Inhalation devices for horses

Abstract

The invention relates to an inhalation device (7) with an inhalation mask (6) for attachment to the head of a horse in order to treat the horse's airways with aerosol, or optionally only to moisten them. According to the invention, the inhalation mask (6) covers the horse's head only in the nasal area (5) encompassing the nostrils (4). Preferably, the inhalation mask (6) has a contact surface (8) adapted to the shape of the nasal area (5).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an inhalation device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Inhalation devices are used in equestrian sports to treat the respiratory tract of horses with an aerosol. For example, inhalation devices known from WO 2018 / 233737 A1 feature a cap-like inhalation mask that covers the entire mouth area of ​​the horse's head. Inhalation devices with an inhalation mask that only covers the nose area of ​​the horse's head, including the nostrils, are disclosed in DE 103 22 505 A1, EP 0 537 991 A2, GB 2 111 838 A, and FR 2991 571 A1. The aforementioned EP 0 537 991 A2 describes an inhalation device that is completely formed by a mask assembly.

[0003] The invention is based on the object of creating a new inhalation device of the type mentioned at the beginning, which impairs the horse's movements less than known such devices.

[0004] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0005] Advantageously, such an inhalation device with a mask assembly essentially covering the nose area up to the noseband of the bridle or halter can be attached to the horse's head and remain in operation while riding, possibly even during a horse race.

[0006] According to the invention, the mask assembly is designed for attachment to the noseband of the bridle or halter. In conjunction with the contact surface adapted to the shape of the nose, the mask assembly thus attached provides a firm hold on the horse's head.

[0007] According to the invention, the inhalation mask is formed by a mask assembly having at least means for aerosol formation.

[0008] The mask assembly can include the complete inhalation device. Alternatively, components of the inhalation device can be connected to the bridle or halter separately from the mask assembly.

[0009] In such an embodiment, the components separated from the mask assembly can be connected to the neck strap of the bridle or halter. The components of the inhalation device separated from the mask assembly can be combined into a further assembly.

[0010] The inhalation unit and / or the additional unit can be conveniently connected to the bridle or halter using a Velcro fastener.

[0011] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the mask assembly has a secondary air channel that facilitates inhalation and exhalation.

[0012] A control device for controlling aerosol formation can be designed in such a way that aerosol formation is prevented during the exhalation phases.

[0013] The invention is further explained below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings relating to one of these exemplary embodiments. They show: Fig. 1a schematic representation of an inhalation device attached to a bridle, Fig. 2a the components of the inhalation device of Fig. 1 schematic representation, and Fig. 3 a contact surface of the inhalation device adapted to the shape of a horse's nose, Fig. 1 und 2 .

[0014] At the Fig. 1 A bridle 1 with a noseband 2 and a neck strap 3 is attached to the horse's head shown in the figure. A nose section 5 of the horse's head, encompassing the horse's nostrils 4, is covered with a mask assembly 6 shown by dashed lines, which in the example shown includes all of the Fig. 2 schematically illustrated components of an inhalation device 7. The horse can inhale an aerosol acting on the respiratory tract via the inhalation device 7. The inhalation device 7 can also be used to moisten the horse's respiratory tract without releasing a medicinal aerosol. The latter is particularly suitable for horses with chronic bronchitis (COPO). The inhalation device 7 opens up the possibility of using such horses as riding horses.

[0015] The mask assembly 6 has a Fig. 3 The mask has a contact surface 8 shown, which is adapted to the shape of the nose area 5 of the horse's head. This adaptation ensures that the mask assembly 6 is securely held on the horse's head. It is also attached to the noseband 2, preferably by a hook-and-loop fastener 10. If necessary, further attachment can be achieved via a strap 9 that wraps around the lower jaw area of ​​the horse's head. Fig. 3 As can also be seen, outlet openings 11 open into the contact surface 8, which, when the mask assembly 6 is in place, are aligned with the horse's nostrils 4. The nostrils 4 are connected to aerosol generation devices via the outlet openings 11 and to the outside environment via a ring-shaped secondary air duct 12.

[0016] As already mentioned above, the mask assembly 6 contains all of the Fig. 2 schematically shown components that form a complete inhalation device 7.

[0017] A housing 13, the side of which facing the nose portion 5 forms the conformal contact surface 8 with the outlet openings 11, houses a liquid tank 14 for holding an aerosol-forming liquid, a rechargeable battery 15, an electronic control unit 16, and an atomizer unit 17. The piezo-based atomizer unit 17 is connected to the liquid tank 14 and the battery 15, the latter also supplying the unit 16 with operating current, which controls the aerosol formation by the atomizer unit 17.

[0018] Aerosol outlet areas 18 of the atomizer unit 17 are aligned with the outlet openings 11 opening into the contact surface 8. The above-mentioned secondary air ducts 12 open into the open air at 19 in the wall of the housing 13.

[0019] The control unit 16 comprises a communication device (not shown) for wirelessly receiving control signals, in particular on and off signals, which are emitted by a control device carried by a rider, for example, or possibly a mobile phone. It is understood that a manual switch for switching the inhalation device 7 on and off can also be provided on the housing 13.

[0020] When the inhalation device 7, which is attached to the noseband 2 and, if applicable, via the strap 9, is in operation, the aerosol 20, which promotes the horse's breathing, passes through the outlet openings 11 into the nostrils 4 and thus into the respiratory tract. Air flowing through the nostrils during exhalation can escape to the outside via the secondary air ducts 12 and the openings 19.

[0021] A sensor (not shown) connected to the control unit 16 which detects the outlet flow can provide a control signal which interrupts the formation of aerosol 20 during the exhalation phases and thus reduces the liquid consumption in the tank 14.

[0022] Deviating from the example shown, in which all components of the inhalation device 7 are combined in the mask assembly 6, components of the inhalation device 7 could also be arranged in a separate assembly or several such assemblies, wherein the mask assembly possibly contains only the atomizer unit 17, which is then connected to the remaining components via supplied cables and lines. Such separate assemblies could, for example, be connected to the neck strap 3, in particular via a hook-and-loop fastener.

[0023] By distributing the components, the wearing comfort of the inhalation device 7 can be improved, which is particularly advantageous when using the inhalation device while riding at high speed, e.g. during a horse race.

Claims

1. Inhalation device (7) having an inhalation mask for attaching to the head of a horse, wherein the attached inhalation mask covers the horse's head only in a nose region (5) comprising the nostrils (4), the inhalation mask has a contact surface (8) which is adapted to the shape of the nose region (5), and wherein the inhalation mask is formed by a mask assembly (6) having at least apparatuses (17) for aerosol formation, characterized in that the mask assembly (6) with the contact surface (8) covers the nose region (5) from the free end of the horse's head up to the noseband (2) of a halter or of a bit bridle (1) and in that the mask assembly (6) is designed to be fastenable to the noseband (2).

2. Inhalation device (7) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the inhalation mask or the mask assembly (6) has outlet openings (11) for aerosol which open in the contact surface (8), wherein the outlet openings (11) are aligned with the nostrils (4).

3. Inhalation device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mask assembly (6) comprises the complete inhalation device (7) or in that parts of the complete inhalation device (7) are designed to be connectable, separate from the mask assembly (6), to the halter or the bit bridle (1).

4. Inhalation device (7) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the parts separate from the mask assembly (6) are designed to be connectable to the headpiece (3) of the halter or of the bit bridle (1).

5. Inhalation device (7) according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the parts of the inhalation device (7) separate from the mask assembly (6) are combined in an additional assembly.

6. Inhalation device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the mask assembly (6) or / and the additional assembly is / are connectable to the halter or the bit bridle (1) by means of a touch-and-close fastener.

7. Inhalation device (7) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the inhalation mask comprises a secondary air channel (12).

8. Inhalation device (7) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the inhalation device (7) has controllers (16) for interrupting the aerosol formation in the exhalation phase.

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