Capsule Puncture Alignment Guide for Consistent Aerosolization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inhalation devices for aerosolizing pharmaceutical formulations often result in inconsistent and reduced delivery due to improper capsule opening, leading to inefficient aerosolization and reduced apparatus lifetime.

Innovation Solution

A capsule puncturing mechanism with an alignment guide that includes a sloped surface or protrusions to improve capsule alignment and a puncture member for creating consistent openings, enhancing the aerosolization process and extending the device's lifespan.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a capsule is inserted into the aerosolization device without proper alignment guidance, then the insertion process is simple and quick, but the capsule opening becomes inconsistent and incomplete, reducing pharmaceutical formulation delivery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapsule opening consistencyVSAvoidalignment guide structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment guide performs preliminary alignment of the capsule before the puncture member acts on it. The sloped surface contacts the capsule and guides it into the correct position, ensuring the puncture member will create a proper opening. This preliminary positioning action resolves the contradiction by establishing precise capsule orientation before the actual puncture occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment guide acts as an intermediary element between the capsule and the puncture mechanism. It mediates the interaction by providing a controlled interface through its sloped surface, which gradually guides the capsule into proper alignment. This intermediary structure enables precise capsule positioning without requiring complex direct control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the puncture member creates inconsistent openings in the capsule, then the device structure remains simple, but the aerosolization quality deteriorates and pharmaceutical formulation delivery is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerosolization effectivenessVSAvoidpuncture mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical control systems with a simpler geometric solution. Instead of using motors, sensors, or active control mechanisms to ensure precise puncture alignment, the invention uses the passive geometric form of the sloped alignment guide surface to automatically guide capsule positioning through physical contact and geometric constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If residual pharmaceutical formulation remains in the aerosolization chamber, then the device structure remains unchanged, but the effectiveness of subsequent capsule punctures is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice operational lifetimeVSAvoidcleaning mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment guide's sloped surface is designed to extract or remove residual pharmaceutical formulation from the chamber. The geometry of the sloped surface allows residual powder to be swept away or fall off, preventing accumulation that would interfere with subsequent capsule punctures. This extraction function extends device operational lifetime without requiring active cleaning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Manufacturing precision

If the alignment guide surface is steep (greater than 55 degrees), then capsule alignment is achieved quickly, but capsule damage increases and aerosolization quality decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapsule alignment precisionVSAvoidcapsule damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the critical parameter of the alignment guide surface angle to be less than 55 degrees. This parameter change balances two competing requirements: providing sufficient alignment precision while minimizing capsule damage. By carefully selecting this angular parameter, the invention achieves effective capsule positioning without the harmful effects of overly steep surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10207066B2Aerosolization apparatus with capsule puncture alignment guide

Publication Date: 2019.02.19 BGP PROD OPERATIONS GMBH

AI summary

An aerosolization apparatus comprises a housing defining a chamber having one or more air inlets. The chamber is sized to receive a capsule which contains an aerosolizable pharmaceutical formulation. The aerosolization apparatus further comprises a puncturing mechanism within the housing. The puncturing mechanism comprises an alignment guide and a puncture member, wherein the alignment guide comprises a surface adapted to contact the capsule while the puncture member is advanced into the capsule to create an opening in the capsule. At least a portion of the surface is sloped relative to the longitudinal axis of the capsule. Alternatively or additionally, the surface may comprise one or more protrusions. An end section is associated with the housing. The end section is sized and shaped to be received in a user's mouth or nose so that the user may inhale through the end section to inhale aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation that has exited the capsule through the opening created in the capsule. The alignment guide allows for more consistent puncturing of the capsule and a longer lifetime of the apparatus.