Compressed Gas Nebulizer With Pneumatic Dose Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nebulizers often require electrical power or mechanical drivers for aerosol generation, limiting their use in diverse settings and conditions, and may degrade medication due to heat or mechanical work, and lack precise control over medication delivery.
Innovation Solution
A compressed gas nebulizer using a pressurized gas cartridge to power aerosolization, with a linear actuator and nozzle system for precise medication delivery, allowing operation without electricity and heat, and adjustable dose control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electrical power or mechanical drivers are used for aerosol generation, then aerosolization function is achieved, but device complexity and limitation in diverse settings occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pneumatic system where a compressible gas chamber stores pressurized gas that directly drives the aerosolization process. When the trigger is actuated, the pressurized gas expands and forces the liquid medication through the nozzle, eliminating the need for electrical motors or complex mechanical drivers. This pneumatic mechanism provides simplicity and reliability across diverse settings.
2Reliability
If electrical power or mechanical drivers are used for aerosol generation, then aerosolization function is achieved, but medication degradation due to heat or mechanical work occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic drive system uses compressed gas expansion to create a cold, mechanical force that pushes medication through the nozzle without generating heat. This avoids thermal degradation of the medication while maintaining effective aerosolization. The gas expansion process is inherently cooler than electrical or mechanical motor-driven systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical drivers (motors, pumps) with a simpler pneumatic system. The compressible gas chamber provides the necessary mechanical force through gas expansion, eliminating the need for motorized components that generate heat and mechanical wear, thereby protecting medication integrity.
3Measurement precision
If conventional nebulizers are used, then aerosolization is achieved, but precise control over medication delivery is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a movable barrier that can be dynamically positioned to control the volume of liquid medication exposed to the pressurized gas. By adjusting the barrier position, the system can precisely control the amount of medication aerosolized in each dose. This dynamic control mechanism enables precise medication delivery while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
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
Provides reliable, precise, and versatile aerosol medication delivery across various environments and conditions, ensuring medication integrity and patient safety with adjustable dose control.
Implementation Method 1
when pressurized gas is conveyed from the cartridge, pressure within the nebulizer housing from the pressurized gas forces the linear actuator to move within the nebulizer housing
Implementation Method 2
a nozzle, through which the medication is aerosolized before the medication is dispensed from the nebulizer housing
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~4B
AI summary
Pressurized gas nebulizers (100) are disclosed having a nebulizer housing configured for receiving an energy source such as a pressurized gas for moving an actuator (220) to dispense liquid medication through a nozzle (760) from a medication chamber (200) and transform the liquid medication into an aerosolized medication, and where a trigger (150) is actuatable to permit movement of the actuator by the pressurized gas so that a pressure chamber (180) volume is enlarged while a medication chamber volume is reduced, and where the energy source can be a pressurized gas cartridge (160) fluidly couplable with the pressure chamber.