Glass Tube Geometry Tracking for Precise Syringe Cutting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing glass tubes for pharmaceutical packagings, such as syringes and cartridges, struggle to maintain precise geometric parameters like inner diameter within the μm range, leading to inconsistent quality and reduced dose capacity in auto-injectors due to variations in tube dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for continuously measuring and connecting geometric parameters of continuous elongated glass elements, allowing for precise cutting and sorting to ensure consistent quality, including the use of interferometers for accurate measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the size of the syringe or cartridge is reduced to minimize auto-injector size, then the device size is reduced, but the volume and number of doses are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the glass tube (inner diameter, wall thickness) to optimize the syringe volume. By precisely controlling these parameters within tight tolerances, the syringe can maintain adequate volume while minimizing overall device size, thus resolving the contradiction between compactness and dose capacity.
2Volume of moving object
If the concentration of medical compound is increased to maintain dose capacity with smaller syringes, then the volume per dose is reduced, but the geometric parameters must be known precisely in the μm range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary measurement of geometric parameters during the glass tube manufacturing process, before the tube is cut and assembled into the syringe. This preliminary characterization allows the geometric parameters to be known with high precision (in the μm range) in advance, enabling accurate dose volume calculation even with increased compound concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback loop where measured geometric parameters from the glass tube are used to calculate and control the precise volume of medical compound to be filled. This feedback mechanism ensures that even with high compound concentration, the actual dose volume delivered remains accurate, resolving the contradiction between reduced volume and precision requirements.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional glass tube production methods are used, then production is simpler, but geometric parameters vary significantly along the cylindrical portion and between different tubes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary measurement and characterization of geometric parameters during glass tube production. By measuring parameters such as inner diameter, wall thickness, and length at multiple points along the tube before cutting, the system establishes a quality profile that ensures consistency. This preliminary action maintains production efficiency while achieving the required geometric precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical measurement methods with optical measurement techniques (such as interferometry or laser-based systems) to measure geometric parameters with micrometer precision. This substitution enables high-precision measurement without significantly complicating the manufacturing process, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and geometric consistency.
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
Ensures high-quality cut elongated glass elements with reliable geometric parameters, improving the consistency and efficiency of pharmaceutical packaging production, particularly for syringes and cartridges.
Implementation Method 1
the use of interferometers for accurate measurements
Data Source
AI summary
A method for obtaining cut elongated glass elements includes: providing a continuous elongated glass element; continuously measuring one or more geometric parameters of the continuous elongated glass element to obtain one or more continuous geometric parameters; cutting the continuous elongated glass element to obtain cut elongated glass elements; measuring one or more geometric parameters at one or more points along a rotation axis of one or more of the cut elongated glass elements to obtain one or more individual geometric parameters; and connecting the one or more of the continuous geometric parameters with the one or more of the individual geometric parameters.