Nimbus Inhaler

What it does

Nimbus is an integrated metered dose inhaler and spacer chamber device with educational complement. It aims to provide a holistic and intuitive treatment option for people with asthma, helping them properly control their asthma conditions more conveniently.

Your inspiration

In Australia alone, asthma attacks cause more than 450 deaths and more than 25,000 hospitalisations each year. Lethal asthma attacks and deteriorating conditions are caused by the misuse of asthma inhalers, with 90% of asthmatics using their inhalers incorrectly. This prevalent misuse is due to several issues, including difficult to perform inhaler use methods, a lack of awareness on proper asthma treatment, and social stigma discouraging inhaler use. Nimbus envisions an asthma inhaler that is comprehensive and fits in seamlessly into peoples’ lives, promoting proper inhaler use in a multitude of ways to help improve their quality of life.

How it works

Nimbus consists of two main connected components – a Metered Dose Emitter and a Valved Holding Chamber. The Emitter houses a Canister containing a dual purpose reliever drug, which works to both relieve current and prevent future asthma symptoms. During use, the Canister is actuated to release an aerosolised drug dose into the Valved Holding Chamber. The Chamber contains and suspends the dose until inhalation. By inhaling from the chamber Mouthpiece, the aerosol drug is delivered deep into the airways. The Mouthpiece houses a One-Way Valve that prevents external airflow from getting inside the Chamber which would disrupt the aerosol, and only opens during inhalation. Nimbus users also have accces to the Nimbus Hub website, containing instructional and educational materials. Just scan the QR code on the Nimbus device and quickly access instructional videos to get a refresh on proper use, as well as educational content to become more informed on asthma.

Design process

I researched asthma and its treatment, speaking with asthma specialists and people with asthma, including using my own experience. Though this, I learned about the effectiveness of different inhalers, the nuances of asthma treatment, and peoples' pain points and frustrations with using their inahlers. This led to the design objectives of improving effectiveness, portability and ease of use in inhalers, and tackling social stigma. I performed multiple rounds of ideation, focusing on compactness for convenience, arriving at an integrated telescopic concept. This concept was then developed through six rounds of iterations using CAD and 3D printed prototypes. These iterations were used to test dosing functionality, streamline use method, and refine visual form. Using research studies, a compact but medically effective spacer size was determined. Fully working prototypes were created with FDM printed parts and drug canisters taken from my own inhalers for experimental user testing. I tested these prototypes to prevent and relieve my asthma symptoms during sports activities, with positive results supporting its effectiveness. The design was also developed for injection moulding manufacture. It was important to keep Nimbus an analogue product with minimal parts to keep it affordable.

How it is different

The most common inhaler type, the metered dose inhaler (MDI) is compact, but is difficult to use correctly, making it ineffective. Inversely, using an MDI together with a spacer simplifies its use method and increases effectiveness, but becomes too bulky to carry. Nimbus uniquely combines the inhaler and spacer into a single telescopic device, where the Metered Dose Emitter (inhaler) slides into the Holding Chamber (spacer) during storage, and slides out during use. Nimbus also provides access to the Nimbus Hub website via the QR code on the device, where users can view instructional and educational asthma materials. Nimbus is also a reusable inhaler in which canisters can be easily replaced, increasing product life, reducing waste and supporting affordability. These features, packaged in Nimbus’ minimal and sleek form, serve to address all the user-focused objectives in delivering medical effectiveness, portability, ease of use, and reducing social stigma.

Future plans

In terms of future development, I look to further validate Nimbus' medical effectiveness through more quantitative methods such as fluid dynamics analysis. I am open to opportunities to develop Nimbus as a complete offering with establised companies. Alternatively, Nimbus can also become a more retrofit-like solution, where the device can be provided without a drug canister inside, and people can then insert canisters from their existing inhalers. I hope to develop Nimbus to be an accessible holistic option, so that many people can use its helpful features to achieve properly controlled asthma conditions and improve their quality of life.

Awards

Recipient of the X Factor Award in Product Design Engineering at the 2024 Swinburne GradX Exhibition.