Pharmaceutical Preparation Machine Automated Rack Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pharmaceutical product preparation machines require frequent operator intervention for rack replacement, leading to long production cycles and compromised sterility due to human entry into the containment chamber.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a sterile containment chamber maintained by a pneumatic air flow system, featuring automated storage and handling systems for syringes, bottles, and infusion bags, allowing for continuous operation without stopping and minimizing the need for operator intervention within the chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If racks are manually replaced by operator intervention, then the machine can be refilled with new containers, but the production cycle is interrupted and sterility is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation through the rotatable magazine that automatically presents filled racks to the dosing station and positions empty racks for removal, eliminating the need for manual operator intervention during the production cycle
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple racks are pre-filled with containers before being loaded into the magazine, allowing continuous operation as the system rotates between multiple racks rather than requiring single-rack manual replacement
2Ease of operation
If operator intervention is allowed within the containment chamber, then rack replacement can be performed, but the sterile condition of the chamber is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The magazine structure extracts the rack storage and rotation function from the sterile containment chamber interior, allowing racks to be pre-filled outside the chamber and only the essential dosing operation to occur within the sterile environment
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable magazine acts as an intermediary mechanism that receives pre-filled racks from outside the containment chamber and delivers them to the dosing station without requiring operator entry into the sterile zone
3Ease of operation
If the machine is stopped for rack replacement, then operators can safely change racks, but productivity decreases due to long production cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous production by rotating between multiple pre-filled racks in the magazine, ensuring that while one rack is being used, others are ready for immediate replacement without stopping the dosing operation
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable magazine provides dynamic rack presentation, automatically rotating to bring the next filled rack into position as the current rack is depleted, enabling seamless continuous operation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The machine achieves increased productivity and maintains sterile conditions by automating the handling and processing of pharmaceutical products, reducing the need for manual intervention and associated contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
a pneumatic device of known type, shaped so as to feed a flow of sterile air through chamber 3 and prevent the introduction of air from the external environment into chamber 3
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A machine for the preparation of pharmaceutical products is provided with a pocket conveyor (23) for storing syringes (5) and/or bottles (7), a dosing station (36) for transferring a pharmaceutical between a syringe (5) and a bottle (7), and a claw (21) for transferring the syringes (5) and/or the bottles (7) between the pocket conveyor (23) and the dosing station (36); the pocket conveyor (23) having a plurality of cradles (25a, 25b), each of which is adapted to receive and hold a syringe (5) or a bottle (7), and has a slot (29, 30) adapted to be engaged by the jaws (22) of the claw (21).