Inhaler Counter Mechanism with Integrated Gear Set
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dry powder inhaler devices face issues with inaccurate medicament metering due to complex multicomponent counter systems, leading to user difficulties, increased device volume, and higher costs, which can result in suboptimal treatment outcomes and patient noncompliance.
Innovation Solution
A simplified counter mechanism in a dry powder inhaler device featuring an outer housing with counter display gaps and an inner body with a gear set, allowing accurate display of blister strip numbers without additional components, ensuring consistent advancement and clear visibility of consumed medicament doses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a complex multicomponent counter system is used in dry powder inhaler devices, then medicament metering can be achieved, but device volume increases and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the counter mechanism with the inhaler body by integrating the gear set into the inner body structure. The counter display gaps are formed directly in the housing walls, eliminating the need for separate counter components. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining medicament metering accuracy through the gear-driven blister advancement mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner body serves multiple functions: it houses the reservoir, contains the gear set for counting, provides structural support, and integrates the counter display gaps into its wall structure. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If multiple counter components are used to display blister strip numbers, then counting accuracy can be improved, but device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The counter display gaps are integrated directly into the walls of the inner body and outer housing, eliminating the need for separate display components. The gear set is contained within the inner body, combining the counting mechanism with the reservoir housing. This integration reduces device volume while maintaining counting accuracy through the gear-driven advancement mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The gear set is nested within the inner body, and the counter display gaps are formed in the walls of the inner body and outer housing. This nested arrangement allows the counting mechanism to be contained within the existing structural volume, reducing overall device volume while maintaining measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If additional counter apparatuses are added to the inhaler device, then medicament counting can be achieved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The counter mechanism is merged with the inhaler body structure, where the gear set is integrated into the inner body and the counter display gaps are formed directly in the housing walls. This eliminates the need for separate counter apparatuses, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining counting accuracy through the gear-driven blister advancement mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The gear set utilizes the mechanical movement of the blister strip itself to drive the counting mechanism. The blister advancement through the channel automatically engages the gear teeth, eliminating the need for separate actuators or power sources. This self-service mechanism reduces component count and manufacturing cost while maintaining measurement precision.
4Device complexity
If a simplified counter mechanism is used, then device volume and costs are reduced, but counting accuracy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic or multi-component counting systems with a simple mechanical gear-based mechanism. The gear set engages with the blister strip movement to provide accurate counting through pure mechanical interaction. This mechanical substitution achieves high counting accuracy with minimal components, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical movement of the blister strip through the channel automatically drives the gear set, eliminating the need for external actuators or power sources. The system uses the blister's own movement to advance the count, providing reliable counting accuracy through a self-service mechanical mechanism that is simple to manufacture and cost-effective.
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 solution provides high-accuracy medicament counting, reduces device volume and costs, and enhances user efficiency by eliminating the need for extra components, thereby improving treatment adherence and reducing the risk of treatment-related errors.
Implementation Method 1
an actuating element moving the blister by rotating a gear set disposed in the inner body
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for administering dry powder inhalation medicaments. The present invention further relates to a counter mechanism of a dry powder inhaler device (6), comprising an actuating element (5), which is slid or pushed into the interior of an inner body, so as to move a blister (4) in a single direction, said blister having medicament-carrying cavities being disposed in the interior of an outer housing (1) and directed both to an inner body (2) and to a mouthpiece (3). The strip comprises numbers to indicate the sequential numbers of said blister cavities (4.1), and an arc shaped surface piece (2.1), forming a channel through which the blister (4) is to be passed at the lower part of the inner body (2) and keeping the blister (4) at a desired stretched extent in this channel.