Adjustable Negative Pressure Threshold Valve for Breath-Actuated Nebulizers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breath-actuated nebulizers lack adjustable negative pressure threshold settings, limiting their ability to increase inhalation effort and aerosol delivery efficiency, which is necessary for certain respiratory treatments and drug targeting.
Innovation Solution
A nebulizer with a dialable negative pressure threshold valve that allows for adjustable biasing member force settings, enabling actuation at various negative pressure levels, thereby enhancing aerosol entrainment and delivery by coordinating nebulization with the patient's breathing cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a very low negative pressure threshold is used for breath-actuated nebulizers, then nebulization can be easily actuated during normal breathing, but the device cannot increase inhalation effort or provide selective aerosol targeting to different airway regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic negative pressure threshold mechanism through a movable valve assembly that can be adjusted between different threshold levels. The valve assembly includes a biasing member with adjustable spring force and a movable member that responds to negative pressure fluctuations. This allows the device to transition from a fixed low threshold (for easy actuation during normal breathing) to adjustable higher thresholds (for increasing inhalation effort and selective aerosol targeting), resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and adaptability.
2Ease of manufacture
If a fixed single threshold level of actuation is used, then the nebulizer is simple to manufacture and operate, but it cannot coordinate nebulization with different phases of the breathing cycle or provide enhanced aerosol delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the valve mechanism into distinct functional components: a movable valve assembly with a biasing member, a movable member responsive to negative pressure, and a fixed member with a seat. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing of individual components while enabling complex functionality through their interaction. The segmented design permits the valve to operate at different threshold levels by adjusting the biasing member force, thereby improving aerosol delivery efficiency without excessive manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by making the biasing member force adjustable rather than fixed. This allows the negative pressure threshold to be dynamically changed to match different breathing phases and therapeutic requirements. The parameter adjustment mechanism enables the valve to transition between low threshold mode (for easy actuation) and high threshold mode (for coordinated aerosol delivery during specific breathing phases), thereby improving productivity without requiring a completely different valve design for each mode.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If ambient air is continuously supplied to the nebulization chamber, then aerosol generation is continuous, but aerosol is wasted during patient exhalation and occupational exposure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by using the movable valve assembly to control ambient air supply based on the patient's breathing cycle. The valve opens during inhalation when negative pressure is generated and closes during exhalation when positive pressure occurs. This periodic operation ensures aerosol is generated and delivered only during the inhalation phase, preventing waste during exhalation while maintaining continuous availability of the nebulization system. The periodic action aligns with the natural breathing rhythm, improving efficiency and reducing substance loss.
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 adjustable nebulizer provides increased inhalation effort, improved aerosol delivery dynamics, and selective targeting of aerosols to different airway regions, enhancing respiratory health and drug delivery efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Jet nebulizers pull liquid from a liquid reservoir and force the liquid, using compressed gas from a tank or air compressor, through a small restricted opening of a jet nozzle cover which causes nebulization
Implementation Method 2
Ultrasonic nebulizers utilize a piezoelectric motor or piezo-oscillating element. Passing liquid through an aperture mesh or membrane that vibrates at ultrasonic frequencies causes nebulization
Implementation Method 3
These breath-actuated jet nebulizers have an actuator having biasing means with a predetermined spring or elastic force
Data Source
AI summary
Novel nebulizers and methods are provided for a nebulizer including a dialable negative pressure threshold valve that actuates in response to different negative pressures corresponding to different negative pressure threshold settings of actuation of the valve to influence inhalation effort, aerosol entrainment, and aerosol delivery.