Replaceable Vial Assembly for Aerosol Generating Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aerosol generating nebulizers require the entire apparatus to be discarded after medication depletion, leading to increased costs and risks of contamination and reduced efficiency due to inadequate cleaning and potential clogging.
Innovation Solution
Design of an aerosol generating apparatus with a replaceable vial assembly that includes a puncturable seal and a cap assembly with a perforated membrane, allowing for detachable engagement with a receptacle, enabling the vial assembly to be disposed after each use while preserving the receptacle for repeated use, thus reducing contamination risks and extending the apparatus' lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the aerosol generating module is permanently secured to the liquid container, then the structural integrity is improved, but the cost and contamination risk increase due to inability to replace components
Solution Approach 1:
The aerosol generating apparatus is divided into separable components: a reusable receptacle containing the aerosol generating module, and a disposable vial assembly containing the liquid container. The quick-connect mechanism enables these segments to be easily joined and separated, allowing the disposable portion to be replaced after each use while preserving the reusable portion, thus reducing contamination risk without compromising structural integrity during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a hybrid approach where the vial assembly with liquid container is designed as disposable to be discarded after each treatment, while the receptacle with aerosol generating module is recovered and reused. This selective discarding strategy eliminates contamination risk from reusable components while maintaining structural integrity through proper connection mechanisms
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the entire aerosol generating apparatus is discarded after each treatment, then the contamination risk is reduced, but the patient's financial burden increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is segmented into high-value reusable components (receptacle, aerosol generating module) and low-value disposable components (vial assembly, liquid container). This segmentation allows selective replacement of only the consumable portions, significantly reducing per-treatment cost while maintaining safety by discarding potentially contaminated components
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables recovery and reuse of the expensive receptacle and aerosol generating module while discarding only the inexpensive vial assembly after each use. This differential disposal strategy dramatically reduces the cost per treatment compared to discarding the entire apparatus, while still eliminating contamination risks through replacement of the liquid container
3Productivity
If the liquid container and perforated membrane are cleaned prior to each use, then the nebulization efficiency is maintained, but the time and complexity of preparation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vial assembly is pre-packaged with sterile, sealed liquid container and pre-attached perforated membrane in a ready-to-use state. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for cleaning and preparation steps at the point of use, reducing preparation time while ensuring nebulization efficiency through factory-controlled quality standards
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of cleaning and reusing the liquid container and perforated membrane, the invention treats them as disposable components included in the vial assembly. After each treatment, the entire vial assembly is discarded, eliminating cleaning time and complexity while maintaining nebulization efficiency through fresh components for each use
4Ease of manufacture
If the aerosol generating module is integrally formed with the liquid container, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the adaptability and ease of replacement decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the aerosol generating module and liquid container into distinct assemblies connected by a quick-connect mechanism. This segmentation maintains manufacturing simplicity for each individual component while dramatically improving adaptability and ease of replacement, allowing the vial assembly to be quickly swapped without disassembling or modifying the aerosol generating module
Solution Approach 2:
A quick-connect mechanism acts as an intermediary interface between the receptacle and vial assembly. This intermediary component enables easy attachment and detachment while maintaining a simple overall structure, facilitating rapid replacement of the vial assembly without complex assembly or disassembly procedures
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 reduces patient financial burden, minimizes contamination risks, and enhances nebulization efficiency by allowing for the use of fresh medication in each treatment cycle and facilitating easier cleaning and sterilization of the apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
Operation of the actuator pierces the puncturable seal, which allows the liquid medicament to be displaced through the interior bore to the perforated membrane
Implementation Method 2
The driving element will vibrate the liquid medicament at the perforated membrane to generate aerosol
Implementation Method 3
vibrate the liquid medicament at the perforated membrane to generate aerosol
Implementation Method 4
One way for a vibratable element to generate vibration is through the incorporation of piezoelectric (PZT) materials
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
An aerosol generating apparatus (10) includes a vial (100), a cap assembly (200) and a receptacle (300). The vial (100) stores liquid medicament (130) and includes a puncturable seal (110) held in position by a retaining ring (120). The cap assembly (200) includes an actuator (230) with an interior bore (232) extending therethrough, a perforated membrane (236) coupled to the actuator (230), a fastener (260) and a first mating element (210). The fastener (260) is adapted to detachably secure the cap assembly (200) to the vial (100) such that the perforated membrane (236) aligns with the puncturable seal (110). The receptacle (300) receives the cap assembly (200) with the vial (100). The receptacle (300) includes a driving element and a second mating element (310) capable of mating with the first mating element (210). The driving element aligns and communicates with the perforated membrane (236) when the receptacle (300) engages the cap assembly (200). The actuator (230) pierces the puncturable seal (110) to displace the liquid medicament(130).