WO2008047390A1

WO2008047390A1 - Dosing device

Info

Publication number: WO2008047390A1
Application number: PCT/IT2006/000740
Authority: WO
Inventors: Werner Rainer; Paolo Giribona; Daniele Baldassari; Alferino Gabbarrini
Original assignee: Health Robotics S.R.L.
Priority date: 2006-10-16
Filing date: 2006-10-16
Publication date: 2008-04-24

Abstract

A dosing device is described, comprising a rotating disc (2) which in turn includes means (9, 10, 11, 12) for clamping one or more syringes. Advantageously, it comprises a series of different positions at which the rotating disc (2) can rotate. Preferably, the rotating disc 2 includes a plane (8), able to slide vertically, so as to move vertically a series of adapters (9), disposed above a series of openings (10). Optionally, it is integrated in a system for the preparation of toxic substances, like cytotoxic drugs.

Description

DOSING DEVICE * § * § * § * FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention refers to a dosing device, which is particularly useful in handling and dosing toxic matters. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In some scientifical and medical procedures, a precise dosing is very important, in order to achieve the aimed result. In particular, the preparation of drugs, particularly patient- tailored drugs, requires a precise dosing, extremely important to properly treat the patient. The problem is dramatical in the preparation of cytotoxic compositions, where problems in handling substances add to the above problems.

Other problems arise in scientifical fields requiring ultra-pure conditions and where environmental contamination should be in any way avoided.

Most conventional dosing devices for such purposes, use air and fluids or dosing pumps. Unfortunately, such devices cannot take into account the presence of air bubbles, leading to mistakes in dosing the components . SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above drawbacks are brilliantly solved by this invention, relating to a dosing device, characterised in that it comprises a rotating disc including means for clamping one or more syringes .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a dosing device according to this invention;

Fig. 2 is a detailed plan view of a particular shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the device shown in Fig. 1. BEST WAY TO CARRY OUT THE INVENTION

As shown in Fig. 1, the inventive device includes a case 1, carrying a rotating disc 2, a keyboard 3, a displayer 4, a station 5 for positioning a container during the injection, a station 6 where the cap of the syringe needle is removed and a station 7 for positioning a container during the syringe loading step.

Preferably, the rotating disc 2 includes a plane 8, able to slide vertically, so as to vertically entrain a series of adapters 9, located above a series of openings 10. 11 depicts a clamp for syringe and 12 is a place where the syringe needle is located during the dosing work.

The rotating disc 2 includes also a series of optical sensors 13, able to sense the position of the syringe plunger during its stroke. In the operation, the case 1 stands. In a known manner - for instance either manually or by means of a robot-, a syringe is brought to the rotating disc 2, usually with its collar inserted and engaged into the opening 10. A program can be set and run through the keyboard 3. Otherwise, a program can be stored in any other suitable location. The display 4 allows to follow the dosing process. When the syringe is in place, the rotating disc 2 rotates the syringe so as to bring its needle to the station 6, where the needle cap is removed, in a manner per se known. Subsequently a new rotation brings the needle to the station 7, near to the inlet of the container from which one substance is to be drawn and the tip of the needle is made pierce the container. An adapter 9 is fixed to the plugger of each syringe. According to the running program, the plane 8 is lift by the set distance, which corresponds to the plugger stroke needed to draw the required amount of substance from the said container. Suitably, the container can be positioned on a weighing device and, as a predetermined loss of weight is attained, the plane 8 stops, stopping the adapter 9, providing a further control, which increases the dose precision. During the plane motion, the adapter 9 moves in the same direction and along the same path, entraining the syringe plugger which is affixed to it.

Now the syringe contains the suitable and programmed amount of substance for the admixture in the second container located in the station 5. The disc 2 rotates and brings the needle of the syringe to the container itself. After puncture, the plane 8 moves in a direction opposite to the first one. Since it moves the corresponding adapter 9, it moves also the syringe plugger, injecting the substance in the second container. Advantageously, also the second container can be provided with a weighing device, which checks the final weight. As soon as the syringe contents has been sent into the second container in the proper amount, the plane stops. At this point, any container can be removed as well as the syringe and a new cycle can be started.

As it is clearly shown in the drawings, more than an adapter 9 can be provided in the disc 2. Therefore, by providing more syringe clamps, it is possible to use more than one syringe simultaneously, which is very advantageous when preparing very complex mixtures .

The device according to this invention can be used alone or integrated in a system for preparing mixtures as a dosing unit . It is particularly suitable in automatic devices for the preparation of toxic substances, as disclosed in the Italian Patent Application No AN2006A 000044.

It is apparent that other modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A dosing device, characterised in that it comprises a rotating disc (2) including means (9, 10, 11, 12) for clamping one or more syringes .

2. A dosing device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that it further includes a case (1) , a keyboard (3) , and a displayer (4) .

3. A dosing device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that it comprises a series of different positions at which the rotating disc (2) can rotate.

4. A dosing device as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that it comprises a station (5) for positioning a container during the injection.

5. A dosing device as claimed in 3 or 4, characterised in that it comprises a station (6) where the cap of the syringe needle is removed.

6. A dosing device as claimed in any claim 3 to 5 , characterised in that it includes a station (7) for positioning a container during the syringe loading step.

7. A dosing device as claimed in any previous claim, characterised in that the rotating disc 2 includes a plane (8) , able to slide vertically, so as to move vertically a series of adapters (9) , disposed above a series of openings (10) .

8. A dosing device as claimed in any previous claim, characterised in that it includes a clamp (11) for syringe.

9. A dosing device as claimed in any previous claim, characterised in that said rotating disc (2) includes a series of optical sensors (13) .

10. A dosing device as claimed in any previous claim, characterised in that the case (1) stands.

11. A dosing device as claimed in any previous claim, characterised in that a program for its operation is set and run through the keyboard (3 ) .

12. A dosing device as claimed in any previous claim, characterised in that it further comprises at least one weighing device .

13. A dosing device as claimed in any previous claim, characterised in that it is integrated in a system for the preparation of toxic substances.

14. A dosing device as claimed in claim 13, characterised in that said system is a system for the preparation of cytotoxic drugs .

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