AUTOMATED SYRINGE FILLER AND LOADING APPARATUS
An automated method for the filling of syringes including the steps of holding an uncapped syringe in a vertical position with an exposed needle extending at the top. A horizontally rotatable plate holding inverted vials of liquid with needle perforatable septum is position above the needle. The motorized plate with the positioned vial descends on the needle perforating the septum. The syringe plunger can be lowered using a motorized plunger tool and drawing liquid into the syringe. The vial and plate can be elevated separating the needle from the septum. The plate can be optionally rotated to position a second vial above the needle. The needle, now filled with liquid, e.g., medicine can also be removed from the holder. The method can be combined with a cap extractor/installer component. The apparatus comprises a motor driven rotatable plate, a motorized syringe plunger tool. It can comprise a motor controlled rotating carousel.
This application is a divisional application of Ser. No. 13/068,745 entitled Automated Syringe Filler and Loading Apparatus filed Mar. 23, 2011 and which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION1. Field of Use
The disclosure teaches a method and apparatus for automated filling of syringes. This includes automated filling of syringes with radiopharmaceuticals or other drugs.
2. Prior Art
Semi automated systems for filling syringes have been disclosed in the prior art including machines manufactured by Intellifill iv of FHT Inc., Daytona Beach, Fla. and Radio Syringe Filling by M&O Perry Industries of Corona, Calif.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF DISCLOSUREThe apparatus subject of the disclosure can be used to prepare (fill) syringes containing liquids including pharmaceuticals or radiopharmaceutical without operator participation. The apparatus can also be used to fill vials of solutions or mix solutions within a vial. When the solution is radioactive, the syringe filling operation can be performed in a suitably shielded location for operator safety.
The capping, filling and recapping of the syringe needles is performed automatically away from the operator, therefore eliminating any danger of accidental needle sticks during the filling operation.
The disclosure outlines a series of automated steps performed by the apparatus or components of the apparatus. It will be appreciated that the sequence in which these steps are performed may be varied without departing from the scope of the disclosed invention.
The syringes are filled while in an inverted position with the pharmaceutical, radiopharmaceutical, medication, radioisotopes or other drug or hazardous substance, hereinafter “solution”, positioned above the syringe. This allows for gravity vacuum feed of the solution. In an inverted position, the capped syringe needle is pointed up and the syringe plunger is at the bottom. The empty syringes are loaded onto a rotatable carousel or loaded individually into a single syringe adapter/holder. The carousel rotates a predetermined arc placing a syringe adjacent to a dispenser mechanism. The dispenser mechanism contains an automated syringe plunger tool and a rotatable component containing one or more inverted vials of solution and an automated needle cap extractor.
The syringe plunger tool may first engage the syringe plunger. The syringe plunger tool extends from the dispenser mechanism and engages the plunger of the syringe held in the carousel. This can secure the syringe in a stationary position during removal and replacement of the syringe cap and insertion of the needle into an inverted vial. It will be appreciated that the syringe plunger extends from the bottom of the syringe held in the carousel or single syringe adapter/holder.
The needle cap may next be removed from the syringe. The inverted vial rotates above the now exposed syringe needle. A vial of medication is aligned with the needle and the vial descends upon the needle and is perforated by the needle. The tool pulls the plunger down a predetermined distance. This causes a predetermined quantity of solution to be dispensed from the vial into the syringe.
The inverted vial is re-elevated to its original position, the rotatable plate rotates and the syringe cap descends upon the needle.
The carousel again rotates a predetermined arc and places the now filled syringe in front of an automated syringe extractor/inverter component. The syringe inverter component extends and grips the syringe and pulls it horizontally from the carousel. The gripper rotates the syringe about an horizontal axis such that the syringe needle is now pointed down and placed in a holder. The filled syringe can be manually removed from the syringe inverter component or placed in a further automated device. In another embodiment, the syringe is lifted from the carousel.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. These drawings, together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
The subject of this disclosure is an automated apparatus for filling syringes. The syringes can be filled with radiopharmaceuticals or other substances. The filling can be performed without handling by human operators or technicians. Radiopharmaceuticals are radioactive pharmaceuticals and can be used in the field of nuclear medicine as tracers in the treatment and diagnosis of many diseases. Radiopharmaceuticals include, but are not limited to, [N13] ammonia, [F-18] sodium fluoride, or [F-18] Fludeoxyglucose ([F-18] FDG).
The process starts with a rotatable carousel 110 having a plurality of slots or holders 111 containing capped empty syringes 211 being placed on a motorized rotating holder (carousel) removeably mounted on a carousel actuator. In one embodiment, the carousel 110 is placed on the carousel actuator 105 and rotated 45 degrees to attach it to the actuator 105. In another embodiment, the plunger tool or other mechanism actuate the carousel removing pins 193. The pins push the carousel up a few millimeters to break the force of the coupling magnets 192. The carousel may then be easily removed from the carousel actuator. See
Referring to
The syringes are placed in the carousel with the capped ends pointed upward and the syringe plungers pushed into the syringe with the plunger ends extending from the bottom of each syringe. Each syringe is held in an individual holder 111 of the carousel. In one embodiment, the syringes are not grasped or held in the individual holder of the carousel. It is possible to lift or pull the syringe horizontally out of the carousel without the release of any mechanism. Each syringe is held vertically in the carousel.
The carousel rotates in a controlled fashion. The carousel actuator can be mounted on a common base 148 of the filler (dispenser) mechanism 149. See
Referencing
Referencing
The disclosure further includes the top rotating plate 156 having the capability to rotate 360 degrees and to move vertically up and down. The rotating plate 156 first rotates the automated needle cap extractor 157 above the syringe cap 201. See
The syringe needle 202 is now exposed (cap removed). See
Recall that in one embodiment, the syringe plunger tool has engaged the syringe plunger. This can be the initial step of the fill sequence. The syringe plunger tool facilitates holding the vertically oriented syringe in a centered position when the automated needle cap extractor descends upon the cap. When engaged by suitable forward horizontal movement, the syringe plunger tool is then pushed downward (vertically) causing the syringe plunger to be pulled down a predetermined distance. This downward/vertical movement is shown by vector arrow 980 in
The syringe is now filled. The cap needs to be placed back on top of the syringe. See
When the cap is reattached to the syringe 211, the syringe plunger tool 171 can be rotated back horizontally. (See item 171 and vector arrow 978 of
The automated needle cap extractor is then elevated by the motor moving the rotational plate upward in the direction of vector arrow 976. See
The carousel can now rotate to bring an empty inverted syringe to the position beneath the automated needle cap extractor. The process is repeated of (i) engaging the syringe plunger tool with the syringe plunger (ii) cap removal, (iii) repositioning of the inverted vial, (iv) lowering of the vial onto the exposed needle, (v) moving the plunger down to fill the syringe with solution from the vial, (vi), elevating the inverted vial, (vii) repositioning the automated needle cap extractor, (viii) reattachment of the cap to the syringe, and (ix) disengagement of the syringe plunger tool. It will be appreciated the preceding sentence omits steps for brevity. These steps are described above or illustrated in the drawings.
The next step performed by the apparatus is removing the filled syringe from the carousel and re-inverting the syringe so that the syringe cap is facing down. This task is accomplished by syringe inverter/extractor 249 illustrated in
The carousel stops at a predetermined position in conjunction with the automated syringe inverter/extractor component. (This position of the carousel may simultaneously position another syringe, held by the carousel, directly beneath the automated cap extractor/installer. It will be appreciated that this positioning will allow two steps of the apparatus to occur simultaneously, i.e., filling of a syringe and extraction and inversion of a syringe from the carousel.) The syringe inverter/extractor can be attached to the dispenser mechanism or dispenser mechanism base by mount 250. See
In another embodiment, the syringe inverter/extractor can be used to remove a filled syringe from the carousel and place the syringe in a shielded container thereby protecting the operator.
It will also be appreciated that the apparatus may be configured to place the filled syringes into another rotating carousel for storage while the second carousel is filled without operator intervention. It will also be appreciated that the entire filing operation can be conducted in a shielded area. Other configurations with either the syringe cap up or down are within the scope of and included within this disclosure.
In another embodiment, the filled syringes can stay in the carousel and the entire carousel replaced by the operator with a replacement carousel of empty syringes.
In yet another embodiment, the syringes may be partially filled with solution when placed in the carousel and filled with additional solution by the filler mechanism.
The filler mechanism 149 can also be used to add solution to one or more vials from syringes containing solution. This process is basically the reverse of the syringe filling sequence. The syringe plunger tool is engaged with the syringe plunger. The syringe cap is removed by the automated needle cap extractor 157. The vertical motion of the rotating plate 156 at the top of the filler mechanism can also be used to lift the needle cap extractor. The rotating plate 156 can then horizontally rotate an inverted vial above the now exposed syringe needle. The vial can be lowered onto the needle. The syringe plunger tool can be elevated vertically, thereby pushing the syringe plunger upward. The solution within the syringe is discharged into the vial.
The filler mechanism can also be used to mix solutions within a vial. See
In addition, this specification is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the manner of carrying out the invention. It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herein shown and described are to be taken as the presently preferred embodiments. As already stated, various changes may be made in the shape, size and arrangement of components or adjustments made in the steps of the method without departing from the scope of this invention. For example, equivalent elements may be substituted for those illustrated and described herein and certain features of the invention maybe utilized independently of the use of other features, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the invention.
While specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.
Claims
1. An automated method for the filling of syringes comprising:
- a) placing a syringe in a vertical position wherein the needle of the syringe is on top beneath a rotatable and elevatable horizontal plate wherein the horizontal plate comprises at least one inverted vial containing a liquid;
- b) the inverted vial containing a liquid in a first position above the syringe needle;
- c) lowering the horizontal plate to a second position sufficient for the needle to penetrate a septum of the inverted vial; and
- d) raising the horizontal plate to the first position.
2. The automated method of claim 1 further comprising using a syringe plunger tool horizontally and vertically moving from a third position to a fourth position engaging the syringe plunger in the fourth position and pulling the syringe plunger downward a controlled distance to a fifth position while the horizontal plate is in the second position.
3. The automated method of claim 2 further comprising
- a) rotating the horizontal plate to a sixth position placing a second inverted vial above the syringe needle;
- b) lowering the horizontal plate to a seventh position sufficient for the syringe needle to penetrate a septum of the second inverted vial; and
- lowering the syringe plunger of the syringe to a ninth position to add liquid to the syringe; and
- c) raising the horizontal plate to the sixth position.
4. The automated method of claim 3 further comprising
- a) rotating the horizontal plate to an tenth position placing a third inverted vial above the syringe needle;
- b) lowering the horizontal plate sufficient for the needle to penetrate the septum of the third inverted vial; and
- c) raising the syringe plunger to discharge the contents of the syringe into the third inverted vial.
5. The automated method of claim 4 further comprising using a pivoting syringe plunger tool to push the syringe plunger upward.
6. The automated method of claim 3 further comprising adding liquid from one or more additional vials to the syringe and continuing to extend the syringe plunger downward.
7. An automated method for the filling of syringes comprising:
- a) placing a syringe in vertical position wherein the cap of the syringe is on top beneath a rotatable and elevatable horizontal plate comprising a syringe cap extractor/installer and at least two inverted vials;
- b) gripping the syringe cap with components of the syringe cap extractor/installer in a first position;
- c) elevating the syringe cap extractor/installer to a second position gripping the syringe cap to remove the cap from the syringe;
- d) rotating the horizontal plate to a third position wherein a first inverted vial is positioned above the uncapped syringe needle;
- e) lowering the horizontal plate to a fourth position sufficient for the uncapped needle to penetrate a septum of the first inverted vial;
- f) lowering a plunger of the syringe to a fifth position;
- g) raising the horizontal plate to the third position;
8. The automated method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of:
- a) rotating the horizontal plate to a sixth position positioning a second vial above the uncapped needle;
- b) lowering the vial to a seventh position sufficient that the needle penetrates a septum of the second vial;
- c) raising the syringe plunger to an eighth position to discharge contents of the syringe into the second vial.
9. The automated method of claim 8 further comprising
- a) rotating the horizontal plate to a ninth position where a third inverted vial containing a liquid is positioned over the uncapped needle or a second uncapped syringe;
- b) lowering the horizontal plate to a tenth position sufficient that the needle penetrates the septum of the third inverted vial;
- c) lowering the syringe plunger a predetermined distance sufficient to draw liquid from the third inverted vial into the syringe;
- d) raising the horizontal plate to the ninth position;
- e) rotating the plate to the sixth position to position the second vial above the uncapped needle;
- f) lowering the horizontal plate to a seventh position sufficient that the needle penetrates a septum of the second vial;
- g) raising the syringe plunger to the eighth position to discharge liquid of the syringe into the second vial.
10. The automated method of claim 7 further comprising adding liquid from at least one additional inverted vial positioned on the horizontal plate.
11. An apparatus for automated filling of syringes comprising:
- a) a syringe holder component wherein the syringe needle is pointed vertically upward;
- b) a rotatable and elevatable plate horizontally oriented that can be lowered and elevated in relation to the syringe needles;
- c) a motor controlling the rotation and elevation/depression of the rotatable plate; and
- d) inverted vial holder components radially oriented on the rotatable and elevatable plate.
12. The apparatus for automated filling of syringes of claim 11 further comprising a syringe holder component comprising a motorized controllably turnable carousel wherein the carousel comprises a plurality of syringe holders.
13. The apparatus for automated filling of syringes of claim 12 further comprising a CPU or similar device containing programmable media in communication with at least the motors controlling the rotatable and elevatable plate and turnable carousel.
14. The apparatus for automated filling of syringes further comprising a syringe cap extractor/installer.
15. The apparatus for automated filling of syringes wherein the syringe cap extractor/installer further comprises:
- a) a rack and modified pinion;
- b) a cap access space; and
- c) a motor device.
16. The apparatus for automated filling of syringes of claim 13. comprising a carousel wherein the rotational movement of the carousel can be controlled by a step motor.
17. The apparatus for automated filling of syringes of claim 13 wherein the rotational movement of the carousel can be controlled by a computer controlled servo-motor.
18. The apparatus for automated filling of syringes of claim 13 wherein a motor controlled horizontally and vertically extendable syringe plunger tool that can elevate or lower a syringe plunger.
19. The apparatus for automated filling of syringes of claim 18 wherein the syringe plunger tool is controlled by a CPU or similar device containing programmable media.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 10, 2012
Publication Date: Dec 27, 2012
Inventor: Saverio Roberto Strangis (Pearland, TX)
Application Number: 13/607,834
International Classification: B65B 3/12 (20060101);