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US 2003/0192962 A1Published application
Nebulizer vial for aerosol therapy
AssigneeMED 2000 Srl
InventorNicola Fraccaroli
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AssigneeMED 2000 Srl
InventorNicola Fraccaroli
Estimating the term…
The neblizer vial (10) for aerosol therapy comprises a tube (14) fed at a first end with compressed air, the tube (14) being constricted at its second end prior to the relative exit orifice (16) to obtain a venturi effect. The orifice (16) of the tube (14) emerges from the free surface of a solution (22) of an aerosol therapy medicament, a nozzle (18) being concentrically mounted on the second end of the tube (14) such that between the tube (14) and nozzle (18) there remains an interspace (20) communicating with the solution (22). A flow breaker device (26) is provided above the orifice (30) of the nozzle (18). The vial (10) is provided with an exit (34) for the formed aerosol and an inlet (24) for entry of external air as a result of suction exerted by the patient on the exit (34). For diameter parity of the orifice (30) of the nozzle (18), means are provided to vary the distance between the nozzle orifice (30) and the flow breaker device (26).
A nebulizer vial (10) for aerosol therapy, comprising a tube (14) fed at a first end with compressed air, the tube (14) being constricted at its second end prior to the relative exit orifice (16) to obtain a venturi effect, the orifice (16) of the tube (14) emerging from the free surface of a solution (22) of an aerosol therapy medicament, a nozzle (18) being concentrically mounted on the second end of the tube (14) such that between the tube (14) and nozzle (18) there remains an interspace (20) communicating with the solution (22), a flow breaker device (26) being provided above the orifice (30) of the nozzle (18), the vial (10) being provided with an exit (34) for the formed aerosol and an inlet (24) for entry of external air as a result of suction exerted by the patient on the exit (34), characterised in that, for diameter parity of the orifice (30) of the nozzle (18), means are provided to vary the distance between the nozzle orifice (30) and the flow breaker device (26), characterised in that the means for varying the distance between the orifice (30) of the nozzle (18) and the flow breaker device (26) consist of a series of interchangeable nozzles (18) of different length.
A nebulizer vial (10) for aerosol therapy as claimed in claim 5, wherein the flow breaker diaphragm (26) is disposed at one end of a conduit (24) without however closing said end, the other end of the conduit (24) being open towards the outside to enable external air to enter following suction exerted by the patient on the aerosol exit (34).
A nebulizer vial (10) for aerosol therapy as claimed in claim 8, wherein the external air flow regulator device comprises an adjustment cock (32).
A nebulizer vial (10) for aerosol therapy as claimed in claim 11, wherein the means which enables the two parts (A, B) to be connected together in such a manner as to be able to obtain different distances between the orifice (30) and the flow breaker device (26) comprises a series of spacing connection stubs between the two parts (A, B), these stubs being of different height.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent materials from two or more sources, e.g. of liquid and air, of powder and gas:…
Particle size control: by flow deviation causing inertial separation of transported particles
Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes: of the injector type
Using an atomising fluid as carrying fluid for feeding, e.g. by suction or pressure, a carried liquid from the container to the nozzle: the…
Term end not estimated
The present invention relates to a nebulizer vial for aerosol therapy. Known nebulizer vials for aerosol therapy are of plastic construction and use the venturi principle, in particular the so-called double venturi, in the sense that the air originating from a compressor is passed at high velocity through a small-diameter tube constricted internally (to form the venturi) and terminating with an orifice which emerges from the free surface of a solution of an aerosol therapy medicament contained in a reservoir. A nozzle (also known as a pisper) is mounted concentrically on the end of said tube such that between the two there is an interspace communicating lowerly with the solution contained in the reservoir. The compressed air leaving the orifice of said tube causes the particles or droplets of the medicament solution to be sucked upwards through said interspace, to form an upwardly directed stream of solution particles, which leaves the nozzle orifice. The stream of solution particles formed in this manner is atomized (to form the aerosol) by causing the stream to strike against a flow breaker device positioned above the nozzle orifice. The flow breaker device is positioned at, but without completely closing, the lower end of a conduit through which external air can enter the vial following inhalation by the patient on an aerosol exit conduit with which the vial is provided.
As known to the expert of this sector, the characteristic parameters of a therapeutic aerosol are the mass median aerodynamic diameter (indicated by the initials MMAD which depends on the orifice diameter of the nozzle), the geometric standard deviation (indicated by the initials GSD) and the nebulization rate.
The MMAD provides an indication of the average dimensions of the particles forming the aerosol, this identifying the region of the air passageways in which the nebulized medicament will deposit.
The invention will be more easily understood from the ensuing description of one embodiment thereof. In this description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which the single figure represents a very schematic vertical section through a nebulizer vial of the invention, the section being taken on a plane passing through the axis of the compressed air feed tube.
Observing the figure it can be seen that the nebulizer vial 10 is composed of two parts, namely an upper part A and a lower part B. To enable the vial 10 to be used, the parts A and B have to be connected together (as shown in the figure), this being achievable in various ways, for example by a screw connection, by a bayonet connection or by a snap clip connection.
As can be seen, the outer casing 12 of the part B is shaped as a cup, the base of which is sealedly traversed by a tube 14 for feeding compressed air generated by a compressor (not shown) of the conventional type used for aerosol apparatus. The upper end of the tube 14 is tapered both externally and internally (the internal taper causing the said venturi effect), the tube 14 finally terminating with an orifice 16.