Two-Half-Capsule Shell Aperture for Targeted Mucosal Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing capsule devices for mucous membrane applications, particularly buccal and gastrointestinal, are inefficient in production and stability, and lack effective mechanisms for releasing pharmaceutical ingredients at predetermined sites.

Innovation Solution

A capsule device composed of two half-shells with a hollow-cylindrical wall part forming an aperture, allowing efficient assembly and mechanical stability, enabling the release of pharmaceutical preparations in a controlled manner.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If capsule devices are designed with traditional single-shell structures, then manufacturing is simpler, but production efficiency is low and mechanical stability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidcapsule structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The capsule device is divided into two separate half-capsule shells (first and second half-capsule shells) that can be manufactured independently and then assembled together. This segmentation allows for more efficient production through parallel manufacturing of components while maintaining the structural integrity and functionality of the complete capsule device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If capsule devices use traditional aperture formation methods, then manufacturing is easier, but mechanical stability and controlled release capability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidaperture formation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The aperture is formed by pre-configuring a hollow-cylindrical wall part within one of the half-capsule shells before assembly. This preliminary formation of the aperture structure ensures mechanical stability and controlled release capability are built into the component design, allowing for reliable performance while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through modular construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If capsule devices are designed for controlled release at predetermined sites, then pharmaceutical delivery is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrolled release capabilityVSAvoidrelease mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The capsule device incorporates a specifically designed aperture with controlled dimensions and geometry in the half-capsule shell, creating a localized release point. This local quality approach allows controlled release functionality to be achieved through the specific structural characteristics of the aperture region rather than requiring complex overall device design, thereby maintaining manufacturing efficiency while ensuring reliable pharmaceutical delivery at predetermined sites.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4340924B1Pharmaceutical dosage form comprising capsule device with an aperture formed by a wall part of one of two half-capsule shells
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 ESOCAP AG
  • EP4340924B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP4340924B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2e
  • EP4340924B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3d

AI summary

The present invention relates to a capsule device and a pharmaceutical dosage form using the capsule device for application to a mucous membrane, in particular to a buccal, intestinal, rectal or vaginal mucous membrane, comprising at least one string-like or strip-like preparation comprising the active pharmaceutical ingredient, the dosage from consisting a first and a second halve-capsule shell, and a hollow cylindrical wall part which jointly define the size of an aperture for releasing the preparation. The invention also relates to a method of producing the pharmaceutical dosage form.