Medicine feeder

Abstract

To provide a medicine feeder excellent in efficiency of prescription work, which enables work to be carried out in a short time.SOLUTION: A medicine feeder includes a container keeping part, a medicine discharge part, and a container conveyance part. The container keeping part keeps a plurality of medicine containers for storing medicine. A plurality of the medicine discharge parts, to which the medicine containers are set, discharge the medicine in the set medicine containers. The container conveyance part carries out conveyance of the medicine containers between the container keeping part and the medicine discharge part. In a state where some of the plurality of medicine discharge parts are in the middle of carrying out discharge of the medicine and the others of the plurality of medicine discharge parts have completed discharge of the medicine, the container conveyance part conveys the medicine containers set to the medicine discharge parts that have completed discharge of the medicine to the container keeping part, and conveys the medicine containers to be used for subsequent prescriptions to the medicine discharge parts made empty by the conveyance of the medicine containers to the container keeping part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to drug delivery devices. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art There has been known a medicine supplying device capable of storing a medicine container and automatically supplying the medicine contained in the medicine container. Patent Document 1 discloses this type of medicine supplying device.

[0003] The powder medicine packaging device of Patent Document 1 includes a container storage section, a container moving device, a container holding stand, and weight measuring means. The container storage section holds a plurality of medicine containers. The container moving device is capable of holding medicine containers, and is capable of removing a specific medicine container from the container storage section and placing it on the container holding stand. The container holding stand is capable of vibrating the placed medicine container, and discharging the powder medicine contained in the medicine container into a distribution tray. The weight measuring means is provided on the container holding stand, and measures the weight of the medicine container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5953471 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In recent years, there has been a demand for completing dispensing in a shorter time from the viewpoint of reducing the burden on pharmacists and shortening waiting times for patients, etc. There has also been a demand for further improvement in work efficiency in the medicine supply device as disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a medicine supply device that improves the efficiency of dispensing work and enables the work to be completed in a short time.

[0007] The problem to be solved by the present invention has been described above. Next, the means for solving this problem and the effects thereof will be described.

[0008] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medicine supplying device having the following configuration. That is, the medicine supplying device includes a container storage unit, a medicine discharge unit, and a container transport unit. A plurality of medicine containers containing medicines are stored in the container storage unit. A plurality of the medicine discharge units are provided, and the medicine containers can be set in the medicine discharge units, and the medicines in the set medicine containers are discharged. The container transport unit can transport the medicine containers between the container storage unit and the medicine discharge unit. In a state where some of the plurality of medicine discharge units are in the middle of discharging medicines and the remaining medicine discharge units have completed discharging medicines, the container transport unit transports the medicine container set in the medicine discharge unit that has completed discharging medicines to the container storage unit, and transports the medicine container to be used for the next dispensing to the medicine discharge unit that has become vacant as a result of the transport of the medicine container to the container storage unit.

[0009] This allows the drug container placed in a drug discharge section that has already finished discharging drug to be transported to the container storage section, without waiting for all of the multiple drug discharge sections to discharge drug, and the drug container to be used for the next dispensing is transported to the vacant drug discharge section, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0010] The above-mentioned medicine supply device is preferably configured as follows: That is, when the medicine container that has been set in the medicine discharge section for dispensing and discharged medicine is also to be used for dispensing medicine in the next dispensing, the medicine supply device moves to the next dispensing with the medicine container left set in the medicine discharge section.

[0011] In this way, when dispensing medicines from the same dispensing container multiple times, the medicine container set in the medicine dispensing section is used without being transported to the container storage section, and therefore the operation of the container transport section can be omitted, further improving work efficiency.

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[0021] [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a medicine packaging device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 4 is a timing chart showing the relationship between the operation timings of each part of the medicine packaging device in a dispensing process. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a medicine packaging device according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a medicine packing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The medicine packing device includes a medicine supply device 1 and a packaging unit 41.

[0024] The medicine supplying device 1 shown in Fig. 1 can store a plurality of medicine containers containing medicine (powder medicine in this embodiment). This medicine supplying device 1 can perform a preparation process using the medicine in the medicine container. The prepared medicine is supplied to the outside from the medicine packaging device.

[0025] A magnetic member is provided on the outer surface of each medicine container stored in the medicine supply device 1. This magnetic member is used for transporting the medicine container by the container transport unit 15 described later. In addition, an information tag is attached to the outer surface of each stored medicine container. Unique identification information, information on the medicine contained therein, and data on the weight of the medicine in the medicine container are stored in this information tag.

[0026] The medicine supply device 1 includes a container storage unit 11, a container transport unit 15, a medicine discharge unit 21, a distribution tray 31, a medicine removal unit 35, a first cleaning unit 52, a measurement processing unit, a first reader / writer unit 71, a second reader / writer unit 75, a temporary container placement unit 81, an interface unit 91, and a control device 95. The interface unit 91 and the control device 95 also function as an interface unit and a control device of the medicine packaging device.

[0027] The medicine dispensing and packaging device includes a housing in which each part of the medicine supplying device 1 (for example, the container storage part 11 and the medicine discharging part 21, etc.) and a packaging part 41 are housed.

[0028] The container storage unit 11 is capable of storing a plurality of drug containers. The container storage unit 11 includes a rotating member 12 and a container arrangement unit (storage location) 13.

[0029] The rotating member 12 is provided in an upright position and can rotate about a vertical axis by the driving force of a motor.

[0030] A plurality of container placement sections 13 are arranged on the outer periphery of the rotating member 12. A drug container can be placed in each container placement section 13. The container placement section 13 can be, for example, a mounting plate capable of storing the drug container. The container placement section 13 rotates integrally with the rotating member 12 as the rotating member 12 rotates.

[0031] Only one corresponding drug container is placed in one container placement section 13. The container placement section 13 in which a drug container is placed is predetermined according to the drug container, and the drug container is not placed in another container placement section 13. Note that one container placement section 13 may be configured to allow different drug containers to be placed therein. In this case, the drug container placed in the container placement section 13 is identified by reading data stored in an information tag attached to the drug container.

[0032] The container transport section 15 transports the medicine container between the container storage section 11 and the medicine discharge section 21. The container transport section 15 can perform at least the following three operations. The first is an operation of moving between the container storage section 11 and the medicine discharge section 21 (first operation). The second is an operation of removing the medicine container from one of the container arrangement sections 13 of the container storage section 11 (second operation). The third is an operation of returning the medicine container to one of the container arrangement sections 13 (third operation).

[0033] The container transport unit 15 includes a holding arm unit 16 and a transport operation mechanism 17 .

[0034] The holding arm unit 16 can hold / release the medicine container. In this embodiment, an electromagnet that can be attached to and detached from a magnetic member on the outer surface of the medicine container is provided at the tip of the holding arm unit 16. Therefore, the holding arm unit 16 can hold / release the medicine container by utilizing the electromagnet. The base end of the holding arm unit 16 is connected to a transport operation mechanism 17.

[0035] The transport operation mechanism 17 can move the holding arm portion 16 between the container storage portion 11 and the medicine discharge portion 21 by the driving force of a motor.

[0036] With the above configuration, when the tip of the holding arm unit 16 is approaching the outer periphery of the container storage unit 11 by the transport operation mechanism 17, the holding arm unit 16 can remove the drug container arranged in the container arrangement unit 13. Also, when the tip of the holding arm unit 16 is approaching the outer periphery of the container storage unit 11, the holding arm unit 16 can return the drug container it is holding to the container arrangement unit 13.

[0037] On the other hand, when the tip of the holding arm part 16 is in the vicinity of the medicine discharge part 21 by the transport operation mechanism 17, the holding arm part 16 can set a medicine container in the medicine discharge part 21. Also, when the tip of the holding arm part 16 is in the vicinity of the medicine discharge part 21, the holding arm part 16 can release the set medicine container and remove it from the medicine discharge part 21.

[0038] The medicine discharge unit 21 can perform a process of discharging the medicine in the medicine container set therein. The medicine discharge unit 21 includes a vibration device 22 for vibrating the medicine discharge unit 21. When the medicine container set in the medicine discharge unit 21 is vibrated, the medicine in the medicine container is shaken out.

[0039] The medicine supply device 1 includes a plurality of (two in this embodiment) medicine discharge portions 21. One medicine container can be set in one medicine discharge portion 21. Therefore, when a medicine container is set in each of the plurality of medicine discharge portions 21, medicines may be discharged from the plurality of medicine discharge portions 21 at the same time.

[0040] The distribution dish 31 is provided near the medicine discharge portion 21. The distribution dish 31 functions as a receiving dish for receiving the medicine shaken out of the medicine container.

[0041] The distribution dish 31 includes a dish portion 32 and a rotary drive portion 33 .

[0042] The dish portion 32 is formed in a horizontal disk shape. The dish portion 32 is supported so as to be rotatable about an axis in the vertical direction. The medicine discharged from the medicine discharge portion 21 can be placed on the dish portion 32.

[0043] The rotation drive unit 33 can rotate the plate portion 32 in the circumferential direction by the driving force of the motor. The plate portion 32 receives the medicine from the medicine discharge unit 21 while rotating, so that the medicine is evenly distributed on the plate portion 32 in the circumferential direction.

[0044] The medicine removal section 35 is provided near the distribution plate 31. The medicine removal section 35 performs an operation of scooping up medicine from a partial area in the circumferential direction of the plate section 32 by the driving force of the motor (a removal operation). The medicine removal section 35 can supply the scooped medicine to the packaging section 41.

[0045] The packaging unit 41 can package medicines. The packaging unit 41 includes a hopper 42 that serves as an inlet for the medicines. When the medicine removal unit 35 puts a single dose of medicine into the hopper 42, the packaging unit 41 packages the medicine. The packaged medicine is provided to the outside of the medicine packaging device.

[0046] The cleaning section includes a first cleaning section 52 and a second cleaning section 53.

[0047] The first cleaning unit 52 is provided in the vicinity of the distribution dish 31. The first cleaning unit 52 can clean the top of the distribution dish 31 and the medicine removal unit .

[0048] The second cleaning unit 53 is provided in the vicinity of the packaging unit 41. The second cleaning unit 53 can clean the packaging unit 41 (inside the hopper 42 in this embodiment).

[0049] The first cleaning part 52 and the second cleaning part 53 may each be configured as desired, but may be configured, for example, to suck in the medicine adhering to each part by negative pressure.

[0050] The measurement processing section includes a first measurement section 62 and a second measurement section 63.

[0051] The first measuring unit 62 is a device that measures the weight of the medicine in the medicine container. The first measuring unit 62 is provided in the medicine discharging unit 21. In this embodiment, the first measuring unit 62 is provided in each medicine discharging unit 21.

[0052] The second measuring section 63 is a device that measures the weight of the medicine in the medicine container, similar to the first measuring section 62. The second measuring section 63 is provided in a temporary container placement section 81, which will be described later.

[0053] The first reader / writer unit 71 can read data stored in an information tag attached to the medicine container. The first reader / writer unit 71 can also write data to the information tag. The first reader / writer unit 71 is provided in each medicine discharge unit 21.

[0054] The second reader / writer unit 75 can perform the same process as the first reader / writer unit 71. The second reader / writer unit 75 is provided in the temporary container placement unit 81.

[0055] The temporary container placement section 81 can temporarily place the medicine container to be transported between the container storage section 11 and the medicine discharge section 21. The temporary container placement section 81 can be configured in various ways, and can be configured, for example, as a placement table on which the medicine container can be placed.

[0056] The interface unit 91 realizes a user interface function. The interface unit 91 can be configured to include, for example, a display device that displays the status of the dispensing process and information input by the user, and an operation device for the user to input instructions.

[0057] The control device 95 is a computer equipped with a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. The ROM stores a control program for operating the medicine packaging device. The operations of the container storage unit 11, the container transport unit 15, the medicine discharge unit 21, the distribution tray 31, the medicine removal unit 35, the packaging unit 41, the cleaning unit, the first reader / writer unit 71, the second reader / writer unit 75, and the interface unit 91 are controlled by the control device 95.

[0058] The control device 95 can operate the medicine packaging device based on the first mode or the second mode. As shown in Fig. 1, when performing control based on the first mode, the control device 95 transports the medicine container in the medicine discharge section 21 to the temporary container placement section 81, and then transports the medicine container to the container storage section 11. On the other hand, when performing control based on the second mode, the control device 95 does not transport the medicine container in the medicine discharge section 21 to the temporary container placement section 81, but transports the medicine container directly to the container storage section 11. The two modes can be switched by the user operating the interface section 91.

[0059] Next, an example of the processing of the control device 95 will be described in detail. Fig. 2 is a timing chart showing an example of the dispensing processing of the medicine packaging device. In the example described below, the control device 95 executes control based on the first mode. This example shows a case where dispensing processing is performed using two medicine containers.

[0060] The user inputs the type of medicine to be used in the dispensing process, the amount per package, the number of packages, etc., according to the prescription data, via the interface unit 91. When the user completes input of the necessary information and issues an instruction to start the dispensing process, the medicine packaging device starts the dispensing process.

[0061] When the dispensing process is started, the control device 95 brings the tip of the holding arm 16 close to the container arrangement section 13 in which the drug container is arranged, in order to remove the drug container containing the drug specified by the user from the container storage section 11. In the following description, the drug container may be referred to as the first drug container.

[0062] The control device 95 rotates the rotating member 12 to adjust the position of the container arrangement section 13 in which the first drug container is arranged. This allows the first drug container to be removed from the container arrangement section 13 by the tip of the holding arm section 16 provided in the container transport section 15. At timing T1 shown in FIG. 2, the control device 95 rotates the container storage section 11 while moving the holding arm section 16. In this way, the movement of the holding arm section 16 and the adjustment of the position of the container arrangement section 13 are performed simultaneously in parallel, thereby making the transport operation of the drug container smooth.

[0063] The control device 95 controls the container transport section 15 to remove the first drug container from the container arrangement section 13.

[0064] When the tip of the holding arm portion 16 holds the first drug container, the control device 95 controls the container transport portion 15 to transport and set the first drug container to the drug discharge portion 21 where no drug container has been set. In this embodiment, the first drug container is set in the first drug discharge portion 21.

[0065] When the first medicine container is set in the first medicine discharging section 21, the control device 95 causes the first reader / writer section 71 of the first medicine discharging section 21 to read the data stored in the information tag of the first medicine container. The data read at this time includes, for example, unique identification information, medicine information, and data related to the weight of the medicine.

[0066] The control device 95 determines whether or not the medicine container set in the first medicine discharge unit 21 matches the medicine container containing the medicine specified by the user (i.e., the medicine container containing the medicine to be used in the current dispensing process) based on the unique identification information acquired by the first reader / writer unit 71. In addition, the control device 95 determines whether or not the medicine container contains the amount of medicine required for the current dispensing process based on the weight data of the medicine acquired by the first reader / writer unit 71.

[0067] When it is confirmed that the medicine container set in first medicine discharge section 21 is correct and that the medicine container contains the amount of medicine required for dispensing processing, control device 95 causes vibration device 22 of first medicine discharge section 21 to start vibration and rotates distribution plate 31 (end of timing T2). This causes the medicine to be shaken out of the first medicine container.

[0068] The medicine in the first medicine container is discharged onto the rotating distribution dish 31. Therefore, the medicine is placed on the distribution dish 31 so that the thickness of the medicine is uniform on the distribution dish 31.

[0069] During the process in which the first medicine discharge unit 21 discharges the medicine from the first medicine container, the first measuring unit 62 continues to measure the weight of the medicine in the first medicine container. As the shaking of the medicine from the first medicine container progresses, the weight of the medicine in the first medicine container gradually decreases. When the reduction in the weight of the medicine in the first medicine container becomes equal to the weight of the medicine used in the preparation process, the control device 95 stops the vibration device 22 of the first medicine discharge unit 21 and ends the discharge of the medicine from the first medicine discharge unit 21. In this way, the control device 95 monitors the change in the weight of the medicine in the first medicine container during the discharge operation. This makes it possible to accurately discharge a predetermined amount of medicine from the first medicine container.

[0070] After setting the first medicine container in first medicine discharge section 21, control device 95 causes container transport section 15 to take out another medicine container containing the medicine specified by the user (i.e., the medicine container to be used for the current dispensing process) from container storage section 11. For this purpose, control device 95 brings the tip of holding arm section 16 close to container arrangement section 13 in which the medicine container containing that medicine is arranged. In the following description, that medicine container may be referred to as the second medicine container.

[0071] The control device 95 rotates the rotating member 12 to adjust the position of the container placement section 13 in which the second drug container is placed, in the same manner as in the case of timing T1. This makes it possible to remove the second drug container at the tip of the holding arm section 16. At timing T3 shown in FIG. 2, the container storage section 11 is rotated in parallel with the movement of the holding arm section 16, in the same manner as in timing T1. This makes it possible to smoothly transport the drug container.

[0072] The control device 95 controls the container transport section 15 to remove the second drug container from the container arrangement section 13.

[0073] When the tip of the holding arm portion 16 holds the second medicine container, the control device 95 controls the container transport portion 15 to transport and set the second medicine container to the medicine discharge portion 21 where no medicine container is set. In this embodiment, the second medicine container is set in the second medicine discharge portion 21.

[0074] When the second medicine container is set in the second medicine discharging section 21, the control device 95 causes the first reader / writer section 71 of the second medicine discharging section 21 to read the data stored in the information tag of the second medicine container.

[0075] The control device 95 determines whether or not the medicine container set in the second medicine discharge unit 21 matches the medicine container containing the medicine specified by the user, based on the unique identification information acquired by the first reader / writer unit 71. In addition, the control device 95 determines whether or not the medicine container contains the amount of medicine required for the current dispensing process, based on the weight data of the medicine acquired by the first reader / writer unit 71.

[0076] When it is confirmed that the medicine container set in the second medicine discharge section 21 is correct and that the medicine container contains the amount of medicine required for dispensing processing, the control device 95 causes the vibration device 22 of the second medicine discharge section 21 to start vibration (end of timing T4). This causes the medicine to be shaken out of the first medicine container. In the example of FIG. 2, the timings of discharging the medicine in the first medicine discharge section 21 and the second medicine discharge section 21 overlap each other.

[0077] Next, when the amount of medicine required for dispensing is discharged from the first medicine container, the control device 95 stops the vibration device 22 of the first medicine discharge unit 21, and ends the shaking of the medicine from the first medicine container. Thereafter, the control device 95 causes the first reader / writer unit 71 of the first medicine discharge unit 21 to perform a writing process. That is, the control device 95 stores the weight data of the medicine in the first medicine container at the end of shaking the medicine in the information tag of the first medicine container (timing T5).

[0078] After the weight data is written to the information tag of the first medicine container, the control device 95 controls the container transport unit 15 to return the first medicine container to the container storage unit 11.

[0079] 2, the medicine supply device 1 can transport the medicine container (first medicine container) from which medicine has been discharged to its original position while another medicine container (second medicine container in this example) is discharging medicine. In this way, the medicine can be discharged and the medicine container can be moved simultaneously in parallel, so that the entire operation can be completed quickly.

[0080] As described above, the medicine supplying device 1 can empty the medicine discharging section 21 while the medicine container is discharging medicine. Furthermore, even when the medicine container (second medicine container) is in the middle of discharging medicine, the medicine supplying device 1 can set in advance a medicine container to be used for the next dispensing process in the empty medicine discharging section 21 (first medicine discharging section 21). In this sense, too, the medicine supplying device 1 is configured to efficiently perform the dispensing process.

[0081] When returning the first drug container to the container storage section 11, the control device 95 controls the container transport section 15 to hold the first drug container set in the first drug discharge section 21 on the holding arm section 16. In this example, the control device 95 performs control based on the first mode. Therefore, the control device 95 causes the container transport section 15 to first transport the first drug container to the container temporary placement section 81.

[0082] The transported first medicine container is temporarily placed in the temporary container placement section 81. When the first medicine container is placed in the temporary container placement section 81, the control device 95 causes the second reader / writer section 75 to read the weight data stored in the information tag of the first medicine container (timing T6). The second measurement section 63 also measures the weight of the medicine in the first medicine container. Then, the control device 95 checks whether the weight data acquired by the second reader / writer section 75 (i.e., the measurement result of the first measurement section 62) and the measurement result by the second measurement section 63 are consistent with each other. In this way, the medicine supply device 1 measures the weight of the medicine in the medicine container twice after the medicine is discharged, and strictly checks whether a predetermined amount of medicine has been accurately discharged. The weight data indicating the measurement result of the second measurement section 63 may be stored in the information tag of the first medicine container by the second reader / writer section 75.

[0083] After checking the amount of drug discharged, the control device 95 causes the container transport section 15 to transport the first drug container placed in the temporary container placement section 81 to the container storage section 11.

[0084] As in the case of removing the drug container from the container storage section 11, the control device 95 rotates the rotating member 12 to adjust the position of the container arrangement section 13 to which the first drug container should be returned. This makes it possible to return the first drug container to the container arrangement section 13 at the tip of the holding arm section 16. As in the above-mentioned cases (timings T1 and T3), the container storage section 11 is rotated by the time the movement of the holding arm section 16 finishes (timing T7). This allows the drug container to be transported smoothly.

[0085] Next, when the amount of medicine required for dispensing is discharged from the second medicine container, the control device 95 stops the vibration device 22 of the second medicine discharge section 21, and ends the shaking of the medicine from the second medicine container. Thereafter, the control device 95 causes the first reader / writer section 71 of the second medicine discharge section 21 to perform a writing process. That is, the control device 95 stores the weight data of the medicine in the second medicine container at the end of shaking the medicine in the information tag of the second medicine container (timing T8).

[0086] When the discharge process of the medicine from the first medicine container and the second medicine container is completed and the medicine required for preparation is placed on the distribution tray 31, the control device 95 causes the medicine take-out unit 35 to scoop up the medicine on the distribution tray 31 and put the medicine into the hopper 42 of the packaging unit 41 (timing T9). The control device 95 also causes the packaging unit 41 to package the medicine scooped by the medicine take-out unit 35 (timing T9). Although the operation timing of the packaging unit 41 is omitted in FIG. 2, the packaging unit 41 operates at approximately the same timing as the medicine take-out unit 35. As shown in FIG. 2, the medicine supply device 1 can carry out the transport operation of the medicine container while the medicine take-out unit 35 is performing the operation of scooping up the medicine (take-out operation). In this way, the medicine can be scooped up and the medicine container can be moved in parallel at the same time, so that the entire operation can be performed quickly.

[0087] When the process of scooping the medicine from the distribution dish 31 is completed, the distribution dish 31 stops. Then, the first cleaning unit 52 cleans the distribution dish 31 and the medicine removal unit 35 (timing T10). As shown in FIG. 2, the medicine supplying device 1 can perform a medicine container transport operation while the first cleaning unit 52 is performing a cleaning operation (first cleaning operation). In this way, the cleaning operation and the movement of the medicine container can be performed simultaneously in parallel, so that the entire operation can be completed quickly.

[0088] After the packaging unit 41 has finished processing (in other words, after the supply of the medicine in the first medicine container and the medicine in the second medicine container has been completed), the second cleaning unit 53 cleans the packaging unit 41 (timing T11). The medicine supplying device 1 can transport the medicine containers while the second cleaning unit 53 is performing the cleaning operation (second cleaning operation). In this way, the cleaning operation and the movement of the medicine containers can be performed simultaneously in parallel, so that the entire operation can be completed quickly.

[0089] Incidentally, there are cases where the next dispensing process is executed consecutively after the current dispensing process using the first and second drug containers. In the drug supply device 1 of the present embodiment, when the same drug container is used consecutively in the next dispensing process, the control device 95 can control the drug container not to be returned from the drug discharge unit 21 to the container storage unit 11.

[0090] 2 shows a case where the second medicine container used in the current dispensing process is used continuously in the next dispensing process. In this case, the control device 95 does not cause the container transport unit 15 to return the second medicine container to the container storage unit 11. Therefore, the state where the second medicine container is set in the second medicine discharge unit 21 is maintained.

[0091] In this way, since medicine supplying device 1 does not return a repeatedly used medicine container from medicine discharge section 21 to container storage section 11, when performing the next dispensing process, medicine supplying device 1 does not need to transport the medicine container from container storage section 11. As a result, the medicine packaging device can smoothly perform the next dispensing process and can shorten the operation time.

[0092] Although not shown in FIG. 2, when the second medicine container is to be used continuously in the next dispensing process, the control device 95 may temporarily transport the second medicine container from the second medicine discharge section 21 to the temporary container placement section 81. In this case, it is possible to check whether the weight data acquired by the second reader / writer section 75 (i.e., the measurement result of the first measurement section 62) and the result of measuring the weight of the medicine in the second medicine container by the second measurement section 63 in the temporary container placement section 81 are consistent. Thereafter, the second medicine container in the temporary container placement section 81 is transported to the second medicine discharge section 21 and set again. If the first medicine discharge section 21 is empty, the second medicine container may be set in the first medicine discharge section 21.

[0093] When a new drug container to be used in the next dispensing process is removed from the container storage unit 11, the control device 95 rotates the rotating member 12 to adjust the position of the container arrangement unit 13. This makes it possible to remove the drug container from the container arrangement unit 13 at the tip of the holding arm unit 16 provided in the container transport unit 15. Since the tip of the holding arm unit 16 is already positioned near the container storage unit 11, the rotation of the container storage unit 11 is performed in a state in which the holding arm unit 16 is stopped (timing T12 in FIG. 2). However, the rotation of the container storage unit 11 may be performed while the holding arm unit 16 is moving.

[0094] As described above, the drug supply device 1 of this embodiment includes a container storage unit 11, a drug discharge unit 21, and a container transport unit 15. A plurality of drug containers containing drugs are stored in the container storage unit 11. The drug discharge unit 21 is capable of setting a drug container and discharges the drug in the set drug container. The container transport unit 15 is capable of transporting the drug container between the container storage unit 11 and the drug discharge unit 21. When a drug container that has been set in the drug discharge unit 21 for dispensing and from which a drug has been discharged is to be used to discharge a drug in the next dispensing as well, the drug supply device 1 moves to the next dispensing with the drug container set in the drug discharge unit 21.

[0095] As a result, when discharging medicines from the same medicine container for multiple dispensings, the medicine container set in medicine discharging section 21 is used without being transported to container storage section 11. Therefore, the operation of container transport section 15 can be omitted, and work efficiency can be improved.

[0096] Furthermore, the medicine supply device 1 of this embodiment is provided with two medicine discharging units 21. When one of the medicine discharging units 21 is in the middle of discharging medicine and the remaining medicine discharging unit 21 has completed discharging medicine, the container transport unit 15 transports the medicine container set in the medicine discharging unit 21 that has completed discharging medicine to the container storage unit 11.

[0097] This allows the drug container placed in a drug discharge section 21 that has already finished discharging the drug to be transported to the container storage section 11 without waiting for all of the multiple drug discharge sections 21 to discharge the drug, thereby further improving work efficiency.

[0098] Furthermore, in the drug supply device 1 of this embodiment, when one of the two drug discharge sections 21 is in the middle of discharging drug and a drug container is not set in the remaining drug discharge section 21, the container transport section 15 transports the drug container to the drug discharge section 21 that does not have a drug container set.

[0099] As a result, even if there is a medicine discharge section 21 in the middle of discharging medicine, the medicine container is transported to a medicine discharge section 21 in which no medicine container is set, thereby further improving the work efficiency.

[0100] Moreover, in the medicine supply device 1 of this embodiment, the container storage unit 11 has a plurality of container arrangement units 13 capable of storing the medicine containers, respectively. The container transport unit 15 can perform a first operation, a second operation, and a third operation. The first operation is an operation of moving between the container storage unit 11 and the medicine discharge unit 21. The second operation is an operation of removing the medicine container from one of the container arrangement units 13 of the container storage unit 11. The third operation is an operation of returning the medicine container to one of the container arrangement units 13. When the container transport unit 15 is performing the first operation, the container storage unit 11 can move the container arrangement unit 13 to change the container arrangement unit 13 that is the target of the second operation or the third operation.

[0101] As a result, when container transport section 15 moves between container storage section 11 and drug discharge section 21, container storage section 11 moves container arrangement section 13 to enable container transport section 15 to take out or return a drug container to the target container arrangement section 13. Therefore, multiple drug containers can be transported in a flexible order between container storage section 11 and drug discharge section 21, and transport of the drug containers becomes smooth, improving work efficiency.

[0102] Moreover, the medicine supply device 1 of this embodiment includes a distribution tray 31 and a medicine removal unit 35. The medicines discharged from the medicine discharge unit 21 are placed on the distribution tray 31. The medicine removal unit 35 performs a removal operation, which is an operation of removing the medicines on the distribution tray 31. The container transport unit 15 is capable of transporting the medicine container in parallel with the medicine removal unit 35 performing the removal operation.

[0103] This allows the medicine removal section 35 to transport the medicine containers simultaneously with removing the medicines from the distribution tray 31, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0104] Moreover, the medicine supply device 1 of this embodiment includes a first cleaning unit 52 in addition to the distribution tray 31 and the medicine removal unit 35. The first cleaning unit 52 performs a first cleaning operation, which is an operation for cleaning the distribution tray 31 and the medicine removal unit 35. The container transport unit 15 is capable of transporting the medicine container in parallel with the first cleaning unit 52 performing the first cleaning operation.

[0105] This allows the first cleaning section 52 to transport the medicine containers in parallel with cleaning the distribution tray 31 and the medicine removal section 35, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0106] The medicine packaging device of this embodiment also includes medicine supplying device 1, a packaging unit 41, and a second cleaning unit 53. The packaging unit 41 packages medicines discharged from the medicine discharging unit 21. The second cleaning unit 53 performs a second cleaning operation, which is an operation of cleaning the packaging unit 41. The container transport unit 15 is capable of transporting medicine containers in parallel with the second cleaning unit 53 performing the second cleaning operation.

[0107] This allows second cleaning unit 53 to clean packaging unit 41 and transport the medicine containers at the same time, improving work efficiency.

[0108] Next, a second embodiment will be described. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a medicine packing device according to the second embodiment. In the description of this embodiment, the same or similar members as those in the previous embodiment are given the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description may be omitted.

[0109] In the medicine packaging device of the first embodiment described above, the medicine supplying device 1 is provided with the second measuring unit 63 and the second reader / writer unit 75. In this regard, in the medicine packaging device of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the medicine supplying device 2 is provided with neither the second measuring unit 63 nor the second reader / writer unit 75. Moreover, the medicine supplying device 2 is provided with a container removal unit 82 instead of the temporary container placement unit 81.

[0110] The container removal unit 82 is provided so that the user can easily access it from the outside. The user can remove the medicine container transported to the container removal unit 82. The container removal unit 82 may have various structures, and may be, for example, a base on which the medicine container is placed. In this case, the medicine supplying device 2 is provided with an opening / closing door for accessing the container removal unit 82 from the outside. The container removal unit 82 may be configured as, for example, a port that communicates between the inside and the outside of the medicine supplying device 2.

[0111] In the medicine supplying device 2 of the present embodiment, no device for measuring weight is provided in the container removal part 82. Therefore, the weight of the medicine in the medicine container placed in the container removal part 82 is not measured.

[0112] If the amount of the medicine contained in the medicine container is insufficient for the amount required for the dispensing process as a result of the measurement by the first measuring unit 62, the control device 95 controls the container transport unit 15 to transport the medicine container to the container removal unit 82. The user can retrieve the medicine container and refill the medicine via the container removal unit 82. In addition, a reader / writer unit may be provided in the container placement unit 13 or the holding arm unit 16, and the reader / writer unit may be configured to read data regarding the weight of the medicine stored in the information tag of the medicine container. Based on the data acquired by the reader / writer unit, if the amount of the medicine contained in the medicine container is insufficient for the amount required for the dispensing process, the control device 95 can control the container transport unit 15 to transport the medicine container to the container removal unit 82.

[0113] 3, the control device 95 can perform control to directly return a medicine container set in the medicine discharge section 21 to the container storage section 11, and control to transport a medicine container that does not contain the amount of medicine required for the preparation process to the container removal section 82. Since the second measurement section 63 is omitted in this embodiment, the medicine supplying device 2 performs the preparation process based on the measurement result of the first measurement section 62 arranged in the medicine discharge section 21.

[0114] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above configuration can be modified, for example, as follows.

[0115] The number of drug discharge units 21 is not limited to two, and three or more may be provided. When all or some of the drug containers set in each of the multiple drug discharge units 21 are to be used not only for the current dispensing but also for the next dispensing, the drug containers need not be returned to the container storage unit 11, but may be discharged for the next dispensing.

[0116] The number of medicine discharge portions 21 may be one.

[0117] There may be no time overlap between the operation of rotating the container storage section 11 and the operation of the container transport section 15 moving between the container storage section 11 and the medicine discharge section 21 (hereinafter referred to as the moving operation).

[0118] There may be no time overlap between at least one of the cleaning operation of the first cleaning unit 52 and the cleaning operation of the second cleaning unit 53 and the movement operation of the container transport unit 15. Also, at least one of the first cleaning unit 52 and the second cleaning unit 53 may be omitted.

[0119] There may be no time overlap between the removal operation of the drug removal section 35 and the movement operation of the container transport section 15.

[0120] The container storage section 11, the medicine discharge section 21, the temporary container placement section 81, etc. can be configured so that the user can easily access them from the outside. For example, an opening and closing door may be provided in the medicine supply device 1. This makes it easy for the user to place the medicine containers in each section and to remove the medicine containers from each section, for example.

[0121] In the above embodiment, the holding arm unit 16 holds / releases the medicine container by utilizing electromagnetic force. However, for example, a hand may be provided at the tip of the holding arm unit 16, and the medicine container may be mechanically held / released by the hand.

[0122] When there is no need to move the holding arm portion 16, the control device 95 may perform control to position the holding arm portion 16 at a predetermined standby position.

[0123] The number of distribution trays 31 can be changed as appropriate taking into consideration the number of medicine discharge portions 21. For example, when four to six medicine discharge portions 21 are provided, two distribution trays can be provided to receive medicines discharged from two or three medicine discharge portions 21.

[0124] The medicine packaging device may be provided with an alarm unit for notifying the user of an abnormality in the dispensing process. When it is not possible to confirm that the medicine container set in the medicine discharge unit 21 is a medicine container containing the medicine specified by the user, the control device 95 may notify the user of this fact via the alarm unit. The alarm unit can also be operated when it is not possible to confirm the amount of medicine required for the dispensing process, or when the measurement results of the first measurement unit 62 and the second measurement unit 63 do not match. The configuration of the alarm unit is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a buzzer or a lamp.

[0125] When it cannot be confirmed that the medicine container set in medicine discharge unit 21 is the medicine container containing the medicine specified by the user, control device 95 may cause container transport unit 15 to transport the medicine container to container storage unit 11. The same applies when the amount of medicine contained in the medicine container is insufficient for the amount required for dispensing processing.

[0126] In the above embodiment, the control device 95 determines whether or not the amount of medicine required for dispensing processing is contained in the medicine container set in the medicine discharge unit 21 based on the weight data stored in the information tag. However, the control device 95 may also determine based on the measurement result of the first measuring unit 62.

[0127] The second reader / writer unit 75 may be changed to a read-only device (reader device). In this case, data related to the measurement result of the first measuring unit 62, not data related to the measurement result of the second measuring unit 63, is stored in the information tag of the drug container returned to the container storage unit 11. [Explanation of symbols]

[0128] 1,2 Drug supply device 11 Container storage section 15 Container conveying section 21 Drug discharge section

Claims

1. a container storage unit for storing a plurality of drug containers containing drugs; a plurality of medicine discharging units into which the medicine containers can be set and which discharge medicines from the set medicine containers; a container transport unit capable of transporting the medicine container between the container storage unit and the medicine discharge unit; Equipped with the container storage unit has a plurality of storage locations in which the drug containers can be stored in correspondence with each other, The container conveying unit includes: a first action of moving between the container storage unit and the medicine discharge unit; a second operation of removing the drug container from one of the storage locations of the container storage unit; a third action of returning the medication container to one of the storage locations; You can do the container storage unit moves the storage location to a state where the second operation or the third operation can be performed; The medicine supply device, wherein one of the storage locations is predetermined depending on the medicine container.

2. 10. The drug delivery device of claim 1, The medicine supply device, wherein the container transport unit does not return the medicine container to one of the predetermined storage locations in the third operation.

3. A drug supply device according to claim 1 or 2, The drug supply device is characterized in that the container storage unit moves the storage location while the container transport unit is performing the first operation, thereby making it possible to perform the second operation or the third operation.

4. A drug supply device according to claim 1 or 2, a distribution tray on which the medicine discharged from the medicine discharge unit is placed; a medicine take-out unit that performs a take-out operation, which is an operation of taking out medicines on the distribution tray; Equipped with the container transport unit is capable of transporting the drug container in parallel with the drug take-out unit performing the take-out operation, When some of the plurality of drug discharging units are in the middle of discharging the drug and the remaining drug discharging units have completed discharging the drug, the container transport unit transports the drug container set in the drug discharging unit that has completed discharging the drug to the container storage unit, A drug supply device characterized in that, when a drug container from which a drug has been discharged among a plurality of drug containers set in the drug discharge section for dispensing is to be used to discharge a drug in the next dispensing, the drug container is left set in the drug discharge section while the device moves on to the next dispensing.

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