Inhalation device and method for production of a particulate mist for inhalation purposes

• US 20030164169A1
• Filed: 05/06/2003
• Published: 09/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Pari GmbH Spezialisten Fur Effektive Inhalation (PARI MEDICAL HOLDING GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Pari GmbH Spezialisten Fur Effektive Inhalation (PARI MEDICAL HOLDING GmbH)
• Inventors: Keller, Manfred, Stangl, Roland
• Application Number:
  US10/344,916
• Publication Number:
  US 20030164169A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/203.12
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/001 Particle size control
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/005 using ultrasonics spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0015 located upstream of the dispenser, i.e. not traversed by the product
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0018 with exhalation check valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0028 using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0065 Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices A61M15/0028 takes precedence; dosage devices incorporated in aerosol cans B65D83/52
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/008 Electronic counters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0085 using ultrasonics spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0098 Activated by exhalation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0042 in the expiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/064 Powder

Abstract

The inhalation device comprises an oscillator (1), on which a powder (6) for nebulisation may be placed, containing a medicament and which may be activated in order to nebulise the applied powder, a mixing chamber (2) into which the powder particles are thrown and where an aerosol cloud (6a) is formed from incoherent particles, an inhalation check valve (3) which permits ambient air into the mixing chamber (2) during inhalation to evacuate the particle cloud (6a) and an exhalation check valve (4), by means of which expired air is led off into the environment to prevent damp breath entering the mixing chamber (2) during exhalation.

Claims

1. An inhalation device having

an oscillator (1) on which a powder (6) for nebulisation containing a medicament may be placed and which may be activated in order to nebulise the applied powder

a mixing chamber (2) into which the powder particles are thrown and where an aerosol cloud (6a) is formed from incoherent particles,

an inhalation check valve (3), which permits ambient air into the mixing chamber (2) during inhalation to evacuate the particle cloud (6a), and

and exhalation check valve (4), by means of which expired air is led off into the environment to prevent damp breath entering the mixing chamber (2) during exhalation

2. An inhalation device according to claim 1, characterised in that the inhalation and exhalation check valves (3, 4) each comprise a flat, elastic valve element.

3. An inhalation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the inhalation valve (3) is disposed in the wall of the mixing chamber (2).

4. An inhalation device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the exhalation valve (4) is disposed in the wall of a mouthpiece (9).

5. An inhalation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the oscillator (1) comprises an oscillating membrane (5) on which the powder (6) to be nebulised may be placed.

6. An inhalation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the oscillator (1) can be activated electrostatically, electromechanically or piezoelectrically.

7. An inhalation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a sensor (100) for detecting the breath flow rate is provided, said sensor emitting an output signal to a control means (101) which activates the oscillator (1) when a signal value indicating the end of the exhalation phase is achieved.

8. An inhalation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a display means (102) is provided which is connected with the control means (101) for displaying the evaluation results for the patient.

9. A method for the production of a particulate mist containing a medicament for inhalation by a patient during at least one respiratory cycle comprising the following steps:

detection of the end of the exhalation phase of the respiratory cycle;

placing of a predetermined amount of a powder containing a medicament on the membrane of an oscillator;

activation of the oscillator to deagglomerate the amount of powder during a first stage of the inhalation phase of the respiratory cycle; and

deactivation of the oscillator following completion of the deagglomeration of the amount of powder.

10. A method according to claim 9 having the following further steps:

detection and evaluation of the number of respiratory cycles and inspiratory parameters, and

display of the results of the evaluation.

11. A method according to claim 9 or 10 having the following steps:

registration of the number of breaths and the dosage released, and

display of the applied doses and/or the remaining content in a multi-dose reservoir.