Nebulizer

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10894134-B2
Application number	US-201815942737-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 2, 2018
Priority date	Aug 9, 2013
Publication date	Jan 19, 2021
Grant date	Jan 19, 2021

Abstract

A nebulizer is proposed which comprises a blocking device for blocking opening of the nebulizer in a tensioned state. The nebulizer comprises preferably an indicator device for indicating a tensioned state of the nebulizer. The nebulizer comprises further a depressible actuator member at a housing part which is detachable from the nebulizer.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A nebulizer ( 1 ) for a fluid ( 2 ), comprising:
a container ( 3 ) containing the fluid ( 2 ), the container ( 3 ) being elongate and defining a longitudinal axis of the nebulizer;
a delivery mechanism for dispensing the fluid ( 2 ) including: (i) a pressure generator ( 5 ) in communication with the container ( 3 ) and receiving the fluid ( 2 ) therefrom, (ii) a holder ( 6 ) engaging the container ( 3 ), and controlling translational movement of both the container ( 3 ) and at least part of the pressure generator ( 5 ) along the longitudinal axis of the nebulizer, and (iii) a drive spring ( 7 ) engaging the holder ( 6 ), being settable in a tensioned state in which the drive spring ( 7 ) is compressed and ready, upon release, to move the holder ( 6 ) and to drive the translational movement of the container ( 3 ) and the at least part of the pressure generator ( 5 ) along the longitudinal axis of the nebulizer such that the pressure generator produces sufficient pressure to the fluid ( 2 ) for atomization and discharge of the fluid ( 2 ) from the nebulizer, and after the release is complete resting at a non-tensioned state in which the drive spring ( 7 ) has released the compression; and
an indicator device ( 73 ) for indicating whether the nebulizer is in the tensioned state or the non-tensioned state, where the indicator device ( 73 ) comprises a moveable indicator element ( 74 ) and a window ( 78 ) through which a user may see at least part of the indicator element ( 74 ), and where the indicator element ( 74 ) pivots between a first position indicating the tensioned state and a second position indicating the non-tensioned state.

2. The nebulizer ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the pressure generator ( 5 ) further comprises
a pressure chamber ( 11 ) operating to hold a dose of the fluid ( 2 ) prior to discharge of the fluid ( 2 ) from the nebulizer; and
a conveying element ( 9 ) for conveying the fluid ( 2 ) from the container ( 3 ) into the pressure chamber ( 11 ), wherein:
the nebulizer ( 1 ) is in a loaded state when the dose of the fluid ( 2 ) is in the pressure chamber ( 11 ), and
the indicator element ( 74 ) pivots between the first position indicating the tensioned state and loaded state, and the second position indicating the non-tensioned state and a non-loaded state.

3. The nebulizer according to claim 1 , further comprising a stop element ( 8 ) operating to engage the holder ( 6 ) when the drive spring ( 7 ) is in the tensioned state and the nebulizer is in a loaded state, and to remain engaged and ready to dispense the dose of the fluid ( 2 ) upon user activation.

4. The nebulizer according to claim 1 , further comprising an actuator member ( 79 ), which is depressible by the user in order to disengage a stop element ( 8 ) from the holder ( 6 ) and to permit the drive spring ( 7 ) to release and to move the holder ( 6 ), and to drive the translational movement of the container ( 3 ) and the at least part of the pressure generator ( 5 ) along the longitudinal axis of the nebulizer, such that the pressure generator produces sufficient pressure to the fluid ( 2 ) for atomization and discharge of the fluid ( 2 ) from the nebulizer.

5. The nebulizer according to claim 4 , wherein the stop element ( 8 ) moves transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the nebulizer between a first position in which the stop element ( 8 ) engages the holder ( 6 ) to maintain the drive spring ( 7 ) in the tensioned state and the nebulizer in a loaded state, and a second position in which the stop element ( 8 ) does not engage the holder ( 6 ) to permit the drive spring ( 7 ) to move through the release to the non-tensioned state in which the drive spring ( 7 ) has released the compression.

6. The nebulizer according to claim 5 , wherein the stop element ( 8 ) is linked to the indicator device ( 73 ), such that when the stop element ( 8 ) moves from the first position to the second position in response to the actuator member ( 79 ), the indicator element ( 74 ) likewise pivots from the first position indicating the tensioned state to the second position indicating the non-tensioned state.

7. The nebulizer according to claim 6 , wherein the indicator element ( 74 ) includes an engagement portion ( 76 ) and the stop element ( 8 ) includes a drive portion ( 77 ), which engages the engagement portion ( 76 ) for pivoting the indicator element ( 74 ) between the first and second positions in response to the movement of the stop element ( 8 ) between the first and second positions.

8. The nebulizer according to claim 7 , wherein the engagement portion ( 76 ) is in the form of one of a protrusion and a bolt.

9. The nebulizer according to claim 1 , wherein the indicator element ( 74 ) includes at least one indicator portion ( 75 ) exhibiting at least one of different colors and indicia depending on whether the drive spring ( 7 ) is in the tensioned state and the nebulizer in a loaded state, and whether the drive spring ( 7 ) is in the non-tensioned state.

Assignees

• Boehringer Ingelheim Int

Inventors

• Besseler Jens
• Herrmann Frank
• Holakovsky Holger
• Argauer Herbert
• Gatz Josef
• Gorshoefer Andreas

Classifications

• A61M11/00

  Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes (in general B05B; {aerosol containers B65D83/14}) · CPC title

• A61M15/00

  Inhalators {(drug delivery in endotracheal tubes A61M16/04)} · CPC title

• A61M15/0081 Primary

  Locking means · CPC title

• A61M15/0025

  with caps · CPC title

• A61M2202/04

  Liquids · CPC title