Pharmaceutical Waste Coupler for Unrecoverable Drug Disposal
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a system to properly dispose of residual pharmaceutical compositions to prevent drug diversion and ensure safe disposal, as improper disposal can lead to unauthorized use or ingestion.
Innovation Solution
A pharmaceutical waste system that includes a coupler to connect a dispenser to an extraction stage, which uses a pump to transfer residual pharmaceuticals through a chemical and physical treatment process, separating and deactivating the drugs to render them unrecoverable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If residual pharmaceutical composition is disposed of through simple methods, then disposal speed is fast, but drug diversion and improper usage risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The disposal system is segmented into distinct functional modules: extraction stage with pump, chemical treatment stage with separate chambers for different reagents, and physical treatment stage. Each module performs a specific function in the disposal sequence, allowing independent optimization and maintenance while ensuring comprehensive treatment of residual pharmaceuticals
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary extraction of residual pharmaceutical composition from dispensers before treatment. The pump-based extraction stage removes pharmaceuticals from various dispenser types (IV bags, syringes, cartridges) and concentrates them into a treatment reservoir, preparing the material for subsequent chemical and physical deactivation processes
2Reliability
If chemical and physical treatment processes are applied, then drug deactivation is complete, but treatment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous flow through the treatment process. The pump maintains constant fluid movement from extraction through chemical treatment to physical treatment stages, eliminating idle time between processes. Chemical reagents are continuously introduced and mixed, ensuring uninterrupted deactivation action throughout the system
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment process uses periodic introduction of chemical reagents in controlled cycles. Different chemical agents are added in sequence with specific mixing and reaction periods, allowing optimal deactivation at each stage while maintaining overall process efficiency and preventing reagent waste
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 effectively prevents drug diversion by ensuring safe and complete disposal of residual pharmaceuticals, rendering them unusable through chemical and physical treatment.
Implementation Method 1
which uses a pump to transfer residual pharmaceuticals
Implementation Method 2
treating at least a portion of the extracted pharmaceutical composition in one of a chemical and physical manner
Data Source
AI summary
A method of disposing of a residual pharmaceutical composition from an IV bag includes coupling the IV bag to a pharmaceutical dispenser coupler. The method also includes extracting at least a portion of the residual pharmaceutical composition from the IV bag through the pharmaceutical dispenser coupler. The method further includes treating at least a portion of the extracted pharmaceutical composition in one of a chemical and physical manner.