JPH02215475A - Drug inhalater for infantile asthma - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To make it possible for an infant to breathe through a valve and to take in medicines and draw his breath properly, by making an adapter fit for mounting it on the face of the child through covering his mouth and nose. CONSTITUTION: A pipe 16 for a valve 14 of a sucking device is made of plastic, and a flange 18 is arranged at its entry edge. The flange has an attaching tool 20 to hold securely a mouthpiece 12 with various sizes and shapes. A diaphragm 44 is arranged at an exit edge structure at the right hand edge of the valve 14, and the outside verge is set up between the flanges 22 and 42. The diaphragm is of a non-porous type and has a slit 45 transversing a horizontal rib at the center 36, and the air does not flow to the left hand side. A flute 72 is inserted into the upper opening of the main body 48 of the adapter 46. A hole 74 at the center is used as the exit valve when an infant draws a breath, from which a sound is produced to notify a protector that the infant is breathing.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to medical inhalers for children, such as pediatric asthma patients.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Asthmatic patients may have significant difficulty breathing during an asthma attack due to bronchial swelling and mucus secretion. Although there are some effective asthma tablets available, they are generally slow-acting.

There are intravenous drugs that work very quickly, but they must be injected by a professional, such as a doctor. For most patients, the quickest form of asthma relief is through an inhaler.

Inhaler medicaments are commercially available which are prepared by diluting epinephrine or another suitable asthma treatment with a suitable diluent and filling a canister or cartridge under some pressure. A mouthpiece is attached to the canister and cartridge.

The patient inserts the mouthpiece into their mouth, breaks the seal on the cartridge, and inhales the drug. This allows a predetermined amount of the drug to be administered to the patient through the mouthpiece.

However, some patients may not be able to perform this inhalation properly, and the mouthpiece may not cooperate well with the cartridge, resulting in the medication not becoming a mist, and therefore not being able to reach the bronchi in sufficient quantity to cause symptoms. It is possible that the breath relief effect may not be sufficiently effective. i.e., instead of a mist, drug droplets may enter the patient's mouth due to an inadequate inhalation device, resulting in a significantly larger amount of drug entering the patient's mouth in the form of droplets. It enters the stomach through the throat, so it does not have a quick effect on asthma.

Applicant's previously issued US Patent No. ≠μ70. ≠72
The specification describes a highly effective and low cost inhaler valve (
1nhalation valv@) is disclosed. It functions as an elongate or mouthpiece for bronchodilator administration and serves as an inhalation aid for asthma patients, ensuring that the drug droplets break up into a mist. This artificial valve is already widely available on the market.

The inhaler valve described in the aforementioned US patent was developed for use by patients who can hold the mouthpiece in their mouth and inhale and exhale through the mouthpiece. However, infants and young children have difficulty keeping the mouthpiece properly in their mouth; in fact, infants' mouths are too small to hold a regular mouthpiece in their mouth. Furthermore, under extreme conditions, parents may not be able to check whether the infant or toddler is inhaling and exhaling properly.

OBJECT AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide an inhaler valve with an adapter for children (including infants and toddlers). The adapter is suitable for facial wear over the child's mouth and nose, allowing the child to breathe through the valve and properly inhale and exhale medication through the valve.

Another object of the present invention is to make sounds during inhalation and exhalation so that parents can confirm proper inhalation of the drug when the child is inhaling the drug through the inhaler valve. It is an object of the present invention to provide a valve for a pediatric inhaler having a means for emitting a sound configured to.

The present invention is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 70, owned by the applicant. l
A mask having a valve of an inhaler similar to the valve of the inhaler described in Specification No. Al2, and furthermore, a shape of a mask to be worn on the face of a child (including infants and infants) to cover the nose and mouth. The inhaler further comprises an adapter which is a rubber or plastic molded body.

The adapter can be manufactured from a foamed plastic or rubber material by a molding operation, and the portion of the inhaler near the valve has a relatively large thickness in order to provide sufficient rigidity to the adapter. On the other hand, the outer part of the adapter is the part that is attached to the child's face, and the wall part is tapered and gradually becomes thinner, so the adapter has considerable flexibility.
Children who use it can wear it securely and comfortably.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention will be better understood from the following description and accompanying drawings.

U.S. Patent No. 1A70, owned by the applicant. As described in the specification of Hiroshi/No. 2, epinephrine diluted with a suitable diluent is prepared by filling a canister or cartridge (also known as a nebulizer) with other suitable asthma medicines under some pressure. Inhalers are well known. One end of the cartridge is connected to the receiving end of a right-angled mouthpiece, and the other end of the mouthpiece is placed in the asthma patient's mouth, and the cartridge is squeezed between the index finger and thumb under the mouthpiece. This pressure causes the valve stem of the cartridge to act, presses the reaction pace in the mouthpiece, and discharges a predetermined amount of medicine into the mouthpiece.

Although you might think that this type of inhaler expels the drug in the form of a mist, it actually often contains droplets. The patient inhales the mist, which enters the mouth,
It then enters the trachea and alleviates asthma symptoms. The patient will hold his breath for a short time, then slowly inhale through his nine lips, which will close. However, as mentioned above, some drugs are present in the form of simple droplets rather than a mist, and these droplets are generally simply swallowed and enter the stomach, thus not reaching the bronchi and failing to produce the desired effect. do not have.

As disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. Applicants have previously discovered that it can be broken down into a mist, allowing the patient to fully enhance the inhalation effect.

Although the structure of the valve of the inhaler is described here somewhat briefly, the effect of combining it with a pediatric adapter or face mask according to the invention is as follows:
It will be fully understood from the following explanation.

First, FIG. 1 will be explained. The valve/≠ barrel of the inhaler shown in Figure 1 is preferably made by molding of a suitable plastic material. A flange/♂ is provided at the inlet end (left end in FIG. 1) of the cylindrical portion/B, which extends directly inward in the radial direction by a certain limited length. This flange carries a fitting (also known as an adapter) 20, which is generally a cone-shaped resilient body. The outlet end of a right angle mouthpiece saw is connected to the fitting 20. Because the fixture 20 is a resilient body with a frustoconical shape, it allows for secure gripping of mouthpiece saws having a variety of sizes and shapes.

A peripheral flange 2 extending outward at the other end of the cylinder part /l
There will be a A cylindrical 7-flange 2tI- extending in the axial direction is provided at the end of the flange 2O. A flange 2B that slightly extends inward is provided at the end of the cylindrical flange 21A. 7. The lunge is cut off in a plurality of arcuately spaced areas, allowing bayonet engagement of the teeth of the members described below.

A space A is provided inside the flange 22 at the outlet end of the cylindrical portion/6.
A lider 30 is provided. Although the snow arm 30 can be formed by integral molding with the sleeve 30, it is more convenient to make it as a separate plastic member. The fiber 30, in the form of a separate piece, can be secured within the tube/6 by known techniques such as adhesives or ultrasonic welding. spider 3
0 consists of an annular ring 32 and a plurality of radial ribs formed integrally with the annular ring 32, and these ribs are concentrated in the central portion 3B. For example, U.S. Patent No. 6 owned by the applicant.
≠7a≠ Although the specification of No. 72 discloses a Sufu4ida having male ribs, the number of ribs is not a critical condition. However, it is preferred to provide a pair of ribs extending horizontally in the diametrical direction of the snowboard 30, and to provide a configuration in which these ribs can be oriented in the particular manner shown in FIG.

The outlet end structure at the right end of the cylindrical valve/11t is generally the same as the structure of the cylindrical valve described in the aforementioned US Pat. No. 6≠7a≠72, but the details are different. Slightly longer cylindrical part≠
0 has a diameter that fits the inner edge of flange 2B,
Furthermore, Hiroshi Tube 0 has a flange that extends in the radial direction! Has IL Yu. The flange ridges are slightly extended and define the teeth. Therefore, the axial attachment assembly can penetrate inwardly beyond the flange 2B, i.e. by rotation from its original position during assembly, and the cylindrical part IAO
can be fixed at a proper location so that 7 runs≠2.

Adjacent to the right side of the spider 30, a diaphragm made of plastic resin or an elastic body is placed. The outer edge of the diaphragm Hirohiro is a flange 22 and a flange 412.
It is attached between. The diaphragm is non-porous but has a diaphragm extending horizontally across a radially extending horizontal rib connected to the central portion. Therefore, when air pressure is applied toward the left side from the outlet of the valve/IA, the diaphragm is pushed, but it is reliably blocked by the snow arm 30, and the air flow is substantially directed toward the left side. cannot flow.

On the other hand, when the inhaler is used, pressure is applied from the left side to the right side, and the diaphragm 4L flexes away from the spider 30 as shown by the broken line in Figure 1, and the slit L/L3 opens considerably. A large opening 4L is created through which airflow (and drug flow) can pass.

The pediatric inhaler valve of the present invention is completed by attaching a face mask-shaped adapter (i.e., fitting) 4. The adapter t1 can be manufactured from a resilient foam material, such as closed-cell foam rubber or closed-cell foam plastic, by a molding operation. 7/
fllAot is generally the medial part of the intracranial pyramid with a shallow angle! Has an A male. The cylindrical inner surface of the inner end of the inner part 4J'! 0 is configured to snugly engage the outer surface of the cylindrical portion lA0. The thickness of the wall at the inner end of the inner conical part lAr is relatively large, and as it goes outward, it becomes thinner and becomes a relatively thin part jlA near the outer periphery. Outer periphery! At B, adapter ≠ O has a flange jg that protrudes outward at a relatively wide angle like a morning glory, and this flange j♂ extends from the outermost periphery of adapter 4L O to 0. The thickness of the flange, fl, is the same as that of the peripheral edge portion 5 having the form of a shank or bent portion.
It is the largest in location Otsu 2 in the vicinity of Otsu. From there, the outer part becomes teno-shaped, and the area near the peripheral edge of the flange is relatively thin. As seen in FIG. 2, the shape of the peripheral edge 10 of the flange is a knee or outer peripheral edge! It is circular like the case of B. However, this is not a perfect circle. Because the peripheral part O θ
This is because it does not lie on a flat surface but has a shape as shown in FIG. - Layer Specifically speaking, the first layer
As shown in the figure, the periphery of Francita♂ extends further to the right to a point slightly above the center line, as indicated by number 6B, and from there it extends to the left. , a depression, and reaches the top 6g on the vertical median plane. This is also shaped like a tenon 9 from the lower side of the outermost part 6 to the left, and reaches the recess 70 . Recess 70
The degree of dent is 6! The corresponding degree to r is larger.

Therefore, the peripheral edge 00 of the adapter 60 fits well over the chin area from the area above the nose of the face and generally along the chin area, the recess 70g of the adapter substantially engages the bridge of the nose, and the recess 70
engages the jaw.

Adapter≠6 is completed by attaching the whistle.

The whistle 72 is inserted into an opening formed along a vertical mesoan plane in the upper part of the main body parts l/L, r of the adapter. This whistle is a type of whistle that is often used in children's school toys. The whistle will sound when air passes through it. It is also possible to provide the whistle with a one-way valve mechanism to prevent unwanted air from passing through when using the inhaler. However, this is not a critical condition. This is because the whistle only serves as a passageway for a small amount of air and does not impair the function of the inhaler at all. The flute has hole 7 in the center
≠, because the parent can definitely know that the child is breathing by using an outlet valve when exhaling. A certain volume of sound can be produced by the whistle during inhalation, which is somewhat advantageous. However, this is not a necessary condition.

The pediatric inhaler valve includes a valve generally similar to the valve of the known inhaler described in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 11t70,4t/2; The above-mentioned foam adapter t7L is also included.

The outer part of the adapter is thin and conforms well to the contours of each individual's face, making it comfortable even for infants and without any discomfort or pressure. In fact, infants will not be surprised by an asthma attack and will likely enjoy the sound of the whistle during the inhalation maneuver.

This adapter can be transferred from one patient to another and
That is, it can be cleaned and reused or discarded.

Another specific example of the inhaler valve abstraction of the present invention is shown in FIGS. In these drawings, members previously described and similar members are designated by the same reference numerals with the suffix a added. In this specific example, the adapter has a sandwich or laminated structure, in which it has a base layer ♂O, and the body part of the adapter has a diameter of 7 m, which is a narrow tenon that wraps around the cylindrical flange≠O. It has the shape of a fixture, which opens outward in a morning glory shape at the location Ha and reaches the outer peripheral edge O. The base layer O has a substantially -like thickness and has a whistle 72h similar to the previously described whistle. Base layer ♂0 is made from a resilient foam material, preferably a plastic material. The base layer IO is thus preferably made of a foam with closed cells, as in the case of the adapter, in order to avoid moisture absorption.

As best shown in FIG. 5, a recessed portion, ie, an offset portion g2, extending toward the front is provided above the relatively wide, open and extending portion jr1 in the shape of a morning glory. Recess ♂
This is provided to most conveniently accommodate the infant's nose within the adapter.

Said base layer is made of a plastic material which is flexible and has relatively high stiffness.

A ring ♂≠ made of a soft foam is fixed to the inner surface, that is, the concave surface, of the portion j I m that opens outward in the shape of a morning glory, using a suitable means such as an adhesive. ring r
+ is a shape that matches the shape of the part j that extends outward in the shape of a morning glory. Ring ♂ Hong is also made from foamed plastic, but should be a fairly soft material so that it feels comfortable to wear on the infant's face.

The ring is made of foam with closed cells, preferably foamed plastic.

However, a ring? ≠ may be made of an elastic material, ie, an elastomer.

A relatively thin ring r is placed on the inner surface, that is, the concave surface of the ring
Fix the t. The ring rod is made of closed cell elastic foam or preferably plastic foam and has a leather-like surface. Preferably, such a leathery surface portion is also present in the base layer of the adapter 17t-6 and the adapter Hirotsu-a. The ring g6 is relatively thin and has a shape that matches the shape of the part jra that opens the ring outward in a morning glory shape,
In particular, it has a recess (in other words, 1 forward protrusion) formed along the aforementioned recess g2.Since the ring r≠ is soft, the ring can be adapted to fit the infant's face. The ring R6 should be made relatively thin, as it should be made to be soft. This is an important feature.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the maximum diameter of the adapter is about 3
inches to 3-//2 inches (7-gcIL).

Although some embodiments of the invention are described in detail herein, these are merely illustrative.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention may be implemented in a wide variety of ways, and these aspects form part of the invention insofar as they do not depart from the scope of the claims. It should be understood that

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of seven examples of a valve for a pediatric inhaler according to the present invention. 2 is a right side end view of the valve of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the valve of FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 1 is an axial cross-sectional view of a portion of the valve of FIG. 1, but according to another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 is a top view of a portion of the valve of FIG. /2...mouthpiece;/≠...inhaler valve;/l
. ... Cylinder part; /♂ ... Flange; 20 ... Mounting tool;
22...7 lange:, 21I-...flange; roller...7 lange; 30...su・armida; 32...annular ring; 36...center part; 4to...tube Part;≠Co...flange;4AII-...elastic diaphragm;
Hiroyo...Horizontal slit;IIL6...Adapter;I
I-Do...Internal area; jO...Cylindrical surface; Tayu...
Inner end; J″Hiroshi...relatively thin part; j″Otsu...outer edge; jDo...flange; OtsuO...edge; Otsuyu...
・The thickest part; Otsu≠... Relatively thin part; 6 Otsu... Edge of the flange; Otsu? ...Concave part;70...Concave part;72...Flute;ZaO...Base layer;? C...Concave part:
Za≠...Ring; ♂Otsu...Ring; fza...Concave.

Claims (8)

[Claims] (1) A main body having an inlet end for admitting a flow from upstream and an outlet end for discharging the flow downstream; a means for attaching a device for administering an inhalation drug provided at the inlet end; a one-way valve means for permitting flow from said inlet end to said outlet end but preventing flow from said outlet end to said inlet end; and a mask-type adapter adapted to the child's face; affixed to the outlet end, and the adapter has a substantially frustoconical first portion, the first portion having a flared sidewall and an open base and an open distal end; a portion is hermetically secured in association with the outlet end, the adapter further integrally having a substantially frustoconical second portion, the second portion being constructed of a flexible material; The second portion is disposed concentrically with the first portion, the second portion having a flared sidewall and an open base and an open distal end, the distal end of the second portion being concentric with the base of the first portion. The side wall of the second portion extends outward from the first portion in a flare-like manner, and the angle of the opening is equal to that of the first portion extending outward from the outlet end in a flare-like manner. the opening angle is greater than the opening angle, the base of the second portion has an outer annular edge defining the open base, and the inner surface of the sidewall of the second portion extends from the open end to the open end. a conical surface extending toward the base, which allows it to conform to the face of a child upon engagement with the child's face, at least in the vicinity of said outer edge, and which provides a signal to the first portion of said adapter. Medical inhaler for children, characterized in that means are provided, the signal means emitting a signal perceivable to the senses of a guardian when the child breathes. (2) Claim 1, wherein the signal means is provided on the side wall of the first part.
The inhaler described in. (3) The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the signal means comprises a whistle. (4) The inhaler according to claim 2, wherein the signal means comprises a whistle. (5) The first portion is comprised of a flexible material, the thickness of which is greatest at a location near the outlet end and tapers outwardly therefrom to increase flexibility. The inhaler described in. 6. The inhaler of claim 5, wherein the thickness of the second portion is greatest at a location proximate the first portion and tapers outwardly from there to become thinner. (7) the second portion has the shape of a continuous ring and further comprises a relatively soft ring on the inner surface thereof at a location near the outer edge thereof suitable for engagement with the child's face; An inhaler according to claim 1. (8) further comprising a face ring on the relatively soft ring, the face ring having a leather-like outer surface suitable for engagement with a child's face at a location on the relatively soft ring; The inhaler according to claim 7, which is an inhaler.