Dry Powder Inhaler Storage Box for Reservoir Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dry powder inhalers face issues such as complex and expensive metering mechanisms, contamination risks, inefficient dose delivery, and potential powder loss or contamination upon impact, along with increased complexity and cost in both multi-dose and single-dose designs.
Innovation Solution
A dry powder inhaler assembly comprising a body with a chamber and mouthpiece, a reservoir with a lateral outlet, and a storage box, where the reservoir is movable between unloaded and loaded positions, secured by an axial projection in the storage box, ensuring powder integrity and efficient delivery through orbital movement, while being simple and cost-effective to manufacture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a multi-dose inhaler with a reservoir containing multiple doses is used, then the device can deliver multiple doses, but the device becomes complex and expensive with guaranteed accuracy and reproducibility of dosage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the multi-dose reservoir into multiple individual sealed compartments (blister packs), each containing a single dose. This segmentation allows each dose to be independently sealed and accessed, eliminating the need for complex metering mechanisms while maintaining the ability to deliver multiple doses. The user simply opens the required number of individual sealed compartments.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the metering function from the reservoir by using pre-sealed individual dose compartments. Each compartment is pre-prepared and sealed, removing the need for active metering control during use. The dosing mechanism is simplified to merely opening the sealed compartments, which are then discarded after use.
2Reliability
If individual reservoirs are opened by peeling or detaching the blister seal, then powder sealing is improved, but it becomes difficult to control the forces required to ensure complete opening without risking opening the next reservoir
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by pre-sealing each individual dose in a blister pack before use. The sealing is done in advance during manufacturing, ensuring powder protection without requiring the user to apply force during inhalation. The pre-sealed format eliminates the need for force control during the opening action.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary mechanism - a breaking element or score line - that facilitates controlled opening of the blister seal. This intermediary feature allows the seal to break at a predetermined location with minimal force, preventing accidental opening of adjacent reservoirs while ensuring complete opening of the intended compartment.
3Productivity
If the reservoir is movable within the chamber during inhalation, then delivery efficiency is improved, but the reservoir can shift unintentionally within the chamber due to impact, potentially leading to powder loss or contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the movable reservoir into multiple individually sealed compartments. Each compartment maintains its own integrity and position, preventing powder loss or contamination even if the overall reservoir shifts during impact. The segmentation isolates the powder in each compartment from potential contamination sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies beforehand cushioning by designing the reservoir structure with protective features that cushion impacts before they can affect the powder. The sealed blister pack structure and positioning elements within the chamber provide protective cushioning against unintentional shifts and impacts, preventing powder loss or contamination.
4Volume of moving object
If a single-dose inhaler with a cylindrical reservoir featuring a lateral opening is used, then the device size is reduced, but the reservoir cannot deliver large doses typically exceeding 100 mg
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the dose delivery into multiple individual sealed compartments within the reservoir. Each compartment contains a portion of the total dose, allowing the reservoir to hold large total quantities (exceeding 100 mg) while maintaining a compact form factor. The segmented structure enables efficient use of space within the chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies nesting by placing multiple individual sealed dose compartments within the single reservoir structure. The compartments are nested within the reservoir volume, allowing the reservoir to contain large total doses while maintaining a compact overall size. The nested arrangement maximizes space utilization.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A set comprising: - a dry powder inhaler comprising: a body (110) containing a chamber (111) and a mouthpiece (120); a dry powder reservoir (10) movable between a non-loaded position in which it is at least partially disposed outside said chamber, and a loaded position in which it is entirely disposed within said chamber; and an actuating member (130) for moving said reservoir from its non-loaded position to its loaded position; and - a storage box (200) comprising a blind hollow body (201) with a bottom wall (203) supporting an axial projection (205) which, in the storage position when said inhaler is arranged inside the storage box, passes through the mouthpiece and the chamber so as to come into contact with said reservoir in order to lock the reservoir in its non-loaded position.