MXPA96004512A - Surti device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for spraying a liquid, comprising an electrohydronomic spraying site, means for supplying a liquid to the spraying site and means for electrically charging the spraying site to an electric potential sufficient to spray the liquid to be used. , said device being characterized in that the spraying site is provided with fibers projecting from an end surface or edge, the edge or surface being composed substantially of fibr

Description

SUPPLIER DEVICE The invention relates to a dispensing device for grinding a liquid and to the use of such a device, in particular, in medicine. Nasal sprays known orally produce aspersions of small droplets by mechanical means. Sprays thus produced with ± small droplets within an extensive scale of droplet drops that reduce the significance of the achievement of objectives and therefore the precision of the dosage. The non-uniform nature of the sprays can cause a lot of waste of medicament. Devices are known that produce aspersion finely divided of small drops of liquid by means of rosetic eLect (more properly designated as "elect rohidrodmarmcos"). It generates the sprinkling of small jotas on + ales devices by applying an electric field to a liquid at the end or the sprinkling edge. The potential of the electric field is high enough to provide crushing of the liquid from the end of the spray, the small drops produced are electrically charged and thus prevented from coagulating by mutual repulsion. Patent No. 1569707 of the United Kingdom describes a sprinkler electrode device primarily for use in crop spraying. An essential component of the spraying device GB 156-707 is an electrode i 'Field expander, placed adjacent to the end of the atomizer. It is stated that the field-metering electrode reduces the incidence of light discharge and allows lower electric field strengths for use during the generation of spray. US 4801086 discloses an electrohydrodynamic spray device that produces multiple spray flows. Patent No. 2018627B of the United Kingdom discloses-an electrohydrodynamic spray device in which the droplet spray of small droplets is completely or partially discharged by means of a grounded electrode having a sharp or pointed end and is located throughout of the flow of the spray end. The asperson device 6B 2018627B does not contain the amplifying electrode of GB -2.56970 i7. European Patent No. 0234842 discloses an inhaler using elect rohydrodynamic spray technology. During use, the spraying of small droplets charged before inhalation is discharged by means of a sharp discharge electrode having a charge opposite to the sprinkling of small droplets and which is located along the flow of the spray end. The small droplets are discharged in order to direct the deposition of small droplets to the lower respiratory system and to specifically avoid the deposition of small droplets in the mouth and the user's gain. It has been discovered that electrohydrodynamic spray technology can be used to send rnonodisperse sprays of small charged or partially charged liquid drops, especially drug sprays, to the upper respiratory system and speci? Cally to the nasal mucosa, in an efficient and effective manner. very controllable Accordingly, a device for supplying a crushed liquid or an upper respiratory device has been provided, which contains a spray electrohydraulic means and a means for supplying a liquid to the grinding medium. The trituration electrohydrodynamic medium can be a conventional trituration electrohydraulic medium, for example those described in the above-mentioned patent specifications. Conveniently, the typing medium contains a It is usually a surface or a buffer and a means to load electrically the liquid that in said site to a sufficient potential to provide crushing of the liquid, being a potential of the order generally (Je 1 -20 r-ilovolt A preferred titering site is provided by fibers protruding from a surface or an end-boundary, the edge or the substantial surface of fibers being composed. A preferred surface or edge is provided by a cone or a similar figure. The fibers are conveniently joined by a binding means to form a bundle but this is not essential, as long as the bundle substantially retains its shape and provides a convenient surface or edge to allow the liquid to grind. A suitable linking means is a polymer or a binding resin. Conveniently the rod shape is given to the bundle, preferably having a cone-shaped end that provides the crushing site. The fibers are generally aligned coaxially inside the bundle and in such a way that the liquid flows between the intersti tial spaces defined by the fibers of said trituration site. It is considered that the fibrous site can be used d <;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; Publications Nos. PCT GB93 / n244p and PCT / GB93 / 02634. Accordingly, in a broad aspect the invention provides a device for grinding a liquid, which contains an electrohydraulic crushing site, and a means for supplying a liquid to the site of ripening and a means for electrically charging the crushing site. at an electric potential sufficient to crush the liquid in use, u-acterizado in which the grinding site is provided by the fibers protruding from a surface or an end edge, the edge or surface being composed substantially of fibers. Suitable fibers are ceramic, glass or polymer fibers, such as polyester or nylon. Convenient fibers are of the types used in fiber-tipped pens, example of which is the product Hewlett Pac ard No. T17847T . The fibers in this case can be of any length or thickness as long as they can allow the grinding of the liquid. Conveniently, the fibrous crushing material is placed in a conductive or semiconductive medium. The preferred surface or edge is an elongated capillary tube or a notch defined by two parallel or concentric indium plates. The means for supplying a liquid formulation to the grinding medium can be any suitable mechanical or electrical means for supplying liquid, such as a pump with a syringe or an electrically driven pump as desoribed in EP 0029: 101. Preferably, the grinding medium is adapted to provide small liquid drops having a diameter of 10 microns or more, in order to further ensure that small drops do not enter the lower respiratory system. Particularly small drops within the range of 10 to 500 microns in diameter, especially those within the range of 10 to 200 microns, are particularly desirable. For a given liquid the diameter of the small charged droplets is conveniently controlled by adjusting the crushing voltage and the flow velocity of the liquid being applied, using routine experimental procedures. Liquids having viscosities within the range of 1 to 500 centipoise and resistivities on the scale of 102 to 108 ohnrn-rn can be crushed by the present device. The device of the invention can be adapted to any form of incorporation that supplies crushed liquid to the upper respiratory system, for both "bad" and non-medical use. Preferably, the device or nasal spray form. A suitable non-medicinal use includes the supply of a perfume or a fragrance. A suitable non-medicinal use includes the supply of a pesticide or an insecticide. Suitable liquids include liquid formulations of medicament or liquid cosmetic formulations, such as fragrance formulations or perfume formulations. A preferred liquid is a liquid formulation of medicament.

Suitable medications to be supplied by? devices include those used for the treatment of upper respiratory tract disorders, including disorders of the nasal mucosa, particularly congestion and disorders of the upper respiratory tract associated with hay fever. Medications convenient to be supplied by the device also include those used for the treatment of sore throat. Particular medications include nasal decongestants, such as oxymetazol, xylornetazoline, fini letp na, propylhexadrine, nefazolma, and tetrahydrozolma, and such approximate salts as the hydrochloride salt, and formulations thereof, adapted for use. administration to the upper respiratory system. As described by Arpba, electrohydrodynamic aspersion devices are known to produce multiple spray flows. However, it is not known that such devices are applied to the administration of liquid formulations. Fn compliance, a south electrohydrodynamic device for liquid fountains containing a mixing nozzle is provided, as described in USP4801086. In this way, inducing electric field turbulence, two or more liquid components can be mixed at the time of supply. This is an essential requirement for the ingredients that would react very prematurely if they were previously mixed. Reacting too soon before application, they may lose their desired properties or for example the mixture may increase its viscosity so that it can not be sprayed. Such instantaneous ease of mixing at the point and at the time of application of the mixture has not previously been possible. Advantageously, the device of the invention, especially in its nasal spray mode, also contains a means for partially electrically discharging liquid trituration so that the residual charge in the trituration facilitates the deposition of the trituration in the upper respiratory system -. the means for partially discharging the crushing is conveniently disclosed in United Kingdom Patent No. 201862 B. When used herein, the "medicament" includes patented medicines, pharmaceutical drugs and medicines. veterinari s. When used herein, unless specifically defined herein, the "upper respiratory system" includes the nasal mucosa. Liquid medicinal formulations can be prepared for use in the device according to conventional methods, such as those disclosed in US Pharmacopoeia, European Pharrnacopoeia, 2 < _ Edition, Martmdale The Fxtra Phar Macopoeia. 29th Edition, Pha maceut _ cal Press and Veten nary Pharmacopoeia.

Liquid formulations of emetics can be prepared for use in the device of the invention in accordance with conventional methods, such as those disclosed in Harry's Cos eticology, 9th Edition, 1982, George Good, London.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF THE DEVICES AND PROCEDURES OF THE INVENTION Fig. 1) Crushing Sites Figure 1 shows a thin-walled capillary tube (1), made of conductive-, semiconductor or electrically insulating matepal and electrically connects to a source of direct current at high voltage, either directly or through the liquid. A single jet (3) of a cusp (2) of liquid is produced, both naturally forming, according to 'r- \ voltage and flow velocity for a given liquid, figure 2 shows a conductive, semiconductor or insulating cylinder (1) u ^ may have a larger diameter than those shown in figure 1. This nozzle has an inner member (4) which is approximately coaxial with the outer tube (1). Figure 3 shows a notched nozzle, formed between two parallel plates (2) having conductive, semiconductor or insulating edges connected electrically to a high voltage direct current supply from which the liquid emerges, forming cusps and jets when the correct current supply and the flow velocity of the liquid are properly adjusted according to the type of liquids being sprayed. For a given magnitude of the jet (and therefore drop) and for a given liquid, this nozzle can make it possible to achieve a higher flow velocity than those in which a single cusp and jet are used. Figure 7 shows a crushing site or nozzle < a fiber tip (12) containing a porous tie of fibers bonded to resin having a pointed end (13). The bundle is held in an electrically conductive or semiconductive base (14) which also contains a recessed portion (15) forming a reservoir for the liquid. The liquid flows from the tank (15) to the base (16) of the fiber-tipped tether and then flows through the tether to the pointed end (13). The tether is connected to a high-voltage source, at a low of the conductor-to or semiconductor base (14) or it can be connected to ground through the base in the presence of a high-voltage adyecent source, in order to create- a high electric field at the pointed end (13). When voltage is applied to the liquid at the pointed end (13), it is converted to a hydrodynamic jet that subsequently disperses, thus providing a sprinkling of small charged droplets. (2) Flow Inductors. An example of such a device is the one illustrated in Figure 4 which shows an ion current flow inductor, in which a high voltage electrode (5) divides the pairs of charge carriers into the liquid, thus neutralizing those of opposite polarity at the electrode and leaving a large population of charge carriers of equal monoionized polarity flowing away from the high voltage electrode by the Coulomb force, thus moving the liquid in the direction of the opposite electrode (6) by viscous drag. This pump means requires that an elect (5) be able to effectively inject carrier-load of equal polarity in the liquid, next to the electrode (5). This can be effectively done by using a conductive or semiconducting surface with a sharp edge, maintained at a high enough potential to dissociate slightly the "Jores" of bound cargo or the "ln". Usually, it is only possible to establish a strong enough bond, when the liquid is of sufficient resistivity. Typically a resistivity of for example 10 (exp.8) ohm-meters will pump to several milliliters per minute, with a head of up to one meter, at a voltage of 10 to 20 l-'volts and a direct current of only a few nuclei peres. The more conductive liquids attract more current and establish a weaker electric field. In this way, highly conductive liquids, such as tap water, can not easily establish an operable drag pressure. (3) Reactive mixing of liquids Two or more liquids can be mixed after emerging from the nozzle, taking the turbulent movement to the maximum that can be induced within the cusp (2) that forms the base of each liquid jet (3). Figure 5 shows a nozzle constituted by three parallel plates that form two notched openings (7) through which two liquids, asb, are induced to flow and subsequently to mix in the cone-shaped liquid base (2) of each jet, in accordance with the parasitic coasts that can be induced as shown. This mixing can be maximized using a liquid formulation having the lowest possible viscosity for each liquid, the maximum potential at the nozzle, and an optimum flow rate and degree of asymmetry of the individual flow rates and the component liquids. An alternative to the arrangement of the mixing of Figure 5 is shown in cross section in Figure 6 in which two coaxial cylinders (8) and (9) form two flow channels (13) and (11). This arrangement has advantages and can induce a greater degree of mixing in some cases, for example, when there is a significant disparity in the flow velocities of liquids a and b.

Claims (12)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A device for supplying a crushed liquid to the upper respiratory system, which contains an electrohydrodi narric grinding medium and a means for supplying a liquid to the grinding medium.

2. A device according to claim 1, further characterized in that the grinding medium contains a crushing site and a means to electrically charge the liquid in said site at a sufficient potential to provide the crushing. of the liquid.

3. A device according to claim 2, further characterized in that the grinding site is provided by a thin capillary tube or a «Axis defined by two parallel plates or two concent n cylinders.

4. A device according to claim 2 or 3 in which the grinding site is provided by the end surface of a bundle of fibers, the fibers being aligned so that the liquid flows along the length " i of the fibers between the interstitial spaces defined by the fibers of said ext-ema surface.

5. A device according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fibers are fibers of. Polymer or polymer.

6. A device according to any of claims 1 to 4, adapted to provide small drops of liquid having an average diameter of 10 or more, in order to further ensure that small drops do not enter the lower respiratory system.

7. A device according to any of claims 1 to 6, adapted to provide small / otas of liquid having an average diameter within the range of 10 to 500u in diameter.

8. A device according to any of claims 7, in the form of spray-nas l .. 9.- A device according to any of claims 1 to 8, adapted to supply- a pesticide or a pesticide. neec? Inc . 10. A device according to any of claims 1 to 9, adapted to supply perfume or a fragrance. 11. A device for testing a liquid, containing an electrohydrodynamic crushing site, a means for supplying a liquid to the crushing site, and a medium for electrically charging the crushing site to an electric potential sufficient to crush. the liquid in use, characterized in that the grinding site is provided by fibers protruding from a surface or an extreme edge, by bonding the edge or the surface substantially of fibers. 12. A device according to claim 12, further characterized in that the fibers are ceramic fibers or a polymer such as polyester or nylon.