JP2019010597A - Medicine-taking support device - Google Patents

Abstract

To enable a patient to take medicine properly.SOLUTION: Each of a plurality of cassettes stores a plurality of pill cases storing medicine. A storage part 44 stores medication time for taking medicine. A cassette control part 41 rotates the plurality of cassettes and arranges the cassettes at a predetermined position so that pill cases of one cassette are delivered to a discharge port on the basis of the medication time stored in the storage part 44.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to a medication support apparatus and a medication support method.

  Patent Document 1 is a medication alarm system in which a patient's portable information terminal and a management server are connected via a network, and alarm notification of medication related to a dispensing drug is given to a patient, and the portable information terminal of the patient is A predetermined medication program is downloaded from the management server, and a medication information code posted on a guidance note issued by a dispensing pharmacy or the like is read by a built-in code reader, and is included in the medication information code by the medication program There is disclosed a medication alarm system characterized in that a medication alarm is notified by voice or vibration when a predetermined time comes based on medication information.

JP 2009-125386 A

  The present invention is to provide a medication support device that is particularly suitable for assisting medication for patients with dementia.

  In the case of dementia, many things can be done until there are symptoms such as lack of time sensation and forgetfulness until the symptoms progress to the point where assistance is always required.

  For example, if you go shopping, you forget what you were going to buy. I can shop, but I forget what I was going to cook when I got home. If you make a note of what you plan to make, you won't have any trouble shopping, you can cook, and many people with dementia can do a lot with proper support.

  It is sufficient that an assistant such as a family member or a caregiver can always support a person with dementia, but there is a burden on the assistant and technical support is desired. An object of the present invention is to provide a support device related to medication especially for patients with dementia.

  By the way, if you forget to take medicine, symptoms may worsen (do not improve), but will not cause a serious situation immediately. On the other hand, many types of drugs are also poisons that suppress their action, and if they are taken too much, they can cause serious problems. For this reason, it is important to avoid taking too much medicine rather than forgetting to take it. In particular, patients with dementia may forget to take the medicine and try to take it many times. It is important to solve this problem.

  In addition, for dementia patients, it is necessary to pay attention to the fact that it takes time to understand, so it cannot be rushed, and the amount of information that can be processed at one time is reduced, so that it is expressed simply.

  Although the present invention has been invented as a device that first considers medication support for patients with dementia, it goes without saying that medication support with few errors is possible for patients other than dementia.

  The present application includes a plurality of means for solving at least a part of the above-described problems. Examples of the means are as follows. In order to solve the above problems, a medication support apparatus according to the present invention is stored in the storage unit, a plurality of cassettes that store a plurality of pill cases that contain the medication, a storage unit that stores the medication time for taking the medication, and the storage unit. A cassette control unit that rotates a plurality of the cassettes based on the medication time and arranges the cassettes at a predetermined position so that the pill case of one of the cassettes is delivered to a discharge port. It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, the patient can appropriately take the medicine. Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be clarified by the following description of embodiments.

It is a perspective view of the medication support device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining insertion or extraction of a cassette of a medication support device. It is a perspective view of a cassette and a pill case. It is a perspective view of the state where the pill case was opened. It is a figure explaining filling to the cassette of a pill case. It is the top view which showed the state of the cassette inserted in the medication assistance apparatus. It is a figure explaining discharge of a pill case and the position of a cassette. It is a perspective view of the medication support device explaining discharge of a pill case. It is the figure which showed the functional block structural example of the medication assistance apparatus. It is the figure which showed the data structural example of the memory | storage part. It is the flowchart which showed the processing example of the setting of medication time. It is the figure which showed the example of a screen displayed on a display apparatus. It is the figure which showed the example of a screen displayed on a display apparatus. It is the figure which showed the example of a screen displayed on a display apparatus. It is the figure which showed the example of a screen displayed on a display apparatus. It is the figure which showed the example of a screen displayed on a display apparatus. It is the flowchart which showed the processing example of the setting of a medication effective time. It is the figure which showed the example of a screen displayed on a display apparatus. It is the flowchart which showed the example of a process of the setting of a first time medication cassette. It is the figure which showed the example of a screen displayed on a display apparatus. It is the flowchart which showed the medicine extraction process example. It is the figure which showed the example of a screen displayed on a display apparatus. It is the figure which showed the example of a screen displayed on a display apparatus. It is the figure which showed the example of a screen displayed on a display apparatus. It is the flowchart which showed the example of a process of taking out the medicine at the time of going out. It is the figure which showed the example of a screen displayed on a display apparatus. It is the figure which showed the example of a screen displayed on a display apparatus. It is the figure which showed the example of a screen displayed on a display apparatus. It is the figure which showed the hardware structural example of the medication assistance apparatus. It is the figure which showed the example of a screen displayed on a display apparatus. 1 is a perspective view of a medication support device 10. FIG. 1 is a front view of a medication support device 10. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a medication support device 10. FIG. 1 is a rear view of a medication support device 10. FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a medication support device 10. FIG. 1 is a right side view of a medication support device 10. FIG. 1 is a left side view of a medication support device 10. FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a medication support apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The medication support device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is used in, for example, a hospital, a nursing facility, or a home. For example, a supporter (may be a caregiver depending on the situation) who supports a drug taker who takes a medicine at a hospital, a care facility, or a home, for example, takes a pill case of the medicine that the drug taker takes according to the time zone. And is loaded (set) into the medication support device 10 as described below. At that time, the support person sets the time for taking the medicine of the patient in the medication support apparatus 10. The medication support apparatus 10 discharges the input medicine at the time set by the support person. It is designed so that the drug taker simply presses the take-out button of the medicine and drinks the taken-out medicine in accordance with the medication display and voice guidance that the medication support device prompts. If the medication support device has already taken the medicine for that time period, it will not guide the patient to take the medicine until the next medication time period, and the medicine will not come out even if the eject button is pressed. This prevents mistakes in the type of medicine taken by the patient, forgetting to drink, or preventing excessive drinking. Of course, if the patient has no problem in the cognitive function, the patient may set the time for charging and discharging the medicine to the medication support apparatus 10.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the medication support device 10 includes a display device 11, an eject button 12, a discharge port 13, an audio output port 14, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) insertion panel 15, and a lid 16. Have.

  The display device 11 displays a predetermined screen. For example, the display device 11 displays a screen for notifying the patient of the medication, a screen indicating that the medication support device 10 does not contain any medicine (the medicine has run out), and the like.

  The takeout button 12 is a button for taking out a pill case described below from the medication support apparatus 10. For example, in order to take out the pill case from the medication support device 10, the drug taker or supporter must press the take-out button 12.

  A pill case described below is delivered from the inside to the discharge port 13. Only a part of the pill case appears from the outlet 13 so that the drug taker can pick it from the outlet 13 and take it out. Further, as will be described below, the pill case delivered to the discharge port 13 is returned to the medication support apparatus 10 if it has not been taken out by the medication recipient even after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  The discharge port 13 has discharge doors 13a and 13b. When the pill case described below is delivered from the inside, the discharge doors 13a and 13b open to the front side of the medication support apparatus 10, and a part of the pill case appears.

  Audio is output from the audio output port 14. For example, a speaker is provided inside the portion of the medication support apparatus 10 where the audio output port 14 is provided. The speaker outputs, for example, a voice that informs the patient about the medication, a voice that indicates that the medication support apparatus 10 has no medicine (the medicine has run out), and the like.

  The USB insertion panel 15 is an insertion slot into which a USB memory is inserted. For example, in order to insert a USB memory into the medication support device 10, the USB insertion panel 15 is pulled upward. Then, a connector for inserting a USB connector appears, and a USB memory can be inserted into the connector.

  The lid 16 is a lid that opens and closes when a cassette described below is inserted or removed. For example, when a cassette described below is inserted into the medication support device 10 or when the cassette is taken out from the medication support device 10, the supporter or the medication person opens the lid 16 and inserts the cassette into the medication support device 10, Or take out.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining insertion or removal of the cassette of the medication support apparatus 10. FIG. 2 shows the medication support apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 and a cassette 20 described below. In FIG. 2, the same components as those in FIG.

  In order to insert the cassette 20 into the medication support apparatus 10 or take out the cassette 20 from the medication support apparatus 10, the lid 16 is opened as shown in FIG. When the lid 16 is opened, a cassette insertion slot 17 into which a cassette is inserted appears as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cassette 20 and the pill case 30. The pill case 30 shown in FIG. 3 is accommodated in the cassette 20 as described below. A predetermined number (for example, a maximum of seven) of pill cases 30 are stored in one cassette 20. In FIG. 3, seven pill cases 30 are shown in a stacked state.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cassette 20 has a discharge port 21. The pill case 30 accommodated in the cassette 20 is discharged from the discharge port 21 of the cassette 20 and sent to the discharge port 13 shown in FIG. The pill case 30 is sent out by a driving device including a motor or the like, for example.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the pill case 30 in an opened state. FIG. 4 shows a pill case 30 and an example 31 of medicines contained in the pill case 30.

  The pill case 30 can be opened and closed. FIG. 4 shows the pill case 30 in an open state. The opened pill case 30 contains a medicine 31 to be taken by a drug taker. The pill case 30 contains a medicine 31 to be taken at one time.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating filling of the pill case 30 into the cassette 20. FIG. 5 shows the cassette 20 and the pill case 30 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the cassette 20 has an inner storage portion 22 and an outer storage portion 23.

  The inner storage portion 22 slides relative to the outer storage portion 23. The inner storage portion 22 is stored in the outer storage portion 23.

  The inner storage portion 22 has a shape that can store the pill case 30. The inner storage portion 22 can store, for example, up to seven pill cases 30. The pill case 30 can be stored in the cassette 20 by storing the pill case 30 in the inner storage portion 22 and sliding the inner storage portion 22 toward the outer storage portion 23.

  FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state of the cassette 20 inserted in the medication support apparatus 10. In FIG. 6, the arrow A1 side is the front panel side of the medication support apparatus 10 (the side on which the display device 11 is provided). The cassette 20 at the lower right shown in FIG. 6 is a cassette located in the cassette insertion slot 17 shown in FIG. 2 (the dotted line frame shown in FIG. 6 shows the cassette insertion slot 17).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the cassette 20 is inserted into the medication support apparatus 10 in a state of being arranged on the circumference. For example, a maximum of four cassettes 20 are inserted into the medication support apparatus 10. The four cassettes 20 arranged on the circumference rotate, for example, clockwise around a point B1 shown in FIG. The four cassettes 20 are rotated by a driving device including a motor or the like, for example.

  For example, when the cassette 20 is inserted into the cassette insertion slot 17 (dotted line frame in FIG. 6), the cassette 20 rotates clockwise and moves to the position of the cassette 20 shown in the lower left of FIG. Thereby, the next cassette 20 can be inserted from the cassette insertion port 17.

  When the next cassette 20 is inserted into the cassette insertion slot 17, the lower left cassette 20 moves to the position of the upper left cassette 20, and the cassette 20 inserted into the cassette insertion slot 17 moves to the position of the lower left cassette 20. To do. Similarly, when the cassette 20 is inserted into the cassette insertion port 17, four cassettes can be inserted into the medication support apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. In the above description, the rotation direction of the cassette 20 is clockwise, but it may be counterclockwise.

  Each of the four cassettes 20 stores a pill case 30 that contains a medicine to be taken every time the medicine is taken. For example, the cassette 20 shown in the lower right of FIG. 6 stores a maximum of seven pill cases 30 containing medicines to be taken at 8:00 in the morning. The cassette 20 shown in the lower left contains a maximum of seven pill cases 30 containing medicines to be taken at 12:00 noon. The cassette 20 shown at the upper left contains a maximum of seven pill cases 30 containing medicines to be taken at 18:00. The cassette 20 shown in the upper right contains a maximum of seven pill cases 30 containing medicines to be taken at 22:00 before going to bed.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the discharge of the pill case and the positions of the cassettes 20a to 20d. In FIG. 7, the arrow A1 side is the front panel side of the medication support apparatus 10 (the side on which the display device 11 is provided).

  Assume that the cassette 20a shown in FIG. 7 is a cassette that houses a pill case 30 of medicine to be taken in the morning, for example. The cassette 20b is assumed to be a cassette that stores a pill case 30 of medicine to be taken in the daytime, for example. Assume that the cassette 20c is, for example, a cassette that stores a pill case 30 of a medicine to be taken at night. The cassette 20d is assumed to be a cassette that stores, for example, a pill case 30 of medicine to be taken before going to bed.

  The four cassettes 20a to 20d are rotated based on the medication time stored in the storage unit described later. And the four cassettes 20a-20d are arrange | positioned in a predetermined position so that the pill case 30 of one cassette may be sent out to the discharge port 13 shown, for example in FIG.

  The predetermined position is, for example, the position of the cassette insertion slot 17 (dotted line frame in FIG. 7). For example, during the morning medication time, the cassette 20a containing the pill case 30 containing the medicine to be taken in the morning is placed at the position of the cassette insertion port 17 (the position of the dotted frame in FIG. 7). Then, the pill case 30 is delivered to the discharge port 13 from the cassette 20 a arranged at the position of the cassette insertion port 17.

  In addition, during the daytime medication time, the four cassettes 20a to 20d are rotated 90 degrees clockwise, and the cassette 20b containing the pill case 30 containing the medicine to be taken in the daytime is located at the position of the cassette insertion slot 17 (see FIG. 7). Then, the pill case 30 is sent out to the discharge port 13 from the cassette 20 b arranged at the position of the cassette insertion port 17.

  Further, during the night medication time, the four cassettes 20a to 20d are rotated 90 degrees clockwise, and the cassette 20c containing the pill case 30 containing the medicine to be taken at night is located at the position of the cassette insertion port 17 (see FIG. 7). Then, the pill case 30 is sent out to the discharge port 13 from the cassette 20 c arranged at the position of the cassette insertion port 17.

  In addition, during the medication time before going to bed, the four cassettes 20a to 20d rotate 90 degrees clockwise, and the cassette 20d containing the pill case 30 containing the medicine to be taken before going to bed is located at the position of the cassette insertion slot 17. It is arranged at (the position of the dotted frame in FIG. 7). Then, the pill case 30 is delivered to the discharge port 13 from the cassette 20d arranged at the position of the cassette insertion port 17.

  As described above, the cassettes 20a to 20d storing the pill case 30 storing each medicine for one day rotate once a day. Thereby, the pill case 30 corresponding to each medication time is sent to the discharge port 13 from the cassettes 20a to 20d. Moreover, when seven pill cases 30 are accommodated in each of the cassettes 20a to 20d, the medication support apparatus 10 can discharge medicine for one week.

  In addition, the cassettes 20a to 20d and the pill case 30 are colored according to, for example, the time period for taking the medicine so as not to make a mistake in the kind of medicine taken by the person taking the medicine. For example, the pill case 30 containing medicines to be taken in the morning is colored red, the pill case 30 containing medicines to be taken in the day is colored blue, and the pill case 30 containing medicines to be taken in the evening is The pill case 30 that contains green and contains medicines to be taken before going to bed is gray. The cassette 20a for storing the red pill case 30 is colored red, the cassette 20b for storing the blue pill case 30 is colored blue, and the cassette 20c for storing the green pill case 30 is colored green. Gray is attached to the cassette 20d for storing the gray pill case 30.

  Thereby, the supporter who assists the drug taker stores, for example, the medicine given to the drug takeer in the morning in the pill case 30 with the red color, and the pill case 30 with the red color is placed in the cassette 20a with the red color. You just have to store it.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the medication support device 10 for explaining the discharge of the pill case 30. In FIG. 8, the same components as those in FIG.

  The medication support apparatus 10 displays information indicating that it is the medication time on the display device 11 soon after a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes before) from the medication time. In addition, the medication support apparatus 10 displays information indicating that it is the medication time on the display device 11 when the medication time is reached. When the information indicating that it is time to take medication is displayed on the display device 11 or when the information indicating that it is time to take medication is displayed on the display device 11, the medication support apparatus 10 takes a retrieval button When 12 is pressed, the pill case 30 accommodated in the cassette 20 is sent to the discharge port 13, and the discharge doors 13a and 13b of the discharge port 13 are opened.

  In addition, the medication support apparatus 10 may output voice guidance for notifying that it is the time when the medicine can be taken when a predetermined time comes before the medication time. For example, the medication support apparatus 10 may perform voice guidance every 5 minutes or every 10 minutes.

  In addition, the medication support apparatus 10 may perform voice guidance when a person is detected by the human sensor when a predetermined time has elapsed from the medication time. Thereby, the medication support apparatus 10 can perform voice guidance when the patient is near the medication support apparatus 10 (for example, when there is a patient in the room where the medication support apparatus 10 is installed). it can.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a part of the pill case 30 appears from the discharge port 13 so that the drug taker (or supporter) can pick and take it out. Thereby, the drug taker can take out the pill case 30 from the medication support apparatus 10 by picking and pulling out a part of the pill case 30 that appears.

  In addition, the medication support apparatus 10 can confirm that the medication person (or the support person) picks up a part of the pill case 30 and takes out the pill case 30 to confirm that the medication person is willing to take the medicine. It becomes possible to determine whether or not with high reliability. For example, if the pill case 30 is not removed from the outlet 13 even though the takeout button 12 is pressed by the taker, the medication support device 10 determines that the patient is not taking the medicine. Can do.

  In addition, as will be described below, the medication support apparatus 10 returns the pill case delivered to the discharge port 13 to the inside of the apparatus when the pill case (or support person) has not been taken out even after a predetermined time.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of main functional blocks of the medication support apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 9, the medication support apparatus 10 includes a cassette control unit 41, an input unit 42, a display unit 43, and a storage unit 44 as main functional blocks.

  The cassette control unit 41 rotates the plurality of cassettes 20 based on the medication time stored in the storage unit 44, and sets the cassette 20 in a predetermined manner so that the pill case 30 of one cassette 20 is delivered to the discharge port 13. Place in position. For example, the cassette control unit 41 sets the cassette 20 containing the pill case 30 to be discharged to the patient based on the medication time stored in the storage unit 44 to the position of the dotted line frame shown in FIG. 30 is disposed at a position where the oil is discharged to the discharge port 13. The cassette control unit 41 controls, for example, a driving device including a motor and the like to rotate the plurality of cassettes 20 and arrange the cassettes 20 at predetermined positions. Moreover, the cassette control part 41 controls the drive device containing a motor etc., for example, and sends the pill case 30 to the discharge port 13 from the cassette 20. FIG.

  The input unit 42 accepts pressing of the eject button 12. In addition, the display device 11 has a touch panel, for example, and the input unit 42 receives an operation on the touch panel.

  The display unit 43 generates image information and displays it on the display device 11. For example, the display unit 43 generates image information indicating that it will soon be a medication time and displays it on the display device 11. Further, the display device 11 generates image information indicating that the medication time has come, and displays it on the display device 11.

  The storage unit 44 stores setting information set by the supporter. For example, the storage unit 44 stores the medication time for each cassette 20 set by the supporter. Of course, the drug taker may set the setting information. Hereinafter, in order to unify the description, it is assumed that the supporter sets the setting information.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of the storage unit 44. As shown in FIG. 44a, medication time 44b, medication effective time 44c, and next medication cassette 44d.

  Cassette No. 44 a is information for identifying the cassette 20 inserted into the medication support apparatus 10. For example, cassette no. “1” corresponds to the morning cassette 20a described in FIG. Cassette No. “2” corresponds to the daytime cassette 20b described in FIG. Cassette No. “3” corresponds to the night cassette 20c described in FIG. Cassette No. “4” corresponds to the cassette 20d before going to bed explained in FIG.

  The medication time 44b corresponds to the corresponding cassette number. It is the medication time of the medicine (pill case 30) accommodated in the cassette 20 of 44a. For example, in the example of FIG. The medication time of the cassette 20 of “1” is “AM8: 00”.

  The medication time 44b is set by the supporter on the touch panel of the display device 11.

  The medication effective time 44c is an effective time during which the medication person can take out the medication to be taken from the medication support device 10. For example, the drug taker may not press the take-out button 12 even when it is time for taking the drug, and may press the take-out button 12 later. In this case, when the medication effective time 44c has elapsed from the medication time 44b, the cassette control unit 41 removes the pill case 30 from the cassette 20 to the discharge port 13 even when the input unit 42 accepts pressing of the eject button 12. Do not send to. That is, by setting the medication effective time 44c, for example, it is possible to prevent the medicine from being taken outside the time period when the medicine is determined, such as morning, noon, night, and before going to bed.

  More specifically, in the example of FIG. 10, when “2 hours” of the effective medication time 44c has elapsed from “AM8: 00” (after 10 o'clock), the cassette control unit 41 takes out the medication Even if the button 12 is pressed, the pill case 30 that should have been discharged at “AM8: 00” is not sent to the discharge port 13. By appropriately setting the medication time and the medication effective time, it is possible to prevent the medicine from being taken excessively during a short period of time, and not to overdose.

  The medication effective time 44c is set by the supporter on the touch panel of the display device 11.

  The next-time medication cassette 44d is information for designating the cassette 20 in which the pill case 30 to be sent to the discharge port 13 is next stored in the at least one cassette 20 when the pill case 30 is filled by the supporter.

  For example, suppose a drug taker is taking a daytime drug. Thereafter, it is assumed that the supporter fills any cassette 20 in which the pill case 30 is empty with a new pill case 30. In this case, since the patient is taking the daytime medicine, the pill case 30 containing the medicine to be taken at night must be discharged from the outlet 13 next time. The next-time medication cassette 44d indicates information on the cassette 20 containing the medicine for that night. That is, the next medication cassette 44d designates the cassette 20 from which the pill case 30 should be discharged next time. Therefore, in the case of the above example, the cassette control unit 41 sends the pill case 30 of the cassette 20 containing the night medicine to the discharge port 13 next time by the next medication cassette 44d.

  The initial medication cassette 44d is set by a supporter on the touch panel of the display device 11, and updated by taking out a pill case or the like. That is, when the pill case 30 is taken out at the time of taking medicine, or when the medicine cannot be taken out after the effective time of taking, or when the pill case is taken out by the operation of the go-out button, the number of the cassette of the next taking time is set. Updated.

  Hereinafter, 1. 1. Set medication time 2. Setting the effective time of medication; 3. Setting up the first medication cassette. 4. Insert and remove cassettes 5. Take out the medicine. 6. Taking out medicine when going out The display of the medication history screen will be described.

1. Setting of Medication Time FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of processing for setting the medication time. For example, when the input unit 42 receives an operation for setting a medication time from a supporter, the medication support apparatus 10 executes the following processing.

  First, the input unit 42 receives the designation of the cassette 20 for setting the medication time from the supporter via the touch panel of the display device 11 (step S1).

  Next, the input unit 42 receives the medication time of the cassette 20 received in step S1 from the supporter via the touch panel of the display device 11 (step S2).

  Next, the input part 42 memorize | stores the medication time of the cassette 20 received from the supporter in the memory | storage part 44 (step S3).

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display device 11. A screen 51 in FIG. 12 shows a normal screen displayed on the display device 11. On the screen 51, buttons 51a and 51b, a time 51c, and a date 51d are displayed.

  The button 51a is a button for changing to a menu screen described below. When the input unit 42 accepts pressing of the button 51a, the display unit 43 transitions to a menu screen described below.

  The button 51b is a button for transitioning to a medicine take-out screen when going out, which will be described below. When the input unit 42 receives the pressing of the button 51b, the display unit 43 transitions to a medicine take-out screen when going out, which will be described below.

  A time 51c indicates the current time. The date 51d indicates the current date.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display device 11. A screen 52 in FIG. 13 shows a menu screen displayed on the display device 11. The screen 52 is displayed on the display device 11 when the button 51a shown in FIG. On the screen 52, buttons 52a to 52d are displayed.

  The button 52a is a button for returning to the normal screen shown in FIG. The display unit 43 transitions to the screen 51 in FIG. 12 when the input unit 42 accepts pressing of the button 52a.

  The button 52b is a button for changing to a cassette setting screen described below. When the input unit 42 accepts pressing of the button 52b, the display unit 43 transitions to a cassette setting screen described below.

  The button 52c is a button for making a transition to a history confirmation screen described below. When the input unit 42 accepts pressing of the button 52c, the display unit 43 transitions to a history confirmation screen described below.

  The button 52d is a button for making a transition to the other setting screen. When the input unit 42 accepts pressing of the button 52d, the display unit 43 transitions to the other setting screen. On the other setting screen, various settings such as voice and screen settings, password settings, and the like can be performed.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display device 11. A screen 53 in FIG. 14 shows a cassette setting screen displayed on the display device 11. The screen 53 is displayed on the display device 11 when the button 52b shown in FIG. On the screen 53, buttons 53a to 53k and setting contents 53l to 53o are displayed.

  The button 53a is a button for transitioning to an initial medication confirmation screen described below. When the input unit 42 accepts pressing of the button 53a, the display unit 43 transitions to an initial medication confirmation screen described below.

  The button 53b is a button for making a transition to the initial medication cassette setting screen described below. When the input unit 42 accepts pressing of the button 53b, the display unit 43 transitions to an initial medication cassette setting screen described below.

  The button 53c is a button for transitioning to a medication effective time setting screen described below. When the input unit 42 accepts pressing of the button 53c, the display unit 43 transitions to a medication effective time setting screen described below.

  The buttons 53d to 53g are buttons for designating a cassette for setting (or changing) the medication time. For example, the supporter can set the cassette number shown in the screen 53. To set the medication time for the second cassette, the button 53e may be pressed. When the input unit 42 accepts pressing of any of the buttons 53d to 53g, the display unit 43 transitions to a medication time setting screen described below.

  In addition, the reception process of the buttons 53d to 53g of the input unit 42 corresponds to, for example, the process of step S1 in FIG.

  The buttons 53h to 53k are buttons for changing to a cassette loading / unloading screen described below. When the input unit 42 accepts pressing of any of the buttons 53h to 53k, the display unit 43 transitions to a cassette loading / unloading screen described below.

  Setting contents 53l to 53o indicate the setting contents of the cassette 20. For example, cassette no. It can be seen that the medication time of cassette 1 is set to “AM8: 00”. Note that the medication time indicated in the setting contents 53l to 53o is changed to the changed medication time when the buttons 53d to 53g are pressed and the medication time is changed. “Unreplaced” shown in the setting contents 53l to 53o indicates that the cassette 20 has not been replaced yet when the screen 53 is displayed. “Replaced” shown in the setting contents 53l to 53o indicates that the cassette 20 filled with the pill case 30 is attached to the medication support apparatus 10.

  A color corresponding to the color of the medication time zone is given to each edge of the setting contents 53l to 53o. For example, as described with reference to FIG. 7, the morning cassette 20 is colored red, and for example, the edge of the setting content 53l is colored red. Similarly, for example, blue, green, and gray are given to the edges of the setting contents 53m to 53o. The numbers “1-4” shown in the setting contents 53l-53o are white. The buttons 53d to 53k are also given the same color as the setting contents 53l to 53o in the corresponding row, and the characters are outlined. Thereby, the mistake of the time and kind of medicine to take can be prevented.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display device 11. A screen 81 in FIG. 15 shows an initial medication confirmation screen displayed on the display device 11. The screen 81 is displayed on the display device 11 when the button 53a shown in FIG. On the screen 81, initial medication confirmation information 81a and buttons 81b and 81c are displayed.

  The first medication confirmation information 81a is the time of the pill case 30 that is discharged from the medication support device 10 next time. The display unit 43 displays the first medication confirmation information 81a based on the next medication cassette 44d in the storage unit 44, for example. Thereby, the supporter can determine whether the medication time of the pill case 30 to be discharged next is appropriate.

  The button 81b is a button for returning to the menu screen shown in FIG. The display unit 43 transitions to the screen 52 in FIG. 13 when the input unit 42 accepts pressing of the button 81b. The button 81b is pressed by the supporter when, for example, the supporter determines that the medication time of the pill case 30 to be discharged next is appropriate.

  The button 81c is a button for returning to the first medication cassette setting screen described below. When the input unit 42 accepts the pressing of the button 81c, the display unit 43 transitions to an initial medication cassette setting screen described below. The button 81c is pressed by the supporter when, for example, the supporter determines that the medication time of the pill case 30 to be discharged next is not appropriate.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display device 11. A screen 54 in FIG. 16 shows a medication time setting screen displayed on the display device 11. The screen 54 is displayed on the display device 11 when any of the buttons 53d to 53g shown in FIG. 16 shows a screen example (a screen example for setting the medication time of cassette No. 1) when the button 53d in FIG. 14 is pressed.

  On the screen 54, buttons 54a to 54i, 54l, a medication time 54j, and a medicine time zone 54k are displayed.

  The button 54a is a button for returning to the cassette setting screen shown in FIG. When the input unit 42 accepts pressing of the button 54a, the display unit 43 transitions to a screen 53 in FIG.

  The buttons 54b and 54c are buttons for setting the morning and afternoon of the medication time. When the input unit 42 accepts pressing of the buttons 54b and 54c, the display unit 43 switches between “AM” and “PM” displayed in the medication time 54j.

  The buttons 54d to 54g are buttons for setting a medication time. When the input unit 42 accepts pressing of the buttons 54d to 54g, the display unit 43 switches the time displayed in the medication time 54j.

  The buttons 54h and 54i are buttons for setting the time zone of the cassette 20. When the input unit 42 receives the pressing of the buttons 54h and 54i, the display unit 43 switches the time zone displayed in the medicine time zone 54k. For example, the display unit 43 switches the display of the medicine time zone 54k to any one of morning, noon, night, and before going to bed.

  The medication time 54j indicates the medication time set by the supporter using the buttons 54b to 54g. The medicine time zone 54k is displayed by the supporter using the buttons 54h and 54i. The time zone of the medicine set in one cassette 20 is shown.

  The button 54l is a button for confirming the setting content set by the buttons 54b to 54i. When the button 54l is pressed, the input unit 42 stores the setting content set by the buttons 54b to 54i in the storage unit 44.

  The setting of the medication time 54j and the setting of the medicine time zone 54k are not linked. That is, the setting of the medication time 54j and the setting of the medicine time zone 54k are performed independently. For example, depending on the person taking the medicine, the day and night may be reversed, and even if the medication time 54j is in the morning (for example, AM 8:00), the medicine time zone 54k may be set at night.

  In addition, the reception process (the setting reception process of the medication time) of the buttons 54b to 54i of the input unit 42 corresponds to, for example, the process of step S2 in FIG. Also, the process of accepting the button 54l of the input unit 42 (the process of storing the setting content in the storage unit 44) corresponds to the process of step S3 in FIG. 11, for example.

  In addition, “cassette 1” on the screen 54 is a cassette number. A color corresponding to 1 (for example, red) is attached, and characters are outlined.

2. Setting of effective medication time FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of processing for setting effective medication time. For example, when the input unit 42 receives an operation for setting a medication effective time from a supporter, the medication support apparatus 10 executes the following process.

  First, the input unit 42 receives a medication effective time from a supporter via the touch panel of the display device 11 (step S11).

  Next, the input part 42 memorize | stores the medication effective time received from the supporter in step S11 in the memory | storage part 44 (step S12).

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display device 11. A screen 55 in FIG. 18 shows a medication effective time setting screen displayed on the display device 11. The screen 55 is displayed on the display device 11 when the button 53c shown in FIG. That is, on the screen 55, the “menu” button 51a is pressed on the screen 51 (normal screen) in FIG. 12, and the “cassette setting” button 52b is pressed on the screen 52 (menu screen) in FIG. 14 is displayed on the display device 11 when the “effective time setting” button 53c is pressed on the screen 53 (cassette setting screen).

  On the screen 55, buttons 55a to 55c and 55e and a medication effective time 55d are displayed.

  The button 55a is a button for returning to the cassette setting screen shown in FIG. When the input unit 42 accepts pressing of the button 55a, the display unit 43 transitions to a screen 53 in FIG.

  The buttons 55b and 55c are buttons for setting a medication effective time. When the input unit 42 accepts pressing of the buttons 55b and 55c, the display unit 43 switches the medication effective time displayed in the medication effective time 55d.

  The medication effective time 55d indicates the medication effective time set by the supporter using the buttons 55b and 55c.

  The button 55e is a button for confirming the medication effective time set by the buttons 55b and 55c. When the button 55e is pressed, the input unit 42 stores the medication effective time set by the buttons 55b and 55c in the storage unit 44.

  Note that the processing for receiving the buttons 55b and 55c of the input unit 42 (processing for receiving the effective medication time) corresponds to, for example, the processing in step S11 of FIG. Further, the process of accepting the button 55e of the input unit 42 (the process of storing the medication effective time in the storage unit 44) corresponds to, for example, the process of step S12 in FIG.

  The display unit 43 may display a warning on the display device 11 when the medication time and the medication effective time overlap. For example, it is assumed that the medication time in the morning and noon is set to “AM 8:00” and “PM 0:00”, respectively. It is assumed that the effective medication time set by the supporter is “5 hours”. In this case, the medication effective time (AM8: 00 to PM1: 0) from the morning medication time “AM8: 00” overlaps “1 hour” with the daytime medication time “PM0: 00”. In such a case, the input unit 42 does not accept an operation from the supporter, and the display unit 43 displays, for example, a warning “Setting time overlaps” on the display device 11. This can reduce the risk of accidental overdose.

3. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of processing for setting an initial medication cassette. For example, when the input unit 42 receives an operation for setting the first medication cassette from the supporter, the medication support device 10 executes the following processing.

  First, the input unit 42 receives the setting of the first medication cassette from the supporter via the touch panel of the display device 11 (step S21).

  Next, the input part 42 memorize | stores the first time medication cassette received from the supporter in the memory | storage part 44 in step S21 (step S22).

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display device 11. A screen 56 in FIG. 20 shows the initial medication cassette setting screen displayed on the display device 11. The screen 56 is displayed on the display device 11 when the button 53b shown in FIG. That is, on the screen 56, the “menu” button 51a is pressed on the screen 51 (normal screen) in FIG. 12, and the “cassette setting” button 52b is pressed on the screen 52 (menu screen) in FIG. 14 on the screen 53 (cassette setting screen), when the “first medication selection” button 53b is pressed, it is displayed on the display device 11. 20 is displayed on the display device 11 when the “No” button 81c is pressed on the screen 81 (first medication confirmation screen) described in FIG. On the screen 56, buttons 56a to 56f are displayed.

  The button 56a is a button for transitioning to the initial medication confirmation screen shown in FIG. When the input unit 42 accepts pressing of the button 56a, the display unit 43 transitions to a screen 81 in FIG.

  The buttons 56b to 56e are buttons for selecting the cassette 20 to be taken for the first time. For example, the supporter fills the pill case and then inserts the cassette number. When it is desired to discharge medicine from one cassette 20, the button 56b may be pressed. That is, the input unit 42 receives the designation of the cassette 20 containing the pill case 30 to be sent to the discharge port 13 next when the pill case 30 is filled in at least one of the plurality of cassettes 20 by the supporter. The buttons 56b to 56e are displayed from the top in order from the time closest to the current time among the medication times for which the medication effective time has not passed.

  The button 56f is a button for confirming the first medication cassette set by the buttons 55b to 55e. When any of the buttons 55b to 55e is pressed and the button 56f is pressed, the input unit 42 stores information on the cassette of the pressed buttons 55b to 55e (information on the first medication cassette) into the storage unit 44. To remember.

  In addition, the reception process (initial drug cassette reception process) for the buttons 56b to 56e of the input unit 42 corresponds to, for example, the process of step S21 in FIG. In addition, the reception process of the button 56f of the input unit 42 (storage process of the first medication cassette in the storage unit 44) corresponds to, for example, the process of step S22 of FIG.

4). Inserting / Removing Cassettes The supporter presses the buttons 53h to 53k shown in FIG. For example, the supporter can set cassette no. No. 2 cassette 20 is loaded and unloaded. The button 53i corresponding to 2 may be pressed.

  When the input unit 42 accepts pressing of any of the buttons 53h to 53k, the display unit 43 displays a screen on the display device 11 that opens the lid 16 of the medication support apparatus 10 and prompts the user to replace the cassette 20. The cassette control unit 41 controls, for example, a driving device including a motor and the like, so that the cassette 20 corresponding to the buttons 53h to 53k is arranged in the cassette insertion slot 17 (dotted line frame shown in FIG. 6). One cassette 20 is rotated.

  As a result, the cassette 20 that the supporter wants to put in and out is placed in the cassette insertion slot 17. And the supporter can take in and out the cassette 20 arrange | positioned at 17 in the cassette insertion port from the medication support apparatus 10, and can perform filling of the pill case 30, etc.

5. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of medicine removal processing. The medication support apparatus 10 executes the following processing when a predetermined time before the medication time comes. The predetermined time before the medication time is, for example, 5 minutes.

  The cassette control unit 41 rotates the plurality of cassettes 20 a predetermined time before or before the medication time 44b, and the pill case 30 containing the medicine to be taken by the user is discharged from the discharge port 13. As described above, the cassette 20 is arranged (rotated) at a predetermined position. For example, it is assumed that the daytime medication time 44b is set to “PM 0:00”. In this case, the cassette control unit 41 arranges the daytime cassette 20 at the position of the cassette insertion slot 17 (the position of the dotted frame shown in FIG. 6) before “AM11: 55” or earlier.

  First, the display unit 43 starts a medication notification process (step S31). For example, the display unit 43 performs display and voice guidance for prompting the patient to take medicine every predetermined time. The predetermined time is, for example, 5 minutes.

  More specifically, the display unit 43 compares the time of the previous medication notification process with the current time, and performs a next medication notification process if a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) has elapsed. If the current time is before the medication time, the display unit 43 will display on the display device 11 that the medication time is about to come. If the current time is after the medication time, the display unit 43 displays on the display device 11 that it is the medication time.

  Next, the input unit 42 determines whether the eject button 12 has been pressed (step S32). When the takeout button 12 is pressed (“Yes” in S32), the input unit 42 proceeds to the process of step S33. When the extraction button 12 is not pressed (“No” in S32), the input unit 42 proceeds to the process of step S37.

  When the input unit 42 determines in step S32 that the take-out button 12 has been pressed (“Yes” in S32), the cassette control unit 41 sends the pill case 30 to the discharge port 13 (step S33).

  That is, the cassette control unit 41 informs the patient that the display unit 43 displays a screen that informs the patient that it is time to take a medicine on the display device 11 or that it is time to take a medicine. When the screen is displayed on the display device 11 (S31), when the take-out operation of the pill case 30 is accepted by the input unit 42 from the taker (“Yes” in S32), the taker can pick up the pill case 30 and take it out. Thus, the pill case 30 is sent from the cassette 20 to the discharge port 13 (S35).

  Next, the cassette controller 41 determines whether or not the pill case 30 has been removed from the discharge port 13 (step S34). When the cassette control unit 41 determines that the pill case 30 has been removed from the discharge port 13 (“Yes” in S34), the cassette control unit 41 proceeds to the process of step S38. When the cassette control unit 41 determines that the pill case 30 has not been removed from the discharge port 13 (“No” in S34), the cassette control unit 41 proceeds to the process of step S35.

  When it is determined in step S34 that the pill case 30 has not been removed (“No” in S34), the cassette control unit 41 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (step S35). For example, the cassette control unit 41 determines whether “30 seconds” have elapsed. When the cassette control unit 41 determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed ("No" in S35), the cassette control unit 41 proceeds to the process of step S34. When the cassette control unit 41 determines that the predetermined time has passed (“Yes” in S35), the cassette control unit 41 proceeds to the process of step S36.

  When it is determined in step S35 that the predetermined time has elapsed ("Yes" in S35), the cassette control unit 41 returns the pill case 30 sent to the discharge port 13 to the cassette 20 (step S36).

  That is, the cassette control unit 41 sends the pill case 30 to the discharge port 13 (S33) in response to the depression operation of the take-out button 12 by the drug taker (S33). When the pill case 30 is not taken out from the discharge port 13 by the patient (“Yes” in S35), the pill case 30 is returned to the cassette 20 (S36).

  Note that, as shown in FIG. 24 below, the supporter cannot perform screen operations when the pill case 30 is not ejected and removed. The input unit 42 allows the supporter to operate the screen by returning the pill case 30 into the apparatus after a predetermined time, for example, 30 seconds later. That is, the cassette 20 cannot rotate when the pill case 30 is being delivered to the discharge port 13. Therefore, the input unit 42 does not accept the screen operation of the supporter. Then, when the pill case 30 is returned into the apparatus after a predetermined time, the input unit 42 enables reception of a screen operation from the supporter.

  The cassette control unit 41 returns the pill case 30 to the cassette 20 in step S32 when the input unit 42 determines that the eject button 12 is not pressed (“No” in S32) or in step S36. In this case, it is determined whether or not the medication effective time 44c stored in the storage unit 44 has elapsed (step S37). For example, the input unit 42 determines whether “2 hours” has elapsed without the take-out button 12 being pressed. When it is determined that the medication effective time 44c has not elapsed ("No" in S37), the input unit 42 proceeds to the process of step S32. When it is determined that the medication effective time 44c has elapsed ("Yes" in S37), the input unit 42 proceeds to the process of step S38.

  That is, the cassette control unit 41 does not press the take-out button 12 (“No” in S32) and the medication effective time 44c elapses (“Yes” in S37). Even if an operation for removing the pill case 30 is accepted from a person (even if the take-out button 12 is pressed), the pill case 30 is not delivered from the cassette 20 to the discharge port 13 until the next medication time comes. Further, the cassette control unit 41 returns the pill case 30 to the cassette 20 (S36), and when the medication effective time has elapsed ("Yes" in S37), the input unit 42 then takes out the pill case 30 from the patient. Is accepted (even if the eject button 12 is pressed), the pill case 30 is not delivered from the cassette 20 to the outlet 13 until the next medication time comes.

  The cassette controller 41 may output sound from the sound output port 14 before returning the pill case 30 sent to the discharge port 13 to the cassette 20 in the process of step S36. That is, the cassette control unit 41 may notify the supporter that the pill case 30 has not been removed from the discharge port 13 by voice.

  If the display control unit 43 determines in step S37 that the cassette control unit 41 has passed the effective medication time (“Yes” in S37), the display unit 43 ends the medication notification process (step S38). That is, the display unit 43 ends the display and voice notification process for prompting the patient to take medicine every predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes). And the display part 43 complete | finishes the process of the flowchart of FIG.

  As will be described below, when the pill case 30 is removed (“Yes” in S34), the cassette control unit 41 stores history information to that effect in the history information storage unit. When the pill case 30 is not taken out (“No” in S32 or S36) and the effective medication time has elapsed (“Yes” in S37), the cassette control unit 41 stores the history information to that effect in the history information storage unit. To do.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display device 11. A screen 57 in FIG. 22 shows a medication time notification screen displayed on the display device 11. The screen 57 is displayed on the display device 11 when it is a predetermined time before the medication time (for example, 5 minutes before).

  The screen 57 is the same as the normal screen described in FIG. 12, except that the medication time information 57a is displayed, the “going out” button 51b is not displayed, and the “press for 3 seconds” character is not displayed. Different. The display unit 43 displays the medication time information 57a on the display device 11 when a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes before) the medication time 44b stored in the storage unit 44. The medication time information 57a indicates that it is a medication time soon.

  The patient can recognize from the medication time information 57a on the screen 57 that the medication time is soon. Thereby, the medication person can press the take-out button 12 and take out the pill case 30 from the medication support apparatus 10.

  The display process of the medication time information 57a on the display unit 43 corresponds to, for example, the process of step S31 in FIG.

  Moreover, the display part 43 may output the audio | voice which notifies that it is medicine taking time soon from the audio | voice output port 14 with the display of the medication time information 57a.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display device 11. A screen 58 in FIG. 23 shows a medication time notification screen displayed on the display device 11. The screen 58 is displayed on the display device 11 when the medication time is reached.

  The screen 58 is the same as the normal screen described in FIG. 12, except that the medication time information 58a is displayed, the “going out” button 51b is not displayed, and the “press for 3 seconds” character is not displayed. Different. The display unit 43 displays the medication time information 58a on the display device 11 when the medication time 44b stored in the storage unit 44 is reached. The medication time information 58a indicates that it is a medication time.

  Based on the medication time information 58a on the screen 58, the medication person can recognize the medication medication time and the type of medication (morning, noon, night, or medicine before going to bed). Thereby, the medication person can press the take-out button 12 and take out the pill case 30 from the medication support apparatus 10.

  The display process of the medication time information 58a on the display unit 43 corresponds to, for example, the process of step S31 in FIG.

  Moreover, the display part 43 may output the audio | voice which notifies that it is a medicine taking time from the audio | voice output port 14 with the display of the medication time information 58a.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display device 11. The screen 59 in FIG. 24 is displayed when the medication person presses the eject button 12 on the medication time notification screen shown in FIGS. 22 and 23.

  The screen 59 is the same as the normal screen described with reference to FIG. 12, except that the extraction instruction information 59a is displayed, the “going out” button 51b is not displayed, and the “press for 3 seconds” character is not displayed. , And the “menu” button 51a is inactivated. When the display unit 43 accepts pressing of the takeout button 12 on the medication time notification screen shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the display unit 43 displays the takeout instruction information 59 a on the display device 11. The removal instruction information 58a prompts the patient to take out the pill case 30 discharged to the discharge port 13. Note that the input unit 42 does not accept the “menu” button on the screen 59 when it is pressed.

  When the pill case 30 is taken out from the discharge port 13, the display unit 43 returns to the normal screen shown in FIG.

  The display unit 43 may output a voice prompting the pill case 30 to be taken out from the voice output port 14 together with the display of the pick-up instruction information 59a.

6). FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a processing example of taking out medicine when going out. The drug taker may want to take out the pill case 30 even outside the drug taking time. For example, a drug taker may want to take a medicine on the go. Therefore, for example, the medication support apparatus 10 enables the pill case 30 to be taken out outside the medication time so that the medication can be taken even when going out. For example, when the input unit 42 receives an operation for taking out medicine when going out from the supporter, the medication support apparatus 10 executes the following processing.

  First, the input unit 42 receives a predetermined operation from a supporter via the touch panel of the display device 11 (step S41). For example, as described below, the input unit 42 accepts pressing of a predetermined button displayed on the display device 11 for a predetermined time or longer (for example, 3 seconds or longer).

  When the “going out” button 51b in FIG. 12 is pressed for a long time, the display unit 43 displays the screen 60 in FIG. Then, when the “Yes” button 60b in FIG. 26 is pressed, the display unit 43 displays the screen 61 shown in FIG. 27 on the display device.

  Next, the input unit 42 accepts pressing of the extraction button 12 (step S42).

  Next, the cassette control unit 41 sends the pill case 30 (for example, the pill case 30 discharged at the next medication time) accommodated in the cassette 20 to the discharge port 13 (step S43).

  FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display device 11. A screen 60 in FIG. 26 shows an outing screen displayed on the display device 11.

  When the input unit 42 receives a long press (for example, 3 seconds or more) of the “going out” button 51 b displayed on the screen 51 (normal screen) in FIG. 12, the display unit 43 displays the screen 60 on the display device 11. To display. Note that the process of accepting a long press of the button 51b of the input unit 42 corresponds to, for example, the process of step S41 in FIG.

  On the screen 60, retrieval inquiry information 60a and buttons 60b and 60c are displayed.

  The retrieval inquiry information 60a asks the patient whether or not the pill case 30 is to be removed from the medication support apparatus 10.

  The button 60 b is a button for taking out the pill case 30 from the medication support apparatus 10. The input unit 42 enables the pill case 30 to be removed when the button 60b is pressed. For example, when the button 60b is pressed, the input unit 42 can accept the pressing of the eject button 12. That is, in order to take out the pill case 30 from the medication support apparatus 10, the drug taker presses the button 60b on the screen 60 and further presses the take-out button 12.

  The button 60c is a button for canceling the removal of the pill case 30. When the button 60c is pressed, the input unit 42 returns to the normal screen shown in FIG.

  FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display device 11. A screen 61 in FIG. 27 shows a take-out instruction screen displayed on the display device 11.

  When the button 60b in FIG. 26 is pressed, the display unit 43 displays the screen 61 on the display device 11. Then, when the depression of the eject button 12 is accepted, the cassette control unit 41 sends the pill case 30 from the cassette 20 to the discharge port 13. Then, the display unit 43 displays the screen 59 of FIG.

  Note that the process of accepting pressing of the extraction button 12 of the input unit 42 corresponds to, for example, the process of step S42 in FIG. Further, the delivery process of the pill case 30 of the cassette control device 41 corresponds to, for example, the process of step S43 in FIG.

  The screen 61 is the same as the normal screen described with reference to FIG. 12, except that the extraction instruction information 61a is displayed. When the button 60b in FIG. 26 is pressed, the display unit 43 displays the extraction instruction information 61a. The take-out instruction information 61a urges the user to push out the take-out button 12 and take out the pill case 30 from the discharge port 13. The display unit 43 may prompt removal of the pill case 30 by voice guidance. The display unit 43 transitions to a screen 59 in FIG. 24 when the takeout button 12 is pressed.

7). Display of Medication History Screen FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display device 11. A screen 62 in FIG. 28 shows a medication history screen displayed on the display device 11.

  The supporter can view the medication history of the medication recipient. For example, when the support person presses the “menu” button 51a on the screen 51 (normal screen) in FIG. 12, and presses the “history check” button 52c on the screen 52 (menu screen) in FIG. The medication history shown on the screen 62 of 28 can be seen. On the screen 62, buttons 62a to 62e, 62g and medication history information 62f are displayed.

  The button 62a is a button for returning to the menu screen shown in FIG. The display unit 43 transitions to the screen 52 in FIG. 13 when the input unit 42 receives the pressing of the button 62a.

  The buttons 62b and 62c are feed buttons of the cassette 20 for displaying the medication history. When the input unit 42 accepts pressing of the button 62b or the button 62c, the display unit 43 switches the cassette 20 that displays the medication history.

  In the case of the example of FIG. The medication history of one cassette 20 is displayed. Between the button 62b and the button 62c, the information (cassette 1) of the cassette 20 in which the medication history is displayed, the medicine time zone (morning medicine) of the cassette 20, and the medication time of the cassette 20 ( AM 8:00) is displayed.

  The buttons 62d and 62e are buttons for switching the display period of the medication history. When the input unit 42 receives the pressing of the button 62d or the button 62e, the display unit 43 switches the period for displaying the medication history. In the example of FIG. 28, the medication history for one week from “May 24” is displayed.

  The medication history information 62f is a medication history of medication taken by the medication recipient. The medication history information 62f includes a date and information indicating whether or not the medication has been taken out from the medication support device 10 on that date. For example, “◯” in the medication history information 62 f indicates that the medicine has been taken out from the medication support apparatus 10, and “X” indicates that no medicine has been taken out from the medication support apparatus 10. Further, the medication history information 62f includes the time when the medication recipient took the medication.

  Whether or not the patient has taken the medicine is determined by whether or not the pill case 30 sent to the discharge port 13 has been taken out from the discharge port 13. For example, the discharge port 13 includes a sensor that detects the presence or absence of the pill case 30. The cassette control unit 41 determines that the pill case 30 has been taken out from the discharge port 13 when the detection of the pill case 30 of the sensor changes from “present” to “no” after the pill case 30 is sent to the discharge port 13.

  Although not shown in FIG. 9, the medication support apparatus 10 has a history information storage unit that stores history information. The cassette control unit 41 stores the determination result as to whether or not the medicine has been taken and the medication time in the history information storage unit. Moreover, the input part 42 memorize | stores the information in the log | history information storage part, when the taking-out operation of the medicine at the time of going out is performed. The display unit 43 can display the medication history information 62f based on the history information stored in the history information storage unit.

  The button 62g is a button for storing the information stored in the history information storage unit in the USB memory. For example, when the supporter wants to store the history information in the USB memory, the supporter inserts the USB memory into the USB insertion panel 15 and presses the button 62g. When the button 62g is pressed, the USB control unit (not shown in FIG. 9) stores the history information stored in the history information storage unit in the USB memory inserted in the USB insertion panel 15.

  FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the medication support apparatus 10. The medication support device 10 includes, for example, an arithmetic device 71 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a main storage device 72 such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an auxiliary storage device 73 such as a flash memory as shown in FIG. And a voice output device 74 such as a speaker for outputting voice, an input device 75 such as a button and a touch panel, a display device 76 such as a liquid crystal display, and a read / write operation for reading / writing information from / to a portable storage medium such as a USB memory. It has a device 77, a driving device 78 for rotating the cassette 20 and delivering the pill case 30 housed in the cassette 20 to the discharge port 13, and a sensor 79 for detecting a person.

  For example, each function of the medication support device 10 is realized by the arithmetic device 71 executing a predetermined program loaded from the auxiliary storage device 73 or the like to the main storage device 72. The input unit 42 is realized, for example, when the arithmetic device 71 uses the input device 75. The storage unit 44 is realized, for example, when the arithmetic device 71 uses the main storage device 72 or the auxiliary storage device 73.

  Note that the input device 75 corresponds to, for example, the touch panel provided on the extraction button 12 and the display device 11 described above. The display device 76 corresponds to, for example, the display device 11 provided on the front panel of the medication support device 10. The predetermined program may be installed from, for example, a storage medium read by the read / write device 77 or may be installed from a network via a communication I / F (not shown).

  In this way, the plurality of cassettes 20 of the medication support apparatus 10 stores a plurality of pill cases containing medicines. The memory | storage part 44 memorize | stores the medication time which takes a medicine. Then, the cassette control unit 41 rotates the plurality of cassettes 20 based on the medication time stored in the storage unit 44, and sets the cassette 20 in a predetermined manner so that the pill case 30 of one cassette 20 is delivered to the discharge port. Place at the position. Thereby, the medication support apparatus 10 can discharge the pill case 30 containing an appropriate medicine from the cassette 20 to the discharge port 13 based on the medication time stored in the storage unit 44. Can take medicine appropriately.

  Note that four cassettes 20 need not be inserted into the medication support device 10. For example, if the patient is to take a medicine three times a day in the morning, noon, and night, three cassettes 20 may be inserted into the medication support apparatus 10.

  Further, seven pill cases 30 may not be stored in the cassette 20. For example, if three days of medicine are desired to be discharged from the medication support apparatus 10, it is only necessary to store three pill cases 30 in the cassette 20 for each time period.

  Moreover, the display part 43 may display on the display device 11 that it is not a medication time, when the taking out button 12 is pressed outside the medication time.

  Further, the display unit 43 may cause the display device 11 to sleep when a part of the button other than the button displayed on the display device 11 is pressed for a long time (for example, 2 seconds). Thereby, power consumption can be reduced. Even if the display unit 43 is in the sleep state, the display unit 11 is activated when a predetermined time before the medication time comes.

  Moreover, the medication support apparatus 10 may include a human sensor. For example, the display unit 43 sleeps the display device 11 when there is no supporter or medication taker near the medication support device 10. The display unit 43 may notify the user with a display and a voice to prompt the patient when the supporter or the patient is detected by the human sensor during the time when the pill case can be taken out.

  In addition, the medication support apparatus 10 may provide a personal identification number when setting the medication time, setting the medication effective time, setting the initial medication cassette, loading and unloading the cassette, and operating the medication history screen. For example, by enabling only the supporter to perform the above operation using the password, it is possible to prevent the drug taker from changing the setting.

  In the above description, a screen indicating that it is time for medication is displayed on the display device 11 before the medication time so that the medication can be taken out. However, this process may be omitted. In other words, the medication support apparatus 10 may notify the patient of the medication time only. In addition, notification that it is time to take medication may be an option. For example, the notification that it is time to take the medicine may be set on the “other setting screen” described with reference to FIG.

  Moreover, when the pill case 30 of the cassette 20 becomes empty, the display unit 43 may display an icon indicating the content on the display device 11.

  FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display device. A screen 63 shown in FIG. 30 shows an empty state screen indicating that the pill case 30 of the cassette 20 is empty.

  The screen 63 is the same as the normal screen described in FIG. 12 except that an icon 63a is displayed. The display unit 43 displays an icon 63a when there is no pill case 30 of the cassette 20 to be discharged next.

  The icon 63a shows the pattern of the empty pill case 30. For example, as described with reference to FIG. 7, the pill case 30 is given a color corresponding to the medication time zone. For example, when the morning red pill case 30 becomes empty, the display unit 43 displays an icon 63 a of the red empty pill case 30 on the screen 63.

  FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the medication support apparatus 10. FIG. 32 is a front view of the medication support apparatus 10. FIG. 33 is a plan view of the medication support apparatus 10. FIG. 34 is a rear view of the medication support apparatus 10. FIG. 35 is a bottom view of the medication support apparatus 10. FIG. 36 is a right side view of the medication support apparatus 10. FIG. 37 is a left side view of the medication support apparatus 10.

  On the display device 11 of the medication support apparatus 10, the screens with the characteristic designs described in FIGS. 12 to 16, 18, 20, 20, 22 to 24, 26 to 28, and 30 are displayed. The Note that the reference lines shown in FIGS. 12 to 16, 18, 20, 22 to 24, 26 to 28, and 30 are not displayed on the display device 11.

  The functional configuration of the medication support device 10 described above is classified according to the main processing contents in order to facilitate understanding of the configuration of the medication support device 10. The present invention is not limited by the way of classification and names of the constituent elements. The configuration of the medication support device 10 can be classified into more components depending on the processing content. Moreover, it can also classify | categorize so that one component may perform more processes. Further, the processing of each component may be executed by one hardware or may be executed by a plurality of hardware.

  In addition, each processing unit of the above-described flowchart is divided according to main processing contents in order to facilitate understanding of the processing of the medication support apparatus 10. The present invention is not limited by the way of dividing the processing unit or the name. The processing of the medication support apparatus 10 can be divided into more processing units according to the processing content. Moreover, it can also divide | segment so that one process unit may contain many processes.

  Further, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiment. Various modifications or improvements can be added to the above embodiment. In addition, it is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention. The present invention can also be provided as a medication support method, a medication support program, and a storage medium storing the program.

10: Medication support device,
11: display device,
12: Eject button
13: discharge port,
14: Audio output port,
15: USB insertion panel,
16: lid,
17: Cassette insertion slot,
20: cassette
21: discharge port,
22: Outer storage part,
23: Inside storage part,
30: Pill case,
31: Medicine,
41: Cassette control unit,
42: input part,
43: Display section
44: Storage unit
44a: Cassette No. ,
44b: medication time,
44c: medication effective time,
44d: Next time medication cassette.

The present application includes a plurality of means for solving at least a part of the above-described problems. Examples of the means are as follows. In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the medication support device according to the present invention has a plurality of cassettes for storing a plurality of pill cases that contain medication, a medication time for taking the medication, and an effective time for taking out the medication to be taken. a storage unit for storing a medication effective time, a display unit for displaying a screen for notification to the user, based on said stored medication time in the storage unit, sends to the pill case of one of said cassette outlet A cassette control unit that positions the cassette at a predetermined position, and the storage unit receives the medication time and the medication effective time via the display unit. And

Claims (13)

A plurality of cassettes for storing a plurality of pill cases for storing medicines;
A memory unit for memorizing the medication time for taking the medicine;
Cassette control for rotating a plurality of the cassettes based on the medication time stored in the storage unit and arranging the cassettes at predetermined positions so that the pill case of one of the cassettes is delivered to the discharge port And
A medication support device comprising: The medication support device according to claim 1,
The pill case contains medicines to be taken at once,
The cassette control unit rotates a plurality of the cassettes once a day,
A medication support device characterized by that. The medication support device according to claim 1,
The cassette control unit, when an operation of taking out the pill case is accepted from the patient by the input unit, sends the pill case from the cassette to the outlet so that the patient can pick up and take out the pill case.
A medication support device characterized by that. The medication support device according to claim 1,
A display unit that displays a screen on the display device informing the patient that it is time to take the medicine,
A medication support apparatus, further comprising: The medication support device according to claim 4,
The cassette control unit accepts an operation to take out the pill case from the drug taker by the input unit when the display unit displays on the display device a screen informing the drug taker that it is time to take the drug. If so, the pill case is sent out from the cassette to the outlet so that the user can pick and take the pill case.
A medication device characterized by that. The medication support device according to claim 1,
When the medication time is reached, a display unit that displays on the display device a screen that informs the patient that it is medication time.
A medication support apparatus, further comprising: The medication support device according to claim 6,
The cassette control unit receives an operation of taking out the pill case from the drug taker by the input unit when the display unit displays on the display device a screen informing the drug taker that it is time to take the drug. If so, the pill case is sent out from the cassette to the outlet so that the user can pick and remove the pill case.
A medication support device characterized by that. The medication support device according to claim 7,
The cassette control unit returns the pill case to the cassette when the pill case is not taken out from the discharge port by the patient even after a predetermined time has passed after the pill case is sent to the discharge port.
A medication support device characterized by that. The medication support device according to claim 1,
When the medication control time stored in the storage unit has elapsed, the cassette control unit removes the pill case from the cassette to the discharge port even when the input unit accepts an operation of taking out the pill case from the patient. Do not send
A medication support device characterized by that. The medication support device according to claim 1,
When the pill case is filled in at least one of the plurality of cassettes, an input unit that receives designation of the cassette that houses the pill case to be sent to the discharge port,
A medication support apparatus, further comprising: The medication support device according to claim 1,
The cassette controller, when a predetermined operation is accepted by the input unit, sends the pill case to the outlet even if it is out of time to send the pill case to the outlet,
A medication support device characterized by that. The medication support device according to claim 1,
When the pill case of the cassette is empty, a display unit that displays an icon indicating that on the display device,
A medication support apparatus, further comprising: In the medication support method of the medication support device,
The medication support device,
Based on the medication time of taking the medicine stored in the storage unit, rotating a plurality of cassettes containing a plurality of pill cases containing medicines, so that the pill case of one of the cassettes is delivered to the outlet, A cassette control step of arranging the cassette at a predetermined position;
A medication support method characterized by: