Micro Drop Pill Preparation for Cardiovascular TCM

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for treating angina pectoris, such as traditional Chinese medicine preparations like Compound Salvia Drop Pill, face challenges including low drug-loading capacity, large amount of matrix, and poor bioavailability due to outdated production processes.

Innovation Solution

A micro drop pill preparation method is developed, which involves a traditional Chinese medicine composition comprising Salvia Militiorrhiza and Panax Notoginseng extract with borneol, combined with a drop pill matrix in a ratio of 1:5~5:1 by weight, using a process that includes material melting, vibration dropping, and rapid cooling to produce micro drop pills with improved drug-loading capacity and bioavailability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If traditional drop pill preparation method is used, then the medicine can be formed into pills, but the unit drug loading capacity is small and the amount of matrix is very large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrug loading capacityVSAvoidamount of matrix
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the preparation parameters by controlling the dropping height (50-200mm), dropping speed (5-20 drops/second), and cooling temperature (0-10℃) to produce micro drop pills with diameter of 0.5-2.5mm. These parameter changes enable high drug loading capacity (25-75% w/w) while reducing matrix amount, resolving the contradiction between drug loading capacity and matrix quantity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from traditional large-scale drop pills to micro-scale drop pills by changing the size dimension. The micro drop pills have diameter of 0.5-2.5mm compared to traditional larger pills, which increases the surface area to volume ratio and enables higher drug loading capacity per unit weight, thus resolving the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If traditional drop pill preparation method is used, then the pills can be formed, but the dropping rate is low and the production cycle is long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedropping rateVSAvoidproduction cycle
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements continuous dropping and cooling processes without interruption. The molten medicine mixture is continuously dropped into the cooling liquid medium at controlled rates, and the micro drop pills are continuously formed and collected. This continuous operation eliminates idle time between batches, significantly increasing dropping rate and reducing production cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses rapid cooling (0-10℃) to quickly solidify the dropped medicine mixture, skipping the slow natural cooling process. This rapid phase transition from liquid to solid dramatically reduces the time required for each drop to solidify, thereby increasing the overall dropping rate and shortening the production cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Manufacturing precision

If traditional drop pill preparation method is used, then the pills can be formed, but the roundness is poor and the variation on pill weight and particle size is large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepill uniformityVSAvoidroundness
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The invention maintains consistent dropping conditions by controlling the dropping height (50-200mm) and dropping speed (5-20 drops/second) to ensure each drop experiences similar physical conditions during formation. This equipotential approach ensures uniform solidification and consistent shape, improving roundness and reducing variation in weight and particle size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces manual or mechanical dropping methods with a controlled dropping system that maintains constant parameters. The standardized dropping process, combined with uniform cooling liquid flow, substitutes variable mechanical operations with a controlled system that produces consistent micro drop pills with high roundness and uniformity.

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

4Loss of time

If traditional drying methods are used, then the drop pills can be dried, but the drying time is prolonged and volatile oil may evaporate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying timeVSAvoidevaporation of volatile oil
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses rapid cooling (0-10℃) to quickly solidify the dropped medicine mixture, skipping the slow natural cooling process. This rapid phase transition from liquid to solid dramatically reduces the time required for each drop to solidify, thereby increasing the overall dropping rate and shortening the production cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

5Measurement precision

If micro drop pills with diameter less than 2.5mm are prepared, then the dosage accuracy is improved, but the patients have to take a lot of pills which is hard to swallow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosage accuracyVSAvoidease of swallowing
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from traditional large-scale drop pills to micro-scale drop pills by changing the size dimension. The micro drop pills have diameter of 0.5-2.5mm, which improves dosage accuracy but may affect swallowability. The standardized small size enables precise dosing while maintaining acceptable swallowability through uniform shape and size control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 micro drop pill preparation achieves a higher drug-loading capacity, improved bioavailability, and enhanced clinical efficacy for treating acute myocardial infarction and acute myocardial ischemia, while also simplifying the production process and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

cooling the medicine drops with cooling liquid to give the micro drop pills

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 2

the medicine drops with cooling liquid to give the micro drop pills

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolidification: Freezing

Data Source

PatentEP3020407B1Traditional chinese medicine composition, and preparation and application thereof
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 TIANJIN TASLY PHARMA CO LTD
  • EP3020407B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3020407B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3020407B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

A traditional Chinese medicine composition for treating cardiovascular disease, and a preparation thereof, particularly a micro drop pill preparation thereof, and a method for preparing the preparation; the method for preparing the micro drop pill preparation can be used to prepare drop pills, coated drop pills, and drop pill capsules with a high drug loading capacity.