JP4405032B2 - Drug dispensing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a drug dispensing device for dispensing drugs such as tablets and ampoules based on prescription data.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, for example, a plurality of cassettes are arranged on the outer surface of a substantially cylindrical drum so that the corresponding tablets can be automatically dispensed based on prescription data. 2. Description of the Related Art A tablet dispensing device is known in which a discharge passage formed on the inner surface side of a tablet is dropped and collected at one place by a hopper disposed on the lower side for packaging and the like. In this tablet dispensing apparatus, the drum is completed by mounting the cassettes on the mounting plates in units of vertical columns, and assembling the mounting plates into a substantially cylindrical shape. Each mounting plate is connected with a screw or the like at the leading edge of a parallel plate protruding inside at a predetermined interval. In addition, a guide portion having a substantially C-shaped cross section that opens inward is formed at the leading edge of the parallel plate, and a flat plate is engaged with the guide portion from the inside. As a result, a dispensing passage for dropping the tablet is formed.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when assembling the drum having the above-described structure, a large number of mounting plates must be sequentially connected to form a substantially cylindrical shape, and the assembling workability is very poor. Further, since the drum is formed by extrusion of aluminum, a new mold is required when changing the size (diameter of the drum), resulting in an increase in cost and cannot be flexibly handled.
[0004]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a medicine dispensing device that has good assembly workability and can flexibly cope with a change in size.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention provides a medicine dispensing apparatus that dispenses medicine from a plurality of cassette units provided on the outer surface of a substantially cylindrical drum as means for solving the above-mentioned problem, and drops a dispensing passage formed inside the drum.
A plurality of plate members are bent into a partial cylindrical shape, a guide member having a substantially C-shaped cross section is integrated on the inner surface side of each plate member to form the discharge passage, and then the plate members are combined into a substantially cylindrical shape. Thus, the drum is formed.
[0006]
With this configuration, it is possible to easily complete the drum simply by integrating the guide members with the plate material that has been bent in advance and assembling them into a substantially cylindrical shape.
[0007]
The cassette unit contains tablets,
Of the inner surface of the dispensing passage, if at least the collision area of the tablet discharged from the cassette unit is configured by a removable elastic sheet, only the portion where fine powder etc. easily adheres from the tablet discharged from the cassette unit. This is preferable in that it can be easily removed and cleaned.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is an overall front view of a tablet packaging device 1 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram thereof. In the tablet packaging device 1, signals are input from the external computer 2 and the touch panel unit 3 to the control device 4. Based on these input signals, the control device 4 drives and controls the drum unit 5, the hand bag unit 6, the medicine pack printing unit 7, the packaging unit 8, and the conveyor device 9 which are the medicine dispensing device according to the present invention.
[0009]
The external computer 2 is for transmitting prescription data to the control device 4. The prescription data may be input manually by using an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse of the external computer 2 or may be received from a host computer (not shown) connected via a LAN.
[0010]
The touch panel unit 3 displays the current work status, warnings, error information, and the like on a touch panel 10 provided on the front side of the apparatus main body, and sets each unit (maintenance) by directly touching the touch panel 10. ) Etc.
[0011]
The drum unit 5 has a configuration in which a plurality of cassettes 12 are provided on the outer surface of a substantially cylindrical drum 11. On the inner surface of the drum 11, a dispensing passage 13 for dropping the tablets dispensed from each cassette 12 is formed.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 3, the drum 11 has a configuration in which two stainless steel plate materials 14 are bent and processed into a semi-cylindrical shape in pairs. Each plate member 14 is previously formed with rectangular insertion holes 15 at predetermined intervals in the vertical and circumferential directions. Further, in addition to the mounting holes 16 for mounting the cassettes 12, communication holes 17 are formed around each insertion hole 15 to draw a cord (not shown) extending from the cassette 12 to the inside of the drum 11.
[0013]
A guide member 18 is attached to the inner surface of each plate member 14 constituting the drum 11 with a screw or the like, and a tablet dispensing passage 13 is formed with the plate member 14. For this reason, the space occupied by the guide member 18 inside the drum 11 can be suppressed to the minimum necessary size that allows the tablet to drop, and a sufficient wiring space for serial connection, which will be described later, can be secured. It becomes possible. The guide member 18 has a rectangular hole 19 formed in a predetermined region on the inner surface side (here, a region corresponding to the two insertion holes 15). A pair of ridges 20 project from the inner side surface of the rectangular hole 19 in the opposing direction, and a stopper portion 21 is formed at the lower end thereof. The rectangular hole 19 is closed by a vinyl chloride elastic sheet 22 inserted from the back side. That is, the elastic sheet 22 is positioned between the inner edge of the rectangular hole 19 and the protrusion 20 and is detachably mounted by being prevented from falling by the stopper portion 21. As a result, even if the tablets discharged from the cassette 12 into the dispensing passage 13 collide and fine powder adheres, the elastic sheet 22 can be removed and cleaned, or replaced with a new elastic sheet 22.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 4, the cassette 12 includes a motor base 23 and a feeder container 24 that is detachably mounted on the motor base 23. The feeder container 24 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape whose upper opening is closed by a cover. Each feeder container 24 accommodates different types of tablets. A rotor 26 is rotatably provided on the bottom side of the feeder container 24. The rotor 26 is rotated by a motor 28 in the motor base 23 via a gear 27, and the tablets accommodated in the feeder container 24 are sequentially discharged to the dispensing passage 13 via the drop guide passage 24a.
[0015]
Each cassette 12 is driven and controlled via a cassette interface 29. The cassette interface 29 has a central processing unit (CPU) built therein, and is provided in a total of seven, one for each of the two rows of cassettes attached to the drum 11. The cassette interface 29 is serially connected to the control device 4 (RS-485), calculates the prescription data transmitted from the control device 4, and drives and controls the cassette 12 in units of two rows.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 1, the handbag unit 6 includes a drawer-type shelf including a plurality of masses for storing tablets for each package. In each square of the shelf, tablets (for example, tablets that are easily wet, sticky tablets, and the like) that are not suitable for storage in the cassette 12 and half-tablets are accommodated manually.
[0017]
The tablets supplied from the drum unit 5 and the hand bag unit 6 are once collected from the funnel-shaped upper hoppers 30a, 30b, 30c to the lower hopper 31, and then supplied to the packaging unit 8. The lower end opening of the lower hopper 31 is opened and closed by a shutter 31a.
[0018]
Based on the print data transferred from the control device 4, the medicine package printing unit 7 performs printing on the medicine packaging paper in synchronization with the packaging time. Specifically, a process for printing prescription data (patient name, taking time, medicine name, etc.) on the medicine wrapping paper is performed. Note that an initial setting corresponding to the type of printer to be used can be performed by an optional function of the panel unit. In this embodiment, the print data is transferred in the bitmap format, and it is possible to change the print layout, the size / orientation of characters, and further perform color printing.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 5, the packaging unit 8 rewinds the wrapping paper 32 wound around a roll (not shown), forms a wrapping paper for each wrap by the heat seal roller 33, and a cutter (see FIG. 5). (Not shown). The start timing of the packaging operation of the heat seal roller 33 is detected by a roller sensor (not shown). Opening and closing of the shutter 31a provided in the lower hopper 31 is controlled based on a detection signal from a roller sensor. The cutting time by the cutter and the printing time in the medicine package printing unit 7 to be described next are controlled based on the elapsed time from the detection signal in the roller sensor. This eliminates the need for an extra sensor for determining the cutting time and the printing time, saving the installation space and reducing the cost.
[0020]
The conveyor device 9 is provided on the front surface side of the tablet packaging device 1 and is easy to take out by changing the direction of the packaging paper 32 which is packaged one by one by the packaging unit 8 and goes diagonally downward. And As shown in FIG. 6, the conveyor device 9 is provided with a guide piece 35, a turntable 36, a turn roller 37, a belt conveyor 38, four guide rollers 39, and the like inside an outer frame 34. The guide piece 35 guides the wrapping paper 32 to the inside of the outer frame 34 by the side surface arranged in a substantially V shape. The turntable 36 and the turn roller 37 change the direction of the wrapping paper 32 by 180 °. The turn roller 37 is swingable via an arm 37a. When the turn roller 37 is swung more than a predetermined angle by a sensor (not shown), a driving device described later is turned off, and the turn roller 37 and the belt conveyor 38 are stopped. Thus, it is possible to prevent an excessive force from acting on the wrapping paper 32. The belt conveyor 38 includes five first, second, third, fourth, and fifth conveyors 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d, and 38e arranged in a substantially U shape. Each conveyor has a plurality of string-like belts laid between the rollers, and is arranged along the inner side of the outer frame 34. Between the third conveyor 38c and the fourth conveyor 38d, that is, the wrapping paper 32 whose direction has been changed from diagonally downward to diagonally upward by the turn roller 37 smoothly enters the conveyance path between the fourth conveyor 38d and the outer frame 34. A gap A is formed at the guideable position. The guide roller 39 is disposed along the belts of the fourth conveyor 38d and the fifth conveyor 38e, and is biased toward the belt 38a by a spring (not shown). When the roller is rotated by the driving device, the wrapping paper 32 is sandwiched between the belt and the guide roller 39 and is smoothly conveyed obliquely upward on the front side of the device. In the outer frame 34, openings 9a are formed in portions corresponding to regions where guide rollers 39 are disposed. As a result, even if a problem such as jamming of the wrapping paper 32 occurs, maintenance can be easily performed from the front side of the apparatus main body through the opening 9a.
[0021]
Next, the packaging process by the control device 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0022]
First, when the power is turned on, the initial setting of each unit is performed (step S1), and the display on the touch panel 10 is a startup screen shown in FIG. At this time, the set value in the previous operation is read, and an error check of each unit is performed (step S2).
[0023]
The startup screen displays information such as the application version, release date, product model, roller type (fixed type or variable type), and printer type (multi-printer or multi-printer / dot printer).
[0024]
If the predetermined time has elapsed without touching the start screen (step S3) (step S4), the heat seal roller 33 of the packaging unit 8 starts the rapid heating operation, and the start screen (FIG. 8) is displayed. 9 is switched to the main screen shown in FIG. 9 (step S5).
[0025]
The main screen includes a “message display area” indicating the current work status, a “prescription data display area” for displaying prescription data, a “DTA status display area” for displaying the work status of the manual (DTA) unit, and packaging "Package number display area" for displaying the number of packages, "Temperature display area" for displaying the temperature of the heat seal roller 33, "Packet remaining amount display area" for displaying the remaining amount of wrapping paper, and various keys are displayed. It consists of a “key display area”. Keys displayed in the “key display area” include “DTA OPEN” key, “DTA SET” key, “STOP” key, “NEXT” key, “CASSET” key, “MAINTENANCE” key, “THERMO” key. Key, “PAPER” key, and the like. Each of these keys is displayed only in each operable scene. In step S5, as shown in FIG. 10, the characters “during rapid heating” and “waiting for DTA”, various keys that can be operated, and a graph indicating the remaining amount of the wrapper paper are displayed.
[0026]
When the “DTA OPEN” key is touch-operated, the shelf of the handrail unit 6 is opened and the display is switched to the “CLOSE” key. Further, when the “CLOSE” key is touch-operated, the opened shelf is closed and is switched to the “DTA OPEN” key again. When the “DTA set” key is touch-operated, the packaging operation in the handbag unit 6 is started. When the “STOP” key is touch-operated, the packaging operation is interrupted, all tablets in the hand bag unit 6 are collected, and the current packaging is started again from the beginning. When the “NEXT” key is touch-operated, the next prescription data is sequentially displayed each time it is operated. When the “CASSET” key is touched, the cassette inching mode described later is switched. When the “MAINTENANCE” key is touched, the maintenance menu screen is displayed. When the “THERMO” key is touched, the temperature of the heat seal roller 33 (heat temperature) is displayed. When the “PAPER” key is touch-operated, the remaining amount of wrapping paper is displayed.
[0027]
Thereafter, when the heat seal roller 33 reaches a temperature capable of heat sealing, as shown in FIG. 11, the display of “message display area” is switched to “can be packaged in standby” and waiting for packaging. A state is reached (step S6). Further, the temperature (heat temperature) of the heat seal roller 33 is displayed instead of the remaining amount of the wrapping paper.
[0028]
Here, when prescription data is received from the external computer 2 (step S7), as shown in FIG. 12, “Currently preparing for packaging” is displayed in the “message display area”. Also, the “packaging data display area” contains patient information such as patient ID, patient name, voucher number, etc., and the “packaging area” contains the prescription number 256 and the “packaging medicine display area”. Each displays a list of medicines to be packaged. And if reception of prescription data is completed, it will be judged whether the hand-drawing (DTA) prescription is contained in it (step S8).
[0029]
If no hand-rolling (DTA) prescription is included, it is determined that the normal packaging process is performed, and the packaging operation is started (step S9). At this time, as shown in FIG. 13, the display content is switched from “message display area” to “currently being packaged”.
[0030]
A detailed screen can be displayed by touching the “DATA” key during packaging. In addition to the patient information displayed on the main screen, the detailed screen displays prescription information such as drug name, number of tablets, and medication instructions. The detailed screen returns to the main screen (FIG. 9) when a predetermined time has elapsed since the display.
[0031]
In the packaging operation, the corresponding cassette 12 is driven based on the prescription data, and the corresponding tablets are dropped one by one. At this time, prescription data is transmitted from the control device 4 to the cassette interface 29, and the cassette interface 29 performs calculation processing on the prescription data and exchanges information with the cassette 12 through serial communication. For this reason, the wiring space can be reduced, and not only is it less susceptible to noise, but the work load on the control device 4 can be reduced. The data transmitted from the cassette interface 29 to each cassette 12 includes a tablet drop instruction, operation status information, tablet drop instruction cancellation, tablet drop continuation, and parent / child cassette settings. The data transmitted from the cassette 12 to the cassette interface 29 includes tablet drop delay time initial information, total drop time initial information, and identification sensor information.
[0032]
Further, when the prescription data received from the external computer 2 includes a handmade (DTA) prescription, a handmade packaging process is performed. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, a DTA set waiting screen pops up on the front of the main screen. Therefore, the operator only needs to touch the “DTA OPEN” key to open the shelf and store the corresponding tablet in each square of the shelf manually pulled out while referring to the displayed DTA prescription instruction. . When the setting of the hand tablet is completed, the “DTA OPEN” key is touch-operated to touch the “DTA CLOSE” key, and the shelf is closed. Therefore, when the “DTA set” key is touch-operated, the manual packaging process is started. If the prescription data includes tablets that are not used for normal packaging, as shown in FIG. 15, there is no corresponding cassette 12 set on the drum 11, so waiting for a temporary cassette to be loaded. A screen pops up. The operator only needs to load the temporary cassette containing the corresponding tablet in accordance with the contents of the instructions on this screen.
[0033]
In the same manner, the prescription data is sequentially received, and when the reception of all the prescription data is completed, the packaging standby state is entered. When the processing is completed for all the prescription data, the packaging standby state is entered.
[0034]
When the “maintenance” key is operated on the main screen (FIG. 9), the maintenance screen shown in FIG. 16 is displayed. On the maintenance screen, a “parent / child cassette registration” key, a “temperature control setting” key, a “paper tube resistance adjustment” key, a “version information” key, and the like are displayed. When the “parent / child cassette registration” key is touched, the screen is switched to a parent / child cassette registration screen shown in FIG. 17, and the setting can be changed so that tablets can be supplied from two or more cassettes 12 simultaneously. That is, on the parent-child cassette registration screen, the “△” key or the “▽” key is touched to select the corresponding medicine name. When the displayed cassette number is touch-operated, a numeric keypad pops up in front, so that a desired number is input and a parent cassette number and a child cassette number for storing the selected medicine are set. Up to six child cassettes can be set for one parent cassette. This setting content is registered by touching the “registration” key. Thereby, when tablets with a large number of payouts are included in the prescription data, the tablets can be supplied from a plurality of cassettes 12 at the same time, and the payout time can be shortened. If the “temperature control setting” key is touch-operated, the set temperature of the heat seal roller 33 can be changed, and if the “paper tube resistance adjustment” key is touch-operated, the tension acting on the wrapping paper can be adjusted. When the “version information” key is touched, the version of the application software can be displayed (see the startup screen in FIG. 8).
[0035]
If the occurrence of an error is detected in any unit as a result of an error check with the startup screen (FIG. 8) displayed on the touch panel 10, a notification sound is output from a buzzer (not shown). Error information pops up. For example, when the drum (cylinder) is to be rotated with the door open, as shown in FIG. 18, the letters “door open error” and a device diagram in which the corresponding portion is highlighted in red or the like are displayed. Is done. In addition, since a countermeasure “Please close the door and rotate the cylinder.” Is also displayed, the operator can respond easily and quickly according to the instructions. FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 show display examples when errors occur in other places.
[0036]
Further, when the forward rotation key and the reverse rotation key of the roller are simultaneously touched on the activation screen (FIG. 8) of the touch panel 10, the screen is switched to the special mode screen shown in FIG. On the special mode screen, an “inching” key, a “model setting” key, a “packaging timing setting” key, an “error occurrence history” key, a “version information” key, and an “end” key are displayed.
[0037]
When the “inching” key is touched, the inching screen shown in FIG. 22 is displayed, and each unit can be manually operated to investigate a defective portion and perform a fixed position adjustment. When the “△” key or the “▽” key is touched, the display above it is switched, and the unit can be selected. When the selection of the unit is completed, the corresponding operation can be performed by operating the “fixed position” key, the “packaging start position” key, and the “single package feed” key. When the “end” key is touched, the screen returns to the start screen. If the “cassette” key is touch-operated, the cassette inching screen shown in FIG. 23 is displayed, and each cassette 12 can be manually operated.
[0038]
When the “△” key, the “▽” key, or the numeric keypad is touched on the cassette inching screen, the cassette number can be designated. As a result, the motor 28 of the designated cassette 12 can be continuously rotated by touching the “GO” key and stopped by touching the “STOP” key. Further, when the “identification” key is touch-operated, an identification code for identifying the type of the stored tablet can be displayed. When the “inching” key is touched, the inching screen is restored, and when the “end” key is touched, the startup screen is restored.
[0039]
When the “model setting” key is touched, the screen switches to a model setting screen (not shown). For example, the number of cassettes that can be mounted on the drum 11, the sealing position by the heat seal roller 33, and the model of the printer that prints on the medicine package are switched. It becomes possible.
[0040]
Further, when the “packaging timing” key is touched on the special mode screen (FIG. 21), the screen is switched to the packaging timing setting screen shown in FIG. When the “default” key is touched on the packaging timing setting screen, as shown in FIG. 24, a time value for each setting content is input as a default value (initial value). The default value can be changed by touching the corresponding setting contents to pop up the numeric keypad and touching the numeric keypad. After the change, touch the “SET” key to confirm the change and return to the special mode screen. When the “Cancel” key is touched, the change mode is not saved, and the display returns to the special mode screen. If the “cassette” key is touched on the packaging timing setting screen, the cassette timing screen shown in FIG. 25 is displayed. Here, the drive time of each cassette (motor base) can be set.
[0041]
Further, when the “error occurrence history” key is touched on the special mode screen (FIG. 21), the screen is switched to the error history screen shown in FIG. When the “Clear” key is touched, the error history is erased, and when the “End” key is touched, the screen returns to the special mode screen.
[0042]
In the above embodiment, the drum 11 is formed by combining two plate members 14, but may be formed by combining three or more plates. However, from the viewpoint of assembly workability, it is preferable that the two plate members 14 are used.
[0043]
Moreover, although the case where the structure of this invention was employ | adopted as a tablet dispensing apparatus was demonstrated in the said embodiment, it is employable also with an ampoule dispensing apparatus.
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, the guide member is integrated with the plate material that has been bent in advance, and the drum is completed by assembling these into a substantially cylindrical shape. Can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view (a), a side sectional view (b), and a front view (c) of a conveyor device of a tablet dispensing device according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the tablet dispensing apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view for forming the drum of FIG. 1;
4 is a cross-sectional view of the cassette of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a part of the packaging unit of FIG. 2;
6 is a plan view (a) and a front view (b) showing the conveyor device of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a packaging process according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a startup screen displayed on the touch panel device of FIG. 1;
9 is a diagram showing a main screen displayed on the touch panel device of FIG. 1. FIG.
10 is a diagram showing a display state after the rapid heating operation is started on the main screen of FIG. 9. FIG.
11 is a diagram showing a display state after completion of the rapid heating operation on the main screen of FIG. 9. FIG.
12 is a diagram showing a display state when prescription data is received on the main screen of FIG. 9. FIG.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display state at the start of normal packaging processing on the main screen of FIG. 9;
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a pop-up display screen in the case where manual processing is included in the prescription data on the main screen of FIG. 9;
FIG. 15 is a view showing a pop-up display screen when the prescription data includes a tablet that is not stored in a normal cassette on the main screen of FIG. 9;
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a maintenance display screen.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a parent-child cassette registration screen displayed when the parent-child cassette registration key in FIG. 16 is touch-operated.
18 is a diagram showing a pop-up display screen when an error occurs in each unit on the main screen of FIG.
19 is a diagram showing an example of another pop-up display screen in FIG.
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of another pop-up display screen in FIG.
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a special mode screen.
22 is a diagram showing an inching screen displayed when the inching key is touch-operated on the special mode screen of FIG. 21. FIG.
FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a cassette inching screen displayed when a cassette key is touched on the inching screen of FIG.
24 is a diagram showing a packaging timing screen displayed when the packaging timing key is touch-operated on the special mode screen of FIG. 21. FIG.
25 is a diagram showing a cassette timing screen displayed when a cassette key is touch-operated on the packaging timing screen of FIG. 24. FIG.
FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an error history screen displayed when the error history key is touched on the special mode screen of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Tablet packaging apparatus 2 ... External computer 3 ... Touch panel unit 4 ... Control apparatus 5 ... Drum unit 6 ... Handbag unit 9 ... Conveyor apparatus 10 ... Touch panel 11 ... Drum 12 ... Cassette 13 ... Discharge passage 14 ... Plate material 15 ... Insertion hole 16 ... mounting hole 17 ... communication hole 18 ... guide member 19 ... rectangular hole 20 ... ridge 21 ... stopper portion 22 ... elastic sheet 29 ... cassette interface 34 ... outer frame 35 ... guide piece 36 ... turntable 37 ... turn roller 38 ... Belt conveyor 39 ... guide rollers

Claims (2)

In a medicine dispensing device that dispenses medicine from a plurality of cassette units provided on the outer surface of a substantially cylindrical drum and drops a dispensing passage formed inside the drum,
A plurality of plate members are bent into a partial cylindrical shape, a guide member having a substantially C-shaped cross section is integrated on the inner surface side of each plate member to form the discharge passage, and then the plate members are combined into a substantially cylindrical shape. Thus, the medicine dispensing device characterized in that the drum is formed. The cassette unit contains tablets,
2. The medicine dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a collision area of the medicine discharged from the cassette unit in the inner surface of the dispensing passage is configured by a removable elastic sheet.

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