JP7479037B2 - Drug Delivery Device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a drug supply device.

International Publication No. WO 2016/013553 (Patent Document 1) is a prior art document that discloses the configuration of a drug supply device. The drug supply device described in Patent Document 1 includes a drug dispensing unit including a first rotor, a second rotor, and a guide member. The first rotor has a circular surface that is rotatably arranged in a state inclined with respect to a horizontal plane. The second rotor is rotatably arranged on the outer periphery of the first rotor and has an annular surface that is arranged on the horizontal plane. The guide member is arranged above the circular surface of the first rotor, extends radially with respect to the circular surface, and is located downstream in the rotation direction of the first rotor as it moves radially outward, and has a guide surface against which the drug placed on the first rotor can come into contact due to the rotation of the first rotor. The drug supply device further includes a drug refilling unit that refills the drug to the drug dispensing unit. The drug refilling unit is capable of refilling the drug based on the refilling status of the drug in the drug dispensing unit.

International Publication No. 2016/013553

There is a demand for a drug supply device that can reduce the time required to supply a drug.
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a medicine supplying device that can reduce the time required to supply medicine.

The drug supply device according to the present invention includes a drug supply unit, a drug refill unit, a drug detection unit, and a control unit. The drug supply unit has a drug receiving position that receives refilled drugs, and transports drugs from the drug receiving position while aligning them, supplying the drugs one by one in order starting from the front. The drug refill unit refills the drugs to the drug receiving position. The drug detection unit detects the presence or absence of drugs at the drug receiving position and outputs a drug detection signal. The control unit controls the drug refill unit. The control unit receives the drug detection signal from the drug detection unit and controls the drug refill unit in response to the drug detection signal.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the drug detection unit has a first detection state in which it detects the presence of a drug at the drug receiving position, and a second detection state in which it detects the absence of a drug at the drug receiving position. The control unit stops the drug refilling unit from refilling the drug when the drug detection unit is in the first detection state, and causes the drug refilling unit to refill the drug when the drug detection unit is in the second detection state.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit causes the drug refill unit to refill the drug after a standby time has elapsed since the drug detection unit changed from the first detection state to the second detection state.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a drug information signal having drug information regarding the shape of the drug is input to the control unit. The control unit sets the above-mentioned waiting time according to the drug information.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit stops the replenishing of medicine by the medicine replenishing unit when the medicine detection unit changes from the second detection state to the first detection state, and resumes the replenishing of medicine by the medicine replenishing unit at the later of the time when the operation amount of the medicine supply unit exceeds a set value from the above time, and the time when the medicine detection unit changes from the first detection state to the second detection state.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a drug information signal having drug information regarding the shape of the drug is input to the control unit. The control unit sets the above-mentioned setting value according to the drug information.

The present invention can reduce the time required to deliver medicine.

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a medicine packing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a medicine dispensing and packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a plan view of the medicine packing device of FIG. 2 as viewed from the direction of arrow III. 1 is a front view showing a configuration of a medicine supplying device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a medicine supplying section included in the medicine supplying device according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a plan view of the medicine supply unit of FIG. 5 as viewed from the direction of arrow VI. 6 is a perspective view of the medicine supply unit of FIG. 5 as viewed from the direction of arrow VII. 8 is a view of the medicine supply unit of FIG. 5 as viewed from the direction of arrow VIII. 6 is a view of the medicine supply unit of FIG. 5 as viewed from the direction of arrow IX. 1 is a side view showing a configuration of a rotating body included in a medicine supplying section of a medicine supplying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a cover member included in a medicine supply unit of the medicine supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a view of the cover member of FIG. 11 as viewed from the direction of arrow XII. 13 is a view of the cover member of FIG. 12 as viewed in the direction of arrow XIII. 14 is a view of the cover member of FIG. 13 as viewed in the direction of arrow XIV. 14 is a view of the cover member of FIG. 13 as viewed from the direction of arrow XV. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an opening/closing member included in a medicine supplying section of a medicine supplying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a view of the opening/closing member of FIG. 16 as viewed from the direction of arrow XVII. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which an opening/closing part is rotated upward and a discharge part is open in a medicine supplying part included in a medicine supplying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a medicine storage container of a medicine refill section included in the medicine supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which an outer lid is removed in a medicine storage container of a medicine refill section included in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a lid portion is removed in a medicine storage container of a medicine refill section included in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view showing a state in which a lid portion is removed in a medicine storage container of a medicine refill section included in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a state in which a lid portion is removed in a medicine storage container of a medicine refill section included in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a bottom view showing a state in which a lid portion is removed in a medicine storage container of a medicine refill section included in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a lid portion is removed in a medicine storage container of a medicine refill section included in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a partial perspective view showing the shape of an opening side of a medicine storage container of a medicine refill section included in the medicine supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing a configuration of a base portion included in the medicine supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a partial rear view showing the configuration of a base portion included in the medicine supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view showing a state in which a medicine supplying unit included in a medicine supplying device according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to a base unit. 1 is a front view showing a state in which a medicine supply unit and a medicine storage container are respectively attached to a base unit included in a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a cover of part of the base unit removed. 1 is a front perspective view showing a state in which a medicine container and a part of a cover of a base portion are removed from the medicine supplying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view showing a state in which a cover for another part of the base portion is removed from the medicine supplying device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a connection system of a medicine packing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a connection system of a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 4 is a time chart showing an operation of the medicine packaging device according to the embodiment of the present invention in accordance with prescription information. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining prescription information and packaging information. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a control unit of the medicine supplying device when the required number of medicines in one prescription is input from the main control unit. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a control unit when medicines are refilled by the medicine refill unit. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a control unit of the medicine supplying device that receives a required number of medicines in one package and a supply instruction from the main control unit. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control unit when a medicine is supplied by the medicine supply unit. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control unit when counting medicines supplied by a medicine supply unit.

The following describes a drug packaging device according to one embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the embodiment, the same or corresponding parts in the drawings are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a drug packaging device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a drug packaging device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a plan view of the drug packaging device in Figure 2 as seen from the direction of arrow III. Note that Figure 1 illustrates a state in which the door of the housing is open and the manual dispensing cassette has slid forward to the front of the housing. Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the ceiling of the drug packaging device.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, a medicine packaging device 400 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a medicine supply device unit, a housing 410, a rotating drum 420, a hopper 430, and a medicine packaging device unit 440. The medicine packaging device 400 further includes a control device unit, which will be described later.

The drug supply device unit has a plurality of drug supply devices that supply drugs. Specifically, the drug supply device unit has a plurality of first drug supply devices 10, a plurality of second drug supply devices 20, and a third drug supply device 30.

Each of the multiple second drug supply devices 20 contains multiple drugs and is configured to be able to supply the required number of drugs. The second drug supply device 20 is an automatic drug supply cassette. The third drug supply device 30 is a manual drug supply cassette. The manual drug supply cassette has compartments arranged in a matrix, and each compartment contains one packet of drugs.

Each of the multiple first drug supply devices 10 can supply a drug in place of a second drug supply device 20 among the multiple second drug supply devices 20 that has run out of the drug. In addition, each of the multiple first drug supply devices 10 can supply a drug other than the drug contained in each of the multiple second drug supply devices 20.

The medicine supplying device unit supplies one package of medicine from a medicine supplying device selected from among a plurality of medicine supplying devices. The medicine packaging device unit 440 packages one package of medicine supplied from the medicine supplying device unit. The control device unit controls each of the medicine supplying device unit and the medicine packaging device unit.

The housing 410 houses the medicine supply device unit, the rotating drum 420, the hopper 430, and the medicine packaging device unit 440. The housing 410 has a door that can be opened and closed. An operation panel 50 is provided on the front of the housing 410.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the rotating drum 420 is supported in the housing 410 so as to be rotatable about the axis 4. A plurality of first drug supply devices 10 and a plurality of second drug supply devices 20 are attached to the rotating drum 420. In other words, the first drug supply devices 10 are housed in the housing 410 in a movable state.

As shown in FIG. 2, the rotating drum 420 is provided with a drug transport path 421. The drug transport path 421 is located above the hopper 430. As shown in FIG. 3, the first drug supply device 10 and the second drug supply device 20 are arranged in a ring shape on the outer periphery of the rotating drum 420. As shown in FIG. 2, the first drug supply device 10 and the second drug supply device 20 are arranged in a vertical line. Each of the first drug supply device 10 and the second drug supply device 20 is connected to the drug transport path 421. The drug supplied from each of the first drug supply device 10 and the second drug supply device 20 passes through the drug transport path 421 and is fed into the hopper 430. The drug supplied from the third drug supply device 30 is fed into the hopper 430. The drug fed into the hopper 430 is packaged by the drug packaging device unit 440.

The configuration of the drug packaging device 400 is not limited to the above. For example, each of the first drug supply device 10 and the second drug supply device 20 may be attached to a slidable rack instead of the rotating drum 420. In this case, by pulling the rack outward from the housing 410, each of the first drug supply device 10 and the second drug supply device 20 can be moved outward from the housing 410. The sliding direction of the rack may be the front-rear direction of the housing 410 or the left-right direction of the housing 410. The door of the housing 410 may also be structured to open like a double door.

Next, a drug supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a front view showing the configuration of a drug supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, a first drug supply device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a drug supply module 100, which is a drug supply unit, and a drug refill unit 12. The first drug supply device 10 further includes a base unit 200. A display unit 250 and a stop switch 238 are provided on the front surface of the base unit 200. The drug refill unit 12 includes a drug storage container 300 that stores drugs. Each of the drug supply module 100 and the drug storage container 300 can be attached and detached separately to the base unit 200.

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a drug supply unit provided in a drug supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a plan view of the drug supply unit in Figure 5 as viewed from the direction of arrow VI. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the drug supply unit in Figure 5 as viewed from the direction of arrow VII. Figure 8 is a view of the drug supply unit in Figure 5 as viewed from the direction of arrow VIII. Figure 9 is a view of the drug supply unit in Figure 5 as viewed from the direction of arrow IX.

In Figures 6 and 7, the lid portion, which will be described later, is shown in a see-through manner. In Figure 8, the lid member and the opening/closing member, which will be described later, are not shown. In Figure 9, the lid portion is shown in a see-through manner, and the support portion, which will be described later, is not shown.

As shown in Figs. 5 to 9, the drug supply module 100, which is a drug supply unit included in the first drug supply device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, includes a rotating body 110, a peripheral wall portion, and a discharge portion 131. In this embodiment, the drug supply module 100 further includes a support portion 150, a lid portion 126, and an opening/closing portion 141. As described below, the drug supply module 100 has a drug receiving position for receiving replenished drugs and a discharge portion 131, and functions as a drug supply unit that conveys drugs from the drug receiving position toward the discharge portion 131 while aligning them in a line, and discharges and supplies the drugs from the discharge portion 131 one by one in order from the front.

In this embodiment, the drug supply module 100 is configured as an integrated unit including the rotating body 110, the peripheral wall portion, the discharge portion 131, and the opening/closing portion 141. Note that the opening/closing portion 141 does not necessarily have to be provided. In other words, the drug supply module 100 may be configured as an integrated unit including the rotating body 110, the peripheral wall portion, and the discharge portion 131.

Figure 10 is a side view showing the configuration of a rotating body included in a medicine supply unit provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 10, the rotating body is shown as viewed from the same direction as in Figure 9. As shown in Figures 8 to 10, the rotating body 110 rotates about an axis 1 extending in the vertical direction, and has a conical inclined surface 110s coaxial with the axis 1 that inclines downward as it moves radially outward from the axis 1.

The rotating body 110 includes a first rotating part 111 and a second rotating part 112, which are arranged coaxially with each other. The second rotating part 112 is located below the first rotating part 111. The side surface of the first rotating part 111 and the side surface of the second rotating part 112 form an inclined surface 110s. The first rotating part 111 and the second rotating part 112 are each provided so as to be rotatable separately from each other. As shown in Figures 8 to 10, the first rotating part 111 is connected to a first driven gear 111g. The second rotating part 112 is connected to a second driven gear 112g.

In this embodiment, the inclined surface 110s of the rotor 110 is provided with a rolling prevention portion that prevents the drug from rolling. The rolling prevention portion is composed of grooves arranged radially from the apex of the inclined surface 110s. Specifically, the rolling prevention portion is composed of a first groove 111c arranged on the first rotating portion 111 and a second groove 112c arranged on the second rotating portion 112. Note that the rolling prevention portion does not necessarily have to be provided.

As shown in Figs. 6 to 8, the rotating body 110 is rotatably supported by a support portion 150 located below the rotating body 110. The rotating body 110 is detachably provided on the support portion 150. As shown in Fig. 8, the support portion 150 includes a horizontal surface portion 151 having a substantially circular shape, an erect portion 152 erected in a substantially cylindrical shape from the edge of the horizontal surface portion 151, and a base portion 153 extending downward from the horizontal surface portion 151 in a substantially cylindrical shape. The first driven gear 111g and the second driven gear 112g are each located on the inner peripheral side of the base portion 153.

As shown in Figs. 6 to 9, in this embodiment, the drug supply module 100 includes multiple peripheral wall portions. Specifically, the drug supply module 100 includes a first peripheral wall portion 121, a second peripheral wall portion 122, and a third peripheral wall portion 123. Note that the number of peripheral wall portions included in the drug supply module 100 is not limited to three, and may be one or more.

As shown in FIG. 6, each of the first peripheral wall portion 121, the second peripheral wall portion 122, and the third peripheral wall portion 123 extends in an arc shape in the circumferential direction centered on the axis 1 above the inclined surface 110s. Each of the first peripheral wall portion 121, the second peripheral wall portion 122, and the third peripheral wall portion 123 supports the drug supplied onto the inclined surface 110s from the outside in the radial direction.

The first peripheral wall portion 121, the second peripheral wall portion 122, and the third peripheral wall portion 123 are aligned in the rotation direction 2 of the rotor 110, and the more downstream the peripheral wall portion is in the rotation direction 2, the further outward and downward in the radial direction it is located. Specifically, the second peripheral wall portion 122 is located downstream in the rotation direction 2 from the first peripheral wall portion 121, and is located outward and downward in the radial direction from the first peripheral wall portion 121. The third peripheral wall portion 123 is located downstream in the rotation direction 2 from the second peripheral wall portion 122, and is located outward and downward in the radial direction from the second peripheral wall portion 122.

The first peripheral wall portion 121 and the second peripheral wall portion 122 are each located above the first rotating portion 111. The third peripheral wall portion 123 is located above the second rotating portion 112. Thus, the first rotating portion 111 transports the drug supported by the first peripheral wall portion 121 along the first peripheral wall portion 121. The first rotating portion 111 transports the drug supported by the second peripheral wall portion 122 along the second peripheral wall portion 122. The second rotating portion 112 transports the drug supported by the third peripheral wall portion 123 along the third peripheral wall portion 123.

As shown in FIG. 9, each of the first peripheral wall portion 121, the second peripheral wall portion 122, and the third peripheral wall portion 123 is spaced from the inclined surface 110s. Specifically, each of the first peripheral wall portion 121, the second peripheral wall portion 122, and the third peripheral wall portion 123 is spaced from the inclined surface 110s to a degree that allows the drug supplied onto the inclined surface 110s to be supported from the outside in the radial direction.

As shown in Figures 6, 7, and 9, in this embodiment, the downstream end of the peripheral wall portion located upstream in the rotation direction 2 among the peripheral wall portions adjacent to each other in the rotation direction 2 is separated from the slope 110s as it moves downstream in the rotation direction 2.

Specifically, the end portion of the first peripheral wall portion 121 on the downstream side in the rotation direction 2 becomes more distant from the slope 110s as it moves downstream in the rotation direction 2. Similarly, the end portion of the second peripheral wall portion 122 on the downstream side in the rotation direction 2 becomes more distant from the slope 110s as it moves downstream in the rotation direction 2.

As shown in Figures 6, 7, and 9, in this embodiment, the peripheral wall portions adjacent to each other in the rotation direction 2 are connected to each other by an inclined wall portion that extends radially outward and descends toward the downstream side of the rotation direction 2. Note that the inclined wall portion is not necessarily provided.

Specifically, the first peripheral wall portion 121 and the second peripheral wall portion 122 are connected to each other by the first inclined wall portion 124. The second peripheral wall portion 122 and the third peripheral wall portion 123 are connected to each other by the second inclined wall portion 125.

As shown in Figs. 7 and 9, each of the first inclined wall portion 124 and the second inclined wall portion 125 is inclined toward the downstream side in the rotation direction 2 as it moves upward from the slope 110s. Therefore, the boundary line between the first peripheral wall portion 121 and the first inclined wall portion 124, and the boundary line between the second peripheral wall portion 122 and the first inclined wall portion 124, are inclined toward the downstream side in the rotation direction 2 as it moves upward from the slope 110s. Similarly, the boundary line between the second peripheral wall portion 122 and the second inclined wall portion 125, and the boundary line between the third peripheral wall portion 123 and the second inclined wall portion 125, are inclined toward the downstream side in the rotation direction 2 as it moves upward from the slope 110s.

As shown in Figures 5 to 7 and 9, in this embodiment, the first peripheral wall portion 121, the second peripheral wall portion 122, and the third peripheral wall portion 123 are each integrally formed with the lid portion 126. The first peripheral wall portion 121, the second peripheral wall portion 122, and the third peripheral wall portion 123 each extend downward from the lower surface of the lid portion 126. Note that the lid portion 126 does not necessarily have to be provided, as long as the peripheral wall portions are disposed above the slope 110s.

Each of the first inclined wall portion 124 and the second inclined wall portion 125 is integrally formed with the lid portion 126. Each of the first inclined wall portion 124 and the second inclined wall portion 125 extends downward from the lower surface of the lid portion 126.

The lid portion 126 covers the slope 110s from above. The lid portion 126 is provided so that the slope 110s can be opened upward. The lid portion 126 is disposed on the support portion 150. Specifically, the lid portion 126 is provided on the lid member 120. Each of the first peripheral wall portion 121, the second peripheral wall portion 122, and the third peripheral wall portion 123 is provided on the lid member 120. Each of the first inclined wall portion 124 and the second inclined wall portion 125 is provided on the lid member 120.

The lid member 120 is placed on the support part 150 so as to be detachable from the support part 150. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a buffer member 170 is provided between the lid part 126 and the support part 150. Specifically, the lid member 120 is placed on the horizontal surface part 151 of the support part 150 via the buffer member 170 having an arc shape. The buffer member 170 is made of an elastic material such as rubber. Note that the buffer member 170 does not necessarily have to be provided.

The lid member 120 is made of a transparent material. Therefore, each of the lid portion 126, the first peripheral wall portion 121, the second peripheral wall portion 122, and the third peripheral wall portion 123 is made of a transparent material. This makes it possible to see the inside of the lid member 120 from the outside of the lid member 120. However, the lid member 120 may be made of a non-transparent material.

Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a lid member included in a medicine supply unit provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 is a view of the lid member in Figure 11 as viewed from the direction of arrow XII. Figure 13 is a view of the lid member in Figure 12 as viewed from the direction of arrow XIII. Figure 14 is a view of the lid member in Figure 13 as viewed from the direction of arrow XIV. Figure 15 is a view of the lid member in Figure 13 as viewed from the direction of arrow XV. Figures 11 and 12 show a state in which a vibration transmission plate, described later, has been removed from the lid member 120.

As shown in Figures 11 to 15, in this embodiment, the lid member 120 is provided with a drug supply hole 127, a notch 128, and an attachment portion 129. Specifically, the drug supply hole 127 and the attachment portion 129 are each provided on the top surface of the lid member 120. The notch 128 is provided on the periphery of the lower end side of the lid member 120.

The drug supply hole 127 is provided to supply drug from the outside of the lid member 120 to the inside of the lid member 120. The cutout portion 128 is provided to place the discharge member described below on the support portion 150. The attachment portion 129 is provided to attach the vibration transmission plate described below to the lid member 120.

As shown in Figures 13 to 15, in the cover member 120, the first peripheral wall portion 121 is located below the drug supply hole 127, the first inclined wall portion 124 is located adjacent to the first peripheral wall portion 121, the second peripheral wall portion 122 is located adjacent to the first inclined wall portion 124, the second inclined wall portion 125 is located adjacent to the second peripheral wall portion 122, the third peripheral wall portion 123 is located adjacent to the second inclined wall portion 125, and the cutout portion 128 is located adjacent to the third peripheral wall portion 123.

As shown in FIG. 11, the mounting portion 129 has a screw hole. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the vibration transmission plate 160 is fixed to the mounting portion 129 with a screw. The vibration transmission plate 160 forms part of the lid portion 126. In this embodiment, the vibration transmission plate 160 is made of a magnetic material. However, the vibration transmission plate 160 may also be made of a non-magnetic material. The vibration transmission plate 160 does not necessarily have to be provided.

As shown in Figures 5 to 7 and 9, the discharge member 130 is provided on the support portion 150 so as to fit into the cutout portion 128. The discharge member 130 has an outer shape corresponding to the shape of the cutout portion 128. A small gap is provided between the discharge member 130 and the cover member 120.

The discharge member 130 is provided with a discharge section 131 that discharges the medicine transported sequentially along the first peripheral wall section 121, the second peripheral wall section 122, and the third peripheral wall section 123 from above the inclined surface 110s as the rotor 110 rotates.

As shown in FIG. 7, the discharge member 130 is provided with a vertical wall portion 132. That is, the vertical wall portion 132 is formed of a separate material from the peripheral wall portion. The vertical wall portion 132 is provided between the third peripheral wall portion 123 and the discharge portion 131, and supports the drug from the outside in the radial direction. The vertical wall portion 132 extends in an arc shape along the circumferential direction centered on the axis 1. In this embodiment, the third peripheral wall portion 123, the vertical wall portion 132, and the discharge portion 131 are aligned along the circumferential direction centered on the axis 1. Note that the vertical wall portion 132 does not necessarily have to be provided.

The discharge member 130 is provided with a pair of bearings 130b that support a pivot shaft 140s that rotates the opening/closing part 141. The pair of bearings 130b are erected at a position above the discharge part 131. The opening/closing part 141 is configured to be able to open and close the discharge part 131 by being rotated by the pivot shaft 140s.

The opening/closing part 141 is connected to a biasing member 140t and biased in a direction to close the discharge part 131. In this embodiment, the biasing member 140t is configured as a torsion spring, but is not limited to a torsion spring. Note that the biasing member 140t does not necessarily have to be provided. The base part 200 is provided with an opening/closing sensor 237 (described later) that detects the open/closed state of the opening/closing part 141.

As shown in Figs. 7 and 9, in this embodiment, the drug supply module 100 further includes a drug stopper 142. The drug stopper 142 is adjacent to the discharge portion 131, extending in the radial direction along the inclined surface 110s, upstream of the discharge portion 131 in the rotation direction 2 of the rotor 110. The drug stopper 142 is provided so as to be movable toward and away from the inclined surface 110s.

When the drug stopper 142 is close to the inclined surface 110s, the drug is prevented from moving to the discharge section 131 by the drug stopper 142, and when the drug stopper 142 is separated from the inclined surface 110s, the drug can move to the discharge section 131. The drug stopper 142 is configured integrally with the opening/closing section 141. Note that the drug stopper 142 does not necessarily have to be provided.

Figure 16 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an opening/closing member included in a drug supply unit provided in a drug supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 17 is a view of the opening/closing member in Figure 16 as seen from the direction of arrow XVII.

As shown in Figures 5 to 7, 9, 16 and 17, the opening/closing member 140 is provided with an opening/closing portion 141, a drug stopper 142, and a pair of engagement holes 140b. Specifically, the drug stopper 142 protrudes from one edge in the width direction of the approximately flat opening/closing portion 141 so as to be perpendicular to the opening/closing portion 141. The pair of engagement holes 140b are erected at a position above the opening/closing portion 141. Each of the pair of engagement holes 140b has a D-shaped inner peripheral surface in a side view. Each of the pair of engagement holes 140b engages with a portion of the rotating shaft 140s having a D-shaped cross-sectional shape.

Figure 18 is a perspective view showing a state in which the opening/closing part has been rotated upward and the discharge part has been opened in the drug supply part of the drug supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 18, the drug supply module 100 is shown as seen from the same direction as Figure 5.

When the pivot shaft 140s is rotated in one direction, as shown in FIG. 18, the opening/closing member 140 rotates around the pivot shaft 140s, the discharge section 131 that was blocked by the opening/closing section 141 is opened, and the drug stopper section 142 moves away from the inclined surface 110s.

When the pivot shaft 140s is rotated in the other direction, as shown in FIG. 5, the opening/closing member 140 rotates around the pivot shaft 140s, the discharge section 131 is closed by the opening/closing section 141, and the drug stop section 142 approaches the inclined surface 110s.

Figure 19 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a medicine storage container of a medicine refilling unit included in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 20 is a perspective view showing a state in which an outer lid is removed from a medicine storage container of a medicine refilling unit included in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 21 is a perspective view showing a state in which a lid part is removed from a medicine storage container of a medicine refilling unit included in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 22 is a side view showing a state in which a lid part is removed from a medicine storage container of a medicine refilling unit included in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 23 is a plan view showing a state in which a lid part is removed from a medicine storage container of a medicine refilling unit included in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 24 is a bottom view showing a state in which a lid part is removed from a medicine storage container of a medicine refilling unit included in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 25 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a lid part is removed from a medicine storage container of a medicine refilling unit included in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figures 19 to 25, the medicine storage container 300 of the medicine refill unit 12 provided in the first medicine supply device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention has a cylindrical shape with a bottom including a bottom and an opening, and a spiral groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface. Specifically, the medicine storage container 300 includes a main body tube 310, a cylindrical portion 320, a bottom portion 330, and a lid portion 340.

The main body tube 310 has a spiral groove 312 formed on its inner circumferential surface. The main body tube 310 has a first opening 313 at one end and a second opening 314 at the other end. The central axis of the main body tube 310 is located on the axis 3 of the medicine-containing container 300. In FIG. 25, a perpendicular line 4 perpendicular to the axis 3 is shown.

As shown in FIG. 25, in a pair of opposing wall surfaces of the spiral groove 312 formed on the inner circumferential surface of the main body tube 310, the angle α between the wall surface located on the first opening 313 side and the perpendicular line 4 is larger than the angle β between the wall surface located on the second opening 314 side and the perpendicular line 4. For example, α = 45°, β = 10°.

Figure 26 is a partial perspective view showing the shape of the opening side of the medicine container of the medicine refill unit provided in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 26 shows the cylindrical portion 320 removed from the main body tube 310.

As shown in FIG. 26, the spiral groove 312 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the main body tube 310 so as to continue until it reaches the first opening 313 of the main body tube 310. The end 312e of the spiral groove 312 on the first opening 313 side is shaped as if it had been cut along the end face on the first opening 313 side of the main body tube 310.

As shown in FIG. 25, the spiral groove 312 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the main body tube 310 so as to continue to a position just before reaching the second opening 314 of the main body tube 310. The end of the spiral groove 312 on the second opening 314 side is connected to a circumferential groove 315 that extends in the circumferential direction centered on the axis 3. Therefore, the groove width does not narrow even in the vicinity of the second opening 314 of the main body tube 310. This makes it possible to prevent the medicine from clogging the groove.

The cylindrical portion 320 is attached to the outer periphery of the first opening 313 side of the main body tube 310. A male thread for attaching the lid portion 340 is formed on the outer periphery of the end of the cylindrical portion 320 on the first opening 313 side in the direction of the axis 3.

The bottom 330 is attached to the outer periphery of the main body tube 310 on the second opening 314 side. The bottom 330 has a bottom surface 330b that closes the second opening 314. The bottom surface 330b is convexly curved on the side away from the second opening 314 in the direction of the axis 3. In other words, the inner bottom surface of the medicine-containing container 300 has a curved shape that is convex toward the outside of the medicine-containing container 300.

The bottom 330 further has an annular portion 330c that protrudes outward in an annular shape from the periphery of the bottom surface 330b. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 25, an identifier 331 is disposed in the space defined by the bottom surface 330b and the annular portion 330c. The bottom 330 further has a disk portion 332 that closes the space defined by the bottom surface 330b and the annular portion 330c. The disk portion 332 is fixed to the bottom surface 330b by a screw. The identifier 331 is sandwiched between the bottom surface 330b and the disk portion 332.

In this embodiment, the identifier 331 is a permanent magnet. The identifier 331 is formed differently in each of the multiple medicine-containing containers 300. That is, each of the multiple medicine-containing containers 300 has an identifier 331 that can be distinguished from one another. Note that the identifier 331 is not limited to a permanent magnet, and may be another magnetic material. Also, the identifier 331 does not necessarily have to be provided.

As shown in FIG. 19, the lid 340 can close the first opening 313. As shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, the lid 340 is composed of an outer lid 341 and an inner lid 342. The outer lid 341 is rotatably provided with respect to the inner lid 342. Specifically, the outer lid 341 is provided with an arm 341a having a pair of engagement holes 341h. A pivot shaft 342p having a pair of engagement protrusions 342s is provided on the side of the inner lid 342. The pair of engagement holes 341h and the pair of engagement protrusions 342s engage with each other, so that the arm 341a is supported rotatably around the pivot shaft 342p. As a result, the outer lid 341 is rotatable with respect to the inner lid 342.

The inner lid surface 342c of the inner lid 342 has a plurality of openings 342h. When the outer lid 341 is closed, a space is formed between the outer lid 341 and the inner lid surface 342c for inserting the ears of a desiccant or a PTP (Press-Through-Package) packaging sheet of a drug. A female thread is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the inner lid 342 to screw into the male thread of the cylindrical portion 320.

Figure 27 is a partial perspective view showing the configuration of a base section provided in a drug supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 28 is a partial rear view showing the configuration of a base section provided in a drug supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 29 is a partial perspective view showing the drug supply section provided in a drug supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention attached to the base section.

As shown in Figures 27 and 28, the base unit 200 is provided with a first drive shaft 210, a second drive shaft 240, a discharge chute 220, a first sensor 231 which is a first detection unit, a second sensor 232 which is a second detection unit, a drug detection sensor 235 which is a drug detection unit, and a vibration unit 260. The base unit 200 is provided with a first motor which is a first drive source that drives the rotating body 110, and a second motor which is a second drive source that drives the opening/closing unit 141. Note that each of the first sensor 231, the second sensor 232, the drug detection sensor 235, and the vibration unit 260 does not necessarily have to be provided.

The first drive shaft 210 is connected to the first motor. The first drive shaft 210 extends upward from the bottom of the base portion 200. A first drive gear 211g and a second drive gear 212g are provided at the tip of the first drive shaft 210. The first drive gear 211g engages with the first driven gear 111g. The second drive gear 212g engages with the second driven gear 112g.

When the first motor is driven and the first drive shaft 210 rotates, the first rotating part 111 rotates via the first driving gear 211g and the first driven gear 111g, and the second rotating part 112 rotates via the second driving gear 212g and the second driven gear 112g. In other words, the first rotating part 111 and the second rotating part 112 are each driven by a common driving source.

The rotation speed of the second rotating part 112 is higher than the rotation speed of the first rotating part 111. Specifically, the number of teeth of each of the first driving gear 211g, the second driving gear 212g, the first driven gear 111g, and the second driven gear 112g is set so that the rotation speed of the second rotating part 112 is higher than the rotation speed of the first rotating part 111.

The second drive shaft 240 is connected to the second motor. The second drive shaft 240 extends substantially horizontally from one side of the base portion 200 to the other side. The tip of the second drive shaft 240 engages with the rotating shaft 140s.

When the second motor is driven to rotate the second drive shaft 240, the opening/closing member 140 rotates together with the pivot shaft 140s. When the opening/closing member 140 rotates about the pivot shaft 140s, each of the opening/closing section 141 and the drug stopper section 142 also rotates about the pivot shaft 140s. In this way, each of the opening/closing section 141 and the drug stopper section 142 is driven by a common drive source.

The discharge chute 220 guides the medicine discharged from the discharge section 131 to the outside of the base section 200. The inlet of the discharge chute 220 faces the discharge section 131. A first sensor 231 is disposed adjacent to the discharge section 131. A second sensor 232 is disposed on the discharge chute 220. The second sensor 232 is located farther from the discharge section 131 than the first sensor 231.

The first sensor 231 detects that the medicine on the inclined surface 110s has been discharged from the discharge section 131. The first sensor 231 outputs a first detection signal when it detects that the medicine has reached a first detection position outside the discharge section 131. In this embodiment, the first sensor 231 is composed of a photoelectric sensor, and has a light-projecting section and a light-receiving section that are arranged to sandwich the area immediately downstream of the discharge section 131 between them. The arrival of the medicine discharged from the discharge section 131 is detected by detecting that the optical axis between the light-projecting section and the light-receiving section has been blocked by the medicine.

The second sensor 232 detects the medicine discharged from the discharge section 131. The second sensor 232 outputs a second detection signal when it detects that the medicine has passed through a second detection position that is farther from the medicine supply module 100 than the first detection position. In this embodiment, the second sensor 232 is composed of a photoelectric sensor, and has a light-emitting section and a light-receiving section that are arranged to sandwich the medicine passage defined by the discharge chute 220 between them. The second sensor 232 detects the passage of the medicine discharged from the discharge section 131 by detecting that the optical axis between the light-emitting section and the light-receiving section has returned from a state in which it was blocked by the medicine to its original open state.

The drug detection sensor 235 detects the presence or absence of a drug at the drug receiving position on the slope 110s of the drug supply module 100 and outputs a drug detection signal. In this embodiment, the drug detection sensor 235 is composed of a photoelectric sensor, and has a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit arranged to sandwich the area below the drug supply hole 127 between them. That is, the area located below the drug supply hole 127 on the slope 110s is the drug receiving position that receives the replenished drug. The drug detection sensor 235 detects the presence or absence of a drug at the drug receiving position by detecting whether the optical axis between the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit is blocked by the drug. That is, the drug detection sensor 235 has a first detection state in which it detects the presence of a drug at the drug receiving position, and a second detection state in which it detects the absence of a drug at the drug receiving position. In addition, at least the part on the optical axis of the cover member 120 is transparent.

The vibration unit 260 vibrates each of the first peripheral wall portion 121, the second peripheral wall portion 122, and the third peripheral wall portion 123. In this embodiment, the vibration unit 260 vibrates each of the first peripheral wall portion 121, the second peripheral wall portion 122, and the third peripheral wall portion 123 via the lid portion 126.

Specifically, the vibration unit 260 is provided so as to be located directly above the vibration transmission plate 160. The vibration unit 260 is provided with a permanent magnet (not shown). The vibration transmission plate 160 is made of a magnetic material. The vibration unit 260 and the vibration transmission plate 160 are attracted to each other by the magnetic force of the permanent magnet. That is, the contact parts of the vibration unit 260 and the lid part 126 are attracted to each other by the magnetic force. The vibration of the vibration unit 260 is propagated through the lid part 126 to each of the first peripheral wall part 121, the second peripheral wall part 122, and the third peripheral wall part 123. The vibration unit 260 vibrates in a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. In this embodiment, the vibration unit 260 is driven by an eccentric motor 273 (described later) that is arranged so that the motor shaft is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane.

As described above, a small gap is provided between the discharge member 130 and the lid member 120, and a buffer member 170 is provided between the lid portion 126 and the support portion 150, so that the vibrations caused by the vibration portion 260 are not directly transmitted to the vertical wall portion 132.

A buffer member may be provided at the connection between the vibration unit 260 and the base unit 200 to prevent vibrations from the vibration unit 260 from propagating to the base unit 200. This prevents vibrations from the vibration unit 260 from propagating to the standing wall unit 132 through the base unit 200 and the support unit 150.

As shown in FIG. 29, in the first drug supply device 10 according to this embodiment, the vibration unit 260 is provided on the base unit 200, and the lid unit 126 is provided on the drug supply module 100, so that the vibration unit 260 can be moved toward and away from the lid unit 126. The base unit 200 is provided with a module detection sensor 236 (described later) that detects that the drug supply module 100 has been attached.

Figure 30 is a front view showing a state where a medicine supply unit and a medicine container are attached to a base unit of a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention, with a part of the cover of the base unit removed. Figure 31 is a front perspective view showing a state where a medicine container and a part of the cover of the base unit are removed from a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 32 is a rear perspective view showing a state where another part of the cover of the base unit is removed from a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figures 4 and 30, in the first drug supply device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the drug containing container 300 is attached to the base portion 200 with the lid portion 340 removed. When attached to the base portion 200, the drug containing container 300 is located above the drug supply module 100. When the drug containing container 300 is attached to the base portion 200, the axis 3 of the drug containing container 300 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. For example, when the drug containing container 300 is attached to the base portion 200, the axis 3 of the drug containing container 300 is inclined 20° with respect to the horizontal plane.

As shown in FIG. 31, the base part 200 is provided with four roller parts that support the medicine-containing container 300 so that it can rotate around the axis 3. Specifically, the base part 200 is provided with a pair of rotating shafts. A pair of roller parts 281 are attached to one of the pair of rotating shafts with a gap between them. A pair of roller parts 282 are attached to the other of the pair of rotating shafts with a gap between them. The base part 200 is provided with a container detection sensor 233 that detects that the medicine-containing container 300 has been attached.

As shown in Figures 30 and 31, the base portion 200 is provided with a connection pipe 290 that guides the medicine discharged from the first opening 313 of the medicine storage container 300 to the medicine supply hole 127 of the cover member 120 of the medicine supply module 100.

As shown in FIG. 30, the base portion 200 is provided with an identification sensor 234 that recognizes the identifier 331 of the medicine storage container 300. In this embodiment, the identification sensor 234 is a magnetic sensor. Note that the identification sensor 234 is not limited to a magnetic sensor, and may be any sensor that can recognize the identifier 331. Also, the identification sensor 234 does not necessarily have to be provided.

As shown in FIG. 30, the base unit 200 is provided with a first motor 270, which is a first drive source that drives the rotating body 110, and a second motor 271, which is a second drive source that drives the opening/closing unit 141, as described above. As shown in FIG. 32, the base unit 200 is provided with a third motor 272, which is a third drive source that drives the other of the pair of rotating shafts described above.

The drug replenishing unit 12 shown in Figures 4 and 30 includes a drug storage container 300, the pair of rotating shafts described above, a pair of roller units 281, a pair of roller units 282, a third motor 272, a container detection sensor 233, and an identification sensor 234. The drug storage container 300 stores drugs and replenishing the drugs to the drug receiving position of the drug supply module 100 when driven. That is, the drug replenishing unit 12 replenishing the drugs to the drug receiving position.

As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 31, a display unit 250 is provided on the front side of the base unit 200. In this embodiment, the display unit 250 selectively emits light in one color from among a plurality of colors. The display unit 250 can also emit light in a blinking manner. The state of the first medicine supply device 10 can be indicated by the light emission pattern of the display unit 250.

Figure 33 is a block diagram showing the connection system of a drug packaging device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 33, a drug packaging device 400 according to one embodiment of the present invention has a main control unit 41. The main control unit 41 is electrically connected to each of a drug packaging device unit 440, a drug supply device unit 450, and an operation panel 50. The main control unit 41 is electrically connected via the operation panel 50 to a prescription information receiving device 90 that receives prescription information.

Figure 34 is a block diagram showing a connection system of a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 34, a first medicine supply device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention has a control unit 11 that controls each of the medicine supply module 100, which is a medicine supply unit, and the medicine refill unit 12. The control unit 11 is provided on a base unit 200. The control unit 11 is electrically connected to each of the first sensor 231, the second sensor 232, the container detection sensor 233, the identification sensor 234, the medicine detection sensor 235, the module detection sensor 236, the open/close sensor 237, the stop switch 238, the display unit 250, the first motor 270, the second motor 271, the third motor 272, and the eccentric motor 273.

The control unit 11 is electrically connected to the main control unit 41. The control units 11 of each of the multiple first drug supply devices 10 and the main control unit 41 constitute a control device unit 460. As described above, the drug packaging device 400 is equipped with the control device unit 460.

The operation of the first drug supply device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below. First, the operation of the drug supply module 100, which is the drug supply unit, will be described.

The medicine supplied to the inside of the lid member 120 from the medicine supply hole 127 is received at the medicine receiving position on the inclined surface 110s and supported by the first peripheral wall portion 121. The first motor 270 drives each of the first rotating portion 111 and the second rotating portion 112.

When the first rotating portion 111 is driven, the drug supported by the first peripheral wall portion 121 is transported along the first peripheral wall portion 121. The drug supported by the first peripheral wall portion 121 is aligned along the first peripheral wall portion 121 while being transported along the first peripheral wall portion 121.

The drugs supported by the first peripheral wall portion 121 move sequentially from the drug located at the front end of the rotation direction 2 down along the first inclined wall portion 124 and radially outward around the axis 1, and are then supported by the second peripheral wall portion 122.

The drug descending along the first inclined wall portion 124 is accelerated by gravity, and therefore moves at a higher speed than the drug being transported along the first peripheral wall portion 121. This increases the distance between the drug that has descended along the first inclined wall portion 124 and the drug before it descends along the first inclined wall portion 124.

When the first rotating part 111 is driven, the drug supported by the second peripheral wall part 122 is transported along the second peripheral wall part 122. The drug supported by the second peripheral wall part 122, starting from the drug located at the front side of the rotation direction 2, moves radially outward while descending along the second inclined wall part 125, and is supported by the third peripheral wall part 123.

The drug descending along the second inclined wall portion 125 is accelerated by gravity, and therefore moves at a higher speed than the drug being transported along the second peripheral wall portion 122. This increases the distance between the drug that has descended along the second inclined wall portion 125 and the drug before it descends along the second inclined wall portion 125.

When the second rotating part 112 is driven, the drug supported by the third peripheral wall part 123 is transported along the third peripheral wall part 123. Because the rotation speed of the second rotating part 112 is higher than the rotation speed of the first rotating part 111, the distance between the drug supported by the third peripheral wall part 123 and the drug supported by the second peripheral wall part 122 becomes wider.

The drugs supported by the third peripheral wall portion 123 are supported by the vertical wall portion 132, starting from the drug located at the front end of the rotation direction 2. When the second rotating portion 112 is driven, the drugs supported by the vertical wall portion 132 are transported along the vertical wall portion 132.

When the drug stopper 142 is close to the inclined surface 110s, the drug transported along the vertical wall 132 is prevented from moving toward the discharge section 131. The second motor 271 then rotates the rotating shaft 140s.

By rotating the pivot 140s in one direction, the opening/closing member 140 rotates around the pivot 140s, the discharge section 131 that was blocked by the opening/closing section 141 is opened, and the drug stopper section 142 moves away from the inclined surface 110s. As a result, the drugs supported by the vertical wall section 132 that are located at the front end in the rotation direction 2 are discharged one by one from the discharge section 131.

At this time, the first sensor 231 detects that the medicine on the inclined surface 110s has been discharged from the discharge section 131. The second sensor 232 detects the medicine discharged from the discharge section 131.

After the drug is discharged from the discharge portion 131, the pivot shaft 140s is rotated in the other direction, causing the opening/closing member 140 to rotate about the pivot shaft 140s, the discharge portion 131 is closed by the opening/closing portion 141, and the drug stopper portion 142 approaches the inclined surface 110s.

As a result, the medicine supported by the standing wall portion 132 is prevented from moving to the discharge portion 131 by the medicine stopper portion 142, and is prevented from being discharged from the discharge portion 131 by the opening/closing portion 141. As described above, the opening/closing portion 141 is in an open state when the medicine is supplied from the medicine supply portion, and is in a closed state when the medicine is not supplied from the medicine supply portion.

When the drug supply unit moves relative to the housing 410, the drug supply unit stops and the opening/closing unit 141 closes, and then the movement of the drug supply unit begins. In this way, it is possible to prevent unwanted drugs from being discharged from the discharge unit 131 while the drug supply unit is moving.

When the supply of medicine from the medicine supply unit is to be resumed, the opening/closing unit 141 opens and the medicine supply unit restarts. In this way, the medicine can be discharged from the discharge unit 131 immediately after the medicine supply unit restarts.

Next, the operation of the medicine refill unit 12 will be described.
The third motor 272 rotates the pair of roller units 282 , whereby the medicine-containing container 300 is driven to rotate about the axis 3 .

When the medicine container 300 is rotated around the axis 3, the medicine in the medicine container 300 is transported from the bottom 330 side of the medicine container 300 to the first opening 313 side by the spiral groove 312 and discharged from the first opening 313.

The medicine discharged from the first opening 313 passes through the connection pipe 290 of the base part 200 and is supplied into the medicine supply hole 127 of the cover member 120. The medicines supplied into the medicine supply hole 127 of the cover member 120 are discharged one by one from the discharge part 131 of the medicine supply module 100.

A drug storage container 300 is attached to the base unit 200, which is sequentially selected from the plurality of drug storage containers 300. Each of the plurality of drug storage containers 300 is driven under different driving conditions set based on the identifier 331. The drug supply unit is driven in response to each of the plurality of drug storage containers 300.

Specifically, the types of medicines include general medicines that are small tablets, and special medicines such as capsules, long and thin tablets, spherical tablets, or triangular prism-shaped tablets. Each of the multiple medicine storage containers 300 stores a general medicine or a special medicine. When the medicine storage container 300 is attached to the base part 200, the control unit 11 receives a detection signal of the identifier 331 from the identification sensor 234 and determines the type of medicine stored inside the medicine storage container 300 attached to the base part 200. That is, the control unit 11 receives a medicine information signal that contains medicine information regarding the shape of the medicine, which is included in the detection signal of the identifier 331 from the identification sensor 234.

The following describes the control flow when the drug packaging device 400 according to one embodiment of the present invention packages drugs according to prescription information.

Figure 35 is a time chart showing how a medicine packaging device according to one embodiment of the present invention operates in accordance with prescription information. Figure 36 is a diagram for explaining prescription information and packaging information.

As shown in FIG. 35, prescription information is input to the prescription information receiving device 90. The prescription information includes information such as the type of drug, the time of administration, the number of days of administration, the daily dose, and the dose at each time of administration.

In the example of prescription information shown in FIG. 36, a three-day supply of medication is prescribed per prescription, with the required number of medication A being nine, and the required number of medication B being six. The required number of medication A is one each after breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The required number of medication B is zero each after breakfast and dinner, and two after lunch.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that one piece of packaging information is created based on one piece of prescription information. In this case, one prescription corresponds to one piece of packaging information based on one piece of prescription information.

As another example, multiple pieces of packaging information may be created based on one piece of prescription information. For example, if one piece of prescription information contains three types of drugs, a first piece of packaging information may be created for two of the three types of drugs, and a second piece of packaging information may be created for the remaining type. In this case, each of the multiple pieces of packaging information created corresponds to one prescription as referred to here.

As yet another example, one piece of packaging information may be created based on a portion of one piece of prescription information. For example, if one piece of prescription information contains three types of drugs, one piece of packaging information may be created for two of the three types of drugs, and no packaging information may be created for the remaining type. In this case, the created piece of packaging information corresponds to one prescription as referred to here.

As shown in FIG. 35, the prescription information receiving device 90 inputs packaging information corresponding to the input prescription information to the operation panel 50. The packaging information includes information for packaging the medicine according to the prescription information.

As shown in FIG. 35, after packaging information is input from the prescription information receiving device 90 to the operation panel 50, selection information for selecting which of the multiple drug supply devices to use to supply the drug, and a packaging instruction for causing the drug packaging device 400 to start a packaging operation are input from an input unit provided on the operation panel 50.

As shown in FIG. 35, when a packaging instruction is input to the input section of the operation panel 50, packaging information including selection information is input from the operation panel 50 to the main control section 41. The main control section 41, to which the packaging information including selection information has been input, inputs the required number of drugs for one prescription to the control section 11 of the first drug supply device 10 selected by the selection information. As described above, a packaging information signal including drug packaging information is input to the control device unit 460 composed of the control section 11 of each of the multiple first drug supply devices 10 and the main control section 41.

Then, the main control unit 41 sequentially inputs the required number of drugs in one packet and a supply instruction to start the supply operation to the control unit 11 at an appropriate timing. When the supply instruction is input, the control unit 11 executes the supply operation for one packet. When the supply operation for one packet is completed, a completion notification to that effect is input from the control unit 11 to the main control unit 41.

When the packaging operation for one prescription is completed, a completion notification to that effect is input from the main control unit 41 to the operation panel 50.

Figure 37 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the control unit of the medicine supply device that has received input of the required number of medicines in one prescription from the main control unit. As shown in Figure 37, the control unit 11 of the first medicine supply device 10 that has received input of the required number of medicines in one prescription from the main control unit 41 identifies the medicine containing container 300 based on an input signal from the identification sensor 234 (step S11). Having identified the medicine containing container 300, the control unit 11 causes the medicine refill unit 12 to start refilling medicines (step S12).

Figure 38 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the control unit when replenishing medicines with the medicine replenishing unit. As shown in Figure 38, after the control unit 11 starts replenishing medicines with the medicine replenishing unit 12 (step S12), it determines whether the supply quantity is less than the required quantity of medicines for one prescription (step S21).

Specifically, in the example of packaging information shown in FIG. 36, the control unit 11 of the first drug supply device 10 equipped with the drug storage container 300 that contains drug A determines whether the number of supplied drugs A is less than the required number of 9. The control unit 11 of the first drug supply device 10 equipped with the drug storage container 300 that contains drug B determines whether the number of supplied drugs B is less than the required number of 6.

If the supply quantity is less than the required quantity of medication for one prescription, the control unit 11 determines from the medication detection signal whether the medication detection sensor 235, which is the medication detection unit, has detected the presence of medication at the medication receiving position (step S22).

When the control unit 11 is in the first detection state in which the medicine detection sensor 235 detects that there is medicine at the medicine receiving position, it stops the third motor 272, which is the refill motor (step S23). In other words, when the medicine detection unit is in the first detection state, the control unit 11 stops the refilling of medicine by the medicine refill unit 12. After this, the control unit 11 returns to step S21.

When the control unit 11 is in the second detection state in which the drug detection sensor 235 detects that there is no drug at the drug receiving position, the control unit 11 rotates the third motor 272 in the forward direction (step S24). That is, when the drug detection unit is in the second detection state, the control unit 11 causes the drug refill unit 12 to refill the drug. After this, the control unit 11 returns to step S21.

As described above, the control unit 11 receives a drug detection signal from the drug detection unit and controls the drug refill unit 12 in response to the drug detection signal.

The control unit 11 may be configured to cause the drug refill unit 12 to refill the drug after a standby time has elapsed since the drug detection unit changed from the first detection state to the second detection state. As described above, the control unit 11 receives a drug information signal having drug information regarding the shape of the drug, which is included in the detection signal of the identifier 331 from the identification sensor 234. The control unit 11 sets the standby time according to the drug information.

If the supply quantity is equal to or greater than the required number of drugs for one prescription, the control unit 11 rotates the third motor 272 in the reverse direction (step S25). This allows the drugs contained in the drug storage container 300 to be returned to the inside of the drug storage container 300 from the first opening 313 side. The control unit 11 stops the third motor 272 after a certain time has elapsed since rotating the third motor 272 in the reverse direction (step S26).

The control unit 11 may be configured to stop the replenishing of drugs by the drug replenishing unit 12 when the drug detection unit changes from the second detection state to the first detection state when the supply quantity is less than the required number of drugs for one prescription, and to resume the replenishing of drugs by the drug replenishing unit 12 at the later of the time when the operation amount of the drug supply unit exceeds a set value from the time when the first detection state is reached, and the time when the drug detection unit changes from the first detection state to the second detection state. In this case, the control unit 11 sets the set value according to the drug information.

The operation amount of the drug supply unit is the cumulative rotation angle of the first rotation unit 111 in the drug supply unit in rotation direction 2 from the time when the first detection state is reached, or the cumulative drive time of the first rotation unit 111 in rotation direction 2. Specifically, the set value of the cumulative rotation angle is, for example, 60°. Alternatively, the set value of the cumulative drive time is, for example, the drive time required for the cumulative rotation angle to reach 60°.

The above-mentioned refilling operation is performed as needed in each of the multiple first drug supply devices 10 that supply the drugs required for one prescription. In this embodiment, the control device unit 460, in accordance with the above-mentioned packaging information, causes the drug refilling unit 12 to start refilling the drugs in the first drug supply device 10 that supplies drugs next to the first drug supply device 10 that is currently supplying drugs, before the initial start of operation of the drug supply unit. In detail, when the control unit 11 of the first drug supply device 10 receives input of the required number of drugs for one prescription from the main control unit 41, it causes the drug refilling unit 12 to start refilling the drugs. The control unit 11 of the first drug supply device 10 causes the drug refilling unit 12 to start refilling the drugs even if a supply instruction is not input from the main control unit 41.

Specifically, in the example of packaging information shown in FIG. 36, while the first drug supplying device 10 that supplies drug A supplies three packets of drug A for the first to third days after breakfast, the control device unit 460 causes the drug refilling unit 12 to start refilling the drug in the first drug supplying device 10 that next supplies three packets of drug B for the first to third days after lunch before the first motor 270 of the drug supplying module 100 starts to drive.

More preferably, when the first drug supply device 10 that supplies the next drug starts supplying the drug, the drug refill unit 12 has completed the first refill and the drug is present at the drug receiving position.

The control device unit 460 stops the refilling of drugs by the drug refill unit 12 in sequence, starting with the first drug supply device 10 that has finished supplying the required number of drugs for one prescription, according to the packaging information.

Specifically, in the example of packaging information shown in FIG. 36, the control device unit 460 stops the refilling of drug B by the drug refilling unit 12 of the first drug supply device 10 that has finished supplying the required number of drug B for one prescription after lunchtime has been completed for the three packets from the first to third days. The control device unit 460 then stops the refilling of drug A by the drug refilling unit 12 of the first drug supply device 10 that has finished supplying the required number of drug A for one prescription after dinner has been completed for the three packets from the first to third days.

Figure 39 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the control unit of the medicine supply device that has received the required number of medicines in one package and a supply instruction from the main control unit. As shown in Figure 39, the control unit 11 of the first medicine supply device 10 that has received the required number of medicines in one package and a supply instruction from the main control unit 41 opens the discharge unit 131 that has been blocked by the opening/closing unit 141 (step S31).

After opening the discharge section 131, the control section 11 causes the medicine supply module 100, which is the medicine supply section, to start supplying medicine in one packet (S32). After starting the supply of medicine by the medicine supply module 100 (step S32), the control section 11 counts the number of medicines supplied from the medicine supply module 100 (step S33). When the number of medicines supplied reaches or exceeds the required number of medicines in one packet, the control section 11 ends the supply of medicine by the medicine supply module 100 (step S34).

Then, the control unit 11 determines whether the number of drugs supplied is equal to or greater than the number of drugs required for one prescription (step S35). If the number of drugs supplied is equal to or greater than the number of drugs required for one prescription, the control unit 11 closes the discharge unit 131 by the opening/closing unit 141 (step S36). If the number of drugs supplied is less than the number of drugs required for one prescription, the control unit 11 terminates the supply operation of one packet of drugs while keeping the discharge unit 131 open.

Figure 40 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the control unit when the medicine supply unit supplies medicine. As shown in Figure 40, after the control unit 11 starts supplying medicine by the medicine supply module 100 (step S32), it determines whether the number of medicines supplied is less than the required number of medicines in one package (step S41).

Specifically, when packaging on the first day after lunch in the example of packaging information shown in FIG. 36, the control unit 11 of the first drug supply device 10 equipped with the drug storage container 300 containing drug A determines whether the number of drug A supplied is less than the required number of 1. The control unit 11 of the first drug supply device 10 equipped with the drug storage container 300 containing drug B determines whether the number of drug B supplied is less than the required number of 2.

If the supply quantity is less than the required number of drugs in one package, the control unit 11 drives the first motor 270, which is the supply motor, in the forward direction and drives the eccentric motor 273, which is the vibration motor (step S42). This causes the first rotating unit 111 and the second rotating unit 112 to rotate in the forward direction and the vibration unit 260 to vibrate.

After this, the control unit 11 determines whether the first sensor 231, which is the first detection unit, has detected the drug based on the presence or absence of an input of a first detection signal from the first sensor 231 (step S43).

When the first sensor 231 detects the drug, the control unit 11 stops the first motor 270 and the eccentric motor 273 (step S44). In this way, when the first detection signal is input, the control unit 11 temporarily stops the transport of the drug by the drug supply unit.

Then, the control unit 11 drives the first motor 270 in the reverse direction by a set amount (step S45). In this way, when the first detection signal is input, the control unit 11 temporarily reverses the direction in which the medicine is transported by the medicine supply unit.

After driving the first motor 270 in the reverse direction by the set amount, the control unit 11 stops the first motor 270 and returns to step S41.

If the supply quantity is equal to or greater than the required number of drugs in one packet, the control unit 11 ends the supply operation of one packet of drugs (step S34).

Figure 41 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the control unit when counting the medicines supplied by the medicine supply unit. As shown in Figure 41, when counting the medicines supplied by the medicine supply unit (step S33) is started, the control unit 11 determines whether the first sensor 231, which is the first detection unit, has detected the medicine based on the presence or absence of an input of a first detection signal from the first sensor 231 (step S51).

If the first sensor 231 detects the drug, the control unit 11 turns on the arrival flag (step S52). If the first sensor 231 does not detect the drug, the control unit 11 leaves the arrival flag as is.

Then, the control unit 11 determines whether the second sensor 232, which is the second detection unit, has detected the drug based on the presence or absence of an input of a second detection signal from the second sensor 232 (step S53). In step S53, when the second sensor 232 is detecting the drug, the drug is blocking the optical axis between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit that constitute the second sensor 232.

When the second sensor 232 detects the drug in step S53, the control unit 11 determines whether the second sensor 232, which is the second detection unit, has stopped detecting the drug based on the presence or absence of an input of a second detection signal from the second sensor 232 (step S54). When the second sensor 232 is not detecting the drug in step S54, the drug passes through the optical axis between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit that constitute the second sensor 232, and the optical axis returns to its original open state. When the second sensor 232 has not detected the drug in step S53, the control unit 11 returns to step S51.

If the second sensor 232 does not detect the drug in step S54, the control unit 11 checks whether the arrival flag is on (step S55). If the second sensor 232 does not detect the drug in step S54, the control unit 11 returns to step S54.

If the second sensor 232 does not detect the drug in step S54 and the arrival flag is on, the control unit 11 adds 1 to the supply number (step S56) and turns off the arrival flag (step S57).

If the second sensor 232 detects the medicine but the arrival flag is off, the control unit 11 determines that there is an abnormality (step S59) and ends the counting of the medicine. In this way, the control unit 11 determines that there is an abnormality when the second detection signal is input multiple times during the input interval in which the first detection signal is input.

After turning off the arrival flag in step S57, the control unit 11 determines whether the supply number is equal to or greater than the required number of drugs in one packet (step S58). If the supply number is equal to or greater than the required number of drugs in one packet, the control unit 11 ends counting the drugs. If the supply number is less than the required number of drugs in one packet, the control unit 11 returns to step S51.

As described above, the control unit 11 receives a first detection signal from the first sensor 231, controls the drug supply unit in response to the first detection signal, and receives a second detection signal from the second sensor 232, and counts the drugs supplied from the drug supply unit in response to the second detection signal.

In this embodiment, when the first detection signal is input, the control unit 11 controls the drug supply unit according to the drug information. Specifically, when the drug information determines that the drug contained inside the drug storage container 300 is a general drug, since a large amount of general drugs is discharged to the drug supply unit per rotation of the drug storage container 300, the control unit 11 stops the rotational drive of the drug storage container 300 immediately after the drug detection sensor 235 detects that the drug is present at the drug receiving position. After this, when the drug detection sensor 235 no longer detects the drug, the control unit 11 resumes the rotational drive of the drug storage container 300. This makes it possible to prevent the drug from being oversupplied to the drug supply unit.

When the drug information indicates that the drug contained in the drug storage container 300 is a special drug, the amount of special drug discharged to the drug supply unit per rotation of the drug storage container 300 tends to be small. Therefore, the control unit 11 lengthens the time from when the drug detection sensor 235 detects that the drug is at the drug receiving position to when the rotation drive of the drug storage container 300 is stopped, compared to the case of a general drug. Alternatively, the control unit 11 increases the rotation speed of the drug storage container 300, compared to the case of a general drug. Furthermore, the control unit 11 also increases the rotation speed of the rotor 110, compared to the case of a general drug. In this way, even in the case of a special drug that is difficult to discharge by rotation drive, the time required for drug refilling can be made closer to that of a general drug, and the drug can be supplied one by one from the discharge unit 131.

In this embodiment, in the first drug supply device 10, when the drug is discharged from the discharge section 131, the rotating body 110 and the vibration section 260 are each temporarily stopped, and the rotating body 110 is temporarily reversed, so that the next drug to be discharged from the discharge section 131 is held on the inclined surface 110s.

In addition, in the first drug supply device 10, when the drug is discharged from the discharge section 131, the vibration section 260 may be temporarily stopped, and the rotating body 110 may be temporarily stopped, so that the next drug discharged from the discharge section 131 is held on the inclined surface 110s.

In the drug packaging device 400 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control device unit 460, in the first drug supply device 10 that will supply drugs next to the first drug supply device 10 that is currently supplying drugs, starts drug replenishment by the drug refill unit 12 before the first operation start point of the drug supply module 100 in accordance with the packaging information. This makes it possible to shorten the time from when the drug supply module 100 starts supplying drugs until the drugs are supplied, and therefore the time required for packaging can be shortened.

In the drug packaging device 400 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control device unit 460 stops the drug refilling unit 12 from refilling drugs in sequence, starting with the first drug supply device 10 that has finished supplying the required number of drugs for one prescription, according to the packaging information. This makes it possible to prevent the drug refilling unit 12 from refilling the drug supply module 100 with excessive drugs.

In the drug packaging device 400 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control device unit 460 receives a drug detection signal from the drug detection sensor 235, and in response to the drug detection signal, when the drug detection sensor 235 is in a first detection state, stops the drug refilling unit 12 from refilling drugs, and when the drug detection sensor 235 is in a second detection state, causes the drug refilling unit 12 to refill drugs. This allows the drug refilling unit 12 to appropriately replenish drugs to the drug supply module 100 through simple control.

In the first drug supply device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 11 receives a drug detection signal from the drug detection sensor 235 and controls the drug refill unit 12 in response to the drug detection signal. This allows the need for drug refilling to be detected early and the drug refill unit 12 to appropriately replenish the drug to the drug supply module 100, thereby shortening the time required to supply the drug.

In the first drug supply device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 11 stops the drug refilling unit 12 from refilling drugs when the drug detection sensor 235 is in the first detection state, and causes the drug refilling unit to refill drugs when the drug detection sensor 235 is in the second detection state. This allows the drug refilling unit 12 to appropriately replenish drugs to the drug supply module 100 with simple control.

In the first drug supply device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 11 causes the drug refill unit 12 to replenish the drug after a standby time has elapsed since the drug detection sensor 235 changed from the first detection state to the second detection state. This makes it possible to prevent the drug refill unit 12 from refilling the drug supply module 100 with an excessive amount of drug.

In the first drug supply device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 11 sets the above-mentioned waiting time in accordance with the drug information. This allows the drug supply module 100 to be appropriately replenished with drugs from the drug refill unit 12 in accordance with the type of drug.

In the first drug supply device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 11 stops the drug refilling unit 12 from refilling the drug when the drug detection sensor 235 changes from the second detection state to the first detection state, and resumes the drug refilling unit 12 from refilling the drug at the later of the time when the operation amount of the drug supply module 100 exceeds a set value from the above time, or the time when the drug detection sensor 235 changes from the first detection state to the second detection state. This makes it possible to prevent excessive refilling of drugs from the drug refilling unit 12 to the drug supply module 100.

In the first drug supply device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 11 sets the above set value according to the drug information. Depending on the type of drug, the drug can be appropriately replenished from the drug refill unit 12 to the drug supply module 100.

In the first drug supply device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 11 receives a first detection signal from the first sensor 231, controls the drug supply module 100 in response to the first detection signal, and receives a second detection signal from the second sensor 232, and counts the drugs supplied from the drug supply module 100 in response to the second detection signal. As a result, even if the first sensor 231 detects multiple drugs in an overlapping state, the second sensor 232 detects the multiple drugs in a scattered state, so that it is possible to detect that multiple drugs have been discharged simultaneously from the discharge unit 131.

In the first drug supply device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, when the first detection signal is input, the control unit 11 temporarily reverses the drug transport direction by the drug supply module 100. This makes it possible to prevent multiple drugs from being discharged from the discharge unit 131 at the same time.

In the first drug supply device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, when the first detection signal is input, the control unit 11 temporarily stops the drug transport by the drug supply module 100. Even in this case, it is possible to prevent multiple drugs from being discharged from the discharge unit 131 at the same time.

In the first drug supply device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, a drug information signal having drug information on the shape of the drug is input to the control unit 11. When the first detection signal is input, the control unit 11 controls the drug supply module 100 according to the drug information. As described above, after the first detection signal is input, the control unit 11 determines whether to temporarily stop the drug transport by the drug supply module 100 or to temporarily reverse the drug transport direction by the drug supply module 100 according to the drug information. The control unit 11 also determines the time for temporary pausing or temporary reverse transport according to the drug information. This makes it possible to prevent multiple drugs from being simultaneously discharged from the discharge unit 131 in a manner according to the type of drug.

In the first drug supply device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 11 determines that an abnormality has occurred when the second detection signal is input multiple times during an input interval during which the first detection signal is input. This makes it possible to detect an abnormality in which multiple drugs are simultaneously discharged from the discharge unit 131.

The above disclosed embodiments are illustrative in all respects and are not intended to be a basis for restrictive interpretation. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is not interpreted solely by the above described embodiments, but is defined based on the claims. Furthermore, all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims are included.

1, 3 Axis, 2 Rotation direction, 4 Vertical line, 10 First drug supply device, 11 Control unit, 12 Drug refill unit, 20 Second drug supply device, 30 Third drug supply device, 41 Main control unit, 50 Operation panel, 90 Prescription information reception device, 100 Drug supply module, 110 Rotating body, 110s Slope, 111 First rotating unit, 111c First groove portion, 111g First driven gear, 112 Second rotating unit, 112c Second groove portion, 112g Second driven gear, 120 Lid member, 121 First peripheral wall portion, 122 Second peripheral wall portion, 123 Third peripheral wall portion, 124 First inclined wall portion, 125 Second inclined wall portion, 126, 340 Lid portion, 127 Drug supply hole, 128 Notch portion, 129 Mounting portion, 130 Discharge member, 130b bearing portion, 131 discharge portion, 132 standing wall portion, 140 opening/closing member, 140b, 341h engagement hole, 140s rotation shaft, 140t biasing member, 141 opening/closing portion, 142 drug stopper portion, 150 support portion, 151 horizontal surface portion, 152 standing portion, 153 base portion, 160 vibration transmission plate, 170 cushioning member, 200 base portion, 210 first drive shaft, 211g first drive gear, 212g second drive gear, 220 discharge chute, 231 first sensor, 232 second sensor, 233 container detection sensor, 234 identification sensor, 235 drug detection sensor, 236 module detection sensor, 237 opening/closing sensor, 238 stop switch, 240 second drive shaft, 250 display portion, 260 vibration portion, 270 First motor, 271 Second motor, 272 Third motor, 273 Eccentric motor, 281, 282 Roller portion, 290 Connection conduit, 300 Medicine container, 310 Main body tube, 312 Spiral groove, 312e End, 313 First opening, 314 Second opening, 315 Circumferential groove, 320 Cylindrical portion, 330 Bottom, 330b Bottom surface, 330c Annular portion, 331 Identifier, 332 Disc portion, 341 Outer lid, 341a Arm portion, 342 Inner lid, 342c Inner lid surface, 342h Opening, 342p Rotating shaft portion, 342s Engagement protrusion, 400 Medicine packaging device, 410 Housing, 420 Rotating drum, 421 Medicine transport path, 430 Hopper, 440 Medicine packaging device unit, 450 Drug supply device unit, 460 control device unit.

Claims (5)

a medicine supply unit having a medicine receiving position for receiving medicines, transporting the medicines from the medicine receiving position while aligning them, and supplying the medicines one by one in order from the front;
a medicine supply unit including a medicine container that contains the medicine and that supplies the medicine from the medicine container to the medicine receiving position with respect to the medicine supply unit;
a medicine detection unit that detects the presence or absence of the medicine at the medicine receiving position and outputs a medicine detection signal;
a control unit that receives the drug detection signal from the drug detection unit and controls the drug refill unit in response to the drug detection signal,
The medicine container is detachably attached to the base part separately from the medicine supply part,
The medicine supply unit is configured to receive the medicine from the medicine storage container at the medicine receiving position,
The drug detection unit has a first detection state in which the drug is detected to be present at the drug receiving position, and a second detection state in which the drug is detected to be absent at the drug receiving position,
A drug supply device, wherein the control unit stops the drug refilling unit from refilling the drug when the drug detection unit is in the first detection state, and causes the drug refilling unit to refill the drug when the drug detection unit is in the second detection state. The drug supply device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the drug refill unit to refill the drug after a standby time has elapsed since the drug detection unit changed from the first detection state to the second detection state. A drug information signal having drug information regarding the shape of a drug is input to the control unit,
The medicine supply device according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit sets the waiting time in accordance with the medicine information. The drug supply device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stops the drug refilling unit from refilling the drug when the drug detection unit changes from the second detection state to the first detection state, and resumes the drug refilling unit from refilling the drug at the later of the time when the operation amount of the drug supply unit exceeds a set value from the time when the drug detection unit changes from the first detection state to the second detection state. A drug information signal having drug information regarding the shape of a drug is input to the control unit,
The medicine supply device according to claim 4 , wherein the control unit sets the set value in accordance with the medicine information.

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