Medication support device

Abstract

To provide a device for reliably executing holding of medicine packs in a storage part in a simple constitution, and taking out the medicine packs one by one smoothly and stably when taking out the medicine packs from the storage part.SOLUTION: A medicine taking support device includes: storage means such as a cartridge 10 for storing medicine packs in a stacked manner; take-out means such as a take-out part 50 for taking out specific medicine packs from the storage means; transfer means such as a transfer part 90 for transferring the medicine packs taken out by the take-out means; medicine delivery means such as a medicine delivery tray 30 for arranging the medicine packs transferred by the transfer means; and a taken-out pack passing part such as a taken-out pack opening 17 provided at a lower part of the storage means for passing the medicine packs taken out by the take-out means. A plurality of support parts such as a right support part 12 and a left support part 13 for supporting the medicine packs are provided at the taken-out pack passing part. The plurality of support parts are fixed members fixed to the taken-out pack passing part, and the plurality of support parts include the support parts with different shapes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medication support device. [Background technology]

[0002] Aiming to reduce the effort required for taking medication, a technology (medication support device) is known in which a single-dose medication pack containing a single medication is removed from a storage section using an adsorption device, and then the pack is handed over to a medication distribution tray, which is then ejected from the outlet of the main body, and the medication is handed over to the user or a medication assistant (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The invention described in Patent Document 1 is certainly similar to the present invention in that a pack removal opening is provided at the bottom of the storage section. However, the invention described in Patent Document 1 has the problem that the return movement of the rotatable flap provided at the pack removal opening can pinch the next pack or cause the pack to be improperly supported. That is, after a pack is removed, the next pack is not supported sufficiently, causing the pack to pop out of the storage section or fall. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention aims to provide a medication support device that has a simple configuration, reliably holds medication packs in a storage section, and allows medication packs to be removed from the storage section smoothly and stably one by one. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a storage means for storing medicine packs in a stacked manner, a removal means for removing a specific medicine pack from the storage means, a transfer means for transferring the medicine pack removed by the removal means, a dispensing means for disposing the medicine pack transferred by the transfer means, and a medicine dispensing means provided below the storage means and for disposing the medicine pack transferred by the removal means.be taken out a pack removal passageway through which the medicine pack passes; and a plurality of support parts for supporting the medicine packs are provided in the pack removal passageway, the plurality of support parts being fixed members fixed to the pack removal passageway, and the plurality of support parts having different shapes. The drug pack includes a single-drug package in which a drug is packaged in a single package, and a combined single-drug package in which a plurality of the single-drug package packs are stacked and combined in the stacking direction. Included Characterized by . [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, a medication support device can be provided that has a simple configuration, can reliably support drug packs in a storage means, and can smoothly and stably remove drug packs one by one from the storage means. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(a) is a front view of the entire medication support device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1(b) is a side view of FIG. [Figure 2] (a) is a plan view showing the general shape of a single drug package pack, (b) is a side view of the drug package pack of (a) as seen from the direction of arrow A, (c) is a side view of a drug package pack combination, and (d) is a diagram showing the general shape of a pack continuum. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a medication tray. [Figure 4] 1A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cartridge, and FIG. 1B is a bottom view of the cartridge. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an exaggerated vertical cross-sectional view of the cartridge shown in FIG. 4(a). [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional plan view of the essential parts showing the attachment / detachment mechanism of the storage section provided in the drawer section. [Figure 7] 10 is a plan view illustrating an identification configuration of a storage section provided in a drawer section. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 1(a) is a front view showing the configuration of the take-out section, and FIG. 1(b) is a plan view of FIG. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are front views showing the operation transition of the take-out unit. [Figure 10] 10 is a front view showing the operation transition of the take-out unit following FIG. 9. [Figure 11] FIG. 1(a) is a front view showing the main configuration of the transfer section, and FIG. 1(b) is a side view of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram showing the main control configuration of the medication support device according to one embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the main overall operational flow of the medication support device of FIG. 1. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation flow of a removal unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 15] 10A is a vertical cross-sectional view of a cartridge according to a modified example, and FIG. 10B is a bottom view of the cartridge of FIG. [Figure 16] 16(a) is a vertical cross-sectional view of a cartridge according to a modified example different from that shown in FIG. 15, and FIG. 16(b) is a bottom view of the cartridge of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Throughout the embodiments and examples, components (members and components) having the same function, shape, etc. will be designated by the same reference numerals once explained, and their explanation will be omitted unless there is a risk of confusion.

[0009] The main components of the entire medication support device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1(a) is a front view schematically showing the main components of the entire medication support device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 1(b) is a side view schematically showing the side configuration of Fig. 1(a). As shown in Figure 1, a medication support device 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a cartridge 10, also called a storage section, a medication tray 30, an extraction section 50, a transport section 90, and first to fourth entrance / exit sections 41 to 44. In Figure 1, the left-right or horizontal direction (also the width direction) of medication support device 200 is the X direction, the front-back or depth direction is the Y direction, and the up-down or vertical direction (also the vertical direction) is the Z direction.

[0010] Cartridge 10 functions as a storage means for stacking and storing single-drug package packs (hereinafter simply referred to as "packs"), which are included as drug packs as will be described later. Multiple cartridges 10 are arranged at the top and bottom of main body frame 199, which serves as the device main body of medication support device 200. Here, "storing in a stack" means storing the packs in a substantially horizontal position or in a flat stack.

[0011] The medication tray 30 functions as a medication dispensing means or medication dispensing table for placing specific packs transferred by the transfer unit 90. As shown in FIG. 1(a), four medication dispensing trays 30 are arranged between the uppermost and lowermost cartridges 10. Hereinafter, the installation location of the medication dispensing tray 30 (meaning the location where the packs are handed over to the medication dispensing tray 30 for automatic medication distribution) will be referred to as the medication dispensing unit 29.

[0012] The ejection section 50 functions as an ejection means for ejecting a specific pack from the cartridge 10 . The transfer section 90 functions as a transfer means for transferring the pack removed from the cartridge 10 by the removal section 50 .

[0013] The first entrance / exit section 41 and the fourth entrance / exit section 44 function as entrance / exit means for the storage means that allows the cartridge 10 to enter and exit the main body frame 199. The cartridge 10 is inserted and set into the main body frame 199 through the first entrance / exit section 41 and the fourth entrance / exit section 44, respectively. The doors of the first entrance / exit section 41 and the fourth entrance / exit section 44 are opened, and the drawer section 21 in which the cartridge 10 is set is pulled out toward you to attach or detach the cartridge 10.

[0014] The second entrance / exit section 42 and the third entrance / exit section 43 function as entrance / exit means for the medication dispensing means that moves the medication dispensing tray 30 in and out of the main body frame 199. The second entrance / exit section 42 and the third entrance / exit section 43 are provided so that a pack can be removed immediately after being placed on the medication dispensing tray 30 (hereinafter also referred to as "set" or "inserted").

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1(a), four medication trays 30 are arranged in the medication support device 200, one for each medication timing, such as morning, midday, evening, and before bed. Since a second entrance / exit section 42 and a third entrance / exit section 43 for the medication tray are also provided for each medication tray, it is possible to take out another medication tray even while a medication dispensing operation is being performed on another medication tray.

[0016] 1, the drawers 21 of the cartridge 10 are provided in two locations, one above the other, with four medication trays 30 sandwiched between them, but this is not limiting and they may be provided together on the upper or lower side. Depending on the number of people in the care facility, the cartridges 10 may be arranged in three levels to achieve the same effect.

[0017] An outline of the drug pack that is the subject of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2(a) is a plan view showing a general form of a single drug package pack, Figure 2(b) is a side view of the drug package pack of Figure 2(a) as seen from the direction of arrow A, and Figure 2(c) is a diagram of the drug package pack combination. Side view 2(b) and 2(c) are somewhat schematic illustrations in which the medicine is not shown.

[0018] The form of the drug pack according to the present invention includes a single drug package pack 2 and a combined drug package pack 2A (hereinafter also simply referred to as "combined pack 2A") in which a plurality of drug package packs 2 (two in FIG. 2(c)) are stacked in the stacking direction and joined together, for example, by stapling. In addition to FIGS. 2, 4, 5, etc., Single-dose drug pack2 is shown as a representative example, but it goes without saying that the pack combination 2A is also included. As shown in FIG. 2(a), one single-dose medicine pack 2 is made of, for example, a resin film, and contains medicine 3, such as capsules or tablets, packaged in small packets. The single-dose medicine pack 2 has a pouch 2a that covers the medicine 3, and a crimped portion 4, which is shown hatched and has three sides that are crimped or welded. usually has one side The pouch is folded in half, with the medicine 3 sandwiched between the two, and the pressure-bonded portion 4 prevents the medicine 3 from leaking from the pouch portion 2a. thing The medicine 3 in one single-dose medicine pack 2 is usually a unit for one dose for a patient.

[0019] The single-dose drug packs 2 are made (packaged) by a drug packaging machine installed in a pharmacy, etc. The packaging paper (packaging sheet) used for packaging is a rolled long sheet. The short side is folded in half It is rolled in an overlapping state, Folded The medicine 3 to be taken is sandwiched between the sheets. The three sides of the medicine 3 other than the fold around the periphery are sealed by the pressure-bonding part 4. 1 time The doses are sealed and divided into smaller portions in order, and formed into a continuous sheet for the required number of doses. This continuous sheet of single-dose drug packs is called a "continuous pack." The continuous pack 1 shown in Figure 2(d) is a strip of single-dose drug packs 2 (three doses in the example shown in the figure). The continuous pack 1 is usually distributed to users at pharmacies, etc. (including those who actually recite the drugs in the single-dose drug packs and caregivers who assist and support the user in taking the drugs), as well as staff at various nursing care facilities and medical facilities (pharmacists, nurses, caregivers, or medication supporters). ) For the sake of simplicity, the following explanation refers to a pack containing medicines of the same form (capsules, tablets, etc.). but Although the enclosed contents are shown in the figure, it goes without saying that different drugs may be enclosed in one pack depending on the user's use and purpose.

[0020] In the example shown in Figure 2, the single-dose drug pack 2 has a rectangular shape when viewed from above. The packaging method in which three sides are crimped and sealed, as in this example, is generally called three-sided packaging, and most drug packaging machines on the market use this method to create packs.

[0021] The crimped portion 4 has a strip-like width of approximately 10 to 15 mm and is more rigid than the transparent or semi-transparent film-like bag portion 2a through which the medication 3 can be seen. A boundary portion 2b with a perforation 5 is formed in the center of the crimped portion 4 of the single-dose medication packs 2, where the multiple single-dose medication packs 2 constituting the pack continuum 1 are adjacent to each other in a continuous line from upstream to downstream. A user with no dexterity issues can tear the single-dose medication pack 2 by hand at the perforation 5 or cut it near the perforation 5 with scissors or a special cutter to obtain a single single-dose medication pack 2.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2(c), a pack assembly 2A may be used. The pack assembly 2A may be a multiple pack assembly (FIG. 2 (c) The central portion of the crimped portion 4 on the three sides of the single-dose drug pack 2 (two pieces shown) is stapled. 40 This was concluded through the following means.

[0023] The medication tray will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is an external perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the medication tray. As shown in Fig. 3, the medication tray 30 has partition walls 31, which are partition members serving as a plurality of partitions for arranging specific packs, and each is divided by four upright partition walls 31. The 20 compartments 33 formed on the medication tray 30 are arranged in the X direction. Towards 5 rows, Y-shaped Towards The medication tray 30 can be expressed as elements of a matrix consisting of four rows. As a result, each of the 20 compartments 33 of the medication tray 30 can be uniquely positioned by the elements and addresses of the matrix consisting of five columns and four rows. Furthermore, the medication tray 30 has a bottom wall 32 on which the placed packs 2 are placed. Distributed toThe medicine tray 30 is configured with multiple (four) partition walls 31 and a common bottom wall 32 to ensure that a particular pack (not shown) placed in a particular compartment 33 is securely placed in that particular compartment 33 without mixing with packs (not shown) in other compartments 33 or falling off the bottom wall 32.

[0024] The medication tray 30 shown in the figure shows a case where a detachable dividing box 34 is used in each compartment 33. The dividing box 34 holds packs 2 containing medication to be taken after lunch for a total of 20 people, ranging from Mr. A to Mr. T, who are residents of a care facility or the like. That is, the medication tray 30 shown in the figure is used when specific packs are placed via the dividing box 34 in predetermined (specific) compartments 33 separated by a plurality of partitions. The operation of placing packs 2 on the medication tray 30 will be briefly explained below in the case where the dividing box 34 is not used.

[0025] In each compartment 33 of the medication tray 30, the set or insertion position is determined for each recipient depending on the pack to be taken. In other words, multiple compartments 33 in the medication tray 30 may be assigned to multiple recipients at the same medication timing. Also, if a specific recipient does not take medicine at a specific medication timing, it is possible to prevent a pack from being placed for that specific recipient at that specific medication timing.

[0026] The present invention is not limited to the above-described medication tray 30, and may be an example in which multiple compartments 33 of the medication tray 30 are allocated according to the timing of each recipient's medication. Specifically, multiple compartments 33 may be allocated according to the timing of the pack 2 to be taken in the morning, midday, evening, and before bedtime, and also for each recipient. In such an example of the medication tray 30, the medication tray 30 can be managed by floor or by room where multiple recipients reside, and the packs 2 for that day (or several days) can be distributed to the medication tray 30 in advance.

[0027] According to the above example, by allocating each section to a medication timing, such as morning, noon, evening, before bed, etc., it is possible to prevent mistakes in the timing of medication for each recipient. Various examples can be considered in combination with the recipient and the timing of medication, not limited to the above-mentioned configuration example of the medication distribution tray 30, but since such examples go beyond the scope of the disclosure of the present invention, only the above explanation will be given.

[0028] An example of a cartridge will be described with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4(a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cartridge, and Figure 4(b) is a bottom view of the cartridge of Figure 4(a). In the longitudinal cross-sectional view of Figure 4(a), in order to simplify the drawing, the crimping portion 4 of the pack 2 stored in the cartridge 10 is intentionally omitted and the pack 2 is shown in an exaggerated and enlarged schematic view. For the same purpose, cross-sectional hatching of the support portions (right support portion 12, left support portion 13, etc.) is also omitted.

[0029] The cartridge 10 is mainly composed of a case portion 11, a lid portion 14, a pack removal opening 17, a movable plate 16, a pack attitude maintaining portion 15, and a right support portion 12 and a left support portion 13 as support portions. The case 11 has a function of storing a plurality of packs 2 or a pack combination 2A (hereinafter, the pack 2 will be used as a representative example). The case 11 is formed integrally or separately using, for example, resin. The lid portion 14 has a function of allowing the pack 2 to be taken in and out. The pack removal opening 17 is formed in the lower or bottom part of the case part 11, and is an opening for removing the pack 2 from the cartridge 10, and has the function of passing the pack 2 removed from the cartridge 10 by the removal part 50 (see Figures 1, 7, etc.).

[0030] The movable plate 16 has the function of preventing the packs 2 from falling over and of moving the lowest pack 2 to the vicinity of the pack removal opening 17 after the first pack of the maximum number of packs 2 that can be stored in the case section 11 has been removed. The pack orientation maintaining section 15 has a function of maintaining the orientation of the pack 2 . The right support portion 12 and the left support portion 13 also have the function of supporting or holding the pack 2 inside the case portion 11.

[0031] In this embodiment, the portion of the pack 2 to be removed from the cartridge 10 by the removal unit 50 is located at the lower or bottom portion of the cartridge 10. It is established . Immediately Before The removal portion is configured to remove a plurality of packs 2 from the cartridge 10. part a right support portion 12 and a left support portion 13 as support portions or support members that support the pack, and a pack removal opening 17. , and the configuration has .

[0032] The pack 2 is removed from the cartridge 10 at the removal unit 50. Take out Sometimes, the right support 12 and the left support 13 From the pack removal opening 17 On the other hand, the pack 2 is removed from the cartridge 10. Do not remove In some cases, a plurality of packs 2 may be stored and held in the case portion 11. 、 The right support part 12 and the left support part 13 are From the pack removal opening 17 It is configured to restrict the passage of pack 2.

[0033] As described above, the right support portion 12 and the left support portion 13 are support portions that support or hold the pack 2 in the cartridge 10, and are each provided in an immovable state so that the removal operation of the pack 2 from the cartridge 10 by the removal portion 50 is stable. The right support portion 12 and the left support portion 13 are fixed members fixed or secured to the bottom wall inner surface 11e of the right bottom wall end and the left bottom wall end of the pack removal opening 17, respectively. The pack removal opening 17 has the function of passing the suction pad 52 of the removal section 50 shown in Figure 4(b) to remove the packs 2, and also has the function of passing the removed packs 2 and the suction pad 52. In other words, the pack removal opening 17 and the right bottom wall end and the left bottom wall end provided so as to surround the pack removal opening 17 function as pack removal passage sections of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 4(b ) Leave ,mosquito Pack 2 stored in cartridge 10 will be described later. The suction pad 52 is positioned to suction as shown in FIG. (hereinafter also referred to as "suction pad position") is indicated by a circular two-dot chain line. The right support part 12 and the left support part 13 support the packs 2 in the cartridge 10 so that the packs 2 in the cartridge 10 do not fall out of the pack removal opening 17. As will be explained later in the operation of the removal part 50, when the lowest pack 2 in the cartridge 10 is removed while being sucked by the suction pad 52, the right support part 12 Near both ends in the Y direction The two suction pad positions are positioned so that the suction pads 52 suction the pack 2. When the lowest pack 2 is removed from the cartridge 10 by the suction pads 52, the two suction pads 52 pass near both ends of the right support part 12 in the Y direction and suction-hold the pack 2.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4(b), the Y direction of the right support portion 12 in By arranging the suction pad positions at two locations near both ends, the occurrence of a problem in which the suction pad 52 is unable to adsorb the object is reduced. fear Also, to prevent this from happening, Pack 2 It is possible to take out the material in the Y direction. Both sides of Pack 2 in is held by the suction pad 52, the film bag portion 2a of the pack 2 is stretched and can withstand deformation. This makes it possible to reliably support or hold the pack 2 in the cartridge 10 while also making it easy to remove the pack 2 smoothly.

[0036] The pack orientation maintaining portion 15 is made of sponge rubber with appropriate elasticity. The movable plate 16 is made of, for example, resin or metal. The pack orientation maintaining portion 15 and the movable plate 16 also maintain the orientation of the multiple packs 2 stored in the case portion 11 in a normal manner (as shown in FIG. 4(a) , they maintain the orientation of the packs 2 in an orderly, approximately horizontal state along the Z direction). In order to perform the above function, the movable plate 16 is configured to descend downward in the Z direction within the case portion 11 under its own weight, thereby reliably moving at least one pack 2 remaining within the case portion 11 to the vicinity of the pack removal opening 17. As shown in FIG. 4(a), a long groove 11a is formed in the side wall of the case portion 11, extending in the Z direction with a predetermined width in the X direction. A flanged shaft 16a is provided at one end of the movable plate 16, protruding from the long groove 11a. The movable plate 16 can maintain the position of the pack 2 in the Z direction by guiding the shaft 16a along the long groove 11a in the Z direction. In FIG. 4, the packs 2 in the cartridge 10 are stacked in a substantially horizontal position, with the drug-containing portion on the left side of the figure stored in a bulging position (not shown), but these states are omitted. Figure 5, which will be described later, more closely represents the actual state of the packs being loaded and stored.

[0037] The packs 2 are set into the case 11 in order from the pack removal openings 17 on the right support part 12 and the left support part 13 side upwards. The timing for refilling the cartridge 10 with packs 2 may be, for example, when a user (resident) in a nursing home or the like is examined (usually every two weeks) or when the packs 2 in the cartridge 10 run out. If there are packs 2 remaining in the cartridge 10 when refilling, refill the remaining packs 2 consecutively from behind the remaining packs 2. The setting of pack 2 into cartridge 10 and the refilling of pack 2 are typically performed by staff at a care facility or the like, but this is not necessarily the case if the storage section is configured as a cartridge and this is done automatically.

[0038] The lid portion 14 is intended to enable staff at care facilities and the like to insert and remove the packs 2 stored in the cartridge 10, and as shown in Figure 4(a), it is formed long in the Z direction of the case portion 11 and has a predetermined opening width.

[0039] As shown in Figure 4(a), the types of packs 2 in the cartridge 10 are divided according to the timing of when the medicine is taken, such as a 14-day supply of morning medicine for Person A. Therefore, if Person A takes medicine in the afternoon, evening, and before bed in addition to the morning, a total of four cartridges 10 are required. The example is not limited to the above, and for example, a single cartridge 10 may be set for each medication recipient (person), and the order may be as follows, moving upward from the pack removal opening 17, which is the pack removal direction of the cartridge 10: morning → noon → evening → before bed on the first day → morning → noon → evening, etc.

[0040] As described in the Background Art section above, the technology described in Patent Document 1 is known. Patent Document 1 proposes a technology relating to a combination of a left flap portion 12 (in which a torsion coil spring having a predetermined range of biasing force is attached between a rotation shaft 12a and the right bottom wall end) of a flap mechanism and a right flap portion 13 (provided so as to be swingable and openable and closable around a rotation shaft (not shown) provided at the right bottom wall end of a pack removal opening 17) as shown in FIG. 8A. However, tests have revealed that the technology described in Patent Document 1 has the problem described above when removing a pack from a cartridge (storage section).

[0041] In one embodiment of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the right support part 12 and the left support part 13 are fixed as fixing members to the inner surface 11e of the bottom wall of the pack removal opening 17 of the case part 11 so that the removal operation of the pack 2 from the cartridge 10 by the removal part 50 is always stable. In other words, the right support part 12 and the left support part 13 are arranged in a fixed state at the pack removal opening 11 at the bottom of the cartridge 10 to hold both ends of the drug pack (pack 2 or pack combination 2A).

[0042] The end support part on the side where the pack 2 is sucked is supported by a right support part 12, and the end support part on the opposite side is supported by a left support part 13, so that the pack 2 stored and set in the cartridge 10 does not fall in the set state. The right support part 12 and the left support part 13 have different support lengths for supporting the pack 2, and the right support part 12 has a longer support length. It is short and composed There are. This configuration allows: As will be described later with reference to FIG. 9(c), when the bottommost pack 2 stored in the cartridge 10 is sucked by the suction pad 52 and pulled out of the cartridge 10, Pack 2 is elastic and deflects , and the pack can be easily removed from the pack removal opening 17. are.

[0043] At this time, since the support parts (the right support part 12 and the left support part 13) are fixed, the tip of the next pack 2 can be securely held, and the pack 2 is pulled by the previous pack 2. Next pack 2 The support parts (right support part 12 and left support part 13) do not swing. Or rotate Or Therefore, the pack 2 is not pinched during the return movement or deformed when pushed in, and is held in a stable state.

[0044] With reference to Figure 5, a cartridge will be described which is enlarged and exaggerated more than the medicine pack stored in the cartridge of Figure 4(a). The bottom view of Figure 5 is omitted because it is the same as Figure 4(b). In the drug packs (pack 2 and combined packs 2A) stored in cartridge 10 in Fig. 5, the right support portion 12 on the right side in the figure is sealed, so the left support portion 13 on the left side in the figure is bulging with the drug. Furthermore, in some cases, such as combined drug packs 2A, the right side in the figure is held together with a staple (not shown) or the like (see Fig. 2(c)), which causes the left side in the figure to bulge even more. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5 In the configuration, Medicine pack 2,2A The support height of The right support part 12 side is higher than the left support part 13 side. Drug pack in cartridge 10 2,2A The holding position is less likely to tilt This allows for stable suction operation. It is structured as follows.

[0045] The mechanism for attaching and detaching the storage section provided in the drawer and its operation will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional plan view of the main part showing the mechanism for attaching and detaching the storage section provided in the drawer, and Figure 7 is a schematic plan view illustrating the identification configuration of the storage section provided in the drawer. As shown in Figure 6, drawer section 21 is configured to allow multiple cartridges 10 to be attached and detached. Slide rails 24 are provided on the left and right outer wall surfaces of case section 22 of drawer section 21, and each slide rail 24 is slidable on a main body rail 28 disposed on the main body frame 199 (see Figure 1). As a result, drawer section 21 can be pulled out from inside main body frame 199 (see Figure 1) via engagement between slide rails 24 and main body rails 28, allowing attachment and detachment.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 6, the cartridge 10 can be attached to and detached from the drawer portion 21 by ,Ke Inner wall surface of base portion 22 from A pair of protrusions 23 formed to protrude inward Toke This is achieved by engaging and disengaging the drawer 21 with a pair of recesses 11c formed on the outer wall of the base 11, and by engaging and disengaging the inner wall surface of the case 22 with four hemispherical protrusions 11d formed on the outer wall of the case 11. The above-described attachment and detachment configuration of the drawer 21 allows the attachment and detachment of multiple cartridges 10 to be performed simply and with good operability. In the above example, the attachment and detachment is achieved by fitting and engaging the concave and convex portions, but this is not the only option. Zuke An elastic material is provided in the gap between the inner wall surface of the base portion 22 and the outer wall surface of the case portion 11. composition , magnetic structure Sei, Or snap fit Even in a configuration using The same effect as above can be obtained.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 7, the drawer section 21 is provided with guide indicators such as LEDs (light-emitting diodes) 25a-25h near the handle 26 that is gripped by hand during attachment and detachment operations, which indicate the locations of the multiple cartridges 10. This makes it possible to know at a glance where the target cartridge 10 is located within the drawer section 21. In the same figure, the LED 25a detects the presence or absence of the cartridge 10 to be attached or detached corresponding to A1 (representing a portion or section uniquely determined by vertical columns and horizontal rows) of the drawer section 21. Similarly, LED 25b corresponds to the A2 portion of drawer section 21, LED 25c corresponds to the A3 portion of drawer section 21, LED 25d corresponds to the A4 portion of drawer section 21, LED 25e corresponds to the B1 portion of drawer section 21, LED 25f corresponds to the B2 portion of drawer section 21, LED 25g corresponds to the B3 portion of drawer section 21, and LED 25h corresponds to the B4 portion of drawer section 21, and each detects the presence or absence of a cartridge 10 to be attached or detached. Note that, since there is a possibility that staff who are operators who install or remove the cartridge 10 may make a mistake with the guide display units such as the LEDs 25a to 25h, it is also possible to use a method of electronically identifying the presence or absence of the cartridge 10 using, for example, a sensor or a switch.

[0048] In addition, to identify each storage unit, it is advisable to provide a number, barcode, QR code (registered trademark), or contactless IC tag in the storage unit, and have the system memorize which storage unit contains which person's medication. Then, after the drawer with the storage unit attached is set in the device main body, the device main body will identify each storage unit. This allows the device to pick the correct pack without making a mistake.

[0049] The configuration and operation of the take-out unit will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. Figure 8(a) is a front view showing the configuration of the take-out unit, Figure 8(b) is a plan view of Figure 8(a), and Figure 9 is a front view showing the operational transition of the take-out unit. As shown in Figure 8, the removal unit 50 has an adsorption unit 51 that removes and holds the pack 2 from the cartridge 10. The adsorption unit 51 has an air-type suction pump 48 (shown only in the block diagram of Figure 12, which will be described later), and adsorbs the pack 2 by creating a negative pressure state using the suction pump 48. The suction pump 48 may be disposed in the take-out section 50 or in another location within the apparatus. When the suction pump is disposed within the apparatus, the suction pump is connected via a communication member such as an air tube.

[0050] The suction unit 51 also has a suction pad 52 that communicates with the suction pump and sucks the pack 2, and a suction duct 53 that is connected to the suction pad 52. The suction pad 52 functions as a suction means or suction member that sucks and removes the pack 2 from the cartridge 10. One end of the suction pad 52, that is, the upper end in Fig. 8(a), is disposed to suck the pack 2 as described above. The other end of the suction pad 52, that is, the lower end in Fig. 8(a), is attached and fixed to one end of the suction duct 53, that is, the upper end in Fig. 8(a). The other end of the suction duct 53, that is, the lower end in Fig. 8(a), is attached and fixed to the rotating base member 54. The suction pad 52 and the suction duct 53 are provided as a pair in the Y direction.

[0051] The removal unit 50 also has a position changing means for changing the position of the pack 2 removed from the cartridge 10 to a substantially vertical position. The position changing means in the removal unit 50 is mainly composed of a rotating base member 54 connected to a fixed member 57 via a rotating shaft 55, a guide member 59 in which a uniquely shaped guide groove 59a is formed, a guide shaft 56 that is always fitted into the guide groove 59a of the guide member 59 to guide the rotating base member 54, and an adsorption unit vertical movement unit. The rotating base member 54 is connected to a fixed member 57 via a rotation shaft 55. The rotating base member 54 may be provided so as to be rotatable (i.e., swingable) within a predetermined angular range around the rotation shaft 55 fixed to the rotating base member 54, or may be provided so as to be swingable around the rotation shaft 55 fixed to the fixed member 57. In other words, in FIG. 8 , the distance connecting the center of the rotation shaft 55 and the center of a guide rod 58 (described later) in the X direction is set so as to always be kept constant when the fixed member 57 moves in the vertical direction Z along the guide rod 58.

[0052] The suction unit vertical movement unit has a pair of guide rods 58 provided in the Y direction to guide the fixed member 57 in the Z direction, an endless belt 62 wound around a drive pulley 60 and a driven pulley 61, and a suction unit vertical movement motor 63 connected to the drive pulley 60 via a drive transmission member such as a gear or a belt. The vertical movement motor 63 is a drive means or drive source for the suction unit vertical movement unit.

[0053] The fixed member 57 is connected to and fixed to a belt 62 by a belt gripping portion 62a fixed to the right end portion of the fixed member 57. The guide rods 58 extend in the Z direction and are provided as a pair in the Y direction, and their lower ends are fixed to a bottom frame 50 b of a take-out frame 50 a provided in the take-out section 50 . The fixing member 57 has a guided hole 57a formed on the right end side thereof into which the guide rod 58 is inserted. The drive pulley 60 and the driven pulley 61 have pulley shafts (not shown) rotatably supported by a stationary member on the take-out frame 50a side. The suction unit up-down movement motor 63 is fixed to a stationary member on the take-out frame 50a side of the take-out unit 50. The suction unit up-down movement motor 63 is a driving member to be controlled by the suction unit up-down movement unit (see FIG. 12 described later).

[0054] When the fixing member 57 moves up and down by operating the suction part up and down movement motor 63, the fixing member 57 moves in the Z direction along each guide rod 58, making it possible to maintain the posture of the fixing member 57 in the XY plane in an approximately horizontal state. The suction unit vertical movement unit is not limited to the above-mentioned belt-driven vertical reciprocating mechanism, but may be a linear reciprocating mechanism using a rack and pinion or the like.

[0055] A pair of guide members 59 are provided on both sides of the suction portion 51 in the Y direction with the rotary base member 54 sandwiched therebetween, and their lower ends are fixed to the bottom frame 50b. The guide shafts 56 are provided to protrude from both ends of the rotating base member 54 in the Y direction, and are provided to always fit into guide grooves 59a of the guide member 59 to guide the rotating base member 54. As shown in FIG. 8(a), the guide shafts 56 are provided below the rotation shaft 55 of the rotating base member 54 in the Z direction, at a certain distance from the rotation shaft 55.

[0056] When the fixed member 57 moves in the Z direction by operating the suction part up / down movement motor 63, the posture of the fixed member 57 in the XY plane is kept constant in an approximately horizontal state, and the guide shaft 56 of the rotating base member 54 moves in the Z direction along the uniquely shaped guide groove 59a, making it possible to rotate the posture of the suction pad 52 by approximately 90 degrees (in Figure 8(a), the state when the suction part 51 is rotated by approximately 90 degrees is shown by a thick dashed line).

[0057] Here, the term "substantially horizontal" includes not only a horizontal state but also a state within a predetermined angle tolerance range relative to the horizontal that is allowable for achieving the effects of the present invention. The guide groove 59a having a unique shape is formed by a first guide groove portion that is formed to extend relatively long in the Z direction so as to maintain the posture of the suction pad 52 facing upward as shown by the solid line in FIG. 8(a) via the rotating base member 54 in a substantially horizontal state by the guide of the guide shaft 56, and a second guide groove portion that is formed to extend relatively long in the Z direction. consecutively On the bottom Heading Gradually move to the right As if heading The second guide groove portion is formed in a gentle arc shape and rotates the posture of the rotation base member 54 and the suction pad 52 by approximately 90 degrees.

[0058] The operation of the removal unit 50 will be described with reference to Figure 9. For the sake of simplicity and ease of understanding, it is assumed that the removal unit 50 is positioned between the cartridge 10 in the drawer unit 21 located at the top of the main body frame 199 in Figure 1 and the medication tray 30 located directly below it, due to the operation of the transfer unit 90 in Figure 1. It is also assumed that the cartridge 10 used is the one shown in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 9(a), the removal unit 50 is moved to below the cartridge 10 by the operation of the transfer unit 90 in Figure 1 and is in a stopped state. At this time, the suction unit up / down movement motor 63 of the suction unit up / down movement unit is stopped, and the suction pad 52 is located below the upper surface of the removal unit (meaning the upper surface of the removal frame 50a of the housing-shaped removal unit 50). Thereafter, as shown in Figure 9(b), the suction unit up / down movement motor 63 is operated, causing the suction pad 52 to move upward and enter through the pack removal opening 17 between the right support unit 12 and the left support unit 13. The suction pad 52 comes into contact with the pack 2 located at the bottom of the cartridge 10 and simultaneously sucks up the pack 2. At this time, the suction pump has been driven in advance, and the removal unit is ready for suction operation.

[0059] 9(c), the suction pad 52 moves downward while suctioning the pack 2 by reverse rotation of the suction part vertical movement motor 63, and the leading end (meaning the end suctioned by the suction pad 52, the same applies hereinafter) of the pack 2 is pulled out from inside the cartridge 10. In this case, the operation of pulling out the leading end of the pack 2 from the pack removal opening 17 of the cartridge 10 is carried out without any problems because the pack 2 is, so to speak, free to deform.

[0060] Next, as shown in FIG. 9(d), the transport unit 90 (see FIG. 1) operates to move the removal unit 50 in the horizontal X direction, thereby drawing out or removing the rear end of the pack 2 from the cartridge 10. Immediately thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 9(e) and 9(f), the suction unit vertical movement motor 63 rotates the pack 2, which is held by suction on the suction pad 52, from its substantially horizontal position by approximately 90 degrees to a substantially vertical position (hereinafter also referred to as a substantially vertical position). This rotational movement occurs because the rotation shaft 55 provided on the rotating base member 54 moves along the guide groove 59a of the guide member 59, so that the position of the pack 2 can be changed from the substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position. This can be achieved by a series of operations of the single suction unit vertical movement motor 63 as a driving source.

[0061] Next, as shown in Figure 10(g), when the removal unit 50 equipped with the suction pad 52 holding the pack 2 in a substantially vertical position is carried by the transport unit 90 to a position substantially directly above the installation location where the medication distribution tray 30 is installed, the operation of the suction pump is stopped. This releases the suction hold of the pack 2 by the suction pad 52, and the pack 2 is inserted into a predetermined compartment 33, which is a predetermined position on the medication distribution tray 30 (see Figure 10(h)).

[0062] After repeating the above operation multiple times and inserting the required packs 2 into the designated compartments 33 of the medication tray 30, the medication tray 30 is ejected from the device through the third entrance / exit section 43 and is received by staff at a care facility or other facility or a medication support person.

[0063] As described above, in the process of removing pack 2 from cartridge 10, removal section 50 removes the front end side of the pack to the bottom side of cartridge 10, and transport section 90 moves removal section 50 so that the rear end side of pack 2 is removed from cartridge 10 while the front end side of pack 2 is removed to the bottom side of cartridge 10. The movement direction of the removal section 50 by the transfer section 90 is set to the X direction, which is the horizontal direction in which the rear end side of the pack 2 is released from the support state with the left support section 13 and pulled out from the pack removal opening 17.

[0064] As described above, in one embodiment, when removing packs 2 from the cartridge 10, the removal unit 50 is positioned or arranged below the cartridge 10, and the packs 2 are removed from below the cartridge 10. In this way, by removing the pack 2 from the below of the cartridge 10, the next pack 2 automatically moves downward (towards the pack removal opening 17) due to the weight of the packs 2 remaining in the cartridge 10 and the movable plate 16, so that the removal unit 50 can perform the same operation with a simple configuration regardless of the amount of packs 2 remaining in the cartridge 10.

[0065] The configuration and operation of the transfer section 90 will be described with reference to Figure 11. Figure 11(a) is a front view showing the main configuration of the transfer section, and Figure 11(b) is a side view of Figure 11(a). 1, the cartridges 10 are arranged on a plane above and below in the Z direction with the medication tray 30 sandwiched therebetween, and the medication tray 30 is located above the lowest cartridge 10, so the removal unit 50 is configured to move in three directions: the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction. In this way, the transfer unit 90 is configured to move the removal unit 50 in the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction in order to transfer the pack 2 removed from the cartridge 10 by the removal unit 50 to the medication tray 30.

[0066] The configuration for moving the removal section 50 in the X direction is the X-direction transfer section 91, the configuration for moving the removal section 50 in the Y direction is the Y-direction transfer section 101, and the configuration for moving the removal section 50 in the Z direction is the Z-direction transfer section 111, and each has a similar configuration.

[0067] The X-direction transfer unit 91 includes an X adapter 96 attached to the take-out unit 50, an X guide member 97 that guides the take-out unit 50 in the X direction via the X adapter 96, an endless belt 94 wound around a drive pulley 92 and a driven pulley 93, and an X-direction transfer motor 95 connected to the drive pulley 92 via a driving force transmission member such as a gear or a belt. Three rollers 98 (two of which are hidden by take-out section 50 and cannot be seen) are attached to X adapter 96 so that they can roll and pinch X guide member 97. X adapter 96 is also connected and fixed to endless belt 94 via a belt gripping section (not shown).

[0068] With the above-described configuration of the X-direction transfer unit 91, when the X-direction transfer motor 95 is driven, the driving force is transmitted to the endless belt 94 via the driving force transmission member and the drive pulley 92, causing the endless belt 94 to rotate and run, and the take-out unit 50 moves in the X direction along the X guide member 97 together with the X adapter 96.

[0069] The Y-direction transfer section 101 includes a Y adapter 106 attached to the take-out section 50, a Y guide member 107 that guides the take-out section 50 in the Y direction via the Y adapter 106, an endless belt 104 wound between a drive pulley 102 and a driven pulley 103, and a Y-direction transfer motor 105 connected to the drive pulley 102 via a driving force transmission member such as a gear or belt. Three rollers 108 are rotatably attached to Y adapter 106 in a state where they sandwich Y guide member 107. Y adapter 106 is also connected and fixed to endless belt 104 via belt gripping portion 104a.

[0070] With the above-described configuration of the Y-direction transfer section 101, when the Y-direction transfer motor 105 is driven, the driving force is transmitted to the endless belt 104 via the driving force transmission member and the driving pulley 102, causing the endless belt 104 to rotate and run, and the removal section 50 moves in the Y direction along the Y guide member 107 together with the Y adapter 106.

[0071] The Z-direction transfer section 111 includes a pair of Z adapters 116 attached to both ends of the X-direction of the X-guide member 97, a pair of Z guide members 117 that guide the take-out section 50 in the Z direction via the X-guide member 97 and the pair of Z adapters 116, an endless belt 114 wound between a drive pulley 112 and a driven pulley 113, and a Z-direction transfer motor 115 connected to the drive pulley 112 via a driving force transmission member such as a gear or a belt. In the Z-direction transfer section 111, a drive pulley 112, a driven pulley 113, and an endless belt 114 are provided on both sides in the X direction, but a Z-direction transfer motor 115 is provided only on one side, the drive pulley 112. Three rollers 118 are attached to each Z adapter 116 so as to be able to roll while clamping the Z guide member 117. Each Z adapter 116 is also connected and fixed to each endless belt 114 via each belt gripping portion 114a.

[0072] With the above-described configuration of the Z-direction transfer section 111, when the Z-direction transfer motor 115 is driven, the driving force is transmitted to the endless belt 114 via the driving force transmission member and the driving pulley 112, causing the endless belt 114 to rotate and run, and the removal section 50 moves in the Z direction along the Z guide member 117 together with the X guide member 97 and the Z adapter 116.

[0073] In Figure 11, the removal unit 50 is designed to move in three axial directions: the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis. However, if, for example, the cartridge 10 is arranged above the removal unit 50 and the medication tray 30 is arranged below it, the removal unit 50 only needs to move in the X and Y directions, thereby reducing the number of moving axes by one.

[0074] The control configuration of the medication support device 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a control block diagram showing the main control configuration of the medication support device according to one embodiment. As shown in Figure 12, medication support device 200 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that functions as control unit 150 as control means for controlling the operation of each part of medication support device 200. The CPU has built-in storage and timer units. The CPU issues notifications to staff and other personnel and gives instructions for device operation at programmed times based on various inputs including those from sensors, which will be described later.

[0075] The CPU has calculation and control functions, and may also have a timer (timekeeping) function. The storage unit 152 includes a ROM (read-only memory), a RAM (randomly readable and writable memory), an external memory, etc. The ROM pre-stores programs that the CPU can read (for example, programs such as the control flowcharts described below) and various data. Examples of the data include data relating to the packs 2 and the compartments 33 of the medication tray 30 assigned to each recipient, data relating to the packs 2 and the compartments 33 of the medication tray 30 assigned for each medication timing, and data relating to the packs 2 and the compartments 33 of the medication tray 30 assigned for each medication order.

[0076] The input / output port of the CPU is electrically connected to a touch panel 151 as a user interface. The touch panel 151 is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a combination of a keyboard and an LED display unit with an input unit and a display unit separate from each other.

[0077] The CPU input port is electrically connected to a medication tray detection sensor 153 that detects the type of medication tray 30 stored in the device and the presence or absence of a medication tray 30, and a storage section detection sensor 157 that detects the presence or absence of a cartridge 10. The CPU input port is also electrically connected to a transfer section HP sensor 99 that detects the home position (hereinafter abbreviated as "HP") of the X-direction transfer section 91 in the removal section 50, a transfer section HP sensor 109 that detects the HP of the Y-direction transfer section 101 in the removal section 50, and a transfer section HP sensor 119 that detects the HP of the Z-direction transfer section 111 in the removal section 50. An suction part HP sensor 158 that detects the HP of the suction part 51 (particularly the suction pad 52) in the take-out part 50 is also electrically connected to the input port of the CPU.

[0078] The output port of the CPU is electrically connected to LEDs 25a to 25h of the drawer section 21, suction pump 48, suction section up / down movement motor 63, X-direction transfer motor 95 of X-direction transfer section 91, Y-direction transfer motor 105 of Y-direction transfer section 101, and Z-direction transfer motor 115 of Z-direction transfer section 111. An alarm unit may be electrically connected to the output port of the CPU. This alarm unit notifies the status of the above-mentioned devices and each part by light such as LED, sound including voice, or vibration. It is equipped with a speaker and light to notify staff, etc. of the timing of taking medication even when they are away from the device.

[0079] When input information from touch panel 151 and various signals from various sensors are input to the CPU, the CPU outputs the following command signals: That is, the CPU outputs command signals that are instructions for controlling the audio and light devices of the display device (including the above-mentioned notification unit) of touch panel 151, LEDs 25a to 25h, suction pump 48, suction unit up / down movement motor 63, X-direction transfer motor 95, Y-direction transfer motor 105, and Z-direction transfer motor 115. The CPU has the function of executing the control operations described below and shown in the control flowcharts.

[0080] The main overall operational flow of the medication support device will be described with reference to Figure 13. This operation is executed under control commands from the CPU of the control unit 150. As shown in Figures 13(a1) to 13(a6), the detailed operations are performed as described with reference to Figures 9(a) to 9(f). The operating state shown in Figure 13(a6) shows a state in which the posture of the suction pad 52 that adsorbs and holds the pack 2 removed from the cartridge 10 has been rotated approximately 90 degrees. As shown in Figure 13(b), the removed pack 2 is held by the suction pad 52 of the removal section 50 in the same posture as in Figure 13(a6). 13(b), the removal unit 50 equipped with the suction pad 52 holding the pack 2 is transported by the transport unit 90 along the route indicated by the thick dashed line to the medication distribution unit 29 where the medication distribution tray 30 is installed. When the removal unit 50 is transported to the medication distribution unit 29 approximately directly above the medication distribution tray 30, the suction pump 48 is stopped. This releases the suction hold of the pack 2 by the suction pad 52, and the pack 2 is inserted into a predetermined compartment 33 of the medication distribution tray 30.

[0081] After performing the above operation multiple times and inserting the required packs 2 into the designated compartments 33 of the medication tray 30, the medication tray 30 is ejected from the device, for example, through the second entrance / exit section 42, as shown in Figure 13(c), and is received by staff at a nursing facility or a medication support person.

[0082] The operational flow of the take-out unit in the overall operational flow of Fig. 13 will be supplemented with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing the operational flow of the take-out unit. In step S10 of FIG. 14, the number of the cartridge 10 storing the pack 2 to be distributed is confirmed, and the position of the distribution tray 30 to which the pack 2 is to be delivered is confirmed. Next, the removal unit 50 is moved to the target cartridge 10 by the transfer operation of the transfer unit 90 (step S11). Next, while the suction pump 48 is driven, the suction unit vertical movement motor 63 is driven to move the suction unit 51 upward (steps S12 and S13). After a certain time has passed since the suction pad 52 adsorbed and held the lowest pack 2 in the cartridge 10, the suction unit vertical movement motor 63 is driven in the reverse direction to move the suction unit 51 downward (step S14). Thereafter, the removal unit 50 is moved in the X direction to completely remove the pack 2 from the cartridge 10, and the suction unit vertical movement motor 63 is further driven in the reverse direction to move the suction unit 51 downward, thereby rotating the suction unit 51 approximately 90 degrees and changing the attitude of the pack 2 from the approximately parallel state to the approximately vertical state (steps S15 and S16).

[0083] Next, the take-out unit 50 is moved to the position of the target medication distribution tray 30 by the transfer operation of the transfer unit 90. When the take-out unit 50 has moved to the position of the target medication distribution tray 30, the suction pump 48 is stopped and the pack 2 is separated from the suction pad 52 (steps S17 to S18). Then, it is checked whether there are any other packs 2 to be distributed, and if there are no other packs 2 to be distributed, the series of operation flows is ended (step S19). On the other hand, if there are other packs 2 to be dispensed in step S19, the process returns to step S10 and the same operations as above are repeated.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the timing for changing the posture of the pack 2 from a substantially horizontal state to a substantially vertical state is immediately after the pack 2 to be removed is taken out of the cartridge 10. With this configuration and operation, when there is not enough space in the lateral direction of the take-out means, it is possible to provide a compact device with a reduced lateral width. Furthermore, when removing packs 2 from the cartridge 10, the removal unit 50 is positioned below the cartridge 10, and the packs 2 are removed from below the cartridge 10. In this way, by removing the packs 2 from below the cartridge 10, the next pack 2 automatically moves downward (towards the pack removal opening 17) due to the weight of the packs 2 remaining in the cartridge 10 and the movable plate 16, so the removal unit 50 can perform the same operation with a simple configuration regardless of the amount of packs 2 remaining in the cartridge 10.

[0085] According to the above embodiment, a medication support device can be provided that has a simple configuration, can reliably hold drug packs in the storage means, and can smoothly and stably remove drug packs one by one from the storage means. More specifically, the basic effect is to provide a medication support device that can hold medication packs within a storage means, while also being easy to remove and difficult to drop, and that can prevent the next medication pack removed by the removal means from falling or losing its supporting position.

[0086] A modified example of the cartridge will be described with reference to Figure 15. Figure 15(a) is a vertical cross-sectional view of a cartridge according to the modified example, and Figure 15(b) is a bottom view of the cartridge of Figure 15(a). 4 and 5, the cartridge 10 has been described as having the right support portion 12, the left support portion 13, and the case portion 11 configured as separate parts, but the right support portion 12, the left support portion 13, and the case portion 11 may also be configured as a single unit as shown in Fig. 15. The case portion 11 is formed integrally with the right support portion 12 and the left support portion 13 shown in Fig. 4 by molding an appropriate resin using an injection molding machine or the like. According to the modification shown in FIG. 15, the cartridge can be constructed more simply.

[0087] Referring to Figure 16, a modified cartridge different from that shown in Figure 15 will be described. Figure 16(a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a cartridge according to a modified cartridge different from that shown in Figure 15, and Figure 16(b) is a bottom view of the cartridge shown in Figure 16(a). Figure 16(b) also illustrates the crimping portion 4 to clarify the pack sizes of the pack 2 and the pack combination 2A (hereinafter, the case of pack 2 will be described as a representative). If the pack size (length in the X direction in Figure 16) of pack 2 is different from that shown in Figure 4, the storage position of pack 2 within cartridge 10 will not be stable, and the suction position of pack 2 by suction pad 52 (see Figure 8) will vary.

[0088] Therefore, as shown in the figure, by providing a pack restriction length changing member 18 on the side of the cartridge 10 opposite the side where the pack 2 is suctioned by the suction pad 52, it is possible to keep the suction position of the suction pad 52 constant regardless of the size of the pack 2. The pack restriction length changing member 18 is detachably provided on the inner wall of the case 11, and only needs to be replaced when the pack size to be used changes. According to the modification shown in FIG. 16, it is possible to keep the support position of the pack in the cartridge always aligned with the suction position of the suction portion.

[0089] The above embodiment and the like can be said to have substantially described the following aspects and effects. That is, the first aspect is a medication support device comprising a storage means such as cartridge 10 that stores medication packs in a stacked manner, a removal means such as removal section 50 that removes a specific medication pack from the storage means, a transfer means such as transfer section 90 that transfers the medication pack removed by the removal means, a medication dispensing means such as medication tray 30 that places the medication packs transferred by the transfer means, and a pack removal passageway such as pack removal opening 17 that is provided at the bottom of the storage means and allows the medication packs removed by the removal means to pass through, wherein the pack removal passageway has a plurality of support parts such as right support part 12 and left support part 13 that support the medication packs, and the plurality of support parts are fixed members fixed to the pack removal passageway, and the plurality of support parts include support parts with different shapes.

[0090] With this configuration, according to the first aspect, a medication support device can be provided that has a simple configuration, can reliably hold drug packs in the storage means, and can smoothly and stably remove drug packs one by one from the storage means. More specifically, it is possible to provide a medication support device that can hold medication packs within a storage means, while also being easy to remove and difficult to drop, and that can prevent the next medication pack removed by the removal means from falling or losing its supporting position.

[0091] In a second aspect, in the first aspect, the support heights of the drug packs at the plurality of support parts are different. With this configuration, according to the second aspect, it is possible to stably support medicine packs having non-uniform thicknesses.

[0092] In the third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the removal means has an adsorption part such as an adsorption part 51 that adsorbs and removes the drug pack, and among the plurality of support parts, the height of the drug pack side that is adsorbed by the adsorption part is higher. With this configuration, according to the third aspect, for example, by raising the side of the thinner drug pack that is stapled together as a pack assembly, the support posture of the drug pack within the storage means can be stabilized, thereby preventing suction errors.

[0093] A fourth aspect is any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the plurality of support portions are configured as separate bodies.

[0094] A fifth aspect is any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the plurality of support parts are integrally formed. With this configuration, according to the fifth aspect, the support portion can be configured simply.

[0095] A sixth aspect is any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the supporting lengths of the drug packs in the plurality of supporting portions are different. With this configuration, according to the sixth aspect, the medicine pack can be removed smoothly.

[0096] A seventh aspect is any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the removal means has an adsorption section that adsorbs and removes the drug pack, and the length of the support section on the drug pack side that is adsorbed by the adsorption section is shorter than the length of the support section on the drug pack side that is not adsorbed by the adsorption section. With this configuration, according to the seventh aspect, the medicine pack can be sucked and removed smoothly.

[0097] An eighth aspect is any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the removal means has an adsorption section that adsorbs and removes the drug pack, and the storage means has a pack restriction length change member on the opposite side of the adsorption section of the drug pack that is adsorbed by the adsorption section that changes the restriction length of the drug pack. With this configuration, according to the eighth aspect, it is possible to keep the support positions of the medicine packs in the storage means aligned with the suction side end face at all times.

[0098] A ninth aspect is any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the removal means has an adsorption section that adsorbs and removes the drug pack, and the storage means has a pressing member that can move vertically downward by pressing down the drug pack stored in the storage means with its own weight. With this configuration, according to the ninth aspect, the drug pack in the storage means moves smoothly to the lowest suction position, stabilizing the holding posture within the storage means, thereby making it possible to prevent suction errors. In a tenth aspect, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, the drug pack includes a single-drug package pack in which a drug is packaged in a single package, and a single-drug package pack combination in which multiple single-drug package packs are stacked and combined in the stacking direction. With this configuration, according to the tenth aspect, it is possible to provide medicines in various forms based on the requests of the patient and their medication supporter.

[0099] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and unless otherwise specifically limited in the above description, various modifications and variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims. For example, the technical matters described in the above embodiments, examples, or variations may be appropriately combined.

[0100] The effects appropriately described in the embodiments of the present invention are merely a list of the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 2. Single-dose drug pack (example of a drug pack) 2A Single-dose drug pack combination (an example of a drug pack) 3. Drugs 5 Perforations 10 Storage section, cartridge (an example of storage means) 12 Support part right (example of support part, support member) 13 Left support part (example of support part, support member) 17 Pack removal opening (an example of a pack removal passage) 18 Pack regulation length change member 21 Drawer section 29 Drug distribution department 30 Medication tray (an example of a medication dispensing device or medication table) 50 Removal section (an example of removal means) 51 Adsorption part 52 suction pad (an example of suction means, suction member) 90 Transfer section (an example of transfer means) 150 control section 200 Medication support device X Left / right / horizontal direction Y Front / back / depth direction Z Up / down / vertical direction [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0102] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-185976

Claims

1. a storage means for storing the medicine packs in a stacked manner; removal means for removing a particular drug pack from the storage means; a transfer means for transferring the medicine pack taken out by the take-out means; a dispensing means for disposing the medicine packs transferred by the transferring means; a pack removal passage provided at a lower portion of the storage means and allowing the drug packs removed by the removal means to pass through; A medication support device comprising: The pack removal passage section has a plurality of support sections for supporting the drug packs, the plurality of support parts are fixed members fixed to the pack removal passage part, and the plurality of support parts include parts with different shapes; The medication support device includes a single-drug package in which a drug is packaged in a single unit, and a single-drug package combination in which multiple single-drug package packs are stacked and combined in the stacking direction.

2. The medication support device according to claim 1, wherein the support heights of the medicine packs at the plurality of support portions are different.

3. the removal means has an adsorption part that adsorbs and removes the medicine pack, The medication support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the height of the medicine pack side that is adsorbed by the adsorption portion is higher among the plurality of support portions.

4. 4. The medication support device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of support parts are configured as separate parts.

5. 4. The medication support device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of support parts are integrally formed.

6. 6. The medication support device according to claim 1, wherein the lengths of the medicine packs supported by the plurality of support portions are different.

7. the removal means has an adsorption part that adsorbs and removes the medicine pack, A medication support device as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the length of the support portion on the drug pack side that is adsorbed by the adsorption portion is shorter than the length of the support portion on the drug pack side that is not adsorbed by the adsorption portion.

8. the removal means has an adsorption part that adsorbs and removes the medicine pack, A medication support device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the storage means has a pack regulation length change member on the opposite side of the drug pack to the suction portion that is adsorbed by the suction portion, which changes the regulation length of the drug pack.

9. the removal means has an adsorption part that adsorbs and removes the medicine pack, A medication support device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the storage means has a holding member that can move vertically downward by pressing down the medication pack stored in the storage means with its own weight.

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