A fluid transfer station for a pharmaceutical preparation system

Abstract

A fluid transfer station for use within a fluid transfer system having an X-axis, a Y- axis, and a Z-axis, comprising: a container support unit configured to at least partially support the container; an adaptor holder configured for at least partially holding the container-adaptor, said adaptor holder comprising: a hanger element having an adaptor receiving region configured for insertion of the container-adaptor therewithin, and a blocking element configured to selectively block the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region, the adaptor holder being manipulable between an unblocking state in which the blocking element allows the removal of the container- adaptor and a blocking state in which the blocking element blocks the removal of the container-adaptor; an actuator operable to manipulate the adaptor holder between the blocking and unblocking states; and a processing circuitry configured to control the operation of the actuator.

Description

[0001] A FLUID TRANSFER STATION FOR A PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATION SYSTEM

[0002] TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0003] The present application relates to robotic pharmaceutical preparation systems and more particularly to fluid transfer stations for use within the pharmaceutical preparation systems.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] There are known automatic or semi-automatic fluid transfer systems or pharmaceutical preparation systems for preparing drugs designated for administration to patients. These systems include fluid transfer stations for transfer of fluid between various combinations of fluid transfer assemblies and containers. The fluid transfer stations are configured to support and hold containers along with their corresponding adaptors (connectors) that facilitate fluid connection with the container. In the fluid transfer stations, it is important to securely and efficiently support and / or hold the container and its adaptor. Further, in fluid transfer systems deployed for preparation of non-hazardous or hazardous drugs, measures are taken to ensure the system remains sterile.

[0006] GENERAL DESCRIPTION

[0007] A pharmaceutical preparation system (interchangeably referred to herein as “fluid transfer system”) may comprise an automatic or partially automatic system comprising manipulator(s) and / or module(s) controlled at least partially by a controller. The robotic pharmaceutical preparation system can be operable for performing any activity related to preparation of drugs, such as drugs designated for administration to patients, including, for example, compounding, diluting, reconstituting, transferring, filling, drawing, agitating and / or other processes associated with pharmaceutical preparation. The pharmaceutical preparation system can include one or more fluid transfer stations operable for transfer of fluid (drug) between various combinations of fluid transfer assemblies and containers.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a fluid transfer station for use within a fluid transfer system having an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis mutually orthogonal to each other, said fluid transfer system being operable for transferring fluid between a container via a container-adaptor and a fluid transfer assembly, said fluid transfer station comprising: a container support unit configured to at least partially support the container during said transfer of fluid; an adaptor holder associated with the container support unit and configured for at least partially holding the container-adaptor at least during said transfer of fluid, said adaptor holder comprising: a hanger element having an adaptor receiving region configured for insertion of the container-adaptor therewithin along the Z-axis, and a blocking element configured to selectively block the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region along the Z-axis, and the adaptor holder is configured to be manipulated between an unblocking state in which the blocking element allows the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region along the Z-axis and a blocking state in which the blocking element blocks the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region along the Z-axis; an actuator operatively connected to at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element, and operable to move said at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element for manipulating the adaptor holder between the blocking and unblocking states; and a processing circuitry operatively connected to the actuator and configured to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder between the blocking and unblocking states.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a fluid transfer station for use within a fluid transfer system having an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis mutually orthogonal to each other, said fluid transfer system being operable for transferring fluid between a container via a container-adaptor and a fluid transfer assembly, said fluid transfer station comprising: a container support unit configured to at least partially support the container during said transfer of fluid; and an adaptor holder associated with the container support unit and configured for at least partially holding the container-adaptor at least during said transfer of fluid, said adaptor holder comprising a holder protruding portion protruding from the container support unit, said holder protruding portion having a maximum width-dimension along the X-axis and a maximum depth-dimension along the Y-axis, and a material area occupied by a projection of a material of the holder protruding portion on an XY plane including the X- axis and the Y-axis is at most half of a space area occupied by a virtual rectangle having two dimensions equal to the maximum depth-dimension and the maximum widthdimension respectively.

[0010] In some examples, the holder protruding portion can have a maximum heightdimension along the Z-axis, and a material volume occupied by a material of the holder protruding portion can be at most half of a space volume occupied by a virtual cuboid having three dimensions equal to the maximum depth-dimension, the maximum widthdimension, and the maximum height-dimension respectively.

[0011] In some examples, the material volume occupied by the material of the holder protruding portion can be at most one-third of the space volume occupied by the virtual cuboid.

[0012] In some examples, the material area occupied by the projection of the material of the holder protruding portion on the XY plane can be at most one-third of the space area occupied by the virtual rectangle.

[0013] In some examples, the material area occupied by the projection of the material of the holder protruding portion on the XY plane can be at most one-fourth of the space area occupied by the virtual rectangle.

[0014] In some examples, the holder protruding portion can have a top surface facing upwards, and the top surface has curved edges.

[0015] In some examples, the adaptor holder can comprise: a hanger element having an adaptor receiving region configured for insertion of the container-adaptor therewithin, for example, along the Z-axis, and a blocking element configured to selectively block the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region, for example along the Z-axis, and the adaptor holder can be configured to be manipulated between an unblocking state in which the blocking element allows the removal of the containeradaptor from the adaptor receiving region and a blocking state, in which the blocking element blocks the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region.

[0016] In some examples, the adaptor holder can comprise: an actuator operatively connected to at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element, and operable to move the at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element for manipulating the adaptor holder between the blocking and unblocking states; and processing circuitry operatively connected to the actuator and configured to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder between the blocking and unblocking states. The fluid transfer station according to the first and / or second aspect can include any one or more of the following features in any combination:

[0017] - optionally, the processing circuitry can be configured to control the operation of the actuator based on a condition;

[0018] - optionally, the condition can include sensing positioning of the container-adaptor within the adaptor receiving region, and the processing circuitry can be configured to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder towards the blocking state;

[0019] - optionally, the condition can include sensing a touch on one or more of the hanger element and the blocking element, and the processing circuitry can be configured to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder towards the unblocking state;

[0020] - optionally, the condition can include sensing a presence of an interfering element in the vicinity of the hanger element, and the processing circuitry can be configured to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder towards the unblocking state;

[0021] - optionally, the condition can include sensing an application of a predetermined force on one or more of the hanger element and the blocking element, and the processing circuitry can be configured to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder towards the unblocking state;

[0022] - optionally, the processing circuitry can be configured to control the operation of the actuator to interrupt an ongoing manipulation of the adaptor holder towards the blocking state, and initiate manipulation of the adaptor holder towards the unblocking state;

[0023] - optionally, the processing circuitry can be configured to receive sensor data indicative of the condition and generate a control signal based thereupon for said controlling the operation of the actuator;

[0024] - optionally, the fluid transfer station can further comprise a sensor arrangement operatively connected to the processing circuitry and configured to generate said sensor data;

[0025] - optionally, the sensor arrangement can comprise one or more of a touch sensor, a force sensor, a pressure sensor, and an optical sensor; - optionally, the processing circuitry can be configured to receive a control signal for said controlling the operation of the actuator based thereupon;

[0026] - optionally, in the blocking state, the blocking element can restrict movement of the container-adaptor along the Z-axis;

[0027] - optionally, in the blocking state, the blocking element can at least partially overlap the adaptor receiving region when seen in a direction along the Z-axis;

[0028] - optionally, the Z-axis can be oriented along a vertical direction;

[0029] - optionally, the adaptor receiving region can be configured for insertion of the container-adaptor therewithin along a vertically downward direction, and in the blocking state, the blocking element blocks the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region along a vertically upwards direction;

[0030] - optionally, the actuator can be configured to move said at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element between a blocking position corresponding to the blocking state and an unblocking position corresponding to the unblocking state;

[0031] - optionally, said at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element can be articulably connected to the container support unit via a movement mechanism allowing the movement of said at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element with respect to the container support unit for displacement between the blocking and unblocking positions;

[0032] - optionally, the movement mechanism can be a linear movement mechanism allowing the movement of said at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element along the Y-axis;

[0033] - optionally, the Y-axis can be oriented along a horizontal direction extending between the container support unit and the adaptor receiving region;

[0034] - optionally, the movement mechanism can comprise a guide rail mechanism;

[0035] - optionally, the container support unit can comprise a base and a support panel connected to the base, said support panel can be configured to support the container;

[0036] - optionally, the support panel can be detachably connected to the base;

[0037] - optionally, the support panel can be at least partially transparent;

[0038] - optionally, the support panel can comprise a support surface configured for allowing the IV bag to be positioned thereupon;

[0039] - optionally, the adaptor holder can be configured for at least partially holding at least one of a container port and a spike adaptor; - optionally, the hanger element can comprise a first hanger portion configured to receive a corresponding first portion of the container-adaptor and a second hanger portion configured to receive a corresponding second portion of the container-adaptor, said first and second hanger portions being spaced apart from each other along the Y-axis and at least partially defining therebetween the adaptor receiving region;

[0040] - optionally, the first and second hanger portions can be configured to restrict movement of the container-adaptor along the Y-axis;

[0041] - optionally, the first and second hanger portions can be configured to restrict movement of the container-adaptor along the X-axis;

[0042] - optionally, the hanger element can comprise a pair of walls extending at least between the first and second hanger portions, said walls being spaced from each other along the X-axis and at least partially defining therebetween the adaptor receiving region; and

[0043] - optionally, the walls can be configured to restrict movement of the containeradaptor along the X-axis.

[0044] According to a third aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a fluid transfer system operable for transferring fluid between a container via a container-adaptor and a fluid transfer assembly, and having an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z- axis mutually orthogonal to each other, said fluid transfer system comprising at least one fluid transfer station according to any one of the examples of the first and second aspects described above.

[0045] “Fluid transfer” as described herein includes transfer of any fluid between any vessels (e.g. containers and fluid transfer assemblies). In some embodiments, the fluid transfer is in between a container and a fluid transfer assembly.

[0046] As referred to herein, fluid typically comprises a drug, a diluent, saline solution, water or any other fluid used for pharmaceutical preparation. The terms “pharmaceutical” and “drug” are used interchangeably.

[0047] Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as “processing”, “computing”, “comparing”, “determining”, “calculating”, “receiving”, “providing”, “obtaining”, “detecting” or the like, refer to the action(s) and / or process(es) of a computer that manipulate and / or transform data into other data, said data represented as physical, such as electronic, quantities and / or said data representing the physical objects. The term “computer” should be expansively construed to cover any kind of hardware-based electronic device with data processing capabilities including, by way of non-limiting example, the processor, mitigation unit, and inspection unit therein disclosed in the present application.

[0048] The terms “non-transitory memory” and “non-transitory storage medium” used herein should be expansively construed to cover any volatile or non-volatile computer memory suitable to the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0049] The operations in accordance with the teachings herein may be performed by a computer specially constructed for the desired purposes or by a general-purpose computer specially configured for the desired purpose by a computer program stored in a non- transitory computer-readable storage medium.

[0050] Embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter are not described with reference to any particular programming language. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to implement the teachings of the presently disclosed subject matter as described herein.

[0051] EMBODIMENTS

[0052] A more specific description is provided in the Detailed Description whilst the following are non-limiting examples of different embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0053] 1. A fluid transfer station for use within a fluid transfer system having an X-axis, a Y- axis, and a Z-axis mutually orthogonal to each other, said fluid transfer system being operable for transferring fluid between a container via a container-adaptor and a fluid transfer assembly, said fluid transfer station comprising: a container support unit configured to at least partially support the container during said transfer of fluid; an adaptor holder associated with the container support unit and configured for at least partially holding the container-adaptor at least during said transfer of fluid, said adaptor holder comprising: a hanger element having an adaptor receiving region configured for insertion of the container-adaptor therewithin along the Z-axis, and a blocking element configured to selectively block the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region along the Z-axis, wherein the adaptor holder is configured to be manipulated between an unblocking state in which the blocking element allows the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region along the Z-axis and a blocking state in which the blocking element blocks the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region along the Z-axis; an actuator operatively connected to at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element, and operable to move said at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element for manipulating the adaptor holder between the blocking and unblocking states; and a processing circuitry operatively connected to the actuator and configured to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder between the blocking and unblocking states.

[0054] 2. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 1, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to control the operation of the actuator based on a condition.

[0055] 3. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 2, wherein the condition includes sensing a positioning of the container-adaptor within the adaptor receiving region, and the processing circuitry is configured to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder towards the blocking state.

[0056] 4. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 2 or 3, wherein the condition includes sensing a touch on one or more of the hanger element and the blocking element, and the processing circuitry is configured to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder towards the unblocking state.

[0057] 5. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 2 to 4, wherein the condition includes sensing a presence of an interfering element in the vicinity of the hanger element, and the processing circuitry is configured to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder towards the unblocking state.

[0058] 6. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 2 to 5, wherein the condition includes sensing an application of a predetermined force on one or more of the hanger element and the blocking element, and the processing circuitry is configured to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder towards the unblocking state.

[0059] 7. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 4 to 6, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to control the operation of the actuator to interrupt an ongoing manipulation of the adaptor holder towards the blocking state, and initiate a manipulation of the adaptor holder towards the unblocking state.

[0060] 8. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 2 to 7, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to receive a sensor data indicative of the condition and generate a control signal based thereupon for said controlling the operation of the actuator.

[0061] 9. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 8, further comprising a sensor arrangement operatively connected to the processing circuitry and configured to generate said sensor data.

[0062] 10. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 9, wherein the sensor arrangement comprises one or more of a touch sensor, a force sensor, a pressure sensor, and an optical sensor.

[0063] 11. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 10, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to receive a control signal for said controlling the operation of the actuator based thereupon.

[0064] 12. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 11, wherein in the blocking state, the blocking element restricts a movement of the container-adaptor along the Z-axis.

[0065] 13. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 12, wherein in the blocking state, the blocking element at least partially overlaps the adaptor receiving region when seen in a direction along the Z-axis. 14. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 13, wherein the Z-axis is oriented along a vertical direction.

[0066] 15. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 14, wherein the adaptor receiving region is configured for insertion of the container-adaptor therewithin along a vertically downward direction, and in the blocking state, the blocking element blocks the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region along a vertically upwards direction.

[0067] 16. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 15, wherein the actuator is configured to move said at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element between a blocking position corresponding to the blocking state and an unblocking position corresponding to the unblocking state.

[0068] 17. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 16, wherein said at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element is articulably connected to the container support unit via a movement mechanism allowing the movement of said at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element with respect to the container support unit for displacement between the blocking and unblocking positions.

[0069] 18. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 17, wherein the movement mechanism is a linear movement mechanism allowing the movement of said at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element along the Y-axis.

[0070] 19. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 18, wherein the Y-axis is oriented along a horizontal direction extending between the container support unit and the adaptor receiving region.

[0071] 20. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 17 to 19, wherein the movement mechanism comprises a guide rail mechanism. 21. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 20, wherein the container support unit comprises a base and a support panel connected to the base, said support panel being configured to support the container.

[0072] 22. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 21, wherein the support panel is detachably connected to the base.

[0073] 23. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 21 or 22, wherein the support panel is at least partially transparent.

[0074] 24. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 21 to 23, wherein the support panel comprises a support surface configured for allowing the IV bag to be positioned thereupon.

[0075] 25. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 24, wherein the adaptor holder is configured for at least partially holding a spike adaptor.

[0076] 26. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 25, wherein the hanger element comprises a first hanger portion configured to receive a corresponding first portion of the container-adaptor and a second hanger portion configured to receive a corresponding second portion of the container-adaptor, said first and second hanger portions being spaced apart from each other along the Y-axis and at least partially defining therebetween the adaptor receiving region.

[0077] 27. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 26, wherein the first and second hanger portions are configured to restrict a movement of the container-adaptor along the Y-axis.

[0078] 28. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 26 or 27, wherein the first and second hanger portions are configured to restrict a movement of the container-adaptor along the X-axis. 29. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 26 to 28, wherein the hanger element comprises a pair of walls extending at least between the first and second hanger portions, said walls being spaced from each other along the X-axis and at least partially defining therebetween the adaptor receiving region.

[0079] 30. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 29, wherein the walls are configured to restrict a movement of the container-adaptor along the X-axis.

[0080] 31. A fluid transfer station for use within a fluid transfer system having an X-axis, a Y- axis, and a Z-axis mutually orthogonal to each other, said fluid transfer system being operable for transferring fluid between a container via a container-adaptor and a fluid transfer assembly, said fluid transfer station comprising: a container support unit configured to at least partially support the container during said transfer of fluid; and an adaptor holder associated with the container support unit and configured for at least partially holding the container-adaptor at least during said transfer of fluid, said adaptor holder comprising a holder protruding portion protruding from the container support unit, said holder protruding portion having a maximum width-dimension along the X-axis and a maximum depth-dimension along the Y-axis, wherein a material area occupied by a projection of a material of the holder protruding portion on an XY plane including the X-axis and the Y-axis is at most half of a space area occupied by a virtual rectangle having two dimensions equal to the maximum depth-dimension and the maximum width-dimension respectively.

[0081] 32. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 31, wherein said holder protruding portion has a maximum height-dimension along the Z-axis, wherein a material volume occupied by a material of the holder protruding portion is at most half of a space volume occupied by a virtual cuboid having three dimensions equal to the maximum depth-dimension, the maximum width-dimension, and the maximum height-dimension respectively. 33. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 32, wherein the material volume occupied by the material of the holder protruding portion is at most one-third of the space volume occupied by the virtual cuboid.

[0082] 34. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 31 to 33, wherein the material area occupied by the projection of the material of the holder protruding portion on the XY plane is at most one-third of the space area occupied by the virtual rectangle.

[0083] 35. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 31 to 34, wherein the material area occupied by the projection of the material of the holder protruding portion on the XY plane is at most one-fourth of the space area occupied by the virtual rectangle.

[0084] 36. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 31 to 35, wherein the holder protruding portion has a top surface facing upwards, wherein the top surface has curved edges.

[0085] 37. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 31 to 36, wherein the Z-axis is oriented along a vertical direction.

[0086] 38. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 31 to 37, wherein the container support unit comprises a base and a support panel connected to the base, said support panel being configured to support the container.

[0087] 39. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 38, wherein the support panel is detachably connected to the base.

[0088] 40. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 38 or 39, wherein the support panel is at least partially transparent. 41. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 38 to 40, wherein the support panel comprises a support surface configured for allowing the IV bag to be positioned thereupon.

[0089] 42. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 41, wherein the adaptor holder is configured for at least partially holding at least one of a container port and a spike adaptor.

[0090] 43. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 31 to 42, wherein the adaptor holder comprises: a hanger element having an adaptor receiving region configured for insertion of the container-adaptor therewithin, and a blocking element configured to selectively block the removal of the containeradaptor from the adaptor receiving region, wherein the adaptor holder is configured to be manipulated between an unblocking state in which the blocking element allows the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region and a blocking state in which the blocking element blocks the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region.

[0091] 44. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 43, wherein when the adaptor holder is in the blocking state, the material area occupied by the projection of the material of the holder protruding portion on the XY plane is at most half of the space area occupied by the virtual rectangle.

[0092] 45. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 43 or 44, wherein when the adaptor holder is in the blocking state, the material area occupied by the projection of the material of the holder protruding portion on the XY plane is at most half of the space area occupied by the virtual rectangle.

[0093] 46. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 43 to 45, wherein the adaptor holder comprises a hanger connection portion connecting the hanger element to the container support unit, and a blocking element connection portion connecting the blocking element to the container support unit, said hanger connection portion at least partially overlapping the blocking element connection portion when seen in a direction along the Z-axis.

[0094] 47. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 46, wherein the adaptor protruding portion is at least partially constituted by the hanger element, the blocking element, the hanger connection portion, and the blocking element connection portion.

[0095] 48. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 43 to 47, further comprising: an actuator operatively connected to at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element, and operable to move said at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element for manipulating the adaptor holder between the blocking and unblocking states; and a processing circuitry operatively connected to the actuator and configured to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder between the blocking and unblocking states.

[0096] 49. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 48, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to control the operation of the actuator based on a condition.

[0097] 50. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 49, wherein the condition includes sensing a positioning of the container-adaptor within the adaptor receiving region, and the processing circuitry is configured to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder towards the blocking state.

[0098] 51. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 49 or 50, wherein the condition includes sensing a touch on one or more of the hanger element and the blocking element, and the processing circuitry is configured to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder towards the blocking state.

[0099] 52. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 49 to 51, wherein the condition includes sensing a presence of an interfering element in the vicinity of the hanger element, and the processing circuitry is configured to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder towards the blocking state.

[0100] 53. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 49 to 52, wherein the condition includes sensing an application of a predetermined force on one or more of the hanger element and the blocking element, and the processing circuitry is configured to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder towards the blocking state.

[0101] 54. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 51 to 53, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to control the operation of the actuator to interrupt an ongoing manipulation of the adaptor holder towards the blocking state, and initiate a manipulation of the adaptor holder towards the unblocking state.

[0102] 55. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 49 to 54, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to receive a sensor data indicative of the condition and generate a control signal based thereupon for said controlling the operation of the actuator.

[0103] 56. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 55, further comprising a sensor arrangement operatively connected to the processing circuitry and configured to generate said sensor data.

[0104] 57. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 56, wherein the sensor arrangement comprises one or more of a touch sensor, a force sensor, a pressure sensor, and an optical sensor.

[0105] 58. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 48 to 57, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to receive a control signal for said controlling the operation of the actuator based thereupon.

[0106] 59. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 43 to 58, wherein the adaptor receiving region is configured for insertion of the container-adaptor therewithin along the Z-axis, and in the unblocking state, the blocking element allows the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region along the Z-axis, and in the blocking state, the blocking element blocks the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region along the Z-axis.

[0107] 60. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 59, wherein in the blocking state, the blocking element restricts a movement of the container-adaptor along the Z- axis.

[0108] 61. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 59 or 60, wherein in the blocking state, the blocking element at least partially overlaps the adaptor receiving region when seen in a direction along the Z-axis.

[0109] 62. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 59 to 61, wherein the Z-axis is oriented along a vertical direction, and the adaptor receiving region is configured for insertion of the container-adaptor therewithin along a vertically downward direction, and in the blocking state, the blocking element blocks the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region along a vertically upwards direction.

[0110] 63. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 59 to 62, when dependent on Embodiment 48, wherein the actuator is configured to move said at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element between a blocking position corresponding to the blocking state and an unblocking position corresponding to the unblocking state.

[0111] 64. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 63, wherein said at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element is articulably connected to the container support unit via a movement mechanism allowing the movement of said at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element with respect to the container support unit for displacement between the blocking and unblocking positions. 65. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 64, wherein the movement mechanism is a linear movement mechanism allowing the movement of said at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element along the Y-axis.

[0112] 66. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 67, wherein the Y-axis is oriented along a horizontal direction extending between the container support unit and the adaptor receiving region.

[0113] 67. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 64 to 66, wherein the movement mechanism comprises a guide rail mechanism.

[0114] 68. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 43 to 67, wherein the hanger element comprises a first hanger portion configured to receive a corresponding first portion of the container-adaptor and a second hanger portion configured to receive a corresponding second portion of the container-adaptor, said first and second hanger portions being spaced apart from each other along the Y-axis and at least partially defining therebetween the adaptor receiving region.

[0115] 69. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 68, wherein the first and second hanger portions are configured to restrict a movement of the container-adaptor along at least one of the Y-axis and X-axis.

[0116] 70. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 68 or 69, wherein the hanger element comprises a pair of walls extending at least between the first and second hanger portions, said walls being spaced from each other along the X-axis and at least partially defining therebetween the adaptor receiving region.

[0117] 71. The fluid transfer station according to Embodiment 70, wherein the walls are configured to restrict a movement of the container-adaptor along the X-axis.

[0118] 72. A fluid transfer system operable for transferring fluid between a container via a container-adaptor and a fluid transfer assembly, and having an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z- axis mutually orthogonal to each other, said fluid transfer system comprising at least one fluid transfer station according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 71.

[0119] It is to be understood herein that the examples described in this description (with reference to the drawings and otherwise) have been described with reference to only a few components of the fluid transfer system out of all which are encompassed by the scope of the present subject matter for the purposes of conciseness and clarity of the present description. Various examples analogous to those described herein with different components of the fluid transfer system should be considered within the scope of the present description.

[0120] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0121] In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0122] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a fluid transfer system, according to an example of the presently disclosed subject matter;

[0123] FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of a fluid transfer station, according to an example of the presently disclosed subject matter, with its adaptor holder in an unblocking state;

[0124] FIG. 2B illustrates an enlarged view of portion Pl of Fig. 2 A;

[0125] FIG. 2C illustrates a top view of the fluid transfer station of Fig. 2A;

[0126] FIG. 2D illustrates the same view as that of Fig. 2C, with a spike adaptor positioned in the adaptor holder of the fluid transfer station;

[0127] FIG. 2E illustrates a bottom perspective view of the fluid transfer station of Fig. 2A;

[0128] FIG. 2F illustrates another perspective view of the fluid transfer station of Fig. 2A, with a spike adaptor positioned in the adaptor holder of the fluid transfer station;

[0129] FIG. 2G illustrates a perspective view of the fluid transfer station of Fig. 2A, with its adaptor holder in a blocking state;

[0130] FIG. 2H illustrates an enlarged view of portion P2 of Fig. 2G;

[0131] FIG. 21 illustrates a top view of the fluid transfer station of Fig. 2G; FIG. 2 J illustrates the same view as that of Fig. 21, with a spike adaptor positioned in the adaptor holder of the fluid transfer station;

[0132] FIG. 2K illustrates a bottom perspective view of the fluid transfer station of Fig. 2G;

[0133] FIG. 2L illustrates another perspective view of the fluid transfer station of Fig. 2G, with a spike adaptor positioned in the adaptor holder of the fluid transfer station;

[0134] FIG. 2M illustrates a block diagram of a processing circuitry and its interconnection with other components of a fluid transfer system, according to an example of the presently disclosed subject matter;

[0135] FIG. 3 A illustrates a top perspective view of a fluid transfer station, according to an example of the presently disclosed subject matter, with its adaptor holder in the unblocking state;

[0136] FIG. 3B illustrates a horizontal plane having thereupon a projection of a portion of the fluid transfer station of Fig. 3 A;

[0137] FIG. 3C illustrates a top perspective view of the fluid transfer station of Fig. 3 A, with its adaptor holder in the blocking state;

[0138] FIG. 3D illustrates a horizontal plane having thereupon a projection of a portion of the fluid transfer station of Fig. 3C;

[0139] FIG. 3E illustrates a side view of the fluid transfer station of Fig. 3 A;

[0140] FIG. 3F illustrates a side view of the fluid transfer station of Fig. 3C;

[0141] FIG. 3G illustrates a top view of the fluid transfer station of Fig. 3A;

[0142] FIG. 3H illustrates a top view of the fluid transfer station of Fig. 3C;

[0143] FIG. 4A illustrates a top perspective view of a fluid transfer station, according to another example of the presently disclosed subject matter, with its adaptor holder in the unblocking state;

[0144] FIG. 4B illustrates a horizontal plane having thereupon a projection of a portion of the fluid transfer station of Fig. 4A;

[0145] FIG. 4C illustrates a top perspective view of the fluid transfer station of Fig. 4A, with its adaptor holder in the blocking state;

[0146] FIG. 4D illustrates a horizontal plane having thereupon a projection of a portion of the fluid transfer station of Fig. 4C;

[0147] FIG. 4E illustrates a side view of the fluid transfer station of Fig. 4A;

[0148] FIG. 4F illustrates a side view of the fluid transfer station of Fig. 4C; FIG. 4G illustrates a top view of the fluid transfer station of Fig. 4 A; and FIG. 4H illustrates a top view of the fluid transfer station of Fig. 4C.

[0149] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0150] The presently disclosed subject matter provides examples of fluid transfer stations to be used within a pharmaceutical preparation system (interchangeably referred to herein as “fluid transfer system”). The fluid transfer stations within a fluid transfer system facilitate transfer of fluid between containers and / or fluid transfer assemblies, and accordingly include one or more container support units for supporting (by way of holding, hanging, placing thereupon, grabbing, or in any other way supporting) the containers, and corresponding adaptor holders for holding (by way of grabbing, hanging, placing thereupon or in any other way supporting) the adaptors associated with the containers (referred to herein as container-adaptors). Accordingly, the fluid transfer stations described herein include adaptor holders that are configured (by way of their shape, structure, operating mechanism, etc.) to effectively (for example, in a stable and secure manner) hold the adaptors associated with the containers during the transfer of fluid, with a simple, secure (for an operating user), and cost-effective construction and operating mechanism.

[0151] Also, because the fluid transfer systems may require transfer of hazardous or non- hazardous drugs between the containers, the fluid transfer stations described herein are configured (by way of their structure, shape, operating mechanism, etc.) for facilitating sterility of the fluid system, especially at the fluid transfer station where a fluid interface between the containers is established, by allowing a laminar flow of air through such interfaces.

[0152] For the purposes of the present description, a container-adaptor is to be understood as a portion of the container and / or a component attachable to the container that facilitates fluid communication with the container, and can be according to the container being used. In some examples, the container adaptor can be a separate (or even integrally formed with the container) component that can be connected to the container to facilitate fluid communication with the container. Such components can include a spike adaptor, vial adaptor, luer-lock adaptor, or generally any adaptor (or connector) operable to establish a fluid communication with the container. In some examples, the container adaptor can be a port of the container itself, for example an inlet / outlet port through which fluid communication with the container can be facilitated. In any case, when the container is positioned at the container support unit, the container-adaptor is held (or positioned) at the adaptor holder for the transfer of fluid to be carried out.

[0153] The container adaptor can be selected, for example, based on the drug to be transferred to / from the container. For instance, in case a harmful or hazardous drug is to be transferred, an external component such as a spike adaptor, vial adaptor, luer-lock adaptor, or generally any adaptor (or connector) operable to establish fluid communication with the container can be used as a container adaptor. In case, a non- hazardous drug is to be transferred, the port of the container (container port) can be used directly. Accordingly, any such element that facilitates interface with the container for fluid communication can be referred to as a container adaptor, and interchangeably as a container interface element.

[0154] Reference is first made to Fig. 1 illustrating a portion of a fluid transfer system 1 (interchangeably referred to herein as “pharmaceutical preparation system 1”), according to an example of the presently disclosed subject matter. The fluid transfer system 1, in the illustrated example, comprises three fluid transfer stations 10, one or more of which can include some or all of the features of the fluid transfer stations described herein according to various examples of the presently disclosed subject matter. It is to be understood herein that although three fluid transfer stations have been shown herein, the fluid transfer system can include more or lesser number of fluid transfer stations. It is to be further understood herein that any number of fluid transfer stations can include a set of features of the features of the fluid transfer stations described herein, and any number of fluid transfer stations can include a different set of features of the features of the fluid transfer stations described herein. For instance, in some examples, one or more fluid transfer stations of the system 1 can include some of the features of the fluid transfer stations described herein, and one or more fluid transfer stations of the system 1 can include some other of the features of the fluid transfer stations described herein.

[0155] In the example illustrated in Fig. 1, only a portion of the system 1 has been shown for the purposes of conciseness and clarity, and it is to be understood herein that system 1 can be any fluid transfer system configured for automatic or semi-automatic drug preparation procedures including transfer of drugs between various containers. The system 1 has a manipulator 2 for manipulating a fluid transfer assembly 3, which in the illustrated example is a syringe assembly 3 constituted by a syringe 3A and a syringe adaptor 3B. It is to be understood herein that in some examples, the fluid transfer assembly can include any container other than a syringe and its corresponding adaptor. The manipulator 2 is configured to move the fluid transfer assembly 3 to align the adaptor 3B with any one of the fluid transfer stations 10 for establishment of fluid connection between the fluid transfer assembly 3, via the adaptor 3B, and a container positioned at the fluid transfer station 10, via a corresponding container-adaptor held at an adaptor holder of the fluid transfer station (described in detail with respect to Figs. 2A to 2L and 3 A to 3H and / or 4A to 4H).

[0156] In general, the manipulator 2 can be configured to move the fluid transfer assembly 3 in any direction to align the fluid transfer assembly 3, for example, the adaptor 3B with a container-adaptor positioned at the adaptor holder of the fluid transfer station 10. The fluid communication (or interface) between the fluid transfer assembly 3 and a container positioned at the fluid transfer station 10 can be established at a fluid interface region associated with the fluid transfer station 10. The transfer of fluid is carried out within the fluid interface region via the established fluid communication. For the transfer of the fluid, it is important that the container-adaptor be held firmly during establishment of the fluid communication and during the transfer of fluid. Also, the sterility at the fluid interface region is important, for example by allowing laminar flow of air through the fluid interface region.

[0157] In the illustrated example, the system 1 has (or extends along) X-axis, indicated by arrow X, Y-axis, indicated by arrow Y, and Z-axis, indicated by arrow Z, the three axes representing three directions orthogonal to each other. The manipulator 2 is configured to move the fluid transfer assembly 3 along the X-axis to align the adaptor 3 A with any one (at a time) of the fluid transfer stations 10. Once the adaptor 3 A is aligned with the fluid transfer station 10, fluid communication is established between the fluid transfer assembly 3 and a container (not shown) positioned at the fluid transfer station 10 via the adaptor 3 A and a container-adaptor (not shown) associated with the container.

[0158] In general, the system 1 can be positioned within an enclosure (not shown) providing a controlled environment, generally a sterile environment facilitated for reducing or preventing exposure of the system 1 to contaminants. In some examples, the enclosure can comprise a hood, such as a standard fume hood or a laminar flow hood, having an opening (for example, in the form of a window) in the front to allow an operator of the system to access the fluid transfer stations and / or other portions of the system 1. In some examples, the enclosure can comprise a clean room, a bio safety cabinet, an isolator, or any other suitable enclosure in which environmental conditions can be controlled.

[0159] It is to be understood herein that in the illustrated examples, Z-axis is aligned along a vertical direction towards a top and bottom portion of the system 1, Y-axis is aligned along a horizontal direction towards a front and back portion of the system 1 defining a depth of the system 1, and X-axis is aligned along a horizontal direction towards the lateral extent of the system 1. In some examples, the X, Y, and Z axis can be interchanged among each other in any combinations, for example, to be aligned in directions different than those described herein in the illustrated examples.

[0160] The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis of the system are to be understood as corresponding to the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis of the fluid transfer stations as well. For instance, while describing the fluid transfer stations herein below, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis referred to herein, are to be considered as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis of the system , as well as of the fluid transfer stations.

[0161] Reference is now made to Figs. 2A to 2M illustrating a fluid transfer station 10, according to examples of the presently disclosed subject matter. The fluid transfer station 10 described with respect to Figs. 2A to 2M can constitute any, some, or all of the fluid transfer stations of a fluid transfer system, for example, the fluid transfer system 1.

[0162] In general, the fluid transfer station 10 comprises a container support unit for at least partially supporting a container, for example, during transfer of fluid between said container and another container, for example, the fluid transfer assembly 3. The container can be an IV bag, elastomeric pump, vial, or any other generally known container used in drug preparation procedures. The container support unit can comprise a base and a support panel connected to the base. The base can be configured for mounting the fluid transfer station to a platform of (or otherwise within) a fluid transfer system and the support panel can be mounted on the base for supporting the container. The base can have any structure suitable for mounting the container support unit at a corresponding location in the system, by a suitable mounting arrangement. The support panel can be configured to support the container in any manner, for example by way of positioning and placing the container on the support panel, by hanging the container on the support panel, by fastening, strapping, grabbing, holding, etc. In some examples, the support panel is positioned as tilted to an appropriate angle and the container can be placed on a support surface of the support panel without falling because of the angle of the surface with respect to the vertical direction. For instance, the container can be an IV bag (an infusion bag) that can be positioned on the support surface.

[0163] In some examples, the support panel can be connected to the base by a connection arrangement suitable for detachably connecting the support panel to the base, such that the support panel can be detached from the base for cleaning and / or replacement purposes. The connection arrangement can be a mechanical, magnetic, or a combination of a mechanical and magnetic arrangement allowing detachable connection of the support to the base. In some examples, the connection arrangement can include clamps, recesses, grooves, protrusions, a snap fit arrangement, a snug fit arrangement, etc. to allow the connection of the support panel to the base.

[0164] In some examples, the support panel can be partially or fully transparent, for example, to allow an operator or an optical sensor (of the system) to view if there are any accumulations, for example of the fluid being transferred, on the support panel. The transparent support panel also allows the optical sensors of the system to monitor any components and / or operations, a view of which could otherwise be obstructed by an opaque support panel.

[0165] In the illustrated example, the fluid transfer station 10 comprises the container support unit, designated as 12, having the base 14 and the support panel 16, which is transparent. The base 14 can be mounted within a fluid transfer system by a mounting arrangement 15, a part of which is associated with the base 14. The support panel 16 comprises a support surface 16A on which a container, in this example an IV bag (not shown), can be positioned. The tilt of the support panel 16 and thus the support surface 16A with respect to a vertical plane (XZ plane) allows the IV bag to be placed thereupon without falling. The support panel 16 is detachably connected to the base 14 by the connection arrangement, designated as 17.

[0166] In general, the fluid transfer station 10 further comprises an adaptor holder associated with the container support unit 12 and configured for at least partially holding a container-adaptor in fluid communication with the container, at least during the transfer of fluid. The container-adaptor is to be understood as a component that facilitates fluid communication with the container, and can be selected according to the container being used. In some examples, the container adaptor can be a container port, spike adaptor, vial adaptor, luer-lock adaptor, or generally any adaptor (or connector) operable to establish fluid communication with the container. When the container is positioned at the container support unit, the container-adaptor is held (or positioned) at the adaptor holder for the transfer of fluid to be carried out. The adaptor holder can be configured to support the container-adaptor by allowing the adaptor to be positioned therewithin and locking the adaptor within the adaptor holder so as to selectively prevent removal of the adaptor from the adaptor holder.

[0167] In general, the adaptor holder can comprise a hanger element having an adaptor receiving region configured for insertion of the container-adaptor therewithin along the Z-axis, and a blocking element configured to selectively block the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region along the Z-axis. It is to be understood herein that although in the examples illustrated herein, Z-axis has been described as being aligned along a vertical direction, however, in some examples, the Z- axis can be aligned along a first horizontal direction extending between the container support unit and the hanger element or along a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction.

[0168] The blocking element can be selectively positioned between a path of removal (which can be same or different than a path of insertion of the container-adaptor into the adaptor receiving region) of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region thereby selectively blocking the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region and thus from the adaptor holder. The blocking element can be configured to restrict a movement of the container-adaptor along the direction of removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region, thereby blocking the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region. The blocking element can be selectively positioned between a path of removal (along the Z-axis) of the containeradaptor from the adaptor receiving region by moving either or both of the hanger element and the blocking element with respect to the container support unit. Accordingly, the adaptor holder is configured to be manipulated between an unblocking state in which the blocking element is not positioned in the path of removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region and thus allows the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region along the Z-axis and a blocking state in which the blocking element is positioned in the path of removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region and thus blocks the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region along the Z-axis. The adaptor holder can be manipulated between the unblocking and blocking states by moving at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element between corresponding unblocking and blocking positions thereof, respectively. For instance, at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element can be articulably connected to the container support unit, for example, via a movement mechanism allowing the movement of the at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element with respect to the container support unit for displacement between the blocking and unblocking positions.

[0169] In some examples, the blocking element can be stationary (by being fixedly connected to the container support unit) and the hanger element can be moved (by being articulably connected to the container support unit), with respect to the blocking element, between a blocking position of the hanger element which corresponds to the blocking state, and an unblocking position of the hanger element which corresponds to the unblocking state. While being in the blocking position thereof, the hanger element can be so positioned with respect to the blocking element that the blocking element falls (is positioned) in the path of removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region, i.e., the blocking element overlaps the adaptor receiving region when seen in the direction of removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region, and thus blocks the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region. While being in the unblocking position thereof, the hanger element can be so positioned with respect to the blocking element that the blocking element does not fall (is not positioned) in the path of removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region, i.e., the blocking element does not overlap the adaptor receiving region when seen in the direction of removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region, and thus allows the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region.

[0170] In some examples, the hanger element can be stationary (by being fixedly connected to the container support unit) and the blocking element can be moved (by being articulably connected to the container support unit), with respect to the hanger element, between a blocking position of the blocking element which corresponds to the blocking state, and an unblocking position of the blocking element which corresponds to the unblocking state. While being in the blocking position thereof, the blocking element can be so positioned with respect to the hanger element that the blocking element falls (is positioned) in the path of removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region, i.e., the blocking element overlaps the adaptor receiving region when seen in the direction of removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region, and thus blocks the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region. While being in the unblocking position thereof, the blocking element can be so positioned with respect to the hanger element that the blocking element does not fall (is not positioned) in the path of removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region, i.e., the blocking element does not overlap the adaptor receiving region when seen in the direction of removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region, and thus allows the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region.

[0171] In some examples, both of the hanger element and the blocking element can be moved (by being articulably connected to the container support unit), with respect to each other, between their corresponding blocking and unblocking positions, and all the description above with respect to the blocking and unblocking positions of the hanger element and the blocking element can apply to such examples.

[0172] It is to be understood herein that the movement mechanism can have any structure (mechanical, magnetic, or combination thereof) suitable to articulably connect the hanger element and / or the blocking element to the container support unit such that the hanger element and / or the blocking element can be moved with respect to the container support unit. For example, the movement mechanism can be constituted by two parts interconnectable with each other such that relative movement therebetween is allowed, one of the parts can be associated with the container support unit and the other one with the hanger element and / or the blocking element. In some examples, the movement mechanism can include linear mechanism allowing the movement of the hanger element and / or the blocking element in a linear path. In some examples, the linear movement mechanism can include a guide rail mechanism, chain / belt mechanism, gear mechanism, magnetic arrangement, telescopic mechanism, or any other structure suitable to allow relative movement of two elements in a linear direction. In some examples, the movement mechanism can include a pivot and / or rotary mechanism allowing the movement of the hanger element and / or the blocking element in an arcuate path.

[0173] The direction of movement of the hanger element and / or the blocking element between their corresponding blocking and unblocking positions can be transverse to the direction of insertion and / or removal of the container-adaptor into / from the container receiving region. In some examples, the direction of movement of the hanger element and / or the blocking element between their corresponding blocking and unblocking positions can be perpendicular to the direction of insertion and / or removal of the container-adaptor into / from the container receiving region.

[0174] In the illustrated example, the adaptor holder, designated as 20 comprises the hanger element 22 having the adaptor receiving region 23 configured for insertion of the container-adaptor 5 (which in the illustrated example is a spike adaptor configured to be associated with an IV bag that can be positioned at the support panel 16) therewithin along the Z-axis, and the blocking element 24 configured to selectively block the removal of the container-adaptor 5 from the adaptor receiving region along the Z-axis. The Z-axis is aligned along the vertical direction having a vertically upward direction Z1 and vertically downward direction Z2. The container-adaptor 5 can be inserted into the adaptor receiving region 23 along the vertically downward direction Z2 and can be removed therefrom along the vertically upward direction Zl.

[0175] The hanger element 22 is connected to the container support unit 12 via a hanger connection portion 26 and the blocking element 24 is connected to the container support unit 12 via a blocking element connection portion 28. The hanger connection portion 26, and thus the hanger element 22, is fixedly (not moveably or articulably) connected to the container support unit 12, and thus remains stationary with respect thereto. The blocking element connection portion 28, and thus the blocking element 24, is articulably connected to the container support unit 12 via the movement mechanism 30, and can move linearly along the Y-axis with respect to the container support unit 12. The Y-axis has been illustrated as extending along a direction between the container support unit 12 and the blocking element 24 (or hanger element 22), for example along the blocking element connection portion 28 and the hanger connection portion 26. Accordingly, the blocking element 24 is configured to move towards and away from the container support unit 12

[0176] The movement mechanism 30 operates as a guide rail mechanism having a first part 32 associated with the container support unit 12 and second part 34 associated with the blocking element connection portion 28, and thus the blocking element 24. The second part 34 is in association with the first part 32 such that the first part 32 is stationary and the second part 34 is moveable along the first part 32. Accordingly, the blocking element 24 is configured to be displaced between its unblocking position (Figs. 2A to 2F) that corresponds with the unblocking state of the adaptor holder 20, and its blocking position (Fig. 2G to 2L) that corresponds with the blocking state of the adaptor holder 20. As can be best seen in Figs. 2C and 2D (seen along the Z-axis), in the unblocking position of the blocking element 24, i.e., the unblocking state of the adaptor holder 20, the blocking element 24 does not overlap with the container receiving region 23 when seen along the Z-axis, which is the direction of insertion and removal of the containeradaptor 5 into and from the container receiving region 23. Thus, the container-adaptor 5 can be inserted into the container receiving region 23 along the Z-axis by lowering the container-adaptor 5 along the vertically downward direction Z2 and can be removed from the container receiving region 23 along the Z-axis by lifting the container-adaptor 5 along the vertically upward direction Zl, for example, because the blocking element 24 does not obstruct the path of insertion and removal of the container-adaptor 5 along the Z-axis.

[0177] As can be best seen in Figs. 21 and 2J (seen along the Z-axis), in the blocking position of the blocking element 24, i.e., the blocking state of the adaptor holder 20, the blocking element 24 overlaps with the container receiving region 23 when seen along the Z-axis, which is the direction of insertion and removal of the container-adaptor 5 into and from the container receiving region 23. Thus, the container-adaptor 5 cannot be removed from (as well as inserted into) the container receiving region 23 along the Z-axis, for example, because the blocking element 24 obstructs the path of insertion and removal of the container-adaptor 5 along the Z-axis, and restricts the movement of the containeradaptor 5 along the Z-axis. Accordingly, the container-adaptor 5 is locked in the adaptor holder 20.

[0178] In general, the adaptor holder 20 can comprise an actuator operatively connected to at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element, and operable to move the at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element for manipulating the adaptor holder between the blocking and unblocking states. It is to be understood herein that the actuator can have any electrical, mechanical, magnetic, or combination thereof, structure suitable to move the hanger element and / or the blocking element. In some examples, the actuator can include a motor, a telescopic mechanism, a push-pull arrangement, a cam arrangement, a gear arrangement, or other similar structures operable to move the hanger element and / or the blocking element. The actuator can be operatively associated with the hanger element and / or the blocking element either directly or via the movement mechanism. For instance, in some examples, the actuator can be configured to operate the movement mechanism associated with the hanger element and / or the blocking element. In general, the adaptor holder 20 can comprise a processing circuitry operatively connected to the actuator and configured to, for example by the way if sending instructions (over wired or wireless communication link), control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder between the blocking and unblocking states. It is to be understood herein that the processing circuitry can include a computer controller configured to perform operations in accordance with a set of instructions stored on a memory readable by the controller, which may be executed by a central processing unit (CPU), one or more processors, processor units, microprocessors, etc. In some examples, the processing circuitry can include one or more mechanism controllers. The processing circuitry can comprise any means to control elements in the fluid transfer system, such as the actuator, and may comprise at least any one of a controller, a synchronizing unit and a processer. In some examples, the processing circuitry can be configured to receive control signals from an external controller and operate the actuator accordingly. The external controller can be a controller of the fluid transfer system or can be external to the fluid transfer system. In some examples, the processing circuitry can be configured to receive sensor data and generate control signals for operating the actuator accordingly. The sensor data can be generated and transmitted by sensors local to the fluid transfer station and / or external sensors, such as sensors associated with the fluid transfer system. In some examples, the fluid transfer station 10 can include sensors configured to sense various conditions with respect to the operation of the fluid transfer station and transmit sensor data to the processing circuitry.

[0179] In some examples, the processing circuitry can be configured to control the operation of the actuator based on a condition. The condition can be indicative of a state of operation of one or more of the fluid transfer station 10 and the adaptor holder 12. In some examples, the condition can include receiving a control signal from an external controller (a controller of the fluid transfer system or any other controller external to the fluid transfer system). In some examples, the condition can be sensed by a sensor arrangement, which in some examples can be local to the fluid transfer station, and in some examples can be external to the fluid transfer station.

[0180] In some examples, the condition can include sensing a positioning of the containeradaptor within the adaptor receiving region, and the processing circuitry can be configured to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder towards the blocking state. For instance, a sensor arrangement (local or external) such as an optical sensor including a camera, a position sensor, a weight sensor, a touch sensor etc., can sense that a container-adaptor has been positioned within the adaptor receiving region, and based on such sensing, the processing circuitry can be configured (for example, by way of computer instructions) to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder towards the blocking state, for example by controlling the actuator to displace the blocking element and / or the hanger element towards their corresponding blocking positions.

[0181] In some examples, the condition can include sensing touch on one or more of the hanger element and the blocking element, and the processing circuitry can be configured to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder towards the unblocking state. For instance, a sensor arrangement (local or external) such as an optical sensor including a camera, a touch sensor etc., can sense that an operator (a physician, pharmacist, technician or another user operating the fluid transfer system) has touched any part of the adaptor holder or the fluid transfer station, and based on such sensing, the processing circuitry can be configured (for example, by way of computer instructions) to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder towards the unblocking state, for example by controlling the actuator to displace the blocking element and / or the hanger element towards their corresponding unblocking positions.

[0182] In some examples, the condition can include sensing a presence of an interfering element in the vicinity of the hanger element, and the processing circuitry is configured to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder towards the unblocking state. It is to be understood herein that the interfering element can be any element, which is not a part of the fluid transfer station or the fluid transfer system. In some examples, the interfering element can include a hand of the operator, which is present in the vicinity of the fluid transfer station for removing the container-adaptor from the adaptor holder, and accordingly the processing circuitry can operate the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder towards the unblocking state. The meaning and scope of the term “vicinity” is to be understood as a predetermined distance such as 5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, 50 cm, 75 cm, 100 cm, or 200 cm including any value between these specified values. A sensor arrangement (local or external) such as an optical sensor including a camera can sense that an interfering element is present in the vicinity of the hanger element, blocking element, adaptor holder, or fluid transfer station, and based on such sensing, the processing circuitry can be configured (for example, by way of computer instructions) to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder towards the unblocking state, for example by controlling the actuator to displace the blocking element and / or the hanger element towards their corresponding unblocking positions.

[0183] In some examples, the condition can include sensing an application of a predetermined force on one or more of the hanger element and the blocking element, and the processing circuitry can be configured to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder towards the unblocking state. For instance, a sensor arrangement (local or external) such as a force sensor including load, weight, tension, compression, or pressure sensor can sense that a predetermined force, for example in the form of a push or pull, is applied on the hanger element, blocking element, or anywhere on the adaptor holder, and based on such sensing, the processing circuitry can be configured (for example, by way of computer instructions) to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder towards the unblocking state, for example by controlling the actuator to displace the blocking element and / or the hanger element towards their corresponding unblocking positions.

[0184] In some examples, the processing circuitry can be configured to control the operation of the actuator to interrupt an ongoing manipulation of the adaptor holder towards the blocking state, and initiate a manipulation of the adaptor holder towards the unblocking state. For instance, during the manipulation of the adaptor holder towards the blocking state, for example during the ongoing displacement of the blocking element and / or the hanger element towards their corresponding blocking positions, if any one or more of the above-described conditions, based on which the processing circuitry controls the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder towards the unblocking state, is sensed, then the processing circuitry can control the actuator to interrupt that ongoing manipulation of the adaptor holder towards the blocking state and can initiate manipulation of the adaptor holder towards the unblocking state, for example by controlling the actuator for initiating the displacement of the blocking element and / or the hanger element towards their corresponding unblocking positions.

[0185] In the illustrated example, the actuator, designated as 40, comprises a telescopic arrangement 42 operatively connected to the blocking element connection portion 28, and configured to displace the blocking element 24 between its blocking and unblocking positions, thereby manipulating the adaptor holder 20 between its blocking and unblocking states, respectively. Although the processing circuitry and sensor arrangement have been shown in the form of the block diagram illustrated in Fig. 2M, it is to be understood herein that the processing circuitry and / or sensor arrangement can be positioned at any suitable location within the fluid transfer station.

[0186] Fig. 2M is a block diagram of an example of a processing circuitry 50 and its communication and co-operation with the sensor arrangement 52, an external controller 54, and the actuator 40. The processing circuitry 50 includes processor 50A and memory 50B. Processor 50A can be a suitable hardware-based electronic device with data processing capabilities, such as, for example, a general purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), a specialized Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), one or more cores in a multicore processor, etc. Processor 50A can also comprise, for example, of multiple processors, multiple ASICs, virtual processors, combinations thereof etc.

[0187] Memory 50B can be, for example, a suitable kind of volatile and / or non-volatile storage, and can include, for example, a single physical memory component or a plurality of physical memory components. Memory 50B can also include virtual memory. Memory 50B can be configured to, for example, store computer instructions to be executed by the processor 50A.

[0188] Actuator control unit 50C can control the actuator 40, for example, for operating the actuator 40, as described herein.

[0189] The sensor arrangement 52 can include one or more sensors local to (positioned within) the fluid transfer station 10, or can include external sensors (those of the fluid transfer system such as camera(s) or external to the fluid transfer system). The controller 54 can be a controller of the fluid transfer system or any other controller external to the fluid transfer system.

[0190] It is noted that the teachings of the presently disclosed subject matter are not bound by the entities described with reference to Fig. 2M. Equivalent and / or modified functionality can be consolidated or divided in another manner and can be implemented in any appropriate combination of software with firmware and / or hardware and executed on a suitable device.

[0191] In some examples, the hanger element 22 can comprise a first hanger portion configured to receive a corresponding first portion of the container-adaptor 5 and a second hanger portion configured to receive a corresponding second portion of the containeradaptor 5. The first and second hanger portions can be spaced apart from each other, for example, along the Y-axis and at least partially define therebetween the adaptor receiving region 23. The first and second hanger portions allow the container-adaptor 5 to be hung onto the hanging element, and then the adaptor holder 20 can be manipulated into its blocking state thereby locking the container-adaptor 5 therewithin. The locking of the container-adaptor 5 allows the establishment of the fluid connection of the containeradaptor 5 with an adaptor of a fluid transfer assembly, for example the adaptor 3B of the fluid transfer assembly 3. For example, the locking of the container-adaptor 5 restricts the movement of the container-adaptor 5 along the Z-axis, thereby allowing the manipulator 2 to push the fluid transfer assembly 3 against the container-adaptor 5 along the Z-axis for establishing the fluid communication between the container-adaptor 5 and the fluid transfer assembly 3.

[0192] The first and second hanger portions can be shaped corresponding to the first and second portions the container-adaptor 5. In some examples, the first and second hanger portions can have depressions configured to receive therewithin the corresponding first and second portions the container-adaptor 5. The depressions can restrict the movement of the container-adaptor 5 along the X-axis. Also, the first and second portions define therebetween the adaptor receiving portion 23, and thus prevent the movement of the portion of the container-adaptor 5 which is received within the adaptor receiving portion 23 along the Y-axis, and thus prevent the movement of the container-adaptor 5 along the Y-axis. In some examples, the hanger element can comprise a pair of walls extending at least between the first and second hanger portions. The walls (hanger walls) can be spaced from each other, along the X-axis and at least partially define therebetween the adaptor receiving region 23. Accordingly, the walls restrict movement of the container-adaptor 5, when received in the adaptor receiving region 23, along the X-axis.

[0193] In the illustrated example, the hanger element 22 comprises the first hanger portion 22A configured to receive a corresponding first portion 5 A of the container-adaptor 5 and the second hanger portion 22B configured to receive a corresponding second portion 5B of the container-adaptor 5. The first and second hanger portions 22 A and 22B are spaced apart from each other along the Y-axis and define therebetween the adaptor receiving region 23.

[0194] The first hanger portion 22A has a depression 22A’ configured to receive therewithin the corresponding first portion 5A of the container-adaptor 5 and the second hanger portion 22B has a depression 22B’ configured to receive therewithin the corresponding second portion 5B of the container-adaptor 5. The hanger element 22 further comprises a pair of walls 22C extending between the first and second hanger portions 22A and 22B and spaced from each other along the X-axis so as to define therebetween the adaptor receiving region 23. As can be best seen in Figs. 2F and 2L, the walls 22C restrict a movement of the container-adaptor 5, when received in the adaptor receiving region 23, along the X-axis.

[0195] It is to be understood herein that in addition to the features of the examples of the fluid transfer station 10 described above generally and with reference to Figs. 2A to 2M, one or more examples of the fluid transfer station 10 described above can include one or more features of any example of the fluid transfer station 10 described below generally and with reference to Figs. 3 A to 3H and / or 4A to 4H.

[0196] Reference is now made to Figs. 3 A to 3H illustrating a fluid transfer station 10, according to examples of the presently disclosed subject matter. The fluid transfer station 10 described with respect to Figs. 3 A to 3H can constitute any, some, or all of the fluid transfer stations of a fluid transfer system, for example, the fluid transfer system 1. It is to be understood herein that the fluid transfer station 10 described below generally and with reference to Figs. 3 A to 3H can include one or more features of any example of the fluid transfer station 10 described above generally and with reference to Figs. 2A to 2M.

[0197] In general, the fluid transfer station 10 comprises a container support unit for at least partially supporting a container, for example, during transfer of fluid between said container and another container, for example, the fluid transfer assembly 3. The container can be an IV bag, elastomeric pump, vial, or any other generally known container used in drug preparation procedures. The container support unit can include one or more features of various examples of the container support unit of the fluid transfer station 10 described above generally and with reference to Figs. 2A to 2M, and the corresponding description of the container support unit and components thereof applies to the container support unit of the fluid transfer station 10, described below generally and with reference to Figs. 3 A to 3H.

[0198] In general, the fluid transfer station 10 further comprises an adaptor holder associated with the container support unit and configured for at least partially holding a container-adaptor in fluid communication with the container, at least during the transfer of fluid. The adaptor holder can include one or more features of various examples of the adaptor holder of the fluid transfer station 10 described above generally and with reference to Figs. 2A to 2M, and the corresponding description of the adaptor holder and components thereof applies to the adaptor holder of the fluid transfer station 10 described below generally and with reference to Figs. 3 A to 3H.

[0199] In general, the adaptor holder comprises a holder protruding portion protruding from the container support unit. The holder protruding portion has a maximum widthdimension along the X-axis and a maximum depth-dimension along the Y-axis, and a material area occupied by a projection of a material of the holder protruding portion on an XY plane including the X-axis and the Y-axis is at most half of a space area occupied by a virtual rectangle having two dimensions equal to the maximum depth-dimension and the maximum width-dimension respectively.

[0200] It is to be understood herein that a maximum dimension along an axis is a distance between two planes perpendicular to that axis and including the corresponding maximal extent points along that axis. For instance, the maximum width-dimension of the protruding portion along the X-axis is a distance between two YZ planes (perpendicular to the X-axis) including corresponding two maximal extent points of the protruding portion along the X-axis. Similarly, the maximum depth-dimension of the protruding portion along the Y-axis is a distance between two XZ planes (perpendicular to the Y- axis) including corresponding two maximal extent points of the protruding portion along the Y-axis.

[0201] In some examples, the material area occupied by the projection of the material of the holder protruding portion on the XY plane can be at most two-third, one-third, one- fourth, one-fifth, one-sixth of the space area occupied by the virtual rectangle. The conditions of the above-specified ratio of the material area occupied by the projection of the material of the holder protruding portion on the XY plane and the space area occupied by the virtual rectangle can be fulfilled at the blocking as well as unblocking state of the adaptor holder.

[0202] The above- specified ratio of the material area occupied by the projection of the material of the holder protruding portion on the XY plane and the space area occupied by the virtual rectangle allows laminar flow of air through the adaptor holder, especially at the fluid interface region. For instance, the enclosure in which the fluid transfer system can be positioned, can comprise an airflow source operative to generate a flow or stream of air (or any other sterilizing fluid). In some examples, the airflow source can be located at a ceiling of the enclosure, or in proximity thereto and the air flows along a vertical airflow path towards a base or floor of the enclosure. In some examples, the airflow source can be disposed at any location within the enclosure or externally thereto. For example, an airflow source disposed along lateral walls of the enclosure can generate an airflow along a horizonal axis.

[0203] The airflow is generated by the airflow source so as to sterilize the enclosure volume and the surfaces of the fluid transfer system by removing contaminants accumulated on those surfaces. The contaminants are captured by the airflow and flushed thereby, along the airflow path. The contaminants may include hazardous fluids, fumes, vapors, gases, dust and / or any other unsterile substance. Efficient removal of the contaminants is performed by an airflow stream, free of turbulence or with minimal turbulence or in other words by a laminar airflow, so as to ensure the contaminates are flushed by the airflow away from the fluid transfer system. Laminar airflow may be generally described as a flow of fluid in which fluid moves in separate layers where one layer slides past the adjacent layers, as opposed to turbulent flow, where the fluid layers undergo intermixing. Laminar airflow may be referred to as a streamline airflow. Laminar airflow is facilitated where the airflow path is free or with minimal nonlaminar obstructions (obstructions that can disturb the laminarity of the airflow).

[0204] It is further noted that the term “laminar airflow” disclosed herein and its declensions, includes airflow patterns which are majorly laminar, which may include in some embodiments, at least 50% laminar airflow; in some embodiments, the majorly laminar airflow includes at least 60% laminar airflow; in some embodiments, the majorly laminar airflow includes at least 70% laminar airflow; in some embodiments, the majorly laminar airflow includes at least 80% laminar airflow; in some embodiments, the majorly laminar airflow includes at least 90% laminar airflow; in some embodiments, the majorly laminar airflow includes at least 95% laminar airflow, subranges and discrete values thereof.

[0205] In accordance with the above, it is to be understood herein that above-specified ratio of the material area occupied by the projection of the material of the holder protruding portion on the XY plane and the space area occupied by the virtual rectangle allows efficient removal of contaminations by a vertical airflow, especially in the fluid interface region where the transfer of fluid is performed. In some examples, a top surface of the holder protruding portion, i.e., a surface that faces upwards, can have curved edges to allow smooth flow of air at the edges. In some examples, the holder protruding portion can have a maximum heightdimension along the Z-axis, and a material volume occupied by a material of the holder protruding portion can be at most half of a space volume occupied by a virtual cuboid having three dimensions equal to the maximum depth-dimension, the maximum widthdimension, and the maximum height-dimension respectively. The maximum heightdimension of the protruding portion along the Z-axis is a distance between two XY planes (perpendicular to the Z-axis) including corresponding two maximal extent points of the protruding portion along the Z-axis.

[0206] In the illustrated example, the adaptor holder 20 comprises a holder protruding portion 60 protruding from the container support unit 12. The holder protruding portion 60 is constituted by the hanger element 22, the blocking element 24, and the parts of the hanger connection portion 26 and the blocking element connection portion 28 that protrude outwardly from the connector support unit 12. The holder protruding portion 60 has the maximum width-dimension W along the X-axis and a maximum depth-dimension D along the Y-axis. The material area Al (shaded in Figs. 3B and 3D) occupied by the projection P of a material of the holder protruding portion 60 on the XY plane 62 is less than half of the space area A2 (D multiplied by W) occupied by the virtual rectangle 64 having two dimensions equal to the maximum depth-dimension D and the maximum width-dimension W respectively.

[0207] The maximum width-dimension W of the protruding portion 60 along the X-axis is the distance between two YZ planes YZ-1 and YZ-2 including corresponding two maximal extent points 60A of the protruding portion 60 along the X-axis. The maximum depth-dimension D of the protruding portion along the Y-axis is a distance between two XZ planes XZ-1 and XZ-2 including corresponding two maximal extent points 60B of the protruding portion 60 along the Y-axis. The maximum height-dimension H of the protruding portion along the Z-axis is the distance between two XY planes XY-1 and XY- 2 including corresponding two maximal extent points 60C of the protruding portion 60 along the Z-axis. The material volume VI occupied by a material of the holder protruding portion 60 is about half of the space volume V2 occupied by the virtual cuboid 66 having three dimensions equal to the maximum depth-dimension D, the maximum widthdimension W, and the maximum height-dimension H, respectively.

[0208] As can be best seen in Figs. 3G and 3H, the hanger connection portion 26 overlaps the blocking element connection portion 28 when seen in a direction along the Z-axis, so to offer minimum resistance to the laminar airflow. Also, the top surface 61 of the holder protruding portion 60 has curved edges 61 A to allow smooth flow of air at the edges 61 A.

[0209] It is to be understood herein that in addition to the features of the examples of the fluid transfer station 10 described above generally and with reference to Figs. 3 A to 3H, one or more examples of the fluid transfer station 10 of Figs. 3 A to 3H can include one or more features of any example of the fluid transfer station 10 described with reference to Figs. 2A to 2M. For instance, the description of the container support unit, adaptor holder, hanger element, blocking element, actuator, processing circuitry, and sensors provided with reference to Figs. 2A to 2M can apply to the corresponding features of the fluid transfer station 10 of Figs. 3 A to 3H.

[0210] Reference is now made to Figs. 4 A to 4H illustrating a fluid transfer station 10, according to some other examples of the presently disclosed subject matter. Although the fluid transfer station 10 illustrated in Figs. 4A to 4H is different in the structure of the support panel and shape of the blocking element and hanger element, as compared to those of the fluid transfer station 10 described with respect to Figs. 3 A to 3H, all of the description of the fluid transfer station 10 described with respect to Figs. 3 A to 3H can apply to the fluid transfer station 10 described with respect to Figs. 4A to 4H. For instance, Figs. 4A to 4H correspond to Figs. 3 A to 3H, respectively, and the description of Figs. 3A to 3H can apply to Figs. 4A to 4H, respectively. In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of’ and “consisting essentially of’ shall be closed or semiclosed transitional phrases, respectively.

[0211] Although various example embodiments have been described in detail herein, however, in view of the present disclosure many modifications are possible in the examples described above without materially departing from the concepts of present disclosure. Accordingly, any such modifications are intended to be included in the scope of this disclosure. Likewise, while the disclosure herein contains many specific combinations, these specific combinations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure or of any of the appended claims, but are provided as a description pertinent to one or more specific embodiments that may fall within the scope of the disclosure and the appended claims. Any described features from the various embodiments disclosed may be employed in combination with other disclosed embodiments. In addition, other embodiments of the present disclosure may also be devised which lie within the scopes of the disclosure and the appended claims.

[0212] This disclosure provides various examples, embodiments, and features which, unless expressly stated or which would be mutually exclusive, should be understood to be combinable with other examples, embodiments, or features described herein.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A fluid transfer station for use within a fluid transfer system having an X-axis, a Y- axis, and a Z-axis mutually orthogonal to each other, said fluid transfer system being operable for transferring fluid between a container via a container-adaptor and a fluid transfer assembly, said fluid transfer station comprising: a container support unit configured to at least partially support the container during said transfer of fluid; an adaptor holder associated with the container support unit and configured for at least partially holding the container-adaptor at least during said transfer of fluid, said adaptor holder comprising: a hanger element having an adaptor receiving region configured for insertion of the container-adaptor therewithin along the Z-axis, and a blocking element configured to selectively block the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region along the Z-axis, wherein the adaptor holder is configured to be manipulated between an unblocking state in which the blocking element allows the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region along the Z-axis and a blocking state in which the blocking element blocks the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region along the Z-axis; an actuator operatively connected to at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element, and operable to move said at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element for manipulating the adaptor holder between the blocking and unblocking states; and a processing circuitry operatively connected to the actuator and configured to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder between the blocking and unblocking states.

2. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to control the operation of the actuator based on a condition.

3. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 2, wherein the condition includes sensing a positioning of the container-adaptor within the adaptor receiving region, andthe processing circuitry is configured to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder towards the blocking state.

4. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the condition includes sensing a touch on one or more of the hanger element and the blocking element, and the processing circuitry is configured to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder towards the unblocking state.

5. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the condition includes sensing a presence of an interfering element in the vicinity of the hanger element, and the processing circuitry is configured to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder towards the unblocking state.

6. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 2 to 5, wherein the condition includes sensing an application of a predetermined force on one or more of the hanger element and the blocking element, and the processing circuitry is configured to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder towards the unblocking state.

7. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 4 to 6, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to control the operation of the actuator to interrupt an ongoing manipulation of the adaptor holder towards the blocking state, and initiate a manipulation of the adaptor holder towards the unblocking state.

8. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 2 to 7, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to receive a sensor data indicative of the condition and generate a control signal based thereupon for said controlling the operation of the actuator.

9. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 8, further comprising a sensor arrangement operatively connected to the processing circuitry and configured to generate said sensor data.

10. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 9, wherein the sensor arrangement comprises one or more of a touch sensor, a force sensor, a pressure sensor, and an optical sensor.

11. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to receive a control signal for said controlling the operation of the actuator based thereupon.

12. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, wherein in the blocking state, the blocking element restricts a movement of the container-adaptor along the Z-axis.

13. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, wherein in the blocking state, the blocking element at least partially overlaps the adaptor receiving region when seen in a direction along the Z-axis.

14. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 1 to 13, wherein the Z- axis is oriented along a vertical direction.

15. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 14, wherein the adaptor receiving region is configured for insertion of the container-adaptor therewithin along a vertically downward direction, and in the blocking state, the blocking element blocks the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region along a vertically upwards direction.

16. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 1 to 15, wherein the actuator is configured to move said at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element between a blocking position corresponding to the blocking state and an unblocking position corresponding to the unblocking state.

17. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 16, wherein said at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element is articulably connected to the container support unit via a movement mechanism allowing the movement of said at least one of the hangerelement and the blocking element with respect to the container support unit for displacement between the blocking and unblocking positions.

18. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 17, wherein the movement mechanism is a linear movement mechanism allowing the movement of said at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element along the Y-axis.

19. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 18, wherein the Y-axis is oriented along a horizontal direction extending between the container support unit and the adaptor receiving region.

20. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 17 to 19, wherein the movement mechanism comprises a guide rail mechanism.

21. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 1 to 20, wherein the container support unit comprises a base and a support panel connected to the base, said support panel being configured to support the container.

22. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 21, wherein the support panel is detachably connected to the base.

23. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 21 or 22, wherein the support panel is at least partially transparent.

24. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 21 to 23, wherein the support panel comprises a support surface configured for allowing the IV bag to be positioned thereupon.

25. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 24, wherein the adaptor holder is configured for at least partially holding a spike adaptor.

26. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 1 to 25, wherein the hanger element comprises a first hanger portion configured to receive a corresponding firstportion of the container-adaptor and a second hanger portion configured to receive a corresponding second portion of the container-adaptor, said first and second hanger portions being spaced apart from each other along the Y-axis and at least partially defining therebetween the adaptor receiving region.

27. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 26, wherein the first and second hanger portions are configured to restrict a movement of the container-adaptor along the Y-axis.

28. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 26 or 27, wherein the first and second hanger portions are configured to restrict a movement of the container-adaptor along the X-axis.

29. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 26 to 28, wherein the hanger element comprises a pair of walls extending at least between the first and second hanger portions, said walls being spaced from each other along the X-axis and at least partially defining therebetween the adaptor receiving region.

30. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 29, wherein the walls are configured to restrict a movement of the container-adaptor along the X-axis.

31. A fluid transfer station for use within a fluid transfer system having an X-axis, a Y- axis, and a Z-axis mutually orthogonal to each other, said fluid transfer system being operable for transferring fluid between a container via a container-adaptor and a fluid transfer assembly, said fluid transfer station comprising: a container support unit configured to at least partially support the container during said transfer of fluid; and an adaptor holder associated with the container support unit and configured for at least partially holding the container-adaptor at least during said transfer of fluid, said adaptor holder comprising a holder protruding portion protruding from the container support unit, said holder protruding portion having a maximum width-dimension along the X-axis and a maximum depth-dimension along the Y-axis, wherein a material area occupied by a projection of a material of the holder protruding portion on an XY plane including the X-axis and the Y-axis is at most half of a space area occupied by a virtualrectangle having two dimensions equal to the maximum depth-dimension and the maximum width-dimension respectively.

32. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 31, wherein said holder protruding portion has a maximum height-dimension along the Z-axis, wherein a material volume occupied by a material of the holder protruding portion is at most half of a space volume occupied by a virtual cuboid having three dimensions equal to the maximum depthdimension, the maximum width-dimension, and the maximum height-dimension respectively.

33. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 32, wherein the material volume occupied by the material of the holder protruding portion is at most one-third of the space volume occupied by the virtual cuboid.

34. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 31 to 33, wherein the material area occupied by the projection of the material of the holder protruding portion on the XY plane is at most one-third of the space area occupied by the virtual rectangle.

35. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 31 to 34, wherein the material area occupied by the projection of the material of the holder protruding portion on the XY plane is at most one-fourth of the space area occupied by the virtual rectangle.

36. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 31 to 35, wherein the holder protruding portion has a top surface facing upwards, wherein the top surface has curved edges.

37. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 31 to 36, wherein the Z- axis is oriented along a vertical direction.

38. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 31 to 37, wherein the container support unit comprises a base and a support panel connected to the base, said support panel being configured to support the container.

39. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 38, wherein the support panel is detachably connected to the base.

40. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 38 or 39, wherein the support panel is at least partially transparent.

41. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 38 to 40, wherein the support panel comprises a support surface configured for allowing the IV bag to be positioned thereupon.

42. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 41, wherein the adaptor holder is configured for at least partially holding at least one of a container port and a spike adaptor.

43. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 31 to 42, wherein the adaptor holder comprises: a hanger element having an adaptor receiving region configured for insertion of the container-adaptor therewithin, and a blocking element configured to selectively block the removal of the containeradaptor from the adaptor receiving region, wherein the adaptor holder is configured to be manipulated between an unblocking state in which the blocking element allows the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region and a blocking state in which the blocking element blocks the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region.

44. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 43, wherein when the adaptor holder is in the blocking state, the material area occupied by the projection of the material of the holder protruding portion on the XY plane is at most half of the space area occupied by the virtual rectangle.

45. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 43 or 44, wherein when the adaptor holder is in the blocking state, the material area occupied by the projection of the material of the holder protruding portion on the XY plane is at most half of the space area occupied by the virtual rectangle.

46. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 43 to 45, wherein the adaptor holder comprises a hanger connection portion connecting the hanger element to the container support unit, and a blocking element connection portion connecting the blocking element to the container support unit, said hanger connection portion at least partially overlapping the blocking element connection portion when seen in a direction along the Z-axis.

47. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 46, wherein the adaptor protruding portion is at least partially constituted by the hanger element, the blocking element, the hanger connection portion, and the blocking element connection portion.

48. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 43 to 47, further comprising: an actuator operatively connected to at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element, and operable to move said at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element for manipulating the adaptor holder between the blocking and unblocking states; and a processing circuitry operatively connected to the actuator and configured to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder between the blocking and unblocking states.

49. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 48, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to control the operation of the actuator based on a condition.

50. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 49, wherein the condition includes sensing a positioning of the container-adaptor within the adaptor receiving region, and the processing circuitry is configured to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder towards the blocking state.

51. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 49 or 50, wherein the condition includes sensing a touch on one or more of the hanger element and the blocking element,and the processing circuitry is configured to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder towards the blocking state.

52. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 49 to 51, wherein the condition includes sensing a presence of an interfering element in the vicinity of the hanger element, and the processing circuitry is configured to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder towards the blocking state.

53. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 49 to 52, wherein the condition includes sensing an application of a predetermined force on one or more of the hanger element and the blocking element, and the processing circuitry is configured to control the operation of the actuator to manipulate the adaptor holder towards the blocking state.

54. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 51 to 53, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to control the operation of the actuator to interrupt an ongoing manipulation of the adaptor holder towards the blocking state, and initiate a manipulation of the adaptor holder towards the unblocking state.

55. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 49 to 54, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to receive a sensor data indicative of the condition and generate a control signal based thereupon for said controlling the operation of the actuator.

56. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 55, further comprising a sensor arrangement operatively connected to the processing circuitry and configured to generate said sensor data.

57. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 56, wherein the sensor arrangement comprises one or more of a touch sensor, a force sensor, a pressure sensor, and an optical sensor.

58. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 48 to 57, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to receive a control signal for said controlling the operation of the actuator based thereupon.

59. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 43 to 58, wherein the adaptor receiving region is configured for insertion of the container-adaptor therewithin along the Z-axis, and in the unblocking state, the blocking element allows the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region along the Z-axis, and in the blocking state, the blocking element blocks the removal of the container-adaptor from the adaptor receiving region along the Z-axis.

60. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 59, wherein in the blocking state, the blocking element restricts a movement of the container-adaptor along the Z-axis.

61. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 59 or 60, wherein in the blocking state, the blocking element at least partially overlaps the adaptor receiving region when seen in a direction along the Z-axis.

62. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 59 to 61, wherein the Z- axis is oriented along a vertical direction, and the adaptor receiving region is configured for insertion of the container-adaptor therewithin along a vertically downward direction, and in the blocking state, the blocking element blocks the removal of the containeradaptor from the adaptor receiving region along a vertically upwards direction.

63. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 59 to 62, when dependent on Claim 48, wherein the actuator is configured to move said at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element between a blocking position corresponding to the blocking state and an unblocking position corresponding to the unblocking state.

64. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 63, wherein said at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element is articulably connected to the container support unit via a movement mechanism allowing the movement of said at least one of the hangerelement and the blocking element with respect to the container support unit for displacement between the blocking and unblocking positions.

65. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 64, wherein the movement mechanism is a linear movement mechanism allowing the movement of said at least one of the hanger element and the blocking element along the Y-axis.

66. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 67, wherein the Y-axis is oriented along a horizontal direction extending between the container support unit and the adaptor receiving region.

67. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 64 to 66, wherein the movement mechanism comprises a guide rail mechanism.

68. The fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 43 to 67, wherein the hanger element comprises a first hanger portion configured to receive a corresponding first portion of the container-adaptor and a second hanger portion configured to receive a corresponding second portion of the container-adaptor, said first and second hanger portions being spaced apart from each other along the Y-axis and at least partially defining therebetween the adaptor receiving region.

69. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 68, wherein the first and second hanger portions are configured to restrict a movement of the container-adaptor along at least one of the Y-axis and X-axis.

70. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 68 or 69, wherein the hanger element comprises a pair of walls extending at least between the first and second hanger portions, said walls being spaced from each other along the X-axis and at least partially defining therebetween the adaptor receiving region.

71. The fluid transfer station according to Claim 70, wherein the walls are configured to restrict a movement of the container-adaptor along the X-axis.

72. A fluid transfer system operable for transferring fluid between a container via a container-adaptor and a fluid transfer assembly, and having an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z- axis mutually orthogonal to each other, said fluid transfer system comprising at least one fluid transfer station according to any one of Claims 1 to 71.

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