Nasal pMDI Actuator Flow Path Design for Deep Cavity Deposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nasal delivery devices face challenges in effectively targeting deeper regions of the nasal cavity, such as the olfactory region, turbinates, and nasopharynx, due to limitations in delivering medicaments beyond the nasal valve, and often result in inefficient deposition and comfort issues.
Innovation Solution
A nasal pMDI device with a canister containing a pressurized propellant and medicament, featuring a metering valve and actuator design that increases the cross-sectional area of the flow path, using conductive materials to enhance delivery force and comfort, and a nosepiece with a non-circular delivery opening to achieve higher deposition efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional nasal inhalers are used to deliver medicaments to the nasal cavity, then the medicaments can be introduced into the nasal cavity, but the delivery force is insufficient to reach deeper regions such as the olfactory region, turbinates, and nasopharynx
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the flow path by increasing its cross-sectional area throughout the actuator, which modifies the fluid dynamics to maintain higher delivery force over the extended distance required to reach deeper nasal regions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a restricted point-like delivery to a distributed area-based delivery by ensuring the flow path cross-sectional area is greater than the metering valve orifice area at all points, effectively adding a dimensional aspect to the flow distribution
2Length of moving object
If the flow path cross-sectional area is increased to maintain delivery force, then deeper nasal regions can be reached, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is segmented into distinct functional zones (housing, valve block, flow path channels) with each segment optimized for its specific function, allowing the complex overall design to be managed through modular decomposition
Solution Approach 2:
The valve block serves multiple functions simultaneously: it houses the metering valve, defines the expansion chamber, and creates the optimized flow path, reducing the need for separate components and simplifying the overall device structure
3Productivity
If conventional metering valve orifices are used, then the device structure is simple, but the deposition efficiency in deeper nasal regions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the flow path geometry parameters to maintain adequate cross-sectional area throughout, which prevents flow restriction and maintains the velocity and pressure needed for effective medicament deposition in deeper nasal regions
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 achieves improved deposition of medicaments in deeper nasal cavity regions with increased force and comfort, mitigating temperature and deposition issues, and is suitable for treating conditions affecting the central nervous system via the 'nose-to-brain' route.
Implementation Method 1
a canister comprising: a container containing a pressurised propellant and the medicament; and a metering valve configured to release a predetermined amount of the pressurised propellant and the medicament
Implementation Method 2
wherein at least part of the flow path is constructed from a conductive material having at least one of: a thermal conductivity greater than or equal to 1 W/mK
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of a device for delivery of a medicament and a method of utilizing such device are disclosed. The device can include a canister and an actuator. The actuator includes a housing receiving the canister; a valve block receiving a metering valve of the canister, the valve block defining an expansion chamber for passage of propellant and medicament expelled from the canister; and a nosepiece for insertion into a user's nostril, the nosepiece including a fluid passage and a delivery opening for expulsion of the propellant and medicament into the user's nostril. A flow path is defined through the actuator for passage of propellant and medicament from the canister and includes the expansion chamber, the fluid passage and the delivery opening. Further, the cross-sectional area of the flow path is greater than the lowest cross-sectional area of the metering valve at all points along the flow path.