Medicament Delivery Device Tension Control for Sealing Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medicament delivery devices for inhaled dry powder formulations are complex and expensive due to the need for numerous mechanical parts to handle two medicament carriers and their separated components, leading to tensioning issues and vulnerability of medicament doses to spilling.
Innovation Solution
A medicament delivery device with a tension control element that equalizes the tension of separated sealing layers using a biasing force, allowing passive self-balancing and reducing the need for active control, combined with a manifold design that includes an opening mechanism and take-up spool to manage the medicament carriers and sealing layers efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If two medicament carriers are handled separately with their own sealing layers, then the medicament doses can be delivered accurately, but the device complexity increases due to needing two of every component
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the handling of two medicament carriers and their sealing layers into a single integrated mechanism. The opening mechanism simultaneously handles both carriers, and the take-up spool collects both sealing layers together, reducing the need for separate components for each carrier while maintaining accurate dose delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening mechanism is designed to handle both medicament carriers with their sealing layers using the same components. The take-up spool serves both sealing layers, making the device more efficient and less complex by allowing one mechanism to perform multiple functions.
2Ease of operation
If the sealing layer is separated from the carrier strip, then the medicament can be exposed for aerosolisation, but the medicament becomes vulnerable to spilling if the device is knocked or tilted
Solution Approach 1:
The opening mechanism separates the sealing layer from the carrier strip in a controlled manner at the appropriate moment, allowing the medicament to be exposed for aerosolisation. The take-up spool is positioned to immediately collect the separated sealing layer, preventing any vulnerability to spilling before the device can be knocked or tilted.
Solution Approach 2:
The take-up spool acts as an intermediary that collects and secures the separated sealing layer, preventing the medicament from spilling. It provides a stable collection point that maintains containment even when the device experiences movement or tilting.
3Manufacturing precision
If the incoming carrier strip and outgoing sealing layer are tightly controlled, then the medicament delivery is precise, but the installation and tensioning become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tensioning control for both the incoming carrier strip and outgoing sealing layer into a single integrated system. The opening mechanism and take-up spool work together as one unit, simplifying installation and tensioning while maintaining precise positioning of both components.
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 simplifies the handling of multiple medicament carriers, reduces the risk of medicament spilling, and maintains consistent tension, enhancing user experience and adherence to prescribed dosing regimens while minimizing component complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
at least a part of the tension control element is arranged to be movable by a biasing force, which is exerted on the tension control element by the separated sealing layers as a result of any inequality in the tensions of the separated sealing layers wound by the take-up spool
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A medicament delivery device for dispensing discrete doses of medicament comprises: first and second medicament carriers each comprising said doses of medicament contained in a plurality of individual compartments spaced along a carrier strip and sealed by a sealing layer; first and second opening mechanisms each arranged to handle a respective one of the first and second medicament carriers and to open each compartment of the respective medicament carrier by separating the sealing layer from the carrier strip as the medicament carrier is advanced through the device; a take-up spool arranged to wind the separated sealing layers thereon such as to maintain the separated sealing layers in tension, each separated sealing layer having a path of travel between a respective one of the first and second opening mechanisms and the take-up spool; and a tension control element in contact with each of the separated sealing layers, wherein at least a part of the tension control element is arranged to be movable by a biasing force, which is exerted on the tension control element by the separated sealing layers as a result of any inequality in the tensions of the separated sealing layers wound by the take-up spool, to alter the length of the path of travel of each separated sealing layer so as to substantially equalise the tensions in the separated sealing layers.