Piezoelectric Aerosol Generator Synchronizing Inhalation Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aerosol delivery systems for respiratory diseases are ineffective if the aerosol droplets are large or not properly timed with the patient's breathing cycle, leading to reduced medication delivery and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
An aerosol delivery system that includes an aerosol generator with a vibratable member driven by a piezoelectric actuator, which aerosolizes fluid by vibrating it and synchronizes with the patient's inhalation cycle using breath sensors to optimize medication delivery, producing fine particle fractions and minimizing medication loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional aerosol delivery systems are used, then the device structure is simple, but the aerosol droplets are large and not properly timed with patient's breathing cycle, leading to reduced medication delivery effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a vibratable member driven by a piezoelectric actuator that vibrates at high frequency to aerosolize the medicament. This mechanical vibration mechanism produces fine aerosol droplets that are effectively delivered to the patient's lungs, resolving the contradiction between simple device structure and effective medication delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates breath sensors that detect the patient's breathing cycle and provide feedback to a controller. The controller uses this feedback to timing the aerosolization to synchronize with the patient's inhalation, thereby improving medication delivery effectiveness while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
2Reliability
If aerosolization is not timed with inhalation, then the device operation is simple, but the medication delivery to lungs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The breath sensors continuously monitor the patient's breathing and provide real-time feedback to the controller. This feedback mechanism automatically synchronizes aerosolization with the patient's inhalation without requiring manual intervention, thereby improving medication delivery to lungs while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system detects the patient's inhalation event and triggers aerosolization in advance or during the inhalation phase, ensuring the medication is delivered at the optimal moment. This preliminary action approach enhances medication delivery effectiveness while keeping the control mechanism straightforward.
3Reliability
If large aerosol droplets are produced, then the aerosol formation is simple, but the treatment effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The high-frequency vibration of the vibratable member driven by the piezoelectric actuator breaks the liquid medicament into fine aerosol droplets. This vibration-based aerosolization mechanism produces small droplets that enhance treatment effectiveness by improving deposition in the respiratory system, while the overall device structure remains relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system facilitates phase transition from liquid medicament to aerosol phase through the vibrational energy input. This phase change mechanism efficiently produces fine droplets that are effectively delivered to the patient, resolving the contradiction between simple aerosol formation and high treatment effectiveness.
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 system enhances medication delivery by timing aerosolization with inhalation, increasing the amount of medication reaching the lungs and minimizing medication waste, while being compatible with existing respiratory systems.
Implementation Method 1
A piezoelectric actuator also couples to the support plate, and in operation expands and contracts to vibrate the vibratable member, which aerosolizes a fluid
Implementation Method 2
The fluid conduit is spaced away from the vibratable member at a distance that attracts the fluid to the vibratable member as it exits the fluid delivery conduit (e.g., through surface tension)
Data Source
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AI summary
An aerosol delivery system that includes an aerosol generator that aerosolizes a fluid for delivery to a patient. The aerosol generator includes a housing with a fluid chamber that fluidly communicates with a housing inlet and a housing outlet. Within the housing, the aerosol generator includes a support plate with an aperture that fluidly communicates with the housing outlet. A vibratable member couples to the support plate across the aperture. A piezoelectric actuator also couples to the support plate, and in operation expands and contracts to vibrate the vibratable member, which aerosolizes a fluid. The aerosol generator receives fluid through a fluid conduit that couples to the housing.