Heated Aerosol Cartridge with Volatile Enhancer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercially available e-cigarettes require significant power to produce aerosolized nicotine particles of suitable size for delivery, leading to inconsistent nicotine delivery due to temperature-dependent vapor pressure differences between pyruvic acid and nicotine.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge design with a first compartment containing a volatile delivery enhancing compound, such as pyruvic acid, and a second compartment with a medicament source, utilizing a capillary wick for consistent medicament delivery, where the volatile compound enhances the delivery rate and reduces power consumption by interacting with the medicament in the gas phase to form aerosolized particles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If significant power is used to vaporise liquid nicotine formulation in commercially available e-cigarettes, then aerosol particles of suitable size can be formed, but power consumption increases and delivery consistency deteriorates due to temperature-dependent vapor pressure differences
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state of nicotine from liquid to solid salt form, and introduces a volatile delivery enhancing compound that modifies the vaporization characteristics. This parameter change allows the system to achieve suitable aerosol particle size with reduced power consumption while maintaining delivery consistency through controlled evaporation of the volatile compound that enhances nicotine salt vaporization.
Solution Approach 2:
The volatile delivery enhancing compound acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates the vaporization process. This compound has lower vapor pressure than nicotine but higher volatility than nicotine salt, serving as a mediator that enhances the evaporation of nicotine salt particles while requiring less power input, thus resolving the contradiction between power consumption and delivery consistency.
2Productivity
If pyruvic acid and nicotine are used in gas phase reaction to form aerosol, then aerosol delivery can be achieved, but delivery consistency worsens due to temperature-dependent vapor pressure differences between pyruvic acid and nicotine
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the approach from using pyruvic acid (which has higher vapor pressure than nicotine) to using a volatile delivery enhancing compound with specifically controlled vapor pressure properties. This parameter change in the volatility relationship between components allows for more consistent gas-phase reaction and aerosol formation across varying temperatures, improving delivery consistency while maintaining productivity.
3Reliability
If capillary wick is used to convey medicament from compartment to vaporiser, then consistent medicament delivery is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capillary wick utilizes capillary action, a self-service mechanism where the material itself drives the transport of medicament from the compartment to the vaporizer without requiring external pumping or complex delivery mechanisms. This passive self-service approach achieves consistent medicament delivery while minimizing the addition of complex components to the device.
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 solution provides a more consistent and cost-effective aerosol delivery system with reduced power consumption, increasing the pharmacokinetic rate of medicament delivery and maintaining a compact, easy-to-use design.
Implementation Method 1
the transfer element comprises a capillary material for conveying the medicament from the second compartment to the vaporiser by capillary action
Implementation Method 2
a vaporiser for heating the medicament... heating the medicament to form a medicament-containing vapour
Implementation Method 3
the volatile delivery enhancing compound interacts with the medicament in the gas phase to form aerosolized particles
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(d)
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to an aerosol delivery system for delivering aerosolised medicament particles to a user comprising a cartridge and a device configured to receive the cartridge. The cartridge comprises: a first compartment comprising a delivery enhancing compound source; a second compartment comprising a medicament source; a vaporiser for heating the medicament; and a transfer element for conveying the medicament from the second compartment to the vaporiser. The cartridge may further comprise an aerosol forming chamber in fluid communication with the first compartment and the second compartment. The device comprises: an outer housing; a power source; temperature controlling means for controlling the temperature of the first compartment of the cartridge; and electronic circuitry configured to control power to the temperature controlling means from the power source. The electronic circuitry is configured to maintain the first compartment of the cartridge at a temperature of between about 30°C and about 50°C. In use, the medicament reacts with the delivery enhancing compound in the gas phase to form aerosolised medicament-containing particles.