Medical inhalation device for the treatment of diseases of the respiratory tract

• US 4,119,096 A
• Filed: 08/24/1976
• Issued: 10/10/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Drews, Wolf-Dietrich
• Primary Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Application Number:
  US05/717,343
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• Field of Search: 128/198, 128/195, 128/194, 128/193, 128/201, 128/DIG. 2, 128/188, 128/173 R, 128/172 R, 259/DIG. 44, 261/DIG. 48, 261/DIG. 65, 239/102, 200/61.52
• US Class Current: 128/200.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0085 using ultrasonics spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/215 Tilt detection, e.g. for warning or shut-off
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/48 Sonic vibrators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/65 Vaporizers

Abstract

An inhalator is constructed with an outer housing and an inner protective housing. The outer housing includes an opening adapted to receive the anatomy of the nasal region. The outer housing also contains a reservoir for holding a supply of medicinal liquid. The inner housing contains and protects an oscillator which energizes an electromechanical transducer, the transducer extending through a wall of the protective housing in sealed relation thereto and carrying a vibratory atomizing member which is positioned to receive liquid from the reservoir. The oscillator includes a position sensitive on-off switch which permits operation only when the inhalator is in a predetermined orientation. A droplet shield is positioned forward of the atomizing member, between the atomizing member and the opening in the outer housing so that liquid droplets of the aerosol and respiration moisture precipitate thereon and run off along a path over which the droplets will not strike the atomizing member.

Claims

1. A hand-held inhalator comprising:

an outer housing including means defining an opening shaped to receive the anatomy of the nasal regions;

wall means defining an inner protective chamber within said outer housing;

an oscillator mounted within said inner chamber, said oscillator including an electronic excitation and a piezoceramic member electrically connected to and excitable into vibration by said electronic excitation circuit, electrical supply leads connected to said electronic excitation circuit and extending in fluid-sealed relation through said chamber and outer housing for connection to an electrical supply, and switch means electrically connected in said electrical supply leads and operable to activate said electronic excitation circuit when said supply leads are connected to an electrical supply;

a conically-shaped sonic transducer extending through said wall means and mounted thereto in a liquid-tight relation at an oscillation node, said transducer carrying said piezoceramic member on its larger end, and including an atomizing plate mounted on the smaller end of said conically-shaped sonic transducer, said atomizing plate including a surface facing the opening in said outer housing, said transducer transmitting ultrasonic vibrations to said plate; and

a liquid reservoir in said outer housing including an unobstructed outlet passageway means and wick means providing sole fluid communication from said outlet passageway means to said surface of said atomizing plate.

2. A hand-held inhalator comprising:

an outer housing including means defining an opening shaped to receive the anatomy of the nasal region;

wall means defining an inner protective chamber within said outer housing;

an oscillator mounted within said inner chamber, said oscillator including an electronic excitation circuit and a piezoceramic member which is connected to and excitable into vibration by said electronic excitation circuit;

a conically-shaped sonic transducer extending through said wall means and mounted thereto in a liquid-tight relation at an oscillation node, said transducer carrying said piezoceramic member on its larger end, and including an atomizing plate mounted on the smaller end of said conically shaped sonic transducer, said atomizing plate including a surface facing the opening in said outer housing, said transducer transmitting ultrasonic vibrations to said plate; and

a liquid reservoir in said outer housing including an unobstructed outlet passageway means extending from said reservoir to a point adjacent said atomizing plate, and a mesh network constituting a wick extending in fluid communication between said outlet passageway means and said surface of said atomizing plate and providing sole fluid communication therebetween.