Removable Ultrasonic Nebulizer Mesh for Reduced Dead Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic nebulizers face issues with excessive dead volume, difficulty in controlling mist production, high replacement costs due to affixed piezoelectric elements, contamination risks, and limited versatility due to fixed orientations.
Innovation Solution
A nebulizer assembly with a base plate, porous mesh member, and cover member that allows for ultrasonic vibration transmission, enabling flexible orientation and separate disposal of the ultrasonic actuator, along with feed-in and feed-out tubes for controlled fluid delivery and waste management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a large reservoir is used to hold fluid, then the fluid volume is sufficient for operation, but the dead volume increases and waste is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid reservoir is segmented into a large external reservoir and a small internal chamber. The external reservoir holds sufficient fluid volume, while the internal chamber is sized to minimize dead volume. This segmentation allows the system to maintain adequate fluid supply without excessive waste, as the small internal chamber ensures complete fluid utilization during operation.
2Device complexity
If the piezoelectric element is affixed to the mesh or membrane, then the structure is simplified, but the replacement cost increases and contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric element is segmented from the mesh/membrane assembly by providing it on a removable carrier that interfaces with the base plate. This segmentation allows the piezoelectric element to be replaced independently without replacing the entire mesh assembly, reducing replacement costs while maintaining structural simplicity through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The piezoelectric element is extracted from direct contact with the fluid path by placing it on a carrier that interfaces with the base plate rather than being affixed to the mesh. This extraction prevents contamination of the piezoelectric element while allowing independent replacement, addressing both contamination risk and replacement cost issues.
3Device complexity
If the nebulizer operates in a fixed orientation, then the design is simplified, but the versatility and flexibility of use is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate is designed with an asymmetric recess that accommodates the piezoelectric element carrier in any rotational orientation. This asymmetric design with rotational symmetry allows the nebulizer to function effectively in multiple orientations without increasing overall design complexity, thereby improving versatility while maintaining simplicity.
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 solution provides orientation-independent operation, improved control and consistency of mist delivery, reduced costs, and protection against dry-running, while minimizing dead volume and waste, with sensors positioned remotely from the atomization region.
Implementation Method 1
an electronic oscillator is used to generate a high frequency ultrasonic wave, which in turn causes a mechanical vibration of a piezoelectric element
Implementation Method 2
an electronic oscillator is used to generate a high frequency ultrasonic wave, which in turn causes a mechanical vibration of a piezoelectric element
Implementation Method 3
The vibrating piezoelectric element, if in contact with a liquid (e.g., a liquid in a reservoir), may then cause a mist to be provided from the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A nebulizer assembly configured for removable attachment to an ultrasonic actuator includes a base plate portion, a porous mesh member, and a cover member. The base plate portion includes an opening extending therethrough, and is substantially rigid such that ultrasonic vibrations from the ultrasonic actuator may be transmitted through the base plate portion to the porous mesh member to vibrate the porous mesh member. The porous mesh member is configured for passage therethrough of a nebulized fluid, and is disposed in the opening of the base plate portion proximate a fluid emission side of the nebulizer assembly. The cover member is disposed on a second side of the nebulizer assembly opposite the fluid emission side. The cover member covers the opening and defines a cavity between the cover member and the porous mesh member. The cavity is configured to retain a fluid to be nebulized.