Device for swallowing powder granular or granulated substances

p0001The invention relates to a device for ingesting powdery, granular or granular substances according to the preamble of claim 1.

p0002An application form of the device according to the invention for ingestion, especially of powdered substances, is a so-called powder inhaler. A further application are devices for the administration of granular or granular substances, such as, for example, food supplements. These are distinguished by the fact that they are relatively coarse-grained and are therefore not inhaled. These substances are, for example, administered orally by feeding them to the mouth. Likewise, however, it is also conceivable that these granular or granular substances can be fed to beverages or foodstuffs from the dosage dispenser according to the invention.

p0003The propellant-free powder inhaler according to the invention serves for the inhaled administration of powdered, solid-substance medicaments or food supplements. The powder inhalers released the aerosol through the inhalation process, the energy for dispersion being obtained by the inspiratory flow. The pulverulent substance is thereby contained in a storage container, namely in a storage container, in a capsule or in a blister. The inhalation powders are galenic products which are specifically developed for the particular inhaler. Depending on the nature of the powder inhaler, the pure active ingredient is used or the active ingredient is mixed with a carrier (harmless adjuvant, mostly lactose or glucose) for adhered active ingredient particles. A further possibility of providing reliable powder inhalers is to build up the micronized active ingredient as well as to build up easily destructible agglomerates.

p0004The patient breathes a fine powder in the presently known powder inhalers, whereby the patient applies the energy for producing the aerosol with its respiratory current itself. This has the advantage that no coordination problems arise between release and inhalation. The active substance is vortexed in a, for example, spirally guided air stream and passes directly into the bronchi with the air stream. However, in the case of acute respiratory distress, the patient does not always have the inspiratory strength necessary for the powder aerosol treatment due to the air channel resistors in the currently known powder inhalers.

p0005The known powder inhalers are characterized in that they have, at all times, an open air channel into which moisture and environmental pollution can penetrate. For this reason, the known powder inhalers are equipped with protective caps as well as storage devices as protection against moisture and environmental pollution. In the case of loss or improper use of these protective devices, the powder inhaler loses its full functional capability. A disadvantage of the known powder inhalers is that the patient does not always avoid exhaling through the inhaler, even in the opposite direction, namely in the expiratory direction. As a result, the inhaler tends to become clogged due to the air humidity, since the powder clogs and sticks in the inhaler in the air channel. This also leads to considerable dosing problems. The patient must apply the energy for the production of the aerosol with his respiratory current during inspiration. This energy is, however, precisely limited in patients, and in acute respiratory distress, the patient can not adequately apply the energy necessary for the powder aerosol treatment for the required respiratory strength with the usual inhalers. Most known powder inhalers do not have an optimal flow profile since flow deflections and swirls occur due to the structural specifications. This means an increased flow resistance and requires an increased energy expenditure for the patient. Finally, fractions of the powder remain adhered to the hindquarters and lie in quiescent zones of the flow, which is at the expense of metering accuracy.

p0006The granular or granular substances have hitherto been administered by removing them from the reservoir by means of a spoon, in order subsequently to introduce the spoon with the substance into the mouth, or else to add the substance into a beverage or into a foodstuff. This is often unhygienic since the substance is unprotected freely accessible in the storage container. Moreover, the necessary metering accuracy is not always guaranteed.

p0007The <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="FR2701653A"><text>FR-A-2 701 653</text></patcit> Shows a powder inhaler of the type indicated at the outset. The powder is contained in a funnel-shaped storage container. The funnel-shaped supply container has an opening on the underside. This opening is closed by a displacement device. In the opening position of this displacement device, an opening is located below the funnel opening so that the powder can trickle into a space below. Due to the force of a spring, the displacement device is moved back into the initial position, in which the displacement device closes the opening of the storage container. In the raised position of the inhalation tube, this space is blocked by a cylindrical body of this inhalation tube formed at the rear end. The inhalation of the powder in the room is effected by folding the inhalation tube downwards so that the passage channel of the inhalation tube comes into contact with the space. In this position, the user can suck the powder through the through-opening of the retracted inhalation tube. The disadvantage of this powder inhaler is that the displacement device must first be actuated so that powder from the storage container reaches the region of the inhalation tube, namely into the space. Subsequently, the inhalation tube must then be pivoted downwards so that the powder in the room can be inhaled. This generally presents a complicated handling because it requires two actuation steps.

p0008The <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="FR2667790A"><text>FR-A-2 667 790</text></patcit> Shows an inhalation device in which an inhalation funnel can be pivoted downwards for the operating position so that an opening in the bottom of the inhalation sprayer comes into spatial connection with the substance to be inhaled. A technically complicated mechanism is provided for the dosage of the substance.

p0009The invention is based on <b>task</b> To provide a device for the ingestion of powdery, granular or granular substances of the initially mentioned type, which is easier to handle.

p0010The technical <b>solution</b> Is characterized by the features in the characterizing part of claim 1.

p0011The basic idea of ​​the device according to the invention for the ingestion of powdery, granular or granular substances, in particular of the powder inhaler according to the invention, is that only in the inhalation-ready state of the device for guiding the air flow is a continuous air channel with ventur-rouge-like or smooth profile is available State of the air channel is completely blocked, so that no air can be sucked in the inlet region and no powder-laden air in the outlet region, namely in the feed pipe. The basic idea of ​​the technical realization is that the feed pipe is rotatably mounted at the end remote from the mouth. In this case, all openings are closed in the non-use position of the device, while they are opened in the operating position. Above all, in the case of a powder inhaler, the air stream can be rectilinear. This reduces the risk of turbulence and flow resistance to a minimum. In the production and application of powder aerosols, adhesion and friction play an important role. During application of the powder aerosol, adhesion and friction between the drug and the adjuvant must be overcome. At the same time, these forces occur between the powder particles and the powder inhaler surfaces. Therefore, a straight-line profile of the air stream is advantageous. Thus, only at the time of application does a correspondingly shaped air channel permit an optimum flow sequence, and in the case of a forced synchronization between depositing the powder and inhalation, the portioned powdered medicament is entrained and sufficiently atomized on the downstream diffuser section. In the closed state, on the other hand, the inlet opening and the outlet opening are automatically closed off against moisture and dust. Even in cases of acute respiratory distress, the patient can still apply the respiratory strength required for the powder aerosol treatment with the inhaler, since rectilinear air flow channels can be realized. The synchronously operating dosing and release device allows the components to be minimized, and the entire internal system of the device is air-tight and watertight when not in use. The patient opens the air flow passage in the apparatus with a single movement of the feed tube. The powder is deposited and can be inhaled immediately. After inhalation, the patient once again closes the system with a single movement by pivoting the feed tube. The next dose is portioned from the storage container and the system is closed airtight. Due to the pivoting system, overall compulsory handling is assured. A one-way valve can provide absolute sealing on the inflow side. Since, in addition to the feed tube, no further devices are to be moved for the start-up of the powder inhaler, the majority of the inspiratory energy is actually retained for the inspiration because of the rectilinearity of the air flow channel during the inhalation process. Since only a few mechanical parts are present on the inhaler and the airflow is guided almost rectilinearly, only small portions of the powder remain adherent in the device, ie, in the air channel. This increases the dosing accuracy. With the entrainment through the air stream, the powder is evenly distributed and deagglomerated. The air channel preferably has the form of a venturi tube or a Laval nozzle. In addition, during the transport of the powder and entrainment by the air stream, larger powder particles are crushed by means of helical lamellas and thus comminuted. Any desired mechanical resistors / deagglomerators can be positioned in the air channel in order to vary the air channel as well as to suit the specification. The air channel can thus be freely varied according to the requirement of the powder in the breath resistance. The cross-section of the air channel can be round or oval and has the same cross-section over the entire length. The inlet and outlet can, for example, be funnel-shaped. The venturi tube ensures optimal flow and acceleration of the inspired air stream, including entrainment and atomization of the powdered medicament. In particular, a compulsory complete emptying is thereby ensured. The free design of the air channel allows the inhaler to be adapted to a wide range of inhalable drugs. For example, dry powdered medicaments can be dispersed in the air stream in particle-defined size. The inhaler according to the invention is generally suitable for long-term use, since the construction of the entire air channel is easy to clean by means of a pipe cleaner and hygienic problems are avoided. The inhaler consists of a few injection-molded parts without the use of springs and levers. The invention has been described above with reference to a powder inhaler. The corresponding advantages also result in the case of granular or granular substances, which, however, are not inhaled, but instead can be trickled out of the device according to the invention in doses and can be used accordingly. The difference to the powder inhaler is that no continuous airflow is generated for inhalation by the user.

p0012A first application of the device according to the invention proposes claim 2. In this process, a reservoir for the substance is used, from which a plurality of dosing units can be portioned.

p0013The basic idea of ​​the powder retainer in claim 3 is that the cylinder jacket of the feed tube has a through-opening in the form of a bore whose height and diameter determines the metering volume and corresponds to an opposite bore in the central cylinder body. In the closed state, the through-opening of the cylinder jacket lies just below the outlet opening of the storage container so that the drug is metered. When the supply tube is folded down, the medicament then slides through the connecting bore in the cylindrical body into the through-bore and thus exactly into the air channel so that the medicament can be inhaled upon inspiration. The storage container can be interchangeable for increasing economic efficiency.

p0014The further development according to claim 4 proposes a one-way valve in the air channel so that the patient can only inhale the powder but can not blow out of the inhaler.

p0015The development according to claim 5 does not relate to a powder inhaler, but to a device for dosing granular or granular substances. The basic idea here is that the substance trickles through the outlet opening of the pre-chamber into the through-opening in the cylinder, which defines a dosing chamber. After pivoting the feed pipe into the operating position, the substance from this metering chamber trickles into the through-bore of the cylinder body and from there into the feed pipe.

p0016A second application of the device according to the invention proposes claim 6. This is a single dose applicator using a capsule. In this dispenser, the capsule is located in the cylindrical body of the axis of rotation for the feed tube. By flipping the supply tube down, the capsules of the capsule are cut off by means of a cutting knife. This makes a complete emptying of the capsule possible. There are also no splinters. In contrast to other devices, therefore, no protective screen is necessary, which increases the breathing resistance. An unopened capsule can only be inserted in the non-use state of the feed tube. This also applies to the disposal of an emptied capsule. As a result, compulsory synchronization is realized by cutting the capsule and activating it in the corresponding pivoting position of the feed tube, while in the non-use position of the feed tube an air-tight and water-tight closure is realized.

p0017Three exemplary embodiments of a device according to the invention for taking powdery, granular or granular substances are described below with reference to the drawings. In these figures:<dl id="dl0001"><dt>1 a</dt><dd>A first embodiment of a powder inhaler for several dosage units (so-called multidose) in the non-use position;</dd><dt>FIG. 1 b</dt><dd>The powder inhaler in <figref idrefs="f0002">FIG</figref> In the operating position;</dd><dt>FIG</dt><dd>A second embodiment of a powder inhaler for a dosage adjustment (so-called singledose) in the non-use position;</dd><dt>FIG. 2b</dt><dd>The powder inhaler in <figref idrefs="f0003">FIG</figref> In the operating position;</dd><dt>Fig. 3a</dt><dd>A third embodiment as a device for taking granular or granular substances for several dosage units (so-called multidose) in the non-use position;</dd><dt>3b</dt><dd>The device in FIG <figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 3a</figref> In the operating position.</dd></dl>

p0018The powder inhaler of the first embodiment in FIG <figref idrefs="f0002">FIG</figref> and <figref idrefs="f0001">1b</figref> Has a housing 1, in which there is a substantially funnel-shaped reservoir 2 for a powder. This storage container 2 has an outlet opening 3 at the lowest point.

p0019A cylindrical body 4 is also fixedly arranged in the housing. The latter has a radial through-bore 5. A connecting bore 6, which is also continuous, descends transversely from this through-bore 5.

p0020A supply pipe 7 in the form of an inhalation pipe is rotatably mounted on the cylinder body 4. For this purpose, the rear end of this supply tube 7 has a cylinder jacket 8, by means of which the pivot bearing is realized on the cylinder body 4. This cylinder jacket 8 has an opening 9, which is located on the axis of the inner opening 10 of the feed tube 7. In addition, the cylinder jacket 8 has a through-opening 11.

p0021Finally, the housing 1 has an inwardly projecting air inlet 13.

The operation is as follows:

p0022In the non-use position (<figref idrefs="f0002">FIG</figref>), The through-opening 11 of the cylinder jacket 8 is located below the outlet opening 3 of the storage container 2. The powder trickles into the through-opening 11, which defines a dosing unit. In this position, the through-bore 5 and the connecting bore 6 of the cylinder body 4 are sealed by the cylinder jacket 8.

p0023For transferring the powder inhaler into the operating position (<figref idrefs="f0001">FIG. 1 b)</figref> The feed pipe 7 is pivoted downwards. As a result, the through-opening 11 (with the dosing unit on powder) passes above the connecting bore 6 in the cylindrical body 4, so that the powder flows through the connecting bore 6 into the through-bore 5. Correspondingly, the inner opening 10 of the feed pipe 7, the through-bore 5 of the cylinder body 4, the opening 9 of the cylinder jacket 8 of the feed pipe 7, as well as the air inlet 13 of the housing 1 define a connected, permeable and sealed passage channel. By inhalation by the user, the powder is entrained and inhaled by the patient. The contents extraction tube 7 can basically be designed as a mouth pipe or a nose pipe.

p0024After the inhalation, the feed tube 7 is pivoted upwards again (<figref idrefs="f0002">FIG</figref>), So that a new dose of powder passes from the supply container 2 through the outlet opening 3 into the through-opening 11 in the cylinder jacket 8.

p0025The second embodiment in FIG <figref idrefs="f0003">2a and 2b</figref> Proceeds from a storage container in the form of a capsule 12 for a single metering. From the basic principle, this variant embodiment of the powder inhaler is equal to the basic principle of the powder inhaler in<figref idrefs="f0002">FIG</figref> and <figref idrefs="f0001 f0002">1</figref> B.

p0026Thus, a cylindrical body 4 is provided with a through-hole 5 (but without a connecting bore 6). A cylinder jacket 8 of a feed tube 7 is pivotally mounted on this cylinder body 4. This cylinder jacket 8 has an opening 9 on the axis of the inner opening 10 of the feed tube 7. In addition, the cylinder jacket 8 has two openings 14 each with a cutting edge 15. In the<figref idrefs="f0003">FIG. 2b</figref> Upper opening 14 additionally has a sealing lug 16.

The operation is as follows:

p0027In the non-use position of the powder inhaler (<figref idrefs="f0003">FIG</figref>), A capsule 12 is inserted into the through-bore 5 of the cylinder body 4. The inner opening 10 of the supply pipe 7 as well as the opening 9 of the cylinder casing 8 are sealed off by the cylinder body 4. In addition, the air inlet 13 of the housing 1 is tightly closed by the sealing lug 16.

p0028In order to transfer the powder inhaler into the operating position, the feed tube 7 is folded downwards (<figref idrefs="f0003">FIG. 2b</figref>). The two cutting edges 15 of the cylinder jacket 8 shear the caps of the capsule 12. As a result, the powder is inside the capsule 12 in the air stream during the inhalation process. The sealed air channel is thereby defined by the inner opening 10 of the feed tube 7, the through-bore 5 in the cylinder 4, the opening 9 in the cylinder jacket 8, and the air inlet 13 of the housing 1.

p0029After completion of the inhalation, the feed tube 7 is pivoted upwards again so that the empty capsule 12 can be removed.

p0030The third embodiment in FIG <figref idrefs="f0004">FIGS. 3a and 3b</figref> Serves for metered dispensing of granular or granular substances, which in turn are located in the storage container 2. The difference to the powder inhaler<figref idrefs="f0002">FIG</figref> and <figref idrefs="f0001">1b</figref> Is that the cylinder jacket 8 does not have the opening 9 and that the through-bore 5 is formed in an angular shape in the cylindrical body 4, this through-bore 5 having a continuous slope from the upper inlet to the lower outlet relative to the earth horizontal.

The operation is as follows:

p0031In the storage container 2, as mentioned, a granular or granular, granular substance is present in the non-use position of the device (<figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 3a</figref>), The feed pipe 7 is folded upwards, so that the through-opening 11 of the cylinder jacket 8 comes to lie below the outlet opening 3. The through-bore 5 in the cylinder body 4 is thereby completely closed by the cylinder jacket 8. The granular or granular substance collects in the through-opening 11 of the cylinder jacket 8.

p0032After the feed tube 7 has been pivoted down into the operating position (<figref idrefs="f0004">3b</figref>), The through-opening 6 of the cylinder jacket 8 reaches above the inlet of the angular through-hole 5. The substance located in the through-opening 11 of the cylinder jacket 8 trickles from above into the through-bore 5. Due to its flowability the substance finally reaches the inner opening 10 of the feed tube 7, Where the substance can be taken either orally or added directly to a beverage or foodstuff or otherwise.

<u>Reference list</u>

p0033<dl id="dl0002" compact="compact"><dt>1</dt><dd>housing</dd><dt>2</dt><dd>Reservoir</dd><dt>3</dt><dd>outlet opening</dd><dt>4</dt><dd>Cylindrical body</dd><dt>5</dt><dd>through hole</dd><dt>6</dt><dd>Connection hole</dd><dt>7</dt><dd>Feed tube</dd><dt>8th</dt><dd>Cylinder sleeve</dd><dt>9</dt><dd>opening</dd><dt>10</dt><dd>Internal opening</dd><dt>11</dt><dd>through hole</dd><dt>12</dt><dd>capsule</dd><dt>13</dt><dd>Air inlet</dd><dt>14</dt><dd>Breakthrough</dd><dt>15</dt><dd>Cutting edge</dd><dt>16</dt><dd>Sealing nose</dd></dl>