Intra-Ruminal Capsule Assembly for Welded Retention and Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional intra-ruminal devices face issues such as component separation within the rumen and regurgitation, leading to toxicity and safety concerns, and pressure build-up causing uncontrolled and inconsistent dosing.
Innovation Solution
The intra-ruminal device features an elongate body impervious to rumen fluids, with a biasing arrangement to keep the active agent at the orifice, variable geometry for retention, and a cap with ultrasonic welds or protrusions for structural integrity, along with a plunger for compartmentalization and gas communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional devices are used, then the device can be manufactured and deployed, but component separation occurs within the rumen and after regurgitation leading to toxicity and safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct components (barrel, cap, retention means) that are separately manufactured and then joined through ultrasonic welding. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall device integrity through strong, sealed connections that prevent separation in the rumen environment.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical fastening methods are replaced with ultrasonic welding technology. This substitution creates a stronger, more reliable bond between components that is resistant to the harsh rumen environment, eliminating the component separation issues that plague conventional mechanically-fastened devices.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional devices are used, then the device structure is simple, but pressure build-up occurs inside the device leading to uncontrolled and inconsistent dosing
Solution Approach 1:
The internal volume is segmented into multiple compartments by the plunger assembly. This segmentation creates controlled chambers that manage pressure distribution and prevent uncontrolled pressure build-up, enabling precise and consistent dosing while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger is designed as a movable dynamic component that can shift position in response to pressure changes. This dynamic element automatically regulates internal pressure and controls the release of active ingredient, providing consistent dosing without requiring complex pressure management systems.
3Reliability
If conventional devices are used, then the device can be manufactured, but separation of device components occurs leading to internal dose dumps and toxicity
Solution Approach 1:
Mechanical fastening systems are replaced with ultrasonic welding to join the cap and barrel. This creates a sealed, tamper-resistant connection that prevents component separation and the subsequent internal dose dumps that cause toxicity, while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes a sealed cap structure that acts as a protective shell over the active ingredient reservoir. This shell maintains device integrity and prevents premature release of active ingredient, eliminating the harmful internal dose dumps associated with component separation.
4Reliability
If conventional devices are used, then the device can be deployed, but separation following regurgitation occurs leading to safety and environmental issues
Solution Approach 1:
Ultrasonic welding replaces conventional mechanical fastening to create a robust, sealed connection between device components. This enhanced bond maintains device integrity even after regurgitation and exposure to external environments, preventing separation and the associated safety and environmental hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is pre-assembled with ultrasonic welds that create permanent, sealed connections before deployment. This preliminary bonding action ensures the device remains intact throughout the entire lifecycle including regurgitation events, preventing separation and subsequent harmful effects.
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
Enhances structural integrity, preventing component separation and ensuring consistent, controlled release of active agents, thereby reducing toxicity and safety risks.
Implementation Method 1
at least one protrusion providing a localised point of contact between the barrel wall and the internal sidewall of the cap to provide for an ultrasonic weld between the barrel and the cap at the attachment zone
Implementation Method 2
subjecting the attachment zone to ultrasonic vibrations to produce frictional heat energy at the protrusion to form a weld
Data Source
AI summary
An intra-ruminal device including a cap, with outlet, that overlaps a portion of a barrel to define an attachment zone. Located within the attachment zone is at least one protrusion providing a localised point of contact between the barrel wall and the internal sidewall of the cap to provide for an ultrasonic weld between the barrel and the cap. Optionally the device includes a plunger, and the plunger optionally includes at least one aperture to allow fluid or gas communication between first and second compartments in the barrel. Optionally included are at least one pair of resilient wings, the wings having a pair of reinforcement ridge that extend a first distance from the body along the wing surface, and at least one middle reinforcement ridge that extends between the pair of ridges from the body a second distance, and where the second distance is less than the first distance.