Pharmaceutical Form with Opacifying Agents for Immediate Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods fail to provide immediate detection of illicitly introduced pharmaceuticals in drinks without the use of detection devices or kits, and existing solutions are not effective across all drink types and colors.

Innovation Solution

A pharmaceutical form incorporating an active principle with compounds such as opacifying agents, fluorescent agents, floating particles, and effervescent microgranules that modify the organoleptic characteristics of the drink upon introduction, allowing for immediate detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a coated tablet formulation is used (green outside, blue inside), then the tablet is slow to dissolve and the blue color is only visible after fifteen minutes of immersion, but this delays detection and the victim cannot detect the surreptitiously introduced sleeping pill if they drink immediately

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoiddetection time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color change principles by incorporating opacifying agents (like titanium dioxide or calcium carbonate) that immediately alter the beverage's appearance when the tablet dissolves. This creates a visible change from transparent to opaque or cloudy, providing immediate detection without waiting for color diffusion. The color change occurs at the moment of dissolution rather than after prolonged immersion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of the beverage from transparent to opaque by introducing opacifying agents. This parameter change happens immediately upon tablet dissolution, allowing the victim to detect the altered state of the beverage right away, eliminating the 15-minute delay associated with coated tablets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If no detection system is provided, then the pharmaceutical form can be introduced surreptitiously without immediate detection, but the victim is unable to detect the presence of the drug

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection simplicityVSAvoiddetection capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service detection by incorporating detection agents directly into the pharmaceutical formulation. The tablet itself provides the detection mechanism through opacifying agents that automatically alter the beverage's appearance upon dissolution. No external detection device or kit is needed—the product serves its own detection function, making the system simple and immediately effective.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of time

If the pharmaceutical form is designed for immediate dissolution, then detection can occur immediately, but the tablet may dissolve too quickly and lose controlled release properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection timeVSAvoiddrug release duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the tablet's functional properties by incorporating opacifying agents that dissolve immediately to provide detection, while the active pharmaceutical ingredient maintains its controlled release characteristics. The detection function and drug release function are separated in terms of timing and mechanism, allowing immediate detection without compromising sustained drug delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The opacifying agent acts as an intermediary substance that provides immediate visual feedback upon dissolution. This intermediary component separates the detection function from the active ingredient release, allowing the tablet to provide immediate detection signals while the therapeutic agent continues its controlled release over the intended duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables immediate and visible detection of the pharmaceutical form in any drink type or color, ensuring the victim can recognize its presence within seconds, thereby preventing illicit use.

Implementation Method 1

an opacifying agent enabling the immediate modification of the organoleptic characteristics of a beverage into which the pharmaceutical form is introduced

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

a fluorescent agent enabling the immediate modification of the organoleptic characteristics of a beverage into which the pharmaceutical form is introduced

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 3

floating particles enabling the immediate modification of the organoleptic characteristics of a beverage into which the pharmaceutical form is introduced

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 4

effervescent microgranules enabling the immediate modification of the organoleptic characteristics of a beverage into which the pharmaceutical form is introduced

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEffervescence:

Data Source

PatentEP2590632B1Pharmaceutical form for combating chemical submission of a medicament
Publication Date: 2019.04.17 ETHYPHARM SA
  • EP2590632B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2590632B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a pharmaceutical form for combating chemical submission, comprising an active ingredient and at least one compound which enables immediate modification of the organoleptic characteristics of a beverage into which the pharmaceutical form is introduced, said compound being selected from the group comprising an opacifier, a fluorescent agent, floating particles, particles that are perceptible in the mouth, effervescent microgranules, and mixtures thereof; it also relates to the use of these compounds for combating chemical submission and to a method for combating chemical submission using said pharmaceutical forms.