Nozzle fixation assembly for drug delivery device

Abstract

A nozzle fixation assembly 100 for an inhalation device, comprising: a nozzle core 110 configured to allow a flow of liquid through the nozzle core 110 from an inlet end 112 to an outlet end 114; an assembly housing 120, 150 configured to substantially surround a portion of the nozzle core 110 other than at least a portion of the outlet end 114, and configured to hold the nozzle core 110 in position; a nozzle seal (180) configured to extend around the nozzle core (110) between the nozzle core (110) and the assembly housing (120, 150) to provide a seal between the nozzle core (110) and the assembly housing (120, 150); the nozzle seal 180 and the assembly housing 120, 150 are further configured such that a pressure recess is formed between the nozzle seal 180 and the assembly housing 120, 150, such that, in use, high pressure liquid enters the pressure recess and exerts an outward pressure on the nozzle seal 180.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to atomization of liquids. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a mouthpiece fixing assembly for a drug delivery device. The present invention also relates to an inhalation device comprising the mouthpiece fixing assembly. Background Art

[0002] Drug delivery devices such as soft mist inhalers (SMIs) can be used to generate droplet aerosols for inhalation into the patient's lungs through the oral and pharyngeal cavities, for nasal administration, or for spraying onto the surface of the eye.

[0003] In this type of drug delivery device, the liquid drug formulation is usually stored in a reservoir. The liquid drug formulation is transported from the reservoir through a riser tube to a pressure chamber, where it is pushed through the mouthpiece by pressure and then aerosolized. In this way, drug delivery devices such as SMI are able to aerosolize a small amount of liquid formulation according to the required dose within a few seconds to produce an aerosol suitable for therapeutic inhalation. In addition, this can be achieved without the need for the use of a propellant.

[0004] The nozzle is usually held in place in the device by a seal and a fixing mechanism / structure. When the device is actuated, the liquid formulation is pushed through the nozzle under high pressure. These high pressures are too great and may squeeze the sealing material through any small gaps in the component parts, and these high pressures are too high and may damage the structure of the nozzle or cause a lack of sealing.

[0005] In this specification, reference is made to patent specifications, other external documents or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless expressly stated otherwise, reference to these external documents should not be construed as an admission that these documents or these sources of information are prior art or form part of the common general knowledge in the art in any jurisdiction. Summary of the invention

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a nozzle fixing assembly which overcomes the above disadvantages to some extent, or at least provides the public or industry with a useful choice.

[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide an inhalation device including a nozzle fixing assembly which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages to some extent, or at least provides the public or industry with a useful choice.

[0008] In a first aspect, the present invention can be said to generally comprise a nozzle fixing assembly for an inhalation device, the nozzle fixing assembly comprising: a nozzle core configured to allow a liquid flow to flow from an inlet end through the nozzle core to an outlet end; an assembly housing configured to substantially surround the nozzle core except for at least a portion that does not surround the outlet end, and the assembly housing configured to hold the nozzle core in place; a nozzle seal configured to extend around the nozzle core between the nozzle core and the assembly housing, thereby providing a seal between the nozzle core and the assembly housing; the nozzle seal and the assembly housing are further configured to form a pressure recess between the nozzle seal and the assembly housing, whereby, in use, high-pressure liquid enters the pressure recess and applies outward pressure to the nozzle seal.

[0009] In one embodiment, the nozzle seal and assembly housing are arranged such that the pressure recess extends across the inlet end of the nozzle core and partially along the side of the nozzle core.

[0010] In one embodiment, the assembly housing includes a side wall surrounding the nozzle core extending from the outlet end to an outer portion along the nozzle core at an intermediate position, and the nozzle holder has an outer end wall extending beyond and above the outlet end of the nozzle core.

[0011] In one embodiment, the outer end wall extends completely around the outlet end of the nozzle core and has an aperture substantially in the centre of the end wall.

[0012] In one embodiment, the end wall is formed such that, when viewed in cross section, it has the form of a conical recess.

[0013] In one embodiment, the nozzle seal extends substantially from the outlet end of the nozzle core to an intermediate position between the inlet end and the outlet end along the nozzle core and extends a first length, and contacts the side wall of the nozzle core in a sealed manner over a portion of the first length, and the nozzle seal is formed to include a cavity formed between the outer surface of the nozzle core and the inner surface of the nozzle seal, which extends upward for a distance along the side of the nozzle core.

[0014] In an embodiment, the cavity extends around substantially the entire side of the nozzle core.

[0015] In one embodiment, the cavity has a sidewall and an inwardly facing surface that intersect at an angle of substantially 90° circumferentially around the cavity.

[0016] In one embodiment, the transition between the sidewall of the cavity and the inwardly facing surface is formed as a smooth curve or chamfer.

[0017] In one embodiment, the module housing is formed by a filter holder and a separate nozzle holder, which in combination form the module housing.

[0018] It can also be said that the invention generally includes the parts, elements and features mentioned or indicated in the specification of the present application, either individually or collectively, and includes any or all combinations of any two or more of the parts, elements or features, and in the case where specific integers mentioned herein have known equivalents in the art to which the invention belongs, these known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

[0019] Therefore, the foregoing is considered to be only illustrative of the principles of the present invention. In addition, since a variety of modifications and changes are easily conceivable to those skilled in the art, it is not desired that the present invention be limited to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and therefore, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be adopted, which all fall within the scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] One or more embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of a nozzle fixing assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A close-up of a cross-sectional view of the nozzle retaining assembly shown in FIG.

[0023] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 A perspective view of a nozzle seal shown in a nozzle fixing assembly in FIG.

[0024] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view showing a nozzle fixing assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

[0025] Figure 5 Shows Figure 4 A stereoscopic view of the nozzle seal shown in the nozzle retaining assembly in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] First embodiment

[0027] The nozzle fixing assembly 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises the following main parts: a nozzle core or nozzle cap 110 , a nozzle holder 120 , a nozzle seal 180 , a filter holder 150 , a filter 140 , and a nut 130 . The nozzle fixing assembly 100 is incorporated into the inhalation device 10 .

[0028] Nozzle core

[0029] The overall appearance of the nozzle core 110 is generally cubic (rectangular in both plan view and side view), and the nozzle core has an inlet end 112 and an outlet end 114. When the nozzle fixing assembly 100 is assembled to or incorporated in the suction device 10, the inlet end 112 faces or faces the suction device 10, and the outlet end 114 faces the opposite direction. The nozzle core 110 is configured to allow liquid flow to flow to the outlet end 114 from the inlet end 112 by the nozzle core 110. " nozzle core " defined herein is a part with an inlet end and an outlet end connected by a plurality of microstructure channels. The inlet end of the nozzle core comprises a filter structure, which comprises one or more microstructure channels that are generally serrated (that is, forming a generally serrated structure). In this way, the filter structure advantageously prevents any coarse debris from blocking the microstructure channel at the outlet end. The outlet end of the nozzle core comprises one or more jet ports. If a nozzle core is used which has two or more jet openings, the geometry of these jet openings may be arranged such that two or more liquid jets exiting the jet openings impinge upon each other (ie collide with each other).

[0030] Nozzle holder

[0031] The nozzle holder 120 includes a holding portion 122 that extends circumferentially from the outlet end 114 of the nozzle core 110 along the nozzle core 110 / downward along the nozzle core to about two-thirds of the distance from the inlet end 112 to the outlet end 114 around the side wall of the nozzle core 110. The nozzle holder 120 has an outer end wall 124 that extends from the holding portion 122 beyond the outlet end 114 and extends above the outlet end to hold the outlet end 114 of the nozzle core 110. The end wall 124 extends circumferentially around the holding portion 122. The end wall is formed so that there is an orifice 126 located at the center of the end wall 124 outside the nozzle core 110 where the outlet end 114 is formed. This allows liquid to be transported from the outlet end 114 of the nozzle core 110. The end wall 124 is formed so that when viewed in cross section it has the form of a conical recess 128 extending from an aperture 126, the narrower end of the cone being located outside the mouthpiece core 110 forming the outlet end 114. The inner end of the retaining portion 122 comprises an abutment surface 129 facing the inhalation device 10.

[0032] Filter holder

[0033] The filter holder 150 is formed so that in use, it extends the remaining one third of the distance from the abutment surface 129 in the circumferential direction around the side wall of the nozzle core 110. The body of the filter holder 150 extends from the abutment surface 129 towards the inhalation device 10. The body is formed to partially overlap and surround the nozzle core 110 at the inlet end 112, and the gap or chamber 160 between the body and the nozzle core forms part of the pressure recess described below.

[0034] The filter holder 150 is configured to hold the filter 140 in a position close to the inlet end 112 of the nozzle core 110. In this embodiment, both the filter 140 and the nozzle core 110 are cylindrical and have a common central axis. The filter 140 is accommodated by a recess 151 in the filter holder 150, which is open at the inhalation device end to allow the filter to be inserted or removed, and the filter holder 150 has a channel 156 passing through the center of the filter holder 150 at the central axis to allow fluid to flow from the filter 140 to the nozzle core 110.

[0035] The filter holder 150 and the nozzle holder 120 are mutually arranged such that in use a chamber 160 is formed between the filter holder 150 and the inlet end 122 of the nozzle core 110 , ie the filter holder 150 is not in direct contact with the nozzle core 100 at the inlet end 112 .

[0036] The filter holder 150 and the nozzle holder 120 are also arranged relative to each other so that the chamber 160 surrounds the inlet end 112 and extends in an annular manner around the nozzle core 110 into a cavity 190 that extends approximately halfway along the nozzle core 110 between its inlet end 112 and outlet end 114. The cavity 190 and the chamber 160 together form

[0037] It can be seen that the filter holder 150 and the nozzle holder 120 form a component housing in combination. In the described and illustrated embodiment, these elements are separate and separated (and connected when in use). However, in alternative embodiments, the component housing can be formed as a one-piece item as desired, or formed by other variations of multiple pieces.

[0038] As will be described in detail below in the filter subsection, a step or recess 184 is formed on the interior side of the filter holder.

[0039] Filters

[0040] As described above, in use, the filter 140 is located in the recess 151. The filter 140 has an inlet end 142 at one end facing the inhalation device 10 and an outlet end 144 at the other end adjacent to the mouthpiece core 110. The passage 156 allows the chamber 160 to be fluidly connected to the outlet end 144 of the filter 140. The inlet end 142 of the filter 140 is fluidly connected to the conduit 12 in the inhalation device 10.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown in , the filter holder 150 is configured to have an abutment surface 152, which contacts the nozzle holder abutment surface 129 in use, and the surface 152 and the surface 129 define an abutment interface 170 between the first filter holder abutment surface 152 and the nozzle holder abutment surface 129. In this way, the nozzle core 110 and the chamber 160 are enclosed between the nozzle holder 120 and the filter holder 150.

[0042] The inlet end 142 of the filter 140 is fluidly connected to the conduit 12 in the inhalation device 10 .

[0043] Nozzle seals

[0044] The nozzle seal 180 extends between the nozzle core 110, the nozzle holder 120 and a part of the filter holder 150 around the nozzle core 110 in use. The nozzle seal 180 extends around the nozzle core 110, and extends to about half distance between the inlet end 112 and the outlet end 114 along the nozzle core 110 from the outlet end 114 of the nozzle core 110. The nozzle seal 180 contacts the sidewall of the nozzle core 110 in a sealed manner. The nozzle seal 180 has a first end 182 facing the far side or opposite to the suction device 10, and the first end 182 abuts the inner surface of the end wall 124 of the nozzle holder 120. The second end of the nozzle seal 180 is positioned at the other end facing the suction device 10 in use.

[0045] like Figure 1 , the filter holder 150 is shaped to be formed with a step or recess 184, which is formed radially inwardly concavely on the filter holder at an end of the filter holder away from the inhalation device 10 in use. The surface of the recess 184 facing away from the inhalation device 10 forms the second filter holder abutment surface 154. The size and shape of the nozzle seal 180 are designed so that when assembled, the nozzle seal extends into the recess 184 and contacts the abutment surface 154.

[0046] The nozzle seal 180 extends between the nozzle core 110 and the retaining portion 122 and between the nozzle core 110 and the filter holder 150, so that the nozzle seal 180 contacts the retaining portion 122 and the filter holder 150 in a sealed manner and so that the nozzle seal provides a peripheral sealing line at the abutment interface 170 between the first filter holder abutment surface 152 and the nozzle holder abutment surface 129.

[0047] The nozzle seal 180 is also shaped to include a cavity 190 formed such that the chamber 160 extends upwardly a portion (approximately half) of the side of the nozzle core 110 .

[0048] Figure 3 Provide the stereogram of the suction nozzle seal 180 when observing from one end in use towards the suction device 10.This view shows the details of the chamber 190 towards the suction device 10 that is positioned at the inner end.Cavity 190 has sidewall 186 and the surface 187 that faces the suction device 10 in use.Sidewall 186 and surface 187 intersect with the angle of 90 ° and form the sharp edge 188 that extends circumferentially around the chamber 190 of suction nozzle seal.Be formed with rectangular groove 189 in the suction nozzle seal, for accommodating the suction nozzle core 110.

[0049] Nuts

[0050] The nut 130 is configured to secure the mouthpiece holder 110 in place on the inhalation device 10. Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the nut 130 surrounds the nozzle holder 120 and the filter holder 150 except for the opening around the tapered recess 128 .

[0051] In use, a force is applied to the nozzle seal 180 by the liquid in the chamber 160, such as Figure 2 . The liquid exerts an outward pressure on the nozzle seal 180, i.e., in this case, "outward" means that pressure is exerted on the nozzle seal 180 on the inner surface of the seal (facing the cavity 190) by the high-pressure liquid in the cavity 190. This pressure enhances the seal between the nozzle seal 180 and the nozzle holder 120 and the seal between the nozzle seal 180 and the filter holder 150. This improves the radial seal between the nozzle holder 120 and the nozzle seal 180 and the radial seal between the filter holder 150 and the nozzle seal 180, and reduces any leakage of liquid from the nozzle fixing assembly 100.

[0052] Second embodiment

[0053] Figure 4 A nozzle fixing assembly 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0054] The nozzle fixing assembly 200 has substantially the same structure as the nozzle fixing assembly 100 in the first embodiment, and similar reference numerals are used for similar elements, for example: nozzle cores 110 , 210 ; filters 140 , 240 , etc.

[0055] In this embodiment, the concave portion (cavity 290) of the nozzle seal 280 is formed with a smooth curve or chamfer, rather than a 90 degree angle as in the first embodiment to form a sharp edge 188. That is, the transition between the side wall of the cavity and the inwardly facing surface is formed as a smooth curve or chamfer. As in the first embodiment, the pressure recess is formed by the cavity 290 and the chamber 260.

[0056] Figure 4 The arrows are marked in the middle, which indicate the direction of the force exerted by the high pressure liquid in the cavity 290 on the mouthpiece seal 280 when the inhalation device 10 is in use. The chamfered edge 288 of the cavity 290 can help provide a more dispersed pressure distribution in the mouthpiece seal 280.

[0057] Figure 5 Provides Figure 3 280 is a perspective view of a suction nozzle seal 280 when viewed from the same perspective as in FIG. As mentioned above, the annular inner portion of the second end 284 of the suction nozzle seal 280 is recessed to define a surface 286 facing the suction nozzle and a recessed inner surface 287 facing the suction device 10 in use. The surface 286 facing the suction nozzle and the inner surface 287 intersect to form a rounded edge 288 and define a cavity 290 extending circumferentially around the suction nozzle core 210. The inner surface 287 facing the proximal side of the suction nozzle seal 280 also includes a rectangular groove 289 for accommodating the suction nozzle core 210.

[0058] Third embodiment

[0059] The third embodiment of the nozzle fixing assembly 300 is Figure 6 The nozzle fixing assembly 300 has the same structure as described above and as shown in FIG. Figures 1 to 5 The first embodiment and the second embodiment shown in FIG. 1 have substantially the same structure. Similar reference numerals are used for similar components, for example: nozzle core 110, 210, 310; filter 140, 240, 340, etc.

[0060] In this embodiment, the filter holder has no step or recess, such as the step 184 in the first embodiment. The equivalent in this embodiment is a rail or lip 384. The filter holder 350 is formed so that the rail or lip 384 extends circumferentially around the outer end or top end of the filter holder 350. The lip 384 is an extension of the body of the filter holder 350, such as Figure 6, so that a notch or recess is formed inside the periphery of the lip 384, in which the lower or inner end of the nozzle core 310 and the lower or inner end of the nozzle seal are located. In this embodiment, the body of the seal 380 is longer than the seal in the previous embodiment, and the seal extends completely down along the length of the inner surface of the lip 384 to the surface of the notch / recess in the filter holder 350.

[0061] like Figure 6 As shown in the figure, as in the first embodiment, the concave portion 390 of the nozzle seal 380 has a side wall and a surface that intersect at an angle of 90° to form a sharp edge 388 extending circumferentially around the nozzle seal recess. However, as in the second embodiment, the concave portion may be chamfered.

[0062] As in the first and second embodiments, the pressure recess is formed by the cavity 390 and the chamber 360 .

Claims

1. A nozzle fixing assembly for an inhalation device, comprising: a nozzle core configured to allow a flow of liquid from an inlet end through the nozzle core to an outlet end; an assembly housing configured to substantially surround the nozzle core except for at least a portion of the outlet end, and the assembly housing is configured to hold the nozzle core in place; a nozzle seal configured to extend around the nozzle core between the nozzle core and the component housing to provide a seal between the nozzle core and the component housing; The nozzle seal and assembly housing are further configured such that a pressure recess is formed between the nozzle seal and the assembly housing, whereby in use, high pressure liquid enters the pressure recess and applies an outward pressure to the nozzle seal.

2. The nozzle fixing assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The nozzle seal and assembly housing are configured such that the pressure recess extends across the inlet end of the nozzle core and partially along a side of the nozzle core.

3. The nozzle fixing assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The component housing includes an outer portion that surrounds the side wall of the nozzle core and extends from the outlet end to an intermediate position along the nozzle core, and the nozzle holder has an outer end wall that extends beyond the outlet end of the nozzle core and extends above the outlet end.

4. The nozzle fixing assembly according to claim 3, wherein: The outer end wall extends completely around the outlet end of the nozzle core and has an aperture substantially at the center of the end wall.

5. The nozzle fixing assembly according to claim 4, wherein: The end wall is formed such that, when viewed in cross section, the end wall has the form of a tapered recess.

6. The nozzle fixing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The nozzle seal extends substantially from the outlet end of the nozzle core to an intermediate position between the inlet end and the outlet end along the nozzle core and extends a first length, and contacts the side wall of the nozzle core in a sealed manner over a portion of the first length, and the nozzle seal is formed to include a cavity formed between the outer surface of the nozzle core and the inner surface of the nozzle seal, and the cavity extends upward for a distance along the side of the nozzle core.

7. The nozzle fixing assembly according to claim 6, wherein: The cavity extends around substantially the entire side of the nozzle core.

8. The nozzle fixing assembly according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein: The cavity has a sidewall and an inwardly facing surface that intersect at a substantially 90° angle circumferentially around the cavity.

9. The nozzle fixing assembly according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein: The transition between the side wall and the inwardly facing surface of the cavity is formed as a smooth curve or chamfer.

10. The nozzle fixing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The assembly housing is formed by a filter holder and a separate nozzle holder, which in combination form the assembly housing.

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