Bolus Manufacturing via Vibration Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for manufacturing boluses, particularly those with high densifiers, face challenges such as separation of densifiers from other components during processing, leading to poor sustained release profiles and brittleness, which affects the integrity and effectiveness of the bolus.
Innovation Solution
A process involving introducing a densifier and a binder into a mould without pre-mixing, followed by vibration to mix and solidify the contents, allowing for improved dispersion and retention of the densifier within the bolus, thereby enhancing release profiles and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional extrusion or compression moulding methods are used to manufacture boluses with high densifier content, then the bolus can be formed with sufficient weight and shape, but the densifier separates from other components during processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration during the moulding process to mix and consolidate the densifier and binder materials. The vibration energy prevents densifier separation while enabling proper consolidation without requiring high compression pressures that would cause segregation. This resolves the contradiction by using vibrational energy instead of pure mechanical compression to achieve homogeneous mixing and stable composition.
2Strength
If high compression pressure is applied during bolus manufacturing to consolidate the mixture, then the bolus achieves sufficient density and strength, but the densifier separates from the binder
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces high-compression mechanical consolidation with mechanical vibration to achieve bolus density and strength. The vibration consolidates the material through particle rearrangement and binding without the excessive compressive forces that cause densifier-binder separation. This maintains both bolus integrity and compositional stability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameters of the binder material, specifically using a low melting point binder that becomes fluid during processing and then solidifies. This parameter change allows consolidation at lower pressures while maintaining component distribution, resolving the contradiction between strength and composition stability.
3Loss of substance
If the binder is used in minimal quantity to reduce waste, then material efficiency improves, but the bolus becomes brittle and densifier separation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the binder by selecting materials with low melting points that transition to fluid states during processing. This allows minimal binder quantities to effectively bind and cohere the densifier particles through fluid infiltration and subsequent solidification, achieving both material efficiency and bolus toughness without densifier separation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method produces boluses with improved release profiles for active substances and eliminates the need for high-pressure compression, resulting in a more cost-efficient and effective bolus formation with enhanced integrity and consistency.
Implementation Method 1
the binder comprises a resin or a wax and is fluid during steps a. and b.
Implementation Method 2
mixing the contents of the mould, which comprise the densifier and the binder, by vibration
Data Source
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AI summary
A process for manufacturing a bolus, wherein the method comprises the steps of:- introducing a densifier and a binder into a mould; vibrating the contents of the mould, which comprise the densifier and the binder, and ;solidifying the contents of the mould so as to form a bolus. The invention also relates to a bolus of bolus composition manufactured according to the aforementioned process.