Intravenous Medicament Preparation Machine with Modular Handling Robot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for preparing intravenous medicaments are often bulky, expensive, and inefficient, with potential errors during metering, difficulty in cleaning and sterilization, and inadequate operator protection, while manual preparation remains common despite advancements in automation.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a modular design featuring a handling robot and multiple stations for processing intravenous medicaments, including bottle, ampoule, and syringe handling, with air regulation systems for maintaining ideal environmental conditions, and a metering module for autonomous operation, enhancing precision, safety, and productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual preparation is used, then operator flexibility is maintained, but precision and safety are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The machine is divided into modular functional units: a handling robot for object manipulation, a metering module for precise liquid measurement, and a mixing module for preparation. Each module operates semi-autonomously, allowing the system to achieve high precision while maintaining manageable complexity through functional segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The handling robot acts as an intermediary between the operator and the metering/mixing processes. It autonomously handles vials, syringes, and containers, transferring them between stations and operating the metering module, thereby eliminating manual intervention errors while keeping the overall system architecture simple and controllable.
2Productivity
If automated machines are used, then productivity increases, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into compact integrated modules. The handling robot combines picking, transporting, and positioning capabilities. The metering module integrates with the mixing module, and both are served by a single robot arm. This functional merging enables high productivity within a reduced spatial footprint compared to traditional distributed automated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The handling robot is designed as a universal manipulator that can handle various objects (vials, syringes, containers) and perform multiple operations (picking, placing, operating valves, activating mechanisms). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated machines for each task, reducing overall system size while maintaining high throughput.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional machines are used, then basic functionality is provided, but ease of cleaning and sterilization is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The handling robot and its end-effectors are designed as removable, sterilizable components that can be easily detached from the main processing modules. The metering and mixing modules have smooth, crevice-free surfaces that can be quickly disassembled and sterilized. This extraction of critical components simplifies the cleaning and sterilization process while maintaining operational reliability through proper hygiene protocols.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If manual handling is used, then equipment cost is reduced, but operator safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The handling robot serves as a protective intermediary between the operator and potentially harmful substances. It performs all operations involving vials, syringes, and medicament preparation within an enclosed or controlled environment, eliminating direct operator exposure to cytotoxic or hazardous materials while maintaining a relatively simple automation architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical handling operations are replaced with automated robotic manipulation and computer-controlled metering/mixing processes. This substitution eliminates human exposure to harmful factors while using relatively simple automation technologies (robotic arm, programmable controllers, basic sensors) rather than complex automated systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A machine for preparing intravenous medicaments including an enclosing structure having a plurality of lateral walls arranged to define a closed internal working environment. An access station affords selective access to the closed internal working environment. One lateral wall is an equipped wall on which there are defined a plurality of stations for objects used in the preparation of intravenous medicaments. The stations on the equipped wall include temporary receiving or parking stations for the objects and operating stations for carrying out operations on the objects. A handling robot is programmed to transfer the objects from any station to any other station. The machine includes a metering module with one or more container support groups, a syringe support/metering member group, and a weighing group for weighing objects used in the preparation of intravenous medicaments.