Push-Ejection Droplet Delivery With Ultrasonic Mesh Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current droplet delivery devices for respiratory systems produce droplets with high velocities and wide size distributions, leading to non-targeted deposition, surface blockages, and the formation of undesirable chemical byproducts due to heating.
Innovation Solution
A droplet delivery device utilizing a 'push mode' mechanism with a membrane and mesh configuration, powered by an electronic transducer, that generates droplets without heating, ensuring consistent and reproducible delivery of suitable droplet sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional droplet delivery devices use high velocity ejection mechanisms, then droplet delivery speed is improved, but droplet size distribution becomes wide and non-targeted deposition increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an ultrasonic transducer to vibrate a mesh structure at high frequency, creating droplets through vibrational forces rather than high velocity ejection. This mechanical vibration approach generates consistent droplet sizes while maintaining delivery speed, resolving the contradiction between speed and droplet size consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a mesh with controlled pore sizes to generate droplets. The porous structure of the mesh, combined with ultrasonic vibration, ensures uniform droplet formation by controlling the liquid flow through defined openings, thereby achieving consistent droplet size distribution without requiring high velocity ejection.
2Productivity
If heating is applied to aerosolize fluids in conventional devices, then droplet generation is achieved, but toxic byproducts are formed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal field (heating) with a mechanical field (ultrasonic vibration) to achieve aerosolization. The ultrasonic transducer mechanically vibrates the mesh to generate droplets from the liquid reservoir, eliminating the need for heating and thus preventing the formation of toxic thermal byproducts while maintaining aerosol generation efficiency.
3Speed
If high momentum droplet plumes are generated, then ejection speed is improved, but localized cooling and substance deposition on device surfaces occur
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic vibration mechanism generates droplets with controlled momentum through vibrational forces rather than high velocity ejection. This approach reduces the kinetic energy of the droplet plume, preventing excessive cooling and deposition on device surfaces while maintaining adequate ejection speed for respiratory delivery.
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 targeted delivery of droplets to the respiratory system, reduces surface deposition, and avoids the formation of harmful byproducts, providing accurate and consistent dosing.
Implementation Method 1
the transducer is coupled to a power source and is operable to oscillate the membrane and generate an ejected stream of droplets through the mesh
Implementation Method 2
an ultrasonic transducer that includes piezoelectric material
Data Source
AI summary
A droplet delivery device includes a housing with a mouthpiece port or outlet from a nasal device for releasing fluid droplets, a fluid reservoir, and an ejector bracket having a membrane positioned between a mesh with a plurality of openings and a vibrating member that is coupled to an electronic transducer, such as an ultrasonic transducer. The transducer vibrates the vibrating member which causes the membrane to push fluid supplied by the reservoir through the mesh to generate droplets in an ejected stream released through the outlet.