WO2020200830A1 - Adjustable aerosol dispenser for a ventilator device and ventilator device comprising same - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an adjustable aerosol dispenser for a ventilator device for providing an active substance in ventilator air, as well as a corresponding ventilator device, wherein the aerosol dispenser comprises a housing (2) and an active substance reservoir (1), wherein the housing (2) has an air inlet opening (23) and an air outlet opening (24) opposite the air inlet opening (23), which are each configured for coupling into a ventilator line (5a, 5b), wherein the air inlet opening (23) and the air outlet opening (24) are connected to the active substance reservoir (1) such that ventilator air flowing in the housing (2) between the air inlet opening (23) and air outlet opening (24) can flow past the active substance reservoir (1) and/or through the active substance reservoir (1), wherein the active substance reservoir (1) is a cartridge which is exchangeably arranged in the housing (2) in an active substance reservoir recess (22), wherein the cartridge defines an active substance accommodating space (16) for accommodating the active substance to be provided, which has a cartridge opening for discharging the active substance, wherein the aerosol dispenser comprises a closure device for partially closing the cartridge opening in steps or steplessly and thereby controlling a discharge dose of the active substance.

Description

Adjustable aerosol dispenser for a ventilator and ventilator with the same

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an aerosol dispenser for a ventilator, in particular an adjustable aerosol dispenser for a ventilator, and a ventilator with the same.

STATE OF THE ART

Ventilators are well known medical devices that allow patients to be ventilated. They are used, for example, in emergency or intensive medicine. In order to enable additional medication therapy at the same time as ventilation, various nebulisers are available on the market for ventilation systems of this type, which can be coupled to the ventilation tubes in order to simultaneously supply a patient with an active ingredient in aerosol form via the breathing tube of the ventilation system. Usually, such nebulizer units use ultrasound or a vibrating membrane provided with openings (oscillating membrane), which is vibrated by a piezo element, for example, in order to generate an aerosol from an active ingredient solution, which can be supplied to the patient via the inhaled air. However, such nebulizer units require an external power supply and complex control electronics and should therefore only be used by trained medical personnel.

A special form of therapy that uses a ventilator is CPAP ventilation therapy (CPAP stands for “continuous positive airway pressure”), which continuously generates an overpressure that makes it easier to breathe in. Fibers can be used for drug nebulization in CPAP therapy. These have a T-piece that is attached between a breathing mask worn by the patient and the CPAP machine, the straight part of which is connected to the ventilation tubes. Essentially perpendicular to this, the bubble nebulizer has a connector for attaching a solution reservoir on. The liquid is atomized by the air flowing through it. Because the aerosol is introduced essentially vertically into the main ventilation air flow, the aerosol can be undesirably deposited at the corresponding junction, thereby impairing the efficiency of the drug administration. In addition, such nebulizers, in particular because of the proper handling and attachment of the drug reservoir, should also be used only by medical professionals.

However, ventilators are not only used in hospitals by medical staff for the treatment of acute or life-threatening restrictions on the breathing of a patient, but ventilators are also increasingly being used in home therapy for chronic illnesses. For example, CPAP ventilation therapy can be used in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), such as chronic obstructive bronchitis or emphysema, or sleep apnea can be used.

Mild respiratory diseases (such as runny nose) make ventilation therapy of this kind, carried out independently by the patient at home, more difficult, for example CPAP ventilation overnight in the therapy of sleep apnea.

There are currently no known aerosol dispensers / nebulizers for coupling with ventilators that can be easily operated and controlled by the patient himself in order to enable safe drug delivery in home use of ventilation therapies, so that there is a need for improvement in this regard.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a novel aerosol dispenser for a ventilator, which is inexpensive to manufacture and easy and user-friendly to use, and a corresponding ventilator to eliminate or at least reduce the deficiencies known in the prior art. TECHNICAL SOLUTION

This object is achieved by an adjustable aerosol dispenser for a respirator with the features of claim 1 and a respirator with such an aerosol dispenser with the features of claim 12. Advantageous designs are the subject of the dependent claims.

The invention proposes an adjustable aerosol dispenser for a ventilator, which is suitable for the application of an active ingredient in the airways by means of a ventilator, the aerosol dispenser according to the invention comprising an active ingredient reservoir and a housing. The housing is a hollow body which has an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening opposite the air inlet opening, the air inlet opening and the air outlet opening each being configured for coupling to a breathing tube. The air inlet opening and the air outlet opening communicate with the active substance reservoir, so that ventilation air can flow past the active substance reservoir in the housing and / or can flow through it. According to the invention, the active substance reservoir is an exchangeable cartridge, which preferably has a substantially cylindrical basic shape with two end faces and a lateral surface and defines an active substance receiving space inside for receiving an active substance to be released into the ventilation air, the cartridge in particular having a cartridge opening on the lateral surface of the cartridge has, which serves to provide the active ingredient from the active ingredient reservoir for the ventilation air flow. The cartridge opening can be completely or partially closed by a closure device, so that the dosage of the active ingredient can be adjusted. The partial closure of the cartridge opening can take place gradually with discrete closure degrees or continuously with any desired degree of closure.

A drug reservoir receptacle is provided in the housing of the aerosol dispenser, which is configured to attach the drug reservoir or the cartridge.

Corresponding to the cartridge, the drug reservoir receptacle can be formed out by a zy cylinder-shaped space with two end faces and a lateral surface in the housing, which can be tightly closed to the outside of the housing, wherein the drug reservoir receptacle can be limited by a peripheral wall that extends along the lateral surface and has a peripheral wall opening, where the active ingredient reservoir receptacle is in communication through the peripheral wall opening with the inner space of the housing.

The cartridge opening, which can preferably be formed in the jacket surface in the case of the cylindrical configuration of the cartridge, can extend essentially over the entire height of the cartridge from one end face to the other and / or evenly over a circular sector along the jacket surface.

An active substance carrier can be accommodated in the active substance receiving space of the cartridge, wherein in particular the active substance carrier can be a solid carrier matrix impregnated with an active substance solution.

To implement a closure device for closing the cartridge opening, the cartridge can be accommodated in the active ingredient reservoir so that it can rotate about the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. Together with the peripheral wall, the order of the peripheral wall opening, similar to the cartridge opening, can extend over the entire height of the active ingredient reservoir receptacle from one end face to the other and / or evenly over a circular sector along the lateral surface, the cartridge opening can be partially or completely removed by rotating the cartridge Peripheral wall opening can be covered so that the freely accessible opening to the active ingredient receiving space varies and thus the delivery dose for the active ingredient can be changed.

Alternatively, the peripheral wall can also be designed to be rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the cylinder.

An opening angle or central angle of the cartridge opening and / or the peripheral wall opening can be up to a maximum of 180 °, the angle in particular between 30 ° and 120 °, preferably between 60 ° and 90 °.

The housing can be a substantially cylindrical or rectangular body.

The air inlet opening and the air outlet opening can be formed on two opposite sides of the housing, wherein an air flow direction is defined from the air inlet opening in the direction of the air outlet opening inside the hollow body along the length of the housing, the cylindrical space of the active ingredient reservoir receptacle can extend parallel to the air flow direction. Inside the housing, guide elements, such as air baffles, can be provided between the air inlet opening and the air outlet opening, which can for example be arranged in a spiral around the active ingredient reservoir receptacle in order to forcibly guide the air over a wide and in particular the entire area of the peripheral wall opening or cartridge opening, whereby the air flow can be guided past the respective openings several times.

The cylindrical space of the active substance reservoir receptacle can be provided at least one end with an opening towards the outside in order to enable the active substance reservoir to be inserted into the active substance reservoir receptacle or to be removed therefrom. For this purpose, the active substance reservoir receptacle can have an upper opening and / or a lower opening, the at least one opening being closable by an airtight element. The airtight element can be configured as a rotating element, the rotating element being rotatable relative to the housing and being able to rotate with a cartridge received in the active substance reservoir receptacle.

In one embodiment of the invention, the cylindrical space of the active substance reservoir receptacle can be open to the outside at both ends. In other words, the drug reservoir receptacle can extend along the entire length of the housing and have an upper opening at the upper end and a lower opening at the lower end. In this embodiment, the upper opening can preferably be closed by the rotary element, wherein the lower opening can be tightly closed by another airtight element, namely a detachable closure cover.

Since the cylindrical space of the active ingredient reservoir receptacle can extend parallel to the air flow direction in the housing, which is defined between the air inlet opening and the air outlet opening of the housing, each of the openings of the active ingredient reservoir receptacle can be formed on the housing either adjacent to the air inlet opening or to the air outlet opening.

In order to couple the rotary element and the cartridge rotatably with one another, gear rims corresponding to one another can be formed on the facing end faces of the cartridge and the rotary element, so that the corresponding End faces of the cartridge and of the rotary element can be releasably brought into engagement with one another, whereby in the engaged state when the rotary element is rotated, the cartridge is rotated along with it.

In one embodiment of the invention, the cartridge can be designed to be refillable.

The housing of the aerosol dispenser and / or the components arranged therein and / or the cartridge can be made of disinfectable materials, such as metals or plastics, so that repeated use is possible.

In summary, the present invention thus provides an aerosol dispenser for a ventilator which can be produced simply and inexpensively and is simple and user-friendly to handle.

Furthermore, the invention proposes a corresponding ventilator, which comprises a ventilation unit for generating ventilation air and a user interface that is configured for invasive or non-invasive ventilation of a person, the ventilation unit and the user interface through a ventilation line for supplying Ventilation air are coupled to a patient with one another, an adjustable aerosol dispenser according to the present invention being attached between the ventilation unit and the user interface in a ventilation air flow. The air inlet opening of the aerosol dispenser is here connected to a hose coming from the ventilation unit, so that the air generated by the ventilation unit can flow into the aerosol dispenser, the air outlet opening of the aerosol dispenser being connected to a hose going to the user interface so that the in the aerosol dispenser with a Ventilation air enriched with the active ingredient can be directed to the patient.

Further objects, advantages and functions of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with the aid of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings show in a purely schematic manner FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a cartridge assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cartridge assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a housing according to a preferred one

Embodiment of the invention, in which the drug reservoir intake extends through the entire housing and has an opening at both ends, with a rotary element and a closing cover for airtight closing of the openings are also shown,

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an aerosol dispenser mounted on a ventilator according to the present invention without a cartridge;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an application state of an on a

Ventilator-mounted aerosol dispenser according to the present invention, the supplementary administration of an active ingredient being realized in aerosol form, and

FIG. 6A to 6C are a schematic cross-sectional view of various relative

Positioning of the cartridge in the drug reservoir receptacle for gradual regulation of the drug intensity in the aerosol.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Further advantages, characteristics and features of the present invention will become clear in the following detailed illustration of the preferred exemplary embodiments, the invention not being restricted to these exemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 5 comprises an adjustable aerosol dispenser according to the invention for a ventilator, an active substance reservoir 1 and a housing 2.

The housing 2 can be a body with a rectangular, round or oval cross-section which has a certain length L. In the in the attached In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, the housing 2 is essentially cylindrical, ie a body with a round cross-section.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the housing 2 is designed in the form of a flea body 21, so that a receiving space is defined inside the housing 2, the housing 2 having an air inlet opening 23 and an air outlet opening 24, which are located on two opposite sides of the housing 2 are trained. As a result, the receiving space of the housing 2 can communicate with the outside environment via the air inlet opening 23 and the air outlet opening 24. The air inlet opening 23 and the air outlet opening 24 are each configured for coupling to a corresponding ventilation hose 5a, 5b. For this purpose, a corresponding adapter (not shown) can optionally be provided so that the air inlet opening 23 and the air outlet opening 24 can be connected to conventional ventilation hoses 5a, 5b with different diameters.

Accordingly, an air flow space is formed in the receiving space of the housing 2 between the air inlet opening 23 and the air outlet opening 24, an air flow direction pointing in the direction of the air outlet opening 24 and being defined along the length L of the housing 2.

The housing 2 is also characterized in that an active substance reservoir receptacle 22 is provided in its receiving space, which is configured for attaching an active substance reservoir. The active ingredient reservoir receptacle 22 is designed as a kanalförmi ger space which extends parallel to the air flow direction. More precisely, the active substance reservoir receptacle 22 is delimited by a peripheral wall 25 which has a peripheral wall opening. The circumferential wall 25 separates the inside of the active ingredient reservoir receptacle 22 from the rest of the receiving space of the housing 2, whereas the active ingredient reservoir receptacle 22 communicates with the receiving space of the housing 2 through the circumferential wall opening, so that the active ingredient reservoir receptacle 22 via the receiving space of the housing 2 with the air inlet opening 23 and the air outlet opening 24 can communicate. For this purpose, the peripheral wall opening can be designed as an open area or as a permeable material layer in the peripheral wall of the active substance reservoir receptacle 22. The housing 2 is preferably made of a plastic, but can also be made of another suitable material.

According to FIG. 1 and 2, the drug reservoir 1 is designed accordingly in the form of a cartridge which has an essentially cylindrical basic shape so that it can be accommodated appropriately in the drug reservoir receptacle 22. An active substance receiving space 16 is defined in the interior of the cartridge, which is delimited by an upper and lower end face and a lateral surface, the active substance receiving space 16 serving to receive an active substance and an active substance carrier 14.

The jacket surface of the cartridge 1 has a first closed jacket surface wall area 13 and a cartridge opening 15. The first closed jacket surface wall area 13 tightly encloses the active substance receiving space 16, whereas the cartridge opening 15 is designed in such a way that the active substance receiving space 16 can be exchanged with the environment, in particular gas (ventilation air) can penetrate into the active substance receiving space 16 from the outside and an aerosol formed can escape. Accordingly, the cartridge opening 15 can be designed as a partially permeable material layer (membrane) or as a lattice structure (e.g. wall with a large number of holes) in the surface of the cartridge.

Referring to FIG. 1 and 6A, the cartridge opening 15 is defined in the jacket surface in the form of a cylinder sector of the cartridge 1 with an arc of a circle R, the peripheral wall opening being defined in the jacket surface of the drug reservoir receptacle 22 in the form of a cylinder sector, with a respective opening angle α of the cartridge opening 15 and the peripheral wall opening is a maximum of 180 °, the closed surface area wall region 13 and the closed circumferential wall 25 correspondingly cover the remaining surface area of the cartridge 1 and the active ingredient reservoir voir receptacle 22.

The cartridge 1 is configured for attachment in the drug reservoir receptacle 22. Accordingly, the dimensions of the cartridge 1 and the active ingredient reservoir voir receptacle 22 are matched to one another.

In order to enable the cartridge 1 to be changed or removed if necessary (for example if a different drug therapy is required), the cylindrical space of the drug reservoir receptacle 22 is at least one end open on the outside, the active substance reservoir receptacle 22 being provided with an upper opening 222 and / or a lower opening 221 on the housing 2 for this purpose. In order to prevent air from escaping unintentionally, the at least one opening 221, 222 is hermetically sealed by an airtight element which is detachably connected to the housing 2, a rotating element 4 being provided as an airtight element to close one of the openings 221, 222 to close.

The rotary element 4 is rotatable relative to the housing 2 and can be provided with markings which define a first or second direction of rotation.

When a cartridge 1 is located in the drug reservoir receptacle 22, an end face of the cartridge 1 is in contact with a corresponding end face of the rotary element 4 so that when the rotary element 4 is rotated, the cartridge 1 is rotated accordingly.

In one embodiment, the facing end faces of the cartridge 1 and the rotary element 4 are therefore formed with corresponding toothed rims 11, by means of which the corresponding end faces of the cartridge 1 and the rotary element 4 can be releasably brought into engagement with one another.

According to the in FIG. 3 to 5, the cylindrical space of the active ingredient reservoir receptacle 22 is open to the outside at both ends, the active ingredient reservoir receptacle 22 being provided with an upper opening 222 at the upper end and a lower opening 221 at the lower end, the upper opening 222 through a releasably connected rotary element 4 is tightly closed ver, wherein a closure cover 3 is also provided as an airtight element for closing the lower opening 221, which is releasably connected to the lower opening 221.

It should be noted that methods for releasably airtight connection of components are sufficiently known from the prior art and are therefore not listed here in detail. Purely by way of example, it should be mentioned that the closure cover 3 can be screwed, for example via a corresponding threaded section, to the lower end of the active substance reservoir receptacle 22 in order to close the lower opening 221. A suitable sealing ring can also be used to achieve a better sealing effect. Since the cylindrical space of the active substance reservoir receptacle 22 extends parallel to the air flow direction in the housing 2, which is defined between the air inlet opening and the air outlet opening of the housing, the length of the active substance reservoir receptacle 22 in the preferred embodiment shown corresponds to the length L of the housing 2, each of the Openings 221, 222 of the active ingredient reservoir receptacle 22 on the housing 2 are either formed adjacent to the air inlet opening 23 or air outlet opening 24, with the upper opening 222 preferably being adjacent to the air inlet opening 23 and the lower opening to the air outlet opening 24.

The aerosol dispenser according to the invention is intended for use in a respirator which comprises a ventilation unit for generating ventilation air and a user interface which is configured for invasive or non-invasive ventilation of a person, the ventilation unit and the user interface being provided by an inhalation tube 5a, 5b are coupled to one another for supplying ventilation air to a patient. The fully controllable aerosol dispenser according to the invention is placed between the ventilation unit and the user interface, for this purpose the air inlet opening 23 is connected to a hose 5a coming from the ventilation unit, so that the air generated by the ventilation unit can flow into the aerosol dispenser, the air outlet opening 24 is connected to a hose 5b going to the user interface, so that the ventilation air enriched with an active ingredient in the aerosol dispenser can be conducted to the patient.

The ventilation unit can be a conventional ventilation system, e.g. a conventional CPAP machine.

The user interface is a verbun device with the respiratory organs of a patient for non-invasive ventilation, for example a breathing mask, or invasive ventilation (by means of intubation).

Referring to FIG. 4 and 5, the housing 2 of the aerosol dispenser according to the invention can be permanently connected to the ventilation tubes 5a, 5b and be coupled between a ventilation unit and a user interface. If the supplementary administration of an active ingredient in aerosol form is to be rea lized for therapy, a cartridge 1 carrying a desired active ingredient is inserted into the active ingredient reservoir receptacle 22. An opening 222 of the active ingredient reservoir voir receptacle 22 is closed by the rotary element 4, the rotary element 4 also being brought into engagement with the cartridge 1 in such a way that it is rotated synchronously with a rotation of the rotary element 4. The lower opening 221 of the drug reservoir receptacle 22 is tightly closed by a closure cover 3. By removing the lower opening 221, a user can let the cartridge 1 fall out in a controlled manner and thus easily remove it if necessary.

In use, the air generated by a ventilation unit flows through the air inlet opening 23 from a hose 5a coming from the ventilation unit into the receiving space of the housing 2 of the aerosol dispenser, the air being swirled in the receiving space and flowing around the cartridge. The air is then directed to the patient via the air outlet opening 24 and a hose 5b going to the user interface. If the air can communicate with the active ingredient carrier 14 received therein as it flows around the cartridge 1, an aerosol containing the active ingredient can form.

The fact that the drug reservoir 1, which is rotatably received in the drug reservoir receptacle 22 via the rotary element 4, has a jacket surface consisting of a closed jacket surface wall area 13 and a cartridge opening 15, the drug reservoir receptacle 22 having a jacket surface consisting of a closed peripheral wall 25 and a peripheral wall opening , the active substance intensity in the aerosol can be regulated gradually and precisely by various relative positions of the cartridge 1 in the active substance reservoir receptacle 22. Please refer to FIG. 6A through 6C. In the exemplary embodiment shown therein, the opening angle α of the cartridge opening 15 and the peripheral wall opening are each 90 °.

According to FIG. 6A, the cartridge 1 is rotated with respect to the active substance reservoir receptacle 22 in such a way that the areas of the cartridge opening 15 and the circumferential wall opening completely correspond to one another. In this state, the active ingredient carrier 14 is exposed to the maximum via the cartridge opening 15 and the circumferential wall opening in relation to the receiving space of the housing 2, so that for a certain flow rate of ventilation air through the housing 2, a maximum Interaction of the air flow with the active substance carrier 14 is realized and the active substance intensity in the aerosol formed is consequently high.

According to FIG. 6B, the cartridge 1 is slightly rotated with respect to the active substance reservoir receptacle 22, so that the areas of the cartridge opening 15 and the opening in the peripheral wall only partially overlap. In this state, the active ingredient carrier 14 is only exposed over the reduced overlap area of the cartridge opening 15 and the circumferential wall opening in relation to the receiving space of the housing 2, so that for a certain flow rate of ventilation air through the housing 2, there is less interaction of the air with the active ingredient carrier 14 is realized and the active substance intensity in the aerosol formed compared to the state in FIG. 6A is reduced.

According to FIG. 6C, the cartridge 1 is completely rotated with respect to the active substance reservoir receptacle 22, so that the areas of the cartridge opening 15 and the peripheral wall opening no longer overlap one another. In this state, the active substance carrier 14 is shielded with respect to the receiving space of the housing 2, so that the ventilation air flowing through the housing 2 no longer interacts with the active substance carrier 14.

In summary, the relative position of the cartridge 1 in the active substance reservoir receptacle 22 can be changed quickly and easily by rotating the rotary element 4 in order to adapt the active substance intensity in the aerosol. In other words, the active ingredient intensity can be regulated gradually or continuously and precisely by the degree of exposure of the active ingredient carrier 14 in the air stream.

If no aerosol metering is required for a longer period of time, it should also be noted that instead of the closed position from FIG. 6C alternatively also, as shown in FIG. 4, it is conceivable that the cartridge 1 is completely removed and the upper and lower openings 221, 222 are simply sealed by appropriate airtight closure elements 3, 4. The air generated by the ventilation unit then flows through the hose 5a coming from the ventilation unit, through the housing 2 and the hose 5b going to the user interface to the user.

The cartridge 1 is preferably made of a plastic, e.g. polypropylene, but can also be made of another suitable material, e.g. glass or metal, be made. In the preferred embodiments, the cartridge 1 is refillable. It should be noted that the cartridges 1 are easy to manufacture and can be distributed by the device manufacturer himself or can be sold by other suppliers, for example pharmaceutical companies.

The cartridge 1 can be 3 to 10 cm, preferably between 5 and 8 cm, long and have a diameter between 0.5 and 3 cm, preferably between 1 and 2.5 cm.

As mentioned above, the active substance receiving space 16 of the cartridge 1 serves to receive an active substance carrier 14, the active substance carrier 14 preferably being a solid carrier matrix soaked with an active substance solution. The carrier matrix can be a nonwoven material or wick, for example made of cotton, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The active ingredient taken up on the carrier matrix, from which an aerosol is to be formed, can be any known active compound for inhalative use or use in ventilation therapy, or a combination thereof. Examples of such active compounds are plant extracts or ingredients such as essential oils (preferably menthol, levomenthol, camphor), anti-inflammatory compounds, decongestant compounds or agents against infections.

As a result, there are a large number of compounds available for individual selection in therapy.

The active substance absorbed on the carrier matrix can be a standard solution or have an individual composition specially designed by a specialist for a patient.

As a result, the aerosol dispenser according to the invention for a ventilation device has a wide range of possible uses. For example, a ventilator equipped with it can be a CPAP device for home therapy for sleep apnea, whereby the user can use a suitable cartridge (e.g. composition with menthol or the like (as with commercially available inhalation pens)) for independent short-term therapy for mild respiratory diseases, such as runny nose. can be used in the aerosol dispenser to facilitate breathing during sleep. Of course, a ventilator equipped with the aerosol dispenser according to the invention is also suitable for the short-term therapy of respiratory diseases (such as bronchitis) as a substitute for conventional inhalation therapy, whereby completely new therapeutic effects are made possible by the long duration of action (e.g. use of a ventilator over the entire duration of sleep) . The longer active ingredient disposition can, for example, reduce the dose of active ingredient required. Of course, a ventilator equipped with the aerosol dispenser according to the invention is also suitable for supporting pre- / postoperative use or for treating or relieving the symptoms of chronic lung diseases (such as asthma, COPD) due to the additional application of active ingredients. In addition, homeopathic and wellness applications are also conceivable (e.g. with lavender oil with a calming effect).

It should be noted that, according to the above, with the structure according to the invention, the following advantages for the inhalative application of active substances or drugs can be realized:

1. Because the cartridge 1 is arranged parallel to the direction of air flow in the housing 2, the air flow through the cartridge 1 is not mechanically hindered or blocked, so that the ventilation air can flow through the aerosol dispenser unhindered. Furthermore, the air portion enriched with active ingredient mixes along the air flow direction with the remaining air flowing through the housing, which prevents unwanted separation of the aerosol on dispenser components, which improves the efficiency of the drug administration.

2. The structure of the aerosol dispenser according to the invention is simple, the cartridges and the housing components causing low manufacturing costs.

3. The structure of the aerosol dispenser according to the invention enables it to be integrated into all conventional ventilation systems, so that, for example, "simpler" CPAP devices (e.g. without a water tank) can be retrofitted and used therapeutically without great effort.

4. The intensity of the active ingredients in the aerosol can be easily and precisely regulated using a simple rotating mechanism. 5. A cartridge 1 can be easily attached in the housing 2 and can be replaced if necessary, so that the aerosol dispenser according to the invention can be used flexibly and is environmentally friendly (since only the cartridges need to be replaced or refillable cartridges can be used).

6. The handling of the aerosol dispenser according to the invention is simple and consequently can be carried out by the patient himself in home therapy without the supervision of medical specialists.

7. There are a large number of aerosols available for individual selection for therapeutic purposes.

Although numerous features and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the preceding description, the description is merely illustrative. Modifications by omitting individual features or different combinations of the individual features presented belong to the invention, as long as the scope of protection of the appended claims is not left. The present disclosure includes all combinations of the individual features presented.

REFERENCE LIST

1 drug reservoir

11 ring gear

12 upper face

13 closed lateral surface wall area

14 drug carriers

15 cartridge opening

16 Active ingredient receiving space

2 housings

21 hollow bodies

22 Active ingredient reservoir intake

221 lower opening

222 top opening

23 Air inlet opening

24 air outlet

25 perimeter wall

3 sealing caps

4 rotating element

5a hose coming from the ventilation unit

5b hose going to the user interface

L length

R Circular arc of the communication area a opening angle

Claims

EXPECTATIONS 1. Adjustable aerosol dispenser for a ventilator for providing an active substance in ventilation air, the aerosol dispenser comprising a housing (2) and an active substance reservoir (1), the housing (2) having an air inlet opening (23) and one of the air inlet opening (23) opposite air outlet opening (24) which are each configured for coupling into a ventilation line (5a, 5b), characterized in that the air inlet opening (23) and the air outlet opening (24) are in communication with the active substance reservoir (1) so that ventilation air flowing in the housing (2) between the air inlet opening (23) and the air outlet opening (24) flows past the active substance reservoir (1) and / or can flow through the drug reservoir (1), the drug reservoir (1) being a cartridge which is arranged in a drug reservoir receptacle (22) in an interchangeable manner in the housing (2), the cartridge having an active ingredient receptacle (16) for on Acquisition of the active ingredient to be provided is defined, which has a cartridge opening for dispensing the active ingredient, wherein the aerosol dispenser comprises a closure device for gradual or continuous partial closure of the cartridge opening and thus control of a dispensing dose of the active ingredient. 2. aerosol dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the cartridge has a substantially cylindrical basic shape and comprises two end faces and a jacket surface connecting the end surfaces, which form a cartridge housing, the cartridge opening being formed in the jacket surface, the cartridge opening extending essentially over the entire height of the cartridge from an end surface to the other and / or evenly extends over a sector of a circle along the lateral surface. 3. aerosol dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an active ingredient carrier (14) in the active ingredient receiving space (16) of the cartridge is received, wherein in particular the active ingredient carrier (14) is a solid carrier matrix soaked with an active ingredient solution. 4. aerosol dispenser according to one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the cartridge (1) is rotatably received about the cylinder longitudinal axis in the drug reservoir voir receptacle (22). 5. Aerosol dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the active ingredient reservoir receptacle (22) in the housing (2) is defined by a cylindrically shaped space, the cylindrical space having two end faces and a lateral surface connecting the end faces, a peripheral wall (25) having a peripheral wall opening being arranged on the peripheral surface, Via which the active ingredient reservoir receptacle (22) is connected to the interior of the housing (2) and the air inlet opening (23) and the air outlet opening (24), the peripheral wall opening extending essentially over the entire height of the active ingredient reservoir receptacle (22) from one end face to the other and / or extends uniformly over a sector of a circle along the lateral surface. 6. aerosol dispenser according to claim 5, characterized in that the peripheral wall (25) of the active ingredient reservoir receptacle (22) is rotatable about the cylinder's longitudinal axis. 7. Aerosol dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (2) is a substantially cylindrical or rectangular body, and or that the air inlet opening (23) and the air outlet opening (24) are formed on two opposite sides of the housing (2), with an air flow direction from the air inlet opening (23) in the direction of the air outlet opening (24) in the interior of the housing (2) is defined, being the cylindrical space of the active substance reservoir receptacle (22) extends with its longitudinal axis parallel to the air flow direction. 8. aerosol dispenser according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the cylindrical space of the active ingredient reservoir receptacle (22) has an end face opening on at least one end face, so that the active ingredient reservoir receptacle (22) for loading the cartridge is accessible from outside the housing (2), with the at least one end face opening (221, 221, 222) a detachable cap (3) and / or a rotating element (4) for rotating the cartridge (1) are provided. 9. aerosol dispenser according to claim 8, characterized in that the cartridge (1) and the rotary element (4) are formed with mutually corresponding engagement elements (11), so that the cartridge (1) and the rotary element (4) can be releasably brought into engagement with one another, wherein in the engaged state upon rotation of the rotary element (4) the Cartridge (1) is rotated. 10. Aerosol dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that In the interior of the housing between the air inlet opening and Luftauslassöff voltage guide elements are provided for the air, which are in particular arranged in a spiral shape around the drug reservoir receptacle. 11. aerosol dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a central angle (a) of the cartridge opening (15) and / or the circumferential wall opening is in each case a maximum of 180 °, in particular between 30 ° and 120 °, preferably between 60 ° and 90 °. 12. Aerosol dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cartridge (1) is refillable. 3. Ventilator, comprising a ventilation unit for generating ventilation air and a user interface which is configured for invasive or non-invasive ventilation of a person, the ventilation unit and the user interface through a ventilation line (5a, 5b) for supplying ventilation air to one Patients are connected to each other, characterized in that An aerosol dispenser according to one of the preceding claims is attached between the ventilation unit and the user interface in the ventilation line, the air inlet opening (23) of the aerosol dispenser being connected to a hose (5a) coming from the ventilation unit, so that the air generated by the ventilation unit enters the aerosol dispenser can flow, the air outlet opening (24) of the aerosol dispenser being connected to a hose (5b) going to the user interface, so that the ventilation air enriched with an active ingredient in the aerosol dispenser can be directed to the patient.