Inhaler mouthpiece and inhaler

Abstract

This invention discloses an inhaler, comprising: a housing, the housing including an upper housing and a lower housing connected to the upper housing, and the upper housing being rotatable relative to the lower housing; a storage container disposed within the housing, the storage container being used to store liquid; a pressure assembly disposed within the housing, one end of the pressure assembly extending into the storage container; a nozzle connected to the other end of the pressure assembly; and a mouthpiece, the mouthpiece being connected to the upper housing and the nozzle being accommodated in the mouthpiece, characterized in that the mouthpiece includes: a mouthpiece connecting portion for connecting the mouthpiece to the upper housing; a mouthpiece inner cylinder disposed at the center of the mouthpiece connecting portion and open at both ends; and a mouthpiece outer cylinder disposed outside the mouthpiece inner cylinder and located on the same side of the mouthpiece connecting portion as the mouthpiece inner cylinder, the mouthpiece outer cylinder being provided with at least one air inlet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an inhaler, and more specifically, to an inhaler mouthpiece and an inhaler using the inhaler mouthpiece. Background Technology

[0002] A nebulizer, also known as a nebulizer or sprayer, is used to assist patients in administering medication via inhalation. Liquid medications are atomized to help users achieve effective inhalation and absorption. The size of these tiny particles can be adjusted according to different respiratory conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma, or to correspond to the type of liquid medication itself. However, because the flow resistance at the inhaler nozzle is difficult to control, patients may inhale the atomized medication too quickly, resulting in insufficient absorption. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the aforementioned technical problems, one aspect of the present invention provides an inhaler mouthpiece, the inhaler mouthpiece comprising:

[0004] Mouthpiece connector, used to connect the mouthpiece to the inhaler body;

[0005] The mouthpiece inner tube is located at the center of the mouthpiece connection and is open at both ends; and

[0006] The outer tube of the mouthpiece is located outside the inner tube of the mouthpiece and on the same side of the mouthpiece connection. The outer tube of the mouthpiece is provided with at least one air inlet.

[0007] In one embodiment, the height of the inner mouthpiece cylinder in the height direction of the inhaler is less than the height of the outer mouthpiece cylinder.

[0008] In another embodiment, the area of ​​the first surface of each of the at least one air inlets located on the inner surface of the mouthpiece outer cylinder is smaller than the area of ​​the second surface located on the outer surface of the mouthpiece outer cylinder.

[0009] Furthermore, in the cross section of the outer cylinder of the mouthpiece, which is perpendicular to the axial direction of the outer cylinder and passes through the two ends of at least one air inlet, the included angle formed by the lines connecting the center point of the cross section to the two ends of the first surface is between 35 degrees and 45 degrees, and the included angle formed by the lines connecting the center point of the cross section to the two ends of the second surface is between 55 degrees and 65 degrees.

[0010] Furthermore, the angle formed by the lines connecting the center point of the cross section to the two ends of the first surface is 40 degrees, and the angle formed by the lines connecting the center point of the cross section to the two ends of the second surface is 60 degrees.

[0011] In one embodiment, the area of ​​the first surface is 22.00 mm². 2 Up to 23.00mm 2Between, the area of ​​the second surface is 40.00 mm. 2 up to 42mm 2 between.

[0012] Furthermore, the area of ​​the first surface is 22.77 mm². 2 The area of ​​the second surface is 40.98 mm². 2 .

[0013] In one embodiment, in each of at least one air inlet:

[0014] The flow resistance between the first and second surfaces, and closer to the first surface, is 62600-86131 Pa. 1 / 2 s / m 3 The flow resistance near the second surface is 32279-76286 Pa. 1 / 2 s / m 3 .

[0015] Another aspect of the invention provides an inhaler comprising:

[0016] The housing includes an upper housing and a lower housing connected to the upper housing, and the upper housing is rotatable relative to the lower housing;

[0017] A storage container, housed within a shell, is used to store liquids;

[0018] A pressure assembly is disposed within the housing and one end of the pressure assembly extends into the storage container to obtain liquid stored in the storage container and pressurize the obtained liquid.

[0019] A nozzle, connected to the other end of a pressure assembly, atomizes the liquid acquired in the pressure assembly; and

[0020] The mouthpiece is connected to the upper housing, and the nozzle is housed within the mouthpiece.

[0021] The feature is that the mouthpiece includes:

[0022] The mouthpiece connector is used to connect the mouthpiece to the upper housing;

[0023] The mouthpiece inner cylinder, located at the center of the mouthpiece connection and open at both ends, is used to accommodate the nozzle; and

[0024] The outer tube of the mouthpiece is located outside the inner tube of the mouthpiece and on the same side of the mouthpiece connection. The outer tube of the mouthpiece is provided with at least one air inlet.

[0025] In one embodiment, the height of the inner mouthpiece cylinder in the height direction of the inhaler is less than the height of the outer mouthpiece cylinder.

[0026] In one embodiment, at least one air inlet is provided along the same cross-section of the outer cylinder of the mouthpiece.

[0027] In one embodiment, the area of ​​the first side of each of the at least one air inlets located on the inner surface of the mouthpiece outer cylinder is smaller than the area of ​​the second side located on the outer surface of the mouthpiece outer cylinder.

[0028] Furthermore, in the cross section of the outer cylinder of the mouthpiece, which is perpendicular to the axial direction of the outer cylinder and passes through the two ends of at least one air inlet, the included angle formed by the lines connecting the center point of the cross section to the two ends of the first surface is between 35 degrees and 45 degrees, and the included angle formed by the lines connecting the center point of the cross section to the two ends of the second surface is between 55 degrees and 65 degrees.

[0029] Furthermore, the angle formed by the lines connecting the center point of the cross section to the two ends of the first surface is 40 degrees, and the angle formed by the lines connecting the center point of the cross section to the two ends of the second surface is 60 degrees.

[0030] In one embodiment, the area of ​​the first surface is 22.00 mm². 2 Up to 23.00mm 2 Between, the area of ​​the second surface is 40.00 mm. 2 up to 42mm 2 between.

[0031] Furthermore, the area of ​​the first surface is 22.77 mm². 2 The area of ​​the second surface is 40.98 mm². 2 .

[0032] In one embodiment, in each of at least one air inlet:

[0033] The flow resistance between the first and second surfaces, and closer to the first surface, is 62600-86131 Pa. 1 / 2 s / m 3 The flow resistance near the second surface is 32279-76286 Pa. 1 / 2 s / m 3 .

[0034] Furthermore, when the flow rate at the nozzle is at its maximum, the spray velocity at the top of the nozzle is between 1.04 and 2.43 m / s, and the gas velocity at the air inlet is between 6.7 and 19.4 m / s.

[0035] In one embodiment, the pressure component includes:

[0036] The biasing element is disposed within the lower housing;

[0037] A retainer is disposed within the upper housing to hold the storage container, and the retainer is connected to the upper end of the biasing member;

[0038] A transfer tube, one end of which passes through a retainer and extends into the storage container, and the other end of which is connected to a nozzle; and

[0039] The pump chamber is located inside the delivery pipe and is used to temporarily store the liquid that is pumped into the pump chamber.

[0040] Furthermore, the bias component includes:

[0041] The bias chamber is held within the lower housing; and

[0042] The bias spring is located in the bias chamber and can be axially compressed by rotating the lower housing to move the retainer downward along the height direction of the inhaler.

[0043] In one embodiment, the pressure assembly further includes a check valve disposed within the delivery pipe to prevent backflow of liquid into the pump chamber.

[0044] The inhaler mouthpiece and the inhaler using the inhaler mouthpiece according to the present invention have high flow resistance, which can help the user to slowly and evenly inhale the atomized liquid, thereby achieving better absorption. Attached Figure Description

[0045] The above and other aspects and features of the present invention will become clear from the following description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0046] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an inhaler according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 2 A perspective view of an inhaler mouthpiece according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The side view of the inhaler mouthpiece shown;

[0049] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the mouthpiece and nozzle portion of an inhaler according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 5 A flow rate change diagram at the center point of the mouthpiece tip when a user uses the inhaler disclosed in this invention with a slow, deep inhalation; and

[0051] Figure 6 This is a graph showing the flow rate change at the center point of the air inlet when a user uses the inhaler disclosed in this invention in a slow, deep inhalation manner. Detailed Implementation

[0052] The structure of the inhaler mouthpiece and inhaler according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0053] Reference Figure 1 The inhaler according to the present invention includes a housing 1 (including an upper housing 11 and a lower housing 12), a storage container 2, a pressure assembly, a nozzle 4 and a mouthpiece 5, wherein the storage container 2 and the pressure assembly are both disposed inside the housing, the nozzle 4 is connected to the storage container 2 through the pressure assembly, and the outlet of the nozzle 4 cooperates with the mouthpiece 5.

[0054] The housing 1 is the main body of the inhaler, housing other components of the inhaler. The housing 1 includes an upper housing 11 and a lower housing 12 connected to the upper housing 11, wherein the upper housing 11 is rotatable relative to the lower housing 12 to drive a pressure assembly to press and deliver the solution in the storage container 2 to the nozzle 4. In one embodiment, the housing 1 has a cylindrical shape. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the housing 1 can also be any other shape that facilitates a user's grip. Furthermore, the housing 1 can be made of any material commonly used in the art, without specific limitations. The storage container 2 is disposed inside the housing 1 for storing a liquid 21, such as a medication. The pressure assembly is disposed within the housing 1, with one end extending into the storage container 2 and the other end connected to the nozzle 4, to deliver the liquid 21 stored in the storage container 2 to the nozzle 4 via the pressure assembly. The nozzle 4, connected to the other end of the pressure assembly, atomizes the liquid 21 obtained from the pressure assembly, and the atomized liquid 21 is inhaled by the user through the mouthpiece 5.

[0055] Reference Figure 2 and 3 The mouthpiece 5 of the inhaler includes a mouthpiece connecting part 51, a mouthpiece inner cylinder 52, and a mouthpiece outer cylinder 53. Both the mouthpiece inner cylinder 52 and the mouthpiece outer cylinder 53 are disposed on the mouthpiece connecting part 51, and the mouthpiece outer cylinder 53 is disposed outside the mouthpiece inner cylinder 52. The mouthpiece connecting part 51 is the main body of the mouthpiece 5, which connects the mouthpiece 5 to the upper housing 11 of the inhaler. The mouthpiece inner cylinder 52 is located at the center of the mouthpiece connecting part 51 and is open at both ends. After the mouthpiece connecting part 51 is connected to the upper housing 11, the inhaler nozzle 4 passes through the mouthpiece inner cylinder 52 from the top of the mouthpiece 5 and is connected to the pressure assembly (e.g., pressure unit). Figure 4 (As shown). The outer tube 53 and the inner tube 52 of the mouthpiece are located on the same side of the mouthpiece connection portion 51, and the outer tube 53 is provided with at least one air inlet 54 to deliver air into the mouthpiece 5 when the patient uses the inhaler, to assist the flow of the drug spray. In one embodiment, the mouthpiece connection portion 51, the mouthpiece 5 contents, and the outer tube 53 constituting the mouthpiece 5 are integrally formed.

[0056] The following reference Figure 1 and 2The method of using the inhaler according to the present invention is described below. Open the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12, and connect the storage container 2 to the lower end of the pressure assembly; connect the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12; rotate the lower housing 12 to press the pressure assembly, which then transfers the liquid 21 to the upper end of the pressure assembly and ejects it from the nozzle 4; when the user inhales the spray from the mouthpiece 5, the air entering from the mouthpiece outer cylinder 53 of the mouthpiece 5 forms bypass gas, allowing the user to inhale the spray more smoothly. Therefore, the inhaler according to the present invention has a simple structure and achieves superior absorption through the one-piece molded mouthpiece 5.

[0057] Continue to refer to Figure 1-3 The height of the inner mouthpiece cylinder 52 in the height direction of the inhaler is less than the height of the outer mouthpiece cylinder 53. When the nozzle 4 of the inhaler is held in the inner mouthpiece cylinder 52, the height of the nozzle 4 is lower than the height of the outer mouthpiece cylinder 53, so that the air entering through at least one air inlet 54 on the outer mouthpiece cylinder 53 limits the total flow resistance at the outlet of the mouthpiece 5. In order to maintain uniform air intake within the outer mouthpiece cylinder 53, at least one air inlet 54 is arranged along the same cross-section of the outer mouthpiece cylinder 53.

[0058] Reference Figure 2 In at least one air inlet 54 disposed on the outer cylinder 53, the area of ​​the first surface of each air inlet 54 located on the inner surface of the outer cylinder 53 is smaller than the area of ​​the second surface of the outer surface of the outer cylinder 53, thereby forming a slope between the first and second surfaces and reducing the resistance to external air entering the mouthpiece 5. In one embodiment, the area of ​​the first surface is 22.00 mm². 2 Up to 23.00mm 2 Between, the area of ​​the second surface is 40.00 mm. 2 up to 42mm 2 Between. Preferably, the area of ​​the first surface is 22.77 mm. 2 The area of ​​the second surface is 40.98 mm². 2 . Reference Figure 2 Within a cross-section of the outer cylinder 53 of the mouthpiece, perpendicular to the axial direction and passing through both ends of at least one air inlet 54, the angle A formed by the lines connecting the center point of the cross-section to the two ends of the first surface is between 35 and 45 degrees, and the angle B formed by the lines connecting the center point of the cross-section to the two ends of the second surface is between 55 and 65 degrees. Preferably, the angle A formed by the lines connecting the center point of the cross-section to the two ends of the first surface is approximately 40 degrees, and the angle B formed by the lines connecting the center point of the cross-section to the two ends of the second surface is approximately 60 degrees. (Refer to...) Figure 3 In one embodiment, the distance between the two ends of the first surface in the transverse direction is between 11.2 mm and 13.2 mm, preferably about 12.2 mm. The distance between the two ends of the second surface in the transverse direction is between 5.3 mm and 7.3 mm, preferably about 6.3 mm.

[0059] Reference Figure 1 In one embodiment of the present invention, the pressure assembly includes a biasing member, a retaining member 33, and a delivery tube 34.

[0060] A biasing member is disposed within the lower housing 12 and can be compressed when the lower housing 12 rotates relative to the upper housing 11. In one embodiment, the biasing member may include a bias chamber 31 and a bias spring 32, wherein the bias chamber 31 is held within the lower housing 12 and the bias spring 32 is disposed within the bias chamber 31. Thus, the bias spring 32 can be compressed along the axial direction by rotating the lower housing 12, thereby causing the retainer 33 to move downward along the height direction of the inhaler. The retainer 33 is disposed within the upper housing 11 to hold the storage container 2 and is connected to the upper end of the biasing member. A delivery tube 34 is used to deliver liquid 21 from the storage container 2, one end of which extends into the storage container 2 through the retainer 33 and the other end is connected to the nozzle 4. Thus, when the lower housing 12 is rotated, the biasing member is compressed, which in turn pushes the retaining member 33 downward to compress the storage container 2. After the storage container 2 is compressed, the liquid 21 stored therein flows upward through the delivery pipe 34. When the biasing member is released, its rebound force sends the liquid 21 temporarily stored in the upper part of the delivery pipe 34 into the atomizing nozzle 4. Then, the atomized liquid 21 is sprayed out through the nozzle 4 and absorbed by the user. Preferably, the pressure assembly also includes a check valve. The check valve is disposed in the delivery pipe 34 to prevent the liquid 21 from flowing back. In one embodiment, the pressure assembly also includes a filter device 35, which is disposed near the end of the delivery pipe 34 connected to the nozzle 4 to further filter the liquid 21.

[0061] The following describes the effects of the inhaler mouthpiece 5 according to the present invention and the inhaler using the mouthpiece 5, based on experimental data, wherein the inhaler mouthpiece 5 has one or two air inlets 54.

[0062] The flow resistance at the inlet 54 of the inhaler was measured using a flow analyzer, a pump, and a pressure gauge. The pump was connected to the suction port of the flow analyzer, and the pump flow rate was adjusted to 38.8 L / min. The mouthpiece 5 was connected to the flow analyzer via a conduit, and the pressure gauge was placed in the conduit to measure the pressure difference (i.e., the pressure difference before and after air enters the inlet 54 of the mouthpiece 5). The flow resistance was calculated using formula (1):

[0063]

[0064] Where R is the flow resistance at the air inlet 54, ΔP is the pressure difference between the pressure gauge measurement point and the ambient air pressure, and V is the flow velocity.

[0065] Measurements showed that the flow resistance of the nozzle 5, with a single air inlet 54, was approximately 40662 Pa. 1 / 2 s / m 3 The nozzle 5, with two air inlets 54, has a flow resistance of approximately 21600 Pa. 1 / 2 s / m 3 .

[0066] When using the inhaler, if the user uses the inhaler in a slow and deep (SD) manner, the flow rate at mouthpiece 5 reaches a peak of 41.2 liters per minute at approximately 1.81 seconds.

[0067] Meanwhile, referring to Table 1, the gas flow rate at nozzle 4 and mouthpiece 5 was measured using COMSOL Multiphysics 5.3a software to simulate a flow meter. When the flow rate at mouthpiece 5 was at its maximum (i.e., 1.81 seconds), the spray velocity at mouthpiece 5 was between 1.04 and 2.43 m / s, and the gas velocity at inlet 54 was between 6.7 and 19.74 m / s.

[0068]

[0069] Table 1

[0070] In another flow rate measurement experiment, the flow rate at the center point of the tip of nozzle 5 was measured, and the measurement results are as follows: Figure 5 As shown. From Figure 5 It can be seen that when the user takes a slow, deep breath, the flow velocity at the center point of the top of the mouthpiece 5 reaches its maximum value of 2.43 m / s at about 1.81 s. After that, the flow velocity at the center point of the top of the mouthpiece 5 decreases to 0 in a parabolic manner.

[0071] In another flow rate measurement experiment, the intake velocity at the center point of the inlet was measured, and the measurement results are as follows: Figure 6 As shown. From Figure 6 It can be seen that when the user takes a slow, deep breath, the gas velocity at the center point of the air inlet reaches its maximum value of 13.24 m / s at about 1.81 seconds. After that, the gas velocity at the center point of the air inlet decreases to 0 in a parabolic manner.

[0072] Although typical embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An inhaler mouthpiece comprising: a mouthpiece connecting portion for connecting the mouthpiece to an inhaler body; a mouthpiece inner tube disposed in the center of the mouthpiece connecting portion and open at both ends; and a mouthpiece outer tube disposed outside the mouthpiece inner tube and on the same side of the mouthpiece inner tube as the mouthpiece connecting portion, the mouthpiece outer tube being provided with at least one air inlet, wherein each of the at least one air inlet is located on a first face of an inner surface of the mouthpiece outer tube having an area smaller than a second face of an outer surface of the mouthpiece outer tube, thereby forming a slope between the first face and the second face. The height of the mouthpiece inner tube in the height direction of the inhaler is smaller than the height of the mouthpiece outer tube.

2. The inhaler mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein, In a cross section of the mouthpiece outer tube perpendicular to the axial direction of the mouthpiece outer tube and passing through both ends of the at least one air inlet, the angle formed by the line connecting the center point of the cross section to both ends of the first face is between 35 degrees and 45 degrees, and the angle formed by the line connecting the center point of the cross section to both ends of the second face is between 55 degrees and 65 degrees.

3. The inhaler mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein, The angle formed by the line connecting the center point of the cross section to both ends of the first face is 40 degrees, and the angle formed by the line connecting the center point of the cross section to both ends of the second face is 60 degrees.

4. The inhaler mouthpiece of claim 3, wherein, In each of the at least one air inlet:

5. The inhaler mouthpiece of claim 4, wherein, the area of the first face is between 22.00 mm 2 to 23.00 mm 2 and the area of the second face is between 40.00 mm 2 to 42 mm 2 .

6. The inhaler mouthpiece of claim 5, wherein, The area of the first face is 22.77 mm 2 The area of the second face is 40.98 mm 2 .

7. The inhaler mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein, 8.An inhaler comprising: a flow resistance between the first face and the second face and proximate to the first face of 62600-86131 Pa 1 / 2 s / m 3 a flow resistance proximate to the second face of 32279-76286 Pa 1 / 2 s / m 3 . a housing including an upper housing and a lower housing connected to the upper housing, and the upper housing being rotatable relative to the lower housing; a storage container disposed in the housing, the storage container being for storing a liquid; a pressure assembly disposed in the housing and having one end thereof protruding into the storage container to obtain the liquid stored in the storage container by the pressure assembly and to pressurize the obtained liquid; a nozzle connected to the other end of the pressure assembly to atomize the obtained liquid in the pressure assembly; and a mouthpiece connected to the upper housing and in which the nozzle is accommodated, characterized in that the mouthpiece comprises: a mouthpiece connecting portion for connecting the mouthpiece to the upper housing; a mouthpiece inner tube disposed in the center of the mouthpiece connecting portion and open at both ends for accommodating the nozzle; and a mouthpiece outer tube disposed outside the mouthpiece inner tube and on the same side of the mouthpiece inner tube as the mouthpiece connecting portion, the mouthpiece outer tube being provided with at least one air inlet, wherein each of the at least one air inlet is located on a first face of an inner surface of the mouthpiece outer tube having an area smaller than a second face of an outer surface of the mouthpiece outer tube, thereby forming a slope between the first face and the second face. The height of the mouthpiece inner tube in the height direction of the inhaler is smaller than the height of the mouthpiece outer tube.

9. An inhaler according to claim 8, wherein, ​ 10. The inhaler of claim 8, wherein, In a cross section of the blow nozzle outer tube perpendicular to the axial direction of the blow nozzle outer tube and passing through both ends of the at least one gas inlet, an angle formed by a line connecting the center point of the cross section to both ends of the first face is between 35 degrees and 45 degrees, and an angle formed by a line connecting the center point of the cross section to both ends of the second face is between 55 degrees and 65 degrees.

11. The inhaler of claim 10, wherein, The angle formed by the line connecting the center point of the cross section to both ends of the first face is 40 degrees, and the angle formed by the line connecting the center point of the cross section to both ends of the second face is 60 degrees.

12. The inhaler of claim 8, wherein, The area of the first face is between 22.00 mm 2 to 23.00 mm 2 The area of the second face is between 40.00 mm 2 to 42 mm 2 .

13. The inhaler of claim 12, wherein, The area of the first face is 22.77 mm 2 The area of the second face is 40.98 mm 2 .

14. The inhaler of claim 8, wherein, Each of the at least one gas inlet: the flow resistance between the first face and the second face and proximate to the first face is 62600-86131 Pa 1 / 2 s / m 3 the flow resistance proximate to the second face is 32279-76286 Pa 1 / 2 s / m 3 .

15. The inhaler of claim 8, wherein: When the flow rate at the blow nozzle is maximum, the spray flow rate at the top of the blow nozzle is between 1.04-2.43 m / s, and the gas flow rate at the gas inlet is between 6.7-19.4 m / s.

16. The inhaler of claim 8, wherein, The pressure assembly comprises: a biasing member disposed within the lower housing; a retaining member disposed within the upper housing for holding the storage container, and the retaining member is connected to an upper end of the biasing member; a delivery tube having one end extending into the storage container through the retaining member and the other end connected to the nozzle; and a pump chamber disposed within the delivery tube for temporarily storing liquid forced into the pump chamber.

17. An inhaler according to claim 16, wherein, The biasing member comprises: a biasing chamber held within the lower housing; and a biasing spring disposed within the biasing chamber and capable of being axially compressed by rotating the lower housing to drive the retaining member to move downward along the height direction of the inhaler.

18. The inhaler of claim 16, wherein, The pressure assembly further comprises a check valve disposed within the delivery tube to prevent backflow of liquid within the pump chamber.

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