Inhaler Actuator Annular Air Flow Path Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inhaler actuators face issues with aerosolized drug deposition on the inner surfaces of the outlet and turbulence, which can be minimized by providing a sheathing air flow that enhances the controlled passage of the drug plume.
Innovation Solution
The actuator design incorporates an outlet with at least one air flow path creating a substantially annular air flow at the inner peripheral surface, which sheathes the aerosol spray, reducing deposition and turbulence, and optimizing the air flow resistance for improved inhalation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional outlet design is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but aerosolized drug deposition on inner surfaces occurs and turbulence increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet is divided into multiple functional zones: a central region for aerosol delivery and an annular region for air flow paths. This segmentation allows the aerosol plume to pass through the center while sheathing air flows through the annular region, preventing drug deposition on the outlet walls and reducing turbulence.
2Productivity
If conventional outlet design is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but drug delivery efficiency decreases due to deposition and turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet incorporates pneumatic principles by introducing sheathing air flows through annular air flow paths that surround the central aerosol plume. This pneumatic design creates a controlled flow environment that enhances drug delivery efficiency by preventing deposition and reducing turbulence, while the annular structure can be manufactured using standard molding techniques.
3Stability of the object's composition
If sheathing air flow is added, then aerosol passage control is improved, but air flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet design changes the flow parameters by introducing sheathing air at controlled velocities and pressures through the annular air flow paths. By adjusting these parameters, the design stabilizes the aerosol plume through coherent flow structures while managing air flow resistance to maintain acceptable inhalation effort for the user.
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 design minimizes aerosolized drug deposition on the outlet surfaces, provides a more controlled passage of the aerosolized drug, and tunes air flow resistance for better user experience, enhancing the delivery efficiency of the inhaler.
Implementation Method 1
provides for a substantially annular air flow at an inner peripheral surface of the outlet on inhalation by the user through the outlet, such as to provide a sheathing air flow to an aerosol spray when delivered from the nozzle
Implementation Method 2
Applicant finds that the presence of the sheathing air flow can provide for a more controlled passage of aerosolized drug by for example, reducing the effects of undesirable turbulence
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An actuator for an inhaler for delivering drug by inhalation, comprising: a housing (11; 111 ) for receiving a canister (5; 106) which comprises a body (7; 107) which includes a base and a head and defines a chamber for containing drug, and a valve stem (8; 108) which extends from the body (7; 107) and from which drug is in use delivered on actuation of the canister (5; 106); an outlet (13; 105) through which a user in use inhales; and a nozzle (4; 104) which provides for delivery of drug through the outlet (13; 105); wherein the outlet (105) includes at least one air flow path (122) which provides for a substantially annular air flow at an inner peripheral surface of the outlet (105) on inhalation by the user through the outlet (105), such as to provide a sheathing air flow to an aerosol spray when delivered from the nozzle (104).