DOME-SHAPED LIQUID DISPENSER FOR MEDICAL USES

Abstract

A liquid nebulizer (1) for medical uses wherein a dome-shaped body (10) is shaped symmetrically with respect to a first frontal median plane (M) and to a second sagittal median plane (N) intersected in a central axis (A); the dome-shaped body (10) being developed along the axis (A) between a base portion (100) and an upper truncated portion (102) provided with a cavity (1020); at least two channels (12)(12′) being provided, each of which shaped to access the cavity (1020) through a respective hole (120)(120′) arranged at a given distance from one of the first frontal median plane (M) and second sagittal median plane (N).

Claims

1. A liquid nebulizer (1) for medical uses wherein a dome-shaped body (10) is shaped symmetrically with respect to a first frontal median plane (M) and to a second sagittal median plane (N) intersected in a central axis (A); said dome-shaped body (10) being developed along said axis (A) between a base portion (100) and an upper truncated portion (102) provided with a cavity (1020); characterised in that it has at least a first channel (12) and a second channel (12′), each of which extends from said base portion (100) inside said dome-shaped body (10) and leads into said cavity (1020) through a first hole (120) and a second hole (120′) respectively, and in that each of said first hole (120) and second hole (120′) is arranged at a given distance from one of said first frontal median plane (M) and second sagittal median plane (N); characterized in that said first channel (12) and second channel (12′) each develop in a rectilinear direction along a first longitudinal axis (A12) and a second longitudinal axis (A12′) respectively; said first channel (12) and second channel (12′) being arranged on respective planes parallel to said second sagittal median plane (N) and located on sides opposite to said central axis (A) in order to be skew or being arranged on respective planes which lie on said second sagittal median plane (N) in order to be incident.

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. The nebulizer according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a first seat (122) and a second seat (122′) respectively, radially symmetrical with respect to said first axis (A12) and second axis (A12′) respectively, in that said first seat (122) and second seat (122′) define a first upper part (1220) and a second upper part (1220′) respectively, in that it comprises a first sprayer (20) and a second sprayer (20′) housed in the first upper part (1220) of said first seat (122) and respectively in said second seat (122′), and in that said first sprayer (20) and second sprayer (20′) are shaped to define said first channel (12) and said second channel (12′) respectively.

5. The nebulizer according to claim 4, characterized in that said first sprayer (20) and second sprayer (20′) have a first cylindrical portion (200) and a second cylindrical portion (200′) respectively, delimited at the top by a first concave portion (202) and a second concave portion (202′) respectively which face said cavity (1020) and are each provided with a bottom transversal to said first longitudinal axis (A12) and to the second longitudinal axis (A12′) respectively, and delimited by a first bevelled edge (204) and a second bevelled edge (204′) respectively.

6. The nebulizer according to claim 5, characterized in that said first cylindrical portion (200) and second cylindrical portion (200′) are contained at the bottom inside a first tubular portion (201) and a second tubular portion (201′) respectively, which cover them peripherally so as to define a first axial guide (205) for a first supply duct (47) and a second axial guide (205′) for a second supply duct (47′) designed to feed said first (12) and said second (12′) fluid-tight channels, respectively.

7. The nebulizer according to claim 6, characterized in that said first cylindrical portion (200) and second cylindrical portion (200′) have at the bottom a first circular recess (2000) and a second circular recess (2000′) respectively, in hydraulic communication with said first channel (12) and said second channel (12′) respectively.

8. The nebulizer according to claim 1, characterized in that said base portion (100) has gripping means (104) provided with at least two gripping members (1040)(1040′).

9. The nebulizer according to claim 4 characterized in that said first sprayer (20) and second sprayer (20′) are interchangeable inside said first seat (122) and second seat (122′) respectively.

10. The nebulizer according to claim 1, characterized in that said dome-shaped body (10) has externally at least one discharge groove (11).

11. A set for dispensing liquids for medical purposes and/or treatments inclusive of a pressurized liquid distributor (40) provided with a tank (41) which is flexible so that it can be deformed by means of pressure that can be exerted by a human hand, characterized in that it comprises a nebulizer according to claim 1.

12. The set according to claim 11, characterized in that said distributor (40) is closed by a plug (43) at the top of which a distributor member (45) is arranged which splits into a first supply duct (47) and a second supply duct (47′), the ends of which are sized to engage by shape and in a fluid-tight manner said first sprayer (20) and second sprayer (20′) respectively so as to feed said first sprayer (20) and second sprayer (20′) respectively with said pressurized liquid.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0043] The invention will be better described with reference to some non-limiting embodiments in the attached figures, in which:

[0044] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first preferred embodiment of a dispenser;

[0045] FIG. 2 illustrates FIG. 1 with parts removed for clarity;

[0046] FIG. 3 is a view from below of FIG. 2;

[0047] FIG. 4 is a lateral elevation view from left or right of FIG. 1;

[0048] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of FIG. 2 in section with a sagittal median plane;

[0049] FIG. 6 is a lateral elevation view of FIG. 5;

[0050] FIG. 7 is a lateral elevation view of a section of FIG. 1 according to said sagittal median plane;

[0051] FIG. 8 is a lateral elevation view of a section of FIG. 1 according to a median plane transversal to said sagittal median plane;

[0052] FIG. 9 is a lateral elevation view of a detail extracted from FIG. 1;

[0053] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view on an enlarged scale of FIG. 9;

[0054] FIG. 11 is a plan view of FIG. 9 on an enlarged scale;

[0055] FIG. 12 is a three-dimensional view of an accessory for operation of the dispenser of FIG. 1;

[0056] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a section from above of a second preferred embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0057] FIG. 14 is a lateral elevation view of a section of FIG. 13 according to a sagittal median plane; and

[0058] FIG. 15 illustrates FIG. 13 with details removed for clarity.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0059] In FIG. 1, the reference number 1 indicates a liquid dispenser 1 for medical uses. It comprises a dome-shaped body 10 shaped symmetrically with respect to a first frontal median plane M and to a second sagittal median plane N intersected in a central axis A for the dome-shaped body 10. The latter is developed along the axis A between a base portion 100 and a truncated portion 102 positioned at the top and provided with a cavity 1020. Each of these median planes M and N corresponds to an axis of symmetry having given extension for the sections transversal to the central axis of said dome-shaped body 10. For this reason, the dome-shaped body 10 has an oval or elliptical cross section in each point of the respective central axis A, where the axis of symmetry corresponding to the second sagittal median plane N is greater than the axis of symmetry corresponding to the first frontal median plane M. For this reason, the dome-shaped body 10 has a shape that substantially mirrors in negative the shape of the nasal vestibule and nasal valve. This eases insertion of the dome-shaped body 10 into the nasal vestibule and nasal valve by pushing, causes adhesion of the outer wall of the dome-shaped body 10 to the inner wall of the nasal vestibule and nasal valve with univocal and appropriate orientation of said dome-shaped body 10 and allows widening of the inner wall of the vestibule and valve in a physiologically compatible manner. Further to the above description, the dome-shaped body 10 is shaped in a manner compatible with the nostrils.

[0060] With particular reference to FIGS. 3, 5-8 the dispenser 1 has at least one pair of seats 122 and 122′ having substantially identical geometrical shape which develop in an axially symmetrical manner along the respective axes A12 and A12′, which are arranged on planes parallel and symmetrical to the second sagittal median plane N, therefore on sides opposite to a major axis of a section of the dome-shaped body 10 transversal to the central axis A and thus located on sides opposite the central axis A in order to be skew.

[0061] With particular reference to FIGS. 5-8, each seat 122/122′ is provided with a respective upper part 1220/1220′ designed to house a sprayer 20/20′ (FIGS. 7-10) provided with a channel 12/12′. Each sprayer 20/20′ furthermore has a cylindrical portion 200/200′ which is delimited at the top by a concave portion 202/202′, which faces the cavity 1020, is provided with a bottom 203/203′ transversal to the respective longitudinal axis A12/A12′, the reference of which is, for the sake of practicality, the same as that of the longitudinal axes of the seats 122 and 122′ which house the sprayers 20/20′ respectively. Each bottom 203 and 203′ is peripherally delimited by a bevelled edge 204/204′. From FIG. 7 it can be seen that each of the two channels 12/12′ accesses the cavity 1020 through a respective hole 120/120′ arranged at a given distance from one of the first frontal median plane M and second sagittal median plane N. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 7-10, each axis A12/A12′ is central for the respective sprayer 20/20′ and the channels 12/12′ develop in a rectilinear manner along the respective axes A12 and A12′. Further to the above description, the channels 12 and 12′ are skew and, therefore, the respective ideal extensions do not cross. With particular reference to FIG. 10, the cylindrical portion 200/200′ is contained at the bottom inside a tubular portion 201/201′ which covers it peripherally thus defining an axial cylindrical guide 205/205′ for a supply duct designed to feed the respective fluid-tight channel 12/12′ which will be better described below. Furthermore, the cylindrical portion 200/200′ has at the bottom a circular recess 2000/2000′ in hydraulic communication with the respective channel 12/12′, therefore with the cavity 1020. With particular reference to FIG. 12, a liquid distributor 40 is shown which is provided with a substantially cylindrical tank 41 having dimensions that can be gripped by a human hand, where the peripheral wall 42 of the tank 41 is flexible so that it can be deformed by pressure that can be radially exerted by a human hand. Said distributor 40 is closed by a plug 43 at the top of which a distributor member 45 is arranged which splits into two cylindrical section supply ducts 47/47′, the end of which is sized to engage by shape and in a fluid-tight manner each sprayer 20/20′ inside the respective cylindrical guide 205/205′, so as to supply the dispenser 1 with pressurized liquid, where the pressure is the result of a radial compression exerted on the wall 42 of the distributor 40.

[0062] With reference to FIGS. 1-4 and 8, the base portion 100 has a gripping device 104 (FIG. 8) defined by a peripheral flat portion 105 which is provided with at least two gripping members 1040/1040′ positioned symmetrically with respect to the second sagittal median plane N and centred on the first frontal median plane M.

[0063] The use of the dispenser 1 can be easily understood from the above description and does not require further explanation. However, it may be useful to specify that when the adhesion of the outer wall of the dome-shaped body 10 to the inner wall of the nasal vestibule and nasal valve has been determined by pushing in a physiologically correct manner, and the dome-shaped body 10 is held firm in said position, the dispenser 1 can spray medical liquid simultaneously to the lower, middle and upper meatus of the nasal cavities through the channels 12 and 12′. The resulting widening of the inner walls of the nasal vestibule and nasal valve allows positioning of the apex of the dispenser, and with it the holes 120 and 120′ of the sprayers 20 and 20′, at the beginning of the nasal cavity, inside which are the turbinates, and delivery of the medical liquid in nebulized form through the channels 12 and 12′ in accordance with Bernoulli's equation, always in the same direction inside the nasal cavity, namely towards the three meatus—lower, middle and upper—and the air space between the wall of the nasal septum and the turbinates. Therefore any person, even without knowing the physiology of the nasal cavities, can perform this operation accurately and correctly using the dispenser 1 since the convex part of the dome-shaped body 10 is designed to occupy the entire inner area of the nasal vestibule and nasal valve giving rise to a standardized reference, which validates the hypothesis of Prof. Niels Mygind, originally lacking said precondition. It is useful to specify that the dome-shaped body 10 has externally at least one groove 11, the function of which is to discharge excess air or liquid from the nasal cavity so that the liquid nebulized by the sprayers 20/20′ inside the cavity 1020 is diffused as deeply as possible inside the nasal cavity, and prevent any increase in pressure during administration of the nebulized solution or solution in the form of spray or aerosol. FIGS. 1 and 2 show only one groove 11 for the sake of practicality, without conditioning the scope of the present invention.

[0064] Obviously the fact of considering the liquid distributor 40 provided with the substantially cylindrical tank 41 and having dimensions that can be gripped by a human hand does not aim to limit the scope of the present invention and therefore any device designed to pressurize liquid and supply it to the sprayers 20 and 20′, which can be operated manually or in any other way, falls within the scope of the present invention.

[0065] The patent no. 102016000080879 of the applicant cited above should be referred to, in particular a liquid that passes through a small-diameter channel, like the channels 12 and 12′, which open into a cavity like the cavity 1020 described above, open at the top and delimited by the bottoms 203 and 203′ of the sprayers 20 and 20′, is nebulized, namely broken down into particles which are deviated and distributed in all directions and in a turbulent manner above the holes 120 and 120′, therefore also circumferentially with respect to the relative axes.

[0066] Considering that in this case the channels 12 and 12′ are rectilinear and skew, the pressure exerted on the wall 42 of the distributor 40 supplies pressurized liquid to the holes 120 and 120′ of the sprayers 20 and 20′ determining the formation of clouds of liquid particles. Said particle clouds are spread in a swirling manner across the first frontal median plane M and from the two sides of the second sagittal median plane N, therefore parts of them are reciprocally facing around the axis A so that they inevitably collide. The effect of this collision is an increase in the turbulence of said particles, which causes an increase in the uniformity of distribution of the particles inside the nasal cavity, the mucosa of which are uniformly sprayed by the pressurized liquid inside the nasal cavity, including the mucosa that covers the nasal cavity from the olfactory region to the lower meatus. Therefore, due to the particular structural combination in which the sprayers 20 and 20′ are inserted, due to the presence of the cavity 1020 to which the channels 12 and 12′ lead, the dispenser 1 can be said to be a nebulizer. It should be specified that to obtain an effective turbulence of the liquid particles to be delivered into the body/nasal cavities, the number of sprayers 20/20′ required must necessarily be more than one, but said number can also be greater than two without modifying the scope of the present invention. Naturally, coherently with the above description, the longitudinal axes A12/A12′ (and A12″ of the additional channels 12″) must be arranged in a radial pattern around the axis A so that they are skew two by two, maximizing the capacity to interfere between the jets of liquid delivered by each channel and therefore the degree of nebulization of the liquid.

[0067] Lastly it is clear that variations can be made to the dispenser 1 described and illustrated above without departing from the scope of the present invention, in which identical or corresponding parts of the modified versions will be identified by the same reference numbers, unless indicated otherwise.

[0068] For example, with reference to FIGS. 13-15, to maximize dispersion of the liquid particles delivered by a modified dispenser 1′, provided with only two sprayers 20/20′, the seats 122/122′ are constructed so that the sprayers 20 and 20′ have the respective channels 12/12′ developed along respective axes A12/A12′ which are incident, since they share the position in which they lie coinciding with the second sagittal median plane N; this maximizes the aliquot part of nebulized particles, therefore increasing the turbulence of the liquid broken down into particles inside the body/nasal cavities and maximizing effectiveness of the delivery. In this case, in fact, all the particles of the jet delivered by each of the sprayers 20/20′ are diffused towards one another, crossing within the axis A above the dome-shaped body 10. Since each particle of liquid corresponding to each jet is potentially involved in collision with one of the particles of the other jet, the resulting turbulence of the jet is maximum and, therefore, distribution of the nebulized liquid particles is uniform throughout the nasal cavity.

[0069] It may be useful to specify that the sprayers 20 and 20′ are shaped to be interchangeable within the respective housings.

[0070] Further to the above description, it can be seen that a dispenser shaped like the dispenser 1′ and therefore provided with at least two sprayers 20/20′, each provided with a channel 12/12′ which ends in a cavity 1020 with respective holes 120 and 120′, are designed to maximize the degree of turbulence of the liquid particles supplied by the distributor 40 since said particles are induced to cross one another, both when the axes A12 and A12′ are skew and when they are incident, therefore maximizing the surface area of the mucosa sprayed from the floor of the lower meatus to the upper meatus in the olfactory area.