PROTECTIVE BLADDER SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a nebulizer system for a mesh nebulizer according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0002] Nebulizers are medical devices used to deliver liquid medications into a patient's airways. Common nebulizers consist of a nebulizer head in which the medication is atomized and added to the airflow inhaled by the patient. Various types of nebulizer heads exist, which generally operate according to one of the following principles: Jet nebulizers: In this type of nebulizer head, a pressurized gas is forced through a nozzle into a reservoir containing the therapeutic agent, atomizing the agent into a mist. However, these nebulizer heads are cumbersome and noisy, so they are rarely used anymore. Ultrasonic nebulizers: In this type of nebulizer head, the therapeutic agent is passed over an ultrasonic vibrator, which atomizes it into a mist. Mesh nebulizers: In this type of nebulizer head, the therapeutic agent is atomized by an ultrasonic mesh covering the surface of the therapeutic agent.

[0003] Nebulizers also include a dosing unit by which a predetermined or predeterminable amount of a therapeutic agent is delivered to the nebulizer head. The following principles are known here: Open dosing: The dosing unit can be designed as an open dosing unit, into which the therapeutic agent is manually added from single-dose ampoules or dosing pipettes. Handling with this method is usually cumbersome, and there is a risk of dosing errors. Dosing errors can be caused by incomplete emptying of single-dose ampoules (underdosing) or by incorrect use of a dosing pipette (overdosing or underdosing). Closed dosing: With closed dosing units, single-dose ampoules containing the therapeutic agent are typically inserted into the dosing unit, where they are pierced and emptied by a mechanism. Even with established closed dosing units, handling is not yet optimal. Furthermore, the use of single-dose ampoules (in both open and closed dosing units) generates considerable amounts of packaging waste.

[0004] Both the nebulizer head and the dosing unit of nebulizers can only be used for a limited time, as their reliability is compromised by wear and / or contamination. In particular, deposits of contaminants, e.g., from the supplied airflow, can, in combination with moisture, create a breeding ground for pathogens. Currently available nebulizer heads and dosing units are not easy to clean or cannot be cleaned thoroughly enough. Furthermore, the overall performance of dosing units and nebulizer heads deteriorates over time due to wear. Therefore, the respective components must be replaced regularly. Nebulizer systems are thus available that include a base unit and several nebulizer heads and / or dosing units that can be used together with the base unit.

[0005] Nebulizers also include a control unit that manages the nebulizer head and / or the dosing unit. The control unit is typically located in the base unit and has one or more sensors that, for example, determine the speed of the airflow through the nebulizer head. If sufficient airflow is present, the control unit can then activate the nebulizer head to atomize the medication.

[0006] Some nebulizers have a communication interface to transmit sensor readings to an external control or visualization device. These readings can then be used to provide the patient with feedback on their usage and potential improvements.

[0007] In general, there is a need to provide nebulizers whose handling, function, and / or operational reliability has been improved.

[0008] According to a first aspect, this problem is solved by a nebulizer with a dosing unit for providing a predetermined quantity of a therapeutic agent, wherein the therapeutic agent is supplied in a portion container that can be opened by means of pressure; wherein the dosing unit has a receiving chamber with a dosing orifice for dispensing the therapeutic agent, an orifice for inserting a portion container, and a closure body for the orifice; wherein the closure body is configured to be moved from an open position, in which the closure body releases the orifice, to a closed position, in which the closure body closes the orifice; and wherein the closure body is further configured to be moved from the closed position to an emptying position, in which the closure body exerts pressure on the portion container to open it and release the therapeutic agent.

[0009] The dispensing container may, for example, have an upper shell, a lower shell, and a sealing seam connecting the upper and lower shells. To release the therapeutic agent, the container can rupture along the sealing seam under pressure, allowing the therapeutic agent to escape. The container may also rupture only along part of the sealing seam or at other points on the upper and / or lower shell. Weakening lines may be incorporated into the respective material sections to facilitate this.

[0010] The movement of the closure body from the open position to the closed position can be linear or involve a linear movement. For example, the closure body can be a cap that is placed on top of the dispensing unit.

[0011] The movement of the closure body from the open to the closed position can be a rotating motion or include other movements. For this purpose, the closure body can be screwed onto the dosing unit from above.

[0012] The movement of the closure body from the closed position to the emptying position can also be or include a rotating movement.

[0013] The dosing unit and the closure body can have bayonet-like guide elements that allow linear movement of the closure body from the open to the closed position, and furthermore, rotational movement of the closure body from the closed to the emptying position. The guide elements can have one or more guide pins that interact with one or more guide grooves of the other element. The guide grooves can have a linear section and an inclined circumferential section. The force required to open the portion container can be determined by the angle of inclination of the circumferential section.

[0014] Alternatively, the dosing unit and the closure body can have interacting threaded sections, whereby the closure body can be moved by a screwing motion first from the open to the closed position and then further to the emptying position. Here, too, the force required to open the portion container can be determined by the pitch of the threaded sections.

[0015] The movement of the closure body from the open to the closed position and / or from the closed position to the emptying position may involve a pivoting motion. For this purpose, the closure body may be connected to the dosing unit via a joint.

[0016] In one possible embodiment of a nebulizer, the dosing unit can have a removal aid for emptied portion containers.

[0017] The removal aid can include holding elements which, when the closure body moves from the open to the closed position and / or from the closed position to the emptying position, grip the portion container and hold it in place when the closure body moves back to the open position. The emptied portion container can thus be automatically removed along with the closure body.

[0018] The dispensing aid may also include ejection devices that release the portion container from the holding elements. This allows the emptied portion container to be easily released.

[0019] In another possible design, the dispensing aid can include a lateral recess in the receiving chamber through which a handling tab of the portion container is guided. After using the nebulizer, the handling tab can then be easily grasped to remove the portion container from the receiving chamber.

[0020] In yet another version, the dispensing aid can include an ejection lever that engages the portion container on the side opposite the opening of the receiving chamber. This allows the portion container to be lifted within the receiving chamber for easy removal.

[0021] According to another aspect, the problem is solved by a nebulizer with a nebulizer head and a control unit, wherein the control unit includes at least one sensor and is configured to activate the nebulizer head depending on measured values ​​of the at least one sensor, wherein the nebulizer includes a signal transmitter which is configured to output a signal immediately perceptible to the patient, indicating an activation state of the nebulizer head, a measured value of the at least one sensor, and / or information derived therefrom.

[0022] The signal transmitter allows the patient to receive immediate feedback on the activation status of the nebulizer head or other information that may be relevant to therapy.

[0023] The signaling device can include an acoustic signaling device, such as a loudspeaker for emitting signal tones. It can also include a visual signaling device, such as one or more signal lights or LEDs.

[0024] In one possible design of a nebulizer, the signal transmitter can include a haptic signal transmitter, which can be a vibration exciter.

[0025] The vibration generator can be connected to the inside of the nebulizer housing. Nebulizers are often designed with a housing that can be easily grasped with one hand. Connecting the vibration generator to the housing allows the vibration to be perceived particularly directly by the patient. The vibration generator can be attached directly to the housing or positioned remotely and connected to it via a coupling element.

[0026] The nebulizer housing can be designed to reduce or completely prevent vibration propagation along its length. This is achieved by increasing the elasticity of the housing in the area where the vibration generator is attached. This prevents the vibration from being transmitted along the housing to unwanted areas, such as the nebulizer mouthpiece, which the patient might touch with their lips or teeth. Such vibrations could be perceived as unpleasant.

[0027] In one possible configuration, the signal generator can be set up to output at least two different signals. This allows more information to be provided to the patient.

[0028] For example, the vibration exciter can be set up to emit vibration signals with different frequencies and / or intensities.

[0029] According to another aspect, the problem is solved by a nebulizer system for a mesh nebulizer with a base unit and at least one nebulizer head and / or at least one dosing unit, which can be combined with the base unit to form a functional nebulizer, wherein the at least one dosing unit, a portion container to be inserted into the dosing unit, and / or the at least one nebulizer head are equipped with an identification feature, wherein the base unit comprises a control unit which is configured to register the identification feature of a nebulizer head, a dosing unit, and / or a portion container, and wherein the control unit is further configured to determine, on the basis of the identification feature, whether the operation of the nebulizer head, the dosing unit, and / or the portion container with the base unit is permissible.

[0030] The control unit can determine, through its appropriate design, whether the nebulizer system is to be operated with impermissible components.

[0031] If the control unit remains configured to activate the nebulizer head and / or the dosing unit only when they are authorized for use with the base unit, it can be ensured that the operational reliability of the nebulizer system is not compromised by third-party components. Third-party components could include counterfeit products or products from other manufacturers whose use in the nebulizer system is either not permitted or not desired.

[0032] The control unit may contain a list of permissible identification features. This list can be modified via a data connection to allow the use of new components or to prevent the future use of previously permitted components.

[0033] The identification feature can include an RFID chip, and the control unit can include an RFID reader. This design allows for simple and contactless registration of the identification feature.

[0034] The identification feature can include a memory chip, and the base unit and the nebulizer head, the dosing unit, and / or the portion container can be designed such that, when the base unit is combined with the nebulizer head, the dosing unit, and / or the portion container, a galvanic connection is established between the controller and the memory chip. For this purpose, the base unit and the nebulizer head or the dosing unit can have plug-in or spring-loaded contacts through which the connection is established.

[0035] In one possible implementation, the identification feature could include information about the shelf life and / or maximum usage period of the nebulizer head, the dosing unit, and / or the portion container. In addition to verifying the general suitability of the nebulizer head, dosing unit, and / or portion container, the control unit could then also check whether these components have exceeded their shelf life and / or usage period and are therefore no longer safe to use.

[0036] The control unit can be configured to write usage data back to the RFID chip or the memory chip. This allows the control unit to monitor compliance with a predefined maximum number of uses and / or a maximum usage duration after initial use.

[0037] The task is also solved by a nebulizer head for a nebulizer system, wherein the nebulizer head is equipped with an identification feature.

[0038] The task is further solved by a dosing unit and / or by a portion container for a nebulizer system, wherein the dosing unit or the portion container is equipped with an identification feature.

[0039] The task is also solved by a basic unit for a corresponding nebulizer system.

[0040] The revelation is described in more detail below using some exemplary figures, whereby the examples shown are intended only to contribute to a better understanding of the revelation, without limiting it.

[0041] They show: Fig. 1 : a nebulizer Fig. 2 : a nebulizer in an exploded view, Fig. 3a-c Portion containers Fig. 4a-d : a dosing unit, Fig. 5a, b: another dosing unit, Fig. 6 : another dosing unit, Fig. 7 : a nebulizer head, Fig. 8 : a base of a nebulizer, Fig. 9a , b: Activation patterns of a vibration exciter.

[0042] Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a nebulizer 100. The nebulizer 100 comprises a base 101 and a head 102. The base 101 and the head 102 of the nebulizer have an essentially circular cylindrical contour which can easily be grasped with one hand.

[0043] A main switch 103 is arranged at the base 101 of the nebulizer 100, with which the nebulizer 100 can be switched on and off. A mouthpiece 104 is arranged at the head 102 of the nebulizer 100.

[0044] The head 102 of the nebulizer 100 comprises a metering unit 105 and the actual nebulizer head 106, which contains an aerosol generator. In the illustrated example, the metering unit 105 and the nebulizer head 106 are shown as a single assembly; however, they can also be designed as separate assemblies.

[0045] In Figure 2 A nebulizer 200 is shown in an exploded view. The nebulizer 200 in turn comprises a base 201 and a head 202.

[0046] The base 201 of the nebulizer 200 comprises a lower housing part 210 and an upper housing part 211. The lower housing part 210 contains a control unit 212 and an energy storage device 213. The energy storage device 213 can be a battery, for example a lithium-ion battery.

[0047] The control unit 212 is connected to the main switch 203 and can be switched on and off via this switch. Furthermore, the control unit 212 is connected to an antenna assembly 214, a vibration exciter 215, and a flow sensor 216. The antenna assembly 214 serves to establish a communication connection, for example, a Bluetooth, cellular, or Wi-Fi connection. The function of the other components will be explained later.

[0048] The base 201 can also include a charging module 218, via which the energy storage device 213 can be charged wirelessly. The charging module 218 can close off the lower housing part 210 at the bottom.

[0049] The upper housing part 211 seals the base 201, thus protecting the electronic components inside from moisture. At the same time, the upper housing part 211 establishes a connection to the head 202 of the nebulizer 200.

[0050] The head 202 of the nebulizer 200 comprises a metering assembly 205 and a nebulizer head 206. The nebulizer head 206 consists of a head housing 207, to which a mouthpiece 204 is attached, and an aerosol generator 220, which is arranged in the head housing 207. Although the mouthpiece 204 is shown as a single component integrated with the head housing 207, it can also be a separate component connected to the head housing 207 via suitable connecting means. For example, the head housing 207 can have a nozzle onto which the mouthpiece 204 is attached.

[0051] The dosing unit 205 serves to dispense a defined quantity of a therapeutic agent to the aerosol generator 220. Unlike known dosing units that require manual addition of the desired quantity of therapeutic agent, the dosing unit 205 is designed to receive and process pre-filled portion containers containing the therapeutic agent. Possible designs of such portion containers are described in the Figures 3a to 3c depicted.

[0052] Figure 3a shows a portion container 300 in a perspective view, Figure 3b Figure 1 shows the same portion container 300 in a sectional view. The portion container 300 comprises an upper shell 301 and a lower shell 302, which are connected along a sealing seam 303. A volume 305 is formed between the upper shell 301 and the lower shell 302, which is filled with the therapeutic agent.

[0053] The upper shell 301 and the lower shell 302 can, for example, consist of a metal foil. Alternatively, the upper and lower shells 301, 302 can also consist of a plastic film, for example, a thermoplastic polymer. Examples of such polymers are polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or polyetheretherketone (PEEK).

[0054] The sealing seam 303 can be produced, for example, by gluing, pressing, or welding the upper shell 301 and the lower shell 302.

[0055] Figure 3c Figure 3 shows an alternative design of a portion container 300. Unlike the portion container 300, the portion container 300 has a handling tongue 310, the function of which will be explained later.

[0056] The Figures 4a-dFigure 1 shows a possible structure of the dosing unit 205. The dosing unit 205 comprises a receiving body 400 with a circumferential wall 401 and a base 402. The wall 401 and base 402 form a receiving chamber 403 with an upwardly facing opening 404, through which a portion container (not shown) can be inserted into the receiving chamber 403.

[0057] The dosing unit 205 further comprises a closure body 410 in the form of a lid, which can be placed on the receiving body 400 to close the opening 404. For this purpose, the closure body 410 has a collar 411 which surrounds the wall 401.

[0058] The locking body 410 further comprises a displacer body 412, which is designed such that when the locking body 410 is placed on the receiving body 400, it enters the receiving chamber 403.

[0059] In Figure 4aThe dosing unit 205 is shown in an open position. Figure 4b The figure shows the dosing unit in a closed position with the portion container 300 inserted. In the closed position, the displacer body 412 rests against the portion container.

[0060] Figure 4c Figure 3 shows the dosing unit 305 in an emptying position. In this position, the displacer body 412 dips deeper into the receiving chamber 403 and presses against the portion container 300, causing it to rupture and empty. The point at which the portion container 300 ruptures can be predetermined by the design. For this purpose, the upper and / or lower shells 301, 302 may have weakening lines (not shown). The therapeutic agent can then flow out through a dosing opening 415 and enter the nebulizer head (not shown).

[0061] To remove the emptied portion container from the receiving chamber 403, the closure body 410 has a removal aid in the form of gripping hooks 420 which grip the portion container 300 when the closure body 410 is moved into the emptying position.

[0062] When the locking body 410 is subsequently moved back into the open position, it takes the emptied portion container 300 with it; this is in Figure 4d depicted.

[0063] To release the emptied portion container 300 from the gripping hooks 420, the locking body 410 has a spring-loaded ejection plunger 421. This can be moved by pressing on the top of the ejection plunger to push the portion container 300 out of the gripping hooks 420.

[0064] To move the closure body 410 from the open position to the closed position and to the emptying position, a bayonet-like guide can be provided. For this purpose, a pin 430 is arranged in the collar 411, which runs in a guide groove 431 in the wall 401. The guide groove 430 extends straight down from the upper edge of the wall 401 to a depth corresponding to the closed position. The guide groove 431 then continues at an angle, allowing the closure body 410 to be moved into the emptying position in a screwing motion. The force required to empty the portion container 300 can be determined by the slope of the guide groove 431 in this section.

[0065] In the Figures 5a, 5bAn alternative embodiment of the dosing unit 205 is shown, with similar components being designated with a reference numeral increased by 100. The wall 501 of the receiving body 500 has a lateral recess 540 through which a handling tongue 310 of the portion container 300' can be guided. This handling tongue 310 can be used to remove the emptied portion container 300' from the receiving chamber 503.

[0066] In Figure 6 Another possible embodiment of the dosing unit 205 is shown, in which the closure body 610 can be moved in a pivoting motion between the open, closed, and emptying positions. For this purpose, the closure body is attached to the receiving body by a joint 650.

[0067] In the execution of the Figure 6 The closure body 610 does not have a collar, but only the displacement body 612 and a stop edge 651.

[0068] As an aid for removing empty portion containers, the dosing unit 205 in this version has an ejection lever 652 which lifts the portion container (not shown). For this purpose, the ejection lever 652 can be coupled to the closure body 612 in such a way that it automatically lifts beyond the open position by a pivoting movement of the closure body 610 (arrows 653, 654).

[0069] In Figure 7 A nebulizer head 206 is shown schematically. The nebulizer head 206 comprises a head housing 207 with a mouthpiece 204, as well as an aerosol generator 220. The internal structure of the aerosol generator 220 is not shown for the sake of clarity; it could, for example, be an ultrasonic nebulizer or a mesh nebulizer.

[0070] The airflow in the nebulizer head 206 proceeds as follows: Air flows into the nebulizer head 206 through air inlet openings 701 in the area of ​​the mouthpiece 204, and then enters the aerosol generator 220 from below and centrally through inlet openings 702. After mixing with the aerosol, the air passes through an outlet opening 703 of the aerosol generator 220 into the mouthpiece 204, and is then inhaled by the patient.

[0071] The air inlets 701 are located in the area of ​​the mouthpiece 204 to prevent accidental blockage of the air inlets 701 when using the nebulizer.

[0072] Since the airflow is driven by a negative pressure generated by the patient, a negative pressure also arises under the aerosol generator 220, which is approximately proportional to the volume flow of the inhaled air. This negative pressure is measured by the flow sensor 216, which is located below the nebulizer head 206 in the base 201.

[0073] A valve 710 is arranged between the nebulizer head 206 and the sensor 216. The valve 710 is opened by a pin 711, which is located centrally under the aerosol generator 220. The valve 710 prevents the sensor 216 from becoming contaminated when the nebulizer head 206 is not placed on the base 201.

[0074] A further valve, not shown, may be provided to prevent an airflow through the nebulizer head 206 in the opposite direction to the intended flow, for example, if a user accidentally blows into the mouthpiece 204. The additional valve is preferably a one-way valve, i.e., a valve that allows airflow in only one direction, for example, a lip valve.

[0075] Plug contacts 715 of the aerosol generator 220 connect it to the in Figure 7 The control unit, not shown, serves to activate and supply the aerosol generator 220.

[0076] The aerosol generator 720 carries an RFID chip 720, which in the illustrated embodiment is arranged in a ring around the outlet opening 703, the shape of the RFID chip 720 being primarily determined by its antenna. The RFID chip 720 can also be arranged at other locations on the aerosol generator 220. To protect it from moisture, the RFID chip can be encased in silicone.

[0077] Instead of the RFID chip 720, the aerosol generator 220 can also include a galvanically coupled memory chip. This can be connected to the control unit, for example, via the plug contacts 715.

[0078] The RFID chip 720 or the memory chip contains identification features of the aerosol generator 220 or the nebulizer head 206. These can be read by the control unit to determine whether the nebulizer head 206 is compatible with the base 201 and may be used. Furthermore, the RFID chip or memory chip can contain data about its shelf life and / or maximum usage period, as well as the number of uses already performed. This data can also be stored on the chip by the control unit after use.

[0079] The control unit also uses this data to check the suitability of using, or continuing to use, the nebulizer head with the Base 201. In case of a negative result, the control unit may refrain from activating the nebulizer head and, if necessary, issue a fault message.

[0080] In Figure 8Figure 1 shows a section of the lower housing part 210 of the base 201 of a nebulizer, with part of the housing wall shown broken out.

[0081] The vibration exciter 215 is attached to the housing wall at a point on the housing part 210 that is approximately opposite the mouthpiece (not shown). This location is chosen so that a vibration generated by the vibration exciter 215 is easily perceived by a user of the nebulizer.

[0082] To prevent the vibration from spreading to areas of the nebulizer where vibration is undesirable, the mounting point of the vibration exciter 215 is surrounded by a damping material layer 801 which does not transmit the vibrations or only transmits them in a damped manner.

[0083] Areas where vibration is undesirable include, in particular, the mouthpiece.

[0084] The damping material layer preferably has a higher elasticity than the surrounding material; it can, for example, consist of silicone or EPDM rubber.

[0085] The vibration exciter 215 is used to give a user of the nebulizer feedback about its use.

[0086] The control unit 212 activates the nebulizer head 206 depending on the airflow measured by the sensor 216. However, since the user cannot immediately perceive this activation, correct application is difficult for the user to control.

[0087] To improve this, the control unit 212 can activate the vibration exciter simultaneously with the nebulizer head 216, so that the user receives direct feedback.

[0088] In addition to providing direct feedback on activation, the control unit 212 can also convey further information to the user via the vibration exciter 215.

[0089] For example, if a user's breath duration does not correspond to the desired activation duration of the nebulizer head 206, the control unit 212 can keep the vibrator 215 activated after the breath has ended, thus signaling to the user that they should inhale for a longer time. The duration of this continued activation can be dynamically adjusted by the control unit 212 to gradually guide the user towards the desired breath duration without causing frustration. Similarly, dynamic adjustment can be made to slowly guide the user towards their physiologically determined maximum breath length.

[0090] The control unit 212 can also provide feedback to the user if the breathing is too weak or too strong. For this purpose, the vibration generator 215 can be activated with a different frequency and / or intensity.

[0091] Possible activation patterns of the vibration exciter are in the Figures 9a, b depicted.

[0092] Figure 9a The diagram shows two breaths. The longitudinal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the volume flow rate V' of the inhaled air, each in arbitrary units. A maximum volume flow rate V'max and a minimum volume flow rate V'min, required or permissible for the correct functioning of the Aerosol Generator 220, are also shown.

[0093] The activation state I of the vibration generator 215 is shown on the lower vertical axis (below the longitudinal axis). The vibration generator 215 is activated during both breaths when the volume flow rate exceeds min, and deactivated after reaching a predetermined activation time of the aerosol generator 220.

[0094] In the Figure 9bA similar diagram is shown with two breaths. The first breath is shorter than the intended activation time of the aerosol generator 220. Therefore, the vibration exciter 215 continues to be activated even after the breath has ended.

[0095] The second breath in the diagram of the Figure 9b The display shows a sharply decreasing volume flow at the end. This is signaled to the user by the fact that the vibration exciter 215 is activated with a changed intensity as soon as the volume flow falls below the minimum V' min.

[0096] Returning to Figure 2It is evident that the entire nebulizer 200 has a highly modular design and can therefore be easily modified in its configuration. For example, instead of the closed dosing unit 205, manual dosing of a therapeutic agent into the aerosol generator 220 can be provided; for this purpose, the dosing unit 205 would be replaced by a removable cover (not shown) which closes the nebulizer head 206.

[0097] The nebulizer head 206 is additionally designed so that the aerosol generator 220 can be removed for cleaning purposes and / or replaced in case of wear. At the same time, the aerosol generator 220 is designed as a rotationally symmetrical component, which can also be easily integrated into other systems, e.g., into stationary inhalation or ventilation devices.

[0098] The exemplary embodiments described above serve only to illustrate various aspects of the invention. Each of the described aspects can also solve some of the problems of the invention and achieve the aforementioned advantages without implementing other aspects.

Claims

1. Nebulizer system for a mesh nebulizer (200) for generating and introducing an aerosol into the airways of a patient with a base unit (201) and at least one mesh-nebulizer head (106, 206) and at least one dosing unit (205), for providing a predetermined amount of a therapeutic agent, wherein the therapeutic agent is supplied to the nebulizer head by the dosing unit from a portion container which can be opened by means of pressure, wherein the dosing unit has an accommodation chamber with a dosing opening for dispensing the therapeutic agent, an opening for introducing a portion container and a locking body for the opening, wherein the locking body is adapted to be moved from an open position, in which the locking body exposes the opening, to a closed position, in which the locking body closes the opening; which can be combined with the base unit to form a functional nebulizer, wherein the at least one nebulizer head (106, 206) is equipped with an identification attribute, wherein the base unit comprises a control unit which is adapted to register the identification attribute of the nebulizer head (206) and wherein the control unit is configured to determine, on the basis of the identification attribute, whether the operation of the nebulizer head (206) with the base unit is permissible, and wherein the identification attribute comprises a memory chip, wherein the base unit and the nebulizer head (206) are designed such that a galvanic connection is established between the control unit and the memory chip when the base unit is combined with the nebulizer head (206).

2. Nebulizer system according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit is arranged to activate the nebulizer head (206) only when use with the base unit is allowed.

3. Nebulizer system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identification attribute contains information about a shelf life and / or a maximum period of use of the nebulizer head (206).

4. Nebulizer system according to claim 3, characterized in that the control device is set up to write usage data back to the RFID chip (720) or the memory chip.