Pivoting Dry Powder Inhaler with Spring Piercing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dry powder inhaler devices are not entirely satisfactory for use or manufacture, particularly for users with impaired dexterity or respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, due to difficulties in loading and operating them.
Innovation Solution
A dry powder inhaler device with a pivotally attached mouthpiece, spring-biased push-buttons for capsule piercing, and tangentially disposed air passages that facilitate easy loading and efficient medicament release, designed to accommodate users with impaired dexterity and improve user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional dry powder inhaler device is used, then the medicament can be delivered, but the device is difficult to load and operate for users with impaired dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The inhaler device is divided into separate components: a removable mouthpiece assembly and a body housing. The mouthpiece can be detached and reattached, allowing users to easily access and load capsules without manipulating the entire device. This segmentation simplifies the loading process for users with impaired dexterity.
Solution Approach 2:
A capsule loading tool or adapter may be used as an intermediary device to assist users in loading capsules into the inhaler. This intermediary tool bridges the gap between the user's limited dexterity and the loading mechanism, making the process easier without requiring direct manual manipulation of small components.
2Extent of automation
If spring biased push-buttons are used for capsule piercing, then the piercing action is automated, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-biased push-buttons are designed to automatically perform the capsule piercing function when the mouthpiece is closed against the body. The springs provide the necessary force to pierce the capsule without requiring additional user action, making the system self-serving after the initial loading step.
Solution Approach 2:
The springs are pre-loaded during manufacturing to store mechanical energy. When the mouthpiece closes, this pre-stored energy is released to automatically pierce the capsule, performing the piercing action in advance of the actual medicament delivery without requiring user intervention during the critical dosing moment.
3Productivity
If tangentially disposed air passages are used, then the air flow efficiently swirls the medicament, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air passages are positioned asymmetrically and tangentially to the capsule chamber, creating a specific swirl pattern when air flows through. This asymmetric configuration is optimized to generate efficient vortex flow that enhances medicament release, while the design accounts for manufacturing tolerances through robust feature positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The air passages are designed with curved or rounded geometries that naturally guide airflow into a swirling motion. The curved paths accommodate manufacturing variations better than sharp angular features while maintaining the vortex flow pattern necessary for efficient medicament release.
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 device provides a user-friendly mechanism for loading and dispensing powdered medicaments, ensuring effective delivery of asthma and COPD treatments with reduced effort and improved compliance, particularly benefiting users with impaired dexterity or respiratory conditions.
Implementation Method 1
capsule-piercing means on said body for piercing the capsule when loaded in the recess... comprises a pair of opposed spring biased push-buttons
Implementation Method 2
air is drawn through the air passage(s) into the recess and swirled about therein; the recess is formed to allow the capsule to spin within the recess
Data Source
AI summary
An inhaler device (1) for powdered medicaments. The device (1) has a body (5) that has a recess (50) for holding a capsule containing a powdered medicament to be inhaled, at least one air passage (90) that is tangentially disposed to the recess (50) , and a mouthpiece (30) that includes a coaxially disposed inhalation passage (70) that communicates with the recess (50) of the body (5). The body (5) has a pair of opposed spring (105) biased push-buttons (40) that each include at least one piercing element (95) for piercing the capsule when loaded in the recess (50). The medicament is released from the pierced capsule when air is drawn through the air passage(s) (90) into the recess (50) and swirled about therein. The mouthpiece (30) is pivotally attached to the edge of the body (5) so that it is pivotable between an open loading position and a closed dispensing position about an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the inhaler (1).