Real-time Compounding 3D Printer for Personalized Medication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current compounding methods for personalized medicine are time-consuming and costly due to the need for manual handling by pharmacists, which hinders the rapid production of customized medications.

Innovation Solution

A real-time compounding 3D printer system that receives parameters for personalized medication, mixes ingredients, and micro-dispenses them into dose form, enabling rapid production of customized medications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual compounding by pharmacists is used, then medication customization is achieved, but compounding time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedication customizationVSAvoidcompounding speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical compounding process performed by pharmacists with an automated 3D printing system. The system uses computer-controlled extrusion of melted polymer and medication particles to create customized capsules, eliminating the need for manual mixing and packaging while maintaining full customization capabilities for dosage strength, flavor, and medication composition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables rapid customization by changing digital parameters in the prescription data rather than physically adjusting each component. The computer system can instantly modify dosage amounts, medication combinations, capsule sizes, and flavor profiles by altering numerical values in the digital prescription, then automatically adjusts the 3D printing parameters accordingly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual compounding methods are used, then personalized medication is produced, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepersonalization capabilityVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive manual labor with an automated 3D printing system that uses computer-controlled extrusion. The system melts polymer material and medication particles together, then deposits them layer by layer to form customized capsules, eliminating the need for pharmacist time while maintaining full personalization capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The 3D printing system is designed to handle multiple types of medications, polymers, and flavorings using the same basic apparatus. A single machine can produce different capsule types, dosages, and formulations by simply changing the digital prescription parameters and material inputs, making the system universally applicable to various compounding needs without requiring separate equipment for each medication type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12303603B2Real-time compounding 3D printer

Publication Date: 2025.05.20 SCIPERIO INC

AI summary

A method for delivery of personalized medication or nutrition for an individual is provided. The method includes receiving parameters for the personalized medication at a 3D printer, wherein the parameters comprise one or more ingredients, mixing at least one of the ingredients at the 3D printer, and micro-dispensing the one or more of the ingredients into dose form at the 3D printer.