Electronic Inhaler Electrode Adjustment for Precise Aerosol Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic inhalers are designed for specific pharmaceutical formulations and tissues of the respiratory system, requiring different specifications for each formulation, leading to inefficient manufacturing and potential errors in component incorporation.
Innovation Solution
The method and inhaler design allow for adjustable discharge and counter electrode distances, enabling a single model to be manufactured and adjusted post-production for precise delivery of selected liquid pharmaceutical formulations to specific respiratory tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electronic inhalers are designed for specific pharmaceutical formulations with fixed specifications, then delivery precision to specific respiratory tissues is improved, but manufacturing complexity and potential for errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the electrode distances adjustable after manufacturing. The discharge electrode distance and counter electrode distance can be modified post-production to optimize delivery for different pharmaceutical formulations and respiratory tissues, transforming a static device into a dynamic one that adapts to different requirements without requiring complete redesign or remanufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by allowing modification of the electrode distances (discharge electrode distance and counter electrode distance) as key parameters. These parameter adjustments enable the same inhaler device to be optimized for different pharmaceutical formulations and target tissues, achieving precision delivery without increasing manufacturing complexity.
2Measurement precision
If different inhaler specifications are manufactured for each pharmaceutical formulation, then delivery optimization is improved, but manufacturing efficiency and cost-effectiveness worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single inhaler model that can serve multiple pharmaceutical formulations and target tissues. Through post-manufacturing adjustment of electrode distances, one universal device design replaces the need for multiple specialized inhaler models, significantly improving manufacturing efficiency and cost-effectiveness while maintaining delivery optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic adjustability of electrode distances enables a single manufactured model to adapt to different delivery requirements, transforming a static single-purpose device into a dynamic multi-purpose platform that maintains optimization across different applications without requiring multiple production lines.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable electrode distances are implemented, then adaptability to different formulations is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by providing adjustable electrode distances that can be modified after manufacturing. This allows the device to adapt to different pharmaceutical formulations and respiratory tissues while maintaining a relatively simple base structure, balancing adaptability with device complexity through post-production configuration rather than complex built-in adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-designing the inhaler with adjustable components and configurations that enable future adaptation. The device is manufactured in a standard configuration but includes built-in capacity for post-manufacturing adjustment of electrode distances, allowing adaptability to be achieved without adding significant complexity to the core device structure.
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
This approach reduces manufacturing errors, enables cost-effective production, and ensures consistent performance by allowing inhalers to be adjusted for optimal particle size and spray distribution, improving delivery efficiency to targeted respiratory tissues.
Implementation Method 1
In order to atomize the liquid pharmaceutical formulation into the lumen a Taylor cone is established at the nozzle outlet by means of a potential between the nozzle and a counter electrode
Implementation Method 2
a counter electrode arranged at the base relatively close to the nozzle at a counter electrode distance from the nozzle outlet, said counter electrode distance defining an electric field path
Implementation Method 3
The discharge of the particles in the spray is achieved by a discharge electrode having a sharp tips serving as discharge portion, from which discharge portion corona particles having an opposite charge with respect to the spray particles may be emitted
Data Source
AI summary
An inhaler and a method for adjusting the inhaler for inhaling a liquid pharmaceutical formulation and an inhaler with a nozzle for use with said method. The inhaler includes a mouth piece portion with a lumen and a coupled body portion. The body portion includes a body with a base facing the lumen. The body further has a nozzle with an outlet for discharging said pharmaceutical formulation extending from the base into the lumen, a counter electrode at the base at a counter electrode distance from the nozzle outlet and a discharge electrode at a discharge electrode distance from the nozzle outlet. The inhaler further has a power supply and an air inlet. The method includes a step of adjusting the electrode(s) relative to the nozzle outlet of the inhaler.