Controlled inhaler

The invention relates to a device for the controlled inhalatory Introducing dosed drug aerosols in the lung.

The application of medications in aerosol form by inhalation increasingly in the lungs of people gaining importance. There is the problem that a rapid inhalation, the promotes deposition of particles in the larynx and mouth, and the penetration of the aerosol particles prevents the lungs. Unfavorable it is still, when the aerosol to be administered is not quantified, precisely because the controllable as possible and in particular slow inhalation, the deposition of promotes aerosol particles in the lungs. If the patient with any can breathe rate, it comes in a disadvantageous Way to the fact that the dumping of the particles in the lungs always has a large variation. In uncontrolled inhalation with previously known pantries (spacers) will be from the patient both the flow (that is, the breathing rate) and the Tidal volume varies.

The invention is thus based on the object, a device further develop the above-mentioned type in such a way that with simple handling problem-controlled Inhalation is possible.

This object is said in claim 1 resolved features. Preferred features, the invention provides the advantageous further training, are subordinate claims refer to.

The inventive measures advantageously a Atemflußlimitierung possible by setting a maximum inhalation flow of the test subjects, thereby enabling the lung deposition of the aerosol particles is increased. Here, through various river-limitations (such as critical Nozzle, adjustable nozzle) different flow settings possible, whereby also an adaptation to the drugs used and the possibilities of the patient can take place.

To limit the inhalable volume is a container preferably in the form of a balloon or bag, wherein by the predetermined initial filling of the container a quantifiable amount of aerosol is adjustable.

A further advantage is that the coordination of the patient is limited by the device of the invention in so far as initially prescribed a specific filling and then in all Rest is emptied. In this case, by a preferably transparent structure of the container or balloon, the patient advantageously also visually check whether he really predetermined Volume has emptied and individual breaths on Track shrinkage of the balloon.

Advantageously, different volumes for individual areas selectable, for example, 50-150 ml of preferred Disposal in the conductive airways of the lung, or 500-5000 ml of preferred maximum deposition of the aerosol in the Alveolar region of the lung.

The construction of the device is extremely simple verifiable and enters the patient in a form against which appears without unsettling electronics and thus also the Acceptance self-explanatory (visible emptying a balloon) promotes.

In the apparatus according to the invention is the form of bags or Balloon formed container with a certain amount Aerosol filled, the amount by the size of container is predetermined. The aerosol can in a conventional manner MDIs, dry powder inhalers, ultrasonic or Nebuliser systems are produced. It is in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a balloon in a transparent container, such as Plexiglas, which in shape design convenient handling by the patient allows, for example, by a handle in the form a recessed grip.

The patient then inhales the contents of the bag, wherein it forced by an adjustable valve or a critical nozzle is to empty the bag slowly. This inhalation flow is by setting a critical nozzle or adjustable valve variable, wherein the patient is a direct visual indication of the amount of the inhaled aerosol so far has, as the bag after inhalation of a quantivizierten predetermined amount of aerosol is empty.

For the housing depending on the application, different are volumetric Sizes provided. For example, when the aerosol exclusively or preferably deposited in the conductive airways to be to small housing with volumes of offer 50-250 ml, whereas in demand for landfill mainly or solely in Alveolarbereichgehäuse of 600 - 5000 ml may be provided. The rule is that The deeper the inhalation, the more effectively and even more so Aerosol reaches the alveolar region.

According to the claimed features is advantageous therefore the Container arranged in a housing, wherein the housing for Control the level of the container at least partially is transparent, wherein the container with an inhalation mouthpiece is connected and the housing has a filling valve. The adjustment for the inhalation flow is an adjustment valve or a so-called critical nozzle educated.

The container is at least partially resilient, preferably also with rebound resilience, and preferably as a bag or balloon formed, and the housing has an e handle which is preferably integrated in the form of a handle is. This handle can preferably as a recessed grip be formed, and the filling valve is advantageously in the range this handle arranged.

The invention will be with reference to a schematically illustrated Exemplary embodiment with reference to the enclosed Figure explained in more detail.

The accompanying figure schematically shows in cross section a Embodiment of a device 10. The device 10 consists of a spherical housing 11, which consists of a transparent material such as plexiglass is prepared. The housing 11 further includes a protruding Mouthpiece 12, as a thin pipe sockets of small cross section trained critical orifice 13 for flow limitation and a valve 14 which is designed as a one-way valve and from the interior of the container 11 opens outwards. In container even a container is shown schematically in the form of a balloon 15 indicated, which is closed and connected to the mouthpiece 12 is.

To use the device is first to be administered a fixed aerosol drug volume and then the balloon 15 filled accordingly via the mouthpiece 12, wherein the Valve 14, an unfolding of the balloon 15 inside of the transparent Container 11 allows.

For effecting the desired inhalation is now taking the Patient the housing to a handle, not shown, breathes and takes the mouthpiece 12 (after removing a sealing film) in the mouth. then for inhaling the critical nozzle 13 for controlled aerosol output from the Balloon 15 is released. Instead of the critical nozzle can also be provided an adjustable valve, wherein the flow cross section by the critical orifice of the outer air ingress to Interior of the container 11 and thus also the possible contraction the balloon 15 is determined, whereby a simple control the tidal volume is made possible. At the same time via the Filling the balloon yourself-to-apply medication aerosol volume specified, wherein when using an adjustable Valve instead of the critical nozzle 13 and the depth of each breath and thus the desired application area can be specified for the drug aerosol.

A preferred embodiment of the apparatus for the controlled inhalational introducing dosed drugs in the lungs, the container 15 is designed to be elastic, that after the removal of the aerosol selbstätig in his original shape before removal back formed. Thereby, it is possible the emptied container 15 from the outside via the inhaler mouthpiece 12 with drugs / aerosols in a simple manner again to fill.

A sealing foil is not illustrated on the mouthpiece 12 to seal and hygienic protection of the filled container 15 applied and is removed prior Inbenutzungsnahme.

The device can be extremely simple with a Plexiglas case and a rubber balloon in a price level produced which extends into the area of ​​disposable products.