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Publication Number
US-11426542-B2
Publication Date
2022-08-30
Expiration Date
Abstract
A nebuliser device with a vibrating mesh, for administering medicaments, includes a casing, a nozzle, a nebuliser and a chamber that houses a medicament. The chamber housing a medicament is a disposable capsule forming an independent body that can be extracted from the casing of the device. The disposable capsule includes a connector for attaching to the nebuliser and to the casing. The connector allow the disposable capsule to be coupled to the nebuliser device or uncoupled therefrom.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a nebulizer device for administering medicaments, comprising a casing, a nozzle, a nebulizer configured in the casing, a piezoelectric device, and a vibrating mesh actuated by the piezoelectric device. The device further includes a disposable capsule that forms a chamber housing a liquid medicament and forms an independent body insertable into the casing.
A punch with a cutting geometry is provided to perforate an outer seal and/or an inner seal of the disposable capsule when the disposable capsule is inserted into the casing. The punch is hollow, such that the liquid medicament in the chamber flows through the hollow punch toward the mesh of the nebulizer, and the sealing arrangement is configured to protect and/or separate medicament phases in the disposable capsule.
The disposable capsule is described with phase-related configurations and capsule geometries, including a vertical cone and a cylinder, and an alternative L-shaped geometry with an oblique or horizontal lower cylinder. The nebulizer device is further described as activating the piezoelectric device through a switch or button in the casing, and as allowing the nebulizer and nozzle to be reused while disposing of the disposable capsule.
Claims Coverage
The document includes three independent claims. Each independent claim centers on a vibrating-mesh nebulizer actuated by a piezoelectric device, combined with a hollow punch having a cutting geometry that perforates a disposable capsule seal to allow medicament flow toward the mesh.
Hollow punch with cutting geometry to perforate seals on capsule insertion
A punch with a cutting geometry on an end thereof configured to perforate an outer seal or inner seal of the disposable capsule when the disposable capsule is inserted into the casing, wherein the punch is hollow to allow the liquid medicament in the chamber to flow through the punch towards the mesh of the nebulizer.
Disposable capsule forming a chamber insertable into the casing
A disposable capsule forming a chamber that houses a liquid medicament, and forming an independent body that can be inserted into the casing.
Piezoelectric vibrating mesh nebulizer with capsule-driven flow path
A nebulizer comprises a piezoelectric device and a vibrating mesh actuated by the piezoelectric device, wherein the hollow punch perforates a seal such that the liquid medicament flows through the punch towards the mesh of the nebulizer.
Perforating an outer seal of a disposable capsule
A punch with a cutting geometry on an end thereof configured to perforate an outer seal of a disposable capsule which houses a liquid medicament, wherein the punch perforates the outer seal when the disposable capsule is inserted into the casing, and wherein the punch is hollow to allow the liquid medicament of the disposable capsule to flow through the punch towards the mesh of the nebulizer.
Casing configured to receive disposable capsule and couple medicament flow toward the mesh
The casing is configured to receive a disposable capsule housing a liquid medicament, and the nebulizer device further comprises a hollow punch with a cutting geometry on an end thereof such that the hollow punch perforates an outer seal of the disposable capsule when the capsule is inserted into the casing, and the liquid medicament of the disposable capsule flows through the punch towards the mesh of the nebulizer when the disposable capsule is coupled to the casing.
Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage is directed to a piezoelectric device actuating a vibrating mesh, together with a hollow punch having a cutting geometry that perforates a seal of a disposable capsule upon insertion or coupling, thereby allowing liquid medicament to flow through the punch toward the vibrating mesh.
Stated Advantages
Reduced waste.
Controlled dosing via prefilled capsules.
Addresses cleaning/disinfection needs by reusing the nebulizer while disposing of the capsule.
Documented Applications
Administering medicaments using the vibrating-mesh nebulizer device with disposable medicament capsules.
Using the disposable capsule with protected or separated medicament phases by perforating capsule seals upon insertion to deliver medicament to the vibrating mesh.
Reducing cleaning/disinfection burden by reusing the nebulizer and nozzle while disposing of the capsule.
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