Drug supply device

Abstract

To provide a medicine feeder excellent in efficiency of prescription work, which enables work to be carried out in a short time.SOLUTION: A medicine feeder includes a container keeping part, a medicine discharge part, and a container conveyance part. The container keeping part keeps a plurality of medicine containers for storing medicine. A plurality of the medicine discharge parts, to which the medicine containers are set, discharge the medicine in the set medicine containers. The container conveyance part carries out conveyance of the medicine containers between the container keeping part and the medicine discharge part. In a state where some of the plurality of medicine discharge parts are in the middle of carrying out discharge of the medicine and the others of the plurality of medicine discharge parts have completed discharge of the medicine, the container conveyance part conveys the medicine containers set to the medicine discharge parts that have completed discharge of the medicine to the container keeping part, and conveys the medicine containers to be used for subsequent prescriptions to the medicine discharge parts made empty by the conveyance of the medicine containers to the container keeping part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to drug delivery devices. [Background technology]

[0002]

[0003] Conventionally, there has been known a medicine supplying device that can store medicine containers and automatically supply medicines contained in the medicine containers. Patent Document 1 discloses this type of medicine supplying device.

[0003] The powder medicine packaging device of Patent Document 1 comprises a container storage unit, a container moving device, a container holding stand, and a weight measuring means. The container storage unit holds a plurality of medicine containers. The container moving device is capable of holding medicine containers and is capable of removing a specified medicine container from the container storage unit and placing it on the container holding stand. The container holding stand is capable of vibrating the placed medicine container and discharging the powder medicine contained in the medicine container into a distribution tray. The weight measuring means is provided on the container holding stand and measures the weight of the medicine container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5953471 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In recent years, there has been a demand for completing dispensing in a shorter time from the viewpoint of reducing the burden on pharmacists and shortening waiting times for patients, etc. There has also been a demand for further improvement in work efficiency in medicine supply devices such as those disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a medicine supply device that improves the efficiency of dispensing work and enables work to be completed in a short time.

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

[0008] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medicine supply device having the following configuration. That is, the medicine supply device includes a container storage unit, a medicine discharge unit, and a container transport unit. The container storage unit stores a plurality of medicine containers containing medicines. A plurality of the medicine discharge units are provided, and the medicine containers can be set in the medicine discharge units, and the medicines in the set medicine containers are discharged. The container transport unit can transport the medicine containers between the container storage unit and the medicine discharge unit. When some of the plurality of medicine discharge units are in the middle of discharging medicines and the remaining medicine discharge units have completed discharging medicines, the container transport unit transports the medicine containers set in the medicine discharge units that have completed discharging medicines to the container storage unit, The drug has been dispensed and discharged. The medicine container to be used for the next dispensing is transported to the medicine discharge section which has become empty as a result of the medicine container being transported to the container storage section.

[0009] This allows the drug containers placed in drug discharge sections that have already finished discharging drugs to be transported to the container storage section, without waiting for all of the multiple drug discharge sections to discharge drugs, and the drug containers to be used for the next dispensing to be transported to the empty drug discharge section, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0010] The medicine supply device preferably has the following configuration: With this dispensing If the drug container that has been set in the drug discharge section and has discharged the drug will also be used to discharge the drug in the next dispensing, the drug container is left set in the drug discharge section and the next dispensing is started.

[0011] This allows the medicine container set in the medicine dispensing unit to be used without being transported to the container storage unit when dispensing medicines from the same medicine container multiple times, thereby eliminating the need for the container transport unit and further improving work efficiency.

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[0020]

[0021] [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a medicine dispensing and packaging device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 4 is a timing chart showing the relationship between the operation timings of the various parts of the medicine packaging device in the dispensing process. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a medicine dispensing and packaging device according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a medicine packing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The medicine packing device includes a medicine supply device 1 and a packaging unit 41.

[0024] The medicine supply device 1 shown in Fig. 1 can store a plurality of medicine containers containing medicines (powder medicines in this embodiment). The medicine supply device 1 can perform a dispensing process using the medicines in the medicine containers. The dispensed medicines are supplied to the outside from the medicine packaging device.

[0025] A magnetic member is provided on the outer surface of each medicine container stored in the medicine supply device 1. This magnetic member is used for transporting the medicine container by the container transport unit 15, which will be described later. In addition, an information tag is attached to the outer surface of each medicine container stored. This information tag stores unique identification information, information about the medicine contained therein, and data related to the weight of the medicine in the medicine container.

[0026] Medicine supply device 1 includes container storage unit 11, container transport unit 15, medicine discharge unit 21, distribution tray 31, medicine removal unit 35, first cleaning unit 52, measurement processing unit, first reader / writer unit 71, second reader / writer unit 75, temporary container placement unit 81, interface unit 91, and control device 95. Interface unit 91 and control device 95 also function as the interface unit and control device of the medicine packaging device.

[0027] The medicine dispensing and packaging device includes a housing in which the components of the medicine supply device 1 (for example, the container storage unit 11 and the medicine discharge unit 21) and the packaging unit 41 are housed.

[0028] The container storage unit 11 can store a plurality of drug containers. The container storage unit 11 includes a rotating member 12 and a container arrangement unit (storage location) 13.

[0029] The rotating member 12 is provided in an upright position and can rotate about an axis extending in the vertical direction by the driving force of a motor.

[0030] A plurality of container placement sections 13 are arranged side by side on the outer periphery of rotating member 12. A drug container can be placed in each container placement section 13. Container placement section 13 can be, for example, a mounting plate capable of accommodating drug containers. Container placement section 13 rotates integrally with rotating member 12 as rotating member 12 rotates.

[0031] Only one corresponding drug container is placed in one container placement section 13. The container placement section 13 in which a drug container is placed is predetermined according to the drug container, and the drug container is not placed in another container placement section 13. Note that one container placement section 13 may be configured to allow different drug containers to be placed therein. In this case, the drug container placed in the container placement section 13 is identified by reading the data stored in the information tag attached to the drug container.

[0032] The container transport unit 15 transports drug containers between the container storage unit 11 and the drug discharge unit 21. The container transport unit 15 can perform at least the following three operations. The first is an operation of moving between the container storage unit 11 and the drug discharge unit 21 (first operation). The second is an operation of removing a drug container from one of the container placement units 13 of the container storage unit 11 (second operation). The third is an operation of returning the drug container to one of the container placement units 13 (third operation).

[0033] The container conveying unit 15 includes a holding arm unit 16 and a conveying operation mechanism 17 .

[0034] The holding arm unit 16 can hold / release the medicine container. In this embodiment, an electromagnet that can be attached / detached to a magnetic member on the outer surface of the medicine container is provided at the tip of the holding arm unit 16. Therefore, the holding arm unit 16 can hold / release the medicine container using the electromagnet. The base end of the holding arm unit 16 is connected to a transport operation mechanism 17.

[0035] The transport operation mechanism 17 can move the holding arm part 16 between the container storage part 11 and the medicine discharge part 21 by the driving force of the motor.

[0036] With the above configuration, when the tip of holding arm unit 16 is approaching the outer periphery of container storage unit 11 by transport operation mechanism 17, holding arm unit 16 can remove a drug container that is arranged in container placement unit 13. Furthermore, when the tip of holding arm unit 16 is approaching the outer periphery of container storage unit 11, holding arm unit 16 can return the drug container that it is holding to container placement unit 13.

[0037] On the other hand, when the tip of holding arm unit 16 is brought close to medicine discharge unit 21 by transport operation mechanism 17, holding arm unit 16 can set a medicine container in medicine discharge unit 21. Furthermore, when the tip of holding arm unit 16 is brought close to medicine discharge unit 21, holding arm unit 16 can release the set medicine container and remove it from medicine discharge unit 21.

[0038] Medicine discharge unit 21 can perform a process of discharging medicine from a medicine container that has been set in it. Medicine discharge unit 21 includes a vibration device 22 for vibrating medicine discharge unit 21. When a medicine container set in medicine discharge unit 21 is vibrated, the medicine in the medicine container is shaken out.

[0039] The medicine supply device 1 includes a plurality of (two in this embodiment) medicine discharge units 21. One medicine container can be set in one medicine discharge unit 21. Therefore, when a medicine container is set in each of the plurality of medicine discharge units 21, medicines may be discharged from the plurality of medicine discharge units 21 simultaneously.

[0040] The distribution tray 31 is provided near the medicine discharge portion 21. The distribution tray 31 functions as a tray for receiving the medicine shaken out from the medicine container.

[0041] The distribution tray 31 includes a tray portion 32 and a rotation drive portion 33 .

[0042] The dish portion 32 is formed in a horizontal disk shape. The dish portion 32 is supported so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis. The medicine discharged from the medicine discharge portion 21 can be placed on the dish portion 32.

[0043] Rotation drive unit 33 can rotate dish portion 32 in the circumferential direction by the driving force of the motor. As dish portion 32 receives the medicine from medicine discharge portion 21 while rotating, the medicine is evenly distributed on dish portion 32 in the circumferential direction.

[0044] The medicine removal unit 35 is provided near the distribution tray 31. The medicine removal unit 35 performs an operation of scooping medicines (removal operation) by using the driving force of a motor, targeting a partial area in the circumferential direction of the tray unit 32. The medicine removal unit 35 can supply the scooped medicines to the packaging unit 41.

[0045] The packaging unit 41 can package medicines. The packaging unit 41 includes a hopper 42 that serves as a medicine inlet. When the medicine removal unit 35 puts a single dose of medicine into the hopper 42, the packaging unit 41 packages the medicine. The packaged medicine is then supplied to the outside of the medicine dispensing and packaging device.

[0046] The cleaning unit includes a first cleaning unit 52 and a second cleaning unit 53.

[0047] The first cleaning unit 52 is provided near the distribution tray 31. The first cleaning unit 52 can clean the top of the distribution tray 31 and the medicine extraction unit .

[0048] The second cleaning unit 53 is provided in the vicinity of the packaging unit 41. The second cleaning unit 53 can clean the packaging unit 41 (inside the hopper 42 in this embodiment).

[0049] The first cleaning unit 52 and the second cleaning unit 53 may be configured in any way, but may be configured, for example, to suck in the medicine adhering to each unit by negative pressure.

[0050] The measurement processing section includes a first measurement section 62 and a second measurement section 63.

[0051] The first measuring unit 62 is a device that measures the weight of the medicine in the medicine container. The first measuring unit 62 is provided in the medicine discharging unit 21. In this embodiment, one first measuring unit 62 is provided in each medicine discharging unit 21.

[0052] The second measuring unit 63 is a device that measures the weight of the medicine in the medicine container, similar to the first measuring unit 62. The second measuring unit 63 is provided in a temporary container placement unit 81, which will be described later.

[0053] The first reader / writer unit 71 can read data stored in an information tag attached to a medicine container. The first reader / writer unit 71 can also write data to the information tag. The first reader / writer unit 71 is provided in each medicine discharge unit 21.

[0054] The second reader / writer unit 75 can perform the same processing as the first reader / writer unit 71. The second reader / writer unit 75 is provided in the temporary container placement unit 81.

[0055] Temporary container placement section 81 can temporarily place drug containers to be transported between container storage section 11 and drug discharge section 21. Temporary container placement section 81 can be configured in various ways, but for example, it can be configured as a placement table on which drug containers can be placed.

[0056] The interface unit 91 realizes a user interface function and can be configured to include, for example, a display device that displays the status of dispensing processing and user input information, and an operation device that allows the user to input instructions.

[0057] The control device 95 is a computer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The ROM stores a control program for operating the medicine packaging device. The operations of the container storage unit 11, container transport unit 15, medicine discharge unit 21, distribution tray 31, medicine removal unit 35, packaging unit 41, cleaning unit, first reader / writer unit 71, second reader / writer unit 75, and interface unit 91 are controlled by the control device 95.

[0058] Control device 95 can operate the medicine packaging device based on a first mode or a second mode. As shown in FIG. 1 , when performing control based on the first mode, control device 95 transports the medicine container in medicine discharge unit 21 to temporary container placement unit 81, and then transports the medicine container to container storage unit 11. On the other hand, when performing control based on the second mode, control device 95 does not transport the medicine container in medicine discharge unit 21 to temporary container placement unit 81, but transports the medicine container directly to container storage unit 11. The user can switch between the two modes by operating interface unit 91.

[0059] Next, an example of the processing of the control device 95 will be described in detail. Fig. 2 is a timing chart showing an example of the dispensing processing of the medicine packaging device. In the example described below, the control device 95 executes control based on the first mode. This example also shows a case where the dispensing processing is performed using two medicine containers.

[0060] The user inputs the type of medicine to be used in the dispensing process, the amount per package, the number of packages, etc. according to the prescription data via interface unit 91. Once the user has completed inputting the necessary information and gives an instruction to start the dispensing process, the medicine packaging device starts the dispensing process.

[0061] When the dispensing process starts, control device 95 moves the tip of holding arm 16 close to container placement section 13 where the drug container containing the drug specified by the user is placed, in order to have the drug container removed from container storage section 11. In the following description, this drug container may be referred to as the first drug container.

[0062] The control device 95 rotates the rotating member 12 to adjust the position of the container placement unit 13 in which the first drug container is placed. This allows the first drug container to be removed from the container placement unit 13 at the tip of the holding arm unit 16 provided in the container transport unit 15. At timing T1 shown in FIG. 2, the control device 95 rotates the container storage unit 11 while moving the holding arm unit 16. In this way, by simultaneously moving the holding arm unit 16 and adjusting the position of the container placement unit 13, the drug container transport operation becomes smoother.

[0063] The control device 95 controls the container transport unit 15 to remove the first drug container from the container placement unit 13.

[0064] When the tip of holding arm 16 holds the first drug container, control device 95 controls container transport unit 15 to transport and set the first drug container to drug discharge unit 21 where no drug container has been set. In this embodiment, the first drug container is set in first drug discharge unit 21.

[0065] When the first medicine container is set in first medicine discharging section 21, control device 95 causes first reader / writer section 71 of first medicine discharging section 21 to read the data stored in the information tag of the first medicine container. The data read at this time includes, for example, unique identification information, medicine information, and data related to the weight of the medicine.

[0066] The control device 95 determines whether the medicine container set in the first medicine discharge unit 21 matches the medicine container containing the medicine specified by the user (i.e., the medicine container containing the medicine to be used in the current dispensing process) based on the unique identification information acquired by the first reader / writer unit 71. Furthermore, the control device 95 determines whether the medicine container contains the amount of medicine required for the current dispensing process based on the weight data of the medicine acquired by the first reader / writer unit 71.

[0067] After confirming that the medicine container set in first medicine discharging unit 21 is correct and that the medicine container contains the amount of medicine required for dispensing, control unit 95 causes vibration device 22 of first medicine discharging unit 21 to start vibration and rotates distribution tray 31 (end of timing T2). This shakes out the medicine from the first medicine container.

[0068] The medicine in the first medicine container is discharged onto the rotating distribution tray 31. Therefore, the medicine is placed on the distribution tray 31 so that the thickness of the medicine is uniform on the distribution tray 31.

[0069] While first medicine discharging unit 21 is discharging the medicine from the first medicine container, first measuring unit 62 continues to measure the weight of the medicine in the first medicine container. As the shaking of the medicine from the first medicine container progresses, the weight of the medicine in the first medicine container gradually decreases. When the decrease in the weight of the medicine in the first medicine container becomes equal to the weight of the medicine to be used in the dispensing process, control device 95 stops vibration device 22 of first medicine discharging unit 21 and terminates the discharge of the medicine from first medicine discharging unit 21. In this way, control device 95 monitors the change in the weight of the medicine in the first medicine container during the discharging operation. This allows a predetermined amount of medicine to be accurately discharged from the first medicine container.

[0070] After setting the first drug container in first drug discharge section 21, control device 95 causes container transport section 15 to retrieve another drug container containing the drug specified by the user (i.e., the drug container to be used for the current dispensing process) from container storage section 11. To this end, control device 95 brings the tip of holding arm section 16 close to container placement section 13 in which the drug container containing that drug is placed. In the following description, that drug container may be referred to as the second drug container.

[0071] As in the case of timing T1, control device 95 rotates rotating member 12 to adjust the position of container placement unit 13 in which the second drug container is placed. This makes it possible to remove the second drug container at the tip of holding arm unit 16. At timing T3 shown in FIG. 2, as in timing T1, container storage unit 11 is rotated in parallel with the movement of holding arm unit 16. This allows for smooth transport of the drug container.

[0072] The control device 95 controls the container transport unit 15 to remove the second drug container from the container placement unit 13.

[0073] When the tip of holding arm 16 holds the second medicine container, control device 95 controls container transport unit 15 to transport and set the second medicine container to medicine discharge unit 21 where no medicine container is set. In this embodiment, the second medicine container is set in second medicine discharge unit 21.

[0074] When a second medicine container is set in second medicine discharge section 21, control device 95 causes first reader / writer section 71 of second medicine discharge section 21 to read the data stored in the information tag of the second medicine container.

[0075] Control device 95 determines whether the medicine container set in second medicine discharge unit 21 matches the medicine container containing the medicine specified by the user, based on the unique identification information acquired by first reader / writer unit 71. Control device 95 also determines whether the medicine container contains the amount of medicine required for the current dispensing process, based on the medicine weight data acquired by first reader / writer unit 71.

[0076] When it is confirmed that the medicine container set in second medicine discharging unit 21 is correct and that the medicine container contains the amount of medicine required for dispensing processing, control device 95 causes vibration device 22 of second medicine discharging unit 21 to start vibration (end of timing T4). This causes the medicine to be shaken out of the first medicine container. In the example of Figure 2, the medicine discharge timings of first medicine discharging unit 21 and second medicine discharging unit 21 overlap each other.

[0077] Next, when the amount of medicine required for dispensing has been discharged from the first medicine container, control device 95 stops vibration device 22 of first medicine discharging unit 21, and ends shaking of the medicine from the first medicine container. Thereafter, control device 95 causes first reader / writer unit 71 of first medicine discharging unit 21 to perform a writing process. That is, control device 95 stores weight data of the medicine in the first medicine container at the end of shaking of the medicine in the information tag of the first medicine container (timing T5).

[0078] After the weight data is written to the information tag of the first medicine container, the control device 95 controls the container transport unit 15 to return the first medicine container to the container storage unit 11.

[0079] 2, while another medicine container (in this example, the second medicine container) is discharging medicine, the medicine supply device 1 can transport the medicine container (first medicine container) that has finished discharging medicine to its original position. In this way, the medicine can be discharged and the medicine container can be moved simultaneously, so the entire operation can be performed quickly.

[0080] As described above, the medicine supply device 1 can empty the medicine discharge portion 21 while the medicine container is discharging the medicine. Furthermore, even while the medicine container (second medicine container) is discharging the medicine, the medicine supply device 1 can set a medicine container to be used for the next dispensing process in the empty medicine discharge portion 21 (first medicine discharge portion 21) in advance. In this sense, the medicine supply device 1 can perform the dispensing process efficiently.

[0081] When returning the first drug container to container storage section 11, control device 95 controls container transport section 15 to hold the first drug container set in first drug discharge section 21 on holding arm section 16. In this example, control device 95 performs control based on the first mode. Therefore, control device 95 first causes container transport section 15 to transport the first drug container to container temporary placement section 81.

[0082] The transported first medicine container is temporarily placed in temporary container storage section 81. When the first medicine container is placed in temporary container storage section 81, control device 95 causes second reader / writer unit 75 to read the weight data stored in the information tag of the first medicine container (timing T6). Second measurement unit 63 also measures the weight of the medicine in the first medicine container. Control device 95 then checks whether the weight data acquired by second reader / writer unit 75 (i.e., the measurement result of first measurement unit 62) matches the measurement result by second measurement unit 63. In this way, medicine supply device 1 measures the weight of the medicine in the medicine container twice after medicine is discharged, strictly checking whether the predetermined amount of medicine has been accurately discharged. Weight data indicating the measurement result of second measurement unit 63 may be stored in the information tag of the first medicine container by second reader / writer unit 75.

[0083] After checking the amount of medicine discharged, control device 95 causes container transport unit 15 to transport the first medicine container placed in temporary container placement unit 81 to container storage unit 11.

[0084] As in the case of removing the drug container from container storage unit 11, control device 95 rotates rotating member 12 to adjust the position of container placement unit 13 to which the first drug container should be returned. This allows the tip of holding arm unit 16 to return the first drug container to container placement unit 13. As in the above cases (timings T1 and T3), container storage unit 11 is rotated by the time the movement of holding arm unit 16 finishes (timing T7). This allows for smooth transport of the drug container.

[0085] Next, when the amount of medicine required for dispensing has been discharged from the second medicine container, control device 95 stops vibration device 22 of second medicine discharge unit 21, and ends shaking of the medicine from the second medicine container. Thereafter, control device 95 causes first reader / writer unit 71 of second medicine discharge unit 21 to perform a writing process. That is, control device 95 stores weight data of the medicine in the second medicine container at the end of shaking of the medicine in the information tag of the second medicine container (timing T8).

[0086] When the drug discharge process from the first drug container and the second drug container is completed and the drugs required for dispensing are placed on distribution tray 31, control device 95 causes drug take-out unit 35 to scoop up the drugs on distribution tray 31 and deposit the drugs into hopper 42 of packaging unit 41 (timing T9). Control device 95 also causes packaging unit 41 to package the drugs scooped by drug take-out unit 35 (timing T9). Although the operation timing of packaging unit 41 is omitted in FIG. 2, packaging unit 41 operates at approximately the same timing as drug take-out unit 35. As shown in FIG. 2, drug supply device 1 can transport the drug containers while drug take-out unit 35 is scooping up the drugs (taking-out operation). In this way, the scooping of drugs and the movement of the drug containers can be performed simultaneously in parallel, allowing the entire operation to be performed quickly.

[0087] When the process of scooping medicines from distribution tray 31 is completed, distribution tray 31 stops. Then, first cleaning unit 52 cleans distribution tray 31 and medicine removal unit 35 (timing T10). As shown in FIG. 2, medicine supply device 1 can transport medicine containers while first cleaning unit 52 is performing the cleaning operation (first cleaning operation). In this way, the cleaning operation and the movement of medicine containers can be performed simultaneously, so the entire operation can be completed quickly.

[0088] After packaging unit 41 has completed processing (in other words, after the supply of the medicine in the first medicine container and the medicine in the second medicine container has been completed), second cleaning unit 53 cleans packaging unit 41 (timing T11). Medicine supply device 1 can transport the medicine containers while second cleaning unit 53 is performing the cleaning operation (second cleaning operation). In this way, the cleaning operation and the movement of the medicine containers can be performed simultaneously, allowing the entire operation to be completed quickly.

[0089] Incidentally, there are cases where the next dispensing process is executed immediately after the current dispensing process using the first and second drug containers. In the drug supply device 1 of the present embodiment, when the same drug container is to be used in the next dispensing process, the control device 95 can control the drug container not to be returned from the drug discharge unit 21 to the container storage unit 11.

[0090] 2 shows a case where the second medicine container used in the current dispensing process is also used in the next dispensing process. In this case, control device 95 does not cause container transport unit 15 to return the second medicine container to container storage unit 11. Therefore, the second medicine container remains set in second medicine discharge unit 21.

[0091] In this way, medicine supply device 1 does not return a repeatedly used medicine container from medicine discharge unit 21 to container storage unit 11, so when performing the next dispensing process, medicine supply device 1 does not need to transport the medicine container from container storage unit 11. As a result, the medicine packaging device can smoothly perform the next dispensing process and reduce the operating time.

[0092] Although not shown in FIG. 2, when the second medicine container is to be subsequently used in the next dispensing process, control device 95 may temporarily transport the second medicine container from second medicine discharge unit 21 to temporary container storage unit 81. In this case, it is possible to check whether the weight data acquired by second reader / writer unit 75 (i.e., the measurement result of first measurement unit 62) matches the result of measuring the weight of the medicine in the second medicine container by second measurement unit 63 in temporary container storage unit 81. Thereafter, the second medicine container in temporary container storage unit 81 is transported to second medicine discharge unit 21 and set there again. If first medicine discharge unit 21 is empty, the second medicine container may be set in first medicine discharge unit 21.

[0093] When a new drug container to be used in the next dispensing process is to be removed from the container storage unit 11, the control device 95 rotates the rotating member 12 to adjust the position of the container placement unit 13. This makes it possible to remove the drug container from the container placement unit 13 using the tip of the holding arm unit 16 provided in the container transport unit 15. Because the tip of the holding arm unit 16 is already positioned near the container storage unit 11, the rotation of the container storage unit 11 is performed while the holding arm unit 16 is stopped (timing T12 in FIG. 2). However, the rotation of the container storage unit 11 may also be performed while the holding arm unit 16 is moving.

[0094] As described above, medicine supply device 1 of the present embodiment includes container storage unit 11, medicine discharge unit 21, and container transport unit 15. Container storage unit 11 stores a plurality of medicine containers containing medicines. Medicine containers can be set in medicine discharge unit 21 and discharge the medicines from the set medicine containers. Container transport unit 15 can transport medicine containers between container storage unit 11 and medicine discharge unit 21. When a medicine container that has been set in medicine discharge unit 21 for dispensing and from which medicines have been discharged is to be used to discharge medicines in the next dispensing, medicine supply device 1 moves on to the next dispensing while leaving the medicine container set in medicine discharge unit 21.

[0095] As a result, when dispensing medicines from the same medicine container over multiple dispensings, the medicine container set in medicine dispensing unit 21 is used without being transported to container storage unit 11. Therefore, the operation of container transport unit 15 can be omitted, and work efficiency can be improved.

[0096] Furthermore, the medicine supply device 1 of this embodiment is provided with two medicine discharging units 21. When one medicine discharging unit 21 is in the middle of discharging medicine and the other medicine discharging unit 21 has completed discharging medicine, container transport unit 15 transports the medicine container set in medicine discharging unit 21 that has completed discharging medicine to container storage unit 11.

[0097] This allows the drug container placed in a drug discharge section 21 that has already finished discharging the drug to be transported to the container storage section 11 without waiting for all of the multiple drug discharge sections 21 to discharge the drug, thereby further improving work efficiency.

[0098] Furthermore, in the drug supply device 1 of this embodiment, when one of the two drug discharge sections 21 is in the process of discharging a drug and no drug container is set in the remaining drug discharge section 21, the container transport section 15 transports the drug container to the drug discharge section 21 that does not have a drug container set.

[0099] As a result, even if there is a medicine discharge section 21 in the middle of discharging medicine, the medicine container is transported to a medicine discharge section 21 in which no medicine container is set, thereby further improving work efficiency.

[0100] Furthermore, in the medicine supply device 1 of this embodiment, the container storage unit 11 has a plurality of container arrangement units 13 each capable of storing a medicine container. The container transport unit 15 can perform a first operation, a second operation, and a third operation. The first operation is an operation of moving between the container storage unit 11 and the medicine discharge unit 21. The second operation is an operation of removing a medicine container from one of the container arrangement units 13 of the container storage unit 11. The third operation is an operation of returning a medicine container to one of the container arrangement units 13. While the container transport unit 15 is performing the first operation, the container storage unit 11 can move the container arrangement unit 13 to change the container arrangement unit 13 that is the target of the second operation or the third operation.

[0101] As a result, when container conveying section 15 moves between container storage section 11 and medicine discharge section 21, container storage section 11 moves container placement section 13, enabling container conveying section 15 to take out or return medicine containers at the destination container placement section 13. Therefore, multiple medicine containers can be conveyed in a flexible order between container storage section 11 and medicine discharge section 21, and the medicine containers can be conveyed smoothly, improving work efficiency.

[0102] Moreover, the medicine supply device 1 of this embodiment includes a distribution tray 31 and a medicine removal unit 35. Medicines discharged from the medicine discharge unit 21 are placed on the distribution tray 31. The medicine removal unit 35 performs a removal operation, which is an operation of removing medicines on the distribution tray 31. The container transport unit 15 can transport the medicine container in parallel with the removal operation by the medicine removal unit 35.

[0103] This allows medicine removal section 35 to remove medicines from distribution tray 31 and simultaneously transport medicine containers, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0104] Furthermore, the medicine supply device 1 of this embodiment includes a first cleaning unit 52 in addition to the distribution tray 31 and the medicine removal unit 35. The first cleaning unit 52 performs a first cleaning operation, which is an operation of cleaning the distribution tray 31 and the medicine removal unit 35. The container transport unit 15 can transport the medicine container in parallel with the first cleaning unit 52 performing the first cleaning operation.

[0105] This allows first cleaning section 52 to clean distribution tray 31 and medicine removal section 35 while simultaneously transporting medicine containers, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0106] The medicine packaging device of this embodiment also includes medicine supply device 1, a packaging unit 41, and a second cleaning unit 53. Packaging unit 41 packages medicines discharged from medicine discharge unit 21. Second cleaning unit 53 performs a second cleaning operation, which is an operation of cleaning packaging unit 41. Container transport unit 15 can transport medicine containers in parallel with second cleaning unit 53 performing the second cleaning operation.

[0107] This allows second cleaning unit 53 to clean packaging unit 41 while transporting medicine containers at the same time, improving work efficiency.

[0108] Next, a second embodiment will be described. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a medicine dispensing and packaging device according to the second embodiment. In the description of this embodiment, the same or similar components as those in the previous embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and their description may be omitted.

[0109] In the medicine packaging device of the first embodiment described above, medicine supply device 1 includes second measuring unit 63 and second reader / writer unit 75. In contrast, in the medicine packaging device of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 3, medicine supply device 2 does not include second measuring unit 63 or second reader / writer unit 75. Furthermore, medicine supply device 2 includes container removal unit 82 instead of temporary container placement unit 81.

[0110] The container removal unit 82 is provided so that it can be easily accessed by a user from the outside. The user can remove a medicine container that has been transported to the container removal unit 82. The container removal unit 82 may have a variety of structures, for example, it may be a base on which a medicine container is placed. In this case, the medicine supply device 2 is provided with an opening / closing door for accessing the container removal unit 82 from the outside. The container removal unit 82 may be configured as, for example, a port that connects the inside and outside of the medicine supply device 2.

[0111] In the medicine supply device 2 of the present embodiment, no device for measuring weight is provided in the container removal unit 82. Therefore, the weight of the medicines in the medicine containers placed in the container removal unit 82 is not measured.

[0112] If, as a result of measurement by first measuring unit 62, the amount of medicine contained in the medicine container is insufficient for the amount required for dispensing, control device 95 controls container transport unit 15 to transport the medicine container to container removal unit 82. A user can retrieve the medicine container and replenish the medicine via container removal unit 82. Alternatively, a reader / writer unit may be provided in container placement unit 13 or holding arm unit 16, and this reader / writer unit may read data regarding the weight of the medicine stored in an information tag of the medicine container. Based on the data acquired by this reader / writer unit, if the amount of medicine contained in the medicine container is insufficient for the amount required for dispensing, control device 95 can control container transport unit 15 to transport the medicine container to container removal unit 82.

[0113] 3, control device 95 can perform control to directly return a medicine container set in medicine discharge unit 21 to container storage unit 11, and control to transport a medicine container that does not contain the amount of medicine required for dispensing processing to container removal unit 82. In this embodiment, second measurement unit 63 is omitted, and therefore medicine supply device 2 performs dispensing processing based on the measurement result of first measurement unit 62 arranged in medicine discharge unit 21.

[0114] The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the above configuration can be modified, for example, as follows.

[0115] The number of drug discharge units 21 is not limited to two, and three or more may be provided. When all or some of the drug containers set in each of the multiple drug discharge units 21 are to be used not only for the current dispensing but also for the next dispensing, the drug containers may be discharged for the next dispensing without being returned to container storage unit 11.

[0116] The number of medicine discharge portions 21 may be one.

[0117] There may be no time overlap between the operation of rotating the container storage unit 11 and the operation of the container transport unit 15 moving between the container storage unit 11 and the medicine discharge unit 21 (hereinafter referred to as the moving operation).

[0118] There may be no time overlap between at least one of the cleaning operation of the first cleaning unit 52 and the cleaning operation of the second cleaning unit 53 and the movement operation of the container conveying unit 15. Also, at least one of the first cleaning unit 52 and the second cleaning unit 53 may be omitted.

[0119] There may be no time overlap between the take-out operation of the medicine take-out section 35 and the movement operation of the container transport section 15.

[0120] The container storage unit 11, the medicine discharge unit 21, the temporary container placement unit 81, etc. may be configured so that the user can easily access them from the outside. For example, it is conceivable to provide an opening / closing door to the medicine supply device 1. This makes it easy for the user to place the medicine containers in each unit and to remove the medicine containers from each unit, for example.

[0121] In the above embodiment, the holding arm unit 16 uses electromagnetic force to hold / release the medicine container. However, for example, a hand may be provided at the tip of the holding arm unit 16, and the medicine container may be mechanically held / released by the hand.

[0122] When there is no need to move the holding arm portion 16, the control device 95 may perform control to keep the holding arm portion 16 positioned at a predetermined standby position.

[0123] The number of distribution trays 31 can be changed as appropriate, taking into consideration the number of medicine discharge portions 21. For example, if four to six medicine discharge portions 21 are provided, two distribution trays can be provided to receive medicines discharged from two or three medicine discharge portions 21.

[0124] The medicine packaging device may be provided with an alarm unit for notifying the user of an abnormality in the dispensing process. If it cannot be confirmed that the medicine container set in the medicine discharge unit 21 is the medicine container containing the medicine specified by the user, the control device 95 may notify the user of this via the alarm unit. The alarm unit can also be operated when it cannot be confirmed that the amount of medicine required for the dispensing process is sufficient, or when the measurement results of the first measurement unit 62 and the second measurement unit 63 do not match. The configuration of the alarm unit is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, a buzzer or a lamp.

[0125] If it cannot be confirmed that the medicine container set in medicine discharge unit 21 is the medicine container containing the medicine specified by the user, control device 95 may cause container transport unit 15 to transport the medicine container to container storage unit 11. The same applies when the amount of medicine contained in the medicine container is insufficient for the amount required for dispensing processing.

[0126] In the above embodiment, the control device 95 determines whether the amount of medicine required for dispensing processing is contained in the medicine container set in the medicine discharge unit 21 based on the weight data stored in the information tag. However, the control device 95 may also make the determination based on the measurement result of the first measuring unit 62.

[0127] The second reader / writer unit 75 may be changed to a read-only device (reader device). In this case, data related to the measurement results of the first measurement unit 62, not data related to the measurement results of the second measurement unit 63, is stored in the information tag of the drug container returned to the container storage unit 11. [Explanation of symbols]

[0128] 1,2 Drug supply device 11 Container storage section 15 Container conveying section 21 Drug discharge section

Claims

1. a container storage unit for storing a plurality of drug containers containing drugs; a plurality of medicine discharging units into which the medicine containers can be set and which discharge medicines from the set medicine containers; a container transport unit capable of transporting the medicine container between the container storage unit and the medicine discharge unit; Equipped with A drug supply device characterized in that, when some of the multiple drug discharge units are in the process of discharging drug and the remaining drug discharge units have completed discharging drug, the container transport unit transports the drug container set in the drug discharge unit that has completed discharging drug to the container storage unit, and transports the drug container to be used for the next dispensing to the drug discharge unit that has become vacant by transporting the drug container that has completed discharging drug in the current dispensing to the container storage unit.

2. 10. The drug delivery device of claim 1, This drug supply device is characterized in that if the drug container that was set in the drug discharge section and discharged the drug in the current dispensing is also used to discharge the drug in the next dispensing, the drug container remains set in the drug discharge section and moves on to the next dispensing.

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