Breath Actuated Inhaler Canister Compression Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Standard Breath Actuated Inhalers (BAIs) face issues with material creep and deformation due to prolonged loading, leading to insufficient compression and potential leakage of medication, as well as the need for precise control over inhalation flow to ensure medication reaches the lungs effectively.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser design that prevents canister compression until a predetermined minimum flow is present, using a mechanism that transfers force in real-time without energy-storing means, ensuring accurate and consistent medication delivery by indicating when sufficient force is applied, and preventing canister extension until a predetermined force is met, thus maintaining precise dosing and minimizing material deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a lockable spring is used to compress the canister, then the user does not need to provide additional force, but material creep or deformation occurs leading to insufficient compression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the static lockable spring mechanism with a dynamic system that responds to real-time flow conditions. The force transfer mechanism adjusts its behavior based on whether the minimum flow threshold is met, transitioning between locked and unlocked states dynamically rather than remaining statically locked throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the traditional mechanical spring-based force storage system with a flow-responsive force transfer mechanism. This new system uses the kinetic energy of the inhalation flow itself to control force transfer, replacing the need for pre-loaded springs and locking mechanisms.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the canister is compressed for a prolonged period, then the spring remains loaded, but leakage of medication or propellant occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the flow sensor continuously monitors inhalation flow and provides real-time feedback to the force transfer mechanism. This feedback loop ensures that force is transferred only when the minimum flow threshold is met, preventing prolonged compression without active inhalation that would cause leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system operates in periodic cycles: the user inhales (flow detected), force transfer is enabled (compression occurs), medication is delivered, then force transfer is disabled (compression stops). This periodic on-demand operation prevents continuous compression that leads to leakage.
3Device complexity
If the canister is compressed without sufficient flow, then the mechanism is simpler, but medication does not reach the lungs effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary verification of flow conditions before enabling force transfer. The flow sensor checks whether the minimum flow threshold is met before the compression mechanism activates, ensuring that medication will be effectively delivered to the lungs before the dosing process begins.
Data Source
AI summary
A Breath Actuated Inhaler having a canister with a medication dispensed when compressing the canister. Compression of the canister is prevented by a mechanism only allowing compression when an air flow is sufficient to ensure dispensing of the medication in the lungs/throat of the person. No latch or blocking mechanism is provided so that any force exerted by the person is, at all times, directed to the canister or preventing mechanism so that when no force is exerted by the user, no force is exerted in the inhaler. Prolonged exertion of such force could otherwise cause dimension changes and subsequent uncertainty of the dose size.