Pharmaceutical Canister With Automated Sealing And Refill
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pharmaceutical dispensing systems in mail order and central fill applications face challenges with human error and inventory management due to limited capacity and exposure to contamination, pilferage, and the need for sophisticated security protocols, especially when refilling dispensers with multiple prescriptions for thousands of patients.
Innovation Solution
A canister system with a housing and chambers, featuring a sloping floor, controlled apertures, and electronic locking mechanisms that automatically seal and unlock to prevent contamination and ensure accurate dispensing, allowing for secure, high-capacity refilling without human intervention, with integrated electronics for verification and communication with dispensers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a closed and sealed system is used to transport drugs from filling area to dispenser, then contamination is eliminated and inventory control is increased, but device complexity increases due to need for locking mechanisms and sealed canisters
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate components: a sealed canister for drug storage and transport, and a dispensing unit. The canister can be independently sealed, filled, and then attached to the dispenser, allowing inventory control to be maintained while simplifying the overall system architecture by separating storage from dispensing functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The canister is designed to be inserted into and nested within the dispenser unit. This nested configuration allows the sealed canister to be transported and stored independently, then integrated with the dispensing mechanism, maintaining security while reducing the complexity of having a permanently integrated system.
2Device complexity
If simple box-like canisters are used, then device complexity is reduced, but safety and control capabilities are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The canister is pre-filled and sealed in a controlled environment before being attached to the dispenser. This preliminary action ensures that the drug inventory is secured and verified before leaving the filling area, maintaining safety without requiring complex security systems in the dispenser itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The canister includes integrated identification features (such as RFID tags or barcodes) and self-verification capabilities that allow the dispenser to automatically verify the canister's contents and integrity. This self-service approach provides safety and control without adding complex external verification systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If removable refillable canisters are used, then flexibility is improved, but opportunity for contamination and human error increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual opening and handling of canisters with automated mechanical interfaces. The canister attaches to and detaches from the dispenser through controlled mechanical actions that maintain sealing integrity, eliminating the need for manual intervention that could introduce contamination while preserving flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The canister employs a sealed container design with integrated sealing mechanisms that maintain closure integrity during removal and attachment operations. The sealing system allows the canister to be removable and refillable while preventing contamination through maintained seal integrity throughout the refilling process.
4Ease of operation
If automated refilling with electronic controls is implemented, then human error is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates electronic sensors and controls that automatically detect when the dispenser needs refilling and when the canister is properly attached. This feedback mechanism automates the refilling process, reducing human error while keeping the electronic control system relatively simple by only monitoring key states rather than controlling every aspect of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A canister arrangement for refilling a pharmaceutical dispenser. The dispenser can hold a predetermined number of pills, tablets, or capsules at one time. Since the canister arrangement can hold considerably more than the dispenser can, the canister is able to fill the dispenser to capacity multiple times before the canister must be refilled. The canister has a housing and one or more chambers in the housing. When a plurality of chambers is present, at least one of the chambers has a sloping floor at the bottom of the housing. A swinging door is disposed between each pair of adjacent chambers. The swinging door(s) are automatically activated when the dispensing apparatus senses that the dispenser and the previous chamber are both empty. An opening is also provided at the bottom of the housing. A sliding door covers the opening to prevent pills, tablets and capsules from exiting the housing. The sliding door is automatically opened upon the occurrence of an external condition, such as when the dispensing apparatus senses that the dispenser is empty.