Inert Gas Packaging for Ingestible Micro-Device Tablets
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Solution Overview
Problem
The anode electrode in micro-device embedded tablets, typically made of copper chloride, deteriorates over time due to contact with oxygen and moisture in the atmosphere, leading to failure in signal transmission when ingested.
Innovation Solution
The tablets are packaged in a low-oxygen environment using inert gases like nitrogen, isolating them from oxygen and moisture, which prevents electrode deterioration and ensures stable signal transmission even after a long period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the anode electrode is made of copper chloride to enable chemical battery function, then the micro-device can generate electric power through ionization reactions, but the electrode deteriorates over time due to contact with oxygen and moisture in the atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the inert atmosphere principle by packaging the tablet in a container filled with inert gas (nitrogen or carbon dioxide) to replace the ambient air. This creates a protective environment that prevents oxygen and moisture from contacting the copper chloride anode electrode, thereby preventing deterioration reactions while maintaining the electrode's electrochemical functionality for power generation
2Device complexity
If the tablet is packaged in ambient atmosphere to simplify packaging, then packaging complexity is reduced, but the electrode contacts oxygen and moisture leading to formation of copper chloride hydroxide and signal transmission failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements inert atmosphere packaging by sealing the tablet in a container and filling it with inert gas. This approach maintains relatively simple packaging structure while effectively isolating the electrode from harmful atmospheric components, ensuring reliable signal transmission by preventing electrode deterioration over storage periods
Solution Approach 2:
The inert gas acts as an intermediary substance between the electrode and the ambient atmosphere. It physically separates the copper chloride electrode from oxygen and moisture, preventing harmful chemical reactions while allowing the packaging to remain relatively simple in structure
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
The packaging in a low-oxygen environment effectively prevents the formation of copper chloride hydroxide on the anode electrode, allowing the micro-device to maintain signal transmission capability when ingested, even after extended storage.
Implementation Method 1
copper chloride (CuCl) forming the anode electrode of the micro-device contacts oxygen (O2) and water (H2O) in the ambient atmosphere to generate copper chloride hydroxide (Cu2(OH)3Cl) leading the deterioration of the anode electrode
Implementation Method 2
copper chloride (CuCl) forming the anode electrode of the micro-device contacts oxygen (O2) and water (H2O) in the ambient atmosphere to generate copper chloride hydroxide (Cu2(OH)3Cl)
Implementation Method 3
the micro-device has a pair of anode and cathode electrodes with mutually different ionization tendencies and a transmitter operable to transmit a signal using electric power generated between the electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is packaged medicine capable of inhibiting deterioration of electrodes over a long period of time and reliably transmitting a signal after ingestion even when a long period of time has elapsed since production to ingestion. The packaged medicine includes a solid medicine including drug powder and a micro-device, a container provided with a solid medicine accommodating space accommodating the solid medicine therein, and inert gas encapsulated in the solid medicine accommodating space. The micro-device includes two electrodes with mutually different ionization tendencies and a transmitter operable to transmit a signal using electromotive force generated when the electrodes come in contact with electrolyte.