Drug aerosol delivery device for respiratory systems

Abstract

The present invention relates to a drug aerosol supply device for a respiratory system, and an object of the present invention is to prevent secondary respiratory infection caused by condensation water. The drug aerosol supply device according to the present invention includes a T-tube, a drug fine particle generating unit, and a heater. The T-tube includes a straight tube having a first end to which air supplied from the respiratory system is supplied and a second end to be connected to a mask or a mouthpiece, and a branch tube attached to the straight tube so as to be in communication with the straight tube. The drug fine particle generating unit is installed in the branch tube and sprays a fine particle drug. The heater heats the T-tube.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medicinal aerosol delivery device for respiratory tracts, and more particularly to a medicinal aerosol delivery device that can prevent secondary respiratory tract infections caused by condensed water. [Background technology]

[0002] The air generated by the respirator is typically heated to 39°C in a humidifier and humidified to 99% before entering the drug aerosol delivery device. The air heated and humidified by the humidifier is atomized with finely divided drug solution and then delivered to the user wearing a mask or mouthpiece. The drug aerosol delivery device includes a T-tube that connects the humidifier and mask (or mouthpiece) to the nebulizer.

[0003] Because the internal temperature of the T-tube of a conventional pharmaceutical aerosol delivery device is relatively low compared to the air heated in a humidifier, moisture condenses and forms droplets on its inner surface. This condensed moisture accumulates in the T-tube over a long period of time and eventually enters the patient's airway, causing secondary bronchial infection. This situation is exacerbated when the pharmaceutical aerosol delivery device sprays the liquid medicine into fine particles. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to prevent condensation of moisture inside a pharmaceutical aerosol delivery device.

[0005] Yet another object of the present invention is to prevent moisture condensed within the drug aerosol delivery device from entering the patient's respiratory tract and causing secondary bronchial infection. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned object is a drug aerosol supply device for a respiratory system, the device comprising: a T-tube including a straight tube having a first end to which air supplied from the respiratory system is supplied and a second end connected to a mask or mouthpiece, and a branch tube attached to the straight tube so as to be in communication with the straight tube; a drug microparticle generation unit installed in the branch tube that sprays the drug in the form of microparticles; and a heater for heating the T-tube.

[0007] Preferably, the heater comprises a film including a heating wire and is attached to the T-tube. The heater also includes a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the T-tube. The heater is integrally formed with a first local heater for heating the straight tube and a second local heater for heating the branched section. A heating wire terminal for connecting the heating wire to an external power source is disposed at the second end.

[0008] Preferably, the pharmaceutical aerosol delivery device further includes a socket portion including a heating wire connection terminal electrically connected to the heating wire terminal and a power connection terminal electrically connected to an external power source. The power connection terminal is disposed opposite a first end of the straight tube. The socket portion is installed on the straight tube so that the power connection terminal is inclined downward relative to the straight tube. The socket portion also has a sensor clearance groove for allowing the temperature sensor to escape. The heating wire connection terminal is connected to the power connection terminal via an elastic body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The present invention can suppress condensation of moisture inside the medicinal aerosol delivery device, and also can prevent moisture condensed inside the medicinal aerosol delivery device from entering the patient's airway and causing secondary bronchial infection. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a respiratory system to which a pharmaceutical aerosol supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the function of the drug aerosol supply device shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a pharmaceutical aerosol supplying device to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a T-tube, a heater, and a socket portion shown in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 5] 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating an assembly process of the T-tube, heater, and socket portion shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 6a] 4 is a diagram showing a configuration for assembling a socket portion to the T-tube to which the heater shown in FIG. 3 is attached. FIG. [Figure 6b] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which a power cable is connected to the medicine aerosol supplying device shown in FIG. 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Terms used in this specification should not be interpreted as being limited to their conventional or dictionary meanings. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiment described in this specification and the configuration shown in the drawings are merely one of the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical idea of ​​the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace them at the time of this application. Throughout the drawings, parts having the same function are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0012] It should be noted that terms such as "first" and "second" may be used to describe various components, and these terms are used only to distinguish any component from other components.

[0013] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a respirator 100 to which a pharmaceutical aerosol supplying device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the respirator 100 includes an air purifier 1, an inhalation breath detector 10, a T-tube 20, a cover 40, and a packing closure 50.

[0014] The air purifier 1 discharges first air, the oxygen concentration, oxygen pressure, and oxygen flow rate of which are each set to a predetermined value. The oxygen concentration may be set according to the patient's pulmonary function. For example, if the patient's pulmonary function is half that of a healthy person, the oxygen concentration may be set to approximately 40%. An inhalation detector 10 may be connected to the air purifier 1. The inhalation detector 10 may detect the first air and generate a detection signal when the first air is discharged from the inhalation detector 10. A first tube 2 may be connected to the inhalation detector 10 and may flow the first air. A humidifier 3 may be connected to the first tube 2 and may control the temperature and humidity of the first air to generate second air, which is then discharged. A second tube 4 may be connected to the humidifier 3 and may flow the second air.

[0015] The T-tube 20 has a branch tube 24 formed on one side of the straight tube 22. The second tube 4 is connected to one end of the straight tube 22 so that the second air can pass through the straight tube 22. The drug microparticle generator 30 is installed in the branch tube 24 and operates to spray drug in the form of microparticles into the second air only when a detection signal is input.

[0016] The Y-tube 5 may have one end connected to the T-tube 20 and the other end connected to a mask or mouthpiece. The return tube 6 may have one end connected to the Y-tube 5 and the other end connected to the air purifier 1 to carry exhaled air.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the function of the drug aerosol supplying device 200 shown in FIG.

[0018] In the drug aerosol supply device 200, the drug microparticle generation unit 30 is placed at the entrance of the Y-tube 5. The drug microparticle generation unit 30 converts the drug into microparticles by ultrasonic vibration. This makes it possible to shorten the distance from the point where the aerosol drug is generated to the mask (or mouthpiece) as much as possible. In other words, the path along which the microparticle drug travels is extremely short. Therefore, even if a small amount of drug is converted into microparticles, good drug efficacy can be expected.

[0019] The medicinal aerosol supplying device 200 does not introduce additional outside air. This allows the oxygen concentration, oxygen pressure, and oxygen rate of the first air processed by the air purifier 1 and the second air processed by the humidifier 3 to be maintained, allowing the patient to breathe naturally. Furthermore, the medicinal aerosol supplying device 200 operates the medicinal microparticle generating unit 30 in response to a detection signal generated from the inhalation breath detector 10 so that the medicinal drug can be sprayed accurately when the medicinal drug is consumed. As a result, the medicinal aerosol supplying device 200 can significantly reduce medicinal drug waste.

[0020] The detection signal for operating the pharmaceutical microparticle generation unit 30 in the pharmaceutical aerosol supplying device 200 may be diversified as follows, in addition to detecting the first air discharged from the air purifier 1. 1) The detection signal may be generated by a chest sensor placed on the patient's chest to detect when the patient's chest expands. When the patient breathes, the chest repeatedly rises and falls. This movement can be detected and used as the detection signal. 2) The detection signal may be a specific electroencephalogram (EEG) signal generated when the patient breathes. When the lungs function, specific EEGs are generated in the brain, and these EEGs can be detected and used as the detection signal. 3) The detection signal may be generated by placing a sensor on a mask or mouthpiece to detect airflow during inhalation. There is a difference in the direction of airflow between inhalation and exhalation, and this difference may be detected and used as the detection signal. 4) The detection signal may be generated by placing a sensor on a mask or mouthpiece to detect air pressure during inhalation. There is a difference between the pressure during inhalation and the pressure during exhalation. This difference may be detected and used as the detection signal. 5) The detection signal may be generated by placing a sensor on a mask or mouthpiece to detect the air temperature during inhalation. There is a difference between the temperature during inhalation and the temperature during exhalation. This difference may be detected and used as the detection signal. That is, in another embodiment of the pharmaceutical aerosol supplying device 200 of the present invention, the detection signal generated by the inhalation breath detector 10 may be replaced with at least one of the various examples described above. Furthermore, by applying all of the various examples described above, the pharmaceutical microparticle generating unit 30 can be operated when any of the detection signals is generated.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the drug microparticle generating unit 30 may include an intubation tube 32, a microparticle generating element 34, a drug container 36, a cover 40, and a gasket closure 50. The intubation tube 32 is attached to the branch tube 24. The microparticle generating element 34 may be disposed above the intubation tube 32. The microparticle generating element 34 can convert the drug into microparticles using, for example, ultrasonic vibrations. This technology is well known, so further detailed description will be omitted. The drug container 36 is disposed above the microparticle generating element 34 and contains the drug. The cover 40 is disposed on the drug container 36, thereby preventing the drug contained in the drug container 36 from being exposed to the outside.

[0022] The closure packing 50 may be installed in the cover 40. The closure packing 50 includes an upper case 51a, a lower case 51b, a packing 52, and a discharge portion 53. The inner diameter of the upper case 51a is smaller than the inner diameter of the lower case 51b. The upper case 51a has an opening 54 formed at its upper portion, through which a syringe or the like can be inserted. The lower portion of the upper case 51a is connected to the upper portion of the lower case 51b. The lower portion of the lower case 51b is connected to the discharge portion 53. The packing 52 is made of an elastic material, such as soft rubber, and is disposed inside both the upper case 51a and the lower case 51b. The packing 52 has an opening 55 at its upper or side and a passage 56 formed therein. The passage 56 connects the opening 55 and the discharge portion 53. The packing 52 has an outer shape that seals the inner wall of the upper case 51a, and has a small gap 57 between it and the inner wall of the lower case 51b. The lower case 51b has a threshold 58 at its bottom, which supports the bottom of the packing 52.

[0023] Packing 52 normally seals packing closure 50 (particularly the inner wall of upper case 51a). However, when, for example, a needleless syringe (not shown) is inserted through opening 54, threshold 58 supports packing 52 in retracting position, and gap 57 allows packing 52 to deform, pushing back the top of packing 52 and opening incision 55. In this state, when the syringe injects a drug, the drug is filled into drug container 36 through incision 55, passage 56, and discharge port 53. When the syringe is separated from packing closure 50, the elasticity of packing 52 immediately seals packing closure 50. This fundamentally prevents the interior of drug container 36 from being exposed to the outside, thereby preventing contamination of drug container 36. Therefore, patients can be treated in a strictly clean environment. Furthermore, by preventing the inside of the drug container 36 from being exposed, it is possible to strictly prevent the inside of the entire section of the respiratory system, in particular the entire section of the tube connected from the air purifier 1 to the mask (or mouthpiece), from being exposed to the outside.

[0024] 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a pharmaceutical aerosol supplying device 200 to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in the figure, the pharmaceutical aerosol supplying device 200 includes a T-tube 20, a pharmaceutical fine particle generating unit 30, and a heater 102.

[0025] The T-tube 20 includes a straight tube 22 and a branch tube 24. Air supplied from the humidifier 3 is supplied to a first end 22a of the straight tube 22 via a tube 4, and a second end 22b is connected to a mask or mouthpiece via a Y-tube 5. The branch tube 24 is attached to the straight tube 22 and communicates with the straight tube 22. The drug microparticle generator 30 is installed in the branch tube 24 and sprays the drug in the form of microparticles. The heater 102 heats the T-tube 20.

[0026] The heater 102 is attached to the outer surface of the T-tube 20 by adhesive or other means, and heats the T-tube 20 so that the temperature of the inner surface of the T-tube 20 becomes similar to the temperature of the second air discharged from the humidifier 3. When the second air passes through the T-tube 20 heated by the heater 102, the moisture evaporated in the second air does not condense. Therefore, secondary respiratory infections caused by condensed water can be prevented.

[0027] FIG. 4a shows the configuration of the T-tube 20 before assembly, FIG. 4b shows the configuration of the heater 102, and FIG. 4c shows the configuration of the socket portion.

[0028] It is preferable to look inside the T-tube 20 to check whether spray and condensation are occurring from the drug microparticle generating section 30. For this purpose, the T-tube 20 and the film 402 are made of a transparent or translucent material.

[0029] The heater 102 includes a film 402 containing a heating wire 404 and is attached to the outer surface of the T-tube 20. The heater 102 includes a first local heater 406 for heating the straight tube 22 and a second local heater 408 for heating the branch tube 24. The heater 102 includes a temperature sensor 410 for measuring the temperature of the T-tube 20. The temperature sensor 410 is disposed approximately in the center of the heater 102 and serves to monitor and control the temperature of the T-tube 20.

[0030] The heater 102 has a heating wire terminal 412 for connecting the heating wire 404 to an external power source and a sensor terminal 414 for connecting the temperature sensor 410 to an external control device. The heating wire terminal 412 and the sensor terminal 414 are attached to the second end 22b. The heater 102 also has a hook hole 416 and a boss hole 418 for connecting the T-tube 20 and the socket portion 104.

[0031] The socket portion 104 includes a heating wire connection terminal 420 electrically connected to the heating wire terminal 412, and a sensor connection terminal 422 electrically connected to the sensor terminal 414. The socket portion 104 has a sensor clearance groove 424, a hook connection groove 426, and a boss connection groove 428 formed on its upper surface, which is attached to the T-tube 20. The socket portion 104 also has a locking jaw 430 on its front.

[0032] 5a to 5c show the assembly of the T-tube 20, heater 102, and socket portion 104 shown in Fig. 3. First, as shown in Fig. 5a, the heater 102 is attached to the underside of the straight tube 22 of the T-tube 20, and as shown in Fig. 5b, the heater 102 is attached to the branch tube 24. Next, as shown in Fig. 5c, the socket portion 104 is assembled to the straight tube 22 of the T-tube 20.

[0033] Fig. 6a shows a configuration for assembling socket portion 104 to T-tube 20 to which heater 102 shown in Fig. 3 is attached, and Fig. 6b shows the state after the assembling is completed. Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining the state in which a power cable is connected to medicine aerosol supplying device 200 shown in Fig. 3.

[0034] Since the power cable 108 and the heater 102 cannot be directly connected, they are electrically connected via the socket portion 104. The power cable 108 may include an anti-reverse structure to prevent reverse assembly when connected to the cable socket 612.

[0035] The heater 102 is attached to the outer surface of the T-tube 20, and the temperature sensor 410 provided on the heater 102 is located within the sensor recess 424. As a result, the temperature sensor 410 is sealed by the T-tube 20 and the socket portion 104, and is therefore protected from external impacts.

[0036] The socket portion 104 includes a power connection terminal 610 that is electrically connected to an external power source. The power connection terminal 610 is exposed at a cable socket 612. When a patient wears the mask or mouthpiece, the power cable 108 should not be pointed toward the patient. Therefore, the cable socket 612 is disposed on the opposite side of the T-tube 20 from the Y-tube 5. As a result, when the socket portion 104 is assembled to the T-tube 20, the power connection terminal 610 is disposed opposite the first end 22a of the straight tube 22.

[0037] To facilitate fastening of the power cable 108, the socket portion 104 is configured so that the power connection terminal 610 is inclined downward, for example, at approximately 12.5 degrees relative to the straight tube 22.

[0038] The power connection terminal 610 and the heating wire connection terminal 420 may be end portions of pogo pins 614. The pogo pins 614 have springs inside and support the heating wire connection terminals 420. Therefore, in the process of fastening the socket part 104 to the T-tube 20, the fastening can be performed smoothly, and after fastening, the electrical connection between the heating wire connection terminals 420 and the heating wire terminals 412 can be firmly maintained.

[0039] The T-tube 20 has a socket locking protrusion 602, a hook 604, and a boss fitting portion 606 on its underside, to which the socket 104 is fastened. The socket locking protrusion 602 is formed on the second end 22b of the straight tube 22 and fastens to the locking jaw 430 of the socket 104. The socket locking protrusion 602 and the locking jaw 430 allow the heating wire connection terminal 420 of the pogo pin 614 to be connected to the heating wire terminal 412, and the sensor connection terminal 422 to be connected to the sensor terminal 414. The hook 604 is fastened to the hook connecting groove 426 through the hook hole 416. The hook 604 is fastened to the hook connecting groove 426 to prevent the socket 104 from separating from the T-tube 20 and to prevent the socket 104 from being pushed in the opposite direction by the elasticity of the pogo pin 614. Additionally, the boss fitting portion 606 is fastened to the boss connection groove 428 via the boss hole 418. The boss fitting portion 606, together with the hook 604, prevents the socket portion 104 from being pushed in the opposite direction by the elasticity of the pogo pin 614 and moving.

[0040] In this embodiment, the heater 102 has a film including a heating wire 404, and is attached to the T-tube 20 by an attachment method. Furthermore, since no screws are used when assembling the socket portion 104 to the T-tube 20, the assembly procedure can be minimized.

[0041] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention defined in the appended claims are also included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. 1. A respiratory medicinal aerosol delivery device comprising: a T-tube including a straight tube having a first end to which the air supplied from the respirator is supplied and a second end to be connected to a mask or mouthpiece, and a branch tube attached to the straight tube so as to be in communication with the straight tube; a drug fine particle generating unit that is installed in the branch tube and sprays the drug in the form of fine particles; a heater made of a film including a heating wire and attached to the outer surface of the T-tube to heat the T-tube; the heater further includes a heating wire terminal for connecting the heating wire to an external power source; the heating wire terminal is disposed at the second end; the device further includes a socket portion including a heating wire connection terminal electrically connected to the heating wire terminal and a power connection terminal electrically connected to the external power source, the power connection terminal is disposed opposite the first end of the straight tube; The socket portion is mounted on the straight tube so that the power connection terminal is inclined downward relative to the straight tube.

2. 2. The pharmaceutical aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the heater comprises a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the T-tube.

3. the heater includes a first local heater for heating the straight tube and a second local heater for heating the branch tube; 3. The pharmaceutical aerosol delivery device of claim 2, wherein the first local heater and the second local heater are integrally formed.

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