Inhaler Check Valve Structure for Low Dead Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inhalation devices face challenges in maintaining a precisely controllable working region for check valves, leading to increased dead volume and requiring additional fabrication steps, which can result in clogging and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The inhalation device incorporates a check valve with a protrusion extending through the seat extension section, limiting the movement of the valve body and minimizing dead volume without additional components, allowing for precise control of the working region and easy fabrication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the obstruction is located close to the body to minimize dead volume, then the flow resistance increases and the working region becomes too small, but if the obstruction is located further away to provide sufficient working region, then the dead volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a one-dimensional positioning problem (obstruction distance along the flow path) to a two-dimensional solution by introducing radial extensions that protrude into the flow path. The obstruction maintains its axial position for sufficient working region while the radial extensions minimize dead volume by blocking liquid accumulation in the radial direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The obstruction is segmented into multiple functional parts: the main body that defines the working region boundary and radial extensions that protrude into the flow path to minimize dead volume. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function independently - the main body provides working region while extensions minimize dead volume without increasing flow resistance.
2Manufacturing precision
If additional components are added to precisely control the working region, then the manufacturing precision improves, but the device complexity and fabrication steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of the obstruction and the working region definition into a single integrated component. The obstruction with radial extensions simultaneously defines the working region boundary and minimizes dead volume, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing fabrication steps while maintaining precise control.
Solution Approach 2:
The obstruction serves multiple functions: it defines the working region boundary, minimizes dead volume through radial extensions, and provides structural support for the valve body. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed while achieving precise working region control.
3Quantity of substance
If the gap between body and seat is made small to minimize dead volume, then the flow resistance in upstream direction increases, but if the gap is made large to decrease flow resistance, then the dead volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention addresses the gap size dilemma by adding radial extensions that protrude into the flow path. This transforms the problem from solely controlling gap size in one dimension to utilizing both axial gap positioning and radial extension positioning, allowing minimal axial gap for low dead volume while radial extensions prevent liquid accumulation that would otherwise require larger gaps.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve for an inhalation device for generation of an aerosol of a medically active liquid may include: a housing, inside this housing a reservoir for storing medically active liquid, downstream from this reservoir a pumping unit for generation of a pressure connected to a means for the delivery of mechanical energy to said pumping unit, and downstream said pumping unit a nozzle; wherein the pumping unit includes a hollow cylindrical part and a piston, the cylindrical part having an interior space configured to receive an end portion of said piston, wherein said cylindrical part and said piston are linearly moveable relative to one another such as to form a pumping chamber having a variable volume.