Flavored Nicotine Powder Particle Sizing for Lung and Mouth Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dry powder inhalers (DPIs) are inefficient in delivering nicotine particles to the lungs and flavor particles to the buccal or mouth cavity due to incomplete de-aggregation, requiring high inhalation rates that differ from conventional smoking regimes, leading to incomplete delivery and deposition in upper airways.
Innovation Solution
A powder system comprising nicotine particles with sizes of 10 micrometers or less and flavor particles with sizes of 20 micrometers or greater, stabilized by amino acids like L-leucine coating, allowing for free-flowing delivery at conventional smoking inhalation rates without the need for additional energy sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If nicotine and flavor are combined in conventional DPI powder systems, then delivery can be achieved, but particle sizes become unstable and de-aggregation is incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the powder system into two distinct particle populations: nicotine particles (1-10 micrometers) and flavor particles (20-100 micrometers). This segmentation allows each component to maintain its own optimal particle size and delivery characteristics, preventing the de-aggregation issues that occur when components are mixed at similar sizes. The nicotine particles remain fine enough for lung delivery while flavor particles provide stability and mouth coating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different particle size characteristics to different components: nicotine is delivered as fine particles (1-10 micrometers) for optimal lung absorption, while flavor is provided as larger particles (20-100 micrometers) for stability and buccal coating. This local differentiation of particle properties allows each substance to be delivered in the form most suitable for its intended function, resolving the contradiction between stability and delivery efficiency.
2Reliability
If high inhalation rates are used to ensure complete de-aggregation, then delivery completeness improves, but the system becomes unsuitable for conventional smoking regimes
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the powder into nicotine particles (1-10 micrometers) and flavor particles (20-100 micrometers), the system enables complete de-aggregation at conventional smoking inhalation rates. The fine nicotine particles are easily entrained and delivered to the lungs, while the larger flavor particles provide stability and coating without requiring excessive inhalation force, thus maintaining compatibility with conventional smoking behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the particle size parameters of the components to resolve the contradiction. Nicotine particles are sized at 1-10 micrometers for optimal lung delivery at conventional inhalation rates, while flavor particles are sized at 20-100 micrometers for stability. This parameter differentiation allows the system to achieve complete delivery without requiring high inhalation rates, making it adaptable to conventional smoking regimes.
3Productivity
If nicotine particles are made very small for lung delivery, then delivery efficiency improves, but mixing with flavor particles becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the particle sizes into two distinct ranges: nicotine particles (1-10 micrometers) for efficient lung delivery and flavor particles (20-100 micrometers) for mixing stability. This segmentation prevents the manufacturing problems that would arise from mixing particles of similar size, while maintaining the fine particle size needed for efficient nicotine delivery to the lungs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different particle size qualities to different components: fine particles (1-10 micrometers) for nicotine to ensure efficient lung delivery, and coarser particles (20-100 micrometers) for flavor to provide mixing stability and prevent agglomeration. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between delivery efficiency and manufacturing ease by tailoring particle properties to each component's specific requirements.
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 ensures selective delivery of nicotine to the lungs and flavor to the mouth cavity while maintaining stable particle sizes, achieving effective delivery at conventional inhalation rates without the need for high airflow, thus mimicking smoking experiences.
Implementation Method 1
The first plurality of particles comprise an amino acid or nicotine selected from the group consisting of nicotine pyruvate, nicotine mono-pyruvate, nicotine aspartate and nicotine lactate
Data Source
AI summary
A nicotine powder inhaler (10) comprises a body extending between a mouthpiece portion (12) and a distal end portion (14), an airflow channel (15) extending between the mouthpiece portion and the distal end portion and a nicotine powder receptacle (20) disposed along the airflow channel, and a powder system disposed within the nicotine powder receptacle. The powder system includes a first plurality of particles having a particle size of about (10) micrometres or less and including nicotine and a second plurality of particles having a particle size of about 20 micrometres of greater and including flavour. The first plurality of particles comprise an amino acid or nicotine selected from the group consisting of nicotine pyruvate, nicotine mono-pyruvate, nicotine aspartate and nicotine lactate.