Inhaler Cartridge Locking Assembly for Sterile Dose Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inhalation devices, such as inhalers and nebulizers, face challenges in user-friendliness, hygiene maintenance, and dose precision, particularly for self-administration by untrained individuals, especially in nebulizers where maintaining a sterile environment and handling components is difficult.
Innovation Solution
A nebulizer system with a pre-filled cartridge assembly that includes a housing with a septum needle and a releasable lock, allowing controlled access to the drug formulation using a sliding mechanism and a locking mechanism to prevent unintended opening, combined with a single-use mouthpiece design and a paired electric connection system for safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pre-filled cartridge system is used to maintain sterile environment and simplify handling, then ease of operation and hygiene are improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for locking mechanisms and controlled access systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: a pre-filled cartridge containing the drug formulation, a housing with septum needle, and a locking mechanism. This segmentation allows the cartridge to be pre-sterilized and sealed independently, while the housing provides controlled access through the locking mechanism, thereby maintaining sterility without requiring complex handling procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge is pre-filled and pre-sterilized before use, with the septum already sealed. The locking mechanism is pre-configured to control access to the septum needle. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for users to perform complex sterile handling procedures during actual use, improving ease of operation while maintaining hygiene standards.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is implemented to prevent unintended opening, then reliability and safety are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to additional steps required for access
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism acts as an intermediary between the user and the septum needle. It provides a controlled interface that requires deliberate action (such as rotating the housing) to release the lock and allow cartridge insertion. This intermediary mechanism ensures reliable prevention of unintended opening while maintaining ease of operation through a simple, intuitive release action.
3Ease of manufacture
If manual attachment of injection needles is required, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of incorrect assembly and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The septum needle is merged with the housing as an integrated component rather than a separate attachable element. This integration eliminates the manual attachment step entirely, preventing incorrect assembly and contamination risks. The septum needle remains permanently fixed in the housing, ready for cartridge insertion without requiring user assembly actions.
4Ease of manufacture
If multiple components require assembly and handling, then ease of manufacture is improved, but loss of time increases due to multiple setup steps
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is nested within the housing, with the cartridge insertion path already prepared and locked in place. The septum needle is pre-positioned in the housing, and the locking mechanism is pre-configured. This nested arrangement eliminates the need for multiple assembly steps during use, reducing time loss while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular component design.
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 system ensures easy, safe, and hygienic drug delivery with precise dosing, reduces therapy time, enhances adherence, and prevents incorrect medication use by ensuring compatibility with the correct drug and dosage.
Implementation Method 1
an injection needle is manually attached by the user before use by screwing a double ended needle, comprising of an injection and a septum needle, on to a cartridge holder or other device such as a pen holding the cartridge. This perforates or pierces the septum making a fluid pathway between the cartridge drug contents and the injection needle.
Implementation Method 2
a releasable lock which fixes the cartridge in a passive position within the housing in such a way that the septum needle is held at a distance from the septum
Implementation Method 3
In this type of inhalation, an aerosol from the active substance is generated, which then is provided to the patient for aspiration. The aerosol to be inhaled can be produced by different techniques.
Implementation Method 4
the cartridge is arranged so as to be displaceable in a longitudinal direction
Data Source
AI summary
A drug supply unit (23) for an inhalation device (50), comprising a cartridge (1) containing a drug formulation solution (12), shall be provided. According to the invention, it comprises a housing (22, 22′, 22″, 22″′), in which the cartridge (1) is arranged so as to be displaceable in a longitudinal direction, the housing (22, 22′,22″, 22″) having a septum needle (26) in an end region, which, in an active position of the cartridge (1), pierces a septum (8) arranged at the distal end (6) of the cartridge (1) when the cartridge (1) is completely displaced in the longitudinal direction towards the end region, and having a releasable lock (34) which fixes the cartridge (1) in a passive position within the housing (22, 22′, 22″, 22″′) in such a way that the septum needle (26) is held at a distance from the septum (8).