Medicine feeding device

Abstract

To reduce a burden on an operator.SOLUTION: A medicine feeding device includes a plurality of general purpose containers and a storage unit. Each of the general purpose containers can feed a medicine within a certain dimension range. The storage unit stores correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the plurality of general purpose containers and the medicine. The medicine of a feeding object included in prescription data is allotted to a corresponding general purpose container of the plurality of general purpose containers on the basis of the correspondence information stored in the storage unit. The medicine allotted to the corresponding general purpose container is fed from the corresponding general purpose container on the basis of the prescription data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a drug supply device.

Background Art

[0002] As a prior art document disclosing the configuration of a drug supply device, there is Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-203433 (Patent Document 1). In the drug supply device described in Patent Document 1, a specific type of drug set in advance is stored in a tablet case. The drug is discharged from the tablet case in which the drug specified based on the prescription data is stored. Drugs not stored in the tablet case are supplied from a drug feeder having a plurality of storage compartments.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a drug supply device including a dedicated container such as a tablet case in which a specific type of drug set in advance is stored and a drug feeder having a plurality of storage compartments, drugs not stored in the dedicated container must be put into the plurality of storage compartments, which imposes a heavy burden on the operator.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a drug supply device capable of reducing the burden on the operator.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The drug supply device according to the present invention includes a plurality of general-purpose containers and a storage unit. Each of the plurality of general-purpose containers can supply a drug within a certain dimensional range. The storage unit stores correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the plurality of general-purpose containers and the drugs. The drug to be supplied included in the prescription data is assigned to the corresponding general-purpose container among the plurality of general-purpose containers based on the correspondence information stored in the storage unit. The drug assigned to the corresponding general-purpose container is supplied from the corresponding general-purpose container based on the prescription data.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the drug supply device further includes an auxiliary drug supply unit. The auxiliary drug supply unit has a plurality of storage units capable of accommodating drugs in dosage units. The auxiliary drug supply unit sequentially supplies drugs from the plurality of storage units. A drug for which there is no corresponding general-purpose container among the drugs to be supplied is assigned to the auxiliary drug supply unit.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, according to a preset priority condition, a drug with a higher priority is preferentially assigned to the corresponding general-purpose container.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, as the above priority condition, it is set to prioritize a drug with a large total number of doses based on the prescription data.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, as the above priority condition, it is set to prioritize a drug with a large total number of administrations based on the prescription data.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, as the above priority condition, it is set to prioritize a drug for which the number of doses at each administration time based on the prescription data is uneven.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, the burden on the operator can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the following embodiments, the same or corresponding parts in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated. In the following description, a medicine packaging device including a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The medicine supply device is a part of the medicine packaging device and is composed of parts other than the packaging part described later of the medicine packaging device.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a medicine packaging device including a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a medicine packaging device 200 including a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 210, a main medicine supply unit 220, an auxiliary medicine supply unit 270, and a packaging unit 280. Each of the main medicine supply unit 220, the auxiliary medicine supply unit 270, and the packaging unit 280 is housed in the housing 210.

[0016] The medicine packaging device 200 packages medicines based on prescription data. The medicine supply device supplies medicines in dosage units. The packaging unit 280 packages the medicines supplied from the medicine supply device in dosage units.

[0017] The medicine supply device includes a housing 210, a main medicine supply unit 220, and an auxiliary medicine supply unit 270. Each of the main medicine supply unit 220 and the auxiliary medicine supply unit 270 supplies solid medicines. Examples of solid medicines include tablets and capsules.

[0018] The medicine supply device may further include a powder supply unit. The powder supply unit supplies powdery or granular medicines. Examples of powdery or granular medicines include powders and granules.

[0019] The main medicine supply unit 220 includes a specific medicine supply unit 230 and a non-specific medicine supply unit 240. A plurality of dedicated containers 100a are arranged in the specific medicine supply unit 230. A plurality of general-purpose containers 100b are arranged in the non-specific medicine supply unit 240.

[0020] Each of the plurality of dedicated containers 100a contains a preset specific type of medicine. Each of the plurality of dedicated containers 100a can supply the medicines contained therein one by one.

[0021] Each of the plurality of general-purpose containers 100b contains various medicines within a certain dimensional range at different times. That is, the medicines contained in each of the plurality of general-purpose containers 100b can be appropriately changed among various medicines within a certain dimensional range. By using about ten types of general-purpose containers prepared according to the dimensions and shapes of the medicines, most types of medicines can be supplied. Each of the plurality of general-purpose containers 100b can supply the medicines contained therein one by one. Thus, each of the plurality of general-purpose containers 100b can supply medicines within a certain dimensional range.

[0022] In this embodiment, each of the dedicated container 100a and the general-purpose container 100b is provided with an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag as a non-volatile recording medium. The RFID tag 10a of the dedicated container 100a stores dedicated container identification information for identifying the dedicated container 100a and the like. The RFID tag 10b of the general-purpose container 100b stores general-purpose container identification information for identifying the general-purpose container 100b and the like.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of dedicated containers 100a are arranged side by side in the vertical and horizontal directions in the specific drug supply unit 230. In the example shown in FIG. 1, 15 dedicated containers 100a are arranged in 3 rows in the vertical direction and 5 columns in the horizontal direction in the specific drug supply unit 230. Note that the number of dedicated containers 100a that can be arranged in the specific drug supply unit 230 may be more than 15. The number of dedicated containers 100a that can be arranged in the specific drug supply unit 230 may be about 50, may be about 100 or about 200, or may be even more.

[0024] The specific drug supply unit 230 is provided with a plurality of support portions 250 that support the dedicated containers 100a. Each of the plurality of support portions 250 detachably supports the dedicated container 100a. Note that the number of support portions 250 does not have to match the number of dedicated containers 100a. For example, the number of dedicated containers 100a may be more than the number of support portions 250. In this case, the plurality of dedicated containers 100a are appropriately interchanged with each other with respect to the support portions 250 and used.

[0025] The non-specific drug supply unit 240 is provided below the specific drug supply unit 230. In the non-specific drug supply unit 240, a plurality of general-purpose containers 100b are arranged side by side in the vertical and horizontal directions. In the example shown in FIG. 1, in the non-specific drug supply unit 240, five general-purpose containers 100b are arranged in one row in the vertical direction and five rows in the horizontal direction. Note that the number of general-purpose containers 100b that can be arranged in the non-specific drug supply unit 240 may be more than five. The number of general-purpose containers 100b that can be arranged in the non-specific drug supply unit 240 may be about ten, or may be about twenty or about thirty, or may be even more.

[0026] The non-specific drug supply unit 240 is provided with a plurality of support parts 260 for supporting the general-purpose containers 100b. Each of the plurality of support parts 260 detachably supports the general-purpose container 100b. Note that the number of support parts 260 does not have to match the number of general-purpose containers 100b. For example, the number of general-purpose containers 100b may be more than the number of support parts 260. In this case, the plurality of general-purpose containers 100b are appropriately replaced and used with respect to the support parts 260.

[0027] The auxiliary drug supply unit 270 supplies drugs for which neither the corresponding dedicated container 100a nor the corresponding general-purpose container 100b exists. The auxiliary drug supply unit 270 has a plurality of storage parts capable of storing drugs in dosage units. The auxiliary drug supply unit 270 sequentially supplies drugs from the plurality of storage parts.

[0028] The plurality of storage parts are arranged in a matrix. Drugs are directly or indirectly input into each of the plurality of storage parts by manual operation by an operator. Each of the plurality of storage parts has an openable bottom. When the bottom of the storage part is opened, the drug is supplied from the storage part. Note that the above structure of the auxiliary drug supply unit 270 is only an example, and the auxiliary drug supply unit 270 may have a structure different from the above structure as long as it has the same function.

[0029] The packaging unit 280 is provided below the drug supply device. The packaging unit 280 forms a series of packaging bags by sequentially conveying a long packaging material while injecting and heat-sealing the drugs supplied from the drug supply device in dosing units. Each of the series of packaging bags contains the drugs in dosing units.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the general-purpose container according to the present embodiment with a part of the container body cut away. In the present embodiment, since the dedicated container 100a and the general-purpose container 100b have the same or similar structures, the general-purpose container 100b will be described in the following explanation.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, the general-purpose container 100b includes a container body 110, a conveying unit 120, and an entry prevention unit 130. The container body 110 can accommodate a large number of drugs. An identification number is assigned to the container body 110. The identification number is assigned to a location that is easily visible to the operator, for example, on the front surface of the container body 110.

[0032] A general-purpose container identification number is assigned to the container body 110 used as the general-purpose container 100b. A dedicated container identification number is assigned to the container body 110 used as the dedicated container 100a.

[0033] Since the drug contained in the general-purpose container 100b is not fixed to one type, the name of the drug contained is not described on the container body 110 used as the general-purpose container 100b. Since the drug contained in the dedicated container 100a is fixed to one type, the name of the drug contained is described on the container body 110 used as the dedicated container 100a.

[0034] An opening 111 is formed at the upper part of the container body 110. Through the opening 111, the container body 110 is filled with drugs. A lid (not shown) is provided at the upper part of the container body 110. The lid is rotatably provided on the container body 110 so as to open and close the opening 111. A drug outlet is formed at the bottom of the container body 110. Through this outlet, the drugs inside the container body 110 are supplied to the outside.

[0035] The conveying unit 120 is provided inside the container body 110. The conveying unit 120 conveys the medicine inside the container body 110 to the outlet. The conveying unit 120 is rotatably provided inside the container body 110.

[0036] On the outer peripheral portion of the conveying unit 120, a plurality of accommodating spaces 121 are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Each of the plurality of accommodating spaces 121 can accommodate one medicine within a certain dimensional range.

[0037] The medicine inside the container body 110 enters the accommodating space 121 and is accommodated in the accommodating space when the conveying unit 120 is rotated. When the conveying unit 120 is further rotated, the medicine accommodated in the accommodating space 121 is conveyed to the outlet and supplied to the outside from the outlet.

[0038] The entry prevention unit 130 is provided on the container body 110. The entry prevention unit 130 prevents the medicine from entering the accommodating space 121 located above the outlet. Thereby, the medicine can be supplied one by one from the outlet. In other words, it is possible to prevent a plurality of medicines from being undesirably supplied continuously.

[0039] Note that the above structure of the general-purpose container 100b is merely an example, and the general-purpose container 100b may have a structure different from the above structure as long as it has a similar function. Also, the dedicated container 100a does not necessarily have to have the same or similar structure as the general-purpose container 100b, and may have a completely different structure from the general-purpose container 100b.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical connection system of the medicine packaging apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the medicine packaging apparatus 200 further includes an operation unit 291, a code reading unit 292, a display unit 293, a storage unit 294, and a control unit 290. The medicine packaging apparatus 200 may further include a printing unit.

[0041] The control unit 290 is electrically connected to each of the operation unit 291, the code reading unit 292, the display unit 293, and the storage unit 294. The control unit 290 is electrically connected to each of the main drug supply unit 220, the auxiliary drug supply unit 270, and the packaging unit 280.

[0042] The operation unit 291 is operated by an operator who operates the drug packaging device 200. The operation unit 291 is composed of input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel. When the operation unit is operated by the operator, information necessary for packaging drugs using the drug packaging device 200 is input to the control unit 290.

[0043] Examples of information necessary for packaging drugs using the drug packaging device 200 include prescription data based on a prescription and various setting information. These pieces of information may be input from the prescription input device 1, which is an external computer, to the control unit 290.

[0044] The code reading unit 292 reads a code for identifying a drug. The code is described on the container of the drug. Specifically, the code is described on a drug box or a drug bottle, etc. The code is also described on a PTP (Press Through Package) sheet, etc. The code is a barcode or a QR (Quick Response) code (registered trademark), etc. The information read by the code reading unit 292 is input from the code reading unit 292 to the control unit 290.

[0045] The display unit 293 displays various pieces of information. The display unit 293 is composed of a display device such as a liquid crystal monitor.

[0046] The storage unit 294 stores a program for executing various operations of the drug packaging device 200 and stores information necessary for packaging drugs using the drug packaging device 200. The storage unit 294 is a hard disk device or an SSD (Solid State Drive) that stores various data.

[0047] The control unit 290 controls the overall operation of the medicine packaging device 200 based on the program stored in the storage unit 294. The control unit 290 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), and the like. The control unit 290 may be an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor).

[0048] As shown in FIG. 3, each of the plurality of support parts 250 in the specific medicine supply part 230 includes a drive part 251 and an RFID reader / writer 252. The drive part 251 drives the dedicated container 100a. The drive part 251 includes an electric motor. When the dedicated container 100a is mounted on the support part 250, the drive part 251 is connected to the transport part 120 of the dedicated container 100a. The drive part 251 rotates the transport part 120 of the dedicated container 100a.

[0049] The RFID reader / writer 252 reads and writes information to and from the RFID tag 10a of the dedicated container 100a. The RFID reader / writer 252 reads out the dedicated container identification information from the RFID tag 10a of the dedicated container 100a. Instead of the RFID reader / writer 252, a support part 250 may be provided with an RFID reader that can only read information from the RFID tag 10a of the dedicated container 100a.

[0050] Each of the plurality of support parts 260 in the unspecified medicine supply part 240 includes a drive part 261 and an RFID reader / writer 262. The drive part 261 drives the general-purpose container 100b. The drive part 261 includes an electric motor. When the general-purpose container 100b is mounted on the support part 260, the drive part 261 is connected to the transport part 120 of the general-purpose container 100b. The drive part 261 rotates the transport part 120 of the general-purpose container 100b.

[0051] The RFID reader / writer 262 reads and writes information to / from the RFID tag 10b of the general-purpose container 100b. The RFID reader / writer 262 reads out the general-purpose container identification information from the RFID tag 10b of the general-purpose container 100b. Instead of the RFID reader / writer 262, a support unit 260 may be provided with an RFID reader that can only read information from the RFID tag 10b of the general-purpose container 100b.

[0052] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the dedicated container and the general-purpose container and the drug. As shown in FIG. 4, the correspondence information includes correspondence information related to the dedicated container 100a and correspondence information related to the general-purpose container 100b. The correspondence information is stored in the storage unit 294.

[0053] The correspondence information related to the dedicated container 100a is information indicating the correspondence between a plurality of dedicated containers 100a and drugs, and is information indicating the drugs that can be supplied by each of the plurality of dedicated containers 100a. For one dedicated container 100a, one type of drug is associated. Note that the correspondence information indicates that there is no corresponding dedicated container 100a for drugs not associated with the dedicated container 100a.

[0054] The correspondence information related to the general-purpose container 100b is information indicating the correspondence between a plurality of general-purpose containers 100b and drugs, and is information indicating the drugs that can be supplied by each of the plurality of general-purpose containers 100b. For one general-purpose container 100b, one type or a plurality of types of drugs are associated. Note that the correspondence information indicates that there is no corresponding general-purpose container 100b for drugs not associated with the general-purpose container 100b.

[0055] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the correspondence information shows the correspondence between the drug identification information and each of the dedicated container identification information and the general-purpose container identification information.

[0056] In the example shown in FIG. 4, the dedicated container 100a with dedicated container identification information EC1 is associated with the drug with drug identification information M1. The dedicated container 100a with dedicated container identification information EC2 is associated with the drug with drug identification information M2.

[0057] The general-purpose container 100b with general-purpose container identification information UC1 is associated with the drug with drug identification information M3. The dedicated container 100a with dedicated container identification information EC3 is associated with the drug with drug identification information M4. The general-purpose container 100b with general-purpose container identification information UC2 is associated with the drug with drug identification information M5.

[0058] The general-purpose container 100b with general-purpose container identification information UC3 and the general-purpose container 100b with general-purpose container identification information UC4 are associated with the drug with drug identification information M6. The dedicated container 100a with dedicated container identification information EC4 is associated with the drug with drug identification information M7. The general-purpose container 100b with general-purpose container identification information UC1 is associated with the drug with drug identification information M8.

[0059] The general-purpose container 100b with general-purpose container identification information UC3 and the general-purpose container 100b with general-purpose container identification information UC4 are associated with the drug with drug identification information M9. Neither the dedicated container 100a nor the general-purpose container 100b is associated with the drug with drug identification information M10.

[0060] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of drug allocation information indicating the allocation state of drugs to general-purpose containers. As shown in FIG. 5, the drug allocation information is information indicating the allocation state of drugs to each of a plurality of general-purpose containers 100b. The drug allocation information is stored in the storage unit 294.

[0061] Various drugs within a certain dimensional range are allocated to the general-purpose container 100b at different times. That is, the drug allocated to the general-purpose container 100b is not fixed to one type. Note that the drug allocation information indicates that there is no allocated drug for the general-purpose container 100b to which no drug is allocated.

[0062] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the drug allocation information shows the allocation of drug identification information to general-purpose container identification information.

[0063] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the drug of drug identification information M3 is allocated to the general-purpose container 100b of general-purpose container identification information UC1. No drug is allocated to the general-purpose container 100b of general-purpose container identification information UC2. The drug of drug identification information M6 is allocated to the general-purpose container 100b of general-purpose container identification information UC3. No drug is allocated to the general-purpose container 100b of general-purpose container identification information UC4.

[0064] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing operations performed by the drug packaging device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, when prescription data is input, the control unit 290 of the drug packaging device 200 starts the processing operation based on the prescription data.

[0065] First, in step S1, the control unit 290 executes a drug allocation process. The control unit 290 executes a drug allocation process for all the drugs to be supplied included in the prescription data based on the correspondence information stored in the storage unit 294. The specific content of the drug allocation process will be described later.

[0066] The control unit 290 allocates a drug for which there is no corresponding dedicated container 100a to the corresponding general-purpose container 100b. The control unit 290 allocates a drug for which there is no corresponding general-purpose container 100b to the auxiliary drug supply unit 270.

[0067] Next, in step S2, the control unit 290 executes a drug preparation process. The control unit 290 executes a drug preparation process for all the drugs allocated to the general-purpose container 100b and the drugs allocated to the auxiliary drug supply unit 270. Note that the drug preparation process is a preparation step for filling each of the general-purpose container 100b and the auxiliary drug supply unit 270 with the allocated drug so that it can be supplied.

[0068] The control unit 290 causes the display unit 293 to display a list of the drugs assigned to the general-purpose container 100b and the drugs assigned to the auxiliary drug supply unit 270. The operator selects one drug at a time from the list. When a drug is selected by the operator, the control unit 290 causes the display unit 293 to display a filling instruction related to that drug. Note that the drug may be selected from the list when the operation unit 291 is operated by the operator. Alternatively, the drug may be selected from the list when the code reading unit 292 reads the code described on the drug box or drug bottle. In this case, when the code reading unit 292 reads a code of a drug not in the list, it may be displayed on the display unit 293 that the drug specified from the code is not included in the drugs in the list.

[0069] When the drug selected by the operator is assigned to the general-purpose container 100b, the control unit 290 causes the display unit 293 to display the name of the drug, the required number of that drug, and the general-purpose container identification number corresponding to the general-purpose container identification information indicating the general-purpose container 100b to be filled with that drug.

[0070] After confirming the display content on the display unit 293, the operator fills the general-purpose container 100b with the drug. Specifically, the operator prepares the general-purpose container 100b with the general-purpose container identification number attached thereto by referring to the general-purpose container identification number displayed on the display unit 293. When the general-purpose container 100b is mounted on the support unit 260, the operator removes the general-purpose container 100b from the support unit 260.

[0071] While referring to the name of the drug and the required number of the drug displayed on the display unit 293, the operator fills the general-purpose container 100b with the required number of the drug. Then, the operator mounts the general-purpose container 100b on the support unit 260.

[0072] When the general-purpose container 100b is attached to the support part 260, the control part 290 reads out the general-purpose container identification information from the RFID tag 10b of the general-purpose container 100b attached to the support part 260 by the RFID reader 262, and identifies the general-purpose container 100b attached to the support part 260.

[0073] Since the control part 290 can identify the general-purpose container 100b attached to the support part 260 in this way, the operator can attach the general-purpose container 100b to any support part 260.

[0074] When the drug selected by the operator is assigned to the auxiliary drug supply part 270, the control part 290 causes the display part 293 to display the name of the drug and a screen indicating how many of the drugs should be put into which storage part. After the operator confirms the display content of the display part 293, the operator puts the drug into the storage part.

[0075] The control part 290 may cause the printing part to print the filling instructions related to the drug assigned to the general-purpose container 100b and the drug assigned to the auxiliary drug supply part 270 on paper.

[0076] Next, in step S3, the control part 290 executes the drug packaging process. The control part 290 controls the drug supply device and the packaging part 280 based on the prescription data. The control part 290 supplies the drug to be supplied from the storage part of the dedicated container 100a, the general-purpose container 100b, or the auxiliary drug supply part 270.

[0077] That is, the drug assigned to the corresponding dedicated container 100a is supplied from the corresponding dedicated container 100a based on the prescription data. The drug assigned to the corresponding general-purpose container 100b is supplied from the corresponding general-purpose container 100b based on the prescription data. The drug assigned to the auxiliary drug supply part 270 is supplied from the corresponding storage part based on the prescription data.

[0078] The control unit 290 causes the packaging unit 280 to package the drugs supplied from the storage units of the dedicated container 100a, the general-purpose container 100b, and the auxiliary drug supply unit 270 in dose units.

[0079] Next, in step S4, the control unit 290 executes the allocation cancellation process. The control unit 290 cancels the drug allocation to the general-purpose container 100b and the drug allocation to the auxiliary drug supply unit 270. After that, a series of processing operations based on the prescription data are terminated.

[0080] Hereinafter, the drug allocation process according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an allocation method in the drug allocation process according to the present embodiment. The control unit 290 sequentially executes the drug allocation process for all the drugs to be supplied included in the prescription data. At this time, the control unit 290 may execute the drug allocation process in order from the drug with the highest priority according to the preset priority conditions. In this case, according to the preset priority conditions, the general-purpose container 100b corresponding to the drug with the highest priority is preferentially allocated. The priority conditions are stored in the storage unit 294.

[0081] As the priority condition, it may be set to prioritize drugs with a large total number of doses based on the prescription data. In this case, the control unit 290 preferentially executes the drug allocation process for drugs with a large total number of doses.

[0082] For example, in the case of a usage of 3 times a day for 7 days, if it is 1 tablet per time, the total number of doses is 21 tablets, and if it is 2 tablets per time, the total number of doses is 42 tablets. When the prescription data includes a drug with a total number of doses of 21 tablets and a drug with a total number of doses of 42 tablets, the control unit 290 first executes the drug allocation process for the drug with a total number of doses of 42 tablets, and then executes the drug allocation process for the drug with a total number of doses of 21 tablets.

[0083] As a priority condition, it may be set to prioritize drugs with a large total number of administrations based on prescription data. In this case, the control unit 290 preferentially executes the drug allocation process for drugs with a large total number of administrations.

[0084] For example, in the case of a usage instruction of three times a day for seven days, the total number of administrations is 21 times, and in the case of a usage instruction of three times a day for 14 days, the total number of administrations is 42 times. When the prescription data includes a drug with a total number of administrations of 21 times and a drug with a total number of administrations of 42 times, the control unit 290 first executes the drug allocation process for the drug with a total number of administrations of 42 times, and then executes the drug allocation process for the drug with a total number of administrations of 21 times.

[0085] As a priority condition, it may be set to prioritize drugs with uneven numbers of administrations for each administration time based on prescription data. In this case, the control unit 290 preferentially executes the drug allocation process for drugs with uneven numbers of administrations for each administration time.

[0086] For example, a drug prescribed with one tablet in the morning, two tablets at noon, and one tablet in the evening is a drug with uneven numbers of administrations for each administration time. Conversely, a drug prescribed with one tablet in the morning, one tablet at noon, and one tablet in the evening is a drug with equal numbers of administrations for each administration time.

[0087] When the prescription data includes a drug with uneven numbers of administrations for each administration time and a drug with equal numbers of administrations for each administration time, the control unit 290 first executes the drug allocation process for the drug with uneven numbers of administrations for each administration time, and then executes the drug allocation process for the drug with equal numbers of administrations for each administration time.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 7, when starting the drug allocation process, the control unit 290 first determines, in step S11, whether there is a corresponding dedicated container for the drug to be supplied. At this time, the control unit 290 determines based on the correspondence information stored in the storage unit 294.

[0089] In step S11, when the control unit 290 determines that there is a corresponding dedicated container 100a for the drug to be supplied, the drug allocation process ends. In step S11, when the control unit 290 determines that there is no corresponding dedicated container 100a for the drug to be supplied, it proceeds to step S12.

[0090] In step S12, the control unit 290 determines whether there is a corresponding general-purpose container 100b for the drug to be supplied. At this time, the control unit 290 makes the determination based on the correspondence information stored in the storage unit 294.

[0091] In step S12, when the control unit 290 determines that there is a corresponding general-purpose container 100b for the drug to be supplied, it proceeds to step S13. In step S13, the control unit 290 determines whether a drug is allocated to the general-purpose container 100b corresponding to the drug to be supplied. At this time, the control unit 290 makes the determination based on the drug allocation information stored in the storage unit 294.

[0092] In step S13, when the control unit 290 determines that no drug is allocated to the general-purpose container 100b corresponding to the drug to be supplied, it proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the control unit 290 allocates the drug to be supplied to the general-purpose container 100b corresponding to the drug. At this time, the control unit 290 updates the drug allocation information stored in the storage unit 294. Then, the control unit 290 ends the drug allocation process.

[0093] In step S13, there may be a case where there are multiple general-purpose containers 100b corresponding to the drug to be supplied. In this case, the control unit 290 determines whether a drug is allocated to each of the multiple corresponding general-purpose containers 100b in order from the general-purpose container 100b with the highest preset priority according to the preset priority, and the drug to be supplied may be allocated to the first general-purpose container 100b determined not to have a drug allocated.

[0094] Alternatively, the control unit 290 may determine, in the plurality of corresponding general-purpose containers 100b, whether a drug is assigned to each general-purpose container 100b in ascending order of the number of uses so that the number of uses of the general-purpose containers 100b becomes equal, and assign the drug to be supplied to the first general-purpose container 100b that is determined not to have a drug assigned thereto.

[0095] In step S12, when the control unit 290 determines that there is no corresponding general-purpose container 100b for the drug to be supplied, the control unit 290 proceeds to step S15. In step S13, when the control unit 290 determines that a drug is assigned to the general-purpose container 100b corresponding to the drug to be supplied, the control unit 290 proceeds to step S15.

[0096] In step S15, the control unit 290 assigns the drug to be supplied to the auxiliary drug supply unit 270. At this time, the control unit 290 stores information indicating that the drug to be supplied has been assigned to the auxiliary drug supply unit 270 in the storage unit 294. Then, the control unit 290 ends the drug assignment process. In the present embodiment, the drug assignment process is performed as described above.

[0097] In the drug supply device, the general-purpose container 100b and the support unit 260 may have a one-to-one relationship. For example, the general-purpose container 100b and the support unit 260 may be formed with uneven portions that fit together with each other, and a specific support unit 260 may be configured to support only a specific general-purpose container 100b. Further, the general-purpose container 100b does not necessarily have to be detachable from the support unit 260 and may be fixed to the support unit 260.

[0098] When the general-purpose container 100b and the support unit 260 have a one-to-one relationship in this way, the drug to be supplied may be assigned to the support unit 260 of the general-purpose container 100b. In this case, information indicating the correspondence between the support unit 260 of the general-purpose container 100b and the drug may be stored in the storage unit 294 as correspondence relationship information, and information indicating the assignment state of the drug to the support unit 260 of the general-purpose container 100b may be stored in the storage unit 294 as drug assignment information.

[0099] Further, the main drug supply unit 220 may not be divided into a specific drug supply unit 230 and an unspecified drug supply unit 240. That is, the dedicated container 100a and the general-purpose container 100b may be attachable to a common support unit.

[0100] Furthermore, the main drug supply unit 220 may not include the dedicated container 100a and the specific drug supply unit 230, and may include only a plurality of general-purpose containers 100b and the unspecified drug supply unit 240. In this case, the process of step S11 in FIG. 7 is not performed. That is, when starting the drug allocation process, the process proceeds to step S12.

[0101] Also, the drug supply device may not include the auxiliary drug supply unit 270 and may include only the main drug supply unit 220.

[0102] Furthermore, the packaging unit 280 may package the drug using a blister pack. The blister pack is, for example, one in which a plurality of pockets are arranged in a matrix. In this case, the packaging unit 280 inserts the drug supplied in a dosage unit from the drug supply device into each of the plurality of pockets in the blister pack.

[0103] The drug supply device according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of general-purpose containers 100b and a storage unit 294. Each of the plurality of general-purpose containers 100b can supply a drug within a certain dimensional range. The storage unit 294 stores correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the plurality of general-purpose containers 100b and the drug. The drug to be supplied included in the prescription data is assigned to the corresponding general-purpose container 100b among the plurality of general-purpose containers 100b based on the correspondence information stored in the storage unit 294. The drug assigned to the corresponding general-purpose container 100b is supplied from the corresponding general-purpose container 100b based on the prescription data.

[0104] Thereby, by simply filling the general-purpose container 100b with the drug to be supplied in a lump, the drug to be supplied can be supplied based on the prescription data. Therefore, the burden on the operator can be reduced as compared with the case of putting the drug to be supplied into a plurality of storage units.

[0105] In this embodiment, the drug supply device further includes an auxiliary drug supply unit 270. The auxiliary drug supply unit 270 has a plurality of storage units capable of storing drugs in dosage units. The auxiliary drug supply unit 270 sequentially supplies drugs from the plurality of storage units. Drugs for which there is no corresponding general-purpose container 100b among the drugs to be supplied are assigned to the auxiliary drug supply unit 270.

[0106] Thereby, even when there is no general-purpose container 100b corresponding to the drug to be supplied, the drug to be supplied can be supplied. Therefore, it is possible to correspond to various drugs.

[0107] In this embodiment, according to preset priority conditions, drugs with a higher priority are preferentially assigned to the corresponding general-purpose container 100b. Thereby, by preferentially assigning drugs that are time-consuming to put into the plurality of storage units to the general-purpose container 100b, the burden on the operator can be reduced.

[0108] In this embodiment, as the above priority condition, it may be set to prioritize drugs with a large total number of doses based on prescription data. When putting drugs with a large total number of doses into the plurality of storage units, the burden on the operator is greater than when putting drugs with a small total number of doses into the plurality of storage units. Considering this point, by preferentially assigning drugs with a large total number of doses to the general-purpose container 100b, the burden on the operator can be reduced.

[0109] In this embodiment, as the above priority condition, it may be set to prioritize drugs with a large total number of administrations based on prescription data. When putting drugs with a large total number of administrations into the plurality of storage units, the burden on the operator is greater than when putting drugs with a small total number of administrations into the plurality of storage units. Considering this point, by preferentially assigning drugs with a large total number of administrations to the general-purpose container 100b, the burden on the operator can be reduced.

[0110] In this embodiment, as the above priority condition, it may be set to prioritize drugs with uneven numbers of doses for each administration time based on prescription data. When putting drugs with uneven numbers of doses for each administration time into a plurality of storage units, compared with the case of putting drugs with equal numbers of doses for each administration time into a plurality of storage units, input errors are more likely to occur and the burden on the operator increases. Considering this point, by preferentially allocating drugs with uneven numbers of doses for each administration time to general-purpose containers, the burden on the operator can be reduced.

[0111] It should be noted that all the above-described embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all respects and are not a basis for restrictive interpretation. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is not interpreted only by the above-described embodiments, but is defined based on the description of the claims. Also, all changes within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are included.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0112] 1 Prescription input device, 10a, 10b RFID tag, 100a Dedicated container, 100b General-purpose container, 110 Container body, 111 Opening, 120 Conveyor section, 121 Storage space, 130 Entry prevention section, 200 Drug packaging device, 210 Housing, 220 Main drug supply section, 230 Specific drug supply section, 240 Nonspecific drug supply section, 250, 260 Support section, 251, 261 Drive section, 252, 262 Reading section, 270 Auxiliary drug supply section, 280 Packaging section, 290 Control section, 291 Operation section, 292 Code reading section, 293 Display section, 294 Storage section.

Claims

1. A plurality of dedicated containers each containing a specific type of medicine set in advance and capable of supplying the medicine one by one; a plurality of general-purpose containers each capable of dispensing one drug at a time, each of which is within a certain size range and contains various drugs at different times; a storage unit that stores correspondence information indicating a correspondence between the plurality of dedicated containers and the plurality of general-purpose containers and the medicine; Each of the plurality of dedicated containers and the plurality of general-purpose containers includes a container body and a conveying unit provided inside the container body and configured to convey a drug inside the container body to an outlet formed at a bottom of the container body; A plurality of storage spaces each capable of storing one drug are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of the transport section, Each of the plurality of dedicated containers and the plurality of general-purpose containers is configured such that, when the conveying unit is rotated, the medicine contained in the accommodation space is conveyed to the outlet and supplied to the outside from the outlet, When prescription data is input, a drug to be supplied that is included in the prescription data and does not have a corresponding dedicated container is assigned to a corresponding general-purpose container among the plurality of general-purpose containers based on the correspondence relationship information stored in the storage unit; A drug supply device in which, based on the prescription data, drugs for which a corresponding dedicated container exists are supplied from the corresponding dedicated container, and drugs for which a corresponding dedicated container does not exist and which are assigned to the corresponding general-purpose container are supplied from the corresponding general-purpose container.

2. Further comprising a display unit, The medicine supply device according to claim 1 , wherein the display unit displays a list of medicines assigned to the general-purpose containers.

3. The drug supply device according to claim 2 , wherein when a drug is selected from the list, a filling instruction for the selected drug is displayed on the display unit.

4. The drug supply device according to claim 3 , wherein the display unit displays, as the filling instruction, a name of the drug, a required number of the drug, and general-purpose container identification information indicating a general-purpose container into which the drug should be filled.

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