Granule Dispenser With Selector Disk Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients on polypharmacy regimens face challenges with adhering to treatment due to the burden of consuming multiple medications in separate packaging, leading to difficulties in customizing and accurately dispensing precise drug dosages.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser for granules featuring a granular reservoir, selector disk, and holding disk, which allows for precise and continuous dispensing of granules through a mechanism where a protruding member on the selector disk occludes and aligns with dispensing apertures, enabling reliable dispensing of single or multiple granules based on the number of granules remaining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple medications are provided in separate packaging, then each medication can be stored and managed individually, but patient adherence decreases and customization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple medications in separate packaging into a single dispensing unit. The dispenser integrates multiple drug reservoirs and dispensing mechanisms into one device, allowing customized combinations of medications to be dispensed together, thereby improving patient adherence while maintaining customization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispenser is designed as a multi-functional device that can handle different types of medications simultaneously. It features multiple reservoirs, dispensing apertures, and control mechanisms that can accommodate various drug forms and dosing requirements, enabling one device to perform the function of multiple separate packaging systems.
2Measurement precision
If medications are dispensed in separate packaging, then dosage accuracy for each drug can be maintained, but the burden of consuming multiple medications increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser merges multiple medication dispensing operations into a single coordinated action. By integrating multiple drug reservoirs and dispensing mechanisms, the device can deliver precise dosages of multiple medications simultaneously, reducing the burden of consuming separate medications while maintaining dosage accuracy through controlled dispensing mechanisms.
3Measurement precision
If a dispenser mechanism is designed to dispense precise quantities of granules, then dosage accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser employs segmentation by dividing the granular reservoir into multiple discrete through-holes, each capable of holding and dispensing individual granules. This segmentation allows precise control over the number of granules dispensed without requiring complex measurement mechanisms, as each through-hole acts as an independent dosing unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The protruding member serves as an intermediary element that simplifies the dispensing mechanism. It selectively occludes or allows passage through the through-holes based on its position, enabling precise control over granule dispensing without complex mechanisms. The protruding member mediates between the reservoir and dispensing aperture, providing a simple yet effective means of dosage control.
4Productivity
If the dispenser uses a rotating selector disk with protruding members, then continuous dispensing is enabled, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser utilizes periodic action through the rotation of the selector disk. The protruding members on the rotating disk periodically align with and occlude the through-holes, creating a rhythmic dispensing pattern. This periodic rotation enables continuous dispensing operation while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure, as the repetitive rotational motion automatically controls the occlusion and release of granules.
Data Source
AI summary
A dispenser (100, 500, 900) for granules is disclosed herein. In a specific embodiment, the dispenser comprises a granular reservoir (1); a selector disk comprising (a) a feeder disk (2, 22, 52) comprising at least one protruding member (3, 23); and (b) a dispensing disk (8, 58) arranged to rotate in concert with the feeder disk (2, 22, 52). The dispensing disk further comprises at least one dispensing aperture (9) and a non-dispensing portion (103), the at least one dispensing aperture (9) being in registration with the at least one protruding member (3, 23). The dispenser (100, 500, 900) further comprises a holding disk (4, 94) comprising at least one through-hole (5) sandwiched between the feeder disk (2, 22, 52) and the dispensing disk (8, 58) and fixedly mounted with respect to the granular reservoir (1), wherein the selector disk is rotatable relative to the holding disk (4, 94) and the granular reservoir (1) between a first position in which the at least one protruding member (3, 23) is offset from the at least one through-hole (5) to allow a granule to be received from the granular reservoir and held within the at least one through-hole (5) by the non-dispensing portion (103) of the dispensing disk (8, 58) and a second position in which the at least one protruding member (3, 23) occludes the at least one through-hole (5) to allow the granule held in the at least one through-hole to dispense through the at least one dispensing aperture (9). Methods of dispensing granules using the dispenser (100, 500, 900) are also disclosed.