Multi-Layer Inhaler Container Venting for Volatile Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inhalers for medicament preparations, particularly those used for large animals, suffer from significant volatile substance escape through ventilation holes, leading to reduced shelf life and stability, especially under fluctuating environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A container with a multi-layered wall structure featuring through-openings, including a first opening with a diameter of less than 40 µm, and a second opening fluidically connected but spatially separated, reduces volatile substance diffusion while maintaining ventilation, enhancing shelf life and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a ventilation hole is provided in the container base, then ventilation is enabled, but volatile substances escape significantly reducing shelf life and stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the critical parameter of the ventilation hole diameter to less than 40 μm. This parameter change fundamentally alters the behavior of the system: at this scale, the hole remains open for ventilation but becomes sufficiently small to block the diffusion and escape of volatile substances from the medicament preparation, thereby resolving the contradiction between ventilation and stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different functional requirements to different parts of the container base. The ventilation hole is designed with specific local qualities (diameter < 40 μm) that enable it to perform dual functions: allowing air exchange for ventilation while simultaneously acting as a barrier to volatile substance escape. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction
2Reliability
If the ventilation hole diameter is reduced to less than 40 μm, then volatile substance escape is reduced, but ventilation efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies and changes the critical parameter of hole diameter to less than 40 μm, which creates an optimal balance point where the hole is small enough to retain volatiles but large enough to maintain adequate ventilation. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by finding the threshold value that satisfies both requirements
3Reliability
If a multi-layered wall structure with multiple through-openings is used, then volatile substance diffusion is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the container base into multiple layers, each containing through-openings. This segmentation creates multiple barriers that volatiles must pass through, significantly reducing diffusion. The multi-layer structure with staggered or aligned openings in different layers provides enhanced retention while managing the complexity through systematic design
4Duration of action of stationary object
If the container is designed for long-term storage, then shelf life is extended, but volatile substance escape accumulates over time reducing stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the ventilation hole diameter parameter to < 40 μm, which fundamentally alters the long-term behavior of the system. At this scale, the cumulative escape of volatile substances over extended storage periods is minimized, allowing the container to maintain both long shelf life and stability simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation hole structure functions as a porous barrier that allows selective passage. The pore size (< 40 μm) is optimized to permit necessary gas exchange for maintaining container atmosphere while blocking the diffusion of volatile medicament components, enabling long-term storage without stability degradation
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 multi-layered structure significantly reduces volatile substance escape, improving shelf life and stability of medicament preparations by creating a double barrier that maintains adequate ventilation.
Implementation Method 1
the diffusion of volatile substances is reduced
Data Source
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AI summary
A container for holding, dispensing and/or storing a preferably liquid medicament preparation is proposed, which comprises an inner space for the medicament preparation and an at least partially multi-layered wall structure defining the inner space, the wall structure comprising a first layer with a first through-opening of less than 40 μιτι. Alternatively or additionally, the wall structure comprises a second and third layer, a second through-opening being provided in the second layer and the third layer covering or closing off the wall structure.