Adjustable Nasal Interface for Therapeutic Aerosol Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional nasal cannula devices are not easily adaptable to different animal or human sizes, leading to improper medication delivery, discomfort, and inefficiency due to their semi-rigid structure and lack of a secure seal, which results in medication escape and limited use.

Innovation Solution

A nasal interface system with adjustable nasal inserts and expiration ports, including a nebulizer and reservoir bag, that provides a secure seal and allows for long-term use, enabling precise delivery of therapeutic aerosols or gases through a flexible and comfortable design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a semi-rigid mask structure is used to cover the nose and mouth, then a seal can be established to prevent medicine escape, but the device becomes bulky and causes discomfort to the animal or human

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal effectivenessVSAvoiddiscomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mask is divided into multiple adjustable components including head straps, side sections, and nasal sections that can be independently adjusted to fit different animals, reducing bulk while maintaining seal effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mask incorporates adjustable and flexible elements that allow dynamic adaptation to different animal sizes and shapes, enabling a secure seal without requiring a bulky fixed structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the mask covers the entire nose and mouth to establish a seal, then medicine delivery can be ensured, but the animal is unable to use its mouth for eating and may try to dislodge the mask

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedicine delivery effectivenessVSAvoidanimal comfort and functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mask is segmented to cover only the nasal area with separate adjustable nasal sections, leaving the mouth exposed and functional while still establishing an effective seal for medicine delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mask applies sealing pressure locally at the nasal aperture rather than covering the entire mouth, maintaining medicine delivery effectiveness while preserving mouth functionality for eating

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different size masks are provided to treat different animals, then proper fit for various sizes can be achieved, but the device complexity and variety required increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefit for different animal sizesVSAvoidnumber of mask sizes required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mask is designed as a universal adjustable device that can fit multiple animal sizes through integrated adjustment mechanisms, eliminating the need for multiple different sized masks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The mask incorporates adjustable components including head straps and nasal sections that can be dynamically modified to accommodate different animal sizes, providing versatility without requiring multiple fixed-size variants

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If the administrative port is positioned at a distance from the mouth or nostrils, then the mask structure can be simplified, but medicine or gas may not be properly administered and may escape from the mask

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemask structure simplicityVSAvoidmedicine administration accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The administrative port is positioned in a different spatial dimension close to the nasal aperture through adjusted port placement, ensuring proper medicine administration while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 system ensures effective and comfortable delivery of medications over extended periods, reducing waste and allowing for higher volume medication delivery, while maintaining animal or human comfort and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

The nasal inserts may provide a seal between the inserts and the nares of a user

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 2

at least one exhaust aperture having at least one exhaust valve configured to exhaust exhaled gases and configured to block inflow of air through the exhaust aperture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOne-way flow control: Valve

Implementation Method 3

at least one nebulizer coupled to the reservoir bag

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerosol generation: Aerosol

Data Source

PatentUS7481219B2Medicine delivery interface system

Publication Date: 2009.01.27 INNOMED HEALTHSCIENCE INC

AI summary

Medicine delivery interface for delivery of therapeutic aerosols or gases, including at least one hollow body having at least one nasal aperture defined therein at least one nasal insert tube associated with each nasal aperture of the hollow body is capable of being inserted into a nostril. The interface also may include at least one exhaust aperture having at least one exhaust valve configured to exhaust exhaled gases and configured to block inflow of air through the exhaust aperture and at least one intake aperture.