Pharmaceutical Tray Filing System with Light-Transmitting Wells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pharmaceutical packaging systems lack efficient methods for guiding users in accurately filling multi-compartment trays with various pharmaceutical items, leading to potential errors and inefficiencies in manual filling processes.
Innovation Solution
A pharmaceutical filling system that includes a tray with light-transmitting wells and a display screen positioned below the tray, where a controller directs users to fill specific wells with corresponding pharmaceuticals by displaying information such as images or alphanumeric data, ensuring accurate placement of medications based on tray identifiers and database information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual filling of pharmaceutical trays is performed without visual guidance, then the process is simple and quick, but errors in pharmaceutical placement increase and accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a display screen that shows a graphical representation (copy) of the pharmaceutical tray with each well positioned to correspond to the actual physical tray. This visual copy guides the user on where to place each pharmaceutical item, improving accuracy without requiring complex automated positioning systems. The display screen creates a virtual model that mirrors the physical tray layout, allowing users to follow visual instructions for accurate placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The display screen acts as an intermediary between the user and the physical tray, providing visual guidance that mediates the filling process. Instead of directly interacting with the complex task of remembering which pharmaceutical goes in which well, the user interacts with the simplified visual representation on the display screen, which then translates to accurate physical placement in the actual tray.
2Manufacturing precision
If visual instructions are provided through a display screen for each well, then filling accuracy improves, but the time required for filling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares the visual guide in advance by displaying the complete tray layout and pharmaceutical placement instructions on the screen before the user begins filling. The graphical representation is pre-configured with all necessary information about which pharmaceuticals should be placed in each well, allowing the user to plan and execute the filling process efficiently without needing to pause and query for information during the actual placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The display screen dynamically updates to reflect the current state of tray filling, potentially highlighting which wells are already filled and which remain empty. This dynamic visual feedback helps users track progress and maintain speed by providing real-time guidance without requiring them to remember the entire tray configuration, thus reducing time loss while maintaining accuracy.
3Reliability
If a detailed graphical representation of the tray is displayed with corresponding well positions, then user guidance improves and errors reduce, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a graphical copy or representation of the pharmaceutical tray displayed on a screen, where each well in the graphical representation corresponds to a well in the actual tray. This approach provides comprehensive visual guidance to ensure accurate pharmaceutical placement while using software-based graphics rather than complex mechanical guidance systems, thereby improving reliability without excessive hardware complexity.
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 system enhances the accuracy and efficiency of manual filling by providing clear visual instructions, reducing errors, and facilitating the integration of filled trays into automated packaging systems for precise dispensing and packaging.
Implementation Method 1
Each well including a bottom wall formed from a light transmitting material
Data Source
AI summary
A system for facilitating the manual filling of a pharmaceutical tray is provided. The system includes an electronic display device configured to display information adjacent the wells of the pharmaceutical tray. The system includes a controller configured to control the electronic display device to display information representative of a first type of pharmaceutical adjacent to a first well to direct manual placement of the first type of pharmaceutical into the first well and to control the electronic display device to selectively display information representative of a second type of pharmaceutical adjacent to a second well to direct manual placement of the second type of pharmaceutical into the second well.