Jet Nebulizer Vortex Flow Structure for Tilted Aerosol Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing jet nebulizers face issues such as non-optimal particle size distribution, liquid leakage, and reduced medicament delivery in tilted orientations, limiting their effectiveness in various therapeutic applications.

Innovation Solution

A nebulizer design featuring a tubular housing with a concave conical structure and a sidewall that redirects aerosol flow, creating a reverse flow and vortex formation, along with an adjustable baffle distance and liquid traps, ensuring consistent aerosol output and preventing liquid leakage in tilted positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the nebulizer is used in tilted orientations, then the device can be positioned more comfortably for patients, but liquid leakage occurs and medicament delivery is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorientation adaptabilityVSAvoidmedicament delivery consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a curved or inclined baffle surface instead of a flat surface. This curved geometry allows the baffle to effectively redirect aerosol flow regardless of the nebulizer's orientation, ensuring consistent medicament delivery and preventing liquid leakage in both upright and tilted positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adjusts the angle and position of the baffle relative to the nozzle, creating an optimized geometric configuration. By changing these structural parameters, the device maintains reliable aerosol generation and liquid containment across various orientations without requiring active control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If a flat baffle is used to redirect aerosol flow, then the structure is simple, but particle size distribution is non-optimal and liquid leakage occurs in tilted positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebaffle structure simplicityVSAvoidparticle size distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the flat baffle with a curved or inclined surface that follows the natural trajectory of aerosol flow. This curved geometry more effectively redirects the aerosol, improving particle size distribution and preventing liquid leakage while adding minimal structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs an asymmetric baffle configuration where the baffle surface is inclined or curved rather than symmetric and flat. This asymmetric design creates more effective flow redirection and particle separation, optimizing aerosol characteristics without requiring complex multi-component structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Manufacturing precision

If the baffle is positioned close to the nozzle to create fine aerosol, then particle size is reduced, but liquid leakage increases in tilted orientations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle size controlVSAvoidliquid leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The curved or inclined baffle surface creates a more gradual redirection of aerosol flow compared to a flat surface. This allows the baffle to be positioned closer to the nozzle for finer particle generation while the curved geometry prevents liquid from pooling and leaking in tilted orientations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The baffle acts as an intermediary element between the nozzle and the external environment. By positioning and angling the baffle optimally, it mediates the interaction between high-velocity aerosol flow and gravitational forces, enabling fine particle generation while preventing liquid leakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 maintains consistent aerosol output and prevents liquid leakage across orientations, enhancing therapeutic efficacy by ensuring uniform particle size distribution and complete medicament delivery, even in tilted positions.

Implementation Method 1

the sidewall is arranged to redirect the initial aerosol flow guided along the concave conical surface to form a reverse aerosol flow in the inner volume

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow redirection:

Implementation Method 2

The pressurized gas exits at high speed at the gas outlet. In response thereto, liquid present in the liquid container is aspired or drawn into a liquid passageway by venturi effect

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4491209B1Jet nebulizer and aerosolizing method

Publication Date: 2026.02.11 MELTICARE AB

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AI summary

There is disclosed a jet nebulizer and a method for generating an aerosol in a jet nebulizer. The jet nebulizer comprises an inner conical structure having a concave conical surface. An initial aerosol flow is guided along the concave conical surface, and is subsequently reversed into a reverse aerosol flow which is then guided to an outlet of the nebulizer. The initial aerosol flow and the reverse aerosol flow together form a vortex flow inside the nebulizer, providing an enhanced aerosol. Furthermore, the nebulizer is designed to operate also in tilted orientations up to and including 90 degrees.