Breath-powered mist inhaler
First Claim
1. A breath-powered device for inhalation of a substance comprising:
- a hollow body having a first end and a second end and having a continuous air passage extending from the first end to the second end;
air inlet means provided at the first end of the hollow body;
air outlet means provided at the second end of the hollow body, the air passage decreasing in size between the air inlet means and the air outlet means;
storage means for storing the substance, wherein said storage means comprises a receptacle containing a fibrous material impregnated with the substance;
releasing means from which the substance is released into the air passage, the releasing means being impregnated with the substance and being located in the air passage proximate the air outlet means, wherein the releasing means comprises a fibre tip comprised of a fibrous material containing a plurality of capillaries, and wherein the fibre tip is in contact with the fibrous material inside the storage means, such that the fibre tip withdraws the substance from the fibrous material in the storage means by capillary action.
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Abstract
A breath-powered inhalation device includes a hollow cylindrical body having an air inlet at one end and an air outlet at another end. The air outlet is narrowed so that air velocity increases as air moves through the outlet. At the air outlet is positioned a releasing mechanism which preferably has a fibre tip impregnated with a medicament or the like. As the air rushes past the releasing mechanism, the medicament or the like is atomized and carried into the respiratory tract of the user by the air. The breath-powered inhalation device of the present invention provides advantages over conventional inhalation devices using compressed gases as propellants since it is more compact, simpler and does not require synchronization of activation of the device and inhalation by the user.
19 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A breath-powered device for inhalation of a substance comprising:
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a hollow body having a first end and a second end and having a continuous air passage extending from the first end to the second end;
air inlet means provided at the first end of the hollow body;
air outlet means provided at the second end of the hollow body, the air passage decreasing in size between the air inlet means and the air outlet means;
storage means for storing the substance, wherein said storage means comprises a receptacle containing a fibrous material impregnated with the substance;
releasing means from which the substance is released into the air passage, the releasing means being impregnated with the substance and being located in the air passage proximate the air outlet means, wherein the releasing means comprises a fibre tip comprised of a fibrous material containing a plurality of capillaries, and wherein the fibre tip is in contact with the fibrous material inside the storage means, such that the fibre tip withdraws the substance from the fibrous material in the storage means by capillary action. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification