Cap Assembly Obstruction Plate for Pharmaceutical Vial Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pharmaceutical vial monitoring devices are separate from the vials and can become detached, leading to undetected contamination or expiration, and are prone to battery failure or damage, allowing compromised products to be used.
Innovation Solution
A cap assembly with obstruction plates that automatically close when the product expires or is compromised by temperature, ensuring the product cannot be accessed, even if the monitoring device is damaged, and includes a mechanism to detect and respond to harmful conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate electronic monitoring devices are attached to vial packaging, then temperature and shelf life monitoring capability is improved, but device reliability deteriorates because the devices can become detached or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring device is merged with the cap assembly by integrating the electronic components, battery, and obstruction plate mechanism into a single unified structure that is permanently attached to the vial cap, eliminating the risk of detachment while maintaining monitoring functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic monitoring device is nested within the cap assembly structure, with the circuit board, battery, and obstruction plate housed inside the cap housing, creating a compact integrated unit that cannot become separated from the vial
2Measurement precision
If battery-operated electronic monitoring devices are used, then monitoring functionality is improved, but device reliability deteriorates due to battery failure or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The obstruction plate is pre-positioned in a blocked state and only moves to allow access after the monitoring system confirms the product is within acceptable temperature and shelf life parameters, preventing use of compromised products even if the battery later fails
Solution Approach 2:
The obstruction plate serves as a mechanical intermediary between the electronic monitoring system and the vial contents, providing a physical barrier that prevents access regardless of electronic system status, ensuring safety even when the battery dies
3Object-affected harmful factors
If safety caps with automatic resealing are used, then contamination prevention is improved, but product integrity monitoring deteriorates because there is no indication of expiration or temperature compromise
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring device continuously monitors temperature and calculates shelf life, providing feedback through visual indicators (LED lights) and audible alarms to communicate product status, and automatically blocking access when expiration or temperature compromise is detected
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses color-changing LED indicators to communicate product status - green indicates acceptable conditions, yellow indicates warning status, and red indicates expiration or temperature compromise, providing clear visual information about product integrity
Data Source
AI summary
A cap assembly for a container that holds a perishable product. The cap assembly defines an opening through which the perishable product inside the container can be accessed. At least one obstruction plate is present within the cap assembly. Each obstruction plate is positionable between an open position, where the obstruction plate is clear of the opening, and a closed position where the obstruction plate obstructs the opening. A mechanism is provided within the cap assembly that automatically moves each obstruction plate from its open position to its closed position when the shelf life of the perishable product has expired. Optionally, the cap assembly may also include at least one condition sensor for detecting a condition harmful to the perishable product in the container. The mechanism also closes each obstruction plate if such a harmful condition is detected by the condition sensor.