Piezoelectric Ejector for Precise Drug Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for manufacturing medications lack sufficient performance in terms of precision and customization for individual patient needs, particularly in administering specific doses and combinations of physiologically active substances.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing a capillary and a tubular piezoelectric actuator to eject a predefined amount of a drug with a liquid component onto a solid carrier substrate, allowing for precise control and customization of medication doses, with optional features like temperature adjustment and documentation for compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional systems are used for manufacturing medications, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the precision and customization for individual patient needs is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The medication manufacturing system is segmented into modular components: a substrate feed system, a piezoelectrically-actuated ejector unit for precise drug dispensing, and a processing system. This segmentation enables independent optimization of each component's precision while maintaining overall system manageability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical dosing mechanisms with a piezoelectric actuation system. The piezoelectric material responds to electrical signals with precise mechanical displacement, enabling accurate control of liquid drug ejection volume without complex mechanical linkages or moving parts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional systems are used, then the device complexity is low, but the ability to customize medication doses for individual patients is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The ejector unit incorporates a piezoelectric actuator that can dynamically adjust its ejection characteristics in real-time based on electrical control signals. This dynamic response enables the system to customize medication doses for individual patients by simply changing the electrical input to the piezoelectric material, without requiring physical reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves dose customization by changing physical parameters of the piezoelectric actuator's response to electrical signals. By adjusting voltage, frequency, or pulse duration parameters, the system can precisely control the volume and timing of drug ejection, enabling personalized medication dosing.
3Measurement precision
If a piezoelectric actuator is used to eject predefined amount of drug, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric actuator is designed to self-regulate the ejection process through its inherent piezoelectric properties. When electrical voltage is applied, the material automatically generates the required mechanical stress to eject the precise drug volume without requiring external mechanical regulation systems or complex feedback mechanisms.
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 the accurate manufacturing of individual medication doses with definable properties, allowing for patient-specific therapy and compliance with regulatory standards, ensuring high precision and safety in pharmaceutical production.
Implementation Method 1
a tubular piezoelectric actuator surrounding at least a part of the capillary... generating a compressional wave in the capillary for ejecting the predefined amount of the drug via an orifice of the capillary
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for manufacturing a medication comprising an ejector unit adapted for ejecting a predefined amount of a drug having a liquid component to a solid carrier substrate. The ejector unit comprises a capillary and a tubular piezoelectric actuator surrounding at least a part of the capillary. The apparatus further comprises a control unit adapted for applying an electric signal to the piezoelectric actuator which, in response to the electric signal, is adapted to generate a compressional wave in the capillary for ejecting the predefined amount of the drug via an orifice of the capillary. Moreover, a method of manufacturing a medication is provided, the method comprising ejecting a predefined amount of a drug having a liquid component to a solid carrier substrate. Furthermore, a medication is provided comprising a solid carrier substrate, and a predefined amount of a drug ejected with a liquid component to the solid carrier substrate by an ejector unit.