Disposable Monodose Inhaler with Oriented Flow Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing monodose inhalers for powdered medicaments face issues such as high cost, complexity, hygiene concerns, inefficient drug delivery to the lungs, and difficulty in use, especially for elderly patients, due to deposition of medicament in the oropharyngeal cavity and assembly challenges.
Innovation Solution
A disposable monodose inhaler design featuring a support base with oriented flow channels, a shortened baffle, multiple air entrance zones, and an external flange to ensure proper cartridge mounting and stable drug delivery, promoting turbulence for effective particle dispersion and minimizing resistance, while preventing medicament deposition in the oropharyngeal cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a reusable multidose inhaler is used, then the device can be used multiple times, but the cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a disposable monodose inhaler where the entire device is discarded after single use. This eliminates the need for complex cleaning, maintenance, and hygiene management required by reusable devices. The simple disposable design reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining effectiveness for single-dose administration.
2Device complexity
If a disposable monodose inhaler with button and spring mechanism is used, then the structure is simpler and cheaper, but the medicament still deposits in the oropharyngeal cavity
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system is segmented into separate functional components: a primary airstream for powder transport and a secondary airstream for supporting and directing the primary stream. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function, improving powder delivery efficiency while reducing deposition in the oropharyngeal cavity.
Solution Approach 2:
A secondary airstream acts as an intermediary between the primary powder-carrying stream and the patient's mouth. This intermediate air flow supports the primary stream, directing it toward the lungs and preventing direct deposition of medicament on the tongue and oropharyngeal walls.
3Productivity
If the delivery duct is extended to reach deeper into the mouth, then more medicament can reach the lungs, but the risk of overdose increases due to premature administration
Solution Approach 1:
The inhaler employs an auto-perforation cartridge mechanism that automatically pierces itself when inserted into the device. This self-perforating design eliminates the need for manual button pressing, ensuring the medicament is released only when the inhaler is properly positioned in the patient's mouth and activated by inhalation, thereby preventing premature administration.
4Reliability
If multiple components (button, spring, cartridge support) are assembled in the housing, then the piercing function is achieved, but manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is designed to integrate multiple functions within a single component: it serves as both the medicament container and the piercing mechanism. The auto-perforation design combines the cartridge body with the piercing function, eliminating the need for separate buttons, springs, and cartridge support members, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge performs its own piercing function through an auto-perforation mechanism that activates automatically when inserted into the inhaler. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex manual piercing mechanisms, reducing the number of components required and simplifying both manufacturing and assembly processes.
5Reliability
If a filter mesh is used to prevent powder escape, then the powder is contained, but the air flow resistance increases and operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The filter mesh is completely removed from the delivery system. Instead of using a filter to contain powder, the design relies on the secondary airstream to support and direct the primary powder-carrying stream, preventing powder escape through fluid dynamic control rather than physical filtration, thereby maintaining easy inhalation.
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 enhances drug delivery efficacy by ensuring high-velocity flow and turbulence for better inhalability, simplifies cartridge mounting, and improves safety and ease of use by preventing medicament deposition and ensuring proper inhaler positioning, thus addressing the limitations of previous inhalers.
Implementation Method 1
the primary airstream can climb over the patient's tongue... better separation of the drug from the excipient due to the secondary airstream that hits and directs the primary stream
Implementation Method 2
oriented flow channels that extend between at least three air intakes formed in the housing portion and the powder drop region
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An inhaler for powdered medicaments consists of a substantially smoking pipe- shaped hollow body that has a first portion (1), for housing a cartridge of powdered medicament, and a second portion (2) for delivering the medicament by means of an airstream that carries the powder from an inner drop region (5) along a delivery duct (3) whose end is suitable to be placed in a patient's mouth, the intake of the air being achieved through at least three air intakes (7) arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal midplane of the inhaler, which includes a support base (9, 9') for the cartridge in which oriented flow channels (11) are formed that extend between the three air intakes (7) and the inner powder drop region (5).