Flavoured Nicotine Powder Inhaler for Low-Flow Dose Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dry powder inhalers (DPIs) require high inhalation rates (40-120 L/min) to deliver pharmaceutical powders deep into the lungs, leading to incomplete de-aggregation and deposition in upper airways, and are not suitable for delivering flavoured nicotine at conventional smoking regime inhalation rates.

Innovation Solution

A flavoured nicotine powder inhaler with a simplified configuration and airflow path, capable of delivering nicotine powder at low inhalation rates (≤5 L/min) using a carrier-free formulation and a flavour delivery element, allowing simultaneous delivery of nicotine and flavour at conventional smoking regime inhalation rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If conventional DPIs use high inhalation rates (40-120 L/min) to deliver pharmaceutical powders deep into the lungs, then particle delivery to lower airways is improved, but the device becomes unsuitable for conventional smoking regime inhalation rates and requires complex de-aggregation mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinhalation rateVSAvoidde-aggregation mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the powder delivery system by using pre-formed small particles (1-5 micrometers) that do not require de-aggregation, eliminating the need for complex grinding or impact mechanisms used in conventional DPIs. The nicotine powder is supplied as fine particles directly suitable for lung delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using large carrier particles that need to be broken down (conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by using small nicotine particles as the primary delivery form, eliminating the need for de-aggregation mechanisms entirely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Quantity of substance

If conventional DPIs use large carrier particles (20-100 micrometers) with agglomerated API, then powder can be delivered at high flow rates, but incomplete de-aggregation occurs and API remains deposited in upper airways

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAPI delivery quantityVSAvoidparticle size control

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses pre-segmented small particles (1-5 micrometers) of nicotine powder that are already in the optimal size range for lung delivery, eliminating the need for complex de-aggregation processes and ensuring complete particle delivery to lower airways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the nicotine from its conventional large particle or agglomerated form and delivers it in a purified small particle form (1-5 micrometers), removing the need for carrier particles and complex de-aggregation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If DPIs are designed to deliver dry powder deep into lungs at high inhalation rates, then therapeutic delivery is improved, but the device size and configuration differ significantly from conventional cigarettes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedose delivery reliabilityVSAvoidinhaler size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the essential function of nicotine delivery from the bulky conventional DPI design, creating a compact device that mimics cigarette size and configuration while maintaining reliable dose delivery through its simplified airflow path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making the inhaler larger and more complex to ensure reliable delivery (conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by using pre-formed small particles that require simpler delivery mechanisms, enabling compact device design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Measurement precision

If conventional DPIs require high inhalation rates (40-120 L/min) for complete powder disaggregation, then dosing accuracy is improved, but the device is unsuitable for users with impaired breathing conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedosing accuracyVSAvoidbreathing requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses pre-segmented small particles (1-5 micrometers) that do not require high inhalation rates for de-aggregation, enabling accurate dosing delivery even at low inhalation rates typical of users with impaired breathing conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The small particle design allows the powder to be delivered passively through normal breathing without requiring the user to generate high inhalation flows, making the device self-adapting to users with various breathing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Delivers a predictable and metered dose of flavoured nicotine and optional active ingredients at low inhalation rates, suitable for users with impaired breathing conditions, mimicking conventional smoking experience.

Implementation Method 1

An airflow channel extends along the body of the inhaler. The dose of nicotine powder can be inhaled into lungs of a user at an inhalation rate of less than about 5 L/min

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow: