Nozzle Retainer Capillary Drainage for Consistent Aerosol Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
In drug delivery devices like soft mist inhalers, liquid deposition on the nozzle retainer disrupts the flow of further liquid through the nozzle aperture, affecting the pharmaceutical quality of the aerosol mist.
Innovation Solution
The nozzle retainer features a recess with passages that extend outward from the central bowl, designed to wick away excess liquid using capillary action, minimizing deposition and maintaining aerosol flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If liquid is forced through the nozzle aperture under pressure to produce aerosol, then aerosol production efficiency is improved, but liquid deposition on the nozzle holder increases disrupting further flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful liquid deposition into a beneficial drainage mechanism by designing the nozzle holder with a recess and passage system. The liquid that would normally accumulate and disrupt flow is instead channeled through the passage into the recess, where it is collected and removed. This transforms the harmful accumulation into a controlled drainage process that maintains steady aerosol production.
Solution Approach 2:
The passage and recess structure acts as an intermediary element between the nozzle aperture and the external environment. It provides a dedicated pathway for excess liquid to travel from the nozzle aperture area through the passage into the recess, preventing direct accumulation on the nozzle holder surface that would disrupt the aerosol-generating liquid flow.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If liquid flows continuously through the nozzle aperture, then aerosol delivery is maintained, but liquid accumulation occurs on the nozzle retainer surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the liquid removal function from the main aerosol generation process by incorporating a separate passage and recess system. The passage extracts excess liquid from the nozzle aperture area and transports it to the recess, where it is collected and removed from the system. This separation allows continuous aerosol delivery while preventing surface accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The recess serves as a collection point where excess liquid is discarded from the aerosol generation process. The passage system enables this discarding function by providing a pathway for liquid to be removed from the active flow area and deposited into the recess, maintaining clean surfaces for continuous operation.
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 design effectively reduces liquid accumulation on the nozzle retainer, ensuring consistent aerosol production by preventing disruption to the liquid flow and enhancing pharmaceutical quality.
Implementation Method 1
The nozzle retainer features a recess with passages that extend outward from the central bowl, designed to wick away excess liquid using capillary action
Data Source
AI summary
An inhaler comprises a nozzle retaining structure comprising a nozzle retainer, the nozzle retainer comprising: a main body forming a central bowl comprising a rim, an aperture formed substantially at the well of the bowl, the aperture passing through the main body from one side to the other; the nozzle retaining structure and nozzle retainer configured so that a recess is formed between the nozzle retainer and the remainder of the nozzle retaining structure; at least one passage extending outwards towards the rim of the bowl from an inwards opening at or close to the well of the bowl, the passage comprising an at least partly open-topped channel formed through the wall of the central bowl.