Pliers-Type Capsule Crusher with Segmented Jaw and Cleanup Pegs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals such as young children, the elderly, and the disabled face difficulties in swallowing whole pills, leading to time-consuming and potentially dangerous manual crushing methods that risk medication loss.
Innovation Solution
A pliers-type capsule cutter device with a cylindrical pin mechanism, featuring a fixed and movable jaw system with bladed edges and cleanup pegs, designed to crush pills and capsules, enhancing ease of ingestion while minimizing medication loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual crushing methods (fork, spoon, knife) are used, then the patient can take medication, but it is time-consuming and risks medication loss
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the pill crushing function into specialized components: a fixed jaw with cavity for positioning, a movable jaw with bladed section for cutting, and a cleanup jaw section with cylindrical pegs for retrieving remnants. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, reducing overall time and improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to be self-contained and easy to operate without requiring additional tools or assistance. The pliers-type design with handles allows the user to directly manipulate the jaws to crush and retrieve pills independently, eliminating the need for multiple separate tools and reducing time consumption
2Ease of operation
If manual crushing methods are used, then the patient can take medication, but some pill remnants may be unintentionally lost
Solution Approach 1:
The cleanup jaw section with cylindrical pegs automatically retrieves pill remnants from the cavity holes, ensuring that medication is not lost. The device performs both crushing and retrieval functions in one operation, eliminating the need for separate retrieval steps and preventing unintentional loss of medication
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding pill remnants as waste, the device recovers them through the cylindrical pegs that engage with holes in the fixed jaw. The pegs push remnants out of the cavity and into the user's hand, ensuring complete medication recovery and preventing loss
3Productivity
If a specialized capsule cutter device is used, then pill crushing efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device combines multiple functions into a single tool: the fixed jaw provides positioning, the movable jaw performs cutting with bladed edges, and the cleanup jaw section retrieves remnants. This multi-functionality improves productivity without requiring multiple separate devices, and the integrated design keeps overall complexity manageable
Solution Approach 2:
While the device has multiple components, they are segmented into distinct functional sections (fixed jaw, movable jaw with bladed section, cleanup jaw section) that work together systematically. This segmentation allows each component to be simple in design while the combination provides advanced functionality, balancing complexity with productivity
Data Source
AI summary
A capsule cutter device having a pliers-type design with two handles which open and close about a cylindrical pin is implemented to manipulate a head to crush pills, capsules, tablets, and the like. In typical implementations, the capsule cutter device may be comprised of metal such as steel, stainless steel, brass, copper, titanium, etc. The handles of the capsule cutter device may include an overlay material, such as rubber, to increase a user's comfort and grip during use. The pin about which the handles open and close may at least in part attach the handles to each other and extend along a horizontal axis of the head of the capsule cutter device. The pin may include a cylindrical pin that is secured on opposing sides using a head to secure components together and enable opening and closing.