Fluid product dispensing device
The nasal dispensing device addresses the issue of inefficient fluid delivery to the ethmoids by using a central axial channel to create a narrow spray cone, enhancing deposition in the target area.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- APTAR FRANCE SAS
- Filing Date
- 2024-05-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-22
AI Technical Summary
Existing nasal delivery devices are ineffective in delivering a significant portion of the fluid dose to the olfactory zone, particularly the ethmoids, due to the wide spray cone angle exceeding 60°, which is blocked by the anterior parts of the nostril.
A nasal dispensing device with a unique spray profile comprising a hollow insert and a central axial channel that generates a conical spray with an angle of less than 60°, preferably between 10° and 30°, by directing fluid through a central and lateral flow into a vortex chamber, enhancing deposition in the ethmoids.
The device achieves improved deposition of the fluid in the ethmoids by generating a narrow spray cone, promoting higher delivery efficiency to the target area.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Fluid product dispensing device
[0001] The present invention relates to a device for dispensing a fluid product. More particularly, the present invention relates to a single-dose nasal dispensing device for dispensing a pharmaceutical fluid product into the nose of a user by means of a single nasal spray.
[0002] Nasal delivery devices are well known. They generally comprise a reservoir containing one or more doses of fluid product and a dispensing head that moves relative to said reservoir to dispense the fluid product, notably via a pump, a metering valve, or a piston sliding within said reservoir. When the user wishes to use the device, they insert the dispensing head into the nostril and activate the device to dispense a dose of fluid product, generally in the form of a spray.
[0003] A drawback of prior art devices concerns the effectiveness of the dose delivered to the nostril, particularly when the delivered fluid is intended to act on the brain. Indeed, only a minimal portion of the dose generally reaches the target area for this type of treatment, namely the olfactory zone including the ethmoids, primarily due to the conical shape of the spray in the nostril at the device's outlet. However, it appears that a spray cone that is too wide is not optimal for achieving maximum deposition in the target area. Thus, a standard spray typically forms a cone with an angle greater than or equal to approximately 60°, such that a large portion of the product is blocked by the anterior parts of the nostril.
[0004] US patents US1155608 and WO2018109409A1 describe nasal inhalation devices that use an external positioning device to correctly orient the delivery head in the user's nostril. This implementation improves the deposition of the fluid product on the target area, but this improvement remains limited due to the flared shape of the spray at the device's outlet.
[0005] The present invention aims to provide a fluid product distribution device that does not reproduce the aforementioned disadvantages.
[0006] More particularly, the present invention aims to provide a fluid product distribution device that improves the deposition of active product in the olfactory zone of the nostril, particularly at the level of the ethmoids.
[0007] The present invention also aims to provide such a device which generates a spray angle of less than 60°.
[0008] The present invention also aims to provide such a device which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.
[0009] The present invention therefore relates to a fluid product dispensing device comprising a reservoir containing fluid product, in particular a single dose of fluid product, a dispensing head provided with a dispensing orifice, a hollow insert being disposed in said dispensing head, upstream of said dispensing orifice, said hollow insert defining an expulsion channel and, in cooperation with a bottom wall of said dispensing head, a spray profile directly upstream of said dispensing orifice, said spray profile comprising a sleeve forming the proximal axial end of said hollow insert, said sleeve comprising at least one radial opening, each radial opening being connected on the one hand to said expulsion channel and on the other hand to a respective external axial channel extending axially along the external surface of said sleeve,each external axial channel being connected at its proximal axial end to a transverse, not radial, channel leading to a vortex chamber disposed at the center of an axial end face of said sleeve, directly opposite said distribution orifice, said sleeve further comprising a central axial channel connected on one side to said expulsion channel and on the other side to said vortex chamber.
[0010] Advantageously, said sleeve comprises two diametrically opposed radial openings, two diametrically opposed external axial channels and two diametrically opposed non-radial transverse channels.
[0011] Advantageously, said device comprises a movable piston-plug in said reservoir between a rest position and an actuation position to distribute fluid product through said distribution orifice upon actuation, said insert comprising at its distal end a drilling point for piercing said piston-plug and thus connecting said reservoir to said distribution orifice upon actuation.
[0012] Advantageously, said drill tip is molded as a single piece with said insert.
[0013] Alternatively, said drill tip is made separately and then assembled in said insert, in particular by press fitting or by overmolding.
[0014] Advantageously, said reservoir is formed by a hollow and blind body, comprising a bottom and a single opening which, in the rest position, is sealed tightly by said piston-plug.
[0015] Advantageously, said reservoir contains a single dose of fluid product dispensed in a single actuation.
[0016] Advantageously, said spray profile generates, when the device is actuation, a conical spray with a spray angle of less than 60°.
[0017] Advantageously, said spray angle is between approximately 10° and approximately 30°.
[0018] Advantageously, said central axial channel has a diameter between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, especially between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm.
[0019] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, and in which:
[0020] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a device distribution of fluid product according to an advantageous embodiment, in a rest position before actuation,
[0021] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the insert forming a spray profile, according to an advantageous embodiment,
[0022] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective view of the insert of [Fig.2],
[0023] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic cross-sectional view of the insert of the [Fig. 3], and
[0024] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a schematic perspective cut-out view of part of the fluid product distribution device of [Fig.1].
[0025] The terms "proximal" and "distal" refer to the distribution orifice. The terms "axial", "transverse", and "radial" refer to the longitudinal central axis of the device. The term "upstream" refers to the direction of fluid flow during actuation. The terms "up" and "down" refer to the upright position of the device shown in [Fig. 1].
[0026] With reference to the figures, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown, which is a unit dose, that is to say that the reservoir contains a single dose of fluid product distributed in a single actuation.
[0027] In this embodiment, a reservoir 10 containing the fluid product to be dispensed, typically a liquid, is disposed inside a body forming a dispensing head 20. This dispensing head 20 has an axially oriented dispensing orifice 21. This dispensing orifice 21 serves to dispense a dose of the fluid product from said dispensing head 20 when the device is actuation by a user.
[0028] The distribution head 20 comprises an elongated nasal tip 22 having at its proximal axial end said distribution orifice 21, as well as a lateral body 24, connected to said nasal tip 22 at the level of a radial flange 23.
[0029] A hollow insert 60 is disposed in the distribution head 20, upstream of said distribution orifice 21, said hollow insert 60 defining an expulsion channel 61 and, in cooperation with the bottom wall of the distribution head 20, a spray profile 62 directly upstream of said distribution orifice 21.
[0030] The insert 60 comprises an elongated cylindrical body 64 which contains said expulsion channel 61.
[0031] The channel 61 terminates at its lower end with a drill point 40. This drill point 40 can be molded as a single piece with the insert 60. Alternatively, It could be made separately, for example from metal or another synthetic material than that of the insert, and then assembled into the insert, for example by press fitting or overmolding. The drill point 40 extends axially downwards beyond the elongated cylindrical body 64.
[0032] The reservoir 10 is formed by a hollow, blind body with a single opening closed by a piston stopper 50. In the example shown, which is a single-dose unit, the reservoir 10 contains a single dose of fluid product to be dispensed with a single actuation of the device. The piston stopper 50 is movable within the reservoir 10 between a rest position and an actuation end position to dispense said fluid product through the dispensing orifice 21 upon actuation.
[0033] Actuation means 30 are advantageously provided to allow the device to be actuation.
[0034] In the embodiment of [Fig.1], these actuation means 30 comprise an actuation body 31 movable relative to the distribution head 20, said actuation body 31 cooperating with said reservoir 10 to move it axially relative to the distribution head 20, in the direction of the distribution orifice 21.
[0035] According to the invention, the spray profile 62 is formed by a sleeve 620 of the hollow insert 60 forming the proximal axial end of said insert 60 disposed just upstream of the distribution orifice 21.
[0036] This sleeve 620 has at least one radial opening 621. Each radial opening 621 is connected on one side to said expulsion channel 61 and on the other side to a respective external axial channel 622 extending axially along the external surface of said sleeve 620. Each external axial channel 622 is connected at its proximal axial end to a transverse and non-radial channel 623 leading to a vortex chamber 624 disposed at the center of the axial end face of the sleeve 620, directly opposite the distribution orifice 21.
[0037] In the example shown in the figures, there are two diametrically opposed radial openings 621, two diametrically opposed external axial channels 622 and two diametrically opposed non-radial transverse channels 623.
[0038] According to the invention, the sleeve 620 further comprises a central axial channel 625 connected on one side to the expulsion channel 61 and on the other side to the vortex chamber 624.
[0039] Thus, upon actuation, the fluid that rises in the expulsion channel 61 will separate into at least two flows: a first central flow continuing straight ahead in the central axial channel 625 towards the vortex chamber 624, and at least one lateral flow passing through at least one radial opening 621 to reach the vortex chamber 624 via the external axial channel 622 and the transverse, non-radial channel 623. In the vortex chamber 624, the central flow which is axial and at least one lateral flow which is transverse will mix to generate a spray through the distribution orifice 21.
[0040] Due to the axial component formed by the central flow, this spray will always be conical, but with a less wide cone compared to sprays generated by standard spray profiles, in which there is no axial component, due to a less significant fluid rotation in the vortex chamber 624. Thus, a standard spray generally forms a cone with an angle greater than 60°, whereas the device according to the invention makes it possible to generate cones with an angle less than 60°, advantageously between about 10° and about 30°.
[0041] The spray cone angle will be predetermined by the geometry, in particular the diameters, depths, and widths of the various channels and fluid passages. In particular, the greater the proportion of central flow, the smaller the spray angle will be.
[0042] By way of example, tests were carried out with, on the one hand, a device made according to the figures but without the central axial channel 625, and on the other hand, devices according to the invention, with respectively a central axial channel 625 with diameters of 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm and 0.5 mm. While the device without the central axial channel 625 generates a spray with an angle of approximately 60°, a central axial channel with a diameter of 0.3 mm makes it possible to achieve a spray angle of approximately 30°, a central axial channel with a diameter of 0.4 mm makes it possible to achieve a spray angle of approximately 20°, and a central axial channel with a diameter of 0.5 mm makes it possible to achieve a spray angle of approximately 10°.
[0043] As can be seen in the figures, the sleeve 620 may have an external diameter smaller than the external diameter of the elongated cylindrical body 64 of the insert 60
[0044] The operation of the single-dose device shown in the figures will be detailed below.
[0045] Conventionally, the user places two fingers on the radial flange 23 formed on the distribution head 20, and presses with the thumb on the distal axial bottom 32 of said actuating body 31. In the absence of an actuating body, the user could press directly on the bottom of the reservoir 10.
[0046] During such an actuation, the reservoir 10 is therefore pushed axially towards the distribution orifice 21, so that the drilling tip 40 pierces the piston plug 50. The contents of the reservoir 10 are then connected to the distribution orifice 21 and the user's pressure on the actuation body 31 moves the piston plug 50 in the reservoir 10 to ensure the distribution of the fluid product.
[0047] The present invention therefore provides a nasal spray device which makes it possible to generate a spray having a conical shape but with an angle of less than 60°, preferably between about 10° and 30°, which promotes a higher rate of deposition in the posterior parts of the nostril, such as the ethmoids.
[0048] In the context of allergic rhinitis, the fluid product may be chosen from the following list, given by way of non-limiting example: fluticasone, mometasone, fluticasone furoate, budesonide, beclometasone, azelastine fluticasone, azelastine, tixocortol, triamcinolone acetonide, ipratropium bromide, prednisolone, ciclesonide, flunisolide, levocabastine, azelastine fluticasone furoate, olopatadine, azelastine mometasone, mometasone olopatadine, fluticasone olopatadine.
[0049] In the context of a central sensitization syndrome, the fluid product may be chosen from the following list, given by way of non-limiting example: sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, naloxone, fentanyl, esketamine, midazolam, butorphanol, dihydroergotamine, diazepam, tapentadol, alfentanil, diamorphine, ketorolac.
[0050] Other applications and other fluid products are also conceivable.
[0051] Of course, alternative embodiments are conceivable, without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the attached claims.
Claims
Demands
1. A fluid product dispensing device comprising a reservoir (10) containing fluid product, in particular a single dose of fluid product, a dispensing head (20) having a dispensing orifice (21), a hollow insert (60) being disposed in said dispensing head (20), upstream of said dispensing orifice (21), said hollow insert (60) defining an expulsion channel (61) and, in cooperation with a bottom wall of said dispensing head (20), a spray profile (62) directly upstream of said dispensing orifice (21), characterized in that said spray profile (62) comprises a sleeve (620) forming the proximal axial end of said hollow insert (60), said sleeve (620) having at least one radial opening (621),each radial opening (621) being connected on one side to said expulsion channel (61) and on the other side to a respective external axial channel (622) extending axially along the external surface of said sleeve (620), each external axial channel (622) being connected at its proximal axial end to a transverse and non-radial channel (623) leading to a vortex chamber (624) disposed at the center of an axial end face of said sleeve (620), directly opposite said distribution orifice (21), said sleeve (620) further comprising a central axial channel (625) connected on one side to said expulsion channel (61) and on the other side to said vortex chamber (624).
2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said sleeve (620) has two diametrically opposed radial openings (621), two diametrically opposed external axial channels (622) and two diametrically opposed non-radial transverse channels (623).
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said device comprises a piston stopper (50) movable in said reservoir (10) between a rest position and an actuation position to distribute fluid product through said distribution orifice (21) upon actuation, said insert (60) having at its distal end a drilling point (40) for drilling said piston stopper (50) and thus connecting said reservoir (10) to said distribution orifice (21) upon actuation.
4. Device according to claim 3, wherein said drill tip (40) is molded as one piece with said insert (60).
5. Device according to claim 3, wherein said drill tip (40) is made separately and then assembled in said insert (60), in particular by press fitting or by overmolding.
6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said reservoir (10) is formed by a hollow, blind body, comprising a bottom and a single opening which, in the rest position, is hermetically sealed by said piston-plug (50).
7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said spray profile (62) generates, when the device is actuation, a conical spray with a spray angle of less than 60°.
8. Device according to claim 7, wherein said spray angle is between about 10° and about 30°.
9. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said central axial channel (625) has a diameter between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, in particular between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm.