Nebulizer

The invention relates to a nebulizer, in particular for Use in inhalation therapy, having the features of Preamble of claim 1.

Such a nebuliser is disclosed in EP-A-0 540 775. The first described in this nebulizer Nebulizing chamber has two portions, of which the Baffle section prevents liquid droplets directly the nebuliser to the removal opening of the fumigation chamber reach. beat on the baffle section to Liquid droplets down and be in the Liquid storage returned. The guide section of Nebulizing chamber produces an extension of the Flow path of the liquid mist during the removal and thus ensuring a homogenization and drying of Liquid mist.

With the known nebulizer aerosol can of very high Quality are generated. Because of the nebulizing chamber exist in the known nebuliser but areas where precipitate liquid droplets that are not in the Liquid storage are recycled. The amount of Liquid in the form of a liquid mist or aerosol It can be seen, therefore, is in proportion to the amount of which must be introduced to the nebulizer, only incompletely exploited. in other words, the yield removable drug aerosol is small.

Starting from this prior art, the invention has Object of the known nebulizer further develop such that the yield is increased.

This object is achieved by a nebulizer with the Features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments result from the dependent claims.

In the following, the invention is based on Embodiments with reference to the drawings described in more detail, in which:<dl tsize="15"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>an embodiment of the present invention Nebuliser with integrated atomizer;</dd><dt>Fig. 2A 2C</dt><dd>a part of the nebulizer of FIG. 1 in different views; and</dd><dt>Fig. 3A 3E</dt><dd>Various configurations of the baffles.</dd></dl>

The nebulizer shown in Fig. 1 has a cylindrical Atomizing space 1, by a downward Liquid collection area 2 is completed, in which the The liquid reservoir is filled. Using a Atomizing nozzle 3, the centrally in the cylindrical Nebulizing chamber 1 is arranged, the liquid reservoir is atomized from the liquid collection region 2 and in this In the range of nozzle holes 3a, a liquid mist generated, which propagates in the atomizing space. 1 Of the Liquid mist is a about an intake of 4 Patients removed from the nebulizer. The intake manifold 4 opens in an opening 4a of the nebulizing chamber 1. In order for the Removal of the aerosol required breathing air quantity available question about, is centered in a cylindrical atomizing space Air supply chamber 5 provided by the ambient air into the Nebulizing chamber 1 is guided. The bottom, in the Atomizing projecting end of the air supply chamber 5 is located in the Vicinity of the nozzle openings 3a of the atomizer nozzle third

The nebulizer shown in Fig. 1 has a Nebulizing chamber 6, of the atomizing space 1 in two Parts 1a and 1b divided. The nebulizing chamber 6 is of a baffle section 6a and guide sections 6b, of which in the view of Figure 1 only one is visible. Of the Baffle section 6a is at the lower end of the air supply chamber 5 to arranged therearound and leaves on the opening 4a opposite side of the air supply chamber 5 a passage 6c free for the liquid mist. The guide sections 6b extending in the longitudinal direction of the air supply chamber and of the Outer wall of the air supply chamber 5 to the inner wall of the Atomizing 1. Similarly, the baffle section extends 6a from the air supply chamber 5 to the inner wall of the nebulizing chamber. 1

According to the invention, the nebulizer of FIG. 1, at least one substantially flat impact surface 7, the on the Guide sections 6b opposite side of the baffle section 6a of Nebulizing chamber 6 is arranged and in itself extending substantially perpendicular to the baffle section 6a. The Baffle 7 extends to both the baffle section 6a perpendicular edges to the inner wall of the shown nebulizing chamber 1. As shown in FIG. 1, is the Baffle 7 on the side of the atomizer nozzle to the opening faces 6c of the baffle section 6a.

Due to the impact surface 7 is achieved that excessive Liquid droplets immediately on the surface of reflected baffle 7 and in the Liquid collection region 2 are returned before or by the passage opening of the baffle section 6a 6c in can reach the upper portion of the nebulizing chamber. 1 On Thus, a deposition of the large Liquid droplets in the upper region of the atomizing space 1 prevented from where the fluid remains just in the Liquid collection region 2 was able to reach. The yield extractable liquid mist or aerosol is thus increased since the precipitating and not in the reduced collection area 2 recirculated amount of liquid is.

In the nebulizer shown in Fig. 1, a second Impact face 8 on the opposite of the baffle 7 Side of the spray nozzle 3 is arranged. The surface of the Impact surface 8 is located closer to the nozzle holes 3a of the Atomizing nozzle 3 than the surface of the baffle section 6a. The arrangement of the second baffle 8, the Depositing and returning large liquid droplets immediately after generation by the atomizer 3 deprecated.

The baffles of the invention ensure that the only way small liquid droplets in the upper region of the Nebulizer 1 get that this is in itself adjusting liquid mist / air flow hardly at reflected inner wall of the atomizing space. 1 The to are two sides of the nozzle spreading aerosol jets by the baffles 7 and 8 on the entire available performed only propagation length and so a sufficient Space for mixing the primary aerosol with by the formed air supply chamber 5 incoming supply air. This is ensures that the rate of aerosol released not by Deposition of fine droplets is unnecessarily reduced.

Figs. 2A to 2C show baffles according to the invention in different views. Corresponds to Fig. 2A of the View of the baffles of FIG. 1. On both sides of Atomizing nozzle is a baffle 7 and 8 are arranged and extends from the baffle section 6a perpendicular to Atomizer 3 back. On the opposite side of the Baffle section 6a is one of the two guide sections 6b of the Nebulizing chamber 6 shown. The guide section 6b extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the air supply chamber 5. In Fig. 2B is a view in the direction of arrows D in Fig. 2A shown. In this view, both the guide sections 6b Supply air duct 5 appreciated the down to the baffle section 6a extend and together with it the nebulizing chamber 6 form. On the opposite side of the guide sections 6b of the baffle section 6a is the impact surface 7 visible, which from the surface of the baffle section 6a to the atomizer nozzle 3 extends towards. From Fig. 2B is also inferred that in a advantageous embodiment, the baffle 7 at the Baffle section 6a facing away from edge of a recess 7a has, which in the view of FIG. 2B a look at the behind lying baffle 8 of the embodiment releases. By the recess 7a, there is the possibility of adapting the Effect of the baffle 7 to the operating parameters of the Nebulizer. In contrast, the baffle 8, in the here Described embodiment, rectangular, as is clear from the View in Fig. 2C results. In each case, adjoin the Baffles 7 and 8 narrow at the two edges on the Verneblerraumes inner wall of the first

In FIGS. 3A to 3F are different designs of the facing away from the baffle section 6a edge of the baffle 7 shown. In the simplest case, this is, as shown in FIG. 3A, a straight edge. Fig. Figure 3B shows a circularly curved, protruding edge, Fig. 3C is a arcuate recess. Fig. 3D shows a rectangular recess; by chamfering the narrow sides of the recess one arrives according to the configuration. Fig. 3E.