Imitating Lung Device with Deformable Chambers for Medicine Deposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for simulating human lung function in vitro are inadequate for accurately predicting medicine deposition and absorption, particularly for granular medicines and nebulized aerosols, due to differences in air channel design and lack of realistic breathing simulation, which limits the effectiveness of pulmonary administration methods and increases reliance on animal testing.
Innovation Solution
An imitating lung device with a structured airway layer and deformable chambers that simulate the 15th to 23rd generations of human lung branching, combined with a system for simulating human breathing, allowing for precise observation of substance deposition and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If animal experiments are used to study medicine deposition and absorption in lung, then experimental data can be obtained, but the cost is higher, experimental animals may die, and results cannot be completely applied to human
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a physical model that copies the structural and functional characteristics of human lung, including the bronchial tree architecture and alveolar regions. This artificial lung model replicates human respiratory anatomy and physiology, allowing researchers to study medicine deposition and absorption patterns that are directly applicable to human patients without using animal subjects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a controllable breathing simulation system that can adjust various parameters such as breathing frequency, tidal volume, and inspiratory/expiratory ratios to match different human physiological states. This allows the model to simulate normal breathing, pathological breathing patterns, and different age groups, providing comprehensive data for drug delivery optimization.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional lung simulation devices are used, then some experimental data can be collected, but the air channel design differs significantly from human lung and breathing mode is not simulated cooperatively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lung model into distinct functional segments: the bronchial tree portion simulating airways from generation 1-16, the transition region, and the alveolar portion simulating gas exchange regions. Each segment is designed with specific structural characteristics matching human anatomy, allowing realistic simulation of medicine deposition patterns across different lung zones while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a dynamic breathing simulation system that actively controls the expansion and contraction of the lung model during experimentation. The breathing simulation device adjusts internal pressure and volume in real-time to replicate human respiratory cycles, enabling accurate prediction of medicine deposition under various breathing conditions rather than using static models.
3Ease of operation
If current pulmonary administration methods are used without optimized delivery, then medicine can be administered, but the deposition situation in human lung cannot be truly reflected and pharmaceutical waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs detection devices that monitor medicine deposition patterns, concentration distribution, and absorption rates in real-time within the lung model. This feedback information is used to optimize administration parameters such as particle size, inhalation flow rate, and dosing timing, enabling precise drug delivery that maximizes therapeutic effect while minimizing pharmaceutical waste.
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 effectively simulates human lung function, enabling more reliable predictions of medicine deposition and absorption, reducing the need for animal testing and allowing for optimized pulmonary administration methods based on specific lung types.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic membrane (120) and a second elastic membrane (140)... the first elastic membrane directly covers the first liquid chamber (116) and one side of the imitating alveolar regions (132), the second elastic membrane directly covers the second liquid chamber (152) and the other side of the imitating alveolar regions (132)
Implementation Method 2
A simulating inhalation step is performed, in which the pump is turned on to extract the liquid of the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber to the liquid-storage tank so as to make a volume of the deformable chambers increase due to a decreased liquid-pressure
Implementation Method 3
The airway layer is disposed on one surface of the first elastic membrane away from the first liquid accommodating layer and includes a plurality of air channels and a plurality of imitating alveolar regions. The air channels are configured to simulate a branched structure of the 15th generation to the 19th generation of a human lung
Implementation Method 4
a plurality of deformable chambers are defined by the first elastic membrane, the imitating alveolar regions and the second elastic membrane
Data Source
AI summary
An imitating lung device includes a first liquid accommodating layer, a first elastic membrane, an airway layer, a second elastic membrane and a second liquid accommodating layer. A first liquid chamber is formed in an inner surface portion of the first liquid accommodating layer. The airway layer includes a plurality of air channels and a plurality of imitating alveolar regions. The imitating alveolar regions are communicated with the air channels. The air channels simulate a branched structure of the 15th generation to the 19th generation of a human lung, and the imitating alveolar regions simulate a branched structure of the 20th generation to the 23th generation of a human lung. A second liquid chamber is formed in an inner surface portion of the second liquid accommodating layer.