Powder Inhaler Non-Contact Sensor Dosing Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing powder inhalers lack reliable electronic detection of medicament dosing, leading to potential unintended dosing issues and unreliable sensor performance.
Innovation Solution
A powder inhaler assembly equipped with an electronic module featuring a non-contact optical proximity sensor that detects the position and movement of mechanical parts to infer medicament dosing without modifying the existing inhaler structure, using an optical proximity sensor to sense the position of the metering device and trigger state, and communicate data via a wireless interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electronic sensors are integrated into the powder inhaler to detect dosing, then dosing detection capability is improved, but sensor reliability and fault proof performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces unreliable electronic sensors with a mechanical detection system. The metering device's mechanical movement between idle and triggered states directly actuates a mechanical detector switch, eliminating the need for electronic sensors that prone to failure. This mechanical substitution maintains dosing detection capability while significantly improving sensor reliability and fault proof performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical detector switch is self-actuated by the metering device's own mechanical movement. When the metering device transitions between states, it directly triggers the detector switch without requiring external electronic sensing components. This self-service mechanism ensures reliable detection while reducing system complexity and potential failure points.
2Measurement precision
If electronic detection systems are added to monitor inhalation events, then data accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic detection systems with a simple mechanical detector switch that is directly actuated by the metering device. This mechanical approach provides accurate inhalation event detection while minimizing device complexity, avoiding the need for multiple electronic sensors, signal processing circuits, and power management components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential detection function from complex electronic systems, implementing a standalone mechanical detector switch that performs the core detection task without the overhead of electronic complexity. This extracted mechanical detection mechanism provides sufficient accuracy for inhalation event monitoring while keeping the device simple.
3Measurement precision
If mechanical structures are modified to enable electronic detection, then dosing monitoring capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need to modify existing mechanical structures for electronic detection by using a mechanical detector switch that leverages the natural mechanical movement of the metering device. This approach improves dosing monitoring capability while maintaining ease of manufacture, as no additional mechanical modifications are required beyond adding the simple detector switch.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical detector switch serves multiple functions: it detects the metering device state, triggers dosing events, and provides mechanical feedback. This multi-functional component improves monitoring capability without requiring separate dedicated components for each function, thereby maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
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 enables safe and reliable detection of medicament dosing, preventing unintended dosing and providing accurate data on inhalation events, which can be stored or transmitted to external devices, enhancing user compliance monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
an optical proximity sensor positioned and configured to sense position/s of at least part of the metering device to detect at least when the metering device is in the triggered state
Data Source
AI summary
A powder inhaler assembly includes a powder inhaler including a metering device having a dosing recess and movable, with respect to a container and to an inhalation channel, between an idle state, in which the dosing recess is in communication with an opening of the container so as to be filled with a dose of the powdered medicament, and a triggered state, in which the dosing recess is in communication with the inhalation channel for enabling inhalation of a dose of the powdered medicament contained in the dosing recess through a mouthpiece. An electronic module is attachable to the powder inhaler and includes a non-contact sensor positioned and configured to sense position(s) of at least part of the metering device to detect at least when the metering device is in the triggered state.