Planetary Mixer Adapter with Cap Cavity and Narrow Container Recess

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pharmaceutical compounding methods face challenges such as manual mixing leading to cross-contamination, inconsistent API concentrations, high shearing forces causing thermal degradation, air entrapment, and the need for device-specific containers, which affect the quality and efficiency of pharmaceutical compositions.

Innovation Solution

A compounding method using superimposed revolution and rotation movements in a container to disperse API in a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or diluent, achieving ≤6% relative standard deviation (RSD) in API concentration across layers and maintaining specific gravity within 20% of the carrier, while avoiding air entrapment and minimizing thermal degradation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual mixing is used to prepare pharmaceutical compositions, then flexibility in compounding is maintained, but cross-contamination risk increases and API concentration consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompounding flexibilityVSAvoidAPI concentration consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical mixing with an automated planetary mixing system that uses programmed blade movements to achieve consistent API distribution. This substitution eliminates human error and cross-contamination while maintaining compounding flexibility through programmable mixing parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a standardized mixing protocol and equipment design as an intermediary between the pharmacist's intent and the final product. The planetary mixer with specific blade configurations and programmed movements acts as a mediator that ensures consistent API concentration while allowing flexibility in recipe selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If blade mixing is used to blend ingredients, then mixing efficiency is improved, but thermal degradation of thermally labile API increases due to high shearing forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing efficiencyVSAvoidthermal degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic mixing cycles with alternating blade directions and varying speeds to achieve thorough mixing without continuous high-shear exposure. The planetary motion pattern creates periodic movement that distributes API evenly while allowing brief rest periods that minimize thermal buildup and degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses dynamic mixing parameters where blade speed, direction, and position are continuously varied during the mixing process. The planetary mixer adjusts rotational speeds and directions to optimize mixing efficiency at different stages while minimizing peak shear forces that cause thermal degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If traditional mixing devices are used, then mixing capability is achieved, but air entrapment in the composition increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing capabilityVSAvoidair entrapment

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs curved blade surfaces and rounded mixing chamber geometry in the planetary mixer to reduce air entrapment. The spherical planetary motion pattern and curved blade designs promote smooth material flow that minimizes air pocket formation while maintaining effective mixing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous planetary mixing motion that maintains constant material movement and prevents air pocket formation. The uninterrupted rotational and orbital movements ensure that air is continuously worked out of the mixture throughout the mixing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS12403069B2Adapter for use in a planetary mixer

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 MEDISCA PHARMA INC

AI summary

A dispensing container and adapter system for use with a planetary mixer is disclosed. The dispensing container has a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. The dispensing container may include a nozzle and a removable cap to cover the nozzle. The removable cap may have a first width dimension measured along the transverse axis. The dispensing container may include a body having a second width dimension measured along the transverse axis. An adapter may receive the dispensing container. The adapter may include a cavity to receive the removable cap. The cavity may have a cavity width that exceeds the first width dimension. The adapter may also include a recess for receiving a portion of the dispensing container. The recess may extend from the cavity. At least a portion of the recess may have a width dimension smaller than both the first width dimension and the second width dimension.