Medicine distribution device

Abstract

To achieve the distribution of a medicine of an accurate amount.SOLUTION: A medicine distribution device includes a medicine feeder, a distribution tray, a medicine extraction part, a packaging part, and a control device. The medicine feeder can supply a dose of a medicine at a time to the distribution tray. The distribution tray conveys the dose of the medicine supplied by the medicine feeder. The medicine extraction part extracts the dose of a powder medicine conveyed by the distribution tray. The packaging part packages the powder medicine extracted by the medicine extraction part. The control part determines whether the amount of the powder medicine supplied from the medicine feeder to the distribution tray matches one dose or not, and prints prescribed information on a packaging paper packaging the powder medicine when determined that the amount does not match the one dose.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the dispensing of powdered medications. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a medicine dispensing and packaging device capable of dispensing and packaging a powder or granular medicine called "powders" at one dose at a time. Patent Document 1 discloses this type of medicine dispensing and packaging device.

[0003] The medicine dispensing device of Patent Document 1 has a medicine feeder, a distribution tray, a scraping device, and a medicine packaging device. The medicine feeder can supply powdered medicine to the distribution tray one dose at a time. This medicine dispensing device can be operated in a distributed arrangement mode. In the distributed arrangement mode, the powdered medicine is supplied from the medicine feeder to the distribution tray one dose at a time, and the distribution tray is stopped or rotated during that time, so that the powdered medicine is arranged on the distribution tray at intervals of one dose. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6562267 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 does not disclose how to deal with the case in which the amount of powdered medicine that falls onto the distribution tray in the dispersed placement mode exceeds or is insufficient for one dose.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to realize the dispensing of an accurate amount of powdered medicine.

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

[0008] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medicine dispensing device having the following configuration. That is, the medicine dispensing device includes a medicine feeder, a distribution tray, a medicine removal unit, a packaging unit, and a control unit. The medicine feeder is capable of supplying one dose of powdered medicine to the distribution tray at a time. The distribution tray transports one dose of powdered medicine supplied by the medicine feeder. The medicine removal unit removes one dose of powdered medicine transported by the distribution tray. The packaging unit packages the powdered medicine removed by the medicine removal unit. The control unit determines whether the amount of powdered medicine supplied from the medicine feeder to the distribution tray matches one dose, and when it determines that the amount of powdered medicine supplied from the medicine feeder to the distribution tray does not match one dose, prints predetermined information on a package that packages the powdered medicine.

[0009] This makes it easy to check whether the amount of powdered medicine in the package corresponds to one dose by checking the information printed on the package.

[0010] The medicine dispensing device is preferably configured as follows: That is, when both a powdered medicine in an amount that corresponds to one dose and a powdered medicine in an amount that does not correspond to one dose are supplied from the medicine feeder to the distribution tray, the control unit controls the device to take out the powdered medicine in an amount that corresponds to one dose and send it to the packaging unit, and then take out the powdered medicine in an amount that does not correspond to one dose and send it to the packaging unit.

[0011] This allows powder medicines whose amounts correspond to one dose and those whose amounts do not correspond to one dose to be handled separately in the packaging section.

[0012] The medicine dispensing device is preferably configured as follows: That is, the control unit controls the packaging unit to form an empty packet containing no powdered medicine between a storage unit that stores a powdered medicine in an amount that corresponds to one dose and a storage unit that stores a powdered medicine in an amount that does not correspond to one dose.

[0013] This makes it easy to identify storage sections that contain powdered medicine with an inaccurate dosage. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a medicine packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 13 is a plan view showing the medicine feeder depositing a dose of powdered medicine into a distribution tray in the dispersed placement mode. FIG. [Diagram 3] 3 is a plan view showing the state in which the powdered medicine dispensed in FIG. 2 is dispensed by the medicine dispenser, and at the same time, the medicine feeder dispenses a new dose of powdered medicine into the distribution tray. FIG. [Figure 4] A plan view showing the location of the powdered medicine removed in Figure 3 being cleaned by a cleaning device, and in parallel with this, the powdered medicine inserted in Figure 3 being removed by the medicine removal section, and in parallel with this, the medicine feeder inserts a new dose of powdered medicine into the distribution tray. [Diagram 5] 4 is a plan view illustrating an example in which the amount of powdered medicine dispensed by the medicine feeder in FIG. 3 exceeds the amount required for one dose. [Figure 6] 6 is a plan view showing how the powdered medicine dispenser skips the removal of the powdered medicine inserted in the example of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 6 is a plan view showing how the powdered medicine inserted in FIG. 5 is collected by the cleaning device. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a chart explaining operation in distributed deployment mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a medicine dispensing and packaging device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] The medicine packaging device (medicine dispensing device) 1 shown in Fig. 1 can store a plurality of medicine containers 2 containing medicines. In this embodiment, the medicines are powdered medicines. This medicine packaging device 1 can perform a dispensing process using the powdered medicines in the medicine containers 2, and can distribute and package the medicines in individual doses.

[0017] The medicine packaging device 1 includes a container storage section 11, a container transport section 15, a medicine feeder 21, a distribution tray 31, a medicine removal section 35, a cleaning device 41, and a control device (control section) 95.

[0018] The medicine dispensing and packaging device 1 includes a housing (not shown) that houses a container storage section 11, a medicine feeder 21, a distribution tray 31, a medicine removal section 35, a cleaning device 41, a packaging section 51, and the like.

[0019] The container storage unit 11 is capable of storing a plurality of drug containers 2. The container storage unit 11 includes a rotating member 12 and a container arrangement unit 13.

[0020] The rotating member 12 is a substantially cylindrical member that is provided in an upright position and can rotate about a vertical axis by the driving force of a motor.

[0021] A plurality of container placement sections 13 are arranged on the outer periphery of the rotating member 12. A drug container 2 can be placed in each container placement section 13. The container placement section 13 can be, for example, a mounting plate capable of storing the drug container 2. The container placement section 13 rotates integrally with the rotating member 12 as the rotating member 12 rotates.

[0022] The container transport unit 15 transports the medicine containers 2 between the container storage unit 11 and the medicine feeder 21. The configuration of the container transport unit 15 is arbitrary, and it can be configured as, for example, a transport robot.

[0023] The container transport unit 15 can take out the drug container 2 from one of the container arrangement units 13 of the container storage unit 11, transport it to a drug feeder 21 described below, and mount it thereon. The container transport unit 15 can remove the drug container 2 from the drug feeder 21, and transport it back to one of the container arrangement units 13.

[0024] The medicine feeder 21 is disposed near the distribution tray 31. The medicine container 2 can be removably attached to the medicine feeder 21. The medicine feeder 21 can feed the powdered medicine inside the medicine container 2 set in the medicine feeder 21 into the distribution tray 31.

[0025] The drug feeder 21 includes a vibration device 22 and a measuring unit 23.

[0026] Vibration device 22 vibrates medicine container 2 set in medicine feeder 21. When medicine container 2 set in medicine feeder 21 is vibrated with the discharge port of medicine container 2 open, the powdered medicine in medicine container 2 is shaken out. The powdered medicine discharged from the discharge port falls into groove 34 formed in distribution plate 31 located directly below the discharge port.

[0027] The measuring unit 23 can measure the weight of the powdered medicine in the medicine container 2. The measuring unit 23 is configured as an electronic balance.

[0028] The distribution dish 31 is provided near the medicine feeder 21. The distribution dish 31 functions as a tray for receiving the powdered medicine dispensed from the medicine container 2.

[0029] The distribution dish 31 includes a dish portion 32 and a rotary drive portion 33 .

[0030] The dish portion 32 is formed in a horizontal disk shape. The dish portion 32 is supported so as to be rotatable about an axis in the vertical direction. In a plan view, the rotation axis of the dish portion 32 is located at the center of the circular dish portion 32.

[0031] A ring-shaped groove 34 is formed on the outer peripheral end of the upper surface of the plate portion 32. The cross section of the groove 34 is arc-shaped. Powdered medicine is fed into this groove 34 by the medicine feeder 21.

[0032] The rotary drive unit 33 can rotate the plate unit 32 by the driving force of the motor. This allows the powdered medicine put into the plate unit 32 to be transported in the circumferential direction of the plate unit 32.

[0033] The medicine removal section 35 is provided near the distribution tray 31. The medicine removal section 35 is disposed downstream of the medicine feeder 21 in the direction in which the powdered medicine is conveyed by the rotation of the tray section 32. The medicine removal section 35 is attached to the tip of a switching arm 36 that can move up and down.

[0034] The drug removal section 35 includes a pushing plate 37 , a pushing member 38 , and a removal drive section 39 .

[0035] The shifting plate 37 is rotatably supported at the tip of the switching arm 36 .

[0036] The shifting plate 37 is formed in a disk shape. The thickness direction of the shifting plate 37 is oriented substantially horizontally. The rotation axis of the shifting plate 37 is disposed at the center of the disk. The direction of the rotation axis is approximately parallel to the tangent direction of the groove 34 formed in a ring shape in a plan view.

[0037] The outer diameter of the moving plate 37 is substantially the same as the diameter of the cross section of the groove 34, which is formed in an arc shape. When the plate portion 32 rotates with the lower part of the moving plate 37 entering the groove 34 and the outer edge of the moving plate 37 being close to the inner bottom surface of the groove 34, the powdered medicine in the groove 34 hits the moving plate 37. This allows the powdered medicine in the groove 34 to be moved circumferentially relative to the plate portion 32.

[0038] The pushing member 38 is fixed to one surface in the thickness direction of the moving plate 37. The surface of the moving plate 37 to which the pushing member 38 is fixed is the same as the surface on the side where the powdered medicine in the groove 34 hits the moving plate 37 as the plate portion 32 rotates.

[0039] The removal drive unit 39 can rotate the pushing plate 37 and the pushing member 38 around the aforementioned rotation axis by the driving force of a motor.

[0040] When the push member 38 is rotated by the removal drive unit 39, the end of the push member 38 passes through while contacting the inner bottom surface of the groove 34. Therefore, the powdered medicine inside the groove 34 near the gathering plate 37 can be pushed out to the outer periphery of the dish unit 32 by the push member 38. The pushed out powdered medicine falls into the opening of a hopper 52 (described later) that is disposed immediately on the outer periphery of the medicine removal unit 35. The powdered medicine supplied to the hopper 52 is packaged by the packaging unit 51.

[0041] The switching arm 36 can be moved up and down by a drive unit (not shown). The drive unit can be, for example, a motor, but is not limited thereto. The switching arm 36 moves up and down, so that the medicine removal section 35 can be switched between a removal position and a retracted position. In the removal position, the lower part of the gathering plate 37 is in the groove 34, and the powdered medicine in the groove 34 can be removed by the pushing member 38. In the retracted position, the gathering plate 37 is located at a sufficiently high position relative to the dish portion 32, and the gathering plate 37 and the pushing member 38 do not come into contact with the powdered medicine in the groove 34.

[0042] The cleaning device 41 is provided in the vicinity of the distribution tray 31. The cleaning device 41 is disposed downstream of the medicine removal section 35 in the direction in which the powdered medicine is transported by the rotation of the tray section 32.

[0043] The cleaning device 41 includes a cleaning arm 42 , a cleaning brush 43 , a cleaning drive unit 44 , and a suction unit 45 .

[0044] The cleaning arm 42 is supported near the tray 32. The cleaning arm 42 can be moved up and down by a drive unit (not shown). The drive unit can be, for example, a motor, but is not limited to this.

[0045] The cleaning brush 43 is fixed to the tip of the cleaning arm 42. When the cleaning arm 42 is in the lowered state, the tip of the cleaning brush 43 comes into contact with the inner bottom surface of the groove 34, etc.

[0046] The cleaning drive unit 44 can rotate the cleaning arm 42 by the driving force of the motor. The cleaning brush 43, which rotates integrally with the cleaning arm 42, comes into contact with the inner bottom surface of the groove 34, thereby scraping off the powdered medicine that has not been removed by the medicine removal unit 35 and remains in the groove 34, etc.

[0047] The suction unit 45 is disposed near the cleaning brush 43 and near the groove 34. The suction unit 45 can generate a suction flow by a known appropriate method. The suction unit 45 can suck in the powdered medicine residue scraped off by the cleaning brush 43 by the suction flow. The suction unit 45 is provided with a valve (not shown) that can switch between generating and stopping the suction flow.

[0048] By moving the cleaning arm 42 up and down as described above, the cleaning brush 43 can be switched between the cleaning position and the retracted position. In the cleaning position, the tip of the cleaning brush 43 is in contact with the groove 34, etc., and can scrape off powdered medicine residue adhering to the upper surface of the plate portion 32. In the retracted position, the cleaning brush 43 does not come into contact with the plate portion 32.

[0049] The packaging unit 51 can package powdered medicine. The packaging unit 51 includes a hopper 52. When the medicine removal unit 35 drops one dose of powdered medicine into the hopper 52, the packaging unit 51 packages the powdered medicine in a packaging paper (package) 54. The packaged powdered medicine is provided to the outside of the medicine packaging device 1.

[0050] The packaging unit 51 includes a printing unit 53. The printing unit 53 can print various information on the packaging paper 54. The configuration of the printing unit 53 is arbitrary, but it can be, for example, a known ink ribbon type printer.

[0051] The medicine packaging device 1 includes an interface unit 91. The interface unit 91 realizes a user interface function. The interface unit 91 can include, for example, a display device that displays the status of the dispensing process and information input by the user, and an operation device for the user to input instructions.

[0052] The control device 95 is a computer equipped with a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. The ROM stores a control program for operating the medicine packaging device. The operations of the container storage unit 11, the container transport unit 15, the medicine feeder 21, the distribution tray 31, the medicine removal unit 35, the cleaning device 41, the packaging unit 51, and the interface unit 91 are controlled by the control device 95.

[0053] Under the control of the control device 95, the medicine dispensing and packaging device 1 mainly performs the following operations. [1] A medicine container 2 is selected according to the input prescription information. [2] The container transport unit 15 removes the selected medicine container 2 from the container storage unit 11, transports it to the medicine feeder 21, and attaches it. [3] A predetermined amount of powdered medicine is placed into the distribution tray 31 from the medicine container 2 set in the medicine feeder 21. [4] The powdered medicine placed into the distribution tray 31 is distributed by the medicine removal unit 35 and sent to the packaging unit 51. [5] The distributed powdered medicine is packaged by the packaging unit 51 for one dose at a time. [6] The container transport unit 15 removes the medicine container 2 from the medicine feeder 21 after the powdered medicine has been placed into the distribution tray 31, and transports it back to the container storage unit 11.

[0054] When powdered medicine is poured into the dish portion 32 of the distribution dish 31, the medicine packaging device 1 can switch between a full circumference arrangement mode in which the powdered medicine is poured into the ring-shaped groove 34 all around, and a dispersed arrangement mode in which the powdered medicine is poured into the groove 34 in a dot-like pattern.

[0055] First, the full-circle arrangement mode will be described.

[0056] In the full circumference arrangement mode, vibration is applied to the medicine container 2 set in the medicine feeder 21 by the vibration device 22. While the powdered medicine is being fed from the medicine container 2 to the plate portion 32, the plate portion 32 rotates at an appropriate speed. Therefore, the powdered medicine fed to the plate portion 32 is arranged in a ring shape around the entire circumference of the groove 34. At this time, the medicine removal portion 35 is in the retracted position. Also, the cleaning device 41 is in the retracted position, and the suction flow of the suction portion 45 is stopped.

[0057] While the powdered medicine is being discharged for insertion into the dish 32, the weight of the medicine container 2 is monitored by the measuring unit 23. When the amount of the powdered medicine discharged becomes equal to the weight of the total dose, the vibration stops, and then the rotation of the dish 32 stops.

[0058] After the rotation of the plate portion 32 stops, the switching arm 36 rotates downward. As a result, the medicine removal portion 35 descends to the removal position. At this removal position, the gathering plate 37 enters the groove 34 formed in the distribution plate 31. Therefore, the powdered medicine arranged in a ring shape is separated by the gathering plate 37. In this state, the distribution plate 31 rotates by an angle obtained by dividing 360° by the number of distributions. As a result, the powdered medicine is gathered by the gathering plate 37.

[0059] Thereafter, the pushing member 38 rotates together with the moving plate 37. As a result, the powdered medicine is pushed out by the pushing member 38 and falls into the hopper 52. The powdered medicine dropped into the hopper 52 is packaged in the packaging section 51. The above operation is repeated a number of times equal to the number of dispensed medicines.

[0060] When all the powdered medicine has been removed from the dish 32, the cleaning device 41 cleans the groove 34. The cleaning device 41 rotates the cleaning arm 42 downward to lower the cleaning brush 43 to the cleaning position. As a result, the cleaning brush 43 comes into contact with the upper surface of the dish 32. In this state, the cleaning device 41 rotates the cleaning brush 43 while the dish 32 rotates. At this time, the suction unit 45 is switched to generate a suction flow. The cleaning brush 43 rotates while in contact with the upper surface of the dish 32, and scrapes off the powdered medicine residue adhering to the surface of the groove 34 and the like. The powdered medicine residue scraped off by the cleaning brush 43 is sucked up by the suction unit 45 and discarded.

[0061] Next, the distributed arrangement mode will be described.

[0062] In the dispersed arrangement mode, when powdered medicine is dispensed from the medicine container 2 set in the medicine feeder 21 into the dish 32 by the vibration of the vibration device 22, the dish 32 does not rotate but remains stationary. Therefore, the powdered medicine dispensed by the medicine feeder 21 is piled up to form a small mountain at one point of the groove 34.

[0063] While the powdered medicine is being discharged, the weight of the medicine container 2 is monitored by the measuring unit 23, as in the all-around arrangement mode. In the dispersed arrangement mode, the vibration of the vibration device 22 stops when the amount of the powdered medicine discharged becomes equal to the weight of one dose.

[0064] As the powdered medicine for one dose begins to be dispensed, the switching arm 36 rotates downward. As a result, the medicine removal section 35 descends to the removal position. At this removal position, the lower part of the gathering plate 37 enters the groove 34 formed in the distribution plate 31. The plate section 32 then rotates a small angle and stops. The rotation angle may be, for example, about 5° to 30°. As a result, the dot-like pile of powdered medicine located closest to the medicine removal section 35 moves in the circumferential direction and is gathered in the vicinity of the gathering plate 37. In addition, as the plate section 32 rotates, the surface of the groove 34 of the plate section 32 on which the pile of powdered medicine is not piled faces directly below the discharge port of the medicine container 2 set in the medicine feeder 21.

[0065] After the plate portion 32 rotates and stops, the pushing member 38 rotates together with the moving plate 37. As a result, one dose of powdered medicine inside the groove 34 is taken out by the pushing member 38 and thrown into the hopper 52. The powdered medicine thrown into the hopper 52 is packaged in the packaging section 51.

[0066] In parallel with the rotation of the pushing member 38, the vibration device 22 resumes vibrating the medicine container 2. As a result, a new amount of powdered medicine equivalent to the weight of one dose is discharged into the groove 34. At this time, the rotation of the plate portion 32 is stopped. Therefore, the powdered medicine piles up to form a new small mountain at one point in the groove 34, just like the previous discharge.

[0067] After one dose of powdered medicine has been discharged, the dish 32 rotates a small angle as described above and stops. During the rotation of the dish 32, the small piles of powdered medicine that have accumulated move in the circumferential direction and are gathered by the gathering plate 37. Also, as the dish 32 rotates, the surface of the groove 34 of the dish 32 on which the piles of powdered medicine are not accumulated faces directly below the discharge port of the medicine container 2 set in the medicine feeder 21.

[0068] After the plate portion 32 rotates and stops, one dose of powdered medicine is pushed out of the groove 34 by the rotating push member 38 and deposited into the hopper 52. The packaging portion 51 packages the deposited powdered medicine. In parallel with the rotation of the push member 38, the vibration device 22 resumes applying vibration to the medicine container 2. As a result, a weight of powdered medicine equivalent to the weight of one dose is newly discharged into the groove 34 and piles up to form a small mountain.

[0069] The above operation is repeated an appropriate number of times. As a result, for example, three piles corresponding to one dose of powdered medicine are formed discretely in the groove 34 of the plate portion 32, and the powdered medicine in each pile can be individually taken out by the medicine take-out portion 35 and packaged by the packaging portion 51. The number of piles corresponds to the number of packets. FIG. 2 shows an example in which the medicine feeder 21 forms the first pile 5a, FIG. 3 shows an example in which the medicine feeder 21 forms the second pile 5b, and FIG. 4 shows an example in which the medicine feeder 21 forms the third pile 5c. The number of piles to be piled up is arbitrary, and may be one, two, or four or more.

[0070] In the dispersed arrangement mode, the removal of the powdered medicine is started before the powdered medicine equivalent to the entire dose is put into the dish portion 32. Therefore, the time from putting the powdered medicine into the dish portion 32 to taking it out can be easily shortened. Therefore, the powdered medicine is less likely to stick to the dish portion 32. In addition, the powdered medicine can be put into the dish portion 32 over two or more revolutions. Therefore, it can also handle the distribution of powdered medicine that is taken many times. In addition, in this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the operation of taking out the powdered medicine from the dish portion 32 is performed simultaneously with the operation of putting new powdered medicine from the medicine container 2 into the dish portion 32. Therefore, the time required to package the entire powdered medicine can be significantly shortened.

[0071] In the dispersed arrangement mode, the cleaning operation of the groove 34 is performed before the entire dose of powdered medicine is discharged from the distribution tray 31. That is, in the dispersed arrangement mode, the surface of the tray 32 on which the powdered medicine had accumulated is cleaned by the cleaning device 41, starting with the discharge of one dose of powdered medicine from the tray 32.

[0072] In more detail, in this embodiment, a cleaning operation is performed each time one pile of powdered medicine is taken out of the distribution plate 31 by the medicine take-out unit 35. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the medicine feeder 21 feeds one dose of powdered medicine, and as a result, a pile 5a of powdered medicine is formed in the groove 34. This pile 5a of powdered medicine is transported in the circumferential direction with the rotation of the distribution plate 31, and is taken out of the groove 34 by the medicine take-out unit 35 as shown in FIG. 3. The point in the groove 34 where the pile 5a was present moves circumferentially downstream due to the rotation of the plate unit 32, and as shown in FIG. 4, this point 5ax is cleaned by the cleaning brush 43 and the suction unit 45.

[0073] At the timing shown in Fig. 3, medicine feeder 21 dispenses one dose of powdered medicine, and as a result, mound 5b of powdered medicine is formed in groove 34. Mound 5b of powdered medicine is transported in the circumferential direction as distribution plate 31 rotates, and is removed from groove 34 by medicine removal unit 35 as shown in Fig. 4. Although not shown, in the same way as in the case of mound 5a described in Fig. 3, the point in groove 34 where mound 5b was present moves circumferentially downstream as plate unit 32 rotates, and this point is cleaned by cleaning brush 43 and suction unit 45.

[0074] 4, while the cleaning of the point 5ax is being performed, the medicine feeder 21 feeds one dose of the powdered medicine, and as a result, a pile 5c of the powdered medicine is formed in the groove 34. The pile 5c of the powdered medicine is removed from the groove 34 by the medicine removal unit 35 in the same manner as the above-mentioned pile 5a, and then the point where the pile 5c was present is cleaned by the cleaning brush 43 and the suction unit 45.

[0075] The above process is repeated as many times as necessary, cleaning each pile of doses that has been discharged.

[0076] In the dispersed arrangement mode, for example, as shown in Fig. 4, the cleaning operation of the cleaning device 41 is performed simultaneously with the operation of feeding powdered medicine into the dish 32 by the medicine feeder 21. In other words, the cleaning operation is started before the powdered medicine equivalent to the entire dose is completely fed into the dish 32. Therefore, the total operation time including the cleaning operation is significantly shortened.

[0077] In this embodiment, the dish 32 is rotated to move the point where the piles 5a, 5b, and 5c of powdered medicine are piled up to a certain extent downstream in the circumferential direction from the medicine extraction section 35, and then the cleaning device 41 cleans the point. However, the medicine extraction section 35 may be configured to have an appropriate cleaning mechanism such as a cleaning brush and suction means, and cleaning may be started immediately after the powdered medicine is discharged from the dish 32 by the medicine extraction section 35. This is expected to further shorten the overall operation time.

[0078] When all the powdered medicines for the dose have been discharged into the distribution tray 31, the container transport unit 15 returns the medicine container 2 from the medicine feeder 21 to the container storage unit 11. This transport operation is performed in parallel with the powdered medicine removal operation by the medicine removal unit 35 and the cleaning operation by the cleaning device 41.

[0079] In the above description, in the dispersed arrangement mode, each time a pile of powdered medicine for one dose is taken out of the dish portion 32 by the medicine take-out unit 35, the point of each pile is locally cleaned by the cleaning device 41. In addition, after all the powdered medicine is taken out of the distribution dish 31, a cleaning operation may be performed for the entire circumference of the groove 34. In addition, when powdered medicine is put into the dish portion 32 for two or more revolutions, a cleaning operation may be performed for the entire circumference of the groove 34 before one revolution of powdered medicine is taken out of the distribution dish 31 and new powdered medicine is put into the dish portion 32. The cleaning operation for the entire circumference of the groove 34 may be the same as the cleaning operation in the aforementioned entire circumference arrangement mode. Since the cleaning has been performed once, the cleaning operation for the entire circumference of the groove 34 may be performed in a shorter time or in a simplified form than the cleaning operation in the entire circumference arrangement mode. This contributes to shortening the operation time.

[0080] Each of the powdered medicine doses may be administered to a different patient, and may differ in at least one of type and amount.

[0081] In addition to the medicine feeder 21, a powder feeder (not shown) may be provided. The powder feeder includes a trough and an electronic balance. A vibrator for vibrating the trough is provided below the trough. The vibrator may be, for example, a piezoelectric element, but is not limited to this. The operator places the measured amount of powdered medicine in a mobile container (not shown) and sets it in the medicine packaging device 1. The mobile container is transported to the powder feeder, and the powdered medicine in the mobile container is placed in the distribution tray 31 by the powder feeder.

[0082] Next, the re-discharge of powdered medicine in the dispersed arrangement mode will be described.

[0083] Compared with the all-around arrangement mode, in the dispersed arrangement mode, a small amount of powdered medicine is discharged from medicine container 2, so that the discharge accuracy tends to be less stable.

[0084] Specifically, in the dispersed arrangement mode, the medicine container 2 is vibrated to discharge the powdered medicine from the medicine container 2, and the powdered medicine is placed into the groove 34. The change in the weight of the medicine container 2 is monitored, and when the weight of the discharged powdered medicine reaches one dose, the discharge of the powdered medicine from the medicine container 2 is stopped. However, some powdered medicines tend to form clumps in the medicine container 2. If the powdered medicine is discharged in clumps, the amount of powdered medicine discharged from the medicine container 2 may exceed one dose. Also, if the amount of powdered medicine in the medicine container 2 is insufficient, the amount of powdered medicine discharged from the medicine container 2 will be less than one dose.

[0085] In this regard, in the present embodiment, it is possible to configure so that the medicine container 2 is discharged again to the distribution tray 31. In this case, the powdered medicine that has already been put into the distribution tray 31 (the amount discharged is excessive or insufficient) is not packaged by the packaging unit 51 and is collected.

[0086] If the amount of powdered medicine discharged from the medicine container 2 exceeds or is insufficient for one dose, the vibration applied to the medicine container 2 is stopped. If the amount of powdered medicine is insufficient, it is considered that the medicine container 2 is empty of powdered medicine or the outlet of the medicine container 2 is clogged. The medicine packaging device 1 generates a warning in an appropriate manner to prompt the operator to take action such as refilling the medicine container 2 with powdered medicine. This warning can be issued, for example, by a display device provided in the interface unit 91.

[0087] 5 shows an example in which the amount of powdered medicine discharged from medicine container 2 exceeds the amount of powdered medicine for one dose, for pile 5b resulting from the second powdered medicine input from medicine feeder 21. At the timing shown in FIG. 5, control device 95 can recognize that the amount of powdered medicine discharged from medicine feeder 21 has exceeded the limit by referring to the weight measurement result by measuring unit 23.

[0088] In this case, the control device 95 rotates the distribution plate 31 by a small angle and stops it. As a result, the pile 5b of accumulated powdered medicine moves in the circumferential direction as shown in FIG. 6. When the distribution plate 31 rotates, the control device 95 controls the medicine removal section 35 to be in a retracted position. Therefore, the pile 5b of powdered medicine with an excess amount is not collected by the medicine removal section 35. Even if the pile 5b of powdered medicine moves near the medicine removal section 35 as shown in FIG. 6, the medicine removal section 35 does not perform a removal operation. Therefore, the packaging section 51 does not package the pile 5b.

[0089] As the distribution plate 31 rotates as described above, the surface of the groove of the distribution plate 31 on which the pile of powdered medicine is not piled up faces directly below the medicine container 2. After the small angle rotation of the distribution plate 31 is completed and stopped, the application of vibration to the medicine container 2 is resumed. As a result, new powdered medicine is discharged as shown in FIG. 6, and a pile 5c is formed.

[0090] If the above-mentioned re-discharge allows accurate discharge of one dose of powdered medicine from medicine container 2, distribution plate 31 rotates by a small angle. At the timing after pile 5b passes under medicine removal section 35, medicine removal section 35 is controlled to descend again to the removal position. Therefore, pile 5c of powdered medicine based on re-discharge is gathered by medicine removal section 35 as shown in FIG. 7. The powdered medicine is removed by the operation of medicine removal section 35 and placed into hopper 52. The powdered medicine placed into hopper 52 is packaged in packaging section 51.

[0091] Excess pile 5b of powder is collected and removed from groove 34 by a cleaning device 41 as shown in FIG.

[0092] The above-described operation is shown in the form of a chart in FIG. 8. As shown in this graph, multiple piles 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d are formed in sequence by medicine feeder 21. Multiple piles 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d are transported downstream by distribution plate 31, and powdered medicine is removed and cleaned from each pile in an assembly line manner. For pile 5b, which has an inaccurate amount of powdered medicine, removal of powdered medicine by medicine removal unit 35 is skipped. For the other piles 5a, 5c, and 5d, removal of powdered medicine by medicine removal unit 35 is performed as usual.

[0093] Instead of discarding the pile 5b of powdered medicine with an inaccurate amount by the suction unit 45 of the cleaning device 41, the pile 5b of powdered medicine with an inaccurate amount may be configured to be thrown into a container for collecting medicine. In this case, a collecting removal unit separate from the medicine removal unit 35 may be provided in the medicine packaging device 1. The collecting removal unit may have a configuration similar to that of the medicine removal unit 35, but is not limited thereto. The collecting removal unit removes the pile 5b of powdered medicine with an excess or shortage from the distribution tray 31 and throws it into a container for collecting medicine.

[0094] In this embodiment, the powdered medicine with an excessive or insufficient discharge amount is not packaged by the packaging unit 51 and is collected. However, the powdered medicine with an excessive or insufficient discharge amount may also be packaged by the packaging unit 51. In this case, first, the powdered medicine with an accurate amount of input (pile 5a, 5c, 5d) is taken out and packaged. At this time, as shown in the graph of FIG. 8, the powdered medicine with an inaccurate amount of input (pile 5b) is skipped from being taken out. Next, the powdered medicine with an inaccurate amount of input (pile 5b) is taken out and packaged. This allows the powdered medicine to be packaged so that the containers containing the powdered medicine with an accurate amount of input are lined up. Therefore, it is easy to distinguish the containers containing the powdered medicine with an inaccurate amount of input. In addition, packaging may be performed so that an empty packet containing no powdered medicine is formed between the container containing the powdered medicine with an accurate amount of input and the container containing the powdered medicine with an inaccurate amount of input.

[0095] In the above-mentioned configuration, when the medicine feeder 21 feeds powdered medicine from the medicine container 2 in the dispersed arrangement mode, the rotation of the plate portion 32 is stopped. Instead, the powdered medicine can be discharged while rotating the plate portion 32 at a low speed. In this case, the powdered medicine forms a convex portion that extends continuously in an arc shape, rather than a dot-like mountain. This makes it possible to prevent the mountain of powdered medicine formed in the groove 34 from collapsing, even when the amount of powdered medicine fed by the medicine feeder 21 is large. When the amount of powdered medicine fed by the medicine feeder 21 is large, the control device 95 may switch the operation so that the powdered medicine is discharged while rotating the plate portion 32 at a low speed.

[0096] Printing unit 53 included in packaging unit 51 can print, on packaging paper 54, the actual measured value of the weight of one dose of powdered medicine contained in that packaging paper 54. This actual measured value is the weight of the powdered medicine discharged from medicine container 2, and is measured by measuring unit 23. A pharmacist who is an operator can easily audit the packaged powdered medicine by checking the actual measured value of the weight of one dose printed on packaging paper 54.

[0097] Printing unit 53 can also print on packaging paper 54 the theoretical value of one dose of the powdered medicine contained in that packaging paper 54, in addition to the actual measured value. Here, the theoretical value means the weight of the powdered medicine indicated on the prescription. In this case, the pharmacist, who is the worker, can compare the actual measured value with the theoretical value during an audit, without checking the weight of the powdered medicine by the prescription.

[0098] At least one of the actual and theoretical weights of one dose may be output, for example, by printing on journal paper. At least one of the actual and theoretical weights of one dose may also be displayed on a display device provided in the control device 95, thereby realizing output of information.

[0099] When the packaging unit 51 packages powdered medicine with an excessive or insufficient discharge amount, the printing unit 53 can print on the packaging paper 54 a message indicating that the discharge amount of the powdered medicine contained therein is excessive or insufficient. In this case, the pharmacist can easily recognize that the discharge amount is excessive or insufficient. Note that the information printed on the packaging paper 54 is not limited to information regarding the excessive or insufficient discharge amount, and may be, for example, information such as "medication prohibited," "medication not required," "medication recalled," or "X mark."

[0100] As described above, the medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment includes medicine feeder 21, distribution tray 31, medicine removal section 35, packaging section 51, and control device 95. Medicine feeder 21 can supply one dose of powdered medicine to distribution tray 31 at a time. Distribution tray 31 transports one dose of powdered medicine supplied by medicine feeder 21. Medicine removal section 35 removes one dose of powdered medicine transported by distribution tray 31. Packaging section 51 packages the powdered medicine removed by medicine removal section 35. Control device 95 controls medicine removal section 35. Control device 95 determines whether the amount of powdered medicine supplied from medicine feeder 21 to distribution tray 31 matches one dose. If the control device 95 determines that the amount of powdered medicine matches one dose, it controls the drug removal unit 35 to remove the powdered medicine from the distribution tray 31 and send it to the packaging unit 51, and if it determines that the amount does not match one dose, it controls the drug removal unit 35 to skip removing the powdered medicine from the distribution tray 31.

[0101] This allows the powdered medicines whose amounts do not match one dose to be collected, or the powdered medicines whose amounts match one dose to be sent to the packaging unit 51 for packaging, and then the powdered medicines whose amounts do not match one dose to be sent to the packaging unit 51 for packaging.

[0102] In the drug packaging device 1 of this embodiment, when both a quantity of powdered medicine that corresponds to one dose and a quantity of powdered medicine that does not correspond to one dose are supplied from the drug feeder 21 to the distribution tray 31, the control device 95 controls the device to first remove the quantity of powdered medicine that corresponds to one dose and send it to the packaging section 51, and then remove the quantity of powdered medicine that does not correspond to one dose and send it to the packaging section 51.

[0103] This allows powdered medicines whose amounts correspond to one dose and those whose amounts do not correspond to one dose to be handled in an organized manner in the packaging section 51.

[0104] In the drug packaging device 1 of this embodiment, if the control device 95 determines that the amount of powdered medicine supplied from the drug feeder 21 to the distribution tray 31 does not match one dose, it prints specified information on the packaging paper 54 in which the powdered medicine is packaged.

[0105] This makes it easy to check whether the amount of powdered medicine packaged corresponds to one dose by checking the contents printed on packaging paper 54.

[0106] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above configuration can be modified, for example, as follows. Each modification may be made alone, or multiple modifications may be made in any combination.

[0107] The number of drug feeders 21 arranged on the distribution tray 31 is not limited to two, and may be one, or three or more.

[0108] In the dispersed arrangement mode, the supply of powdered medicine to the distribution tray 31 by the medicine feeder 21 and the cleaning by the cleaning device 41 do not necessarily have to be performed simultaneously.

[0109] In the dispersed arrangement mode, the removal of powdered medicine from the distribution tray 31 by the medicine removal section 35 and the cleaning by the cleaning device 41 do not necessarily have to be performed simultaneously.

[0110] When powdered medicine in an amount not corresponding to one dose is discharged two or more times, the two or more piles may be brought together by the medicine removal section 35 and combined into one, which may then be removed and packaged by the packaging section 51.

[0111] A recovery device may be provided separate from the cleaning device 41 for recovering powdered medicine from the distribution tray 31 whose amount does not correspond to a single dose.

[0112] In the packaging section 51, the printing section 53 may be omitted.

[0113] From the above disclosure, at least the following technical ideas can be grasped.

[0114] (Item 1) A drug feeder capable of supplying one dose of powdered medicine to a distribution tray at a time; a distribution tray for conveying the powdered doses provided by the medicine feeder; A medicine removal unit that removes one dose of powdered medicine transported by the distribution tray; A packaging unit that packages the powder medicine taken out by the medicine taking-out unit; A control unit that controls the medicine removal unit; Equipped with The control unit determines whether the amount of powdered medicine supplied from the medicine feeder to the distribution tray corresponds to one dose, and if it determines that it corresponds to one dose, controls the medicine removal unit to remove the powdered medicine from the distribution tray and send it to the packaging unit, and if it determines that it does not correspond to one dose, controls the medicine removal unit to skip removing the powdered medicine from the distribution tray.

[0115] This allows the powdered medicines that do not match the dose to be collected, or the powdered medicines that match the dose can be sent to a packaging unit for packaging, and then the powdered medicines that do not match the dose can be sent to a packaging unit for packaging.

[0116] (Item 2) The drug delivery device according to item 1, A drug dispensing device characterized in that, when both an amount of powdered medicine corresponding to one dose and an amount of powdered medicine not corresponding to one dose are supplied from the drug feeder to the distribution tray, the control unit controls the drug removal unit to remove the amount of powdered medicine corresponding to one dose and send it to the packaging unit, and then to remove the amount of powdered medicine not corresponding to one dose and send it to the packaging unit.

[0117] This allows powder medicines whose amounts correspond to one dose and those whose amounts do not correspond to one dose to be handled separately in the packaging section.

[0118] (Item 3) The drug delivery device according to item 2, A drug dispensing device characterized in that when the control unit determines that the amount of powdered medicine supplied from the drug feeder to the distribution tray does not match one dose, it prints specified information on the packaging material that contains the powdered medicine.

[0119] This makes it easy to check whether the amount of powdered medicine in the package corresponds to one dose by checking the information printed on the package. [Explanation of symbols]

[0120] 1. Drug packaging device (drug distribution device) 21 Drug Feeder 23 Measurement section 31 Distribution plate 35 Drug removal section 41 Cleaning equipment 51 Packaging Department 53 Printing Department 54 Wrapping paper (packaging) 95 Control device (control unit)

Claims

1. a medicine feeder capable of supplying one dose of powdered medicine to a distribution tray at a time; a distribution tray for conveying the powdered doses delivered by the medicine feeder; A medicine taking-out unit that takes out one dose of powdered medicine conveyed by the distribution tray; A packaging unit that packages the powder medicine taken out by the medicine taking-out unit; A control unit; Equipped with The control unit determines whether the amount of powdered medicine supplied from the drug feeder to the distribution tray corresponds to one dose, and if it determines that the amount of powdered medicine supplied from the drug feeder to the distribution tray does not correspond to one dose, prints specified information on the packaging body that packages the powdered medicine.

2. 2. The drug delivery device of claim 1, A drug dispensing device characterized in that, when both an amount of powdered medicine corresponding to one dose and an amount of powdered medicine not corresponding to one dose are supplied from the drug feeder to the distribution tray, the control unit controls the drug removal unit to remove the amount of powdered medicine corresponding to one dose and send it to the packaging unit, and then to remove the amount of powdered medicine not corresponding to one dose and send it to the packaging unit.

3. 3. The drug delivery device of claim 2, The control unit controls the packaging unit to form an empty packet containing no powdered medicine between a storage unit containing an amount of powdered medicine corresponding to one dose and a storage unit containing an amount of powdered medicine not corresponding to one dose.

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