JP2013132482A - Liquid agent supplying apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid agent supplying apparatus capable of securely removing a liquid agent from one end of a supplying tube.SOLUTION: The liquid agent supplying apparatus includes a plurality of supplying tubes where a liquid agent flows from each of a plurality of liquid agent bottles containing a plurality of several different kinds of liquid agents to a medication bottle, and a supplying tube moving part to relatively move the supplying tubes with respect to the medication bottle. The supplying tube includes one end where the liquid agent flows out to the medication bottle. The supplying tube moving part successively moves the plurality of supplying tubes such that the one end is located at a supplying position facing an upper opening of the medication bottle over the upper opening of the medication bottle. Moreover, the liquid agent supplying apparatus includes a cleaning part to remove the liquid agent adhered to the one end from the one end, and a controlling part to control actions of the liquid agent supplying apparatus. The controlling part performs dispensing by supplying the liquid agent from the liquid agent bottle to the medication bottle according to the prescription, and operates the cleaning part at regular intervals during dispensing-suspended time when the dispensation is not executed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid medicine supply device, and more particularly to a liquid medicine supply apparatus for supplying liquid medicine from a liquid medicine bottle containing a liquid medicine to a medication bottle.

  Conventionally, dispensing pharmacies and the like have been used to dispense liquid medicines that are liquid medicines. According to a prescription for the patient, one or more kinds of liquid medicines are sequentially injected into the medication bottles in predetermined amounts, and necessary excipients are injected to dispense liquid medicines.

  For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-142381 (Patent Document 1) discloses a conventional technique related to a liquid medicine supply device for dispensing liquid medicine. In the above document, the position of the discharge port for discharging the liquid medicine to the prescription bottle in the supply pipe is set higher than the liquid level of the liquid medicine in the liquid medicine bottle, so that the liquid medicine from the supply pipe is A liquid medicine supply device that prevents dripping has been proposed.

JP 2009-142381 A

  In the liquid medicine supply device disclosed in the above-mentioned document, the liquid medicine present in the supply pipe when the driving of the supply pump is stopped by gravity is set by setting the position of the discharge port for discharging the liquid medicine to the prescription bottle. Dropping from the discharge port portion of the supply pipe is suppressed. However, even if this technique is applied, it is insufficient to prevent dripping of the liquid medicine from the supply pipe. Therefore, it is difficult to supply an accurate amount of liquid medicine to the prescription bottle due to the influence of the dropped liquid medicine, which causes unnecessary liquid medicine to drip from the supply pipe and stain the device. Problems still remain, such as adversely affecting the operation of the device, dripping from the supply tube into the medication bottle and causing contamination of the medication in the medication bottle.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its main object is to provide a liquid medicine supply device that can more reliably remove liquid medicine from one end of a supply pipe on the side from which liquid medicine flows toward a prescription bottle. Is to provide.

  A liquid medicine supply device according to the present invention is an apparatus that selectively supplies liquid medicine to a medication bottle from a plurality of liquid medicine bottles each containing a plurality of different types of liquid medicines, each of a plurality of liquid medicine bottles A plurality of supply pipes through which liquid medicines flow from the medicine bottle to the prescription bottle, and a supply pipe moving section that moves the supply pipe relative to the prescription bottle. The supply tube includes one end through which liquid medication flows out toward the medication bottle. The supply pipe moving unit sequentially moves the plurality of supply pipes to a supply position having one end above the upper opening of the prescription bottle and facing the upper opening. The liquid medicine supply device further includes a cleaning unit that removes liquid medicine adhering to one end from one end, and a control unit that controls the operation of the liquid medicine supply device. The control unit supplies the liquid medicine from the liquid medicine bottle to the prescription bottle according to the prescription and performs the dispensing, and operates the cleaning unit at predetermined intervals during the dispensing pause time when the dispensing is not performed.

  In the liquid medicine supply device, preferably, the predetermined time is set corresponding to the type of liquid medicine contained in the liquid medicine bottle.

  Preferably, in the liquid medicine supply apparatus, the control unit operates the cleaning unit when the dispensing is completed.

  Preferably, in the liquid medicine supply apparatus, the control unit operates the cleaning unit at the start of dispensing.

  According to the liquid medicine supply apparatus of the present invention, liquid medicine can be more reliably removed from one end of the supply pipe.

It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the liquid medicine supply apparatus of one embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the liquid medicine supply apparatus shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the liquid medicine supply apparatus which follows the III-III line | wire shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the liquid medicine supply apparatus which follows the IV-IV line | wire shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the liquid medicine supply apparatus which follows the VV line shown in FIG. It is the schematic which shows the whole structure of a supply pipe | tube. It is a partial cross-section schematic diagram which shows the supply nozzle which opposes the upper opening of a prescription bottle. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of a cleaning part. It is a schematic diagram which shows the condition where a liquid agent is removed from a supply nozzle by the cleaning part. It is a 1st schematic diagram for showing the positional relationship of a supply position and a cleaning position. It is a 2nd schematic diagram for showing the positional relationship of a supply position and a cleaning position. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a liquid medicine supply apparatus. It is an example of the table which shows the setting of implementation of nozzle cleaning. It is an example of the table which shows the setting of the time which concerns on nozzle cleaning. It is a flowchart at the time of starting of a liquid medicine supply apparatus. It is a 1st flowchart which shows the liquid supply process to a prescription bottle. It is a 2nd flowchart which shows the liquid supply process to a prescription bottle. It is a 3rd flowchart which shows the liquid supply process to a prescription bottle. It is a flowchart of the nozzle cleaning during a dispensing pause time. It is a schematic diagram which shows the positional relationship of the supply position and cleaning position in the liquid medicine supply apparatus of Embodiment 2. It is a flowchart which shows a part of modification of the liquid supply process to a prescription bottle.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a liquid medicine supply device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the liquid medicine supply apparatus 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid medicine supply device 1 taken along line III-III shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid medicine supply device 1 along the line IV-IV shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid medicine supply device 1 along the line VV shown in FIG. The liquid medicine supply device 1 according to the present embodiment is used for dispensing the liquid medicine 5 which is a liquid medicine from the liquid medicine bottle 23 containing the liquid medicine 5 to the medication bottle 2 in accordance with a prescription for the patient. It is done.

  The liquid medicine supply device 1 includes a liquid medicine supply unit 3 that supplies the liquid medicine 5 from the liquid medicine bottle 23 to the medication bottle 2, and a weight detection unit 4 that detects the weight of the liquid medicine 5 contained in the medication bottle 2. Prepare. From the weight of the liquid medicine 5 detected by the weight detection unit 4 and the specific gravity of the liquid medicine 5, the volume of the liquid medicine 5 supplied to the prescription bottle 2 is calculated. The liquid medicine supply unit 3 is controlled so that a liquid medicine 5 having a predetermined volume according to the prescription is supplied to the prescription bottle 2. The liquid medicine supply unit 3 and the weight detection unit 4 are provided in the housing 6. The housing | casing 6 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is installed in the horizontal installation surface in the standing state.

  A support frame 8 is provided inside the housing 6. The support frame 8 is disposed between the bottom plate 9 of the housing 6 and the top plate 10 of the housing 6, and specifically is disposed near the top plate 10 of the housing 6. The internal space of the housing 6 is partitioned by the support frame 8 into an upper space 11 above the support frame 8 and a lower space 12 below the support frame 8. A touch panel 14 and printers 17 a and 17 b are disposed on the front surface portion 13 of the housing 6. Further, a lower opening 15 that connects the lower space 12 and the outside of the housing 6 is formed in the front surface portion 13.

  The lower opening 15 is formed between the left and right side portions 16 a and 16 b in the front surface portion 13 of the housing 6. On the upper side of the lower opening 15 between the left and right side portions 16a, 16b, a curved plate-like front cover portion 18 that partitions the lower space 12 and the outside of the housing 6 is disposed. The front cover portion 18 is formed of a transparent material so that the lower space 12 can be visually recognized from the outside on the front side of the housing 6. The front cover portion 18 is attached to one of the left and right side portions 16a and 16b via a hinge, and is provided so as to be rotatable around the axis of the hinge. As a result, the front cover portion 18 can be opened and closed. Yes.

  The liquid medicine supply unit 3 is disposed in the lower space 12, and includes a rotary drum 21 that is a rotating body provided to be rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the support frame 8 (hereinafter referred to as “drum axis”), and a support frame. 8, and a drum rotation motor 22 that rotates the rotating drum 21 around the drum axis with respect to the support frame 8. The liquid medicine supply unit 3 is also provided on the rotary drum 21 and drives each pump 24 with a plurality of pumps 24 for transferring liquid medicine from a plurality of liquid medicine bottles 23 containing the liquid medicine 5 to the prescription bottle 2. And a pump drive unit 25. Each pump 24 may be a tube pump.

  The rotary drum 21 includes a pump holder 31 that holds each pump 24 and a liquid bottle holder 32 that holds each liquid bottle 23 in an upright state so that the opening portion opens upward. The liquid medicine bottle holder 32 is provided below the pump holder 31 and is formed in an annular flat plate shape in plan view. Each pump 24 is arranged on the pump holding body 31 at intervals in the circumferential direction of a virtual circle centered on the drum axis (hereinafter referred to as “drum circumferential direction”). In the liquid medicine bottle holder 32, each liquid medicine bottle 23 is arranged at intervals in the drum circumferential direction.

  In the present embodiment, the number of liquid medicine bottles 23 and pumps 24 mounted on the rotating drum 21 can be arbitrarily changed according to the purpose. A plurality of different types of liquid medication 5 may be accommodated in each of the plurality of liquid medication bottles 23. The same kind of liquid 5 having a high prescription frequency may be accommodated in a plurality of liquid bottles 23. Or excipient | fillers, such as a regular water and a simple syrup, may be accommodated in the 1 or several liquid medication bottle 23. FIG.

  The pump drive unit 25 selectively drives each pump 24 to selectively supply the liquid medicine 5 from the plurality of liquid medicine bottles 23 to the medication bottle 2. A connecting member 42 is fixed to the tip of the drive shaft 41 that is rotationally driven by the pump drive unit 25. A connected member 44 connected to the connecting member 42 is fixed to the rotating shaft 43 of the rotor of each pump 24. By connecting the connecting member 42 and the connected member 44, the rotational force is transmitted to the pump 24. The pump 24 is configured to be driven for each pump 24 in conjunction with the rotation of the rotary drum 21.

  The pump drive unit 25 includes a pump drive motor 40 that drives the pump 24, and a movement motor 39 that moves the pump drive motor 40. By driving the moving motor 39, the pump driving motor 40 moves in the front-rear direction. A connected state in which the connecting member 42 of the pump driving motor 40 is connected to the connected member 44 of the pump 24 by the movement of the pump driving motor 40, and a disconnected state in which the connecting member 42 is not connected to the connected member 44. And can be switched. The rotating drum 21 can rotate with respect to the support frame 8 in the disconnected state.

  By rotating the rotating drum 21 in the disconnected state, the rotating member 21 rotates to a position where the connected member 44 of the specific pump 24 selected based on the prescription information input to the liquid medicine supply device 1 faces the connecting member 42. The drum 21 is moved. After the rotating drum 21 is rotated, the connecting member 42 is switched to a connected state in which the connecting member 42 is connected to the connected member 44. Thereby, the selected specific pump 24 can be driven, and the liquid medicine 5 supplied from the desired liquid medicine bottle 23 can be dispensed into the prescription bottle 2. In addition, although the connection member 42 and the to-be-connected member 44 are both comprised with the gear, as long as motive power can be transmitted, what kind of structure may be sufficient.

  A plurality of liquid medicine bottles 23 are mounted on the liquid medicine bottle holder 32 of the rotating drum 21. A plurality of cups 58 for holding the liquid medicine bottle 23 is attached to the upper side of the liquid medicine bottle holding body 32. The cup 58 is formed in a bottomed hollow cylindrical shape. The cup 58 functions as a holder that holds the liquid medicine bottle 23. The liquid medicine bottle 23 is accommodated in the cup 58, and the bottom of the liquid medicine bottle 23 is held by the cup 58.

  A rotation driving unit 51 that generates a rotational force is disposed below the liquid medicine bottle holding body 32. The rotation driving unit 51 rotates the liquid medicine bottle 23 along the center line of the liquid medicine bottle 23. With the rotation of the liquid medicine bottle 23, the liquid medicine 5 accommodated in the liquid medicine bottle 23 passes through the inside of the liquid medicine bottle 23 along the rotation direction of the liquid medicine bottle 23, and the cylinder of the liquid medicine bottle 23. Flow in the circumferential direction of the shaped side. By generating a flow of the liquid medicine 5 accommodated in the liquid medicine bottle 23, the liquid medicine 5 is stirred inside the liquid medicine bottle 23.

  The pump holder 31 of the rotating drum 21 is provided with a pump 24 corresponding to each of the plurality of liquid medicine bottles 23. A nozzle mounting plate 53 that is an annular flat plate is provided at the lower end of the pump holder 31. The nozzle mounting plate 53 is disposed above the liquid medicine bottle holder 32. The nozzle mounting plate 53 and the liquid medicine bottle holder 32 are parallel to each other, and are configured to be rotatable around the drum axis on the horizontal plane together with the rotating drum 21. By the rotation of the rotating drum 21, the plurality of liquid medicine bottles 23, the pump 24, and the supply nozzle 36 are also integrally rotated in the horizontal direction. The rotating drum 21 has a function as a supply pipe moving unit that moves a supply pipe 60 described later including the supply nozzle 36.

  The supply nozzle 36 is mounted on the same circumference of the outer periphery of the nozzle mounting plate 53. The supply nozzles 36 are arranged on the nozzle mounting plate 53 at equal intervals in the drum circumferential direction on a virtual circle centered on the drum axis. An upper opening 2 </ b> A is formed in the medication bottle 2, and the plurality of supply nozzles 36 are configured such that the supply port 36 </ b> A can move relative to the upper opening 2 </ b> A of the medication bottle 2. As the supply port 36A of the supply nozzle 36 moves relative to the upper opening 2A of the prescription bottle 2, one of the plurality of supply ports 36A is sequentially arranged opposite to the upper opening 2A.

  The supply nozzle 36 is disposed to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the drum axis. The liquid medicine 5 flowing out from the supply port 36 </ b> A of the supply nozzle 36 is supplied into the prescription bottle 2 via the upper opening 2 </ b> A of the prescription bottle 2. Since the supply nozzle 36 is inclined with respect to the drum axis, the liquid 5 injected into the prescription bottle 2 flows along the inner peripheral side wall of the prescription bottle 2. Thereby, foaming of the liquid medication 5 inside the prescription bottle 2 can be prevented. A mounting portion 55 is fixed on the upper side of the nozzle mounting plate 53. The supply nozzle 36 is provided so as to be arbitrarily detachable from the attachment portion 55, and is attached to the nozzle attachment plate 53 with the attachment portion 55 interposed therebetween.

  The weight detection unit 4 is disposed in the lower opening 15. The weight detection unit 4 is an electronic balance 45, a casing 46 that houses the electronic balance 45, and is placed and fixed on the electronic balance 45, and the medication bottle 2 stands up so that the upper opening 2A opens upward. And a medication bottle holder 47 to be held. The electronic balance 45 detects the weight of the liquid medicine 5 supplied to the medication bottle 2. When the weight of the liquid medicine 5 reaches a predetermined value, the liquid medicine supply unit 3 stops driving the pump 24 and stops supplying the liquid medicine 5 to the prescription bottle 2. The electronic balance 45 may be of any type such as a tuning fork type, a load cell type, or an electromagnetic type. The casing 46 is provided in a lower portion between the left and right side portions 16 a and 16 b in the front surface portion 13 of the housing 6. The medication bottle holder 47 includes a placement table 48 on which the medication bottle 2 is placed, and a holder 49 that is provided on the placement table 48 and holds the medication bottle 2.

  The weight detection unit 4 is moved up and down by a lifting device 50 as a driving unit shown in FIG. The lifting device 50 moves the weight detection unit 4 in the vertical direction so that the lifting device 50 can be positioned at two positions of the attachment / detachment position and the dispensing position, and accordingly, the lifting device 50 is mounted on the mounting table 48 of the weight detection unit 4. The prepared medication bottle 2 is moved. The attachment / detachment position is a position for attaching the prescription bottle 2 on the mounting table 48 of the liquid medicine supply device 1 or removing the prescription bottle 2 from the mounting table 48. The dispensing position is a position where the medication bottle 2 and the supply nozzle 36 are closer to each other than the attachment / detachment position to supply the medication 5 to the medication bottle 2 for dispensing. The elevating device 50 causes the medication bottle 2 to reciprocate between the outside and the inside of the casing 6 of the liquid medicine supply device 1 so as to reciprocate between the attachment / detachment position and the dispensing position.

  A spray nozzle 71 facing the supply port 36 </ b> A of the supply nozzle 36 is disposed on the front surface side of the housing 6 in the lower space 12. The spray nozzle 71 blows air to the supply port 36A, and removes the liquid medicine 5 attached to the supply port 36A from the supply port 36A. The spray nozzle 71 is attached to one of the members constituting the housing 6 via a metal support member. For example, the spray nozzle 71 may be attached to the inner surface side of the front cover portion 18. Any known structure can be used as a support structure for disposing the spray nozzle 71 at a predetermined position.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the supply pipe 60. The supply pipe 60 forms a path through which the liquid medicine 5 flows from the liquid medicine bottle 23 toward the medication bottle 2. The liquid medicine supply apparatus 1 includes a plurality of supply pipes 60 so that different liquid medicines 5 can be supplied from each of the plurality of liquid medicine bottles 23 to the medication bottle 2.

  The supply pipe 60 includes the supply nozzle 36, the tube 34, and the elbow member 65 described above. The tube 34 has a suction end 34a that is one end and a discharge end 34b that is the other end. The suction end 34 a opened by the tube 34 is arranged inside the liquid medicine bottle 23 and is immersed in the liquid medicine 5 in the liquid medicine bottle 23. The suction end 34 a is an end portion on the side where the liquid medicine 5 is sucked into the tube 34 when the liquid medicine 5 is supplied from the liquid medicine bottle 23 to the prescription bottle 2. The discharge end 34 b is an end portion on the side of discharging the liquid medicine 5 from the tube 34 when supplying the liquid medicine 5 from the liquid medicine bottle 23 to the prescription bottle 2. The discharge end 34 b of the tube 34 is attached to the elbow member 65. The elbow member 65 connects the tube 34 and the supply nozzle 36.

  The supply port 36 </ b> A having an open end of the supply nozzle 36 forms one end of the supply pipe 60 on the prescription bottle 2 side. One end of the supply pipe 60 is arranged to face the upper opening 2 </ b> A of the prescription bottle 2. When the liquid medicine 5 in the liquid medicine bottle 23 is supplied to the prescription bottle 2, the supply port 36 </ b> A of the supply nozzle 36 is arranged to face the upper opening 2 </ b> A of the prescription bottle 2. The liquid medication 5 flows out from the supply pipe 60 toward the prescription bottle 2 via one end of the supply pipe 60. The suction end 34a of the tube 34 forms the other end of the supply pipe 60 on the liquid medicine bottle 23 side. The other end of the supply pipe 60 is inserted into the liquid medicine bottle 23 and submerged in the liquid medicine 5 accommodated in the liquid medicine bottle 23.

  The pump 24 is used as a power source for sucking the liquid medicine 5 in the liquid medicine bottle 23 toward the supply nozzle 36. When the pump 24 is a tube pump, an intermediate portion of the tube 34 between the suction end 34 a and the discharge end 34 b is inserted into the pump 24 and is detachably gripped by the pump 24.

  By driving the pump 24, the liquid medicine 5 in the liquid medicine bottle 23 is sucked into the supply pipe 60 from the suction end 34a, flows through the inside of the supply pipe 60, and passes through the supply port 36A of the supply nozzle 36. It flows out from the supply pipe 60. The liquid medicine 5 flowing out from the supply pipe 60 flows into the medication bottle 2 via the upper opening 2 </ b> A of the medication bottle 2. Thus, the liquid medicine 5 is transferred from each of the plurality of liquid medicine bottles 23 to the prescription bottle 2 via the supply pipe 60, and the liquid medicine 5 is supplied to the prescription bottle 2. By selecting a combination of the liquid medicine bottle 23 and the supply pipe 60, different types of liquid medicine 5 or excipients are selectively supplied to the medication bottle 2.

  The elbow member 65 has a 90 ° elbow shape. The liquid medication 5 flows from the tube 34 to the supply nozzle 36 via the elbow member 65. The elbow member 65 converts the flow of the liquid 5 flowing into the elbow member 65 from the tube 34 into an upward flow that flows upward in the vertical direction, and the flow of the liquid 5 flowing out from the elbow member 65 to the supply nozzle 36 in the vertical direction. On the other hand, it is a downward flow that flows downward. The flow direction in the vertical direction of the liquid medicine 5 that flows in the supply pipe 60 toward the supply port 36 </ b> A changes in the elbow member 65. Thereby, of the liquid agent 5 existing in the supply pipe 60, the liquid agent 5 that can flow toward the supply port 36 </ b> A by the action of gravity when the pump 24 is stopped exists in the elbow member 65 and the supply nozzle 36. It is limited only to the liquid medicine 5 to do.

  FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional schematic view showing the supply nozzle 36 facing the upper opening 2 </ b> A of the prescription bottle 2. Since the supply nozzle 36 is disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to the drum axis, the supply nozzle 36 is disposed to be inclined with respect to the vertical direction of the prescription bottle 2.

  The liquid medication 5 flows from the supply port 36 </ b> A of the supply nozzle 36 toward the inner peripheral side wall of the prescription bottle 2 and is supplied to the prescription bottle 2. After the supply of the liquid medicine 5 to the prescription bottle 2 is completed, the liquid medicine 5 remaining inside the supply pipe 60 by adhering to the inner wall of the elbow member 65 and the supply nozzle 36 constituting the supply pipe 60, for example, It flows downward by the action of gravity and adheres to the supply port 36A of the supply nozzle 36.

  The supply port 36 </ b> A constitutes one end of the supply pipe 60 on the side from which the liquid medicine 5 toward the prescription bottle 2 flows out of the supply pipe 60. If the liquid medication 5 attached to the supply port 36A is left unattended, the liquid medication 5 collected at the supply port 36A may drop and contamination of the liquid medication 5 in the prescription bottle 2 may occur. Alternatively, the liquid medication 5 may adhere to the supply port 36 </ b> A, and it may be difficult to supply an accurate amount of the liquid medication 5 to the prescription bottle 2. Therefore, the liquid medicine supply device 1 is required to be able to remove the liquid medicine 5 from the supply port 36A.

  The sensor 85 detects that the liquid medicine 5 has adhered to the supply port 36A of the supply nozzle 36. The sensor 85 is a non-contact sensor, and includes a transmission unit 86 that transmits a signal such as an electromagnetic wave, light, or an acoustic signal, and a reception unit 87 that receives a signal transmitted from the transmission unit 86. The transmitter 86 and the receiver 87 are arranged to face each other with the upper opening 2A of the prescription bottle 2 and the supply port 36A of the supply nozzle 36 interposed therebetween.

  When liquid medicine 5 hangs out of supply nozzle 36 from supply port 36 </ b> A, the liquid medicine 5 blocks the signal from transmitter 86. Thereby, the sensor 85 can detect adhesion of the liquid medicine 5 to the supply port 36A. The sensor 85 is a sensor for detecting the position of the medication bottle 2. Since the medication bottle 2 moves up and down between the attachment / detachment position and the dispensing position as described above, when the liquid medication supply apparatus 1 supplies the liquid medication 5 to the medication bottle 2, the medication bottle 2 is in a predetermined dispensing position. A sensor for detecting this is required. Since this sensor also plays a role of detecting the adhesion of the liquid medicine 5 to the supply port 36A, the number of necessary sensors can be reduced, and the cost of the liquid medicine supply apparatus 1 can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, a configuration and a control method for removing the liquid medicine 5 attached to the supply port 36A of the supply nozzle 36 from the supply port 36A will be described in detail. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the cleaning unit 70.

  The cleaning unit 70 is configured to remove the liquid medication 5 attached to the supply port 36 </ b> A from the supply port 36 </ b> A, and sends air to the spray nozzle 71, the blower 73, and the blower 73 to the spray nozzle 71. A ventilation pipe 74. The spray nozzle 71 is formed with a jet port 72, and the air supplied from the blower 73 to the spray nozzle 71 via the vent pipe 74 is jetted from the jet port 72 to form an air jet 76. The cleaning unit 70 sprays air from the outside to the supply port 36 </ b> A of the supply nozzle 36. When the liquid medicine 5 remains in the supply port 36 </ b> A, droplets of the liquid medicine 5 are removed from the supply port 36 </ b> A by the air jet 76 ejected from the air outlet 72 of the spray nozzle 71.

  After the supply of the liquid medication 5 to the prescription bottle 2 is completed, the liquid medication 5 remaining on the inner wall surface of the supply pipe 60 falls to the supply port 36A side due to the action of gravity, and tries to accumulate in the supply port 36A. When the amount of liquid 5 that accumulates in supply port 36A increases and exceeds a predetermined amount, a droplet of liquid 5 drops from supply port 36A. Therefore, by providing the cleaning unit 70 and removing the liquid 5 accumulated in the supply port 36A by the air jet 76 from the supply port 36A, it is possible to reliably suppress unintentional drops of the liquid 5 from the supply port 36A. Can do.

  The blower 73 is disposed at an arbitrary location inside the housing 6 of the liquid medicine supply device 1. For example, the blower 73 may be disposed at the left and right corners on the back side of the bottom of the lower space 12 in the housing 6. The blast port 72 is formed to have an opening area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the vent pipe 74 and the cross-sectional area of the air passage inside the spray nozzle 71. By forming the squirt port 72 in a throttle shape, the pressure of the air jet 76 ejected from the squirt port 72 is sufficiently increased, and the ability to remove the liquid medicine 5 from the supply nozzle 36 is improved.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a situation in which the liquid medicine 5 is removed from the supply nozzle 36 by the cleaning unit 70. A plate-shaped receiving member 81 is provided at a position where the supply nozzle 36 is interposed with respect to the spray nozzle 71. The receiving member 81 is disposed downstream of the supply port 36 </ b> A along the flow of the air jet 76. A bottomed container-shaped receiving member 82 is attached to the lower end portion of the receiving member 81. The receiving member 82 receives the liquid medicine 5 removed from the supply port 36 </ b> A by the air jet 76 and receives the liquid medicine 5 that hangs downward from the receiving member 81. By receiving the droplets 78 scattered from the supply port 36A by the receiving members 81 and 82, the droplets 78 in which the air jet 76 is blown off from the supply port 36A are attached to the other components of the liquid medicine supply device 1. Can be avoided.

  A bottomed container-shaped receiving member 83 is provided below the spray nozzle 71. The receiving member 83 also receives the liquid medicine 5 removed from the supply port 36 </ b> A by the air jet 76. By further providing the receiving member 83 in addition to the receiving members 81 and 82, it is possible to more reliably avoid the droplet 78 from adhering to the other components of the liquid medicine supply device 1.

  As will be described in detail later, the cleaning position is set at a position different from the supply position where the supply nozzle 36 should be disposed in order to supply the liquid medicine 5 from the supply nozzle 36 to the prescription bottle 2. The spray nozzle 71 sprays an air jet 76 to the supply nozzle 36 disposed at the cleaning position. Therefore, the spray nozzle 71 and the receiving members 81, 82, 83 do not hinder the supply of the liquid medicine 5 to the prescription bottle 2. The spray nozzle 71 and the receiving members 81, 82, and 83 shown in FIG. 9 are supported by the casing 6 of the liquid medicine supply device 1 and do not rotate with the rotation of the rotary drum 21. Therefore, the supply pipe 60 including the supply nozzle 36 is provided so as to be movable relative to the spray nozzle 71 and the receiving members 81, 82, and 83.

  The cleaning unit 70 for removing the liquid medication 5 from the supply port 36 </ b> A of the supply nozzle 36 is not limited to the above-described configuration that ejects air. The cleaning unit 70 may have an arbitrary configuration as long as it has a function of removing the liquid medicine 5 attached to the supply nozzle 36. For example, the cleaning unit 70 may have a cleaning member such as a brush that wipes the supply port 36A and removes the liquid medicine 5 from the supply port 36A, and has a configuration that can clean and dry the supply port 36A. Also good. Alternatively, the cleaning unit 70 may have an absorption member that is in contact with the supply port 36A to soak and absorb the liquid agent 5, or a configuration that sucks and removes the liquid agent 5 from the supply port 36A.

  10 and 11 are schematic diagrams for illustrating the positional relationship between the supply position SP and the cleaning position CP. 10 and 11, a part of the nozzle mounting plate 53 shown in FIG. 5 is schematically shown in an arc shape centered on the drum axis, and one of the plurality of supply nozzles 36 mounted on the nozzle mounting plate 53 is shown. A partial supply nozzle 36 is shown schematically. The plurality of supply nozzles 36 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the arc centered on the drum axis. The distance along the drum circumferential direction between the supply ports 36 </ b> A of the two adjacent supply nozzles 36 is shown as a distance P in FIGS. 10 and 11.

  10 and 11, a dotted line frame denoted by reference symbol SP indicates a supply position SP where the liquid medicine 5 is supplied to the lower prescription bottle 2 via the supply nozzle 36. When the supply nozzle 36 is in the supply position SP, the supply port 36A is disposed above the upper opening 2A of the prescription bottle 2, and the supply port 36A faces the upper opening 2A. A dotted line frame denoted by reference sign AP indicates an adjacent position AP where a supply nozzle 36 adjacent to the supply nozzle 36 is disposed when a certain supply nozzle 36 is disposed at the supply position SP.

  A dotted line frame denoted by reference symbol CP indicates a cleaning position CP where the liquid medicine 5 attached to the supply port 36A is removed from the supply port 36A of the supply nozzle 36. When the supply nozzle 36 is at the cleaning position CP, the supply port 36 </ b> A is opposed to the blowout port 72 of the spray nozzle 71 of the cleaning unit 70. When the supply nozzle 36 is disposed at the cleaning position CP, the liquid 5 attached to the supply port 36A is blown off by the air jet 76 ejected from the spray port 72, and the liquid 5 is removed from the supply port 36A.

  Since the distance between the supply ports 36A of the two adjacent supply nozzles 36 is the interval P, the distance between the supply position SP and the adjacent position AP along the arc centered on the drum axis is as shown in FIG. The interval P. On the other hand, the distance between the supply position SP and the cleaning position CP along an arc centered on the drum axis is shown as a distance P1 smaller than the interval P in FIG. The spray nozzle 71 is arrange | positioned so that the liquid agent 5 can be removed from the supply nozzle 36 arrange | positioned between supply position SP and adjacent position AP. The cleaning position CP is provided at a position away from the supply position SP by a distance P1.

  Typically, the distance P1 is set as a distance that is half of the interval P. In this case, the cleaning position CP is provided at a position that is separated from the supply position SP by a distance ½ of the interval P. The relationship P1 = P / 2 is established between the interval P and the distance P1.

  The supply nozzle 36 is attached to the nozzle attachment plate 53 and rotates around the drum axis as the rotary drum 21 rotates. The supply nozzle 36 moves along the drum circumferential direction, which is the circumferential direction of a virtual circle centered on the drum axis. The supply pipe 60 including the supply nozzle 36 moves in the drum circumferential direction by the rotation of the rotary drum 21 and moves relative to the prescription bottle 2.

  When the nozzle mounting plate 53 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 rotates in the clockwise direction, the supply nozzle 36 passes through the adjacent position AP, the cleaning position CP, the supply position SP, and the adjacent position AP in this order. At this time, the supply nozzle 36 moves to the supply position SP after passing through the cleaning position CP. The plurality of supply ports 36A sequentially move to the supply position SP via the cleaning position CP. The supply nozzle 36 moves to the supply position SP after the liquid medication 5 is removed from the supply port 36A at the cleaning position CP, and the liquid medication 5 is supplied to the prescription bottle 2 from the supply nozzle 36 after cleaning. By cleaning the supply port 36A immediately before supplying the liquid medicine 5 to the prescription bottle 2, the liquid medicine 5 can be stably supplied to the prescription bottle 2 and the accuracy of the supply amount of the liquid medicine 5 to the prescription bottle 2 is improved. it can.

  After the supply nozzle 36 is cleaned at the cleaning position CP, the supply nozzle 36 passes above the upper opening 2 </ b> A facing the upper opening 2 </ b> A of the prescription bottle 2. In this way, dripping from the supply nozzle 36 passing above the upper opening 2A can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of contamination in which the liquid medication 5 of a type that is not scheduled to be supplied to the medication bottle 2 is mixed into the medication bottle 2.

  When the nozzle mounting plate 53 rotates counterclockwise, the supply nozzle 36 passes through the adjacent position AP, the supply position SP, the cleaning position CP, and the adjacent position AP in this order. At this time, the supply nozzle 36 moves to the cleaning position CP after passing through the supply position SP. The plurality of supply ports 36A sequentially move from the supply position SP to the cleaning position CP. The supply nozzle 36 that has supplied the liquid medication 5 to the medication bottle 2 at the supply position SP immediately moves to the cleaning position CP. By cleaning the supply port 36A immediately after supplying the liquid medicine 5 to the prescription bottle 2, contamination in the liquid medicine supply apparatus 1 due to dripping of the liquid medicine 5 into the liquid medicine supply apparatus 1 can be suppressed, and contamination can be prevented. Generation of nations can be suppressed more reliably.

  The cleaning position CP is provided between the supply position SP and the adjacent position AP. The cleaning position CP is provided at a position up to the separation position P from the supply position SP along the drum circumferential direction. When cleaning the supply port 36A at the cleaning position CP, the supply port 36A to be cleaned is in a position that does not face the upper opening 2A of the prescription bottle 2, so that the liquid medicine 5 that is removed from the supply port 36A at the time of cleaning is the prescription bottle 2 It can suppress mixing in. When cleaning the supply port 36A at the cleaning position CP, the other supply nozzle 36 adjacent to the supply nozzle 36 to be cleaned is in a position not facing the upper opening 2A of the prescription bottle 2, so that the other supply nozzle 36 is cleaned during cleaning. It is possible to prevent the liquid 5 from dripping from being mixed into the medication bottle 2.

  The cleaning position CP is set at the center between the supply position SP and the adjacent position AP. The distance P1 between the supply position SP and the cleaning position CP is set to one half of the interval P between the supply ports 36A of the two adjacent supply nozzles 36. The supply nozzle 36 during cleaning is arranged at a position farthest in the drum circumferential direction with respect to both the supply position SP and the adjacent position AP. Thereby, the effect which can suppress mixing of liquid medication 5 to prescription bottle 2 from supply nozzle 36 cleaned or other supply nozzle 36 adjacent to supply nozzle 36 cleaned can be acquired more notably. it can.

  11 is a straight line that passes through the drum axis and the supply position SP, extends in the radial direction of an imaginary circle centered on the drum axis, and is orthogonal to the circumferential direction of the drum. The cleaning unit 70 is arranged such that the flow direction of the air jet 76 blown from the blowing nozzle 71 is away from the one-dot chain line shown in FIG. The air blown out from the spray nozzle 71 flows in a direction away from the supply position SP, which is different from the direction toward the supply position SP. By such an arrangement of the cleaning unit 70, it is possible to more reliably suppress the liquid medicine 5 that is removed from the supply port 36 </ b> A during cleaning from being scattered into the prescription bottle 2.

  The spray nozzle 71 is disposed on the front side inside the housing 6 of the liquid medicine supply device 1. The flow direction of the air jet 76 blown from the spray nozzle 71 is a direction from the front side of the liquid medicine supply device 1 toward the rear side. The air blown from the spray nozzle 71 flows in the direction from the outside to the inside of the liquid medicine supply device 1 and is blown to the supply nozzle 36. By such an arrangement of the cleaning unit 70, it is possible to suppress the liquid agent 5 removed from the supply port 36A during cleaning from being scattered outside the liquid agent supply apparatus 1.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the liquid medicine supply device 1. As shown in FIG. 12, the liquid medicine supply device 1 includes a control unit 90 that controls the operation of the whole liquid medicine supply device 1. The touch panel 14 functions as an input unit for inputting various parameters related to the operation of the liquid medicine supply device 1 such as prescription data, and various information such as a patient name and a pharmacist name. The touch panel 14 also functions as a display unit that displays the operation state of the liquid medicine supply device 1. In addition to the touch panel 14, the liquid supply device 1 may include, for example, a lamp that is turned on when a malfunction of the liquid supply device 1 occurs as a display unit.

  The electronic balance 45 detects the weight of the liquid medicine 5 supplied to the prescription bottle 2 and inputs the detected weight value to the control unit 90. The control unit 90 supplies a predetermined amount of the liquid medicine 5 to the prescription bottle 2 while receiving the weight data of the liquid medicine 5 in the prescription bottle 2 from the electronic balance 45. The sensor 85 detects that the prescription bottle 2 is at the dispensing position and the adhesion of the liquid medicine 5 to the supply port 36 </ b> A, and inputs the detection result to the control unit 90.

  The liquid medicine supply device 1 includes bottle position detection means 91 that detects the position of each liquid medicine bottle 23 in the lower space 12 inside the housing 6. The bottle position detection means 91 may be, for example, various sensors, and the sensor may detect a rotation angle of the liquid medicine bottle holder 32 around the drum axis. As the rotary drum 21 rotates, the liquid medicine bottle 23 rotates around the drum axis, so that the current position of the liquid medicine bottle 23 changes frequently. The current position of the liquid medicine bottle 23 is accurately detected using the bottle position detecting means 91, and data relating to the detected current position of the liquid medicine bottle 23 is input to the control unit 90.

  The liquid medicine supply device 1 also includes a communication unit 92 for communicating with an external device and receiving data from the external device. Various parameters related to the operation of the liquid medicine supply device 1 may be input to the control unit 90 by the operation of the touch panel 14 described above, or alternatively, the control unit 90 from an external computer via the communication unit 92. May be entered.

  The liquid medicine supply device 1 also includes a memory 93 for the control unit 90 to perform calculations. In the memory 93, the data of the liquid medicine 5 stored in the liquid medicine bottle 23 mounted on the liquid medicine supply device 1, the data relating to the current position of the liquid medicine bottle 23, and the time when the previous nozzle cleaning was performed are stored. Data is stored. The liquid medicine supply device 1 also includes a recording medium access unit 94 for mounting a removable recording medium. The data of the liquid medicine 5 described above may be stored in various recording media attached to the recording medium access unit 94 and appropriately read from the recording medium by the control unit 90.

  The control unit 90 controls the liquid medicine supply device 1 based on information input from the various devices described above. Specifically, a control signal is transmitted from the control unit 90 to the drum rotating motor 22, the moving motor 39, the pump driving motor 40, the stirring motor 52 for stirring the liquid medication 5, and the lifting device 50. The liquid medicine 5 is supplied from the liquid medicine bottle 23 to the prescription bottle 2 by appropriately operating and stopping each motor. After the supply of the liquid medication 5 is completed, a piece of paper on which the dispensing result is printed is output from the printers 17a and 17b constituting the output unit 17. In addition, a control signal is transmitted from the control unit 90 to the blower 73 and the blower 5 is appropriately operated, whereby the liquid medicine 5 is removed from the supply port 36 </ b> A of the supply nozzle 36.

  FIG. 13 is an example of a table showing settings for performing nozzle cleaning. The liquid medicine supply device 1 of the present embodiment can arbitrarily set whether or not to clean the supply nozzle 36 when the device is started, when dispensing is started according to the prescription, and when dispensing is completed. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the supply nozzle 36 can be set to be cleaned at all occasions when the apparatus is started, when dispensing starts, and when dispensing is completed. An operator such as a pharmacist who operates the liquid medicine supply device 1 can arbitrarily change the setting of the nozzle cleaning in consideration of the time required for cleaning the supply nozzle 36, the frequency of dispensing, and the like. For example, the operator may be able to input nozzle cleaning setting to the control unit 90 by operating the touch panel 14.

  FIG. 14 is an example of a table showing time settings related to nozzle cleaning. As will be described in detail later, the liquid medicine supply device 1 of the present embodiment is capable of nozzle cleaning every predetermined time during the dispensing pause time when dispensing according to the prescription is not performed. The “nozzle cleaning inquiry interval” shown in FIG. 14 refers to an operator in determining whether to perform nozzle cleaning after a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous nozzle cleaning during nozzle cleaning during the dispensing pause time. Is a set time T1 until an inquiry is made as to whether or not to perform nozzle cleaning when nozzle cleaning is not performed. The “nozzle cleaning inquiry interval” is set to 10 minutes, for example. The “nozzle cleaning interval” shown in FIG. 14 is a setting of the frequency of nozzle cleaning during the dispensing pause time, and is a time setting of how often the nozzle cleaning is performed. The “nozzle cleaning interval” is a set time T2 selected from a plurality of selectable values such as 30 minutes, 60 minutes, and 90 minutes.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart when starting the liquid medicine supply device 1. When the liquid medicine supply device 1 is started, first, when an operator switches the power supply of the liquid medicine supply device 1 from OFF to ON in step (S11), in step (S12), the control unit 90 causes the liquid medicine such as each motor to be used. The devices included in the supply device 1 are checked at the time of startup, and it is confirmed that all devices can operate normally. Subsequently, in step (S13), it is determined whether or not to perform nozzle cleaning at startup. At this time, the control unit 90 refers to the table shown in FIG. 13 and recognizes whether or not it is set to perform nozzle cleaning at the time of activation.

  If it is determined in step (S13) that the setting is to perform nozzle cleaning at startup, then nozzle cleaning is performed in step (S14). Specifically, a control signal is transmitted from the control unit 90 to the blower 73 and the drum rotation motor 22, the blower 73 for supplying air to the spray nozzle 71 is activated, and the rotary drum 21 rotates. At this time, the rotating drum 21 rotates and the air jet 76 is sprayed from the spray nozzle 71 to all of the plurality of supply nozzles 36 included in the liquid medicine supply device 1. As a result, the liquid medicine 5 attached to the supply ports 36A is removed from the supply ports 36A of all the supply nozzles 36.

  When the cleaning of all the supply nozzles 36 is completed, subsequently, in step (S15), the control unit 90 records the time when the cleaning unit 70 is operated and the nozzle cleaning is performed in the memory 93. As will be described in detail later, this time is used as a starting point for the time when nozzle cleaning is not performed. Thereafter, in step (S16), the control unit 90 further instructs the drum rotating motor 22 to move the rotating drum 21 to the initial position. In this initial position, for example, in a state where the rotary drum 21 has moved to the initial position, no supply nozzle 36 is disposed at the supply position SP, and there is a supply position SP between two adjacent supply nozzles 36. As set. Alternatively, a position where any one of the supply nozzles 36 is disposed at the supply position SP may be set as the initial position.

  When the movement to the initial position is completed, the process proceeds to step (S17), and the liquid supply device 1 enters a standby state. If it is determined in step (S13) that the control unit 90 referring to the table shown in FIG. 13 is set not to perform nozzle cleaning at the time of startup, the process proceeds to step (S17) to supply the liquid medicine. The device 1 enters a standby state. In this way, a series of operations at the time of starting the liquid medicine supply device 1 is performed.

  16 to 18 are flowcharts showing a liquid medicine supply process to the medication bottle 2. When dispensing according to a prescription by the liquid supply process from the liquid medicine bottle 23 to the prescription bottle 2 using the liquid medicine supply apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the start of dispensing is instructed first in step (S21). For example, after the liquid medicine supply device 1 receives the prescription data, the operator may operate the touch panel 14 to select the prescription and touch the start button to start dispensing. Further, for example, when the control unit 90 receives a prescription via the communication unit 92, dispensing may be started immediately. When the start of dispensing is instructed, the control unit 90 instructs the printers 17a and 17b to print a label for sticking the medication bottle 2 on which a patient name, a pharmacy name, a medication time, a medication amount, and the like are printed.

  Next, in step (S22), it is determined whether or not to perform nozzle cleaning at the start of dispensing. The control unit 90 refers to the table shown in FIG. 13 and recognizes whether or not it is set to perform nozzle cleaning at the start of dispensing.

  If it is determined in step (S22) that the setting is to perform nozzle cleaning at the start of dispensing, then in step (S23), whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous nozzle cleaning. Is judged. The control unit 90 calculates the time from the previous nozzle cleaning to the current time based on the previous nozzle cleaning time recorded in the memory 93 and the current time. The control unit 90 further compares the calculated time with a predetermined time set as a nozzle cleaning interval that is a threshold value, and the predetermined time has already elapsed or has elapsed since the previous nozzle cleaning. Judge whether or not.

  After nozzle cleaning is completed, it takes a certain amount of time for the amount of liquid medicine 5 that can be dropped from the supply port 36A of the supply nozzle 36 to accumulate in the supply port 36A. If dispensing has been started without delay after the previous nozzle cleaning is completed, the amount of liquid 5 that accumulates in the supply port 36A of the supply nozzle 36 is sufficiently small to prevent liquid dripping from the supply port 36A. it is conceivable that.

  In this case, even if nozzle cleaning is not performed at the start of dispensing, the possibility of dripping from the supply nozzle 36 is low, and the liquid 5 attached to the supply port 36A is not applied to the prescription bottle 2. The effect of an error in supply amount is also small enough. Therefore, when a predetermined time has not elapsed since the previous nozzle cleaning, the nozzle cleaning at the start of dispensing can be omitted. Thereby, since the time required for nozzle cleaning at the start of dispensing can be shortened, the time required for dispensing can be further shortened.

  If it is determined in step (S23) that a predetermined time has already passed since the previous nozzle cleaning, nozzle cleaning is performed in step (S24), and the supply ports of all supply nozzles 36 are supplied. The liquid medicine 5 attached to the supply port 36A is removed from 36A. By operating the cleaning unit 70 at the start of dispensing, it is possible to remove the liquid medication 5 that has been left standing at the supply port 36A for a long time from the supply port 36A, so that the liquid medicine can be stably supplied to the prescription bottle 2. And the accuracy of dispensing can be improved. Moreover, dripping into the prescription bottle 2 from the supply nozzle 36 that passes above the upper opening 2A of the prescription bottle 2 can be prevented.

  When the cleaning of all the supply nozzles 36 is completed, the time when the nozzle cleaning is performed is recorded in the memory 93 in step (S25). Thereafter, in step (S26), the rotary drum 21 moves to the initial position. Subsequently, in step (S27), it is determined whether or not the medication bottle 2 has been set. If it is determined in step (S22) that no nozzle cleaning is performed, or if it is determined in step (S23) that a predetermined time has not elapsed, the determination in step (S27) is immediately performed. .

  In step (S27), it is determined whether or not the prescription bottle 2 is being held by the prescription bottle holder 47 described with reference to FIGS. The touch panel 14 is displayed to urge the operator to set the medication bottle 2. When the operator holds the medication bottle 2 on the medication bottle holder 47, the operator operates a button for instructing the completion of setting the medication bottle 2 on the touch panel 14. When the set completion button of the medication bottle 2 is operated, it is determined that the medication bottle is held by the medication bottle holder 47, and the process proceeds to the step (S31) via the connector A.

  In order to surely prevent the liquid medication 5 removed from the supply nozzle 36 during the nozzle cleaning in step (S24) from being mixed into the prescription bottle 2, the prescription bottle 2 is set on the mounting table 48 in advance. Rather than starting dispensing, it is more preferable to set the medication bottle 2 after completion of nozzle cleaning in step (S24).

  In step (S31), the control unit 90 transmits a control signal to the elevating device 50, and the elevating device 50 moves the weight detecting unit 4 upward, whereby the medication bottle 2 rises from the attachment / detachment position to the dispensing position. The weight detection unit 4 moves upward until it reaches a dispensing position where the liquid medicine 5 can be supplied from the supply nozzle 36 to the prescription bottle 2. When the prescription bottle 2 reaches the dispensing position, the vertical position of the prescription bottle 2 is confirmed in step (S32). When the upper opening 2A of the medication bottle 2 reaches a prescribed position, the position of the medication bottle 2 is detected by the sensor 85 shown in FIG. The control unit 90 receives a signal indicating the position of the medication bottle 2 from the sensor 85 and confirms the position of the medication bottle 2.

  Next, in step (S33), the prescription bottle 2 is moved to a position where the rotation of the rotary drum 21 is not hindered. Specifically, a control signal is sent from the control unit 90 to the lifting device 50, and the lifting device 50 moves downward to some extent, so that the medication bottle 2 also moves downward. The moving direction of the prescription bottle 2 is not limited to the vertical direction, and may be a direction away from the rotating drum 21, for example.

  After the movement of the prescription bottle 2, in step (S34), the drum rotating motor 22 is controlled and the rotating drum 21 rotates. The control unit 90 transmits a control signal to the drum rotating motor 22 and transmits the driving force of the drum rotating motor 22 to the rotating drum 21. When the drum rotating motor 22 is driven, the rotating drum 21 rotates. Until the supply pipe 60 corresponding to the liquid medicine 5 to be supplied to the prescription bottle 2 reaches the position where the supply port 36A of the supply nozzle 36 faces the upper opening 2A of the prescription bottle 2 by the rotation of the rotary drum 21, It moves horizontally along the drum circumferential direction.

  When the rotation of the rotary drum 21 is completed, the liquid medicine 5 adheres to the supply port 36A at the tip of the supply nozzle 36 at the supply position SP facing the upper opening 2A of the prescription bottle 2 in the next step (S35). Determine whether or not. Using the sensor 85 described above, the adhesion of the liquid medicine 5 to the supply port 36A is detected. If it is determined in step (S35) that the sensor 85 detects adhesion of the liquid medicine 5 to the supply nozzle 36 and it is determined that the liquid medicine 5 is attached to the supply port 36A, then in step (S36). Nozzle cleaning is performed. Specifically, when the control signal is transmitted from the control unit 90 to the blower 73 and the drum rotation motor 22, the blower 73 for supplying air to the spray nozzle 71 is activated, and the rotary drum 21 rotates. Then, the supply nozzle 36 moves to the cleaning position CP.

  In this case, an air jet 76 is sprayed from the spray nozzle 71 to one supply nozzle 36 that is determined to have the liquid medication 5 attached to the supply port 36A. Due to the rotation of the rotary drum 21, one supply nozzle 36 that is determined to have the liquid 5 attached to the supply port 36 </ b> A moves to the cleaning position CP. Thereby, the liquid medicine 5 attached to the supply port 36A is removed from the supply port 36A of the one supply nozzle 36. After removing the liquid medication 5 from the supply port 36A for a predetermined time, the blower 73 is stopped. Thereafter, the rotary drum 21 rotates in the reverse direction, and the cleaned supply nozzle 36 moves again to the supply position SP.

  If it is determined in step (S35) that the liquid 5 is not attached to the supply port 36A, the nozzle cleaning in step (S36) is not performed, and the process proceeds to step (S37). Steps (S35) and (S36) may be omitted as appropriate. If it is determined in step (S35) that the liquid 5 is attached to the supply port 36A, the operator manually enters the supply port 36A where the liquid 5 is attached to the touch panel 14. An indication to prompt cleaning may be displayed.

  Next, in step (S <b> 37), the pump driving motor 40 is moved forward, and the connecting member 42 of the pump driving motor 40 is connected to the connected member 44 of the pump 24. Thus, the rotation of the pump driving motor 40 can be transmitted to the pump 24, that is, the pump 24 can be driven.

  Next, in step (S38), the medication bottle 2 moved in step (S33) is moved again to the dispensing position. When the control signal is sent from the control unit 90 to the lifting device 50 and the lifting device 50 moves upward again, the medication bottle 2 also moves upward. Thereby, the prescription bottle 2 is arrange | positioned in the dispensing position which can supply the liquid medication 5 to the prescription bottle 2 from the supply nozzle 36. FIG.

  Subsequently, in step (S <b> 39), the control unit 90 transmits a control signal to the pump driving motor 40 to drive the pump 24. By driving the pump 24, a predetermined amount of the liquid medicine 5 determined by the prescription is supplied from the liquid medicine bottle 23 to the medication bottle 2 via the supply pipe 60. The control unit 90 receives the weight data of the liquid medicine 5 in the prescription bottle 2 from the electronic balance 45 and confirms the amount of the liquid medicine 5 supplied to the prescription bottle 2. When a predetermined amount of liquid 5 is supplied to the medication bottle 2, the dispensing of the first liquid 5 into the medication bottle 2 is completed.

  Subsequently, in step (S40), it is determined whether or not the supply of the liquid medication 5 (and the excipient if necessary) to the medication bottle 2 according to the prescription is completed and the dispensing is completed. . When the supply of the liquid 5 is not completed, the process returns to the step (S33), and the next liquid 5 or excipient is supplied to the dosing bottle 2. If it is determined that the dispensing has been completed, the process proceeds to step (S41) via the connector B, and the medication bottle 2 is lowered. A control signal is transmitted from the control unit 90 to the lifting device 50, and the lifting device 50 moves the mounting table 48 downward, so that the medication bottle 2 is lowered. The mounting table 48 moves downward until it returns from the dispensing position to the attachment / detachment position.

  Next, in step (S42), it is determined whether or not to perform nozzle cleaning upon completion of dispensing. The control unit 90 refers to the table shown in FIG. 13 and recognizes whether or not the setting is such that nozzle cleaning is performed when dispensing is completed.

  If it is determined in step (S42) that the nozzle cleaning is performed when dispensing is completed, nozzle cleaning is performed in step (S43), and the supply ports 36A of all the supply nozzles 36 are used. The liquid medicine 5 attached to the supply port 36A is removed. When the dispensing is completed, the cleaning unit 70 is operated to remove the liquid 5 from the supply port 36A, so that dripping from the supply nozzle 36 through which the liquid 5 has flowed along with the dispensing can be suppressed, and the liquid supply The occurrence of dripping into the device 1 can be suppressed.

  When the cleaning of all the supply nozzles 36 is completed, the time at which the nozzle cleaning is performed is recorded in the memory 93 in step (S44). Thereafter, in step (S45), the rotary drum 21 moves to the initial position. If it is determined in step (S42) that the nozzle cleaning is not performed when dispensing is completed, the rotary drum 21 is immediately moved in step (S45). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step (S46), and the liquid medicine supply device 1 enters a standby state. In this way, the dispensing using the liquid medicine supply device 1 of the present embodiment is completed.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart of nozzle cleaning during the dispensing pause time. FIG. 19 shows a predetermined period of time in order to prevent liquid dripping by removing the liquid 5 accumulated in the supply port 36A from the supply port 36A with the passage of time during the dispensing pause time when dispensing according to the prescription is not performed. A flow when the cleaning unit 70 is operated and nozzle cleaning is performed every time is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 19, first, in step (S51), as in step (S23) described above, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous nozzle cleaning.

  This predetermined time may be set corresponding to the type of liquid 5 contained in the plurality of liquid bottles 23. The liquid medicine 5 varies in time until it drips from the supply nozzle 36 depending on the type. For example, the liquid 5 having a low viscosity or the liquid 5 having a high specific gravity drips in a shorter time. Therefore, it is possible to set a predetermined time corresponding to a plurality of types of liquid medication 5 accommodated in the liquid medication bottle 23. For example, the time required for the liquid medicine 5 with the shortest time for dripping to occur may be set in accordance with the liquid medicine 5 with the shortest time for dripping occurrence. In addition, since the time until the liquid dripping from the supply nozzle 36 varies depending on surrounding environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and temperature change, when the surrounding environmental conditions change, the predetermined time is changed corresponding to the change. May be.

  If it is determined in step (S51) that a predetermined time has passed since the previous nozzle cleaning, then in step (S52), the liquid supply device 1 is in a state where nozzle cleaning can be permitted. It is determined whether or not. Depending on the current state of the liquid medicine supply device 1, there may be a case where nozzle cleaning with rotation of the rotary drum 21 cannot be performed. As a case where nozzle cleaning cannot be performed, for example, when an operator who operates the liquid supply device 1 is under maintenance of the liquid supply device 1 such as cleaning the inside of the housing 6, or replacement of the liquid solution bottle 23 In the case of being inside, the case where the front cover part 18 is in the open state is exemplified.

  If the liquid supply device 1 is in a setting state in which nozzle cleaning cannot be permitted, the determination in step (S52) is repeated.

  If it is determined in step (S52) that the liquid medicine supply device 1 is in a state in which nozzle cleaning can be permitted, then in step (S54), it is determined whether or not dispensing is in progress. Since nozzle cleaning cannot be performed during dispensing, it is necessary not to be dispensed in order to perform nozzle cleaning. If it is determined in step (S54) that dispensing is not in progress, then in step (S55), it is determined whether or not to perform nozzle cleaning.

  In step (S55), the operator who operates the liquid medicine supply device 1 selects whether or not to perform nozzle cleaning. For example, the screen for allowing the operator to select whether or not to perform nozzle cleaning may be displayed on the touch panel 14, and the operator may select whether or not to perform nozzle cleaning by touching a predetermined area on the screen.

  If nozzle cleaning is selected in step (S55), nozzle cleaning is performed in step (S56). At this time, nozzle cleaning may be performed on all the supply nozzles 36. Alternatively, the supply nozzle 36 is sequentially moved to the supply position SP, the adhesion of the liquid medicine 5 to the supply port 36A is detected using the sensor 85 at the supply position SP, and the liquid medicine 5 is attached to the supply port 36A. Nozzle cleaning may be performed only for the nozzle 36. Alternatively, another sensor different from the sensor 85 is arranged at the cleaning position CP, the supply nozzle 36 is sequentially moved to the cleaning position CP, and the liquid medicine 5 to the supply port 36A is used by using the other sensor at the cleaning position CP. Nozzle cleaning may be performed only for the supply nozzle 36 where the liquid 5 is attached to the supply port 36A.

  When the cleaning of the supply nozzle 36 is completed, the time at which the nozzle cleaning is performed is recorded in the memory 93 in step (S57). Thereafter, in step (S58), the rotary drum 21 moves to the initial position, and then proceeds to step (S59), where the liquid supply device 1 enters a standby state.

  If it is determined in step (S55) that nozzle cleaning is not performed, the controller 90 recognizes the nozzle cleaning inquiry interval with reference to the table shown in FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step (S60), and after the time set as the nozzle cleaning inquiry interval has elapsed, the control flow is returned. When it is determined in step (S51) that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the previous nozzle cleaning, and also when it is determined that dispensing is in progress in step (S54), the control flow is as follows. Returned. When the control flow shown in FIG. 19 is returned, the process returns to step (S51) again, and the flow for performing nozzle cleaning every predetermined time during the dispensing pause time is continued.

  The time at which nozzle cleaning is performed is the starting point for the passage of a predetermined time from the previous nozzle cleaning. In steps (S15), (S25), (S44), and (S57) described above, the time when the nozzle cleaning is performed is recorded in the memory 93 each time. In the determination of step (S51), the nozzle cleaning can be performed if the predetermined time has elapsed, but the nozzle cleaning may not be performed if the predetermined time has not elapsed.

  By recording the time when the nozzle cleaning is performed each time, the control unit 90 calculates the time from the previous nozzle cleaning to the current time based on the previous nozzle cleaning time stored in the memory 93 and the current time. calculate. The control unit 90 further compares the calculated time with a predetermined time set as a nozzle cleaning interval that is a threshold value, and the predetermined time has already elapsed or has elapsed since the previous nozzle cleaning. Judge whether or not. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably suppress the occurrence of the problem that the nozzle 5 is not cleaned for a long time and the liquid medicine 5 drops from the supply port 36A.

  The setting of the time that is the end point of the predetermined time indicating that the predetermined time has elapsed since the previous nozzle cleaning is updated every time the nozzle cleaning is performed, and the setting of the time when the cleaning unit 70 is to be operated next and the nozzle cleaning should be performed. May be updated. In addition, when the nozzle cleaning is performed, the control unit 90 registers the predetermined time set as the threshold nozzle cleaning interval as a timer, and the predetermined time registered by the timer has elapsed from the previous nozzle cleaning time. Alternatively, it may be determined whether it has not yet elapsed.

  In the above description, the supply pipe 60 is configured by the tube 34, the elbow member 65, and the supply nozzle 36, but is not limited to this example. In the vicinity of one end of the supply pipe 60 on the side of the prescription bottle 2, the flow of the liquid 5 toward the one end is raised and then lowered, and the supply pipe 60 is discharged so that the liquid 5 flows out from one end to the prescription bottle 2. If it can arrange | position, the elbow member 65 is not essential. That is, it is also possible to define the flow direction of the liquid medication 5 by arranging the tube 34 to be curved or bent. Further, the supply nozzle 36 may be omitted, and the supply pipe 60 may be formed by the single tube 34.

  Further, the example in which the plurality of supply pipes 60 are rotationally moved in the circumferential direction of the drum along with the rotation of the rotary drum 21 has been described. However, for example, a structure in which the plurality of supply pipes 60 are reciprocated is additionally provided. The nozzles 36 may be sequentially arranged at the supply position SP. If the supply ports 36 </ b> A of the plurality of supply nozzles 36 can be sequentially moved to a position facing the upper opening 2 </ b> A above the upper opening 2 </ b> A of the prescription bottle 2, how the supply pipe 60 is relative to the prescription bottle 2. You may move.

  Further, as will be described in detail later, the operation of the blower 73 may be continued while dispensing is performed, and the nozzle mounting plate 53 may be rotated clockwise and counterclockwise. . In this case, when the supply nozzle 36 moves clockwise to the adjacent position AP, the cleaning position CP, and the supply position SP in order and supplies the liquid 5 to the prescription bottle 2 at the supply position SP, the nozzle mounting plate 53 is provided. Switch the direction of rotation. Thereafter, the supply nozzle 36 moves counterclockwise to the cleaning position CP, and after the liquid medication 5 is removed from the supply port 36A at the cleaning position CP, the rotation direction of the nozzle mounting plate 53 is switched again. The supply nozzle 36 corresponding to the liquid medicine 5 to be supplied next moves in the same manner as the supply nozzle 36.

  If it does in this way, the dripping from the supply nozzle 36 which passes above the upper opening 2A can be suppressed, and the contamination which the liquid medicine 5 of the kind which is not scheduled to supply to the prescription bottle 2 mixes into the prescription bottle 2 is contained. Can be suppressed. Further, by cleaning the supply port 36A immediately after supplying the liquid medicine 5 to the prescription bottle 2, contamination in the liquid medicine supply apparatus 1 due to dripping of the liquid medicine 5 into the liquid medicine supply apparatus 1 can be suppressed. In addition, the occurrence of contamination can be more reliably suppressed.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing a positional relationship between the supply position SP and the cleaning position CP in the liquid medicine supply device 1 of the second embodiment. The liquid supply device 1 according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it includes a plurality of cleaning units 70. The cleaning unit 70 of the second embodiment is provided so that the liquid medicine 5 can be removed from the supply port 36A of the supply nozzle 36 at a plurality of cleaning positions CP. The plurality of cleaning positions CP are provided at positions away from the supply position SP on both sides by a distance P1 smaller than the interval P between the supply ports 36A of the supply nozzle 36.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the spray nozzle 71 of the cleaning unit 70 is arranged at a position away from the supply position SP along the circumferential direction of the drum in which the supply nozzle 36 moves. A pair of cleaning positions CP is provided between the supply position SP and the adjacent positions AP on both sides (see FIG. 10). At the cleaning position CP, the air jet 76 is sprayed from the spray nozzle 71 to the supply port 36A of the supply nozzle 36, whereby the liquid medicine 5 attached to the supply port 36A is removed from the supply port 36A.

  The cleaning position CP is provided on both sides of the supply nozzle 36 in the movement direction of the supply position SP, and the distance P1 between the supply position SP and the cleaning position CP is larger than the interval P between the supply position SP and the supply nozzle 36. small.

  Therefore, even when the supply nozzle 36 moves in either the clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction as the rotary drum 21 rotates, after the liquid medicine 5 is removed from the supply port 36A at any one of the cleaning positions CP. The supply nozzle 36 can be moved to the supply position SP, and the supply port 36 </ b> A can be cleaned immediately before the liquid medication 5 is supplied to the prescription bottle 2. And, even when the supply nozzle 36 moves in either the clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction, the supply nozzle 36 after supplying the liquid medicine 5 to the prescription bottle 2 at the supply position SP is moved from the supply position SP. The supply port 36A can be cleaned immediately after the liquid medication 5 is supplied to the prescription bottle 2 by moving to any one of the cleaning positions CP.

  The two supply nozzles 36 at the initial position are simultaneously disposed at the cleaning positions CP on both the left and right sides, and the spray nozzle 71 of the cleaning unit 70 is disposed so that the liquid medicine 5 can be simultaneously removed from the two supply nozzles 36. The cleaning unit 70 is arranged so that the supply nozzle 36 away from the supply position SP after the liquid medication 5 is supplied to the prescription bottle 2 and the supply nozzle 36 approaching the supply position SP can be cleaned simultaneously. The pair of spray nozzles 71 are provided at positions that are symmetrical with respect to a straight line that passes through the drum axis indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 20 and the supply position SP, and air in the direction that forms the same angle with the straight line Erupt. The two arrows indicating the air jet 76 in FIG. 20 form the same angle with respect to the alternate long and short dash line in FIG.

  The cleaning unit 70 according to the second embodiment may include two sets of the cleaning unit 70 having the configuration described with reference to FIG. Alternatively, the cleaning unit 70 according to the second embodiment has a branch pipe in which the ventilation pipe 74 shown in FIG. 8 branches in the middle, and supplies air to both the pair of spray nozzles 71 from one blower 73. May be configured.

  The liquid medicine supply device 1 of the second embodiment may operate in the same manner as the liquid medicine supply device 1 of the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a part of a modified example of the liquid medicine supply process to the medication bottle 2 of the first or second embodiment. The flow shown in FIG. 21 corresponds to the flow from the connector A to the connector B shown in FIG. 17 in the liquid medicine supply process described with reference to FIGS.

  In the flow of the modification shown in FIG. 21, before the supply of the liquid medicine 5 to the prescription bottle 2 is started, in step (S36A), the control unit 90 transmits a control signal to the blower 73, and the blower 73 is activated. Is done. While the dispensing is performed in steps (S33) to (S40), the operation of the blower 73 is continued. After completing the dispensing, in step (S36B), the control unit 90 transmits a control signal to the blower 73, and the blower 73 is stopped.

  In this way, when the rotating drum 21 during dispensing is rotated, all the supply nozzles 36 that move to the supply position SP can be cleaned, so that the supply port 36A of the supply nozzle 36 that passes above the supply position SP can be reliably removed. The liquid medicine 5 can be removed. Therefore, contamination in the preparation can be more reliably suppressed. Moreover, since all the supply nozzles 36 that move from the supply position SP can be cleaned, the liquid medication 5 can be reliably removed from the supply nozzle 36 immediately after the liquid medication 5 is supplied to the prescription bottle 2. Therefore, dripping of the liquid medicine 5 into the liquid medicine supply apparatus 1 can be more reliably suppressed.

  In the case of dispensing according to a prescription including a plurality of types of liquid medication, the occurrence of contamination can be more reliably suppressed if all the supply nozzles 36 that pass through the supply position SP with the rotation of the rotary drum 21 can be cleaned. So desirable. That is, when the supply nozzle 36 corresponding to the second liquid medicine is moved to the supply position SP after the first liquid medicine is supplied to the prescription bottle 2, the supply nozzle 36 corresponding to the first liquid medicine is moved. Can be cleaned. When the supply nozzle 36 corresponding to the third liquid medicine is moved to the supply position SP after the second liquid medicine is supplied to the medication bottle 2, the supply nozzle 36 corresponding to the second liquid medicine is moved, or Both the supply nozzle 36 corresponding to the first liquid medicine 5 and the supply nozzle 36 corresponding to the second liquid medicine 5 can be cleaned. Therefore, immediately after the liquid medication 5 flows through the inside thereof, the supply nozzle 36 that is most likely to generate contamination can be reliably cleaned, so that generation of contamination can be further reliably suppressed.

  In the flowchart of the modification shown in FIG. 21, the operation of the blower 73 is continued in steps (S33) to (S40), but the blower 73 is activated only when the rotating drum in step (S34) rotates. May be driven.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described as above, the embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Liquid supply device, 2 medication bottle, 2A top opening, 5 liquid, 21 rotating drum, 23 liquid bottle, 34 tube, 36 supply nozzle, 36A supply port, 60 supply pipe, 70 cleaning part, 71 spray nozzle 72 Air outlet, 73 Blower, 74 Vent pipe, 76 Air jet, 78 Liquid droplet, 85 Sensor, 90 Control unit, CP cleaning position, SP supply position.

Claims (4)

A liquid medicine supply device that selectively supplies the liquid medicine to a medication bottle from a plurality of liquid medicine bottles each containing a plurality of different types of liquid medicines,
A plurality of supply pipes through which the liquid medicine flows from each of the plurality of liquid medicine bottles toward the medication bottle;
A supply pipe moving section for moving the supply pipe relative to the prescription bottle,
The supply pipe includes one end from which the liquid medicine flows out toward the medication bottle,
The supply pipe moving unit sequentially moves the plurality of supply pipes to a supply position where the one end is above the upper opening of the prescription bottle and faces the upper opening,
A cleaning unit for removing the liquid medicine adhering to the one end from the one end;
A controller that controls the operation of the liquid medicine supply device,
The control unit supplies the liquid medicine from the liquid medicine bottle to the prescription bottle according to a prescription, dispenses the liquid medicine, and operates the cleaning section at predetermined intervals during the dispensing pause time when dispensing is not performed. Feeding device.   The liquid medicine supply device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is set corresponding to a type of the liquid medicine contained in the liquid medicine bottle.   The liquid medicine supply device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit operates the cleaning unit when dispensing is completed.   The liquid medicine supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit operates the cleaning unit at the start of dispensing.

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