Nozzle for product dispensing device

Abstract

The invention relates to a nozzle (3) for a delivery device (1) for a product (P) in powder form, comprising: - a delivery conduit (9), including a delivery opening (11) configured to open freely into a user's respiratory tract, - a grid (13) disposed transversely in the delivery conduit (9), - a solid wall (15) disposed in the delivery conduit (9) around the grid (13) so as to form a delivery restriction (17), the delivery restriction (17) having a cross-sectional area smaller than the minimum cross-sectional area of ​​the delivery conduit (9). The invention further relates to a delivery device (1) for inhalation of a product (P) in powder form comprising such a nozzle (3). Figure for the abstract: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Tip for product dispensing device

[0001] The invention relates to the field of devices for dispensing products in powder form, in particular by inhalation.

[0002] Already known in the prior art, in particular from document EP1270034B1, is a device for dispensing a product by inhalation comprising a mouthpiece allowing the dispensing by inhalation of a product in powder form, during a user's inspiration phase, for example for nasopharyngeal or pulmonary application. The product in dry powder form is initially contained in a capsule, and is for example composed of an active product and lactose, which allows the product to be preserved in powder form. The capsule is placed in a housing, which communicates with the outside via holes, then a user pierces the capsule using needles, which allows the product in powder form to be released from the capsule. Once the capsule is pierced, the user takes an inspiration.This creates an airflow, which passes through the housing, around the capsule to set it in motion and expel the powder. The airflow mixes with the powder, generating the medication aerosol. The aerosol then passes through the nozzle and is directed towards the user's airways. Thus, the powdered product is distributed thanks to the airflow created by the user's inhalation. However, in some cases, the user's inhalation may be ineffective, particularly when the airflow is too weak.

[0003] When the airflow is too low, the dry powder particles are not properly deagglomerated. Indeed, the air acts as a deagglomerator or dispersant of the powder particles, whether through the direct interaction of the air with the powder or indirectly through the rotation or movement of the capsule containing the powder. When the particles are not properly deagglomerated, they may be deposited in an undesired area, for example the inner wall of the mouthpiece, the mouth or the throat, thereby reducing the effective quantity of inhaled product.

[0004] Therefore, the quality of the dispensing provided by the device disclosed in this document depends greatly on the quality of the inspiration, so that it does not ensure that the product in powder form is always dispensed efficiently.

[0005] To remedy this failure, the invention aims in particular to propose a tip for a device for dispensing a product in powder form, which makes it possible to ensure that the product in powder form is dispensed more efficiently regardless of or the airflow generated.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a tip for a device for dispensing a product in powder form, comprising:

[0007] - a distribution conduit, comprising a distribution opening configured to open freely into a user's airway,

[0008] - a grid arranged transversely in the distribution duct,

[0009] - a solid wall arranged in the distribution duct around the grid so as to to form a distribution restriction, the distribution restriction having a passage section less than the minimum passage section of the distribution duct.

[0010] This distribution restriction thus corresponds to the smallest passage section of the entire distribution duct, in other words to the smallest passage section of an air flow passing through the distribution duct.

[0011] Indeed, thanks to the distribution restriction, that is to say the restriction of the passage section of the air flow carrying the product, turbulence is generated in the air flow which combines with that generated by the holes in the grid and which improves the deagglomeration of the product. Consequently, the distribution of the product is improved. It is noted that by using the invention, fewer variations in doses distributed are generated depending on the users. Such repeatability is particularly interesting because inspirations can be very different depending on the users, for example in the case of an athlete or a user with breathing difficulties. In addition, the invention thus proposes to distribute a more homogeneous quantity of product, correctly deagglomerated and little dependent on the quality of inspiration, but also a better targeted distribution towards the desired area, namely generally the lungs.

[0012] By cross-section or cross-arrangement is meant a section or an arrangement along a plane arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the distribution conduit.

[0013] According to other optional characteristics of the tip, taken alone or in combination:

[0014] - The distribution duct extends longitudinally.

[0015] - The distribution of product in powder form is carried out by inhalation.

[0016] - The space extending longitudinally from the grid towards the opening of dis The distribution is free, resulting in a distribution conduit that is particularly simple to manufacture and easy to remove from the mold.

[0017] - The grid has a thickness of between 1 and 10 millimeters, preferably close to 1.3 millimeters or 2.5 millimeters.

[0018] - The grid comprises a plurality of holes. Preferably, the grid comprises between 20 and 50 holes, more preferably between 35 and 40 holes.

[0019] - The holes are polygonal or circular in shape, preferably in shape hexagonal.

[0020] - The grid has a honeycomb structure.

[0021] - The largest transverse dimension of the holes is less than or equal to the thickness of the grid.

[0022] - The mouthpiece is a mouthpiece.

[0023] - The grid is arranged at one end of the distribution duct opposite to the dispensing opening. Thus, the product passing through the grid undergoes optimal deagglomeration before the product exits through the dispensing opening.

[0024] - The distribution conduit comprises a constant or increasing passage section from the grid to the dispensing opening. Thus, the deposit of product in the dispensing duct is reduced, due to the fact that it does not have a shape with internal projections, which improves the efficiency of product dispensing.

[0025] - The distribution duct has an elliptical passage section. Such a section is particularly adapted to the shape of the user's mouth.

[0026] - The distribution duct has a minimum internal dimension in section transverse which is between 15 and 30 millimeters, preferably between 20 and 25 millimeters, more preferably is equal to approximately 22.5 millimeters. Thus, we have a tip with a relatively large internal diameter, allowing the product not to be transported at too high a speed, which increases the efficiency of product distribution.

[0027] - The distribution conduit is tubular and the minimum internal dimension in cross-section corresponds to its diameter.

[0028] - The grid is circular.

[0029] - The ratio S1 / S2 between the surface area of ​​the minimum passage section SI of the duct of distribution and surface area of ​​the cross-section S2 of the grid is between 2 and 7. Thus, such a ratio makes it possible to generate turbulence improving the deagglomeration of the product.

[0030] - The distribution opening has a diameter Dl, the grid has a diameter D2 and the ratio D1 / D2 between the diameter D1 of the distribution opening and the diameter D2 of the grid is between 1.1 and 5, preferably between 1.5 and 2.5, and more preferably equal to approximately 1.9. Thus, such a ratio makes it possible to generate turbulence improving the deagglomeration of the product and the repeatability of the distribution.

[0031] - “Diameter of the dispensing opening” means the diameter of the smallest circle inscribed inside the opening in cross section. It is understood that in the case where the distribution opening is circular, this is its diameter.

[0032] - “Grid diameter” means the diameter of the smallest circle surrounding the grid in cross section, for example the circle circumscribed by the holes in the grid. It is understood that in the case where the grid is circular, this is its external diameter.

[0033] - The surface of the solid wall facing the distribution opening is coplanar with the surface of the grid facing the distribution opening.

[0034] - The grid is centered in a passage section of the distribution duct. By centered means that the smallest circle surrounding the grid in cross-section and the smallest circle inscribed inside the distribution duct in this cross-section are concentric. Thus, the distribution of the product is improved.

[0035] - The solid wall is made of the same material as the distribution duct or the grid or with the distribution duct (9) and the grid (13). Thus, manufacturing is simplified, due to the saving of an assembly step.

[0036] - The solid wall is attached to the distribution duct.

[0037] - The tip is made entirely of material. Thus, manufacturing is simplified, from the fact that we do away with any assembly step to produce such a tip, particularly compared to a tip having an oscillating element in a chamber to generate turbulence.

[0038] - The tip is made of thermoplastic material, preferably polypropylene or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

[0039] - The end piece is U-shaped in longitudinal section, the core of the U being formed by the solid wall and the grid, and the branches of the U being formed by the distribution duct.

[0040] The invention also relates to a device for dispensing by inhalation a product in powder form comprising a tip as described above.

[0041] According to other optional characteristics of the dispensing device, taken alone or in combination:

[0042] - The dispensing device comprises a metering chamber configured to contain product in powder form, which includes an air inlet and an outlet, the nozzle being connected directly to the outlet of the dosing chamber.

[0043] - The dispensing device comprises means actuable by a user and configured to break the integrity of a capsule containing powdered product disposed in the dosing chamber.

[0044] - The capsule is arranged transversely in the dosing chamber (and not longitudinally) tudinally). Brief description of the figures

[0045] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0046] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of a dispensing device comprising a tip according to one embodiment.

[0047] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a longitudinal sectional view of the dispensing device shown in [Fig.l].

[0048] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a top view of a portion of the dispensing device shown in [Fig.l]. Detailed description

[0049] In all the figures, the same references refer to the same elements. The following embodiments are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference relates to the same embodiment, or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments can also be combined to provide other embodiments.

[0050] [Fig. 1], designated by the general reference 1, shows a device for dispensing a product by inhalation in powder form.

[0051] As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the product dispensing device 1 comprises a nozzle 3, a dosing chamber 5 and a storage chamber 7.

[0052] The tip 3 is in this example a mouthpiece. It comprises a distribution conduit 9 extending longitudinally. The distribution conduit 9 comprises a distribution opening 11 configured to open freely into a respiratory tract of a user, for example the mouth. The tip 3 also comprises a grid 13 arranged transversely in the distribution conduit 9. The tip 3 further comprises a solid wall 15 arranged in the distribution conduit 9 around the grid 13 so as to form a distribution restriction 17, the distribution restriction 17 having a passage section smaller than the minimum passage section of the distribution conduit 9. The space extending longitudinally from the grid 13 to the distribution opening 11 is free. In this example, the tip 3 is entirely made of a single material. The tip 3 is made of thermoplastic material. As seen in [Fig.2], the end piece 3 is U-shaped in longitudinal section, the core of the U being formed by the solid wall 15 and the grid 13, and the branches of the U being formed by the distribution duct 9.

[0053] The distribution conduit 9 comprises a constant or increasing passage section from the grid 13 to the distribution opening 11. In this example, the distribution conduit 9 comprises a constant passage section from the grid 13 to the distribution opening 11. According to a variant not shown, the distribution conduit comprises a passage section of elliptical shape.

[0054] The distribution conduit 9 has a minimum internal dimension in cross section which is between 15 and 30 millimeters, preferably between 20 and 25 millimeters, more preferably is equal to approximately 22.5 millimeters. More precisely in this example, the distribution conduit 9 is tubular and the minimum internal dimension in cross section corresponds to its diameter D1.

[0055] As shown in [Fig.2], the grid 13 is arranged at one end of the distribution duct 9 opposite the distribution opening 11. The grid 13 is centered in a passage section of the distribution duct 9. The grid 13 has a thickness of between 1 and 10 millimeters, preferably close to 1.3 millimeters or 2.5 millimeters. The grid also comprises a plurality of holes 19. Preferably, the grid 13 comprises between 20 and 50 holes, more preferably between 35 and 40 holes. In this example, the grid 13 comprises 37 holes. The holes 19 are polygonal or circular in shape, preferably hexagonal in shape. The grid 13 is circular and has a honeycomb structure, visible in particular in Figures 2 and 3. The largest transverse dimension of the holes 19 is in this example equal to 1.34 millimeters, less than or equal to the thickness of the grid which is 2.5 millimeters in this example.Thus, the holes 19 are formed as longitudinal holes. The ratio S1 / S2 between the surface area of ​​the minimum passage section SI of the distribution duct 9 and the surface area of ​​the cross-section S2 of the grid 13 is between 2 and 7. The distribution opening 11 has a diameter D1 equal to 22.5 millimeters, the grid has a diameter D2 equal to 11.6 millimeters and the ratio D1 / D2 between the diameter D1 of the distribution opening and the diameter D2 of the grid is equal to 1.9 in this example.

[0056] The solid wall 15 is integral with the distribution duct 9 and with the grid 13. As shown in [Fig. 2], the surface of the solid wall 15 facing the distribution opening 11 is coplanar with the surface of the grid 13 facing the distribution opening 11. Such an end piece 3 is for example obtained by injection molding. Alternatively, according to a variant not shown, the solid wall is attached to the distribution duct, for example snapped into the distribution duct.

[0057] The metering chamber 5 is configured to contain product in powder form, which comprises an air inlet 21 and an outlet 23, the nozzle 3 being connected directly to the outlet 23 of the metering chamber 5. For example, the nozzle 3 is fixed to the metering chamber 5 by snap-fastening. The air inlet 21 is arranged tangentially in the metering chamber 5, the outlet 23 being arranged longitudinally on the side of the nozzle 3. Thus, an air flow entering via the air inlet 21 is swirled in the metering chamber 5.

[0058] The dispensing device 1 further comprises means 25 actuable by a user and configured to break the integrity of a capsule 26 containing product P in powder form arranged in the dosing chamber 5. The capsule 26 is arranged transversely in the dosing chamber 5. Thus, the capsule 26 is not arranged longitudinally in the dosing chamber 5. In this example, the means 25 are perforation means comprising two sliding buttons 27 arranged on either side of the dosing chamber 5, each supporting at least one needle 29 configured to perforate the capsule 26 and release the product P in powder form when an air flow passes into the dosing chamber 5. Each sliding button 27 comprises, for example, a return element, such as a spring 31. Thus, each return element is configured to return the respective sliding button 27 from a perforation position to a rest position.

[0059] Alternatively, according to a variant not shown, the performance means are tips.

[0060] The storage chamber 7 has a container shape. The storage chamber 7 is configured for storing a plurality of powdered product capsules. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the storage chamber 7 is removably snapped into place with the dosing chamber 5.

[0061] In this example, it was found that the variability of the dose of product distributed effectively as a function of the generated air flow is significantly lower compared to that of an existing commercial distribution device of the aforementioned type. Thus, for an air flow of between 30 L / min and 100 L / min, the variability of the dose of product deagglomerated in the form of particles smaller than 5 μm and distributed effectively in the lungs of a user is of the order of 15.6% whereas the commercial device has a variability under the same conditions of 28%.

[0062] The invention is not limited to the embodiments presented and other embodiments will become clear to those skilled in the art. The external shape of the nozzle 3 may in particular be of any type, since this external shape has no influence on the air flow passing inside the nozzle 3, in the distribution duct 9. List of references

[0063] 1: distribution device 3: tip 5: dosing chamber 7: storage room 9: distribution duct 11: distribution opening 13: grid 15: solid wall 17: Distribution choke 19: hole 21: air inlet 23: exit 25: means 26: capsule 27: sliding button 29: needle 31: spring DI: diameter of the distribution opening 11 D2: grid diameter 13 SI: minimum passage section of the distribution duct 9 S2: cross section of grid 13 P: product

Claims

Claims

1. End piece (3) for a device (1) for dispensing a product (P) in powder form, comprising: - a dispensing conduit (9), comprising a dispensing opening (11) configured to open freely into a respiratory tract of a user, - a grid (13) arranged transversely in the dispensing conduit (9), - a solid wall (15) arranged in the dispensing conduit (9) around the grid (13) so as to form a dispensing restriction (17), the dispensing restriction (17) having a passage section smaller than the minimum passage section of the dispensing conduit (9), the surface of the solid wall (15) facing the dispensing opening (11) being coplanar with the surface of the grid (13) facing the dispensing opening (11).

2. Mouthpiece (3) according to the preceding claim, which is a mouthpiece.

3. End piece (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the grid (13) is arranged at one end of the distribution conduit (9) opposite the distribution opening (11).

4. End piece (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the distribution conduit (9) comprises a constant or increasing passage section from the grid (13) to the distribution opening (11).

5. End piece (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the distribution conduit (9) has a minimum internal dimension in cross section which is between 15 and 30 millimeters, preferably between 20 and 25 millimeters, more preferably is equal to approximately 22.5 millimeters.

6. End piece (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the ratio S1 / S2 between the surface area of ​​the minimum passage section SI of the distribution duct (9) and the surface area of ​​the cross-section S2 of the grid (13) is between 2 and 7.

7. End piece (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the dispensing opening (11) has a diameter D1, the grid (13) has a diameter D2 and the ratio D1 / D2 between the diameter D1 of the distribution opening (11) and the diameter D2 of the grid (13) is between 1.1 and 5, preferably between 1.5 and 2.5, and more preferably equal to approximately 1.

9.

8. End piece (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the grid (13) is centered in a passage section of the distribution duct (9).

9. End piece (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the solid wall (15) is made in one piece with the distribution conduit (9) or with the grid (13) or with the distribution conduit (9) and the grid (13).

10. End piece (3) according to the preceding claim, which is made entirely of material.

11. Device (1) for dispensing by inhalation of product (P) in powder form comprising a nozzle (3) according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. Dispensing device (1) according to the preceding claim, which comprises a dosing chamber (5) configured to contain product (P) in powder form, which comprises an air inlet (21) and an outlet (23), the nozzle (3) being connected directly to the outlet (23) of the dosing chamber (5).

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