Ingestion support device and ingestion support system

Abstract

To provide an ingestion support device and an ingestion support system that are easy to use even by a person with hemiplegia and enables detection that a patient has ingested a medicine.SOLUTION: An ingestion support device 1 includes: a body case 10 storing continuous packaged medicines; a pair of rollers that send out the packaged medicines by sandwiching the packaged medicines; a handle 60 that rotates the rollers; a rotation detection device that detects rotation of the handle 60, a cutting member 50 that cuts the packaged medicines; and a cutting detection device that detects cutting of the packaged medicines.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medication support device and a medication support system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, due to the aging population, the number of patients who visit hospitals and take medicines regularly is increasing. Patients are often prescribed multiple types of medication. When multiple types of medication are prescribed, medications that are to be taken at the same time are packaged together in a single package using a paper packet. Patients are given multiple consecutive packets of medication, and when it is time to take the medication, they cut out the appropriate packet, open it, and take the medication. If a patient is given a week's worth of packets of medication for three times a day, one for after breakfast, one for after lunch, and one for after dinner, the total number of packets is 21, and there is a risk of accidentally taking the medication for after dinner after breakfast.

[0003] Various devices to assist in taking medicine have been proposed so that patients can take medicine without making mistakes when taking single-packaged medicine. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a medicine-taking assistance device that can be used even by hemiplegic patients who have difficulty using one hand. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-186463 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] For patients receiving home care, it is difficult for caregivers or other supporters to help them take all of their medicines, so patients themselves are required to take the prescribed medicines correctly. It is also desirable for the supporter to be able to confirm that the patient has taken the medicine correctly.

[0006] Although the medication support device of Patent Document 1 can be used even by hemiplegic patients, the supporter cannot check the medication status of the patient.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a medication support device and a medication support system that are easy to use even for hemiplegic patients and can detect when a patient has taken medication. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A medication support device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: A main body case in which consecutive packets of medicine are stored; A pair of rollers for holding and feeding the packaged medicine; A handle for rotating the roller; A rotation detection device for detecting the rotation of the handle; A cutting member for cutting the packaged medicine; A cut detection device that detects the cut of the packaged medicine is provided. It is characterized by:

[0009] The rotation detection device may be a magnetic sensor.

[0010] The cut detection device may be a pressure sensor.

[0011] A medication support system according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises: A medication support device according to a first aspect of the present invention; and a calculation unit that determines that the packaged medicine has been taken when the cut detection device detects that the packaged medicine has been cut within a predetermined time after the rotation detection device detects that the handle has rotated a predetermined angle in a predetermined direction. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a medication support device and a medication support system that are easy to use even for hemiplegic patients and that are capable of detecting that a patient has taken medication. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view of the medication support device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the medication support device. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view of the medication support device. [Diagram 5] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA' of FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA' in FIG. 1, illustrating the open state of the cover and the packaged-medicine pressing member. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a driving roller and a driven roller. [Figure 9] 9(A) and (B) are diagrams illustrating the operation of the drive roller and the driven roller by the transmission member. [Figure 10] 10(A) and (B) are diagrams illustrating the detection operation of the rotation detection device. [Figure 11] FIG. 11(A) is a plan view of the cutting member, and FIG. 11(B) is a side view illustrating the attachment and detachment of the cutting member to the main body. [Figure 12] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the medication support device. FIG. [Figure 13] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the medication support device. FIG. [Figure 14] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the medication support device. FIG. [Figure 15] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the medication support device. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a medication support system. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the processing flow of the medication support system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] The medication support device and medication support system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figs. 1 to 6, the medication support device 1 includes a main body case 10, a cover 20, a packaged medicine pressing unit 30, an opening / closing operation unit 40, a cutting member 50, a handle 60, a rotation detection device, a cutting detection device 80, and a control device 90.

[0015] The medication support device 1 is a device that stores a number of consecutive packaged medicines PM as shown in Fig. 7 and supports medication by taking out each package one by one. In this specification, a packaged medicine PM refers to a state in which a number of medicines Me are sealed in a packaging paper WP to be packaged as a single package.

[0016] Returning to Figs. 1 to 6, the main case 10 is a box that contains packaged medicines PM inside. The main case 10 is open from the top to the back, and a cover 20 is disposed at this opening. The cover 20 is rotatably attached, and opens and closes the opening of the main case 10 by rotating. When the main case 10 is in an open state, a plurality of consecutive packaged medicines PM can be contained inside the main case 10 in a folded state.

[0017] The inner width (D1 shown in FIG. 2) of the portion of the main case 10 where the packaged medicine PM is stored is set to match the width of the packaged medicine PM. Generally, the width (D2 shown in FIG. 7) of the packaged medicine PM is 69 mm, and the length (L1 shown in FIG. 7) is 60 mm, 70 mm, or 80 mm. To prevent the packaged medicine PM from twisting or slanting inside the main case 10 while the medication support device 1 is in use, the inner width of the portion of the main case 10 where the packaged medicine PM is stored is preferably 69 mm to 75 mm, and more preferably 70 mm to 72 mm.

[0018] The main case 10 and the cover 20 are made of a material that suppresses transmission of ultraviolet light, such as a colored material, so that the packaged medicine PM contained therein is not deteriorated by ultraviolet light.

[0019] A weight 12 is disposed on the bottom of the main case 10 as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The weight 12 prevents the medication support device 1 from moving when the user uses the medication support device 1. A magnetic body 13 such as a neodymium magnet is disposed on the bottom of the main case 10. The magnetic body 13 also allows the medication support device 1 to be attached to a metal wall and used. A flat guide 11 is disposed on both sides inside the main case 10. The guide 11 serves to guide the packaged medicine PM to the gripping portions 62 and 65 of a driving roller 61 and a driven roller 64, which will be described later.

[0020] When cutting the packaged medicine PM, the packaged medicine pressing member 30 presses and fixes the packaged medicine PM against the receiving member 53, thereby preventing the packaged medicine PM from moving.

[0021] The opening / closing operation unit 40 contributes to opening and closing of the packaged medicine pressing member 30. The opening / closing operation unit 40 is rotatably supported on both side surfaces of the main body case 10. The packaged medicine pressing member 30 is also rotatably supported on both side surfaces of the main body case 10. The packaged medicine pressing member 30 is engaged with an engaging portion 41 of the opening / closing operation unit 40, and the packaged medicine pressing member 30 and the opening / closing operation unit 40 are each biased by a biasing member such as a spring (not shown) to maintain this engaged state.

[0022] When the user presses the opening / closing operation unit 40, the locked state between the locking portion 32 of the packaged medicine pressing member 30 and the locking portion 41 of the opening / closing operation unit 40 is released, and the packaged medicine pressing member 30 opens. Conversely, when the user presses the packaged medicine pressing member 30 while the packaged medicine pressing member 30 is open, the locking portion 32 of the packaged medicine pressing member 30 and the locking portion 41 of the opening / closing operation unit 40 lock together, maintaining the packaged medicine pressing member 30 in a closed state, i.e., the packaged medicine pressing member 30 presses the packaged medicine PM against the receiving member 53, and maintains a state in which the packaged medicine PM does not move.

[0023] 8, both ends of the driven roller 61 are connected to and fixed to the handle 60, and are journaled through holes in the side of the main body case 10. When the user rotates the handle 60, the driven roller 61 rotates.

[0024] Further, the driven roller 64 is disposed in parallel to the driven roller 61. Both ends of the driven roller 64 are rotatably supported on the side surfaces of the main body case 10.

[0025] The driving roller 61 has a pair of clamping parts 62 that protrude in the radial direction over the entire circumference on both sides. The driven roller 64 also has a pair of clamping parts 65 that protrude in the radial direction over the entire circumference on both sides. The clamping parts 62, 65 rotate while clamping the side of the packaged medicine PM to transport it. The clamping parts 62, 65 are made of a material with a high friction coefficient, such as a resin material such as natural rubber or silicone rubber, so that they can clamp and transport the packaged medicine PM.

[0026] The clamping portions 62, 65 protrude radially from the driving roller 61 and the driven roller 64, respectively, so that when the clamping portions 62, 65 are in contact with each other, there is a gap (D3 shown in FIG. 8) between the driving roller 61 and the driven roller 64, and this gap is 5 mm or more, preferably 5 mm to 10 mm. As will be described later, the drug Me of the packaged medicine PM passes through a space formed by the driving roller 61, the driven roller 64, and the clamping portions 62, 65.

[0027] The hole in which the driven roller 64 is journaled is an elongated hole 15, as shown in Figures 8, 9(A) and (B). This elongated hole 15 is formed to extend in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the driven roller 61. This allows the driven roller 64 to move in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the driven roller 61. The elongated hole 15 may be of any size so long as it allows the driven roller 64 to move approximately 5 mm to 10 mm.

[0028] The driving roller 61 and the driven roller 64 are connected by a transmission member 67. Here, the transmission member 67 is an annular elastic body, specifically an O-ring having soft elasticity such as natural rubber or silicone rubber. As shown in Fig. 8, grooves 63 and 66 are formed on the outside of the clamping parts 62 and 65 of the driving roller 61 and the driven roller 64, and the transmission member 67 is wrapped around the grooves 63 and 66 in a figure-8 shape.

[0029] 9(A) and (B), when the driven roller 61 rotates, the transmission member 67 also rotates, and the driven roller 64 rotates accordingly. Since the transmission member 67 is wound in a figure-8 shape, when the driven roller 61 rotates counterclockwise on the paper, the driven roller 64 rotates clockwise. Also, when the driven roller 61 rotates clockwise, the driven roller 64 rotates counterclockwise. Also, since the transmission member 67 is an annular elastic body, the tension of the transmission member 67 constantly attracts the driven roller 64 to be close to the driven roller 61.

[0030] As shown in Figs. 10(A) and 10(B), the medication support device 1 includes a rotation detection device 70 that detects the rotation of the handle 60. The rotation detection device 70 may be a rotation sensor that can detect the rotation of the handle 60, such as a mechanical type, an optical type, a magnetic type, or a magnetic induction type, and here, a magnetic sensor 70 is installed. A plurality of (here, six) magnetic bodies 71 such as neodymium magnets are installed on the back surface of the handle 60 at equal intervals on a concentric circle. The magnetic sensor 70 is installed at a position where the magnetic bodies 71 installed on the handle 60 can be detected when they approach. When the handle 60 rotates, the magnetic sensor 70 detects each magnetic body 71 passing through the magnetic sensor 70, and the rotation direction and the amount of rotation of the handle 60 are detected. Here, six magnetic bodies 71 are arranged at equal intervals, so that each time the passage of a magnetic body 71 is detected, the handle 60 is detected to have rotated 60°. The magnetic bodies 71 are ID-registered so that they can be individually identified, so that the rotation direction of the handle 60 can be detected.

[0031] The cutting member 50 is disposed below the discharge port of the main body case 10, and cuts and opens the packaged medicine PM. As shown in Figs. 11(A) and (B), the cutting member 50 has a blade 51. The blade 51 is required only to be able to cut the packaged medicine PM when the packaged medicine PM discharged from the discharge port is pressed against it, and a serrated blade is used here. The blade 51 is made of plastic so as to prevent the user from cutting their fingers.

[0032] Moreover, the cutting member 50 is configured to be removable so that the blade 51 can be replaced when worn. Specifically, protrusions 54 are formed on both sides of the cutting member 50, and notches 14 are formed on both side walls of the main body case 10 at the locations where the cutting member 50 is to be installed. The cutting member 50 can be attached to the main body case 10 by inserting the protrusions 54 on both sides of the cutting member 50 into the notches 14. Also, a receiving member 53 is installed on the cutting member 50. The receiving member 53 is flat and made of a material such as rubber that does not damage the packaged medicine PM. The receiving member 53 cooperates with the pressing portion 31 of the packaged medicine pressing member 30 to clamp and fix the packaged medicine PM.

[0033] Further, the cutting member 50 has notches 52 formed on both sides. By forming the notches 52, bending of the cutting member 50 occurs at the portion sandwiched between both notches 52, which stabilizes the cutting of the packaged medicine PM by the cutting member 50 and facilitates detection of the cutting of the packaged medicine PM by the cut detection device 80 described later.

[0034] A cut detection device 80 that detects the cutting of the packaged medicine PM is disposed below the cutting member 50. The cut detection device 80 only needs to be able to detect the cutting of the packaged medicine PM, and in this example, a pressure-sensitive sensor 80 is used. When the packaged medicine PM is cut by the cutting member 50, the cutting member 50 is pressed down, and the pressure-sensitive sensor 80 detects this stress, thereby detecting that the packaged medicine PM has been cut.

[0035] The control device 90 is electrically connected to the rotation detection device 70 and the cut detection device 80. The control device 90, the rotation detection device 70, and the cut detection device 80 may be driven by receiving power from an external power source via a power adapter, or may be driven by a battery built into the main body case 10. Details of the control device 90 will be described later.

[0036] Next, a description will be given of the procedure for removing the packaged medicine PM from the medication support device 1. First, the user presses the opening / closing operation unit 40 to open the packaged medicine pressing member 30 as shown in Fig. 12. The packaged medicine is released from the pressing portion 31 of the packaged medicine pressing member 30, making it possible to transport the packaged medicine.

[0037] With the packaged medicine pressing member 30 open, the user rotates the handle 60. As shown in Fig. 13, the driving roller 61 and the driven roller 64 rotate, and the clamping parts 62, 65 fixed thereto also rotate similarly, so that the packaged medicine PM clamped between the clamping parts 62, 65 is transported. The user turns the handle 60 until the packaged medicine PM moves to a predetermined position, and then stops the operation.

[0038] 14, after the packaged medicine has been transported to the cutting point, the user presses down the packaged medicine pressing member 30. The packaged medicine pressing member 30 is locked with the locking portion 32 of the packaged medicine pressing member 30 and the locking portion 41 of the opening / closing operation portion 40, and the packaged medicine PM is sandwiched and fixed between the pressing portion 31 and the receiving member 53. Then, the user pulls the discharged packaged medicine PM downward.

[0039] As a result, the packaged medicine PM is cut by the cutting member 50, as shown in Fig. 15. By cutting the packaged medicine PM in an open state, the user can take the medicine Me inside as is.

[0040] All operations of the above-mentioned medication support device 1 by the user can be performed with one hand. Therefore, the medication support device 1 is easy to use even for hemiplegic users who have paralysis in one hand. Furthermore, the medication support device 1 has a simple configuration, which has the advantage of reducing manufacturing costs and making it easy to introduce.

[0041] Next, the medication support system will be described. As shown in Fig. 16, the medication support system 100 includes a medication support device 1 and a supporter terminal 110 connected via a communication network 120 such as the Internet.

[0042] The control device 90 of the medication support system 1 has a calculation unit, a memory unit, an input unit, and a communication unit. The calculation unit is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and performs the functions of the medication support system 100 by executing a program stored in the memory unit. The memory unit is a non-volatile storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), or a flash memory. The memory unit stores a medication support program that controls the operation of the calculation unit. The input unit receives detection information from the rotation detection device 70 and the cut detection device 80. The communication unit transmits and receives information to and from the communication network 120.

[0043] The supporter terminal 110 includes a control device having a calculation unit, a storage unit, an output unit, and a communication unit. The configurations of the calculation unit, the storage unit, and the communication unit are the same as those of the above-mentioned control device 90. The output unit displays the user's medication status on a display device of the supporter terminal 110, or outputs audio to an audio device such as a speaker.

[0044] The processing operation of the medication support system 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 17. The medication support program (step S100) is started, and it is determined whether the handle 60 of the medication support device 1 has rotated a predetermined angle (e.g., 720°) in a direction in which the packaged medicine PM is discharged (step S101).

[0045] When the rotation detection device 70 detects the above rotation of the handle 60 (Step S101; Yes), it determines whether the packaged medicine PM has been cut. When the cut detection device 80 detects the cut of the packaged medicine PM within a predetermined time (e.g., within 20 seconds) after detecting the rotation of the handle 60 (Step S102; Yes), it determines that the user has correctly taken the medicine.

[0046] Then, the communication unit notifies the supporter terminal 110 of the information via the communication network 120 (step S103). In the supporter terminal 110, the received information is stored in the storage unit, and the information is displayed on the display device, allowing the supporter to check the medication status of the user. Note that if the answer is No in steps S101 and S102, the process loops to step S101 and is repeated.

[0047] As described above, in the medication support system 100, it is determined that the user has taken the medicine correctly, provided that the rotation of the handle 60 to a predetermined angle and in the direction in which the packaged medicine PM is discharged, and the cutting of the packaged medicine PM are performed in that order, and that the cutting of the packaged medicine PM is performed within a predetermined time from the rotation of the handle 60. Furthermore, because the operation of the handle 60 and the cutting of the packaged medicine PM are performed by the user himself / herself, a caregiver or the like who has managed the medication status of the user can accurately confirm that the user has taken the medicine correctly.

[0048] Although the embodiment in which the medication is determined by the arithmetic unit of the control device 90 of the medication support device 1 has been described, the medication support program may be stored in the storage unit of the supporter terminal 110, and the determination may be made by the arithmetic unit of the supporter terminal 110. Also, a server (not shown) may be connected to the communication network 120, and the determination may be made by the arithmetic unit of the server.

[0049] The present invention allows various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present invention. The above-described embodiments are for the purpose of explaining the present invention and do not limit the scope of the present invention. That is, the scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the scope of the invention equivalent thereto are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1. Medication support device 10 Main unit case 11 Guide 12 weight 13 Magnetic material 14 Cutout 15 Slot 20 Cover 30 Drug pack pressing member 31 Pressing section 32 Locking part 40 Opening and closing operation section 41 Locking part 50 Cutting material 51 Blades 52 Cut 53 Supporting member 54 Protrusion 60 Handle 61 Driven roller 62 Narrow grip 63 Groove 64 Driven roller 65 Narrow grip 66 Groove 67 Transmission parts 70 Rotation detection device (magnetic sensor) 71 Magnetic material 80 Cutting detection device (pressure sensor) 90 Control device 100 Medication Support System 110 Supporter terminal 120 Communication Network PM Package Me Drugs WP wrapping paper

Claims

1. A main body case in which consecutive packets of medicine are stored; A pair of rollers for holding and feeding the packaged medicine; A handle for rotating the roller; A rotation detection device for detecting the rotation of the handle; A cutting member for cutting the packaged medicine; A cut detection device that detects the cut of the packaged medicine is provided. A medication support device characterized by:

2. The rotation detection device is a magnetic sensor.

2. The medication support device according to claim 1.

3. The cut detection device is a pressure sensor.

2. The medication support device according to claim 1.

4. The medication support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and a calculation unit that determines that the packaged medicine has been taken when the cut detection device detects that the packaged medicine has been cut within a predetermined time after the rotation detection device detects that the handle has rotated a predetermined angle in a predetermined direction. A medication support system comprising:

Images