Aerosol Delivery Valve Control for Mucosal Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol delivery systems either focus on improving delivery to the target site or absorption into the mucosal layer, neglecting the need for both efficient delivery and adequate absorption, leading to suboptimal performance.
Innovation Solution
A device with a valve mechanism that switches between active and inactive configurations to control the delivery of a predetermined volume of substance using pressurized gas, ensuring efficient delivery and absorption by adjusting pressure and volume rates, and allowing for heterogeneous or homogeneous aerosol distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the delivery device is optimized for bringing material to the desired area, then delivery efficiency is improved, but absorption into and through the mucosal layer is neglected
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes physical parameters of the delivery system by introducing controlled pressurization (1-10 barg) and regulating flow rates (dVgas/dT > 0.001 ml/ms, dVsub/dT > 0.0001 ml/ms) to optimize both delivery efficiency and absorption. The valve mechanism enables precise control of pressure and flow parameters to achieve simultaneous improvement in both delivery and absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a dynamic valve mechanism that can switch between active and inactive configurations within a predetermined period (dT ≤ 500 ms), enabling real-time adjustment of delivery parameters. This dynamic control allows optimization of both delivery efficiency and absorption effectiveness by adapting flow rates and pressure during the delivery process.
2Reliability
If the composition and formulation are optimized for absorption into and through the mucosal layer, then absorption effectiveness is improved, but delivery of sufficient material to the desired tissue is neglected
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies pneumatic principles by using pressurized gas (1-10 barg) to drive the delivery of substance through the orifice. The gas flow entrains the substance and propels it toward the target tissue, ensuring sufficient material delivery while maintaining conditions for effective absorption. The hydraulic control through the valve regulates both gas and substance flow rates simultaneously.
3Speed
If the valve is reconfigured quickly from inactive to active configuration, then delivery speed is improved, but control precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is designed as a dynamic component that can switch between configurations within a controlled time frame (dT ≤ 500 ms). This dynamic design allows rapid delivery while maintaining precision through regulated flow rates (dVgas/dT and dVsub/dT) and pressure control (dPgas/dT), balancing speed and control precision.
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 device effectively delivers a substance to the target site while ensuring adequate absorption into and through the mucosal layer, achieving efficient and controlled aerosolization with customizable particle characteristics and distribution.
Implementation Method 1
the device is configured, once the valve is reconfigured from the INACTIVE CONFIGURATION to the ACTIVE CONFIGURATION, to entrain the substance by the pressurized gas, and deliver the same via the orifice in the delivery end within the body cavity
Implementation Method 2
the device is configured to deliver the predetermined volume Vsub [ml] of the substance and the predetermined volume Vgas of the pressurized gas through the orifice of diameter D [mm] in (a) pressure rate of dPgas/dT; (b) volume rate of dVgas/dT; and (c) volume rate of dVsub/dT
Data Source
AI summary
A device for delivering a predetermined volume a substance within a body cavity. The device includes: at least one predefined volume sized and shaped to contain a predetermined volume the substance; a delivery end in fluid communication with a container; and at least one valve mechanically connected to the container and configurable between an active configuration in which the valve enables delivery of a volume of the substance and an inactive configuration, in which the valve prevents delivery.