Hydrophilic Cannula Opening Element for Ampoule Fluid Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aerosol generation devices face challenges in achieving precise dosage accuracy due to the hydrophobic nature of existing opening elements, which impede fluid flow from ampoules, leading to variations in the emitted dose and potential gas bubble formation.
Innovation Solution
An opening element with a first member and a second member, where the second member is more hydrophilic than the first, providing additional surface area for fluid drainage and guiding it past gas bubbles, ensuring a controlled and constant fluid flow through the aerosol generation device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional opening elements made from hydrophobic materials (Grilamid resin, plastic materials) are used, then the device structure is simple, but the fluid flow is impeded leading to dosing variations and gas bubble formation
Solution Approach 1:
The opening element is divided into two distinct members: a first member (collar) and a second member (cannula or hollow needle). The first member provides structural support and ampoule opening functionality, while the second member provides a hydrophilic surface for fluid drainage. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in one function, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and reliable fluid flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The second member is arranged at least partly inside or on the conduit of the first member, creating a localized hydrophilic region within the opening element. This local quality change ensures that the fluid contact surface has optimal wetting characteristics for reliable drainage, while the rest of the opening element maintains its structural simplicity.
2Ease of manufacture
If hydrophobic materials are used for the opening element, then manufacturing is simple, but fluid drainage is impeded causing variations in emitted dose
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the opening element into two members with different material properties, the patent achieves both ease of manufacture (each component can be manufactured independently using conventional processes) and precise fluid flow control (the hydrophilic second member ensures reliable drainage).
Solution Approach 2:
The opening element combines two different materials: a hydrophobic material for the first member and a hydrophilic material for the second member. This composite structure leverages the advantages of both materials - the structural properties of the hydrophobic material and the fluid drainage properties of the hydrophilic material - resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and flow control precision.
3Productivity
If a single-member opening element is used, then the device structure is simple, but gas bubbles can form and interrupt fluid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The two-member structure creates distinct functional zones: the first member for structural support and ampoule opening, and the second member for fluid guidance. This segmentation prevents gas bubble formation by providing a dedicated hydrophilic pathway that maintains continuous fluid flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The second member acts as an intermediary between the ampoule contents and the aerosol generation device. Its hydrophilic surface properties mediate the fluid flow process, ensuring that fluid is reliably guided past any gas bubbles and into the aerosol generation device without interruption.
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
This configuration ensures reliable, uninterrupted fluid flow, preventing gas bubble formation and variations in aerosol dose, thereby enhancing the precision and effectiveness of aerosol treatment.
Implementation Method 1
The surface of the first member defining (forming, delimiting) the conduit or channel is an inner surface of the first member. Since, in the opening element of the invention, at least a portion of a surface of the second member comes in contact with the fluid to be drained, the second member thereby provides additional surface area for the fluid to be discharged from the ampoule.
Data Source
AI summary
An opening element for opening an ampoule in an aerosol generation device includes a first member which has a conduit extending therethrough for guiding a fluid contained in the ampoule through the first member and a second member which is arranged at least partly inside or on the conduit. Further, an aerosol generation device includes such an opening element.