Dispensing Gun Pawl-Spring Ratchet for EMP Jar Actuation
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for dispensing pharmaceutical compounds from compounding vessels, such as EMP jars, face challenges with manual force requirements, inefficiency, and lack of control, especially in larger volumes, and are not cost-effective or portable.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing gun with a pawl-spring assembly, hand-housing, and interchangeable cradle that allows for controlled and metered dispensing through a plunger assembly with notched push rods, enabling easy and ergonomic dispensing from various vessel sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If manual force is applied to the movable piston bottom of large-volume EMP jars (200 mL and larger), then dispensing can be achieved, but the surface area of the piston increases making it difficult to push and control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dispensing gun with a push rod as an intermediary mechanical advantage device between the operator's hand and the piston bottom. The push rod transfers and amplifies the applied force, making it easier to move the large-surface-area piston in large-volume EMP jars while maintaining control over the dispensing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct manual pushing of the piston bottom with a mechanical lever system (dispensing gun with push rod). This mechanical substitution provides force multiplication and improved ergonomics, allowing operators to easily dispense from large-volume jars without directly applying force to the large piston surface.
2Productivity
If an attachable spindle is used to actuate the movable piston bottom in large-volume EMP jars, then dispensing can be achieved, but the spindle can perforate the piston bottom introducing plastic particulates and is prone to malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable or replaceable push rod tip that interfaces with the piston bottom. This disposable component can be easily replaced if damaged, preventing contamination from plastic particulates and eliminating the risk of permanent malfunction. The push rod itself serves as a reliable, non-invasive actuation mechanism.
3Productivity
If a pneumatic pump is used to actuate the movable piston bottom, then dispensing can be achieved, but air must be introduced below the piston which is inefficient for large dosages and does not allow reliable control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pneumatic actuation system with a direct mechanical push rod system. This mechanical system provides precise control over the dispensing amount through direct physical contact and controlled movement of the piston bottom, eliminating the inefficiencies and control issues associated with pneumatic pumps while maintaining productivity.
4Measurement precision
If the Topi-Click Filling Station is used to dispense formulation, then better control of dispensing is achieved, but the unit is large and not portable and requires custom hole cutting in the piston bottom
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the dispensing system into a handheld dispensing gun that can be easily attached to and removed from EMP jars. This segmented design provides the control benefits of larger systems while maintaining portability and versatility, eliminating the need for custom modifications to the piston bottom and allowing the device to be used with various vessel sizes.
5Ease of operation
If the applicator tip is used as a manual push rod for 200 mL EMP jars, then dispensing can be achieved, but the applicator tip can only be used as either the manual push rod or the applicator during a dispensing operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a dispensing gun with a universal push rod assembly that can function both as the actuation mechanism and as part of the applicator system. The push rod integrates multiple functions: actuating the piston, controlling dispensing flow, and potentially serving as part of the application interface, thereby eliminating the need to choose between push rod and applicator functions.
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 system provides efficient, controlled, and metered dispensing of pharmaceutical compounds, minimizing contamination and operational effort, and is cost-effective and portable, addressing the limitations of existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
The push rod selectively cooperates with the pawl-spring assembly to advance the push rod and the push rod head during a dispensing operation
Data Source
AI summary
A compounding dispensing gun includes a pawl-spring assembly and a hand-housing assembly. The hand-housing assembly is coupled to the pawl-spring assembly. The hand-housing assembly has a handle. A plunger assembly extends through the hand-housing assembly and includes a push rod and a push rod head removably coupled to the push rod. The push rod has a plurality of first notches and a plurality of second notches formed thereon. The push rod selectively cooperates with the pawl-spring assembly to advance the push rod and the push rod head during a dispensing operation.