Aerosol Generating Device and Inhalation Therapy Unit Provided with This Device

• US 20080308096A1
• Filed: 01/17/2006
• Published: 12/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PARI Pharma GmbH (PARI MEDICAL HOLDING GmbH)
• Original Assignee: PARI Pharma GmbH (PARI MEDICAL HOLDING GmbH)
• Inventors: Kamm, Norbert, Achtzehner, Wolfgang, Borgschulte, Markus, Pfichner, Andreas
• Granted Patent: US 9,027,548 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/200.14
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/005 using ultrasonics spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0085 using ultrasonics spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0646 Vibrating plates, i.e. plates being directly subjected to the vibrations, e.g. having a piezoelectric transducer attached thereto

Abstract

An aerosol generating device includes a membrane for atomizing a liquid; an actuating device, which is coupled to the membrane so that this membrane is set in oscillatory motion when activated by electric signals; and a flexible substrate, which has electric lines for supplying electric signals to the actuating device and is designed for fastening the aerosol generating device to a fastening area of an inhalation therapy unit, and on which the membrane and the actuating device are held.

Claims

1. Aerosol generating device having

a membrane for the nebulization of a liquid,

an actuating device, coupled to the membrane in such a way that, on activation by electrical signals, it sets the membrane in oscillatory motion, and

a flexible substrate,

which has electrical conductors for supplying electrical signals to the actuating device,

which is designed for fastening of the aerosol generating device to a fastening area of an inhalation therapy unit, and

on which the membrane and the actuating device are held.

2. Aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the membrane is surrounded substantially in a ring shape by the actuating device.

3. Aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the membrane is surrounded substantially in a ring shape by the flexible substrate.

4. Aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the actuating device is disposed on the flexible substrate with a friction fit.

5. Aerosol generating device according to claim 4, wherein the actuating device is bonded to the flexible substrate.

6. Aerosol generating device according to claim 4, wherein the actuating device is soldered to the flexible substrate.

7. Aerosol generating device according to, claim 1, wherein the actuating device is joined to the membrane in such a manner that the membrane is excited to flexural oscillations on activation of the actuating device.

8. Aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the actuating device comprises a piezoelectric element.

9. Aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein a further substrate is provided for a reciprocal action with the actuating device.

10. Aerosol generating device according to claim 9, wherein the further substrate consists of a metal.

11. Aerosol generating device according to claim 9, wherein further substrate is formed in one piece with the membrane.

12. Aerosol generating device according to, claim 1, wherein the flexible substrate is a printed circuit board, a flexible circuit board or a conductor foil.

13. Aerosol generating device according to claim 12, wherein the conductors are applied to the flexible substrate or are integrated in the flexible substrate as printed conductors.

14. Aerosol generating device according to claim 12, wherein contact surfaces are provided on at least one surface of the flexible substrate.

15. Aerosol generating device according to claim 14, wherein further electrical components are disposed on the flexible substrate.

16. Aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible substrate is of multilayer construction.

17. Aerosol generating device according to claim 1. wherein the flexible substrate has a plurality of fastening sections.

18. Aerosol generating device according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of fastening sections is disposed on the circumference of the flexible substrate.

19. Aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible substrate capable of joining on its circumference to a fastening area of an inhalation unit.

21. Inhalation therapy unit having a fastening area for fastening of an aerosol generating device according to claim 1.

20. Aerosol generating device according to claim 20, wherein the flexible substrate is capable of being bonded, inserted, snapped in or clamped in.