Tangential Inhalation Aid Structure for Flexible Drug Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inhalation aids for atomization type inhalers, such as those described in PLT 1 and PLT 2, either require immediate inhalation timing coordination or complicate the structure with valve mechanisms, making them difficult to use for patients with poor inhalation ability or increasing manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
An inhalation aid with a tubular main body having a reverse-tapered shape and a non-coaxial inhalation port, which allows drug particles to collide and spread within the main body, enabling adjustable inhalation timing without a valve structure, and includes features like protrusions or recesses to rectify and focalize the airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the introduction port and inhalation port are disposed in a straight line as in PLT 1, then the device structure is simple, but the timing adjustment effect is insufficient and drug particles directly head to the inhalation port
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the inhalation port at an angle (e.g., 45 degrees) relative to the introduction port rather than in a straight line. This angular arrangement creates a non-linear path for drug particles, forcing them to travel along the inner wall surface and increasing the time available for inhalation timing adjustment while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If a valve structure is provided in the spacer as in PLT 2, then a patient can inhale drug particles at arbitrary timing, but the whole structure becomes complicated and disassembly, cleaning, and assembly become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex valve structure from the inhalation aid design. Instead of using a valve mechanism to control inhalation timing, the invention relies on the geometric arrangement of ports and the resulting airflow patterns to achieve timing flexibility, thereby simplifying the overall structure while maintaining operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The inhalation aid performs timing adjustment functionality through its inherent structural design rather than requiring active control mechanisms. The angular positioning of ports and the resulting spiral airflow pattern automatically create timing flexibility without needing valves or other complex control systems, making the device self-regulating and easier to use.
3Ease of operation
If a valve structure is provided in the spacer, then inhalation timing can be adjusted, but manufacturing cost increases and financial burden of the patient increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a simple, inexpensive geometric structure that can be easily manufactured and discarded. The inhalation aid uses basic port positioning and airflow dynamics rather than costly valve mechanisms, making it an economical disposable device that reduces financial burden on patients while providing the necessary timing adjustment functionality.
4Ease of operation
If drug particles are dispersed into the main body and inhaled immediately, then the timing adjustment effect is maximized, but a patient with poor inhalation ability may still find it difficult to inhale the drug particles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by creating a spiral airflow pattern that pre-moves drug particles along the inner wall surface before they reach the inhalation port. This extended travel path and delayed particle arrival give patients with poor inhalation ability more time to coordinate their breathing, improving inhalation effectiveness without requiring precise timing coordination.
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 inhalation aid facilitates easy adjustment of drug inhalation timing and improves inhalation efficiency by reducing particle accumulation and entrapment, suitable for patients with poor inhalation ability and maintaining a simple, cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
two spiral turbulences are formed one inside and the other outside in the main body
Implementation Method 2
the main body part (10) has a reverse-tapered shape like as circular-truncated cone shape
Data Source
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AI summary
[Problem] Provided is an inhalation aid with which a patient may arbitrarily adjust the drug inhalation timing with ease without relying on valve structure. [Solution] An inhalation aid 100 mounted on a spout port of an atomization type inhaler comprises a cylindrical main body part 10, an introduction port 20 which is provided on one end side of the main body part 10 and introduces, into the main body part 10, drug particles dispersed from the spout port of the inhaler, a wall surface part 30 provided on the other end side of the main body part 10 and at the position opposed to the introduction port 20, and an inhalation port 40 which is provided on a side surface of the main body part 10 and from which the drug particles dispersed into the main body part 10 are inhaled, wherein the inhalation port 40 extends along the tangent line direction of the main body part 10.