Vibrating Ingestible Capsule Valve for Timed Medicament Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for delivering flowable ingestible medicaments into the gastrointestinal tract lack efficient mechanisms to ensure timely and controlled release of medications within the body, particularly for conditions like Parkinson's disease and gastrointestinal disorders, where precise absorption timing is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a vibrating ingestible capsule with a medicament reservoir and a valve mechanism, where vibrations trigger the opening and closing of the valve to control the flow of medicament, ensuring delivery and absorption within specific absorption time periods in the gastrointestinal tract.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a valve mechanism is used to control medicament flow, then delivery timing is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a vibrating agitator that generates vibrations to periodically open the valve mechanism. The vibrations cause the valve to oscillate between closed and open positions, enabling timed medicament delivery without complex electronic controls. This resolves the contradiction by using simple mechanical vibration to achieve precise delivery timing while avoiding electronic complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism is designed to be self-regulating through the vibrating agitator. The vibrations automatically cause the valve to open and close at appropriate intervals, eliminating the need for external control systems. This self-service approach improves delivery timing precision while keeping the device structure simple.
2Productivity
If vibration frequency is increased to enhance absorption, then absorption efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibrating agitator operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously, with vibration phases followed by rest phases. This periodic operation enhances absorption efficiency during vibration periods while reducing energy consumption during rest periods. The system delivers medicament in controlled pulses, maximizing absorption during active phases and conserving energy during inactive phases.
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 enables controlled and timed release of medicaments, enhancing absorption efficiency and efficacy for conditions such as Parkinson's disease and gastrointestinal issues by synchronizing medication delivery with the body's absorption processes.
Implementation Method 1
pressure applied by the reservoir biasing mechanism to the reservoir causes the flowable ingestible medicament to flow from the reservoir
Implementation Method 2
when the vibrating agitator is in the vibration mode of operation, at least some of the vibrations exerted by the vibrating agitator or by the housing are applied to the valve biasing mechanism and periodically transition the valve between the closed operative orientation and the open operative orientation
Data Source
AI summary
A device and a method for delivering a flowable ingestible medicament into the gastrointestinal tract of a user. The device includes a vibrating ingestible capsule attached to a medicament delivery compartment. The medicament delivery compartment includes a housing including a portal, a medicament reservoir, a reservoir biasing mechanism applying pressure to the reservoir, a resilient conduit extending from the reservoir to the portal, and a valve including a weight and a spring adapted, when closed, to bias the weight against the conduit so as to block flow therethrough, and, when open, to remove the weight from the conduit to allow fluid to flow through the conduit. When the vibrating agitator is in the vibration mode of operation, vibrations exerted thereby are applied to the valve biasing mechanism and periodically transition the valve between the closed operative orientation and the open operative orientation.