Inhalator device, in particular a pocket inhalator

• US 5,134,993 A
• Filed: 12/11/1989
• Issued: 08/04/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim Promeco SA de CV (C.H. Boehringer Sohn AG & Co. KG), Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim Promeco SA de CV (C.H. Boehringer Sohn AG & Co. KG), Siemens AG
• Inventors: Friedrich, Juergen, van der Linden, Klaus, Zierenberg, Bernd
• Primary Examiner(s): Burr, Edgar S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lewis, Aaron J.
• Application Number:
  US07/449,705
• Time in Patent Office: 967 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.14, 128/200.16, 128/200.23
• US Class Current: 128/200.14
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0085 using ultrasonics spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0623 coupled with a vibrating horn

Abstract

An inhalator device includes a housing in which an ultrasonic atomizer is disposed. A device delivers a medication to the ultrasonic atomizer. A mouthpiece is disposed downstream of the ultrasonic atomizer in flow direction of the medication defining a space between the ultrasonic atomizer and the mouthpiece. The housing has an air inlet opening formed therein communicating with the space downstream of the ultrasonic atomizer.

Claims

1. Inhalator device, comprising:

a) a housing,

b) an ultrasonic atomizer disposed in said housing, said atomizer having an atomizer surface,

c) a cartridge for delivering a medication to said ultrasonic atomizer in said housing,

d) a mouthpiece disposed downstream of said ultrasonic atomizer in flow direction of the medication defining a space having walls between said ultrasonic atomizer and said mouthpiece,

e) said housing having an air inlet opening formed therein communicating with said space downstream of said ultrasonic atomizer, and

f) means disposed between said air inlet opening and said space for developing a laminar flow of aspirated air, said means being in the form of a perforated substantially flat wall having a multiplicity of relatively small holes disposed around at least a portion of the circumference of a relatively large opening formed in said substantially flat wall said atomizer surface being disposed coincidentally with said large opening, and said small holes being inclined towards said mouthpiece for avoiding formation of a film on said walls.

2. Inhalator according to claim 1, wherein said atomizer surface protrudes into said relatively large opening.

3. Inhalator according to claim 2, wherein said wall is inclined relative to said atomizer surface of said ultrasonic atomizer.

4. Inhalator according to claim 3, wherein said mouthpiece has an axis, and said wall is disposed in a plane being aligned at an angle of approximately 45°

with respect to said axis.

5. Inhalator according to claim 1, wherein said air inlet opening has the shape of a slit.

6. Inhalator according to claim 1, wherein said air inlet opening is disposed above and in the immediate vicinity of said wall.

7. Inhalator according to claim 1, wherein said wall has an approximately half-ring shape.

8. Inhalator according to claim 1, wherein said housing includes a lower part and an upper part detachably secured to said lower part, said device for delivering a medication is disposed in said upper part, said mouthpiece is disposed on said upper part, said air inlet opening is formed in said lower part, and said ultrasonic atomizer and said means for developing a laminar flow of aspirated air are disposed in said lower part.

9. Inhalator according to claim 1, wherein said device for delivering a medication is a dosing cartridge being displaceable able into itself and having a front part with a dosing opening formed therein.

10. Inhalator according to claim 9, including means for firmly holding said dosing opening in place relative to said ultrasonic atomizer during a dosage operation.

11. Inhalator according to claim 10, wherein said holding means are in the form of a stop to be engaged by said front part of said dosing cartridge.

12. Pocket inhalator, comprising:

a) a housing,

b) an ultrasonic atomizer disposed in said housing, said atomizer having an atomizer surface,

c) a device for delivering a medication to said ultrasonic atomizer,

d) a mouthpiece disposed downstream of said ultrasonic atomizer in flow direction of the medication defining a space having walls between said ultrasonic atomizer and said mouthpiece,

e) said housing having an air inlet opening formed therein communicating with said space downstream of said ultrasonic atomizer, and

f) means disposed between said air inlet opening and said space for developing a laminar flow of aspirated air, said means being in the form of a perforated substantially flat wall having a multiplicity of relatively small holes disposed around at least a portion of the circumference of a relatively large opening formed in said substantially flat wall said atomizer surface being disposed coincidentally with said large opening, said holes being inclined towards said mouthpiece for avoiding formation of a film on said walls.

13. Inhalator device, comprising an ultrasonic atomizer having an atomizer surface, means for delivering a medication to said ultrasonic atomizer, outlet means disposed downstream of said ultrasonic atomizer in travel direction of a flow of the medication, and means disposed downstream of said ultrasonic atomizer for delivering air to the flow of the medication, said air delivering means being in the form of a perforated substantially flat wall having a multiplicity of relatively small holes disposed around at least a portion of the circumference of a relatively large opening formed in said substantially flat wall, said atomizer surface being disposed coincidentally with said large opening.