Nebulizer Nozzle with Flow-Out Pore for Oxygen Concentration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current nebulizers are limited in their ability to increase oxygen gas flow rate and adjust oxygen concentration over a wide range while maintaining the formation of fine aerosol, which is essential for varying patient conditions.

Innovation Solution

The nebulizer incorporates a nozzle member with an additional flow-out pore and a valve that opens in response to increased oxygen gas pressure, allowing oxygen gas to flow out from both the orifice and the flow-out pore, thereby increasing the flow rate without compromising the formation of fine aerosol.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the diameter of the orifice is enlarged to increase the flow rate of oxygen gas, then the flow rate of oxygen gas is improved, but the flow velocity of the oxygen gas is lowered resulting in failure to suck sufficient water and form aerosol

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow rate of oxygen gasVSAvoidflow velocity of oxygen gas
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle member is segmented into multiple functional openings: a primary orifice for controlled oxygen discharge and additional flow-out pores for supplementary gas release. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high flow rates through multiple pathways while maintaining adequate velocity at each opening to sustain water suction and aerosol formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a single-dimensional orifice to a multi-dimensional opening structure by adding flow-out pores at different positions and orientations. This dimensional expansion enables simultaneous optimization of flow rate (through increased total opening area) and flow velocity (through distributed multiple openings), resolving the contradiction between quantity and speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If the flow rate of oxygen gas is increased to supply high oxygen concentration, then the oxygen concentration is improved, but the formation of fine aerosol is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxygen concentrationVSAvoidaerosol particle size
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The aerosol formation process is segmented into distinct functional zones: the orifice region for oxygen discharge, the suction pore region for water intake, and the baffle region for collision and aerosol generation. This spatial segmentation allows high oxygen flow rates to coexist with fine aerosol formation by ensuring that water is still effectively drawn in and collided at appropriate locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The baffle acts as an intermediary element between the oxygen gas flow and the water supply. It mediates the interaction by providing a surface for water droplets to collide and break into fine aerosols, enabling high oxygen concentrations to be delivered while maintaining fine particle size through the baffle's geometric design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the degree of opening of the suction pore is increased to lower the oxygen concentration, then the oxygen concentration adjustment is improved, but the quantity of gas supply is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxygen concentration adjustment rangeVSAvoidquantity of gas supply
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs dynamic control mechanisms where the orifice and suction pore openings can be independently adjusted. This dynamic adaptability allows the nebulizer to respond to varying patient requirements by adjusting the relative opening areas to achieve different oxygen concentrations while maintaining adequate total gas supply through the multiple flow pathways.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This design enables the nebulizer to supply a gas with a high oxygen concentration at varying flow rates, ensuring stable aerosol formation across a wider range of oxygen flow rates, effectively addressing the limitations of existing nebulizers.

Implementation Method 1

by discharging an oxygen gas from an orifice that is formed on a nozzle member, water contained in the bottle is sucked from a suction pore disposed near the orifice

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

by allowing the water to collide with a baffle that is disposed face to face with the orifice, fine aerosol can be formed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCollision: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP2277578B1nebulizer
Publication Date: 2019.07.10 GUNMA KOIKE
  • EP2277578B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2277578B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2277578B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A nebulizer capable of supplying oxygen gas of high concentration by increasing the flow rate of the oxygen gas and capable of forming minute aerosol irrespective of a change in the flow rate of the oxygen gas. A nebulizer (A) has a nozzle member (11) for discharging oxygen gas from an orifice (11b), an aerosol forming member (12) mounted at a position corresponding to the orifice, sucking water by suction created by flow of the oxygen gas discharged from the orifice, and forming the sucked water into minute aerosol, and a window (9) and a slit (10) which suck air as the oxygen gas is discharged from the orifice of the nozzle member. The nozzle member (11) has, in addition to the orifice (11b), an oxygen gas outflow section formed in a direction different from that of the orifice and causing supplied oxygen gas to flow thereout according to the pressure of the oxygen gas.