JP7648152B2 - Drug delivery device and drug delivery method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the dispensing of powdered medicine.

Medicine packaging devices capable of dispensing and packaging powdered or granular medicines, known as "powdered medicines," at doses have been known for some time. Patent Document 1 discloses this type of medicine packaging device.

The medicine dispensing device of Patent Document 1 has a medicine feeder, a distribution tray, a scraping device, and a medicine packaging device. The medicine feeder can supply powdered medicine to the distribution tray one dose at a time. This medicine dispensing device can be operated in a distributed arrangement mode. In the distributed arrangement mode, the powdered medicine is supplied from the medicine feeder to the distribution tray one dose at a time, and the distribution tray is stopped or rotated during this time, so that the powdered medicine is arranged on the distribution tray at intervals of one dose.

Patent No. 6562267

In the configuration of Patent Document 1, in the distributed arrangement mode, the dispenser cannot start scraping powdered medicine from the distribution tray until the entire dose of powdered medicine has been supplied to the distribution tray. Therefore, there is room for improvement in terms of work efficiency.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to realize efficient distribution of powdered medicine.

Means for solving the problems and effects

The problem that the present invention aims to solve is as described above. Next, we will explain the means for solving this problem and its effects.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drug dispensing device having the following configuration. That is, the drug dispensing device includes a drug feeder, a distribution tray, a drug removal unit, and a packaging unit. The drug feeder is capable of supplying one dose of powdered medicine to the distribution tray at a time. The distribution tray transports the one dose of powdered medicine supplied by the drug feeder. The drug removal unit removes the one dose of powdered medicine transported by the distribution tray. The packaging unit packages the powdered medicine removed by the drug removal unit. The supply of one dose of powdered medicine from the drug feeder to the distribution tray and the removal by the drug removal unit of the one dose of powdered medicine that has already been supplied from the drug feeder to the distribution tray and transported by the distribution tray are performed in parallel.

This allows the efficiency of distribution work to be effectively increased by working in parallel.

The above-mentioned drug dispensing device is preferably configured as follows. That is, the drug dispensing device is provided with a cleaning device that cleans the distribution tray. The supply of one dose of powdered medicine from the drug feeder to the distribution tray and the cleaning by the cleaning device of the point where one dose of powdered medicine that has already been taken out by the drug take-out unit after being supplied from the drug feeder and has accumulated on the distribution tray are performed in parallel.

This effectively improves the efficiency of work, including cleaning.

The above-mentioned drug dispensing device is preferably configured as follows. That is, the drug dispensing device is provided with a cleaning device that cleans the distribution plate. The drug removal unit removes one dose of powdered medicine that has been supplied from the drug feeder to the distribution plate and transported by the distribution plate, and the cleaning device cleans the point on the distribution plate where the one dose of powdered medicine that has already been removed by the drug removal unit has accumulated.

This effectively improves the efficiency of work, including cleaning.

The drug dispensing device is preferably configured as follows. That is, the drug dispensing device includes a recovery device and a control unit. The recovery device recovers the powdered medicine supplied to the distribution tray. The control unit controls the drug removal unit. When the control unit determines that the amount of powdered medicine supplied from the drug feeder to the distribution tray does not match one dose, the control unit controls the recovery device to recover the powdered medicine without being sent to the packaging unit by the drug removal unit.

This prevents an inaccurate dose of powdered medicine from being sent to the packaging section.

In the drug dispensing device, it is preferable that the recovery device also serves as a cleaning device for cleaning the dispensing tray.

This allows for simplification through sharing of equipment.

The above-mentioned medicine dispensing device is preferably configured as follows. That is, the medicine dispensing device includes a measuring unit that measures the weight of the powdered medicine supplied from the medicine feeder to the dispensing tray. The packaging unit includes a printing unit that is capable of printing on the packaging body that packages the powdered medicine. The printing unit prints the amount of powdered medicine measured by the measuring unit on the packaging body that packages the powdered medicine.

This makes it easy to check the amount of powdered medicine actually packaged based on what is printed on the package.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the following medicine distribution method is provided. That is, a medicine feeder supplies one dose of powdered medicine to a distribution tray at a time. The distribution tray transports the one dose of powdered medicine supplied to the distribution tray. A medicine removal unit removes the one dose of powdered medicine transported by the distribution tray and sends it to a packaging unit. The packaging unit packages the one dose of powdered medicine. The supply of one dose of powdered medicine from the medicine feeder to the distribution tray and the removal by the medicine removal unit of the one dose of powdered medicine already supplied from the medicine feeder to the distribution tray and transported by the distribution tray are performed in parallel.

This allows the efficiency of distribution work to be effectively increased by working in parallel.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a medicine packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 13 is a plan view showing the medicine feeder depositing a dose of powdered medicine into a distribution tray in the dispersed placement mode. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the state in which the powdered medicine dispensed in FIG. 2 is dispensed by the medicine dispenser, and at the same time, the medicine feeder dispenses a new dose of powdered medicine into the distribution tray. FIG. A plan view showing the situation in which the spot where the powdered medicine was removed in Figure 3 is cleaned by a cleaning device, and in parallel with this, the powdered medicine inserted in Figure 3 is removed by the medicine removal section, and in parallel with this, the medicine feeder inserts a new dose of powdered medicine into the distribution tray. 4 is a plan view illustrating an example in which the amount of powdered medicine dispensed by the medicine feeder in FIG. 3 exceeds the amount of one dose. 6 is a plan view showing how the powdered medicine dispenser skips the removal of the powdered medicine dispensed in the example of FIG. 5 . 6 is a plan view showing how the powdered medicine inserted in FIG. 5 is collected by the cleaning device; 1 is a chart explaining operation in distributed deployment mode.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a drug packaging device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The drug packaging device (drug dispensing device) 1 shown in FIG. 1 can store multiple drug containers 2 containing drugs. In this embodiment, the drugs are powdered medicines. This drug packaging device 1 performs a dispensing process using the powdered medicine in the drug containers 2, and can distribute and package the medicines in single doses.

The drug packaging device 1 includes a container storage section 11, a container transport section 15, a drug feeder 21, a distribution tray 31, a drug removal section 35, a cleaning device 41, and a control device (control section) 95.

The drug packaging device 1 includes a housing (not shown). This housing contains a container storage section 11, a drug feeder 21, a distribution tray 31, a drug removal section 35, a cleaning device 41, and a packaging section 51.

The container storage unit 11 can store multiple drug containers 2. The container storage unit 11 includes a rotating member 12 and a container placement unit 13.

The rotating member 12 is a substantially cylindrical member that is provided in an upright position. The rotating member 12 can rotate about an axis extending in the vertical direction by the driving force of the motor.

The container placement sections 13 are arranged in a row on the outer periphery of the rotating member 12. A drug container 2 can be placed in each container placement section 13. The container placement section 13 can be, for example, a mounting plate capable of storing the drug container 2. The container placement section 13 rotates integrally with the rotating member 12 as the rotating member 12 rotates.

The container transport unit 15 transports the drug containers 2 between the container storage unit 11 and the drug feeder 21. The configuration of the container transport unit 15 is arbitrary, but it can be configured, for example, as a transport robot.

The container transport unit 15 can take out a drug container 2 from one of the container placement units 13 of the container storage unit 11, transport it to the drug feeder 21 described below, and attach it there. The container transport unit 15 can remove a drug container 2 from the drug feeder 21, and transport it back to one of the container placement units 13.

The drug feeder 21 is disposed near the distribution tray 31. The drug container 2 can be removably attached to the drug feeder 21. The drug feeder 21 can feed the powdered medicine inside the drug container 2 set in the drug feeder 21 into the distribution tray 31.

The drug feeder 21 includes a vibration device 22 and a measuring unit 23.

The vibration device 22 vibrates the medicine container 2 set in the medicine feeder 21. When the medicine container 2 set in the medicine feeder 21 vibrates with the discharge port of the medicine container 2 open, the powdered medicine in the medicine container 2 is shaken out. The powdered medicine coming out of the discharge port falls into a groove 34 formed in the distribution dish 31 located directly below the discharge port.

The measuring unit 23 can measure the weight of the powdered medicine in the medicine container 2. The measuring unit 23 is configured as an electronic balance.

The distribution dish 31 is provided near the medicine feeder 21. The distribution dish 31 functions as a receiving tray for receiving powdered medicine dispensed from the medicine container 2.

The distribution dish 31 comprises a dish portion 32 and a rotation drive portion 33.

The dish portion 32 is formed in a horizontal disk shape. The dish portion 32 is supported so that it can rotate around an axis in the vertical direction. In a plan view, the axis of rotation of the dish portion 32 is located at the center of the circular dish portion 32.

A ring-shaped groove 34 is formed on the outer peripheral end of the upper surface of the dish portion 32. The cross section of the groove 34 is arc-shaped. Powdered medicine is dispensed into this groove 34 by the medicine feeder 21.

The rotary drive unit 33 can rotate the plate portion 32 by the driving force of the motor. This allows the powdered medicine placed in the plate portion 32 to be transported in the circumferential direction of the plate portion 32.

The drug removal section 35 is provided near the distribution tray 31. The drug removal section 35 is located downstream of the drug feeder 21 in the direction in which the powdered medicine is transported by the rotation of the tray section 32. The drug removal section 35 is attached to the tip of a switching arm 36 that can move up and down.

The drug removal section 35 includes a push plate 37, a push member 38, and a removal drive section 39.

The push plate 37 is rotatably supported at the tip of the switching arm 36.

The push plate 37 is formed in a disk shape. The thickness direction of the push plate 37 is oriented substantially horizontally. The rotation axis of the push plate 37 is located at the center of the disk. The direction of this rotation axis is generally parallel to the tangent direction of the groove 34, which is formed in a ring shape in a plan view.

The outer diameter of the gathering plate 37 is substantially the same as the diameter of the cross section of the groove 34, which is formed in an arc shape. When the plate portion 32 rotates with the lower part of the gathering plate 37 entering the groove 34 and the outer edge of the gathering plate 37 close to the inner bottom surface of the groove 34, the powdered medicine in the groove 34 hits the gathering plate 37. This allows the powdered medicine in the groove 34 to be gathered in the circumferential direction relative to the plate portion 32.

The pushing member 38 is fixed to one surface in the thickness direction of the gathering plate 37. The surface of the gathering plate 37 to which the pushing member 38 is fixed is the same as the surface on the side where the powdered medicine in the groove 34 hits the gathering plate 37 as the plate portion 32 rotates.

The removal drive unit 39 can rotate the push plate 37 and the push member 38 around the aforementioned rotation axis by the driving force of the motor.

When the push member 38 is rotated by the removal drive unit 39, the end of the push member 38 passes through the groove 34 while contacting the inner bottom surface. Therefore, the powdered medicine inside the groove 34 near the gathering plate 37 can be pushed out to the outer periphery of the dish portion 32 by the push member 38. The pushed out powdered medicine falls into the opening of the hopper 52, which is located immediately on the outer periphery of the medicine removal unit 35 and will be described later. The powdered medicine supplied to the hopper 52 is packaged by the packaging unit 51.

The switching arm 36 can be moved up and down by a drive unit (not shown). The drive unit can be, for example, but is not limited to, a motor. By moving the switching arm 36 up and down, the medicine removal section 35 can be switched between a removal position and a retracted position. In the removal position, the lower part of the gathering plate 37 is in the groove 34, and the powdered medicine in the groove 34 can be removed by the pushing member 38. In the retracted position, the gathering plate 37 is located sufficiently high relative to the dish portion 32, and the gathering plate 37 and the pushing member 38 do not come into contact with the powdered medicine in the groove 34.

The cleaning device 41 is provided near the distribution dish 31. The cleaning device 41 is disposed downstream of the drug removal section 35 in the direction in which the powdered medicine is transported by the rotation of the dish section 32.

The cleaning device 41 includes a cleaning arm 42, a cleaning brush 43, a cleaning drive unit 44, and a suction unit 45.

The cleaning arm 42 is supported near the plate portion 32. The cleaning arm 42 can be moved up and down by a drive unit (not shown). The drive unit can be, for example, a motor, but is not limited to this.

The cleaning brush 43 is fixed to the tip of the cleaning arm 42. When the cleaning arm 42 is lowered, the tip of the cleaning brush 43 comes into contact with the inner bottom surface of the groove 34, etc.

The cleaning drive unit 44 can rotate the cleaning arm 42 by the driving force of a motor. The cleaning brush 43, which rotates integrally with the cleaning arm 42, comes into contact with the inner bottom surface of the groove 34, thereby scraping off any powdered medicine that could not be removed by the medicine removal unit 35 and remains in the groove 34, etc.

The suction unit 45 is disposed near the cleaning brush 43 and near the groove 34. The suction unit 45 can generate a suction flow by any known appropriate method. The suction unit 45 can suck up the powdered medicine residue scraped off by the cleaning brush 43 by the suction flow. The suction unit 45 is provided with a valve (not shown) that can switch between generating and stopping the suction flow.

By moving the cleaning arm 42 up and down as described above, the cleaning brush 43 can be switched between a cleaning position and a retracted position. In the cleaning position, the tip of the cleaning brush 43 is in contact with the groove 34, etc., and can scrape off powdered medicine residue adhering to the top surface of the dish 32. In the retracted position, the cleaning brush 43 does not come into contact with the dish 32.

The packaging unit 51 can package powdered medicine. The packaging unit 51 includes a hopper 52. When the medicine removal unit 35 drops one dose of powdered medicine into the hopper 52, the packaging unit 51 packages the powdered medicine in packaging paper (packaging body) 54. The packaged powdered medicine is provided outside the medicine packaging device 1.

The packaging unit 51 includes a printing unit 53. The printing unit 53 can print various information on the packaging paper 54. The configuration of the printing unit 53 is arbitrary, but it can be, for example, a known ink ribbon type printer.

The drug packaging device 1 includes an interface unit 91. The interface unit 91 provides a user interface function. The interface unit 91 can include, for example, a display device that displays the status of the drug dispensing process and information input by the user, and an operation device that allows the user to input instructions.

The control device 95 is a computer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The ROM stores a control program that operates the drug packaging device. The operation of the container storage unit 11, container transport unit 15, drug feeder 21, distribution tray 31, drug removal unit 35, cleaning device 41, packaging unit 51, and interface unit 91 is controlled by the control device 95.

Under the control of the control device 95, the drug packaging device 1 mainly performs the following operations. [1] A drug container 2 is selected according to the input prescription information. [2] The container transport unit 15 removes the selected drug container 2 from the container storage unit 11, transports it to the drug feeder 21, and attaches it. [3] A predetermined amount of powdered medicine is placed into the distribution tray 31 from the drug container 2 set in the drug feeder 21. [4] The powdered medicine placed into the distribution tray 31 is distributed by the drug removal unit 35 and sent to the packaging unit 51. [5] The distributed powdered medicine is packaged by the packaging unit 51 for one dose at a time. [6] The container transport unit 15 removes the drug container 2 from the drug feeder 21 after powdered medicine has been placed into the distribution tray 31, and transports it back to the container storage unit 11.

When pouring powdered medicine into the dish portion 32 of the distribution dish 31, the medicine packaging device 1 can switch between a full circumference arrangement mode in which the powdered medicine is poured into the ring-shaped groove 34 all around, and a distributed arrangement mode in which the powdered medicine is poured into the groove 34 in a dot-like pattern.

First, let's explain the all-around placement mode.

In the full circumference arrangement mode, the vibration device 22 applies vibration to the medicine container 2 set in the medicine feeder 21. While the powdered medicine is being dispensed from the medicine container 2 into the plate portion 32, the plate portion 32 rotates at an appropriate speed. Therefore, the powdered medicine dispensed into the plate portion 32 is arranged in a ring shape around the entire circumference of the groove 34. At this time, the medicine removal portion 35 is in the retracted position. Also, the cleaning device 41 is in the retracted position, and the suction flow of the suction portion 45 is stopped.

While the powdered medicine is being discharged for insertion into the dish 32, the weight of the medicine container 2 is monitored by the measuring unit 23. When the amount of powdered medicine discharged becomes equal to the weight of the total dose, the vibration stops and then the rotation of the dish 32 stops.

After the rotation of the dish portion 32 stops, the switching arm 36 rotates downward. As a result, the medicine removal portion 35 descends to the removal position. At this removal position, the collection plate 37 enters the groove 34 formed in the distribution dish 31. Therefore, the powdered medicine arranged in a ring shape is separated by the collection plate 37. In this state, the distribution dish 31 rotates an angle obtained by dividing 360° by the number of powdered medicines to be distributed. As a result, the powdered medicine is collected by the collection plate 37.

Then, the pushing member 38 rotates together with the pushing plate 37. As a result, the powdered medicine is pushed out by the pushing member 38 and falls into the hopper 52. The powdered medicine dropped into the hopper 52 is packaged in the packaging section 51. The above operation is repeated a number of times equal to the number of dispensed medicines.

When all the powdered medicine has been removed from the dish 32, the cleaning device 41 cleans the groove 34. The cleaning device 41 rotates the cleaning arm 42 downward to lower the cleaning brush 43 to the cleaning position. As a result, the cleaning brush 43 comes into contact with the upper surface of the dish 32. In this state, the cleaning device 41 rotates the cleaning brush 43 while the dish 32 rotates. At this time, the suction unit 45 is switched to generate a suction flow. The cleaning brush 43 rotates while in contact with the upper surface of the dish 32, scraping off any powdered medicine residue adhering to the surfaces of the groove 34 and the like. The powdered medicine residue scraped off by the cleaning brush 43 is sucked up by the suction unit 45 and discarded.

Next, we'll explain distributed deployment mode.

In the dispersed placement mode, when powdered medicine is dispensed from the medicine container 2 set in the medicine feeder 21 onto the dish 32 by the vibration of the vibration device 22, the dish 32 does not rotate but remains stationary. Therefore, the powdered medicine dispensed by the medicine feeder 21 is piled up to form a small mountain at one point in the groove 34.

While the powdered medicine is being discharged, the weight of the medicine container 2 is monitored by the measuring unit 23, as in the full-circle arrangement mode. In the dispersed arrangement mode, the vibration of the vibration device 22 stops when the amount of powdered medicine discharged becomes equal to the weight of one dose.

As the introduction of one dose of powdered medicine begins, the switching arm 36 rotates downward. As a result, the medicine removal section 35 descends to the removal position. At this removal position, the lower part of the collection plate 37 enters the groove 34 formed in the distribution plate 31. The plate section 32 then rotates a small angle and stops. The rotation angle can be, for example, about 5° to 30°. As a result, the dot-like pile of powdered medicine located closest to the medicine removal section 35 moves in the circumferential direction and is brought close to the collection plate 37. In addition, as the plate section 32 rotates, the side of the groove 34 of the plate section 32 where the pile of powdered medicine is not piled up faces directly below the discharge outlet of the medicine container 2 set in the medicine feeder 21.

After the plate portion 32 rotates and stops, the pushing member 38 rotates together with the moving plate 37. As a result, one dose of powdered medicine inside the groove 34 is removed by the pushing member 38 and placed into the hopper 52. The powdered medicine placed into the hopper 52 is packaged in the packaging section 51.

In parallel with the rotation of the pushing member 38, the vibration device 22 resumes vibrating the medicine container 2. As a result, a new amount of powdered medicine equivalent to the weight of one dose is discharged into the groove 34. At this time, the rotation of the dish portion 32 is stopped. Therefore, the powdered medicine piles up to form a new small mountain at one point in the groove 34, just like the previous discharge.

After one dose of powdered medicine has been discharged, the dish 32 rotates a small angle as described above and stops. As the dish 32 rotates, the small piles of accumulated powdered medicine move circumferentially, and the piles of powdered medicine closest to the medicine removal section 35 are brought together by the collection plate 37. In addition, as the dish 32 rotates, the side of the groove 34 of the dish 32 on which the piles of powdered medicine are not accumulated faces directly below the discharge outlet of the medicine container 2 set in the medicine feeder 21.

After the dish 32 has rotated and stopped, one dose of powdered medicine is pushed out of the groove 34 by the rotating pusher 38 and deposited into the hopper 52. The packaging section 51 packages the deposited powdered medicine. In parallel with the rotation of the pusher 38, the vibration device 22 resumes applying vibrations to the medicine container 2. As a result, a new amount of powdered medicine equivalent to the weight of one dose is discharged into the groove 34 and piles up to form a small mountain.

The above operation is repeated an appropriate number of times. As a result, for example, three piles corresponding to one dose of powdered medicine are formed discretely in the groove 34 of the dish portion 32, and the powdered medicine in each pile can be individually removed by the medicine removal portion 35 and packaged by the packaging portion 51. The number of piles corresponds to the number of packets. Figure 2 shows an example in which the medicine feeder 21 forms the first pile 5a, Figure 3 shows an example in which the medicine feeder 21 forms the second pile 5b, and Figure 4 shows an example in which the medicine feeder 21 forms the third pile 5c. The number of piles is arbitrary and may be one, two, four or more.

In the dispersed placement mode, removal of the powdered medicine begins before the powdered medicine equivalent to the entire dose is poured into the dish 32. This makes it easy to shorten the time between pouring the powdered medicine into the dish 32 and removing it. This makes it difficult for the powdered medicine to stick to the dish 32. In addition, the powdered medicine can be poured into the dish 32 over two or more revolutions. This makes it possible to distribute powdered medicine that is taken many times. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, the operation of removing the powdered medicine from the dish 32 is performed simultaneously with the operation of newly pouring the powdered medicine from the medicine container 2 into the dish 32. This makes it possible to significantly shorten the time required to dispense the entire dose of powdered medicine.

In the dispersed placement mode, the cleaning operation of the groove 34 is performed before the entire dose of powdered medicine is discharged from the distribution tray 31. That is, in the dispersed placement mode, when one dose of powdered medicine is discharged from the tray 32, the surface of the tray 32 on which the powdered medicine had accumulated is cleaned by the cleaning device 41.

In more detail, in this embodiment, a cleaning operation is performed each time one pile of powdered medicine is removed from the distribution plate 31 by the medicine removal unit 35. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the medicine feeder 21 dispenses one dose of powdered medicine, resulting in a pile of powdered medicine 5a being formed in the groove 34. This pile of powdered medicine 5a is transported in the circumferential direction as the distribution plate 31 rotates, and is removed from the groove 34 by the medicine removal unit 35 as shown in FIG. 3. The point in the groove 34 where the pile 5a was located moves circumferentially downstream as the plate unit 32 rotates, and this point 5ax is cleaned by the cleaning brush 43 and the suction unit 45 as shown in FIG. 4.

At the timing shown in FIG. 3, the medicine feeder 21 dispenses one dose of powdered medicine, resulting in the formation of a pile 5b of powdered medicine in the groove 34. This pile 5b of powdered medicine is transported in the circumferential direction as the distribution plate 31 rotates, and is removed from the groove 34 by the medicine removal unit 35 as shown in FIG. 4. Although not shown, as in the case of the pile 5a described in FIG. 3, the point in the groove 34 where the pile 5b was located moves circumferentially downstream as the plate unit 32 rotates, and this point is cleaned by the cleaning brush 43 and the suction unit 45.

At the timing shown in FIG. 4, while point 5ax is being cleaned, medicine feeder 21 feeds one dose of powdered medicine, resulting in the formation of pile 5c of powdered medicine in groove 34. Similar to pile 5a described above, pile 5c of powdered medicine is removed from groove 34 by medicine removal unit 35, and the point where pile 5c was located is then cleaned by cleaning brush 43 and suction unit 45.

The above process is repeated as many times as necessary, cleaning each pile of doses that have been discharged.

In the distributed arrangement mode, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, the cleaning operation of the cleaning device 41 is performed in parallel with the operation of feeding powdered medicine into the tray 32 by the medicine feeder 21. In other words, the cleaning operation is started before the powdered medicine equivalent to the entire dose has been fed into the tray 32. Therefore, the overall operation time, including cleaning, is significantly reduced.

In this embodiment, the dish 32 is rotated to move the point where the piles of powdered medicine 5a, 5b, 5c have accumulated some distance downstream in the circumferential direction from the medicine removal section 35, and then the cleaning device 41 cleans that point. However, the medicine removal section 35 may be configured to have an appropriate cleaning mechanism such as a cleaning brush and suction means, and cleaning may begin immediately after the powdered medicine is discharged from the dish 32 by the medicine removal section 35. This is expected to further shorten the overall operating time.

When the entire dose of powdered medicine has been discharged onto the distribution tray 31, the container transport unit 15 returns the medicine container 2 from the medicine feeder 21 to the container storage unit 11. This transport operation is performed in parallel with the powdered medicine removal operation by the medicine removal unit 35 and the cleaning operation by the cleaning device 41.

In the above description, in the distributed arrangement mode, each time a pile of powdered medicine for one dose is removed from the dish portion 32 by the medicine removal unit 35, the cleaning device 41 locally cleans the location of each pile. In addition, after all the powdered medicine is removed from the distribution dish 31, a cleaning operation may be performed for the entire circumference of the groove 34. In addition, when powdered medicine is to be fed into the dish portion 32 over two or more revolutions, a cleaning operation may be performed for the entire circumference of the groove 34 after one revolution of powdered medicine is removed from the distribution dish 31 and before new powdered medicine is fed into the dish portion 32. The cleaning operation for the entire circumference of the groove 34 may be the same as the cleaning operation in the all-around arrangement mode described above. Since the cleaning has been performed once, the cleaning operation for the entire circumference of the groove 34 may be performed in a shorter time or in a simplified form than the cleaning operation in the all-around arrangement mode. This contributes to shortening the operation time.

Each dose of powdered medicine may be administered to a different patient, and may differ in at least one of the type and amount.

In addition to the drug feeder 21, a powder feeder (not shown) can also be provided. This powder feeder includes a trough and an electronic balance. A vibrator for vibrating the trough is provided below the trough. The vibrator can be, for example, a piezoelectric element, but is not limited to this. The operator places the measured amount of powdered medicine in a mobile container (not shown) and sets it in the drug packaging device 1. The mobile container is transported to the powder feeder, and the powder feeder deposits the powdered medicine in the mobile container into the distribution tray 31.

Next, we will explain how powdered medicine is re-discharged in the dispersed placement mode.

Compared to the full-circumference placement mode, the dispersed placement mode tends to have a less stable discharge accuracy because a small amount of powdered medicine is discharged from the medicine container 2.

To be more specific, in the dispersed placement mode, the medicine container 2 is vibrated to discharge the powdered medicine from the medicine container 2, and the powdered medicine is placed into the groove 34. The change in the weight of the medicine container 2 is monitored, and when the weight of the discharged powdered medicine reaches one dose, the discharge of the powdered medicine from the medicine container 2 is stopped. However, some powdered medicines tend to form clumps in the medicine container 2. If the powdered medicine is discharged in clumps, the amount of powdered medicine discharged from the medicine container 2 may exceed one dose. Also, if the amount of powdered medicine in the medicine container 2 is insufficient, the amount of powdered medicine discharged from the medicine container 2 will be less than one dose.

In this regard, in this embodiment, it is possible to configure the medicine container 2 to be discharged again into the distribution tray 31. In this case, powdered medicine that has already been put into the distribution tray 31 (where the discharge amount is either excessive or insufficient) is not packaged by the packaging unit 51 and is instead collected.

If the amount of powdered medicine discharged from the medicine container 2 exceeds or is insufficient for one dose, the vibration applied to the medicine container 2 is stopped. If the amount of powdered medicine is insufficient, it is possible that the medicine container 2 is empty of powdered medicine or that the outlet of the medicine container 2 is clogged. The medicine packaging device 1 generates a warning in an appropriate manner, and prompts the operator to take action such as refilling the medicine container 2 with powdered medicine. This warning can be issued, for example, by a display device provided in the interface unit 91.

Figure 5 shows an example in which the amount of powdered medicine discharged from the medicine container 2 for pile 5b resulting from the second powdered medicine input from the medicine feeder 21 exceeds the amount required for one dose. At the timing shown in Figure 5, the control device 95 can recognize that the amount of powdered medicine discharged from the medicine feeder 21 has exceeded the limit by referring to the weight measurement results from the measuring unit 23.

In this case, the control device 95 rotates the distribution plate 31 by a small angle and stops it. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the pile 5b of accumulated powdered medicine moves in the circumferential direction. When the distribution plate 31 rotates, the control device 95 controls the medicine removal section 35 to be in a retracted position. Therefore, the pile 5b of powdered medicine with an excess amount is not collected by the medicine removal section 35. Even if the pile 5b of powdered medicine moves near the medicine removal section 35 as shown in FIG. 6, the medicine removal section 35 does not perform a removal operation. Therefore, the packaging section 51 does not package the pile 5b.

As the distribution plate 31 rotates as described above, the surface of the groove of the distribution plate 31 where no piles of powdered medicine have accumulated faces directly below the medicine container 2. After the distribution plate 31 has completed its small-angle rotation and stopped, vibration of the medicine container 2 is resumed. As a result, new powdered medicine is discharged as shown in FIG. 6, and a pile 5c is formed.

If the result of the above re-ejection is that exactly one dose of powdered medicine is accurately discharged from the medicine container 2, the distribution plate 31 rotates by a small angle. At the timing after the pile 5b passes under the medicine removal section 35, the medicine removal section 35 is controlled to descend again to the removal position. Therefore, the pile 5c of powdered medicine based on the re-ejection is gathered by the medicine removal section 35 as shown in Figure 7. The powdered medicine is removed by the operation of the medicine removal section 35 and placed into the hopper 52. The powdered medicine placed into the hopper 52 is packaged in the packaging section 51.

Excess powder pile 5b is collected by cleaning device 41 and removed from groove 34, as shown in Figure 7.

Figure 8 shows the above-described operation in chart form. As shown in this graph, multiple piles 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d are formed in sequence by the medicine feeder 21. The multiple piles 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d are transported downstream by the distribution plate 31, and the powdered medicine is removed and cleaned from each pile in an assembly line manner. For pile 5b, where the amount of powdered medicine added is inaccurate, the powdered medicine removal unit 35 skips removing the powdered medicine. For the other piles 5a, 5c, and 5d, the powdered medicine is removed by the medicine removal unit 35 as usual.

Instead of discarding the piles 5b of powdered medicine with an inaccurate amount using the suction unit 45 of the cleaning device 41, the piles 5b can be configured to be placed in a container for collecting medicine. In this case, a collection removal unit separate from the medicine removal unit 35 can be provided in the medicine packaging device 1. The configuration of the collection removal unit can be the same as that of the medicine removal unit 35, but is not limited to this. The collection removal unit removes the piles 5b of powdered medicine with an excess or shortage from the distribution tray 31 and places them in a container for collecting medicine.

In this embodiment, the powder medicine with an excessive or insufficient discharge amount is not packaged by the packaging unit 51 and is collected. However, the powder medicine with an excessive or insufficient discharge amount may also be packaged by the packaging unit 51. In this case, first, the powder medicine with the correct amount inserted (pile 5a, 5c, 5d) is removed and packaged. At this time, as shown in the graph of FIG. 8, the powder medicine with the inaccurate amount inserted (pile 5b) is skipped from being removed. Next, the powder medicine with the inaccurate amount inserted (pile 5b) is removed and packaged. This allows the powder medicine to be packaged so that the storage sections that store the powder medicine with the correct amount inserted are lined up. Therefore, it is easy to distinguish the storage section that stores the powder medicine with the inaccurate amount inserted. Note that the packaging may be performed so that an empty packet that does not store the powder medicine is formed between the storage section that stores the powder medicine with the correct amount inserted and the storage section that stores the powder medicine with the inaccurate amount inserted.

In the above-described configuration, when the medicine feeder 21 dispenses powdered medicine from the medicine container 2 in the dispersed arrangement mode, the rotation of the plate portion 32 is stopped. Alternatively, the powdered medicine can be discharged while rotating the plate portion 32 at a low speed. In this case, the powdered medicine forms a convex portion that extends continuously in an arc shape, rather than a dot-like mountain. This makes it possible to prevent the pile of powdered medicine formed in the groove 34 from collapsing, even when the amount of powdered medicine dispensed by the medicine feeder 21 is large. When the amount of powdered medicine dispensed by the medicine feeder 21 is large, the control device 95 may switch the operation so that the powdered medicine is discharged while rotating the plate portion 32 at a low speed.

The printing unit 53 provided in the packaging unit 51 can print, on the packaging paper 54, the actual measured value of the weight of one dose of powdered medicine contained in that packaging paper 54. This actual measured value is the weight of the powdered medicine discharged from the medicine container 2, and is measured by the measuring unit 23. The pharmacist, who is the operator, can easily audit the packaged powdered medicine by checking the actual measured value of the weight of one dose printed on the packaging paper 54.

The printing unit 53 can also print on the packaging paper 54 the theoretical value of one dose of the powdered medicine contained in the packaging paper 54, in addition to the actual measured value. Here, the theoretical value means the weight of the powdered medicine indicated on the prescription. In this case, the pharmacist who is the worker can compare the actual measured value with the theoretical value during an audit, without having to check the weight of the powdered medicine by the prescription.

At least one of the actual and theoretical values of the weight of one dose can be output, for example, by printing it on journal paper. Also, at least one of the actual and theoretical values of the weight of one dose can be displayed on a display device provided in the control device 95, thereby realizing output of information.

When powdered medicine with an excessive or insufficient discharge amount is packaged by the packaging unit 51, the printing unit 53 can also print on the packaging paper 54 a message indicating that the discharge amount of the powder contained therein is excessive or insufficient. In this case, the pharmacist can easily recognize that the discharge amount is excessive or insufficient. Note that the information printed on the packaging paper 54 is not limited to information regarding the excessive or insufficient discharge amount, and may be information such as, for example, "medication prohibited," "medication not required," "medication recalled," or "X mark."

As described above, the drug packaging device 1 of this embodiment includes the drug feeder 21, the distribution tray 31, the drug removal unit 35, and the packaging unit 51. The drug feeder 21 can supply one dose of powdered medicine to the distribution tray 31 at a time. The distribution tray 31 transports the one dose of powdered medicine supplied by the drug feeder 21. The drug removal unit 35 removes the one dose of powdered medicine transported by the distribution tray 31. The packaging unit 51 packages the powdered medicine removed by the drug removal unit 35. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the supply of one dose of powdered medicine (pile 5b) from the drug feeder 21 to the distribution tray 31 and the removal by the drug removal unit 35 of one dose of powdered medicine (pile 5a) already supplied from the drug feeder 21 to the distribution tray 31 and transported by the distribution tray 31 are performed in parallel.

This allows the efficiency of packaging work to be effectively increased by working in parallel.

The drug packaging device 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a cleaning device 41 that cleans the distribution tray 31. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the supply of one dose of powdered medicine (pile 5c) from the drug feeder 21 to the distribution tray 31 and the cleaning by the cleaning device 41 of the point 5ax where one dose of powdered medicine (pile 5a) that was already removed by the drug removal unit 35 after being supplied from the drug feeder 21 was piled up on the distribution tray 31 are performed in parallel.

This effectively improves the efficiency of work, including cleaning.

In the drug packaging device 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, the drug removal unit 35 removes one dose of powdered medicine (pile 5b) that has been supplied from the drug feeder 21 to the distribution tray 31 and transported by the distribution tray 31, and the cleaning device 41 cleans the point 5ax where the one dose of powdered medicine (pile 5a) that has already been removed by the drug removal unit 35 has piled up on the distribution tray 31.

This effectively improves the efficiency of work, including cleaning.

The drug packaging device 1 of this embodiment includes a cleaning device 41 and a control device 95. The cleaning device 41 collects the powdered medicine supplied to the distribution tray 31. The control device 95 controls the drug removal unit 35. When the control device 95 determines that the amount of powdered medicine (pile 5b shown in FIG. 5) supplied from the drug feeder 21 to the distribution tray 31 does not match one dose, it controls the cleaning device 41 to collect the powdered medicine without being sent to the packaging unit 51 by the drug removal unit 35.

This prevents an inaccurate amount of powdered medicine from being sent to the packaging unit 51 and packaged as a single dose.

In the medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment, the cleaning device 41 that cleans the distribution tray 31 has the function of collecting powdered medicine whose amount does not match one dose.

This allows for simplification through sharing of equipment.

The medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment includes a measuring unit 23 that measures the weight of the powdered medicine supplied from the medicine feeder 21 to the distribution tray 31. The packaging unit 51 includes a printing unit 53 that can print on the packaging paper 54 in which the powdered medicine is packaged. The printing unit 53 prints the amount of powdered medicine measured by the measuring unit 23 on the packaging paper 54 in which the powdered medicine is packaged.

This allows the amount of powdered medicine actually packaged to be easily confirmed based on the contents printed on the packaging paper 54.

The above describes a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the above configuration can be modified, for example, as follows. A single modification may be made, or multiple modifications may be combined in any desired manner.

The number of drug feeders 21 placed on the distribution tray 31 is not limited to two, but may be one or three or more.

In the distributed arrangement mode, the supply of powdered medicine to the distribution tray 31 by the medicine feeder 21 and cleaning by the cleaning device 41 do not necessarily have to be performed simultaneously.

In the dispersed placement mode, the removal of powdered medicine from the distribution tray 31 by the medicine removal unit 35 and cleaning by the cleaning device 41 do not necessarily have to be performed simultaneously.

A recovery device that recovers powdered medicine from the distribution tray 31 whose amount does not match one dose may be provided separately from the cleaning device 41.

The printing section 53 may be omitted from the packaging section 51.

1. Drug packaging device (drug distribution device)
21 medicine feeder 23 measuring section 31 distribution tray 35 medicine removal section 41 cleaning device 51 packaging section 53 printing section 54 packaging paper (packaging body)
95 Control device (control unit)

Claims (7)

a medicine feeder capable of supplying one dose of powdered medicine to a distribution tray at a time;
a distribution tray for conveying the powdered doses provided by the medicine feeder;
A medicine taking-out unit that takes out one dose of powdered medicine conveyed by the distribution tray;
A packaging unit that packages the powder medicine taken out by the medicine taking-out unit;
Equipped with
A drug distribution device characterized in that the supply of one dose of powdered medicine from the drug feeder to the distribution tray and the removal by the drug removal section of one dose of powdered medicine that has already been supplied from the drug feeder to the distribution tray and transported by the distribution tray are performed in parallel. 2. The drug delivery device of claim 1,
A cleaning device for cleaning the distribution tray is provided,
A drug distribution device characterized in that the supply of one dose of powdered medicine from the drug feeder to the distribution tray and the cleaning by the cleaning device of the point where one dose of powdered medicine that had already been removed by the drug removal section after being supplied from the drug feeder had accumulated on the distribution tray are performed in parallel. 3. A drug delivery device according to claim 1 or 2,
A cleaning device for cleaning the distribution tray is provided,
A drug distribution device characterized in that the drug removal unit removes a dose of powdered medicine supplied from the drug feeder to the distribution tray and transported by the distribution tray, and the cleaning device cleans the point where the dose of powdered medicine already removed by the drug removal unit has accumulated on the distribution tray, in parallel. A drug delivery device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A recovery device that recovers the powdered medicine supplied to the distribution tray;
A control unit for controlling the drug dispensing device;
Equipped with
The control unit of this drug dispensing device is characterized in that when it determines that the amount of powdered medicine supplied from the drug feeder to the distribution tray does not match one dose, it controls the powdered medicine to be collected by the collection device without being sent to the packaging unit by the drug removal unit. 5. The drug delivery device of claim 4,
A medicine dispensing device, wherein the recovery device also serves as a cleaning device for cleaning the distribution tray. A drug delivery device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A measuring unit is provided for measuring the weight of the powdered medicine supplied from the medicine feeder to the distribution tray,
The packaging unit includes a printing unit capable of printing on a packaging body that packages the powder medicine,
A medicine dispensing device characterized in that the printing unit prints the amount of powdered medicine measured by the measuring unit on a packaging body that packages the powdered medicine. A medicine feeder supplies one dose of powdered medicine to the distribution tray at a time;
The powdered medicine for one dose supplied to the distribution tray is conveyed by the distribution tray;
The powdered medicine for one dose conveyed by the distribution tray is taken out by a medicine taking-out section and sent to a packaging section;
In the packaging section, a single dose of powder medicine is packaged;
A drug distribution method characterized in that the supply of one dose of powdered medicine from the drug feeder to the distribution tray and the removal by the drug removal section of one dose of powdered medicine that has already been supplied from the drug feeder to the distribution tray and transported by the distribution tray are performed in parallel.

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