SK284063B6 - Inhalator - Google Patents

Abstract

An inhalator has a container (1) for water and an inhalation agent and a lid (2) provided with a substantially central opening (3) and with several openings (4) through which ambient air is supplied to the inside of the container. Water and the inhalation agent are evaporated together in the container at a temperature equal to or higher than body temperature which does not exceed 65 °C. The mixture of steam and inhalation agent is swirled by the outside air supplied into the container.

Description

Technical field

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an inhalation device having a container that can be filled with inhalation means, a lid contributing to the evaporation of the inhalation device, a central opening in the lid and other openings, the central opening extending deeper into the container than the other openings. the airway.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the inhalation device known from EP 0 5559 971 A1 and DE 92 01 79 301, the lid is provided with a substantially central opening and several other openings arranged annularly around the central opening. In this inhalation device, the inhalation means is located close to the openings in the cap and during inhalation is vaporised by the air entering the container through the other openings. This known inhalation device has proven itself. It works practically with heat coming from the hands and / or the environment. The temperature which is considered to be the preferred evaporation temperature, which in this case is equal to or higher than the body temperature, is maintained for a longer period of time by forming the vessel as double-walled and filled with heat-retaining means.

It is also known from FR 449 781 to provide a boiling water container in an inhalation device, a container with herbs for preparing aromatic or health tea above it, and a perforated lid with an inhalation cap that closes the container. The lid is rotatable between a cold position in which cold outside air is guided through side openings in the lid to the inhalation attachment, and a hot position with closed openings in which boiling water is brought into contact with the herbs, the air above the herbs being heated and generated the aromatic steam is passed through the lid into the inhalation extension.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a new inhalation device in which the evaporation of the inhalation agent is improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This is accomplished by an inhalation device with a container that can be filled with inhalation means, with a lid contributing to the vaporization of the inhalation device, with a central opening in the lid and other openings, the central opening extending deeper into the container than the other openings; it forms a respiratory tract according to the invention, the principle being that the vessel is spaced from the lid with a water vaporizer and an inhalation agent, with the lid being a vortex vapor, fresh air and inhalant, and between the firing space, the vortex space and a central opening extending into the firing space is provided with a respiratory tract, the evaporating space and the swirl space being separated by a perforated wall.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the subclaims.

In principle, the invention consists in carrying out the evaporation in a temperature range of from 38 ° C to 65 ° C, in particular from 38 ° C to 50 ° C. This results in the evaporation of water, in which the steam contains small particles of water which, during their movement, in particular their upward movement, carry with them small particles of the inhalant. This situation is highly desirable, for example, in the treatment of asthma. At higher temperatures usually used so far, larger particles are introduced into the airways, but they cannot enter the airways. The operation of the inhalation device within said temperature range may be an inhalation device used not only for preventive purposes and for recovery inhalation, such as the inhalation device described in the introduction, but also for the treatment of diseases such as asthma. To date, conventional aerosols have been used to treat diseases.

In principle, according to the invention, the required amount of inhalation agent together with a liquid, in particular water, is exposed to heat in a temperature range substantially from 38 ° C to 50 ° C in which water evaporates with smaller particles so that the particles of inhalation agent can penetrate deeper into the airways. The mixture of vaporized water and the inhalation agent produced in the vessel by heating is mixed with fresh air entering through said openings and sucked into the airways during suction. In order for the firing temperature to operate over a suitable temperature range for a longer period of time, the design of the vessel is made such that cold air entering the vessel upon inhalation cannot substantially affect the evaporation temperature.

The water and the inhalation means are arranged on the side opposite the lid, i.e. at the bottom of the container. Therefore, the cold air stream sucked into the container by said inhalation openings cannot be contacted with the inhalation agent and thus reduce the evaporation temperature.

The suction port passing through the top of the container and intended to inhale the inhalation mixture extends to the area in which the water and the inhalation means are arranged, so that the suction port sucks the vaporized mixture near the evaporation point. Also, the intake fresh air enters through the apertures at the top of the throat where it mixes with the vaporized mixture and therefore cannot also affect the evaporation temperature of the water-vapor mixture.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a sponge is arranged in the interior of the container for sucking inhalant and water. The perforated wall is preferably arranged on the upper side of the sponge. The sponge is therefore spaced from the side walls and the bottom of the container so that the intake fresh air flows first around the heated walls of the container and then passes from outside to the mouth, together with the vaporized mixture, into the inner space of the mouth, and from there it flows through the suction throat to the user.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the central opening is formed in the suction nozzle, the suction nozzle or the handle connected thereto being designed as a mouthpiece carrier. Thus, the sponge can also be arranged on a flat carrier equipped with a handle perpendicular to its surface which, when inserted into the container, reaches to the lid. The upper side of the carrier is then facing the space between the carrier and the lid in which the mixture swirls. The sponge and the carrier preferably completely fill the interior of the container. The inhalation agent may be disposed on the top of the carrier to release it by the effect of water vapor and to entrain its particles with the evaporated and upwardly rising water particles. The tests have proved to be a container in which the inhalant has been placed under the sponge at the bottom of the container. When using a sponge soaked in hot water, the sponge is pressed into the bottom of the container in the container and the partially dissolved inhalation agent is sucked in for relief. Due to better utilization of heat at the bottom of the vessel, water evaporates in the optimum temperature range. That is, the particles of the inhalant are entrained with finely divided water particles.

Before use, the container is rinsed for disinfection with boiling water, the sponge on the carrier is soaked with hot water, and the bottom of the container and / or the top of the carrier is provided with the necessary amount of inhalation agent. The carrier is inserted into the container by means of the handle, the sponge is pressed against the bottom of the container by the handle and the container is closed with a lid.

The handle may be made hollow and may have suction openings at its end facing the carrier. At its other end at the lid, the handle may be made in one piece with the throat extending through the lid, the lid being closed in the installed position of the handle, carrier and sponge, for example, screwed. However, it is also possible to form a handle in the region of its upper opening as a connecting piece for the corresponding connecting piece of the suction branch. When the lid is closed, the joints of these connecting parts are simultaneously formed. The fresh air sucked through the openings in the cap then passes through the additional openings in the handle and / or the leakproof connection between the suction throat and the handle into the airways. Finally, the intake air can only enter the intake throat through the mouth and opening at the bottom of the intake throat. The suction port can be closed above the mouth so that it cannot suck in fresh air.

The vessel wall can be heated in a number of different ways. It can be designed as a double wall filled with hot water or other suitable hot liquid. It can be heated electrically. It can be inserted into the heater. The temperature can be adjusted such that evaporation occurs at the optimum temperature. The mixture resulting from the vapors and the cold intake fresh air can be additionally heated by supplying the airways at an optimum temperature. Inside the vessel between its bottom and the swirl space, the temperature is adjusted such that it is maintained in the range of 50 ° C to 38 ° C, preferably at 45 ° C. The intake fresh air can already be heated before contacting the walls of the vessel prior to its vortex mixing with the steam. The handle of the carrier may be formed on its outer side and / or inner side in view of the favorable course of the embodiment in such a way that the rising vapors mix optimally with the supply air, for example in the form of a rod tapering upwards with a spherical end or the cross section of which extends upwards.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, an annular space is provided in the interior of the container, on the one hand between the wall and the sponge, and on the other hand between the sponge and the bottom with small air intake spacings along the wall connected to the air heating.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the sponge, prior to the compressed sponge of viscose, in particular of regenerated cellulose, is absorbent and permeable to air.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, the vessel has an inner vessel forming a wall having a length of 65-75 mm and a diameter of 35-45 mm, wherein a heat source, in particular electric heating with ceramic plates, is arranged between the vessel and the inner vessel.

A particular advantage of the inhalation device according to the invention is its ecological properties. In fact, it allows the inhalation agent to penetrate deeply into the airways, which has so far been achieved only by the use of aerosols, i.e. the fine spray cans caused by today's undesirable CFCs.

Overview of the figures in the drawings

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the lid and container of the inhalation device of the invention; FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 with an intermediate carrier. FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of the carrier of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 shows the container according to FIG. 1 with electric heating, FIG. 5 shows a device with a power supply for induction heating of a vessel, FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the handle as a suction and mixing chamber, FIG. 7 shows a modified embodiment of the power supply of the container according to FIG. 4, FIG. 8 shows a modified embodiment of the power supply according to FIG. 7, FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of the invention and FIG. 10 shows a detail of FIG. 9th

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1 shows a container 1 containing an inhalation agent 1a, in particular in the form of an ointment. This container 1 may be any commercially available container. However, the container 1 may be optimally adapted for use. The lid 2 is screwed onto the container 1. This lid 2 may already be the original closure of the container 1. In this case, the container 1 is first sealed tightly, for example by a heat-sealed foil (not shown), which is removed before use. However, the lid 2 can also be supplied or used as a replacement for the original closure lid. The lid 2 is provided with a substantially central aperture 3 around which further apertures 4 are arranged annularly. The central aperture 3 is formed in the suction neck 31 in the form of a tube extending through the lid 2 in the form of a disc. This achieves that the central opening 3 serves, on the one hand, as a connection to the breathing hose or to the breathing apparatus and, on the other hand, can be extended to a predetermined position against the surface of the inhalation device 1a. The suction nozzle 31 may be fixed, but may be longitudinally adjustable to adjust the distance from the surface of the inhalation means 1a. This adjustment to optimize the outlet temperature of the mixture can be made by means of a thread 21 provided on the lid 2 screwed into the corresponding thread provided on the container 1. However, the suction nozzle 31 can be plugged, in which case it is advantageous to be equipped with latching means. In the simplest case, the suction nozzle 31 is provided with or connected to the mouth or support adapter. When using such an oral or carrier adapter, the user holds the container 1 in his hand and inhales the inhalation means 1a directly through the adapter. This form of use is particularly advantageous for travel purposes.

The central opening 3 may be connected to a separate breathing valve or breathing mask (not shown). Breathing valves of this kind are manufactured, for example, by Heraeus and sold under the trade name AMBU. The suction port 31 of the lid 2 is designed such that the breathing valve can be fitted or screwed onto the suction port 31. Such a breathing valve allows, in combination with the container 1, easy inhalation of the inhalation agent 1a vaporized in the container 1 through the lid 2, and unobstructed easy breathing through the breathing valve

The container 1 so far described is double-walled, so that it is provided with two walls 1b, 1d, the space between them being filled by means 1c for generating and / or maintaining the heat necessary for evaporating the inhalation means 1a. Inhalation means 1a can in the simplest case be warm water or tetradecanol, which can maintain the desired temperature for a long time.

The inhalation means 1a is applied to the carrier 5, which is inserted into the container 1 by means of the handle 6, but can be applied only or additionally to the wall 1b of the container 1 or can be placed on the walls or inside the sponge 8 arranged between the carrier 5 and the wall 1b. The container 1 is so deep and the handle 5 is so long that the carrier 5 is placed in the bottom of the container 1, into which heat coming from the walls 1b of the container 1 can penetrate, but cold air sucked through the apertures 4 can hardly penetrate. Under the support 5 there is a vaporized liquid 7, in particular water. During evaporation, the water and the inhalant 1a are evaporated simultaneously. The water vapor entrains with it particles of inhalation agent 1a in the direction of the central opening 3, where it mixes with the supplied air. The carrier 5 has openings 51 through which water vapor can pass.

The temperature in the region of and close to the wall 1b is such that it remains within the range necessary for optimal evaporation for a predetermined time. The temperature is preferably maintained in the range of from 38 ° C to 65 ° C, preferably at 50 ° C. Faster use and faster temperatures can be achieved by simple means necessary to sterilize container 1. For this purpose, container 1 is rinsed with almost boiling water and therefore already has a high starting temperature, which, even after filling container 1, again with boiling water and inhalation agent 1a. it drops only insignificantly Due to the thermal insulation, the temperature can be kept practically constant in the required short period of time.

The container 1 can be freely filled with water up to the height of the carrier 5 spaced from the bottom. However, the carrier 5 can also be provided at its lower side with or connected to the water collecting vessel. This water collecting vessel is preferably a sponge 8. A mixture of steam formed from water and inhalation agent 1a and fresh air flowing from outside penetrate upon inhalation into the user's airways. The temperature and the mixing ratio can be adjusted to achieve a successful treatment result desired by the user or physician. The evaporation temperature and thermal insulation of the walls 1b, 1d are determined such that the evaporation and inhalation of the resulting mixture can be carried out in the desired temperature range from 38 ° C to about 65 ° C, especially at 50 ° C, at the usual inhalation time. That's 5 to 7 minutes. This required time may be prolonged if the inner wall 1b of the container 1 has a higher thermal conductivity and the outer wall 1d is more thermally insulating.

In FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the inhalation device of FIG. The carrier 5 is provided with a handle 6 which tapers upwardly and has a spherical shape at its upper end so that the handle 6 can be easily attached. The design of the upper end of the ball-shaped handle 6 may be modified or altered such that air entering the openings 4 in the lid 2 is swirled at the top of the container 1 and does not come into contact with the evaporation zone in the container 1. in that the suction nozzle 31 extends into the container 1 only slightly or not at all.

In FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of the carrier 5 with a handle 6, which also promotes swirling in the upper part of the container 1.

The space of the container 1 between the walls 1b and 1d can be filled with a suitable means 1c, in particular with warm water. For this purpose, the container 1 is provided with a closable opening 10, see FIG. 2. This closable opening 10 may be closed by a separate screw 11 or by the lid itself 2. In connection with the rinsing of the container 1 with boiling water required for its sterilization, and with good external insulation, it is often sufficient to fill the space between walls 1b, 1d with 1c, in particular water. to maintain the evaporation temperature at the necessary time. A relatively simple basic design is sufficient to replace the previously used medical devices for inhalation of aerosol doses using environmentally unsuitable CFC-based propellants.

In FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of the inhalation device of FIG. 1 and 2, in which electric heating is arranged in the walls 1b, 1d of the container 1. This electric heating comprises a resistive wire 12 arranged in the space between the walls 1b, 1d, which is connected to the mains part 13 or to the battery or accumulator by means of a switch 15 as required. The resistive wire 12 is preferably arranged in the bottom region of the container 1 and can extend up to However, it is also possible to equip the preheating heating wire with a turbulence zone or even an inhalation line. According to a further preferred embodiment, the bottom of the container 1 is, in the manner of a razor, equipped with a socket 16 into which the plug of the mains cable 17 is plugged. The network part 13, the switch 15 and the resistance wire 12 are integrated into the container 1. The power cord 17 may be adapted to be plugged into an automobile receptacle to allow inhalation while driving.

In FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of an inhalation device in which the body 20 with the mains connection 210, 211 is provided with an opening 22 into which the container 1 is inserted. A wall 24 surrounding the opening 22 houses a primary winding 24 of the transformer 25 several secondary windings 26, which are arranged in the walls 1b, 1d of the container 1. One of the secondary windings 26 powers the accumulator 27, another resistor wire 28 which still heats the interior of the container

1. A thermostat (not shown) prevents the vessel from overheating. 1. Fuses, especially fuses, will melt at too high a current. Adjusting devices, such as an adjustable thermostat, allow the temperature to be set between 55 ° C and 65 ° C. The adjustable shut-off disc 9 allows adjustment of the required air volume.

Prior to use, the container 1 is filled with water and inhalation means 1a and sealed into a bore 22. The desired temperature is announced optically or acoustically. The container 1 removed from the aperture 22 is further heated by the charged accumulator 27 or other resistance wire 28, thereby greatly extending the inhalation time.

The inner wall 1b of the container 1 is preferably made of thin acrylic. The outer wall 1d is designed to be highly thermally insulating and can even be designed as a double wall. The inner container may then have the properties of ordinary spray containers and the outer wall is made of a soft material like plastic containers.

The interspace between the walls 1b, 1d of the container 1 can be filled with tetradecanol in all embodiments to ensure an approximately uniform temperature. At a diameter of 38 mm, the carrier 5 is arranged about 30 mm above the bottom of the container 1, the handle having a length of about 35 mm.

In FIG. 6 shows a handle 6 which is hollow and is of such a shape that the vapor mixture formed by evaporation of water and inhalation agent 1a rises upwardly through the interior 60 of the handle 6 and is aspirated on the suction nozzle 31 when inhaled. openings 62 through which, during suction, fresh air entering the vessel 1, into the interior 60 of the handle 6, enters and is vortexed by the vaporized mixture. The upper end 63 of the handle 6 is formed so as to practically extend the suction nozzle 31. In this case, the point of contact 64 itself between the suction nozzle 31a and the handle 6 is a fresh air inlet. The wall 61 of the handle 6 can also be made in one piece with the suction nozzle 31. This assembly, consisting of the suction nozzle 31 and the handle 6, can be movable relative to the lid 2, so that the assembly consisting of the suction nozzle 31 and handle 6 is inserted into the container 1, and then the lid 2 provided with the respective opening for the suction port 31 is slid onto the suction port 31 and screwed to close the container 1. In FIG. 6 also shows a sponge forming a water collection vessel 8, which here comprises a plurality of disks 81, 82, 83, each of which may be provided with a layer of inhalation means 1a. The wall 61 of the handle 6 may be cylindrical as shown. However, it may extend, as shown in dashed line 65, to the edge of the carrier 5 to separate the heated evaporation space and hence the mixture of inhaler 1a and water from the inlet fresh air. This embodiment would also be advantageous for those vessels 1 in which only hot water and insulation are used, and in which hot water reaches a predetermined temperature, which is maintained for a longer period in the desired range.

In FIG. 7 shows a container 1 with an inner container 1a, in which, in the bottom IB of the container 1, between the inner container 1a and the outer container 1 are arranged instead of the resistive wires 12 in the embodiment according to FIG. 4 heating elements 12. These heating elements 12 consist of a plurality of individual stacked resistive plates of ceramic material, in particular barium titanate. These resistive plates are usually referred to as cold conductors. These known elements have a temperature-dependent resistance. On cold start, due to the negligible resistance, a very high current flows, which heats the ceramic element. When a certain temperature is exceeded, the resistance increases greatly, the current is reduced and the temperature drops accordingly. The temperature is then controlled within a certain range. In this way, the temperature range in vessel 1 can be precisely adjusted. As described in Du Pont Magazine Europe Ausgabe Nummer 4/1991, these heating elements can be used in many forms. Their performance can also be optimally adjusted using special insulating foils. For example, a film known under the trade name Kapton can provide optimal outward insulation and thus help to achieve small power losses. In FIG. 7, the heating elements are shown as large-area. Since the ceramic elements are usually obtained as small plates, it is advantageous to form bundles of smaller plates and to arrange these bundles either perpendicularly or in parallel. The annular arrangement around the inner container can also be formed from columns arranged annularly around the inner container.

In FIG. 7 and 8 there is also shown a film 12a which insulates the heating elements 12 outwards. In FIG. 7 and 8 are omitted to simplify the network connection. But they are modified here. Owing to the actual control of the so-called PTC heating elements, i.e., the elements with a positive temperature coefficient, it is not necessary to carry out additional temperature control.

In FIG. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of an inhalation device with a network cable 17 and a watertight inlet in a container 1 for this network cable 17. The suction port 31 extends far into the container 1 and is formed as a sponge carrier forming the water collection container 8. Preferably, the regenerated cellulose viscous fungus is used as the fungus. This sponge is supplied in a compressed state and in this form is particularly sucking and permeable to air. The sponge is slid and / or secured to the suction port 31 on a plurality of disks 8a, 8b, 8c. Its length and diameter are selected so that there are small distances between the side walls and the side walls of the container 1 as well as between the bottom of the container 1 and its front side for the supply of fresh air. Through the pores in the sponge, the air preheated by the walls of the container 1 comes into contact with a mixture of water and inhalation agent 1a evaporated at temperatures ranging from 38 ° C to 50 ° C. This evaporation and air turbulence is particularly advantageous in this embodiment, since the mixture is exposed to the greatest possible area of heat and air in the finest dispersion, which is particularly advantageous for the user. The container 1 has a diameter of about 40 mm and a height of 65 to 75 mm. The sponge practically fills the container 1. With these dimensions, 25 to 30 milliliters of water are sufficient for inhalation for 15 to 20 minutes.

In FIG. 10 shows the formation of the sponge 8 of FIG. 9 in the form of a viscous sponge 8 of regenerated cellulose which, in several layers consisting of rolls 81, 82, 83, is mounted on a perforated suction nozzle 31 in the form of a tube equipped with openings.

Claims (9)

An inhalation device with a container (1), filled with inhalation means (1a), with a lid (2) contributing to the vaporization of the inhalation agent (1a), with a central opening (3) in the lid (2) and other openings (4), wherein the central opening (3) extends into the container (1) deeper than the other openings (4) and the central opening (3), the other openings (4) and the inner space of the container (1) form a respiratory tract, 1) spaced apart from the lid (2) is a water-firing space and inhalation means, at the lid (2) there is a vortex space for steam, fresh air and inhalation means (1a), and between the vaporization space, whirl space and central opening (3), extending into the evaporation space, a respiratory tract is provided, the launching space and the swirling space being separated by a perforated wall. Inhalation device according to claim 1, characterized in that a sponge (8) for sucking inhalation agent (1a) and water is arranged in the interior of the container (1). An inhalation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the perforated wall is located on the upper side of the sponge (8). Inhalation device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the central opening (3) is formed in the suction nozzle (31), the suction nozzle (31) or the handle (6) connected thereto being designed as a mouthpiece carrier. (8). Inhalation device according to claim 4, characterized in that the suction nozzle (31) or the handle (6) firmly connected thereto is perforated. Inhalation device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the sponge (8) and the carrier (5) completely fill the container (1). An inhalation device according to claim 6, characterized in that an annular space is located in the inner space of the container (1) between the wall (1b) and the sponge (8) and between the sponge (8) and the SK 284063 Β6 air intake intervals along the wall (lb) associated with air heating. Inhalation device according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the sponge (8) is a pre-compressed sponge (8) of viscose, in particular of regenerated cellulose, absorbent and permeable to air. Inhalation device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the container (1) has an inner container forming a wall (1b) with a length of 65-75 mm and a diameter of 35-45 mm, wherein between the container (1) and an inner vessel forming the wall (1b) is provided with a heat source, in particular electric heating with ceramic plates.