Metered Dose Inhaler Vaporizing Cannabis Plant Material

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Solution Overview

Problem

The use of cannabis as a pharmaceutical is limited due to difficulties in accurate and precise dosing, leading to challenges in its administration and regulation, particularly in pulmonary delivery methods, which lack standardization and consistency, hindering its acceptance as a mainstream medical treatment.

Innovation Solution

A metered dose inhaler device configured to vaporize predetermined amounts of cannabinoids from cannabis, allowing for controlled and reproducible pulmonary delivery, with a controller to adjust doses based on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects, ensuring precise therapeutic effects and minimizing adverse effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If cannabis is administered through traditional pulmonary delivery methods (smoking), then rapid absorption and efficient cannabinoid delivery is achieved, but variable bioavailability and harmful pyrolytic byproducts are generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabsorption speedVSAvoidpyrolytic byproducts

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter from combustion range (above 230-235°C) to vaporization range (170-190°C), transforming the harmful pyrolytic process into a beneficial vaporization process that delivers cannabinoids rapidly without generating toxic byproducts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of heat (which causes pyrolysis and toxic byproducts) into a beneficial vaporization process by precisely controlling temperature to remain below the combustion point, thus eliminating harmful factors while maintaining rapid absorption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If cannabis is administered through oral edibles, then avoidance of respiratory hazards is achieved, but slow and erratic absorption leads to delayed onset and unsatisfactory analgesia

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverespiratory hazardsVSAvoidabsorption speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the lung as an intermediary absorption site with its large surface area and rich blood supply, enabling rapid absorption without respiratory hazards by using controlled vaporization rather than combustion, thus bridging the gap between oral safety and inhalation speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Speed

If cannabis is administered through smoking, then rapid cannabinoid delivery is achieved, but heterogeneous bioavailability and inconsistent dosing occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery speedVSAvoiddosing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cannabis plant material into small uniform particles and delivers them through controlled puffs, with each puff providing a consistent, measurable dose through the vaporization device, thereby achieving both rapid delivery and precise dosing control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If cannabis is used as a natural substance, then a wide range of therapeutic effects is available, but difficulties in quantifying active agents prevent controlled administration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic rangeVSAvoidactive agent quantification

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-weighing and pre-dosing the cannabis plant material into standardized cartridges or chambers before use, ensuring that each administration delivers a known, controlled amount of active agents while maintaining the versatility of natural cannabis therapy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 system enables accurate and consistent delivery of cannabis-derived cannabinoids, bridging the gap between natural substances and pharmaceutical standards, allowing for standardized medical use by achieving desired therapeutic effects while minimizing adverse effects.

Implementation Method 1

a heating element adapted to apply heat to a portion of the plant material matter to thereby vaporize one or more pharmaceutically active agents

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3160554B1Devices and systems for pulmonary delivery of active agents

Publication Date: 2021.10.13 SYQE MEDICAL LTD

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AI summary

Provided herein is a system that includes a metered dose inhaler device for pulmonary delivering to a subject at least one pre-determined vaporized amount of at least one pharmacologically active agent being in a plant material, wherein vaporization is effected by controllably heating the plant material so as to vaporize a pre-determined vaporized amount of the agent; the system further includes a controller in communication with the inhaler device, configured to control the pre-determined vaporized amount based on data indicative of at least one pharmacodynamic effect induced by the agent in the subject.