Nebulizer Venturi Nozzle Oral Cavity Inhalation Trigger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard nebulizers fail to achieve efficient medication delivery to the lungs due to large particle size, inefficiency, and contamination risks, with issues in dose reliability and reproducibility, and often waste medication during exhalation.
Innovation Solution
A nebulizer design featuring a venturi nozzle and diffuser within the oral cavity, activated by negative inspiratory pressure, which nebulizes medication only during inhalation, producing fine particles for efficient lung deposition and minimizing waste, with a flow meter function to monitor air flow and cough events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If standard nebulizers are used to deliver medication, then medication can be administered to patients, but particle size is too large to reach the bottom of the lungs and much medication is deposited in the throat rather than lungs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the nebulizer system by introducing a venturi nozzle that creates high-velocity air streams and a rainfall chamber with specific geometry to optimize droplet formation. These parameter changes produce finer particles (≤5 μm) that can reach the bottom of the lungs, directly resolving the particle size issue while improving lung deposition efficiency
2Productivity
If standard nebulizers operate continuously, then medication is delivered, but medication is wasted during exhalation and dose reliability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by designing the nebulizer to operate only during the patient's inhalation phase. The venturi nozzle is activated when the patient inhales, creating aerosol that is delivered during inhalation only. This eliminates medication waste during exhalation and ensures reliable, reproducible dosing since the medication is delivered in sync with the patient's breathing cycle
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms including a flow meter that monitors air flow and detects cough events, and a control system that responds to patient breathing patterns. This feedback ensures the nebulizer operates at the correct times and delivers consistent doses, improving both efficiency and reliability
3Manufacturing precision
If the nebulizer uses a venturi nozzle activated by negative inspiratory pressure, then fine particles are produced for efficient lung deposition, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing the venturi nozzle to be automatically activated by the patient's own inhalation (negative inspiratory pressure). The patient's breathing provides the driving force for the venturi effect, eliminating the need for external power sources or complex control systems. This reduces device complexity while maintaining the ability to produce fine particles for efficient lung deposition
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 nebulizer achieves high lung-deposition efficiency, reduces medication waste, and enhances dose reliability and reproducibility by producing fine particles and activating only during inhalation, while the flow meter function aids in monitoring and improving treatment efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
a venturi nozzle at the outlet and having a venturi outlet. A primary suction line extends from the medication reservoir to the venturi outlet through which medication is drawn upward and mixed with air passing through the venturi nozzle
Implementation Method 2
nebulizes medication only during inhalation, producing fine particles for efficient lung deposition
Data Source
AI summary
A medication reservoir is formed in the lower portion of a nebulizer body and covered to form an enclosed medication reservoir. A nozzle assembly is supported by a reservoir cover and includes an air line having an inlet at one end and an outlet and a venturi nozzle and venturi outlet. The air line, venturi nozzle and discharge outlet are horizontally oriented when in use and the venturi nozzle is located within a patient's oral cavity when the nebulizer is in use. Medication is drawn upward through a suction line and mixed with air passing through the venturi nozzle and nebulized for discharge through the nebulizer outlet. The venturi nozzle and suction line are formed together and replaceable as one unit.