Two-Chamber Mixing of Viscous Pharmaceutical Gels Without Stirring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for preparing viscous pharmaceutical formulations, such as hydrogels, face challenges including increased temperature due to mechanical stirring, difficulties in collecting the final product, high power consumption, issues with lyophilized powders, and insufficient homogeneity, which affect batch-to-batch consistency and homogeneity.
Innovation Solution
A two-chamber apparatus is used to mix a gellable material with a vehicle, employing a reciprocating movement to alternately transfer contents between chambers with specific diameter ratios, minimizing power consumption and human intervention, and ensuring no stagnant areas, thereby achieving homogeneity and batch consistency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If mechanical stirring is used to mix viscous pharmaceutical formulations, then mixing is achieved, but temperature increases and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical stirring systems with a reciprocating flow system using two chambers and plunger assemblies. The mixing is achieved through alternating pressure application that creates reciprocating flow patterns, eliminating the need for mechanical impellers and blades that generate heat through friction and mechanical work.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pressure-driven fluid dynamics to achieve mixing. By applying pressure alternately to two chambers containing different components, the system creates controlled reciprocating flow that mixes viscous formulations without mechanical contact, thereby avoiding temperature increase from mechanical stirring.
2Stability of the object's composition
If mechanical stirring is used to mix viscous pharmaceutical formulations, then mixing is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical stirring systems with a reciprocating flow system using two chambers and plunger assemblies. The mixing is achieved through alternating pressure application that creates reciprocating flow patterns, eliminating the need for mechanical impellers and blades that generate heat through friction and mechanical work.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pressure-driven fluid dynamics to achieve mixing. By applying pressure alternately to two chambers containing different components, the system creates controlled reciprocating flow that mixes viscous formulations without mechanical contact, thereby avoiding temperature increase from mechanical stirring.
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional mixing equipment is used, then mixing capability is achieved, but difficulties in collecting final product and batch-to-batch consistency occur
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing system is divided into two separate chambers that are alternately pressurized. Each chamber contains one component of the formulation, and the reciprocating transfer between chambers ensures complete mixing without stagnant zones. The segmented design with defined flow paths eliminates variability in mixing performance across batches.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic reciprocating flow where the direction of material transfer alternates between chambers. This dynamic operation ensures all material is actively moved and mixed throughout the process, eliminating stagnant zones and ensuring consistent homogeneity in every batch.
4Stability of the object's composition
If Z blade impellers with narrow clearance are used, then mixing efficiency near wall is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical stirring systems with a reciprocating flow system using two chambers and plunger assemblies. The mixing is achieved through alternating pressure application that creates reciprocating flow patterns, eliminating the need for mechanical impellers and blades that generate heat through friction and mechanical work.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pressure-driven fluid dynamics to achieve mixing. By applying pressure alternately to two chambers containing different components, the system creates controlled reciprocating flow that mixes viscous formulations without mechanical contact, thereby avoiding temperature increase from mechanical stirring.
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 process results in a homogeneous viscous pharmaceutical formulation with reduced manufacturing time, power savings, and consistent batch quality, facilitating easy collection without human interference.
Implementation Method 1
employing a reciprocating movement to alternately transfer contents between chambers
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of viscous pharmaceutical formulations and to an apparatus for implementing the process. A gellable material is introduced into one chamber, a vehicle is introduced in the other and by alternately applying force to each chamber, mixing and homogenization takes place. The internal diameter of the connection equipment of the two chambers is equal to the outlet internal diameters of the chambers. And each chamber is chosen to have different diameter, with the first chamber being larger than the second chamber, so as to allow the process to be executed in a simple and more convenient manner.