Drug supply device

Abstract

To provide a medicine supply device capable of supplying a required amount of medicine in a short period.SOLUTION: A total-piece sheet storage part 10 stores a total-piece sheet 110. The total-piece sheet 110 individually houses a plurality of pieces of medicine. A fraction sheet storage part 20 stores a plurality of fraction sheets 120 obtained by cutting a portion of the total-piece sheet 110. A take-out part 30 takes out of the storage part a pair of the total-piece sheet 110 and a fraction sheet 120 in accordance with the number of pieces of the medicine which have to be supplied.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-193986 (Patent Document 1) discloses an apparatus including a chemical storage unit that stores drugs packaged in PTP (Press Through Package), a chemical transfer mechanism that transfers drugs in and out of the chemical storage unit, and a chemical cutting mechanism that receives and cuts the drugs from the chemical transfer mechanism.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For a fractional sheet obtained by cutting a part of a drug sheet that individually stores a plurality of drugs, the cut corner portion is sharp. Therefore, it is required to prevent in advance the problem of accidentally taking the drug contained in the fractional sheet without taking out the drug from the fractional sheet. In particular, if the fractional sheet has a form in which one drug is contained, the size of the fractional sheet becomes small, increasing the possibility of accidental ingestion. In addition, reducing the size of the fractional sheet increases the possibility of losing the fractional sheet.

[0005] In addition, in a drug supply device, in order to improve the efficiency of dispensing work, it is required to be able to supply the required quantity of drugs in a shorter time.

[0006] In the present disclosure, a drug supply device that can supply the required quantity of drugs in a short time is proposed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a drug supply device including a storage unit and a dispensing unit is proposed. The storage unit stores a drug sheet. A plurality of drugs are individually accommodated in the drug sheet. The storage unit also stores a plurality of leftover sheets obtained by cutting a part of the drug sheet. The dispensing unit takes out a combination of the drug sheet and the leftover sheets from the storage unit according to the number of drugs to be dispensed.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the drug supply device according to the present disclosure, the required quantity of drugs can be supplied in a short time.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0011] [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a drug supply device 1 according to an embodiment. The drug supply device 1 according to the embodiment stores a large number of drugs. In the embodiment, the drug supply device 1 stores a drug sheet 100 that individually houses a plurality of drugs.

[0012] The drug sheet 100 may be, for example, a PTP sheet. The PTP sheet has a flat sheet portion 102 and a convex pocket portion 104 that protrudes from the surface of the sheet portion 102, and is configured to take out the drug contained in the pocket portion 104 by pressing the pocket portion 104 with a finger. Other examples of the drug sheet 100 include an SP (Strip Package) sheet.

[0013] The drug sheet 100 houses drugs in a prescribed packaging unit. The drug sheet 100 may house, for example, 10 drugs. The drug sheet 100 may be a weekly sheet that houses 14 or 21 drugs. The drug sheet 100 may house other quantities of drugs, such as 6, 8, or 12. The drugs contained in the drug sheet 100 may be solid preparations such as tablets or capsules.

[0014] The drug supply device 1 has a full-sheet storage unit 10 that stores a drug sheet 100 (referred to as a full-sheet 110 in this specification) containing drugs in a prescribed packaging unit, and a fractional-sheet storage unit 20 that stores a portion of the drug sheet 100 that has been cut off (referred to as a fractional-sheet 120 in this specification). The full-sheet storage unit 10 and the fractional-sheet storage unit 20 constitute a storage unit for storing the drug sheet 100. The storage unit has the full-sheet storage unit 10 and the fractional-sheet storage unit 20 separately. The storage location for the full-sheet 110 and the storage location for the fractional-sheet 120 are different locations in the drug supply device 1.

[0015] The all-sheet storage unit 10 includes a plurality of medicine containers 12. The medicine containers 12 are arranged in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. In FIG. 1, there are 5 rows of medicine containers 12 arranged in the vertical direction and 4 rows of medicine containers 12 arranged in the horizontal direction, and the number of medicine containers 12 provided in the medicine supply device 1 is 20. In an actual medicine supply device 1, the number of medicine containers 12 may be more. The number of medicine containers 12 may be about 100, or may be about 200 or about 300, or may be even more.

[0016] The medicine container 12 accommodates all-sheets 110. One medicine container 12 accommodates one type of all-sheets 110. One medicine container 12 accommodates a plurality of all-sheets 110. The medicine container 12 accommodates medicine by type. The all-sheets 110 that accommodate the same type of medicine may be accommodated in a plurality of medicine containers 12.

[0017] Each all-sheet 110 is accommodated in the medicine container 12 in an aligned state. Each all-sheet 110 is stacked in the vertical direction in a lying-down state. The surface of each all-sheet 110 having the pocket portion 104 faces up or down. The surfaces of each all-sheet 110 having the pocket portion 104 face up or down alternately in the order of stacking.

[0018] The accommodation form of the all-sheets 110 in the medicine container 12 is not particularly limited. The surfaces of each all-sheet 110 having the pocket portion 104 may all face up, or may all face down. The surfaces of each all-sheet 110 having the pocket portion 104 may face up or down randomly. Each all-sheet 110 may be arranged horizontally in an upright state. Each all-sheet 110 may be accommodated in the medicine container 12 in a non-aligned state.

[0019] Each medicine container 12 is provided with an identification unit for identifying the medicine contained in the medicine container 12. The identification unit is realized, for example, by an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag. The RFID tag stores identification information for identifying the type, quantity, and expiration date of the medicine contained in the medicine container 12. Such identification information may be stored in the storage unit of the control unit 50 described later together with the position information of each medicine container 12. In this case, the RFID tag does not necessarily have to be provided on each medicine container 12. The identification unit may be a one-dimensional code such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code.

[0020] The fractional sheet storage unit 20 has a plurality of storage rooms 22. In FIG. 1, there are 10 rows of storage rooms 22 arranged in the vertical direction and 5 rows of storage rooms 22 arranged in the horizontal direction, and the number of storage rooms 22 provided in the fractional sheet storage unit 20 is 50. The number of storage rooms 22 is not particularly limited. The number of storage rooms 22 may be twice the number of medicine containers 12. The number of storage rooms 22 may be less than twice the number of medicine containers 12.

[0021] The storage room 22 temporarily stores the fractional sheet 120. One fractional sheet 120 is accommodated in one storage room 22. Since the fractional sheet storage unit 20 has a plurality of storage rooms 22 and one fractional sheet 120 is accommodated in each storage room 22, the storage unit stores a plurality of fractional sheets 120 as a whole. In FIG. 1, the surface of the fractional sheet 120 having the pocket portion 104 faces upward. The surface of the fractional sheet 120 having the pocket portion 104 may face downward. The fractional sheet 120 may be stored in the storage room 22 in an upright state.

[0022] Each storage room 22 is provided with an identification unit for identifying the drugs stored in the storage room 22. The identification unit is realized by, for example, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag. The RFID tag stores identification information for identifying the type, quantity, and expiration date of the drugs stored in the storage room 22. Such identification information may be stored in the storage unit of the control unit 50 described later together with the location information of each storage room 22. In this case, the RFID tag does not necessarily have to be provided in each storage room 22. The identification unit may be a one-dimensional code such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code.

[0023] Storage rooms 22 may be assigned for each type of drug. For example, two storage rooms 22 may be assigned to one type of drug so that only the corresponding type of drug is stored in the specific two storage rooms 22.

[0024] Alternatively, the remainder sheets 120 may be appropriately stored in the available storage rooms 22. Different types of drugs may be stored in the same one storage room 22 at different times. When a first remainder sheet 120 containing a first type of drug is stored in a specific storage room 22, after that specific storage room 22 becomes empty, a second remainder sheet 120 containing a second type of drug different from the first type may be stored in that specific storage room 22. By doing so, the space efficiency of the remainder sheet storage unit 20 can be improved, and thus the entire drug supply device 1 can be miniaturized. By storing the type of drug stored in the storage room 22 in the identification unit, misidentification of the drug type is avoided.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the drug supply device 1 further includes a take-out unit 30, a cutting unit 40, a control unit 50, and an input / output unit 60.

[0026] The extraction unit 30 extracts the drug sheet 100 from the storage unit. The extraction unit 30 includes a full-sheet extraction unit 31 that extracts the full sheets 110 from the full-sheet storage unit 10 and a remainder-sheet extraction unit 32 that extracts the remainder sheets 120 from the remainder-sheet storage unit 20.

[0027] The full-sheet extraction unit 31 is movable in the vertical and horizontal directions in FIG. 1. The full-sheet extraction unit 31 approaches one of the drug containers 12 and extracts the full sheets 110 stored in the drug container 12. The full-sheet extraction unit 31 may, for example, move the drug container 12 in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1, take out the drug container 12 from the full-sheet storage unit 10, and then extract the full sheets 110 from the drug container 12. The full-sheet extraction unit 31 may also directly extract the full sheets 110 from the drug container 12 while the drug container 12 is accommodated in the full-sheet storage unit 10.

[0028] The full-sheet extraction unit 31 has a reading unit that reads the identification unit provided on the drug container 12. The reading unit is realized, for example, by an RFID reader / writer, and reads identification information for identifying the type, quantity, and expiration date of the drug stored in the drug container 12 from the RFID tag that constitutes the identification unit of the drug container 12. The reading unit also updates the identification information.

[0029] The remainder-sheet extraction unit 32 is movable in the vertical and horizontal directions in FIG. 1. The remainder-sheet extraction unit 32 approaches one of the storage rooms 22, extracts the remainder sheets 120 stored in the storage room 22, or stores the remainder sheets 120 in the storage room 22.

[0030] The remainder-sheet extraction unit 32 has a reading unit that reads the identification unit provided on the storage room 22. The reading unit is realized, for example, by an RFID reader / writer, and reads identification information for identifying the type, quantity, and expiration date of the drug stored in the storage room 22 from the RFID tag that constitutes the identification unit of the storage room 22. The reading unit also updates the identification information.

[0031] The full-sheet extraction unit 31 and the fractional-sheet extraction unit 32 can operate independently. The full-sheet extraction unit 31 can extract the full sheets 110 from the full-sheet storage unit 10 regardless of the situation of the operation of extracting the fractional sheets 120 by the fractional-sheet extraction unit 32. The fractional-sheet extraction unit 32 can extract the fractional sheets 120 from the fractional-sheet storage unit 20 regardless of the situation of the operation of extracting the full sheets 110 by the full-sheet extraction unit 31.

[0032] Therefore, the extraction unit 30 can execute the extraction of the full sheets 110 by the full-sheet extraction unit 31 and the extraction of the fractional sheets 120 by the fractional-sheet extraction unit 32 in parallel. Since the full sheets 110 and the fractional sheets 120 can be extracted simultaneously, the speed of dispensing the medicine from the medicine supply device 1 is increased.

[0033] The cutting unit 40 cuts the medicine sheet 100. The cutting unit 40 cuts the full sheets 110 taken out from the full-sheet storage unit 10 by the full-sheet extraction unit 31 to obtain fractional sheets 120. The cutting unit 40 cuts the full sheets 110 into two parts to obtain one fractional sheet 120 and the other fractional sheet 120. One of the fractional sheets 120 is to be supplied by the medicine supply device 1 and is dispensed to the outside of the medicine supply device 1. The other fractional sheet 120 is stored in the storage chamber 22 of the fractional-sheet storage unit 20.

[0034] The cutting unit 40 also cuts the fractional sheets 120 taken out from the fractional-sheet storage unit 20 by the fractional-sheet extraction unit 32 to obtain two fractional sheets 120 with a smaller quantity of medicine than the original fractional sheets 120. The cutting unit 40 cuts the fractional sheets 120 into two parts to obtain one fractional sheet 120 and the other fractional sheet 120. One of the fractional sheets 120 is to be supplied by the medicine supply device 1 and is dispensed to the outside of the medicine supply device 1. The other fractional sheet 120 is stored in the storage chamber 22 of the fractional-sheet storage unit 20.

[0035] The fractional sheet extraction unit 32 conveys the other fractional sheet 120 from the cutting unit to the storage chamber 22. The fractional sheet extraction unit 32 updates the identification information of the identification unit provided in the storage chamber 22 that houses the fractional sheet 120 according to the type, quantity, and expiration date of the drug contained in the fractional sheet 120 to be housed.

[0036] The control unit 50 controls the overall operation of the drug supply device 1. The control unit 50 outputs a control signal to the extraction unit 30 to control the operation of extracting the drug sheet 100 by the extraction unit 30. The control unit 50 outputs a control signal to the cutting unit 40 to control the operation of cutting the drug sheet 100 by the cutting unit 40.

[0037] The control unit 50 has a storage unit. The storage unit stores programs for executing various operations of the drug supply device 1 and stores necessary information. The storage unit stores information necessary for supplying drugs using the drug supply device 1. The control unit 50 controls the operation of the drug supply device 1 based on the programs stored in the storage unit and the information necessary for supplying drugs from the drug supply device 1.

[0038] The input / output unit 60 receives information necessary for supplying drugs from the drug supply device 1. Examples of this necessary information include prescription information based on a prescription and various setting information. These pieces of information may be input to the input / output unit 60 by an operator who operates the drug supply device 1, or may be input to the input / output unit 60 from an external computer via a wireless or wired communication line. The input / output unit 60 outputs the input information to the control unit 50.

[0039] The control unit 50 has an arithmetic unit. The arithmetic unit determines the number of drugs to be supplied from the drug supply device 1 based on the prescription information input to the control unit 50. The arithmetic unit specifies the combination of the full sheets 110 and the fractional sheets 120 to be taken out from the storage unit according to the number of drugs to be supplied. The control unit 50 controls the extraction unit 30 and the cutting unit 40 based on the specific result.

[0040] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a modified example of the drug container 12. The drug container 12 described with reference to FIG. 1 contains only the full sheets 110, and the fractional sheets 120 are stored not in the drug container 12 but in the fractional sheet storage section 20. In contrast, the drug container 12 of the modified example shown in FIG. 2 has a first storage section 15 and a second storage section 16. The first storage section 15 and the second storage section 16 are partitioned by a partition wall 14.

[0041] The full sheets 110 are stored in the first storage section 15. The first storage section 15 can accommodate a plurality of full sheets 110. The fractional sheets 120 are stored in the second storage section 16. The second storage section 16 can accommodate a plurality of fractional sheets 120. The second storage section 16 is partitioned into a plurality of rooms by one or more (two in FIG. 2) partition walls 14a, and one fractional sheet 120 is stored in each room. Since the second storage section 16 has a plurality of rooms and the fractional sheets 120 are stored in each room, the second storage section 16 stores a plurality of (three in FIG. 2) fractional sheets 120.

[0042] In the drug supply device 1 having a plurality of drug containers 12 of the modified example shown in FIG. 2, drugs are stored in each drug container 12 according to the type. By adopting a configuration in which both the full sheets 110 and the fractional sheets 120 can be stored in one drug container 12, it is easy to manage each type of drug.

[0043] The storage form of the full sheets 110 in the first storage section 15 is arbitrary as in the description of FIG. 1, and the surface of the full sheets 110 having the pocket portion 104 may face upward or downward. The storage form of the fractional sheets 120 in the second storage section 16 is also arbitrary, and the surface of the fractional sheets 120 having the pocket portion 104 may face upward or downward.

[0044] In FIG. 2, a first storage portion 15 is provided at the upper part of the drug container 12 and a second storage portion 16 is provided at the lower part of the drug container 12. However, the arrangement of the first storage portion 15 and the second storage portion 16 in the drug container 12 is also arbitrary. The second storage portion 16 may be arranged above the first storage portion 15, or the second storage portion 16 may be arranged separately above and below the first storage portion 15.

[0045] Regarding the process of supplying the required quantity of drugs in the drug supply device 1 having the above configuration, the following will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the overall flow of the process of supplying drugs.

[0046] In step S1, it is determined whether the number of instructions, that is, the number of drugs to be supplied by the drug supply device 1 according to the prescription information, is divisible by the number of drugs included in the full-sheet 110.

[0047] For example, when the full-sheet 110 is a 10-tablet sheet containing 10 tablets, if the number of instructions is a multiple of 10, the number of instructions is divisible by the number of drugs in the full-sheet 110. When the full-sheet 110 is a 10-tablet sheet, if the number of instructions is not a multiple of 10, in the calculation of dividing the number of instructions by the number of drugs in the full-sheet 110, an integer cannot be used as the quotient for division and a remainder will occur.

[0048] If the number of instructions is divisible by the number of drugs in the full-sheet 110 (YES in step S1), the process proceeds to step S2, and the number of full-sheets 110 corresponding to the quotient of the calculation of dividing the number of instructions by the number of drugs in the full-sheet 110 is dispensed from the drug supply device 1. As a result, the required quantity of drugs is supplied, and the process ends (end in FIG. 3).

[0049] If the indicated number is not divisible by the number of drugs in all sheets 110 (NO in step S1), the process proceeds to step S3. Next, it is determined whether there is a fractional sheet 120 containing the number of drugs that matches the remainder of the calculation of dividing the indicated number by the number of drugs in all sheets 110. If there is such a fractional sheet 120 (YES in step S3), the process proceeds to step S4, where the fractional sheet 120 is dispensed, and at the same time, the number of all sheets 110 corresponding to the quotient of the calculation is dispensed from the drug supply device 1. Since the required quantity of drugs is thus supplied, the process ends (end in FIG. 3).

[0050] If there is no fractional sheet 120 containing the number of drugs that matches the remainder of the calculation of dividing the indicated number by the number of drugs in all sheets 110 (NO in step S3), the process proceeds to step S5. Next, it is determined whether there is a combination of fractional sheets 120 containing the number of drugs that matches the remainder of the calculation of dividing the indicated number by the number of drugs in all sheets 110.

[0051] For example, if the remainder of the calculation is 8 and there is a fractional sheet 120 containing 3 drugs and a fractional sheet 120 containing 5 drugs stored in the fractional sheet storage unit 20, the total number of drugs is 8, which matches the remainder of the calculation, so it is determined that there is a combination of fractional sheets 120. Also, for example, if the remainder of the calculation is 8 and there are two fractional sheets 120 each containing 2 drugs and a fractional sheet 120 containing 4 drugs stored in the fractional sheet storage unit 20, the total number of drugs is 8, which matches the remainder of the calculation, so it is determined that there is a combination of fractional sheets 120.

[0052] If there are multiple combinations of fractional sheets 120 where the total number of drugs matches the remainder of the calculation, the combination with a larger number of fractional sheets 120 may be preferentially supplied, or the combination with a smaller number of fractional sheets 120 may be preferentially supplied. Alternatively, the combination including the fractional sheet 120 with a shorter remaining period until the expiration date may be preferentially supplied.

[0053] If there is a combination of fractional sheets 120 (YES in step S5), the process proceeds to step S6, where the combination of the fractional sheets 120 is dispensed, and the full number of full sheets 110 corresponding to the quotient of the calculation is dispensed from the drug supply device 1. Since the necessary amount of drug is thereby supplied, the process ends (end in FIG. 3).

[0054] As shown in steps S1 to S6, first, it is determined whether the stored combination of full sheets 110 and fractional sheets 120 can supply the indicated amount of drug. If it can, an appropriate combination of drug sheets 100 is dispensed. Since the process of cutting the drug sheet 100 takes time, the speed of dispensing the drug from the drug supply device 1 can be improved by minimizing the process of cutting the drug sheet 100.

[0055] The order of the determination in step S3 and the determination in step S5 may be swapped. Any one or all of the determinations in step S1, step S3, and step S5 may be omitted. The operator may be able to select which determination to omit using the input / output unit 60 (FIG. 1).

[0056] In the determination of step S5, if there is no combination of fractional sheets 120 (NO in step S5), the process proceeds to step S7, and a cutting process of cutting the fractional sheets 120 and / or the full sheets 110 at the cutting unit 40 is executed.

[0057] FIG. 4 is a first flowchart showing the flow of the cutting process. FIG. 5 is a second flowchart showing the flow of the cutting process. The cutting process of cutting the drug sheet 100 will be described according to FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0058] In step S11, it is determined whether there is an undetermined fractional sheet 120. For example, the control unit 50 sets an undetermined flag for each of the fractional sheets 120 stored in the fractional sheet storage unit 20. When a series of processes related to the determination of the cutting process described below are performed for each fractional sheet 120, the control unit 50 clears the undetermined flag of that fractional sheet 120 and sets the series of processes for that fractional sheet 120 as having been executed. In the determination of step S11, it is determined whether there is a fractional sheet 120 for which the undetermined flag is set at the time of that determination.

[0059] If it is determined that there is an undetermined fractional sheet 120 (YES in step S11), the process proceeds to step S12 to determine the fractional sheet 120 that is the subject of the determination related to the cutting process. If there is only one undetermined fractional sheet 120, that fractional sheet 120 is the target fractional sheet 120. If there are two or more undetermined fractional sheets 120, the fractional sheets 120 are prioritized and the target fractional sheet 120 is determined.

[0060] This prioritization may be performed according to the number of drugs on the fractional sheet 120. For example, the smaller the quantity of drugs contained in the fractional sheet 120, the higher the priority can be set. By performing the process so that the fractional sheet 120 with a small number of drugs is preferentially dispensed from the drug supply device 1, the number of fractional sheets 120 stored in the drug supply device 1 can be efficiently reduced. Or the prioritization may be performed according to the expiration date of the drug. By performing the process so that the fractional sheet 120 with a short remaining period until the expiration date is preferentially dispensed from the drug supply device 1, it becomes possible to stably supply drugs with a longer remaining period until the expiration date.

[0061] The setting of the prioritization, for example, whether to prioritize according to the number of drugs on the fractional sheet 120, whether to prioritize according to the expiration date of the drug, or whether to prioritize according to any other arbitrary criterion, etc., may be made selectable by the operator using the input / output unit 60 (FIG. 1).

[0062] When the target fractional sheet 120 is determined, a calculation is performed to subtract the indicated number from the number of drugs contained in the target fractional sheet 120, and the difference is obtained.

[0063] If the result of the calculation in step S12 is that the difference is 0, proceed to step S13, dispense the target fractional sheet 120 from the drug supply device 1, and end the cutting process (end of FIG. 4). As a result, the required quantity of drugs is supplied, so the process ends (end of FIG. 3).

[0064] If the result of the calculation in step S12 is that the difference is +2 or more, proceed to step S14, cut the target fractional sheet 120 with the cutting unit 40, and divide it into two: the fractional sheet 120 containing the indicated number of drugs and the remaining fractional sheet 120. Dispense the fractional sheet 120 containing the indicated number of drugs from the drug supply device 1, store the remaining fractional sheet 120 in the fractional sheet storage unit 20, and end the cutting process (end of FIG. 4). As a result, the required quantity of drugs is supplied, so the process ends (end of FIG. 3).

[0065] If the result of the calculation in step S12 is that the difference is -2 or less, proceed to step S15 and dispense the target fractional sheet 120. Subsequently, in step S16, a calculation is performed to subtract the number of drugs contained in the dispensed fractional sheet 120 from the indicated number, and the result of the calculation is used as the new indicated number to update the indicated number. In this case, the indicated number will be updated to 2 or more. Then, return to the determination in step S11.

[0066] If the result of the calculation in step S12 is that the difference is +1, proceed to step S17 and determine whether the number of drugs contained in the target fractional sheet 120 is 3 or 4.

[0067] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the supply of drugs when the number of drugs contained in the fractional sheet 120 is one more. In FIG. 6, when trying to cut out the indicated number of drugs from the target fractional sheet 120, if the remaining cut-out part becomes a fractional sheet 120 containing one drug, how to combine, cut, and supply the fractional sheet 120 and the full-sheet 110 to supply the indicated number of drugs without generating a fractional sheet 120 cut out for one drug is shown for each indicated number.

[0068] For example, when the indicated number is 2 and the number of drugs in the target fractional sheet 120 is 3, the result of the calculation in step S12 becomes +1. At this time, if a fractional sheet 120 containing 2 drugs is cut out from the fractional sheet 120, a fractional sheet 120 containing one drug will remain, which is not preferable. Therefore, instead of supplying the 2 drugs, which is the indicated number, from the target fractional sheet 120, supply them from other sheets.

[0069] Also, when the indicated number is 3 and the number of drugs in the target fractional sheet 120 is 4, the result of the calculation in step S12 becomes +1. At this time, if a fractional sheet 120 containing 3 drugs is cut out from the target fractional sheet 120, a fractional sheet 120 containing one drug will remain, which is not preferable. On the other hand, if 2 drugs are supplied from the target fractional sheet 120, it will be necessary to cut out the remaining one drug from other sheets to supply the indicated number of drugs, which is not preferable. Therefore, instead of supplying the 3 drugs, which is the indicated number, from the target fractional sheet 120, supply them from other sheets.

[0070] Therefore, if the determination in step S17 is YES, the process of cutting the target fractional sheet 120 is not performed. Clear the undetermined flag of the target fractional sheet 120 and return to the determination in step S11.

[0071] If the determination in step S17 is NO, that is, if the number of drugs contained in the target fractional sheet 120 is 5 or more, proceed to step S18.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 6, when the index number is 4 and the number of drugs in the target fractional sheet 120 is 5, the result of the calculation in step S12 becomes +1. At this time, it is decided to dispense 2 drugs from the target fractional sheet 120 containing 5 drugs, and the remaining 2 drugs are to be supplied from other sheets.

[0073] When the index number is 5 and the number of drugs in the target fractional sheet 120 is 6, the result of the calculation in step S12 becomes +1. At this time, it is decided to dispense 3 drugs from the target fractional sheet 120 containing 6 drugs, and the remaining 2 drugs are to be supplied from other sheets.

[0074] When the index number is 6 and the number of drugs in the target fractional sheet 120 is 7, the result of the calculation in step S12 becomes +1. At this time, it is decided to dispense 4 drugs from the target fractional sheet 120 containing 7 drugs, and the remaining 2 drugs are to be supplied from other sheets.

[0075] In FIG. 6, the reason why the slashes are drawn and erased when the number of drugs in the target fractional sheet 120 is 2 is that there is no case where the index number becomes 1 if the idea of this embodiment is applied.

[0076] Thus, in the process of step S18, the portion excluding 3 from the target fractional sheet 120 is cut out and dispensed, and the remaining portion (3) is stored in the fractional sheet storage unit 20. Subsequently, in step S19, the number of drugs dispensed and cut out from the target fractional sheet 120 is subtracted from the index number, and the result of the calculation is used as the new index number to update the index number. In this case, the index number will be updated to 2.

[0077] Then, the undetermined flag of the target fractional sheet 120 is cleared, and the process returns to the determination in step S11.

[0078] If the difference is -1 as a result of the calculation in step S12, the process proceeds to step S20, and it is determined whether the number of drugs contained in the target fractional sheet 120 is 2 or 3.

[0079] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the supply of drugs when the number of drugs contained in the fractional sheet 120 is one less. In FIG. 7, when there is a shortage of one drug when attempting to supply the indicated number of drugs from the target fractional sheet 120, it shows, for each indicated number, how the fractional sheet 120 and the full-sheet 110 should be combined, cut, and supplied so that the indicated number of drugs can be supplied without generating a fractional sheet 120 cut into one drug portion.

[0080] For example, when the indicated number is 3 and the number of drugs in the target fractional sheet 120 is 2, the result of the calculation in step S12 is -1. At this time, if the target fractional sheet 120 is dispensed without cutting, in order to supply the indicated number of drugs, it would be necessary to cut out the remaining one drug from another sheet, which is not preferable. On the other hand, if the target fractional sheet 120 is cut, a fractional sheet 120 containing one drug is formed, which is not preferable. Therefore, the three drugs corresponding to the indicated number are supplied from other sheets instead of from the target fractional sheet 120.

[0081] Also, when the indicated number is 4 and the number of drugs in the target fractional sheet 120 is 3, the result of the calculation in step S12 is -1. At this time, if the target fractional sheet 120 is dispensed without cutting, in order to supply the indicated number of drugs, it would be necessary to cut out the remaining one drug from another sheet, which is not preferable. On the other hand, if the target fractional sheet 120 is cut, a fractional sheet 120 containing one drug is formed, which is not preferable. Therefore, the four drugs corresponding to the indicated number are supplied from other sheets instead of from the target fractional sheet 120.

[0082] Therefore, if the determination in step S20 is YES, the process of paying out or cutting the target end - piece sheet 120 is not performed. The undetermined flag of the target end - piece sheet 120 is cleared, and the process returns to the determination in step S11.

[0083] If the determination in step S20 is NO, that is, if the number of drugs contained in the target end - piece sheet 120 is 4 or more, the process proceeds to step S21.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 7, when the instruction number is 5 and the number of drugs in the target end - piece sheet 120 is 4, the result of the calculation in step S12 is - 1. At this time, 2 drugs are to be paid out from the target end - piece sheet 120 containing 4 drugs, and the remaining 3 drugs are to be supplied from other sheets.

[0085] When the instruction number is 6 and the number of drugs in the target end - piece sheet 120 is 5, the result of the calculation in step S12 is - 1. At this time, 3 drugs are to be paid out from the target end - piece sheet 120 containing 5 drugs, and the remaining 3 drugs are to be supplied from other sheets.

[0086] At this time, it is also possible to pay out 2 drugs from the target end - piece sheet 120. However, in order to leave the end - piece sheet 120 as little as possible, the maximum number of drugs that can be paid out from the end - piece sheet 120 is paid out. By preferentially processing the end - piece sheet 120 and minimizing the number of end - piece sheets 120 to be stored, the possibility of forming an end - piece sheet 120 containing 1 drug can be reduced.

[0087] When the instruction number is 7 and the number of drugs in the target end - piece sheet 120 is 6, the result of the calculation in step S12 is - 1. At this time, 4 drugs are to be paid out from the target end - piece sheet 120 containing 6 drugs, and the remaining 3 drugs are to be supplied from other sheets.

[0088] In FIG. 7, when the indicated number is 2, the slashes are drawn and then erased because, if the idea of the present embodiment is applied, a fractional sheet 120 with one drug will not be formed.

[0089] Thus, in the process of step S21, a portion obtained by removing two from the target fractional sheet 120 is cut out and dispensed, and the remaining portion (two) is stored in the fractional sheet storage unit 20. Subsequently, in step S22, a calculation is performed to subtract the number of drugs cut out from the target fractional sheet 120 that has been dispensed from the indicated number, and the result of the calculation is used as a new indicated number to update the indicated number. In this case, the indicated number will be updated to 3.

[0090] Then, the undetermined flag of the target fractional sheet 120 is cleared, and the process returns to the determination in step S11.

[0091] When the determination is executed for all the fractional sheets 120 stored in the fractional sheet storage unit 20 and there are no fractional sheets 120 with the undetermined flag set and it is determined that there are no undetermined fractional sheets 120 (NO in step S11), the process proceeds to the processing of the full-sheet 110. Proceed to step S23 in FIG. 5 via the coupler A, and it is determined whether the full-sheet 110 is stored in the full-sheet storage unit 10.

[0092] When it is determined that the full-sheet 110 is not stored (NO in step S23), the error process of step S33 is performed. For example, using the input / output unit 60 (FIG. 1), the operator who is performing the drug supply operation using the drug supply device 1 is notified that the full-sheet 110 is not stored, and the operator is prompted to replenish the full-sheet 110. Until the full-sheet 110 is replenished, the determination in step S23 is repeated.

[0093] When it is determined that the full-sheet 110 is stored (YES in step S23), the process proceeds to step S24, and a process is performed to subtract the indicated number from the number of drugs included in the full-sheet 110 that is the target of the cutting process, and the difference is obtained.

[0094] If the difference is 0 as a result of the calculation in step S24, proceed to step S25, dispense the entire number of target sheets 110 from the chemical supply device 1, return to FIG. 4 via the coupler D, and end the cutting process (end of FIG. 4). As a result, the required amount of chemical is supplied, so the process ends (end of FIG. 3).

[0095] If the difference is +2 or more as a result of the calculation in step S24, proceed to step S26, cut the entire number of target sheets 110 with the cutting unit 40, and divide them into a fractional sheet 120 containing the chemical for the indicated number and the remaining fractional sheet 120. Dispense the fractional sheet 120 containing the chemical for the indicated number from the chemical supply device 1, store the remaining fractional sheet 120 in the fractional sheet storage unit 20, return to FIG. 4 via the coupler D, and end the cutting process (end of FIG. 4). As a result, the required amount of chemical is supplied, so the process ends (end of FIG. 3).

[0096] If the difference is -2 or less as a result of the calculation in step S24, proceed to step S27 and dispense the entire number of target sheets 110. Subsequently, in step S28, perform a calculation to subtract the number of chemicals contained in the dispensed entire number of sheets 110 from the indicated number, and update the indicated number with the result of the calculation. Then, return to the determination in step S23.

[0097] If the difference is +1 as a result of the calculation in step S24, proceed to step S29, cut out and dispense the portion excluding three from the entire number of target sheets 110, and store the remaining portion (three) in the fractional sheet storage unit 20. Subsequently, in step S30, perform a calculation to subtract the number of chemicals cut out from the dispensed entire number of target sheets 110 from the indicated number, and update the indicated number with the result of the calculation. In this case, the indicated number will be updated to 2. Then, return to the determination in step S23.

[0098] If the difference is -1 as a result of the calculation in step S24, the process proceeds to step S31, where a portion obtained by removing two sheets from the total number of target sheets 110 is cut out and dispensed, and the remaining portion (two sheets) is stored in the fractional sheet storage unit 20. Subsequently, in step S32, a calculation is performed to subtract the number of drugs cut out from the target total number of sheets 110 that have been dispensed from the instructed number, and the result of the calculation is used as the new instructed number to update the instructed number. In this case, the instructed number will be updated to 3. Then, the process returns to the determination in step S23.

[0099] According to the drug supply device 1 of the embodiment described above, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the control unit 50 (FIG. 1) controls the cutting unit 40 so that the fractional sheet 120 contains two or more drugs. Since it is possible to supply the number of drugs corresponding to the instructed number without generating a fractional sheet 120 cut into one drug portion, the possibility of accidental ingestion and loss of the fractional sheet 120 can be reduced.

[0100] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, when the number of drugs contained in the target fractional sheet 120 is one less than the instructed number and the number of drugs contained in the target fractional sheet 120 is two or three, no drug is supplied from the target fractional sheet 120, and drugs are supplied from another fractional sheet 120 or the total number of sheets 110. Thereby, it is possible to avoid generating a fractional sheet 120 cut into one drug portion.

[0101] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, when the number of drugs contained in the target fractional sheet 120 is one less than the instructed number and the number of drugs contained in the target fractional sheet 120 is four or more, the target fractional sheet 120 is cut into one containing two drugs and the other remaining part, and one is stored in the fractional sheet storage unit 20 while the other is supplied. Drugs for the shortage with respect to the instructed number are supplied from another fractional sheet 120 or the total number of sheets 110. Thereby, it is possible to avoid generating a fractional sheet 120 cut into one drug portion.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 5, when the number of drugs contained in the total number of target sheets 110 is one less than the indicated number, the total number of target sheets 110 is cut into one containing two drugs and the other remaining part, and one is stored in the fractional sheet storage unit 20 while the other is supplied. The drugs lacking the indicated number are supplied from another total number of sheets 110. Thereby, it is possible to avoid the generation of a fractional sheet 120 cut into one drug portion.

[0103] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, by preferentially supplying the fractional sheet 120 over the total number of sheets 110, the stored fractional sheets 120 can be efficiently reduced, and the possibility of generating a fractional sheet 120 cut into one drug portion can be reduced.

[0104] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, when the number of drugs contained in the target fractional sheet 120 is one more than the indicated number and the number of drugs contained in the target fractional sheet 120 is 3 or 4, drugs are not supplied from the target fractional sheet 120, and drugs are supplied from another fractional sheet 120 or the total number of sheets 110. Thereby, it is possible to avoid the generation of a fractional sheet 120 cut into one drug portion.

[0105] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, when the number of drugs contained in the target fractional sheet 120 is one more than the indicated number and the number of drugs contained in the target fractional sheet 120 is 5 or more, the target fractional sheet 120 is cut into one containing three drugs and the other remaining part, and one is stored in the fractional sheet storage unit 20 while the other is supplied. The drugs lacking the indicated number are supplied from another fractional sheet 120 or the total number of sheets 110. Thereby, it is possible to avoid the generation of a fractional sheet 120 cut into one drug portion.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 5, when the number of drugs included in all the target sheets 110 is one more than the instructed number, the all target sheets 110 are cut into one part containing three drugs and the other remaining part, and one part is stored in the fractional sheet storage unit 20 while the other part is supplied. Drugs lacking the instructed number are supplied from another all target sheet 110. Thereby, it is possible to avoid the generation of fractional sheets 120 cut into one drug portion.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 1, in the drug supply device 1 of the embodiment, the all sheet storage unit 10 stores a plurality of all sheets 110 that individually accommodate a plurality of drugs. The fractional sheet storage unit 20 stores a plurality of fractional sheets 120 obtained by cutting a part of the all sheets 110. As shown in FIG. 3, according to the number of drugs to be supplied, a combination of the all sheets 110 and the fractional sheets 120 is taken out from the storage unit. By finding a combination in which the total of the quantity of drugs contained in one or more all sheets 110 and the quantity of drugs contained in one or more fractional sheets 120 matches the number of drugs to be supplied, and dispensing the combination of the all sheets 110 and the fractional sheets 120, the drug supply device 1 can supply the required quantity of drugs in a short time.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 1, by separately providing the all sheet storage unit 10 and the fractional sheet storage unit 20, it becomes easier to manage the all sheets 110 and the fractional sheets 120.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 1, taking out the all sheets 110 by the all sheet extraction unit 31 and taking out the fractional sheets 120 by the fractional sheet extraction unit 32 can be executed in parallel. By being able to execute the extraction and cutting of the necessary drug sheets 100 simultaneously in parallel, the speed of dispensing drugs from the drug supply device 1 can be further improved.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 1, the fractional sheet storage unit 20 has a plurality of storage rooms 22 for temporarily storing the fractional sheets 120. After the storage room 22 becomes empty, it is possible to store the fractional sheet 120 containing a drug of a type different from the drug stored until then in the storage room 22. Thereby, since the space efficiency of the fractional sheet storage unit 20 can be improved, the entire drug supply device 1 can be downsized.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 2, the drug container 12 has a first storage unit 15 that can store a plurality of full sheets 110 and a second storage unit 16 that can store a plurality of fractional sheets 120, and is provided to store drugs for each type. Drugs are stored in each drug container 12 for each type, and since both the full sheet 110 and the fractional sheet 120 are stored in one drug container 12, management for each type of drug is facilitated.

[0112] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the control unit 50 controls the cutting unit 40 so that the fractional sheet 120 contains two or more drugs. Since it is possible to supply the drugs for the instructed number of minutes without generating the fractional sheet 120 cut into one portion of the drug, the possibility of accidental ingestion and loss of the fractional sheet 120 can be reduced.

[0113] [Second Embodiment] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a part of the cutting process of the second embodiment, and shows a modified example of the process flow shown in FIG. 4. In the process shown in FIG. 8, if the result of the calculation in step S12 shows that the difference is +1, no drug is supplied from the target fractional sheet 120, the undetermined flag of the target fractional sheet 120 is cleared in step S34, and the process returns to the determination in step S11. If the result of the calculation in step S12 shows that the difference is -1, no drug is supplied from the target fractional sheet 120, the undetermined flag of the target fractional sheet 120 is cleared in step S35, and the process returns to the determination in step S11.

[0114] When the number of drugs contained in the target fractional sheet 120 is one more than the specified number, and when the number of drugs contained in the target fractional sheet 120 is one less than the specified number, no drug is supplied from the target fractional sheet 120, and drugs are supplied from another fractional sheet 120 or the full-sheet 110. Even in this way, similar to the first embodiment, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of a fractional sheet 120 cut into one drug portion.

[0115] In the description of the previous embodiments, the drug supply device 1 that can supply the specified number of drugs by the control unit 50 controlling the take-out unit 30 and the cutting unit 40 has been described. Instead of this example, a device configuration without the take-out unit 30 and the cutting unit 40 may be used. According to the processes shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, a device configuration may be adopted in which the control unit (arithmetic unit) specifies the combination of the full-sheet 110 and the fractional sheet 120 taken out from the storage unit according to the number of drugs to be supplied, and the specific result is output by the input / output unit 60. In this case, the taking out and cutting of the drug sheet 100 will be performed by the operator.

[0116] The input / output unit 60 that outputs the specific result by the arithmetic unit may have, for example, a display or a printer. By looking at the display on the display or the printed matter printed by the printer, the operator can easily recognize how to take out the combination of the full-sheet 110 and the fractional sheet 120, cut it as necessary, and store the remainder of the cut, so as to supply the specified number of drugs without generating a fractional sheet cut into one drug portion.

[0117] A storage unit for storing the drug sheet 100, an arithmetic unit for specifying the combination of the drug sheets 100 taken out from the storage unit, and an output unit for outputting the specific result by the arithmetic unit may constitute one dispensing instruction device. Or, the storage unit, the arithmetic unit, and the output unit do not have to be configured as one device. The storage unit, the arithmetic unit, and the output unit may be provided as separate devices to constitute one dispensing instruction system.

[0118] Although the embodiments have been described as above, it should be considered that all the embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of this invention is indicated not by the above description but by the claims, and it is intended that all changes within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are included.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0119] 1 Drug supply device, 10 Total sheet storage unit, 12 Drug container, 14, 14a Partition wall, 15 First storage unit, 16 Second storage unit, 20 Remainder sheet storage unit, 22 Storage room, 30 Take-out unit, 31 Total sheet take-out unit, 32 Remainder sheet take-out unit, 40 Cutting unit, 50 Control unit, 60 Input / output unit, 100 Drug sheet, 102 Sheet part, 104 Pocket part, 110 Total sheets, 120 Remainder sheets.

Claims

1. A storage unit that stores a plurality of drug sheets each storing a plurality of drugs individually and stores a plurality of fractional sheets with a part of the drug sheets cut off; A take-out unit that takes out a combination of the drug sheets and the fractional sheets from the storage unit according to the number of drugs to be supplied, when the number of drugs to be supplied is divisible by the number of drugs in the drug sheet, the drug sheets in the number corresponding to the quotient of the calculation are dispensed; when the number of drugs to be supplied is not divisible by the number of drugs in the drug sheet and there is a combination of fractional sheets containing the number of drugs corresponding to the remainder of the calculation, the combination of the fractional sheets is dispensed and the drug sheets in the number corresponding to the quotient of the calculation are dispensed; when the number of drugs to be supplied is not divisible by the number of drugs in the drug sheet and there is no combination of fractional sheets containing the number of drugs corresponding to the remainder of the calculation, but there is a fractional sheet containing the number of drugs corresponding to the remainder of the calculation, the fractional sheet is dispensed and the drug sheets in the number corresponding to the quotient of the calculation are dispensed; further comprising a cutting unit that cuts the drug sheets and the fractional sheets taken out from the storage unit; when the number of drugs to be supplied is not divisible by the number of drugs in the drug sheet, there is no combination of fractional sheets containing the number of drugs corresponding to the remainder of the calculation, and there is no fractional sheet containing the number of drugs corresponding to the remainder of the calculation, the drug sheet or the fractional sheet is cut so that the fractional sheet contains two or more drugs, and a drug supply device that dispenses the required quantity of drugs.

2. The drug supply device according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit separately has a drug sheet storage unit that stores a plurality of the drug sheets and a fractional sheet storage unit that stores a plurality of the fractional sheets.

3. The drug supply device according to claim 2, wherein the take-out unit can execute the taking out of the drug sheets and the taking out of the fractional sheets in parallel.

4. The fractional sheet storage unit has a plurality of storage rooms that temporarily store the fractional sheets, and after the storage room that stores the fractional sheet containing the first type of drug becomes empty, it is possible to store the fractional sheet containing the second type of drug different from the first type. The drug supply device according to claim 2 or claim 3.

5. The storage unit has a plurality of medicine containers that store medicines for each type. The medicine container has a first storage unit capable of storing a plurality of the medicine sheets and a second storage unit capable of storing a plurality of the fractional sheets, and the medicine supply device according to claim 1.

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