WO2013113899A1

WO2013113899A1 - Device for delivering a metering aerosol

Info

Publication number: WO2013113899A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/052079
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bjoern O. SOERENSEN
Original assignee: Soerensen Bjoern O
Priority date: 2012-02-02
Filing date: 2013-02-01
Publication date: 2013-08-08

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for delivering a metering aerosol (1), having a metering device which comprises a ring (8) extending along an inside wall of the housing (2) and having metering marks arranged on its outer side.

Description

Device for dispensing a metered dose inhaler

description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a device for dispensing a metered dose inhaler with a counter. such

Devices are also referred to in particular as an inhaler.

Background of the invention

Devices for dispensing a metered dose inhaler are known. These are commonly referred to as inhalers and usually consist of a container with an active ingredient and a propellant. The container comprises an outlet tube and a valve. For use in an inhaler, the container with the outlet tube becomes one

plugged corresponding spray head. By squeezing the container so an aerosol shock can be delivered.

Besides the delivery via a propellant are also

Pump container known in which the aerosol without

Propellant, but is generated by means of a pumping device. The levy principle is the same.

Because dosing is important to the user in many medications, inhalers are counting devices

known. These count with each press of the Dosing further, so that the user has on the one hand a check on how many sprays he has already delivered, for example, in one day and further also knows at least approximately how many sprays can be delivered until the drug is consumed. This is particularly important if the drug delivered via the inhaler has a vital function for the user, as may be the case with asthma spray, for example.

From the practice known counting devices are expensive. These include, for example, a counter with two

Drums on which numbers are printed, which are moved over a relatively complicated drive mechanism.

Accordingly, such counting devices are expensive to manufacture. Furthermore enlarge known

Counting devices usually the length of the device for dispensing a metered dose inhaler considerably. Furthermore, in known counting devices, it is generally not possible to design these in such a way that they can be set to zero again, the counting device is rather for single use in conjunction with a

Medicated vial determined and will be after

thrown away .

Furthermore, such known counting devices generally comprise a plurality of different materials, in particular also metals, which makes recycling more difficult. Object of the invention

The invention is based on the object, at least to reduce the disadvantages of the prior art.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide a simple inexpensive manufacturable and user-friendly counting device.

Summary of the invention

The object of the invention is already by a

Device for dispensing a metered dose inhaler according to claim 1.

Preferred embodiments and further developments of

Invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The invention relates to a device for dispensing a metered dose inhaler, which comprises a housing and a container insertable into the housing with a container housing and an outlet tube.

Typically, the housing comprises a cylindrical

Chamber which is open at the top, so that the container with the active ingredient can be inserted from above into the housing. The container with the active ingredient is typically off

Metal, in particular aluminum, formed and comprises an outlet tube. Now the outlet tube is a piece in pressed the container, it is delivered via a valve, which may also be designed as a pumping device, drug.

To produce an aerosol, the outlet tube is typically connected to a spray head, which is part of the housing, or connected to the housing. At the same time, by introducing the

Outlet tube in a corresponding channel leading to the spray head, the container with the active ingredient are mechanically connected to the spray device.

When depressing the container or when

Compressing the housing of the device and the protruding container so an aerosol shock is delivered.

Typically, the aerosol is placed in a mouthpiece of the

Device delivered by which the user can inhale the generated aerosol.

According to the invention, the device for dispensing a metered dose inhaler comprises a counter which has a ring extending along an inner wall of the housing and arranged on its outside

Counting marks includes.

A ring is understood to mean a component which essentially follows the inner contour of the housing and which preferably extends around the entire inner circumference of the housing. It is also conceivable to design the ring interrupted so that it does not extend over the entire inner circumference. Preferably, the ring circular shaped. Preferably, the ring directly adjoins the housing wall.

In contrast to complex mechanical counting devices with a drum comprehensive counter is therefore a

Ring used, which extends approximately along the inner wall of the housing. The relatively large diameter of this ring, which is not much smaller than the

Outer diameter of the entire device makes it possible to attach a sufficient number of Zählmarkierungen on a single component. In particular numbers can be used as counting marks, for example numbers in the ring can be in five or ten steps

be attached, which can be seen through an opening or a window of the housing of the device. But other configurations, such as in the form of symbols or colors, such as red, yellow, green are conceivable.

The device is designed such that during

Depressing the container the ring is rotated by a defined angle. This angle corresponds to one

Aerosol shock.

Through the use of a ring is made possible that this extends at least partially in the depressed state of the container around the container. Often known drug containers are tapered at the front end. The space left free by this taper from a rear portion can be used to integrate the counter. The invention therefore makes it possible to provide devices for dispensing a metered dose inhaler with a counting device which do not differ or only insignificantly differ from the external dimensions of known metering devices without a counting device.

In particular, a counting device can be provided which, in the non-actuated state, protrudes a maximum of 10 mm, preferably not at all, over the outlet tube.

Next is also the diameter of the case

Dosing device not or only slightly increased. In particular, such a device for dispensing a metered dose inhaler can be provided with a counter, in which the housing has a maximum of 15 mm,

preferably has a maximum diameter of 10 mm larger diameter than the container housing of the drug container.

Furthermore, the use of a ring which is rotated within the device allows the design of a

Dosing device in which the ring can be continuously rotated, so that the device again

can be used. It is also conceivable that the counting process after a maximum number of counting operations, for example, is interrupted by a corresponding counting gate ends. This ensures that the ring does not turn any further. In such a device, the ring would have to be manually turned to zero in order to count again. It is also conceivable, however, a ring that begins to count again from the beginning, between the maximum number and the mark, at which a recounting starts, about zero, a transition region is present, which ensures that the device is not after reaching the highest

Count with the next spray to the lowest count, say zero.

In a further development of the invention, the ring is locked in the housing. For this purpose, the ring may comprise locking cams or a circumferential web, which in one

corresponding groove of the housing engages. These

Design allows a particularly simple installation, in which more complex components such as screws, etc., can be dispensed with.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ring by means of a depressible actuating element, which comprises at least one tooth, in a

Ring gear of the ring engages, moves.

Sprocket and / or tooth for this purpose comprise at least one inclined surface, which is moved in the opposite direction moving the ring at this point in the tangential direction and thus turns a bit further. Preferably, the sprocket is formed asynchronous.

About the pitch of the ring gear can be determined how many operations a circulation of the ring

correspond. Preferably, the sprocket has at least 100 teeth, which corresponds to 100 operations accordingly. However, it is quite conceivable to provide a counter by a smaller division, which can count considerably more sprays, in particular 200 or even more than 300.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuating element is resiliently supported on a valve housing of the device. The valve housing may be formed integrally with the rest of the housing and connected thereto. When the container housing is pressed down with the active substance, the actuating element, which preferably comprises at least one tooth, is now pressed down, so that the tooth engages with the toothed ring.

Preferably, the actuating element is biased by a spring in the initial state upwards. In addition to a simple coil spring can in particular a

Leaf spring can be used, which may also be formed of plastic. So can be dispensed with metallic components completely or almost completely.

In a further development of the invention, the ring comprises an anti-rotation, so it can only be rotated in one direction. Thus, the ring is prevented by manipulation of a user or, for example, by strong vibrations inadvertently in the opposite direction, in which he himself

is normally moved, rotated, so that unintentionally, the counting device displays a smaller number of sprays than actually occurred. However, such a rotation is not essential. In particular, when the ring is locked in the housing, by the locking means, in particular by latching hook or a groove, such

frictional connection are provided that the ring is held so that it can not move unintentionally, but only if the

Device is actuated.

Description of the drawings

The invention will be described below with reference to schematically

illustrated embodiments with reference to the drawings Fig. 1 to Fig. 7 are explained in more detail.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a

Device 1 for dispensing a metered dose inhaler. The device 1 comprises a housing 2, in which from above a container housing 3 is inserted with the active ingredient.

The container housing 3 comprises an outlet tube 4, which is inserted into the spray head housing 24.

The spray head housing 24 is part of the housing 2 or fixedly connected thereto. The spray head housing 24 includes the nozzle 7, through which the aerosol exits, typically in the mouthpiece of Device 1, which is not shown in this view.

In order to provide a counting device, the device 1 comprises a ring 8 which runs along the inner wall of the housing 2. On the ring 8 are the

Count marks applied on the outside (not shown). The ring 8 is latched with locking lugs 9 in the housing 2 and thus held positively in the axial direction. The container housing 3 of the active substance container comprises a tapered region 5 between outlet tube 4 and the remaining housing in this exemplary embodiment.

This has the advantage that, at least in the actuated state, the ring 8 can extend around the tapered region. The space between tapered area 5 and

Housing inner wall 10 can therefore be exploited to accommodate the counting device in the actuated state.

Ring 8 and container housing 3 are substantially

arranged axially symmetrically. To protect the counting mechanism, the container housing 3, for example, by means of corresponding engagement means against rotation in the housing 2 sit (not shown).

Details of the counting mechanism will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a detailed view of that shown in FIG

Counting mechanism. The ring 8 has a substantially L-shaped cross-section and comprises on an upper side the locking lug 9, which is locked in the assembled state in a corresponding groove of the housing 2.

If this latch also rests in the locked state under bias in the housing 2, can on the

Locking connection at the same time be provided a frictional engagement, which prevents unintentional rotation of the ring 8.

To further rotate the ring upon actuation of the device, an actuator 11 is provided which extends around the outlet tube 4. The

Actuator may be substantially annular

be educated.

The actuating element 11 comprises at least one tooth 12. Upon depression of the container, of which only the front tapered region 5 and the outlet tube 4 can be seen, the actuating element 11 is pressed down, so that the tooth 12 with a toothed rim 13, which part of the ring 8 is engaged. The ring 8 is rotated as a tooth on.

It is understood that a plurality of teeth 12 may be provided. The actuating element 11 is secured in the axial direction via a web 15, which engages under an extension of the latching lug 9. To hold the actuator biased above, leaf springs 14 are used in this embodiment, which are preferably formed of plastic.

In particular, at least three leaf springs can be distributed over the circumference. Furthermore, the actuating element 11 comprises in this

Embodiment a weakening point 16. This

Point of weakness ensures that the actuator 11, after the tooth 12 can come into engagement with the ring gear 13, the further pressing down to the front

can bend, thereby avoiding possible damage to the counting mechanism.

The leaf spring 12 is fixed to the spray head housing 6 and extends arcuately to the actuating element eleventh

FIG. 3 shows a schematic top view of the ring 8. A trace of the ring gear 13, which is shown in detail in FIG. 4, can be seen. The sprocket 13, seen here in side view, comprises teeth 17 which comprise an inclined surface, so that the sprocket 13 is further moved by depressing the tooth 12 by a defined angle. The front, so the direction of rotation facing flanks of the teeth 17 can also have a negative slope, so that the sprocket at an operation something is moved further than the tip of the next tooth, so that the next time the tooth 12 on the

rear edge of the subsequent tooth comes into engagement. Referring to Figs. 5 and 6 is another

Embodiment of the invention will be explained, in which the device 1 for dispensing a metered dose inhaler counter with an additional

Includes anti-twist device.

In this embodiment, the ring 8 comprises on its underside, so the side which the sprocket of the

Counting mechanism opposite, a rotation 19, which in the following reference to FIG. 6 closer

is explained. In this illustration, the mouthpiece 18 of the device 1 can be seen.

Fig. 6 is a detail view of Fig. 5, in which the ring 8 is shown, which comprises at least one latching hook 21 on its underside. This locking hook 21 is against an underlying sprocket 20th

biased. Upon actuation of the device and triggering of the counting mechanism, the ring 8 is further rotated a tooth and the latch hook 21 engages in the next tooth of the ring gear 20 a.

The pitch of the ring gear 20 corresponds to this

Embodiment of the pitch of the ring gear 13 of the counting mechanism. It is conceivable in such

Anti-rotation also that the rotation has a much smaller pitch as the counting mechanism, so that when an operation in the anti-rotation several Teeth are skipped. Due to the rather small pitch of the ring gear 13 of the counting mechanism in this embodiment, this is usually not practical. Fig. 7 shows schematically a side view of a

Device 1 for dispensing a metered dose inhaler. Evident is a window 22, through which a Zählmarkierung 23, which is mounted on the ring 8 of FIG. 1 or FIG. 6, can be seen. In this embodiment, the counting mechanism starts at 300 and counts down in increments of ten, that is, the 300 shown here gradually moves in one direction, so that the next number is 290. By the invention, a particularly simple, reliable, inexpensive and compact counting mechanism could be provided.

Reference sign list

1 Device for dispensing a metered dose inhaler

2 housings

3 containers

4 outlet tubes

5 tapered area

6 spray head housing

7 outlet nozzle

8 ring

9 latch

10 housing inner wall

11 actuator

12 tooth

13 sprocket

14 leaf spring

15 footbridge

16 weakening point

17 tooth

18 mouthpiece

19 anti-rotation lock

20 sprocket

21 snap hooks

22 windows

23 counting mark

24 spray head housing

Claims

Claims:

Device for dispensing a metered dose inhaler,

comprising a housing and an insertable into the housing container with a container housing and an outlet tube, via which the container with a manually operable valve to the outlet of an aerosol is connectable such that during

Depressing the container an aerosol burst is delivered,

and a counter, the counter having a ring extending along an inner wall of the housing with on its outside

arranged counting marks, which by pressing down the container by a defined

Angle is turned.

Device for dispensing a metered dose inhaler according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the ring is locked in the housing.

Device for dispensing a metered dose inhaler, characterized in that, at least when the container is pressed down, the ring extends around the container at least in sections.

Device for dispensing a metered dose inhaler according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the container is tapered in the region in which the ring extends around the container is.

5. Device for dispensing a metered dose inhaler

one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the ring by means of a

depressible actuating element, which comprises at least one tooth which engages in a toothed ring of the ring, is movable.

6. A device for dispensing a metered dose inhaler according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the sprocket has at least 100 teeth.

7. Device for dispensing a metered dose inhaler

one of the preceding two claims, characterized in that the actuating element is resiliently supported on a Sprühkopfgehäuse the device.

8. A device for dispensing a metered dose inhaler according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the actuating element is supported by a preferably formed of plastic leaf spring.

9. Device for dispensing a metered dose inhaler

one of the preceding two claims, characterized in that the ring is rotatable in one direction only.

10. Device for dispensing a metered dose inhaler

one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the counter is around the Container extends around and no more than 10 mm above the outlet tube protrudes.

Device for dispensing a metered dose inhaler according to one of the preceding two claims, characterized in that the housing has a maximum of 15 mm larger diameter than the container housing.