Pill Preparation Device Segmentation and Curvature for Complete Powderization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current pill crushers often fail to completely reduce pills to a powder, leading to tube occlusions and potential harm, and they can also cause cross-contamination due to airborne dust.
Innovation Solution
A pill preparation device with a base, an anvil, a platen, and a lever arm with a roller that facilitates both crushing and rolling of pills to ensure complete powderization, minimizing occlusions and cross-contamination through a closed system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple mortar and pestle tool is used to crush pills, then the device complexity is low, but the manufacturing precision is insufficient to completely reduce pills to powder
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the pill crushing process into two distinct phases: crushing (using the platen and anvil) and rolling (using the roller). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, achieving complete powderization without requiring a complex multi-component system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a curved rolling surface and a roller that rotates along this surface. The curvature of the rolling surface and the rotational motion of the roller create a shearing action that efficiently reduces pill particles to fine powder, improving manufacturing precision without significantly increasing device complexity.
2Device complexity
If current pill crushers are used to reduce pills to smaller particles, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability is poor due to tube occlusions from incomplete powderization
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the crushing and rolling functions into distinct mechanical actions. The platen and anvil perform initial crushing, while the roller performs final grinding on a curved surface. This segmentation ensures complete powderization, preventing tube occlusions and improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the crushing process by introducing a curved rolling surface with specific radius and a rotating roller. This parameter change transforms the crushing mechanism from simple compression to a combination of compression and shearing, ensuring complete powderization and preventing occlusions.
3Device complexity
If traditional pill crushing methods are used, then the device complexity is low, but object-generated harmful factors increase due to airborne dust causing cross-contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a flexible barrier (foil or membrane) that covers the crushing chamber during the pill crushing and rolling process. This thin film contains the pill particles, preventing them from becoming airborne and causing cross-contamination, while allowing the device to remain relatively simple in design.
4Ease of operation
If a mortar and pestle is used to crush pills, then the ease of operation is high, but the productivity is low due to manual crushing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary crushing action through the platen and anvil before the rolling action. This preliminary action breaks down the pill into smaller fragments that are then efficiently ground into fine powder by the roller, improving overall productivity while maintaining ease of operation through a simple two-step process.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved rolling surface and rotational roller mechanism enable more efficient particle reduction compared to manual mortar and pestle. The curvature creates multiple contact points and shearing forces that rapidly reduce particle size, increasing productivity while requiring minimal operator effort.
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 device effectively reduces pills to a fine powder, minimizing occlusions and cross-contamination risks, providing a safer and more efficient administration method.
Implementation Method 1
Force applied to the lever arm forces the platen toward the anvil to facilitate breaking up the pill in the pill pouch when disposed between the crushing surface and the anvil
Implementation Method 2
Movement of the lever arm causes movement of the roller to facilitate breaking up the pill in the pill pouch when disposed between the roller and the rolling surface
Implementation Method 3
a rolling operation on the pill can generally be more effective than a crushing operation to break up the pill into a fine powder
Data Source
AI summary
A pill preparation device is disclosed. The pill preparation device includes a base, an anvil supported by the base, and a platen coupled to the base and movable relative to the anvil. The platen has a crushing surface oriented toward the anvil and a rolling surface on a side opposite the crushing surface. The pill preparation device also includes a lever arm slidably coupled to the base and rotatable about a pivot, and a roller coupled to the lever arm and offset from the pivot, such that the lever arm is operable to selectively position the roller about the platen. Force applied to the lever arm forces the platen toward the anvil to facilitate breaking up a pill disposed between the crushing surface and the anvil. Movement of the lever arm causes movement of the roller to facilitate breaking up a pill disposed between the roller and the rolling surface.