Inhaler Vortex Elements for Aerosol Velocity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current metered dose inhalers (MDIs) suffer from poor delivery efficiency due to incomplete evaporation of propellant, high linear velocity, and large droplet size of aerosolized medication, leading to inefficient deposition in the lungs and systemic side effects, with only a small fraction of the medication reaching the targeted airways.
Innovation Solution
The use of vortex creating elements along the inhaler conduit to slow down and mix the aerosol plume with inspiratory air, matching its velocity to the patient's breath, and increasing evaporation, thereby reducing impaction and sticking on inner walls, and optimizing the size and trajectory of aerosol particles for improved lung delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If high linear velocity aerosol plume is discharged from MDI, then aerosol can be delivered quickly to patient, but aerosol impaction on inner walls increases and delivery efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces curved surfaces and vortex flow paths within the inhaler device to transform the linear aerosol plume into a rotational flow pattern. This curvature causes the aerosol to follow a spiral trajectory, reducing direct impaction on walls and improving delivery to the patient's lungs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an intermediary flow path or chamber that mediates between the high-velocity aerosol discharge and the patient's inhalation. This intermediary structure allows velocity reduction and flow conditioning while maintaining delivery efficiency.
2Productivity
If propellant evaporation is incomplete in aerosol plume, then aerosol can be discharged quickly, but large droplet size results and lung deposition efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary evaporation action by providing a controlled evaporation chamber or extended residence time zone within the inhaler device. This allows propellant evaporation to occur before the aerosol reaches the patient, ensuring optimal droplet size for lung deposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the evaporation process into a temporal dimension by increasing the residence time of aerosol within the device through curved flow paths and extended chambers, allowing complete propellant evaporation before delivery.
3Speed
If aerosol velocity does not match patient's breath velocity, then aerosol can be discharged at high speed, but impaction in oropharyngeal cavity and trachea increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes the velocity parameter of the aerosol plume through flow conditioning elements and pressure differential control, transforming high-velocity discharge into low-velocity delivery that matches patient breath velocity and reduces impaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses rotational flow patterns and curved trajectories to gradually reduce aerosol velocity while maintaining forward progress, preventing sudden impaction in the oropharyngeal cavity and trachea.
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
This approach enhances the delivery of aerosolized medication to the lungs by increasing the residence time and evaporation of propellant, reducing systemic side effects, and improving the respirable fraction of the metered dose, resulting in a more efficient and effective inhalation of medication.
Implementation Method 1
These elements create a helical airflow pattern having a high tangential velocity within the central conduit of the inhaler, slowing and entraining the aerosol
Implementation Method 2
increasing its residence time in the inhaler with the net result being an increase in the amount of drug delivered
Data Source
AI summary
A pulmonary drug delivery device having one or more vortexing elements which impart beneficial flow characteristics to an inspiratory air flow carrying a medicament into the patient's lungs.