Condensation Aerosol Inhaler with Segmented Heating Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inhalation devices for pulmonary delivery of physiologically active compounds face challenges in delivering precise, consistent, and reproducible doses of condensation aerosols, as aerosol particles often deposit on downstream surfaces, reducing the amount of active compound available for administration and varying in composition due to uncontrolled vaporization processes.
Innovation Solution
The development of devices with a mechanism to entrain a substance within an airflow using electrically resistive heating elements and airflow routing techniques, such as airflow through holes or porous elements, to minimize deposition and ensure consistent aerosol formation, including a separable cartridge with a dispensing unit and actuation mechanism for controlled vaporization and aerosol delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If multiple doses are packaged within a common airway to reduce cost and compactness, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but aerosol particles from upstream doses deposit on downstream surfaces containing unvaporized compound, reducing the amount of active compound emitted and causing variable composition in subsequent doses
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the common airway into multiple segments by positioning heating elements at different locations along the airway. Each heating element processes a specific portion of the airflow, preventing cross-contamination between doses. The airflow is segmented through controlled heating zones, ensuring that vaporized compound from one dose does not deposit on downstream unvaporized compound from other doses.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs preliminary vaporization of the compound at each heating element before the aerosol reaches downstream doses. By pre-heating and vaporizing the compound in controlled zones upstream, the aerosol particles are formed and stabilized before encountering downstream unvaporized compound, preventing deposition and maintaining dose composition integrity.
2Productivity
If a large number of multiple doses are included in the device, then the device provides extended usage and higher productivity, but the latter doses comprise variable and uncontrolled amounts of active compound due to deposition from upstream vaporized aerosol
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates temperature sensing and control mechanisms that monitor the thermal state of each heating element and adjust power delivery accordingly. This feedback control ensures consistent vaporization efficiency across all doses, maintaining reliable and consistent active compound delivery throughout the device's usage life, even as multiple doses are consumed.
Solution Approach 2:
The device controls and adjusts vaporization parameters such as temperature, heating duration, and airflow rate for each dose. By dynamically optimizing these parameters, the device ensures that each dose delivers a consistent and controlled amount of active compound, maintaining reliability across all doses regardless of position in the sequence.
3Ease of operation
If aerosol particles are formed by vaporizing substance on supports disposed on surfaces within airflow, then the substance is delivered to the patient, but a certain portion of the aerosol deposits on downstream physical features such as side walls and mouthpiece, reducing the amount of active compound emitted
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses optimized airflow dynamics to carry vaporized compound through the airway. By controlling airflow velocity, direction, and turbulence characteristics, the system minimizes particle deposition on downstream surfaces. The pneumatic design ensures that aerosol particles remain suspended in the airflow and are efficiently delivered to the patient rather than depositing on device surfaces.
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
This approach enables the efficient and reproducible delivery of multiple doses of high-purity condensation aerosols with optimal particle size distribution, ensuring a consistent and controlled amount of active compound is administered during a single inhalation, enhancing therapeutic efficacy and treatment consistency.
Implementation Method 1
electrically resistive heating elements and airflow routing techniques, such as airflow through holes or porous elements, to minimize deposition and ensure consistent aerosol formation
Implementation Method 2
A condensation aerosol is formed when a gas phase substance formed from vaporization condenses or reacts to form particulates (also called particles herein) in the air or a gas
Implementation Method 3
a mechanism configured to release the substance from the at least one support; wherein an airflow passing from the inlet to the outlet is directed to the at least one support such that the substance is entrained in the airflow when released from the support
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods of entraining a substance within an airflow are disclosed. Condensation aerosol delivery devices and methods of consistently producing multiple doses of a substance, such as a drug, having high purity, high yield, characterized by a particle size distribution appropriate for pulmonary delivery, and which can be administered to a user in a single dose are also disclosed.