Inhaler Closure Restricting Member Prevents Unintentional Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) are susceptible to unintentional actuation during transit or handling, leading to wastage of medicament and potential inaccuracies in dose counters.
Innovation Solution
A 'P'-shaped revolvable restricting member is integrated with the inhaler closure, which restricts movement of the canister unit when the closure is in the closed position, preventing inadvertent dispensing and counting, and only allows dispensing when the closure is open.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the inhaler is designed without a restricting member, then the ease of operation is improved, but unintentional actuation occurs during transit or handling
Solution Approach 1:
A restricting member is introduced as an intermediary element between the actuating force and the canister unit. This restricting member engages with the actuator to prevent relative movement that would cause unintentional dispensing, while allowing the intended actuation motion when properly initiated by the user.
2Reliability
If a restricting member is added to prevent unintentional actuation, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The restricting member is merged with the actuator assembly, forming an integrated component structure. The actuator and restricting member work together as a unified mechanism, where the restricting member is positioned to engage with the actuator body, reducing the number of separate parts while maintaining the prevention function.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator serves multiple functions: it acts as both the actuating mechanism for dispensing and as part of the restricting system that prevents unintentional actuation. The restricting member integrates with this multi-functional design, allowing the same component to serve both operational and protective roles.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the closure is kept closed during transit, then the protection against foreign material is improved, but the dose counter may become inaccurate due to restricted movement
Solution Approach 1:
The restricting function is extracted from the closure itself and placed in a dedicated restricting member that is part of the actuator assembly. This separation allows the closure to remain closed for protection while the restricting member independently controls the actuation mechanism, preventing false dose counting without requiring the closure to be open.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An inhaler (70) is provided with a closure (5) which may be moved between a closed and open position in order to cover and uncover a mouthpiece (3). The closure (5) is associated with a revolvable element (6) comprising a restricting member (7). Movement of the closure (5) from the open position to the closed position causes the revolvable element (6) to revolve around an axis X thereby placing the restricting member (7) in a restricting position which restricts relative movement between a container unit (14) and the housing (1) such that unintentional actuation of the inhaler is prevented. The inhaler is useful, for example, in the treatment of asthma.