Multi-Channel Nozzle for Powder Inhaler Aerosol Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional powder inhalers face challenges in achieving high reproducibility and efficiency in delivering aerosolized medicaments to the lungs, with issues such as particle agglomeration, incomplete dose delivery, and dependency on patient breathing maneuvers, leading to reduced lung penetration and increased residue in the device.
Innovation Solution
A powder inhaler featuring a multi-channel nozzle with angled channels that utilizes a pressure medium to generate aerosol jets, which break up powder particles and reduce kinetic energy, minimizing residue and allowing for a homogeneous aerosol formation independent of patient breathing, without the need for additional spacers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single-channel nozzle is used, then the device structure is simple, but the fine particle content and lung delivery efficiency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is divided into multiple channels (at least two) that are inclined at angles to each other, creating multiple aerosol jets that interact to enhance fine particle generation. This segmentation allows each channel to contribute to particle breakup while maintaining a relatively simple overall nozzle structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The channels are arranged in three-dimensional space with specific inclination angles, creating aerosol jets that converge and interact in a controlled spatial configuration. This dimensional arrangement enhances particle dispersion and fine particle content without requiring a complex multi-component system.
2Strength
If high aerosol speed is used to break up particle agglomerates, then particle dispersion improves, but lung penetration decreases due to excessive speed
Solution Approach 1:
The aerosol undergoes periodic acceleration and deceleration as it passes through the inclined channels and experiences jet interaction. The initial high-speed phase breaks up agglomerates, while the subsequent convergence and mixing zone provides a deceleration phase that allows particles to reach the lungs at appropriate speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined channel structure acts as an intermediary that transforms the direct high-speed jet into a controlled convergence zone. The channel geometry mediates between the high-speed particle breakup mechanism and the lower-speed lung delivery requirement, allowing both functions to be achieved.
3Speed
If additional spacers are added to reduce aerosol speed, then lung delivery improves, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined channel nozzle performs multiple functions simultaneously: it generates aerosol, breaks up particle agglomerates through jet interaction, controls aerosol velocity, and eliminates the need for separate spacer components. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while achieving the desired speed reduction for lung delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The functions of particle breakup and speed control are merged into the single multi-channel nozzle structure. The channel geometry and jet interaction simultaneously achieve particle dispersion and velocity reduction, eliminating the need for separate spacer components that would increase device complexity.
4Quantity of substance
If turbulent flow is used to nebulize powder, then aerosol formation occurs, but a significant portion of powder remains as residue in the device
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pressurized gas flow through the inclined channels to nebulize the powder formulation. The pneumatic force efficiently entrains and transports powder particles through the aerosol jets, maximizing the quantity of powder converted to aerosol form while minimizing residue left in the device.
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 achieves a high content of fine particles <5.8 μm in size, reducing aerosol speed and minimizing residue, resulting in improved lung delivery and user convenience, with the inhaler being compact and independent of patient breathing maneuvers.
Implementation Method 1
a gaseous pressure medium released by the pressure medium system forms an aerosol with the powder formulation such that the powder particles are present in dispersed form in the gaseous pressure medium
Implementation Method 2
the channels of which are inclined to one another at such an angle that the aerosol jets flowing through them meet downstream behind the nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a powder inhaler (1) with mouthpiece (2) for dispersing pharmaceutical medicament formulations, which comprises an auxiliary energy source in the form of a pressure medium system (3), having a device for supplying (6) a powder formulation (7), while on activation of the pressure medium system a gaseous pressure medium (8) released by the pressure medium system (3) forms an aerosol (9) with the powder formulation (7) such that the powder particles are present in the gaseous pressure medium (8) in dispersed form. This is achieved by means of a powder inhaler (1) comprising a multi-channel nozzle, the channels of which are inclined to one another at an angle such that the aerosol jets flowing through them meet one another downstream behind the nozzle (10).