CN113018612A

CN113018612A - Inhalation device

Info

Publication number: CN113018612A
Application number: CN202110425897.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 任瑞贤; 佟振博
Original assignee: Suzhou Xinmaide Medical Appliance Technology Co ltd
Current assignee: Suzhou Xinmaide Medical Appliance Technology Co ltd
Priority date: 2021-04-20
Filing date: 2021-04-20
Publication date: 2021-06-25
Anticipated expiration: 2041-04-20
Also published as: CN118750707A; CN113018612B; CN118750708A

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an inhalation device, and relates to the technical field of medical instruments. The inhalation device comprises a mouthpiece and at least one receiving compartment. The mouthpiece comprises a channel for inhaling the powder and the pod comprises an opening for communicating with the channel. The first end of the pod, where the opening is located, is pivotally connected to the second end of the suction nozzle and is configured to pivot between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the pod is arranged alongside the nozzle such that the opening is spaced from the channel, and in the second position, the first end abuts against the second end and the opening remains aligned with the channel.

Description

Inhalation device

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of medical devices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an inhalation device.

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a chronic bronchitis or emphysema characterized by airflow obstruction that can further progress to common chronic diseases of pulmonary heart disease and respiratory failure. The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is related to abnormal inflammatory reaction caused by harmful gas and harmful particles, the disability rate and the fatality rate are high, and the worldwide incidence rate of over 40 years old is up to 9-10%.

At present, pulmonary inhalation administration and nasal inhalation administration are effective therapies for chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, and have the characteristics of targeting, high efficiency, quick effect, small toxic and side effects and the like. In addition, pulmonary or nasal inhalation administration is often used in the treatment of respiratory diseases such as influenza, asthma, and the like. In the medical field, inhalation devices for delivering pharmaceutical compounds are commonly used for pulmonary or nasal inhalation administration to a user. An inhalation device for delivering pharmaceutical compounds contains the pharmaceutical compounds, and a user uses an inspiratory airflow to drive the pharmaceutical compounds into the airways so that the pharmaceutical compounds act on the airways and the lungs.

Although the existing inhalation device has a simple structure, the problems of unstable powder delivery amount, easy powder residue, poor reliability (for example, the hidden danger of failure of additional components), non-humanized design, complex assembly process and the like generally exist. Wherein, the unstable delivery amount of the powder and the easy residue of the powder result in insufficient administration amount, so that the powder can not achieve the expected curative effect. Furthermore, powder residues in the inhalation device can also contaminate the inhalation device, thereby causing a certain hazard to the user.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved inhalation device.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above, the present disclosure provides an inhalation device to achieve simple, reliable, safe, stable and effective administration of a drug while simplifying and reducing manufacturing and assembling processes.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided an inhalation device comprising: a mouthpiece comprising a channel for inhaling a powder; and at least one pod comprising an opening at a first end for communicating with the channel, wherein the first end of the pod is pivotally connected with a second end of the suction nozzle and is configured to pivot between a first position in which the pod is arranged side-by-side with the suction nozzle such that the opening is spaced apart from the channel and a second position in which the first end rests on the second end and the opening remains aligned with the channel.

According to some embodiments, the suction nozzle is integrally formed with the receiving compartment.

According to some embodiments, a first flange is provided at a first end of the receiving compartment extending away from the opening, and a second flange is provided at a second end of the suction nozzle extending away from the channel.

According to some embodiments, a snap-in portion is provided on the first flange extending away from the opening and perpendicular to the first flange, and when the containment compartment is in the second position, the snap-in portion snaps into engagement with the second flange such that the first end abuts against the second end.

According to some embodiments, a pivot guide feature is provided between the first and second flanges for guiding the first end to pivot towards the second end.

According to some embodiments, the thickness of the first flange and the second flange in the vicinity of the pivot guide feature gradually decreases with decreasing distance from the pivot guide feature.

According to some embodiments, the pivot guide feature is made of a flexible material.

According to some embodiments, an end of the containment compartment opposite the first end is provided with an air inlet for introducing air into the interior of the containment compartment.

According to some embodiments, at least one of the opening and the air inlet is closed by a metal foil.

According to some embodiments, a rib is provided on the first end portion around the opening for abutting the second end portion when the accommodation compartment is in the second position.

In the present disclosure, the first end where the opening of the containing compartment is located is pivotally connected with the second end of the suction nozzle, so that a user can align the opening of the containing compartment with the channel of the suction nozzle by simply rotating the containing compartment, thereby achieving simple and reliable drug delivery, simplifying manufacturing and assembling processes, and reducing manufacturing and assembling costs; by arranging the containing cabin in the first position and the suction nozzle side by side to enable the containing cabin to be spaced apart from the suction nozzle, the containing cabin is convenient to seal, and the suction nozzle and the containing cabin are facilitated to be fully cleaned, so that safe and effective medicine administration is realized; by arranging the first end of the accommodation compartment in the second position against the first end, the closure of the opening with the passage is increased, thereby achieving an effective and stable administration of the medicament.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly described below, it is obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present disclosure, and for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained according to the structures shown in the drawings without creative efforts.

In the drawings:

fig. 1a and 1b show schematic views of an inhalation device in different states according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, respectively;

figure 2 shows a schematic view of the inhalation device of figure 1a from another angle.

Figures 3a and 3b show schematic views of an inhalation device in different states according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, respectively;

FIG. 4a shows a left side view of the inhalation device of FIG. 1 b;

figure 4b shows a front view of the inhalation device of figure 1 b;

figure 4c shows a close-up view of region a of the inhalation device of figure 4 b;

figure 5 shows a close up view of the first and second ends of the inhalation device of figure 3 a;

in the drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar features.

The objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be further explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Detailed Description

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments disclosed herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

It should be noted that all the directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to explain the relative position relationship between the components, the motion situation, etc. in a specific posture (as shown in the drawings), and if the specific posture is changed, the directional indication is changed accordingly.

In the present disclosure, unless explicitly stated or limited otherwise, the terms "connected", "fixed", and the like are to be understood broadly, e.g., as either a mechanical or electrical connection; they may be directly connected or indirectly connected through intervening media, or they may be connected internally or in any other suitable relationship, unless expressly stated otherwise. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present disclosure can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art as appropriate.

In the present disclosure, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing parameters of components, technical effects, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about" or "approximately". Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations. To those skilled in the art, which may vary depending on the desired properties and effects sought to be obtained by the present disclosure, each numerical parameter should be construed in light of the number of significant digits and ordinary rounding approaches or ways understood by those skilled in the art.

In this disclosure, the terminology used in the description of the various described examples is for the purpose of describing the particular examples only and is not intended to be limiting. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, if the number of elements is not specifically limited, the elements may be one or more. Furthermore, the term "and/or" as used in this disclosure is intended to encompass any and all possible combinations of the listed items.

Currently, there are three broad categories of inhalation devices available on the market, including reservoir type powder inhalers, multi-dose type powder inhalers, and single dose type powder inhalers. Among other things, reservoir-type powder inhalers comprise a reservoir for storing a powder and a quantifiable member that separates a metered amount of powder from the reservoir upon each actuation, which powder is inhaled into the body of the user through an inhalation channel. Such powder inhalers have disadvantages of unstable powder delivery amount, poor sealing property, and easy powder residue. The multi-dose powder inhaler comprises a plurality of blisters for storing powder and a blister strip arranged with blisters which on each actuation pierce one blister, the powder in the blister being inhaled into the user through an inhalation channel. Such powder inhalers suffer from poor reproducibility (differences in delivery of powder from blister to user), powder retention, etc. The powder of the single-dose type powder inhaler is stored in each capsule, and a user needs to put the capsule into a capsule chamber of the powder inhaler at the time of use, and pushes a button to puncture the capsule so that the powder is inhaled into the user through an inhalation passage. Such powder inhalers suffer from poor reliability (e.g., the piercing member may be disengaged from the button member), difficulty in cleaning, complexity in operation, complexity in assembly process, high manufacturing cost, high defective rate, and the like.

An inhalation device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

Fig. 1a and 1b show schematic views of an inhalation device in different states according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, respectively; figure 2 shows a schematic view of the inhalation device of figure 1a from another angle. As shown in fig. 1a, 1b and 2, the inhalation device 1000 comprises a mouthpiece 1 and at least one receiving chamber 2, wherein the mouthpiece 1 comprises a channel 11 for inhaling powder; the accommodation compartment 2 comprises an opening 21 at a first end 22 for communication with the passage 11. The first end 22 of the accommodation compartment 2 is pivotally connected with the second end 12 of the suction nozzle 1 and is configured to pivot between a first position and a second position. Fig. 1a shows the inhalation device 1000 with the receiving chamber 2 in a first position. When the accommodation compartment 2 is in the first position, the accommodation compartment 2 is arranged alongside the suction nozzle 1 such that the opening 21 is spaced apart from the channel 11. Fig. 1b shows the inhalation device 1000 with the receiving chamber 2 in a second position. When the containment compartment 2 is in the second position, the first end 22 rests against the second end 12 and the opening 21 remains aligned with the passage 11. By the above structural features, not only can the manufacturing and assembling processes be simplified and the manufacturing and assembling costs be reduced, but also simple, reliable, safe and effective administration can be realized.

Here, it should be noted that although fig. 1a shows the accommodation compartment 2 in the first position arranged parallel to the suction nozzle 1, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the accommodation compartment 2 in the first position may also be arranged at an angle to the suction nozzle 1.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the alignment of the opening 21 of the receiving compartment 2 in the second position with the channel 11 of the suction nozzle 1 may be a perfect alignment (i.e. the axis of the opening 21 is perfectly aligned with the axis of the channel 11) or an offset alignment (i.e. the axis of the opening 21 is slightly offset aligned with the axis of the channel 11).

It should also be noted that although the receiving chamber 2 and the suction nozzle 1 shown in fig. 1a and 1b are both cylindrical, it is understood that the cross-section of the receiving chamber 2 and the suction nozzle 1 may also be provided in an oval shape, a square shape, or the like, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In some examples, when the cross-section of the opening 21 of the receiving chamber 2 is circular, the diameter of the opening 21 may be set to 4mm to 6mm to form a good air flow inside the inhalation device, increasing the dispersibility of the powder upon inhalation, thereby reducing the powder residue and improving the administration effect. Furthermore, the cross-section of the accommodation compartment 2 may have a different shape than the cross-section of the suction nozzle 1.

It should also be noted that, although only one accommodation compartment 2 is shown in fig. 1a and 1b, the number of the at least one accommodation compartment 2 of the inhalation device 1000 of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, 2, 3, 4, etc. As shown in fig. 3a, the inhalation device 3000 is provided with two accommodation compartments 2. When the two accommodation compartments 2 are in the first position, the two accommodation compartments 2 are arranged on opposite sides of the suction nozzle 1, respectively. It is to be understood, however, that the two accommodation compartments 2 in the first position may also be arranged adjacent to each other on both sides of the suction nozzle 1, respectively, and the disclosure is not limited thereto. As shown in fig. 3b, while one of the containment compartments 2 is in the second position to abut against the second end 12, the other containment compartment 2 continues to remain in the first position. The openings 21 of a plurality of containment compartments 2 provided according to embodiments of the present disclosure may each remain identically aligned with the channel 11 in the second position, thereby increasing the stability of the powder delivery volume per actuation.

In use, the user can pivot the accommodation compartment 2 in the first position relative to the suction nozzle 1 to the second position such that the first end 22 of the accommodation compartment 2 rests on the surface of the second end 12 of the suction nozzle 1 and the opening 21 of the accommodation compartment 2 is in communicative alignment with the channel 11. At this point, the passage 11 is in communication with the opening 21, and the user can apply suction to the mouth 13 of the mouthpiece to cause the powder in the containment compartment 2 to pass through the passage 11 to the user's body.

In some embodiments, the compartment 2 and the mouthpiece 1 may be integrally formed, which not only reduces the assembly cost of the inhalation device, but also has no additional parts, thereby increasing the reliability of the inhalation device. In some examples, the accommodation compartment 2 and the suction nozzle 1 may also be split.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 1a, an air inlet 23 may be provided at an end of the receiving chamber 2 opposite the first end 22 for introducing air into the interior of the receiving chamber 2 to allow the user to create an air circulation within the inhalation device when applying an inhalation to the mouth 13, thereby allowing the powder to pass smoothly through the passageway 11 to the user's body. In some examples, the gas inlet 23 may be designed as a very narrow slit to prevent powder leakage during powder filling. In some examples, the length of the air inlet 23 may be set to 1mm to 3mm, preferably 1.9mm to 2.1 mm. Alternatively or additionally, the width of the air inlet 23 may be set to 0.1mm to 0.8mm, preferably 0.2mm to 0.4 mm. By setting the size of the air inlet 23, the air flow entering amount can be controlled during the inhalation of the powder to form a good air flow (i.e. a certain flow resistance) in the inhalation device, so as to increase the dispersibility of the medicinal powder, reduce the medicinal powder residue and improve the administration effect. It is understood herein that the flow resistance in the inhalation device is indicative of the flow of air in the inhalation device, and affects the dispersion of the powder, the amount of powder inhaled, and the amount of residual powder, etc. by the user when inhaling the powder, thereby affecting the stability, safety, and reliability of administration. The cross-section of the air inlet 23 may be provided as a narrow oval, circle, square, etc. In some examples, the air inlet 23 can also be designed in the shape of a funnel that flares towards the inside of the containment compartment 2, i.e. the walls of the air inlet 23 are initially parallel and then gradually flair outwards. In some examples, the opening angle of the walls of the air inlet 23 (i.e., the angle formed between the outwardly opening walls of the air inlet 23 in longitudinal section) may be set at 40 ° to 180 °, preferably at 55 ° to 65 °. The funnel-shaped air inlet 23 having a specific opening angle not only can better block the funnel with the powder to prevent the powder from leaking out of the air inlet 23, but also helps to control the amount of air flow entering when the powder is inhaled to form a good air flow inside the inhalation device, thereby avoiding the bad residue of the powder and improving the administration effect. In some examples, the air inlet 23 may also be provided at the side of the accommodation compartment 2. Furthermore, although only one air inlet 23 is shown in fig. 1a, it should be understood that the accommodation compartment 2 may also be provided with a plurality of air inlets 23 (e.g., 2, 3, 4, etc.). The plurality of air inlets 23 may be arranged at the end of the receiving compartment 2, or at the side, or at both.

In some embodiments, in order to increase the sealing performance of the containing chamber 2 to prevent the powder in the containing chamber 2 from being affected by moisture in the humid air, a detachable sealing structure may be provided outside the containing chamber 2. In some examples, the sealing structure may be a metal foil (e.g., aluminum foil) disposed on the opening 21 and/or the air inlet 23 to close at least one of the opening 21 and the air inlet 23. By closing the accommodation compartment 2 with a metal foil, not only the sealability of the accommodation compartment 2 can be increased, but also the manufacturing and assembly costs can be reduced. In addition, the user can make the opening 21 communicate with the channel 11 when the containing compartment 2 is in the second position by tearing off the metal foil on the opening 21 and/or the air inlet 23, and the operation is simple and convenient. In some examples, the sealing structure may be a removable housing disposed outside the containment compartment 2. The opening 21 and/or the air inlet 23 is closed by a smooth inner wall of the housing. Additionally, a gasket made of an elastic material (e.g., rubber) may be provided on the inner wall of the housing, thereby further increasing the sealability of the receiving compartment.

With reference to fig. 2, according to some embodiments, for the purpose of sealing between the accommodation 2 and the suction nozzle 1 when the accommodation 2 is in the second position, a rib 24 surrounding the opening 21 may be provided on the first end 22 of the accommodation 2 for abutting against the second end 12. The ribs 24 may be annular in shape, but may also be other shapes, such as linear. By providing the ribs 24, the surface contact of the first end 22 with the second end 12 can be transformed into a line contact to increase the closeness between the opening 21 of the receiving compartment 2 in the second position and the suction nozzle 1, thereby facilitating the inhalation of the powder and avoiding leakage of the powder during inhalation. In some examples, the ribs 24 may be made of a rigid material. Alternatively, the ribs 24 may also be made of an elastic material (e.g., rubber). The ribs made of elastic material may increase the closure between the receiving compartment 2 and the suction nozzle 1 in the second position. Alternatively or additionally, a sealing ring may be provided on at least one of the first end 22 of the receiving compartment 2 and the second end 12 of the suction nozzle 1, thereby further increasing the closure between the receiving compartment 2 and the suction nozzle 1 in the second position.

In some embodiments, to further promote the circulation of air inside the inhalation device, at least one through hole may be provided on the side wall of the mouthpiece 1, so that when a user inhales the powder inside the containment chamber 2, more air will be replenished into the inhalation airflow through the at least one through hole, thereby facilitating the inhalation by the user and promoting the impaction or atomization of the powder.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 2, the channel 11 of the mouthpiece 1 may be provided with a smaller orifice 111 at the second end 12, so that a smaller amount of powder is kept through during inhalation of the powder, thereby promoting impaction or atomization of the powder. In some examples, the orifice 111 may be designed in a funnel shape flaring towards the channel 11, i.e. the walls of the orifice 111 are initially parallel and then gradually flare outwards. In some examples, the opening angle of the walls of the orifice 111 (i.e., the angle formed between the outwardly opening walls of the orifice 111 in longitudinal section) may be set at 70 ° to 120 °, preferably at 85 ° to 95 °. The funnel-shaped orifice 111 having a specific opening angle not only allows a smaller amount of powder to pass through during inhalation of the powder, thereby promoting impact or atomization of the powder, but also helps to form a certain flow resistance in the inhalation device, increasing dispersibility of the drug powder, thereby reducing drug powder residue and improving drug administration effect. The aperture 111 may be designed as an oval, a circle or a square, etc. In some examples, the oval aperture 111 may be set to a length of 2mm to 4mm, preferably 2.8mm to 3.2 mm. Alternatively or additionally, the width of the oval aperture 111 may be set to 0.1mm to 1.5mm, preferably 0.5mm to 0.7 mm. The elongated orifice 111 may allow a smaller amount of powder to pass through during inhalation of the powder, thereby promoting impaction or atomization of the powder, and may allow a certain flow resistance to be formed in the inhalation device during inhalation of the powder, increasing dispersibility of the drug powder, thereby reducing drug powder residue and improving drug delivery effect. Although only one aperture 111 is shown in fig. 2, it is to be understood that the channel 11 may also be provided with a plurality of apertures 111 at the second end 12, e.g. 2, 3, 4, etc.

In some examples, by designing one or more of the dimensions (length, width, opening angle, etc.) of the air inlet 23 and the orifice 111, the air flow rate inside the inhaler can reach 22-28 l/min at a suction pressure of 2KP (kilopascal), 34-40 l/min at a suction pressure of 4KP, and 42-48 l/min at a suction pressure of 6KP, so that users with different suction forces can better inhale the powder inside the inhaler, thereby increasing the stability of administration and promoting dispersion of the powder, thereby ensuring the effect of administration. Wherein the unit "liter per minute" characterizes the volume of airflow per minute that flows through the inhalation device. The suction pressure characterizes the amount of suction force a user takes when using the inhalation device.

In some embodiments, detachable dust protection structures may be provided at the nozzle opening 13 of the suction nozzle 1, the aperture 111 of the channel 11 and the through hole in the side wall of the suction nozzle 1, in order to prevent dust in the air from entering the interior of the suction nozzle 1 and contaminating the suction nozzle. The dust-proof structure may for example comprise a combination of one or more of a membrane, a cover, a plug, etc.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 1a and 2, in order to increase the sealing between the opening 21 of the receiving compartment 2 and the channel 11 of the suction nozzle 1, a second flange 121 extending away from the channel 11 may be provided at the second end 12 of the suction nozzle 1, and correspondingly a first flange 221 extending away from the opening 21 may be provided at the first end 22 of the receiving compartment 2. In some examples, the second flange 121 may be disposed around a periphery of the channel 11, or around a portion of the opening 21. Likewise, the first flange 221 may be disposed around a periphery of the opening 21, or disposed around a portion of the opening 21. In some examples, the cross-sectional shape of the first flange 221 and the second flange 121 may be designed as a square, a circle, an ellipse, or the like. In some examples, the cross-sectional shape of the first flange 221 may be designed to match the second flange 121, i.e., to be the same as the second flange 121. Alternatively, the first flange 221 may also be designed to have a different cross-sectional shape than the second flange 121. By providing flanges on the first end 22 and the second end 12, not only is it easier for the user to handle it, but it also increases the sealing between the opening 21 of the receiving compartment 2 and the channel 11 of the suction nozzle 1.

Figure 4a shows a front view of the inhalation device of figure 1 b; FIG. 4b shows a right side view of the inhalation device of FIG. 1 b; figure 4c shows a close up view of the pivotal guide feature of the inhalation device of figure 4 b. There is a dry powder inhaler with powder compartments in the prior art, which comprises an inhaler body and a plurality of powder compartments. Wherein the plurality of powder compartments are movable relative to the inhaler body, the plurality of powder compartments being offset relative to the inhalation passage of the inhaler body in an unused state, and the plurality of powder compartments being movable by a user such that the opening of one of the powder compartments is in aligned communication with the inhalation passage of the inhaler body in a use state for inhalation of powder within the powder compartments through the inhalation passage. Such a dry powder inhaler needs to align the opening of the powder compartment with the inhalation channel by manually pushing the powder compartment by a user, that is, it needs to confirm whether the powder compartment is aligned and communicated with the inhalation channel by the user's hand feeling, and thus the relative position of the powder compartment and the inhalation channel cannot be accurately ensured by the manual alignment. If the powder compartment is not aligned effectively with the inhalation channel, the flow resistance inside the dry powder inhaler during administration will be affected. The flow resistance characterizes the flow of air in the inhalation device and affects the dispersion of the powder, the amount of powder inhaled, and the amount of residual powder when the user inhales the powder, thereby affecting the stability, safety, and reliability of administration. Thus, as shown in fig. 4a to 4c, in order to promote alignment and closure between the opening 21 and the channel 11 to maintain a certain flow resistance inside the inhalation device, a catch 222 extending away from the opening 21 and perpendicular to the first flange 221 may be provided on the first flange 221, and when the receiving chamber 2 is in the second position, the catch 222 catches with the second flange 121, such that the first end 22 of the receiving chamber 2 abuts against the second end 12 of the suction nozzle 1. The height of the groove of the locking portion 222 may be matched with the thickness of the second flange 121, and is equal to or slightly less than the thickness of the second flange 121. Alternatively or additionally, as shown in fig. 4c, the groove height of the locking part 222 may be greater than the thickness of the second flange 121, and at this time, the inner side surface of the connection part of the locking part 222 and the first flange 221 may be set to be a slope so that the second flange 121 abuts against the slope when being clamped, thereby increasing the stability of clamping. The catch 222 may not only limit the radial displacement between the opening 21 and the channel 11, so as to maintain the alignment between the opening 21 and the channel 11, but may also increase the seal between the opening 21 of the containment compartment 2 and the channel 11 in the second position, so as to facilitate the inhalation of the powder and avoid the powder leaking during inhalation.

Although the snap 222 shown in fig. 1a and 4 is provided on the first flange 221, it is to be understood that the snap 222 may also be provided on the second flange 121. Alternatively or additionally, other locking structures, such as pin hole structures or the like, may also be provided between the first flange 221 and the second flange 121.

In some embodiments, a pivot guide feature 3 may be provided between the first flange 221 and the second flange 121 for guiding the pivoting of the first end 22 of the receiving compartment 2 towards the second end 12 of the suction nozzle 1. In some examples, the pivot guide feature 3 may be formed by providing a structure at the junction of the first flange 221 and the second flange 121. The pivot guide feature 3 may for example be a spindle structure arranged between the first flange 221 and the second flange 121. In some examples, the pivot guide feature 3 may also be formed by reducing the thickness at the junction of the first flange 221 and the second flange 121. As shown in fig. 5, in the vicinity of the pivot guide feature 3, the thicknesses of the first flange 221 and the second flange 121 are gradually reduced as the distance from the pivot guide feature 3 is reduced, so that the thickness at the junction of the first flange 221 and the second flange 121 is smaller. The pivot guide feature 3 of lesser thickness may cause the first end 22 to pivot toward the second end 12 under its guidance. In some examples, the pivot guide feature 3 may also be formed by providing material at the junction of the first flange 221 and the second flange 121. For example, it may be provided that the pivot guide feature 3 is made of a flexible material (e.g. rubber, plastic, etc.). In case the inhalation device comprises a plurality of receiving compartments 2, the pivotal guiding features 3 may be formed in one or more of the three ways described above. In some examples, the pivot guiding feature 3 may be provided integrally formed with at least one of the pod 2 and the nozzle 1.

According to the above-described embodiment of the present disclosure, when using the inhalation device 2000 or 3000, the user may first pivot the receiving compartment 2 towards the second end 12 of the suction nozzle 1, guided by the pivot guide feature 3. Then, when pivoted into position, the foil on the opening 21 of the containment compartment 2 and on the air inlet 23 is torn off. Then, the accommodation compartment 2 is continued to be pivoted so that the first end 22 thereof abuts against the second end 12 of the suction nozzle 1, and the catch 222 on the first flange 221 is snapped onto the second flange 121, thereby locking the accommodation compartment 2 and the suction nozzle 1 together. At this time, the opening 21 of the containing chamber 2 communicates with the passage 11 of the suction nozzle 1, and the user can apply suction through the nozzle opening 13 of the suction nozzle 1, so that the powder in the containing chamber 2 is sucked into the user's body through the passage 11.

The above description is only an example or embodiment of the present disclosure, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, and all modifications and equivalents made by the disclosure and the accompanying drawings, or directly/indirectly applied to other related technical fields, are included in the scope of the present disclosure. Various elements in the embodiments or examples may be omitted or may be replaced with equivalents thereof. Further, the steps may be performed in an order different from that described in the present disclosure. Further, various elements in the embodiments or examples may be combined in various ways. It is important that as technology evolves, many of the elements described herein may be replaced with equivalent elements that appear after the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An inhalation device comprising:

a mouthpiece comprising a channel for inhaling a powder; and

at least one containment compartment comprising an opening at a first end for communicating with the channel,

wherein the first end of the pod is pivotally connected to the second end of the nozzle and is configured to pivot between a first position in which the pod is positioned alongside the nozzle such that the opening is spaced apart from the channel and a second position in which the first end rests on the second end and the opening remains aligned with the channel.

2. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece is integrally formed with the containment vessel.

3. An inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein a first flange is provided on a first end of the pod extending away from the opening and a second flange is provided on a second end of the mouthpiece extending away from the passageway.

4. An inhalation device according to claim 3, wherein a catch extending away from the opening and perpendicular to the first flange is provided on the first flange and engages with the second flange when the containment compartment is in the second position such that the first end abuts against the second end.

5. The inhalation device of claim 3, wherein a pivot guide feature is provided between the first flange and the second flange for guiding the first end to pivot towards the second end.

6. The inhalation device of claim 5, wherein the thickness of the first flange and the second flange in the vicinity of the pivot guide feature gradually decreases with decreasing distance from the pivot guide feature.

7. The inhalation device of claim 5, wherein the pivot guide feature is made of a flexible material.

8. An inhalation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the end of the containment compartment opposite the first end is provided with an air inlet for introducing air into the interior of the containment compartment.

9. The inhalation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one of the opening and the air inlet is closed by a metal foil.

10. An inhalation device according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein a rib is provided on the first end around the opening, the rib abutting the second end when the containment compartment is in the second position.

11. The inhalation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the airflow rate in the inhalation device is between 22 and 28 litres/min at a inhalation pressure of 2 kilopascals, between 34 and 40 litres/min at a inhalation pressure of 4 kilopascals, and between 42 and 48 litres/min at a inhalation pressure of 6 kilopascals.