Inhalation device

Abstract

An inhalation device 10 comprises: a housing 16; a storage part 11 that is provided to the housing 16 and that stores, in a coil shape, a belt-like blister strip in which a powdery medicine is enclosed in a plurality of blister pockets 21; a drive part 12 that is provided to the housing 16 and that pulls out the blister strip 20 from the storage part 11; an opening part 13 that is provided to the housing 16 and that opens the pulled-out blister strip 20 to allow the medicine to be inhaled from an inhalation part 18; and a blister recovery part 14 that is provided in the housing 16 and that recovers the opened blister pockets 21 while pushing in the blister pockets 21 in a coil shape, without winding the blister pockets 21.

Description

Inhaler

[0001] This disclosure relates to an inhaler.

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-123721 discloses an inhaler having an actuating mechanism including a dispensing system for advancing a blister strip in which a drug is enclosed, an opening system for opening the blister strip, and a common actuator for the dispensing system and the opening system (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-220266 also discloses an inhaler having a mechanism for discharging a used blister strip to the outside of the housing.

[0004] However, in the conventional example described in Patent Document 1 above, the lid foil sealing the blister pocket is peeled off from the blister pocket by the opening system. And a spring is used to apply an appropriate tension to the lid foil during peeling. Also, a mechanism for winding the opened blister pocket around a spool is provided. Therefore, the structure of the inhaler is complicated and the number of parts is large, making it difficult to reduce costs.

[0005] Also, in the conventional example described in Patent Document 2 above, there is a possibility that patients, medical staff, etc. may touch the remaining drug that could not be inhaled.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to reduce costs while maintaining the performance of the inhaler.

[0007] The inhaler according to the first aspect includes a housing, a storage portion provided in the housing for storing a strip-shaped blister strip in which a powdery drug is enclosed in a plurality of blister pockets in a coiled state, a drive portion provided in the housing for pulling out the blister strip from the storage portion, an opening portion provided in the housing for opening the pulled-out blister strip to enable inhalation of the drug from an inhalation portion, and a blister recovery portion provided in the housing for recovering the blister pocket by pushing it into a coiled state without using a mechanism for winding the opened blister pocket.

[0008] In this inhalation device, the blister strip in the containment section is pulled out by the drive unit and opened in the opening unit, allowing the drug to be inhaled from the inhalation unit. The opened blister pocket is pushed into the blister recovery unit inside the housing. At this time, the blister recovery unit recovers the blister pocket by pushing it into a coil shape without using a mechanism to wind up the blister pocket.

[0009] A second embodiment is an inhalation device according to the first embodiment, wherein the blister recovery section is provided with a guide shaft that guides the rotation of the tip of the blister pocket when the blister pocket is pushed in a coil shape.

[0010] In this suction device, the rotation of the tip of the blister pocket is guided by a guide shaft as the blister pocket is pushed into the blister recovery section in a coil shape. This stabilizes the position of the tip of the blister pocket, allowing it to be smoothly recovered in a coil shape.

[0011] A third embodiment is an inhalation device according to the second embodiment, wherein the guide shaft is a round bar integrally formed with the housing.

[0012] In this suction device, the guide shaft is a round bar integrally formed with the housing, which allows for smoother guidance of the rotation of the tip of the blister pocket.

[0013] A fourth embodiment is an inhalation device according to any one of the first to third embodiments, wherein the inner wall of the blister recovery section is provided with a sliding guide section to suppress friction with the blister pocket to be recovered.

[0014] In this suction device, a sliding guide is provided on the inner wall of the blister recovery section, which suppresses friction between the blister pocket being recovered in the blister recovery section and the inner wall of the blister recovery section. This prevents the blister pocket from getting caught on the inner wall of the blister recovery section as it is pushed in. Therefore, the pulling out and opening of the blister strip and the recovery of the blister pocket can be performed smoothly when operating the suction device.

[0015] According to this disclosure, it is possible to reduce costs while maintaining the performance of the inhalation device.

[0016] This is a front view showing the inhalation device according to this embodiment. This is a front view showing the inhalation device according to this embodiment with the cover open. This is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the inhalation device according to this embodiment. This is a front view showing the state in the blister recovery section where the tip of the blister pocket is guided by the guide shaft. This is a front view showing a state where the recovery of the blister pocket has progressed further than in Figure 4.

[0017] The embodiments for implementing this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Components indicated by the same reference numerals in each drawing are considered to be the same or similar components. In the embodiments described below, descriptions and reference numerals that are repeated may be omitted. Furthermore, the drawings used in the following description are all schematic, and the dimensional relationships and ratios of each element shown in the drawings do not necessarily correspond to reality. Also, the dimensional relationships and ratios of each element do not necessarily correspond between multiple drawings.

[0018] In Figures 1 to 3, the inhalation device 10 according to this embodiment includes a storage unit 11, a drive unit 12, an opening unit 13, and a blister recovery unit 14. Each of these units is mainly located within a housing 16. The housing 16 is provided with an inhalation unit 18. The inhalation unit 18 is the part that the user puts their mouth to when inhaling medication. With the inhalation unit 18 facing upwards, the storage unit 11 and the blister recovery unit 14 are arranged symmetrically on the left and right sides. The housing 16 is provided with a cover 19 for opening and closing the inhalation unit 18.

[0019] The storage section 11 is provided in the housing 16 and is a part that houses the strip-shaped blister strip 20 in a coil shape. The blister strip 20 is a drug carrier in which powdered drug (not shown) is sealed in a plurality of blister pockets 21. The blister pockets 21 are provided in series at predetermined intervals on a sheet-like base 23. The number of blister pockets 21 corresponds to the number of inhalations set for one inhalation device 10. For example, if the number of inhalations is 30, at least 31 blister pockets 21 are provided. If the number of inhalations is 14, at least 15 blister pockets 21 are provided. A sheet 24, which serves as a lid for the blister pockets 21, is attached to the back surface of the base 23. The drug is sealed inside the blister pockets 21 by the sheet 24. The sheet 24 can be peeled off from the blister pockets 21 at the opening section 13. Furthermore, the blister strip 20 may be provided with an empty pocket for one test feeding and peeling off of the sheet 24 in order to check the operation of the inhalation device 10 after assembly. The empty pocket is a blister pocket that does not contain the drug 22.

[0020] The drive unit 12 is provided in the housing 16 and is a mechanism for pulling out the blister strip 20 from the storage unit 11. The drive unit 12 has a reel 25 that winds up the sheet 24 peeled off from the blister pocket 21. The reel 25 rotates in one direction in the direction of winding up the sheet 24 by gear drive (not shown) associated with the opening and closing operation of the cover 19. Since the end of the sheet 24 is secured to the reel 25, when the reel 25 rotates, the sheet 24 is wound up and the blister strip 20 is pulled out from the storage unit 11. By a ratchet mechanism (not shown), the reel 25 rotates when the cover 19 is opened and does not rotate when the cover 19 is closed.

[0021] The opening section 13 is provided on the housing 16 and is a part that opens the pulled-out blister strip 20, allowing the drug to be inhaled from the inhalation section 18. The opening section 13 is located between the reel 25 and the blister recovery section 14. The blister pocket 21 from which the sheet 24 has been peeled off faces the manifold 26 provided between the left and right reels 25. The manifold 26 is connected to the blister pocket 21 side as well as to the inhalation section 18 side.

[0022] The blister recovery section 14 is located inside the housing 16 and is a part that recovers the blister pocket 21, which is opened and pushed in, into a coil shape without intentionally winding it up by, for example, a winding mechanism. With the suction section 18 facing upwards, the blister recovery section 14 is located between the reel 25 and the storage section 11. The size and shape of the blister recovery section 14 should preferably be the smallest size and shape that can recover the blister pocket 21 without jamming.

[0023] The blister recovery section 14 is provided with a guide shaft 31 that guides the rotation of the tip 30 of the blister pocket 21 when the blister pocket 21 is pushed in in a coil shape. The guide shaft 31 is, for example, a round rod integrally formed with the housing 16. This guide shaft 31 is provided, for example, in the approximate center of the blister recovery section 14. The guide shaft 31 may be rotatably supported relative to the housing 16.

[0024] The tip 30 of the blister pocket 21 is the tip of the base body 23 (Figures 4 and 5). This tip 30 is curved into an arc shape, for example, with a radius of curvature that is the same as or slightly larger than the radius of the guide shaft 31. The tip 30 may also be configured as a loop into which the guide shaft 31 can be inserted.

[0025] A separator 28 is provided between the left and right blister recovery sections 14. The blister pocket 21, from which the sheet 24 has been peeled off at the opening section 13, is guided to the separator 28 to a certain position. With the suction section 18 facing upward, the separator 28 extends downward from the opening section 13, for example. The blister pocket 21 and the base 23 may be in contact with the separator 28 approximately parallel to each other, thereby partially sealing the blister pocket 21.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the inner wall of the blister recovery section 14 may be provided with a sliding guide section 32 to suppress friction with the recovered blister pocket 21. The sliding guide section 32 is provided on the inner wall of the blister recovery section 14 in a part with a large curvature. In the illustrated example, the sliding guide section 32 is provided in front of the blister pocket 21 in the direction in which it moves away from the separator 28 and enters the blister recovery section 14. The sliding guide section 32 is, for example, made of semi-cylindrical protrusions extending in the thickness direction of the housing 16 arranged along the inner wall. With the sliding guide section 32, the contact area with the blister pocket 21 is smaller compared to the case where the blister pocket 21 is in direct contact with the inner wall.

[0027] Furthermore, the sliding guide portion 32 should be configured in a way that suppresses friction with the blister pocket 21 so that the blister pocket 21 does not get stuck in the blister recovery portion 14. For example, the curvature of the inner wall may be reduced, low-friction members may be placed, or low-friction materials may be used for some of the materials. From the viewpoint of suppressing clogging of the blister pocket 21 in the blister recovery portion 14, it is desirable to ensure sufficient dimensions on the short side of the blister recovery portion 14 (for example, the left-right dimensions when the suction portion 18 is facing upwards).

[0028] (Operation) This embodiment is configured as described above, and its operation will be explained below. In Figures 1 to 5, in the inhalation device 10 according to this embodiment, the drive unit 12 is activated by opening and closing the cover 19, and the blister strip 20 of the storage unit 11 is pulled out one pitch at a time from the blister pocket 21. This blister strip 20 is opened by the opening unit 13. Specifically, the sheet 24 of the blister strip 20 is peeled off from the blister pocket 21 at the opening unit 13 and wound onto the reel 25, thereby pulling out the blister strip 20 from the storage unit 11. The blister pocket 21 from which the sheet 24 has been peeled off is positioned to face the manifold 26. As a result, when the user puts their mouth to the inhalation unit 18 and inhales, the drug in the blister pocket 21 is drawn into the manifold 26. At this time, the drug passes through the manifold 26 and is inhaled into the user's body through the inhalation unit 18. In this way, one or more types of drugs can be inhaled from the inhalation unit 18.

[0029] The blister pocket 21, from which the sheet 24 has been peeled off at the opening section 13, is guided to the separator 28 to a certain position. During this time, the blister pocket 21 and the base 23 come into contact with the separator 28 in roughly parallel manner, thereby sealing the blister pocket 21.

[0030] The blister pocket 21 eventually separates from the separator 28 and is pushed into the blister recovery unit 14 in a coil shape. At this time, the blister recovery unit 14 recovers the blister pocket 21 in a coil shape without winding it up. Therefore, a mechanism for winding up the blister pocket 21 is unnecessary. Also, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the rotation of the tip 30 of the blister pocket 21 may be guided by a guide shaft 31. If the guide shaft 31 is a round bar integrally formed with the housing 16, the rotation of the tip 30 of the blister pocket 21 can be guided more smoothly. As a result, the position of the tip 30 of the blister pocket 21 is stabilized, and the blister pocket 21 is recovered smoothly in a coil shape.

[0031] If a sliding guide portion 32 is provided on the inner wall of the blister recovery section 14, friction between the blister pocket 21 being recovered into the blister recovery section 14 and the inner wall of the blister recovery section 14 can be suppressed. In addition, since the blister pocket 21 can be moved towards the inside of the blister recovery section 14, it becomes easier to recover the blister pocket 21 in a coil shape. As a result, the blister pocket 21 being pushed into the blister recovery section 14 is prevented from getting caught on the inner wall of the blister recovery section 14. Therefore, the pulling out and opening of the blister strip 20 and the recovery of the blister pocket 21 can be performed smoothly when operating the suction device 10.

[0032] Thus, according to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce costs while maintaining the performance of the inhalation device 10. In other words, an improved inhalation device 10 can be provided.

[0033] [Other Embodiments] Although an example of an embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to those described above, and can of course be implemented in various modified forms without departing from the spirit of the disclosure.

[0034] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-206992, filed on 28 November 2024, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. All documents, patent applications, and technical standards described herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard were specifically and individually noted to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. An inhalation device comprising: a housing; a storage section provided in the housing for coiling a strip-shaped blister strip in which powdered medicine is sealed in a plurality of blister pockets; a drive section provided in the housing for pulling out the blister strip from the storage section; an opening section provided in the housing for opening the pulled-out blister strip so that the medicine can be inhaled from the inhalation section; and a blister recovery section provided inside the housing for recovering the opened blister pockets while pushing them into a coil shape without using a mechanism for winding up the blister pockets.

2. The suction device according to claim 1, wherein the blister recovery section is provided with a guide shaft that guides the rotation of the tip of the blister pocket when the blister pocket is pushed in a coil shape.

3. The suction device according to claim 2, wherein the guide shaft is a round bar integrally formed with the housing.

4. The suction device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the inner wall of the blister recovery section is provided with a sliding guide section to suppress friction with the blister pocket to be recovered.

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