Mesh Nebulizer Pressure Sensing for Accurate Inhalation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional nebulizers suffer from incomplete medicament inhalation, residue, and user discomfort due to uneven airflow and structural inefficiencies, with dual pressure sensors being costly and prone to inaccuracy, and single pressure sensors failing in environmental variations.
Innovation Solution
A nebulization device with dual pressure sensors, one isolated from the airway to detect external pressure and the other adjacent to the airway to detect internal pressure, driving nebulization based on pressure difference without flow rate calculation, combined with a mesh for nebulization and structural features to reduce residue and discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional nebulizers use dual pressure sensors arranged inside the flow channel to achieve differential pressure calculation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts one pressure sensor from the flow channel and places it outside, while keeping one sensor inside. This separation simplifies the overall sensor arrangement while maintaining the ability to measure differential pressure for flow detection, thereby reducing device complexity without sacrificing measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a communication channel that connects the interior of the mouthpiece to the exterior environment, allowing the external pressure sensor to indirectly measure internal pressure conditions. This intermediary approach enables accurate flow measurement while keeping the sensor arrangement simpler and more cost-effective.
2Device complexity
If conventional nebulizers use a single pressure sensor, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to sensor deviation and inability to regress pressure values
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different sensor locations with different functional qualities - one sensor inside the mouthpiece for local pressure measurement and one sensor outside for reference pressure measurement. This local differentiation ensures accurate differential pressure calculation while maintaining overall system simplicity.
3Device complexity
If conventional nebulizers have uneven airflow, then device complexity is reduced, but harmful factors increase due to strong pressure on user's lungs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the airflow path into multiple controlled regions using internal partitions and multiple vents. This segmentation allows different parts of the airflow to be regulated independently, creating more uniform air distribution and reducing concentrated pressure on the user's lungs while maintaining structural simplicity.
4Device complexity
If conventional nebulizers lack additional structures for complete inhalation, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of substance increases due to medicament residue and waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates internal partitions and multiple vents that are pre-configured to guide and optimize airflow patterns before the user inhalation occurs. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that medicament-laden air is efficiently directed toward the user's lungs, maximizing medicament delivery and minimizing residue and waste.
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
Enhances medicament utilization, reduces residue, and improves user comfort by stabilizing airflow, while being more cost-effective and accurate than conventional devices.
Implementation Method 1
a first pressure sensor disposed inside the nebulization medicament delivery device and to be air-tightly isolated from the airway, and configured to detect external air pressure outside the nebulization medicament delivery device
Implementation Method 2
a second pressure sensor disposed adjacent to the airway or within the airway, and configured to detect air pressure inside the airway
Implementation Method 3
the controller drives the nebulization module to perform nebulization based on air pressure difference between the external air pressure and the air pressure inside the airway
Implementation Method 4
the detection module detects the pressure applied by the medicament onto the mesh through the piezoelectric element to convert the pressure into a voltage signal or a current signal
Data Source
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AI summary
A nebulization medicament delivery device (1) is provided, which includes a mouthpiece opening (10); an airway (11); at least one first vent (12) configured to introduce external air into the airway (11), wherein the mouthpiece opening (10) is in communication with the at least one first vent (12) through the airway (11); a nebulization module (13) including a mesh and configured for nebulization; a first pressure sensor (14) disposed inside the nebulization medicament delivery device (1) and to be air-tightly isolated from the airway (11), and configured to detect external air pressure outside the nebulization medicament delivery device (1); a second pressure sensor (15) disposed adjacent to the airway (11) or within the airway (11), and configured to detect air pressure inside the airway (11); and a controller, which drives the nebulization module (13) to perform nebulization based on air pressure difference between the external air pressure and the air pressure inside the airway (11).