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Publication Number
US-12324879-B2
Publication Date
2025-06-10
Expiration Date
Abstract
A drug delivery container and a nebulizer device are provided. The drug delivery container includes a body unit, a base unit, and an atomizing unit. The body unit includes a chamber element, the chamber element includes an accommodating space, an opening, and a through hole, and the accommodating space is communicated with both the opening and the through hole. The base unit includes a plurality of first conductive elements and is connected to the body unit. The atomizing unit includes a plurality of second conductive elements, and is located between the body unit and the base unit, and the second conductive elements respectively are electrically connected to the first conductive elements.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a drug delivery container and a nebulizer device having a modular structure. The drug delivery container includes a body unit with a tubular shell defining a longitudinal axis, and a chamber element that defines an accommodating space for holding a liquid dose. The accommodating space establishes fluid communication from an opening toward a top end to a through hole toward a bottom end along the longitudinal axis.
A base unit covers the bottom end of the body unit and is provided with an aerosol dispensing port toward the bottom end along the longitudinal axis. The base unit includes a plurality of first conductive elements arranged around the aerosol dispensing port, wherein the first conductive elements comprise conductive pillars that protrude and are externally accessible from a bottom most surface of the base unit. An atomizing unit is arranged between the body unit and the base unit to convert the held liquid dose into aerosol, and the aerosol dispensing port expels the aerosol generated by the atomizing unit downward along the longitudinal axis.
The atomizing unit includes a plurality of second conductive elements electrically connected to the first conductive elements. The atomizing unit is described as including an atomizing element with an annular piezoelectric unit, a porous element, and a ring element, together with waterproof elements. This structure supports modular replacement of the atomizing unit without replacing the host, and it is configured to enable horizontal bottom atomization and to support reduction of liquid residue.
Additional embodiments include detachable engagement features for firmly connecting the drug delivery container to an atomizing chamber while improving stability and preventing accidental detachment. The chamber element is provided with outward buckles having limiting parts and positioning parts, including configurations with an L-shaped fastening part and a retaining groove that receives a positioning part. Corresponding snap parts are provided to connect the container to the atomizing chamber.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides two independent claims, covering a modular drug delivery container and its use within a nebulizer device. Across the independent claims, the main inventive features include the longitudinal top-to-bottom fluid communication in the body unit, a base unit with an aerosol dispensing port and conductive pillars, an atomizing unit with electrically connected first and second conductive elements, and a nebulizer device with upward electrical contacts and an atomizing chamber having a laterally extending nozzle structure.
Longitudinal top opening and bottom through hole fluid communication in a chamber element
A chamber element defines an accommodating space for holding a liquid dose, an opening toward a top end along the longitudinal axis, and a through hole toward a bottom end along the longitudinal axis, wherein the accommodating space establishes fluid communication with both the opening and the through hole from the top end to the bottom end of the body unit along the longitudinal axis.
Base unit covering bottom end with aerosol dispensing port expelling aerosol downward
A base unit configured to cover the bottom end of the body unit, wherein the base unit is provided with an aerosol dispensing port along and toward the bottom end of the longitudinal axis, and wherein the aerosol dispensing port expels the aerosol generated by the atomizing unit downward along the longitudinal axis.
Electrically connected conductive elements including conductive pillars externally accessible from base
The base unit comprises a plurality of first conductive elements arranged around the aerosol dispensing port; an atomizing unit arranged between the body unit and the base unit, configured to convert the liquid dose held in the chamber element into aerosol; and wherein the atomizing unit comprises a plurality of second conductive elements, wherein the second conductive elements are electrically connected to the first conductive elements; wherein the plurality of first conductive elements comprise conductive pillars that protrude and are externally accessible from a bottom most surface of the base unit.
Control host with upward electrical contacts and atomizing chamber sleeve with laterally extending nozzle structure
A nebulizer device comprising a control host including a plurality of upward electrical contacts; an atomizing chamber configured to sleeve over an upper port of the host, comprising a laterally extending nozzle structure; and wherein the first conductive elements are electrically connected to the plurality of upward electrical contacts through the atomizing chamber.
Together, the independent claims define a modular drug delivery container in which aerosol is generated by an atomizing unit between a body unit and a base unit, with aerosol expelled from a base aerosol dispensing port downward along a longitudinal axis. The claims further require first conductive elements on the base and second conductive elements in the atomizing unit that are electrically connected, with conductive pillars externally accessible from a bottom most surface; in the nebulizer device, the conductive pillars connect to upward electrical contacts via an atomizing chamber sleeve having a laterally extending nozzle structure.
Stated Advantages
Enables modular replacement of the atomizing unit without replacing the host.
Improves stability and prevents accidental detachment of the container to the atomizing chamber.
Supports reduction of liquid residue.
Documented Applications
A nebulizer device that includes a control host with upward electrical contacts and an atomizing chamber, using the modular drug delivery container to convert a liquid dose into aerosol.
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