Gas-Powered Dispensing Device for Dry Powder Inhalers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dry powder inhalers face challenges in achieving high delivery efficiency due to variability in inhalable fraction depending on patient breathing, incomplete emptying of powder pockets, and difficulty in de-agglomeration, leading to reduced delivery efficiency and powder loss.
Innovation Solution
A compact, active, gas-powered dispensing device with a mechanism to prevent backstroke of the connecting element, radially movable actuator for easy operation, and means for aligning and reinserting inserts, ensuring high delivery efficiency and desired spray plume characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a passive inhaler is used where powder is inhaled by the patient without additional energy source, then the device complexity is reduced, but the inhalable fraction and delivery efficiency become highly dependent on patient breathing variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patient's own breathing action serves as the power source to activate the device. The breathing action automatically triggers the piercing element to penetrate the sealing and release the formulation, eliminating the need for external power sources or complex actuation mechanisms while maintaining reliable drug delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to be activated by periodic breathing actions. Each inhalation cycle triggers a complete dispensing sequence, ensuring consistent drug delivery with each breath while keeping the device structure simple and passive
2Device complexity
If the powder is stored in pockets without individual deaggregation flow paths, then the device complexity is reduced, but the deagglomeration becomes difficult and delivery efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The device provides individual deaggregation flow paths for each powder pocket. Each pocket is equipped with its own flow path that directs breathable air through the powder, enabling effective deagglomeration and complete emptying of each pocket while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the device have specialized functions tailored to their specific needs. The flow paths are designed with local characteristics optimized for deagglomeration in each pocket, ensuring efficient powder delivery without requiring complex global restructuring
3Device complexity
If the connecting element can disconnect during dispensing due to spring expansion, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability and delivery efficiency are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element is designed with features that prevent backstroke and disconnection before they can occur. The element maintains positive engagement with the piercing element throughout the spring expansion cycle, eliminating the risk of disconnection without requiring additional locking mechanisms or complex safety features
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 device achieves high delivery efficiency and desired spray plume characteristics with a compact construction, easy handling, and optimized powder dispensing, minimizing powder loss and ensuring consistent delivery of fine particles to targeted lung regions.
Implementation Method 1
a means for pressurizing gas (air pump) for forcing the formulation through the insert (6) to directly generate the spray (3)
Implementation Method 2
The spray (3) has a propagation velocity and a duration of spray generation, in particular in air
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A dispensing device (1) having a storage device (4) and an air pump (18) for dispensing a medical formulation (2) is proposed. The storage device comprise multiple inserts (6), each insert containing a single dose of the formulation Each insert is located in a separate and sealed cavity (7). The cavities can be individually opened for dispensing the respective dose from the respective insert.