Apparatus for generating aerosols

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for generating an aerosol, the apparatus having a flow body with an adsorbent, the flow body having at least one fluid inlet at its upstream end and at least one fluid outlet at its downstream end, and the adsorbent is designed to remove liquid from the aerosol generated in the flow body in order to reduce the droplet size of the aerosol generated in the flow body in the flow direction toward the aerosol fluid outlet.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for generating an aerosol.

Background Art

[0002] Apparatuses for generating aerosols are known from the prior art, but these are usually only suitable for generating aerosols having a relatively large droplet size exceeding 3 μm.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the present invention is based on the problem of creating an apparatus for generating an aerosol that is particularly suitable for generating a stable aerosol having a small droplet size.

Means for Solving the Problems

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

[0005] According to this, there is provided an apparatus for generating an aerosol, comprising a flow body containing an adsorbent, the flow body having at least one fluid inlet at an upstream end and at least one fluid outlet at a downstream end, and the adsorbent being configured to extract liquid from the aerosol generated within the flow body in order to reduce the droplet size of the aerosol generated within the flow body in a flow direction towards the fluid outlet of the aerosol.

[0006] The generated aerosol is preferably visible only under light having a high blue component in a wavelength range of 420 μm to 500 μm.

[0007] The maximum particle size distribution of the aerosol is preferably in the range of 0.5 μm to 1 μm.

[0008] The adsorbent preferably includes or is composed of porous materials and / or zeolites, aluminum oxide (Al2O3), silica gel and / or clay.

[0009] The adsorbent is preferably designed to extract water from aerosols generated within the flowing material.

[0010] For example, the adsorbent is a zeolite designed for water adsorption, which adsorbs water while releasing heat of adsorption. The released heat of adsorption converts some of the water into a gas phase. As the temperature rises and the water content in the gas phase decreases, the water in the aerosol droplets evaporates, and therefore the size of the aerosol droplets decreases.

[0011] The air duct within the flowing body is preferably configured so that air and / or aerosols generated within the flowing body flow through the adsorbent. The flowing body may be, for example, a housing in which the adsorbent is placed.

[0012] The amount of adsorbent, preferably zeolite, in the fluid is preferably 40g to 200g, preferably 50g to 150g, and particularly 80g to 120g.

[0013] Surprisingly, these quantities have actually proven to be particularly suitable for generating the desired fine aerosols.

[0014] The adsorbent is preferably a zeolite having a pore size of 1 angstrom, 2 angstroms, 3 angstroms, or 4 angstroms. Other zeolites such as 5A and 13X are also possible. Mixtures of different zeolites or adsorbents are also possible.

[0015] The zeolite can be selected to reach a temperature of 100°C to 200°C, preferably 120°C to 190°C, during the water adsorption process.

[0016] In particular, it is possible to use zeolites that can be filled with inert gases, especially nitrogen.

[0017] The apparatus according to the present invention may further include a container, either integrated into the apparatus or provided outside the apparatus, for storing a mixture of a liquid, preferably water, and at least one active ingredient.

[0018] Containers for storing liquids are preferably completely separated from or separable from the adsorbent, or sealed from the adsorbent.

[0019] The container can preferably be pressurized to a range of 1 to 3 bar, and particularly 1.5 to 2.5 bar.

[0020] The container for storing the liquid may preferably concentrically surround the storage or receiving area for the adsorbent, or it may be located upstream of it in the direction of aerosol flow.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the adsorbent can be housed in an inner, preferably cylindrical, housing, which is preferably concentrically surrounded by an outer, preferably cylindrical, housing, so that the inner and outer housings are rotatable and / or slidable relative to each other.

[0022] The inner and outer housings may each have at least one opening arranged along the circumference of the housing, and the inner and outer housings may be rotatable and / or displaceable relative to each other such that at least two openings are at least partially alignable, thereby forming a radial fluid path from outside the outer housing, preferably from a container for storing liquid, to an adsorbent contained in the inner housing.

[0023] In other words, the flow path from the container to the adsorbent can be selectively opened and / or closed by rotating the inner housing relative to the outer housing, or vice versa.

[0024] Furthermore, the device according to the invention may comprise an atomiser or nebuliser unit located upstream of the adsorbent in the flow direction of the aerosol.

[0025] The atomiser or nebuliser unit may include, or consist of, a nozzle, particularly a Venturi nozzle, and / or a pressureless atomiser, preferably an ultrasonic nebuliser.

[0026] Furthermore, a mixing chamber for mixing the aerosol flowing out of the adsorbent may be arranged in the flow body, preferably immediately upstream of the fluid outlet.

[0027] The adsorbent may be stored removably in the device, preferably in a removable cartridge. This makes it possible to temporarily remove the adsorbent from the device for regeneration.

[0028] The device according to the invention may be, for example, an inhaler for administering pharmaceutical agents.

[0029] By generating particularly fine aerosols, the device according to the invention can enable particularly good absorption of any active ingredient present in the aerosol, for example by the alveoli.

[0030] The device according to the invention may be configured to administer one of the following active ingredients. The active ingredient contained in the liquid stored in the container may be, for example, a low molecular weight active ingredient, a protein, a hormone or cytokine, and / or a cytostatic agent, an anti-asthmatic, an antitussive, a mucolytic, an anti-allergy agent, a corticosteroid, a cardiac drug, a coronary drug and / or an active ingredient from the group of antibiotics, and / or a flavoring agent, an aromatic agent, an aromatic substance and / or a terpene.

[0031] An active ingredient is preferably understood to be a substance capable of achieving a specific result. For example, an active ingredient may have a medicinal effect or a mechanical effect such as a lubricating effect, e.g., a lubricant (e.g., mineral oil, synthetic oil, lubricating grease, MoS2, etc.). The crucial factor here is that the active ingredient can be converted into a gas phase in the form of an aqueous aerosol.

[0032] Glycerin and propylene glycol are used as the matrix in e-cigarettes in connection with nicotine administration. At the heat source temperature of e-cigarettes, decomposition products such as aldehydes including formaldehyde and acrolein are formed, which are highly toxic. The present invention is suitable for avoiding such harmful effects.

[0033] The pharmaceutically effective substance used in the apparatus according to the present invention is selected from, but is not limited to, the following particularly preferred substances. Proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, nucleic acids, and combinations or mixtures thereof, Nucleotides and / or oligonucleotides, Insulin, calcitonin, leuprolide and albuterol, Antibiotics, antiviral drugs, antifungal agents, immunosuppressants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, surfactants, prostaglandins, mucolytics, cough suppressants, sore throat relievers, gene therapy vectors, Heparin, ergotamine, human growth hormone, sildenafil, antiprotease, vaccine, morphine, fentanyl, Antihistamines, decongestants, alkaloids, mineral supplements, laxatives, vitamins (e.g., vitamin D3), antacids, anticholesterolemia drugs, antilipids, antiarrhythmics, antipyretics, analgesics, appetite suppressants, expectorants, anxiolytics, antiulcer drugs, anti-inflammatory substances, cardiac drugs, drugs acting on the brain, peripheral vasodilators, anti-infective drugs, psychotropic drugs, antimanic drugs, stimulants, gastrointestinal drugs, sedatives, diarrhea drugs, angina drugs, vasodilators, antihypertensive drugs, vasoconstrictors, migraine drugs, antibiotics, tranquilizers, antipsychotics, antitumor drugs, anticoagulants, antithrombotic drugs, hypnotics, antiemetics, antinausea drugs, anticonvulsants, diuretics, antispasmodics, uterine relaxants, minerals and nutritional supplements, anti-obesity drugs, anabolic substances, erythropoiesis-producing drugs, anti-asthma drugs, cough suppressants, mucolytics and antiulcer drugs, Weight-loss drugs / appetite suppressants / anti-obesity drugs, acid-reducing drugs, resuscitation drugs / anti-hypoxemia drugs, analgesics / anti-inflammatory drugs, anthelmintics, anti-allergic drugs, anti-anemia drugs, antiarrhythmic drugs, antibiotics / anti-infective drugs, anti-dementia drugs (nootropics), antidiabetic drugs, antidotes, antiemetics / anti-vertigo drugs, antiepileptic drugs, anti-hemorrhagic drugs (antifibrinolytic drugs, hemostatic drugs, antihypertensive drugs, antihyperglycemic drugs, antihypotensive drugs, anticoagulants, antifungal drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, antitussives / expectorants, arteriosclerotic drugs, beta-receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors, bronchodilators / anti-asthmatic drugs, bile secretion promoters and bile duct drugs, cholinergic agonists, corticosteroids, diuretics, circulatory stimulants, withdrawal agents / addiction treatments, enzyme inhibitors / for enzyme deficiency Pharmaceutical preparations and transport proteins, fibrinolytic agents, gout treatments, influenza treatments and cold treatments, gynecological drugs, liver drugs, sleeping pills / sedatives, pituitary / hypothalamic hormones / other regulatory peptides and their inhibitors, immunomodulators, cardiac drugs, coronary artery drugs, lipid-lowering drugs, gastrointestinal drugs, migraine drugs, mineral supplements, throat drugs, neuropathic preparations and other neurotropic drugs, osteoporosis drugs / calcium / bone metabolism regulators, Parkinson's disease drugs and other extrapyramidal disorders drugs, psychotropic drugs, thyroid drugs, serum / immunoglobulins and vaccines, sex hormones and their inhibitors, antispasmodics / anticholinergics, antiplatelet drugs, tuberculosis drugs, mood stabilizers, urological drugs, intravenous drugs, vitamins, cell proliferation inhibitors / other antitumor drugs and protective agents.

[0034] All of the above-mentioned active ingredients can be used in combination or individually within the framework of the apparatus according to the present invention.

[0035] At this point, it should be noted that the term "one, a" does not necessarily refer to exactly one element; while this is a possible interpretation, it can also refer to multiple elements. Similarly, the use of the plural form implies that the element in question exists in a singular form, and conversely, the singular form encompasses multiple elements in question.

[0036] Furthermore, all features of the present invention described herein, including those described below in the context of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings, can be claimed in any combination of these features or separately from each other.

[0037] Further details and advantages of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0038] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus according to the present invention according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus according to the present invention according to a second embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus according to the present invention according to a third embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus according to the present invention according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 5] This is another diagram of the embodiment shown in Figure 4. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0039] Figure 1 shows a device 1 having a flow body molded as a housing 2. The aerosol flow direction in Figure 1 is from right to left.

[0040] The absorbent material 3 is contained in or stored in a cylindrical cartridge 4 inside the housing 2.

[0041] As shown by the arrows in Figure 1, the cylindrical cartridge 4 has multiple openings 5 ​​along its circumference, through which the liquid containing the active ingredient can flow from a container or cavity 6 concentrically surrounding the cartridge 4 into the interior of the cartridge 4.

[0042] On one side of the downstream end, the cavity 6 is bounded by a dense wall, and as a result, the liquid must flow into the cartridge 4 and come into contact with the adsorbent.

[0043] The liquid is stored in a pressurized container 7. In this configuration, the container 7 is either detachably or non-detachably integrated into the device 1.

[0044] An air inlet 10 is provided at the upstream end of the housing 2, through which air can flow into the housing 2. The air flows outside the cavity 6 that contains the liquid.

[0045] A check valve 11 is located at the downstream end of the cartridge 4. Furthermore, a valve 12 is positioned on the upstream side of the container 7.

[0046] The mixing chamber 13 is connected upstream of the fluid outlet 14 of the housing 2. The air flowing through the air inlet 10 in this mixing chamber is mixed with the aerosol emerging from the cartridge 4 through the check valve 11.

[0047] The mixed aerosol exits the housing 2 through the fluid outlet 14.

[0048] Figure 2 shows a diagram of an apparatus equipped with a venturi nozzle according to the present invention.

[0049] The spray head 15 is positioned between its upstream end (right side in Figure 2) and downstream end (left side in Figure 2) within the housing 2.

[0050] Compressed air is supplied to the spray head 15 in a controllable or adjustable manner via the compressed air unit 16. The spray head sprays the liquid contained in the container 7 toward the cartridge 4 containing the adsorbent.

[0051] As shown in Figure 2, the cartridge 4 has openings 5 ​​on at least three sides, along its circumference and at one end facing the spray head. In other words, the cartridge 4 can be configured as a grid structure so that the sprayed liquid can come into contact with the adsorbent.

[0052] The housing 2 has a spray chamber 17, which is separated from the mixing chamber 13 by a sealing element molded as a circumferential collar 18. In this embodiment, the housing has no other chambers other than chambers 13 and 17.

[0053] Cartridge 4 is fitted onto the circumferential collar 18 and protrudes into the spray chamber 17.

[0054] The aerosol generated by the spray head passes through the cartridge 4 containing the adsorbent material, then through the valve 11 into the mixing chamber 13, and then exits the housing 2 through the fluid outlet 14.

[0055] Figure 3 shows a design that includes a pressureless nebulizer 18, for example, an ultrasonic nebulizer.

[0056] Similar to the modified example shown in Figure 3, the cartridge 4 has openings 5 ​​on at least three sides, for example, along its circumference and on the end face facing the spray head 15.

[0057] In the configuration shown in Figure 3, the opening 5 is larger than in the configuration shown in Figure 2. In other words, the grid structure of cartridge 4 is coarser than in Figure 3.

[0058] The mixing chamber 13 has an opening that can be closed in a controllable manner via a valve 19.

[0059] Figure 4 shows an embodiment comprising two cylindrical housings that are movable relative to each other within housing 2.

[0060] The housing 2 contains a liquid tank 20, and the adsorbent 3 is positioned inside it. The liquid tank 20 can be filled through the inlet 21.

[0061] The adsorbent 3 is positioned inside the inner cylinder 22, which is positioned inside the outer cylinder 23.

[0062] Cylinders 22 and 23 are movable relative to each other and can be rotated and / or shifted relative to each other by turning and / or pushing the slider 24.

[0063] Cylinders 22 and 23 each have an opening 25, which are positioned to allow liquid to flow from the liquid tank 20 to the adsorbent 3, as shown in the illustration in Figure 4 and indicated by the arrows in Figure 4.

[0064] Air enters the adsorbent 3 or the mixing chamber 13 through the air inlet 26.

[0065] Figure 5 shows another diagram illustrating the functional design seen in Figure 4.

[0066] By aligning the openings 25 of the inner cylinder 22 and the outer cylinder 23, it becomes possible for liquid to flow from the liquid container 20 to the adsorbent.

[0067] The opening 25 of the inner cylinder 22 is shown as a dotted line in Figure 5, while the opening 25 of the outer cylinder 23 is shown as a solid black circle in Figure 5.

[0068] Figure 5 shows, on the left, a state in which the openings of the inner cylinder 22 and the outer cylinder 23 are not on the same plane or are not aligned with each other, and as a result, the liquid does not flow from the liquid container 20 to the adsorbent (shown as "closed" in Figure 5).

[0069] Figure 5 shows, on the right, a state in which the openings of the inner cylinder 22 and the outer cylinder 23 are on the same plane or aligned with each other, resulting in the liquid flowing from the liquid container 20 to the adsorbent (shown as "open" in Figure 5).

[0070] The overlapping openings 25 of cylinders 22 and 23 are shown in Figure 5 as circles with continuous circumferences.

[0071] Furthermore, the apparatus according to the present invention may include a control unit designed to cause relative movement of the inner cylinder 22 and / or outer cylinder 23 relative to each other so that the flow of liquid from the liquid container 20 to the adsorbent is enabled or blocked (the flow path formed by the opening 25 is open or closed), or restricted by a specific flow rate (the flow path formed by the opening 25 is partially open).

[0072] The control unit can respond to user input.

Claims

1. Equipped with a flowing body containing an adsorbent, The flow body has at least one fluid inlet at its upstream end and at least one fluid outlet at its downstream end. The adsorbent is designed to extract liquid from aerosols generated within the flow medium in order to reduce the droplet size of the aerosols generated within the flow medium in the flow direction toward the fluid outlet of the aerosols. A device for generating aerosols.

2. The adsorbent is a porous material, particularly zeolite, aluminum oxide (Al). ２ O ３ The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by comprising silica gel and / or clay.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the adsorbent is configured to extract water from the aerosol generated in the flowing body.

4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the air duct within the flowing body is configured such that air and / or aerosols generated within the flowing body flow through the adsorbent.

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the amount of adsorbent, preferably zeolite, in the flow body is 40 g to 200 g, preferably 50 g to 150 g, and particularly 80 g to 120 g.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the adsorbent is a zeolite having a pore size of 1 angstrom, 2 angstroms, 3 angstroms, or 4 angstroms.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a container integrated into the apparatus or provided outside the apparatus for storing a mixture of a liquid, preferably water, and at least one active ingredient.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the container is preferably pressurized to a range of 1 bar to 3 bar, and more particularly to a range of 1.5 bar to 2.5 bar.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the container for storing the liquid preferably surrounds the storage area concentrically or is located upstream of it in the flow direction of the aerosol.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the adsorbent is housed in an inner, preferably cylindrical, housing, the housing is preferably concentrically surrounded by an outer, preferably cylindrical, housing, and the inner housing and the outer housing are arranged to be rotatable and / or displaceable relative to each other.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the inner housing and the outer housing each have at least one opening arranged along the circumference of the housing, and the inner housing and the outer housing are rotatable and / or displaceable relative to each other so as to form a radial fluid path from outside the outer housing, preferably from the container for storing the liquid, to the adsorbent contained in the inner housing.

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a sprayer or nebulizer unit located upstream of the adsorbent in the flow direction of the aerosol.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the sprayer or nebulizer unit has or is composed of a nozzle, particularly a venturi nozzle, and / or a pressureless sprayer, preferably an ultrasonic nebulizer.

14. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that a mixing chamber is preferably located immediately upstream of the fluid outlet in order to mix the aerosol that appears from the adsorbent.

15. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the adsorbent is stored in a removable, preferably removable, cartridge within the apparatus.

16. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the apparatus is an inhaler for administering a pharmaceutical drug.

17. The apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 16, characterized in that the active ingredient is a low molecular weight active ingredient, nicotine, protein, hormone or cytokine, and / or an active ingredient from the group consisting of cell proliferation inhibitors, anti-asthma drugs, antitussives, mucolytics, anti-allergic drugs, corticosteroids, cardiac drugs, coronary artery drugs, and / or antibiotics, and / or a flavoring agent, fragrance agent, aromatic substance, and / or terpene.

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