closed system drug transfer device (CSTD) is present on the syringe.

[0024] Advantageously, the device for handling syringes comprises a motor which drives at least one device for closing the syringe and a device for removing the cap and the needle together by means of a transmission belt. Alternatively, the device for handling syringes may comprise, for example, a motor for each of the devices for closing the syringe and / or a motor for the device for removing the cap and the needle together.

[0025] According to another aspect of the invention there is also provided a support for a closed system drug transfer device (CSTD) i.e. a cap and for use in a device for handling syringes, said support comprising a body having a first and a second part, both parts being connected to each other, the first part comprising a recess having a shape matching the shape of a protrusion in a device for closing syringes, and the second part comprising a storage section for the closed system drug transfer device (CSTD) i.e. a cap.

[0026] Preferably, said first and second parts of the support are connected to one another by at least one elastic element. Advantageously, said elastic element comprises a spring.

[0027] According to another aspect of the invention, there is also provided an combination comprising a device for handling a syringe as described above and at least one support for a closed system drug transfer device (CSTD) or cap as described above.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a syringe handling system comprising the syringe handling apparatus described above and a robotic arm configured at least to handle the syringe during removal of the needle from the cap and / or insertion of the needle into the cap, to handle the syringe during removal of the cap and needle together, and to handle the syringe during closing of the cap with a closed system drug transfer device (CSTD), i.e. the cap.

[0029] According to another aspect of the invention, there is also provided an automated device for preparing intravenous medication, said automated device comprising a device for handling a syringe as described above.

[0030] According to another aspect of the invention, an automated device for preparing intravenous medication is also provided, which comprises a system for handling a syringe as described above.

[0031] According to another aspect of the invention, there is also provided a method for handling a syringe having a needle and a needle cap, said method comprising the steps of: - introducing a cap into a housing of a cap support, the cap being connected to a corresponding needle of the cap, which needle is connected to a corresponding syringe, the housing being configured to hold the cap during needle removal and / or needle insertion by means of a linear movement, - removing the needle from the needle cap using a linear displacement of the syringe and the syringe needle; - introducing the needle into a cap located in a recess of a cap support by means of a linear displacement of the syringe and the needle of the syringe, - removing the cap together with the needle and syringe from the cap support; - introducing the cap and the syringe into the slot of the device to remove the cap and the needle together, - removing the cap and the syringe together by means of a relative rotation between the cap and said slot of the device for removing the cap and the needle together; and - Closing the syringe by means of relative rotation between the syringe and a closed system drug transfer device (CSTD) or cap contained within the device for closing the syringe; has.

[0032] Preferably, the method comprises the step of verifying that the cap is present in the cap recess using a sensor after removing the needle using the linear movement.

[0033] Advantageously, the method includes the step of verifying that the cap and syringe have been removed together using a sensor.

[0034] Preferably, the method includes the step of verifying closure of the syringe using a sensor to detect the presence of a Closed System Drug Transfer Device (CSTD) or cap on the syringe.

[0035] Preferably, metering the medication into the syringe occurs after removing the needle from the needle cap and before inserting the needle into the cap, however, metering the medication may occur at other steps of the method as well.

[0036] In this specification, the directions: horizontal, vertical, up, down, etc. are understood according to the normal working position of the device for handling syringes, i.e. with the longitudinal axis of said device for handling syringes perpendicular to the ground. If not indicated otherwise, and in case of doubt, the directions are understood according to the positions of the various elements as shown in the drawings attached hereto.

[0037] In order to provide a better understanding of the present invention, there are attached, by way of illustrative but non-limiting examples, representative drawings of some of the exemplary embodiments of a device for handling syringes, a support for several exemplary embodiments of a closed system drug transfer device, i.e., a cap, and an automated device for preparing intravenous drugs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a device for handling a syringe according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a closed system drug transfer device (CSTD) or cap according to the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the closed system drug transfer device (CSTD) of the present invention, shown in FIG. 1, equipped with two supports for the cap. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cap support according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1; [Diagram 5] 2A-2C are side views illustrating a process of removing a cap from a syringe using the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1. [Figure 6]2A-2C are side views illustrating a process of inserting a syringe needle into a cap using the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] 2A-2C are perspective views of two devices for closing a syringe with a closed system drug transfer device (CSTD) or cap according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are perspective and longitudinal cross-sectional views of an exemplary embodiment of a support for a closed system drug transfer device (CSTD) or cap according to the present invention. [Figure 9] 2 is a perspective view of an apparatus for removing the cap and needle together from the syringe according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the exemplary embodiment device of FIG. 1 excluding the outer housing of the device. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an automated device for preparing an intravenous drug according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] In the drawings, identical or equivalent elements are designated with the same reference numbers.

[0040] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a device for handling syringes according to the present invention. The exemplary embodiment of the device 1 shown in this figure comprises a main body 10, which comprises a cap support 100 at the front of the main body, a closed system drug transfer device (CSTD), i.e. four devices 210, 220, 230, 240 for closing the syringe with a cap, and a device 300 for removing the needle together with its cap.

[0041] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the cap support 100 is located in the upper part of the front face of the main body 10 of the device 1, the device 300 for removing the needle together with its cap is located in the lower part of said front face, and the devices 210, 220, 230, 240 for closing the needle with a CSTD or cap are located between the cap support 100 and the device 300. More specifically, in this exemplary embodiment, the devices 210, 220, 230, 240 are distributed in a rectangular shape. However, in other embodiments, the distribution of the support 100 and the devices 210, 220, 230, 240, 300 may differ from the distribution in the exemplary embodiment shown in this figure. Similarly, other embodiments may have a different number of devices 210, 220, 230, 240 for closing the syringe with a CSTD or cap, such as 1, 2, 3, 5, etc.

[0042] The device 1 according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment further comprises an arm 20 connected to the main body 10 of the device, said arm 20 comprising a sensor 400. Said sensor 400 is configured to verify the removal of the needle and cap from the syringe and also to verify the presence of the cap or CSTD on the syringe. In other embodiments, both functions can be performed by two independent sensors, i.e. one sensor for one function. An embodiment without said sensor 400 is possible as well. In this case, it is assumed that the processes such as needle insertion and removal are performed correctly.

[0043] 2 shows a perspective view of multiple supports for closed system drug transfer devices (CSTDs) or caps according to the present invention. Each support 510, 520, 530, 540, 550 is configured for use with a different cap or CSTD (Phaseal®, Chemolock®, Onguard®, Tevadaptor®, Equashield®, etc.) 710, 720, 730, 740, 750.

[0044] Each of the supports 510, 520, 530, 540, 550 comprises a first part 511, 521, 531, 541, 551 and a second part 512, 522, 532, 542, 552. The first part 511, 521, 531, 541, 551 is configured to be fixed to a corresponding device 210, 220, 230, 240 (see FIG. 1 ), while the second part 512, 522, 532, 542, 552 is configured to receive a corresponding cap or CSTD 710, 720, 730, 740, 750.

[0045] The components and functions of the supports 510, 520, 530, 540, 550 are described in detail below.

[0046] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the device according to the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, which comprises two supports 520, 520' arranged in separate devices 210, 220, each of which receives a corresponding cap or CSTD 720, 720'. Figure 3 shows the device 1 shown in Figure 1 from another perspective and its various components.

[0047] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the cap support 100 of the device 1 shown in FIG. 1. This figure shows how the cap support 100 comprises a housing 110 for a cap 1020 of a needle 1010 of a syringe (not shown). Said housing 110 for a cap may also be referred to as a main housing 110. Said housing 110 for a cap, i.e. a main housing, may be dimensioned to dimensionally interfere with the cap 1020 of the needle 1010. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the support 100 comprises a second slot 120 arranged perpendicularly to the housing 110 for the cap 1020 and configured to receive a flange 1021 of said cap 1020 of the needle 1010. The interference formed between the second slot 120 and the flange 1021 of the cap 1020 prevents said cap 1020 from being axially displaced when removing and / or inserting the syringe 1010 with an axial movement of the syringe. The second slot 120 may complement or replace the dimensional interference between the housing 110 for the cap 1020 and the cap 1020. For example, in embodiments where the dimensional interference between the housing 110 for the cap 1020 and the cap 1020 provides sufficient resistance to axial displacement, the second slot 120 or the like may be eliminated. Alternatively, in embodiments where the second slot 120 provides interference between itself and the cap 1020, more specifically the flange 1021 of the cap, providing sufficient resistance to axial displacement, there may be no dimensional interference between the support 100 for the cap 1020 and the cap 1020 or other types of retention means of said cap 1020 during removal and / or insertion of the needle 1010 using linear movement.

[0048] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the cap support 100 comprises a base 140 to which is connected a part comprising two substantially cylindrical bases 150, 151. Each of the bases 150, 151 comprises a slot aligned with the other and defines a receiving section 110 for the cap 1020. The support 100 can be considered to have a cradle-like shape.

[0049] The support 100 according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment is connected to the main body 10 of the device through its base 140 by means of a spring 130 (see FIG. 5), so that the connection between said support 100 and said device 1 is not rigid. The connection by the spring 130 allows the support 100 to float with respect to the device 1, thus making it possible, among other advantages, to absorb the forces acting on the support, i.e. on the cap 1020 and on the syringe 1010 of the device during operation of the device. In other embodiments, said spring 130 can be replaced by other suitable elastic means.

[0050] Figures 5 and 6 show, respectively, side or outline views of the process of removing and inserting a syringe cap using the device 1 shown in Figure 1. These figures clearly show that pairs of springs 130 connect the base 140 of the support 100 of the cap 1020 to the main body 10 of the device 1.

[0051] 5 shows the process of removing the cap 1020 from the needle 1010 in three steps A, B, C. In a first step A, the cap 1020 and the needle 1010 (not shown) are placed on top of the housing 110 for the cap 1020 and aligned with the housing 110. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, said cap 1020 is pressed until the cap abuts the base 140. In this way, the flange 1021 of the cap 1020 is aligned with the second or auxiliary slot 120 (see FIG. 4) of the device 1 according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment.

[0052] Once the cap 1020 and thus the needle 1010 are aligned with the storage section 110 for the cap 1020 and the second slot 120, the second step B consists of lowering the syringe (not shown) together with the cap 1020 and the needle 1010 of the syringe until the cap 1020 abuts against the storage section 110 for the cap 1020.

[0053] After completing the second step B, a third step C consists of axially displacing a syringe (not shown) and the needle 1010 of the syringe in the opposite direction to the device 1, so that the needle 1010 is out of the cap 1020. Due to interference between the flange 1021 of the cap 1020 and the auxiliary slot 120, and possible dimensional interference between the cap 1020 and the housing 110 for the cap 1020, it is possible to remove the needle 1010 from the cap 1020 without displacing the cap.

[0054] Once the needle 1010 is removed from the cap 1020, the necessary steps may be taken to prepare the medication.

[0055] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the support 100 is equipped with a sensor (not shown) to verify the presence of the needle cap 1020. In this way, if the cap 1020 is out of the cap housing 110 due to some error, a warning or error signal can be issued and even the drug preparation process can be stopped. Another advantage of the presence of said sensor is that it makes it possible to ensure that the needle 1010 of the syringe is free, i.e. that the cap 1020 cannot cover the needle 1010 when it is on the support 100, and thus said needle 1010 is ready for use in the drug preparation process.

[0056] FIG. 6 shows three steps AA, BB, and CC of the process of introducing a needle 1010 of a syringe (not shown) into a cap 1020.

[0057] Upon completing a process for preparing a medication that requires the use of the needle 1010 of a syringe (not shown), it is desirable to replace the needle 1010 inside the needle cap 1020 to prevent the needle from being damaged and from tearing, piercing, breaking, etc., the equipment or container inside the automated device for preparing intravenous medication, preferably the device 1 is installed in this automated device. It is also desirable to replace the needle 1010 inside the needle cap 1020 to prevent tearing and / or breaking the trash bag or waste container in which the used needle 1010 is disposed, and to prevent accidents (particularly pricking) to personnel involved in emptying said trash bag or container when disposing of the used needle 1010.

[0058] The first step AA for introducing needle 1010 into needle cap 1020 consists of aligning said needle 1010 with needle cap 1020.

[0059] Once the needle 1010 is aligned with the needle cap 1020, the second step BB consists of moving the needle 1010 axially until the needle is introduced inside the cap 1020, whereby said cap 1020 dimensionally interferes with the cone of the needle 1010, thereby connecting the two.

[0060] A third step CC in the process of introducing the needle 1010 into the needle cap 1020 consists of lifting or radially displacing the syringe (not shown) together with the syringe needle 1010 and the syringe cap 1020 along the syringe housing 110 until the syringe, the syringe needle 1010 and the syringe cap 1020 are released from the support 100.

[0061] The spring 130 connecting the base 140 of the support 100 to the main body 10 of the device 1 is capable of absorbing small shocks, excessive forces, misalignments, etc. that may occur during the process of removing and inserting the cap 102 and that, if not cushioned or absorbed, could damage the needle 1010, the cap 1020, the syringe or the support 100.

[0062] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the processes for removing and introducing the cap 1020 shown in Figures 5 and 6 are performed by a robotic arm or the like of an automated device for preparing intravenous medication (see Figure 11), however, these processes may equally be performed by a suitably qualified operator.

[0063] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the procedure followed for introducing the injection needle 1010 into the cap 1020 is that described in EP 3176540, although other embodiments may follow different procedures.

[0064] 7 shows a perspective view of two devices 230, 240 for closing a syringe with a closed system drug transfer device (CSTD) or cap of the device 1 shown in FIG. 1. As can be seen, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the devices 230, 240 are substantially cylindrical in shape and at one of their ends, which is not connected to the device 1, are provided with a protrusion 231, 241 having a shape that matches the shape of a recess in the CSTD or cap (see, for example, FIG. 8). In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the flat and parallel faces of the protrusions 231, 241 and the corresponding recesses in the support (see, for example, FIG. 8) allow for an efficient transfer of the rotational movement of the device 230, 240 to the corresponding support, which is then responsible for transferring the rotational movement to the corresponding CSTD or cap. To increase the fixation of the support to the device 230, 240, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the protrusions 231, 241 are provided with a retention element. More specifically, the protrusions 231, 241 of the devices 230, 240 comprise a number of bulbous portions 232, 242 connected to the protrusions 231, 241, such as by means of springs. The bulbous portions 232 are adapted to fit into corresponding recesses in recesses of a corresponding support for the CSTD or cap. The bulbous portions 232, 242 may also be hemispherical or othersIn order to further increase the fixation between the support and the device 230, 240, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment the projections 231, 241 additionally comprise a number of holes 233, 243 which are configured to allow specific spherical or semi-spherical parts located in corresponding recesses of the support to fit into said recesses.

[0065] 8 shows a perspective view and a longitudinal section of an exemplary embodiment of a support for a closed system drug transfer device (CSTD) or cap according to the invention. The support 550 according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment comprises a first part 551 and a second part 552. As can be seen in the cross-sectional view, both parts 551, 552 are connected by at least one spring 553. Said connection between parts 551, 552 by elastic means allows the second part 552 to float with respect to the first part 551, thus enabling the support 550 to absorb excess forces on the CSTD 750 or cap or on the second part 552, among other advantages.

[0066] The illustrated support 550 also includes a pair of screws 554, 554', which limit the displacement between the first part 551 and the second part 552 of the support 550 and guide the movement between them. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the movement between the parts 551, 552 is also guided by the engagement of a protrusion 5510 of the first part 551 with a recess 5520 in the second part 552. Furthermore, the pair of screws 554, 554' also helps to transmit the movement of the first part 551 to the second part 552, and the corresponding devices 210, 220, 230, 240 (see, for example, FIG. 1) are responsible for transmitting the rotational movement to the support 550, which in turn is responsible for transmitting said rotational movement to the CSTD 750, i.e., the cap.

[0067] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the support 550, more specifically the first part 551 of the support, comprises a recess or slot 555 having a shape that matches the shape of the projection 231, 241 of the corresponding device 230, 240 (see FIG. 7). In this way, the support 550 is fixed to the corresponding device 230, 240 and is able to transmit a rotational movement of said device 230, 240 to a specific CSTD 750 or cap. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, said rotational movement is used to fix said CSTD 750 or cap to the corresponding syringe for closure of the syringe.

[0068] As can be seen, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the CSTD 750 or cap is received within a recess formed in the second part 552 of the support 550, the recess having a shape that matches the shape of the CSTD 750 or cap that it is intended to receive.

[0069] After closing the syringe with a corresponding CSTD 750 or cap, the syringe (not shown) can be placed in the detection area of ​​the sensor 400 (see Figures 1 and 3) to verify the presence of the cap or CSTD on the syringe. Once the sensor 400 verifies that a cap or CSTD is present on the syringe, the syringe can be considered already completed and can be delivered to a corresponding operator or stored for later delivery with other syringes. In an embodiment without a sensor 400, the cap or CSTD is assumed to be correctly placed by the supports 510, 520, 530, 540, 550 and corresponding devices 210, 220, 230, 240, 250 (see Figures 1 to 3).

[0070] Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a device 300 for removing the cap together with its needle from the device 1 shown in Figure 1. Said device 300 comprises a slot 310 defined by two parallel faces 311. The spacing or distance between the faces 311 is such that said spacing or distance allows the cap 1020 of the needle 1010 to dimensionally interfere with said faces. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the cap 1020 has a number of external ribs 1022, in this case four, distributed in an X-shape. The spacing between the cap 1020 and its ribs 1022 and the surface 311 of the slot 310 of the device 300 allows the ribs to be introduced into the slot 310 at a specific angular position of the cap 1020, and after verifying the relative angular position between the cap 1020 and the slot 310, or after verifying that the cap 1020 has been rotated or the slot 310 has been rotated, said cap 1020 and said slot 310 will dimensionally interfere, more specifically, the ribs 1022 of the cap 1020 will dimensionally interfere with the surface 311 of the slot 310. In the illustrated exemplary case, the device 300 is involved in rotating.

[0071] If the device 300 continues to rotate while holding the syringe (not shown) in a fixed position when the cap 1020 dimensionally interferes with the slot 310, the device 300 will decouple the cap 1020 and the needle 1010 from the syringe (not shown). The device 300 acts on the cap 1020, which in the illustrated exemplary embodiment is connected to the cone of the needle 1010 by dimensional interference, so that any rotation of the cap 1020 is transmitted to the needle 1010 until the needle is unscrewed or disconnected from the syringe (not shown). To keep the syringe in a fixed position, it is preferably held by an arm. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the arm is a robot arm (see FIG. 11), but the arm could equally well be an operator's arm.

[0072] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the device 300 is connected to the device 1 by means of elastic means, which make it possible to absorb possible misalignments, excess pressures, etc., when the syringe, more particularly the cap 1020 of the syringe, approaches and is inserted into the slot 310. In particular, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, said elastic means is a spring.

[0073] After removing the cap 1020 and needle 1010 from a corresponding syringe (not shown), the syringe can be placed in the detection area or detection zone of the sensor 400 to verify that the cap 1020 and needle 1010 have been correctly removed from the syringe and that it is ready to be closed with a cap or CSTD using the device 210, 220, 230, 240, 250 and corresponding support 510, 520, 530, 540, 550.

[0074] After the cap 1020 and needle 1010 are removed, they may fall by gravity from the device 300 into a waste container or the like. In other embodiments, a robotic arm (see FIG. 10) may be configured, for example, to remove the cap 1020 and needle 1010 from the device 300 and drop the cap and needle into a waste container. The robotic arm (see FIG. 10) may similarly be configured to grasp the cap 1020 and needle 1010, remove the cap and needle from the device 300, and dispense the cap and needle into a waste container or the like.

[0075] The above describes the process followed by a syringe containing a final product or drug, i.e. ready for administration to a patient. However, the syringe handling device 1 also serves to handle transfer syringes, i.e. syringes used to transfer substances between vials or bags but not intended for administration to a user, i.e. a patient. In the latter case, after use, a corresponding cap 1020 can be placed on the needle 1010, for example following the procedure shown in FIG. 6, after which the syringe can be disposed of by discarding it in a corresponding waste container. To avoid accidents, tears, punctures, etc., it is highly recommended to introduce the needle into the needle cap before discarding said syringe.

[0076] Figure 10 shows a rear perspective view of the device 1 shown in Figure 1, but without the housing covering the main body 10 (see Figure 1), so that the internal structure 11 of said main body 10 can be seen. In addition to allowing some elements of the device 1 to be seen from a different perspective than in the previous figures, this view allows the view of the motor 600, which is responsible for operating the devices 210, 220, 230, 240, 300, and more particularly for rotating these devices about their own axis of rotation. Said rotation of the devices 210, 220, 230, 240, 300 can be clockwise and / or counterclockwise.

[0077] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, a single electric motor 600 is responsible for driving the devices 210, 220, 230, 240, 300 by means of a toothed belt transmission (not shown). However, in other embodiments, other types of transmissions may be used to drive the various devices. Other embodiments can also include more than one motor for driving the devices, for example one motor for two of the devices 210, 220, 230, 240, 300, or each of the devices 210, 220, 230, 240, 300 can include its own motor, thus allowing greater independence in the operation of the devices 210, 220, 230, 240, 300 and thus the device 1 for handling syringes that include these devices.

[0078] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an automated device for preparing intravenous drugs according to the present invention. As can be seen, the automated device 2 for preparing intravenous drugs shown in this figure comprises two robotic arms 2000, 2000', said robotic arms 2000, 2000' being involved in handling the syringes, vials etc. used to prepare intravenous drugs. The device 2 comprises a sash window 2001, which allows access to the working space of the device 2. The window 2001 is configured to maintain the required cleanliness and sterility conditions inside the device once closed. Furthermore, the window 2001 is made of a translucent, i.e. transparent, material, allowing monitoring of the operations performed by the device 2 from outside the device by a suitably qualified operator.

[0079] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the automated device 2 for preparing intravenous drugs comprises a device 1 for handling syringes. In order to maximize the productivity of the robot 2000, 2000' and the remaining elements of the device 2, the device 1 is located in the lower area on the left hand side (from the viewpoint of FIG. 11) between the carousel 2002 and the sash window 2001. In this position, the robot arm or robot 2000 is involved in interacting with said device 1.

[0080] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, when the device 2 is not operating and the sash window 2001 is open, a suitably qualified operator is responsible for placing a number of empty syringes with corresponding needles and caps in the carousel 2002. The syringes, together with their needles and caps in the carousel 2002, serve to be later fed to the device 2, and the robotic arm 2000 is responsible for removing the corresponding syringes from the carousel 2002 and initiating the task requiring the syringes.

[0081] With reference to the figures mentioned above, in the device 2 according to the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 11, the robotic arm 2000 is involved in removing the cap 1020 from and / or capping the syringe 1010 using the cap support 100, following the procedure shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. After preparing the drug by the device 2, the robotic arm 2000 is involved in placing the cap 1020 on the needle 1010, and later transfers the syringe together with the syringe needle 1010 and the syringe cap 1020 to the device 300 in order to remove the cap 1020 and the needle 1010 together from the syringe, in case both the cap and the needle are to be removed. After this step, the robot arm 2000 is involved in closing the syringe with a cap or CSTD using one of the devices 210, 220, 230, 240 equipped with a corresponding support 510, 520, 530, 540, 550, and this device contains a specific cap or CSTD 710, 720, 730, 740, 750. Once the syringe has been correctly closed with its corresponding cap or CSTD 710, 720, 730, 740, 750, the device 2 can start sending said syringe to a corresponding operator or storing said syringe for later sending. As mentioned above, in the case where the syringe is a transfer syringe, i.e. a syringe used to transfer fluids between various containers (such as vials or bags) to prepare a drug, said transfer syringe can be discarded by inserting the needle 1010 into the cap 102 corresponding to the needle and then placing the transfer syringe in a corresponding waste container. Discarding the needle 1010 and / or the syringe with the needle 1010 of the syringe without capping the needle with the needle's corresponding cap 1020 can cause serious accidents (such as punctures and breakage).

[0082] Although the present invention has been presented and described with reference to the embodiments of the present invention, it is understood that these embodiments do not limit the present invention, and thus allow for a number of variable design details or other details that may be apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the subject matter disclosed in this description, the claims and the drawings. In particular, unless expressly and explicitly stated otherwise, all features of each of the various embodiments and alternatives shown and / or proposed may be combined with each other. Thus, all modifications and equivalents are included within the scope of the present invention, provided that these modifications and equivalents may be considered to be within the broader scope of the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1 syringe handling device, 2 automatic device, 10 main body, 11 internal structure, 20 arm, 100 cap support, 102 cap, 110 main storage section, 120 auxiliary slot, second slot, 130 spring, 140 base, 150 base, 151 base, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250 device, 231, 241 projection, 232, 242 bulb, 233, 243 hole, 300 device, 310 slot, 311 surface, 400 sensor, 510, 520, 520', 530, 540 support, 511, 521, 531, 541, 551 first part, 512, 522, 532, 542, 552 second part, 553 Spring, 554 screw, 554' screw, 555 slot, 600 electric motor

Claims

1. 1. A device for handling syringes, comprising: the syringe includes a needle covered by a cap; The device comprises a main body; The main body comprises: a cap support comprising a housing for the cap of the needle, the housing being adapted to hold the cap during removal of the needle from the cap and / or insertion of the needle into the cap by means of a linear movement; a device for removing the cap and the needle together from the syringe by means of rotation, the device comprising a slot defining two parallel surfaces spaced apart from one another and configured to dimensionally interfere with the cap of the syringe; at least one device for closing the syringe with a closed system drug transfer device (CSTD), the device comprising a protrusion for fixing a support for the CSTD, the support being exchangeable and comprising a recess, the recess having a shape that matches the shape of the protrusion and the CSTD; An apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device for removing the cap and the needle together from the syringe defines a longitudinal axis and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis.

3. 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the slot is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device for removing the cap and the needle together.

4. 4. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the device for removing the cap and the needle together from the syringe is connected to the main body of the device by means of an elastic element.

5. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cap support comprises a second slot disposed perpendicular to the recess for the cap and configured to receive a flange of the cap.

6. 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the recess for the cap is configured to dimensionally interfere with the cap.

7. 7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the cap support comprises a sensor for detecting the presence of the cap.

8. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the sensor is a photocell.

9. 9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the cap support is connected to the main body of the apparatus by means of a resilient element.

10. 10. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the projection of the device for closing the syringe comprises at least one retaining element of the support for the closed system drug transfer device (CSTD).

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the protrusion has two opposing surfaces, each of the surfaces having at least one element for holding the support for the closed system drug transfer device (CSTD).

12. 12. Apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the retaining element comprises a spherical or semi-spherical surface connected to the projection by means of an elastic element.

13. 13. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that at least one of the devices for closing the syringe defines a longitudinal axis and is rotatable about said longitudinal axis.

14. 14. The device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor for verifying removal of the needle and cap from the syringe.

15. 15. The device of any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising a sensor for verifying the presence of the Closed System Drug Transfer Device (CSTD) in the syringe.

16. A support for a closed system drug transfer device (CSTD) and for use in a device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, comprising: a body having a first part and a second part; Both the first and second parts are connected to each other; the first part comprises a recess having a shape that corresponds to the shape of a protrusion of a device for closing a syringe, The support, wherein the second part comprises a storage portion for the closed system drug transfer device (CSTD).

17. 17. Support according to claim 16, characterized in that the first and second parts are connected to each other by at least one elastic element.

18. 18. A combination comprising a device according to any one of claims 1 to 15 and at least one support for a closed system drug transfer device (CSTD) according to claim 16 or 17.

19. 1. A system for handling a syringe, comprising: An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, a robotic arm configured to at least handle the syringe while removing the needle from the cap and / or inserting the needle into the cap, handle the syringe while removing the cap and the needle together, and handle the syringe while closing the syringe using a closed system drug transfer device (CSTD); A system comprising:

20. 1. An automated device for preparing an intravenous drug, comprising:

16. An automated device, characterized in that it comprises a device according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

21. 1. An automated device for preparing an intravenous drug, comprising:

20. An automated device comprising a system according to claim 19.

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