Powder Inhaler Manifold With Bleed Air for Stable Fine Particle Fraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inhalation devices for medicament delivery have limitations in achieving a high fine particle fraction (FP fraction) of aerosolized medicament powder, and are sensitive to variations in airflow rates.
Innovation Solution
A manifold design with a first chamber and a conduit, featuring a bleed inlet to disruptively impact the airflow entrained with medicament powder, allowing independent modification of chamber geometries to control device resistance and enhance FP fraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional manifold design is used to deliver medicament powder, then the device structure is simple, but the fine particle fraction of aerosolized medicament is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold is segmented into multiple chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) with distinct functions. The first chamber receives and directs air flow to the medicament supply, the second chamber receives additional air flow, and the third chamber combines these flows to entrain medicament powder. This segmentation allows each chamber to be optimized independently for its specific function, improving fine particle fraction while maintaining manageable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the manifold are designed with different geometric characteristics to optimize local flow conditions. The first chamber has geometry optimized for receiving and directing air flow from the first inlet, the second chamber has geometry optimized for receiving air flow from the second inlet, and the third chamber has geometry optimized for combining flows and entraining powder. This local optimization of geometry in each chamber improves overall particle fraction performance.
2Manufacturing precision
If airflow rate varies in conventional devices, then the device operation is flexible, but the fine particle fraction becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow path is segmented into multiple independent chambers that can receive air at different rates. The first chamber receives air at a first flow rate, the second chamber receives air at a second flow rate, and these flows combine in the third chamber to entrain medicament powder. This segmentation allows the system to accommodate variations in total airflow rate while maintaining stable fine particle fraction, as each chamber can independently handle its portion of the flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold design provides multi-functionality by enabling the system to handle varying total airflow rates while consistently producing stable fine particle fraction. The multiple chambers can accommodate different air flow conditions and still achieve reliable medicament powder entrainment, making the device adaptable to different breathing patterns and airflow conditions while maintaining performance stability.
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 design increases the FP fraction of aerosolized medicament powder and reduces the impact of airflow variations, providing finer control over the delivery process.
Implementation Method 1
the first flow of air is directed from the first chamber outlet to the conduit inlet via the supply of medicament powder to entrain the medicament powder and provide a flow of air entrained with medicament powder through the conduit
Implementation Method 2
a bleed inlet in a wall of the conduit outside of the first chamber arranged to direct a second flow of air into the conduit to disruptively impact the flow of air entrained with medicament powder through the conduit
Data Source
AI summary
In general terms the present invention proposes a manifold 100 for delivery of medicament powder from a dispenser device. The manifold 100 comprises a first chamber 102 comprising a first chamber inlet 102A and a first chamber outlet 102B. The first chamber 102 is arranged to direct a first flow of air 110 from the first chamber inlet 102A to the first chamber outlet 102B. The manifold 100 also comprises a conduit 104 having a conduit inlet 104A and a conduit outlet 104B. The first chamber outlet 102B and conduit inlet 104A are arranged such that when a supply of medicament powder is positioned proximal thereto the first flow of air 110 is directed from the first chamber outlet 102B to the conduit inlet 104A via the supply of medicament powder to entrain the medicament powder and provide a flow of air entrained with medicament powder through the conduit 104. The manifold 100 has a bleed inlet 106 in a wall of the conduit 104 outside of the first chamber 102 arranged to direct a second flow of air 112 into the conduit 104 to disruptively impact the flow of air entrained with medicament powder through the conduit 104.