Inhaler Dust Cap with Restricting Member for Accidental Actuation Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) are susceptible to unintentional actuation during transit, leading to wastage of medicament and potential miscounting of doses due to rough handling, and existing solutions alter the inhalation airflow profile or require changes to the inhaler design, necessitating re-testing and additional costs.
Innovation Solution
A dust cap with a restricting member that engages with the inhaler's housing to prevent unintentional actuation, using a telescopic strap or clip configuration that secures the cap without altering the airflow profile, allowing compatibility with existing inhaler designs and reducing the force required for application and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a dust cap is used to cover the dispensing outlet, then foreign material prevention is improved, but unintentional actuation cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The dust cap is segmented into two functional parts: a closure portion that covers the dispensing outlet to prevent foreign material entry, and a restricting member (separate element) that prevents unintentional actuation by blocking the actuation path. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function effectively without interfering with the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The restricting member is integrated with the dust cap assembly, combining the foreign material protection function and the unintentional actuation prevention function into a single coordinated system. The restricting member works in conjunction with the closure to provide comprehensive protection while maintaining a unified structure.
2Reliability
If existing solutions are implemented to prevent unintentional actuation, then actuation prevention is improved, but inhalation airflow profile is altered
Solution Approach 1:
The restricting member is designed as a separate, removable element that can be easily extracted from the housing when actuation is intended. This extraction mechanism allows the restricting member to prevent unintentional actuation during storage and transport, while being quickly removed to restore normal inhalation airflow profile during use, without permanently altering the device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The dust cap with restricting member is pre-assembled and ready to attach to the inhaler before use. This preliminary preparation ensures that the restricting member is already in position to prevent unintentional actuation, and can be quickly deployed or removed as needed without requiring complex adjustments or modifications to the inhaler structure.
3Reliability
If existing solutions are implemented to prevent unintentional actuation, then actuation prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dust cap assembly is designed to be universally compatible with multiple inhaler models by utilizing standard dispensing outlet dimensions. The restricting member is configured to work with the general actuation mechanism of pMDIs, allowing a single dust cap design to prevent unintentional actuation across different device variants without requiring model-specific customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The dust cap with restricting member is designed as a disposable component that is attached to the inhaler for storage and transport protection, then removed and discarded after use. This disposable nature eliminates the need for complex, permanent modifications to the inhaler structure, reducing overall device complexity while providing reliable unintentional actuation prevention during critical periods.
Data Source
AI summary
An inhaler is provided with a restricting member to prevent unintentional actuation of the inhaler. Also provided is an inhaler with an extensible strap joining a dust cap to the housing of an inhaler, the strap being particularly suited for use with inhalers that comprise a restricting member. The inhaler is useful, for example, in the treatment of asthma.