Atomizing nozzle device for atomizing a fluid and an inhaler

An atomizing nozzle device for atomizing a fluid supplied thereto and comprising:

• a housing having an outer wall defining an inner chamber of said housing, an inlet for introducing said fluid into said chamber, and an orifice for discharging said fluid from said chamber,
• a stem means comprising a closing element, said stem means being arranged within said housing so as to arrange said closing element juxtaposed said orifice for cooperating therewith,
• a spring means acting on said stem means for forcing said closing element thereof into said orifice for closing said orifice,
• an electro-mechanical driver means being constituted by an electro-magnetic driver means comprising a magnetic assembly and coil, said magnetic assembly defining a magnetic gap in which said coil is arranged, said magnetic assembly constituting a movable component, and said coil constituting a stationary component, said movable component being connected to said stem means and said stationary component being connected to said housing, and said electro-mechanical drive means comprising connector means for receiving an electrical signal for causing said movable component to move relative to said stationary component and furthermore causing said closing element of said stem means to move relative to said orifice for opening said orifice, and
• a switch means including a first switch component and a second switch component, said first switch component being connected to said stem means and being movable therewith, said second switch component being connected to said stationary component, said first and second switch components being in contact with one another and establishing a current path to said connector means when said orifice is closed by said closing element, and said first and second switch components being out of contact with one another and interrupting said current path when said closing element is moved relative to said orifice.

An atomizing nozzle device for atomizing a fluid supplied thereto and comprising:

• a housing having an outer wall defining an inner chamber of said housing, an inlet for introducing said fluid into said chamber, and an orifice for discharging said fluid from said chamber,
• a steam means comprising a closing element, said stem means being arranged within said housing so as to arrange said closing element juxtaposed said orifice for cooperating therewith,
• a spring means acting on said stem means for forcing said closing element thereof into said orifice for closing said orifice,
• an electro-mechanical driver means comprising a movable component and a stationary component, said electro-mechanical driver means comprising a coil and an armature, said armature constituting said stationary component, and said coil constituting said movable component, said movable component being connected to said stem means and said stationary component being connected to said housing, and said electro-mechanical drive means comprising connector means for receiving an electrical signal for causing said movable component to move relative to said stationary component and furthermore causing said closing element of said stem means to move relative to said orifice for opening said orifice, and
• a switch means including a first switch component and a second switch component, said first switch component being connected to said stem means and being movable therewith, said second switch component being connected to said stationary component, said first and second switch components being in contact with one another and establishing a current path to said connector means when said orifice is closed by said closing element, and said first and second switch components being out of contact with one another and interrupting said current path when said closing element is moved relative to said orifice.

An atomizing nozzle device for atomizing a fluid supplied thereto and comprising:

• a housing having an outer wall defining an inner chamber of said housing, an inlet for introducing said fluid into said chamber, and an orifice for discharging said fluid from said chamber,
• a stem means comprising a closing element, said stem means being arranged within said housing so as to arrange said closing element juxtaposed said orifice for cooperating therewith,
• a spring means acting on said stem means for forcing said closing element thereof into said orifice for closing said orifice,
• an electro-mechanical driver means comprising a movable component and a stationary component, said movable component being connected to said stem means and said stationary component being connected to said housing, and said electro-mechanical drive means comprising connector means for receiving an electrical signal for causing said movable component to move relative to said stationary component and furthermore causing said closing element of said stem means to move relative to said orifice for opening said orifice,
• a switch means including a first switch component and a second switch component, said first switch component being connected to said stem means and being movable therewith, said second switch component being connected to said stationary component, said first and second switch components being in contact with one another and establishing a current path to said connector means when said orifice is closed by said closing element, and said first and second switch components being out of contact with one another and interrupting said current path when said closing element is moved relative to said orifice, and
• an amplifier means having a high impedance input and an output, said high impedance input being connected to said switch means for detecting the presence and absence of said current path, and said output being connected to said connector means of said electro-mechanical driver means.

An atomizing nozzle device for atomizing a fluid supplied thereto and comprising:

• a housing having an outer wall defining an inner chamber of said housing, an inlet for introducing said fluid into said chamber, and an orifice for discharging said fluid from said chamber,
• a stem means comprising a closing element, said stem means being arranged within said housing so as to arrange said closing element juxtaposed said orifice for cooperating therewith,
• a spring means acting on said stem means for forcing said closing element thereof into said orifice for closing said orifice,
• a signal generator means for generating an electrical signal,
• an electro-mechanical driver means comprising a movable component and a stationary component, said movable component being connected to said stem means and said stationary component being connected to said housing, and said electro-mechanical drive means comprising connector means for receiving an electrical signal for causing said movable component to move relative to said stationary component and furthermore causing said closing element of said stem means to move relative to said orifice for opening said orifice,
• a switch means including a first switch component and a second switch component, said first switch component being connected to said stem means and being movable therewith, said second switch component being connected to said stationary component, said first and second switch components being in contact with one another and establishing a current path to said connector means when said orifice is closed by said closing element, and said first and second switch components being out of contact with one another and interrupting said current path when said closing element is moved relative to said orifice, and
• an amplifier means having a high impedance input and an output, said high impedance input being connected to said switch means for detecting the presence and absence of said current path, and said output being connected to said connector means of said electro-mechanical driver means, said amplifier means further receiving said signal generated by said signal generator means and supplying said signal generated by said signal generator means to said connector means, provided said current path is established, and interrupting the supply of said signal generated by said signal generator means to said connector means provided said current path is interrupted.

An inhaler for atomizing a drug supplied thereto and comprising:

• a housing having an outer wall defining an inner chamber of said housing, and an orifice for discharging said drug from said chamber,
• means for receiving a drug containing container and for introducing said drug into said chamber of said housing,
• a stem means comprising a closing element, said stem means being arranged within said housing so as to arrange said closing element juxtaposed said orifice for cooperating therewith,
• a spring means acting on said stem means for forcing said closing element thereof into said orifice for closing said orifice,
• an electro-mechanical driver means comprising a movable component and a stationary component, said movable component being connected to said stem means and said stationary component being connected to said housing, and said electro-mechanical drive means comprising connector means for receiving an electrical signal for causing said movable component to move relative to said stationary component and furthermore causing said closing element of said stem means to move relative to said orifice for opening said orifice, and
• a switch means including a first switch component and a second switch component, said first switch component being connected to said stem means and being movable therewith, said second switch component being connected to said stationary component, said first and second switch components being in contact with one another and establishing a current path to said connector means when said orifice is closed by said closing element, and said first and second switch components being out of contact with one another and interrupting said current path when said closing element is moved relative to said orifice.

An inhaler for atomizing a drug supplied thereto and comprising:

• a housing having an outer wall defining an inner chamber of said housing, and an orifice for discharging said drug from said chamber, said housing comprising a metallic housing component in which housing component said orifice is provided,
• means for receiving a drug containing container and for introducing said drug into said chamber of said housing,
• a stem means comprising a closing element, said stem means being arranged within said housing so as to arrange said closing element juxtaposed said orifice for cooperating therewith, said closing element being made from a metallic material,
• a spring means acting on said stem means for forcing said closing element thereof into said orifice for closing said orifice,
• an electro-mechanical driver means comprising a movable component and a stationary component, said movable component being connected to said stem means and said stationary component being connected to said housing, and said electro-mechanical drive means comprising connector means for receiving an electrical signal for causing said movable component to move relative to said stationary component and furthermore causing said closing element of said stem means to move relative to said orifice for opening said orifice, and
• a switch means including a first switch component and a second switch component, said first switch component being constituted by said closing element, said second switch component being constituted by said metallic housing component, said first and second switch components being in contact with one another and establishing a current path to said connector means when said orifice is closed by said closing element, and said first and second switch components being out of contact with one another and interrupting said current path when said closing element is moved relative to said orifice.

An inhaler for atomizing a drug supplied thereto and comprising:

• a housing having an outer wall defining an inner chamber of said housing, and an orifice for discharging said drug from said chamber,
• means for receiving a drug containing container and for introducing said drug into said chamber of said housing,
• a stem means comprising a closing element, said stem means being arranged within said housing so as to arrange said closing element juxtaposed said orifice for cooperating therewith,
• a spring means acting on said stem means for forcing said closing element thereof into said orifice for closing said orifice,
• an electro-magnetic-driver means comprising a magnetic assembly and coil, said magnetic assembly defining a magnetic gap in which said coil is arranged, said magnetic assembly constituting a stationary component, and said coil constituting a movable component, said movable component being connected to said stem means and said stationary component being connected to said housing, and said electro-mechanical drive means comprising connector means for receiving an electrical signal for causing said movable component to move relative to said stationary component and furthermore causing said closing element of said stem means to move relative to said orifice for opening said orifice, and
• a switch means including a first switch component and a second switch component, said first switch component being connected to said stem means and being movable therewith, said second switch component being connected to said stationary component, said first and second switch components being in contact with one another and establishing a current path to said connector means when said orifice is closed by said closing element, and said first and second switch components being out of contact with one another and interrupting said current path when said closing element is moved relative to said orifice.

An inhaler for atomizing a drug supplied thereto and comprising:

• a housing having an outer wall defining an inner chamber of said housing, and an orifice for discharging said drug from said chamber,
• means for receiving a drug containing container and for introducing said drug into said chamber of said housing,
• a stem means comprising a closing element, said stem means being arranged within said housing so as to arrange said closing element juxtaposed said orifice for cooperating therewith,
• a spring means acting on said stem means for forcing said closing element thereof into said orifice for closing said orifice,
• an electro-mechanical driver means being constituted by an electro-magnetic driver means comprising a magnetic assembly and coil, said magnetic assembly defining a magnetic gap in which said coil is arranged, said magnetic assembly constituting a movable component, and said coil constituting a stationary component, said movable component being connected to said stem means and said stationary component being connected to said housing, and said electro-mechanical drive means comprising connector means for receiving an electrical signal for causing said movable component to move relative to said stationary component and furthermore causing said closing element of said stem means to move relative to said orifice for opening said orifice, and
• a switch means including a first switch component and a second switch component, said first switch component being connected to said stem means and being movable therewith, said second switch component being connected to said stationary component, said first and second switch components being in contact with one another and establishing a current path to said connector means when said orifice is closed by said closing element, and said first and second switch components being out of contact with one another and interrupting said current path when said closing element is moved relative to said orifice.

An inhaler for atomizing a drug supplied thereto and comprising:

• a housing having an outer wall defining an inner chamber of said housing, and an orifice for discharging said drug from said chamber,
• means for receiving a drug containing container and for introducing said drug into said chamber of said housing,
• a stem means comprising a closing element, said stem means being arranged within said housing so as to arrange said closing element juxtaposed said orifice for cooperating therewith,
• a spring means acting on stem means for forcing said closing element thereof into said orifice for closing said orifice,
• an electro-mechanical driver means comprising a movable component and a stationary component, said electro-mechanical driver means comprising a coil and an armature, said armature constituting said stationary component, and said coil constituting said movable component, said movable component being connected to said stem means and said stationary component being connected to said housing, and said electro-mechanical drive means comprising connector means for receiving an electrical signal for causing said movable component to move relative to said stationary component and furthermore causing said closing element of said stem means to move relative to said orifice for opening said orifice, and
• a switch means including a first switch component and a second switch component, said first switch component being connected to said stem means and being movable therewith, said second switch component being connected to said stationary component, said first and second switch components being in contact with one another and establishing a current path to said connector means when said orifice is closed by said closing element, and said first and second switch components being out of contact with one another and interrupting said current path when said closing element is moved relative to said orifice.

An inhaler for atomizing a drug supplied thereto and comprising:

• a housing having an outer wall defining an inner chamber of said housing, and an orifice for discharging said drug from said chamber,
• means for receiving a drug containing container and for introducing said drug into said chamber of said housing,
• a stem means comprising a closing element, said stem means being arranged within said housing so as to arrange said closing element juxtaposed said orifice for cooperating therewith,
• a spring means acting on said stem means for forcing said closing element thereof into said orifice for closing said orifice,
• an electro-mechanical driver means comprising a movable component and a stationary component, said electro-mechanical driver means comprising a coil and an armature, said coil constituting said stationary component, and said armature constituting said movable component, said movable component being connected to said stem means and said stationary component being connected to said housing, and said electro-mechanical drive means comprising connector means for receiving an electrical signal for causing said movable component to move relative to said stationary component and furthermore causing said closing element of said stem means to move relative to said orifice for opening said orifice, and
• a switch means including a first switch component and a second switch component, said first switch component being connected to said stem means and being movable therewith, said second switch component being connected to said stationary component, said first and second switch components being in contact with one another and establishing a current path to said connector means when said orifice is closed by said closing element, and said first and second switch components being out of contact with one another and interrupting said current path when said closing element is moved relative to said orifice.

An inhaler for atomizing a drug supplied thereto and comprising:

• a housing having an outer wall defining an inner chamber of said housing, and an orifice for discharging said drug from said chamber,
• means for receiving a drug containing container and for introducing said drug into said chamber of said housing,
• a stem means comprising a closing element, said stem means being arranged within said housing so as to arrange said closing element juxtaposed said orifice for cooperating therewith,
• a spring means acting on said stem means for forcing said closing element thereof into said orifice for closing said orifice,
• a signal generator means for generating an electrical signal, said electrical signal chosen from the group consisting of an AC signal, a DC signal, and a combination of an AC and DC signal,
• an electro-mechanical driver means comprising a movable component and a stationary component, said movable component being connected to said stem means and said stationary component being connected to said housing, and said electro-mechanical drive means comprising connector means for receiving said electrical signal for causing said movable component to move relative to said stationary component and furthermore causing said closing element of said stem means to move relative to said orifice for opening said orifice, and
• a switch means including a first switch component and a second switch component, said first switch component being connected to said stem means and being movable therewith, said second switch component being connected to said stationary component, said first and second switch components being in contact with one another and establishing a current path to said connector means when said orifice is closed by said closing element, and said first and second switch components being out of contact with one another and interrupting said current path when said closing element is moved relative to said orifice.

An inhaler for atomizing a drug supplied thereto and comprising:

• a housing having an outer wall defining an inner chamber of said housing, and an orifice for discharging said drug from said chamber,
• means for receiving a drug containing container and for introducing said drug into said chamber of said housing,
• a stem means comprising a closing element, said stem means being arranged within said housing so as to arrange said closing element juxtaposed said orifice for cooperating therewith,
• a spring means acting on said stem means for forcing said closing element thereof into said orifice for closing said orifice,
• an electro-mechanical driver means comprising a movable component and a stationary component, said movable component being connected to said stem means and said stationary component being connected to said housing, and said electro-mechanical drive means comprising connector means for receiving an electrical signal for causing said movable component to move relative to said stationary component and furthermore causing said closing element of said stem means to move relative to said orifice for opening said orifice,
• a switch means including a first switch component and a second switch component, said first switch component being connected to said stem means and being movable therewith, said second switch component being connected to said stationary component, said first and second switch components being in contact with one another and establishing a current path to said connector means when said orifice is closed by said closing element, and said first and second switch components being out of contact with one another and interrupting said current path when said closing element is moved relative to said orifice, and
• an amplifier means having a high impedance input and an output, said high impedance input being connected to said switch means for detecting the presence and absence of said current path, and said output being connected to said connector means of said electro-mechanical driver means.

An inhaler for atomizing a drug supplied thereto and comprising:

• a housing having an outer wall defining an inner chamber of said housing, and an orifice for discharging said drug from said chamber,
• means for receiving a drug containing container and for introducing said drug into said chamber of said housing,
• a stem means comprising a closing element, said stem means being arranged within said housing so as to arrange said closing element juxtaposed said orifice for cooperating therewith,
• a spring means acting on said stem means for forcing said closing element thereof into said orifice for closing said orifice,
• a signal generator means for generating an electrical signal,
• an electro-mechanical driver means comprising a movable component and a stationary component, said movable component being connected to said stem means and said stationary component being connected to said housing, and said electro-mechanical drive means comprising connector means for receiving an electrical signal for causing said movable component to move relative to said stationary component and furthermore causing said closing element of said stem means to move relative to said orifice for opening said orifice,
• a switch means including a first switch component and a second switch component, said first switch component being connected to said stem means and being movable therewith, said second switch component being connected to said stationary component, said first and second switch components being in contact with one another and establishing a current path to said connector means when said orifice is closed by said closing element, and said first and second switch components being out of contact with one another and interrupting said current path when said closing element is moved relative to said orifice, and
• an amplifier means having a high impedance input and an output, said high impedance input being connected to said switch means for detecting the presence and absence of said current path, and said output being connected to said connector means of said electro-mechanical drive means, said amplifier means further receiving said signal generated by said signal generator means and supplying said signal generated by said signal generator means to said connector means, provided said current path is established, and interrupting the supply of said signal generated by said signal generator means to said connector means provided said current path is interrupted.

An inhaler for atomizing a drug supplied thereto and comprising:

• a housing having an outer wall defining an inner chamber of said housing, and an orifice for discharging said drug from said chamber, said orifice having a diameter of the order of 0.1-3 mm,
• means for receiving a drug containing container and for introducing said drug into said chamber of said housing,
• a stem means comprising a closing element, said stem means being arranged within said housing so as to arrange said closing element juxtaposed said orifice for cooperating therewith,
• a spring means acting on said stem means for forcing said closing element thereof into said orifice for closing said orifice,
• an electro-mechanical drive means comprising a movable component and a stationary component, said movable component being connected to said stem means and said stationary component being connected to said housing, and said electro-mechanical drive means comprising connector means for receiving an electrical signal for causing said movable component to move relative to said stationary component and furthermore causing said closing element of said stem means to move relative to said orifice for opening said orifice, and
• a switch means including a first switch component and a second switch component, said first switch component being connected to said stem means and being movable therewith, said second switch component being connected to said stationary component, said first and second switch components being in contact with one another and establishing a current path to said connector means when said orifice is closed by said closing element, and said first and second switch components being out of contact with one another and interrupting said current path when said closing element is moved relative to said orifice.

An atomizing nozzle device for atomizing a fluid supplied thereto, comprising:

• a housing having an outer wall defining an inner chamber of said housing, an inlet for introducing said fluid into said inner chamber and an orifice for discharging said fluid from said inner chamber, said housing comprising a metallic housing component, said metallic housing component including said orifice;
• stem means comprising a closing element, said stem means being arranged within said housing so as to arrange said closing element juxtaposed said orifice for cooperating therewith, said closing element being made from a metallic material;
• spring means acting on said stem means for forcing said closing element into said orifice to close said orifice;
• electro-mechanical driver means comprising a movable component and a stationary component, said movable component being connected to said stem means and said stationary component being connected to said housing, said electro-mechanical driver means further comprising connector means for receiving an electrical signal for causing said movable component to move relative to said stationary component and furthermore causing said closing element of said stem means to move relative to said orifice for opening said orifice;
• and
• switch means comprising a first switch component and a second switch component, said first switch component being constituted by said closing element, said second switch component being constituted by said metallic housing component, said first and second switch components being in contact with one another and establishing a current path to said connector means when said orifice is closed by said closing element, and said first and second switch components being out of contact with one another and interrupting said current path when said closing element is moved relative to said orifice.