Breath-Actuated Inhaler Collapsible Joint Dose Counter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breath-actuated metered dose inhalers require high air pressure for medicament release, leading to difficulty of use and non-optimal delivery timing during the inhalation cycle, and lack a reliable dose counter mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A breath-actuated inhaler with a controllable release mechanism that senses inhalation forces for synchronous medicament delivery, featuring a transducer and collapsible joint system allowing fluid source translation only during inhalation, and an integrated dose counter using a wheel mechanism to track dispensed doses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If latching mechanisms with high air pressure are used for medicament release, then the medicament can be discharged from the container, but the device becomes difficult to use and discharge timing becomes non-optimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter from high (conventional latching mechanisms) to low (breath-actuated mechanism), making the device responsive to natural inhalation forces rather than requiring excessive pressure that complicates operation
Solution Approach 2:
The inhaler uses the patient's own breath to actuate the medicament delivery mechanism, eliminating the need for manual activation or complex latching systems, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining reliable discharge
2Reliability
If latching mechanisms with high air pressure are used for medicament release, then the medicament can be discharged from the container, but the discharge timing becomes non-optimal in the patient's breath cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The breath-actuated mechanism provides feedback from the patient's inhalation flow directly to the medicament delivery system, automatically synchronizing discharge timing with the optimal phase of the breath cycle without requiring external control
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism transitions from static high-pressure latching to dynamic breath-responsive actuation, allowing the system to adapt its operation timing to the natural variations in the patient's breath cycle for optimal delivery
3Measurement precision
If a dose counter mechanism is added to track dispensed doses, then dose tracking capability is provided, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dose counter mechanism is merged with the existing breath-actuated linkage system, using the same moving components to perform both medicament delivery and dose counting functions, thereby minimizing additional complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage and movable member components serve multiple functions: actuating medicament discharge, sensing breath flow, and driving the dose counter mechanism, eliminating the need for separate dedicated components for each function
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 optimal medicament delivery synchronized with inhalation and provides a reliable count of dispensed doses, enhancing user experience and medication efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
a linkage coupling the transducer and the fluid source, the linkage having a collapsible joint inhibiting translation of the fluid source in the first axis when the collapsible joint is oriented in a first position, and allowing translation of the fluid source in the first axis when the collapsible joint is oriented in a second position
Implementation Method 2
a movable member coupled to the linkage, the moveable member responsive to an inhalation force exerted on the moveable member, the inhalation force causing the movable member to shift the collapsible joint from the first position to the second position
Implementation Method 3
the transducer further comprises one or more vents to entrain the first fluid with a second fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A device is disclosed for dispensing a fluid supplied from an external fluid source. The device comprises a transducer adapted to receive a fluid from the fluid source, and a collapsible linkage coupling the transducer and the fluid source. The linkage has a collapsible joint inhibiting discharge of the fluid source when in a locked orientation. The device further comprises a movable member coupled to the linkage such that inhalation forces on the device cause the linkage to collapse thereby discharging the fluid from the fluid source. The device may further include a dose counter coupled to the fluid source for registering the amount of doses administered from the fluid source.