Sealable Backpiece for Portable Valved Holding Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing VHCs for MDIs are often too large and cumbersome, requiring separate storage with the MDI, which may not maximize or provide effective relief during an asthma exacerbation, and users often do not carry a VHC due to the size of most commercially available VHCs, which may not be feasible when experiencing an asthma attack, especially in low-light environments.
Innovation Solution
A sealable backpiece for a portable valved holding chamber (VHC) that encloses and carries a pressurized metered dose inhaler (MDI), which protects the MDI from inadvertent opening and retains it in a tight, rattle free arrangement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the VHC is made smaller to improve portability, then the volume and length are reduced, but the aerosol output may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The MDI is nested within the VHC housing, with the canister positioned inside the chamber body. This integration allows the VHC to be compact while maintaining the necessary internal volume for aerosol generation, as the MDI occupies space that would otherwise be empty, effectively utilizing the available volume for both storage and function.
Solution Approach 2:
The VHC is designed with a flattened, disc-like profile rather than a traditional cylindrical shape. This dimensional change allows the device to be more portable and less cumbersome while maintaining adequate internal volume for aerosol output by distributing the space differently across dimensions.
2Ease of operation
If the VHC is made portable and compact, then it can be carried easily, but it may not provide effective relief during an asthma exacerbation
Solution Approach 1:
The VHC combines the MDI canister, holding chamber, and valve system into a single integrated portable unit. This merging ensures that the device provides complete medication delivery functionality in a compact form, maintaining reliability by including all necessary components for effective asthma treatment while improving portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The VHC serves multiple functions: it stores the MDI, delivers medication through valved aerosol generation, and provides a handheld delivery system. This multi-functionality in a single portable device ensures effective asthma relief while maintaining ease of carrying and use.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the VHC encloses the MDI completely, then the MDI is protected from contamination, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The VHC uses a flexible membrane or thin film material for the backpiece and sealing surfaces. This flexible enclosure protects the MDI from contamination while maintaining a simple, compact structure that can be easily manufactured and assembled, reducing overall device complexity compared to rigid multi-component enclosures.
Data Source
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AI summary
A sealable backpiece for a holding chamber comprising: a flexible membrane comprising a plurality of flexible sections separated by a plurality of slits defining free edges of the flexible sections, wherein the flexible sections are moveable relative to each other from a closed configuration, wherein the free edges of adjacent flexible sections are positioned proximate to each other, and an open configuration, wherein the flexible sections are deformed to define an inlet opening, wherein the slits define the only opening through the flexible membrane in the closed configuration, characterized in that the free edges of at least two of the flexible sections are spaced apart and do not intersect when the flexible sections are in the closed configuration.