Inhalation Booklet

A

world leading product design consultancy

A multidisciplinary team of experts

Mechanical Engineering

Interaction Design Design Research & Planning

Software Engineering

Electronic Engineering

Industrial Design

Prototyping

Human Factors & Usability

Experienced in solving the complex challenges of DPI development

Our design and analysis work with global pharmaceutical and device companies includes dry powder inhalers for asthma, COPD and inhaled insulin.

Combination dry powder inhaler for major pharmaceutical company - development of mathematical model and early design verification to understand the lid foil compensation mechanism for an inhaler.

Development of pMDIs that compete

Our extensive work in consumer health and the design of high volume drug delivery devices gives us the perfect blend of experience to support the development of devices that can give our clients the edge in highly genericised and cost constrained market places.

For reliable dose counters, the devil is in the detail

We are highly experienced in solving complex tolerance problems and the design of intricate components that are robust as well as simple and cost effective to manufacture.

Inhalers that provide safer access to controlled medicines

We use our extensive technical engineering capability, creativity and design integration experience to resolve the complex challenges of inhalers that control access to medications and dosing frequency to help enable regimen control as well as improve compliance and effectiveness.

Breath actuated pMDIs to make coordination errors a thing of the past

Our engineers are expert in the design of inhalers that use the power of a breath to release a reliable actuation mechanism, eliminating the risk of coordination errors.

Controlled aerosol spray systems

DCA has expertise in the development of spray and vapour systems, including soft mist inhalers, in which velocity and droplet size are carefully controlled and characterised.

Nasal sprays with class leading usability

The work we have done with leading pharmaceutical and drug delivery device companies has helped to create devices that provide benefits in comfort and ease of use.

Improving effectiveness with electromechanical delivery systems

The multidisciplinary teams at DCA are experienced in developing electromechanical systems. These can help to increase effectiveness, for example by improving usability and delivery efficiency.

Delivering from strategy to market

DCA has significant real-world experience in creating market leading drug delivery devices through all stages of development and throughout industrialisation and in-market support.

Expertise in developing ultra-high production volume devices and systems

Developed in short timescales, these multi-award winning and highly successful aerosol systems deliver performance and quality at low cost.

Helping our clients make the right decisions in due diligence

The same capabilities and experience that our clients harness to support successful device developments are often called upon to carry out due diligence work; whether it’s reviewing a device design before a critical milestone or selecting from a range of device options that are on-market.

Painting a clearer picture of a successful future

We help our clients develop device strategies that deliver success with efficiency. We employ a wide range of our skills from concept generation and analysis to user and market research, to generate the evidence that is needed to support making the right decisions.

Helping our clients connect with the future

Our connected drug delivery device development is enabled by our detailed understanding of system architecture design, low power processing, sensors and actuators, compact product design, antenna design, power source selection, battery management techniques and cybersecurity.

The artefact experts for a digital ecosystem

Our world class technical skill set combined with our industrial design (ID), user experience (UX) and user interaction (UI) expertise make our multidisciplinary service ideally suited to delivering product to work efficiently and effectively within an ever growing digital ecosystem.

Cutting edge engineering

Combining electronics, software and mechanical engineering disciplines with rigour and creativity to generate innovative design solutions that help deliver succesful products.

Intelligent application of computational analysis to create better designs, faster

Experts in first-principles math-modelling. Class leading analysis software is applied intelligently in combination with physical testing to benchmark predictions and improve understanding.

Prototyping is at the heart of our business

Since our foundation, we have always maintained extensive in-house prototyping capabilities.

This enables us to explore, test and iterate design concepts efficiently and effectively.

Evaluation testing to inform critical decisions

Equipped for a wide range of exploration, testing and measurement, our laboratories allow us to evaluate the performance of prototypes and devices at all stages of development.

Packaging and instructions shouldn’t be an afterthought

Our experienced team of designers and usability experts believe in developing instructions and packaging solutions in parallel with devices.

This approach means that we optimise both elements together to achieve a more integrated patient experience and a stronger reflection of brand values.

A highly creative team with in-depth IP experience

Over 4000 patent applications and over 1700 granted patents since 2000.

Helping our clients to develop more sustainable products

Our work to improve the sustainability of products across consumer, healthcare and medical device markets has been recognised with prestigious international design awards.

We have developed a toolkit of eco-design tactics that help us create better products, with a lower environmental impact.

TwistMist is a re-usable propellant-free aerosol spray.

Rigorous medical device development procedures

Aligned with international standards.

QMS General Procedures

ISO 9001

Medical Device Development Procedure

ISO 13485 21 CFR part 820 & EN 60601:1 clause 14

Software Development Procedure - Medical Devices

EN 62304

Usability Engineering for Medical Devices

EN 62366

Risk Management Procedure - Medical Devices

ISO 14971

A proven track record

100+ products launched, 50+ full-scale drug delivery projects and 100 major design awards in the last 10 years.

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Helping clients achieve success through great product design