Drug Cassette Grouping Control for Faster Tablet Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug supply devices increase the time required for drug supply when the number of cassettes capable of performing ejection operations per package is limited, leading to increased tablet counts per cassette and prolonged supply times.
Innovation Solution
A drug supply device that includes a control device to set groups of cassettes, selecting cassettes for ejection operations such that the number of tablets ejected from each cassette is leveled across groups, optimizing the number of cassettes used in each group to reduce overall supply time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the number of cassettes for ejection operation is limited per package, then the device complexity is reduced, but the drug supply time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the drug supply process by dividing cassettes into multiple groups, where each group handles a specific portion of the drug supply task. This allows parallel processing of drug ejection across multiple groups, reducing the overall supply time while maintaining a limited total number of cassettes.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device dynamically assigns cassettes to different groups based on the drug supply requirements. The grouping and assignment are not fixed but adapt to the specific package contents, optimizing the utilization of limited cassettes to minimize supply time.
2Loss of time
If multiple groups of cassettes are set to reduce supply time, then the drug supply time decreases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device serves multiple functions: it manages cassette grouping, monitors drug levels, controls ejection operations, and optimizes resource allocation. This multi-functionality consolidates the complexity into a single control system rather than requiring separate mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the organizational parameter of cassettes from individual units to grouped units, where the group structure is optimized based on supply requirements. This parameter change enables parallel processing while the control device manages the complexity of coordination.
3Device complexity
If the number of tablets per cassette is increased to handle limited cassettes, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of drug dosage decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device monitors the drug ejection process and the remaining tablet count in each cassette. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate dosage control even when multiple tablets are managed per cassette, as the system can track and adjust the ejection process to maintain precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual or mechanical dosage control with an automated control device that uses electronic monitoring and control. This substitution enables precise dosage management through electronic counting and control logic, overcoming the limitations of mechanical cassette designs.
Data Source
AI summary
A drug supply device includes: a plurality of cassettes configured to eject a drug one by one; and a control device configured to set a plurality of groups including a plurality of cassettes selected from among the plurality of cassettes. The control device selects a cassette that performs a drug ejection operation from each of the plurality of groups such that a number of tablets of a drug to be ejected from the plurality of cassettes that perform the drug ejection operation is each levelled in one of the plurality of group and among the plurality of groups.