Metered Dose Atomizer with Venturi Nozzle for Lung Deposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard nebulizers fail to achieve efficient medication delivery to the lungs due to wasted medication during exhalation, large particle size, difficulty in dose estimation, contamination risks, and inefficiency in delivering medication to the lung tissue, which affects the effectiveness of aerosol therapy.
Innovation Solution
A nebulizer design featuring a venturi nozzle and mixing chamber that operates intra-orally, using a horizontal configuration to minimize particle interactions and waste, with a suction line that draws medication upward and mixes it with air to create a fine mist, ensuring medication is released only during inhalation and minimizing ambient drug release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If standard nebulizers are used to deliver medication, then medication can be administered to patients, but medication is wasted during exhalation and particle size is too large to reach the bottom of the lungs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the aerosol particles by using a vertical nebulizer design that generates smaller particle sizes compared to standard horizontal nebulizers. This parameter change enables particles to reach the bottom of the lungs and reduces medication waste during exhalation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional horizontal nebulizer configuration by using a vertical orientation. This inversion allows medication to be delivered in a direction that utilizes the patient's inhalation and exhalation cycles more effectively, preventing medication waste during exhalation and enabling deeper lung penetration.
2Ease of operation
If standard nebulizers are used, then medication delivery is simple, but dose estimation and reproduction are difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that allow for accurate dose estimation and reproduction while maintaining simple operation. The vertical nebulizer design provides consistent aerosol generation that enables reliable dose delivery, and the system includes features for monitoring and reproducing dosages accurately.
3Ease of operation
If standard nebulizers are used, then medication can be administered, but there is contamination risk when opening sterile kits and assembling pieces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assembling the nebulizer components in a sterile environment before use. The vertical nebulizer design allows for pre-sterilized assembly, eliminating the need for patients or caregivers to open sterile kits and assemble pieces at home, thereby preventing contamination while maintaining ease of operation.
4Productivity
If standard nebulizers are used, then medication delivery system is established, but much medication is deposited in the throat rather than in the lungs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the aerosol generation parameters by using a vertical nebulizer configuration that produces smaller, more uniform particles. This parameter change improves medication delivery efficiency to the lungs while reducing deposition in the throat, as the smaller particles can penetrate deeper into the respiratory system.
Solution Approach 2:
By inverting the traditional horizontal nebulizer orientation to a vertical configuration, the patent redirects the aerosol flow path to better utilize gravity and respiratory mechanics. This inversion ensures that medication is delivered directly to the lungs rather than being deposited in the throat, improving overall delivery efficiency.
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 nebulizer enhances dose reliability, reproducibility, and lung-deposition efficiency, reducing medication waste and contamination risks while delivering fine particles effectively to the lungs, improving the overall efficiency of aerosol therapy.
Implementation Method 1
A venturi nozzle is positioned at the outlet end of the air line and has a discharge end and is oriented horizontally when in use and forms a mixing chamber at its discharge end
Implementation Method 2
A suction line extends from the venturi nozzle and mixing chamber to the medication receiver and draws medication upward from a medication container received within the medication receiver
Implementation Method 3
mixes it with gas passing through the venturi nozzle into the mixing chamber and atomizes the medication into a mist
Data Source
AI summary
An atomizer has a venturi nozzle positioned at an outlet end of an air line and has a discharge end and is oriented horizontally when in use and forms a mixing chamber at its discharge end. A valve is positioned at a canister port and actuable to allow a metered flow of gas at a predetermined pressure and time through the air line and venturi nozzle. A suction line extends from the venturi nozzle and mixing chamber to a medication receiver and draws medication upward and mixes it with gas passing through the venturi nozzle into the mixing chamber and atomizes the medication into a mist.