Patent ID: 12195220

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be further described below.

The drug packaging device1of the present embodiment has an external shape as illustrated inFIG.1. The drug packaging device1is roughly divided into a tablet supply portion2, a manual distribution portion3, a powder supply portion5, and a drug packaging portion6. A manual distribution device (drug discharge device)10is built in the manual distribution portion3.

Here, the tablet supply portion2occupies the upper half of the drug packaging device1. The tablet supply portion2is configured to include a drug shelf portion8storing various types and large amount of tablets of solid drugs such as a capsule and a tablet (hereinafter, it may simply be referred to as a tablet), and a tablet transport path portion9.

Multiple drug feeders (not illustrated) are built in the drug shelf portion8. A drug cassette (not illustrated) is attached to each drug feeder.

Multiple tablets are stored in the drug cassette, and the tablets are discharged one by one from the drug cassette. The discharged tablets are sent to the drug packaging portion6and packaged in small bags for one dose one by one.

The powder supply portion5and the drug packaging portion6occupy the lower half of the drug packaging device1, and both are built in this part.

The powdered drug scraped out from the powder supply portion5is also packaged in the same manner as tablets and the like.

The drug packaging device1is provided with a display device11. The display device (guidance means)11is a known touch panel or the like, and includes a display screen12.

Next, the outline of the manual distribution device10, which is a characteristic part of the present embodiment, will be described.

The manual distribution device10is configured to include a manual distribution member15and a divider16, as illustrated inFIG.7.

The manual distribution member15is a member having a plate-like overall shape, and recessed portions20are arranged in a matrix. Each recessed portion20has a bottom (not illustrated). The bottom is openable and closable so that the bottom can be opened to transfer the drug in the recessed portion20to below the divider16as described later.

As illustrated inFIG.6(d), each recessed portion20of the manual distribution member15is provided with an indicator lamp (indicating means or guidance means)22, so that a specific recessed portion20can be illuminated and highlighted.

The divider16is a member provided with multiple blister portions30similar to the recessed portions20of the manual distribution member15described above. The layout, that is, the number and arrangement of the blister portions30provided in the divider16is the same as the layout of the recessed portions20of the manual distribution member15described above, and the blister portions30of the divider16are in one-to-one correspondence with the recessed portions20of the manual distribution member15.

The divider16can open the blister portions30at predetermined positions in random order. The divider16is discharge means, and is capable of individually discharging a drug corresponding to a predetermined recessed portion.

As illustrated inFIG.7, a collecting hopper28is provided below the divider (discharge means)16. A terminal end of the collecting hopper28communicates with the passage leading to the drug packaging portion6described above.

The divider16of the manual distribution device (drug discharge device)10is accommodated in the main body portion of the drug packaging device1. On the other hand, the manual distribution member15has a drawer-like structure and enters and exits from the main body portion of the drug packaging device1.

When the manual distribution member15is accommodated in the main body portion of the drug packaging device1, as illustrated inFIG.7, the manual distribution member15reaches a position directly above the divider16, and the bottom of the recessed portion20is completely opened so that the drug in the recessed portion20is transferred to the blister portion30of the divider16.

Next, a control device40will be described.

As illustrated inFIG.3, the control device40performs control to assign the same drug to recessed portions in adjacent regions based on prescription information including information on drugs to be provided to a plurality of patients or one patient.

The control device40functions as recessed portion determining means for determining the recessed portion20to be distributed based on the type of drug.

In addition, the control device40also has a function of distinguishing between drugs that can be discharged from the drug feeder and drugs that cannot be discharged from the drug feeder.

These functions are realized by a sorting program.

The control device40has a known CPU, memory, and the like, and the sorting program is built in the memory. In addition, the control device40also has a prescription information input portion.

An external server is connected to the control device40.

In the present embodiment, prescription information is input from the server. The prescription information includes information on the type and quantity of drug required. In addition, the prescription information also includes other information such as the quantity and dosing timing.

The display device11, the divider16, and the indicator lamp22of the manual distribution member15are connected to the output side of the control device.

The sorting program is a program that refers to the prescription information of a plurality of patients and that, in a case where there are common drugs, forms one group by grouping the common drugs.

Here, the prescription information includes the types of drugs, the amount of drugs, dosing timing, dosing method, and the like.

The sorting program selects drugs required to be distributed manually among the drugs included in the prescription information, and refers to the information on the drugs. Specifically, the types of drugs required to be distributed manually, the amount of dosing, the dosing timing, and the like are referred to.

That is, drugs included in prescription information include solid drugs, powdered drugs, ointments, and the like. In addition, solid drugs include those that are currently stored in the tablet supply portion2and can be discharged from the drug feeder, and those that are not stored in the tablet supply portion2. The concept of prescription information also includes what is referred to as dispensing information processed for dispensing.

The sorting program is at least a program that refers to the information on solid drugs not currently stored in the tablet supply portion2and required to be discharged using the manual distribution device10, and, that, in a case where there are common drugs, forms one group by grouping the common drugs.

The blister portions30in which the group of drugs is required to be accommodated are collectively assigned to one region. As described above, since the blister portions30of the divider16correspond to the recessed portions20of the manual distribution member15one-to-one, by assigning the drugs to the blister portions30of the divider16, the recessed portion20(manual distribution member15) into which each drug is substantially distributed is allocated.

That is, the sorting program is a program that determines the recessed portions20required to be distributed based on the type of drug.

As illustrated inFIG.4, a simulated chart (guidance means)18simulating the manual distribution member15is displayed on the display screen12of the display device11to illustrate the assigned result.

For example, as illustrated inFIG.4, each type of drug is displayed in different colors, and the drugs to be distributed in the region are displayed as A, B, and C, for example.

In addition, the indicator lamp (guidance means)22of the manual distribution member15is turned on to display the recessed portion20into which the specific drug is required to be distributed.

The drug packaging device1of the present embodiment can discharge necessary drugs based on prescription information input from the outside, and can package and discharge for one dose one by one.

Here, the drug packaging device1of the present embodiment has the following three types of patterns for packaging one dose one by one.

(1) Only the drugs discharged from the tablet supply portion2are packaged for one dose one by one.

(2) Only the drugs discharged by the manual distribution device10are packaged for one dose one by one.

(3) The drugs discharged from each of the tablet supply portion2and the manual distribution device10are combined and packaged for one dose one by one.

In addition, although there is a pattern in which the drug discharged from the powder supply portion5is packaged alone or together with tablets or the like, the handling of the drug discharged from the powder supply portion5is the same as that for the drug discharged from the tablet supply portion2, so the description is omitted.

In the present embodiment, in a case where the prescription information includes a drug that is not stored in the tablet supply portion2, the drug is sent from the manual distribution device10to the drug packaging portion6and packaged.

In the drug packaging device1of the present embodiment, drugs that can be discharged from the drug feeder are distinguished from drugs that cannot be discharged, and drugs that are not stored in the tablet supply portion2and cannot be discharged from the drug feeder are discharged from the manual distribution device10.

An operator such as a pharmacist refers to the simulated chart18displayed on the display device11and the indicator lamp22of the manual distribution member15to put a specific drug into the recessed portion20belonging to a predetermined region of the manual distribution member15.

When it is time to discharge the specific drug, one of the blister portions30belonging to the region where the drug is grouped is opened, and the drugs are discharged from the opened blister portion30.

Hereinafter, as illustrated in the table ofFIG.5, the case of creating drug packages for patients a to j will be described as an example. In addition, for convenience of description, as illustrated inFIG.4, the recessed portions20of the manual distribution member15are numbered from the end.

According to the example, patients a to j are each provided with the drug four times: in the morning, at noon, in the evening, and before going to bed. Here, a blank column indicates when a drug that can be supplied from the tablet supply portion2is taken, and the drug corresponding to the blank column is automatically supplied from the tablet supply portion2.

In addition, in many cases, the drugs are supplied from both the tablet supply portion2and the like and the manual distribution member15and are packaged together in one drug package.

For example, in a case where patient a takes a drug (not illustrated) in the morning, in addition to the drug A illustrated in the table ofFIG.5, and the drug is stored in the tablet supply portion2, drugs supplied from both the tablet supply portion2and the manual distribution member15, and both drugs are sent to the drug packaging portion6at the same time and packaged.

According to the example, drugs A are prescribed for patients a, c, f, g, and i. Drugs B are prescribed for patients b, d, g, and i. Drugs C are prescribed for patients e and h. Drug D is prescribed to patient j.

Supposing that drug packages for five days are required, 25 packages of drug A are required, 20 packages of drug B are required, ten packages of drug C are required, and five packages of drug D are required.

For example, in a case where the number of drugs A to be distributed in the recessed portions20is the same for each patient or each dosing timing, and supposing that all the drug A prescribed for each patient or each dosing timing are one tablet, one tablet of the drug A is assigned to each of regions from numbers1to25of the recessed portions20at a time. Other drugs B to D are also assigned in the same manner. Specifically, in a case where all the drugs B to D to be distributed in the recessed portion20for each patient or each dosing timing are one tablet, one tablet of the drug B is assigned to each of regions from numbers26to45of the recessed portions20at a time, one tablet of drug C is assigned to each of regions from numbers46to55of the recessed portions20at a time, and one tablet of drug D is assigned to each of regions from numbers56to60of the recessed portions20at a time.

In a case where the prescription information as described above is input to the control device40, the regions from numbers1to25of the recessed portions20are defined as a region for the drug A. In addition, the regions from numbers26to45of the recessed portions20are defined as a region for the drug B. Similarly, allocation is performed so that the regions from numbers46to55of the recessed portions20are defined as a region for the drug C, and the regions from numbers56to60of the recessed portions20are defined as a region for the drug D.

As illustrated inFIG.4, the simulated chart18is displayed on the display screen12of the display device11to illustrate the allocated result. The simulated chart18is color-coded by region into which the drug is put. In addition, the types of drugs are displayed in a frame corresponding to the recessed portion20. In this manner, a uniform mark is displayed on the frame of the recessed portion20into which the same drug is required to be put in the simulated chart18.

As described above, the operator such as a pharmacist refers to the simulated chart18displayed on the display device11and the indicator lamp22of the manual distribution member15to put a specific drug into the recessed portion20belonging to a predetermined region of the manual distribution member15.

In a case where the number of drugs to be distributed in the recessed portion20is not the same for each patient or for each dosing timing, drugs A are assigned to the recessed portions20of numbers1to25by grouping the same number of drugs or by grouping drugs in the order of the patient. Other drugs B to D are similarly assigned.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated inFIG.6(b), the indicator lamp22of the region for the drug A of the manual distribution member15is first turned on. When the distribution of the drug A into the region for the drug A is ended, an end switch (not illustrated) is pressed.

As a result, the lighting region of the manual distribution member15changes, and the indicator lamp of the region for the drug B of the manual distribution member15is turned on as illustrated inFIG.6(c). Hereinafter, similarly, the lighting region of the manual distribution member15changes.

Instead of the end switch, a camera, sensor, or weight may be used to automatically detect the end of distribution and change the lighting region.

When the distribution of the drug to the manual distribution member15is ended, a predetermined end switch is pressed. As a result, the manual distribution member15is accommodated in the main body portion of the drug packaging device1, and the manual distribution member15reaches a position directly above the divider16, and the bottom of the recessed portion20is completely opened so that the drug in the recessed portion20is transferred to the blister portion30of the divider16. A structure in which the manual distribution member15is manually pushed into the main body portion and accommodated may be adopted.

When the manual distribution operation is ended and the time comes to discharge the drug from the manual distribution device (drug discharge device)10, any one of the blister portions30of the divider16corresponding to the region where the drugs are grouped is opened and the drug is discharged.

For example, when it is the turn to package the morning drug for patient a, the blister portion30corresponding to one of the regions for the drug A from numbers1to25of the recessed portion20is opened and the drug A is discharged. For example, when it is the turn to package the noon drug for patient h, the blister portion30corresponding to one of the regions for the drug C from numbers46to55of the recessed portion20is opened and the drug C is discharged.

According to the manual distribution device of the present embodiment, the drugs can be discharged in a predetermined order, and sorting suitable for delivering the drugs to the above nursing home can be performed.

That is, a group for morning can be formed by grouping together the drugs that each patient takes in the morning, a group for noon can be formed by grouping together the drugs that each patient takes at noon, a group for evening can be formed by grouping together the drugs that each patient takes in the evening, and a group for before going to bed can be formed by grouping together the drugs that each patient takes before going to bed, which can be carried into a nursing home or the like. In addition, if necessary, the drug package is set in the medication calendar and carried into a nursing home or the like.

For example, in a case where a group for morning is formed by grouping together the drugs that each patient takes in the morning, the procedure is as follows.

According to the table ofFIG.5, the drugs taken in the morning are the drug A for patient a, the drugs discharged from the tablet supply portion2for patient b and patient c, the drug B for patient d, the drug C for patient e, the drug A for patient f, the drug B for patient g, the drugs discharged from the tablet supply portion2for patient h, the drug A for patient i, and the drug discharged from the tablet supply portion2for patient j.

In a case where a group for morning is formed by grouping together the drugs that each patient takes in the morning, the drugs are discharged in the order described above.

Specifically, first, the blister portion30corresponding to the recessed portion20of number1belonging to the region for the drug A is opened, and the drug A for patient a is discharged. Subsequently, the drug for patient b and the drug for patient c are sequentially discharged from the tablet supply portion2. Subsequently, the blister portion30corresponding to the recessed portion20of number26belonging to the region for the drug B is opened, and the drug B for patient d is discharged. Subsequently, the blister portion30corresponding to the recessed portion20of number46belonging to the region for the drug C is opened, and the drug C for patient e is discharged. Subsequently, the blister portion30corresponding to the recessed portion20of number2belonging to the region for the drug A is opened, and the drug A for patient f is discharged. Subsequently, the blister portion30corresponding to the recessed portion20of number27belonging to the region for the drug B is opened, and the drug B for patient g is discharged. Subsequently, the drug for patient h is discharged from the tablet supply portion2. Subsequently, the blister portion30corresponding to the recessed portion20of number3belonging to the region for the drug A is opened, and the drug A for patient i is discharged. Subsequently, the drug for patient j is discharged from the tablet supply portion2.

In this manner, the drugs that each patient takes in the morning can be sequentially discharged to form a group for morning.

Next, the recommended structure of the divider16will be described.

The manual distribution device10of the present embodiment includes the manual distribution member15and the divider16as illustrated inFIG.7.

In addition, the divider16includes a temporary accommodating member50and a bottom constituting member51, as illustrated inFIGS.8and9(a).

The temporary accommodating member50includes a plurality of blister portions30, and the arrangement of the blister portions30corresponds to that of the recessed portions20of the manual distribution member15one-to-one.

As illustrated inFIG.9(b), the blister portion30of the temporary accommodating member50has no bottom, and the blister portion30itself is normally opened. However, there is the bottom constituting member51on the bottom side of the temporary accommodating member50, and the bottom side of the blister portion30is closed by the bottom constituting member51.

The bottom constituting member51is configured to include an entire closed region55and an openable region56.

The entire closed region55is configured to include a single plate and has substantially no openings.

On the other hand, the openable region56is configured by arranging six moving floor members58in a plane. The moving floor member58includes a narrow planar strip-shaped member60.

The moving floor member58can be individually moved in parallel by one blister by a driving source57such as a solenoid. As a result, a drop opening61is formed at a boundary portion between the entire closed region55and the openable region56.

The entire closed region55described above has an area only to cover the entire bottom of the temporary accommodating member50.

Similarly, the openable region56has an area only to cover the entire bottom of the temporary accommodating member50in a state where the six strip-shaped members60are combined in a rectangular shape.

In addition, in the divider16adopted in the present embodiment, the temporary accommodating member50is moved in parallel by a driving source (not illustrated), and can be stopped at a predetermined position.

In the manual distribution device10of the present embodiment as well, when the manual distribution member15is accommodated in the main body portion of the drug packaging device1, the manual distribution member15reaches a position directly above the divider16, and the bottom of the recessed portion20is completely opened so that the drug in the recessed portion20is transferred to the blister portion30of the temporary accommodating member50.

The manual distribution device (drug discharge device)10of the present embodiment includes discharge means for temporarily opening the bottom of the blister portion30at a predetermined position to discharge the drug from the blister portion30. The discharge means is configured to include the temporary accommodating member50described above and the bottom constituting member51.

The discharge procedure will be described below.

For example, in a case of opening the blister portion30corresponding to the recessed portion20of number1, the temporary accommodating member50is moved by one blister as illustrated inFIG.11. Subsequently, as illustrated inFIG.12, the moving floor member58in the first column is moved by one blister to form a drop opening61for one blister between the entire closed region55and the openable region56. As a result, the bottom of the blister portion30corresponding to the recessed portion of number1is released, and the drug62is released from the recessed portion of number1.

Next, the case of releasing the blister portion30corresponding to the recessed portion20of the central number28will be described. The blister portion30corresponding to number28is in the fifth row from the right and in the fourth column from the bottom.

In a case where the blister portion30corresponding to number28is released, the temporary accommodating member50is moved only by five blisters as illustrated inFIG.13.

At this time, the temporary accommodating member50protrudes significantly from the entire closed region55, but the openable region56has an area only to cover the entire bottom portion of the temporary accommodating member50, so that the bottom of each blister portion30is maintained closed.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIG.14, the moving floor member58in the fourth column from the bottom is moved by one blister, and the drop opening61for one blister is formed in the portion of the fourth column between the entire closed region55and the openable region56. As a result, the bottom of the blister portion30corresponding to the recessed portion20of number28is released, and the drug62is released from the recessed portion20of number28.

In the embodiment described above, a plurality of moving floor members58are provided and each moving floor member58is moved independently to form only one drop opening61, but an opening and closing member may be provided at a specific position, and the opening and closing member may be opened and closed by a motor or a solenoid.

For example, six openings may be formed side by side in the column direction at the boundary portion between the entire closed region55and the openable region56, each opening may be provided with an opening and closing member such as a hinge that can be opened and closed, and the hinge or the like may be opened and closed by a motor or a solenoid.

The number of drugs put into each recessed portion20of the manual distribution member15is random, and may be one or a plurality of drugs.

In a case where the patient needs to take a plurality of drugs of the same drug at the same time, the plurality of drugs may be supplied to the drug packaging portion6by performing the operation of putting drugs one by one into the recessed portion20and discharging the drug from the blister portion30, a plurality of times.

Drugs may be transferred from the recessed portions20accommodating different drugs to a plurality of blister portions30, and the drugs may be supplied from the plurality of blister portions30to one drug package.

In addition, it does not deny that the drug for one dose is divided into a plurality of drug packages and accommodated.

The manual distribution device (drug discharge device)10of the embodiment described above discharges the drug distributed into the recessed portion20of the manual distribution member15via the divider16, and the drug may be discharged directly from the manual distribution member15by individually opening and closing the recessed portions20of the manual distribution member15.

For example, the recessed portion20of the manual distribution member15has a structure having no bottom and an open bottom portion. The bottom constituting member51as described above is disposed below the manual distribution member15, the manual distribution member15and the bottom constituting member51can be moved relative to each other, at least one of the manual distribution member15and the bottom constituting member51is moved to move the specific recessed portion20to a position where the drop opening61of the bottom constituting member51is formed.

In the embodiment described above, the operation of sorting the drug packages for a plurality of patients according to dosing timing using the manual distribution device10has been described. The usage aspect described above is an example in a case where the drug to be distributed into the recessed portion20of the manual distribution member15is one tablet at a time.

According to the usage aspect described above, it is possible to prepare a strip package in which drug packages to be taken at the same time are continuous, as illustrated inFIG.19.

Other usage aspects include the following usage examples. In any case, one recessed portion20is distributed with the drug to be supplied from the manual distribution device (drug discharge device)10and to be taken at one time. In addition, in either case, the drugs of the same type and number are assigned to the recessed portions in the adjacent regions.

(1) A case where drug packages for one patient are sorted according to dosing timing, and one tablet of solid drug at a time may be taken at each dosing timing.

(2) A case where drug packages for one patient are sorted according to dosing timing, and a plurality of solid drugs may be taken at each dosing timing.

(3) A case where drug packages for a plurality of patients are sorted according to dosing timing, and a plurality of solid drugs may be taken at each dosing timing.

(4) A case where drug packages for one or a plurality of patients are sorted according to dosing timing, and a plurality of types of drugs may be taken at each dosing timing.

This will be described below.

(1) A case where drug packages for one patient are sorted according to dosing timing, and one tablet of solid drug at a time may be taken at each dosing timing.

For example, patient a takes the drugs A in the morning and in the evening, and takes the drug B at noon.

Supposing that drug packages for four days are prepared, eight packages of drug A are required and four packages of drug B are required.

In this case, as illustrated inFIG.15, one tablet of the drug A is assigned to the recessed portions20from numbers1to8at a time. One tablet of drug B is assigned to the subsequent recessed portions20from numbers9to12at a time.

(2) A case where drug packages for one patient are sorted according to dosing timing, and a plurality of solid drugs may be taken at each dosing timing.

For example, patient a takes one tablet of drug A in the morning, one tablet of drug B at noon, and two tablets of drug A in the evening.

Supposing that drug packages for four days are prepared, four drug packages in which one tablet of drug A is packaged are required, four drug packages in which two tablets of drug A are packaged are required, and four drug packages in which one tablet of drug B is packaged are required.

In this case, as illustrated inFIG.16, the recessed portions20from numbers1to4are assigned as regions into which one tablet of the drug A is put at a time. The subsequent recessed portions20from numbers5to8are assigned as regions into which two tablets of drug A are put at a time. The subsequent recessed portions20from numbers9to12are assigned as regions into which one tablet of the drug B is put at a time.

(3) A case where drug packages for a plurality of patients are sorted according to dosing timing, and a plurality of solid drugs may be taken at each dosing timing.

For example, patient a takes one tablet of drug A in the morning, one tablet of drug B at noon, and two tablets of drug A in the evening. For example, patient b takes one tablet of drug A in the morning, one tablet of drug B at noon, and two tablets of drug A in the evening.

Supposing that drug packages for four days are prepared, eight drug packages in which one tablet of drug A is packaged are required, eight drug packages in which two tablets of drug A are packaged are required, and eight drug packages in which one tablet of drug B is packaged are required.

In this case, as illustrated inFIG.17, the recessed portions20from numbers1to8are assigned as regions into which one tablet of the drug A is put at a time. The subsequent recessed portions20from numbers9to16are assigned as regions into which two tablets of drug A are put at a time. The subsequent recessed portions20from numbers17to24are assigned as regions into which one tablet of the drug B is put at a time.

(4) A case where drug packages for one or a plurality of patients are sorted according to dosing timing, and a plurality of types of drugs may be taken at each dosing timing.

For example, patient a takes one tablet of drug A and one tablet of drug B in the morning, one tablet of drug B at noon, and two tablets of drug A in the evening. For example, patient b takes two tablets of drug A in the morning, one tablet of drug B at noon, and one tablet of drug A and one tablet of drug B in the evening.

Supposing that drug packages for four days are prepared, eight drug packages in which one tablet of drug A and one tablet of drug B are packaged in one bag are required, eight drug packages in which two tablets of drug A are packaged are required, and eight drug packages in which one tablet of drug B is packaged are required.

In this case, as illustrated inFIG.18, the recessed portions20from numbers1to8are assigned as regions into which one tablet of the drug A and one tablet of the drug B are put. The subsequent recessed portions20from numbers9to16are assigned as regions into which two tablets of drug A are put at a time. The subsequent recessed portions20from numbers17to24are assigned as regions into which one tablet of the drug B is put at a time.

In the embodiment described above, as illustrated inFIGS.4and15to18, although the same drug is assigned to the recessed portions in adjacent regions in a state of being aligned to the right and along the vertical columns of the drawing, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration.

For example, the same drug may be aligned to the left, or may be grouped along the horizontal columns.

In the manual distribution members15adopted in the embodiment described above, the recessed portions20are arranged in 10 rows and 6 columns as illustrated inFIG.4, but the numbers of rows and columns of the manual distribution members15are random.

The recommended number of columns is 7 columns. For example, when the first to seventh days of patient a are defined as the first to seventh columns, and the first to fourth rows are defined as morning, noon, evening, and before going to bed of the dosing timing, it is easy to distribute. Furthermore, when the fifth row is left blank and the sixth to ninth rows are continued as the morning, noon, evening, and before going to bed of dosing timing of patient b, it is easy to distribute while avoiding the error in manual distribution between patients.

The drug packaging device1of the embodiment described above includes the tablet supply portion2, the manual distribution portion3, the powder supply portion5, and the drug packaging portion6, and the characteristic manual distribution device (drug discharge device)10is adopted in the manual distribution portion3.

It is desirable that the drug packaging device includes the tablet supply portion2and the powder supply portion5as in the embodiment described above, the manual distribution device (drug discharge device)10of the present invention may be adopted in a drug packaging device that does not have the tablet supply portion2or the like.

That is, the present invention can also be applied to a device for discharging all drugs contained in prescription information (including dispensing information obtained by processing prescription information for dispensing) input to a drug packaging device from a drug discharge device (manual distribution member).

Next, a desirable inspection device will be described. The inspection device may be built in the drug packaging device1or may be an independent device.

As described above, the drug packaging device1of the embodiment described above can prepare a strip package in which drug packages are continuous for each of the plurality of patients to take in the morning, a strip package in which drug packages are continuous for each of the plurality of patients to take at noon, a strip package in which drug packages are continuous for each of the plurality of patients to take in the evening, and a strip package in which drug packages are continuous for each of the plurality of patients to take before going to bed.

The drug packages discharged from the drug packaging device1are discharged by connecting the drug package to be taken in the morning by patient a, patient b, and patient c, . . . , patient i, and patient j, and the drug packages are then discharged by connecting the drug packages to be taken at noon by these patients.

The inspection device of the present embodiment includes a camera, takes pictures of the drug packages discharged from the drug packaging device1in the order of discharge, and identifies the packaged drugs from the stamps, shapes, and the like of the drugs. The captured video is subjected to image processing to search for drugs that are similar in shape, size, color, and the like. The drug in the drug packages is presumed to be a search ed drug.

Referring to the prescription information, it is determined whether or not the drug packaged in the drug packages is to be administered to the patient.

In addition, as illustrated inFIG.19(a), the pharmacist also plays the captured video on a monitor or the like, and performs visual inspection.

Here, the inspection device of the present embodiment has a sorting function for rearranging images, and can display drug packages for each patient as illustrated inFIG.19(b).

For example, as illustrated inFIG.19(b), when patient a is selected, only the drugs taken by patient a are displayed in a state where the date of dosing and the dosing timing (morning, noon, evening) are identified.

When the prescription is for two weeks, drug packages for two weeks are displayed.

In addition, by performing a predetermined operation, it is possible to return to the display of the capturing order as illustrated inFIG.19(a). That is, the drug packages can be displayed in the order in which the drug packages are discharged from the drug packaging device1.

Furthermore, by designating a specific drug package for a specific patient, it is possible to check the contents of the drug packages discharged before and after the drug package.

For example, according to the prescription information, there are three tablets of the drug that patient a is scheduled to take at noon on October 7, but only two tablets are included in the actual packaging, and one tablet is missing.

As a cause of this, there is a possibility that the drug to be taken by patient a has mixed into another person's drug package.

As illustrated inFIG.19(c), the inspection device of the present embodiment can display the discharged drug packages before and after the drug package containing the drug scheduled to be taken by patient a on October 7. Therefore, it is possible to investigate why the drug was not packaged correctly.

In addition, according to the determination of the inspection device, in a case where there is a problem such as the drugs in the drug package being different or the number being different, the screen may automatically switch to the state illustrated inFIG.19(c).

In addition, in a case where the drugs discharged from the drug packaging device1at the same time are similar in shape and size, a display calling attention appears on a monitor or the like. In addition, a sound warning may be given.

Drugs with similar shapes and sizes may be difficult to determine by image processing, and the pharmacist is required to perform more careful visual checks.

Therefore, for example, it is desirable to display a warning display on one of the screens inFIG.19.

Modification Example 1 of Divider

Next, a modification example of the divider will be described with reference toFIGS.20and21. A divider63, described below, includes a temporary accommodating member64, as illustrated inFIG.21. The temporary accommodating member64includes the blister portions30arranged in a matrix, similar to the divider16described above. The blister portions30correspond to the recessed portions20of the manual distribution member15one-to-one.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated inFIG.21, an opening and closing member65is provided at the bottom of each blister portion30. The opening and closing member65has a plate-like shape, and an intermediate portion thereof is pivotally supported by a part of the blister portion30. The opening and closing member65has a plate-like shape and swings around a shaft support portion66. The opening and closing member65functions as a lid member67on one side with the shaft support portion66as a boundary and functions as a power point portion68on the other side.

The lid member67of the opening and closing member65is located below the opening below the blister portion30. The power point portion68of the opening and closing member65is located away from the blister portion30.

In the opening and closing member65, the lid member67is biased in the direction of blocking the bottom of the blister portion30by biasing means70.

The divider63of the present embodiment includes a drive mechanism71, an actuating member72, and a clutch mechanism73.

The actuating member72biases the opening and closing member65to swing the opening and closing member65.

The drive mechanism71drives the actuating member72. The clutch mechanism73is located between the drive mechanism71and the actuating member72to connect and disconnect both components.

The drive mechanism71is a mechanism in which racks77ato77fextending in the horizontal direction of the drawing are arranged in six columns in the vertical direction. A pinion79driven by a motor76is engaged with each of the racks77ato77f, and the racks77ato77flinearly move by driving the motor76.

The actuating member72is a cam. Gear teeth74are formed on a part of the actuating member72.

The clutch mechanism73includes connecting rods73ato73jand a solenoid75.

In the present embodiment, six actuating members72are connected by the connecting rods73ato73j. The actuating member72is rotatable with respect to the connecting rods73ato73j. On the other hand, the actuating member72is axially integral with the connecting rods73ato73j.

The solenoid75is attached to each of the connecting rods73ato73j, and each of the connecting rods73ato73jmoves linearly and individually by driving the solenoid75.

In the present embodiment, the connecting rods73ato73jextend in the vertical direction of the drawing and are arranged in 10 columns in the horizontal direction.

Each actuating member72is normally on the side of the racks77ato77f, as illustrated inFIG.20(b), and the gear teeth74of each actuating member72are not engaged with the racks77ato77f.

When the solenoid75located on the rightmost side of the drawing inFIG.20(a)is energized to move the connecting rod73a, as illustrated inFIG.20(c), the gear teeth74of all actuating members72attached to the connecting rod73aare engaged with the racks77ato77f.

In the divider63of the present embodiment as well, the blister portions30at predetermined positions can be opened in random order. As for the divider63, it is also possible to individually discharge a drug corresponding to a predetermined recessed portion20.

That is, the solenoids75drive the connecting rods73ato73jin the vertical columns to which the blister portion30to be opened belongs, and engage the racks77ato77fwith all the actuating members72in the vertical columns to which the blister portion30to be opened belongs.

Only the racks77ato77fin the horizontal columns to which the blister portion30to be opened belongs are driven. As a result, only the specific actuating member72rotates, and the actuating member72pushes up the power point portion68of the opening and closing member65to rotate the opening and closing member65, and lowers the lid member67to open the bottom of the blister portion30.

In the divider63described above, the racks77ato77fare driven by the motors, and the connecting rods73ato73jare driven by the solenoids. The driving source for driving the racks77ato77fand the connecting rods73ato73jis not limited, and the racks77ato77fmay be driven by the solenoids. In addition, the connecting rods73ato73jmay be driven by the motors.

Modification Example 2 of Divider

In the embodiment described above, the connecting rods73ato73jare driven by a plurality of power sources, but the number of power sources can be reduced by using a one-way clutch or the like.

In a divider80illustrated inFIG.22, one stepping motor89drives all the connecting rods73ato73j.

The divider80includes a rotating shaft81and drive side members82are attached to the rotating shaft81in a number corresponding to the connecting rods73ato73j. The rotating shaft81is rotated by a stepping motor89.

The drive side member82is a disk partly provided with a stepped engaging portion84. One side of the stepped engaging portion84forms an acute angle with respect to the circumference, and the other side is gently continuous with respect to the circumference. The drive side member82is fixed to the rotating shaft81with the position of the stepped engaging portion84gradually shifted.

A driven side member83is attached to each of the connecting rods73ato73j. The driven side member83is a member provided with an engaging portion85at the tip end. The engaging portion85has a hook shape bent at an acute angle.

The engaging portion85of the driven side member83is in contact with the drive side member82.

As illustrated inFIG.22(b), in a case where the drive side member82is rotated in the direction of the dashed arrow, the stepped engaging portion84of the drive side member82does not engage with the engaging portion85.

On the other hand, when the drive side member82is rotated in the direction of the solid arrow as illustrated inFIG.22(c), the stepped engaging portion84of the drive side member82engages with the engaging portion85, and the connecting rods73ato73jare pulled and moved as illustrated inFIG.22(d).

Here, since the drive side member82is fixed to the rotating shaft81with the position of the stepped engaging portion84gradually shifted, the stepped engaging portions84of a plurality of drive side members82are not engaged with the driven side member83at the same time.

In the present embodiment, the driven side member83in the vertical column to which the blister portion30to be opened belongs is engaged with the drive side member82, and the specific connecting rods73ato73jare moved to engage all the actuating members72in the vertical columns to which the blister portions30to be opened belongs with the racks77ato77f.

Specifically, as illustrated inFIG.22(b), the drive side member82is rotated in the direction of the dashed arrow so that the engaging portion85connected to the specific connecting rods73ato73jis stopped at a position fitting into the stepped engaging portion84of the corresponding drive side member82. Here, since the drive side member82is fixed to the rotating shaft81with the position of the stepped engaging portion84gradually shifted, the engaging portion85that fits into the stepped engaging portion84of the drive side member82is limited to those connected to the specific connecting rods73ato73j.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIGS.22(c) and22(d), when the drive side member82is rotated in the direction of the solid arrow, the stepped engaging portion84of the drive side member82engages with the engaging portion85, and the connecting rods73ato73jare pulled and moved. As a result, only the specific connecting rods73ato73jmove so that the gear teeth74of all the actuating members72attached to the connecting rods73ato73jengage with the racks77ato77f.

Other operations are the same as those of the divider63.

Modification Example 3 of Divider

A divider87illustrated inFIG.23is configured to include a temporary accommodating member50and an opening forming device90. The temporary accommodating member50has the same structure as that of the first embodiment, and the blister portion30has no bottom, and the blister portion30itself is normally opened.

The opening forming device90includes an opening identifying portion91, an opening and closing portion92, and an opening and closing mechanism portion94.

The opening identifying portion91includes six drawer-side members93, six winding-side members95, and six belts96, respectively.

The drawer-side member93includes a plurality of drawer pulleys121arranged in series on a support shaft (not illustrated). The drawer pulley121includes a built-in motor.

The winding-side member95includes a plurality of winding pulleys122arranged in series on a support shaft (not illustrated). The winding pulley122includes a built-in mainspring and is normally biased to rotate toward the winding side.

A belt96is wound around the winding pulley122, and one end of the belt96is connected to the drawer pulley121.

Therefore, when the drawer pulley121is rotated, the belt96wound around the winding pulley122is drawn out.

Each belt96is provided with an opening97at one location. Therefore, the position of the opening97changes according to the rotation speed of the drawer pulley121.

The opening and closing portion92includes11swing doors98corresponding to the vertical columns of the blister portions30of the temporary accommodating member50. An operation piece110protrudes from each swing door98.

The opening and closing mechanism portion94includes a guide member111and a lifting and lowering member112that is regulated by the guide member111so as to be movable only in the vertical direction.

The lifting and lowering member112includes an elongated hole113and the operation piece110of the swing door98is engaged with the elongated hole113.

In addition, a rotating plate115rotated by a motor (not illustrated) is included, and an engaging piece116provided on the rotating plate115is also engaged with the elongated hole113of the lifting and lowering member112.

The rotating plate115is normally stopped with the engaging piece116at the upper position. As a result, the lifting and lowering member112is in the upper position, and all the opening and closing portions92are in a position to block the bottom of the blister portion30.

By rotating the rotating plate115and moving the engaging piece116downward, the lifting and lowering member112is moved downward, and all the opening and closing portions92are released.

In the divider87of the present embodiment, one of the drawer pulleys121is driven to move the opening97of the belt96to below the blister portion30to be opened.

Thereafter, as illustrated inFIG.23(c), the rotating plate115is rotated to release all the opening and closing portions92. As a result, only the blister portion30in which the opening97of the belt96moves downward is substantially opened, and the drug in the blister portion30drops.

Modification Example 4 of Divider

The structure of the divider is random, and the divider having an opening and closing door123below each of the blister portions30as a known temporary accommodating member117illustrated inFIG.24may be used.

The temporary accommodating member117of this structure is periodically removed from the drug packaging device and reattached to the drug packaging device for cleaning.

Here, the temporary accommodating member117having the opening and closing door123below each of the blister portions30is required to be held down so that the opening and closing door123does not open when being attached to the drug packaging device, and skill is required to attach the temporary accommodating member117.

The temporary accommodating member117of the present aspect solves this problem.

The temporary accommodating member117of the present aspect is provided with a closing plate insertion guide118on the bottom surface of the main body portion, and a closing plate120is attached to the bottom surface of the main body portion.

The closing plate120can be inserted along the closing plate insertion guide118and hold down the opening and closing door123below each of the blister portions30to bring the blister portions30into the closed state.

The temporary accommodating member117of the present aspect is attached to the drug packaging device with the closing plate120attached.

The temporary accommodating member117moves to the collecting hopper side after the drug is put into each of the blister portions30from the manual distribution member102.

Here, there is a member that prevents the movement of the closing plate120on the movement path of the temporary accommodating member117, and only the main body portion of the temporary accommodating member117moves toward the collecting hopper, and the closing plate120remains on the spot.

(Sorter Device for Strip Package)

In the related art in which drug packages are discharged by connecting in a band shape from the drug packaging device, the drug package for each patient and the drug package to be transported to each facility are discharged by connecting in the strip package shape. For example, the drugs taken by patient a for 21 days are continuously discharged in a connected state, and following this, the drugs taken by patient b for 21 days are discharged in a connected state.

In many cases, a basket is placed under a discharge portion of the drug packaging device and the strip packages are dropped into the basket.

In the drug packaging device in the related art, the strip package for patient a and the subsequent strip package for patient b are discharged from the discharge portion. In practice, the strip packages for multiple persons are discharged and multiple strip packages are mixed in the same basket.

Therefore, the operator is required to arrange the strip packages. However, the operation of arranging the strip packages is troublesome, and improvement has been desired.

As a measure for solving this problem, providing a sorter device130as illustrated inFIG.25is recommended.

The sorter device130includes a plurality of guide portions132and133. Although there are two guide portions132and133in the present embodiment, the number of guide portions132and133is random. In addition, each of the guide portions132and133is provided with package body holding means (not illustrated). The package body holding means sandwiches and holds a part of a package body.

As illustrated inFIG.25, the sorter device130is installed in the vicinity of the drug package discharge port131of the drug packaging device, and is lifted and lowered by lifting and lowering means (not illustrated).

When sorting the strip package by the sorter device130, a first guide portion132on the lower portion side is moved to the position of the drug package discharge port131as illustrated inFIG.25(b).

For example, when the drug package for patient a is discharged from the drug package discharge port131, a package strip138for patient a hangs down while being in contact with the first guide portion132.

When all the drugs for patient a are packaged, the package strip138is cut in the drug packaging device, and an end portion of the package strip138is held by the first guide portion132by the package body holding means.

In the present embodiment, since there are two guide portions132and133, a subsequent package strip for patient c is discharged from the drug package discharge port131as it is.

(Measures Against Loss of Packaging Paper)

For example, in a case where the drug packaging portion6having the layout as illustrated inFIG.26is adopted, there may be a region required to be discarded in a part of a packaging paper143when the package strip is switched.

The drug packaging portion6illustrated inFIG.26includes a printer136on the upstream side of a hopper135and a heater roller137on the downstream side of the hopper135.

In the drug packaging portion6, the drug is supplied to the packaging paper143from the hopper135after necessary printing is performed on the packaging paper143by the printer136. In this state, the packaging paper143moves downstream side and is formed into an individual bag by the heater rollers137.

For example, assuming that the drugs taken by patient a for 21 days are continuously discharged, and following this, the drugs taken by patient b for 21 days are discharged, since the last drug for patient a is supplied from hopper135to packaging paper143, and the first drug for patient b is subsequently supplied to packaging paper143, the drugs are continuously supplied to the packaging paper143, and the packaging paper143is not wasted.

On the other hand, when the supply of drugs from the hopper135stops after the drugs to be taken by patient a for 21 days are continuously discharged, the packaging paper143is wasted.

That is, when the drug for patient a is supplied to the packaging paper143, the packaging paper143is moved to the position of the heater roller137and formed into a bag shape, and when the packaging paper143is moved to the position of the heater roller137, the subsequent packaging paper143is pulled to move to below the hopper135and the position of the printer136.

However, the drug is not supplied to the packaging paper143reached the hopper135. In addition, nothing is printed on the packaging paper143reached the position of the printer136. Therefore, the packaging paper143in the region from the printer136to the heater roller137is wasted.

As a measure for solving this problem, in a case where a series of drug packages is ended and the information for the next drug package is not input, the drug package at or near the last is stopped, and a next prescription to be sent to the drug packaging device is waited for a certain period of time.

In a case where the next prescription to be processed is sent within a certain period of time, drug package is resumed. For example, in a case where a prescription for patient b is required to be processed following a prescription for patient a, the drug package for the remaining patient a is resumed, and following this, the drug package for patient b is performed.

In a case where the next prescription to be processed is not sent within a certain period of time, the remaining drug package for patient a is resumed, and the drug package for patient a is completed.

The medication calendar described above is a calendar provided with a drug accommodating portion141for accommodating a drug.

As illustrated inFIG.27(a), a representative medication calendar140includes four drug accommodating portions141arranged below each date. Each of the four drug accommodating portions141corresponds to the timing of taking (usage), and for example, “morning”, “noon”, “evening”, and “before going to bed” are displayed.

Drugs corresponding to the timing of taking are accommodated in the drug accommodating portion141of the medication calendar (drug calendar)140. When it is the timing of taking, the drug is taken out from the corresponding drug accommodating portion141and taken.

In normal, the drug accommodating portion141is pocket-shaped. Therefore, dust145may accumulate at the bottom of the drug accommodating portion141. In addition, the bottom of the drug accommodating portion141is often angular, and it may be difficult to remove dust from nook portions.

As a measure for solving this problem, it is recommended to use a cleaning tool150as illustrated inFIG.27(b).

The cleaning tool150is an attachment attached to the tip end of a vacuum cleaner. The cleaning tool150has a rectangular parallelepiped external shape. The front wall and rear wall of the cleaning tool150are wide and the side walls are narrow.

The interior of the cleaning tool150is hollow and includes an opening152at a corner portion on the tip end side.

In addition, brushes151are attached to the front wall, rear wall, and bottom wall of the cleaning tool150. The brush151is planar and thin, and is attached to the main body portion of the cleaning tool150by adhesive means (not illustrated).

The cleaning tool150is attached to a vacuum cleaner (not illustrated). As illustrated inFIG.27(c), the cleaning tool150is inserted into the drug accommodating portion141of the medication calendar140, and the cleaning tool150is moved in the take-in and take-out direction in the drug accommodating portion141.

As a result, the inner surface of the drug accommodating portion141is rubbed with the brush151to remove dust or dirt adhering to the inner surface of the drug accommodating portion141. In addition, the removed dust or dirt is sucked through the opening152. Especially in the present embodiment, since the cleaning tool150includes the opening152at the corner portion on the tip end side, the nook portions of the drug accommodating portion141where dust is likely to accumulate can also be cleaned cleanly.

It is desirable that the brush151is replaceable.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1: drug packaging device6: drug packaging portion10: manual distribution device (drug discharge device)11: display device12: display screen15: manual distribution member16: divider (discharge means)18: simulated chart (guidance means)20: recessed portion22: indicator lamp (indicating means or guidance means)30: blister portion40: control device50: temporary accommodating member51: bottom constituting member55: entire closed region56: openable region58: moving floor member61: drop opening62: drug