Breathing-Synchronized Fluid Jet Ejection for Nasal Drug Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional nasal spray devices and metered dose inhalers face inefficiencies in drug delivery due to user coordination challenges, leading to inconsistent and reduced drug absorption, as they require precise inhalation timing to dispense the proper drug amount effectively.
Innovation Solution
A fluid jet ejection device with a differential pressure sensor that synchronizes fluid delivery with the user's natural breathing cycle, adjusting the flow rate based on inhalation force and terminating delivery when a threshold pressure is reached or a prescribed dosage is administered, ensuring efficient drug delivery to the respiratory mucosa.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional nasal spray devices or metered dose inhalers are used, then drug delivery is simplified, but user coordination challenges arise leading to inconsistent and reduced drug absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a differential pressure sensor that continuously monitors the user's inhalation pressure and provides real-time feedback control. The control system adjusts the fluid ejection timing and rate based on the sensed inhalation pressure, ensuring drug delivery is synchronized with the user's breathing cycle. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for user coordination while maintaining consistent drug absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The device automatically detects the user's inhalation events through the differential pressure sensor and autonomously triggers fluid ejection without requiring user intervention or coordination. The system serves itself by monitoring its own operating conditions (inhalation pressure) and adjusting operation accordingly, making the device equally easy to use for all users regardless of their coordination abilities.
2Ease of operation
If spacers or valved holding chambers are used with metered dose inhalers, then users can breathe more naturally, but drug delivery efficiency is reduced due to losses and inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The device maintains continuous monitoring of inhalation pressure through the differential pressure sensor and provides continuous readiness to eject fluid. Unlike spacers that require the user to hold breath or coordinate timing, this system continuously adapts to the user's natural breathing rhythm, delivering drug precisely when inhalation occurs without interruption or waste, thereby maintaining both natural breathing and high delivery efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical spacer/valve system with an electronically controlled fluid ejection system. Instead of relying on mechanical timing mechanisms or user coordination with physical components, the system uses electronic sensing (differential pressure sensor) and electronic control to trigger fluid ejection, eliminating the inefficiencies and losses associated with mechanical spacers while preserving natural breathing patterns.
3Productivity
If fluid jet ejection devices synchronize with user's natural breathing cycle, then drug delivery efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to sensing and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The device utilizes the user's own breath as the actuating force through the differential pressure sensor, which detects pressure changes during inhalation. This pneumatic sensing approach eliminates the need for complex electronic sensors or power sources, as the breath itself provides the signal for fluid ejection synchronization. The breath-actuated mechanism achieves high drug delivery efficiency while keeping the device structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes its operational parameters (fluid ejection timing and rate) based on the detected inhalation pressure parameter. By monitoring the differential pressure during inhalation and adjusting fluid delivery accordingly, the system optimizes drug delivery efficiency. This parameter-based control approach allows sophisticated synchronization without requiring overly complex device architecture, as it leverages the natural variations in breath parameters.
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 allows for effective and efficient delivery of the prescribed dosage without requiring users to coordinate inhalation with device activation, adapting to different users' breathing patterns and ensuring consistent drug absorption by synchronizing fluid delivery with inhalation, thereby improving bioavailability and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
A differential pressure sensor senses a user's inhalation
Implementation Method 2
fluid jet ejection devices have been designed and used to eject ink onto a substrate
Implementation Method 3
fluid jet ejection devices may be used for vapor or mist producing devices for drug delivery
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid delivery device and a method for controlling the delivering of a fluid to a user. The fluid delivery device includes a cartridge body; a fluid outlet nozzle attached to the cartridge body; a fluid jet ejection cartridge disposed in the cartridge body, the fluid jet ejection cartridge containing a fluid and an ejection head attached to the fluid jet ejection cartridge; wherein the ejection head contains a plurality of fluid ejectors thereon and a nozzle plate having a plurality of fluid ejection nozzles therein associated with the plurality of fluid ejectors configured to deliver the fluid to a user at a predetermined rate. A control system is disposed in the fluid delivery device that includes a differential pressure sensor for sensing an inhalation differential pressure. The control system is configured to terminate fluid delivery below a threshold inhalation differential pressure.