Atomizer spacer

Abstract

The present invention provides a nebulizer spacer, comprising a spacer body with a mist outlet provided at the front end of the spacer body. The spacer is characterized in that a rear cover is provided on the inlet provided at the rear end of the spacer body, and a mist inlet, an air inlet, and an air inlet check valve are provided on the rear cover. The air inlet check valve is a spiral air inlet check valve. The main body of the spiral air inlet check valve is annular, with a central opening diameter not less than the diameter of the inner wall of the mist inlet. The spiral air inlet check valve is arranged around the mist inlet, and the thickness of the spiral air inlet check valve gradually decreases from the inner edge to the outer edge. At least three inter-petal openings are provided along the radial direction of the spiral air inlet check valve, forming at least three petals, and each of the petals is provided with a fixing port. The spiral air inlet check valve can reduce the probability of drug mist particles adhering to the inner wall of the spacer, improve drug utilization, refine drug particles, reduce drug diffusion, and increase the delivered dose. Furthermore, the oxygen tube interface provided can achieve simultaneous nebulization while inhaling oxygen, reducing the patient's breath-holding phenomenon.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of medical devices and relates to the innovation and improvement of a nebulizer spacer, in particular to a nebulizer spacer. Background Art

[0002] Nebulizer therapy involves breaking medication into tiny particles, allowing them to enter the respiratory tract and lungs directly through the body's breathing, thereby alleviating respiratory symptoms such as asthma and cough caused by these conditions. Currently, related companies and research institutes are also studying the treatment of conditions other than respiratory diseases. This is considered a third mode of drug delivery, namely, respiratory administration, in addition to oral and parenteral administration. Examples include insulin administration through the respiratory tract and cardiac emergency delivery. Improving drug delivery efficiency and drug delivery dosage is a common concern for all nebulizer equipment manufacturers and physicians. Therefore, using a spacer to reduce drug diffusion is currently the most direct, simplest, and lowest-cost method.

[0003] Currently, common nebulizer spacers are mostly used in aerosol drug delivery scenarios to improve patient compliance with both aerosol compression and inhalation. Furthermore, the nebulizer spacer allows the drug sprayed from the nebulizer to be stored in the spacer, where the drug particles mix thoroughly with the air within. When the patient inhales the drug from the spacer, this enhances the efficacy of the nebulizer and reduces coughing, stuffiness, and other side effects associated with drug inhalation. However, existing spacers have the following problems: 1. Most common spacers are used in conjunction with aerosols, and compression nebulizers and micromesh nebulizers are basically not used with spacers; 2. Traditional spacers have a high drug diffusion rate and a low delivery volume; 3. The drug is not fully mixed with the air in the spacer, and some of it is deposited on the inner wall of the spacer, causing waste; 4. When the user inhales for treatment, negative pressure is generated because the spacer body is closed to the outside world, which makes it difficult for the patient to inhale, and the amount of oxygen inhaled is small, resulting in breath holding; 5. Existing spacers only have a spacer storage function and no oxygen tube interface, making it impossible to use a spacer to inhale oxygen and perform nebulization at the same time.

[0004] How to design a nebulizer spacer to increase aerosol delivery volume, reduce losses, resolve the issue of aerosolization and inhalation stress, expand the range of aerosol users, and improve aerosol quality control capabilities is a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems existing in the prior art, the present invention provides a nebulizer spacer, which can reduce the probability of drug mist particles adhering to the inner wall of the spacer, improve drug utilization, refine drug particles, reduce drug diffusion, and increase delivery dose; further, it also has the function of realizing nebulization while inhaling oxygen and reducing the patient's breath holding phenomenon.

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0007] A mist storage tank for an atomizer comprises a tank body, a mist outlet is provided on the front end of the tank body, and is characterized in that an inlet is provided on the rear end of the tank body, a detachably mounted rear cover is provided on the inlet, and a mist inlet, an air inlet and an air inlet one-way valve are provided on the rear cover.

[0008] Improvements to the above technical solution: the air intake check valve is a spiral air intake check valve, the body of the spiral air intake check valve is a circular ring, the diameter of the central opening of the spiral air intake check valve is not less than the diameter of the inner wall of the mist inlet, the spiral air intake check valve is arranged around the mist inlet, and the thickness of the spiral air intake check valve gradually becomes thinner from the inner edge to the outer edge, at least 3 inter-petal openings are opened along the radial direction of the spiral air intake check valve and at least 3 petals are formed, and a fixing port is provided on each of the petals, and the air intake check valve is made of flexible material.

[0009] Further improvement to the above technical solution: the back cover is barrel-shaped, the mist inlet is a tubular mist inlet, the tubular mist inlet is arranged at the center of the barrel bottom of the back cover and extends outward; at least 3 air inlets and at least 3 spiral air inlet one-way valve fixing grooves are provided on the back cover around the tubular mist inlet.

[0010] Further improvement to the above technical solution: the spiral air intake one-way valve is equipped with a fixing clamping ring, the fixing clamping ring is in a circular ring shape, and a fixing buckle is provided on the fixing clamping ring, and the fixing buckles correspond one to one with the fixing port on the spiral air intake one-way valve and the spiral air intake one-way valve fixing groove on the back cover respectively; the fixing clamping ring passes through the fixing port on the spiral air intake one-way valve through the positioning buckle, and is closely connected and buckled with the spiral air intake one-way valve fixing groove on the back cover to fix the spiral air intake one-way valve on the back cover.

[0011] Further improvement to the above technical solution: fixing claws extend radially around the fixing clamp, and the number of the fixing claws is consistent with the number of petals on the spiral air intake one-way valve. The fixing claws are used to fix the edges of the petals on the spiral air intake one-way valve, so that the spiral air intake one-way valve is in the shape of a spiral leaf fan when it is opened, so that the air flowing through the spiral air intake one-way valve is guided by the spiral air intake one-way valve in a spiral shape and enters the tank body along the inner wall of the tank body.

[0012] Further improvement of the above technical solution: a buckle is provided on the tank body, and a corresponding fog tank fixing groove is provided on the cylindrical side wall of the rear cover. An interference fit is adopted between the tank body and the rear cover for sealing, and the buckle is connected and fixed with the fog tank fixing groove by snapping together; the mist outlet provided on the tank body is arranged along the mist inlet direction of the mist inlet.

[0013] Further improvement to the above technical solution: an oxygen tube interface is further provided at the cylindrical bottom of the rear cover.

[0014] Further improvement to the above technical solution: the mist outlet on the tank body is equipped with an atomizing mouthpiece with an exhalation one-way valve or an atomizing mask with an exhalation one-way valve.

[0015] The advantages and positive effects of the present invention are:

[0016] 1. The atomizer tank of the present invention is provided with a rear cover that is detachable from the tank body. The rear cover is provided with a mist inlet, an air inlet, and a spiral inlet check valve. The air inlet surrounds the mist inlet, and the air inlet direction is aligned with the mist inlet. The central opening of the spiral inlet check valve overlaps with the air inlet and surrounds the mist inlet. The spiral inlet check valve is secured to the rear cover by a check valve retaining ring. The spiral inlet check valve is divided into multiple petals. The check valve retaining ring has a number of retaining claws equal to the number of petals, which can secure a portion of the edge of each petal of the spiral inlet check valve. When the patient inhales, negative pressure is formed in the tank, and atmospheric pressure pushes the airflow into the spacer. The airflow pushes away the edge of the flap that is not fixed by the one-way valve fixing clamp. At this time, the one-way valve is spiral-shaped, and the air entering the tank body is guided by the spiral one-way valve, forming a spiral airflow along the inner wall of the spacer with the center of the spacer as the axis. In this way, the mist particles on the inner wall can be effectively removed, which can reduce the chance of the drug adhering to the tank wall. Large particles can quickly form liquid due to their short flight distance, and fine atomized particles flow into the respiratory tract with the patient's inhalation airflow, thereby improving the drug delivery rate and reducing side effects.

[0017] 2. The atomizer spacer of the present invention is provided with an air inlet hole on the rear cover, and the spiral air inlet one-way valve is made of soft material, which is easy to open and reset, thereby reducing the patient's breath holding phenomenon due to lack of oxygen;

[0018] 3. The nebulizer spacer tank of the present invention is provided with a mist outlet, which is used in conjunction with a nebulizer mouthpiece with an exhalation one-way valve or a nebulizer mask with an exhalation one-way valve. When the patient exhales into the spacer tank, the exhalation one-way valve on the nebulizer mouthpiece or the nebulizer mask at the mist outlet of the spacer tank opens, and the inhalation one-way valve on the spacer tank closes, so that the aerosol in the tank is temporarily stored. The gas exhaled in the patient's respiratory tract flows out with the opening of the exhalation one-way valve, without affecting the medicine in the tank, and is inhaled into the respiratory tract with the patient's next inhalation cycle, thereby achieving the purpose of reducing diffusion and increasing the delivery amount.

[0019] 4. The oxygen tube interface provided on the rear cover of the atomizer storage tank of the present invention can be used with medical equipment such as oxygen concentrators and ventilators;

[0020] 5. The atomizer storage tank of the present invention adopts a fully detachable design, which is convenient for cleaning, disinfection and reuse of the atomizer tank, avoiding cross infection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the assembly of an atomizer spacer of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a side view of a spacer tank for an atomizer according to the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 AA section view in the figure;

[0024] Figure 4 It is a three-dimensional diagram of a spacer tank of an atomizer according to the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the state of an atomizer spacer and an atomizer being used in conjunction with each other.

[0026] The numbers in the figure are: 1-atomizing mouthpiece, 1.1-exhalation one-way valve, 2-tank body, 2.1-clip, 2.2-mist outlet, 3-fixing clamp, 3.1-fixing clip, 3.2-fixing claw, 4-spiral air inlet one-way valve, 4.1-petal, 4.2-fixing port, 4.3-opening between petals, 5-back cover, 5.1-spacer tank fixing slot, 5.2-spiral air inlet one-way valve fixing slot, 5.3-air inlet, 5.4-mist inlet, 5.5-oxygen tube interface, 6-oxygen tube. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0028] See also Figure 1-Figure 5 An embodiment of an atomizer spacer tank of the present invention includes a tank body 2, a mist outlet 2.2 disposed at the front end of the tank body 2, an inlet disposed at the rear end of the tank body 2, and a detachably mounted rear cover 5 disposed above the inlet. The rear cover 5 is provided with a mist inlet 5.4, an air inlet 5.3, and an air inlet check valve. The air inlet check valve is a spiral air inlet check valve 4 disposed between the tank body 2 and the rear cover 5.

[0029] The mist outlet 2.2 provided on the tank body 2 is arranged along the mist inlet direction of the mist inlet 5.4, thereby minimizing the probability of the drug adhering to the inner wall of the spacer tank.

[0030] An oxygen tube interface 5.5 is also provided on the rear cover 5, which can be used in conjunction with medical equipment such as a ventilator. The mist outlet 2.2 can be used in conjunction with the atomizing mouthpiece 1 with an exhalation one-way valve 1.1.

[0031] Specifically, the main body of the spiral air intake check valve 4 is annular, with a central opening having a diameter no smaller than the inner diameter of the mist inlet 5.4. The spiral air intake check valve 4 is disposed around the mist inlet 5.4, and its thickness gradually decreases from the inner edge to the outer edge. At least three inter-petal openings 4.3 are defined radially along the spiral air intake check valve 4, forming at least three petals 4.1, each of which is provided with a fixing port 4.2.

[0032] The rear cover 5 is cylindrical in shape, and the mist inlet 5.4 is a tubular mist inlet, located at the center of the bottom of the rear cover 5 and extending outward. At least three air inlets 5.3 and at least three spiral air inlet check valve fixing grooves 5.2 are provided on the rear cover 5 surrounding the tubular mist inlet 5.4.

[0033] Furthermore, to facilitate securing the spiral air intake check valve 4, a retaining ring 3 is provided for the spiral air intake check valve 4. The retaining ring 3 is annular and is provided with a retaining clip 3.1. The retaining clips 3.1 correspond one-to-one with the retaining opening 4.2 on the flap 4.1 of the spiral air intake check valve 4 and the spiral air intake check valve retaining groove 5.2 on the rear cover 5. The retaining ring 3 passes through the retaining opening 4.2 on the spiral air intake check valve flap 4.1 via the positioning clip 3.1 and tightly engages with the spiral air intake check valve retaining groove 5.2 on the rear cover 5, thereby securing the spiral air intake check valve 4 to the rear cover 5.

[0034] Furthermore, fixing claws 3.2 extend radially around the fixing clamp 3. The number of the fixing claws 3.2 is consistent with the number of petals 4.1 of the spiral air intake check valve 4. The fixing claws 3.2 are used to fix part of the edge of the petal 4.1, so that the spiral air intake check valve 4 is in the shape of a spiral leaf fan when it is opened, so that the air flowing through the spiral air intake check valve 4 is guided by the spiral air intake check valve 4 in a spiral shape and enters the tank body 2 along the inner wall of the tank body 2.

[0035] A buckle 2.1 is provided on the tank body 2, and a spacer tank fixing slot 5.1 is correspondingly provided on the cylindrical side wall of the rear cover 5. The tank body 2 and the rear cover 5 are connected via the buckle 2.1 and the spacer tank fixing slot 5.1. An interference fit seal is adopted between the tank body 2 and the rear cover 5, and the buckle 2.1 and the spacer tank fixing slot 5.1 are engaged and fixed.

[0036] Preferably, the air intake one-way valve 4 is made of flexible and elastic materials such as TPE, silicone, TPU, rubber, etc. The air intake one-way valve 4 is easy to open and reset, which can reduce the patient's breath holding phenomenon due to lack of oxygen.

[0037] When in use, first install the spiral air inlet check valve 4 on the spiral air inlet check valve fixing ring 3, and then install it on the back cover 5. Then, align the spacer fixing slot 5.1 on the back cover 5 with the buckle 2.1 on the tank body 2, and install the atomizer mouthpiece 1 with the exhalation check valve 1.1 to assemble the atomizer spacer. Figure 4 Then connect the mist inlet 5.4 of the atomizer storage tank with the mist outlet of the atomizer, as shown. Figure 5 As shown, the nebulizer is activated to produce aerosol. When the patient inhales, the exhalation check valve 1.1 on the nebulizer mouthpiece 1 closes, creating a negative pressure within the nebulizer spacer. The external atmospheric pressure then forces air into the spacer. The airflow opens the spiral inlet check valve 4, causing the flaps 4.1 near the protruding claws 3.2 of the spiral inlet check valve's retaining ring 3 to open slightly, and further away from the claws 3.2. This creates an acute angle between the inlet flaps 4.1 and the bottom surface of the rear cover 5. The airflow simultaneously acts on three (or more) flaps 4.1, giving them a spiral fan-like shape. The airflow entering the nebulizer spacer, under the action of the spiral air intake check valve 4, which is already in the shape of a spiral fan, forms a spiral airflow that spirals along the inner wall of the tank body 2 and is centered on the axial direction of the tank body 2. This reduces the probability of drug adhesion to the inner wall of the tank body 2, thereby reducing the formation of residual liquid from the drug adhering to the inner wall of the tank body 2, thereby improving drug utilization during inhalation and increasing the delivery dosage. When the patient exhales, the patient's exhaled gas flows out through the exhalation check valve 1.1 on the nebulizer mouthpiece 1. The air pressure inside the tank body 2 is greater than the external atmospheric pressure, and the spiral air intake check valve 4 closes, retaining the drug in the tank body 2, reducing or preventing drug dissipation, thereby achieving the goals of reducing drug diffusion, improving drug utilization, and achieving a high delivery dosage.

[0038] When cleaning is required, disengage the buckle 2.1 from the spacer tank fixing slot 5.1, separate the rear cover 5 and the tank body 2, remove the spiral air inlet one-way valve fixing clamp 3, separate the spiral air inlet one-way valve 4 from the spiral air inlet one-way valve fixing clamp 3, and then the atomizer spacer tank can be thoroughly cleaned.

[0039] Of course, the above description is not a limitation of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above examples. Changes, modifications, additions or substitutions made by ordinary technicians in this technical field within the essential scope of the present invention also fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A nebulizer spacer, comprising a tank body, a mist outlet being provided on the front end of the tank body, characterized in that: An inlet is provided on the rear end of the tank body, and a detachably installed rear cover is provided on the inlet. A mist inlet, an air inlet and an air inlet check valve are provided on the rear cover, and the mist outlet provided on the tank body is provided along the mist inlet direction of the mist inlet; the air inlet check valve is a spiral air inlet check valve, and the body of the spiral air inlet check valve is annular. The diameter of the central opening of the spiral air inlet check valve is not less than the diameter of the inner wall of the mist inlet. The spiral air inlet check valve is arranged around the mist inlet, and the thickness of the spiral air inlet check valve gradually becomes thinner from the inner edge to the outer edge. At least 3 inter-petal openings are opened along the radial direction of the spiral air inlet check valve and at least 3 petals are formed, and a fixing port is provided on each of the petals. The air inlet check valve is made of flexible material.

2. The atomizer spacer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The back cover is barrel-shaped, and the mist inlet is a tubular mist inlet, which is arranged at the center of the barrel bottom of the back cover and extends outward; at least 3 air inlets and at least 3 spiral air inlet one-way valve fixing grooves are provided on the back cover around the tubular mist inlet.

3. The atomizer spacer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The spiral air intake one-way valve is equipped with a fixing clamping ring, which is in the shape of a circular ring and is provided with a fixing buckle. The fixing buckles correspond one to one with the fixing port on the spiral air intake one-way valve and the fixing groove of the spiral air intake one-way valve on the rear cover respectively; the fixing clamping ring passes through the fixing port on the spiral air intake one-way valve through the positioning buckle, and is closely connected and buckled with the fixing groove of the spiral air intake one-way valve on the rear cover to fix the spiral air intake one-way valve on the rear cover.

4. The atomizer spacer according to claim 3, characterized in that: Fixed claws extend radially from the periphery of the fixed clamping ring, and the number of the fixed claws is consistent with the number of petals on the spiral air intake one-way valve. The fixed claws are used to fix the edges of the petals on the spiral air intake one-way valve, so that the spiral air intake one-way valve is in the shape of a spiral leaf fan when it is opened, so that the air flowing through the spiral air intake one-way valve is guided by the spiral air intake one-way valve in a spiral shape and enters the tank body along the inner wall of the tank body, and the mist outlet provided on the tank body is arranged along the mist inlet direction of the mist inlet.

5. The atomizer spacer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: A buckle is provided on the tank body, and a mist storage tank fixing slot is correspondingly provided on the cylindrical side wall of the rear cover. An interference fit plug-in seal is adopted between the tank body and the rear cover, and the buckle is connected and fixed by engaging with the mist storage tank fixing slot; the mist outlet provided on the tank body is arranged along the mist inlet direction of the mist inlet.

6. The atomizer spacer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: An oxygen tube interface is also provided at the cylindrical bottom of the rear cover.

7. The atomizer spacer according to claim 5, characterized in that: An oxygen tube interface is also provided at the cylindrical bottom of the rear cover.

8. The atomizer spacer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The mist outlet on the tank body is equipped with an atomizing mouthpiece with an exhalation one-way valve or an atomizing mask with an exhalation one-way valve.

9. The atomizer spacer according to claim 7, characterized in that: The mist outlet on the tank body is equipped with an atomizing mouthpiece with an exhalation one-way valve or an atomizing mask with an exhalation one-way valve.

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