Inhaler Dose Estimation Using Breath Pattern and Residue Parameters
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inhaler technologies struggle to accurately estimate the inhale dose of drugs due to variations in breathing patterns and inhaler characteristics, leading to inconsistencies in drug delivery.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a breathing module to measure breath patterns and an analyzer to estimate the inhale dose using a formula that incorporates inspiratory and expiratory times, along with drug residue and deposit parameters, considering the inhaler type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional inhaler delivery is used without considering individual breathing patterns, then the device complexity is low, but the manufacturing precision of drug delivery is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by incorporating multiple variables into the PID calculation formula, including inspiratory time (I), expiratory time (E), drug deposit in inlet path (DP), drug reserve in outlet path (RP), total drug amount (TD), and drug residue (RC). By dynamically adjusting these parameters based on individual breathing patterns and inhaler characteristics, the system achieves precise drug delivery estimation without requiring complex hardware modifications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing delivery ratio data in lookup tables for different inhaler types before actual use. The system also measures breathing patterns in advance and uses these measurements to estimate the inhale dose before drug administration is complete, allowing for real-time feedback and adjustment of drug delivery parameters
2Productivity
If drug delivery is optimized for specific breathing patterns, then the productivity of drug delivery is improved, but the adaptability to different breathing patterns deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by creating a single PID estimation system that can handle multiple breathing patterns and inhaler types through a unified calculation approach. The lookup tables store delivery ratio data for various inhaler configurations, and the formula adapts to different breathing patterns by incorporating I and E parameters, making the system universally applicable across diverse clinical scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the drug delivery estimation adaptive and variable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts the PID calculation based on real-time breathing pattern measurements (inspiratory and expiratory times) and inhaler-specific parameters, allowing the drug delivery efficiency to be optimized for each individual's unique breathing characteristics
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive parameters are measured and analyzed, then the measurement precision of inhale dose is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the complex measurement task into distinct components: measuring inspiratory time separately, measuring expiratory time separately, measuring drug deposit in the inlet path, and measuring drug reserve in the outlet path. Each parameter is measured independently using appropriate sensors and methods, then integrated into the overall PID calculation through the formulated equation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses lookup tables as intermediaries to simplify the measurement and calculation process. The lookup tables pre-store delivery ratio data based on inhaler type and configuration, serving as a reference that bridges the gap between raw measurements (breathing patterns, drug amounts) and the final PID estimation, reducing the computational complexity and measurement difficulty
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A method for estimating an inhale dose when a drug is delivered to a person using an inhaler (12, 52) is disclosed. A predicted inhale dose (PID) of the drug is estimated based on at least one first-type parameter and at least one second-type parameter. The first-type parameter is related to a breath pattern of the person, and the second-type parameter is related to the inhaler (12, 52).