Sublingual Medication Delivery Device with Dissolving Tablet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for delivering liquid medications, such as Nifedipine, for acute coronary conditions like heart attacks or hypertensive crises, often result in overmedication due to the lack of control over dosage and rapid absorption, increasing the risk of complications like cardiovascular collapse.
Innovation Solution
A device that allows for incremental sublingual administration of medication using a dissolvable tablet and a hollow needle to control the delivery of a limited medication dose, with the dissolving liquid sourced from a capsule or syringe, ensuring minimal effective dosage is administered gradually under the tongue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If liquid medication is administered via capsule or spray, then the medication can be delivered to the patient, but the dosage cannot be controlled and the patient may overmedicate
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the medication delivery process into controlled increments. The syringe barrel is divided into multiple dosage units (e.g., 0.4mg, 0.8mg, 1.2mg) that can be delivered sequentially. Each increment requires a deliberate user action (pushing the plunger), preventing accidental overmedication while maintaining patient control.
Solution Approach 2:
The device introduces an intermediary mechanism (the controlled delivery system with plunger and dosage indicators) between the medication source and the patient. This intermediary controls the flow and dosage of medication, ensuring precise delivery while protecting the patient from the risks of uncontrolled administration.
2Speed
If full dose medication is administered as a bolus, then the treatment effect is immediate, but the risk of cardiovascular collapse and death increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device implements periodic action by delivering medication in controlled increments rather than as a single bolus. The plunger can be pushed to deliver successive dosage units (e.g., 0.4mg at a time) with intervals between administrations, allowing the patient to monitor the effect and stop if adverse reactions occur, thus maintaining safety while achieving therapeutic effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The device applies partial action by delivering only the necessary portion of the total medication at each step. Instead of administering the full dose at once (excessive action), the patient can deliver partial doses incrementally, stopping when the minimally effective dose is achieved, thereby reducing the risk of overdose and cardiovascular collapse.
3Device complexity
If medication is administered orally via capsule, then the delivery mechanism is simple, but the absorption time of 20-30 minutes is too long for acute conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The device replaces the traditional oral capsule dissolution mechanism (which relies on gastric fluid and time) with a direct liquid delivery system. The medication is dissolved in liquid form and delivered directly to the patient's system through the syringe mechanism, bypassing the slow dissolution process and achieving rapid absorption within seconds while maintaining relatively simple device construction.
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 precise and controlled delivery of medication, minimizing the risk of complications by allowing incremental administration of medication, ensuring the minimally effective dose is used, particularly in medical emergencies.
Implementation Method 1
a dissolvable tablet of medication and provides a needle as a conduit for delivery of a dissolving liquid to dissolve the tablet
Data Source
AI summary
A device for self-administration of liquid medication supplied by combining a tablet of medication located within the device with a dissolving liquid from a source which dissolves the tablet upon contact. The formed medication solution is then available for delivery to the sublingual area of a patient.