Drug handling device

Abstract

To improve convenience for a user.SOLUTION: A drug station (1) comprises: a drug transfer part (32); a drug placing table (37) and a tray placing table (38) for placing drugs taken out of the drug transfer part; a measuring part (382) which measures the weight of the drugs placed on the tray placing table; and a drug determination part (124) which determines whether the number of drugs placed on the drug placing table and the tray placing table matches with the number of drugs indicated by order data by using the weight of a package and the number of the drugs corresponding to a package form selected by a user and the weight of the drugs measured by the measuring part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] One aspect of the present invention relates to a medication handling device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Medicine dispensing devices for dispensing medicines have been developed. One example is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic medicine supplying device equipped with a medicine picking section having a plurality of dispensing sections in which medicine containing cassettes transported from a cassette shelf are dispensed. Each of the plurality of dispensing sections has a medicine outlet for inserting and removing medicines, and an opening / closing cover capable of opening and closing the medicine outlet. In this automatic medicine supplying device, by controlling so that only the opening / closing cover of the dispensing section in which the medicine containing cassette is dispensed is in the open state, it is possible to take out the desired medicine without fail even when a plurality of medicine containing cassettes are dispensed in the medicine picking section. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-79642 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the automatic medicine supplying device of Patent Document 1 does not determine whether the number of medicines taken out of the automatic medicine supplying device matches the number of medicines indicated in the order data.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention aims to improve user convenience in the user's actions performed for the above-mentioned determination by the device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a drug handling device according to one embodiment of the present invention has at least two or more drug packaging forms set for each type of drug, and the drug packaging forms have set weights for each package containing the drugs and the number of drugs contained in the package, and is equipped with a drug removal unit that enables removal of a type of drug indicated by prescription data or dispensing data created from the prescription data from a cassette in which the drugs are contained, a loading unit that loads the drugs removed from the drug removal unit, a weighing unit that weighs the drugs loaded on the loading unit, and a determination unit that determines whether the number of drugs loaded on the loading unit matches the number of drugs indicated by the prescription data or the dispensing data using the weight and number of drugs corresponding to the packaging form selected by a user and the weight of the drugs weighed by the weighing unit. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to improve user convenience in the user's actions performed to determine whether the number of medications removed matches the number of medications indicated in the order data. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a drug station. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a drug station. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the main components of a drug station. [Figure 4] 13 is an example of a master registration image displayed on the first touch panel. [Diagram 5] 13 is an example of a confirmation image displayed on the second touch panel. [Figure 6] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a process flow by a control device. [Figure 7] 13 is an example of a weight input image displayed on the first touch panel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] [Embodiment 1] <Drug Station> 1 and 2 are perspective views showing an example of the configuration of the drug station 1. Fig. 1 is a view of the main unit 2 as seen from the front side, and Fig. 2 is a view of the main unit 2 as seen from the rear side. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the main configuration of the drug station 1.

[0011] The drug station 1 is a drug handling device that handles drugs and is a device for storing drugs and filling and dispensing drugs. As shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 3, the drug station 1 includes, for example, a main unit 2 that stores drugs, and a picking unit 3 that is a device that enables an operator (user) to handle the drugs stored in the main unit 2.

[0012] <Main unit> The main unit 2 is a unit that stores medicines. The main unit 2 transfers the stored cassette Ca to the picking unit 3 by using the main cassette transfer section 22. The main unit 2 also transfers the cassette Ca returned from the picking unit 3 to its original storage position. The main unit 2 stores a plurality of cassettes Ca and functions as a cassette handling device that delivers and receives the cassette Ca to and from the picking unit 3.

[0013] The main unit 2 can store a variety of medicines (e.g., about 1,500 to 2,000 types) that are expected to be used in one facility such as a hospital or a pharmacy. Examples of medicines include tablets, powders, ointments, eye drops, and other external medicines, and injectable medicines. The main unit 2 may store any medicine, regardless of the form of the container that contains the medicine (e.g., PTP (Press Through Package) sheet, bottle, tube, or bottle, etc.). In this specification, a PTP sheet containing a medicine is referred to as a medicine sheet. Furthermore, the cassette Ca stored in the main unit 2 may contain medicines in the form of pillow packages or medicine boxes that contain the above-mentioned medicines.

[0014] The main unit 2 includes a cassette shelf 21, a main cassette transport section 22, and a cassette holding section .

[0015] The cassette shelf 21 is a medicine storage shelf capable of storing a plurality of cassettes Ca. In this embodiment, the cassette shelf 21 can store cassettes Ca of different sizes (types). The cassette Ca may be provided with a partition (not shown) to form a plurality of storage areas. Also, the cassette Ca may be provided with a barcode. The barcode includes, for example, cassette identification information for identifying the cassette Ca.

[0016] The main cassette transfer unit 22 transfers the cassette Ca between the cassette shelf 21 and the cassette holding unit 23. For example, the main cassette transfer unit 22 takes out the cassette Ca containing the type of medicine indicated in the order data from the cassette shelf 21 and transfers it to the cassette holding unit 23. Then, the main cassette transfer unit 22 transfers the cassette Ca placed on the cassette holding unit 23 after the medicine has been taken out by the picking unit 3 to the cassette shelf 21.

[0017] The order data may be prescription data or dispensing data created from prescription data. Dispensing data is data that indicates information about a drug dispensed by a pharmacist or the like. The order data includes, for example, the type of drug to be taken out by the operator, the lot number (expiration date) of the drug, the number of the drug, and the name of the patient to whom the drug is prescribed.

[0018] The cassette holding unit 23 temporarily holds the cassette Ca transferred from the cassette shelf 21 or the picking unit 3 (a buffer).

[0019] The main unit 2 is also provided with a first touch panel 5. The first touch panel 5 is a display device that displays various information related to the drug station 1, and also functions as an input device that accepts input operations by the operator. However, the first touch panel 5 may function only as a display device.

[0020] In FIG. 1, one picking unit 3 is provided on the front side of the main unit 2, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of picking units 3 may be provided.

[0021] <Picking unit> The picking unit 3 is a device that enables an operator to handle medicines stored in the main unit 2. The picking unit 3 can function as a device that performs a picking operation in which the operator removes medicines from the cassette Ca. The picking unit 3 can also function as a device that performs a filling operation in which the operator fills the cassette Ca stored in the main unit 2 with medicines. The operator may be a person who has a license such as a pharmacist, or may not have such a license.

[0022] The picking unit 3 includes a second touch panel 31, a medicine delivery section 32, a barcode reader 34, a picking cassette transport section 35, a printer 36, a medicine placement table 37, a tray placement table 38, and a close button 39. These components are provided on a workbench 40 where an operator handles the medicines.

[0023] The picking unit 3 transfers the cassette Ca transferred from the main unit 2 to the medicine transfer section 32 using the picking cassette transfer section 35. While checking the display content of the second touch panel 31, the operator takes out the medicines from the cassette Ca transferred to the medicine transfer section 32 and places them on the medicine placement table 37 or the transport tray Tr placed on the tray placement table 38. The medicines placed on the medicine placement table 37 are finally placed on the transport tray Tr.

[0024] The transport tray Tr containing the medicines is transported to the inspection unit. The inspection unit is a unit where a qualified person such as a pharmacist performs a final inspection of the medicines dispensed from the main unit 2. The drug station 1 may be equipped with an inspection unit in addition to the main unit 2 and the picking unit 3.

[0025] The second touch panel 31, like the first touch panel 5, displays various information related to the drug station 1 and accepts input operations by the operator. For example, the second touch panel 31 displays the type and number of drugs that the operator should take out from the drug delivery section 32 when taking out drugs from the cassette Ca.

[0026] The medicine transfer unit 32 enables an operator to take out medicines from the cassette Ca or to put medicines into the cassette Ca (allows an operator to transfer medicines). The medicine transfer unit 32 functions as a medicine take-out unit that enables an operator to take out medicines of the type indicated by the order data, for example.

[0027] In this embodiment, the medicine transfer section 32 includes an opening 321 and a shutter 322. The opening 321 is an opening that allows an operator to access (take out or fill (input) medicines) the cassette Ca transferred to the medicine transfer section 32. The shutter 322 is provided at the opening 321, and controls the operator's access to the cassette Ca. The shutter 322 is normally in a closed state, and is in an open state when the cassette Ca is transferred to the medicine transfer section 32.

[0028] The shutter 322 may include a first shutter 322a that opens and closes in the Y-axis direction, and a second shutter 322b that opens and closes in a direction (X-axis direction) approximately perpendicular to the first shutter 322a. With this configuration, the shutter 322 can be controlled to open and close in accordance with the size of the cassette Ca and the size of the storage area of ​​the cassette Ca. This opening and closing control allows the operator to access only the storage area that stores the medicine to be taken out or filled. This makes it possible to reliably prevent the operator from taking out the wrong medicine, putting it back, or filling it in the wrong place.

[0029] For example, the first shutter 322a can be opened and closed according to the entire cassette Ca or only one of the multiple storage areas formed by the partitions. In addition, for example, when multiple types of cassettes Ca having different widths (lengths in the X-axis direction when the cassettes Ca are located in the medicine delivery section 32) are used, the second shutter 322b can be opened and closed according to the size of the cassette Ca.

[0030] The barcode reader 34 is a device that reads the barcode attached to the medicine when a filling operation is performed to fill the cassette Ca with the medicine.

[0031] The barcode includes, for example, a GS1 code given to the medicine sheet itself, a package in which a plurality of medicine sheets are packaged (pillow-packaged), a package in which a plurality of packaged powder medicines are pillow-packaged, or a medicine box in which the package is contained. The barcode may also include, for example, a GS1 code given to a medicine box in which medicines (e.g., ointments, eye drops) not contained in a PTP sheet are contained.

[0032] The barcode may contain drug identification information for identifying the drug (information indicating the type or name of the drug, or information that allows reference to the type or name of the drug), and the GS1 code is one example. The barcode may contain the specified number of drugs already contained in the unopened drug sheet, the expiration date, the lot number, etc.

[0033] The picking cassette transport unit 35 transports the cassette Ca between the main unit 2 and the picking unit 3 (specifically, between the cassette holding unit 23 and the medicine transfer unit 32). For example, the picking cassette transport unit 35 transports the cassette Ca from which medicines are to be removed or filled in the medicine transfer unit 32 to the medicine transfer unit 32. The picking cassette transport unit 35 also transports the cassette Ca from which medicines have been removed in the medicine transfer unit 32 to the cassette holding unit 23.

[0034] The printer 36 outputs printed matter such as a journal on which information about the drugs removed from the cassette Ca (e.g., type of drug, lot number (expiration date), and number of drugs removed) is printed. The information about the drugs removed from the cassette Ca may also include information contained in the order data. The information exemplified as information about the drugs removed from the cassette Ca (type of drug, etc.) may be information obtained from information contained in the order data.

[0035] The medicine placing table 37 is a placing section on which the medicine taken out by the operator from the medicine delivery section 32 is placed. The medicine placing table 37 may function as a placing section on which the fractional number sheets are placed in order to count the number of medicines included in the fractional number sheets.

[0036] The fractional sheet is a medicine sheet cut out from the entire medicine sheet (referred to as a full sheet) of a prescribed shape. In the following description, the entire medicine sheet is referred to as a full sheet, and the fractional sheet and the full sheet may be collectively referred to as medicine sheets. The fractional sheet may be cut out from a full sheet taken out from the cassette Ca in the medicine transfer unit 32, or may be taken out from the cassette Ca.

[0037] In this embodiment, an imaging unit 371 that images the fractional sheets placed on the medicine placing table 37 is provided above the medicine placing table 37. Also, in this embodiment, a backlight 372 that illuminates the medicine placing table 37 is provided below the medicine placing table 37. The control device 10 counts the number of medicines placed on the medicine placing table 37 based on the shape of the image of the fractional sheets captured by the imaging unit 371. The medicine sheets placed on the medicine placing table 37 and from which the number of medicines has been counted are stored in a transport tray Tr placed on the tray placing table 38.

[0038] In this embodiment, the medicine placing table 37 is described as a place where a fractional sheet is placed, but a full sheet may be placed on the medicine placing table 37. In this case, the medicine placing table 37 functions as a placement section on which a full sheet is placed in order to count the number of medicines contained in the full sheet. One fractional sheet or multiple fractional sheets may be placed on the medicine placing table 37. Similarly, one full sheet or multiple full sheets may be placed on the medicine placing table 37.

[0039] The tray placement table 38 is a table for placing a transport tray Tr onto which the medicine taken out from the medicine delivery unit 32 is put. The tray placement table 38 is also a placement unit for placing the medicine taken out from the medicine delivery unit 32 by an operator. The tray placement table 38 is provided with a weighing unit 382.

[0040] The weighing unit 382 weighs the weight of the medicines placed on the transport tray Tr placed on the tray mounting base 38. The control device 10 determines whether the number of medicines taken out from the medicine delivery unit 32 matches the number of medicines indicated by the order data (the designated number specified in the order data as the number to be taken out by the operator). The weighing unit 382 weighs, for example, fractional sheets and / or full sheets placed on the tray mounting base 38. The weighing unit 382 is provided below the bottom of the tray mounting base 38. For example, a load cell is used as the weighing unit 382.

[0041] The close button 39 is a mechanical operation button that switches the first shutter 322a and the second shutter 322b from an open state to a closed state when pressed by an operator.

[0042] <Control device> The control device 10 comprehensively controls each unit of the drug station 1. The control device 10 includes a main unit control unit 11, a picking unit control unit 12, a touch panel control unit 14, a registration unit 16, a switching unit 17, and a storage unit 15.

[0043] The main unit control unit 11 comprehensively controls each unit of the main unit 2. The main unit control unit 11 includes, for example, a cassette identification unit 111 and a first transport control unit 112.

[0044] The cassette identification unit 111 identifies a cassette Ca to be taken out from the cassette shelf 21 based on the order data, an input operation by an operator on the first touch panel 5 or the second touch panel 31, or a reading result by the barcode reader .

[0045] The first transfer control unit 112 controls the driving of the main cassette transfer unit 22. The first transfer control unit 112 controls the main cassette transfer unit 22 to transfer the cassette Ca identified by the cassette identification unit 111 to the cassette holding unit 23. In addition, the first transfer control unit 112 transfers the cassette Ca transported from the medicine delivery unit 32 to the cassette holding unit 23 to the storage position (original position) of the cassette Ca.

[0046] The picking unit control unit 12 comprehensively controls each part of the picking unit 3. The picking unit control unit 12 includes, for example, a second transport control unit 121, a shutter control unit 122, and a medicine determination unit 124 (determination unit).

[0047] The second transport control unit 121 controls the driving of the picking cassette transport unit 35 based on the order data, an input operation by an operator on the first touch panel 5 or the second touch panel 31, or the reading result of the barcode reader 34.

[0048] The shutter control unit 122 controls the opening and closing operation of the shutter 322. The shutter control unit 122 controls the first shutter 322a and the second shutter 322b independently.

[0049] The medicine determination unit 124 determines whether the specified number of medicines are placed on the medicine placement table 37 based on the image of the medicine captured by the imaging unit 371. For example, the medicine determination unit 124 determines whether the number of medicines to be taken out as the fractional sheet out of the specified number are placed on the medicine placement table 37 based on the image of the fractional sheet captured by the imaging unit 371.

[0050] For example, the medicine determination unit 124 analyzes the image and identifies the shape of the fractional sheet placed on the medicine placement table 37. Then, the medicine determination unit 124 counts the number of medicines included in the fractional sheet based on the shape and the fractional sheet size per medicine (the size of a fractional sheet including only one medicine tablet).

[0051] Furthermore, the medicine determination unit 124 determines whether the specified number of medicines are placed on the tray placement platform 38 based on the weight of the medicine weighed (measured) by the weighing unit 382. For example, the medicine determination unit 124 determines whether the number of medicines that should be taken out as a full sheet out of the specified number are placed on the tray placement platform 38 based on the weight of the full sheet weighed by the weighing unit 382.

[0052] The medicine determination unit 124 counts the number of full sheets put into the tray placement table 38 based on, for example, the weight of the full sheet weighed by the weighing unit 382, ​​the weight of each full sheet, and the number of sheet medicines in the full sheet. The number of sheet medicines is a number specified as the number of medicines contained in one full sheet (the specified number described above).

[0053] In this way, the medicine determination unit 124 counts the number of medicines included in the fractional sheets placed on the medicine placing stage 37 and / or the number of full sheets placed on the tray placing stage 38. Then, based on the counted number of medicines included in the fractional sheets and / or the number of full sheets, the medicine determination unit 124 determines whether the number of medicines placed on the medicine placing stage 37 and / or the tray placing stage 38 matches the specified number. When the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the number of medicines placed on the medicine placing stage 37 and / or the tray placing stage 38 matches the specified number, it determines that the medicines to be removed have been properly removed from the cassette Ca.

[0054] The operator may place the fractional sheets together with the full sheets on the tray mounting table 38 without placing them on the medicine mounting table 37. In this case, the medicine determination unit 124 may determine whether the number of medicines placed on the tray mounting table 38 matches the specified number, for example, using only the weighing result of the weighing unit 382.

[0055] In addition, the drug determination unit 124 determines whether the number of drugs placed on the drug placement stand 37 and / or tray placement stand 38 matches the specified number using the number and weight of drugs corresponding to the drug packaging form selected by the operator and the weight of the drugs weighed by the weighing unit 382.

[0056] Examples of the packaging form include a drug sheet, a package in which drug sheets are packaged in multiple units (called a pillow package), and a drug box containing the pillow package. In this embodiment, the respective packaging forms are called a "sheet form," a "pillow form," and a "box form."

[0057] When the selected packaging form is a sheet form, the drug determination unit 124 counts the number of full sheets placed on the tray mounting base 38 as described above, and determines whether the number of drugs placed on the drug mounting base 37 and / or the tray mounting base 38 matches the specified number.

[0058] When the selected packaging form is the pillow form, medicine determination unit 124 determines whether the number of medicines placed on medicine placement table 37 and / or tray placement table 38 matches the specified number based on the weight of the medicine weighed by weighing unit 382, ​​the weight of each pillow package containing the medicine, and the number of pillow medicines. The number of pillow medicines is a number specified as the number of medicines contained in one pillow package.

[0059] When the selected packaging form is a box form, medicine determination unit 124 determines whether the number of medicines placed on medicine placement stand 37 and / or tray placement stand 38 matches the specified number based on the weight of the medicine weighed by weighing unit 382, ​​the weight of each medicine box containing the medicine, and the number of medicines per box. The number of medicines per box is a number specified as the number of medicines contained in one medicine box.

[0060] The pillow package may contain items other than the medicine, such as a desiccant for removing moisture. When the package is in the pillow package or box form, the medicine determination unit 124 can determine that the above determination is made taking into account the items other than the medicine by using the weight of each pillow package or medicine box.

[0061] Regardless of which packaging form is selected, when a medicine is placed on the medicine placement table 37, the medicine determination unit 124 performs the above determination, including the number of medicines counted based on the analysis result of the image captured by the imaging unit 371. In addition, the pillow form and the box form are alternatively selected as the packaging form. Therefore, the medicine determination unit 124 does not perform the above determination using both the weight of one pillow package and the weight of one medicine box.

[0062] In the case of medicines not contained in PTP sheets (e.g. ointments, eye drops), the number of medicines placed on tray placement platform 38 may be counted based on the weight of the medicines weighed by weighing unit 382 and the weight of each medicine for each type of medicine stored in memory unit 15. Control device 10 determines whether the medicine to be removed is a medicine sheet or not based on information stored in memory unit 15 for each type of medicine indicating whether the medicine is contained in a PTP sheet.

[0063] (Determination method when selecting seat type) When the sheet form is selected as the packaging form, the modes in which the medicine determination unit 124 performs the above determination include, for example, a first determination mode and a second determination mode.

[0064] When the first determination mode is set, for example, the medicine determination unit 124 divides the number of medicines of a type to be taken out from the medicine transfer unit 32 (the above-mentioned designated number) by the number of full sheets of medicines containing that type of medicine. In this way, the medicine determination unit 124 calculates the number of full sheets (referred to as the expected number of sheets) to be taken out from the medicine transfer unit 32 and the number of medicines contained in the fractional sheets.

[0065] The operator places a fractional sheet on the medicine placing stand 37, and places a full sheet on the tray placing stand 38. For the fractional sheet placed on the medicine placing stand 37, the medicine determination unit 124 counts the number of medicines included in the fractional sheet based on the imaging result of the imaging unit 371. Then, the medicine determination unit 124 determines whether the counted number of medicines included in the fractional sheet matches the calculated number of medicines included in the fractional sheet.

[0066] Meanwhile, for full sheets placed on the tray placement platform 38, the drug determination unit 124 counts the number of full sheets based on the weight of the full sheets weighed by the weighing unit 382. Specifically, the drug determination unit 124 calculates the number of full sheets placed on the tray placement platform 38 (referred to as the number of measured sheets) by dividing the weight of the full sheets weighed by the weighing unit 382 by the weight of each full sheet. Then, the drug determination unit 124 determines whether the number of measured sheets matches the expected number of sheets.

[0067] In addition, when multiple full sheets placed on the tray mounting base 38 are specified to be bound together with rubber bands, the drug determination unit 124 may calculate the weight of the full sheets placed on the tray mounting base 38 as the weight obtained by subtracting the weight of the rubber bands from the weighing result of the weighing unit 382.

[0068] When the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the respective counting results match the number of medicines contained in the fractional sheets to be placed on the medicine placement table 37 and the expected number of sheets, it determines that the number of medicines taken out from the medicine delivery unit 32 matches the specified number. When the touch panel control unit 14 displays the result of the match on the second touch panel 31, the operator visually confirms this display, then bundles the full sheets and fractional sheets together with a rubber band, and places them in the transport tray Tr placed on the tray placement table 38.

[0069] For example, consider a case where the specified number is 145 tablets, the number of sheets of medicine is 10 tablets, the weight of one full sheet is 4 grams, and the weighing result of the weighing unit 382 is 59 grams. In this case, the medicine determination unit 124 calculates 145 tablets / 10 tablets=14...5, thereby calculating the expected number of sheets as 14, and the number of medicines included in the fractional sheet to be taken out from the medicine delivery unit 32 as 5 tablets.

[0070] For fractional sheets, the medicine determination unit 124, as described above, analyzes the image captured by the imaging unit 371 to determine whether the number of medicines included in the fractional sheets placed on the medicine placement table 37 is 5 tablets. For full sheets, the medicine determination unit 124 calculates 59 grams / 4 grams=14.75, and counts the number of measured sheets as 15 by rounding off the calculation result. Therefore, in this case, the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the number of measured sheets does not match the expected number of sheets. Therefore, the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the number of medicines taken out from the medicine delivery unit 32 does not match the specified number, regardless of the determination result based on the image captured by the imaging unit 371.

[0071] Furthermore, when the second determination mode is set, the medicine determination unit 124 calculates the expected number of sheets and the number of medicines included in the fractional sheets, in the same manner as in the first determination mode.

[0072] The operator places a fractional sheet on the medicine placing table 37, and places a full sheet on the tray placing table 38. For the fractional sheet placed on the medicine placing table 37, the medicine determination unit 124 counts the number of medicines included in the fractional sheet based on the imaging result of the imaging unit 371. Then, the medicine determination unit 124 determines whether the counted number of medicines included in the fractional sheet matches the calculated number of medicines included in the fractional sheet.

[0073] When the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the number of medicines contained in the counted fractional sheets matches the calculated number of medicines contained in the fractional sheets, the touch panel control unit 14 displays the result of the determination that they match on the second touch panel 31. After visually confirming this display, the operator bundles together the full sheet taken out of the cassette Ca and the fractional sheets taken out of the medicine placing table 37 with a rubber band, and places them on the transport tray Tr placed on the tray placing table 38. The weighing unit 382 weighs the full sheet and fractional sheets bundled together with the rubber band after they have been placed on the transport tray Tr.

[0074] The medicine determination unit 124 calculates the weight by subtracting the weight of the rubber band and the weight of the medicine to be taken out as the fractional sheet from the weight measured by the weighing unit 382. In this way, the medicine determination unit 124 calculates the weight of the full sheet placed on the tray placement table 38. The weight of the medicine to be taken out as the fractional sheet may be calculated by multiplying the weight of the fractional sheet including one medicine by the number of medicines to be taken out as the fractional sheet. The weight of the fractional sheet including one medicine may be the weight per full sheet divided by the number of sheets of medicine.

[0075] The medicine determination unit 124 calculates the number of measured sheets by dividing the calculated weight of the full sheet by the weight of one full sheet. Then, the medicine determination unit 124 determines whether the number of measured sheets matches the expected number of sheets. If the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the number of measured sheets matches the expected number of sheets, it determines that the number of medicines taken out from the medicine delivery unit 32 matches the specified number.

[0076] For example, consider a case where the specified number is 145 tablets, the number of sheets of medicine is 10 tablets, the weight of one full sheet is 4 grams, the weight of the fractional sheet containing one medicine is 0.4 grams, the weight of the rubber band is 0.06 grams, and the weighing result of the weighing unit 382 is 59 grams. In this case, as described above, the medicine determination unit 124 calculates that the expected number of sheets is 14, and the number of medicines contained in the fractional sheet to be taken out from the medicine delivery unit 32 is 5 tablets.

[0077] In the second determination mode, the medicine determination unit 124 calculates the weight of the medicine to be taken out as the fractional sheet as 0.4 g (= 4 grams / 10 tablets) × 5 tablets = 2.0 grams. The medicine determination unit 124 then calculates 59 grams - (0.06 grams + 2.0 grams) / 4 grams = 14.235, rounds off the calculation result, and counts the number of measured sheets as 14. Therefore, in this case, the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the number of measured sheets matches the expected number of sheets, and therefore the number of medicines taken out from the medicine delivery unit 32 matches the specified number.

[0078] When the second determination mode is set, the medicine determination unit 124 does not need to perform a determination on the fractional sheets based on the imaging result of the imaging unit 371. In this case, the operator does not place the fractional sheets on the medicine placement table 37, but places the fractional sheets together with the full sheets on the tray placement table 38. The medicine determination unit 124 may determine whether the number of medicines placed on the tray placement table 38 (the number of medicines taken out from the medicine delivery unit 32) matches the specified number by determining whether the number of measured sheets matches the expected number of sheets using the method described above.

[0079] (How to determine whether to select pillow or box type) When the pillow form is selected as the packaging form, the modes in which the medicine determination unit 124 performs the above determination include, for example, a third determination mode and a fourth determination mode.

[0080] When set to the third determination mode, for example, medicine determination unit 124 calculates the number of pillow packages to be taken out of medicine transfer unit 32 by dividing the number of medicines of the type to be taken out from medicine transfer unit 32 (the above-mentioned specified number) by the number of pillow medicines in the pillow packages containing that type of medicine. If there is a remainder in this calculation, medicine determination unit 124 divides the remainder by the number of sheets of medicine of that type to calculate the number of full sheets to be taken out of medicine transfer unit 32 and the number of medicines contained in the fractional sheets.

[0081] The medicine determination unit 124 adds a value obtained by multiplying the calculated number of pillow packages by the weight of each pillow package and a value obtained by multiplying the calculated number of full sheets by the weight of each full sheet. In this way, the medicine determination unit 124 calculates the weight of the pillow packages and full sheets to be placed on the tray placement platform 38 (referred to as expected weight).

[0082] The operator places the fractional sheet on the medicine placing table 37, and places the pillow packages and the full sheet on the tray placing table 38. For the fractional sheet placed on the medicine placing table 37, the medicine determination unit 124 counts the number of medicines included in the fractional sheet based on the imaging result of the imaging unit 371. Then, the medicine determination unit 124 determines whether the counted number of medicines included in the fractional sheet matches the calculated number of medicines included in the fractional sheet.

[0083] On the other hand, for the pillow packages and full sheets placed on the tray placement platform 38, the medicine determination unit 124 determines whether the weight measured by the weighing unit 382 coincides with a weight within a predetermined range including the expected weight (referred to as a threshold weight). The predetermined range may be determined through experiments or the like within a range in which the medicine determination unit 124 can output a determination result with high accuracy.

[0084] In addition, when multiple full sheets placed on the tray mounting base 38 are specified to be bound together with rubber bands, the drug determination unit 124 may calculate the weight of the pillow packages and full sheets placed on the tray mounting base 38 as the weight obtained by subtracting the weight of the rubber bands from the weighing result of the weighing unit 382.

[0085] When the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the number of medicines counted based on the image matches the calculated number of medicines contained in the fractional sheet and that the weighed weight matches the threshold weight, it determines that the number of medicines taken out from the medicine transfer unit 32 matches the specified number. When the touch panel control unit 14 displays the result of the match on the second touch panel 31, the worker visually confirms this display and then bundles the full sheet and fractional sheet together with a rubber band and places them in the transport tray Tr placed on the tray placement table 38.

[0086] For example, consider the case where the specified number is 145 tablets, the number of sheet medicines is 10 tablets, the weight per full sheet is 4 grams, the number of pillow medicines is 50 tablets, the weight per pillow package is 22 grams, and the threshold weight is the expected weight ±2 grams. In this example, the 2 grams is half the weight per full sheet.

[0087] In this case, the medicine determination unit 124 calculates 145 tablets / 50 tablets=2...45, and thereby calculates the number of pillow packages to be taken out of the medicine transfer unit 32 to be two. The medicine determination unit 124 also calculates 45 tablets / 10 tablets=4...5, and thereby calculates the number of full sheets to be taken out of the medicine transfer unit 32 to be four, and the number of medicines included in the fractional sheets to be five. The medicine determination unit 124 then calculates the expected weight as 2×22 grams+4 sheets×4 grams=60 grams, and calculates the threshold weight to be 58 grams or more and 62 grams or less.

[0088] For fractional sheets, the medicine determination unit 124, as described above, analyzes the image captured by the imaging unit 371 to determine whether the number of medicines included in the fractional sheet placed on the medicine placing table 37 is 5 tablets. For pillow packages and full sheets, the medicine determination unit 124 determines whether the weighing result of the weighing unit 382 is equal to or greater than 58 grams and equal to or less than 62 grams, which are the threshold weights. If the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the number of medicines included in the fractional sheet placed on the medicine placing table 37 is 5 tablets and that the weight measured by the weighing unit 382 is equal to or greater than 58 grams and equal to or less than 62 grams, which are the threshold weights, it determines that the number of medicines taken out from the medicine delivery unit 32 matches the specified number.

[0089] Also, when the fourth determination mode is set, for example, the medicine determination unit 124 calculates the number of pillow packages, the number of full sheets, and the number of medicines included in the fractional sheets to be taken out from the medicine delivery / reception unit 32, as described above. In the fourth determination mode, the medicine determination unit 124 adds a value obtained by multiplying the calculated number of pillow packages by the weight of each pillow package and a value obtained by multiplying the calculated number of full sheets by the weight of each full sheet. The medicine determination unit 124 further adds the weight of the medicine to be taken out as the fractional sheets and the weight of the rubber bands to this added value. In this way, the medicine determination unit 124 calculates the weights (referred to as expected weights) of the pillow packages, full sheets, and fractional sheets to be placed on the tray placement table 38.

[0090] The operator places the fractional sheet on the medicine placing table 37, and places the pillow packages and the full sheet on the tray placing table 38. For the fractional sheet placed on the medicine placing table 37, the medicine determination unit 124 counts the number of medicines included in the fractional sheet based on the imaging result of the imaging unit 371. Then, the medicine determination unit 124 determines whether the counted number of medicines included in the fractional sheet matches the calculated number of medicines included in the fractional sheet.

[0091] When the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the number of medicines contained in the counted fractional sheets matches the calculated number of medicines contained in the fractional sheets, the touch panel control unit 14 displays the result of the determination that they match on the second touch panel 31. After visually confirming this display, the operator bundles together the full sheet taken out of the cassette Ca and the fractional sheets taken out of the medicine placing table 37 with a rubber band, and places them on the transport tray Tr placed on the tray placing table 38. The weighing unit 382 weighs the weight of the full sheet and fractional sheets bundled together with the rubber bands and the pillow packages after they have been placed on the transport tray Tr.

[0092] The medicine determination unit 124 determines whether the weight measured by the weighing unit 382 matches a weight within a predetermined range including the expected weight (referred to as a threshold weight). If the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the weight measured by the weighing unit 382 matches the threshold weight, it determines that the number of medicines taken out from the medicine delivery unit 32 matches the specified number.

[0093] For example, consider a case where the specified number is 145 tablets, the number of sheet medicines is 10 tablets, the weight per full sheet is 4 grams, the number of pillow medicines is 50 tablets, the weight per pillow package is 22 grams, and the threshold weight is the expected weight ±2 grams. Also consider a case where the weight of the fractional sheet containing one medicine is 0.4 grams, and the weight of the rubber band is 0.06 grams. In this case, as described above, the medicine determination unit 124 calculates the number of pillow packages to be taken out from the medicine delivery unit 32 to be 2, the number of full sheets to be 4, and the number of medicines contained in the fractional sheet to be 5 tablets.

[0094] In the fourth determination mode, the medicine determination unit 124 calculates the weight of the medicine to be taken out as the fractional sheet as 0.4 (=4 grams / 10 tablets) × 5 tablets = 2.0 grams. The medicine determination unit 124 then calculates the expected weight as 2 × 22 grams + 4 sheets × 4 grams + 2.0 grams + 0.06 grams = 62.06 grams, and calculates the threshold weight as 60.06 grams or more and 64.06 grams or less.

[0095] The medicine determination unit 124 determines whether the weight measured by the weighing unit 382 is equal to or greater than 60.06 grams and equal to or less than 64.06 grams, which is the threshold weight. If the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the weight measured by the weighing unit 382 is equal to or greater than 58 grams and equal to or less than 62 grams, which is the threshold weight, it determines that the number of medicines taken out from the medicine delivery unit 32 matches the specified number.

[0096] When the fourth determination mode is set, it is not necessary to perform a determination on the fractional sheets based on the imaging result of the imaging unit 371. In this case, the operator does not place the fractional sheets on the medicine placing table 37, but places the fractional sheets together with the pillow packages and the full sheets on the tray placing table 38. The medicine determination unit 124 may determine whether the number of medicines placed on the tray placing table 38 (the number of medicines taken out from the medicine delivery unit 32) matches the specified number by determining whether the weight measured by the weighing unit 382 in the above-mentioned manner matches the threshold weight.

[0097] In the third and fourth determination modes, even if the box form is selected as the packaging form, the determination method of the medicine determination unit 124 is the same as the above method. Therefore, when the box form is selected as the packaging form, the pillow package may be read as the medicine box, and the number of pillow medicines may be read as the number of medicines in the box.

[0098] Returning to the explanation of the control device 10, the touch panel control unit 14 controls the display of the first touch panel 5 and the second touch panel 31. For example, the touch panel control unit 14 displays the number of medicines to be taken out by the operator on the second touch panel 31. For example, for medicine sheets, the touch panel control unit 14 displays the number of full sheets and the number of medicines to be taken out as fractional sheets as the number of medicines to be taken out by the operator.

[0099] The registration unit 16 stores (registers) data on drugs that may be stored in the drug station 1 for each drug type in the memory unit 15. Examples of the data on drugs include drug type (e.g., drug name), weight per full sheet, number of sheet drugs, weight per pillow package, number of pillow drugs, weight per drug box, and number of drugs per box. The registration unit 16 acquires the data on drugs via an input operation on a master registration image (screen) IM101 shown in FIG. 4, for example, and stores the data in the memory unit 15.

[0100] 4 is an example of a master registration image IM101 displayed on the first touch panel 5. When a user performs an input operation on a master registration button B101, the touch panel control unit 14 displays the master registration image IM101 on the first touch panel 5. By accepting an input operation of a drug type on the master registration image IM101, the registration unit 16 can store the above-mentioned various weights, etc. in the memory unit 15 in association with the drug type.

[0101] 4, the master registration image IM101 includes a first region A111, a second region A112, a third region A113, a fourth region A114, and a fifth region A115. The master registration image IM101 also includes a first measurement button B111, a second measurement button B112, a third measurement button B113, and an acquisition button B114.

[0102] The first area A111 is an area for receiving an input operation of the weight per full sheet. The second area A112 is an area for receiving an input operation of the number of sheets of medicine. The third area A113 is an area for receiving an input operation of the number of pillow medicines. The fourth area A114 is an area for receiving an input operation of the weight per pillow package. The fifth area A115 is an area for receiving an input operation of the weight per medicine box. Although not shown, the master registration image IM101 may include an area for receiving an input operation of the number of medicines per box, and other areas for receiving an input operation of various data stored in the memory unit 15 for each medicine type.

[0103] When an input operation to the first measurement button B111 is accepted, the registration unit 16 acquires the weight measured by the weighing unit 382 assuming that the object placed on the tray placement platform 38 is a full sheet, and stores the weight as a full sheet in the memory unit 15. The touch panel control unit 14 inputs the weight stored in the memory unit 15 as a full sheet in the first area A111. When an input operation to the acquisition button B114 is accepted, the control device 10 can acquire the weight corresponding to the drug type input to the master registration image IM101 from, for example, a host system (not shown) that manages the weight per full sheet for each drug type.

[0104] When an input operation to second measurement button B112 is accepted, registration unit 16 acquires the weight measured by weighing unit 382 assuming that the object placed on tray placement platform 38 is a pillow package, and stores the weight as the weight of one pillow package in memory unit 15. Touch panel control unit 14 displays the weight stored in memory unit 15 as the weight of one pillow package in fourth area A114.

[0105] When an input operation to the third measurement button B113 is accepted, the registration unit 16 acquires the weight measured by the weighing unit 382 assuming that the object placed on the tray placement stand 38 is a medicine box, and stores the weight per medicine box in the memory unit 15. The touch panel control unit 14 displays the weight stored in the memory unit 15 as the weight per medicine box in the fifth area A115.

[0106] In order to enable the drug determination unit 124 to make a determination, the registration unit 16 registers at least one of the following for each drug type: the weight and number of sheet drugs per full sheet, the weight and number of pillow drugs per pillow package, and the weight and number of drugs per box.

[0107] When the registration unit 16 registers the weight and number of sheet medicines per full sheet, it sets the sheet form as the packaging form of the registered medicine type. Similarly, when the registration unit 16 registers the weight and number of pillow medicines per pillow package, it sets the pillow form as the packaging form of the registered medicine type. When the registration unit 16 registers the weight and number of medicines per box, it sets the box form as the packaging form of the registered medicine type.

[0108] For example, the registration unit 16 can register the weight and number of sheet medicines per full sheet, the weight and number of pillow medicines per pillow package, and the weight and number of medicines per box for one medicine type. In this case, the registration unit 16 sets the sheet form, pillow form, and box form as the packaging form for the medicine type.

[0109] The registration unit 16 can also register, for example, the weight and number of sheet medicines per full sheet, the weight and number of pillow medicines per pillow package, or the weight and number of medicines per box for one medicine type. In this case, the registration unit 16 sets the sheet form and the pillow form, or sets the sheet form and the box form, as the packaging form of the medicine.

[0110] In this way, the registration unit 16 can set and register multiple weights of a package (e.g., a drug sheet, a pillow package, or a drug box) and the number of drugs contained in the package for a certain type of drug, in association with the packaging form. The registration unit 16 can also set at least one packaging form for each drug type.

[0111] The registration unit 16 registers data indicating that information is not set (e.g., "0") for the weight per full sheet, the number of sheet medicines, the weight per pillow package, the number of pillow medicines, the weight per medicine box, and the number of medicines in boxes that have not been entered.

[0112] If either the weight per full sheet or the number of sheets of medicine is not input for one medicine type, the registration unit 16 does not set the sheet form as the packaging form for that medicine type. Similarly, if either the weight per pillow package or the number of pillow medicines is not input for one medicine type, the registration unit 16 does not set the pillow form as the packaging form for that medicine type. If either the weight per medicine box or the number of medicines per box is not input for one medicine type, the registration unit 16 does not set the box form as the packaging form for that medicine type.

[0113] In addition, when input of any of the above three combinations is not accepted for one drug type, the registration unit 16 does not need to register data for that drug type. In this embodiment, when input of at least one of the weight per full sheet and the number of sheets of drug is not accepted for one drug type, the registration unit 16 does not need to register data for that drug type. In addition, the touch panel control unit 14 may notify the user to input any combination (e.g., weight per full sheet and number of sheets of drug).

[0114] The switching unit 17 switches the weight per package and the number of drugs contained in the package (referred to as a measurement unit), which are used by the drug determination unit 124 and stored in the memory unit 15, according to the packaging form selected by the operator. In this embodiment, the touch panel control unit 14 displays, on the second touch panel 31, a confirmation image (screen) that the operator confirms when removing drugs from a cassette Ca located in the drug transfer unit 32. The switching unit 17 switches the measurement unit used by the drug determination unit 124 according to an input operation on the confirmation image.

[0115] Fig. 5 is an example of a confirmation image IM201 displayed on the second touch panel 31. As shown in Fig. 5, the confirmation image IM201 is an image that displays information for the operator to take out medicines from the cassette Ca located in the medicine transfer section 32. One example of the information is the type and number of medicines that the operator should take out from the cassette Ca. In the example of Fig. 5, "1 mg AAA tablets" is displayed as the drug type, and "14 sheets, 5 tablets, 145 tablets" (the number of full sheets to be taken out, the number of medicines included in the fractional sheets to be taken out, and the above-mentioned specified number) is displayed as the number of medicines.

[0116] In addition to the above information, the confirmation image IM201 includes a switching button B201 that accepts an input operation for switching the measurement unit. Each time the switching unit 17 accepts an input operation on the switching button B201, the switching unit 17 switches to the measurement unit set in accordance with the type of medicine contained in the cassette Ca. Also, each time the touch panel control unit 14 accepts an input operation on the switching button B201, the touch panel control unit 14 switches the display of the packaging form corresponding to the measurement unit. In this embodiment, the touch panel control unit 14 switches the display of the packaging form on the switching button B201.

[0117] Reference numeral 1001 in Fig. 5 indicates a confirmation image IM201 in a state where a measurement unit corresponding to the sheet form (weight per full sheet and number of sheet medicines) has been selected. Reference numeral 1002 in Fig. 5 indicates a confirmation image IM201 in a state where a measurement unit corresponding to the pillow form (weight per pillow package and number of pillow medicines) has been selected. Reference numeral 1003 in Fig. 5 indicates a confirmation image IM201 in a state where a measurement unit corresponding to the box form (weight per medicine box and number of medicines per box) has been selected.

[0118] In this embodiment, when multiple units of measurement are set for one drug type, the unit of measurement corresponding to the sheet form is set as the unit of measurement that is selected first. Therefore, the default display of the switching button B201 is the sheet form (corresponding to "Heat" in FIG. 5).

[0119] Furthermore, in this embodiment, each time the switching unit 17 receives an input operation on the switching button B201, it switches the measurement units in the following order: measurement units corresponding to the sheet form, measurement units corresponding to the pillow form, measurement units corresponding to the box form, measurement units corresponding to the sheet form, .... The touch panel control unit 14 switches the display of the packaging form on the switching button B201 in accordance with this switching.

[0120] The touch panel control unit 14 does not change the display method of the number of medicines described above even when the measurement unit is switched to the pillow form or the box form. However, when the touch panel control unit 14 switches to the measurement unit corresponding to the pillow form or the box form, it may display the number of pillow packages or medicine boxes to be taken out, the number of full sheets to be taken out, and the number of medicines included in the fractional sheets to be taken out. For example, the touch panel control unit 14 may display such information in an information field located at the top of the confirmation image IM201. For example, the touch panel control unit 14 may display, in addition to "14 sheets, 5 tablets, 145 tablets", "Please place two pillow packages, four full sheets on the tray placement table 38, and the fractional sheets for five tablets on the medicine placement table 37" in the confirmation image IM201.

[0121] The switching unit 17 switches only the measurement unit corresponding to the packaging form stored in the memory unit 15. For example, if the weight per pillow package or the number of pillow medicines is not stored, the measurement unit is not switched to the measurement unit corresponding to the pillow form, and the pillow form is not displayed. Also, if the weight per medicine box or the number of medicines per box is not stored, the measurement unit is not switched to the measurement unit corresponding to the box form, and the box form is not displayed.

[0122] After the medicine is placed on the tray placement platform 38 (after the weighing unit 382 starts weighing the medicine), the touch panel control unit 14 changes the switching button B201 to a state in which input cannot be accepted (inactive state). Therefore, the switching unit 17 does not switch the measurement unit after the weighing unit 382 starts weighing the medicine. This is because the medicine determination unit 124 starts processing after the weighing unit 382 starts weighing the medicine.

[0123] The memory unit 15 stores various data used for processing by the control device 10. For example, the memory unit 15 stores data indicating the weight per full sheet, the number of sheet medicines, the weight per pillow package, the number of pillow medicines, the weight per medicine box, and the number of medicine boxes for each medicine type. The memory unit 15 also stores data indicating the size of fractional sheets and the weight of fractional sheets containing one medicine for each medicine type.

[0124] In addition, the storage unit 15 stores, for example, (1) Data associating cassette identification information with the storage position of the cassette Ca on the cassette shelf 21; (2) Data correlating cassette identification information of the cassette Ca (or storage position information indicating the storage position in the cassette Ca) with drug identification information; (3) type information indicating the type (size) of each cassette Ca; I remember.

[0125] <Processing flow> Fig. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of processing by the control device 10. As shown in Fig. 6, the first transport control unit 112 and the second transport control unit 121 transport the cassette Ca containing the medicine to be taken out, which is specified by the cassette specifying unit 111 based on the order data, to the medicine transfer unit 32 (S1). After the cassette Ca arrives at the medicine transfer unit 32, the shutter control unit 122 opens the shutter 322 (S2). In addition, the touch panel control unit 14 displays a confirmation image IM201 as shown in Fig. 5 on the second touch panel 31.

[0126] The touch panel control unit 14 determines whether an input operation to the switching button B201 included in the confirmation image IM201 has been received (S3). When the touch panel control unit 14 receives an input operation to the switching button B201 (YES in S3), the switching unit 17 switches the measurement unit used by the medicine determination unit 124 to the measurement unit corresponding to the packaging form selected by the input operation (S4). Thereafter, the control device 10 determines whether a medicine has been placed on the tray placement platform 38 (S5). The control device 10 may determine that a medicine has been placed on the tray placement platform 38, for example, when data indicating that weighing has started is received from the weighing unit 382.

[0127] When the control device 10 determines that a medicine has been placed on the tray placement platform 38 (YES in S5), the touch panel control unit 14 changes the switching button B201 to an inactive state (S6). Therefore, after the medicine has been placed on the tray placement platform 38, the switching unit 17 does not switch the measurement unit.

[0128] On the other hand, in S5, when the control device 10 determines that no medicine is placed on the tray placement stand 38 (NO in S5), the process of S3 is executed. In S3, the touch panel control unit 14 waits for an input operation to the switching button B201 until the input operation is received (NO in S3). Therefore, until a medicine is placed on the tray placement stand 38, the touch panel control unit 14 can receive an input operation to the switching button B201, and the switching unit 17 can switch the measurement unit according to the input operation.

[0129] After the process of S6, the medicine determination unit 124 determines whether the number of medicines taken out from the medicine delivery unit 32 matches the specified number using the selected measurement unit (S7). The process of S7 does not have to be performed after the process of S6, and may be performed after the control device 10 determines in S5 that the medicines have been placed on the tray placement platform 38.

[0130] When the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the number of medicines removed from the medicine delivery unit 32 matches the specified number, it determines that the medicines to be removed have been properly removed from the cassette Ca. In this case, the touch panel control unit 14 displays on the confirmation image IM201 a message indicating that the medicines have been properly removed. After visually confirming this display, the operator presses the close button 39 to close the shutter 322. As a result, the first transport control unit 112 and the second transport control unit 121 transport the cassette Ca containing the next medicine to be removed to the medicine delivery unit 32.

[0131] On the other hand, when the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the number of medicines taken out from the medicine delivery unit 32 does not match the specified number, it determines that the medicines to be taken out have not been properly taken out from the cassette Ca. In this case, the touch panel control unit 14 displays on the confirmation image IM201 that the medicines have not been properly taken out.

[0132] In the present embodiment, the worker is described as taking out the medicine box stored in the drug station 1 from the medicine transfer section 32. However, the worker may place the medicine box dispensed from an external device to the picking unit 3 on the tray placement table 38. The worker may also take out the pillow package from the medicine box dispensed from an external device to the picking unit 3, or place the pillow package dispensed to the picking unit 3 on the tray placement table 38. The worker may also take out the medicine sheet from the medicine box or pillow package dispensed from an external device to the picking unit 3, or place the medicine sheet dispensed to the picking unit 3 on the tray placement table 38.

[0133] In this case, the picking unit 3 may include a medicine removal section that enables removal of medicines (eg, medicine boxes, pillow packages, or medicine sheets) dispensed to the picking unit 3 from an external device.

[0134] (summary) For medicines that can be prescribed for a long time (e.g. medicines prescribed for patients with chronic diseases), they are often taken out of the pillow package or medicine box. Also, for medicines that need to be protected from light or that are highly hygroscopic, it is better not to take them out of the pillow package from the viewpoint of deterioration of the medicine.

[0135] In this embodiment, the measurement unit corresponding to the packaging form selected by the operator can be used in the judgment by the medicine judgment unit 124. Specifically, in accordance with the selection by the operator, the medicine judgment unit 124 can make the above-mentioned judgment using not only the weight and number of sheet medicines per full sheet, but also the weight and number of pillow medicines per pillow package, or the weight and number of medicines per box, etc.

[0136] Therefore, for example, the worker does not need to remove the above-mentioned medicine from the medicine box or pillow package for the judgment by the medicine judgment unit 124, but can simply take the medicine in the desired packaging form and place it on the tray placement table 38. Therefore, the convenience of the worker in the action of the worker for the above judgment can be improved, and the working time can be shortened.

[0137] [Embodiment 2] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For ease of explanation, the same reference numerals are given to members having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0138] As described above, drugs can be stored in the form of drug sheets, pillow packages, and drug boxes in drug station 1. Therefore, an operator can fill drug station 1 with drugs in the form of drug sheets, pillow packages, and drug boxes.

[0139] As described above, in the drug station 1, the weight of one full sheet, one pillow package, and / or one medicine box is registered for each medicine type so that the medicine determination unit 124 can determine whether the number of medicines taken out from the medicine delivery unit 32 matches the specified number. However, if these weights are not registered for the medicine to be filled, the medicine determination unit 124 may not be able to make the above-mentioned determination. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the weight of one full sheet, one pillow package, and / or one medicine box for the medicine to be filled is not registered, the control device 10 can register the weight corresponding to the unregistered packaging form.

[0140] For example, when an input operation to perform a refilling operation is received, the touch panel control unit 14 displays an image notifying the barcode reader 34 to read the barcode attached to the medicine to be refilled. The picking unit control unit 12 determines whether information indicating the medicine type contained in the read barcode is registered in the storage unit 15. When information indicating the medicine type contained in the read barcode is registered in the storage unit 15, the picking unit control unit 12 determines whether any one of the weights of one full sheet, one pillow package, and one medicine box is registered in association with the medicine type.

[0141] When the picking unit control unit 12 determines that the information indicating the drug type contained in the read barcode is not registered in the memory unit 15, the touch panel control unit 14 displays a weight input image (screen) on the first touch panel 5. The weight input image is an image that can accept input of the weight of one full sheet, one pillow package, and / or one drug box during the drug filling operation. The weight input image is described as being displayed on the first touch panel 5, but may be displayed on the second touch panel 31.

[0142] In addition, consider a case where the picking unit control unit 12 determines that the weight of one full sheet, one pillow package, or one medicine box has not been registered in association with the drug type corresponding to the barcode. In this case, the touch panel control unit 14 may also display a weight input image on the first touch panel 5.

[0143] The picking unit control unit 12 may also identify the packaging form from the information read from the barcode and determine whether the weight corresponding to the packaging form is registered. For example, the barcode attached to the medicine box includes information indicating the expiration date, but the barcode attached to the full sheet and pillow package does not include information indicating the expiration date.

[0144] For example, when the picking unit control unit 12 reads information indicating the expiration date from a barcode, it may identify the source of the barcode as a medicine box and determine whether the weight of each medicine box has been registered. When the picking unit control unit 12 determines that the weight of each medicine box has not been registered, the touch panel control unit 14 may display a weight input image on the first touch panel 5.

[0145] On the other hand, when the picking unit control unit 12 does not read information indicating the expiration date from the barcode, it may identify the source of the barcode as a drug sheet or a pillow package, and determine whether both the weight of one drug sheet and one pillow package have been registered. When the picking unit control unit 12 determines that one or both of these weights have not been registered, the touch panel control unit 14 may display a weight input image on the first touch panel 5. However, only when the picking unit control unit 12 determines whether either the weight of one full sheet or one pillow package has been registered, and both have not been registered, the touch panel control unit 14 may display a weight input image on the first touch panel 5.

[0146] Fig. 7 is an example of the weight input image IM102 displayed on the first touch panel 5. As shown in Fig. 7, the weight input image IM102 may include, for example, an identification code (identification number) of a drug indicated by a barcode read by the barcode reader 34 and the name of the drug included in the barcode.

[0147] The weight input image IM102 may also include, for example, a sixth region A121, a seventh region A122, and an eighth region A123. The weight input image IM102 may also include, for example, a fourth measurement button B121, a fifth measurement button B122, a sixth measurement button B123, an obtain button B124, and a confirm button B125.

[0148] The sixth area A121 is an area for receiving an input operation of the weight per full sheet. The seventh area A122 is an area for receiving an input operation of the weight per pillow package. The eighth area A123 is an area for receiving an input operation of the weight per medicine box. After the weight is input in the sixth area A121, the seventh area A122 and / or the eighth area A123, if an input operation is received using the Confirm button B125, the registration unit 16 stores the weight input in each area in the memory unit 15 as the weight of the packaging form corresponding to each area.

[0149] When an input operation to the fourth measurement button B121 is accepted, the touch panel control unit 14 acquires the weight measured by the weighing unit 382 assuming that the object placed on the tray placement platform 38 is a full sheet, and displays it in the sixth area A121. When an input operation to the confirm button B125 is accepted with the weight input in the sixth area A121, the registration unit 16 stores the weight in the memory unit 15 as the weight of one full sheet.

[0150] When an input operation to the Acquire button B124 is accepted, the picking unit control unit 12 can acquire the weight corresponding to the information indicating the drug type contained in the read barcode from a host system (not shown) that manages the weight per full sheet for each drug type. In this case, the touch panel control unit 14 also displays the weight acquired by the picking unit control unit 12 in the sixth area A121.

[0151] When an input operation to the fifth measurement button B122 is accepted, the touch panel control unit 14 acquires the weight measured by the weighing unit 382 assuming that the object placed on the tray placement platform 38 is a pillow package, and displays it in the seventh area A122. When an input operation to the confirm button B125 is accepted with the weight input in the seventh area A122, the registration unit 16 stores the weight in the memory unit 15 as the weight of one pillow package.

[0152] When an input operation to the sixth measurement button B123 is accepted, the touch panel control unit 14 acquires the weight measured by the weighing unit 382 assuming that the object placed on the tray placement stand 38 is a medicine box, and displays it in the eighth area A123. When an input operation to the confirm button B125 is accepted with the weight input in the eighth area A123, the registration unit 16 stores the weight in the memory unit 15 as the weight per medicine box.

[0153] In this way, by displaying a weight input image during the drug filling operation, the control device 10 can register the weights of each full sheet, each pillow package, and each drug box when the drugs are filled, even if these weights have not been registered in advance.

[0154] In this embodiment, the processing described as being performed by the picking unit control unit 12 does not have to be performed by the picking unit control unit 12, but may be performed by another control unit in the control device 10 (for example, the main unit control unit 11).

[0155] [Software implementation example] The functions of the drug station 1 (hereinafter referred to as the "device") can be realized by a program for causing a computer to function as the device, and by a program for causing a computer to function as each control block of the device (in particular, each part other than the memory unit 15 included in the control device 10).

[0156] In this case, the device includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., a memory) as hardware for executing the program. The control device and storage device execute the program to realize each function described in each of the above embodiments.

[0157] The program may be non-transitory and may be recorded in one or more computer-readable recording media. The recording media may or may not be included in the device. In the latter case, the program may be provided to the device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0158] In addition, some or all of the functions of each of the control blocks can be realized by a logic circuit. For example, an integrated circuit in which a logic circuit that functions as each of the control blocks is formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, the functions of each of the control blocks can be realized by, for example, a quantum computer.

[0159] [Additional Notes] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0160] 1 Drug station (drug handling equipment) 32 Drug delivery section (drug removal section) 37 Drug placement table (placement section) 38 Tray placement stand (placement part) 124 Drug Evaluation Department (Determination Department) 382 Measuring section Ca cassette

Claims

1. At least two or more drug packaging formats are set for each type of drug, The drug packaging form includes a weight per package containing the drug and a number of drugs contained in the package, a medicine take-out unit that allows a medicine of a type indicated by prescription data or dispensing data created from the prescription data to be taken out from a cassette containing the medicine; a placement unit for placing the medicine taken out from the medicine taking-out unit; a weighing unit that weighs the medicine placed on the placement unit; a determination unit that determines whether the number of drugs placed on the placement unit matches the number of drugs indicated by the prescription data or the dispensing data, using the weight and the number of drugs corresponding to a selected packaging form among the two or more selected packaging forms and the weight of the drugs measured by the measuring unit; A drug handling device comprising:

2. A drug handling device as described in Claim 1, wherein the packaging form is set by accepting input operations by a user.

3. A drug handling device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the packaging form to be set includes any of a drug sheet, a pillow package, and a drug box.

4. A registration determination unit that determines whether or not the weight per package corresponding to any of the plurality of packaging forms for the drug to be filled has been registered; A drug handling device as described in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a display control unit that, when it is determined that the weight per package corresponding to any of the packaging forms is not registered, displays an image that accepts input of the weight per package corresponding to the packaging form that is not registered for the drug to be filled.

Images