Modular Dosing Station Segmentation for Reliable Dispensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medicine discharge stations face challenges in efficiently handling refilling and reliably detecting the ejection of medicine portions, leading to inefficiencies and potential errors in dispensing.

Innovation Solution

A storage and dosing station with a stationary part and a detachable part, where the detachable part contains a storage container and an information memory, and the stationary part has a controller and information reading means, allowing for precise control and monitoring of the dispensing process based on stored data, including medicine type, quantity, and optical characteristics, using a non-volatile memory and wireless communication for secure and adaptive dispensing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional tablet feeder with motor-driven rotor and gears is used, then tablets can be dispensed through a delivery passage, but the system becomes complex and difficult to refill

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefilling easeVSAvoiddosing station complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dosing station is divided into a stationary part (frame, controller, reading means) and a detachable part (storage container with dosing mechanism). The detachable part can be easily removed and replaced during refilling operations, simplifying the refilling process while keeping the overall system complex but modular.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stationary part is designed to accommodate multiple different detachable parts for different medicine types. The controller and reading means provide universal control and monitoring capabilities that work with various storage container configurations, reducing the need for multiple specialized dosing stations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If storage containers are opened to allow medicines to drop into a central fall chute, then dosing can be performed, but reliability of detecting ejection is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveejection detection reliabilityVSAvoidrefilling operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The controller receives feedback from sensors that detect the ejection of medicine portions from the storage container. This feedback loop allows the controller to verify successful dispensing and maintain reliable operation while the detachable design simplifies refilling procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The storage container is pre-loaded with dosed quantities of medicine before being attached to the stationary part. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the container is mounted, the dosing process can proceed reliably without interruption, and ejection can be accurately detected from the start.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If a detachable part with storage container is used, then refilling is simplified, but the system requires information memory and reading means adding complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedicine type adaptabilityVSAvoidinformation storage and reading system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detachable part includes an information memory that automatically stores medicine type information when the container is attached to the stationary part. The reading means automatically reads this information, eliminating the need for manual input or complex configuration procedures, thereby enhancing adaptability without proportionally increasing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Productivity

If continuous automatic packing is implemented, then productivity increases, but measurement precision of dosed quantities becomes more critical

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacking speedVSAvoiddosed quantity accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual counting and verification with automated sensors and controllers that precisely measure and verify dosed quantities. This substitution of mechanical counting with electronic detection maintains high measurement precision while enabling continuous automatic operation and high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20240375811A1Storage and dosing station for storage and dispensing dosed quantities of solid drug portions

Publication Date: 2024.11.14 CAREFUSION SWITZERLAND 317

AI summary

A storage and dosing station for storage and dispensing dosed quantities of solid drug portions includes a controller, a dispensing mechanism, an information reading device coupled to the controller, a detachable storage container configured to store solid drug portions, an outlet configured to output the solid drug portions and an information memory. The information reading device is configured to read information stored in the information memory, wherein the information memory stores data comprising a degree of rotation of the dispensing mechanism required to dispense a single solid drug portion, which is used by the controller to control dispensing of a first solid drug portion. A method for dispensing solid drug portions is also provided.