Flexible Silicone Nasal Interface for Gas-Tight Nebulization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nasal interfaces for nebulizers are uncomfortable for patients and lack gas tightness, leading to inefficiencies in aerosol delivery, as they are typically made of rigid polymeric materials that fail to provide a secure seal during inhalation and exhalation.
Innovation Solution
A nebulizer with a breath-enhanced valve system and a nasal interface made of flexible soft materials, such as silicone, designed to fit various nose morphologies, ensuring gas tightness and comfort by using a detachable nasal interface with snap-fit mechanisms and a one-way inspiration and expiration valve system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid polymeric materials (polycarbonate or polypropylene) are used for the nasal interface, then the structural strength and durability are improved, but the patient comfort and gas sealing efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The nasal interface is made from a flexible material that can deform to conform to the patient's nasal anatomy, creating a comfortable fit and effective seal. The flexibility allows the interface to adapt to individual nasal shapes while maintaining structural integrity during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite construction combining a flexible nasal interface material with a rigid mounting structure. This allows the interface portion contacting the patient to be soft and conformable, while the mounting portion maintains structural strength for secure attachment to the nebulizer device.
2Manufacturing precision
If rigid polymeric materials are used for the nasal interface, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the gas sealing efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible material enables the nasal interface to dynamically seal around the nostrils by deforming to match the nasal contours. This flexibility compensates for variations in patient anatomy and ensures reliable gas sealing even with manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The material properties of the nasal interface are changed from rigid to flexible, allowing it to adapt its shape and conform to the patient's nasal geometry. This parameter change enables effective sealing without requiring extremely tight manufacturing precision.
3Productivity
If a breath-enhanced valve system is implemented, then the nebulization rate is improved, but the requirement for gas tightness increases, making the system more sensitive to leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible nasal interface material creates a reliable seal that prevents air leaks, ensuring the breath-enhanced valve system operates correctly. The flexibility allows the interface to conform to the nasal passages and maintain gas tightness during inhalation and exhalation cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The nasal interface is designed as a disposable component that can be easily replaced. This ensures that each patient receives a new, clean interface that maintains proper sealing, and eliminates the need for complex cleaning or sterilization procedures while ensuring reliable gas tightness.
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 flexible nasal interface provides improved comfort and efficient gas tightness, enhancing the nebulization process by maintaining a secure seal during inhalation and controlling exhalation, thereby increasing the nebulization rate and reducing aerosol wastage.
Implementation Method 1
hollow body and the two nasal prongs of the nasal interface are made of a flexible soft material
Implementation Method 2
the negative pressure generated during the inhalation of the patient, opens the inhalation valve, thereby providing an additional flow of air that activates a double Venturi effect that increases the nebulization rate
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention concerns a nebulizer (1) for aerosolizing a liquid, such as a drug-containing solution, comprising a nebulizer body (2) comprising a nasal interface (10) comprising a hollow body (11) defining an inner chamber (16), and two nasal prongs (12) to be inserted into the nostrils of a user (20), each nasal prong (12) comprising an inner channel (13) in fluid communication with an inner chamber (16) of the hollow body (11) of the nasal interface (10). The nasal interface (10) is detachably fixed to the nebulizer body (2). The hollow body (11) and the two nasal prongs (12) of the nasal interface (10) are made of a flexible soft material. The nebulizer (1) of the present invention is usable in combination with a source of gas, such as compressed air, for nebulizing a drug-containing solution and thereby obtaining a mist containing droplets of medication having suitable sizes so as to be able to reach the lower airways of the patient that has to inhale said mist in the frame of his/her aerosoltherapy.