Inhaler

• US 9,913,952 B2
• Filed: 08/19/2014
• Issued: 03/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH (C.H. Boehringer Sohn AG & Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH (C.H. Boehringer Sohn AG & Co. KG)
• Inventors: Knell, Marcus, Endert, Guido, Wergen, Horst
• Primary Examiner(s): Ho, (Jackie) Tan-Uyen T
• Assistant Examiner(s): PACIOREK, JONATHAN S
• Application Number:
  US14/462,867
• Publication Number:
  US 20150053203A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,302 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61D 7/04 Devices for anaesthetising animals by gases or vapours; Inhaling devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/006 operated by applying mechanical pressure to the liquid to be sprayed or atomised
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0013 with inhalation check valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0018 with exhalation check valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0073 on a ring
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0086 Inhalation chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/009 using medicine packages with incorporated spraying means, e.g. aerosol cans pocket atomiser of the injector type A61M11/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0093 without arming or cocking, e.g. acting directly on the delivery valve
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0096 Hindering inhalation before activation of the dispenser
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/08 Inhaling devices inserted into the nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2250/00 Specially adapted for animals

Abstract

This invention relates to an inhaler with a respiration indicator, whereby the inhaler has a chamber wall forming a chamber and a dispensing device for fluidic connection of the chamber to a bodily opening, preferably a nostril, whereby the respiration indicator has a wall section of the chamber wall or is formed in this way, whereby the wall section is designed to indicate a respiratory activity by deformation and/or movement.

Claims

1. Inhaler for insertion into a nostril, comprising:

a respiration indicator,

a chamber wall forming a chamber and

a dispensing device for fluidic connection of the chamber to a nostril, and

a discharge nozzle for forming an aerosol,

wherein the chamber comprises an intake opening arranged for receiving the aerosol from the discharge nozzle and the dispensing device comprises an outlet from the chamber for the aerosol,

wherein the inhaler is at least one of closed and airtight between the intake opening and the outlet,

wherein the respiration indicator comprises a wall section extending across and airtight sealing a through passage formed in the chamber wall, wherein the wall section is flexible and configured to indicate a respiratory activity by deformation thereof, the wall section being deflectable into the chamber from a rest position of the wall section during inhalation and being deflectable outward relative to a surrounding portion of the chamber wall during exhalation,

wherein the chamber is formed from a dimensionally stable material apart from said wall section so as to be unresponsive to said respiratory activity except at said wall section,

wherein at least one of the wall section and a boundary edge of the through passage of the chamber wall are configured for connection by an inter-engaged locking of the wall section to the chamber wall.

2. Inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the respiration indicator is configured for indicating a pressure differential between an inside space of the chamber and an area surrounding the chamber.

3. Inhaler according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the wall section is deflectable by more than 1 mm and less than 15 mm under action of any of breathing in, out and through the chamber.

4. Inhaler according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the wall section is deformable in into a curved shape under action of at least one of breathing in, out and through the chamber so that an inwardly directed apex of the curved shape is formed facing into the chamber under the action of breathing out of the chamber and facing away from an inside space of the chamber under the action of breathing into the chamber.

5. Inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the wall section is able to occupy two stable states in each of which the wall section is curved.

6. Inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the wall section is adapted to change from a concave curvature into a convex curvature and vice versa under the action of breathing in, out or through the chamber in a manner creating a pressure differential that acts on the wall section by more than 0.5 hPa and less than 4 hPa.

7. Inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the chamber is adapted to be placed under an underpressure under the action of breathing in and an overpressure in the chamber under the action of breathing out thereby moving or deforming the wall section.

8. Inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the respiration indicator has an indicator means, which reacts to the deformation of the wall section by at least one of changing color, color intensity, reflection or transmission properties relative to visible light, position and acoustically.

9. Inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the wall section is connected in an opening of the chamber wall in an airtight or pressure-tight manner by at least one of having been sprayed, bonded, welded and clamped to the chamber wall.

10. Inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the wall section and the chamber wall are formed of at least one of different materials and different material thicknesses.

11. Inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the wall section has a connecting means for fastening the wall section in an opening of the chamber wall.

12. Inhaler according to claim 11, wherein the connecting means comprises a frame that forms a boundary of the wall section with a contour that corresponds to a border of the opening of the chamber wall.

13. Inhaler according to claim 11, wherein the connecting means is configured for positive-locking of the wall section to the chamber wall by at least one of encompassing an edge of the the chamber wall bounding the opening and engaging an indentation in a rim surrounding the opening of the chamber wall.

14. Inhaler according to claim 1, wherein, in a position of use of the inhaler, the respiration indicator is arranged laterally or upwardly relative to a main direction of flow of breath through the chamber.

15. Inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the wall section has a surface area that is more than 0.5 cm² and less than 15 cm².

16. Inhaler according to claim 1, wherein in the absence of a pressure differential between inner and outer sides of the wall section, the wall section shaped to continue a surface line or contour of a portion of the chamber wall adjoining the wall section so as to be flush with portions of the chamber wall adjoining the wall section.