Inhaler Nozzle Retainer Passages for Aerosol Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inhalers face issues with liquid deposition on the nozzle retainer, which disrupts the flow of pharmaceutical aerosols, affecting their quality.
Innovation Solution
The inhaler features a nozzle retainer with outwardly extending passages and a recess that utilize capillary action to wick away excess liquid, minimizing deposition and maintaining aerosol flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If liquid is forced through the nozzle aperture under pressure to produce aerosol, then aerosol generation efficiency is improved, but liquid deposition on the nozzle holder increases disrupting flow
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful liquid deposition from the nozzle holder surface by introducing passages that conduct the liquid away from the aperture area. The passages act as extraction channels that remove the harmful byproduct (deposited liquid) from the critical region, allowing continuous aerosol generation without flow disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The passages serve as an intermediary structure between the nozzle aperture and the reservoir. They mediate the liquid flow by providing a controlled path for excess liquid to travel along the holder surface and return to the reservoir, preventing direct deposition on the aperture while maintaining the pressure-driven aerosol generation process.
2Reliability
If liquid flows through the nozzle aperture to create mist, then drug delivery function is achieved, but liquid accumulation obstructs subsequent flow
Solution Approach 1:
The passages ensure continuous liquid flow by preventing accumulation. By providing an escape route for excess liquid along the holder surface back to the reservoir, the system maintains uninterrupted liquid supply to the nozzle aperture, ensuring continuous and reliable aerosol generation for drug delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The passages extract accumulated liquid from the nozzle holder surface before it can obstruct the aperture. This continuous extraction mechanism prevents flow interruption and maintains reliable drug delivery function throughout operation.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If passages are added to the nozzle retainer to wick away liquid, then liquid deposition is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The passages function as capillary channels within the nozzle retainer structure, utilizing capillary action to wick away liquid. This approach uses the inherent properties of the retainer material to create functional channels without requiring separate complex wicking mechanisms, thus reducing overall device complexity while effectively removing liquid deposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid management function is merged into the existing nozzle retainer structure through integrated passages. Rather than adding separate components, the passages are incorporated directly into the retainer, combining structural support and liquid wicking functions in a single element, thereby minimizing complexity increase.
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 effectively reduces liquid accumulation on the nozzle, ensuring consistent aerosol delivery by utilizing capillary action to manage liquid distribution and prevent obstruction.
Implementation Method 1
The inhaler features a nozzle retainer with outwardly extending passages and a recess that utilize capillary action to wick away excess liquid
Data Source
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AI summary
An inhaler comprises a nozzle retaining structure (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15) comprising a nozzle retainer (15), the nozzle retainer (15) comprising: a main body (18) forming a central bowl comprising a rim, an aperture (17) formed substantially at the well of the bowl, the aperture (17) passing through the main body from one side to the other; the nozzle retaining structure and nozzle retainer configured so that a recess (16) is formed between the nozzle retainer and the remainder of the nozzle retaining structure; at least one passage (19) extending outwards towards the rim of the bowl from an inwards opening at or close to the well of the bowl, the passage comprising an at least partly open-topped channel formed through the wall of the central bowl.