JP2023080279A - Medicine dispenser and medicine dispensing program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a medicine dispenser capable of supporting use of a variable cassette, and medicine dispensing program.SOLUTION: A medicine dispenser 100: displays a selection screen P1 on which a plurality of selection areas A2 for selecting each of variable cassettes 22 are displayed in same alignment as alignment of the respective variable cassettes 22 in the medicine dispenser 100; receives a selection operation of a selection area A2 in the selection screen P1; assigns medicine information to be dispensed to a variable cassettes 22 corresponding to the selection area A2, and drives the variable cassette 22 according to a drive condition preset corresponding to the medicine information to dispense the medicine corresponding to the medicine information by the variable cassettes 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a medicine dispenser that automatically dispenses medicines from a plurality of medicine cassettes.

Generally, there is known a medicine dispenser that includes a plurality of medicine cassettes containing predetermined kinds of medicines and automatically dispenses the medicines contained in each medicine cassette. Also known is a medicine dispensing device provided with a variable cassette that can dispense any kind of medicine by changing driving conditions according to the shape of the medicine (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 5812228

By the way, in a medicine dispensing device provided with variable cassettes capable of dispensing any kind of medicine, a user may perform an operation for selecting a variable cassette to which a medicine to be dispensed is assigned from a plurality of variable cassettes. Then, the user fills the allocated variable cassette with medicine to be dispensed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a drug dispensing device and a drug dispensing program that can support the use of variable cassettes.

A medicine dispensing device according to the present invention is a medicine dispensing device comprising a plurality of medicine cassettes capable of dispensing any type of medicine, wherein a plurality of selection areas for selecting each of the medicine cassettes is provided in the medicine dispensing device. a display processing unit for displaying a selection screen displayed in the same arrangement as the arrangement of each of the medicine cassettes; a reception processing unit for receiving a selection operation of the selection area on the selection screen; and the selection received by the reception processing unit. an allocation processing unit that allocates medicine information to be dispensed to the medicine cassette corresponding to the region, and drives the medicine cassette according to a driving condition preset corresponding to the medicine information allocated by the allocation processing unit; and a drive processing unit that puts the medicine cassette into a state in which the medicine corresponding to the medicine information can be dispensed.

A medicine dispensing program according to the present invention is such that a processor for controlling a medicine dispensing device having a plurality of medicine cassettes capable of dispensing any kind of medicine is provided with a plurality of selection areas for selecting each of the medicine cassettes. a display step of displaying a selection screen displayed in the same arrangement as the arrangement of each of the drug cassettes in the apparatus; a reception step of accepting a selection operation of the selection area on the selection screen; and the selection area accepted in the reception step. an allocating step of allocating medicine information to be dispensed to the medicine cassette corresponding to the medicine cassette; and a driving step of putting the medicine corresponding to the medicine information into a dispensable state.

According to the present invention, since each of the selection areas is displayed on the selection screen in the same arrangement as each of the medicine cassettes in the medicine dispensing device, the user can intuitively select the desired drug from the plurality of variable cassettes on the selection screen. of variable cassettes can be selected. Further, even after the medicine information is assigned to the variable cassette, the work of intuitively identifying the variable cassette arranged at the position selected on the selection screen and filling the medicine corresponding to the medicine information is performed. be able to. Therefore, according to the medicine dispensing device and the medicine dispensing program, the use of the variable cassette can be supported, and effects such as improvement of work efficiency and suppression of human error can be obtained.

According to the present invention, a drug dispensing device and a drug dispensing program are provided that can support the use of variable cassettes.

FIG. 1 is an external view of a medicine dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the medicine dispensing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining the configuration of the fixed cassette of the medicine dispensing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining the configuration of the variable cassette of the medicine dispensing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view for explaining the configuration of the variable cassette of the medicine dispensing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view for explaining the configuration of the variable cassette of the medicine dispensing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view for explaining the configuration of the mounting portion of the variable cassette of the medicine dispensing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a tablet packaging result in the medicine dispensing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of allocation information used by the medicine dispenser according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of drive correspondence information used in the medicine dispenser according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a flow chart for explaining an example of procedures of the medicine dispensing process and the packaging control process executed by the medicine dispensing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is an external view showing another example of the medicine dispensing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a selection screen displayed on the medicine dispensing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is an external view showing another example of the medicine dispensing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing the main configuration of the variable cassette of the medicine dispensing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a collection unit of the medicine dispensing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a collection unit of the medicine dispensing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a flow chart for explaining another example of the procedures of the medicine dispensing process and the packaging control process executed by the medicine dispensing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a recovery unit of a drug dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of a collection unit of a medicine dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention. It should be noted that the following embodiment is an example that embodies the present invention, and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[First embodiment]
First, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a schematic configuration of a medicine dispensing device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the medicine dispenser 100 includes a prescription control unit 1, a tablet supply unit 2, a powdered medicine supply unit 3, a manual distribution unit 4, a packaging unit 5, a packaging control unit 6, and a bar. A code reader 7 and the like are provided.

The prescription control unit 1, the tablet supply unit 2, the powder medicine supply unit 3, the manual distribution unit 4, the packaging unit 5, and the packaging control unit 6 are connected by an internal bus N1. Furthermore, the prescription control unit 1 and the barcode reader 7 are capable of wireless communication according to communication standards such as wireless LAN or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The drug delivery device 100 is controlled by the prescription control unit 1 and the packaging control unit 6, and controls tablets and powdered drugs supplied from the tablet supply unit 2, the powdered medicine supply unit 3, and the manual distribution unit 4. Medicines such as medicines are packaged by the packaging unit 5 in packaging units such as dosage times and delivered.

[Tablet supply unit 2]
The tablet supply unit 2 is
A plurality of fixed cassettes 21 that can dispense tablets of a predetermined specific type per tablet (unit amount), and a plurality of cassettes that can dispense any type of tablet per tablet (unit amount) by changing driving conditions. and a variable cassette 22 (an example of a medicine cassette).

Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 1, a total of 54 fixed cassettes 21 of 6 length×9 widths are provided, and a total of 4 variable cassettes 22 of 1 length×4 widths are provided below them. The tablets that can be dispensed from the fixed cassette 21 and the variable cassette 22 include solid medicines in various shapes such as disk-shaped, spherical, and capsule-shaped.

It should be noted that it is also conceivable as another embodiment that the tablet supply unit 2 does not have the fixed cassette 21 and has only a plurality of the variable cassettes 22 . Specifically, it is conceivable that the variable cassette 22 is provided in place of the fixed cassette 21 . Further, as shown in FIG. 12, it is conceivable that a plurality of stages of loading racks 20 on which chemicals to be filled in the variable cassette 22 are placed are formed above the variable cassette 22 . In this case, the later-described control unit 11 provided in the prescription control unit 1 can register the types of medicines placed on the placing shelves 20, and the monitors 13 correspond to the respective placing shelves 20. It is also conceivable that the type of medicine to be used can be displayed in the same area as its placement location.

Each of the fixed cassettes 21 is detachably attached to each mounting portion 211 provided in the tablet supply unit 2 . Each mounting part 211 includes a first driving part 23 for driving the fixed cassette 21 individually. Each of the first driving units 23 includes a driving motor 231 and an RFID reader/writer 232 . The driving motor 231 supplies driving force to the driving mechanism of the fixed cassette 21 . The RFID reader/writer 232 is information reading means for reading and writing information from and to an RFID tag (not shown) provided on the fixed cassette 21 using radio communication technology of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification).

The location of the RFID tag (not shown) and the RFID reader/writer 232 is determined by the RFID reader/writer 232 while the fixed cassette 21 is mounted on the mounting portion 211. It suffices if it is determined relatively within the range where reading and writing are possible.

The RFID tag (not shown) is a non-volatile recording medium in which cassette identification information for identifying each of the fixed cassettes 21 is stored. Written by the prescription control unit 1 .

Each of the variable cassettes 22 is configured to be attachable and detachable to each mounting portion 221 provided in the tablet supply unit 2 . A configuration in which each of the variable cassettes 22 can be pulled out from the mounting portion 221 is also conceivable as another embodiment. Each of the mounting portions 221 includes a second driving portion 24 for driving the variable cassette 22 individually.

Each of the second driving units 24 includes driving motors 241 to 244 and an RFID reader/writer 245 . The drive motors 241 to 244 supply drive force to the drive mechanism of the variable cassette 22 . The RFID reader/writer 245 is information reading means for reading and writing information to and from the RFID tag 26 (see FIG. 6) provided on the variable cassette 22 using RFID wireless communication technology.

The RFID tag 26 and the RFID reader/writer 245 are installed in a range where the RFID reader/writer 245 can read and write information on the RFID tag 26 while the variable cassette 22 is mounted on the mounting portion 221. It is sufficient if it is determined relatively by Specifically, the RFID reader/writer 245 of each of the mounting portions 221 can communicate with only the RFID tag 26 of the variable cassette 22 mounted on each of the mounting portions 221. 245 and said RFID tag 26 are arranged. That is, the RFID reader/writer 245 and the RFID reader/writer 245 of the mounting portion 221 cannot communicate with the RFID 26 of the variable cassette 22 mounted on the other mounting portion 221 adjacent to the mounting portion 221. The RFID tag 26 is arranged. Also, an electromagnetic wave shielding member may be provided between each of the mounting portions 221 to shield electromagnetic waves.

The RFID tag 26 is a non-volatile cassette identification information for identifying each of the variable cassettes 22 and drug information assigned to the variable cassette 22 in the drug dispensing process (see FIG. 11) described later. A recording medium.

The drug information is information that can identify the type of tablet (medicine), and includes, for example, a drug name, drug ID, drug code, JAN code, RSS code, QR code (registered trademark), and the like. The JAN code and the RSS code are numeric or character information represented by a one-dimensional code (bar code, GS1 code), and the QR code (registered trademark) is a two-dimensional code. It is character information.

By the way, the number of variable cassettes 22 and the number of mounting portions 221 do not have to match. For example, it is conceivable that the user can select an arbitrary variable cassette 22 from a number of the variable cassettes 22 larger than the number of the mounting portions 221 and mount it on the mounting portion 221 . In particular, a configuration is conceivable in which a plurality of variable cassettes 22 that can be mounted correspondingly to one mounting portion 221 are provided. This point also applies to the fixed cassette 21 and the mounting portion 211 .

[Fixed Cassette 21]
Here, an example of the fixed cassette 21 will be described with reference to FIG. The structure of the fixed cassette 21 described here is merely an example, and other structures may be used as long as they have similar functions. Note that FIG. 3 is a diagram in which a cover member that covers the upper portion of the fixed cassette 21 is omitted.

Since the types of tablets to be accommodated in each of the fixed cassettes 21 are predetermined, for example, drug information of the tablets to be accommodated in the fixed cassette 21 is written in advance on the front surface of each of the fixed cassettes 21. .

As shown in FIG. 3, the fixed cassette 21 includes a tablet containing portion 212 containing a large number of tablets, and a tablet ejecting portion 213 for individually discharging the tablets contained in the tablet containing portion 212. . The tablet ejecting portion 213 is provided in a recess formed substantially in the center of the tablet accommodating portion 212 , and the tablets in the tablet accommodating portion 212 descend sequentially toward the tablet ejecting portion 213 .

The tablet ejection part 213 includes a rotor 214 rotatably supported by the housing of the fixed cassette 21 and an inner wall 214A covering the outer circumference of the rotor 214 . The rotor 214 is connected to the driving motor 231 of the first driving section 23 through a driving transmission system (not shown) such as various gears when the fixed cassette 21 is mounted on the mounting section 211 . be. Further, ribs 21 are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 214 at predetermined intervals.
5 and ribs 216 are formed. Thereby, gaps 217 surrounded by the ribs 215, the ribs 216, and the inner wall 214A are intermittently formed on the outer circumference of the rotor 214. As shown in FIG. The width of the gap 217 is determined according to a predetermined type of tablets to be accommodated in the fixed cassette 21, and corresponds to the width of one tablet.

A gap 218 is formed between the ribs 215 and 216 over the entire outer peripheral surface of the rotor 214 . Here, the height of the upper end of each of the ribs 215 and 216 is determined according to the predetermined type of tablets to be accommodated in the fixed cassette 21 . Specifically, the height of the upper end of the rib 215 shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to the height of three tablets, and three tablets are inserted into each gap 217 of the rotor 213 be done. Also, the height of the upper end of the rib 216 corresponds to the height of one tablet.

On the other hand, the inner wall 214A is formed with a discharge port 219 for discharging the tablets from the rotor 214, and the discharge port 219 is provided with a partition plate 220 inserted into the gap 218. As shown in FIG. As a result, of the three tablets inserted in the gap 217, the upper two tablets are restricted from dropping by the partition plate 220, and only the lower one is discharged from the discharge port 219. FIG. Therefore, in the fixed cassette 21, the rotor 214 is driven by the drive motor 231, so that the tablets stored in the tablet storage portion 212 are dispensed one tablet at a time.

[Variable Cassette 22]
Next, an example of the variable cassette 22 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7. FIG. The structure of the variable cassette 22 described here is merely an example, and other structures may be used as long as it is possible to dispense arbitrary tablets one by one. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-535683 or Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-115493 disclose other examples of the variable cassette 22 .

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the variable cassette 22 includes a tablet containing portion 222 containing a large number of tablets, and a first rotating body 223 and a second rotating body 224 for dispensing tablets from the tablet containing portion 222. and 4 to 6 are diagrams in which the cover member covering the upper portion of the variable cassette 22 is omitted. Further, the variable cassette 22 may be configured to be able to dispense tablets in units of a predetermined unit amount, for example, it may be configured to dispense not in units of one tablet but in units of a plurality of tablets.

The first rotating body 223 is a disk-shaped member forming the bottom surface of the tablet housing portion 222 . The rotation axis of the first rotating body 223 is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction, and the upper surface of the first rotating body 223 is inclined at the predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal plane. Further, radial ribs 223A are formed on the upper surface of the first rotor 223 at predetermined intervals. The first rotating body 223 is rotatably supported by the housing of the variable cassette 22 and connected to a drive gear 223B shown in FIGS.

The second rotating body 224 is a hollow ring-shaped member arranged around the first rotating body 223 in a plan view, and conveys the tablet in the tablet accommodating portion 222 to the dispensing opening 225 so that the dispensing opening 225 It is an example of a conveying member to be delivered from. Also, the upper end of the first rotating body 223 is positioned on the same horizontal plane as the second rotating body 224 . The second rotating body 224 is rotatably supported by the casing of the variable cassette 22, and has a driving gear 224A shown in FIG. 6 formed on its outer peripheral surface.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the mounting part 221 includes a driving gear 221A connected to the driving gear 223B of the first rotating body 223 when the variable cassette 22 is mounted, and the second rotating body. 224 includes a drive gear 221B connected to the drive gear 224A. The driving gear 221 A is connected to the driving motor 241 of the second driving section 24 , and the driving gear 221 B is connected to the driving motor 242 of the second driving section 24 .

Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the variable cassette 22 has a height regulating member 226 and a width regulating member 226 arranged on the dispensing path of the tablets conveyed to the dispensing port 225 by the second rotating body 224. A regulating member 227 is provided.

The height regulating member 226 regulates the size in the height direction of the tablet that can be conveyed to the dispensing port 225 by the second rotating body 224 , and the width regulating member 227 regulates the size of the tablet that can be dispensed by the second rotating body 224 . It regulates the widthwise size of tablets that can be conveyed to the exit 225 . As a result, in the variable cassette 22, the tablets placed on the second rotating body 224 are within the height h1 regulated by the height regulating member 226 and the width w1 regulated by the width regulating member 227. Only tablets are dispensed from the dispensing port 225 . Therefore, in the variable cassette 22, the height h1 and the width w1 are equal to or greater than the height and width of one tablet accommodated in the tablet accommodating portion 222 and are at least equal to the height and width of two tablets. If it is small, it is possible to dispense the tablet in units of one tablet. More specifically, in the variable cassette 22 , when the center of gravity of the tablet exists on the second rotating body 224 , the tablet may remain on the second rotating body 224 . It is conceivable that the regulated width w1 is set to be equal to or larger than the width of one tablet and smaller than the width of 1.5 tablets.

The variable cassette 22 has a height adjusting portion 226A for changing the height h1 regulated by the height regulating member 226 and a width w1 regulated by the width regulating member 227. and a width adjusting portion 227A. A pinion gear meshing with a rack (gear) formed on the inner peripheral surface of the elongated hole 227B formed in the width restricting member 227 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the width adjusting portion 227A.

The height adjuster 226A is rotatably supported by the housing of the variable cassette 22 and connected to a drive gear 226B shown in FIG. The height adjuster 226A moves the position of the lower end of the height regulating member 226 up and down by being rotationally driven, and changes the height h1 regulated by the height regulating member 226. As shown in FIG.

The width adjusting portion 227A is rotatably supported by the housing of the variable cassette 22 and connected to a drive gear 227C shown in FIG. The width adjusting portion 227A changes the amount of protrusion of the width restricting member 227 toward the tablet accommodating portion 222 by rotationally driving the drive gear 227C. to change Specifically, the amount of protrusion of the width regulating member 227 toward the tablet accommodating portion 222 is such that the width adjusting portion 227A and the long hole 227B move in the direction of arrow R3 (see FIG. 4) due to the rotation of the driving gear 227C. Modified by relative movement.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the mounting portion 221 includes a drive gear 221C connected to the drive gear 226B and a drive gear 221D connected to the drive gear 227C when the variable cassette 22 is mounted. I have. The driving gear 221C is connected to the driving motor 243 of the second driving section 24, and the driving gear 221D is connected to the driving motor 244 of the second driving section 24. As shown in FIG.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the variable cassette 22 and the mounting portion 221 are provided with a driving gear 228A and a driving gear 228B that are connected when the variable cassette 22 is mounted on the mounting portion 221. ing. The drive gear 228A is connected to a lifting mechanism (not shown) that vertically moves the first rotor 223, and the drive gear 228B is connected to a drive motor (not shown). Accordingly, when the driving motor is driven, driving force is transmitted from the driving gear 228B to the driving gear 228A, and the first rotating body 223 can be moved up and down by the lifting mechanism. Therefore, in the medicine dispensing device 100, it is possible to change the volume of the tablet accommodating portion 222 by moving the first rotating body 223 up and down, and the number of tablets that can be accommodated in the tablet accommodating portion 222 is can be arbitrarily adjusted. Therefore, the variable cassette 22 can be used both for applications in which the number of tablets to be accommodated is small and applications in which the number of tablets to be accommodated is large.

In the variable cassette 22, when the first rotating body 223 is rotated in the rotation direction R1 (see FIGS. 4 and 5), the tablets in the tablet containing portion 222 are transferred from the first rotating body 223 to the second rotating body. It is discharged to the rotating body 224 . In addition, in the variable cassette 22, when the second rotating body 224 is rotated in the rotation direction R2 (see FIGS. 4 and 5), the tablets on the second rotating body 224 are transported toward the ejection port 225. be done.

However, among the tablets conveyed by the second rotating body 224 , the tablets stacked in the height direction come into contact with the height regulating member 226 and are returned to the tablet accommodating portion 222 . In addition, among the tablets conveyed by the second rotating body 224 , the tablets that are conveyed side by side in the width direction come into contact with the width restricting member 227 and are returned to the tablet accommodating portion 222 .

As a result, in the variable cassette 22, tablets having a size corresponding to the height h1 regulated by the height regulating portion 226 and the width w1 regulated by the width regulating member 227 are The tablets are conveyed to the payout port 225 in a state where they are arranged one by one in the upper circumferential direction. Therefore, in the variable cassette 22, it is possible to dispense the tablets accommodated in the tablet accommodating portion 222 one tablet at a time, and it is possible to control the amount of the tablets to be dispensed.

As described above, when the variable cassette 22 is used, the height h1 regulated by the height regulating member 226 and the width w1 regulated by the width regulating member 227 can be changed. It is possible to dispense one tablet at a time.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, each of the variable cassettes 22 is provided with a display section 25 whose display contents can be changed. Here, the display unit 25 is electronic paper in which, once the display content is written by energization, the display of the display content is maintained even in a non-energization state thereafter.

Specifically, each of the variable cassette 22 and the mounting portion 221 is provided with a contact type connector (not shown) that is connected when the variable cassette 22 is mounted on the mounting portion 221 . Here, the display section 25 is connected to the connector on the variable cassette 22 side, and the prescription control unit 1 is connected to the connector on the mounting section 221 side. When the variable cassette 22 is attached to the attachment portion 221, the display portion 25 and the prescription control unit 1 are electrically connected by the connector. Thereby, the prescription control unit 1 can change the display of each display section 25 . The display unit 25 is not limited to electronic paper, and may be other display means such as a liquid crystal display. Further, it is conceivable that the display portion 25 is provided in the mounting portion 221 to which the variable cassette 22 is mounted corresponding to each of the variable cassettes 22 .

Further, each variable cassette 22 incorporates an RFID tag 26 for storing various information, as shown in FIG. The RFID tag 26 is a non-volatile recording medium whose stored information can be rewritten by the RFID reader/writer 245. As described above, the cassette identification information of each of the variable cassettes 22 and the identification information of each of the variable cassettes 22 assigned to each of the variable cassettes 22 It is used to store the drug information and the like that have been received. The RFID tag 26 is mounted on a control board provided in each of the variable cassettes 22, and the control board controls the display of the display section 25 of the variable cassette 22 according to the control signal from the prescription control unit 1. It also has the ability to change The control board is supplied with power supplied through the connector, power supplied from a power storage unit such as a battery mounted on the control board, or power supplied when writing information to the RFID tag 26. An electric circuit driven by electric power is installed. It is also another embodiment that each of the variable cassettes 22 has another recording medium such as an EEPROM from which the prescription control unit 1 can read and write information through the connector instead of the RFID tag 26. can be considered as

[Powder medicine supply unit 3]
As shown in FIG. 1, the powdered medicine supply unit 3 has two input parts 31 and 32, and the powdered medicines input to the respective input parts 31 and 32 are preset by the prescription control unit 1. The medicine is supplied to the packaging unit 5 in units of packaging such as dosage timing.

Specifically, the powdered medicine supply unit 3 has a dispensing part that spreads out the powdered medicine put into the feeding part 31 evenly on a disk and scrapes out the powdered medicine at every predetermined angle corresponding to the packaging unit, and the feeding part 32 . It is provided with two sets of dispensing parts for spreading the charged powdered medicine evenly on a disk and raking it out at predetermined angles corresponding to the unit of packaging. The powdered medicines to be fed into the powdered medicine supply unit 3 are weighed in advance using a weighing device as the total amount of prescribed medicines to be prescribed to the patient.

[Manual unit 4]
The manual distributing unit 4 includes a manual distributing storage section provided with a plurality of squares into which tablets are put in units of packaging such as preset dosing times, and the tablets accommodated in each of the squares. A manual dispensing part for dispensing to the packaging unit 5 is provided. A plurality of the masses are arranged in a matrix in the manual distribution container. For example, the manual dispensing section may be configured to dispense the tablets contained in the trays by individually opening and closing the bottom surfaces of the trays of the manual distribution tray. In the medicine dispensing device 100, the manual distributing unit 4 is used to dispense half tablets smaller than one tablet, for example, and is well known in the art, so the description is omitted here. Conventionally, the manual dispensing unit 4 was also used to dispense any tablets that were not stored in the fixed cassette 21 in advance. 22 can be used to pay out. Of course, it is also possible to use the manual dispensing unit 4 to dispense any tablets that are not stored in the fixed cassette 21 .

[Packaging unit 5]
The packaging unit 5 accommodates the medicines supplied from the tablet supply unit 2, the powdered medicine supply unit 3, and the manual distribution unit 4 in one packaging paper in units of packaging such as dosing timing. For example, the sachet-packaging unit 5 packages the medicine in the sachet-by-package unit with a transparent or semi-transparent roll-shaped medicine packaging sheet and seals it by welding or the like. As a result, the medicine packaging sheet containing the medicine in the packaging unit is discharged from the packaging unit 5 .

Here, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the medicine package sheet 51 discharged from the packaging unit 5. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8 , a plurality of packaging sheets 52 in which a plurality of tablets are packaged in units of packaging are continuously formed on the medicine packaging sheet 51 . A perforation line 52A (perforation line) is formed on each of the packaging papers 52 for easy separation. When powdered medicine is included in the prescription data, the packaging unit 5 can package the powdered medicine supplied from the powdered medicine supply unit 3 in the packaging paper 52 . Further, the packaging unit 5 is provided with a printing section (not shown) for printing information on each of the packaging papers 52, and the surface of each packaging paper 52 is printed with the printing section (not shown). ) can print prescription information such as the patient's name, dosing time, prescribed medication, or prescribed amount.

[Packaging control unit 6]
The packaging control unit 6, as shown in FIG. to cause the medicine dispenser 100 to perform the packaging operation. The packaging control unit 6 is incorporated in the medicine dispenser 100. As shown in FIG.

The control unit 61 is control means having a CPU, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, and the like. The control unit 61 causes the CPU to execute various processes according to various programs pre-stored in storage means such as the ROM, the EEPROM, or the storage unit 62 . The RAM and EEPROM are used as temporary memory (work areas) for various processes executed by the CPU. The controller 61 may be an integrated circuit such as ASIC or DSP.

The storage unit 62 is storage means such as a hard disk device or an SSD (Solid State Drive) that stores various data. Specifically, the storage unit 62 stores in advance a first drug dispensing program for causing a computer such as the control unit 61 to execute a packaging control process (see the right side of FIG. 11), which will be described later. The first medicine dispensing program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD, DVD, or semiconductor memory, and is read from the recording medium by a reading device such as a disk drive (not shown). Installed in the storage unit 12 . The present invention can be regarded as an invention of the computer-readable recording medium recording the first medicine dispensing program.

[Barcode reader 7]
The bar code reader 7 reads a code that identifies a drug, and is a JAN code or an RSS code written on a tablet storage container (box, bottle, etc.) provided on a drug shelf in a pharmacy or on a PTP sheet. , or a mobile terminal such as a PDA that reads the QR code (registered trademark). The bar code reader 7 may be a conventionally well-known picking assist device that is used by pharmacists to pick medicines, for example. The picking assist device is used when a pharmacist or the like takes out a drug from a drug shelf according to a prescription and manually dispenses it. Check against prescription data.

The information read by the bar code reader 7 is input from the bar code reader 7 to the prescription control unit 1 by wireless communication. By using wireless communication in this way, the bar code reader 7 can be freely carried to the medicine dispensing device 100 or the medicine shelf, and the operation of inserting tablets into the variable cassette 22 can be performed at any place. is also possible. Of course, it is also conceivable for the barcode reader 7 to be wired to the prescription control unit 1 . When a plurality of medicine dispensers 100 are installed in a pharmacy, the bar code reader 7 previously associated with each medicine dispenser 100 is individually installed.

[Prescription control unit 1]
The prescription control unit 1 is a computer that comprehensively controls the drug delivery device 100 . As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the prescription control unit 1 includes a control section 11, a storage section 12, a monitor 13, an operation section 14, a communication IF 15, and the like.

The control unit 11 is control means having a CPU, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, and the like. The control unit 11 causes the CPU to execute various processes according to various programs pre-stored in storage means such as the ROM, the EEPROM, or the storage unit 12 . The CPU is a processor that executes various processes, and the RAM and EEPROM are used as temporary storage memory (work area) for various processes executed by the CPU. The controller 11 may be an integrated circuit such as ASIC or DSP.

The storage unit 12 is storage means such as a hard disk device or an SSD (Solid State Drive) that stores various data. Specifically, the storage unit 12 stores in advance a second medicine dispensing program for causing a computer such as the control unit 11 to execute a medicine dispensing process (see the left side of FIG. 11), which will be described later.

Specifically, the control unit 11 includes a display processing unit 111 , a reception processing unit 112 and an allocation processing unit 113 . The control unit 11 functions as the display processing unit 111, the reception processing unit 112, and the allocation processing unit 113 by executing various processes according to the second medicine dispensing program.

As will be described later in the medicine dispensing process (see FIG. 11), the display processing unit 111 sets a plurality of selection areas for selecting each of the variable cassettes 22 in the medicine dispensing device 100. It is possible to display a selection screen displayed in the same array as the array. The reception processing unit 112 can receive a selection operation of the selection area on the selection screen. Further, the reception processing unit 112 can also receive an input operation of drug information to be dispensed. The allocation processing unit 113 can allocate drug information to be dispensed to the variable cassette 22 corresponding to the selection area received by the reception processing unit 112 .

The second medicine dispensing program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD, DVD, or semiconductor memory, and is read from the recording medium by a reading device such as a disk drive (not shown). Installed in the storage unit 12 . The present invention can be regarded as an invention of the computer-readable recording medium recording the second medicine dispensing program. In this embodiment, the first medicine dispensing program and the second medicine dispensing program are examples of medicine dispensing programs for causing the medicine dispensing device 100 to execute various processes.

Further, it is conceivable that the medicine delivery device 100 does not have the packaging control unit 6 and the prescription control unit 1 functions as the packaging control unit 6 as well. Specifically, the storage unit 12 stores a medicine dispensing program in which the first medicine dispensing program and the second medicine dispensing program are integrated. It is conceivable to execute a medicine dispensing process and a packaging control process. The present invention can also be regarded as an invention of the computer-readable recording medium recording the medicine dispensing program.

The storage unit 12 also stores various databases such as a drug master, a patient master, a cassette master, and a pharmacy master. Note that the control unit 11 reads the various data stored in the storage unit 12 based on data read from a recording medium such as a CD, DVD, or semiconductor memory by a reading device such as a disk drive (not shown). database can be updated. Further, the control section 11 can change the contents of the various databases according to the user's operation on the operation section 14 .

The drug master includes drug ID, drug code, drug name, JAN code (or RSS code), drug bottle code, category (dosage form: powdered medicine, tablet, liquid medicine, topical medicine, etc.), tablet size (height and range), specific gravity, drug type (ordinary drug, poison, narcotic, powerful drug, antipsychotic drug, therapeutic drug, etc.), compounding change, excipient drug, precautions, etc. The patient master includes patient-related information such as patient ID, name, sex, age, medical history, prescription drug history, family information, department, ward, and room. The pharmacy master includes pharmacy-related information such as the name of the pharmacy, the name of the pharmacist, and the ID of the pharmacist. Further, the cassette master is information indicating the correspondence relationship between the cassette identification information of each fixed cassette 21 and the medicine information assigned to each fixed cassette 21 . The said cassette master is registered by the said control part 11 according to user operation of the said operation part 14 in the initial setting of the said medicine dispensing apparatus 100, for example.

Further, the storage unit 12 stores allocation information 121 indicating the allocation state of the variable cassette 22 and the drug information, and drive correspondence information 122 indicating the correspondence between the drug information and the drive conditions of the variable cassette 22. remembered. The allocation information 121 and the drive correspondence information 122 are used in a medicine dispensing process, which will be described later, executed by the control unit 11 .

Here, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the allocation information 121, and FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the drive correspondence information 122. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the allocation information 121, medicine IDs indicating the types of tablets currently allocated to each of the variable cassettes 22 are stored as medicine information. Of course, drug information such as a tablet name, drug code, JAN code (or RSS code) may be stored instead of the drug ID. Further, here, cassette numbers "C1" to "C4" are set in advance as the cassette identification information for the four variable cassettes 22 arranged in order from left to right in the tablet supply unit 2. do. The cassette identification information is also stored in the RFID tag 26 of each variable cassette 22 . In the allocation information 121, it is stored that the variable cassette 22 to which no medicine information is currently allocated is unallocated. Specifically, in the allocation information 121 shown in FIG. 9, among the variable cassettes 22, cassette number "C1" has medicine information of medicine ID "M1", and cassette number "C3" has medicine information of medicine ID "M2". Information has been assigned, and cassette numbers "C2" and "C4" have not yet been assigned drug information. The data structure of the allocation information 121 shown in FIG. 9 is merely an example, and the allocation information 121 may be stored in the storage unit 12 as one item of the drug master, for example. In this case, the cassette identification information of the variable cassette 22 assigned to each drug is stored in association with each drug included in the drug master.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the drive correspondence information 122 stores drive conditions preset corresponding to each drug information. The driving conditions include a pre-driving condition regarding adjustment of the variable cassette 22 before starting dispensing of tablets from the variable cassette 22, a driving condition regarding driving control during dispensing of tablets from the variable cassette 22, and There are three kinds of conditions for drive stop conditions related to drive control when dispensing of tablets from the variable cassette 22 is stopped.

Specifically, in the example of the drive correspondence information 122 shown in FIG. 10, as the drive condition corresponding to each tablet whose medicine ID is "M1", "M2", "M3", and "M4", the dispensing route Information on each item of height, width of payout path, payout speed, first slowdown, second slowdown, and reverse rotation operation is stored. The drive conditions are merely an example. For example, in the case where the variable cassette 22 vibrates to dispense tablets one by one, the vibration frequency or amplitude of the vibration is determined as the drive conditions. can be considered.

The height of the dispensing path and the width of the dispensing path are examples of the pre-driving conditions, and the tablets are dispensed one by one from the dispensing opening 225 by the second rotating body 224 of the variable cassette 22. are the values of the height h1 and the width w1 (see FIG. 5) preset as possible values.

The dispensing speed is an example of the in-driving condition, and is a rotation speed suitable for each drug information as the rotation speed of the second rotor 224 when dispensing tablets from the variable cassette 22 . For example, if the size of the tablet is small and the rotational speed of the drive motor 242 is high, the tablet is likely to be dispensed excessively before the drive motor 242 stops. On the other hand, if the size of the tablet is large, even if the rotational speed of the drive motor 242 is high, the extra tablets are not dispensed until the drive motor 242 stops. Therefore, it is conceivable that, for example, the tablet dispensing speed set as the driving condition, that is, the tablet conveying speed by the second rotating body 224, differs depending on the size of the tablet. Specifically, it is conceivable that the dispensing speed when the tablet size is large is set to a higher value than the dispensing speed when the tablet size is small. Note that the dispensing speed is not limited to the format of [lock/min] shown in FIG. . Furthermore, it is conceivable that not only the rotation speed of the second rotor 224 but also the rotation speed of the first rotor 223 is set as the drive condition.

The first slow-down and the second slow-down are examples of conditions at the time of stopping the drive, and when the dispensing of tablets from the variable cassette 22 is stopped, the rotational speed of the second rotating body 224 is gradually increased. This is information about the execution timing of the slowdown that decelerates. The first slowdown defines the timing of decelerating the rotation speed of the second rotating body 224 to a predetermined first rotation speed. Further, the second slowdown defines the timing of decelerating the rotation speed of the second rotating body 224 from the first rotation speed to a second rotation speed, which is still slower. For example, if the tablets stored in the variable cassette 22 have a rounded shape and roll easily, the tablets may roll and be dispensed after stopping the driving of the second rotating body 224. Therefore, the start timings of the first slow-down and the second slow-down are each set earlier for a tablet having a shape such as a sphere that rolls easily. In this embodiment, the start timings of the first slowdown and the second slowdown are set according to the remaining number of tablets to be dispensed from the variable cassette 22 . As a result, extra tablets are prevented from being dispensed when dispensing of tablets from the variable cassette 22 is stopped. On the other hand, since the start timings of the first slow-down and the second slow-down are set late for a tablet having a shape that is difficult to roll when the drive of the second rotating body 224 is stopped, the slow-down is unnecessary. Delay in payout time due to is suppressed.

In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the start timings of the first slowdown and the second slowdown are set as the driving stop condition. It is also conceivable that the speed is set as the drive stop condition. For example, if the second rotating body 224 is suddenly stopped for a tablet having a shape that is easy to roll, such as a sphere, there is a risk that the tablet will roll afterward and be dispensed in excess. Therefore, it is conceivable to set the deceleration to a small value, for example, for a tablet having a shape that rolls easily.

The item of the reverse rotation operation is an example of the condition at the time of stopping the drive, and when the dispensing of the tablets from the variable cassette 22 is stopped, the conveying direction of the tablets by the second rotating body 224 is reversed. This is information regarding whether or not the reverse rotation operation for switching is to be executed. For example, if the tablets remaining on the second rotating body 224 may roll and be dispensed in excess by simply stopping the driving of the second rotating body 224, the tablets having a shape that is easy to roll, such as a sphere, may be ejected in excess. The action is set to "yes". As a result, extra tablets are prevented from being dispensed when dispensing of tablets from the variable cassette 22 is stopped. For a tablet having a shape that does not easily roll when the drive of the second rotating body 224 is stopped, the reverse rotation operation is set to "No", and the unnecessary reverse rotation operation is not performed.

The data structure of the drive correspondence information 122 shown in FIG. 10 is merely an example, and the drive condition defined by the drive correspondence information 122 is stored in the storage unit 12 as one item of the drug master, for example. may have been

Further, in the present embodiment, in the drive correspondence information 122, the drive conditions (see FIG. 10) corresponding to each of the drug information include the height of the dispensing path, the width of the dispensing path, the dispensing speed, the first slowdown, A case in which the items of the second slowdown and the reverse rotation operation are included will be described as an example. On the other hand, the medicine dispensing device 100 sets any one or more of the following items: height of the dispensing path, width of the dispensing path, dispensing speed, first slowdown, second slowdown, and reverse rotation operation. Using as is also considered as another embodiment. That is, in the medicine dispensing device 100, one or more of the pre-driving condition, the in-driving condition, and the driving stop condition are set in advance as the driving condition corresponding to each medicine information. can be considered. Further, a plurality of conditions such as the pre-driving condition, the driving condition, and the driving stop condition are set in advance as the driving condition corresponding to each drug information. As the drive condition to be set, one or a plurality of conditions such as the pre-driving condition, the driving condition, and the driving stop condition can be selected.

The monitor 13 is display means such as a liquid crystal monitor that displays various information and operation screens according to control instructions from the control unit 11 . For example, the monitor 13 displays various information such as a prescription data input screen, a prescription data selection screen, and a variable cassette 22 selection screen.

The operation unit 14 is operation means such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel for receiving user operations, and inputs operation signals corresponding to user operations to the control unit 11 . The operation unit 14 performs, for example, an input operation for prescription data on the input screen displayed on the monitor 13, an operation for selecting prescription data on the selection screen, an operation for selecting the variable cassette 22 on the selection screen, and an operation for inputting the prescription data. It is a touch panel that accepts various operation inputs such as an operation for issuing prescription data requesting the start of packaging.

The communication IF 15 is a communication interface for connecting the drug dispensing device 100 to a communication network N3 such as a LAN, and communicates with a host system such as the prescription input terminal 200 connected via the communication network N3. Execute data communication. The prescription input terminal 200 is, for example, an electronic medical record system installed in a hospital or a health care facility for the elderly, or a dispensing management system installed in a pharmacy inside or outside the hospital. The communication IF 15 also includes a wireless communication interface such as a wireless communication card for performing wireless data communication with various wireless communication devices such as the barcode reader 7 .

The communication IF 15 acquires prescription data from the prescription input terminal 200 and inputs the prescription data to the control section 11 . For example, the communication IF 15 monitors whether or not prescription data is stored in a predetermined storage area of storage means provided in the prescription input terminal 200, and whether or not the prescription data is stored in the predetermined storage area. the prescription data is read from the predetermined storage area. Of course, the communication IF 15 may receive the prescription data transmitted from the prescription input terminal 200 .

[Drug dispensing process and packaging control process]
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 11, in the drug delivery device 100, the drug delivery processing executed by the control section 11 of the prescription control unit 1 and the processing executed by the control section 61 of the packaging control unit 6 will be described. An example of the procedure of the wrap control process will be described. Here, the processing procedures (steps) executed by the control unit 11 are referred to as steps S1, S2, . . . , and the processing procedures (steps) performed by the control unit 61 are referred to as steps S21, S22, . . It is also conceivable that either one of the control unit 11 and the control unit 61 executes a series of processes for obtaining processing results similar to those of the medicine dispensing process and the packaging control process.

(Prescription control unit 1 side: step S1)
First, in step S1, the control section 11 determines whether or not there is a request for issuing prescription data. Specifically, the control section 11 determines that the prescription data issuance request has been made when an issuance operation for issuing pre-registered prescription data is performed on the operation section 14 . The prescription data is acquired from a host system such as the prescription input terminal 200 or the like.

Here, if there is no prescription data issuance request (No in S1), the control unit 11 shifts the process to step S11. On the other hand, when the control section 11 determines that there is a request for issuing the prescription data (Yes side of S1), the process proceeds to step S2. When the control unit 11 receives the prescription data from a host system such as the prescription input terminal 200, it judges that there is a request for issuing the prescription data without requiring the issuing operation, and proceeds to step S2. , is also considered as another embodiment.

(Prescription control unit 1 side: step S2)
Next, in step S2, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the fixed cassette 21 corresponding to all the medicine information input as the medicine information indicating the tablets to be dispensed by the prescription data exists. Specifically, based on the cassette master stored in the storage unit 12, the control unit 11 determines whether or not a tablet that is not in each of the fixed cassettes 21 is included in the prescription data as prescription medicine. do. The cassette master is read by a reading device such as the RFID reader/writer 232 provided in each mounting part 211 based on drug information read from an RFID tag (not shown) provided in each fixed cassette 21. It is updated by the control unit 11 . Further, the control unit 11 can display an editing screen for editing the cassette master on the monitor 13, and can update the cassette master according to the user's operation of the operation unit 14 on the editing screen. be.

Here, if it is determined that the fixed cassette 21 corresponding to the drug information to be dispensed does not exist (No side of S2), that is, if the prescription drug included in the prescription data is contained in the fixed cassette 21, If a tablet of a non-existent type is included, the control section 11 shifts the process to step S3.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the fixed cassettes 21 corresponding to all the medicine information to be dispensed exist (Yes side of S2), that is, all types of tablets included in the prescription data as prescription drugs are stored in the fixed cassettes. 21, the control unit 11 shifts the process to step S7. In this case, in the step S7, a request to start the packing operation is transmitted to the control unit 61 using each of the fixed cassettes 21, and the control unit 61 performs the processing for executing the packing operation. executed.

If the medicine dispensing device 100 does not include the fixed cassette 21, the process of step S2 is omitted, and the controller 11 determines that the prescription data issuance request has been issued in step S1. It is also possible to shift the process to step S3 in some cases.

In addition, it is conceivable that the storage unit 12 stores preset allocation-excluded medicine information as medicine information that is not allocated to the variable cassette 22 . Then, when the fixed cassette 21 corresponding to the medicine information to be dispensed does not exist and the medicine information to be dispensed corresponds to the medicine information to be dispensed, the control unit 11 transfers to the variable cassette 22 It is conceivable to cause the monitor 13 to display that the manual distributing unit 4 should be used without executing the assignment of . For example, if a tablet to which colored powder is highly likely to adhere in the variable cassette 22 is set as the excluded medicine information, the colored powder will adhere to the next tablet contained in the variable cassette 22. can be prevented. Also, it is conceivable to display on the monitor 13 that the manual dispensing unit 4 should be used for medicines that are not suitable for dispensing with the variable cassette 22 . Note that the control unit 11 determines whether or not the medicine information to be dispensed corresponds to the medicine information to be excluded from allocation without judging whether or not the fixed cassette 21 corresponding to the medicine information to be dispensed exists. Determining whether or not is also considered as another embodiment. In this case, when the medicine information to be dispensed corresponds to the medicine information to be excluded from allocation, the control unit 11 indicates that the manual dispensing unit 4 should be used without executing the allocation to the variable cassette 22. Displaying on the monitor 13 is also considered as another embodiment.

(Prescription control unit 1 side: step S3)
In step S<b>3 , the control unit 11 allocates medicine information for which the corresponding fixed cassette 21 does not exist among the medicine information to be dispensed input by the prescription data to the unallocated variable cassette 22 . When the prescription data contains a plurality of drug information for which the corresponding fixed cassette 21 does not exist, the control unit 11 allocates the variable cassette 22 to each of the drug information.

Specifically, the control unit 11 executes a process of specifying the currently communicable (controllable) variable cassette 22 among the variable cassettes 22 . For example, the control unit 11 determines that the variable cassette 22 for which the RFID reader/writer 245 successfully reads information from the RFID tag 26 among the variable cassettes 22 is ready for communication.

Based on the allocation information 121 (see FIG. 9), the control unit 11 determines whether or not the current medicine information is assigned to each of the variable cassettes 22 that are currently communicable, and determines the medicine information to be dispensed. is assigned to the unassigned variable cassette 22 . At this time, when the variable cassette 22 to which the medicine information is assigned is determined, the control section 11 updates the content of the assignment information 121 according to the assignment result. The variable cassette 22 assigned to the drug information in this way can communicate with the control unit 11 , and the control unit 11 can write information to the electronic paper 25 . Note that the control unit 11 may set each of the variable cassettes 22 as a candidate for allocation without determining whether or not each of the variable cassettes 22 can communicate.

Here, it is conceivable that there are a plurality of candidates for the variable cassette 22 to which the medicine information is assigned. In this case, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the medicine information is assigned based on, for example, a preset priority among the variable cassettes 22, and the variable cassette that is first determined to be unassigned. 22 may be assigned the drug information.
In addition, the control unit 11 determines whether or not to assign the medicine information in order from the variable cassette 22 with the lowest number of times of use so that the number of times of use of each of the variable cassettes 22 is even. It is also conceivable to assign the drug information to the variable cassette 22 determined to be . Further, the control unit 11 selects the variable cassette 22 in which the medicine information allocated immediately before is the same as the medicine information to be allocated this time or medicine information having a tablet size close to the medicine information to be allocated this time. It is also possible. When the unassigned variable cassette 22 does not exist, the control unit 11 notifies the user by displaying the fact on the monitor 13 .

Further, in step S3, the control unit 11 controls the RFID reader/writer 245 so that the RFID tag 26 of each variable cassette 22 to which the drug information is assigned is assigned to the variable cassette 22. Record the drug information. At this time, along with the drug information, the control unit 11 stores various information such as the amount of tablets to be dispensed indicated by the drug information, the patient's name, the date and time of allocation, the name of the pharmacist in charge, and the identification information of the prescription based on the prescription data. It is also possible to record

On the other hand, it is conceivable as another embodiment that the drug information is not recorded on the RFID tag 26 of the variable cassette 22 . Specifically, it is conceivable that the cassette identification information is recorded in the RFID tag 26 in advance, and the RFID reader/writer 245 is an RFID reader that can only read information. Even in this case, the control unit 11 can recognize the drug information assigned to the variable cassette 22 based on the cassette identification information read from the RFID tag 26 and the assignment information (see FIG. 9). is possible.

(Prescription control unit 1 side: step S11)
On the other hand, if the prescription data issuance request has not been made, in the following step S11, the control section 11 determines whether or not a request operation for starting manual input of prescription data using the operation section 14 has been performed. to decide. For example, the control unit 11 determines that the request operation has been performed when a prescription input start key displayed on the display screen of the monitor 13 is operated. Here, if it is determined that the request operation has been performed (S11: Yes), the process proceeds to step S12, and if it is determined that the request operation has not been performed (S11: No), the process proceeds to step S12. The process returns to step S1.

(Prescription control unit 1 side: step S12)
In step S<b>12 , the control section 11 causes the monitor 13 to display an input screen for inputting the prescription data, and receives the input of the prescription data according to the user's operation on the operation section 14 . The reception processing is executed by the reception processing unit 112 of the control unit 11. FIG.

The content of the prescription data input here includes information on one drug to be dispensed, dosage and usage of the drug information, and the like. That is, in steps S12 to S15, processing is executed individually for each drug information. The drug information may be read by the bar code reader 7 from a tablet storage container or a PTP sheet. Then, when the prescription data is input, the process proceeds to step S13.

(Prescription control unit 1 side: step S13)
In step S13, the control unit 11 causes the monitor 13 to display a selection screen for selecting a cassette to be used for dispensing the medicine to be dispensed corresponding to the medicine information from the plurality of fixed cassettes 21 and the variable cassettes 22. Display P1. This display processing is executed by the display processing unit 111. FIG. Here, FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the selection screen P1.

In the selection screen P1 shown in FIG. 13, the specific area A1 corresponding to each of the fixed cassettes 21 is arranged in the same arrangement as the arrangement of each of the fixed cassettes 21 and the variable cassettes 22 when the medicine dispenser 100 is viewed from the front. and the selection area A2 corresponding to each of the variable cassettes 22 are displayed. Specifically, a total of 54 specific areas A1 corresponding to the fixed cassettes 21 are displayed, 6 vertical by 9 horizontal. A total of 4 are displayed. The selection area A2 is larger in size than the specific area A1. Also, in each of the specific areas A1, drug information such as the name of the drug stored in the fixed cassette 21 corresponding to each of the specific areas A1 is displayed. The control unit 11 may display information for identifying the current allocation target drug, such as the drug name of the drug corresponding to the drug information input in step S12, on the selection screen P1. good.

By the way, the number of the specific areas A1 and the selection areas A2 displayed on the selection screen P1 of FIG. 13 is the maximum display number. For example, the display of the specific area A1 and the selection area A2 corresponding to the mounting portion 211 and the mounting portion 221 to which the fixed cassette 21 or the variable cassette 22 is not mounted may be omitted. Further, even when the fixed cassette 21 or the variable cassette 22 is not mounted, a specific pattern such as a display frame may be displayed instead of the specific area A1 or the selection area A2. That is, each of the specific area A1 and the selection area A2 may be displayed in the same arrangement as that of the mounting part 211 and the mounting part 221, respectively. In this case, the control unit 11 controls the specific area A1 or the selection area A2 corresponding to the mounting unit 211 or the mounting unit 221 to which the fixed cassette 21 or the variable cassette 22 is not mounted. is not displayed and the selection operation is not accepted.

Further, the control unit 11 causes the selection area A2 corresponding to the variable cassette 22 and the selection area A2 corresponding to the variable cassette 22 to be displayed by displaying a surrounding line L1 around the selection area A2 corresponding to the variable cassette 22 on the selection screen P1. The specific area A1 corresponding to the fixed cassette 21 is displayed so as to be identifiable. Note that the manner in which the variable cassette 22 (selection area A2) and the fixed cassette 21 (specific area A1) can be distinguished is not limited to the surrounding line L1, and can be distinguished by, for example, a difference in background color or size. There may be. Further, information for identifying either the variable cassette 22 or the fixed cassette 21 may be displayed in association with the selection area A2 and the specific area A1. Further, information indicating whether the cassette type is the variable cassette 22 or the fixed cassette 21 is displayed in the individual display areas corresponding to the variable cassette 22 and the fixed cassette 21 respectively on the selection screen P1. good.

By the way, on the selection screen P1, the specific area A1 corresponding to the fixed cassette 21 may not be displayed, and only the selection area A2 corresponding to the variable cassette 22 may be displayed. That is, when the prescription data is manually input, the variable cassette 22 may always be selected. Further, the control unit 11 allows the user to switch between a first display state in which both the selection area A2 and the specific area A1 are displayed on the selection screen P1 and a second display state in which only the selection area A2 is displayed. It may be switchable according to the operation. Further, when there is the fixed cassette 21 capable of dispensing the medicine in the medicine information input in step S12, the control section 11 displays both the selection area A2 and the specific area A1, and displays the selection area A1. If there is no fixed cassette 21 from which the medicine of the medicine information input in S12 can be dispensed, it is conceivable to display only the selection area A2. Note that the control unit 11 may omit the steps S13 to S15 when there is the fixed cassette 21 capable of dispensing the medicine of the medicine information input in the step S12. That is, if there is the fixed cassette 21 capable of dispensing the medicine corresponding to the medicine information input in step S12, the fixed cassette 21 is automatically selected as the cassette to be used for dispensing the medicine. good too. In this case, it is conceivable that the control unit 11 accepts selection of an arbitrary variable cassette 22 by user operation and assigns the medicine information to the selected variable cassette 22 .

Further, when there is the fixed cassette 21 or the variable cassette 22 from which the drug in the drug information input in step S12 can be dispensed, the control unit 11 displays the fixed cassette 21 or the variable cassette 22 on the selection screen P1. It is conceivable to highlight and display the specific area A1 or the selected area A2 corresponding to the cassette 22 . For example, it is conceivable to change the character color, background color, or the like of the specific area A1 or the selected area A2 corresponding to the fixed cassette 21 or the variable cassette 22 to a predetermined red or the like. Thereby, the user can easily grasp whether or not there is the fixed cassette 21 or the variable cassette 22 from which the medicine corresponding to the medicine information can be dispensed. The mode of highlighting is not limited to a difference in display color as long as it is a mode that can be distinguished from the other fixed cassettes 21 or variable cassettes 22 .

Further, the control unit 11 displays an allocation state indicating the allocation state of drug information to each of the selection areas A2 in each of the selection areas A2. Specifically, "unassigned" is displayed in the selection area A2 corresponding to the variable cassette 22 to which drug information is not assigned. It should be noted that the blank selection area A2 may indicate that no medicine information has been assigned. Further, it is conceivable that the selected area A2 may be displayed in such a way that the allocated area is displayed in blue and the unallocated area is displayed in red so that the status can be identified. Also, in the selection area A2 corresponding to the variable cassette 22 to which the drug information is assigned, the name of the drug corresponding to the assigned drug information is displayed so that the drug information has already been assigned. The fact that there is a drug and the type of medicine assigned to it are displayed. Of course, "assigned" may be displayed in the selection area A2 corresponding to the assigned variable cassette 22. FIG.

(Prescription control unit 1 side: step S14)
In step S14, the control unit 11 receives a selection operation of the selection area A2 or the specific area A1 on the selection screen P1. Note that the reception processing is executed by the reception processing unit 112 . Specifically, when the operation unit 14 is a touch panel provided on the monitor 13, the control unit 11 performs a touch operation on the selection area A2 or the specific area A1 on the monitor 13 to select the selection area A2. Accept as an operation. Further, when the operation unit 14 is a mouse, the control unit 11 moves the mouse pointer to the selection area A2 or the specific area A1 on the monitor 13 and performs a click operation on the selection area A2 or the specific area. Accepted as selection operation of A1. In the selection screen P1, it is possible to select not only the variable cassette 22 to which the drug information is not assigned at present, but also the variable cassette 22 to which the drug information is already assigned. On the other hand, it is conceivable as another embodiment that only the variable cassette 22 to which the drug information is not assigned can be selected.

By the way, in the medicine dispenser 100, the control unit 11 can assign the medicine information of the same medicine as the medicine corresponding to one of the plurality of fixed cassettes 21 to the variable cassette 22, and set it as a parent-child cassette. is. In this case, medicine is dispensed preferentially from one of the fixed cassette 21 and the variable cassette 22, which is predetermined. Further, the control unit 11 can assign the same medicine information to a plurality of the variable cassettes 22 according to a user's operation, and set the plurality of the variable cassettes 22 as parent-child cassettes. In the medicine dispenser 100, it is conceivable that a plurality of the fixed cassettes 21 capable of dispensing the same medicine are arranged as parent-child cassettes. It is conceivable that the medicine is dispensed with priority from the first cassette, or the medicine is dispensed by switching the fixed cassette 21 in order by prescription.

In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the input operation of the medicine information to be dispensed is accepted in step S12 before the selection of the fixed cassette 21 or the variable cassette 22 is accepted in step S14. It is also conceivable as another embodiment that the input operation of the drug information to be dispensed is accepted after the selection of the fixed cassette 21 or the variable cassette 22 is accepted.

(Prescription control unit 1 side: step S15)
In step S15, when the variable cassette 22 is selected in step S14, the control unit 11 assigns the medicine information input in step S12 to the variable cassette 22 selected in step S14, The process is shifted to step S16. Here, the allocation processing is executed by the allocation processing unit 113. FIG. Specifically, the control unit 11 updates the content of the allocation information 121 and associates the medicine information with the variable cassette 22 . For example, if other medicine information is already assigned to the variable cassette 22, the medicine information input in step S12 is assigned instead of the medicine information. Note that if the fixed cassette 21 is selected in step S14, step S15 is omitted.

(Prescription control unit 1 side: step S16)
In step S16, the control section 11 determines whether or not a request operation for ending the manual input of the prescription data has been performed. For example, the control unit 11 determines that the request operation has been performed when a prescription input end key displayed on the display screen of the monitor 13 is operated. Here, when it is determined that the request operation has been performed (S16: Yes), the process proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, when the request operation is not performed and, for example, the prescription input continuation key displayed on the display screen of the monitor 13 is operated (S16: No), the process is returned to the step S12 and the same process is performed. Executed repeatedly. Thereby, it is possible to input the prescription data and assign the variable cassette 22 for a plurality of the drug information.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the processes of steps S12 to S16 are repeatedly executed according to the number of the drug information has been described as an example. Data input is also contemplated as another embodiment. In this case, the fixed cassette 21 or the variable cassette 22 corresponding to each drug information is selected on the selection screen P1. Specifically, the control unit 11 displays a list of a plurality of the drug information together with the selection screen P1, selects the drug information to be assigned, and selects the fixed cassette 21 or the variable cassette 22 to be assigned. can be accepted alternately. In particular, the control unit 11 selects, in the list of a plurality of the medicine information, the medicine information for which the fixed cassette 21 capable of dispensing medicine corresponding to the medicine information exists, and the variable cassette for which the fixed cassette 21 does not exist. It is conceivable to display the drug information that needs to be assigned 22 in a distinguishable manner. For example, in the drug information list, the display color or background color of the drug information may be changed depending on whether or not the variable cassette 22 is assigned. For a plurality of the drug information, the drug information to be assigned may be displayed in order on the selection screen P1, and the fixed cassette 21 or the variable cassette 22 to which the drug information is assigned may be selected by the user.

The control unit 11 may be able to allocate the fixed cassette 21 or the variable cassette 22 to other medicine information that has not been input in step S12 on the selection screen P1. For example, the control unit 11 displays a drug addition button on the selection screen P1, and when the drug addition button is selected by the user, an additional drug information input field for entering drug information, dose, and usage. display. When the user selects the specific area A1 or the selection area A2 for selecting the fixed cassette 21 or the variable cassette 22 in a state in which these pieces of information are input, the control unit 11 The medicine information entered in the information input field is assigned to the fixed cassette 21 or the variable cassette 22 corresponding to the specific area A1 or the selection area A2 selected on the selection screen P1. Thereafter, the drug corresponding to the drug information entered in the additional drug information input field is packaged according to the dose and usage entered in the additional drug information input field. As a result, the user can continuously perform the operation of inputting a plurality of medicine information and the operation of selecting the fixed cassette 21 or the variable cassette 22 while the selection screen P1 is displayed. In addition, in consideration of the case where the drug information or the like is erroneously entered in step S12, the control unit 11 can correct the entered drug information or the like while the selection screen P1 is displayed.

(Prescription control unit 1 side: step S4)
In step S4, the control unit 11 specifies the drive condition corresponding to the drug information to be dispensed based on the drive correspondence information 122 (see FIG. 10), and the drive condition and the drug information to which the drive condition and the drug information are assigned. Cassette identification information of the variable cassette 22 is transmitted to the control unit 61 . As a result, the control section 61 drives the variable cassette 22 according to the drive conditions. By executing the processing of step S4 in this manner, the control section 11 when driving the variable cassette 22 according to the driving conditions may be regarded as the driving processing section.

The control unit 11 displays the cassette identification information of each of the variable cassettes 22 and the setting contents of the driving conditions corresponding to each of the variable cassettes 22 on the monitor 13, and according to the user's operation on the operation unit 14, Changing the setting contents of the drive condition is also considered as another embodiment. Note that the control section 11 notifies the control section 61 of the change in the drive condition. As a result, it is possible to change the driving conditions of the variable cassette 22 when the tablet is dispensed from the variable cassette 22 by any operation input by the user. Also, the user can refer to the monitor 13 to confirm the setting contents of the drive conditions corresponding to the drug information to be dispensed.

Further, in step S4, if the drive condition corresponding to the drug information is not stored in the drive correspondence information 122, the control unit 11 sets the drive condition according to the user's operation. After executing the process, it is conceivable to shift the process to step S5. This makes it possible to dispense, using the variable cassette 22, even tablets corresponding to the drug information not stored in the drive correspondence information 122. FIG.

By the way, in the medicine dispensing device 100, it is conceivable that each of the mounting portions 221 is provided with a cassette locking portion capable of locking removal of each of the variable cassettes 22. As shown in FIG. For example, the cassette lock section includes a driving section such as a solenoid or a motor, and a restricting section that is driven by the driving section and restricts removal of the variable cassette 22 . Here, an example of attachment/detachment control of the variable cassette 22 when the cassette locking portion is provided in the mounting portion 221 will be described. The control unit 61 controls the driving unit of the cassette lock unit of each mounting unit 221 based on the control instruction from the control unit 11, thereby individually determining whether or not each of the variable cassettes 22 is locked. Controllable. Specifically, the control unit 11 transmits an instruction to lock the variable cassette 22 to the control unit 61 when medicine information is assigned to the variable cassette 22 in step S3 or step S15. Thereby, the control section 61 drives the cassette locking section of the mounting section 221 to which the variable cassette 22 to which the medicine information is assigned is mounted, and restricts removal of the variable cassette 22 . The transmission of the driving conditions in step S4 may serve as the lock instruction. After that, the control unit 11 transmits an unlocking instruction of the variable cassette 22 to the control unit 61 when a specifying operation for specifying the variable cassette 22 to be replenished with chemicals is performed. As a result, the control unit 61 drives the cassette locking unit of the mounting unit 221 to which the variable cassette 22 to which the input drug information is assigned is mounted, thereby restricting removal of the variable cassette 22. unlock. That is, when the variable cassette 22 to be replenished with chemicals is selected, the variable cassette 22 can be detached, and the medicine can be replenished to the variable cassette 22 . According to such a configuration, replenishment of the wrong medicine to the variable cassette 22 to which the medicine information is assigned is suppressed, and the variable cassette 22 to which the medicine information is not assigned can be freely attached and detached. becomes possible. The specific operation is to read the drug information indicating the same drug as the drug information assigned to the variable cassette 22 by the bar code reader 7, or to input the drug information using the operation unit 14. etc. Further, a predetermined operation portion such as an operation button is provided corresponding to each of the mounting portions 221, and when an operation such as a long press operation is performed on the predetermined operation portion, the control portion 61 However, the lock of the variable cassette 22 in the mounting portion 221 may be released.

(Packaging control unit 6 side: step S21)
On the other hand, in the packaging control unit 6, the control section 61 determines whether or not the drive conditions have been received from the control section 11 in step S21. Here, the control unit 61 shifts the process to step S22 when the driving condition is received (Yes side of S21), and while the driving condition is not received (No side of S21). , the process proceeds to step S23. The control unit 61 stores the drive condition received from the control unit 11 in the storage unit 62 in association with the cassette identification information of the variable cassette 22 to which the medicine information is assigned.

(Packaging control unit 6 side: step S22)
In step S22, the control unit 61 drives the variable cassette 22 to which the drug information is assigned according to the drive conditions, and makes it possible to dispense the drug corresponding to the drug information from the variable cassette 22. Specifically, the variable cassette 22 corresponding to the cassette identification information received together with the driving conditions is driven according to the pre-driving conditions among the driving conditions, and the height and width of the dispensing path are adjusted. change. Thus, in the medicine dispensing device 100, when the driving conditions include the preliminary driving conditions, the control unit 61 controls the variable After the cassette 22 is driven, the tablets are dispensed from the variable cassette 22 (S24).

Specifically, the control unit 61 controls the height adjustment unit 226A and the width adjustment unit 227A according to the drive conditions, thereby determining the types of tablets that can be dispensed from the variable cassette 22 in units of one tablet. The tablets are changed to those indicated by the drug information assigned in S3 or S15. First, the control unit 61 drives the drive motors 233 and 234 to restore the positions of the height regulating member 226 and the width regulating member 227 to their initial states. Then, the control section 61 drives the height adjustment section 226A by the driving motor 233, and the height h1 of the variable cassette 22, which is regulated by the height regulation member 226, is determined by the driving conditions. The height is changed to the height of the payout route. Further, the control unit 61 drives the width adjustment unit 227A by the drive motor 234, and adjusts the width w1, which is regulated by the width regulation member 227 of the variable cassette 22, to the payout determined by the drive conditions. Change to path width. Of course, if the current states of the height regulating member 226 and the width regulating member 227 are detectable, the control unit 61 drives the drive motors 233 and 234 based on the detection results. do it.

When the height h1 and width w1 of the dispensing path are changed according to the driving conditions in this manner, the variable cassette 22 dispenses tablets indicated by the medicine information assigned in step S3 or S15 in units of one tablet. It becomes possible to dispense the tablets, and the amount of the tablets to be dispensed can be controlled. Here, the control section 61 when executing the process of step S22 (drive control step) is an example of the drive processing section.

In addition, when the medicine information is assigned to the variable cassette 22, a state in which the variable cassette 22 is not attached to the attachment portion 221 is also conceivable. In this case, in step S22, the variable cassette 22 cannot be driven according to the pre-driving conditions. Therefore, the control unit 61 causes the storage unit 62 to store flag information indicating whether or not the driving conditions received from the control unit 11 are reflected in the variable cassette 22, and updates the flag information as needed. Then, the control unit 61 refers to the flag information at the start of the packaging operation in step S24, which will be described later. drives the variable cassette 22 according to the pre-driving conditions before executing the packaging operation, and changes the height h1 and width w1 of the dispensing path.

Further, the driving condition does not include the preliminary driving condition, and the height h1 and the width of the dispensing path are adjusted by manually operating the height adjusting portion 226A and the width adjusting portion 227A of the variable cassette 22. A configuration in which w1 can be arbitrarily adjusted is also conceivable as another embodiment. In this case, the user mounts the variable cassette 22 on the mounting portion 221 of the tablet supply unit 2 after adjusting the height h1 and width w1 of the dispensing path of the variable cassette 22 . The height adjusting portion 226A and the width adjusting portion 227A can be configured to be operable by a rotating operation using a tool such as a screwdriver.

(Prescription control unit 1 side: step S5)
Next, in step S5, the control unit 11 displays the drug information assigned to the variable cassette 22 on the display unit 25 of the variable cassette 22 to which the drug information has been assigned in step S3 or S15. That is, the control unit 11 displays the allocation state of the medicine information to each variable cassette 22 in each variable cassette 22 .

For example, the control unit 11 extracts information on preset display items from the prescription data and causes the display unit 25 to display the information. Specifically, the display unit 25 displays the drug name (medicine ID), the dispensing amount, and the JAN code (bar code) of the tablet assigned to the variable cassette 22 . Various types of information such as the patient's name, the date and time of allocation, or the person in charge of allocation may be displayed on the display section 25 .

Here, since the display unit 25 is electronic paper, even if the variable cassette 22 is removed from the mounting unit 221 after the medicine information is displayed in step S5, the display state of the display unit 25 remains unchanged. maintained. Therefore, even if the user moves the variable cassette 22 to a medicine shelf or the like, the user can confirm the medicine information to be put into the variable cassette 22 by the display on the display section 25 . Therefore, it is possible to prevent user's human error when inserting tablets into the variable cassette 22 . Further, the control unit 11 is configured such that removal of the variable cassette 22 is prohibited by a lock mechanism provided in the mounting unit 221 until the drug information is displayed on the display unit 25 of the variable cassette 22. is also conceivable. Note that the control unit 11 executes step 5 on the condition that the adjustment of the height and width of the payout path in the variable cassette 22 is completed according to the pre-driving conditions in the variable cassette 22. It is also conceivable to

(Prescription control unit 1 side: step S6)
After that, in step S6, the control section 11 determines whether or not the operation section 14 has been operated to complete filling, indicating that filling of the variable cassette 22 with tablets has been completed. Specifically, when the medicine information is assigned to the variable cassette 22 in step S3 or S15 and the medicine information is displayed on the display section 25 of the variable cassette 22, the user can move the variable cassette 22 to the Remove from tablet supply unit 2 . Then, the user inserts the necessary number of tablets into the variable cassette 22 while referring to the prescription corresponding to the prescription data or the drug information displayed on the display unit 25 . Thereafter, the user mounts the variable cassette 22 on the tablet supply unit 2 and performs the filling completion operation on the operation section 14 . For example, the filling completion operation is an operation of pressing a filling completion operation button provided on the medicine dispensing device 100, or an operation of mounting the variable cassette 22 on the mounting portion 221, or the like. When a plurality of pieces of drug information are assigned to a plurality of variable cassettes 22 in step S3 or S15, filling of all the variable cassettes 22 corresponding to each piece of drug information is completed in step S6. Determine whether an operation has been performed.

Here, until the filling completion operation is performed (No side of S6), the control unit 11 causes the process to wait in step S6. On the other hand, when determining that the filling completion operation has been performed (Yes side of S6), the control section 11 shifts the process to step S7.

(Prescription control unit 1 side: step S7)
In step S7, the control section 11 transmits to the control section 61 a start request for packing operation based on the prescription data. In step S<b>7 , the request to start the packaging operation may be transmitted to the control section 61 when the user performs an operation requesting the start of the packaging operation. The request to start the packaging operation is an example of a request to start delivery.

In particular, the control unit 11 transmits a start request, for example, according to the following procedure, for packing operation of a tablet not present in the fixed cassette 21 among the tablets indicated by the drug information included as a dispensed object in the prescription data. .

First, the control unit 11 reads cassette identification information of the variable cassette 22 from the RFID tag 26 of the variable cassette 22 mounted on each of the mounting portions 221, and reads the cassette identification information of the variable cassette 22 currently mounted on each of the mounting portions 221. Identify the variable cassette 22 . Accordingly, the control unit 11 can specify the variable cassette 22 mounted on each mounting unit 221, so that the user can mount each variable cassette 22 on any mounting unit 221. is. For example, even if a plurality of drug information are assigned to a plurality of variable cassettes 22 in step S3 or S15, and after each variable cassette 22 is removed, each of the variable cassettes 22 is mounted in a different mounting position. , the control unit 11 can determine the mounting unit 221 in which each of the variable cassettes 22 is mounted.

Based on the prescription data, the control unit 11 identifies each of the variable cassettes 22 containing tablets indicated by each of the medicine information, based on the allocation information 121 . After that, the control unit 11 determines the cassette identification information of the variable cassette 22 to which the drug information is assigned, the identification information of the mounting unit 221 to which the variable cassette 22 is mounted, and the identification information of the variable cassette 22 to which the drug information is assigned. It transmits to the control unit 61 the identification information and the information necessary for the packaging operation, such as the amount of tablets to be dispensed.

(Packaging control unit 6 side: step S23)
On the other hand, in the packing control unit 6, the control section 61 determines whether or not there is a request to start the packing operation from the control section 11 in step S23. Here, when the request to start the packaging operation is received (Yes in S23), the control unit 61 shifts the process to step S24, and the request to start the packaging operation is not received. In the meantime (No side of S23), the process is shifted to step S24.

(Packaging control unit 6 side: step S24)
In step S24, the control unit 61 causes the tablet supply unit 2, the powdered medicine supply unit 3, and the manual distribution unit 4 to dispense necessary medicines in accordance with the request to start the packaging operation, and the packaging unit 5 Executes a packaging operation for packaging in units of packaging such as dosage timing. Here, the control section 61 when executing such processing is an example of a payout executing section. Since the control of the powder medicine supply unit 3, the manual distribution unit 4, and the packaging unit 5 is the same as the conventional one, the explanation is omitted here, and only the tablet dispensing operation by the tablet supply unit 2 will be explained. do.

The control unit 61 controls the tablet supply unit 2 according to the driving conditions corresponding to the medicine information assigned in step S3 or S15, and drives the second control unit 61 when dispensing tablets from the variable cassette 22. The rotation speed of the drive motor 242 of the drive unit 24 is changed. That is, the rotation speed of the second rotating body 224 when dispensing the tablets from the variable cassette 22 is changed, and the dispensing speed of the tablets from the variable cassette 22 is changed according to the type of the tablets.

Specifically, the control unit 61 drives the drive motor 241 and the drive motor 242 corresponding to the variable cassette 22 to which the medicine information to be dispensed is assigned, and controls the first rotating body 223 and the second rotating body The tablet is dispensed by rotating the body 224 . At this time, the control unit 61 drives the drive motor 242 according to the dispensing speed determined as the drive condition corresponding to the drug information in the drive correspondence information 122 . As a result, in the variable cassette 22, the speed at which the tablets are dispensed by the second rotating body 224 is changed to a speed suitable for the tablets. As described above, in the medicine dispensing device 100, when the driving condition includes the driving condition, the control unit 61 drives the variable cassette 22 according to the driving condition (dispensing speed). , to dispense tablets from the variable cassette 22 .

If the variable cassette 22 does not have the height regulating member 226 and the width regulating member 227, it is conceivable to change only the dispensing speed of tablets from the variable cassette 22. FIG. Further, the driving speed of the driving motor 241 may be constant or may be changed according to the type of tablet. In the packing operation, the number of tablets dispensed from the variable cassette 22 is counted by a counter having an optical sensor (not shown) provided at the dispensing port 225 of the variable cassette 22, and the control unit 61 is entered as the number of emissions in . Thereby, the control unit 61 controls the driving of the variable cassette 22 based on the number of discharges input from the counter, and dispenses only a preset dispensing amount (prescription amount) from the variable cassette 22 .

In addition, the control unit 61 controls tablets from the variable cassette 22 according to the setting values of the first slowdown and the second slowdown that are determined as the driving conditions corresponding to the drug information in the driving correspondence information 122. Execute the stop control of the payout of Here, the control section 11 when executing such processing is an example of a drive processing section. As described above, in the medicine dispensing device 100, when the driving condition includes the condition at the time of driving stop, the control unit 61 controls the control unit 61 when the dispensing of the prescription amount determined by the prescription data is completed. , the drive of the variable cassette 22 is stopped according to the first slow-down and the second slow-down which are the conditions at the time of stopping the drive.

Specifically, consider a case where the first slowdown is set to "6 locks" and the second slowdown is set to "1 lock" in the drive correspondence information 122. FIG. In this case, the control unit 61 uses the optical sensor (not shown) provided in the dispensing port 225 to determine the remaining number of tablets to be dispensed based on the number of tablets counted by the counter. When it is determined that the lock has been reached, the rotation speed of the drive motor 242 is reduced to the first rotation speed. After that, the control unit 61 uses the optical sensor (not shown) provided in the dispensing port 225 to determine the remaining number of tablets to be dispensed based on the number of tablets counted by the counter. , the rotation speed of the drive motor 242 is further reduced to the second rotation speed. As a result, when a tablet that easily rolls is placed on the second rotating body 224 , the extra tablet is prevented from being dispensed from the dispensing port 225 .

Further, the control unit 61 executes stop control of dispensing of tablets from the variable cassette 22 according to the presence or absence of the reverse rotation operation defined as the driving condition corresponding to the medicine information in the driving correspondence information 122. . Here, the control section 11 when executing such processing is an example of a drive processing section. As described above, in the medicine dispensing device 100, when the driving condition includes the condition at the time of driving stop, the control unit 61 controls the control unit 61 when the dispensing of the prescription amount determined by the prescription data is completed. , after driving the variable cassette 22 according to the presence or absence of the reverse rotation operation, which is the driving stop condition, the driving of the variable cassette 22 is stopped.

Specifically, when the reverse rotation operation is set to “Yes” in the drive correspondence information 122 , the control unit 61 causes the second rotating body to rotate when stopping the dispensing of tablets from the variable cassette 22 . 224 to reverse the conveying direction. For example, the control unit 61 activates the drive motor 242 when the number of tablets counted by the counter using the optical sensor (not shown) provided in the dispensing port 225 reaches the dispensing amount. Reverse rotation is performed for a preset predetermined time. As a result, when a tablet that easily rolls is placed on the second rotating body 224 , the extra tablet is prevented from being dispensed from the dispensing port 225 . An opening/closing shutter may be provided at the payout port 225, and the opening/closing shutter may be closed when the number of locks counted by the counter reaches the payout amount.

On the other hand, when the reverse rotation operation is set to "no" in the drive correspondence information 122, the control unit 61 performs the reverse rotation operation that is unnecessary when stopping dispensing of tablets from the variable cassette 22. do not run Further, the timing of starting the reverse rotation operation may be when the number of tablets counted by the counter reaches a value that is a predetermined number less than the dispensing amount. When the reverse rotation operation is started at such timing, the predetermined number corresponding to each drug information may be stored in advance in the drive correspondence information 122 . Thereby, for example, the reverse rotation operation can be started before the number of tablets counted by the counter reaches the dispensing amount, and excess dispensing of tablets from the dispensing port 225 can be prevented. Further, after the number of tablets counted by the counter reaches a value that is less than the dispensing amount by the predetermined number, it is conceivable to start the reverse rotation operation each time one tablet is dispensed.

By the way, in the present embodiment, the case where the height h1 of the height restricting member 226 and the width w1 of the width restricting member 227 in the variable cassette 22 are changed in step S4 according to the driving condition will be described as an example. bottom. On the other hand, it is also considered as another embodiment that the control section 61 sets the height h1 of the height regulating member 226 and the width w1 of the width regulating member 227 immediately before starting the packaging operation in step S7. be done. That is, the pre-driving condition may be reflected on the variable cassette 22 at any timing before the packaging operation is started.

(Packaging control unit 6 side: step S25)
After that, when the packaging operation in step S24 ends, the control unit 61 transmits a completion notification of the packaging operation to the control unit 11 in subsequent step S25.

(Prescription control unit 1 side: step S8)
On the other hand, in the prescription control unit 1, the control section 11 waits for the completion notification of the packaging operation from the control section 61 (No side of S8). When receiving the completion notification of the packaging operation (Yes side of S8), the control section 11 shifts the process to step S9.

(Prescription control unit 1 side: step S9)
In the following step S9, the control section 11 displays the fact that the dispensing is completed on the display section 25 of the variable cassette 22 for which the dispensing is completed. For example, in step S9, it is conceivable that the display unit 25 displays the characters "dispensing completed", or the display of the medicine information on the display unit 25 is erased.

As described above, in the medicine dispensing device 100, the user can put any tablets that are not stored in each of the fixed cassettes 21 in advance into the variable cassette 22 all at once. Automatic payout is possible. Therefore, compared with the conventional case of loading tablets into each of the masses of the manual dispensing unit 4, the user's work load is reduced, and loading errors by the user are prevented.

Further, since the medicine dispenser 100 is provided with a plurality of the variable cassettes 22, it is possible to assign different medicine information to each of the variable cassettes 22. FIG. Therefore, in the medicine dispensing apparatus 100, even when the prescription data includes a plurality of tablets that are not in the fixed cassette 21 as dispensing targets, the packaging operation based on the prescription data is performed using the plurality of variable cassettes 22. can be executed. Moreover, in the medicine delivery device 100, it is also possible to continuously execute the packing operation based on the plurality of prescription data using the plurality of variable cassettes 22. As shown in FIG.

[Second embodiment]
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In addition, in this embodiment, the same code|symbol is used and demonstrated about the same structure as the medicine dispensing apparatus 100 which concerns on the said 1st Embodiment.

After the necessary tablets have been dispensed using the variable cassette 22 in the medicine dispenser 100, there are cases where the tablets remain in the variable cassette 22, and a user such as a pharmacist collects the tablets and stores them in a medicine bottle or the like. may be returned to the drug container. In this embodiment, a medicine dispensing device 100A capable of easily collecting tablets from the variable cassette 22 will be described.

Here, FIG. 14 is an external view showing an example of the medicine dispensing device 100A according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, the medicine dispensing device 100A according to this embodiment differs from the medicine dispensing device 100 according to the first embodiment in that it includes a recovery unit 8 arranged below the tablet supply unit 2. different.

The recovery unit 8 includes a plurality of recovery ports 71 corresponding to each of the mounting portions 221 and a mounting table 72 for placing a medicine container 73 containing tablets dispensed from the recovery ports 71 . Further, in the drug dispensing device 100A, the tablets stored in the variable cassettes 22 mounted on the mounting portions 221 can be dispensed from the recovery port 71 . In addition, the medicine containing portion 73 is a container such as a medicine bottle, a medicine box, or a medicine bag in which tablets are contained.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, each recovery port 71 is arranged directly below the mounting portion 221 to which the recovery port 71 corresponds. By arranging the recovery port 71 and the mounting portion 221 side by side in this manner, the user can easily grasp the correspondence relationship between the recovery port 71 and the mounting portion 221 .

15 to 17 are schematic diagrams for explaining an example of the structure of the recovery unit 8. FIG. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing the main structure of the connecting portion between the outlet 225 of the variable cassette 22 and the collecting unit 8, FIG. 16 is a schematic side sectional view of the collecting unit 8, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the recovery unit 8 viewed in the XVII-XVII direction in FIG. 17, the wall portion 710 (see FIG. 16) provided on the back side of the mounting portion 221 in the tablet supply unit 2 is omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, the recovery unit 8 includes a first path 711, a second path 712, and a path switching section 713. As shown in FIGS. The first path 711 and the second path 712 are communicably connected to the dispensing port 225 of the variable cassette 22 by mounting the variable cassette 22 on the mounting portion 221 . A relay path may be provided between the first path 711 and the second path 712 and the payout port 225 to connect them.

The first path 711 is a path that guides the tablets dispensed from the dispensing port 225 of the variable cassette 22 toward the packaging unit 5 . The second path 712 is a path that guides the tablets dispensed from the dispensing port 225 of the variable cassette 22 to the recovery port 71 . The path switching unit 713 can switch the dispensing destination of the tablets dispensed from the dispensing port 225 of the variable cassette 22 between the first path 711 and the second path 712 . For example, the path switching section 713 is a plate member driven by a driving source such as a solenoid or a motor, and the driving of the path switching section 713 is controlled by the control section 61 .

Specifically, the control unit 61 requests the control unit 14 to execute a collection process for discharging the tablets contained in each of the variable cassettes 22 from the collection port 71 according to the user's operation on the operation unit 14. 11, the recovery process is executed. Here, FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing another example of the medicine dispensing process and the packaging control process executed in the medicine dispensing apparatus 100A. Note that the description of the same processing as the processing described in the first embodiment is omitted.

(Prescription control unit 1 side: step S31)
After execution of step S9, in subsequent step S31, the control unit 11 receives an operation input as to whether or not recovery processing for recovering tablets from the variable cassette 22 used in the packaging operation is necessary. Specifically, the operation input as to whether or not the collecting process is necessary is performed for each of the variable cassettes 22 used this time, or collectively for the plurality of variable cassettes 22 used this time. Here, if an operation indicating that the recovery process is required is performed (S31: Yes), the process proceeds to step S32, and if an operation indicating that the recovery process is not required is performed (S31: No), Terminate the medicine dispensing process.

Note that the control unit 11 requests the control unit to execute the recovery process for each of the variable cassettes 22 in accordance with the user's operation on the operation unit 14 at an arbitrary timing different from when the medicine dispensing process is executed. 61. It is also conceivable that the control section 11 omits the processing of steps S31 and S32 when the variable cassette 22 is not used in the packaging operation. Furthermore, when the variable cassette 22 is used in the packaging operation, the control unit 11 executes the next step S32 without accepting the operation input as to whether the recovery process is necessary in the step S31. good too.

(Prescription control unit 1 side: step S32)
In step S<b>32 , the control section 11 transmits to the control section 61 an execution request for the recovery process. As a result, the collecting process is executed by the control unit 61 . That is, in the medicine dispensing process, the control unit 61 can execute the recovery process after the dispensing of the tablets from the variable cassette 22 is completed in accordance with the packaging operation of the tablets by the packaging unit 5. .

(Packaging control unit 6 side: step S26)
In step S26, the control unit 61 determines whether or not there is a request for execution of the recovery process in step S26. The process is shifted to step S27. On the other hand, if the execution request for the recovery process has not been received from the control unit 11 (No in S26), the process returns to step S21.

(Packaging control unit 6 side: step S27)
In step S<b>27 , the control section 61 executes collection processing for collecting tablets from the variable cassette 22 . Specifically, the control section 61 controls the path switching section 713 to switch the discharge destination of the tablets dispensed from the variable cassette 22 from the packaging unit 5 to the recovery port 71, and also switches the discharge destination of the tablets dispensed from the variable cassette 22 to the recovery port 71 set in advance. The tablets are dispensed from the variable cassette 22 by driving the first rotary member 223 and the second rotary member 224 of the variable cassette 22 for a predetermined time. Here, the control section 61 when executing the collection processing is an example of the collection processing section.

By the way, when the recovery port 71 is open, it is necessary to set the medicine container 73 below the recovery port 71 before the tablets are dispensed from the recovery port 71. Limited. On the other hand, the recovery unit 8 includes a discharge switching section 720 capable of switching between a state in which the medicine dispensed from the variable cassette 22 to the recovery port 71 is stored and a state in which the drug can be discharged from the recovery port 71. can be considered.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19, the discharge switching section 720 includes an opening/closing section 714 capable of opening and closing the recovery port 71 and a biasing section 715 such as a spring that biases the opening/closing section 714 in a closing direction. and As a result, when the tablet is dispensed from the variable cassette 22 while the recovery port 71 is closed by the opening/closing portion 714, the tablet is stored in the recovery port 71. . After that, when the drug containing portion 73 is arranged below the recovery port 71 and the opening/closing portion 714 is opened, the recovery port 71 is opened so that the tablet can be discharged. The tablet drops and is stored in the storage portion 73 . As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the opening/closing portion 714 is opened when a part such as the edge of the opening of the medicine containing portion 73 comes into contact with the opening/closing portion 714 as the medicine containing portion 73 slides. may be Further, a configuration in which the opening/closing portion 714 can be opened/closed by a driving portion such as a solenoid or a motor, and the control portion 11 can open/close the opening/closing portion 714 in accordance with a user's operation is also conceivable as another embodiment. It should be noted that the discharge switching section 720 may not include the urging section 715 and the opening and closing section 714 may be manually opened and closed.

As described above, the variable cassette 22 is provided with the display unit 25 such as electronic paper. etc. is displayed. Also, the variable cassette 22 and the recovery port 71 corresponding to the variable cassette 22 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction. Therefore, a user such as a pharmacist can easily confirm that the medicines match by looking at the display portion 25 of the variable cassette 22 and the medicine storage portion 73 set below the variable cassette 22. Therefore, collection of tablets to the medicine container 73 by mistake is prevented. Further, it is conceivable that the medicine dispensing device 100A is provided with an image forming device such as a printer or a label printing device, or that the image forming device is communicably connected. In this case, the control unit 11 uses the image forming apparatus to record information such as the number of tablets, medicine information, and recovery operation date and time on a sheet such as paper or a label as information for record of tablet recovery using the recovery port 71 . can be printed on Furthermore, a storage medium such as an RFID chip is provided in the drug storage section 73, and the recovery unit 8 is provided with an RFID reader/writer capable of reading and writing information to and from the storage medium of the drug storage section 73. configuration is conceivable. In this case, it is conceivable that the control section 11 stores the information of the recovery record in the storage medium of the medicine containing section 73 .

Furthermore, if the medicine stored in the variable cassette 22 is a powerful drug or a poisonous drug, based on the medicine information assigned to the variable cassette 22, the display unit 25 displays to that effect. can be considered. As a result, when the tablet is recovered from the variable cassette 22, it is possible to more reliably recognize that the tablet is a powerful drug or a poisonous drug. It is possible to reduce the risk of doing so.

As described in the present embodiment, in the medicine dispensing device 100A, the collection ports 71 are individually provided corresponding to the mounting portions 221, and the tablets in the variable cassettes 22 can be individually collected. Therefore, the work of sorting the tablets dispensed from the recovery port 71 is omitted. On the other hand, it is conceivable that one recovery port 71 is provided corresponding to at least two mounting portions 221 of the variable cassettes 22 . That is, a configuration in which tablets supplied from a plurality of the mounting portions 221 are dispensed from the common recovery port 71 via the common second path 712 is also conceivable. In this case, it is possible to simultaneously dispense tablets from a plurality of variable cassettes 22 through a single recovery port 71, but tablets of a plurality of types may be unintentionally mixed. Therefore, the control unit 11 can select whether to execute payout from each of the variable cassettes 22 individually or to execute payout from a plurality of the variable cassettes 22 at the same time according to the selection operation of the variable cassette 22. It is conceivable that As a result, the user can collect tablets for each of the variable cassettes 22 and collectively collect tablets from a plurality of the variable cassettes 22, thereby improving convenience. Further, in the medicine dispensing device 100A, since switching between the first path 711 and the second path 712 is possible for each variable cassette 22, by dispensing tablets from the variable cassette 22 to the recovery port 71, It is also possible to perform the packing operation using the variable cassette 22 that is not subject to the test dispensing process while executing the test dispensing process for testing whether or not the tablet can be ejected from the variable cassette 22. is.

[Other functions]
Various functions of the medicine dispensing device 100 or the medicine dispensing device 100A will be described below. It should be noted that the various functions described here may be the functions provided by the medicine dispensing device 100 or the medicine dispensing device 100A, and the functions implemented by the control unit 61 instead of the control unit 11, or the control It may be a function embodied by cooperation between the unit 11 and the control unit 61 .

[Remaining medicine automatic judgment function]
In step S31, the case where it is determined whether or not the collecting process is necessary according to the user's operation has been described. On the other hand, it is conceivable that the control unit 11 has an automatic remaining medicine determination function for determining whether or not there is any remaining medicine in the variable cassette 22 .

For example, the variable cassette 22 is provided with an optical sensor or the like for detecting the medicine in the variable cassette 22, and the control unit 11 detects the presence or absence of the medicine in the variable cassette 22 based on the detection result of the optical sensor. can be considered.

In addition, when the variable cassette 22 is turned upside down (upside down) after the dispensing operation of the medicine from the variable cassette 22 is completed, the remaining medicine in the variable cassette 22 is taken out by the user. It is possible to judge that Therefore, the variable cassette 22 includes an acceleration sensor capable of detecting the motion of the variable cassette 22, a control section for controlling the acceleration sensor, a secondary battery for driving the acceleration sensor and the control section, and the like. It is conceivable that a power supply circuit is provided. Part or all of the configuration of the control unit and the power supply circuit may be common to the control board on which the RFID tag 26 provided in the variable cassette 22 is mounted.

After the medicine dispensing operation is performed for the variable cassette 22, the control unit determines whether or not the variable cassette 22 is turned upside down based on the detection result of the acceleration sensor. The flag is recorded in a non-volatile memory such as EEPROM (registered trademark) in the control unit. Accordingly, in the medicine dispensing device 100A, the control unit 11 reads out the remaining medicine flag stored in the storage unit of the variable cassette 22 to determine whether or not there is any remaining medicine in the variable cassette 22. It is possible to It is also conceivable that the remaining medicine flag is stored in the RFID tag 26 .

In this way, when the control unit 11 has the automatic remaining medicine determination function, the control unit 11 can display whether or not there is any remaining medicine in the variable cassette 22 for each variable cassette 22. can be considered. For example, it is conceivable that the presence or absence of remaining medicine is displayed on the display section 25 of the variable cassette 22 . As a result, the user can easily grasp the presence or absence of the remaining medicine in each of the variable cassettes 22 and determine whether or not the collecting process is necessary.

Furthermore, in step S31, the control unit 11 can accept an operation input as to whether or not the recovery process is necessary when there is residual medicine in the variable cassette 22, and the residual medicine is present in the variable cassette 22. If not, a configuration is also conceivable in which the operation input as to whether or not the recovery process is necessary is not accepted. For example, in step S31, the control unit 11 may cause the monitor 13 to display a message for inquiring whether or not the collection process is necessary when there is residual medicine in the variable cassette 22 . In this case as well, the user can easily grasp the presence or absence of the remaining medicine in each of the variable cassettes 22 and determine whether or not the collecting process for the variable cassette 22 is necessary.

[Tablet correct/wrong judgment function]
It is conceivable that the medicine dispensing device 100A is provided with a camera capable of photographing the tablets dispensed from the variable cassette 22 . Specifically, the camera is placed at a position where the tablet accommodated in the tablet accommodating portion 222 of the variable cassette 22 can be photographed, or transported to the dispensing opening 225 by the second rotating body 224 of the variable cassette 22. Each tablet is placed at a position where it can be photographed on the dispensing route.

Then, the control unit 11 controls the dispensing from the variable cassette 22 based on the captured image (still image or moving image) captured by the camera and the registered image for each type of tablet registered in the medicine master in advance. Determine suitability of tablets The collation between the photographed image and the registered image is performed based on the shape, color, size, stamped characters, or printed characters of the tablet. For example, if the shape, color, and size of the tablets match, it is determined to be appropriate, and if the characters stamped or printed on the tablets match, it is determined to be appropriate. Here, when the tablet to be dispensed from the variable cassette 22 is incorrect, the control section 11, for example, stops the dispensing operation from the variable cassette 22 and executes notification processing such as a predetermined error message. . In addition, it is conceivable that information about the tablet cannot be accurately grasped by photographing the tablet accommodated in the tablet accommodating portion 222 or the tablet being conveyed by the second rotating body 224 . Therefore, even if the stamped characters or printed characters do not match, the control unit 11 judges that the tablets match in shape, color, and size, and similarly determines that the tablets match in shape, color, and size. Even if not, if the stamped characters or printed characters match, it may be judged as appropriate.

In addition, as a configuration capable of judging whether the tablet is right or wrong after the tablet is dispensed, it is conceivable to photograph the tablet after being ejected from the dispensing port 225 and perform collation. On the other hand, according to the tablet correctness/incorrectness determination function, since the tablet is photographed at a position up to the dispensing port 225 and collated, it is possible to confirm whether the tablet is correct or not before the tablet is dispensed. be.

[Parallel payout function]
The control unit 11 has a parallel dispensing function of allocating one type of drug information to a plurality of the variable cassettes 22 and simultaneously using each of the variable cassettes 22 to dispense tablets of one type in parallel. can be considered. As a result, tablets can be dispensed from the variable cassette 22 in parallel, the tablets can be dispensed efficiently, and the medicine dispensing time can be shortened.

Specifically, when allocating the drug information included in the prescription data to the variable cassette 22 in step S3 or S15, the control unit 11 controls the predetermined total number of tablets to be dispensed corresponding to the drug information. When the number of tablets is exceeded, the drug information is assigned to a plurality of variable cassettes 22 . In the control unit 11, the product of the volume per tablet registered in the drug master etc. corresponding to the drug information and the total number of dispensed tablets based on the prescription data is set in advance. It is conceivable to allocate the drug information to a plurality of variable cassettes 22 when it exceeds a specific value.

Then, the control section 11 causes the control section 61 of the packaging control unit 6 to execute processing for dispensing tablets in parallel using the plurality of variable cassettes 22 . As a result, it is possible to shorten the time required to dispense tablets when the number of tablets is large. Also, when the number of tablets is small, the allocation of drug information to the plurality of variable cassettes 22 is prevented, and the occurrence of wasteful work of replenishing the plurality of variable cassettes 22 with tablets can be prevented. Since the user may desire even if the number of tablets is small, the control unit 11 may be able to allocate the medicine information to a plurality of the variable cassettes 22 according to the user's operation.

Furthermore, even if the tablets are contained in the fixed cassette 21, if the total number of tablets dispensed exceeds the predetermined number of tablets set in advance based on the prescription data, the control unit 11 controls the tablets. It is also conceivable to assign corresponding drug information to said variable cassette 22 . Then, the control section 11 causes the control section 61 of the packaging control unit 6 to execute processing for dispensing tablets in parallel using a plurality of cassettes including the fixed cassette 21 and the variable cassette 22. . As a result, even if the tablets are stored in the fixed cassette 21, when the number of tablets to be dispensed is large, the variable cassette 22 can be used to shorten the time required to dispense the tablets. .

[Tablet counting function]
It is conceivable that the control section 11 has a tablet counting function for counting the number of tablets contained in the fixed cassette 21 or the variable cassette 22 . Specifically, when the fixed cassette 21 or the variable cassette 22 is designated by a user operation and execution of the tablet counting process is requested, the control unit 11 stores tablets in the fixed cassette 21 or the variable cassette 22. The control unit 61 is made to execute the counting process of the tablets thus obtained.

Then, the control section 61 performs a packaging operation for counting the number of tablets in the fixed cassette 21 or the variable cassette 22 . In the packing operation, the tablets contained in the fixed cassette 21 or the variable cassette 22 are contained in one or a plurality of the packing papers 52 for each predetermined allowable number. The allowable number is a number preset as the number of tablets that can be accommodated in the packaging paper 52, and may be set for each type of tablet.

As a result, the control unit 61 can count the number of tablets dispensed from the variable cassette 22 in the packaging operation by using a counter having an optical sensor (not shown) provided at the dispensing port 225 of the variable cassette 22. It is possible to count. The number of tablets counted by the control unit 61 is notified to the control unit 11 from the control unit 61 and displayed on the monitor 13 by the control unit 11, for example. Further, the number of tablets contained in the variable cassette 22 may be displayed on the display unit 25 of the variable cassette 22 by the control unit 61 .

Thus, according to the tablet counting function, it is possible to count the number of tablets contained in the fixed cassette 21 or the variable cassette 22. For example, the number of tablets can be counted without the user touching the tablets. is also possible. When the tablets stored in the packaging paper 52 are to be used as they are, the tablets are returned from the packaging paper 52 to the fixed cassette 21 or the variable cassette 22 by a user such as a pharmacist.

[Distributed use function]
It is conceivable that the control unit 11 has a distributed use function capable of evenly adjusting the frequency of allocating medicine information to each of the variable cassettes 22 or the total number of allocations. Specifically, when medicine information is assigned to each of the variable cassettes 22, the control unit 11 causes the storage unit 12 to store historical information such as date and time of assignment, type of tablet, number of dispensing tablets, and the like. Then, in step S3, the control unit 11 selects the variable cassette 22 having a low frequency of use during a predetermined period of time from among the variable cassettes 22 based on the history information stored in the storage unit 12. Preferentially select and assign drug information. Further, in step S3, the control unit 11 may preferentially select the variable cassette 22 to which the drug information has been assigned a smaller total number of times among the variable cassettes 22 and assign the drug information. Further, in step S3, the control unit 11 determines, based on the history information stored in the storage unit 12, that the frequency of use of the variable cassette 22 during a predetermined period is low and the drug information The variable cassette 22 with a small cumulative number of times to which is assigned may be preferentially selected and the drug information may be assigned.

[Abnormal wearing notification function]
It is conceivable that the control section 11 has an abnormal mounting determination function capable of determining whether the corresponding relationship between the variable cassette 22 and the mounting section 221 is appropriate.

As described in the first embodiment, the object to which the medicine information is assigned in step S15 is limited to the variable cassette 22 attached to the attachment portion 221. FIG. Here, the control unit 11 stores the correspondence information that associates the identification information of the variable cassette 22 to which the medicine information is assigned with the identification information of the mounting unit 221 to which the variable cassette 22 is mounted. It is conceivable to store it in the unit 12 .

After that, the control unit 11 determines whether the correspondence relationship between the medicine cassette and the mounting unit is abnormal based on the correspondence information. Specifically, the control unit 11 determines that there is an abnormality when a variable cassette 22 different from the variable cassette 22 associated with the mounting portion 221 is mounted on the mounting portion 221 . Then, when the abnormality is detected, the control section 11 executes, for example, error notification processing, or prohibits the packaging operation using the variable cassette 22 .

When the packaging operation using the variable cassette 22 is completed, the control section 11 deletes the correspondence information about the variable cassette 22 and cancels the association corresponding to the mounting section 221 . In addition, any variable cassette 22 may be mountable on the mounting portion 221 for which the correspondence relationship with the variable cassette 22 is not determined among the mounting portions 221 .

Accordingly, only the variable cassette 22 to which the drug information is assigned can be attached to each of the attachment portions 221 . Therefore, after the variable cassette 22 mounted on the mounting portion 221 is removed and tablets are filled in the variable cassette 22, the variable cassette 22 is prevented from being mounted on another mounting portion 221. be. Further, for example, by mounting the variable cassette 22 to be used in the packaging operation to be executed after the packaging operation to be executed from now on in advance on the mounting unit 221, the packaging operation to be executed from now on can It is possible to prevent a situation in which the variable cassette 22 to be used cannot be mounted.

[Appendix 1]
A medicine dispensing device comprising a plurality of medicine cassettes capable of dispensing any kind of medicine,
a display processing unit for displaying a selection screen in which a plurality of selection areas for selecting each of the medicine cassettes are displayed in the same arrangement as the arrangement of each of the medicine cassettes in the medicine dispenser;
a reception processing unit that receives a selection operation of the selection area on the selection screen;
an allocation processing unit that allocates medicine information to be dispensed to the medicine cassette corresponding to the selection area received by the reception processing unit;
A drive processing unit that drives the medicine cassette according to drive conditions set in advance corresponding to the medicine information assigned by the allocation processing unit, and places the medicine cassette in a state in which the medicine corresponding to the medicine information can be dispensed. and,
A drug dispensing device comprising:

[Appendix 2]
The display processing unit displays the allocation state of each of the medicine cassettes on the selection screen or the medicine cassette.
The drug dispensing device according to appendix 1.

[Appendix 3]
Equipped with a plurality of drug-specific cassettes capable of dispensing predetermined specific types of drugs,
The display processing unit arranges the selection area corresponding to each of the medicine cassettes and the specific area corresponding to each of the medicine specifying cassettes on the selection screen. display in the same array as
The drug dispensing device according to Appendix 1 or 2.

[Appendix 4]
The display processing unit is capable of switching between a first display state in which both the selected area and the specific area are displayed on the selection screen and a second display state in which only the selected area is displayed, according to a user operation. be,
The drug dispensing device according to appendix 3.

[Appendix 5]
The display processing unit displays the selected area and the specific area in an identifiable manner.
5. The drug dispensing device according to appendix 3 or 4.

[Appendix 6]
6. The medicine dispensing device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 5, wherein the reception processing unit receives an input operation of the medicine information to be dispensed after the selection operation is received.

[Appendix 7]
6. The medicine dispensing device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 5, wherein the reception processing unit receives an input operation of the medicine information to be dispensed before the selection operation is received.

[Appendix 8]
Equipped with a plurality of drug-specific cassettes capable of dispensing predetermined specific types of drugs,
The display processing unit, when there is the drug-specific cassette capable of dispensing the drug corresponding to the drug information to be dispensed, highlights and displays the drug-specific cassette on the selection screen.
The drug dispensing device according to appendix 7.

[Appendix 9]
a dispensing execution unit that dispenses the medicine corresponding to the medicine information using the medicine cassette corresponding to the medicine information in response to a dispensation start request including the medicine information assigned to the medicine cassette as a dispensation target,
A drug dispensing device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 8.

[Appendix 10]
a packaging unit for packaging the medicine dispensed from the medicine cassette;
a collection port for discharging the medicine dispensed from the medicine cassette to the outside;
a path switching unit that switches a supply destination of the medicine dispensed from the medicine cassette to a first path leading to the packaging unit and a second path leading to the recovery port;
The drug dispensing device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 9, comprising:

[Appendix 11]
The recovery port is arranged directly below the mounting portion to which the medicine cassette is mounted.
11. The drug dispensing device according to appendix 10.

[Appendix 12]
a recovery processing unit that switches the supply destination of the medicine to the second route by the route switching unit and executes a recovery process of driving the medicine cassette;
12. The drug dispensing device according to appendix 10 or 11.

[Appendix 13]
The collection processing unit is capable of executing the collection processing after dispensing of the medicine from the medicine cassette accompanying the medicine packaging operation by the packaging unit is completed.
13. The drug dispensing device according to appendix 12.

[Appendix 14]
a discharge switching unit capable of switching between a state in which the drug dispensed from the drug cassette to the recovery port is stored and a state in which the drug can be discharged from the recovery port;
14. A drug dispensing device according to any one of Appendices 10 to 13.

[Appendix 15]
The allocation processing unit
The medicine information is assigned to the medicine cassette mounted in one of a plurality of mounting parts to which the medicine cassette is mounted, and the identification information of the medicine cassette to which the medicine information is allocated and the medicine cassette storing correspondence information associated with the identification information of the mounted mounting portion, and determining whether the correspondence between the medicine cassette and the mounting portion is appropriate based on the corresponding information;
15. A drug dispensing device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 14.

[Appendix 16]
A processor controlling a drug dispensing device comprising a plurality of drug cassettes capable of dispensing any type of drug,
a display step of displaying a selection screen in which a plurality of selection areas for selecting each of the medicine cassettes are displayed in the same arrangement as the arrangement of each of the medicine cassettes in the medicine dispenser;
a receiving step of receiving a selection operation of the selection area on the selection screen;
an allocation step of allocating medicine information to be dispensed to the medicine cassette corresponding to the selection area accepted in the acceptance step;
a driving step of driving the medicine cassette according to drive conditions set in advance corresponding to the medicine information assigned by the allocating step, and placing the medicine cassette in a state in which the medicine corresponding to the medicine information can be dispensed;
A drug dispensing program for executing

Claims (1)

A medicine dispensing device comprising a plurality of medicine storage units that can be attached to and detached from the mounting part of the medicine dispensing device and that can dispense any type of medicine,
a display processing unit for displaying a selection screen in which a plurality of selection areas for selecting each of the drug storage units are displayed in the same arrangement as the arrangement of the drug storage units in the medicine dispensing device;
a reception processing unit that receives a selection operation of the selection area on the selection screen;
an allocation processing unit that allocates medicine information to be dispensed to the medicine storage unit corresponding to the selection area received by the reception processing unit;
with
The display processing unit displays the allocation state of the medicine information to each of the medicine storage units on the selection screen.

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