Helical Dose Counter for Metered Inhalers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dose counters for metered-dose inhalers face challenges in accurately tracking the release of medicament doses due to manufacturing tolerances and the need for precise detection of small movements, leading to potential false counts and user misuse, while also requiring user-friendly and cost-effective solutions.

Innovation Solution

A counter mechanism featuring a helical member with indicia for dose tracking, utilizing a relative incremental rotation between overlapping members to accurately count doses dispensed or remaining, with a drive mechanism to prevent improper resetting and ensure accurate display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mechanical counter with moving parts is used to track doses, then the counter can provide dose counting functionality, but the device complexity increases and reliability decreases due to manufacturing tolerances and potential false counts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedose counting accuracyVSAvoidcounter mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical counters with multiple moving parts with a simple visual indicator system. The indicator comprises a visible portion showing remaining doses and an obscured portion, eliminating the need for complex mechanical counting mechanisms while improving reliability and reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the counting function from a separate mechanical counter device and integrates it into the container structure itself through the visual indicator system. The indicator is formed as part of the container wall, removing the need for independent counting mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the container is made opaque for protection, then the medicament is protected from light degradation, but the user cannot gauge how many doses remain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedicament stabilityVSAvoiddose remaining information

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making only a specific portion of the container wall translucent or transparent while keeping the rest opaque. The indicator portion allows light transmission to display dose information, while other portions remain opaque to protect the medicament from light degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses color or transparency changes in the indicator portion to convey dose information. The indicator may change appearance based on the volume of medicament remaining, providing visual feedback while maintaining overall container opacity for medicament protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Loss of information

If a visual indicator is made translucent to show dose levels, then the user can see remaining doses, but light may degrade the medicament

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedose visibilityVSAvoidlight degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates the translucent indicator portion into the container design from the beginning, rather than adding it later. This preliminary design integration ensures that the indicator is optimally positioned and sized to provide sufficient visibility while minimizing light exposure to the medicament.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Loss of information

If the indicator shows detailed dose information, then the user can accurately track remaining doses, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedose information accuracyVSAvoidindicator mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2408498B1counter

Publication Date: 2017.05.03 EURO CELTIQUE SA

Figure 1~2(c)
Figure 3~5
Figure 6A~7D

AI summary

The present invention provices a counter comprising: a first member disposed in at least a partial helical turn about a longitudinal axis of an entity whose movements and/or contents are to be counted, said first member having an indicium or indicia indicative of a count; a second member extending generally in the direction of said longitudinal axis, said second member being operatively disposed in overlapping relationship under and over one or more portions of said at least partial helical turn of said first member; and means to effect relative movement between said first and second members, said movement comprising a relative incremental rotation about said longitudinal axis.