Two-Half Shell Powder Inhaler with Swirling Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing powder inhalers are complex and expensive to manufacture, often requiring multiple components and being difficult to clean and reuse hygienically, while also providing limited transport paths for powder conversion into aerosols.
Innovation Solution
A powder inhaler composed of two articulated half shells that form an air inlet, powder deposition, and outlet area, featuring an air swirling structure for de-agglomeration and a de-agglomeration structure to ensure efficient powder dispersal and aerosol formation, which can be easily assembled and disassembled without additional components, allowing for simple cleaning and use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple components are used in powder inhalers, then functional performance is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components into a single integrated housing structure. The housing integrates the air inlet, powder deposition area, fluid path definition, and outlet structures into one piece, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining functional performance
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it defines the air inlet area, contains the powder deposition area, creates the fluid path, and provides the outlet area. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining all necessary functions
2Reliability
If complex structures with multiple components are used, then powder delivery functionality is improved, but ease of cleaning and hygienic reuse deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The inhaler is divided into two separable half-shells that can be easily detached from each other. This segmentation allows users to access internal surfaces for cleaning and to separate components for sterilization, improving ease of cleaning while maintaining functional integrity when assembled
3Device complexity
If short transport path is used for powder to aerosol conversion, then device simplicity is improved, but powder dispersal efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The housing includes localized fluid path structures and outlet area features that create controlled turbulence and de-agglomeration zones. These local structural modifications enhance powder dispersal efficiency without requiring a longer transport path or additional components
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 design results in a cost-effective, hygienic, and efficient inhaler that effectively de-agglomerates and disperses powders, ensuring complete powder release and improved inhalation performance without the need for complex components or blades, facilitating multiple uses.
Implementation Method 1
at least one air swirling structure is present which defines the fluid path between the at least one air inlet opening and the powder deposition and release area
Implementation Method 2
the air swirling structure which defines the fluid path between the at least one air inlet opening and the powder deposition and release area
Implementation Method 3
the outlet area comprises at least one de-agglomeration structure and an outlet for aerosol
Implementation Method 4
the aerosol, which is formed upon inhalation in the powder deposition and release area from the powder to be inhaled
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a powder inhaler and to a powder inhaler set that contains the powder inhaler. The powder inhaler comprises two half-shells (3, 4), which can be or are articulated to each other and which enclose an air inlet region, a powder deposition region and powder release region, and an outlet region in a joined arrangement, through which regions a fluid path extends. At least one of the half shells (3, 4) has at least one air inlet opening (8) in the air inlet region, and at least one air-swirling structure (5) is present in the air inlet region, which air-swirling structure defines the fluid path between the at least one air inlet opening (8) and the powder deposition and release region. Furthermore, one of the half-shells (3, 4) has at least one powder-accommodating recess (9) in the powder deposition region and powder release region, while the outlet region has at least one deagglomeration structure (17, 17′) and an outlet for aerosol, which outlet is formed by the half-shells (3, 4).