Segmented Electronic Capsule Drive and Payload Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic capsules face challenges in addressing the disparate lifetime issues of medicaments and power supplies, as well as storage requirements, leading to limitations in delivering medicaments effectively and reliably to specific sites in the gastrointestinal tract.
Innovation Solution
The design of an electronic capsule with a discrete drive element and a separate payload element, where the drive element houses control electronics and a power source, and the payload element contains a sealed reservoir for the medicament, allowing for decoupling of their lifetimes and storage conditions, and becomes operable only when attached, enabling precise and reliable delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If electronic capsules house all components (medicament and power supply) together, then the device structure is simplified, but the disparate lifetime issues and storage requirements of medicament and power supply cannot be addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule is divided into two separate elements: a drive element containing the power supply and control electronics, and a payload element containing the medicament reservoir. These elements can be manufactured and stored independently, then assembled before use. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific lifetime and storage requirements, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and delivery reliability.
2Volume of moving object
If medicament and power supply are stored together in the capsule, then the device is more compact, but appropriate storage conditions for both components cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the medicament payload element from the power supply in the drive element, each component can be stored in conditions optimal for its stability. The medicament can be stored at controlled temperatures and humidity levels independent of the power supply requirements, allowing compact overall design while maintaining appropriate storage conditions for each component.
3Ease of manufacture
If the capsule is designed as a single integrated unit, then manufacturing is simpler, but the lifetime mismatch between medicament and power supply creates reliability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The drive element and payload element can be manufactured separately using optimized processes for each component type, then assembled. This allows the medicament to be prepared and stored until its last moment while the power supply and electronics are manufactured independently. The separate manufacturing approach resolves the lifetime mismatch issue while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive element and payload element are manufactured and prepared in advance independently, then assembled into the complete capsule shortly before use. This preliminary preparation allows the medicament to maintain its shelf life while the electronic components are ready, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and medicament duration.
4Device complexity
If all capsule components are housed together, then the device is more compact, but disparate storage requirements for medicament and power supply cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule configuration is segmented into separate drive and payload elements that can be stored independently under different conditions. This segmentation provides adaptability to meet the specific storage requirements of each component type while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure when assembled for use.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic capsule (100) is provided. The capsule (100) has a discrete drive element (300) comprising: a housing (109), electronics for making the electronic capsule (100) operable, a pumping mechanism (115) for dosing and displacing a substance, a power source (105) for powering the electronic capsule (100) and enabling the electronics and the pumping mechanism (115) to operate, and a locking mechanism (130); and a discrete payload element (200) comprising: a housing (109), a reservoir (210) for storing the substance, one or more openings (250) in the housing (109) for releasing the substance from the reservoir (210) and a locking mechanism (230) for engaging the drive element locking mechanism (130). Engagement of the drive element locking mechanism (130) with the payload element locking mechanism (230) secures the drive element (300) to the payload element (200), thereby making the electronic capsule (100) operable and specific.