SE2351146A1 - A head model for testing of inhalation drugs - Google Patents

Abstract

A head model 1 for testing of inhalation drugs, said head model 1 comprising a model mouth 5 with a mouth opening 5a, a model nose 9 with two nose openings 9a and a model trachea 13 reaching from a trachea first end 13a to a trachea second end 13b, wherein said trachea first end 13a is configured for connection to an external device. Said head model further comprising an anatomically realistic nose flow path 15 fluidly connected to the trachea second end 13b and reaching between the nose openings 9a and the trachea second end 13b and an anatomically realistic mouth flow path 19 fluidly connected to the trachea second end 13b and reaching between the mouth opening 5a and the trachea second end 13b. Siad head model further comprising an adjustable restrictor 21 positioned in connection with the nose flow path 15 and arranged such that it can be adjusted to allow different amounts of flow through the nose flow path 15.

Claims (1)

1. A head model (1) for testing of inhalation drugs, said head model (1) comprising: a model mouth (5) with a mouth opening (5a); a model nose (9) with two nose openings (9a); a model trachea (13) reaching from a trachea first end (13a) to a trachea second end (13b), wherein said trachea first end (13a) is configured for connection to an external device; an anatomically realistic nose flow path (15) fluidly connected to the trachea second end (13b) and reaching between the nose openings (9a) and the trachea second end (13b); an anatomically realistic mouth flow path (19) fluidly connected to the trachea second end (13b) and reaching between the mouth opening (5a) and the trachea second end (13b); and an adjustable restrictor (21) positioned in connection with the nose flow path (15) and arranged such that it can be adjusted to allow different amounts of flow through the nose flow path (15). Head model according to claim 1, wherein the adjustable restrictor (21) is provided in a position in the head model to simulate a flow regulation function of a soft palate (22) provided between the nose flow path (15) and the mouth flow path (19). Head model according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the adjustable restrictor (21) comprises a movable plate (23) which can be controlled to change position inside the head model (1) from outside the head model (1) and which can be positioned in at least an open position where the plate (23) is positioned outside the nose flow path (15) and a closed position where the plate (23) is blocking the nose flow path (15). Head model according to any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein a position ofthe adjustable restrictor (21) can be regulated steplessly such that it can block a flow through the nose flow path (15) to different amounts. Head model according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one flow detection arrangement (31, 41) comprising a measuring passage (31a, 41a) reaching from a connection end (31b, 41b) on an outside surface ofthe head model (1) to an inner measuring position (31c, 41c) provided inside the head model in connection with the mouth flow path (19) or the nose flow path (15), whereby a flow rate at the measuring position can be measured via said measuring passage (31a, 41a). Head model according to claim 5, wherein the head model comprises at least two flow detection arrangements (31, 41, 51) where the inner measuring positions (31c, 41c, 51c) of the at least two flow detection arrangements (31, 41, 51) are positioned in at least two different positions chosen from: in connection with the mouth flow path (19) , in connection with the nose flow path (15) and in connection with the model trachea (13). Head model according to any one of the claims 1-4, wherein said head model further comprises at least one sensor (73) arranged for measuring flow rate or pressure, said sensor (73) being positioned in connection with at least one ofthe mouth flow path (19) and the nose flow path (15). Head model according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the model mouth (5) is provided in an exchangeable mouth insert part (81a, 81b, 81c) of the head model (1). Head model according to claim 8, wherein said head model (1) comprises at least two different exchangeable mouth insert parts (81a, 81b, 81c) which are simulating different mouth positions. Head model according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the head model comprises at least a part of a face comprising the model mouth (5) and the model nose (9) which is anatomically realistic.