INHALATION DEVICE

Abstract

An inhalation device (1) comprising a compressor (2), an aerosol generator (3) and a pressure relief valve (4), wherein the compressor (2) is configured to provide a compressed gas for the aerosol generator (3) and the pressure relief valve (4) is configured to limit a pressure in the inhalation device (1).

Claims

1. An inhalation device comprising a compressor, an aerosol generator and a pressure relief valve, wherein the compressor is configured to provide a compressed gas for the aerosol generator and the pressure relief valve is configured to limit a pressure in the inhalation device.

2. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure relief valve is disposed adjacent to an outlet of the compressor.

3. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein the compressor comprises a piston.

4. The inhalation device according to claim 3, wherein the piston is a wobble piston.

5. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure relief valve comprises a hose section and an indentation in a hose connection nozzle, said hose sealing the indentation below a limiting pressure in the interior of the hose and expanding above the limiting pressure in the interior of the hose such that the indentation is opened to the surroundings in order that gas can escape from the hose into the surroundings via the indentation.

6. The inhalation device according to claim 5, wherein in the region of the indentation, a hose fastening device is provided around the hose.

7. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein an expansion is provided on the hose connection nozzle.

8. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein the compressor includes a cylinder that comprises a plastic.

9. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein the compressor is provided to generate an operating pressure of between 1 and 3 bar.

10. A pressure relief valve for an inhalation device comprising a compressor and an aerosol generator, wherein the compressor is configured to provide a compressed gas for the aerosol generator and the pressure relief valve comprises a hose section and a hose connection nozzle, said hose connection nozzle comprising an indentation, said hose sealing the indentation below a limiting pressure in the interior of the hose and expanding above the limiting pressure in the interior of the hose such that the indentation is opened to the surroundings in order that gas can escape from the hose into the surroundings via the indentation.

Description

[0038] In the following, the invention will be described in more detail by means of embodiment examples and with reference to the enclosed drawings. The drawings show the following:

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an inhalation device comprising a compressor, an aerosol generator and a pressure relief valve;

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a pressure relief valve;

[0041] FIG. 3 shows the pressure relief valve as shown in FIG. 2 in the presence of a high pressure;

[0042] FIG. 4 shows a pressure relief valve comprising a retaining edge;

[0043] FIG. 5 shows the pressure relief valve as shown in FIG. 4 in the presence of a high pressure;

[0044] FIG. 6 shows a pressure relief valve comprising a retaining edge and a clip; and

[0045] FIG. 7 shows the pressure relief valve as shown in FIG. 6 in the presence of a high pressure.

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an inhalation device 1 comprising a wobble piston compressor 2, an aerosol generator 3 and a pressure relief valve 4. The pressure relief valve 4 is disposed on the wobble piston compressor 2. The aerosol generator 3 is a nozzle nebuliser 3 and is connected to the pressure relief valve 4 and the wobble piston compressor 2 via a compressed air line 5. A mouthpiece 6 is provided on the nozzle nebuliser 3.

[0047] When the inhalation device 1 is in use, the wobble piston compressor 2 generates compressed air that is guided to the nozzle nebuliser 3 via the compressed air line 5. With the aid of the compressed air and a liquid, the nozzle nebuliser 3 generates an aerosol. The aerosol can be inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece 6.

[0048] The pressure relief valve 4 limits the relative pressure between the inhalation device 1 and the surroundings to 10 bar.

[0049] If the relative pressure exceeds this value, the pressure relief valve 4 establishes a connection between the interior of the compressed air line 5 and the surroundings. Air can thereby escape out of the inhalation device 1 into the surroundings and the relative pressure in the inhalation device 1 decreases.

[0050] Endangerment of the user or persons in the vicinity and damage to the inhalation device 1 can thus be prevented. The compressor 2 can be configured to supply a high pressure. It is not necessary to configure the compressor 2 to supply a low pressure in order to prevent endangerment or damage. The inhalation device 1 can be configured such that it has a high degree of efficiency.

[0051] FIG. 2 shows a pressure relief valve 4 such as can be used in an inhalation device 1, for example in the inhalation device 1 as shown in FIG. 1. The pressure relief valve 4 is shown in a state which it assumes in the presence of an operating pressure or in a pressureless state.

[0052] The pressure relief valve 4 comprises a hose connection nozzle 7, a groove 8 and one end of a hose 5. The hose connection nozzle 7 can be connected to a compressor 2. The hose 5 can be connected to a nebuliser 3. In the presence of an operating pressure or when the compressor 2 is switched off, the hose 5 lies flat on the hose connection nozzle 7. The interior of the hose 5 is sealed against the surroundings in such a manner that compressed air cannot escape from inside the hose 5 into the surroundings. The groove 8 is connected to the surroundings but not to the interior of the hose 5 or the hose connection nozzle 7.

[0053] FIG. 3 shows the pressure relief valve 4 as shown in FIG. 2 in the presence of a high internal pressure or a pressure inside the hose 5 that exceeds a predetermined operating pressure. The relative pressure inside the hose 5 in relation to the surroundings is 3 bar.

[0054] Owing to the high relative pressure, the hose 5 is inflated such that it is lifted in part from the hose connection nozzle 7. This provides a connection between the interior of the hose 5 and the groove 8. Compressed air can escape from the interior of the hose 5, through the inflated area 9, past an outer side 10 of the hose connection nozzle 7 and into the surroundings via the groove 8. In this manner, a pressure inside the hose 5 can be reduced or a further increase in pressure can be prevented. The internal pressure is not able to lift the hose 5 from the hose connection nozzle 7 in the region on the outlet side of the groove 8 since the pressure is sufficiently reduced following creation of a passage out of the interior of the hose 5 into the groove 8. The hose 5 therefore does not slip from the hose connection nozzle 7 even in the event of a high relative pressure.

[0055] When the internal pressure decreases and an intended relative pressure is achieved, the pressure relief valve 4 reassumes the state as shown in FIG. 2. Compressed air can no longer escape through the groove 8 into the surroundings.

[0056] FIG. 4 shows a pressure relief valve 4 comprising a retaining edge 11. The pressure relief valve 4 is configured in accordance with the pressure relief valve 4 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The retaining edge 11 is provided in order to better prevent the hose 5 from slipping off the hose connection nozzle 7. The retaining edge 11 is a region of the hose connection nozzle 7 that has a larger diameter than the regions of the hose connection nozzle 7 that are adjacent in the longitudinal direction. At the location with the largest diameter, the retaining edge 11 comprises a sharp edge 12.

[0057] In the presence of an operating pressure or in the pressureless state, the hose 5 lies tightly against the retaining edge 11. As a result, the connection between the hose 5 and the retaining edge 11 is particularly strong.

[0058] FIG. 5 shows the pressure relief valve 4 as shown in FIG. 4 in the presence of a high pressure in the interior of the hose 5. As is the case in the pressure relief valve 4 as shown in FIG. 3, an inflated area 9 is formed such that compressed air can escape from the interior of the hose 5, through the inflated area 9, past an outer side 10 of the hose connection nozzle 7 and into the surroundings via the groove 8. The retaining edge 11 prevents the hose 5 from slipping off. The retaining edge 11 defines the area in which the hose 5 can inflate. The hose 5 can inflate on the pressure side, or effectively the side of the retaining edge that faces the compressor 2. The region of the hose 5 that is located on the side of the retaining edge 11 which faces the adjacent end of the hose 5 lies flat on the retaining edge 11 and the hose connection nozzle 7.

[0059] FIG. 6 shows a pressure relief valve 4 comprising a retaining edge 11 and a hose clamp 13 in the pressureless state. The pressure relief valve 4 shown in FIG. 6 corresponds to the pressure relief valve 4 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, with the exception that a hose clamp 13 is provided. The hose clamp 13 constitutes an additional protection against slipping off of the hose 5. It is provided adjacent to the retaining edge 11 on the side of the retaining edge 11 which faces the adjacent end of the hose 5. The hose clamp 13 extends around the hose 5 and the hose connection nozzle 7. The hose clamp 13 is provided in a region of the hose connection nozzle 7, through which the groove 8 extends.

[0060] FIG. 7 shows the pressure relief valve 4 as shown in FIG. 6 in the presence of a high pressure. The hose clamp 13 can prevent the hose from slipping off. It can furthermore prevent the passage from becoming larger, owing to the inflation of the hose 5, than provided by the cross-section of the groove 8.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0061] 1 Inhalation device

[0062] 2 Compressor

[0063] 3 Aerosol generator

[0064] 4 Pressure relief valve

[0065] 5 Hose

[0066] 6 Mouthpiece

[0067] 7 Hose connection nozzle

[0068] 8 Groove

[0069] 9 Inflated region

[0070] 10 Outer side of the hose connection nozzle

[0071] 11 Retaining edge

[0072] 12 Sharp edge

[0073] 13 Hose clamp