HK1116436B - Device for dosing and dry nebulization - Google Patents

Description

Device for dosing and dry atomization

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a device and a method for dosing and dry nebulization of nebulizable material, in particular selected from anti-infective agents and immunomodulators.

Background

Devices for dry nebulization of nebulizable material are well known to the person skilled in the art. In these devices, an aerosolizable material (e.g., a powdered pharmaceutical formulation) is acted upon by a compressed or carrier gas within a specially provided chamber and is converted within the chamber into a state known as dry mist. In this case, the material particles are present in a suitably uniform and finely dispersed form in the entire volume of compressed gas or carrier gas and are then discharged from the chamber in this state via suitable means.

Such a device is particularly suitable for forming a pharmaceutical formulation for administration by inhalation to spontaneously ventilating or passively ventilating patients. For spontaneously ventilating patient applications, the device is typically connected to a suitable mouthpiece or breathing mask. In invasive applications (i.e. for passively ventilated patients), these devices are built into respirators.

However, in the devices for dry nebulization of nebulizable material known hitherto, it has often been found that the delivery of pharmaceutical preparations to patients can only be achieved with considerable expenditure in terms of equipment, if at all (for example using a large number of mechanical dosing devices). Generally, known devices are suitable for aerosolization of pharmaceutical formulations in the range of about 1 μ g to about 20 milligrams (mg). Simple systems for dry nebulization of large quantities, in particular of powdered pharmaceutical preparations (for example some 100mg to 3 g), have not been available to date.

In conventional dry nebulizers, it is often found that nebulizable material present as a loose fill in a storage container (for example a commercially available drug vial) tends to agglomerate, because of its surface properties and/or its water content, resulting in a blockage of the comparatively narrow bore section of the vial. In order to ensure a continuous dosing of nebulizable material over a relatively long period of time, such blockages can usually be eliminated by suitable mechanical means only. Furthermore, agglomerated particles of nebulizable material are generally unable to enter the lungs.

In emergency treatment of patients, particularly intensive care, it is necessary to ensure that a drug as an aerosolizable material (in a form accessible to the alveoli) is administered to the lungs in a constant dose, rapidly and orderly, over a period of up to several minutes, in a rapid high dose. However, in the prior art, the administration of such, for example, high-dose drugs, if any, is only possible with considerable expenditure on equipment.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to obtain a device and a method for dosing and dry nebulization of high dose drugs, in particular anti-infective agents and immunomodulators, by means of such a device which overcomes the known disadvantages of the prior art.

This object is achieved by a device for dosing and dry nebulization of nebulizable material from the group of anti-infective agents and immunomodulators and a method for dosing and dry nebulization of nebulizable material from the group of antibiotics, anti-infective agents, antivirals and fungicides by means of the device described above. The above-mentioned device includes: an aerosolizing channel having a first attachment and a second attachment, and a source of compressed carrier gas connected to the first attachment via a valve for sending a carrier gas pressure pulse into the aerosolizing channel. Between the first attachment piece and the second attachment piece and above the nebulization channel, only a container containing the nebulizable material, which opens into the nebulization channel, is connected to the nebulization channel, so that the container remains gastight with respect to the environment and, when the valve is closed, a pressure compensation is produced by the gas flowing back towards the nebulization channel and the container counter to the direction of the carrier gas pressure pulse. The method comprises the following steps: opening the valve to send a carrier gas pressure pulse into the nebulization channel and create a negative pressure in the container; drawing a supplemental amount of the nebulizable material from the reservoir or the dosing chamber into the nebulization channel; atomizing the supplemental amount of nebulizable material within the nebulization channel; delivering a mixture of compressed gas and material through the nebulization channel; and closing the valve to allow pressure compensation within the nebulization channel and the reservoir.

Dry nebulization of nebulizable material is understood within the meaning of the present invention to mean that it is aerosolized, i.e. that it is converted into a state carried by a carrier gas.

According to the invention, a device is obtained in which, according to the principle of a jet pump, nebulizable material stored in a reservoir is sucked into a nebulization channel by means of underpressure in the reservoir and is nebulized in the channel by means of compressed gas. In this case, the underpressure in the reservoir is generated by the compressed gas flowing through the connection of the reservoir and the nebulization channel.

The dry nebulizer according to the invention may be used for acute treatment of spontaneously ventilating patients. For this purpose, the second attachment piece of the nebulization channel can be connected via the attachment piece to a drug delivery device for spontaneously ventilating patients. Examples of such devices are interfaces (mouthpiece) and breathing masks.

When used on passively ventilated patients, i.e. invasive applications, dry nebulizers are constructed as respirators. In this case, the second attachment piece of the nebulization channel is preferably coupled to the breathing inhalation duct of the respirator, in particular to the side port of the respirator.

According to the invention, the time and/or duration of the pressure pulses from the compressed carrier gas source are preferably adjusted to be synchronized for the breathing rate of the respirator in the case of invasive application and for the breathing rate of the patient in the case of spontaneously ventilating patients. According to the invention, a synchronous control is ensured over time when the mixture of compressed gas and material (that is to say the combination of nebulizable material and compressed carrier gas) reaches the patient during or before the inhalation cycle, so that it is possible for the patient to ingest the dry mist directly. Of course, the control may also be such that the patient may ingest the dry mist only during each X breath. The control is such that the setting of the control signal depends on the length of the nebulization channel and/or the length of any respirator attachment or attachment for a device for administration to spontaneously ventilating patients and also on the time required for the dry mist to enter the breathing tube.

Thus, according to the invention, a device is obtained in which during the pressure pulse from the compressed carrier gas source (i.e. when the valve is open) there is a negative pressure in the container, and between the pressure pulses (i.e. when the valve is closed) the negative pressure is counteracted by the return flow of gas. In invasive applications of the dry nebulizer according to the invention, the gas flowing back may be the breathing gas used in the respirator. In applications for spontaneously ventilating patients, the return flowing gas may also be ambient air.

According to the invention, the reservoir is arranged above the nebulization volume and is connected to the nebulization channel. The connection is configured so as to be airtight with respect to the outside. The connection may include one or more openings. By arranging the reservoir above the nebulization channel, the nebulizable material contained in the reservoir collects in the region of the aperture of the reservoir due to the effect of gravity and forms a charge there due to the surface properties of the nebulizable material and the choice of a suitable diameter for the aperture, so that the reservoir is not emptied into the nebulization channel without a pressure pulse output. The friction effect of the nebulizable material particles plays an important role here. There are no particular restrictions on the connection of the reservoir to the nebulization channel, provided that when the valve is open to the source of compressed carrier gas, nebulizable material can be sucked into the nebulization channel and when the valve is closed, the reservoir cannot empty into the nebulization channel.

When a depression is applied to the aperture of the reservoir, nebulizable material on the one hand and gas stored in the reservoir on the other hand are sucked into the nebulization channel. As a result, clumping of the charge can occur at a location above the aperture of the reservoir. However, according to the invention, such agglomerates are broken up by pressure compensation between the pressure pulses in the device, since ambient air and/or breathing air flowing back into the nebulization channel also flows through the filling in the reservoir in order to produce pressure compensation in the reservoir.

According to the invention, the device is designed such that a pressure compensation is produced in the nebulization channel and in the reservoir when the valve is closed. This is preferably achieved by connecting a source of compressed carrier gas to the first attachment of the nebulization channel via a valve, in order in this way to be able to generate such a pressure compensation. According to a preferred embodiment, it is possible to make pressure compensation by the nebulization channel closing in a sufficiently gastight manner at its first attachment piece. This ensures that the pressure compensation takes place at least in the majority of the nebulization channel and the reservoir, and not for example via the first attachment piece.

In this way, according to the invention, a uniformly loose charge of nebulizable material can be obtained after each pressure compensation, as a result of which a gradually increasing material compression is avoided and a uniform dosing over a long period of time is ensured. The device according to the invention thus easily allows the nebulizable material to be dosed in large quantities in a highly reproducible manner and preferably without mechanical parts. Furthermore, during the pressure compensation, a loose charge of nebulizable material and, if appropriate, a reduction of agglomerates are obtained. It is thus possible for the mixture of compressed gas and material to contain predominantly particles, preferably exclusively particles, which correspond to the size of the initial particles of the nebulizable material. To a certain extent, the device according to the invention allows an optimized distribution of nebulizable material even down to the initial particle size, preferably completely free of mechanical parts.

The initial particle size of the nebulizable material preferably corresponds to the Mass Median Aerodynamic Diameter (MMAD) so that the particles can enter the lungs (i.e. the site of action within the alveoli of the lungs). Typical MMAD accessible to pulmonary particles is in the range of 1-10 μm. The required MMAD range for compressing particles in a gas and material mixture according to the invention is thus in the range of 1-10 μm, preferably 1-5 μm, more preferably 1-3 μm.

The invention thus provides a device and a method by means of which a constant dosing of nebulizable material is ensured over a long period of time, and by means of which a large quantity of pharmaceutical preparation, for example a few grams, can also be administered to a patient by inhalation within a comparatively short period of time, for example less than 15 minutes.

The device according to the invention thus preferably determines the amount of material to be nebulized solely on the basis of the compressed air output per pressure pulse and the duration of the pressure pulse. Furthermore, no mechanical dosing device is required in the device according to the invention.

In an advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, a dosing chamber is arranged between the reservoir and the nebulization channel. By a suitable choice of the volume of the dosing chamber and the diameter of the aperture towards the nebulization channel, a dosing of the quantity of nebulizable material delivered per pressure pulse can be produced conveniently without any restrictions concerning the aperture of the reservoir itself towards the dosing chamber. In a particularly advantageous manner, the diameter of the aperture, the diameter of the reservoir and the diameter of the dosing chamber below the aperture are matched to one another, by which means an exact amount of nebulizable material in the dosing chamber is nebulized during a pressure pulse.

The source of compressed gas in the device according to the invention can be connected to the nebulization channel via a controllable valve. The controllable valve here is particularly preferably a solenoid valve which controls the time and duration of the pressure pulse into the nebulization channel in a manner known to the person skilled in the art. The valve is controlled in a manner adapted to the breathing rate or ventilation rate of the patient and in a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention the control signal for the valve is sent by means of a pressure sensor which in invasive application is located inside the respirator.

According to the invention, the pressure compensation in the nebulization channel and in the reservoir and, if appropriate, the dosing chamber takes place between pressure pulses. Such pressure compensation may take place by introduction of ambient air through suitable means within the device. In an advantageous embodiment of the device, however, this pressure compensation takes place via the introduction of breathing air or ventilation air into the nebulization channel and into the reservoir counter to the pressure pulses. In this way, in an advantageous manner, a closed and preferably sterile system can be provided in which contamination by microorganisms or contaminating substances in the surrounding air can be safely avoided.

The compressed air can be conveniently introduced into the nebulization channel via a capillary, which particularly preferably has an internal diameter of 0.8 to 1 millimeter (mm), more preferably approximately 1 mm. In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the outlet of the capillary is arranged in the nebulization channel in the region below the connection between the reservoir or dosing chamber and the nebulization channel. In this way, a device is obtained in which the swirling flow of compressed air emerging from the capillary supports in an advantageous manner the swirling flow of nebulizable material in the nebulization channel and the subsequent generation of a dry mist. Such a vortex may additionally assist in breaking up possible agglomerates of the nebulizable material, so that more or less specific primary particles of the nebulizable material are present in the obtained mixture of compressed gas and material.

The second attachment piece of the nebulization channel of the device according to the invention is expediently connected to a respirator attachment piece (in the case of invasive use) or to an attachment piece of a device for administration to spontaneously ventilating patients (in the case of non-invasive use) in order to deliver a dry mist, i.e. a mixture of compressed air and material, to the patient without the mixture striking the surface of a screen or other obstacle. In this device configuration, the dry mist can pass unimpeded into the ventilation gas of the respirator and can mix with the ventilation gas there. This makes it possible to prevent a situation in which the nebulizable material carried by the carrier gas strikes obstacles, rests thereon and thus fails to reach the site of action of the lungs. For the nebulization channel, preferably the dispersing nozzle, to be arranged in particular parallel and more particularly concentrically to the respirator attachment or to the attachment piece of the administration device for spontaneously ventilating patients, the nebulizable material is reliably inhibited from adhering, for example, to the inner wall of the respirator attachment (for example respirator-side port or breathing tube) or to the inner wall of the mouthpiece.

In the device according to the invention, 30-180 milliliters (ml) of compressed gas may preferably be introduced into the nebulization channel per pressure pulse. This makes it possible to obtain a quantity of compressed gas which is particularly advantageous for the nebulization of the desired quantity of nebulizable material and which is sufficient for nebulizing the quantity of nebulizable material which can be taken up by the lungs of the patient. At the same time, the amount to be nebulized is sufficiently small for this compressed carrier gas volume so that possible adverse effects on the respiration or ventilation of the patient are excluded.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, a predetermined quantity of the powdery material can be atomized per pressure pulse, preferably 10 to 50mg, particularly preferably 10 to 30 mg. Thus, a device is obtained which in a particularly simple manner allows a uniform dose nebulization of powdered material in an amount which is conveniently adapted to the uptake capacity of the lungs of a patient.

A container for the nebulizable material is connected to the device and is preferably a conventional vial for the injection preparation. The outer diameter of the container is typically in the range of 2 cm. The closure (usually a rubber stopper) of the vial is removed before the vial is mounted in the device according to the invention.

In a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the container contains 0.1-3g, more preferably 0.5-3g, most preferably 1-2g of nebulizable material. This means that in a particularly advantageous manner the amount of material nebulized by the device can be adapted to the dose and duration of administration required in the administration by inhalation of powdered pharmaceutical preparations, in particular of internal care medicaments for critical illnesses.

Within the meaning of the present application, nebulizable material is understood to be a material, at least some of which is converted into a state carried by a carrier gas according to the invention during operation of the device.

According to the invention, the nebulizable material is a high-dose pharmaceutical preparation which can be administered, in particular, by inhalation. Such pharmaceutical preparations are conveniently comminuted, for example micronized powders. The person skilled in the art is familiar with the production of such powdered pharmaceutical preparations, for example by means of micronization processes. The nebulizable material may be, for example, a pharmaceutical preparation other than a pulmonary surfactant. The nebulizable material is preferably selected from anti-infective agents and immunomodulators. Within the meaning of the present application, the term "anti-infective agent" is understood to include all substances which inhibit or kill infectious agents. Examples of anti-infective agents are antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiprotozoal agents. "antibiotic" is to be understood here as meaning a substance which has a bacteriostatic or bactericidal effect. Within the meaning of the present application, an "immunomodulator" is a substance which has a modulating effect on the immune system, for example an immunosuppressant. Of course, the nebulizable material may also comprise mixtures of these substances.

Examples of antibiotics that can be used are penicillin, cephalosporin, carbapenem (carbapenem), monobactam (monobactam), tetracycline, aminoglycoside antibiotics and gyrase inhibitors, or any desired combination thereof. Examples of penicillins that can be used are amoxicillin (amoxillin), ampicillin, azido-penicillin, benzylpenicillin, flucloxacillin, phenoxymethylpenicillin and oxypiperazine-penicillin. Examples of cephalosporins which may be used are cefaclor, cefepime (cefepime), cefixime, cefotaxime, cefotiam, cefpodiximaproxetil, ceftazidime, ceftibuten (cefbuten), ceftriaxone (cetriaxone), cefuroxime ethyl acetate (cefuroximaxel), cefadroxil, cephalexin (cefalexin), cefazolin and chlorocefcapef (loracarbef). Examples of carbapenem are ertapenem (ertapenem) and meropenem (meropenem). An example of a monobactam that can be used is tiazaoxime monoamidomycin. Examples of tetracyclines that can be used are doxycycline and minocycline. Examples of aminoglycoside antibiotics that can be used as nebulizable material according to the invention are amikacin, tobramycin, ethirimycin, gentamycin and streptomycin. Suitable gyrase inhibitors are, for example, moxifloxacin (moxifloxacin), tendamicin and ofloxacin. Examples of other antibiotics are fosfomycin, telithromycin (telithromycin) and linezolid (linezolid).

Examples of immunomodulators are cyclosporine (cyclosporine) and azathioprine.

Examples of antiprotozoal agents that may be used as anti-infective agents are pentamidine and atovaquone (atovaquone).

In each case, any desired mixtures of these and other substances can be used as nebulizable material, as long as at least some of the mixture can be converted into a state carried by the carrier gas during operation of the device according to the invention.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method for dosing and dry nebulization of nebulizable material is obtained by means of the device described above. The method comprises the following steps: directing the pressure pulse into the nebulization channel; in order to generate a negative pressure in the container for the nebulizable material; subsequently inhaling a supplemental amount of nebulizable material into the nebulization channel; and aerosolizing a supplemental amount of the nebulizable material within the nebulization channel. After the mixture of compressed gas and nebulizable material has passed through the dispersing nozzle into the breathing tube or the like, a pressure pulse takes place after completion of each pressure pulse, in which pressure pulse air introduced from the outside and/or breathing air flows back from the breathing tube or the like into the nebulization channel and the reservoir.

According to the invention, during this pressure compensation, the gas flows through the material charge which is located above the aperture of the reservoir and, if appropriate, of the dosing chamber and which is likely to be compressed there and agglomerate, which agglomerates are thus loosened and broken up.

If the used dosing chamber is completely emptied during the aforementioned pressure pulse, the charge of material agglomerated above the aperture of the reservoir falls into the dosing chamber and forms a charge above the aperture of the dosing chamber for entering the nebulization channel. Thus, a targeted dosing of the pharmaceutical preparation in the device is achieved in a particularly simple manner.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, by repeating the steps described above, the contents of the container are completely nebulized and delivered to the patient within a defined time, preferably less than 15 minutes, more preferably less than 10 minutes. In this way, a method is obtained which particularly conveniently meets the requirements in intensive care of patients or in emergency treatment of patients, where rapid administration of high doses of pharmaceutical preparations is necessary.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention is explained in detail below by way of example and with reference to fig. 1 to 5. The device shown in the figures merely represents an advantageous embodiment of the invention and is not intended to limit the underlying concept of the invention in any way.

In the figure:

fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention;

fig. 2 shows a side view in partial cross-section of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention;

figure 3 shows the state of the device according to the invention during the output of a pressure pulse into the nebulization volume;

fig. 4 shows the state of the device according to the invention during the time period between two pressure pulses; and

fig. 5 shows a side view in partial cross-section of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT (S) OF INVENTION

Fig. 1 shows a partially sectioned perspective view of a device 1, in which device 1 an atomizing channel 3 is arranged inside a nozzle block 2. At its first end (left side in fig. 1), the nozzle block 2 comprises a capillary seat 4, inside which capillary seat 4 a capillary holder 14 is mounted which supports a capillary 13. The capillary tube holder 14 is in turn connected to a connecting line 15 leading to a solenoid valve 16, which solenoid valve 16 is regulated by a control system schematically indicated by reference numeral 17. The flow of compressed gas from the compressed air attachment conduit 18 into the capillary tube 13 is regulated by a control system 17. At the second end of the nozzle block 2 (right side in fig. 1), the nebulization channel 3 opens into the divergent nozzle 5, the cross section of the divergent nozzle 5 increasing continuously in the direction of extension away from the capillary 13. The divergent nozzle 5 in turn leads to an attachment 2a which is an integral part of the nozzle block 2, on which nozzle block 2a respirator attachment 6 or an attachment 7 for connecting a device for administration to spontaneously ventilating patients is mounted. Above the nebulization channel, the device 1 further comprises a receptacle 9 for a medicament container 10. The upper edge 11 of the reservoir 10 is fitted into a receptacle 9 provided in the nozzle block 2, while the aperture 19 of the reservoir 10 is located above the dosing chamber 8 which is conically tapered. Located above this aperture 19 is a charge of pharmaceutical formulation 12 which is agglomerated to such an extent that almost no particles of nebulizable material 12 enter the dosing chamber 8.

Fig. 2 shows a partial cross-sectional side view of the device shown in fig. 1, but with a filled dosing chamber 8 compared to the view shown in fig. 1. In this state of the device 1, the dosing chamber 8 is filled with material falling through the aperture 19 until the material 12 in the reservoir 10 has compressed to some extent and no more material 12 can slide down into the dosing chamber 8. At the time shown in figure 2, the control system does not send any signal to the solenoid valve 16 and therefore no compressed air flows through the valve 16 and the capillary tube 13 into the nebulization chamber 3.

Fig. 3 shows a partial cross-sectional side view of the device 1 after the control system 17 has sent an opening signal to the solenoid valve 16. From this point forward, the compressed air flows through the solenoid valve 16 and the capillary tube 13 into the nebulization channel 3. In the nebulization channel 3, a negative pressure is generated by the flow of compressed air in the reservoir 10 and in the dosing chamber 8, by means of which negative pressure at least a charge of material 12 present in the dosing chamber 8 is entrained with the flow of compressed air indicated by the hollow arrows. In the nebulization channel 3, the nebulizable material 12 is aerosolized with the compressed air in order to guide the dry mist (indicated by the solid arrows and the hollow arrows) into the respirator attachment 6 and the attachment 7. The dry mist thus generated can be delivered into the patient's lungs with the breathing air or ventilation gas.

Fig. 4 shows a side view in partial cross-section of a first embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention, in which the control system 17 does not send an opening signal to the solenoid valve 16, as a result of which the flow of compressed gas from the compressed-gas source (not shown) into the nebulization channel 3 is also interrupted. In view of the pressure gradient, ventilation air or breathing air flows into nebulization channel 3 and via dosing chamber 8 into reservoir 10, for example between the breathing air intake line of a respirator or of a device for administration to spontaneously ventilating patients and the breathing air intake line of device 1. By means of the air flow (indicated by arrows 22) through the respective charges of material in the dosing chamber 8 and the reservoir 10, the charges are loosened and any agglomerates are broken up, so that nebulizable material 12, which is able to flow, is present in the device 1 after pressure compensation has taken place.

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention, the device 1 being arranged concentrically with respect to a cylindrical breathing tube 21. Also in this embodiment, after the solenoid valve 16 is opened, compressed gas flows through the compressed air attachment conduit 18 and the capillary tube 13 into the nebulization channel 3, wherein the solenoid valve 16 is regulated by the control system 17. Also in this case, directly above the open end of the capillary 13 is the aperture of the dosing chamber 8, above which the reservoir 10 is positioned in the receptacle 9 provided for it. In this embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the nebulization channel 3 lies on the longitudinal axis of the breathing tube 21 and parallel to a plurality of respiratory inhalation openings 23, through which respiratory inhalation openings 23 respiratory air is conveyed from a source (not shown) via the breathing tube 21. Finally, the breathing tube 21 ends up entering the schematically depicted interface 24 at its end remote from the device 1, around which interface 24 the patient can place his or her lips in order to inhale the breathing air to which the dry mist has been added.

Claims (33)

1. An apparatus (1) for dosing and dry nebulization of nebulizable material (12) selected from the group consisting of anti-infective agents and immunomodulators, the apparatus comprising:

an nebulization channel (3) and a source of compressed carrier gas, the nebulization channel (3) having a first attachment and a second attachment, the source of compressed carrier gas being connected to the first attachment via a valve (16) for sending a pressure pulse of carrier gas into the nebulization channel;

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

between the first attachment and the second attachment and above the nebulization channel, only a container (10) containing the nebulizable material (12) which opens into the nebulization channel is connected to the nebulization channel, so that the container remains gastight with respect to the environment and, when the valve is closed, a pressure compensation is produced by the gas flowing back towards the nebulization channel and the container counter to the direction of the carrier gas pressure pulse.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second attachment of the nebulization channel is designed as a divergent nozzle (5).

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a dosing chamber (8) is provided between the reservoir and the nebulization channel.

4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve (16) is an adjustable valve.

5. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that a capillary tube (13) is arranged in the nebulization channel, into which the carrier gas flows via the capillary tube (13) when the valve is open.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the capillary has an inner diameter of 0.8 to 1 millimeter.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the gas flowing back toward the nebulization channel and the reservoir opposite to the direction of the carrier gas pressure pulse is respiratory air or ventilation air.

8. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the second attachment of the nebulization channel is connected to a respirator attachment (6).

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the duration and/or time of the carrier gas pressure pulse is adjustable via the valve (16) so that the pressure pulse is synchronized with the breathing rate of a respirator connected to the respirator attachment.

10. A device according to claim 2, wherein the second attachment piece of the nebulization channel is connected to an attachment piece (7) of a device for administration to spontaneously ventilating patients.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the duration and/or time of the carrier gas pressure pulse is adjusted via the valve (16) so as to be synchronized with the breathing rate of a patient breathing via the spontaneous ventilation patient administration device.

12. The device of claim 8, wherein the nebulizing channel and the diverging nozzle are concentrically connected to the respirator attachment.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein the nebulizing channel and the diverging nozzle are concentrically connected to the attachment piece of the spontaneous ventilation patient administration device.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein 30 to 180 ml of carrier gas can be introduced into the nebulization channel per pressure pulse.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein a predetermined amount of the nebulizable material can be nebulized per pressure pulse.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein 10 to 50 milligrams of the nebulizable material can be nebulized per pressure pulse.

17. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the container (10) is a conventional vial for injectable drugs.

18. The device according to claim 1, wherein the container (10) contains 0.1 to 3 grams of nebulizable material.

19. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the nebulizable material (12) is in powder form.

20. The device of claim 1, wherein the anti-infective agent is selected from the group consisting of antibiotics, antivirals, fungicides, and antiprotozoals.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the antibiotic is selected from the group consisting of penicillin, cephalosporin, carbapenem, monobactam, tetracycline, aminoglycoside antibiotics, and gyrase inhibitors, or mixtures thereof.

22. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the source of compressed carrier gas is connected to the first attachment via the valve (16), whereby a pressure compensation is produced in the nebulization channel and in the reservoir when the valve is closed.

23. The device according to claim 22, wherein the connection of the source of compressed carrier gas to the first attachment of the nebulization channel is kept substantially airtight via the valve (16).

24. A method for dosing and dry nebulization of nebulizable material selected from the group consisting of antibiotics, anti-infectives, antivirals and fungicides by means of a device (1) according to claim 1, said method comprising the steps of:

opening the valve (16) so as to send a carrier gas pressure pulse into the nebulization channel (3) and to generate a negative pressure in the container (10);

drawing a supplemental amount of the nebulizable material (12) from the container into the nebulization channel;

atomizing the supplemental amount of nebulizable material within the nebulization channel;

delivering a mixture of compressed gas and material through the nebulization channel; and

closing the valve (16) for pressure compensation in the nebulization channel and in the reservoir.

25. A method according to claim 24, characterized in that when the valve (16) is closed for pressure compensation, gas flows back into the container and through the nebulizable material (12) located in the container (10).

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that the nebulizable material (12) is loosened and, if appropriate, comminuted when the gas flows through it.

27. Method according to claim 24, characterized in that the content of the container (10) is more or less completely atomized within a defined period of time.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the contents of the container (10) are more or less completely nebulized in less than 15 minutes.

29. A method for dosing and dry nebulization of nebulizable material selected from the group consisting of antibiotics, anti-infectives, antivirals and fungicides by means of a device (1) according to claim 3, said method comprising the steps of:

opening the valve (16) so as to send a carrier gas pressure pulse into the nebulization channel (3) and to generate a negative pressure in the container (10);

drawing a supplementary amount of the nebulizable material (12) from the reservoir or the dosing chamber (8) into the nebulization channel;

atomizing the supplemental amount of nebulizable material within the nebulization channel;

delivering a mixture of compressed gas and material through the nebulization channel; and

closing the valve (16) for pressure compensation in the nebulization channel and in the reservoir.

30. A method according to claim 29, wherein gas flows back into the container and through the nebulizable material (12) located in the container (10) when the valve (16) is closed for pressure compensation.

31. The method according to claim 30, characterized in that the nebulizable material (12) is loosened and, if appropriate, comminuted when the gas flows through it.

32. Method according to claim 29, characterized in that the content of the container (10) is more or less completely atomized within a defined period of time.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the contents of the container (10) are more or less completely nebulized in less than 15 minutes.