LT3315B - An inhaling device - Google Patents

Abstract

The device, designed for active powder or liquid substance inhalation, consists of a cylindrical tank (10), in which the piston (12) is fitted in such a way that it moves between the upper and lower positions. On its upper part, the piston can be stopped by the help of a splaying fixing designed element (17) and, by the help of a spring (16), shifted to the lower position. When the designed fixing element loosens (18) and the piston, under the sway of a spring, shifts to the lower part, the active powder or liquid substance, in a dispersed condition, is sunk in this tank from the usual inhaler (22), connected to the tank (10). The patient (29), who can be a child or a grown-up suffering from reduced pulmonary potential can inhale the air and the active substance dispersed in it from the tank (10). You have to inhale through the blower (23) with fitted valves (26), (27), opening on one side. Between the blower component (23) and the tank (10), an additional chamber can be fitted. Then the patient, who can be a child, can inhale the air and the dispersed active substance only from this kind of additional chamber. The capacity of this additional chamber can be chosen according to the child's age in order to control the dose.

Description

The present invention relates to an inhaler for inhaling an active powder or liquid substance from a reservoir. The device comprises a chamber in which the active substance from the dispersion chamber can be aspirated in a dispersed form which enables the patient to inhale the dispersed active substance from the dispersion chamber.

Various types of inhalers or apparatus of the above type are known. The functioning of all these known devices is conditioned by the creation of airflow through the inhaler, which results from energetic patient inspiration. This flow of air forces the active substance from the reservoir to enter the air stream where it is dispersed. This means that the effectiveness of all these known devices largely depends on the patient's ability to generate a vigorous flow of inspiratory air. As a result, not only young children, but also adult patients with lung function impairment for one reason or another, cannot effectively use these inhalers or inhalers.

Inhalers based on the use of gaseous propellant or compressed gases such as freon are also known. However, the use of such gaseous propellants often results in adverse side effects for patients.

The present invention relates to an inhaler of the above type, whereby the active ingredient in powder or liquid form can be effectively dispersed in air or in gas. This is done in the dispersion chamber of this device, without the use of any special gaseous propellants, even when the patient's lung function is weak or impaired.

An inhaler according to the present invention is characterized in that the dispersion chamber has at least one wall part which can be varied. This allows this camera to become both minimum and maximum capacity respectively. Another characteristic feature is the displacement means by which the movable wall member can be guided to a position whereby the dispersion chamber becomes of maximum volume, which allows the active substance to be absorbed from the reservoir.

Moving wall piece or pieces can be moved in the direction of maximum volume setting. This transfer is effected by force or at a speed sufficient to create a suitable vacuum inside the dispersion chamber. As a result, air from the surrounding atmosphere begins to flow into the dispersion chamber. The airflow is strong enough to provide effective dispersion of the active material from the reservoir.

In the event of air dispersion of the active ingredient in the dispersion chamber, the patient can easily draw air and active ingredient from the dispersion chamber through a soother. In addition, the active ingredient is incorporated into the patient's lungs.

According to the present invention, the reservoir of the active ingredient and the necessary means for enabling this material to flow into the air stream which is sucked into the dispersion chamber by moving the movable wall to a position of maximum volume may comprise the details of the inhaler itself. Accordingly, the dispersion chamber of the inhaler according to the present invention may be arranged so as to be capable of being combined with another separate inhaler of this type. The functioning of this latter inhaler must be based on the patient's ability to inhale. An example of this is given in Swedish Patent No. 5,279,198. 453, 566 in description.

When the patient enters the lungs from the dispersion chamber with air and the active substance, provision should be made for the inhaled air to be replaced by an appropriate air from the ambient atmosphere into the dispersion chamber. For example, such replacement air may enter the dispersion chamber through said separate inhaler. Alternatively or additionally, the inhaler may be provided with a valve system that connects the dispersion chamber to the ambient atmosphere immediately before or after the chamber reaches its maximum volume. Such a system of valves may be operated manually or be provided with automatic opening means which operate when the dispersion chamber reaches its maximum volume or immediately before it occurs.

The dispersion chamber may consist of or consist of a compressible pear, shrinkable bellows, or similar suction means consisting of deformable wall elements which, when compressed or shrunken, may, under their specific elastic forces or special elastic straighteners, return to the expansion state. However, in the most expedient embodiment, the dispersion chamber comprises a cylinder having a piston capable of moving between its displaced forward and retracted positions.

The plunger may be coupled to a plunger rod that enables it to manually adjust its position between the forward and retracted positions, and then the air of the dispersed active substance in its position is drawn into the dispersion chamber. It is sometimes convenient to move the plunger in a retracted position by a force retracted to achieve a more even air intake into the dispersion chamber and a more even dispersion of the active ingredient in such air. It is desirable to maintain this force at a constant level, which must be chosen so as to obtain the optimum airflow rate. This means that the plunger can be spring-mounted in its forward position and the trigger-type locking means are adapted to be held in the lower part for releasing / releasing. In this case, the plunger can be lowered manually and operating against the force of the spring. The volume of the dispersion chamber is then minimized and the plunger can be locked in this position so that it can be released as required. With the locking means, the spring-actuated piston returns to its forward position quickly enough to maximize the volume of the dispersion chamber. This movement of the piston creates a vigorous flow of air towards the dispersion chamber. An active substance stream is pumped into this chamber.

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The cylinder wall must have at least one hole connecting the dispersion chamber with the surrounding atmosphere. The position for it is selected directly inside the piston while it is in its forward position. In combination with the piston, such openings may function as the valve system described above, since the dispersion chamber automatically communicates with the atmosphere through such openings immediately before the chamber reaches its maximum volume. As the piston passes through or exposes these openings, air may flow into the cylinder or dispersion chamber at the very last moment of movement of the piston. This is due to the vacuum formed in the dispersion chamber. Such an inflow of air into the dispersion chamber creates turbulence that promotes dispersion of the active substance in the air inside the chamber.

As mentioned above, the patient can now inhale the dispersed active substance from the dispersion chamber through a soother that can be permanently attached to or placed on the dispersion chamber when the active ingredient is included in the dispersion chamber. In order to prevent the active substance from blowing out of the dispersion chamber and destroying it when the patient exhales or blows, the latter may be connected to the dispersion chamber by opening a one-way valve. In this case, air can only flow from the dispersion chamber. Preferably, the muffler is connected to an exhalation duct having a one-way valve so that air can only flow from the muffler. The patient will now be free to inhale and exhale through a nap. the inhaled air will be able to escape from the dispersion chamber and the exhaled air will pass through the one-way valve in the exhalation duct.

The reservoir or magazine from which the active ingredient is dispensed may be adapted to dispense the active ingredient at standard dose levels suitable for adult patients. An example of this is the Swedish patent mentioned above. However, this standard dose will be too high for children. Therefore, according to the present invention, the dispersion chamber may comprise an inlet chamber adapted to be connected to the reservoir and to the main chamber. The inlet chamber may be connected to the main chamber via a connection duct, providing for its removal. The muff can be adapted to be connected to the inlet chamber via a connection channel in the event that the inlet chamber is separated from the main chamber. Accordingly, the inlet chamber may be connected via a one-way valve to the main chamber and air will then only flow from the outlet chamber into the main chamber. In this case, the plug may be permanently or detachably connected to the inlet chamber. When the active ingredient is dispersed in the air in the dispersion chamber, which in turn consists of an inlet and a main chamber, the inlet chamber can be separated from the main chamber and, if there is no soother in the inlet chamber, can be provided there. “The patient will now be able to inhale the air with the active ingredient dispersed therein from the intake but not from the main chamber. The volume of the inlet chamber may be selected such that the amount of active agent which is dispersed in the air in the inlet chamber is adapted to the individual patient, since it may be present in the child.

When designing the inlet chamber, the possibility of adjusting its volume can be envisaged. For example, the inlet chamber may consist of a barrel with a piston that can change position within the barrel, which can be locked in the desired position. This allows the volume of the inlet chamber to be adapted to the child's age. If the patient has a child and requires half the amount of active substance administered to an adult, the volume of the installation chamber may be adjusted to substantially equal the volume of the main chamber.

Correspondingly, a substantially constant, fixed volume inlet chamber is also available. In this case, the inhaler may have two or more inlet chambers of different volumes and / or shapes. You will then be able to select an inlet chamber that is appropriate for the individual patient.

Different intake options for using upper intake chambers or adjustable volume cameras are an alternative. This is to adjust the stroke of the piston between its and its lower position in the cylinder as this is determined by the volume of the main chamber. This means that when there is a need to reduce the amount of active substance in the Inlet chamber, the stroke of the piston is reduced.

The inlet chamber may be of any suitable shape. For example, the inlet chamber may be spherical, circular cylindrical or may have any other inner wall defining the rotation surface. In this case, if the inlet chamber has a cylindrical wall, it is preferable to connect the reservoir and the inlet chamber with a channel which is substantially peripheral to the cylindrical wall. It would then produce a vortex stream of air, promoting dispersion of the active ingredient.

As previously mentioned, the soother can be permanently attached to the Inlet Chamber, but it is desirable that the attached soother be removed. This would allow you to use the same nipple when working with different inlet chambers. When the Inlet chamber is separated from the main chamber, a portion of the connecting duct in the Inlet chamber can be inserted in another part of the Inlet chamber. Alternatively, said interconnecting channel portion may be provided with a 1-way opening valve preventing air intake 1 through the inlet chamber through this portion of the interconnecting channel.

The dumbbell, together with the whole unit, can form one unit, becoming an exhalation duct. It is equipped with 1 single-sided valve that allows the patient to inhale the air and the dispersed active ingredient in the inlet chamber during his Exhalation Exhalation or naturally breathing through a soother.

The spring which deflects the piston from its front to its lower position must be so strong that it will be difficult or even impossible to manually move the piston against the force of the spring without special measures. For example, the inhaler may further comprise a lever assembly for moving the plunger from its front to its lower position by overcoming the force of the spring.

The invention will now be further described with reference to the drawings, among which

FIG. 1 is a side and partially transverse sectional view of an inhaler according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 - The same as in fig. 1 immediately after use of the inhaler.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the inhaler shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, showing a mounted inlet chamber forming part of a dispersion chamber; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the inlet chamber with the jacket removed from the main chamber.

The inhaler shown in the drawings consists of a cylindrical receptacle or a cylindrical dispersion chamber 10 closed at its upper end by a cap 11. A piston 12 is arranged inside the cylindrical receptacle 10 (Figs. 1 and 2). This piston is connected to the piston rod 13 and can move between its upper position, FIG. 2 are marked with dashed lines and bottom positions, FIG. 1 and 2 are marked with solid lines. The piston rod 13 facing upwardly through the tubular member 14 formed in the cap 11 has a gripping member 15 which, as shown in the drawings, may be in the form of a ring. The helical spring 16 surrounding the piston rod 13 is coupled at its opposite ends to the upper surface of the piston 12 and to the upper end wall 17 of the tubular member 14. This spring deflects the piston 12, FIG. 1 towards its upper or lower position. The piston 12 may be releasably locked in its upper position by a structural locking-down-leaning member 18. 2 is marked with dotted lines. The illustration shows that the structural locking member 18 may be located in the upper portion of the tubular member 14 and be adapted to interact with the piston rod 13. For example, the structural locking member may be provided by a bracket that could change its position relative to the tubular member 14. with an edge or support formed on the piston rod.

The cap 11 has a pair of upwardly directed tubular members marked 19 and 20, respectively. 1 and 2, the tubular member 19 is adapted to accommodate a muffler 21 of a conventional inhaler 22, which may, for example, be of the type described in Swedish Patent No. 453, 566. The muffler assembly 23, consisting of a muffler or mask 24, is removably attached. to the tubular member 20. The muffler assembly 23 provides an inhalation passage through the tubular member 20, which connects the mask 24 to the inner space of the cylindrical container 10. Further, the bundle assembly 23 comprises an exhalation branch which defines an exhalation duct which in turn is separated from the inhalation duct. The exhalation duct has a one-way valve 26. An example of such a valve may be a hinged valve allowing air to flow through the inhalation duct from the container 10 towards the mask or dummy 24, but without allowing it to flow in the opposite direction. The exhalation duct also has a one-way valve 24. It allows air to escape from the exhalation duct but does not allow air to escape from the exterior duct.

When used in a conventional manner, the inhaler 22 is positioned between the patient's lips. The patient continues to breathe vigorously. At this time, the standard dose of powdered inhaler disperses in the air and is forced to flow through the inhaler 22. However, some patients, including children and adults with impaired lung function, are unable to breathe sufficiently and the inhaler 22 is not fully utilized. This problem can be solved by using Figs. 1 and 2. The inhaler can be used in the following order:

The piston 12 can be manually positioned in its upper position, FIG. 2 indicated by dotted lines. For this purpose, the clamping piece 15 must be used. At this point, the helical spring compresses. By means of a locking member, the piston 18 and its handle can be locked in this lower position. When the locking member 18 is released, the piston 12, actuated by the spring 16, moves rapidly towards its lower position, which in FIG. 1 and 2 are marked with solid lines. Because the removable cover 11 is tightly coupled to the upper edge of the container 10, and since the one-way valve 26 prevents the ambient air from being drawn through the bundle assembly 23, a sudden movement of the piston 12 inside the cylindrical container 10 creates a vacuum. This vacuum creates a powerful flow of air through the inhaler 22. Accordingly, the above standard EN 3315 B n

The inhaled dose is dispersed in the container 10 in the intake air. The cylindrical wall of the container 10 may have one or two holes in its lower part. It is desirable that all of these openings be equally spaced from the bottom of the container. As the piston 12 passes through these openings as it slides down, air can also flow through them. This results in increased turbulence inside the container 10, which improves the dispersion of the powdered inhalation agent in the air in the container. A mask can then be applied to the face of patient 29 (Fig. 2), which fits snugly around the nose and mouth. The patient can breathe deeply once or several times and air, together with the dispersed active ingredient from the container 10, is drawn into the lungs of the patient. into the lungs of the patient, which in Figs. 2 is shown by arrow 30. As the patient exhales, air flows through the one-way valve from the patient's lungs and enters the surrounding atmosphere through the exhalation branch. However, the one-way valve prevents the exhaled air from flowing into the container 10. The metering device in the inhaler 22 can now deliver a new portion of the inhalation material. Then use the inhaler as described above.

The standard adult inhalation dose is significantly higher than the pediatric dose. Of course, the dose of inhalation agent may be selected according to the age or height of the child. However, this would require the marketing of a range of different inhalers 22 adapted for different doses. This problem can be solved by using the inhaler according to the invention.

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FIG. 3 is a view of FIG. 1 and 2 illustrate an inhaler 22, only here being separated from the tubular member 31 by its cap or plug 31, the muffler assembly 23 is removed from the tubular member 20 and replaced by a tee 32 having one-sided 33 allowing air to flow through open arms and down. to 10. 10. On the opposite side, the air cannot pass. The mandrel assembly 23 is seated on one of the tee arms 34 and the auxiliary cylinder or inlet chamber 36 is seated on the other tee 35. The inner cylinder wall 36 is tightly seated against the outer face of the tee 35, which may have a sealing crown or rubber around its entire circumference. a ring or sleeve 37 made of plastic or other material may be slid onto the other end of the auxiliary cylinder. The opening 21 of the inhaler 22 is sealed in its opening.

FIG. The use of the inhaler shown in Figure 3 is similar to that described above. When the piston 12, acting on the helical spring 16, is lowered to its lower position, a vacuum inside the container 10 causes air to flow through the inhaler 22. A standard dose of inhalation material is then injected into the air stream. In this way, the air with the dispersed inhaler therein fills not only the inlet chamber or the auxiliary reservoir or the reservoir, or Now the patient, inhaled through the cap 24, the reservoir 36, but the main chamber 10 inhales the mixture in the auxiliary cylinder or inlet chamber 36. However, inhalation If necessary, the air in combination with the inhaled air material in the main chamber cannot be inhaled by the patient prior to the patient's inhalation of air from the auxiliary cylinder 36, and the tee and its sealed portions can be removed. The volume ratio of the volume of the auxiliary barrel or inlet chamber 36 to the volume of the main chamber may be selected so that the patient inhales the desired portion of the standard inhalation dose allowed by the inhaler 22. The auxiliary cylinder or inlet chamber 36 may be replaced by another auxiliary cylinder 38 having a volume greater or smaller than the auxiliary cylinder 36. The amount of active substance inhaled by the patient from the auxiliary cylinder or inlet chamber may therefore be adapted to the child's age and / or height.

It will be understood that various modifications of the inhaler shown in the drawings are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, the cylindrical container 10 may be replaced by a bellows or a compressible pear that allows a sufficient dose of inhalation material to be drawn from the inhaler 22. It should also be noted that the inhaler 22 may be of any type adapted to function by drawing air through the patient. Although the inhaler according to the present invention has been described as a powder inhalation device, it should be obvious that it can also be used with liquid inhalers or devices.

DEFINITION OF INVENTION

Claims (17)

DEFINITION OF INVENTION An inhaler for delivering an active powder and reservoir (22) into which an active substance and a liquid chamber comprising a chamber (10,36,38) for inhaling the substance are retrieved by dispersion in a cap (24) which allows the patient (29) to: inhaling the dispersed active substance from the dispersion chamber (10,36,38), characterized in that the dispersion chamber (10,36,38) has at least one wall (12) which can be repositioned between the positions in which the chamber (10,36) 38) becomes a minimum and a maximum volume, and means (16) for moving the wall (12) to a position where the dispersion chamber reaches its maximum volume, allowing the active substance to be drawn from the reservoir (22) into the dispersion chamber. Inhaler according to claim 1, characterized in that the dispersion chamber is adapted to be connected to a conventional (22). skirian (10,36,38) is an inhaler 3. An inhaler according to claim 2 or 2, characterized in that it has a valve system (12,28) immediately before or at the maximum volume of the dispersion chamber (10,36,38) connecting said chamber to the surrounding atmosphere. 4. An inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that its dispersion chamber (10,36,38) has a cylinder (10) with a plunger (12) capable of moving between its upper and lower positions. 5. An inhaler according to claim 4, characterized in that the piston (12) reaches its upper position by the action of a spring and the structural locking member can hold the piston in its lower position and release it. 6. An inhaler according to claims 3 to 5, characterized in that it has at least one orifice (28) connecting the dispersion chamber (10.36.38) with the ambient atmosphere located on the wall of the barrel (10) and located directly inside the piston (12), as he stood in his upper position. Ί. Inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the muffler (24) communicates with the dispersion chamber (10,36,38) via a one-way valve 26 which allows air to escape from the dispersion chamber only. 8. An inhaler according to claim 7, characterized in that the muffler contacts an exhalation duct (25) having a one-way valve allowing air to flow from the muffler only. 9. An inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the dispersion chamber (36.38) has an inlet chamber (36.38) capable of contacting the reservoir and a main chamber (10). 10. An inhaler according to claim 9, characterized by having an inlet chamber (36,38) communicating with the main chamber through a one-way valve allowing air to flow only from the inlet chamber to the main chamber. 11. An inhaler according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the inlet chamber (36,38) is connected to the main chamber so as to separate. that it is possible 12. The volume of any inhaler according to any one of the invention is adjustable. 9-11, wherein the inlet chambers The volume of the inhaler according to claim 36,38, which is substantially any of 9-11 in that it is constant. point, intake b e cameras 14. An inhaler according to claim 13, characterized by having at least two interchangeable inlet chambers (36,38) having different volumes and / or shapes. 15. An inhaler according to claim 4 and any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the step of the piston (12) in the cylinder (10) between the upper and lower positions is adjustable for defining the main chamber. 16. An inhaler according to any one of claims 9 to 15, characterized in that the inlet chamber has a cylindrical wall member and the reservoir is connected to the inlet chamber by a channel which is substantially peripheral to the cylindrical wall member. 17. An inhaler according to any one of claims 8 to 16, characterized in that the napkin forms a single unit with a unit (23) having an exhalation channel (25) with a one-way valve (27) therein. 18. An inhaler according to any one of claims 5 to 17, characterized in that it has a lever for lowering the piston from its upper to lower position.