Toroidal Dry Powder Inhaler for Breath-Actuated Disaggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inhalation devices, such as pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) and dry powder inhalers (DPIs), are complex, costly, and inefficient, requiring significant effort and coordination from patients and healthcare providers, with issues like flow rate dependence, drug delivery variability, and increased risk of contamination in institutional settings.
Innovation Solution
A dry powder inhalation device featuring a toroidal disaggregation chamber with a removable partition, air intake passages directing air at a non-tangential angle, and an exit passageway for efficient powder delivery, minimizing airflow resistance and eliminating the need for propellants, electronics, and complex mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) are used to deliver drugs, then drug delivery to lungs is achieved, but significant force and timing coordination are required from patients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pressurized mechanical system of pMDIs with a passive dry powder inhalation system that uses patient's own inspiratory flow to deliver medication, eliminating the need for pressurized canisters and complex mechanical actuation mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to be self-actuating through the patient's natural inhalation effort, where the inspiratory flow automatically triggers powder release and delivery without requiring external power sources or complex patient coordination
2Ease of manufacture
If dry powder inhalation devices use conventional API-lactose monohydrate blends, then powder filling and carrier particles are simplified, but aggregates formed by attractive forces require breaking-up mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a toroidal (doughnut-shaped) chamber geometry that creates smooth curved airflow paths, utilizing centrifugal forces and flow patterns to naturally break up powder aggregates without requiring additional mechanical breaking-up mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses controlled airflow patterns within the toroidal chamber to aerate and disperse powder aggregates, relying on pneumatic forces generated by patient inhalation to break up and transport particles
3Reliability
If nebulizers are used to deliver drugs in solution, then delivery is effective for patients lacking inhalation capability, but large equipment size and electrical power requirements result
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical nebulizer systems with a passive mechanical dry powder inhalation system that uses patient's own respiratory effort to generate the necessary airflow for drug delivery, eliminating power requirements and reducing device size
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed as a disposable single-use unit containing pre-filled dry powder, eliminating the need for reusable components requiring cleaning, maintenance, and electrical power sources
4Adaptability or versatility
If multi-dose inhalation devices are used in institutional settings, then repeated handling over multiple days is enabled, but chance of viral and bacterial transmission increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the inhalation device as a disposable single-use unit that is discarded after one use, completely eliminating the risk of cross-contamination between patients while maintaining multi-dose capability at the population level through distribution of multiple units
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 device provides a safer, more efficient, and cost-effective option for pulmonary drug delivery with consistent results, reduced contamination risk, and simplified operation, suitable for various applications including institutional settings and bio-defense.
Implementation Method 1
at least one air intake passage in fluid communication with the exterior of the body and the interior of the toroidal chamber which directs inlet air toward the bottom of the toroidal chamber
Implementation Method 2
toroidal disaggregation chamber with a removable partition, air intake passages directing air at a non-tangential angle
Implementation Method 3
upon the inhalation by the patient on the exit passageway, air is drawn from the air intake passage to the toroidal chamber to the exit such that dry powder is carried out the exit passageway to the patient
Data Source
AI summary
Taught herein is a disposable breath actuated dry powder drug inhalation device having a powderized drug storage chamber with integral toroidal geometry and air flow pathways for entraining and breaking up powder aggregates prior to delivery to the patient. The toroidal chamber is fluidly connected by one or more air inlets directed in a non-tangent manner toward the powder to loft and set up an irregular-rotational flow pattern. Also, in fluid connection with the toroidal chamber is a centrally or near centrally located air and powder outlet consisting of one or more holes forming a grid in fluid connection with a channel providing a passageway for powder flow to the patient.