Drug dispensing device and returned drug management device

Abstract

The present invention provides a chemical dispensing device with a simple configuration that allows for the illumination of a light in a desired chemical storage compartment among multiple chemical storage compartments where chemicals are set. [Solution] The chemical dispensing device 10 comprises a plurality of chemical storage units 4, a chemical extraction head 8, an acrylic rod 25, and a light source unit 22. The plurality of chemical storage units 4 have a front and a back opposite to the front, and chemicals are set in them. The chemical extraction head 8 is positioned to be movable on the back side of the plurality of chemical storage units 4 and extracts the desired chemical 9 from the chemical storage units 4. The acrylic rod 25 is mounted in a position corresponding to each individual chemical storage unit 4, visible from both the back and front of the chemical storage unit 4, and transmits light. The light source unit 22 is provided on the chemical extraction head 8 and irradiates light from the back side of the chemical storage unit 4 toward the acrylic rod 25.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to, for example, a medicine dispensing device that is installed to improve the efficiency of hospital operations, reads information attached to the outer surface of the medicine being transported, and discharges the desired medicine, and a returned medicine management device that manages the returned medicines.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in hospitals and the like, a medicine dispensing device has been used in which medicines (ampoules, vials, probottles, kits, bags, etc.) are filled in cassettes and the medicines are dispensed to one carrier (tray) according to the prescription for each patient. This medicine dispensing device can automatically align the medicines required for each patient in the carrier by introducing the desired medicine into the carrier conveyed from the upstream side and sequentially conveying it to the downstream side.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a medicine dispensing device including a device main body, a storage container attached to the device main body so that a plurality of blister packages in which medicines are individually packaged are stored in a stacked state and the overlapping direction of the blister packages is in the horizontal direction, a dispensing member movably provided on the device main body that moves to the storage container and discharges the stored blister packages, a gripping member that grips and conveys the blister packages discharged by the dispensing member, and a cutting member that cuts off the fractional part from the blister packages gripped and conveyed by the gripping member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the conventional configuration described above has the following problems. In other words, in the drug dispensing device disclosed in the above-mentioned publication, a light-emitting section is provided on the front end surface of the casing, and light from an LED provided on the main body of the device is irradiated onto it. As a result, by irradiating the light-emitting section with the LED, it is possible to notify, for example, of drug shortages or abnormalities.

[0006] However, while this configuration eliminates the need for electrical components and wiring on the cassette side, it required installing LEDs on the sides of each of the multiple cassettes that contained multiple medications. Therefore, this configuration could lead to problems such as increased costs due to the installation of light sources and wiring in each of the multiple cassettes, and an increase in the weight of the chemical storage section. The object of the present invention is to provide a chemical dispensing device that, with a simple configuration, can illuminate a light in a desired chemical storage section among a plurality of chemical storage sections in which chemicals are set. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The first invention relates to a chemical dispensing device that dispenses a desired chemical from among multiple chemicals set in multiple chemical storage compartments, and comprises multiple chemical storage compartments, a chemical dispensing unit, a light-transmitting member, and a light source unit. Each of the multiple chemical storage compartments has a front and a back opposite to the front, and chemicals are set in each compartment. The chemical dispensing unit is movably positioned on the back side of the multiple chemical storage compartments and dispenses the desired chemical from the chemical storage compartments. The light-transmitting member is mounted in a position corresponding to each individual chemical storage compartment, visible from both the back and front of the chemical storage compartments, and transmits light. The light source unit is provided in the chemical dispensing unit and irradiates light from the back side of the chemical storage compartments toward the light-transmitting member.

[0008] Here, for example, when the number of drugs remaining in a drug storage unit falls below a predetermined number (including zero), light is shone from a light source unit located in a movable drug retrieval unit on the rear side via a light-transmitting member located at a position corresponding to the drug storage unit, so that it can be visually confirmed from the front side which drug storage unit needs to be refilled. The light-transmitting member may be attached to the chemical storage unit, or it may be attached to a shelf or the like in which the chemical storage unit is housed. This allows a single light source to move together with the chemical dispensing unit on the back side of the chemical storage unit, thereby illuminating a light-transmitting member located at a position corresponding to the desired chemical storage unit. As a result, with a simple configuration, it is possible to illuminate a specific chemical storage compartment among multiple chemical storage compartments where chemicals are placed.

[0009] The second invention relates to a chemical dispensing device, which is the same as the first invention, wherein the light source unit irradiates light onto a light-transmitting member from the back side of the chemical storage unit according to the remaining amount of chemical inside the chemical storage unit. This allows, for example, when the number of remaining chemicals in a chemical storage compartment falls below a predetermined number (including zero), light is shone from a light source located in a movable chemical retrieval section on the rear side onto a light-transmitting member, making it possible to visually identify from the front which chemical storage compartment needs additional chemicals.

[0010] The chemical dispensing device according to the third invention is the chemical dispensing device according to the second invention, further comprising a chemical detection unit for detecting chemicals discharged from a chemical storage unit. This allows the remaining amount of chemicals in the chemical storage unit to be recognized by detecting the number of chemicals discharged from the unit.

[0011] The chemical dispensing device according to the fourth invention is a chemical dispensing device according to the third invention, further comprising a control unit that controls a light source unit that irradiates a light-transmitting member with light according to the detection result in the chemical detection unit. This allows the light source that irradiates the light-transmitting member to be controlled, thereby enabling the light-transmitting member located at a position corresponding to a desired chemical storage section to be illuminated according to the remaining amount of chemicals in the chemical storage section.

[0012] The chemical dispensing device according to the fifth invention is a chemical dispensing device according to the third invention, further comprising a display unit that prompts the replenishment of chemicals when the chemical detection unit detects the remaining amount of chemicals inside the chemical storage unit. This allows the chemical detection unit to display a message on the display unit prompting the replenishment of chemicals in the chemical storage unit based on the detection result of the remaining amount of chemicals inside the chemical storage unit.

[0013] The chemical dispensing device according to the sixth invention is the chemical dispensing device according to the fourth invention, wherein the control unit controls the light source unit to irradiate a light-transmitting member with light while moving the chemical dispensing unit on the back side of a plurality of chemical storage units. This allows the drug dispensing unit to move between multiple drug storage units and illuminate light-transmitting members located at positions corresponding to each unit, thereby simultaneously notifying that the remaining quantity of drugs in each unit is below a predetermined number.

[0014] The seventh invention relates to a chemical dispensing device, which is the same as the sixth invention, wherein the control unit controls the light source unit to irradiate a light-transmitting member with light while moving the chemical dispensing unit on the back side of a plurality of chemical storage units within a predetermined time limit. This allows the drug retrieval unit and light source unit to be controlled so that light is emitted from the light source unit while the unit moves between multiple drug storage units for a predetermined period of time. As a result, it is possible to notify, for example, that the number of remaining drug storage units is below a predetermined number for a predetermined period of time.

[0015] The eighth invention relates to a chemical dispensing device, which is the same as the fourth invention, wherein the control unit controls the light source unit to irradiate the light-transmitting member with light from the light source unit when it detects an abnormality in the chemical storage unit. As a result, the occurrence of an abnormality in the medicine storage section can be notified via the light transmission member.

[0016] The medicine dispensing device according to the ninth invention is the medicine dispensing device according to the fourth invention, wherein the control unit controls the light source unit so as to switch between lighting and blinking according to the state of the medicine in the medicine storage section. As a result, according to the state of the medicine in the medicine storage section (for example, remaining quantity, abnormality, expiration date, etc.), it is possible to switch the lighting / blinking of the light transmission member provided at the position corresponding to the medicine storage section.

[0017] The medicine dispensing device according to the tenth invention is the medicine dispensing device according to the fourth invention, wherein the control unit controls the light source unit so as to switch the color of the light to be lit according to the state of the medicine in the medicine storage section. As a result, according to the state of the medicine in the medicine storage section (for example, remaining quantity, abnormality, expiration date, etc.), by switching the lighting color of the light transmission member provided at the position corresponding to the medicine storage section, the state of the medicine can be notified by the lighting color.

[0018] The medicine dispensing device according to the eleventh invention is the medicine dispensing device according to the first or second invention, wherein the light source unit has an optical fiber that locally irradiates the light transmission member with light. As a result, by using the optical fiber for pinpoint irradiation so that the light irradiated from the light source unit to the light transmission member does not diffuse, it is possible to irradiate the light transmission member with a sufficient amount of light.

[0019] The medicine dispensing device according to the twelfth invention is the medicine dispensing device according to the first or second invention, wherein the medicine extraction unit conveys the medicine taken out from the medicine storage section to a predetermined position. As a result, in addition to taking out the medicine from the medicine storage section, the medicine extraction unit can also function as a conveyance unit.

[0020] The drug dispensing device according to the 13th invention is the drug dispensing device according to the 1st or 2nd invention, and the drug storage unit is provided in a state where it can be pulled out to the front side. Thereby, when the number of drugs inside the drug storage unit becomes less than or equal to a predetermined amount (including zero), the drug storage unit can be pulled out to the front side and easily replenished.

[0021] The drug dispensing device according to the 14th invention is the drug dispensing device according to the 1st or 2nd invention, and the light transmissive member is a rod-shaped member made of acrylic. Thereby, by forming the light transmissive member using acrylic, which is a material with a low cost, it is possible to light up light in a desired drug storage unit with a simple configuration.

[0022] The returned drug management device according to the 15th invention is a returned drug management device that classifies and sets returned drugs in a plurality of drug storage units, and includes a plurality of drug storage units, a drug setting unit, a light transmissive member, and a light source unit. The plurality of drug storage units have a front surface and a back surface opposite to the front surface, and the returned drugs are set therein. The drug setting unit is arranged in a movable state on the back side of the plurality of drug storage units and sets the returned drugs in a desired drug storage unit. The light transmissive member is attached at a position corresponding to each drug storage unit in a state where it can be visually recognized from the back and front of the drug storage unit and transmits light. The light source unit is provided in the drug setting unit and irradiates light from the front side of the drug storage unit toward the light transmissive member. Here, for example, when the number of drugs in the drug storage unit where the returned drugs are set reaches a predetermined number, light is irradiated from the light source unit provided in the drug setting unit that is movable on the back side through the light transmissive member provided at a position corresponding to the drug storage unit so that it can be visually recognized from the front side which drug storage unit is full of drugs.

[0023] Note that the light transmissive member may be attached to the drug storage unit or may be attached to a shelf or the like on which the drug storage unit is stored. This allows a single light source to move together with the chemical set unit on the back side of the chemical storage unit, thereby illuminating a light-transmitting member located at a position corresponding to the desired chemical storage unit. As a result, with a simple configuration, it is possible to illuminate a specific chemical storage compartment among multiple chemical storage compartments where chemicals are placed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to the chemical dispensing device of the present invention, with a simple configuration, it is possible to illuminate a desired chemical storage section among a plurality of chemical storage sections in which chemicals are set. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0025] [Figure 1] A front view of a chemical dispensing device equipped with a chemical dispensing device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the front side of the drug dispensing device with the front door open. [Figure 3] This diagram illustrates the main components of the chemical dispensing device shown in Figure 1, including the chemical dispensing head that dispenses chemicals from the chemical storage section. [Figure 4] Figure 3 illustrates the process by which chemicals are extracted from the chemical storage section by the chemical extraction head. [Figure 5] A control block diagram showing the configuration of the chemical dispensing device 10 in Figure 1. [Figure 6] This diagram shows the light-emitting and light-receiving units for detecting chemicals discharged when chemicals are removed from the chemical storage compartment shown in Figure 4. [Figure 7] Figure 4 shows the state when the remaining amount of chemicals in the chemical storage section has reached zero, and the light source is illuminated, shining light onto the end of the acrylic rod on the chemical storage section side. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the display screen that appears on the display unit when a chemical supply runs out in the chemical dispensing device shown in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0026] A chemical dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 8. In this embodiment, unnecessary details may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily verbose and to facilitate understanding for those skilled in the art. Furthermore, the applicant provides the accompanying drawings and the following description so that those skilled in the art may fully understand the present invention, and not intends to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0027] (1) Configuration of the chemical dispensing device 10 As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the drug dispensing device 10 according to this embodiment comprises a main body case 1, a front door 2 that can be opened and closed on the front of the main body case 1, a plurality of cassette mounting ports 3 provided inside the main body case 1 when the front door 2 is opened, a drug storage section 4 mounted in the cassette mounting ports 3, a tray 5, tray storage sections 6 and 7, and a drug dispensing head (drug dispensing section) 8.

[0028] On the left side of the drug dispensing device 10, as shown in Figure 1, there is a tray storage section 6 for storing multiple empty trays 5 for dispensing the drugs 9. On the right side of the drug dispensing device 10, there is a tray storage section 7 for storing the trays 5 containing the dispensed drugs 9. In other words, the empty tray 5 that was stored in the tray storage unit 6 is transferred from the tray storage unit 6 to the lower part of the cassette mounting port 3 shown in Figure 2. Then, based on the prescription information, the medicine 9 that was stored in the medicine storage unit 4 is placed into the tray 5, and then it is transferred to the tray storage unit 7 for storage.

[0029] More specifically, as described above, tray 5 is moved to the bottom of the cassette loading port 3 (see Figure 2) and waits until the loading of the medication 9, which is to be dispensed based on the prescription information, is complete. In this waiting state, the medication 9, which is picked up by the medication dispensing head 8 that is movable on the back side of the medication storage unit 4 based on the prescription information, is loaded into tray 5, which is located at the bottom, via the storage pocket 12, as shown in Figure 3.

[0030] Note that although Figure 3 shows multiple drug retrieval heads 8 for retrieving the drug 9 from the desired drug storage section 4, this indicates that a single drug retrieval head 8 is movable on the rear side of the drug storage section 4, and does not mean that multiple drug retrieval heads 8 are arranged. As shown in Figure 2, the chemical storage section 4 is provided on the front side of the chemical dispensing device 10 in a retractable manner, and the chemicals 9 are replenished from the front side. As shown in Figure 3, the chemical storage section 4 has a dispensing lever 4a that can rotate downwards, located opposite the chemical dispensing head 8.

[0031] Furthermore, each of the multiple chemical storage units 4 is set in the cassette mounting port 3, and as shown in Figure 3, an acrylic rod (light-transmitting member) 25, which will be described later, is attached to each of the cassette mounting ports 3 into which the chemical storage units 4 are set. The acrylic rod (light-transmitting member) 25 is a rod-shaped member made of acrylic with high light transmittance, and is attached to the shelf side on which each chemical storage unit 4 is set, so as to communicate from the front side to the back side of the chemical storage unit 4. The acrylic rod 25 is illuminated by light emitted from the light source unit 22, which will be described later.

[0032] As shown in Figure 3, the drug retrieval head 8 is positioned in a movable manner on the back side of multiple drug storage units 4. Based on the prescription information, it moves to a position opposite the drug storage unit 4 that contains the drug 9 to be retrieved, and retrieves the desired drug 9. The drug retrieval head 8 then transports the drug 9 retrieved from the drug storage unit 4 to a predetermined position (tray 5).

[0033] As shown in Figure 4, the dispensing lever 4a of the chemical storage section 4 is operated by the operation section 8a of the chemical dispensing head 8 moving forward toward the chemical storage section 4 from which the desired chemical 9 is to be dispensed and rotating downward in the figure. When the dispensing lever 4a is operated by the operation section 8a, the dispensing lever 4a rotates clockwise in the figure, and one unit of chemical 9 stored in the chemical storage section 4 is dispensed. The chemical 9 dispensed from the chemical storage section 4 then falls toward the storage pocket 12 located at the bottom of the chemical dispensing head 8.

[0034] At this time, the discharged chemical 9 is read by rotating the barcode printed on the chemical label attached to the outer surface of the chemical 9, and after comparing it with information stored on a server or the like, it is discharged into the storage pocket 12. The chemical 9 that falls into the storage pocket 12 is then temporarily stored in the storage pocket 12. After that, as shown in Figure 3, the chemical dispensing head 8 moves to directly above the tray 5 located at the bottom, and the chemical 9 is dispensed from the storage pocket 12 into the tray 5 waiting below the chemical dispensing head 8.

[0035] As described above, the drug dispensing device 10 dispenses the desired drug 9 into the tray 5 based on the prescription information issued for each patient. Furthermore, the drug dispensing device 10 includes a control unit 20 generated within a PC (Personal Computer). The control unit 20 is equipped with input means and display means, such as a touch panel on the display screen of the display unit 13.

[0036] The touch panel screen of the display unit 13 displays the control status and operation instructions for the drug dispensing device 10. The user then operates the touch panel screen of the display unit 13 to cause the drug dispensing device 10 to perform the desired operation via the control unit 20. As shown in Figure 5, the control unit 20 is connected to the aforementioned drug dispensing head 8, the light-emitting unit 11a and light-receiving unit 11b, the display unit 13, the prescription information acquisition unit 21, the light source unit 22, and the storage unit 23.

[0037] As described above, the drug dispensing head 8 is positioned on the rear side of the drug storage unit 4 in a movable manner. The drug dispensing head 8 is controlled by the control unit 20 to move to a position facing the desired drug storage unit 4 based on prescription information, to dispense the desired drug 9 from the drug storage unit 4, and to transport it to the tray 5. The light-emitting unit (chemical detection unit) 11a and the light-receiving unit (chemical detection unit) 11b are configured, for example, using a sensor fiber, and are positioned opposite the removal lever 4a as shown in Figure 4, to detect the chemical 9 that is removed from the chemical storage unit 4 and falls into the storage pocket 12.

[0038] As shown in Figure 6, the light-emitting unit 11a is positioned near the outlet (removal lever 4a) for the chemicals 9 that are discharged one by one from the chemical storage unit 4, and irradiates light onto the light-receiving unit 11b which is positioned opposite it. As shown in Figure 6, the light-receiving unit 11b is positioned opposite the light-emitting unit 11a so as to sandwich the chemical 9 discharged from the chemical storage unit 4 together with the light-emitting unit 11a.

[0039] The display unit 13 is controlled by the control unit 20 to display a message prompting the replenishment of the chemical 9 when the light-emitting unit (chemical detection unit) 11a and the light-receiving unit (chemical detection unit) 11b detect that the chemical inside the chemical storage unit 4 is depleted. The control unit 20 detects that the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 11b has decreased to below a predetermined threshold and determines that the chemical 9 has been discharged from the chemical storage unit 4.

[0040] The prescription information acquisition unit 21 acquires prescription information issued by a physician for each patient and entered by a pharmacist or other professional. The light source unit 22 is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and is provided on the chemical dispensing head 8. The light source unit 22 is controlled by the control unit 20 to irradiate light from the back side of the chemical storage unit 4 toward the acrylic rod 25.

[0041] More specifically, the light source unit 22 irradiates light onto the acrylic rod 25 from the back side of the chemical storage unit 4, according to the remaining amount of chemicals 9 inside the chemical storage unit 4. Furthermore, the light source unit 22 has an optical fiber that irradiates light locally onto the acrylic rod 25. The memory unit 23 stores, for example, prescription information, information on the drugs 9 stored in the drug storage unit 4, and the control program for the drug dispensing device 10.

[0042] <Control when the amount of chemicals remaining in the chemical storage unit 4 is insufficient> In the chemical dispensing device 10 of this embodiment, the control unit 20 controls the light source unit 22 to move the chemical dispensing head 8 to a position facing the chemical storage unit 4, as shown in Figure 7, according to the detection result in the light receiving unit (chemical detection unit) 11b, and to irradiate the acrylic rod 25 with light.

[0043] In other words, the control unit 20 determines that the number of chemicals 9 stored in the chemical storage unit 4 has become zero (the chemicals are depleted) if it can no longer detect the chemicals 9 being discharged from the chemical storage unit 4, that is, if there is no change in the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 11b during operation by the chemical extraction head 8. The control unit 20 then shines light from the optical fiber 22a of the light source unit 22 provided in the chemical extraction head 8 toward the rear end of the acrylic rod 25 which is positioned close to the now empty chemical storage unit 4.

[0044] This allows the user to easily recognize when the amount of chemical 9 remaining in the chemical storage compartment 4 is zero, when viewed from the front. Furthermore, by directing the light emitted by the light source unit 22 towards the back end of the acrylic rod 25 via the optical fiber 22a, it is possible to prevent the light from diffusing to areas other than the end of the acrylic rod 25.

[0045] Furthermore, the light source unit 22 is not provided for each chemical storage unit 4, but rather one is provided for a single chemical dispensing head 8. This allows the user to be notified when the amount of chemicals remaining in the chemical storage unit 4 falls below a predetermined number, using a simple configuration consisting of a single light source unit 22 and an acrylic rod 25. Furthermore, if multiple chemical storage units 4 become empty of chemicals 9, the control unit 20 controls the light source unit 22 to irradiate the rear end of the acrylic rod 25 with light while moving the chemical extraction head 8 on the rear side of the multiple empty chemical storage units 4.

[0046] As a result, even if multiple chemical storage units 4 have a remaining amount of chemical 9 below a predetermined number, a single chemical dispensing head 8 can be moved to the back side of the chemical storage unit 4, and light can be shone from the light source unit 22 toward the back end of the acrylic rod 25. This allows the multiple empty chemical storage units 4 to be recognized from the front side via the highly light-transmitting acrylic rod 25.

[0047] At this time, the control unit 20 controls the light source unit 22 to irradiate the acrylic rod 25 with light while moving the chemical dispensing head 8 on the back side of the multiple chemical storage units 4 within a predetermined time limit. This allows the drug extraction head 8 and the light source unit 22 to be controlled to irradiate light from the light source unit 22 while moving between multiple drug storage units 4 for a predetermined period of time, thereby enabling notification, for example, that the remaining number of drug storage units 4 is below a predetermined number, for a predetermined period of time only.

[0048] Here, the control unit 20, upon detecting an abnormality in the chemical storage unit 4, controls the light source unit 22 to irradiate the acrylic rod 25 with light. Furthermore, abnormalities in the chemical storage unit 4 include, for example, blockage of chemicals 9, malfunction of the chemical storage unit 4, etc. This allows for notification of any abnormality in the chemical storage section 4 to be transmitted to the front side via the acrylic rod 25.

[0049] The control unit 20 controls the light source unit 22 to switch between lighting and flashing according to the state of the chemicals 9 in the chemical storage unit 4. This allows the system to notify the user of any problems with the chemicals 9 in the chemical storage section 4 by changing the state of the acrylic rod 25, which is located at a position corresponding to the chemical storage section 4, according to the state of the chemicals 9 in the chemical storage section 4.

[0050] The status of the chemicals 9 in the chemical storage section 4 refers to, for example, the remaining quantity of chemicals 9, whether there are any abnormalities such as blockages, and the expiration date of chemicals 9. Furthermore, the control unit 20 may control the light source unit 22 to switch the color of the light that is illuminated according to the state of the chemicals 9 in the chemical storage unit 4. This allows the state of the chemicals 9 in the chemical storage section 4 to be indicated by the color of the illuminating acrylic rod 25, which is located at a position corresponding to the chemical storage section 4, in accordance with the state of the chemicals 9 in the chemical storage section 4.

[0051] Here, when the control unit 20 detects that the chemical storage unit 4 has run out of chemicals (zero remaining amount), it controls the display unit 13 to display the display screen shown in Figure 8. In other words, when a drug depletion occurs, the display screen of the display unit 13 will show, as shown in Figure 8, the device name (Ampoule / Vial Unit 2), drug type (10mL ampoule), cassette no. (85), number of cassettes (1), maximum replenishment quantity (20), replenishment quantity (0), the area to which the drug storage unit 4 that has run out of drug belongs (Area 4 on the left in the figure), and other operation buttons.

[0052] Therefore, while users could recognize which area's chemical storage unit 4 was out of chemicals based solely on this display, it was unclear which specific chemical storage unit 4 within that area was out of chemicals. Therefore, in the chemical dispensing device 10 of this embodiment, if the chemical runs out, a light source unit 22 provided on the movable chemical dispensing head 8 on the rear side irradiates light from the rear side of the chemical storage unit 4 toward the rear end of the acrylic rod 25. This allows the user to easily identify which chemical storage unit 4 is out of chemicals by checking which acrylic rod 25 is lit from the front.

[0053] <Key Features> The chemical dispensing device 10 of this embodiment is a device that takes out and discharges a desired chemical 9 from among a plurality of chemicals 9 set in a plurality of chemical storage units 4, and comprises a plurality of chemical storage units 4, a chemical dispensing head 8, an acrylic rod 25, and a light source unit 22. The plurality of chemical storage units 4 have a front and a back opposite to the front, and the chemicals 9 are set in them. The chemical dispensing head 8 is positioned in a movable manner on the back side of the plurality of chemical storage units 4 and takes out the desired chemical 9 from the chemical storage unit 4. The acrylic rod 25 is mounted in a position corresponding to each individual chemical storage unit 4 so that it can be seen from the back and front of the chemical storage unit 4, and transmits light. The light source unit 22 is provided on the chemical dispensing head 8 and irradiates light from the back side of the chemical storage unit 4 toward the acrylic rod 25.

[0054] As a result, a single light source 22 moves together with the chemical dispensing head 8 on the back side of the chemical storage unit 4, thereby illuminating the acrylic rod 25 located at a position corresponding to the desired chemical storage unit 4. As a result, with this simple configuration, it is possible to illuminate a desired chemical storage unit 4 among the multiple chemical storage units 4 in which the chemical 9 is set.

[0055] [Other embodiments] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. (A) In the above embodiments, for example, an example of applying the present invention to a drug dispensing device that dispenses desired drugs according to prescription information was described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0056] For example, the present invention may be applied to a returned medication management device that stores returned medications in a medication storage cassette. In this case, the returned medication is stored in a medication storage cassette, and when the cassette is full of medication, the light source is emitted to notify the user. This allows the light source to illuminate the light-transmitting member and notify the user not only when the amount of medicine remaining in the medicine storage compartment of the medicine dispensing device falls below a predetermined amount, but also when the medicine storage compartment of the returned medicine management device becomes full.

[0057] (B) In the above embodiment, when the chemical storage unit 4 is found to be out of stock (zero remaining), an example was described in which light is irradiated from a light source unit 22 attached to a movable chemical dispensing head 8 on the back side of the chemical storage unit 4 toward the acrylic rod 25. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in addition to checking for depletion of chemicals in the chemical storage section, the system may also be configured to irradiate a light-transmitting member (acrylic rod) from the light source depending on the presence or absence of various abnormalities, the type of chemical, etc.

[0058] (C) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the acrylic rod 25, as a light-transmitting member, is attached to the shelf side where each chemical storage section 4 is set. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a light-transmitting member such as an acrylic rod may be attached to the chemical storage section 4.

[0059] (D) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which a light-emitting unit 11a and a light-receiving unit 11b, both composed of optical fibers, were used as a chemical detection unit for detecting the chemical 9 discharged from the chemical storage unit 4. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the configuration may include detecting chemicals discharged from the chemical storage unit using other sensors or the like.

[0060] (E) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which, when the remaining amount of chemicals 9 in the chemical storage section 4 becomes zero, light is irradiated from the light source 22 onto the acrylic rod 25 located at the position corresponding to the chemical storage section 4. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, to prompt replenishment of the chemicals in the chemical storage section when the remaining quantity is 1, 2, or 3 or less, before it reaches zero, the configuration may involve irradiating light from the light source towards the light-transmitting member.

[0061] (F) In the above embodiment, an example was given in which the control unit 20 is provided inside the drug dispensing device 10. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the control unit may be provided as a separate device, such as an external server, that is connected to the drug dispensing device in a manner that enables communication.

[0062] (G) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which a single movable chemical dispensing head 8 located on the rear side of the chemical storage section 4 is used to dispense a desired chemical 9 from the chemical storage section 4. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, if there are many drug storage compartments and it is inefficient to cover all of them with a single drug dispensing unit (drug dispensing head), a configuration with multiple drug dispensing units divided into areas may be used.

[0063] (H) In the above embodiment, an example was given in which an acrylic rod 25 was used as the light-transmitting member that is irradiated with light from the light source unit 22. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, instead of a rod-shaped member, a member of a different shape, such as a block-shaped member, may be used as the light-transmitting member.

[0064] <Note> The chemical dispensing device related to Technology 1 is A chemical dispensing device that takes out and discharges a desired chemical from among multiple chemicals set in multiple chemical storage compartments, It has a front and a back opposite to the front, and comprises multiple chemical storage compartments (cassettes) into which the chemicals are set, A drug retrieval unit (transport unit) is movably positioned on the rear side of multiple drug storage units and retrieves the desired drug from the drug storage unit, A light-transmitting member is attached to a position corresponding to each individual chemical storage unit, in a manner visible from the rear and front of the chemical storage unit, and transmits light. A light source unit is provided in the aforementioned drug dispensing section and irradiates light from the rear side of the drug storage section toward the light-transmitting member, It is equipped with.

[0065] The chemical dispensing device relating to Technology 2 is the chemical dispensing device relating to Technology 1, The light source unit irradiates light onto the light-transmitting member from the back side of the chemical storage unit, according to the remaining amount of chemical inside the chemical storage unit. The chemical dispensing device relating to Technology 3 is the chemical dispensing device relating to Technology 2, The system further includes a chemical detection unit (fiber sensor) for detecting the chemicals discharged from the chemical storage unit.

[0066] The chemical dispensing device relating to Technology 4 is the chemical dispensing device relating to Technology 3, The system further includes a control unit that controls the light source unit, which irradiates the light-transmitting member with light, according to the detection result in the chemical detection unit. The chemical dispensing device relating to Technology 5 is the chemical dispensing device relating to Technology 3, The system further includes a display unit that, when the chemical detection unit detects the remaining amount of the chemical inside the chemical storage unit, displays a message prompting the replenishment of the chemical.

[0067] The chemical dispensing device relating to Technology 6 is the chemical dispensing device relating to Technology 4, The control unit controls the light source unit to irradiate the light-transmitting member with light while moving the chemical dispensing unit on the back side of the plurality of chemical storage units. The chemical dispensing device relating to Technology 7 is a chemical dispensing device relating to Technology 4 or 6, The control unit controls the light source unit to irradiate the light-transmitting member with light while moving the chemical dispensing unit on the back side of the plurality of chemical storage units within a predetermined time limit.

[0068] The chemical dispensing device relating to Technology 8 is a chemical dispensing device relating to any one of Technologies 4, 6, and 7, When the control unit detects an abnormality in the chemical storage unit, it controls the light source unit to irradiate the light-transmitting member with light from the light source unit. The chemical dispensing device relating to Technology 9 is a chemical dispensing device relating to any one of Technologies 4, 6 to 8, The control unit controls the light source unit to switch between lighting and flashing according to the state of the chemicals in the chemical storage unit.

[0069] The chemical dispensing device relating to Technology 10 is a chemical dispensing device relating to any one of Technologies 4, 6 to 9, The control unit controls the light source unit to switch the color of the light that is illuminated according to the state of the chemicals in the chemical storage unit. The chemical dispensing device relating to Technology 11 is a chemical dispensing device relating to any one of Technologies 1 to 10, The light source unit has an optical fiber that irradiates light locally onto the light-transmitting member.

[0070] The chemical dispensing device relating to Technology 12 is a chemical dispensing device relating to any one of Technologies 1 to 11, The chemical dispensing unit transports the chemicals removed from the chemical storage unit to a predetermined location. The chemical dispensing device relating to Technology 13 is a chemical dispensing device relating to any one of Technologies 1 to 12, The aforementioned chemical storage compartment is provided on the front side in a manner that allows it to be pulled out.

[0071] The chemical dispensing device relating to Technology 14 is a chemical dispensing device relating to any one of Technologies 1 to 13, The light-transmitting member is a rod-shaped member made of acrylic. [Industrial applicability]

[0072] The chemical dispensing device of the present invention has a simple configuration and offers the effect of illuminating a desired chemical storage section among multiple chemical storage sections in which chemicals are set, making it widely applicable to devices that handle various chemicals. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0073] 1. Main unit case 2 Front door 3 cassette slots 4. Chemical storage section 4a Removal lever 5 trays 6. Tray storage section 7. Tray storage section 8. Chemical dispensing head (chemical dispensing section) 8a Control section 9. Pharmaceuticals 10. Chemical dispensing device 11a Light-emitting section (chemical detection section) 11b Light-receiving section (chemical detection section) 12 storage pockets 13 Display section 17 Host computer 20 Control Unit 21 Prescription Information Acquisition Department 22 Light source section 22a optical fiber 23 Memory section 25 Acrylic rod (light-transmitting material)

Claims

1. A chemical dispensing device that takes out and discharges a desired chemical from among multiple chemicals set in multiple chemical storage compartments, It has a front and a back opposite to the front, and comprises multiple chemical storage compartments into which the chemicals are set, A drug retrieval unit is provided, which is movably positioned on the rear side of multiple drug storage units, for retrieving a desired drug from the drug storage unit, A light-transmitting member is attached to a position corresponding to each individual chemical storage unit, in a manner visible from the rear and front of the chemical storage unit, and transmits light. A light source unit is provided in the aforementioned drug dispensing section and irradiates light from the rear side of the drug storage section toward the light-transmitting member, A chemical dispensing device equipped with the following features.

2. The light source unit irradiates light onto the light-transmitting member from the back side of the chemical storage unit, according to the remaining amount of the chemical inside the chemical storage unit. The drug dispensing device according to claim 1.

3. The system further includes a chemical detection unit for detecting the chemicals discharged from the chemical storage unit. The chemical dispensing device according to claim 2.

4. The system further includes a control unit that controls the light source unit that irradiates the light-transmitting member with light according to the detection result in the chemical detection unit. The drug dispensing device according to claim 3.

5. The system further includes a display unit that, when the chemical detection unit detects the remaining amount of the chemical inside the chemical storage unit, displays a message prompting the replenishment of the chemical. The drug dispensing device according to claim 3.

6. The control unit controls the light source unit to irradiate the light-transmitting member with light while moving the chemical dispensing unit on the back side of the plurality of chemical storage units. The drug dispensing device according to claim 4.

7. The control unit controls the light source unit to irradiate the light-transmitting member with light while moving the chemical dispensing unit on the back side of the plurality of chemical storage units within a predetermined time limit. The drug dispensing device according to claim 6.

8. When the control unit detects an abnormality in the chemical storage unit, it controls the light source unit to irradiate the light-transmitting member with light from the light source unit. The drug dispensing device according to claim 4.

9. The control unit controls the light source unit to switch between illumination and flashing according to the state of the chemicals in the chemical storage unit. The drug dispensing device according to claim 4.

10. The control unit controls the light source unit to switch the color of the light that is illuminated according to the state of the chemicals in the chemical storage unit. The drug dispensing device according to claim 4.

11. The light source unit has an optical fiber that irradiates light locally onto the light-transmitting member. A chemical dispensing device as described in item 1 or 2.

12. The aforementioned chemical dispensing unit transports the chemical removed from the chemical storage unit to a predetermined location. The drug dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2.

13. The aforementioned chemical storage section is provided on the front side in a manner that allows it to be pulled out. The drug dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2.

14. The light-transmitting member is a rod-shaped member made of acrylic. The drug dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2.

15. A returned medication management device that sorts and sets returned medications into multiple medication storage compartments, It has a front and a back opposite to the front, and has multiple drug storage compartments in which the returned drugs are set, A drug setting unit is movably positioned on the rear side of multiple drug storage units and is used to set the returned drug into the desired drug storage unit. A light-transmitting member is attached to a position corresponding to each individual chemical storage unit, in a manner visible from the rear and front of the chemical storage unit, and transmits light. A light source unit is provided in the aforementioned chemical set section, which irradiates light from the rear side of the chemical storage section toward the light-transmitting member, A medication return management device equipped with the following features.

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