Medicine put-out device and medicine amount checking method

Abstract

To provide a medicine put-out device capable of reducing work for checking a medicine amount in a medicine container.SOLUTION: A medicine put-out device 1 includes a housing 10, wherein a plurality of medicine containers 2, a container storage part 23 for installing and storing the medicine containers 2, medicine discharge means for acting on the medicine containers 2 and discharging a medicine from the medicine containers, and container transfer means 28 are included in the housing. The medicine put-out device takes out the medicine containers 2 from the container storage part 23, transfers the medicine containers 2 by the container transfer means 28, and discharges the medicine from the medicine containers 2 by the medicine discharge means. The medicine put-out device includes weight detection means, and is capable of performing a medicine amount detection operation for taking out the medicine containers 2 from the container storage part 23, transferring them to the weight detection means by the container transfer means 28, and detecting a medicine amount in the medicine containers 2 by the weight detection means. The medicine put-out device has a medicine amount checking mode for sequentially performing the medicine amount detection operation for the plurality of medicine containers 2 installed in the container storage part 23.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medicine dispensing device, and more particularly to a medicine dispensing device that dispenses powdered medicine. [Background technology]

[0002] The present applicant has developed a medicine dispensing device that automates the tasks of taking out a medicine bottle containing a desired powdered medicine from a medicine shelf and measuring out a predetermined amount of powdered medicine from the medicine bottle, and has disclosed this in Patent Document 1. The medicine dispensing device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a container storage unit that stores multiple medicine containers, and a robot (container moving means). In addition, a container mounting device is provided around the distribution tray. The container mounting device has a function of vibrating the medicine container to discharge powdered medicine from the medicine container, and a function of monitoring the weight of the medicine container. In the medicine dispensing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a medicine container filled with powdered medicine that matches a doctor's prescription is selected from the medicine containers stored in a container storage section, and a robot removes the medicine container and places it on a container mounting device. The container mounting device is then vibrated to discharge the powdered medicine from the medicine container, while the weight of the medicine container is monitored, thereby indirectly monitoring the weight of the powdered medicine discharged from the medicine container. When a predetermined amount of powdered medicine is discharged from the medicine container, the scraping device is driven to scrape the powdered medicine from the distribution tray, and the powdered medicine is packaged by the packaging device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] WO2015 / 076266 A1 publication Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] To use the medicine dispensing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to fill a medicine container with medicine in advance and store the medicine container in a container storage unit. For example, when a new medicine dispensing device is installed in a hospital, it is necessary to fill a large number of medicine containers with the required medicines and attach them to the container storage unit. At that time, it is desirable to check the amount of medicine in the medicine container. However, since there are a large number of drug containers attached to the container storage unit, the task of checking the drug amount in the drug container takes a considerable amount of time and is troublesome. An object of the present invention is to provide a medicine dispensing device that can reduce the work of checking the amount of medicine in a medicine container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An aspect for solving the above-mentioned problems is a medicine dispensing device having a housing, a plurality of medicine containers within the housing, a container storage section for installing and storing the medicine containers, medicine discharge means for acting on the medicine containers to discharge the medicine from the medicine containers, and container moving means, which removes the medicine container from the container storage section, moves the medicine container with the container moving means, and discharges the medicine from the medicine container with the medicine discharge means, the medicine dispensing device having a weight detection means, which is capable of performing a medicine amount detection operation for removing the medicine container from the container storage section, moving the medicine container to the weight detection means with the container moving means, and detecting the amount of medicine in the medicine container with the weight detection means; The medicine dispensing device is provided with a medicine amount confirmation mode in which the medicine amount detection operation is sequentially performed on a plurality of medicine containers placed in the container storage section.

[0006] The medicine dispensing device of this aspect has a plurality of medicine containers, a container storage section, medicine discharge means, weight detection means, and container moving means. These members are arranged in a housing. The basic operation of the medicine dispensing device is to take out a medicine container from a container storage section, move the medicine container by a container moving means, and discharge the medicine from the medicine container by a medicine discharging means. In the medicine dispensing device of this aspect, the medicine amount detection operation can be performed sequentially for a plurality of medicine containers. Here, the medicine amount detection operation is an operation of removing the medicine container from the container storage unit, moving the medicine container to the weight detection unit by the container moving means, and detecting the amount of medicine in the medicine container. The medicine dispensing device of this aspect has a medicine amount confirmation mode, and when the medicine amount confirmation mode is performed, the medicine containers stored in the container storage unit are sequentially removed and the medicine amount in the medicine container is sequentially detected. The medicine amount confirmation mode is desirably executed, for example, when a new medicine dispensing device is purchased and new medicine containers are accommodated in the device. In this case, the medicine containers are filled with medicines externally and stored in the container storage unit. Then, by executing the medicine amount confirmation mode, the medicine containers stored in the container storage unit are sequentially taken out and the amounts of medicine in the medicine containers are sequentially detected. In addition, it is desirable to execute the drug amount confirmation mode when, for example, replenishing drugs before work begins or taking an inventory, all drug containers already stored in the container storage section are temporarily removed, multiple drug containers in the drug dispensing device are filled with drugs all at once, and the drug containers are then returned to the container storage section. It is also desirable to execute the drug quantity confirmation mode when multiple drug containers in the drug dispensing device are to be filled with drugs at once because the inventory in the drug container has fallen below a specified amount or is out of stock. In these cases, if necessary, the medicine is added to the medicine containers externally, and all the medicine containers are returned to the container storage unit. That is, all the medicine containers are stored in the container storage unit again. Then, the medicine containers stored in the container storage unit are sequentially removed, and the amounts of medicine in the medicine containers are sequentially detected.

[0007] In the above-mentioned aspect, the drug container has a memory means, which stores information identifying the drug container and the amount of drug contained in the drug container, and it is desirable that there is a writing means for writing information to the memory means, and that the amount of drug detected by the drug amount detection operation is written to the memory means.

[0008] According to this aspect, the amount of medicine in the medicine container can be stored in the storage means.

[0009] In the above-mentioned aspect, it is desirable that the device has a housing in which the container storage section, drug discharge means, weight detection means, and container moving means are built, the housing has a container introduction section for inserting and removing the drug container, the weight detection means is provided in the container introduction section, and the drug amount detection operation involves moving the drug container to the weight detection means of the container introduction section by the container moving means, and detecting the amount of drug in the drug container by the weight detection means.

[0010] In the medicine dispensing device of this aspect, the amount of medicine in the medicine container is detected by utilizing a weight detection means attached to the container introduction part. The container introduction part is preferably a window provided in the housing.

[0011] In the above-mentioned aspect, the system has a distribution tray and a container mounting device, the container mounting device has the drug discharge means, the container moving means moves the drug container to the container mounting device, and the drug discharged from the drug container by the drug discharge means is poured into the distribution tray directly or via another member, and it is desirable that the container mounting device is provided with the weight detection means, and the drug amount detection operation involves moving the drug container to the container mounting device by the container moving means and detecting the amount of drug in the drug container by the weight detection means.

[0012] In the medicine dispensing device of this aspect, the weight detection means attached to the container mounting device is utilized to detect the amount of medicine in the medicine container.

[0013] In the above-mentioned aspect, prescription information is input, and the necessary drug container is taken out from the container storage unit according to the prescription information and the drug is discharged. It is preferable that the device has a comparison means for comparing the time required to discharge the drug, and that the comparison means compares the time required to discharge the drug for at least two pieces of prescription information, and that the prescription information requiring the shorter time is processed first.

[0014] According to this aspect, the overall processing time can be shortened.

[0015] In the above-mentioned aspect, the present invention has a housing, a display means, a distribution tray, a container mounting device arranged in the vicinity of the distribution tray, a scraping device for scraping out the medicines put into the distribution tray from the distribution tray, and a packaging device for packaging the scraped out medicines, the housing has the distribution tray, the container mounting device, the scraping device, and the packaging device, the container mounting device has the medicine discharging means, an automatic packaging mode in which a medicine container is taken out of the container storage section, the medicine container is moved to the container mounting device by the container moving means, and the medicine discharged from the medicine container by the medicine discharging means is put into the distribution tray, and It is possible to implement a manual feeding and packaging mode in which the medicine is weighed outside the housing, the medicine is placed in a separately prepared medicine container, the medicine container is moved to the container mounting device inside the housing manually or by the moving device, and the medicine discharged from the medicine container by the medicine discharge means is deposited into the distribution tray, and it is desirable to be able to display on the display means the time required to process a virtual prescription or a real prescription a certain number of times in the automatic operation mode and the time required to process a virtual prescription a certain number of times in the manual feeding and packaging mode and / or the difference therebetween.

[0016] According to this aspect, the difference in time required for processing in the automatic operation mode and the time required for processing in the manual packaging mode becomes clear.

[0017] The method for confirming the amount of drug in the drug dispensing device is a drug amount confirmation method that uses the drug dispensing device to confirm the amount of drug in multiple drug containers installed in the container storage section, and involves filling a separately prepared drug container outside the housing, installing the drug container in the container storage section manually or by the moving device, and executing the drug amount confirmation mode to detect the amount of drug in the multiple drug containers installed in the container storage section.

[0018] This method of checking the medicine amount is a method recommended, for example, when a new medicine dispensing device is purchased and new medicine containers are accommodated in it.

[0019] Another method of confirming the amount of drug in the drug dispensing device is a drug amount confirmation method that uses the drug dispensing device to confirm the amount of drug in multiple drug containers installed in the container storage section, which involves removing some or all of the drug containers installed in the container storage section from the housing, filling one or more drug containers with drug as necessary, returning the drug containers to the container storage section manually or by the moving device and installing them there, and executing the drug amount confirmation mode to detect the amount of drug in the multiple drug containers installed in the container storage section.

[0020] This method of confirming the amount of medicine is recommended when, for example, replenishing medicine before starting work or taking an inventory, all medicine containers already stored in the container storage section are temporarily removed and medicines are filled into multiple medicine containers in the medicine dispensing device all at once. This method of checking the amount of medicine is also recommended when multiple medicine containers in a medicine dispensing device need to be filled with medicines all at once because the inventory in the medicine container has fallen below a specified amount or the medicine has run out. Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to the medicine dispensing device of the present invention, the work of checking the amount of medicine in the medicine container can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a medicine dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view showing a housing of the main unit of FIG. 1 with a transparent view. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the medicine divided region of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the medicine feeder, showing a state in which a sealed medicine container is placed on the container mounting device. [Diagram 5] 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of the sealed medicine container shown in FIG. 4, in which (a) shows a state in which the cover member is open, and (b) shows a state in which the cover member is closed. [Figure 6] 1(a) and (b) are perspective views showing an open-type medicine container. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cleaning device, showing a state in which the cleaning arm is bent. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a brush cleaning the scraping mechanism of the scraping arm. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of a dust collecting means. [Figure 10] 2 is a perspective view of a medicine container temporary placement portion provided in the medicine dispensing device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 11] 4A and 4B are perspective views of the bag housing section, in which FIG. 4A shows a state in which a dust collection bag is attached to the bag housing section, FIG. 4B shows a state in which the dust collection bag is not present, and FIG. 4C shows a modified example of the bag housing section. [Figure 12] 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic relationship between a distribution tray and a remaining medicine detection sensor. FIG. [Figure 13] 1A is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic diagram of the scraping device checking operation, in which (a) shows the state before the scraping device checking operation is performed, (b) shows the state in which the scraping mechanism is lowered and the sealing member is not yet worn, (c) shows the state in which the scraping mechanism is lowered and the sealing member is worn, and (d) shows the state in which the scraping mechanism is lowered and the sealing member is not attached. [Figure 14] 4 is a simulation screen displayed on an operation display unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, a basic configuration of the medicine dispensing device 1 of the present embodiment will be described. The medicine dispensing device 1 includes a housing 10 constituting a main body, and an operation display section (display means) 3, as shown in FIG. A medicine dispensing device 1 accommodates a number of medicine containers 2.

[0024] The drug container 2 is a sealed drug container. The drug container 2 is a container having an approximately rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, and can store powdered medicine inside. The drug container 2 is composed of a container body 6 and a lid 73, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The lid 73 can be removed from the container body 6. In this embodiment, the lid 73 is removed from the container body 6 to widely open one end side of the container body 6, and the powdered medicine is filled. 5(a), a cover member 78 is attached to the main body of the cover 73 so as to be able to swing, and a part of the cover can be opened by opening the cover member 78. The powdered medicine inside can be discharged from an opening (medicine discharge portion) 72 formed by opening the cover member 78. Additionally, iron plates 70, 71 are attached to two different sides of the drug container 2. The iron plate 70 attached to one side is a portion for attracting the drug container 2 to the magnet of the arm section 30 when the drug container 2 is held by the arm section 30. Additionally, the iron plate 71 attached to the other side is a portion for attracting the drug container 2 to an electromagnet (not shown) of the container mounting device 36 when the drug container 2 is placed in the container mounting device 36 described below.

[0025] 4, the medicine container 2 is provided with storage means 15 such as a barcode or RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification). In this embodiment, an RFID chip is attached as the storage means 15. In the storage means 15, an identification number for distinguishing the medicine container 2, the type of medicine filled in the medicine container 2, and the current amount of medicine are recorded.

[0026] The medicine dispensing device 1 is a device that, by operating the operation display unit (display means) 3, selects the desired medicine container 2, automatically removes and weighs the powdered medicine contained in the medicine container 2, and divides it into a specified number of portions and packages them.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 2, the medicine dispensing device 1 has various devices built into a housing 10. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, the inside of the housing 10 is divided into a container arrangement area 200, a medicine division area 201, and a medicine packaging area 202.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, a front door 34, a window (container introduction portion) 16, and a small door 33 are provided in a portion forming the outer wall surface of the container placement area 200 of the housing 10.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the container arrangement area 200 of the housing 10 is provided with a container storage section 23 for holding the drug container 2. The container storage section 23 is a device equipped with a drum member 25 that is installed in an upright position.

[0030] A plurality of container installation sections are provided on the outer peripheral surface of drum member 25, and drug containers 2 are held in these container installation sections. As shown in Fig. 4, drug containers 2 are combined with container mounting devices 36 to constitute drug feeders 8. Drug containers 2 held in container storage section 23 are sealed drug containers.

[0031] Further, an information reading and writing device (not shown) such as an RFID reader is provided near the drum member 25. In this embodiment, an information reading and writing device (not shown) is operated to read the identification number of each medicine container 2 and the type of medicine contained in the medicine container 2 from the RFID (storage means 15) attached to each medicine container 2, and store them in a control device (not shown). That is, the position where the medicine container 2 is attached and the medicine contained therein are associated with each other and stored in the control device. Furthermore, the information read out from the RFID (storage means 15) is used to rewrite information already stored in a control device (not shown) or to confirm the contents.

[0032] A container moving means 28 is provided in the area extending from the container placement area 200 to the drug dividing area 201. The container moving means 28 is a kind of robot, and has an arm unit 30, a lifting mechanism 31, and a hand unit 47.

[0033] The hand portion 47 is provided with an electromagnet (not shown) for attracting the medicine container 2.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, the drug division area 201 is provided with distribution trays 35R, 35L having drug insertion grooves 32, a container mounting device (drug discharge means) 36, a scraping device 37, a cleaning device 38, a drug insertion port 39, and a remaining drug detection sensor 67. In the medicine dividing area 201, a device for dividing medicine into a desired number of pieces using a distribution tray method is disposed. In this embodiment, two distribution plates 35R and 35L are installed in parallel in the medicine dividing area 201. The number of distribution dishes 35R, 35L is not limited, and may be one, but it is preferable to have a plurality of distribution dishes 35R, 35L.

[0035] Around each of the distribution trays 35R and 35L, there are provided a container mounting device 36, a scraping device 37, and a cleaning device 38. Specifically, one distribution tray 35 is associated with three container mounting devices 36, one scraping device 37, and one cleaning device 38. The scraping device 37 is similar to a known device, and is composed of a scraping arm 26 and a scraping mechanism 27 provided at the tip of the scraping arm 26.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 13, the scraping mechanism 27 is a member having a scraping plate 57, a scraping plate 58, and a partition plate 65. The scraping plate 57, the scraping plate 58, and the partition plate 65 are integrally configured. The scraping plate 57 is a disk made of a thin plate. The partition plate 65 is a thin plate arranged parallel to the scraping plate 57 with the scraping portion 42 in between, and has a shape close to a fan shape.

[0037] 13, a rubber or resin elastic member 61 is provided around the scraper plate 57 so as to come into close contact with the medicine input groove 32 of the distribution plate 35. Also, a rubber or resin scraping seal member (not shown) is provided on the edge of the scraper plate 58 so as to come into close contact with the medicine input groove 32. The scraper plate 57 rotates by power.

[0038] Between the two distribution trays 35, a medicine insertion port 39 is provided for supplying powdered medicine one packet at a time to the medicine packaging area 202. In addition, in Figures 2 and 3, a lid 17 is provided on the medicine insertion port 39. The lid 17 automatically opens when a medicine is inserted into the medicine insertion port 39. The distribution plate 35 is provided with a circular, continuous medicine insertion groove 32. The distribution plate 35 can be rotated by a rotation mechanism (not shown). The rotation mechanism includes a motor.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4, the container mounting device 36 constitutes a drug feeder 8 in combination with the drug container 2. 4, the container mounting device 36 includes a vibration table 50 and a weight detection means 52. The vibration table 50 is provided with a vibration means 51, and the vibration table 50 vibrates when electricity is applied to the vibration means 51. The vibration table 50 acts on the drug container 2 to discharge the drug from the drug container 2, and functions as a drug discharge means.

[0040] The vibration table 50 is provided with a container holding means for holding the drug container 2. In this embodiment, a magnet (electromagnet, not shown) is used as the container holding means. The weight detection means (discharge amount detection means) 52 measures the weight of the medicine container 2 directly or indirectly.

[0041] In this embodiment, the medicine container 2 is placed on the container mounting device 36 and the medicine container 2 is vibrated, so that the powdered medicine contained in the medicine container 2 can be discharged into the distribution tray 35. The weight change of the medicine container 2 accompanying the discharge of the powdered medicine can be detected by the weight detection means 52. In this embodiment, the weight detection means 52 functions as the discharge amount detection means, and the discharge amount of the powdered medicine is detected by the weight change of the medicine container 2.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 3, the information reading and writing device 18 is provided in the vicinity of the container placement device 36 .

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, the medicine packaging area 202 is provided with a medicine packaging device 53 and a printing means (not shown). The medicine packaging device 53 is a machine for packaging medicines one by one, and is formed by a sheet supplying device and a sealing device.

[0044] 8, the cleaning device 38 has a cleaning brush 62. The cleaning brush 62 is rotated by a motor and is covered with a brush cover 63.

[0045] Next, a basic operation of the medicine dispensing device 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0046] The medicine dispensing device 1 of the present embodiment is capable of carrying out a packaging operation in which prescription information is input and powdered medicine is packaged in individual doses based on the prescription information. In the medicine dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, an automatic packaging mode and a manual packaging mode can be selected as the operation mode.

[0047] The automatic packaging mode will now be described. The automatic packaging mode uses a sealed medicine container 2 as shown in Figures 4 and 5. That is, the automatic packaging mode is an operation mode in which an automatic dispensing operation is performed using the medicine container 2 stored in the container storage unit 23. In the automatic packaging mode, the following operations are automatically performed: removing the medicine container 2 from the container storage section 23, moving the removed medicine container 2 near the distribution tray 35, placing the medicine container 2 on the container mounting device 36 to form the medicine feeder 8, feeding a predetermined amount of medicine into the distribution tray 35, supplying the medicine from the distribution tray 35 to the medicine packaging device 53 one dose at a time, and returning the medicine container 2 to the container storage section 23. Each of these operations is controlled by a control section (not shown).

[0048] As a preparation step, powdered medicine is filled into the medicine containers 2, and some of them are attached to the container storage sections 23 in the container placement area 200.

[0049] In the medicine dispensing device 1 of the present embodiment, prescription information is inputted, and a packaging operation is automatically carried out based on the information.

[0050] That is, in the automatic packaging mode, a medicine container 2 filled with the required powdered medicine is selected based on the prescription information, and the required medicine container 2 is transported from the container storage section 23 to the container mounting device 36 by the container moving means 28. Then, the drug container 2 is held by an electromagnet (not shown) built into the vibration table (drug discharge means) 50. The drug container 2 is integrated with the container mounting device 36 by the electromagnet (not shown), and the drug feeder 8 is formed. Next, a current of a constant frequency is applied to the vibration means 51 to generate vibration, which causes the vibration table 50 to vibrate. Also, the distribution plate 35 is rotated around the time when the vibration starts.

[0051] Around the time when vibration starts, the weight of the drug container 2 is measured by the weight detection means 52. The weight of the drug container 2 is obtained by subtracting a fixed value from the weight detected by the weight detection means 52. The weight of the drug container 2 immediately after it is placed on the vibration table (drug discharge means) 50 is stored as the original weight G. The weight of the drug container 2 is constantly monitored. That is, the current weight of the drug container 2 is monitored as the current weight g.

[0052] When vibration table (medicine discharge means) 50 starts to vibrate, it vibrates medicine container 2. As a result, the powdered medicine stored in medicine container 2 slowly moves toward opening 72, is discharged from opening 72, and falls.

[0053] The fact that the powdered medicine is falling is confirmed by a decrease in weight of the medicine container 2. The discharged amount of the powdered medicine is also detected by the weight detection means 52. That is, in this embodiment, even while the powdered medicine is falling from the opening 72 of the medicine container 2, the current weight (current weight g) of the medicine container 2 is continuously monitored by the weight detection means 52. The original weight G of the medicine container 2 immediately after installation on the vibration table (medicine discharge means) 50 is compared with the current weight g, and the falling amount H of the powdered medicine (G minus g) is constantly calculated. When the total amount H of powdered medicine that has fallen reaches a desired weight, the vibration of the vibration table 50 is stopped. In other words, when the current weight g of the drug container 2 measured by the weight detection means 52 becomes less than the desired weight compared to the original weight G measured by the weight detection means 52 before the start of vibration, and the target amount of powdered medicine is discharged from the drug feeder 8, the vibration of the vibrating table 50 is stopped.

[0054] Thereafter, the rotation of the distribution plate 35 is stopped. Then, the scraping arm 26 of the scraping device 37 is swung, the tip side is lowered to lower the scraping mechanism 27, and the disk-shaped scraping plate 57 of the scraping mechanism 27 is inserted into the medicine input groove 32 of the distribution plate 35. Furthermore, the distribution plate 35 is rotated by an angle according to the number of distributions, and the powdered medicine is collected by the collecting plate 57. Next, the collecting plate 57 is rotated, and the powdered medicine is scooped up by the collecting plate 58 and discharged from the distribution plate 35, and the medicine is input into the medicine input port 39.

[0055] In principle, one dose of powdered medicine is inserted into the medicine inlet 39 by a single scraping and scooping operation, but in some cases one dose of powdered medicine is inserted into the medicine inlet 39 by multiple scraping and scooping operations.

[0056] The medicines put into the medicine inlet 39 fall into the powder medicine putting hopper 75 (FIG. 9) and are transported to the medicine packaging device 53, where they are packaged. Furthermore, a printing means in the medicine packaging area 202 prints a predetermined pattern on the medicine packaging. For example, the patient's name and the time of taking the medicine (morning, midday, evening, before bedtime, etc.) are printed. This operation is repeated in sequence until all the medicines in the distribution tray 35 are discharged and packaged by the medicine packaging device 53. In parallel with this, the container moving means 28 is activated to return the drug container 2 to the drum member 25 of the container storage section 23.

[0057] When all the medicines in the distribution tray 35 have been discharged, the groove cleaning operation is performed. That is, the scraping arm 26 is swung and the tip side is raised to remove the scraping mechanism 27 from the medicine input groove 32 of the distribution tray 35. Next, the cleaning brush 62 of the cleaning device 38 is lowered so that the cleaning brush 62 enters the drug supply groove 32 of the distribution tray 35 . Then, while rotating the cleaning brush 62, the distribution plate 35 is rotated. As a result, residual medicine remaining in the medicine insertion groove 32 of the distribution plate 35 is scraped off by the cleaning brush 62, and the inside of the medicine insertion groove 32 is cleaned. When the groove cleaning operation is completed, the cleaning brush 62 is raised and removed from the drug insertion groove 32 of the distribution plate 35.

[0058] Then, after that, the scraping section cleaning operation may be performed. That is, the entire scraping device 37 is rotated to move the scraping mechanism 27 of the scraping device 37 to the vicinity of the cleaning device 38. Then, as shown in Fig. 8, the scraping plate 57 and the partition plate 65 of the scraping mechanism 27 are inserted into the grooves C and D of the cleaning brush 62. In this state, both the cleaning brush 62 and the scraping plate 57 are rotated. As a result, the remaining medicine stuck to the scraping mechanism 27 is scraped off by the cleaning brush 62 and enters the brush cover 63. The remaining medicine inside the brush cover 63 is then sucked up by the vacuum pump 76 (suction means). As a result, the scraping mechanism 27 is cleaned.

[0059] The timing at which rotation of the cleaning brush 62 and the scraper plate 57 begins is arbitrary; the scraper plate 57, which is stationary, may be brought close to the cleaning brush 62 while the cleaning brush 62 is rotating, or the scraper plate 57 and the partition plate 65 of the scraping mechanism 27 may be inserted into grooves C and D of the cleaning brush 62, and then the cleaning brush 62 and the scraper plate 57 may be rotated. In this embodiment, the latter is adopted, and after the scraping plate 57 and the partition plate 65 of the scraping mechanism 27 are inserted into the grooves C and D of the cleaning brush 62, the cleaning brush 62 and the scraping plate 57 are rotated.

[0060] The reason for this is to prevent damage to the elastic member 61 of the scraping plate 57 of the scraping mechanism 27 and the scraping seal member (not shown) of the scraping plate 58. In other words, if the scraping plate 57 and the partition plate 65 of the scraping mechanism 27 are inserted into the grooves C and D of the cleaning brush 62 by bringing the scraping plate 57 close to the cleaning brush 62 while the cleaning brush 62 is rotating, only a part of the elastic member 61 comes into contact with the rotating cleaning brush 62 when the scraping plate 57 is inserted, and part of the rubber of the elastic member 61 is scraped off more than necessary.

[0061] Next, the manual packaging mode will be described. The manual packaging mode uses open-type drug containers 60, 86, etc. as shown in Figure 6. In the manual packaging mode, the drug containers 60, 86, etc. placed outside are inserted into the drug dispensing device 1 by the operator's hands. When using the medicine container 60, a predetermined amount of powdered medicine is weighed outside and poured into the medicine container 60, the small door 33 is opened, and the medicine container 60 is manually placed on the container mounting device 36 in the housing 10. Then, the vibration table (medicine discharge means) 50 is vibrated to drop all of the powdered medicine in the medicine container 60 from the medicine container 60 onto the distribution tray 35. After the powdered medicine has been discharged, the medicine container 60 is manually removed from the housing 10. The operation of placing the medicine container 60 on the container mounting device 36 and the operation of removing the medicine container 60 from the housing 10 are both performed manually. The rest of the operation is the same as in the automatic packaging mode described above.

[0062] In addition, in the open-type medicine container 60 used in the manual packaging mode, two or more medicines may be weighed, mixed, and poured into one medicine container 60. That is, in the medicine dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, since there are only three container mounting devices 36 corresponding to each distribution tray 35R, 35L, three medicine containers 2 can be installed at the same time. On the other hand, when four or more medicines need to be placed in one distribution tray 35R, 35L, an open type medicine container 60 used in the manual packaging mode may be used. When using one distribution tray 35R (or distribution tray 35L) to package four or more drugs (seven or more drugs if both distribution trays 35R and 35L are used), the pharmacist weighs and mixes two or more drugs outside the housing 10 and places them in the drug container 60.

[0063] Here, for example, among four types of medicines, there are cases where it is unclear which ones should be packaged using the sealed medicine container 2 and which ones should be packaged using the open medicine container 60. To solve this problem, in the drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, an evaluation of the properties of the drug is registered in a control device (not shown) of the drug dispensing device 1 or in an external control device, and when it is necessary to package more drugs than the number of container mounting devices 36 corresponding to the distribution trays 35R, 35L, drugs for which it is recommended to use an open drug container 60 based on the registered evaluation information are displayed on the operation display unit 3 to inform the user. The evaluation is set when the drug is registered. For example, a pharmacist judges whether the drug should be used with the open drug container 60. Then, the pharmacist evaluates whether the open drug container 60 is suitable for use, for example, as "suitable, average, unsuitable." When two or more drugs are mixed in the open drug container 60 and the container is mounted on the container mounting device 36, the evaluation of "suitable, average, unsuitable" is displayed by a predetermined operation. For example, the drugs set as "suitable" are displayed in order, and recommended drugs for use with the open drug container 60 are presented.

[0064] The "suitable, medium, or unsuitable" category is determined by the pharmacist themselves, who takes into consideration factors such as high-risk drugs, granular drugs, colored drugs, and drugs that must be stored in a cool place, and gives a "high, medium, or low" rating when registering the drug. Here, high-risk drugs refer to narcotics, poisons, psychotropic drugs, and highly toxic drugs. If there are more recommended drugs than necessary with the same priority, the minimum number will be presented to the pharmacist in the order of drug registration.

[0065] For example, a high-risk drug is evaluated as "inappropriate," and has a low priority for using the manual packaging mode. Drugs that are prone to scattering, such as MS powder and Scopolia extract powder, and are difficult to store in an open drug container 60, are also rated as "unsuitable" and have a low priority for use in the manual packaging mode. Granular medicines and the like are easy to measure and the measured amount can be easily placed in the open medicine container 60, so the priority is "suitable" and the priority for use in the manual packaging mode is high. Colored medicines have a "not suitable" priority because there is a risk that the open medicine container 60 will become colored and other medicines will become unusable, and therefore the priority for use in the manual packaging mode is low. Furthermore, even if there is a combination of drugs that cannot be dispensed evenly when mixed due to differences in the dosage form (particle size) of the drugs, the dosage form (particle size) information of the drugs in the prescription may be checked and the combination may be displayed as not recommended. Next, other configurations of the medicine dispensing device 1 will be described.

[0066] (1) Temporary drug container storage area In the medicine dispensing device 1 of the present embodiment, temporary medicine container placement sections 80 and 81 are provided in a housing 10 as shown in FIG. One of the temporary drug container placement sections 80 is provided in the window (container introduction section) 16 as shown in Fig. 10, and protrudes out of the housing 10 when the window 16 is opened. When the window 16 is closed, the temporary drug container placement section 80 is stored in the housing 10. The other temporary medicine container placement section 81 is installed on the inner wall of the housing 10 . The temporary drug container placement sections 80 and 81 are each composed of a placement stand 82 , an engagement lever 83 , and a holding member 85 . The placement table 82 is provided with a weight detection means 87 for measuring the weight of the medicine container 2. Furthermore, the medicine container temporary placement sections 80 and 81 are provided with an information reading and writing device 88 such as an RFID reader / writer. A drug container temporary placement section 80 provided in the window (container introduction section) 16 is used for temporarily placing the drug container 2 when the drug container 2 is carried into the housing 10 from the outside. The drug container 2 is placed in the drug container temporary placement section 80 and the initial weight of the drug container 2 is detected.

[0067] In this embodiment, the function of measuring the amount of drug contained in the drug container 2 is when the drug container 2 is introduced into or removed from the housing 10, and when the drug container 2 is returned to the container storage section 23 after packaging is completed. That is, when the medicine container 2 runs short of medicine, the medicine container 2 is removed from the medicine dispensing device 1 and the medicine is replenished into the medicine container 2, but when the medicine container 2 is returned to the medicine dispensing device 1, the weight of the medicine container 2 is measured and the amount of medicine in the medicine container 2 is stored in a control device (not shown). Also, the amount of medicine in the medicine container 2 is stored in memory means 15 attached to the medicine container 2. As a specific procedure, a switch (not shown) is operated to open window (container introduction section) 16, and drug container 2 is placed in drug container temporary placement section 80 of window 16. Thereafter, a switch (not shown) is operated, and window 16 is automatically closed, and further weight detection means 87 measures the weight of drug container 2. Then, information reading and writing device 88 writes the amount of drug in drug container 2 to memory means 15 of drug container 2.

[0068] When the drug container 2 is returned to the container storage section 23 after the packaging is completed, the drug container 2 is held by the hand section 47 of the container moving means 28, the drug container 2 is moved, and placed in the drug container temporary placement section 81 provided on the inner wall of the housing 10. The weight of the drug container 2 is then measured. Also, the information in the memory means 15 attached to the drug container 2 is rewritten.

[0069] When packaging based on the previous prescription is completed and the drug to be used for the next prescription is the same as the drug in the previous prescription, the same container mounting device 36 may be used continuously without returning the used drug container 2 to the container storage section 23. Alternatively, the used drug container 2 may be moved directly to another container mounting device 36 without returning it to the container storage section 23, and the weight of the drug container 2 may be measured and recorded once before the drug container 2 is used. Alternatively, the prescription table is referenced and prescription data is acquired all at once. It is possible to rearrange the order so that the same medicine is included between consecutive prescriptions, and to use the same medicine container 2 consecutively without returning it to the container storage unit 23 as described above.

[0070] (2) Detection of the storage capacity of the dust collection bag of the dust collection means In this embodiment, the dust collecting means 90 is provided as shown in Fig. 9. The dust collecting means 90, like known means, generates negative pressure to suck in dust together with air and collect the dust in a dust collecting bag 43. The dust collecting means is connected to the powdered medicine input hopper 75 of the medicine input port 39 as shown in Fig. 9. It is also connected to the cleaning device 38 described above. It further has a manual nozzle (not shown) so that each part can be manually cleaned as necessary. The means for generating negative pressure is a vacuum pump 76, specifically a centrifugal blower such as a blower, which is rotated by a motor. Also, a dust bag 43 for collecting dust is built in.

[0071] In this embodiment, a bag housing section 92 is provided in the lower part of the housing, and the dust collection bag 43 is housed in the bag housing section 92. The bag housing section 92 is a recessed section formed in the housing, and is provided with an opening / closing door 93 (FIG. 1). A support plate 96 and a bag holding member 97 are provided within the recess. The support plate 96 is an acrylic or other resin plate, and is installed slightly above the bottom of the recess. In this embodiment, four ribs 98 are provided on the bottom of the recess for reinforcement, and the support plate 96 is placed on the ribs 98. In this embodiment, a strain gauge 100 is attached to the support plate 96.

[0072] Dust bag 43 is placed between support plate 96 and bag holding member 97. In this embodiment, strain gauge 100 detects the strain of support plate 96, and when the strain exceeds a certain threshold, it is determined that the storage capacity of dust bag 43 is low, and a message is displayed on operation display unit 3 encouraging replacement of dust bag 43. That is, the dust collection bag 43 has a weight storage limit and a volume storage limit. If a large amount of dust and the like is contained in the dust collection bag 43 and the capacity limit is approached, the dust collection bag 43 expands into a dense state between the support plate 96 and the bag holding member 97, and presses the support plate 96 and the bag holding member 97. As a result, the support plate 96 is pressed and elastically deformed, and the strain is detected by the strain gauge 100.

[0073] Furthermore, when a large amount of dust or the like is contained in the dust bag 43 and the weight limit is approached, the support plate 96 is pushed by the weight and elastically deformed, and the strain is detected by the strain gauge 100.

[0074] The size of the support plate 96 is not limited, and may have an area equal to that of the bottom surface of the recess. Also, the support plate 96 may be omitted, and the strain gauge 100 may be attached to a rectangular plate 101 as shown in FIG. 11(c). It is desirable to attach the strain gauge 100 to a member that deforms due to the expansion and weight of the dust bag 43, and in this embodiment, the strain gauge is provided on the support plate 96, but the strain gauge may be provided on another member. For example, the strain gauge 100 may be attached to the bag holding member 97 or the inner wall of the recess.

[0075] It is desirable to incorporate the strain gauge into a bridge circuit and perform zero point correction and gain adjustment. This adjustment can be done by incorporating a variable resistor or semi-variable resistor into the bridge circuit and adjusting them manually. It is also recommended to use a digital potentiometer instead of a variable resistor. That is, in order to maintain the accuracy of the strain gauge, it is desirable to calibrate the circuit. Specifically, it is necessary to perform two weight measurements: one at the zero point when no load is applied to the strain gauge, and one when the load is fully loaded. Although the adjustment of the variable resistor installed for calibration can be done at the factory, there is a problem that it is difficult to readjust after shipment. In contrast, by using a digital potentiometer instead of a variable resistor, the zero-point measurement at no load and the threshold measurement at full load can be performed by software control, and when calibrating, the user only needs to place a weight on the strain gauge.

[0076] (3) Handling of storage means As described above, the medicine container 2 is provided with a storage means 15. The storage means 15 stores information about the medicine container 2. For example, an identification number for identifying the medicine container 2, identification information for identifying the medicine contained in the medicine container 2 (information such as the name of the medicine and various codes, identification number, etc.), and medicine amount information about the current amount of the medicine contained are stored. The information stored in the storage means 15 is information that can be used in association with prescription data, etc., and by acquiring the information stored in the storage means 15, an operation for identifying the type of powder medicine contained in the medicine container 2, etc. is possible. The storage means 15 may be a memory such as an IC tag. In addition, it may be a code such as a one-dimensional code (barcode) or a two-dimensional code, and when a code is adopted, it may be attached to a label. As described above, in this embodiment, an RFID tag is adopted as the storage means 15.

[0077] In this embodiment, an information reading and writing device 18 is provided near the container mounting device 36. When the drug container 2 is removed from the container storage unit 23 to package the drug, and the drug container 2 is placed on the container mounting device 36, it is confirmed whether the drug in the drug container 2 is the prescribed drug.

[0078] When the dispensing operation is completed, the amount of the medicine in the medicine container 2 recorded in the memory means 15 is rewritten by the information reading and writing device 18 provided in the vicinity of the container mounting device .

[0079] After packaging is completed and before the drug container 2 is returned to the container storage section 23, the drug container 2 is placed in the drug container temporary placement section 81 and the weight of the drug container 2 is measured again. In this manner, the drug weight is double-checked in the drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment.

[0080] After the drug container 2 is returned from the temporary drug container placement section 81 to the container storage section 23, the drum member 25 is rotated to bring the returned drug container 2 close to an information reading and writing device (not shown), and it is confirmed that the drug container 2 returned to the container storage section 23 is the original drug container 2.

[0081] (4) Introduction of new drug containers As described above, the memory means 15 of the drug container 2 stores, for example, an identification number that identifies the drug container 2, identification information that specifies the drug contained in the drug container 2 (information such as the drug name and various codes, identification numbers, etc.), the current amount of the drug contained, etc. Therefore, when a new medicine container 2 is accommodated in the medicine dispensing device 1, it is necessary to newly write the above-mentioned information in the memory means 15 of the medicine container 2. In addition, in the medicine dispensing device 1, information on all contained medicine containers 2 is stored in a storage means of a control device (not shown). That is, information on what kind of medicine is contained in which medicine container 2 and in what amount is stored in the control device of the medicine dispensing device 1. Therefore, when a new medicine container 2 is accommodated in the medicine dispensing device 1, information regarding what medicine container 2 contains what amount of medicine needs to be newly written to the control device of the medicine dispensing device 1.

[0082] In the medicine dispensing device 1, when a new medicine container 2 is accommodated in the medicine dispensing device 1, the identification number of the medicine container 2 is registered in the control device of the medicine dispensing device 1. Also, the medicine accommodated in the medicine container 2 is associated with the medicine container 2, and this is stored in the control device of the medicine dispensing device 1. That is, in the medicine dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, the identification number etc. of the medicine container 2, the name of the medicine filled in the medicine container 2, and the amount of the medicine (amount accommodated) are stored in the control device (not shown) of the medicine dispensing device 1. That is, when a new medicine container 2 is accommodated, information on what kind of medicine is to be accommodated in which medicine container 2 is newly written in the control device of the medicine dispensing device 1.

[0083] Furthermore, when a new medicine container 2 is introduced into the medicine dispensing device 1, the identification number of the medicine container 2 is recorded in the storage means 15 of the medicine container 2. When the medicine containers 2 are individually filled with medicines, information for identifying the medicine is stored in the memory means 15 of each medicine container 2.

[0084] As a first step when a new medicine container 2 is introduced into the medicine dispensing device 1, a plurality of medicine containers 2 to be filled are collected by an operator. Then, information on the name of the drug to be stored, which is stored in the storage means 15 of the drug container 2, is read out, and the drug container 2 and the drug bottle are compared. Specifically, the identification number, etc., stored in the storage means 15 of the collected drug container 2 are compared with the identification number stored in the control device (not shown) selected for filling. The containers of the drug bottles and drug boxes to be filled are given barcodes, etc., on which drug type information is recorded. The worker reads information such as the barcodes attached to the drug bottles and drug boxes using a barcode reader, etc., and compares it with the drug information linked to the identification number recorded in the storage means of the drug container 2 or the drug information directly recorded. Then, provided that the identification number etc. stored in the memory means 15 of the drug container 2 matches the identification number stored in the control device (not shown) selected for filling, and further that the drug in the medicine bottle is the same as the drug to be filled into the drug container 2, a display indicating approval is displayed on the operation display unit (display means) 3 of the drug dispensing device 1.

[0085] Thereafter, an operator puts medicine into the medicine container 2. When matching with the medicine bottle and filling are completed for all of the collected medicine containers 2 to be filled, these medicine containers 2 are stored in the medicine dispensing device 1 one by one. In the medicine dispensing device 1, there are two methods for newly accommodating a medicine container 2 in the medicine dispensing device 1, as follows.

[0086] a: Method using a window (container entry part) One method of storing a new medicine container 2 in the medicine dispensing device 1 is to place the medicine container 2 in the medicine dispensing device 1 through the window 16. In this method, the amount of medicine stored in the temporary medicine container placement section 80 is detected. That is, in the method of inserting the medicine container 2 into the medicine dispensing device 1 through the window 16, the medicine containers 2 are placed one by one on the temporary medicine container placement portion 80 of the window 16 and the amount of medicine is detected. When a new drug container 2 is stored in the drug dispensing device 1, information such as the name of the drug stored in the drug container 2 is input to an input device (not shown). Then, the window 16 is opened, the drug container 2 is placed in the temporary drug container placement section 80, and a prescribed switch is operated to detect the amount of drug. That is, the weight of the drug container 2 is measured by the weight detection means 87 of the temporary drug container placement section 80, the amount of drug in the drug container 2 is calculated from the weight, and the amount of drug is written to the memory means 15 of the drug container 2 by the information read / write device 88. Furthermore, drug information is read from the memory means 15, and it is confirmed that the drug is the one input by the user to the input device. Thereafter, the container moving means 28 is activated, and the drug container 2 is stored in the drum member 25 of the container storage section 23. At some point in time, information such as the amount of medicine in the medicine container 2 is stored in a storage device (not shown) of the medicine dispensing device 1.

[0087] b: Method using drug amount confirmation mode The medicine dispensing device 1 has a medicine amount confirmation mode as one of its operation modes. The medicine amount confirmation mode is an operation mode in which the remaining amount of medicines currently stored in the medicine dispensing device 1 can be confirmed in a lump. In addition, the medicine amount confirmation mode is not limited to simply confirming the remaining amount, but can be said to be a mode in which the medicine amounts in all medicine containers 2 are automatically updated in a lump in a systematic manner. The medicine amount confirmation mode is an operation mode in which a medicine amount detection operation is sequentially performed on a plurality of medicine containers 2 placed in container storage section 23. The drug amount detection operation here is an operation in which drug container 2 is removed from container storage section 23, moved to drug container temporary placement section 81 on the inner wall of housing 10 by container moving means 28, and the amount of drug in drug container 2 is detected by weight detection means 87. In the medicine amount confirmation mode, the medicine containers 2 already stored in the container storage section 23 are removed one by one by the container moving means 28 and moved to the medicine container temporary placement section 81, and after a predetermined treatment, the container moving means 28 returns the medicine containers 2 to the drum member 25 of the container storage section 23. That is, in the medicine amount confirmation mode, the weight of the medicine container 2 is measured by the weight detection means 87 of the medicine container temporary placement section 81 on the inner wall, and the weight of the medicine is stored in a storage device (not shown) of the medicine dispensing device 1. In addition, information such as the amount of medicine in the medicine container 2 is stored in the storage means 15 of the medicine container 2 by the information reading and writing device 88 of the medicine container temporary placement section 81. This series of operations is carried out sequentially for all drug containers 2 already stored in the container storage unit 23.

[0088] The drug dispensing device 1 uses the drug amount confirmation mode to detect the amount of drug filled in a drug container 2 that has been newly contained in the drug dispensing device 1, and can newly store the amount of drug in the memory means 15 of the drug container 2 and the control device of the drug dispensing device 1. In this method, medicine containers 2 are filled with medicines outside medicine dispensing device 1, and the medicine containers 2 are directly attached manually to container storage section 23. In a pharmacy or the like that has newly introduced medicine dispensing device 1, all medicine containers 2 are filled with medicines and all medicine containers 2 are manually attached to container storage section 23. Then, a prescribed operation is performed to activate the drug amount confirmation mode. As a result, the medicine amount detection operation is repeatedly performed. Specifically, the medicine container 2 already stored in the container storage section 23 (the newly stored medicine container 2) is removed by the container moving means 28 and moved to the medicine container temporary placement section 81, and after weight measurement, etc., is returned to the drum member 25 of the container storage section 23 by the container moving means 28. Moreover, information such as the amount of medicine in the medicine container 2 is stored in the memory means 15 of the medicine container 2 by the information reading and writing device 88 of the medicine container temporary placement section 81. Furthermore, information such as the amount of medicine in the medicine container 2 is stored in the memory device of the medicine dispensing device 1.

[0089] When a new drug container 2 is stored in the drug dispensing device 1 using the drug quantity confirmation mode, when the drug container 2 is placed in the drug container temporary storage section 81, information identifying the drug container 2 and information regarding the type of drug filled therein are read out by an information reading and writing device 88 installed in the drug container temporary storage section 81. Then, based on the information identifying the drug container 2 and the information regarding the type of drug, the corresponding drug container 2 is searched for in the memory device of the drug dispensing device 1, and information such as the amount of drug in the drug container 2 is stored in the memory device of the drug dispensing device 1.

[0090] When newly filling the drug containers 2 with drugs, the amount of drug to be filled into each drug container 2 is not considered at the time of filling, but rather, the drug is filled into multiple drug containers, for example, by eyeballing, and after filling, the drug amount confirmation mode is used to sequentially update the amount of drug using the weight detection means 87. Utilizing the medicine amount confirmation mode is more efficient than a method (a method using a window) in which the medicine is individually weighed and poured into medicine container 2 repeatedly.

[0091] In addition, when using the drug amount confirmation mode, it is not necessary to measure the filling amount outside the housing 2, but the drug can be weighed using a separately prepared weight measuring means outside the housing 10, the weighed drug can be placed in a separately prepared drug container 2, and the drug container 2 can be placed into the housing 10 manually or by the moving device. By weighing the medicine using a weight measuring means separately provided outside the housing 10, the actual amount of the medicine to be filled into the medicine container 2 can be measured, enabling more accurate inventory management.

[0092] Furthermore, the medicine dispensing device 1 has a printing device (not shown) and can print predetermined information on paper and discharge it. The drug dispensing device 1 can detect the amount of drug in each drug container 2 using the drug amount confirmation mode, and then the remaining amount of drug in all drug containers 2 can be printed on paper by the identification number of the drug container 2 or by the pharmacist's name, or displayed as a list on the screen as a filling details. This type of operation is particularly useful in that it can be performed before the start of work for the day, replenishes shortages, and prevents stockouts from occurring during work hours as much as possible. Therefore, by starting the drug amount confirmation mode after the end of work on the previous day, automatically checking the remaining amount in the drug container 2, and printing the remaining amount on paper, it becomes possible to perform such pre-work refilling work.

[0093] In the method using the drug amount confirmation mode described above, the drug container 2 already stored in the container storage section 23 is removed by the container moving means 28 and moved to the drug container temporary placement section 81 provided near the window 16, and weight measurement etc. are performed, but the drug amount detection operation may also be performed using other weight detection means. For example, drug container 2 already stored in container storage section 23 may be removed by container moving means 28 and moved to drug container temporary placement section 80 provided in window 16, where the drug amount detection operation may be performed. Alternatively, the drug amount detection operation may be performed using the weight detection means 52 of the container mounting device 36. In this case, the drug container 2 already stored in the container storage section 23 is removed by the container moving means 28 and moved to the container mounting device 36, and after weight measurement, etc. is performed by the weight detection means 52, it is returned to the drum member 25 of the container storage section 23 by the container moving means 28. Furthermore, information such as the amount of medicine in the medicine container 2 is stored in the memory means 15 of the medicine container 2 by an information reading and writing device 18 adjacent to the container mounting device 36. Information such as the amount of medicine in the medicine container 2 is stored in the memory device of the medicine dispensing device 1.

[0094] The medicine amount confirmation mode is desirably performed, for example, when a new medicine dispensing device 1 is purchased and medicine containers 2 are newly filled with medicines. In this case, medicine container 2, which is separately prepared outside housing 10, is filled with new powdered medicine. Then, all of the drug containers 2 are manually placed in the container storage section 23. Alternatively, the drug containers 2 are placed in the temporary drug container placement section 80 of the window 16, and all of the drug containers 2 are placed in the container storage section 23 by using the container moving means 28. Then, the medicine amount confirmation mode is executed to detect the medicine amounts in the plurality of medicine containers 2 placed in the container storage section 23.

[0095] (5) Check the amount of medicine in the medicine container after refilling As described above, the medicine amount confirmation mode is an operation mode in which the remaining amount of medicines currently stored in the medicine dispensing device 1 can be confirmed in a batch. In addition, the medicine amount confirmation mode is not limited to simply confirming the remaining amount, but can be said to be a mode in which the medicine amounts in all medicine containers 2 are automatically updated in a batch in a systematic manner. For example, before starting work for the day, the medicine containers 2 housed in the medicine dispensing device 1 may be replenished with medicines. Also, during inventory, the amounts of medicines in all the medicine containers 2 housed in the medicine dispensing device 1 may be checked. In these cases, for example, all or most of the drug containers 2 are removed from the container storage section 23, and the drug containers 2 are replenished with drugs outside the housing 10. These are then manually returned to the container storage unit 23, and the drug amount confirmation mode is executed. As a result, the amount of medicine in the medicine container 2 is automatically updated.

[0096] In the case of an inventory or the like, for example, some or all of the drug containers 2 placed in the container storage section 25 are removed from the housing 10, and one or more drug containers 2 are filled with powdered medicine as necessary. Then, all of the drug containers 2 are manually placed in the container storage section 23. Alternatively, the drug containers 2 are placed in the temporary drug container placement section 80 of the window 16, and all of the drug containers 2 are returned to the container storage section 23 and placed therein using the container moving means 28. Then, the medicine amount confirmation mode is executed to detect the medicine amounts in the plurality of medicine containers 2 placed in the container storage section 23.

[0097] In addition, when refilling the drug container 2 with a drug, the drug can be weighed using a separately prepared weight measuring means outside the housing 10, the weighed drug can be placed in a separately prepared drug container 2, and the drug container 2 can be placed into the housing 10 manually or by the moving device.

[0098] (5) Remaining medicine detection sensor The medicine dispensing device 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a remaining medicine detection sensor 67 in the vicinity of the distribution tray 35. The remaining medicine detection sensor 67 for the distribution tray 35 (hereinafter simply referred to as the remaining medicine detection sensor 67) is an optical sensor in which a light emitting section and a light receiving section are integrated. 3 and 12, the light-projecting portion of the remaining medicine detection sensor 67 emits a beam 105 having a width corresponding to the width of the medicine insertion groove 32 of the distribution tray 35. The light-projecting portion of the remaining medicine detection sensor 67 is fixed, and the area irradiated by the beam 105 is limited to a fixed area 106. If there is no dirt or residual medicine at the irradiation position of the beam 105, the light irradiated from the light projecting part is specularly reflected by the surface of the medicine injection groove 32 and does not return to the light receiving part. On the other hand, if there is dirt or remaining medicine at the irradiation position of the beam 105, the light emitted from the light projecting section will hit the remaining medicine or the like and be diffused, and a part of the light will enter the light receiving section of the remaining medicine detection sensor 67. Therefore, it is possible to detect whether there is dirt or residual medicine in the irradiation area.

[0099] The remaining medicine detection operation is performed by rotating the distribution tray 35 and irradiating light from the light projecting portion of the remaining medicine detection sensor 67. Specifically, the surface of the distribution tray 35 is cleaned by the cleaning device 38, and then the remaining medicine is detected.

[0100] The distribution plate 35 used in this embodiment has a function of specifying a position. The distribution plate 35 is rotated by a motor, and a specific point on the distribution plate 35 itself is set as the origin, and the position can be specified, for example, as 90 degrees or 180 degrees from the origin position, as shown in Fig. 12. The actual position detection means is not limited, but can be realized, for example, by adopting a motor that rotates the distribution plate 35 with a servo function or by providing a specific sensor.

[0101] In the medicine dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, when the remaining medicine detection sensor 67 detects a remaining medicine, the position of the remaining medicine is recorded. For example, as shown in Fig. 12, the fact that the remaining medicine 120 is at a position of 130 degrees from the origin is stored in a storage means (not shown) and is displayed on the operation display unit (display means) 3. The worker looks at the display on the operation display unit 3, learns the location of the remaining medicine 120, and performs cleaning. According to this embodiment, cleaning can be completed in a short time. As a more advanced configuration, a mode may be provided in which the location of remaining medicine 120 is identified and cleaning of that location is automatically focused on. With this configuration, cleaning of areas without remaining medicine can be reduced or omitted, and the time required for cleaning can be reduced.

[0102] (6) Elastic member attachment determination means The medicine dispensing device 1 of this embodiment is equipped with an elastic member attachment determination means for determining the state of the elastic member 61 attached to the circumferential portion of the scraper plate 57. The elastic member attachment determining means, as shown in FIG. 13, is composed of a dog 110 which operates integrally with the scraping arm 26, and a sensor (not shown). The dog 110 is a rod-shaped member that protrudes from the distal end side of the scraping arm 26 . The sensor is, for example, a light-transmitting optical sensor, and the area enclosed by a square in Fig. 13 is a detection area 112. That is, the sensor has a detection area of ​​a certain degree of size, and when the dog 110 enters the detection area 112, the sensor is turned on.

[0103] In the medicine dispensing device 1 of the present embodiment, the elastic member attachment determining means can detect whether or not the elastic member 61 is attached to the scraper plate 57 and the degree of wear of the elastic member 61. In this embodiment, when the scraping mechanism 27 is lowered and the scraping plate 57 lands on the distribution tray 35, if the dog 110 does not reach the detection area 112 as shown in Figure 13 (b) and the sensor is in the off state, it is determined that the elastic member 61 is attached to the scraping plate 57 and that the elastic member 61 is little worn. In addition, when the scraping mechanism 27 is lowered and the scraping plate 57 lands on the distribution tray 35, if the dog 110 enters the detection area 102 as shown in Figure 13 (c) and the sensor is in the on state, it is determined that the elastic member 61 is attached to the scraping plate 57 but that the elastic member 61 is becoming worn. Furthermore, when the scraping mechanism 27 is lowered and the scraping plate 57 lands on the distribution tray 35, if the dog 110 exceeds the detection area 112 as shown in Figure 13 (d) and the sensor is in the off state, it is determined that the elastic member 61 is not attached to the scraping plate 57.

[0104] Here, when the dog 110 does not reach the detection area 112 as in FIG. 13(b), and when the dog 110 goes beyond the detection area 112 as in FIG. 13(d), the sensor is in the off state in both cases, but the difference between the two can be determined by observing the on / off history of the sensor along the way. That is, when the scraping mechanism 27 is in a standby state and the scraping plate 57 is raised as shown in FIG. 13(a), the dog 110 is out of the detection area 112 and the sensor is in an OFF state. If the scraping mechanism 27 is lowered from this state and the scraping plate 57 is landed on the distribution tray 35, if the elastic member 61 is attached to the scraping plate 57 and the elastic member 61 is little worn, the dog 110 will not reach the detection area 112 as shown in Figure 13 (b), and the sensor will remain in the off state.

[0105] On the other hand, if the elastic member 61 is not attached to the scraper plate 57, the dog 110 passes through the detection area 112 and the sensor temporarily goes into the ON state. Therefore, if the elastic member 61 is not attached to the scraper plate 57, the sensor will be temporarily turned on and then will turn off, and will then be stable in the off state. Therefore, in this embodiment, if the sensor temporarily turns on and then turns off when the scraping mechanism 27 is lowered to land the scraping plate 57 on the distribution plate 35, it is determined that the elastic member 61 is not attached to the scraping plate 57. If the sensor maintains the off state without temporarily turning on when the scraping mechanism 27 is lowered to land the scraping plate 57 on the distribution plate 35, it is determined that the elastic member 61 is attached to the scraping plate 57 and that wear of the elastic member 61 is small.

[0106] (6) Omission of printing on disposable packages In the medicine dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, after the powdered medicine is dropped onto the distribution tray 35, the scraping mechanism 27 is lowered to land the scraping plate 57 on the distribution tray 35, the distribution tray 35 is rotated by a predetermined angle to scrape up the powdered medicine, the scraping plate 58 is rotated to scrape the powdered medicine from the distribution tray 35, and the powdered medicine scattered on the distribution tray 35 is divided into a predetermined number. In the medicine dispensing device 1 having this structure, when the scraping plate 57 lands on the distribution tray 35, the powdered medicine underneath tends to move to the side, and the amount of powdered medicine scraped out the first time tends to be small. Conversely, the amount of powdered medicine scraped out last tends to be large. The amount of medicine packaged in the intermediate package is stable. Therefore, only the intermediate package may be given to the patient. Medicine packages that are not given to the patient are called "disposable packages."

[0107] In this embodiment, the printing that is usually done on medicine packages corresponding to disposable packages is not done so that it is clear that the medicine packages are disposable. That is, the printing state of the disposable packages is different from that of the other medicine packages. As described above, the medicine dispensing device 1 of this embodiment is provided with a printing means, and for example, the patient's name and the time of taking the medicine (morning, midday, evening, before bedtime, etc.) are printed on the medicine packaging given to the patient. In contrast, discarded packets do not have these marks printed on them. In this embodiment, at least the first packet is a throwaway packet, and the patient's name, etc. is not printed on the first packet.

[0108] (7) Treatment of small amount prescriptions For example, the amount of powdered medicine prescribed for a small child may be small. In response to this, the medicine dispensing device 1 has a lower limit on the amount of each powdered medicine that can be supplied to the distribution tray 35. Therefore, if the powdered medicine listed on the prescription contains a powdered medicine whose total amount is less than the lower limit, the medicine cannot be packaged in principle. That is, in the medicine dispensing device 1, the distribution plate 35 is rotated while the powdered medicine is dropped onto the distribution plate 35, and the powdered medicine is evenly dispersed in the medicine insertion groove 32; however, if the amount of medicine is excessively small, it is difficult to evenly disperse the powdered medicine in the medicine insertion groove 32.

[0109] In this embodiment, when the total amount of powdered medicine is small, the powdered medicine exceeding the lower limit is dropped into the distribution tray 35. Then, the powdered medicine in the distribution tray 35 is divided into a number of pieces greater than the required number, and the amount of powdered medicine contained in each package is adjusted to the amount of powdered medicine prescribed for use. For example, suppose that a drug is packaged at 0.1 grams per packet, and that three packets must be made. Meanwhile, suppose that the lower limit of powdered drug that can be packaged is 0.5 grams. If this is the case, 0.5 grams of powdered medicine is dropped from the medicine container 2 and dispersed into the distribution dish 35.

[0110] The powdered medicine distributed on the distribution tray 35 is then divided into five portions and fed into the medicine feed port 39 to produce five medicine packages of 0.1 grams each. Then, three packages are handed over to the patient. The remaining two packages are either discarded or torn open to remove the powdered medicine and return them to the original drug container 2.

[0111] As mentioned above, the amount of powder medicine scraped out the first time tends to be small, and the amount of powder medicine scraped out last tends to be large, so it is desirable to give the medicine package to the patient in the middle. In other words, if three packets are needed as mentioned above, but five packets are made, the first packet and the last packet are discarded, and the second, third, and fourth packets are handed to the patient.

[0112] Even in this case, the printing that is usually done on medicine packages equivalent to disposable packets is not applied so that it is clear that the packets are disposable.

[0113] (8) Add the weight of the wrapping paper and print it As described above, in the medicine dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, medicines are individually packaged for one dose, and the patient's name and the time of administration (morning, midday, evening, before bed, etc.) are printed on each package. The pharmaceutical packages are discharged in a continuous strip, one part of which has an area called a reference packet on which bibliographic information is printed.

[0114] In this embodiment, the items written on the medicine inspection packet include an item regarding the weight of the wrapping paper (sheet) used to package the medicine. That is, in this embodiment, not only the weight of the medicine contained in the medicine package, but also the weight of the wrapping paper used for packaging is printed on the medicine inspection bag. For example, assume that the prescribed amount of medicine is 3 grams per day, which is to be taken three times a day, in the morning and before nap, and a five-day supply is prescribed. In this case, the total weight of the medicine is 15 grams. The number of drug packages under these conditions is 3 packages per 5 days, totaling 15 packages. If we assume that the weight of the package is 1 gram, the total weight of the package is 15 grams. In this embodiment, the total weight of the medicine (15 grams) and the total weight of the wrapping paper (15 grams) are printed on the medicine inspection packet, which is 30 grams.

[0115] In this embodiment, the items to be written on the inspection package are as follows:

[0116] Weighing start time Voucher number age body weight Drug Name Daily dose (theoretical value, actual value) Total amount of drug (theoretical value, actual value) Total weight including wrapping paper (theoretical value, actual value) fraction Number of days taken

[0117] Here, the theoretical value is the prescribed amount based on the prescription data, and is the target value that must be discharged from the medicine container 2. Moreover, the actual measured value is the amount of medicine actually discharged from the medicine container 2, and is the amount detected by the weight detection means 87 of the mounting table 82.

[0118] The weight of the wrapping paper used for one medicine package is stored in advance in a control device (not shown). The weight of the wrapping paper (sheet) used for one drug package is calculated by calculating the weight of the wrapping paper (sheet) per unit length from the net weight of the sheets in the sheet roll loaded into the drug dispensing device 1 and the total length of the wrapping paper, and multiplying this by the length of the wrapping paper actually used. The medicine packages dispensed by the medicine dispensing device 1 of the present embodiment can be easily inspected later, that is, the medicine packages are inspected by a pharmacist before being handed over to a patient. Part of the audit may involve comparing the total amount of medication contained in the medication package to the amount listed on the prescription. The inspection bag used in this embodiment has the total weight including the wrapping paper written on it, so by weighing all the drug packages containing drugs on a separate weighing device and comparing the total weight with the value written on the inspection bag, the total amount of drug contained in the drug packages can be compared with the amount written on the prescription.

[0119] (8) Switching to manual feeding mode The medicine dispensing device 1 of the present embodiment accommodates a plurality of medicine containers 2 therein, and medicines are taken out of the internal medicine containers 2 according to prescription information, packaged, and discharged. However, even if the work is proceeding with the plan to dispense medicine using the internal medicine container 2, there are cases where the medicine container 2 cannot be used. For example, if the necessary medicine container 2 is taken out or the amount of medicine in the medicine container 2 is insufficient, the medicine cannot be dispensed using the medicine container 2. Conventionally, in such a case, the only option was to cancel the medicine related to the prescription, refill it, and then input the prescription information to perform packaging, but in the medicine dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, in such a case, it is possible to switch to a manual packaging mode. In the drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, there is a selector switch (not shown) for switching to manual packaging mode, and by operating this selector switch, the drug name and prescribed amount of drug, etc., for drugs that have been removed from the drug container 2 or for drugs that have an insufficient amount of drug in the drug container 2 are printed out on paper and output, and the written information is weighed and inspected using an external powdered drug weighing device (not shown). The weighed drug is filled into an open drug container (manually fed drug container) 60, 86 as shown in Figure 6 and placed on the container mounting device 36 of the drug dispensing device 1, allowing drugs to be dispensed using the prescription data entered into the drug dispensing device 1 as is.

[0120] (9) Changing the processing order The packaging operation in the medicine dispensing apparatus 1 is carried out in the order of the prescription information inputted to the medicine dispensing apparatus 1. Here, the medicine dispensing device 1 of this embodiment has two sets of distribution trays 35 and the like, but only one set of medicine packaging device 53 and printing means. Therefore, when medications prescribed for different patients are distributed separately to each distribution tray, medications from one distribution tray 35R based on the prescription of the patient entered first cannot be packaged and printed from the other distribution tray 35L based on the prescription of the next patient entered until the medications from the other distribution tray 35R based on the prescription of the patient entered first have been packaged and discharged.

[0121] Therefore, the medicine dispensing device 1 of the present embodiment has, as an option, a function for changing the processing order. The medicine dispensing device 1 has a prescription storage means and a computer program that functions as a comparison means. The prescription storage means stores information on the prescription to be processed. The comparison means compares the time required to process the prescription. When there are a plurality of prescriptions to be processed consecutively, the medicine dispensing device 1 temporarily stores the previous first prescription and the next second prescription in the prescription storage means. The medicine dispensing device 1 stores a database of approximate times required for dispensing medicines, and uses a comparison means to compare the times required for processing the two prescriptions. The prescription that requires the shortest processing time is processed first.

[0122] Next, the remaining second recipe and the next third recipe are temporarily stored in the recipe storage means.Then, the comparison means compares the time required to process the two recipes.Then, the recipe that requires the shortest processing time is processed first. This process will continue from now on, but there is concern that prescriptions that require a particularly long time will be put off one after another. Therefore, for prescriptions whose processing has been put on hold several times, packaging is started regardless of the length of processing time. Also, taking into consideration the waiting time of patients, a method of processing a prescription whose processing has been put on hold when the waiting time reaches a certain limit can be considered. Another method of processing a prescription whose processing has been put on hold when the number of packagings previously processed exceeds a certain value can be considered. Alternatively, such a comparison work can be performed for two prescriptions as a unit.

[0123] The comparison of the time required to execute the prescription is not limited to the comparison of two prescriptions, but may be made by keeping and comparing three or more prescription information. Ideally, it is better to keep four prescription data and process them in order from the earliest to the latest.

[0124] The medicine dispensing device 1 of the present embodiment has two sets of distribution trays 35 etc., however, there are also medicine dispensing devices with one distribution tray, and it is desirable for such devices to also have a function for changing the processing order. It is also recommended that this function be added to drug dispensing devices that have a single distribution tray.

[0125] (8) Simulation function The medicine dispensing device 1 of the present embodiment has an operation and display unit 3 on which various displays can be displayed. A simulation screen shown in FIG. 14 is a display screen specific to the medicine dispensing device 1 of this embodiment. The simulation function is mainly used for advertising purposes to explain the advantages of the medicine dispensing device 1, and by inputting examples, the time required for prescription and the number of steps that can be reduced can be calculated and displayed. In addition, the simulation function can provide reference material for selecting medicines that are desirable to store in the container storage unit 23.

[0126] The simulation screen shown in Fig. 14 is roughly divided into three sections, an upper section 115 and a lower section 116. The upper section 115 has a period input field, where the period to be simulated and the like are input. The middle section 116 displays the name of the medicine to be processed, etc. In the middle row 116, medicines such as Biofermin R powder listed in the Unmounted TOP column on the left side indicate medicines that are not contained in the sealed medicine container 2, and naturally are not contained in the container storage section 23. When packaging these medicines, the medicines are weighed outside the housing 10 and filled into open medicine containers 60, 86, etc., and then manually inserted into the housing 10 for packaging. That is, medicines listed in the Unmounted TOP column are packaged in the manual packaging mode. In contrast, in the middle row 116, the medicine such as olobatacin hydrochloride granules listed in the WORST IMPLEMENTATION column on the right side indicates a medicine that is contained in a sealed medicine container 2 and further contained in the container storage section 23 in the housing 10. These medicines can be packaged in the automatic packaging mode.

[0127] The "Rp count" to the right of each drug name indicates the number of times the drug was used during the simulation period. For example, Dextromerorphan Hydrobromide, the second from the top in the unimplemented TOP column on the left side of middle row 116, was used 530 times during the period, and Emperacin Combination Tablets below it were used 196 times during the period. In addition, in the WORST IMPLEMENTATION column on the right, Calonal Granules 20% was used 10 times during the period, and Calonal Granules 50% was used 10 times during the period.

[0128] The simulation function is a function that displays the difference (in work time) that would occur if the drugs that are currently being filled into open drug containers 60, 86, etc. and manually or otherwise placed inside the housing 10 and packaged were stored in a sealed drug container 2, which was then stored in the container storage section 23 inside the housing 10 and automatically packaged, and instead some of the drug containers 2 were removed from the container storage section 23 inside the housing 10 and stored outside the housing 10. In short, a simulation is performed in which drugs that were previously packaged in a manual packaging mode using open drug containers 60, 86 are packaged in an automatic packaging mode in which drugs are discharged from a closed drug container 2, and the drug containers 2 stored in the container storage section 23 are swapped, and the difference (in work time) between the two is displayed. In this embodiment, the results of the simulation are displayed in the lower part 117 of FIG. For example, there is a column on the far right for "Dispensing time reduction" that displays "17 hours, 54 minutes, and 39 seconds / month." This time indicates the time that can be reduced by packaging selected drugs in the automatic packaging mode, in which drugs that were previously packaged in open drug containers 60, 86 using the manual packaging mode, using a closed drug container 2 and then discharging the drugs, and further by selecting and replacing the drug container 2 to be stored in the container storage section 23. In other words, the common condition is that the medication listed in the middle row is prescribed for the period entered in the period input field, and the total time required to perform this using the automatic packaging operation that uses a sealed medication container 2 and the total time required to perform this using the manual packaging mode that uses an open medication container 60 are calculated, and the difference between the two is displayed.

[0129] To explain with reference to Figure 14, the second drug from the top in the "Not Implemented TOP" column on the left side of the middle section 116 of Figure 14, "Dextromerorphan Hydrobromide," and the drug below that, "Emperacin Combination Tablets," are selected as candidates for drugs to be newly placed in the sealed drug container 2 in the container storage section 23 and packaged in the automatic packaging mode, and "Calonal Fine Granules 20%" and "Calonal Fine Granules 50%" in the "Worst Implemented" column on the right side are selected as candidates to be removed from the container storage section 23. For this selected drug, the number of times it was packaged within the period set in the "Dispensing Date" column in the upper row 115 (March 3, 2021 to March 3, 2022) is displayed in the "Rp Number of Times" column next to the name of the selected drug, and the difference between the total "Rp Number of Times" for the drug selected in the "TOP Unimplemented" column (726 times) and the total "Rp Number of Times" selected in the "WORST Implemented" column (20 times) multiplied by an arbitrarily set working time (the time it takes to measure the prescribed amount using a weight measuring means outside the housing 2 and fill it into an open drug container 60, 86, etc., and then manually place the drug container 60, 86 into the housing 10 or the like to perform packaging) divided by the number of months is 17 hours, 54 minutes and 39 seconds, which is listed in the "Dispensing Time Reduction" column.

[0130] In the example of FIG. 14, there are tabs for No. 1 to No. 4 in the upper row 115, which indicates that the user in this example uses four drug dispensing devices 1, and the time displayed in the "dispensing time reduction" column displays the total reduction time for all No. 1 to No. 4 devices. That is, in No. 2 to No. 4 devices, specific unmounted drug containers and mounted drug containers are similarly selected (not shown), and similar calculations are performed, and the total reduction time is displayed in FIG. 14. In other words, if there is no drug container 2 to replace the mounted and unmounted in each of No. 1 to No. 4 devices, there is no need to select it, and it will be excluded from the calculation, and the total dispensing reduction time calculated only for the devices that are not excluded will be displayed.

[0131] 14 shows the difference between the total time required when the automatic packaging mode is performed using a sealed drug container 2 and the total time required when the manual packaging mode is performed using an open drug container 60, but the time itself may be displayed. Also, both the time itself and the difference between the two may be displayed.

[0132] In the embodiment described above, the vibration table 50 is used as the medicine discharge means, and the powdered medicine is taken out by vibrating the medicine container 2. In this embodiment, the vibration table 50 as the medicine discharge means is an external force imparting means for applying an external force to the medicine container 2 to vibrate it, and the powdered medicine is discharged from the medicine container 2 by the vibration due to the external force imparted to the medicine container 2 by the external force imparting means. Other possible means for discharging the medicine include inserting an instrument into the medicine container 2 to scrape out the powdered medicine, or incorporating a spiral conveyor or the like inside the medicine container and driving the spiral conveyor or the like from outside. For example, a scraping member or a spiral conveyor is included as part of the medicine discharge means, and the scraping member or the spiral conveyor is included in the medicine container. The powdered medicine is discharged from the powdered medicine discharge section by driving the scraping member or the spiral conveyor in the medicine container by an external force applying means such as a motor provided outside. The motor may be built into the drug container. Alternatively, the motor may be attached externally to the drug container. The drug may be discharged from the drug container by using air pressure or wind. [Explanation of symbols]

[0133] 1. Drug dispensing device 2. Drug containers 10. Chassis 15 Memory means 16 Window (container entry part) 18 Information reading and writing device 23 Container storage department 28 Container transportation means 35L 35R distribution pan 36 Container mounting device (medicine discharge means) 52 Weight detection means 80, 81 Temporary drug container placement section 82 Placement table 87 Weight detection means 88 Information reading and writing device

Claims

1. The device has a housing, and includes a plurality of drug containers in the housing, a container storage unit for installing and storing the drug containers, drug discharge means for acting on the drug containers to discharge the drug from the drug containers, and container moving means, A medicine dispensing device that removes a medicine container from the container storage unit, moves the medicine container by the container moving means, and discharges the medicine from the medicine container by the medicine discharging means, The device has a weight detection means, and is capable of performing a drug amount detection operation in which the drug container is removed from the container storage unit, moved to the weight detection means by the container moving means, and the weight detection means detects the amount of drug in the drug container, A medicine dispensing device having a medicine amount confirmation mode in which the medicine amount detection operation is sequentially performed on a plurality of medicine containers placed in the container storage section.

2. A method of dispensing medicine comprising: a plurality of medicine containers; a medicine discharging means for discharging medicine from the medicine containers by acting on the medicine containers; and a distribution tray; In the medicine dispensing device, the medicine discharging means discharges medicines from the medicine container to the distribution tray, An automatic packaging mode can be implemented in which the medicine discharge means discharges medicines from the medicine container into the distribution tray, The medicine container has a weight detection means, and is capable of performing a medicine amount detection operation to detect the medicine amount in the medicine container by the weight detection means, A medicine dispensing device having a medicine amount confirmation mode in which the medicine amount detection operation is sequentially performed on the plurality of medicine containers.

3. The medicine container has a storage means, and the storage means stores information for identifying the medicine container and the amount of medicine contained in the medicine container, a writing means for writing information into the storage means; 3. The medicine dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the amount of medicine detected in the medicine amount detection operation is written to the memory means.

4. The device has a housing, and the housing contains the container storage unit, the medicine discharge means, the weight detection means, and the container moving means, The housing has a container introduction part for inserting and removing the drug container, and the weight detection means is provided in the container introduction part, A medicine dispensing device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the medicine amount detection operation involves moving the medicine container to the weight detection means of the container introduction section using the container moving means, and detecting the amount of medicine in the medicine container using the weight detection means.

5. The system has a distribution tray and a container mounting device, the container mounting device has the medicine discharge means, the container moving means moves the medicine container to the container mounting device, and the medicine discharged from the medicine container by the medicine discharge means is poured into the distribution tray directly or via another member, The weight detection means is provided in the container mounting device, 2. The medicine dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the medicine amount detecting operation involves moving the medicine container to the container mounting device by the container moving means, and detecting the amount of medicine in the medicine container by the weight detecting means.

6. Prescription information is input, and a process of retrieving the necessary medicine container from the container storage unit and discharging the medicine is performed according to the prescription information. a comparison means for comparing the time required to expel the drug; comparing the time required for expelling the drug for at least two pieces of prescription information with the comparing means; 2. The medicine dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the prescription information requiring a shorter time is processed first.

7. The device has a housing, a display means, a distribution tray, a container mounting device disposed near the distribution tray, a scraping device for scraping medicines placed on the distribution tray from the distribution tray, and a packaging device for packaging the medicines scraped out, and the housing contains the distribution tray, the container mounting device, the scraping device, and the packaging device, The container mounting device has the medicine discharging means, an automatic packaging mode in which the medicine container is removed from the container storage unit, the medicine container is moved to the container mounting device by the container moving means, and the medicine discharged from the medicine container by the medicine discharging means is poured into the distribution tray; A manual feeding and packaging mode can be implemented in which the medicine is weighed outside the housing, the medicine is placed in a separately prepared medicine container, the medicine container is moved to the container mounting device inside the housing manually or by the moving device, and the medicine discharged from the medicine container by the medicine discharge means is poured into the distribution tray. A drug dispensing device as described in claim 1, which is capable of displaying on the display means the time required to process a virtual prescription or a real prescription a certain number of times in the automatic operation mode, the time required to process a virtual prescription a certain number of times in the manual packaging mode, and / or the difference between the two.

8. A medicine amount confirmation method for confirming the amounts of medicine in a plurality of medicine containers installed in the container storage unit using the medicine dispensing device according to claim 1, Filling a separately prepared medicine container with powder medicine outside the housing, and placing the medicine container in the container storage unit manually or by the moving device; A medicine amount confirmation method for detecting the medicine amounts in a plurality of medicine containers installed in the container storage unit by executing the medicine amount confirmation mode.

9. A medicine amount confirmation method for confirming the amounts of medicine in a plurality of medicine containers installed in the container storage unit using the medicine dispensing device according to claim 1, Remove some or all of the drug containers installed in the container storage unit from the housing, and fill one or more drug containers with powdered medicine as needed; Returning and placing the drug container in the container storage unit manually or by the moving device; A medicine amount confirmation method for detecting the medicine amounts in a plurality of medicine containers installed in the container storage unit by executing the medicine amount confirmation mode.

Images