Adjustable Nebulizer Dispenser with Ball-and-Socket Joint

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional nebulizer dispensers lack sufficient adjustment capabilities to ensure proper placement of the breathing piece relative to the patient's mouth, nose, or face, leading to patient discomfort and sub-standard treatment due to inadequate fit and operation.

Innovation Solution

A nebulizer dispenser with a T-piece and a body connected via ball-and-socket joints or multiple joints allowing rotational motion in pitch, yaw, and roll axes, enabling adjustable positioning of the breathing piece for improved fit and comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional fixed-position nebulizer dispensers are used, then the device structure is simple, but the breathing piece cannot be properly positioned relative to the patient's mouth, nose, or face for varying patient positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning adaptabilityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing fixed connections with movable joints. The breathing piece is connected to the dispenser body through ball-and-socket joints that allow rotational motion in multiple axes (pitch, yaw, roll), enabling dynamic adjustment of the breathing piece position to adapt to various patient positions and treatment requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dimensional change by introducing multi-axis rotational capability. The ball-and-socket joint mechanism enables the breathing piece to rotate around multiple axes (pitch, yaw, and roll), transforming a single-position structure into a multi-position adjustable structure, thereby achieving proper alignment in three-dimensional space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If fixed-position nebulizer dispensers are used, then the device is easy to manufacture, but patient discomfort and sub-standard treatment occur due to inadequate fit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient comfortVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing fixed connections with movable joints. The breathing piece is connected to the dispenser body through ball-and-socket joints that allow rotational motion in multiple axes (pitch, yaw, roll), enabling dynamic adjustment of the breathing piece position to adapt to various patient positions and treatment requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by allowing continuous adjustment of the breathing piece position through multi-axis rotation. The ball-and-socket joint mechanism enables variation in positional parameters (angles in pitch, yaw, and roll axes), allowing optimization of the fit between the breathing piece and patient's mouth, nose, or face for enhanced comfort and treatment effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If nebulizer is used in unintended position, then device structure remains simple, but medication is lost due to poor fit and inadequate operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidadjustment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing fixed connections with movable joints. The breathing piece is connected to the dispenser body through ball-and-socket joints that allow rotational motion in multiple axes (pitch, yaw, roll), enabling dynamic adjustment of the breathing piece position to adapt to various patient positions and treatment requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dimensional change by introducing multi-axis rotational capability. The ball-and-socket joint mechanism enables the breathing piece to rotate around multiple axes (pitch, yaw, and roll), transforming a single-position structure into a multi-position adjustable structure, thereby achieving proper alignment in three-dimensional space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS9539407B2Adjustable nebulizer dispenser

Publication Date: 2017.01.10 SUNMED GROUP HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

A nebulizer dispenser has a T-piece, a body sealingly coupled to the T-piece and configured to contain a liquid medication, and a breathing piece sealingly coupled to the T-piece. The dispenser also has a ball-and-socket joint coupled between the T-piece and either the breathing piece or the body. The ball-and-socket joint allows relative rotational motion of the T-piece in a pitch axis, a yaw axis, and a roll axis.