Nebulizer Reservoir Locking Pin for Precise Medicament Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nebulizer units face challenges in ensuring precise dosing of medication for inhalation, particularly for inexperienced users, and often result in medication wastage due to inaccurate dosing methods.
Innovation Solution
A nebulizer unit with a medication reservoir featuring a locking pin integrated into the sealing cap that divides the reservoir into two separate partial volumes, allowing for precise measurement and administration of medication doses without the need for additional tools or electronic monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual dosing of medication from a larger container is used, then the reservoir can be filled with the required dose, but the dosing is highly error-prone and inaccurate for inexperienced users
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pin is pre-configured within the cap at a specific position that automatically defines the dosing volume when the cap is closed. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for users to manually measure or calculate doses, as the system has already prepared the precise dosing configuration before use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-dosing through the locking pin mechanism that automatically divides the reservoir volume when the cap is closed. The structure itself carries out the dosing function without requiring external measuring tools or user expertise, making the system self-sufficient and easy to operate.
2Measurement precision
If electronic regulation of dosage is used to monitor liquid dispensed, then dosage can be controlled, but the method is subject to greater uncertainties and not suitable for truly precise dosing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces unreliable electronic monitoring systems with a purely mechanical solution - the locking pin physically divides the reservoir volume into defined portions. This mechanical approach provides deterministic and repeatable dosing based on fixed geometric relationships, eliminating the uncertainties inherent in electronic sensing and calculation methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the approach from dynamic electronic parameter monitoring to static geometric parameter definition. The dosing volume is determined by fixed physical dimensions of the locking pin and reservoir geometry rather than variable electrical measurements, providing more reliable and precise dosing.
3Measurement precision
If a locking pin is integrated into the cap to divide the reservoir into partial volumes, then precise dosing is achieved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pin serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural element of the cap, a dosing definition mechanism, and a volume division tool. By integrating these functions into a single component, the system achieves precise dosing without adding separate complex subsystems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the cap structure with the dosing mechanism by integrating the locking pin directly into the cap. This combination eliminates the need for separate dosing devices or complex assembly of multiple components, achieving precise dosing through a unified simple 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
Enables quick and accurate measurement of medication doses, reducing waste and ensuring that the correct amount of medication is delivered during inhalation, even for inexperienced users, while allowing for reuse of surplus medication.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration generator, usually a piezoelectric crystal, typically in the ultrasonic range
Implementation Method 2
This membrane is set into rapid vibration by a vibration generator, usually a piezoelectric crystal, typically in the ultrasonic range
Implementation Method 3
a locking pin (131) integrated into the cap (13), which divides an interior of the medication reservoir (11) into two separate, i.e., non-fluidly communicating, partial volumes
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4A~4C
AI summary
Atomizer unit (1) with medicament reservoir (11) for use in an atomizer, comprising an aerosol generator (101) for atomizing a liquid medicament, with an intake side, which is in contact with the liquid medicament present there, and an output side, at which the mist formed is dispensed, and which is held between an intake-side sealing ring (102) and an output-side holding structure (103), a housing (10) which encloses aerosol generator, sealing ring and holding structure and in which the medicament reservoir is integrated, on the input side of the aerosol generator, and which in its interior provides a hollow volume into which the liquid medicament is introduced, and a cap (13) which closes off the reservoir firmly and in an airtight manner, wherein the cap has a closure stub (131) which reaches into the interior of the reservoir, wherein a part of the surface of the closure stub and a part of the inner face of the reservoir are shaped to complement each other and, with the cap mounted firmly in place, form a liquid-tight closure by means of which the interior of the reservoir is divided into a first partial volume (110) and at least one further partial volume (111), wherein the liquid-tight closure is obtained by the complementary partial surfaces coming to lie at or on each other or being pressed against each other, and wherein the closure stub has stiffening or shape-retaining features (1312).