Biologic Drug Dispensing With On-Site Thawing and Authorization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated devices for distributing pharmaceuticals lack the capability to handle and process biologic drugs effectively, particularly living cell drugs, which require specific conditions and authorization, limiting their accessibility and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An automated device with a storage chamber, processing compartment, and dispensing chamber, connected via a secure internet system, allows for the storage and processing of biologic drugs, including living cells, at point-of-care sites, enabling remote authorization and processing cycles such as thawing, washing, and formulation for administration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated devices are used for distributing pharmaceuticals, then efficiency and accessibility are improved, but the capability to handle biologic drugs effectively is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The automated device is designed to handle multiple types of pharmaceutical products including both conventional drugs and biologic drugs such as living cell drugs. The system incorporates specialized storage chambers with controlled temperature and atmosphere, processing compartments for cell manipulation, and dispensing mechanisms that can accommodate different product types, thereby achieving multi-functionality and resolving the contradiction between distribution efficiency and adaptability to biologic drugs
2Adaptability or versatility
If biologic drugs are manufactured at remote locations and transported to point-of-care sites, then global accessibility is improved, but the risk of mishandling and loss of biological activity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary processing of biologic drugs at the point-of-care site before administration. The automated device includes processing compartments that can thaw, wash, and formulate frozen biologic drugs on-demand, eliminating the need for complex transport and storage of live cells from remote manufacturing locations. This preliminary action at the point-of-use resolves the contradiction by maintaining biological activity while achieving global accessibility through centralized manufacturing
3Reliability
If patients travel to manufacturing sites for drug administration, then drug freshness and biological activity are maintained, but patient convenience and accessibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The automated device enables self-service or automated administration of biologic drugs at point-of-care sites located near patients. The system autonomously manages storage, processing, and dispensing of drugs, eliminating the need for patients to travel to remote manufacturing facilities. This self-service capability at local sites resolves the contradiction by maintaining drug freshness through on-demand processing while dramatically improving patient accessibility and convenience
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for dispensing biologic drug compositions. The apparatus includes an automated device that can store a biologic drug under the desired conditions. When authorized, the automated device can process the stored biologic drug by performing the desired processing steps to prepare the biologic drug for administration to a patient. The automated device may include a computing system to transmit patient information to a remote location and receive authorization from a remote location.