Nasal Administration Device with Collimation Nozzle and Alignment Tabs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nasal administration devices lack the capability to deliver medications accurately and efficiently to the eustachian tube, resulting in indiscriminate application and reduced effectiveness in treating otitis media due to lack of targeting mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A nasal administration device with a collimation nozzle and alignment tabs that directs a focused stream of medication to the pharyngeal orifice of the eustachian tube, ensuring precise delivery by aligning the device with anatomical landmarks such as the tragus and nasopharynx.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional nasal administration device is used, then the device structure is simple, but the medication cannot be delivered accurately to the eustachian tube resulting in indiscriminate application
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional components: a housing, a collimation nozzle assembly, and alignment tabs. The collimation nozzle itself is a separate element that can be attached to the housing, allowing the system to provide focused delivery without requiring complete redesign of the entire device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The collimation nozzle acts as an intermediary component between the medication reservoir and the eustachian tube. It transforms the spray pattern from diffuse to focused, serving as a mediating element that enables precise targeting without direct complex positioning mechanisms.
2Reliability
If medication is applied indiscriminately to the nasal cavity, then the device is easy to use, but the treatment efficacy is reduced due to medication wastage
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment tabs utilize visual contrast and anatomical landmark alignment (tragus of the ear) to guide proper device positioning. This visual guidance system maintains ease of use by providing intuitive feedback without requiring complex electronic or mechanical positioning aids.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates alignment tabs that automatically guide the user to the correct positioning through anatomical landmarks. The self-aligning feature reduces the cognitive load on the user while ensuring accurate medication delivery to the eustachian tube region.
3Quantity of substance
If a focused stream of medication is directed to the eustachian tube, then the medication delivery is precise, but the device requires alignment mechanisms increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment tabs extend beyond the minimal functional requirement, providing visible guidance markers that protrude from the housing. This excessive alignment feature ensures easy positioning without requiring精密 adjustment mechanisms, balancing precision with simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment tabs utilize the spatial dimension outside the nasal cavity by referencing the tragus of the ear as an external anatomical landmark. This external reference point allows for accurate positioning in three-dimensional space without adding complex internal positioning mechanisms.
4Stress or pressure
If the eustachian tube opening pressure is high, then the middle ear is sealed, but the pressure cannot be equalized leading to otitis media
Solution Approach 1:
The patent delivers medications that modify the physical-chemical parameters of the eustachian tube environment, specifically targeting surfactant properties and mucosal surface tension. By changing these parameters, the medication facilitates opening of the eustachian tube at lower pressure differentials, enabling pressure equalization.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of mechanically forcing the eustachian tube open through pressure, the patent uses pharmacological agents delivered via the collimation nozzle to chemically modify the tube's opening characteristics. This substitutes a mechanical pressure-based system with a biochemical modulation approach.
Data Source
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AI summary
A nasal administration device is disclosed which enables delivery of a well collimated stream of medication through the nasal orifice of a human being to the pharyngeal orifice of the eustachian tube. The device utilizes alignment tabs to properly position the collimated stream utilizing facial landmarks and an alignment arrow to confirm such alignment. Certain preferred embodiments of the disclosed device include adjustable alignment tabs enabling more precise alignment for a range of facial profiles.