Manual dispensing device

Abstract

Provided is a manual dispensing device having: a body part (32) provided with a plurality of recessed portions (30) for storing a solid medicine, in which the bottom of the recessed portions (30) is opened to discharge the medicine to the downstream side; an opening / closing member (31) for opening and closing the bottom of each of the recessed portions (30); a variable polarity magnet (53) capable of changing the polarity and provided on one of the body part (32) side or the opening / closing member (31) side; and a permanent magnet (57) provided, at a position corresponding to the variable polarity magnet (53), on the other of the body part (32) side or the opening / closing member (31) side, wherein the orientation of the opening / closing member (31) is maintained in a state covering the recessed portions (30) by making the polarity of the variable polarity magnet (53) different from the polarity of the permanent magnet (57), and the opening / closing member (31) is made to open the bottom of the recessed portions (30) by making the polarity of the variable polarity magnet (53) the same as the polarity of the permanent magnet (57).

Description

Manual spreading device

[0001] The present invention relates to a medicine discharging device that discharges solid medicines into a packaging device or the like downstream.

[0002] There are known drug packaging devices that package solid drugs such as tablets and capsules one by one. Some drug packaging devices have a function called "manual distribution," as disclosed in Patent Document 1. Here, "manual distribution" refers to feeding predetermined tablets, etc., one by one by hand or by a robot, without using a drug feeder, and sending them to a drug packaging unit for packaging.

[0003] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a manual distribution device employed in the drug packaging device disclosed in Patent Document 2. The manual distribution device 100 disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes a manual distribution member 102 and a divided box unit 103. In the drug packaging device disclosed in Patent Document 2, the divided box unit 103 is disposed within a main body (not shown). The manual distribution member 102 is attached to the main body (not shown) so that it can be manually slid. The manual distribution member 102 is a plate-like body with recesses arranged in a matrix. The divided box unit 103 also has squares (recesses) arranged in a matrix. The arrangement of the squares in the divided box unit 103 corresponds to the arrangement of the recesses in the manual distribution member 102. The manual distribution member 102 is detachably attached to a drawer frame 101. In the drug packaging device disclosed in Patent Document 2, the manual distribution member 102 is drawn out of the main body together with the drawer frame 101. Then, the user inserts tablets into the recesses of the manual distribution member 102 with his / her fingers. Thereafter, the manual distribution member 102 is inserted into the main body (not shown) of the medicine packaging device.

[0004] When inserted into the main body, the manual distribution member 102 is located above the divided box unit 103. The bottom of each recess of the manual distribution member 102 then opens, and the tablets in each recess are poured into the box of the divided box unit 103. The bottoms of the divided box units 103 then open one by one, and the tablets are sent one packet at a time to the medicine packaging unit 105 located below, where they are packaged.

[0005] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-269621 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-335002

[0006] In the conventional manual distribution device, the order in which the boxes of the divided box unit 103 are opened is fixed, and the boxes of the divided box unit 103 are opened one by one in order starting from the end.

[0007] For example, if a patient (e.g., patient A) is prescribed drug A in the morning, drug B in the afternoon, and drug C in the evening, the pharmacist places drug A for morning use in the recess in the first row and first column of the manual distribution member 102, drug B for afternoon use in the recess in the second row and drug C for evening use in the recess in the first row, and repeats this process. The drugs are discharged from the manual distribution device to the downstream packaging section in the order they were inserted, and are packaged one dose at a time. As a result, the drug packages to be taken by patient A are discharged from the drug dispensing device in order of their intended use, such as morning, afternoon, and evening. As described above, the conventional manual distribution device 100 required the drugs to be placed in the recesses of the manual distribution member 102 in the order they should be packaged.

[0008] In recent years, when pharmacies provide medications to nursing homes and other facilities, the nursing homes have requested that the pharmacies sort medication packages for multiple patients by the time of administration. For example, if the facility houses three patients, Patient A, Patient B, and Patient C, the medications to be taken in the morning by the three patients are grouped together to form a morning set, the medications to be taken in the afternoon by the three patients are grouped together to form a midday set, and the medications to be taken in the evening by the three patients are grouped together to form a night set, and these are then delivered to the nursing home. For example, as shown in Figure 19, a set of consecutive medication packages for Patient A, Patient B, and Patient C, one set of consecutive medication packages for Patient A, Patient B, and Patient C, and one set of consecutive medication packages for Patient A, Patient B, and Patient C, are delivered to the nursing home. Alternatively, the medications can be arranged on a sheet known as a medication calendar and delivered to the nursing home.

[0009] For example, medications prescribed for patients a, b, and c are loaded into one manual distribution member 102 and then individually discharged. In this case, the pharmacist must place medication A for patient a's morning use in the recess in row 1, column 1 of the manual distribution member 102, medication B for patient b's morning use in the next recess in row 1, column 2, medication B for patient c's morning use in the next recess in row 1, column 3, and medication D for patient a's afternoon use in the next recess in row 1, column 4.

[0010] The manual distribution member 102 of the manual distribution device has many recesses for placing medicines. Conventional manual distribution devices require specific medicines to be distributed into specific recesses. This task requires careful handling, which places a heavy mental burden on the pharmacist. Thus, conventional manual distribution devices have the problem of being inflexible and subject to many restrictions when distributing medicines. This places a significant burden on the pharmacist. The present invention addresses the above-mentioned problems of the conventional technology and aims to provide a manual distribution device that has fewer restrictions when distributing medicines and can reduce the complexity of distributing medicines.

[0011] An aspect for solving the above-mentioned problems is a manual distribution device having a main body portion with a plurality of recesses for containing solid medicine, which opens the bottoms of the recesses to discharge the medicine downstream, and which has an opening / closing member for opening and closing the bottoms of each recess, and a polarity-changeable magnet whose polarity can be changed is provided on one of the main body portion side or the opening / closing member side, and a permanent magnet is provided on the other of the main body portion side or the opening / closing member side at a position corresponding to the polarity-changeable magnet, and by changing the polarity of the polarity-changeable magnet to a polarity different from that of the permanent magnet, the opening / closing member is maintained in a state covering the bottoms of the recesses, and by changing the polarity of the polarity-changeable magnet to the same polarity as that of the permanent magnet, the opening / closing member opens the bottoms of the recesses.

[0012] The manual dispensing device of this aspect has a mechanism for opening and closing the recesses by combining a polarity-changing magnet whose polarity can be changed and a permanent magnet, and according to this aspect, it is possible to individually discharge the medicine corresponding to any recess.

[0013] In the above aspect, it is preferable that the opening / closing member swings around a shaft, and the polarity-changeable magnet and the permanent magnet are disposed near the shaft.

[0014] Another aspect for solving a similar problem is a manual distribution device that has a main body with a plurality of recesses for containing solid medicine, and that opens the bottoms of the recesses to discharge the medicine downstream, and has an opening / closing member that opens and closes the bottom of each recess, and the opening / closing member swings around an axis that is offset from the bottom of the recess, and a polarity-changeable magnet whose polarity can be changed is provided near the axis on either the main body side or the opening / closing member side, and a permanent magnet is provided on the other of the main body side or the opening / closing member side in a position corresponding to the polarity-changeable magnet, and by changing the polarity of the polarity-changeable magnet to a polarity different from that of the permanent magnet, the opening / closing member is maintained in a position covering the bottom of the recess, and by changing the polarity of the polarity-changeable magnet to the same polarity as that of the permanent magnet, the opening / closing member opens the bottom of the recess.

[0015] In each of the above aspects, it is desirable that the polarity-changeable magnet is an electromagnet.

[0016] In each of the above aspects, it is desirable to have a closing means for forcibly changing the position of the opening / closing member in the closing direction.

[0017] In the above aspect, it is desirable that the closing means be a movable member that is located on the bottom side of the plurality of recesses and that moves in a fixed direction.

[0018] The manual distribution device of the present invention can individually discharge the medicine corresponding to any recess, so there are fewer restrictions on dispensing the medicine with the manual distribution device of the present invention.

[0019] 1 is a front view of a medicine packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an insertion port of a main body unit and a manual distribution member in the medicine packaging device of FIG. 1, as viewed obliquely from the front; FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control device that controls the manual distribution device; FIG. 4 is a display screen diagram showing an example of a display screen of the display device of the medicine packaging device of FIG. 1, showing an allocation situation in the case where medicine packages for multiple patients are sorted by dosing period, with one solid medicine tablet being taken at each dosing period; FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of a patient's prescription; FIG. 6 is a plan view of a manual distribution member, where (a) shows a preparation stage, (b) is a plan view of the manual distribution member when spreading medicine A, (c) is a plan view of the manual distribution member when spreading medicine B, and (d) is an enlarged view of a recess; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the manual distribution device; FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the manual distribution device of FIG. 7, showing the manual distribution member and divider separated from each other; FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the divider observed from above; and FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the divider observed from below. 1A is a cross-sectional view of a divider, (b) is an enlarged view of one of the dividers with the bottom closed by an opening / closing member, and (c) is an enlarged view of one of the dividers with the bottom open.

[0024] FIG. 1B is a display screen diagram showing an example of the display screen of the display device of the drug packaging device of FIG. 1, illustrating an allocation situation when drug packages for one patient are sorted by dosing period, with one solid drug tablet being taken at each dosing period.

[0025] FIG. 1C is a display screen diagram showing an example of the display screen of the display device of the drug packaging device of FIG. 1, illustrating an allocation situation when drug packages for one patient are sorted by dosing period, with multiple solid drugs being taken at each dosing period.

[0026] FIG. 1D is a display screen diagram showing an example of the display screen of the display device of the drug packaging device of FIG. 1, illustrating an allocation situation when drug packages for multiple patients are sorted by dosing period, with multiple solid drugs being taken at each dosing period. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the display device of the medicine packaging device of FIG. 1, illustrating an allocation situation when medicine packages for one or more patients are sorted by dosage period, and when multiple types of medicines are taken at each dosage period. It is also shown in perspective views of another embodiment of the divider of the present invention, where (a) shows a state before the forcing member is moved, and (b) shows a state after the forcing member is moved.17A and 17B are cross-sectional views of the divider shown in FIG. 16, in which (a) shows a state before the forcible operation member is moved, and (b) shows a state during the forcible operation member is moved. 17B are perspective views of a manual dispersing device used in a medicine packaging device of the prior art. 17C are front views of a dividing dresser in which medicines are packaged in a series according to the time of administration.

[0020] An embodiment of the present invention will be further described below. The drug packaging device 1 of this embodiment has an external shape as shown in Figure 1. The drug packaging device 1 is broadly divided into a tablet supply unit 2, a manual distribution unit 3, a powder supply unit 5, and a drug packaging unit 6. A manual distribution device 10 is built into the manual distribution unit 3.

[0021] The tablet supply unit 2 occupies the upper half of the medicine packaging device 1. The tablet supply unit 2 is composed of a medicine shelf unit 8 that stores a large number of different types of solid medicines such as capsules and tablets (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as tablets), and a tablet transport path unit 9. The medicine shelf unit 8 has many medicine feeders (not shown) built in. Each medicine feeder is fitted with a medicine cassette (not shown).

[0022] The medicine cassette contains a large number of tablets, and the tablets are discharged one by one from the medicine cassette. The discharged tablets are sent to the medicine packaging unit 6 and packaged in small pouches for one dose.

[0023] The powder supply unit 5 and the medicine packaging unit 6 occupy the lower half of the medicine packaging device 1, and both are built into this part. The powder medicine scraped out from the powder supply unit 5 is also packaged in the same way as tablets and the like.

[0024] The medicine packaging device 1 is provided with a display device 11. The display device (guiding means) 11 is a known touch panel or the like, and has a display screen 12.

[0025] Next, the manual distribution device 10, which is a characteristic feature of this embodiment, will be described. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the manual distribution device 10 is composed of a manual distribution member 15 and a divider 16. The manual distribution member 15 is a plate-shaped member having recesses 20 arranged in a matrix. That is, the manual distribution member 15 has a main body 17 provided with a plurality of recesses 20 for containing solid medicine. Each recess 20 has a bottom (not shown). The bottom can be opened and closed, and as described below, the medicine in the recesses 20 can be transferred to the divider 16 below by opening the bottom.

[0026] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the divider 16 is composed of a main body 32 and multiple opening / closing members 31. The main body 32 has multiple recesses. Hereinafter, the recesses of the divider 16 will be referred to as box portions 30 to distinguish them from the recesses 20 of the manual distribution member 15. The layout of the box portions (recesses) 30 provided in the divider 16, i.e., the number and arrangement, is the same as the layout of the recesses 20 of the manual distribution member 15 described above. The box portions 30 of the divider 16 are arranged in a matrix, corresponding one-to-one to the recesses 20 of the manual distribution member 15. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the box portions 30 of the main body 32 do not have bottoms, and the box portions 30 themselves are always open. However, the bottom side of each box portion 30 is provided with an opening / closing member 31, and the bottom side of the box portion 30 is opened and closed by the opening / closing member 31. The opening and closing member 31 can swing to take a position in which it covers the bottom of the box portion 30 and a position in which it opens the bottom of the box portion 30.

[0027] As shown in Figures 8, 9, and 10, the main body 32 has vertical and horizontal partition walls 50 that separate the square sections 30. Specifically, the main body 32 has vertical partition walls 51 and horizontal partition walls 52, which separate the square sections 30. An electromagnet (polarity-changeable magnet) 53 is built into the vertical partition wall 51 of the partition walls 50. That is, the electromagnet 53 is provided on the main body 32 side. In this embodiment, two electromagnets 53 are provided for each square section 30. The electromagnets 53 are cylindrical, with a magnetic pole face 55 on the bottom surface. The electromagnets 53 employed in this embodiment have magnetic force on the magnetic pole face 55 even when not energized. The polarity of the magnetic pole face 55 of the electromagnet 53 changes when energized. In this embodiment, the magnetic pole face 55 is a south pole when not energized, and changes to a north pole when energized. The magnetic pole when not energized can be either an S pole or an N pole at will, and if the magnetic pole when not energized is an N pole, it will become an S pole when energized.

[0028] As shown in Figure 11, an opening / closing member 31 is provided at the bottom of each box 30. The opening / closing member 31 is plate-shaped. As shown in Figures 10 and 11, each opening / closing member 31 is attached to a common swing shaft 56 provided at the bottom of the vertical partition wall 51 so as to be able to swing. Each opening / closing member 31 swings around the common swing shaft 56 provided at the bottom of the vertical partition wall 51. The common swing shaft 56 is located at the bottom of the vertical partition wall 51 and is offset from the bottom of the box 30.

[0029] A permanent magnet 57 is provided on the upper surface of each opening / closing member 31. The permanent magnet 57 is disk-shaped, with the north pole facing upward. The permanent magnet 57 is located between the free end of the opening / closing member 31 and the common oscillation shaft 56, and is located close to the common oscillation shaft 56. When the opening / closing member 31 is closed, the permanent magnet 57 provided on the opening / closing member 31 faces the electromagnet 53 on the main body 32 side. That is, an electromagnet 52 capable of changing polarity is provided on the main body 32 side, and a permanent magnet 57 is provided on the opening / closing member 31 side at a position corresponding to the electromagnet 52.

[0030] In this embodiment, when the electromagnet 53 on the main body 32 side is de-energized, the magnetic pole surface 55 of the electromagnet 53 becomes an S pole, which is the opposite pole to the upper surface of the permanent magnet 57 on the opening / closing member 31 side. The permanent magnet 57 is also installed at a position corresponding to the electromagnet 52. Therefore, the opening / closing member 31 is attracted to the main body 32. If the free end of the opening / closing member 31 is separated from the main body 32 and the opening / closing member 31 is in an open state, the magnetic force changes the position of the opening / closing member 31, causing the free end of the opening / closing member 31 to come into contact with the main body 32, resulting in the opening / closing member 31 being in a closed state. In this embodiment, the electromagnet 53 is located between the free end of the opening / closing member 31 and the common oscillation shaft 56 and in a position close to the common oscillation shaft 56. Therefore, even when the opening / closing member 31 is in an open state, the distance between the permanent magnet 57 and the magnetic pole surface 55 of the electromagnet 53 is short. Therefore, even when the opening / closing member 31 is in the open state, an effective attractive force is generated between the permanent magnet 57 and the electromagnet 53 , and the opening / closing member 31 is attracted to close the bottom of the box portion 30 .

[0031] Furthermore, if the free end of the opening / closing member 31 is in contact with the main body 32 and the opening / closing member 31 is in a closed state, the magnetic force will maintain the position of the opening / closing member 31. That is, by making the polarity of the permanent magnet 57 different from that of the permanent magnet 57, the position of the opening / closing member 31 is maintained in a state in which it covers the bottom of the box portion 30.

[0032] By energizing the electromagnet 53, the pole of the magnetic pole surface 55 changes to a north pole. As a result, it becomes the same polarity as the top surface of the permanent magnet 57 on the opening / closing member 31 side. Therefore, the permanent magnet 57 repels the electromagnet 53, and the opening / closing member 31 moves away from the main body 32. As a result, the bottom of the box 30 is opened. The divider 16 of this embodiment can open the box 30 at any position in any order in response to a signal from the control device 40. The divider 16 is an ejection means, and can open any recess (box 30) to individually eject the medicine corresponding to the recess (box 30).

[0033] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, a collection hopper 28 is provided below the divider 16. The terminal end of the collection hopper 28 is connected to the passageway leading to the drug packaging unit 6. The divider 16 of the manual distribution device 10 is housed in the main body of the drug packaging device 1. In contrast, the manual distribution member 15 has a drawer-like structure and moves in and out of the main body of the drug packaging device 1. When the manual distribution member 15 is housed in the main body of the drug packaging device 1, as shown in Figure 7, the manual distribution member 15 reaches a position directly above the divider 16, completely opening the bottom of the recess 20 and transferring the drugs in the recess 20 into the box portion 30 of the divider 16.

[0034] Next, the control device 40 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 40 executes control to allocate the same drug to recesses in adjacent regions based on prescription information including information on the drug to be provided to multiple patients or a single patient. The control device 40 functions as a recess determination means that determines the recesses 20 to which the drug should be sprinkled based on the type of drug. The control device 40 also has a function to distinguish between drugs that can be discharged from the drug feeder and drugs that cannot be discharged. These functions are realized by a sorting program.

[0035] The control device 40 has a known CPU, memory, etc., and a sorting program is stored in the memory. The control device 40 also has a prescription information input unit. An external server is connected to the control device 40. In this embodiment, prescription information is input from the server. The prescription information includes information regarding the type and quantity of the requested drug. The prescription information also includes other information such as the quantity and timing of administration. The output side of the control device is connected to the display device 11, the divider 16, and the indicator light 22 of the manual distribution member 15.

[0036] The sorting program references prescription information for multiple patients and, if there are common medications, compiles them into a single set. The prescription information includes information such as the type of medication, the dosage, the timing of administration, and the method of administration. The sorting program selects medications that require manual distribution from the medications included in the prescription information and references information about the medications. Specifically, the program references the type, dosage, timing of administration, and other information about medications that require manual distribution. That is, medications included in the prescription information include solid medications, powders, ointments, and the like. Solid medications include those currently stored in the tablet supply unit 2 and capable of being dispensed from the medication feeder, and those not stored in the tablet supply unit 2. The concept of prescription information also includes what is referred to as dispensing information that has been processed for dispensing. The sorting program references information about solid medications that are not currently stored in the tablet supply unit 2 and that should be dispensed using the manual dispensing device 10, and, if there are common medications, compiles them into a single set.

[0037] The cells 30 into which the medicines of that group should be stored are then allotted to one area. As mentioned above, the cells 30 of the divider 16 correspond one-to-one to the recesses 20 of the manual distribution member 15, so that by allocating the medicines to the cells 30 of the divider 16, the recesses 20 (manual distribution member 15) into which each medicine should be sprinkled are essentially assigned. In other words, the sorting program is a program that determines the recesses 20 into which each medicine should be sprinkled based on the type of medicine.

[0038] 4, a simulated diagram (guide means) 18 simulating the manual distribution member 15 is displayed on the display screen 12 of the display device 11, showing the allocation results. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, each type of chemical is displayed in a different color, and the chemicals to be spread in the corresponding area are displayed as A, B, C, for example. In addition, the indicator light (guide means) 22 of the manual distribution member 15 is turned on to show the recess 20 into which the specific chemical should be spread.

[0039] The drug packaging device 1 of this embodiment can discharge the required drugs based on prescription information input from an external device, package them into single doses, and discharge them. The drug packaging device 1 of this embodiment can package single doses in the following three patterns: (1) Only drugs discharged from the tablet supply unit 2 are packaged into single doses; (2) Only drugs discharged from the manual distribution device 10 are packaged into single doses; and (3) Drugs discharged from the tablet supply unit 2 and the manual distribution device 10 are packaged together into single doses. Another pattern involves packaging drugs discharged from the powder supply unit 5, either alone or together with tablets, etc. However, since the handling of drugs discharged from the powder supply unit 5 is similar to that of drugs discharged from the tablet supply unit 2, a description of this pattern will be omitted.

[0040] In this embodiment, if the prescription information includes a drug that is not stored in the tablet supply unit 2, the drug is sent from the manual distribution device 10 to the drug packaging unit 6 and packaged. The drug packaging device 1 of this embodiment distinguishes between drugs that can be discharged from the drug feeder and drugs that cannot be discharged, and drugs that are not stored in the tablet supply unit 2 and cannot be discharged from the drug feeder are discharged from the manual distribution device 10.

[0041] A pharmacist or other worker places a specific drug into a recess 20 belonging to a predetermined area of ​​the manual distribution member 15, while referring to the simulation chart 18 displayed on the display device 11 and the indicator light 22 of the manual distribution member 15. Then, when the time comes to dispense the specific drug, one of the boxes 30 belonging to the area where the drug is collected is automatically opened, and the drug is dispensed from the opened box 30.

[0042] The following describes an example of creating medication packages for patients a to j, as shown in the table of FIG. 5. For ease of explanation, the recesses 20 of the manual distribution member 15 are numbered from the beginning, as shown in FIG. 4. According to this example, medications are provided to patients a to j four times a day: morning, midday, evening, and before bedtime. Blank spaces indicate when medications available from the tablet supply unit 2 are taken, and medications corresponding to these blank spaces are automatically supplied from the tablet supply unit 2. It is often the case that medications are supplied from both the tablet supply unit 2 and the manual distribution member 15 and packaged together in a single medication package. For example, if patient a takes medication A listed in the table of FIG. 5 in the morning, as well as another medication (not shown), and the medication is stored in the tablet supply unit 2, medications are supplied from both the tablet supply unit 2 and the manual distribution member 15, and both medications are simultaneously sent to the medication packaging unit 6 and packaged.

[0043] Following the example, drug A is prescribed for patients a, c, f, g, and i. Drug B is prescribed for patients b, d, g, and i. Drug C is prescribed for patients e and h. Drug D is prescribed for patient j.

[0044] For example, to create a five-day supply of medication, 25 packets of medication A, 20 packets of medication B, 10 packets of medication C, and 5 packets of medication D are required. For example, if the same number of medications A are to be spread in the recesses 20 for each patient and each administration period, and if all of the medications A prescribed for each patient and each administration period are one tablet, one tablet of medication A is assigned to each of the areas numbered 1 to 25 of the recesses 20. The same is true for the other medications B to D. Specifically, if all of the medications B to D to be spread in the recesses 20 for each patient and each administration period are one tablet, one tablet of medication B is assigned to each of the areas numbered 26 to 45 of the recesses 20, one tablet of medication C is assigned to each of the areas numbered 46 to 55 of the recesses 20, and one tablet of medication D is assigned to each of the areas numbered 56 to 60 of the recesses 20.

[0045] When the prescription information as described above is input to the control device 40, the areas numbered 1 to 25 of the recesses 20 are designated as areas for drug A. The areas numbered 26 to 45 of the recesses 20 are designated as areas for drug B. Similarly, the areas numbered 46 to 55 of the recesses 20 are designated as areas for drug C, and the areas numbered 56 to 60 of the recesses 20 are designated as areas for drug D.

[0046] 4, a simulation chart 18 is displayed on the display screen 12 of the display device 11, showing the allocation results. The simulation chart 18 is color-coded according to the area where the medicine is to be placed. The type of medicine is also displayed in the box corresponding to the recess 20. In this way, a unified mark is displayed in the box of the recess 20 in the simulation chart 18 where the same medicine should be placed.

[0047] As described above, a worker such as a pharmacist places a specific drug into a recess 20 belonging to a predetermined area of ​​the manual distribution member 15 by referring to the simulated chart 18 displayed on the display device 11 and the indicator light 22 of the manual distribution member 15.

[0048] If the number of drugs to be spread in the recesses 20 is not the same for each patient or each administration period, the same number of drugs may be collected together or the drugs may be collected in the order of patients, and drug A may be assigned to the recesses 20 numbers 1 to 25. The other drugs B to D may be similarly assigned.

[0049] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6(b), the indicator light 22 for the drug A area of ​​the manual distribution member 15 is first lit. When the sprinkling of drug A into the drug A area is completed, an end switch (not shown) is pressed. As a result, the lit area of ​​the manual distribution member 15 changes, and as shown in Figure 6(c), the indicator light for the drug B area of ​​the manual distribution member 15 is lit. Thereafter, the lit area of ​​the manual distribution member 15 changes in a similar manner. Instead of the end switch, the end of sprinkling may be automatically detected by a camera, sensor, or weight, and the lit area may be changed accordingly.

[0050] When the introduction of medicines into the manual distribution member 15 is completed, a predetermined end switch is pressed. As a result, the manual distribution member 15 is housed within the main body of the medicine packaging device 1, and reaches a position directly above the divider 16, completely opening the bottom of the recess 20 and transferring the medicines in the recess 20 into the box 30 of the divider 16. Alternatively, a structure may be adopted in which the manual distribution member 15 is manually pushed into the main body to be housed.

[0051] When the manual distribution work is completed and it is time to discharge the drugs from the manual distribution device (drug discharge device) 10, one of the boxes 30 in the divider 16 corresponding to the area where the drugs are grouped is opened appropriately by a signal from the control device 40, and the drugs are discharged. For example, when it is patient A's turn to package morning drugs, the box 30 corresponding to one of the drug A areas numbered 1 to 25 in the recesses 20 is opened and drug A is discharged. For example, when it is patient H's turn to package afternoon drugs, the box 30 corresponding to one of the drug C areas numbered 46 to 55 in the recesses 20 is opened and drug C is discharged.

[0052] The manual distribution device of this embodiment allows medications to be dispensed in any order, enabling the medications to be sorted appropriately for delivery to the nursing care facility described above. That is, medications to be taken by each patient in the morning can be grouped together to form a morning set, medications to be taken in the afternoon can be grouped together to form a midday set, medications to be taken in the evening can be grouped together to form an evening set, and medications to be taken before bed can be grouped together to form a bedtime set, and then the medication packages can be delivered to the nursing care facility, etc. Furthermore, if necessary, the medication packages can be set on a medication calendar and delivered to the nursing care facility, etc.

[0053] For example, to create a morning set by grouping together the medications to be taken by each patient in the morning, the procedure is as follows: According to the table in Figure 5, the medications to be taken in the morning are: medication A for patient a, medications discharged from tablet supply unit 2 for patients b and c, medication B for patient d, medication C for patient e, medication A for patient f, medication B for patient g, medication discharged from tablet supply unit 2 for patient h, medication A for patient i, and medication discharged from tablet supply unit 2 for patient j.

[0054] When the medications to be taken in the morning for each patient are grouped together to form a morning set, the medications are dispensed in the order described above. Specifically, first, the box 30 corresponding to the recess 20 numbered 1 in the medication A area is opened to dispense medication A for patient a. Next, medications for patient b and medications for patient c are sequentially dispensed from the tablet supply unit 2. Next, the box 30 corresponding to the recess 20 numbered 26 in the medication B area is opened to dispense medication B for patient d. Next, the box 30 corresponding to the recess 20 numbered 46 in the medication C area is opened to dispense medication C for patient e. Next, the box 30 corresponding to the recess 20 numbered 2 in the medication A area is opened to dispense medication A for patient f. Next, the box 30 corresponding to the recess 20 numbered 27 in the medication B area is opened to dispense medication B for patient g. Next, medications for patient h are dispensed from the tablet supply unit 2. Next, the box 30 corresponding to the recess 20 numbered 3 in the drug A area is opened to dispense drug A for patient i. Next, drugs for patient j are dispensed from the tablet supply unit 2. The box 30 is automatically opened in response to a command from the control device 40. In this way, the drugs to be taken in the morning by each patient are sequentially dispensed to create a morning set.

[0055] The number of drugs placed in each recess 20 of the manual distribution member 15 is arbitrary and may be one or more. If a patient needs to take multiple doses of the same drug at the same time, multiple drugs may be supplied to the drug packaging section 6 by placing one drug in each recess 20 and discharging the drug from the box 30 multiple times. Drugs may be transferred from recesses 20 containing different drugs to multiple boxes 30, and the drugs may be supplied from the multiple boxes 30 to a single drug package. This does not mean that a single dose of drug may be divided and stored in multiple drug packages.

[0056] The manual distribution device (drug discharging device) 10 of the embodiment described above discharges the drug dispersed in the recesses 20 of the manual distribution member 15 via the divider 16, but the recesses 20 of the manual distribution member 15 may be individually opened and closed to discharge the drug directly from the manual distribution member 15. That is, an opening / closing member may be provided for opening and closing the bottom of the recesses 20, and an electromagnet may be provided on either the main body 17 side or the opening / closing member side, and a permanent magnet may be provided on the other side of the main body 17 side or the opening / closing member side at a position corresponding to the electromagnet.

[0057] In the embodiment of the manual distribution device (drug discharge device) 10 described above, the electromagnet 53 is provided on the main body 32 side, and the permanent magnet 57 is provided on the opening / closing member 31 side at a position corresponding to the electromagnet 53, but it is also possible for the permanent magnet to be provided on the main body 32 side, and the electromagnet to be provided on the opening / closing member 31 side. That is, it is sufficient that the polarity-changeable electromagnet 53 is provided on either the main body 32 side or the opening / closing member 31 side, and the permanent magnet 57 is provided on the other side of the main body 32 side or the opening / closing member 31 side at a position corresponding to the electromagnet 53.

[0058] In the above-described embodiment, an electromagnet is used as the polarity-changeable magnet, but instead, for example, a permanent magnet may be installed so that it can rotate, and the polarity may be changed by changing the position of the permanent magnet. For example, a rotatable magnet may be installed on the main body 32 side, and a permanent magnet 57 may be installed on the opening / closing member 31 side. When the permanent magnet on the main body 32 side rotates, the polarity of the surface facing the permanent magnet 57 on the opening / closing member 31 changes.

[0059] In the above-described embodiment, the operation of using the manual distribution device 10 to sort medicine packages for multiple patients by dosing period was described. The above-described usage mode is an example in which one tablet of medicine is to be spread into each recess 20 of the manual distribution member 15. According to the above-described usage mode, it is possible to create a continuous bandage of medicine packages to be taken at the same time, as shown in FIG. 19 . Other usage modes include the following examples. In either case, one recess 20 is filled with medicines to be delivered from the manual distribution device (medicine discharge device) 10 and to be taken at a time. Furthermore, in either case, medicines of the same type and number are assigned to adjacent recesses. (1) When sorting medicine packages for one patient by dosing period, where one solid medicine tablet is taken at each dosing period. (2) When sorting medicine packages for one patient by dosing period, where multiple solid medicines are taken at each dosing period. (3) When sorting medication packages for multiple patients by dosing period, and multiple solid medications may be taken at each dosing period. (4) When sorting medication packages for one or multiple patients by dosing period, and multiple types of medication may be taken at each dosing period. The following explains.

[0060] (1) When sorting medication packages for one patient by dosing period, with one tablet of solid medication being taken at each dosing period. For example, suppose patient A takes medication A in the morning and evening, and medication B in the afternoon. If four days' worth of medication packages are to be made, eight packets of medication A and four packets of medication B are required. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12 , one tablet of medication A is assigned to each of recesses 20 numbered 1 to 8. One tablet of medication B is then assigned to each of the following recesses 20 numbered 9 to 12.

[0061] (2) When sorting medication packages for a single patient by dosing period, where multiple solid medications are taken at each dosing period. For example, suppose patient A takes one tablet of medication A in the morning, one tablet of medication B in the afternoon, and two tablets of medication A in the evening. To create medication packages for four days, four medication packages containing one tablet of medication A, four medication packages containing two tablets of medication A, and four medication packages containing one tablet of medication B are required. In this case, as shown in FIG. 13 , recesses 20 numbers 1 to 4 are assigned as areas for placing one tablet of medication A each. The following recesses 20 numbers 5 to 8 are assigned as areas for placing two tablets of medication A each. The following recesses 20 numbers 9 to 12 are assigned as areas for placing one tablet of medication B each.

[0062] (3) When sorting medication packages for multiple patients by dosing period, and multiple solid medications are taken at each dosing period. For example, assume that patient A takes one tablet of medication A in the morning, one tablet of medication B in the afternoon, and two tablets of medication A in the evening. For example, assume that patient B takes one tablet of medication A in the morning, one tablet of medication B in the afternoon, and two tablets of medication A in the evening. Suppose that to create medication packages for four days, eight packets containing one tablet of medication A, eight packets containing two tablets of medication A, and eight packets containing one tablet of medication B are required. In this case, as shown in FIG. 14 , recesses 20 numbers 1 to 8 are assigned as areas for placing one tablet of medication A each. Recesses 20 numbers 9 to 16 are assigned as areas for placing two tablets of medication A each. Recesses 20 numbers 17 to 24 are assigned as areas for placing one tablet of medication B each.

[0063] (4) When sorting medication packages for one or more patients by dosing period, where multiple types of medication may be taken at each dosing period. For example, assume that patient A takes one tablet of medication A and one tablet of medication B in the morning, one tablet of medication B in the afternoon, and two tablets of medication A in the evening. For example, assume that patient B takes two tablets of medication A in the morning, one tablet of medication B in the afternoon, and one tablet of medication A and one tablet of medication B in the evening. To create medication packages for four days, eight packets containing one tablet of medication A and one tablet of medication B are required, eight packets containing two tablets of medication A, and eight packets containing one tablet of medication B. In this case, as shown in FIG. 15 , recesses 20 numbers 1 to 8 are assigned as areas for placing one tablet of medication A and one tablet of medication B. The following recesses 20 numbers 9 to 16 are assigned as areas for placing two tablets of medication A each. The subsequent recesses 20 numbered 17 to 24 are assigned as areas for placing one tablet of Agent B each.

[0064] In the above-described embodiment, the same drugs are allocated to recesses in adjacent regions in a state aligned vertically and aligned to the right of the drawing, as shown in Figures 4 and 12 to 15. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the drugs may be aligned leftward or aligned horizontally.

[0065] The manual distribution member 15 employed in the embodiment described above has the recesses 20 arranged in 10 rows and 6 columns as shown in Figure 4, but the number of rows and columns of the manual distribution member 15 can be any number. The recommended number of columns is 7. For example, distributing the doses is easier if columns 1 to 7 represent days 1 to 7 for patient A, and rows 1 to 4 represent the dosing times of morning, midday, evening, and before bed. Furthermore, leaving the fifth row blank and continuing rows 6 to 9 represent the dosing times of patient B, morning, midday, evening, and before bed, which makes distributing the doses easier while avoiding manual distribution errors between patients.

[0066] The drug packaging device 1 of the embodiment described above has a tablet supply unit 2, a manual distribution unit 3, a powder supply unit 5, and a drug packaging unit 6, and employs a manual distribution device (drug discharging device) 10 that is characteristic of the manual distribution unit 3. While it is desirable for the drug packaging device to be equipped with the tablet supply unit 2 and the powder supply unit 5 as in the above-described embodiment, the manual distribution device (drug discharging device) 10 of the present invention may also be employed in a drug packaging device that does not have a tablet supply unit 2 or the like. In other words, the present invention can also be applied to a device that discharges all drugs contained in prescription information (including dispensing information obtained by processing the prescription information for dispensing) input into the drug packaging device from the drug discharging device (manual distribution member).

[0067] In the divider 16 of the embodiment described above, the position of the opening / closing member 31 is changed from the open state to the closed state solely by the magnetic force between the permanent magnet 57 and the electromagnet 53. Alternatively, a configuration that triggers the opening / closing member 31 to move in the closing direction is also recommended. That is, a closing means that forcibly changes the position of the opening / closing member 31 in the closing direction may be added. The divider 70 shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 has a forcing member 71 and a moving means (not shown) that moves the forcing member 71 in the horizontal direction. In this embodiment, the closing means is made up of the forcing member 71 and the moving means.

[0068] The forcing member 71 is rod- or plate-shaped and has a length corresponding to the width of the main body 32 of the divider 70. The forcing member 71 is located at a height lower than the main body 32 and normally waits at a position away from the bottom of the divider 70, as shown in FIGS. 16( a) and 17(a). When the bottom of the box 30 is to be sealed with the opening / closing member 31, the electromagnet 53 is de-energized, and the pole of the magnetic pole face 55 of the electromagnet 53 is set to a pole different from that of the upper surface of the permanent magnet 57 on the opening / closing member 31 side. In this state, as shown in FIG. 17(b), the forcing member 71 is moved horizontally and slid to the bottom of the divider 70. At this time, the front end of the forcing member 71 abuts the tilted opening / closing member 31, changing the tilt angle of the opening / closing member 31 horizontally. As a result, the permanent magnet 57 on the opening / closing member 31 side approaches the electromagnet 53. Furthermore, the front end of the forcing member 71 collides with the free end of the opening / closing member 31, causing the free end to jump up. As a result, the permanent magnet 57 on the opening / closing member 31 side comes into contact with the electromagnet 53 on the main body 32 side, causing the opening / closing member 31 to assume a horizontal position and close the bottom of the box 30.

[0069] 1: medicine packaging device, 10: manual distribution device, 15: manual distribution member, 16: divider, 17: main body, 20: recess, 30: box portion (recess), 31: opening / closing member, 32: main body, 51: vertical partition wall, 52: horizontal partition wall, 53: electromagnet, 55: magnetic pole surface, 56: common swing shaft, 57: permanent magnet, 71: forcing member

Claims

1. A manual distribution device having a main body with multiple recesses for containing solid medicine, which opens the bottoms of the recesses to discharge the medicine downstream, and which has an opening / closing member that opens and closes the bottom of each recess, and a variable polarity magnet whose polarity can be changed is provided on one of the main body side or the opening / closing member side, and a permanent magnet is provided on the other of the main body side or the opening / closing member side in a position corresponding to the variable polarity magnet, and by changing the polarity of the variable polarity magnet to a polarity different from that of the permanent magnet, the opening / closing member is maintained in a position covering the bottom of the recess, and by changing the polarity of the variable polarity magnet to the same polarity as that of the permanent magnet, the opening / closing member opens the bottom of the recess.

2. A manual distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the opening and closing member swings around an axis, and the polarity-changeable magnet and permanent magnet are disposed near the axis.

3. A manual distribution device having a main body with multiple recesses for containing solid medicine, which opens the bottoms of the recesses to discharge the medicine downstream, and which has an opening / closing member that opens and closes the bottom of each recess, and which swings around an axis that is offset from the bottom of the recess, and which has a variable polarity magnet that can change polarity near the axis on either the main body side or the opening / closing member side, and a permanent magnet is provided on the other side of the main body side or the opening / closing member in a position corresponding to the variable polarity magnet, and which maintains the position of the opening / closing member in a state where it covers the bottom of the recess by changing the polarity of the variable polarity magnet to a polarity different from that of the permanent magnet, and which opens the bottom of the recess by changing the polarity of the variable polarity magnet to the same polarity as that of the permanent magnet.

4. A manual distribution device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the polarity-changeable magnet is an electromagnet.

5. A manual distribution device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising closing means for forcibly changing the position of the opening / closing member in the closing direction.

6. A manual distribution device according to claim 5, wherein said closing means is a movable member located on the bottom side of said plurality of recesses and movable in a fixed direction.

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