Swallowing Aid Device Using Rotating Vacuum Dissolution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pill swallowing aids are not optimal for individuals with dysphagia, as they may not ensure safe swallowing of solid oral medications, and existing techniques do not effectively address the challenge of aspirating pills, which can be risky for patients with swallowing difficulties.

Innovation Solution

A medication or vitamin swallowing aid device featuring a circular rotating assembly that uses a natural process to draw liquid through a straw, creating a vacuum to spin and dissolve pills, tablets, or capsules, assisting the natural swallowing reflex and preventing pills from sticking in the throat.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional pill swallowing aids are used, then pills can be carried into the mouth via liquid flow, but the risk of aspiration remains high for patients with dysphagia

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepill swallowing easeVSAvoidswallowing safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the pill swallowing process into controlled stages: the pill is first placed in a chamber, then liquid is introduced to dissolve it, and finally the dissolved medication is delivered through a controlled flow path. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized for safety and effectiveness, reducing aspiration risk while maintaining ease of use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device introduces liquid as an intermediary medium to dissolve the pill before delivery. This intermediary step transforms the solid pill into a liquid solution, which is safer for patients with dysphagia to swallow, while still achieving the goal of medication delivery without modifying the original dosage form.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If pills are swallowed whole, then the dosage form remains unchanged, but patients with dysphagia may aspirate the pills

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedosage form integrityVSAvoidaspiration risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary dissolution of the pill in a controlled chamber before delivery. By pre-dissolving the pill in liquid within the device, the harmful aspiration risk is eliminated before the medication reaches the patient's throat, while the original dosage form is preserved until the moment of administration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device changes the physical state parameter of the medication from solid to liquid through controlled dissolution. This parameter change occurs within the device, allowing the medication to be delivered in a safer liquid form while maintaining the integrity of the original pill dosage form until administration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If head back position is used to swallow pills, then pill swallowing may be facilitated, but aspiration risk increases for dysphagia patients

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepill swallowing easeVSAvoidaspiration risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device replaces the mechanical head-back positioning method with a controlled liquid delivery system. Instead of relying on gravitational and positional mechanics that increase aspiration risk, the device uses controlled fluid flow to deliver dissolved medication, maintaining ease of swallowing while eliminating the harmful effects of head-back positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 helps individuals swallow pills whole without modifying the dosage form, ensuring safe consumption and reducing the risk of aspiration by utilizing a spinning mechanism to break down and mix medications with liquid, making it easier for those with pill-swallowing difficulties.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

creating a vacuum to spin and dissolve pills, tablets, or capsules

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentUS20230414454A1Medication or vitamin swallowing aid

Publication Date: 2023.12.28 BABB MICHAEL WILLIAM

AI summary

A device including means for breaking up a medication or vitamin including at least one of a pill, a tablet, and a capsule, and mixing the medication or vitamin with liquid; means for enclosing the means for breaking up the medication or vitamin; means for sealing the enclosing means; means for providing a first path for a liquid to go through the enclosing means; and means for providing a second path for the liquid to be consumed.