Atomization module and drug delivery device comprising same

Abstract

The invention discloses an atomization module and a drug delivery device comprising the same. The atomization module comprises an annular assembly, a piezoelectric plate and a porous assembly. The annular component is provided with a central area and an outer edge area surrounding the central area. The piezoelectric plate is arranged on the outer edge area of the annular assembly, the piezoelectric plate is provided with a first electrode and a second electrode, and the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged on the different sides of the piezoelectric plate respectively. The porous component is arranged in the central area of the annular component. Wherein the first electrode of the piezoelectric plate faces the annular assembly, the annular assembly is provided with a first pin which is integrally formed, and the second electrode of the piezoelectric plate is electrically connected with the second pin through the joint assembly. According to the atomization module and the drug delivery device comprising the atomization module, the process steps of the atomization module can be simplified, and the risk that in the prior art, a piezoelectric plate cannot be driven due to the fact that elargol is broken is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of atomization technology, and in particular to an atomization module and a drug delivery device comprising the same. Background Technology

[0002] Nebulized drug delivery involves atomizing a liquid medication, allowing the user to inhale the atomized drug into their lungs for a direct and rapid therapeutic effect. Existing vibrating nebulizers use the high-frequency vibration of piezoelectric elements to convert the liquid medication into tiny aerosol molecules, thus providing inhaled drug delivery therapy.

[0003] To make it easier for users to carry around, the size of the atomizing device needs to be further reduced. Therefore, miniaturizing the atomizing module in the atomizing device has become an important issue.

[0004] When attempting to conduct electricity to the piezoelectric element within a limited space, one solution is to extend one of the positive and negative electrodes of the piezoelectric element to the same side and connect it to the drive module. The electrode to be extended to the other side is achieved by coating the piezoelectric element with silver paste and bending the paste along the surface of the piezoelectric element from one side to the other. However, this method may result in a lack of conductivity due to uneven silver paste coating causing wire breakage during the extension and bending process.

[0005] Therefore, how to simplify the conduction steps of piezoelectric elements through structural design improvements to overcome the aforementioned defects has become one of the important issues that this project aims to address. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an atomizing module and a drug delivery device including the atomizing module, which addresses the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0007] To address the aforementioned technical problems, one technical solution adopted by the present invention is to provide an atomizing module, comprising: an annular component, a piezoelectric sheet, and a porous component. The annular component has a central region and an outer edge region surrounding the central region. The piezoelectric sheet is disposed in the outer edge region of the annular component, and the piezoelectric sheet has a first electrode and a second electrode, which are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the piezoelectric sheet. The porous component is disposed in the central region of the annular component. The first electrode of the piezoelectric sheet faces the annular component, the annular component has an integrally formed first pin, and the second electrode of the piezoelectric sheet is electrically connected to a second pin via a bonding component.

[0008] Furthermore, the first pin extends from the outer edge region of the ring component in a direction away from the ring component.

[0009] Furthermore, the first pin extends from the outer edge region of the annular component along at least two directions.

[0010] Furthermore, the first electrode is the positive electrode, the second electrode is the negative electrode, the first pin is the positive pin, and the second pin is the negative pin.

[0011] Furthermore, the annular component is bonded to the piezoelectric sheet with an adhesive layer.

[0012] Furthermore, the first electrode of the piezoelectric element is electrically connected to the annular component via a conductive adhesive.

[0013] Furthermore, the adhesive layer is a conductive adhesive.

[0014] Furthermore, the bonding components are solder.

[0015] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, another technical solution adopted by the present invention is to provide a drug delivery device, which includes: a main unit; a medicine cup connected to the main unit and including a nozzle; and an atomizing module as described above, which is disposed in the medicine cup.

[0016] Furthermore, the nozzle includes a first electrode post and a second electrode post, one end of the first pin has a first ring for fitting onto the first electrode post, and one end of the second pin has a second ring for fitting onto the second electrode post.

[0017] Furthermore, the atomizing module is positioned perpendicular to the nozzle's outlet direction.

[0018] Furthermore, one of the spray nozzles of the atomizing module is perpendicular to the outlet direction of the nozzle.

[0019] Furthermore, the drug delivery device includes a detection module located within the main unit and used in conjunction with the annular component to detect the amount of residual drug solution in the drug cup.

[0020] One of the beneficial effects of the present invention is that the atomizing module and the drug delivery device containing it provided by the present invention can simplify the manufacturing process of the atomizing module by means of the technical solution of "annular component having an integrally formed first pin" and "a piezoelectric sheet disposed on the annular component and connected to a second pin through a bonding component", and avoid the risk that the piezoelectric sheet cannot be driven due to the breakage of the silver paste wire in the prior art.

[0021] To further understand the features and technical content of the present invention, please refer to the following detailed description and drawings of the present invention. However, the drawings provided are for reference and illustration only and are not intended to limit the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a front view schematic diagram of the atomizing module of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the atomizing module of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A planar schematic diagram of the III-III direction.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a rear view schematic diagram of the atomizing module of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the drug delivery device of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 6 This is an exploded view of the nebulization module of the present invention installed in the drug delivery device.

[0028] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0029] 1: Annular assembly; 1a: Central region; 1b: Outer edge region; 10: Main unit; 11: First pin; 111: First ring; 2: Piezoelectric element; 2a: First electrode; 2b: Second electrode; 20: Medicine cup; 20a: Nozzle; 201: First electrode post; 202: Second electrode post; 21: Second pin; 211: Second ring; 22: Bonding assembly; 3: Porous assembly; 4: Adhesive layer; 4a: Conductive adhesive; 5: Fixing component; 6: Detection module; D: Drug delivery device; M: Nebulization module; A1: First angle; A2: Second angle; d1, d2: Direction. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation of the "nebulization module and drug delivery device including the same" disclosed in this invention. Those skilled in the art can understand the advantages and effects of this invention from the content disclosed in this specification. This invention can be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can also be modified and changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the concept of this invention. Furthermore, the accompanying drawings of this invention are for simple illustrative purposes only and are not depictions of actual dimensions; this is stated in advance. The following embodiments will further describe the relevant technical content of this invention in detail, but the disclosed content is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this invention.

[0031] It should be understood that while terms such as "first," "second," and "third" may be used in this document to describe various components or signals, these components or signals should not be limited by these terms. These terms are primarily used to distinguish one component from another, or one signal from another. Furthermore, the term "or" as used herein should, as appropriate, include any combination of one or more of the related listed items.

[0032] See Figures 1 to 4 As shown, Figure 1 This is a front view schematic diagram of the atomizing module of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the atomizing module of the present invention. Figure 3 for Figure 2 A planar schematic diagram of the III-III direction. Figure 4 This is a rear view of the atomizing module of the present invention. An embodiment of the present invention provides an atomizing module M, comprising: an annular component 1, a piezoelectric sheet 2, and a porous component 3. The annular component 1 is generally circular, having a central region 1a and an outer edge region 1b surrounding the central region 1a, and can be used to support the piezoelectric sheet 2. In other words, the piezoelectric sheet 2 is disposed on the outer edge region 1b of the annular component 1, and can be fixed to the annular component 1 by an adhesive layer 4. The piezoelectric sheet 2 has a first electrode 2a and a second electrode 2b, and the first electrode 2a and the second electrode 2b are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the piezoelectric sheet 2. The porous component 3 is disposed in the central region 1a of the annular component 1. The first electrode 2a of the piezoelectric sheet 2 faces the annular component 1; the annular component 1 has an integrally formed first pin 11, and the second electrode 2b of the piezoelectric sheet 2 is electrically connected to a second pin 21 through a bonding component 22.

[0033] Since the annular component 1 has an integrally formed first pin 11, the first pin 11 does not need to be soldered to the annular component 1 as in the prior art, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process. In addition, the first pin 11 can extend from the outer edge region 1b of the annular component 1 in a direction away from the annular component 1, or the first pin 11 can extend outward from the outer edge region 1b of the annular component 1 in at least two directions.

[0034] For example, in one state, the first pin 11, which is integrally formed with the annular component 1, can extend from the first electrode 2a side of the piezoelectric sheet 2 in a direction away from the annular component 1 to the second electrode 2b side of the piezoelectric sheet 2.

[0035] Or, in another state, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the first pin 11 can first extend horizontally away from the annular component 1 along the outer edge region 1b of the annular component 1; then, the first pin 11 is bent vertically by a first angle A1 and continues to extend; finally, the first pin 11 is bent horizontally by a second angle A2 and continues to extend away from the annular component 1.

[0036] Therefore, both of the above-mentioned extension methods for the first pin 11 can achieve the same purpose of extending the first pin 11 to the same side as the second pin 21, thereby omitting the step of bending the silver paste in the prior art and avoiding the risk of wire breakage during the bending of the silver paste.

[0037] Furthermore, during the electrical connection of the piezoelectric element 2 to the second pin 21 via the bonding assembly 22, the bonding assembly 22 is preferably solder, but this is not a limitation. Additionally, the bonding assembly 22 is positioned on the piezoelectric element 2 as the second electrode 2b of the piezoelectric element 2.

[0038] Specifically, the annular component 1 and the piezoelectric sheet 2 may have an annular hollow shape to accommodate the porous component 3 at the hollow location. In one embodiment, the porous component 3 can be fixed to the center of the annular component 1 by an annular fastener 5. For example, the porous component 3 may be a screen, with the fastener 5, the porous component 3, and the piezoelectric sheet 2 disposed on the same side of the annular component 1. However, the present invention is not limited to the examples described above.

[0039] When the liquid medicine is supplied to the nebulization module M, and the driving voltage is supplied to the nebulization module M through the first pin 11 and the second pin 21, the piezoelectric element 2 will generate high-frequency oscillation, thereby actuating the porous component 3, enabling the porous component 3 to atomize the liquid medicine into aerosol molecules. In other words, the liquid medicine can be transformed into aerosol form through the multiple through holes of the porous component 3, achieving the purpose of nebulized drug delivery. Specifically, the porous component 3 can be made of palladium-nickel alloy or ceramic. However, the present invention is not limited to the examples given above.

[0040] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode 2a is the positive electrode, the second electrode 2b is the negative electrode, the first pin 11 can be the positive electrode pin, and the second pin 21 can be the negative electrode pin. However, the above-described examples are merely one possible embodiment and are not intended to limit the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode 2a can be the negative electrode, the second electrode 2b can be the positive electrode, the first pin 11 can be the negative electrode pin, and the second pin 21 can be the positive electrode pin.

[0041] In one embodiment of the present invention, when the piezoelectric element 2 is fixed to the annular component 1 by an adhesive layer 4, and the adhesive layer 4 is a non-conductive adhesive, the first electrode 2a of the piezoelectric element 2 is electrically connected to the annular component 1 by a conductive adhesive 4a. The aforementioned conductive adhesive 4a may also be silver paste or other forms. Furthermore, the conductive adhesive 4a may further extend along the surface of the first pin 11 in a direction away from the annular component 1, and be electrically connected to the electrode post described below.

[0042] In another embodiment of the present invention, the adhesive layer 4 may be in the form of conductive adhesive, so that the first electrode 2a of the piezoelectric sheet 2 directly contacts the conductive adhesive layer 4, thereby making it conductive with the entire annular assembly 1. In other words, when the first electrode 2a of the piezoelectric sheet 2 is the positive electrode, the conductivity of the conductive adhesive layer 4 will cause the entire annular assembly 1 to act as the positive electrode, and the first pin 11 to act as the positive electrode pin.

[0043] See Figure 5 and 6 As shown, Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the drug delivery device of the present invention. Figure 6 This is an exploded view of the nebulization module of the present invention installed in a drug delivery device. The present invention also provides a drug delivery device D, which includes: a main unit 10 and a medicine cup 20. The medicine cup 20 is connected to the main unit 10. For example, the medicine cup 20 is connected above the main unit 10. The main unit 10 can be used to provide power to the medicine cup 20. The medicine cup 20 may have a nozzle 20a, and a first electrode post 201 and a second electrode post 202 are disposed at the nozzle 20a at a position corresponding to the nebulization module M.

[0044] Furthermore, the atomizing module M provided by the present invention can be disposed in the medicine cup 20. Further, the first pin 11 of the atomizing module M may have a first ring 111, and the second pin 21 of the atomizing module M may have a second ring 211. Specifically, the first ring 111 may be disposed at the end of the first pin 11 away from the annular component 1, and the second ring 211 may be disposed at the end of the second pin 21 away from the piezoelectric element 2.

[0045] Accordingly, when the atomizing module M is placed in the medicine cup 20, the first ring 111 of the first pin 11 can be sleeved on the first electrode post 201, and the second ring 211 of the second pin 21 can be sleeved on the second electrode post 202, thereby achieving the purpose of electrical connection.

[0046] Please see Figure 5 In one embodiment of the present invention, taking direction d1 as parallel to the horizontal plane and direction d2 as perpendicular to the horizontal plane as an example, the atomizing module M can be installed perpendicular to direction d1 in the medicine cup 20. Specifically, the atomizing module M can be arranged perpendicular to the outlet direction of the nozzle. Alternatively, one spray nozzle of the atomizing module M can be arranged perpendicular to the outlet direction of the nozzle 20a (i.e., the atomizing module M is arranged perpendicular to direction d2). However, the above description is merely an example and is not intended to limit the present invention.

[0047] like Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the drug delivery device D of the present invention may further include a detection module 6, which is preferably disposed within the main unit 10. The detection module 6 can cooperate with the annular component 1 to detect the amount of residual drug in the medicine cup 20. Specifically, in one embodiment, since the nebulization module M provided by the present invention can use the entire annular component 1 as the positive electrode, the electrical signal from the positive electrode post (i.e., the first electrode post 201) can be conducted to the drug in the medicine cup 20 through the annular component 1, and the amount of residual drug in the medicine cup 20 can be determined by receiving the voltage change from the drug in the drug in a non-contact manner through the detection module 6.

[0048] [Beneficial effects of the embodiments]:

[0049] One of the beneficial effects of the present invention is that the atomizing module and the drug delivery device containing it provided by the present invention can simplify the manufacturing process of the atomizing module by means of the technical solution of "annular component having an integrally formed first pin" and "piezoelectric sheet disposed on the annular component and connected to the second pin through a bonding component", and avoid the risk that the piezoelectric sheet cannot be driven due to the breakage of the silver paste wire in the prior art.

[0050] Furthermore, since the atomizing module provided by this invention can use the entire annular component as the positive electrode, the electrical signal from the positive electrode post can be conducted to the liquid medicine in the medicine cup through the annular component. The amount of liquid medicine remaining in the medicine cup can be determined by receiving the voltage change from the liquid medicine in a non-contact manner through the detection module, so that the atomizing module of this invention can further have the effect of waterless detection.

[0051] The content disclosed above is only a preferred and feasible embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent technical changes made based on the content of the present invention specification and drawings are included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An atomizing module, characterized in that, The atomization module includes: A ring-shaped component having a central region and an outer edge region surrounding the central region; A piezoelectric element is disposed on the outer edge region of the annular assembly. The piezoelectric element has a first electrode and a second electrode, which are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the piezoelectric element. A porous component is disposed in the central region of the annular component; The first electrode of the piezoelectric sheet faces the annular assembly, the annular assembly has an integrally formed first pin, and the second electrode of the piezoelectric sheet is electrically connected to the second pin through a bonding assembly.

2. The atomizing module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first pin extends from the outer edge region of the annular component in a direction away from the annular component.

3. The atomizing module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first pin extends from the outer edge region of the annular component along at least two directions.

4. The atomizing module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first electrode is the positive electrode, the second electrode is the negative electrode, the first pin is the positive pin, and the second pin is the negative pin.

5. The atomizing module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The annular component is bonded to the piezoelectric sheet with an adhesive layer.

6. The atomizing module according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first electrode of the piezoelectric element is electrically connected to the annular component via conductive adhesive.

7. The atomizing module according to claim 5, characterized in that, The adhesive layer is a conductive adhesive.

8. The atomizing module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bonding component is solder.

9. A drug delivery device, characterized in that, The drug delivery device includes: Host; A medicine cup, connected to the main unit, and including a nozzle; and The atomizing module as described in claim 1 is disposed in the medicine cup.

10. The drug delivery device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The nozzle includes: A first electrode post and a second electrode post, wherein one end of the first pin has a first ring for fitting onto the first electrode post, and one end of the second pin has a second ring for fitting onto the second electrode post.

11. The drug delivery device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The atomizing module is positioned perpendicular to the outlet direction of the nozzle.

12. The drug delivery device according to claim 9, characterized in that, One of the spray nozzles of the atomizing module is perpendicular to the outlet direction of the nozzle.

13. The drug delivery device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The drug delivery device further includes: A detection module is installed inside the host and is used in conjunction with the annular component to detect the amount of residual medicine in the medicine cup.

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