Portable device for administering a physiologically active liquid

Inventors

Rentsch, Rüdiger • Etzold, Mathias

Assignees

WERRTA GmbH

Abstract

Embodiments herein describe a portable device for administering a physiologically active liquid that includes a container for holding the liquid, a pressure system for applying pressure to the liquid, an atomizer for atomizing the liquid, and an applicator for administering atomized liquid. The atomizer includes at least one nozzle through which liquid can be ejected from the container and an impact element on the nozzle outlet side that is functionally combined with the nozzle. Moreover, the atomizer is configured in such a way that, in a pressure range that can be generated with the pressurizing system, liquid emerging from the nozzle breaks up into droplets prior to striking the impact element.

Core Innovation

The invention is a portable device for administering a physiologically active liquid. The device includes a container for holding the liquid, pressurizing means for applying pressure to the liquid, an atomizer for atomizing the liquid, and an applicator for administering atomized liquid. The atomizer comprises at least one Rayleigh nozzle through which the liquid is ejected from the container and an impact element, with the nozzle and impact element functionally combined.

In the stated pressure range generated with the pressurizing means, a liquid jet emerging from the at least one Rayleigh nozzle breaks up under a free break up regime into almost monodisperse droplets prior to striking the impact element. The impact element is arranged on a nozzle outlet side for impact atomization, thereby atomizing the droplets from the liquid jet. The free break-up before impact atomization is presented as the basis for forming droplets prior to the impact atomization step.

The portable pressure-based architecture and atomizer integration are described as maintaining suitable atomization over the duration of use. The document discusses collection of excess liquid using a reservoir or sponge and possible recirculation of collected excess liquid. It also outlines pressure-tank architectures including gas/liquid compartments with piston or flexible bag concepts and regulating valve concepts, including pressure-transmission with a transmission ratio to sustain atomization while liquid is used.

Claims Coverage

The document presents one independent claim with a platform-level atomizer concept and multiple dependent claims that refine the pressure-tank architecture, ejection/flow regulation, nozzle manufacturing, excess-liquid handling, and applicator type for inhalation and ophthalmic use. The independent claim includes the core inventive features of the combined Rayleigh nozzle and impact element under a defined free-breakup pressure regime and the portable device architecture.

Overall, the claim coverage centers on the functional combination of an at least one Rayleigh nozzle and an impact element within a portable pressurized-device architecture, configured so that the jet forms almost monodisperse droplets under a free break up regime before impact atomization. Dependent features further constrain pressure-tank/transmission structures, regulating-valve function, Rayleigh nozzle manufacturing approaches, excess-liquid collection/possible recirculation, and applicator type for inhalation and ophthalmic contexts.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications