JP2023172887A - Medicine taking support device - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce work time of a nurse and a care worker in medicine taking preparation work at a care facility or the like, and reduce a work load on them, and to prevent wrong medicine from being used.SOLUTION: A medicine taking support device includes: storage means such as a cartridge 10; medicine delivery means such as a medicine delivery tray 30; taking-out and transfer means for taking out a medicine pack from the storage means and transferring the medicine pack to a specific position of the medicine delivery means; pack information reading means such as a QR code reader upper part 66 and a QR code reader lower part 67 provided to the taking-out and transfer means for reading first medicine taking-related information such as medicine taking-related information 6c attached to at least one of the storage means, the medicine pack, and the medicine delivery means; and pack information storage means such as a storage part 170 for storing second medicine taking-related information set beforehand to at least one of the storage means, the medicine pack, and the medicine delivery means. The first medicine taking-related information and the second medicine taking-related information are compared each other, and the medicine pack is transferred to the specific position of the medicine delivery means by the taking-out and transfer means so that the first medicine taking-related information is matched to the second medicine taking-related information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

The present invention relates to a medication support device.

In order to reduce the work time of nurses and others working in nursing care facilities, etc., and to prevent medication errors, at a predetermined time, one pack is removed from the storage compartment (cartridge) in which the single drug pack is stored. BACKGROUND ART A technique for dispensing medicine to a medicine dispensing means (medication tray) is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
The invention described in Patent Document 1 is certainly similar to the present invention in that a single drug pack is distributed to a drug distribution tray.

However, when used in a facility where multiple people reside, such as a nursing care facility, medication-related information (medication timing, etc.) may be changed depending on the health condition of the resident. Therefore, if the medication-related information and medication distribution information were made the same, there was a problem that the resident could not take the correct medication according to his or her health condition.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to reduce the work time and workload of nurses and caregivers in preparing medication at nursing care facilities, etc., and to prevent medication errors. purpose.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides storage means for storing drug packs, medicine dispensing means for arranging a particular medicine pack at a particular position, and taking out the particular medicine pack from the storage means. a taking-out and transferring means for transferring the medicine to a specific position in the medicine dispensing means, and a first medication provided in the taking-out and transferring means and added to at least one of the storing means, the medicine pack, and the medicine dispensing means. a pack information reading means for reading related information; and a pack information storage means for storing second medication-related information preset in at least one of the storage means, the medicine pack, and the medicine dispensing means. , the first medication-related information read by the pack information reading means and the second medication-related information stored in the pack information storage means are compared, and the first medication-related information is determined from the The medication support device is configured to transfer the specific drug pack to a specific position in the medication dispensing unit by the take-out and transfer unit so as to match the second medication-related information.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the work time and workload of nurses, caregivers, etc. in medication preparation work in nursing care facilities, etc., and to prevent medication errors.

(a) is a front view of a main part of a medicine dispensing device that constitutes a medication support device according to one embodiment, and (b) is a side view of (a). (a) is a plan view of a single single drug pack, (b) is a side view of the single drug pack in (a) seen from the direction of arrow A, and (c) is a combined drug single pack. A side view of the body, (d) is a diagram showing the general form of the pack continuum. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing an example of a configuration of a medicine distribution tray. (a) is a diagram showing an example of attaching a label with a QR code (registered trademark) placed in a subdivision box, and (b) is a diagram illustrating an example of displaying a label with a QR code (registered trademark). (a) is a longitudinal sectional view of an example of a cartridge, and (b) is a bottom view of (a). 5(a) is a longitudinal sectional view of a cartridge different from FIG. 5(a), and FIG. 5(b) is a bottom view of the cartridge of FIG. 5(a). FIG. 3 is a plan cross-sectional view of the main parts showing a cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism provided in the drawer section. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view illustrating an identification configuration of a cartridge provided in a drawer section. (a) is a front view showing the structure of the carriage, and (b) is a plan view of (a). FIG. 3 is a front view showing the movement of the carriage. 11 is a front view showing the transition of the carriage operation following FIG. 10. FIG. FIG. 12 is a front view showing the transition of the carriage operation following FIG. 11; FIG. 6 is a front view showing an operation of reading medication-related information displayed on the cartridge. (a) is a front view showing the main part configuration of the transfer section, and (b) is a side view of (a). FIG. 2 is a control block diagram showing the main control configuration of the drug dispensing device. It is a control block diagram concerning a medication support device. 3 is an operation flowchart according to the first embodiment. 7 is an operation flowchart according to the second embodiment. 12 is an operation flowchart according to the third embodiment. 12 is an operation flowchart according to a fourth embodiment. 12 is an operation flowchart according to Example 5. 7 is an operation flowchart according to a sixth embodiment. 7 is a diagram showing an operation screen used in Example 7. FIG. It is a flowchart of the QR code reading operation performed in Example 7. It is a flowchart of the QR code reading operation performed in Example 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention, including examples, will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Throughout each embodiment, each example, etc., components (members and components) having the same function, shape, etc. will be explained by using the same reference numerals once explained, unless there is a risk of confusion. omitted.

Referring to FIG. 1, the main configuration of the main parts of a medication dispensing device that constitutes a medication support device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1(a) is a front view schematically showing the main structure of the main parts of the drug dispensing device, and FIG. 1(b) is a side view schematically showing the side structure of FIG. 1(a).
As shown in FIG. 1, the main parts of the drug dispensing device 200 include a cartridge 10, also called a first storage section, a cartridge tray 20, also called a second storage section, a drawer section 80, and a drug dispensing tray 30. It includes a carriage 50 also called a take-out section, a transfer section 90, and a first to fourth entrance/exit section 41 to 44.
In FIG. 1, the left-right direction or lateral direction (also the width direction) of the drug dispensing device 200 is the X direction, the front-rear direction or depth direction is the Y direction, and the vertical direction or vertical direction (also the vertical direction) is the Z direction. (The same applies to each figure below).

The cartridge 10 includes a single drug pack containing a single drug (hereinafter also simply referred to as a "pack"), a single drug pack combination (described later), etc., which are included as a drug pack. It has a function as the first storage means of the present invention, which is stored in stacks. A plurality of cartridges 10 are arranged in the middle and lower stages of the main body frame 199 as the main body of the drug dispensing device 200 via cartridge trays 20 . The cartridge 10 is configured to be detachable from a cartridge tray 20 serving as a second storage means. Here, "stored in stacks" means to store the packs in a substantially horizontal or flat stacked state.

The cartridge tray 20 is configured to be able to position and store a plurality of cartridges 10, as will be described later. The cartridge tray 20 has a function as a second storage means for placing and holding at least one cartridge 10.

A plurality of cartridges 10 are arranged in the drawer section 80 via cartridge trays 20, one each provided at the lowest and central parts of a main body frame 199 as the main body of the drug dispensing device 200. To explain using the example of FIG. 1, 4×5=20 cartridges 10 are placed and held in one drawer section 80 (cartridge tray 20) (see FIG. 7, which will be described later). Hereinafter, in order to simplify the explanation, the drawer section 80 may be referred to as the cartridge tray 20.
Each of the plurality of cartridges 10 is placed and housed within a partitioned lattice-like side wall and bottom wall of the cartridge tray 20. The bottom wall of the cartridge tray 20 corresponding to each cartridge 10 has a rectangular penetrating opening 21 for taking out the pack from below the cartridge 10 by utilizing the elasticity or free deformation of the pack as described in the operation described below. (See FIG. 7 described later) is formed.

The drawer section 80 is configured to be able to position and hold the cartridge tray 20. A pair of slide rails 81 are attached to the outer wall of the drawer section 80, and a main body rail (not shown) is provided on the main body frame 199 so as to be able to fit with the slide rails 81 of the drawer section 80. . This fitting structure between the main body rail and the slide rail 81 allows the drawer section 80 in which the cartridge tray 20 is stored and held to be drawn out from the main body frame 199.

The medicine distribution tray 30 has a function as a medicine distribution means or a medicine distribution table of the present invention in which a specific pack transferred by the transfer unit 90 is arranged. As shown in FIG. 1, two medicine distribution trays 30 are arranged above the cartridge 10 mounted on the cartridge tray 20 in the uppermost drawer section 80. Hereinafter, the installation site of the medicine distribution tray 30 (meaning the place where the pack is delivered to the medicine distribution tray 30 so as to be automatically distributed) will be referred to as the medicine distribution section 29.

The carriage 50 is a take-out section that takes out a specific pack from the cartridge 10, and has a function as a take-out means of the present invention.
The transfer section 90 has a function as a transfer means of the present invention that transfers the pack taken out from the cartridge 10 by the carriage 50.
The extraction means (carriage 50) and the transfer means (transfer section 90) take out a specific medicine pack from the storage means (cartridge 10) and transfer it to a specific position in the medicine distribution means (medication distribution tray 30). It has a function as a take-out and transfer means in the present invention.

The first entrance/exit part 41 and the second entrance/exit part 42 function as an entrance/exit means for a storage means for allowing the cartridge 10 or the cartridge tray 20 to go in and out of the main body frame 199 via the drawer part 80. When inserting and setting the cartridge 10 into the main body frame 199, the cartridge 10 is inserted and set through the first entrance/exit portion 41 and the second entrance/exit portion 42, respectively. The opening/closing doors of the first entrance/exit section 41 and the second entrance/exit section 42 are opened, the drawer section 80 in which the cartridge tray 20 is set is pulled out, and the cartridge 10 and the cartridge tray 20 are attached/detached.

The third entrance/exit part 43 and the fourth entrance/exit part 44 are entrance/exit means for medicine dispensing means for allowing each of the two medicine dispensing trays 30 arranged in the uppermost stage of the medicine dispensing device 200 to go in and out of the main body frame 199. It has the function of The third entrance/exit part 43 and the fourth entrance/exit part 44 are provided so that the pack can be taken out immediately after being placed in the medicine dispensing tray 30 (hereinafter also referred to as "setting" or "insertion").
In the medicine dispensing device 200, two medicine dispensing trays 30 are arranged as described above, and as will be described later, medicine dispensing trays are provided for each medication timing, such as morning, noon, evening, and before going to bed. Since a third entrance/exit part 43 and a fourth entrance/exit part 44 for the medicine distribution tray are also provided for each medicine distribution tray, it is not possible to take out another medicine distribution tray even when dispensing medicine to another medicine tray. is also possible.

Although the cartridge trays 20 shown in FIG. 1 are provided in two locations, upper and lower, below the medicine distribution tray 30 at the top, the present invention is not limited to this, and they may be provided in the upper or lower portions. Further, depending on the number of people in the nursing care facility, the same effect may be obtained by arranging the cartridge tray 20 in three stages.

An overview of the drug pack to which the present invention is applied will be explained with reference to FIG. FIG. 2(a) is a plan view showing the general form of a single drug pack, and FIG. 2(b) is a side view of the drug pack in FIG. 2(a) as seen from the direction of arrow A. Figure 2(c) is a side view of a combined drug pack in which single drug packs are stacked, and FIG. 2(d) is a diagram showing the general form of a continuous pack. . Note that in FIGS. 2(b) and 2(c), illustrations of drugs are omitted and are shown somewhat schematically.

In the form of the drug pack according to the present invention, a single drug pack 2 and a plurality of drug packs 2 (two in FIG. 2(c)) are stacked in the stacking direction, for example. This includes a single drug pack combination 2A (hereinafter also simply referred to as a "pack combination 2A") that is connected with staples. In FIG. 2 and the like, the pack 2 is mainly shown as a representative, but it goes without saying that the pack assembly 2A and the like are also included.
As shown in FIG. 2(a), one single medicine pack 2 is made of, for example, a resin film, and medicines 3 such as capsules and tablets are divided into small bags and packed into bags. The single drug pack 2 has a bag portion 2a that covers the drug 3, and a crimped portion 4 having three hatched sides that are crimped or welded. The side on the side of the bag part 2a is usually folded in half, and the medicine 3 is sandwiched between them, and the crimp part 4 forms a leakage prevention part that prevents the medicine 3 from leaking from the bag part 2a. The medicine 3 in one medicine pack 2 is usually a unit of medicine for each patient taking the medicine.

The single drug pack 2 is created (packaged) by a drug packaging machine installed at a pharmacy or the like. The packaging paper (packaging sheet) used for the packaging, which is the exterior part, is a long sheet in the form of a roll, and is rolled with folds and overlapping sheets, and the medicine 3 to be taken is placed between the sheets. Get caught. On three sides other than the fold around the medicine 3, multiple doses are sequentially sealed and divided by the crimping part 4, and a single medicine pack 2 for the required number of doses is made into a continuous sheet. This continuous sheet-shaped drug pack is referred to as a "continuous pack." The continuous pack body 1 shown in FIG. 2(d) is a state in which a plurality of drug packs 2 (for three doses in the example shown in the figure) are connected in a band-like manner. The pack continuum 1 is usually used by users at pharmacies, etc. (including those who actually take the drugs in the drug pack, and the assistants and supporters who assist and support the drug administration), as well as various nursing facilities and other facilities. This is a general form that is provided and sold to staff at medical facilities, etc. (this concept includes pharmacists, nurses, caregivers, and medication support personnel).From the perspective of simplifying the explanation, In the following explanation, the illustration shows a pack containing drugs of the same form (capsules, tablets, etc.), but drugs may be sealed in a single pack according to the user's use and purpose. Of course, different types may be used.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the single drug pack 2 has a rectangular shape in plan view, and the packaging method in which three sides are crimped and sealed as in this example is generally called three-way packaging. Most of the drug packaging machines on the market produce packs using this method.

The crimp portion 4 has a band-like width of approximately 10 to 15 mm, and has higher rigidity than the transparent or translucent film-like bag portion 2a portion through which the medicine 3 can be visually recognized. In the production (packaging) of a drug packaging machine, a plurality of drug single packs 2 constituting a pack continuum 1 are bonded at the crimping portion 4 of the single drug packs 2 that are successively adjacent from the upstream side to the downstream side. A boundary portion 2b with perforations 5 is formed in the center. For users who do not have hand disabilities, one drug pack 2 can be cut into pieces by hand at perforation 5, or by cutting near perforation 5 with scissors or a special cutter. obtain.

As an example is shown in FIG. 2(c), a pack assembly 2A may be used. The pack assembly 2A is obtained by fastening the central part of the crimped parts 4 on three sides of a plurality of (two shown in FIG. 2c) single drug packs 2 with staples 8 (see FIG. 2c) or the like. Examples include those that are integrated by tape binding, or those that are integrated with Chinese medicine packs, PTP (Press, Through, Pack) packaging sheets, etc.

First medication-related information is added to the surface of the bag portion 2a of the medicine pack 2 as information related to medication, such as the name of the person taking the medication and the timing of medication. In pack 2 shown in FIG. 2, first medication-related information includes medication-related information 6a, which is a character string representing the name of the person taking medication 3 of pack 2, and information about when to take medication 3 (medication timing). Medication-related information 6b expressed as a character string, and medication-related information 6c expressed as a QR code (registered trademark) of the name of the person taking the medication and the timing of medication administration are added.
In the pack 2 shown in FIG. 2, medication-related information 6a and 6b in the form of character strings and medication-related information 6c in the form of a QR code (registered trademark) are added, but the information is not limited to this, and only one of these may be used. Alternatively, an RFID tag or the like that is used when reading tag information using a bar code or short-range wireless communication may be used.

Furthermore, the type of medicine (including the shape of the medicine) and the number of tablets prescribed in the pack, information stamped on the medicine itself, etc. are also listed as the first medication-related information. As for the first medication-related information, only individual information may be acquired and used, or a plurality of pieces of information may be acquired and used in combination. For example, if you only want to confirm who is taking the medication, you only need to provide the patient's name information, but if you want to prevent people from forgetting to take important medications, you can include the patient's name and information on the number of tablets in the pack and the shape of the medicine. You can check it together. That is, the medication-related information includes at least one of the following: the name of the person taking the medication, the time to take the medication in the pack (medication timing), and the type and number of pills prescribed in the pack.

The medicine distribution tray will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the medicine distribution tray. As shown in FIG. 3, the medicine distribution tray 30 has partition walls 31 which are partition members serving as a plurality of partitions for arranging specific packs. There is. The 20 sections 33 formed on the medicine distribution tray 30 can be expressed as components of a matrix consisting of five columns in the X direction (line feed direction) and four rows in the Y direction (character feed direction). Thereby, each of the 20 sections 33 of the medicine distribution tray 30 can be uniquely positioned by the components and addresses of the matrix of 5 columns and 4 rows. Furthermore, the medication tray 30 has a bottom wall 32 on which the arranged packs 2 are placed. In this way, the medicine distribution tray 30 has a plurality of (four) partition walls 31 and a common bottom wall 32, so that a specific pack (not shown) placed in a specific compartment 33 can be placed in another compartment 33. It is configured to be reliably placed in a specific compartment 33 so as not to mix with the pack (not shown) or fall off the bottom wall 32.

In the medication distribution tray 30 shown in FIG. 3, the "Floor A After Lunch Medication Tray" displayed on the front outer wall surface is used to display the "Floor A After Lunch Medication Tray" displayed on the front outer wall surface, for example, after lunch for a plurality of people taking medication who live on the same floor A in a nursing care facility, etc. This indicates that this is a medicine dispensing tray in which the packs to be taken are placed (this is also the time for breakfast in the medicine-related information 6a and 6b of pack 2 shown in Figure 2).

The medicine distribution tray 30 shown in the figure shows a case where a removable subdivision box 34 is used in each compartment 33. The subdivision box 34 holds packs 2 containing medicines to be taken after lunch for a total of 20 people, ranging from Mr. A to Mr. T, who are residents of a care facility, for example. That is, the medicine distribution tray 30 shown in the figure is used when a specific pack is placed in a predetermined (specific) compartment 33 partitioned by a plurality of partitions via a subdivision box 34. Note that the operation of placing the pack 2 on the medicine distribution tray 30 may not use the subdivision box 34.

An example of a label with a QR code (registered trademark) placed in a subdivision box used for a medicine distribution tray will be described with reference to FIG. 4. Figure 4(a) is a diagram showing an example of attaching a label with a QR code (registered trademark) placed in a subdivision box used for a medicine distribution tray, and Figure 4(b) is an example of displaying a label with a QR code (registered trademark). FIG. In order to specify the medication distribution location of the pack 2 taken out from the cartridge 10, medication-related information 6a representing the name of the person taking the medication, medication-related information 6b representing the timing of medication administration, and these medication-related information 6a and 6b are stored in a QR code (registered trademark). ) A label 7 with a QR code on which medication-related information 6c is printed is attached and arranged by pasting it on the bottom surface inside the subdivision box 34 of the medicine dispensing tray 30.

The QR code (registered trademark) on the QR code-attached label 7 is read by the lower QR code reader 67, which will be explained later with reference to FIG. By linking the drug (trademark) (name of person taking the medication, timing of medication administration), it becomes possible to dispense the medication in the appropriate position from the pack taken out from the cartridge. The label 7 with the QR code may be in the form of a sticker and may be attached directly to the subdivision box 34, or may be attached to a plate (not shown) and placed within the subdivision box 34.
Further, a QR code label may be attached to each compartment 33 of the medicine distribution tray 30, or the plate (not shown) may be installed (if the subdivision box 34 is not used). At that time, by using the subdivision box 34, it is possible to take out the subdivision box 34 in which the pack 2 is stored from the medicine distribution tray 30 and move the appropriate pack 2 under the resident (person taking medication). No need to worry about making mistakes or dropping the puck.

In each compartment 33 of the medicine distribution tray 30, a set or insertion position is determined for each person taking the medicine, depending on the pack to be taken. In other words, the plurality of compartments 33 in the medicine distribution tray 30 may be allocated to each of the plurality of drug takers at the same medication timing. Furthermore, if a specific person does not take the medication at a specific timing, it is also possible to prevent the pack from being placed on the specific person at the specific timing.

The present invention is not limited to the medicine distribution tray 30 described above, but may be an example in which a plurality of compartments 33 of the medicine distribution tray 30 are allocated for each medication administration timing of each patient. Specifically, a plurality of compartments 33 may be allocated to each medication timing of the pack 2, which is taken in the morning, noon, evening, and before going to bed, and for each person taking the medication. In the medicine distribution tray 30 of this example, the medicine distribution tray 30 is managed for each floor or room where multiple people take medicine, and packs 2 for that day (or several days) are distributed to the medicine distribution tray 30 in advance. It becomes possible to take medicine.

According to the above example, by allocating each section to each medication timing, such as morning, noon, evening, and before going to bed, it is possible to avoid mistakes in the timing of medication administration for each patient. The configuration of the medicine dispensing tray 30 is not limited to the example described above, and various examples can be considered depending on the combination of the person taking the medicine and the timing of taking the medicine, but since it is beyond the scope of the disclosure of the present invention, the above explanation will be used.

An example of the cartridge will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. 5(a) is a longitudinal sectional view of the cartridge, FIG. 6(a) is a longitudinal sectional view of a cartridge different from FIG. 5(a), and FIG. 5(b) is the same as that of FIG. b) is a bottom view of the cartridge of FIG. 6(a). In each of the vertical cross-sectional views of FIGS. 5(a) and 6(a), in order to simplify the drawings, the crimp portion 4 (see FIG. 2) of the pack 2 stored in the cartridge 10 is shown. The pack 2 is schematically shown without illustration. Furthermore, for the same purpose, cross-sectional hatching representations of the support parts (support part right 12, support part left 13, etc.) are also omitted and shown schematically.
The cartridges 10 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 have the same configuration in terms of shape and the like, but differ in the display position and display member of the QR code (registered trademark) related to medication-related information 6c. The configuration regarding the shape and the like will be explained using FIG. 5 as a representative example.

The cartridge 10 mainly consists of a case part 11, a lid part 14, a pack ejection opening 17, a movable plate 16, a pack posture holding part 15, and a right support part 12 and a left support part 13 as support parts. It is configured.
The case portion 11 has a function of storing a plurality of packs 2 and a pack assembly 2A (hereinafter, described as a representative pack 2). The case portion 11 is formed integrally or separately using resin, for example. The lid portion 14 has a function of allowing the pack 2 to be inserted. The pack take-out opening 17 is formed in the lower part or the bottom of the case part 11, and is an opening for taking out the pack 2 in the cartridge 10. It has a function of passing the pack 2 to be taken out.

The movable plate 16 prevents the packs 2 from falling down and moves the lowest pack 2 to the vicinity of the pack removal opening 17 after the first pack of the maximum number of packs 2 that can be stored in the case portion 11 is taken out. It has the function of The pack attitude holding section 15 has a function of maintaining the attitude of the pack 2. The right support part 12 and the left support part 13 also have the function of supporting or holding the pack 2 inside the case part 11.

In this embodiment, the part of the pack 2 to be taken out from the cartridge 10 by the carriage 50 is located at the lower part or bottom of the cartridge 10 . That is, the portion to be taken out includes a right support portion 12 and a left support portion 13 as support portions or support members that support the pack 2 taken out from the cartridge 10 at a plurality of locations, and a pack removal opening 17. has been done.

When the pack 2 is taken out from the cartridge 10 by the carriage 50, the right support part 12 and the left support part 13 are configured to allow the pack 2 to pass through. On the other hand, when the packs 2 are not taken out from the cartridge 10, the right support part 12 and the left support part 13 are configured to restrict the passage of the packs 2 so that a plurality of packs 2 are stored and held within the case part 11. ing.

As described above, the right support portion 12 and the left support portion 13 are support portions that support or hold the pack 2 in the cartridge 10, and are designed to stabilize the operation of removing the pack 2 from the cartridge 10 by the carriage 50. It is set in an immovable state. The right support part 12 and the left support part 13 are fixing members that are fixed or fixed to the bottom wall inner surface 11e of the right bottom wall end and the left bottom wall end of the pack removal opening 17, respectively.
The pack take-out opening 17 has the function of allowing the suction pad 52 of the carriage 50 shown in FIG. There is. That is, the pack take-out opening 17 and the right bottom wall end and the left bottom wall end provided surrounding the pack take-out opening 17 function as a pack take-out passage section.

In the cartridge 10 in FIG. 5, a position 52' (hereinafter also referred to as "suction pad position") where the suction pad 52 (see FIG. 11(d) described later) suctions the pack 2 stored in the cartridge 10 is shown by the circular chain double-dashed line in FIG. 5(b). The right support part 12 and the left support part 13 support the pack 2 in the cartridge 10 so that the pack 2 in the cartridge 10 does not fall from the pack removal opening 17. As will be explained later in the operation of the carriage 50, when the lowermost pack 2 in the cartridge 10 is taken out while being sucked by the suction pad 52, two suction pad positions in the Y direction near both ends of the right support portion 12 are used. , the positional relationship is such that the pack 2 is sucked by the suction pad 52. When taking out the lowermost pack 2 from the cartridge 10 using the suction pads 52, the two suction pads 52 pass near both ends of the right support portion 12 in the Y direction to suction and hold the pack 2.

As shown in FIG. 5, by arranging the suction pads at two locations near both ends of the right support portion 12 in the Y direction, the possibility of a problem in which the suction pad 52 is unable to suction can be avoided, and the removal becomes possible. That is, since the packs 2 on both sides in the Y direction are suctioned by the suction pads 52, the film bag portion 2a of the pack 2 becomes stretched due to the suction of the two suction pads and can withstand deformation. This makes it possible to both securely support or hold the pack 2 within the cartridge 10 and facilitate smooth removal of the pack 2.

The pack posture holding section 15 is made of sponge rubber with appropriate elasticity. The movable plate 16 is made of, for example, resin or metal. The pack posture holding section 15 and the movable plate 16 maintain the postures of the plurality of packs 2 stored in the case section 11 normally (as shown in FIG. 5(a), they maintain the postures of the packs 2 along the Z direction). It is also used to hold the objects in an orderly and approximately horizontal position. In order to perform the above function, the movable plate 16 moves downward in the Z direction inside the case part 11 by its own weight, thereby removing at least one pack 2 left inside the case part 11 near the pack removal opening 17. It is set to move reliably.
As shown in FIG. 5A, a long groove 11a is formed in the side wall of the case portion 11 and has a predetermined width in the X direction and extends in the Z direction. A flanged shaft 16a is provided at one end of the movable plate 16 so as to protrude from the long groove 11a. The movable plate 16 can maintain the posture of the pack 2 along the Z direction by having the shaft 16a guided in the Z direction along the long groove 11a. In FIG. 5, the packs 2 in the cartridge 10 are stacked in a substantially horizontal state, and are stored in an attitude with the drug-filled portion on the left in the figure inflated (not shown). Detailed status has been omitted.

The packs 2 are set in the case portion 11 in order from the pack take-out openings 17 on the right support portion 12 and left support portion 13 sides upward. The timing for replenishing the pack 2 into the cartridge 10 may be, for example, the timing of a medical examination of a person (resident) taking medication at a nursing care facility (usually two weeks) or the timing when the pack 2 in the cartridge 10 runs out. If the pack 2 remains in the cartridge 10 when replenishing, the cartridge 10 is replenished from behind the remaining pack 2.
The above-mentioned setting of the pack 2 into the cartridge 10 and replenishment of the pack 2 are performed by the staff of the nursing care facility, etc., but this is not the case if the storage section is configured as a cartridge and this is automatically performed.

The lid part 14 is designed to allow staff at a nursing care facility to take in and take out the pack 2 stored in the cartridge 10, and as shown in FIG. The opening is long and has a predetermined opening width.

As shown in FIG. 5(b), the types of packs 2 in the cartridge 10 are for each timing, such as a 14-day supply of morning medicine for Mr. A (Midori Ebina as a specific example). It's divided. Therefore, if Mr. A (Midori Ebina) takes medication not only in the morning but also in the afternoon, evening, and before going to bed, a total of four cartridges of 10 are required.
Not limited to the above example, for example, a single cartridge 10 may be set for each person (person) taking the medicine, and the cartridge 10 may be taken out from the pack take-out opening 17 upwards on the morning of the first day → It may be done as follows: noon → evening → before going to bed → morning of the second day → noon → evening...

In the technology described in Patent Document 1 described in the above background technology, a predetermined range of attachment is provided between the left flap part 12 (rotary shaft 12a and the right bottom wall end part) of the flap mechanism as shown in FIG. 8A. (A torsion coil spring with force is attached), and the right flap part 13 (which is provided so as to be able to swing and open/close around a rotating shaft (not shown) provided at the end of the right bottom wall of the pack removal opening 17). ) has been disclosed. However, with the technique described in Patent Document 1, when taking out the pack from the cartridge (storage part), the pack is caught between the left flap part 12 or the right flap part 13 and the bottom wall inner surface 11e of the pack take-out opening 17. Therefore, there was a problem that the operation of taking out the pack 2 was unstable.

In an embodiment of the present invention, in order to solve the above problem, the support part right 12 and the support part left 13 are connected to the pack takeout opening of the case part 11 so that the operation of taking out the pack 2 from the cartridge 10 by the carriage 50 is always stable. It was fixed to the inner surface 11e of the bottom wall of the section 17 as a fixing member. In other words, the right support portion 12 and the left support portion 13 are the right support portion for holding both ends of the drug pack (pack 2, pack combination 2A, etc.) in the pack removal opening 17 at the bottom of the cartridge 10. 12 and the left support portion 13 are arranged in a fixed state.

The end support part on the side to be sucked of the pack 2 is placed on the right support part 12, and the end support part on the opposite side is placed on the left support part 13 to prevent the pack 2 stored and set in the cartridge 10 from falling in the set state. is supported by The right support part 12 and the left support part 13 have different support lengths for the packs that support the pack 2, with the right support part 12 having a shorter support length. When the lowest (bottom) pack 2 stored in the cartridge 10 is sucked by the suction pad 52 and pulled out from the cartridge 10, the drug pack such as the pack 2 is elastically or freely deformed to bend and be easily pulled out. operation (see FIG. 11(d) described later).

At this time, since the supporting parts (right supporting part 12 and left supporting part 13) are fixed, they can securely hold the tip of the next pack 2 and prevent it from jumping out or falling due to the previous pack 2. There's nothing to do. In addition, since the support parts (right support part 12 and left support part 13) do not swing or rotate, the pack 2 is not pinched during the return operation or deformed when pushed, and is held in a stable state. becomes.

As shown in FIG. 5, medication-related information 6a, 6b, and 6c displayed on the drug pack (pack 2, pack combination 2A, etc.) is exposed from the pack removal opening 17 of the cartridge 10, and will be described later. As shown in FIG. 9, a QR code reader 66 mounted on the carriage 50 is configured to be able to read the medication-related information 6c of the medication pack. In FIG. 5, in order to simplify the drawing, medication-related information 6c is displayed only on the pack 2, pack assembly 2A, etc. stored at the bottom of the cartridge 10; Needless to say, it is displayed on all packs 2, pack combinations 2A, and the like.

In addition, if medication-related information 6c such as a QR code (registered trademark) cannot be added to a drug pack (pack 2, pack combination 2A, etc.) (for example, if the packaging machine that produces pack 2 etc. If printing is not possible), the configuration shown in FIG. 6 may be used. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, a label to which a QR code (registered trademark) related to medication-related information 6c is attached is attached to the bottom surface of the left support part 13 near the pack take-out opening 17. Thereby, the medication-related information 6c of the medicine pack (pack 2, pack combination 2A, etc.) stored in the cartridge 10 can be obtained. Note that in order to obtain the medication-related information 6c, instead of pasting a QR code (registered trademark) label, it may be printed directly on the cartridge 10.

The attachment/detachment mechanism and operation of the cartridge provided in the drawer section will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 is a plan sectional view of a main part showing a cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism provided in the drawer section, and FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view illustrating the cartridge identification structure provided in the drawer section. As shown in FIG. 7, the drawer section 80 is configured to allow a plurality of cartridges 10 to be attached and detached via the cartridge tray 20. The cartridge 10 configured to be removably attached in this manner is generally also referred to as a "storage section." The drawer section 80 is configured integrally with the cartridge tray 20 to hold the cartridge tray 20. Slide rails 81 are provided on the left and right outer walls of the case section 22 of the cartridge tray 20 in the drawer section 80, and each slide rail 81 is connected to a main body rail ( (not shown). As a result, the drawer section 80 (cartridge tray 20) can be pulled out from within the main body frame 199 (see FIG. 1) and attached/detached through engagement between the slide rail 81 and the main body rail (not shown). .

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, attachment and detachment of the cartridge 10 to and from the cartridge tray 20 of the drawer section 80 are possible using a pair of protrusions 23a formed protruding inward on the inner wall surface of the case section 22 of the drawer section 80, and a cartridge 10 with the pair of recesses 11c formed on the outer wall of the case part 11, and the inner wall surface of the case part 22 with the four hemispherical protrusions 11d formed on the outer wall of the case part 11. This is done through engagement and disengagement. The above-described attachment/detachment configuration of the drawer section 80 allows the attachment/detachment of the plurality of cartridges 10 to be performed easily and with good operability.
In the above example, attachment and detachment are made possible through fitting and engagement of the concave and convex portions, but the present invention is not limited to this, and an elastic material may be provided in the gap between the inner wall surface of the case portion 22 and the outer wall surface of the case portion 11. The same effect as described above can be obtained by placing it in place, using a magnetic force, or using a snap-fit structure. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the bottom wall of the cartridge tray 20 of the drawer section 80 is provided with a pack of cartridges 10 when each cartridge 10 is installed in each storage section 23 of the cartridge tray 20. An opening 21 communicating with the extraction opening 17 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) is formed through the opening 21 .

As shown in FIG. 8, the cartridge tray 20 of the drawer section 80 has a storage section 23 that stores 20 cartridges 10, which are arranged in four columns A to D horizontally and five rows 1 to 5 vertically. There is. The drawer section 80 is provided with a guide display section such as LEDs (light emitting diodes) 25a1 to 25d5, which allows the user to know where the plurality of cartridges 10 are installed, near the handle 26 which is held by hand when attaching and detaching the cartridges. Thereby, it is possible to grasp at a glance where the target cartridge 10 is located in the drawer section 80 and the cartridge tray 20. In the figure, an LED 25a1 is used to detect the presence or absence of a cartridge 10 that is attached or detached corresponding to a storage area A1 of a cartridge tray 20 (representing a portion or section uniquely determined by vertical columns and horizontal rows). be. Similarly, the LED 25a2 corresponds to the storage section A2 of the cartridge tray 20, the LED 25a3 corresponds to the storage section A3 of the cartridge tray 20, and the LED 25a4 corresponds to the storage section A4 of the cartridge tray 20. , the LED 25a5 corresponds to the storage section A5 of the cartridge tray 20. Similarly, for the storage units 1 to 5 in columns B to D, as shown in FIG. 8, LEDs are provided corresponding to each storage unit to indicate the presence or absence of the cartridge 10 that is attached to or removed from each storage unit. It is being
In the case of the guide display parts such as LEDs 25a1 to 25d5, if the staff who installs the cartridge 10 in the storage part 23 misreads the lit parts of the LEDs 25a1 to 25d5, the cartridge 10 may be placed outside the designated storage part 23. There is a possibility that it may be installed (incorrectly installed) in the storage section of the device. Therefore, instead of the guide display section such as the LEDs 25a1 to 25d5, for example, each storage section 23 is provided with a detection means such as a sensor or a switch, so that the presence or absence of the cartridge 10 can be electrically (automatically) identified. It's okay.

In addition, in order to identify individual storage units, numbers, bar codes, QR codes (registered trademarks), or non-contact IC tags are provided in the storage units, so that it is possible to identify whose medicine is in which storage unit. It is best to memorize it on the system side. Then, after the drawer section with the storage section attached thereto is set in the device main body, the device main body side identifies each storage section. This allows the device to take out and pick the target pack without making a mistake.

The structure and operation of the carriage (take-out section, take-out means) will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12. FIG. 9(a) is a front view showing the configuration of the carriage, FIG. 9(b) is a plan view of FIG. 9(a), and FIGS. 10 to 12 are front views showing the progress of the carriage's operation. In order to simplify the drawing, the connection relation diagram of the negative pressure generator 45 and the like in the structure of the carriage is shown only in FIG. 9(a), and will be omitted in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 9, the carriage 50 includes a suction section 51 that takes out and holds the pack 2 from the cartridge 10. The suction unit 51 has a function of suctioning and peeling off the pack 2. When adsorbing the pack 2, it has a function of adsorbing the pack 2 using negative pressure air converted by the negative pressure generator 45 as a negative pressurization switching means. In addition, when peeling the pack 2, it has a function of peeling the pack 2 using pressurized air converted by the negative pressure generator 45.

As shown in FIG. 9(a), the adsorption unit 51 described above converts positive pressure from an air compressor 46, which is an air compression means, into negative pressure by a negative pressure generator 45 via an air tank 47. By doing so, the pack 2 is attracted by creating a negative pressure state. The air compressor 46 is installed outside the transfer section 90 and is connected to the adsorption section 51 via an air tank 47 and a negative pressure generator 45 through a communication member such as an air pipe 49. The air piping 49 between the negative pressure generator 45 and the adsorption part 51 is provided with an air pipe 49 that connects the adsorption part 51 when the negative pressure becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value as measured by a pressure sensor (not shown) that measures the negative pressure. It can be determined that the pack 2 has been adsorbed.

The air piping 49 is provided through a cable pair or the like together with a harness so that the carriage 50 does not become strained when moving inside the medicine dispensing device 200 . That is, as shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the air pipe 49 has a path of one turn in each of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. The air piping 49 first extends from the negative pressure generator 45 along the Z-axis direction and makes one turn, then extends along the X-direction and makes one turn, and finally extends along the Y-axis direction. It is extended, makes one turn, and is connected to the adsorption section 51.

The suction unit 51 also includes a suction pad 52 that suctions the pack 2, and a suction duct 53 connected to the suction pad 52. Negative pressure generator 45 is also called a vacuum ejector valve, and is communicated with suction duct 53 via air piping 49 . The suction pad 52 functions as an air suction means or suction member that suctions the pack 2 in the cartridge 10 and takes it out. The upper end in FIG. 9A, which is one end of the suction pad 52, is arranged to suction the pack 2 as described above. The other end of the suction pad 52, the lower end in FIG. 9(a), is attached and fixed to the upper end in FIG. 9(a), which is one end of the suction duct 53. The lower end in FIG. 9A, which is the other end of the suction duct 53, is attached and fixed to the suction pad support member 54. A pair of suction pads 52 and suction ducts 53 are provided in the Y direction.

The carriage 50 also has a posture changing means for changing the posture of the pack 2 taken out from the cartridge 10 to a substantially vertical position. The attitude changing means in the carriage 50 includes, as main components, a suction pad support member 54 connected to a suction unit base member 57 via a rotating shaft 55, and a guide member 59 in which a uniquely shaped guide groove 59a is formed. , a guide shaft 56 that always fits into the guide groove 59a of the guide member 59 and guides the suction pad support member 54, and a suction part vertically moving part.
The suction pad support member 54 is connected to the suction unit base member 57 via a rotating shaft 55. The suction pad support member 54 may be provided so as to be rotatable (that is, swingable) within a predetermined angle range around a rotating shaft 55 fixed to the suction pad support member 54, and the suction base member 57 It may be provided so as to be swingable around a rotating shaft 55 fixed to. That is, in FIG. 9, the distance connecting the center of the rotating shaft 55 and the center of the guide rod 58 (described later) in the X direction is always constant when the suction unit base member 57 moves in the vertical direction Z along the guide rod 58. It is set to be kept at .

The adsorption unit vertical movement unit includes a pair of guide rods 58 provided in the Y direction, which guide the adsorption unit base member 57 in the Z direction, and an endless belt 62 wound around a drive pulley 60 and a driven pulley 61. and a drive motor 63 connected to a drive pulley 60 via a drive transmission member such as a gear or a belt. The drive motor 63 is a drive means or a drive source for the suction section vertically moving section.

The suction unit base member 57 is fixed to the belt 62 by a belt gripping portion 62a fixedly provided at the right end of the suction unit base member 57. A pair of guide rods 58 extend in the Z direction and are provided in the Y direction, and their lower end portions are fixed to the bottom frame 50b of the takeout frame 50a provided on the carriage 50.
A guided hole 57a into which the guide rod 58 is inserted is formed on the right end side of the suction unit base member 57. The driving pulley 60 and the driven pulley 61 each have pulley shafts (not shown) rotatably supported by a stationary member on the takeout frame 50a side. The drive motor 63 is fixed to a stationary member of the carriage 50 on the takeout frame 50a side.

When the suction unit base member 57 moves up and down due to the operation of the drive motor 63, the suction unit base member 57 moves in the Z direction along each guide rod 58, so that the attitude of the suction unit base member 57 in the XY plane is approximately horizontal. It becomes possible to keep it constant. Note that the suction part vertically moving section is not limited to the above-mentioned belt-driven vertical reciprocating mechanism, but may be a reciprocating linear movement mechanism using a rack and pinion or the like.

A pair of guide members 59 are provided on both sides of the suction section 51 in the Y direction with the suction pad support member 54 interposed therebetween, and their lower ends are fixed to the bottom frame 50b. The guide shaft 56 is provided to protrude from both ends of the suction pad support member 54 in the Y direction, and is provided so as to always fit into the guide groove 59a of the guide member 59 to guide the suction pad support member 54. As shown in FIG. 9A, the guide shaft 56 is provided below the rotation shaft 55 of the suction pad support member 54 in the Z direction and at a constant distance from the rotation shaft 55.

When the suction unit base member 57 is moved in the Z direction by the operation of the drive motor 63, the position of the suction unit base member 57 in the XY plane is kept constant in a substantially horizontal state, and the guide shaft 56 of the suction pad support member 54 is moved. moves in the Z direction along the uniquely shaped guide groove 59a, making it possible to rotate the posture of the suction pad 52 by approximately 90 degrees. (The situation is shown with a thick dashed line). Here, the term "substantially horizontal" includes not only a horizontal state but also means being within a predetermined angular tolerance range with respect to the horizontal.

The uniquely shaped guide groove 59a is guided by the guide shaft 56 so that the suction pad 52 is held in an upward position as shown by the solid line in FIG. , a first guide groove portion formed to extend relatively long in the Z direction, and a first guide groove portion that communicates with and connects to the first guide groove portion, and is formed so as to gradually gently draw an arc to the right as it goes downwards. The suction pad support member 54 and the second guide groove portion rotate the posture of the suction pad 52 by approximately 90 degrees.

As shown in FIG. 9, the carriage 50 includes a medication-related information reading unit or a medication-related information reading unit that reads medication-related information 6c (see FIG. 5) of a QR code (registered trademark) displayed on the pack 2 etc. stored in the cartridge 10. A QR code reader 66 is installed as a pack information reading means. The upper QR code reader 66 has an upper reading section 66a for reading the medication-related information 6c at the top, and also functions as a medication-related information reading section 65 (see FIGS. 15 and 16 described later). The QR code reader top 66 is attached to the side of the carriage 50. The upper QR code reader 66 reads the QR code (registered trademark) related to the medication-related information 6c displayed on the label (see FIG. 6) attached to the left support part 13 of the pack ejection opening 17 in the cartridge 10. Also used for The operation of reading the QR code (registered trademark) related to the medication-related information 6c by the upper reading section 66a of the QR code reader upper part 66 will be described on the assumption that it is performed immediately before the operation of removing the pack 2 from the cartridge 10 by the carriage 50.

In FIG. 9, the carriage 50 also includes a medication-related information reading unit 65 or a pack information reader that reads the QR code (registered trademark) related to the medication-related information 6c on the label 7 affixed to the subdivision box 34 described in FIG. It is also equipped with a QR code reader 67 as a means. The lower QR code reader 67 has a lower reading section 67a that also functions as the medication-related information reading section 65 at the bottom, and is attached to the side surface of the carriage 50 below the upper QR code reader 66. The reading operation of the QR code (registered trademark) related to the medication-related information 6c in the subdivision box 34 by the lower reading section 67a of the lower QR code reader 67 is performed when the medicine dispensing tray 30 of the pack 2 taken out from the cartridge 10 is read into the subdivision box 34. A case will be explained in which it is performed immediately before the drug dispensing operation.

The operation of the carriage 50 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12. Here, in order to simplify the explanation and make it easier to understand, the carriage 50 is moved between the two drawer sections 80 disposed above and below the main frame 199 in FIG. 1 by the operation of the transfer section 90 in FIG. It is assumed that the cartridge tray 20 is located near the bottom of the cartridge tray 20 held in the drawer section 80 disposed above. Further, it is assumed that the cartridge 10 shown in FIG. 5 is used, and the cartridge tray 20 shown in FIG. 1 is used. In addition, in order to simplify the diagrams and make them easier to understand, in each diagram of FIGS. 11(b) to 11(g), FIG. 12(i), and FIG. 12(j), information related to medication-related information 6c is Illustrations of the QR code (registered trademark), the upper QR code reader 66, and the lower QR code reader 67 are intentionally omitted.

In FIG. 10A, the carriage 50 can be moved in the X and Y directions in the lower area of the cartridge 10 and the cartridge tray 20 by the transfer unit 90 of FIG. First, as shown in the figure, the carriage 50 moves below the cartridge tray 20 holding the cartridge 10 storing the pack 2 to be taken out, and assumes the position described below. That is, the upper reading part 66a of the upper QR code reader 66 of the carriage 50 is located almost directly below the cartridge tray 20 and the cartridge 10 (from the opening 21 of the cartridge tray 20 to the medication-related part of the pack 2 stored in the lowest part of the cartridge 10). It occupies a position in the reading range 9) where the QR code (registered trademark) related to the information 6c can be read. While the carriage 50 is in the above position, the QR code (registered trademark) related to the medication-related information 6c displayed on the pack 2 is read by the upper reading section 66a of the QR code reader 66.

Next, the carriage 50 is moved slightly to the right in the X direction from the position shown in FIG. 10(a) by the transfer unit 90 in FIG. 1, as shown in FIG. 2 is moved to a position where it can be taken out and the movement is stopped. At this time, the drive motor 63 of the suction section vertically moving section is stopped, and the suction pad 52 is located below the top surface position of the takeout section (meaning the top surface position of the takeout frame 50a of the carriage 50). Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 11(c), the suction pad 52 moves upward by the operation of the drive motor 63 and enters from the pack removal opening 17 between the right support part 12 and the left support part 13. When it comes into contact with the pack 2 located at the bottom of the cartridge 10, it simultaneously attracts the pack 2. At that time, the negative pressure generator 45 has been driven in advance to generate negative pressure, and is in a state where the pack 2 can be sucked.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11(d), by the reverse operation of the drive motor 63, the suction pad 52 moves downward while sucking the pack 2, and one end side of the pack 2 is removed from inside the cartridge 10. Pull out the tip end side (meaning the side suctioned by the suction pad 52; the same applies hereinafter).

Next, as shown in FIG. 11E, the carriage 50 is moved in the lateral direction, that is, the X direction, by the operation of the transfer unit 90, and the rear end side of the pack 2 is pulled out from the cartridge 10. Immediately thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 11(f) to 11(g), the drive motor 63 operates to rotate the approximately horizontal posture of the pack 2, which is suctioned and held by the suction pad 52, by approximately 90 degrees. The substantially horizontal state is changed to a substantially vertical state (hereinafter also referred to as a substantially vertical state). In this rotational movement, the guide shaft 56 provided on the suction pad support member 54 is movable along the guide groove 59a of the guide member 59, so that the posture of the pack 2 changes from a substantially horizontal state to a substantially vertical state. Can be changed. The drive source at this time can be a series of operations of a single drive motor 63.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12(h), the carriage 50 equipped with the suction pad 52 holding the pack 2 in a substantially vertical position is carried to a predetermined position by the transfer unit 90. In this way, the lower reading part 67a of the lower QR code reader 67 of the carriage 50 reads the QR code (registered trademark) related to the medication-related information 6c displayed at the lower part of the predetermined subdivision box 34 (or predetermined section 33) of the medicine dispensing tray 30. When the patient occupies the predetermined position in the reading range 9, the lower reading section 67a reads the QR code (registered trademark) related to the medication-related information 6c.

Next, the carriage 50 is moved slightly to the right in the X direction from the position shown in FIG. 12(h) by the transfer unit 90 in FIG. 1, as shown in FIG. The movement is stopped at a position where the removed pack 2 can be inserted into the subdivision box 34 (or a predetermined section 33). In this way, when the carriage 50 is carried almost directly above the predetermined subdivision box 34 (or predetermined section 33) of the drug distribution tray 30 into which the pack 2 can be inserted, the negative pressure generator 45 changes from negative pressure to pressurization (positive pressure). It is driven for a short period of time to generate pressure (pressure). As a result, pressurized air is blown against the pack 2 from the suction pad 52, thereby releasing the suction hold of the pack 2, and the pack 2 is placed in a predetermined subdivision box 34 (or a predetermined compartment 33) of the medicine distribution tray 30. (see Figure 12(j)).

After performing the above operation multiple times and inserting the necessary packs 2 into the predetermined compartments 33 of the medicine distribution tray 30, the medicine distribution tray 30 is ejected from the device from the third entrance/exit part 43 (see FIG. 1), and the nursing care facility This will be received by staff, etc., and medication support staff.

Referring to FIG. 13, the operation when reading the QR code (registered trademark) related to the medication-related information 6c of the cartridge 10 shown in FIG. 6 using the upper reading section 66a of the QR code reader 66 shown in FIG. 9 will be described. Compared to the cartridge 10 shown in FIG. 5, the cartridge 10 shown in FIG. The only difference is that the bottom wall surface of No. 13 was changed.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, in order to read the QR code (registered trademark) related to the medication-related information 6c displayed on the bottom wall surface of the left support portion 13 of the cartridge 10, the QR code reader 66 on the carriage 50 must be read. Move the carriage 50 to the left side in the X direction at a position where the upper reading part 66a is in the reading range 9 where the QR code (registered trademark) related to medication-related information 6c displayed on the bottom wall surface of the left support part 13 of the cartridge 10 can be read. You can move it to While the carriage 50 is in the above position, the upper reading section 66a of the upper QR code reader 66 reads the QR code (registered trademark) related to the medication-related information 6c displayed on the bottom wall surface of the left support section 13 of the cartridge 10. read. The operations of the carriage 50 other than those described above are the same as those described in FIGS. 11(b) to 11(g) and FIGS. 12(h) to 12(i).

As described above, in the above embodiment, when the pack 2 is taken out from the cartridge 10, the carriage 50 is positioned below the cartridge 10 and the cartridge tray 20, and the pack 2 is taken out from below the cartridge 10. In this way, by removing the pack 2 from the bottom of the cartridge 10, the next pack 2 is moved downward (in the direction of the pack removal opening 17) by the weight of the pack 2 remaining in the cartridge 10 and the movable plate 16. Since it moves automatically, the carriage 50 can perform the same operation with a simple configuration regardless of the amount of packs 2 remaining in the cartridge 10.

The configuration and operation of the transfer section 90 will be explained with reference to FIG. 14. FIG. 14(a) is a front view showing the main structure of the transfer section, and FIG. 14(b) is a side view of FIG. 14(a). As in the configuration of the drug dispensing device 200 in FIG. is located further above the upper cartridge 10, so the carriage 50 is configured to move in three directions: the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction. In this way, the transfer unit 90 is configured to move the carriage 50 in the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction in order to transfer the pack 2 taken out from the cartridge 10 by the carriage 50 to the medicine distribution tray 30. .

The structure for moving the carriage 50 in the X direction is the X direction transfer section 91, the structure for moving the carriage 50 in the Y direction is the Y direction transfer section 101, and the structure for moving the carriage 50 in the Z direction is the Z direction transfer section 111. Each has a similar configuration.

The X direction transfer section 91 is wound between an X adapter 96 attached to the carriage 50, an X guide member 97 that guides the carriage 50 in the X direction via the X adapter 96, a driving pulley 92 and a driven pulley 93. It has an endless belt 94 hung thereon, and a drive motor 95 for X-direction transport connected to the drive pulley 92 via a drive force transmission member such as a gear or a belt. Three rollers 98 (two of the three rollers are hidden by the carriage 50 and cannot be seen) are rotatably attached to the X adapter 96 with an X guide member 97 sandwiched therebetween. Further, the X adapter 96 is coupled and fixed to the endless belt 94 via a belt gripping portion (not shown).

With the above-described configuration of the X-direction transfer section 91, when the drive motor 95 is driven, the drive force is transmitted to the endless belt 94 via the drive force transmission member and the drive pulley 92, and the endless belt 94 rotates and runs, and the carriage 50 moves along the X guide member 97 together with the X adapter 96 in the X direction.

The Y-direction transfer unit 101 is arranged between a Y-adapter 106 attached to the carriage 50, a Y-guide member 107 that guides the carriage 50 in the Y-direction via the Y-adapter 106, and a driving pulley 102 and a driven pulley 103. It has an endless belt 104 hung thereon, and a drive motor 105 for Y-direction transport connected to the drive pulley 102 via a drive force transmission member such as a gear or a belt. Three rollers 108 are rotatably attached to the Y adapter 106 with the Y guide member 107 sandwiched therebetween. Further, the Y adapter 106 is coupled and fixed to the endless belt 104 via the belt gripping portion 104a.

With the above configuration of the Y-direction transfer unit 101, when the drive motor 105 is driven, the drive force is transmitted to the endless belt 104 via the drive force transmission member and the drive pulley 102, the endless belt 104 rotates, and the carriage 50 moves along the Y guide member 107 together with the Y adapter 106 in the Y direction.

The Z direction transfer unit 111 includes a pair of Z adapters 116 attached to both ends of the X guide member 97 in the X direction, and a pair that guides the carriage 50 in the Z direction via the X guide member 97 and the pair of Z adapters 116. A Z guide member 117, an endless belt 114 wound between the drive pulley 112 and the driven pulley 113, and a Z-direction transport member connected to the drive pulley 112 via a drive force transmission member such as a gear or a belt. It has a drive motor 115. In the Z direction transfer section 111, a drive pulley 112, a driven pulley 113, and an endless belt 114 are provided on both sides in the X direction, but a drive motor 115 is provided only on one drive pulley 112. Three rollers 118 are rotatably attached to each Z adapter 116 with the Z guide member 117 sandwiched therebetween. Further, each Z adapter 116 is coupled and fixed to each endless belt 114 via each belt gripping portion 114a.

With the above configuration of the Z direction transfer section 111, when the drive motor 115 is driven, the driving force is transmitted to the endless belt 114 via the drive force transmission member and the drive pulley 112, the endless belt 114 rotates, and the carriage 50 moves in the Z direction along the Z guide member 117 together with the X guide member 97 and the Z adapter 116.

In FIG. 14, the carriage 50 is moved in three axes directions: the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis. For example, the cartridge 10 is arranged on the upper side of the carriage 50, and the medicine distribution tray 30 is arranged on the lower side. In this case, since the carriage 50 only needs to move in the X direction and the Y direction, the number of movement axes can be reduced by one.

As described above, in one embodiment of the present invention, a QR code reader is used as the pack information reading means; Although the configuration is divided into two parts (67), it is also possible to combine them into one.

As will be described later, the QR code (registered trademark) reading operation can be controlled to automatically start upon detection of storage of a cartridge, a medicine tray, or both. Further, it may be performed immediately before taking out the medicine pack from the cartridge, immediately before dispensing the medicine to the medicine dispensing tray, or may be arbitrarily set by user operation, and there is no need to limit the implementation method.

By reading the QR code (registered trademark) on the carriage side and the QR code (registered trademark) on the medicine distribution tray (subdivision box) side and storing each information, it is used for data comparison when dispensing medicine (see the figure below) 16).

The control configuration of the drug dispensing device 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 15. FIG. 15 is a control block diagram showing the main control configuration of the drug dispensing device. As shown in FIG. 15, the drug dispensing device 200 includes a CPU (central processing unit) that functions as a control unit 150 as a control means that controls the operation of each part of the drug dispensing device 200. The CPU has a built-in storage section, a timer section, and the like. The CPU issues notifications to the staff and instructions for operating the device at timings according to the program based on various inputs including sensors to be described later.

The CPU has calculation and control functions, and may also have a timer (timekeeping) function. The storage unit 152 on the control unit 150 side includes a RAM (memory that can be read and written at any time), also called a main memory, and a ROM (read-only memory). The ROM stores in advance programs that can be read by the CPU (for example, programs such as control flowcharts to be described later), various data, and the like. Examples of various data include, for example, data on the relationship between the compartments 33 of the medication tray 30 allocated to each patient, a plurality of subdivision boxes 34, and drug packs, and the compartments 33 of the medication tray 30 allocated to each medication timing, and multiple subdivision boxes 34. Examples include relational data between the subdivision box 34 and the drug pack, and relational data between the compartments 33 of the medicine dispensing tray 30 allocated for each medication order, the plurality of subdivision boxes 34, and the drug pack, and the like.

A touch panel 151 is electrically connected to the input/output port of the CPU as a user interface. The touch panel 151 is not limited to this, and may be a combination of, for example, an input section and a display section separated from each other, and a keyboard and an LED display section.

The input port of the CPU includes various sensors such as a medicine tray detection sensor 156 that detects the type of medicine tray 30 housed in the device and the presence or absence of the medicine tray 30, and a medicine tray detection sensor 156 that detects the presence or absence of the cartridge 10. A cartridge detection sensor 157 is electrically connected thereto.
The input port of the CPU is also provided with various sensors such as drawer doorway opening/closing sensors 159a and 159b for detecting opening/closing of the first doorway section 41 and the second doorway section 42, and the third doorway section 43 and the fourth doorway section. The opening/closing sensors 160a and 160b for the opening/closing of the medicine tray entrance/exit portion for detecting opening/closing of the tray 44 are electrically connected. The medicine distribution tray detection sensor 156, the cartridge detection sensor 157, the drawer entrance/exit opening/closing sensors 159a, 159b, and the medicine distribution tray entrance/exit opening/closing sensors 160a, 160b are shown only in FIG.
The input port of the CPU also includes an HP sensor 99 for an HP sensor X that detects the home position (hereinafter abbreviated as "HP") of the X-direction transport section 91 in the carriage 50, and a Y-direction transport section 101 in the carriage 50. An HP sensor 109 for the HP sensor Y that detects the HP of the carriage 50 and an HP sensor 119 for the HP sensor Z that detects the HP of the Z direction transfer section 111 in the carriage 50 are electrically connected. Also electrically connected to the input port of the CPU is an HP sensor 158 for an HP sensor P that detects the HP of the suction section 51 (particularly the suction pad 52) in the carriage 50.

The input port of the CPU is also provided with an upper QR code reader 66 (upper reading section 66a) as a medication-related information reading section 65 and a lower QR code reader 67 (as a medication-related information reading section 65) disposed on the carriage 50. The lower reading section 67a) is electrically connected.

The output port of the CPU is connected to a drive motor 95 for the X-direction transfer section 91, a drive motor 105 for the Y-direction transfer section 101, and a drive motor for the Z-direction transfer section 111 through various motor drivers X to Z and P, respectively. A motor 115 and a drive motor 63 for changing the posture and operation of the suction pad 52 are electrically connected. A negative pressure generator (ejector valve) 45, which is a negative pressure generator actuator, is also electrically connected to the output port of the CPU via a negative pressure generator driver. A notification unit may be electrically connected to an output port of the CPU. This notifying unit notifies the state of the device and each part by means of light such as an LED, sound including sound, and vibration. It is equipped with speakers, lights, etc. to notify staff of medication timing, etc. even when they are away from the device.

The external medicine information is also input to the CPU through I/O, stored in the storage unit 152, and used for allocating medicines to patients. Note that the LEDs 25a1 to 25d5 of the drawer section 80 may be electrically connected.

When input information from the touch panel 151, various HP sensors 99, 109, 119, 158, and various signals from various sensors (not shown) are input to the CPU, the following command signal is output from the CPU. be done. That is, from the CPU, the audio device and optical device of the display device of the touch panel 151 (including the above-mentioned notification section), the LEDs 25a1 to 25d5, the negative pressure generator 45, the drive motor 63, the drive motor 95, the drive motor 105, and the drive motor 115 or an instruction to a driver corresponding to the LED is output from the CPU.

The HP sensor 158 for the HP sensor P and the drive motor 63 outputted via the motor driver P are used to drive and control the suction part vertical movement mechanism. The CPU has a function of executing various control operations shown in explanations and control flowcharts to be described later.

The control configuration of the medication support device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 16. FIG. 16 shows a control block diagram of the medication support device of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 16, a medication support device 300 according to the present invention includes the medication dispensing device 200 described above and a storage unit 170 that is communicably (transmittable and receivable) connected to the medication dispensing device 200. has been done. This storage unit 170 can be called an external storage device that has a large storage capacity compared to the main storage that has a small storage capacity provided in the drug dispensing device 200, and is a server or a personal computer (PC) that can send and receive data through network communication. It's okay. Note that the storage unit 170 may be integrated within the medication dispensing device 200 to constitute the medication support device 300.

The storage unit 170 stores cartridges, drug packs, and medication information read by the medication-related information reading unit 65 (the upper QR code reader 66 and the lower QR code reader 67) provided in the medication dispensing device 200 as a pack information reading unit. It stores pack information reading data related to a QR code (registered trademark), which is the first medication-related information 6c added to at least one of the trays.

The storage unit 170 also includes a pack that stores medicine distribution information reading data related to a QR code (registered trademark), which is second medication-related information 6c that is preset in at least one of the cartridge, medicine pack, and medicine distribution tray. It has a function as an information storage means. The storage unit 170 transmits and receives the stored pack information reading data and the stored medicine distribution information reading data to and from the medicine dispensing device 200.

Here, a supplementary explanation will be given about reading the medication-related information 6c. When the medication-related information 6c is displayed on the surface of the drug pack as shown in FIG. 5, the QR code (registered trademark) is visible from the pack removal opening 17 as shown in FIG. 10(a). Therefore, it can be read by the upper reading part 66a of the QR code reader upper part 66. Furthermore, even when the medication-related information 6c is displayed on the left side of the support part 13 on the bottom wall of the cartridge 10 as shown in FIG. The upper reading section 66a of the upper part 66 can similarly read the QR code (registered trademark) related to the medication-related information 6c.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12(h), when the carriage 50 moves to above the subdivision box 34 of the medicine dispensing tray 30 while holding the pack 2 taken out from the cartridge 10, the lower part of the QR code reader 67 can be read. The portion 67a can similarly read the QR code (registered trademark) related to the medication-related information 6c. In this way, the pack information reading information and medication distribution information reading information read by the upper QR code reader 66 and the lower QR code reader 67 are transmitted to the storage unit 170 via the communication module 175, and the pack information reading data and medication distribution information reading Stored as data.

Since the upper QR code reader 66 and the lower QR code reader 67 are mounted on the carriage 50, by moving the carriage 50 within the medication dispensing device 200 (see FIG. 1, etc.), the name of the person taking the medication and the date the person takes the medication can be displayed. It becomes possible to detect the location of the cartridge 10 in which the desired drug pack is stored. In other words, regarding the positional coordinates (for example, When reading the QR code (registered trademark), it is possible to link the positional coordinates of the carriage 50 corresponding to the location of the cartridge 10 with the QR code (registered trademark) related to the medication-related information 6c.

As in the embodiment described above, the CPU of the control unit 150 provided in the medicine dispensing device 200 uses the pack information reading means (the upper QR code reader 66 and the lower QR code reader 67 of the medication-related information reading unit 65). The read first medication-related information 6a to 6c is compared with the second medication-related information stored in the pack information storage means (storage unit 170), and the first medication-related information is compared to the second medication-related information. A specific drug pack 2 is transferred to a specific position (compartment 33 or subdivision box 34) in the drug dispensing tray 30 by a take-out transfer means (consisting of a carriage 50 and a transfer unit 90) so as to match the medication-related information. It has a control function to control the take-out and transfer means so as to do so (see particularly the control configurations in FIGS. 15 and 16).

(Example 1)
Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 17 regarding the operation flow when reading the QR code (registered trademark) on the cartridge side (see FIGS. 10 and 13). FIG. 17 is an operation flowchart according to the first embodiment when reading the QR code (registered trademark) on the cartridge side. First, it is checked whether the cartridge has been set (installed) (step 10). If the cartridge is set, the QR code reader starts reading medication-related information (step 11). To explain in more detail, for example, a sensor or a switch (not shown) detects that the cartridge is installed at a predetermined location. Then, for example, after the cover installed on the device is closed and it is confirmed that it is safe, the reading operation is automatically started (the same applies hereinafter).
Next, the carriage moves to the target cartridge, and the medication-related information (QR code (registered trademark)) is read by the QR code reader (steps 12 to S13, see FIG. 10(a)). Next, it is checked whether the medication-related information has been successfully read by the QR code reader (step S14).

If the medication-related information is successfully read by the QR code reader in step S14, the cartridge position and medication-related information are stored (step S15). When all of the above operations (steps S12 to S15) are completed, the operation of the first embodiment ends (step S16). In addition, in step S14, if reading of the medication-related information by the QR code reader is not successful, the process advances to step S17, stores the cartridge number of the read error, and returns to step S12. Further, even if all the operations in steps S12 to S15 are not completed in step S16, the process returns to step S12 and the same operations are repeated.

(Example 2)
Embodiment 2 relating to the operational flow when reading the QR code (registered trademark) on the medicine distribution tray side will be described with reference to FIG. 18. FIG. 18 is an operation flowchart according to the second embodiment when reading the QR code (registered trademark) on the medicine distribution tray side. First, it is checked whether the medicine distribution tray has been set (installed) (step 20). If the medication tray is set, the QR code reader starts reading medication-related information (step 21). To explain in more detail, for example, a sensor, a switch, etc. (not shown) detects that the medicine distribution tray is installed at a predetermined location. Then, for example, after the cover installed on the device is closed and it is confirmed that it is safe, the reading operation is automatically started. Next, the carriage moves to the target medicine distribution tray, and the medication-related information is read by the QR code reader (steps 22 to S23, see FIG. 12(h)). Next, it is checked whether the medication-related information has been successfully read by the QR code reader (step S24).

If the medication-related information is successfully read by the QR code reader in step S24, the medication tray position and medication-related information are stored (step S25). When all of the above operations (steps S22 to S25) are completed, the operation of the second embodiment ends (step S26). In addition, in step S24, if reading of the medication-related information by the QR code reader is not successful, the process advances to step S27, stores the medicine distribution tray number in which the reading error occurred, and returns to step S22. Further, in step S26, if all the operations in steps S22 to S25 are not completed, the process returns to step S22 and the same operations are repeated.

According to Embodiments 1 and 2, the control operation described above makes it possible to automatically maintain the latest state at all times even when the inside of the cartridge or the medicine distribution tray is taken out or taken out. That is, the read information obtained by reading the first medication-related information can always be kept up-to-date. In addition, in Examples 1 and 2, it is desirable to memorize the location where a reading error occurs during the QR code reading operation.

(Example 3)
Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 19, in which the operation of reading the QR code (registered trademark) on the cartridge side is performed immediately before the operation of taking out the medicine pack. In Example 3, the operation of reading the QR code (registered trademark) on the medicine tray side has been performed in advance, and the operation flow will be explained in which the operation of reading the QR code (registered trademark) on the cartridge side is performed immediately before the operation of taking out the medicine pack. do.
First, the medication-related information/drug distribution information of the first person in the medication distribution management data is confirmed (step S30). Next, the carriage is moved to the target cartridge, and the medicine distribution information of the medicine pack (or cartridge) is read (steps S31 to S32). Next, it is checked whether the information on the medicine pack and the medicine distribution tray match (step S33). In step S33, if the information on the medicine pack and the medicine distribution tray match, the medicine pack is taken out from the cartridge. Thereafter, the drug pack is transferred to the target drug distribution tray frame (meaning a section at a predetermined location or a subdivision box corresponding thereto; the same applies hereinafter) (step S35). Thereafter, the medicine pack taken out is placed on the medicine distribution tray (step S36).

Next, the process advances to step S37, and it is checked whether all the operations from step S31 to step S36 described above have been completed. In step S37, if all operations from step S31 to step S36 have been completed, the process ends.
On the other hand, in step S37, if all the operations from step S31 to step S35 are not completed, the process advances to step S38, and the medication-related information/drug distribution information of the next person in the medication distribution management data is confirmed. Note that in step S33, if the information on the drug pack and the drug distribution tray do not match, an error notification (for example, a warning sound by a buzzer or a warning display on the screen, etc., the same applies hereinafter) is issued and the operation flow is terminated ( Step S39).

According to the third embodiment, the QR code (registered trademark) reading operation is performed immediately before the medicine pack removal operation (in other words, the QR code (registered trademark) reading operation is incorporated into the carriage transport operation). ), equipment standby time is reduced and productivity is improved.

(Example 4)
Referring to FIG. 20, an operation flow during a drug dispensing operation according to the fourth embodiment will be described. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the operation flow during drug dispensing operation according to the fourth embodiment. In Embodiment 4, during medication dispensing operation, it is checked whether the information read on the cartridge side read by the QR code reader matches the information read on the medicine dispensing tray side, and if there is a mismatch, an error notification is sent to the user. This is an operation flow that prompts the person to take action.

As shown in FIG. 20, first, the medication-related information/drug distribution information of the first person in the medication distribution management data is confirmed (step S40). Next, the pack information reading data on the medicine pack (or cartridge) side read by the QR code reader and the medicine distribution information reading data on the medicine distribution tray side read by the QR code reader are compared to determine whether they match. (Step S41). If both read data match, the carriage moves to the target cartridge and takes out the drug pack from the cartridge (steps S42 to S43). Next, the medicine pack taken out is transferred to the target medicine distribution tray, and the medicine pack taken out is placed at a designated place on the medicine distribution tray (steps S44 to S45).

Next, the process advances to step S46 to check whether all the operations from step S41 to step S45 described above have been completed, and if all the operations from step S41 to step S45 have been completed, the process ends.
On the other hand, in step S46, if all the operations from step S41 to step S45 have not been completed, in order to confirm the medication-related information/medication distribution information of the next person in the medication distribution management data, step S41 to step S45 are performed. The operations up to S45 are repeated (step S47). In step S41, if the pack information read data on the medicine pack (or cartridge) side read by the QR code reader and the medicine distribution information read data on the medicine distribution tray side read by the QR code reader do not match, An error notification is issued (step S49) and the process ends.

According to the fourth embodiment, by notifying the user etc. that there is a discrepancy as a result of comparing the read first medication-related information and the stored second medication-related information and prompting the user to perform the process, The accuracy of preventing medication errors can be improved.

(Example 5)
Referring to FIG. 21, an operation flow during a drug dispensing operation according to the fifth embodiment will be described. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an operation flow during drug dispensing operation according to the fifth embodiment. In Example 5 of FIG. 21, compared to Example 4 of FIG. The only difference is that after the targeted drug pack is evacuated to the evacuating section 40 of FIG. 1, the next cycle operation is started (see steps S58 and S59).

According to Example 5, by evacuating the mismatched drug packs to the evacuation section, the method for handling the mismatched drug packs becomes clear, so that the drugs in the mismatched drug packs can be used for administration. This will prevent further drug errors.

(Example 6)
Referring to FIG. 22, an operation flow during a drug dispensing operation according to the sixth embodiment will be described. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the operation flow during drug dispensing operation according to the sixth embodiment. In Example 6 of FIG. 22, compared to Example 4 of FIG. The only difference is that the drug pack that has a mismatch is skipped to the next cycle operation without being taken out from the cartridge (that is, the drug dispensing operation is not performed) (see step S68).

According to the sixth embodiment, when there is a mismatch, the productivity of the apparatus can be ensured by continuing the operation of taking out the drug pack from the next cartridge.

(Example 7)
Example 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. 23 to 25. 23 is a diagram showing the operation screen used in Example 7, FIG. 24 is a flowchart of the QR code reading operation on the cartridge side performed in Example 7, and FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the QR code on the medicine distribution tray side performed in Example 7. It is a flowchart of a reading operation.
The operation screen 220 in FIG. 23 is provided on a personal computer (not shown) that is connected to the control unit 150 of the drug dispensing device 200 shown in FIG. . When the user presses an "update" button 230 located on the operation screen 220 at any timing, the user starts reading the QR code of the cartridge or medicine tray. For example, a sensor or switch that detects when a cartridge or medicine distribution tray is installed has a function that detects that the cartridge or medicine distribution tray is removed and automatically clears the QR code information. However, in reality, the QR code information will be cleared even if the contents of the cartridge or medicine tray are simply put in and taken out without changing anything. On the other hand, the above problem can be prevented by allowing the user to update the QR code information at will.

In the operation screen 220 shown in FIG. 23, drug packs to be administered are stored in a matrix table of the name of each resident (person taking medication) in the nursing care facility and the timing of medication administration corresponding to that person. The position coordinates of the cartridge 10 can be displayed. This makes it possible to manage the person taking the medication, the timing of taking the medication corresponding to the person taking the medication, the cartridge 10 in which the drug pack to be administered is stored, and its position coordinates.
To explain more specifically with reference to FIG. 23, if the resident's specific name is "Midori Naebi" (honorific title omitted), when the medication timing is daytime, the carriage moves to a specific position and This indicates that the medicine in the medicine pack of the cartridge located at the position coordinates [(1 (column) - 1 (column) - 1 (row))] is supplied to the resident and taken. The above description also applies to which compartment (or subdivision box) of the medicine dispensing tray a particular medicine pack taken out from a cartridge located at a particular position coordinate is inserted.

In the flowchart of FIG. 24, first, it is checked whether the update button 230 described above has been pressed, and if it has been pressed, reading of medication-related information is started (steps S70 to S71). Next, the carriage moves to the target cartridge, the QR code (registered trademark) is read by the QR code reader, and it is checked whether the reading is successful (steps S72 to S74). If the reading is successful in step S74, the process advances to step S75 and the cartridge position and medication-related information are stored. Then, the process advances to step S76, where it is checked whether all operations from step S72 to step S75 have been completed, and if all have been completed, the operation ends.

On the other hand, in step S76, if all the operations from step S72 to step S75 are not completed, the process returns to step S72 and the series of operations described above are repeated. If reading is not successful in step S74, the cartridge number of the read error in step S77 is stored, and the process returns to step S72 to repeat the above-described series of operations.

The flow in FIG. 25 differs from the flow in FIG. 24 in that the carriage moves to the target drug distribution tray in step S82 instead of moving the carriage to the target cartridge in step S72. Another difference is that instead of storing the cartridge number of the read error in step S77, the medicine distribution tray number of the read error in step S87 is stored.

According to the seventh embodiment, by leaving the content of the above-mentioned operation flow to the user's operation, it is possible to select an operation flow based on the points that the user emphasizes (for example, improving efficiency and reducing time by shortening work). play.

It can be said that the above-mentioned embodiment, the above-mentioned example, etc. have substantially described the following aspects and effects.

A first aspect includes a storage means such as a cartridge 10 for storing a medicine pack such as the medicine pack 2, a medicine dispensing means such as a medicine distribution tray 30 for arranging a particular medicine pack at a particular position, and a take-out and transfer means for taking out the medicine pack from the storage means and transferring it to a specific position in the medicine distribution means; and at least one of the storage means, the medicine pack, and the medicine distribution means, which is provided in the take-out and transport means. pack information reading means such as a medication-related information reading section 65 that reads first medication-related information such as the medication-related information 6c added to the storage device, and at least one of the storage device, the drug pack, and the medication dispensing device. a pack information storage means such as a storage unit 170 for storing second medication-related information set in advance, and the first medication-related information read by the pack information reading means and the pack information storage. Comparing the second medication-related information stored in the means, the taking-out and transporting unit performs a process in the medication dispensing unit so that the first medication-related information matches the second medication-related information. The medication support device is a medication support device such as the medication support device 300 that transports the specific medicine pack to a specific position.

With this configuration, according to the first aspect, it is possible to reduce the work time and workload of nurses, caregivers, etc. in medication preparation work in nursing care facilities, etc., and to prevent medication errors. In other words, by confirming that the drug pack stored in the storage means and the drug delivery destination match, it is possible to prevent medication errors.

A second aspect is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the first medication-related information is added to the storage means.
With this configuration, according to the second aspect, even if the first medication-related information cannot be added to the medicine pack side, errors can be prevented by reading the first medication-related information added to the storage means. An alternative to drug prevention becomes possible.

In a third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the timing at which the pack information reading means reads the first medication-related information is determined when at least one of the storage means, the drug pack, and the medicine dispensing means is installed. It is characterized by the fact that it occurs after
With this configuration, according to the third aspect, the read information obtained by reading the first medication-related information can always be kept up-to-date.

In a fourth aspect, in the first or second aspect, the timing at which the pack information reading means reads the first medication-related information is immediately before the medicine pack is taken out from the storage means by the takeout and transfer means. It is characterized by being set.
With this configuration, according to the fourth aspect, by incorporating the operation of the pack information reading means into the transfer operation of the pick-up transfer means, the standby time of the apparatus is reduced and productivity is improved.

A fifth aspect is that in the first or second aspect, the timing at which the pack information reading means reads the first medication-related information can be arbitrarily set by a user operation.
With this configuration, according to the fifth aspect, by leaving it up to the user's operation, it is possible to select based on the user's important points (for example, efficiency improvement and time reduction due to work reduction).

A sixth aspect is the aspect according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, further comprising a notification means for notifying the condition, and the first medication-related information read by the pack information reading means and the The present invention is characterized in that, as a result of comparison with the second medication-related information stored in the pack information storage means, if they do not match, the notification means notifies the state.
With such a configuration, according to the sixth aspect, the process is performed by notifying the user etc. that there is a discrepancy as a result of comparing the read first medication-related information and the stored second medication-related information. By encouraging this, the accuracy of preventing medication errors can be improved.

In a seventh aspect, in the aspect described in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the first medication-related information read by the pack information reading means and the first medication-related information stored in the pack information storage means are provided. If the comparison with the second medication-related information does not match, the medicine pack taken out by the take-out and transfer means is evacuated to a retraction section such as the retraction section 40.
With such a configuration, according to the seventh aspect, by evacuating the mismatched drug packs to the evacuation section, the method for handling the mismatched drug packs becomes clear, and the mismatched drug packs can be saved. It is possible to prevent the drug from being used for medication, which further prevents medication errors.

In an eighth aspect, in the aspect described in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the first medication-related information read by the pack information reading means and the first medication-related information stored in the pack information storage means are provided. As a result of the comparison with the second medication-related information, if they do not match, the taking-out transfer means does not take out the medicine pack from the storage means, and the medicine pack is next taken out from the storage means. It is characterized by continuing.
With this configuration, according to the eighth aspect, when a discrepancy occurs, the productivity of the apparatus can be ensured by continuing the operation of taking out the medicine pack from the next storage means.

In a ninth aspect, in the aspect described in any one of the first to eighth aspects, the take-out and transfer means includes a take-out means such as a carriage 50 for taking out the specific medicine pack from the storage means, and a take-out means such as a carriage 50 for taking out the specific drug pack from the storage means. It is characterized by comprising a transfer means such as a transfer section 90 for transferring the medicine pack taken out from the means to a specific position in the medicine dispensing means.

In a tenth aspect, in the aspect described in any one of the first to ninth aspects, the storage means is configured to store the drug packs in a stacked manner, and the drug packs contain a drug. A single drug pack such as a single pack 2, and a combined drug pack such as a combined pack 2A in which a plurality of single drug packs are stacked and combined in the stacking direction. It is characterized by containing.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and unless specifically limited in the above explanation, the present invention described in the claims Various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the spirit. For example, the technical matters described in the above embodiments, modified examples, etc. may be combined as appropriate.

The effects appropriately described in the embodiments of the present invention are merely a list of the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. It's not a thing.

2 Single drug pack (an example of a drug pack)
2A Pack combination (an example of drug pack)
3 Drugs 6a-6c Medication-related information (an example of the first medication-related information)
10 Cartridge (example of storage unit, storage means)
30 Medicine distribution tray (an example of medicine distribution means)
40 Evacuation part 50 Carriage (example of take-out part, take-out means, take-out transfer means)
65 Medication-related information reading section (an example of pack information reading means)
66 On the QR code reader (an example of pack information reading means)
67 Below QR code reader (an example of pack information reading means)
90 Transfer unit (an example of transfer means)
150 Control unit 170 Storage unit 200 Medication dispensing device 300 Medication support device

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-185976

Claims (10)

storage means for storing the drug pack;
medicine dispensing means for placing a particular medicine pack at a particular position;
a retrieving and transporting means for retrieving the specific drug pack from the storage means and transporting it to a specific position in the drug dispensing means;
pack information reading means provided in the take-out and transfer means and configured to read first medication-related information added to at least one of the storage means, the medicine pack, and the medicine dispensing means;
a pack information storage means for storing second medication-related information preset in at least one of the storage means, the medicine pack, and the medicine dispensing means;
Comparing the first medication-related information read by the pack information reading means and the second medication-related information stored in the pack information storage means, the first medication-related information is compared to the second medication-related information. 2. A medication support device for transporting the specific drug pack to a specific position in the medication dispensing unit by the take-out and transfer unit so as to match the medication-related information of No. 2. The medication support device according to claim 1,
A medication support device, wherein the first medication related information is added to the storage means. The medication support device according to claim 1 or 2,
A medication support device, characterized in that the timing at which the pack information reading unit reads the first medication-related information is after at least one of the storage unit, the drug pack, and the medication distribution unit is installed. The medication support device according to claim 3,
A medication support device, characterized in that the timing at which the pack information reading means reads the first medication-related information is set immediately before the medicine pack is taken out from the storage means by the take-out and transfer means. The medication support device according to claim 3,
A medication support device, characterized in that the timing at which the pack information reading means reads the first medication related information can be arbitrarily set by a user operation. The medication support device according to claim 1,
It has a notification means for notifying the status,
As a result of comparing the first medication-related information read by the pack information reading means and the second medication-related information stored in the pack information storage means, if they do not match, the notification means A medication support device that is characterized by notifying its status. The medication support device according to claim 1,
As a result of comparing the first medication-related information read by the pack information reading means and the second medication-related information stored in the pack information storage means, if they do not match, the removal and transfer means A medication support device, characterized in that the medicine pack taken out is evacuated to a retraction part. The medication support device according to claim 1,
As a result of comparing the first medication-related information read by the pack information reading means and the second medication-related information stored in the pack information storage means, if they do not match, the removal and transfer means A medication support device, characterized in that the next operation of taking out the medicine pack from the storage means is continued without taking out the medicine pack from the storage means. The medication support device according to claim 1,
The take-out and transfer means includes a take-out means for taking out the specific medicine pack from the storage means, and a transfer means for transporting the particular medicine pack taken out from the storage means to a specific position in the medicine dispensing means. A medication support device comprising: The medication support device according to claim 1,
The storage means is configured to store the drug packs in stacks,
The drug pack includes a single drug pack containing a single drug and a combined drug single pack in which a plurality of single drug packs are stacked and combined in the stacking direction. A medication support device characterized by:

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