An integrated gas path switching and nebulized drug delivery device

Abstract

This invention discloses an integrated gas path switching and nebulization drug delivery device, belonging to the technical field of nebulization equipment. The integrated gas path switching and nebulization drug delivery device includes a device housing. One end of the housing is connected to a drug inlet pipe, and the other end of the housing is connected to an nebulizing nozzle via a flexible hose. The interior of the housing is divided into a gas path switching zone, a filtration zone, and a pressure drug delivery zone by a horizontal partition. A gas path switching component is installed in the gas path switching zone, two filtration components are installed in the filtration zone, and two pressure drug delivery components are installed in the pressure drug delivery zone. It integrates three core functional modules into a single device housing, significantly improving the overall reliability, ease of operation, and space utilization of the device. It also reduces the risk of system leakage and failure, and facilitates installation and maintenance. Furthermore, the device forms truly independent parallel working paths, greatly improving the system's operational continuity and overall reliability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of atomization equipment technology, and more specifically, to an integrated gas path switching and atomized drug delivery device. Background Technology

[0002] In medical, laboratory, and industrial applications such as respiratory therapy, inhalation drug delivery, and aerosol generation, it is typically necessary to filter and regulate the pressure of the source gas before finally mixing it with the drug solution to achieve stable nebulization output. Traditional technical solutions usually employ a decentralized modular structure, where functions such as gas path switching, gas filtration, pressure stabilization, and nebulization drug delivery are achieved by a combination of independent components connected in series through complex external pipelines.

[0003] Currently, in the actual process of nebulized drug delivery: ①The lengthy external gas connection not only takes up a lot of space, but also introduces many potential leakage points, resulting in poor overall system sealing, reduced reliability, and complicated installation and maintenance procedures; ② The matching and consistency between functional modules are difficult to guarantee. Especially when dual or multiple parallel outputs are required, due to incomplete physical isolation of each branch, differences in component performance and pipeline impedance, it is difficult to ensure high consistency and stability of output gas in terms of flow rate, pressure and atomization performance. When a component in the system fails or needs maintenance, it often leads to the shutdown of the entire system, which seriously affects the continuity of work.

[0004] Therefore, in view of this, we have studied and improved the existing structure to provide an integrated gas path switching and nebulization drug delivery device, in order to achieve a more practical purpose. Summary of the Invention

[0005] 1. Technical problems to be solved To address the problems existing in the prior art, the purpose of this invention is to provide an integrated gas path switching and nebulization drug delivery device. It can integrate the three core functional modules of gas path switching, gas filtration, and pressure drug delivery into a single device box, which significantly improves the overall reliability, ease of operation, and space utilization of the device, reduces the risk of system leakage and failure, and facilitates the installation and maintenance of the device. Furthermore, the device forms a truly independent parallel working path, which greatly improves the continuity of system operation and overall reliability.

[0006] 2. Technical Solution To solve the above problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution.

[0007] An integrated gas path switching and nebulized drug delivery device includes an equipment box. One end of the equipment box is connected to a drug inlet pipe, and the other end of the equipment box is provided with two outlets. Each outlet is connected to a nebulizing nozzle through a hose. An air hood is installed at the nozzle of the nebulizing nozzle. The inside of the equipment box is divided into a gas path switching area, a filtration area and a pressure drug delivery area by a transverse partition. A gas path switching component is installed in the gas path switching zone, and the gas path switching component is located in the middle of the gas path switching zone. Two filter components are installed in the filtration zone, and the two filter components are separated by a vertical short partition in the middle of the filtration zone. The two filter components are arranged symmetrically. Two pressure drug delivery components are installed in the pressure drug delivery zone, and the two pressure drug delivery components are separated by a vertical long partition in the middle of the pressure drug delivery zone. The two pressure drug delivery components are arranged symmetrically.

[0008] Furthermore, the gas path switching assembly includes a three-way pipe, with a branch control valve fixedly installed at the inlet of the three-way pipe. The inlet of the branch control valve extends outside the equipment box and is connected to the drug inlet pipeline via a flange. The two outlet pipes of the three-way pipe pass through adjacent transverse partitions and extend into the filtration zone.

[0009] Furthermore, the branch control valve is an electromagnetic three-way valve, which has a corresponding signal controller hidden inside and is controlled by a wireless signal.

[0010] Furthermore, the filtration assembly includes a front-end control valve, a filter cartridge, and a rear-end control valve. The front-end control valve is connected to the corresponding outlet pipe on the three-way pipe via a flange, and the front-end control valve, the filter cartridge, and the rear-end control valve are connected sequentially via flanges.

[0011] Furthermore, the filter cartridge has a split structure, including a central hollow cylinder and two connectors. The two ends of the central hollow cylinder are respectively threaded to the corresponding connectors, and multiple layers of filter screens are inserted inside the central hollow cylinder. One of the connectors is connected to the front-end control valve via a flange, and the other connector is connected to the rear-end control valve via a flange.

[0012] Furthermore, the top of the filter area is hinged with two tempered glass flip covers, which are located directly above the corresponding filter cylinders and are axially symmetrically distributed. One end of the tempered glass flip cover is provided with a threaded knob, which is screwed into the interior of the vertical short partition.

[0013] Furthermore, the pressure drug delivery assembly includes a drug tank, one end of which is fixed to a rear control valve via a conduit, and the other end of which is connected to a hose via a conduit. A first hydraulic pump and a second hydraulic pump are fixedly installed at the top of the pressure drug delivery area. The output shaft of the first hydraulic pump passes through the equipment housing and is fixed with a long push plate, which slides along the inside of the drug tank. The output shaft of the second hydraulic pump passes through the equipment housing and is fixed with a flow control valve plate.

[0014] Furthermore, the No. 1 hydraulic pump has two output shafts, and the two output shafts extend and retract synchronously. The long push plate is a split structure with two symmetrically arranged sections. The flow control valve plate is located in the middle of the two ends of the long push plate. The side of the flow control valve plate slides against the side of the long push plate, and a sealing strip is fixed to the sliding contact surface.

[0015] Furthermore, the inlet of the medicine tank is located in the middle of one side of the medicine tank, and the outlet of the medicine tank is located at the bottom of the other side of the medicine tank.

[0016] Furthermore, the minimum sliding height of the long push plate is higher than the height of the inlet of the medicine tank.

[0017] 3. Beneficial Effects Compared with the prior art, the advantages of this invention are: ① This solution integrates the three core functional modules of gas path switching, gas filtration, and pressure drug delivery into a single equipment box. It also uses horizontal and vertical partitions for clear physical partitioning and isolation, which greatly simplifies the complex external pipeline connections, optimizes the entire workflow from gas source input to drug atomization output, significantly improves the overall reliability, ease of operation, and space utilization of the equipment, enhances the sealing of the entire drug delivery system, reduces the risk of system leakage and failure, and facilitates the installation and maintenance of the device. ② This scheme adopts a completely symmetrical dual-output architecture. The two sets of filter components and pressure drug delivery components are physically isolated by vertical short partitions and vertical long partitions, forming a truly independent parallel working path. This ensures that the two output ports have a high degree of consistency and stability in terms of gas flow, filtration effect, drug delivery pressure and atomization performance. Secondly, physical isolation enables fault isolation. When one path needs maintenance or encounters a problem, it can be shut down independently without affecting the normal operation of the other path, greatly improving the system's operational continuity and overall reliability. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the integrated gas path switching and nebulized drug delivery device of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the planar structure of the integrated gas path switching and nebulized drug delivery device of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the equipment box in this invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the three functional structures of gas path switching, filtration, and pressure drug delivery in this invention. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the filter cylinder in this invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the pressure drug delivery component in this invention.

[0019] Explanation of the labels in the diagram: 1. Equipment box; 101. Hoses; 102. Horizontal partition; 103. Gas path switching area; 104. Filter area; 1041. Vertical short partition; 1042. Tempered glass flip cover; 1043. Threaded knob; 105. Pressure-operated drug delivery zone; 1051. Vertical long partition; 2. Drug inlet piping; 3. Atomizing nozzle; 4. Air shield; 5. Gas circuit switching assembly; 501. Three-way pipe; 502. Branch control valve; 6. Filter assembly; 601. Front-end control valve; 602, Filter cartridge; 6021, Hollow central cylinder; 6022, Connecting joint; 6023, Multi-layer filter screen; 603. Rear-end control valve; 7. Pressure drug delivery assembly; 701. Drug tank; 702. Hydraulic pump No. 1; 703. Hydraulic pump No. 2; 704. Long push plate; 705. Flow control valve plate. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention. Example 1:

[0021] Please see Figures 1-6 An integrated gas path switching and nebulized drug delivery device includes a device box 1. One end of the device box 1 is connected to a drug inlet pipe 2, and the other end of the device box 1 is provided with two outlets. Each outlet is connected to a nebulizing nozzle 3 through a hose 101. An air cover 4 is installed at the nozzle of the nebulizing nozzle 3. The inside of the device box 1 is divided into a gas path switching area 103, a filtration area 104 and a pressure drug delivery area 105 by a transverse partition 102. A gas path switching component 5 is installed in the gas path switching zone 103, and the gas path switching component 5 is located in the middle of the gas path switching zone 103. Two filter components 6 are installed in the filtration zone 104, and the two filter components 6 are separated by a vertical short partition 1041 in the middle of the filtration zone 104. The two filter components 6 are arranged symmetrically. Two pressure drug delivery components 7 are installed in the pressure drug delivery zone 105, and the two pressure drug delivery components 7 are separated by a vertical long partition 1051 in the middle of the pressure drug delivery components 7. The two pressure drug delivery components 7 are arranged symmetrically.

[0022] By integrating the three core functions of gas path switching, filtration, and pressure drug delivery into a single equipment box 1, and physically partitioning them with internal transverse partitions 102, the device achieves compactness and systematization. This simplifies external pipeline connections, optimizes the entire workflow from gas source distribution to drug nebulization output, and improves the reliability and ease of operation of the equipment.

[0023] The system features two independent outlets, each equipped with a completely symmetrical filter assembly 6 physically separated by a vertical short partition 1041, and two completely symmetrical filter assemblies 6 and pressure delivery assemblies 7 physically separated by a vertical long partition 1051. This symmetrical "divided into two" architecture ensures the consistency and stability of the dual-output performance, meaning that the two atomizing nozzles 3 can achieve drug output with similar flow rates and atomization effects. Simultaneously, physical isolation prevents a single-path failure or contamination from easily affecting the opposite path.

[0024] By using horizontal partitions 102 and vertical short partitions 1041 and vertical long partitions 1051, different functional components are placed in independent or semi-enclosed spaces. This layout not only achieves effective isolation between the gas path, filtration, and pressurization functions, reducing mutual interference such as vibration and thermal effects, but also provides a structural basis for subsequent modular maintenance, repair, or component replacement, thus improving the maintainability of the equipment.

[0025] Each atomizing nozzle 3 is equipped with an air shroud 4. The main function of the air shroud 4 is to form a gentle aerodynamic interface between the atomizing nozzle 3 and the target mouth and nose area, which can effectively constrain the spray direction, reduce drug diffusion loss, and improve the comfort and safety of the drug delivery site, thereby enhancing the actual application effect of the device. Example 2:

[0026] Based on the above embodiment 1, further description is provided.

[0027] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4Specifically, the gas path switching assembly 5 includes a three-way pipe 501. A branch control valve 502 is fixedly installed at the inlet of the three-way pipe 501. The inlet of the branch control valve 502 extends to the outside of the equipment box 1 and is connected to the drug inlet pipe 2 through a flange. The two outlet pipes of the three-way pipe 501 pass through adjacent transverse partitions 102 and extend into the filter area 104.

[0028] In this way, two sets of gas circuit structures can be easily formed, and the opening and closing of one of the two sets of gas circuits can be controlled by the branch control valve 502.

[0029] Specifically, the branch control valve 502 is a solenoid three-way valve, which has a corresponding signal controller hidden inside and is controlled by a wireless signal.

[0030] In this way, the branch control valve 502 can be controlled remotely via a signal without opening the equipment box 1, enabling internal drug delivery control. This is suitable for scenarios requiring precise control or isolation operations, such as switching between different drugs or single-path isolation during equipment maintenance, thus improving the convenience, safety, and efficiency of operation.

[0031] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 Specifically, the filter assembly 6 includes a front-end control valve 601, a filter cartridge 602, and a rear-end control valve 603. The front-end control valve 601 is connected to the corresponding outlet pipe on the three-way pipe 501 via a flange. The front-end control valve 601, the filter cartridge 602, and the rear-end control valve 603 are connected sequentially via flanges.

[0032] The front-end control valve 601 and the rear-end control valve 603 are configured so that when the filter cartridge needs to be replaced or cleaned, the front-end control valve 601 and the rear-end control valve 603 can be closed, disconnecting the individual filter assembly 6 from the entire device. This allows maintenance to be performed without affecting the operation of the other circuit, ensuring the possibility of continuous operation of the device and improving the safety of maintenance operations.

[0033] Specifically, the filter cartridge 602 has a split structure, including a central hollow cylinder 6021 and two connectors 6022. The two ends of the central hollow cylinder 6021 are threadedly connected to the corresponding connectors 6022. Multiple layers of filter screens 6023 are inserted inside the central hollow cylinder 6021. One of the connectors 6022 is connected to the front control valve 601 via a flange, and the other connector 6022 is connected to the rear control valve 603 via a flange.

[0034] This makes replacing or cleaning the filter screen very simple. The threaded connection and snap-fit ​​structure allow users to quickly open the filter cartridge 602 and directly handle the multi-layer filter screen 6023 without replacing the entire filter assembly 6, reducing maintenance costs and operational complexity, and demonstrating the device's ease of maintenance.

[0035] Specifically, two tempered glass flip covers 1042 are hinged to the top of the filter zone 104. The two tempered glass flip covers 1042 are located directly above the corresponding filter cylinder 602, and the two tempered glass flip covers 1042 are axially symmetrically distributed. One end of the tempered glass flip cover 1042 is provided with a threaded knob 1043, which is screwed into the interior of the vertical short partition 1041.

[0036] This makes it easy to observe the working status of the filter component 6, such as whether the multi-layer filter screen 6023 is clogged, and realizes visual monitoring. Secondly, it provides a direct and quick maintenance access point; simply open the flip cover to operate the filter cartridge 602 below, further optimizing the user experience and maintenance convenience.

[0037] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 6 Specifically, the pressure drug delivery assembly 7 includes a drug tank 701. One end of the drug tank 701 is fixed to the rear control valve 603 via a conduit, and the other end of the drug tank 701 is connected to the hose 101 via a conduit. A first hydraulic pump 702 and a second hydraulic pump 703 are fixedly installed at the top of the pressure drug delivery zone 105. The output shaft of the first hydraulic pump 702 passes through the equipment housing 1 and is fixed with a long push plate 704. The long push plate 704 slides along the inside of the drug tank 701. The output shaft of the second hydraulic pump 703 passes through the equipment housing 1 and is fixed with a flow control valve plate 705.

[0038] The specific execution mechanism of the pressure drug delivery function has been clarified. By driving the long push plate 704 through the first hydraulic pump 702, a controllable pressure can be established in the drug tank 701, and the drug liquid can be stably pressed out to the atomizing nozzle 3.

[0039] A separate flow control valve plate 705 is set up to control the opening and closing of the outlet of the drug tank 701, thereby enabling precise management of the drug delivery on / off and flow rate. It is the core drive and control structure for the device to achieve stable nebulized drug delivery.

[0040] Specifically, the No. 1 hydraulic pump 702 has two output shafts, and the two output shafts extend and retract synchronously. The long push plate 704 is a split structure with two symmetrical sections. The flow control valve plate 705 is located in the middle of the two ends of the long push plate 704. The side of the flow control valve plate 705 slides against the side of the long push plate 704, and the sliding contact surface is fixed with a sealing strip.

[0041] The mechanical structure and operational reliability of the pressure drug delivery assembly 7 have been optimized. The synchronous extension and retraction of the dual output shafts of the primary hydraulic pump 702 ensures the smooth movement and balanced thrust of the long push plate 704. The sliding fit between the split-type long push plate 704 and the flow control valve plate 705 allows the flow control valve plate 705 to operate independently to control the opening and closing of the outlet while the long push plate 704 propels the drug solution; the two operate without interference yet work closely together. The sealing strip ensures the sealing of the sliding contact surface, preventing drug leakage and guaranteeing the stable establishment of the drug delivery pressure.

[0042] Specifically, the inlet of the medicine tank 701 is located in the middle of one side of the medicine tank 701, and the outlet of the medicine tank 701 is located at the bottom of the other side of the medicine tank 701.

[0043] The fluid dynamics within the medicine tank 701 have been optimized. This helps the medicine to fill the tank more fully and reduces dead zones, allowing the medicine to be discharged more thoroughly and smoothly when the long pusher plate 704 is advanced. This improves drug administration efficiency and medicine utilization, and may also help reduce mixing or residue between different batches of medicine.

[0044] Specifically, the minimum sliding height of the long push plate 704 is higher than the height of the inlet of the medicine tank 701.

[0045] This ensures reliable operation of the device and prevents malfunctions. It effectively prevents the long pusher plate 704 from blocking the inlet when it returns to its original position or is in a low position, thus ensuring that the liquid medicine can flow smoothly from the filter zone 104 into the medicine tank 701. This achieves coordination between the medicine feeding process and the pusher plate movement, ensuring the continuity and stability of the system circulation.

[0046] Working principle: First, the gas source and liquid medicine enter the device through the drug inlet pipe 2. In the gas path switching area 103, the user can remotely control the branch control valve 502 via wireless signal to achieve single-path opening for different drug delivery scenarios.

[0047] The dispensed gas and liquid medicine then enter the filtration zone 104. Here, the gas and liquid medicine flow into the corresponding filter assembly 6. The gas passes sequentially through the front control valve 601, the quick-release filter cartridge 602, and the rear control valve 603. The filtration process effectively purifies the gas, removing particulate impurities and moisture, providing a clean and stable gas source for subsequent drug administration, and preventing clogging of the atomizing nozzle 3. The openable tempered glass flip cover 1042 at the top of this area facilitates status observation and maintenance.

[0048] The purified gas then propels the liquid medicine into the pressure dosing zone 105. The gas source and liquid medicine enter the medicine tank 701. During operation, hydraulic pump 702 drives the long pusher plate 704 smoothly forward within the medicine tank 701, establishing and maintaining stable pressure within the tank, forcing the liquid medicine to flow out through the outlet located at the bottom. Simultaneously, hydraulic pump 703 independently controls the opening and closing of the flow control valve plate 705, precisely regulating the instantaneous flow rate and on / off state of the liquid medicine output. The long pusher plate 704 and the flow control valve plate 705 employ a sliding but independently moving structure, ensuring that pressurization and flow control do not interfere with each other and are precisely coordinated.

[0049] Finally, under controlled pressure, the medication is delivered through the tubing 101 to the nebulizer nozzle 3, where it is broken up by the high-speed airflow or internal structure, forming fine droplets suitable for inhalation. The air hood 4 installed on the outside of the nozzle can constrain the spray direction, reduce drug diffusion loss in the environment, and improve the comfort and safety of drug administration in the patient's mouth and nose area, ultimately achieving efficient and stable nebulized drug delivery.

[0050] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention; however, the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and its improved concepts, should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An integrated gas path switching and nebulization drug delivery device, comprising a device housing (1), characterized in that: One end of the equipment box (1) is connected to a drug inlet pipe (2), and the other end of the equipment box (1) is provided with two outlets. Each outlet is connected to an atomizing nozzle (3) through a hose (101). An air hood (4) is installed at the nozzle of the atomizing nozzle (3). The inside of the equipment box (1) is divided into an air path switching area (103), a filtration area (104), and a pressure drug delivery area (105) by a transverse partition (102). The gas path switching area (103) is equipped with a gas path switching component (5), which is located in the middle of the gas path switching area (103). The filtration area (104) is equipped with two filtration components (6), which are separated by a vertical short partition (1041) in the middle of the filtration area (104). The two filtration components (6) are arranged symmetrically. The pressure drug delivery area (105) is equipped with two pressure drug delivery components (7), which are separated by a vertical long partition (1051) in the middle of the pressure drug delivery components (7). The two pressure drug delivery components (7) are arranged symmetrically.

2. The integrated gas path switching and nebulization drug delivery device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gas path switching assembly (5) includes a three-way pipe (501). A branch control valve (502) is fixedly installed at the inlet of the three-way pipe (501). The inlet of the branch control valve (502) extends to the outside of the equipment box (1) and is connected to the drug inlet pipeline (2) through a flange. The two outlet pipes of the three-way pipe (501) pass through adjacent transverse partitions (102) and extend into the filter area (104).

3. The integrated gas path switching and nebulization drug delivery device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The branch control valve (502) is an electromagnetic three-way valve, which has a corresponding signal controller hidden inside and is controlled by a wireless signal.

4. The integrated gas path switching and nebulization drug delivery device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The filter assembly (6) includes a front control valve (601), a filter cartridge (602) and a rear control valve (603). The front control valve (601) is connected to the corresponding outlet pipe on the three-way pipe (501) via a flange. The front control valve (601), the filter cartridge (602) and the rear control valve (603) are connected in sequence via flanges.

5. The integrated gas path switching and nebulization drug delivery device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The filter cartridge (602) has a split structure, including a central hollow cylinder (6021) and two connectors (6022). The two ends of the central hollow cylinder (6021) are respectively threaded to the corresponding connectors (6022). Multiple layers of filter screens (6023) are inserted inside the central hollow cylinder (6021). One of the connectors (6022) is connected to the front control valve (601) via a flange, and the other connector (6022) is connected to the rear control valve (603) via a flange.

6. The integrated gas path switching and nebulization drug delivery device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The top of the filter area (104) is hinged with two tempered glass flip covers (1042), which are located directly above the corresponding filter cylinder (602) and are axially symmetrically distributed. One end of the tempered glass flip cover (1042) is provided with a threaded knob (1043), which is screwed into the interior of the vertical short partition (1041).

7. The integrated gas path switching and nebulization drug delivery device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressure drug delivery assembly (7) includes a drug tank (701). One end of the drug tank (701) is fixed to a rear control valve (603) via a conduit. The other end of the drug tank (701) is connected to a hose (101) via a conduit. A first hydraulic pump (702) and a second hydraulic pump (703) are fixedly installed at the top of the pressure drug delivery area (105). The output shaft of the first hydraulic pump (702) passes through the equipment box (1) and is fixed with a long push plate (704). The long push plate (704) slides along the inside of the drug tank (701). The output shaft of the second hydraulic pump (703) passes through the equipment box (1) and is fixed with a flow control valve plate (705).

8. The integrated gas path switching and nebulization drug delivery device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The No. 1 hydraulic pump (702) has two output shafts, and the two output shafts extend and retract synchronously. The long push plate (704) is a split structure with two symmetrical sections. The flow control valve plate (705) is located in the middle of the two ends of the long push plate (704). The side of the flow control valve plate (705) slides against the side of the long push plate (704), and the sliding contact surface is fixed with a sealing strip.

9. The integrated gas path switching and nebulization drug delivery device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The inlet of the medicine tank (701) is located in the middle of one side of the medicine tank (701), and the outlet of the medicine tank (701) is located at the bottom of the other side of the medicine tank (701).

10. The integrated gas path switching and nebulization drug delivery device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The minimum sliding height of the long push plate (704) is higher than the height of the inlet of the medicine tank (701).

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