Inhaler

Abstract

An inhaler according to one embodiment includes a first surface, a second surface facing the first surface, and a side surface connecting the first surface and the second surface, wherein the first surface includes a housing formed in which an elongated cavity into which an aerosol generating article including a capsule is inserted, a first needle positioned perpendicular to the second surface and extending longitudinally from the second surface toward the first surface, and a second needle adjacent to the side surface and positioned transversely perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, wherein the first needle can advance or reverse through the side surface to crush the capsule longitudinally, and the second needle can advance or reverse to crush the capsule transversely.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] An inhaler is disclosed.

Background Art

[0002] Conventional dry powder inhalers are for transferring a pharmacologically active substance filled as a single dose into the body, and have mainly been used for the treatment of patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In order to efficiently absorb the substance into the body, a powder dried in a fine state of 5 μm to 10 μm or less is used. Also, for quantitative delivery, a certain amount of the drug can be filled into a hard capsule.

[0003] Such a dry powder inhaler may be composed of a capsule filled with dry powder and a device for inhalation. In this case, technologies for manufacturing the dry powder and device design technologies for generating a vortex for delivering the dry powder may be required.

[0004] The above-described background art is what the inventors possessed or acquired in the process of deriving the present invention, and is not necessarily publicly known technology that was publicly disclosed to the general public before the filing of the present invention.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An object according to one embodiment is to be connectable to an inhalation stick storing a capsule filled with dry powder for transferring dry powder for inhalation, and to simultaneously include a perforation function for the inhalation capsule inside the stick and a separate perforation function for generating a vortex near the inhalation capsule, so that during the manufacturing process of the inhaler, direct perforation is performed during the process of perforating the capsule for the user's inhalation without the need to create a separate vortex generation structure inside the inhaler, and to prevent contamination of the vicinity of the capsule by the external environment during storage of the stick.

[0006] The problems to be solved by these embodiments are not limited to those described above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An inhaler according to one embodiment includes a first surface, a second surface facing the first surface, and a side surface connecting the first surface and the second surface, wherein the first surface includes a housing formed in which an elongated cavity into which an aerosol generating article including a capsule is inserted, a first needle positioned perpendicular to the second surface and extending longitudinally from the second surface toward the first surface, and a second needle adjacent to the side surface and positioned transversely perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, wherein the first needle can advance or reverse through the side surface to crush the capsule longitudinally, and the second needle can advance or reverse to crush the capsule transversely. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one embodiment of the inhaler, it is possible to connect an inhalation stick that stores a capsule filled with dry powder for transferring the dry powder for inhalation, and by simultaneously including a perforation function for the inhalation capsule inside the stick and a separate perforation function for generating a vortex near the inhalation capsule, the perforation is performed directly during the perforation process of the capsule for the user's inhalation without the need to create a separate vortex generation structure inside the inhaler during the manufacturing process of the inhaler, and contamination of the area near the capsule by the external environment during storage of the stick is possible.

[0009] The effects of the inhaler according to one embodiment are not limited to those described above, and other effects not mentioned should be clearly understandable to an average technician from the description below. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1]This figure shows the first needle and second needle and aerosol generating article of an inhaler according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an inhaler according to one embodiment in which an aerosol-generating article is inserted. [Figure 3] This is a cutaway view of the inside of an inhaler according to one embodiment in which an aerosol generating article is inserted. [Figure 4] This figure shows a longitudinal cross-section of an inhaler according to one embodiment in which an aerosol generating article is inserted. [Figure 5] This figure shows a cross-section of an inhaler according to one embodiment, with the second needle in a retracted position. [Figure 6] This figure shows a cross-section of an inhaler according to one embodiment, with the second needle in the advanced position. [Figure 7] This figure shows a cross-section of an inhaler according to one embodiment, in which the first needle consists of three parts. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The drawings accompanying this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to further illustrate the technical idea of ​​the invention; therefore, the present invention shall not be construed as being limited solely to what is depicted in such drawings.

[0012] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to illustrative drawings. Note that when assigning reference numerals to components in each figure, the same reference numerals are used for identical components, even if they are shown in different drawings, whenever possible. Furthermore, when describing embodiments, detailed explanations of known configurations or functions related to the present invention will be omitted if it is deemed that such explanations would hinder understanding of the embodiments.

[0013] Furthermore, when describing the components of an embodiment, expressions such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc., can be used. These expressions are merely used to distinguish a component from other components, and do not limit the essence, order, sequence, or number of the component. When a component is described as being "linked," "combined," or "connected" with another component, it should be understood that the component may be directly linked, combined, or connected to the other component, but it should also be understood that other components may be further linked, combined, or connected between each component.

[0014] Components included in one embodiment, and components with common functions, will be described using the same names in other embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, descriptions in one embodiment are applicable to other embodiments, and specific descriptions to the extent of duplication will be omitted.

[0015] The present invention relates to an inhaler 10 for transferring dry powder for inhalation, and more particularly to an inhaler 10 specifically for use with an inhalation stick or aerosol generating article that stores capsules filled with dry powder.

[0016] Figure 1 shows the first needle 102, the second needle 103, and the aerosol generating article S of an inhaler 10 according to one embodiment.

[0017] Referring to Figure 1, an inhaler 10 according to one embodiment can puncture a capsule C contained in an aerosol generating article S. In this case, the inhaler 10 according to one embodiment can provide a puncture function for inhaling a functional substance contained inside the capsule C and a puncture function for generating a vortex. For example, the first needle 102 can puncture for inhaling a functional substance, and the second needle 103 can puncture for generating a vortex.

[0018] For the aerosol-generating article S, material products such as paper and cellulose acetate tow are applicable, and other polymer substances such as polylactic acid (PLA), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene (PE) are also applicable. For the aerosol-generating article S, fragrance capsules are applicable.

[0019] The capsule C can contain a dry powder functional substance. Due to the structure of the inhaler 10 according to one embodiment, the dry powder suitable for inhalation can consist of a plurality of fine particles having a particle size of about 10 μm or less or a plurality of particles having an aerodynamic diameter of 5 μm or less. Alternatively, the dry powder may be partially mixed with a fragrance or expectorant particle of 20 μm or more. Further, the dry powder may contain a small amount of substances that have a positive effect on the physical properties of the dry powder, such as other amino acids and magnesium stearate.

[0020] The dry powder applicable inside the inhaler 10 according to one embodiment can contain nicotine. For example, nicotine may be free nicotine, nicotine lactate or other nicotine salts, or may be produced from other functional substances.

[0021] For the functional substance of the inhaler 10 according to one embodiment, as particles for fragrance or flavor, a small amount of sweeteners such as menthol, saccharin, sucralose, and stevia may be added, and its shape may be fine powder. At this time, the sweetener can be added at less than 1 wt% to 5 wt% in the nicotine dry powder. The particle diameter of the fragrance particles may be 5 μm or less on average, or may be 20 μm or more. Alternatively, it may be 50 μm to 100 μm.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a view showing the inhaler 10 according to one embodiment in which the aerosol-generating article S is inserted.

[0023] FIG. 3 is an internal perspective view of the inhaler 10 according to one embodiment in which the aerosol-generating article S is inserted.

[0024] Figure 4 shows a longitudinal cross-section of an inhaler 10 according to one embodiment in which an aerosol generating article S is inserted.

[0025] Referring to Figures 2 to 4, one embodiment of the inhaler 10 may include a housing 101, a first needle 102, and a second needle 103.

[0026] Referring to Figure 2, the housing 101 may include a first surface 1011, a second surface 1012 facing the first surface 1011, and a side surface 1013 connecting the first surface 1011 and the second surface 1012. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 4, the housing 101 may have an open first surface 1011, forming an elongated cavity 1014 extending from the first surface 1011 toward the second surface 1012. An aerosol-generating article S containing a capsule C can be inserted into such an elongated cavity 1014.

[0027] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the first needle 102 may be positioned perpendicular to the second surface 1012. The first needle 102 may extend longitudinally from the second surface 1012 toward the first surface 1011. Such a first needle 102 can crush the capsule C in the longitudinal direction. The first needle 102 may be provided as a sharp needle. The thickness of the needle may be 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm. The first needle 102 may be provided as one or more needles.

[0028] The second needle 103 may be positioned adjacent to the side surface 1013 and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The second needle 103 can be operated to move forward or backward through the side surface 1013. Such forward or backward movement allows the second needle 103 to crush the capsule C in the lateral direction. The second needle 103 can act, for example, tangentially to the capsule C. Providing such a perforating function, the second needle 103 can form holes in the capsule C for the generation of vortices. The second needle 103 may be provided as a sharp needle. The diameter of the needle may be 0.5 mm or more. There may be one or two second needles 103, or multiple needles may be provided to suitably generate vortices. Details of the second needle 103 described above will be described later with reference to Figures 5 and 6.

[0029] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the housing 101 may further include a needle guide 1015. The needle guide 1015 may be formed as a hole that penetrates the side surface 1013 laterally. The needle guide 1015 may accommodate a second needle 103. There may be multiple needle guides 1015. Each needle guide 1015 may be arranged on the side surface 1013 at circumferential spacing. Such needle guides 1015 can guide the second needle 103 to move forward or backward toward the capsule C.

[0030] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the housing 101 may further include an air inlet 1016. The air inlet 1016 may extend from the side surface 1013 to an elongated cavity 1014. Such an air inlet 1016 can communicate the outside with the elongated cavity 1014.

[0031] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the inhaler 10 according to one embodiment may further include a sliding portion 104. One end of the aerosol generating article S may be connected to the sliding portion 104. The sliding portion 104 can slide within the elongated cavity 1014. When the sliding portion 104 slides in the direction from the first surface 1011 to the second surface 1012, the first needle 102 can penetrate the sliding portion. That is, when the sliding portion 104 slides in the direction from the first surface 1011 to the second surface 1012, the first needle 102 can crush the capsule C.

[0032] Specifically, the sliding portion 104 may have a plurality of needle holes 1041 that penetrate the sliding portion 104 in the vertical direction. The number of needle holes 1041 may correspond to the number of first needles 102. The needle holes 1041 may be formed in a shape where the diameter of the opening adjacent to the second surface 1012 is larger than the diameter of the opening adjacent to the first surface 1011, as shown in Figure 4. For example, the needle holes 1041 may be formed in a trumpet shape. Such a shape of needle holes 1041 allows the first needles 102 to penetrate the needle holes 1041 and smoothly reach the capsule C.

[0033] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the inhaler 10 according to one embodiment may further include a spring 105. The spring 105 may have one end coupled to the sliding portion 104 and the other end fixed to the bottom surface A of the elongated cavity 1014. The spring 105 can compress when the sliding portion 104 is pressed and moves toward the second surface 1012. This allows the first needle 102 to penetrate the sliding portion 104 and the aerosol generating article S to puncture the capsule C. For example, the first needle 102, consisting of two needles, may be positioned at a distance even smaller than the diameter of the spring 105 and surrounded by the spring 105.

[0034] Furthermore, the spring 105 can support the sliding portion 104 so that when the sliding portion 104 is not being pressed against, the sliding portion 104 is positioned away from the first needle 102 toward the first surface 1011.

[0035] The operation of the second needle 103 will be described in detail below, based on Figures 5 and 6.

[0036] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the inhaler 10 according to one embodiment, with the second needle 103 in the retracted position.

[0037] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the inhaler 10 according to one embodiment, with the second needle 103 in the forward position.

[0038] Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the aforementioned multiple needle guides 1015 can each be arranged eccentrically from the central axis of the housing 101. For example, the needle guides 1015 can be arranged tangentially to the capsule C. The second needle 103 can pass through such needle guides 1015 and perforate the capsule C at an eccentric position from the central axis.

[0039] The forward or backward movement of the second needle 103 can be performed in conjunction with the drilling of the first needle 102. For example, the second needle 103 can be operated to move forward or backward in conjunction with the position of the sliding part 104.

[0040] For this purpose, the inhaler 10 according to one embodiment may further include a sensing unit (not shown) and a drive unit (not shown).

[0041] The sensing element is disposed on the bottom surface A of the elongated cavity 1014 and may protrude toward the first surface 1011.

[0042] The drive unit can operate the second needle 103 to move forward or backward based on the signal detected by the sensing unit.

[0043] The aforementioned sensing unit can transmit a signal to the drive unit so that the second needle 103 moves forward or backward in conjunction with the operation of the sliding unit 104.

[0044] For example, the sensing unit can transmit a signal to cause the second needle 103 to advance toward the capsule C when the sliding part 104 moves from the first surface 1011 toward the second surface 1012. Based on the signal from the sensing unit, the drive unit can move the second needle 103 from the position shown in Figure 5 in the direction of the arrow in Figure 6. This allows the second needle 103 to form an eccentric perforation in the capsule C, as shown in Figure 6. The perforation formed by the second needle 103 can create a vortex inside the capsule C when a suction force is applied to the inhaler 10 by the user.

[0045] Furthermore, the sensing unit can transmit a signal to cause the second needle 103 to move backward from the capsule C to the outside of the housing 101 when the sliding part 104 moves from the second surface 1012 toward the first surface 1011. This allows the drive unit to return the second needle 103 from the position shown in Figure 6 to the position shown in Figure 5.

[0046] Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of an inhaler 10 according to one embodiment in which the first needle 102 is composed of three needles.

[0047] The first needle 102 shown in Figures 1 to 6 is envisioned to consist of two needles as an example, but as shown in Figure 7, it may consist of three or more needles for smooth transfer and inhalation of the functional substance.

[0048] As described above, the inhaler 10 according to one embodiment can be coupled to an aerosol generating article S that stores capsules C filled with dry powder for transferring the dry powder for inhalation. By simultaneously providing a vertical perforation function for the capsule C and a lateral perforation function for generating a vortex near the capsule C, the perforation is performed directly during the perforation process of the capsule C for the user's inhalation without the need to create a separate vortex generation structure inside the inhaler 10 during its manufacture. This has the effect of preventing contamination of the vicinity of the capsule C by the external environment during the storage of the aerosol generating article S.

[0049] An inhaler 10 according to one embodiment includes a first surface 1011, a second surface 1012 facing the first surface 1011, and a side surface 1013 connecting the first surface 1011 and the second surface 1012, wherein the first surface 1011 includes a housing 101 in which an elongated cavity 1014 into which an aerosol generating article S containing a capsule C is inserted, a first needle 102 positioned perpendicular to the second surface 1012 and extending longitudinally from the second surface 1012 toward the first surface 1011, and a second needle 103 adjacent to the side surface 1013 and positioned transversely perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, wherein the first needle 102 can advance or reverse through the side surface 1013 to crush the capsule C in the longitudinal direction, and the second needle 103 can advance or reverse through the side surface 1013 to crush the capsule C in the transverse direction.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the housing 101 further includes a needle guide 1015 formed as a hole penetrating the side surface 1013 in the lateral direction and capable of accommodating the second needle 103, the needle guide 1015 being able to guide the second needle 103 so that it moves toward the capsule C.

[0051] In one embodiment, the needle guide 1015 may be positioned eccentrically from the central axis of the housing 101.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the needle guide 1015 may be positioned tangentially to the capsule C.

[0053] In one embodiment, the housing 101 further includes an air inlet 1016 extending from the side surface 1013 to the elongated cavity 1014, the air inlet 1016 being able to communicate the outside with the elongated cavity 1014.

[0054] In one embodiment, the inhaler 10 further includes a sliding portion 104 to which one end of the aerosol generating article S is connected and which slides within the elongated cavity 1014, and the first needle 102 can penetrate the sliding portion 104 when the sliding portion 104 slides in the direction from the first surface 1011 to the second surface 1012.

[0055] An inhaler 10 according to one embodiment further includes a sensing unit disposed on the bottom surface A of the elongated cavity 1014 and protruding toward the first surface, and a drive unit that operates the second needle 103 based on a signal detected by the sensing unit, wherein the sensing unit can transmit a signal to the drive unit so that the second needle 103 moves forward or backward in conjunction with the operation of the sliding unit 104.

[0056] In one embodiment, the sensing unit can transmit a signal to cause the second needle 103 to move forward when the sliding part 104 moves from the first surface 1011 toward the second surface 1012, and can transmit a signal to cause the second needle 103 to move backward when the sliding part 104 moves in the vertical direction.

[0057] In one embodiment, the sliding portion 104 has a plurality of needle holes 1041 that penetrate the sliding portion 104 in the vertical direction, and the diameter of the opening adjacent to the second surface 1012 of the needle holes 1041 may be even larger than the diameter of the opening adjacent to the first surface 1011.

[0058] An inhaler 10 according to one embodiment further includes a spring 105, one end of which is coupled to the sliding portion 104 and the other end of which is coupled to the bottom surface A of the elongated cavity 1014, wherein the spring 105 compresses when the sliding portion 104 is pressed against and moves toward the second surface 1012, and the spring 105 can support the sliding portion 104 so that when the sliding portion 104 is not pressed against, it is positioned away from the first needle 102 toward the first surface 1011.

[0059] Capsule C according to one embodiment may contain a powdered functional substance.

[0060] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been explained with specific details such as concrete components, limited embodiments, and drawings. These are provided only to deepen the overall understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited in any way to the above embodiments. A person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs can make a wide variety of modifications and variations from such descriptions. For example, even if the described techniques are performed in a different order than described, and / or the described structures, apparatus, and other components are combined or combined in a different manner than described, or replaced or substituted by other components or equivalents, suitable results can still be achieved. Therefore, the spirit of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, and it can be said that not only the appended claims, but also all variations equivalent to or equivalent to these claims, fall within the scope of the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A housing comprising a first surface, a second surface facing the first surface, and a side surface connecting the first surface and the second surface, wherein the first surface has an elongated cavity into which an aerosol generating article including a capsule is inserted, A first needle is positioned perpendicular to the second surface and extends in the vertical direction from the second surface toward the first surface, A second needle adjacent to the aforementioned side surface and positioned in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, Includes, An inhaler wherein the first needle penetrates the side surface and moves forward or backward so as to crush the capsule in the longitudinal direction, and the second needle penetrates the side surface and moves forward or backward so as to crush the capsule in the transverse direction.

2. The housing further includes a needle guide formed as a hole penetrating the side surface in the lateral direction, which is capable of accommodating the second needle. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the needle guide guides the second needle so that the second needle moves toward the capsule.

3. The inhaler according to claim 2, wherein the needle guide is arranged eccentrically from the central axis of the housing.

4. The inhaler according to claim 3, wherein the needle guide is arranged tangentially to the capsule.

5. The housing further includes an air inlet extending from the side surface to the elongated cavity, The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the air inlet connects the outside to the elongated cavity.

6. The inhaler further includes a sliding part to which one end of the aerosol generating article is connected and which slides within the elongated cavity, The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the first needle penetrates the sliding portion when the sliding portion slides in the direction from the first surface to the second surface.

7. The inhaler is disposed at the bottom of the elongated cavity and has a sensing part that protrudes toward the first surface, A drive unit that operates the second needle based on the signal detected by the sensing unit, It further includes, The inhaler according to claim 6, wherein the sensing unit transmits a signal to the drive unit so that the second needle moves forward or backward in conjunction with the operation of the sliding unit.

8. The inhaler according to claim 7, wherein the sensing unit transmits a signal to cause the second needle to advance when the sliding unit moves from the first surface to the second surface, and transmits a signal to cause the second needle to reverse when the sliding unit moves in the longitudinal direction.

9. The sliding portion has a plurality of needle holes that penetrate the sliding portion in the vertical direction. The inhaler according to claim 6, wherein the diameter of the opening adjacent to the second surface of the needle hole is even larger than the diameter of the opening adjacent to the first surface.

10. The inhaler further includes a spring, one end of which is connected to the sliding part and the other end of which is connected to the bottom surface of the elongated cavity. The spring compresses when the sliding part is pressed against and moves toward the second surface. The inhaler according to claim 6, wherein the spring supports the sliding portion so that when the sliding portion is not pressed against it, the sliding portion is positioned away from the first needle toward the first surface.

11. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the capsule contains a powdered functional substance.

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