IT201800009586A1 - DISPOSABLE CAPSULE FOR THE GENERATION OF AN AEROSOL - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

of the Italian Patent for Industrial Invention entitled:

"DISPOSABLE CAPSULE FOR THE GENERATION OF AN AEROSOL"

Field of technique

The present invention relates to the generation of aerosols, especially in the execution of therapeutic treatments by inhalation.

Known technique

In the medical field it is known to administer some types of drugs by air through the generation of an aerosol, that is a mixture formed by a finely nebulized liquid drug dispersed in the air, which is inhaled by the patient.

This type of treatment is mainly used for the treatment of respiratory diseases, such as asthma, cough and inflammation involving the respiratory system.

The aerosol is commonly generated by means of a therapeutic device which includes an ampoule, which is provided with an inlet adapted to be connected to a compressed air generator, for example a compressor, and an outlet adapted to be connected to a dispenser. suitable to be worn by the patient, for example an oronasal mask.

The ampoule is typically made of two parts that can be mutually opened, for example screwed together, so that they can be filled with the liquid medicine to be nebulized.

Generally, the ampoule is only partially filled, so as to leave empty a predetermined volume of nebulization, which is in communication with the outlet and inside which an aerosol generator is housed, i.e. a device which is suitable for spray the liquid medicine into the compressed air stream from the compressor.

In some embodiments, this aerosol generator comprises a nozzle protruding inside the interrupter, which is provided with a first orifice connected to the compressed air inlet and at least one second orifice connected to the volume of the ampoule in which the liquid medicine is actually contained.

In this way, the jet of compressed air that enters the nebulization volume at high speed through the first nozzle creates a localized depression that sucks the liquid medicine from the second nozzle, mixing it with the compressed air and giving rise to the aerosol which is then inhaled. by the patient.

A drawback of this solution is that each aerosol administration generally requires the patient to open the ampoule, prepare the liquid medicine, pour a dose of liquid medicine into the ampoule and finally close the ampoule again.

After each administration, the ampoule must also be disassembled and often carefully cleaned of any residual liquid medicine, before being stored or reused.

These operations, in addition to being long, laborious and generally uncomfortable, can also have other contraindications.

A first contraindication is the possibility of running into administration errors, as the patient could accidentally overdose or underdose the liquid medicine inside the ampoule.

A second contraindication consists in the possibility of significantly increasing the waste of liquid medicine.

In fact, it is usual for liquid medications for aerosols to be sold in containers with a predetermined capacity, which almost never corresponds exactly to the quantity necessary to carry out the administrations envisaged by the patient's therapeutic treatment.

Therefore it often happens that, at the end of the therapeutic treatment, non-negligible quantities of the liquid medicine remain in containers that have already been opened and are therefore thrown into the garbage unused.

Presentation of the invention

An object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned drawbacks of the known art.

Another purpose is to achieve this goal in the context of a simple, rational and relatively low cost solution.

These and other purposes are achieved thanks to the characteristics of the invention reported in the independent claims. The dependent claims outline preferred or particularly advantageous aspects of the invention.

In particular, an embodiment of the present invention makes available a disposable capsule for the generation of an aerosol, in which said capsule comprises:

- an external envelope having at least one inlet for a compressed gas, for example compressed air, and an outlet for the aerosol,

- a volume of nebulization defined within the external envelope and communicating with said inlet and outlet,

- a containment volume defined within the external envelope and containing a liquid to be nebulized, for example a liquid medicine or in any case a liquid with a therapeutic effect,

- an aerosol generator contained within the nebulization volume and designed to nebulize the liquid to be nebulized with the compressed gas to generate the aerosol,

- a first openable film applied to the outer casing to seal the entrance, ed

- a second openable film applied to the outer casing to seal the exit.

Thanks to this solution, a ready-to-use capsule is advantageously provided which is already filled with the correct quantity of liquid to be nebulized, avoiding dosing errors and waste, and which can simply be thrown into the garbage after use, dispensing users from the having to carry out opening and washing operations.

According to one aspect of the invention, the atomization volume and the containment volume can both be defined within a single internal chamber of the external envelope.

In other words, the external envelope can comprise an internal chamber which is only partially filled with the liquid to be nebulized, so that the volume of the internal chamber actually occupied by the liquid to be atomized constitutes the aforementioned containment volume, while the remaining volume of the internal chamber constitutes the volume of nebulization.

Thanks to this solution, it is advantageously possible to simplify the construction of the capsule, consequently making it also more economical and rational.

For example, the external envelope can comprise a cup-shaped body and a lid designed to close an opening of the cup-shaped body to delimit the aforementioned internal chamber.

The inlet for the compressed gas can be obtained in the cup-shaped body, for example in correspondence with one of its bottom wall, while the outlet for the aerosol can be obtained in the lid, for example in an axially aligned position and opposite to the entrance.

The lid can be fixed to the cup-shaped body in an immovable way, for example by gluing or welding (e.g. heat sealing).

In this way, the capsule can never be opened by users, ensuring that it cannot be reused or tampered with, for example by altering in an unauthorized way the quantity and / or characteristics of the liquid to be nebulized contained therein.

According to another aspect of the invention, the outlet for the aerosol can be defined by a protruding tube that is irremovably fixed to the outer casing, for example to the lid.

Thanks to this solution, the capsule can be directly connected, possibly via a simple connection tube, with an aerosol dispenser, for example a dispenser that can be worn by the patient such as an oronasal mask.

Another aspect of the present invention provides that the outer casing, for example the cup body and / or the lid, can be made of plastic, preferably by means of an injection molding process. In this way, the capsules can be manufactured in large quantities and at relatively low cost.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the first openable film, ie the one adapted to seal the entrance for the compressed gas, can be a puncture film.

In other words, the first film can be opened by means of a sharp object capable of tearing and / or piercing it.

The second openable film, ie the one designed to seal the aerosol outlet, can instead be a removable film, for example peelable.

In this way, the second film can be manually removed by the user just before use, without the need to use any auxiliary device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol generator can comprise a nozzle having at least a first orifice for delivering the compressed gas coming from the inlet into the atomization volume and at least a second orifice for delivering the liquid to be atomized into the atomization volume. contained in the containment volume.

Thanks to this solution, the aerosol can be advantageously obtained thanks to the jet of compressed gas that enters the nebulization volume through the first orifice, which is able to create a localized depression (e.g. due to the Venturi effect) which allows sucking the liquid to be nebulized from the second orifice, dividing it into droplets and mixing said droplets with the compressed gas.

The aerosol generator can also comprise a deflector body, which is placed inside the nebulization volume in a position spaced from the first orifice and in alignment with the latter with respect to the direction of delivery of the compressed gas.

In this way, the droplets of liquid to be nebulized, carried by the jet of compressed gas, collide with the deflector and, thanks to this collision, can be divided into smaller droplets, improving the atomization and improving the physical properties of the aerosol.

The present invention also makes available a device for performing inhalation therapy, in which said device comprises:

- the capsule outlined above,

- a generator apparatus for generating a compressed gas, for example a compressor,

- a connecting element designed to connect an output of the generator apparatus to the capsule inlet, and

- an aerosol dispenser, for example wearable by a patient as an oronasal mask, connected to the capsule outlet.

Taking advantage of the disposable capsule described above, this device allows to perform inhalation therapies in a simpler, quicker and more comfortable way, while ensuring the correct dosage of the liquid to be nebulized and reducing waste.

According to one aspect of this device, the connecting element can comprise a casing equipped with a compressed gas inlet adapted to be connected to the outlet of the generator apparatus and a compressed gas outlet adapted to receive and be occluded by the capsule.

In this way, the coupling between the capsule and the device is very quick and simple.

Another aspect of the device provides that the connecting element may include means for opening the first opening film of the capsule following the insertion of the capsule into the outlet.

For example, the connecting element could include one or more sharp bodies which, following the insertion of the capsule into the outlet, are able to pierce and / or tear the first openable film.

In this way it is not necessary for the patient to remove the first openable film before use, this operation being carried out automatically during the insertion phase in the connecting element.

According to another aspect of the device, the connecting element may comprise a lid designed to close the outlet, which is provided with an opening designed to put the capsule outlet in communication with the outside.

Thanks to this solution, it is ensured that the capsule remains correctly coupled to the connecting element during device operation, while allowing the capsule outlet to be properly connected to the aerosol dispenser.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention will become evident from reading the following description provided by way of non-limiting example, with the aid of the figures illustrated in the attached tables.

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a disposable capsule according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 2 and 3 are two orthogonal projections of the capsule of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is the section IV-IV of Figure 3 shown on an enlarged scale.

Figure 5 is an exploded and sectional view of the unit formed by the capsule of Figure 4 with the relative connecting element, also called capsule holder.

Figure 6 shows the unit of Figure 5 in an assembled configuration.

Figure 7 schematically shows a device for carrying out an inhalation therapy according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description

A disposable capsule 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises an outer casing 105, which is preferably made of plastic material, for example by means of an injection molding or thermoforming process.

The external envelope 105 can comprise a cup-shaped body 110 equipped with a perimeter wall 115 of a substantially tubular shape and a bottom wall 120.

The perimeter wall 115 can be substantially cylindrical or possibly frusto-conical.

The bottom wall 120 can have a planar shape and can be arranged orthogonally to the axis A of the perimeter wall 115, so as to close an axial end.

If the perimeter wall 115 is frustoconical, the bottom wall 120 is preferably located in correspondence with the smaller base.

When the capsule 100 is in the operating position, the outer casing 105 is oriented so that the axis of the perimeter wall 115 is substantially vertically and that the bottom wall 120 is placed at the bottom.

The outer casing 105 also includes a lid 125 placed to close the mouth of the cup-shaped body 110, ie the axial end of the perimeter wall 115 opposite to the bottom wall 120.

The lid 125 can also have a planar shape and can be arranged orthogonally to the A axis of the perimeter wall 115.

While the perimeter wall 115 and the bottom wall 120 can be made in a single body, so as to define the cup-shaped body 110, the lid 125 can be realized as a separate object which is fixed to the cup-shaped body 110 at a later time. .

This fixing is preferably of the immovable type, that is, it is designed to ensure that the lid 125 can no longer be removed from the cup-shaped body 110, making the outer casing 105 impossible to open.

For example, the lid 125 can be fixed to the cup-shaped body 110 by gluing or welding (e.g. heat sealing).

However, it is not excluded that, in other embodiments, the perimeter wall 115 can be made in a single body with the cover 125 and that the bottom wall 120 can be made as a separate body which is fixed immovably to the other end of the wall. perimeter 115.

Nor is it excluded that the perimeter wall 115, the bottom wall 120 and the lid 125 can be made as three separate bodies which are irremovably fixed to each other at a later time.

Other construction methods are naturally possible for the external envelope 105, without departing from the inventive idea.

As shown in Figure 4, the outer casing 105 also comprises at least one inlet 130 and at least one outlet 135.

The inlet 130 is designed to allow the introduction of a compressed gas, typically compressed air, while the outlet 135 is designed to allow the release of an aerosol generated from said compressed air.

The entrance 130 can be defined by an opening made on the back wall 120, for example in the center and in a coaxial position with the perimeter wall 115.

The exit 135 can be defined by an opening made on the cover 125, for example coaxial and in alignment with the entrance 130 with respect to the direction of the axis A of the perimeter wall 115.

In particular, the outlet 135 can be delimited by a tubular sleeve 140, which is irremovably fixed to the outer casing 105, for example made in a single body with the lid 125, so as to protrude axially outwards.

This tubular sleeve 140 can have a cylindrical shape and can be arranged coaxial with the perimeter wall 115.

The external envelope 105 also includes an internal chamber 145, which is defined for example by the internal cavity of the cup-shaped body 110 closed by the lid 125.

The internal chamber 145 is partially filled with a liquid to be nebulized N, typically with a medicament in the liquid state or in any case with a liquid having a therapeutic effect when inhaled in the form of an aerosol.

In particular, the liquid to be nebulized N is introduced into the internal chamber 145 during the manufacture of the capsule 100, for example before closing the lid 125.

In this way, both the type of liquid used (for example its composition) and the amount of liquid introduced can be established and precisely adjusted by the manufacturer of the capsule 100, without any intervention by the end user.

The portion of the inner chamber 145 which is actually filled with the liquid to be nebulized N defines a containment volume 150, while the portion of the inner chamber 145 which is not occupied by the liquid to be nebulized N defines a nebulization volume 155.

When the capsule 100 is in the operative position, the containment volume 150 occupies the lower part of the internal chamber 145, delimited between the perimeter wall 115 and the bottom wall 120, while the atomization volume 155 occupies the upper part of the internal chamber 145, delimited between the perimeter wall 115 and the lid 125.

In this way, the atomization volume 155 is in communication with the outlet 135 and, as will become clear in the following, also with the inlet 130, while the containment volume 150 is separated from both the inlet 130 and the outlet 135 , thus preventing the free escape of the liquid to be nebulized N.

The capsule 100 also includes an aerosol generator, globally indicated with 160, which is contained within the nebulization volume 155 and is able to create an aerosol formed by the liquid to be nebulized N and the compressed gas coming from the inlet 130.

In the illustrated embodiment, the aerosol generator 160 comprises a primary orifice 165, which is positioned inside the atomization volume 155 (when the capsule 100 is in the operative position) and is in communication with the inlet 130, in so as to allow a jet of compressed gas to enter the atomization volume 155.

The primary orifice 165 can be placed at the end of a nozzle 170, which comprises a central internal channel 172 adapted to put the primary orifice 165 in communication with the inlet 130, keeping the latter separate with respect to the containment volume 150 .

In this regard, the nozzle 170 can be irremovably fixed to the bottom wall 120 and can protrude into the internal chamber 145, crossing the containment volume 150 to bring the primary orifice 165 inside the nebulization volume 155.

In particular, the nozzle 170 can be made in a single body with the bottom wall 120 and can extend longitudinally with a parallel axis and preferably coinciding with the A axis of the perimeter wall 115.

The aerosol generator 160 further comprises at least one secondary orifice 175, which is also positioned inside the nebulization volume 155 (when the capsule 100 is in the operative position) but is in communication with the containment volume 150, in so as to allow the liquid to be nebulized N to enter the nebulization volume 155.

For example, the secondary orifice 175 can also be placed at the end of the nozzle 170, which can comprise an internal peripheral channel 180 adapted to put the secondary orifice 175 in communication with the containment volume 150, maintaining the latter separated from the entrance 130 and the central internal channel 172.

In particular, the peripheral internal channel 180 can lead into the containment volume 150 in a position proximal to the bottom wall 120 of the external container 105.

The secondary orifice 175 is placed near the primary orifice 165, so that the depression generated (for example by the Venturi effect) by the jet of compressed gas that comes out of the primary orifice 165 is able to suck the liquid to be nebulized N from the volume of containment 150 making it come out of the secondary orifice 175.

In this way, the liquid to be nebulized that comes out of the secondary orifice 175 enters the compressed gas flow, being divided into small droplets and mixing with the compressed gas to form the aerosol.

Preferably, the aerosol generator 160 can comprise a plurality of secondary orifices 175, which can be distributed around the primary orifice 165 and can be individually connected with the containment volume 150 through respective internal peripheral channels 180.

In the illustrated embodiment, the nozzle 170 is made as a monolithic body in which both the primary orifice 165, with its central internal channel 172, and each of the secondary orifices 175, with the relative internal peripheral channels 180 are obtained.

However, it is not excluded that, in other embodiments, the nozzle 170 may be formed by several separate parts and subsequently joined together.

For example, the nozzle 170 could be formed by a central tube, irremovably fixed to the bottom wall 120 (e.g. formed in a single body with it), in which the primary orifice 165 and the central internal channel 172 are formed, and by a perimeter cap, manufactured separately, which can be inserted and fixed on the central quill, so that between the external lateral surface of the central quill and the inner lateral surface of the cap the internal peripheral duct (s) remains defined i 180 and the corresponding secondary orifice (s) 175.

In this way, the realization of the nozzle 170, and consequently of the entire capsule 100, could be simpler and cheaper.

The aerosol generator 160 can further comprise a deflector body 185, which is placed inside the nebulization volume 155 in a position spaced from the primary orifice 165 and aligned with the latter with respect to the direction of exit of the jet of compressed gas, for example aligned with the primary orifice 165 along a parallel direction and preferably coinciding with the axis A of the perimeter wall 115.

In this way, the droplets of fluid to be nebulized N which are entrained by the jet of compressed gas collide against the deflector body 185, which has the effect of dividing them into smaller droplets and of creating a turbulence which allows a better diffusion of said droplets in the compressed gas mass to obtain a more homogeneous aerosol.

In the illustrated embodiment, the deflector body 185 is made in the form of a sort of grid that can be interposed between the primary orifice 165 and the outlet 135 of the external casing 105.

The deflector body 185 can be fixedly fixed to the lid 125 or alternatively to the cup-shaped body 110, for example made in a single body with one of them.

The capsule 100 also comprises a first film 190, which is fixed to the external envelope 105 in order to seal (or seal) the entrance 130.

For example, the first film 190 can be fixed on the external surface of the back wall 120 in order to cover the entrance 130.

The first film 190 can be a thin sheet of material impermeable to liquids and gases, for example a sheet of aluminum or a suitable plastic material, and can be fixed to the external casing 105 by welding (e.g. heat sealing), gluing or any other fastening system suitable for creating a seal between the first film 190 and the outer casing 105.

The first film 190 is fixed to the external envelope 105 during the manufacturing phase of the capsule 100, for example before filling the internal chamber 145 with the liquid to be nebulized N.

The first film 190 is of the openable type, in the sense that it can be partially or entirely eliminated or cut or torn, to open a passage that puts inlet 130 in communication with the environment outside the capsule 100.

In this particular case, it is preferable that the first film 190 can be punctured, i.e. that it can be easily punctured by means of a sharp or pointed object, without the need to exert particularly high forces, for example with an effort that can be exerted manually.

However, it is not excluded that, in other embodiments, the first film 190 may be removable, that is, it can be detached from the outer casing manually, for example by means of a peeling action.

Nor is it excluded that the first 190 film may be destroyed or dissolved by applying heat or special solvents.

In some embodiments, the first film 190 could even be made in a single body with the bottom wall 120. In other words, the bottom wall 120 could be completely closed and the first film 190 could be a portion of said wall of bottom 120 which can be opened, for example perforated, removed or otherwise destroyed.

The capsule 100 finally comprises a second film 195, which is fixed to the outer casing 105 in order to seal (or seal) the outlet 135.

For example, the second film 195 can be fixed on the external surface of the lid 125 or on the free edge of the tubular sleeve 140, so as to cover the outlet 135.

The second film 195 can also be a thin sheet of material impermeable to liquids and gases, for example a sheet of aluminum or a suitable plastic material, and can be fixed to the external casing 105 by welding (e.g. heat sealing), gluing or any other fastening system suitable for making a seal between the second film 195 and the outer casing 105.

The second film 195 is fixed to the outer casing 105 during the manufacturing phase of the capsule 100, for example after having filled the internal chamber 145 with the liquid to be nebulized N and / or before closing the lid 125 on the cup-shaped body 110.

The second film 195 is also of the openable type, in the sense that it can be partially or entirely eliminated or cut or torn, to open a passage which places the outlet 135 in communication with the environment outside the capsule 100. In this particular case, it is preferable that the second film 195 is removable, that is, that it can be completely detached from the outer casing 105 manually, for example by means of a peeling action.

In this regard, the second film 195 may comprise a protruding gripping tab (see Fig. 3), through which a user can grasp and peel off the second film 195.

However, it is not excluded that, in other embodiments, the second film 195 may be pierceable, i.e. that it may be easily pierced by means of a sharp or pointed object, without the need to exert particularly high forces, for example with an effort that can be exercised manually.

Nor is it excluded that the second film 195 may be destroyed or dissolved by applying heat or special solvents.

In some embodiments, the second film 195 could even be made in a single body with the lid 125. In other words, the lid 125 could be completely closed and the second film 195 could be a portion of said lid 125, for example the a portion which would be adapted to close the tubular sleeve 170, which can be opened, for example perforated, removed or otherwise destroyed.

The capsule 100 described above can be used inside a device 200 for carrying out an inhalation therapy, an example of which is shown in Figure 7.

The device 200 can comprise a generator apparatus 205 for generating a flow of compressed gas, typically of compressed air, a connecting element 210 to connect the generator apparatus 205 to the inlet 130 of the capsule 100, and an aerosol dispenser 215 adapted to be connected with output 135 of capsule 100.

The generator apparatus 205 may comprise a usual compressor suitable for compressing the gas and delivering it at high pressure through an outlet 220 of the compressor itself.

As shown in Figure 5, the connecting element 210 can generally comprise a casing 225 equipped with an inlet port 230 and an outlet outlet 235, in which the outlet outlet 235 can have a larger diameter than the outlet. input 230.

The inlet port 230 is adapted to be connected with the outlet outlet 220 of the generator apparatus 205, for example by means of a flexible or rigid conduit or pipe.

In this way, the compressed gas flow, which enters the connecting element 210 through the inlet port 230, is forced by the casing 225 to flow only towards the outlet outlet 235.

The outlet mouth 235 is adapted to be connected with the inlet 130 of the capsule 100.

More specifically, the outlet mouth 235 can be shaped so as to accommodate and be occluded by the capsule 100, giving the connecting element 210 the conformation of a capsule holder.

For example, the outlet 235 of the connecting element 210 can have a cylindrical or truncated cone shape substantially complementary to the perimeter wall 115 of the capsule 100.

The capsule 100 can be coaxially inserted into the outlet 235 with the inlet 130 facing inwards.

The outlet mouth 235 can be separated from the inlet mouth 230 by a separator partition 240, which can have a substantially planar shape that extends inside the casing 225 orthogonally to the axis of the outlet mouth 235.

In this way, the internal volume of the envelope 225 is divided by the separator septum 240 into a first volume 245 communicating with the inlet port 230 and a second volume 250 communicating with the outlet mouth 235 and able to contain the capsule 100.

The separator septum 240 comprises at least one central opening 255 adapted to put the first volume 245 in communication with the second volume 250, allowing the passage of the compressed gas.

The capsule 100 can be inserted in the second volume 250, so that the perimeter wall 115 is coaxial with the outlet 235 and that the bottom wall 120 faces the separator partition 240.

In this position, the inlet 130 of the capsule 100 can for example be aligned with the central opening 255 of the separator partition 240 along the direction of the axis A of the perimeter wall 115.

The axial distance between the separator septum 240 and the extremal edge of the outlet mouth 235 can be substantially equal to the axial distance between the bottom wall 120 of the capsule and the lid 125, so that, when the capsule 100 is inserted in the second volume 250, the bottom wall 120 is substantially resting on the separator partition 240 and the lid is substantially flush with the extremal edge of the outlet 235, from which the tubular sleeve 140 can protrude outwards (see Fig. 6).

The capsule 100 can be axially retained inside the second volume 250 by a lid 260, which is adapted to close the outlet 235 at the extremal edge.

The lid 260 can be provided with an opening 265 designed to put the outlet 135 of the capsule 100 in communication with the outside, for example to allow the tubular tube 140 to protrude outside the internal volume of the connecting element 210.

The lid 260 can be fixed to the outlet mouth 235 by means of a threaded, interlocking coupling or by any other removable connection system, in order to allow the insertion, removal and replacement of the capsule 100.

Between the lid 260 and the capsule 100 and / or between the capsule 100 and the internal surface of the outlet mouth 235 and / or between the capsule 100 and the separator septum 240, sealing means (not shown) may be present, suitable for ensure that the compressed gas coming from the inlet port 230 can flow only through the inlet 130 of the capsule 100.

In this regard, some embodiments may provide that the first film 190 of the capsule 100 is removed, perforated or otherwise opened, before the introduction of the capsule 100 in the connecting element 210.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated here, the connecting element 210 may however comprise an opening system capable of automatically opening the first film 190 following the insertion of the capsule 100 into the outlet mouth 235.

For example, this opening system can include at least one sharp body 270, which protrudes from the separator partition 240 towards the inside of the second volume 250.

In this way, the sharp body 270 is able to pierce the first film 190 of the capsule 100 when the capsule 100 is manually inserted into the connecting element 210 and / or when, following the closure of the lid 260, it is pushed against the septum. separator 240.

The sharp body 270 can generally be positioned near the central opening 255 of the separator partition 240 or, as illustrated in this example, it can be placed exactly in correspondence with said central opening 255 and be equipped with a through hole that puts it in communication. with the second volume 250.

After piercing the first film 190, the sharp body 270 can be inserted at least partially into the inlet 130 of the capsule 100, which can be sized for the purpose.

The second film 195 can be removed from the capsule 100 before inserting the capsule 100 in the connecting element 210 or, more preferably, after such insertion, for example after closing the lid 260.

In any case, the removal of the second film 195, and possibly also the insertion of the capsule 100 into the connecting element 210, are preferably carried out by keeping the capsule 100 in the operative position, so as to prevent the liquid to be nebulized N from escaping. accidentally from entrance 130 or exit 135.

Once the second film 195 has been removed, the outlet 135 of the capsule 100, for example the portion of the tubular sleeve 140 that protrudes from the lid 290 of the connecting element 210, can be connected to the aerosol dispenser 215 by means of a tube or duct flexible or rigid.

The aerosol dispenser 215 can be adapted to be worn by a patient, such as an oral mask, a nasal mask, an oronasal mask, a face mask or a helmet designed to wrap the patient's head.

Alternatively, the aerosol dispenser 215 could simply be a nozzle designed to be placed near the patient's face or possibly in the mouth.

In this way, by activating the generator apparatus 205 and keeping the capsule 100 in the operating position, a flow of compressed gas is generated which, passing through the connecting element 210, is forced to flow into the inlet 130 of the capsule 100 and to enter in the spray volume 155 through the primary orifice 165.

The localized depression generated by the jet of compressed gas sucks the liquid to be nebulized N from the containment volume 150, which mixes with the compressed gas forming the aerosol as described above.

This aerosol permeates and spreads in the nebulization volume 155 and tends to escape from the outlet 135 to reach the aerosol dispenser 215 where it is inhaled by the patient during the inhalation phase.

When the liquid to be nebulized N ends, the capsule 100 can be simply separated from the aerosol dispenser 215 and removed from the connecting element 210 to be subsequently disposed of as waste.

To perform a new treatment, simply take a new capsule 100, not yet used, and insert it into the connecting element 210, taking care to open the films 190 and 195 as described above.

Obviously, a technician in the field can make numerous changes of a technical application nature to everything described above, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention as claimed below.

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Claims (14)

CLAIMS 1. A single-use capsule (100) for the generation of an aerosol, comprising: - an external envelope (105) having at least one inlet (130) for a compressed gas and one outlet (135) for the aerosol, - a spray volume (155) defined inside the external envelope (105) and communicating with said inlet (130) and with said outlet (135), - a containment volume (150) defined inside the envelope external (105) and containing a liquid to be nebulized (N), - an aerosol generator (160) contained within the nebulization volume (155) and designed to nebulize the liquid to be nebulized (N) with the compressed gas to generate the aerosol, - a first openable film (190) applied to the outer casing (105) to seal the entrance (130), and - a second openable film (195) applied to the outer casing (105) to seal the outlet (135). 2. A capsule (100) according to claim 1, in which the atomization volume (155) and the containment volume (150) are both defined within a single internal chamber (145) of the external envelope (105). A capsule (100) according to claim 2, wherein the outer casing (105) comprises a cup-shaped body (110) and a lid (125) adapted to close an opening of the cup-shaped body (110) to delimit said inner chamber (145). 4. A capsule (100) according to claim 3, in which the inlet (130) is obtained in the cup body (110) and the outlet (135) is obtained in the lid (125). A capsule (100) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the lid (125) is irremovably fixed to the cup body (110). 6. A capsule (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the outlet (135) is defined by a protruding tube (140) irremovably fixed to the outer casing (105). 7. A capsule (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the outer casing (105) is made of plastic. A capsule (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first opening film (190) is a puncture film and the second opening film (195) is a removable film. A capsule (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aerosol generator (160) comprises a nozzle (170) having at least one first orifice (165) for delivering the compressed gas coming into the atomization volume (155) from the inlet (130) and at least a second orifice (175) to deliver the liquid to be atomized (N) contained in the containment volume (150) into the atomization volume (155). A capsule (100) according to claim 9, wherein the aerosol generator (160) comprises a deflector body (185), which is placed inside the atomization volume (155) in a position spaced from the first orifice ( 165) and in alignment with the latter with respect to the direction of delivery of the compressed gas. 11. A device (200) for performing inhalation therapy comprising: - a capsule (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, - a generator apparatus (205) for generating a compressed gas, - a connecting element (210) adapted to connect an outlet (220) of the generator apparatus (205) to the inlet (130) of the capsule (100), and - an aerosol dispenser (215) connected to the outlet ( 135) of the capsule (100). A device (200) according to claim 11, wherein the connecting element (210) comprises a casing (225) provided with a compressed gas inlet (230) adapted to be connected with the outlet (220 ) of the generator apparatus (205) and an outlet mouth (235) of the compressed gas able to receive and to be occluded by the capsule (100). A device (200) according to claim 12, wherein the connecting element (210) comprises means (270) adapted to open the first openable film (190) of the capsule (100) following the insertion of the capsule ( 100) in the outlet (235). A device (200) according to claim 13, wherein the connecting element (210) comprises a cover (260) adapted to close the outlet mouth (235), which is provided with an opening (265) adapted to put the outlet (135) of the capsule (100) in communication with the outside.