Nose Cone Vent Design for Inhalation Device Pressure Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional nasal drug delivery devices face issues with fluid flooding and drying on the ejection head, leading to misdirection and inefficiency in delivering pharmaceuticals, particularly when the user inhales during fluid jetting, due to inadequate pressure management and ambient atmospheric pressure differences.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a fluid outlet nose cone with air flow channels that create a pressure differential between the inner area of the nose cone and the ambient atmosphere, preventing fluid drooling and drying by maintaining a moist environment and controlling air flow rates to manage pressure effectively during inhalation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a fluid jet ejection head is used to eject fluid into a closed nasal cavity during inhalation, then the fluid can be delivered to the nasal cavity, but a vacuum is pulled on the nozzles causing fluid to drool out and accumulate on the nozzle plate surface
Solution Approach 1:
The nasal cavity delivery system is segmented into multiple functional zones: the ejection head with nozzles, the nasal cavity chamber, and the outer housing. By segmenting the fluid delivery path and pressure zones, the patent isolates the vacuum effect to specific regions while maintaining controlled ejection at the nozzle interface, preventing fluid accumulation on the nozzle plate
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies counter-pressure mechanisms to balance the vacuum pull during inhalation. A pressure equalization system introduces counter-pressure air flow to offset the negative pressure differential created by user inhalation, preventing the vacuum from pulling fluid through the nozzles and causing drooling
2Ease of operation
If the ejection head is exposed to ambient atmosphere, then fluid can be easily ejected, but fluid dries out on the ejection head between uses causing misdirection and misfiring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pressurized fluid reservoir system connected to the ejection head through controlled fluid pathways. Pressurized gas or liquid maintains the fluid in a ready-to-eject state within the cartridge, preventing evaporation and drying out while allowing on-demand ejection when activated, thus maintaining reliability between uses
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a protected environment within the cartridge housing that isolates the fluid from ambient atmospheric conditions. By maintaining a controlled atmosphere (potentially with humidified air or inert gas) within the cartridge chamber, the fluid is prevented from drying out while remaining accessible for ejection when needed
3Productivity
If a nose cone is inserted into the nostril closing it off from ambient atmosphere, then fluid can be directed into the nasal cavity, but pulling vacuum during inhalation disturbs fluid jetting and prevents desired fluid plume formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic pressure equalization system that actively adjusts pressure differentials during operation. Sensors detect inhalation events and trigger pressure adjustment mechanisms to maintain optimal pressure balance between the nasal cavity chamber and the ejection head, ensuring stable fluid jet formation even during user inhalation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary pressure equalization chamber or buffer zone between the nasal cavity and the ejection head. This intermediary space acts as a pressure buffer, absorbing the vacuum effects of inhalation before they reach the fluid ejection interface, thereby maintaining stable jet formation and plume delivery
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 solution ensures a consistent and precise fluid plume delivery, reducing fluid misdirection and maintaining the device's functionality by minimizing pressure differential and maintaining a moist environment for the ejection head, thereby enhancing the delivery of pharmaceuticals to the nasal cavity.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of air flow channels open to an ambient atmosphere are provided for providing a pressure differential between an inner area of the fluid outlet nose cone adjacent to the fluid ejection head and the ambient atmosphere
Implementation Method 2
controlling air flow rates to manage pressure effectively during inhalation
Data Source
AI summary
A pharmaceutical drug delivery device. The drug delivery device includes a device body, a fluid outlet nose cone attached to the drug delivery device body, and a fluid jet ejection cartridge containing a liquid pharmaceutical drug is disposed in the drug delivery device body. A fluid ejection head is attached to the fluid jet ejection cartridge and the fluid ejection head is in fluid flow communication with the fluid outlet nose cone. The fluid outlet nose cone has a plurality of air flow channels open to an ambient atmosphere for providing a pressure differential between an inner area of the fluid outlet nose cone adjacent to the fluid ejection head and the ambient atmosphere.