Particulate Dispenser Fluid Jet Agitation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing particulate dispensers fail to adequately deaggregate and agitate particulates, leading to inconsistent dosing and clumping issues, particularly in medicament delivery, which requires a solution for thorough agitation and accurate dosage independent of patient variables.

Innovation Solution

A dispenser design featuring a container for a fluid in fluidic communication with a particulate chamber, using turbulent flow agitation mechanisms, such as cyclonic or vertical flow, to deaggregate and mix particulates with a pressurized gas or liquid, ensuring consistent delivery without exposure to the particulate during storage or transit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional dispensers are used for particulates, then the device structure is simple, but the particulate is not adequately agitated or deaggregated leading to inconsistent dosing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing accuracyVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a fluid jet system where pressurized gas or liquid flows through channels to create turbulent flow within the chamber. This pneumatic/hydraulic approach generates strong agitation forces that effectively deaggregate and mix particulates without requiring complex mechanical moving parts, thereby achieving precise dosing through fluid dynamics rather than mechanical complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The turbulent flow generated by the fluid jet creates intense mixing and agitation patterns within the chamber that function similarly to mechanical vibration. The chaotic flow patterns and eddies produced by the jet impingement provide continuous deaggregation and redistribution of particulates, ensuring consistent dosing through flow-induced mixing rather than traditional mechanical agitation mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

2Stability of the object's composition

If particulate is stored in a compact container, then the device is portable and lightweight, but the particulate tends to clump during storage and transit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticulate flowabilityVSAvoiddevice weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a lightweight pressurized gas reservoir connected to fluid channels that terminate in the particulate chamber. Upon actuation, the pressurized gas creates a high-velocity jet that instantly deaggregates clumped particulates and maintains them in a fluidized state during dispensing. This pneumatic approach maintains particulate flowability without adding significant weight compared to mechanical agitation systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The fluid jet acts as an intermediary medium between the pressurized gas source and the particulate material. The fluid carries the momentum and energy from the gas reservoir to the particulates, using the fluid's kinetic energy to deaggregate and fluidize the particulates without requiring direct mechanical contact or heavy agitation mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If sufficient agitation is provided to deaggregate particulate, then consistent dosing is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing consistencyVSAvoidagitation mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a fluid jet impingement system where pressurized fluid flows through defined channels and terminates in the particulate chamber, creating intense localized turbulent flow. This pneumatic/hydraulic mechanism generates sufficient agitation and deaggregation forces through fluid dynamics alone, eliminating the need for mechanical stirrers, vibrators, or other complex agitation mechanisms while maintaining dosing consistency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces traditional mechanical agitation systems with a fluid-based pneumatic/hydraulic system. Instead of using motors, gears, or mechanical vibrators to agitate particulates, the system uses pressurized fluid flow to create turbulent mixing patterns. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical components while achieving the required agitation intensity for consistent dosing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 dispenser effectively deaggregates and fluidizes particulates, enabling accurate and consistent metered dosing, independent of patient synchronization or consciousness, and provides a pain-free alternative to intravenous administration with reduced sharps hazards.

Implementation Method 1

means as necessary to cause the fluid to engage with particulate accommodated within the chamber to deaggregate it if aggregated and to agitate it into turbulent flow to produce a mobile fluid comprising the particulate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulent flow: Turbulence

Implementation Method 2

to agitate it into turbulent flow to produce a mobile fluid comprising the particulate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluidisation: Fluidisation

Data Source

PatentEP2271388B1Particulate dispenser
Publication Date: 2015.11.11 ALCHEMY HEALTHCARE
  • EP2271388B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2271388B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2271388B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A capsule is provided for use in a dispenser for medicament. The capsule comprises a container for a fluid, a chamber for containing a particulate, and a pair of channels which run between the container and the chamber to provide fluidic communication between the container and the chamber, in use.