JP7507531B2 - Drug dispensing device - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a drug dispensing device.

JP 2016-130972 A (Patent Document 1) discloses a powder medicine packaging device that includes multiple medicine containers for storing powder medicine by type, a distribution unit that distributes the powder medicine discharged from the medicine containers, and a medicine packaging device that performs a packaging operation to individually package the powder medicine.

JP 2016-130972 A

Medication dispensing devices are required to accurately dispense medicines according to dispensing data in order to improve the quality and accuracy of packaging.

This disclosure provides a drug dispensing device that can perform accurate dispensing according to dispensing data.

In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided a drug weighing device including a weighing unit and a control unit that controls the weighing unit. The weighing unit has a drug storage unit that stores the drug, and a weighing unit that weighs the drug taken out of the drug storage unit and placed in a container. The control unit stores the weight of the container. The control unit controls the weighing unit to weigh the container before taking out the drug from the drug storage unit, and determines whether the container is empty based on the stored weight of the container.

The drug dispensing device according to the present disclosure can perform accurate dispensing according to the dispensing data.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a dispensing system. 1 is a schematic diagram of a medicine packaging device according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a plan view of the packaging section. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the medicine packaging device. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an intermediate container (outer drug container). FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a weighing device. FIG. 1 is a first flow chart showing the process flow of drug supply and packaging. FIG. 2 is a second flow chart showing the process flow of drug supply and packaging. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing setting values for determining whether or not packaging can be performed. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a determination as to whether or not packaging can be performed for the entire prescription data when the prescription data includes a plurality of drugs and the drugs are packaged in a single package. FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the flow of a drug measuring process. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a first example of a print output. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second example of a print output.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that in the following drawings, the same or corresponding parts are given the same reference numbers and their description will not be repeated.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a dispensing system 100. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a drug packaging device 1 according to an embodiment. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a plan view of a packaging section 33. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the drug packaging device 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the dispensing system 100 includes a drug packaging device 1 and a measuring device 80.

The drug packaging device 1 supplies and packages drugs. To supply drugs, the drug packaging device 1 can measure out one or more drugs. In this specification, measuring out a drug means taking out the required amount of drug stored in a drug storage facility or the like. The drug packaging device 1 measures out powdered medicine (powdered, finely divided, or granular medicine) as the drug. The drug packaging device 1 may also be capable of packaging tablets in addition to powdered medicine.

The weighing device 80 is installed outside the drug packaging device 1. The weighing device 80 can measure out the drug instead of the drug packaging device 1. The drug packaging device 1 and the weighing device 80 are installed, for example, in a pharmacy or a hospital.

The drug packaging device 1 supplies and packages drugs based on prescription data entered by the operator.

The drug packaging device 1 can also only package drugs. In this case, a weighing device 80 or the like is used to measure the drugs. The weighing device 80 weighs the drugs that the operator removes from a medicine bottle or the like. The drug packaging device 1 can also only measure the drugs. In this case, the weighed drugs are output from the drug packaging device 1 without being packaged. The drug packaging device 1 stores the weighed drugs in a container and enables the operator to remove the container.

In the following description, the drug packaging device 1 packaging a drug is referred to as the first operation, and the drug packaging device 1 weighing a drug without subsequently packaging it is referred to as the second operation. In the first operation, the drug packaging device 1 may or may not weigh the drug. The first operation also includes the case where the drug packaging device 1 packages a drug that has been weighed (measured) by a weighing device 80 or the like outside the drug packaging device 1.

As shown in Fig. 2, the drug packaging device 1 includes a first storage unit 11, a second storage unit 12, and a third storage unit 13. As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the drug packaging device 1 also includes a transport unit 14, a drug storage unit 15, a first information processing unit 16, a weighing unit 30, a second information processing unit 19, a third information processing unit 20, a display unit 21, an operation unit 22, a printing unit 24, a drug discharge unit 32, a packaging unit 33, a cleaning unit 38, and a control unit 50.

The first storage section 11 can store a number of intermediate containers 91 that do not contain any medicine. The intermediate containers 91 are prepared to contain medicine to be supplied and packaged and to transport them to each part of the medicine packaging device 1. The configuration of the intermediate containers 91 will be described later.

The first storage unit 11 can be configured, for example, to have multiple support tables for storing multiple intermediate containers 91, with each support table supporting the bottom surface of each intermediate container 91. However, the configuration of the first storage unit 11 can be changed as desired as long as it is capable of substantially storing the intermediate containers 91.

The second storage section 12 can store a plurality of external drug containers 92 that do not contain any drug. The external drug containers 92 contain drugs prepared by an operator outside the drug packaging device 1, and are used as containers that are introduced into the drug packaging device 1 for packaging the drugs. When the weighing device 80 or the like in FIG. 1 performs the weighing instead of the drug packaging device 1, the external drug containers 92 are prepared in the drug packaging device 1 to contain drugs to be measured by the weighing device 80, and to introduce the weighed drugs into the drug packaging device 1. The configuration of the external drug container 92 will be described later.

The third storage section 13 can store a number of output containers 93 that do not contain any medicine. The output containers 93 are prepared in the medicine packaging device 1 to contain the weighed medicine and to export the medicine from the medicine packaging device 1 to another medicine packaging device 95 when the medicine packaging device 1 does not package the medicine after weighing.

The second storage section 12 and the third storage section 13 can be configured to support the bottom surface of the external drug container 92 or the discharge container 93, for example, in the same manner as the first storage section 11.

The intermediate container 91 will now be described. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the intermediate container 91 (external drug container 92). As shown in FIG. 5, the intermediate container 91 includes a storage section 91a, a discharge path section 91b, an opening/closing section 91c, an information display section (display section) 91d, and an information recording section (information recording member) 91e.

The storage section 91a is the portion of the intermediate container 91 that actually stores the medicine. The storage section 91a is formed in a hollow shape with an open top.

The discharge path portion 91b is configured as a narrow passage that connects the internal space of the storage portion 91a with the external space. The discharge path portion 91b is formed so as to communicate with the end portion of the storage portion 91a.

The opening/closing section 91c is configured as a shutter-like movable member. The opening/closing section 91c can open and close the connection between the storage section 91a and the discharge path section 91b.

The information display unit 91d is a display capable of displaying prescription data and information related to prescriptions. The information display unit 91d can be configured, for example, as microcapsule-type or electrophoretic-type electronic paper.

The information recording unit 91e has, for example, a non-volatile memory, and can record container-specific information. The container-specific information includes container identification information. The container-specific information may also include information indicating the type of container (intermediate container 91, external drug container 92, export container 93). The information recording unit 91e can be configured, for example, as an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag.

In the drug packaging device 1 of this embodiment, multiple intermediate containers 91 of the same shape are prepared. Multiple types of intermediate containers 91 with different sizes of the storage portion 91a may be prepared. In this case, it is possible to respond to various situations in which weighing is required, such as weighing out multiple types of drugs.

The external drug container 92 will now be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the external drug container 92 has substantially the same configuration as the intermediate container 91. The external drug container 92 includes a storage section 92a, a discharge path section 92b, an opening/closing section 92c, an information display section 92d, and an information recording section 92e.

The storage section 92a, discharge path section 92b, opening/closing section 92c, information display section 92d, and information recording section 92e have the same configuration as the storage section 91a, discharge path section 91b, opening/closing section 91c, information display section 91d, and information recording section 91e in the intermediate container 91, so their explanation will be omitted.

In the drug packaging device 1 of this embodiment, multiple external drug containers 92 of the same shape are prepared. Multiple types of external drug containers 92 with different sizes of the storage section 92a may be prepared. In this case, it is possible to respond to various situations in which external weighing is performed, such as the external weighing of multiple types of drugs.

The output container 93 will now be described. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the output container 93. As shown in FIG. 6, the output container 93 corresponds to the intermediate container 91 with the discharge path section 91b and the opening/closing section 91c omitted. The output container 93 includes a storage section 93a, an information display section 93d, and an information recording section 93e.

The storage section 93a, information display section 93d, and information recording section 93e have the same configuration as the storage section 91a, information display section 91d, and information recording section 91e in the intermediate container 91, so their description will be omitted.

In the drug packaging device 1 of this embodiment, multiple output containers 93 of the same shape are prepared. Multiple types of output containers 93 with different sizes of storage section 93a may be prepared. In this case, it is possible to respond to various situations in which weighing is required, such as weighing out various types of drugs.

The transport unit 14 can transport the intermediate container 91, the external drug container 92, and the discharge container 93. As shown in FIG. 2, the transport unit 14 includes a first transport unit 14a and a second transport unit 14b.

The operation of each of the first conveying unit 14a and the second conveying unit 14b is controlled by the control unit 50. The first conveying unit 14a and the second conveying unit 14b differ only in the range of conveying, and the conveying configuration is essentially the same, so the following description will be given using the first conveying unit 14a as an example.

The first transport unit 14a is equipped with a container holding unit for holding the intermediate container 91, the external drug container 92, or the discharge container 93. The container holding unit is configured to be movable along a path determined by the drug packaging device 1. The first transport unit 14a transports the intermediate container 91, the external drug container 92, or the discharge container 93 by moving the container holding unit while the intermediate container 91, the external drug container 92, or the discharge container 93 is held in the container holding unit.

In this manner, in this embodiment, the intermediate container 91, the external drug container 92, and the discharge container 93 are configured to be transported by a common first transport unit 14a. Therefore, it is preferable to make the parts attached to the first transport unit 14a (container holding unit) of each of the three types of containers have the same configuration, since this simplifies the configuration of the first transport unit 14a.

The intermediate container 91, the external drug container 92, and the discharge container 93 are similar to each other in terms of configuration and function. Therefore, the intermediate container 91 can also be used as the external drug container 92 used in the first operation. The intermediate container 91 can also be used as the discharge container 93 used in the second operation. The external drug container 92 can also be used as the intermediate container 91 used in the first operation. The external drug container 92 can also be used as the discharge container 93 used in the second operation. By reducing the types of containers, a simplified configuration can be achieved.

In FIG. 2, the path of the first conveying unit 14a is shown by a dashed line, and the path of the second conveying unit 14b is shown by a two-dot chain line. The first conveying unit 14a and the second conveying unit 14b are equipped with separate drive sources and can each operate independently. Therefore, the medicine packaging device 1 can simultaneously transport containers by the first conveying unit 14a and by the second conveying unit 14b in parallel.

The transport unit 14 may have various configurations for holding the container. For example, the transport unit 14 may have a container holding part at the tip of an extendable or rotatable arm, and the position of the container holding part may be changed by extending or rotating the arm. For example, the container may be gripped with a chuck or held by suction.

The drug storage containers 15 store the drugs to be measured. Each drug storage container 15 has an opening for discharging and removing the drugs from the container.

In principle, each of the multiple drug storage containers 15 contains a different type of drug. However, for example, the same drug may be stored in multiple drug storage containers 15, for example, for drugs that are used frequently.

The drug packaging device 1 can handle excipients in addition to drugs. Any of the containers of the multiple drug storage chambers 15 may contain an excipient. When drug (powder) formulation is required, the drug packaging device 1 takes out the excipient from the drug storage chamber 15. In this case, the excipient can be supplied in the same way as the drug. Any of the containers of the multiple drug storage chambers 15 may contain a cleaning material. In this case, the cleaning material can be supplied in the same way as the drug. The cleaning material is taken out of the drug storage chamber 15 and packaged while contacting the drug path of the drug packaging device 1, thereby cleaning the drug path that the cleaning material comes into contact with. The cleaning material may contain an excipient. The excipient and/or cleaning material may be lactose.

An information recording unit 71 is provided on the outer surface of the medicine storage warehouse 15. The information recording unit 71 can be, for example, an RFID tag. The information recording unit 71 can store information about the medicine stored in the medicine storage warehouse 15 (stored medicine information). The stored medicine information includes the name of the medicine, the remaining amount of medicine in the medicine storage warehouse 15, the expiration date of the medicine, the date of the last refill, the operating conditions of the weighing unit 30, etc. The medicine packaging device 1 can obtain the stored medicine information by reading the information recording unit 71. Note that the information recording unit 71 may store only the identification information of the medicine storage warehouse 15, and when this is read by the medicine packaging device 1, the above-mentioned stored medicine information may be called up from the memory unit 61 described below.

The first information processing unit 16 can read the contained drug information from the information recording unit 71. The first information processing unit 16 can be configured as, for example, an RFID reader/writer. The first information processing unit 16 is provided at any position in the drug packaging device 1.

The weighing unit 30 includes a drug removal unit 17 and a weighing unit 18. The drug removal unit 17 removes the drug from the drug storage unit 15. The weighing unit 18 weighs the drug removed from the drug storage unit 15.

The drug removal unit 17 removably holds multiple drug storage containers 15. The drug removal unit 17 moves the held drug storage containers 15 to a predetermined position, and at the predetermined position, removes the drugs stored in the drug storage containers 15 downward through an opening. The operation of the drug removal unit 17 is controlled by the control unit 50 based on the stored drug information read by the first information processing unit 16.

The weighing unit 18 includes a mounting table 18a and a detection unit 18b. The mounting table 18a is disposed below the above-mentioned predetermined position of the drug removal unit 17. An intermediate container 91 or an output container 93 can be mounted on the mounting table 18a. The first transport unit 14a can transport the intermediate container 91 or the output container 93 held in the container holding unit and place it on or remove it from the mounting table 18a.

The detection unit 18b can weigh the medicine inside the intermediate container 91 or the output container 93 when the container is placed on the placement table 18a. The detection unit 18b can weigh each container before the medicine is removed from the medicine storage room 15. The weighing unit 18 is configured as an electronic balance, and the placement table 18a corresponds to the weighing dish of the electronic balance. The detection unit 18b can be configured as, for example, an electromagnetic or load cell type load sensor.

The weighing unit 30 is controlled by the control unit 50 so as to weigh out the entire dose of each drug indicated by the drug information. The control unit 50 appropriately moves the drug storage unit 15, which contains the drug indicated by the drug information, to directly above the mounting table 18a using the drug removal unit 17. The control unit 50 then removes the drug downward from the drug storage unit 15, stores the removed drug in the intermediate container 91 or the discharge container 93 placed on the mounting table 18a, and weighs the stored drug using the detection unit 18b.

The second information processing unit 19 acquires container-specific information stored in the information recording unit 91e of the intermediate container 91 or the information recording unit 93e of the output container 93, which are set in the weighing unit 18. The second information processing unit 19 can also change the display content of the information display unit 91d of the intermediate container 91 or the information display unit 93d of the output container 93, which are set in the weighing unit 18. The second information processing unit 19 is configured, for example, as an RFID reader/writer.

The third information processing unit 20 acquires the container-specific information stored in the information recording unit 91e of the intermediate container 91 stored in the first storage unit 11. The third information processing unit 20 similarly acquires the container-specific information of the external drug container 92 stored in the second storage unit 12 or the output container 93 stored in the third storage unit 13.

The third information processing unit 20 may change the display content for the intermediate container 91 or the output container 93. In this case, the second information processing unit 19 may change the display content for only the weighing result for the intermediate container 91 or the output container 93 set in the weighing unit 18.

The display unit 21 is a device having a display screen capable of displaying various information related to the drug packaging device 1. The display unit 21 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The display unit 21 is disposed at an appropriate position on the drug packaging device 1.

The operation unit 22 is operated by an operator to give various instructions to the drug packaging device 1. The operation unit 22 is disposed at an appropriate position on the drug packaging device 1 (for example, near the display unit 21). The operation unit 22 may be configured to include a keyboard, or the display unit 21 may be configured as a touch panel and the operation unit 22 may be incorporated into the display unit 21.

The printing unit 24 prints information about the medicine to be weighed, supplied, and packaged by the medicine packaging device 1. The printing unit 24 is controlled by the control unit 50. The printing unit 24 may print out the weight of the medicine that has been taken out of the medicine storage 15 by the medicine removal unit 17 of the weighing unit 30 and weighed by the weighing unit 18. The printing unit 24 may print out the weight of the medicine to be taken out of the medicine storage 15 by the weighing unit 30. The printing unit 24 may be a printer of any type, such as a thermal printer or an inkjet printer.

The intermediate container 91 or external drug container 92 transported by the second transport unit 14b is set in the drug discharge unit 32. The drug discharge unit 32 can discharge the drug in the set intermediate container 91 or external drug container 92. It is also possible to manually set the intermediate container 91 or external drug container 92 in the drug discharge unit 32.

The drug discharge unit 32 includes a container attachment unit 32a. The container attachment unit 32a is configured to be capable of attaching an intermediate container 91 or an external drug container 92. The intermediate container 91 or the external drug container 92 is attached to the container attachment unit 32a automatically or manually by the second transport unit 14b.

The container attachment section 32a is equipped with an actuating section that moves the opening and closing sections 91c, 92c of the container from a closed state to an open state. Before being attached to the container attachment section 32a, the connection section between the storage section 91a, 92a and the discharge path section 91b, 92b is in a closed state. When the container is attached to the container attachment section 32a, the actuating section moves the opening and closing sections 91c, 92c. This opens the connection section between the storage section 91a, 92a and the discharge path section 91b, 92b, allowing the discharge of the drug from the container.

The drug discharge section 32 is equipped with a vibration device 32b. The vibration device 32b is configured to include a motor that generates vibrations. The vibration device 32b is controlled by the control section 50. The vibration device 32b generates vibrations in response to a control signal from the control section 50. The vibrations generated by the vibration device 32b are transmitted to the intermediate container 91 or the external drug container 92 attached to the container attachment section 32a.

The packaging unit 33 is configured to package the medicine weighed out by the weighing unit 30. The packaging unit 33 is controlled by the control unit 50 so as to package the medicine weighed out by the weighing unit 30 into individual doses. The packaging unit 33 includes a distribution unit 34 and a packaging unit 35.

The distribution unit 34 distributes the medicine discharged from the container by the medicine discharge unit 32 into individual doses. The distribution unit 34 includes a distribution plate 34a and a feed unit 34b. The distribution plate 34a is configured to be rotatable around a vertical axis. The medicine discharge unit 32 discharges the medicine from the container and supplies the discharged medicine onto the rotating distribution plate 34a. The feed unit 34b drops the medicine supplied to the distribution plate 34a downward in predetermined amounts.

The measuring unit 30, which extracts medicine from the medicine storage 15 into the intermediate container 91, the transport unit 14, which transports the intermediate container 91, and the medicine discharge unit 32, which discharges medicine from the intermediate container 91 and supplies it to the distribution tray 34a, all function as a supply unit. The packaging unit 33 packages the medicine supplied by the supply unit.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the drug packaging device 1 has multiple (specifically, two) distribution sections 34. Each distribution section 34 has multiple (specifically, two) drug discharge sections 32. Drugs are supplied onto one distribution plate 34a from either one or both of the two drug discharge sections 32. The same type of drug may be supplied from the two drug discharge sections 32 to one distribution plate 34a, different types of drugs may be supplied to one distribution plate 34a, or a drug and an excipient may be supplied to one distribution plate 34a.

The packaging unit 35 packages the medicine distributed by the distribution unit 34 in packaging material 40. The packaging unit 35 includes a hopper 35a and a heater 35b. The packaging unit 35 repeats the operation of dropping the medicine distributed by the distribution unit 34 in doses into the packaging material 40 through the hopper 35a, and the operation of thermally welding the packaging material 40 with the heater 35b. By repeating these operations, one dose of medicine is enclosed in the packaging material 40. The packaging material 40 containing the medicine is sent to a storage unit outside or inside the medicine packaging device 1.

The supply standby section 23 is provided between the measuring section 30, which measures the medicine, and the medicine discharge section 32, which discharges the medicine. An intermediate container 91 that contains the medicine or an external medicine container 92 can be placed in the supply standby section 23 and kept on standby as necessary.

The cleaning unit 38 can clean the intermediate container 91 or the external drug container 92. Cleaning may be performed by any means, such as blowing compressed air onto the inner surface of the intermediate container 91 or the external drug container 92, suction, wiping with a brush, or the like. By performing cleaning, any drug remaining on the inner surface of the container is removed.

A cleaning standby section 37 is provided near the cleaning section 38. If necessary, the intermediate container 91 or the external drug container 92 before being cleaned can be placed in the cleaning standby section 37 to wait.

The supply standby section 23 and the cleaning standby section 37 can be configured, for example, as a plate-like member on which a container can be placed, but are not limited to this.

The control unit 50 can control each part of the drug packaging device 1 (specifically, the measuring unit 30, the transport unit 14, the drug discharge unit 32, the packaging unit 33, etc.) based on the dispensing data. The control unit 50 may be configured as a part of the drug packaging device 1, or may be configured as a part of a dispensing device control device that controls other dispensing devices such as other drug packaging devices 95.

In more detail, the control unit 50 is configured as a known computer and includes a calculation device such as a CPU, a storage device such as a flash memory or a hard disk, and an input/output unit for communicating with the outside. Various programs and setting values are stored in the storage device. The calculation device reads out the various programs from the storage device and controls the operation of each part of the drug packaging device 1 based on the detection values of the sensors provided in each part of the drug packaging device 1 and the various setting values stored in the storage device. The control unit 50 operates the drug packaging device 1 by making the above-mentioned software and hardware work together to perform processing in the storage unit 61, the weighing selection unit 62, and the guidance unit 65 shown in FIG. 4 and outputting a command signal as a result of the processing.

The memory unit 61 can store dispensing data input from the outside as described above. The memory unit 61 also stores information about the medicine contained in the medicine storage unit 15 read by the first information processing unit 16 as placement information for the medicine storage unit 15 placed in the medicine packaging device 1. The memory unit 61 can also store various setting values necessary to operate the medicine packaging device 1.

The storage unit 61 also stores various data such as drug master information, which is unique information about drugs. This master information includes, for example, drug code, drug name, JAN code (or RSS), medicine bottle (medicine container) code, classification (dosage form: powder, tablet, topical medicine, etc.), specific gravity, drug type (ordinary medicine, poison, narcotic, powerful drug, antipsychotic, therapeutic drug, etc.), combination changes, precautions, usual dosage, prohibited simultaneous use information, etc.

The memory unit 61 can also store container-specific information (container identification number, container type, etc.) as container master information.

When at least one of the drugs included in the dispensing data cannot be packaged due to the capacity of the packaging unit 33, the weighing selection unit 62 allows the operator to select whether or not to execute a weighing operation by the weighing unit 30 for the drugs that can be measured by the weighing unit 30. There are various configurations that allow the selection to be realized, but for example, the weighing selection unit 62 may display options (e.g., execute/no button) on the display unit 21 and allow the operator to select using the operation unit 22.

The guidance unit 65 can provide guidance (instructions) to the operator. For example, when at least one of the drugs included in the dispensing data cannot be packaged due to the capacity of the packaging unit 33, the guidance unit 65 can inform the operator that the drug weighed by the weighing unit 30 should be packaged using another drug packaging device 95. In addition, when the amount of drug supplied from the drug storage 15 to the intermediate container 91 is insufficient for the total amount of doses based on the dispensing data, the guidance unit 65 can inform the operator that external weighing can be performed as a measure to enable the packaging operation by the packaging unit 33.

External measurement is when the operator prepares an external drug container 92 that contains a predetermined amount of drug (full dose) outside the drug packaging device 1, and introduces the external drug container 92 into the drug packaging device 1. At this time, the operator can be notified that a refill or drug storage repository introduction can be performed. Refill is when the drug storage repository 15 is refilled with drugs. Drug storage repository introduction is when the drug storage repository 15 that contains the required amount of drugs is introduced into the drug packaging device 1.

There are various ways in which the guidance unit 65 can provide guidance to the operator, but one possible method is to display an appropriate message on the display unit 21. The guidance may be provided by voice, a notification lamp, or the like, for example.

Next, various positions that can be set in the drug packaging device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. Any of these positions can be the source and destination of a container by the transport unit 14.

The first standby position P1 is a position in the first storage section 11 where an intermediate container 91 that does not contain a drug can wait. The first standby position P1 can also be said to be a storage position in the first storage section 11 where multiple intermediate containers 91 are stored.

The second waiting position P2 is a position in the second storage section 12 where an external drug container 92 that does not contain a drug can wait. The second waiting position P2 can also be said to be a storage position in the second storage section 12 where multiple external drug containers 92 are stored.

The third standby position P3 is a position in the third storage section 13 where an output container 93 that does not contain medicine can wait. The third standby position P3 can also be said to be a storage position in the third storage section 13 where multiple output containers 93 are stored.

The weighing position P4 is the position where the weighing unit 18 weighs the medicine contained in the intermediate container 91 or the discharge container 93.

The first removal position P5 is a position for removing the intermediate container 91 or the output container 93 to the outside of the drug packaging device 1. For example, when the drug is measured from the drug storage 15 to the intermediate container 91 or the output container 93 in the measuring unit 30, and the amount of drug removed (measured amount) is insufficient for the total amount of the target dose because the amount of drug stored in the drug storage 15 is insufficient, the first removal position P5 is used to remove the intermediate container 91 or the output container 93 that contains less than the target amount of drug to the outside of the drug packaging device 1. This removal is performed via the first removal unit 25 provided in the drug packaging device 1.

In this embodiment, the first removal position P5 is set at a position different from the weighing position P4. This is not limited to this, and for example, the weighing position P4 may be set to double as the first removal position P5.

The second removal position P6 is a position for removing the external drug container 92 before it contains the drug from the drug packaging device 1 when the drug is measured using the weighing device 80 instead of the drug packaging device 1. This removal is performed via the second removal section 26 provided on the drug packaging device 1. The second removal position P6 may also serve as a position (introduction position) for setting the external drug container 92 or intermediate container 91 containing the drug measured by the weighing device 80 for introduction into the drug packaging device 1.

The third removal position P7 is a position for removing the discharge container 93 to the outside of the medicine packaging device 1. For example, when the medicine packaging device 1 measures medicine but does not package it, the third removal position P7 is used to remove the discharge container 93 containing the medicine measured by the measuring unit 30 to the outside of the medicine packaging device 1. This removal is performed via the third removal unit 27 provided on the medicine packaging device 1.

The supply standby position P8 is a position where the intermediate container 91 is kept on standby after the weighing unit 30 has completed weighing the medicine and before the packaging unit 33 discharges the medicine from the container and supplies it to the distribution tray 34a. The supply standby position P8 is also a position (introduction position) where the external medicine container 92 or the intermediate container 91 containing the medicine weighed by the weighing device 80 is set for introduction into the medicine packaging device 1. The supply standby position P8 is set in the supply standby unit 23 described above. The supply standby position P8 may also serve as the first removal position P5, the second removal position P6, or the third removal position P7.

The supply positions P9-L1, P9-L2, P9-R1, and P9-R2 are the positions of the intermediate container 91 or the external drug container 92 when drugs are supplied to the distribution tray 34a in the drug discharge section 32. The second transport section 14b transports the intermediate container 91 from the supply standby position P8 to one of the supply positions P9-L1, P9-L2, P9-R1, and P9-R2. When an external drug container 92 or an intermediate container 91 that contains drugs is introduced into the drug packaging device 1 from outside the drug packaging device 1, the introduction position of the container may be set to one of the supply positions P9-L1, P9-L2, P9-R1, and P9-R2, and the operator may set the container directly in the drug discharge section 32.

As described above, the medicine packaging device 1 has multiple (specifically, four) medicine discharge sections 32, and supply positions P9-L1, P9-L2, P9-R1, and P9-R2 are assigned to the four medicine discharge sections 32. As shown in FIG. 3, supply positions P9-L1 and P9-L2 are positions where medicine is discharged to the left distribution tray 34a, and supply positions P9-R1 and P9-R2 are positions where medicine is discharged to the right distribution tray 34a. In FIG. 3, the lower side in the figure is the front side of the medicine packaging device 1. Supply positions P9-L1 and P9-R1 are located forward of supply positions P9-L2 and P9-R2. Supply positions P9-L2 and P9-R2 are located further back in the device than supply positions P9-L1 and P9-R1.

Therefore, when an operator sets a container in the drug discharge section 32 from outside the drug packaging device 1, it is easier to attach the container to the supply positions P9-L1 and P9-R1 at the front of the device, and it is more difficult to attach the container to the supply positions P9-L2 and P9-R2 at the back of the device.

The cleaning standby position P10 is a position where the intermediate container 91 or the external drug container 92 waits for cleaning in the cleaning unit 38. The cleaning standby position P10 is set in the cleaning standby unit 37 described above.

The cleaning position P11 is the position where the intermediate container 91 or the external drug container 92 is cleaned by the cleaning unit 38.

In this embodiment, the supply standby position P8 and the cleaning standby position P10 function as relay points for the transport of containers by the transport unit 14.

Specifically, the first transport unit 14a is configured to transport containers between the first standby position P1, the second standby position P2, the third standby position P3, the weighing position P4, the first removal position P5, the second removal position P6, the third removal position P7, the supply standby position P8, and the cleaning standby position P10. On the other hand, the second transport unit 14b is configured to transport containers between the supply standby position P8, the supply positions P9-L1, P9-L2, P9-R1, P9-R2, and the cleaning standby position P10.

Therefore, after the control unit 50 transports the intermediate container 91, etc. to the supply standby position P8 by the first transport unit 14a, the transported intermediate container 91, etc. can be transported from the supply standby position P8 by the second transport unit 14b at an appropriate timing. Also, after the second transport unit 14b transports the intermediate container 91, etc. to the cleaning standby position P10, the transported intermediate container 91, etc. can be transported from the cleaning standby position P10 by the first transport unit 14a at an appropriate timing.

In this embodiment, the external drug container 92 stored in the second storage unit 12 is transported by the first transport unit 14a to the second removal position P6 so that it can be removed from the drug packaging device 1. However, the external drug container 92 stored in the second storage unit 12 may be removed by an operator. In this case, the second storage unit 12 may be provided outside the drug packaging device 1.

Next, the weighing device 80 will be described. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the weighing device 80. As shown in FIG. 7, the weighing device 80 includes a control unit 81, a weighing unit 82, an information processing unit 83, and a display unit 84. The weighing unit 82, the information processing unit 83, and the display unit 84 are each electrically connected to the control unit 81. The weighing device 80 can weigh the drug contained in the external drug container 92. When the intermediate container 91 is used for external weighing, the weighing device 80 weighs the drug contained in the intermediate container 91.

The control unit 81 can communicate with the control unit 50 of the medicine packaging device 1 and can receive dispensing data stored in the memory unit 61 of the medicine packaging device 1. When the weighing device 80 completes weighing (e.g., weighing the medicine that is insufficient for the target amount), it transmits the weighing result to the medicine packaging device 1.

The weighing unit 82 has a substantially similar configuration to the weighing unit 18 of the medicine packaging device 1, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. The weighing device 80 weighs the medicine that the operator has removed from an appropriate medicine bottle or the like onto a weighing dish or the like. Note that the weighing device 80 may also weigh the medicine together with the external medicine container 92 while the medicine is contained in the external medicine container 92.

The information processing unit 83 is disposed near the weighing unit 82. The information processing unit 83 has a barcode reader and an RFID reader/writer. The barcode reader can read barcodes provided on the above-mentioned medicine bottles, etc. The RFID reader/writer can read the contents of the information recording unit 92e of the external medicine container 92.

The information processing unit 83 performs a process of reading information stored in the barcode of the medicine bottle, etc. and the information recording unit 92e of the external medicine container 92. Specifically, the information processing unit 83 reads medicine-specific information of the medicine bottle, etc. from the barcode provided on the medicine bottle, etc., and the control unit 81 identifies the medicine contained in the medicine bottle, etc. The information processing unit 83 also reads container-specific information stored in the information recording unit 92e of the external medicine container 92. The weighing device 80 obtains dispensing data corresponding to the read container-specific information from the control unit 50 of the medicine packaging device 1. At that time, the weighing device 80 also obtains information on the medicine to be weighed (including the target amount of the medicine).

The control unit 81 then identifies which of the drugs indicated by the drug information included in the dispensing data acquired from the control unit 50 of the drug packaging device 1 corresponds to the drug identified based on the drug identification information. If the control unit 81 determines that the drug identified based on the drug identification information matches any of the drugs indicated by the drug information included in the dispensing data, it selects the drug indicated by the matching drug information as the drug to be weighed. Upon completing weighing of the drug selected as the drug to be weighed, the weighing device 80 transmits the weighing result including the measured amount of the drug together with the dispensing data acquired from the control unit 50 of the drug packaging device 1 via the control unit 81 to the control unit 50 of the drug packaging device 1. The control unit 50 of the drug packaging device 1 receives the weighing result and updates the dispensing data stored in the memory unit 61.

The information processing unit 83 can change the display content of the information display unit 92d of the external drug container 92. When the weighing device 80 finishes weighing the drug, the information processing unit 83 causes the information display unit 92d of the external drug container 92 to display the measured amount (weighing result). In addition, as information regarding dispensing, the information display unit 92d may display a message indicating that the amount of drug equivalent to the target amount is contained and that the drug is ready to be introduced into the drug packaging device 1.

The display unit 84 is a device having a display screen capable of displaying characters, etc. The display unit 84 is disposed at an appropriate position on the weighing device 80. The display unit 84 can be configured, for example, as a display with a touch panel. The display unit 84 can display, for example, the name of the drug and the target amount and measured amount of the drug. The display unit 84 can also display the result of the determination made by the control unit 81 as to whether or not the drug in the medicine bottle, etc. and the drug to be measured match. This makes it possible to confirm that the drug in the medicine bottle, etc. is the required drug based on the dispensing data.

Next, we will explain the process of supplying and packaging medicines using the medicine packaging device 1. Figures 8 and 9 are flow diagrams showing the process of supplying and packaging medicines.

First, dispensing data is input to the drug packaging device 1 (step S101 in FIG. 8). The control unit 50 displays a dispensing data input screen on the display unit 21. The dispensing data includes, for example, the recipient, drug information, target amount, measurement result (measured amount or amount that is insufficient or surplus to the target amount), and identification information (dispensing data number, etc.) that identifies each dispensing data. The drug information includes one or more drug names, dosage form (powder/tablet/capsule/liquid/external medicine), method of administration, and dosage. The method of administration includes the number of times a drug is taken per day, the timing of administration, and the number of days it is taken, and the dosage includes the total amount of the dose (for example, weight), the amount of the daily dose (weight), the amount of one dose (weight), etc. If an excipient is included in the drug indicated by the drug information, the excipient is treated as one of the drugs indicated by the drug information.

The operator inputs dispensing data to this input screen using the operation unit 22. The dispensing data input by the operator is stored in the memory unit 61 of the control unit 50. In addition to the configuration in which the operator manually inputs the dispensing data, dispensing data may be input to the medicine packaging device 1 via communication from an information processing device such as an external dispensing equipment control device.

When the operator inputs dispensing data using the operation unit 22, the operation unit 22 functions as a reception unit that accepts the input of dispensing data. When dispensing data is input to the medicine packaging device 1 through communication, a receiving device that receives a signal including the dispensing data functions as a reception unit that accepts the input of dispensing data.

When input of the dispensing data is completed, a dispensing instruction is issued (step S102). The dispensing instruction includes an instruction to supply and package the medicine stored in the medicine storage 15 (the first operation described above), and an instruction to measure the medicine stored in the medicine storage 15 and transport it outside the medicine packaging device 1 without packaging it (the second operation described above). The operator inputs the dispensing instruction to the control unit 50 using the operation unit 22.

Next, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the dispensing instruction in the previous step S102 was for packaging (step S103). If it is determined that packaging was instructed (YES in step S103), the process proceeds to step S104, where the control unit 50 determines whether or not packaging is possible based on the drug dosage included in the dispensing data.

Now, with reference to Figures 10 and 11, we will explain in detail how to determine whether or not packaging can be performed. Figure 10 is a diagram showing the setting values used to determine whether or not packaging can be performed.

The first set value shown in FIG. 10 is the lower limit of the weight of the drug that can be packaged as the weight of the total dose according to the capacity of the packaging unit 33. If the weight of the total dose of the drug to be packaged included in the dispensing data is less than the first set value, the packaging unit 33 cannot package the drug to be packaged. The first set value is stored in the memory unit 61. For example, the first set value is set as the amount of drug required for the drug discharged from the container in the drug discharge unit 32 and supplied to the distribution tray 34a to be evenly spread on the distribution tray 34a and evenly deposited on the distribution tray 34a. The first condition shown in FIG. 10 is a condition that the weight of the total dose of the drug to be packaged included in the dispensing data is equal to or greater than the first set value.

The second set value shown in FIG. 10 is the lower limit of the weight of the drug that can be packaged as one dose according to the capacity of the packaging unit 33. The second set value is stored in the memory unit 61. The second set value is set, for example, as the amount of drug that is evenly piled on the distribution tray 34a so that the amount of drug sent from the distribution tray 34a by the sending unit 34b is uniform. The second condition shown in FIG. 10 is that the weight of one dose of the drug to be packaged, which is included in the dispensing data, is equal to or greater than the second set value.

The first and second set values may be arbitrarily set by an operator based on the internal rules of the hospital or pharmacy in which the drug packaging device 1 is installed. In this case, the first and second set values may be set on the condition that they are equal to or greater than the lower limit of the weight of the drug that can be packaged in the packaging unit 33. The first and second set values may also be set for each type of drug.

The third set value shown in FIG. 10 is the lower limit of the weight of the drug that can be weighed out according to the capacity of the weighing unit 30. The third set value is a value smaller than the first set value. The third set value is stored in the memory unit 61. The third set value may be set, for example, taking into consideration the minimum weighing value of the weighing unit 18. The third condition shown in FIG. 10 is a condition that the weight of the total dose of the drug to be packaged included in the dispensing data is equal to or greater than the third set value.

The drug storage storage registration shown in FIG. 10 is a condition as to whether or not the drug storage storage 15 that contains the drug to be packaged, which is included in the dispensing data, is registered in the drug packaging device 1. Information on the registered drug storage storage 15 is stored in the memory unit 61. Drug storage storage 15 that is not registered is not stored in the memory unit 61. Note that in order to determine that the drug storage storage 15 is registered in the drug packaging device 1, it is not necessarily necessary for the registered drug storage storage 15 to be contained in the drug packaging device 1 at the time when it is determined whether or not packaging can be performed.

When the first condition is met, the control unit 50 determines that packaging by the medicine packaging device 1 is possible. More specifically, when the first condition is met and a medicine storage 15 is registered, it is determined that "cassette packaging" shown in FIG. 10, that is, supply and packaging using the medicine packaging device 1, is possible. When the first condition is met but a medicine storage 15 is not registered, it is determined that "manual packaging" shown in FIG. 10, that is, introducing an external medicine container 92 that contains medicine outside the medicine packaging device 1 by external weighing support into the medicine packaging device 1, and packaging the medicine supplied from the external medicine container 92, is possible.

If the first condition is not satisfied, the control unit 50 determines that the medicine packaging device 1 is unable to perform packaging. In this case, if the medicine storage storehouse 15 is registered, it is determined that the "cup discharge" process shown in FIG. 10 is possible, that is, the process of removing medicine from the medicine storage storehouse 15 into the output container 93 using the weighing unit 30, weighing the removed medicine, and outputting the output container 93 to the outside of the medicine packaging device 1. The output medicine is, for example, introduced into another medicine packaging device 95 and packaged therein.

If the first condition is not met and the medicine storage unit 15 is not registered, the control unit 50 determines that the medicine packaging device 1 is not capable of performing any processing as shown in FIG. 10.

If the second condition is not met, the control unit 50 determines that the drug packaging device 1 is unable to perform packaging. Even if the weight of the total dose of the drug to be packaged satisfies the condition of being equal to or greater than the first set value, if the weight of one dose of the drug to be packaged is less than the second set value, packaging is determined to be impossible. In this case, if the drug storage warehouse 15 is registered, it is determined that "cup dispensing" is possible, and if the drug storage warehouse 15 is not registered, it is determined that "not possible."

If the third condition is not met, the control unit 50 determines that the drug storage unit 15 is not registered, regardless of whether the drug storage unit 15 is registered or not.

The system determines whether or not packaging can be performed based on the weight of the total dose of the drug to be packaged, and if the weight of the total dose of the drug is so small that it cannot be evenly distributed on the distribution tray 34a, it determines that packaging cannot be performed. This allows the drug packaging device 1 to evenly package the drug according to the dispensing data.

The system determines whether or not packaging can be performed based on the weight of one dose of the drug to be packaged, and if the weight of one dose of the drug is so small that the drug cannot be sent evenly from the distribution tray 34a to the hopper 35a, it determines that packaging cannot be performed. This allows the drug packaging device 1 to evenly package drugs according to the dispensing data.

Figure 11 shows the determination of whether or not packaging can be performed for the entire dispensing data when the dispensing data includes multiple drugs and these multiple drugs are packaged together. The first to fifteenth dispensing data shown in Figure 11 includes one or more of four types of drugs: drug A, drug B, drug C, and drug D. Based on the determination for each drug shown in Figure 10, it has been determined that drug A can be "packaged in a cassette," drug B can be "packaged manually," drug C can be "dispensed in a cup," and drug D cannot be "packaged."

In the case of the first to third dispensing data that includes only drugs A and B that are determined to be packaged, the drug packaging device 1 can package all the drugs included in the dispensing data together, so the control unit 50 determines that the drug packaging device 1 will package them.

In the case of the 4th to 7th and 12th to 15th dispensing data including drug C determined to be capable of "cup dispensing", the drug packaging device 1 cannot package all the drugs included in the dispensing data together, so the control unit 50 determines that the drug packaging device 1 will cup the drugs. In this case, the drug packaging device 1 will cup the drug C determined to be capable of "cup dispensing". If the data includes drug A determined to be capable of "cassette packaging", the drug packaging device 1 will also cup the drug A. On the other hand, if the data includes drug B determined to be capable of "manual packaging", the drug packaging device 1 will do nothing for the drug B. If the data includes drug D determined to be "not capable", the drug packaging device 1 will do nothing for the drug D. In other words, the drug packaging device 1 will cup the drugs that can be taken out of the drug storage 15, and the operator will manually weigh the other drugs, and these drugs will be packaged together by another drug packaging device 95.

In the case of the ninth and eleventh dispensing data including drug A determined to be capable of "cassette packaging" and drug D determined to be "not capable," the control unit 50 determines that the drug packaging device 1 will dispense the cup because the drug packaging device 1 cannot package the drugs included in the dispensing data together. In this case, the drug packaging device 1 dispenses the cup for drug A determined to be capable of "cassette packaging." On the other hand, the drug packaging device 1 does nothing for drug D determined to be "not capable." Furthermore, if the data includes drug B determined to be capable of "manual packaging," the drug packaging device 1 does nothing for drug B either. In other words, the drug packaging device 1 dispenses the cup for drugs that can be taken out of the drug storage 15, and the operator manually weighs the other drugs, and these drugs are packaged together by another drug packaging device 95.

In the case of the eighth dispensing data including only drug D determined to be unacceptable, and the tenth dispensing data including drug B and drug D determined to be "manually packaged", the control unit 50 determines that the drug packaging device 1 will not perform any operations. The operator will manually weigh all drugs included in the dispensing data, and the drugs will be packaged together by another drug packaging device 95.

Therefore, in the judgment at step S104 in FIG. 8, the control unit 50 judges that packaging can be performed for the first to third dispensing data (YES), and judges that packaging cannot be performed for the fourth to fifteenth dispensing data (NO).

If it is determined in step S104 that packaging can be performed, the control unit 50 then determines whether all the medicine storage stores 15 are registered (step S105). In this determination, a determination is made as to whether the medicine storage storehouse 15 is registered or not, and in order to determine that the medicine storage storehouse 15 is registered, it is not necessarily necessary that the registered medicine storage storehouse 15 is introduced into the medicine packaging device 1.

In the case of dispensing data that does not include drug B determined to be "manually packaged," i.e., in the example shown in FIG. 11, the first dispensing data, all drug storage containers are registered in the control unit 50, and it is determined that all of the drugs included in the dispensing data can be supplied and packaged by the drug packaging device 1.

When the dispensing data includes drug B that is determined to be "manually packaged," i.e., in the example shown in FIG. 11, the second and third dispensing data, any of the drug storage containers is not registered in the control unit 50, and it is determined that not all of the drugs included in the dispensing data can be supplied by the drug packaging device 1.

When it is determined that all the drug storage containers have been registered (YES in step S105), the drug is weighed out from the drug storage container 15 (step S106). In the process of step S106, if the necessary drug storage container 15 has not been introduced into the drug packaging device 1, weighing can be continued by taking the aforementioned drug storage container introduction measures. Alternatively, instead of taking the drug storage container introduction measures, it is also possible to proceed to step S109 described below and take measures for external weighing, as in the case where the drug storage container 15 is not registered.

Here, we will explain the details of the drug weighing process. Figure 12 is a flow diagram showing the flow of the drug weighing process.

To measure out the medicine from the medicine storage 15, first, the intermediate container 91 is transported (step S121). The control unit 50 selects one of the multiple intermediate containers 91 stored in the first storage unit 11. The control unit 50 outputs a control signal to the first transport unit 14a to operate the selected intermediate container 91 to move from the first standby position P1 to the weighing position P4. The first transport unit 14a, which has received the control signal, transports the intermediate container 91 from the first standby position P1 to the weighing position P4.

When the intermediate container 91 is transported to the weighing position P4, the intermediate container 91 transported to the weighing position P4 is weighed before the drug is removed from the drug storage 15 (step S122). The control unit 50 outputs a control signal to the weighing unit 30, specifically the weighing unit 18, to weigh the intermediate container 91. The weighing unit 18 receives the control signal and weighs the intermediate container 91. The weighing unit 18 has the function of an empty state detection unit that detects whether the intermediate container 91 is empty. The empty state detection unit may be composed of a weighing unit different from the weighing unit 18.

Then, a determination is made as to whether the intermediate container 91 is empty (step S123). The control unit 50 stores the weight value of each container when it is empty as the container registration weight in the memory unit 61 in association with the container-specific information. The container registration weight may be a common weight value for each type of container, or may be a different weight value for each container. The container registration weight may be set to a value within a predetermined range, taking into account the weighing error of the detection unit 18b.

The second information processing unit 19 acquires container-specific information of the intermediate container 91 set in the weighing unit 18. The control unit 50 retrieves the container registered weight of the intermediate container 91 from the memory unit 61 based on the container-specific information acquired by the second information processing unit 19. The control unit 50 compares the weight value of the intermediate container 91 weighed in step S122 with the container registered weight.

If the measured value does not match the registered container weight (if the measured value is greater than the registered container weight), the control unit 50 determines that the intermediate container 91 is not empty (NO in step S123). In this case, there is a possibility that there is residual medicine attached to the intermediate container 91 or that foreign matter has been mixed into the intermediate container 91. It is also possible that the operator has returned the intermediate container 91, which still contains the medicine from the previous time, to the first storage unit 11. For this reason, the control unit 50 controls the weighing unit 30 to wait for the medicine to be removed without starting the removal of the medicine from the medicine storage 15.

Then, a determination is made as to whether or not to replace the intermediate container 91 that is determined to be not empty (step S128). The operator may set in advance whether to replace or clean the container when it is not empty, and the setting may be stored in the memory unit 61. In this case, the determination in step S128 is made by calling up the setting from the memory unit 61. Alternatively, a selection screen may be displayed on the display unit 21, and the operator may manually select whether or not to replace the container, thereby making the determination in step S128.

If it is determined that the container is not to be replaced (NO in step S128), the intermediate container 91 is cleaned (step S129). The control unit 50 controls the transport unit 14 to transport the intermediate container 91 from the weighing position P4 to the cleaning position P11. The control unit 50 controls the cleaning unit 38 to clean the intermediate container 91 that has been transported to the cleaning position P11. The control unit 50 controls the transport unit 14 to transport the cleaned intermediate container 91 from the cleaning position P11 to the weighing position P4. Then, the weighing in step S122 and the determination of whether the container is empty in step S123 are performed again.

If it is determined that the container should be replaced (YES in step S128), the control unit 50 controls the transport unit 14 to transport a replacement intermediate container 91 from the first waiting position P1 to the weighing position P4.

At this time, the control unit 50 may notify the operator that the intermediate container 91 at the weighing position P4 is not empty and needs to be replaced, while the intermediate container 91 to be replaced that is determined to be not empty remains at the weighing position P4. After the operator removes the intermediate container 91 to be replaced from the weighing position P4, the transport unit 14 transports a replacement intermediate container 91 to the weighing position P4.

Alternatively, the control unit 50 may transport the intermediate container 91 to be replaced that is determined to be not empty from the weighing position P4 to a position different from the weighing position P4, for example the first removal position P5, and then notify the operator that the intermediate container 91 at the first removal position P5 is not empty and must be removed from the drug packaging device 1. In this case, the transport unit 14 can transport the replacement intermediate container 91 to the weighing position P4 without waiting for the operator to remove the intermediate container 91 to be replaced from the first removal position P5 to the outside of the drug packaging device 1.

When the replacement intermediate container 91 is transported to weighing position P4, weighing in step S122 and a determination as to whether the container is empty in step S123 are performed again.

If it is determined in step S123 that the measured value matches the registered container weight, it is determined that the intermediate container 91 is empty (YES in step S123). The control unit 50 controls the weighing unit 30 to remove the medicine from the medicine storage room 15 (step S124). After removing the medicine, the control unit 50 controls the weighing unit 18 to weigh the medicine contained in the intermediate container 91 (step S125).

Next, a determination is made as to whether the amount of medicine removed from the medicine storage 15 and placed in the intermediate container 91 is the specified amount according to the dispensing data (step S126). If it is the specified amount (YES in step S126), the measuring process ends (END in FIG. 12).

If it is determined in step S126 that the amount is not the predetermined amount (NO in step S126), the control unit 50 (guiding unit 65) outputs an error and notifies the operator that the predetermined amount of medicine was not measured (step S127). This notification is made, for example, by displaying a message on the display unit 21. In this case, the control unit 50 controls the transport unit 14 to transport the intermediate container 91 from the measurement position P4 to the first removal position P5, and the operator who recognizes the notification may remove the intermediate container 91 from the first removal position P5 to the outside of the medicine packaging device 1, and refill the intermediate container 91 with the missing medicine outside the medicine packaging device 1. The intermediate container 91 refilled with medicine is introduced back into the medicine packaging device 1, enabling the packaging operation by the packaging unit 33. Then, the process ends (END in FIG. 12).

By weighing the intermediate container 91 before removing the medicine from the medicine storage 15 to determine whether the intermediate container 91 is empty, it is possible to detect the presence of remaining medicine or foreign matter in the intermediate container 91. This prevents the remaining medicine in the intermediate container 91 from being mixed in with the medicine being measured, and allows accurate measurement in accordance with the dispensing data. This improves the quality and accuracy of packaging by the medicine packaging device 1.

When it is determined that the intermediate container 91 is empty, the system automatically starts removing the medicine from the medicine storage 15, allowing the medicine to be measured out efficiently in a short time.

If it is determined that the intermediate container 91 is not empty, the system waits until the medicine is removed from the medicine storage 15, thereby reliably preventing any remaining medicine in the intermediate container 91 from being mixed in with the medicine being measured out.

If it is determined that the intermediate container 91 is not empty, an alternative intermediate container 91 is transported to the weighing position P4, thereby reliably avoiding the drug removed from the drug storage facility 15 being stored in the intermediate container 91 that is determined to be not empty.

If it is determined that the intermediate container 91 is not empty, the intermediate container 91 that is determined to be not empty is transported to the cleaning position P11, so that any remaining medicine and foreign matter in the intermediate container 91 can be reliably removed by cleaning.

By returning the cleaned intermediate container 91 from the cleaning position P11 to the weighing position P4, it becomes possible to store the medicine removed from the medicine storage facility 15 in the cleaned and empty intermediate container 91.

Instead of the above-described configuration in which the weighing unit 18 determines whether the intermediate container 91 is empty based on the results of weighing the intermediate container 91, a photographing unit that photographs the inside of the intermediate container 91 may be provided at the weighing position P4. The photographing unit has the function of an empty state detection unit that detects whether the intermediate container 91 is empty. The control unit 50 may determine whether the intermediate container 91 is empty based on an image of the inside of the intermediate container 91 captured by the photographing unit.

Returning to FIG. 8, when the weighing of the medicine is completed, the medicine is supplied from the intermediate container 91 that contains the weighed medicine to the distribution tray 34a (step S107), and the medicine is packaged in the packaging unit 35 (step S108). If the control unit 50 determines that the medicine to be packaged, which is included in the dispensing data, can be packaged by the medicine packaging device 1, it automatically supplies and packages the medicine to be packaged. Then, the process ends (END).

The control unit 50 determines whether or not the drug to be packaged can be packaged based on the dispensing data input to the drug packaging device 1, and if it determines that packaging is possible, the supply and packaging of the drug to be packaged is automatically performed. This makes it possible to shorten the time required from accepting input of the dispensing data to completing packaging of the drug to be packaged.

If it is determined in step S105 that all of the drug storage units have not been registered (NO in step S105), the control unit 50 determines whether or not some of the drug storage units have been registered (step S109).

Of the second and third dispensing data, in the case of the third dispensing data that includes drug A determined to be "cassette packaging," it is determined that not all drug storage containers are registered, but some drug storage containers are registered. In the case of the second dispensing data that includes only drug B determined to be "manually inserted packaging," it is determined that not all drug storage containers are registered.

If it is determined that some of the drug storage containers have been registered (YES in step S109), the registered drugs are weighed out from the drug storage container 15 in the same manner as in step S106 (steps S121 to S130) (step S110), and the drugs are supplied from the intermediate container 91 that contains the weighed out drugs to the distribution tray 34a (step S111). The drugs supplied to the distribution tray 34a are kept on hold.

When supplying the drug from this intermediate container 91 to the distribution tray 34a, the control unit 50 controls the second transport unit 14b to transport the intermediate container 91 to supply position P9-L2 if the left distribution tray 34a is used, and to transport the intermediate container 91 to supply position P9-R2 if the right distribution tray 34a is used. The control unit 50 assigns the intermediate container 91 to supply position P9-L2 or P9-R2, where it is more difficult to attach the external drug container 92.

Next, for drugs for which a drug storage facility is not registered, the control unit 50 executes instructions for external measurement, which introduces an external drug container 92 that contains the entire dose according to the dispensing data into the drug packaging device 1 (step S112).

If it is determined in step S109 that all drug storage units have not been registered (NO in step S109), steps S110 and S111 are skipped and the external weighing support guidance is executed in step S112.

When performing external weighing support, the control unit 50 may provide a display on the display unit 21 or the like to guide the user to perform external weighing support.

Alternatively, the control unit 50 may guide the user to perform external metering by printing out information about the drug from the printing unit 24. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a first example of the printout. As shown in FIG. 13, a sheet 240 may be output from the printing unit 24 on which is printed the date, time, and minute, the name of the drug taken out of the drug storage 15 (drug A in FIG. 13) and the measured amount, and the name of the drug to be subjected to external metering (drug B in FIG. 13) and the amount to be measured.

Figure 14 is a diagram showing a second example of the printout. In the example shown in Figure 14, no medication has been taken out of the medication storage 15, and the name of each of the multiple medications (medicines A and B in Figure 14) that require external weighing and the amount to be weighed are printed on paper 240.

The operator looks at the paper 240 output from the printing unit 24 and, according to the description on the paper 240, places a specified type and amount of medicine in the external medicine container 92 outside the medicine packaging device 1. The operator operates the operation unit 22 to release the lock so that the external medicine container 92 containing the medicine can be introduced into the medicine packaging device 1. The operator introduces the external medicine container 92 into the medicine packaging device 1. The operator uses the operation unit 22 to input that the external medicine container 92 has been introduced.

When introducing the external drug container 92 into the drug discharge section 32, the user is guided to introduce the external drug container 92 into supply position P9-L1 if the left distribution tray 34a is used, and into supply position P9-R1 if the right distribution tray 34a is used. The control section 50 assigns the external drug container 92 to supply position P9-L1 or P9-R1, where it is easier to attach the external drug container 92. This makes it easy to introduce the external drug container 92.

The control unit 50 determines whether the external drug container 92 has been introduced (step S113 in FIG. 9). If it is determined that the external drug container 92 has not been introduced (NO in step S113), the determination of step S113 is repeated. The control unit 50 receives input from the operator, and determines that the external drug container 92 has been introduced. The drug packaging device 1 may be relocked by the operator performing an operation for relocking. Alternatively, the drug packaging device 1 may be automatically relocked when it is determined that the external drug container 92 has been introduced.

If it is determined that the external drug container 92 has been introduced (YES in step S113), the drug contained in the external drug container 92 is supplied to the distribution tray 34a (step S114). After that, the drug supplied to the distribution tray 34a is packaged (step S108 in FIG. 8). Then, the process ends (END).

If it is determined that the drug to be packaged can be packaged, but a drug storage facility 15 corresponding to that drug is not registered, the supply and packaging of that drug will be put on hold. Packaging can be performed by storing the drug in an external drug container 92 outside the drug packaging device 1 and introducing the external drug container 92 into the drug packaging device 1. If external weighing is required, the operator can quickly handle the external weighing, which prevents long wait times for packaging and shortens the time required for packaging.

If it is determined that the drug to be packaged can be packaged, but a drug storage 15 corresponding to only some of the drugs to be packaged is registered, the drug is first weighed out and supplied from the registered drug storage 15. After that, a guide to external weighing is given. This allows the drug packaging device 1 to efficiently supply and distribute multiple types of drugs, since the operation of supplying the drugs is not hindered by the operator's manual operation of introducing the external drug container 92 into the drug packaging device 1.

After the medicine weighed from the registered medicine storage 15 is supplied to the distribution tray 34a, a guide for external weighing is provided, so that the manual action of the operator to introduce the external medicine container 92 into the medicine packaging device 1 does not interfere with the supply of medicine to the distribution tray 34a. Therefore, multiple types of medicine can be efficiently supplied and distributed.

The control unit 50 outputs information regarding the drug to be externally measured, allowing the operator to fill the external drug container 92 with the correct type and amount of drug according to the output.

The control unit 50 outputs the actual measured value of the drug weighed out from the drug storage unit 15, making it possible to keep a record of the amount of drug actually weighed out.

The control unit 50 causes the printing unit 24 to output information about the drug, so that the operator can refer to the printed recording medium to handle external weighing. The printed recording medium can also be used as a record of the actual measured value of the drug weighed out from the drug storage unit 15.

If it is determined in step S104 that packaging cannot be performed (NO in step S104), the drug is not automatically measured out. In this case, the operator selects whether or not to measure out the drug using the drug packaging device 1 (step S115). The control unit 50 displays on the display unit 21 the target drug and a selection screen that allows the operator to select whether or not to measure out the drug. The operator operates the operation unit 22 to input the selection of whether or not to measure out the drug to the control unit 50.

If it is determined that the operator has chosen not to perform weighing (NO in step S115), the drug packaging device 1 ends the process (END).

If it is determined that the operator has selected to perform weighing (YES in step S115), weighing is performed and the medicine is placed in the output container 93 (step S116). The weighing in step S116 is performed by the same process as in step S106 (steps S121 to S130) described above, except that the container that holds the medicine is the output container 93 rather than the intermediate container 91.

Even if it is determined in step S103 that the dispensing instruction in the previous step S102 is not to package, i.e., to measure out (NO in step S103), measuring out is performed in step S116 and the medicine is stored in the output container 93. After measuring out, the output container 93 is transported to a position where the output container 93 can be removed from the medicine packaging device 1, such as the third removal position P7. The process then ends (END).

If the control unit 50 determines that the drug to be packaged cannot be packaged by the drug packaging device 1, the supply and packaging of the drug to be packaged is put on hold and is not performed. If selected by the operator, only the measurement of the drug is performed. During the wait, the next dispensing data is input to the drug packaging device 1, and if it is determined that the drug to be packaged included in that next dispensing data can be packaged, the supply and packaging of the drug to be packaged included in that next dispensing data is automatically performed.

If the control unit 50 determines that all drug storage containers 15 are not registered (NO in step S109), the supply and packaging of the drug to be packaged may be put on hold and the supply and packaging may not be executed. During the standby state, if the next dispensing data is input to the drug packaging device 1, and it is determined that the drug to be packaged included in the next dispensing data can be packaged and that all drug storage containers 15 are registered, the supply and packaging of the drug to be packaged included in the next dispensing data is automatically executed. This allows supply and packaging to be executed preferentially for dispensing data that does not require external weighing.

For drugs that are determined to be unpackageable, supply by the drug packaging device 1 is put on hold and packaging is not performed, so there is no variation in the amount of drugs packaged when the drug packaging device 1 attempts to package an unpackageable drug, and high-quality packaging can be achieved. If the next dispensing data containing a packageable drug is input during the standby period, the next drug can be packaged first, eliminating the need to wait for packaging and shortening the time required for packaging.

Although the embodiments have been described above, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered limiting. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include the meaning equivalent to the claims and all modifications within the scope.

1 Drug packaging device, 14 Conveying section, 14a First conveying section, 14b Second conveying section, 15 Drug storage, 17 Drug removal section, 18 Weighing section, 18a Placement table, 18b Detection section, 21 Display section, 22 Operation section, 23 Supply standby section, 24 Printing section, 30 Weighing section, 32 Drug discharge section, 32a Container mounting section, 32b Vibration device, 33 Packaging section, 34 Distribution section, 34a Distribution plate, 34b Feeding section, 35 Packaging section, 35a Hopper, 35b Heater, 37 Cleaning standby section, 38 Cleaning section, 40 Packaging material, 50 Control section, 61 Memory section, 62 Weighing selection section, 65 Guidance section, 91 Intermediate container, 92 External drug container, 93 Discharge container, 100 Dispensing system, 240 Paper, P1 first waiting position, P2 second waiting position, P3 third waiting position, P4 weighing position, P5 first removal position, P6 second removal position, P7 third removal position, P8 supply waiting position, P9 supply position, P10 cleaning waiting position, P11 cleaning position.

Claims (6)

a measuring unit having a medicine storage container for storing medicine and a measuring unit for measuring the medicine taken out from the medicine storage container and stored in a container;
A control unit for controlling the measuring unit,
The control unit stores the weight of the container,
The control unit controls the weighing unit to weigh the container at a weighing position where the weighing unit weighs the drug contained in the container before removing the drug from the drug storage facility, and determines whether the container is empty based on the stored weight of the container. The drug measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the measuring unit to remove the drug from the drug storage unit when it determines that the container is empty. The drug measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit controls the measuring unit to wait for removal of the drug from the drug storage unit when it is determined that the container is not empty. A storage unit for storing the container;
a conveying unit that conveys the container,
The medicine measuring device according to claim 3 , wherein the control unit controls the transport unit to transport a replacement container from the storage unit to the measuring unit when it is determined that the container is not empty. A cleaning unit that cleans the container;
a conveying unit that conveys the container,
The medicine measuring device according to claim 3 , wherein the control unit controls the transport unit to transport the container from the measuring unit to the cleaning unit when it is determined that the container is not empty. The drug measuring device according to claim 5, wherein the control unit controls the cleaning unit to clean the container that has been transported to the cleaning unit, and controls the transport unit to transport the cleaned container from the cleaning unit to the measuring unit.

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