Medicine put-out device

Abstract

To provide a medicine put-out device capable of further facilitating folding operation, and further suppressing occurrence of a trouble.SOLUTION: A medicine put-out device 1 for packaging a medicine is provided inside with a container storage device 23 for storing a plurality of powder storage containers 4, and is further provided with a container movement device 28 for moving the powder storage container 4. A prescribed powder storage container 4 is taken out from the container storage device 23 and placed on a container holding stand 36, to thereby enable folding operation. Further, a display device 3 is provided, and information on powder stored in the powder storage containers 4 stored at present in the container storage device 23 is displayed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] In recent years, large hospitals and large pharmacies have introduced medicine dispensing machines with a powder medicine packaging function. These medicine dispensing machines can package powder medicine individually for each dose based on prescription information, automating most of the powder medicine packaging work that was previously performed.

[0003] Such a medicine dispensing device is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1. The medicine dispensing device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a powder medicine packaging device that packages powder medicine individually for each dose.

[0004] More specifically, in this powdered medicine packaging device, before carrying out a packaging operation in which powdered medicine is individually packaged for each dose, it is necessary to load the powdered medicine to be used in the packaging operation into an input hopper. Here, the powdered medicine is put into the input hopper in the amount required for the packaging operation, but this required amount is measured out manually by the user of the device, such as a pharmacist. That is, the user takes the medicine bottle containing the prescribed powdered medicine from the medicine shelf, measures out the required amount using a scale such as a balance, and puts it into the input hopper.

[0005] As powdered medicine is poured into the feeding hopper, the trough is vibrated and the distribution plate is rotated. As a result, the powdered medicine put into the input hopper falls from the bottom opening of the input hopper into the trough. Then, as the medicine moves along the trough toward the tip, the flow of the medicine becomes laminar. In other words, the distribution of the medicine in the cross section perpendicular to the flow becomes constant, and the distance the medicine travels per unit time also becomes constant.

[0006] This allows the powdered medicine to be dispersed evenly and to move slowly at a constant speed toward the tip. The powdered medicine moving at the front falls from the tip of the trough into the distribution dish. The powdered medicine following behind falls into the distribution dish at a constant rate per time. Here, as mentioned above, the distribution plate rotates at a predetermined speed. Therefore, the powdered medicine that falls from the trough onto the distribution plate is evenly distributed on the distribution plate. In other words, the powdered medicine falls onto the distribution plate little by little, and since the distribution plate rotates at a constant speed, the powdered medicine is evenly distributed on the distribution plate.

[0007] Once the powdered medicine has finished falling onto the distribution tray, the rotation of the distribution tray is temporarily stopped. Then, the scraping device is brought into contact with the top surface of the distribution tray, and the distribution tray is rotated an angle according to the number of divisions. For example, if the powdered medicine is to be divided into three packets, the distribution tray is rotated 120 degrees (one-third of 360 degrees). This operation causes one packet of powdered medicine to be collected around the scraping device, and the collected packet of powdered medicine is placed into a packaging hopper by the scraping device. The powdered medicine that has fallen from the packaging hopper is then packaged by the packaging device, completing the packaging operation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] JP 2000-85703 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, in the powdered medicine packaging device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the task of measuring out the amount of powdered medicine to be used must be performed manually, which is troublesome. Therefore, there has been a desire to automate the packaging process and various other tasks associated with it.

[0010] However, if there is an error in the tasks of identifying a container that contains a specific drug from a shelf, weighing the drug, and dispensing it, there is a possibility that a patient may take a different drug than intended or the wrong amount of drug. In such cases, there is a possibility that human lives may be directly affected, so care must be taken when automating these tasks.

[0011] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a medicine dispensing device which enables further simplification of the packaging operation and further suppresses the occurrence of malfunctions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] One aspect of the present invention developed to solve the above problems is a drug dispensing device that takes a predetermined amount of powdered medicine from a powdered medicine storage container, divides the powdered medicine into a predetermined number, and packages and discharges them in single doses, and has a distribution tray and a control device that allocates the powdered medicine discharged from the powdered medicine storage container, and before discharging the powdered medicine from the powdered medicine storage container to the distribution tray, the control device determines whether the planned supply amount (unit: weight or mass) to be supplied to the distribution tray is less than a specified value Q1 (unit: weight or mass), and if it determines that the planned supply amount is less than the specified value Q1, it makes a change to increase the number of days of the prescription for which the planned supply amount is prescribed, and supplies an amount of powdered medicine equal to or greater than the specified value Q1 to the distribution tray, and divides the supplied amount of powdered medicine equal to or greater than the specified value Q1 into a predetermined number based on the dosage of powdered medicine prescribed by the doctor, and packages the powdered medicine into single doses. Another aspect of the present invention developed to solve the above problems is a drug dispensing device that takes a predetermined amount of powdered medicine from a powdered medicine storage container, divides the powdered medicine into a predetermined number of doses, and packages and discharges them in single doses, and has a distribution tray and a control device that allocates the powdered medicine discharged from the powdered medicine storage container, and before discharging the powdered medicine from the powdered medicine storage container into the distribution tray, the control device determines whether the planned amount to be supplied (units: weight or mass) to be supplied to the distribution tray is less than a specified value Q1 (units: weight or mass), and if it determines that the planned amount to be supplied is less than the specified value Q1, it makes a change to increase the number of doses per day or per session of the prescribed prescription by the planned amount, and supplies an amount of powdered medicine equal to or greater than the specified value Q1 to the distribution tray, and divides the supplied amount of powdered medicine equal to or greater than the specified value Q1 into a predetermined number based on the dose of powdered medicine prescribed by the doctor, and packages the powdered medicine into single doses. In a preferred embodiment, the control device determines whether the planned amount of powdered medicine to be supplied to the distribution tray before discharging the powdered medicine from the powdered medicine storage container into the distribution tray is less than a specified value Q1, and if an amount of powdered medicine equal to or greater than the specified value Q1 has been supplied to the distribution tray, notifies the user that an amount of powdered medicine equal to or greater than the specified value Q1 has been supplied to the distribution tray, or if an amount of powdered medicine equal to or greater than the specified value Q1 has been supplied to the distribution tray, notifies the user that an amount of powdered medicine equal to or greater than the specified value Q1 has been supplied to the distribution tray. An even more preferred embodiment is a medicine dispensing device which further has a printing means, a journal printer and an operation display unit, and in which the action of notifying the user is an action of printing a message encouraging disposal on the excess portion of the medicine bag output from the printing means by the printing means, or an action of printing a message encouraging disposal on paper medium output from the journal printer by the journal printer, or an action of displaying a predetermined message on the operation display unit. Another aspect of the present invention developed to solve the above problems is a medicine dispensing device that takes a predetermined amount of powdered medicine from a powdered medicine storage container, divides the powdered medicine into a predetermined number, and packages and discharges them in single doses, and has a distribution tray and a control device that distributes the powdered medicine discharged from the powdered medicine storage container, and the control device calculates a specified value Q2 based on the bulk specific gravity of the type of powdered medicine to be supplied to the distribution tray, and before discharging the powdered medicine from the powdered medicine storage container to the distribution tray, determines whether the planned amount to be supplied to the distribution tray (units are weight or mass) is less than the specified value Q2 (units are weight or mass), and if it determines that the planned amount to be supplied is less than the specified value Q2, makes a change to increase the number of days of the prescription for which the planned amount is prescribed, and supplies an amount of powdered medicine equal to or greater than the specified value Q2 to the distribution tray, and divides the supplied amount of powdered medicine equal to or greater than the specified value Q2 into a predetermined number based on the dosage of the powdered medicine prescribed by the doctor, and packages the powdered medicine into single doses. Another aspect of the present invention developed to solve the above problems is a medicine dispensing device that takes a predetermined amount of powdered medicine from a powdered medicine storage container, divides the powdered medicine into a predetermined number, and packages and discharges them in single doses, the medicine dispensing device having a distribution tray and a control device that distributes the powdered medicine discharged from the powdered medicine storage container, the control device calculates a specified value Q2 based on the bulk specific gravity of the type of powdered medicine to be supplied to the distribution tray, and determines whether the planned amount to be supplied to the distribution tray (units are weight or mass) is less than the specified value Q2 (units are weight or mass) before discharging the powdered medicine from the powdered medicine storage container to the distribution tray, and if it determines that the planned amount to be supplied is less than the specified value Q2, it makes a change to increase the number of doses per day or per session of the prescribed prescription, and supplies an amount of powdered medicine equal to or greater than the specified value Q2 to the distribution tray, and divides the supplied amount of powdered medicine equal to or greater than the specified value Q2 into a predetermined number based on the dosage of the powdered medicine prescribed by the doctor, and packages the powdered medicine into single doses. Another aspect of the present invention developed to solve the above problems is a method of dispensing powdered medicine using a medicine dispensing device that takes a predetermined amount of powdered medicine from a powdered medicine storage container, divides the powdered medicine into a predetermined number, and further packages and discharges them in single doses, wherein the medicine dispensing device has a distribution tray for allocating the powdered medicine discharged from the powdered medicine storage container, and before dispensing the powdered medicine from the powdered medicine storage container to the distribution tray, it determines whether the planned supply amount (unit: weight or mass) to be supplied to the distribution tray is less than a specified value Q1 (unit: weight or mass), and if it determines that the planned supply amount is less than the specified value Q1, it makes a change to increase the number of days of the prescription for which the planned supply amount is prescribed, and supplies an amount of powdered medicine equal to or greater than the specified value Q1 to the distribution tray, and divides the supplied amount of powdered medicine equal to or greater than the specified value Q1 into a predetermined number based on the dose of powdered medicine prescribed by the doctor, and packages the powdered medicine into single doses. Another aspect of the present invention developed to solve the above problems is a method of dispensing powdered medicine using a medicine dispensing device that takes a predetermined amount of powdered medicine from a powdered medicine storage container, divides the powdered medicine into a predetermined number, and packages and discharges them in single doses, wherein the medicine dispensing device has a distribution tray for allocating the powdered medicine discharged from the powdered medicine storage container, and before dispensing the powdered medicine from the powdered medicine storage container to the distribution tray, it determines whether the planned supply amount (unit: weight or mass) to be supplied to the distribution tray is less than a specified value Q1 (unit: weight or mass), and if it determines that the planned supply amount is less than the specified value Q1, it makes a change to increase the number of doses per day or per session of the prescribed prescription for the planned supply amount, and supplies an amount of powdered medicine equal to or greater than the specified value Q1 to the distribution tray, and divides the supplied amount of powdered medicine equal to or greater than the specified value Q1 into a predetermined number based on the dose of powdered medicine prescribed by the doctor, and packages the powdered medicine into single doses. Another aspect of the present invention developed to solve the above problems is a medicine dispensing device which takes out a predetermined amount of powdered medicine from a powdered medicine storage container, divides it into a predetermined number, and further packages and discharges it individually, wherein the powdered medicine storage container stores powdered medicine and has a discharge outlet portion which serves as a discharge outlet for discharging the stored powdered medicine, and is provided therein with a medicine container arrangement area, a medicine division area, and a medicine packaging area, the medicine container arrangement area is provided with a container storage device for storing a plurality of the powdered medicine storage containers, and the medicine division area is provided with a distribution tray which distributes the powdered medicine discharged from the powdered medicine storage container, and a medicine packing area which packs the powdered medicine put into the distribution tray. The drug dispensing device is provided with a scraping device for scraping out powdered medicine, and a drug packaging device is provided in the drug packaging area, and the scraping device scrapes out the powdered medicine from the distribution tray and drops it into the drug packaging area, and the drug packaging device performs a packaging operation to package the powdered medicine.The drug dispensing device has a display device for displaying various information, and is capable of displaying on the display device a display switching means that is capable of switching between information regarding the powdered medicine stored in the powdered medicine storage container currently stored in the container storage device and information regarding the powdered medicine stored in the powdered medicine storage container stored on an external management shelf. A preferred embodiment is a medicine dispensing device which is provided with an operating device for performing various input operations, the operating device being a touch panel type which is integral with the display device, the display device being capable of displaying a speed control screen for controlling the discharge speed of powdered medicine into the distribution tray, the speed control screen displaying a circular operation image, and when a motion of touching the area where the operation image is displayed and tracing in a circumferential direction is detected, a target discharge speed is determined according to the tracing direction and tracing distance, and the powdered medicine is discharged so as to achieve the determined discharge speed. In a further preferred embodiment, the speed control screen further displays a speed display image showing a value indicating the current target discharge speed, and the speed display image is temporarily displayed outside the operation image on the condition that the target discharge speed has changed, in the drug dispensing device. In a further preferred embodiment, a container mounting device is provided for discharging powdered medicine from the powdered medicine storage container, and the speed control screen is further capable of displaying an observation image, which is a moving image captured of the discharge outlet portion and its surroundings of the powdered medicine storage container mounted on the container mounting device when the powdered medicine storage container is mounted on the container mounting device, and the observation image showing the current state of the discharge outlet portion and its surroundings and the operation image are displayed simultaneously on a single screen during the rotation of the distribution tray. In a further preferred embodiment, the medicine dispensing device changes a display color of the operation image in response to a change in the target discharge speed. Another aspect of the present invention developed to solve the above problems is a medicine dispensing device which takes out a predetermined amount of powdered medicine from a powdered medicine storage container, divides it into a predetermined number of pieces, and further packages and discharges it individually, wherein the powdered medicine storage container stores powdered medicine and has a discharge outlet portion which serves as a discharge outlet for discharging the stored powdered medicine, and is provided therein with a medicine container arrangement area, a medicine dividing area, and a medicine packaging area, and a container storage device for storing a plurality of the powdered medicine storage containers is provided in the medicine container arrangement area, and the medicine dividing area is provided with a distribution tray which distributes the powdered medicine discharged from the powdered medicine storage container and a scraping device for scraping out the powdered medicine put into the distribution tray, and a medicine packaging device is provided in the medicine packaging area, and the scraping device scrapes out the powdered medicine from the distribution tray and drops it into the medicine packaging area, and the medicine packaging device is provided with the scraping device, and the medicine packaging device is provided with the scraping device, and the powdered medicine is scraped out of the distribution tray and dropped into the medicine packaging area, This is a medicine dispensing device that is capable of performing a packaging operation to package powdered medicine, has a display device for displaying various information, and is capable of displaying information regarding the powdered medicine contained in the powdered medicine storage container currently stored in the container storage device on the display device, and is equipped with an operation device for performing various input operations, the operation device being a touch panel type that is integrated with the display device, and the display device being capable of displaying a speed control screen for controlling the discharge speed of the powdered medicine into the distribution tray, and the speed control screen displays a circular operation image, and when a motion of tracing in a circumferential direction while touching the area where the operation image is displayed is detected, the device determines a target discharge speed depending on the tracing direction and tracing distance, and performs a powdered medicine discharge operation so as to achieve the determined discharge speed. In a preferred aspect, the speed control screen further displays a speed display image showing a value indicating the current target discharge speed, and the speed display image is temporarily displayed outside the operation image on the condition that the target discharge speed has changed, in this drug dispensing device. In a further preferred embodiment, a container mounting device is provided for discharging powdered medicine from the powdered medicine storage container, and the speed control screen is further capable of displaying an observation image, which is a moving image captured of the discharge outlet portion and its surroundings of the powdered medicine storage container mounted on the container mounting device when the powdered medicine storage container is mounted on the container mounting device, and the observation image showing the current state of the discharge outlet portion and its surroundings and the operation image are displayed simultaneously on a single screen during the rotation of the distribution tray. In a further preferred embodiment, the medicine dispensing device changes a display color of the operation image in response to a change in the target discharge speed. Another aspect of the present invention, which has been developed to solve the above problems, is a medicine dispensing device that takes out a predetermined amount of powdered medicine from a powdered medicine storage container, divides it into a predetermined number, and further packages and discharges it, and is provided with a distribution tray that distributes the powdered medicine discharged from the powdered medicine storage container, and a scraping device for scraping out the powdered medicine put into the distribution tray, and the scraping device is provided with an arm member whose tip side moves up and down, a scraping plate provided at the tip of the arm member, and a scraping plate protruding from the scraping plate, and the distribution tray has a groove-shaped portion that is continuous in an annular shape, and in the packaging operation, the scraping plate is inserted into the groove-shaped portion of the distribution tray, and the scraping plate and the distribution tray are moved relative to each other to perform a scraping operation of scraping the powdered medicine on the distribution tray near the scraping plate, and a scraping operation of scraping the powdered medicine scraped near the scraping plate out of the distribution tray by the scraping plate. and further, the operation consisting of the scraping action and the scraping action can be performed a plurality of times to divide the powdered medicine on the distribution tray into packets each and scrape them out of the distribution tray, and in this operation, the movement distance of the relative movement in the scraping action targeting one packet of powdered medicine is variable depending on the number of divisions of the powdered medicine, and depending on the movement distance of the relative movement in the scraping action targeting one packet of powdered medicine, it is possible to perform either a single scraping action in which one packet of powdered medicine is scraped out by a single scraping action and scraping action, or a multiple scraping action in which one packet of powdered medicine is scraped out by a plurality of scraping actions and scraping actions, and when the multiple scraping action is performed, the movement distance of the relative movement in the scraping action performed first is longer than the movement distance of the relative movement in the scraping action performed last. In this aspect, the multiple scraping operations can include a maximum amount scraping operation accompanied by a scraping operation in which the relative movement is performed with a predetermined maximum movement amount, and a minimum amount scraping operation accompanied by a scraping operation in which the relative movement is performed with a predetermined minimum movement amount.It is preferable to perform the maximum amount scraping operation at least once, and perform the scraping operation and the scraping operation with a smaller movement amount than the movement distance of the relative movement in the scraping operation performed in the maximum amount scraping operation, provided that the value obtained by subtracting the movement distance of the relative movement in the scraping operation performed in the maximum amount scraping operation from the movement distance of the relative movement in the scraping operation targeted at one packet of powdered medicine is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and further perform the minimum amount scraping operation. In this aspect, the relative movement is achieved by rotating the distribution plate while the scraper plate is inserted into the groove-shaped portion of the distribution plate, and it is preferable that the rotation angle of the distribution plate is calculated from the pulse amount of the motor that rotates the distribution plate. This aspect is capable of performing a maximum amount scooping operation accompanied by a scraping operation in which the relative movement is performed with a predetermined maximum movement amount, and it is preferable that the multiple scraping operation is performed when the movement distance of the relative movement in the scraping operation targeting one packet of powdered medicine is greater than the movement distance of the relative movement in the maximum amount scooping operation, and that the single scraping operation is performed when the movement distance of the relative movement in the scraping operation targeting one packet of powdered medicine is equal to or less than the movement distance of the relative movement in the maximum amount scooping operation. This aspect makes it possible to carry out a minimum amount scraping operation accompanied by a scraping operation in which the relative movement is performed with a predetermined minimum movement amount, and it is preferable that the minimum amount scraping operation is an operation of rotating the distribution plate a distance equal to the width of the scraping plate with the scraping plate inserted in the groove-shaped portion of the distribution plate. In this aspect, a minimum amount of scraping operation accompanied by the scraping operation in which the relative movement is performed by a predetermined minimum movement amount can be performed, and the multiple scraping operations are an operation of performing a maximum amount of scraping operation accompanied by the scraping operation in which the relative movement is performed by a predetermined maximum movement amount, and a residual scraping operation in which the relative movement is performed by a movement amount smaller than the maximum amount of scraping operation, and the multiple scraping operations include an operation of calculating the number of times the maximum amount of scraping operation is performed, and a calculation of the relative movement in the residual scraping operation based on the number of times the maximum amount of scraping operation is performed. The method further comprises: performing an operation to calculate the amount of relative movement in the residual scraping-out operation; if the amount of relative movement in the residual scraping-out operation is twice or more than the amount of relative movement in the minimum amount scraping-out operation, performing two residual scraping-out operations; and if the amount of relative movement in the residual scraping-out operation is less than twice the amount of relative movement in the minimum amount scraping-out operation, performing one residual scraping-out operation; and, when performing two residual scraping-out operations, it is preferable that the residual scraping-out operation performed the second time is the minimum amount scraping-out operation. Another aspect related to the present invention is a medicine dispensing device that takes out a predetermined amount of powdered medicine from a powdered medicine storage container, divides it into a predetermined number of pieces, and further packages and discharges them individually, wherein the powdered medicine storage container stores powdered medicine and has an outlet portion that serves as an outlet for discharging the stored powdered medicine, and is provided therein with a medicine container arrangement area, a medicine division area, and a medicine packaging area, the medicine container arrangement area is provided with a container storage device for storing a plurality of the powdered medicine storage containers, and the medicine division area is provided with a distribution tray that distributes the powdered medicine discharged from the powdered medicine storage container, a scraping device for scraping out the powdered medicine put into the distribution tray, and a container mounting device on which the powdered medicine storage container is placed and which acts on the powdered medicine storage container to discharge the powdered medicine from the powdered medicine storage container, The medicine packaging area is provided with a medicine packaging device, and a container moving device for moving the powder medicine storage container is further provided, the container moving device is capable of performing an operation of removing a specific powder medicine storage container from the container storage device and placing it on the container mounting device, discharging powder medicine from the powder medicine storage container placed on the container mounting device and depositing it into the distribution tray, scraping the powder medicine from the distribution tray by the scraping device and dropping it into the medicine packaging area side, and packaging the powder medicine by the medicine packaging device, and has a display device for displaying various information, and is capable of displaying information regarding the powder medicine stored in the powder medicine storage container currently stored in the container storage device on the display device.

[0013] The medicine dispensing device of this aspect removes a predetermined amount of powdered medicine from a powdered medicine storage container based on previously input prescription information, divides it into a predetermined number of portions, and then individually packages and discharges it.It is capable of removing a predetermined powdered medicine storage container from a container storage device and placing it on a container mounting device, discharging the powdered medicine from the powdered medicine storage container placed on the container mounting device and depositing it into a distribution tray, where it is divided and then packaged. In other words, it is not necessary to measure out the amount of powdered medicine to be used and pour it into a powdered medicine storage container, and the packaging operation can be further simplified. In addition, the medicine dispensing device of this aspect is equipped with a display device and can display information about the powdered medicine contained in the powdered medicine container. This allows the user to carry out various operations while checking detailed information about the medicine to be used, thereby preventing the occurrence of problems such as incorrect use of the type or amount of medicine during various operations.

[0014] This aspect is provided with an operating device for performing various input operations, the operating device being a touch panel type that is integral with the display device, and the display device being capable of displaying a speed control screen for controlling the discharge speed of the powdered medicine into the distribution tray, and the speed control screen displays a circular operation image, and when a motion of touching the area in which the operation image is displayed and tracing in a circumferential direction is detected, it is preferable that a target discharge speed is determined according to the tracing direction and tracing distance, and the powdered medicine is discharged so as to achieve the determined discharge speed.

[0015] In this preferred aspect, the operating device for performing various input operations is integrated with the display device, and there is no need to take the trouble of reserving an installation area for the operating device on the main body, etc., improving design freedom. In this preferred aspect, when a circular operating image is displayed, touching the area where the operating image is displayed and tracing it in the circumferential direction changes the discharge speed (supply speed) of the powdered medicine discharged (supplied) to the distribution tray. This makes it possible to give the user a feeling of operation as if they were operating a dial in a touch panel type operating device. This improves operability when changing the speed. The discharge rate (supply rate) of the powdered medicine is the amount discharged per unit time. That is, the discharge rate can be changed by performing the above-mentioned operations on the operation image.

[0016] In this aspect, it is further preferable that the speed control screen further displays a speed display image showing a value indicating the current target discharge speed, and that the speed display image is temporarily displayed outside the operation image on the condition that the target discharge speed has changed.

[0017] In this preferred aspect, when the discharge speed (supply speed) of the powdered medicine is changed on the speed control screen, a speed display image is temporarily displayed outside the operation image, allowing the user to reliably grasp the current discharge speed (supply speed). To explain in more detail, when the operation image is touched with a finger or the like to operate it, the finger or the like may overlap the display screen, making it difficult to see the part displaying the discharge speed. Therefore, in this aspect, the speed display image is displayed outside the operation image, which is the part touched with the finger or the like, so that the discharge speed can be confirmed at a glance even during an operation to change the speed. In other words, by making it easy to grasp the discharge speed, it is possible to easily change the discharge speed.

[0018] More preferably, the powdered medicine storage container has an outlet portion through which the powdered medicine is discharged, and the speed control screen can further display an observation image which is a moving image captured of the outlet portion and its surroundings of the powdered medicine storage container placed on the container mounting device when the powdered medicine storage container is placed on the container mounting device, and while the distribution tray is rotating, the observation image showing the current state of the outlet portion and its surroundings and the operation image are displayed simultaneously on one screen.

[0019] According to this aspect, the discharge speed (supply speed) of the powdered medicine can be changed while observing the state of the discharge port of the powdered medicine storage container and its surroundings during the packaging operation. In other words, since the discharge speed can be changed based on the actual situation, a more appropriate discharge operation (supply operation) can be performed.

[0020] More preferably, the display color of the operation image changes in response to a change in the target discharge speed.

[0021] In this manner, it becomes possible to more easily grasp the current discharge rate.

[0022] In this aspect, at the start of the packaging operation, a first history storage operation is executed to store information regarding the packaging operation to be performed, and at the completion of the packaging operation, a second history storage operation is executed to store information regarding the packaging operation that has been successfully completed. It is preferable that it is possible to select either the information stored in the first history storage operation or the information stored in the second history storage operation, and re-execute the packaging operation based on the selected information.

[0023] In this preferred aspect, at the start of the packaging operation, a first history storage operation is performed to store information about the packaging operation to be performed, and at the completion of the packaging operation, a second history storage operation is performed to store information about the packaging operation that has been successfully completed. That is, in addition to the normal operation history obtained at the successful completion of the packaging operation, an operation history obtained at the start of the packaging operation is obtained and stored. Then, the packaging operation can be re-executed based on each operation history. In other words, not only can a packaging operation that has been successfully completed be re-executed based on past information, but a packaging operation that has been attempted can also be re-executed based on past information. For this reason, even if the packaging operation is interrupted for some reason, if the reason is a minor one that can be quickly solved, the problem can be quickly solved and the operation can be restarted. Even if a problem occurs during the packaging operation, it is possible to restart the operation without requiring complicated input operations, making it easier to perform the packaging operation.

[0024] In this aspect, theoretical values ​​of drug-related values ​​relating to the powdered medicine discharged from the powdered medicine storage container during the packaging operation can be input or calculated, and actual measured values ​​of the drug-related values ​​can be obtained directly during the packaging operation or calculated from values ​​obtained directly during the packaging operation, and a printing operation can be executed to output various information to a printing medium, and it is preferable that the theoretical values ​​and the actual measured values ​​can be output during the printing operation.

[0025] In this preferred aspect, when the results of the packaging operation, etc., are output to a print medium, the theoretical values ​​and actual measured values ​​of each value related to the operation, such as the total amount of medicine used, can be printed on the same medium. This allows the user to easily compare the "theoretical values" and the "actual measured values," and to easily grasp whether a packaging error has occurred and the exact value of any packaging error that has occurred. The user can then carry out the next packaging operation with this in mind, making it possible to easily carry out a packaging operation with higher accuracy.

[0026] More preferably, the print medium is a medicine bag for packaging powdered medicine, and the length of the medicine bag is changed according to the content to be printed in the printing operation.

[0027] According to this preferred aspect, the length of the medicine envelope, which is the print medium, can be changed according to the amount of written content, making it possible to make the printed content easier to see. The medicine envelope is a envelope created based on prescription information, which includes information for identifying the patient and information on how to take the prescribed medicine, such as the timing, dosage, number of doses, and interval between doses. In other words, the medicine bag in this aspect is a medicine bag individually formed for a specific individual, and the basic bag length is determined according to the prescription information. Furthermore, based on the prescription information, the bag is divided into a predetermined number of sections as necessary, and one dose of powder medicine is sealed in each of the sections.

[0028] In this aspect, it is preferable that the discharge speed of the powdered medicine into the distribution tray can be obtained and a graph showing the change in the discharge speed in accordance with the progress of the packaging operation performed in the past can be displayed.

[0029] In this preferred aspect, the discharge speed of the powdered medicine into the distribution tray can be obtained and a graph can be displayed showing the change in said discharge speed in accordance with the progress of the packaging operation carried out in the past. This makes it possible to not only detect whether the discharge of the powdered medicine is complete, but also to confirm whether the powdered medicine is smoothly supplied from the start to the end of the discharge of the powdered medicine. In other words, it is possible to not only confirm whether the discharge of the powdered medicine is complete, but also to confirm the status of the discharge process. In addition, by displaying the transition of the discharge speed in a graph, it is possible to make it easier for the user to confirm the status of the discharge process.

[0030] This aspect is capable of displaying a past packaging image, which is a moving image relating to the packaging operation performed in the past, capturing the distribution tray and the area around the distribution tray during the operation, and a graph showing the change in the amount of powdered medicine discharged into the distribution tray as the packaging operation performed in the past progresses, or the change in the speed at which powdered medicine is discharged into the distribution tray as the operation progresses, and it is preferable that the past packaging image and the graph for the same packaging operation are displayed on the same screen.

[0031] In this preferred aspect, a moving image relating to a previously performed packaging operation and a graph showing the change in the amount of medicine supplied (or the change in the medicine supply rate) over time during that previously performed packaging operation can be displayed on the same screen. This allows the user to check the specific details of past packaging operations while checking the changes in the supply amount and supply speed of the medicine over time. For example, when the supply amount and supply speed change suddenly, it becomes possible to grasp in detail what happened around the distribution tray. In this way, this preferable aspect makes it possible to verify in detail the contents of packaging operations performed in the past, and even if a malfunction occurs, it is easy to identify the cause. The user can perform the next packaging operation based on this, so that a more accurate packaging operation can be easily performed.

[0032] More preferably, a time display section is further displayed which shows the total time from the start time to the end time of the packaging operation displayed in the past packaging image and the time within the total time at which the past packaging image being displayed is.

[0033] In this more preferable aspect, it is possible to easily grasp which point in time between the start time and the end time the currently displayed content of the past packing operation represents, i.e., it is possible to easily grasp what happened at what point in time.

[0034] More preferably, when a past packing operation in which a problem occurred during its execution is the subject of the present invention, an error time display operation is performed in which the time at which the error occurred is highlighted on the graph.

[0035] In this more preferable aspect, by highlighting the time when the problem occurred, the user viewing the video image of the past packaging operation can be prompted to pay particular attention to the operation at and around the time when the problem occurred. In other words, this prevents the user from missing important details such as the state of the moment when the problem occurred in the past packaging operation, the state immediately before the problem occurred, and what happened after the problem occurred.

[0036] In this aspect, it is possible to calculate an inventory amount, which is the amount of powdered medicine in the powdered medicine storage container stored internally and externally, and a reserved amount, which is the amount of powdered medicine to be used in the packaging operation scheduled to be performed in the future, and a comparison operation is performed to compare the inventory amount with the reserved amount.If the result of the comparison operation shows that there will be a shortage of powdered medicine for the packaging operation to be performed in the future, it is preferable to perform an alarm operation to alert the user to the future shortage of powdered medicine.

[0037] In this preferred aspect, the amount of medicine to be used in a packaging operation scheduled to be performed in the future is calculated and compared with the amount in stock. If the comparison reveals that there will be a shortage of medicine in the future, the user is notified of the future shortage of medicine. In other words, by making the user aware of the future shortage of medicine, it is possible to encourage the user to secure medicine in advance and prevent the packaging operation from being interrupted due to a shortage of medicine. This allows the packaging operation to be performed smoothly.

[0038] More preferably, a packing progress screen can be displayed to display the progress of the packaging operation currently being performed, and if the comparison operation shows that there will be a shortage of powdered medicine in the packaging operation to be performed in the future, a first notification operation is performed to notify the user of the shortage of powdered medicine, and the first notification operation involves an operation to display a part of the packing progress screen in a more prominent manner than its surroundings, and by performing a specified operation on the part highlighted in the first notification operation, a weighing reservation notification screen is displayed, and the weighing reservation notification screen displays the shortage amount, which is the amount of powdered medicine that will be lacking in the packaging operation to be performed in the future, and an operation is initiated to fill a specified powdered medicine storage container with the powdered medicine that will be lacking in the future, provided that a specified operation has been performed on the weighing reservation notification screen.

[0039] However, when the powdered medicine is scraped out by the scraping device, there is a risk that the powdered medicine will adhere to the part of the scraping device that scrapes out the powdered medicine due to the generation of static electricity, etc. If the powdered medicine adheres to the scraping device, the amount of powdered medicine scraped out will be less than the specified amount, and it may become impossible to package the correct amount of powdered medicine.

[0040] For this reason, in this aspect, the scraping device is equipped with an arm member whose tip side rises and falls, a scraping plate provided at the tip of the arm member, and a scraping plate protruding from the scraping plate, and the distribution plate has a groove-shaped portion that is continuous in a ring shape, and in the packaging operation, the scraping plate is inserted into the groove-shaped portion of the distribution plate, and the scraping plate and the distribution plate are moved relatively to each other to perform a scraping operation in which the powdered medicine on the distribution plate is scraped near the scraping plate, and the scraping plate is moved in a direction crossing the circumferential direction of the groove-shaped portion while being in contact with the upper surface of the groove-shaped portion to scrape the powdered medicine scraped near the scraping plate out of the distribution plate. After performing the operation of scraping the powdered medicine out of the distribution plate, it is preferable to move the scraping plate in the opposite direction to when the scraping operation was performed while keeping it in contact with the upper surface of the groove-shaped portion, and then to move it in the same direction as the scraping operation.

[0041] In this preferred aspect, after performing the scraping operation to scrape the powdered medicine out of the distribution plate, the scraping plate of the scraping device is moved in the opposite direction to the scraping operation while being in contact with the upper surface of the groove-shaped portion of the distribution plate. This makes it possible to drop the powdered medicine attached to the scraping plate into the distribution plate. Then, by performing the operation of moving the scraping plate in the same direction as the scraping operation, it becomes possible to scrape out the powdered medicine that has dropped into the distribution plate. In other words, according to this preferred aspect, since the powdered medicine attached to the scraping plate can be scraped out after it has been dropped into the distribution plate, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the amount of powdered medicine scraped out due to the powdered medicine adhering to the scraping plate.

[0042] In this aspect, the scraping device includes an arm member whose tip side rises and falls, a scraping plate provided at the tip of the arm member, and a scraping plate protruding from the scraping plate, and the distribution plate includes a groove-shaped portion that is continuous in an annular shape, and in the packaging operation, the scraping plate is inserted into the groove-shaped portion of the distribution plate, and the scraping plate and the distribution plate are moved relative to each other to perform a scraping operation of scraping the powdered medicine on the distribution plate near the scraping plate, and a scraping operation of scraping the powdered medicine scraped near the scraping plate out of the distribution plate by the scraping plate, and further, an operation consisting of the scraping operation and the scraping operation is performed a plurality of times, and the powdered medicine on the distribution plate is divided into packets and scraped out of the distribution plate. It is possible to perform an operation in which the distance of the relative movement in the scraping operation targeted at one packet of powdered medicine is variable depending on the number of divisions of the powdered medicine, and depending on the distance of the relative movement in the scraping operation targeted at one packet of powdered medicine, it is possible to perform either a single scraping-out operation in which one packet of powdered medicine is scraped out by a single scraping operation and scraping-out operation, or a multiple scraping-out operation in which one packet of powdered medicine is scraped out by multiple scraping operations and scraping-out operations, and when the multiple scraping-out operation is performed, it is preferable that the distance of the relative movement in the scraping operation performed earlier is longer than the distance of the relative movement in the scraping operation performed last.

[0043] Here, when the scraping plate and the distribution plate are moved relative to each other to scrape the powdered medicine, if the distance of the relative movement is too long, the amount of powdered medicine gathered will increase, and the scraped powdered medicine may reach a position far from the scraping plate, not just the periphery of the scraping plate. In this case, even if the scraping operation is performed, there is a possibility that the powdered medicine far from the scraping plate cannot be scraped out. This is not preferable from the viewpoint of packaging an accurate amount of powdered medicine, because the amount of powdered medicine scraped out will be less than the specified amount.

[0044] Therefore, in the above-mentioned preferred aspect, multiple scraping operations are performed according to the moving distance of the relative movement, and one package of powdered medicine is scraped out in multiple times, so that the scraped powdered medicine can be positioned only around the scraping plate. Also, when scraping the powdered medicine for the final scraping operation, the moving distance of the relative movement is shorter than when scraping the powdered medicine for the preceding scraping operation. In other words, when scraping the powdered medicine for the final scraping operation, it is possible to more reliably position the powdered medicine only around the scraping plate. This prevents the powdered medicine from being gathered in a position away from the scraping plate and being unable to be scraped out, making it possible to package an accurate amount of powdered medicine.

[0045] More preferably, the multiple scraping operations can include a maximum amount scraping operation accompanied by a scraping operation in which the relative movement is performed with a predetermined maximum movement amount, and a minimum amount scraping operation accompanied by a scraping operation in which the relative movement is performed with a predetermined minimum movement amount, and at least one maximum amount scraping operation is performed, and the scraping operation and the scraping operation are performed with a smaller movement amount than the movement distance of the relative movement in the scraping operation performed in the maximum amount scraping operation, provided that the value obtained by subtracting the movement distance of the relative movement in the scraping operation performed in the maximum amount scraping operation from the movement distance of the relative movement in the scraping operation targeted at one packet of powdered medicine is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and further the minimum amount scraping operation is performed. This preferred aspect allows for more reliable packaging of precise amounts of powdered medication.

[0046] In this aspect, the powder medicine storage container has a lid member for opening and closing the discharge outlet formed in the discharge outlet portion, and the container moving device is provided with a lid engagement portion for opening and closing the lid member, and a container holding portion capable of holding the powder medicine storage container in a tightly contacting state, and it is preferable that after the container holding portion performs a temporary closing operation to close the lid member at a position away from the powder medicine storage container, the container holding portion brings the powder medicine storage container into contact with the powder medicine storage container and performs an operation to hold the powder medicine storage container and a full closing operation to close the lid member.

[0047] According to this preferred aspect, when the powder medicine container is moved by the container moving device, the powder medicine does not spill out of the powder medicine container due to the impact caused by contact between the container moving device and the powder medicine container, so that the powder medicine is not unexpectedly supplied to the distribution tray, and the accurate amount of powder medicine can be dispensed and packaged.

[0048] In this aspect, it is preferable that a plurality of the container mounting devices are provided, a different powder storage container is mounted on each of the plurality of container mounting devices, and an operation of discharging powder medicine from each of the powder storage containers is possible, and while powder medicine is being discharged from at least one of the powder storage containers, an operation of moving the powder storage container from which the powder medicine has been discharged to a position away from the container mounting device, and placing a new powder storage container on the container mounting device on which the powder storage container from which the powder medicine has been discharged was mounted.

[0049] According to this preferred aspect, even when mixing, dividing, and packaging powdered medicines in quantities greater than the number of container mounting devices provided in the medicine dispensing device, highly accurate packaging operations can be performed without the powdered medicines spilling when changing containers.

[0050] Yet another aspect related to the present invention includes a control device for controlling a plurality of dispensing devices based on prescription data including information on a drug to be provided to a patient, and a medicine dispensing device, the medicine dispensing device being provided with a distribution tray for distributing powdered medicine discharged from a powdered medicine storage container, and a container mounting device on which the powdered medicine storage container is mounted and which acts on the powdered medicine storage container to discharge the powdered medicine from the powdered medicine storage container, the powdered medicine being discharged from the powdered medicine storage container mounted on the container mounting device and placed on the distribution tray, and the powdered medicine being dispense ... The dispensing device includes a medicine weighing device for weighing the target medicine and a temporary stand device for temporarily placing the powdered medicine storage container, the powdered medicine storage container is provided with a container side information storage means capable of storing at least container information for identifying one of the powdered medicine storage containers from among a plurality of the powdered medicine storage containers, the temporary stand device and the container mounting device are provided with information reading means for reading the state stored in the container side information storage means, and the temporary stand device is provided with a storage device for storing information for storing the container side information. an information storage operation in which the container information of the placed powdered medicine storage container is read by the information reading means and the read information is temporarily or semi-permanently stored by the medicine weighing device; an information transmission operation in which the container information received by the medicine weighing device and information related to the weighed powdered medicine stored in the medicine weighing device are transmitted from the medicine weighing device to the medicine dispensing device; and the medicine dispensing device adds at least the container information to the prescription data based on the information transmitted from the medicine weighing device and the prescription data previously received by the medicine dispensing device. and an information creation operation of creating powdered medicine-related information by associating information received from the medicine weighing device including a powdered medicine storage container and a powdered medicine-related information, and when the powdered medicine storage container that was placed on the temporary placement table device is placed on the container mounting device, the container information of the powdered medicine storage container is read by the information reading means of the container mounting device, a prescription corresponding to a packaging operation to be performed later is identified based on the container information read by the information reading means of the container mounting device and the powdered medicine-related information, and then the packaging operation is performed.

[0051] In this aspect, when the medicine weighed by the medicine weighing device is stored in the powder medicine storage container, the powder medicine storage container is placed on a dedicated temporary placement table device. This makes it possible to store the medicine in a state where the powder medicine storage container is in a stable position, compared to when the powder medicine storage container is placed directly on a desk or the like. In addition, when the powdered medicine storage container is placed on the temporary placement table device, container information for identifying the container is acquired, and powdered medicine-related information is created by associating this container information with prescription data. Then, when the powdered medicine storage container is placed on the container placement device, the container information is read again and compared with the powdered medicine-related information to identify the prescription that uses the medicine stored in the powdered medicine storage container. In other words, after performing an operation to identify the prescription that uses the medicine stored in the powdered medicine storage container, a packaging operation according to the prescription is performed. This prevents the powdered medicine storage container that contains medicine not provided by the prescription from being mistakenly used, and makes it possible to more reliably perform a packaging operation according to a specified prescription. Effect of the Invention

[0052] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a medicine dispensing device which can further simplify the packaging operation and further prevent the occurrence of unexpected malfunctions. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0053] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a medicine dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view showing a housing of the main unit of FIG. 1 with a transparent view. [Diagram 3] 2 is a perspective view showing the main unit of FIG. 1 as viewed from a different angle, with the door part open. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the medicine dividing region of FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a powder medicine cassette mounting master screen of the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a medicine master screen according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a patient master screen according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a prescription input screen of the present embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a simple input screen according to the present embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a format selection screen of the present embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a powdered medicine cassette selection screen according to the present embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. [Figure 13] 12 is a diagram showing a state in which input is made to a character input section on the powdered medicine cassette selection screen of FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a missing cassette notification screen according to the embodiment; [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a packing progress screen according to the present embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a graph displayed on the packing progress screen of FIG. 15. [Figure 17] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a speed control screen of the present embodiment. [Figure 18] 18 is an explanatory diagram showing how to operate the speed control unit on the speed control screen of FIG. 17, where (a) shows the state where a finger touches the speed control unit, and (b) shows the state after the finger has moved from the state in (a). [Figure 19] FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of a portion of the speed control screen in FIG. 17, showing the speed display section. [Figure 20] FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of a portion of the speed control screen in FIG. 17, showing how the speed display section is displayed while the speed operating section is being operated. [Figure 21] 18 is a diagram showing a state in which a full screen display operation is performed on the speed control screen in FIG. 17. FIG. [Figure 22] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a layout setting screen according to the present embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a weighing reservation notification screen in the present embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a graph portion displayed on the weighing reservation notification screen of FIG. 23. [Diagram 25]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a prescription history list screen of the present embodiment. [Figure 26] 26 is a diagram showing the prescription history list screen of FIG. 25, in which prescriptions are displayed in a list in the prescription display area. [Figure 27] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a weighing history screen in the present embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a past video display screen according to the present embodiment. [Figure 29] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a packing history display screen of the present embodiment. [Diagram 30] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a part of a speed control screen different from that shown in FIG. 17. [Diagram 31] 2 is a block diagram showing a powdered medicine dispensing operation support system constructed by linking the medicine dispensing device of FIG. 1 with a control device, etc. [Diagram 32] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a specific structure of the scraping device of FIG. 4. [Diagram 33] This is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of scraping a packet of powdered medicine near the scraping plate and then scraping it out of the distribution tray in the medicine dispensing device of Figure 1, in which the scraping of the powdered medicine is performed in the order of (a) to (c). [Diagram 34] 1. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation|movement of one packet of powder medicine to the outside of the distribution tray in the medicine dispensing device of FIG. 1, and the powder medicine scraping is performed in the order of (a)-(d). [Diagram 35] 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams showing operations different from those of the medicine dispensing device of this embodiment, in which (a) is a diagram showing the operation of rotating the distribution tray half a turn, and (b) is a diagram showing the periphery of the scraper plate after the operation of (a) is completed. [Diagram 36] 13 is a flowchart showing the steps for executing a scooping operation for scooping out one packet of powdered medicine. [Figure 37] 2 is a perspective view showing an automatic medicine container employed in the medicine dispensing device of FIG. 1, showing a state in which the container is placed on a container holding table. FIG. [Figure 38] 38A and 38B are cross-sectional views of the automatic medicine container shown in FIG. 37, in which (a) shows a state in which the lid member is open, and (b) shows a state in which the lid member is closed. [Figure 39] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the container moving device shown in FIG. 2. [Diagram 40] 40A and 40B are perspective views showing the tip portion of the arm portion shown in FIG. 39, in which (a) shows a position in which the suction surface of the container holding portion is horizontal, and (b) shows a position in which the suction surface of the container holding portion is upright. [Diagram 41] An explanatory diagram showing how the tip portion of the arm portion shown in Figure 39 moves the automatic medicine container from the container holding stand, and shows how the tip portion of the arm portion is positioned above and away from the automatic medicine container to close the lid member. [Diagram 42] Following Figure 41, this is an explanatory diagram showing how the automatic medicine container is moved from the container holding stand by the tip portion of the arm, where (a) shows how the tip portion of the arm is temporarily moved away from the automatic medicine container, and (b) shows how the tip portion of the arm is brought into contact with the automatic medicine container to close the lid member. [Diagram 43] This is an explanatory diagram showing the process of replacing one automatic medicine container while all automatic medicine containers are placed on the container holding stands and powdered medicine is being discharged into the distribution tray, and the automatic medicine container is replaced in the order of (a) to (c). [Diagram 44] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a paper medium output by a printing operation performed by the powder medicine packaging device of the present embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 45] FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a weighing history screen in a form different from that in FIG. 27. [Diagram 46] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a manual medicine container different from that shown in FIG. [Figure 47] 47 is an exploded perspective view showing a storage space forming member of the manual medicine container shown in FIG. 46. FIG. [Figure 48] FIG. 47 is a cross-sectional view of the manual medicine container shown in FIG. 46, with the lid portion omitted. [Figure 49] 47 is an exploded perspective view showing a bottom forming member of the manually operated medicine container shown in FIG. 46. [Figure 50] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing how the storage space forming member is attached to the bottom forming member, with the lid portion omitted. FIG. [Figure 51]FIG. 47 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the manual medicine container shown in FIG. 46 is placed on a temporary placement table, in which the manual medicine container is shown in a see-through manner with the lid portion omitted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0054] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are specific examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0055] As shown in Figure 1, the powdered medicine packaging device 1 (medicine dispensing device) of this embodiment is configured to include a main body device 2, an operation display unit 3 (display device, operation device), a control unit (not shown), a manually operated medicine container 5, a medicine weighing device 6, a journal printer 7, and a barcode reader 8. This powdered medicine packaging device 1 is a device that, by operating the operation display unit 3, automatically removes and weighs powdered medicine contained in a medicine container (a powdered medicine storage container, the automatic medicine container 4 described below or the manual medicine container 5 described above), divides it into a specified number of portions, and packages it.

[0056] The main body device 2 is formed by incorporating various devices in a housing 10, and specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, a medicine container arrangement area 12, a medicine division area 13, and a medicine packaging area 14 are provided inside the housing 10. A dehumidifier (not shown) and a temperature regulator (not shown) are provided inside the housing 10, making it possible to maintain the internal temperature and humidity within a certain range.

[0057] As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, a door section 16 is provided in a portion of the housing 10 that forms the outer wall surface of the medicine container placement area 12. Door section 16 is a section for inserting and removing automatic medicine container 4 into and from housing 10, and is provided inside thereof with temporary container placement section 18 for temporarily placing automatic medicine container 4. Door section 16 and temporary container placement section 18 function as an introduction section when introducing a medicine container into housing 10, and also function as an removal section when removing a medicine container from inside housing 10.

[0058] The temporary container placement section 18 is a section capable of holding the automatic medicine container 4 by mechanical engagement, and by placing the automatic medicine container 4, the automatic medicine container 4 and the temporary container placement section 18 enter an engaged state. Conversely, when the automatic medicine container 4 and the temporary container placement section 18 are in an engaged state, they enter a disengaged state by lifting the automatic medicine container 4. In other words, it becomes possible to detach the automatic medicine container 4 from the temporary container placement section 18.

[0059] This temporary container placement section 18 is provided with an information reading means for reading information from the automatic medicine container 4, and a weight measuring means for measuring the weight of the automatic medicine container 4.

[0060] As shown in Fig. 2, the medicine container arrangement area 12 is provided with a container storage section 23 (container storage device) that holds the automatic medicine containers 4. Note that in Fig. 2, only some of the automatic medicine containers 4 are labeled with reference numerals, and reference numerals for the other automatic medicine containers 4 are omitted. The container storage section 23 is equipped with a drum member 25 that is installed in an upright position, and this drum member 25 is rotatable about a rotation axis that extends vertically. In other words, the vertical drum member 25 is in a state in which it can rotate horizontally using a motor or the like as a power source.

[0061] A plurality of container mounting portions are provided on the outer circumferential surface of this drum member 25, and the automatic medicine containers 4 are held in these container mounting portions. Each container mounting part holds the automatic medicine container 4 by mechanical engagement, and the automatic medicine container 4 and the container mounting part are engaged by pushing the automatic medicine container 4 in. Conversely, when the automatic medicine container 4 and the container mounting part are engaged, they are disengaged by pulling the automatic medicine container 4 outward.

[0062] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, the drum member 25 is divided into three vertically, and a plurality of container installation sections are formed in each divided area. In other words, a group of 11 container installation sections is provided across three stages. That is, the container storage section 23 can hold a total of 33 automatic medicine containers 4.

[0063] This container installation section is structured to have a protruding member that protrudes outward, and when the automatic medicine container 4 is attached in the correct position, this protruding member is retracted.

[0064] In addition, optical sensors are provided inside and outside the drum member 25, respectively, so that it is possible to detect whether or not the protruding member of the container installation portion is protruding.

[0065] In addition, in the medicine container arrangement area 12, an information reading means (not shown) is provided near the drum member 25. This makes it possible to obtain information from each automatic medicine container 4 held by the drum member 25. More specifically, it is possible to obtain information from a container side information storage means (described in detail later) attached to each automatic medicine container 4.

[0066] A container moving device 28 is provided in the area extending from the drug container placement area 12 to the drug dividing area 13. The container moving device 28 is structured to include an arm unit 30 and a lifting mechanism 31, and the arm unit 30 can be moved in the vertical direction by the lifting mechanism 31. In addition, a magnet is provided at the tip of arm portion 30, and it is possible to hold automatic medicine container 4 by attracting an iron plate attached integrally to automatic medicine container 4.

[0067] In the drug division area 13, a distribution tray 35, a container holding stand 36 (container mounting device), a scraping device 37, a cleaning device 38, a drug inlet 39, and a camera member 40 are provided in the space located behind the front door 34 (see Figure 1), as shown in Figure 4. More specifically, in the medicine dividing area 13, two distribution trays 35 arranged side by side are installed in a submerged state.

[0068] A container holding stand 36, a scraping device 37, and a cleaning device 38 are provided around each distribution tray 35. Three container holding stands 36, one scraping device 37, and one cleaning device 38 are associated with one distribution tray 35.

[0069] Additionally, around the distribution tray 35 and between the two distribution trays 35, a drug inlet 39 is provided for supplying powdered medicine one packet at a time to the drug packaging area 14, and a partition plate device 41 is provided at a position adjacent to this drug inlet 39. The partition plate device 41 includes a box-shaped main body and a standing plate attached to the main body so as to be able to protrude and retract. The standing plate can be switched between a protruding state in which most of the standing plate protrudes outward from the main body, and a stored state in which the standing plate is stored within the main body.

[0070] Here, in each packaging operation (described in detail later), when the powdered medicine distributed on one distribution tray 35 is scooped up by the scraping device 37 and poured into the medicine inlet 39, depending on the type of powdered medicine to be poured, it is considered that the powdered medicine may fly farther than necessary. In other words, it is considered that the powdered medicine may fly all the way to the distribution tray 35 on the other side. Therefore, in the powdered medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment, the partition plate device 41 is in a protruding state to prevent the powdered medicine from flying to the other distribution tray 35. In other words, the standing plate portion of the partition plate device 41 functions as a blocking wall to prevent the powdered medicine from flying to the other distribution tray 35.

[0071] The distribution plate 35 is provided with a continuous circular drug insertion groove, and is rotatable by a rotation mechanism (not shown).

[0072] The container holder 36 is structured to include a vibration table portion and a weight measuring means.

[0073] The vibration table is provided with a container holding means for holding the medicine container (the automatic medicine container 4 or the manual medicine container 5). In this embodiment, a magnet (electromagnet) is used as the container holding means.

[0074] The gravity measuring means measures the weight of the drug container directly or indirectly.

[0075] Therefore, by placing a medicine container on the container holder 36, the medicine container can be vibrated and the powdered medicine contained in the medicine container can be discharged onto the distribution tray 35. The change in weight of the medicine container accompanying the discharge of the powdered medicine can be detected by the gravity measuring means.

[0076] The camera member 40 is installed at a position where it can photograph the periphery of the container holding table 36, and functions as an imaging device that photographs the periphery of the drug discharge portion (discharge port portion, described in detail later) of the drug container placed on the container holding table 36. For example, a digital imaging device such as a CCD camera can be suitably adopted as the camera member 40. In this embodiment, a camera member 40 is provided that captures images of the area around the container holding stand 36 adjacent to the distribution plate 35 on one side, and a camera member 40 is provided that captures images of the area around the container holding stand 36 adjacent to the distribution plate 35 on the other side, and each is capable of performing separate imaging operations.

[0077] The medicine packaging area 14 is provided with a known medicine packaging device and a printing means. The medicine packaging device is a machine for packaging medicines one by one, and is composed of a sheet supplying device and a sealing device. That is, the sheet supplied from the sheet supplying device is formed into a bag shape to create a sachet, and the created sachet is sealed and packaged by a powder medicine sealing device supplied from the medicine dividing area 13 for one dose at a time. The printing means is a machine for printing predetermined information on the sachet.

[0078] The automatic medicine container 4 is a container having an external shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and is provided with a medicine discharge part 187 (see Figs. 37, 38, etc.) for discharging powdered medicine or powder-like medicine contained inside to the outside. This medicine discharge part 187 is an opening-like part, and the inside and outside are in communication. This medicine discharge part 187 can be opened larger by removing the surrounding members, and also functions as a medicine input part for introducing medicine. Moreover, iron plates are attached to two different sides of this automatic medicine container 4. The iron plate attached to one side is a part for attracting the automatic medicine container 4 to the magnet of the arm unit 30 when the automatic medicine container 4 is held by the arm unit 30. Moreover, the iron plate attached to the other side is a part for attracting the automatic medicine container 4 to the magnet of the container holding stand 36 when the automatic medicine container 4 is placed on the container holding stand 36 described below. In addition, an RFID tag is provided on this automatic medicine container 4, and information about the stored medicine can be stored. That is, this RFID tag functions as a container-side information storage means.

[0079] The operation display unit 3 is a so-called touch panel, and is formed by combining a display device such as a liquid crystal panel with a position input device such as a touch pad. The powder medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment displays various screens on the operation display unit 3, and is capable of performing various operations described below by touching specific parts with a dielectric object such as a finger or a touch pen (hereinafter simply referred to as a finger, etc.).

[0080] The control unit includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM (EEPROM), and a data storage unit. The CPU is a processor that executes various calculation processes. The ROM is a non-volatile memory in which programs such as BIOS are pre-stored, and the RAM is a volatile or non-volatile memory used to expand various programs and temporarily store data.

[0081] The data storage unit is a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) in which various programs and data are stored. More specifically, various databases are stored in the data storage unit, such as a "drug master" that stores various information related to drugs, an "excipient drug master" that stores information related to drugs that require excipient operations, a "regular dose master" that stores information related to the recommended dose of a drug, a "patient master" that stores information related to patients who have been prescribed the drug, and an "average body weight master" that stores information related to the average body weight of patients who have been prescribed the drug. In addition, the information stored in these databases is stored in an appropriately associated state.

[0082] The manual medicine container 5 is a roughly rectangular parallelepiped container and has roughly the same structure as the automatic medicine container 4. This manual medicine container 5 differs from the automatic medicine container 4 in that a medicine inlet section is provided at a position separate from a medicine outlet section. That is, in the manual medicine container 5, the medicine input part is provided in the upper part of the manual medicine container 5. This medicine input part is a through-hole-like part that communicates between the inside and the outside, and is formed so that the outer part has a larger cross-sectional area than the inner part.

[0083] The medicine weighing device 6 includes a balance table and an RFID reader / writer. By placing a medicine container on the medicine weighing device 6, the weight of the medicine container can be measured, and information can be read from and written to an RFID tag provided on the medicine container. In other words, the drug weighing device 6 is configured to include a weight measuring means for measuring the weight of the drug container, and an information reading means and an information writing means for reading and writing information to the container side information storage means of the drug container.

[0084] The journal printer 7 is a device for printing and outputting various information, such as the history of packaging operations and prescription records, on a medium such as paper.

[0085] The barcode reader 8 is capable of reading barcodes written on original boxes, medicine bottles, etc. of medicines.

[0086] Various devices such as sensors and camera members built into the main body device 2, the medicine weighing device 6, the journal printer 7, and the barcode reader 8 are capable of transmitting and receiving various information to and from the above-mentioned control unit. In other words, these are connected via a communication network such as a LAN, and are capable of transmitting and receiving signals.

[0087] Next, a description will be given of operations that can be performed by the powdered medicine packing device 1 of this embodiment.

[0088] The powdered medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment is capable of performing a "database editing operation" to add, delete, and change information in various databases, a "packaging operation" to package powdered medicine into single doses, a "printing operation" to issue various documents, a "reservation management operation" to notify of shortages of medicines for future packaging operations, a "packaging verification operation" to verify the contents of packaging operations previously performed, a "maintenance operation" to properly execute the packaging operation, and a "re-packaging operation" to re-perform the packaging operation based on the history of previously issued operations. [Database editing action]

[0089] In the powdered medicine packing device 1 of this embodiment, screens corresponding to various databases can be displayed, and information can be added to, deleted from, or changed in each database. Specifically, various screens can be displayed, including a powdered medicine cassette mounting master screen (see FIG. 5), a medicine master screen (see FIG. 6), a patient master screen (see FIG. 7), an excipient medicine master screen (not shown), a recommended dose master screen (not shown), and an average body weight master screen (not shown). Information can be added, deleted, or changed on each screen, or on other screens that are displayed by operating each screen. Here, each screen has a "CSV output" button and a "Print" button. By touching the displayed part of these buttons (hereinafter, the user touching the button-shaped part displayed on the screen will also be referred to as "pressing"), the contents registered in the database can be output as a CSV file or printed out on a medium such as paper.

[0090] The powdered medicine cassette mounting master screen (see FIG. 5) is a screen corresponding to a database that stores information on medicines contained in the medicine container (automatic medicine container 4). In addition, on this screen, it is possible to register information for each drug, such as drug code, drug name, maximum amount to be implemented, standard amount to be filled, amount used, amount in stock, serial number, and expiration date.

[0091] The medicine master screen (see Figure 6) is a screen that corresponds to a database that stores information about medicines. The objects registered in this database are medicines that may be prescribed by doctors, regardless of whether they are stored in a medicine container or not. In other words, while the powder medicine cassette mounting master screen targets medicines stored in medicine containers, the medicine master screen targets all medicines that may be prescribed. On this drug master screen (see Figure 6), it is possible to register information for each drug, such as the drug code, drug name, unit code, engraving, shelf number (management number of the shelf where it is stored), management flag (whether special management is required for handling), drug name (abbreviation), whether it is a drug to be washed (whether the drug requires cleaning of the distribution tray 35), stability coefficient, specific gravity, vibration coefficient, image, etc.

[0092] The patient master screen (see FIG. 7) is a screen corresponding to a database that stores information about patients for whom medicines have been prescribed. This patient master screen (see Figure 7) allows the registration of information for each patient, such as the patient ID, patient name (in kanji), patient name (in kana), date of birth, ward name, handover details, address, telephone number, and fax number. The "ward name" is the name of the ward to which the department visited by the patient belongs, and is entered as necessary.

[0093] The excipient drug master screen (not shown) is a screen corresponding to a database that stores information about drugs that are prescribed with additives added for increasing the amount, diluting, etc. The recommended dosage master screen (not shown) is a screen corresponding to a database that stores information regarding the dosage of a drug determined in relation to age, weight, and the like. The average weight master screen (not shown) is a screen that corresponds to a database that stores information regarding average weights corresponding to given age ranges. [Saving operation]

[0094] The powdered medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment is capable of carrying out a packaging operation to package medicine into single doses, while referring as necessary to information regarding the prescription input in a previously performed "prescription input operation." More specifically, it is possible to carry out a "first packaging operation" of packaging powdered medicine contained in an automatic medicine container 4 held in the container storage section 23, a "second packaging operation" of packaging powdered medicine contained in an automatic medicine container 4 stored on an external management shelf, and a "third packaging operation" of packaging powdered medicine contained in a manual medicine container 5.

[0095] During each packaging operation, the powdered medicine packaging device 1 is capable of automatically performing the operations of storing the automatic medicine container 4 in the container storage section 23, removing the automatic medicine container 4 from the container storage section 23, moving the removed automatic medicine container 4 near the distribution tray 35, placing the automatic medicine container 4 on the container holding table 36, pouring a predetermined amount of medicine into the distribution tray 35, supplying the medicine from the distribution tray 35 to the medicine packaging device at one dose at a time, and returning the automatic medicine container 4 to the container storage section 23.

[0096] Incidentally, when the "first packaging operation" and the "second packaging operation" are performed, a "cassette selection operation" is performed to select the medicine container to be used based on information regarding the prescription, and the respective packaging operations are performed using the selected medicine container.

[0097] Here, when the "first packaging operation" is performed, if the automatic medicine container 4 selected in the "cassette selection operation" is not held by the drum member 25, a "cassette absence notification operation" is performed to notify the user of that fact. In this case, it is possible to perform the first packaging operation again after performing a "filling operation" to hold the automatic medicine container 4 on the drum member 25 as necessary.

[0098] Each of these "prescription input operation", "cassette selection operation", "filling operation", "first packaging operation", "second packaging operation" and "third packaging operation" will be described in detail. [Prescription input operation]

[0099] The prescription input operation is an operation for displaying a prescription input screen (see FIG. 8) on the operation display unit 3 and inputting information related to the prescription. In addition, in the prescription input operation, a registration operation is performed as necessary to automatically register the input information in a predetermined database.

[0100] The prescription input screen has input fields corresponding to each item, allowing the input of patient information such as the patient ID and patient name, information about the medical institution and department to which the doctor who prescribed the medication belongs, and drug information such as the prescribed drug name, usage, and dosage.

[0101] The powder medicine packing device 1 of this embodiment has an input assistance function that allows a medicine name to be selected from a list. Specifically, a simple input screen (see FIG. 9) is displayed, and the medicine name can be input by selecting the medicine name from the list.

[0102] The simple input screen is provided with a character input section 45 for inputting a character string to be used in a search, and a setting button 46 for setting search conditions. The user can narrow down the medicines to be listed by inputting a predetermined character string into the character input section 45 and / or by pressing one of the three setting buttons 46. By pressing one of the medicine names displayed in the list, the medicine name is selected.

[0103] The character input section 45 is a section for inputting characters or character strings (hereinafter also simply referred to as character strings, etc.) to be used as keywords for identifying a drug. When a character string, etc. is input into this character input section 45, only drugs that start with the input character string, etc. are displayed in a list. For example, when the character "A" is input into the character input section 45, only drugs whose names start with "A" are displayed in a list. That is, the powder medicine packing device 1 of this embodiment performs a comparison operation to compare the character string input to the character input unit 45 with the character string when the medicine name is read in kana. Then, it performs a display operation to display in a list only medicines whose character string when the medicine name is read in kana starts with the input character string.

[0104] In this embodiment, when a character string is input into character input section 45, the display contents of the list are changed every time one character is input. To explain this by taking a specific example, when the character string "aiu" is input to the character input unit 45, first the character "a" is input, and then only drugs whose name starts with "a" are displayed. Then, when "i" is input following "a" and the character string "ai" is input to the character input unit 45, only drugs whose name starts with "a" and whose name starts with "i" are displayed. In other words, only drugs whose name, when read in kana, starts with "ai" are displayed. In this way, when a character string is input to the character input unit 45, the list display is switched every time a character is input.

[0105] The setting buttons 46 are composed of a "powdered medicine" button, a "tablet" button, and a "cassette" button, and by pressing any one of the buttons, the type of medicine to be searched for is determined. That is, when the "Powdered Medicine" button is pressed, only powdered medicines are displayed in the list of all medicines. Similarly, when the "Tablet" button is pressed, only tablets are displayed in the list of all medicines, and when the "Cassette" button is pressed, only medicines already stored in the automated medicine container 4 are displayed in the list.

[0106] Here, when nothing is input in the character input section 45 and any of the setting buttons 46 is pressed, only the medicine corresponding to the pressed setting button 46 is displayed in the list. On the other hand, when a character string is input in the character input section 45 and any of the setting buttons 46 is pressed, the medicine corresponding to the pressed setting button 46 and whose name begins with the input character string is displayed in the list. In other words, only medicines that satisfy the conditions set by operating either or both of the character input section 45 and the setting button 46 are displayed in the list.

[0107] In this way, the simple input screen allows the number of medicines on the list to be reduced based on specific conditions, making it possible to list only medicines that meet certain conditions, such as those containing a specific character string in their name, being powder medicine, being tablets, already contained in the automatic medicine container 4, etc. Naturally, it is also possible to narrow down the list so that medicines that meet certain conditions are not listed, such as medicines to be washed.

[0108] It should be noted that "chemicals to be washed" are chemicals that are expected to cause a serious incident if unintentional mixing (so-called contamination) occurs with other chemicals in the distribution tray 35, and that require a cleaning operation of the distribution tray 35 (details will be described later) either before or after the packaging operation. Specifically, when a packaging operation is performed following a specific packaging operation, a small amount of the chemical discharged onto the distribution tray 35 in the preceding packaging operation may remain on the distribution tray 35. In this case, if another packaging operation is subsequently performed, the above-mentioned mixing of chemicals (so-called contamination) may occur. Therefore, a configuration is provided in which a chemical that may cause a serious situation if unintentionally mixed in can be specified as a chemical to be washed, and a cleaning operation is prompted to be performed when the chemical is used in a packaging operation.

[0109] In the powdered medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment, in the initial state (at the time of shipment), all medicines registered in the database are set as medicines to be washed, that is, medicines that require a cleaning operation (described in detail later) of the distribution tray 35 either before or after the packaging operation. In other words, the setting is such that the cleaning operation of the distribution tray 35 is always performed when the packaging operation is performed.

[0110] In this embodiment, the user can change this setting by performing a predetermined operation. That is, the user can appropriately select whether or not to include the medicine displayed on the prescription input screen in the washing target. In addition, when the displayed medicine is to be washed, it is possible to set the timing for performing the cleaning operation. In other words, it is possible to set whether the cleaning operation is necessary before the packaging operation or after the packaging operation.

[0111] The powdered medicine packing device 1 of this embodiment is configured to automatically determine whether or not a cleaning operation is necessary based on this set medicine information, and to automatically carry out the cleaning operation if necessary. That is, when a drug is selected and a packaging operation is started, the powdered medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment automatically determines whether or not a cleaning operation is required. More specifically, based on the result of the settings stored in the data storage unit, the device determines whether or not the drug requires a cleaning operation before the packaging operation, and whether or not a cleaning operation after the packaging operation is required. Generally, cleaning is required after using poisons, narcotics, psychotropic drugs, powerful drugs, colored drugs, drugs that tend to adhere to the distribution tray 35, etc. (chemicals to be washed).

[0112] If it is determined that either or both of the cleaning operations are necessary, the cleaning operations are automatically performed. This is preferable because it reduces the effort required during the packaging operation compared to a configuration in which whether or not to perform the cleaning operation is manually set each time a packaging operation is performed.

[0113] Furthermore, on the prescription input screen (see FIG. 8), it is possible to input information regarding the usage of the prescribed medicine, such as the time of administration, the number of doses, and the interval between doses, as well as the packaging form of the prescribed medicine.

[0114] Information regarding drug usage can be entered using a usage code. When a usage code is entered, the associated time of administration, number of doses, and interval between doses are automatically entered.

[0115] The drug packaging type is an item for selecting the type of packaging operation to be used when packaging prescribed drugs into individual doses. This packaging type is selected and input from a group of items consisting of "crushed," "automatic cassette," and "manual cassette."

[0116] "Crush" refers to a form in which tablets are crushed into powder and then packaged. In other words, this is an option to be selected when the prescribed medicine is a tablet, and the powdered tablets are introduced into the manual medicine container 5 to perform the packaging operation.

[0117] "Automatic cassette" refers to a form in which powdered medicine contained in the automatic medicine container 4 is supplied to the distribution tray 35 and packaged. In other words, this is an item that is selected when the prescribed medicine is already contained in the automatic medicine container 4 and the medicine contained in the automatic medicine container 4 is to be used for the packaging operation.

[0118] The "manually prepared cassette" is a form in which powdered medicine is introduced into the manual medicine container 5 and packaged. In other words, this is an item that is selected when the pharmacist manually introduces the prescribed medicine into the manual medicine container 5 and performs the packaging operation.

[0119] In this embodiment, when a medicine name corresponding to "tablet" is input as the medicine name, "crushed" is automatically selected.

[0120] On the other hand, when a medicine corresponding to "powdered medicine" is inputted as the medicine name, powdered medicine packaging device 1 performs a determination operation to determine whether or not the inputted medicine is a medicine contained in automatic medicine container 4 of container storage unit 23. That is, powdered medicine packaging device 1 compares the inputted information with the information stored in the data storage unit (or information acquired by the sensor) and automatically determines whether or not the prescribed medicine is contained in automatic medicine container 4.

[0121] If the result of the determination is that the medicine is stored in the automatic medicine container 4, the "automatic cassette" is automatically selected, and if not, the "manual cassette" is automatically selected.

[0122] In this embodiment, the user can operate the operation and display unit 3 to change the automatically selected packaging form. Specifically, in the powder medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment, the format selection screen (see FIG. 10) is displayed, and the item can be changed by pressing either the "automatic cassette" button or the "manual cassette" button. That is, when the "automatic cassette" button is pressed, the "automatic cassette" is selected, and when the "manual cassette" button is pressed, the "manual cassette" is selected. [Cassette selection operation]

[0123] In the powdered medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment, when the prescribed medicine is a "powdered medicine" and the packaging form selected on the prescription input screen is "automatic cassette," it is possible to perform a first packaging operation or a second packaging operation to package the medicine into individual doses. When the first packaging operation or the second packaging operation is performed, a cassette selection operation is performed to select an automatic medicine container 4 containing the medicine to be packaged, and the packaging operation is performed using the selected automatic medicine container 4. That is, the automatic medicine container 4 to be used in the cassette selection operation is selected, and the packaging operation is performed using the selected automatic medicine container 4.

[0124] In the powdered medicine packing device 1, a powdered medicine cassette selection screen (see FIG. 11) is displayed on the operation and display unit 3, and the automatic medicine container 4 can be selected on this screen. This powdered medicine cassette selection screen can be switched between a state in which medicines stored in automatic medicine containers 4 held by container storage unit 23 are displayed as a list, and a state in which medicines stored in automatic medicine containers 4 stored on an external management shelf are displayed as a list. By pressing the display area of ​​each medicine displayed in the list, it is possible to select the automatic medicine container 4 that stores the medicine to be used in the packaging operation.

[0125] This powdered medicine cassette selection screen (see FIG. 11) is provided with a medicine display section 48, a display switching button 49, and a character input section 50.

[0126] The drug display section 48 is a section for displaying a list of drug names that meet certain conditions based on the operation of the display switching button 49 and / or the input result in the character input section 50. Among the drug names displayed in the list, those that require careful handling, such as narcotics, investigational drugs, poisons, powerful drugs, and psychotropic drugs, are highlighted with a message indicating this.

[0127] Specifically, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, a strip-like area extending diagonally is provided near one of the four corners (bottom right of the figure) of the roughly horizontally elongated rectangular display area displaying the names of each drug, and a message is written in the background color of the area that is a different color from the surrounding area. This allows the user to identify at a glance which drugs require careful handling.

[0128] Display switching button 49 is a button for switching the medicines displayed in medicine display unit 48. Each time this display switching button 49 is pressed, it switches between a state in which medicines stored in automatic medicine containers 4 held by container storage unit 23 (hereinafter also referred to as internal medicines) are displayed and a state in which medicines stored in automatic medicine containers 4 stored on an external management shelf (hereinafter also referred to as external medicines) are displayed. This display switching button 49 displays "Display outside management shelf" (see FIG. 11) when internal medicines are displayed in the medicine display section 48, and displays "Display inside management shelf" (see FIG. 13) when external medicines are displayed. When the button is pressed and the display in the medicine display section 48 is switched, the text displayed on the button also switches.

[0129] The character input section 50 is a section for inputting a character string or the like to be used as a keyword for identifying a drug. When a character string or the like is input into the character input section 50, only drugs whose names begin with the input character string or the like are displayed in the drug display section 48. That is, like the character input section 45 of the above-mentioned simple input screen (see FIG. 9), this character input section 50 is a section for inputting a keyword for narrowing down the display targets to be displayed in the list. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, when the character "A" is input in the character input section 50, only drugs whose names start with "A" are displayed. Like the character input unit 45 described above, the character input unit 50 is also configured to change the display contents every time one character is input.

[0130] That is, on this powdered medicine cassette selection screen, either internal medicine or external medicine is selected, and only medicines belonging to the selected group are displayed in a list. Then, when a character string or the like is input into the character input section 50, only medicines belonging to the selected group and whose names begin with the input character string or the like are displayed in a list. When one or more medicines are displayed in a list, if the user presses the area in which one of the medicines is displayed, the automatic medicine container 4 containing the medicine displayed in the pressed area is selected, and the selected automatic medicine container 4 is used in the packaging operation. [Cassette missing notification]

[0131] In the cassette selection operation, when an automatic medicine container 4 held by the container storage unit 23 is selected, a holding container confirmation operation (described in detail later) is performed to confirm the automatic medicine container 4 currently held in the container storage unit 23. Then, based on the information acquired in the holding container confirmation operation, a holding determination operation is performed to determine whether or not the automatic medicine container 4 selected in the cassette selection operation is currently held in the container storage unit 23. If the result of this determination is that the automatic medicine container 4 selected in the cassette selection operation is not held in the container storage unit 23, a cassette absence notification operation is performed. In other words, the cassette absence notification operation is an operation that is performed on the condition that the selected automated medicine container 4 is not currently held in the container storage unit 23.

[0132] In the following description, an automatic medicine container 4 that is to be used in the first packaging operation to be performed and that is not currently held in the container storage unit 23 will also be referred to simply as a "missing cassette."

[0133] The missing cassette notification operation involves displaying a missing cassette notification screen (see Figure 14) on the operation display unit 3, and displaying a list of the management number and the name of the drug contained in each missing cassette whose presence was confirmed in the above-mentioned retention determination operation.

[0134] Incidentally, when performing a packaging operation using multiple powdered medicines, the presence of multiple missing cassettes may be confirmed. For example, when attempting to package three types of powdered medicines after mixing them in the first packaging operation, if none of the automatic medicine containers 4 that respectively contain the three medicines are held in the container storage unit 23, three missing cassettes will be confirmed.

[0135] Therefore, in this embodiment, all existing missing cassettes are displayed in a list on one screen, so that even if multiple missing cassettes are found, they can be confirmed at a glance.

[0136] On this missing cassette notification screen (see FIG. 14), a refill window open button 58, a refill button 59, and a collection button 60 are displayed.

[0137] The filling window opening button 58 is a button for opening the door portion 16, and when pressed, the door portion 16 is brought into an open state.

[0138] The fill button 59 is a button used in a filling operation, which will be described later, and is a button for holding the automatic medicine container 4 placed on the temporary container placement section 18 in the container storage section 23.

[0139] In the powder medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to replenish the automatic medicine container 4 that is missing a cassette by selecting a missing cassette from the list and appropriately operating the filling window open button 58 and the filling button 59. In other words, by separately preparing an automatic medicine container 4 filled with the medicine to be stored in the missing cassette and performing a filling operation to hold this automatic medicine container 4 in the container storage section 23, it is possible to ensure that there are no missing cassettes in the packaging operation to be performed. First, the filling operation for holding the automatic medicine container 4 in the container storage unit 23 will be specifically described below. [Filling action]

[0140] In the powdered medicine packaging device 1, a large number of automatic medicine containers 4 are held in the container storage unit 23, and medicines are contained in each of them. The powdered medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment is capable of carrying out a filling operation for causing a new automatic medicine container 4 to be held in the container storage unit 23.

[0141] Prior to this operation, the automatic medicine container 4 is filled with medicine. This medicine filling operation is performed manually by a pharmacist. Furthermore, as the medicine is filled, information about the filled medicine is stored in the RFID tag of the automatic medicine container 4. That is, information such as the name of the medicine, the filling date, and the filling amount is stored.

[0142] Then, the operation display unit 3 is appropriately operated to open the door unit 16. At this time, as the door unit 16 is opened, a safety device is activated and the container moving device 28 is temporarily placed in an inoperable state.

[0143] Then, the new automatic medicine container 4 to be held in the container storage unit 23 is placed on the temporary container placement unit 18. This operation is performed manually by the user. With the automatic medicine container 4 placed on the temporary container placement unit 18 and the operation display unit 3 displayed, the fill button 59 is pressed to close the door unit 16 and the filling operation is started.

[0144] First, an information reading operation is performed by the information reading means of the temporary container placement unit 18 to read the information stored in the RFID tag of the automatic medicine container 4, and a weight measuring operation is performed by the weight measuring means of the temporary container placement unit 18 to measure the weight of the automatic medicine container 4. In the information reading operation, the type of medicine newly filled into the automatic medicine container 4 is acquired. Then, based on the result, a collation operation is performed to check whether the type of the newly filled medicine is the medicine that should be filled into the missing cassette (automatic medicine container 4) selected by the user. In other words, an operation is performed to determine whether the type of the newly filled medicine is correct. If the result of the determination operation indicates that the type of medicine to be filled is incorrect, a notification operation to that effect, such as a message display on the operation display unit 3, is carried out, and the filling operation is stopped.

[0145] Furthermore, the powder medicine packing device 1 performs a fill amount calculation operation to calculate the amount of medicine to be filled into the automatic medicine container 4 based on the value measured in the weight measurement operation. The calculation result is stored in the data storage unit, and is also stored in the RFID tag of the automatic medicine container 4 as necessary. That is, the powdered medicine packaging device 1 performs an information writing operation to store the weight of the automatic medicine container 4 measured in the weight measuring operation, and if necessary, performs an information writing operation to store the medicine filling amount calculated in the required filling amount calculation operation in the RFID tag.

[0146] When the door unit 16 is in the closed state, the operation restriction on the container moving device 28 by the above-mentioned safety device is released, and the container moving device 28 becomes movable. Then, on the condition that the filling amount calculation operation and the weight measurement operation are completed, the arm unit 30 approaches the temporary container placement unit 18 and holds the automated medicine container 4.

[0147] Then, after the arm unit 30 moves the automatic medicine container 4 to the vicinity of the container storage unit 23, it pushes the automatic medicine container 4 into the drum member 25, engaging the automatic medicine container 4 with the drum member 25. In this state, the magnetic force of the magnet attached to the tip of the arm unit 30 is eliminated, and the arm unit 30 is separated from the automatic medicine container 4. At this time, the mounting position of the newly held automatic medicine container 4 relative to the drum member 25, that is, the position information of the automatic medicine container 4 in the held state, is obtained and stored in the data storage unit.

[0148] In this embodiment, by repeatedly carrying out such a filling operation, it is possible to cause the drum member 25 to hold the automatic medicine container 4.

[0149] In this embodiment, when the automatic medicine container 4 is held, a container posture determination operation is performed to determine whether or not the automatic medicine container 4 is correctly attached (this will be described in detail later).

[0150] Next, a case where such a refilling operation is performed from the missing cassette notification screen (see FIG. 14) will be described. The user presses the portion displaying either the control number or the drug name in the displayed list to select the missing cassette to be filled. Then, the filling window open button 58 is pressed to open the door section 16, and the automatic medicine container 4 is placed on the temporary container placement section 18. At this time, the automatic medicine container 4 is filled in advance with the medicine to be contained in the selected missing cassette. With the automatic medicine container 4 placed on the temporary container placement section 18, the filling button 59 is pressed to close the door section 16, and the above-mentioned filling operation is started. As a result, the automatic medicine container 4 filled with the powdered medicine to be used in the packaging operation to be performed is held in the container storage section 23. In other words, the missing cassette for which the missing cassette notification screen was displayed is filled, and the packaging operation to be performed is now in a state in which there is no missing cassette. [First packaging operation]

[0151] In the first packaging operation, the automatic drug container 4 to be used for the packaging operation is selected in the cassette selection operation described above, and when it is confirmed that the selected automatic drug container 4 is held in the container storage section 23, a cassette removal operation is performed to remove the selected automatic drug container 4 from the container storage section 23.

[0152] That is, the powdered medicine packaging device 1 rotates the drum member 25 to bring the automatic medicine container 4 to be removed close to the container moving device 28. Then, the automatic medicine container 4 is held by the arm unit 30, which is a part of the container moving device 28. In other words, the iron plate attached integrally to the automatic medicine container 4 is attracted by the magnet provided on the tip side of the arm unit 30. Then, arm unit 30 takes out automatic medicine container 4 from container storage unit 23, moves automatic medicine container 4 to container holding table 36, and places automatic medicine container 4 on container holding table 36.

[0153] In this embodiment, an information reading means is provided near the container holding stand 36, making it possible to perform an information reading operation to read information stored in the RFID tag of the automatic medicine container 4 placed on the container holding stand 36. This information reading operation confirms the type of medicine (powdered medicine) contained in the automatic medicine container 4. That is, a confirmation operation is performed to confirm whether the automatic medicine container 4 containing the medicine to be used has been correctly selected and transported.

[0154] When it is confirmed as a result of the confirmation operation that the automatic medicine container 4 containing the medicine to be used is placed on the container holding table 36, the vibration table part of the container holding table 36 starts vibrating, the automatic medicine container 4 vibrates, and the powdered medicine contained in the automatic medicine container 4 slowly falls into the distribution tray 35. In other words, the powdered medicine is supplied (discharged) from inside the automatic medicine container 4 to the distribution tray 35.

[0155] More specifically, when the automatic medicine container 4 is placed on the container holding table 36, the automatic medicine container 4 is firmly attached by the container holding means of the vibration table. That is, the automatic medicine container 4 and the container holding table 36 are in close contact over a wide area, and the iron plate of the automatic medicine container 4 is attracted by the magnet of the container holding means, so that the automatic medicine container 4 is firmly attached. Therefore, when the vibration table vibrates, the automatic medicine container 4 also vibrates at the same frequency. As a result, the powdered medicine contained inside the automatic medicine container 4 moves slowly toward the discharge port and is discharged from the discharge port to the outside.

[0156] In addition, accompanying the supply operation (discharge operation) of powdered medicine from the automatic medicine container 4 to the distribution tray 35, a feeder rotation operation for rotating the distribution tray 35 is performed.

[0157] Here, before and during the vibration operation by the vibration table unit, a weight measurement operation is carried out to measure the weight of the automatic medicine container 4 placed on it based on the value detected by the weight measuring means of the container holding table 36. In other words, while powdered medicine is being supplied (discharged) from the automatic medicine container 4 to the distribution tray 35, the weight of the automatic medicine container 4 is constantly detected, and the vibration action of the vibration table section is stopped when the amount of powdered medicine supplied (the amount discharged, that is, the amount that has fallen onto the distribution tray 35) reaches a predetermined amount. The weight of the automatic medicine container 4 obtained before the start of the vibration operation is stored as the original weight, and the current weight obtained while the vibration operation is being performed is stored as the current weight.

[0158] During the vibration operation, the weight of the automatic medicine container 4 is constantly detected to check whether the powdered medicine is being smoothly supplied to the distribution tray 35. In other words, it is checked whether the powdered medicine is being properly supplied without clogging the discharge port of the automatic medicine container 4. In other words, the powdered medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment continues to acquire the current weight of the automatic medicine container 4 while the vibration operation is being performed, and constantly calculates the amount of powdered medicine to be supplied (the value obtained by subtracting the current weight from the original weight) by comparing the acquired current weight with the original weight acquired before starting. The vibration operation is stopped when the amount of powdered medicine supplied reaches a specified amount. In other words, the vibration operation is stopped when the current weight of the automatic medicine container 4 is less than the original weight obtained before the vibration operation starts by a specified amount.

[0159] Here, although not particularly limited, it is preferable that the vibration operation is performed with a smaller amplitude and a lower vibration frequency after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the vibration operation. In other words, it is preferable that a low-output vibration operation with a smaller amplitude and a lower vibration frequency than the immediately preceding operation is performed for a predetermined period before the stop. As an example, the low-output vibration operation may be performed on the condition that the amount of powdered medicine supplied is less than the specified amount (amount to be supplied at the end) by a predetermined amount (e.g., about several grams). In other words, the low-output vibration operation may supply an amount (a few grams) of about several percent of the specified amount to be supplied at the end.

[0160] When mixing multiple powdered medicines and then packaging them, the operation of placing the automatic medicine container 4 on the container holder 36 is repeated, and multiple automatic medicine containers 4 are placed on different container holders 36. Then, by performing a vibration operation on each container holder 36, multiple types of powdered medicines are supplied to the distribution tray 35. In this case, multiple types of powdered medicines are mixed together as the feeder rotates.

[0161] Then, when a specified amount of powdered medicine is supplied to distribution tray 35 and the vibration operation is stopped, arm unit 30 returns automatic medicine container 4 to container storage unit 23. At this time, the weight of automatic medicine container 4 when supply of medicine to distribution tray 35 is completed is measured by weight measuring means of container holding stand 36, and an information writing operation is performed to store the measured weight in RFID. After that, automatic medicine container 4 is returned to container storage unit 23. That is, the arm unit 30 moves the automated medicine container 4 from the container holding table 36 to the container storage unit 23 .

[0162] On the other hand, after the vibration operation of the distribution tray 35 has stopped, the rotation of the distribution tray 35 is stopped. Then, a medicine dividing operation is performed in which the powdered medicine supplied to the distribution tray 35 is poured into the medicine inlet 39 one dose at a time. In the medicine division operation, the tip end portion of the scraping device 37 is lowered and brought into close proximity to the distribution tray 35. Then, the distribution tray 35 is rotated by an angle corresponding to the number of divisions, so that one dose of powdered medicine is brought into a state where it is gathered around the tip end portion of the scraping device 37. In this state, the scraping device 37 is operated to scoop up the powdered medicine gathered around the scraping device 37 and put it into the medicine inlet 39. By repeating such an operation, a medicine dividing operation is performed in which the medicine supplied to the distribution tray 35 is introduced into the medicine inlet 39 one dose at a time.

[0163] The medicine for one dose inputted into the medicine inlet 39 reaches the medicine packaging area 14 and is supplied to the medicine packaging device. Then, the medicine is packaged one dose at a time by the medicine packaging device. When this series of operations is completed, all of the medicines supplied to the distribution tray 35 are supplied to the medicine packaging device, and packaging is completed, thereby completing the first packaging operation.

[0164] In the above-mentioned first packaging operation, when the automatic medicine container 4 is returned to the container storage section 23, it is passed through the temporary container placement section 18 and then returned to the container storage section 23. Then, in the temporary container placement section 18, a re-weighing operation is performed to re-weigh the automatic medicine container 4.

[0165] That is, when the automatic medicine container 4 is returned from the container holding table 36 to the container storage section 23, the automatic medicine container 4 is first moved from the container holding table 36 to the temporary container placement section 18. Then, the weight of the automatic medicine container 4 is measured by the weight measuring means of the temporary container placement section 18. Here, in this embodiment, as described above, the weight of the automatic medicine container 4 when the supply of the medicine to the distribution tray 35 is completed is measured by the weight measuring means of the container holding table 36. That is, a double measurement operation is performed in which the weight is measured by the container holding table 36 and also by the temporary container placement section 18.

[0166] Then, an information reading operation is performed to read the information stored in the RFID tag, and the weight of the automated medicine container 4 measured by the container holding table 36 when the supply of the medicine is completed is compared with the weight measured by the temporary container placement unit 18 to determine whether they match. In other words, an operation is performed to check whether the weight measuring means of the container holding table 36 is functioning correctly. Here, the term "matched" in this specification is not limited to a perfect match, but may be regarded as a match allowing for a slight measurement error.

[0167] A confirmation operation may be performed to confirm whether the powder supply amount calculated in the above process is correct. That is, the weight of the automatic medicine container 4 before the start of supplying medicine (the original weight described above) may be compared with the weight of the automatic medicine container 4 detected by the temporary container placement unit 18 to calculate the powder supply amount (a value obtained by subtracting the weight detected by the temporary container placement unit 18 from the original weight). Then, this powder supply amount may be compared with the powder supply amount calculated in the above process (a value obtained by subtracting the current weight from the original weight) to determine whether they match.

[0168] If the result of these checking operations is that the amount of powdered medicine supplied and the weight measurement value of container holding table 36 are normal, automatic medicine container 4 is moved to container storage unit 23, and the first packaging operation is normally completed. On the other hand, if the amount of powdered medicine supplied or the measured weight of the container holder 36 is not normal, a notification operation such as displaying a message on the operation display unit 3 is performed to notify the user of that fact. [Second packaging operation]

[0169] The second packaging operation differs from the first packaging operation in that the second packaging operation supplies the medicine to the distribution tray 35 from an automatic medicine container 4 stored on an external management shelf, rather than from an automatic medicine container 4 held in the container storage unit 23. A detailed description of operations that are the same as those in the first packaging operation described above will be omitted.

[0170] In the cassette selection operation described above, when an automated medicine container 4 stored on an external management shelf is selected and the user then performs a predetermined operation on the operation display unit 3, the second packaging operation is started. In this operation, first, the door portion 16 is opened.

[0171] In this state, the automatic medicine container 4 manually taken out from an external management shelf is placed on the temporary container placement section 18, and a predetermined operation is performed on the operation display section 3. This confirms that the automatic medicine container 4 has been placed on the temporary container placement section 18. At this time, an information reading operation is performed to read the information stored in the RFID tag of the automatic medicine container 4, and a confirmation operation is performed to confirm whether the automatic medicine container 4 selected by the user has been correctly placed on the temporary container placement section 18. In other words, it is determined whether the type of medicine stored in the selected automatic medicine container 4 matches the type of medicine stored in the automatic medicine container 4 placed on the temporary container placement section 18. Furthermore, a weight measuring operation is performed to measure the weight of the automated medicine container 4 placed on the temporary container placement unit 18, and an information writing operation is performed to store the measured weight in the RFID tag.

[0172] Then, the door section 16 is closed, the arm section 30 moves the automatic medicine container 4 from the temporary container placement section 18 to the container holding table 36, and the automatic medicine container 4 is placed on the container holding table 36.

[0173] From this state, similarly to the first packaging operation described above, the medicine is supplied to the distribution tray 35, and is supplied to the medicine packaging device one dose at a time. The medicine packaging device also packages the supplied powder medicine one dose at a time. As a result, the medicine supplied to the distribution tray 35 is packaged into a predetermined number of packages. Then, when the operation of supplying the medicine to the distribution tray 35 is completed, the arm portion 30 returns the automatic medicine container 4 to the temporary container placement portion 18, the door portion 16 opens, and the second packaging operation is completed. [3rd packaging operation]

[0174] In the third packaging operation, a predetermined operation is performed with the message "Place the manual packing cassette" displayed on the operation display unit 3, and the front door 34 is raised. That is, the front of the drug dividing area 13 in the housing 10 is opened. When the container moving device 28 is operating, such as when the first packaging operation is being performed or when the second packaging operation is being performed, a notification operation is performed to notify the user that the front door 34 cannot be lifted. Specifically, this notification operation is an operation of sounding an alarm. When this notification operation is performed, the third packaging operation is stopped.

[0175] When the front door 34 is raised, an operator manually places the manual medicine container 5, which has been filled with medicine in advance, on the container holding stand 36. At this time, an information reading operation is performed to read the information stored in the RFID tag of the manual medicine container 5, and a confirmation operation is performed to confirm whether the manual medicine container 5 to be used is correctly placed on the container holding stand 36. In this confirmation operation, when it is confirmed that the manual medicine container 5 is correctly placed on the container holding table 36, the message display on the operation display unit 3 ends. In this state, a predetermined operation is performed to lower the front door 34, and the front door 34 is put into a closed state. Then, the medicine is supplied from the manual medicine container 5 to the distribution tray 35, and is supplied one dose at a time to the medicine packaging device.

[0176] When the packaging operation is completed, the message "Please remove the manual distribution cassette" is displayed on the operation display unit 3. In this state, a predetermined operation is performed, and the front door 34 is raised again. After removing the manual medicine container 5, the user performs a predetermined operation on the operation display unit 3 to lower the front door 34 and close the front door 34.

[0177] Here, in the third packaging operation, unlike the above-described first packaging operation, an operation for measuring the amount of medicine to be supplied is not performed, and all of the medicine contained in the manual medicine container 5 is supplied to the distribution tray 35. In other words, the manual medicine container 5 needs to be filled with a specified amount of medicine (the amount to be finally supplied).

[0178] In each of the packaging operations described above, in addition to packaging operations using one distribution tray 35, packaging operations using two distribution trays 35 can also be performed. That is, it is possible to switch between packaging operations using one distribution tray 35 and packaging operations using multiple distribution trays 35 as necessary.

[0179] Specifically, in each packaging operation, when a predetermined number or more of medicines are mixed and packaged, the packaging operation is performed using two distribution trays 35. Note that the "predetermined number or more" here refers to the number of container holders 36 (three in this embodiment) arranged adjacent to one distribution tray 35. In this operation, the partition plate device 41 is shifted from the protruding state to the stored state. In other words, the standing plate portion is not positioned near the medicine inlet 39. Then, the powdered medicine is dropped onto each distribution tray 35, and the same medicine division operation as described above is performed in each distribution tray 35.

[0180] However, there may be a case where it is necessary to mix and package a predetermined number of medicines, which is equal to or greater than the number of container holders 36 (six in this embodiment) provided inside the housing 10. The operation performed in such a case will be described in detail below. When all the automatic medicine containers 4 to be used are placed on the container holder 36, an automatic exchange operation for exchanging the automatic medicine containers 4 is performed by the container moving device 28 as necessary. On the other hand, if the automatic medicine container 4 to be used is stored on an external management shelf, a recommendation action is performed to prompt the user to manually prepare the automatic medicine container 4 to be used. In addition, a manual dispense setting operation can be performed to set one or more chemicals to be dispensed from the manual chemical container 5 into the dispensing tray 35 . [Automatic exchange operation]

[0181] In the automatic exchange operation, after supplying powdered medicine from a predetermined automatic medicine container 4 to the distribution tray 35, the arm unit 30 moves this automatic medicine container 4 from the container holding table 36 to the container storage unit 23. Following this, the arm unit 30 moves a new automatic medicine container 4 from the container storage unit 23 to the container holding table 36, and supplies powdered medicine from the new automatic medicine container 4 to the distribution tray 35. By repeating this operation a predetermined number of times, all of the required powdered medicine is supplied to the distribution tray 35. [Recommended Action]

[0182] In the recommendation operation, a message is displayed on the operation display unit 3 to prompt the user to prepare a specified automatic medicine container 4. Then, the automatic medicine container 4 for which the operation of supplying powdered medicine to the distribution tray 35 has been completed is moved to the container storage unit 23 (or temporary container placement unit 18), and the door unit 16 is switched to an open state. Then, similar to the second packaging operation described above, the automatic medicine container 4 manually removed from the external management shelf is placed on the temporary container placement unit 18. When the automatic medicine container 4 is moved to the temporary container placement unit 18, after the automatic medicine container 4 is removed, a new automatic medicine container 4 is placed on the temporary container placement unit 18. At this time, similarly to the second packaging operation described above, the information reading operation, weight measuring operation, and information writing operation are appropriately performed, and the arm unit 30 moves the automated medicine container 4 from the temporary container placement unit 18 to the container holding table 36. By repeating this operation a predetermined number of times, all the necessary powdered medicine is supplied to the distribution tray 35. [Manual setting operation]

[0183] When performing a packaging operation for mixing and packaging a predetermined number (six in this embodiment) or more of medicines, a selection operation can be performed in advance to select the medicine to be discharged from the manual medicine container 5 to the distribution tray 35. That is, a predetermined medicine is selected from the multiple medicines displayed on the operation display unit 3, and the medicine to be discharged from the manual medicine container 5 to the distribution tray 35 is selected. For example, when seven types of medicines are mixed and packaged, a selection operation can be performed in which five medicines are discharged from the automatic medicine container 4 to the distribution tray 35, and the remaining two medicines are discharged from the manual medicine container 5 to the distribution tray 35. In this case, a packaging operation can be performed in which one of all the container holders 36 is used as the container holder 36 on which the manual medicine container 5 is placed, and all the other container holders 36 are used as the container holders 36 on which the automatic medicine containers 4 are placed. Note that the operation of placing the automatic medicine containers 4 and the manual medicine containers 5 on the container holder 36 and the operation of removing the automatic medicine containers 4 and the manual medicine containers 5 from the container holder 36 are performed in the same procedure as the packaging operation described above.

[0184] In the powdered medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment, a packaging progress screen (see Figure 15) is displayed during each of the above-mentioned packaging operations, and a progress display operation is possible that displays the progress status when supplying medicine to the distribution tray 35. During each of the above-mentioned packaging operations, a monitoring operation can be performed to check the state of the area around the distribution tray 35. The progress display operation and monitoring operation will be described in detail below. [Progress display behavior]

[0185] The progress display operation is an operation that is performed in a state in which the packing progress screen (see FIG. 15) is displayed on the operation display unit 3, as described above.

[0186] 15, the packaging progress screen is provided with a supply medicine display area 65 that displays a list of each medicine to be supplied to the distribution tray 35. In this supply medicine display area 65, it is possible to switch between a state in which the medicines to be supplied to one of the two distribution trays 35 are displayed in a list, and a state in which the medicines to be supplied to the other distribution tray 35 are displayed in a list.

[0187] The supply medicine display area 65 also displays, for each medicine, the name of the medicine, the package form, the timing and number of times to take it, the supply progress rate, and a notification symbol 77a indicating that the medicine is being supplied or a notification symbol 77b indicating that the medicine has been supplied. As shown in Fig. 16, the supply progress rate is displayed as a graph (reference number 66 in the figure). The total length of this graph (reference number 66a in the figure) indicates the total supply amount (amount to be finally supplied), and the part of a different color (reference number 66b in the figure) indicates the amount already supplied to the distribution tray 35 (current supply amount). In other words, the supply progress rate is the ratio of the current supply amount to the final supply amount.

[0188] Incidentally, the packing progress screen is provided with a cassette remaining amount button 68, as shown in Fig. 15. This cassette remaining amount button 68 is a button that, when pressed, displays a weighing reservation notification screen (see Fig. 23, which will be described in detail later).

[0189] In addition, in the powdered medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment, if there is a medicine that is predicted to run short in the future among the medicines scheduled to be used in an unperformed packaging operation, a highlighting operation (first notification operation) is performed to make the cassette remaining amount button 68 stand out more than its surroundings. More specifically, when the "Issue" button is pressed after inputting information about the prescription on the prescription input screen (see FIG. 8) described above, if the remaining amount of medicine contained in the medicine container among the medicines provided in the input prescription falls below the amount used in the packaging operation corresponding to the input prescription, a highlighting operation is performed. The highlighting operation includes a blinking operation in which the color of the cassette remaining amount button 68 is changed at predetermined intervals, and a frame display operation in which a frame of a different color than the surrounding area is displayed on the edge. In addition, when the powder medicine dispensing business support system 161 (described in detail later) is constructed, when the prescription data is transmitted from the control device 160 to the powder medicine packing device 1, a notification operation is performed to notify the user of a future shortage of medicine as necessary. That is, when the prescription data is transmitted, the notification operation is performed when the remaining amount of medicine contained in the medicine container among the medicines provided by the prescription falls below the amount used in the packing operation corresponding to the prescription for one or more prescriptions included in the prescription data transmitted at one time. This notification operation may be performed by one or more devices of the powder medicine packing device 1, the control device 160, and the external PC 162.

[0190] Here, the notification action performed when there is a medicine that is predicted to run short in the future is not limited to the highlighting action described above. For example, a message notifying that the medicine will run short in the future or a message encouraging the user to refill the medicine may be displayed on the display of the operation display unit 3 or various devices, or an error announcement action may be performed to notify the user of the future medicine shortage by voice. In other words, the medicine that will run short in the future (the medicine that is preferable to be refilled now) may be notified to the user by an action of generating a voice from a voice generating device such as a speaker device that the operation display unit 3 or various devices has. That is, the powdered medicine packing device 1 of the present embodiment notifies the user of medicines that will need to be refilled in the future, thereby making it possible to prevent a medicine shortage that may occur in the future. [Monitoring operation]

[0191] The powdered medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment can perform a monitoring operation that displays the periphery of the distribution tray 35 to which the medicine is supplied by displaying a speed control screen (FIG. 17) during each of the above-mentioned packaging operations. In detail, it is possible to perform a monitoring operation that displays the periphery of the medicine discharge part of the medicine container placed on the container holding stand 36 arranged adjacent to the distribution tray 35. In addition, on the speed control screen, a speed adjustment operation can be performed to change the discharge speed (amount discharged per unit time) of the medicine (powdered medicine) to the distribution tray 35 as necessary. This allows the user to check whether the packaging operation is being performed normally, and enables the user to carry out the packaging operation while adjusting the speed at which the medicine is discharged into the distribution tray 35 to a preferred speed. In addition, in the monitoring operation, when drug containers are placed on a plurality of container holders 36 arranged adjacent to the distribution tray 35, the drug discharge portions of all the drug containers and their surroundings can be displayed.

[0192] When a "real-time video" button (not shown) is pressed on the operation display unit 3, a speed control screen (FIG. 17) is displayed. This speed control screen is provided with an operation display unit 80, a speed operation unit 81 (operation image), a packaging stop button 82, and a packaging management area 85 displaying an AF button 83.

[0193] Of the packaging management area 85, on one end side in the left-right direction, a first operation display unit 80a and a first speed operating unit 81a are displayed from the top, and a first packaging stop button 82a and a first AF button 83a are displayed in parallel below the first speed operating unit 81a. The first speed control unit 81a is a part for increasing or decreasing the vibration magnitude (hereinafter also referred to as the vibration level) of all container holding tables 36 (three in this embodiment) adjacent to one of the distribution trays 35 (the operation of changing the vibration level will be described later).

[0194] Then, on the other end side in the left-right direction, a second operation display unit 80b and a second speed operating unit 81b are displayed from the top, and a second packaging stop button 82b and a second AF button 83b are displayed in parallel below the second speed operating unit 81b. The second speed control unit 81b is a part for increasing or decreasing the vibration magnitude (hereinafter also referred to as the vibration level) of all container holding tables 36 (three in this embodiment) adjacent to the other distribution dish 35 (the operation of changing the vibration level will be described later).

[0195] That is, the first operation display unit 80a and the second operation display unit 80b are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and below them, the first speed operating unit 81a and the second speed operating unit 81b are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. Here, one distribution tray 35 to which the first speed operating unit 81a corresponds and the other distribution tray 35 to which the second speed operating unit 81b corresponds are also arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The order of the first speed operation unit 81a and the second speed operation unit 81b corresponds to the order of the two corresponding distribution trays 35. In other words, when one distribution tray 35 is located on the left and the other distribution tray 35 is located on the right, the first speed operation unit 81a corresponding to one distribution tray 35 is displayed on the left of the operation display unit 3, and the second speed operation unit 81b corresponding to the other distribution tray 35 is displayed on the right of the operation display unit 3.

[0196] The first packaging stop button 82a and the first AF button 83a are arranged side by side near the bottom end of the package management area 85 and near one end in the left-right direction. The second packaging stop button 82b and the second AF button 83b are arranged side by side near the bottom end of the package management area 85 and near the other end in the left-right direction. In other words, of the corners of the package management area 85 which is substantially rectangular in front view, the first packaging stop button 82a and the first AF button 83a are located near one lower corner, and the second packaging stop button 82b and the second AF button 83b are located near the other lower corner.

[0197] Here, each part displayed on one end in the left-right direction corresponds to one of the two distribution trays 35, and each part displayed on the other end in the left-right direction corresponds to the other of the two distribution trays 35. In other words, each part displayed on one end is a part for confirming and controlling the packaging operation performed on one distribution tray 35, and each part displayed on the other end is a part for confirming and controlling the packaging operation performed on the other distribution tray 35. Incidentally, although the parts displayed on one end side and the parts displayed on the other end side target different distribution trays 35, they are both parts for checking and controlling the packaging operation and are capable of similar operations. Therefore, in the following, only the parts displayed on one end side will be described, and redundant explanations of the parts displayed on the other end side will be omitted.

[0198] The first operation display section 80a is a section for displaying a moving image (observation image) captured by the camera member 40 that captures the discharge outlet of the medicine container and its surroundings on the container holding table 36 adjacent to one of the distribution trays 35. In other words, by checking the moving image displayed on the first operation display section 80a, it is possible to confirm the current status of the discharge outlet of the medicine container and its surroundings.

[0199] The first speed operation section 81 a is a section displayed on the screen of the operation display section 3 , and is made up of a circular operation button section 88 and a speed display section 89 positioned inside the operation button section 88 . By moving a finger or the like while touching the portion where the operation button section 88 is displayed, it is possible to increase or decrease the magnitude of vibration of the container holding table 36. By changing the magnitude of vibration of the container holding table 36, it is possible to change the discharge speed when the powdered medicine is discharged from the medicine container to the distribution tray 35.

[0200] That is, it is possible to carry out an operation to reduce the vibration amplitude of the container holding stand 36 and to lower the vibration frequency, and an operation to increase the vibration amplitude of the container holding stand 36 and to raise the vibration frequency. By carrying out these operations appropriately, it is possible to change the vibration pattern in stages. As the vibration pattern of the container holding stand 36 changes, the vibration transmitted from the container holding stand 36 to the chemical containers increases or decreases, and the vibration of the chemical containers placed on the container holding stand 36 also increases or decreases. As the vibration of the chemical containers changes, the discharge speed at which the chemical containers are discharged from the chemical containers to the distribution tray 35 changes.

[0201] As the vibration of the medicine container increases, the discharge speed from the medicine container to the distribution plate 35 increases. In other words, the discharge amount per unit time increases. On the other hand, as the vibration of the medicine container decreases, the discharge speed from the medicine container to the distribution plate 35 decreases. The discharge amount per unit time decreases. In this embodiment, the vibration pattern of the container holding table 36 is increased and decreased in stages, so that the discharge speed at which the medicine containers are discharged into the distribution tray 35 can be increased and decreased in stages.

[0202] More specifically, when changing the discharge speed, as shown in Fig. 18, the part where the operation button section 88 is displayed is touched with a finger or the like, and while keeping the finger or the like touching this part, the finger or the like is moved in an arc. In other words, the finger or the like is moved clockwise (or counterclockwise) as if tracing the part where the operation button section 88 is displayed.

[0203] In this embodiment, when the circumferential length of the operation button portion 88 is L, the ejection speed increases by one step every time the finger or the like is moved clockwise by 1 / 4L, and decreases by one step every time the finger or the like is moved counterclockwise by 1 / 4L. For this reason, for example, when a finger or the like makes one revolution clockwise along the operation button portion 88 from the part that the finger or the like first touches, the ejection speed becomes four steps faster. On the other hand, when a finger or the like makes one revolution counterclockwise along the operation button portion 88, the ejection speed becomes four steps slower. That is, in this embodiment, the ejection speed is structured to change in stages according to the operation.

[0204] In this way, the structure in which the ejection speed is changed by drawing an arc with a finger or the like while keeping the finger in contact with the dial makes it possible to give the user a feeling of operation as if they were operating a dial when changing the speed, thereby improving the operability when changing the speed. In addition, in the powdered medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment, each packaging operation is performed in a sealed space (inside the housing 10) with the door section 16 and the front door 34 closed. Therefore, it is difficult to operate the dial while directly looking at the part where the medicine is supplied, as in the conventional medicine packaging device. Therefore, in the present invention, the discharge speed of the powdered medicine can be changed by operating the operation button section 88 while displaying the periphery of the medicine discharge section of the medicine container placed on the container holding table 36 on the operation display section 3. This makes it possible to clearly see the state in which the powdered medicine is discharged, and makes it safer. In addition, by giving the user the same operating feeling as in the conventional case, the user can operate it without feeling uncomfortable.

[0205] In the powder medicine packing device 1 of this embodiment, the speed can be changed simply by changing the direction of movement while keeping a finger or the like in contact with the screen. Therefore, the speed can be easily changed without taking your eyes off the first operation display unit 80a for a long time. In addition, in the powder medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment, the speed can be changed in multiple steps in a short time by increasing the moving speed of the finger, etc., and conversely, the speed can be changed gradually by decreasing the moving speed. This configuration is preferable because it makes it easy to fine-tune the speed. In other words, the powdered medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment provides a comfortable operating feel, as if the user were holding the dial and checking the first operation display portion 80a while turning the dial appropriately to change the speed.

[0206] The speed display section 89 is a section for displaying the current discharge speed, and displays a number ("4" in FIG. 19) indicating the speed level (vibration level level). That is, there are cases where the user wants to accurately grasp the current speed while continuing to monitor the first operation display unit 80a. Therefore, by providing the speed display unit 89, it is possible to confirm the current accurate discharge speed.

[0207] In the powder medicine packing device 1 of this embodiment, when the discharge speed changes, the color of the operation button section 88 is changed according to the speed. Also, the speed notification section 91 (image for displaying the speed) is displayed for a predetermined time (for example, several seconds) (see FIG. 19). The speed indicator 91 is a portion that is temporarily displayed above the first speed operating section 81a (at the 12 o'clock direction) and has a shape that combines a substantially circular portion on the upper side with a substantially inverted triangular portion on the lower side. A number indicating the speed ("4" in FIG. 19) is displayed inside the speed indicator 91.

[0208] This speed notification section 91 is a section that is temporarily displayed when the discharge speed has changed. For example, when the speed is changed from "3" to "4" or from "5" to "4", the new speed "4" is displayed. By displaying the speed notification section 91 in this manner, the current speed can be reliably confirmed.

[0209] 20, when a finger or the like is touching the upper side of the first speed operation unit 81a, the hand or the like overlaps the speed display unit 89, making it difficult to see the speed displayed on the speed display unit 89. In this state, it is difficult to check the speed by just glancing at the speed display unit 89. Therefore, in this embodiment, the speed notification unit 91 is displayed at a position where the hand or the like does not overlap, so that the current speed can be visually confirmed reliably.

[0210] The speed notification section 91 is also configured to change color according to the speed, like the operation button section 88. In this embodiment, the color of the operation button section 88 corresponding to each speed is the same as the color of the speed notification section 91 corresponding to the same speed. In other words, the speed notification section 91 is displayed in the same color as the operation button section 88.

[0211] In addition, on the speed control screen of this embodiment, a full-screen display operation can be performed to display the first operation display section 80a (or the second operation display section 80b) over substantially the entire area of ​​the package management area 85.

[0212] When the full screen display operation is executed, as shown in FIG. 21, the first operation display section 80a is displayed in the upper part of the package management area 85, and a band-shaped portion 93 is displayed near the bottom end. A first speed operating unit 81a is displayed in a portion near the bottom end of the upper portion and near one end in the left-right direction. That is, the first speed operating unit 81a is displayed in a state where it overlaps with a part of the first action display unit 80a. Further, in the band-shaped portion 93, a packaging stop button 82 and an AF button 83 are arranged side by side near one end in the left-right direction.

[0213] The packaging stop button 82 is a button for stopping the packaging operation, and when pressed, the packaging operation is stopped.

[0214] The AF button 83 is a button for ending a state in which the discharge speed can be changed manually and for automatically changing the discharge speed. In other words, by pressing the AF button in a state in which the discharge speed can be changed, the state transitions to a state in which the discharge speed is automatically set. [Printing Operation]

[0215] In the powdered medicine packing device 1 of this embodiment, a printing operation can be executed to print and output predetermined information on a paper medium or a print medium of a packet.

[0216] The printing operation can output any of the following documents: "Refilling record," "Refilling list," "Manual preparation instructions," "Missing list," "Deletion / recovery list," and "Prescription record." In detail, only "Prescription record" can be output on both paper and sachet, while other documents can only be output on paper.

[0217] The "filling record" is a document that primarily displays information regarding the results of the filling operation. The "filling list" is a document that primarily displays information regarding the list of drugs currently being filled into the automated drug container 4. The "Manual Preparation Instructions" is a document that mainly displays information regarding the contents of the packaging operation to be performed. More specifically, the "Manual Preparation Instructions" is a type of document that displays information such as the name of the drug to be contained in the manual drug container 5 and the contents of the packaging operation to be performed using the manual drug container 5. The "Deletion / Recall List" is a document that primarily displays information regarding the history of drugs that users have deleted or recalled, such as the names of the drugs and the dates and times of deletion and recall. The "dispensing record" is a document that mainly displays information regarding the packaging operation after it has been performed.

[0218] Here, in the initial state (factory setting), when each document is output, a setting is made such that items predefined for each document are output. In the powdered medicine packing device 1 of this embodiment, a layout setting screen (see FIG. 22) is displayed, and the items to be printed on each document can be changed.

[0219] As shown in FIG. 22, the layout setting screen has a layout information display area 98 that displays information about various layouts, an item display area 99 that displays a list of printable items, and a preview area 100 that displays the output result.

[0220] In the layout information display area 98, it is possible to select one of the various registered layouts and display the management number and name of the selected layout.

[0221] The item display area 99 is a section for displaying a list of printable items. When any layout is selected in the layout information display area 98, the items to be printed in the selected layout are displayed in a list.

[0222] Here, on the layout setting screen, it is possible to add or delete items to be printed in the selected layout. In other words, by adding or deleting items to be displayed in the item display area 99 and selecting the items to be printed from the items displayed in the list, the items to be output in the selected layout are changed.

[0223] The preview area 100 is an area for displaying the contents that will be output in the printing operation to be performed. More specifically, it is an area for displaying the contents when the item selected in the item display area 99 is printed in the layout selected in the layout information display area 98. In this way, by configuring the contents to be able to be checked before actually carrying out the printing operation, it is possible to prevent the need to redo the output due to a setting error.

[0224] Incidentally, in the printing operation of this embodiment, as described above, it is possible to output the "prescription record." When outputting this "dispensing record," it is possible to display items such as the "theoretical value," which is the amount of medicine theoretically required in the packaging operation (drug-related value), the "actual value," which is the amount of medicine actually packaged, the "calculated value," which is calculated based on the "actual value," the "weighing result," which indicates whether the packaging operation was completed successfully, and the "weighing feeder."

[0225] When displaying the "theoretical value," it is possible to display one or more theoretical values ​​selected from amounts of drug based on different criteria, such as the total amount of drug required per packaging operation, the amount of packaged drug used per day, or the amount of packaged drug used per time.

[0226] For example, it is possible to simultaneously display the theoretical value of the "total amount of medicine required per packaging operation" and the theoretical value of the "amount of medicine packaged in one packaging operation to be used per day." That is, when theoretical values ​​are displayed, not only theoretical values ​​based on one standard but also theoretical values ​​based on different standards may be displayed.

[0227] In this case, one of them may be calculated based on the other. For example, a theoretical value of "amount of medicine to be packaged in a packaging operation per day" may be calculated from a theoretical value of "total amount of medicine required per packaging operation" and displayed.

[0228] When displaying the "actual value," it is also possible to display one or a selection of multiple actual values ​​based on amounts of drug based on different criteria, such as the total amount of drug required per packaging operation, the amount of packaged drug used per day, the amount of packaged drug used per time, etc. These are all values ​​measured during the packaging operation by the weight measuring means of the temporary container placement unit 18 or the container holding table 36. In other words, they are values ​​acquired in response to a situation during the packaging operation.

[0229] When displaying the actual measurement values, not only the actual measurement values ​​based on one standard may be displayed, but also the actual measurement values ​​based on different standards may be displayed.

[0230] In this way, the powdered medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment is capable of outputting a document that lists both the "theoretical value" that is the target when carrying out the packaging operation and the "actual value" that is measured during the actually carried out packaging operation. This allows the user to easily compare the "theoretical value" and the "actual value" and to understand whether or not a packaging error has occurred and the exact value of the packaging error.

[0231] As described above, the powder medicine packing device 1 of this embodiment is capable of outputting various information onto a paper medium. That is, it is capable of outputting a paper medium such as that shown in FIG. In detail, the paper medium shown in FIG. 44 outputs, in its upper part, the start time of the packaging operation, the theoretical value of "total amount of medicine required per packaging operation", and the theoretical value of "amount of packaged medicine used per day". Furthermore, in the lower part, for each type of medicine mixed in the packaging operation, the name of the medicine, the actual amount of the medicine, the theoretical amount of the medicine, and the ID of the "weighing feeder" are output. The ID of the "weighing feeder" indicates information that identifies the container holding table 36 on which the medicine container containing the medicine is placed during the packaging operation, and is an identification symbol formed by combining letters and numbers. In addition, in the lower part, the end time of the packaging operation and the total number of packages (the total number of packages when the medicine is packaged in one package) are output. [Reservation management operations]

[0232] In the powder medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment, when a packaging operation to be performed in the future is waiting to be executed, a weighing reservation notification screen (see Figure 23) is displayed on the operation display unit 3, and it is possible to display a list of the medicines to be used in the packaging operation that is waiting to be executed. At this time, the amount of each medicine required for the packaging operation in the waiting state is calculated, and an inventory comparison operation is performed to compare the amount of the medicine with the inventory amount of the medicine. If the result of the inventory comparison operation indicates that the medicine will be in short supply in the future, a notification operation is performed to notify the user of that fact.

[0233] The "waiting for execution state" refers to a state in which, despite an operation to execute a packaging operation, the packaging operation cannot be executed immediately due to reasons such as the fact that another packaging operation is currently being executed. In this case, the target packaging operation is scheduled to be executed in the future, and is in a state of waiting for execution until a situation in which the packaging operation can be executed becomes available. Then, when a situation in which the packaging operation can be executed becomes available and the packaging operation is executed, the waiting for execution state is cleared.

[0234] Furthermore, when there are multiple packaging operations waiting to be executed, the packaging operations are executed in order according to a predetermined sequence, i.e., the waiting states are cleared in order.

[0235] As shown in FIG. 23, the weighing reservation notification screen has a patient information display area 105 and a medicine display area 106.

[0236] The patient information display area 105 displays patients who have been prescribed one or more drugs among drugs that are used one or more times in the packaging operation currently waiting to be executed. For each patient to be displayed, information about the patient such as the patient name, patient ID, and number of packages is displayed. The "number of packets" is information indicating how many packets will be intended for the patient when one or more single doses of medicine are enclosed in one packet in a future packaging operation.

[0237] To explain this in detail using an example, suppose there are three packaging operations waiting to be executed, the medicines to be packaged in the first packaging operation have been prescribed for "Yuyama Ichiro" and "Yuyama Niiro", the medicines to be packaged in the second packaging operation have been prescribed for "Yuyama Niiro" and "Yuyama Sanro", and the medicines to be packaged in the third packaging operation have been prescribed for "Yuyama Shiro". In this case, "Yuyama Ichiro", "Yuyama Niiro", "Yuyama Sanro", and "Yuyama Shiro" will be displayed in parallel in patient information display area 105.

[0238] In the medicine display area 106, medicines that are to be used at least once in all packaging operations that are currently waiting to be executed are displayed in a list. For each medicine, the name of the medicine, the reserved amount, and the stock amount are displayed, and the shortage amount is displayed as necessary.

[0239] The "reserved amount" is the amount of the drug that will be required in the future, and is the cumulative amount of the drug used in each packaging operation that is currently waiting to be executed. In other words, it is the total amount of the drug that will be used in each packaging operation that is currently waiting to be executed.

[0240] The "stock amount" is the amount of the target drug currently contained in the automated drug container 4 held in the container storage unit 23 or in the automated drug container 4 stored on the management shelf.

[0241] The reserved amount and stock amount are displayed not only by letters and numbers but also by graphs. As shown in Fig. 24, the total length (reference number 108 in the figure) indicates the maximum amount, and the part with a different color (reference number 109 in the figure) indicates the current amount. The maximum reserved amount is the same as the maximum stock amount, and is the maximum capacity (capable amount) of the automatic medicine container 4 that contains the target medicine.

[0242] In addition, if the target drug is stored in two automatic drug containers 4, the inventory amount is the sum of the current capacities of the two automatic drug containers 4, and the maximum inventory amount is the sum of the maximum capacities of the two automatic drug containers 4. Furthermore, in the powdered medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment, when the medicine to be used is contained in two automatic medicine containers 4 in the packaging operation described above, the one containing the least amount of medicine is used first. That is, the amount of medicine contained in each of the two automatic medicine containers 4 is acquired by the information reading operation, and a remaining amount comparison operation can be performed to compare these amounts. This operation identifies the automatic medicine container 4 with the least amount remaining, and a selection use operation can be performed from the identified automatic medicine container 4 to be used in the packaging operation.

[0243] Here, in the powdered medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment, a comparison operation (comparison operation) is performed to compare the reserved amount with the stock amount, and when the reserved amount exceeds the stock amount, a shortage calculation operation is performed to calculate the shortage amount. Then, a shortage notification operation (notification operation) is performed to display the calculated shortage amount and to flash a frame.

[0244] This frame is displayed on the edge of the area of ​​the drug display area 106 that displays each drug individually, and is displayed in a flashing manner that alternates between appearing and not appearing at a predetermined interval (e.g., 2 seconds).

[0245] Furthermore, when this shortage notification operation is being performed, the user can touch the area displaying the shortage amount of medicine to display a screen for performing a refilling operation to refill that medicine.

[0246] This refilling operation is performed in the same manner as the refilling operation described above. Simply put, when the user performs a predetermined operation, the automatic medicine container 4 for storing the missing medicine is transported to the door section 16 by the container moving device 28, and the door section 16 is opened. Then, the user takes out the automatic medicine container 4 and manually fills the shortage amount or more of medicine into the automatic medicine container 4. At the same time, an external device performs an operation to store the amount of medicine filled in the RFID of the automatic medicine container 4. Furthermore, the automated medicine container 4 filled with medicine is placed on the temporary container placement section 18 of the door section 16, and a predetermined operation (for example, pressing the complete button) is performed.

[0247] At this time, the temporary container placement unit 18 performs a filling verification operation to re-measure the weight of the automatic medicine container 4. If this operation determines that the automatic medicine container 4 is filled with the correct amount of medicine (more than the shortage amount), an operation is performed to move the automatic medicine container 4 to the container storage unit 23 or the container holding table 36. Note that the case of moving to the container holding table 36 refers to the case where the next packaging operation is a packaging operation using the automatic medicine container 4 filled with medicine. On the other hand, if the result of the filling verification operation indicates that the medicine contained in the automatic medicine container 4 is still insufficient, a notification operation (for example, a message is displayed on the operation display unit 3) is performed to prompt the user to remove the automatic medicine container 4 again and fill it with medicine. Alternatively, a screen is displayed that allows the user to select switching to a packaging operation using an automatic medicine container 4 stored on an external management shelf or a manual medicine container 5. [Package verification operation]

[0248] The powdered medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment is capable of carrying out a packaging verification operation for verifying whether or not a packaging operation carried out in the past was carried out correctly. In this packing verification operation, the prescription history list screen (see FIG. 25) is displayed in advance, any prescription is selected, and the packing verification operation is performed on the packing operation related to the selected prescription.

[0249] As shown in FIG. 25, the prescription history list screen includes a condition input area 115 for specifying the prescription of the packaging operation to be verified, and a prescription display area 116 for displaying a list of the prescription.

[0250] In the condition input area 115, items such as the patient name, start date, end date, start time, and end time that are specific conditions for the prescription can be input. At this time, when inputting the patient name, the user can select a specific patient from a list (not shown) that is displayed after pressing the patient list call button 117, or can directly input characters. The start date and end date can be input by specifying the date and time on a calendar screen (not shown) that is displayed by selecting the input field.

[0251] After entering conditions in the condition input area 115, pressing the display button 118 causes a list of prescriptions that satisfy the entered conditions to be displayed in the prescription display area 116. That is, when a patient name is input, prescriptions for patients matching this patient name are displayed in a list. When a start date and an end date are input, prescriptions that fall within the period in which the prescription date is input are displayed in a list, and when a start time and an end time are input, prescriptions that fall within the period in which the prescription time is input are displayed in a list. When multiple conditions are input, prescriptions that meet all of the multiple conditions are displayed.

[0252] On the other hand, when the display button 118 is pressed with no conditions entered in the condition input area 115, all recorded prescriptions are displayed in a list in the prescription display area 116. The display button 118 is configured to display "Display" when any item has been entered in the condition input area 115, and to display "Display all" when nothing has been entered (as shown in FIG. 25).

[0253] In the state where prescriptions are displayed in a list in the prescription display area 116 (see FIG. 26), each line corresponds to a different prescription. By touching the part where any of the lines is displayed with a finger or the like, it is possible to transition the prescription corresponding to the line displayed in the touched part from an unselected state to a selected state. When the Delete button 119 is pressed with a prescription selected, a process of deleting the selected prescription from the list is executed. Furthermore, when a prescribed operation is performed with a prescription selected, a weighing history screen (see FIG. 27) is displayed showing specific details regarding the selected prescription.

[0254] As shown in FIG. 27, the weighing history screen has a date display section 125, a patient name display section 126, an explanation display section 127, an error display section 128, a drug information display section 129, a progress display section 130, an allocation video button 131, a flow rate button 132, and a weighing value button 133.

[0255] The date display section 125 is a section for displaying the date of taking and the date of dispensing of the packaged medicine.

[0256] The patient name display section 126 is a section for displaying information relating to the name of the patient to whom the packaged medicine has been prescribed.

[0257] The instruction display section 127 is a section for displaying information regarding taking the packaged medicine, such as the time of taking the medicine, the method of use, and the prescribed amount.

[0258] The error display section 128 is a section for displaying information (hereinafter also referred to as error information) about malfunctions that occurred during the packaging operation related to the displayed prescription. If multiple malfunctions have occurred, multiple pieces of error information are displayed in a list.

[0259] By touching the part where any of the error information is displayed with a finger or the like, it is possible to transition the error information displayed in the touched part from an unselected state to a selected state. Here, when multiple pieces of error information are displayed, any one of the pieces of error information can be selected. In other words, all of the other error information except for the error information in the selected state will be in an unselected state.

[0260] The drug information display section 129 is a section for displaying information regarding each drug used in the packaging operation, such as the drug name, the allocated amount, information indicating the distribution tray 35 used in the packaging operation, and information regarding the form of the packaging operation.

[0261] The transition display section 130 is a section where information showing the transition of the flow rate or weighing value of the medicine is displayed, and specifically, it is a section where a graph (flow rate in FIG. 27) is displayed with time on the horizontal axis and flow rate or weighing value on the vertical axis. Here, the "flow rate" is the absolute value of the amount of medicine supplied to the distribution tray 35 between successive times, and the "weighed value" is the integrated value of the amount of medicine supplied to the distribution tray 35 up to a predetermined time. In other words, the transition display unit 130 is a part for displaying the transition of the amount of medicine supplied to the distribution tray 35 during the packaging operation to be displayed. When drugs are displayed in the drug information display unit 129, a displayed drug can be selected to highlight a broken line in the graph that corresponds to the selected drug. That is, the broken line is displayed in a thick line, the color of the broken line is changed, or the broken line flashes.

[0262] The powder medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment is capable of displaying a graph showing the change in flow rate or weighing value over time, making it possible to immediately grasp whether the change in flow rate or weighing value for the packaging operation performed is normal or not, and if it is not normal, the extent of the difference. Here, when each part of the powder medicine packaging device 1, such as the distribution tray 35 and the container holding stand 36, deteriorates due to aging or other use, the flow rate or weighing value may change slightly differently from normal changes. In other words, the change may be slightly different from normal, but not to a degree that is problematic. In the powder medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment, the user can immediately grasp such changes, so that the occurrence of problems related to aging that may occur in the future can be predicted.

[0263] Furthermore, when information regarding a malfunction is displayed in error display unit 128, a display symbol 135 indicating the occurrence time of the error information selected in error display unit 128 is displayed (error time display operation). In other words, it is possible to select a malfunction that occurred in a previously performed packaging operation, and, on the condition that a malfunction is selected, it is possible to implement a notification operation in which the occurrence time of the selected malfunction is visually notified in the form of a graph.

[0264] The allocation video button 131 is a button for displaying a past video display screen (see FIG. 28 and the like) which will be described later.

[0265] The flow rate button 132 and the weighed value button 133 are buttons for switching the items of the graph displayed in the transition display section 130. That is, when the flow rate button 132 is pressed, the value indicated on the vertical axis of the graph becomes the "flow rate," and when the weighed value button 133 is pressed, the value indicated on the vertical axis of the graph becomes the "weighed value."

[0266] In the powder medicine packing device 1 of this embodiment, by displaying a past video display screen (see FIG. 28, etc.), it is possible to verify the time leading up to the occurrence of the malfunction and what operations were performed around the distribution tray 35 at the time the error occurred. In addition, the transition of the flow rate or weighing value over time can be confirmed while being compared with the operations actually performed around the distribution tray 35.

[0267] The past video display screen is provided with, from the top, a past action display area 138 for displaying videos shot in the past, a seek bar display area 139 (time display section), and a graph display area 140.

[0268] In the past action display area 138, a first past action display section 145 and a second past action display section 146 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction.

[0269] The first past operation display unit 145 is a section for displaying a video imaged and recorded by the camera member 40 that images the medicine discharge portion of the medicine container on the container holding stand 36 adjacent to one of the distribution trays 35 and its surroundings. In other words, it is a section for displaying a video (past packaging image) showing the state of the surrounding area of ​​one of the distribution trays 35 during a packaging operation performed on one of the distribution trays 35 among packaging operations performed in the past.

[0270] The second past operation display unit 146 is a section for displaying a video imaged and recorded by the camera member 40 that photographs the drug discharge portion of the drug container on the container holding stand 36 adjacent to the other distribution tray 35 and its surroundings. In other words, it is a section for displaying a video showing the state of the surrounding area of ​​the other distribution tray 35 during a packaging operation performed on the other distribution tray 35 among the packaging operations performed in the past.

[0271] In the seek bar display area 139, a play button 148, a stop button 149, and a seek bar 150 are displayed.

[0272] The play button 148 is a button for playing a video in the first past action display section 145 and / or the second past action display section 146, and pressing the button starts playing the video.

[0273] The stop button 149 is a button for stopping the video being played in the first past action display section 145 and / or the second past action display section 146, and pressing this button stops the playback of the video.

[0274] The seek bar 150 indicates the current playback position of the video displayed in the past action display area 138, and is intended to visually indicate which part between the start and end of the video is currently being displayed. By operating the seek bar 150, it is possible to change the playback position of the video.

[0275] The graph display area 140 is a section for displaying a graph similar to the graph displayed in the transition display section 130 described above.

[0276] The past video display screen displays a video showing the surrounding area of ​​distribution tray 35 during a past packaging operation, and a graph showing the change in the amount of medicine supplied to distribution tray 35 during this packaging operation, on a single screen. The displayed graph highlights the time when a problem occurred during the packaging operation. Therefore, when the user checks what happened near the distribution dish 35 at the time the malfunction occurred and around the time, the user can easily grasp the situation by simply comparing these. This simplifies the user's checking operation. [Maintenance Operation]

[0277] In the powdered medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment, a cleaning operation can be performed to clean the distribution tray 35 as necessary. This allows the remaining medicine to be completely removed even if a small amount of medicine remains on the distribution tray 35 due to the packaging operation. In other words, when medicine is supplied to the distribution tray 35 in the subsequent packaging operation, the supplied medicine and the remaining medicine do not mix together (so-called contamination does not occur).

[0278] In the cleaning operation, the tip end portion of the cleaning device 38 is lowered and brought into close proximity to the distribution dish 35. Then, an operation of rotating the distribution dish 35 at a predetermined speed is performed. Here, the cleaning device 38 is provided with a suction device that sucks up remaining medicine, and a rotatable brush-like part and a suction port of the suction device are formed at the tip side portion. In other words, the cleaning operation involves the brush-like portion in contact with the distribution tray 35 scraping off the remaining medicine, and the suction device sucking up the remaining medicine that has risen to the top. [Repackaging operation]

[0279] The powdered medicine packing device 1 of the present embodiment is configured to perform a history storage operation for storing execution conditions for each performed packing operation as history information. The execution conditions include information such as the name of each drug used in the packaging operation, the total amount of each drug used, the amount per dose, the timing of administration, and the number of doses.

[0280] This history storage operation is configured to store implementation history information, which is history information of the packaging operations that have been performed, as well as completion history information, which is history information only of packaging operations that have been normally completed. That is, an operation for storing implementation history information (first history storage operation) and an operation for storing completion history information (second history storage operation) can be executed.

[0281] It is then possible to execute a first re-packaging operation in which the packaging operation is carried out again based on history information (execution history information) of the packaging operation that has been carried out, and a second re-packaging operation in which the packaging operation is carried out again based on history information (completion history information) of the packaging operation that has been completed successfully.

[0282] To explain in more detail, in the powdered medicine packing device 1 of this embodiment, by operating the operation and display unit 3, a packing history display screen (see FIG. 29) can be displayed.

[0283] The packing history display screen is provided with a history display area 155 that displays a list of medicines for which packing operations have been performed in the past. By performing a predetermined operation, it is possible to switch between a state in which the history of packing operations that have been performed in the past is displayed in a list for each operation, and a state in which the history of packing operations that have been normally completed in the past is displayed in a list for each operation.

[0284] Then, by selecting one of the actions displayed in the list and pressing the "Reissue" button, the previously performed packing action can be executed again.

[0285] In other words, in this embodiment, the packaging operation can be performed again based on the execution history information, and when the packaging operation is interrupted for some reason, it can be performed again without detailed setting operations. In other words, there is an advantage that no complicated operations are required when re-executing the operation. For example, if the packaging operation has been completed halfway, it is possible to easily open the packaging bag, re-introduce the medicine into the medicine container (automatic medicine container 4, manual medicine container 5), and perform the operation again. [Other actions]

[0286] Furthermore, the powder medicine packing device 1 of this embodiment can appropriately perform various operations such as a holding container confirmation operation, a container attitude determination operation, a holding position change operation, a movement distance shortening operation, a vibration pattern change operation, a measurement means adjustment operation, etc. Each operation will be described in detail. [Containing container confirmation operation]

[0287] The holding container confirmation operation is an operation for acquiring information regarding the position of the automatic medicine containers 4 held in the container storage unit 23, the type of medicine contained in each automatic medicine container 4, and the weight of the medicine container. In this holding container confirmation operation, the drum member 25 is rotated, and an information reading operation is performed in which information is read from the RFID tags of the automatic medicine containers 4 attached to each tier using an information reading device (not shown) provided at a position corresponding to each tier of the drum member 25.

[0288] Here, the number of information reading devices is less than the number of container installation parts of the above-mentioned drum member 25. That is, in this embodiment, by adopting a configuration in which the drum member 25 is rotated to read information, it is possible to reduce the number of information reading devices to be attached.

[0289] After carrying out this holding container confirmation operation, the names of the medicines contained in all of the automatic medicine containers 4 held in the container storage unit 23, the weights of the medicines contained, the holding positions, etc. may be printed and output on a medium such as paper. Although not particularly limited, this printing operation is desirably carried out when the powder medicine packing device 1 is started up (immediately after the power is turned on). [Container posture determination operation]

[0290] The container attitude determination operation is an operation for determining whether or not the automated medicine container 4 is held correctly in the container storage unit 23. That is, whether or not the protruding member of the container installation section is recessed is detected by the optical sensor built into the drum member 25. In addition, the drum member 25 is rotated, and the optical sensor provided on the outside of the drum member 25 detects whether or not the automatic medicine container 4 protrudes from a specified position. Based on the detection results by these two optical sensors, it is determined whether or not the automatic medicine container 4 is installed in the correct position.

[0291] In this way, the powdered medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment is configured to rotate the drum member 25 to perform the holding container confirmation operation and the container attitude determination operation. This rotation operation of the drum member 25 is configured to be performed automatically when the powdered medicine packaging device 1 is started (immediately after the power is turned on). In addition to when the powdered medicine packaging device 1 is started or during the above-mentioned packaging operation, it may be performed at a predetermined time, such as before the start of work for the day, before each packaging operation, at regular intervals, or immediately after the door section 16 is closed. [Holding position change operation]

[0292] The powdered medicine packing device 1 of the present embodiment is capable of performing a holding position changing operation for changing the mounting position of the automatic medicine container 4 in the container storage unit 23, as a unique operation. This holding position changing operation is an operation for automatically changing the holding position of the automatic medicine container 4 in the container storage unit 23 based on the frequency of use of each automatic medicine container 4 held in the container storage unit 23.

[0293] For example, when influenza is prevalent or during pollen season, the amount of use of a specific medicine increases significantly. In other words, in the packaging operation, the automatic medicine container 4 that contains the specific medicine is used more frequently than other automatic medicine containers 4.

[0294] Therefore, the powdered medicine packing device 1 of this embodiment performs a holding position change operation in such a situation, and places the automatic medicine container 4, which is used frequently, near the distribution tray .

[0295] More specifically, the drum member 25 that holds the automated medicine containers 4 in the container storage section 23 is located above the distribution dish 35. Therefore, the lower side of the drum member 25 is closer to the distribution dish 35 than the upper side.

[0296] For this reason, when the arm section 30 takes out the automatic medicine container 4 from the container storage section 23 and moves it to the container holding table 36, if the automatic medicine container 4 is taken out and moved from below the drum member 25, the moving distance can be made shorter than if the automatic medicine container 4 is taken out and moved from above.

[0297] In other words, by performing the holding position change operation and moving the holding position of the frequently used automatic medicine container 4 from above to below the drum member 25, it is possible to shorten the moving distance of the automatic medicine container 4 when performing a packaging operation, making it possible to perform an efficient packaging operation.

[0298] That is, in the powder medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment, the number of times that the automatic medicine container 4 has been used in the packaging operation is stored. Then, when the number of times that a specific automatic medicine container 4 has been used reaches or exceeds a specific number, or exceeds the number of times that another automatic medicine container 4 has been used by a specific number, the specific automatic medicine container 4 that was held on the upper side of the drum member 25 is moved to the lower side.

[0299] At this time, if there is free space on the lower level side and an automatic medicine container 4 can be held therein, the specified automatic medicine container 4 is moved directly to the lower level. On the other hand, if there is no free space on the lower level to hold the automatic medicine container 4, the automatic medicine container 4 currently held on the lower level is temporarily placed in a shelter such as a temporary container placement section 18, a specific automatic medicine container 4 is moved from the upper level to the lower level, and then the automatic medicine container 4 in the shelter is moved to the upper level. [Movement distance reduction]

[0300] When the above-mentioned packaging operations are performed consecutively, if the automatic medicine container 4 used in the preceding packaging operation is to be used in the subsequent packaging operation, a travel distance shortening operation may be performed as necessary. In this movement distance shortening operation, after the powdered medicine (medicine) is discharged from the automatic medicine container 4 to the distribution tray 35 in the preceding packaging operation, instead of moving the automatic medicine container 4 from the container holding table 36 to the container storage section 23, the automatic medicine container 4 is moved to the temporary container placement section 18. Then, in the subsequent packaging operation, the automatic medicine container 4 is moved from the temporary container placement section 18 to the container holding table 36. This makes it possible to shorten the movement distance of the automatic medicine container 4.

[0301] When there is a container holding table 36 that is not to be used in the preceding packaging operation, instead of moving the automatic medicine container 4 from the container holding table 36 to the container storage section 23, the automatic medicine container 4 may be moved to the unused container holding table 36. In this case, in the subsequent packaging operation, the automatic medicine container 4 is moved from the container holding table 36 that is not to be used in the preceding packaging operation to a predetermined container holding table 36. This also shortens the moving distance of the automatic medicine container 4. [Vibration pattern change operation]

[0302] The powdered medicine packing device 1 of this embodiment is capable of performing a vibration pattern changing operation for increasing or decreasing the amplitude when vibrating the vibration table section.

[0303] To explain in more detail, in the powder medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment, as described above, when each packaging operation is performed, the vibration table portion of the container holding table 36 is vibrated, and the medicine is supplied to the distribution tray 35 from inside the medicine container held by the container holding table 36.

[0304] Here, even if the vibration table part continues to vibrate, there may be cases where the medicine is not supplied from the medicine container or the supply amount per unit time becomes extremely small. In this case, the cause may be that the powdered medicine adheres to the inside of the automatic medicine container 4 and becomes a lump, or there is no medicine inside the automatic medicine container 4.

[0305] A situation in which there is no medicine inside the automatic medicine container 4 may occur when the above-mentioned reservation management operation is not performed normally for some reason, the shortage amount is not displayed and the packaging operation is started, and the weight measuring means of the container holding table 36 is unable to detect that no medicine is contained inside the automatic medicine container 4.

[0306] In this embodiment, when the supply amount per unit time falls below a certain amount despite the vibration table unit continuing to vibrate, first, a vibration pattern change operation is performed to increase the amplitude of vibration, and an operation to break up the lumps of medicine is performed. That is, first, it is assumed that lumps of medicine have formed, and the cause is attempted to be eliminated. At this time, if the cause is that the medicine has become lumps as expected, the amplitude is increased and the automatic medicine container 4 is placed in a state of being strongly vibrated, which may break up the lumps and eliminate the cause.

[0307] If the supply amount per unit time is less than a certain amount despite performing a vibration pattern change operation to increase the amplitude, the vibration of the vibration table is stopped and an alarm operation is performed to notify the user that the specified amount of medicine is not being supplied to the distribution tray 35 per unit time. This notification operation is performed by, for example, displaying a predetermined message on the operation display unit 3, emitting a sound such as a voice or an alarm, or emitting light such as turning on a separately provided emergency light.

[0308] Furthermore, in the powdered medicine packing device 1 of this embodiment, after the notification operation is performed, a stock-out process is appropriately performed. That is, the automatic medicine container 4 from which the medicine could not be discharged is removed from the main body device 2 by using the arm portion 30 or manually, and the automatic medicine container 4 is inspected by the user.

[0309] At this time, if the powdered medicine has solidified and formed lumps inside the automatic medicine container 4, the user breaks up the lumps. Also, if it is confirmed that there is no medicine inside the automatic medicine container 4, the user fills it with medicine.

[0310] Thereafter, the automated medicine container 4 that has been inspected is placed on the container holding table 36 using the arm unit 30 or manually, and the supply of medicine to the distribution tray 35 is resumed. In other words, the vibration of the vibration table unit is resumed, and the distribution tray 35 is rotated again. As described above, in the powdered medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment, the weight of the automatic medicine container 4 is constantly detected while medicine is being supplied from the automatic medicine container 4 to the distribution tray 35. In other words, the weight of the medicine supplied to the distribution tray 35 before interruption is stored. Therefore, when the supply of medicine to the distribution dish 35 is resumed, the remaining supply amount is calculated based on the weight of the medicine supplied to the distribution dish 35 before the interruption, and only the calculated supply amount of medicine is supplied to the distribution dish 35.

[0311] In this embodiment, if the supply amount per unit time is less than a certain amount despite the execution of the vibration pattern change operation to increase the amplitude, the vibration of the vibration table unit is stopped, and the arm unit 30 is automatically operated to move the automatic medicine container 4 to the temporary container placement unit 18. Then, the user opens the door unit 16 and removes the automatic medicine container 4.

[0312] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which the manual medicine container 5 is used when the third packaging operation is performed, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the third packaging operation may be performed using the automatic medicine container 4. In other words, the automatic medicine container 4 may be used instead of the manual medicine container 5.

[0313] The data storage unit is not limited to the HDD built into the main device 2, and may be an external HDD connected to the main device 2 via a cable or the like. Also, a configuration in which the HDD built into the main device 2 and an external HDD are used together may be used.

[0314] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which the discharge speed of the powdered medicine to the distribution tray 35 is changed by operating the operation button unit 88. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 30, a speed up button and a speed down button may be provided so that pressing each button increases or decreases the speed. Also, a memory section that visually displays the speed steps, such as a bar-shaped scale, may be provided near the speed up button and the speed down button.

[0315] In addition to the above-mentioned operations, if a sudden change in the discharge speed is detected due to external vibration or impact when powdered medicine (medicine) is being supplied from inside the medicine container to the distribution tray 35, an alarm operation (for example, displaying a warning message on the operation display unit 3, emitting an alarm sound, etc.) may be performed to notify the user of this, and a message may be displayed on the operation display unit 3 to allow the user to select whether or not to perform an emergency stop. Here, if an emergency stop is not performed, the packaging operation may be continued as is, and an operation may be performed to record in the history information the fact that the discharge speed has changed suddenly (the occurrence of an abnormality).

[0316] In addition to each of the above operations, the total weight of the sachet divided into one or more doses formed by each packaging operation and the powdered medicine contained therein may be calculated, and the calculated result may be printed directly on the sachet or on a medium such as paper.

[0317] For example, a long sheet is a raw material for sachets, and is wound around a core tube in a roll and stored inside the housing 10. An RFID tag is attached to the core tube. Then, by reading the information written in the RFID tag, a weight acquisition operation can be performed to acquire the weight of the long sheet. Here, a weight acquisition operation is performed before and after each packaging operation, and the acquired weights are compared to calculate the weight of the sachet produced in the target packaging operation.The total weight of the sachet and the powdered medicine contained therein is then calculated from the calculated weight of the sachet and the total amount of medicine used (total discharged amount) in the packaging operation.

[0318] As another example, the information of the RFID attached to the core tube portion may be read to obtain the length of the outputted long sheet, and the weight of the produced sachet may be calculated from this length and the total weight of the unused long sheet.The total weight of the sachet and the powdered medicine contained therein may then be calculated from the weight of the sachet calculated in this way and the total amount of medicine used (total amount discharged) in the packaging operation.

[0319] Furthermore, when forming the sachet, if the total weight of the sachet and the powdered medicine contained therein is directly printed, the user can simply place the formed sachet on a scale and perform an audit while looking at the printed contents, thereby improving the convenience of the work. When printing the total weight of the sachet and the powdered medicine contained therein, it may be printed together with other information, such as the weighing start time, exchange ticket number, age, weight, medicine name, daily amount (theoretical value and / or actual value), total amount (theoretical value and / or actual value), total weight including medicine (theoretical value and / or actual value), number of minutes, number of days, etc.

[0320] Among the above-mentioned packaging operations, when a packaging operation using an automatic medicine container 4 is performed, a container switching operation may be performed to switch the medicine container to be used from the automatic medicine container 4 to the manual medicine container 5 before the operation of discharging the powdered medicine into the distribution tray 35 is started. That is, a specific chemical is selected from a list of chemicals to be used in the packaging operation to be performed (or the packaging operation currently being performed) on the operation display unit 3, and a specific operation is performed to set the chemical to be discharged from the manual chemical container 5 to the distribution tray 35. Then, before (or during) the packaging operation, the front door 34 is temporarily lifted, and the manual chemical container 5, which has already been filled with the chemical, is placed on the container holding stand 36.

[0321] In the above example, a moving image relating to the packaging operation is displayed, but still images may be displayed instead of moving images. For example, a photographing operation is performed every few seconds while the packaging operation is being performed. Meanwhile, a barcode for identifying the prescription (packaging operation) is printed on the packaging bag formed in the packaging operation. Then, an operation is performed to read the barcode information using a specified reading device, and a corresponding still image is displayed on the operation display unit 3. This allows confirmation of whether the medicine has been normally discharged into the distribution tray 35. The reading device may be provided integrally with the main body device 2, or may be provided separately and connected via a communication network.

[0322] In the above example, when a packaging operation is performed to mix and package a predetermined number (six in this embodiment) or more of medicines, the packaging operation is performed using both the automatic medicine container 4 and the manual medicine container 5. In this packaging operation, the manual medicine container 5 may be used to specify the medicine to be discharged into the distribution tray 35, and an operation may be performed to prompt the user to select the desired medicine.

[0323] Specifically, when registering a drug in the "drug master" in the database editing operation, the item "manual preparation cassette priority" (item for specifying the priority) can be input. For example, this item can be selected and input from high, medium, and low. When performing a packaging operation to mix a predetermined number (six in this embodiment) or more of medicines, the medicines are displayed as recommended manual preparation in order of highest priority (or displayed in a list so that the differences in priority are clear).

[0324] When the number of drugs to be used with the manual drug container 5 (hereinafter also referred to as the set number) is set in advance (or specified by the user), and there are more drugs with the same priority than the set number, only the set number may be presented in the order of registration.

[0325] In addition, the above-mentioned priority order can be set as appropriate, but it is preferable to set the priority order taking into consideration high-risk drugs such as narcotics, poisons, psychotropic drugs, and powerful drugs, granular drugs, colored drugs, and drugs that need to be stored in a cool place. For example, high-risk chemicals may be rated as "low" to reduce the possibility of cross-contamination. Chemicals that are prone to scattering may be rated as "low" to reduce the effort required to fill the manual chemical container 5 with the chemical. Conversely, chemicals that are easy to fill the manual chemical container 5, such as granular medicines, may be rated as "high." Colored medicines may be rated as "low" to prevent coloring of the manual chemical container 5.

[0326] As described above, the medicine container of this embodiment is equipped with an information recording member (RFID chip), and can appropriately perform information reading and writing operations. This enables the following operations. Note that although there is some overlap in the explanation, all of the explanations are in accordance with the configuration and operations described above.

[0327] The RFID records the name of the medicine and the remaining amount of the medicine in the medicine container. When the powdered medicine packing device 1 of this embodiment is started, the types and remaining amounts of medicines contained in all medicine containers mounted on the drum member 25 are read from the RFID and recorded in the control unit. That is, the drum member 25 is rotated, and the RFID information is read by an information reading device (an information reading device and an information writing device provided integrally or separately). Also, which medicine containers are contained in which positions on the drum member 25 are confirmed and recorded.

[0328] In this embodiment, an information reading / writing device is provided near the container holding table 36. When a medicine container is taken out of the container storage unit 23 to package the medicine and placed on the container holding table 36, it is confirmed whether the medicine is a target medicine or not.

[0329] Furthermore, when the dispensing operation is completed, the remaining amount of the medicine in the medicine container recorded in the RFID is rewritten by an information reading / writing device located near the container holding table 36.

[0330] After the packaging is completed and before the medicine container is returned to the container storage section 23, the medicine container is placed in the temporary container placement section 18 and the weight of the medicine container is measured again. In this manner, the powder medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment double-checks the weight of the medicine.

[0331] After the medicine container is returned from the temporary container placement section 18 to the container storage section 23, the drum member 25 is rotated to bring the returned medicine container close to an information reading / writing device, and it is confirmed that the medicine container returned to the container storage section 23 is the original medicine container.

[0332] When a medicine container is loaded from outside into the powder medicine packing device 1, information about the medicine loaded in the medicine container is input via the operation and display unit 3. Then, the medicine container is placed in the temporary container placement unit 18, and a predetermined operation is performed to measure the weight of the medicine container, which is then written to the RFID. Furthermore, the medicine information is read from the RFID, and it is confirmed that the medicine is the one input by the user.

[0333] The same applies when the medicine container runs short of medicine and is then refilled with medicine and placed in powder medicine dispensing device 1. If the amount of medicine in the medicine container is low, the medicine container is moved from the container holding table 36 or the container storage section 23 to the temporary container placement section 18 of the door section 16. Then, the door section 16 automatically opens, enabling the user to remove the medicine container.

[0334] When packaging medicines that are not normally stored in the container storage section 23 (hereinafter also referred to as emergency medicines), the medicine container containing the medicine is placed into the powder medicine packaging device 1 using the procedure described above.In this case too, information about the medicine (emergency medicine) is read from the RFID, and it is confirmed that it is the medicine entered by the user. When emergency medicines are used, the medicine containers are directly transferred to the container holder 36 and dispensing begins. Once the drug container filled with the emergency drug has been dispensed, it is immediately moved to the temporary container placement section 18. The door section 16 then automatically opens, allowing the user to remove the drug container.

[0335] The sliding front door 34 does not need to be opened during normal operation, but when the front door 34 is opened in the event of some kind of trouble, the drug containers in the container storage section 23 can be freely inserted and removed. Therefore, when the front door 34 is closed, in order to ensure that the drug containers have not been replaced and to check the positions of the drug containers again just to be sure, the types and remaining amounts of drugs contained in all the drug containers mounted on the drum member 25 are read from the RFID and recorded in the control section, just as when the powdered medicine packaging device 1 is started. That is, the drum member 25 is rotated, and the information on the RFID is read by the information reading device. Also, it is confirmed and recorded which drug containers are contained in which positions on the drum member 25.

[0336] As shown in Fig. 31, the above-mentioned powder medicine packing device 1 can configure a powder medicine dispensing operation support system 161 by enabling data (signals) to be transmitted and received between the control device 160 and a communication network such as a local area network (LAN). This powder medicine dispensing operation support system 161 will be described in detail.

[0337] As shown in FIG. 31, this powdered medicine dispensing business support system 161 includes a control device 160, a medicine weighing device 6, and a powdered medicine packaging device 1, and the control device 160 and other dispensing equipment (the medicine weighing device 6 and the powdered medicine packaging device 1) are connected to each other via a communication network such as a local area network (LAN) so that they can send and receive data (signals) to each other. The control device 160 is also connected to an external PC 162 used by a doctor in a state in which data can be transmitted and received between the external PC 162 and the control device 160. When the doctor inputs information about the prescription to the external PC 162, prescription data used by each device constituting the powdered medicine dispensing business support system 161 is created.

[0338] That is, when a doctor inputs data related to a prescription in the external PC 162, a signal is transmitted from the external PC 162 to the control device 160, and data related to the prescription (hereinafter also simply referred to as prescription data) to be transmitted to the powder medicine packing device 1 is created by the control device 160. Then, a determination operation is performed to determine whether or not the prescription included in this prescription data is a prescription that can be automatically processed by the powder medicine packing device 1 alone. This determination operation may be performed by the control device 160, or may be performed by the powder medicine packing device 1 after the prescription data is transmitted from the control device 160 to the powder medicine packing device 1.

[0339] This determination operation is an operation for determining whether or not the prescription included in the prescription data can be packaged by the first packaging operation or the second packaging operation described above. If the result of this discrimination operation is that the prescription included in the prescription data is a prescription that can be automatically processed by the powdered medicine packaging device 1 alone and can be handled by the first packaging operation, the first packaging operation is carried out. If the prescription included in the prescription data is a prescription that can be automatically processed by the powdered medicine packaging device 1 alone but the first packaging operation cannot be carried out, the second packaging operation is carried out.

[0340] With this configuration, prescriptions that can be packaged by the first packaging operation or the second packaging operation can be automatically processed by simply inputting data into the external PC 162. This makes it possible to package powdered medicines without inputting data into the powdered medicine packaging device 1.

[0341] Here, an operation of filling powdered medicine (medicine) into the automatic medicine container 4 that can be performed in the powdered medicine dispensing business support system 161 will be described. In the powder medicine dispensing work support system 161, similar to the above-mentioned filling operation, the powder medicine packing device 1 can perform an operation of holding the automatic medicine container 4 in the drum member 25. In addition, in the powder medicine dispensing work support system 161, when filling powder medicine into the automatic medicine container 4 stored on an external management shelf, an operation of registering the filling of powder medicine into the automatic medicine container 4 in the control device 160 is possible. This registration operation will be described in detail.

[0342] First, prior to operation, powdered medicine is filled into the automatic medicine container 4. This filling operation is performed manually by a pharmacist. Furthermore, various information is stored in the RFID tag of the automatic medicine container 4 as the medicine is filled. More specifically, information such as the name of the person who performed the filling operation (or the filler ID), the date of filling, the amount filled, and the name of the medicine filled are stored.

[0343] Then, the operation display unit 3 is operated to open the door unit 16, and the automatic medicine container 4 filled with the powdered medicine is placed on the temporary container placement unit 18. At this time, the control unit 160 is operated to transmit a signal from the control unit 160 to the powdered medicine packaging device 1. When the powdered medicine packaging device 1 receives the signal, a weight measurement operation is performed by the weight measuring means of the temporary container placement unit 18 to measure the weight of the automatic medicine container 4. In addition, an information writing operation is performed to store the measured weight in the RFID tag of the automatic medicine container 4.

[0344] When the weight measurement operation and information writing operation are completed, a signal indicating the completion of the operation is sent from the powder medicine packing device 1 to the control device 160. Then, a message prompting the user to remove the automatic medicine container 4 from the door section 16 is displayed on the operation display unit 3. When the user removes the automatic medicine container 4 in this state, a series of registration operations is completed.

[0345] In the above example, a case has been described in which the powder medicine packaging device 1 receives a signal transmitted from the control device 160, thereby carrying out the weight measurement operation and information writing operation. However, instead of this, the weight measurement operation and information writing operation may be carried out by operating the operation display unit 3. Furthermore, in the powdered medicine dispensing work support system 161, when a filling operation for holding the automatic medicine container 4 in the drum member 25 is performed, the control device 160 may be operated, and the powdered medicine packing device 1 may receive a signal transmitted from the control device 160 to perform various equivalent operations such as a weight measurement operation, an information writing operation, and an operation for moving the automatic medicine container 4. In other words, the various operations may be performed by operating the operation display unit 3, or may be performed by receiving a signal from the control device 160.

[0346] In the powdered medicine packaging device 1, as described above, the medicine container (automatic medicine container 4 or manual medicine container 5) is placed on the container holder 36, and the vibration table of the container holder 36 is made to perform a vibration operation. Then, the weight of the medicine container obtained before the start of the vibration operation (original weight) is compared with the current weight of the medicine container (current weight) which is continuously obtained during the vibration operation, and the vibration operation is stopped when the supply amount of powdered medicine, which is the value obtained by subtracting the current weight from the original weight, reaches a specified amount.

[0347] Here, when the vibration operation is stopped, it is considered that the powdered medicine is discharged from the medicine container due to inertia after the vibration operation is stopped. That is, it is considered that a small amount of powdered medicine is supplied to the distribution plate 35 after the vibration operation is stopped. In this case, if the vibration operation is stopped after the supply amount of powdered medicine actually supplied becomes the supply planned amount, there is a risk that more powdered medicine than the supply planned amount will be supplied to the distribution plate 35. In other words, when the vibration operation is stopped on the condition that the supply amount of powdered medicine becomes a specified amount, if this specified amount is set to the same amount as the supply planned amount, there is a possibility that more powdered medicine than the supply planned amount will be supplied to the distribution plate 35.

[0348] Therefore, in the powdered medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment, the amount of powdered medicine predicted to be discharged after the vibration operation is stopped is assumed and a specified amount is set. That is, a specified amount is set that is smaller than the planned supply amount, and the vibration operation is stopped on the condition that the supply amount of powdered medicine reaches the specified amount.

[0349] More specifically, the powder medicine packaging device 1 is capable of calculating the remaining supply amount from the planned supply amount and the amount of powder medicine already supplied, and also of calculating the supply amount per predetermined time during the ongoing vibration operation. Furthermore, the amount of powder medicine that flows out of the medicine container due to inertia after the vibration operation stops is derived in advance by experiments or the like, and is stored in the data storage unit. This makes it possible to obtain the amount of powder medicine that is predicted to be supplied after the vibration operation stops. Then, after continuing to supply powdered medicine to the distribution tray 35, the vibration operation is stopped when the remaining supply amount becomes equal to the amount of powdered medicine supplied from the medicine container after the vibration operation is stopped. In other words, the "specified amount" which is the condition described above is a value obtained by subtracting the amount of powdered medicine supplied after the vibration operation is stopped from the planned supply amount.

[0350] Here, let us consider a case where the powder medicine packaging device 1 is momentarily shaken due to a person bumping into the powder medicine packaging device 1 or the like. In this case, the value of the powder medicine supply amount per time calculated by the powder medicine packaging device 1 may temporarily increase due to the shaking being transmitted to the medicine container, the container holding stand 36, etc. In other words, the powder medicine supply amount calculated by the powder medicine packaging device 1 may exceed the powder medicine supply amount actually supplied. In this case, the powder medicine packaging device 1 will determine that a sufficient amount has been supplied, even though in reality, a sufficient amount has not been supplied, and will stop vibrating. In other words, there is a possibility that a malfunction will occur in which the amount of powder medicine actually packaged is less than the planned amount.

[0351] Therefore, the powdered medicine packing device 1 of this embodiment is capable of performing a vibration operation different from that in normal operation when dispensing a small amount. This operation will be described in detail below.

[0352] In the powdered medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment, a medicine container (automatic medicine container 4 or manual medicine container 5) is placed on the container holding table 36, and when the vibration table portion of the container holding table 36 is vibrated, the vibration operation can be performed by changing the amplitude and vibration frequency based on the planned supply amount, the remaining supply amount when a predetermined amount of powdered medicine has already been supplied, and the supply amount per predetermined time. For example, when the planned supply amount is small or when the remaining supply amount is small, the amplitude is reduced and the vibration frequency is lowered, so that the supply amount per predetermined time can be reduced. Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the remaining supply amount is reduced when the remaining supply amount is 4 g or less. In other words, when it falls below a preset reference value, it is determined that the amount is small.

[0353] And when the vibration operation with a smaller amplitude and a lowered vibration frequency (hereinafter also referred to as low-output vibration operation) is being performed, the vibration operation is not stopped even if the value of the supply amount per hour of the powdered medicine increases suddenly. In other words, under normal circumstances, the vibration operation is stopped abnormally when the value of the supply amount per hour of the powdered medicine increases suddenly, whereas when the remaining supply amount is small, the vibration operation is not stopped even if the value of the supply amount per hour of the powdered medicine increases suddenly.

[0354] More specifically, when the low-output vibration operation is performed, if the acquired supply amount per hour increases by a reference value (0.3 g in this embodiment) or more from the previously acquired supply amount per hour, a standby operation is performed for a predetermined time (300 ms in this embodiment). This standby operation is an operation that temporarily does not perform the operation of acquiring the supply amount per hour performed when supplying powdered medicine and the operation of determining whether or not to stop the vibration operation based on the acquired amount. This prevents the vibration operation from being erroneously stopped even if the powdered medicine packaging device 1 is shaken by an external force and the calculated value of the supply amount of powdered medicine per hour increases instantaneously. The vibration action performed when discharging a small amount can be performed individually on each container holder 36 .

[0355] In addition, when the low-output vibration operation is performed, the powdered medicine is supplied little by little, so the supply amount per hour does not usually increase suddenly. In other words, if a sudden increase in the powdered medicine supply amount per hour is detected during the low-output vibration operation, it is highly likely that this is a false detection. Therefore, if a sudden increase in the powdered medicine supply amount per hour is detected during the low-output vibration operation, a standby operation is performed for an extremely short time, and a determination as to whether or not to temporarily stop the vibration operation is not performed. This makes it possible to eliminate the influence even if the powdered medicine packaging device 1 is shaken for only a moment due to a person bumping into it, and prevents malfunction. And, when vibration is applied to the powdered medicine packaging device 1 for a long time due to an earthquake or the like, an emergency stop can be performed as usual.

[0356] In addition, the powdered medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment is capable of performing a stability determination operation to determine whether the container holding table 36 is in a stable state after a medicine container (automatic medicine container 4 or manual medicine container 5) is placed on the container holding table 36.

[0357] More specifically, the container holding table 36 may be in a state where the value measured by the weight measuring means is unstable, for example, immediately after a medicine container is placed on the table. In other words, if vibrations caused by the medicine container being placed on the table are transmitted, a phenomenon occurs in which the measured value differs depending on the measurement time, even though the same object is detected. In other words, depending on the situation, the container holding table 36 may be in a stable state where highly accurate measurement is possible, or in an unstable state where highly accurate measurement is impossible.

[0358] Therefore, in this embodiment, a stability determining operation is performed to determine whether or not the container holding table 36 is in a stable state. Specifically, the weight of the chemical container is detected by the weight measuring means of the container holding table 36 for a predetermined time (e.g., 1 second), and if the detected value does not change significantly during that time (the amount of change is less than a predetermined amount and is within the error range), it is determined that the container holding table 36 is in a stable state.

[0359] Then, when it is confirmed that the container holder 36 is in a stable state, the original weight and the current weight of the medicine container are obtained as described above, and the vibration operation is started.

[0360] However, in such a stability determination operation, it is possible that a false detection will occur due to the container holding stage 36 temporarily becoming stable for some reason. That is, even if the container holding stage 36 is actually not in a stable state, the amount of change in weight may accidentally become small only during a predetermined time (e.g., 1 second) when the stability determination operation is performed, and it may be erroneously determined that the container holding stage 36 is in a stable state. In other words, simply performing this stability determination operation does not allow for determination of whether the stable state will continue, and therefore there is room for improvement in terms of obtaining weight with high accuracy.

[0361] Therefore, in order to prevent such erroneous detection, the powdered medicine packing device 1 of this embodiment performs a series of operations described below. As a first operation, when a medicine container is placed on the container holding table 36, a stability determination operation is not immediately performed, but an operation of waiting for a predetermined time is performed. That is, since there is a high possibility that the medicine container is in an unstable state immediately after it is placed, an operation of waiting for a predetermined time is performed. Then, a stability determining operation is performed thereafter, and if it is determined that the container holding table 36 is in a stable state (if it is determined that the container holding table 36 is in a stable state at least temporarily), a second operation is performed.

[0362] In the second operation, the weight of the medicine container is detected by the weight measuring means of the container holding table 36 at predetermined time intervals (2.5 ms in this embodiment). The weight detected at this time is compared with the weight obtained immediately before to determine whether the weight has changed significantly (whether the stable state continues). Then, on condition that it is confirmed that the state is stable (not unstable) for a certain period of time (1 second in this embodiment), it is determined that the container holding table 36 continues to be in a stable state. If it is determined that the container holding table 36 continues to be in a stable state, the third operation is performed.

[0363] In the third operation, the average value of the weight of the medicine container detected at a predetermined time interval (2.5 ms in this embodiment) is obtained as the original weight of the medicine container, and the vibration operation is started. By performing a series of operations from the first operation to the third operation, it becomes possible to calculate the original weight of the medicine container with high accuracy.

[0364] This series of operations may be performed not only before starting to supply powdered medicine to the distribution tray 35, but also when acquiring the weight of the medicine container after the supply of powdered medicine to the distribution tray 35 is completed. That is, a series of operations from the first operation to the third operation may be performed, and the average value of the weight of the medicine container detected at each predetermined time may be acquired as the weight at the end of the supply of the medicine container.

[0365] Here, the above-mentioned scraping device 37 (see FIG. 4 etc.) will be described in more detail. 32, the scraping device 37 has an arm member 171 fixed to the upper surface of a disk-shaped turntable 170, and the arm member 171 protrudes toward the outside of the turntable 170. This makes it possible to rotate almost the entire scraping device 37 by rotating the turntable 170. Further, a scraping plate 172, a partition plate 173, and a scraping plate 174 are attached to the tip side of the arm member 171.

[0366] The scraping plate 172 is a small disk-shaped member made of a thin plate, and is attached so that its thickness direction is perpendicular to the protruding direction of the arm member 171. In other words, the scraping plate 172 is fixed to a surface of the side surface of the arm member 171 that is perpendicular to the protruding direction, and takes an upright position. A rubber or resin peripheral sealant 175 is provided on the peripheral edge of the scraper plate 172 so as to come into close contact with the upper surface of the distribution dish 35 .

[0367] Partition plate 173 is a thin plate-like member arranged parallel to scraping plate 172, and has a shape close to a fan shape. That is, partition plate 173 is a substantially triangular plate formed by an arc with a central angle of about 30 degrees and two straight sides.

[0368] The scraping plate 174 is in contact with the scraping plate 172 and one straight side that forms the central angle of the partition plate 173, and is a plate-like member arranged so as to be perpendicular to both of them. In other words, it is formed so as to protrude outward from the circular surface of the scraping plate 172. A rubber or resin scraping seal material 176 is also provided on the edge of this scraping plate 174 so as to be in close contact with the upper surface of the distribution tray 35 .

[0369] Next, a specific operation of the scraping device 37 during the above-mentioned packaging operation will be described.

[0370] The scraping device 37 of this embodiment is linked with the distribution plate 35, and is capable of performing a scraping operation for gathering some of the powdered medicine spread on the distribution plate 35 around the scraping plate 172, and a scraping operation for feeding the gathered powdered medicine into the medicine inlet 39. A series of operations consisting of the scraping operation and the scraping operation will be described.

[0371] First, as described above, the powdered medicine is discharged from the medicine container onto the distribution plate 35, and the distribution plate 35 rotates, so that the powdered medicine is evenly spread over the entire upper surface of the distribution plate 35. Then, after the discharge from the medicine container onto the distribution plate 35 stops, the rotation of the distribution plate 35 stops. In this state, as shown in Fig. 33(a), the arm member 171 rotates downward, and the peripheral portion of the scraper plate 172 comes into contact with the upper surface of the distribution plate 35 (see Fig. 33(b)). In other words, the lower portion of the scraper plate 172 enters the recessed portion of the distribution plate 35.

[0372] In this state, the distribution plate 35 is rotated by an angle corresponding to the number of divided powdered medicines, and some of the powdered medicines spread on the distribution plate 35 are gathered around the collecting plate 172 (see FIG. 33(c)). Then, the collecting plate 172 is rotated to feed the gathered powdered medicines into the medicine inlet 39.

[0373] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 34, the scraper plate 172 is rotated in a clockwise direction when viewed from the front. Then, the scraper plate 174 also moves with the rotation of the scraper plate 172. The scraper plate 174 then comes into contact with the gathered powdered medicine (see FIG. 34(b)). At this time, the scraper plate 174 moves in a direction along the arc radius of the cross section of the groove portion of the distribution plate 35, and in a direction from the inside to the outside (from the right side to the left side in FIG. 34). Therefore, the scraper plate 174 comes into contact with the gathered powdered medicine from the radially inside of the distribution plate 35.

[0374] In this state, by continuing to rotate the scraper plate 172, the powdered medicine is pushed to the outer end in the radial direction of the distribution plate 35 (see FIG. 34(c)). Then, the powdered medicine pushed outward from the distribution plate 35 falls into the medicine inlet 39 adjacent to the outer side of the distribution plate 35.

[0375] As described above, the scraping plate 174 is provided with a rubber or resin scraping seal material 176 (see FIG. 32, etc.) so as to be in close contact with the upper surface of the distribution plate 35. As a result, when the scraping plate 174 comes into contact with the distribution plate 35, no gap is formed between the scraping plate 174 and the upper surface of the distribution plate 35. In other words, when the collected powdered medicine is pushed outward, the powdered medicine does not leak out from between the scraping plate 174 and the distribution plate 35. Therefore, when the powdered medicine is introduced into the medicine inlet 39, it is possible to prevent the powdered medicine from remaining on the distribution plate 35.

[0376] However, due to static electricity or other reasons, it is possible that a small amount of powdered medicine will adhere to the scraping seal material 176. In this case, the powdered medicine adhered to the scraping seal material 176 cannot be dropped into the medicine introduction port 39, and a problem may occur in that the amount of powdered medicine per packet is less than expected.

[0377] Therefore, in this embodiment, when performing the scraping operation, a brushing operation is performed to remove the powdered medicine adhering to the scraping sealing material 176 from the scraping sealing material 176 and to drop the removed powdered medicine into the medicine inlet 39.

[0378] This brushing operation is carried out following the normal scraping operation described above. First, as described above, the scraping plate 174 is moved to a predetermined position near the medicine inlet 39 (see FIG. 34(d)), and almost all of the gathered powdered medicine is dropped into the medicine inlet 39. Then, from this state, the scraping plate 172 is rotated in the opposite direction to the normal direction. In other words, the scraping plate 172 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from the front.

[0379] As a result, the scraping seal material 176 of the scraping plate 174 moves along the upper surface of the distribution plate 35 while being in close contact with the upper surface of the distribution plate 35. That is, the scraping plate 174 moves in a direction along the arc radius of the cross section of the groove portion of the distribution plate 35, and in a direction from the outside to the inside (from the left side to the right side in FIG. 34).

[0380] In this way, by moving the scraping seal material 176 while rubbing it against the distribution plate 35, the powdered medicine attached to the scraping seal material 176 falls onto the distribution plate 35. Then, when the scraping plate 174 is moved over a certain distance, the rotation of the scraping plate 172 is stopped, and the scraping plate 172 is rotated in the opposite direction to the previous rotation direction. That is, the rotation of the scraping plate 172 is stopped, and then, as in normal cases, it is rotated in the clockwise direction when viewed from the front. This makes it possible for the powdered medicine that has been dropped onto the distribution plate 35 by the reverse rotation of the scraper plate 172 to be pushed to the radially outer end of the distribution plate 35 and introduced into the medicine inlet 39 adjacent to the outside of the distribution plate 35. In addition, it is preferable that the speed of the rotation operation of rotating the scraper plate 172 in the reverse direction and the subsequent rotation operation of rotating it in the same direction as normal, that is, the rotation operation in the brushing off operation, is equal to or faster than the normal rotation operation. In this way, the powdered medicine attached to the scraper plate 172 can be more effectively dropped, and the time of unnecessary operations added to the original dispensing operation can be minimized.

[0381] Moreover, it is possible to appropriately select whether or not to perform the above-mentioned brushing operation for each medicine. In more detail, with an appropriate screen such as the above-mentioned medicine master screen (see FIG. 6) or prescription input screen (see FIG. 8) displayed, the user can select whether or not to set the medicine displayed on the screen as a medicine that requires a brushing operation after the packaging operation by performing a predetermined operation. When a medicine that has been preset as a medicine that requires a brushing operation is selected as a target for the packaging operation, a brushing operation is automatically performed following a normal scraping operation. In other words, when the medicines to be packaged include one or more medicines that require a brushing operation, the brushing operation is automatically performed, and when all the medicines to be packaged do not require a brushing operation, the brushing operation is not performed.

[0382] In the above-described brushing operation, the powdered medicine adhering to the brushing plate 172 is dropped onto the distribution tray 35 by rotating the brushing plate 172 in the reverse direction. However, the brushing operation performed by the powdered medicine packaging device 1 is not limited to this. For example, the arm member 171 may be vibrated to cause the powdered medicine adhering to the scraper plate 172 to fall onto the distribution plate 35, and then a rotational operation may be performed to rotate the scraper plate 172 in the same direction as normal, and the powdered medicine that has fallen onto the distribution plate 35 may be pushed to the radially outer end of the distribution plate 35.

[0383] As described above, when performing the packing operation, the distribution plate 35 is rotated by an angle corresponding to the number of divided powdered medicines (see FIG. 33(b) and the like). For example, if the powdered medicines supplied onto the distribution plate 35 are to be divided into 30 packets, the plate is rotated by 12 degrees, which is 30 parts of a full rotation of 360 degrees.

[0384] However, when the number of divided packets is small, the angle corresponding to the division number also becomes larger. For example, when dividing into two packets, as shown in FIG. 35(a), the distribution plate 35 rotates 180 degrees. At this time, as the angle corresponding to the division number becomes larger, the area on the upper surface of the distribution plate 35 where the powdered medicine for one packet is collected becomes wider. For example, when the distribution plate 35 rotates 90 degrees, the powdered medicine spread over an area occupying one-quarter of the entire circumference of the distribution plate 35 is collected, but as described above, when the distribution plate 35 rotates 180 degrees, the powdered medicine spread over an area occupying half the circumference of the distribution plate 35 is collected.

[0385] However, when collecting powdered medicine that has spread over a wide area in a single action in this manner, there is a problem in that the pile of powdered medicine collected around the scraper plate 172 extends circumferentially around the distribution plate 35, as shown in Figure 35(b). In such a case, when the scraper plate 172 is rotated and the powdered medicine is pushed out to the medicine inlet 39 by the scraper plate 174 (see Figure 34, etc.), the part of the collected powdered medicine close to the scraper plate 172 (the part indicated by α in Figure 35(b)) can be fed into the medicine inlet 39, but the part far from the scraper plate 172 (the part indicated by β in Figure 35(b)) cannot be fed into the medicine inlet 39.

[0386] Therefore, in the powdered medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment, when rotating the distribution tray 35 in the packaging operation, if the angle according to the division number is equal to or greater than a certain angle, an input operation (multiple scraping operation) can be performed in which one packet is divided into multiple portions and input into the medicine introduction port 39. This operation will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0387] First, the powder medicine packaging device 1 determines whether the angle by which the distribution plate 35 is rotated for one package is greater than a predetermined angle. When the distribution plate 35 is rotated by an angle corresponding to the number of divisions, the rotation angle is changed by varying the pulse amount of the motor that rotates the distribution plate 35. In other words, the angle by which the distribution plate 35 rotates and the pulse amount of the motor at that time are correlated, and the angle by which the distribution plate 35 rotates can be calculated from the pulse amount of the motor. For this reason, in this embodiment, a discrimination operation is performed to determine whether the amount of pulses Z required to rotate the distribution dish 35 for one packet is greater than a specified amount X (STEP 1), thereby determining whether the angle by which the distribution dish 35 is rotated for one packet is greater than a predetermined angle.

[0388] In this embodiment, the amount of motor pulses required to rotate the distribution dish 35 one revolution is 50,000 pulses. The specified amount X is 2,200 pulses, which is 4.4 percent of the amount of motor pulses required to rotate one revolution. In other words, it is about a few percent (about 1 to 9 percent) of the amount of motor pulses required to rotate one revolution. In addition, in this embodiment, when the distribution plate 35 is rotated by an angle corresponding to the number of divisions, a rotation that requires a pulse amount equal to or greater than the specified amount X at one time is not performed. In other words, the specified amount X is the maximum pulse amount for one rotation when the distribution plate 35 is rotated by an angle corresponding to the number of divisions.

[0389] If the result of the discrimination operation is that the angle to be rotated for one packet is less than the specified angle (No in STEP 1 and the pulse amount Z is less than the specified amount X), the distribution plate 35 is moved by an angle corresponding to the division number as usual, and then the powdered medicine is fed into the medicine inlet 39 by the scraping device 37 (single scraping operation, STEP 9).

[0390] On the other hand, if the angle of rotation for one packet is greater than the predetermined angle (if the answer is Yes in STEP 1 and the pulse amount Z is greater than the specified amount X), one packet of powdered medicine is divided into multiple operations and fed into the medicine inlet 39. In this case, the number of times that the feeding operation for feeding one packet of powdered medicine into the medicine inlet 39 is performed and the angle by which the distribution plate 35 is rotated in each feeding operation (the amount of pulses required to move the distribution plate 35) are calculated, and the feeding operation is performed multiple times.

[0391] To explain more specifically, in this case, an injection operation for rotating the distribution dish 35 by a specified amount X (hereinafter also referred to as a maximum amount scraping operation) and an injection operation for rotating the distribution dish 35 by a pulse amount smaller than the specified amount X (hereinafter also referred to as a residual scraping operation) are appropriately performed to inject the powdered medicine into the medicine inlet 39. In other words, if the angle of rotation for one packet is greater than the specified angle (Yes in STEP 1), first, the number of times n the maximum amount scraping operation is performed, the number of times n2 the remaining amount scraping operation is performed, and the angle by which the distribution dish 35 is rotated during the remaining amount scraping operation (the amount of pulses required to move the distribution dish 35) are calculated.

[0392] First, the calculation result S is calculated by performing the calculation of the following formula (1), and the integer part of the calculation result S is calculated to obtain the number of times n the maximum amount of scraping operation is performed (STEP 2). At this time, the integer part of the calculation result S is the number of times n the maximum amount of scraping operation is performed. S = Z / X (1)

[0393] Next, the number of times n2 the residual scraping operation is performed and the angle by which the distribution dish 35 is rotated in each residual scraping operation (the amount of pulses required to move the distribution dish 35) are calculated. Specifically, the total pulse amount P required to move the distribution dish 35 during the residue scraping operation, which is performed once or multiple times, is calculated, and based on the calculated total pulse amount P, the number of times n2 the residue scraping operation is performed and the rotation angle of the distribution dish 35 during each residue scraping operation are calculated.

[0394] More specifically, first, the following formula (2) is calculated to calculate the total pulse amount P required for the residue scraping operation (STEP 3). P = Z - nX (2)

[0395] When the total pulse amount P is calculated, it is determined whether the total pulse amount P is equal to or greater than twice the specified amount X2 (STEP 4). The specified amount X2 is the amount of pulses required to move the distribution plate 35 by the same amount as the width of the scraper plate 172 (see FIG. 32, etc.), which is 600 pulses in this embodiment.

[0396] If the result of this determination operation is that the total pulse amount P is equal to or greater than twice the specified amount X2 (Yes in STEP 4), two residual scraping operations are performed. That is, the amount of pulses required to rotate the distribution plate 35 in each of the two residual scraping operations is calculated (STEP 5), and n maximum amount scraping operations and two residual scraping operations are performed (STEP 6). The amount of pulses required to rotate the distribution dish 35 in each of the residual scraping operations is the total amount of pulses P minus the specified amount X2, which is the amount of pulses required to rotate the distribution dish 35 in the first residual scraping operation, and the specified amount X2 is the amount of pulses required to rotate the distribution dish 35 in the second residual scraping operation. In other words, if the result of the discrimination operation is that the total amount of pulses P is equal to or greater than twice the specified amount X2, the residual scraping operation is performed twice (n2=2), and the amount of pulses required to rotate the distribution dish 35 in the last residual scraping operation is the specified amount X2 (minimum amount scraping operation).

[0397] On the other hand, if the total pulse amount P is smaller than twice the specified amount X2 (No in STEP 4), one residual scraping operation is performed. That is, the amount of pulses required to rotate the distribution plate 35 in each residual scraping operation is calculated (STEP 7), and n maximum amount scraping operations and one residual scraping operation are performed (STEP 8). In this case, the total pulse amount P is the amount of pulses for rotating the distribution plate 35 in the residual scraping operation. In other words, if the result of the discrimination operation is that the total pulse amount P is smaller than twice the specified amount X2, the residual scraping operation is performed once to rotate the distribution plate 35 with the same pulse amount as the total pulse amount P (n2=1).

[0398] The above-mentioned operation will be described in detail using specific examples for a case where the motor pulse amount Z required to rotate one packet is 4167 pulses and a case where the motor pulse amount Z required to rotate one packet is 5556 pulses.

[0399] First, a case will be described in which the amount of motor pulses Z required to rotate one packet is 4167 pulses. In this case, the calculation result S in the above formula (1) is 4167 pulses / 2200 pulses, or 1.89.... Since the integer part is 1, the number of times n the maximum amount scraping operation is performed is 1 (STEP 2). Next, the total pulse amount P calculated by the above formula (2) is 1967 pulses (4167-1×2200) (STEP 3). Since this total pulse amount P is more than 1200 pulses, which is twice X2 (Yes in STEP 4), the pulse amount for rotating the distribution plate 35 in the first residual scraping operation is 1367 pulses (1967-600), and the pulse amount for rotating the distribution plate 35 in the second residual scraping operation is 600 pulses (STEP 5). That is, in this case, one packet is introduced into the medicine introduction port 39 in three separate operations, and one maximum amount scraping operation and two residual scraping operations are performed (STEP 6). In other words, after the distribution plate 35 is rotated at 2200 pulses, the powdered medicine is scraped out by the scraping device 37 (first time), then, after the distribution plate 35 is rotated at 1367 pulses, the powdered medicine is scraped out by the scraping device 37 (second time), and finally, after the distribution plate 35 is rotated at 600 pulses, the powdered medicine is scraped out by the scraping device 37 (third time).

[0400] Furthermore, a case will be described where the amount of motor pulses Z required to rotate one packet is 5555.55 pulses. In this case, the amount of pulses Z is rounded off to 5556. The calculation result S in the above formula (1) is 5556 pulses / 2200 pulses, which is 2.52.... As the integer part is therefore 2, the number of times n the maximum amount scraping operation is performed is 2 (STEP 2). Next, the total pulse amount P calculated by the above formula (2) is 1156 pulses (5556-2×2200) (STEP 3). Since this total pulse amount P is smaller than 1200 pulses, which is twice X2 (No in STEP 4), the amount of pulses for rotating the distribution plate 35 in the first residue scraping operation remains 1156 pulses (STEP 7), and the second residue scraping operation is not performed. That is, in this case, one packet is fed into the medicine inlet 39 in three separate operations, and two maximum amount scraping operations and one residue scraping operation are performed (STEP 8). In other words, after the distribution plate 35 is rotated at 2200 pulses, the powdered medicine is scraped out by the scraping device 37 (first time), then, after the distribution plate 35 is rotated at 2200 pulses, the powdered medicine is scraped out by the scraping device 37 (second time), and finally, after the distribution plate 35 is rotated at 1156 pulses, the powdered medicine is scraped out by the scraping device 37 (third time).

[0401] As described above, the powdered medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment is capable of carrying out the third packaging operation using the manual medicine container 5. In addition, when carrying out a packaging operation using the automatic medicine container 4 such as the first packaging operation or the second packaging operation, a container switching operation can be carried out to switch the medicine container to be used from the automatic medicine container 4 to the manual medicine container 5 before the powdered medicine discharge operation to the distribution tray 35 is started. In such a packaging operation, when a plurality of powdered medicines are discharged to the distribution tray 35 to carry out the packaging operation, the packaging operation may be carried out using two or more manual medicine containers 5. For example, of the three container holders 36 corresponding to one distribution tray 35 (see FIG. 4, etc.), the automatic medicine container 4 is placed on one to discharge the powdered medicine, and the manual medicine containers 5 are placed on the other two to discharge the powdered medicine.

[0402] Here, in the powdered medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment, when two or more manual medicine containers 5 are used, it is possible to execute an operation of placing two or more manual medicine containers 5 on the container holding stand 36 at once and discharging powdered medicine from each manual medicine container 5, and an operation of sequentially placing two or more manual medicine containers 5 on one container holding stand 36 and discharging powdered medicine. Specifically, the latter operation is an operation of discharging powdered medicine from a previously installed manual medicine container 5, replacing the manual medicine container 5 from which the powdered medicine has been discharged with a new manual medicine container 5, and discharging powdered medicine from the new manual medicine container 5. These operations are described in more detail below.

[0403] When a packaging operation using two or more manual medicine containers 5 is being performed, the operation display unit 3 displays a message urging the user to place a predetermined number of manual medicine containers 5 on the container holding stand 36, a start button to start discharging powdered medicine from the medicine containers to the distribution tray 35, and an open / close button to raise and lower the front door 34 (see Figure 1, etc.).

[0404] When placing all the manual medicine containers 5 to be used on the container holder 36 at once, the user touches the open / close button to raise the front door 34, places all the specified number of manual medicine containers 5 on the container holder 36, and then touches the open / close button again to lower the front door 34. Then, by pressing the start button, powdered medicine is discharged from the medicine containers placed on the container holder 36 into the distribution tray 35.

[0405] On the other hand, when the manual medicine containers 5 to be used are not placed on the container holder 36 all at once but are placed one by one to dispense powdered medicine, the open / close button is touched to raise the front door 34, the user places a number of manual medicine containers 5 on the container holder 36 that is less than the predetermined number, and the open / close button is touched again to lower the front door 34. Then, by pressing the start button, powdered medicine is dispensed from the medicine containers placed on the container holder 36 to the distribution tray 35. In this case, when the discharge of the powdered medicine is completed, a message is displayed on the operation display unit 3 prompting the user to place the remaining manual medicine containers 5 on the container holding table 36. In this state, the user touches the open / close button to raise the front door 34, places the remaining manual medicine containers 5 on the container holding table 36, and then touches the open / close button again to lower the front door 34. Then, by pressing the start button, the powdered medicine is discharged from the medicine containers placed on the container holding table 36 to the distribution tray 35.

[0406] That is, in the powdered medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment, when a packaging operation using two or more manual medicine containers 5 is performed, the powdered medicine can be discharged to the distribution tray 35 in a state where only a number of manual medicine containers 5 fewer than the number of manual medicine containers 5 to be used are placed on the container holding table 36. This makes it possible to perform both an operation of placing two or more manual medicine containers 5 on the container holding table 36 at once and discharging the powdered medicine from each manual medicine container 5 simultaneously, and an operation of placing two or more manual medicine containers 5 on one container holding table 36 in sequence and discharging the powdered medicine in sequence.

[0407] As described above, the powdered medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment can be operated in a state where the same type of powdered medicine is loaded into two or more automatic medicine containers 4 held in the container storage unit 23. Here, when powdered medicine is discharged from the automatic medicine container 4 to the distribution tray 35 in the first packaging operation, if the amount of powdered medicine contained in the automatic medicine container 4 is less than the amount planned to be supplied to the distribution tray 35, it is possible that the powdered medicine contained therein will be used up during the operation of discharging the powdered medicine to the distribution tray 35.

[0408] Therefore, in the powdered medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment, the powdered medicine to be discharged into the distribution tray 35 is stored in two or more automatic medicine containers 4, and when the amount of powdered medicine stored in one of the automatic medicine containers 4 is less than the amount planned to be supplied to the distribution tray 35, the refill cassette preparation operation described below can be performed.

[0409] First, as in a normal packaging operation, the first automatic medicine container 4 containing a smaller amount of powdered medicine than the planned amount to be supplied is placed on the container holding table 36, and the discharge of powdered medicine into the distribution tray 35 is started. Then, while the powdered medicine is being discharged from the first automatic medicine container 4 to the distribution tray 35, the arm unit 30 places (temporarily places) the second automatic medicine container 4, which contains the same type of powdered medicine as the first automatic medicine container 4, on an unused container holding table 36. Note that the container holding table 36 on which the second automatic medicine container 4 is placed may be any container holding table 36 as long as no medicine container is placed thereon, but it is preferable to place the second automatic medicine container 4 on a container holding table 36 located close to the container holding table 36 on which the first automatic medicine container 4 is placed.

[0410] Then, when the powdered medicine stored in the first automatic medicine container 4 runs out, the arm unit 30 moves the first automatic medicine container 4 to the container storage unit 23, and places the second automatic medicine container 4 on the container holding table 36 on which the first automatic medicine container 4 was placed. Then, the remaining powdered medicine is discharged from the second automatic medicine container 4 to the distribution tray 35. In other words, by placing a second automatic medicine container 4 that already contains the same type of powdered medicine near a first automatic medicine container 4 where a shortage of powdered medicine is predicted, it is possible to quickly install the second automatic medicine container 4 in place of the first automatic medicine container 4.

[0411] Here, the specific structures of the automated medicine container 4 and the arm portion 30 of the container moving device 28 of this embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 37, the automatic medicine container 4 has a structure including a container body 180, a cover member 181, a lower iron plate member 182, and an upper iron plate member 183. More specifically, two upper iron plate members 183 are fixed integrally to one of two opposing faces in the short direction (height direction in Fig. 37) of the container body 180, and a lower iron plate member 182 is fixed integrally to the other. In the following explanation, when explaining the up-down direction of the automatic medicine container 4, the explanation will be based on the posture in Fig. 37.

[0412] Container body 180 is a rectangular parallelepiped container, and the inside is roughly divided into powdered medicine storage section 185 for storing powdered medicine and desiccant storage section 186, as shown in Fig. 38. Also, a medicine discharge section 187 is provided at one end of container body 180 in the longitudinal direction. This medicine discharge section 187 can be opened wider by removing the surrounding members, and functions as a medicine input section for introducing medicine into container body 180. This medicine discharge section 187 is provided with medicine discharge port 188 (discharge port) communicating between the inside and outside of container body 180, at a position near the bottom end.

[0413] Lid member 181 has a structure including a movable lid portion 190 in the shape of an upright plate, and an engagement piece portion 191 and a pad portion 192 that both protrude inward from the inner surface of movable lid portion 190. Note that engagement piece portion 191 protrudes inward from a position slightly above the center in the height direction on the inner surface of movable lid portion 190, and pad portion 192 protrudes inward from near the lower end. This lid member 181 is attached integrally to the container body 180 so that the movable lid portion 190 covers the end portion of the container body 180 where the medicine outlet 188 is located. In addition, when attached to the container body 180, the lid member 181 is in a state in which it can swing around a part of the engagement piece portion 191.

[0414] That is, as shown in Fig. 38(a), by pressing the upper side of the movable lid part 190 toward the outside in the longitudinal direction of the container body 180, the lower end side of the movable lid part 190 approaches the container body 180. Then, the pad part 192 located on the lower end side of the movable lid part 190 closes the medicine outlet 188, and the lid is in a closed state (see Fig. 38(b)). Conversely, when the upper side of the movable lid part 190 is pressed toward the inside in the longitudinal direction of the container body 180 from this closed state, the lower end side of the movable lid part 190 moves outward in the longitudinal direction of the container body 180. Then, the pad part 192 located on the lower end side of the movable lid part 190 moves away from the medicine discharge port 188, thereby opening the medicine discharge port 188 and bringing the lid into an open state (see FIG. 38(a)).

[0415] As shown in Figure 39, the arm unit 30 has a structure including a main arm member 201 attached to a lifting platform 200 of the lifting mechanism 31, an intermediate arm member 202 attached to the tip side of the main arm member 201, and a hand unit 203 attached to the tip side of the intermediate arm member 202.

[0416] The trunk arm member 201 is attached to the lift platform 200 via a vertical shaft (not shown) and is capable of rotating in the horizontal direction around the lift platform 200 . The intermediate arm member 202 is also attached to the tip of the main arm member 201 via a vertical shaft (not shown), and is capable of rotating horizontally around the tip of the main arm member 201.

[0417] The hand portion 203 is roughly composed of a main portion 204 and a container holding portion 205 , which are integrally attached via a mounting bracket 206 . The main part 204 is attached to the tip of the intermediate arm member 202 via a vertical shaft (not shown), and is capable of rotating in the horizontal direction around the tip of the intermediate arm member 202.

[0418] As shown in Figure 40, container holding part 205 is rotatably attached via a horizontal shaft to mounting bracket 206 which is laid horizontally. Therefore, container holding part 205 can take either a parallel position (see Figure 40(a)) or a vertical position (see Figure 40(b)).

[0419] The container holding portion 205 includes an electromagnet (not shown) for attracting the medicine container, and an opening / closing member 207 (lid engaging portion, see FIG. 41). Specifically, an opening 208 is provided on the surface of container holding part 205 (the lower surface in FIG. 41) that is pressed against the medicine container when the medicine container is adsorbed, and opening / closing member 207 is provided on the rear side of this opening 208. Opening / closing member 207 is an approximately "L"-shaped plate-shaped member that is composed of two contact plates that are connected together so that the shape in side view is approximately "L". This opening / closing member 207 is attached so as to be able to freely swing around the base parts of the two contact plates. The opening / closing member 207 can be swung by the power of a solenoid, a motor, or the like (not shown).

[0420] 41, when container holder 205 adsorbs automatic medicine container 4, the outwardly protruding portion of cover member 181 can be inserted into opening 208 and positioned between two abutment plates of opening / closing member 207. Then, by swinging opening / closing member 207 in this state, cover member 181 can be opened and closed.

[0421] Next, a detailed explanation will be given of the operation performed during the packaging operation when the automatic medicine container 4 placed on the container holding stand 36 is moved by the arm unit 30 after the powdered medicine is discharged from the automatic medicine container 4 onto the distribution tray 35.

[0422] First, as shown in Fig. 41, the container holding part 205 of the arm part 30 is brought close to the automatic medicine container 4, and the suction surface of the container holding part 205 (the lower surface in Fig. 41) and the surface to which the upper iron plate member 183 of the automatic medicine container 4 is attached (the upper surface in Fig. 41) are opposed to each other with a certain distance therebetween. In other words, the suction surface of the container holding part 205 is disposed at a position spaced apart from the upper surface of the automatic medicine container 4 by a predetermined distance L (1 mm to 3 mm, 1.5 mm in this embodiment). In this state, the opening / closing member 207 is swung to close the lid member 181 (temporary closing operation). At this time, the electromagnet of the container holding part 205 is de-energized to eliminate the attraction force, so that the cassette is not naturally attracted even if it is brought within 1 mm, and is not swung by the force of attraction.

[0423] 42(a), container holder 205 is raised and separated from automatic medicine container 4. As a result, the upper end portion of cover member 181, which was located between the two abutment plates of opening / closing member 207, is now located below opening / closing member 207. In other words, the engagement between opening / closing member 207 and cover member 181 is released, and opening / closing member 207 does not come into contact with cover member 181 even when it is swung.

[0424] From this state, the container holder 205 is again brought close to the automatic medicine container 4, and the adsorption surface of the container holder 205 (the lower surface in FIG. 42) and the surface to which the upper iron plate member 183 of the automatic medicine container 4 is attached (the upper surface in FIG. 42) are brought into close contact with each other. Then, a magnetic force is generated in the electromagnet (not shown) of the container holder 205, and the automatic medicine container 4 is adsorbed to the container holder 205. Then, the opening / closing member 207 is swung again, and an operation to close the lid member 181 is performed (main closing operation). This operation to close the lid member 181 brings the lid member 181 into a state of being firmly closed. Then, in this state, the arm unit 30 is operated to move the automatic medicine container 4 together with the container holder 205.

[0425] In this manner, in this embodiment, before the automatic medicine container 4 is attached to the container holder 205, the container holder 205 and the automatic medicine container 4 are separated from each other, and the cover member 181 of the automatic medicine container 4 is closed to temporarily close the cover member 181. This makes it possible to prevent the powdered medicine from spilling out of the automatic medicine container 4 due to the impact caused when the container holder 205 is attached to the automatic medicine container 4.

[0426] As described above, the powdered medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment is capable of mixing and packaging a predetermined number of medicines or more, which is greater than the number of container holding tables 36 (six in this embodiment) provided inside the housing 10, by replacing the automatic medicine containers 4 using the container moving device 28. This operation is explained in more detail below.

[0427] As shown in FIG. 43(a), first, different automatic medicine containers 4 (automatic medicine containers 4a to 4f) are placed on all of the container holders 36, and powdered medicine is discharged from each automatic medicine container 4.

[0428] Then, the automatic medicine container 4a, from which the powdered medicine has been discharged, is moved by the arm unit 30 (see FIG. 43(b)), and the container holding stand 36 on which the automatic medicine container 4a was placed is left without a medicine container. Then, a new automatic medicine container 4g is placed on the container holding stand 36 (see FIG. 43(c)). That is, the new automatic medicine container 4g is moved by the arm unit 30, and the new automatic medicine container 4g is placed on the container holding stand 36.

[0429] In this way, by sequentially replacing the automatic medicine containers 4 from which the powdered medicine contained therein has been discharged with new automatic medicine containers 4, it becomes possible to mix and package medicines in quantities greater than the number of container holding tables 36 (six in this embodiment). For example, as described above, by placing the automatic medicine containers 4 on all the container holding tables 36 and discharging the powdered medicine, and then replacing one automatic medicine container 4, it becomes possible to mix seven types of medicines. Also, by replacing the automatic medicine containers 4 placed on all the container holding tables 36 once each, it becomes possible to mix 12 types of medicines, and by replacing them twice each, it becomes possible to mix 18 types of medicines.

[0430] In addition, the powdered medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment can prevent unintended discharge of powdered medicine when the automatic medicine container 4 is adsorbed by performing the operation of temporarily closing the lid member 181 described above. In other words, when the automatic medicine container 4 is moved, it is possible to move the powdered medicine without spilling it. Therefore, even if a certain automatic medicine container 4 is replaced while supplying powdered medicine from another automatic medicine container 4 to the distribution tray 35, the powdered medicine will not spill out from the automatic medicine container 4 being moved. In other words, there is no excessive discharge of powdered medicine to the distribution tray 35 due to the movement of the automatic medicine container 4, and even when mixing medicines more than the number of container holding tables 36 (six in this embodiment), a highly accurate packaging operation can be performed. That is, in the conventional powdered medicine packaging device, during the medicine dispensing operation of the same prescription, the medicine container is not replaced in principle due to the concern of the occurrence of packaging errors due to the spilling out. In contrast, the powdered medicine packing device 1 of the present embodiment does not have such concerns, and can safely mix a large number of medicines.

[0431] In the powder medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment, a weighing history screen as shown in Figure 45 (hereinafter also referred to as the second weighing history screen) may be displayed instead of the weighing history screen as shown in Figure 27 above (hereinafter also referred to as the first weighing history screen). The second weighing history screen, like the first weighing history screen described above, has a date display section 125, a patient name display section 126, an explanation display section 127, an error display section 128, a drug information display section 229, a progress display section 130, an allocation video button 131, a flow rate button 132, and a weighing value button 133, but the positions of each section and button are different.

[0432] Unlike the drug information display section 129 of the first weighing history screen described above, the drug information display section 229 of the second weighing history screen is displayed from near one end to near the other end in the left-right direction of the screen. This makes it possible to display important items such as "drug name", "target amount", "allocation amount", "allocation time", "remaining amount at the start of allocation", and "allocation start time" on one screen. In other words, important items can be confirmed at a glance without performing an operation to scroll the display contents on the drug information display section 229.

[0433] In the powdered medicine packing device 1 of the present embodiment, a manual medicine container 300 having an open medicine inlet as shown in FIG. 46 can be used in place of the above-described manual medicine container 5.

[0434] As shown in FIG. 46, the manual medicine container 300 is composed of a storage space forming member 301 and a bottom forming member 302.

[0435] 47, the storage space forming member 301 has a main body 303 whose four sides are completely covered by side walls 304 and whose top and bottom sides are open. That is, the main body 303 is rectangular in plan view and has an opening 305 at the top, through which the medicine can be injected.

[0436] 48, an opening 306 is also provided in the bottom portion of main body 303. This lower opening 306 has a smaller opening area than upper opening 305. These two openings 305, 306 face each other at a distance, and each opening communicates the space surrounded by side wall 304 with the outside.

[0437] An RFID tag is provided on the side of the main body 303, and is capable of storing information about the drug to be dispensed and an ID (an identifier for identifying a specific drug container from among multiple drug containers) of the manual drug container 300. In other words, this RFID tag functions as a container-side information storage means.

[0438] As shown in Fig. 47, guide pieces 309 are provided on a pair of side surfaces of main body 303. Guide pieces 309 are formed integrally with side wall 304 on the longer side of main body 303, and protrude horizontally from side wall 304 (based on the position when placed on container holding table 36). Guide pieces 309 extend along the longer side of side wall 304. Stopper 307 is formed at one end. Stopper 307 is located at the end portion of guide piece 309, and is a portion made to have a large cross-sectional area.

[0439] Moreover, the storage space forming member 301 has a lid portion 308 that can be attached to the upper part of the main body portion 303, and is structured so that the opening 305 located on the upper side can be closed by attaching the lid portion 308.

[0440] The bottom forming member 302 is a member formed by processing a steel plate containing magnetic components such as ferrite, and as shown in Figures 48 and 49, both sides of the bottom 310 are bent upwardly from the center to form an inclined wall 311.

[0441] 49, one end of the bottom forming member 302 in the longitudinal direction has no vertical wall-like portion, and the side is open. This open side constitutes the medicine discharge section 315. On the other hand, the other end of the bottom forming member 302 in the longitudinal direction has a vertical wall 316, and the side is closed.

[0442] Furthermore, a plurality of protrusions 325 are provided on the bottom 310 of the bottom forming member 302 near the medicine discharge portion 315 .

[0443] As shown in FIG. 46 and other figures, the overall length of the bottom forming member 302 is longer than the overall length of the storage space forming member 301.

[0444] A guide receiving member 313 is provided on the outer periphery of the inclined wall 311 of the bottom forming member 302 .

[0445] As shown in FIG. 49, the guide receiving member 313 is composed of a receiving portion forming member 317 and an elastic member 320.

[0446] Guide receiving member 313 has a substantially rectangular box shape. A cover portion 318 is provided on the top surface of guide receiving member 313, and a slit portion 319 with which guide piece 309 described above engages is formed between the top surface of the box-shaped portion and cover portion 318. The slit portion 319 is open on the side of drug discharge portion 315 and closed on the side of vertical wall 316.

[0447] Inside the guide receiving member 313, two pins 324 are provided hanging down from the ceiling.

[0448] The elastic member 320 is provided on the inclined wall 311 of the bottom forming member 302, and is attached to a support base 321 that protrudes outward like a shelf. That is, a support base 32 is provided on the outer periphery of the inclined wall 311, and two elastic members 320 are erected on this support base. Specifically, the elastic member 320 is a spring. A receiving member 322 is provided on the upper portion of the elastic member 320, and this receiving member 322 has a recess 323 formed therein.

[0449] The receiving portion forming member 317 is a member that is attached so as to cover the elastic member 320 , and an internal pin 324 is capable of engaging with a recess 323 of the elastic member 320 .

[0450] The storage space forming member 301 can be attached integrally to the bottom forming member 302 via the guide receiving member 313. That is, as shown in Fig. 50, the guide piece 309 of the storage space forming member 301 is engaged with the sli...

Claims

[Claim 1] A medicine dispensing device that takes out a predetermined amount of powdered medicine from a powdered medicine storage container, divides the powdered medicine into a predetermined number of doses, and then packages and discharges the doses, A distribution tray for distributing the powdered medicine discharged from the powdered medicine storage container and a control device are provided, The control device determines whether the planned amount of powdered medicine to be supplied to the distribution tray (units: weight or mass) before discharging the powdered medicine from the powdered medicine storage container into the distribution tray is less than a specified value Q1 (units: weight or mass), and if it determines that the planned amount of supply is less than the specified value Q1, makes a change to increase the number of days of the prescription for which the planned amount of supply is prescribed, thereby supplying an amount of powdered medicine greater than or equal to the specified value Q1 to the distribution tray, divides the supplied amount of powdered medicine greater than or equal to the specified value Q1 into a specified number based on the dosage of the powdered medicine prescribed by the doctor, and packages the powdered medicine into single doses.

Images