DE202015009408U1 - Spray can - Google Patents

Abstract

Aerosol can, comprising a spray container and a spray head, which container connection means for connecting to the spray container and at least two outlet channels, which are arranged so that emerging from outlet openings of the outlet channels spray jet at a location spaced from the outlet openings impact location centrally meet, said spray container with brine and a propellant is filled.

Description

The present invention relates to a spray can.

Spray cans, often referred to as spray cans, have been known for decades in a wide variety of application areas. They have a spray container in which there is a pressurized propellant and the liquid spray material to be sprayed, and a spray head movably mounted relative to the spray container with at least one outlet nozzle from which the spray material can escape when actuated by moving the spray head a valve becomes. Depending on the field of application, the person skilled in various technical embodiments of spray cans and their components are familiar.

The unit of aerosol, propellant and Sprühgut is commonly referred to as spray. In the medical and pharmaceutical field, sprays are used in particular for the treatment of respiratory diseases, for example, mild colds with upper respiratory tract disorders, but also asthmatic complaints and other lower respiratory diseases. In addition, active substances can also be administered by means of sprays which are not intended for local action in the airways but should only be taken up via the airways and then otherwise be effective in the patient's body, for example adrenaline for the treatment of shock states.

The applications of conventional spray cans are limited. In the medical field, one of the limitations is that for some applications the spray material can not be finely atomized using conventional spray cans, i. H. In particular, the production of particularly fine, respirable droplets is not sufficiently possible. Restrictions are based on the one hand that container pressures in spray containers for safety and cost reasons usually bar 15 bar, on the other hand, the fact that the outlet channels for Sprühgut in spray nozzles for manufacturing reasons are not arbitrarily fine to produce economic conditions.

Furthermore, medical sprays are generally suitable only for the administration of individual short sprays, a longer continuous spraying time are limited by the supply of spray material and propellant, especially as the dosability of conventional sprays is rather coarse, d. H. the reduction of the exiting stream of spray material in favor of a longer spraying time for the user is usually not feasible.

An alternative to medical sprays are technically more complex inhalers, which work with sources of energy other than compressed propellant, for example electromechanically or by means of ultrasonic atomization. Due to the technical complexity and the associated costs, the range of applications of such inhalers is also limited. In particular, they can not be plugged in just like a spray to be immediately available when needed, for example, during sports activities, while traveling, or in normal everyday life.

In addition to inhalers and conventional spray cans also atomizer pumps are known, which can reach very high pressures, sometimes over 200 bar by means of a high-tension spring system in Sprühgut. In combination with microstructured nozzle bodies, very fine, respirable droplets can be produced here, but only during short sprays of a maximum of about 1.5 seconds duration. Corresponding nozzle bodies are also expensive to manufacture. In this case, fine channels are etched out of a silicon nozzle body by means of lithographic processes. Such atomizer pumps and associated spray heads are for example off EP 1493492 A1 and EP 1386670 A2 known.

In view of the limitations of the use of conventional spray cans, inhalers and atomizer pumps, the object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method for obtaining small droplet diameters with the least possible expense, in particular for administering medicinal active substances into the respiratory tract of a patient.

According to one aspect of the present invention, this object is achieved by a spray can according to protection claim 1. A fine atomization is achieved here in particular in that sprayed material ejected under pressure impinges on sprayed material ejected under pressure. As a rule, it is sufficient and with regard to cost-effective production it is also preferable to provide two outlet channels. However, the spray head can advantageously also be provided with three or more outlet channels. Preferred embodiments are defined in claims 2-13.

Such an arrangement can advantageously be implemented, for example, by the distance between their inlet openings being larger than the distance between their outlet openings, in each case between two outlet channels. The distance is defined as the distance between the centroids of the surfaces, which are respectively spanned by the edges of the inlet openings and outlet openings.

Preferably, the outlet channels each have a central axis, which is at an angle between 30 and 120 degrees, more preferably between 45 and 90 degrees to the respective central axis of a respective other of the outlet channels. However, in order to achieve a maximum energy input that can be used for atomization upon impact of the spray jets, the angle can also exceed 120 degrees and can amount to up to 180 degrees (corresponding directly to spray jets facing one another).

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the outlet cross-sectional areas spanned by the edge of the respective outlet openings are inclined relative to each other, i. H. an orthogonal projecting on one exit cross-sectional area aims at an orthogonal projecting on the other exit cross-sectional area.

Preferably, the outlet channels each have a smallest diameter between 5 and 50 microns, more preferably between 5 and 15 microns.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the outlet channels each have a length of 50 to 200 .mu.m. The length is defined as a distance between the centroids of the surfaces defined by the edges of the inlet opening and outlet opening of an outlet channel.

The aspect ratio formed in each case as a quotient of the length of an outlet channel and the smallest diameter of the outlet channel is preferably between 3 and 30, particularly preferably between 10 and 25.

Preferably, the outlet channels are arranged in a common nozzle body, which may be formed as a separate component or integrally with the rest of the spray head. This allows for higher manufacturing accuracy.

Advantageously, the nozzle body made of a plastic, such as polyethylene, be made, which helps to keep the manufacturing costs low. However, other, such as metallic, materials can be used.

Also inexpensive, the nozzle body can be designed as an injection molded part.

The spray head preferably has a common feed channel for feeding spray material to inlet openings of the outlet channels. Depending on how wide or narrow the fanning out of the aerosol jet generated during the spraying process is desired, the outlet channels can advantageously open at their outlet openings into a further or narrower spray channel.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the spray head has adapter connection means for a patient airway adapter, wherein the spray head can be connected to the patient airway adapter without tools, for example by means of a plug or screw connection, so that sprayed material escaping from the outlet openings can enter the patient airway adapter. Such a patient airway adapter can be configured as a nose adapter that can be inserted into a patient nose, as a mouthpiece, or as a mask adapter covering a patient's mouth and / or a patient's nose.

Likewise advantageously, the spray head can be integrally formed or connected to a patient airway adapter, which in turn is designed as a nose adapter that can be inserted into a patient nose, as a mask adapter covering a patient's mouth and / or a patient's nose, or as an adapter that can be enclosed with a patient's mouth.

Advantageously, the patient airway adapter can be made of a suitable plastic such as PE or PP, for example as an injection molded part.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the spray head can be connected to an adapter sleeve for insertion of a spray container or formed integrally, wherein via the container connection means a tool-free closable and tool-releasable connection with the spray container can be produced. Thus, the spray head can be used with suitable disposable spray containers and used in a resource-saving manner.

Particularly preferably, the outlet channels are produced by means of laser processing. It is preferred to use pico or femto lasers, whereby a higher manufacturing accuracy can be achieved with less material heating and a smoother surface when using a femto laser. The laser is used in the direction of the desired channel course like a drill. The higher energy input in near-surface layers results in a conical channel shape. Depending on whether the processing takes place from the side of the later inlet opening or the side of the later outlet opening, the narrower side of the cone is at the outlet opening or inlet opening. It is also conceivable machining from both sides, which, however, requires a particularly high precision in the laser alignment.

Accordingly, a method of manufacturing a nozzle body for a spray head be carried out by means of laser machining nozzle body material is removed to produce an exit channel from the nozzle body.

In this case, as indicated above, a manufactured by injection molding nozzle body, preferably made of plastic, such as PE, presented for processing.

The at least two outlet channels can be generated in the same nozzle body, as this increases the possible production precision compared with the likewise possible production of a separate nozzle body (to be aligned with the respective other nozzle body in the later assembly) for each outlet channel.

The nozzle body can remain stationary during the production of both outlet channels, d. H. Different irradiation angles of the laser relative to the nozzle body can be realized by adjusting the laser optics or light source instead of a change in position of the workpiece.

A method of manufacturing a spray head of the type set forth above may be practiced by inserting at least one nozzle body as set forth above into a spray head gate. The Sprühkopfkulisse can advantageously be made in turn made of plastic. Alternatively, however, the nozzle body can also be integrally or integrally formed with other parts of the spray head or the entire spray head. This means, advantageously, the outlet channels can also be incorporated directly into the spray head or parts thereof, without the need for a separate nozzle body at all.

Preferably, the pressure in the spray container does not exceed 30 bar, preferably it does not exceed 15 bar, more preferably 10 bar.

Even in the range of container pressures of 3 to 10 bar, the spray can according to the invention still reaches a much finer droplet sizes than conventional spray cans with propellant.

When brine is used, the advantage according to the invention comes into play that a broad droplet size distribution can be achieved. Brine can thus advantageously be administered equally to the upper and lower airways. Especially brine is therefore also suitable for simultaneous administration to the upper and lower airways, since this is a largely side effect-free substance. If, in the case of a diagnosis or self-diagnosis preceding a patient, it is not clear in which area of the airway brining is required, droplets of different sizes can be used as a precautionary therapy for different areas of the airways.

Accordingly, a sputtering process can be carried out in which sprayed material is pressed out of a spray head by means of container pressure in the form of at least two spray jets which bounce on one another.

In particular when using a spray head or a spray can of the above type, the sputtering process according to the invention allows the production of spray droplets having a droplet size distribution in which the Sauter diameter is between 5 and 25 μm. Preferably, the Sauter diameter of the droplets is between 5 and 15 microns, which means a good pulmonary airway.

The volume flow of spray material is preferably between 0.1 and 0.9 ml per minute.

Droplet size distribution and volume flow can be determined by suitable choice of o. A. Parameters diameter or cross-sectional area of the outlet openings of the outlet channels, length of the outlet channels, angle of the outlet channels or their central axes to each other, angle of inclination of the outlet openings to each other and set container pressure as desired.

The invention will be explained in more detail below by way of example with reference to the accompanying schematic drawing. The drawings are not to scale; In particular, ratios of the individual dimensions to one another do not correspond, for reasons of clarity, in part to the dimensional ratios in actual technical implementations. There are described several preferred embodiments to which the invention is not limited. In principle, any variant of the invention described or indicated in the context of the present application may be particularly advantageous, depending on economic, technical and possibly medical conditions in the individual case. Unless otherwise stated, or as far as technically feasible, individual features of the described embodiments are interchangeable or can be combined with one another and with features known per se from the prior art.

It shows

1 3 shows the cross-sectional view of a spray can according to the invention with a spray head according to the invention, integrally formed with a nose adapter, and a spray container,

2 the nozzle body of the spray head 1 , also in cross-sectional representation,

3 the cross-sectional view of an inventive, with a mouthpiece integrally molded spray head with a nozzle body like that in 2 presented, and

4 a spray head according to the invention, again in cross-sectional view, with screwed on mouth / nose mask and a nozzle body as in 2 shown.

Corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawing figures.

The reusable spray head 1 in 1 is upside down 4 the outlet pipe 3 of the spray container 2 put on and deducted from this material-free, to replace the spray container 2 to enable. The spray container 2 is designed as a two-chamber container, in which a displaceable piston 5 at the bottom 12 of the spray container 2 existing compressed propellant from Sprühgut, for example brine, separates. Alternatively, the invention can also be used as a spray container with a single-chamber container 2 perform in which propellant and Sprühgut are mixed. Suitable blowing agents are the blowing agents known from conventional sprays. The container wall 6 of the spray container 2 is made of conventional container material such as aluminum or tinplate.

The valve of the spray container 2 similar to the valves of conventional spray cans and has a valve body 7 on, which about the consisting of a Elasten such as rubber or silicone rubber sealing ring 8th is sealed. The spring inserted in the valve body 9 pushes the closure capsule 10 against the sealing ring 8th , By squeezing the spray head 1 and and spray container 2 relative to each other pushes the downwardly tapered outlet tube 3 the capsule down, allowing spray material through valve body 7 and outlet pipe 3 in the feed channel 10 of the spray head 1 can occur. To facilitate handling and to avoid misaligned compression, the spray container 2 in one with the spray head 1 firmly connected adapter sleeve 11 guided.

The spray head scenery 13 consists of thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic, z. As polyethylene, polypropylene or polycarbonate, and is designed as a nose-hole insertable nose adapter. Used in the Sprühkopfkulisse 13 is the nozzle body 14 which is in 2 is shown enlarged.

By means of laser processing are in the cylindrical plastic or metal nozzle body 14 two exit channels 15a . 15b drilled. By the energy input from the side of the outlet openings 16a . 16b Her are the outlet channels 15a . 15b conical. The angle α between the center axes intersecting at point S. 17a . 17b the exit channels 15a . 15b is about 40 °. The surface of the nozzle body 14 on its outlet side is tapered so that the edges of the outlet openings 16a . 16b spanned outlet cross-sectional areas are inclined to each other. Preferably, the exit cross-sectional areas are orthogonal to the central axes 17a . 17b the exit channels 15a . 15b , The chamfer can be designed as two intersecting planes or as a conical depression. The aspect ratio between the length of the outlet channels 15a . 15b (along their central axes 17a . 17b ) and their smallest diameter at the inlet openings 18a . 18b is 4: 1.

The angle α, cross section and length of the spray channels 15a . 15b For example, one skilled in the art may vary to obtain a desired droplet size distribution in the aerosol ejected during spraying.

The spray heads 1 in 3 and 4 are similar in structure as in 1 but without the spray container 2 displayed. The adapter cover 11 is only partially shown.

In 3 is the Sprühkopfkulisse 13 of the spray head 1 as executed by the lips of a patient umschließbares mouthpiece. Near the end is the nozzle body 14 used.

In 4 has the spray head backdrop 13 a thread 20 on which various patient airway adapter 19 can be screwed. Broken down is designed as a mouth-nose mask patient airway adapter 19 , which may be made of a solid or preferably flexible plastic, such as a silicone rubber, to securely enclose a patient's nose and mouth. If the mask itself is flexible, it is recommended to use the counterpart to the thread 20 the Sprühkopfkulisse nevertheless made of a solid plastic, ie the patient airway adapter 19 from two different appropriate materials together.

In the illustrated variant is the thread 20 designed as an internal thread, so that the Sprühkopfkulisse 13 can serve as a mouthpiece when the patient airway adapter 19 not screwed on.

In order to obtain a wide-spread spray jet, it is advisable to use the spray channel 21 in which the outlet openings 16a . 16b the exit channels 15a . 15b lead, as short as possible auszführen. A longer spray channel 21 provides a less fanned spray, however, with a larger amount of spray material deposited on the wall of the spray channel.

Examples of achievable droplet sizes and volume flows: For an angle of 80 ° between the central axes of discharge channels with a smallest diameter of 10 microns at 200 micron channel length (corresponding to an aspect ratio of 20) were in brine with a salt content of 0.9 mass percent as Sprühgut droplets with achieved a Sauter diameter of about 8 microns, 10 microns and 15 microns at a spray tank pressure of 30 bar, 20 bar or 10 bar. The volume flow was about 0.007 ml / s, 0.006 ml / s or 0.004 ml / s. Calculated, the content of a spray container with a capacity of 100 ml so sufficient from just four to seven hours spraying time.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 1493492 A1 [0007]
• EP 1386670 A2 [0007]

Claims (13)

Aerosol can, comprising a spray container and a spray head, which container connection means for connecting to the spray container and at least two outlet channels, which are arranged so that emerging from outlet openings of the outlet channels spray jet at a location spaced from the outlet openings impact location centrally meet, said spray container with brine and a propellant is filled. Spray can according to claim 1, which is adapted to produce a volume flow of spray material between 0.1 and 0.9 ml per minute. Spray can according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure in the spray container does not exceed 30 bar, preferably 15 bar. Spray can according to one of the preceding claims, wherein between each two of the outlet channels of the distance whose inlet openings is greater than the distance whose outlet openings Aerosol according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet channels each have a central axis, which is at the respective central axis of a respective other of the outlet channels at an angle between 30 and 120 degrees, preferably between 45 and 90 degrees. Spray can according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spanned by the edge of the respective outlet openings outlet cross-sectional areas are inclined to each other. Aerosol according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet channels each have a smallest diameter between 5 and 50 microns. Aerosol according to claim 7, wherein the outlet channels each have a smallest diameter between 5 and 15 microns. Aerosol according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet channels each have a length of 50 to 200 microns. Spray can according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet channels each have an aspect ratio of 3 to 10 formed as a quotient of the length of the outlet channel and the smallest diameter of the outlet channel. Spray can according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet channels in a common nozzle body, preferably a nozzle body made of plastic, are arranged. Spray can according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet channels are produced by means of laser processing. A spray can according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spray head is integrally molded or connected to a patient airway adapter which is formed as a nasal adapter insertable into a patient nose, a mask adapter covering a patient's mouth and / or a patient nose, or a patient mouth-encloseable adapter.

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