Pharmaceutical Moisture Detection Using Resonance Frequency Shifts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Drying processes in pharmaceutical product manufacturing significantly impact quality and cost, necessitating an efficient and non-destructive method to determine moisture content for optimizing production.

Innovation Solution

A method and system using electromagnetic waves to measure moisture content by detecting shifts in resonance frequency, integrated into the production line, allowing for continuous monitoring and adjustment of drying parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If drying time is extended to achieve desired moisture levels, then product quality is improved, but production time and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture content controlVSAvoiddrying time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The resonator system performs preliminary measurement of moisture content before and during drying processes, allowing optimization of drying time by predicting when target moisture levels will be achieved, thus reducing unnecessary drying time while ensuring quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors moisture content using resonator measurements and provides feedback to control the drying process, enabling dynamic adjustment of drying parameters to achieve optimal moisture levels with minimal drying time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If traditional moisture measurement methods are used, then moisture content can be determined, but the products are destroyed or altered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture content determinationVSAvoidproduct integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces destructive mechanical or chemical measurement methods with electromagnetic resonance measurement, which non-invasively determines moisture content by measuring the resonant frequency of the product in an electromagnetic field, thus preserving product integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system measures moisture content by detecting changes in electromagnetic resonance parameters (frequency, amplitude) of the product, which change with moisture content but do not alter or destroy the product structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 precise control of drying processes to achieve desired moisture levels, improving product quality and reducing production time and costs.

Implementation Method 1

measuring a signal response based on an influence of the pharmaceutical product on the emitted signal... measure a shift of a resonance frequency, particularly caused by the presence of the pharmaceutical product

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance frequency shift: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

measuring a signal response based on an influence of the pharmaceutical product on the emitted signal, particularly due to the dielectric properties of the pharmaceutical product

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric properties: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentEP4621393A1Method and system for determining the moisture content of a pharmaceutical product, and method and system for producing a pharmaceutical product

Publication Date: 2025.09.24 LTS LOHMANN THERAPIE SYST AG

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining the moisture content of a pharmaceutical product comprising the steps of emitting a signal into the pharmaceutical product; and measuring a signal response based on an influence of the pharmaceutical product on the signal. Further, the invention relates to a method and system for producing a pharmaceutical product as well as to a system (10) for determining the moisture content of a pharmaceutical product.