Capsule-Based Sublingual and Gastrointestinal Medication Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for rapid delivery of medications in medical emergencies, such as acute coronary insufficiency or hypertensive crises, lack a safe and efficient self-administration technique that prevents overdose and ensures rapid absorption into the bloodstream.

Innovation Solution

A capsular method where a portion of the liquid medication is applied sublingually and the remaining portion is swallowed for gastrointestinal absorption, limiting the dose and ensuring rapid and prolonged absorption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If liquid medication is delivered via pump spray for sublingual administration, then rapid absorption into the bloodstream is achieved, but the risk of overdose increases due to unlimited dosing capability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabsorption speedVSAvoidoverdose prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The total medication volume is segmented into two distinct delivery pathways: a measured sublingual portion for rapid absorption and the remaining portion for gastrointestinal absorption. This segmentation allows the system to provide both rapid effect (via sublingual route) and controlled dosing (via pre-measured capsule volume), resolving the contradiction between speed and safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The capsule serves as an intermediary device that pre-measures and contains the total therapeutic dose. By using the capsule as a mediator between the medication source and the patient, the system eliminates the need for patients to measure doses themselves, thereby preventing overdose while enabling rapid sublingual administration of a precise portion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If intravenous infusion is used for medication delivery, then the fastest delivery to the bloodstream is achieved, but self-administration capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery speedVSAvoidself-administration capability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The capsule-based system enables self-service by allowing patients to independently administer a precisely measured portion of their own medication sublingually. The pre-measured capsule eliminates the need for medical professionals or complex dosing equipment, making rapid medication delivery accessible to patients in emergency situations at home

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the essential function of rapid medication delivery from the hospital setting (intravenous infusion) and transfers it to the home setting through sublingual administration of a pre-measured capsule portion. This extraction allows the speed benefit to be preserved while removing the dependency on medical professionals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Quantity of substance

If a large volume of liquid medication is used to ensure adequate therapeutic dose, then sufficient medication is delivered, but sublingual absorption becomes impractical due to volume limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic doseVSAvoidsublingual delivery feasibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The total therapeutic dose is segmented into two parts: a small sublingual portion (0.2-0.5 mL) that is practical for rapid absorption and a remaining portion that ensures adequate total dosage. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by making the sublingual portion manageable while preserving the full therapeutic effect through combined absorption pathways

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges two absorption routes (sublingual and gastrointestinal) into a single comprehensive delivery system. By combining these pathways, the system achieves both rapid initial effect (sublingual) and sufficient total dosage (GI tract absorption of remaining capsule contents), resolving the volume-feasibility contradiction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 allows for immediate sublingual absorption and prolonged gastrointestinal absorption, preventing overdose and achieving rapid and sustained therapeutic effects, comparable to intravenous delivery in medical emergencies.

Implementation Method 1

a portion of the pre-determined volume is discharged from the capsule into the mouth of an individual requiring the medication for sublingual absorption

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMucosal absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

the capsule is ingested so that it will be dissolved and the portion of the medication remaining in the capsule will be absorbed in the gastro-intestinal tract

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGastrointestinal absorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS8865209B1Combined sublingual and gastro-intestinal delivery method of a liquid medication in a single volume limited dose

Publication Date: 2014.10.21 BUSIASHVILI YURI

AI summary

A method is disclosed for self-administered delivery of a pre-determined amount of liquid medication where a portion of the liquid medication is administered sublingually and the remaining portion is swallowed for and gastro-intestinal absorption.