Inhaler with Coiled Blister Strip and Piercing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inhalation devices require frequent blister replacement and lack a mechanism for efficient handling of used blisters, making them inconvenient for repeated use and potentially exposing medicaments to environmental factors.
Innovation Solution
An inhaler design featuring a housing with a coiled strip of blisters, an indexing mechanism, and a blister piercing member that rotates to puncture aligned blisters, combined with a load control mechanism using a cantilever and ramp to manage the piercing force, and a blister strip drive wheel that squashes used blisters for efficient coiling and space management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional inhalation devices use individual blisters that require frequent replacement, then each dose is protected from environmental factors, but the device requires frequent opening and insertion of new blisters making it inconvenient for repeated use
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the blister protection function from the dosing function by using a strip of multiple sealed blisters where only one is accessed at a time. The strip remains sealed during storage and transport, and the indexing mechanism automatically positions and pierces individual blisters as needed, eliminating frequent manual replacement operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The blisters are pre-sealed in a strip configuration during manufacturing, providing environmental protection before use. The indexing mechanism is pre-configured to automatically position and pierce the next blister in sequence, eliminating the need for manual intervention during each dosing event.
2Ease of operation
If the inhaler holds multiple blisters for repeated use, then blister replacement frequency is reduced, but the device complexity increases with indexing mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the blister storage, indexing, and piercing functions into a single integrated strip mechanism. The strip of blisters is fed through the housing and positioned by the indexing mechanism which also provides the piercing action, combining multiple functions into one cohesive system rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The indexing mechanism serves multiple functions: it positions the next blister in sequence, holds the strip in place, and provides the piercing action through integrated piercing elements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each task.
3Reliability
If the piercing mechanism applies high force to puncture the blister lid, then reliable dose delivery is achieved, but the actuating mechanism becomes difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing mechanism uses a dynamic spring-loaded actuating member that stores energy during compression and releases it during the piercing stroke. This allows the mechanism to deliver high piercing force when needed while requiring only moderate operating force from the user, as the spring provides the force multiplication.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element is pre-compressed during the actuation sequence, storing potential energy before the piercing action. This beforehand energy storage allows the mechanism to deliver high piercing force without requiring the user to apply excessive force during the actual piercing moment.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If used blisters are retained within the housing, then environmental protection is maintained, but space management becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The used blister strip is coiled within a dedicated chamber in the housing, nesting the spent blisters in a compact spiral configuration. This allows the housing to accommodate the entire strip of blisters (both used and unused) within a manageable volume, maintaining environmental protection while efficiently using internal space.
Solution Approach 2:
The used blister strip is coiled into a curved, spiral configuration within the housing chamber rather than being stored linearly. This curved arrangement maximizes space utilization and allows the housing to contain the entire strip in a compact form factor.
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 design allows for easy, repeated use without frequent blister replacement, maintains environmental protection of medicaments, and ensures consistent dosing by managing the piercing force effectively, enhancing user convenience and device robustness.
Implementation Method 1
a load control member to control the force that must be applied to the actuating member to cause it to rotate from the initial position such that a biasing force is applied to the actuating member throughout all, or at least a substantial portion of, the stroke of the actuating member
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3E
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An inhaler comprising a housing defining a chamber to receive a strip having a plurality of blisters each containing a dose of medicament for inhalation by a user is disclosed. It comprises an inhaler comprising a housing to receive a strip having a plurality of blisters, each blister having a puncturable lid and containing a dose of medicament for inhalation by a user, a mouthpiece mounted to the housing and through which a dose of medicament is inhaled by a user, a blister piercing member mounted for rotation about a first axis and an actuating mechanism including an actuating lever mounted for rotation about a second axis to sequentially move each blister into alignment with the blister piercing member, wherein the actuating lever cooperates with the blister piercing member so that the blister piercing member pivots about said first axis in response to rotation of the actuating member from an initial position about the second axis to puncture the lid of an aligned blister so an airflow through the blister is generated to entrain the dose contained therein and carry it, via the mouthpiece, into the user's airway when a user inhales through the mouthpiece. The inhaler comprises an actuating lever load control member to control the force that must be applied to the actuating lever to cause it to rotate from its initial position such that a biasing force is applied to the actuating lever throughout all, or at least a substantial portion of, the stroke of the actuating lever.