Calcium Carbonate Granulation for Compact High-Density Tablets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing calcium supplements, particularly those in the form of calcium carbonate, often result in large volume tablets that are difficult for consumers to swallow, leading to reduced patient compliance, especially in elderly populations prone to osteoporosis.
Innovation Solution
A granulation process involving ground calcium carbonate with the addition of a porosity increasing agent such as polyethylene glycol or a hydrophilic surfactant, allowing for the creation of high-density tablets with reduced volume, achieved through a combination of high calcium carbonate loading and low excipient content, enabling smaller, more manageable dosage forms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high calcium carbonate loading is used to provide adequate calcium content, then calcium supplementation effectiveness is improved, but tablet volume increases making them difficult to swallow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the density parameter of the calcium carbonate granulation by controlling particle size distribution and granulation characteristics. By optimizing these parameters, the tablet achieves high calcium content with reduced volume, resolving the contradiction between quantity and volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite granulation system combining calcium carbonate with specific excipients and binders in optimized proportions. This composite approach allows high calcium loading while maintaining low tablet volume through improved compaction characteristics.
2Ease of manufacture
If precipitated calcium carbonate is used for its small particle size and good compressibility, then manufacturing ease is improved, but granulation density decreases resulting in larger volume tablets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the particle size distribution parameter and granulation density parameter of the calcium carbonate material. By optimizing these parameters, the formulation achieves both good compressibility and high granulation density, reducing tablet volume while maintaining manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different particle size distributions to different portions of the granulation process. By controlling local particle characteristics during granulation, the formulation achieves optimal compressibility in certain regions while maintaining overall high density, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and tablet volume.
3Volume of stationary object
If ground calcium carbonate is used instead of precipitated form, then granulation density is improved, but compressibility and tablet strength are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite formulation combining ground calcium carbonate with specific binders and excipients in optimized proportions. This composite approach compensates for the reduced compressibility of ground calcium carbonate, maintaining tablet strength while achieving high granulation density and reduced volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the particle size distribution parameter and moisture content parameter of the ground calcium carbonate granulation. By controlling these parameters, the formulation achieves high density while maintaining sufficient compressibility and tablet strength through improved granule characteristics.
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
The resulting tablets exhibit high density, low friability, rapid disintegration, and excellent dissolution properties, making them easier to swallow and more compliant with patient needs while maintaining high calcium content.
Implementation Method 1
addition of a porosity increasing agent such as polyethylene glycol or a hydrophilic surfactant to calcium carbonate powder, a granulation can be prepared having excellent compressibility
Implementation Method 2
granulating calcium carbonate powder, typically with a binder
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions comprising calcium carbonate and processes for making such compositions are provided. The invention provides a granulation comprising about 95% to about 99% by weight calcium carbonate, about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of a binder and about 0.03% to about 3% by weight of a porosity increasing agent. A pharmaceutical or nutritional composition prepared from such a granulation comprises about 90% to about 99% by weight calcium carbonate, about 0.03% to about 3% by weight of a porosity increasing agent, and about 1% to about 10% by weight of other excipients. The composition provides a smaller tablet than conventional calcium carbonate compositions, for improved ease of swallowing.