JP7773255B2 - Drug supply device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a drug supply device.

Prior publication WO 2014/112221 (Patent Document 1) discloses the configuration of a medicine dispensing device. The medicine dispensing device described in Patent Document 1 comprises multiple medicine cassettes, an allocation means, and a drive control means. The medicine cassettes are capable of dispensing any type of tablet. When information about a medicine to be dispensed is input, the allocation means allocates the medicine information to one of the medicine cassettes. The drive control means drives the medicine cassette in accordance with preset drive conditions corresponding to the medicine information allocated by the allocation means, and dispenses medicine from the medicine cassette.

International Publication No. 2014/112221

Medication supply devices are required to be easily configurable so that medications can be packaged according to prescriptions.

A drug supply device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a plurality of cassettes, a plurality of drive units, and a control unit. Each of the plurality of cassettes is capable of supplying drugs within a certain size range. Each of the plurality of drive units is configured to accommodate one of the plurality of cassettes and drives the loaded cassette. The control unit controls each of the plurality of drive units. The control unit assigns drug information related to the drug to be supplied to a cassette selected according to the size of the drug to be supplied, or to the drive unit to which this cassette is loaded. The control unit controls the drive unit so that the drug to be supplied is supplied from the cassette to which the drug information is assigned, or from a cassette loaded on the drive unit to which the drug information is assigned.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the drug supply device further includes a manual drug supply cassette. The control unit can accept a selection operation to select whether the drug to be supplied is to be supplied from the cassette or the manual drug supply cassette.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit does not accept a selection operation to select supply from a cassette when cassettes cannot be installed in any of the multiple drive units.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit does not accept a selection operation to select supply from a cassette for a drug that cannot be supplied from a cassette.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the medicine supply device further includes a display unit capable of displaying information related to the allocation of medicine information.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit causes the display unit to distinguish between drive units that can accommodate cassettes and drive units that cannot accommodate cassettes.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit causes the display unit to distinguish between medications that can be supplied from the cassette and medications that cannot be supplied from the cassette.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit causes the display unit to display the usage history of multiple cassettes.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit causes the display unit to display the identification information of the cassette that last supplied the target drug.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit causes the display unit to display the required number of medications to be supplied.

In one embodiment of the present invention, when the supply of the drug to be supplied is insufficient, the control unit causes the display unit to display the shortage of the drug to be supplied.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the medicine supply device further includes a reading unit that reads the identification code attached to the container of the medicine to be supplied. The control unit compares the medicine information with the reading result obtained by the reading unit.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit assigns drug information to the drive unit when a cassette selected based on the dimensions of the drug to be supplied is attached to the drive unit.

A drug supply device according to a second aspect of the present invention includes multiple drug supply units and a control unit. Each of the multiple drug supply units is capable of supplying drugs within a certain size range. The control unit assigns drug information related to the drug to be supplied to a drug supply unit selected according to the size of the drug to be supplied. The control unit controls the drug supply units so that the drug to be supplied is supplied from the drug supply unit to which the drug information has been assigned.

According to the present invention, the medicine supply device can be easily configured to package medicines according to prescriptions.

1 is a front view showing the appearance of a medicine dispensing and packaging device including a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover portion of a cassette included in a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention is open. 3 is a plan view of the cassette of FIG. 2 as seen from the direction of arrow III. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the cassette of FIG. 2 as seen from the direction of arrow IV. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a medicine container in a cassette included in a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a part cut away. 1 is a perspective plan view showing a rotor in a cassette included in a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view showing the positional relationship between a rotor and a partition included in a cassette provided in a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a partition section included in a cassette provided in a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a partition included in a cassette provided in a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention is removed from a medicine containing portion together with a partial peripheral wall. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the rotor and drive shaft of FIG. 7 as viewed from the direction of the arrows XX. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a rotor, a cap portion, and a drive shaft included in a cassette provided in a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a cap portion included in a cassette provided in a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a rotor is attached to and detached from a drive shaft in a cassette included in a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the partition portion has been removed from the medicine containing portion together with the partial peripheral wall and the rotor has been removed from the drive shaft at the start of cleaning the cassette provided in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. This is a side view showing the cassette provided in the drug supply device of one embodiment of the present invention, after cleaning has been completed, with the rotor attached to the drive shaft, a partition attached to the drug storage section along with a partial peripheral wall, and the lid closed. 1 is a block diagram showing a connection system of a medicine dispensing and packaging device including a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing an operating procedure of a medicine packing device including a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an initial screen of a prescription screen displayed on an operation panel provided in the medicine supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a selection screen displayed on an operation panel provided in the medicine supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a filling instruction screen displayed on an operation panel included in the medicine supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a manual feeding instruction screen displayed on an operation panel provided in the medicine supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a cassette usage history screen displayed on an operation panel included in the medicine supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a refill instruction screen displayed on an operation panel included in the medicine supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention when the number of medicines supplied is insufficient. 10 is a diagram showing a refill instruction screen displayed on the operation panel when a pre-check setting is made and before the identification code is read by the reading unit; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a refill instruction screen displayed on the operation panel of the medicine supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention when there is a cassette waiting for cleaning. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a refill instruction screen displayed on the operation panel of the medicine supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention when a cassette position where a malfunction has occurred is present.

A medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the embodiment, the same or corresponding parts in the drawings will be given the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated. In the following description, a medicine packaging device including a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. The medicine supply device is part of the medicine packaging device, and is composed of parts of the medicine packaging device other than the packaging unit described below.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of a medicine packaging device including a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, medicine packaging device 200 including a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a housing 210, a tablet supply unit 220, and a packaging unit 260. Medicine packaging device 200 further comprises a manual medicine supply cassette 240, a powder supply unit 250, and a control device 300. Each of tablet supply unit 220, manual medicine supply cassette 240, powder supply unit 250, and packaging unit 260 is housed in housing 210. The medicine supply device comprises housing 210, tablet supply unit 220, manual medicine supply cassette 240, powder supply unit 250, and control device 300.

The tablet supply unit 220 has a plurality of cassette positions 230 in which cassettes 100 are placed. The plurality of cassette positions 230 are arranged in a matrix in the housing 210. In this embodiment, the tablet supply unit 220 has six cassette positions 230. One cassette 100 is placed in each of the six cassette positions 230. Therefore, six cassettes 100 can be placed in the tablet supply unit 220.

Each of the multiple cassette positions 230 is provided with a drive unit that drives the cassette 100 and an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) reader/writer.

The manual medicine supply cassette 240 has compartments arranged in a matrix, with each compartment containing one packet of medicine. The powder supply unit 250 supplies powdered medicine. The packaging unit 260 packages the medicines supplied from the tablet supply unit 220, the manual medicine supply cassette 240, and the powder supply unit 250 in individual packets. The control device 300 controls each of the tablet supply unit 220, the manual medicine supply cassette 240, the powder supply unit 250, and the packaging unit 260.

Next, we will explain the cassette, which is the drug supply unit provided in the drug supply device of one embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the drawings.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a cassette provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention with the lid open. Figure 3 is a plan view of the cassette of Figure 2 as viewed from the direction of arrow III. Figure 4 is a bottom view of the cassette of Figure 2 as viewed from the direction of arrow IV. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a cutaway portion of the medicine storage section of a cassette provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a plan view showing a perspective view of the rotor of a cassette provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figures 5 and 6 show the cassette with the lid removed. In Figure 6, the rotor is indicated by a dotted line.

As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the cassette 100 provided in the drug supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a drug storage section 110, a rotor 120, and a drive shaft 150. The cassette 100 further includes a lid section 130 and a partition section 140.

The medicine containing unit 110 has a peripheral wall 111 and an outlet 112. The medicine is contained inside the peripheral wall 111 and discharged from the outlet 112. The inner surface of the peripheral wall 111 is cylindrical. The outlet 112 is formed on the bottom surface of the medicine containing unit 110 and is adjacent to the inner surface of the peripheral wall 111 on the radially inner side of the peripheral wall 111.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cassette 100 has a circular opening 113 on the bottom surface of the medicine containing section 110, located on the central axis of the peripheral wall 111. A drive shaft 150 connected to a motor (not shown) that rotates the rotor 120 is inserted into the opening 113. The drive shaft 150 is rotatably fixed to the inside of the peripheral wall 111 while positioned coaxially with the rotor 120. In other words, the drive shaft 150 is rotatably fixed to the medicine containing section 110. The drive shaft 150 rotates the rotor 120, which is detachably attached in the axial direction. The rotor 120 and the drive shaft 150 are both made of resin.

As shown in Figure 2, the lid portion 130 is rotatable to open and close the medicine storage portion 110.

As shown in Figures 2 to 6, the rotor 120 is provided inside the medicine containing unit 110 and rotates to transport the medicine contained in the medicine containing unit 110 to the outlet 112. The rotor 120 is disposed on the bottom surface of the medicine containing unit 110, inside the peripheral wall 111. In this embodiment, the rotor 120 is configured to be capable of both forward rotation, in which it rotates toward one side in the circumferential direction of the rotor 120, as indicated by arrow A in Figure 3, and reverse rotation, in which it rotates toward the other side in the circumferential direction of the rotor 120, as indicated by arrow B in Figure 3. Note that the rotor 120 does not necessarily need to be capable of both forward and reverse rotation; it is sufficient that it be capable of rotating in at least one direction in the circumferential direction of the rotor 120.

Figure 7 is a side view showing the positional relationship between the rotor and the partition included in a cassette provided in a drug supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the partition included in a cassette provided in a drug supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 illustrates the rotor 120 attached to the drive shaft 150.

As shown in Figures 3 and 5 to 7, the rotor 120 has a top surface 126 that is inclined convexly upward and a peripheral surface 121 adjacent to the top surface 126. The top surface 126 has multiple grooves 127 formed radially. A cylindrical central protrusion 128 protrudes from the center of the top surface 126. A cap portion 160 is attached to the upper end of the central protrusion 128.

When the rotor 120 is attached to the drive shaft 150, the cap portion 160 and the lid portion 130 when the medicine container 110 is closed face each other with a gap between them. This gap is 2 mm or less, and preferably 1 mm or less.

As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the lower part of the peripheral surface 121 is provided with a plurality of first protrusions 122 and a plurality of second protrusions 123, which are positioned with gaps 125 between them in the circumferential direction of the rotor 120. Each of the plurality of first protrusions 122 and the plurality of second protrusions 123 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed radially of the rotor 120. A portion of the upper surface of each of the plurality of first protrusions 122 protrudes to a position higher than the lower surface of the partition portion 140. The entire upper surface of each of the plurality of second protrusions 123 is flat. The tips of each of the plurality of first protrusions 122 and the plurality of second protrusions 123 in the radial direction of the rotor 120 face the inner surface of the peripheral wall 111 with a small gap between them.

Each of the multiple first protrusions 122 and multiple second protrusions 123 is formed so that when the rotor 120 rotates, it can press against the medicine contained in the gap 125 and transport it to the outlet 112. Specifically, as the rotor 120 rotates, the medicine contained in the gap 125 is pressed against the first protrusions 122 or second protrusions 123, transported in the circumferential direction of the rotor 120, and falls into the outlet 112.

At least two third protrusions 124 are further provided on the peripheral surface 121. As shown in Figures 5 and 7, in this embodiment, one third protrusion 124 is disposed above each of the multiple second protrusions 123. The radial tip of each of the at least two third protrusions 124 of the rotor 120 faces the inner surface of the peripheral wall 111 with a small gap between them.

As shown in FIG. 7, a passage G through which the partition 140 passes when the rotor 120 rotates is provided between the second protrusion 123 and the third protrusion 124, which are positioned next to each other in the vertical direction. The width of the passage G in the vertical direction is slightly larger than the thickness of the partition 140. The third protrusion 124 is formed so that it can press against the medication located on the partition 140 and move it from above the partition 140 when the rotor 120 rotates. Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the first protrusion 122 is formed so that when the rotor 120 rotates, a portion of the upper surface of the first protrusion 122 pushes up the partition 140 from below, thereby moving the medication located on the partition 140 from above the partition 140.

As shown in Figures 3 and 6 to 8, the partition 140 is detachably attached to the peripheral wall 111 above the outlet 112. The partition 140 extends from the inner surface of the peripheral wall 111 toward a position above the multiple first protrusions 122 and multiple second protrusions 123 on the peripheral surface 121. The gap 125 communicating with the outlet 112 is covered by the partition 140, preventing the entry of medication from above.

In this embodiment, the partition 140 is made of a flexible material. Specifically, as shown in Figures 6 to 8, the partition 140 is made of an arc-shaped base material 141, with multiple flexible materials joined to the base material at intervals along the arc. The flexible materials are made of, for example, a soft synthetic resin. In this embodiment, the partition 140 is made in a brush shape, but it is not limited to a brush shape and may also be plate-shaped.

Figure 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which a partition included in a cassette provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention has been removed from the medicine containing unit together with the partial peripheral wall. As shown in Figure 9, the base material 141 is attached to a hole in the partial peripheral wall 111a that constitutes part of the peripheral wall 111. The partial peripheral wall 111a is detachably connected to the remainder of the peripheral wall 111. Specifically, the partial peripheral wall 111a is detachably attached to the medicine containing unit 110 by a snap-fit structure.

The cassette 100 provided in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention further includes an attachment/detachment mechanism that detachably engages the drive shaft 150 and the rotor 120. The configuration of the attachment/detachment mechanism of the cassette 100 provided in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the rotor and drive shaft of Figure 7, viewed from the direction of the X-X arrow. Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the rotor, cap, and drive shaft included in a cassette provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the cap included in a cassette provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the rotor being attached to and detached from the drive shaft in a cassette provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The partition is not shown in Figure 10.

As shown in Figures 10 and 11, in this embodiment, the attachment/detachment mechanism includes a magnet 161 and a magnetic body 151. The magnetic body 151 is attached to the tip 152 of the drive shaft 150. Specifically, as shown in Figure 11, the tip 152 of the drive shaft 150 is formed with a notch 152c extending from the tip of the drive shaft 150 along the axial direction of the drive shaft 150, and a through hole 152h extending in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the drive shaft 150.

As shown in FIG. 10, the magnetic body 151 has a generally T-shaped cross section including a wide portion and a narrow portion, with a through-hole formed in the narrow portion. The narrow portion of the magnetic body 151 is inserted into the notch 152c in the tip portion 152 of the drive shaft 150, and the tip portion 152 of the drive shaft 150 and the wide portion of the magnetic body 151 are in contact with each other in the axial direction of the drive shaft 150. Then, the spring pin 153 shown in FIG. 11 is inserted into the through-hole 152h in the tip portion 152 of the drive shaft 150 and the through-hole in the narrow portion of the magnetic body 151, thereby attaching the magnetic body 151 to the tip portion 152 of the drive shaft 150, as shown in FIG. 10.

As shown in Figure 11, the tip 152 of the drive shaft 150 and the magnetic body 151 when assembled together have a hexagonal shape when viewed in the axial direction of the drive shaft 150. The magnetic body 151 is made of a magnetic material such as SUS430.

The magnet 161 is built into the cap portion 160. Specifically, the cap portion 160 includes the magnet 161, a support portion 162, a cap 163, and a spacer 164. The support portion 162 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and houses and supports the magnet 161 therein. The cap 163 removably engages with the support portion 162. In this embodiment, the cap 163 and the support portion 162 engage with each other using a snap-fit structure, but they may also engage with each other using a screw structure. The support portion 162 and the cap 163 are each made of resin. The spacer 164 is sandwiched between the magnet 161 and the cap 163. The spacer 164 has a cylindrical shape and is made of resin.

As shown in Figures 10 and 12, when the cap 163 is engaged with the support portion 162, the magnet 161 is fixed together with the spacer 164 within the space enclosed by the cap 163 and the support portion 162. The magnet 161 is made of, for example, a neodymium magnet. As shown in Figure 11, the cap portion 160 engages with a notch 129 formed at the tip of the central protrusion 128 of the rotor 120 and is attached to the tip of the central protrusion 128.

As shown in FIG. 13, the rotor 120, with the cap portion 160 attached to the tip of the central protrusion 128, is removably attached to the drive shaft 150 in the axial direction of the drive shaft 150. As shown in FIG. 10, when the rotor 120 is attached to the drive shaft 150 in the axial direction of the drive shaft 150, the magnet 161 and the magnetic body 151 are positioned adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the drive shaft 150. In this embodiment, the bottom of the support portion 162 is located between the magnet 161 and the magnetic body 151.

In this state, the magnetic force acting between the magnet 161 and the magnetic body 151 urges the drive shaft 150 and the rotor 120 toward each other along the axial direction of the drive shaft 150. In this way, the attachment/detachment mechanism including the magnet 161 and the magnetic body 151 urges the drive shaft 150 and the rotor 120 toward each other along the axial direction of the drive shaft, thereby detachably engaging them.

As shown in Figure 10, a recess 128c that engages with the hexagonal shape of the magnetic body 151 is formed on the surface of the shaft hole through which the drive shaft 150 of the rotor 120 is inserted. The tip end 152 of the drive shaft 150 and the recess 128c of the rotor 120 engage with each other circumferentially around the drive shaft 150 via the magnetic body 151, thereby fixing the relative position of the rotor 120 to the drive shaft 150 in the circumferential direction of the drive shaft 150.

The following describes the operation of the cassette 100 provided in the drug supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

When the rotor 120 rotates with medication placed in the medication storage section 110, the medication located on the top surface 126 moves toward the space between the inner surface of the peripheral wall 111 and the peripheral surface 121 of the rotor 120. The multiple grooves 127 agitate the medication located on the top surface 126 as the rotor 120 rotates, making it easier for the medication to move into the space.

Some of the medicines that have moved into the space are contained in each gap 125, one at a time. As the rotor 120 rotates, the medicine contained in the gap 125 is pressed against the first protrusion 122 or the second protrusion 123 and transported in the circumferential direction of the rotor 120. The medicine contained in the gap 125 that is located above the discharge port 112 and communicates with the discharge port 112 falls from the gap 125 into the discharge port 112 and is dispensed.

At this time, the gap 125 communicating with the outlet 112 is covered by the partition 140, preventing the entry of medication from above. As a result, one medication can be dispensed from the outlet 112 at a time. As a result, each of the multiple cassettes 100 can supply medications within a certain size range of the medications to be supplied.

Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the cassette provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention, in the state in which the partition unit has been removed from the medicine containing unit along with the partial peripheral wall, and then the rotor has been removed from the drive shaft at the start of cleaning. As shown in Figures 13 and 14, when cleaning the inside of the medicine containing unit 110, the partition unit 140 is removed from the medicine containing unit 110 along with the partial peripheral wall 111a, and then the rotor 120 is removed by sliding it from the drive shaft 150 against the biasing force of the attachment/detachment mechanism.

Figure 15 is a side view showing the cassette provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention after cleaning, with the rotor attached to the drive shaft, a partition attached to the medicine storage section along with a partial peripheral wall, and the lid closed. As shown in Figure 15, after cleaning is complete, the drive shaft 150 is inserted into the shaft hole of the rotor 120, and the rotor 120 is attached to the drive shaft 150 by the biasing force of the attachment/detachment mechanism.

When the rotor 120 is attached to the drive shaft 150, the cap portion 160 and the lid portion 130 when the medicine container 110 is closed face each other with a gap L between them. The gap L is 2 mm or less. Preferably, the gap L is 0.5 mm or more and 1 mm or less.

In this embodiment, the magnetic body 151 is attached to the tip 152 of the drive shaft 150, and the magnet 161 is attached to the cap portion 160. However, the magnet 161 may be attached to the tip 152 of the drive shaft 150, and the magnetic body 151 may be attached to the cap portion 160.

Furthermore, the attachment/detachment mechanism is not limited to one that uses magnetic force to urge the drive shaft 150 and rotor 120 toward each other; it may also be one that uses a spring to urge the drive shaft 150 and rotor 120 toward each other, such as a ball catch.

In the cassette 100 provided in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the medicine storage unit 110 has an outlet 112, stores medicine, and discharges the medicine from the outlet 112. The rotor 120 is provided inside the medicine storage unit 110 and transports the medicine stored in the medicine storage unit 110 to the outlet 112 by rotating. The drive shaft 150 is positioned coaxially with the rotor 120 and rotatably fixed to the medicine storage unit 110, and drives the rotor 120 to rotate. The attachment/detachment mechanism urges the drive shaft 150 and the rotor 120 toward each other along the axial direction of the drive shaft 150, thereby detachably engaging them.

This allows the rotor 120 to be attached and detached from the drive shaft 150 simply by moving the rotor 120 in the axial direction of the drive shaft 150, making it easy to clean the inside of the cassette 100.

In addition, by applying force using the attachment/detachment mechanism, it is possible to prevent the rotor 120 and the drive shaft 150 from partially engaging with each other. Furthermore, when medicine gets stuck between the circumferential surface 121 of the rotor 120 and the peripheral wall 111, it is possible to prevent the rotor 120 from floating up. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the rotor 120 from falling even when the medicine storage unit 110 is turned upside down.

In this embodiment, the attachment/detachment mechanism includes a magnet 161 and a magnetic body 151. The magnetic force acting between the magnet 161 and the magnetic body 151 biases the drive shaft 150 and the rotor 120 toward each other along the axial direction of the drive shaft 150. This allows the attachment/detachment mechanism to have a simple configuration.

In this embodiment, the drive shaft 150 and the rotor 120 are engaged with each other in the circumferential direction of the drive shaft 150, so that the relative position of the rotor 120 to the drive shaft 150 in the circumferential direction of the drive shaft 150 is fixed. This allows the rotation of the rotor 120 to be accurately controlled by the rotation of the drive shaft 150.

In this embodiment, the rotor 120 has a top surface 126 that is inclined convexly upward, and a central protrusion 128 that protrudes from the center of the top surface 126. This allows the rotor 120 to be attached or detached by grasping the central protrusion 128.

In this embodiment, a partition 140 extending from the inner surface of the peripheral wall 111 toward a position above the multiple first protrusions 122 and multiple second protrusions 123 on the peripheral surface 121 of the rotor 120 is detachably provided on the medicine containing unit 110. This allows the partition 140 to be removed from the medicine containing unit 110 before attaching or detaching the rotor 120, preventing interference between the partition 140 and the first protrusions 122 and second protrusions 123. This makes it easy to attach and detach the rotor 120, making it easy to clean the inside of the cassette 100.

In this embodiment, the lid portion 130 is rotatable to open and close the medicine containing portion 110. The cap portion 160 is attached to the upper end of the central protrusion 128. The cap portion 160, when the rotor 120 is attached to the drive shaft 150, and the lid portion 130, when the medicine containing portion 110 is closed, face each other with a gap L between them. The gap L is 2 mm or less. As a result, if the rotor 120 is not completely attached to the drive shaft 150, the lid portion 130 and the cap portion 160 will interfere with each other, preventing the lid portion 130 from closing. Therefore, by confirming that the lid portion 130 is closed, it is possible to easily determine whether the rotor 120 is completely attached to the drive shaft 150.

Each of the multiple cassettes 100 is equipped with an RFID tag. The RFID tag stores cassette identification information such as the cassette number.

Figure 16 is a block diagram showing the connection system of a medicine packaging device including a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 16, a medicine packaging device 200 including a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention has a control unit 270. The control unit 270 is electrically connected to each of the tablet supply unit 220, manual medicine supply cassette 240, powder supply unit 250, and packaging unit 260. The control unit 270 is electrically connected to a control unit 340 of the control device 300, which will be described later. The control unit 270 has a memory unit 271.

The control unit 270 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory). The control unit 270 may be an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The storage unit 271 is a hard disk drive or SSD (Solid State Drive) that stores various types of data.

Each of the multiple cassette positions 230 is provided with a drive unit 231 that drives the cassette 100, and an RFID reader/writer 232. The drive unit 231 includes a drive motor that drives the drive shaft 150 of the cassette 100. The drive motor is controlled by the control unit 270. In this way, each of the multiple drive units 231 is configured to be able to mount one of the multiple cassettes 100, and drives the mounted cassette 100. The RFID reader/writer 232 reads information from the RFID tag attached to the cassette 100 mounted in the drive unit 231. The information read by the RFID reader/writer 232 is input to the control unit 270.

As described below, the control unit 270 assigns drug information related to the drug to be supplied to a drive unit 231 selected from among the multiple drive units 231 to which the multiple cassettes 100 are attached. When one of the multiple cassettes 100 is attached to one of the multiple drive units 231, the control unit 270 assigns the drug information to be supplied to that one drive unit 231. Specifically, the control unit 270 assigns the drug information to be supplied to the drive unit 231 for which the attachment of the cassette 100 is detected by the RFID reader/writer 232.

The control unit 270 controls the drive unit 231 so that the target drug is supplied from the cassette 100 attached to the drive unit 231 to which drug information is assigned, under drive conditions corresponding to the drug information. In this way, the control unit 270 controls each of the multiple drive units 231.

The operation of the manual medicine supply cassette 240 is controlled by the control unit 270. The operation of the powder supply unit 250 is controlled by the control unit 270. The operation of the packaging unit 260 is controlled by the control unit 270.

The control device 300 has an operation unit 310, a display unit 320, a reading unit 330, and a control unit 340. The control unit 340 is electrically connected to each of the operation unit 310, the display unit 320, and the reading unit 330. The control unit 340 has a memory unit 341.

The control unit 340 includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, and EEPROM. The control unit 340 may be an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or DSP. The storage unit 341 is a hard disk drive or SSD that stores various types of data.

The operation unit 310 includes a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, and the like that accept user operations. Operations accepted by the operation unit 310 are input to the control unit 340.

The display unit 320 is a liquid crystal monitor or the like. The display unit 320 displays a screen based on a signal from the control unit 340. The display unit 320 is capable of displaying information related to the allocation of drug information. In this embodiment, the display unit 320 is an operation panel integrated with the operation unit 310.

The reading unit 330 reads the identification code attached to the medicine container. Examples of containers include bottles and boxes. The identification code may be a barcode or a QR (Quick Response) code. The information read by the reading unit 330 is input to the control unit 340.

The following describes the display and operation procedures of the display unit 320 provided in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 17 is a block diagram showing the operating procedure of a medicine packaging device including a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 18 is a diagram showing the initial prescription screen displayed on an operation panel provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figures 17 and 18, the prescription screen P1 of the display unit 320 provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention displays a prescription information display field T1, an operation display field T2, a number of packets display field T3, a display start input field T4, a packaging start input field T5, and an operation stop input field T6.

The prescription information display field T1 displays prescription information for one prescription. The operation display field T2 displays the operating status of the medicine packaging device 200. The number of packets display field T3 displays the number of packets. The display start input field T4 is an operation input unit for displaying a list of manually dispensed medicines. Note that the manually dispensed medicines displayed on the screen of the display unit 320 include not only medicines supplied from the manually dispensed medicine supply cassette 240, but also medicines supplied from the cassette 100.

The packaging start input field T5 is an operation input section for starting the packaging operation of the medicine packaging device 200. The operation stop input field T6 is an operation input section for stopping the packaging operation of the medicine packaging device 200.

As shown in FIG. 18, the prescription screen P1 of the display unit 320 provided in the drug supply device according to this embodiment can display prescription information for a total of three prescriptions: the current prescription, the next prescription, and the prescription after that. This prescription information is stored in the memory unit 341 shown in FIG. 16 each time it is input from the operation unit 310, and is read from the memory unit 341 as needed and displayed on the prescription screen P1 of the display unit 320.

When prescription information and packaging information are entered into the display unit 320, prescription information including the patient name and usage instructions is displayed in the prescription information display field T1 on the prescription screen P1 of the display unit 320, the display in the operation display field T2 switches from standby to packaging, and the number of packets is displayed in the packet number display field T3.

Figure 19 is a diagram showing a selection screen displayed on an operation panel provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 17, when an operation is input into the display start input field T4 of the prescription screen P1 shown in Figure 18, the control unit 340 shown in Figure 16 displays a selection screen P2 on the display unit 320 as shown in Figure 19. The selection screen P2 is a screen for selecting whether the medicine to be supplied will be supplied from cassette 100 or manual medicine supply cassette 240.

As shown in FIG. 19, the selection screen P2 of the display unit 320 provided in the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention displays a prescription information display field T11, a manual medicine list display field T12, a tablet count display field T13, a selection area display field T14, a cassette position display field T15, a specific medicine display field T16, a cassette history display field T17, an assigned medicine information display field T18, a first switching operation input field T19a, a second switching operation input field T19b, and a third switching operation input field T19c.

The prescription information display field T11 displays prescription information for one prescription. The manual drug list display field T12 displays a list of drug information for the drug to be supplied.

The tablet count display field T13 displays the required number of each medication in one prescription. As shown in Figure 19, the selection screen P2 displays the required number of medications in one prescription for each medication information item to be supplied. Note that on the selection screen P2, the list of medication information items to be supplied, displayed in the manual medication list display field T12, can be sorted in descending order of the required number of medications in one prescription, displayed in the tablet count display field T13.

The selection area display field T14 displays two selection areas for selecting either the manual drug supply cassette 240 or the cassette 100. The control unit 340 can accept a selection operation to select whether the drug to be supplied will be supplied from the cassette 100 or the manual drug supply cassette 240.

The cassette position display field T15 displays the number of the cassette position 230 where the cassette 100 is located.

The specific drug display field T16 displays identification information to identify specific drugs that can only be supplied by the manual drug supply cassette 240. Specific drugs cannot be supplied using the cassette 100. Here, specific drugs are, for example, drugs that are divided in half or drugs with a specific shape. Note that the drug division is not limited to being divided in half, but may also be divided into three or more pieces. A specific shape is, for example, a shape that rolls easily, such as a sphere.

As shown in FIG. 19, if drug M3 No. 4 on the manual drug list is a divided drug, a divided mark is displayed in the specific drug display field T16 as identification information to identify it as a specific drug. In this case, in the selection area display field T14 corresponding to drug M3 No. 4 on the manual drug list, the selection area R1 corresponding to the manual drug supply cassette 240 becomes the specific selection area, and the selection areas R2 other than the specific selection area are displayed in the identification color BM indicating that they are not selectable, and the control unit 340 will no longer accept selection operations.

If drug M3 No. 4 on the manual drug list is a drug with a specific shape, a "not selectable" mark is displayed in the specific drug display field T16. In this case, too, in the selection field display field T14 corresponding to drug M3 No. 4 on the manual drug list, the selection field R1 corresponding to the manual drug supply cassette 240 becomes the specific selection field, and the selection fields R2 other than the specific selection field are displayed in the distinguishing color BM indicating that they are not selectable, and the control unit 340 will no longer accept selection operations.

As described above, the control unit 340 causes the display unit 320 to distinguish between drugs that can be supplied from the cassette 100 and drugs that cannot be supplied from the cassette 100. Furthermore, the control unit 340 does not accept a selection operation to select supply from the cassette 100 for drugs that cannot be supplied from the cassette 100.

Furthermore, when cassette 100 cannot be installed in any of the multiple drive units 231, the control unit 340 will not accept a selection operation to select supply from cassette 100 on the selection screen P2.

In this embodiment, the specific drug display field T16 is located inside the tablet count display field T13. However, the location of the specific drug display field T16 is not limited to inside the tablet count display field T13.

As described above, on the selection screen P2, for each drug information item to be supplied, whether or not it is a specific drug that can only be supplied by the manual drug supply cassette 240 is displayed in a manner that makes it identifiable. The control unit 340 causes the display unit 320 to display drugs that can be supplied from the cassette 100 and drugs that cannot be supplied from the cassette 100 in a manner that makes it identifiable.

The cassette history display field T17 displays the identification information of the multiple cassettes 100 that last supplied each drug in the list of drugs to be supplied. In this way, the control unit 340 causes the display unit 320 to display the usage history of the multiple cassettes 100. The usage history of the multiple cassettes 100 is stored in the memory unit 271 or the memory unit 341. For each drug in the list of drugs to be supplied that has a history of being supplied by a cassette 100, the cassette history display field T17 displays the identification information of the cassette 100 that last supplied the drug. In this way, the control unit 340 causes the display unit 320 to display the identification information of the cassette 100 that last supplied the drug to be supplied.

The assigned drug information display field T18 is displayed corresponding to the cassette position 230 where the multiple drive units 231 are located, as shown in Figure 1. The assigned drug information display field T18 displays information about the drug to be supplied that has been assigned to each of the multiple drive units 231 by the control unit 270.

The first switching operation input field T19a is an operation input section for closing the selection screen P2. The second switching operation input field T19b is an operation input section for displaying the manual packaging instruction screen P4 on the display unit 320. The third switching operation input field T19c is an operation input section for confirming that all packaging preparations for the medications to be supplied have been completed.

As shown in FIG. 17, when an operation is input into the first switching operation input field T19a or the third switching operation input field T19c on the selection screen P2 shown in FIG. 19, the control unit 340 shown in FIG. 16 displays the prescription screen P1 on the display unit 320. When an operation is input into the second switching operation input field T19b on the selection screen P2 shown in FIG. 19, the control unit 340 shown in FIG. 16 displays the manual preparation instruction screen P4 on the display unit 320.

As shown in FIG. 17, when a selection operation in selection area R2 on selection screen P2 is accepted and one type of drug from the list of drugs to be supplied is selected to be supplied from cassette 100, display unit 320 displays a filling instruction screen P3 for filling the one type of drug into a cassette 100 attached to one of the multiple drive units 231.

Figure 20 shows a filling instruction screen displayed on an operation panel provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The filling instruction screen P3 is a screen that instructs the user as to which and how many medicines should be filled into a cassette 100 attached to one of the drive units 231 in the six cassette positions 230.

As shown in FIG. 20, the refilling instruction screen P3 on the display unit 320 of the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention displays a prescription information display field T21, a refilling medicine information display field T22, multiple selection areas T28, and a first switching operation input field T29a.

The prescription information display field T21 displays prescription information for one prescription. The refilled drug information display field T22 displays information about the drug to be refilled and the required number of drugs to be refilled. In this way, the control unit 340 causes the display unit 320 to display the required number of drugs to be refilled.

The multiple selection areas T28 correspond to the multiple cassette positions 230. Specifically, six selection areas T28 are displayed corresponding to the arrangement of the multiple cassette positions 230 shown in FIG. 1. Of the multiple selection areas T28, the selection areas T28 corresponding to cassette positions 230 at which drive units 231 to which drug information has already been assigned display the assigned drug information. Of the multiple selection areas T28, the selection areas T28 corresponding to cassette positions 230 at which drive units 231 to which drug information has not yet been assigned display an identification mark T25. In this way, the control unit 340 displays the multiple selection areas T28 on the display unit 320 so that drive units 231 that can accommodate a cassette 100 and drive units 231 that cannot accommodate a cassette 100 can be distinguished from each other.

The first switching operation input field T29a is an operation input unit for closing the refilling instruction screen P3. As shown in FIG. 17, when an operation is input into the first switching operation input field T29a of the refilling instruction screen P3 shown in FIG. 20, the control unit 340 shown in FIG. 16 displays the selection screen P2 on the display unit 320.

When the cassette 100 is attached to the drive unit 231 of the cassette position 230 corresponding to one of the selection areas T28 displaying the identification mark T25 in accordance with the display on the refill instruction screen P3, the control unit 270 assigns the drug information to be supplied to the drive unit 231 where the attachment of the cassette 100 is detected by the RFID reader/writer 232. The control unit 340 receives information from the control unit 270 about the drive unit 231 to which the drug information to be supplied has been assigned, and displays the drug information in the assigned drug information display field T18 corresponding to that cassette position 230 on the selection screen P2 of the display unit 320.

The manual distribution instruction screen P4 is a screen that instructs which of the multiple compartments in the manual distribution medicine supply cassette 240 should be manually distributed and how many medicines should be distributed to each compartment. The control unit 340 causes the display unit 320 to display the manual distribution instruction screen P4, which displays multiple partition areas RD corresponding to the multiple compartments, based on the prescription information and packaging information.

Figure 21 is a diagram showing a manual supply instruction screen displayed on an operation panel provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 21, the manual supply instruction screen P4 on the display unit 320 provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention displays a prescription information display field T31, a packet count display field T32, a manual supply medicine list display field T33, a tablet count display field T34, a partitioned area display field T35, a first switching operation input field T39a, and a third switching operation input field T39b.

The prescription information display field T31 displays prescription information for one prescription. The number of packets display field T32 displays the number of packets for one prescription. The manually supplied medication list display field T33 displays a list of manually supplied medications supplied from the manually supplied medication supply cassette 240. In the manually supplied medication list display field T33, a medication can be selected from the list of manually supplied medications. In the manually supplied medication list display field T33, the currently selected medication is displayed in the identification color DM.

The tablet count display field T34 displays the required number of each hand-prepared medication for one prescription. In the tablet count display field T34, the number of tablets for the currently selected medication is displayed in the identifying color DM.

The partitioned area display field T35 displays multiple partitioned areas RD corresponding to the multiple compartments. The partitioned areas RD are displayed in the same arrangement as the compartments. For example, based on the prescription information and packaging information, for medication M2, in the case of administration after each meal, as shown in Figure 21, in the partitioned area display field T35, each of the multiple partitioned areas RD numbered 1 to 21 is displayed in the identifying color DM indicating that it is to be manually distributed, and the required number of medication M2 at each time of administration, 1, is displayed.

The first switching operation input field T39a is an operation input section for closing the manual preparation instruction screen P4. The third switching operation input field T39b is an operation input section for confirming that all packaging preparations for the medications to be supplied have been completed.

As shown in FIG. 17, when an operation is input into the first switching operation input field T39a on the manual preparation instruction screen P4 shown in FIG. 21, the control unit 340 shown in FIG. 16 displays the selection screen P2 on the display unit 320. When an operation is input into the third switching operation input field T39b on the manual preparation instruction screen P4 shown in FIG. 21, the control unit 340 shown in FIG. 16 displays the prescription screen P1 on the display unit 320.

As shown in FIG. 17, when an operation is input into the packaging start input field T5 on the prescription screen P1 shown in FIG. 18, the control unit 340 shown in FIG. 16 issues a packaging instruction to the control unit 270 shown in FIG. 16, and the packaging operation of the medicine packaging device 200 is started.

When an operation is input into the operation stop input field T6 on the prescription screen P1 shown in FIG. 18, the control unit 340 shown in FIG. 16 issues a stop instruction to the control unit 270 shown in FIG. 16, and the packaging operation of the medicine packaging device 200 is stopped.

The display unit 320 displays the usage history of the multiple cassettes 100. The control unit 340 causes the display unit 320 to display the usage history of the multiple cassettes 100 based on the usage history of the multiple cassettes 100 stored in the memory unit 271 or the memory unit 341.

Figure 22 is a diagram showing a cassette usage history screen displayed on an operation panel provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 22, the cassette usage history screen P5 on the display unit 320 provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention displays a search condition display field T41, a dispensing date and time display field T42, a cassette identification information display field T43, a cassette position display field T44, a medicine information display field T45, a patient display field T46, a first switching operation input field T47, a second switching operation input field T48, and a third switching operation input field T49.

The search condition display field T41 displays the dispensing date and time period, cassette identification information, and cassette position 230 number to be searched. The dispensing date and time display field T42 displays the dispensing date and time when the cassette 100 was used. The cassette identification information display field T43 displays the identification information of the cassette 100 used. The cassette position display field T44 displays the cassette position 230 number where the used cassette 100 is located. The drug information display field T45 displays drug information supplied by the used cassette 100. The patient display field T46 displays the name of the patient prescribed the drug supplied by the used cassette 100.

The first switching operation input field T47 is an operation input section for starting a search. The second switching operation input field T48 is an operation input section for returning to the initial screen of the cassette usage history screen P5. The third switching operation input field T49 is an operation input section for closing the cassette usage history screen P5.

When there is a shortage of medication, the display unit 320 displays the number of medications that are missing on the refill instruction screen P3.

Figure 23 is a diagram showing a refill instruction screen displayed on an operation panel provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention when there is a shortage of medicines. As shown in Figure 23, on the refill instruction screen P3 of the display unit 320 provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention, when there is a shortage of medicines, a refill target cassette position display field T23 is displayed, and an identification mark T25 is displayed in the selection area T28 corresponding to the cassette position 230 to be refilled. Furthermore, the number of medicines that is insufficient is displayed in the refill medicine information display field T22. In this way, when there is a shortage of medicines to be supplied, the control unit 340 causes the display unit 320 to display the number of medicines that is insufficient.

A pre-check setting may be made to determine whether or not a drug is to be supplied before it is filled into cassette 100. When this pre-check setting is made, the identification code attached to the drug container or the like is read by reading unit 330 shown in FIG. 16. A master in which the identification code is associated with drug information is stored in memory unit 341. The control unit 340 compares the drug information linked to the identification code read by reading unit 330 with the drug information to be supplied.

Figure 24 shows the refilling instruction screen displayed on the operation panel when pre-check settings are made and before the identification code is read by the reading unit. As shown in Figure 24, the refilling instruction screen P3 displayed on the display unit 320 before the identification code is read by the reading unit 330 displays a warning display field T27 urging the user to read the identification code with the reading unit 330. In addition, the refilling instruction screen P3 displays a first switching operation input field T29a, a second switching operation input field T29b, and a third switching operation input field T29c.

The first switching operation input field T29a is an operation input section for closing the refilling instruction screen P3. The second switching operation input field T29b is an operation input section for skipping the pre-check. The third switching operation input field T29c is an operation input section for updating the master that associates identification codes with drug information stored in the memory unit 341.

On the refill instruction screen P3 for which pre-check settings have been made, if the drug information linked to the identification code read by the reading unit 330 does not match the drug information of the drug to be supplied, even if you enter input into the first switching operation input field T29a and return to the selection screen P2, you will not be able to enter input into the third switching operation input field T19c on the selection screen P2.

In this way, the control unit 340 causes the display unit 320 to display a warning message on the refill instruction screen P3, urging the user to read the identification code using the reading unit 330, in order to compare the drug information associated with the identification code with the drug information of the drug to be supplied.

When the drug packaging device 200 completes the drug packaging operation for one prescription, the cassette 100 that has finished supplying the required number of drugs for one prescription enters a state of waiting for cleaning, and the drive unit 231 to which the cassette 100 is attached remains assigned with the drug information to be supplied. Specifically, the drug information to be supplied that is assigned to the drive unit 231 remains stored in the memory unit 341.

Figure 25 is a diagram showing a refill instruction screen that is displayed on an operation panel provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention when a cassette waiting to be cleaned is present. As shown in Figure 25, on the refill instruction screen P3 of the display unit 320 provided in a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention, when a cassette 100 waiting to be cleaned is present, the selection area T28 corresponding to the cassette position 230 where that cassette 100 is installed is displayed in the identification color BM.

When the control unit 340 assigns other drug information to multiple drive units 231 than the drug information assigned to the drive unit 231 waiting for cleaning, the control unit 340 does not display the identification mark T25 in the selection area T28 on the refilling instruction screen P3 that corresponds to the cassette position 230 waiting for cleaning.

In this embodiment, if the same medication as was previously supplied to a cassette 100 awaiting cleaning, it is possible to supply the medication while the cassette is still awaiting cleaning. In this case, if the cassette 100 shown in the cassette history display field T17 on the selection screen P2 shown in FIG. 19 is awaiting cleaning, the same medication as previously supplied will be supplied to that cassette 100.

In addition, if a malfunction occurs in the drive unit 231 or RFID reader/writer 232 installed at the cassette position 230, the cassette position 230 is stored in the memory unit 341.

Figure 26 is a diagram showing a refill instruction screen that is displayed on the operation panel of a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention when a cassette position with a malfunction exists. As shown in Figure 26, on the refill instruction screen P3 of the display unit 320 of a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention, when a cassette position 230 with a malfunction in the drive unit 231 or RFID reader/writer 232 exists, the selection area T28 corresponding to that cassette position 230 is displayed in the identification color RM.

The control unit 340 does not display the identification mark T25 in the selection area T28 on the refill instruction screen P3 that corresponds to the cassette position 230 where the malfunction occurred.

As described above, the control unit 340 displays multiple selection areas T28 on the display unit 320 so that drive units 231 that can accommodate the cassette 100 can be distinguished from drive units 231 that cannot accommodate the cassette 100.

In a drug supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention, each of the multiple cassettes 100 is capable of supplying drugs within a certain dimensional range. Each of the multiple drive units 231 is configured to be able to mount one of the multiple cassettes 100, and drives the mounted cassette 100. The control unit controls each of the multiple drive units 231. The control unit assigns drug information related to the drug to be supplied to a cassette 100 selected according to the dimensions of the drug to be supplied, or to the drive unit 231 to which this cassette 100 is mounted. The control unit controls the drive unit 231 to supply the drug to be supplied from the cassette 100 to which the drug information has been assigned, or from a cassette 100 mounted on the drive unit 231 to which the drug information has been assigned.

This allows the operator of the medicine supply device to easily configure the medicine supply device so that medicines within a certain size range can be packaged according to the prescription.

In one embodiment of the drug supply device of the present invention, the control unit can accept a selection operation to select whether the drug to be supplied should be supplied from cassette 100 or manual drug supply cassette 240. This makes it easy to determine which of the drugs to be supplied should be supplied from cassette 100.

In one embodiment of the drug supply device of the present invention, the control unit does not accept a selection operation to select supply from cassette 100 when cassette 100 cannot be attached to any of the multiple drive units 231. This prevents the acceptance of an erroneous selection operation.

In one embodiment of the drug supply device of the present invention, the control unit does not accept a selection operation to select supply from cassette 100 for drugs that cannot be supplied from cassette 100. This prevents the acceptance of erroneous selection operations.

The drug supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention further includes a display unit 320 capable of displaying information related to the allocation of drug information. This makes it easy to determine to which drive unit 231 or cassette 100 the drug information can be allocated.

In one embodiment of the drug supply device of the present invention, the control unit causes the display unit 320 to distinguish between drive units 231 that can accommodate the cassette 100 and drive units 231 that cannot accommodate the cassette 100. This prevents the cassette 100 from being attached to an incompatible drive unit 231.

In one embodiment of the drug supply device of the present invention, the control unit causes the display unit 320 to distinguish between drugs that can be supplied from the cassette 100 and drugs that cannot be supplied from the cassette 100. This prevents the wrong drugs from being filled into the cassette 100.

In one embodiment of the drug supply device of the present invention, the control unit displays the usage history of multiple cassettes 100 on the display unit 320. This makes it possible to determine whether the cassettes 100 need to be cleaned, etc.

In one embodiment of the drug supply device of the present invention, the control unit causes the display unit 320 to display the identification information of the cassette 100 that last supplied the drug to be supplied. This makes it possible to determine the drive unit 231 or cassette 100 to which drug information can be assigned without cleaning the cassette 100.

In one embodiment of the medicine supply device of the present invention, the control unit causes the display unit 320 to display the required number of medicines to be supplied. This allows the operator of the medicine supply device to easily understand the required number.

In one embodiment of the medicine supply device of the present invention, when the supply of medicines to be supplied is insufficient, the control unit causes the display unit 320 to display the shortage of the medicines to be supplied. This allows the operator of the medicine supply device to easily grasp the shortage.

In a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit compares the medicine information with the reading results obtained by the reading unit 330. This prevents the wrong medicine from being loaded into the cassette 100.

In one embodiment of the drug supply device of the present invention, the control unit assigns drug information to the drive unit 231 when a cassette 100 selected according to the dimensions of the drug to be supplied is attached to the drive unit 231. This eliminates the need for the operator of the drug supply device to assign drug information to the drug to be supplied using the operation unit 310.

In this embodiment, an example has been described in which drug information regarding the drug to be supplied is assigned to the drive unit 231 to which the cassette 100 is attached, but drug information regarding the drug to be supplied may also be assigned to the cassette 100 attached to the drive unit 231. In this case, too, the effects of the various functions of the drug supply device described above are achieved.

The above-disclosed embodiments are illustrative in all respects and are not intended to be limiting. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted solely by the above-disclosed embodiments, but should be defined based on the claims. Furthermore, all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims are included.

100 cassette, 110 medicine storage section, 111 peripheral wall, 111a partial peripheral wall, 112 discharge port, 113 opening, 120 rotor, 121 peripheral surface, 122 first protrusion, 123 second protrusion, 124 third protrusion, 125, L gap, 126 top surface, 127 groove, 128 central protrusion, 128c recess, 129, 152c notch, 130 lid section, 140 partition section, 141 base material, 150 drive shaft, 151 magnetic material, 152 tip section, 152h through hole, 153 spring pin, 160 cap section, 161 magnet, 162 support section, 163 cap, 164 spacer, 200 medicine packaging device, 210 housing, 220 tablet supply section, 230 Cassette position, 231 drive unit, 232 reader/writer, 240 manual medicine supply cassette, 250 powder medicine supply unit, 260 packaging unit, 270, 340 control unit, 271, 341 memory unit, 300 control device, 310 operation unit, 320 display unit, 330 reading unit, G passage, P1 prescription screen, P2 selection screen, P3 filling instruction screen, P4 manual medicine instruction screen, P5 cassette use history screen, R1, R2, T28 selection area, RD partition area, T1, T11, T21, T31 prescription information display field, T2 operation display field, T3, T32 number of packets display field, T4 display start input field, T5 packaging start input field, T6 operation stop input field, T12, T33 manual medicine list display field, T13, T34 Tablet count display field, T14 Selection area display field, T15, T44 Cassette position display field, T16 Specific drug display field, T17 Cassette history display field, T18 Allocated drug information display field, T19a, T29a, T39a, T47 First switching operation input field, T19b, T29b, T48 Second switching operation input field, T19c, T29c, T39b, T49 Third switching operation input field, T22 Filling drug information display field, T23 Cassette position display field to be filled, T25 Identification mark, T27 Caution display field, T35 Partition area display field, T41 Search condition display field, T42 Dispensing date and time display field, T43 Cassette identification information display field, T45 Drug information display field, T46 Patient display field.

Claims (5)

a plurality of cassettes corresponding to respective size ranges of drugs, each of which is in a different size range ;
a plurality of drive units configured to be mountable with each of the plurality of types of cassettes and to drive the mounted cassettes;
A manual drug supply cassette,
a display unit that displays a screen;
a control unit that controls each of the plurality of drive units and the manual medicine supply cassette , and also controls the display unit;
each of the plurality of types of cassettes has a rotor;
The rotor is provided with a plurality of gaps arranged in a circumferential direction of the rotor,
each of the plurality of types of cassettes is configured such that, as the rotor rotates, the medicines contained in each of the plurality of gaps are transported to an outlet and dispensed one by one;
the control unit causes the display unit to display a screen for selecting whether the drugs to be supplied are to be supplied from the plurality of types of cassettes or the manual drug supply cassette based on the prescription information, and when supply from the plurality of types of cassettes is selected on the screen, causes the display unit to display a screen instructing which drugs and how many should be filled into a cassette attached to any one of the plurality of drive units;
the control unit assigns drug information related to the drug to be supplied to the cassette selected according to the size of the drug to be supplied or to the drive unit to which the cassette is attached;
The control unit causes the display unit to display information related to the allocation of the drug information,
The control unit controls the drive unit to supply the drug to be supplied from the cassette to which the drug information is assigned or the cassette attached to the drive unit to which the drug information is assigned, based on the prescription information. The drug supply device of claim 1, wherein the control unit displays the required number of drugs to be supplied on the screen that instructs which drugs and how many should be filled into a cassette attached to any one of the plurality of drive units . 3. The medicine supply device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display a screen indicating the shortage of the medicine to be supplied when the supply of the medicine to be supplied is insufficient. The control unit of the drug supply device of claim 1 displays, on the screen for selecting whether the drug to be supplied will be supplied from the multiple types of cassettes or the manual drug supply cassette, identification information of the cassette that last supplied the drug for the drug to be supplied that has a history of being supplied by the cassette. a plurality of drug supply units corresponding to respective size ranges of drugs, each of which is in a different size range ;
A manual drug supply cassette,
a display unit that displays a screen;
a control unit that controls each of the plurality of types of medicine supply units and the manual medicine supply cassette , and also controls the display unit;
each of the plurality of types of medicine supply units has a rotor;
The rotor is provided with a plurality of gaps arranged in a circumferential direction of the rotor,
each of the plurality of types of medicine supply units is configured such that, as the rotor rotates, the medicines accommodated in each of the plurality of gaps are transported to an outlet and dispensed one by one;
the control unit causes the display unit to display a screen for selecting whether the drugs to be supplied are to be supplied from the plurality of types of drug supply units or the manual drug supply cassette based on the prescription information, and when supply from the plurality of types of drug supply units is selected on the screen, causes the display unit to display a screen instructing which drugs and how many should be filled into any of the plurality of types of drug supply units;
the control unit assigns drug information regarding the drug to be supplied to the drug supply unit selected according to the size of the drug to be supplied;
The control unit causes the display unit to display information related to the allocation of the drug information,
The control unit controls the medicine supply unit to supply the medicine to be supplied from the medicine supply unit to which the medicine information is assigned, based on the prescription information.