Multi-compartment Pharmaceutical Vial Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pharmaceutical vials lack efficient storage and transport solutions for multiple doses of vaccines and medications, leading to issues such as cross-contamination, waste, and inefficient packaging, particularly in the cold chain.
Innovation Solution
A multi-compartment pharmaceutical vial design featuring a storage region with multiple compartments and an access region with conduits and seals, allowing for separate storage and access to each dose while minimizing contamination and optimizing packaging efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple doses of vaccines and medications are stored in separate vials, then cross-contamination is prevented, but packaging efficiency and storage space utilization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The vial is divided into multiple separate compartments (first compartment, second compartment, third compartment) that are physically isolated from each other. Each compartment can be accessed independently through its own conduit, preventing cross-contamination between different pharmaceutical doses while maintaining a single consolidated packaging unit.
2Reliability
If multiple separate vials are used to store different doses, then cross-contamination is prevented, but storage and transport space increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate vials containing different pharmaceutical doses are merged into a single integrated multi-compartment vial structure. The first, second, and third compartments are combined within one unified vial body with a common base and lid assembly, reducing the total volume required for storage and transport while maintaining the separation and contamination prevention benefits of individual vials.
3Reliability
If multiple separate vials are used, then each dose can be stored separately, but waste increases due to inefficient packaging
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate vials are consolidated into a single multi-compartment vial that efficiently utilizes packaging material. The integrated design with shared base structure, lid, and common sealing mechanisms reduces the total amount of packaging material required compared to using separate vials, thereby reducing waste while maintaining dose separation.
4Volume of stationary object
If a multi-compartment vial design is implemented, then packaging efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vial structure is segmented into distinct compartments (first, second, third) that are physically separated by internal walls, allowing independent access to each compartment through separate conduits. This segmentation achieves efficient packaging by consolidating multiple vials into one while managing complexity through modular compartment design.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid assembly serves multiple functions: it seals the first compartment, seals the second compartment, and provides structural support for the entire multi-compartment vial. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate sealing components for each compartment, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining packaging efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Multi-compartment pharmaceutical vials are described. In some embodiments, a multi-compartment pharmaceutical vial includes: a multi-compartment pharmaceutical storage region including a bottom wall, at least one outer wall and at least one interior wall, the bottom wall, the at least one outer wall and the at least one interior wall forming a plurality of pharmaceutical storage compartments, each pharmaceutical storage compartment including an aperture positioned opposite to the bottom wall of the pharmaceutical storage region; and an access region attached to the pharmaceutical storage region, the access region including a plurality of conduits, each with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each conduit is connected to one aperture in a pharmaceutical storage compartment, and the second end of each conduit circumscribes an aperture positioned opposite to the bottom wall.