U.S. patent application number 14/065061 was filed with the patent office on 2014-05-01 for drug gathering apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to JVM CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is JVM CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Jun Ho KIM.
Application Number | 20140117819 14/065061 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49517276 |
Filed Date | 2014-05-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140117819 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Jun Ho |
May 1, 2014 |
DRUG GATHERING APPARATUS
Abstract
A drug gathering apparatus includes a cart accommodation unit in
which a drug transfer cart is accommodated, a drug introduction
hole through which a drug is introduced from an external device, a
supply unit storing drug gathering units in an overlapping state,
the supply unit sequentially separating the overlapping drug
gathering units downward in order from the lowermost drug gathering
unit, a transfer unit transferring the discharged drug gathering
unit to the cart accommodation unit after the drug introduced
through the drug introduction hole is accommodated into the drug
gathering unit discharged from the supply unit, and a cart-side
elevation unit elevating the drug gathering units disposed within
the cart accommodation unit up to a specific height of the drug
transfer cart. The drug gathering apparatus may gather drugs
introduced by accurately repeatedly supplying the drugs dispensed
from the external device to the drug gathering unit to maximize
work efficiency.
Inventors: |
KIM; Jun Ho; (Daegu,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
JVM CO., LTD. |
Daegu |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
JVM CO., LTD.
Daegu
KR
|
Family ID: |
49517276 |
Appl. No.: |
14/065061 |
Filed: |
October 28, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/209 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G 12/001 20130101;
A47B 81/00 20130101; B65G 65/00 20130101; B65G 59/107 20130101;
G07F 17/0092 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/209 |
International
Class: |
A47B 81/00 20060101
A47B081/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 1, 2012 |
KR |
10-2012-0123150 |
Jul 4, 2013 |
KR |
10-2013-0078286 |
Claims
1. A drug gathering apparatus comprising: a drug transfer cart; a
cart accommodation unit in which the drug transfer cart is
accommodated; a drug introduction hole through which at least one
drug is introduced from an external device; a supply unit storing
drug gathering units that are in overlapping state, the supply unit
sequentially separating the overlapping drug gathering units
downward in order from the lowermost drug gathering unit; and a
transfer unit transferring the discharged drug gathering unit to
the cart accommodation unit after the at least one drug introduced
through the drug introduction hole is accommodated into the drug
gathering unit discharged from the supply unit.
2. The drug gathering apparatus of claim 1, wherein the supply unit
comprises: a rotation shaft; and a plurality of protrusions
radially disposed around the rotation shaft at a predetermined
distance, the plurality of protrusions being disposed around the
rotation shaft at a predetermined angle to rotate about the
rotation shaft, wherein the plurality of protrusions discharge the
lowermost supported drug gathering unit downward when the
protrusions protruding toward the drug gathering unit rotate
downward, the plurality of protrusions returning to the drug
gathering units sequentially supporting the drug gathering units in
order from the lowermost drug gathering unit.
3. The drug gathering apparatus of claim 2, wherein the supply unit
is disposed on each of at least two sides including two sides
facing each other of the drug gathering unit.
4. The drug gathering apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of the
protrusions comprises a roll contacting an edge of the drug
gathering unit.
5. The drug gathering apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drug
gathering units are respectively disposed vertically in the drug
transfer cart, and the drug gathering apparatus comprises a
cart-side elevation unit elevating the drug gathering units
disposed within the cart accommodation unit up to a specific height
of the drug transfer cart.
6. The drug gathering apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a
cart-side seat unit on which the drug gathering units disposed
within the cart accommodation unit are seated, the cart-side seat
unit being elevated by the cart-side elevation unit.
7. The drug gathering apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an
introduction-side seat unit on which the drug gathering unit
discharged from the supply unit is seated; and an introduction-side
elevation unit elevating the introduction-side seat unit.
8. The drug gathering apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a
damage prevention unit comprising an inclination formation part on
which the drugs introduced through the drug introduction hole are
seated when the drugs drop into the drug gathering unit.
9. The drug gathering apparatus of claim 8, wherein the inclination
formation part has a downwardly curved surface.
10. The drug gathering apparatus of claim 8, wherein the damage
prevention unit is separated outward from the drug gathering unit
when ascending and forms an inclination within the drug gathering
unit when descending.
11. The drug gathering apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a
damage prevention unit elevation part elevating the damage
prevention unit.
12. The drug gathering apparatus of claim 11, wherein the damage
prevention unit comprises: an extension arm extending from the
damage prevention unit elevation part, the extension arm being
elevated by the damage prevention unit elevation part; a rotation
shaft rotatably connecting the extension arm to the inclination
formation part; and a cam part having a guide groove to guide an
end of the rotation shaft downward and toward the drug introduction
hole when the extension arm descends.
13. The drug gathering apparatus of claim 10, wherein the damage
prevention unit comprises: a power transmission part; a driving
shaft receiving rotation force from the power transmission part to
rotate in a first direction or a second direction that is a reverse
direction of the first direction; a driven shaft receiving the
rotation force from the driving shaft to reversely rotate with
respect to the rotation direction of the driving shaft to rotate
between an upper portion of the driving shaft and an upper portion
of the drug gathering unit; and a rotation arm having one end fixed
to the driving shaft to rotate as the driving shaft rotates and the
other end rotatably fixed to the driven shaft, wherein the
inclination formation part is fixed to the driven shaft to rotate
as the driven shaft rotates, downwardly stands upright when the
driven shaft is disposed above the driving shaft so as to be
separated outward from the drug gathering unit, and forms a
downward inclination when the driven shaft is disposed above the
drug gathering unit.
14. The drug gathering apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a
hook pushed outward by an edge of the drug gathering unit when the
drug gathering unit ascends to allow the drug gathering unit to
pass therethrough, the hook supporting the edge of the drug
gathering unit when the drug gathering unit descends to prevent the
drug gathering unit from descending.
15. The drug gathering apparatus of claim 12, wherein the hook
comprises: a hook member protruding to the inside of the drug
transfer cart, the hook member rotating to the outside of the drug
transfer cart; and an elastic member providing elastic force to
allow the hook member to return in a reverse direction when the
hook member rotates outward.
16. The drug gathering apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drug
transfer cart comprises a cart door that is openable so that the
drug gathering unit disposed therein is withdrawn even though the
drug gathering unit is accommodated within the cart accommodation
unit.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application Nos. 10-2012-0123150 filed on Nov. 1, 2012 and
10-2013-0078286 filed on Jul. 4, 2013 in the Korean Intellectual
Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in
its entirety by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a drug gathering apparatus,
and more particularly, to a drug gathering apparatus in which a
series of process for gathering drugs dispensed from an external
device to transfer the drugs to a patient is simply or accurately
performed to improve working efficiency.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In general, a dose of drug according to a patient's
prescription may include various kinds and types of drugs. The dose
of drug classified according to the patient's prescription may be
transferred to the patient in a state of being contained in a
basket.
[0006] Drugs to be contained in one basket are gathered into one
basket from boxes, in which various kinds of drugs are contained,
according to kinds and numbers of drugs written on a patient
prescription. The basket in which the corresponding drugs are
gathered is transferred to the patient, and then, the patient takes
the drugs gathered in the basket.
[0007] In conventional ways, to gather various drugs into one
basket, medical experts such as pharmacists have to manually take
drugs out of drug-containing bottles according to the patient's
prescription. As a result, it is necessary to execute a
confirmation work for redetermining accuracy in the gathering of
the drugs.
[0008] There is possibility of occurrence of drug misadventure
because it is difficult to secure accuracy in administration. Also,
it takes a long time to gather drugs according to a patient's
prescription because the gathering process is complicated to
deteriorate working efficiency in addition to the possibility of
the occurrence of the drug misadventure.
[0009] Thus, studies with respect to methods and technologies for
improving accuracy and efficiency in the gathering of drugs for
each unit dose according to the patient's prescription to provide
convenience of users such as pharmacists and previously prevent
drug misadventure from occurring are needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention provides a drug gathering apparatus
which gathers drugs according to a patient prescription to easily
accurately execute classification for each patient, hospital room,
and hospital ward.
[0011] The present invention also provides a drug gathering
apparatus which efficiently gathers and classifies drugs dispensed
from an external device to simply a process for transferring the
drugs to a patient and reduce possibility of an occurrence of drug
misadventure.
[0012] The technical objects of the present invention are not
limited to those described above, and it will be apparent to those
of ordinary skill in the art from the following description that
the present invention includes other technical objects not
specifically mentioned herein.
[0013] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a drug gathering apparatus including: a drug transfer
cart; a cart accommodation unit in which the drug transfer cart is
accommodated; a drug introduction hole through which at least one
drug is introduced from an external device; a supply unit storing
drug gathering units that are in overlapping state, the supply unit
sequentially separating the overlapping drug gathering units
downward in order from the lowermost drug gathering unit; and a
transfer unit transferring the discharged drug gathering unit to
the cart accommodation unit after the at least one drug introduced
through the drug introduction hole is accommodated into the drug
gathering unit discharged from the supply unit.
[0014] The supply unit may include: a rotation shaft; and a
plurality of protrusions radially disposed around the rotation
shaft at a predetermined distance, the plurality of protrusions
being disposed around the rotation shaft at a predetermined angle
to rotate about the rotation shaft, wherein the plurality of
protrusions may discharge the lowermost supported drug gathering
unit downward when the protrusions protruding toward the drug
gathering unit rotate downward, the plurality of protrusions
returning to the drug gathering units sequentially supporting the
drug gathering units in order from the lowermost drug gathering
unit.
[0015] The supply unit may be disposed on each of at least two
sides including two sides facing each other of the drug gathering
unit.
[0016] Each of the protrusions may include a roll contacting an
edge of the drug gathering unit.
[0017] The drug gathering units may be respectively disposed
vertically in the drug transfer cart, and the drug gathering
apparatus may include a cart-side elevation unit elevating the drug
gathering units disposed within the cart accommodation unit up to a
specific height of the drug transfer cart.
[0018] The drug gathering apparatus may further include a cart-side
seat unit on which the drug gathering units disposed within the
cart accommodation unit are seated, the cart-side seat unit being
elevated by the cart-side elevation unit.
[0019] The drug gathering apparatus may further include: an
introduction-side seat unit on which the drug gathering unit
discharged from the supply unit is seated; and an introduction-side
elevation unit elevating the introduction-side seat unit.
[0020] The drug gathering apparatus may further include a damage
prevention unit including an inclination formation part on which
the drugs introduced through the drug introduction hole are seated
when the drugs drop into the drug gathering unit.
[0021] The inclination formation part may have a downwardly curved
surface.
[0022] The damage prevention unit may be separated outward from the
drug gathering unit when ascending and may form an inclination
within the drug gathering unit when descending.
[0023] The drug gathering apparatus may further include a damage
prevention unit elevation part elevating the damage prevention
unit.
[0024] The damage prevention unit may include: an extension arm
extending from the damage prevention unit elevation part, the
extension arm being elevated by the damage prevention unit
elevation part; a rotation shaft rotatably connecting the extension
arm to the inclination formation part; and a cam part having a
guide groove to guide an end of the rotation shaft downward and
toward the drug introduction hole when the extension arm
descends.
[0025] The damage prevention unit may include: a power transmission
part; a driving shaft receiving rotation force from the power
transmission part to rotate in a first direction or a second
direction that is a reverse direction of the first direction; a
driven shaft receiving the rotation force from the driving shaft to
reversely rotate with respect to the rotation direction of the
driving shaft to rotate between an upper portion of the driving
shaft and an upper portion of the drug gathering unit; and a
rotation arm having one end fixed to the driving shaft to rotate as
the driving shaft rotates and the other end rotatably fixed to the
driven shaft, wherein the inclination formation part may be fixed
to the driven shaft to rotate as the driven shaft rotates,
downwardly stands upright when the driven shaft is disposed above
the driving shaft so as to be separated outward from the drug
gathering unit, and may form a downward inclination when the driven
shaft is disposed above the drug gathering unit.
[0026] The drug gathering apparatus may further include a hook
pushed outward by an edge of the drug gathering unit when the drug
gathering unit ascends to allow the drug gathering unit to pass
therethrough, the hook supporting the edge of the drug gathering
unit when the drug gathering unit descends to prevent the drug
gathering unit from descending.
[0027] The hook may include: a hook member protruding to the inside
of the drug transfer cart, the hook member rotating to the outside
of the drug transfer cart; and an elastic member providing elastic
force to allow the hook member to return in a reverse direction
when the hook member rotates outward.
[0028] The drug transfer cart may include a cart door that is
openable so that the drug gathering unit disposed therein is
withdrawn even though the drug gathering unit is accommodated
within the cart accommodation unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] The above and other features and advantages of the present
invention will become more apparent by describing in detail
exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached
drawings in which:
[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drug gathering apparatus
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the drug gathering
apparatus according to an embodiment;
[0032] FIGS. 3 and 4 are partial cutoff perspective views of the
drug gathering apparatus according to an embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of components related to
elevation units of the drug gathering apparatus according to an
embodiment;
[0034] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a supply unit in a state
where drug gathering units are stacked according to an
embodiment;
[0035] FIG. 7 is a partial cutoff perspective view of the supply
unit according to an embodiment;
[0036] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the drug gathering unit according
to an embodiment;
[0037] FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the drug gathering unit
according to an embodiment;
[0038] FIGS. 10 and 11 are schematic views of a state in which the
supply unit discharges the drug gathering unit according to an
embodiment;
[0039] FIGS. 12 to 26 are views illustrating successive processes
in which the drug gathering unit gathers introduced drugs to
transfer the gathered drugs to a drug transfer cart according to an
embodiment;
[0040] FIGS. 27 and 28 are perspective views of a damage prevention
unit according to another embodiment; and
[0041] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a drug gathering apparatus
including a drug transfer cart according to another embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0042] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings. If there is
no specific definition or reference, the term representing a
direction used in this description is on the basis of a state
illustrated in the drawings. Also, the same reference numeral
denotes the same member throughout embodiments. In the drawings, a
thickness or size may be exaggerated for convenience of
descriptions, but it does not mean that the thickness or size of
each element does not entirely reflect an actual size.
[0043] A drug gathering apparatus according to an embodiment of the
present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drug gathering apparatus
according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an
exploded perspective view of the drug gathering apparatus according
to an embodiment, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are partial cutoff perspective
views of the drug gathering apparatus according to an
embodiment.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 1, a drug gathering apparatus 1 according
to an embodiment includes a gathering apparatus body 10 and a drug
transfer cart 20. The gathering apparatus body 10 includes a
housing 11 defining an outer appearance thereof, a display 13, and
a housing side unit 12. The housing 11 defines the outer appearance
of the gathering apparatus body 10. Also, the housing 11 may
include the display 13 for displaying information with respect to a
patient's prescription and information with respect to an overall
system of the drug gathering apparatus 1. The housing side unit 12
is disposed on one side surface of the housing 11. The housing side
unit 12 may have an opening 121 through which drugs are introduced
from the outside as necessary. Alternatively, the housing side unit
12 may be provided with a cover for openably covering an opening
that is previously formed.
[0045] Also, the drug transfer cart 20 may be provided in the
gathering apparatus body 10.
[0046] The drug transfer cart 20 may be accommodated into the
gathering apparatus body 10. In detail, a cart accommodation unit
for accommodating the drug transfer cart 20 may be formed within
the housing 11 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The cart accommodation
unit 16 may be formed as a space part having a shape corresponding
to that of the drug transfer cart 20.
[0047] The housing 11 has a drug introduction hole 14, through
which drugs are introduced from the outside, in the other side of
the housing side unit 12. The drug introduction hole 14 may be
opened so that the inside of the housing 11 communicates with the
outside.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, the gathering apparatus body 10 includes
a supply unit 100, a cart-side seat unit 450, an introduction-side
seat unit, 410, a cart-side elevation unit 440, an
introduction-side elevation unit 400, a damage prevention unit 420,
and a transfer unit 200 therein.
[0049] The supply unit 100 stores the stacked drug gathering units
30 and then successively discharges the drug gathering units 30
through a lower side thereof. Here, the drug gathering unit 30 may
be a component for accommodating drugs and have a basket shape.
[0050] The cart-side seat unit 450 and the introduction-side seat
unit 410 may respectively ascend or descend by the cart-side
elevation unit 440 and the introduction-side elevation unit 400 to
vertically transfer the drug gathering unit 30.
[0051] The damage prevention unit 420 may prevent the drugs
introduced through the drug introduction hole 14 from being damaged
when the drugs drop into the drug gathering unit 30 disposed above
the introduction-side seat unit 410. That is, the damage prevention
unit 420 seats the drugs on the drug gathering unit 30 while
preventing the drugs from directly colliding with the drug
gathering unit 30.
[0052] The transfer unit 200 transfers the drug gathering unit 30,
in which the drugs introduced through the drug introduction hole 14
are accommodated, to the cart accommodation unit 16, i.e., the
other side of the drug introduction hole 14.
[0053] Hereinafter, each of the above-described components will be
described in detail.
[0054] The elevation units and related components of the drug
gathering apparatus according to an embodiment will be described
with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of
components related to elevation units of the drug gathering
apparatus according to an embodiment.
[0055] The introduction-side elevation unit 400 elevates the
introduction-side seat unit 410 by using a chain or belt. In
detail, the introduction-side seat unit 410 includes an
introduction-side seat unit boy 412 and an introduction-side seat
part 411. The introduction-side seat unit body 412 may directly
ascend or descend by the introduction-side elevation unit 400. The
introduction-side seat part 411 that supports an edge portion of
the drug gathering unit 30 to seat the drug gathering unit 30
thereon may be disposed on the introduction-side seat unit body
412.
[0056] Similarly, the cart-side elevation unit 440 elevates the
cart-side seat unit 450 by using a chain or belt. In detail, the
cart-side seat unit 450 includes cart-side sent unit body 452 and a
cart-side seat part 451. The cart-side seat unit body 452 may
directly ascend or descend by the cart-side elevation unit 440. The
cart-side seat part 451 that supports the edge portion of the drug
gathering unit 30 to seat the drug gathering unit 30 thereon maybe
disposed on the cart-side seat unit body 452.
[0057] The damage prevention unit 420 includes a damage prevention
unit elevation part 421, an extension arm 423, a rotation shaft
425, a cam part 427, and an inclination formation part 429.
[0058] The extension arm 423 may ascend or descend by the damage
prevention unit elevation part 421 in a state where the extension
arm 423 is elevatably fixed to the damage prevention unit elevation
part 421. The rotation shaft 425 is disposed on a lower end of the
extension arm 423. The inclination formation part 429 is rotatably
fixed to the rotation shaft 425.
[0059] The cam part 427 is disposed on an end of the rotation shaft
425. The cam part 427 has a guide groove 4271 that accommodates and
guides the end of the rotation shaft 425.
[0060] The guide groove 4271 guides the rotation shaft 425 toward
the above-described drug introduction hole when the rotation shaft
425 descends.
[0061] As the extension arm 423 descends, a lower end of the
inclination formation part 429 may be pushed toward the drug
introduction hole to move. Here, the inclination formation part 429
may have a downwardly protruding curved surface to minimize
friction force with respect to the drug gathering unit 30 and an
impact of the introduced drugs.
[0062] In a state of a structure in which drugs are further
introduced from the other side of the damage prevention unit 420
with respect to the cart-side seat unit 450, the damage prevention
unit 420 may be additionally provided on the other side of the
cart-side seat unit 450 to prevent drugs introduced through the
other side of the cart-side seat unit 450 from being damaged.
[0063] The supply unit according to an embodiment will be described
with reference to FIGS. 6 to 11. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a
supply unit in a state where the drug gathering units are stacked
according to an embodiment, FIGS. 7 to 9 are a partial cutoff
perspective view, a plan view, and a rear perspective view of the
supply unit according to an embodiment, and FIGS. 10 and 11 are
schematic views of a state in which the supply unit discharges the
drug gathering unit according to an embodiment.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 6, a plurality of drug gathering units 30
are stored within the supply unit 100 in a state where the
plurality of drug gathering units 30 are stacked on each other. The
supply unit 100 may sequentially discharge the stacked drug
gathering units 30 downward in order from the lowermost drug
gathering unit 30.
[0065] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the supply unit 100 includes at
least two discharge parts 110 on the edge portion of the drug
gathering unit 30. The discharge parts 110 may be disposed on at
least facing two sides of the drug gathering unit 30.
[0066] Each of the discharge parts 110 receives rotation force
generated by a motor 190 through a power transmission part 191 to
rotate. Also, the discharge parts 110 may be connected to each
other by using a bevel gear to rotate together with each other.
[0067] The discharge part 110 may discontinuously rotate. Here,
various detection units may be provided to control rotation and
stop of the discharge parts 110. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a
detection target unit 181 includes projections radially protruding
from a rotation shaft thereof and a sensor unit 182 for detecting
the approach of the corresponding projection. Various types of
sensors may be used as the sensor unit 182. For example, an
infrared sensor including a light emitting part and a light
receiving part to detect the projection between the light emitting
part and the light receiving part may be used as the sensor unit
182.
[0068] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the discharge part 110
includes a rotation shaft 111 and protrusions 113. The protrusions
113 protrude from the rotation shaft 111 and are radially disposed
around the rotation shaft 111 at a predetermined distance. That is,
the protrusions 113 may be disposed around the rotation shaft 111
at a predetermined angle. Here, a roll or roller for reducing
friction force may be disposed on an end of each of the protrusions
113.
[0069] The protrusion 113 of the discharge part 110, which is
disposed on a side of the drug gathering unit 30 supports the
lowermost drug gathering unit 30. Here, when the discharge part 110
rotates, the protrusion 113 returning to the drug gathering unit 30
supports the second drug gathering unit 30 from a lower side. Here,
as the discharge part 110 rotates, the protrusion 113 supporting
the lowermost drug gathering unit 30 may rotate downward to release
and discharge the drug gathering unit 30 supported thereto.
[0070] The introduction-side seat unit 410 may be disposed under
the drug gathering unit 30 before the drug gathering unit 30 is
discharged. Referring to FIG. 11, the introduction-side seat unit
410 may descend again after the discharged drug gathering unit 30
is seated to move to a position at which the drugs introduced from
the outside are seated.
[0071] A process in which the drug gathering unit gathers
introduced drugs to transfer the gathered drugs to the drug
transfer cart and the drug transfer cart according to an embodiment
will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 26. FIGS. 12 to 26
are views illustrating successive processes in which the drug
gathering unit gathers introduced drugs to transfer the gathered
drugs to the drug transfer cart according to an embodiment.
[0072] A process of gathering introduced drugs to transfer the
gathered drugs to the drug transfer cart is as follows.
[0073] As shown in FIG. 12, the introduction-side seat unit 410
ascends through the introduction-side elevation unit 400 to
approach a lower portion of the supply unit 100.
[0074] Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the lowermost drug gathering unit
30 is discharged and seated on the introduction-side seat unit 410,
and then, the introduction-side seat unit 410 descends. As shown in
FIG. 14, the drug gathering unit 30 descends until the drug
gathering unit 30 is disposed above the transfer unit 200.
[0075] When the discharged drug gathering unit 30 is disposed above
the transfer unit 200, the damage prevention unit 420 operates as
described above. That is, as shown in FIG. 15, when the rotation
shaft 425 descends along the guide groove 4271 of the cam part 427,
the inclination formation part 429 forms an inclination while being
pushed from the inside of the drug gathering unit 30 in a direction
D1 in which the drugs are introduced.
[0076] Next, as shown in FIG. 16, after an external device 40 is
disposed above the drug gathering unit 30, the drugs are introduced
into the drug gathering unit 30 from the external device 40. Here,
the introduced drugs are seated on the inclination formation part
429 and then accommodated into the drug gathering unit 30. The
introduced drugs may be mitigated in impact by the inclination
formation part 429 to reduce possibility of damage. The drugs
gathered one time may be drugs corresponding to one person's
prescription or drugs corresponding to prescriptions for patients
in one hospital room or one hospital ward. That is, the present
invention is not limited to the number of drugs gathered one time,
and thus, drugs may be classified and gathered through various
methods according to a system management method.
[0077] Then, as shown in FIG. 17, after the drugs are accommodated
into the drug gathering unit 30, the inclination formation part 429
of the damage prevention unit 420 is separated from the drug
gathering unit 30. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 18, the transfer
unit 200 transfers the drug gathering unit 30 in a direction of the
cart accommodation unit 16, i.e., to an upper side of the cart-side
seat unit 450.
[0078] As necessary, as shown in FIG. 19, drugs may be received
from the other external device 41. In this case, the drug gathering
unit 30 may be disposed outside an operation range of the damage
prevention unit 420. Thus, the introduced drugs to be packaged with
a box may be drugs having low damage possibility.
[0079] Next, as shown in FIG. 20, the cart-side seat unit 450
ascends to allow the drug gathering unit 30 disposed above the
cart-side seat unit 450 to ascend. Here, the cart-side elevation
unit 440 elevates the cart-side seat unit 450 up to a specific
position.
[0080] As shown in FIG. 21, the drug transfer cart 20 is
accommodated above the cart-side seat unit 450, i.e., into the cart
accommodation unit 16. As shown in FIG. 22, the cart-side elevation
unit 440 elevates the cart-side seat unit 450 to elevate the drug
gathering unit 30 up to a specific position within the drug
transfer cart 20. Then, as shown in FIG. 23, the drug gathering
units 30 are filled from the uppermost position of the drug
transfer cart 20.
[0081] Here, a hook 23 is disposed along a moving path of the drug
gathering unit 30 inside a cart frame 21 defining an outer
appearance of the drug transfer cart 20. The hook 23 may restrict
the drug transfer cart 22 so that the drug transfer cart 22 passes
in one direction. In detail, a hook member 231 of the hook 23
rotates about a shaft 232 fixed to the cart frame 21. Here, a
stopper 234 may contact the cart frame 21 to restrict the hook
member 231 so that the hook member 231 rotates only toward the cart
frame 21. That is, since the hook member 231 is pushed by an edge
of the drug gathering unit 30 to rotate toward the cart frame 21
when the drug gathering unit 30 ascends, the hook member 231 may
pass through the drug gathering unit 30. On the other hand, when
the drug gathering unit 30 descends, the hook member 231 supports
the edge of the drug gathering unit 30 to prevent the drug
gathering unit 30 from further descending. An elastic part 233
having compressive elasticity is disposed between the hook member
231 and the cart frame 21. The elastic part 233 allows the hook
member 231 to return to its original position by using elastic
force thereof when the hook member 231 is pushed toward the cart
frame 21.
[0082] The drugs gathered into the drug gathering unit 30 may be
accommodated into the drug transfer cart 20 through the
above-described processes as shown in FIG. 25. The drug transfer
cart 20 may be separated in one direction in the state where the
drug transfer cart 20 accommodates the drug gathering units
containing drugs.
[0083] The drug transfer cart 20 is separated to move so as to
transfer the drugs to each of patients. As shown in FIG. 26, the
drug transfer cart 20 may be movable by using a wheel 25. Also,
after the drug transfer cart 20 reaches a patient, the drug
gathering unit 30 may be withdrawn in a withdrawal direction D6 to
convey the drugs to the patient.
[0084] A damage prevention unit according to another embodiment
will be described with reference to FIGS. 27 and 28. FIGS. 27 and
28 are perspective views of a damage prevention unit according to
another embodiment.
[0085] A damage prevention unit 420a according to the current
embodiment is different from the above-described elevation-type
damage prevention unit in that the damage prevention unit 420a
rotatably operates.
[0086] The damage prevention unit 420a according to the current
embodiment includes a power transmission part 4211, a driving shaft
4212, a driven shaft 422, a rotation arm 4213, and an inclination
formation part 429a.
[0087] The driving shaft 4212 receives rotation force from the
power transmission part 4211 to rotate in a first direction or a
second direction that is a reverse direction of the first
direction. Here, the rotation arm 4213 is fixed to the driving
shaft 4212. Thus, as the driving shaft 4212 rotates, the rotation
arm 4213 rotates between an upper portion of the driving shaft 4212
and an upper portion of a drug gathering unit 30.
[0088] The driven shaft 422 is rotatably fixed to the other side of
the driving shaft 4212 of ends of the rotation arm 4213. Also, the
driven shaft 422 is connected to the driving shaft 4212 by using a
gear and a timing belt to receive the rotation force. Here, the
driven shaft 422 rotates in a direction opposite to the rotation
direction of the driving shaft 4212.
[0089] Thus, when the inclination formation part 429a rotates in a
direction opposite to that of the rotation arm 4213, the rotation
arm 4213 downwardly stands upright. Also, when the rotation arm
4213 rotates in a clockwise direction toward the drug gathering
unit 30, the inclination formation part 429a rotates in a
counterclockwise direction to form an inclination toward a bottom
surface of the drug gathering unit 30.
[0090] The inclination formation part 429a according to the current
embodiment may also minimize dropping impacts when the drugs are
introduced from the outside. In the current embodiment, to secure
an operation range of the damage prevention unit 420a, the drug
gathering unit 30 may have a length direction parallel to that of a
transfer unit 200.
[0091] A drug transfer cart according to another embodiment will be
described with reference to FIG. 29. FIG. 20 is a perspective view
of a drug gathering apparatus including a drug transfer cart
according to another embodiment.
[0092] A drug transfer cart 20a according to the current embodiment
includes an openable cart door 201a. The cart door 201a may be
provided in various types such as a hinge type or a separation
type. The cart door 201a may be configured to withdraw the drug
gathering units 30 that are stacked within the drug gathering cart
20a to the outside even though the drug transfer cart 20a is
accommodated within a drug gathering apparatus la.
[0093] The drug gathering apparatus according to the present
invention may gather drugs introduced by accurately repeatedly
supplying the drugs dispensed from the external device to the drug
gathering unit to maximize work efficiency.
[0094] Also, when drugs according to a patient's prescription are
transferred, a separate process for classifying the gathered drugs
may not be needed to simply the drug transfer process.
[0095] Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention are
described, the technical spirit of the present invention is not
limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments, and thus
various drug gathering apparatus can be realized without departing
form the spirit or scope of the invention.
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