Drug dispensing device

Abstract

To provide a medicine distribution device that can confirm whether or not an amount of medicines injected to a feeder is appropriate.SOLUTION: A medicine distribution device 31 includes a medicine feeder 31a, a weighing part 31b, a determination part 31c, and a distribution part 31d. The weighing part 31b weighs medicines that are injected to the medicine feeder 31a. The determination part 31c determines the presence / absence of excess or deficiency of the medicines in the medicine feeder 31a on the basis of the weight of the medicines weighed by the weighing part 31b. The distribution part 31d has a distribution plate on which the medicines discharged by the medicine feeder 31a are accumulated, distributes the medicines on the distribution plate for each package and feeds the medicines to a medicine packaging device 41.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates primarily to a drug dispensing device that dispenses drugs placed in a drug feeder. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a method in which powder medicine prepared at a dispensing table is fed into a powder packaging machine and packaged. A scale is installed on the dispensing table, and the powder medicine is weighed using this scale. The powder medicine weighed on the scale is temporarily stored in a barcoded container. At the dispensing table, a barcode reader reads the barcode on the container, and the container identification information and dispensing information for the powder medicine contained in the container are transmitted to the powder packaging machine. The powder medicine contained in the container is fed into the hopper of the powder packaging machine and discharged onto a turntable via an electromagnetic feeder installed downstream of the hopper. The electromagnetic feeder operates at an appropriate vibration frequency according to the weighed value.

[0003] Patent Document 2 describes a packaging machine that packages powdered medicine. The packaging machine is equipped with a hopper and a vibrating feeder for discharging the powdered medicine onto a turntable. A detector is provided below the vibrating feeder to detect the amount of vertical displacement of the vibrating feeder. The weight of the powdered medicine is calculated based on the output of the detector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 63-55001 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-195436 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In Patent Documents 1 and 2, no process is performed to check whether the amount of medicine fed into the feeder is appropriate.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a medicine dispensing device that can confirm whether the amount of medicine fed into the feeder is appropriate.

[0007] The problem to be solved by the present invention is as described above. Next, the means for solving this problem and the effects thereof will be explained.

[0008] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drug dispensing device having the following configuration. That is, the drug dispensing device includes a drug feeder, a measuring unit, a determination unit, and a dispensing unit. The measuring unit measures the drugs fed into the drug feeder. The determination unit determines whether there is an excess or shortage of drugs in the drug feeder based on the weight of the drugs measured by the measuring unit. The dispensing unit has a distribution tray on which the drugs discharged by the drug feeder are accumulated, and distributes the drugs on the distribution tray in packets and sends them to a drug packaging device. The judgment unit judges whether there is an excess or shortage of medicine in the medicine feeder based on a first measurement value obtained by weighing the medicine to be fed into the medicine feeder with a weighing device before feeding into the medicine feeder, and a second measurement value obtained by weighing the medicine with the weighing unit, and detects whether there has been an increase or decrease in the medicine weighed by the weighing device.

[0009] This makes it possible to check whether the amount of medicine put into the medicine feeder is appropriate. Furthermore, even if an excess or deficiency in the amount of medicine occurs for some reason after measurement by the measuring device, this can be detected.

[0010] In the drug dispensing device, it is preferable that the judgment unit judges whether there is an excess or shortage of drug in the drug feeder based on a first measurement value obtained by weighing the drug to be fed into the drug feeder with a weighing device before feeding the drug into the drug feeder, and a second measurement value obtained by weighing the drug by the weighing unit.

[0011] This makes it possible to detect if the amount of medicine is over or under-dosed for some reason after being measured by the measuring device.

[0012] The drug dispensing device preferably has the following configuration. That is, the drug dispensing device includes a reading unit that reads, from the measuring device, identification information of a measuring container containing a drug when the drug is measured by the measuring device. The drug dispensing device receives measurement data from the measuring device that associates the identification information of the measuring container with the first measurement value. The determination unit acquires the first measurement value based on the measurement data and the reading result of the identification information of the measuring container read by the reading unit when the drug is fed from the measuring container to the drug feeder.

[0013] This makes it possible to obtain the first measured value in a reliable and simple manner.

[0014] In the medicine dispensing device, it is preferable that the determination unit permits the discharge of medicine from the medicine feeder to the dispensing unit when it determines that there is neither an excess nor a shortage of medicine in the medicine feeder.

[0015] This allows the medicine to be dispensed after confirming that an appropriate amount of medicine has been placed in the medicine feeder.

[0016] In the drug dispensing device, if the judgment unit determines that there is an excess or shortage of drug in the drug feeder, it is preferable that the judgment unit prohibits the discharge of drug from the drug feeder to the distribution unit and notifies the user that there is an excess or shortage of drug in the drug feeder.

[0017] This prevents a situation in which medicines are dispensed when there is a surplus or shortage of medicines in the medicine feeder, and also makes it possible to notify the operator that there is a surplus or shortage of medicines in the medicine feeder.

[0018] In the drug dispensing device, when the judgment unit judges that there is an excess or shortage of drug in the drug feeder, it is preferable to create re-measurement dispensing data, which is data for re-measurement by the measuring device.

[0019] This makes it easier to redo the weighing process using the weighing device.

[0020] In the drug dispensing device, if the judgment unit determines that there is an excess or shortage of drug in the drug feeder, it is preferable that the judgment unit accepts a choice of whether or not to re-measure the drug and judges whether or not an instruction to re-measure has been given.

[0021] The medicine dispensing device is preferably configured as follows: the measuring unit measures the medicine again after the medicine feeder has discharged the medicine to obtain a third measurement value, and the determination unit determines whether all the medicine has been discharged from the medicine feeder based on the third measurement value.

[0022] This prevents a situation in which medicine is dispensed while there is medicine remaining in the medicine feeder.

[0023] In the drug dispensing device, if the judgment unit determines that not all of the drug has been discharged from the drug feeder, it is preferable that the distribution unit does not perform distribution and instead resumes discharging the drug from the drug feeder to the distribution unit.

[0024] This allows the remaining medicine to be automatically discharged to the distributing section even if medicine remains in the medicine feeder. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a functional block diagram of a drug delivery device and related equipment according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating the processes performed by the measuring device, the medicine dispensing device, the medicine packaging device, and the PC. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the contents of dispensing data and measurement data. [Figure 4] Flowchart of the weighing device. [Figure 5] 1 is a flowchart of a drug dispensing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a functional block diagram of a drug dispensing device 31 and related devices according to this embodiment.

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a weighing device 11, a weighing container 21, a drug dispensing device 31, a drug packaging device 41, and a PC 51. These are installed in, for example, a pharmacy or a hospital, and are used to weigh and package drugs based on dispensing data. Furthermore, the weighing device 11, the drug dispensing device 31, the drug packaging device 41, and the PC 51 are connected by wire or wirelessly, and are capable of exchanging various data, which will be described later. In this embodiment, a powder drug (powdered, granular, or granular drug) is handled as the drug. However, the system may be configured to handle drugs other than powder drugs (e.g., tablets), or both powder drugs and tablets, or to handle excipients in addition to drugs. Furthermore, in the following description, "weighing" refers to measuring the weight of an object.

[0028] The weighing device 11 is a device for weighing the medicine listed in the dispensing data. More specifically, the medicine is weighed by the weighing device 11 while it is contained in a weighing container 21. The weighing device 11 also has an input device (keys, touch panel, etc.) not shown, which can accept selections by the operator. The weighing device 11 also has a storage device (flash memory, etc.) not shown, which can store various information (details will be described later). A display 12 and a barcode reader 13 are connected to the weighing device 11. The display 12 displays information output by the weighing device 11 (e.g., the measurement value, the name of the weighed medicine, information related to the dispensing data, etc.). The barcode reader 13 reads a barcode 22 affixed to the weighing container 21 and outputs the read result to the weighing device 11. The barcode 22 includes a container ID, which is unique identification information assigned to each weighing container 21.

[0029] The medicine dispensing device 31 dispenses medicines measured using the measuring device 11 based on the prescription data. The medicine dispensing device 31 includes a medicine feeder 31a, a measuring unit 31b, a determining unit 31c, and a dispensing unit 31d.

[0030] Medicines measured using the measuring device 11 are fed into the medicine feeder 31a. The medicine dispensing device 31 of this embodiment includes multiple medicine feeders 31a, but may also include a single medicine feeder 31a. The medicine feeder 31a includes, for example, a storage section for storing the fed medicines and a discharge section for discharging the medicines stored in the storage section to the dispensing section. The discharge section includes, for example, a vibration motor, and vibrates the storage section to discharge the medicines to the dispensing section.

[0031] Weighing unit 31b weighs the medicines fed into medicine feeder 31a. Specifically, weighing unit 31b is disposed below medicine feeder 31a and obtains the combined weight of medicine feeder 31a and the medicines. Since the weight of medicine feeder 31a is predetermined, the weight of the medicines fed into medicine feeder 31a can be obtained by subtracting the weight of medicine feeder 31a from the total weight. Weighing by weighing unit 31b is mainly performed after the medicines have been fed and before they are discharged.

[0032] The determination unit 31c includes a calculation unit such as a CPU and can perform various processes. In particular, the determination unit 31c determines whether the measurement value acquired by the measurement unit 31b is appropriate (whether there is an excess or shortage of medicine in the medicine feeder 31a).

[0033] The distribution unit 31d distributes the medicines one packet at a time and supplies them to the medicine packaging device 41. The distribution unit 31d includes, for example, a distribution tray and a feeding unit. The medicines discharged by the medicine feeder 31a are spread on the distribution tray. The distribution tray rotates, for example, around the vertical direction, to make the accumulated medicines uniform. The feeding unit scoops up the medicines on the distribution tray one packet at a time and feeds them to the medicine packaging device 41.

[0034] A display 32 and a barcode reader 33 are connected to the drug dispensing device 31. The display 32 displays information output by the drug dispensing device 31 (e.g., the measurement value, the name of the measured drug, the determination result of the determination unit 31c, information related to the dispensing data, etc.). The barcode reader 33 reads the barcode 22 affixed to the measuring container 21 and outputs the reading result to the drug dispensing device 31.

[0035] The medicine packaging device 41 packages (divides) medicines sent from the distributing section 31d of the medicine dispensing device 31 into individual packets. Specifically, a packaging material is set in the medicine packaging device 41. The medicine packaging device 41 pours one packet's worth of medicine into the opening of the packaging material, and then welds the opening by heat or the like. By repeating this process, the medicines can be individually packaged.

[0036] The PC 51 includes a computing device such as a CPU, a storage device such as a hard disk or solid state drive, and an input / output device. The computing device executes various processes by running programs stored in the storage device. In this embodiment, the PC 51 stores and manages prescription data input from outside and transmits the prescription data to the drug dispensing device 31.

[0037] The configurations of the above-described weighing device 11, weighing container 21, medicine dispensing device 31, and medicine packaging device 41 are merely examples, and may be configured differently from those in this embodiment. For example, an RFID reader may be used instead of barcode readers 13 and 33, and an RFID tag may be used instead of barcode 22. Furthermore, dispensing unit 31d of medicine dispensing device 31 is not limited to a configuration that scoops up medicines, and may be configured to scrape out and drop medicines.

[0038] Next, the flow of processing performed by the weighing device 11, the medicine dispensing device 31, the medicine packaging device 41, and the PC 51 will be briefly explained with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a sequence diagram showing the outline of the processing performed by these devices. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the contents of the dispensing data and the weighing data.

[0039] As described above, the PC 51 stores dispensing data. The PC 51 transmits the dispensing data to be processed by the drug dispensing device 31 to the drug dispensing device 31 (S1). The drug dispensing device 31 stores the received dispensing data as unprocessed dispensing data (dispensing data to be processed in the future) (S2). The drug dispensing device 31 transmits this dispensing data to the weighing device 11 (S3). Note that the flow of transmitting and receiving dispensing data is an example, and for example, the PC 51 may transmit dispensing data to both the weighing device 11 and the drug dispensing device 31.

[0040] FIG. 3 shows the contents of dispensing data. The dispensing data includes a data ID, a drug name, and a specified amount. The data ID is unique identification information assigned to each dispensing data. A specified amount is also registered for each drug name. In the example of FIG. 3, to dispense a drug with a data ID of XXX, 10 g of drug A and 20 g of drug B must be input into the drug dispensing device 31. Note that the dispensing data items shown in FIG. 3 are merely examples, and other items (e.g., a specified amount per package) may also be included.

[0041] Next, the worker supplies the drug indicated in the dispensing data to the measuring container 21 in accordance with the instructions of the measuring device 11. The measuring device 11 measures the drug indicated in the dispensing data and creates measurement data (S4). Figure 3 shows the contents of the measurement data. The measurement data includes a data ID, a drug name, a first measurement value, and a container ID. The data ID and drug name are the same as those in the dispensing data. The first measurement value is a value obtained by measuring by the measuring device 11. Since the measuring device 11 measures each drug, the first measurement value is also written for each drug. A container ID is written for each drug and indicates the container in which the target drug is stored. The processing of S4 will be described in detail later. The measuring device 11 transmits this measurement data to the drug dispensing device 31 (S5).

[0042] The medicine dispensing device 31 instructs the operator based on the measurement data received from the measuring device 11, and dispenses the medicine contained in the measuring container 21 (S6). Details of the process of S6 will be described later.

[0043] The medicine dispensing device 31 sends the dispensed medicines to the medicine packaging device 41. The medicine packaging device 41 packages the medicines sent from the medicine dispensing device 31 (S7).

[0044] Next, the details of the process of S4 performed by the weighing device 11 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart of the weighing device 11.

[0045] After receiving the dispensing data from the medicine dispensing device 31, the weighing device 11 outputs the contents of the dispensing data to the display 12 (S101). This allows the operator to understand the dispensing that is about to be performed.

[0046] Next, the weighing device 11 accepts the selection of the drug to be weighed (S102). Specifically, the weighing device 11 displays a list of drug names indicated by the dispensing data on the display 12, and allows the operator to select the drug to start weighing. The operator operates the input device to select the drug to start weighing.

[0047] The weighing device 11 receives the container ID of the weighing container to be used for weighing (S103). Specifically, the weighing device 11 displays on the display 12 an instruction to read the barcode 22 of the weighing container 21 to be used for weighing with the barcode reader 13. When the operator reads the barcode 22 of the corresponding weighing container 21 with the barcode reader 13, the container ID of the weighing container 21 is input into the weighing device 11. The weighing device 11 stores the input container ID of the weighing container 21 in association with the drug (the drug to be weighed) received in S102 (S104). This makes it possible to identify the drug contained in the weighing container 21 based on the container ID.

[0048] Next, the weighing device 11 weighs the medicine contained in the weighing container 21 to obtain a first measurement value (S105). The first measurement value is a value obtained by weighing the medicine to be dispensed into the medicine dispensing device 31 with the weighing device 11 before dispensing it into the medicine dispensing device 31. While the medicine is being measured, the weighing device 11 displays the name of the medicine, the first measurement value, and the specified amount on the display 12. The operator supplies the medicine from the medicine container to the weighing container 21 so that the first measurement value matches the specified amount in the dispensing data.

[0049] The weighing device 11 determines whether the first measurement value matches the amount specified in the dispensing data (S106). Various criteria for this determination may be used; for example, the weighing device 11 determines that the first measurement value matches the amount specified in the dispensing data if the difference between the first measurement value and the specified amount is within a threshold and the operator inputs that the drug supply has been completed. The weighing device 11 continues weighing the drug until it determines that the first measurement value matches the amount specified in the dispensing data. If the weighing device 11 determines that the first measurement value matches the amount specified in the dispensing data, it completes the weighing and stores the first measurement value (S107). This causes the drug name of the target drug, the container ID of the measuring container 21 containing the target drug, and the first measurement value of the target drug to be stored in the weighing device 11. In other words, the measurement data for the target drug is stored.

[0050] Next, the weighing device 11 determines whether or not there are any unmeasured drugs in the dispensing data (S108). For example, in the example of FIG. 3, if drug A has been measured and drug B has not been measured, the weighing device 11 determines that there are any unmeasured drugs. If the weighing device 11 determines that there are any unmeasured drugs, it repeats the processes from S102 onwards for the unmeasured drugs. For example, in S102, the weighing device 11 accepts the selection of drugs that are to be measured and have not been measured from among the drugs included in the dispensing data.

[0051] By performing the processes from S102 to S107 for all drugs listed in the dispensing data, measurement data is created. Then, if the measuring device 11 determines that there are no unmeasured drugs in the dispensing data, it transmits the measurement data to the drug dispensing device 31 (S109).

[0052] Next, the details of the process of S5 performed by the medicine dispensing device 31 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart of the medicine dispensing device 31.

[0053] 2, the drug dispensing device 31 receives and stores dispensing data from the PC 51 (S201), and transmits the dispensing data to the weighing device 11 (S202). After the weighing is performed by the weighing device 11, the drug dispensing device 31 receives and stores the weighing data from the weighing device 11 (S203).

[0054] Next, the drug dispensing device 31 receives the container ID of the measuring container 21 to be inserted (S204). Specifically, the drug dispensing device 31 displays on the display 32 an instruction to read the barcode 22 of the measuring container 21 containing the drug to be inserted with the barcode reader 33. When the operator reads the barcode 22 of the corresponding measuring container 21 with the barcode reader 33, the container ID of the measuring container 21 is input to the drug dispensing device 31.

[0055] Next, the drug dispensing device 31 selects and notifies the drug feeder 31a to which the drug contained in the measuring container 21 should be dispensed (S205). Specifically, the drug dispensing device 31 searches the measurement data for the container ID input from the barcode reader 33, and identifies the drug name and dispensing data corresponding to this container ID. The drug dispensing device 31 then selects an appropriate drug feeder 31a based on the identified information. For example, when drugs A and B are mixed in a distribution tray, the drug feeder 31a is selected so that drugs A and B are discharged into the same distribution tray. Note that the drug feeder 31a may be selected based on other criteria. The drug dispensing device 31 notifies the drug feeder 31a to which the drug should be dispensed, for example, by turning on a lamp disposed near the drug feeder 31a. Note that instead of or in addition to this type of notification, information identifying the drug feeder 31a to which the drug should be dispensed may be displayed on the display 32.

[0056] Next, the drug dispensing device 31 weighs the drug dispensed into drug feeder 31a using weighing unit 31b to obtain a second measurement value (S206). The second measurement value is a value obtained by weighing the drug dispensed into drug feeder 31a using weighing unit 31b of drug dispensing device 31. As described above, the second measurement value is obtained by subtracting the weight of drug feeder 31a from the weight indicated by weighing unit 31b. The second measurement value is obtained before the discharging operation of discharging the drug to dispensing unit 31d is performed (in other words, before vibrating the vibration motor for the discharging operation). As a result, the measurement is performed without vibration, and therefore a highly accurate second measurement value can be obtained.

[0057] Next, the drug dispensing device 31 determines whether the first measurement value and the second measurement value match (S207). Specifically, the drug dispensing device 31 searches the measurement data for the container ID acquired in S204 and identifies the first measurement value corresponding to this container ID. If the difference between the first measurement value and the second measurement value is less than a threshold, the drug dispensing device 31 determines that the first measurement value and the second measurement value match. If the difference between the first measurement value and the second measurement value is equal to or greater than the threshold, there is an excess or deficiency of the drug dispensed into the drug feeder 31a. The drug dispensing device 31 may compare the amount specified in the dispensing data instead of the first measurement value. Specifically, the drug dispensing device 31 may determine whether there is an excess or deficiency of the drug dispensed into the drug feeder 31a based on whether the amount specified in the dispensing data matches the second measurement value.

[0058] If the drug dispensing device 31 determines that the first measurement value and the second measurement value match, it permits the discharge of drugs from the drug feeder 31a to the dispensing unit 31d (S208). Thereafter, unless discharge is prohibited due to another factor, the drugs are discharged from the drug feeder 31a to the dispensing unit 31d. This allows not only the drugs to be measured by the measuring device 11 but also after they have been fed into the drug feeder 31a, thereby enabling more reliable dispensing.

[0059] After the medicine is discharged, the medicine dispensing device 31 again measures the medicine using the measuring unit 31b to obtain a third measurement value (S209). The third measurement value is a value obtained by measuring the contents in the medicine feeder 31a using the measuring unit 31b after the medicine is discharged. Similar to the second measurement value, the third measurement value is a value obtained by subtracting the weight of the medicine feeder 31a from the weight indicated by the measuring unit 31b. Therefore, if the medicine is completely discharged, the third measurement value should be zero. The timing for obtaining the third measurement value is, for example, after the series of medicine discharge operations has ended. This makes it easier to obtain an appropriate third measurement value, for example, when a vibration motor is used, because measurement can be performed after the vibration has stopped.

[0060] The drug dispensing device 31 determines whether the third measurement value is less than a threshold value (S210). The threshold value used here is a value close to zero. That is, the drug dispensing device 31 determines whether all of the drugs fed into the drug feeder 31a have been discharged. Note that the weight indicated by the weighing unit 31b (weight including the drug feeder 31a) may be used as the third measurement value. In this case, in S210, the drug dispensing device 31 determines whether the difference between the third measurement value and the weight of the drug feeder 31a is less than a threshold value.

[0061] When the drug dispensing device 31 determines that the third measurement value is less than the threshold, the dispensing unit 31d starts dispensing processing (S212). Then, the drug dispensing device 31 performs the same processing on the next drug included in the same dispensing data or the next drug included in the next dispensing data to dispense the drug. This makes it possible to confirm whether the amount of drug fed into the drug feeder 31a is appropriate. Therefore, for example, it is possible to detect cases where the weighing device 11 has made an incorrect measurement, the drug has fallen after being measured by the weighing device 11, or the amount of drug has increased or decreased after being measured due to other reasons, thereby improving the reliability of dispensing.

[0062] When the drug dispensing device 31 determines that the third measurement value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it resumes dispensing the drugs from the drug feeder 31a without performing the dispensing process (S211). Then, after dispensing the drugs, it performs the process of S210 again. This allows the dispensing process to be performed after dispensing the remaining drugs even if drugs remain in the drug feeder 31a. Note that, for example, if the third measurement value does not become less than the threshold value even after performing the process of S211 a predetermined number of times, the operator may be notified that an error has occurred.

[0063] Furthermore, if the drug dispensing device 31 determines in S207 that the first measurement value and the second measurement value do not match, it prohibits the discharge of drugs from the drug feeder 31a to the dispensing unit 31d (S213). If drugs that are either too much or too little are discharged to the dispensing unit 31d and the drugs are to be re-measured, it may be necessary to discard the drugs discharged to the dispensing unit 31d or clean the dispensing unit 31d. In this regard, by prohibiting discharge to the dispensing unit 31d when it is determined that there is an excess or a shortage, it is possible to omit the processes of discarding the drugs discharged to the dispensing unit 31d and cleaning the dispensing unit 31d.

[0064] Next, the drug dispensing device 31 notifies the operator that there is a surplus or deficiency in the amount of drug in the drug feeder 31a (S214). Methods of notification include, for example, emitting an error sound, turning on a warning light, or displaying on the display 32. The drug dispensing device 31 may also display on the display 32 the degree of surplus or deficiency (i.e., the difference between the first measured value and the second measured value).

[0065] Next, the drug dispensing device 31 accepts a selection of whether or not to re-measure the drug (S215). Specifically, the drug dispensing device 31 displays a check box for instructing re-measurement and a check box for discharging the drug without re-measurement on the display 32. The operator operates the input device to check the desired check box and confirm it, thereby issuing an instruction to the drug dispensing device 31.

[0066] The drug dispensing device 31 determines whether a re-measurement instruction has been issued based on the operator's operation (S216). If the drug dispensing device 31 determines that a re-measurement instruction has not been issued (i.e., if it determines that an instruction to discharge the drug as is has been issued), it permits the discharge of the drug from the drug feeder 31a to the dispensing unit 31d (S208). If the drug dispensing device 31 determines that a re-measurement instruction has been issued, it resets the first measurement value of the measurement data, creates re-measured dispensing data, and transmits it to the weighing device 11 (S217). The re-measured dispensing data is the same as the dispensing data except that information indicating that a re-measurement has been issued is added. Furthermore, when re-measurement is to be performed, the drug dispensing device 31 discharges the drugs fed into the drug feeder 31a into the weighing container 21 and cleans the drug feeder 31a as necessary. Then, the drug dispensing device 31 performs re-measurement using this weighing container 21.

[0067] The measuring device 11 performs the process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 4 using the received re-measurement dispensing data to create measurement data again. Hereinafter, measurement data created based on the re-measurement dispensing data will be referred to as re-measurement data. The drug dispensing device 31 again performs the process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 5 using the re-measurement data received from the measuring device 11. As a result, if it is determined that the first measurement value and the second measurement value match in the re-measurement, the dispensing process will be performed using an appropriate amount of drug.

[0068] In this embodiment, the first weight value is reset in S217, but instead, the first weight value may be overwritten when re-weighing data is received from the weighing device 11.

[0069] As described above, drug dispensing device 31 of this embodiment includes drug feeder 31a, measuring unit 31b, determination unit 31c, and distributing unit 31d. Measuring unit 31b weighs the drug dispensed into drug feeder 31a. Determining unit 31c determines whether there is an excess or shortage of drug in drug feeder 31a based on the weight of the drug weighed by measuring unit 31b. Distributing unit 31d distributes the drug dispensed by drug feeder 31a.

[0070] This makes it possible to check whether the amount of medicine fed into the medicine feeder 31a is appropriate.

[0071] In addition, in the drug dispensing device 31 of this embodiment, the judgment unit 31c judges whether there is an excess or shortage of drug in the drug feeder 31a based on a first measurement value obtained by weighing the drug to be dispensed into the drug feeder 31a using the weighing device 11 before dispensing the drug into the drug feeder 31a, and a second measurement value obtained by weighing the drug by the weighing unit 31b.

[0072] This makes it possible to detect if the amount of medicine is over or under-dosed for some reason after measurement by the measuring device 11.

[0073] In addition, in the drug dispensing device 31 of this embodiment, the first measurement value is obtained based on information (measurement data) that associates the identification information of the measuring container 21 containing the drug with the first measurement value when the drug is measured by the measuring device 11, and the reading result of the identification information (container ID) of the measuring container 21 that is read when the drug is fed from the measuring container 21 to the drug feeder 31a.

[0074] This makes it possible to obtain the first measured value in a reliable and simple manner.

[0075] Furthermore, in the drug dispensing device 31 of this embodiment, when the determining unit 31c determines that there is neither an excess nor a shortage of drugs in the drug feeder 31a, the determining unit 31c permits the drug to be discharged from the drug feeder 31a to the dispensing unit 31d.

[0076] This allows dispensing of medicines after confirming that an appropriate amount of medicine has been put into the medicine feeder 31a.

[0077] In addition, in the drug dispensing device 31 of this embodiment, if the judgment unit 31c determines that there is an excess or shortage of drug in the drug feeder 31a, it prohibits the discharge of drug from the drug feeder 31a to the distribution unit 31d and notifies the user that there is an excess or shortage of drug in the drug feeder 31a.

[0078] This makes it possible to prevent a situation in which medicines are dispensed when there is a surplus or deficiency in the medicine feeder 31a, and also makes it possible to notify the operator that there is a surplus or deficiency in the medicine feeder 31a.

[0079] Furthermore, in the medicine dispensing device 31 of this embodiment, when the judgment unit 31c judges that there is an excess or shortage of medicine in the medicine feeder 31a, remeasurement dispensing data is created, which is data for the measuring device 11 to measure again.

[0080] This makes it easier to perform the process of redoing the measurement with the measuring device 11.

[0081] In addition, in the drug dispensing device 31 of this embodiment, the measuring unit 31b measures the drugs again after the drug feeder 31a discharges the drugs to obtain a third measurement value. The determining unit 31c determines whether all the drugs have been discharged from the drug feeder 31a based on the third measurement value.

[0082] This prevents a situation in which medicines are dispensed while they remain in the medicine feeder 31a.

[0083] Furthermore, in the drug dispensing device 31 of this embodiment, when the determining unit 31c determines that all the drugs have not been discharged from the drug feeder 31a, the dispensing unit 31c resumes dispensing of the drugs from the drug feeder 31a to the dispensing unit 31d.

[0084] As a result, even if medicine remains in the medicine feeder 31a, the remaining medicine can be automatically discharged to the distribution section 31d.

[0085] The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the above configuration can be modified, for example, as follows.

[0086] The flowcharts shown in the above embodiments are merely examples, and some processes may be omitted, some processes may be changed, or new processes may be added. For example, in the flowchart of Fig. 4, the weighing data is transmitted from the weighing device 11 to the drug dispensing device 31 when the weighing data is completed. Alternatively, the drug dispensing device 31 may access the weighing device 11 at an appropriate timing to acquire the weighing data. Also, in the flowchart of Fig. 5, after notifying that the amount of drug in the drug feeder 31a is either excessive or insufficient in S214, the drug dispensing device 31 may be stopped, and the process related to re-weighing may be omitted.

[0087] In the above embodiment, a display and a barcode reader are individually connected to the weighing device 11 and the drug dispensing device 31. Alternatively, a common display and a common barcode reader may be used for the weighing device 11 and the drug dispensing device 31. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 11 Weighing device 21 Measuring container 31 Drug dispensing device 31a Drug Feeder 31b Measuring part 31c Judgment Department 31d Distribution section 41 Medicine packaging equipment 51 PC

Claims

1. A drug dispensing device, comprising: a drug feeder; a measuring unit that measures the medicine fed into the medicine feeder; a determination unit that determines whether there is an excess or shortage of medicine in the medicine feeder based on the weight of the medicine measured by the measuring unit; a distribution unit having a distribution tray on which the medicines discharged by the medicine feeder are accumulated, and distributing the medicines on the distribution tray one by one and sending them to the medicine packaging device; Equipped with the drug dispensing device receives, from a measuring device, a first measurement value obtained by measuring the drug to be dispensed into the drug feeder using the measuring device before the drug is dispensed into the drug feeder; The drug dispensing device is characterized in that the judgment unit determines whether there is an excess or shortage of drug in the drug feeder based on the first measurement value and the second measurement value obtained by the measuring unit when the drug is measured, and detects whether there is an increase or decrease in the amount of drug measured by the measuring device.

2. 10. The drug delivery device of claim 1, a reading unit that reads identification information of the measuring container from the measuring container; the measuring container is a container in which a medicine is contained when the medicine is measured by the measuring device, The drug dispensing device receives measurement data from the measuring device, the measurement data associating the identification information of the measuring container with the first measurement value; A drug dispensing device characterized in that the judgment unit acquires the first measurement value based on the measurement data and the reading result of the identification information of the measuring container read by the reading unit when the drug is fed from the measuring container to the drug feeder.

3. 3. A drug delivery device according to claim 1 or 2, A drug dispensing device characterized in that, when the judgment unit judges that there is neither an excess nor a shortage of drug in the drug feeder, the judgment unit permits the drug to be discharged from the drug feeder to the dispensing unit.

4. 4. A drug delivery device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A drug dispensing device characterized in that, when the judgment unit determines that there is an excess or shortage of drug in the drug feeder, it prohibits the drug feeder from discharging drug to the distribution unit and notifies the user that there is an excess or shortage of drug in the drug feeder.

5. 5. A drug delivery device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising: A drug dispensing device characterized in that, when the judgment unit determines that there is an excess or shortage of drug in the drug feeder, it creates re-measurement dispensing data, which is data for re-measurement by the measuring device.

6. 6. A drug delivery device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A drug dispensing device characterized in that, when the judgment unit determines that there is an excess or shortage of drug in the drug feeder, it accepts a choice of whether or not to re-measure the drug and determines whether an instruction to re-measure has been given.

Images