WO2009149478A1

WO2009149478A1 - Appliance for feeding particle material into the mouth

Info

Publication number: WO2009149478A1
Application number: PCT/AT2008/000207
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rouven Haas
Original assignee: Rouven Haas
Priority date: 2008-06-12
Filing date: 2008-06-12
Publication date: 2009-12-17
Also published as: WO2009149478A9

Abstract

The invention relates to an appliance for feeding particle material (3) into the mouth, with a storage container (4) for accommodating the particle material (3), and with a mouth piece (1) which is connected to said storage container, defines a longitudinal axis (1'), along which the particle material is conveyed to the mouth during use as a consequence of a difference in pressure, and has at least one discharge opening (2; 2'; 11), characterized in that the discharge opening (2; 2'; 11) is arranged at an angle to the longitudinal axis (1') of the mouth piece (1) or is shielded at an angle to the longitudinal axis (1') of the mouth piece (1) by an impact and diffuser element (12) for deflecting a stream of particles emerging from the discharge opening (11).

Description

Device for feeding particle material into the mouth

The invention relates to a device for feeding particulate material in ^'the mouth, with a reservoir for receiving the particulate material and with an associated, along which the particulate material is fed in according to use the pressure difference to the mouth a longitudinal axis, defining Mouthpiece with at least one discharge opening. The purpose is non-inhalative oral intake of food, semi-luxury foods and / or non-inhaled drugs.

Different devices for inhalation of powdered medicaments are known. These devices are usually built cylindrical, have a suction port and this opposite one or more outlet openings. Some of these inhalers have additional devices which serve to direct the flow of air within the cylindrical housing (DE 3046108 A, DE 2600862 A, DE 69434375 A, DE 2818342 C, GB 2354451 A, US 5699789 A, US 65165581 A, US 4907583 A and US 2592369 A). It is further known that even with inhalers only sufficiently fine particles reach the lungs and coarser particles are deposited in the upper respiratory tract and the pharynx (DE 4440734 A). The US 2356548 A further describes a device with a flat outlet opening, although having an upwardly curved portion, but a direct inhalation is not prevented. This also applies to the device according to WO 2004/045688 A, in which a wide annular opening is released when opening. Although there is a turbulence in the pharynx, inhalation is not prevented (and should not be prevented). In none of the known devices is an inhalation of powdered or granular materials necessarily avoided. However, the subject matter of the invention is a device in which such materials are to be brought exclusively into the oral cavity without inhalation taking place.

The targeted delivery of drugs in certain areas of the pharynx by special positioning of outlet openings is known per se (European Patent EP 1260209 A, US 5578004 A). The medication applicators described there are but intended exclusively for liquid media.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a device of the type described, can be taken orally with the exclusively powdered and / or granulatformige materials or a mixture of such materials without inhalation occurs.

To solve the problem, the device according to the invention has the characterizing features that the dispensing opening is arranged at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the mouthpiece or by a baffle and diffuser element for deflecting a particle jet exiting the dispensing opening at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the Mouth shield is shielded. With this design, the material jet is not directed in the use of the device in the air tubes, but on the oral mucosa. It is thus too deep penetration m prevents the throat. This special condition for the discharge opening (s) or diffuser in combination with the use of exclusively powdered and / or granular media, i. Particulate materials, or a mixture of such media, whose particle sizes are, in particular, within a specified range, prevent inadvertent or intentional inhalation of the media.

In the preferred embodiment of the dispensing part, the axis (s) of the dispensing opening (s) has / points with the longitudinal axis of the device, angles between 50 ° and 175 °, preferably 90 °. Thus, in use, only the oral and pharyngeal mucosa is affected by the materials, i. the desired operation of the device is ensured in an advantageous manner.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention it is provided that the mouthpiece in the outlet region of the material has a spherically shaped portion and provided in the ball portion additionally or exclusively one or more Ausgaboffnung / -offnungen at an angle of 90 ° to 175 ° to the longitudinal axis is or are. The axis (s) of the discharge opening (s) can be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the device Wm- When the spherical portion is lower than in the simple mouthpiece embodiment, approximately in the middle of the oral cavity, it is between 90 ° and 175 °. As a result, in the application, the teeth, the inner gums and the anterior oral mucosa are acted on by the media, which ensures the operation of the device equally and for a targeted admission of specific oral areas, for example within a dental-medical application, is significant.

It is also conceivable that the discharge opening / s is arranged axially or at an angle of less than 50 ° to the longitudinal axis of the device / are. In that case, however, it is necessary for them to be installed by a diffuser which deflects the exiting particle beam. As a result, the advantageous operation of the device remains unaffected.

Another feature of the invention is that the maximum diameter of the particles of the media used is between 0.02 mm and 2 mm. The lower limit of this range excludes all particle sizes that are so small that a respirable aerosol from the media and the surrounding air would form in the oral cavity. Here it could come to an unintentional inhalation (inhaling). The upper limit, however, excludes all particle sizes that are too large to adhere to the oral mucosa.

According to the measures according to the invention, it is possible to take orally all materials which correspond in their properties to the described criteria and should not be absorbed via the mucous membranes of the upper airways or the lungs. These include, in particular, powdered and / or granulated foods and / or stimulants, but also powdered and / or granular medicaments.

By coating or mixing the described materials with hydrocolloids, which have a high water-binding capacity, the desired effect of optimal adhesion to the oral mucosa increases. By coating or mixing the described materials with for consumption suitable fats results in a voluminous mouthfeel, which causes the user rather a sip than a respiratory irritation and thereby supports the principle of the invention.

The device can be designed such that the materials are located in a storage container which can be inserted into the mouthpiece, with at least one respective opening for the air inlet and the outlet of the medium. The openings should exceed the maximum particle size so far that a secure delivery is ensured and trickling out is largely avoided.

Another embodiment of the invention is that the container is made of biodegradable material. When manufacturing the device from such a material, such as polymerized lactic acids, biogranules based on plant starch or pulps, results in a high environmental impact, which is advantageous and makes the device suitable for ecologically safe disposable article.

When manufacturing in particular the mouthpiece portion of the device made of durable materials, such as conventional plastics, metal, wood or glass, the advantages described are equally ensured and a longer term use of this part is possible. It could this multiply reusable dispensing part, so the mouthpiece, be combined with a disposable storage container, which is made for example of biologically completely degradable plastics in the thermoforming process or consists of dip-drawn gelatin capsules.

In order to prevent accidental spillage of the material, the openings may be provided with removable closures, e.g. self-adhesive films, be equipped.

In order to avoid misuse by the user, such as when the discharge opening / s is / are unfavorable and is covered by the lips, it is advantageous if a stop or depression is provided in the lip area. In order to open the container only immediately before use, it can be retractable container equipped with at least one needle, which serves to pierce the required openings. A needle or needles may also be added to the packaging for the device, or be part of the packaging. The needle or needles may also be fixedly mounted in the container for the medium and pierce the wall at a particular actuation.

The containers may also be integrally connected to a common holding device, wherein the openings arise when breaking from the holder.

The outlet openings of the container could further be released by being provided with a displaceable or rotatable closure which can be actuated from the outside, wherein in a certain position the openings of the two parts lie one above the other.

A further advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized in that the particle material is transported by pressure into the oral cavity. Here, the container may be made of elastic material, and the material may be transported by squeezing into the oral cavity. On the other hand, the device can be equipped with an additional container which is filled with a pressure medium and has a closure. This pressure medium may be a harmless to the user gas that does not react with the particle material to be injected. In a corresponding manner, all other materials of the device associated with the particle material should also be selected so that they do not enter into an unwanted reaction with the material even during prolonged storage.

It is important that the reservoirs for receiving the medium are equipped so that they can not be refilled by the user, to avoid that prohibited or harmful substances or narcotic drugs are used.

The invention will be described below with reference to the drawing, in which illustrate, preferred embodiments, to which it should not be limited, however, further explained. Show it:

1 shows a erfmdungsgemaße device according to a first embodiment in use.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show further embodiments of the mouthpiece of the device according to the invention;

4 shows a mouthpiece with a diffuser;

5 shows a part of a device with a spherical projection in the mouth area;

Figs. 6 to 11 devices with means for opening Einbzw. skipping;

FIG. 12 shows a device with an elastic storage container; FIG. and

Fig. 13 shows a device with an additional container for a printing medium.

Fig. 1 shows an apparatus for supplying Pulvermateπal in the mouth with an elongated mouthpiece 1, the Mundstuck- longitudinal axis 1 'transversely directed dispensing openings 2, through which when used in a suction in a pharynx, the powdery particulate material. 3 , which is located in an inserted into the mouth stucco 1 Vorratsbehalter 4, exits into the pharynx 5 and impinges on the area 6 of the mucous membranes. The storage container 4 has an inlet opening 7 for the air and an outlet opening 8 for the particle material 3. These openings 7, 8 may be formed by removable fasteners, not shown, e.g. in the form of self-adhesive films, be covered.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a mouthpiece 2 in which the position of the lips is fixed in that the mouthpiece 1 has a stop 9 in the lip area. Another possibility of fixing the lip position is shown in FIG. 3, wherein the mouthpiece 1 here has a peripheral outer recess 10. As shown, this depression 10 can be a groove extending over the circumference, but it can also consist, for example, of two indentations arranged parallel to one another.

In Fig. 4 a - also elongated - mouthpiece 2 is illustrated, in front of the axial discharge opening 11, a diffuser 12 is attached, through which the powdery material 3 is passed to the oral mucosa 6 out. The discharge opening 11 may also be off-center, wherein a plurality of delivery openings are conceivable; the angle of orientation of the discharge opening (s) 11 relative to the longitudinal axis of the mouthpiece but not exceed 35 °.

In the device according to FIG. 5, the mouthpiece 1 at the mouth-side end has a spherical section 13, in which the transversely directed discharge openings 2 'are arranged at an angle of 90 ° to 175 ° to the mouthpiece longitudinal axis.

Fig. 6 shows a device with a reservoir 4 for the material 3, on the one hand a slit diaphragm 14 for the outlet of the material 3 and on the other hand held by elastic sheets 15 and can be pressed against the container wall needle 16 to pierce an air inlet opening.

In the embodiment of the device according to the invention according to FIG. 7, a needle 17 is moved against the container wall by a displaceable sleeve 18, which has transversely directed outlet openings 2 'and forms the mouthpiece 1. The air inlet opening 7 at the other end of the storage container 4 is covered by a removable film 19.

Fig. 8 shows a reservoir 4, wherein the air inlet openings 20 (in the reservoir), 21, (in a cap 22) are brought by twisting the cap 22 relative to the reservoir 4 to cover.

In the apparatus according to FIG. 9, the opening, ie piercing, of the air inlet opening 7 takes place through a separate needle 23.

In the embodiment according to Fig. 10, an e.g. annular sheath or sleeve 24 displaced in the axial direction, wherein it releases a lateral air inlet opening 25 in the reservoir 4.

According to FIG. 11, a plurality of storage containers 4 are integrally connected to a holder 26. When canceling the reservoir 4, the air inlet opening 7 is automatically exposed in each case.

In the apparatus of FIG. 12, the reservoir 4 is made of an elastic material. By applying pressure, s. Arrows, the material 3 is transported into the oral cavity 5.

The device according to FIG. 13 has a container 28 which is filled with a - harmless - compressed gas 27 and which is equipped with a closure slide 29. The compressed gas 27 is also neutral with respect to the powder material 3. The reservoir 4 is here further integrally formed with the mouthpiece 1, which again has transverse discharge openings 2.

Claims

Claims:

1. A device for feeding particle material (3) into the mouth, with a storage container (4) for receiving the particulate material and with an associated, a longitudinal axis (I ¹ ), along which the particle material (3 1) with at least one delivery opening (2; 2 '; 11), characterized in that the delivery opening (2; 2'; 11) is at an angle to the longitudinal axis (I ¹ ) of the mouthpiece (1) or by a baffle and diffuser element (12) for deflecting a from the discharge opening (11) exiting particle beam at an angle to the longitudinal axis (I ¹ ) of the mouthpiece (1) is shielded.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the angle between 50 ° and 175 °, in particular 50 ° to 90 °, to the longitudinal axis.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the maximum diameter of the particles of the material (3) is between 0.02 mm and 2 mm.

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the storage container (4) with at least one opening (7; 20; 25) for the air inlet and at least one outlet opening (8) for the particle material (3) is formed is.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the storage container (4) in the mouthpiece (1) can be inserted.

Device according to one of Claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the opening (7, 8) is provided with detachable, e.g. removable, closures (14; 19; 22; 24) are fitted.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the storage container (4) consists of biodegradable material.

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the mouthpiece (1) in the lip region a stop

(9) is provided.

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the mouthpiece (1) in the lip region a recess

(10) is provided.

10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the diffuser (15) in front of the / the discharge opening / - openings (11) is arranged, which are aligned at an angle of less than 35 ° to the longitudinal axis.

11. The device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the mouthpiece (1) in the exit region of the material (3) has a spherically shaped portion (13) and in the ball portion (13) additionally or exclusively one or more Dispensing opening / openings (2 ¹ ) is provided at an angle of 90 ° to 175 ° to the longitudinal axis or are.

12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the storage container (4) has a needle mounted in its interior (16), which serves for piercing the required air opening.

Device according to any one of Claims 4 to 11, characterized in that the air inlet opening (s) (24) are formed by a movable, e.g. removable, cover (19; 24) is covered / are.

14. Device according to one of claims 4 to 11, characterized in that the air inlet opening / openings (20) by a sheath (22) with corresponding opening / openings (21) is covered, which is arranged displaceably and / or rotatable, wherein the openings / openings (20; 21) of the two parts (4; 22) lie one above another in a specific position.

15. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the storage container (4) with a holder (26) is connected, wherein the air inlet opening (7) forms when breaking from the holder (26).

16. Device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the storage container (4) consists of elastic material and the particle material (3) by compression of the reservoir (4) in the oral cavity (5) is transported.

17. Device according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that at an air opening of the reservoir (4) a slide-like closure (29) is provided.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that to the reservoir (4) with a pressure medium (27) filled container (28) via the slide-like closure (29) connects.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that the pressure medium (27) consists of a harmless to the user gas that does not react with the particulate material (3).