Nebulizer

• US 20130125881A1
• Filed: 05/21/2012
• Published: 05/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH (C.H. Boehringer Sohn AG & Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH (C.H. Boehringer Sohn AG & Co. KG)
• Inventors: HOLAKOVSKY, Holger, THOEMMES, Ralf, ROHRSCHNEIDER, Marc, WITTE, Florian, DEANE, Kevin Peter, JENNINGS, Douglas Ivan
• Granted Patent: US 9,827,384 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/200.21
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/007 Syringe-type or piston-type sprayers or atomisers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0025 with caps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0036 hollow piercing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0065 Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices A61M15/0028 takes precedence; dosage devices incorporated in aerosol cans B65D83/52
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0071 having a display or indicator
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0081 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/273 preventing reuse, e.g. of disposables
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0054 Cartridges, i.e. containers specially designed for easy attachment to or easy removal from the rest of the sprayer attachment arrangements between pump and container B05B11/1043
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/108 Means for counting the number of dispensing strokes
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1091 being first hold in a loaded state by locking means or the like, then released B05B11/1092 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/0421 Controlled or regulated
• CPC Class Codes: G06M 1/026 Connecting or supporting parts
• CPC Class Codes: G06M 1/24 Drums; Dials; Pointers for measuring instruments in general G01D; for time measuring instruments G04B19/00, including drums G04B19/21, G04C19/04; date indicating G04B19/24

Abstract

A nebulizer is proposed which comprises a replaceable container containing fluid, a housing part detachable from the nebulizer for replacing the container, and an operation counter inseparable from the housing part as depicted in exemplary FIG. 10. The operation counter comprises a lead screw and an associated rider both supported by the housing part.

Claims

1. Nebulizer (1) which is an inhaler for a fluid (2), comprising:

a replaceable container (3) containing the fluid (2),

a housing part (18), which is detachable from the nebulizer (1) for replacing the container (3) and which is inseparable from the container (3), and

an operation counter (5) counting uses of the nebulizer (1) with the associated container (3), the operation counter (45) being inseparable from the housing part (18) for replacement together with the container (3) and housing part (18),

characterized in that the operation counter (45) comprises a first lead screw (46) and an associated, first rider (47) both supported by the housing part (18).

2. Nebulizer according to claim 1, characterized in that the first lead screw (46) and the first rider (47) are inseparable from the housing part.

3. Nebulizer according to claim 1, characterized in that the first lead screw (46) is driven by relative rotation of the housing part (18) and/or during conveying of fluid (2) into a pressure generator (5) or pressure chamber (11) of the nebulizer (1) and/or during tensioning of a drive spring (7) of the nebulizer (1).

4. Nebulizer according to claim 1, characterized in that the operation counter (45) locks the nebulizer (1) against further use conveying of fluid (2) into a pressure generator (5) of the nebulizer (1), tensioning of a drive spring (7) of the nebulizer (1), rotation of the housing part (18), pressure generation and/or nebulization, in a first locked state when a predetermined number of uses has been reached or exceeded with the current or associated container (3).

5. Nebulizer according to claim 4, characterized in that the housing part (18) guides a first locking element (50) which is a spring or a spring biased element, whereby for entering the first locked state the first locking element (50) is moved, preferably axially, into a locking position by or together with the first rider (47) for entering the first locked state.

6. Nebulizer according to claim 4, characterized in that the first locked state is reset by replacing of the housing part (18) together with the container (3) and operation counter (45).

7. Nebulizer according to claim 1, characterized in that a first opening lock (52) blocks opening of the nebulizer (1) or detachment of the housing part (18) and, thus, blocks container replacement, wherein the first opening lock (52) is opened by the operation counter (45) or first rider (47) when a predetermined number of uses has been reached or exceeded with the associated or current container (3).

8. Nebulizer according to claim 1, characterized in that a second opening lock (62) blocks opening of the nebulizer (1) or detachment of the housing part (18) and, thus, blocks container replacement, wherein the second opening lock (62) is closed when a predetermined number of containers (3) has been used or inserted or, when a predetermined number of uses of the nebulizer (1) has been reached or exceeded.

9. Nebulizer according to claim 1, characterized in that the nebulizer (1) comprises a container counter (23) counting the number of containers (3) that have been used or inserted or still can be used or inserted.

10. Nebulizer according to claim 8, characterized in that the container counter (23) closes the second opening lock (62).

11. Nebulizer according to claim 9, characterized in that the container counter (23) actuates or comprises a second lead screw (57) and an associated, second rider (58).

12. Nebulizer according to claim 10, characterized in that the second rider (58) actuates or closes the second opening lock (62).

13. Nebulizer according to claim 1, characterized in that the container (3) is pre-assembled into the housing part (18).

14. Nebulizer according to claim 1, characterized in that the container (3) is moveable back and forth within the nebulizer (1) and/or relative to a housing part (18) of the nebulizer (1) during conveying of fluid (2), pressure generation and/or nebulization.

15. Nebulizer according to claim 1, characterized in that the nebulizer (1) comprises a securing means (35) for holding the container (3) inseparably in the housing part (18), wherein the container (3) is moveable back and forth within the housing during conveying of fluid (2), pressure generation and/or nebulization.