Nasal Inhaler Pre-Load Actuation for Reliable Spray
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nasal inhaler devices often fail to produce a strong and defined spray when the actuator is moved slowly or unpredictably, leading to unreliable medicament dispensing, particularly when using a pump mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A fluid dispensing device with a pre-load mechanism that requires a pre-determined force to be applied to a finger-operable actuator to actuate the compression pump, ensuring consistent and efficient dispensing by preventing actuation until sufficient force is applied, thereby ensuring a reliable spray.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a pump mechanism is used to dispense fluid, then the device can store multiple doses in a reservoir, but slow or unpredictable actuation results in unreliable spray characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by requiring the user to overcome a pre-load barrier (detent mechanism) before the pump can actuate. This ensures that sufficient force is applied in advance to guarantee proper pump engagement and reliable spray delivery, eliminating the problem of slow or unpredictable actuation.
2Ease of operation
If no pre-load mechanism is provided, then the device is easier to actuate, but actuation may occur with insufficient force leading to weak or undefined spray
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by incorporating a detent mechanism that creates a pre-load barrier opposing the actuation force. This barrier must be overcome before pump actuation occurs, ensuring that sufficient force is applied to produce a strong, well-defined spray while still allowing easy actuation once the threshold is reached.
3Reliability
If a detent mechanism is added to prevent premature actuation, then spray reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the actuation process into distinct stages: a pre-load phase where the detent mechanism engages and prevents actuation, and an actuation phase where sufficient force overcomes the detent to trigger the pump. This segmentation provides reliable actuation control through a relatively simple mechanical structure.
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 ensures efficient and reliable dispensing of medicament by guaranteeing a strong and consistent spray, improving user experience and effectiveness of medication delivery.
Implementation Method 1
a compression pump having a suction inlet located within the container and a discharge tube extending along the longitudinal axis for transferring fluid from the pump to the nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid dispensing device is disclosed having a housing and a fluid discharge device. The fluid discharge device is arranged to be actuated by one or more levers so as to apply a force transversely to the fluid discharge device which is used to move a container forming part of the fluid discharge device along a longitudinal axis of the fluid discharge device to cause actuation of a pump forming part of the fluid discharge device. A pre-load means is used to prevent actuation of the pump until a pre-determined force is applied to each lever of sufficient magnitude to guarantee the production of a well developed efficient spray from the fluid dispensing device.