Sensor-Logged Inhaler Cartridge for Consistent Substance Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies fail to account for changes in the composition of botanical substances like cannabis due to storage conditions, leading to inconsistent and unpredictable release of active and sensory compounds over time.
Innovation Solution
A source material cartridge with integrated sensors tracks environmental conditions and a logger records data, allowing an inhaler device to adjust heating and airflow profiles based on these conditions to release precise and controlled amounts of substances, including both clinically effective and ineffective doses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If source material is stored over time under varying environmental conditions, then the availability and composition of active substances change, but this leads to inconsistent and unpredictable release of compounds
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary tracking and recording of storage conditions (temperature, humidity, light exposure) before the actual substance release. This advance monitoring allows the system to anticipate composition changes and adjust heating parameters accordingly, ensuring consistent release despite prior storage variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback by using recorded storage condition data to dynamically adjust heating parameters during substance release. The controller modifies heating temperature and duration based on the tracked storage history, creating a closed-loop system that compensates for composition changes and maintains reliable substance release.
2Reliability
If storage conditions are controlled to maintain composition stability, then substance release consistency improves, but storage and distribution complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing the inhaler device to automatically adjust its heating parameters based on storage condition data that was passively recorded during storage. The device independently determines the appropriate heating profile without requiring external intervention or complex supply chain control, simplifying storage and distribution requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes parameter changes by modifying heating temperature and duration parameters based on recorded storage conditions. Instead of maintaining strict storage conditions, the system adapts the release parameters to match the actual storage history, reducing the need for complex storage control infrastructure.
3Reliability
If heating parameters are increased to ensure sufficient substance release from degraded material, then release consistency improves, but degradation of additional compounds occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies dynamics by making heating parameters adaptive rather than static. The heating temperature and duration are dynamically adjusted based on the specific storage history and degradation level of the source material, allowing the system to use higher heat only when necessary while protecting sensory compounds when storage conditions were favorable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements parameter changes by modifying heating temperature and time parameters according to tracked storage conditions. The controller selects from multiple heating profiles (e.g., higher temperature for degraded material, lower temperature for well-preserved material) to achieve consistent release while minimizing unnecessary degradation of sensory compounds.
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
Ensures consistent and predictable release of substances, extending shelf life, simplifying supply chain management, and enabling flexible user storage conditions while maintaining safety and efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
a heating assembly configured to heat the source material of the cartridge when the cartridge is received by the inhaler device
Data Source
AI summary
This application relates to a source material cartridge for use with a personal inhaler device, the cartridge comprising: a source material stored within a housing of the cartridge; one or more sensors positioned and configured for sensing conditions associated with storage of the cartridge; and a logger configured to record the data sensed by the one or more sensors.