Chilled-air inhaler device and methods of using a chilled-air inhaler device for the alleviation of respiratory symptoms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for respiratory symptoms such as bronchitis, asthma, and croup often come with serious side effects and are costly, making them inaccessible to many, particularly the young and old.
Innovation Solution
A chilled-air inhaler device that uses a hollow chamber with an air-chilling surface to generate cooled air, which can be inhaled through a mouthpiece, potentially relieving respiratory symptoms without pharmaceuticals, and can be combined with a nebulizer or blower for enhanced delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pharmaceutical treatments are used for respiratory symptoms, then symptom relief is achieved, but serious side effects occur and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential therapeutic element (chilled air) from pharmaceutical treatments, creating a non-pharmaceutical alternative that delivers symptom relief without the harmful side effects and costs associated with medications
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses common household items like ice and household equipment to create the chilling effect, replacing expensive pharmaceutical treatments with inexpensive, readily available materials
2Ease of manufacture
If common household equipment is used for air chilling, then cost is reduced and accessibility is improved, but device functionality must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed to be self-contained, using the household equipment and ice to automatically create chilled air flow through the hollow chamber and mouthpiece without requiring external power sources or complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The device can be combined with various household equipment like nebulizers or blowers that the user may already own, allowing one device to serve multiple functions and increasing accessibility while maintaining reliability
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 provides relief from respiratory symptoms without the use of medications, is economically viable, and can be used across various age groups with minimal side effects, utilizing common household equipment like ice for air chilling.
Implementation Method 1
The hollow chamber has an interior space containing at least an air-chilling surface
Data Source
AI summary
A chilled-air inhaler device for the alleviation of respiratory symptoms includes a body containing a hollow chamber through which air is forced or drawn past at least an air-chilling surface. In an embodiment the air-chilling surface may include water ice. Connected to the body and hollow chamber at one end is a mouthpiece including an opening that connects from environmental air outside of the hollow chamber to the hollow chamber. Connected to the hollow chamber at a second end is an inlet which connects to a source of air. In an embodiment, the inlet may connect to an external device such blower or nebulizer.