Inhalator and inhalator set
Inventors
McPherson Allnutt, Tom • Achtzehner, Wolfgang • Gallem, Thomas • Hetzer, Uwe
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11419993-B2
Publication Date
2022-08-23
Expiration Date
Abstract
Inhalator comprising an aerosol generator configured to generate an aerosol by nebulizing a fluid and a controller configured to control operation of the aerosol generator and a housing accommodating at least the aerosol generator and the controller, the housing having a base for supporting the housing on a horizontal surface, wherein a portion of the housing accommodating at least a portion of the controller is arranged further away from the base than the aerosol generator as seen in a vertical direction, when the base is supported on the horizontal surface.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an inhalator set comprising an inhalator with an aerosol generator configured to generate an aerosol by nebulizing a fluid, a controller configured to control operation of the aerosol generator, and a housing accommodating at least the aerosol generator and the controller. The housing has a base for supporting the housing on a horizontal surface, and a portion of the housing accommodating at least a portion of the controller is arranged further away from the base than the aerosol generator in a vertical direction when the base is supported on the horizontal surface.
The aerosol generator has a vibratable membrane with a plurality of apertures through which the fluid is passed for nebulization, and the housing portion is arranged further away from the base than the membrane in the vertical direction when the base is supported on the horizontal surface. The inhalator is configured such that the aerosol generator is gravity fed, where the fluid flows primarily by gravitational force to the aerosol generator.
The housing comprises a first housing accommodating the controller and a second housing accommodating the aerosol generator, and the first housing and the second housing are detachably connected. Electrical connection between detachably connected controller and aerosol-generator units is provided without a cable, where one of the first housing and the second housing comprises a socket and the other comprises a plug detachable from and electrically connected to the socket, and the socket or the plug is configured to detachably receive the plug or the socket in at least two different orientations for electrical connection between the plug and the socket.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim coverage centers on 4 inventive features relating to an inhalator with a vibratable-membrane aerosol generator, a vertically arranged controller portion, gravity-fed nebulization, and a detachable plug/socket electrical connection with multiple mating orientations.
Vertical housing portion positioning relative to aerosol generator
a housing accommodating at least the aerosol generator and the controller, the housing having a base for supporting the housing on a horizontal surface, wherein a portion of the housing accommodating at least a portion of the controller is arranged further away from the base than the aerosol generator in a vertical direction, when the base is supported on the horizontal surface, and wherein the aerosol generator has a vibratable membrane with a plurality of apertures through which the fluid is passed for nebulization and said portion of the housing is arranged further away from the base than the membrane in the vertical direction, when the base is supported on the horizontal surface
Gravity fed fluid delivery to the aerosol generator
wherein the aerosol generator is gravity fed in that the fluid flows to the aerosol generator primarily by gravitational force
Detachably connected controller housing and aerosol-generator housing
wherein the housing comprises a first housing accommodating the controller and a second housing accommodating the aerosol generator, the first housing and the second housing being detachably connected
Multi-orientation plug/socket electrical connection between detachably connected housings
wherein one of the first housing and the second housing comprises a socket and the other of the first housing and second housing comprises a plug detachable from and electrically connected to the socket, and wherein the socket or the plug is configured to detachably receive the plug or the socket in at least two different orientations for electrical connection between the plug and the socket
Overall, the claim set centers on an inhalator with a vibratable membrane aerosol generator integrated with a controller in a shared housing, using gravity-fed fluid delivery and a specified vertical arrangement that places the controller portion farther from the base than the aerosol generator and membrane. It also requires detachably connected first and second housings and a plug/socket electrical connection capable of detachable mating in at least two orientations.
Stated Advantages
Enables stable, ergonomic use on a horizontal surface by lowering the center of gravity through the vertical arrangement of the controller portion relative to the aerosol generator.
Eliminates a cable by directly mating a plug/socket between detachably connected controller and aerosol-generator units.
Allows cleaning/reflushing even when electrical connection is provided in at least two different orientations.
Provides audible/visible lock feedback via the latch mechanism.
Documented Applications
Use of the inhalator on a horizontal surface for aerosol delivery to a patient via an outlet/mouthpiece.
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