Electromagnetic Wave Lubricant Spread Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for evaluating the spread state of lubricants in tablet manufacturing are inadequate, as existing techniques are not precise and often destructive, making it difficult to monitor the lubricant's distribution in real-time, which affects the quality of the tablets.
Innovation Solution
A device that uses electromagnetic waves within the frequency range of 20 GHz to 500 THz to analyze the spread state of lubricants by detecting reflectance changes on a total reflection surface, allowing for the extraction of manufacturing conditions such as mixing time and rotation speed, and determining the spread state through principal component analysis and derivative calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electron microscope observation, contact angle measurement, or discharge force analysis are used to evaluate lubricant spread, then the spread degree can be assessed, but these methods are destructive, not real-time, and difficult to use as PAT tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/destructive testing methods (electron microscope observation, contact angle measurement, discharge force analysis) with electromagnetic wave-based non-destructive measurement. The system uses electromagnetic waves in the 20 GHz to 500 THz range to measure lubricant spread through reflectance changes, enabling real-time monitoring without destroying the tablet sample.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic waves as an intermediary medium to indirectly measure lubricant spread. Instead of directly observing or mechanically testing the lubricant-coated particles, the system measures changes in electromagnetic wave reflectance caused by the lubricant's presence and distribution, providing real-time data without direct contact or destruction of the sample.
2Loss of information
If sum of absorbances in wavelength ranges including absorbed wavelength characteristic to lubricant component is measured, then lubricant distribution information can be obtained, but this does not directly reflect the spread of lubricant attached to medicine particles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from absorbance (which provides indirect lubricant distribution information) to reflectance (which directly reflects lubricant spread state). By measuring how electromagnetic waves are reflected from the particle surfaces rather than how much is absorbed, the system obtains direct information about lubricant coating and spread without the information loss associated with absorbance measurements.
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
Enables precise, non-destructive real-time monitoring of lubricant spread, improving the quality control of tablets by accurately assessing the spread state and optimizing manufacturing conditions.
Implementation Method 1
An optical element has a total reflection surface for totally reflecting the electromagnetic wave, and causes the device under test to receive an evanescent wave generated from the total reflection surface
Implementation Method 2
An electromagnetic wave detector detects the electromagnetic wave totally reflected by the total reflection surface
Data Source
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AI summary
According to the present invention, a device for analyzing a spread state of a lubricant (1) in a device under test in which particles constructing a tablet and the lubricant are mixed with each other, includes: an electromagnetic wave output device; an optical element (14); an electromagnetic wave detector (10); a spectrum deriving unit; and a characteristic extraction unit. An electromagnetic wave output device (12) outputs an electromagnetic wave. An optical element has a total reflection surface for totally reflecting the electromagnetic wave, and causes the device under test to receive an evanescent wave generated from the total reflection surface. An electromagnetic wave detector detects the electromagnetic wave totally reflected by the total reflection surface. A spectrum deriving unit derives a reflectance of the electromagnetic wave on the total reflection surface or a value based on the reflectance based on a detection result by the electromagnetic wave detector while the reflectance or the value based on the reflectance is associated with the frequency of the electromagnetic wave and a manufacturing condition of the particle or the device under test. A characteristic extraction unit (20g) extracts a characteristic based on the manufacturing condition from a derived result by the spectrum deriving unit.