Inhalation Atomizer Comprising a Blocking Function and a Counter

Abstract

This invention presents an inhalation atomizer comprising a blocking function through a locking-mechanism and a counter along with a method to discharge and atomize fluid. The apparatus is accommodated in a two part housing, wherein the two parts are mounted to be rotatable relative to each other, and can be blocked through a locking mechanism.

The locking mechanism is realized mainly by two protrusions. Protrusion A is located on the outer wall of the lower unit of the inside part. Protrusion B is located on the inner wall of counter. When the inhalation atomizer is actuated each time, the counter will make a rotation with a constant angle around the lower unit of the inside part. Once the predetermined number of actuations has been achieved, Protrusion A and Protrusion B will encounter with each other and hence the counter will be prevented from further rotation. Therefore, the inhalation atomizer is blocked and stopped from further use. The number of actuations of the device can be counted by the counter. Only when sufficient force is applied to destroy the device, this locking state of the device can be overcome. The inhalation atomizer in the current invention can be blocked suitably by this locking-mechanism.

Claims

1. An inhalation atomizer 1 comprising: a block function through a locking mechanism, wherein a lower unit 17b with protrusion B 29 is nested in the counter 26 with an indentation 27 and a protrusion A 28, and the protrusion B 29 and protrusion A 28 are on the same horizontal level and able to move and rotate in the continuous indentation 27, and when the inhalation atomizer 1 is actuated each time, the counter 26 makes a rotation with a constant angle around the lower unit 17b, and when Protrusion A and Protrusion B encounter with each other the counter is prevented from further rotation and hence the atomizer is locked and stopped from further use; a counter, wherein the counter has a worm 24 and a counter ring 26, the counter ring 26 is a circular with dentate part at the bottom, and the worm 24 with upper and lower end gears contacting with the upper shell 16, and the upper shell 16 comprises an inside bulge 25, and when the said bulge 25 passes through the upper end gear of the worm 24, the worm 24 is driven to rotate. The rotation of the worm 24 drives the rotation of the counter ring 26 through the lower end gear, resulting in the counting effect; a fluid 2 in a vessel 3; a nozzle 12 for the delivery and atomization of the fluid 2, wherein the fluid 2 is delivered in metered individual full-doses; and a delivering element in the form of a delivering tube 9, which is movable for delivering the fluid, which is movable for delivery and atomization of the fluid 2.

2. The inhalation atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the atomizer 1 contains a fluid 2 which contains a solvent.

3. The atomizer according to claim 1, wherein an inhalable formulation or a medicament fluid 2 comprising pharmaceutical active ingredients selected from anticholinergics, betamimetics, steroids, phosphodiesterase IV-inhibitors, LTD4-antagonists and EGFR-kinase-inhibitors, antiallergics, ergot alkaloid derivatives, triptans, CGRP-antagonists, phosphodiesterase-V-inhibitors, and any combination of each of the foregoing.

4. The inhalation atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the fluid 2 comprising pharmaceutical active ingredient selected from aclidinium bromide, formoterol fumarate, indacaterol maleate, glycopyrrolate bromide, fluticasone furoate, vilanterol trifenatate, umeclininium bromide, tiotropium bromide, olodaterol hydrochloride, ipratropium bromide, albuterol sulfate or any their pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, or any their combination as the active ingredient(s).

5. The inhalation atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the fluid 2 comprising pharmaceutical active ingredient selected from a combination of aclidinium bromide and formoterol fumarate.

6. The inhalation atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the fluid 2 comprising pharmaceutical active ingredient selected from a combination of indacaterol maleate and glycopyrrolate bromide or any their pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

7. The inhalation atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the fluid 2 comprising pharmaceutical active ingredient selected from a combination of fluticasone furoate and vilanterol trifenatate,

8. The inhalation atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the fluid 2 comprising pharmaceutical active ingredient selected from a triple combination of fluticasone furoate, vilanterol trifenatate and umeclininium bromide or any their pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

9. The inhalation atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the fluid 2 comprising pharmaceutical active ingredient selected from tiotropium bromide or any their pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

10. The inhalation atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the fluid 2 comprising pharmaceutical active ingredient selected from a combination of tiotropium bromide and olodaterol hydrochloride or any their pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof

11. The inhalation atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the fluid 2 comprising pharmaceutical active ingredient selected from olodaterol hydrochloride or any their pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

12. The inhalation atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the fluid 2 comprising pharmaceutical active ingredient selected from a combination of ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate or any their pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

13. A block function through a locking mechanism and a counter, wherein the block function has a lower unit 17b with protrusion B 29 nested in the counter 26 with an indentation 27 and a protrusion A 28, and the protrusion B 29 and protrusion A 28 are on the same horizontal level and able to move and rotate in the continuous indentation 27, and when the inhalation atomizer 1 is actuated each time, the counter 26 makes a rotation with a constant angle around the lower unit 17b, when Protrusion A and Protrusion B encounter with each other and the counter is prevented from further rotation and hence the atomizer is locked and stopped from further use; and wherein the counter has a worm 24 and a counter ring 26, the counter ring 26 is a circular with dentate part at the bottom, and the worm 24 with upper and lower end gears contacting with the upper shell 16, and the upper shell 16 has inside bulge 25, and when the bulge 25 passes through the upper end gear of the worm 24, the worm 24 is driven to rotate. The rotation of the worm 24 drives the rotation of the counter ring 26 through the lower end gear, resulting in the counting effect;

14. A method for inhalation delivering and atomizing fluid 2 using the atomizer 1, which is delivered in individual, metered full-doses through a nozzle 12, wherein the atomizing method comprising: a block function through a locking mechanism, wherein a lower unit 17b with protrusion B 29 nested in the counter 26 with an indentation 27 and a protrusion A 28, and the protrusion B 29 and protrusion A 28 are on the same horizontal level able to move and rotate in the continuous indentation 27, and wherein the inhalation atomizer 1 is actuated each time, the counter 26 makes a rotation with a constant angle around the lower unit 17b, and when Protrusion A and Protrusion B encounter with each other, the counter is prevented from further rotation and hence the atomizer being locked and stopped from further use; a counter, wherein the counter element has a worm 24 and a counter ring 26, the counter ring 26 is a circular with dentate part at the bottom, and the worm 24 with upper and lower end gears contacting with the upper shell 16, and the upper shell 16 has inside bulge 25, and when the bulge 25 passing through the upper end gear of the worm 24, the worm 24 is driven to rotate. The rotation of the worm 24 drives the rotation of the counter ring 26 through the lower end gear, resulting in the counting effect; a fluid 2 in a vessel 3; a nozzle 12 for the delivery and atomization of the fluid 2, wherein the fluid 2 is delivered in metered individual full-doses; and a delivering element in the form of a delivering tube 9, which is movable for delivering the fluid, which is movable for delivery and atomization of the fluid 2.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0172] FIG. 1: A Schematic View of the Blocking Function in Non-locking State

[0173] FIG. 2: A Schematic View of the Blocking Function in Locking State

[0174] FIG. 3: A Schematic View of the Atomizer in Non-Stressed State

[0175] FIG. 4: A Schematic View of the Atomizer in Stressed State After Rotation Through 90 Degree as Related to FIG. 1

[0176] FIG. 5: A Schematic View of Counter Element of the Atomizer

[0177] FIG. 6: A Schematic View of the Atomizer from 3D Drawing

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0178] 1: Atomizer [0179] 2: Fluid [0180] 3: Vessel [0181] 4: Fluid Compartment [0182] 5: Pressure Generator [0183] 6: Holder [0184] 7: Drive spring [0185] 8: Locking part [0186] 9: Delivering tube [0187] 10: Non-return valve [0188] 11: Pressure room [0189] 12: Nozzle [0190] 13: Mouthpiece [0191] 14: Aerosol [0192] 15: Air Inlet [0193] 16: Upper Shell [0194] 17: Inside Part [0195] 17a: Upper Unit [0196] 17b: Lower Unit