Inhalation therapy device comprising an ampoule for storing a medicament to be nebulized
Inventors
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-11278683-B2
Publication Date
2022-03-22
Expiration Date
Abstract
An inhalation therapy device includes an atomizer for atomizing a drug which is advantageously present in the form of a fluid into an atomization chamber so that an aerosol or mist is provided in the atomization chamber. The patient or user can inhale the aerosol produced by the atomizer from the atomization chamber via a mouthpiece. The ampoule is inserted into an ampoule holder holding the fluid-containing ampoule. The inhalation therapy device also includes an opening unit for opening the fluid-containing ampoule. The ampoule holder advantageously includes a first part, disposed displaceably in relation to the opening unit, thereby allowing an ampoule present in the ampoule holder to be displaced in the direction of the opening unit.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an inhalation therapy device having a nebuliser device with a nebuliser chamber for nebulising a liquid medicament, and an opening means. An ampoule containing the fluid to be nebulised is retained in an ampoule holder disposed in a lid, and the ampoule is opened by the opening means in response to closing the lid on the body so that the opening means opens the ampoule disposed in the ampoule holder and the fluid reaches the nebuliser device through a conduit in the opening means.
The lid and the ampoule holder are configured for detachment from the body and for replacement of the ampoule in the ampoule holder. During opening of the ampoule, the opening means and the ampoule holder are displaceable in relation to one another along a helical path, and the opening means includes a cutter designed to cut into a wall area of the ampoule that is intended for opening during displacement. The ampoule holder surrounds the ampoule and includes a plurality of inwardly-extending pins configured to guide the ampoule holder along the helical path relative to the opening means during opening of the ampoule.
The disclosed embodiments further refine opening and sealing by providing features such as a defined separation of the ampoule into an area intended for opening and an area to be held, sealing surfaces and sealing devices, and an opening means and conduit arrangement. Alternative relative motion is described in which the opening means and the ampoule holder are movable relative to each other along a substantially straight path, while still enabling opening of the ampoule such that the medicament fluid is delivered to the nebuliser chamber via the conduit.
Claims Coverage
Three inventive features are identified across the claims coverage.
Inhalation therapy device with lid-closed ampoule opening and membrane nebuliser delivery
An inhalation therapy device comprising a body with a nebuliser device and a nebuliser chamber for nebulising a liquid medicament, an opening means, and a lid with an ampoule holder for retaining an ampoule and opening it by the opening means in response to closing the lid, such that the opening means opens the ampoule and the fluid reaches the nebuliser device through a conduit, wherein the nebuliser device comprises a membrane nebuliser and the ampoule holder surrounds the ampoule.
Detachable lid and ampoule holder for replacement
The lid and the ampoule holder are configured for detachment from the body and for replacement of the ampoule in the ampoule holder.
Helical relative displacement guided by inwardly-extending pins and cutter opening
The opening means and the ampoule holder are displaceable in relation to one another along a helical path during opening of the ampoule, wherein the opening means has a cutter designed to cut into a wall area of the ampoule intended for opening, and wherein the ampoule holder includes a plurality of inwardly-extending pins configured to guide the ampoule holder along the helical path relative to the opening means during opening of the ampoule.
The claims coverage centers on lid-actuated ampoule opening, detachable replacement of the lid and ampoule holder, and helical relative displacement with cutter opening guided by inwardly-extending pins.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
Interested in licensing this patent?