Pill Swallowing Device With Deformable Liquid Reservoir
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods and devices for aiding pill swallowing are inefficient in coating pills completely and delivering them without an unpleasant aftertaste, often leading to compliance issues, especially for individuals with dysphagia or animals, and can be messy or unsafe.
Innovation Solution
A refillable, dishwasher-safe pill swallowing device with a deformable reservoir containing an edible liquid, equipped with a liquid refilling port, pill transit port, and a cap with a pill-positioning insert, which coats the pill uniformly and facilitates easy swallowing by squeezing it into the mouth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pill coating product with thick consistency is used, then the pill coating provides lubrication, but the coating may not be complete and results in increased aftertaste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the coating material from thick paste to liquid form, and introduces a deformable reservoir system that applies the liquid coating through controlled squeezing. This parameter change enables complete coating coverage while controlling the application process to minimize aftertaste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a deformable reservoir that uses hydraulic pressure (liquid under pressure) to deliver the coating material. The squeezing action creates controlled pressure to ensure complete coating coverage, and the liquid form allows for more precise and complete application compared to thick paste formulations.
2Ease of operation
If a pill coating product is applied with a spoon, then the coating can be applied, but the process is messy and hygiene is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual spoon application with a hydraulic liquid delivery system. The deformable reservoir uses liquid pressure to deliver the coating material precisely where needed, eliminating the messiness of manual application while maintaining complete coating coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a deformable reservoir as an intermediary device between the coating material and the pill. This reservoir system controls the delivery of the coating material, preventing direct contact between the user and the coating substance, thereby improving hygiene while maintaining ease of operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a refillable device with deformable reservoir is used, then hygiene is improved and mess is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the device into distinct functional segments: a refillable reservoir component, a deformable coating chamber, and a pill delivery mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity and improving hygiene through separateable, washable parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable reservoir serves multiple functions: it stores the liquid coating material, applies the coating through controlled squeezing, and can be refilled. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing device complexity while improving hygiene and ease of operation.
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 device effectively coats pills for easy swallowing, reduces aftertaste, minimizes mess, and enhances hygiene, making it suitable for individuals with swallowing difficulties and animals, while being easy to clean and use.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable reservoir for holding an edible liquid
Implementation Method 2
The pill positioning insert is configured to direct the pill into the edible liquid, thereby coating the pill with the edible liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A pill swallowing device comprising a deformable reservoir for holding an edible liquid; a liquid refilling port attached to the deformable reservoir; a pill transit port for loading and discharging pills attached to the deformable reservoir; and a cap detachably connected to the pill transit port, the cap comprising a pill-positioning insert that engages the pill, that projects into the deformable reservoir for directing the pill inside the reservoir.