Nasal Fluid Delivery With Spring-Driven Lateral Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nasal fluid dispensing devices face issues with variable airflow due to manual actuation, difficulty in actuation for weakened individuals, and potential injury or discomfort from compressed gas actuation, while being complex and costly to manufacture and use.
Innovation Solution
A nasal fluid dispensing device with a flexible and deformable tube connecting two support members, actuated by a radial button, which simultaneously opens fluid and compressed gas reservoirs via needles or valves, using a spring to ensure consistent airflow without axial force, ensuring safety and simplicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a manual flush is used to expel the fluid product, then the device structure is simple, but the airflow becomes variable depending on actuation force
Solution Approach 1:
The loaded spring automatically provides the force needed to expel the fluid product after the seal is broken. The system self-activates without requiring the user to generate sufficient airflow manually, while the spring's predetermined force ensures consistent airflow for single-dose reliability.
2Reliability
If a mechanical opening at the end of actuation stroke is used, then sufficient airflow is ensured, but actuation becomes difficult for weakened people
Solution Approach 1:
The loaded spring is pre-loaded during device assembly or manufacturing, storing the energy needed for fluid expulsion. The user only needs to perform a simple breaking action to initiate the process, while the pre-stored spring energy completes the expulsion task, making actuation easy for weakened individuals.
3Ease of operation
If axial force is exerted while the device is in the user's nostril, then the compressed gas reservoir can be opened, but discomfort or injury may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating button is moved from axial to lateral operation. The user presses the button from the side (lateral direction) rather than pushing axially along the device length. This lateral actuation mechanism transmits force through the hollow cage to break the seal and activate the spring, completely avoiding axial force application in the nostril and eliminating injury risk.
4Ease of operation
If a double-pointed needle is used to pierce both reservoirs, then compressed gas can dispense the fluid product, but the device becomes complex and costly to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: a reusable intermediate part containing the actuating button and hollow cage mechanism, and replaceable reservoirs (fluid product and compressed gas). This segmentation allows the complex actuation mechanism to be manufactured once and reused, while simple reservoirs can be easily manufactured and replaced, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost.
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 device provides consistent fluid expulsion without varying airflow speed or force, prevents nostril injury, and is easy to manufacture, assemble, and use, while being cost-effective and suitable for single or reusable designs.
Implementation Method 1
a loaded spring being arranged between said first and second support members, to elastically bias them towards their respective actuating position
Implementation Method 2
a flexible and deformable tube fixed on the one hand to said first support member and on the other hand to said second support member
Implementation Method 3
a compressed gas reservoir adapted to dispense a dose of compressed gas to expel the dose of fluid product upon actuation
Data Source
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Figure 9~10
AI summary
The invention relates to a device comprising a vessel (10) containing a dose of fluid product, a compressed gas vessel (20) suitable for dispensing a dose of compressed gas in order to expel the dose of fluid product, and an intermediate portion (30) comprising a body (31) and connection means (40, 50, 60) for connecting said vessel (10) to said compressed gas vessel (20), and actuating means (35, 36) for actuating said device, said connection means comprising a first support member (40) and a second support member (50) and a deformable tube (60) attached both to said first support member (40) and to said second support member (50), said first support member (40) comprising first opening means (45) for opening said vessel (10) in the actuating position, and said second support member (50) comprising second opening means (55) for opening said compressed gas vessel (20) in the actuating position, a loaded spring (70) being disposed between said first and second support members (40, 50), said actuating means comprising an actuating button (35) that is rigidly connected to a hollow cage (36) which, in the rest position, locks said support members (40, 50) axially in their respective rest positions, and when said actuating button (35) is moved radially towards its actuating position, said support members (40, 50) are unlocked axially and said spring (70) moves said two support members (40, 50) towards their respective actuating positions.