Auricular Drug Delivery via Fluid Generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing auricular drug delivery methods, such as ear candling and moxibustion, pose risks of burns, middle ear damage, and ineffective medication delivery due to the use of open flames and wax, which are dangerous and ineffective for administering medication.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising an earcup, a drug cartridge, and a fluid generator, which can include a vaporizer, humidifier, or nebulizer, to deliver medication to the ear without combustion, ensuring safe and effective administration of active ingredients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ear candling or moxibustion is used for auricular drug delivery, then traditional auricular therapy can be performed, but there is high risk of burns, middle ear damage, and ineffective medication delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/thermal system of ear candling (burning candle, heat, smoke) and moxibustion (burning moxa herb) with a controlled fluid delivery system that uses a pump to deliver medicated fluid through a catheter to the ear canal, eliminating open flames and direct thermal contact while maintaining auricular therapy benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a fluid delivery system with pump, catheter, and controlled dispensing mechanism as an intermediary between the medication source and the ear, replacing direct application methods (burning candle/moxa) with a controlled intermediate delivery process that eliminates harmful thermal effects
2Adaptability or versatility
If ear candling is used to deliver medication to the ear, then auricular treatment can be provided, but the use of open flames creates fire hazards and burn risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the combustion-based delivery system (burning candle or moxa) with a mechanical pump-based fluid delivery system that uses controlled pumping action to deliver medicated fluid, eliminating fire hazards while preserving auricular treatment capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful combustion element (open flame) from the auricular therapy process, separating the medication delivery function from the thermal/combustion process, and replaces it with a safe fluid pumping and dispensing mechanism
3Ease of operation
If wax is used in ear candling, then traditional ear treatment can be performed, but it causes ear canal blockage, bleeding, and eardrum puncture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the wax-based ear candling mechanism with a controlled fluid injection system that delivers medicated fluid through a catheter, eliminating wax-related complications such as ear canal blockage, bleeding, and eardrum puncture while maintaining ease of treatment administration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and delivery method from solid/waxy material (ear candle) to liquid fluid under controlled pressure (via pump and catheter), fundamentally altering the delivery parameters to eliminate harmful effects while preserving therapeutic benefits
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 solution provides a safe and effective method for auricularly delivering medication, avoiding the risks associated with open flames and wax, allowing for precise control of drug delivery and improved treatment outcomes for various health conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid generator, wherein the fluid generator generates a fluid comprising the active ingredients and delivers the fluid to the earcup
Implementation Method 2
a device comprising an earcup, a drug cartridge, and a fluid generator, which can include a vaporizer, humidifier, or nebulizer
Data Source
AI summary
A device for auricularly delivering and/or receiving medication which comprises an earcup, a drug cartridge or drug reservoir having active ingredients, and a fluid generator that generates a fluid having active ingredients and delivers the fluid to the earcup. A method for auricularly delivering medication which comprises the steps of receiving medication from a cartridge at a fluid generator, generating fluid comprising the medication, and passing the fluid to an earcup. A system for auricularly delivering medication comprising a headphone comprising at least one earcup, and a replaceable and consumable drug cartridge coupled to the headphone. A method for receiving medication which comprises the steps of placing an earcup on an ear, operating a headphone coupled to the earcup, and receiving fluid generated by a fluid generator, the fluid comprising active ingredients, wherein the fluid generator receives medication from a cartridge comprising active ingredients.