Traditional Chinese medicine cart capable of sorting and recording and sorting and recording method thereof

By integrating a weighing platform, barcode scanner, and camera, the traditional Chinese medicine cart solves the problems of low prescription efficiency and potential safety hazards in traditional Chinese medicine pharmacies, realizes full-process automation and multiple error prevention controls, and improves the accuracy and traceability of traditional Chinese medicine dispensing.

CN121370529APending Publication Date: 2026-01-23HUBEI YONGANXIN MEDICAL TECH CO LTD
View PDF 0 Cites 1 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
CN202511747138.2
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-11-26
Publication Date
2026-01-23

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Traditional Chinese medicine pharmacies face inefficiencies in dispensing prescriptions due to inefficient processes, errors in manual recording, and potential safety hazards. They also lack effective monitoring and traceability mechanisms, and existing equipment fails to achieve closed-loop processes and error prevention controls.

Method used

Design a sorting and recording trolley for traditional Chinese medicine that integrates a weighing platform, barcode scanner, control panel, and camera to achieve fully automated processing. Through visual monitoring and data fusion technology, it can supervise the operation process in real time and automatically bind key data to form an electronic evidence chain.

Benefits of technology

It achieves high reliability and efficiency in drug sorting results, eliminates human error, improves medication safety and work efficiency, and provides fully traceable operation records.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure CN121370529A_ABST
    Figure CN121370529A_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of traditional Chinese medicine treatment, and discloses a traditional Chinese medicine cart capable of sorting and recording and a sorting and recording method thereof. The traditional Chinese medicine cart comprises a movable cart body, a weighing table and a recording assembly integrating a control panel, a code scanner and a monitoring and shooting device. The method comprises the steps that prescription identification is obtained through a code scanner, an electronic prescription is called, a monitoring and photographing device is started to monitor traditional Chinese medicine weighing and storage areas, during sorting and weighing, the monitoring and photographing device synchronously records the operation process, weighing data of each medicinal material is bound with visual data of the corresponding operation process, and a traceable sorting record is generated. Through deep fusion of weighing data and visual evidences, traceability and error prevention of the whole process of the sorting process are achieved, and the sorting accuracy, safety and working efficiency of the traditional Chinese medicine formula are remarkably improved.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of traditional Chinese medicine processing, and particularly relates to a traditional Chinese medicine cart capable of sorting and recording and a sorting and recording method thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] When dispensing traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions, the traditional process mainly relies on pharmacists to weigh medicine by hand and manually record the weight of each medicine. This method has many disadvantages: first, it is inefficient, as pharmacists need to repeatedly move between medicine cabinets, scales, and record books; second, manual recording is prone to errors or misreading of scales, which poses a safety risk; third, the entire dispensing process lacks effective monitoring and traceability, making it difficult to clarify responsibilities in the event of a dispute. In addition, for multiple patients or complex prescriptions, it is easy to mix up medicines.

[0003] Currently, some improved dispensing carts have appeared on the market, such as carts integrated with electronic scales and computers. However, these devices often simply combine electronic scales with computers and fail to achieve true process closure and error prevention control. Their data recording still relies on manual input, which cannot guarantee the absolute correspondence between weighing data and physical operations, and lacks visual supervision of the operation process, leaving blind spots in medicine identification and operation standardization. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an integrated solution that deeply integrates physical sorting, data recording, and process monitoring. SUMMARY

[0004] The present application provides a traditional Chinese medicine cart capable of sorting and recording, which can realize full-process automation from prescription information acquisition, medicine weighing, to data recording.

[0005] Another object of the present application is to provide a sorting and recording method matched with the cart, which realizes real-time supervision of the operation process, automatic binding of key data, and full-process traceability by introducing visual monitoring and data fusion technology, fundamentally eliminating human errors and improving the accuracy and reliability of dispensing work.

[0006] According to an aspect of the present application, a traditional Chinese medicine cart capable of sorting and recording is provided, comprising:

[0007] Mobile cart: as a mobile base.

[0008] Weighing table: arranged on the mobile cart body, used for carrying medicine and acquiring weight signals in real time.

[0009] Recording assembly: fixed to the mobile cart body and adjacent to the weighing table, the recording assembly integrates a code scanner, a control tablet, and a monitoring camera.

[0010] Code scanner: used for reading prescription identification (such as bar code, two-dimensional code) to obtain electronic prescription data.

[0011] Control tablet: Used to display prescription and weight information and provide an operating interface, and communicate with other devices to obtain prescription data based on prescription identification information, receive weight signals and visual data, and generate sorting records that associate the weighing data of each medicinal material with the visual data of its corresponding operation process.

[0012] Camera: Its field of view covers the weighing platform and the area of ​​the medicine container, and it is used to continuously collect visual data including the placement of medicine, weighing readings and operator hand movements.

[0013] Preferably, the camera's installation position and angle are optimized to ensure that weighing readings and operational actions can be clearly captured.

[0014] Preferably, the mobile vehicle body includes a multi-layered storage platform connected by a placement table, support columns, shelves and trays, for systematically storing medicinal material containers, medicine bags and power supply units.

[0015] Preferably, the medicine container includes a medicine storage bucket and a bucket lid with a support structure, the support structure being used to unfold and position the medicine bag during the sorting process.

[0016] A sorting and recording method for the aforementioned traditional Chinese medicine cart is also provided, including the following core steps:

[0017] Prescription information acquisition steps: Obtain the prescription identifier through the barcode scanner, and retrieve the corresponding electronic prescription data from the background database accordingly.

[0018] Visual calibration steps: Activate the monitoring device to ensure that its field of view fully covers the weighing platform and the area of ​​the medicinal material containers.

[0019] Sorting cycle steps:

[0020] a. The system indicates the medicinal materials currently to be sorted based on the electronic prescription data.

[0021] b. The operator weighs the medicinal materials on the weighing platform, and the system acquires the weight data in real time.

[0022] c. At the same time, the monitoring device synchronously collects visual data of the entire weighing operation.

[0023] Data binding and recording steps: After a single medicinal herb is weighed, the system generates a sorting record.

[0024] As a further optimization of the method:

[0025] After obtaining an electronic prescription, a camera can be used to photograph the paper prescription as a visual backup, and then linked to the electronic data for double verification.

[0026] The collected process visual data is preferably a complete video stream that includes the entire process from the initial placement of medicinal materials to their placement into the medicine bag.

[0027] Once a prescription has been fully sorted, the system automatically generates a complete electronic report that integrates all individual herb sorting records and corresponding visual data indexes.

[0028] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following significant advantages:

[0029] 1. Achieved true process closure and data credibility: By strongly binding the precise weighing data of each herb with the tamper-proof video stream of the operation process, a complete electronic evidence chain is formed. This gives the sorting results extremely high credibility, providing an intuitive and reliable basis for quality traceability and responsibility determination.

[0030] 2. Multiple error prevention and safety barriers have been constructed: The system integrates electronic prescription verification and real-time weight monitoring to form multiple safety mechanisms, which can effectively prevent human errors such as "mistakes in picking, weighing, and recording" and greatly improve medication safety.

[0031] 3. Improved work efficiency and automation: The functions of scanning barcodes to obtain prescriptions, automatic weighing and recording, and generating electronic reports are integrated into a mobile unit, realizing a one-stop workflow of "prescriptions upon vehicle arrival and immediate weighing and recording". This avoids the need for personnel to travel between multiple fixed workstations and repeatedly enter data, significantly improving sorting efficiency.

[0032] It should be understood that the description in this section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of the present invention, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the invention. Other features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0033] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a sorting and recording trolley for traditional Chinese medicine according to the present invention;

[0035] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the mobile cart structure of a sorting and recording Chinese medicine cart according to the present invention.

[0036] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the recording component structure of a sorting and recording trolley for traditional Chinese medicine according to the present invention;

[0037] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the herbal medicine container structure of a herbal medicine cart capable of sorting and recording according to the present invention.

[0038] Figures 1-4 middle:

[0039] 1-Mobile trolley, 2-Recording unit, 3-Power supply unit, 4-Weighing platform, 5-Medicinal herb container;

[0040] 10-Placement platform, 11-Push handle, 12-Support column, 13-Shelf, 14-Storage box, 15-Tray plate, 16-Moving wheel, 17-Placement opening;

[0041] 20-Base plate, 21-Mounting bracket, 22-Bar scanner, 23-Fixed bracket, 24-Clamping fixture, 25-Control panel, 26-Mounting base, 27-Surveillance device;

[0042] 50 - Medicine storage container, 51 - Container lid, 52 - Medicine bag;

[0043] 510 - Bucket sleeve, 511 - Pressure cap. Detailed Implementation

[0044] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0045] like Figures 1-2As shown, this sorting and recording trolley for traditional Chinese medicine includes a mobile body 1 made of stainless steel. The four corners of the placement platform 10 are connected to a bottom tray 15 via support columns 12. Four omnidirectional casters 16 with brakes are installed under the tray 15. A shelf 13 is fixed in the middle of the support column 12, and a storage box 14 is installed between the shelf 13 and the placement platform 10 to store the power supply unit 3 and spare medicine bags 52. A push handle 11 is installed on one side of the trolley. The power supply unit 3 supplies power to various electrical devices while receiving data from the weighing platform 4, performing calculations, and displaying the results. The mobile body 1 serves as the carrying and moving platform for the entire system. The placement platform 10 directly supports the subsequent weighing platform 4 and recording components 2. The support column 12 and shelf 13 form a three-dimensional storage space for partitioned storage of sorted medicinal materials and spare medicine bags 52, etc. The storage box 14 is built into the trolley body to safely house the power supply unit 3, providing power to all electronic devices on the trolley. The casters 16 and the push handle 11 together enable the system to move and turn flexibly, allowing it to easily move between pharmacies and wards. The weighing platform 4 is fixedly installed on the placement platform 10, and its core function is to accurately measure the weight of the medicines placed on it and convert the weight signal into an electrical signal output in real time. The placement opening 17 on the placement platform 10 ensures that the medicine container 5 can stably support the medicines.

[0046] like Figures 3-4 As shown, the recording component 2 is fixed to the placement platform 10 via the base plate 20. The mounting frame 21 is made of aluminum profile, and a control tablet 25 is mounted on its upper part via a clamping fixture 24. This tablet runs a customized sorting management APP. A mounting base 26 is fixed in the middle of the mounting frame 21, on which a 1080P high-definition monitor 27 is mounted. Its lens looks down at the weighing platform 4 and the area of ​​the medicine container 5 at an angle of about 45 degrees. A barcode scanner 22 is mounted on the lower part of the mounting frame 21. The recording component 2 is fixed to the placement platform 10 via its base plate 20 and is located next to the weighing module 4. This component integrates multiple functional units. The mounting frame 21 serves as the structural skeleton. The control tablet 25 is mounted on the upper part of the mounting frame 21 via the clamping fixture 24 and the fixing bracket 23, and acts as a human-machine interaction unit. It runs customized sorting software and is responsible for information display, instruction reception, data processing, and logic control. The barcode scanner 22 is mounted on the lower part of the mounting frame 21 and acts as an information collection unit for quickly reading prescription barcodes / QR codes. The camera 27 is fixed to the center of the mounting frame 21 via the mounting base 26, serving as a visual acquisition unit. Its installation position and angle are precisely designed to ensure that its lens field of view covers the entire working area of ​​the weighing platform 4 and the medicine container 5 without obstruction, including weighing pan readings and operator hand movements. The medicine container 5 consists of a storage bin 50 and a lid 51. The lid 51's sleeve 510 supports and unfolds the medicine bags 52 during sorting, while the hinged cap 511 facilitates quick removal of the medicine bags after sorting.

[0047] The sorting and recording method for this Chinese medicine cart:

[0048] During operation, the operator moves to the workstation using the push handle 11 and starts the power supply unit 3. The operator logs into the system on the control tablet 25. After the system starts, the camera 27 begins operation. The camera 27 automatically calibrates its field of view to ensure that the weighing platform 4 and the herbal container 5 are within a clear and complete monitoring range. This step establishes the physical benchmark for visual monitoring. The pharmacist uses the barcode scanner 22 to scan the QR code on the prescription. The scanner 22 transmits the acquired identification information to the control tablet 25, which retrieves the electronic prescription from the information system via the wireless network of the control tablet 25. The prescription details (e.g., Astragalus membranaceus 15g, Angelica sinensis 10g...) are immediately displayed on the screen of the control tablet 25. Simultaneously, the data processing module can instruct the camera 27 to take a photo of the paper prescription. This photo is associated with the electronic prescription data and stored in the database, achieving collaborative dual verification between the information acquisition unit and the visual acquisition unit.

[0049] The system highlights the medicinal materials to be sorted (e.g., "Astragalus 15g") on the control tablet 25. After the operator takes the medicine, they place it on the weighing platform 4. The weighing module 4 transmits the weight signal to the data processing module in real time and displays it dynamically on the control tablet 25 interface. At the same time, the video recorder 27 continuously records the operation video according to the preset program or instructions. The video fully records the operator's hand movements when adding the medicinal materials. This design allows the physical operation and the changes in electronic data to be recorded synchronously and in the same frame, forming an inseparable whole of evidence. After the weight reaches the target, the operator clicks "Confirm" on the control tablet 25. At this time, a data record is generated: {Prescription ID: P001, Patient Name: Li Si, Medicinal Material: Astragalus, Target Weight: 15g, Actual Weight: 15.0g, Operator: Zhang San, Time: 2023-10-27-10:30:05, Video Clip: P001_Astragalus_20231027103005.mp4}. This record is saved locally and may be synchronized to the server. Behind each piece of weight data is a visual video documenting the process.

[0050] Repeat this process to complete the sorting of all medicinal materials. Finally, generate a master record. The pharmacist flips up the cap 511, removes all the medicine bags 52, sorts them, and delivers them to the patient. Every medicine in the entire process is protected by both data and video, ensuring safety, efficiency, and traceability.

[0051] All of the electrical devices mentioned above are connected by wires, and the models of the electrical devices are all commonly used models in this field.

[0052] The specific embodiments described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and substitutions can be made according to design requirements and other factors. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this invention should be included within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A sorting and recording trolley for traditional Chinese medicine, comprising a mobile trolley (1), characterized in that: The top of the mobile cart (1) is equipped with a recording component (2) and a weighing platform (4). The recording component (2) includes a base plate (20), and a mounting bracket (21) is fixedly connected to the top of the base plate (20). A fixed bracket (23), a mounting base (26) and a barcode scanner (22) are fixedly installed on the side of the mounting bracket (21) near the weighing platform (4) from top to bottom. A clamping fixture (24) is fixedly installed on the fixed bracket (23), and a control plate (25) is clamped and fixed on the clamping fixture (24). A camera monitor (27) is fixedly installed on the mounting base (26).

2. The sorting and recording trolley for traditional Chinese medicine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mobile cart (1) includes a placement platform (10). Support columns (12) are fixedly connected to the bottom of the four corners of the placement platform (10). Shelves (13) and trays (15) are fixedly connected to the middle and bottom of the inner side of the support columns (12), respectively. Moving wheels (16) are fixedly installed at the bottom of the trays (15). A storage box (14) is fixedly connected between the shelves (13) and the placement platform (10). Two support columns (12) on the same side are fixedly connected to the two ends of the push handle (11). A placement opening (17) is opened on the upper surface of the placement platform (10). A medicine container (5) is placed inside the placement opening (17). A power supply host (3) is placed inside the storage box (14).

3. A sorting and recording trolley for traditional Chinese medicine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The medicinal material container (5) includes a medicine storage barrel (50), and a barrel lid (51) is fitted on the top of the medicine storage barrel (50).

4. A sorting and recording trolley for traditional Chinese medicine according to claim 3, characterized in that, The barrel lid (51) includes a barrel sleeve (510), with a pressure cap (511) hinged to the outside of the barrel sleeve (510), and a medicine bag (52) placed on the barrel sleeve (510).

5. A sorting and recording method for a traditional Chinese medicine cart, characterized in that, according to any one of claims 1-4, a sorting and recording traditional Chinese medicine cart is provided. Includes the following steps: S1: Stable movement of the Chinese medicine cart to the work area using the handrail (11). Start the power supply unit to power the entire system. The operator logs into the sorting management system on the control panel (25). The system is ready and the camera (27) is started to record or prepare to capture the workflow. The camera (27) calibrates the work area to ensure that the weighing platform (4) and the medicine container (5) are within the optimal shooting range. S2: Use a barcode scanner (22) to scan the barcode or QR code of the prescription to be dispensed. The control tablet (25) automatically retrieves and displays the detailed information of the prescription from the information system via a wireless network, including the name, drug list, dosage of each drug, etc. The operator confirms the prescription information on the tablet. At the same time, the camera (27) can photograph the paper prescription document as an electronic backup and double-check it with the prescription in the system. S3: Based on the prescription information, the system displays the herbs that need to be sorted on the control panel (25). The operator takes out the herbs from the storage container and places them on the weighing platform (4). The weighing platform (4) measures the weight data in real time and transmits it to the control panel (25). The control panel (25) dynamically displays the current weight and compares it with the target dosage of the prescription. The operator adds or subtracts herbs until the weight reaches the precise dosage required by the prescription. During the weighing process, the camera (27) continuously records the operator's sorting actions and the status displayed on the weighing platform (4), and records them in the database and binds them to the prescription. S4: Once a certain herb has reached the required weight, the operator clicks "Confirm" on the control panel (25) to confirm the sorting of that herb. The system automatically records the name of the herb, the actual weight, the sorting time, and the operator information into the database and binds it to the prescription. The sorted herbs are temporarily moved into the medicine bag (52). If multiple herbs need to be stored together, steps 3 to 4 are repeated until all herbs are sorted in the order of the prescription. When the entire prescription has been sorted, the system displays "Sorting complete" on the control panel (25) and automatically generates a complete electronic sorting record for the prescription, which can be queried or printed. S5: When a single patient has multiple prescriptions for the same medicine, the operator can flip up (511) and remove the medicine bag containing each prescription (52). All the prescriptions removed are then sorted according to their order and sealed in a large medicine bag. The sealed medicine bag is then delivered, completing the entire sorting process.

Citation Information

Cited By

  • Teaching operation table for dispensing traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions

    CN121999668A