JP2007056032A - Spraying apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a spraying apparatus suitable for spraying a solution obtained by dissolving γ-aminobutyric acid as a solute in a solvent into a space. <P>SOLUTION: The spraying apparatus 10 is used for spraying a solution obtained by dissolving γ-aminobutyric acid as a solute in a solvent into a space. The spraying apparatus 10 is provided with a solution tank 20 for storing a spraying agent, a spraying nozzle 31 connected to the inside of the solution tank 20 and receiving the spraying agent from the solution tank 20, a power source 16 to apply electric charge to the spraying nozzle 31 to spray the spraying agent from the spraying nozzle 31, and a controlling part 17 to perform the on/off switching control of the power source 16 and control the duty ratio defined as a ratio of the on-time of the power source 16 to the off-time of the power source 16 to control the spraying of the spraying agent from the spraying nozzle 31. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a spraying device used for spraying a solution in which γ-aminobutyric acid is dissolved as a solute in a solvent.

  Various pharmacological actions have been confirmed for γ-aminobutyric acid (hereinafter referred to as “GABA”). Its pharmacological action is, for example, blood pressure regulation action to normalize blood pressure, action to suppress increase of cholesterol and neutral fat in blood, action to activate kidney, liver and pancreas, and to suppress increase in blood sugar level Action, action to improve brain blood flow by improving blood flow to the brain, anti-obesity action, alcohol metabolism promoting action, deodorizing action such as body odor and halitosis, relieving emotional disorder and anxiety disorder, It has the effect of improving the aftereffects of stroke, the action of suppressing colon cancer, and the action of promoting growth hormone secretion. For this reason, GABA has attracted much attention as a supplement in recent years.

  Patent Document 1 discloses that by taking GABA orally, the appearance of brain alpha waves is directly increased and the appearance of beta waves is decreased.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a method for producing a GABA-containing food or drink in which a food material containing a protein or peptide containing glutamic acid as a constituent amino acid is inoculated with a microorganism capable of producing protease and a microorganism capable of producing glutamate decarboxylase. Is disclosed. And according to this, it describes that GABA containing food / beverage products with favorable taste and color tone can be obtained efficiently without adding glutamic acid as a food additive.

  However, when GABA is taken orally, there is a problem that it cannot reach the brain because it cannot pass through the cerebrovascular barrier, and is also metabolized when passing through the liver after being absorbed in the small intestine. Therefore, GABA analogs that do not have such a problem are used instead of GABA itself.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a GABA analog. And according to this, it is described that it is possible to treat insomnia in mammals.

Patent Documents 4 and 5 disclose that GABA analogs are administered orally or parenterally such as nasal administration. However, no specific means is described for nasal administration.
JP 2003-252755 A JP 2000-14356 A Special Table 2002-520277 JP 2001-131161 A JP 2001-342150 A

  An object of the present application is to provide a spraying device that is suitably used for spraying a solution in which γ-aminobutyric acid is dissolved as a solute in a solvent.

The present invention for achieving the above object is a spray device (10) used for spraying a solution in which γ-aminobutyric acid is dissolved as a solute in a solvent into a space,
A solution tank (20) for storing the propellant;
A spray nozzle (31) provided in communication with the solution tank (20) and supplied with a spray from the solution tank (20);
A power source (16) for applying a charge to the spray nozzle (31) so that the spray is sprayed from the spray nozzle (31);
By performing on / off switching control of the power source (16), and controlling a duty ratio that is a ratio between a time during which the power source (16) is turned on and a time during which the power source (16) is turned off. A control unit (17) for controlling spraying of the propellant from the spray nozzle (31);
It is characterized by providing.

  The present invention can be suitably used for spraying a solution in which γ-aminobutyric acid is dissolved as a solute in a solvent.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a space atmosphere modification method will be described in detail.

  The space atmosphere modification method of the present embodiment is such that a spray containing GABA is sprayed into the space with a spray device, and GABA is thereby ingested into the human body by nasal mucosal absorption or transpulmonary absorption. It is.

  This propellant is basically a solution in which GABA is dissolved as a solute in a solvent. In addition, the propellant is mixed with a conductivity adjusting agent, a solubilizing agent, a suspending agent, a tonicity agent, a buffering agent, a soothing agent, and the like, and if necessary, a preservative. Formulation additives such as antioxidants, coloring agents, sweetening agents, and fragrances are blended.

GABA is represented by the following formula. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter present in high concentration in the central nervous system of mammals, but can also be synthesized artificially. GABA, for example, regulates blood pressure to normalize, suppresses the increase of cholesterol and neutral fat in the blood, activates the action of kidney, liver and pancreas, suppresses the increase of blood glucose level Action, action to improve brain blood flow by improving blood flow to the brain, anti-obesity action, alcohol metabolism promoting action, deodorizing action such as body odor and halitosis, relieving emotional disorder and anxiety disorder, It has pharmacological effects such as an effect of improving aftereffects of stroke, an effect of suppressing colon cancer, and an effect of promoting growth hormone secretion.

H ₂ NCH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₂ COOH

Examples of the solvent include water (including water for injection, physiological saline and Ringer's solution), alcohol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, sesame oil, corn oil, olive oil, cottonseed oil, and the like.

  Examples of the conductivity adjusting agent include ethanol and isopropanol.

  Examples of solubilizers include polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, D-mannitol, trehalose, benzyl benzoate, ethanol, isopropanol, trisaminomethane, cholesterol, triethanolamine, sodium carbonate, sodium citrate, sodium salicylate, sodium acetate, and the like. It is.

  Suspending agents include, for example, stearyltriethanolamine, sodium lauryl sulfate, laurylaminopropionic acid, lecithin, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, surfactants (such as glyceryl monostearate), hydrophilic polymers (for example, Polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, etc.), polysorbates, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, and the like.

  Examples of isotonic agents are sodium chloride, glycerin, D-mannitol, D-sorbitol, glucose and the like.

  The buffering agent is, for example, a buffer solution such as phosphate, acetate, carbonate, citrate.

  The soothing agent is, for example, benzyl alcohol.

  Examples of the preservative include p-hydroxybenzoates, chlorobutanol, benzyl alcohol, phenethyl alcohol, dehydroacetic acid, sorbic acid, and the like.

  Examples of the antioxidant include sulfite and ascorbate.

  Examples of the colorant include food-soluble red tar dyes such as food red No. 2 or 3, food yellow No. 4 or 5, food blue No. 1 or No. 2, and aluminum of these water-soluble food tar dyes. Insoluble lake pigments such as salts, natural pigments such as β-carotene, chlorophyll, bengara and the like.

  Examples of the sweetener include saccharin sodium, dipotassium glycyrrhizin, aspartame, stevia and the like.

  The fragrance is, for example, a water-soluble essence for lemon, lavender, or cypress.

  The propellant preferably has a GABA concentration of 0.0097 to 3.88 mol / l, more preferably 0.0097 to 1.94 mol / l. When the concentration of GABA is in such a range, an appropriate amount of GABA can be taken into the body, and the viscosity and the liquid properties of the soluble spray are appropriate. In addition, the usage mode is such that the spray amount per unit time is increased and the propellant is replenished in a short cycle (for example, one day), and the spray amount per unit time is decreased to be a long cycle (for example, 2-3 months). ) Can be used for any type of usage in which the propellant is replenished. In particular, if the GABA concentration is 0.0097 to 1.94 mol / l, it is suitable for use forms in which the amount of spray per unit time is increased and the propellant is replenished in a short cycle. In addition, in the propellant in which GABA is dissolved in water as a solvent, a GABA concentration of 0.0097 to 3.88 mol / l corresponds to 0.1 to 40% by mass, and a GABA concentration of 0.0097 to 1.94 mol. / L corresponds to 0.1 to 20% by mass.

The propellant preferably has a conductivity of 50 to 1000 μs / cm, more preferably 100 to 300 μs / cm. If the electrical conductivity is in such a range, the spray state is stable and large particles are not generated, so that the particles do not adhere to the tip of the circular spray nozzle, which is one of the causes of clogging. In order to reduce the electrical conductivity, it is necessary to increase the addition ratio of petroleum. The upper limit is determined by the Fire Service Law, and the above range is more preferable to comply with this.

  This propellant preferably has a viscosity of 0.1 to 5.1 cP, more preferably 0.1 to 3.0 cP. When the viscosity is within such a range, troubles such as clogging of the spraying device are unlikely to occur. This figure shows that when spraying with a tubular spray nozzle of 0.4 to 0.6 mm, spraying is possible by increasing the applied voltage or increasing the conductivity even if the viscosity is high, but ozone is generated. It is not preferable that the ratio of the solution of ethanol or the like needs to be increased.

  The spray device is, for example, a nebulizer for inhaling a chemical solution that sprays the above-mentioned spray into the human body space, or a sprayer provided in an air conditioner that sprays the above-mentioned spray into the indoor space. The spraying method of the spraying device is, for example, an ultrasonic method, a piezo method, an electrostatic atomization method, or the like.

In the spraying of the propellant into the space by the above spraying device, the solution having a particle size of 10 μm or less can be easily absorbed and smoothly absorbed when the particle size of the solution is sufficiently small. Preferably, the thickness is 5 μm or less. In order to take an appropriate amount of GABA into the body, the concentration of GABA in the space is preferably 10 μg / m ^{3 to} 100 mg / m ³ by spraying. Note that the maximum intake amount of GABA into the body is about 1000 mg per day, and when spraying the spray into the indoor space, the spray may be sprayed in an amount of about 10 g per day in terms of GABA.

  According to the method for modifying the atmosphere of the space as described above, since the GABA solution is sprayed into the space, GABA is absorbed into the body without drinking a tablet because GABA is absorbed through the nasal mucosa and through the lung. be able to.

  In addition, GABA is absorbed by the nasal mucosa in the paranasal sinuses and enters not only blood vessels but also lymph, and since GABA entering lymph does not pass through the cerebrovascular barrier, GABA itself that is not an analog can be taken into the brain. it can.

  Furthermore, since GABA is absorbed through the nasal mucosa and through the lung and does not go through the portal vein, metabolism due to the first passage of the liver can be avoided.

  Further, when the GABA solution is sprayed into the indoor space during sleep, the GABA concentration in the blood can be maintained at a high level for a long time, thereby promoting growth hormone secretion.

  Next, the structure of the electrostatic spraying apparatus which sprays the spray containing this GABA is demonstrated.

  4-6 shows the electrostatic spraying apparatus (10) which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  The electrostatic spraying device (10) includes a spray cartridge (15), a power source (16), and a control unit (17).

  The spray cartridge (15) includes a solution tank (20), a nozzle unit (30), an electrode holder (40), and a ring electrode (35).

  The solution tank (20) includes a hollow tank body (21) having an air vent hole (25) formed in the top plate. Near the lower end of the front surface of the tank body (21), a pipe portion (23) protruding in the horizontal direction is provided. The pipe portion (23) communicates with the tank body (21) through a through hole (24) formed in the front wall of the tank body (21).

  The nozzle unit (30) includes a circular spray nozzle (31) having an inner diameter of, for example, 0.4 to 0.6 mm, and a cylindrical holder with a bottomed cap (32). The nozzle holder (32) is provided so as to cover the pipe portion (23). The spray nozzle (31) has a base end inserted into the center of the bottom of the nozzle holder (32), and thereby communicates with the tank body (21) through the pipe (23) and the through hole (24). The nozzle holder (32) is provided with a terminal portion (33) formed so as to extend laterally from the outer periphery. The nozzle holder (32) and the terminal portion (33) are configured by electrodes formed of a conductive resin, and the spray nozzle (31) is electrically connected thereto.

  The electrode holder (40) includes an inner cylinder part (41) and an outer cylinder part (42) which are provided concentrically at intervals and joined on the proximal end side. The electrode holder (40) is provided so that the inner cylinder portion (41) fits into the nozzle holder (32). The electrode holder (40) has a ring electrode formed in an annular shape with a terminal portion (36) composed of a tongue piece protruding laterally on the outer peripheral edge on the distal end side of the outer cylinder portion (42). It is fitted.

  The power source (16) is a DC high voltage power source. This power source (16) has its positive terminal connected to the spray nozzle (31) via the terminal part (33) of the nozzle holder (32), and its grounded negative terminal connected to the terminal part of the ring electrode (35) ( 36) are each electrically connected.

  The controller (17) is configured to perform on / off switching control of the power source (16).

  In addition, if the ambient temperature is low, the viscosity of the propellant stored in the tank body (21) may increase and the spray nozzle (31) may become clogged. Or a heating mechanism such as a surface heater may be attached.

  Next, the spraying operation of the spray agent of the electrostatic spraying device (10) will be described.

  In this electrostatic spraying device (10), the propellant containing GABA is stored in the tank body (21) of the solution tank (20). The propellant preferably has a GABA concentration of 0.0097 to 3.88 mol / l, more preferably 0.0097 to 1.94 mol / l, and a viscosity of preferably 0.1 to 5.1 cP, more preferably. Is 0.1 to 3.0 cP. The conductivity is preferably 50 to 1000 μs / cm, more preferably 100 to 300 μs / cm. The position of the liquid level (51) in the tank body (21) is higher than the tip of the spray nozzle (31), and between the liquid level (51) in the tank body (21) and the tip of the spray nozzle (31). Since there is a head difference, the spray in the tank body (21) is supplied to the tip of the spray nozzle (31).

  When the power source (16) is turned on, a potential difference of, for example, about 3 to 7 kV is applied between the spray nozzle (31) and the ring electrode (35), and an electric field is formed near the tip of the spray nozzle (31). Is done. In addition, the propellant in the spray nozzle (31) is polarized, and + (plus) charges are collected near the gas-liquid interface (52) at the tip of the spray nozzle (31). At the tip of the spray nozzle (31), as shown in FIG. 7A, the gas-liquid interface (52) is extended into a conical shape, and the conical gas-liquid interface (52) is formed. A part of the propellant is torn off from the top and supplied into the indoor space. The occupant inhales the propellant droplets with the air as they breathe. In order for the droplets contained in the inhalation to reach the alveoli of the occupant, the particle size of the droplets is preferably as small as 10 μm or less, and more preferably 5 μm or less.

When the power source (16) is turned off, the spray nozzle (31) and the ring electrode (35) are at the same potential, and at the gas-liquid interface (52) formed at the tip of the spray nozzle (31), FIG. ), The surface tension and the hydraulic pressure due to the head difference are balanced, so that the aqueous solution does not flow out from the tip of the spray nozzle (31). Specifically, even if a liquid pressure of, for example, 20 mmH ₂ O acts on the gas-liquid interface (52) at the tip of the spray nozzle (31), leakage of the aqueous solution (50) from the tip of the spray nozzle (31) is prevented. Is done.

  Next, operation control by the control unit (17) of the electrostatic spraying device (10) will be described.

  In this electrostatic spraying device (10), the control unit (17) has a ratio of the time during which the power source (16) is turned on (on time) and the time during which the power source (16) is turned off (off time). Control of spraying of the propellant is performed by controlling a certain duty ratio.

  Specifically, in this electrostatic spraying device (10), the duty ratio is set higher at the start of spraying than at the time of steady spraying, so that at the start of spraying per unit time rather than at the time of steady spraying. The spray amount is controlled to be high. Thereby, the concentration of GABA in the space can be increased in a short time from the start of spraying.

  Moreover, in this electrostatic spraying device (10), during steady spraying, the pressure applied to the propellant loaded by the spray nozzle (31) changes depending on the height of the liquid surface (51) in the solution tank (20). The duty ratio is set according to the height of the liquid level (51) (the higher the liquid level (51), the lower the duty ratio), and the control is performed so that the concentration of GABA in the space becomes constant. This makes it possible to stably and continuously take GABA into the body.

  Next, spraying agent stirring operation control by the control unit (17) will be described.

  At the tip of the spray nozzle (31), when the solvent scatters from the spray, selective electric field suction of the solvent, or the formation of a concentration gradient due to the difference in momentum between GABA and the solvent, the viscosity of the spray increases. This may cause clogging of the spray nozzle (31). In this electrostatic spraying device (10), the power source (16 for a predetermined time (for example, 5 to 20 seconds) at regular intervals (for example, every 1 to 10 minutes), both during spraying and stopping of the spray. ) Is repeatedly turned on and off (for example, a repetition frequency of 0.1 to 10.0 Hz), and is controlled so as to repeat formation and disappearance of an electric field. When the power source (16) is turned on and an electric field is formed, the propellant gradually swells from the tip of the spray nozzle (31), while when the power source (16) is turned off and the electric field disappears, the spray nozzle ( The propellant swollen from the tip of 31) is retracted into the spray nozzle (31). By repeating the formation and extinction of this electric field, the propellant repeats the behavior of exiting and retracting with respect to the spray nozzle (31), and is stirred by this movement. As a result, an increase in the concentration of the propellant at the tip of the spray nozzle (31) can be suppressed.

  Next, sleep driving mode operation control by the control unit (17) will be described.

  In this electrostatic spraying device (10), when the sleep operation mode is selected, the sleep detection sensor (not shown) connected to the control unit (17) detects human sleep, and a certain period of time from sleep detection. Control is performed so that spraying of the propellant is started after elapse of time (for example, after elapse of 1 hour). Since the GABA intake efficiency becomes the highest after a certain period of time from falling asleep, it is possible to effectively promote the secretion of growth hormone.

  In addition to this, an optimal spray amount may be set by inputting the sex and / or weight and / or age of the sleeper.

  A spray agent of 10% by weight aqueous solution of GABA is sprayed by an ultrasonic nebulizer, an ink jet type spray device and an electrostatic atomization type spray device, respectively, and the particle size distribution of the solution at that time is measured by QCM cascade impactor and DMA. It measured using (differential mobility analyzer). The measurement was carried out at a location 2 to 3 cm from the spray port.

  FIG. 1 shows an ultrasonic nebulizer, FIG. 2 shows an ink jet type spraying device, and FIG. 3 shows a relationship between the particle size of the solution and its ratio when sprayed by an electrostatic atomizing type spraying device. 1 and 2 show the measurement results by the QCM cascade impactor, and FIG. 3 shows the DMA measurement results.

  According to these figures, in the spraying by the ultrasonic nebulizer and the ink jet spraying apparatus, the particle size of the solution is almost 25 μm and relatively large, whereas in the spraying by the electrostatic spraying spraying apparatus, It can be seen that most of the particle size of the solution is 1 μm or less, which is smaller than those of other systems. For transpulmonary absorption, the particle size reaching the alveoli is 1-2 μm, and the optimum particle size is said to be 0.1 μm. Therefore, it is preferable to use an electrostatic atomizing spray device.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION This invention is useful about the spraying apparatus used in order to spray the solution which melt | dissolved (gamma) -aminobutyric acid as a solute in a solvent to space.

It is a graph which shows the relationship between the particle size of the solution by the spraying by an ultrasonic nebulizer, and its ratio. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the particle size of the solution by the spraying by an inkjet type spraying apparatus, and its ratio. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the particle size of the solution by the spraying by the spray device of an electrostatic atomization system, and its ratio. It is a schematic block diagram of an electrostatic spraying apparatus (10). It is a perspective view of a spray cartridge (15). It is sectional drawing which shows the principal part of a spray cartridge (15). (A) is sectional drawing which illustrates the front-end | tip of the spray nozzle (31) during spraying, (B) is sectional drawing which illustrates the front-end | tip of the spray nozzle (31) during the stop of spraying.

Explanation of symbols

10 (Electrostatic) spraying device
16 Power supply
17 Control unit
20 Solution tank
31 Spray nozzle
51 Liquid level

Claims (7)

A spray device (10) used for spraying a solution in which γ-aminobutyric acid is dissolved as a solute in a solvent into a space,
A solution tank (20) for storing the propellant;
A spray nozzle (31) provided in communication with the solution tank (20) and supplied with a spray from the solution tank (20);
A power source (16) for applying a charge to the spray nozzle (31) so that the spray is sprayed from the spray nozzle (31);
By performing on / off switching control of the power source (16), and controlling a duty ratio that is a ratio between a time during which the power source (16) is turned on and a time during which the power source (16) is turned off. A control unit (17) for controlling spraying of the propellant from the spray nozzle (31);
A spraying device comprising: A spraying device (10) according to claim 1,
The spray nozzle (31) has an inner diameter of 0.4 to 0.6 mm. A spraying device (10) according to claim 1,
The control unit (17) sets the duty ratio to be higher at the start of spraying than at the time of steady spraying, and the spray amount per unit time is higher at the start of spraying than at the time of steady spraying. A spraying device characterized by controlling spraying of a propellant from a nozzle (31). A spraying device (10) according to claim 1,
The controller (17) sets the duty ratio to be lower as the liquid level (51) of the propellant in the solution tank is higher, and the spray amount per unit time increases as the liquid level (51) decreases. A spraying device that controls spraying of the spray from the spray nozzle (31). A spraying device (10) according to claim 1,
The spraying device, wherein the control unit (17) is configured to repeat on and off of the power source (16) at a predetermined frequency for a predetermined time at regular intervals. The spraying device (10) according to claim 5,
The spraying apparatus, wherein the predetermined interval is 1 to 10 minutes, the predetermined time is 5 to 20 seconds, and the predetermined frequency is 0.1 to 10.0 Hz. The spraying device (10) according to claim 1,
Further comprising a sleep detection sensor connected to the control unit (17),
The control unit (17) is a spray characterized by starting the spraying of the spray from the spray nozzle (31) by turning on the power supply (16) after a lapse of a certain time from sleep detection by the sleep detection sensor apparatus.

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