Flavoring Valve Assembly for Automated Medication Reconstitution

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current pharmaceutical products have limited flavored alternatives, making it time-consuming and inefficient to manually select and combine flavors for liquid medications, which can result in suboptimal taste profiles and low patient compliance.

Innovation Solution

An automatic flavoring and water dispensing system with a valve assembly that includes solenoid valves, deformable membranes, and multiple flavoring containers, allowing for precise control of flavor and water delivery based on medication type and flavor options, using an input device to determine the required amounts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual selection and combination of flavors is used, then flexibility in flavor customization is achieved, but time consumption increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflavor customization flexibilityVSAvoiddispensing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses an input device to automatically identify the medication type and a formulary to automatically select and determine the amounts of flavors to be dispensed, eliminating the need for manual selection and combination of flavors while maintaining customization flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated electronic system that includes an input device for data entry, a formulary for automated flavor selection, and a dispensing system with solenoid valves for precise automated delivery of flavors and water

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If limited flavored alternatives are provided, then device complexity is reduced, but patient compliance and adherence decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidpatient compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The valve assembly is designed as a multi-functional device that can dispense multiple different flavors and water for reconstitution through a single integrated system, allowing the device to handle various medication types and flavor combinations without requiring multiple separate devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the flavor dispensing function into multiple independent flavor containers, each connected to the valve assembly through separate channels, allowing individual control of each flavor while maintaining a unified dispensing system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If automated dispensing system is implemented, then dispensing speed and precision are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing speedVSAvoidvalve assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple flavor dispensing functions and water reconstitution function into a single integrated valve assembly, where multiple solenoid valves control different flavor channels and water delivery through a unified membrane structure, reducing the need for separate devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve assembly uses a deformable membrane as a flexible sealing element that can be actuated by solenoid valves to control flow paths for multiple flavors and water, providing precise automated control while maintaining a compact and relatively simple structural design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 efficient and customizable flavoring and reconstitution of medications, improving taste profiles and patient compliance by automating the dispensing process with precise control over flavor and water amounts.

Implementation Method 1

a solenoid valve assembly mounted on the upper valve block comprising multiple solenoids with solenoid valve plungers extending through the upper valve block

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolenoid: Solenoid

Implementation Method 2

a deformable valve membrane between the upper and lower valve blocks structured and arranged to block the flavoring delivery holes when the solenoid valve plungers are in extended positions pressing against portions of the valve membrane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformable membrane: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10926995B2Valve assemblies for use in automatic flavoring dispensing systems

Publication Date: 2021.02.23 FILLMASTER SYSTEMS LLC

AI summary

Automatic flavoring and water dispensing systems are disclosed. The systems may be used to add flavorings to medications, and to reconstitute medications by adding water. The systems include multiple flavoring containers communicating with a valve assembly that controls the type and amount of each flavoring to be delivered during a dispensing operation. Water for reconstitution purposes may be provided through the flavoring valve assembly and/or through a separate valve. An input device such as a code scanner may be used to input data regarding the type of medication to be flavored into the system, and a flavoring formulary may be used to provide multiple flavoring options. The dispensing system allows for automatic dispensing of medication flavorings and/or reconstitution water from a single unit.