Aerosol Processing Inhalation System High Dose Rate Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aerosol delivery systems for respiratory treatments are inefficient in delivering large molecule therapeutic agents to the pulmonary system, requiring extended inhalation times, prone to shear degradation, and limited in dose rate, with manual metered dose inhalers being difficult for patients to use effectively.
Innovation Solution
The Aerosol Processing and Inhalation System (APIS) generates large droplets that are evaporated and concentrated to produce 1-7 μm aerodynamic diameter dry particles, allowing for high dose rates and efficient delivery of therapeutic agents, including large molecules, while minimizing shear degradation and enabling breath-activated, continuous inhalation without the need for patient coordination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If conventional nebulizers are used to deliver therapeutic aerosols, then delivery is possible, but treatment time is extended to 2-3 hours per day
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameters of aerosol generation by using a jet-type nebulizer with specific liquid flow rates (0.39-0.89 ml/min) and particle size distributions (80% <5μm), enabling high dose rate delivery while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts aerosol generation parameters during treatment, maintaining optimal liquid flow rates and particle size distributions to sustain high dose rates throughout the treatment period, reducing total treatment time to 15-30 minutes
2Productivity
If high shear force is applied during aerosol generation, then aerosolization is efficient, but polymeric molecules and biologics undergo shear degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes liquid flow rate parameters (0.39-0.89 ml/min) to achieve efficient aerosolization while maintaining shear forces below degradation thresholds for sensitive molecules, preserving therapeutic activity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a standardized jet-type nebulizer design that replicates optimal flow conditions, ensuring consistent low-shear aerosol generation across different treatments and patients
3Quantity of substance
If sparsely soluble agents are delivered in large volumes of fluid, then effective dose can be achieved, but inhalation time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes liquid flow rate (0.39-0.89 ml/min) and particle size parameters to maximize drug delivery efficiency, enabling complete dose delivery in 15-30 minutes regardless of solubility characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically maintains optimal aerosol concentration and particle size distribution throughout treatment, ensuring high dose rate delivery of sparsely soluble agents without extending treatment time
4Ease of operation
If manual metered dose inhalers are used, then device portability is good, but patient coordination difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The jet-type nebulizer system automatically regulates aerosol generation based on patient breathing patterns, eliminating the need for manual coordination while maintaining precise dose delivery through self-adjusting flow dynamics
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
APIS achieves efficient and comfortable delivery of high doses of therapeutic aerosols to the respiratory tract, reducing treatment time and minimizing side effects, with up to 100% active agent delivery and improved reproducibility of aerosol deposition.
Implementation Method 1
aerosol generation of 10-30 μm droplets
Implementation Method 2
evaporation of the droplets
Implementation Method 3
concentration of the aerosol
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system is disclosed which is capable of delivering at a high dose rate, respirable solid aerosols derived from aqueous- or nonaqueous-based solutions containing the desired therapeutic agent(s). The method and system comprises the integration of an aerosol generator, an aerosol evaporator, an aerosol concentrator, and an aerosol flow regulator. The aerosol generator generates 10-30 μm droplets, with a narrow size distribution. The aerosol jet is arrested by a coaxial counter-flow heated air jet, and evaporated rapidly by annular swirling heated air. Most of the air, together with the unwanted solvent vapor, is removed from the aerosol stream during the process of aerosol concentration. The output aerosol carries the dry particles to be inhaled by the patient. The respiratory-governed control of aerosol fluid generation system delivers fluid containing the test agent of interest (drug or toxin) to the aerosol generator throughout inhalation.