Herbal Composition for Pleural Effusion Without Repeated Drainage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for pleural effusion, such as drainage or extraction, are limited to one side at a time, causing discomfort and potential irreversible lesions, and repeated procedures can lead to severe complications.

Innovation Solution

A Chinese medicine composition comprising Poria, Polyporus, Rhizoma Alismatis, and other herbs is administered to treat pleural effusion, alleviating symptoms and reducing fluid accumulation without surgical intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If drainage or extraction of pleural effusion is performed, then fluid accumulation is removed, but the patient experiences discomfort and risk of irreversible lesions from repeated procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepleural fluid accumulationVSAvoidpatient safety and comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical drainage/extraction system with a pharmaceutical composition that chemically addresses the underlying cause of pleural effusion. The composition contains multiple herbal ingredients that work synergistically to resolve fluid accumulation through pharmacological action rather than physical removal, thereby eliminating the need for repeated invasive procedures and their associated risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The pharmaceutical composition acts as an intermediary substance that mediates the treatment of pleural effusion. Rather than directly draining fluid, the composition introduces active pharmaceutical ingredients that intervene in the physiological processes causing fluid accumulation, promoting natural resolution while avoiding mechanical trauma to the patient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If repeated drainage or extraction is performed, then fluid accumulation is controlled, but irreversible lesions or death may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepleural fluid accumulationVSAvoidirreversible lesions and mortality
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the harmful mechanical drainage procedure with a safe pharmaceutical intervention. The composition addresses fluid accumulation through biochemical mechanisms that do not cause tissue damage, inflammation, or other harmful effects associated with repeated needle insertions and fluid extraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful approach of mechanical drainage into a beneficial pharmaceutical treatment. By using a carefully formulated composition of herbal ingredients, the treatment achieves fluid resolution while converting potential harm into therapeutic benefit through natural physiological processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Quantity of substance

If one-sided drainage is performed, then local fluid accumulation is relieved, but bilateral effusion causes ongoing discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocal pleural fluidVSAvoidpatient comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pharmaceutical composition possesses universal applicability for treating pleural effusion regardless of laterality. A single oral or injectable administration addresses fluid accumulation in one or both pleural cavities simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate procedures on each side and providing comprehensive relief from bilateral effusion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12582678B2Method for treating pleural effusion
Publication Date: 2026.03.24 TSENG HSUAN-CHING

AI summary

A method for treating pleural effusion includes: administering a Chinese medicine composition to a subject in need thereof; wherein, the Chinese medicine composition is an extract of a first mixture comprising Poria, Polyporus, Rhizoma Alismatis, Atractylodis Rhizoma, Pimenta Officinalis, Zingiberis Rhizoma, Aconiti Lateralis Radix praeparata, Phellodendron amurense, Angelica sinensis, Astragalus Membranaceus, Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix, Descurainiea Semen, Ephedra Sinica, Armeniacae Semen amarum, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Anredera Cordifolia and Velvet Antler.