Density Flow Meter for Pharmaceutical Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing dosing process for pharmaceutical formulations relies on visual assessment by operators, leading to variability and increased risk of air ingress into final dosage forms, resulting in under-weight or under-potent units due to inaccurate determination of the end point, especially when the storage vessel's bottom is difficult to visualize.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a density flow meter to automatically stop the dosing process when the pharmaceutical formulation's density falls below a predetermined threshold, eliminating the need for operator visual determination and preventing air ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If visual assessment by operator is used to determine end point, then operator can monitor formulation level, but accuracy and consistency of end point determination deteriorates due to difficulty visualizing storage vessel bottom
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual visual assessment system with an automated optical detection system. A light source illuminates the storage vessel bottom, and a detector automatically measures the reflected light intensity to determine when the formulation has been dosed. This substitution eliminates the limitations of human vision through the sight glass while providing precise, consistent end point detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection system between the operator and the formulation level. Instead of the operator directly observing the formulation through the sight glass, an optical sensor system acts as an intermediary that converts the physical state of the formulation (presence/absence at the bottom) into an electrical signal that can be accurately measured and processed.
2Productivity
If operator visually determines end point, then dosing process can be monitored, but air ingress risk increases due to missed or premature end point detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the optical detector continuously monitors the formulation level and provides real-time feedback to the dosing system. When the detector identifies that the formulation has reached the end point (by detecting the light reflection pattern indicating empty vessel bottom), it automatically signals to stop dosing, preventing air ingress while maintaining efficient continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-monitoring and self-regulation of the dosing process. The optical detection system automatically detects the end point condition and triggers the stop signal without requiring operator intervention, making the system self-sufficient in preventing air ingress while maintaining productivity.
3Illumination intensity
If sight glass is used to monitor formulation level, then operator can see into storage vessel, but view is obstructed by condensation and stirring mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from the visual domain and places it in the optical sensor domain. Instead of relying on the operator's visual capability through the sight glass, the system uses an optical sensor positioned to detect light reflection from the vessel bottom, thereby removing the detection task from the obstructed visual path entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent shifts the detection approach from a two-dimensional visual field (operator looking through sight glass) to a different dimensional measurement approach using optical intensity detection. The light source and detector are positioned to measure light reflection properties that indicate formulation presence, creating a new measurement dimension that bypasses the visual obstructions.
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 solution ensures consistent and accurate end points during dosing, reducing the risk of air ingress and improving product yield by automating the detection of the formulation's depletion level, thereby enhancing the reliability of the dosing process.
Implementation Method 1
a conventional dosing process requires visual assessment of the mix level in the pharmaceutical storage vessel as well as the assessment of the end point for the dosing process
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are systems and method for dosing a pharmaceutical formulation. These methods and systems can displace the pharmaceutical formulation through a density flow meter, wherein the density flow meter is configured to measure a density of the pharmaceutical formulation. Next, the pharmaceutical formulation can be dosed into preformed molds and the dosing process can be stopped when the density of the pharmaceutical formulation measured by the density flow meter is below a predetermined threshold.