JP2024051169A - Medicine supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a medicine supply device which can determine that a total amount of medicines is discharged from an introduction chemical container that stores the total amount of medicines used for dispensing processing.SOLUTION: A medicine supply device comprises an introduction chemical container, a medicine discharge part, a first measurement part and a control device. The total amount of medicines to be used for dispensing processing is stored in the introduction chemical container. The medicine discharge part can set the introduction chemical container introduced from the outside and can execute the discharge operation of medicines stored in the set introduction chemical container. The first measurement part measures the weight of the medicines stored in the introduction chemical container set in the medicine discharge part. The control device causes the medicine discharge part to execute the discharge operation of the medicines in the introduction chemical container. The control device causes the first measurement part to measure the weight of the medicines stored in the introduction chemical container set in the medicine discharge part after the discharge operation of the medicines in the introduction chemical container is executed. The control device determines whether or not all of the medicines stored in the introduction chemical container is discharged.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention primarily relates to a drug supply device.

Conventionally, drug supply devices capable of storing drug containers and automatically supplying the drugs contained in the drug containers have been known. Patent Document 1 discloses this type of drug supply device.

The powder medicine packaging device of Patent Document 1 includes a container storage section, a container moving device, a container holding stand, and a weight measuring means. The container storage section holds a plurality of automatic medicine containers. The container moving device is capable of holding the automatic medicine containers, and is capable of performing an operation of removing a specific automatic medicine container from the container storage section and placing it on the container holding stand. The container holding stand can hold the automatic medicine container, and can also hold a manual medicine container (introducing medicine container) filled with powder medicine (medicine) weighed by the medicine weighing device. The container holding stand can vibrate the placed automatic medicine container or manual medicine container, and can discharge the powder medicine contained in the corresponding medicine container into a distribution tray. The weight measuring means is provided on the container holding stand, and measures the weight of the automatic medicine container placed on the container holding stand.

Patent No. 5953471

In the configuration of Patent Document 1, a manual medicine container is filled with a specified amount of powdered medicine (the amount ultimately discharged onto the distribution tray) using a medicine weighing device. Then, when this manual medicine container is placed on a container holding stand, the powdered medicine is discharged from the manual medicine container onto the distribution tray. At this time, the weight of the manual medicine container placed on the container holding stand (the amount of medicine contained therein) is not measured. In addition, after the powdered medicine is discharged from the manual medicine container onto the distribution tray, the weight of the manual medicine container placed on the container holding stand is not measured.

When a manual medicine container containing powdered medicine is used in this way, it is possible that not all of the powdered medicine contained in the manual medicine container is discharged at once due to reasons such as the powdered medicine adhering to the manual medicine container. However, even in such cases, the discharge of powdered medicine from the manual medicine container is terminated, so there is a problem in that it is not possible to confirm that the required amount of medicine has been discharged.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a drug supply device that can determine whether the required amount of drug has been discharged from an input drug container that contains the entire amount of drug used in dispensing processing.

Means for solving the problems and effects

The problem that the present invention aims to solve is as described above. Next, we will explain the means for solving this problem and its effects.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a drug supply device having the following configuration is provided. That is, the drug supply device includes an introduction drug container, a drug discharge unit, a measurement unit, and a control unit. The introduction drug container contains the entire amount of the drug used in the dispensing process. The drug discharge unit can set the introduction drug container introduced from the outside, and executes a discharge operation of the drug contained in the set introduction drug container. The measurement unit measures the weight of the drug contained in the introduction drug container set in the drug discharge unit. The control unit controls the drug discharge unit and the measurement unit. The control unit causes the drug discharge unit to execute a discharge operation of the drug in the introduction drug container. After the discharge operation of the drug in the introduction drug container is executed, the control unit causes the measurement unit to measure the weight of the drug contained in the introduction drug container set in the drug discharge unit. The control unit determines whether or not all of the drug contained in the introduction drug container has been discharged.

This allows the drug supply device to determine whether the entire amount of drug has been discharged from the drug container that contains the entire amount of drug used in the dispensing process. As a result, it becomes possible to confirm that the entire amount of drug used in the dispensing process has been discharged.

In the drug supply device, it is preferable that the control unit stores the weight of the drug discharged from the drug container when it determines that all of the drug in the drug container has been discharged.

This allows you to know the amount of drug actually dispensed from the drug container.

In the drug supply device, when the control unit determines that not all of the drug in the introduced drug container has been discharged, it is preferable that the control unit causes the drug discharge unit to perform a discharge operation of the drug in the introduced drug container.

This allows the drug discharge operation in the drug delivery container to be performed repeatedly, ensuring that all of the drug in the drug delivery container is discharged.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a medicine packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 4 is a timing chart showing the relationship between the operation timings of each part of the medicine packaging device in a dispensing process. 13 is a flow chart for processing an introduced drug container.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a drug packaging device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The drug packaging device includes a drug supply device 1 and a packaging unit 41.

The medicine supply device 1 shown in FIG. 1 can store multiple medicine containers containing medicine (powder medicine in this embodiment). This medicine supply device 1 can perform a dispensing process using the medicine in the medicine container. The dispensed medicine is supplied to the outside from the medicine packaging device.

A magnetic member is provided on the outer surface of each drug container stored in the drug supply device 1. This magnetic member is used for transporting the drug container by the container transport unit 15 described below. In addition, an information tag is attached to the outer surface of each stored drug container. This information tag stores unique identification information, information about the drug contained therein, and data related to the weight of the drug in the drug container.

The medicine supply device 1 includes a container storage unit 11, a container transport unit 15, a medicine discharge unit 21, a distribution tray 31, a medicine removal unit 35, a first cleaning unit 52, a measurement processing unit, a first reader/writer unit 71, a second reader/writer unit 75, a temporary container placement unit 81, a container removal unit 82, an interface unit 91, and a control device (control unit) 95. The interface unit 91 and the control device 95 also function as the interface unit and control device of the medicine packaging device.

The drug packaging device includes a housing. This housing houses each part of the drug supply device 1 (e.g., the container storage section 11 and the drug discharge section 21, etc.) and the packaging section 41.

The container storage unit 11 can store multiple drug containers. The container storage unit 11 includes a rotating member 12 and a container placement unit 13.

The rotating member 12 is provided in an upright position. The rotating member 12 can rotate around a vertical axis by the driving force of the motor.

The container placement sections 13 are arranged in a row on the outer periphery of the rotating member 12. A drug container can be placed in each container placement section 13. The container placement section 13 can be, for example, a mounting plate capable of storing drug containers. The container placement section 13 rotates integrally with the rotating member 12 as the rotating member 12 rotates.

Only one corresponding drug container is placed in one container placement section 13. The container placement section 13 in which a drug container is placed is predetermined according to the drug container, and the drug container will not be placed in another container placement section 13. Note that a single container placement section 13 may be configured to allow different drug containers to be placed therein. In this case, the drug container placed in the container placement section 13 is identified by reading the data stored in the information tag attached to the drug container.

The container transport unit 15 transports drug containers between the container storage unit 11 and the drug discharge unit 21. The container transport unit 15 can perform at least the following three operations on the drug container. The first is an operation of moving the drug container between the container storage unit 11 and the drug discharge unit 21 (first operation). The second is an operation of removing the drug container from one of the container placement units 13 of the container storage unit 11 (second operation). The third is an operation of returning the drug container to one of the container placement units 13 (third operation).

The container transport unit 15 includes a holding arm unit 16 and a transport operation mechanism 17.

The holding arm section 16 can hold/release the drug container. In this embodiment, the tip of the holding arm section 16 is provided with an electromagnet that can be attached/detached to a magnetic member on the outer surface of the drug container. Therefore, the holding arm section 16 can hold/release the drug container by utilizing the electromagnet. The base end of the holding arm section 16 is connected to the transport operation mechanism 17.

The transport operation mechanism 17 can move the holding arm section 16 between the container storage section 11 and the drug discharge section 21 by the driving force of the motor.

With the above configuration, when the tip of the holding arm unit 16 is approaching the outer periphery of the container storage unit 11 by the transport operation mechanism 17, the holding arm unit 16 can remove the drug container that is placed in the container placement unit 13. Also, when the tip of the holding arm unit 16 is approaching the outer periphery of the container storage unit 11, the holding arm unit 16 can return the drug container that it is holding to the container placement unit 13.

On the other hand, when the tip of the holding arm section 16 is approaching the drug discharge section 21 by the transport operation mechanism 17, the holding arm section 16 can set a drug container in the drug discharge section 21. Also, when the tip of the holding arm section 16 is approaching the drug discharge section 21, the holding arm section 16 can release the set drug container and remove it from the drug discharge section 21.

The drug discharge unit 21 can perform a process to discharge the drug in the drug container that is set in the drug discharge unit 21. The drug discharge unit 21 is equipped with a vibration device 22 for vibrating the drug discharge unit 21. When the drug container set in the drug discharge unit 21 is vibrated, the drug in the drug container is shaken out.

Introduced drug containers that contain drugs by type used in the dispensing process can be set in the drug discharge unit 21. The introduced drug containers are introduced into the drug supply device 1 from outside. The introduced drug containers contain the entire amount of drugs used in the dispensing process. The drug discharge unit 21 can perform a discharge operation at least once to discharge all of the drugs contained in the introduced drug containers.

As with the drug container, an information tag is attached to the outer surface of the drug container. This information tag stores data (unique information) including unique identification information.

The drug container to be introduced may be set in the drug discharge section 21 by the container transport section 15 (the drug container to be introduced is transported between the temporary container placement section 81 and the drug discharge section 21). In this case, a magnetic member is provided on the outer surface of the drug container to be introduced and is used for transport by the container transport section 15.

The drug supply device 1 has multiple (two in this embodiment) drug discharge units 21. One drug container or one introduced drug container can be set in one drug discharge unit 21. Therefore, when a drug container or an introduced drug container is set in any of the multiple drug discharge units 21, drugs may be discharged from the multiple drug discharge units 21 simultaneously.

The distribution dish 31 is provided near the medicine discharge section 21. The distribution dish 31 functions as a receiving dish for receiving the medicine that is shaken out of the medicine container.

The distribution dish 31 comprises a dish portion 32 and a rotation drive portion 33.

The dish portion 32 is formed in a horizontal disk shape. The dish portion 32 is supported so that it can rotate around an axis in the vertical direction. The medicine discharged from the medicine discharge portion 21 can be placed on the dish portion 32.

The rotation drive unit 33 can rotate the plate portion 32 in the circumferential direction by the driving force of the motor. As the plate portion 32 rotates, it receives the medicine from the medicine discharge unit 21, so that the medicine is evenly distributed on the plate portion 32 in the circumferential direction.

The drug removal section 35 is provided near the distribution plate 31. The drug removal section 35 uses the driving force of the motor to perform an operation of scooping up the drug from a partial area in the circumferential direction of the plate section 32 (removal operation). The drug removal section 35 can supply the scooped drug to the packaging section 41.

The packaging unit 41 can package medicine. The packaging unit 41 has a hopper 42 that serves as an inlet for the medicine. When the medicine removal unit 35 puts a single dose of medicine into the hopper 42, the packaging unit 41 packages the medicine. The packaged medicine is provided to the outside of the medicine packaging device.

The cleaning unit includes a first cleaning unit 52 and a second cleaning unit 53.

The first cleaning unit 52 is provided near the distribution plate 31. The first cleaning unit 52 can clean the distribution plate 31 and the drug removal unit 35.

The second cleaning unit 53 is provided near the packaging unit 41. The second cleaning unit 53 can clean the packaging unit 41 (inside the hopper 42 in this embodiment).

The configuration of the first cleaning unit 52 and the second cleaning unit 53 is arbitrary, but for example, they can be configured to suck up the medicine adhering to each part by negative pressure.

The measurement processing unit includes a first measurement unit (measurement unit) 62 and a second measurement unit 63.

The first measuring unit 62 is a device that measures the weight of the drug in the drug container or introduced drug container set in the drug discharge unit 21. The first measuring unit 62 is provided in the drug discharge unit 21. Specifically, the first measuring unit 62 measures the weight of the drug discharge unit 21 in which the drug container or introduced drug container is set, and calculates the weight of the drug in the drug container or introduced drug container. In this embodiment, one first measuring unit 62 is provided in each drug discharge unit 21.

The second measuring unit 63 is a device that measures the weight of the drug in the introduced drug container before it is set in the drug discharge unit 21. The second measuring unit 63 is provided in the temporary container placement unit 81, which will be described later. Specifically, the second measuring unit 63 measures the weight of the introduced drug container and calculates the weight of the drug in the introduced drug container.

The second measurement unit 63, together with the second reader/writer unit 75, may be configured as part of a measurement device separate from the drug supply device 1.

The first reader/writer unit 71 can read data stored in an information tag attached to the drug container or the introduced drug container set in the drug discharge unit 21. The first reader/writer unit 71 can also write data to the information tag. The first reader/writer unit 71 is provided in each drug discharge unit 21.

The second reader/writer unit 75 can read data stored in an information tag attached to the introduced drug container before it is set in the drug discharge unit 21. The second reader/writer unit 75 is provided in the temporary container placement unit 81.

The temporary container placement section 81 can temporarily place an introduction drug container that is introduced from outside the drug supply device 1. The temporary container placement section 81 can be configured in various ways, but for example, it can be configured as a placement table on which an introduction drug container can be placed.

The interface unit 91 realizes a user interface function. The interface unit 91 can be configured to include, for example, a display device that displays the status of the dispensing process and information input by the user, and an operation device that allows the user to input instructions.

The control device 95 is a computer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The ROM stores a control program that operates the drug packaging device. The operation of the container storage unit 11, container transport unit 15, drug discharge unit 21, distribution tray 31, drug removal unit 35, packaging unit 41, cleaning processing unit, first reader/writer unit 71, second reader/writer unit 75, and interface unit 91 is controlled by the control device 95.

Next, an example of the processing of the control device 95 will be described in detail. This example shows a case where dispensing processing is performed for two types of medicine using a medicine container and an introduced medicine container.

Dispensing data related to the dispensing process is input via the interface unit 91 according to the prescription information and stored in the control device 95. Examples of the dispensing data include the type of drug used in the dispensing process, the daily dosage, the number of times the drug is taken per day, and the number of days the drug is taken. When the dispensing data is input, the drug packaging device starts the dispensing process.

When the dispensing process starts, the control device 95 moves the tip of the holding arm 16 close to the container placement section 13 in which the drug container is placed, in order to remove the drug container that contains the drug to be used in the dispensing process from the container storage section 11. In the following description, the drug container may be referred to as the first drug container.

The control device 95 rotates the rotating member 12 to adjust the position of the container placement section 13 in which the first drug container is placed. This allows the first drug container to be removed from the container placement section 13 at the tip of the holding arm section 16 provided on the container transport section 15. At timing T1 shown in FIG. 2, the control device 95 rotates the container storage section 11 while moving the holding arm section 16. In this way, the movement of the holding arm section 16 and the adjustment of the position of the container placement section 13 are performed simultaneously in parallel, making the transport operation of the drug container smoother.

The control device 95 controls the container transport unit 15 to remove the first drug container from the container placement unit 13.

When the tip of the holding arm portion 16 holds the first drug container, the control device 95 controls the container transport portion 15 to transport and set the first drug container to a drug discharge portion 21 where a drug container has not been set. In the following, the two drug discharge portions 21 may be referred to as a first drug discharge portion and a second drug discharge portion in order to identify each of them. In this embodiment, the first drug container is set in the first drug discharge portion 21.

When the first drug container is set in the first drug discharge unit 21, the control device 95 causes the first reader/writer unit 71 of the first drug discharge unit 21 to read the data stored in the information tag of the first drug container. The data read at this time includes, for example, data related to unique identification information, drug information, and weight information.

The control device 95 determines whether the first drug container set in the first drug discharge unit 21 matches the drug container containing the drug to be used in the dispensing process based on the unique identification information or drug information acquired by the first reader/writer unit 71. The control device 95 also determines whether the drug container contains more drug than is necessary for the current dispensing process based on the drug weight information acquired by the first reader/writer unit 71.

When it is confirmed that the medicine container set in the first medicine discharge unit 21 is correct and that the medicine container contains more than the amount of medicine required for dispensing processing, the control device 95 causes the vibration device 22 of the first medicine discharge unit 21 to start vibration and rotates the distribution dish 31 (end of timing T2). This shakes out the medicine from the first medicine container.

The medicine shaken out of the first medicine container is discharged onto the rotating distribution dish 31. Therefore, the medicine is placed on the distribution dish 31 so that the thickness of the medicine is uniform on the distribution dish 31.

While the first drug discharge unit 21 is discharging the drug from the first drug container, the first measuring unit 62 continues to measure the weight of the drug in the first drug container. As the shaking of the drug out of the first drug container progresses, the weight of the drug in the first drug container gradually decreases. When the reduced weight of the drug in the first drug container becomes equal to the weight of the drug to be used in the dispensing process, the control device 95 stops the vibration device 22 of the first drug discharge unit 21 and ends the discharge of the drug from the first drug discharge unit 21. In this way, the control device 95 monitors the change in the weight of the drug in the first drug container during the discharge operation. This makes it possible to accurately discharge the amount of drug required for the current dispensing process from the first drug container.

There are cases where the drug used in the dispensing process is not contained in the drug container. Also, there are cases where the amount of drug contained in the drug container is insufficient for the amount required for the dispensing process. In such cases, when the dispensing process starts, the control device 95 informs the user that the drug should be contained in an introduction drug container and introduced into the drug supply device 1.

In the following description, the drug delivery container that contains the drug may be referred to as the second drug container.

The second drug container is placed in the temporary container placement section 81. Drugs are poured into the second drug container placed in the temporary container placement section 81. Here, the user performs measurement operations.

The second measuring unit 63 measures the weight of the drug in the second drug container placed in the temporary container placement unit 81. When the weight value of the drug in the second drug container becomes equal to the weight value of the drug to be used in the dispensing process, the measurement operation is completed. Upon completion of the measurement operation, the second measuring unit 63 transmits the measurement result to the control device 95. The control device 95 stores the weight value of the drug in the second drug container in association with the dispensing data related to the current dispensing process.

The control device 95 prompts the user to allow the introduction of the drug into the drug supply device 1.

The second drug container is set in the drug discharge section (second drug discharge section 21) on the side of the two drug discharge sections 21 where the first drug container is not set.

The second drug container may be manually set in the second drug discharge section 21 by the user. Alternatively, the second drug container manually set in the temporary container placement section 81 by the user may be transported to the second drug discharge section 21 by the container transport section 15 shown in FIG. 1. In this case, when the tip of the holding arm section 16 holds the second drug container, the control device 95 controls the container transport section 15 to transport and set the second drug container in the drug discharge section 21 where no drug container has been set.

When the second drug container is placed in the temporary container placement section 81, the control device 95 causes the second reader/writer section 75 to read the unique identification information stored in the information tag of the second drug container (timing T3). Upon completion of the measurement operation by the second measurement section 63, the second reader/writer section 75 transmits the unique identification information to the control device 95. The control device 95 stores the unique identification information in association with the dispensing data related to the current dispensing process.

When the second drug container is set in the second drug discharge unit 21, the control device 95 performs processing as shown in FIG. 3 in this embodiment. That is, first, the control device 95 causes the first reader/writer unit 71 of the second drug discharge unit 21 to read the unique identification information stored in the information tag of the second drug container (timing T4) (step S1). The control device 95 also causes the first measuring unit 62 to measure the weight of the drug in the second drug container (step S2).

Based on the unique identification information acquired by the first reader/writer unit 71, the control device 95 determines whether the second drug container set in the second drug discharge unit 21 matches the introduced drug container that contains the drug to be used in the dispensing process (step S3). The control device 95 also determines whether the amount of drug required for the current dispensing process is contained in the second drug container based on the weight of the drug measured by the first measuring unit 62 (step S4).

In this embodiment, if the total amount of drug indicated in the dispensing data matches the measurement result of the first measuring unit 62, it is determined that the amount of drug required for the current dispensing process is contained in the second drug container. On the other hand, if the total amount of drug indicated in the dispensing data does not match the measurement result of the first measuring unit 62, it is determined that the amount of drug required for the current dispensing process is not contained in the second drug container.

Based on whether the measurement results of the first measuring unit 62 and the second measuring unit 63 match, the control device 95 may determine whether the amount of the drug contained in the second drug container has increased or decreased. This determination can be realized, for example, as follows. When the second reader/writer unit 75 acquires the unique information of the introduced drug container and the second measuring unit 63 measures the weight of the drug, the control device 95 associates the acquired unique information and the drug weight with identification information (ID) that uniquely indicates the dispensing data, and stores them, for example, in a table format. After that, when the first reader/writer unit 71 acquires the unique information of the introduced drug container, the control device 95 can call up the weight of the drug previously measured by the second measuring unit 63 in the introduced drug container of the unique information and the ID of the dispensing data by referring to the above table based on this unique information. The measurement results of the first measuring unit 62 and the second measuring unit 63 are compared, and if they match, the control device 95 determines that there has been no increase or decrease in the drug contained in the second drug container. If they do not match, the control device 95 determines that an increase or decrease has occurred in the amount of drug contained in the second drug container.

If the weight measured by the first measuring unit 62 is greater than the weight measured by the second measuring unit 63, there is a possibility that a foreign object was mixed into the second drug container when the drug was introduced. On the other hand, if the weight measured by the first measuring unit 62 is less than the weight measured by the second measuring unit 63, there is a possibility that the drug was spilled from the second drug container when the drug was introduced. By comparing the measurement results of the first measuring unit 62 and the second measuring unit 63, it becomes easier to capture small changes in weight.

When it is confirmed that the second drug container set in the second drug discharge unit 21 is correct and that the amount of drug required for dispensing processing is contained in the second drug container, the control device 95 causes the vibration device 22 of the second drug discharge unit 21 to start vibration (end of timing T4). This causes the drug to be shaken out of the introduced drug container. In this way, the drug discharge operation of the second drug discharge unit 21 is performed (step S5). In the example of Figure 2, the drug discharge timings of the first drug discharge unit 21 and the second drug discharge unit 21 overlap each other.

Next, when the amount of medicine required for dispensing has been discharged from the first medicine container, the control device 95 stops the vibration device 22 of the first medicine discharge unit 21 and causes the first measurement unit 62 to measure the weight of the medicine in the first medicine container. In this way, shaking of the medicine from the first medicine container is completed. Thereafter, the control device 95 causes the first reader/writer unit 71 of the first medicine discharge unit 21 to perform a writing process. That is, the control device 95 stores the weight data of the medicine in the first medicine container at the end of shaking of the medicine in the information tag of the first medicine container (timing T5). The control device 95 also stores the weight of the medicine discharged from the first medicine container based on the amount of medicine reduced in the first medicine container.

After the weight data is written to the information tag of the first drug container, the control device 95 controls the container transport unit 15 to return the first drug container to the container storage unit 11.

As shown in FIG. 2, the drug supply device 1 can transport the drug container that has finished discharging (the first drug container) back to its original position while another drug container (in this example, the second drug container) is discharging the drug. In this way, the drug discharge and the movement of the drug container can be performed simultaneously in parallel, so the entire operation can be completed quickly.

As described above, the medicine supply device 1 can empty the medicine discharge section 21 while the medicine container is discharging medicine. Furthermore, even if the medicine container (second medicine container) is in the middle of discharging medicine, the medicine supply device 1 can pre-set a medicine container to be used for the next dispensing process in the empty medicine discharge section 21 (first medicine discharge section 21). In this sense, too, the medicine supply device 1 is able to perform dispensing processes efficiently.

As in the case of removing the drug container from the container storage section 11, the control device 95 rotates the rotating member 12 to adjust the position of the container placement section 13 to which the first drug container should be returned. This makes it possible to return the first drug container to the container placement section 13 at the tip of the holding arm section 16. As in the case described above (timing T1), the container storage section 11 rotates before the movement of the holding arm section 16 finishes (timing T6). This allows for smooth transport of the drug container.

Next, when the drug discharge operation for the second drug container is performed, the control device 95 stops the vibration device 22 of the second drug discharge unit 21 and causes the first measurement unit 62 to measure the weight of the drug in the second drug container (step S6). At this time, when the sensor (not shown) that detects the drug discharged from the second drug container no longer detects the drug, the control device 95 stops the vibration device 22 of the second drug discharge unit 21. In this way, shaking of the drug from the second drug container is terminated. Thereafter, the control device 95 determines whether or not all of the drug in the second drug container has been discharged based on the measurement result of the first measurement unit 62 (step S7).

In this embodiment, if the measurement result of the first measuring unit 62 after the drug discharge operation is performed is 0, the control device 95 determines that all of the drug in the second drug container has been discharged. On the other hand, if the measurement result of the first measuring unit 62 after the drug discharge is greater than 0, the control device 95 determines that all of the drug in the second drug container has not been discharged.

When the control device 95 determines that all of the drug in the second drug container has been discharged, it stores the weight of the drug discharged from the second drug container based on the amount of drug reduced in the second drug container (step S8).

On the other hand, if the control device 95 determines that not all of the medicine in the second medicine container has been discharged, there is a possibility that the medicine remains in the second medicine container. Therefore, if the control device 95 determines that not all of the medicine in the second medicine container has been discharged, it causes the vibration device 22 of the second medicine discharge unit 21 to start vibration and rotates the distribution plate 31. In this way, the medicine discharge operation is performed again so that the medicine is shaken out of the second medicine container (step S9). As a result, at least a part of the medicine remaining in the second medicine container is discharged. Then, returning to step S6, the control device 95 causes the first measurement unit 62 to measure the weight of the medicine in the second medicine container. The control device 95 determines whether or not all of the medicine in the second medicine container has been discharged (in this embodiment, whether or not the measurement result of the first measurement unit 62 is 0) based on the measurement result of the first measurement unit 62.

In this embodiment, when the control device 95 determines that not all of the drug in the second drug container has been discharged, it controls the vibration device 22 of the second drug discharge unit 21 to start vibrating again so as to impart a stronger vibration to the second drug container set in the second drug discharge unit 21 than the previous vibration.

When the drug discharge process from the first drug container and the second drug container is completed and the drug required for dispensing is placed on the distribution tray 31, the control device 95 causes the drug removal unit 35 to scoop up the drug on the distribution tray 31 and deposit the drug into the hopper 42 of the packaging unit 41 (timing T7). The control device 95 also causes the packaging unit 41 to package the drug scooped by the drug removal unit 35 (timing T7). Although the operation timing of the packaging unit 41 is omitted in FIG. 2, the packaging unit 41 operates at approximately the same timing as the drug removal unit 35. As shown in FIG. 2, the drug supply device 1 can perform a drug container transport operation while the drug removal unit 35 is performing an operation of scooping up the drug (removal operation). In this way, the scooping of the drug and the movement of the drug container can be performed simultaneously in parallel, so that the entire operation can be performed quickly.

When the process of scooping the medicine from the distribution dish 31 is completed, the distribution dish 31 stops. Then, the first cleaning unit 52 cleans the distribution dish 31 and the medicine removal unit 35 (timing T8). As shown in FIG. 2, the medicine supply device 1 can perform a medicine container transport operation while the first cleaning unit 52 is performing a cleaning operation (first cleaning operation). In this way, the cleaning operation and the movement of the medicine container can be performed simultaneously in parallel, so the entire operation can be completed quickly.

After the packaging unit 41 has finished processing (in other words, after the supply of the drug in the first drug container and the drug in the second drug container has been completed), the second cleaning unit 53 cleans the packaging unit 41 (timing T9). The drug supply device 1 can transport the drug containers while the second cleaning unit 53 is performing the cleaning operation (second cleaning operation). In this way, the cleaning operation and the movement of the drug containers can be performed simultaneously in parallel, so the entire operation can be completed quickly.

However, after the current dispensing process using the first drug container and the second drug container, the next dispensing process may be executed consecutively. In the drug supply device 1 of this embodiment, when the same drug container is to be used consecutively in the next dispensing process, the control device 95 can control the drug container not to be returned from the drug discharge section 21 to the container storage section 11.

In this way, the medicine supply device 1 does not return a repeatedly used medicine container from the medicine discharge section 21 to the container storage section 11, so the medicine supply device 1 does not need to transport the medicine container from the container storage section 11 when performing the next dispensing process. As a result, the medicine packaging device can smoothly perform the next dispensing process and reduce the operating time.

When a new drug container to be used in the next dispensing process is removed from the container storage section 11, the control device 95 rotates the rotating member 12 to adjust the position of the container placement section 13. This makes it possible to remove the drug container from the container placement section 13 at the tip of the holding arm section 16 provided in the container transport section 15. Because the tip of the holding arm section 16 is already positioned near the container storage section 11, the container storage section 11 rotates while the holding arm section 16 is stopped (timing T10 in Figure 2). However, the container storage section 11 may also rotate while the holding arm section 16 is moving.

As described above, the drug supply device 1 of this embodiment includes the drug discharge unit 21, the first measurement unit 62, and the control device 95. The drug discharge unit 21 can set an introduction drug container introduced from the outside, and executes the discharge operation of the drug contained in the set introduction drug container. The first measurement unit 62 measures the weight of the drug contained in the introduction drug container set in the drug discharge unit 21. The control device 95 controls the drug discharge unit 21 and the first measurement unit 62. When an introduction drug container containing a drug is set in the drug discharge unit 21, the control device 95 causes the drug discharge unit 21 to execute the discharge operation of the drug in the introduction drug container. After the discharge operation of the drug in the introduction drug container is executed, the control device 95 causes the first measurement unit 62 to measure the weight of the drug contained in the introduction drug container set in the drug discharge unit 21. The control device 95 determines whether all of the drug contained in the introduction drug container has been discharged.

This makes it possible to determine whether the required amount of medicine has been discharged from the introduced medicine container when the introduced medicine container is used in the medicine supply device 1. As a result, it becomes possible to confirm that the required amount of medicine has been discharged.

In addition, in the drug supply device 1 of this embodiment, when the control device 95 determines that all of the drug in the introduced drug container has been discharged, it stores the weight of the drug discharged from the introduced drug container.

This allows you to know the amount of drug actually dispensed from the drug container.

In addition, in the drug supply device 1 of this embodiment, when the control device 95 determines that not all of the drug in the introduced drug container has been discharged, it causes the drug discharge unit 21 to execute the discharge operation of the drug in the introduced drug container.

This allows the drug discharge operation in the drug delivery container to be performed repeatedly, ensuring that all of the drug in the drug delivery container is discharged.

The above describes a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the above configuration can be modified, for example, as follows:

The number of drug discharge units 21 is not limited to two, and three or more may be provided. If all or some of the drug containers set in each of the multiple drug discharge units 21 are to be used not only for the current dispensing but also for the next dispensing, the drug containers need not be returned to the container storage unit 11, and the drug may be discharged for the next dispensing.

The number of drug discharge sections 21 may be one.

There may be no time overlap between the operation of rotating the container storage unit 11 and the operation of moving the container transport unit 15 between the container storage unit 11 and the drug discharge unit 21 (hereinafter referred to as the moving operation).

There may be no time overlap between at least one of the cleaning operations of the first cleaning unit 52 and the second cleaning unit 53 and the movement operation of the container transport unit 15. In addition, at least one of the first cleaning unit 52 and the second cleaning unit 53 may be omitted.

There may be no time overlap between the removal operation of the drug removal unit 35 and the movement operation of the container transport unit 15.

The container storage section 11, the drug discharge section 21, the temporary container placement section 81, etc. can be configured so that the user can easily access them from outside. For example, the drug supply device 1 can be provided with an opening and closing door. This makes it easy for the user to place drug containers in each section and remove drug containers from each section, for example.

In the above embodiment, the holding arm unit 16 uses electromagnetic force to hold/release the drug container. However, for example, a hand may be provided at the tip of the holding arm unit 16, and the drug container may be mechanically held/released by the hand.

When there is no need to move the holding arm unit 16, the control device 95 may perform control to keep the holding arm unit 16 positioned at a predetermined standby position.

The number of distribution plates 31 can be changed as appropriate, taking into account the number of drug discharge sections 21. For example, if four to six drug discharge sections 21 are provided, two distribution plates can be provided to receive the drug discharged from two or three drug discharge sections 21.

The drug packaging device may be provided with an alarm unit for notifying the user of an abnormality in the drug dispensing process. If it cannot be confirmed that the drug container set in the drug discharge unit 21 is the drug container containing the drug to be used in the drug dispensing process, the control device 95 may notify the user of this via the alarm unit. The alarm unit can also be operated when it cannot be confirmed that the amount of drug required for the drug dispensing process is sufficient, or when the measurement results of the first measuring unit 62 and the second measuring unit 63 do not match. The configuration of the alarm unit is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, a buzzer or a lamp.

If it cannot be confirmed that the drug container set in the drug discharge unit 21 is a drug container containing a drug to be used for dispensing, the control device 95 may cause the container transport unit 15 to transport the drug container to the container storage unit 11. The same applies when the amount of drug contained in the drug container is insufficient for the amount required for dispensing.

In the above embodiment, the control device 95 determines whether the medicine container set in the medicine discharge unit 21 contains the amount of medicine required for dispensing processing based on the weight data stored in the information tag. However, the control device 95 may also make the determination based on the measurement result of the first measurement unit 62.

The second reader/writer unit 75 may be changed to a read-only device (reader device).

1 medicine supply device 21 medicine discharge unit 62 first measurement unit (measurement unit)
95 Control device (control unit)

Claims (3)

An introduction drug container that contains the entire amount of the drug to be used in the preparation process;
A medicine discharge unit capable of setting the introduction medicine container introduced from the outside and performing a discharge operation of the medicine contained in the set introduction medicine container;
A measuring unit that measures the weight of the drug contained in the drug delivery container set in the drug discharge unit;
A control unit that controls the medicine discharge unit and the measurement unit;
Equipped with
The control unit is
The medicine discharge unit executes a discharge operation of the medicine in the introduced medicine container,
After the drug discharge operation in the introduced drug container is performed, the measuring unit measures the weight of the drug contained in the introduced drug container set in the drug discharge unit,
A drug supply device comprising: a device for determining whether or not all of the drug contained in the drug introduction container has been discharged. 2. The drug delivery device of claim 1,
The drug supply device, wherein the control unit, when determining that all of the drug in the introduced drug container has been discharged, stores a weight of the drug discharged from the introduced drug container. 3. The drug delivery device according to claim 1,
A drug supply device characterized in that, when the control unit determines that not all of the drug in the introduced drug container has been discharged, it causes the drug discharge unit to perform a discharge operation of the drug in the introduced drug container.

Images