Compact Inhaler with Nested Canister and Protective Cap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inhalers face issues with clogging and debris accumulation in the mouthpiece due to infrequent use, and they are not efficient for emergency single-dose administration, as the canisters are not designed for single use and can be cumbersome for carrying.
Innovation Solution
A compact inhaler design featuring a main body housing with a mouthpiece and activation button, where the medicament canister is stored and protected until deployment, allowing for easy access and administration of a single dose, with optional features like a cover, adherence monitor, and key ring attachment for convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the inhaler is designed with a multi-dose canister held in a holder, then the device can provide multiple doses of medication, but the mouthpiece remains exposed and accessible to catch debris between uses
Solution Approach 1:
The inhaler is divided into separate functional components: a reusable actuator housing and a disposable canister. The canister is sealed within the housing until use, and the mouthpiece is protected by a cap when not in use. This segmentation allows the mouthpiece to be protected during storage while remaining accessible during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The mouthpiece is pre-protected by a cap that covers it during storage and transport. The cap is designed to be easily removed when the inhaler is ready for use, preventing debris accumulation before the inhaler is activated.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the canister contains multiple doses, then the inhaler can be used for maintenance medication over time, but it is not efficient for emergency use requiring a single dose
Solution Approach 1:
The canister is designed as a disposable single-dose unit that is discarded after one use. This eliminates the need to clean or maintain the canister and ensures the mouthpiece remains clean. The actuator housing can be reused with new canisters, providing both single-dose efficiency for emergencies and the ability to refill for maintenance use.
3Ease of operation
If the mouthpiece is left accessible for frequent use, then the inhaler is convenient for regular patients, but it accumulates debris when not cleaned regularly
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable canister system is self-cleaning in the sense that it is discarded after one use, taking all potential contamination with it. The actuator housing and mouthpiece are protected by the cap when not in use, and the single-dose canister eliminates the need for users to clean the device between uses.
4Volume of moving object
If the inhaler is designed as a compact single-use device, then it can be carried conveniently by users, but the canister must be stored in the mouthpiece before deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The canister is nested within the actuator housing, fitting inside the cylindrical chamber. The cap covers the open end of the housing, creating a compact nested structure that protects the canister during storage and transport while maintaining a small overall size.
Data Source
AI summary
A compact inhaler for dispensing medicament is disclosed. The compact inhaler includes a cylindrical main body housing having a mouthpiece, an open end, and an activation button aperture. A canister is stored in the mouthpiece. An activation button is moveable in the button aperture. Pressing the activation button pushes the canister out of the mouthpiece. The stored canister may be inserted in the open end of the main body to provide medicament from the mouthpiece when the canister is actuated.