Liquid Jet Inhalation Device Pre-Heating Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inhalation devices, such as electronic cigarettes, often fail to maintain optimal temperature control of the aerosol/vapor mixture, which can affect the absorption of active medical agents and user experience, as they either produce warm vapor with wick and coil systems or cold vapor with ultrasonic mesh systems, lacking in convenience and fidelity of action.
Innovation Solution
An inhalation device with a liquid jet system comprising a fluid chamber, ejection nozzle, and supply channel embedded in a substrate, equipped with a heating element to pre-heat the liquid to a predetermined temperature before ejection, ensuring a consistent and user-preferred temperature of the aerosol/vapor mixture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a wick and coil system is used to generate vapor, then the vapor temperature is significantly raised above human body temperature, but the user experience may be compromised and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating function from a traditional wick and coil system and implements it through a integrated heating element within a simplified liquid jet device structure. This separates the heating function from the complex wick-coil assembly while maintaining effective vaporization through direct heating of the liquid jet.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter control by using a heating element that can precisely control the liquid temperature before jet formation. This allows maintaining vapor temperature above body temperature for effective absorption while avoiding the complexity of traditional wick-coil systems through parameter optimization.
2Ease of operation
If an ultrasonic mesh system is used to deliver drops, then the vapor is delivered at room temperature, but the absorption of active medical agents is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary heating action by incorporating a heating element that pre-heats the liquid to a predetermined temperature before the liquid is ejected through the nozzle. This ensures the liquid is already at the optimal temperature for absorption when it forms vapor, eliminating the need for post-vaporization heating while maintaining ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the ultrasonic mesh mechanical vibration system with a heating-based liquid jet system. Instead of using mechanical ultrasonic vibrations to atomize room temperature liquid, the system uses thermal energy to pre-heat the liquid and a controlled jet mechanism to deliver it, achieving both ease of operation and optimal temperature for absorption.
3Reliability
If the liquid is heated to a high temperature, then the absorption of active agents is improved, but the risk of overheating and user discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control through a controller that regulates the heating element based on predetermined temperature parameters. The system monitors and adjusts the heating process to maintain the liquid at the optimal temperature for absorption while preventing overheating, thus ensuring reliable absorption efficiency without harmful excessive temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the temperature parameter by heating the liquid to a predetermined temperature that is sufficient for effective absorption but controlled to avoid overheating. This parameter optimization ensures the vapor achieves the necessary temperature for reliable absorption of active agents while maintaining safety and user comfort through precise temperature management.
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 device provides improved temperature control, enhancing the absorption of active agents and user experience by maintaining a consistent temperature, whether warm or ambient, thus addressing the limitations of conventional devices.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element arranged to pre-heat the liquid to a predetermined temperature prior to ejection through the ejection nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
An inhalation device with at least one liquid jet device for producing drops of a liquid on demand, wherein the liquid jet device includes a fluid chamber, an ejection nozzle, a supply channel embedded in a substrate, and at least one heating element arranged to pre-heat the liquid to a predetermined temperature prior to ejection through the ejection nozzle.