Preservative-Free Inhaler Using Vibratable Membrane Aerosolization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inhalers are not well-suited for delivering unit doses of aerosolized insulin in a repeatable and predictable manner for pulmonary delivery, particularly for type I and II diabetic patients.
Innovation Solution
Aerosolization systems comprising a squeezable container with a resilient body and a vibratable membrane aerosolizer, which includes a hollow needle to pierce the container and deliver a single unit dosage of preservative-free insulin solution, ensuring complete aerosolization of the dose without contact with ambient air, thereby eliminating the need for preservatives and minimizing evaporative losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional inhaler is used to aerosolize insulin, then the liquid can be dispensed, but the delivery is not repeatable and predictable
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the insulin delivery process into discrete single-use units (cartridges), where each cartridge contains a specific volume of insulin (0.03-0.1 mL) pre-filled and sealed. This segmentation ensures that each delivery is independent, repeatable, and predictable, eliminating variability between uses while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulin is pre-filled into sealed cartridges at the manufacturing stage with precise volumes (0.03-0.1 mL), and the cartridges are prepared in advance for single-use aerosolization. This preliminary action ensures that each delivery contains the exact required dose, making the delivery repeatable and predictable without requiring complex dosing mechanisms during actual use.
2Productivity
If the insulin solution contacts ambient air during aerosolization, then aerosol delivery can occur, but evaporative losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains an inert or controlled atmosphere environment throughout the aerosolization process. The cartridge remains sealed until use, and the aerosolization occurs in a controlled manner that minimizes exposure to ambient air. This inert environment prevention reduces evaporative losses of insulin while still enabling effective aerosol delivery to the lungs.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If preservatives are added to insulin solution, then multi-dose storage is enabled, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses segmented single-use cartridges, each containing a small volume (0.03-0.1 mL) of preservative-free insulin. Each cartridge is sealed and intended for single use only, eliminating the need for preservatives while preventing contamination through the seal. The short storage duration of each individual cartridge is acceptable because it is used immediately upon activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs disposable single-use cartridges that are discarded after one use. These short-living containers eliminate the need for preservatives by ensuring the solution is used before any contamination risk can develop. The low cost and single-use nature of these cartridges make them practical for eliminating preservatives while maintaining safety.
4Quantity of substance
If a large volume of insulin is aerosolized, then sufficient dose delivery is achieved, but complete aerosolization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses slightly excessive aerosolization effort (vibration energy, airflow) to ensure complete vaporization of the small insulin volume (0.03-0.1 mL) in each cartridge. By applying more than the minimum required energy for aerosolization, the system guarantees complete delivery of the entire dose without residue, achieving both sufficient quantity and complete aerosolization precision.
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 system effectively delivers a precise and complete dose of aerosolized insulin with each use, reducing the risk of contamination and evaporation, and is particularly suited for pulmonary delivery, ensuring efficient and reliable insulin administration.
Implementation Method 1
an aerosol generator that comprises a vibratable membrane having a front face and a rear face, and a vibratable element used to vibrate the membrane
Implementation Method 2
a hollow needle that is configured to pierce the squeezable container and to supply the liquid to the rear face of the vibratable membrane
Data Source
AI summary
An aerosolization system includes a container that is configured to deliver a unit dosage of a liquid when squeezed a single time. The system also includes an aerosolizer that is constructed of a housing defining a mouthpiece, and an aerosol generator disposed in the housing. The aerosol generator includes a vibratable membrane having a front face and a rear face, and a vibratable element used to vibrate the membrane. Further, the housing includes an opening that is adapted to receive a unit dosage of the liquid from the container. The opening provides a liquid path to the rear face of the vibratable membrane.