JP2014036791A - Medicine filling device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To certainly prevent mistaken taking of a medicine when transferring the medicine from an original container to a pharmacy work container.SOLUTION: A medicine filling device 10 has a bar code reader 20, and thereby, a bar code label provided in the pharmacy work container 12 is read. A bar code reader 22 reads a bar code label provide in an original container. Measurement by a measurement part 32 is executed to a medicine put inside a hopper 24, and thereby, it is decided whether or not the medicine is proper. The measurement part 32 has a function of measuring an optical spectrum and a function of analyzing an image. By confirming both the container and the medicine, mistaken taking of the medicine can be prevented.

Description

  The present invention relates to a drug filling device, and more particularly to a drug filling device used when transferring drugs such as tablets and powders from a relatively large original container to a relatively small dispensing work container.

  Dispensing operations are performed in accordance with prescriptions at a pharmacy in a hospital, a dispensing pharmacy, and the like. In the case of drugs (tablets, powders (powder), etc.) placed in large-capacity original containers (bags, boxes, bottles, etc.), the drug is transferred from a large original container to a relatively small dispensing container before dispensing. The transfer is done. The dispensing work container is, for example, a bottle that can be easily opened and closed. If such a relatively small dispensing work container is used, the dispensing workability can be improved as compared with the case of dispensing using the original container as it is. In some cases, the medicine may be transferred from the original container to a container (for example, a box-shaped rack) set in the packaging device (packaging device). Such a rack is also a kind of dispensing work container in the sense of an intermediate container.

  When the amount of medicine in the dispensing work container becomes small or disappears, it is necessary to supply the medicine from the original container to the dispensing work container. At that time, verification using a bar code label has been conventionally performed. That is, the barcode label affixed to the original container is read by the label reader, while the barcode label affixed to the dispensing work container is read by the label reader, and both are in light of the contents of the predetermined registration table. If there is a correspondence relationship, filling of the drug is allowed.

JP 2006-277444 A

  However, the above collation only confirms the correspondence between the original container and the dispensing work container, and does not guarantee that the medicine actually filled is appropriate. For example, if there are a plurality of original containers or a plurality of dispensing work containers, it cannot be denied that a mistake occurs after the collation. Patent Document 1 discloses a medicine filling system, but only an image of a medicine to be filled is displayed on the screen, and the medicine prepared for filling itself is not a measurement target. .

  An object of the present invention is to enable an inspection of a medicine itself prepared for filling in a medicine filling apparatus. Alternatively, an object of the present invention is to ensure that the suitability of the medicine prepared for filling itself can be determined.

  The present invention provides measurement for a hopper into which a medicine is put, an opening / closing mechanism provided at a discharge port of the hopper, a dispensing work container provided below the discharge port, and a medicine put into the hopper. And a control unit that allows the opening / closing mechanism to open based on a measurement result of the measurement unit.

  According to the above configuration, before supplying the medicine from the original container to the dispensing work container, measurement is performed on the medicine itself placed in the hopper, and the opening / closing mechanism is opened based on the measurement result. It is judged whether it is good. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent erroneous filling such as drug misplacement. The drug is preferably a tablet or powder, but may be a liquid. The original container is a bag-shaped container, a box-shaped container, a bottle-shaped container, or the like. The dispensing work container is desirably a container used in daily dispensing work, and may be a container (cassette or the like) set in another apparatus. Various measurement methods can be used, and examples include optical measurement, image measurement, and others. In any case, it is desirable to obtain information that can authenticate the identity of each drug. The suitability of the medicine may be determined based on a plurality of types of measurement results. It is desirable to determine whether or not filling is possible based on both the individual container identification result and the measurement result for the medicine. If an error is judged in the former, it is possible to avoid the injection of the medicine into the hopper. Moreover, if the identification information of the dispensing work container which is a filling destination is acquired first, the target original container and the medicine can be determined based on the acquired identification information.

  Preferably, the measurement unit performs measurement on the medicine held at the lower part of the hopper prior to the opening operation. If measurement is performed on the lower part of the hopper, measurement can be reliably performed even when the amount of medicine is small.

  Preferably, the measurement unit includes an imaging unit that images the medicine. The imaging means is for, for example, recognizing the shape, color, mark, etc. of the medicine as an image. The imaging result may be provided as an image to a pharmacist who is a user. Desirably, the said imaging means contains the capture chamber which takes in the tablet as the said chemical | medical agent, the 1st imaging means which images one side of the said chemical | medical agent, and the 2nd imaging means which images the other side of the said chemical | medical agent. If one side and the other side of the tablet are imaged, characters, inscriptions and the like can be reliably read as images. In order to avoid a problem in which imaging cannot be performed because it is hidden behind other tablets, it is desirable to basically configure one capture tablet to enter the capture chamber. In addition, it is desirable to define the structure of the capture chamber so that the tablet does not fall sideways and is captured with the mark surface standing in the horizontal direction.

  Preferably, the measurement unit includes a spectrum acquisition unit that acquires a spectrum of the drug. In addition to optical measurement, measurement using a microwave or the like is also conceivable.

  Desirably, first acquisition means for acquiring identification information attached to the dispensing work container, second acquisition means for acquiring identification information attached to the original container that contained the medicine to be put in the hopper, The control unit determines whether the opening / closing mechanism can be opened based on identification information of the dispensing work container and identification information of the original container in addition to the measurement result of the measuring means. According to this configuration, it is possible to authenticate each of the original container and the dispensing work container and also to authenticate the medicine, thereby improving safety. Further, identification information such as a pharmacist may be acquired.

  According to the present invention, the medicine itself that has been prepared for filling can be audited in the medicine filling apparatus. That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to reliably determine the suitability of the medicine prepared for filling itself.

It is a perspective view which shows suitable embodiment of the chemical | medical agent filling apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a dispensing work container. It is a figure which shows an opening / closing mechanism. It is a figure which shows the example of another opening-and-closing mechanism. It is a figure which shows the example of another opening-and-closing mechanism. It is a figure for demonstrating the mechanism which measures a spectrum. It is a figure which shows an example of an optical fiber cable. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a spectrometer. It is a figure for demonstrating arrangement | positioning of an imaging part. It is a figure for demonstrating an imaging part and a locking mechanism. It is a figure for demonstrating the taking-in structure of the tablet to an imaging part. It is a figure which shows the structure of an imaging part. It is a block diagram of a medicine filling device. It is a figure which shows a chemical | medical agent management table. It is a figure which shows the dispensing work container management table. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example in a chemical | medical agent dispensing apparatus.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a medicine filling apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a perspective view thereof. The drug filling device 10 is installed in, for example, a dispensing pharmacy or a hospital drug department. The medicine filling apparatus 10 is an apparatus used when transferring a medicine from a relatively large original container containing a medicine to a dispensing work container 12 used in the dispensing work. The dispensing work container 12 is a bottle-shaped container shown in FIG. 1, but it may be a cassette or the like.

  In FIG. 1, the medicine filling device 10 has a base 14, and a dispensing work container 12 is set on a mounting surface 14 </ b> A of the base 14. The dispensing work container 12 is a working container used in dispensing the medicine in the illustrated example, and is an intermediate container. Between the upper part 16 and the base 14 in the medicine filling device 10 is a storage space 18, and the dispensing work container 12 is stored in the storage space 18. A barcode reader 20 as a label reader is provided on the back side of the accommodation space 18, that is, on the vertical wall surface. The barcode reader 20 reads the barcode attached to the dispensing work container 12 when it is set. Of course, the barcode may be read using a handy scanner or the like.

  The upper portion 16 is provided above the accommodation space 18, and the upper portion 16 includes a hopper 24. The hopper 24 corresponds to a tank for temporarily storing medicine, and an upper portion thereof is an opening 26. The opening 26 is provided with a lid as necessary. A barcode reader 22 is provided on the left vertical wall of the upper portion 16. The barcode reader 22 reads the barcode on the barcode label attached to the original container. The barcode reader 22 may be configured by a handy scanner or the like.

  The hopper 24 is roughly divided into a large-diameter portion 28 and a small-diameter portion 30, and the lower surface of the small-diameter portion 30 constitutes an opening (discharge port). An opening / closing mechanism is provided at the opening. A portion between the large diameter portion 28 and the small diameter portion 30 is a tapered portion.

  The measurement part 32 is a part which performs measurement with respect to the medicine dropped into the small diameter part 30, and the measurement part 32 includes an image measurement part and a spectral spectrum measurement part in the present embodiment. Each measuring unit will be described in detail later. Incidentally, the medicine to be filled is desirably a tablet and may be a powder. Of course, a similar mechanism can be applied to liquid medicine. In addition, you may make it attach the marker for positioning the dispensing working container 12, etc. on 14 A of mounting surfaces.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the dispensing work container 12. The dispensing work container 12 has a main body 34 having a cylindrical shape, and an opening 36 is provided in the upper part thereof. The upper surface of the opening 36 is an opening 36A, and the opening 36A is covered with a lid (not shown) after filling. A label attaching part 38 is provided on the side surface of the main body 34, and a barcode label is attached to the label attaching part 38. Of course, other identification means such as an RF tag may be provided.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the opening / closing mechanism 42. Reference numeral 40 represents the lower surface of the measurement unit shown in FIG. The opening / closing mechanism 42 includes a lid 46 that performs a hanging motion and a rising motion, and the motion axis of the lid 46 is a rotation shaft 44. The lid 46 has a convex portion 46A. When the convex portion 46A is hooked by the hook 48, the opening operation of the opening / closing mechanism 42 is prohibited. When the hook 48 slides to the right in the drawing, the convex portion 46A can move downward, thereby causing an unlocked state. Simultaneously with the formation of such an unlocked state or by separate control, when the lid 46 falls down and moves around the rotation shaft 44, the medicine is dropped from the hopper into the dispensing work container.

  Two filling methods are conceivable. In the first method, after a certain amount of medicine corresponding to the filling amount is once put in the hopper, the opening / closing mechanism 42 is opened to move the entire amount in the hopper to the dispensing work container. In the second method, a relatively large amount of medicine is placed in the hopper, and the opening / closing mechanism is changed from the open state to the closed state when a certain amount of filling occurs, for example, based on the output of a sensor or the like that detects the filling amount. It is to switch. In this case, it is possible to fill a plurality of dispensing work containers step by step.

  4 and 5 show other opening / closing mechanisms. In the second example shown in FIG. 4, the opening / closing mechanism 48 has two shutter plates 54 and 56 having a semicircular shape, and the rotation center thereof is the rotation shaft 52. By rotating the two shutter plates 54 and 56 with respect to the opening 50, it is possible to selectively set the open state and the closed state.

  In the third example shown in FIG. 5, the shutter mechanism 58 has three rotating plates 60, 62, and 64 like camera shutters, and they rotate around each other and overlap each other in the center direction or turn each other. However, the opening is closed and opened by moving away. Of course, other mechanisms may be employed. For example, when powder is an object to be filled, two circular plates formed with a mesh may be arranged in an overlapping manner, and the relative rotation angle thereof may be switched to switch between the open state and the closed state. . Further, a two-stage shutter structure may be provided on the upper and lower sides in order to prevent drug leakage and the like.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a spectral spectrum measurement unit. Reference numeral 32 has the measuring section shown in FIG. 1, in which a spectral spectrum measuring section is provided. Specifically, the spectroscopic spectrum measurement unit includes a light source 66, an optical fiber cable 67, and a spectroscope 74. The optical fiber cable 67 has a Y shape, and light from the light source 66 is sent to the measurement end portion at a portion indicated by reference numeral 68, and measurement light from the measurement end portion is sent to the spectroscope at a portion indicated by reference numeral 72. 74. Reference numeral 70 denotes a collective portion that sends light from the light source to the measurement end and guides measurement light from the measurement end to the spectroscope 74 side. FIG. 7 shows the structure of the optical fiber cable 67, the aggregate portion constitutes an optical fiber set 76, and the central portion thereof constitutes a central optical fiber 78. Thereby, the light from the light source is sent. A peripheral optical fiber array 80 provided around the center optical fiber 78 is a part for guiding light from the measurement end to the spectroscope 74.

  Returning to FIG. 6, the medicine is dropped into the internal space 64 of the small diameter portion 30 in the hopper 12, and the measurement light is irradiated and the reflected light is received using the optical fiber cable 67. Of course, a transmission type measurement may be performed. Such measurement is performed when the opening / closing mechanism is in the closed state.

  FIG. 8 shows the structure of the spectroscope 74 as an example. Reference numeral 82 denotes an optical connector through which an optical fiber 84 is guided into the spectroscope 74. The light emitted from the end of the optical fiber 84 is diffracted by the diffraction grating 86, that is, the light reflected according to the wavelength is received by the light receiving sensor array 88. Thereby, the light component of each wavelength is observed. Incidentally, reference numeral 90 denotes a board, and a signal output from the board 90 is sent to an external device such as a PC via a signal cable 92 and a connector 94.

  FIG. 9 shows a state where the case is removed from the measurement unit shown in FIG. 1, and reference numeral 96 represents the inner bottom surface of the measurement unit. An imaging unit 98 and a lock mechanism 100 are provided in the measurement unit. A measuring part 98 is provided so as to face the small diameter part 30 in the hopper 24, and a lock mechanism 100 is provided adjacent to the small diameter part 30.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the small diameter portion. Reference numeral 30A represents the inner wall surface of the small-diameter portion, and the inner wall surface 30A is drawn by a plurality of straight lines in order to represent the shape. The lock mechanism 100 described above is provided adjacent to the small diameter portion. The lock mechanism 100 has a solenoid 106, and the movable shaft 108 moves forward and backward by the solenoid 106. A slider 114 is fixedly connected to the movable shaft 108, and a lower end of the slider 114 is a hook 48. That is, the projection provided on the lid shown in FIG. 3 is pressed by the hook 48, and when the hook 48 is retracted, the lid can be opened. Incidentally, reference numerals 110 and 112 denote guides for guiding the sliding movement of the movable shaft 108.

  In the imaging unit 98, reference numeral 102 denotes a substrate, and two imaging elements are provided below the substrate 102 as will be described later. Reference numeral 104 represents a cavity. Reference numeral 106 represents a capturing portion that basically accepts only one tablet. It has a slit-like or well-like form.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, a cone body 114 is provided on the upper surface of the lid 46, and the medicine falling from above is guided by the cone body 114 into the surrounding annular groove 116. . The tubular groove 116 has a C-shape, and the above-described cavity portion is inserted into a part of the tubular groove 116, and the cavity portion has a capture portion 106. One tablet dropped by the slope action of the cone 114 enters the capture unit 106 in an upright state. That is, a general disk-shaped tablet enters the capture unit 106 with its wide surface oriented in the horizontal direction. Tablets such as capsules may enter as well. In addition to one tablet, another tablet may partially enter, and in any case, it is desirable that the tablet is placed in the capture unit 106 so that the inscription or mark of the tablet is captured as much as possible. In FIG. 11, the basic form of the capture part is shown, and a tapered surface, a partition or the like may be provided in order to make the tablet enter smoothly there.

  FIG. 12 schematically shows the configuration of the imaging unit 102. Imaging units 120 and 122 are arranged on the substrate 102 so as to be separated in the horizontal direction. Light sources 124 and 125 are provided on both sides of the image sensor 120, and light sources 128 and 130 are provided on both sides of the image sensor 122.

  Reference numeral 118 denotes a case, and the inside is a hollow portion 104 in a substantial sense. Two inclined surfaces are provided on the small diameter portion side of the case 118, and mirrors 132 and 134 are provided on the respective inclined surfaces. A capture unit 106 is provided between the mirrors 132 and 134, and the capture unit 106 is formed of a container made of a transparent material, for example. The tablet enters the capture unit 106 by the action of the cone 114 described above, and imaging of the tablet is performed by the two imaging elements 120 and 122 while performing illumination using a plurality of light sources in this state. In this case, one surface of the tablet is imaged by the image sensor 120 using the action of the mirror 132, and the other surface of the tablet is imaged by the image sensor 122 using the mirror 134. Of course, a plurality of capture units may be provided, and an image sensor may be provided adjacent to each capture unit 106 to capture a plurality of images, and as a result, the same data as described above may be acquired.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a plurality of configurations of the medicine filling device. Reference numeral 130 represents a control unit, and the light source 66 and the spectroscope 74 constitute an optical spectrum measurement unit as described above. The light source row 132 includes a plurality of light sources for imaging, and an imaging unit is configured by these and the imaging elements 120 and 122.

  The barcode reader 20 reads the barcode attached to the dispensing work container, and the barcode reader 22 reads the barcode attached to the original container. The solenoid 106 constitutes a drive unit in the lock mechanism. The motor 134 is provided as required, and is a means for driving a lid that opens and closes the lower opening of the hopper. The weight sensor 136 is provided as necessary, and measures the filling amount as a weight by detecting the weight at the lower part of the dispensing work container. The memory 138 has two tables as described below.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of the medicine management table 140. In the medicine management table 140, the code is managed for each medicine, and the spectral spectrum feature quantity and the image feature quantity are managed. Although the spectral spectrum itself may be managed as the spectral spectrum feature amount, for example, a predetermined peak level may be managed as the feature amount. Although the image itself may be managed as the image feature amount, for example, the color or character string of the medicine recognized by the image analysis may be managed as the feature amount. It is also possible to manage other information.

  FIG. 15 shows an example of the dispensing work container management table 142. In this dispensing work container management table 142, the code is managed for each dispensing work container, the code of the original container that contained the medicine to be put therein is managed, and the medicine name is managed. . The drug code may be managed together with the drug name or instead of the drug name. In any case, using the medicine management table 140 shown in FIG. 14 and the dispensing work container management table 142 shown in FIG. 15, as will be described below, the medicine is appropriately transferred from the original container to the dispensing work container without any mistakes. It is possible to move.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the medicine filling apparatus shown in FIG. In S10, the dispensing work container is set at a predetermined position of the medicine filling device. In that case, the container is positioned so that the barcode label provided on the dispensing work container faces the barcode reader. In S12, the barcode label of the dispensing work container is read by the label reader. In S14, the code of the dispensing work container to be filled is measured by reading the label in S12. Therefore, by referring to the dispensing work management table described above, the medicine to be filled in the container or that is put in the container. The original container code is identified. In S14, information for specifying the medicine to be filled and its original container is displayed.

  In S16, the original container is specified by the user according to the displayed information, and the barcode label provided there is read. Specifically, label reading is performed by bringing the barcode label of the original container close to the barcode reader provided at the top of the medicine filling device. Since the code of the original container is specified based on the read label information, it is confirmed that the correct original container is selected by matching the code of the dispensing work container and the code of the original container. If the two codes are not in a correspondence relationship, for example, an error message may be output at this stage. In any case, when such an error occurs, unlocking in S24 described later is not performed.

  In S18, the taken medicine in the original container is put into the hopper. In this case, an arbitrary amount of medicine may be introduced, or an amount of medicine corresponding to one filling amount may be introduced.

  In S21, a spectral spectrum is measured for the injected drug, and further, in S21, imaging of the input drug is performed. In S22, the spectroscopic spectrum is analyzed, and the captured image is analyzed. By comparing the analysis with information in the drug management table, it is determined whether the drug is an appropriate drug. That is, it is possible to prevent problems such as drug mix-up by making a determination on the drug itself separately from the determination of the container. Imaging may be performed before the measurement of the spectral spectrum, or both may be performed simultaneously.

  If it is determined in S22 that filling is possible, an unlocking operation is performed in the locking mechanism in S24. In S28, the opening / closing mechanism is opened to supply the medicine in the hopper to the dispensing work container. In this case, when an amount of medicine is filled, it may be detected and the opening / closing mechanism may be closed.

  The image captured in S21 may be displayed on the screen in S26, and the suitability of the medicine may be confirmed by visual inspection of the user. For example, you may make it confirm that it is a suitable chemical | medical agent using together the determination by a spectral spectrum, and the visual confirmation based on an image.

  The reading of the bar code label with respect to the dispensing work container may be performed a plurality of times during a series of steps. According to such a configuration, when the dispensing work container is replaced in the middle, it is possible to determine that the container is inappropriate.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Drug filling apparatus, 12 Dispensing work container, 16 Upper part, 18 Storage space, 24 Hopper, 32 Measuring part.

Claims (6)

A hopper into which drugs can be placed;
An opening / closing mechanism provided at a discharge port of the hopper;
A dispensing work container provided below the outlet;
Measuring means for measuring the medicine put in the hopper;
Control means for allowing an opening operation of the opening and closing mechanism based on a measurement result of the measuring means;
A drug filling device comprising: The apparatus of claim 1.
The measurement means performs measurement on the medicine held at the lower part of the hopper prior to the opening operation,
A drug filling device characterized by that. The apparatus of claim 2.
The measuring means includes an imaging means for imaging the medicine,
A drug filling device characterized by that. The apparatus of claim 3.
The imaging means includes
A capture chamber for taking in tablets as the drug;
First imaging means for imaging one side of the medicine;
Second imaging means for imaging the other side of the medicine;
A drug filling device comprising: The apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The measurement means includes a spectral spectrum acquisition means for acquiring a spectral spectrum of the drug,
A drug filling device characterized by that. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
First acquisition means for acquiring identification information from the dispensing work container;
Second acquisition means for acquiring identification information from an original container that contained a medicine to be put into the hopper;
Including
The control unit determines whether the opening / closing mechanism can be opened based on the identification information of the dispensing work container and the identification information of the original container, in addition to the measurement result of the measuring means.
A drug filling device characterized by that.