Dry Powder Inhaler Radial Air Flow Deaggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dry powder inhalers face challenges in effectively dispersing and delivering medicaments comprising incompatible substances, often resulting in agglomeration and non-uniform dosages, and are typically limited to either micronized or carrier-based formulations, but not both.
Innovation Solution
A dry powder inhaler design featuring multiple medicament reservoirs, a dose disc with cavities, and a mixing and deaggregation chamber, where air channels direct inhaled air radially to facilitate deaggregation and dispersion of medicaments, allowing for the administration of incompatible substances and supporting both micronized and carrier-based formulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If deflectors are arranged in the flow path to increase deaggregation of medicament, then deaggregation is improved, but medicament accumulates at the deflectors thus decreasing uniformity of the dosage
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful function of deflectors causing medicament accumulation is eliminated by removing them from the system. The patent replaces the deflector-based deaggregation approach with a different mechanism that does not create accumulation problems, thereby maintaining uniform dosage distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful accumulation effect into a beneficial outcome by redesigning the flow path and deaggregation mechanism. Instead of using deflectors that cause accumulation, the invention uses a configuration where air flow and medicament interaction naturally promote deaggregation without creating accumulation zones, turning the potential harm into a benefit.
2Device complexity
If a single medicament chamber is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but incompatible substances cannot be stored together
Solution Approach 1:
The single medicament chamber is segmented into multiple separate chambers, each capable of storing different medicaments. This segmentation allows incompatible substances to be stored separately while maintaining device functionality, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and substance compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The inhaler device is designed with multi-functional capability to handle both micronized and carrier-based formulations simultaneously through the multi-chamber system. Each chamber can be configured for different formulation types, making the device universally applicable to various medicament types without requiring separate devices.
3Manufacturing precision
If micronized formulations are used, then particle size for maximum effectiveness is achieved, but particles are very cohesive due to high surface energy causing agglomeration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of controlled air flow and chamber design that mediates between the cohesive micronized particles and the delivery system. The air flow acts as an intermediary force that overcomes particle cohesion and prevents agglomeration during delivery, enabling effective micronized particle transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters such as air flow velocity, pressure, and chamber geometry to optimize deaggregation of micronized particles. By adjusting these parameters, the system overcomes the high surface energy and cohesiveness of micronized particles, preventing agglomeration while maintaining the beneficial small particle size.
4Reliability
If carrier based formulations are used, then particle cohesiveness is reduced, but the inhaler cannot effectively handle both micronized and carrier based formulations
Solution Approach 1:
The inhaler is designed with universal functionality to effectively handle both micronized and carrier-based formulations through the multi-chamber configuration. Each chamber can be optimized for different formulation types, allowing the device to maintain reliable particle dispersion for both formulation types simultaneously, thus achieving versatility without compromising performance.
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 ensures effective dispersion and uniform delivery of dry powders, preventing agglomeration and multiple dosing, while accommodating a range of formulations, enhancing the inhaler's robustness and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
air channels in communication with the cavities, for directing a stream of inhaled air radially onto the cavities, thereby onto the medicament in the cavities
Data Source
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AI summary
A dry powder inhaler (100) comprising at least one air inlet (101), at least one air outlet (102), an air channel (107) between said air inlet and said air outlet, and at least one medicament reservoir (109) is disclosed. The inhaler comprises a dosage mechanism (118) for arranging at least one dose of a medicament from said at least one medicament reservoir between the air channel and the air outlet such that said dose may be delivered upon inhalation at said air outlet. The dosage mechanism comprises a dose disc (104) with at least one cavity (108), wherein the dose disc may be rotated between a collecting position wherein the cavity is positioned in the medicament reservoir, and a administering position wherein the cavity lies underneath the air channel. The inhaler comprise a floor disc (114) abutting the dose disc underneath the cavity to form a bottom of the cavity.