Vibrating-Mesh Nebulizer With Variable Aerosol Rate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibrating mesh nebulizers lack the ability to adjust aerosol administration rate without significant developmental and regulatory efforts, limiting their versatility in delivering medicaments effectively.
Innovation Solution
A nebulizer system with a vibrating mesh, piezo element, and control electronics that includes an RF generator, controller, memory, and switching elements to produce aerosol droplets, allowing for adjustable aerosol production through varying pulse widths and frequencies, optimizing efficiency and aerosol output without hardware changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the holes in the membrane are reduced to adjust aerosol administration rate, then the aerosol delivery can be controlled, but significant developmental and regulatory outlay and technical multiplication of components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the membrane vibration amplitude adjustable through variable frequency drive. The membrane vibration frequency can be dynamically changed to control aerosol administration rate, replacing the need for physical hole modification. This allows continuous adjustment of aerosol output without hardware changes to the membrane structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the membrane vibration system by varying the drive frequency and amplitude. Instead of changing the physical structure (hole size), the system adjusts electrical parameters to control aerosol generation, thereby achieving rate adjustment without structural modification or additional components.
2Manufacturing precision
If vibrating mesh nebulizers are used to produce very fine primary aerosol, then larger droplets are prevented from being deposited, but the aerosol administration rate cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains the fine aerosol generation capability of the vibrating mesh while adding dynamic control through variable frequency drive. The membrane vibration frequency can be adjusted to control aerosol administration rate, allowing the same hardware to serve multiple applications with different rate requirements without changing the mesh structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal vibrating mesh nebulizer that can adjust to different administration rates through software-controlled frequency variation. This single device can serve multiple purposes (different medicament delivery rates, pediatric vs adult dosing) without requiring different hardware versions, eliminating the need for technical multiplication of components.
3Productivity
If the aerosol generator is excited at resonant frequency to maximize efficiency, then aerosol production is optimized, but the system requires precise frequency control to maintain optimal performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by monitoring the actual vibration frequency of the membrane and adjusting the drive signal accordingly. This ensures the system operates at or near the resonant frequency to maximize aerosol production efficiency. The feedback mechanism automatically compensates for frequency drift without requiring manual intervention or complex mechanical adjustment systems.
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
Enables easy and efficient adjustment of aerosol production over a broad range using software inputs, minimizing hardware modifications and electromagnetic interference, while ensuring optimal aerosol delivery for various medicament applications.
Implementation Method 1
The aerosol generator (16) consists at least of a membrane (5), a piezo element (6) and a substrate plate (7)
Implementation Method 2
The aerosol generator (16) forms a resonant circuit (44) together with the inductor (43)
Data Source
AI summary
A nebulizer for producing an inhalable mist of droplets, comprising at least an aerosol generator, a housing having a liquid reservoir and control electronics, the aerosol generator consisting at least of a membrane, a piezo element and a substrate plate, and the control electronics comprising at least an RF generator, a controller, memory and switching elements, and an inductor. The aerosol generator forms a resonant circuit together with the inductor and the control electronics are configured to at least partly excite the aerosol generator to vibrate. The aerosol generator is configured such that aerosol droplets are producible by vibrations and the RF generator is configured to vary the amount of aerosol produced.