Inhaler

Abstract

An inhaler for inhaling a functional substance according to one embodiment comprises: a housing; the filtering part is arranged at one end part of the shell; a cavity portion provided inside the housing and located on the upstream side of the filter portion, and accommodating a functional material accommodating member; and a side air inlet formed on an outer side of the housing corresponding to the cavity portion, through which a swirling air flow can be supplied to the functional material accommodating member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The following various embodiments relate to an inhaler. Background Art

[0002] Currently, research has focused on inhalers that can deliver a target substance directly to the user's lungs. For example, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2016-0065204 discloses a dry powder inhaler. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Technical problems to be solved

[0004] The inhaler according to one embodiment allows the functional substance powder to be inhaled multiple times rather than consumed all at once.

[0005] The inhaler according to one embodiment can uniformly transfer functional substance powder.

[0006] The inhaler according to one embodiment can facilitate smooth discharge of functional substance powder.

[0007] The inhaler according to an embodiment is easy to carry.

[0008] Technical methods to solve problems

[0009] An inhaler according to one embodiment includes: a housing; a filter portion, which is provided at one end of the housing; a cavity portion, which is provided in the housing and is located upstream of the filter portion and accommodates a functional substance accommodating component; and a side air inlet formed on the outside of the housing corresponding to the cavity portion, wherein a rotating airflow can be provided to the functional substance accommodating component through the side air inlet.

[0010] In one embodiment, a porous medium portion is further included, which is arranged in the shell and located on the upstream side of the cavity portion, wherein the porous medium portion is connected to the other end of the shell, and the rising air flow can be provided to the functional material containing component through the porous medium portion.

[0011] The flavor powder may be impregnated in the porous media portion. Alternatively, the porous media portion may contain crushable flavor capsules.

[0012] In one embodiment, a plurality of side air inlets may be provided.

[0013] The center of the side air inlet may be formed at a position 29% to 31% away from the other end of the housing in the length direction.

[0014] Three side air inlets may be provided.

[0015] In one embodiment, the filter portion may be composed of a tubular filter element.

[0016] In one embodiment, the functional material containing component includes a capsule, and the capsule may contain dry powder.

[0017] The dry powder may contain any one or a combination of nicotine, caffeine, taurine, a pharmacological substance, a flavoring material or a sweetener.

[0018] According to one embodiment, an inhalation device for inhaling a functional substance includes: an inhaler including a capsule filled with a functional substance; and a holder that accommodates at least a portion of the inhaler and includes a piercing component for forming a perforation in the capsule, wherein the inhaler is provided with a plurality of side air inlets, and the side air inlets can be formed at positions 29% to 31% upstream of the inhaler along the length direction.

[0019] In one embodiment, three side air inlets may be provided.

[0020] Effects of the Invention

[0021] According to one embodiment, the functional substance powder can be inhaled multiple times rather than consumed all at once.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the functional substance powder can be uniformly transferred.

[0023] According to one embodiment, smooth discharge of functional substance powder can be promoted.

[0024] According to an embodiment, the inhaler is easily portable.

[0025] However, the effects of the inhaler according to an embodiment are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 is a front view of an inhaler according to an embodiment.

[0027] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the interior of an inhaler according to an embodiment.

[0028] Figure 3a 、 3b 3c are schematic structural diagrams showing an inhaler according to an embodiment.

[0029] Figure 4 The results of evaluating the transfer volume of an inhaler according to one embodiment are shown.

[0030] Figure 5An inhalation device according to an embodiment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] When selecting terms used in the embodiments, the functions of the embodiments were taken into consideration, and widely used general terms were selected whenever possible. However, differences may exist based on the intentions of practitioners in the field, precedents, new technologies, etc. In specific cases, the applicant may arbitrarily select terms, but in such cases, the meaning of the terms will be explained in detail in the specification. Therefore, the terms used in this specification are not simple terms and should be defined according to the meaning of the terms and the overall content of the present invention.

[0032] When a section is described throughout the specification as "including" a component, unless otherwise specified, it means that other components may also be included and does not mean that other components are excluded. In addition, terms such as "unit" and "module" described in the specification refer to a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which can be implemented by hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0033] In this specification, when an expression such as "at least one" begins with an array of components, it modifies the entire array of components, not the individual components. For example, the expression "at least one of a, b, and c" should be understood to include a or b or c; or a and b; or a and c; or b and c; or a, b, and c.

[0034] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a front view of an inhaler 100 according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the interior of an inhaler 100 according to an embodiment.

[0035] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The inhaler 100 according to one embodiment can deliver a functional substance to a user. For example, the inhaler 100 according to one embodiment can include an inhaler that delivers a dry pharmacological substance or nicotine to the user's lungs in the form of powder or aerosol.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the inhaler 100 may include a housing 110 , a filter portion 120 , a cavity portion 130 , a porous medium portion 140 , and a side air inlet 150 .

[0037] For example, the shell 110, the filter portion 120, the cavity portion 130 and the porous medium portion 140 can be integrally formed, but they can also be formed separately and fixed to each other by bonding with hot melt adhesive or ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), or by other environmentally friendly adhesives.

[0038] The housing 110 may form an outer skin and have a cylindrical shape, and may include a mouthpiece 111 at one end thereof for contacting the user's mouth. For example, the diameter of the housing 110 may be 7 mm, 8 mm, or 9 mm, and the length of the housing 110 may be 48 mm, 60 mm, or 84 mm.

[0039] The porous medium portion 140, the cavity portion 130, and the filter portion 120 may be arranged in sequence from the front (e.g., the side opposite to the suction nozzle 111) to the rear of the housing 110. For example, the porous medium portion 140, the cavity portion 130, and the filter portion 120 may be formed to be interconnected.

[0040] Functional substance containing component (e.g. Figure 3a and 3b The capsule C) may be accommodated in the cavity portion 130 , and a side air inlet 150 may be formed on the housing 110 outside the cavity portion 130 .

[0041] Figure 3a FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of an inhaler 100 according to an embodiment; Figure 3b Shown in Figure 3a The inhaler 100 is shown with a flavor capsule 142 added thereto. Figure 3c Shown in Figure 3b The opening portion of the inhaler 100 shown employs a porous filter member structure.

[0042] like Figure 3a As shown, the porous media portion 140 can include cellulose acetate tow. Alternatively, the porous media portion 140 can include a biodegradable material.

[0043] The porous medium portion 140 may be arranged to communicate with the open end of the housing 110 and may provide an upward airflow from the open end of the housing 110 to the cavity portion 130 via the porous medium portion 140. Figures 3a to 3c The capsule C) can rise in the cavity portion 130 by the rising air flow.

[0044] In one embodiment, the fragrance powder may be impregnated into the porous media portion 140 , and when the upward airflow passes through the porous media portion 140 , the fragrance material in the fragrance powder may be transferred to the suction nozzle 111 together with the upward airflow.

[0045] In one embodiment, the filter portion 120 may be composed of a tubular filter element.

[0046] Reference Figure 3bThe porous medium portion 140 may include a flavor capsule 142. For example, the flavor capsule 142 may be disposed in the center of the porous medium and may be crushed by the user. Alternatively, the flavor capsule 142 may be inserted through a piercing member (e.g., Figure 5 The piercing member 210) is crushed together with the capsule C.

[0047] The flavor capsule 142 can contain flavor powder or flavor liquid. For example, the flavor powder or flavor liquid can be essential oil, menthol, etc., or can be a natural or synthetic flavor material.

[0048] Reference Figure 3c , the filter portion 120 may include a filter member including cellulose acetate tow, the porosity of which may be greater than the porosity of the porous medium portion 140. In this case, the flavor capsule 142 may be disposed in the filter portion 120, and the flavor capsule 142 may be crushed by the user. Figure 3c 140 and the filter 120 , but the example is not limited thereto. For example, the flavor capsule 142 may be disposed only in the porous medium portion 140 , or the flavor capsule 142 may be disposed only in the filter 120 .

[0049] For example, when the filtering portion 120 is configured as Figure 3c While the filter element shown includes cellulose acetate tow, the downstream portion of the filter portion 120 may also include a recessed structure.

[0050] Reference Figures 3a to 3c The functional substance container may include a flavor capsule C containing dry powder. For example, the dry powder may include pharmacological substances such as cannabidiol (CBD), functional substances such as caffeine and taurine, nicotine (free base or nicotine salt), etc. The dry powder may also include a small amount of flavoring substances such as menthol or saccharin, or other sweeteners.

[0051] The aerodynamic diameter of the dry powder may be less than or equal to 10 μm, and the average diameter may be between 2.5 μm and 5 μm, so that the dry powder can be delivered to the bronchi and lungs. In addition, the size of the flavoring material or other sweetener particles in the dry powder may be greater than 20 μm and less than 150 μm.

[0052] The amount of the dry powder filled in the capsule C may be greater than or equal to 10 mg and less than or equal to 100 mg, and preferably, may be approximately 30 mg.

[0053] The amount of dry powder transferred may be approximately 3 mg per breath, but since this amount depends on the user's breathing flow, the example is not limited thereto.

[0054] In one embodiment, a side air inlet 150 may be formed near the upstream side of the cavity portion 130 (e.g., the side opposite to the suction nozzle 111) containing the capsule C. The side air inlet 150 may include a hole extending from the outside of the housing 110 through the inside thereof, and a rotating airflow may be provided from the outside of the housing 110 to the cavity portion 130 via the side air inlet 150. The number of the side air inlets 150 may be two or more.

[0055] For example, the side air inlet 150 may be realized by laser perforation, plasma perforation, mechanical perforation or other physical or chemical perforation methods.

[0056] When the user holds the mouthpiece 111 and starts breathing, an upward airflow can be provided to the cavity portion 130 through the porous medium portion 140, and a rotating airflow can be provided to the cavity portion 130 through the side air inlet 150, thereby causing the capsule C in the cavity portion 130 to rise and rotate.

[0057] In one embodiment, the side air inlet 150 may be formed at a position 29% to 31% longitudinally from an end of the housing 110 (e.g., the end opposite the suction nozzle 111). Preferably, there may be three side air inlets 150. These will be described in detail below.

[0058] Figure 4 To illustrate the change in dry powder transfer amount depending on the number and position of the air inlet 150, the following [Table 1] shows the setting conditions of the experimental examples, and [Table 2] shows the error value of the dry powder transfer amount in each experimental example.

[0059] [Table 1] Evaluation of transfer amount

[0060]

[0061] [Table 2] Error value

[0062] 2-A 0.235702 3-A 0.249444 4-A 0.329983 2-B 0.294392 3-B 0.509902 4-B 0.694422 2-C 0.262467 3-C 0 4-C 0.20548

[0063] In each experimental example shown in [Table 1], when the total length of the housing is set to 48 mm, the position and number of the side air inlet 150 at the end of the upstream side of the housing (e.g., the opposite side of the mouthpiece) can be set differently. In this case, the hole radius of the side air inlet 150 can be set to 0.5 mm, and the position in each experimental example can represent the center position of the hole. The dry powder used for inhalation is lactose monohydrate, and 30 mg of dry powder is filled in capsule C. A 0.9 mm perforation is opened on capsule C, and the test is based on 14 inhalations.

[0064] The error values in [Table 2] show the degree of error between groups after multiple experiments, when one group includes 14 inhalations. For example, each experimental example was repeated three times, and the error values in [Table 2] are the results obtained after three repetitions.

[0065] Figure 4 The bar graph extending along the vertical axis in the figure shows the average transfer amount, and the columns extending up and down from the apex of the bar graph show the error values in [Table 2].

[0066] Reference Figure 4 As shown in Table 1 and Table 2, according to Experimental Example 2-A, Experimental Example 3-A and Experimental Example 4-A, the transfer amount of dry powder is relatively small.

[0067] According to Experimental Example 2-B, Experimental Example 3-B, and Experimental Example 4-B, the overall transfer amount is the highest, but the error value is large, so it may be difficult to ensure uniform transfer.

[0068] According to Experimental Example 2-C, Experimental Example 3-C, and Experimental Example 4-C, the transfer amount reaches a satisfactory level, and the error value is also the smallest.

[0069] Therefore, when the side air inlet 150 is located at a height of 14 mm to 15 mm from the end of the housing 110, that is, 29% to 31% of the height, it is possible to ensure a sufficient amount of dry powder transferred while ensuring uniform dry powder transfer.

[0070] In particular, referring to Table 2, it can be seen that the error value of Experimental Example 3-C is the smallest. Therefore, preferably, the side air inlet 150 is located at a height of 29% to 31% from the end of the housing 110 and the number is three.

[0071] Figure 5 An inhalation device 10 according to an embodiment is shown.

[0072] Reference Figure 5 According to an embodiment, an inhalation device 10 may include an inhaler 100 and a bracket 200 .

[0073] In one embodiment, at least a portion of the inhaler 100 according to one embodiment may be housed in a holder 200, and the holder 200 may include an elongated cavity having a shape corresponding to the housing 110 forming the outer appearance of the inhaler 100. One end of the elongated cavity may be open, while the other end may be closed, and the piercing component 210 may be located at the other closed end.

[0074] In one embodiment, the piercing member 210 may be configured to protrude from the other end of the elongated cavity toward the opening, and may have a length extending to the cavity portion 130 of the inhaler 100 .

[0075] For example, when the inhaler 100 is inserted into the support 200, at least a portion of the capsule C in the inhaler 100 may be pierced by the piercing member 210. When the inhaler 100 is inserted into the support 200, the porous medium portion 140 of the inhaler 100 may be oriented toward the elongated cavity. Alternatively, the mouthpiece 111 of the inhaler 100 may also be oriented toward the elongated cavity.

[0076] Next, when the inhaler 100 is completely or at least partially separated from the bracket 200, the user can start inhaling by holding the mouthpiece 111. Alternatively, the user can also inhale when the inhaler 100 is inserted into the bracket 200. In this case, a separate inlet can be formed in the bracket 200 for air to flow into.

[0077] The inhaler 100 according to one embodiment can achieve multiple inhalations of dry powder through the user's inhalation, which can bring the advantage that the dry powder will not be completely consumed at one time.

[0078] In addition, due to the optimal position and number of the side air inlets 150 , the inhaler 100 according to one embodiment can achieve sufficient and uniform delivery of dry powder.

[0079] The description of the above embodiments is merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and equivalent embodiments may be derived therefrom. Therefore, the true scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the scope of the appended claims, and all differences within the scope of equivalence with the contents recited in the claims shall be understood to be included within the scope of protection determined by the claims.

Claims

1. An inhaler for inhaling a functional substance, characterized in that: include: shell, A filter portion is provided at one end of the housing. a cavity portion, disposed in the housing and located upstream of the filter portion, accommodating a functional substance accommodating component, and a side air inlet formed on the outer side of the housing corresponding to the cavity portion; The rotating airflow is provided to the functional substance containing component through the side air inlet.

2. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein Also includes: a porous medium portion, disposed in the shell and located on an upstream side of the cavity portion; The porous medium portion is communicated with the other end of the housing, and the rising airflow is provided to the functional substance containing component through the porous medium portion.

3. The inhaler according to claim 2, wherein Fragrance powder is impregnated in the porous medium portion.

4. The inhaler according to claim 2, wherein The porous medium portion houses crushable fragrance capsules.

5. The inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that A plurality of side air inlets are provided.

6. The inhaler according to claim 5, characterized in that The center of the side air inlet is formed at a position 29% to 31% away from the other end of the housing in the length direction.

7. The inhaler according to claim 6, characterized in that There are three side air inlets.

8. The inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The filtering part is composed of a tubular filtering component.

9. The inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The functional substance containing component includes a capsule containing dry powder.

10. The inhaler according to claim 9, characterized in that The dry powder comprises any one of nicotine, caffeine, taurine, a pharmacological substance, a flavoring substance or a sweetener, or a combination thereof.

11. An inhalation device for inhaling a functional substance, characterized in that: include: Inhaler, comprising a capsule filled with a functional substance, and a support housing at least a portion of the inhaler, comprising a piercing member configured to form a perforation in the capsule; The inhaler is provided with a plurality of side air inlets, and the side air inlets are formed at positions 29% to 31% from the upstream of the inhaler in the length direction.

12. The inhalation device according to claim 11, characterized in that There are three side air inlets.

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