Drug dispensing system, adjustment system, program

Abstract

To provide a medicine dispensing system and program capable of supporting the dispensing of medicines using a medicine dispensing unit capable of dispensing different types of medicines. [Solution] A medicine dispensing system (500) according to the present invention comprises a determination processing unit (212) that determines whether a medicine has been dispensed from a medicine dispensing unit (2) that has an adjustment unit that can be adjusted to a plurality of states to enable dispensing of different types of medicine, and a memory processing unit (213) that, when the determination processing unit (212) determines that a medicine has been dispensed from the medicine dispensing unit (2), stores in memory units (206, 202) dispensing confirmation information that can identify a correspondence between the medicine dispensing unit (2) and the type of medicine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a drug dispensing system including a drug dispensing unit such as a drug cassette capable of dispensing different types of drugs.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, a drug dispensing device capable of automatically dispensing drugs from a drug cassette based on prescription data is known. Further, as a drug cassette used in this type of drug dispensing device, for example, a configuration in which dimensions of a drug dispensing path can be adjusted and can be used for dispensing a plurality of types of drugs by adjusting the dimensions of the drug dispensing path is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, it is conceivable that the drug cassette can be manually adjusted by the user. In this case, if the user does not correctly adjust the dimensions of the drug dispensing path in advance according to the type of drug to be dispensed, the drug to be dispensed cannot be correctly dispensed from the drug cassette.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a drug dispensing system and a program capable of assisting in the dispensing of drugs using a drug dispensing unit capable of dispensing different types of drugs.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The drug dispensing system according to the present invention comprises a determination processing unit that determines whether or not a drug has been dispensed from a drug dispensing unit that can be adjusted to multiple states capable of dispensing different types of drugs, and a storage processing unit that, when the determination processing unit determines that a drug has been dispensed from the drug dispensing unit, stores dispensing confirmation information in a storage unit in a state that allows the correspondence with the drug dispensing unit to be identified.

[0007] The present invention provides a program for a processor to perform the following steps: a determination step of determining whether or not a drug has been dispensed from a drug dispensing unit that can be adjusted to multiple states capable of dispensing different types of drugs; and a storage step of storing dispensing confirmation information in a storage unit in a state that allows the correspondence with the drug dispensing unit to be identified, if the determination step determines that a drug has been dispensed from the drug dispensing unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a drug dispensing system and program are provided that can support the dispensing of drugs using a drug dispensing unit capable of dispensing different types of drugs. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a chemical dispensing device equipped with an adjustment device. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the chemical cassette and base. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the chemical cassette with the lid removed. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the chemical cassette from the bottom. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cassette unit. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the chemical cassette with the rotor removed. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the rotor drive unit of the cassette body. [Figure 8A]FIG. 8A is an exploded perspective view of the partition adjustment mechanism of the cassette body. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the cassette body showing the entry position of the partition member. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an overall perspective view of the rotor. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the rotor seen from the bottom. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the depth adjustment mechanism. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the height adjustment mechanism. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the width adjustment mechanism. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the cassette body explaining the depth adjustment state by the depth adjustment mechanism. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the cassette body explaining the height adjustment state by the height adjustment mechanism. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a plan view (a) and a bottom view (b) of the movable member and the width adjustment member explaining the width adjustment state by the width adjustment mechanism. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the adjustment device. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the adjustment device. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is an internal perspective view of the base portion of the device body. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is an internal perspective view of the guide portion of the device body. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a plan view showing the rotation mechanism of the rotating member. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a front view (a), a longitudinal cross-sectional view (b), and a transverse cross-sectional view (c) of the rotating member. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the adjustment member. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the adjustment member. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the outer member of the grip portion seen from below. [Figure 26]Figure 26 is a perspective view of the first member of the shaft section, seen from below. [Figure 27] Figure 27 is a perspective view of the second member of the shaft section, seen from below. [Figure 28] Figure 28 shows cross-sectional views of the adjustment member (a), a cross-sectional view when the grip portion is raised (b), and a cross-sectional view when the torque limiter is activated (c). [Figure 29] Figure 21 is a perspective view of the tool. [Figure 30] Figure 30 is a system configuration diagram of the drug dispensing system. [Figure 31] Figure 31 is a system configuration diagram of the adjustment device. [Figure 32] Figure 32 shows an example of information used in a drug dispensing system. [Figure 33] Figure 33 is a flowchart showing an example of a drug allocation process performed in a drug dispensing system. [Figure 34] Figure 34 is a flowchart showing an example of the adjustment support process performed in the drug dispensing system. [Figure 35] Figure 35 is a flowchart showing an example of the adjustment support process performed in the drug dispensing system. [Figure 36] Figure 36 is a flowchart showing an example of the adjustment support process performed in the drug dispensing system. [Figure 37] Figure 37 shows an example of a display screen shown in the drug dispensing system. [Figure 38] Figure 38 shows an example of a display screen shown in the drug dispensing system. [Figure 39] Figure 39 shows an example of a display screen shown in the drug dispensing system. [Figure 40] Figure 40 shows an example of a display screen shown in the drug dispensing system. [Figure 41] Figure 41 shows an example of a display screen shown in the drug dispensing system. [Figure 42] Figure 42 shows an example of a display screen shown in the drug dispensing system. [Figure 43] Figure 43 shows an example of a display screen shown in the drug dispensing system. [Figure 44] Figure 44 shows the adjustment state of the rotor. [Figure 45] Figure 45 shows an example of a display screen shown in the drug dispensing system. [Figure 46] Figure 46 shows an example of a display screen shown in the drug dispensing system. [Figure 47] Figure 47 shows an example of a display screen shown in the drug dispensing system. [Figure 48] Figure 48 shows an example of a display screen shown in the drug dispensing system. [Figure 49] Figure 49 shows an example of a display screen shown in the drug dispensing system. [Figure 50] Figure 50 shows an example of a display screen shown in the drug dispensing system. [Figure 51] Figure 51 shows an example of a display screen shown in the drug dispensing system. [Figure 52] Figure 52 shows an example of a display screen shown in the drug dispensing system. [Figure 53] Figure 53 shows an example of a display screen shown in the drug dispensing system. [Figure 54] Figure 54 shows an example of a display screen shown in the drug dispensing system. [Figure 55] Figure 55 shows an example of a display screen shown in the drug dispensing system. [Figure 56] Figure 56 shows an example of a display screen shown in the drug dispensing system. [Figure 57] Figure 57 shows an example of a display screen shown in the drug dispensing system. [Figure 58] Figure 58 is a flowchart showing an example of a drug dispensing process performed in a drug dispensing system. [Figure 59]Figure 59 is a flowchart showing an example of the work support display process performed in the drug dispensing system. [Figure 60] Figure 60 is a flowchart showing an example of a drug dispensing support process performed in a drug dispensing system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The following embodiments are examples that embody the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the chemical dispensing device 1 according to this embodiment comprises a plurality of bases 3, a plurality of chemical cassettes 2 that can be attached to each of the bases 3, a code reading unit 304, and an adjustment device 100.

[0012] The drug dispensing device 1 can dispense tablets to be dispensed from one or more drug cassettes 2 installed in the drug dispensing device 1 based on drug dispensing data such as prescription data input from a higher-level system, and perform a drug dispensing operation in which the tablets are divided into corresponding drug packaging papers according to predetermined units such as the timing of administration. The prescription data is an example of drug dispensing data, and the drug dispensing device 1 may also perform a drug dispensing operation based on packaging data generated based on the prescription data.

[0013] The drug cassette 2 is an example of a drug dispensing unit that can be adjusted to multiple states capable of dispensing different types of tablets. Specifically, the drug cassette 2 includes an adjustment unit, described later, for adjusting the tablet dispensing path (tablet guide path 8b, described later) in the drug cassette 2 to multiple states capable of dispensing different types of tablets. The drug cassette 2 can be displaced to multiple states capable of dispensing different types of tablets by adjusting the dimensions of the dispensing path using the adjustment unit. The adjustment device 100 is used in manual adjustment work in which the user manually adjusts the state of the drug cassette 2 by operating the adjustment unit of the drug dispensing device 1. Note that the tablets in this embodiment are an example of the drugs in the present invention.

[0014] However, if the user does not properly adjust the adjustment unit in advance according to the type of drug to be dispensed, the drug to be dispensed cannot be correctly dispensed from the drug cassette 2. In contrast, the drug dispensing system 500 according to this embodiment can support the dispensing of drugs using drug cassettes 2 that can dispense different types of drugs.

[0015] <Contents of the chemical cassette> Figure 2 shows the chemical cassette 2 and base 3 that are mounted on the chemical dispensing device 1. The chemical cassette 2 includes a cassette body 5, a lid 6 that opens and closes and detachably covers the upper opening of the cassette body 5, a skirt portion 7 provided at the bottom of the cassette body 5, and a rotor 8 housed in the cassette body 5 as shown in Figure 3.

[0016] Furthermore, an RFID tag 206 is provided at the bottom of the cassette body 5. In this embodiment, the RFID tag 206 is an example of the storage unit according to the present invention. On the other hand, a data reading unit 306 is provided on the base 3 at a position where information can be read from the RFID tag 206 of the chemical cassette 2 when the chemical cassette 2 is attached to the base 3.

[0017] The top surface of the lid 6 and the front surface of the skirt portion 7 are formed with pockets 6a and 7a for storing labels or cards that can identify the tablets contained in the drug cassette 2. As shown in Figure 4, the inner surface of the skirt portion 7 is provided with a sliding portion 7b that slides against the mounting guide 3a of the base 3 shown in Figure 2, and an elastic engaging piece 7c that engages with the locking portion 3b of the mounting guide 3a.

[0018] <Structure of the cassette body> As shown in Figure 5, the cassette body 5 includes a rectangular upper part 5a that opens upward, an inverted conical inclined part 5b, a cylindrical part 5c, and a bottom part 5d. The internal space from the bottom part 5d to the inclined part 5b houses the rotor 8, and a large number of tablets T can be housed above the rotor 8. A tablet discharge hole 9 is formed from the lower part of the inclined part 5b to the bottom part 5d. The tablet discharge hole 9 communicates with a tablet discharge passage 3c formed in the base 3 shown in Figure 2. A partition member 20 and a partition adjustment mechanism M1, which will be described later, for adjusting the position of the partition member 20 are attached to the outside of the cassette body 5. The tip of the partition member 20 is inserted inward from the outside of the inclined part 5b through a slit 9a shown in Figure 6 that is formed above the tablet discharge hole 9. A rotor shaft hole 11 is formed in the center of the bottom part 5d, which houses the rotor drive unit 10 shown in Figure 6.

[0019] <Rotor drive unit> As shown in Figure 7, the rotor drive unit 10 includes a drive shaft 12 that penetrates the rotor shaft hole 11, an engagement shaft 13 that engages with the upper end of the drive shaft 12 and rotates integrally with the drive shaft 12, a drive gear 14 that engages with the lower end of the drive shaft 12 and rotates integrally with the drive shaft 12, and a central shaft 15 that penetrates the engagement shaft 13, the drive shaft 12, and the drive gear 14 and integrates them. The engagement shaft 13 includes a circular base portion 13a that abuts the upper end surface of the drive shaft 12, engagement pieces 13b that protrude downward from the outer peripheral edge of the base portion 13a at circumferentially spaced positions, and a connecting portion 13c that connects the lower ends of adjacent engagement pieces 13b. The inner surfaces of the engagement pieces 13b and the connecting portion 13c are slidably provided on the outer peripheral surface of an annular projection 11a provided on the edge of the rotor shaft hole 11 via a ring 16.

[0020] When the rotor 8 is mounted, the engaging piece 13b engages with the slit 44a between the engaging pieces 44 of the engaging recess 41a of the rotor 8 shown in Figure 10, thereby transmitting the rotational force of the rotor drive unit 10 to the rotor 8. Although the rotor 8 comes in various sizes, to prevent incorrect mounting of the rotor 8 to the rotor drive unit 10 from the cassette body 5, the number of engaging pieces 13b and slits 44a may be set to 6, 5, or 4 depending on the size of the rotor 8.

[0021] A flange 15a and a hole 15b are formed at the upper end of the central shaft 15. Three annular magnets 15c are inserted into the hole 15b of the central shaft in a stacked state and fixed with a screw 15d. The magnets 15c may also be single cylindrical magnets. The lower end of the central shaft 15 passes through a gear cover 17 attached to the bottom 5d of the cassette body 5 shown in Figure 4 and is prevented from coming off by a C-shaped retaining ring 15e. The drive gear 14 is driven by engaging with the motor gear 3d of the base 3 shown in Figure 2 via an intermediate gear 18 shown in Figure 4. The motor gear 3d is connected to a motor that is driven when dispensing tablets from the drug cassette 2 mounted on the base 3, and the driving force of the motor is transmitted from the motor gear 3d to the drive gear 14, thereby dispensing tablets from the drug cassette 2.

[0022] As shown in Figure 4, a locking claw 19a at one end of a locking lever 19 provided on the bottom surface of the cassette body 5 engages with the drive gear 14. The other end of the locking lever 19, the operating part 19b, extends in the direction in which the chemical cassette 2 is mounted. When the chemical cassette 2 is mounted on the base 3, the operating part 19b of the locking lever 19 contacts a predetermined contact part 3e of the base 3 as shown in Figure 2, causing the locking lever 19 to rotate against the biasing force of the spring 19c, the locking claw 19a disengages from the drive gear 14, and the drive gear 14 becomes rotatable. When the chemical cassette 2 is pulled out from the base 3, the operating part 19b of the locking lever 19 disengages from the contact part 3e of the base 3, the locking lever 19 rotates due to the biasing force of the spring 19c, the locking claw 19a engages with the drive gear 14, and the rotation of the drive gear 14 is prevented. As a result, it is possible to prevent the tablets T from falling out due to the unexpected rotation of the rotor 8 of the pulled-out drug cassette 2.

[0023] <Partition adjustment mechanism> As shown in Figure 8A, the partition member 20 is formed in a comb-like shape that is curved upwards. The partition member 20 is movable forward and backward relative to the rotor 8 by the partition adjustment mechanism M1. The partition adjustment mechanism M1 includes a first fixed member 21, a second fixed member 22, a movable member 23, and a partition adjustment member 24.

[0024] An upper case portion 21a is formed in the center of the first fixing member 21, which houses the sliding portion 23c of the movable member 23 and the stopper 28. Mounting holes 21b are formed on both sides of the upper case portion 21a of the first fixing member 21. A pair of elastic pieces 21c are formed on the lower surface of the first fixing member 21 to press and stabilize the movable member 23. A projection 21d is formed at the tip of the elastic piece 21c that engages with the groove 23d of the movable member 23.

[0025] The second fixing member 22 has a lower case portion 22a in its center, which houses the sliding portion 23c of the movable member 23 and the stopper 28. Inverted U-shaped notches 22b are formed on the lower edges on both sides of the lower case portion 22a of the second fixing member 22. When the upper case portion 21a of the first fixing member 21 and the lower case portion 22a of the second fixing member 22 are combined, they form a movable member housing portion 25 that opens downward to house the sliding portion 23c of the movable member 23, and a stopper housing portion 26 that houses the stopper 28. Semicircular notches 27 are formed on the lower edge of the upper case portion 21a and the upper edge of the lower case portion 22a of the movable member housing portion 25, which support both axial ends of the partition adjustment member 24 so that they cannot move in the axial direction.

[0026] The movable member 23 has a holding portion 23a at its lower end for holding the partition member 20, and a sliding portion 23c at its upper end having a screw hole 23b. Grooves 23d are formed at both ends of the upper surface of the movable member 23.

[0027] The partition adjustment member 24 has a threaded portion 24a that screws into the threaded hole 23b of the sliding portion 23c of the movable member 23, and an engaging gear 24b. A stopper 28 is engaged with the engaging gear 24b to fix it in the required position. The groove 23d of the movable member 23 engages with the projection 21d of the first fixing member 21, so the movable member 23 is fixed in the rotational direction of the partition adjustment member 24. Therefore, when the partition adjustment member 24 rotates, the movable member 23 moves in the axial direction of the partition adjustment member 24.

[0028] To assemble the partition adjustment mechanism M1, first, the sliding portion 23c of the movable member 23 is placed in the lower case portion 22a of the second fixing member 22 from below, the partition adjustment member 24 is screwed through the sliding portion 23c, and then both ends of the partition adjustment member 24 are placed on the notches 27 of the lower case portion 22. Also, the stopper 28 is placed in the lower case portion 22a of the second fixing member 22. In this state, when the first fixing member 21 is placed on the second fixing member 22 so that the partition adjustment member 24 passes through the hole formed by the notches 27 of the first fixing member 21 and the second fixing member, the claws 22f of the elastic locking piece 22e provided on the upper case portion 21a are locked to the lower edge of the lower case portion 22a and assembled together. Furthermore, since the notch 27 is smaller than the engagement gear 24b, the engagement gear 24b is fixed to the upper case portion 22a and the lower case portion 22b so that it cannot move in the axial direction. Subsequently, the second fixing member 22 is fixed to the cassette body 5 by passing the fixing screw 29 through the notch 22b of the second fixing member 22 and the mounting hole 21b of the first fixing member 21 and screwing it into the screw hole 5e on the back of the cassette body 5.

[0029] When the partition adjustment member 24 of the partition adjustment mechanism M1 is rotated, the sliding part 23c moves within the movable member housing part 25 of the upper case part 21a of the first fixed member 21 and the lower case part 22b of the second fixed member 22. As shown in Figure 8B, the partition member 20 held by the movable member 23 moves forward or backward toward the rotor 8 inside the cassette body 5, allowing the tip position 20a of the partition member 20 to be adjusted. That is, as shown in Figure 8B(a), when the thickness of the tablet T is thick, the rotor body 31 of the rotor 8 is raised, as will be described in detail later, to increase the depth D of the groove in the tablet guide path 8b between the lower inclined outer surface 35c and the inclined part 5b of the cassette body 5. Accordingly, the tip of the partition member 20 also moves forward toward the rotor 8. As shown in Figure 8B(b), when the thickness of the tablet T is thin, the rotor body 31 of the rotor 8 is lowered to reduce the depth D of the groove in the tablet guide path 8b between the lower inclined outer surface 35c and the inclined portion 5b of the cassette body 5. Consequently, the tip of the partition member 20 is also retracted from the rotor 8.

[0030] <Overall structure of the rotor> As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the rotor 8 has a generally conical shape on its top surface, an inverted cone shape on its sides, and a flat bottom surface. A tablet pocket 8a is provided on the upper side of the rotor 8 in the circumferential direction, and a plurality of tablet guide paths 8b are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, extending downward from the tablet pocket 8a.

[0031] The tablet pocket 8a is formed by the outer circumferential surface of the rotor body 31 (described later) and the first horizontal projection 73 of the first movable member 60 and the second horizontal projection 82 of the second movable member 61 (described later), and is surrounded by the inclined portion 5b of the cassette body 5, receiving the tablets T housed in the cassette body 5 and aligning them in the circumferential direction.

[0032] The tablet guide path 8b is formed in a groove shape by the lower inclined outer surface 35c of the rotor body 31 (described later), the first vertical projection 72 of the first movable member 60 (described later), the second vertical projection 81 of the second movable member 61 (described later), and the tablet support base 55 of the annular lifting member 51 (described later). The tablet guide path 8b is covered by the inclined portion 5b of the cassette body 5 and receives the tablets T aligned in the tablet pocket 8a and guides them downward.

[0033] The tablet guide path 8b needs to have its groove depth, height, and width adjusted according to the shape or size of the tablets contained in the drug cassette 2, so that the tablets can pass smoothly through the tablet guide path 8b and be discharged from the tablet discharge hole 9 shown in Figure 5. In other words, the drug cassette 2 can dispense any type of tablet by adjusting the tablet guide path 8b of the rotor 8 provided in the drug cassette 2.

[0034] The "depth" of the groove in the tablet guide path 8b is the dimension in the thickness direction of the tablet passing through the tablet guide path 8b, and is the dimension D between the inclined portion 5b of the cassette body 5 and the lower inclined outer surface 35c of the downward projection 35 of the rotor body 31 (see Figures 8B and 9). The "height" of the groove in the tablet guide path 8b is the dimension in the height direction of the tablet passing through the tablet guide path 8b, and is the dimension H between the partition member 20 and the tablet support base 55 of the annular lifting member 51 of the rotor 8 (see Figure 9). The "width" of the groove in the tablet guide path 8b is the dimension in the width direction of the tablet passing through the tablet guide path 8b, and is the dimension W between the first vertical projection 72 of the first movable member 60 and the second vertical projection 81 of the second movable member 61 (see Figure 9).

[0035] The rotor 8 has an adjustment section that includes a depth adjustment mechanism M2, a height adjustment mechanism M3, a width adjustment mechanism M4, etc., to adjust the groove shape of the tablet guide path 8b. The adjustment section can be operated by the user to adjust the rotor 8 of the drug cassette 2 to multiple states that allow for the dispensing of different types of drugs. These will be described in order below.

[0036] <Depth adjustment mechanism> Figure 11 shows the components that make up the depth adjustment mechanism M2. The depth adjustment mechanism M2 includes a rotor cover 30, a rotor body 31, a rotor base 32, and a depth adjustment member 33.

[0037] The rotor cover 30 has an overall umbrella shape. The upper surface of the rotor cover 30 is formed in a conical shape.

[0038] The rotor body 31 has a circular base 34, a downward projection 35, an annular portion 36, and a guide portion 37.

[0039] The base portion 34 is provided with a shaft portion 38 in its center, and a screw hole (not shown) is formed in the shaft portion 38. Two holes 34a and 34b are formed on the upper surface of the base portion 34, through which a height adjustment member 52 and a width adjustment member 64, which will be described later, are exposed.

[0040] The downward projection 35 extends downward from six equally spaced positions on the outer peripheral edge of the base 34. The downward projection 35 includes a vertical inner surface 35a, an upper inclined outer surface 35b that slopes downward outward from the outer peripheral edge of the base 34, a lower inclined outer surface 35c that slopes downward inward from the lower end of the upper inclined outer surface 35b, and two side surfaces 35d, and is formed in a triangular shape when viewed from the side. The lower inclined outer surface 35c forms the bottom surface of the groove of the tablet guide path 8b. A slit 35e is formed at the lower end of the downward projection 35.

[0041] The annular portion 36 is formed concentrically on the outside of the base portion 34 and is connected to the base portion 34 via a downward projection 35.

[0042] The guide portion 37 extends downward from six equally spaced positions on the outer periphery of the base portion 34, between the downward projections 35. Guide edges 37a are formed on both sides of the inner surface of the guide portion 37, into which the guide piece 40 of the rotor base 32, described later, slidably engages. The engagement of the guide piece 40 and the guide edges 37a causes the rotor body 31 and the rotor base 32 to rotate integrally. A projection 37b, which serves as a detection part for detecting the zero point, is formed at the lower end of any one of the six guide portions 37.

[0043] The rotor base 32 has an annular base 39, a guide piece 40, and an engaging portion 41.

[0044] The base portion 39 has an annular wall 42 formed on its upper surface. The annular wall 42 has vertical slits 42a extending axially at six equally spaced positions around its circumference.

[0045] The guide piece 40 is positioned at circumferentially 6 equal positions on the outer edge of the base portion 39 and protrudes upward between adjacent vertical slits 42a. The guide piece 40 is formed to slidably engage with the guide edge 37a of the guide portion 37 of the rotor body 31. A reinforcing rib 43 is provided between the guide piece 40 and the annular wall 42.

[0046] The engaging portion 41 has engaging pieces 44 rising upward from equidistant positions on the inner periphery of the base portion 39, and a circular projection 45 provided at the upper end of the engaging pieces 44. When viewed from the back, the engaging portion 41 forms an engaging recess 41a into which the rotor drive unit 10 engages, as shown in Figure 10. The engaging pieces 13b of the rotor drive unit 10 engage in the slits 44a between adjacent engaging pieces 44. A magnetic plate 46 that is attracted to a magnet 15c provided on the central axis 15 of the rotor drive unit 10 is embedded inside the circular projection 45. A depth adjustment member 33 is supported at the center of the upper surface of the circular projection 45. The circular projection 45 has a hole 45a for housing a stopper 48 that prevents the depth adjustment member 33 from rotating freely, and two screw holes 45b into which screws (not shown) inserted into two screw insertion holes 93 of a second support member 63 (described later) are screwed.

[0047] An annular recess 47 is formed between the circular projection 45 and the annular wall 42, which accommodates the height adjustment mechanism M3 described later.

[0048] The depth adjustment member 33 has a male threaded portion 33a and a gear portion 33b at its lower end. The male threaded portion 33a is screwed into a threaded hole (not shown) in the shaft portion 38 of the rotor body 31, and the gear portion 33b at its lower end is supported by a circular projection 45 of the rotor base 32. The upper end of the male threaded portion 33a has an engaging portion 33c formed thereon, which protrudes from the shaft portion 38 of the rotor body 31 and is exposed, allowing for rotational adjustment from the outside. The tip of a stopper 48 made of an elastic piece is locked between the teeth of the gear portion 33b.

[0049] The depth adjustment member 33 is restricted from axial movement by the gear portion 33b of the first support member 62 and the rotor base 32, and the rotor body 31 is restricted from rotating relative to the rotor base 32 by the engagement of the guide edge 37a of the rotor body 31 with the guide piece 40 of the rotor base 32. In this way, when the depth adjustment member 33 is rotated while the rotor base 32 is not rotating, the rotor body 31, which has a screw hole (not shown) that screws into the male screw portion 33a of the depth adjustment member 33, rises or falls in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotor 8. Accordingly, the lower inclined outer surface 35c of the downward projection 35 of the rotor body 31 that forms the bottom surface of the tablet guide path 8b also rises or falls.

[0050] Referring to Figure 14, the lower inclined outer surface 35c of the downward projection 35 is inclined radially from outward to inward as it moves from top to bottom, and is parallel to the inverted conical inclined portion 5b of the cassette body 5. Therefore, when the lower inclined outer surface 35c of the downward projection 35 of the rotor body 31 descends, the distance between the lower inclined outer surface 35c of the downward projection 35 and the conical inclined portion 5b of the cassette body 5 decreases, making the depth of the tablet guide path 8b shallower (D1). Conversely, when the lower inclined outer surface 35c of the downward projection 35 of the rotor body 31 rises, the distance between the lower inclined outer surface 35c of the downward projection 35 and the inverted conical inclined portion 5b of the cassette body 5 increases, making the depth of the tablet guide path 8b deeper (D2). In this way, by rotating the depth adjustment member 33 to the left or right, the depth of the tablet guide path 8b can be adjusted according to the thickness of the tablet T passing through the tablet guide path 8b. Furthermore, each time the gear portion 33b of the depth adjustment member 33 shown in Figure 11 rotates, the tip of the stopper 48 overcomes the teeth of the gear portion 33b and engages between the teeth, so that the depth adjustment member 33 can be stopped at an appropriate position and the rotor body 31 can be fixed at a desired height position.

[0051] <Height adjustment mechanism> Figure 12 shows the components that make up the height adjustment mechanism M3. The height adjustment mechanism M3 includes a cylindrical rotating member 50, an annular lifting member 51, and a height adjustment member 52.

[0052] The cylindrical rotating member 50 has a male threaded portion 50a formed on the lower outer circumference and a driven gear 50b formed on the upper inner circumference. A stopper 53 is engaged with the driven gear 50b to prevent the cylindrical rotating member 50 from rotating freely.

[0053] The annular lifting member 51 has arms 54 projecting radially at six equally spaced positions on its outer circumference, with a tablet support base 55 formed at the tip of each arm 54. The tablet support base 55 is inclined perpendicular to the tablet guide path 8b so as to be able to support the lowest tablet T in the tablet guide path 8b. The inner surface of the annular lifting member 51 has a female threaded portion 51a that screws into the male threaded portion 50a of the cylindrical rotating member 50.

[0054] The height adjustment member 52 has a drive gear 52a at its lower end that meshes with the driven gear 50b of the cylindrical rotating member 50. The upper end of the height adjustment member 52 has an engagement portion 52b formed thereon, which protrudes and is exposed from the hole 34a on the upper surface of the base portion 34 of the rotor body 31, allowing for rotational adjustment from the outside. The height adjustment member 52 is held so as not to move in the vertical direction on the edge of the hole 90 of the second support member 63, which will be described later.

[0055] The cylindrical rotating member 50 and the annular lifting member 51 are screwed together and housed in the annular recess 47 of the rotor base 32. The arm 54 of the annular lifting member 51 slides into the vertical slit 42a of the annular wall 42 of the rotor base 32, and the tablet support base 55 protrudes outward from the annular wall 42 of the rotor base 32 to support the lowest tablet T in the tablet guide path 8b.

[0056] As shown in Figure 15, to adjust the height H of the tablet guide path 8b, which corresponds to the height of the tablet T, the height adjustment member 52 of the height adjustment mechanism M3 is rotated to the left or right. In this invention, since the partition member 20 is fixed in the height direction with respect to the cassette body 5, to adjust the height H of the tablet guide path 8b, the partition member 20 itself is not moved, but rather the tablet support base 55 located below the partition member 20 is raised and lowered, and the distance between the partition member 20 and the tablet support base 55 is adjusted, thereby adjusting the height H of the partition member 20 from the tablet support base 55 of the tablet guide path 8b.

[0057] When the height adjustment member 52 is rotated, the cylindrical rotating member 50 rotates. The vertical movement of the cylindrical rotating member 50 is constrained by the second support member 63 and the rotor base 32. The annular lifting member 51, which has a female threaded portion 51a that screws into the male threaded portion 50a of the cylindrical rotating member 50, has its arm 54 passing through the vertical slit 42a of the annular wall 42 of the rotor base 32, thus constraining its rotation. Therefore, the rotation of the cylindrical rotating member 50 causes the annular lifting member 51 to move up and down, and the tablet support base 55 of the annular lifting member 51 moves up and down.

[0058] In other words, as shown in Figure 15, when the cylindrical rotating member 50 rotates in one direction, the tablet support base 55 of the annular lifting member 51 rises, and the position of the partition member 20 relative to the tablet support base 55, i.e., its height, becomes lower (H1). Conversely, when the cylindrical rotating member 50 rotates in the other direction, the tablet support base 55 of the annular lifting member 51 descends, and the position of the partition member 20 relative to the tablet support base 55, i.e., its height, becomes higher (H2). Furthermore, each time the cylindrical rotating member 50 rotates due to the rotation of the height adjustment member 52, the tip of the stopper 53 overcomes the teeth of the driven gear 50b of the cylindrical rotating member 50 and engages between the teeth, so the height adjustment member 52 can be stopped at an appropriate position and the tablet support base 55 can be fixed at the desired height position.

[0059] <Width adjustment mechanism> Figure 13 shows the components that make up the width adjustment mechanism M4. The width adjustment mechanism M4 includes a first movable member 60, a second movable member 61, a first support member 62, a second support member 63, and a width adjustment member 64.

[0060] As shown in Figure 13, the first movable member 60 consists of an upper member 60a and a lower member 60b, and the engaging projection 65 of the upper member 60a and the engaging projection 66 of the lower member 60b engage with each other so that they can rotate together as a single unit.

[0061] The upper member 60a of the first movable member 60 has a substantially semicircular notch 68 and an elongated hole 69 adjacent to each other on the inner circumference of the annular base 67. When viewing the first movable member 60 from above, projections A 68a and B 68b are formed on the edge of the notch 68 opposite to the center of the notch 68, facing each other in the circumferential direction of the first movable member 60. Projections A 68a and B 68b become cam followers that slide against cams A 94a and B 94b of the first adjustment shaft 94, which will be described later.

[0062] The lower member 60b of the first movable member 60 has an annular base 70, six wall portions 71, a first vertical projection 72, and a first horizontal projection 73. The six wall portions 71 project downward from six equally spaced positions around the outer edge of the base portion 70. The first vertical projection 72 projects outward from the left end of the wall portion 71 when viewed from the front, and forms the right side of the tablet guide path 8b described above. The first vertical projection 72 has a notch 72a into which the partition member 20 is fitted. The first horizontal projection 73 extends horizontally in the circumferential direction from the upper end of the first vertical projection 72 toward the right when viewed from the front, and forms the bottom surface of the tablet pocket 8a described above.

[0063] The second movable member 61, like the first movable member 60, consists of an upper member 61a and a lower member 61b, but the engaging projection 74 of the upper member 61a and the engaging recess 75 of the lower member 61b engage with each other, allowing them to rotate together as a single unit.

[0064] The upper member 61a of the second movable member 61 has a substantially semicircular notch 77 and an elongated hole 78 adjacent to each other on the inner circumference of the annular base 76. When viewed from above, the edges of the opposing notches 77 of the second movable member 61 have projections A 77a and B 77b that face each other in the circumferential direction of the second movable member 61. Projections A 77a and B 77b become cam followers that slide against cams A 95a and B 95b of the second adjustment shaft, which will be described later.

[0065] The lower member 61b of the second movable member 61 has an annular base 79, six wall portions 80, a second vertical projection 81, and a second horizontal projection 82. The six wall portions 80 project downward from six equally spaced positions around the outer edge of the base portion 79. The second vertical projection 81 projects outward from the right end of the wall portion 80 when viewed from the front, and forms the left side of the tablet guide path 8b described above. The second vertical projection 81 has a notch 81a into which the partition member 20 is fitted. The second horizontal projection 82 extends horizontally in the circumferential direction from the upper end of the second vertical projection 81 toward the left when viewed from the front, and together with the first horizontal projection 73 of the first movable member 60, forms the bottom surface of the tablet pocket 8a described above. The tip of the second horizontal projection 82 of the second movable member 61 is formed to overlap the tip of the first horizontal projection 73 of the first movable member 60.

[0066] The first support member 62 has a circular shape with an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the upper member 60a of the first movable member 60, and has a circular projection 83 on its lower surface. In the center of the first support member 62, there are holes 84 and 84a through which the width adjustment member 64 (described later) passes, a hole 85 through which the depth adjustment member 33 of the depth adjustment mechanism M2 passes, a hole 86 through which the height adjustment member 52 of the height adjustment mechanism M3 passes, and two screw insertion holes 87.

[0067] The second support member 63 has a circular shape with an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the upper member 60a of the first movable member 60, and has an annular projection 88 formed on its upper surface into which the circular projection 83 of the first support member 62 fits. In the center of the second support member 63, there is a hole 89 through which the depth adjustment member 33 of the depth adjustment mechanism M2 passes, a hole 90 and a notch 90a through which the height adjustment member 52 of the height adjustment mechanism M3 passes, a hole 91a through which the first adjustment shaft 94 of the width adjustment member 64 (described later) passes, a hole 91b into which the second adjustment shaft 95 fits, two screw holes 92 into which screws (not shown) are screwed, and two screw insertion holes 93 into which screws (not shown) are screwed through the two screw insertion holes 87 of the first support member 62.

[0068] By inserting a screw (not shown) from the screw insertion hole 87 of the first support member 62 into the screw hole 92 of the second support member 63 and tightening it, the first support member 62 and the second support member 63 become one unit, sandwiching the first movable member 60 and the second movable member 61. Furthermore, by inserting a screw (not shown) from the screw insertion hole 93 of the second support member 63 into the screw hole 45b of the rotor base 32 and tightening it, the second support member 63 is fixed to the rotor base 32, and the cylindrical rotating member 50 of the height adjustment mechanism M3 is held between the second support member 63 and the rotor base 32, thereby restricting its axial movement.

[0069] The width adjustment member 64 consists of a first adjustment shaft 94 and a second adjustment shaft 95. The first adjustment shaft 94 is located within a notch 68. The second adjustment shaft 95 is located within an elongated hole 69. The second adjustment shaft 95 is provided with a stopper 96 to prevent the width adjustment member 64 from rotating freely.

[0070] The first adjustment shaft 94 has an A cam 94a, a B cam 94b, and a gear 94c formed on it from the top end. As shown in Figure 16, the A cam 94a is formed such that the radius of the cam surface increases over a 360° range clockwise when viewed from above on the width adjustment member 64, and is in sliding contact with the A projection 68a of the first movable member 60. The B cam 94b is formed such that the radius of the cam surface increases over a 360° range counterclockwise when viewed from above on the width adjustment member 64, and is in sliding contact with the B projection 68b of the first movable member 60. The maximum radius portions of the A cam 94a and the B cam 94b are located 180° apart. The upper end of the first adjustment shaft 94 is supported by a hole 84a in the first support member 62, and the lower end is supported by a hole 91a in the second support member 63.

[0071] Similarly, the second adjustment shaft 95 has an A cam 95a, a B cam 95b, a gear 95c, and an engagement portion 95d formed in order from the bottom end. The A cam 95a is formed such that the radius of the cam surface increases over a 360° range clockwise when viewed from below on the width adjustment member 64, and is in sliding contact with the A projection 77a of the second movable member 61. The B cam 95b is formed such that the radius of the cam surface increases over a 360° range counterclockwise when viewed from below on the width adjustment member 64, and is in sliding contact with the B projection 77b of the second movable member 61. The maximum radius portions of the A cam 95a and the B cam 95b are located 180° apart. The gear 95c of the second adjustment shaft 95 is configured to mesh with the gear 94c and move in conjunction with it. The upper end of the second adjustment shaft 95 passes through the elongated hole 69 of the first support member 62 and protrudes from the rotor body 31, exposed from hole 34a, and is rotatably adjustable from the outside. The lower end of the second adjustment shaft 95 is supported by the hole 91b of the second support member 63. Alternatively, the upper end of the first adjustment shaft 94 may pass through the first support member 62 and protrude from the rotor body 31, allowing for rotational adjustment from the outside.

[0072] When the second adjustment shaft 95 is rotated clockwise in Figure 16(a), rotational force is transmitted from the gear 95c of the second adjustment shaft 95 to the gear 94c of the first adjustment shaft 94, causing the first adjustment shaft 94 to rotate counterclockwise. Due to the rotation of the first adjustment shaft 94, the A cam 94a of the first adjustment shaft 94 slides against and presses against the A projection 68a of the first movable member 60, causing the first movable member 60 to rotate clockwise in Figure 16(a). On the other hand, when the second adjustment shaft 95 is rotated, as shown in Figure 16(b), the A cam 95a of the second adjustment shaft 95 slides against and presses against the A projection 77a of the second movable member 61, causing the second movable member 61 to rotate clockwise in Figure 16(b) and counterclockwise in Figure 16(a).

[0073] Next, when the second adjustment shaft 95 is rotated counterclockwise in Figure 16(a), rotational force is transmitted from the gear 95c of the second adjustment shaft 95 to the gear 94c of the first adjustment shaft 94, causing the first adjustment shaft 94 to rotate clockwise. Due to the rotation of the first adjustment shaft 94, the B cam 94b of the first adjustment shaft 94 slides against and presses against the B projection 68b of the first movable member 60, so the first movable member 60 rotates counterclockwise in Figure 16(a). On the other hand, due to the rotation of the second adjustment shaft 95, as shown in Figure 16(b), the B cam 95b of the second adjustment shaft 95 slides against and presses against the B projection 77b of the second movable member 61, so the second movable member 61 rotates counterclockwise in Figure 16(b) and clockwise in Figure 16(a).

[0074] In this way, the first movable member 60 and the second movable member 61 rotate in opposite directions, allowing the distance between the first vertical projection 72 of the first movable member 60 and the second vertical projection 81 of the second movable member 61, i.e., the width of the tablet guide path 8b, to be expanded or contracted.

[0075] Next, the operation of the rotor 8 in the chemical cassette 2, which has the above configuration, will be explained.

[0076] As already mentioned, between the cassette body 5 and the rotor 8 shown in Figure 5, there is a tablet pocket 8a extending circumferentially from the upper side of the rotor 8, and a plurality of tablet guide paths 8b extending downward from the upper side of the rotor 8.

[0077] Referring to Figure 5, the tablets T contained in the cassette body 5 are agitated by the rotation of the rotor 8 as they enter the tablet pocket 8a, then enter the tablet guide path 8b, and as the tablet guide path 8b approaches the tablet discharge hole 9, a partition member 20 fixed to the cassette body 5 enters between the lowest tablet T in the tablet guide path 8b and the tablets T above it. Tablets T above the partition member 20 are prevented from falling downwards by the partition member 20. The lowest tablet T below the partition member 20 is on the tablet support base 55, but since the tablet support base 55 is inclined, it falls towards the tablet discharge hole 9 on the tablet support base 55 and is discharged from the tablet discharge hole 9. The tablets T discharged from the tablet discharge hole 9 are then dispensed through the tablet discharge path 3c of the base 2 shown in Figure 2. As a result, one tablet T is discharged each time the tablet guide path 8b reaches the tablet discharge hole 9. By adjusting the rotation angle of the rotor 8, the number of tablets T corresponding to the prescription can be dispensed.

[0078] The tablet guide path 8b can be adjusted using the partition adjustment mechanism M1, depth adjustment mechanism M2, height adjustment mechanism M3, and width adjustment mechanism M4 described above to adjust the entry position of the partition member 20 relative to the thickness of the tablet T, the depth D corresponding to the thickness of the tablet T, the height H corresponding to the height of the tablet, and the width W corresponding to the width of the tablet T. Therefore, the tablet guide path 8b can be made to an appropriate size depending on the shape or size of the tablet T to be stored in the cassette body 5. Each time the tablet T is different, the tablet guide path 8b can be adjusted to suit various tablets T without replacing the entire drug cassette 2 or rotor 8, and the tablets can be discharged. Such adjustments can be made manually using the adjustment device described below.

[0079] <Adjustment device> Figure 17 shows the adjustment device 100 for a drug cassette according to the present invention. The adjustment device 100 is for manually adjusting the depth, height, width of the groove in the tablet guide path 8b of the drug cassette 2, as well as the entry position of the partition member 20, as described above.

[0080] In other words, the adjustment device 100 engages with the engagement portions 33c, 52b, and 95d of the respective adjustment members 33, 52, and 64 of the depth adjustment mechanism M2, height adjustment mechanism M3, and width adjustment mechanism M4, which adjust the depth, height, and width of the grooves in the tablet guide path 8b of the drug cassette 2, thereby operating the adjustment mechanisms and adjusting the dimensions of the grooves in the tablet guide path 8b according to the shape or size of the tablets T housed in the cassette body 5. Furthermore, the adjustment device 100 engages with the engagement gear 24b of the partition adjustment member 24 of the partition adjustment mechanism M1, which adjusts the entry position of the partition member 20, thereby operating the partition adjustment mechanism M1 and adjusting the entry position of the partition member 20 according to the shape or size of the tablets T housed in the cassette body 5 and the depth of the grooves in the tablet guide path 8b.

[0081] The adjustment device 100 comprises a device body 101, an adjustment member 102, a tool 103, and a control device 200.

[0082] The device body 101 has a base portion 105, an intermediate portion 106 that rises upward from the rear of the base portion 105, and a guide portion 107 that protrudes forward from the upper end of the intermediate portion 106.

[0083] The upper surface of the base portion 105 is a rotor base 108 on which the rotor 8 of the chemical cassette 2 is mounted. A rotor mounting projection 109 is provided on the upper surface of the rotor base 108. The rotor mounting projection 109 has the same shape as the engagement shaft 13 of the rotor drive unit 10 of the cassette body 5, and is designed to allow the chemical cassette 2 to be mounted.

[0084] As shown in Figure 19, zero-point detection sensors 113, 114, 115, and 116 are provided on the back surface of the rotor base 108 via brackets 110, 111, and 112, respectively. Each of the sensors 113, 114, 115, and 116 consists of a limit switch, and as shown in Figures 33, 35, and 36, the detection parts 113a, 114a, 115a, and 116a of each sensor 113, 114, 115, and 116 protrude upward from the rotor base 108. As shown in Figure 35, the detection part 113a of the zero-point detection sensor 113 is positioned against the lower surface of the tablet support base 55 of the rotor 8 which is mounted on the rotor base 108. As shown in Figure 34, the detection part 114a of the zero-point detection sensor 114 is positioned against the projection 37b of the guide part 37. As shown in Figure 33, the detection parts 115a and 116a of the zero-point detection sensors 115 and 116 are positioned against the lower end of the first vertical projection 72 and the lower end of the second vertical projection 81, respectively, and are capable of contacting each other. Returning to Figure 17, the detection parts 113a, 114a, 115a, and 116a are prevented from coming into contact with foreign objects by U-shaped guard parts 117, 118, and 119 provided on the rotor base 108.

[0085] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 19, a circuit board 121 is attached to the back surface of the rotor base 108 via a bracket 120. The circuit board 121 receives signals from the zero-point detection sensor 113, zero-point detection sensor 114, zero-point detection sensors 115, 116 and the encoder 131 (described later), transmits them to the control device 200 (described later), and supplies power to them. The base portion 105 is provided with a USB terminal 122 for connecting the circuit board 121 and the control device 200.

[0086] As shown in Figure 18, the intermediate section 106 is provided with a cylindrical section 123 that houses the central shaft 155 of the adjustment member 102. The cylindrical section 123 communicates with the housing opening 124 of the guide section 107, which will be described later, extends in the vertical direction, and tapers downwards.

[0087] As shown in Figure 17, the guide section 107 consists of an upper case 107a and a lower case 107b. At the rear of the guide section 107, a storage opening 124 is formed that penetrates from the upper case 107a to the lower case 107b, into which the central shaft 155 is inserted when the adjustment member 102 is stored. At the front of the upper case 107a of the guide section 107, three upper guide holes 125a, 125b, and 125c are formed into which the central shaft 155 is inserted when the adjustment member 102 is used, and at the lower case 107b, a lower guide hole 126 (see Figure 22(b)) is formed at a position corresponding to the upper guide holes 125a, 125b, and 125c. Near the upper guide holes 125a, 125b, and 125c, indicators 127a, 127b, and 127c are provided to indicate what adjustment the guide hole is for. In the following, the upper guide holes 125a, 125b, and 125c may be collectively referred to as the upper guide hole 125. A projection 128 (see Figure 18) for attaching the tool 103 is formed on the rear side surface of the guide portion 107. Inside the guide portion 107 are three rotating members 129 (i.e., the first rotating member 129a, the second rotating member 129b, and the third rotating member 129c), an intermediate gear 130, and an encoder 131.

[0088] The three rotating members 129 have the same shape. As shown in Figure 22, the rotating member 129 has a cylindrical shape in which an engagement hole 132 is formed that engages with the central axis 155 of the adjustment member 102, which will be described later. The upper end of the rotating member 129 is rotatably engaged with an annular rib 133 formed around the upper guide hole 125 so that the engagement hole 132 communicates with the upper guide hole 125. Similarly, the lower end of the rotating member 129 is rotatably engaged with an annular rib 134 formed around the lower guide hole 126 so that the engagement hole 132 communicates with the lower guide hole 126. On the inner surface of the engagement hole 132 of the rotating member 129, four engagement grooves 135 extending in the axial direction are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The rotating member 129 is provided with an elastic piece 137 by forming an inverted U-shaped slit 136 consisting of two axially extending straight sections 136a and 136b facing two adjacent engagement grooves 135, and an arc section 136c connecting the upper ends of the straight sections 136a and 136b. A pressing section 138 is formed on the inner surface of the elastic piece 137, which is offset inward from the inner surface of the engagement hole 132. The pressing section 138 is a rattle prevention section that prevents rattle between the central axis 155 of the adjustment member 102 inserted into the engagement hole 132 and the engagement hole 132. A rotating gear 139 is provided below the elastic piece 137 of the rotating member 129. As shown in Figure 21, the rotating gear 139 of the first rotating member 129a meshes with the rotating gear 139 of the second rotating member 129b, while the rotating gear 139 of the third rotating member 129c is separated from the rotating gear 139 of the first rotating member 129a and the rotating gear 139 of the second rotating member 129b.

[0089] The intermediate gear 130 has a shaft portion 140 rotatably supported by the upper case 107a and the lower case 107b, and a tooth portion 141 that is freely rotatably fitted onto the shaft portion 140. The tooth portion 141 has a slight gap with respect to the shaft portion 140 and is movable in a direction perpendicular to the shaft portion 140. The tooth portion 141 of the intermediate gear 130 meshes with the rotary gear 139 of the second rotating member 129b and the rotary gear 139 of the third rotating member 129c.

[0090] The encoder 131 is used to detect the amount of movement of the adjustment part of the rotor 8 in the adjustment device 100. Specifically, the encoder 131 has a detection gear 142 that meshes with the intermediate gear 130. The encoder 131 is mounted on a lever 143 that is rotatably provided on the lower case 107b. The lever 143 is biased by a coil spring 144 in the direction in which the detection gear 142 of the encoder 131 meshes with the intermediate gear 130. The lever 143 and the coil spring 144 form a backlash prevention part that prevents backlash between the teeth 141 of the intermediate gear 130 and the detection gear 142, and between the teeth 141 of the intermediate gear 130 and the rotating gears 139 of the second rotating member 129b and the third rotating member 120c. The teeth 141 of the intermediate gear 130 are pushed by the detection gear 142, maintaining meshing with the detection gear 142, and by moving in a direction perpendicular to the shaft 140, they mesh with the rotating gears 139 of the second rotating member 129b and the third rotating member 120c without any play, thereby preventing backlash between the gears.

[0091] When the central shaft 155 of the adjustment member 102 is inserted into the engagement hole 132 of the first rotating member 129a, the encoder 131 detects the amount of rotation of the central shaft 155 of the adjustment member 102 via the rotating gear 139 of the first rotating member 129a, the rotating gear 139 of the second rotating member 129b, the intermediate gear 130, and the detection gear 142. When the central shaft 155 of the adjustment member 102 is inserted into the engagement hole 132 of the second rotating member 129b, the encoder 131 detects the amount of rotation of the central shaft 155 of the adjustment member 102 via the rotating gear 139 of the second rotating member 129b, the intermediate gear 130, and the detection gear 142. When the central shaft 155 of the adjustment member 102 is inserted into the engagement hole 132 of the third rotating member 129c, the encoder 131 detects the amount of rotation of the central shaft 155 of the adjustment member 102 via the rotating gear 139 of the third rotating member 129c, the intermediate gear 130, and the detection gear 142. The amount of rotation of the adjustment member 102 detected by the encoder 131 is transmitted to the circuit board 121 of the base unit 105 via the code 145 and connector 146.

[0092] As shown in Figure 23, the adjustment member 102 is broadly divided into a grip portion 147 and a shaft portion 148.

[0093] As shown in Figure 24, the grip portion 147 is composed of an outer member 149 and an inner member 150.

[0094] The outer member 149 has a large, frustoconical cylindrical knob portion 149b whose upper end is closed by the top wall 149a and whose lower end is open, and a small knob portion 149c that protrudes axially from the top wall 149a. A hexagonal wrench 149d is attached to the upper end of the small knob portion 149c. The hexagonal wrench 149d is used to engage with a hexagonal hole (not shown) provided in the partition adjustment member 24 of the partition adjustment mechanism M1 of the chemical cassette 2 in order to drive the partition adjustment mechanism M1. An arrow mark 149e indicating the direction of the origin is provided on the surface of the top wall 149a of the large knob portion 149b. On the back surface of the top wall 149a of the large knob portion 149b, as shown in Figure 25, an axial hole 149f and an engaging portion 149g consisting of protrusions and recesses arranged in an annular pattern around the axis are formed.

[0095] As shown in Figure 24, the inner member 150 is formed in a half-cylindrical shape and is attached to the mounting seat 151 shown in Figure 25 on the inside of the outer member 149 with mounting screws 152. A flange 150a is formed on the inner circumference of the inner member 150 so as to protrude radially inward.

[0096] The shaft portion 148 is composed of a first member 153, a second member 154, and a central shaft 155.

[0097] The first member 153 is sized to fit inside the inner member 150 of the grip portion 147, and as shown in Figure 28, it has an inner cylindrical portion 153a and an outer cylindrical portion 153b. The upper end of the inner cylindrical portion 153a is closed by an upper engaging portion 153c, and the lower end is open. The upper engaging portion 153c has a shaft hole 153d formed in the center, and annularly aligned grooves are formed on its upper surface around its axis. The upper engaging portion 153c of the inner cylindrical portion 153a can engage with the engaging portion 149g of the grip portion 147. The lower end of the inner cylindrical portion 153a is open and has a lower engaging portion 153e on its outer circumference. As shown in Figure 26, annularly aligned grooves are formed on the lower surface of the lower engaging portion 153e. The upper end of the outer cylindrical portion 153b is open, and its lower end is connected to the upper surface of the lower engaging portion 153e. An outer peripheral recess 153f is formed on the outer circumference of the outer cylindrical portion 153b, into which the flange 150a of the inner member 150 of the grip portion 147 enters.

[0098] The upper part of the second member 154 is formed in a cylindrical shape that is sized to fit inside the inner cylindrical portion 153a of the first member 153. The upper end of the second member 154 is closed, and an axial hole 154a is formed in the center. The lower end of the second member 154 is open, and an annular engaging portion 154b is formed on its outer circumference. The upper surface of the engaging portion 154b has irregularities arranged in an annular pattern around the axis. The engaging portion 154b of the second member 154 can engage with the lower engaging portion 153e of the first member 153. On the inner surface of the second member 154, as shown in Figure 27, four engaging grooves 154c extending in the axial direction are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0099] In Figure 24, the central shaft 155 has, from top to bottom, a base end 155a, a first engaging portion 155b, a second engaging portion 155c, and a tip end 155d in that order. The base end 155a is formed in a cylindrical shape that fits into the shaft hole 154a of the second member 154, the shaft hole 153d of the first member 153, and the shaft hole 149f of the outer member 149 of the grip portion 147. An outer circumferential groove 155e is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the base end 155a, into which a retaining ring 158, described later, engages. The first engaging portion 155b has a cross-shaped cross section and is capable of engaging with the engaging groove 154c of the second member 154. The second engaging portion 155c has a smaller cross-shaped cross section than the first engaging portion 155b and is capable of engaging with the engaging groove 135 of the engaging hole 132 of the rotating member 129 of the guide portion 107. The tip portion 155d is cylindrical, and its tip can engage with the engaging portions 33c, 52b, and 95d of the respective adjustment members 33, 52, and 64 of the chemical cassette 2.

[0100] The central shaft 155 is secured by attaching a coil spring 156 to its base end 155a, passing the base end 155a through the shaft hole 154a of the second member 154 and the shaft hole 153d of the first member 153, and securing it by attaching a retaining ring 158 via a washer 157 to the outer groove 155e of the base end 155a that protrudes from the first member 153. The coil spring 156 is mounted in a compressed state between the first engaging portion 155b and the second member 154. As a result, the central shaft 155 is able to rotate integrally with the first member 153 and the second member 154, with the first engaging portion 155b engaging with the engaging groove 154c of the second member 154, the second member 154 being biased toward the first member 153 by the coil spring 156, and the engaging portion 154b of the second member 154 engaging with the upper engaging portion 153c of the first member 153.

[0101] The grip portion 147 is attached to the shaft portion 148 by assembling the split inner member 150 to the first member 153 of the shaft portion 148, such that the flange 150a of the inner member 150 fits into the outer peripheral recess 153f of the first member 153 of the shaft portion 148, and then fixing it to the mounting seat 151 of the outer member 149 with mounting screws 152. As a result, the grip portion 147 is axially slidable relative to the shaft portion 148, and is movable between an engaged position in which the engaging portion 149g engages with the upper engaging portion 153c of the first member 153 and is able to rotate integrally with the central axis 155 of the shaft portion 148, and a disengaged position in which the engaging portion 149g is separated from the upper engaging portion 153c of the first member 153 and rotates freely relative to the central axis 155.

[0102] As shown in Figure 29, the tool 103 includes a metal fitting 159 for removing a raising unit (not shown) from the cassette body 5 when the raising unit is attached to raise the chemical cassette 2, and a pin 160 for removing the rotor cover 30.

[0103] <Medication Dispensing System 500> The system configuration of the chemical dispensing system 500, which includes the chemical dispensing device 1, adjustment device 100, and control device 200 described above, will be explained below.

[0104] As shown in Figure 30, the drug dispensing system 500 comprises a drug dispensing device 1, a conditioning device 100, and a control device 200. The drug dispensing device 1, the conditioning device 100, and the control device 200 are connected via a communication path N. The communication path N may be a wire such as a signal line, a USB cable, or a LAN cable, or it may be a wireless communication path using short-range wireless communication such as wireless LAN or Bluetooth®. The control device 200 is capable of controlling the operation of the drug dispensing device 1 and the conditioning device 100. The control device 200 is, for example, an information processing device such as a personal computer.

[0105] Furthermore, any one of the chemical dispensing device 1, the adjustment device 100, or the control device 200 may be considered as the chemical dispensing system or adjustment system according to the present invention. Also, the components of the chemical dispensing system according to the present invention may be distributed and provided in two or more of the chemical dispensing device 1, the adjustment device 100, and the control device 200, in which case the system including such two or more devices is an example of the chemical dispensing system or adjustment system according to the present invention. Furthermore, the adjustment device 100 and the control device 200 may be mounted on or built into the chemical dispensing device 1.

[0106] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the drug dispensing device 1 is described as having a configuration that allows tablets to be dispensed from the drug cassette 2, but the drug dispensing system 500 may also include a drug dispensing device that can dispense drugs from a drug dispensing section containing drugs in various dosage forms such as powders or liquids, instead of the drug dispensing device 1.

[0107] <Adjustment device 100> As shown in Figures 30 and 31, the adjustment device 100 includes an operating variable detection unit 501 and an initial position detection unit 502, and is connected to the control device 200. The operating variable detection unit 501 includes an encoder 131 and inputs the detection result from the encoder 131 to the control device 200. The initial position detection unit 502 includes zero-point detection sensors 113 to 116 and inputs the detection results from the zero-point detection sensors 113 to 116 to the control device 200.

[0108] <Chemical dispensing device 1> As shown in Figure 30, the chemical dispensing device 1 includes a control unit 310, a manual dispensing unit 302, a dispensing detection unit 303, a code reading unit 304, a data recording unit 305, a data reading unit 306, and a chemical cassette 2, etc.

[0109] The control unit 310 includes control devices such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and EEPROM (registered trademark). The CPU is a processor that performs various arithmetic operations. The ROM is a non-volatile storage unit in which information such as control programs for causing the CPU to perform various operations is pre-stored. The RAM is a volatile storage unit, and the EEPROM is a non-volatile storage unit. The RAM and EEPROM are used as temporary storage memories (work areas) for the various operations performed by the CPU.

[0110] Specifically, the control unit 310 includes various processing units such as a dispensing execution processing unit 311. Specifically, the control unit 310 functions as the various processing units by using the CPU to execute various processes according to programs pre-stored in the ROM or the like. Note that some or all of the processing units may be electronic circuits.

[0111] The dispensing execution processing unit 311 controls the drug dispensing device 1 based on prescription data input from the control unit 210 of the control device 200, and executes processing to dispense tablets using the drug cassette 2 and the manual dispensing unit 302, etc.

[0112] The manual dispensing unit 302 is used to dispense tablets of types not contained in the drug cassette 2, and is generally also called a DTA (Detachable Tablet Adapter). The manual dispensing unit 302 is also used to dispense drugs that are not suitable for dispensing from the drug cassette 2, such as half tablets or quarter tablets. Specifically, the manual dispensing unit 302 includes a plurality of DTA cells arranged in a matrix (grid) shape. Each of the DTA cells is loaded with tablets of types included as prescription drugs in the prescription data that are not dispensable from the drug cassette 2, in units of dosage timing. Subsequently, based on the prescription data, the manual dispensing unit 302 can dispense the tablets loaded in each DTA cell by opening the bottom of each DTA cell with a predetermined driving means such as a motor at the required timing. Furthermore, a hand-dispensing unit capable of dispensing chemicals in units of DTA cells, similar to the hand-dispensing unit 302 described above, is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-110386.

[0113] The dispensing detection unit 303 includes an optical sensor that detects tablets being dispensed from the drug cassette 2 in the drug dispensing device 1, and inputs the detection result from the optical sensor to the control device 200. As a result, the control device 200 can detect whether or not tablets have been dispensed from the drug cassette 2, and the number of tablets dispensed, based on the detection result from the dispensing detection unit 303. Furthermore, the dispensing detection unit 303 includes an imaging unit that photographs the tablets being dispensed from the drug cassette 2 in the drug dispensing device 1, and inputs the tablet image captured by the imaging unit to the control device 200.

[0114] The code reading unit 304 is capable of reading information from codes such as one-dimensional codes or two-dimensional codes. For example, the code reading unit 304 is used to read drug identification information for tablets from a code attached to a medicine box containing tablets, or to read prescription identification information from a code shown on a prescription. The drug identification information is predetermined information that can identify tablets and corresponds to each type of tablet.

[0115] The data recording unit 305 is a so-called RFID reader / writer, built into the lower part of the filling platform 1a of the drug dispensing device 1, and is positioned to access the RFID tag 206 of the drug cassette 2 when the drug cassette 2 is placed on the filling platform 1a. The data recording unit 305 is controlled by the control device 200 and is capable of reading data from the RFID tag 206 on the drug cassette 2, as well as writing data to the RFID tag 206.

[0116] The data reading unit 306 is a so-called RFID reader and is positioned to access the RFID tag 206 of the drug cassette 2 mounted on the base 3 of the drug dispensing device 1 when the drug cassette 2 is mounted on the base 3. The data reading unit 306 is controlled by the control device 200 and is capable of reading data from the RFID tag 206 provided on the drug cassette 2. In another embodiment, the data reading unit 306 may be a reader / writer capable of writing data to the RFID tag 206. In this case, while the drug cassette 2 is mounted on the base 3, the dispensing confirmation information described later may be written to the RFID tag 206 of the drug cassette 2.

[0117] The RFID tag 206 provided on the chemical cassette 2 is an example of a non-volatile storage unit capable of storing data. Alternatively, a storage unit capable of reading and writing data via a contact-type connection method may be used instead of the RFID tag 206. As shown in Figure 30, the RFID tag 206 has a storage area including a writable area 261 and a non-writable area 262. The writable area 261 is an area where data can be read by the data recording unit 305 and the data reading unit 306, and where data can also be written by the data recording unit 305. The non-writable area 262 is an area where data can be read by the data recording unit 305 and the data reading unit 306, but data cannot be written by the data recording unit 305.

[0118] Specifically, the writable area 261 stores assigned drug information D21 (see Figure 32(B)), which includes at least drug identification information such as a drug code or drug name to identify the type of tablet to be assigned to the drug cassette 2 on which the RFID tag 206 is provided. In addition to drug identification information such as drug codes, the assigned drug information D21 also includes information such as stability coefficient, placement restrictions, size type, branch number, model number, dispensing confirmation flag, and cassette number. The assigned drug information D21 may also store the dimensions of the tablet (length, width, height, thickness) or the dimensions of the tablet guide path 8b suitable for the tablet (depth, height, width).

[0119] The stability coefficient is a coefficient that indicates the tendency of tablets to bounce and roll depending on their shape and hardness, and is used, for example, to calculate the maximum time it takes for tablets dispensed from individual drug cassettes 2 to fall and stabilize at the discharge port. The placement restriction is information that limits the positions in which drug cassettes 2 can be installed when they are mounted on the drug dispensing device 1, and is information that limits the positions in which drug cassettes 2 can be installed by height, such as "all rows possible", "less than half", or "bottom two rows only". The size type is the size of the drug cassette 2, and is determined according to the number of tablets that can be stored, for example, L, LM, M, S, SS. The branch number is a number assigned to distinguish each drug cassette 2 when there are multiple drug cassettes 2 that contain the same type of tablets. The model number is the identification number of the drug dispensing device 1 on which the drug cassette 2 is installed when there are multiple drug dispensing devices 1.

[0120] The dispensing confirmation flag has an initial value of "1". The control device 200 sets it to "0" when it determines that the test dispensing operation described later, which is performed after the adjustment unit of the drug cassette 2 has been adjusted according to the type of tablet to be dispensed assigned to the drug cassette 2, has been completed. In this embodiment, the dispensing confirmation flag "0" is an example of dispensing confirmation information.

[0121] The aforementioned cassette number is cassette identification information assigned to the drug cassette 2 in order to identify the drug cassette 2 in the drug dispensing device 1. For example, the control device 200 sets the cassette number of the drug cassette 2 in accordance with a predetermined user operation, and stores the said cassette number in the assigned drug information D21 of the RFID tag 206 of the drug cassette 2 by the data recording unit 305. The control device 200 also prohibits duplicate registration of the same cassette number in the drug dispensing device 1.

[0122] On the other hand, the writable area 262 is pre-stored with cassette information D22 (see Figure 32(B)), which includes a cassette ID indicating unique identification information for identifying the drug cassette 2 on which the RFID tag 206 is provided, and information such as the cassette type of the drug cassette 2. The cassette type is information for identifying multiple types of drug cassettes 2 that have different compatibility conditions for dispenseable tablets. Specifically, the compatibility conditions include one or both of the minimum and maximum values ​​for the size of the tablet, such as width, height, and thickness. The compatibility conditions may also include the shape of the tablet, such as a capsule tablet or a flat round tablet.

[0123] <Control device 200> As shown in Figures 30 and 31, the control device 200 is an information processing device such as a computer, which includes a control unit 210, a display unit 201, a storage unit 202, and an operation unit 203, and is connected to the drug dispensing device 1 and the adjustment device 100.

[0124] The display unit 201 is a display means such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or a projector capable of displaying various types of information, and also includes a speaker capable of outputting sound.

[0125] The memory unit 202 stores various types of data, including the drug packaging master D11, assignment information D31, and base master D41.

[0126] As shown in Figure 32(A), the drug packaging master D11 stores the drug code, drug name, stability coefficient, placement restrictions, and cassette type associated with each tablet. The drug code or drug name is an example of drug identification information that can identify the type of tablet. The drug packaging master D11 also contains information on tablets that have been pre-registered as tablets that can be dispensed by the drug dispensing device 1. On the other hand, the storage unit 202 may store a drug master containing information similar to that of the drug packaging master D11 for more than the number of types of tablets registered in the drug packaging master D11.

[0127] Furthermore, the drug packaging master D11 stores the dimensions of each tablet, such as its length, width, height, and thickness, in a corresponding manner. In addition, the drug packaging master D11 stores, for each tablet, the adjustment dimensions such as the depth, height, and width of the groove in the tablet guide path 8b that is suitable for that tablet, as well as the adjustment entry position of the partition member 20 into the tablet guide path 8b that is suitable for that tablet, in a corresponding manner.

[0128] Alternatively, the adjustment dimension may not be stored in the chemical packaging master D11, but a correction coefficient used to calculate the adjustment dimension may be stored, and the control device 200 may derive the adjustment dimension based on the correction coefficient and the dimensions of the tablet. Similarly, the adjustment entry position may not be stored in the chemical packaging master D11, but a correction coefficient (such as the thickness of the tablet) may be stored in the chemical packaging master D11, and the control device 200 may derive the adjustment entry position based on the correction coefficient and the dimensions of the tablet.

[0129] In addition, the drug implementation master D11 stores information for each drug, including drug classification (classification code), drug components (component code), JAN code, RSS code, YJ code, GS1 code, drug bottle code, dosage form, unit, specific gravity, drug variety, compatibility information, excipients, precautions, size type, and an image of the tablet's appearance. Furthermore, the drug implementation master D11 may be edited by the control device 200 based on user operations or other factors.

[0130] As shown in Figure 32(C), the assignment information D31 associates the cassette ID, which is the unique identification information of the drug cassette 2, with the drug code, which is the drug identification information of the tablet assigned to that drug cassette 2. This allows the control unit 210 to control the drug dispensing device 1 by referring to the correspondence between the drug code and the cassette ID in the assignment information D31, and to dispense a specific type of tablet indicated in the prescription data from the drug cassette 2 to which that type of tablet is assigned. The assignment information D31 can store information for more drug cassettes 2 than the number of drug cassettes 2 that can be installed in the drug dispensing device 1, and the drug dispensing device 1 may dispense tablets using the drug cassette 2 installed in the drug dispensing device 1 from among the drug cassettes 2 stored in the assignment information D31. Furthermore, the assignment information D31 may be included in the drug packaging master D11.

[0131] As shown in Figure 32(D), the base master D41 stores, in association with each chemical dispensing device 1 connected to the chemical dispensing system 500, the cassette ID of the chemical cassette 2 installed in the chemical dispensing device 1 and the base number for identifying the base 3 of the chemical dispensing device 1 to which the chemical cassette 2 is installed. When the control unit 210 detects the attachment or detachment of the chemical cassette 2 in the chemical dispensing device 1, it updates the base master D41 according to the result of the attachment or detachment of the chemical cassette 2. As a result, the control unit 210 can identify the chemical cassette 2 installed in each chemical dispensing device 1 and the base 3 to which the chemical cassette 2 is installed in the chemical dispensing system 500 based on the base master D41 corresponding to each chemical dispensing device 1.

[0132] The operation unit 203 is an operating means such as a mouse, keyboard, or touch panel that can accept user input. The display unit 201 and the operation unit 203 may also be touch panel displays that can accept user input.

[0133] The control unit 210 includes control devices such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and EEPROM (registered trademark). The CPU is a processor that performs various arithmetic operations. The ROM is a non-volatile storage unit in which information such as control programs for causing the CPU to perform various operations is pre-stored. The RAM is a volatile storage unit, and the EEPROM is a non-volatile storage unit. The RAM and EEPROM are used as temporary storage memories (work areas) for the various operations performed by the CPU.

[0134] The control unit 210 includes various processing units such as an allocation processing unit 211, a determination processing unit 212, a storage processing unit 213, a restriction processing unit 214, a code output processing unit 215, a reception processing unit 216, a detection processing unit 217, a display processing unit 218, a notification processing unit 219, and a dispensing processing unit 220. Specifically, the control unit 210 functions as the various processing units by using the CPU to execute various processes according to a drug dispensing program pre-stored in the ROM or storage unit 202. Note that some or all of the processing units may be electronic circuits.

[0135] The allocation processing unit 211 accepts the selection of the type of tablet to be assigned to the drug cassette 2 in response to user input and assigns the selected tablet type to the drug cassette 2. For example, when a user input is performed to read drug identification information that can identify the type of tablet from a code using the code reading unit 304, the allocation processing unit 211 accepts the read tablet type as the type of tablet to be assigned. Alternatively, the allocation processing unit 211 may display a list of candidate tablet types on the display unit 201 and accept the selection of the type of tablet to be assigned to the drug cassette 2 in response to user input on the operation unit 203. The allocation processing unit 211 then assigns the tablet type to the drug cassette 2 by associating the drug code corresponding to the selected tablet type with the cassette ID of the drug cassette 2 and storing it in the allocation correspondence information D31.

[0136] The determination processing unit 212 determines whether or not a tablet has been dispensed from the drug cassette 2, which is equipped with an adjustment unit that can be adjusted to multiple states that allow for the dispensing of different types of tablets. Specifically, after the adjustment unit is adjusted according to the type of tablet to be dispensed that is assigned to the drug cassette 2, the determination processing unit 212 causes the drug dispensing device 1 to perform a test dispensing operation to dispense the drug from the drug cassette 2. That is, the test dispensing operation is not the drug dispensing operation of the drug cassette 2 based on prescription data that is actually performed after the adjustment of the drug cassette 2, but is performed between the time the drug cassette 2 is adjusted and the time the drug dispensing operation of the drug cassette 2 based on prescription data is performed. Then, in the test dispensing operation, the determination processing unit 212 determines whether or not a tablet has been dispensed from the drug cassette 2.

[0137] Specifically, the determination processing unit 212 determines that tablets have been dispensed from the drug cassette 2, on the condition that the dispensing detection unit 303 detects the dispensing of a predetermined number of tablets in the test dispensing operation for the drug cassette 2, which is performed after the adjustment unit has made adjustments according to the type of tablets to be dispensed assigned to the drug cassette 2.

[0138] Furthermore, the determination processing unit 212 may determine that the drug to be dispensed has been dispensed from the drug cassette 2, provided that a specific user operation is performed after the test dispensing operation for the drug cassette 2 has been performed, following the adjustment of the adjustment unit according to the type of tablet to be dispensed assigned to the drug cassette 2. For example, the user may visually confirm whether a tablet has been dispensed from the drug cassette 2 by the test dispensing operation, and if a tablet has been dispensed normally from the drug cassette 2, perform a confirmation operation on the operation unit 203. The determination processing unit 212 then determines that a tablet has been dispensed from the drug cassette 2 if the confirmation operation is performed after the execution of the test dispensing operation.

[0139] Furthermore, the determination processing unit 212 may determine that a drug has been dispensed from the drug cassette 2 when the test dispensing operation for the drug cassette 2, which is performed after the adjustment unit has made adjustments according to the type of tablet to be dispensed assigned to the drug cassette 2, has been completed. In other words, when the test dispensing operation is completed, the determination processing unit 212 may assume that a tablet has been dispensed from the drug cassette 2 without requiring detection by the dispensing detection unit 303 or confirmation by the user.

[0140] When the determination processing unit 212 determines that a tablet has been dispensed from the drug cassette 2, the memory processing unit 213 stores the dispensing confirmation information in a pre-configured memory unit in a state that allows for the identification of the correspondence between the drug cassette 2 and the type of tablet. Specifically, when the determination processing unit 212 determines that a drug has been dispensed from the drug cassette 2, the memory processing unit 213 updates the dispensing confirmation flag stored in the assigned drug information D21 of the RFID tag 206 of the drug cassette 2 from "1" to "0". In this way, by storing the dispensing confirmation information in the assigned drug information D21 of the RFID tag 206 (an example of a memory unit) of the drug cassette 2, the dispensing confirmation information becomes in a state where the correspondence between both the drug cassette 2 and the drug code (type of drug) of the drug assigned to the drug cassette 2 can be identified. In another embodiment, the dispensing confirmation information, the cassette ID or cassette number of the chemical cassette 2, and the chemical code indicating the type of chemical assigned to the chemical cassette 2 may be associated with each other and stored in the storage unit 202. In this case, the storage unit 202 is an example of a storage unit according to the present invention.

[0141] Furthermore, drug identification information such as the drug code may be used as the dispensing confirmation information stored in association with the drug cassette 2. Specifically, the control unit 210 does not assign drug identification information to the drug cassette 2 until a tablet is dispensed from the drug cassette 2 during the test dispensing operation described later, and assigns drug identification information to the drug cassette 2 when a tablet is dispensed from the drug cassette 2 during the test dispensing operation. For example, the control unit 210 may not store the drug code in the assigned drug information D21 of the RFID tag 206 of the drug cassette 2 until a tablet is dispensed from the drug cassette 2 during the test dispensing operation, and may store the drug code in the assigned drug information D21 of the RFID tag 206 of the drug cassette 2 when a tablet is dispensed from the drug cassette 2 during the test dispensing operation.

[0142] The restriction processing unit 214 restricts the drug dispensing operation, which dispenses drugs from the drug cassette 2 based on the prescription data, if the dispensing confirmation information corresponding to the drug cassette 2 is not stored in the RFID tag 206. Specifically, the restriction processing unit 214 permits the drug dispensing operation using the drug cassette 2 if the dispensing confirmation flag stored in the RFID tag 206 of the drug cassette 2 is "0". On the other hand, the restriction processing unit 214 restricts the drug dispensing operation using the drug cassette 2 if the dispensing confirmation flag stored in the RFID tag 206 of the drug cassette 2 is "1". The content of the restriction may be to prohibit the execution of the drug dispensing operation, or to require a confirmation operation by the user before starting the drug dispensing operation.

[0143] In another embodiment, instead of the restriction processing unit 214, the dispensing execution processing unit 311 of the drug dispensing device 1 may restrict the drug dispensing operation, which dispenses drugs from the drug cassette 2 based on the prescription data, when the dispensing confirmation information corresponding to the drug cassette 2 is not stored in the RFID tag 206. In this case, the dispensing execution processing unit 311 is an example of the restriction processing unit according to the present invention.

[0144] The code output processing unit 215 is capable of outputting label information corresponding to label L1, which includes a verification code. The verification code is a one-dimensional or two-dimensional code readable by the code reading unit 304, issued after the adjustment of the drug cassette 2 according to the type of tablet, which is performed using the adjustment device 100, and indicates the type of tablet and the cassette ID of the drug cassette 2. For example, the code output processing unit 215 outputs the label information to a printer or label printing device (not shown) connected to the control device 200 or the drug dispensing device 1, etc., and prints it as a printed item such as a card or sticker.

[0145] The reception processing unit 216 can accept input of one or more of the following before the start of the test dispensing operation: the quantity of drugs to be filled into the drug cassette 2, the filling date, or the expiration date. In other words, the user can input one or more of the following of the drugs to be filled into the drug cassette 2, the filling date, or the expiration date, even if the test dispensing operation has not yet been completed. This allows the user to fill the drug cassette 2 with tablets that will be used later in a batch when filling the tablets during the test dispensing operation.

[0146] The detection processing unit 217 can detect the current adjustment value of the groove in the tablet guide path 8b, which is the tablet dispensing path in the drug cassette 2, which is manually adjustable by the adjustment unit. Specifically, the detection processing unit 217 can detect the current adjustment values ​​of the depth, height, and width of the groove in the tablet guide path 8b based on the detection results from the operation amount detection unit 501 and the initial position detection unit 502. For example, after the adjustment of the depth of the groove in the tablet guide path 8b is started, the detection processing unit 217 calculates the current adjustment value of the groove depth of the tablet guide path 8b based on the operation amount detected by the operation amount detection unit 501 after the initial position detection unit 502 detects the zero point (initial state). In this embodiment, the zero point detected by the initial position detection unit 502 is the position where the current adjustment value is 0.

[0147] The display processing unit 218 displays the current adjustment value detected by the detection processing unit 217 and the target adjustment value in a comparable manner. The display processing unit 218 also displays adjustment value information that allows for the identification of the difference between the current adjustment value and the target value. Specifically, the display processing unit 218 displays a first region having an area, length, or width corresponding to the target value, a second region having an area, length, or width corresponding to the difference between the target value and the current adjustment value, and a third region having an area, length, or width corresponding to the current adjustment value. Furthermore, the display processing unit 218 displays on the display screen shown when filling the chemical cassette 2 with chemicals whether or not there is dispensing confirmation information corresponding to the chemical cassette 2.

[0148] Furthermore, the display processing unit 218 is capable of displaying a list of multiple work process groups included in the manual adjustment work using the adjustment unit, and the display processing unit 218 when performing this list display corresponds to the first display processing unit according to the present invention. Moreover, after the work process groups are displayed by the first display processing unit, the display processing unit 218 is capable of sequentially displaying one or more work processes included in each of the work process groups, and the display processing unit 218 when performing this display corresponds to the second display processing unit according to the present invention. Note that in the chemical dispensing system 500, the first display processing unit and the second display processing unit may be provided as different processing units.

[0149] The notification processing unit 219 provides notification when the difference between the current adjustment value and the target value falls below a predetermined range. This allows the user to easily determine whether the adjustment of the groove in the tablet guide path 8b by the adjustment unit is appropriate. The notification by the notification processing unit 219 may take various forms, such as display output, sound output, or LED illumination status output.

[0150] The dispensing processing unit 220 inputs prescription data as drug dispensing data to the drug dispensing device 1 and causes the drug dispensing device 1 to perform a drug dispensing operation based on the prescription data. Alternatively, the dispensing processing unit 220 may generate packaging data based on the prescription data to cause the drug dispensing device 1 to perform a packaging operation, and input this packaging data to the drug dispensing device 1 as the drug dispensing data.

[0151] The following describes an example of the procedures for drug allocation processing, adjustment support processing, and drug dispensing processing performed in the drug dispensing system 500 according to this embodiment. Note that, if the drug allocation processing, adjustment support processing, and drug dispensing processing are performed by the drug dispensing system 500 as a whole, the processing entity and execution timing of each step are not limited to those described herein.

[0152] [Drug allocation process] First, an example of the procedure for the chemical allocation process will be described with reference to Figure 33. For example, the control unit 210 of the control device 200 starts the chemical allocation process in response to a predetermined user operation on the operation unit 203. After the user places the chemical cassette 2 on the filling table 1a of the chemical dispensing device 1, the user performs a predetermined user operation to cause the control unit 210 to execute the chemical allocation process.

[0153] <Step S21> In step S21, the control unit 210 performs a process to allow the user to select the type of tablet to be newly assigned to the drug cassette 2, and then proceeds to step S22. Hereinafter, the type of tablet to be newly assigned to the drug cassette 2 may be referred to as the assigned tablet. Step S21 is performed by the assignment processing unit 211 of the control unit 210.

[0154] Specifically, the user uses the code reading unit 304 to read drug identification information from a code such as a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code attached to a medicine box or other container that holds the tablets corresponding to the assigned tablets. Based on this, the control unit 210 selects the type of tablet corresponding to the drug identification information read by the code reading unit 304 as the assigned tablet.

[0155] In another embodiment, the control unit 210 may display a drug selection screen for selecting the assigned tablets on the display unit 201 based on the drug packaging master D11, and accept the selection operation of the type of tablet on the drug selection screen.

[0156] <Step S22> In step S22, the control unit 210 displays an assignment start screen P1 on the display unit 201 to accept the operation to start the assignment of the assigned tablets to the drug cassette 2. As shown in Figure 37, the assignment start screen P1 includes a display area A1 that displays information about the assigned tablets selected in step S21, and a display area A2 that displays information about the types of tablets currently assigned to the drug cassette 2. Hereinafter, the types of tablets currently assigned to the drug cassette 2 may be referred to as "previously assigned tablets".

[0157] Specifically, the control unit 210 displays information about the assigned tablets in the display area A1 based on the drug packaging master D11. For example, the display area A1 displays a drug code and drug name that can identify the assigned tablet, the cassette type of the drug cassette 2 that is compatible with the assigned tablet, and an image of the appearance of the tablet corresponding to the assigned tablet.

[0158] Furthermore, the control unit 210 controls the data recording unit 305 to read the assigned drug information D21 and cassette information D22 from the RFID tag 206 of the drug cassette 2 placed on the filling stand 1a, and displays the information of the previously assigned tablets in the display area A2. For example, the display area A2 displays the drug code and drug name that can identify the previously assigned tablets, the cassette type of the drug cassette 2, and an image of the appearance of the tablets corresponding to the previously assigned tablets assigned to the drug cassette 2.

[0159] Furthermore, the assignment start screen P1 includes an operation key K3 for expanding the information of the assigned tablet displayed in the display area A1. When the operation key K3 is operated, the control unit 210 expands the display area A1 on the assignment start screen P1 as shown in Figure 38. The control unit 210 then displays additional information about the assigned tablet in the expanded display area A1, such as the JAN code or GS1 code, the tablet size (length, width, height, thickness), stability coefficient, placement restrictions, and size type, based on the drug packaging master D11. Subsequently, when the operation key K3 is operated again, the control unit 210 deactivates the expansion of the display area A1 on the assignment start screen P1. The control unit 210 may also determine whether the assigned tablet selected in step S21 is compatible with the drug cassette 2 placed on the filling stand 1a, and may issue an error notification if it is not compatible. In addition, the control unit 210 may change the dimensional values ​​such as the length, width, height, and thickness of the tablet corresponding to the type of tablet registered in the drug packaging master D11, in response to user operation in the display area A1.

[0160] <Step S23> In step S23, the control unit 210 controls the data recording unit 305 to read the "cassette ID" information stored in the cassette information D22 as the unique identification information of the drug cassette 2 from the RFID tag 206 of the drug cassette 2 placed on the filling stand 1a, and stores it in the storage unit 202 as the unique identification information of the drug cassette 2 to be allocated this time. Alternatively, the "cassette number" included in the allocated drug information D21 may be used instead of the "cassette ID".

[0161] <Step S24> In step S24, the control unit 210 determines whether the operation to start the assignment of the assigned tablets to the drug cassette 2 has been performed. Specifically, the assignment start screen P1 displays an operation key K1 for accepting the operation to start the assignment of the assigned tablets to the drug cassette 2, and the control unit 210 determines that the operation to start the assignment of the assigned tablets to the drug cassette 2 has been performed when the operation key K1 is operated. If it is determined that the start operation has been performed (S24: Yes), the process proceeds to step S25. If it is determined that the start operation has been performed (S24: No), the process waits in step S24, and during that time, the control unit 210 can accept operations to change the assigned tablets or cancel the assignment.

[0162] <Step S25> In step S25, the control unit 210 verifies the information on the RFID tag 206 of the drug cassette 2 placed on the filling platform 1a. Specifically, the control unit 210 controls the data recording unit 305 to read the "cassette ID" information stored in the cassette information D22 as the unique identification information of the drug cassette 2 from the RFID tag 206 of the drug cassette 2 placed on the filling platform 1a. The control unit 210 then verifies the "cassette ID" information read from the RFID tag 206 against the "cassette ID," which is the unique identification information of the drug cassette 2 to be allocated this time, stored in the storage unit 202 in step S23. If the verification result matches, the control unit 210 proceeds to step S26. If the verification result does not match, the control unit 210 performs, for example, a predetermined error notification process and returns to step S24. This prevents the chemical cassette 2 placed on the filling stand 1a from being changed before and after the assignment start operation in step S24.

[0163] <Step S26> In step S26, the control unit 210 executes a process to release the current assignment of tablet type to the drug cassette 2, and terminates the drug assignment process. Specifically, the control unit 210 controls the data recording unit 305 to erase the contents of the assigned drug information D21 stored in the RFID tag 206 of the drug cassette 2 placed on the filling stand 1a. Since the dispensing confirmation flag has an initial value of "1", if the dispensing confirmation flag of the assigned drug information D21 is "0", it is reset to "1" in step S26. In other words, in step S26, the dispensing confirmation information is erased. Thus, when the tablet assigned to the drug cassette 2 is changed, the dispensing operation using the drug cassette 2 will be restricted in the drug dispensing process described later (see Figure 58) until the dispensing confirmation flag is updated to "0" (dispensing confirmation information is stored) after the assigned tablet has been changed.

[0164] Furthermore, in step S26, the control unit 210 erases the drug code associated with the drug cassette 2 placed on the filling stand 1a in the assignment correspondence information D31 stored in the memory unit 202. That is, while the drug cassette 2 is being adjusted by the adjustment device 100, no type of tablet is assigned to the drug cassette 2. This prevents the drug cassette 2, in which the rotor 8 has not been properly adjusted, from being used by the drug dispensing device 1.

[0165] [Adjustment support processing] Next, an example of the procedure for the adjustment support process will be described with reference to Figures 34 to 36. The control unit 210 starts the adjustment support process immediately after the completion of the drug assignment process. Alternatively, the control unit 210 may execute the adjustment support process at any timing in response to a predetermined user operation after the completion of the drug assignment process.

[0166] <Step S31> In step S31, the control unit 210 displays an overview screen P10 on the display unit 201, which displays an overview of the manual adjustment work performed by the user. Specifically, the control unit 210 displays a list of multiple work process groups included in the manual adjustment work using the adjustment unit of the adjustment device 100. This list display is performed by the display processing unit 218 of the control unit 210. Each of the process groups includes one or more work processes. The manual adjustment work is the operation in which the user uses the adjustment device 100 to operate the adjustment unit provided on the rotor 8 of the drug cassette 2 and adjusts the dimensions of the grooves in the tablet guide path 8b of the rotor 8 of the drug cassette 2 according to the assignment state. Step S31 is performed by the display processing unit 218 of the control unit 210.

[0167] As shown in Figure 39, the overview display screen P10 displays the contents of multiple pre-set process groups for the entire process of the manual adjustment operation on a single screen. Specifically, the overview display screen P10 shown in Figure 39 displays four divided areas A10 corresponding to the four process groups: "remove rotor," "adjust," "return rotor," and "fill and discharge test." Each divided area A10 displays work summary information such as text, images, photographs, or videos that indicate the main work content in the process group corresponding to that divided area A10. This makes it possible for the user to easily grasp the overview of the manual adjustment operation before starting the operation.

[0168] Furthermore, the overview display screen P10 displays the operation key K10 that the user will operate after confirming the overview display screen P10. When the operation key K10 is operated, the control unit 210 moves the process to step S32.

[0169] <Step S32> In step S32, the control unit 210 displays a work support screen P11 on the display unit 201 to assist the user in the rotor removal process, in which the user removes the rotor 8 from the chemical cassette 2, as part of the process group.

[0170] As shown in Figure 40, the work support screen P11 displays a display area A111 that shows text, images, photographs, or videos indicating the content of the work processes included in the rotor removal process, and a display area A112 that shows the progress of the work processes in the rotor removal process. For example, if the rotor removal process includes four work processes, and the work process currently displayed in display area A112 is the first work process, then text indicating this (e.g., "1 / 4") will be displayed.

[0171] Furthermore, the work support screen P11 displays operation keys K111 and K112 for advancing the work steps in the rotor removal process, and the control unit 210 advances the work steps in the rotor removal process displayed on the work support screen P11 by one in response to the operation of operation key K111 or operation key K112. The work support screen P11 also displays operation key K113 for reversing the work steps in the rotor removal process, and the control unit 210 reverses the work steps in the rotor removal process displayed on the work support screen P11 by one in response to the operation of operation key K113. Then, when operation key K111 is operated on the work support screen P11 which is displayed in response to the last work step included in the rotor removal process, the control unit 210 moves the process to step S33.

[0172] This allows the user to easily perform the rotor removal process for removing the rotor 8 from the chemical cassette 2 by sequentially referring to the display in the display area A111. For example, the rotor removal process includes the steps of operating the partition adjustment mechanism M1 of the chemical cassette 2 to retract the partition member 20, removing the rotor 8 from the chemical cassette 2, removing the rotor cover 30 of the rotor 8, and mounting the rotor 8 on the rotor base 108 of the adjustment device 100. In this embodiment, the case in which the rotor 8 is attached to and detached from the chemical cassette 2 during adjustment of the rotor 8 using the adjustment device 100 is described as an example, but the adjustment device 100 may be configured to allow adjustment of the rotor 8 while it is mounted on the chemical cassette 2.

[0173] <Steps S33-S35> In steps S33 to S35, the control unit 210 displays a work support screen P21 on the display unit 201 to assist the user in the dimension adjustment process, which is part of the process group, in which the user adjusts the dimensions (depth, height, and width) of the grooves of the tablet guide path 8b in the rotor 8. The dimension adjustment process includes three work steps: a height adjustment step, a depth adjustment step, and a width adjustment step, in which the height, depth, and width of the grooves of the tablet guide path 8b in the rotor 8 are adjusted in order.

[0174] As shown in Figure 41, the work support screen P21 displays a display area A211 that shows text, images, photographs, or videos indicating the content of the work process included in the dimension adjustment process, a display area A212 that shows the progress of the work process in the dimension adjustment process, and a display area A213 that shows information related to dimension adjustment.

[0175] Display area A213 includes display areas A214, A215, and A216, which correspond to the height, depth, and width of the grooves in the tablet guide path 8b of the rotor 8, respectively. Display areas A214 to A216 also include display areas A217 to A219, which display information regarding the start position, adjustment value, and target value, respectively.

[0176] Display area A217 is for displaying whether or not zero point detection has been performed for the dimension to be adjusted by zero point detection sensors 113-116. Display area A218 is for displaying adjustment difference information that allows identification of the difference between the current adjustment value and the target adjustment value for the dimension to be adjusted.

[0177] The control unit 210 then displays an adjustment display image F11 as the adjustment difference information in the display area A218, as shown in Figures 41 to 43. The adjustment display image F11 has an annular first region F111 with an area corresponding to the target value. The central region F110 of the adjustment display image F11 displays a numerical value indicating the current adjustment value. The display area A218 also displays an arrow image F12 that suggests the direction in which the user should rotate the adjustment member 102 to bring the current adjustment value closer to the target value. For example, until the current adjustment value reaches the target value, an image suggesting clockwise rotation is displayed as the arrow image F12, and when the current adjustment value reaches or exceeds the target value, an image suggesting counterclockwise rotation is displayed as the arrow image F12.

[0178] Furthermore, the control unit 210 displays in the adjustment display image F11 a second region F112 having an area corresponding to the difference between the target value and the current adjustment value, and a third region F113 having an area corresponding to the current adjustment value, in a manner that can be identified by coloring or the like.The control unit 210 then updates the areas of the second region F112 and the third region F113 in the first region F111 according to the degree to which the current adjustment value has reached the target value.Specifically, the area of ​​the third region F113 expands circumferentially from a predetermined position in the first region F111 as the current adjustment value approaches the target value, and when the current adjustment value and the target value match, the third region F113 is displayed over the entire first region F111.As a result, the user can easily grasp the magnitude of the difference between the current adjustment value and the target value by referring to the adjustment difference information and can also easily grasp when the adjustment is complete. Furthermore, the shape of the adjustment display image F11 is not limited to a ring shape; for example, it may be a bar-shaped image that can represent the magnitude of the numerical value by its length or width.

[0179] Display area A219 is an area for displaying target values ​​for adjusting the depth, height, and width of the groove in the tablet guide path 8b. The control unit 210 identifies the target values ​​for adjusting the depth, height, and width of the groove in the tablet guide path 8b based on the dimensions of adjustment depth, adjustment height, and adjustment width corresponding to the assigned tablet registered in the drug packaging master D11. The dimensions of adjustment depth, adjustment height, and adjustment width and the target values ​​for adjusting the depth, height, and width of the groove in the tablet guide path 8b may be the same numerical value, but the target values ​​may also be values ​​obtained by converting the dimensions of adjustment depth, adjustment height, and adjustment width into displacement amounts detected by the encoder 131. The control unit 210 may also download the target values ​​for the depth, height, and width of the groove in the tablet guide path 8b from a host computer or a database on the internet.

[0180] Here, referring to Figure 44, we will explain the content of the height adjustment process performed by the user and the content of the adjustment support screen P21, using the height adjustment process in step S33 of steps S33 to S35 as an example. Note that the display processing performed in steps S33 to S35 is performed by the display processing unit 218 of the control unit 210.

[0181] First, the control unit 210 highlights display area A214 in display area A213 of the adjustment support screen P21, which corresponds to the height to be adjusted first, and displays that the height is being adjusted. Furthermore, the control unit 210 displays the details of the work in display area A211 and displays an arrow image F12 in display area A218 that suggests the direction in which the adjustment member 102 should be rotated. In addition, until the zero point is detected by the zero point detection sensor 113, the control unit 210 displays "Not Detected" in display area A217 of display area A214 to indicate that zero point detection has not been performed. Note that "Not Detected" is also displayed in display areas A215, A216, and A217.

[0182] Here, the user removes the adjustment member 102 from the storage opening 124 of the device body 101, inserts the central shaft 155 of the adjustment member 102 from the upper guide hole 125 of the "Length (height)" of the device body 101 toward the lower guide hole 126, and engages it with the engaging portion 52b of the height adjustment mechanism M3 of the rotor 8, as shown in Figure 44(a). As a result, the central shaft 155 of the adjustment member 102 engages with the engaging hole 132 of the rotating member 129, and becomes able to rotate together with the rotating member 129. Here, the rotation of the rotating member 129 is transmitted to the detection gear 142 of the encoder 131 via the intermediate gear 130, the amount of rotation is detected by the encoder 131, and the amount of rotation is transmitted to the control device 200.

[0183] When the grip portion 147 is held, as shown in Figure 28(b), the shaft portion 148 of the adjustment member 102 moves downward relative to the grip portion 147 due to its own weight, and the outer member 149g of the grip portion 147 disengages from the upper engaging portion 153c of the first member 153. As a result, even if the grip portion 147 is rotated while the central shaft 155 is not engaged with the engaging portion 95d, the rotational force is not transmitted to the central shaft 155, and therefore the encoder 131 does not detect rotation. When the central shaft 155 is pressed against the engaging portion 95d, the central shaft 155 moves relative to the grip portion 147, and the engaging portion 149g and the upper engaging portion 153c engage, so the central shaft 155 rotates when the grip portion 147 is rotated. Furthermore, if the central shaft 155 is engaged with the engaging portion 95d and is forcibly rotated beyond the zero point, torque will be applied, causing the torque limiter to activate. As shown in Figure 28(c), the lower engaging portion 153e of the first member 153 will disengage from the engaging portion 154b of the second member 154, and the rotation of the grip portion 147 will not be transmitted to the central shaft 155. As a result, the rotating mechanism, such as the rotating member 129, intermediate gear 130, encoder 131, and the adjustment mechanism of the rotor 8 will not be damaged.

[0184] Next, the user presses the grip portion 147 downwards and rotates the central axis 155 in the direction of the origin indicated by the arrow on the grip portion 147 until the zero-point detection sensor 113 turns on. Once the zero-point detection sensor 113 is on, the user rotates it in the opposite direction to the origin until the zero-point detection sensor 113 turns off, and once the zero-point detection sensor 113 turns off, the user rotates it again in the direction of the origin until the zero-point detection sensor 113 turns on again.

[0185] Here, when the zero-point detection sensor 113 is turned on for the second time, the control unit 210 resets the current value of the groove height of the tablet guide path 8b and starts detecting the current value of the rotating member 129 using the encoder 131. In this way, the control unit 210 detects the current adjustment value based on the manipulated amount detected by the manipulated amount detection unit 501 after zero-point detection is performed by the initial position detection unit 502. That is, the control unit 210 detects the current adjustment value by the adjustment unit based on the detection results from the manipulated amount detection unit 501 and the initial position detection unit 502. Note that this detection process is an example of a detection step executed by the detection processing unit 217 of the control unit 210.

[0186] Furthermore, when the zero-point detection sensor 113 detects the zero point for the second time, the control unit 210 displays "Detection OK" in display area A217 of display area A214 to indicate that zero-point detection has been performed. In addition, the control unit 210 starts displaying the second area F112 and the third area F113 of the adjustment display image F11 in display area A218 of display area A214 corresponding to the height, and displays the adjustment target value in display area A219. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the zero-point detection sensor 113 is detected from the beginning, and it is determined that zero-point detection has been performed when two zero-point detections have occurred. However, in other embodiments, it may be determined whether or not zero-point detection has been performed only once.

[0187] Subsequently, the control unit 210 adds or subtracts the current adjustment value based on the amount of operation of the rotating member 129 detected by the encoder 131, and updates the adjustment display image F11, which is displayed as the adjustment difference information. Specifically, the control unit 210 displays the current adjustment value in area F110 and updates the third area F113 as needed according to the current adjustment value. That is, as the user rotates the adjustment member 102 and the current adjustment value approaches the target value, the area of ​​the third area F113 in the first area F111 increases clockwise from a predetermined position, and the area of ​​the second area F112 decreases. This makes it possible for the user to grasp at a glance that the current adjustment value is approaching the target value.

[0188] Furthermore, after zero-point detection is performed by the zero-point detection sensor 113, the control unit 210 notifies the user of the adjustment status by playing an audio sound from the display unit 201 corresponding to the difference between the current adjustment value and the target value. Specifically, the control unit 210 shortens the interval of a preset first electronic sound as the difference between the current adjustment value and the target value decreases, and plays a preset second electronic sound or audio sound when the difference between the current adjustment value and the target value falls below a preset specific range. This notification process is performed by the notification processing unit 219 of the control unit 210. This allows the user to perform the adjustment work while understanding the magnitude of the difference between the current adjustment value and the target value by the interval of the first electronic sound. In addition, the user can easily understand that the adjustment is complete by the playback of the second electronic sound or audio sound. The control unit 210 may perform only one of the following: displaying the adjustment display image F11 or playing the audio sound.

[0189] The user then rotates the grip portion 147 in the opposite direction to the origin until the current value reaches the target value. It is preferable to rotate it by holding the large knob portion 149b, as using the small knob portion 149c would result in a larger rotation, potentially causing the device to overshoot the target value. While the grip portion 147 is being rotated, the current value is displayed on the display portion A219. Once the current value reaches the target value, the user stops rotating the grip portion 147 and removes the adjustment member 102 from the device body 101.

[0190] Here, the work support screen P21 displays operation keys K211 and K212 for advancing the work steps in the dimension adjustment process, and the control unit 210 advances the work steps in the dimension adjustment process displayed on the work support screen P21 one step in response to the operation of operation key K211 or operation key K212. The work support screen P21 also displays operation key K213 for going back one step in the work steps in the dimension adjustment process, and the control unit 210 goes back one step in the work steps displayed on the work support screen P21 in response to the operation of operation key K213.

[0191] Once the adjustment of the groove height of the tablet guide path 8b in step S33 is completed as described above, the following step S34 performs a process to assist in adjusting the depth of the groove of the tablet guide path 8b. At this time, the user inserts the central axis 155 of the adjustment member 102 from the upper guide hole 125 of the "Depth" section of the device body 101 toward the lower guide hole 126, and engages it with the engaging portion 33c of the depth adjustment mechanism M2 of the rotor 8, as shown in Figure 44(b). Then, similar to the height adjustment, the user rotates the adjustment member 102 to adjust the height of the groove of the tablet guide path 8b. In step S34, as shown in Figure 42, the adjustment status of the adjustment of the groove height of the tablet guide path 8b is displayed on the work support screen P21, similar to the height adjustment. The control unit 210 displays the word "OK" in large letters in the display area A124, as shown in Figure 42, because the height adjustment is complete. Alternatively, the display area A124 may be grayed out.

[0192] Furthermore, once the adjustment of the groove depth of the tablet guide path 8b in step S34 is complete, the following step S35 performs a process to assist in adjusting the width of the groove of the tablet guide path 8b. At this time, the user inserts the central axis 155 of the adjustment member 102 from the upper guide hole 125 of the "Width" section of the device body 101 toward the lower guide hole 126, and engages it with the engaging portion 95d of the width adjustment mechanism M4 of the rotor 8, as shown in Figure 44(a). Then, similar to the height adjustment, the user rotates the adjustment member 102 to adjust the width of the groove of the tablet guide path 8b. Also, in step S35, as shown in Figure 43, the adjustment status of the adjustment of the width of the groove of the tablet guide path 8b is displayed on the work support screen P21, similar to the height adjustment. In this embodiment, since two zero-point detection sensors 115 and 116 are provided for the width of the groove in the tablet guide path 8b, the control device 200 determines that zero-point detection is complete for the width of the groove in the tablet guide path 8b when the detection signals of both zero-point detection sensors 115 and 116 are ON. On the other hand, in another embodiment, only one zero-point detection sensor 115 or 116 may be provided corresponding to the width of the groove in the tablet guide path 8b.

[0193] Then, when the operation key K211 is operated on the width adjustment work support screen P11, which is displayed in accordance with the last work step included in the dimension adjustment process, the control unit 210 moves the process to step S33.

[0194] In this way, the user can easily perform the task of adjusting the dimensions of the grooves in the tablet guide path 8b of the rotor 8 by operating the adjustment part of the rotor 8 using the adjustment member 102 while referring to the work support screen P21.

[0195] <Step S36> In step S36, the control unit 210 displays a work support screen P31 on the display unit 201 to assist the user in the rotor return process, in which the user returns the rotor 8 to the chemical cassette 2, as part of the process group.

[0196] As shown in Figure 45, the work support screen P31 displays a display area A311 that shows text, images, photographs, or videos indicating the content of the work process included in the rotor return process, and a display area A312 that shows the progress of the work process in the rotor return process.

[0197] Furthermore, the work support screen P31 displays operation keys K311 and K312 for advancing the work steps in the rotor return process, and the control unit 210 advances the work steps in the rotor return process displayed on the work support screen P11 by one in response to the operation of operation key K311 or operation key K312. The work support screen P31 also displays operation key K313 for reversing the work steps in the rotor return process, and the control unit 210 reverses the work steps in the rotor return process displayed on the work support screen P31 by one in response to the operation of operation key K313. Then, when operation key K311 is operated on the work support screen P31 corresponding to the last work step included in the rotor return process, the control unit 210 moves the process to step S37.

[0198] This allows the user to easily perform the rotor return process to return the rotor 8 to the chemical cassette 2 by sequentially referring to the display in the display area A311. For example, the rotor return process includes the steps of removing the rotor 8 from the rotor base 108 of the adjustment device 100, attaching the rotor cover 30 to the rotor 8, attaching the rotor 8 to the chemical cassette 2, closing the lid 6 of the chemical cassette 2, operating the partition adjustment mechanism M1 of the chemical cassette 2 to close the partition member 20, and placing the chemical cassette 2 on the filling table 1a of the chemical dispensing device 1.

[0199] Specifically, in the process of closing the partition member 20 by operating the partition adjustment mechanism M1 of the chemical cassette 2, the user rotates the partition adjustment part 24 of the partition adjustment mechanism M1 in the inward direction using the hexagonal wrench 149d on the grip part 147 of the adjustment member 102, until the partition member 20 contacts the rotor 8 and bends. Next, the user rotates the partition adjustment part 24 in the backward direction and stops rotating when the partition member 20 is slightly away from the rotor 8. Then, the user rotates the rotor 8 by turning the drive gear 14 of the chemical cassette 2 and confirms that the partition member 20 does not come into contact with the rotor 8.

[0200] <Step S37> In step S37, the control unit 210 verifies the information on the RFID tag 206 of the drug cassette 2 placed on the filling platform 1a. Specifically, the control unit 210 controls the data recording unit 305 to read the "cassette ID" information stored in the cassette information D22 as the unique identification information of the drug cassette 2 from the RFID tag 206 of the drug cassette 2 placed on the filling platform 1a. The control unit 210 then verifies the "cassette ID" information read from the RFID tag 206 against the "cassette ID," which is the unique identification information of the drug cassette 2 to be assigned in step S23 and stored in the storage unit 202. If the verification result matches, the control unit 210 proceeds to step S38; if the verification result does not match, it executes a predetermined error notification process. This prevents information from being written to the RFID tag 206 of the wrong drug cassette 2 in the next step S38.

[0201] <Step S38> In step S38, the control unit 210 uses the data recording unit 305 to store information such as the drug code, stability coefficient, placement restrictions, size type, branch number, and model number corresponding to the assigned tablet selected in step S21 in the assigned drug information D21 of the writable area 261 of the RFID tag 206 of the drug cassette 2. At this time, the dispensing confirmation flag in the assigned drug information D21 is initially set to "1" and will be updated to "0" in step S56, which will be described later.

[0202] As a result, by referring to the assigned drug information D21, the control unit 210 can determine, for example, if a drug code is stored and the dispensing confirmation flag is "1", that the drug cassette 2 equipped with the RFID tag 206 on which the assigned drug information D21 is stored is in a state after the manual adjustment work is completed and before the test dispensing process described later is executed. On the other hand, by referring to the assigned drug information D21, the control unit 210 can determine, for example, if a drug code is not stored, that the drug cassette 2 equipped with the RFID tag 206 on which the assigned drug information D21 is stored is in a state before the manual adjustment work is completed. Furthermore, by referring to the assigned drug information D21, the control unit 210 can determine, for example, if a drug code is stored and the dispensing confirmation flag is "0", that the drug cassette 2 equipped with the RFID tag 206 on which the assigned drug information D21 is stored is in a state after the manual adjustment work is completed and after the test dispensing process described later is executed.

[0203] <Step S39> In step S39, the control unit 210 updates the drug identification information corresponding to drug cassette 2 in the assignment correspondence information D31 to the drug identification information corresponding to the assigned tablet. In this way, in steps S38 to S39, the control unit 210 assigns the assigned tablet to drug cassette 2 by associating it with the drug cassette 2. Steps S38 to S39 are executed by the assignment processing unit 211 of the control unit 210.

[0204] <Step S40> In step S40, the control unit 210 determines whether the setting to output label L1, which includes a verification code, in the adjustment support process is valid. For example, in the initial setup of the drug dispensing device 1, the control unit 210 can enable or disable the setting to output label L1 in the adjustment support process according to user operation. For example, the verification code includes drug identification information such as a drug code or drug name corresponding to the assigned tablet, and a cassette number which is the unique identification information of the drug cassette 2. If it is determined that the setting to output label L1 is valid (S40: Yes), the process proceeds to step S41. If it is determined that the setting to output label L1 is not valid (S40: No), the process proceeds to step S401.

[0205] <Step S41> In step S41, the control unit 210 performs a code output process to output label information corresponding to label L1, which includes the matching code, and proceeds to step S42. The label information may include, in addition to the matching code, characters indicating drug identification information such as a drug code or drug name corresponding to the assigned tablet, characters indicating the cassette number which is the unique identification information of drug cassette 2, and other information such as an image of the appearance of the tablet corresponding to the assigned tablet. Step S40 is performed by the code output processing unit 215 of the control unit 210.

[0206] Specifically, in step S41, the control unit 210 executes code output processing in response to user operation. For example, the control unit 210 displays the print screen P41 shown in Figure 46 on the display unit 201. The print screen P41 includes an area A411 where a print preview of label L1 is displayed, and an area A412 where a print key K41 that accepts user operation is displayed. When the print key K41 displayed on the print screen P41 is operated by the user, the label information is sent to a printer or label printing device (not shown) connected to the control device 200 to print label L1. For example, the label information includes two labels L1 showing the verification code, and each of these labels L1 is inserted into pockets 6a and 7a of the chemical cassette 2, or affixed to the front or side and top (lid 6) of the chemical cassette 2. The label information may include one or three or more labels L1 showing the verification code. Furthermore, the output method of the label information is not limited to printing; it may also be output via email or by sending it to a communication terminal using social media, etc.

[0207] <Step S401> In step S401, the control unit 210 displays an adjustment completion screen P42, indicating that the manual adjustment work has been completed, as a pop-up on the assignment start screen P1 displayed in step S22, and proceeds to step S42. As shown in Figure 47, the adjustment completion screen P42 displays information such as that the manual adjustment work has been completed and that the rotor 8 is removable. When the user performs an operation to close the adjustment completion screen P42, the control unit 210 proceeds to step S42.

[0208] <Step S42> As shown in Figure 35, in step S42, the control unit 210 determines whether to perform a test dispensing operation to dispense tablets from the drug cassette 2 after the manual adjustment operation has been performed. If it is determined to perform the test dispensing operation (S42: Yes), the process proceeds to step S43; if it is determined not to perform the test dispensing operation (S42: No), the adjustment support process ends.

[0209] For example, as shown in Figures 48 and 49, the control unit 210 displays a selection screen P51 on the display unit 201 to allow the user to choose whether or not to continue the test dispensing operation. The selection screen P51 displays an operation key K511 for selecting to continue the test dispensing operation and an operation key K512 for selecting to perform the test dispensing operation later. When the operation key K511 is operated, the control unit 210 displays an overview of the user's work required to continue the test dispensing operation using text, images, photographs, or videos, as shown in Figure 48. On the other hand, when the operation key K512 is operated, the control unit 210 displays an overview of the user's work required to perform the test dispensing operation later using text, images, photographs, or videos, as shown in Figure 49.

[0210] <Step S43> In step S43, the control unit 210 controls the data recording unit 305 to read the assigned drug information D21 and the cassette information D22 from the RFID tag 206 of the drug cassette 2 placed on the filling stand 1a, and stores this information in the storage unit 202 as information about the drug cassette 2 that is the subject of this test dispensing operation. The RFID tag 206 provided on the drug cassette 2 is just one example of a recording medium on which information can be recorded. Instead of the RFID tag 206, a recording medium such as an attached label on which the same information as the RFID tag 206 is recorded (printed) using a one-dimensional code or two-dimensional code that can be read by a barcode reader may be used.

[0211] <Step S44> In step S44, the control unit 210 determines whether the verification code contained in label L1 has been read by the code reading unit 304. For example, the control unit 210 displays a work support screen P61 on the display unit 201 that displays characters, images, photographs, or videos to prompt the reading of the verification code using the code reading unit 304. The control unit 210 also displays, based on the information of the dispensing confirmation flag in the assigned drug information D21, whether or not there is dispensing confirmation information ("verified", "not verified", etc.) indicating that a tablet was dispensed in the test dispensing operation in the display area A611 of the work support screen P61. The display of the work support screen P61 is performed by the display processing unit 218 of the control unit 210.

[0212] Here, when the user reads the matching code contained in label L1 using the code reading unit 304, it is determined in step S44 that the matching code has been read (S44:Yes), and the process proceeds to step S45. However, until the matching code is read (S44:Yes), the process waits in step S44.

[0213] <Step S45> In step S45, the control unit 210 compares the assigned drug information D21 read from the RFID tag 206 in step S43 with the matching code read from the label L1 in step S44. Specifically, the control unit 210 compares the cassette number contained in the assigned drug information D21 with the cassette number contained in the matching code read from the label L1 in step S44. If the comparison results match, the control unit 210 proceeds to step S46; if the comparison results do not match, it executes a predetermined error notification. If the comparison results match, the control unit 210 displays the comparison result in an identifiable manner on the work support screen P61.

[0214] <Step S46> In step S46, the control unit 210 uses the code reading unit 304 to determine whether drug identification information has been read from the code attached to the medicine box or the like containing the assigned tablets. For example, the control unit 210 displays characters, images, photographs, or videos on the display unit 201 to prompt the user to read the code of the tablet corresponding to the assigned tablet using the code reading unit 304. As a result, the user reads the drug identification information from the code attached to the medicine box or the like containing the assigned tablets using the code reading unit 304. If it is determined that the drug identification information has been read (S46:Yes), the process moves to step S47, and the process waits in step S46 until the drug identification information is read (S46:Yes).

[0215] <Step S47> In step S47, the control unit 210 compares the assigned drug information D21 read from the RFID tag 206 in step S43 with the drug identification information read in step S46. Specifically, the control unit 210 compares the drug identification information, such as the drug code included in the assigned drug information D21, with the drug identification information read in step S47. If the comparison results match, the control unit 210 proceeds to step S48; if the comparison results do not match, it executes a predetermined error notification. If the comparison results match, the control unit 210 displays the comparison result in an identifiable manner on the work support screen P61.

[0216] <Step S48> In step S48, the control unit 210 receives input on the work support screen P61 of one or more of the following: the quantity of tablets to be filled into the drug cassette 2, the filling date, or the expiration date. That is, the control unit 210 can receive input regarding the tablets to be filled into the drug cassette 2 before the start of the test dispensing operation for the drug cassette 2. Step S48 is executed by the reception processing unit 216 of the control unit 210. When the registration key K61 displayed on the work support screen P61 is operated, the control unit 210 proceeds to step S49. Furthermore, even if the control unit 210 has not received input such as the quantity of tablets to be filled into the drug cassette 2, the filling date, or the expiration date when the registration key K61 is operated, it proceeds to step S49.

[0217] <Step S49> In step S49, the control unit 210 displays a work support screen P71 on the display unit 201 to assist the user in the test dispensing process, which is part of the process group, when executing the test dispensing operation. Specifically, in step S49, a work support screen P71 is displayed to assist the first test dispensing process, which is performed by the user before executing the test dispensing operation. The work support screen P71 for assisting the second test dispensing process, which is performed by the user after executing the test dispensing operation, is displayed in step S54, which will be described later.

[0218] As shown in Figure 51, the work support screen P71 displays a display area A711 that shows text, images, photographs, or videos indicating the content of the work processes included in the test dispensing process, and a display area A712 that shows the progress of the work processes in the test dispensing process.

[0219] Furthermore, the work support screen P71 displays operation keys K711 and K712 for advancing the work steps in the test dispensing process, and the control unit 210 advances one work step in the test dispensing process displayed on the work support screen P71 in response to the operation of operation key K711 or operation key K712. The work support screen P71 also displays operation key K713 for going back one work step in the test dispensing process, and the control unit 210 goes back one work step in the test dispensing process displayed on the work support screen P71 in response to the operation of operation key K713. Then, when operation key K711 is operated on the work support screen P71 which is displayed corresponding to the last work step included in the test dispensing process, the control unit 210 moves the process to step S50.

[0220] This allows the user to easily perform the first test dispensing steps before executing the test dispensing operation by sequentially referring to the display in the display area A711. For example, the first test dispensing steps include the steps of attaching a label L1 to the drug cassette 2, reading the verification code on the label L1 attached to the drug cassette 2 with the code reading unit 304, reading the code attached to the medicine box or the like containing the assigned tablets, filling the drug cassette 2 with tablets corresponding to the assigned tablets, and mounting the drug cassette 2 to the drug dispensing device 1.

[0221] <Step S50> In step S50, the control unit 210 causes the drug dispensing device 1 to perform the test dispensing operation, and when the test dispensing operation is completed, it proceeds to step S51. Specifically, the control unit 210 inputs pre-set test dispensing data to the drug dispensing device 1 to perform the test dispensing operation, and causes the drug dispensing device 1 to perform the test dispensing operation based on the test dispensing data. The processing in step S50 is performed by the determination processing unit 212 of the control unit 210.

[0222] The test dispensing data is data for dispensing a predetermined specific number of the assigned tablets from the drug cassette 2. In particular, the test dispensing data may be data for packaging the predetermined specific number of assigned tablets into a predetermined specific number of packaging papers. For example, the predetermined specific number and the predetermined number of packaging papers are predetermined fixed values, and the type of tablets to be dispensed in the test dispensing operation is set by the control unit 210 for each adjustment support process.

[0223] At this time, the drug dispensing device 1 dispenses the number of tablets indicated in the test dispensing data from the drug cassette 2 and performs a packaging process in which the tablets are divided into one or more packaging papers. For example, five tablets of the allocated tablets are divided into two packaging papers. Also, when the packaging process is performed, the drug dispensing device 1 counts the number of tablets dispensed from the drug cassette 2, and takes a photograph of the tablets dispensed from the drug cassette 2. The number of tablets and the photograph of the tablets are then transmitted to the control device 200. The photograph of the tablets taken by the dispensing detection device 303 may be taken for each tablet, or it may be taken for each packaging paper after the tablets have been wrapped in the packaging paper.

[0224] <Step S51> In step S51, the control unit 210 displays a test dispensing result screen P81, which shows the result of the test dispensing operation, on the display unit 201. As shown in Figures 52 and 53, the test dispensing result screen P81 displays an image F811 captured by the dispensing detection unit 303 in the drug dispensing device 1 during the test dispensing operation, and a display area A811 that displays information such as whether the number of tablets to be dispensed detected by the dispensing detection unit 303 during the test dispensing operation is appropriate. For example, Figure 52 shows an example of the display of the test dispensing result screen P81 when the test dispensing operation is performed normally, and Figure 53 shows an example of the display of the test dispensing result screen P81 when the test dispensing operation is not performed normally.

[0225] The control unit 210 may also count the number of tablets dispensed during the test dispensing operation based on the captured image F811 taken by the dispensing detection unit 303. Furthermore, the control unit 210 may determine, based on the captured image F811, whether or not the type of tablet actually dispensed during the test dispensing operation is the assigned tablet, and display the determination result on the test dispensing result screen P81.

[0226] <Step S52> In step S52, the control unit 210 determines whether or not a tablet was correctly dispensed from the drug cassette 2 by the test dispensing operation. Note that the process in step S52 is an example of a determination step performed by the determination processing unit 212 of the control unit 210.

[0227] Specifically, the control unit 210 displays an operation key K811 on the test dispensing result screen P81, which the user operates when they confirm that there are no problems with the results of the test dispensing operation. In step S52, the control unit 210 determines whether or not the operation key K811 has been operated. That is, the control unit 210 determines that tablets have been correctly dispensed from the drug cassette 2, provided that a specific user operation has been performed after the test dispensing operation for the drug cassette 2 has been executed.

[0228] If the test dispensing operation determines that the tablets were correctly dispensed from the drug cassette 2 (S52: Yes), the process proceeds to step S53. If the test dispensing operation determines that the tablets were not correctly dispensed from the drug cassette 2 (S52: No), the process proceeds to step S521. Note that the display of the captured image F811 on the test dispensing result screen P81 is omitted, and the user may visually confirm the tablets actually dispensed from the drug dispensing device 1 and then operate the operation key K811.

[0229] In another embodiment, the control unit 210 may automatically determine, based on the detection result by the dispensing detection unit 303, whether the number of tablets actually dispensed in the test dispensing operation is the specified number, and if the determination result matches, it may determine that tablets were correctly dispensed from the drug cassette 2 by the test dispensing operation.

[0230] In another embodiment, the control unit 210 may automatically determine, based on the captured image F811, whether the type of tablet actually dispensed in the test dispensing operation is the assigned tablet, and if the determination result matches, it may determine that the tablet was correctly dispensed from the drug cassette 2 by the test dispensing operation.

[0231] Furthermore, in another embodiment, the control unit 210 may determine that a tablet has been correctly dispensed from the drug cassette 2 by the test dispensing operation, provided that the test dispensing operation for the drug cassette 2 has been completed.

[0232] <Step S521> In step S521, the control unit 210 determines whether the user has requested a retry of the test dispensing operation. Specifically, the test dispensing result screen P81 displays the operation key K812 that the user operates when the test dispensing operation is to be repeated, and in step S521, the control unit 210 determines whether the operation key K812 has been operated. If it is determined that a request to retry the test dispensing operation has been made (S521: Yes), the process proceeds to step S522, and if it is determined that a request to retry the test dispensing operation has not been made (S521: No), the process proceeds to step S524.

[0233] <Steps S522~S523> In steps S522 to S523, the control unit 210 accepts the selection of a method for repeating the test dispensing operation.

[0234] Specifically, the control unit 210 displays a selection screen P811 on the display unit 201 on the test dispensing result screen P81 to accept the selection of a method for redoing the test dispensing operation. As shown in Figure 54, the selection screen P811 displays an operation key K814 that the user operates when redoing the test dispensing operation, and an operation key K815 that the user operates when redoing the manual adjustment operation.

[0235] Then, when the operation key K814 is operated, the control unit 210 determines to restart the test dispensing operation (S522: Yes) and moves the process to step S50. However, if it is possible to re-execute the test dispensing operation without re-executing the manual adjustment operation, the destination of the process is not limited to step S50.

[0236] On the other hand, when the operation key K815 is operated, the control unit 210 determines that the manual adjustment operation should be restarted (S523: Yes) and proceeds to step S21. However, the destination of the process is not limited to step S21, as long as at least the manual adjustment operation and the test dispensing operation can be re-executed.

[0237] <Step S524> In step S524, the control unit 210 determines whether to terminate the adjustment support process midway due to an abnormality in the test dispensing operation. Specifically, the test dispensing result screen P81 displays the operation key K813 that the user operates when terminating the adjustment support process midway due to an abnormality in the test dispensing operation. In step S524, the control unit 210 determines whether the operation key K813 has been operated. If it is determined that the adjustment support process should be terminated midway (S524: Yes), the process proceeds to step S525. If it is not determined that the adjustment support process should be terminated midway (S524: No), the process returns to step S52. The control unit 210 may also determine to automatically terminate the adjustment support process midway if the test dispensing operation is not performed normally even after the test dispensing operation has been executed a preset number of times (S54: Yes).

[0238] <Step S525> In step S525, the control unit 210 displays an error notification screen P812 as shown in FIG. 54 on the display unit 201 to notify the user of an error. For example, in the error notification, a message such as that the adjustment support process is terminated halfway due to an abnormality in the test dispensing operation is notified. Then, when a close key K816 displayed on the error notification screen P812 is operated, the control unit 210 closes the error notification screen P812 and ends the adjustment support process. Note that when the drug allocation process and the adjustment support process are each ended, the control unit 210 may store the contents of the drug allocation process and the adjustment support process in the storage unit 202 as history information.

[0239] Specifically, in the test dispensing operation, when the control unit 210 executes a dispensing operation of a specific number of tablets from the drug cassette 2 and the tablets dispensed from the drug cassette 2 are not detected by the dispensing detection unit 303, it is conceivable to display on the error notification screen P812 that the tablets cannot be dispensed. Further, in the test dispensing operation, when the control unit 210 executes a dispensing operation of a specific number of tablets from the drug cassette 2 and determines the number of tablets dispensed from the drug cassette 2 and detected by the dispensing detection unit 303, and if the number of the tablets is different from the specific number, an error (such as excess or shortage) indicating that the number of dispensed tablets is different may be displayed on the error notification screen P812. Note that the control unit 210 may display a message or an image or the like for notifying the user of one or more preset confirmation locations or confirmation contents according to the content of the error on the error notification screen P812.

[0240] <Step S53> If the user confirms in step S52 that the test dispensing operation is normal (S52: Yes), in the following step S53, the control unit 210 displays an approval screen P82 on the display unit 201 for accepting user approval. As shown in Figure 56, the approval screen P82 displays the cassette number of the drug cassette 2 adjusted in the adjustment support process and the drug name of the assigned tablet, and allows the user name of the user responsible for adjusting the drug cassette 2 in the adjustment support process to be entered. After the user name is entered, if the operation key K821 displayed on the approval screen P82 is operated, the control unit 210 moves the process to step S54.

[0241] <Step S54> In step S54, the control unit 210 displays a work support screen P71 to assist the user in performing the second test dispensing step after the execution of the test dispensing operation. For example, the second test dispensing step includes the steps of removing the chemical cassette 2 from the chemical dispensing device 1 and placing the chemical cassette 2 on the filling table 1a of the chemical dispensing device 1. The work support screen P71 is the same as the work support screen P71 displayed in step S49 before the execution of the test dispensing operation, so a detailed explanation is omitted, but for example, Figure 57 shows a work support screen P71 displaying the step of removing the chemical cassette 2 from the chemical dispensing device 1. This makes it possible for the user to easily perform the second test dispensing step after the execution of the test dispensing operation by referring sequentially to the display in the display area A711.

[0242] <Step S55> In step S55, the control unit 210 compares the information on the RFID tag 206 of the chemical cassette 2 placed on the filling platform 1a. Specifically, the control unit 210 controls the data recording unit 305 to read the cassette information D22 from the RFID tag 206 of the chemical cassette 2 placed on the filling platform 1a. The control unit 210 then compares the "cassette ID" information read from the RFID tag 206 with the "cassette ID," which is the unique identification information of the chemical cassette 2 to be adjusted, stored in the storage unit 202 in step S23. If the comparison results match, the control unit 210 proceeds to step S56; if the comparison results do not match, it executes a predetermined error notification process. This prevents information from being written to the RFID tag 206 of the wrong chemical cassette 2 in the next step S56.

[0243] <Step S56> In step S56, the control unit 210 uses the data recording unit 305 to store the dispensing confirmation information on the RFID tag 206 of the drug cassette 2, indicating that the test dispensing operation for the drug cassette 2 has been completed. Specifically, the control unit 210 updates the dispensing confirmation flag included in the assigned drug information D21 in the writable area 261 of the RFID tag 206 from "1" to "0". Step S56 is an example of a storage step executed by the storage processing unit 213 of the control unit 210. In this embodiment, the case where user approval (S53) and verification of the information on the RFID tag 206 (S55) are performed are given as examples, but in other embodiments, the storage step in step S56 may be executed when the user confirms in step S52 that the result of the test dispensing operation is normal.

[0244] <Step S57> In step S57, the control unit 210 updates the drug identification information corresponding to drug cassette 2 in the assignment correspondence information D31 to the drug identification information corresponding to the assigned tablet selected in step S21. This enables the control unit 210 in the drug dispensing device 1 to identify the correspondence between the assigned tablet and drug cassette 2 based on the assignment correspondence information D31. The control unit 210 may execute only one of step S39 or step S57. Alternatively, in step S39, the control unit 210 may provisionally register the correspondence between the cassette number of drug cassette 2 and the assigned tablet, and in step S57, confirm this provisional registration as a final registration. Furthermore, in step S39, the control unit 210 may register the cassette number of drug cassette 2 in the assignment correspondence information D31, and in step S57, register the drug code of the assigned tablet in association with the cassette number.

[0245] Furthermore, in step S57, the control unit 210 may store the dispensing confirmation information in the assignment correspondence information D31, associating it with the assigned tablets and cassette identification information such as the cassette ID of the drug cassette 2. The control unit 210 may then restrict dispensing based on the prescription data for tablet types and drug cassettes 2 for which the dispensing confirmation information is not stored in the assignment correspondence information D31.

[0246] As described above, the drug dispensing system 500 can assist the user in assigning types of tablets to drug cassettes 2 and manually adjusting drug cassettes 2 by performing the drug assignment process and the adjustment support process, thereby improving the user's work efficiency.

[0247] Furthermore, in the chemical dispensing system 500, during the adjustment support process, a list of multiple work process groups included in the manual adjustment work using the adjustment unit is displayed, and then one or more work processes included in each of those work process groups are displayed in order. This process is an example of a display step executed by the display processing unit 218 of the control unit 210. This allows the user to understand the contents of each work process group to be performed in the overall manual adjustment work before starting the work processes in each of the multiple work process groups.

[0248] [Medication Dispensing Processing] Next, an example of the procedure for the chemical dispensing process will be described with reference to Figure 58. This chemical dispensing process is an example of a dispensing step performed by the dispensing processing unit 220 of the control unit 210 of the control device 200. This chemical dispensing process may also be performed by the control unit 310 of the chemical dispensing device 1.

[0249] <Step S61> In step S61, the control unit 210 determines whether a dispensing start operation for specific prescription data has been performed on the operation unit 203. For example, the control unit 210 determines that a dispensing start operation has been performed when any prescription data is selected as a dispensing target by user operation from prescription data input to the control device 200 from a higher-level system such as an electronic medical record system (not shown), and an operation to start dispensing for that prescription data is performed on the operation unit 203. If it is determined that a dispensing start operation has been performed (S61:Yes), the process moves to step S62, and if it is determined that a dispensing start operation has been performed (S61:No), the process waits in step S61.

[0250] <Step S62> In step S62, the control unit 210 identifies the control target for dispensing tablets included as prescription drugs in the prescription data based on the assignment correspondence information D31. Specifically, the control unit 210 identifies the drug cassette 2 corresponding to the type of tablet to be dispensed (drug code) based on the assignment correspondence information D31. The control unit 210 also identifies the base 3 in which the identified drug cassette 2 is installed based on the base master D41. If the prescription data includes multiple types of tablets as prescription drugs, multiple control targets for dispensing each of those tablets are identified. Once the control targets for dispensing all the tablets have been identified, the process proceeds to step S63.

[0251] Furthermore, in step S62, the control unit 210 identifies the manual dispensing unit 302 as the control target for tablets included as prescription drugs in the prescription data that cannot be dispensed from the drug cassette 2 by the drug dispensing device 1. Subsequently, the control unit 210 displays a display screen on the display unit 201 to assist in the manual dispensing unit 302 in loading tablets into each of the DTA cells. Then, in the drug dispensing operation described later, the tablets dispensed from the manual dispensing unit 302 are also packaged in individual packaging paper corresponding to the timing of administration, together with the tablets dispensed from the drug cassette 2.

[0252] <Step S63> In step S63, the control unit 210 determines whether the test dispensing operation has already been completed for each of the drug cassettes 2 identified in step S62. Specifically, the control unit 210 controls the data reading unit 306 provided on the base 3 to which each drug cassette 2 is mounted, and reads the assigned drug information D21 from the RFID tag 206 of each drug cassette 2 identified in step S62. The control unit 210 then determines that the test dispensing operation for the drug cassette 2 has already been completed if the dispensing confirmation flag stored in the assigned drug information D21 read from the drug cassette 2 is "0".

[0253] If it is determined that the test dispensing operation has already been completed (S63: Yes), the process proceeds to step S67. If it is determined that the test dispensing operation has not yet been completed (S63: No), the process proceeds to step S64. In a configuration where the dispensing confirmation information is stored in the storage unit 202 for each chemical cassette 2, the control unit 210 can determine whether the test dispensing operation has already been completed based on the dispensing confirmation information stored in the storage unit 202.

[0254] In the drug dispensing process, the control unit 210 identifies the drug cassette 2 to which the type of tablet (drug code) included as a prescribed drug in the prescription data is assigned in step S62. Therefore, in step S63, if the type of tablet (drug code) included as a prescribed drug in the prescription data is stored in the assigned drug information D21 and the dispensing confirmation flag is "1", the control unit 2 determines that the drug cassette 2 corresponding to the assigned drug information D21 is in the state after the completion of the manual adjustment work and before the execution of the test dispensing process (S63: Yes), and proceeds to step S64.

[0255] <Step S64> In step S64, the control unit 210 notifies the user by displaying a message on the display unit 201 indicating that the test dispensing operation of the chemical cassette 2 is not yet complete, and after executing the process to start the test dispensing operation, proceeds to step S65. For example, the control unit 210 displays a display screen on the display unit 201 to inquire whether or not to perform the test dispensing operation for the chemical cassette 2 for which the test dispensing operation is incomplete, and accepts the execution request operation for the test dispensing operation on the display screen. Upon receiving the execution request operation, the control unit 210 executes the test dispensing operation by executing the processes from step S43 onwards of the adjustment support process. The control unit 210 can execute the chemical dispensing process in parallel with other processes such as the chemical allocation process or the adjustment support process.

[0256] Further, the control unit 210 can select the medicine cassette 2 to be the target of executing the test dispensing operation according to a user operation not only at the timing when the medicine dispensing process is executed but also at any timing such as before the start of the medicine dispensing process, and execute the test dispensing operation for the medicine cassette 2. For example, the control unit 210 searches for and displays, as selection candidates, the types of tablets or the medicine cassette 2 for which the test dispensing operation is incomplete based on the assigned medicine information D21 of each medicine cassette 2, and when any of the selection candidates is selected by a user operation, starts the test dispensing operation for the medicine cassette 2 corresponding to the selection candidate.

[0257] <Step S65> In step S65, the control unit 210 waits for the completion of the test dispensing operation for the medicine cassette 2 for which the test dispensing operation is incomplete (S65: No). Specifically, when the control unit 210 stores the dispensing confirmation information in the RFID tag 206 of the medicine cassette 2 for which the test dispensing operation is incomplete, it determines that the test dispensing operation has been completed. Here, when it is determined that the test dispensing operation has been completed (S65: Yes), the process proceeds to step S66. On the other hand, until the test dispensing operation is completed (S65: No), the control unit 210 prohibits the execution of the medicine dispensing operation in step S66 described below by waiting in step S65. Thus, the control unit 210 restricts the medicine dispensing operation when the dispensing confirmation information corresponding to the medicine cassette 2 is not stored in the RFID tag 206.

[0258] As another embodiment, after the control unit 210 notifies the user that the test dispensing operation has not been completed for any of the medicine cassettes 2 specified in step S62, when a user operation to permit the execution of the medicine dispensing operation is performed, the process may proceed to step S66 to start the medicine dispensing operation. Also in this case, the control unit 210 restricts the execution of the medicine dispensing operation until the user operation is performed.

[0259] <Step S66> In step S66, the control unit 210 sends a drug dispensing start instruction to the drug dispensing device 1 to perform a drug dispensing operation to dispense tablets from each of the drug cassettes 2 identified in step S62, and returns the process to step S61. Specifically, the drug dispensing start instruction includes information such as the cassette ID of the drug cassette 2 identified based on the prescription data, the stability coefficient corresponding to the type of tablet assigned to the drug cassette 2, and the number of tablets to be dispensed corresponding to the prescription amount shown in the prescription data. As a result, the dispensing execution processing unit 311 of the control unit 310 in the drug dispensing device 1 dispenses the specified number of tablets from each of the drug cassettes 2 based on the drug dispensing start instruction. Furthermore, if it is necessary to use the manual dispensing unit 302 in the drug dispensing operation based on the prescription data, the control unit 210 also sends information such as the tablets placed in each of the DTA cells of the manual dispensing unit 302 in the drug dispensing start instruction. As a result, the drug dispensing device 1 can dispense tablets from the manual dispensing unit 302 as appropriate during the drug dispensing operation based on the drug dispensing start instruction.

[0260] As explained above, in the drug dispensing system 500, the execution of the drug dispensing process prevents the drug dispensing operation from being performed using a drug cassette 2 that has not undergone the test dispensing process. This prevents problems such as the required number of tablets not being dispensed during the drug dispensing operation.

[0261] [Other embodiments] In the adjustment device 100 according to the above embodiment, the execution order of the height adjustment process, depth adjustment process, and width adjustment process is predetermined, and the execution order is displayed, so that an optical sensor or the like for detecting whether the adjustment member 102 is inserted from the upper guide hole 125 corresponding to the height, depth, or width toward the lower guide hole 126 can be omitted. On the other hand, an insertion detection unit such as an optical sensor for detecting the insertion of the adjustment member 102 may be provided in the adjustment device 100 for each guide hole 125 corresponding to the adjustment location (height, depth, width) into which the adjustment member 102 is inserted. As a result, the control unit 210 can recognize the insertion location of the adjustment member 102, i.e., the adjustment location, based on the detection result of the insertion detection unit. For example, the control unit 210 can select which of the height adjustment process, depth adjustment process, or width adjustment process to execute according to the detection result of the insertion detection unit. Accordingly, there is no need for the adjustment order of the adjustment locations to be predetermined, or for the user to select the adjustment locations, and the user can execute the height adjustment process, depth adjustment process, and width adjustment process in any order.

[0262] In the adjustment device 100 according to the above embodiment, the depth, height, and width of the groove in the tablet guide path 8b are adjustable. However, in other embodiments, the configuration may be such that one or two of the groove depth, height, and width are adjustable.

[0263] In the above embodiment, the adjustment device 100 is configured so that the user manually adjusts the dimensions of the grooves in the tablet guide path 8b using the adjustment member 102. However, in another embodiment, the adjustment device 100 or the adjustment member 102 may be provided with a drive unit such as a motor and a battery that supplies power to the drive unit, and the grip unit 147 may be rotatable by the driving force of the drive unit.

[0264] In the drug dispensing system 500 according to the above embodiment, the rotor 8 is adjusted after it has been removed from the drug cassette 2. However, in another embodiment, the dimensions of the grooves in the tablet guide path 8b of the rotor 8 may be adjustable while the rotor 8 is mounted in the drug cassette 2. For example, with the lid 6 of the drug cassette 2 open and the rotor cover 30 removed, the adjustment member 102 may be able to adjust at least one of the depth, height, or width of the grooves in the tablet guide path 8b of the rotor 8 inside the drug cassette 2, or the entry position of the partition member 20.

[0265] Furthermore, as another configuration for the drug dispensing device 1, it is conceivable that each base 3 on which the drug cassette 2 is mounted is provided with an adjustment unit capable of automatically adjusting the dispensing path of the drug cassette 2. In such a configuration, since the dispensing path of the drug cassette 2 can be automatically adjusted by the adjustment unit after the drug cassette 2 is mounted on the base 3, human errors such as incorrect adjustment or forgetting to adjust the dispensing path of the drug cassette 2, or incorrect mounting after the dispensing path of the drug cassette 2 has been adjusted, are less likely to occur. However, in the drug dispensing system 500 according to this embodiment, an adjustment device 100 for the user to manually adjust the dispensing path of the drug cassette 2 is provided separately from the drug dispensing device 1, and the drug dispensing device 1 is not provided with an adjustment unit capable of automatically adjusting the dispensing path of the drug cassette 2 on each base 3. Therefore, in the drug dispensing system 500, as described above, the test dispensing operation is performed before the drug dispensing operation based on prescription data is performed. As a result, the drug dispensing system 500 suppresses human errors such as incorrect adjustment, forgetting to adjust, or incorrect installation of the aforementioned drug cassette 2.

[0266] [Work support display function] Incidentally, even if a user does not have tablets on hand, such as tablets that are not in stock at the facility where the drug dispensing system 500 is used, or new drugs that have not yet arrived, it is conceivable that, from the perspective of improving operational efficiency, it may be desirable to assign the type of tablet to drug cassette 2 and perform the aforementioned manual adjustment work on drug cassette 2 before the tablets arrive.

[0267] Therefore, the drug dispensing system 500 includes a work support display function in which the control unit 210 searches for the type of tablet or drug cassette 2 for which the test dispensing operation has not been completed, and displays the search results as selection candidates for the target of the test dispensing operation. The control unit 210 then executes the test dispensing operation for the type of tablet or drug cassette 2 selected from the selection candidates. The control unit 210 may display the selection candidates for the target of the test dispensing operation in response to user operation, or it may be executed automatically at a predetermined specific timing. For example, the specific timing is a time that can be arbitrarily set by the user and is stored in association with each drug cassette 2, such as the scheduled arrival time of the type of tablet assigned to the drug cassette 2 for which the test dispensing operation has not been performed, or the scheduled execution time when the test dispensing operation is performed when the manual adjustment work is executed.

[0268] As a result, the user can terminate the adjustment support process without executing the test dispensing operation if there are no tablets on hand, and then, at any time of their choosing, such as when tablets arrive, easily select the drug cassette 2 whose test dispensing operation is incomplete, as displayed by the work support display function, and execute the test dispensing operation.

[0269] Specifically, Figure 59 is a flowchart showing an example of the work support display processing performed by the control unit 210 to realize the work support display function. The control unit 210 may perform the work support display processing in parallel with other processing such as chemical allocation processing (see Figure 33), adjustment support processing (see Figures 34 to 36), and chemical dispensing processing (see Figure 58). In addition, part or all of the work support display processing may be performed by the control unit 310 of the chemical dispensing device 1.

[0270] <Step S71> As shown in Figure 59, in step S71, the control unit 210 determines whether the user has performed an incomplete display operation on the operation unit 203 to display the drug cassette 2 (corresponding to the incomplete drug dispensing unit) for which the test dispensing operation is incomplete. If it is determined that the incomplete display operation has been performed (S71: Yes), the process proceeds to step S72; if it is determined that the incomplete display operation has not been performed (S71: No), the process proceeds to step S711.

[0271] <Step S72> In step S72, the control unit 210 searches for drug cassette 2 whose test dispensing operation is incomplete based on the assigned drug information D21. Specifically, the control unit 210 searches for drug cassette 2 whose dispensing confirmation flag in the assigned drug information D21 is "1" as an incomplete drug cassette 2. Here, we will explain using the example of when drug cassette 2 whose test dispensing operation is incomplete is searched for as the processing target, but instead of drug cassette 2, the type of tablet whose test dispensing operation is incomplete may be searched for and displayed as the processing target.

[0272] <Step S73> In step S73, the control unit 210 displays an incomplete list screen on the display unit 201, which displays the drug cassette 2 extracted as a search result in step S72 as a list of selection candidates. For example, the incomplete list screen displays the cassette number of the drug cassette 2 for which the test dispensing operation has not been completed, and the identification information (drug code) of the tablet assigned to the drug cassette 2. The display processing in step S73 is performed by the display processing unit 218 of the control unit 210.

[0273] <Step S711> In step S711, the control unit 210 determines whether or not there is a drug cassette 2 for which the specific timing has arrived. If it is determined that there is a drug cassette 2 for which the specific timing has arrived (S711: Yes), the process moves to step S712. If there is no drug cassette 2 for which the specific timing has arrived (S711: No), the process returns to step S71.

[0274] <Step S712> In step S712, the control unit 210 displays a target list display screen on the display unit 201 for displaying one or more drug cassettes 2 that were determined in step S711 to have reached the specific timing as selection candidates. The control unit 210 may display only one or more drug cassettes 2 that were determined to have reached the specific timing on the target list display screen, or it may display a list of drug cassettes 2 whose test dispensing operation is currently incomplete, similar to the incomplete list display screen displayed in step S73. In addition, the control unit 210 may display a list of drug cassettes 2 whose test dispensing operation is currently incomplete, similar to the incomplete list display screen displayed in step S73, and may also display whether or not the specific timing has reached each of the drug cassettes 2 in an identifiable manner. The display processing in step S712 is performed by the display processing unit 218 of the control unit 210.

[0275] <Step S74> In step S74, the control unit 210 waits for a user selection operation to perform the test dispensing operation on either the chemical cassette 2 displayed in step S73 or S712 (S74: No). When a selection operation for a chemical cassette 2 is performed (S74: Yes), the test dispensing operation is performed by executing the processing from step S43 onward with the chemical cassette 2 selected by the selection operation as the processing target. When a predetermined operation to close the incomplete list display screen is performed, the control unit 210 closes the incomplete list display screen and returns the processing to step S71.

[0276] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S74 that a selection operation for the chemical cassette 2 has been performed, the control unit 210 notifies the user of the selected chemical cassette 2 in an identifiable manner. For example, the control unit 210 identifies the cassette number of the selected chemical cassette 2 based on the assigned chemical information D21 of the chemical cassette 2 and displays it on the display unit 201. Also, if the base 3 on which the chemical cassette 2 is attached and detached is provided with a light-emitting part such as an LED, the control unit 210 may light up or blink the light-emitting part of the base 3 on which the selected chemical cassette 2 is mounted.

[0277] Furthermore, the dispensing confirmation information in the assigned drug information D21 has been described here as an example of specific information according to the present invention. On the other hand, it is conceivable that the assigned drug information D21 may include verification confirmation information indicating whether or not the verification operation in step S45 has been completed, as an example of specific information according to the present invention. Specifically, the verification confirmation information is a verification confirmation flag whose initial value is "1" and which is reset to "1" by the control unit 210 when a type of tablet is assigned to the drug cassette 2. In addition, if the verification result of label L1 in step S45 is a match, the control unit 210 determines that the verification operation for label L1 has been completed and sets the verification confirmation flag to "0". In this way, the control unit 210 may store as verification confirmation information that the verification operation for drug cassette 2 has been completed by setting the verification confirmation flag to "0", and may store as verification confirmation information that the verification operation for drug cassette 2 has not been completed by setting the verification confirmation flag to "1". Furthermore, the process of storing specific information, such as the aforementioned verification information, in a storage unit such as the RFID tag 206 is performed by the storage processing unit 213 of the control unit 210. In addition, the verification information is not limited to the RFID tag 206, but may also be stored in the storage unit 202 in association with the cassette ID or cassette number of the chemical cassette 2, and the chemical code indicating the type of chemical assigned to the chemical cassette 2, similar to the dispensing confirmation information. This allows the control unit 210 to determine whether the test dispensing operation has been completed for each chemical cassette 2 based on the dispensing confirmation information, and also to determine whether the verification operation has been completed based on the verification information.

[0278] Then, during the incomplete display operation in step S71, the control unit 210 may accept a selection operation to display a list of drug cassettes 2 whose test dispensing operation is incomplete, or a list of drug cassettes 2 whose verification operation is incomplete (corresponding to the incomplete drug dispensing unit). Subsequently, if the control unit 210 selected to display a list of drug cassettes 2 whose test dispensing operation is incomplete during the incomplete display operation, it displays a list of drug cassettes 2 whose test dispensing operation is incomplete based on the dispensing confirmation flag in steps S72 to S73. On the other hand, if the control unit 210 selected to display a list of drug cassettes 2 whose verification operation is incomplete during the incomplete display operation, it displays a list of drug cassettes 2 whose verification operation is incomplete based on the verification confirmation information in steps S72 to S73. The control unit 210 may display only one of the following: a list of chemical cassettes 2 for which the test dispensing operation is incomplete, or a list of chemical cassettes 2 for which the verification operation is incomplete. It may also display both simultaneously.

[0279] [Medication dispensing support function] The user of the drug dispensing device 1 may perform a drug loading operation, such as placing tablets into a drug cassette 2 corresponding to the type of tablet. For example, tablets dispensed from the drug dispensing device 1 may be returned to the drug cassette 2. Furthermore, tablets held by a patient, or tablets dispensed from other dispensing equipment, may also be returned to the drug cassette 2 of the drug dispensing device 1. When the user returns tablets to the drug cassette 2, it is necessary to determine the type of tablet. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-25870 discloses a drug sorting device that automatically determines the type of tablet based on an image captured by a camera, sorts the tablets by type, and stores them in a storage unit. Note that the method for determining the type of tablet is not limited to image-based methods, but may also be other methods such as component detection. In addition, the storage unit used for storing tablets sorted by this type of drug sorting device may be equipped with a recording medium such as an RFID tag that stores drug identification information (drug name or drug code, etc.) of the tablets stored in the storage unit. Furthermore, the drug sorting device is capable of recording the types of tablets to be stored in the storage compartment on the recording medium of the storage compartment.

[0280] As a result, the drug dispensing device 1 can identify the type of tablet stored in the storage unit by reading the drug identification information recorded on the RFID tag of the storage unit with the data recording unit 305. The RFID tag of the storage unit may also have information about the type of tablet to be stored in the storage unit pre-recorded on it. Here, if the drug dispensing device 1 displays the drug identification information read from the RFID tag of the storage unit, the user can understand the type of tablet stored in the storage unit. However, if the drug dispensing device 1 does not have a drug cassette 2 corresponding to the type of tablet stored in the storage unit, it cannot return the tablet to the drug cassette 2.

[0281] In contrast, the drug dispensing device 1 is equipped with a drug input support function in which the control unit 210 performs a drug input support process described later, thereby improving the work efficiency when loading tablets stored in the storage unit into the drug cassette 2. An example of the drug input support process will be described below with reference to Figure 60. The control unit 210 may perform the drug input support process in parallel with other processes such as drug assignment processing (see Figure 33), adjustment support processing (see Figures 34 to 36), drug dispensing processing (see Figure 58), and work support display processing (see Figure 59). Furthermore, part or all of the drug input support process may be performed by the control unit 310 of the drug dispensing device 1.

[0282] <Step S81> In step S81, the control unit 210 waits for an operation to start dispensing tablets into the drug cassette 2 (S81: No). If it is determined that the dispensing start operation has been performed (S81: Yes), the process proceeds to step S82.

[0283] <Step S82> In step S82, the control unit 210 uses a data recording unit 305 built into the lower part of the filling platform 1a of the drug dispensing device 1 to read the drug identification information of the tablets stored in the storage unit from the RFID tag of the storage unit placed on the filling platform 1a. Note that the recording medium for the drug identification information of the tablets stored in the storage unit is not limited to RFID; for example, a label with a one-dimensional code or two-dimensional code indicating the drug identification information of the tablets printed on it may be attached to the storage unit, and the drug dispensing device 1 may read the drug identification information from the label using a barcode reader or the like.

[0284] <Step S83> In step S83, the control unit 210 determines, based on the assignment correspondence information D31 and the like, whether a drug cassette 2 associated with the type of tablet corresponding to the drug identification information read in step S82 exists in the drug dispensing device 1. If it is determined that a drug cassette 2 associated with the type of tablet exists in the drug dispensing device 1 (S83: Yes), the process proceeds to step S84. If it is determined that a drug cassette 2 associated with the type of tablet does not exist in the drug dispensing device 1 (S83: No), the process proceeds to step S831.

[0285] <Step S831> In step S831, the control unit 210 determines whether the type of tablet corresponding to the drug identification information read in step S82 is compatible with a drug cassette 2 usable by the drug dispensing device 1. Specifically, it is conceivable that the drug packaging master D11 contains cassette compatibility information for each type of drug, indicating the type of drug cassette 2 compatible with that drug.

[0286] For example, if multiple types of drug cassettes 2 with different sizes or shapes of dispenseable tablets are available for use in the drug dispensing device 1, the type of drug cassette 2 that is suitable for each type of tablet is registered in the drug packaging master D11 as cassette compatibility information. In addition, for example, pre-set types of tablets such as easily breakable tablets, tablets with special shapes, or tablets that leave colored powder on the drug cassette 2 are registered in the drug packaging master D11 as cassette compatibility information indicating that they are not suitable for any of the drug cassettes 2. The control unit 210 determines whether the type of tablet is suitable for the drug cassette 2 based on the cassette compatibility information in the drug packaging master D11.

[0287] Furthermore, if multiple types of drug cassettes 2 are available for use in the drug dispensing device 1, in step S831, it is determined which of the multiple types of drug cassettes 2 is suitable for the type of tablet. For example, below, a drug cassette 2 of the type in which the dispensing path can be manually adjusted by the user using the adjustment device 100 may be referred to as a manually adjusted cassette 2A. It is also conceivable that in the drug dispensing device 1, one or more bases 3 are equipped with an adjustment unit that can automatically adjust the drug cassette 2 to multiple states capable of dispensing different types of drugs, and that a type of drug cassette 2 that can be adjusted by this adjustment unit (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an "automatically adjusted cassette 2B") is available for use. In addition, it is also conceivable that in the drug dispensing device 1, one or more bases 3 can be fitted with a drug cassette 2 of the type in which only a predetermined specific type of tablet can be dispensed (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "fixed cassette 2C"). In this case, in step S831, the control unit 210 determines which of the multiple types of drug cassettes 2, such as the manually adjusted cassette 2A, the automatically adjusted cassette 2B, or the fixed cassette 2C, the type of tablet corresponding to the drug identification information read in step S82 is compatible with.

[0288] If it is determined that the type of tablet is compatible with any type of drug cassette 2 (S831: Yes), the process proceeds to step S832. If it is determined that the type of tablet is not compatible with any type of drug cassette 2 (S831: No), the process proceeds to step S835.

[0289] <Step S8311> In step S8311, the control unit 210 notifies the user by displaying a specific message on the display unit 201, such as that there is no drug cassette 2 of a type that matches the type of tablet corresponding to the drug identification information read in step S82. For example, the display unit 201 may display a message indicating that drug cassette 2 cannot be used for the type of tablet corresponding to the drug identification information.

[0290] <Step S832> On the other hand, in step S832, the control unit 210 displays a cassette preparation guidance screen on the display unit 201, which is pre-configured as a display screen to be shown when there is no drug cassette 2 associated with the type of tablet corresponding to the drug identification information read in step S82. In this embodiment, since the case in step S831 where it is determined whether or not the type of tablet is compatible with drug cassette 2 is described, the cassette preparation guidance screen is displayed when there is no drug cassette 2 associated with the type of tablet corresponding to the drug identification information, and when the type of tablet is compatible with drug cassette 2. On the other hand, step S831 may be omitted, in which case the cassette preparation guidance screen will be displayed when there is no drug cassette 2 associated with the type of tablet corresponding to the drug identification information. For example, the cassette preparation guidance screen may display a message indicating that there is no drug cassette 2 associated with the type of tablet.

[0291] Furthermore, the cassette preparation guidance screen may display guidance information such as a message prompting the user to prepare the drug cassette 2 corresponding to the type of tablet, or a start preparation button to begin preparing the drug cassette 2. For example, if the drug cassette 2 that matches the type of tablet is a manually adjusted cassette 2A, the cassette preparation guidance screen may display guidance information such as a message prompting the user to assign the type of tablet to the manually adjusted cassette 2A, or a start assignment button to begin the process of assigning the type of tablet to the manually adjusted cassette 2A. Similarly, if the drug cassette 2 that matches the type of tablet is an automatically adjusted cassette 2B, the cassette preparation guidance screen may display guidance information such as a message prompting the user to assign the type of tablet to the automatically adjusted cassette 2B, or a start assignment button to begin the process of assigning the type of tablet to the automatically adjusted cassette 2B. Furthermore, if the drug cassette 2 that is compatible with the type of tablet is a fixed cassette 2C, the cassette preparation guidance screen may display guidance information such as a message prompting the user to order a fixed cassette 2C corresponding to the type of tablet, or an order start button to start ordering a fixed cassette 2C corresponding to the type of tablet. If the type of tablet is compatible with multiple types of drug cassettes 2, multiple pieces of the guidance information may be displayed simultaneously.

[0292] <Step S833> In step S833, the control unit 210 determines whether or not to start preparing the drug cassette 2 corresponding to the type of tablet. For example, the control unit 210 determines to start preparing the drug cassette 2 corresponding to the type of tablet when the user operates an operation button for starting the preparation of the drug cassette 2, such as the assignment start button or the order start button displayed on the cassette preparation guidance screen. If it is determined that the drug cassette 2 will be prepared (S833:Yes), the process proceeds to step S834. On the other hand, if a user operation such as pressing the cancel button is performed on the cassette preparation guidance screen, for example, it is determined that the drug cassette 2 will not be prepared (S833:No), and the process returns to step S81.

[0293] <Step S834> In step S834, the control unit 210 performs a cassette preparation process to prepare a drug cassette 2 corresponding to the type of tablet, and then returns the process to step S81.

[0294] For example, if the control unit 210 is operating the assignment start operation when the drug cassette 2 to which the type of tablet is compatible is the manual adjustment cassette 2A, the control unit 210 executes the drug assignment process and the adjustment support process as the cassette preparation process. In this case, in step S21 of the drug assignment process, the type of tablet corresponding to the drug identification information read in step S82 is selected as the assigned tablet, and subsequent processing is executed. This executes processing to assign the type of tablet to the drug cassette 2, and processing to adjust the dispensing path of the drug cassette 2 according to the type of tablet, making it possible to dispense the tablet corresponding to the type of tablet from the drug cassette 2. Note that this adjustment support process is executed when there is a manual adjustment cassette 2A available for use in the drug dispensing device 1 that does not have a type of tablet assigned to it.

[0295] Furthermore, if the drug cassette 2 to which the type of tablet is compatible is the automatic adjustment cassette 2B, and the assignment start operation is performed, the control unit 210 may perform the drug assignment process and a process to automatically adjust the dispensing path of the automatic adjustment cassette 2B by the adjustment unit as the cassette preparation process. Note that if the drug cassette 2 to which the type of tablet is compatible is the automatic adjustment cassette 2B, the control unit 210 may automatically perform the drug assignment process and the automatic adjustment of the dispensing path of the automatic adjustment cassette 2B by the adjustment unit without requiring any user operation such as the assignment start operation. Note that such adjustment support processing may only be performed if there is an automatic adjustment cassette 2B with an unassigned type of tablet among the automatic adjustment cassettes 2B available for use in the drug dispensing device 1. Thus, the control unit 210 when performing the drug assignment process and the automatic adjustment of the dispensing path of the automatic adjustment cassette 2B by the adjustment unit for the automatic adjustment cassette 2B is an example of the adjustment processing unit according to the present invention.

[0296] Furthermore, when the order start button is operated, the control unit 210 performs a process to send order information for a fixed cassette 2C corresponding to the type of tablet corresponding to the drug identification information read in step S82 to a pre-set supplier as part of the cassette preparation process. As a result, the fixed cassette 2C corresponding to the type of tablet is delivered from the supplier to the user of the drug dispensing device 1, and tablets can be dispensed using the fixed cassette 2C.

[0297] In this explanation, we will use the example of a case where step S834 can be executed as needed. However, in other embodiments, the cassette preparation process in step S834 may not be performed, and only a message prompting the user to prepare the chemical cassette 2 may be displayed.

[0298] <Steps S84~S86> If, in step S83, it is determined that a drug cassette 2 corresponding to the type of tablet is present in the drug dispensing device 1 (S83: Yes), then in the following steps S84 to S86, the control unit 210 determines, similar to steps S63 to S65, whether the test dispensing operation has been completed for the drug cassette 22. If it has not been completed, it executes the test dispensing operation, and once the test dispensing operation is completed, the process proceeds to step S87. In another embodiment, if the test dispensing operation has not been completed for the drug cassette 22, steps S85 to S86 may not be executed and the process proceeds to step S87.

[0299] <Step S87> In step S87, the control unit 210 executes a tablet loading process to load tablets of the corresponding type into the drug cassette 2, and returns the process to step S81. Specifically, in the tablet loading process, the control unit 210 displays the position in which the drug cassette 2 corresponding to the type of tablet is installed. For example, the control unit 210 displays the cassette number or cassette ID of the drug cassette 2 corresponding to the type of tablet on the display unit 201 based on the assigned drug information D21 or the assigned correspondence information D31. Furthermore, if the base 3 into which the drug cassette 2 is attached and detached is provided with a light-emitting part such as an LED, the control unit 210 may light up the light-emitting part of the base 3 into which the drug cassette 2 corresponding to the type of tablet is installed. In addition, it is conceivable that the drug dispensing device 1 is configured to be able to move multiple drug cassettes 2 between a first position in which tablets can be dispensed from the drug cassette 2 and a second position in which the drug cassette 2 is attached and detached. In this case, the control unit 210 may also move the drug cassette 2 corresponding to the type of tablet to the second position during the tablet dispensing process.

[0300] As explained above, the drug dispensing support function guides the user through the necessary steps when a drug cassette 2 corresponding to the type of tablet the user wants to dispense into the drug dispensing device 1 is not available, thereby increasing the user's work efficiency.

[0301] Incidentally, it is conceivable that the RFID tag of the storage unit includes, along with the drug identification information, recording medium identification information that identifies that the drug identification information is stored on the RFID tag of the storage unit. This allows the control unit 210 to perform different processing depending on whether the drug identification information read in step S82 is read from the RFID tag of the storage unit or from a recording medium different from the RFID tag of the storage unit.

[0302] For example, consider a situation where the storage unit is used for returning tablets to the drug cassette 2, and the type of tablet corresponding to the drug identification information is compatible with both the manually adjusted cassette 2A and the automatically adjusted cassette 2B. In this case, if the drug identification information is read from the RFID tag of the storage unit, the control unit 210 displays guidance information such as a message prompting the user to assign the type of tablet corresponding to the drug identification information to the automatically adjusted cassette 2B, or an assignment start button to start the process of assigning the type of tablet to the automatically adjusted cassette 2B. On the other hand, if the drug identification information is not read from the RFID tag of the storage unit, the control unit 210 displays guidance information such as a message prompting the user to assign the type of tablet corresponding to the drug identification information to the manually adjusted cassette 2A, or an assignment start button to start the process of assigning the type of tablet to the manually adjusted cassette 2A.

[0303] [Cleaning notification function] In the drug dispensing device 1, the drug cassette 2 or the dispensing path for tablets from the drug cassette 2 may become contaminated with tablet powder or fragments. To address this, the drug dispensing system 500 may be equipped with a cleaning notification function that displays a cleaning notification screen on the display unit 201 to prompt cleaning of the drug cassette 2 when pre-set cleaning conditions are met. This is expected to prompt the user to clean the drug cassette 2 or the dispensing path as appropriate, thereby preventing the situation in which tablets dispensed from the drug cassette 2 are contaminated. The cleaning notification function is implemented by the control unit 210 of the control device 200 executing a cleaning notification process. Alternatively, the cleaning notification process may be executed by the control unit 310 of the drug dispensing device 1.

[0304] For example, it is conceivable that one or more of the following cleaning conditions (1st to 4th cleaning conditions) are set as the cleaning conditions. The control unit 210 determines that the cleaning conditions have been met when any one of the following cleaning conditions (1st to 4th cleaning conditions) is met. Alternatively, the control unit 210 may determine that the cleaning conditions have been met when any multiple of the following cleaning conditions (1st to 4th cleaning conditions) are met.

[0305] <1st cleaning condition> The first cleaning condition is that a predetermined specific quantity of tablets is dispensed from the drug cassette 2. This predetermined quantity may be predetermined as an indicator for determining whether cleaning of the drug cassette 2 is necessary, either for each drug cassette 2 or for each type of tablet.

[0306] <Second cleaning conditions> The second cleaning condition is that a preset first recommended cleaning agent is dispensed from the chemical cassette 2 in a preset specific quantity. For example, the chemical packaging master D11 may store first recommended cleaning agent information for each tablet, indicating whether or not the tablet is the first recommended cleaning agent. The control unit 210 then determines whether or not the second cleaning condition has been met based on the first recommended cleaning agent information. The specific quantity may be preset for each chemical cassette 2 or for each type of tablet.

[0307] <Third cleaning condition> The third cleaning condition is that a pre-set second recommended cleaning agent is assigned to the chemical cassette 2, and after the second recommended cleaning agent is dispensed from the chemical cassette 2, a tablet of a different type from the second recommended cleaning agent is assigned to the chemical cassette 2. For example, the chemical packaging master D11 may store second recommended cleaning agent information for each tablet, indicating whether or not the tablet is the second recommended cleaning agent. The control unit 210 then determines whether or not the third cleaning condition has been met based on the second recommended cleaning agent information. It is also possible to pre-set combinations of tablet types before and after the assignment to the chemical cassette 2 that are determined to satisfy the third cleaning condition.

[0308] <4th cleaning condition> The fourth cleaning condition is that, after a type of tablet is assigned to the chemical cassette 2, a predetermined period of time elapses without the type of tablet assigned to the chemical cassette 2 being changed. This predetermined period may be set in advance for each chemical cassette 2 or for each type of tablet.

Claims

1. A determination processing unit determines whether to perform a test dispensing operation to dispense a drug from a drug dispensing unit after adjusting the drug dispensing unit according to the type of drug to be dispensed, which is assigned to a drug dispensing unit that can be adjusted to a plurality of states including a first state in which a first type of drug can be dispensed and a second state in which a second type of drug different from the first type can be dispensed, and if the test dispensing operation is performed, it determines whether or not a drug was dispensed from the drug dispensing unit in the test dispensing operation. A storage processing unit stores in a storage unit, in a manner that allows for the identification of the correspondence with the said chemical dispensing unit, dispensing confirmation information regarding whether or not a chemical was dispensed from the chemical dispensing unit during the test dispensing operation, based on the determination result by the determination processing unit. A display processing unit that, based on the dispensing confirmation information, displays the existence of one or more incomplete drug dispensing units from which drug has not been dispensed in the test dispensing operation, A control unit which, when one of the incomplete drug dispensing units displayed by the display processing unit is selected, causes the test dispensing operation to be performed for the incomplete drug dispensing unit, A drug dispensing system equipped with the following features.

2. If the dispensing confirmation information corresponding to the drug dispensing unit is not stored in the storage unit, the system further includes a restriction processing unit that restricts the drug dispensing operation, which involves dispensing drugs from the drug dispensing unit based on the drug dispensing data. The drug dispensing system according to claim 1.

3. The storage processing unit stores the dispensing confirmation information in a state in which the correspondence between the dispensing confirmation information, the drug dispensing unit, and the type of drug assigned to the drug dispensing unit can be identified. The drug dispensing system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The system further comprises a dispensing detection unit capable of detecting the chemicals dispensed from the aforementioned chemical dispensing unit, The determination processing unit determines that a drug has been dispensed from the drug dispensing unit, provided that the dispensing detection unit detects the dispensing of a predetermined number of drugs during the test dispensing operation of the drug dispensing unit. A drug dispensing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The determination processing unit determines that a drug has been dispensed from the drug dispensing unit, provided that a specific user operation is performed after the test dispensing operation for the drug dispensing unit has been executed. A drug dispensing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The determination processing unit determines that a drug has been dispensed from the drug dispensing unit, provided that the test dispensing operation for the drug dispensing unit has been completed. A drug dispensing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. The system further includes a receiving processing unit that can receive inputs of one or more of the following before the start of the test dispensing operation: the quantity of chemicals to be filled into the chemical dispensing unit, the filling date, or the expiration date. A drug dispensing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The display processing unit displays on the display screen that is shown when filling the drug dispensing unit with drug whether or not there is dispensing confirmation information corresponding to the drug dispensing unit. A drug dispensing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The storage unit is provided in the drug dispensing unit corresponding to the dispensing confirmation information. A drug dispensing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The storage processing unit stores the dispensing confirmation information, the identification information of the drug dispensing unit, and the type of drug assigned to the drug dispensing unit in the storage unit in association with each other. A drug dispensing system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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