INHALATION DEVICE WITH MULTILIQUID-NOZZLE AND METHOD

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of inhalation devices for liquids. In particular, the invention relates to an inhalation device having a nebulizing nozzle, and to a method for the generation of an aerosol of a medically active liquid by means of such inhalation device.

An inhalation device comprises a housing (1), inside this housing (1) at least one reservoir (2) for storing a liquid (F, F1, F2), at least one pumping unit with at least one pumping chamber (3, 3A, 3B) for generation of a pressure inside said pumping chamber (3, 3A, 3B), at least one riser pipe (5, 5A, 5B) which can be received with at least one reservoir-facing, interior end (5A′, 5B′) in said pumping chamber (3, 3A, 3B), and a nozzle (6) which is connected to an exterior end (5A″, 5B″) of the riser pipe (5, 5A, 5B), wherein the interior volume of the at least one pumping chamber (3, 3A, 3B) is changeable by means of relative motion of the pumping chamber (3, 3A, 3B) to the riser pipe (5, 5A, 5B), and wherein the at least one riser pipe (5, 5A, 5B) is immobile and firmly attached to the housing (1) or to the nozzle (6), and the at least one pumping chamber (3, 3A, 3B) is moveable relative to the housing (1) or to the nozzle (6), wherein further, the nozzle (6) has a main axis (Z) and at least three ejection channels (6A, 6B, 6C, 6D) adapted to eject liquid (F, F1, F2) along respective ejection trajectories, wherein at least one collision point (X, X1, X2) is provided at which at least two of said ejection trajectories intersect with one another.

Claims

1. An inhalation device for medically active liquids for generation of an aerosol, comprising a housing, inside this housing at least one reservoir for storing a liquid, at least one pumping unit with at least one pumping chamber for generation of a pressure inside said pumping chamber, wherein the pumping chamber is fluidically connected with the reservoir via a check valve which blocks in direction of the reservoir, (2, 2A,2B) at least one riser pipe which can be received with at least one reservoir-facing, interior end in said pumping chamber, and a nozzle which is connected liquid-tight to an exterior end of the riser pipe, wherein the interior volume of the at least one pumping chamber is changeable by means of relative motion of the pumping chamber to the riser pipe, and wherein the at least one riser pipe is immobile and firmly attached to the housing or to the nozzle, and the at least one pumping chamber is moveable relative to the housing or to the nozzle, wherein the nozzle has a main axis and at least three ejection channels adapted to eject liquid along respective ejection trajectories, wherein at least one collision point is provided at which at least two of said ejection trajectories intersect with one another.

2. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein all ejection angles at which the individual trajectories leave the nozzle are identical, or wherein at least one of said ejection angles differs from the other ejection angles.

3. (canceled)

4. The inhalation device according to claim 1 wherein at least two, or all collision points are located within the same plane perpendicular to the main axis, or wherein at least two, or all collision points are located on different planes.

5. (canceled)

6. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein, with respect to the nozzle's main axis, all collision points are located on the main axis, or wherein, with respect to the nozzle's main axis, at least one collision point is offset from the main axis.

7. (canceled)

8. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein all of the nozzle's ejection channels have the same cross section.

9. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the nozzle's ejection channels has a different cross section from that of another ejection channel.

10. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein all of the nozzle's ejection channels are connected to the same pumping chamber or liquid type reservoir, such that all collision points can be fed with the same liquid.

11. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein at least two of the nozzle's ejection channels are connected to individual pumping chambers or liquid reservoirs, such that at least one collision point which can be fed with a different liquid is provided.

12. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein at least two of the nozzle's ejection channels are connected to an upstream arranged common mixing chamber.

13. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein at least two ejection channels of the nozzle share a common inlet and have intersecting trajectories such as to form a pair or group of ejection channels.

14. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein all ejection channels of the nozzle have distinct inlets.

15. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein two ejection channels form a pair, the device further comprising a main feed channel arranged to connect to an upstream end of the first ejection channel, and a cross channel that connects said main feed channel with the upstream end of the second ejection channel.

16. The inhalation device according to claim 15, with a nozzle having a plurality of pairs, wherein the exit openings of the ejection channels of one of the pairs, with respect to the main axis which forms a symmetry axis, are in rotated positions relative to the exit openings of the ejection channels of another one of the pairs, and wherein the respective cross channels are, along said symmetry axis, spaced apart from one another.

17. The inhalation device according to claim 15, wherein the nozzle exhibits a front side and a back side opposite to the front side, wherein the front side comprises the exit openings of the ejection channels, and wherein the back side is essentially flat and comprises a plurality of openings that form inlets to said main feed channel(s).

18. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle is constructed as a stack of two-dimensional plates, or wherein the nozzle is constructed from a three-dimensional rotation symmetric basic shape.

19. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle has at least two ejection channels that can be fed with different liquids, wherein said ejection channels are connected to the respective pumping chambers of upstream arranged individual pumping units.

20. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle has at least two ejection channels that can be fed with different liquids, wherein said ejection channels are connected to individual pumping chambers integrated into one common pumping unit.

21. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle has at least two ejection channels that can be fed from a common mixing chamber which is fed with different liquids, wherein said mixing chamber is connected to the respective pumping chambers of upstream arranged individual pumping units.

22. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle has at least two ejection channels that can be fed from a common mixing chamber which is fed with different liquids, wherein said mixing chamber is connected to individual pumping chambers integrated into one common pumping unit.

23. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir is firmly attached to the pumping chamber and thus moveable inside the housing, or wherein the reservoir is connected to the pumping chamber by means of a flexible element, and firmly attached to the housing.

24. (canceled)

Description

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0088] FIG. 1 shows the main components of an inhalation device according to the invention.

[0089] FIG. 2 shows a device similar to the one of FIG. 1, but without optional outlet valves.

[0090] FIG. 3 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 before initially filling the pumping chambers.

[0091] FIG. 4 shows the situation during the first activation.

[0092] FIG. 5 shows the situation at the end of the first activation.

[0093] FIG. 6 shows the situation after re-filling the pumping chambers.

[0094] FIG. 7 shows a nozzle according to a first embodiment.

[0095] FIG. 8 shows a detail thereof.

[0096] FIG. 9 shows a nozzle according to a second embodiment.

[0097] FIG. 10 shows a nozzle according to a third embodiment.

[0098] FIG. 11 shows a detail thereof.

[0099] FIG. 12 shows a nozzle according to a fourth embodiment.

[0100] FIG. 13 shows a nozzle according to a fifth embodiment.

[0101] FIGS. 14-16 shows cross sections of a nozzle according to the fifth embodiment.

[0102] FIG. 17 shows a three-dimensional view of this embodiment.

[0103] In FIG. 1, the main components of an inhalation device according to the invention are depicted schematically and not-to-scale, at the situation prior to first use.

[0104] The inhalation device comprises a housing 1, which is preferably shaped and dimensioned such that it can be held with one hand and can be operated by one finger, e.g. the thumb (not shown). Two reservoirs 2A, 2B for the respective storage of a medically active liquid F1, F2 are located inside the housing 1. The depicted reservoirs 2A, 2B are designed to be collapsible; that means that during proceeding emptying, the elastic or at least limp walls buckle, so that the negative pressure which is necessary for extraction of a certain amount of liquid F1, F2 is not, or almost not, increased. A similar effect can be achieved when a rigid container has a moveable bottom by means of which the interior volume of the respective reservoir can also be successively be reduced (not shown).

[0105] Further, the inhalation device comprises a pumping unit with two pumping chambers 3A, 3B within the housing 1 for generation of the desired pressures which are necessary for emitting liquid F1, F2 and nebulizing the same. The pumping unit can also comprise additional, not depicted components (push button, locking device, etc.).

[0106] The pumping chambers 3A, 3B can be present within separate pumping units, as shown in the present example, or they can be present as integrated into one single pumping unit (not shown).

[0107] Pumping chambers 3A, 3B are fluidically connected with reservoirs 2A, 2B by means of a respective inlet check valve 4A, 4B. Check valves 4A, 4B serve for allowing inflow of liquid F1, F2 into the respective pumping chamber 3A, 3B, and block a back flow of liquid F1, F2 into reservoir 2A, 2B upon release of the not-depicted locking mechanism.

[0108] As a means for the storage of potential energy 7, a spring is provided which is coupled with one (upwards directed) end to the pumping chambers 3A, 3B and which is supported at housing 1 (lower part of the figure).

[0109] The inhalation device further comprises two riser pipes 5A, 5B with at least one respective reservoir-facing, interior end 5A′, 5B′ which can be received in said pumping chambers 3A, 3B. In other words, riser pipes 5A, 5B can at least partially be pushed into pumping chambers 3A, 3B, resulting in a decrease of the interior volumes of pumping chambers 3A, 3B. The term “interior volume” describes that volume which extends from the reservoir-facing inlet of the pumping chamber 3A, 3B to the place where the interior end 5A′, 5B′ of the riser pipe 5A, 5B is located. In the depicted situation, riser pipe 5A, 5B is almost entirely contained in the respective pumping chamber 3A, 3B. As a result, the respective interior volume, situated between check valves 4A, 4B and the interior end 5A′, 5B′ of riser pipes 5A, 5B, is at a minimum.

[0110] Preferably, in the section which serves for the reception of the riser pipes, pumping chamber 3A, 3B has section with an circular inner cross section that corresponds to the (then also) circular outside cross section of the according riser pipe section. Of course, other cross section shapes are possible as well.

[0111] According to the depicted embodiment, check valve 4A, 4B is arranged between reservoir 2A, 2B and inlet of pumping chamber 3A, 3B.

[0112] Further, the inhalation device comprises a nozzle 6 which is connected liquid-tight to the respective exterior ends 5A″, 5B″ of riser pipes 5A, 5B. Nozzle 6 is suitable for nebulizing/atomizing liquid by using the principle of two colliding liquid jets. The nozzle 6 which is depicted as an example comprises two ejection channels 6A, 6B. At a time, each of the two nozzle's ejection channels 6A, 6B are connected to an individual pumping chamber 3A, 3B and thus, liquid reservoir 2A, 2B, such that a collision point which can be fed with a different liquids is provided. Each liquid F1, F2 has its own pumping chamber 3A, 3B in order to avoid undesired mixing.

[0113] Preferably, the cross sections of the liquid-containing channels are relatively small, and typically, in the region of microns. In the example, the angles of the ejection channels 6A, 6B with respect to the main axis Z (dashed line) are such that their ejection trajectories (dotted lines) intersect in one common collision point X.

[0114] Also depicted is an optional outlet valve 8A, 8B inside riser pipe 5A, 5B for avoiding back flow of liquid or air into the exterior end 5A″, 5B″ of the same from the outside. Outlet valve 8A, 8B is arranged in the interior end 5A′, 5B′ of riser pipe 5A, 5B. Liquid F1, F2 can pass outlet valve 8A, 8B in direction of nozzle 6, but outlet valve 8A, 8B blocks any undesired back flow in the opposite direction.

[0115] As can be seen in FIG. 1, riser pipe 5A, 5B is designed immobile and firmly attached to housing 1, indicated by the connection in the region of exterior end 5A″, 5B″ with housing 1. Riser pipe 5A, 5B is also firmly attached to nozzle 6, which in turn is attached to housing 1 as well. On contrary, pumping chamber 3A, 3B is designed to be moveable with respect to housing 1 and nozzle 6. The benefits of this design have already been explained; reference is made to the respective sections above.

[0116] Referring to FIG. 2, a device similar to the one of FIG. 1 is depicted. However, the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 lacks the (optional) outlet valves 8A, 8B. All other substantial components are present, and also the function is comparable.

[0117] FIG. 3, wherein some of the previously introduced reference numbers have been omitted for the sake of clarity, shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 just before initially filling the pumping chambers 3A, 3B. Pumping chamber 3A, 3B is pulled down, loading the means for the storage of potential energy 7. Outlet valve 8A, 8B is closed due to underpressure inside pumping chamber 3A, 3B, and check valve 4A, 4B is open to reservoir 2A, 2B. Increasingly collapsing walls of reservoir 2A, 2B allow its inside pressure remain nearly constant, while pressure inside pumping chamber 3A, 3B drops because of the upwards motion pulling pumping chamber 3A, 3B off riser pipe 5A, 5B, increasing the respective interior volume of pumping chamber 3A, 3B. As a result, respective interior volume of pumping chamber 3A, 3B fills with liquid F1, F2 from reservoir 2A, 2B.

[0118] In FIG. 4, the situation during the first activation of the inhalation device is shown. Means for the storage of potential energy 7 has been released from the loaded position as shown in FIG. 3. It pushes the pumping unit comprising pumping chamber 3A, 3B onto riser pipe 5A, 5B, the interior end 5A′, 5B′ of which coming closer to check valve 4A, 4B now being closed. As a result, the pressure inside pumping chamber 3A, 3B rises and keeps valve 4A, 4B being closed, but opens outlet valve 8A, 8B. Liquid F1, F2 rises inside riser pipe 5A, 5B towards its exterior end 5A″, 5B″ and nozzle 6.

[0119] FIG. 5 shows the situation at the end of the first activation. Means for the storage of potential energy 7 is in its most relaxed end position (spring fully extended). Also, pumping chamber 3A, 3B has been pushed almost entirely onto according riser pipe 5A, 5B such that the respective interior volume of pumping chamber 3A, 3B reaches its minimum. Most of liquid F1, F2 previously contained inside pumping chamber 3A, 3B has passed outlet valve 8A, 8B into riser pipe 5A, 5B. Liquid F1, F2 already contained within riser pipe 5A, 5B has been pushed towards, and though, through ejection channels 6A and 6B of nozzle 6, where the desired nebulization takes place, producing a spray at common collision point X.

[0120] In FIG. 6, the situation after re-filling the pumping chamber 3A, 3B is depicted. Pumping chamber 3A, 3B has again been pulled off interior end 5A′, 5B′ of riser pipe 5A, 5B, increasing the respective interior volume of pumping chamber 3A, 3B. Means for the storage of potential energy 7 has been loaded (spring compressed). During movement of pumping chamber 3A, 3B away from riser pipe 5A, 5B, a negative pressure develops in the interior volume, closing outlet valve 8A, 8B and opening check valve 4A, 4B. As a result, new liquid F1, F2 is drawn from reservoir 2A, 2B into pumping chamber 3A, 3B. The inhalation device's pumping chamber 3A, 3B is filled again and ready for the next ejection of liquid F1, F2 by releasing the spring.

[0121] In FIG. 7, a nozzle 6 comprising three ejection channels 6A, 6B, 6C is depicted. The ejection trajectories (dotted lines) intersect in one common collision point X. This collision point is located in plane P having a perpendicular orientation with respect to the main axis Z (this is the common orientation of the plane in which the collision point lies throughout this document, if not stated otherwise). All channels 6A, 6B, 6C are arranged symmetrically and three-dimensionally around main axis Z. The ejection angles (also plotted in FIG. 8 which is a detailed view of the nozzle tip; only angles A1, A2 are shown) as defined herein are identical. The line from which the intemediate angle I is measured is the main axis; thus, the intermediate angle is the collision angle. In this example, all individual trajectories are positioned on the surface of a truncated cone. Since the surface 6′ of the truncated cone is parallel to the base circle (no reference numeral), in this example, the angles A1, A2 measured at both locations are identical. Preferably, the channels 6A, 6B, 6C are (laterally) closed with a closure such as a lid (not shown) or the like in a way that liquid (not shown) can pass through the channels, but cannot leave them in undesired (lateral) directions. This can e.g. be achieved in placing the truncated cone inside a cone shaped cap (not shown), the wall(s) of which form(s) a lid for the channels. The channels can be fabricated on the surface of the truncated cone as shown, but also as trenches in the surface of the cap.

[0122] Both types can be combined with each other, in that channels are provided alternating in cone and opening, or in that associated half-channels are provided in cone and opening.

[0123] In FIG. 9, a cross sectional view of a nozzle 6 is shown wherein, with respect to the nozzle's 6 main axis Z, again, all ejection angles A are identical (only one reference numeral A plotted); thus, all intermediate angles are the same as well, and they are all measured against the main axis Z. However, the ejection channels 6A-6D lie in a common cross sectional plane (hatching omitted), such that different collision points X1, X2 are provided. These are located in different planes P1, P2 perpendicular to the main axis Z, i.e. collision point X1 and X2 have different distances to the front surface 6′ of nozzle 6. At the same time, all collision points X1, X2 are located on main axis Z. Ejection channels 6A and 6B form a first pair, and ejection channels 6C and 6D form a second pair. In this example, nozzle 6 is constructed as a “two-dimensional” block.

[0124] The present example can be used to produce a central stream (not shown) of an aerosol of a first liquid, and a surrounding sheath stream of an aerosol of a second liquid.

[0125] In FIG. 10, an embodiment is shown wherein the ejection channels 6A-6D are once again located on the surface of a truncated cone. In this setup, the ejection angles A1, A1′ of a first pair of ejection channels 6A, 6B correspond to the ejection angles A2, A2′ of a second pair of ejection channels 6C, 6D. However, due to ejection offsets the setup results in two different collision points X1 and X2. FIG. 11 is a detail of the tip of the nozzle. Note that angles A1, A2 in FIG. 10 are the same as in FIG. 11 since the base circle of the cone is parallel to the surface 6′ of the truncated cone.

[0126] As can be seen in FIG. 10, for example, trajectory of channel 6B is slightly tilted away from the main axis Z in one direction, namely in direction of angle A1″, whereas trajectory of channel 6D is tilted in the opposite direction, namely in direction of angle A2″. Also, (pesently similar) angles A1 and A2 are slightly smaller than angles A1* and A2* which start at the thin dashed lines. These represent lines that start at the base circle of the cone and end at its imaginay tip; channels along the thin dashed lines would have identical angles A1, A2 (and A1′, A2′, as well as A1″, A2″) as well, but also result in one common collision point. Therefore, in this example, two pairs of ejection channels 6A, 6B and 6C, 6D are provided, all having identical ejection angles A1, A2, A1′ A2′ (see FIG. 11), and thus, two collision points X1, X2 are provided, as in the previous example. A lateral ejection offset D exists which is the result of the aforesaid placement of angles. In this embodiment, along the nozzle's main axis Z, all collision points X1, X2 are located within the same plane (not shown) with respect to the nozzle's 6 front surface 6′. At the same time, all collision points X1, X2 a located laterally offset from main axis Z (lateral ejection offset D).

[0127] FIG. 12 depicts a nozzle 6 with four ejection channels 6A-6D whose ejection trajectories have pairwise different ejection angles (A1 and A1′ are similar, as well as A2 and A2′), wherein the ejection channels (and the trajectories) lie in a common plane (hatched cross sectional plane). Nozzle 6 is again of the “two-dimensional” block-type. The angles A1, A1′, A2, A2′ are arranged in such a way that all ejection trajectories (dotted lines) intersect in one common collision point X.

[0128] In FIG. 13, a transparent top view on another embodiment of a nozzle is shown. For further details, reference is made to the description of FIGS. 12-15 below which relate to the same embodiment.

[0129] In FIGS. 14 and 15, two cross sections A-A and B-B of nozzle 6 from FIG. 11 are shown (hatching omitted) wherein the ejection channels 6A, 6B and 6C, 6D are connected to an upstream arranged common splitting chamber 9A, 9B. Thus, a separate chamber, or volume, is provided that is arranged between pumping chamber (not shown) and ejection channels 6A, 6B/6C, 6D, which has the purpose of splitting the liquid fed to the nozzle (optionally from several sources) before feeding it to the ejection channels 6A, 6B/6C, 6D.

[0130] In the depicted embodiment, two of the nozzle's 6 ejection channels 6A and 6B as well as 6C and 6D form a respective pair, and one main feed channel 10A, 10B is arranged to connect with the beginning of the first ejection channel 6A, 6C and a cross channel 11A, 11B exists that connects said main feed channel 10A, 10B with the end of the respective second ejection channel 6A, 6C. The cross channel 11A, 11B which serves as splitting chamber 9A, 9B runs perpendicular to main feed channel 10A, 10B. Only one respective inlet opening 12A, 12B exists which must be coupled to a pumping chamber or pumping unit (not shown).

[0131] In the depicted embodiment, the initially overlapping pairs of ejection channels, with respect to the main axis Z (not shown) which then also forms a symmetry axis, are in rotated positions relative to one another, e.g. by 60° (or another integer factor of 360°), and the respective cross channels 11A, 11B are, along said symmetry axis, spaced apart from one another, in order not to intersect with each other.

[0132] In FIG. 16 which is a transparent side view, a cross section containing hidden lines is depicted, such that all main axially spaced apart cross channels (third cross channel with reference numeral omitted) are well visible. Only two pairs of ejection channels can be seen because of the view direction.

[0133] The aforementioned design can also be seen in FIG. 17 which is a three-dimensional transparent view of nozzle 6 containing the cross sections of FIGS. 14 and 15. By virtually rotating the cross sections, a compact and simple nozzle is obtained whose inlet openings (reference numerals omitted) are located on a circular path (dash-dotted circle). Thus, the respective interface to the upstream arranged component (i.e. pumping chamber, valve section, not depicted) can be designed to be relatively simple.

LIST OF REFERENCES

[0134] 1 housing [0135] 2,2A,2B reservoir [0136] 3,3A,3B pumping chamber [0137] 4,4A,4B check valve [0138] 5,5A,5B riser pipe [0139] 5A′,5B′ interior end [0140] 5A″,5B″ exterior end [0141] 6 nozzle [0142] 6′ front surface [0143] 6A-6D ejection channels [0144] means for the storage of potential energy [0145] 8,8A,8B outlet valve [0146] 9A,9B splitting chamber [0147] 10,10A,10B main feed channel [0148] 11,11A,11B cross channel [0149] 12,12A,12B inlet opening [0150] F,F1,F2 liquid [0151] X,X1,X2 collision point [0152] A,A1,A2 ejection angle [0153] A1*,A2*,A1′,A2′,A1″,A2″ angle [0154] I intermediate angle [0155] Z main axis [0156] D ejection offset [0157] P,P1,P2 plane