Solid particulate measuring devices, systems, and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10870526-B2
Application number	US-201716329466-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 1, 2017
Priority date	Sep 2, 2016
Publication date	Dec 22, 2020
Grant date	Dec 22, 2020

Abstract

Solid particulate measuring devices, systems, and methods for using the devices and systems are provided for easier and more accurate measurement of specific volumes. For example, a specific dose of a pharmaceutical multiparticulate composition can be measured out accurately and easily in a variety of settings using the devices and systems described herein.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A device for measuring a portion of solid particulate matter, comprising:
a translating/rotating cylinder;
a stationary cylinder;
a first gate mechanism;
a second gate mechanism, and
an upper shell that encloses at least part of the translating/rotating cylinder.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first gate mechanism is coupled to the translating/rotating cylinder.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the second gate mechanism is coupled to the stationary cylinder.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein a space enclosed by articulation between the translating/rotating cylinder and the stationary cylinder provides a measuring chamber.

5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the first gate mechanism allows solid particulate matter to pass into the measuring chamber.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein a volume of the measuring chamber is adjustable by articulation of the translating/rotating cylinder with the stationary cylinder.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the second gate mechanism allows a measured volume of solid particulate matter to pass out of the device.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first gate mechanism is a spring-loaded gate.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the second gate mechanism is a plank-style gate.

10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first gate mechanism comprises at least one stopper.

11. A method for measuring a specific volume of solid particulate matter, comprising use of a device according to claim 1 .

12. A device for measuring a portion of solid particulate matter, comprising:
a translating/rotating cylinder;
a stationary cylinder;
a first gate mechanism;
a second gate mechanism, and
a lower shell that encloses at least part of the stationary cylinder.

13. The device of claim 12 , wherein the first gate mechanism is a spring-loaded gate.

14. The device of claim 12 , wherein the second gate mechanism is a plank-style gate.

15. The device of claim 12 , wherein the first gate comprises at least one stopper.

16. A method for measuring a specific volume of solid particulate matter, comprising the steps of:
pouring solid particulate matter into a device that comprises at least:
a translating/rotating cylinder;
a stationary cylinder;
a first gate mechanism; and
a second gate mechanism;

closing the second gate mechanism, if it is open, and opening the first gate mechanism, if it is closed;
closing the first gate mechanism to define the volume being measured; and
dispensing a measured volume of solid particulate matter from the device;
wherein the user applies pressure to a spring-loaded upper gate to open that gate.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the pouring step is performed with both gate mechanisms closed or with only the first gate mechanism open.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the solid particulate matter comprises a pharmaceutical multiparticulate.

Assignees

• Univ Wake Forest Health Sciences

Inventors

• Patel Arjun

Classifications

• A47G19/34 Primary

  dispensing a certain quantity of powdered or granulated foodstuffs, e.g. sugar · CPC title

• G01F11/40

  for fluent solid material · CPC title

• A61K9/14

  Particulate form, e.g. powders, {Processes for size reducing of pure drugs or the resulting products, Pure drug nanoparticles (microspheres A61K9/16; microcapsules A61K9/50; nanocapsules, nanoparticles of the matrix type A61K9/51)} · CPC title

• G01F11/18

  for fluent solid material · CPC title

• G01F11/006

  Details or accessories (general details G01F15/00) · CPC title