Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M15/00—Inhalators
  • A61M15/0028—Inhalators using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M15/00—Inhalators
  • A61M15/0028—Inhalators using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up
  • A61M15/003—Inhalators using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up using capsules, e.g. to be perforated or broken-up
  • A61M15/0033—Details of the piercing or cutting means
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M2202/00—Special media to be introduced, removed or treated
  • A61M2202/04—Liquids
  • A61M2202/0468—Liquids non-physiological
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M2202/00—Special media to be introduced, removed or treated
  • A61M2202/06—Solids
  • A61M2202/064—Powder

Definitions

• the object of the invention is a process for inhaling a substance which is intended to act on the functions of the human body and which is dissolved in a liquid enclosed in a sealed envelope.
• the invention also relates to an inhaler for implementing this method.
• Aerosol bombs which contain a solution of the substance in question.
• the action of these bombs has the effect of atomizing the solution in which the active substance is in the molecular state.
• a similar known process is carried out using an apparatus.
• motor reil which also produces an atomization of an active substance solution, but under lower pressure, so that this substance reaches the pulmonary alveoli.
• the device in question is large and expensive, however. In addition, it can only be used at the patient's home. If the latter experiences a crisis during a displacement, he is completely destitute.
• This device essentially consists of a tube equipped with a mechanism intended to open a capsule containing the substance to be inhaled. This is incorporated in a powder, which the device diffuses and which can penetrate into the bronchi "by oral suction. This device however cannot atomize a solution. It thus presents disadvantages. First of all, several active substances cannot be incorporated into powders. In addition, the absorption of powders in the respiratory tract is less effective than that of the substances in solution. Finally, the aspiration of a powder can cause irritation. tion often accompanied by cough, with expectoration of the powder.
• the invention aims to create an inhalation process free of the aforementioned faults, which can be implemented using an inhaler which the patient can easily carry with him, use anywhere and that repeatedly.
• This process applies to active substance solutions which are contained both in oval envelopes and in those in the form of a vial, these two presentations being those currently encountered on the. market .
• the method according to the invention consists in passing the contents of such an envelope through a medium which is soaked in it by dividing it finely and in producing a current of air through this medium by simple oral aspiration, to extract a cloud of fine droplets charged with the active substance.
• This process has the advantage of making this substance penetrate in molecular form into the respiratory tract, even into the pulmonary alveoli, at the natural rhythm of the patient's inspirations. From there, it can, if necessary, pass into the blood by osmosis.
• the patient does not need to replace a device; it only needs to be supplied with capsules or vials, which are easily transportable and in which the active substance is protected.
• the opening of the envelope containing the active substance solution can be done by hand, in the case of vials, -or be carried out in accordance with claim 2, both for the vials and for the oval capsules .
• the method according to the invention is easily implemented using the inhaler defined by claim 3, which the patient can carry with him anywhere and use an unspecified number of times.
• the inhaler is limited to the organs defined by this claim, it is perfectly suitable for vial-shaped envelopes which the patient opens by hand and then pours into the inhaler enclosure, above the reservoir. . As soon as the solution has passed through it, the inhaler is ready for use. "
• the removable tank has the advantage of allowing the patient to replace it after a few uses, a break of a few days or when changing the active substance.
• the patient may replace only the medium contained in the reser ⁇ see instead of replacing the latter.
• Those defined by claim 8 facilitate the placement of the capsules as well as the replacement of the reservoir or of the medium which it contains.
• Those defined by claim 9 have the advantage of guiding the piston so as to ensure a smooth sliding while imprisoning it in the corresponding end part of the envelope of the inhaler, the other end part of the latter can be mouthed so as to pass the entire flow of inspiration from the patient through the inhaler while ensuring a natural flow of this flow.
• Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of the first form of execution.
• Fig. 2 is an elevational view of an envelope of a solution of an active substance, such as is found on the market and which is intended to be used with the inhaler according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.
• Fig. 3 is a side view of the envelope of FIG. 2.
• Fig. 4 is a section of the second embodiment, similar to that of FIG. 1.
• Fig. 5 is a section through the third embodiment, similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 4.
• Fig. 6 is an elevational view from the right of FIG. 5 of a member of this FIG. 5.
• Fig. 7 is a plan view of the member of FIG. 6.
• the inhaler according to the first embodiment has a tubular enclosure 1, which comprises two parts 2, 3, made preferably of rigid plastic material.
• a cylindrical recess 4 is arranged in the lower part of the part 2.
• the side wall 5 of the recess 4 is internally lined with a metal jacket 6, which has an internal thread.
• the jacket 6 is rigidly fixed to the part 2.
• the part 3 also has a recess 7 in its upper part and the side wall 8 of this recess 7 is also furnished with a metal jacket 9, rigidly fixed to the part 3.
• the shirt 9 projects beyond the latter and its projecting part is threaded so as to allow the attachment of the part 3 to the part 2 by screwing.
• Fig. 1 shows that in this position, the wall 5 partially fits around the wall 8.
• a metal ring 10 protects the end of the wall 5.
• the reservoir 11 is composed of one. socket 12 with flat bottom 13 and a cover 14, also flat.
• the cover 14 rests on the edge of the socket 12. -it has a lip 15, which fits into this socket 12.
• the bottom 13 and the cover 14 of the reservoir 11 are perforated by a set of perforations, respectively 16, 17
• the reservoir 11 contains a medium 18 capable of being soaked with liquid and of dividing it finely.
• This medium 18 can be cotton or synthetic wadding, glass wool or a cellulosic compound.
• the part of the part 3, located below the reservoir 11, constitutes a mouthpiece 19 of oval section, around which the lips of the patients can close completely.
• the inhaler of FIG. 1 has a central channel 20 which passes through the reservoir 11.
• FIGS. 2 and 3 are filled with a solution of active substance.
• the actual envelope of this solution has the form of a flask with a cylindrical body 22 and generally frustoconical neck 23, which is molded in - S - a flat frame 24, of the same material.
• a transverse groove 25 is formed through the frame 24. The thinning of the latter produced by the groove 25 makes it possible to detach the upper part 26 of the frame 24 by breaking, in the folding relative to the rest of the frame 24. This operation is easily carried out by hand. It has the effect of opening the vial (22, 23). The latter is then emptied by turning it over the orifice of the channel 20, in part 2 and possibly crushing it between the fingers.
• the second embodiment of the inhaler according to the invention (Fig. 4) is slightly more elaborate than the first. It is intended to be used with the same type of envelopes as the first form of execution.
• the components of this second embodiment, which correspond to those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference signs.
• This second embodiment differs from the first first of all by the fact that the inlet of the central channel 20 through the part 2 has a frustoconical part 27.
• this part 27 follows the joint central part 28 of the cover 14, which thus extends inside the reservoir 11.
• the inclination of the parts 27 and 28 corresponds to that of the neck 23 of the envelopes 21.
• a diametrical slot 29 is still made in part 2 and the cover 14. Its width and its length correspond respectively to the thickness and to the width of the frame 24 of the envelope 21. The latter can therefore be introduced into the inhaler so that the end of the neck 23 arrives at the inner end of the central part 28 of the cover 14.
• the central part 28 carries, finally, two sharp blades 30, which project from its internal wall 31.
• the blades 30 cut the neck 23 of the vial (22, 23). The solution it contains can thus escape from it. It then infiltrates into the medium 18 contained in the reservoir 11, passing through perforations 32 of the central part 28 of the cover 14.
• the flask (22, 23) is empty, the envelope 21 is withdrawn from the inhaler, which is ready for use in the same manner and under the same conditions as that of the first embodiment.
• the third embodiment of the inhaler according to the invention (Fig. 5 to 7) is specifically intended for use with oval envelopes forming capsules.
• This inhaler is housed in a box 33 in three parts 34, 35 f 36 arranged end to end and preferably made of rigid plastic.
• the central part 35 is internally lined with a metal sleeve 37, which is rigidly attached to it.
• the sleeve 37 has threaded parts 38, 39 which extend beyond the two ends of the part 35 of the enclosure 33.
• a tube 40 slides freely, but practically without play, in the sleeve 37. Between its ends, the tube 40 carries a transverse partition 41, which is perforated by a set of perforations 42.
• a diametrical slot 43 is still formed in partition 41.
• a prisoner 44 carried by the sleeve 37 and plunging into an axial groove 45 of the tube 40 keeps the latter inside the sleeve 37, and this, in a precise orientation, in particular as regards the angular position of the slot 43 around the axis of the inhaler.
• a first thrust spring 46 acts on the tube 40.
• the extreme part 34 of the enclosure 33 is internally lined with a jacket 47, one part of which has an internal thread 48 engaging the threaded part 38 of the sleeve 37.
• the jacket 47 is rigidly fixed to the part 34 of the enclosure 33.
• a piston 49 is mounted in this part 34. It slides li- snugly, but without play, in the tube 40 and it has a flange 50 sliding in the jacket 47. It is trapped axially in the part 34 of the enclosure 33 by a ring 51 fixed to the end of this part 34.
• a second thrust spring 52 bearing on the tube 40, normally maintains the flange 50 of the piston 49 in abutment against the rod 51.
• the piston 49 also has an axial bore 53 and a groove 54, in which is housed a lining seal 55.
• the other extreme part 36 of the enclosure 33 forms a mouth of oval section at its end. It has a cylindrical housing 56, the side wall 57 of which is lined with a metal jacket 58, rigidly fixed to this part 36.
• the jacket 58 like the jacket 47, also has an internal thread 59, which engages on the part 39 of the sleeve 37.
• a cylindrical tank 60 is placed freely in the housing 56.
• the réser ⁇ voir 60 is also composed of a cap 61 with a flat bottom 62, perforated by perforations 63 and a flat cover 64, also perforated by perforations 65.
• the cover 64 is fitted therein by engaging a notch 64a, formed at the periphery of the cover 64, on a slot 67a extending above the edge of the p " aroi la ⁇ téral 67 of the cap 61. In this way, the cover 64 occupies a well-defined angular position with respect to the cap 61. Perfo ⁇ rations 66 are also formed in the side wall 67 of the cap 61.
• the reservoir 60 is filled with the same medium 18 as the reservoirs 11 of the first two embodiments.
• a prisoner 68 carried by the sleeve 37 and plunging into a notch 69 of a flange 61a of the cap 61 of the tank 60, orients this cap and therefore the cover 64 precisely with respect to the sleeve 37, therefore also with respect to to the tube 40 and to the slot 43 of the partition 41.
• Fig. 5 shows that the part 40a of the tube 40 slides not only in the sleeve 37, but also around the reservoir 60, the spring 46 being housed between these last two components and bearing on the flange 61a of the cap 61.
• This same Figure also shows that the prisoner 44, thanks to the length of the groove 45, allows the tube 40 to. slide against the action of the spring 46 until the partition 41 rests on the cover 64 of the tank 60, the turns of the spring 46 being then tackled on top of each other.
• the inhaler according to this third embodiment comprises, at the end, a sharp blade 70 (see also Fig. 6 and 7).
• the end of the blade 70 is cut in a triangle and bevelled so as to form two sharp and sharp edges 71.
• the blade 70 came from manufacture in a piece with a bar 72, the ends of which are fixed diametrically to a ring 73, which has a nose 74 projecting from its internal edge.
• the width of the blade 70 is slightly less than the diameter of the bore 53 of the piston 49.
• the cover 64 of the reservoir 60 has a peripheral recess 75, in which the ring 73 takes place, its nose 74 engaging in a notch 76 of the side wall of the recess 75, of. so as to precisely orient the ring 73 relative to the cover 64.
• orientations described with respect to the sleeve 37, on the one hand, of the tube 40 and the diametral slot 43 of its partition 41, and, on the other hand, of the cap 61, of the cover 64 relative to this cap and of the ring 73 and consequently of the blade 70 with respect to the cover 64 are in particular chosen so that the blade 70 is exactly opposite the slot 43 and enters it, when the tube 40 is moved in the direction of. tank 60.
• the part 34 is unscrewed from the enclosure 33.
• its upper turn can be anchored to it, either by engagement in a groove of the piston, or by gluing to the flange 50, or even by coating in this flange. If necessary, means could be provided to prevent the piston 49 from leaving the part 34 of the enclosure 33, when this part 34 is unscrewed.
• a capsule 77 containing a solution of active substance is then deposited in the receptacle constituted by the partition 41 and the part 40b of the tube 40 extending above this partition 41.
• This receptacle is, in fact, made accessible by the unscrewing described of the part 34 of the enclosure 33.
• the part 34 is then replaced, then the piston 49 is pushed fully against the action of the springs 52 and 46. At first, this push brings the piston 49 in contact with the capsule 77, which closes' the hole 53, so as to prevent a backflow of liquid through this hole.
• the latter pushes the capsule 77 against the partition 41, then causes the tube 40 to smooth in the sleeve 37 and around the reservoir 60, against the action of the spring 46, so as finally to bring the partition 41 in contact with the cover 64 of the tank 60.
• the blade 70 gradually arises above the partition 41; it comes into contact with the capsule 77 and ends up incising it.
• the piston 49 crushes, at the end, the capsule 77 against the partition 41, which empties this capsule.
• the blade 70 naturally enters the bore 53 of the latter.
• the liquid that the capsule 77 contained then passes through the perforations 42, 65 and enters the reservoir 60 where the medium 18 is soaked.
• the solvent can be, depending on the nature of the active substance, for example distilled water, alcohol, glycerin, physiological saline.
• the active substances in solution they are known to doctors and can be prescribed by them. They can consist of a drug acting directly on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, but also on the cells, tissues and organs of the respiratory tract. They are, for example, anti-asthma and anti-bronchial drugs, which dilate the caliber of the bronchi or decrease their reactivity. quickly or regulate bronchial secretions or have these different properties in combination.
• the active substances used can also be medicaments which act directly on the secretions of the respiratory organs, making them more fluid and allowing better expectoration.
• medicaments or drugs can still be used, which are absorbed by the mucous membrane of the respiratory organs, pass into the blood and act on other organs such as for example the heart, the endocrine glands, etc.
• drugs such as blood vessel dilators, hormones, etc.
• the administration of the latter type of active substance has the advantage of sparing the digestive tract and avoiding bites.

Landscapes

• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
• Pulmonology (AREA)
• Anesthesiology (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• Hematology (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Medicinal Preparation (AREA)
• Pharmaceuticals Containing Other Organic And Inorganic Compounds (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=4256911

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Cited By (5)

Families Citing this family (1)

Citations (7)

• 1987
  • 1987-09-09 CH CH348187A patent/CH676796A5/fr not_active IP Right Cessation
• 1988
  • 1988-09-09 EP EP19880907602 patent/EP0333792A1/fr not_active Withdrawn
  • 1988-09-09 WO PCT/CH1988/000158 patent/WO1989002289A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation

Patent Citations (7)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events