Medicine supply device

Abstract

To provide a medicine supply device capable of supplying a required amount of medicine in a short period.SOLUTION: A total-piece sheet storage part 10 stores a total-piece sheet 110. The total-piece sheet 110 individually houses a plurality of pieces of medicine. A fraction sheet storage part 20 stores a plurality of fraction sheets 120 obtained by cutting a portion of the total-piece sheet 110. A take-out part 30 takes out of the storage part a pair of the total-piece sheet 110 and a fraction sheet 120 in accordance with the number of pieces of the medicine which have to be supplied.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-193986 (Patent Document 1) discloses a device that includes a medicine storage section that stores medicine packaged in a PTP (Press Through Package), a medicine transfer mechanism that transfers the medicine in and out of the medicine storage section, and a medicine cutting mechanism that receives the medicine from the medicine transfer mechanism and cuts it. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-193986 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Fractional sheets, which are formed by cutting off a portion of a medicine sheet that individually contains multiple medicines, have sharp corners. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the inconvenience of accidentally taking the medicine that is still contained in the fractional sheet without removing it from the fractional sheet. In particular, if the fractional sheet is made into a form in which a single medicine is contained, the size of the fractional sheet becomes small, which may lead to the possibility of accidentally swallowing it. In addition, reducing the size of the fractional sheet increases the possibility of losing the fractional sheet.

[0005] Furthermore, in order to improve the efficiency of dispensing operations, it is required that the medicine supply device be able to supply a required amount of medicines in a shorter time.

[0006] The present disclosure proposes a drug supply device that can supply a required amount of drug in a short time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a medicine supply device is provided that includes a storage section and an extracting section. The storage section stores medicine sheets. The medicine sheets individually contain a plurality of medicines. The storage section also stores a plurality of fractional sheets that are obtained by cutting off a portion of the medicine sheet. The extracting section extracts a combination of the medicine sheet and the fractional sheet from the storage section according to the number of medicines to be supplied. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the medicine supply device of the present disclosure, it is possible to supply a required amount of medicine in a short time. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the medicine supply device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a schematic front view of a modified example of the medicine container. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the overall process flow for supplying medicine. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a first flowchart showing the flow of a cut-out process. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a second flowchart showing the flow of the cut processing. [Figure 6] 13 is a schematic diagram showing the supply of medicines when the fractional sheet contains one more medicine than the other. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a schematic diagram showing the supply of medicines when the fractional sheet contains one less medicine. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a part of the flow of a cutout process according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0011] [First embodiment] 1 is a schematic front view of a medicine supply device 1 according to an embodiment. The medicine supply device 1 according to the embodiment stores a large number of medicines. In the embodiment, the medicine supply device 1 stores a medicine sheet 100 that individually contains a plurality of medicines.

[0012] The drug sheet 100 may be, for example, a PTP sheet. The PTP sheet has a flat sheet portion 102 and a convex pocket portion 104 protruding from the surface of the sheet portion 102, and is configured so that the drug contained in the pocket portion 104 can be taken out by pressing the pocket portion 104 with a finger. Another example of the drug sheet 100 is a SP (Strip Package) sheet.

[0013] The drug sheet 100 contains a prescribed package of drugs. The drug sheet 100 may contain, for example, 10 drugs. The drug sheet 100 may be a weekly sheet containing 14 or 21 drugs. The drug sheet 100 may contain other quantities of drugs, such as 6, 8, or 12 drugs. The drugs contained in the drug sheet 100 may be solid formulations, such as tablets or capsules.

[0014] The medicine supply device 1 has a whole sheet storage section 10 that stores medicine sheets 100 (referred to as whole sheets 110 in this specification) containing medicines in a specified packaging unit, and a fractional sheet storage section 20 that stores medicine sheets 100 from which portions have been cut off (referred to as fractional sheets 120 in this specification). The whole sheet storage section 10 and the fractional sheet storage section 20 constitute a storage section that stores the medicine sheets 100. The storage section has the whole sheet storage section 10 and the fractional sheet storage section 20 separately. The storage locations for the whole sheet 110 and the fractional sheet 120 are separate locations in the medicine supply device 1.

[0015] The complete sheet storage unit 10 includes a plurality of drug containers 12. The drug containers 12 are arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions. In FIG. 1, five rows of drug containers 12 are arranged in the vertical direction, and four rows of drug containers 12 are arranged in the horizontal direction, and the number of drug containers 12 provided in the drug supply device 1 is 20. In an actual drug supply device 1, the number of drug containers 12 may be greater. The number of drug containers 12 may be about 100, about 200, or about 300, or may be even greater.

[0016] The drug container 12 contains a complete sheet 110. One type of complete sheet 110 is contained in one drug container 12. A plurality of complete sheets 110 are contained in one drug container 12. The drug container 12 contains drugs by type. A plurality of drug containers 12 may contain complete sheets 110 containing the same type of drug.

[0017] Each complete sheet 110 is stored in an aligned state in the drug container 12. Each complete sheet 110 is stacked vertically in a lying down state. The surface of each complete sheet 110 with the pocket portion 104 faces up or down. The surface of each complete sheet 110 with the pocket portion 104 faces up or down alternately in the stacked order.

[0018] The storage form of the all-in-one sheets 110 in the drug container 12 is not particularly limited. The surfaces of the all-in-one sheets 110 on which the pockets 104 are located may all face up, or all face down. The surfaces of the all-in-one sheets 110 on which the pockets 104 are located may face up or down randomly. The all-in-one sheets 110 may be arranged horizontally in an upright state. The all-in-one sheets 110 may be stored in the drug container 12 in a non-aligned state.

[0019] Each medicine container 12 is provided with an identification unit for identifying the medicine contained in that medicine container 12. The identification unit is realized, for example, by an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag. The RFID tag stores identification information for identifying the type, quantity, and expiration date of the medicine contained in the medicine container 12. Such identification information may be stored in a storage unit of the control unit 50 described later together with position information of each medicine container 12, and in this case, an RFID tag may not necessarily be provided in each medicine container 12. The identification unit may be a one-dimensional code such as a barcode, or may be a two-dimensional code.

[0020] The fractional sheet storage section 20 has a plurality of storage chambers 22. In FIG. 1 , ten rows of storage chambers 22 are arranged in the vertical direction and five rows of storage chambers 22 are arranged in the horizontal direction, and the total number of storage chambers 22 provided in the fractional sheet storage section 20 is 50. The number of storage chambers 22 is not particularly limited. The number of storage chambers 22 may be twice the number of drug containers 12. The number of storage chambers 22 may be less than twice the number of drug containers 12.

[0021] The storage chambers 22 temporarily store the fraction sheets 120. One fraction sheet 120 is stored in one storage chamber 22. The fraction sheet storage section 20 has multiple storage chambers 22, and each storage chamber 22 stores one fraction sheet 120, so that the storage section as a whole stores multiple fraction sheets 120. In FIG. 1, the side of the fraction sheet 120 on which the pocket portion 104 is located faces upward. The side of the fraction sheet 120 on which the pocket portion 104 is located may also face downward. The fraction sheet 120 may be stored in the storage chamber 22 in an upright state.

[0022] Each storage chamber 22 is provided with an identification unit for identifying the medicine stored in that storage chamber 22. The identification unit is realized, for example, by an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag. The RFID tag stores identification information for identifying the type, quantity, and expiration date of the medicine stored in the storage chamber 22. Such identification information may be stored in a storage unit of the control unit 50 described later together with position information of each storage chamber 22. In this case, an RFID tag does not necessarily need to be provided in each storage chamber 22. The identification unit may be a one-dimensional code such as a barcode, or may be a two-dimensional code.

[0023] Each type of medicine may be assigned to a storage room 22. For example, two storage rooms 22 may be assigned to one type of medicine, and the two specific storage rooms 22 may store only the corresponding type of medicine.

[0024] Alternatively, the fractional sheet 120 may be stored in an empty storage chamber 22 as appropriate. Different types of medicines may be stored in the same storage chamber 22 at different times. When a first fractional sheet 120 containing a first type of medicine is stored in a specific storage chamber 22, a second fractional sheet 120 containing a second type of medicine different from the first type may be stored in the specific storage chamber 22 after the specific storage chamber 22 becomes empty. In this way, the space efficiency of the fractional sheet storage unit 20 can be improved, and the medicine supply device 1 can be made smaller as a whole. By storing the types of medicines stored in the storage chamber 22 in the identification unit, it is possible to avoid mixing up the types of medicines.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the medicine supplying device 1 further includes a take-out section 30, a cutting section 40, a control section 50, and an input / output section 60.

[0026] The removal unit 30 removes the drug sheets 100 from the storage unit. The removal unit 30 has a full-sheet removal unit 31 that removes the full sheets 110 from the full-sheet storage unit 10, and a fractional sheet removal unit 32 that removes the fractional sheets 120 from the fractional sheet storage unit 20.

[0027] The all-in-one sheet removal unit 31 is movable in the up-down and left-right directions in Fig. 1. The all-in-one sheet removal unit 31 approaches any one of the drug containers 12 and removes the all-in-one sheet 110 stored in that drug container 12. The all-in-one sheet removal unit 31 may, for example, move the drug container 12 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Fig. 1 to remove the drug container 12 from the all-in-one sheet storage unit 10, and then remove the all-in-one sheet 110 from the drug container 12. The all-in-one sheet removal unit 31 may directly remove the all-in-one sheet 110 from the drug container 12 stored in the all-in-one sheet storage unit 10.

[0028] The total sheet removal unit 31 has a reading unit that reads the identification unit provided on the medicine container 12. The reading unit is realized by, for example, an RFID reader / writer, and reads identification information for identifying the type, quantity, and expiration date of the medicine contained in the medicine container 12 from an RFID tag that constitutes the identification unit of the medicine container 12. The reading unit also updates the identification information.

[0029] The fractional sheet removal unit 32 is movable in the vertical and horizontal directions in Fig. 1. The fractional sheet removal unit 32 approaches any one of the storage chambers 22 to remove the fractional sheets 120 stored in that storage chamber 22, or to store the fractional sheets 120 in that storage chamber 22.

[0030] The fractional sheet removal unit 32 has a reading unit that reads the identification unit provided in the storage room 22. The reading unit is realized by, for example, an RFID reader / writer, and reads identification information for identifying the type, quantity, and expiration date of the medicine stored in the storage room 22 from the RFID tag that constitutes the identification unit of the storage room 22. The reading unit also updates the identification information.

[0031] The whole sheet removal unit 31 and the fractional sheet removal unit 32 can operate independently. The whole sheet removal unit 31 can remove the whole sheet 110 from the whole sheet storage unit 10, regardless of the status of the operation of the fractional sheet removal unit 32 to remove the fractional sheet 120. The fractional sheet removal unit 32 can remove the fractional sheet 120 from the fractional sheet storage unit 20, regardless of the status of the operation of the whole sheet removal unit 31 to remove the whole sheet 110.

[0032] Therefore, the removal unit 30 can simultaneously perform removal of the whole number sheets 110 by the whole number sheet removal unit 31 and removal of the fractional number sheets 120 by the fractional number sheet removal unit 32. Since the whole number sheets 110 and the fractional number sheets 120 can be removed simultaneously, the speed at which medicines are dispensed from the medicine supply device 1 is increased.

[0033] The cutting unit 40 cuts the drug sheet 100. The cutting unit 40 cuts the whole sheet 110 taken out from the whole sheet storage unit 10 by the whole sheet removal unit 31 to make a fractional sheet 120. The cutting unit 40 cuts the whole sheet 110 into two, one fractional sheet 120 and the other fractional sheet 120. One fractional sheet 120 is supplied by the drug supply device 1 and is dispensed outside the drug supply device 1. The other fractional sheet 120 is stored in the storage chamber 22 of the fractional sheet storage unit 20.

[0034] The cutting unit 40 also cuts the fraction sheet 120 taken out from the fraction sheet storage unit 20 by the fraction sheet take-out unit 32 into two fraction sheets 120 each containing a smaller amount of medicine than the original fraction sheet 120. The cutting unit 40 cuts the fraction sheet 120 into two, one fraction sheet 120 and the other fraction sheet 120. One fraction sheet 120 is assumed to be supplied by the medicine supply device 1, and is dispensed outside the medicine supply device 1. The other fraction sheet 120 is stored in the storage chamber 22 of the fraction sheet storage unit 20.

[0035] The fraction sheet removal unit 32 transports the other fraction sheet 120 from the cutting unit to the storage chamber 22. The fraction sheet removal unit 32 updates the identification information of the identification unit provided in the storage chamber 22 that stores the fraction sheet 120 according to the type, quantity, and expiration date of the medicine contained in the stored fraction sheet 120.

[0036] The control unit 50 controls the overall operation of the drug supply device 1. The control unit 50 outputs a control signal to the removal unit 30 to control the operation of the removal unit 30 to remove the drug sheet 100. The control unit 50 outputs a control signal to the cutting unit 40 to control the operation of the cutting unit 40 to cut the drug sheet 100.

[0037] The control unit 50 has a storage unit. The storage unit stores programs for executing various operations of the medicine supplying device 1, and also stores necessary information. The storage unit stores information necessary for supplying medicines using the medicine supplying device 1. The control unit 50 controls the operation of the medicine supplying device 1 based on the programs stored in the storage unit and the information necessary for supplying medicines from the medicine supplying device 1.

[0038] The input / output unit 60 receives information necessary for supplying medicines from the medicine supply device 1. This necessary information includes prescription information based on a prescription and various setting information. This information may be input to the input / output unit 60 by an operator who operates the medicine supply device 1, or may be input to the input / output unit 60 from an external computer via a wireless or wired communication line. The input / output unit 60 outputs the input information to the control unit 50.

[0039] The control unit 50 has a calculation unit. The calculation unit calculates the number of medicines to be supplied from the medicine supply device 1 based on the prescription information input to the control unit 50. The calculation unit specifies a combination of the full number sheet 110 and the fractional number sheet 120 to be taken out from the storage unit according to the number of medicines to be supplied. The control unit 50 controls the take-out unit 30 and the cutter unit 40 based on the result of the specification.

[0040] Fig. 2 is a schematic front view of a modified example of the drug container 12. The drug container 12 described with reference to Fig. 1 stores only the full number of sheets 110, and the fractional sheets 120 are stored in the fractional sheet storage section 20, not in the drug container 12. In contrast, the modified drug container 12 shown in Fig. 2 has a first storage section 15 and a second storage section 16. The first storage section 15 and the second storage section 16 are separated by a partition wall 14.

[0041] The first storage section 15 stores all the sheets 110. The first storage section 15 can store a plurality of all the sheets 110. The second storage section 16 stores the remainder sheets 120. The second storage section 16 can store a plurality of remainder sheets 120. The second storage section 16 is divided into a plurality of rooms by one or a plurality (two in FIG. 2) of partition walls 14a, and each room stores one remainder sheet 120. The second storage section 16 has a plurality of rooms, and each room stores the remainder sheet 120, so that the second storage section 16 stores a plurality of remainder sheets 120 (three in FIG. 2).

[0042] 2, in the modified example of the drug supply device 1 having a plurality of drug containers 12, drugs are stored by type in each drug container 12. By configuring one drug container 12 to be able to store both the full number sheet 110 and the fractional number sheet 120, management of each type of drug is facilitated.

[0043] The storage form of the whole sheet 110 in the first storage section 15 is arbitrary as in the description of Fig. 1, and the side of the whole sheet 110 with the pocket portion 104 may face up or down. The storage form of the fractional sheet 120 in the second storage section 16 is also arbitrary, and the side of the fractional sheet 120 with the pocket portion 104 may face up or down.

[0044] 2, the first storage section 15 is provided in the upper part of the drug container 12 and the second storage section 16 is provided in the lower part of the drug container 12, but the arrangement of the first storage section 15 and the second storage section 16 in the drug container 12 is also arbitrary. The second storage section 16 may be arranged above the first storage section 15, or the second storage section 16 may be arranged separately both above and below the first storage section 15.

[0045] The process of supplying a required amount of medicines in the medicine supply device 1 having the above configuration will be described below. Fig. 3 is a flow chart showing the overall flow of the process of supplying medicines.

[0046] In step S1, it is determined whether the specified number, that is, the number of medicines to be supplied by the medicine supply device 1 according to the prescription information, is divisible by the number of medicines included in the total number sheet 110 or not.

[0047] For example, if the total number sheet 110 is a 10-tablet sheet that contains 10 tablets, then if the specified number is a multiple of 10, the specified number will be divisible by the number of medications on the total number sheet 110. If the total number sheet 110 is a 10-tablet sheet, then if the specified number is not a multiple of 10, then in the calculation of dividing the specified number by the number of medications on the total number sheet 110, the quotient cannot be an integer and a remainder will be generated.

[0048] If the specified number is divisible by the number of medicines on the all-in-one sheet 110 (YES in step S1), proceed to step S2, and dispense a number of all-in-one sheets 110 equivalent to the quotient of the calculation of dividing the specified number by the number of medicines on the all-in-one sheet 110 from the medicine supply device 1. This supplies the required amount of medicines, and the process ends (end of FIG. 3).

[0049] If the specified number is not divisible by the number of drugs on the total number sheet 110 (NO in step S1), the process proceeds to step S3, where it is determined whether or not there is a fractional number sheet 120 containing a number of drugs that matches the remainder of the calculation of dividing the specified number by the number of drugs on the total number sheet 110. If there is such a fractional number sheet 120 (YES in step S3), the process proceeds to step S4, where the fractional number sheet 120 is dispensed, and a number of total number sheets 110 equivalent to the quotient of the calculation are dispensed from the drug supply device 1. This causes the required amount of drugs to be supplied, and the process ends (end of FIG. 3).

[0050] If there is no remainder sheet 120 containing a number of drugs that matches the remainder of the calculation when the specified number is divided by the number of drugs on the total number sheet 110 (NO in step S3), proceed to step S5, and then it is determined whether there is a combination of remainder sheets 120 containing a number of drugs that matches the remainder of the calculation when the specified number is divided by the number of drugs on the total number sheet 110.

[0051] For example, if the remainder of the calculation is 8, and a fraction sheet 120 containing 3 drugs and a fraction sheet 120 containing 5 drugs are stored in the fraction sheet storage unit 20, the total number of drugs will be 8, which matches the remainder of the calculation, and it is determined that there is a combination of fraction sheets 120. Also, for example, if the remainder of the calculation is 8, and two fraction sheets 120 containing 2 drugs and a fraction sheet 120 containing 4 drugs are stored in the fraction sheet storage unit 20, the total number of drugs will be 8, which matches the remainder of the calculation, and it is determined that there is a combination of fraction sheets 120.

[0052] When there are multiple combinations of fractional sheets 120 whose total number of medicines matches the remainder of the calculation, the combination with the greater number of fractional sheets 120 may be given priority for supply, or the combination with the fewer number of fractional sheets 120 may be given priority for supply. Alternatively, the combination including fractional sheets 120 with a short remaining period until the expiration date may be given priority for supply.

[0053] If there is a combination of fractional sheets 120 (YES in step S5), the process proceeds to step S6, where the combination of fractional sheets 120 is dispensed, and a number of total sheets 110 corresponding to the quotient of the calculation is dispensed from the medicine supply device 1. This causes the required amount of medicine to be supplied, and the process ends (end of FIG. 3).

[0054] As shown in steps S1 to S6, it is first determined whether the specified number of medicines can be supplied using a combination of stored full sheets 110 and fractional sheets 120, and if so, an appropriate combination of medicine sheets 100 is dispensed. Since the process of cutting the medicine sheets 100 takes time, the speed at which medicines are dispensed from the medicine supply device 1 can be improved by minimizing the process of cutting the medicine sheets 100.

[0055] The order of the judgment in step S3 and the judgment in step S5 may be interchanged. Any one or all of the judgments in steps S1, S3, and S5 may be omitted. The operator may select which judgments to omit using the input / output unit 60 (FIG. 1).

[0056] If it is determined in step S5 that there is no combination of fractional sheets 120 (NO in step S5), the process proceeds to step S7, where a cutting process is performed in which the fractional sheets 120 and / or the whole sheets 110 are cut by the cutting unit 40.

[0057] Fig. 4 is a first flow chart showing the flow of the cutting process. Fig. 5 is a second flow chart showing the flow of the cutting process. The cutting process for cutting the drug sheet 100 will be described with reference to Figs.

[0058] In step S11, it is determined whether or not there are any undetermined fractional sheets 120. For example, the control unit 50 sets an undetermined flag for each fractional sheet 120 stored in the fractional sheet storage unit 20. When the control unit 50 performs a series of processes related to determining the cut-out process described below for each fractional sheet 120, it clears the undetermined flag for that fractional sheet 120 and determines that the series of processes has been performed for that fractional sheet 120. In the determination in step S11, it is determined whether or not there are any fractional sheets 120 for which an undetermined flag is set at the time of the determination.

[0059] If it is determined that there is an undetermined fractional sheet 120 (YES in step S11), the process proceeds to step S12, where the fractional sheet 120 that is the target of the determination for the cutout process is determined. If there is only one undetermined fractional sheet 120, that fractional sheet 120 is set as the target fractional sheet 120. If there are two or more undetermined fractional sheets 120, the fractional sheets 120 are prioritized, and the target fractional sheet 120 is determined.

[0060] This prioritization may be performed according to the number of drugs on the fractional sheet 120. For example, the smaller the quantity of drugs included in the fractional sheet 120, the higher the priority. By performing a process to preferentially dispense fractional sheets 120 containing a smaller number of drugs from the medicine supplying device 1, the number of fractional sheets 120 stored in the medicine supplying device 1 can be efficiently reduced. Alternatively, the prioritization may be performed according to the expiration date of the drugs. By performing a process to preferentially dispense fractional sheets 120 containing a shorter remaining time until the expiration date from the medicine supplying device 1, it becomes possible to stably supply drugs containing a longer remaining time until the expiration date.

[0061] The operator may be able to select the prioritization settings, for example, whether to prioritize according to the number of drugs on the remainder sheet 120, according to the expiration date of the drugs, or according to any other arbitrary criteria, using the input / output unit 60 (Figure 1).

[0062] When the target fraction sheet 120 is determined, a calculation is performed to subtract the indicated number from the number of drugs included in the target fraction sheet 120, and the difference is calculated.

[0063] If the difference is 0 as a result of the calculation in step S12, the process proceeds to step S13, where the target fractional sheet 120 is dispensed from the medicine supply device 1, and the cutting process ends (end of FIG. 4). As a result, the required amount of medicine is supplied, and the process ends (end of FIG. 3).

[0064] If the result of the calculation in step S12 is that the difference is +2 or more, the process proceeds to step S14, where the target fractional sheet 120 is cut by the cutting unit 40 and divided into two, a fractional sheet 120 containing the indicated number of medicines and the remaining fractional sheet 120. The fractional sheet 120 containing the indicated number of medicines is dispensed from the medicine supply device 1, and the remaining fractional sheet 120 is stored in the fractional sheet storage unit 20, completing the cutting process (end of FIG. 4). As a result, the required amount of medicines is supplied, and the process is completed (end of FIG. 3).

[0065] If the difference is -2 or less as a result of the calculation in step S12, the process proceeds to step S15, and the target fractional number sheet 120 is dispensed. Next, in step S16, the number of drugs included in the dispensed fractional number sheet 120 is subtracted from the specified number, and the result of the calculation is used as the new specified number, thus updating the specified number. In this case, the specified number is updated to 2 or more. Then, the process returns to the judgment in step S11.

[0066] If the calculation result in step S12 is that the difference is +1, the process proceeds to step S17, where it is determined whether the number of medicines included in the target fraction sheet 120 is three or four.

[0067] Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the supply of medicines when the number of medicines included in the fractional sheet 120 is one more than the number of medicines. Fig. 6 shows, for each specified number, how the fractional sheet 120 and the whole sheet 110 should be combined, cut, and supplied in the case where an instruction number of medicines is to be cut out from the target fractional sheet 120 and the remainder of the cut-out becomes a fractional sheet 120 containing one medicine, so that the instruction number of medicines can be supplied without generating a fractional sheet 120 cut into one medicine.

[0068] For example, if the specified number is 2 and the number of drugs on the target fractional sheet 120 is 3, the calculation result in step S12 will be +1. In this case, if a fractional sheet 120 containing two drugs is cut out from the fractional sheet 120, a fractional sheet 120 containing one drug will remain, which is not preferable. Therefore, the specified number of two drugs is supplied from another sheet, not from the target fractional sheet 120.

[0069] Also, when the specified number is 3 and the number of drugs on the target fractional sheet 120 is 4, the calculation result in step S12 is +1. In this case, if a fractional sheet 120 containing 3 drugs is cut out from the target fractional sheet 120, a fractional sheet 120 containing 1 drug will remain, which is not preferable. On the other hand, if two drugs are to be supplied from the target fractional sheet 120, the remaining one drug will be cut out from another sheet to supply the specified number of drugs, which is not preferable. Therefore, the specified number of three drugs is supplied from another sheet, not from the target fractional sheet 120.

[0070] Therefore, if the determination in step S17 is YES, no processing is performed to cut the target fractional sheet 120. The undetermined flag of the target fractional sheet 120 is cleared, and the process returns to the determination in step S11.

[0071] If the determination in step S17 is NO, that is, if the number of medicines included in the target fractional number sheet 120 is five or more, the process proceeds to step S18.

[0072] 6, when the specified number is 4 and the number of drugs on the target fractional sheet 120 is 5, the calculation result in step S12 is +1. In this case, 2 drugs are dispensed from the target fractional sheet 120 containing 5 drugs, and the remaining 2 drugs are supplied from another sheet.

[0073] When the specified number is 5 and the number of drugs on the target fractional sheet 120 is 6, the calculation result in step S12 is +1. In this case, 3 drugs are dispensed from the target fractional sheet 120 that contains 6 drugs, and the remaining 2 drugs are supplied from another sheet.

[0074] When the specified number is 6 and the number of drugs on the target fractional sheet 120 is 7, the calculation result in step S12 is +1. In this case, 4 drugs are dispensed from the target fractional sheet 120 that contains 7 drugs, and the remaining 2 drugs are supplied from another sheet.

[0075] In FIG. 6, when the number of drugs on the target fractional number sheet 120 is 2, the number is crossed out because, if the concept of this embodiment is applied, the indicated number will never be 1.

[0076] In this way, in the process of step S18, the portion of the target fractional sheet 120 excluding three pieces is cut out and dispensed, and the remaining portion (three pieces) is stored in the fractional sheet storage unit 20. Next, in step S19, a calculation is performed to subtract the number of medicines cut out from the dispensed target fractional sheet 120 from the specified number, and the result of the calculation is used as the new specified number, updating the specified number. In this case, the specified number is updated to 2.

[0077] Then, the undetermined flag of the target fractional sheet 120 is cleared, and the process returns to the determination in step S11.

[0078] If the calculation result in step S12 is that the difference is −1, the process proceeds to step S20, where it is determined whether the number of medicines included in the target fraction sheet 120 is two or three.

[0079] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the supply of medicines when the number of medicines included in the fractional sheet 120 is one less. Fig. 7 shows, for each specified number, how the fractional sheet 120 and the whole sheet 110 should be combined, cut, and supplied when one medicine is missing when trying to supply the specified number of medicines from the target fractional sheet 120, so that the specified number of medicines can be supplied without generating fractional sheets 120 cut into one medicine.

[0080] For example, if the specified number is 3 and the number of drugs on the target fractional sheet 120 is 2, the calculation result in step S12 will be -1. In this case, if the target fractional sheet 120 is dispensed without cutting it, the remaining one drug will be cut out from another sheet to supply the specified number of drugs, which is not preferable. On the other hand, if the target fractional sheet 120 is cut, a fractional sheet 120 containing one drug will be formed, which is not preferable. Therefore, the specified number of three drugs will be supplied from another sheet, not from the target fractional sheet 120.

[0081] Also, when the specified number is 4 and the number of drugs on the target fractional sheet 120 is 3, the calculation result in step S12 is −1. In this case, if the target fractional sheet 120 is dispensed without cutting it, the remaining one drug will be cut out from another sheet to supply the specified number of drugs, which is not preferable. On the other hand, if the target fractional sheet 120 is cut, a fractional sheet 120 containing one drug will be formed, which is not preferable. Therefore, the specified number of four drugs will be supplied from another sheet, not from the target fractional sheet 120.

[0082] Therefore, if the determination in step S20 is YES, no processing is performed to dispense or cut the target fractional sheet 120. The undetermined flag of the target fractional sheet 120 is cleared, and the process returns to the determination in step S11.

[0083] If the determination in step S20 is NO, that is, if the number of medicines included in the target fractional number sheet 120 is four or more, the process proceeds to step S21.

[0084] 7, when the specified number is 5 and the number of drugs on the target fractional sheet 120 is 4, the calculation result in step S12 is −1. In this case, two drugs are dispensed from the target fractional sheet 120 that contains four drugs, and the remaining three drugs are supplied from another sheet.

[0085] When the specified number is 6 and the number of drugs on the target fractional sheet 120 is 5, the calculation result in step S12 is −1. In this case, 3 drugs are dispensed from the target fractional sheet 120 that contains 5 drugs, and the remaining 3 drugs are supplied from another sheet.

[0086] At this time, it is possible to dispense two medicines from the target fractional sheet 120, but in order to avoid leaving as many fractional sheets 120 as possible, the maximum number of medicines that can be dispensed from the fractional sheet 120 is dispensed. By processing the fractional sheets 120 with priority and reducing the number of stored fractional sheets 120 as much as possible, the possibility of a fractional sheet 120 containing one medicine being formed can be reduced.

[0087] When the specified number is 7 and the number of drugs on the target fractional sheet 120 is 6, the calculation result in step S12 is −1. In this case, 4 drugs are dispensed from the target fractional sheet 120 that contains 6 drugs, and the remaining 3 drugs are supplied from another sheet.

[0088] In FIG. 7, when the specified number is 2, it is crossed out because, if the concept of this embodiment is applied, a fractional number sheet 120 with a drug number of 1 will not be formed.

[0089] Thus, in the process of step S21, the portion of the target fractional sheet 120 excluding two pieces is cut out and dispensed, and the remaining portion (two pieces) is stored in the fractional sheet storage unit 20. Next, in step S22, a calculation is performed to subtract the number of medicines cut out from the dispensed target fractional sheet 120 from the specified number, and the result of the calculation is used as the new specified number, updating the specified number. In this case, the specified number is updated to 3.

[0090] Then, the undetermined flag of the target fractional sheet 120 is cleared, and the process returns to the determination in step S11.

[0091] A judgment is made for all fractional sheets 120 stored in the fractional sheet storage unit 20, and when there are no fractional sheets 120 with the undetermined flag set and it is determined that there are no undetermined fractional sheets 120 (NO in step S11), the process moves to processing of all sheets 110. The process proceeds to step S23 in Fig. 5 via connector A, and it is determined whether all sheets 110 are stored in the total sheet storage unit 10.

[0092] If it is determined that the complete number sheet 110 is not stored (NO in step S23), an error process is performed in step S33. For example, using the input / output unit 60 (FIG. 1), a notice is sent to an operator who is performing a medicine supply operation using the medicine supply device 1 that the complete number sheet 110 is not stored, and the operator is prompted to replenish the complete number sheet 110. The determination in step S23 is repeated until the complete number sheet 110 is replenished.

[0093] If it is determined that the all-in-one sheet 110 is stored (YES in step S23), the process proceeds to step S24, where the number of indicated drugs is subtracted from the number of drugs included in the all-in-one sheet 110 that is the subject of the determination regarding the cutting process, and the difference is calculated.

[0094] If the difference is 0 as a result of the calculation in step S24, the process proceeds to step S25, where all of the target sheets 110 are dispensed from the medicine supply device 1, and the process returns to Fig. 4 via connector D to end the cutting process (end of Fig. 4). As a result, the required amount of medicine is supplied, and the process ends (end of Fig. 3).

[0095] If the difference is +2 or more as a result of the calculation in step S24, the process proceeds to step S26, where the target full quantity sheet 110 is cut by the cutting unit 40 to divide it into two parts: a fractional quantity sheet 120 containing the indicated number of medicines and the remaining fractional quantity sheet 120. The fractional quantity sheet 120 containing the indicated number of medicines is dispensed from the medicine supply device 1, and the remaining fractional quantity sheet 120 is stored in the fractional quantity sheet storage unit 20. The process returns to FIG. 4 via connector D, and the cutting process ends (end of FIG. 4). As a result, the required quantity of medicines is supplied, and the process ends (end of FIG. 3).

[0096] If the difference is -2 or less as a result of the calculation in step S24, the process proceeds to step S27, and the target all-in-one sheet 110 is dispensed. Then, in step S28, the number of drugs included in the dispensed all-in-one sheet 110 is subtracted from the specified number, and the result of the calculation is used as the new specified number, thus updating the specified number. Then, the process returns to the judgment in step S23.

[0097] If the difference is +1 as a result of the calculation in step S24, the process proceeds to step S29, where the portion of the target all-in-one sheet 110 excluding 3 pieces is cut out and dispensed, and the remaining portion (3 pieces) is stored in the fractional sheet storage unit 20. Next, in step S30, a calculation is performed to subtract the number of medicines cut out from the target all-in-one sheet 110 that has been dispensed from the indicated number, and the result of the calculation is used as the new indicated number, updating the indicated number. In this case, the indicated number is updated to 2. Then, the process returns to the judgment in step S23.

[0098] If the difference is -1 as a result of the calculation in step S24, the process proceeds to step S31, where the portion of the target all-in-one sheet 110 excluding two pieces is cut out and dispensed, and the remaining portion (two pieces) is stored in the fractional sheet storage unit 20. Next, in step S32, a calculation is performed to subtract the number of medicines cut out from the target all-in-one sheet 110 that has been dispensed from the indicated number, and the result of the calculation is used as the new indicated number, updating the indicated number. In this case, the indicated number is updated to 3. Then, the process returns to the judgment in step S23.

[0099] According to the embodiment of the medicine supply device 1 described above, as shown in Figs. 4 to 7, the control unit 50 (Fig. 1) controls the cutting unit 40 so that the fractional sheet 120 includes two or more medicines. Since the indicated number of medicines can be supplied without producing fractional sheets 120 cut into single pieces of medicine, the possibility of the fractional sheets 120 being accidentally swallowed or lost can be reduced.

[0100] 4 and 7, if the number of drugs contained in the target fractional sheet 120 is one less than the specified number and the number of drugs contained in the target fractional sheet 120 is two or three, the drug is not supplied from the target fractional sheet 120, but is supplied from another fractional sheet 120 or from the whole sheet 110. This makes it possible to avoid the occurrence of a fractional sheet 120 cut to one drug.

[0101] 4 and 7, when the number of drugs contained in the target fractional sheet 120 is one less than the specified number and the number of drugs contained in the target fractional sheet 120 is four or more, the target fractional sheet 120 is cut into one containing two drugs and the other remaining, one of which is stored in the fractional sheet storage unit 20 while the other is supplied. The drug that is insufficient for the specified number is supplied from another fractional sheet 120 or the whole sheet 110. This makes it possible to avoid the occurrence of fractional sheets 120 cut to one drug.

[0102] As shown in Fig. 5, if the number of drugs contained in the target all-in-one sheet 110 is one less than the specified number, the target all-in-one sheet 110 is cut into one containing two drugs and the other remaining, one of which is stored in the fractional sheet storage unit 20 while the other is supplied. The drug that is insufficient for the specified number is supplied from another all-in-one sheet 110. This makes it possible to avoid the occurrence of fractional sheets 120 cut to one drug.

[0103] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, by prioritizing the supply of fractional sheets 120 over whole sheets 110, the number of fractional sheets 120 stored can be efficiently reduced, and the possibility of fractional sheets 120 being cut into pieces each containing a single drug can be reduced.

[0104] 4 and 6, when the number of drugs contained in the target fractional sheet 120 is one more than the specified number and the number of drugs contained in the target fractional sheet 120 is three or four, the drug is not supplied from the target fractional sheet 120, but is supplied from another fractional sheet 120 or the whole number sheet 110. This makes it possible to avoid the occurrence of a fractional sheet 120 cut to one drug.

[0105] 4 and 6, when the number of drugs contained in the target fractional sheet 120 is one more than the specified number and the number of drugs contained in the target fractional sheet 120 is five or more, the target fractional sheet 120 is cut into one containing three drugs and the other remaining, one of which is stored in the fractional sheet storage unit 20 while the other is supplied. The drug that is insufficient for the specified number is supplied from another fractional sheet 120 or the whole sheet 110. This makes it possible to avoid the occurrence of fractional sheets 120 cut to one drug.

[0106] As shown in Fig. 5, if the number of drugs contained in the target all-in-one sheet 110 is one more than the specified number, the target all-in-one sheet 110 is cut into one containing three drugs and the other the remaining one, one of which is stored in the fractional sheet storage unit 20 while the other is supplied. The drug that is insufficient for the specified number is supplied from another all-in-one sheet 110. This makes it possible to avoid the occurrence of a fractional sheet 120 cut to one drug.

[0107] In the embodiment of the medicine supply device 1, as shown in Fig. 1, the whole number sheet storage unit 10 stores a plurality of whole number sheets 110 each containing a plurality of medicines individually. The fractional number sheet storage unit 20 stores a plurality of fractional number sheets 120 each having a part cut out of the whole number sheet 110. As shown in Fig. 3, a combination of the whole number sheet 110 and the fractional number sheet 120 is taken out from the storage unit according to the number of medicines to be supplied. The medicine supply device 1 finds a combination in which the sum of the number of medicines contained in one or more whole number sheets 110 and the number of medicines contained in one or more fractional number sheets 120 matches the number of medicines to be supplied, and dispenses the combination of the whole number sheet 110 and the fractional number sheet 120, thereby being able to supply the required number of medicines in a short time.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 1, the complete sheet storage unit 10 and the fractional sheet storage unit 20 are provided separately, so that the complete sheets 110 and the fractional sheets 120 can be easily managed.

[0109] 1, the removal of all sheets 110 by the complete sheet removal unit 31 and the removal of fractional sheets 120 by the fractional sheet removal unit 32 can be performed in parallel. The removal and cutting of the necessary drug sheets 100 can be performed simultaneously in parallel, so that the speed at which drugs are dispensed from the drug supply device 1 can be further improved.

[0110] 1, the fractional sheet storage unit 20 has a plurality of storage chambers 22 for temporarily storing fractional sheets 120. After a storage chamber 22 becomes empty, a fractional sheet 120 containing a different type of medicine from the medicine previously stored therein can be stored in that storage chamber 22. This can improve the space efficiency of the fractional sheet storage unit 20, thereby making it possible to reduce the overall size of the medicine supply device 1.

[0111] 2, the medicine container 12 has a first storage section 15 capable of storing a plurality of full sheets 110 and a second storage section 16 capable of storing a plurality of fractional sheets 120, and is provided to store medicines by type. Each medicine container 12 stores medicines by type, and one medicine container 12 stores both the full sheet 110 and fractional sheets 120, making it easy to manage medicines by type.

[0112] 4 to 7, the control unit 50 controls the cutting unit 40 so that the fractional sheet 120 includes two or more pieces of medicine. Since the indicated number of medicines can be supplied without producing fractional sheets 120 cut into single pieces of medicine, the possibility of the fractional sheets 120 being accidentally swallowed or lost can be reduced.

[0113] [Second embodiment] Fig. 8 is a flow diagram showing a part of the flow of the cutting process of the second embodiment, and shows a modified example of the flow of the process shown in Fig. 4. In the process shown in Fig. 8, if the difference is +1 as a result of the calculation in step S12, no medicine is supplied from the target fractional sheet 120, the undetermined flag of the target fractional sheet 120 is cleared in step S34, and the process returns to the judgment in step S11. If the difference is -1 as a result of the calculation in step S12, no medicine is supplied from the target fractional sheet 120, the undetermined flag of the target fractional sheet 120 is cleared in step S35, and the process returns to the judgment in step S11.

[0114] When the number of drugs contained in the target fractional sheet 120 is one more than the specified number, or when the number of drugs contained in the target fractional sheet 120 is one less than the specified number, the drug is not supplied from the target fractional sheet 120, but is supplied from another fractional sheet 120 or the whole sheet 110. Even in this way, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of fractional sheets 120 cut to one drug, as in the first embodiment.

[0115] In the above embodiment, the control unit 50 controls the removal unit 30 and the cutting unit 40 to supply the specified number of medicines, and the medicine supply device 1 has been described. Alternatively, the device may be configured without the removal unit 30 and the cutting unit 40. The control unit (calculation unit) may specify a combination of the full number sheet 110 and the fractional number sheet 120 to be removed from the storage unit according to the number of medicines to be supplied, according to the process shown in Figs. 3 to 7, and the result of the specification may be output by the input / output unit 60. In this case, the removal and cutting of the medicine sheets 100 is performed by an operator.

[0116] The input / output unit 60 that outputs the specific result of the calculation unit may have, for example, a display or a printer. By looking at the display or the printed matter printed by the printer, the operator can easily recognize how to take out the combination of the full number sheet 110 and the fractional number sheet 120, cut them as necessary, and store the remaining cut pieces to supply the specified number of medicines without generating fractional number sheets cut into single medicine pieces.

[0117] A storage unit for storing the drug sheets 100, a calculation unit for identifying a combination of the drug sheets 100 to be taken out of the storage unit, and an output unit for outputting a result identified by the calculation unit may constitute one drug preparation instruction device. Alternatively, the storage unit, the calculation unit, and the output unit do not have to be configured as one device. The storage unit, the calculation unit, and the output unit may be provided as separate devices to constitute one drug preparation instruction system.

[0118] Although the embodiment has been described above, the disclosed embodiment should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include the meaning equivalent to the claims, and all modifications within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] 1 drug supply device, 10 whole sheet storage section, 12 drug container, 14, 14a partition, 15 first storage section, 16 second storage section, 20 remainder sheet storage section, 22 storage room, 30 removal section, 31 whole sheet removal section, 32 remainder sheet removal section, 40 cutting section, 50 control section, 60 input / output section, 100 drug sheet, 102 sheet section, 104 pocket section, 110 whole sheet, 120 remainder sheet.

Claims

1. a storage unit for storing a plurality of drug sheets each containing a plurality of drugs individually and for storing a plurality of fractional sheets obtained by cutting off a portion of the drug sheets; a removal section that removes a combination of the medicine sheets and the fractional sheets from the storage section in accordance with the number of medicines to be supplied.

2. 2. The medicine supply device according to claim 1, wherein the storage section comprises a medicine sheet storage section for storing a plurality of the medicine sheets, and a fractional sheet storage section for storing a plurality of the fractional sheets.

3. The medicine supply device according to claim 2 , wherein the removal unit is capable of removing the medicine sheets and the fractional sheets in parallel.

4. the fractional sheet storage unit has a plurality of storage rooms for temporarily storing the fractional sheets; The drug supply device according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein after the storage chamber for storing the remainder sheets containing a first type of drug becomes empty, the remainder sheets containing a second type of drug different from the first type can be stored.

5. The storage unit has a plurality of drug containers for storing drugs by type, The medicine supply device according to claim 1 , wherein the medicine container has a first storage portion capable of storing a plurality of the medicine sheets, and a second storage portion capable of storing a plurality of the fractional sheets.

6. a cutting section for cutting the drug sheet taken out from the storage section into the fractional sheets; The medicine supply device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a control unit that controls the cutting unit so that the fractional sheet includes two or more medicines.

Images