Medication support device

Abstract

The present invention provides a medication support device that can appropriately detect a medication placement condition (improper placement) in which part of the medication pack protrudes from the insertion opening of the medication placement section. [Solution] A medication support device in which a medication pack 2 is inserted and placed inside a corresponding medication placement unit 34, and which has a detection unit 157 that detects whether or not a medication pack 2 is present in a detection area including the upstream area in the direction of medication pack insertion (the area above the insertion opening 39) of the insertion opening 39 of the medication placement unit 34. This allows for the proper detection of improper placement conditions in which a part of the medication pack 2 protrudes from the insertion opening 39 of the medication placement unit 34.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a medication assistance device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a medication assistance device in which a medicine pack is inserted and placed inside a medicine placement section corresponding to the medicine pack.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a medication assistance device that performs a dispensing process of transferring a medicine pack taken out from a storage section to a corresponding section (medicine placement section) on a dispensing tray and placing it. In this medication assistance device, each section on the dispensing tray is provided with a dispensing pack detection sensor (detection section) composed of a reflection-type optical sensor that detects a medicine pack inserted inside each section. In this medication assistance device, after placing a medicine pack in an empty section and completing the dispensing process, the normal completion of pack dispensing is recognized by confirming that the dispensing pack detection sensor has detected the medicine pack.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the detection section of the conventional medication assistance device, there are cases where it cannot detect whether the medicine pack is normally placed inside the medicine placement section.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a medication assistance device in which a medicine pack is inserted and placed inside a medicine placement section corresponding to the medicine pack, and is characterized by having a detection section that detects whether a medicine pack exists in a detection area including an upstream area in the medicine pack insertion direction at the insertion port of the medicine placement section.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately detect a placement condition (improper placement condition) in which a part of the medicine pack protrudes from the insertion opening of the medicine placement section. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] (a) is a schematic front view showing the main components of the entire medication support device. (b) is a schematic side view showing the side configuration of Figure 1(a). [Figure 2] (a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cartridge in the medication support device. (b) is a bottom view of the cartridge in Figure 2(a). [Figure 3] A control block diagram showing the main control configuration of the medication support device according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] A front view showing the operation progression of the dispensing section in the medication dispensing support device. [Figure 5] This is a front view showing the continuation of Figure 4, illustrating the operational progression of the dispensing section in the medication dispensing support device. [Figure 6] A flowchart showing the basic operating sequence of the medication support device. [Figure 7] A flowchart showing the HP movement process, which is a subroutine program in Figure 6. [Figure 8] A flowchart supplementing the operation flow of the dispensing unit in the medication dispensing support device. [Figure 9] A control block diagram relating to the medication support system of the embodiment. [Figure 10] A schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the pack detection sensor in the medication support device. [Figure 11] This diagram illustrates the light-emitting part of the pack detection sensor as viewed from its optical axis direction. [Figure 12] (a) is an explanatory diagram showing the medicine pack properly positioned inside the small box. (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the medicine pack protruding from the opening of the small box. [Figure 13] A schematic diagram illustrating an example where a reflective optical sensor is used as a pack detection sensor. [Figure 14]A flowchart showing an example of the placement defect determination process performed in the corresponding processing unit of the control unit in the embodiment. [Figure 15] An explanatory diagram showing one example of the placement of pack detection sensors on two medication trays. [Figure 16] An explanatory diagram showing another example of the placement of pack detection sensors on two medication trays. [Figure 17] This diagram illustrates an example configuration in which the pack detection sensor moves sequentially to the detection position in each row. [Figure 18] This diagram illustrates an example configuration using a light curtain type sensor as the pack detection sensor. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, we will describe the medication support device that constitutes the medication support system according to this embodiment.

[0009] Figure 1(a) is a schematic front view showing the main components of the entire medication support device, and Figure 1(b) is a schematic side view showing the side configuration of Figure 1(a). As shown in Figure 1, the medication support device 200 in this embodiment replaces the manual dispensing and sorting of medications performed by nurses, caregivers, etc., in nursing care facilities, etc., with an automated dispensing and sorting process performed by the medication support device 200 itself.

[0010] The medication support device 200 includes a cartridge 10 as a medicine pack storage device, a dispensing tray 30 as a medicine placement section, a retrieval section 50, a transport section 90, and first to third entrance / exit sections 41 to 43. A control board housing the control unit 150, which will be described later, is mounted on the top of the medication support device 200. In Figure 1(a), the left-right direction or lateral direction (which is also the width direction) of the medication support device 200 is defined as the X direction, the front-back direction or depth direction in Figure 1(b) is defined as the Y direction, and the up-down direction or vertical direction (which is also the vertical direction) is defined as the Z direction.

[0011] The cartridge 10 has a storage space 10a for storing, in a stacked manner, medicine-packaged packs (hereinafter also simply referred to as "packs") each containing a medicine as a medicine pack. Here, "storing in a stacked manner" means storing the packs in a substantially horizontal state or in a flat stacked state.

[0012] A plurality of cartridges 10 are arranged via one cartridge tray 27 at the lowermost part and the central part within the main body frame 199 as the main body of the medicine-taking assistance device 200. Taking the example of FIG. 1 for explanation, 4×5 = 20 cartridges 10 are placed and held on one cartridge tray 27. The cartridge tray 27 has a function as a second storage means for placing and holding at least one cartridge 10.

[0013] Each of the plurality of cartridges 10 is placed and stored within lattice-shaped side walls and a bottom wall partitioned by the cartridge tray 27. In the bottom wall of the cartridge tray 27 corresponding to each cartridge 10, a rectangular through-opening is formed for taking out the pack from below the cartridge 10 by utilizing the elastic deformation of the pack as described in the operation to be described later. Each opening when the pack in the storage space 10a is not taken out from below the cartridge 10 is set to the thickness, size, and shape of the bottom wall necessary for holding at least the pack in the storage space 10a within the storage space 10a. Except for FIG. 1, the illustration of the cartridge tray 27 is omitted in each of the following figures.

[0014] The dispensing tray 30 has a function as a dispensing device, dispensing means, or dispensing table, which is a medicine placement part for placing a specific pack transferred by the transfer part 90. Here, as a specific example of the medicine placement part, an example of a combination with a dispensing box 34 as a single medicine placement part configured to be detachable with respect to the dispensing tray 30 will be described. In the example shown in FIG. 1, two dispensing trays 30 each having 4×5 compartments are arranged. Hereinafter, the installation site of the dispensing tray 30 (which means the location where the pack is delivered so as to be automatically dispensed to the dispensing tray 30) is referred to as the dispensing part 29.

[0015] The extraction unit 50 functions as an extraction means for extracting a specific pack from the storage space 10a of the cartridge 10. The transfer unit 90 functions as a transfer means for transferring the pack extracted from the storage space 10a of the cartridge 10 by the extraction unit 50.

[0016] The first entrance / exit section 41 and the second entrance / exit section 42 function as entrance / exit means for storage, allowing the cartridge 10 to enter and exit the main frame 199. When inserting and setting the cartridge 10 into the main frame 199, this is done through the first entrance / exit section 41 and the second entrance / exit section 42, respectively. The opening and closing doors of the first entrance / exit section 41 and the second entrance / exit section 42 are opened, the drawer section 21 in which the cartridge 10 is set is pulled out towards the front, and the cartridge 10 is inserted and removed.

[0017] The third entrance / exit section 43 functions as an entrance / exit means for a medication dispensing mechanism, allowing the medication tray 30 to enter and exit the main frame 199. The second entrance / exit section 42 and the third entrance / exit section 43 are provided so that the pack can be removed immediately after it has been placed (hereinafter also referred to as "set" or "inserted") on the medication tray 30.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1(a), the medication support device 200 has two medication trays 30, with separate trays for each medication timing, such as morning, noon, evening, and before bed. A third entrance / exit 43 for each medication tray is also provided, making it possible to retrieve another medication tray even when dispensing medication into one tray.

[0019] In Figure 1, the drawer section 21 of the cartridge 10 is located in two places, one above the other, below the top medication tray 30. However, it is not limited to this arrangement; it may be grouped together on either the top or bottom. Furthermore, depending on the number of people in the care facility, the same effect may be achieved by arranging the cartridges 10 in a three-tier configuration.

[0020] An example of a cartridge will be explained with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2(a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cartridge, and Figure 2(b) is a bottom view of the cartridge shown in Figure 2(a). In the longitudinal cross-sectional view of Figure 2(a), in order to simplify the drawing, the crimped portion 4 of the pack 2 stored in the storage space 10a of the cartridge 10 is intentionally omitted, and the pack 2 is schematically enlarged and exaggerated. Similarly, for the same reason, the cross-sectional hatching of the support parts (support part right 12, support part left 13, etc.) is also omitted.

[0021] The cartridge 10 mainly consists of a case portion 11, a lid portion 14, a pack removal opening 17, a movable plate 16, a pack posture holding portion 15, and support portions, a right support portion 12 and a left support portion 13. The case portion 11 constitutes a storage portion that forms a storage space 10a inside for storing multiple packs 2 or pack combinations 2A (hereinafter, described as pack 2). The case portion 11 is formed integrally or separately using, for example, resin. The lid portion 14 has the function of allowing packs 2 to be inserted and removed. The pack removal opening 17 is formed in the lower part or bottom of the case portion 11 and is an opening for removing packs 2 from the storage space 10a of the cartridge 10, and has the function of allowing packs 2 to pass through when removed from the storage space 10a by the removal portion 50 (see Figure 1).

[0022] The movable plate 16 has the function of preventing the pack 2 from tipping over and moving the bottom pack 2 to the vicinity of the pack removal opening 17 after the first pack of the maximum number of packs 2 that can be stored in the case section 11 has been removed. The pack posture holding section 15 has the function of holding the posture of the pack 2. The right support section 12 and the left support section 13 also have the function of supporting or holding the pack 2 inside the case section 11.

[0023] In this embodiment, the part of the pack 2 that is removed from the storage space 10a of the cartridge 10 by the removal unit 50 is located at the lower or bottom of the storage space 10a. That is, the part of the pack that is removed is configured to have a support unit or support member that supports the pack 2 being removed from the storage space 10a of the cartridge 10 at multiple locations, a support unit right 12 and a support unit left 13, and a pack removal opening 17.

[0024] When removing pack 2 from the storage space 10a of cartridge 10 at the removal section 50, the right support section 12 and the left support section 13 are configured to allow the pack 2 to pass through. On the other hand, when not removing pack 2 from the storage space 10a of cartridge 10, the right support section 12 and the left support section 13 are configured to restrict the passage of pack 2 so that multiple packs 2 are stored and held within the case section 11.

[0025] As described above, the right support 12 and the left support 13 are support parts that support or hold the pack 2 in the storage space 10a of the cartridge 10, and are also fixed in place so that the removal operation of the pack 2 from the storage space 10a of the cartridge 10 by the removal unit 50 is stable. The right support 12 and the left support 13 are fixing members that are fixed or attached to the inner surface 11e of the bottom wall at the right bottom wall end and the left bottom wall end, respectively, of the pack removal opening 17. The pack removal opening 17 has the function of passing the air suction means or suction pad 52 of the removal unit 50 shown in Figure 2(b) for removing the pack 2, and also has the function of passing the removed pack 2 and the suction pad 52 through.

[0026] In Figure 2(b), the cartridge 10 is shown with circular dashed lines indicating the positions where the suction pads 52 adhere to the pack 2 stored in the storage space 10a of the cartridge 10 (hereinafter also referred to as "suction pad positions"). The right support 12 and the left support 13 support the pack 2 in the storage space 10a of the cartridge 10 to prevent it from falling out of the pack removal opening 17. As will be explained in the operation of the removal unit 50 described later, when removing the bottommost pack 2 from the storage space 10a of the cartridge 10 using the suction pads 52, the suction pads 52 are positioned to adhere to the pack 2 at two suction pad positions in the Y direction near both ends of the right support 12. When removing the bottommost pack 2 from the storage space 10a of the cartridge 10 using the suction pads 52, the two suction pads 52 pass near both ends of the right support 12 in the Y direction, adsorbing and holding the pack 2.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2(b), by positioning suction pads at two locations near both ends in the Y direction of the right support portion 12, the risk of malfunctions such as failure to adhere with the suction pads 52 can be avoided, and the pack can be removed. In other words, since both sides of the pack 2 in the Y direction are adsorbed by the suction pads 52, the film bag portion 2a of the pack 2 is taut and can withstand deformation. This makes it possible to achieve both reliable support or retention of the pack 2 within the storage space 10a of the cartridge 10 and easy removal of the pack 2.

[0028] The pack posture holding section 15 is made of sponge rubber with appropriate elasticity. The movable plate 16, together with the shaft 16a and filler 16b, is made of, for example, resin or metal. The pack posture holding section 15 and the movable plate 16 also properly maintain the posture of the multiple packs 2 stored in the case section 11 (as clearly shown in Figure 2(a), the posture of the packs 2 is kept orderly and approximately horizontal along the Z direction). In order to perform the above function, the movable plate 16 is set to descend downward in the Z direction within the case section 11 by its own weight, thereby reliably moving at least one pack 2 remaining in the case section 11 to the vicinity of the pack removal opening 17.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2(a), a long groove 11a is formed in the side wall of the case portion 11, extending in the Z direction with a predetermined width in the X direction. A shaft 16a with a filler 16b as a displacement part is provided at one end of the movable plate 16, protruding from the long groove 11a. The movable plate 16 can maintain the posture of the pack 2 along the Z direction by guiding the shaft 16a with the filler 16b along the long groove 11a in the Z direction. In Figure 2, the packs 2 in the storage space 10a of the cartridge 10 are stored in a stacked, approximately horizontal position, with the drug-filled portion on the left side of the figure bulging outwards, but these states are omitted in the diagram.

[0030] The packs 2 are placed into the case section 11 sequentially from the pack removal openings 17 on the right support section 12 and the left support section 13 upwards. The timing for replenishing the cartridge 10's storage space 10a with packs 2 can be, for example, at the time of the patient's (resident's) medical examination (usually every two weeks) in a nursing home or when the packs 2 in the cartridge 10's storage space 10a run out. If packs 2 remain in the cartridge 10's storage space 10a when replenishing, the packs 2 should be replenished from behind the remaining packs 2. The above-described setting of packs 2 into the cartridge 10's storage space 10a and replenishing packs 2 are performed by staff in nursing homes, etc., but this is not the case if the storage section is cartridge-based and the process is automated.

[0031] The lid portion 14 is designed to allow staff at nursing care facilities and other similar facilities to insert and remove the pack 2 stored in the storage space 10a of the cartridge 10. As shown in Figure 2(a), it is formed to be long in the Z direction of the case portion 11 and to have a predetermined opening width.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2(a), the types of packs 2 in the storage space 10a of the cartridge 10 are divided according to the timing of administration, for example, 14 days' worth of medication for person A to take in the morning. Therefore, if person A takes medication in addition to the morning, such as at noon, in the evening, and before going to bed, a total of 4 cartridges 10 will be required. The above example is not limited to this case; for example, a single cartridge 10 set up for each medication user (person) may also be used, and the packs may be arranged in order from the pack removal opening 17, which is the direction in which the packs are removed from the cartridge 10, upwards, such as morning of day 1 → noon → evening → before going to bed → morning of day 2 → noon → evening...

[0033] In this embodiment, the right support 12 and left support 13 are fixed as fixing members to the inner surface 11e of the bottom wall of the pack removal opening 17 of the case 11 so that the removal operation of the pack 2 from the storage space 10a of the cartridge 10 by the removal unit 50 is always stable. In other words, the right support 12 and left support 13 are positioned in a state where they are fixed to the pack removal opening 17 at the bottom of the cartridge 10 to hold both ends of the medicine pack (pack 2 or pack assembly 2A).

[0034] The right support portion 12 supports the end of pack 2 that is adsorbed, and the left support portion 13 supports the opposite end, preventing pack 2, which is stored and set in the storage space 10a of cartridge 10, from falling out in its set state. The right support portion 12 and the left support portion 13 support pack 2 at different lengths, with the right support portion 12 having a shorter support length. As will be described later with reference to Figure 4(c), when the bottommost pack 2 stored in the storage space 10a of cartridge 10 is adsorbed by the adsorption pad 52 and pulled out of the storage space 10a of cartridge 10, the medicine pack is elastic and flexible, making it easy to pull out.

[0035] In this case, since the support parts (right support part 12 and left support part 13) are fixed, they can securely hold the tip of the next pack 2, preventing it from flying out or falling along with the previous pack 2. Also, since the support parts (right support part 12 and left support part 13) do not swing or rotate, no deformation occurs due to pinching or pushing of the pack 2 during the return movement, and it is held in a stable state.

[0036] The control configuration of the medication support device 200 will be explained with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a control block diagram showing the main control configuration of the medication support device according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the medication support device 200 is equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that functions as a control unit 150, which is a control means for controlling the operation of various parts of the medication support device 200. The CPU has a built-in memory unit 152 and a timer unit 153, and functions as a corresponding processing unit 159. Based on various inputs, including sensors described later, the CPU issues notifications to users, including staff, and instructions for the operation of the device at timings according to the program. Prescription information and drug information are input to the memory unit 152 as external drug information from an external source.

[0037] The CPU may have calculation and control functions, as well as a timer function. The storage unit 152 includes ROM (read-only memory), RAM (read / write memory), and external memory. The ROM pre-stores programs that the CPU can read (for example, programs such as control flowcharts described later) and various data. Examples of such data include relationship data between the compartments 33 (including the small boxes 34) of the medication tray 30 assigned to each patient and the pack 2, relationship data between the compartments 33 (including the small boxes 34) of the medication tray 30 assigned to each medication timing and the pack 2, and relationship data between the compartments 33 (including the small boxes) of the medication tray 30 assigned to each medication order and the pack 2.

[0038] A touch panel 151, equipped with an input and display unit as a user interface, is electrically connected to the CPU's input / output ports. The touch panel 151 allows the user to input various settings, and displays the current time, the progress of pack storage, or the completion time. The input method and display unit configuration are not limited to these; for example, a combination such as a keyboard and an LED display unit, where the input and display units are separate, is also acceptable.

[0039] A start switch 155 for operating the medication support device 200 is electrically connected to the CPU's input port. When the start switch 155 is pressed, the medication dispensing operation to the medication tray 30 begins sequentially. The medication dispensing operation to the medication tray 30 can also be started at a predetermined time by the timer unit 153.

[0040] The CPU's input port is also electrically connected to various sensors, including a medication tray detection sensor 156a that detects the type of medication tray 30 stored in the device and whether or not a medication tray 30 is present, a storage unit detection sensor 156b that detects the presence or absence of a cartridge 10, and a pack detection sensor 157 that serves as a detection unit provided in the medication dispensing unit 29. The medication tray detection sensor 156a and the storage unit detection sensor 156b are shown only in Figure 3.

[0041] The CPU's input port is also electrically connected to an HP sensor 99 for detecting the home position (hereinafter abbreviated as "HP") of the X-direction transfer unit 91 in the extraction unit 50, an HP sensor 109 for detecting the HP of the Y-direction transfer unit 101 in the extraction unit 50, and an HP sensor 119 for detecting the HP of the Z-direction transfer unit 111 in the extraction unit 50.

[0042] The CPU's input port is also electrically connected to an HP sensor 158 for an HP sensor P that detects the HP of the suction part 51 (particularly the suction pad 52) in the extraction part 50.

[0043] The CPU's output ports are electrically connected to the drive motor 95 for the X-direction transfer unit 91, the drive motor 105 for the Y-direction transfer unit 101, the drive motor 115 for the Z-direction transfer unit 111, and the drive motor 63 for changing the attitude of the suction pad 52, respectively, via various motor drivers X, Z, and P.

[0044] The CPU's output port is also electrically connected to various actuators, including suction pumps 48, via various drivers. A notification unit may also be electrically connected to the CPU's output port. This notification unit uses lights such as LEDs, sounds including voice, and vibrations to indicate the status of each part of the device. It is equipped with speakers and lights to inform staff, etc., of medication timing even when they are away from the device.

[0045] The aforementioned external drug information is also input to the CPU via I / O and stored in the memory unit 152, where it is used for assigning medications to patients, etc. The LEDs 25a to 25h of the drawer unit 21 may also be electrically connected.

[0046] When input information from the touch panel 151, various HP sensors 99, 109, 119, 158, and various signals from various sensors (not shown) are input to the CPU, the CPU outputs the following command signals. Specifically, the CPU outputs instructions to the drivers corresponding to the audio and optical devices of the display device (including the notification unit) of the touch panel 151, LEDs 25a to 25h, suction pump 48, drive motor 63, drive motor 95, drive motor 105, drive motor 115, suction pump 48, or LEDs.

[0047] The HP sensor 158 for the HP sensor P and the drive motor 63 via the motor driver P are used to drive and control the vertical movement mechanism of the suction part. The CPU has the function of executing the control operations shown in the description and control flowchart described later.

[0048] Furthermore, it is preferable to use stepping motors driven by pulse input for drive motors 63, 95, 105, and 115, as these allow for precise control of the drive amount and high-precision operation.

[0049] The operation of the extraction unit will be explained with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figures 4 and 5 are front views showing the operation of the dispensing unit. For the sake of simplicity and ease of understanding, it is assumed that the dispensing unit 50 is located below the cartridge 10 in the drawer unit 21, which is positioned in the center of the main frame 199 in Figure 1, due to the operation of the transport unit 90 in Figure 1. After the suction pad 52 of the dispensing unit 50 picks up and pulls out the bottom pack of the cartridge 10 in the storage space 10a, the dispensing unit 50 moves above the medication tray 30 located at the top of Figure 1 due to the operation of the transport unit 90, and is automatically inserted into and dropped into the small box 34 installed in a predetermined section of the medication tray 30. Also, in Figures 4 and 5, the cartridge 10 used is the one shown in Figure 2.

[0050] As shown in Figure 4(a), the transport unit 90 in Figure 1 moves the extraction unit 50 to the underside of the cartridge 10 and stops moving. At this time, the drive motor 63 of the suction unit vertical movement unit is stopped, and the suction pad 52 is positioned below the upper surface position of the extraction unit (meaning the upper surface position of the extraction frame 50a of the housing-shaped extraction unit 50).

[0051] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 4(b), the operation of the drive motor 63 causes the suction base member 57, which moves linearly, and the suction pad support member 54, which moves linearly and rotationally, to move linearly upward first. This causes the suction pad 52 to enter through the pack removal opening 17 between the right support member 12 and the left support member 13, and simultaneously contact the pack 2 located at the bottom of the storage space 10a of the cartridge 10, and at the same time suction the pack 2. At this time, the suction pump is driven in advance and is in a state where suction operation is possible.

[0052] Next, as shown in Figure 4(c), the drive motor 63 reverses direction, causing the suction pad 52 to move downward while holding the pack 2 in place, and pulling out the leading end of the pack 2 (meaning the side held by the suction pad 52, and so on) from within the storage space 10a of the cartridge 10. This operation of pulling out the leading end of the pack 2 from the pack removal opening 17 of the cartridge 10 is performed without any problems because the pack 2 is, so to speak, freely deformed.

[0053] Next, as shown in Figure 4(d), the transport unit 90 (see Figure 1) moves the extraction unit 50 in the X direction (lateral), pulling out or removing the rear end of the pack 2 from the storage space 10a of the cartridge 10. Immediately afterward, as shown in Figures 4(e) to 4(f), the drive motor 63 rotates the pack 2, which is held by the suction pad 52, by approximately 90 degrees from its approximately horizontal position to an approximately vertical position (hereinafter also referred to as the approximately vertical position). This rotational movement is achieved because the rotation shaft 55 provided on the suction pad support member 54 moves along the guide groove 59a of the guide member 59, thereby changing the position of the pack 2 from an approximately horizontal position to an approximately vertical position. This can be done by a series of operations of a single drive motor 63.

[0054] Next, as shown in Figure 5(g), when the dispensing unit 50, which is equipped with an suction pad 52 that holds the pack 2 vertically, is transported by the transfer unit 90 to approximately directly above the installation location (dispensing unit 29) where the dispensing tray 30 is installed, the operation of the suction pump is stopped. At this time, when the suction holding of the pack 2 is released, a small amount of air is ejected from the suction pad 52 by the air supply means (compressor), which is the suction pump, to perform a so-called vacuum breaking (switching from negative pressure to atmospheric pressure) (see Figure 5(h)). As a result, the suction holding of the pack 2 by the suction pad 52 is released, and the pack 2, shown by the dashed line, is inserted through the insertion port 39, which is the opening of the small box 34 that is mounted in a predetermined section 33 of the dispensing tray 30.

[0055] Next, the lower end 7 of the inserted medicine pack 2 hits the inclined portion 37 inside the compartment box 34 and slides downward along the inclined portion 37. At this time, the upper end of the medicine pack 2 leans backward so as to come into contact with the back portion 35, and the medicine pack 2 is further stored inside the compartment box 34. Then, as shown in Figure 5(h), the lower end 7 of the medicine pack 2 hits the bottom portion 38 of the compartment box 34, causing the medicine pack 2 to come to a stop and be completely inside the compartment box 34. Furthermore, since the surface of the medicine pack 2 placed inside the compartment box 34 is facing upward, medication-related information can be checked without any problems.

[0056] As described above, in this embodiment, when removing pack 2 from the storage space 10a of cartridge 10, the removal unit 50 is positioned or placed below cartridge 10, and pack 2 is removed from below cartridge 10. By removing pack 2 from below cartridge 10 in this way, the next pack 2 automatically moves downward (towards the pack removal opening 17) due to the weight of the remaining pack 2 and movable plate 16 in the storage space 10a of cartridge 10. Therefore, regardless of the remaining amount of pack 2 in the storage space 10a of cartridge 10, the removal unit 50 can perform the same operation with a simple configuration.

[0057] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the basic operation of the medication support device will be described. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the basic operation sequence of the medication support device, and Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the HP transfer process, which is a subroutine program in Figure 6. The operations shown in Figures 6 and 7 are executed under the control commands of the CPU in the control unit 150. When the start switch 155 shown in Figure 3 is turned on (hereinafter also referred to as "ON"), processing begins, and in Figure 6, initialization is performed first (see the initialization portion shown by the dashed box in Figure 6, see steps S1 to S2).

[0058] Initialization involves controlling the HP sensor and its corresponding drive motor using a subroutine as shown in Figure 7, positioning the controlled object in a predetermined home position where the HP sensor turns ON (see steps S16 to S17 in Figure 7). The following process is performed automatically by the timer unit 153 shown in Figure 3, and based on external drug information obtained in advance from an external source or input from the touch panel 151 shown in Figure 3, the following series of operations are performed at specific timings to support medication administration in the morning, at noon, at night, and before bedtime.

[0059] At the specified time, the CPU drives the drive motors in the order Z→X→Y (drive motor 115→drive motor 95→drive motor 105) to move the extraction unit 50 to the predetermined cartridge 10 (part of extraction unit movement (1) enclosed by the dashed frame in Figure 6, steps S3 to S5). Next, as part of the extraction process, the drive motor 63 for drive motor P is driven to bring the suction pad 52 close to the medicine pack 2 (see Figure 4(b)), the vacuum ejector valve is controlled to perform suction by the suction pad 52 to pick up the medicine pack 2, and then the drive motor 63 and the drive motor 95 for drive motor X are operated in coordination to remove the medicine pack 2 from below the cartridge 10 (see Figures 4(c) to 4(d)). Then the position of the suction pad 52 is rotated to hold the medicine pack 2 in a vertical position (see Figures 4(e) to 4(f), steps S6 to S8).

[0060] Next, the CPU drives the drive motors in the order Z→X→Y (drive motor 115→drive motor 95→drive motor 105) to move the extraction unit 50 and transfer the medicine pack 2 to the upper part of a predetermined compartment 33 of the dispensing tray 30 (see the dashed frame extraction unit movement (2) part in Figure 6, steps S9 to S11), and performs the dispensing process (S12). In the dispensing process, after the extraction unit 50 stops, the vacuum ejector valve (not shown) is controlled to break the vacuum, releasing the suction state and releasing the medicine pack 2, which is then dispensed into the dispensing tray 30 (see Figures 5(g) to 5(h)). This operation is repeated multiple times, and once the dispensing of medicine packs for a predetermined number of people is complete, in this embodiment, the placement error determination process (S30), which will be described later, is performed. If this placement error detection process (S30) is completed successfully, the notification unit 154, which includes a speaker and a light, is activated to notify the person assisting with taking the medication that preparation is complete (see steps S12 to S15).

[0061] Refer to Figure 8 to supplement the operation flow of the extraction unit in the basic operation shown in Figures 6 and 7. Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation flow of the extraction unit. In step S20 of Figure 8, the No. of the target cartridge 10 containing the pack 2 to be dispensed is confirmed, and the position of the target dispensing tray 30 to which the pack 2 will be handed over is specified (the No. of the target cartridge 10 and the position No. of the dispensing tray 30 are specified using the touch panel 151 shown in Figure 3). Next, the retrieval unit 50 is moved to the target cartridge 10 by the transfer operation of the transfer unit 90 (step S11).

[0062] Next, while driving the suction pump 48, the drive motor 63 for the drive motor P is driven to move the suction unit 51 upward (steps S22 to S23). After a certain period of time, when the suction pad 52 has held the bottom pack 2 in the storage space 10a of the cartridge 10 by suction, the drive motor 63 is driven in reverse to move the suction unit 51 downward (step S24). After this, the removal unit 50 is moved in the X direction to completely remove the pack 2 from the cartridge 10, and the drive motor 63 is driven in reverse again to move the suction unit 51 downward, thereby rotating the suction unit 51 by approximately 90 degrees and changing the orientation of the pack 2 from approximately parallel to approximately vertical (steps S25 to S26).

[0063] Next, the transfer unit 90 moves the retrieval unit 50 to the position of the target medication tray 30. When the retrieval unit 50 has moved to the position of the target medication tray 30, the suction pump 48 is stopped and the pack 2 is separated from the suction pad 52 (steps S27 to S28). At this time, the pack 2 is inserted and fitted through the insertion opening 39 of the small box 34 which is installed in a predetermined compartment 33 of the medication tray 30.

[0064] Next, the lower end 7 of the inserted medicine pack 2 hits the inclined portion 37 and slides downward along the inclined portion 37. At this time, the upper end of the medicine pack 2 leans backward so as to come into contact with the back portion 35, and the medicine pack 2 is further stored inside the small box 34. Then, as shown in Figure 5(h), the lower end 7 of the medicine pack 2 hits the bottom surface 38 of the small box 34, causing the medicine pack 2 to come to a stop and be completely inside the small box 34.

[0065] Next, it is checked whether there are any other Pack 2s to be dispensed. If there are no other Pack 2s to be dispensed, the series of operations is terminated (step S29). On the other hand, if there are other Pack 2s to be dispensed in step S29, the process returns to step S20 and the same operations as described above are repeated.

[0066] Figure 9 shows a control block diagram relating to the medication support system of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 9, the medication support system 300 of this embodiment is configured to include the medication support device 200 described above and a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as "PC") 210 that is connected to the medication support device 200 in a manner that enables communication (transmission and reception).

[0067] The PC210 consists of five well-known components. Specifically, the PC210 comprises a control unit, an arithmetic unit, an input device, and an output device. The control unit includes a CPU and executes programs and issues instructions to other devices. The arithmetic unit executes programs and performs calculations. The storage device includes main memory and auxiliary memory and stores data such as programs and text. The input device includes a mouse, keyboard, microphone, etc., and transmits data and instructions to the computer. The output device includes a display, printer, speaker, etc., and outputs data from the computer.

[0068] PC210 enhances the functionality of the medication support device 200, essentially acting as a host computer that manages and supports the medication support device 200. PC210 is connected to pharmacies and other facilities that supply medications via a network line (not shown in the diagram).

[0069] The pack information management system 212 configured in the management application 211 manages medication-related information for medication packs. Additionally, the dispensing information management system 213 configured in the management application 211 reads and manages dispensing information, including at least the patient's name and the timing of medication administration.

[0070] The pack information management system 212 and the medication dispensing information management system 213 may be implemented, for example, as a management application 211 within the PC 210, or they may be a system consisting of a medication support device 200 and a PC 210 that communicates with the medication support device 200 for management, as shown in Figure 9. The management application 211 reads a medication dispensing information file 219 that is generated externally (for example, a pharmacy that supplies medications based on prescriptions issued by doctors) and contains medication information and dispensing timing for each patient. The management application 211 also reads data input from a configuration file 217 that records configuration information set once within the PC 210.

[0071] Data output from the management application 211 as needed includes files such as log files 216, which are output depending on the changes, and a medication history file 215, which summarizes the medication dispensing history. Furthermore, various reports 218 are output from the PC 210 via the management application 211 as needed. Note that the functions of the management application 211 and other functions on the PC 210 may also be provided within the medication support device 200.

[0072] The medication dispensing information management system 213 saves records of the results of medication dispensing and the history of any changes, thereby saving the actual results of medication dispensing as traceability information, which allows for review in the event of a problem.

[0073] The pack information management system 212 manages medication-related information of the medication pack, including at least the patient and the timing of administration. A supplementary explanation of the operation of the medication support device 200 mentioned above is as follows:

[0074] The medication support device 200 has an upper QR code reader 66 and a lower QR code reader 67 mounted on a dispensing unit (carriage) 50. The dispensing unit 50 moves to the vicinity of the cartridge 10 which stores the medication pack (a single-dose medication pack or a combined pack), and the upper reading section of the upper QR code reader 66 can read the QR code (registered trademark) related to medication information.

[0075] Next, the configuration of the detection unit in the medication support device 200 of this embodiment, which detects whether the medicine pack 2 transported by the transport unit 90 is properly placed in the small compartment box 34 on the medication tray 30, will be described. Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the pack detection sensor 157 as the detection unit in this embodiment. Note that the dispensing tray 30 in which the small boxes 34 are set is not shown in Figure 10. Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the light-emitting part 157a of the pack detection sensor 157 as viewed from its optical axis direction.

[0076] The pack detection sensor 157 detects whether or not a medicine pack 2 is present in the area above the insertion opening 39 of the dispensing box 34 (the area upstream in the direction of medicine pack insertion). Such a pack detection sensor 157 can be easily and inexpensively constructed, for example, by using an optical sensor whose detection area is the area above the insertion opening 39 of the dispensing box 34.

[0077] The pack detection sensor 157 of this embodiment is a transmissive optical sensor that includes a light-emitting unit 157a, which acts as a light-emitting unit that emits detection light L from a horizontal direction (the insertion lateral direction which is perpendicular to the direction in which the medicine pack is inserted) toward the upper region (detection region) of the insertion opening 39 of the dispensing box 34, and a light-receiving unit 157b that receives the detection light L passing through the detection region. The placement (installation height) of the pack detection sensor 157 is set to a position where the medicine pack 2 inserted from the insertion opening 39 of the dispensing box 34 is normally positioned inside the dispensing box 34 and the medicine pack 2 does not obstruct the detection light L, and a part of the medicine pack protruding from the insertion opening 39 of the dispensing box 34 obstructs the detection light L.

[0078] Furthermore, the amount of overhang from the insertion opening 39 of the dispensing box 34 detected by the pack detection sensor 157 can be set as appropriate. For example, even if the overhang is slight, if the overhang is so small that there is little risk of it getting caught and tearing inside or outside the device, it is not necessary to set the overhanging portion of the medicine pack in a position that obstructs the detection light L.

[0079] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the medicine pack 2, which has been transported by the transport unit 90 to approximately directly above the corresponding dispensing box 34 of the dispensing tray 30, is inserted into the interior of the dispensing box 34 through the insertion opening 39 of the dispensing box 34 when the suction holding of the medicine pack 2 by the suction pad 52 is released.

[0080] At this time, when the medicine pack 2 is properly positioned inside the small box 34, as shown in Figure 12(a), the medicine pack 2 will extend into the small box 34 to a position where it does not obstruct the detection light L. Therefore, the detection light L enters the light receiving section 157b of the pack detection sensor 157, and the sensor output indicating the amount of light received by the light receiving section 157b becomes H level. Accordingly, the corresponding processing section 159 of the control unit 150, which acquires the sensor output of the pack detection sensor 157, can determine that the medicine pack 2 has been properly positioned inside the small box 34 by confirming that the sensor output is at H level.

[0081] On the other hand, when the medicine pack 2 detaches from the suction pad 52 of the transfer unit 90 and is inserted through the insertion opening 39 of the dispensing box 34, it may get caught on the edge of the insertion opening 39 or get stuck midway inside the dispensing box 34, resulting in a situation where a part of the medicine pack 2 protrudes from the insertion opening 39, as shown in Figure 12(b). When the medicine pack 2 is positioned in such a way that a part of it protrudes from the insertion opening 39, for example, when removing the dispensing tray 30 from the third entrance / exit 43 of the medication support device 200 or after removing it, the protruding part of the medicine pack 2 may get caught on something and tear the medicine pack 2. Also, for example, when removing it from the medication support device 200 or after removing it, the medicine pack 2 may fall out of the dispensing box 34.

[0082] In this embodiment, when the medicine pack 2 is positioned in such a way that a portion of it protrudes from the insertion opening 39, the protruding portion of the medicine pack 2 blocks the detection light L incident on the light receiving unit 157b of the pack detection sensor 157, and the sensor output indicating the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 157b becomes L level. Therefore, the corresponding processing unit 159 of the control unit 150, which acquires the sensor output of the pack detection sensor 157, can determine that the medicine pack 2 is improperly positioned, with a portion of it protruding from the insertion opening 39 of the dispensing box 34, by confirming that the sensor output is L level.

[0083] Furthermore, in a configuration as in this embodiment, where a plurality of small boxes 24 are set on a medication tray 30 and corresponding medication packs are inserted and arranged, the detection light L may be configured to pass through all of the upper regions (upstream regions in the direction of medication pack insertion) of the insertion openings 39 of the multiple small boxes 34 arranged in a row, as shown in Figure 10. That is, a light-emitting unit 157a is placed on one end of the row of small boxes 34, and a light-receiving unit 157b is placed on the other end, so that the detection light L from the light-emitting unit 157a that has passed through all of the upper regions of the insertion openings 39 of these small boxes 34 is received by the light-receiving unit 157b.

[0084] Specifically, as shown in the example in Figure 1, when using a medication tray 30 in which small boxes 34 are set in each of the 4x5 compartments 33, as shown in Figure 1(a), a light-emitting unit 157a is placed on the left end of the row of five small boxes 34 arranged along the X direction, and a light-receiving unit 157b is placed on the right end of the row, so that the detection light L passes through the entire upper area of ​​each insertion opening 39 of these five small boxes 34. In the example in Figure 1, there are four such rows of small boxes 34, so as shown in Figure 1(b), a light-emitting unit 157a and a light-receiving unit 157b are placed for each row, providing a total of four pack detection sensors 157-1 to 157-4.

[0085] With this configuration, if a misplacement occurs in any of the sub-boxes 34 on the medication tray 30, it can be determined that a misplacement has occurred based on the sensor output of the corresponding pack detection sensors 157-1 to 157-4. However, in this configuration, while the sensor output of the pack detection sensors 157-1 to 157-4 can identify which column the misplacement occurred in, it cannot identify which sub-box 34 within that column. Nevertheless, compared to a configuration in which each sub-box 34 is equipped with a pack detection sensor 157 so that the sensor output can identify which sub-box 34 is experiencing the misplacement, this configuration reduces the number of sensors and allows for a simpler configuration.

[0086] In this example, pack detection sensors 157-1 to 157-4 are provided for each row of the sub-boxes 34. However, as shown in Figure 17, for example, a drive mechanism (actuator) may be provided as a moving part to move one pack detection sensor 157, and the pack detection sensor 157 may be moved sequentially to the detection position in each row, passing the detection light L through the upper area of ​​each insertion opening 39 of the sub-boxes 34 in each row to sequentially detect the state of improper placement in each row.

[0087] Specifically, the first operation involves moving the light-emitting unit 157a and the light-receiving unit 157b of the pack detection sensor 157 to positions corresponding to each end of the first row (first fixed positions), emitting detection light L from the light-emitting unit 157a, and receiving the light with the light-receiving unit 157b. Then, the second operation involves moving the light-emitting unit 157a and the light-receiving unit 157b of the pack detection sensor 157 to positions corresponding to each end of the second row (second fixed positions) using the drive mechanism, emitting detection light L from the light-emitting unit 157a, and receiving the light with the light-receiving unit 157b. This is performed sequentially for each row.

[0088] The drive mechanism may, for example, involve providing a new drive source to move the pack detection sensor 157, or it may involve moving the pack detection sensor 157 from an existing drive source via a clutch connection.

[0089] In this configuration, if the light-receiving unit 157b is configured to cover all rows (for example, if the light-receiving unit 157b is long enough to receive detection light L from all rows), only the light-emitting unit 157a of the pack detection sensor 157 may be moved by the drive mechanism.

[0090] Furthermore, if the light-receiving unit 157b is configured to cover all rows (for example, if the light-receiving unit 157b has a long configuration that allows it to receive detection light L from all rows), it may be a scanning type sensor in which the light-emitting unit 157a of the pack detection sensor 157 is moved from a fixed position to swing the direction of irradiation of the detection light L, thereby allowing the detection light L to pass through the upper region (detection region) of each insertion opening 39 of the small boxes 34 in each row.

[0091] Furthermore, as shown in the example in Figure 10, if the detection light L is irradiated only to a portion of the upper area (detection area) of the insertion opening 39 of the small box 34 (only the central part in the Y direction in the example of Figure 10), there is a risk that it may not be possible to detect that the medicine pack 2 is protruding only in the portion outside of that area. In such cases, it is preferable to configure the system to irradiate the entire detection area with the detection light L.

[0092] For example, with the aforementioned scanning type sensor, by moving the irradiation direction of the light-emitting unit 157a so that the detection light L scans the entire area within each detection region, it is possible to configure the sensor to irradiate the entire area within each detection region with detection light L.

[0093] Alternatively, for example, a so-called light curtain type sensor may be configured such that the light-emitting unit 157a and the light-receiving unit 157b correspond to all rows. For example, as shown in Figure 18, the light-emitting unit 157a is configured to be long along one end of all rows, and the light-receiving unit 157b is also configured to be long along the other end of all rows, so that two or more detection lights L are emitted from the light-emitting unit 157a to each row.

[0094] In this configuration, by irradiating the entire detection area with detection light L, it becomes possible to detect drug packs 2 that extend beyond the area that cannot be detected when detection light L is irradiated only to a part of the detection area. This eliminates blind spots in the sensor and allows for more accurate detection of improper placement.

[0095] In this embodiment, the pack detection sensor 157 is an example of a transmissive optical sensor, but as shown in Figure 13, a reflective optical sensor can also be used. In the case of a reflective optical sensor, the light-emitting part and the light-receiving part can be placed on the same side of the area above the insertion opening 39 of the small box 34, so there is greater flexibility in sensor placement than with a transmissive optical sensor. Therefore, as shown in Figure 13, when a pack detection sensor 157' is provided for each individual small box 34, a reflective optical sensor may be more suitable.

[0096] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the placement defect determination process (S30) performed by the corresponding processing unit 159 of the control unit 150 in this embodiment. The placement error detection process (S30) is performed after the dispensing process (S12), in which the drug packs 2 removed from each cartridge 10 are inserted into the corresponding compartments 34 on the dispensing tray 30, is completed. The corresponding processing unit 159 of the control unit 150 performs the placement error detection process (S30). First, the corresponding processing unit 159 acquires the sensor output from each pack detection sensor 157-1 to 157-4 (S31) to check whether there are any sensors that have detected the drug pack 2 protruding. Specifically, it checks whether there are any L level signals among the acquired sensor outputs (S32).

[0097] If there are no low-level signals among the acquired sensor outputs (No in S32), the placement defect detection process is terminated. On the other hand, if there are low-level signals among the acquired sensor outputs (Yes in S32), it is determined that drug pack 2 is protruding (placement defect), and the notification unit issues an error notification (S33) and stops the device (S34).

[0098] The placement error detection process (S30) may be performed after all the drug packs 2 have been placed in the individual packs 34, or it may be performed at any point during the drug distribution process (S12), such as when the placement of drug packs 2 in each individual pack 34 is completed, or when the placement of drug packs 2 in a row of packs 34 is completed. This allows for the detection of drug packs 2 overflowing (placement error) even during the drug distribution process (S12), enabling error notification (S33) and device shutdown (S34). This prevents, for example, a situation where, after drug pack 2 overflows (placement error), the retrieval unit (carriage) 50 moved by the transfer unit 90 gets caught on the overflowing drug pack 2 during the drug pack 2 placement operation in another pack 34.

[0099] In this embodiment, the medication support device 200 is configured to accommodate two medication trays 30, as shown in Figure 1(a). Therefore, as shown in Figure 15, each medication tray 30 is equipped with four pack detection sensors 157-1 to 157-4. This allows the system to identify which medication tray 30 experienced the misplacement issue based on the sensor outputs of the pack detection sensors 157-1 to 157-4.

[0100] However, to further reduce the number of sensors and achieve a simpler configuration, for example, as shown in Figure 16, a configuration can be used in which common pack detection sensors 157-1 to 157-4 are provided in multiple (in this case, two) medication trays 30. That is, the detection light L is configured to pass through all of the upper regions (detection regions) of each insertion opening 39 of the multiple small boxes 24 lined up in the first row of each of the two medication trays 30. Specifically, a light-emitting unit 157a is placed on one end of the first row in one medication tray 30, and a light-receiving unit 157b is placed on the other end of the first row in the other medication tray 30 to constitute a pack detection sensor 157-1. With this configuration, while eight pack detection sensors 157-1 to 157-4 were required in the example in Figure 15, only four pack detection sensors 157-1 to 157-4 are needed. Furthermore, by using a longer-range type of through-beam sensor, it is also possible to configure a system in which common pack detection sensors 157-1 to 157-4 are provided in three or more medication trays 30.

[0101] The above is just one example; each of the following embodiments produces its own unique effects. [First aspect] The first embodiment is a medication support device 200 in which a medication pack 2 is inserted and placed inside a corresponding medication placement unit (e.g., a small box 34), and is characterized in that it has a detection unit (e.g., a pack detection sensor 157) that detects whether or not a medication pack is present in a detection area that includes the upstream area in the direction of medication pack insertion (e.g., the area above the insertion opening 39) of the insertion opening 39 of the medication placement unit. Conventional medication support devices use a detection unit to detect whether or not a medication pack is present inside the medication placement unit (i.e., the area downstream of the insertion point of the medication pack at the insertion opening of the medication placement unit). Therefore, even if the medication pack gets stuck inside the medication placement unit and part of it protrudes from the insertion opening, the detection unit may still detect that the medication pack is present inside the medication placement unit and thus detect that it is properly placed. However, in such a placement, during subsequent handling (for example, when removing the medication placement unit from the medication support device), the part of the medication pack protruding from the insertion opening may get caught inside or outside the device, potentially causing damage such as tearing of the medication pack. Therefore, a detection unit capable of detecting such a placement as not being properly placed is required. In this embodiment, a detection unit is used to detect whether or not a medicine pack is present in a detection area that includes the upstream region in the medicine pack insertion direction at the insertion opening of the medicine dispenser. If a part of the medicine pack protrudes from the insertion opening of the medicine dispenser, the protruding part of the medicine pack will be in the upstream region in the medicine pack insertion direction at the insertion opening, and the detection unit will detect that a medicine pack is present. On the other hand, if the medicine pack is properly inserted and placed inside the medicine dispenser, the medicine pack will not protrude from the insertion opening of the medicine dispenser, and the protruding part of the medicine pack will not be in the upstream region in the medicine pack insertion direction at the insertion opening, and the detection unit will detect that a medicine pack is not present. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to appropriately detect a state in which a part of the medicine pack protrudes from the insertion opening of the medicine dispenser (a state of improper placement).

[0102] [Second aspect] The second embodiment is characterized in that, in the first embodiment, the detection unit is an optical sensor (e.g., a pack detection sensor 157) that includes a light irradiation unit (e.g., a light emitting unit 157a) that irradiates detection light from a lateral direction in the direction of insertion of the medicine pack toward the detection area, and a light receiving unit (e.g., a pack detection sensor 157) that receives the detection light passing through the detection area. According to this, the detection unit can be implemented using a simple and inexpensive optical sensor. Moreover, the detection unit does not get in the way of the action of inserting the medicine pack through the insertion opening of the medicine dispensing unit.

[0103] [Third aspect] The third embodiment is characterized in that, in the second embodiment, the device has a configuration in which drug packs are inserted and arranged inside each of the multiple drug placement sections (for example, a drug tray 30), and the detection unit irradiates detection light with the light irradiation unit so as to pass through all of the detection areas corresponding to at least two or more of the multiple drug placement sections (for example, multiple small boxes 34 arranged in a row), and the light receiving unit receives the detection light that has passed through all of the detection areas. According to this, the detection unit can be configured with fewer optical sensors than when an optical sensor is provided for each individual drug placement unit.

[0104] [Fourth aspect] The fourth aspect is characterized in that, in the third aspect, the detection unit is configured such that detection light L irradiated by the light irradiation unit from a fixed position (for example, a position on one end of the first row) in a fixed direction (for example, the X direction (the direction of the row of multiple small boxes 34 arranged in a row)) passes through each of the detection areas sequentially and is received by the light receiving unit. According to this, the detection unit can be configured with a simple setup.

[0105] [Fifth aspect] The fifth embodiment is characterized in that, in the fourth embodiment, the detection unit includes a moving unit for moving the light irradiation unit (for example, a drive mechanism for moving the pack detection sensor 157), and the detection unit performs a first operation in which detection light L irradiated by the light irradiation unit from a first fixed position (for example, a position on one end of the first row) passes sequentially through each detection area corresponding to two or more drug placement units (for example, a plurality of small boxes 34 arranged in the first row) which are part of the plurality of drug placement units, and is received by the light receiving unit, and then the moving unit moves the light irradiation unit to a second fixed position (for example, a position on one end of the second row), and the detection light irradiated by the light irradiation unit from the second fixed position passes sequentially through each detection area corresponding to two or more drug placement units (for example, a plurality of small boxes 34 arranged in the second row) which are other parts of the plurality of drug placement units, and is received by the light receiving unit. According to this, the detection unit can be configured with fewer optical sensors.

[0106] [Sixth aspect] The sixth aspect is, in the fourth aspect, the detection unit is such that detection light L emitted from a first fixed position (for example, a position on one end of the first row) by a first light irradiation unit (for example, a light emission unit 157a of the first pack detection sensor 157-1) sequentially passes through each detection area corresponding to two or more drug placement units (for example, multiple small boxes 34 arranged in the first row) which are part of the plurality of drug placement units, and is received by a first light receiving unit (for example, a light receiving unit 157b of the first pack detection sensor 157-1) The present invention is characterized by having a second detection component (for example, the second pack detection sensor 157-2) that emits detection light L from a second fixed position (for example, a position on one end of the second row) by a second light irradiation unit (for example, the light emission unit 157a of the second pack detection sensor 157-2), which sequentially passes through each detection area corresponding to two or more drug placement units (for example, multiple small boxes 34 arranged in the second row) that are other parts of the plurality of drug placement units, and is received by a second light receiving unit (for example, the light receiving unit 157b of the second pack detection sensor 157-2). According to this, a simple detection unit can be constructed that does not require a configuration (movement part) for moving the optical sensor.

[0107] [Seventh aspect] The seventh embodiment is characterized in that, in any of the third to sixth embodiments, the detection unit irradiates the detection light over the entire area within the detection region. According to this, in a configuration where the detection light L is irradiated only to a portion of the detection area, it becomes possible to detect drug packs that protrude only to parts that cannot be detected, eliminating blind spots in the detection unit and enabling more accurate detection of improper placement.

[0108] [8th aspect] The eighth aspect is characterized in that, in any of the third to seventh aspects, when the detection unit performs a predetermined detection operation and the light receiving unit does not receive detection light, the device has a corresponding processing unit 159 that performs a corresponding processing (for example, error notification, device shutdown) to address a misplacement condition in which a medicine pack is protruding from the insertion opening of the medicine placement unit. If the light receiving unit does not receive detection light when the detection unit performs a predetermined detection operation, the medicine pack is not properly placed inside the medicine placement unit, and the medicine pack protrudes into the detection area (the area upstream of the medicine pack insertion direction at the insertion opening of the medicine placement unit), resulting in a misplacement. In this embodiment, when such a misplacement is detected, the response processing unit 159 performs response processing such as error notification or device shutdown, making it possible to deal with the misplacement smoothly. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 2: Medicine pack 10: Cartridge 10a: Storage space 11: Case section 16: Movable plate 16b: Filler 17: Pack removal opening 21: Drawer section 27: Cartridge tray 30: Medication tray 34: Small compartment boxes 39: Insertion port 50: Removal section 90: Transfer section 150: Control Unit 151: Touch panel 152: Storage section 153: Timer section 154: Hochi Department 155: Start switch 157: Pack detection sensor 157a: Light-emitting part 157b: Light receiving section 159: Corresponding Processing Unit 200: Medication support device 210: PC 300: Medication support system [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0110] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-51361

Claims

1. A medication support device that inserts and places a medication pack inside a corresponding medication placement section, A medication support device characterized by having a detection unit that detects whether or not a medication pack is present in a detection area including the upstream region in the direction of medication pack insertion at the insertion opening of the medication placement unit.

2. In the medication support device according to claim 1, The medication support device is characterized in that the detection unit is an optical sensor including a light irradiation unit that irradiates detection light from the lateral direction in which the medicine pack is inserted toward the detection area, and a light receiving unit that receives the detection light passing through the detection area.

3. In the medication support device according to claim 2, It has a configuration in which drug packs are inserted and placed inside multiple drug storage compartments. The medication support device is characterized in that the detection unit irradiates detection light with the light irradiation unit so as to pass through all of the detection areas corresponding to at least two or more of the plurality of drug placement units, and the light receiving unit receives the detection light that has passed through all of the detection areas.

4. In the medication support device according to claim 3, The medication support device is characterized in that the detection unit is configured such that detection light irradiated from a fixed position in a fixed direction by the light irradiation unit passes sequentially through each of the detection regions and is received by the light receiving unit.

5. In the medication support device according to claim 4, The detection unit includes a moving unit that moves the light irradiation unit, The medication support device is characterized in that the detection unit performs a first operation in which detection light emitted from a first fixed position by the light irradiation unit passes sequentially through detection areas corresponding to two or more drug placement units, which are part of the plurality of drug placement units, and is received by the light receiving unit, and then moves the light irradiation unit to a second fixed position by the moving unit, and performs a second operation in which detection light emitted from the second fixed position by the light irradiation unit passes sequentially through detection areas corresponding to two or more other drug placement units, which are part of the plurality of drug placement units, and is received by the light receiving unit.

6. In the medication support device according to claim 4, The medication support device is characterized in that the detection unit includes a first detection component in which detection light irradiated from a first fixed position by a first light irradiation unit sequentially passes through detection regions corresponding to two or more drug placement units that are part of the plurality of drug placement units and is received by a first light receiving unit, and a second detection component in which detection light irradiated from a second fixed position by a second light irradiation unit sequentially passes through detection regions corresponding to two or more drug placement units that are other parts of the plurality of drug placement units and is received by a second light receiving unit.

7. In the medication support device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, The medication support device is characterized in that the detection unit irradiates the detection light over the entire area within the detection region.

8. In the medication support device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, A medication support device characterized by having a response processing unit that performs a response process to address a poorly positioned state in which a medicine pack is protruding from the insertion opening of the medicine placement unit when the light receiving unit does not receive detection light when the detection unit performs a predetermined detection operation.

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