Powder Inhaler Shuttle Sealing for Humidity Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing powder inhalers face challenges in protecting the medicament from environmental conditions such as humidity, temperature, light, and pressure, which can affect the stability and aerosol performance of the drug delivery.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a desiccant chamber with a permeable membrane separating it from the medicament chamber, along with a sealing device at the coupling zone between the shuttle and container to prevent moisture ingress, and use of a deformable portion on the shuttle to ensure a tight seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a reservoir inhaler is used to store multiple doses of powdered medicament, then the quantity of medicament available is increased, but the protection from humidity and environmental conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The internal chamber is segmented into two distinct compartments: a medicament chamber for storing the powdered medicament and a desiccant chamber for holding the moisture-absorbing material. These chambers are separated by a permeable membrane that allows selective interaction between compartments while maintaining functional independence, thereby enabling the reservoir to store multiple doses while protecting against humidity
Solution Approach 2:
A permeable membrane acts as an intermediary barrier between the medicament chamber and desiccant chamber. This membrane allows water vapor to pass from the medicament chamber to the desiccant chamber while preventing direct contact between the medicament and desiccant, thus mediating the humidity protection function without compromising medicament integrity
Solution Approach 3:
The sealing device combines a deformable portion made of elastomeric material with a rigid shuttle structure. This composite construction integrates the flexibility and sealing capability of elastomeric materials with the structural strength of the rigid shuttle, creating an effective moisture barrier at the coupling zone while maintaining mechanical functionality
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a sealing device is added to prevent moisture ingress, then the protection from humidity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing device is merged with the existing movable shuttle mechanism. The deformable portion is integrated into the shuttle structure itself, combining the sealing function with the metering and dispensing functions of the shuttle. This integration adds humidity protection without requiring a completely separate sealing system, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A deformable portion made of elastomeric material is used to create a flexible seal at the coupling zone between the shuttle and container. This flexible element can deform to maintain contact and sealing under varying conditions, providing effective humidity protection through a relatively simple flexible membrane rather than a complex rigid sealing 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
Enhances the stability of the powdered medicament by reducing moisture entry, thereby maintaining aerosol performance and preventing medicament loss, especially in humid environments.
Implementation Method 1
a permeable membrane separating the medicament chamber from the desiccant chamber
Implementation Method 2
a desiccant chamber configured to store a desiccant
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~2C
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A powder inhaler comprises a casing (2) having a mouthpiece (4), an inhalation channel (8), a container (7) for a powdered medicament, a metering device (14) comprising a shuttle (16) having a dosing recess (15). The shuttle (16) is movable between a filling position, in which the dosing recess (15) is in alignment with an opening (17) of the container (7) to be filled with a dose of the powdered medicament, and an inhalation position, in which the dosing recess (15) is in alignment with the inhalation channel (8), for enabling inhalation of the dose of the powdered medicament contained in the dosing recess (15) through the mouthpiece (4). A sealing device (28) is operationally active at a coupling zone of the shuttle (16) with the container (7) when the shuttle (16) is in the filling position, the coupling zone circumscribing the dosing recess (15) and the opening (17).