Dry-Powder Inhaler Blister Strip Rolling and Sealing Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dry-powder inhalers face issues with metering accuracy and reproducibility, risk of overdosing, complex assembly, accidental triggering, and blister strip blockages, which affect the effectiveness and safety of the treatment.
Innovation Solution
A dry-powder inhaler design featuring a body with pivotable cover elements, individual reservoirs on an elongate strip, a strip-rolling system with non-return mechanisms, and an inhalation trigger system that ensures precise dosing and sealing, preventing accidental activation and ensuring reliable assembly and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If doses are pre-loaded into an expulsion duct before inhalation, then metering is simplified, but the risk of dose loss and overdosing increases due to accidental manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The dose is prepared in advance within a sealed reservoir (blister) that remains closed until the moment of use. The blister strip is pre-loaded into the device, but the actual dose release is triggered only when needed by the user's inhalation, combining preliminary preparation with controlled activation to prevent accidental dose loss or overdosing
Solution Approach 2:
The multidose reservoir is segmented into individual sealed blisters, each containing a single precise dose. This segmentation allows the device to maintain simple metering (one blister = one dose) while ensuring dose safety through individual sealing that prevents accidental manipulation or loss of doses
2Reliability
If individual reservoirs are sealed effectively, then dose integrity is maintained, but device complexity increases due to opening mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The blister opening mechanism is activated automatically by the user's own inhalation action. The deformable diaphragm responds to the pressure change created by inhalation, triggering the opening of the blister without requiring separate manual activation. This self-service approach maintains reliable sealing while minimizing the complexity of the opening mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses pneumatic pressure changes from the user's inhalation to trigger the blister opening. The deformable diaphragm responds to the pressure differential created during inhalation, converting the inhalation force into mechanical motion that opens the blister. This pneumatic approach simplifies the opening mechanism compared to purely mechanical systems
3Volume of moving object
If the device is made compact, then portability is improved, but assembly reliability of small parts decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into integrated components to reduce the number of separate parts. For example, the cover element serves both as a closure and as part of the activation mechanism. The deformable diaphragm integrates the sealing function with the activation trigger. This merging reduces assembly complexity and improves reliability while maintaining compact dimensions
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid dispenser device including a body and a cover that pivots between a closed position and an open position and reservoirs each containing a dose of fluid. The reservoirs are arranged on a strip and an opening mechanism is provided. The device includes a movable support to move a reservoir against the opening mechanism. The movable support is movable between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position. The device includes a strip-rolling system having a drum and an actuator member. The actuator member turning relative to the body in a first direction when the movable support is moved from the non-dispensing position towards the dispensing position, and in a second direction when the movable support is moved from their dispensing position towards the non-dispensing position. The actuator member causes the drum to turn only when turning in the second turning direction.