Pharmacy work support system

Abstract

To make work of taking a medicine from a medicine chest and placing the medicine on a tray by a user correct.SOLUTION: A pharmacy work support system 1 includes: a storage 10 that stores a medicine chest B storing a medicine A; a desk 20 in which the medicine A is taken out from the medicine chest B by a user U; a tray 80 on which the medicine A taken out from the medicine chest B is placed by the user U; and a support mechanism P that supports work of taking out the medicine A from the medicine chest B and placing the medicine A on the tray 80 by the user U.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a dispensing work support system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an automated warehouse in which the operation of taking out medicines from the warehouse is automated. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-316308 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The warehouse stores medicine boxes containing medicines. A user receives a medicine box from the warehouse. The user then takes out medicines from the medicine box and places the medicines on a tray.

[0005] The user's task of removing medicines from a medicine box and placing them on a tray is complicated and prone to errors.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above points, and its purpose is to enable a user to accurately perform the task of taking medicines from a medicine box and placing them on a tray. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The dispensing work support system according to the present disclosure includes a warehouse in which medicine boxes containing medicines are stored, a desk on which users remove the medicines from the medicine boxes, a tray on which the users place the medicines removed from the medicine boxes, and a support mechanism that supports the users in removing the medicines from the medicine boxes and placing them on the tray.

[0008] According to this configuration, the user can accurately take out the medicines from the medicine box and place them on the tray.

[0009] In one embodiment, the desk is provided with a plurality of input ports leading to the tray, the medicines are placed on the tray through the input ports, the tray is divided into a plurality of compartments corresponding to the medicines, the support mechanism includes a plurality of shutters that open and close the input ports, and a controller that determines the medicine to be input into the input port, the plurality of shutters corresponding to the plurality of compartments in the tray, and the shutter corresponding to the medicine determined by the controller to be input into the input port is opened.

[0010] With this configuration, the medicine can be more reliably placed in the compartment of the tray that corresponds to the medicine.

[0011] In one embodiment, the input port is open on the top surface of the desk, and the tray is positioned below the input port.

[0012] According to this configuration, the medicine can be dropped by gravity from the inlet toward the tray, and placed in the corresponding compartment of the tray, making it easy to handle.

[0013] In one embodiment, the shutter includes a door and a hinge, and the door closes downward and opens upward from the hinge.

[0014] According to this configuration, the shutter can be configured with a simple structure.

[0015] In one embodiment, the shutter includes a metal member provided on the underside of the door and a magnet positioned below the door, and the metal member is attracted to the magnet, thereby holding the door in a downward closed position.

[0016] With this configuration, the door will not open by itself at any slot other than the corresponding slot, thereby preventing operational errors by the user.

[0017] In one embodiment, the shutter includes a lifting mechanism that is positioned below the door and pushes the door upward, and the door is opened upward by the lifting mechanism pushing the door upward against the attractive force between the metal member and the magnet.

[0018] With this configuration, the door can be easily opened upward.

[0019] In one embodiment, the shutter includes a suction pad that is positioned below the door and receives the underside of the door when the door closes downward, and a sensor that measures the suction force of the suction pad on the door, and the controller determines whether the door is open or closed based on the suction force measured by the sensor.

[0020] With this configuration, it is possible to know whether the door is properly closed.

[0021] In one embodiment, the assistance mechanism includes a display device that displays information to the user about the medication to be placed on the tray.

[0022] According to this configuration, the user only needs to follow the information about the medicine displayed on the display device, thereby preventing operational errors by the user.

[0023] In one embodiment, the support mechanism includes a transport device that transports the medicine box containing the medicine between the warehouse and the desk, and the transport device includes a medicine box sending mechanism that sends the medicine box containing the medicine from the warehouse to the desk, and a medicine box return mechanism that returns the medicine box from the desk to the warehouse after the medicine has been removed at the desk.

[0024] This configuration simplifies the user's work compared to when the user manually transports the medicine box between the warehouse and the desk.

[0025] In one embodiment, the support mechanism includes an inspection device that inspects the type or number of the medications removed from the medicine box, the medications being held on a sheet, and the inspection device includes an imaging unit that images the medications held on the sheet, and a determination unit that determines the type or number of the medications based on the image of the medications captured by the imaging unit.

[0026] According to this configuration, the inspection device can prevent the user from placing the wrong type or number of medicines on the tray.

[0027] In one embodiment, the inspection device includes a memory unit that stores information about the drug for each type of drug, and the determination unit determines the type or number of the drug by matching an image of the drug captured by the imaging unit to the information about the drug stored in the memory unit.

[0028] According to this configuration, the type or number of medicines can be determined based on the information about the medicines stored in the storage unit, so the type or number of medicines can be inspected more accurately.

[0029] In one embodiment, the information about the medication includes a shape pattern of the medication.

[0030] According to this configuration, the type or number of medicines can be determined based on the shape pattern, and therefore the type or number of medicines can be inspected more accurately. [Effects of the Invention]

[0031] According to the present disclosure, the user can accurately perform the task of removing medicines from a medicine box and placing them on a tray. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a dispensing work support system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows the area around the desk in the dispensing work support system. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows the flow of medication between the warehouse and the desk. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows the shutter and tray. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows the detailed structure of the shutter. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows the underside of the door of the shutter. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows an outline of the inspection using the inspection device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its applications, or its uses.

[0034] (Pharmacy dispensing support system) FIG. 1 shows a dispensing work support system 1. FIG. 2 shows the periphery of a desk 20 (described later) in the dispensing work support system 1. The dispensing work support system 1 is applied to, for example, a pharmacy. Note that pharmacies include not only independently operated pharmacies but also those attached to clinics or hospitals. The dispensing work support system 1 is a system for supporting work related to drug A by a user U.

[0035] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the dispensing work support system 1 includes a warehouse 10, a desk 20, a conveying device 30, multiple shutters 40, a display device 50, an inspection device 60, a reader 70, a tray 80, and a controller 90.

[0036] The transport device 30, the shutter 40, the display device 50, the inspection device 60, the reader 70, and the controller 90 constitute a support mechanism P. In other words, the dispensing work support system 1 includes the support mechanism P. The support mechanism P includes the transport device 30, the shutter 40, the display device 50, the inspection device 60, the reader 70, and the controller 90.

[0037] (warehouse) Warehouse 10 is an automated warehouse. Warehouse 10 stores medicine boxes B containing medicine A. Different types of medicine A are stored in warehouse 10. Different types of medicine A are stored in different types of medicine boxes B. As will be described in detail later, medicine boxes B stored in warehouse 10 are sent to desk 20.

[0038] (desk) As shown in FIG. 2, the desk 20 is a table. In this example, the desk 20 is rectangular. The desk 20 extends horizontally. The top surface 21 of the desk 20 faces upward Z1 in the vertical direction. The medicine box B is sent from the warehouse 10 to the top surface 21 of the desk 20. The top surface 21 of the desk 20 receives the medicine box B sent from the warehouse 10. On the top surface 21 of the desk 20, the user U takes out medicine A from the medicine box B.

[0039] The desk 20 is provided with a plurality of insertion ports 22. The insertion ports 22 open to the upper surface 21 of the desk 20. Specifically, the upper surface 21 of the desk 20 includes a first upper surface 21a and a second upper surface 21b. The second upper surface 21b is recessed downward in the up-down direction Z2 relative to the first upper surface 21a. The insertion ports 22 open to the second upper surface 21b. The insertion ports 22 communicate with a cavity 23 (see FIG. 5) inside the desk 20.

[0040] (Transportation device) 2, the conveying device 30 includes a medicine box sending mechanism 31 and a medicine box returning mechanism 32. The conveying device 30 is placed on the upper surface 21 of the desk 20 (specifically, the first upper surface 21a). The conveying device 30 is a two-stage structure with an upper and lower stage. In the conveying device 30, the medicine box sending mechanism 31 is arranged in the upper stage Z1, and the medicine box returning mechanism 32 is arranged in the lower stage Z2. The medicine box sending mechanism 31 and the medicine box returning mechanism 32 are each composed of a conveyor mechanism (for example, a belt conveyor mechanism or a roller conveyor mechanism).

[0041] 3 shows the flow of medicine A between the warehouse 10 and the desk 20. A transport device 30 transports a medicine box B containing medicine A between the warehouse 10 and the desk 20. A medicine box sending mechanism 31 sends the medicine box B containing medicine A from the warehouse 10 to the desk 20. A medicine box returning mechanism 32 returns the medicine box B from the desk 20 to the warehouse 10 after the required amount of medicine A has been taken out at the desk 20.

[0042] (tray) FIG. 4 shows the shutter 40 and the tray 80. The tray 80 is divided into a plurality of compartments 80a by partition walls. In this example, the tray 80 is divided into six compartments 80a, 2x3. The compartments 80a in the tray 80 correspond to a plurality of medications A. In detail, the compartments 80a in the tray 80 correspond to the types, usages, quantities, etc. of the plurality of medications A.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 2, the tray 80 is disposed in a cavity 23 (see Fig. 5) inside the desk 20. A conveyor mechanism (e.g., a belt conveyor mechanism or a roller conveyor mechanism) is disposed in the cavity 23 inside the desk 20. The tray 80 is placed on the conveyor mechanism in the cavity 23 inside the desk 20.

[0044] The tray 80 is disposed below Z2 the insertion port 22 that opens on the upper surface 21 (more specifically, the second upper surface 21b) of the desk 20. The insertion port 22 is connected to the tray 80. The user U places the medicine A taken out from the medicine box B on the desk 20 on the tray 80. The medicine A is placed on the tray 80 through the insertion port 22 of the desk 20.

[0045] (shutter) As described above, FIG. 4 shows the shutters 40 and the tray 80. The shutters 40 are provided on the upper surface 21 (more specifically, the second upper surface 21b) of the desk 20. The shutters 40 open and close the input ports 22 in the desk 20. The shutters 40 correspond to the compartments 80a in the tray 80. There are six shutters 40, 2 x 3, corresponding to the six compartments 80a in the tray 80, 2 x 3. Each shutter 40 is located above Z1 a corresponding compartment 80a in the tray 80. In other words, each compartment 80a in the tray 80 is located below Z2 a corresponding shutter 40.

[0046] Fig. 5 shows a detailed structure of the shutter 40. Fig. 6 shows a bottom surface 41b of a door 41 (described later) in the shutter 40. The shutter 40 includes the door 41, a hinge 42, a magnet 43, a metal member 44, a suction pad 45, a sensor 46, and a push-up mechanism 47.

[0047] The door 41 is configured as a rectangular plate having long and short sides. When the door 41 is closed, the upper surface 41a of the door 41 faces upward Z1, and the lower surface 41b of the door 41 faces downward Z2. When the door 41 is closed, the upper surface 41a of the door 41 is flush with the second upper surface 21b of the desk 20.

[0048] The door 41 is made up of a resin plate 41c and a frame 41d. The resin plate 41c is a rectangular plate and is transparent. The frame 41d is a rectangular frame and surrounds the periphery of the resin plate 41c.

[0049] The hinge 42 connects one short side of the door 41 to the second top surface 21b of the desk 20. The hinge 42 extends along the short side of the door 41. The door 41 closes downward Z2 and opens upward Z1 from the hinge 42.

[0050] The magnet 43 is arranged at a position Z2 below the door 41. The magnet 43 is arranged at a position Z2 below the insertion slot 22. Specifically, the magnet 43 is fixed to a recess 25 that is recessed downward Z2 from the second upper surface 21b of the desk 20. The recess 25 is arranged to surround the periphery of the insertion slot 22. The lower surface 41b of the door 41 contacts the recess 25 of the desk 20.

[0051] The metal member 44 penetrates the door 41 in the thickness direction. The metal member 44 is embedded in the frame 41d of the door 41 from the lower surface 41b side. The metal member 44 also serves as a metal pin. The metal member 44 is made of a magnetic metal (for example, iron or copper).

[0052] When the door 41 is closed, the metal member 44 provided on the lower surface 41b of the door 41 comes into contact with the magnet 43 that is arranged below the door 41 in Z2 (specifically, that is fixed to the recess 25 of the desk 20). The metal member 44 is attracted to the magnet 43. As the metal member 44 is attracted to the magnet 43, the door 41 is held in a closed state below Z2.

[0053] The suction pad 45 is disposed below the door 41 in the Z2 direction. The suction pad 45 is disposed below the insertion opening 22 in the Z2 direction. The suction pad 45 is fixed to a bracket 24 provided on the inner wall of the cavity 23 below the insertion opening 22 in the Z2 direction. The suction pad 45 is fixed to the upper surface of the bracket 24. The bracket 24 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and extends in the vertical direction. The suction pad 45 may be connected to a vacuum pump (not shown). The suction pad 45 receives the lower surface 41b of the door 41 when the door 41 is closed in the downward Z2 direction.

[0054] The sensor 46 is a pressure sensor. The sensor 46 is disposed below the door 41 at Z2. The sensor 46 is disposed below the insertion slot 22 at Z2. Specifically, the sensor 46 is attached inside the desk 20 (below the top surface 21 of the desk 20 at Z2 and inward from the side wall of the desk 20) ​​(see FIG. 2). The sensor 46 measures the suction force F1 applied to the door 41 by the suction pad 45 when the door 41 is closed.

[0055] The push-up mechanism 47 is a cam mechanism. The push-up mechanism 47 is arranged below the door 41 at Z2. The push-up mechanism 47 is arranged below the insertion opening 22 at Z2. The push-up mechanism 47 is fixed to the inner wall of the cavity 23 located below the insertion opening 22 at Z2. The push-up mechanism 47 is composed of a cam plate 47a and a rotary cylinder (not shown). Note that a motor may be used instead of the rotary cylinder.

[0056] Cam plate 47a is a generally rectangular plate with a rounded portion, and is asymmetric with respect to rotation axis 47b. Cam plate 47a has an arc portion 47c and a flat portion 47d on its periphery. Cam plate 47a has arc portion 47c and flat portion 47d on opposite sides of rotation axis 47b, 180° apart. The distance between the outer end of arc portion 47c and rotation axis 47b is greater than the distance between the outer end of flat portion 47d and rotation axis 47b.

[0057] The rotary cylinder rotates the cam plate 47a. The rotary cylinder changes the position of the cam plate 47a between an open position in which the arc portion 47c faces upward Z1 and the flat portion 47d faces downward Z2, and a closed position in which the flat portion 47d faces upward Z1 and the arc portion 47c faces downward Z2. In the open position, the arc portion 47c facing upward Z1 is positioned higher in the Z1 direction than the flat portion 47d facing upward Z1 in the closed position. When the arc portion 47c of the cam plate 47a faces upward Z1 (in the open position), the push-up mechanism 47 pushes up the door 41 upward Z1.

[0058] The push-up mechanism 47 pushes up the door 41 in the upward direction Z1 against the attractive force F2 between the metal member 44 and the magnet 43, thereby opening the door 41 in the upward direction Z1. When the arc portion 47c of the cam plate 47a faces the upward direction Z1 (in the open position), the arc portion 47c of the cam plate 47a pushes up the door 41 in the upward direction Z1 against the attractive force F2 between the metal member 44 and the magnet 43, thereby opening the door 41 in the upward direction Z1.

[0059] When the flat portion 47d of the cam plate 47a faces upward Z1 (when in the closed position), the flat portion 47d of the cam plate 47a does not push the door 41 upward Z1, so that the door 41 is closed downward Z2 by the attractive force F2 between the metal member 44 and the magnet 43.

[0060] (display device) The display device 50 is placed on the upper surface 21 (specifically, the first upper surface 21a) of the desk 20. The display device 50 displays drug information 52 related to the drug A to be placed on the tray 80 to the user U on the display 51. The drug information 52 includes, for example, the type, quantity, and usage of the drug A.

[0061] The user U takes out the required amount of medicine A from the medicine box B while referring to the medicine information 52 displayed on the display 51 of the display device 50, and places the medicine A in the tray 80.

[0062] (Leader) The reader 70 is embedded in the top surface 21 (specifically, the first top surface 21a) of the desk 20. The reader 70 reads a code (for example, a barcode or a QR code (registered trademark)) attached to the medicine box B. The code contains information about the medicine A. The information about the medicine A read by the reader 70 may be displayed as medicine information 52 on the display 51 of the display device 50.

[0063] (controller) The controller 90 is configured with, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MCU (Micro Controller Unit). The controller 90 executes a predetermined program using the CPU or MCU. The program is stored in a memory. The memory may be built into the controller 90 or may be provided externally to the controller 90. The controller 90 may be configured with one unit or multiple units.

[0064] The controller 90 controls each component in the dispensing work support system 1. The controller 90 receives information about a prescription for a certain patient as input. Based on the input information about the prescription, the controller 90 outputs the type, usage, quantity, etc. of drug A required for the patient.

[0065] The controller 90 determines the type, usage, quantity, etc. of the drug A required for the patient, which should be inserted into the insertion port 22 of the desk 20, based on the information on the output prescription and the inspection results of the inspection device 60. The controller 90 controls the push-up mechanism 47 of the shutter 40 based on the determination result regarding the drug A determined to be inserted into the insertion port 22. The door 41 of the shutter 40 corresponding to the drug A determined by the controller 90 to be inserted into the insertion port 22 is opened by the push-up mechanism 47. On the other hand, the door 41 of the shutter 40 corresponding to the drug A not determined by the controller 90 to be inserted into the insertion port 22 is not opened by the push-up mechanism 47.

[0066] The determination result regarding the drug A to be inserted into the insertion port 22 may be displayed on the display 51 of the display device 50.

[0067] The controller 90 determines whether the door 41 is open or closed based on the suction force F1 of the suction pad 45 on the door 41 measured by the sensor 46. When the suction force F1 input from the sensor 46 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the controller 90 determines that the door 41 is closed. When the suction force F1 input from the sensor 46 is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the controller 90 determines that the door 41 is open.

[0068] The determination result regarding the opening and closing of the door 41 may be displayed on the display 51 of the display device 50.

[0069] (Inspection equipment) 7 shows an outline of inspection by inspection device 60. Inspection device 60 is placed on top surface 21 (specifically, first top surface 21a) of desk 20. Inspection device 60 inspects the type k or number n of drugs A taken out from medicine box B at desk 20. Inspection device 60 may inspect both the type k and number n of drugs A, or may inspect only one of the two, or may inspect both and other attributes (such as usage).

[0070] Here, the medicine A is held in a sheet C. In this example, a PTP (Press Through Pack) packaging sheet is used as the sheet C. In this example, 10 medicines A are held in the sheet C. In this example, the medicine A has a perfect circular shape.

[0071] The inspection device 60 includes an inspection table 61 (see FIG. 2), an imaging unit 62, a storage unit 63, and a determination unit 64. The inspection table 61 is a table on which the drug A held on the sheet C is placed.

[0072] The imaging unit 62 is, for example, a camera. The imaging unit 62 is disposed above Z1 with respect to the examination table 61 (see FIG. 2). The imaging unit 62 captures an image of the drug A placed on the examination table 61 and held on a sheet C. The imaging unit 62 obtains an image G of the drug A held on the sheet C.

[0073] The imaging unit 62 captures a two-dimensional or three-dimensional image of the drug A held on the sheet C, and then further processes the image into two dimensions. For example, a pattern projection method, a light section method, a white light interference method, or the like may be applied. In addition, in order to suppress distortion of the image G due to the curvature of the sheet C, curvature correction may be performed on the image G.

[0074] The storage unit 63 stores information H about the drug A for each type k of the drug A. The type k of the drug A includes, for example, the shape and color of the drug A. The information H about the drug A includes a shape pattern Ha of the drug A as a parameter.

[0075] The shape pattern Ha is also referred to as a shape parameter. Examples of the shape pattern Ha include area, volume, circularity, major axis, acicularity, the ratio of the major (long) axis to the minor (short) axis, and eccentricity. In addition, the information Ha regarding the drug A may include, for example, the color pattern of the drug A. The color pattern is also referred to as a color parameter. Examples of the color pattern include an average gray level and a maximum gray level.

[0076] In this example, the storage unit 63 stores, as information H about the drug A, perfect circle drug information H1 about the perfect circle-shaped drug A and elliptical drug information H2 about the elliptical-shaped drug A. Note that the storage unit 63 may store, as information H about the drug A, information other than the perfect circle drug information H1 and the elliptical drug information H2.

[0077] The perfect circle medicine information H1 includes a shape pattern H1a relating to the perfect circle medicine A. The oval medicine information H2 includes a shape pattern H2a relating to the oval medicine A.

[0078] In this example, in the information H on the drug A stored in the storage unit 63 (circular drug information H1 and oval drug information H2), the number of drugs A is 10.

[0079] The determination unit 64 determines the type k or the number n of drugs A based on the image G of the drugs A captured by the imaging unit 62. Specifically, the determination unit 64 determines the type k or the number n of drugs A by applying the image G of the drugs A captured by the imaging unit 62 to the information H about the drugs A stored in the storage unit 63.

[0080] Whether to call up the circular drug information H1 or the elliptical drug information H2 from the storage unit 63 as the information H related to the drug A is determined based on the information about the prescription input from the controller 90 to the inspection device 60. In this example, the circular drug information H1 is called up from the storage unit 63 as the information H related to the drug A.

[0081] In this example, the determination unit 64 determines the type k or the number n of drugs A by applying the image G of drug A captured by the imaging unit 62 to the perfect circle drug information H1 regarding the perfect circle drug A retrieved from the storage unit 63. The determination unit 64 compares the image G of drug A captured by the imaging unit 62 with the perfect circle drug information H1 regarding the perfect circle drug A retrieved from the storage unit 63 to determine the degree of agreement between the two and determine the type k or the number n of drugs A.

[0082] Once the type k of drug A is determined, the shape of drug A is also determined. Therefore, the type k of drug A is inspected by matching the image G of drug A captured by the imaging unit 62 with the perfect circle drug information H1 regarding the perfect circle drug A retrieved from the storage unit 63 and determining the degree of match between the two. The number n of drugs A is also inspected by matching the image G of drug A captured by the imaging unit 62 with the perfect circle drug information H1 regarding the perfect circle drug A retrieved from the storage unit 63 and determining the degree of match between the two.

[0083] When the degree of match between the image G of the drug A captured by the imaging unit 62 and the perfect circle drug information H1 regarding the perfect circle drug A retrieved from the memory unit 63 is high, the type n and number n of the drug A are likely to be the same as those related to the perfect circle drug information H1 (10 perfect circle drugs A). In this case, the controller 90 determines that there is no error in the determination of the type n and number n of the drug A by the inspection device 60, and outputs this. The user U can confirm this and place the drug A on the tray 80.

[0084] On the other hand, when the degree of match between the image G of drug A captured by the imaging unit 62 and the perfect circle drug information H1 regarding the perfect circle drug A retrieved from the memory unit 63 is low, the type n and quantity n of drug A are likely to differ from those associated with the perfect circle drug information H1 (i.e., the drug A is not a perfect circle or the number of drugs is not 10). In this case, the controller 90 determines that there is an error in the determination of the type n and quantity n of drug A by the inspection device 60, and outputs this. The user U may visually re-inspect the type n and quantity k of drug A.

[0085] The degree of correspondence between the image G of drug A captured by the imaging unit 62 and the perfect circle drug information H1 regarding the perfect circle drug A retrieved from the memory unit 63 is determined, for example, by comparing whether the shape pattern Ha calculated from the image G of drug A captured by the imaging unit 62 falls between the lower limit value and the upper limit value of the shape pattern H1a in the perfect circle drug information H1 regarding the perfect circle drug A retrieved from the memory unit 63.

[0086] When the oval drug information H2 is called from the storage unit 63 as the information H about the drug A, the same process as that for the circular drug information H1 is carried out.

[0087] The storage unit 63 and the determination unit 64 may be provided in the inspection device 60 main body or in the controller 90 .

[0088] (Support organization) As described above, the transport device 30, the shutter 40, the display device 50, the inspection device 60, the reader 70, and the controller 90 constitute the support mechanism P. The support mechanism P supports the user U in the task of taking out the medicine A from the medicine box B and placing it on the tray 80.

[0089] (Action and effect) According to this embodiment, the support mechanism P supports the user U in the task of taking out the medicine A from the medicine box B and placing it on the tray 80. This allows the user U to quickly and accurately perform the task of taking out the medicine A from the medicine box B and placing it on the tray 80.

[0090] In particular, since most of the support mechanism P is provided on the upper surface 21 of the desk 20, most of the work performed by the user U while being supported by the support mechanism P can be completed on the desk 20.

[0091] The shutter 40 corresponding to the drug A determined by the controller 90 to be inserted into the insertion port 22 of the desk 20 is opened, so that the drug A can be more reliably placed in the compartment 80a of the tray 80 corresponding to the drug A. This makes it possible to prevent the drug A from being placed in the wrong compartment 80a of the tray 80.

[0092] Since the insertion port 22 opens on the top surface 21 of the desk 20 and the tray 80 is positioned below the insertion port 22 at Z2, the drug A can be dropped by gravity from the insertion port 22 toward the tray 80, and the drug A can be placed in the corresponding compartment 80a of the tray 80, making it easy to handle.

[0093] In the shutter 40, the door 41 closes downward Z2 and opens upward Z1 from the hinge 42, so that the shutter 40 can be configured with a simple structure.

[0094] The metal member 44 and the magnet 43 are attracted to each other, so that the door 41 is held in a closed state downward Z2, and the door 41 will not open by itself except at the corresponding insertion port 22, thereby preventing operational errors by the user U.

[0095] The push-up mechanism 47 pushes up the door 41 in the upward direction Z1 against the attractive force F2 between the metal member 44 and the magnet 43, so that the door 41 can be easily opened in the upward direction Z1.

[0096] The controller 90 determines whether the door 41 is open or closed based on the suction force F1 of the suction pad 45 on the door 41 measured by the sensor 46, so the user U can know whether the door 41 is properly closed.

[0097] When the door 41 is closed, the upper surface 41a of the door 41 is flush with the second upper surface 21b (upper surface 21) of the desk 20, so that the user U is prevented from opening the door 41 inadvertently.

[0098] The user U only needs to follow the drug information 52 about the drug A displayed on the display 51 of the display device 50, so that the user U can be prevented from making mistakes in the operation.

[0099] Since the medicine box B is transported between the warehouse 10 and the desk 20 by the transport device 30 (the medicine box sending mechanism 31 and the medicine box returning mechanism 32), the work by the user U becomes simpler, faster, and more accurate than when the user U manually transports the medicine box B between the warehouse 10 and the desk 20. Work errors by the user U can be prevented.

[0100] The inspection device 60 can prevent the user U from placing the medicine A on the tray 80 with the wrong type k or number n of the medicine A.

[0101] In the inspection device 60, the determination unit 64 determines the type k or the number n of drugs A by applying the image G of drug A captured by the imaging unit 62 to the information H about drug A stored in the storage unit 63. This allows the type k or the number n of drugs A to be determined based on the information H about drug A stored in the storage unit 63, so that the type k or the number n of drugs A can be inspected more accurately.

[0102] The information H about the drug A includes a shape pattern Ha of the drug A. Since the type k or the number n of the drug A can be determined based on the shape pattern Ha, the type k or the number n of the drug A can be inspected more accurately.

[0103] (Other embodiments) Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, such description is not limiting, and it goes without saying that various modifications, substitutions, or combinations are possible.

[0104] The shutter 40 may be of a sliding type, for example, a sliding door, instead of a hinge type in which the door 41 opens and closes around the hinge 42.

[0105] The insertion slot 22 may not open on the top surface 21 of the desk 20, but may open on the back shelf of the desk 20, for example.

[0106] The sensor 46 may be of a light reflection type or a type that uses a spring rod to detect position (so-called seat occupancy detection). [Industrial Applicability]

[0107] The present disclosure is applicable to a dispensing work support system, and is therefore extremely useful and has high industrial applicability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] Z1 upper Z2 downward P support organization U User F1 Adsorption force F2 suction power Drug A B Medicine Box C Seat k types n number G Image H information H1 Perfect Circle Drug Information H2 Oval Drug Information Ha-shaped pattern H1a Shape Pattern H2a Shape pattern 1. Dispensing support system 10 Warehouse 20 desks 21 Top side 21a 1st top surface 21b 2nd top surface 22 Inlet 23 Cavity 24 Bracket 25 recess 30 Conveyor device 31 Medicine box feeding mechanism 32 Medicine box return mechanism 40 Shutter 41 Door 41a Top side 41b Bottom side 41c Resin board 41d frame 42 Hinge 43 Magnet 44 Metallic parts 45 suction pad 46 Sensors 47 Push-up mechanism 47a Cam plate 47b Rotation axis 47c Arc section 47d flat area 50 Display device 51 Display 52 Drug Information 60 Inspection equipment 61 Examination table 62 Imaging unit 63 Memory section 64 Judgment section 70 Leader 80 trays Section 80a 90 Controller

Claims

1. a warehouse in which medicine boxes containing medicines are stored; a desk where the medications are removed from the medicine box by a user; a tray on which the user places the medicine taken out from the medicine box; and a support mechanism that supports the user in removing the medicine from the medicine box and placing it on the tray.

2. The desk is provided with a plurality of input ports that lead to the tray, The medicine is placed on the tray through the inlet, The tray is divided into a plurality of compartments corresponding to a plurality of the medicines, The support mechanism includes: A plurality of shutters for opening and closing the insertion port; a controller for determining the medicine to be injected into the injection port; the plurality of shutters correspond to a plurality of compartments in the tray; The dispensing support system according to claim 1 , wherein the shutter corresponding to the medicine determined by the controller to be inserted into the insertion port is opened.

3. The insertion port is open on the top surface of the desk, The dispensing support system according to claim 2 , wherein the tray is disposed below the insertion port.

4. The shutter includes a door and a hinge, The dispensing support system according to claim 3 , wherein the door closes downward and opens upward about the hinge.

5. the shutter includes a metal member provided on a lower surface of the door and a magnet disposed below the door, The dispensing support system according to claim 4 , wherein the metal member is attracted to the magnet, thereby holding the door in a downward closed state.

6. the shutter includes a lifting mechanism that is disposed below the door and pushes the door upward; The dispensing operation support system according to claim 5 , wherein the door is opened upward by the lifting mechanism lifting the door upward against the attractive force between the metal member and the magnet.

7. the shutter includes a suction pad that is disposed below the door and receives a bottom surface of the door when the door is closed downward, and a sensor that measures a suction force of the suction pad on the door, The dispensing operation support system according to claim 4 , wherein the controller determines whether the door is open or closed based on the suction force measured by the sensor.

8. The dispensing support system according to claim 1 , wherein the support mechanism includes a display device that displays information about the medicines to be placed on the tray to the user.

9. the support mechanism includes a transport device that transports the medicine box containing the medicine between the warehouse and the desk; The conveying device is a medicine box transport mechanism that transports the medicine box containing the medicine from the warehouse to the desk; 7. The dispensing support system according to claim 1, further comprising: a medicine box return mechanism that returns the medicine box from the desk to the warehouse after the medicines have been removed at the desk.

10. The support mechanism includes an inspection device that inspects the type or number of the medicines taken out from the medicine box, The drug is held in a sheet, The inspection device includes: an imaging unit that images the medicine held on the sheet; The dispensing operation support system according to claim 1 , further comprising: a determination unit that determines the type or number of the medicines based on the image of the medicines captured by the imaging unit.

11. the testing device includes a storage unit that stores information about the drug for each type of the drug, The dispensing work support system according to claim 10, wherein the determination unit determines the type or number of the medication by applying the image of the medication captured by the imaging unit to information about the medication stored in the memory unit.

12. The dispensing support system according to claim 11 , wherein the information about the medicine includes a shape pattern of the medicine.

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