Multi-Dose Pneumatic Dispensing Device for Dry Powder Inhalation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dry powder inhalers face challenges in achieving high delivery efficiency and complete emptying of powder doses due to difficulties in de-agglomeration and uneven powder distribution, leading to reduced lung targeting and increased waste.
Innovation Solution
A compact, active, gas-powered multi-dose dispensing device with a storage system that includes a radially movable actuator for easy operation, guiding portions for alignment, and a mechanism to prevent backstroke, ensuring high delivery efficiency and desired spray plume characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If passive inhalation is used without additional energy source, then device complexity is reduced, but delivery efficiency and inhalable fraction become highly variable and dependent on patient breathing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pneumatic actuation system where a plunger is moved by pneumatic pressure to open blister pockets and transfer powder doses. This replaces passive inhalation-dependent mechanisms with an active pneumatic drive, ensuring reliable powder delivery independent of patient breathing patterns while maintaining relatively simple device construction.
2Device complexity
If powder is stored in blister pockets without individual de-agglomeration paths, then device complexity is reduced, but powder de-agglomeration is incomplete and delivery efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the powder storage system into multiple separate blister pockets, each with its own dedicated de-agglomeration and transfer path. This segmentation ensures that each powder dose receives individual attention for complete de-agglomeration and transfer, improving delivery efficiency without requiring complex centralized mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary pneumatic plunger system that acts between the powder storage and the patient interface. This intermediary mechanism facilitates complete powder de-agglomeration and transfer by providing controlled pneumatic action on each blister pocket, ensuring high delivery efficiency while keeping the overall device design manageable.
3Device complexity
If multiple doses are stored together without individual isolation, then device complexity is reduced, but powder absorbs humidity from atmosphere and becomes difficult to transfer and de-agglomerate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the multi-dose storage into individual sealed blister pockets, isolating each powder dose from atmospheric humidity. This segmentation prevents moisture absorption that would otherwise make powder difficult to transfer and de-agglomerate, while the blister pocket structure itself provides a simple, integrated solution without requiring additional complex protective mechanisms.
4Reliability
If inhalable fraction is increased by improving powder de-agglomeration, then delivery efficiency improves, but device complexity increases due to additional energy source and mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pneumatic pressure applied through a plunger mechanism to achieve effective powder de-agglomeration and transfer. This pneumatic approach provides sufficient energy for complete powder liberation and inhalable fraction optimization while maintaining relatively simple device construction compared to more complex mechanical or electronic de-agglomeration systems.
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 achieves improved delivery efficiency and complete dosing with a compact design, ensuring accurate targeting of the pulmonary system by generating a spray with desired characteristics, such as small particle size and low propagation velocity.
Implementation Method 1
A compact, active, gas-powered multi-dose dispensing device... generating a spray with desired characteristics, such as small particle size and low propagation velocity
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A dispensing device having a storage device and an air pump for dispensing a medical formulation is proposed. The storage device comprises multiple inserts, each insert containing a single dose of the formulation. Each insert is located in a separate and sealed cavity. The cavities can be individually opened for dispensing the respective dose from the respective insert.