Inhaler Cap Segmentation for Powder Dispersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inhalers with single doses of particulate substances face issues such as particle size alteration, segregation, and incorrect dosage due to mechanical impact during transport and storage, leading to changes in inhalation behavior and potential contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
The inhaler design features a cap with a closed compartment containing the particulate substance, which is positioned at the beginning of the corrugated section to ensure dispersion and prevent movement, using various closure mechanisms like tear-off foils, slidable elements, and piercable materials to facilitate easy dispensing and reduce contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the particulate material is placed in the inhaler tube during transport and storage, then the inhaler can be used, but the particulate material may be moved and shaken causing alterations of particle size, composition, and mechanical properties
Solution Approach 1:
The inhaler is divided into two functional segments: a storage compartment for the particulate material and a dispensing chamber. The particulate material is sealed in the storage compartment, preventing movement and segregation during transport and storage. When needed, the material is dispensed into the inhalation chamber where it can be inhaled without having been subjected to mechanical agitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The particulate material is pre-positioned in a sealed storage compartment before use. This preliminary placement protects the material from mechanical impact and segregation during handling and storage. The material is only released into the inhalation chamber at the moment of use, ensuring its physical properties remain unchanged until administration.
2Productivity
If the particulate material is shaken or mechanically impacted during transport, then it can be distributed, but the grains may stick together or to the inner walls of the tubular body, yielding incorrect dosage
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the storage function from the dispensing function. The particulate material is stored in a sealed compartment that prevents mechanical impact and sticking during transport. The dispensing mechanism controls the release of material into the inhalation chamber, ensuring accurate dosage without the need for shaking or mechanical distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical distribution methods (shaking, stirring) with a controlled dispensing mechanism. Instead of using mechanical agitation to distribute the particulate material, the system uses a sealed storage compartment with a controlled release mechanism that delivers the correct dosage without mechanical impact, preventing grain sticking and ensuring dosage accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If the particulate material is stored in the inhaler tube, then it is accessible, but contamination from the ambient atmosphere may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The inhaler is segmented into a sealed storage compartment and an open inhalation chamber. The particulate material remains sealed in the storage compartment, protecting it from ambient contamination. Only when material is dispensed does it transition to the inhalation chamber, minimizing exposure to harmful atmospheric factors throughout storage and handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage compartment is sealed using flexible barriers such as tear-off foils or slidable elements. These flexible sealing mechanisms protect the particulate material from contamination while allowing controlled access. The sealing film maintains an airtight barrier that prevents ambient atmosphere from contacting the material until dispensing is required.
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 enhances powder dispersion, increases the fraction of respirable particles, and simplifies the handling and storage of different pharmaceutical agents, while reducing the risk of contamination and ensuring accurate dosing.
Implementation Method 1
the lumps of the particulate substrate due to the hittings of subsequent corrugations before inhalation will be crushed and dispersed more and more into finer particles every time they hit one of the succeeding corrugations
Implementation Method 2
As a result, the lumps of the particulate substrate due to the hittings of subsequent corrugations before inhalation will be crushed and dispersed
Data Source
AI summary
An inhaler comprising a tubular body (1) defining a tubular air flow passage with a bendable section, preferably a U-shaped section comprising peripherally extending corrugations and means for supplying a dose of at least one active inhalable, particulate substance into the flow passage and a cap (2). According to the invention the dose of the at least one active, inhalable particulate substance is placed in the cap (2) to be released from said cap substantially at the beginning of the corrugations in the intake direction.