WO2016142524A1 - An ultrasonic piezo nebuliser - Google Patents

An ultrasonic piezo nebuliser Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2016142524A1
WO2016142524A1 PCT/EP2016/055317 EP2016055317W WO2016142524A1 WO 2016142524 A1 WO2016142524 A1 WO 2016142524A1 EP 2016055317 W EP2016055317 W EP 2016055317W WO 2016142524 A1 WO2016142524 A1 WO 2016142524A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
liquid
reservoir
cartridge
piezoelectric actuator
drive circuit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/EP2016/055317
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Philip CANNER
David Harris
Ben WICKS
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Linde GmbH
Original Assignee
Linde GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Linde GmbH filed Critical Linde GmbH
Publication of WO2016142524A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016142524A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • A61M11/00—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes
    • A61M11/005—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes using ultrasonics
    • 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
    • A61M11/00—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B17/00—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups
    • B05B17/04—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods
    • B05B17/06—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations
    • B05B17/0607—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for nebulising a liquid.
  • Nebulised liquids are used for many purposes.
  • One such use is for therapy, for example, by application to the skin or by inhalation.
  • One example is the nebulisation of sodium chloride for inhalation to assist with the removal of mucus and debris from the lungs.
  • Another example is nebulisation of hyaluronic acid for skin beauty purposes.
  • a device for nebulising liquids to form a mist is disclosed in EP 2626052. It consists of a gas cylinder attached at its top end via a manifold to a separate cartridge containing a liquid to which gas is supplied in order to generate a mist.
  • a face mask is attached at an outlet port on the top of the cartridge by which a user inhales the vapour.
  • a device for nebulising a liquid comprising a reservoir of liquid fluidly connected to an outlet, and comprising a drive circuit electrically connectable to a piezoelectric actuator and a battery; wherein the drive circuit is actuatable to vibrate the piezoelectric actuator so that it nebulises the liquid in the reservoir such that the liquid passes through the outlet as an aerosol, wherein the device is supplied as an assembly wherein the reservoir of liquid and battery are located in a cartridge detachable from a base unit comprising the drive circuit.
  • the present invention thus provides a device with few moving parts which is easy to use. Rather than a battery, mains power or some other power source could be used to power the device.
  • the aerosol preferably comprises droplets of a diameter of less than ⁇ .
  • the liquid inside the reservoir may be a saline solution of sodium chloride. In this way, the device is then useable to assist with the removal of mucus and debris from the lungs.
  • the liquid may instead contain hyaluronic acid so that the device can be used for skin beauty purposes.
  • the piezoelectric actuator may be located in the
  • the cartridge is preferably single-use and disposable
  • the present invention thus provides a simple device for dispensing a liquid in aerosol form.
  • an nebuliser device 10 which comprises a cartridge 11 defining a housing 12 within which is located a reservoir 16 for liquid.
  • the cartridge 11 comprises a piezoelectric actuator 18 located in the reservoir 16 for nebulising the liquid contained therein.
  • the piezoelectric actuator 18 is powered by a battery 15 located in a cavity 13 of the cartridge 11.
  • the reservoir 16 comprises an outlet 19 for the liquid from the cartridge 11.
  • a valve (not shown in the Figures) is located between the reservoir 16 and the outlet 19 to control the flow of liquid through the outlet 19.
  • valve is biased into a closed position to prevent the escape of liquid from the reservoir 16.
  • the nebuliser device 10 also comprises a base unit 14 which is separate from the cartridge 11.
  • the base unit 14 comprises a drive circuit 17 which is powered by the battery
  • a cartridge 11 containing liquid to be nebulised connects to the base unit 14.
  • the drive circuit 17 electrically connects to the battery 15 and the piezoelectric actuator 18 located in the cartridge 11.
  • the base unit 14 is then operated to actuate the piezoelectric actuator 18 which causes the liquid contained in the reservoir 16 to nebulise, pass through the valve, and out of the device 10 as an aerosol spray 28.
  • FIG. 1A An alternative to the nebuliser device 10 of Figure 1A is the nebuliser device 10' shown in Figure IB.
  • the piezoelectric actuator 18 is located in the base unit 14, rather than in the reservoir 16 of the cartridge 11.
  • the piezoelectric actuator 18 is located in the base unit 14, rather than in the reservoir 16 of the cartridge 11.
  • piezoelectric actuator 18 is located on the base unit 14 such that it is next to the reservoir 16 when the cartridge of the cartridge 11 is connected to the base unit 14 to ensure efficient nebulisation of the liquid when the base unit is operated.
  • the liquid contained within the reservoir 16 is any liquid which can be
  • Exemplary liquids which can be used include a saline solution of sodium chloride for when the device is used assisting with the removal of mucus and debris from the lungs, and hyaluronic acid for use in skin beauty purposes.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Hematology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Anesthesiology (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Media Introduction/Drainage Providing Device (AREA)
  • Devices For Medical Bathing And Washing (AREA)
  • Percussion Or Vibration Massage (AREA)
  • Medicinal Preparation (AREA)

Abstract

A device for nebulising a liquid comprising a reservoir of liquid connected to an outlet,and a drive circuit electrically connected to a piezoelectric actuator and a battery. The drive circuit actuates to vibrate the piezoelectric actuator so that it nebulises the liquid in the reservoir. The liquid passes through the outlet as an aerosol. The device is supplied as an assembly where the reservoir of liquid and battery are located in a cartridge which is detachable from a base unit comprising the drive circuit.

Description

AN ULTRASONIC PIEZO NEBULISER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device for nebulising a liquid.
Nebulised liquids are used for many purposes. One such use is for therapy, for example, by application to the skin or by inhalation. One example is the nebulisation of sodium chloride for inhalation to assist with the removal of mucus and debris from the lungs. Another example is nebulisation of hyaluronic acid for skin beauty purposes. A device for nebulising liquids to form a mist is disclosed in EP 2626052. It consists of a gas cylinder attached at its top end via a manifold to a separate cartridge containing a liquid to which gas is supplied in order to generate a mist. A face mask is attached at an outlet port on the top of the cartridge by which a user inhales the vapour.
In order to gain wider acceptance, there is a need for a more disposable version of such nebulisers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a device for nebulising a liquid, the device comprising a reservoir of liquid fluidly connected to an outlet, and comprising a drive circuit electrically connectable to a piezoelectric actuator and a battery; wherein the drive circuit is actuatable to vibrate the piezoelectric actuator so that it nebulises the liquid in the reservoir such that the liquid passes through the outlet as an aerosol, wherein the device is supplied as an assembly wherein the reservoir of liquid and battery are located in a cartridge detachable from a base unit comprising the drive circuit. The present invention thus provides a device with few moving parts which is easy to use. Rather than a battery, mains power or some other power source could be used to power the device.
The aerosol preferably comprises droplets of a diameter of less than ΙΟμιη.
The liquid inside the reservoir may be a saline solution of sodium chloride. In this way, the device is then useable to assist with the removal of mucus and debris from the lungs. The liquid may instead contain hyaluronic acid so that the device can be used for skin beauty purposes.
The piezoelectric actuator may be located in the
reservoir to better nebulise the liquid contained in the reservoir .
The cartridge is preferably single-use and disposable
The present invention thus provides a simple device for dispensing a liquid in aerosol form. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figures 1A and IB which each show a cross section view of a nebuliser device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
With reference to Figure 1A, there is shown an nebuliser device 10 which comprises a cartridge 11 defining a housing 12 within which is located a reservoir 16 for liquid. The cartridge 11 comprises a piezoelectric actuator 18 located in the reservoir 16 for nebulising the liquid contained therein. The piezoelectric actuator 18 is powered by a battery 15 located in a cavity 13 of the cartridge 11.
The reservoir 16 comprises an outlet 19 for the liquid from the cartridge 11. A valve (not shown in the Figures) is located between the reservoir 16 and the outlet 19 to control the flow of liquid through the outlet 19.
Ordinarily, the valve is biased into a closed position to prevent the escape of liquid from the reservoir 16.
The nebuliser device 10 also comprises a base unit 14 which is separate from the cartridge 11. The base unit 14 comprises a drive circuit 17 which is powered by the battery
15 located in the cartridge 11.
In use of the device 10, a cartridge 11 containing liquid to be nebulised connects to the base unit 14. In this position, the drive circuit 17 electrically connects to the battery 15 and the piezoelectric actuator 18 located in the cartridge 11. The base unit 14 is then operated to actuate the piezoelectric actuator 18 which causes the liquid contained in the reservoir 16 to nebulise, pass through the valve, and out of the device 10 as an aerosol spray 28.
An alternative to the nebuliser device 10 of Figure 1A is the nebuliser device 10' shown in Figure IB. In this alternative device 10', the piezoelectric actuator 18 is located in the base unit 14, rather than in the reservoir 16 of the cartridge 11. As shown in Figure IB, the
piezoelectric actuator 18 is located on the base unit 14 such that it is next to the reservoir 16 when the cartridge of the cartridge 11 is connected to the base unit 14 to ensure efficient nebulisation of the liquid when the base unit is operated.
In either nebuliser device 10; 10', the liquid contained within the reservoir 16 is any liquid which can be
nebulised. Exemplary liquids which can be used include a saline solution of sodium chloride for when the device is used assisting with the removal of mucus and debris from the lungs, and hyaluronic acid for use in skin beauty purposes.

Claims

1. A device for nebulising a liquid, the device comprising a reservoir of liquid fluidly connected to an outlet, and comprising a drive circuit electrically connectable to a piezoelectric actuator and a battery; wherein the drive circuit is actuatable to vibrate the piezoelectric actuator so that it nebulises the liquid in the reservoir such that the liquid passes through the outlet as an aerosol, wherein the device is supplied as an assembly wherein the reservoir of liquid and battery are located in a cartridge detachable from a base unit comprising the drive circuit.
2. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the aerosol comprises droplets of a diameter of less than ΙΟμιη.
3. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the liquid inside the reservoir is saline.
4. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the piezoelectric actuator is located in the reservoir.
5. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the cartridge is single-use and is disposable.
6. A device as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
PCT/EP2016/055317 2015-03-11 2016-03-11 An ultrasonic piezo nebuliser Ceased WO2016142524A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1504097.5A GB2536261A (en) 2015-03-11 2015-03-11 An ultrasonic piezo nebuliser
GB1504097.5 2015-03-11

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2016142524A1 true WO2016142524A1 (en) 2016-09-15

Family

ID=52998730

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2016/055317 Ceased WO2016142524A1 (en) 2015-03-11 2016-03-11 An ultrasonic piezo nebuliser

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2536261A (en)
WO (1) WO2016142524A1 (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1997031721A1 (en) * 1996-02-27 1997-09-04 Medix Limited A nebuliser
US20030216683A1 (en) * 2001-11-26 2003-11-20 Nili-Med Ltd. Drug delivery device and method
WO2010129994A1 (en) * 2009-05-11 2010-11-18 Monash University Microfluidic apparatus for the atomisation of a liquid
CN202289114U (en) * 2011-10-19 2012-07-04 邓以翔 Portable atomizer

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4702418A (en) * 1985-09-09 1987-10-27 Piezo Electric Products, Inc. Aerosol dispenser
JP2003290356A (en) * 2002-04-03 2003-10-14 Canon Inc Liquid ejection cartridge and ejection device using the cartridge
CA2814983A1 (en) * 2010-11-08 2012-05-18 British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited Liquid droplet spray device
CN104114049A (en) * 2012-03-26 2014-10-22 韩国极光科技有限公司 Atomization control unit and a portable atomizing apparatus having the same
WO2014184044A1 (en) * 2013-05-17 2014-11-20 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Multidose substance delivery module

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1997031721A1 (en) * 1996-02-27 1997-09-04 Medix Limited A nebuliser
US20030216683A1 (en) * 2001-11-26 2003-11-20 Nili-Med Ltd. Drug delivery device and method
WO2010129994A1 (en) * 2009-05-11 2010-11-18 Monash University Microfluidic apparatus for the atomisation of a liquid
CN202289114U (en) * 2011-10-19 2012-07-04 邓以翔 Portable atomizer

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2536261A (en) 2016-09-14
GB201504097D0 (en) 2015-04-22

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