Drug supply device, cassette selector, and drug allocation device

Abstract

To select easily a cassette which can supply a medicine.SOLUTION: Each of multiple cassettes 100 can supply a medicine in a constant dimension range. A cassette selection tool 400 can select a cassette 100 which can supply the medicine according to the dimension of the medicine, out of the multiple cassettes 100. Each of multiple drive parts is configured so that each of the multiple cassettes 100 can be fitted, and drives the fitted cassettes 100. The control part controls each of the multiple drive parts. The control part allocates medicine information related to the medicine to the cassette 100 selected by the cassette selection tool 400 or to the drive part to which the cassette 100 is fitted. The control part controls the drive part so as to supply the medicine from the cassette 100 to which the medicine information is allocated, or from the cassette 100 fitted to the drive part to which the medicine information is allocated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a drug supply device, a cassette selector, and a drug allocation device. [Background technology]

[0002] A prior art document disclosing the configuration of a medicine dispensing device is International Publication No. 2014 / 112221 (Patent Document 1). The medicine dispensing device described in Patent Document 1 comprises a plurality of medicine cassettes, an allocation means, and a drive control means. The medicine cassettes are capable of dispensing any type of tablet. When medicine information of a drug to be dispensed is input, the allocation means allocates the medicine information to one of the medicine cassettes. The drive control means drives the medicine cassette in accordance with preset drive conditions corresponding to the medicine information allocated by the allocation means, and dispenses medicine from the medicine cassette. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2014 / 112221 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a demand for easy selection of a cassette capable of supplying a drug. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A drug supply device according to the present invention includes a plurality of cassettes, a cassette selector, a plurality of drive units, and a control unit. Each of the plurality of cassettes is capable of supplying drugs within a certain size range. The cassette selector can select a cassette capable of supplying drugs from the plurality of cassettes according to the size of the drug. Each of the plurality of drive units is configured to be able to mount one of the plurality of cassettes and drives the mounted cassette. The control unit controls each of the plurality of drive units. The control unit assigns drug information related to the drug to the cassette selected by the cassette selector or to the drive unit to which the cassette is mounted. The control unit controls the drive unit to supply the drug from the cassette to which the drug information is assigned or from a cassette mounted to the drive unit to which the drug information is assigned.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cassette selector indicates the correspondence between the size of the drug and the cassette.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cassette selector indicates the correspondence between each of the drug shapes and drug dimensions and the cassettes.

[0008] In one aspect of the present invention, the dimensions of the drug associated with the cassette in the cassette selector are the diameter and thickness of the drug.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cassette selector is formed with a plurality of circular through-holes of different diameters, and when drugs are fitted into the through-holes in order of smallest diameter, it is possible to determine whether the diameter of the drug is within a certain range based on the diameter of the through-hole through which the drug first passes.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cassette selector is formed with a plurality of rectangular through-holes of different widths, and when drugs are fitted into the through-holes in order from the smallest to the largest, it is possible to determine whether the thickness of the drugs is within a certain dimensional range based on the width of the through-hole through which the drug first passes.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cassette selector has a range of drug sizes indicated corresponding to each of the plurality of through-holes.

[0012] The cassette selector according to the present invention can select a cassette capable of supplying a drug from among a plurality of cassettes according to the size of the drug.

[0013] The drug allocation device according to the present invention includes a plurality of cassettes, a cassette selector, and a control unit. Each of the plurality of cassettes is capable of supplying drugs within a certain size range. The cassette selector can select a cassette capable of supplying drugs from the plurality of cassettes according to the size of the drugs. The control unit assigns drug information related to the drugs to the cassette selected by the cassette selector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, a cassette capable of supplying a drug can be easily selected. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing the appearance of a medicine dispensing and packaging device including a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover portion of a cassette included in a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention is open. [Figure 3] 3 is a plan view of the cassette of FIG. 2 as seen from the direction of arrow III. [Figure 4] 4 is a bottom view of the cassette of FIG. 2 as seen from the direction of arrow IV. [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view showing a medicine container in a cassette included in a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a part cut away. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective plan view showing a rotor in a cassette included in a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7]1 is a side view showing the positional relationship between a rotor and a partition included in a cassette provided in a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a partition section included in a cassette provided in a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a partition included in a cassette provided in a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention is removed from a medicine containing portion together with a partial peripheral wall. FIG. [Figure 10] 8 is a cross-sectional view of the rotor and the drive shaft of FIG. 7, as viewed from the direction of the arrow XX. [Figure 11] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a rotor, a cap portion, and a drive shaft included in a cassette provided in a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a cap portion included in a cassette provided in a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a rotor is attached to and detached from a drive shaft in a cassette included in a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the partition portion has been removed from the medicine containing portion together with the partial peripheral wall and the rotor has been removed from the drive shaft at the start of cleaning the cassette provided in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 15] This is a side view showing the cassette provided in the drug supply device of one embodiment of the present invention, after cleaning has been completed, with the rotor attached to the drive shaft, a partition section attached to the drug storage section along with a partial peripheral wall, and the lid section closed. [Figure 16] 1 is a block diagram showing a connection system of a medicine dispensing and packaging device including a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] 1 is a block diagram showing an operating procedure of a medicine packing device including a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an initial screen of a prescription screen displayed on an operation panel provided in the medicine supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a selection screen displayed on an operation panel provided in the medicine supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a filling instruction screen displayed on an operation panel included in the medicine supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a manual feeding instruction screen displayed on an operation panel provided in the medicine supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a cassette usage history screen displayed on an operation panel included in the medicine supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a refill instruction screen displayed on an operation panel included in the medicine supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention when the number of medicines supplied is insufficient. [Figure 24] 10 is a diagram showing a refill instruction screen displayed on the operation panel when a pre-check setting is made and before the identification code is read by the reading unit; FIG. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a refill instruction screen displayed on the operation panel of the medicine supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention when there is a cassette waiting for cleaning. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a refill instruction screen displayed on the operation panel of the medicine supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention when a cassette position where a malfunction has occurred is present. [Figure 27] 1 is a plan view showing a configuration of a cassette selector included in a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 28] 10 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure when drugs are supplied from a cassette selected according to the size of the drugs in the drug supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] A medicine supply device, a cassette selector, and a medicine allocation device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the embodiment, the same or corresponding parts in the drawings will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated. In the following description, a medicine packaging device including a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. The medicine supply device is part of the medicine packaging device and is composed of parts of the medicine packaging device other than the packaging unit described below. The cassette selector and the medicine allocation device are each part of the medicine supply device.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of a medicine packaging device including a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, medicine packaging device 200 including a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 210, a tablet supply unit 220, and a packaging unit 260. Medicine packaging device 200 further includes a manual medicine supply cassette 240, a powder medicine supply unit 250, and a control device 300. Each of tablet supply unit 220, manual medicine supply cassette 240, powder medicine supply unit 250, and packaging unit 260 is housed in housing 210. The medicine supply device includes housing 210, tablet supply unit 220, manual medicine supply cassette 240, powder medicine supply unit 250, and control device 300.

[0018] The tablet supplying section 220 has a plurality of cassette positions 230 in which the cassettes 100 are placed. The plurality of cassette positions 230 are arranged in a matrix in the housing 210. In this embodiment, the tablet supplying section 220 has six cassette positions 230. One cassette 100 is placed in each of the six cassette positions 230. Therefore, six cassettes 100 can be placed in the tablet supplying section 220.

[0019] Each of the cassette positions 230 is provided with a drive unit for driving the cassette 100 and an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) reader / writer.

[0020] Manually-prepared medicine supply cassette 240 has compartments arranged in a matrix, and each compartment contains one packet of medicine. Powder supply unit 250 supplies powdered medicine. Packaging unit 260 packages the medicines to be supplied supplied from tablet supply unit 220, manually-prepared medicine supply cassette 240, and powder supply unit 250 in individual packets. Control device 300 controls each of tablet supply unit 220, manually-prepared medicine supply cassette 240, powder supply unit 250, and packaging unit 260.

[0021] Next, a cassette, which is a medicine supply unit included in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention, will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a cassette included in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention with its lid open. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the cassette of Fig. 2 as seen from the direction of arrow III. Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the cassette of Fig. 2 as seen from the direction of arrow IV. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a medicine container of a cassette included in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention, with a portion cut away. Fig. 6 is a plan view showing a see-through rotor of a cassette included in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figs. 5 and 6 show a state in which the lid is removed from the cassette. In Fig. 6, the rotor is indicated by a dotted line.

[0023] 2 to 4, cassette 100 included in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a medicine containing section 110, a rotor 120, and a drive shaft 150. Cassette 100 further includes a lid section 130 and a partition section 140.

[0024] Medicine containing section 110 has peripheral wall 111 and outlet 112, and contains a medicine inside peripheral wall 111 and discharges the medicine from outlet 112. The inner surface of peripheral wall 111 is cylindrical. Outlet 112 is formed on the bottom surface of medicine containing section 110 and is adjacent to the inner surface of peripheral wall 111 on the radially inner side of peripheral wall 111.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 4 , cassette 100 has a circular opening 113 on the bottom surface of medicine containing section 110, at a position on the central axis of peripheral wall 111. Opening 113 is inserted into drive shaft 150 connected to a motor (not shown) that rotates rotor 120. Drive shaft 150 is rotatably fixed to the inside of peripheral wall 111 while being positioned coaxially with rotor 120. In other words, drive shaft 150 is rotatably fixed to medicine containing section 110. Drive shaft 150 rotates rotor 120, which is detachably attached in the axial direction. Both rotor 120 and drive shaft 150 are made of resin.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the cover 130 is provided rotatably so as to open and close the medicine containing section 110.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, rotor 120 is provided inside medicine containing unit 110 and rotates to transport the medicine contained in medicine containing unit 110 to outlet 112. Rotor 120 is disposed on the bottom surface of medicine containing unit 110, inside peripheral wall 111. In this embodiment, rotor 120 is configured to be capable of both forward rotation, in which rotor 120 rotates toward one side in the circumferential direction of rotor 120, as indicated by arrow A in FIG. 3, and reverse rotation, in which rotor 120 rotates toward the other side in the circumferential direction of rotor 120, as indicated by arrow B in FIG. 3. It should be noted that rotor 120 does not necessarily need to be capable of both forward and reverse rotation, as long as it is capable of rotating in at least one direction in the circumferential direction of rotor 120.

[0028] Fig. 7 is a side view showing the positional relationship between a rotor and a partition included in a cassette provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a partition included in a cassette provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 illustrates a state in which rotor 120 is attached to drive shaft 150.

[0029] As shown in Figures 3 and 5 to 7, rotor 120 has top surface 126 that is inclined convexly upward and peripheral surface 121 adjacent to top surface 126. Top surface 126 is provided with a plurality of radial grooves 127. A cylindrical central protrusion 128 protrudes from the center of top surface 126. A cap portion 160 is attached to the upper end of central protrusion 128.

[0030] Cap portion 160, with rotor 120 attached to drive shaft 150, and lid portion 130, with medicine containing portion 110 closed, face each other with a gap between them. This gap is 2 mm or less, and preferably 1 mm or less.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 , a plurality of first protrusions 122 and a plurality of second protrusions 123 are provided on the lower part of the peripheral surface 121, and are positioned with gaps 125 between them in the circumferential direction of the rotor 120. Each of the plurality of first protrusions 122 and the plurality of second protrusions 123 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in the radial direction of the rotor 120. A portion of the upper surface of each of the plurality of first protrusions 122 protrudes to a position higher than the lower surface of the partition portion 140. The entire upper surface of each of the plurality of second protrusions 123 is flat. The tip ends of each of the plurality of first protrusions 122 and the plurality of second protrusions 123 in the radial direction of the rotor 120 face the inner surface of the peripheral wall 111 with a small gap therebetween.

[0032] Each of the plurality of first protrusions 122 and the plurality of second protrusions 123 is formed so that, when rotor 120 rotates, it can press the medicine contained in gap 125 and transport it to outlet 112. Specifically, as rotor 120 rotates, the medicine contained in gap 125 is pressed by first protrusion 122 or second protrusion 123 and transported in the circumferential direction of rotor 120, and falls into outlet 112.

[0033] At least two third protrusions 124 are further provided on the peripheral surface 121. As shown in Figures 5 and 7, in this embodiment, one third protrusion 124 is disposed above each of the plurality of second protrusions 123. The tip of each of the at least two third protrusions 124 in the radial direction of the rotor 120 faces the inner surface of the peripheral wall 111 with a small gap between them.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 7, a passage G through which the partition 140 passes when the rotor 120 rotates is provided between the second protrusion 123 and the third protrusion 124, which are positioned next to each other in the vertical direction. The width of the passage G in the vertical direction is slightly larger than the thickness of the partition 140. The third protrusion 124 is formed so as to be able to press against the medicine positioned on the partition 140 and move it from above the partition 140 when the rotor 120 rotates. Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the first protrusion 122 is formed so as to be able to move the medicine positioned on the partition 140 from above the partition 140 by a part of the upper surface of the first protrusion 122 pushing up the partition 140 from below when the rotor 120 rotates.

[0035] 3 and 6 to 8, partition 140 is detachably provided on peripheral wall 111 above outlet 112. Partition 140 extends from the inner surface of peripheral wall 111 toward a position above multiple first protrusions 122 and multiple second protrusions 123 on peripheral surface 121. Gap 125 communicating with outlet 112 is covered by partition 140, preventing the medicine from entering from above.

[0036] In this embodiment, the partition 140 is made of a flexible member. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the partition 140 is made by joining a plurality of flexible members to an arc-shaped base material 141 at intervals along the arc. The flexible members are made of, for example, a soft synthetic resin. In this embodiment, the partition 140 is made in a brush shape, but is not limited to a brush shape and may be in a plate shape.

[0037] 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which a partition included in a cassette provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention is removed from a medicine containing unit together with a partial peripheral wall. As shown in FIG. 9, base material 141 is attached to a hole in partial peripheral wall 111a that constitutes part of peripheral wall 111. Partial peripheral wall 111a is detachably connected to the remainder of peripheral wall 111. Specifically, partial peripheral wall 111a is detachably attached to medicine containing unit 110 by a snap-fit ​​structure.

[0038] Cassette 100 included in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention further includes an attachment / detachment mechanism that detachably engages drive shaft 150 with rotor 120. The configuration of the attachment / detachment mechanism of cassette 100 included in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[0039] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the rotor and drive shaft of Fig. 7, seen from the direction of the arrow XX. Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the rotor, cap, and drive shaft included in a cassette provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the cap included in a cassette provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which the rotor is attached to and detached from the drive shaft in a cassette provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. A partition is not shown in Fig. 10.

[0040] 10 and 11, in this embodiment, the attachment / detachment mechanism includes a magnet 161 and a magnetic body 151. The magnetic body 151 is attached to the tip end 152 of the drive shaft 150. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the tip end 152 of the drive shaft 150 is formed with a notch 152c extending from the tip of the drive shaft 150 along the axial direction of the drive shaft 150, and a through hole 152h extending in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the drive shaft 150.

[0041] 10, magnetic body 151 has a generally T-shaped configuration including a wide portion and a narrow portion in a vertical cross section, and a through-hole is formed in the narrow portion. The narrow portion of magnetic body 151 is inserted into notch 152c of tip end 152 of drive shaft 150, and tip end 152 of drive shaft 150 and the wide portion of magnetic body 151 are in contact with each other in the axial direction of drive shaft 150. In this state, spring pin 153 shown in FIG. 11 is inserted into through-hole 152h of tip end 152 of drive shaft 150 and the through-hole in the narrow portion of magnetic body 151, whereby magnetic body 151 is attached to tip end 152 of drive shaft 150, as shown in FIG.

[0042] 11, the tip end 152 of the drive shaft 150 and the magnetic body 151 when assembled together have a hexagonal shape when viewed in the axial direction of the drive shaft 150. The magnetic body 151 is made of a magnetic material such as SUS430.

[0043] The magnet 161 is built into the cap portion 160. Specifically, the cap portion 160 includes the magnet 161, a support portion 162, a cap 163, and a spacer 164. The support portion 162 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and houses and supports the magnet 161 therein. The cap 163 detachably engages with the support portion 162. In this embodiment, the cap 163 and the support portion 162 are engaged with each other by a snap-fit ​​structure, but they may also be engaged with each other by a screw structure. The support portion 162 and the cap 163 are each made of resin. The spacer 164 is sandwiched between the magnet 161 and the cap 163. The spacer 164 has a cylindrical shape and is made of resin.

[0044] 10 and 12, with cap 163 engaged with support portion 162, magnet 161 is fixed together with spacer 164 in the space surrounded by cap 163 and support portion 162. Magnet 161 is made of, for example, a neodymium magnet. As shown in FIG. 11, cap portion 160 engages with notch 129 formed at the tip of central protrusion 128 of rotor 120 and is attached to the tip of central protrusion 128.

[0045] 13, the rotor 120, with the cap portion 160 attached to the tip of the central protrusion 128, is detachably attached to the drive shaft 150 in the axial direction of the drive shaft 150. As shown in FIG. 10, when the rotor 120 is attached to the drive shaft 150 in the axial direction of the drive shaft 150, the magnet 161 and the magnetic body 151 are positioned adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the drive shaft 150. In this embodiment, the bottom of the support portion 162 is positioned between the magnet 161 and the magnetic body 151.

[0046] In this state, the magnetic force acting between the magnet 161 and the magnetic body 151 urges the drive shaft 150 and the rotor 120 in a direction toward each other along the axial direction of the drive shaft 150. In this way, the attachment / detachment mechanism including the magnet 161 and the magnetic body 151 urges the drive shaft 150 and the rotor 120 in a direction toward each other along the axial direction of the drive shaft, thereby detachably engaging them.

[0047] 10, a recess 128c that engages with the hexagonal shape of the magnetic body 151 is formed on the surface of the shaft hole through which the drive shaft 150 of the rotor 120 is inserted. The tip end 152 of the drive shaft 150 and the recess 128c of the rotor 120 are engaged with each other in the circumferential direction of the drive shaft 150 via the magnetic body 151, so that the relative position of the rotor 120 with respect to the drive shaft 150 in the circumferential direction of the drive shaft 150 is fixed.

[0048] The operation of the cassette 100 included in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[0049] When rotor 120 rotates with a medicine placed in medicine containing section 110, the medicine located on top surface 126 moves toward the space between the inner surface of peripheral wall 111 and peripheral surface 121 of rotor 120. The plurality of grooves 127 agitate the medicine located on top surface 126 as rotor 120 rotates, thereby facilitating the movement of the medicine into the space.

[0050] Some of the medicines that have moved into the space are accommodated, one at a time, in each gap 125. As rotor 120 rotates, the medicines accommodated in gaps 125 are pressed by first protrusion 122 or second protrusion 123 and transported in the circumferential direction of rotor 120. The medicine accommodated in gap 125 that is positioned above and communicates with discharge outlet 112 drops from within gap 125 into discharge outlet 112 and is dispensed.

[0051] At this time, gap 125 communicating with outlet 112 is covered by partition 140, preventing drugs from entering from above. As a result, one drug can be dispensed at a time from outlet 112. As a result, each of the multiple cassettes 100 can supply drugs within a certain size range among the drugs to be supplied.

[0052] 14 is a perspective view showing a state in which the partition unit has been removed from the medicine containing unit together with the partial peripheral wall and the rotor has been removed from the drive shaft at the start of cleaning the cassette included in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, when cleaning the inside of medicine containing unit 110, partition unit 140 is removed from medicine containing unit 110 together with partial peripheral wall 111a, and then rotor 120 is removed by sliding it from drive shaft 150 against the biasing force of the attachment / detachment mechanism.

[0053] 15 is a side view showing a state in which, after cleaning of the cassette provided in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention has been completed, the rotor is attached to the drive shaft, a partition is attached to the medicine containing portion together with a partial peripheral wall, and the lid is closed. As shown in FIG. 15, after cleaning is completed, drive shaft 150 is inserted into the shaft hole of rotor 120, and rotor 120 is attached to drive shaft 150 by the biasing force of the attachment / detachment mechanism.

[0054] Cap portion 160, with rotor 120 attached to drive shaft 150, and lid portion 130, with medicine containing portion 110 closed, face each other with a gap L between them. Gap L is 2 mm or less. Preferably, gap L is 0.5 mm or more and 1 mm or less.

[0055] In this embodiment, the magnetic body 151 is attached to the tip 152 of the drive shaft 150, and the magnet 161 is attached to the cap portion 160, but it is also possible to attach the magnet 161 to the tip 152 of the drive shaft 150, and the magnetic body 151 to the cap portion 160.

[0056] Furthermore, the attachment / detachment mechanism is not limited to one that uses magnetic force to urge the drive shaft 150 and rotor 120 toward each other, but may also be one that uses a spring to urge the drive shaft 150 and rotor 120 toward each other, such as a ball catch.

[0057] In cassette 100 included in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention, medicine containing unit 110 has outlet 112, contains a medicine, and discharges the medicine from outlet 112. Rotor 120 is provided inside medicine containing unit 110 and rotates to transport the medicine contained in medicine containing unit 110 to outlet 112. Drive shaft 150 is positioned coaxially with rotor 120 and rotatably fixed to medicine containing unit 110, and rotates rotor 120, which is detachably attached in the axial direction. The attachment / detachment mechanism urges drive shaft 150 and rotor 120 in directions approaching each other along the axial direction of drive shaft 150, thereby detachably engaging them.

[0058] This allows the rotor 120 to be attached to and detached from the drive shaft 150 simply by moving the rotor 120 in the axial direction of the drive shaft 150, making it possible to easily clean the inside of the cassette 100.

[0059] Moreover, by applying a force using the attachment / detachment mechanism, it is possible to prevent rotor 120 from being partially engaged with drive shaft 150. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent rotor 120 from floating up when a medicine gets stuck between circumferential surface 121 of rotor 120 and circumferential wall 111. It is also possible to prevent rotor 120 from falling even when medicine containing section 110 is turned upside down.

[0060] In this embodiment, the detachable mechanism includes a magnet 161 and a magnetic body 151. The magnetic force acting between the magnet 161 and the magnetic body 151 urges the drive shaft 150 and the rotor 120 in directions that move them closer to each other along the axial direction of the drive shaft 150. This allows the detachable mechanism to have a simple configuration.

[0061] In this embodiment, the drive shaft 150 and the rotor 120 are engaged with each other in the circumferential direction of the drive shaft 150, so that the relative position of the rotor 120 with respect to the drive shaft 150 in the circumferential direction of the drive shaft 150 is fixed. This allows the rotation of the rotor 120 to be accurately controlled by the rotation of the drive shaft 150.

[0062] In this embodiment, rotor 120 has top surface 126 that is inclined convexly upward, and central protrusion 128 that protrudes from the center of top surface 126. This allows rotor 120 to be attached or detached by gripping central protrusion 128.

[0063] In the present embodiment, partition 140, which extends from the inner surface of peripheral wall 111 toward a position above multiple first protrusions 122 and multiple second protrusions 123 on peripheral surface 121 of rotor 120, is detachably provided with respect to medicine containing unit 110. This allows partition 140 to be removed from medicine containing unit 110 before rotor 120 is attached or detached, thereby preventing interference between partition 140 and first protrusions 122 and second protrusions 123. This makes it easy to attach or detach rotor 120, and therefore makes it easy to clean the inside of cassette 100.

[0064] In this embodiment, the lid portion 130 is provided rotatably to open and close the medicine containing portion 110. The cap portion 160 is attached to the upper end of the central protrusion 128. The cap portion 160, when the rotor 120 is attached to the drive shaft 150, and the lid portion 130, when the medicine containing portion 110 is closed, face each other with a gap L therebetween. The gap L is 2 mm or less. As a result, if the rotor 120 is not completely attached to the drive shaft 150, the lid portion 130 and the cap portion 160 interfere with each other, preventing the lid portion 130 from closing. Therefore, by confirming that the lid portion 130 is closed, it is possible to easily determine whether the rotor 120 is completely attached to the drive shaft 150.

[0065] An RFID tag is attached to each of the plurality of cassettes 100. The RFID tag stores cassette identification information such as a cassette number.

[0066] Fig. 16 is a block diagram showing a connection system of a medicine packaging device including a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 16, medicine packaging device 200 including a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention has control unit 270. Control unit 270 is electrically connected to each of tablet supply unit 220, manual medicine supply cassette 240, powder supply unit 250, and packaging unit 260. Control unit 270 is electrically connected to control unit 340 of control device 300, which will be described later. Control unit 270 has a memory unit 271.

[0067] The control unit 270 has a central processing unit (CPU), random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), and electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). The control unit 270 may be an integrated circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a digital signal processor (DSP). The storage unit 271 is a hard disk drive or solid state drive (SSD) that stores various types of data.

[0068] Each of the plurality of cassette positions 230 is provided with a drive unit 231 that drives the cassette 100, and an RFID reader / writer 232. The drive unit 231 includes a drive motor that drives the drive shaft 150 of the cassette 100. The drive motor is controlled by the control unit 270. In this manner, each of the plurality of drive units 231 is configured to be able to mount one of the plurality of cassettes 100, and drives the mounted cassette 100. The RFID reader / writer 232 reads information from an RFID tag attached to the cassette 100 mounted in the drive unit 231. The information read by the RFID reader / writer 232 is input to the control unit 270.

[0069] As will be described later, the control unit 270 assigns drug information related to drugs to be supplied to a drive unit 231 selected from the plurality of drive units 231 to which the plurality of cassettes 100 are attached. When one of the plurality of cassettes 100 is attached to one of the plurality of drive units 231, the control unit 270 assigns the drug information to be supplied to this one drive unit 231. Specifically, the control unit 270 assigns the drug information to be supplied to the drive unit 231 in which the attachment of the cassette 100 is detected by the RFID reader / writer 232.

[0070] The control unit 270 controls the drive units 231 so that the target drug is supplied from the cassette 100 attached to the drive unit 231 to which the drug information is assigned under the driving conditions corresponding to the drug information. In this way, the control unit 270 controls each of the multiple drive units 231.

[0071] The operation of the manual medicine supply cassette 240 is controlled by the control unit 270. The operation of the powder medicine supply unit 250 is controlled by the control unit 270. The operation of the packaging unit 260 is controlled by the control unit 270.

[0072] The control device 300 has an operation unit 310, a display unit 320, a reading unit 330, and a control unit 340. The control unit 340 is electrically connected to each of the operation unit 310, the display unit 320, and the reading unit 330. The control unit 340 has a memory unit 341.

[0073] The control unit 340 includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, etc. The control unit 340 may be an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or DSP, etc. The storage unit 341 is a hard disk drive or SSD that stores various types of data.

[0074] The operation unit 310 is a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc. that accept user operations. The operations accepted by the operation unit 310 are input to the control unit 340.

[0075] The display unit 320 is a liquid crystal monitor or the like. The display unit 320 displays a screen based on a signal from the control unit 340. The display unit 320 can display information related to the allocation of drug information. In this embodiment, the display unit 320 is an operation panel integrated with the operation unit 310.

[0076] The reading unit 330 reads the identification code attached to the medicine container. The container may be a bottle or a box. The identification code may be a barcode or a QR (Quick Response) code. The information read by the reading unit 330 is input to the control unit 340.

[0077] The display and operation procedure of the display unit 320 included in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[0078] Fig. 17 is a block diagram showing the operation procedure of a medicine packaging device including a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an initial screen of a prescription screen displayed on an operation panel provided in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figs. 17 and 18, prescription screen P1 of display unit 320 provided in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention displays a prescription information display field T1, an operation display field T2, a number of packets display field T3, a display start input field T4, a packing start input field T5, and an operation stop input field T6.

[0079] The prescription information display field T1 displays prescription information for one prescription. The operation display field T2 displays the operating status of the medicine packaging device 200. The number of packets display field T3 displays the number of packets. The display start input field T4 is an operation input unit for displaying a list of manually dispensed medicines. Note that the manually dispensed medicines displayed on the screen of the display unit 320 include not only medicines supplied from the manually dispensed medicine supply cassette 240 but also medicines supplied from the cassette 100.

[0080] The packaging start input field T5 is an operation input section for starting the packaging operation of the medicine packaging device 200. The operation stop input field T6 is an operation input section for stopping the packaging operation of the medicine packaging device 200.

[0081] 18, the prescription screen P1 of the display unit 320 included in the medicine supply device according to this embodiment can display prescription information for a total of three times, including the current prescription, the next prescription, and the prescription after that. This prescription information is stored in the memory unit 341 shown in FIG. 16 every time it is input from the operation unit 310, and is read from the memory unit 341 as needed and displayed on the prescription screen P1 of the display unit 320.

[0082] When prescription information and packaging information are input into the display unit 320, the prescription information including the patient name and usage instructions is displayed in the prescription information display field T1 on the prescription screen P1 of the display unit 320, the display of the operation display field T2 is switched from standby to packaging, and the number of packets is displayed in the packet number display field T3.

[0083] Fig. 19 is a diagram showing a selection screen displayed on an operation panel provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 17, when an operation is input into the display start input field T4 of the prescription screen P1 shown in Fig. 18, the control unit 340 shown in Fig. 16 displays a selection screen P2 on the display unit 320 as shown in Fig. 19. The selection screen P2 is a screen for selecting whether the medicine to be supplied is to be supplied from cassette 100 or from the manually supplied medicine supply cassette 240.

[0084] As shown in Figure 19, the selection screen P2 of the display unit 320 provided in the drug supply device of one embodiment of the present invention displays a prescription information display field T11, a manual drug list display field T12, a tablet count display field T13, a selection area display field T14, a cassette position display field T15, a specific drug display field T16, a cassette history display field T17, an allocated drug information display field T18, a first switching operation input field T19a, a second switching operation input field T19b, and a third switching operation input field T19c.

[0085] The prescription information display field T11 displays prescription information for one prescription. The manual medicine list display field T12 displays a list of medicine information to be supplied.

[0086] The tablet count display field T13 displays the required number of each drug in one prescription. As shown in Figure 19, the selection screen P2 displays the required number of drugs in one prescription for each drug information item to be supplied. Note that on the selection screen P2, the list of drug information items to be supplied displayed in the manual drug list display field T12 can be sorted in descending order of the required number of drugs in one prescription displayed in the tablet count display field T13.

[0087] The selection area display field T14 displays two selection areas for selecting either the manually-dispensed medicine supply cassette 240 or the cassette 100. The control unit 340 can accept a selection operation for selecting from which of the cassette 100 and the manually-dispensed medicine supply cassette 240 the medicine to be supplied will be supplied.

[0088] The cassette position display field T15 displays the number of the cassette position 230 where the cassette 100 is located.

[0089] The specific drug display field T16 displays identification information for identifying the specific drug as one that can only be supplied by the manual drug supply cassette 240. In the case of a specific drug, the drug cannot be supplied using the cassette 100. Here, the specific drug is, for example, a drug that is divided in half or a drug that has a specific shape. Note that the divided form of the drug is not limited to being divided in half, but may be divided into three or more pieces. The specific shape is, for example, a shape that is easy to roll, such as a sphere.

[0090] 19, if drug M3 No. 4 in the manual drug list is a divided drug, a divided mark is displayed in the specific drug display field T16 as identification information to identify it as a specific drug. In this case, in the selection area display field T14 corresponding to drug M3 No. 4 in the manual drug list, the selection area R1 corresponding to the manual drug supply cassette 240 becomes the specific selection area, and the selection area R2 other than the specific selection area is displayed in the identification color BM indicating that it is not selectable, and the control unit 340 will not accept any selection operation.

[0091] For example, if drug M3 No. 4 in the manual drug list is a drug with a specific shape, a "no" mark is displayed in the specific drug display field T16. In this case, in the selection field display field T14 corresponding to drug M3 No. 4 in the manual drug list, the selection field R1 corresponding to the manual drug supply cassette 240 becomes the specific selection field, and the selection fields R2 other than the specific selection field are displayed in the distinguishing color BM indicating that they are not selectable, and the control unit 340 will not accept any selection operations.

[0092] As described above, the control unit 340 causes the display unit 320 to distinguish between drugs that can be supplied from the cassette 100 and drugs that cannot be supplied from the cassette 100. Furthermore, the control unit 340 does not accept a selection operation to select supply from the cassette 100 for drugs that cannot be supplied from the cassette 100.

[0093] Furthermore, when the cassette 100 cannot be mounted in any of the plurality of driving units 231, the control unit 340 does not accept a selection operation to select supply from the cassette 100 on the selection screen P2.

[0094] In this embodiment, the specific drug display field T16 is located inside the tablet count display field T13. However, the position of the specific drug display field T16 is not limited to inside the tablet count display field T13.

[0095] As described above, on the selection screen P2, for each drug information item to be supplied, it is displayed in a manner that allows identification of whether or not the drug is a specific drug that can only be supplied by the manually-prepared drug supply cassette 240. The control unit 340 causes the display unit 320 to display in a manner that allows identification of drugs that can be supplied from the cassette 100 and drugs that cannot be supplied from the cassette 100.

[0096] The cassette history display field T17 displays identification information of the cassettes 100 that last supplied each drug in the list of drugs to be supplied. In this manner, the control unit 340 causes the display unit 320 to display the usage history of the cassettes 100. The usage history of the cassettes 100 is stored in the memory unit 271 or the memory unit 341. For each drug in the list of drugs to be supplied that has a history of being supplied by a cassette 100, the cassette history display field T17 displays identification information of the cassette 100 that last supplied the drug. In this manner, the control unit 340 causes the display unit 320 to display identification information of the cassette 100 that last supplied the drug to be supplied.

[0097] The allocated drug information display field T18 is displayed corresponding to the cassette position 230 where the multiple drive units 231 are located, as shown in Figure 1. The allocated drug information display field T18 displays drug information of the supply target allocated to each of the multiple drive units 231 by the control unit 270.

[0098] The first switching operation input field T19a is an operation input section for closing the selection screen P2. The second switching operation input field T19b is an operation input section for displaying the manual packaging instruction screen P4 on the display unit 320. The third switching operation input field T19c is an operation input section for confirming that all packaging preparations for the medicines to be supplied have been completed.

[0099] As shown in Fig. 17, when an operation is input into the first switching operation input field T19a or the third switching operation input field T19c on the selection screen P2 shown in Fig. 19, the control unit 340 shown in Fig. 16 displays the prescription screen P1 on the display unit 320. When an operation is input into the second switching operation input field T19b on the selection screen P2 shown in Fig. 19, the control unit 340 shown in Fig. 16 displays the manual instruction screen P4 on the display unit 320.

[0100] As shown in Figure 17, when a selection operation for selection area R2 is accepted on selection screen P2 and one type of drug from the list of drugs to be supplied is selected to be supplied from cassette 100, display unit 320 displays a filling instruction screen P3 for filling the one type of drug into cassette 100 attached to any one of multiple drive units 231.

[0101] 20 is a diagram showing a refill instruction screen displayed on an operation panel of a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The refill instruction screen P3 is a screen for instructing which medicines and how many of them should be refilled into a cassette 100 attached to one of the drive units 231 among the six cassette positions 230.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 20, the refilling instruction screen P3 of the display unit 320 provided in the drug supply device of one embodiment of the present invention displays a prescription information display field T21, a refilling drug information display field T22, multiple selection areas T28, and a first switching operation input field T29a.

[0103] The prescription information display field T21 displays prescription information for one prescription. The filled drug information display field T22 displays information on the drug to be filled and the required number of drugs to be filled. In this way, the control unit 340 causes the display unit 320 to display the required number of drugs to be filled.

[0104] The multiple selection areas T28 correspond to the multiple cassette positions 230. Specifically, six selection areas T28 are displayed corresponding to the arrangement of the multiple cassette positions 230 shown in FIG. 1. Of the multiple selection areas T28, the assigned drug information is displayed in the selection area T28 corresponding to the cassette position 230 at which the driver 231 to which drug information has already been assigned is located. Of the multiple selection areas T28, the identification mark T25 is displayed in the selection area T28 corresponding to the cassette position 230 at which the driver 231 to which drug information has not been assigned is located. In this way, the control unit 340 causes the display unit 320 to display the multiple selection areas T28 so that the driver 231 to which the cassette 100 can be attached can be distinguished from the driver 231 to which the cassette 100 cannot be attached.

[0105] The first switching operation input field T29a is an operation input unit for closing the refilling instruction screen P3. As shown in Fig. 17, when an operation is input to the first switching operation input field T29a on the refilling instruction screen P3 shown in Fig. 20, the control unit 340 shown in Fig. 16 displays the selection screen P2 on the display unit 320.

[0106] When cassette 100 is attached to drive unit 231 of cassette position 230 corresponding to any of selection areas T28 displaying identification mark T25 in accordance with the display on refilling instruction screen P3, control unit 270 assigns the drug information to be supplied to drive unit 231 in which attachment of cassette 100 has been detected by RFID reader / writer 232. Control unit 340 receives information from control unit 270 about drive unit 231 to which the drug information to be supplied has been assigned, and causes display unit 320 to display the drug information in assigned drug information display field T18 corresponding to that cassette position 230 on selection screen P2.

[0107] The manual distribution instruction screen P4 is a screen for instructing how many medicines should be manually distributed into which of the multiple compartments of the manual distribution medicine supply cassette 240. The control unit 340 causes the display unit 320 to display the manual distribution instruction screen P4, in which multiple compartment areas RD corresponding to the multiple compartments are displayed, according to the prescription information and packaging information.

[0108] 21 is a diagram showing a manual supply instruction screen displayed on an operation panel provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 21, the manual supply instruction screen P4 of the display unit 320 provided in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention displays a prescription information display field T31, a packet number display field T32, a manual supply medicine list display field T33, a tablet number display field T34, a partitioned area display field T35, a first switching operation input field T39a, and a third switching operation input field T39b.

[0109] The prescription information display field T31 displays prescription information for one prescription. The number of packets display field T32 displays the number of packets for one prescription. The manually supplied medicine list display field T33 displays a list of manually supplied medicines supplied from the manually supplied medicine supply cassette 240. In the manually supplied medicine list display field T33, a medicine can be selected from the list of manually supplied medicines. In the manually supplied medicine list display field T33, the currently selected medicine is displayed in an identifying color DM.

[0110] The required number of each hand-prepared drug in one prescription is displayed in the tablet count display field T34. In the tablet count display field T34, the number of tablets of the currently selected drug is displayed in the identification color DM.

[0111] The partitioned area display field T35 displays multiple partitioned areas RD corresponding to the multiple partitioned chambers. The partitioned areas RD are displayed in the same arrangement as the partitioned chambers. For example, based on the prescription information and packaging information, for drug M2 in the dosage regimen after each meal, as shown in FIG. 21, in the partitioned area display field T35, each of the partitioned areas RD numbered 1 to 21 among the multiple partitioned areas RD is displayed in an identifying color DM indicating that it is a target for manual spreading, and the required number of drug M2 at each time of administration, 1, is displayed.

[0112] The first switching operation input field T39a is an operation input section for closing the manual packing instruction screen P4. The third switching operation input field T39b is an operation input section for confirming that all of the medicines to be supplied have been prepared for packaging.

[0113] As shown in Fig. 17, when an operation is input into the first switching operation input field T39a on the manual weaving instruction screen P4 shown in Fig. 21, the control unit 340 shown in Fig. 16 displays the selection screen P2 on the display unit 320. When an operation is input into the third switching operation input field T39b on the manual weaving instruction screen P4 shown in Fig. 21, the control unit 340 shown in Fig. 16 displays the prescription screen P1 on the display unit 320.

[0114] As shown in Figure 17, when an operation is input into the packaging start input field T5 on the prescription screen P1 shown in Figure 18, the control unit 340 shown in Figure 16 issues a packaging instruction to the control unit 270 shown in Figure 16, and the packaging operation of the drug packaging device 200 is started.

[0115] When an operation is input into the operation stop input field T6 of the prescription screen P1 shown in FIG. 18, the control unit 340 shown in FIG. 16 issues a stop instruction to the control unit 270 shown in FIG. 16, and the packaging operation of the medicine packaging device 200 is stopped.

[0116] The display unit 320 displays the usage history of the plurality of cassettes 100. The control unit 340 causes the display unit 320 to display the usage history of the plurality of cassettes 100 based on the usage history of the plurality of cassettes 100 stored in the memory unit 271 or the memory unit 341.

[0117] 22 is a diagram showing a cassette usage history screen displayed on an operation panel included in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 22, the cassette usage history screen P5 of the display unit 320 included in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention displays a search condition display field T41, a dispensing date and time display field T42, a cassette identification information display field T43, a cassette position display field T44, a medicine information display field T45, a patient display field T46, a first switching operation input field T47, a second switching operation input field T48, and a third switching operation input field T49.

[0118] The search condition display field T41 displays the dispensing date and time period, cassette identification information, and cassette position 230 number to be searched. The dispensing date and time display field T42 displays the dispensing date and time when the cassette 100 was used. The cassette identification information display field T43 displays the identification information of the cassette 100 used. The cassette position display field T44 displays the cassette position 230 number where the used cassette 100 is located. The drug information display field T45 displays drug information supplied by the used cassette 100. The patient display field T46 displays the name of the patient prescribed the drug supplied by the used cassette 100.

[0119] The first switching operation input field T47 is an operation input section for starting a search. The second switching operation input field T48 is an operation input section for returning to the initial screen of the cassette usage history screen P5. The third switching operation input field T49 is an operation input section for closing the cassette usage history screen P5.

[0120] When the supply of medicines is insufficient, the display unit 320 displays the shortage of medicines on the refill instruction screen P3.

[0121] 23 is a diagram showing a refilling instruction screen displayed on the operation panel included in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention when the number of medicines to be supplied is insufficient. As shown in FIG. 23, on the refilling instruction screen P3 of the display unit 320 included in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention, when the number of medicines to be supplied is insufficient, a refilling target cassette position display field T23 is displayed, and an identification mark T25 is displayed in the selection region T28 corresponding to the cassette position 230 to be refilled. Furthermore, the number of medicines that is insufficient is displayed in the refilling medicine information display field T22. In this way, when the number of medicines to be supplied is insufficient, the control unit 340 causes the display unit 320 to display the number of medicines that is insufficient.

[0122] Note that a pre-check setting may be made so that before a drug is filled into cassette 100, it is determined whether the drug is a drug to be supplied. When this pre-check setting is made, an identification code attached to the drug container or the like is read by reading unit 330 shown in FIG. 16. A master in which the identification code is associated with drug information is stored in memory unit 341. Control unit 340 compares the drug information linked to the identification code read by reading unit 330 with the drug information to be supplied.

[0123] Fig. 24 is a diagram showing a refilling instruction screen displayed on the operation panel when the advance check setting is performed and before the identification code is read by the reading unit 330. As shown in Fig. 24, the refilling instruction screen P3 displayed on the display unit 320 before the identification code is read by the reading unit 330 displays a warning display field T27 that prompts the user to read the identification code with the reading unit 330. In addition, the refilling instruction screen P3 displays a first switching operation input field T29a, a second switching operation input field T29b, and a third switching operation input field T29c.

[0124] The first switching operation input field T29a is an operation input section for closing the refilling instruction screen P3. The second switching operation input field T29b is an operation input section for skipping the preliminary check. The third switching operation input field T29c is an operation input section for updating the master in which the identification code and the drug information are associated, which is stored in the memory unit 341.

[0125] On the filling instruction screen P3 where pre-check settings have been made, if the drug information linked to the identification code read by the reading unit 330 does not match the drug information of the drug to be supplied, even if you input data into the first switching operation input field T29a and return to the selection screen P2, you will not be able to input data into the third switching operation input field T19c on the selection screen P2.

[0126] In this way, the control unit 340 causes the display unit 320 to display a warning message on the filling instruction screen P3 urging the user to read the identification code using the reading unit 330 in order to compare the drug information associated with the identification code with the drug information of the drug to be supplied.

[0127] When the medicine packaging operation for one prescription of medicine packaging device 200 is completed, cassette 100 that has finished supplying the required number of medicines for one prescription enters a state of waiting for cleaning, and drive unit 231 to which cassette 100 is attached is maintained in a state in which the medicine information to be supplied is assigned. Specifically, the medicine information to be supplied that is assigned to drive unit 231 is maintained in a state in which it is stored in memory unit 341.

[0128] 25 is a diagram showing a refilling instruction screen displayed on an operation panel provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention when a cassette waiting for cleaning is present. As shown in Fig. 25, on the refilling instruction screen P3 of the display unit 320 provided in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention, when a cassette 100 waiting for cleaning is present, a selection region T28 corresponding to the cassette position 230 where the cassette 100 is installed is displayed in an identification color BM.

[0129] When the control unit 340 assigns other drug information to multiple drive units 231 than the drug information assigned to the drive unit 231 waiting for cleaning, the control unit 340 does not display the identification mark T25 in the selection area T28 corresponding to the cassette position 230 waiting for cleaning on the filling instruction screen P3.

[0130] In this embodiment, when the cassette 100 is waiting for cleaning and the same drug as the drug previously supplied is to be supplied, the drug can be supplied while the cassette is waiting for cleaning. In this case, when the cassette 100 shown in the cassette history display field T17 on the selection screen P2 shown in FIG. 19 is waiting for cleaning, the same drug as the previous one will be supplied to the cassette 100.

[0131] Furthermore, when a problem occurs in the drive unit 231 or RFID reader / writer 232 provided at the cassette position 230, the cassette position 230 is stored in the storage unit 341.

[0132] 26 is a diagram showing a refilling instruction screen displayed on the operation panel included in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention when a cassette position where a malfunction has occurred is present. As shown in Fig. 26, on the refilling instruction screen P3 of the display unit 320 included in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention, when a cassette position 230 where a malfunction has occurred in the drive unit 231 or the RFID reader / writer 232 is present, the selection region T28 corresponding to the cassette position 230 is displayed in an identification color RM.

[0133] The control unit 340 does not display the identification mark T25 in the selection area T28 corresponding to the cassette position 230 where the problem has occurred on the refill instruction screen P3.

[0134] As described above, the control unit 340 causes the display unit 320 to display a plurality of selection areas T28 so that the drive units 231 into which the cassette 100 can be attached and the drive units 231 into which the cassette 100 cannot be attached can be distinguished.

[0135] In a drug supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of cassettes 100 is capable of supplying drugs within a certain size range. Each of the plurality of drive units 231 is configured to be able to mount one of the plurality of cassettes 100 and drives the mounted cassette 100. A control unit controls each of the plurality of drive units 231. The control unit assigns drug information regarding the drug to be supplied to a cassette 100 selected according to the size of the drug to be supplied, or to a drive unit 231 to which this cassette 100 is mounted. The control unit controls the drive unit 231 so as to supply the drug to be supplied from the cassette 100 to which the drug information is assigned, or from a cassette 100 mounted on the drive unit 231 to which the drug information is assigned.

[0136] This allows an operator of the medicine supply device to easily set up the medicine supply device so that medicines within a certain size range can be packaged according to a prescription.

[0137] In the drug supply device according to one aspect of the present invention, the control unit can accept a selection operation to select whether to supply the target drugs from cassette 100 or from manual drug supply cassette 240. This makes it easy to determine which of the target drugs should be supplied from cassette 100.

[0138] In the medicine supply device according to one aspect of the present invention, the control unit does not accept a selection operation to select supply from cassette 100 when cassette 100 cannot be attached to any of the plurality of drive units 231. This makes it possible to prevent erroneous selection operation from being accepted.

[0139] In the medicine supply device according to one aspect of the present invention, the control unit does not accept a selection operation to select supply from the cassette 100 for a medicine that cannot be supplied from the cassette 100. This makes it possible to prevent erroneous selection operations from being accepted.

[0140] The medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention further includes a display unit 320 capable of displaying information related to the allocation of medicine information, which makes it easy to determine to which drive unit 231 or cassette 100 the medicine information can be allocated.

[0141] In the medicine supply device according to one aspect of the present invention, the control unit causes the display unit 320 to distinguish between the drive units 231 to which the cassette 100 can be attached and the drive units 231 to which the cassette 100 cannot be attached. This makes it possible to prevent the cassette 100 from being attached to the drive units 231 to which the cassette 100 cannot be attached.

[0142] In the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit causes the display unit 320 to distinguish between medicines that can be supplied from the cassette 100 and medicines that cannot be supplied from the cassette 100. This makes it possible to prevent the cassette 100 from being filled with the wrong medicine.

[0143] In the medicine supply device according to one aspect of the present invention, the control unit causes the display unit 320 to display the usage history of the plurality of cassettes 100. This makes it possible to determine whether the cassettes 100 need to be cleaned.

[0144] In the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit displays the identification information of the cassette 100 that last supplied the medicine to be supplied on the display unit 320. This makes it possible to determine the drive unit 231 or cassette 100 to which medicine information can be assigned without cleaning the cassette 100.

[0145] In the medicine supply device according to one aspect of the present invention, the control unit displays the required number of medicines to be supplied on the display unit 320. This allows the operator of the medicine supply device to easily grasp the required number of medicines to be supplied.

[0146] In the medicine supply device according to one aspect of the present invention, when the number of medicines to be supplied is insufficient, the control unit causes the display unit 320 to display the number of medicines to be supplied that is insufficient. This allows the operator of the medicine supply device to easily understand the number of medicines that is insufficient.

[0147] In the medicine supply device according to an aspect of the present invention, the control unit collates the medicine information with the reading result by the reading unit 330. This can prevent the cassette 100 from being filled with the wrong medicine.

[0148] In the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the controller assigns medicine information to the drive unit 231 by mounting the cassette 100 selected according to the dimensions of the medicine to be supplied to the drive unit 231. This saves the operator of the medicine supply device the trouble of assigning medicine information of the medicine to be supplied using the operation unit 310.

[0149] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which drug information regarding the drug to be supplied is assigned to the drive unit 231 to which the cassette 100 is attached, but drug information regarding the drug to be supplied may be assigned to the cassette 100 attached to the drive unit 231. In this case as well, the effects of the various functions of the drug supply device described above are achieved.

[0150] The cassette selector provided in the drug supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 27 is a plan view showing the configuration of the cassette selector provided in the drug supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 27, the cassette selector 400 provided in the drug supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention has a plate-like shape. The cassette selector 400 can select a cassette 100 capable of supplying drugs according to the drug dimensions from among a plurality of cassettes 100. The operator uses the cassette selector 400 to select a cassette 100 according to the drug dimensions from among the plurality of cassettes 100. In other words, the cassette selector 400 is used to select a cassette 100 according to the drug dimensions from among the plurality of cassettes 100.

[0151] The cassette selector 400 displays a drug shape display field T51, a drug diameter display field T52, and a drug thickness display field T53. The drug shape display field T51 is a field for determining the drug shape, the drug diameter display field T52 is a field for determining the drug diameter range, and the drug thickness display field T53 is a field for determining the drug thickness range. By viewing the drug shape display field T51, drug diameter display field T52, and drug thickness display field T53 in this order, the user can specify the drug shape, diameter range, and thickness range, thereby selecting a cassette 100 capable of supplying the drug.

[0152] As shown in FIG. 27, the drug shape display field T51 displays the planar and side shapes of each of multiple types of drugs that are different from one another. This makes it possible to determine which type the shape of the drug to be supplied falls into. In this embodiment, two types are displayed: Type A, which is disc-shaped (circular in plan view and not bulging in the center), and Type B, which is convex lens-shaped (circular in plan view and bulging in the center). Note that the drug shape types displayed in the drug shape display field T51 are not limited to two types, and may be three or more types.

[0153] In the medicine diameter display field T52, a plurality of circular first through holes with different diameters are formed for each type of medicine shape. Three first through holes H11 to H13 are formed in the medicine shape of type A. Four first through holes H11 to H14 are formed in the medicine shape of type B.

[0154] A diameter range of the drug is displayed corresponding to each of the multiple first through holes. Specifically, near the first through hole H11, it is displayed that the diameter range of the drug is equal to or smaller than the diameter of the first through hole H11. Near the first through hole H12, it is displayed that the diameter range of the drug is larger than the diameter of the first through hole H11 and equal to or smaller than the diameter of the first through hole H12. Near the first through hole H13, it is displayed that the diameter range of the drug is larger than the diameter of the first through hole H12 and equal to or smaller than the diameter of the first through hole H13. Near the first through hole H14, it is displayed that the diameter range of the drug is larger than the diameter of the first through hole H13 and equal to or smaller than the diameter of the first through hole H14. The diameters of the first through holes H11 to H14 are 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, and 9 mm, respectively.

[0155] When the medicines are fitted into the first through-holes H11 to H14 in order from the smallest diameter, it is possible to determine that the diameter of the medicine is within a certain range based on the diameter of the first through-hole through which the medicine first passes. Specifically, it is possible to determine that the range of values ​​displayed near the first through-hole through which the medicine first passes is the range of the diameter of the medicine.

[0156] In the drug thickness display field T53, a plurality of rectangular second through holes of different widths are formed for each drug shape type and drug diameter range. Three second through holes H21 to H23 are formed in Type A drug shapes with a diameter of 6.01 mm to 7.00 mm. Three second through holes H31 to H33 are formed in Type A drug shapes with a diameter of 7.01 mm to 8.00 mm. Three second through holes H41 to H43 are formed in Type B drug shapes with a diameter of 6.01 mm to 7.00 mm. Four second through holes H51 to H54 are formed in Type B drug shapes with a diameter of 7.01 mm to 8.00 mm. Four second through holes H61 to H64 are formed in Type B drug shapes with a diameter of 8.01 mm to 9.00 mm. In addition, in areas where the shape and diameter range of the drug is beyond the range that the cassette 100 cannot accommodate, the second through-hole is not formed and it is indicated as "not compatible."

[0157] A drug thickness range is displayed corresponding to each of the plurality of second through holes. Specifically, the drug thickness range is displayed near each of the plurality of second through holes. Near second through hole H21, it is displayed that the drug thickness range is equal to or less than the width of second through hole H21. Near second through hole H22, it is displayed that the drug thickness range is greater than the width of second through hole H21 and equal to or less than the width of second through hole H22. Near second through hole H23, it is displayed that the drug thickness range is greater than the width of second through hole H22 and equal to or less than the width of second through hole H23. The widths of second through holes H21 to H23 are 1.8 mm, 2.5 mm, and 3.2 mm, respectively.

[0158] When the medicine is fitted into the second through holes H21 to H23 in order from the smallest to the largest, it is possible to determine that the thickness of the medicine is within a certain range based on the width of the second through hole through which the medicine first passes. Specifically, it is possible to determine that the range of values ​​displayed near the second through hole through which the medicine first passes is the thickness range of the medicine. Based on the second through holes H21 to H23, it is possible to determine the thickness range of a medicine with an A-shaped medicine shape and a diameter of 6.01 mm to 7.00 mm.

[0159] Similarly, the second through holes H31 to H33 can determine the thickness range of a type A drug shape having a diameter of 7.01 mm to 8.00 mm. The second through holes H41 to H43 can determine the thickness range of a type B drug shape having a diameter of 6.01 mm to 7.00 mm. The second through holes H51 to H54 can determine the thickness range of a type B drug shape having a diameter of 7.01 mm to 8.00 mm. The second through holes H61 to H64 can determine the thickness range of a type B drug shape having a diameter of 8.01 mm to 9.00 mm.

[0160] The cassette selector 400 indicates the correspondence between drug dimensions and cassettes 100. Specifically, the model number of the cassette 100 capable of supplying the drug is displayed corresponding to each of the multiple second through-holes. For example, the model number Aa of the cassette 100 is displayed near the second through-hole H22. This means that the cassette 100 with the model number Aa can supply drugs with an A-type drug shape, a diameter of 6.01 mm to 7.00 mm, and a thickness of 1.81 mm to 2.50 mm. Similarly, model numbers Ab to Ad and model numbers Ba to Bh are displayed. Note that when the drug thickness range is beyond the range that the cassette 100 can handle, no cassette model number is displayed near the second through-hole, and "Not Supported" is displayed.

[0161] The cassette identification information of each of the multiple cassettes 100 also includes the above-mentioned model number. Although different cassette numbers are assigned to the multiple cassettes 100, there may be multiple cassettes 100 assigned the same model number. In this embodiment, the RFID tag stores the model number assigned to the cassette 100.

[0162] Fig. 28 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure when a drug is supplied from a cassette selected according to the dimensions of the drug in a drug supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 28, when supplying drugs from a drug supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention, first, a cassette 100 corresponding to the shape and dimensions of the drug determined using the cassette selector 400 shown in Fig. 27 is selected (step S1). Note that the corresponding cassette 100 may be selected from the display on the cassette selector 400 while referring to the shape and dimensions of the drug described in the package insert of the drug.

[0163] Next, the selected cassette 100 is filled with medicines (step S2). Specifically, the cassette 100 to which the model number written on the cassette selector 400 is assigned is filled with medicines.

[0164] When the cassette 100 filled with drugs is attached to the drive unit 231, the RFID reader / writer 232 reads information from the RFID tag attached to the cassette 100 attached to the drive unit 231, and the control unit 270 assigns drug information including information about the drugs to the drive unit 231 (step S3). The drug allocation device according to this embodiment includes a plurality of cassettes 100, a cassette selector 400, and the control unit 270. The control unit 270 may assign drug information to the cassette 100 filled with drugs.

[0165] The control unit 270 drives the cassette 100 attached to the drive unit 231 to which the drug information is assigned, to supply the drug (step S4). That is, the control unit 270 drives the drive unit 231 so as to supply the drug from the cassette 100 attached to the drive unit 231 to which the drug information is assigned. When the drug information is assigned to the cassette 100, the control unit 270 drives the cassette 100 to which the drug information is assigned, to supply the drug. That is, the control unit 270 drives the drive unit 231 to which the cassette 100 is attached, to supply the drug from the cassette 100 to which the drug information is assigned.

[0166] A drug supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of cassettes 100, a cassette selector 400, a plurality of drivers 231, and a control unit 270. Each of the plurality of cassettes 100 is capable of supplying drugs within a certain size range. The cassette selector 400 can select a cassette 100 capable of supplying drugs from the plurality of cassettes 100 according to the size of the drug. Each of the plurality of drivers 231 is configured to be mountable with one of the plurality of cassettes 100 and drives the mounted cassette 100. The control unit 270 controls each of the plurality of drivers 231. The control unit 270 assigns drug information related to the drug to the cassette 100 selected by the cassette selector 400 or to the driver 231 to which the cassette 100 is mounted. The control unit 270 controls the driver 231 to supply drugs from the cassette 100 to which the drug information is assigned or from the cassette 100 mounted in the driver 231 to which the drug information is assigned.

[0167] This allows the operator of the medicine supply device to easily select cassette 100 from which medicines can be supplied.

[0168] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cassette selector 400 indicates the correspondence between the dimensions of the medicines and the cassettes 100. This allows the cassette 100 corresponding to the dimensions of the medicines to be easily selected.

[0169] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cassette selector 400 indicates the correspondence between each of the drug shapes and drug dimensions and the cassettes 100. This allows easy selection of the cassette 100 that corresponds to the drug shape and dimensions.

[0170] In one embodiment of the present invention, the dimensions of the drug associated with the cassette 100 in the cassette selector 400 are the diameter and thickness of the drug, which makes it possible to easily select a cassette 100 that corresponds to the diameter and thickness of the drug.

[0171] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cassette selector 400 is formed with a plurality of circular through-holes of different diameters. When drugs are inserted into the through-holes in order of smallest diameter, it is possible to determine whether the diameter of the drug falls within a certain range based on the diameter of the through-hole through which the drug first passes. This allows the range of drug diameters to be easily determined.

[0172] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cassette selector 400 is formed with a plurality of rectangular through-holes of different widths. When drugs are inserted into the through-holes in order from the smallest to the largest, it is possible to determine whether the thickness of the drug is within a certain range based on the width of the through-hole through which the drug first passes. This allows the drug width range to be easily determined.

[0173] In one aspect of the present invention, the cassette selector has a certain size range of medicines displayed corresponding to each of the plurality of through-holes, thereby making it possible to easily determine the size range of the medicines.

[0174] The drug allocation device according to this embodiment includes a plurality of cassettes 100, a cassette selector 400, and a control unit 270. Each of the plurality of cassettes 100 is capable of supplying drugs within a certain size range. The cassette selector 400 can select a cassette 100 capable of supplying drugs from the plurality of cassettes 100 according to the size of the drugs. The control unit 270 assigns drug information related to the drugs to the cassette 100 selected by the cassette selector 400. This allows the operator of the drug allocation device to easily select a cassette 100 capable of supplying drugs.

[0175] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not intended to be limiting. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted solely by the above-described embodiments, but should be defined by the claims. Furthermore, all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims are included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0176] 100 cassette, 110 medicine storage section, 111 peripheral wall, 111a partial peripheral wall, 112 discharge port, 113 opening, 120 rotor, 121 peripheral surface, 122 first protrusion, 123 second protrusion, 124 third protrusion, 125, L gap, 126 top surface, 127 groove, 128 central protrusion, 128c recess, 129, 152c notch, 130 lid section, 140 partition section, 141 base material, 150 drive shaft, 151 magnetic material, 152 tip section, 152h through hole, 153 spring pin, 160 cap section, 161 magnet, 162 support section, 163 cap, 164 spacer, 200 medicine packaging device, 210 housing, 220 tablet supply section, 230 Cassette position, 231 drive unit, 232 reader / writer, 240 manual drug supply cassette, 250 powder drug supply unit, 260 packaging unit, 270, 340 control unit, 271, 341 memory unit, 300 control device, 310 operation unit, 320 display unit, 330 reading unit, 400 cassette selection tool, G passage, P1 prescription screen, P2 selection screen, P3 filling instruction screen, P4 manual drug supply instruction screen, P5 cassette use history screen, R1, R2, T28 selection area, RD partition area, T1, T11, T21, T31 prescription information display field, T2 operation display field, T3, T32 number of packets display field, T4 display start input field, T5 packet start input field, T6 operation stop input field, T12, T33 Manually dispensed medication list display field, T13, T34 Tablet count display field, T14 Selection area display field, T15, T44 Cassette position display field, T16 Specific medication display field, T17 Cassette history display field, T18 Allocated medication information display field, T19a, T29a, T39a, T47 First switching operation input field, T19b, T29b, T48 Second switching operation input field, T19c, T29c, T39b, T49 Third switching operation input field, T22 Filled medication information display field, T23 Cassette position display field to be filled, T25 Identification mark, T27 Caution display field, T35 Partition area display field, T41 Search condition display field, T42 Dispensing date and time display field, T43 Cassette identification information display field, T45 Medication information display field, T46 Patient display field, T51 Medication shape display field, T52 Drug diameter display column, T53 drug thickness display column.

Claims

1. a plurality of cassettes capable of supplying drugs within a range of sizes; a cassette selector used by an operator to select a cassette capable of supplying medicines from the plurality of cassettes; a plurality of drive units configured to be mountable with each of the plurality of cassettes and to drive the mounted cassettes; a control unit that controls each of the plurality of drive units, the cassette selector is formed with a plurality of circular first through holes having different diameters, and a plurality of rectangular second through holes having different widths corresponding to the plurality of first through holes, and information about the cassette is displayed in correspondence with each of the plurality of second through holes; fitting the drug into the first through-holes in order from the smallest diameter of the first through-holes; The drug is applied to the second through-holes in order from the narrowest one among the plurality of second through-holes corresponding to the first through-hole through which the drug first passed; an operator can select the cassette based on information about the cassette corresponding to the second through-hole through which the drug first passed; the control unit assigns drug information related to the drug to the cassette selected by an operator using the cassette selector and attached to the drive unit, or to the drive unit to which the cassette is attached; The control unit controls the drive unit to supply the drug from the cassette to which the drug information is assigned or from the cassette attached to the drive unit to which the drug information is assigned.

2. The drug supply device according to claim 1 , wherein the cassette selector has the plurality of first through holes and the plurality of second through holes formed for each shape of the drugs.

3. The cassette is used by an operator to select a cassette capable of supplying a drug from among a plurality of cassettes; a plurality of circular first through holes having different diameters from one another are formed, a plurality of rectangular second through holes having different widths from one another are formed corresponding to the plurality of first through holes, and information about the cassette is indicated corresponding to each of the plurality of second through holes; fitting the drug into the first through-holes in order from the smallest diameter of the first through-holes; The drug is applied to the second through-holes in order from the narrowest one among the plurality of second through-holes corresponding to the first through-hole through which the drug first passed; The cassette selector allows an operator to select the cassette based on information about the cassette corresponding to the second through-hole through which the drug first passed.

4. The cassette selector according to claim 3 , wherein the plurality of first through-holes and the plurality of second through-holes are formed for each shape of the medicine.

5. a plurality of cassettes capable of supplying drugs within a range of sizes; a cassette selector used by an operator to select a cassette capable of supplying medicines from the plurality of cassettes; a control unit that assigns drug information related to the drug to the cassette selected by an operator using the cassette selector, the cassette selector is formed with a plurality of circular first through holes having different diameters, and a plurality of rectangular second through holes having different widths corresponding to the plurality of first through holes, and information about the cassette is displayed in correspondence with each of the plurality of second through holes; fitting the drug into the first through-holes in order from the smallest diameter of the first through-holes; The drug is applied to the second through-holes in order from the narrowest one among the plurality of second through-holes corresponding to the first through-hole through which the drug first passed; A drug allocation device in which an operator can select the cassette based on information about the cassette corresponding to the second through-hole through which the drug first passed.

6. The drug allocation device according to claim 5 , wherein the cassette selector has the plurality of first through-holes and the plurality of second through-holes formed for each shape of the drugs.

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