Inhaler Device With Pierced Hermetic Container And Wicking Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inhaler devices for volatile liquids, such as halogenated volatile liquids, are complex and require mechanical or electrical means for vaporization, posing challenges in design, manufacturing, and user handling, especially in emergency settings, and lack effective airflow for delivery.
Innovation Solution
An inhaler device with a hermetically sealed liquid container, a piercing member, and a wicking material, combined with one-way valves, allows inhalable liquid to be released onto the wicking material upon displacement, enabling airflow to deliver vaporized liquid through a mouthpiece, with a return air chamber for exhaled vapor filtration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex mechanical or electrical means are used for vaporization and delivery, then vapor delivery capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex mechanical and electrical vaporization mechanisms from the system entirely. Instead of using motors, heaters, or pumps, the invention relies on passive vaporization where the volatile liquid naturally evaporates from the wicking material into the breathable air stream, eliminating all complex active components while maintaining reliable vapor delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the inherent volatility of the liquid to perform vaporization automatically without external energy input. The volatile liquid self-vaporizes as air passes over the wicking material, and the one-way valves automatically control airflow direction based on pressure differentials during inhalation and exhalation, making the entire system self-regulating
2Reliability
If hermetic sealing is used for volatile liquid storage, then storage integrity is improved, but liquid release mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The container is pre-filled and hermetically sealed during manufacturing, maintaining storage integrity. Upon activation, the frangible seal breaks to initiate liquid flow, and the system is designed to automatically establish airflow through the wicking material and one-way valves without requiring complex release mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes complex release mechanisms such as pumps, valves, or mechanical actuators. Instead, the system uses the natural vapor pressure of the volatile liquid to drive flow through simple frangible seals and passive one-way valves, achieving reliable liquid release without adding complexity
3Strength
If volatile liquids are stored in rigid containers, then container robustness is improved, but vapor pressure build-up and seal integrity become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the key parameter from complete rigidity to controlled flexibility. The container is designed with flexible portions that can expand and contract to accommodate vapor pressure variations, preventing seal failure while maintaining sufficient structural strength for robust handling and storage
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 device simplifies the administration of volatile liquids by eliminating the need for complex mechanisms, ensuring consistent vapor delivery and effective airflow, suitable for self-administration even in high-stress environments.
Implementation Method 1
a wicking material for supporting inhalable liquid
Implementation Method 2
whereby during inhalation air entering the air inlet flows through the inhalation chamber to deliver inhalable liquid vapour from the wicking material to the patient via the mouthpiece
Implementation Method 3
a first one-way valve configured to enable gas to flow into the mouthpiece during inhalation, and prevent gas from flowing in the opposite direction during exhalation
Data Source
Figure 1A~2A
Figure 2B~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention is directed to an inhaler device for inhalable liquids, in particular for the administration of inhalable volatile liquids such as halogenated volatile liquids, to a patient. According to particular embodiments, the inhaler device may include a liquid container for hermetically storing inhalable liquid; a wicking material for supporting inhalable liquid; a piercing member configured to pierce the liquid container, wherein the liquid container may be provided in a first position in which the piercing member does not engage the liquid container and inhalable liquid remains hermetically stored within the liquid container, and the liquid container may be displaced from the first position to a second position such that the piercing member pierces the storage container to release inhalable liquid onto the wicking material, whereby during inhalation inhalable liquid vapour from the wicking material is delivered to the patient.