Information management system, information management method, program, and drug solution administration device

Abstract

An information management system (10) comprises a drug solution administration device (12) and an information management device (14). The drug solution administration device comprises: a determination unit (108) that determines, on the basis of a detection signal detected by a sensor (86) provided to the drug solution administration device, whether or not a drug solution administration amount has reached a predetermined necessary administration amount; and a transmission control unit (112) that transmits, to the information management device, determination result information indicating a determination result by the determination unit. The information management device comprises a reception control unit (132) that receives the determination result information transmitted by the transmission control unit.

Description

Information Management System, Information Management Method, Program, and Chemical Solution Administration Device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information management system, an information management method, a program, and a chemical solution administration device.

[0002] For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-160589 describes an information management system including a measuring device (blood pressure monitor) and an information terminal (smartphone). The measuring device outputs ultrasonic waves including special information that can identify the blood pressure monitor. The information terminal acquires the special information of the blood pressure monitor included in the ultrasonic waves.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-160589

[0004] The above-described prior art does not disclose an information management system including a chemical solution administration device and an information management device. There is a long-felt need for a good information management system, information management method, program, and chemical solution administration device.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to solve the above-described problems.

[0006] (1) A first aspect of the present disclosure is an information management system including a chemical solution administration device and an information management device, where the chemical solution administration device includes a determination unit that determines whether a chemical solution administration amount has reached a required administration amount determined in advance based on a detection signal detected by a sensor provided in the chemical solution administration device, and a transmission control unit that transmits determination result information indicating a determination result by the determination unit to the information management device, and the information management device includes a reception control unit that receives the determination result information transmitted by the transmission control unit.

[0007] According to such a configuration, a determination result regarding whether a chemical solution administration amount has reached a required administration amount can be managed by an information management device. Thereby, a better information management system can be obtained.

[0008] (2) The information management system according to the above item (1), wherein the sensor may include an administration detection sensor that detects the start and end of administration of the chemical solution.

[0009] With this configuration, the amount of drug administered can be determined by detecting the start and end of drug administration.

[0010] (3) An information management system as described in item (2) above, wherein the drug solution dispensing device includes an elapsed time measuring unit that measures the elapsed time from when the dispensing detection sensor detects the start of drug solution dispensing to when it detects the end of drug solution dispensing, and the determination unit may determine that the amount of drug solution dispensed has reached the required dispensing amount if the elapsed time is equal to or greater than a predetermined required dispensing time, and determine that the amount of drug solution dispensed has not reached the required dispensing amount if the elapsed time is shorter than the required dispensing time.

[0011] With this configuration, it is easy to determine whether the amount of drug solution administered has reached the required dose.

[0012] (4) An information management system as described in item (2) above, wherein the drug solution administration device comprises a syringe having a cylindrical body filled with the drug solution and a plunger that presses the drug solution filled in the cylindrical body, the sensor has a position detection sensor that detects the position of the plunger, and the determination unit determines that the amount of drug solution administered has reached the required amount when the administration detection sensor detects the end of drug solution administration while the position of the plunger detected by the position detection sensor is at a predetermined administration end position, and determines that the amount of drug solution administered has not reached the required amount when the administration detection sensor detects the end of drug solution administration before the position of the plunger detected by the position detection sensor is at the administration end position.

[0013] With this configuration, it is easy to determine whether the amount of drug solution administered has reached the required dose.

[0014] (5) An information management system according to any one of the above items (1) to (4), wherein the information management device includes a notification control unit that notifies the determination result when the receiving control unit receives the determination result information.

[0015] With this configuration, the information management device notifies the user of the information management device of the determination result, so the user can recognize whether the drug solution dosage has reached the required dose.

[0016] (6) An information management system according to any one of the above items (1) to (5), wherein the drug administration device may include a notification control unit that notifies the determination result.

[0017] With this configuration, the drug dispensing device notifies the user of the determination result, allowing the user to know whether the drug dosage has reached the required amount.

[0018] (7) An information management system according to item (2) or (3) above, wherein the drug solution administration device comprises a housing, a syringe having a cylindrical body housed in the housing and filled with the drug solution, and a plunger for pressing the drug solution filled in the cylindrical body, a trigger member provided in the housing so as to be movable in the axial direction of the syringe relative to the housing, and a biasing member that biases the trigger member toward the tip relative to the housing such that the trigger member protrudes from the tip of the housing, wherein the trigger member moves toward the base end relative to the housing when the trigger member is pressed against the target to be administered, and moves toward the tip relative to the housing when the pressure on the target to be administered is released and the trigger member is pushed by the biasing member, the administration detection sensor may detect the start of drug solution administration when the trigger member moves toward the base end relative to the housing, and detect the end of drug solution administration when the trigger member moves toward the tip relative to the housing.

[0019] With this configuration, the start and end of drug administration can be detected with a simple setup.

[0020] (8) An information management system as described in item (7) above, wherein the drug administration device is equipped with a locking member that prevents the plunger from moving toward the tip relative to the housing in an initial state, and the locking member may move toward the base end together with the trigger member when the trigger member moves toward the base end relative to the housing, thereby releasing the restriction on the plunger's movement toward the tip relative to the housing and contacting the administration detection sensor, and the locking member may move toward the tip together with the trigger member when the trigger member moves toward the tip relative to the housing, thereby moving away from the administration detection sensor.

[0021] With this configuration, the start and end of drug administration can be detected with high accuracy.

[0022] (9) An information management system as described in item (8) above, wherein the administration detection sensor detects the start of administration of the drug solution when the locking member comes into contact with the administration detection sensor, and detects the end of administration of the drug solution when the locking member moves away from the administration detection sensor.

[0023] With this configuration, the start and end of drug administration can be detected with a simple setup.

[0024] (10) A second aspect of the present disclosure is an information management method for an information management system comprising a drug solution dispensing device and an information management device, the method comprising: a determination step of determining whether the amount of drug solution dispensed has reached a predetermined required amount based on a detection signal detected by a sensor provided in the drug solution dispensing device; an information transmission step of transmitting determination result information indicating the determination result of the determination step to the information management device; and an information reception step of the information management device receiving the determination result information transmitted in the information transmission step.

[0025] This configuration produces the same effect as item (1) above, thus providing a better information management method.

[0026] (11) A third aspect of the present disclosure is a program that causes a computer provided in a drug administration device to perform a determination step of determining whether the amount of drug administered has reached a predetermined required amount based on a detection signal detected by a sensor provided in the drug administration device, and an information transmission step of transmitting determination result information indicating the determination result of the determination step to an information management device.

[0027] With this configuration, the same effect as item (1) above can be achieved, resulting in a better program.

[0028] (12) A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is a drug solution dispensing device comprising: a determination unit that determines whether the amount of drug solution dispensed has reached a predetermined required amount based on a detection signal detected by a sensor provided in the drug solution dispensing device; and a transmission control unit that transmits determination result information indicating the determination result by the determination unit to an information management device.

[0029] With this configuration, the same effect as item (1) above can be achieved, and a better drug administration device can be obtained.

[0030] According to this disclosure, a better information management system, information management method, program, and drug dispensing device can be obtained.

[0031] Figure 1 is a block diagram of the information management system. Figure 2 is a partially abbreviated longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drug dispensing device. Figure 3 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drug dispensing device. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along line IV-IV in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an information management method. Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the drug dispensing device. Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the drug dispensing device. Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the drug dispensing device. Figure 9 is a partially abbreviated longitudinal cross-sectional view of a modified drug dispensing device. Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating an information management method according to the modified example.

[0032] Figure 1 is a block diagram of the information management system 10. As shown in Figure 1, the information management system 10 comprises a drug dispensing device 12 and an information management device 14.

[0033] Figure 2 is a partially abbreviated longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drug dispensing device 12. Figure 3 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drug dispensing device 12. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along the line IV-IV in Figure 3. In Figure 2, direction A is the direction of the base end of the drug dispensing device 12, and direction B is the direction of the tip end of the drug dispensing device 12. Hereinafter, the direction of the tip end of the drug dispensing device 12 may be simply referred to as the "tip end direction," and the direction of the base end of the drug dispensing device 12 may be simply referred to as the "base end direction."

[0034] As shown in Figure 2, the drug administration device 12 is a device used by a user, who is a patient requiring drug administration, to inject the drug into the user. In other words, the drug administration device 12 is a device used by a user for self-administration (self-injection) of the drug. A user other than the patient may also administer the drug to the patient using the drug administration device 12. The drug administration device 12 is used to administer the drug to the target of administration 300 (see Figure 6). The target of administration 300 is, for example, the intradermal and subcutaneous tissue of the patient (living body). The drug solution includes, for example, insulin for administration to diabetic patients, but is not limited to this. In this embodiment, the drug administration device 12 is a disposable item that is discarded after a single use.

[0035] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the drug administration device 12 comprises a housing 16, a sleeve 18, an end cap 20, a trigger member 22, a syringe 24, a slide member 26, and a locking member 28. A cap (not shown) is detachably attached to the tip of the drug administration device 12. When the cap is attached to the housing 16, it covers the needle tip of the syringe 24. The cap is removed from the housing 16 when using the drug administration device 12.

[0036] The housing 16 extends cylindrically along the axial direction (direction A and direction B) of the drug administration device 12. The front and base ends of the housing 16 are open. The housing 16 has a window portion (not shown). The user can visually inspect the drug solution inside the syringe 24 from outside the housing 16 through the window portion.

[0037] As shown in Figure 4, the sleeve 18 is housed inside the housing 16. The sleeve 18 extends in the axial direction of the drug dispensing device 12 (see Figures 2 and 4). The sleeve 18 is hollow.

[0038] The end cap 20 has a cap body 30, a shaft portion 32, a pair of first locking claws 34, and a pair of second locking claws 36. The cap body 30 forms a housing chamber 38 for housing the control device 88, which will be described later. The cap body 30 includes a base plate 40, a peripheral wall portion 42, and a lid portion 44.

[0039] The base plate 40 is positioned to close the opening in the base direction of the housing 16. The peripheral wall portion 42 protrudes cylindrically from the outer peripheral end of the base plate 40 in the base direction. The lid portion 44 is attached to the end of the peripheral wall portion 42 in the protruding direction. The storage chamber 38 is the space enclosed by the base plate 40, the peripheral wall portion 42, and the lid portion 44.

[0040] The shaft portion 32 protrudes from the center of the base plate 40 toward the tip. The shaft portion 32 is located inside the housing 16. In other words, the shaft portion 32 is located inside the sleeve 18. The tip of the shaft portion 32 is located in the middle (central) part of the housing 16 in the longitudinal direction (see Figure 2).

[0041] A pair of first locking claws 34 protrude from the base plate 40 toward the tip. The pair of first locking claws 34 each fit into a pair of first locking holes 46 formed at the base end of the housing 16. This fixes the end cap 20 to the housing 16. A pair of second locking claws 36 protrude from the base plate 40 toward the tip. The pair of second locking claws 36 each fit into a pair of second locking holes 48 formed at the base end of the sleeve 18. This fixes the sleeve 18 to the end cap 20.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 2, the trigger member 22 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The tip and the base end of the trigger member 22 are each open. The trigger member 22 is disposed inside the housing 16 so as to protrude from the tip of the housing 16 in the tip direction in the initial state before the use of the chemical solution administration device 12. That is, in the initial state, the tip of the trigger member 22 is located in the tip direction relative to the tip of the housing 16. The trigger member 22 is axially relatively movable with respect to the housing 16. The trigger member 22 is axially slidable with respect to the inner surface of the housing 16.

[0043] The chemical solution administration device 12 further includes a biasing member 50 that biases the trigger member 22 in the tip direction. The biasing member 50 is, for example, a spring member such as a compression coil spring. The biasing member 50 is interposed between the base end of the trigger member 22 and the sleeve 18. The biasing member 50 is not limited to a spring member and may be an elastic member such as rubber.

[0044] The syringe 24 is disposed inside the housing 16. The syringe 24 includes a cylinder 52, a needle 54, a plunger 56, and a pressing member 58. The cylinder 52 is disposed inside the trigger member 22. The base end of the cylinder 52 is located in the tip direction relative to the tip of the sleeve 18. The cylinder 52 is filled with a chemical solution inside. The cylinder 52 is fixed to the housing 16 by a support member (not shown). The needle 54 is fixed to the tip of the cylinder 52. The needle 54 is punctured into the administration target 300 by being exposed from the tip opening of the trigger member 22 (see FIG. 6).

[0045] The plunger 56 presses the chemical solution filled inside the cylinder 52 in the tip direction. The plunger 56 includes a gasket 60, a connecting member 62, and a plunger body 64. The gasket 60 is disposed inside the cylinder 52. The gasket 60 is in liquid-tight contact with the inner surface of the cylinder 52. That is, the gasket 60 seals the chemical solution inside the cylinder 52. The gasket 60 is made of a resin material.

[0046] The connecting member 62 connects the gasket 60 and the plunger body 64. In the initial state of the chemical solution administration device 12, the plunger body 64 is disposed inside the sleeve 18. The plunger body 64 includes an intermediate cylinder portion 66, a tip cylinder portion 68, and a plurality of base end extending portions 70. The intermediate cylinder portion 66 extends in the axial direction of the chemical solution administration device 12. In the initial state of the chemical solution administration device 12, the shaft portion 32 is inserted into the intermediate cylinder portion 66. The tip cylinder portion 68 protrudes in the tip direction from the tip of the intermediate cylinder portion 66. The inner diameter of the tip cylinder portion 68 is smaller than the inner diameter of the intermediate cylinder portion 66. The connecting member 62 is fitted to the tip cylinder portion 68. <>

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the plurality of base end extending portions 70 extend in the base end direction from the base end portion of the intermediate cylinder portion 66. The plurality of base end extending portions 70 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the intermediate cylinder portion 66. In other words, a slit (not shown) is provided between adjacent base end extending portions 70. The base end extending portion 70 is elastically deformable in the radial direction of the intermediate cylinder portion 66.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, a flange portion 72 protruding outward in the radial direction of the intermediate cylinder portion 66 is provided at the base end portion of the base end extending portion 70. In the initial state of the chemical solution administration device 12, the surface of the flange portion 72 facing the tip direction is in contact with the inclined surface 74 of the sleeve 18. The inclined surface 74 is inclined in the tip direction toward the inner side in the radial direction of the sleeve 18.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 2, the pressing member 58 presses the plunger 56 in the tip direction. The pressing member 58 is, for example, a spring member such as a compression coil spring. The pressing member 58 is interposed between the tip cylinder portion 68 and the base plate 40. The pressing member 58 is inserted into the intermediate cylinder portion 66. The shaft portion 32 is inserted into the pressing member 58.

[0050] The slide member 26 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The slide member 26 is disposed inside the housing 16. The tip portion of the slide member 26 is connected to the base end portion of the trigger member 22. The slide member 26 is inserted into the biasing member 50.

[0051] As shown in Figure 3, the locking member 28 restricts the movement of the plunger 56 relative to the cylindrical body 52 in the direction of the tip. The locking member 28 is positioned inside the housing 16 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the drug dispensing device 12 relative to the housing 16. The locking member 28 is connected to the base end of the slide member 26. That is, the locking member 28 moves in conjunction with the movement of the trigger member 22.

[0052] The locking member 28 has a locking body 76, an end wall portion 78, a pair of arm portions 80, and a protruding portion 82. The locking body 76 is formed in a cylindrical shape. In the initial state of the drug dispensing device 12, the locking body 76 is inserted inside the multiple base end extensions 70.

[0053] The locking body 76 contacts the multiple base extensions 70, thereby preventing the multiple base extensions 70 from elastically deforming radially inward within the intermediate cylindrical portion 66. In other words, even when the plunger 56 is pressed toward the tip by the pressing member 58, the elastic radial inward deformation of each base extension 70 is prevented by the locking body 76, so that the flanges 72 provided on each base extension 70 cannot overcome the inclined surface 74 of the sleeve 18 (see Figures 3 and 4). Therefore, the locking member 28 can prevent the plunger 56 from moving toward the tip relative to the cylindrical body 52.

[0054] When the locking member 28 moves toward the base end relative to the plunger 56 and the locking body 76 is released from the inside of the multiple base extensions 70, the multiple base extensions 70 become elastically deformable radially inward. In this case, the flange portion 72 is pressed against the inclined surface 74 by the pressing member 58 pressing the plunger 56 toward the tip, causing the multiple base extensions 70 to elastically deform radially inward. As a result, the flange portion 72 can overcome the inclined surface 74.

[0055] The end wall portion 78 extends radially outward from the base end of the lock body 76 and extends in an annular shape. The pair of arm portions 80 protrude toward the tip from the outer edge of the end wall portion 78. The pair of arm portions 80 are attached to the slide member 26. The projection portion 82 protrudes from the end wall portion 78 toward the base end. The projection portion 82 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape. The end of the projection portion 82 in the projection direction (base end) tapers toward the base end. When the lock member 28 moves toward the base end relative to the housing 16 (plunger 56), the projection portion 82 enters the housing chamber 38 by passing through the hole 84 formed in the base plate 40 (see Figure 6).

[0056] As shown in Figure 1, the drug administration device 12 further comprises a sensor 86 and a control device 88. The sensor 86 and the control device 88 are arranged in the containment chamber 38 (see Figure 2). The sensor 86 has an administration detection sensor 90 that detects the start and end of drug administration. The administration detection sensor 90 is positioned to face the protrusion 82 through a hole 84 (see Figure 3).

[0057] The administration detection sensor 90 has a detection circuit 92. The administration detection sensor 90 is a switch that turns on the detection circuit 92 when the protrusion 82 comes into contact with the administration detection sensor 90. When the detection circuit 92 is ON, it outputs a signal to the control device 88. The detection circuit 92 turns OFF when the protrusion 82 separates from the administration detection sensor 90. When the detection circuit 92 is OFF, it stops outputting a signal to the control device 88. The administration detection sensor 90 detects the start of drug administration based on the detection circuit 92 being ON, and detects the end of drug administration based on the detection circuit 92 being OFF. When the detection circuit 92 is ON, it outputs a detection signal (drug administration signal) to the control device 88.

[0058] The dosage detection sensor 90 is not limited to the switch described above, but may be a non-contact sensor. In this case, the dosage detection sensor 90 may be, for example, an optical sensor or a magnetic sensor.

[0059] As shown in Figure 1, the control device 88 comprises an arithmetic unit 94, a storage unit 96, a timer 98, a notification unit 100, and an information transmitter 102. The control device 88 may also include other components, but their description is omitted here. The storage unit 96 may have a program installed that causes a computer to execute the information management method according to this embodiment.

[0060] The arithmetic unit 94 is composed of a processor, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). In other words, the arithmetic unit 94 is composed of processing circuitry.

[0061] The calculation unit 94 includes an information acquisition unit 104, an elapsed time measurement unit 106, a determination unit 108, a notification control unit 110, and a transmission control unit 112. The information acquisition unit 104, the elapsed time measurement unit 106, the determination unit 108, the notification control unit 110, and the transmission control unit 112 can be realized by the calculation unit 94 executing a program stored in the storage unit 96.

[0062] Furthermore, at least a portion of the information acquisition unit 104, the elapsed time measurement unit 106, the determination unit 108, the notification control unit 110, and the transmission control unit 112 may be implemented using integrated circuits such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) and FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays). Alternatively, at least a portion of the information acquisition unit 104, the elapsed time measurement unit 106, the determination unit 108, the notification control unit 110, and the transmission control unit 112 may be configured using electronic circuits including discrete devices.

[0063] The information acquisition unit 104 acquires the detection signal output from the administration detection sensor 90. The elapsed time measurement unit 106 starts and stops the operation of the timer 98. By controlling the timer 98, the elapsed time measurement unit 106 measures the elapsed time from the detection of the start of drug administration to the detection of the end of drug administration.

[0064] The determination unit 108 determines whether the drug solution dosage has reached a predetermined required dosage based on the detection signal detected by the sensor 86. The required dosage is stored in the storage unit 96. The notification control unit 110 notifies the determination result of the determination unit 108 by controlling the notification unit 100. The transmission control unit 112 transmits determination result information indicating the determination result of the determination unit 108 to the information management device 14 by controlling the information transmitter 102. The determination result includes a determination result indicating that the drug solution dosage has reached the required dosage (normal administration result) and a determination result indicating that the drug solution dosage has not reached the required dosage (abnormal administration result).

[0065] The storage unit 96 is composed of a volatile memory (not shown) and a non-volatile memory (not shown). Examples of volatile memory include RAM (Random Access Memory). The volatile memory is used as the working memory of the processor and temporarily stores data necessary for processing or calculations. Examples of non-volatile memory include ROM (Read Only Memory) and flash memory. The non-volatile memory is used as storage memory and stores programs, tables, maps, etc. At least a part of the storage unit 96 may be provided in the processor, integrated circuit, etc. as described above.

[0066] Timer 98 is a counter that measures time. Notification unit 100 notifies the judgment result. Notification unit 100 has, for example, a buzzer that notifies the judgment result by sound. In this case, the volume, pitch, and duration of sound output can be appropriately set to distinguish between normal administration results and abnormal administration results.

[0067] The notification unit 100 is not limited to a buzzer, but may be a speaker capable of outputting sound. Alternatively, the notification unit 100 may be an indicator light, a vibration generator, etc. If the notification unit 100 is an indicator light, normal administration results and abnormal administration results can be distinguished by appropriately setting the color of the indicator light and the flashing speed of the indicator light. If the notification unit 100 is a vibration generator, normal administration results and abnormal administration results can be distinguished by appropriately setting the magnitude of the vibration, the rhythm of the vibration, etc. The notification unit 100 may also notify the judgment result by appropriately combining sound, light, vibration, etc. The information transmitter 102 may transmit the judgment result information to the information management device 14.

[0068] Examples of information management devices 14 include, but are not limited to, smartphones and tablets. The information management device 14 can manage information related to drug administration by the drug administration device 12.

[0069] The information management device 14 comprises a calculation unit 120, a storage unit 122, an operation unit 124, a display unit 126, a notification unit 128, and an information receiver 130. While the information management device 14 may also include other components, their description is omitted here.

[0070] The information management device 14 may have a program pre-installed that causes the computer provided in the information management device 14 to execute the information management method according to this embodiment. More specifically, an information management application program (information management app) may be pre-installed in the information management device 14. The information management app may, but is not limited to, downloading via a website or the like.

[0071] The arithmetic unit 120 is composed of a processor such as a CPU or GPU. In other words, the arithmetic unit 120 is composed of processing circuits. The arithmetic unit 120 has a receiving control unit 132 and a notification control unit 134. The receiving control unit 132 and the notification control unit 134 can be realized by the arithmetic unit 120 executing a program stored in the storage unit 122.

[0072] Furthermore, at least a portion of the receiving control unit 132 and the notification control unit 134 may be implemented using integrated circuits such as ASICs and FPGAs. Also, at least a portion of the receiving control unit 132 and the notification control unit 134 may be composed of electronic circuits including discrete devices.

[0073] The receiving control unit 132 receives the judgment result information transmitted from the information transmitter 102 by controlling the information receiver 130. The notification control unit 134 notifies the judgment result corresponding to the judgment result information received by the receiving control unit 132 by controlling the notification unit 128. The storage unit 122 can be configured in the same way as the storage unit 96 described above.

[0074] The operation unit 124 is used when the user operates the information management device 14. The display unit 126 is equipped with a display element (not shown). Examples of display elements include liquid crystal display elements and organic electroluminescent display elements. The operation unit 124 and the display unit 126 may be configured by a touch panel (not shown) equipped with such a display element, but are not limited to this. The operation unit 124 may also be configured by a keyboard, mouse, or the like.

[0075] The notification unit 128 may be configured in the same manner as the notification unit 100 described above. Alternatively, the notification unit 128 may notify the judgment result by displaying the judgment result (image) on the display unit 126. Furthermore, the notification unit 128 may notify the judgment result by appropriately combining sound, light, vibration, images, etc.

[0076] The information receiver 130 can receive judgment result information transmitted from the information transmitter 102. The information transmitter 102 and the information receiver 130 may transmit and receive judgment result information by connecting them, for example, via Bluetooth®. Alternatively, the information transmitter 102 and the information receiver 130 may transmit and receive judgment result information by infrared communication, wireless LAN, or the like.

[0077] Next, the information management method according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the information management method. Figures 6 to 8 are diagrams illustrating the operation of the drug dispensing device 12. When the information management method is executed, the user removes a cap (not shown) of the drug dispensing device 12 from the housing 16.

[0078] In step S1, the trigger member 22 is pressed against the target 300. As a result, as shown in Figure 6, the trigger member 22 moves in the proximal direction relative to the housing 16. This causes the needle body 54 to be exposed from the trigger member 22 and puncture the target 300.

[0079] When the trigger member 22 moves toward the base end relative to the housing 16, the locking member 28 moves toward the base end relative to the housing 16 (plunger 56). As a result, the locking body 76 of the locking member 28 detaches from the inside of the multiple base extensions 70, so that the multiple base extensions 70 become elastically deformable radially inward. Since the plunger 56 is pressed toward the tip by the pressing member 58, the flange 72 of the plunger 56 is pressed against the inclined surface 74 of the sleeve 18. The plunger 56 moves toward the tip relative to the housing 16 while the multiple base extensions 70 elastically deform radially inward. As a result, the flange 72 overcomes the inclined surface 74. Then, administration of the drug solution filled inside the syringe 24 to the target 300 begins. After pressing the trigger member 22 against the target 300, the process proceeds to step S2.

[0080] In step S2, the administration detection sensor 90 detects the start of drug administration. Specifically, when the trigger member 22 is pressed against the target 300, the locking member 28 moves toward the base end relative to the housing 16, and the protruding portion 82 of the locking member 28 passes through the hole 84 and contacts the administration detection sensor 90. As a result, the detection circuit 92 of the administration detection sensor 90 turns on, and the administration detection sensor 90 detects the start of drug administration. In other words, the detection circuit 92 of the administration detection sensor 90 outputs a detection signal (drug administration signal) to the control device 88. After this, the process proceeds to step S3.

[0081] In step S3, the elapsed time measurement unit 106 starts measuring the elapsed time. Specifically, the detection signal (drug administration signal) output from the administration detection sensor 90 is acquired by the information acquisition unit 104 of the control device 88. When the information acquisition unit 104 acquires the drug administration signal, the elapsed time measurement unit 106 starts the operation of the timer 98, thereby starting to measure the elapsed time. After this, the process proceeds to step S4.

[0082] In step S4, the determination unit 108 determines whether the elapsed time has exceeded the required administration time. If the determination unit 108 determines that the elapsed time has not exceeded the required administration time (NO in step S4), the process proceeds to step S5.

[0083] In step S5, the determination unit 108 determines whether the administration detection sensor 90 has detected the end of drug administration. Specifically, for example, as shown in Figure 7, if the needle 54 is withdrawn from the target 300 while drug solution remains inside the syringe 24, the administration of drug solution to the target 300 is stopped.

[0084] Furthermore, when the trigger member 22 is released from its contact with the target 300, the biasing force of the biasing member 50 causes the trigger member 22 to move toward the tip relative to the housing 16, and the locking member 28 also moves toward the tip relative to the housing 16. As a result, the protruding portion 82 separates from the administration detection sensor 90, and the detection circuit 92 turns off. This allows the administration detection sensor 90 to detect the end of drug administration.

[0085] In this case, the administration detection sensor 90 stops outputting a detection signal (drug administration signal) to the control device 88. The determination unit 108 can determine whether the administration detection sensor 90 has detected the end of drug administration based on the fact that it has stopped receiving a detection signal from the administration detection sensor 90. That is, the determination unit 108 determines that the amount of drug administered has not reached the required amount if the administration detection sensor 90 detects the end of drug administration before the elapsed time reaches the required administration time.

[0086] If the determination unit 108 determines that the administration detection sensor 90 has detected the end of drug administration (YES in step S5), the process proceeds to step S6. In other words, if the determination unit 108 determines that the amount of drug administered has not reached the required dose, the process proceeds to step S6.

[0087] In step S6, the drug dispensing device 12 notifies the determination result (abnormal administration result). That is, the notification control unit 110 of the drug dispensing device 12 controls the notification unit 100 to notify the abnormal administration result. This allows the user of the drug dispensing device 12 to recognize that the amount of drug dispensed did not reach the required dose (that it was an abnormal administration). After this, the process proceeds to step S7.

[0088] In step S7 (information transmission step), the drug administration device 12 transmits the judgment result information (abnormal administration result information) to the information management device 14. That is, the transmission control unit 112 of the drug administration device 12 controls the information transmitter 102 to transmit the abnormal administration result information to the information management device 14. After this, the process proceeds to step S8.

[0089] In step S8 (information reception step), the information management device 14 receives the judgment result information (abnormal administration result information). That is, the receiving control unit 132 of the information management device 14 receives the abnormal administration result information by controlling the information receiver 130. After this, the process proceeds to step S9.

[0090] In step S9, the information management device 14 notifies the determination result (abnormal administration result). That is, the notification control unit 134 of the information management device 14 controls the notification unit 128 to notify the abnormal administration result. This allows the user of the information management device 14 to recognize that the drug solution dosage did not reach the required dosage (that it was an abnormal administration). Here, the user of the information management device 14 may be the same person as the user of the drug solution administration device 12, or a different person. The user of the information management device 14 may be, for example, a medical professional such as a doctor. After this, the process shown in Figure 5 is completed.

[0091] If, in step S5, the determination unit 108 determines that the administration detection sensor 90 did not detect the end of drug administration (NO in step S5), the process proceeds to step S4.

[0092] In step S4, if the determination unit 108 determines that the elapsed time has exceeded the required administration time (YES in step S4), the process proceeds to step S10. Here, when the elapsed time exceeds the required administration time, as shown in Figure 8, all of the drug solution filled inside the syringe 24 is administered to the target 300. In other words, the determination unit 108 determines that the amount of drug solution administered has reached the required amount when the elapsed time exceeds the required administration time.

[0093] In step S10, the drug dispensing device 12 notifies the determination result (normal administration result). That is, the notification control unit 110 of the drug dispensing device 12 controls the notification unit 100 to notify the normal administration result. This allows the user of the drug dispensing device 12 to recognize that the drug dispensing amount has reached the required dose (that it was a normal administration). After this, the process proceeds to step S11.

[0094] In step S11 (information transmission step), the drug administration device 12 transmits the determination result information (normal administration result information) to the information management device 14. That is, the transmission control unit 112 of the drug administration device 12 controls the information transmitter 102 to transmit the normal administration result information to the information management device 14. After this, the process proceeds to step S12.

[0095] In step S12 (information reception step), the information management device 14 receives the judgment result information (normal administration result information). That is, the receiving control unit 132 of the information management device 14 receives the normal administration result information by controlling the information receiver 130. After this, the process proceeds to step S13.

[0096] In step S13, the information management device 14 notifies the determination result (normal administration result). That is, the notification control unit 134 of the information management device 14 controls the notification unit 128 to notify the normal administration result. This allows the user of the information management device 14 to recognize that the drug solution dose has reached the required dose (that it was a normal administration). After this, the process shown in Figure 5 is completed.

[0097] In the information management method described above, steps S4 and S5 correspond to determination steps in which the amount of drug solution administered is determined based on the detection signal detected by the sensor 86 to determine whether or not the amount of drug solution administered has reached a predetermined required dose.

[0098] According to this embodiment, the information management device 14 can manage the determination result of whether or not the drug solution dosage has reached the required dosage. This makes it possible to obtain a better information management system 10, information management method, program, and drug solution dispensing device 12.

[0099] Sensor 86 has an administration detection sensor 90 that detects the start and end of drug administration. With this configuration, the amount of drug administered can be determined by detecting the start and end of drug administration.

[0100] The drug solution dispensing device 12 includes an elapsed time measuring unit 106 that measures the time elapsed from the detection of the start of drug solution dispensing by the dispensing detection sensor 90 until the detection of the end of drug solution dispensing. The determination unit 108 determines that the drug solution amount has reached the required amount if the elapsed time is equal to or greater than a predetermined required dispensing time, and determines that the drug solution amount has not reached the required amount if the elapsed time is shorter than the required dispensing time. With this configuration, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the drug solution amount has reached the required amount.

[0101] The information management device 14 includes a notification control unit 134 that notifies the determination result when the receiving control unit 132 receives determination result information. With this configuration, since the information management device 14 notifies the determination result, the user of the information management device 14 can recognize whether the drug solution dosage has reached the required dosage.

[0102] The drug dispensing device 12 is equipped with a notification control unit 110 that notifies the determination result. With this configuration, the drug dispensing device 12 notifies the determination result, so the user of the drug dispensing device 12 can recognize whether the drug dispensing amount has reached the required dose.

[0103] The drug administration device 12 includes a housing 16, a syringe 24 having a cylindrical body 52 housed within the housing 16 and filled with drug solution, and a plunger 56 for pressing the drug solution filled in the cylindrical body 52, a trigger member 22 provided within the housing 16 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the syringe 24 relative to the housing 16, and a biasing member 50 that biases the trigger member 22 toward the tip relative to the housing 16 so that the trigger member 22 protrudes from the tip of the housing 16. The trigger member 22 moves toward the base end relative to the housing 16 when the trigger member 22 is pressed against the target to be administered 300, and moves toward the tip relative to the housing 16 when the pressure on the target to be administered 300 is released and the trigger member 22 is pushed by the biasing member 50. The administration detection sensor 90 detects the start of drug administration when the trigger member 22 moves toward the base end relative to the housing 16, and detects the end of drug administration when the trigger member 22 moves toward the tip relative to the housing 16. With this configuration, the start and end of drug administration can be detected with a simple setup.

[0104] The drug dispensing device 12 is equipped with a locking member 28 that prevents the plunger 56 from moving toward the tip relative to the housing 16 in its initial state. The locking member 28 moves toward the base end together with the trigger member 22 when the trigger member 22 moves toward the base end relative to the housing 16, releasing the restriction on the plunger 56's movement toward the tip relative to the housing 16 and making contact with the dispensing detection sensor 90. The locking member 28 moves toward the tip together with the trigger member 22 when the trigger member 22 moves toward the tip relative to the housing 16, moving away from the dispensing detection sensor 90. With this configuration, the start and end of drug dispensing can be detected with high accuracy.

[0105] The administration detection sensor 90 detects the start of drug administration when the locking member 28 contacts the administration detection sensor 90, and detects the end of drug administration when the locking member 28 moves away from the administration detection sensor 90. With this configuration, the start and end of drug administration can be detected with a simple setup.

[0106] (Modified Version) Next, a modified drug dispensing device 12a will be described. Figure 9 is a partially omitted longitudinal cross-sectional view of the modified drug dispensing device 12a. Components of the modified drug dispensing device 12a that are the same as those of the drug dispensing device 12 described above are given the same reference numerals, and their detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0107] As shown in Figure 9, the sensor 86a of the drug dispensing device 12a further includes a position detection sensor 140. The position detection sensor 140 is mounted on the housing 16. The position detection sensor 140 detects when the plunger 56 is in a predetermined position for end-of-dose administration. The position detection sensor 140 is, for example, a contact sensor. In this embodiment, when the plunger 56 is in the end-of-dose administration position, the flange 72 of the plunger 56 contacts the position detection sensor 140. The position detection sensor 140 outputs a detection signal to the control device 88 based on the fact that the plunger 56 has contacted the position detection sensor 140. The position detection sensor 140 may be, for example, an optical sensor or a magnetic sensor.

[0108] Next, an information management method using the modified drug dispensing device 12a will be described. Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating the modified information management method. In the modified information management method, the process in step S4 is changed to step S4a compared to the information management method described above.

[0109] In step S4a, the determination unit 108 determines whether the plunger 56 is in the administration end position. If the determination unit 108 determines that the plunger 56 is not in the administration end position (NO in step S4a), the process proceeds to step S5. In other words, in this modified example, if the administration detection sensor 90 detects the end of drug administration before the plunger 56 is in the administration end position (YES in step S5), the determination unit 108 determines that the drug dose has not reached the required dose.

[0110] Furthermore, if the determination unit 108 determines that the plunger 56 is in the administration end position (YES in step S4a), the process proceeds to step S10. That is, the determination unit 108 determines that the drug solution dose has reached the required dose when the plunger 56 is in the administration end position.

[0111] The drug dispensing device 12a according to this modified example does not need to include the timer 98 and elapsed time measurement unit 106 described above. Furthermore, the sensor 86a may have a drug solution detection sensor capable of detecting the amount of drug solution filled inside the syringe 24, instead of the position detection sensor 140. For example, a capacitive level sensor can be used as the drug solution detection sensor.

[0112] In this modified example, the drug administration device 12a includes a syringe 24 having a cylindrical body 52 into which the drug solution is filled and a plunger 56 that presses the drug solution filled in the cylindrical body 52. ​​The sensor 86a has a position detection sensor 140 that detects the position of the plunger 56. The determination unit 108 determines that the drug solution has reached the required dose when the administration detection sensor 90 detects that the drug solution has finished being administered while the position of the plunger 56 detected by the position detection sensor 140 is at a predetermined administration end position, and determines that the drug solution has not reached the required dose when the administration detection sensor 90 detects that the drug solution has finished being administered before the position of the plunger 56 detected by the position detection sensor 140 is at the administration end position. With this configuration, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the drug solution has reached the required dose.

[0113] While this disclosure has been described in detail, it is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. These embodiments can be added, replaced, modified, partially deleted, etc., in any way that does not depart from the gist of this disclosure or from the spirit of this disclosure derived from the claims and their equivalents. These embodiments can also be implemented in combination. For example, the order of operations and processes in the embodiments described above are given as examples only and are not limited thereto. The same applies when numerical values ​​or mathematical formulas are used in the description of the embodiments described above.

Claims

1. An information management system comprising a drug solution dispensing device and an information management device, wherein the drug solution dispensing device comprises a determination unit that determines whether the amount of drug solution dispensed has reached a predetermined required amount based on a detection signal detected by a sensor provided in the drug solution dispensing device, and a transmission control unit that transmits determination result information indicating the determination result by the determination unit to the information management device, and the information management device comprises a receiving control unit that receives the determination result information transmitted by the transmission control unit.

2. An information management system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor has an administration detection sensor that detects the start of administration of a drug solution and the end of administration of the drug solution.

3. An information management system according to claim 2, wherein the drug solution dispensing device includes an elapsed time measuring unit that measures the elapsed time from when the dispensing detection sensor detects the start of drug solution dispensing to when it detects the end of drug solution dispensing, and the determination unit determines that the amount of drug solution dispensed has reached the required amount if the elapsed time is equal to or greater than a predetermined required dispensing time, and determines that the amount of drug solution dispensed has not reached the required amount if the elapsed time is shorter than the required dispensing time.

4. An information management system according to claim 2, wherein the drug solution administration device comprises a syringe having a cylindrical body filled with the drug solution and a plunger for pressing the drug solution filled in the cylindrical body, the sensor has a position detection sensor for detecting the position of the plunger, and the determination unit determines that the amount of drug solution administered has reached the required dose when the administration detection sensor detects the end of drug solution administration while the position of the plunger detected by the position detection sensor is at a predetermined administration end position, and determines that the amount of drug solution administered has not reached the required dose when the administration detection sensor detects the end of drug solution administration before the position of the plunger detected by the position detection sensor is at the administration end position.

5. An information management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the information management device includes a notification control unit that notifies the determination result when the receiving control unit receives the determination result information.

6. An information management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the drug solution dispensing device comprises a notification control unit that notifies the determination result.

7. An information management system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the drug solution administration device comprises: a housing; a syringe having a cylindrical body housed in the housing and filled with the drug solution, and a plunger for pressing the drug solution filled in the cylindrical body; a trigger member provided in the housing so as to be movable in the axial direction of the syringe relative to the housing; and a biasing member that biases the trigger member toward the tip relative to the housing such that the trigger member protrudes from the tip of the housing, wherein the trigger member moves toward the base end relative to the housing when the trigger member is pressed against the target to be administered, and moves toward the tip relative to the housing when the pressure on the target to be administered is released and the trigger member is pushed by the biasing member; and the administration detection sensor detects the start of drug solution administration when the trigger member moves toward the base end relative to the housing, and detects the end of drug solution administration when the trigger member moves toward the tip relative to the housing.

8. An information management system according to claim 7, wherein the drug dispensing device includes a locking member that prevents the plunger from moving toward the tip relative to the housing in an initial state, the locking member moves toward the base end together with the trigger member when the trigger member moves toward the base end relative to the housing, thereby releasing the restriction on the plunger's movement toward the tip relative to the housing and contacting the dispensing detection sensor, and moves toward the tip together with the trigger member when the trigger member moves toward the tip relative to the housing, thereby moving away from the dispensing detection sensor.

9. An information management system according to claim 8, wherein the administration detection sensor detects the start of administration of the drug solution when the locking member contacts the administration detection sensor, and detects the end of administration of the drug solution when the locking member moves away from the administration detection sensor.

10. An information management method for an information management system comprising a drug solution dispensing device and an information management device, the method comprising: a determination step of determining whether the amount of drug solution dispensed has reached a predetermined required amount based on a detection signal detected by a sensor provided in the drug solution dispensing device; an information transmission step of transmitting determination result information indicating the determination result of the determination step to the information management device; and an information reception step of the information management device receiving the determination result information transmitted in the information transmission step.

11. A program that causes a computer provided in a drug dispensing device to execute a determination step of determining whether the amount of drug dispensed has reached a predetermined required amount based on a detection signal detected by a sensor provided in the drug dispensing device, and an information transmission step of transmitting determination result information indicating the determination result of the determination step to an information management device.

12. A drug solution dispensing device comprising: a determination unit that determines whether the amount of drug solution dispensed has reached a predetermined required amount based on a detection signal detected by a sensor provided in the drug solution dispensing device; and a transmission control unit that transmits determination result information indicating the determination result by the determination unit to an information management device.

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