Pharmaceutical feeder and dispensing device

Abstract

This invention provides a drug feeder applicable to drug dispensing devices without a robotic arm mechanism, and a drug dispensing device using this drug feeder. The drug feeder 5 includes a drug container 20 for holding powdered medicine, a container holding part 16 for holding the drug container 20, and a weight measuring device 25 for directly or indirectly measuring the weight of the drug container 20. The drug container 20 can be vibrated to discharge powdered medicine from the drug container 20, and the amount of powdered medicine discharged is detected by the weight measuring device 25. The drug container 20 has an opening and closing member for opening and closing the powdered medicine discharge part, and further has an opening and closing mechanism. The opening and closing mechanism applies force directly or indirectly to the opening and closing member to move at least a portion of the opening and closing member, thereby opening and closing the powdered medicine discharge part. Force is applied to the opening and closing member when the powdered medicine discharge part is to be in the open state and when it is to be in the closed state.

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