Device for manually dispensing medications

A device for manually dispensing medications is realized, which allows the operator to perform preliminary manual medication dispensing in advance of several subsequent dispensing steps, while facilitating the operator's ability to recognize the region to which each medication is to be dispensed, there by allowing the operator to easily and precisely perform manual dispensing of various kinds of medications.The device for manually dispensing medications includes: a frame member (44) which allows the operator to insert/extract a preliminary dispensing cassette (20), which is partitioned into a multitude of cells (21), via the top face thereof; a lid member (47), which is formed in the shape of a plate, that serves a lid for opening/closing the top face of the frame member, and which has a multitude of insertion openings in the form of through holes with the layout that corresponds to the layout of the cells formed in the preliminary dispensing cassette (20); a multitude of light-emitting units provided to the lid member such that they are associated with the respective insertion openings (48); a screen display unit (41) which displays the names of medications to be manually dispensed; and a control unit (42) which receives a selection with respect to the medication name, and which turns on, from among the light-emitting units (49) thus provided, the light-emitting units that belong to a region to which the medication thus selected is to be manually dispensed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a device for manually dispensing medication which allows the operator to manually dispense medications in advance to a multitude of cells prior to automatic medication dispensing.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY

Devices for manually dispensing medications have been proposed and put into practical use in the form of built-in components of medication sorting and packing apparatuses (see Patent documents 1 and 2). With such devices for manually dispensing medications, a preliminary dispensing cassette is detachably provided to a housing of the medication sorting and packing apparatus. The preliminary dispensing cassette has a cell structure in which a multitude of cells are formed such that they are horizontally and vertically aligned. Each cell (chamber) has a structure in which the top face is open, which allows medications to be inserted, and in which the bottom face/underside has a shutter mechanism or the like which provides a function of opening/closing the underside, thereby allowing the medications to be discharged. Furthermore, a delivery mechanism (conveyor) is included in the housing of the medication sorting and packing apparatus, underneath the preliminary dispensing cassette that has been inserted, and this delivery mechanism provides a function of receiving the medications discharged from the cells, and delivering the medications thus received to the packing device in increments of cells.

Furthermore, these devices for manually dispensing medications have a function of displaying the number of cells and the name of each medication. The display of the number of cells reduces the burden of the operation of the operator who has the responsibility of precisely checking the number of packs of medications. Specifically, LEDs are provided so as to provide a function of displaying a two-digit number. With such an arrangement, the number of cells are displayed. Alternatively, the number of cells horizontally and the number of cells vertically are displayed. Also, an LED is provided to each cell. With such an arrangement, the position of each cell is displayed via the light emission of the corresponding LED. Also, the LEDs are provided around the circumference of the cells. With such an arrangement, the light emission of the LEDs thus provided notifies the operator manually dispensing medications of the number of cells to be used. Furthermore, the display of each medication name is provided in the form of a printout from a printer, which at the same time also prints the reference number of the medication prescription to be dispensed manually.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, such conventional devices for manually dispensing medications have problems as follows. For example, let us consider a case in which the medication prescription to be dispensed manually instructs the operator to distribute large quantities of multiple medications, and to change the region of the cells to which the medications are to be dispensed according to the kind of medication. Specifically, for example, in a case in which a certain kind of medication is to be distributed to a predetermined region of the cells, in some cases, the operator needs to determine the distribution operation with reference to the original prescription or the like.

Also, such a device for manually dispensing medications is provided in the form of a built-in component of the medicine sorting and packing apparatus. The medications that can be preliminary manual dispensed are thus limited to at most the medications for the current insertion and the subsequent insertion, which results in the operator having to wait for the dispensing process to finish before the operator can perform additional preliminary manual dispensing.

Accordingly, it is a technical purpose of the present invention to provide a device for manually dispensing medications which provides a function of allowing the operator to perform preliminary manual medication dispensing for several subsequent insertion operations, while facilitating the operator's ability to recognize the region of the cells to which the medications are to be dispensed, there by allowing the operator to easily and precisely perform manual dispensing of various kinds of medications.

Means to Solve the Problem

A device for manually dispensing medications according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a frame member which allows an operator to insert/extract a preliminary dispensing cassette, which is partitioned into a multitude of cells, via the top face thereof; a lid member, which is formed in the shape of a plate, that serves a lid for opening/closing the top face of the frame member, and which has a multitude of insertion openings in the form of through holes with a layout that matches a layout of the cells formed in the preliminary dispensing cassette; a multitude of light-emitting units provided to the lid member such that they are associated with the respective insertion openings; a screen display unit which displays the names of medications subject to manual operation; and a control unit which receives a selection with respect to the medication name, and which turns on, from among the light-emitting units thus provided, only the light-emitting units that belong to a region to which the medication thus selected is to be manually dispensed.

With such a device for manually dispensing medications, an arrangement may be made in which a multitude of switch members are provided to the lid member such that they are associated with the respective insertion openings. With such an arrangement, the control unit may change the light-emission state of the light-emitting units according to an operation being performed on the switch members.

A device for manually dispensing medications according to another embodiment of the present invention has a configuration in which a multitude of light-emitting units and switch members are provided such that they are respectively associated with a multitude of cells formed in a preliminary dispensing cassette. With such an arrangement, the light-emitting units are turned on in a region to which a medication is to be manually dispensed subject to manual operation. Furthermore, the light-emission state of the light-emitting units is changed according to an operation being performed on the switch members.

A device for manually dispensing medications according to yet another embodiment of the present invention comprises: a frame member which allows an operator to insert/extract a preliminary dispensing cassette, which is partitioned into a multitude of cells, via the front face thereof or the like; a part for manually dispensing medications which is provided in the form of a built-in member of the top face of the frame member or in the form of a lid that allows the operator to open/close the top face of the frame member, and which has a multitude of cell through holes in the form of through holes formed with a layout that matches the layout of the cells provided to the preliminary dispensing cassette; a multitude of open/closed switching members which are respectively provided with in the cell through holes; and an open/closed switching driving means which drives the open/closed switching members independently of one another.

The device for manually dispensing medications may further comprise a control unit configured to receive a selection of a targeted medication to be manually dispensed, and also configured such that when a medication is transferred downward from the part for manually dispensing medications, the open/closed switching members are opened for only the region to which the medication thus selected is to be manually dispensed.

Also, the light-emitting units may be respectively provided to and associated with the cell through holes. With such an arrangement, when the control unit prompts the operator to manually dispense the medication to the part for manually dispensing medications, the control unit may turn on, from among the light-emitting units thus provided, the light-emitting units that belong to the region to which the medication thus selected is to be manually dispensed.

The device for manually dispensing medications may further comprise: a multitude of light-emitting units which are respectively provided to, and are associated with, the cell through holes; and a control unit configured to receive a selection of a targeted medication to be manually dispensed, and also configured to turn on, from among the light-emitting units thus provided, the light-emitting units that belong to the region to which the medication thus selected is to be manually dispensed.

Also, the device for manually dispensing medications may further comprise a screen display unit which displays the names of medications to be manually dispensed. With such an arrangement, the control unit may receive a selection made based upon the display provided by the screen display unit as a selection of the medication to be manually dispensed.

Also, the open/closed switching driving means may include driving sources which are respectively provided in the form of separate components to the cell through holes.

Advantage of the Present Invention

The present invention provides a device for manually dispensing medications which allows the operator to easily and precisely dispense various kinds of medications manually.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

First Embodiment

First, description will be made regarding the outline of a device for manually dispensing medications according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

A first device for manually dispensing medications according to a first embodiment comprises: a frame member which allows an operator to insert/extract a preliminary dispensing cassette, which is partitioned into a multitude of cells, via the top face thereof; a lid member, which is formed in the shape of a plate, that serves a lid for opening/closing the top face of the frame member, and which has a multitude of insertion openings in the form of through holes with a layout that matches a layout of the cells formed in the preliminary dispensing cassette; a multitude of light-emitting units provided to the lid member such that they are associated with the respective insertion openings; a screen display unit which displays the names of medications subject to manual operation; and a control unit which receives a selection with respect to the medication name, and which turns on, from among the light-emitting units thus provided, only the light-emitting units that belong to a region to which the medication thus selected is to be manually dispensed.

A second device for manually dispensing medications according to the first embodiment has a configuration in which a multitude of switch members (each of which is provided in the form of a built-in component of the light-emitting unit, or in the form of a separate component from the light-emitting unit) are provided to the lid member such that they are associated with the respective insertion openings. With such an arrangement, the control unit changes the light-emission state of the light-emitting units according to an operation being performed on the switch members.

A third device for manually dispensing medications according to the first embodiment has a configuration in which a multitude of combinations of a light-emitting unit and switch member (each combination is provided in the form of a single integrated component, or in the form of separate components) are provided such that they are respectively associated with a multitude of cells formed in a preliminary dispensing cassette. With such an arrangement, the light-emitting units are turned on in a region to which a medication is to be manually dispensed subject to manual operation. Furthermore, the light-emission state of the light-emitting units is changed according to an operation being performed on the switch members.

With the first device for manually dispensing medications, the preliminary dispensing cassette is provided in the form of a component separate from the main unit, there by allowing the operator to detachably mount the preliminary dispensing cassette to the main unit. Accordingly, the operator can prepare a greater number of preliminary dispensing cassettes than there are main units. Such an arrangement allows the operator to dispense multiple medications in advance according to the number of preliminary dispensing cassettes thus prepared.

Furthermore, the main unit includes the frame member and the lid member, and is configured such that a combination of the insertion opening and the light-emitting unit is provided such that it is associated with each of the cells when the lid member is closed after the preliminary dispensing cassette is temporarily stored in the frame. In this state, when the operator selects a medication candidate to be manually dispensed, based upon the medication names displayed on the screen according to a procedure for manually dispensing medications, the region to which the medication thus selected is to be manually dispensed is indicated by light-emission performed in increments of cells. Such an arrangement allows the operator to immediately recognize the region to which each medication is to be manually dispensed, even though each preliminary dispensing cassette is detachably mounted to the main unit.

Such an arrangement realizes a device for manually dispensing medications which allows the operator to perform preliminary manual medication dispensing for several subsequent dispensing steps, while facilitating the operator's ability to recognize the region to which each medication is to be dispensed, thereby allowing the operator to easily and precisely perform manual dispensing of various kinds of medications.

The second device for manually dispensing medications has the following function in addition to the aforementioned functions. That is to say, the second device for manually dispensing medications includes the switch members which are associated with the insertion openings of the cells. With such an arrangement, the light-emission state is changed according to an operation being performed on the switch members. When the switch members are operated as the operator inserts medication, the progress of the manual medication dispensing is indicated by the light-emission state of the cells which are the medication insertion destinations. Thus, such an arrangement allows the operator to visually recognize the progress of the manual medication dispensing in increments of cells. Furthermore, such an arrangement can provide automatic check processing which checks the progress of the manual medication dispensing with reference to the medication dispensing information.

The third device for manually dispensing medications includes a multitude of light-emitting units in a layout that corresponds to the layout of the cells. With such an arrangement, the light-emitting units are turned on in a region to which the medication is to be manually dispensed according to the procedure for manually dispensing medications, thereby allowing the operator to immediately recognize the region to which the medication is to be manually dispensed. Furthermore, a multitude of switch members are provided in a layout that corresponds to the layout of the cells. With such an arrangement, the light-emission state of the light-emitting units is changed as appropriate according to an operation being performed on the switch members. Thus, such an arrangement allows the operator to easily changes the light-emission state by operating each switch when the medication is inserted. This allows the progress of the manual medication dispensing to be visually recognized by the operator, and to be automatically checked.

Description will be made regarding specific arrangements for realizing a device for manually dispensing medications according to a first embodiment of the present invention with reference to the following specific examples 1-1 through 1-3.

The specific example 1-1 shown inFIGS. 1 through 3is a specific example of the aforementioned first device for manually dispensing medications. The specific example 1-2 shown inFIG. 4is a specific example of the aforementioned second and third devices for manually dispensing medications. The specific example 1-3 shown inFIG. 5is a modification thereof.

It should be noted that for simplification of explanation the drawings mainly show the components necessary for or related to explanation of the invention, and the fastening members such as bolts etc., the connection members such as hinges etc., the driving sources such as electric motors etc., the transmission members such as timing belts etc., the electric circuits such as motor drivers, etc., are not shown in the drawings.

SPECIFIC EXAMPLE 1-1

Description will be made regarding a specific configuration of the specific example 1-1 of the device for manually dispensing medications according to the present invention with reference to the drawings.FIG. 1shows a mechanical configuration of the device for manually dispensing medications. Specifically,FIG. 1Ais a schematic front view which shows a medication sorting and packing system including a built-in device for manually dispensing medications30and a stand alone device for manually dispensing medications40.FIG. 1Bis a perspective view which shows a preliminary dispensing cassette20and a main unit43(33) of the device for manually dispensing medications40(30).FIG. 1Cis a perspective view which shows the device for manually dispensing medications40(30). On the other hand,FIG. 2shows the functions etc., of the device for manually dispensing medications. Specifically,FIG. 2Ais a block diagram which shows an electronic circuit thereof.FIG. 2Bis a schematic flowchart which shows the control operation thereof.

The pharmacy system (seeFIG. 1A) employs the built-in device for manually dispensing medications30and the stand alone device for manually dispensing medications40. Each of these devices for manually dispensing medications has a function of receiving prescription information (dispensing instruction data). Here, the built-in device for manually dispensing medications30is provided in the form of a built-in component of the medication sorting and packing apparatus10in the same way as that of conventional arrangements. On the other hand, the stand alone device for manually dispensing medications40is provided in the form of a separate device installed on a desk or the like. For example, in order to allow medications to be automatically discharged and to be automatically sorted and packed, the medication sorting and packing apparatus10, which is a solid medication sorting and packing machine or a powdered/solid medication sorting and packing apparatus, includes in the housing thereof: a multitude of medication feeders11which store various kinds of medications and which sequentially discharge these medications as necessary; a medication collecting mechanism12which collects the medications discharged and dropped from the medication feeders11; a packing device13which packs the collected medications in packing paper; a delivery mechanism14which receives the medications discharged from the device for manually dispensing medications30and which delivers the medications to the sorting and packing apparatus13via the medication collecting mechanism12in increments of cells. The delivery mechanism14has a configuration including a combination of conveyers having different feeding directions (see Patent documents 1 and 2, for example), which is disposed underneath the device for manually dispensing medications30.

The device for manually dispensing medications30(seeFIG. 1A) includes a main unit33which is capable of detachably mounting the preliminary dispensing cassette20; a touch panel31which serves as an image display unit and operating unit; and a controller32which serves as a control unit. The main unit33is mounted to the medication sorting and packing apparatus10through drawing rails or the like. This allows the operator to extract the main unit33from the housing of the medication sorting and packing apparatus10, and to insert the main unit33into the housing thereof. In the state in which the main unit33is inserted into the housing of the medication sorting and packing apparatus10, the main unit33is positioned above the delivery mechanism14. The controller32is provided within the housing of the medication sorting and packing apparatus10. The touch panel31is provided on the front face of the housing of the medication sorting and packing apparatus10.

Similarly, the device for manually dispensing medications40includes: a main unit43which detachably mounts the preliminary dispensing cassette20; a touch panel41which serves as an image display unit and an operating unit; and a controller42which serves as a controller42. The device for manually dispensing medications40is configured such that it can be installed on a desk or the like.

The configurations of the devices for manually dispensing medications30and40may be the same, except for the difference according to their respective types, i.e., the built-in type or the stand alone type.

The preliminary dispensing cassette20(seeFIG. 1B) has a structure that allows the operator to detachably mount it to either the devices for manually dispensing medications30or40, and that allows the operator to separate it from the devices for manually dispensing medications30and40. Furthermore, the preliminary dispensing cassette20is partitioned so as to have a multitude of cells21in the form of a 6×11 matrix, for example. Each cell has a structure in which the top face is open, which allows medications to be inserted, and the bottom face/underside has a shutter mechanism or the like which provides a function of opening/closing the underside, there by allowing the medications to be discharged. With such an arrangement, the undersides of the cells21are opened all at once or sequentially, in combination with the operation of the delivery mechanism14. An information medium22is attached to the preliminary dispensing cassette20, which notifies the operator of the medications to be manually dispensed to the cells21, etc. Specifically, the information medium22is provided in the form of a barcode label that specifies the identification number of the medication prescription to be dispensed manually or in the form of a data carrier which stores the content of the medication prescription to be dispensed manually.

The main unit43(seeFIG. 1B) of the device for manually dispensing medications40has the same structure as that of the main unit33of the device for manually dispensing medications30, which allows the operator to open/close a lid member47provided to a frame member44through a hinge or the like.

The frame member44is provided in the form of a frame which surrounds a cassette storage space45that is capable of completely storing the preliminary dispensing cassette20. The frame member44has an upper face that is sufficiently open so as to allow the operator to insert/extract the preliminary dispensing cassette20via the upper face. On the other hand, the frame member44has a closed underside or an underside having an open are a that is smaller than that of the upper face, thereby supporting the preliminary dispensing cassette20stored in the cassette storage space45. The frame member44may have such an open underside as an option. On the other hand, the frame member of the main unit33of the device for manually dispensing medications30must have an open underside structure, which is not an option. The frame44includes an information readout device46, which accesses the information medium22, at a position that faces the information medium22when the preliminary dispensing cassette20is stored in the frame member44. Examples of the devices employed as the information readout device46include: a barcode reader and/or barcode writer; a data access device; etc.

The lid member47(seeFIG. 1BandFIG. 1C) is formed in the shape of a plate which allows the upper face of the frame44to be opened and closed. A multitude of insertion openings48are provided to the lid member47in the form of through holes configured in the same layout as that of the cells formed in the preliminary dispensing cassette20. When the lid member47is closed after the preliminary dispensing cassette20is stored within the frame member44, each cell21is positioned underneath a corresponding insertion opening48. The lid member47having such a structure includes a multitude of light-emitting units49(seeFIG. 1C) on the upper face thereof. Each light-emitting unit49comprises an LED (light-emitting diode) which can be independently turned on. The light-emitting units49are provided such that they are each associated with a respective insertion opening48.

The touch panel41may be a general-purpose touch panel having a configuration in which an input unit is provided to a liquid crystal panel. The touch panel41serves as a screen display unit having a function of displaying the name of each medication and the quantity of solid medication according to the medication prescription to be dispensed manually. Also, the touch panel41serves as an operating unit which allows the operator to select a medication via the touch panel41from among the medication names thus displayed.

The controller42comprises a programmable microprocessor system, for example. Upon reception of the content of the medication prescription to be dispensed manually from a host computer or the like, the controller42instructs the touch panel41to display the name of the medication and the quantity of solid medication to be dispensed as specified by the medication prescription to be dispensed manually. Furthermore, when the operator performs a selection operation at the portion of the touch panel41at which the medication name is displayed, the controller42receives the selection information that corresponds to this portion of the touch panel41. Also, the controller42may instruct a lower microprocessor (MPU), a row driver, a column driver, etc., to perform a dynamic driving operation in a time-sharing manner. Such an arrangement allows a desired light-emission unit49from among the multitude of light-emission units49to be turned on.

The light-emission units49can be turned on over the entire region where the medications are to be distributed according to the medication prescription to be dispensed manually. Also, the light-emission units49can be turned on according to the selection of the medication name, only over the region to which the selected medication is to be dispensed. Accordingly, the program for the controller42provides the following instructions (seeFIG. 2B). That is to say, upon reception of prescription data from the host computer, for example, the controller42queries the medication sorting and packing apparatus10with regard to whether or not each medication to be dispensed is stored in the medication sorting and packing apparatus10, and the controller42determines the manual medication dispensing procedure (Step S1). Then, the controller42displays the content of the manual medication dispensing procedure on the screen of the touch panel41, and turns on the light-emission units49that correspond to the region where the medications are to be distributed (Step S2). In this stage, the medication name and the quantity of solid medication are displayed on the screen for each of the medications specified in the procedure for manually dispensing medications. The light-emission units49are turned on over the entire region where at least one kind of medication is to be manually dispensed. On the other hand, the light-emission units49that belong to the other region are turned off.

Next, the controller42waits for the operator's instruction operation to be performed via the touch panel41or the like (Step S3). Upon reception of the instruction to select a medication (Step S4), the medication name of the medication thus selected is highlighted on the touch panel41, as reversed-out text, for example, and the region where the light-emission units49are turned on is limited to a region where the medication thus selected is to be dispensed, whereupon the flow returns to the processing in which the controller52waits for an instruction (Step S3). It should be noted that, upon reception of a re-display instruction in the step in which the control unit42waits for an instruction, the control unit42turns on the light-emission units49again over the entire region where medication is to be manually dispensed. On the other hand, upon reception of an instruction to end the process in the step in which the control unit42waits for an instruction (Step S5), the controller42checks whether or not all the medications specified in the procedure for manually dispensing medications have been selected. In a casein which there is medication that has not been selected (in a case of “NG” in Step S5), the controller42issues an alarm (Step S6), which allows the operator manually dispensing medications to determine whether or not the process should be ended (Step S7). Upon reception of an instruction to continue the process, the flow returns to the processing in which the controller42waits for an instruction (Step S3). On the other hand, in a case in which the controller42has received an instruction to end the process (in a case of “END” in Step S7), or in a case in which determination has been made that all the medications have been selected (in a case of “OK” in Step S5), the controller42transmits the identification number and/or the content of the procedure for manually dispensing medications to the information medium22(Step S8).

Description will be made regarding the uses and the operations of the devices for manually dispensing medications30and40according to the specific example 1-1 with reference to the drawings.FIG. 1Ashows a stage in which the operator preliminarily manually dispenses medications using the medication sorting and packing apparatus10including the built-in device for manually dispensing medications30and the stand alone device for manually dispensing medications40.FIG. 1Bshows the device for manually dispensing medications40in the state in which the lid thereof is open. FIG. C shows the device for manually dispensing medications40in the state in which the lid thereof is closed. Each ofFIGS. 3A through 3Dshows the illumination display using the light-emission units49provided to the lid member47and the screen display on the touch panel41.

First, description will be made regarding the outline of the process initially performed according to several procedures for manually dispensing medications (seeFIG. 1A). Next, description will be made regarding the process according to a medication prescription to be dispensed manually that specifies large quantities of multiple medications (seeFIG. 1B,FIG. 1C, andFIG. 3).

First, let us say that each medication feeder11has been replenished with the corresponding medication, and the medication sorting and packing apparatus10is ready to dispense medications automatically. Furthermore, let us say that prescriptions have been received by the host computer, and that a part of these prescriptions specifies medications that are not stored in any medication feeder11. These prescriptions are transmitted from the host computer to the medication sorting and packing apparatus10. The part of the prescriptions that specifies medications that are not stored in any medication feeder11is extracted as a procedure for manually dispensing medications by the host computer or the medication sorting and packing apparatus10. The procedure for manually dispensing medications thus extracted is also transmitted to the device for manually dispensing medications40. Such an arrangement allows the operator to perform the manual medication dispensing operation using either the device for manually dispensing medications30or40. When the operator starts the process of dispensing medications manually using one device for manually dispensing medications selected from among the dispensing devices30and40, the procedure for manually dispensing medications is discarded for the device for manually dispensing medications that has not been selected for use by the operator. This avoids duplication in the procedure for manually dispensing medications.

In a typical operation procedure, the operator performs the manual medication dispensing operation according to the first procedure for manually dispensing medications using the device for manually dispensing medications30included in the medication sorting and packing apparatus10. After all the medications have been sent to the delivery member14or the like according to the first procedure for manually dispensing medications, the operator performs a manual medication dispensing operation according to the second procedure for manually dispensing medications using the device for manually dispensing medications30in the same way as with the first procedure for manually dispensing medications. In this stage, the device for manually dispensing medications30is busy until the medication sorting and packing apparatus10performs automatic medication dispensing according to the first and second procedures for manually dispensing medications. Accordingly, the operator performs the procedures for manually dispensing medications according to the third and subsequent procedures for manually dispensing medications using the device for manually dispensing medications40. Before the operator performs the manual medication dispensing operation using the device for manually dispensing medications40, the operator must replace the preliminary dispensing cassette20in increments of completed procedures. The preliminary dispensing cassette20that has been subjected to the preliminary manual medication dispensing is kept as appropriate, until the operator can mount the preliminary dispensing cassette20to the medication sorting and packing apparatus10.

Upon reception of a request from the medication sorting and packing apparatus10to perform the next manual medication dispensing operation, the operator extracts the used preliminary dispensing cassette20from the device for manually dispensing medications30, and replaces it with a new preliminary dispensing cassette20to which medications have been manually dispensed. In this stage, the procedure for manually dispensing medications is checked using the information medium22. If the procedure for manually dispensing medications matches the information specified in the information medium22, the medication sorting and packing apparatus10immediately performs automatic medication dispensing. On the other hand, if the procedure for manually dispensing medications does not match the information specified in the information medium22, before the medication sorting and packing apparatus10performs automatic medication dispensing, the medication sorting and packing apparatus10changes the order of the process for manually dispensing medications that is to be performed according to the prescription (see Patent document 2, for example).

Thus, such an arrangement allows the operator to perform preliminary manual medication dispensing operations according to the procedures for manually dispensing medications, even if there are multiple procedures for manually dispensing medications. Such an arrangement reduces the idle time of the medication sorting and packing apparatus10to approximately zero.

Next, let us say that, in at least one from among the manual medication dispensing operations, the corresponding procedure for manually dispensing medications specifies large quantities of multiple medications (seeFIGS. 1B and 1C, andFIG. 3). In this case, such an arrangement allows the operator to perform the same operations as described above, except for the operation of extracting/inserting the main unit33. Description will be made below regarding the operations.

First, a guide screen is displayed on the touch panel41, which prompts the operator to perform the manual medication dispensing operation (seeFIG. 3A). According to this instruction, the operator manually dispensing medications prepares an empty preliminary dispensing cassette20. Furthermore, the operator opens the lid member47of the main unit43of the device for manually dispensing medications40(seeFIG. 1B). After inserting the preliminary dispensing cassette20into the main unit43, the operator closes the lid member47(seeFIG. 1C).

Subsequently, the device for manually dispensing medications40automatically displays the content of the procedure for manually dispensing medications on the screen of the touch panel41(seeFIG. 3B). First, the device for manually dispensing medications40displays the identification information with regard to the procedure for manually dispensing medications, the total quantity of solid medication to be distributed, etc., in a highlighted manner using black-and-white reversed-out text or colored text. On the other hand, the device for manually dispensing medications40displays the name of each medication and the quantity of each medication to be dispensed in a normal display manner. Furthermore, the light-emission units49of the lid member47are turned on over the region where at least one kind of medication is to be dispensed (6×6 matrix on the right side inFIG. 3B). In this stage, when the operator manually dispensing medications selects via the touch panel41the medication1to be manually dispensed, the high lighted area is moved to the area where the medication name thus selected and the quantity there of to be dispensed are displayed (seeFIG. 3C). At the same time, the light emission of the light-emitting units49is limited to the area to which the medication thus selected is to be dispensed (the second and third rows from the right side, each of which corresponds to six cells, inFIG. 3C). The operator manually dispensing medications inserts the medication1, which is to be manually dispensed, in to each cell21via the corresponding insertion opening48while observing the light-emission.

Subsequently, when the operator manually dispensing medications selects via the touch panel41the medication2to be manually dispensed, the highlighted area is moved to the area where the medication name thus selected and the quantity thereof to be dispensed are displayed (seeFIG. 3D). At the same time, the light emission of the light-emitting units49is limited to the area to which the medication thus selected is to be dispensed (the third and fourth lines, each of which corresponds to six cells starting from the right side, inFIG. 3D). The operator manually dispensing medications inserts the medication2, which is to be manually dispensed, into each cell21via the corresponding insertion opening48while observing the light-emission.

With such an arrangement, the operator repeatedly performs the above-described operations, thereby allowing the operator to easily manually distribute each medication with high precision.

On the other hand, in a case in which the operator instructs the device for manually dispensing medicine40to perform the re-display operation, the state of the screen display of the touch panel41and the light emission of the light-emitting units49is returned to the initial state. That is to say, the light-emitting units49are turned on over the entire area where medication is to be dispensed, thereby allowing the operator to easily recognize the entire are a where medication is to be dispensed. Also, in a case in which the operator instructs the device for manually dispensing medications40to end the process before all the medications are dispensed, the device for manually dispensing medications40issues an alarm and requests that the operator check this instruction. Such an arrangement prevents the omission of each step in the manual medication dispensing operation.

Upon completion of the manual medication dispensing operation according to a procedure for manually dispensing medications, the device for manually dispensing medications40writes the information with respect to the procedure for manually dispensing medications to the information medium22of the preliminary dispensing cassette20, whereupon the preliminary dispensing cassette20enters the state which permits the operator to extract it from the device for manually dispensing medications40.

SPECIFIC EXAMPLE 1-2

Description will be made regarding a specific configuration of a specific example 1-2 of the device for manually dispensing medications according to the present invention with reference to the drawings.FIG. 4is an enlarged view which shows the principal components of the lid member47, such as the insertion opening48, the light-emitting unit49, etc. Specifically,FIG. 4Ais a plan view thereof, andFIGS. 4B through 4Gare front views thereof. The difference between this device for manually dispensing medications and the devices for manually dispensing medications30and40according to the specific example 1-1 described above is as follows. First, this device for manually dispensing medications has the lid member47including a multitude of switch members50disposed such that they are associated with respective insertion openings48. Second, with this device for manually dispensing medications, the controller42, which is a control unit, switches the light-emission state of each switch unit50as appropriate according to the operator's operation performed on the switch unit50.

Specifically, the light-emitting units49are arranged on the lid member47, and each light-emitting unit49is mounted through a switch member50provided beside the corresponding insertion opening48. With such an arrangement, when the light-emitting unit49is depressed, the switch member50is turned on. On the other hand, when the pushing force thus applied to the light-emitting unit49is released, the light-emitting unit49moves upward, where upon the light-emission state thereof is returned to the OFF state.

Furthermore, the controller42receives the ON/OFF state of each switch member50as an input signal. When a desired switch member50is turned on, the controller42determines that the operator has inserted a medication8via the insertion opening48that corresponds to the switch member50. In this case, when the operator is required to perform additional insertion of medication, the controller42blinks the corresponding light-emitting unit49. On the other hand, when there is no need to insert medication, the controller42turns off the light-emitting unit49.

With such an arrangement, first, the light-emitting units49provided to the respective insertion openings48are turned on over the region where the medication is to be dispensed, in the same way as in the specific example 1-1 (seeFIG. 4C). When the operator pushes the light-emitting unit49at the same time as inserting the medication8(seeFIG. 4D), the light-emission state of the light-emitting unit49is switched to a blinking state, which prompts the operator to perform additional insertion of medication (seeFIG. 4E). When the operator pushes the light-emitting unit49again at the same time as inserting the additional medication8(seeFIG. 4F), the light-emitting unit49provided on the lid member47of the device for manually dispensing medications40is turned off, which notifies the operator that the insertion of medication has been completed (seeFIG. 4G).

Thus, such an arrangement allows the operator to easily and precisely perform manual dispensing of medications even if there is a need to insert two units of a single medication8via a single insertion opening48. Also, such an arrangement allows the operator to easily and precisely perform the manual dispensing of medications by repeatedly checking the light-emission state, inserting the medication, and performing the switching operation, even if there is a need to insert three or more units of a single medication8via a single insertion opening48.

SPECIFIC EXAMPLE 1-3

Description will be made regarding a specific configuration of a specific example 1-3 of the device for manually dispensing medications according to the present invention with reference to the drawings.FIG. 5is an enlarged plan view which shows the principal components of the lid member47, such as the insertion opening48, the light-emitting unit49, etc.

The difference between this device for manually dispensing medications and the devices for manually dispensing medications30and40according to the specific example 1-2 described above is as follows. That is to say, in the specific example 1-2, the light-emitting unit49and the switch member50, which form a combination, are provided in the form of a single unit. On the other hand, in the specific example 1-3, the light-emitting unit49and the switch member50, which form a combination, are provided in the form of adjacently disposed separate units.

With such an arrangement, the light-emitting unit49and the switch member50, which are thus provided in the form of separate units, are disposed such that they are associated with the corresponding insertion opening48. Thus, such an arrangement provides the same operations as those of the specific example 1-2, thereby providing the same advantages.

Other

Description has been made regarding an arrangement in which the touch panels31and41are employed, each of which has a configuration in which the screen display unit and the operating unit are integrated. Also, an arrangement may be made in which the screen display unit and the operating unit are provided in the form of separate units. For example, the screen display unit and the operating unit may be provided in the form of a display, a keyboard, and a mouse. Also, the control unit is not restricted to a microprocessor. The control unit may comprise a so-called notebook-sized personal computer having a configuration in which the screen display unit and the operating unit are integrated. Also, the control unit may comprises a so-called desktop computer having a configuration in which the screen display unit and the operating unit are provided as separate units.

Also, various kinds of switch such as an electrostatic capacitor switch etc., may be employed as the switch member50, in addition to the mechanical switch shown in the drawings.

Second Embodiment

The second embodiment according to the present invention relates to a device for manually dispensing medications which allows the operator to dispense medications to a multitude of cells before an automatic medication dispensing operation.

Background Technique Relate to the Second Embodiment

Devices for manually dispensing medications have been proposed and put into practical use in the form of built-in components of medication sorting and packing apparatuses (see Patent documents 1 and 2). With such devices for manually dispensing medications, a preliminary dispensing cassette is detachably provided to a housing of the medication sorting and packing apparatus. The preliminary dispensing cassette has a cell structure in which a multitude of cells are formed such that they are horizontally and vertically aligned. Each cell (chamber) has a structure in which the top face is open, which allows medications to be inserted, and in which the bottom face/underside has a shutter mechanism or the like which provides a function of opening/closing the underside, thereby allowing the medications to be discharged. Furthermore, a delivery mechanism (conveyor) is included in the housing of the medication sorting and packing apparatus, underneath the preliminary dispensing cassette that has been inserted, and this delivery mechanism provides a function of receiving the medications discharged from the cells, and delivering the medications thus received to the packing device in increments of cells. Such an arrangement provides the automatic medication discharge operation regardless of whether the medication is inserted manually or automatically. Furthermore, such an arrangement provides a function of switching the state of the underside of the preliminary dispensing cassette between the open state and the closed state all at once over the entire region thereof according to an operation performed via a shutter lever, for example. This allows the solid medication stored in each cell formed in the preliminary dispensing cassette to be transferred all at once to the corresponding cell formed in the delivery member. The preliminary dispensing cassette includes no driving source such as a motor etc.

Furthermore, these devices for manually dispensing medications have a function of displaying the number of cells and the name of each medication. The display of the number of cells reduces the burden of the operation of the operator who has the responsibility of precisely checking the number of medication packs (see patent document 1). Specifically, LEDs are provided so as to provide a function of displaying a two-digit number. With such an arrangement, the number of cells are displayed. Alternatively, the number of cells horizontally and the number of cells vertically are displayed. Also, an LED is provided to each cell. With such an arrangement, the position of each cell is displayed via the light emission of the corresponding LED. Also, the LEDs are provided around the circumference of the cells. With such an arrangement, the light emission of the LEDs thus provided notifies the operator manually dispensing medications of the number of cells to be used. In addition to the display of the number of such cells, such an arrangement notifies the operator whether or not the operator needs to perform the manual medication dispensing operation twice. Furthermore, the display of each medication name is provided in the form of a printout from a printer, which at the same time also prints the identification number of the medication prescription to be dispensed manually.

Problems to be Solved by the Second Embodiment

However, such a conventional device for manually dispensing medications is provided in the form of a built-in component of the medication sorting and packing apparatus. Accordingly, the medications that can be preliminary manual dispensed are thus limited to at most the medications for the current insertion and the subsequent insertion, which results in the operator having to wait for the dispensing process to finish before the operator can perform additional preliminary manual dispensing.

Accordingly, it is a first technical purpose of the present embodiment to provide a device for manually dispensing medications which allows the operator to perform manual medication dispensing for additional insertion operations following the subsequent insertion.

Furthermore, with conventional arrangements, in a case in which the procedure for manually dispensing medications specifies large quantities of multiple medications, the medications are sequentially distributed in increments of kinds of medications. However, these medications thus sequentially distributed are mixed together in each cell formed in the preliminary dispensing cassette. This leads to difficulty in visually discriminating between the medication dispensed in the first dispensing step and the medications dispensed in the subsequent dispensing step.

Accordingly, it is a second technical purpose of the present embodiment to provide a device for manually dispensing medications which allows the operator to perform manual medication dispensing in increments of the kinds of medications, while allowing the operator to immediately visually discriminate between the medication dispensed in the first dispensing step and the medications dispensed in the subsequent dispensing step.

Furthermore, with the above-described conventional devices for manually dispensing medications, the medications thus manually dispensed are transferred all at once. This means that the medications thus manually dispensed are transferred for each cell regardless of whether or not each medication has been dispensed to the correct region to which the medication was to be dispensed. In some cases, the operator makes an error in dispensing the medication, leading to a state in which the region to which the medication has been dispensed does not match the correct region to which the medication was to be dispensed. In order to prevent the incidence of undesired situations due to such a state, the operator manually dispensing medications must carefully perform his/her operations. This leads to an increased burden on the operator due to his/her responsibility for performing such operations.

Accordingly, it is a third technical purpose of the present embodiment to provide a device for manually dispensing medications which has a function whereby, in a case in which a medication has been erroneously dispensed to an undesired region outside the correct region to which the medication was to be dispensed, the medication thus incorrectly dispensed is not transferred, and is retained in the device for manually dispensing medications.

Furthermore, let us consider a case in which the procedure for manually dispensing medications specifies large quantities of multiple medications, and the region of the cells to which the medication is to be dispensed is to be changed according to the kind of medication. In this case, with the above-described conventional device for manually dispensing medications, if a medication is to be dispensed to only a part of the cells, for example, in some cases, the operator manually dispensing medications must determine the region to which the medication is to be dispensed with reference to the original prescription or the like.

Accordingly, it is a fourth technical purpose of the present embodiment to provide a device for manually dispensing medications which allows the operator to easily and precisely dispense each medication while facilitating the operator's ability to recognize the region of the cells to which the medications are to be dispensed.

Specific Examples of the Second Embodiments

First, description will be made regarding the outline of a device for manually dispensing medications according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

A first device for manually dispensing medications according to the second embodiment has been proposed in order to contribute to a solution of the third technical problems, in addition to the solution of the aforementioned first and second technical problems. Specifically, the first device for manually dispensing medications comprises: a frame member which allows an operator to insert/extract a preliminary dispensing cassette, which is partitioned into a multitude of cells, via the front face thereof or the like; a part for manually dispensing medications which is provided in the form of a built-in member of the top face of the frame member or in the form of a lid that allows the operator to open/close the top face of the frame member, and which has a multitude of cell through holes in the form of through holes formed with a layout that matches the layout of the cells provided to the preliminary dispensing cassette; a multitude of open/closed switching members which are respectively provided within the cell through holes; and an open/closed switching driving means which drives the open/closed switching members independently of one another.

A second device for manually dispensing medications according to the second embodiment has been proposed in order to contribute to a solution of all the aforementioned first through third technical problems. Specifically, the second device for manually dispensing medications relates to the aforementioned first device for manually dispensing medications. The second device for manually dispensing medications further comprises a control unit configured to receive a selection of a targeted medication to be manually dispensed, and also configured such that when a medication is transferred downward from the part for manually dispensing medications, the open/closed switching members are opened for only the region to which the medication thus selected is to be manually dispensed.

A third device for manually dispensing medications according to the second embodiment has been proposed in order to contribute to a solution of all the aforementioned first through fourth technical problems. Specifically, the third device for manually dispensing medications relates to the aforementioned second device for manually dispensing medications. With such an arrangement, the light-emitting units are respectively provided to and associated with the cell through holes. When the control unit prompts the operator to manually dispense the medication to the part for manually dispensing medications, the control unit turns on, from among the light-emitting units thus provided, the light-emitting units that belong to the region to which the medication thus selected is to be manually dispensed.

A fourth device for manually dispensing medications according to the second embodiment has a specific component which contributes to a solution of the third technical problem, in addition to the solution of the aforementioned first, second and fourth technical problems. Specifically, the fourth device for manually dispensing medications relates to the aforementioned first device for manually dispensing medications. The fourth device for manually dispensing medications further comprises: a multitude of light-emitting units which are respectively provided to, and are associated with, the cell through holes; and a control unit configured to receive a selection of a targeted medication to be manually dispensed, and also configured to turn on, from among the light-emitting units thus provided, the light-emitting units that belong to the region to which the medication thus selected is to be manually dispensed.

A fifth device for manually dispensing medications according to the second embodiment has been proposed in order to contribute to a solution of the aforementioned fourth technical problem at an improved level. Specifically, the fifth device for manually dispensing medications relates to the aforementioned third and fourth devices for manually dispensing medications. The fifth device for manually dispensing medications further comprises a screen display unit which displays the names of medications to be manually dispensed. With such an arrangement, the control unit receives a selection made based upon the display provided by the screen display unit as a selection of the medication to be manually dispensed.

A sixth device for manually dispensing medications according to the second embodiment has been proposed in order to greatly contribute to a solution of the aforementioned third technical problem. Specifically, the sixth device for manually dispensing medications relates to the aforementioned first through fifth devices for manually dispensing medications. With such an arrangement, the open/closed switching driving means includes driving sources which are respectively provided in the form of separate components to the cell through holes.

A seventh device for manually dispensing medications according to the second embodiment has been proposed in order to solve the aforementioned fourth technical problem at an improved level. Specifically, the seventh device for manually dispensing medications is provided based upon the aforementioned third through sixth devices for manually dispensing medications. With such an arrangement, the quantity of solid medication to be inserted is indicated by the number of light-emitting units that are emitting light, or is indicated by the color of the light provided by the light-emitting unit.

With the first device for manually dispensing medications, the preliminary dispensing cassette is provided in the form of a separate component from the main unit, there by allowing the operator to detachably mount the preliminary dispensing cassette to the main unit. Accordingly, the operator can prepare a greater number of preliminary dispensing cassettes than there are main units. Such an arrangement allows the operator to dispense multiple medications in advance according to the number of preliminary dispensing cassettes thus prepared, thereby solving the first technical problem.

Furthermore, a multitude of cell through holes are formed in the part for manually dispensing medications that serves as the top face of the frame member, which is a principal component of the main unit. Here, the cell through holes are arranged in a layout that corresponds to the layout of the cells formed in the preliminary dispensing cassette. With such an arrangement, after the insertion of the preliminary dispensing cassette into the frame member, the operator can insert a medication into each cell formed in the preliminary dispensing cassette via the corresponding cell through hole formed in the part for manually dispensing medications. In addition, an open/closed switching member is included in each cell through hole. The open/closed switching members can be independently operated by the open/closed switching driving means.

Thus, such an arrangement allows the operator to transfer medications from the part for manually dispensing medications to the preliminary dispensing cassette in increments of kinds of medications. With such an arrangement, the operator distributes medications in increments of kinds of medications. Furthermore, the operator transfers the medication thus dispensed prior to the subsequent medication dispensing. With such an arrangement, the medications dispensed in different steps are not mixed, thereby allowing the operator to immediately recognize the medication thus dispensed. This solves the second technical problem.

Furthermore, such an arrangement may include the control unit according to the second device for manually dispensing medications. This provides a device for manually dispensing medications which provides a function of retaining medication that has been erroneously dispensed to an undesired region outside the region to which the medication was to be manually dispensed. This also contributes to the solution of the third technical problem.

Furthermore, the second device for manually dispensing medications has an additional function that allows a medication to be selectively dispensed by the control unit which controls the operation of each open/closed switching member, in addition to the functions of the first device for manually dispensing medications. That is to say, upon the operator selecting a targeted medication to be manually dispensed, the control unit receives the selection, and sets the region to which the medication thus selected is to be manually dispensed, based upon the prescription data etc. Subsequently, the operator inserts the medication thus selected into each of the corresponding cell through holes, there by manually dispensing the medication. Then, the operator instructs the control unit to transfer the medication, which has been manually dispensed, from the part for manually dispensing medications to the preliminary dispensing cassette positioned underneath the part for manually dispensing medications. The control unit performs a control operation such that only the open/closed switching members that belong to the region to which the medication was to be manually dispensed are switched to the open state. As a result, the medication dispensed to the correct region to which the medication was to be manually dispensed is transferred to the preliminary dispensing cassette. On the other hand, the medication erroneously dispensed to an undesired region outside the region to which the medication was to be manually dispensed is retained by the part for manually dispensing medications. Thus, such a device solves the first through third technical problems.

Furthermore, the third device for manually dispensing medications has an additional function with respect to the light-emitting units, in addition to the functions of the second device for manually dispensing medications. That is to say, when the preliminary dispensing cassette is inserted into the frame member, each cell of the preliminary dispensing cassette is associated with the corresponding light-emitting unit of the part for manually dispensing medications, in addition to the corresponding cell through hole. With such an arrangement, upon the operator selecting a targeted medication to be manually dispensed, the control unit receives the selection, and sets the region to which the medication thus selected is to be manually dispensed, based upon the prescription data etc. Then, the region to which the medication is to be manually dispensed is indicated by light-emission provided in increments of cells. Such an arrangement allows the operator to immediately recognize the region to which each medication is to be manually dispensed even though the preliminary dispensing cassette is detachably mounted. Thus, such a device solves the first through fourth technical problems.

Description will be made regarding specific arrangements for realizing such a device for manually dispensing medications according to the second embodiment of the present invention with reference to the following specific examples 2-1 and 2-2.

The specific example 2-1 shown inFIGS. 6 through 9is a specific example of the aforementioned first through sixth devices for manually dispensing medications. The specific example 2-2 shown inFIG. 10is a specific example of the aforementioned seventh device for manually dispensing medications.

It should be noted that for simplification of explanation the drawings mainly show the components necessary for or related to explanation of the invention, and the fastening members such as bolts etc., the connecting members such as hinges etc., the electric circuits such as motor drivers, etc., are not shown in the drawings.

SPECIFIC EXAMPLE 2-1

Description will be made regarding a specific configuration of the specific example 2-1 of the device for manually dispensing medications according to the second embodiment with reference to the drawings.FIG. 6shows a mechanical configuration of the device for manually dispensing medications. Specifically,FIG. 6Ais a schematic front view which shows a medication sorting and packing system including a built-in device for manually dispensing medications130and a stand alone device for manually dispensing medications140.FIG. 6Bis a perspective view which shows a preliminary dispensing cassette120and the device for manually dispensing medications140(130).FIG. 6Cis a perspective view which shows a cell through hole148formed in a part for manually dispensing medications147provided to a frame member144of a main unit143of the device for manually dispensing medications140.FIGS. 6D and 6Eare longitudinal cross-sectional views which show the cell through hole148. Here,FIG. 6Dshows the cell through hole148in the closed state. On the other hand,FIG. 6Eshows the cell through hole148in the open state.FIG. 7shows the functions etc., of the device for manually dispensing medications. Specifically,FIG. 7Ais a block diagram which shows an electronic circuit thereof.FIG. 7Bis a schematic flowchart which shows the control operation thereof.

The pharmacy system (seeFIG. 6A) employs the built-in device for manually dispensing medications130and the stand alone device for manually dispensing medications140. Each of these devices for manually dispensing medications has a function of receiving prescription information (dispensing instruction data) from a host computer or the like. Here, the built-in device for manually dispensing medications130is provided in the form of a built-in component of the medication sorting and packing apparatus110in the same way as that of conventional arrangements. On the other hand, the stand alone device for manually dispensing medications140is provided in the form of a separate device installed on a work bench109. For example, in order to allow medications to be automatically discharged and to be automatically sorted and packed, the medication sorting and packing apparatus110, which is a solid medication sorting and packing machine or a solid/powdered medication sorting and packing apparatus, includes in the housing thereof: a multitude of medication feeders111which store various kinds of medications and which sequentially discharge these medications as necessary; a medication collecting mechanism112which collects the medications discharged and dropped from the medication feeders111; a packing device113which packs the collected medications in a packing paper; a delivery mechanism114which receives the medications discharged from the device for manually dispensing medications130and which delivers the medications to the sorting and packing apparatus113via the medication collecting mechanism112in increments of cells. The delivery mechanism114has a configuration including a combination of conveyers having different feeding directions (see Patent documents 1 and 2, for example), which are disposed underneath the device for manually dispensing medications130.

The device for manually dispensing medications130(seeFIG. 6A) includes a main unit133which is capable of detachably mounting the preliminary dispensing cassette120; a touch panel131which serves as an image display unit and an operating unit; and a controller132which serves as a control unit. The main unit133is mounted to the medication sorting and packing apparatus110through drawing rails or the like. This allows the operator to extract the main unit133from the housing of the medication sorting and packing apparatus110, and to insert the main unit133into the housing thereof. In the state in which the main unit133is inserted into the housing of the medication sorting and packing apparatus110, the main unit133is positioned above the delivery mechanism114. The controller132is provided within the housing of the medication sorting and packing apparatus110. The touch panel131is provided on the front face of the housing of the medication sorting and packing apparatus110.

Similarly, the device for manually dispensing medications140includes: a main unit143which detachably mounts the preliminary dispensing cassette120; a touch panel141which serves as an image display unit and an operating unit; and a controller142which serves as a control unit. The device for manually dispensing medications140is configured such that it can be installed on a desk or the like.

The configurations of the devices for manually dispensing medications130and410may be the same, except for the difference according to their respective types, i.e., the built-in type or the stand alone type. For example, the main unit133of the built-in type device for manually dispensing medications130is formed in the shape of a thin plate, giving priority to the compact mounting thereof. On the other hand, the main unit143of the stand alone type device for manually dispensing medications140is formed with an inclined upper face, giving priority to the ease-of-use of the operator who performs the manual medication dispensing. However, such a difference there between is not essential.

The preliminary dispensing cassette120(see the left side ofFIG. 6B) has a structure that allows the operator to detachably mount it to either of the devices for manually dispensing medications130or140, and that allows the operator to separate it from the devices for manually dispensing medications130and140. Furthermore, the preliminary dispensing cassette120is partitioned so as to have a multitude of cells121in the form of a 6×11 matrix, for example. Each cell121has a structure in which the top face is open, which allows medications to be inserted, and the bottom face/underside thereof has a shutter mechanism or the like which provides a function of opening/closing the underside, thereby allowing the medications to be discharged. With such an arrangement, the undersides of the cells121are opened all at once or sequentially in combination with the operation of the delivery mechanism114. An information medium122is attached to the preliminary dispensing cassette120, which notifies the operator of the medications to be manually dispensed to the cells121, etc. Specifically, the information medium122is provided in the form of a barcode label that specifies the identification number of the procedure for manually dispensing medications or in the form of a data carrier which stores the content of the procedure for manually dispensing medications.

The main unit143(see the right side ofFIG. 6B) of the device for manually dispensing medications140has the same structure as that of the main unit133of the device for manually dispensing medications130. Specifically, the main unit143is principally formed of the box-shaped frame member144which allows the operator to insert/extract the preliminary dispensing cassette120to/from the main unit143. In this example, the main unit143is connected via a cable to the controller142provided in the form of a separate unit.

The frame member144is provided in the form of a frame that surrounds a cassette storage space145that is capable of completely storing the preliminary dispensing cassette120. The frame member144has an upper face that is sufficiently open so as to allow the operator to insert/extract the preliminary dispensing cassette120via the upper face. On the other hand, the frame member144has a closed underside, or an underside having an open area that is smaller than that of the preliminary dispensing cassette120, there by supporting the preliminary dispensing cassette120stored in the cassette storage space145. The frame member144may have such an open underside as an option. On the other hand, the frame member of the main unit133of the device for manually dispensing medications130must have an open underside structure, which is not an option. The frame144includes an information read out device146, which accesses the information medium122, at a position that faces the information medium122when the preliminary dispensing cassette120is stored in the frame member144. Examples of the devices which can be employed as the information readout device146include: a barcode reader and/or barcode writer; a data access device; etc.

The part for manually dispensing medications147(see the right side ofFIG. 6B) is formed in the shape of a plate with a size that occupies the most part of the upper face of the frame member144. In this example, the part for manually dispensing medications147is fit into and fixed to the inclined surface of the frame member144. The part for manually dispensing medications147has a multitude of cell through holes148with the same layout as that of the cells121formed in the preliminary dispensing cassette120. Each cell through hole148serves as an insertion opening which allows the operator to manually insert medications. When the preliminary dispensing cassette120is stored in the cassette storage space145of the frame member144, each cell121is positioned underneath a corresponding cell through hole148such that the cells121are each associated with a respective cell through hole148. The part for manually dispensing medications147includes a multitude of light-emitting units149and open/closed switching mechanisms150through153. Specifically, the light-emitting unit149and the open/closed switching mechanisms150through153are provided within each cell through hole148(seeFIG. 6C).

Each light-emitting unit149comprises an LED (light-emitting diode) which is capable of independently emitting light. The light-emitting units149are arranged such that they are each associated with a respective cell through hole148. In this example (seeFIG. 6C), each light-emitting unit149is mounted on the inside wall of the rear side of the cell through hole148, thereby facilitating the operator's ability to recognize the light-emission state of the light-emitting unit149. Furthermore, each light-emitting unit149is provided behind an inclined plate150, which protects each component from being damaged by medication inserted via the cell through hole148dropping on the aforementioned components, and which prevents the cell through hole148from being blocked with the medication thus inserted. Moreover, each inclined plate150is formed of a transparent or translucent plate, thereby allowing the operator to clearly visually recognize the light-emission state of each light-emitting unit149, even though the light-emitting unit149is provided behind the inclined plate150. In addition, the inclined plate150may have a light diffusion property (light scattering property). With such an arrangement, the entire area of the inclined plate150is illuminated when the light-emitting unit149is turned on. This further facilitates the operators ability to visually recognize the light-emission state of the light-emitting unit149.

The open/closed switching mechanisms150to153(seeFIG. 6C) comprise: an open/closed switching member151such as a shutter plate supported immediately underneath the inclined plate150such that it can be swung; a driving source152such as a motor or the like also provided underneath the inclined plate150; and a cantilever-like support member153which is mounted to the output rotor of the motor. With such an arrangement, when the support member153is moved forward (the left side inFIG. 6D) by the operation of the driving source152, the open/closed switching member151is moved upward such that it extends approximately in the horizontal direction, thereby closing the intermediate portion of the cell through hole148. On the other hand, when the supporting member153is moved backward (the right side inFIG. 6E) by the operation of the driving source in the reverse direction, the open/closed switching member151moves downward and retracts, thereby opening the cell through hole148. Furthermore, the controller142independently controls each driving source152, thereby allowing the open/closed switching members141to be operated sequentially in increments of open/closed switching members141, and to be operated all at once.

The touch panel141(seeFIG. 6B) may be a general-purpose touch panel having a configuration in which an input unit is provided to a liquid crystal panel. The touch panel141serves as a screen display unit having a function of displaying the name of each medication and the quantity of solid medication to be dispensed according to the procedure for manually dispensing medications. Also, the touch panel141serves as an operating unit which allows the operator to select a medication via the touch panel141from among the medication names thus displayed.

The controller142(seeFIG. 6B) comprises a programmable microprocessor system, for example. Upon reception of the content of procedure for manually dispensing medications from a host computer or the like, the controller142instructs the touch panel141to display the name of the medication and the quantity of solid medication to be dispensed as specified by the procedure for manually dispensing medications. Furthermore, when the operator performs a selection operation at the portion of the touch panel141at which the medication name is displayed, the controller142receives the selection information that corresponds to this portion of the touch panel141. Also, the controller142may instruct a lower microprocessor (MPU), a row driver, a column driver, etc., to perform a dynamic driving operation in a time-sharing manner (seeFIG. 7A). Such an arrangement allows a desired light-emission unit149from among the multitude of light-emission units149to be turned on.

The light-emission units149can be turned on over the entire region where the medications are to be dispensed according to the procedure for manually dispensing medications. Also, the light-emission units149can be turned on only over the region to which a selected medication is to be dispensed, according to the selection of the medication name. Accordingly, the program for the controller142provides the following instructions (seeFIG. 7B). That is to say, upon reception of prescription data from the host computer, for example, the controller142queries the medication sorting and packing apparatus110with regard to whether or not each medication to be dispensed is stored in the medication sorting and packing apparatus110, and the controller142determines the procedure for manually dispensing medications (Step S1). Then, the controller142displays the content of the procedure for manually dispensing medications on the screen of the touch panel141, and turns on the light-emission units149that correspond to the region where the medications are to be dispensed (Step S12). In this stage, the medication name and the quantity of solid medication to be dispensed are displayed on the screen for each of the medications specified in the procedure for manually dispensing medications. The light-emission units149are turned on over the entire region where at least one kind of medication is to be manually dispensed. On the other hand, the light-emission units149that belong to the other region are turned off.

Next, the controller142waits for the operators instruction operation to be performed via the touch panel141or the like (Step S13). Upon reception of the instruction to select a medication (Step S14), the medication name of the medication thus selected is highlighted on the touch panel141, as reversed-out text, for example, and the region where the light-emission units149are turned on is limited to a region where the medication thus selected is to be dispensed, whereupon the flow returns to the processing in which the controller142waits for an instruction (Step S13). It should be noted that, upon reception of a re-display instruction in the step in which the control unit142waits for the instruction, the control unit142turns on the light-emission units149again over the entire region where at least one kind of medication is to be manually dispensed.

On the other hand, upon reception of a medication transfer instruction in the step (Step S13) in which the controller142waits for the operator's instruction, the controller142operates the driving sources152provided to the cell through holes148where the light-emitting units149are turned on, there by switching the corresponding open/closed switching members151to the open state (Step S15). In this stage, if a medication has been selected, the controller142switches to the open state only the open/closed switching members151that belong to the region where the medication thus selected is to be dispensed. In this example, following this operation, the controller142turns off the light-emitting units149.

Upon reception of an instruction to end the process in the step (Step S13) in which the control unit142waits for an instruction, the controller142checks whether or not all the medications specified in the procedure for manually dispensing medications have been selected (Step S16). In a case in which there is any medication that has not been selected (in a case of “NG” in Step S16), the controller142issues an alarm (Step S17), which allows the operator manually dispensing medications to determine whether or not the process should be ended (Step S18). Upon reception of an instruction to continue the process, the flow returns to the processing in which the controller142waits for an instruction (Step S13). On the other hand, in a case in which the controller42has received an instruction to end the process (in a case of “END” in Step S18), or in a case in which determination has been made that all the medications have been selected (in a case of “OK” in Step S16), the controller42transmits the identification number and/or the content of the procedure for manually dispensing medications to the information medium122(Step S19).

Description will be made regarding the uses and the operations of the devices for manually dispensing medications130and140according to the specific example 2-1 with reference to the drawings.FIG. 6Ashows a stage in which the operator preliminarily manually dispenses medications using the medication sorting and packing apparatus110including the built-in device for manually dispensing medications130and the stand alone device for manually dispensing medications140.FIG. 6Bshows the step in which the preliminary dispensing cassette120is inserted into the device for manually dispensing medications140. Each ofFIGS. 8A through 8DandFIGS. 9A through 9Dshows the illumination display using the light-emission units149provided to the part for manually dispensing medications147and the screen display on the touch panel141.

First, description will be made regarding the outline of the process initially performed according to several medication prescriptions to be dispensed manually (seeFIG. 6A). Next, description will be made regarding the process according to a procedure for manually dispensing medications that specifies large quantities of multiple medications (seeFIGS. 6B,FIG. 8, andFIG. 9).

First, let us say that each medication feeder11has been replenished with the corresponding medication, and the medication sorting and packing apparatus110is ready to automatically dispense medication (seeFIG. 6A). Furthermore, let us say that the host computer receives prescriptions, a part of which specifies medications that are not stored in any medication feeder111. These prescriptions are transmitted from the host computer to the medication sorting and packing apparatus110. The part of the prescriptions that specifies the medications that are not stored in any medication feeder11is extracted in the form of a procedure for manually dispensing medications by the host computer or the medication sorting and packing apparatus110. The procedure for manually dispensing medications thus extracted is also transmitted to the device for manually dispensing medications140. Thus, such an arrangement allows the operator to perform the manual medication dispensing operation using either the device for manually dispensing medications130or140. When the operator starts the process of dispensing medications manually using one device for manually dispensing medications selected from among the dispensing devices130and140, the procedure for manually dispensing medications is discarded for the device for manually dispensing medications that has not been selected for use by the operator. This avoids duplication in the procedure for manually dispensing medications.

In a typical operation procedure, the operator performs the manual medication dispensing operation according to the first procedure for manually dispensing medications using the device for manually dispensing medications130included in the medication sorting and packing apparatus110. After all the medications have been sent to the delivery member114or the like according to the first procedure for manually dispensing medications, the operator performs a manual medication dispensing operation according to the second procedure for manually dispensing medications using the device for manually dispensing medications130in the same way as with the first procedure for manually dispensing medications. In this stage, the device for manually dispensing medications130is busy until the medication sorting and packing apparatus110performs automatic medication dispensing according to the medication prescription that specifies these medications. Accordingly, the operator performs the procedures for manually dispensing medications according to the third and subsequent procedures for manually dispensing medications using the device for manually dispensing medications140. Before the operator performs the manual medication dispensing operation using the device for manually dispensing medications140, the operator must replace the preliminary dispensing cassette120in increments of completed procedures. The preliminary dispensing cassette120that has been subjected to the preliminary dispensing is kept as appropriate in a rack or the like formed in a workbench109, until the operator can mount the preliminary dispensing cassette120to the medication sorting and packing apparatus110.

Upon reception of a request from the medication sorting and packing apparatus110to perform the next manual medication dispensing operation, the operator extracts the used preliminary dispensing cassette120from the device for manually dispensing medications130, and replaces it with a new preliminary dispensing cassette120to which medications have been manually dispensed. In this stage, the procedure for manually dispensing medications is checked using the information medium122. If the procedure for manually dispensing medications matches the information specified in the information medium122, the medication sorting and packing apparatus110immediately performs automatic medication dispensing. On the other hand, if the procedure for manually dispensing medications does not match the information specified in the information medium122, before the medication sorting and packing apparatus110performs automatic medication dispensing, the medication sorting and packing apparatus110changes the order of the process for manually dispensing medications specified in the prescription (see Patent document 2) for example).

Thus, such an arrangement allows the operator to perform preliminary manual medication dispensing operations according to the procedures for manually dispensing medications, even if there are a multitude of procedures for manually dispensing medications. Such an arrangement reduces the idle time of the medication sorting and packing apparatus110to approximately zero.

Next, let us say that, in at least one from among the manual medication dispensing operations, the corresponding procedure for manually dispensing medications specifies large quantities of multiple medications (seeFIGS. 6B and 8, andFIG. 9). In this case, such an arrangement using the device for manually dispensing medications140allows the operator to perform the same operations as described above, except for the addition of the operations of extracting/inserting the main unit133. Description will be made below regarding the operations.

First, a guide screen is displayed on the touch panel141, which prompts the operator to perform the manual medication dispensing operation (seeFIG. 8A). According to this instruction, the operator manually dispensing medications prepares an empty preliminary dispensing cassette120. Furthermore, the operator inserts the empty preliminary dispensing cassette120into the cassette storage space145of the main unit143(seeFIG. 6B). In this stage, in the part for manually dispensing medications147(seeFIG. 8A) of the main unit143of the device for manually dispensing medications140, all the open/closed switching members151are closed, and all the cell through holes148have thereby been switched to the closed state. At the same time, all the light-emitting units149are turned off.

After the preliminary dispensing cassette120is completely inserted into the main unit143, the device for manually dispensing medications140automatically displays the content of the procedure for manually dispensing medications on the screen of the touch panel141(seeFIG. 8B). First, the device for manually dispensing medications140displays the identification information with regard to the procedure for manually dispensing medications, the total quantity of solid medication to be dispensed, etc., in a highlighted manner using black-and-white reversed-out text or colored text. On the other hand, the device for manually dispensing medications140displays the name of each medication and the quantity of each medication to be dispensed in a normal display manner. Furthermore, at the part for manually dispensing medications147, the light-emitting units149are turned on over the region where at least one kind of medication is to be dispensed (6×6 matrix on the right side inFIG. 8B). In this stage, when the operator manually dispensing medications selects via the touch panel141the medication101to be manually dispensed, the highlighted area is moved to the area where the medication name thus selected and the quantity thereof to be dispensed are displayed (seeFIG. 8C). At the same time, the light emission of the light-emitting units149is limited to the area to which the medication thus selected is to be dispensed (the second and third rows from the right side, each of which corresponds to six cells, inFIG. 8C). The operator manually dispensing medications inserts the medication101, which is to be manually dispensed, into each cell through hole148while observing the light-emission pattern.

After the medication101is manually dispensed to the region to which this medication is to be dispensed, the operator manually dispensing medications operates the touch panel141so as to instruct the device for manually dispensing medications140to transfer the medication101thus manually dispensed. Upon reception of this instruction, the device for manually dispensing medications140opens only the open/closed switching members151provided in the cell through holes148formed in the part for manually dispensing medications147that belong to the region to which the medication101was to be dispensed. This permits the medication101to drop into the corresponding cells121formed in the preliminary dispensing cassette120through the cell through holes148formed in the part for manually dispensing medications147. In this stage, if the region to which the medication101has been manually dispensed matches the correct region to which the medication101was to be dispensed, the medication101is not retained in the part for manually dispensing medications147(seeFIG. 9A). At the same time, the light-emitting units149, which are provided to the cell through holes148formed in the part for manually dispensing medications147, are turned off. Furthermore, on the display screen of the touch panel141, the display state is changed with respect to the medication101, which notifies the operator that the process for manually dispensing the medication101has been completed.

Subsequently, after the operator has confirmed that there is no medication101remaining in the part for manually dispensing medications147, the operator manually dispensing medications selects via the touch panel141the medication102that is to be manually dispensed, whereupon the highlighted area is moved to the area where the name of the medication102and the quantity thereof to be dispensed are displayed (seeFIG. 9B). At the same time, the light emission of the light-emitting units149is limited to the area to which the medication102thus selected is to be manually dispensed (the third and fourth lines, each of which corresponds to six cells starting from the right side, inFIG. 9B). The operator manually dispensing medications inserts the medication102, which is to be manually dispensed, into each cell through hole148while observing the light-emission (seeFIG. 9C.

With such an arrangement, the operator repeatedly performs the above-described operations, thereby allowing the operator to easily and precisely distribute each medication manually. Furthermore, in a case in which the operator has erroneously inserted a medication into a cell through hole148outside the region to which the medication was to be manually dispensed, such an arrangement allows the operator to recognize such an undesired situation as described below. This ensures that there is no chance of the operator failing to notice such an undesired situation.

That is to say, after the medication102has been manually dispensed, the operator manually dispensing medications operates the touch panel141so as to transmit an instruction to transfer the medication thus manually dispensed. Upon reception of this instruction, the device for manually dispensing medications140only operates the open/closed switching members151that belong to the region to which the medication102was to be dispensed. Accordingly, the medication102is transferred to the cells121formed in the preliminary dispensing cassette120only via the cell through holes148that belong to the region to which the medication102was to be dispensed. In this stage, no medication102remains in the cell through holes148that belong to the region of the part for manually dispensing medications147where the medication102was to be manually dispensed. On the other hand, if the operator has dispensed the medication102to an undesired region outside the region to which the medication102was to be dispensed, the medication102thus erroneously dispensed is retained in the part for manually dispensing medications147(seeFIG. 9D). Thus, such an arrangement allows the operator to immediately recognize such an undesired situation. Thus, the operator can remove such medication102that has been dispensed to an undesired location before the next step for manually dispensing medications.

As described above, each of the devices for manually dispensing medications130and140according to the present invention permits the operator to perform the manual medication dispensing operation while checking the dispensing results for each medication transfer step. Thus, such an arrangement allows the operator to perform at a high speed and in a sure manner.

Furthermore, if the operator instructs the device for manually dispensing medications140to perform the re-display operation, the state of the screen display of the touch panel141and the state of the light emission of the light-emitting units149are returned to their initial states. In this stage, the light-emitting units149are turned on over the entire area to which at least one kind of medication is to be dispensed, thereby allowing the operator to easily recognize the entire area to which at least one kind of medication is to be dispensed. Also, if the operator instructs the device for manually dispensing medications140to end the process before all the medications are dispensed, the device for manually dispensing medications140issues an alarm and requests that the operator check this instruction. Such an arrangement prevents the omission of any of the steps in the manual medication dispensing operation.

Upon completion of the manual medication dispensing operation according to a procedure for manually dispensing medications, the device for manually dispensing medications140writes the information with respect to the procedure for manually dispensing medications to the information medium122of the preliminary dispensing cassette120, whereupon the preliminary dispensing cassette120enters the state in which the operator can extract it from the device for manually dispensing medications140.

SPECIFIC EXAMPLE 2-2

Description will be made regarding specific components of the specific example 2-2 of the device for manually dispensing medications according to the second embodiment with reference to the drawing.FIG. 10is an enlarged plan view which shows the principal components provided to the part for manually dispensing medications147, such as the cell through holes148, the light-emitting units149, etc.

The difference between this device for manually dispensing medications and the above-described specific example 2-1 is as follows. First, in the device for manually dispensing medications according to the specific example 2-2, each cell through hole148includes an increased number of light-emitting units149(i.e., three light-emitting units149). Second, in the step in which the light-emitting units149provided to the cell through holes148are turned on, which indicates the region to which a medication is to be dispensed, for each cell through hole148the same number of light-emitting units149as the quantity of solid medication to be inserted are turned on.

It should be noted that, if the quantity of solid medication to be inserted is greater than the number of light-emitting units149for each cell through hole148, this process is divided into more than one part.

Such an arrangement allows the operator to easily recognize in a sure manner the quantity of solid medication that have been inserted, by checking the number of light-emitting units149that are emitting light. With such an arrangement, the light-emitting units149are mounted to the front face of each inclined plate150, thereby allowing the operator to directly observe the light-emitting units149. This allows the operator to clearly recognize the number of light-emitting units149that are emitting light.

Also, an arrangement may be made in which colored LEDs are employed as the light-emitting units149, and the quantity of solid medication that have been inserted is indicated by the color provided by the light-emitting units149, for example, which is not shown in the drawings. With such an arrangement, each light-emitting unit149may be provided behind the inclined plate150. Also, the inclined plate150may be formed of a light-scattering plate.

Other

Description has been made regarding an arrangement in which the touch panels131and141are employed, each of which has a configuration in which the screen display unit and the operating unit are integrated. Also, an arrangement may be made in which the screen display unit and the operating unit are provided in the form of separate units. For example, the screen display unit and the operating unit may be provided in the form of a display, a keyboard, and a mouse. Also, the control unit is not restricted to a microprocessor. The control unit may comprise a so-called notebook-sized personal computer having a configuration in which the screen display unit and the operating unit are integrated. Also, the control unit may comprise a so-called desktop computer having a configuration in which the screen display unit and the operating unit are provided as separate units. Also, all of, or desired components selected from among, the control unit, the screen display unit, and the operating unit may be provided in the form of built-in components of the main unit.

Description has been made in the above-described specific examples regarding an arrangement which allows the operator to select a medication to be manually dispensed, by operating the touch panel141that provides the screen display. Also, an arrangement may be made which has a function of reading out a barcode or the like attached to the medication storage container, thereby selecting the medication to be manually dispensed.

Description has been made in the specific examples regarding an arrangement which allows the operator to directly insert/extract the preliminary dispensing cassette120into/from the cassette storage space145formed in the main unit143of the device for manually dispensing medications140. Also, an arrangement may be made including a drawer member, which comprises a drawer box, rails, etc., mounted to the frame member144of the main unit143, thereby allowing the operator to insert/extract the preliminary dispensing cassette120into/from the cassette storage space145via the drawer member thus provided. Also, the present invention is not restricted to an arrangement in which the insertion/extraction portion for the preliminary dispensing cassette120is provided to the front face of the frame member144. Also, the insertion/extraction portion for the preliminary dispensing cassette120may be provided on the left side face, the right side face, or the top face. With an arrangement that allows the operator to insert/extract the preliminary dispensing cassette120via the top face of the frame144, the part for manually dispensing medications147should be provided in the form of a lid that allows the operator to open/close the top face of the frame member144, thereby allowing the operator to insert/extract the preliminary dispensing cassette120via the top face thus opened.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, the present invention can be applied to a device for manually dispensing medications which allows the operator to manually dispense a medication in advance to a multitude of cells.