Substance source

Background to the invention

The present invention relates to a source providing a gaseous, gas or dropped substance.

Such sources are used to deliver drugs in measured doses with the help of a dispenser. There is a growing desire to count down metered and / or remaining doses in the source, so that the user knows the number of doses available before a new source (and distributor) is required. An example of a dose counter for a metered dose inhaler is described in GB-A-2320489.

The object of the present invention is to provide a source of a substance with an integrated meter.

Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is a gas source, whether transported by a gas or condensed substance, to be installed in a distributor, having:

internal pressure vessel for the substance, • material releasing valve tightly attached to the tip of the internal pressure vessel, fitted with a spring, • outflow at the outflow end of the internal pressure vessel, displaced inside the container relative to the spring of the valve device to release the substance, the source consists of also an outer casing surrounding the inner pressure vessel along its length and at least partly along the end with a substance outflow and an opposing end, the outer casing and the internal pressure vessel being positioned so as to cause a displacement of the outflow into the pressure vessel to release the substance;

• a counter placed in the external casing for counting released by the outflow; and • a window in the outer casing allowing to observe the meter's display.

In some embodiments, the counter is positioned at the end of the outer casing so that it reacts and counts shifts in the outflow of the inner container relative to the outer casing. In particular, when the substance is of high value, the medicine can be a single-use electronic meter. However, considering that the electronic counter is a relatively expensive part of the drug source, in a preferred embodiment with such a meter, it can be a reusable electronic counter with a frangible meter casing that can be removed from the drug source by breaking the casing after giving all doses from the source, reset and install in a new brittle source housing, in this case the counter is the only support for the inner container when it comes to the force moving the tip,

The counter can also be a removable or non-removable mechanical counter. The mechanical counter may include a double set of teeth and ratchet ratchets with an annular progression described by the ratchet teeth and may be housed in an outer casing with a gear between the progress ratchet disc and an indicator disc visible through the outer casing. This avoids inaccurate dosing when the container is almost empty.

In other embodiments, the counter is set to increase after the tip is moved. Normally, the counter will be a mechanical counter with a rotating element moving one position after each tip displacement.

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Such a mechanical counter may include a double set of teeth and ratchet ratchet, from which either the teeth or pawls can be moved through the tip and the other through the outer housing, and the rotating element proceeds partially moved by one of the teeth and latches moved by the forward moving tip and partly through the second tooth and latches, moved by the tip returning.

Alternatively, the mechanical counter may include a single set of tines and at least one pawl and friction element restricting the movement of the rotating element, wherein any of the teeth or pawl is associated with an outer casing and the progress of the rotating element is caused by a pawl and the teeth during the return movement of the tip are prevented from movement by the friction element.

In one of these executions:

The rotating element is part of the internal pressure vessel or sleeve inside the pressurized container, and the pressure container or bushing is adapted to mark the progress one by one each displacement of the tip, the sleeve part has a helical path, the window extends axially and / or around the circumference of the outer housing and • the source includes a pointer adapted to cooperate with a spiral path to indicate movement along the window

Alternatively:

The rotatable element is an internal element of the outer casing running around the inner container and having a spiral path, the window extends axially and / or around the perimeter of the outer casing and the source comprises a marker adapted to cooperate with a spiral path for indicating movement along the window

In this alternative, the indicator can have:

• a curved inner surface in contact with the rotatable element, both in the indicator and horizontal motion path for the pointer positioning and • the flat outer surface of the window extending sideways to locate the indicator in the peripheral window of the outer casing.

Once again, the indicator can have:

• a flat inner surface in contact with the spiral path, • a convex outer surface in contact with the window, and • sliders for fixing the indicator horizontally in the window of the outer casing, and the window is equipped with a groove on the sides cooperating with the sides of the indicator in determining the position of the indicator on the outer perimeter housing.

Thirdly, the indicator on the outer casing may have a completely non-circular cross-section to locate the indicator in the window that runs along the perimeter of the outer casing.

It is possible that one of the sets of teeth and pawl (s) or friction element, depending on what is in the device, is positioned at the end of the inner part having a helical path away from the tip and cooperates with the tip of the outer housing in increasing the value of the part inside. However, usually both sets of teeth and latches fit into the outer casing on the tip side.

The element having a helical path can properly consist of a helical path along the path and around the inner container and is resistant to the movement of the tip finally provided with the tip. However, usually an element having a helical path consists of an annular cylindrical element around the inner container. The screw path may be a duct or a groove in a cylindrical element.

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Alternatively, the helical path may be a rib or an edge on a cylindrical element,

In another feature of the element equipped with a helical path, indicator and window are adapted to the sliding movement of the element and the indicator together with the tip, the included return spring provides backward movement outside the element and indicator on the inwardly directed, drug-issuing movement. Alternatively, the element with a helical path is arranged axially with respect to the outer casing and a separate element is provided that moves relative to the outer casing, the advancing element is adapted to move in a rotational movement within the helical path.

In a preferred embodiment, this advancing element is equipped with:

• means for irretrievably positioning it with respect to the outer casing, and • either a pawl or teeth for rotatably moving the helical track element, the other part of the elements being placed in the helical track element.

In this case, the latches can lock axially on the helical track element, blocking the return of the advancing element.

Alternatively, the advancing element can be equipped with:

• either pawls or teeth introducing the element which is moving in a rotary motion, and the outer casing is equipped with complementary elements, • advancing connection with the screw track element to rotate it and • return spring for the return movement of the moving element after movement outside the tip after movement tips inwards, dispensing medicine.

Once again, the helix spiral can be regular. Alternatively, the helix spiral may be less inclined in the part occupied by the indicator at the beginning of the source use and more in the location indicating the near exhaustion of the source.

According to an important feature, the source includes an end cover of the outer housing on the side opposite to the tip, and the cover is connected to the outer housing sleeve in a place such that the terminal distribution process and the counter's increasing performance are synchronized with each other.

According to a second aspect of the invention, it relates to gas distributors that are transferred in a gas or drops of a substance, which consists of:

• source from the first aspect;

• mouthpiece connected to the outer casing;

• connector receiving the source end;

• a nozzle connected to the connector and positioned so that the dose of the substance is directed through the mouthpiece; and • moving the distributor to release the dose and increase the meter reading.

Under normal circumstances, the valve mechanism will be a valve mechanism for releasing a specific dose.

Drawings

To aid in understanding the invention, specific embodiments according to the first and second aspect of the present invention will be described here by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a first drug source according to the first aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the source of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 of a second source in accordance with the first aspect of the invention;

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Figure 4 is a plan view of the source of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a side view of a third source according to the first aspect of the invention;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the source of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a more detailed view of a mechanical counter of a third source;

Figure 8 is a cross section along line VII-VII of Figure 7 of the planetary gearing of the counter of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a partial side section of a fourth source according to the first aspect of the invention;

Figure 10 is a straight side view of a fourth source;

Figure 11 is a partial side section of the first variant of the fourth source;

Figure 12 is a similar view of the second variant of the fourth source;

Figure 13 is a side view of a fifth source of the invention according to a first aspect thereof;

Figure 14 is a side section of a fifth source;

Figure 15 is a cross section of a fifth source;

Figure 16 is a fragmentary view of the teeth and latches of the fifth source;

Figure 17 is a cross section of a sixth source according to the first aspect of the invention;

Figure 18 is a fragmentary view of the connection of the slide of the sixth source;

Figure 19 is a side view of a sixth source;

Figure 20 is a side sectional view of a distributor in accordance with the invention in accordance with a second aspect of the invention; and

Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view of the distributor of Figure 20.

First Source Example Conforming to the First Aspect of the Invention

In the first example, the drug source shown in Figures 1 and 2 has:

• an internal pressurized container 1 made of pressed aluminum, • a valve device for releasing substance 2 sealed by a cap 3, • a tip 4 moving inside the container and a spring resistance (not shown) of the valve device to release the substance. These features are typical.

According to this first example, the source also comprises an outer sleeve 11 housing the inner container along its length 12 and at the end 14 opposite the tip and also at least partially at the end equipped with a tip. In this embodiment, the sleeve is also made of pressed aluminum, has a cylindrical body 16, a closed end 17 and an open end 18, in which a processed rim 19 is retained in the outer sleeve of the inner container by contact with the cap. Only the tip 4 protrudes from the outer sleeve.

Between the end 14 and the inner container on the side opposite of the tip 4 and the end 17 of the outer sleeve, an electronic counter 20 is placed such that it increases or more precisely reduces the indication each time a pressure is exerted on it. The meter itself is of known type. It has a display 21 fitted to the window 22 in the end 17 of the outer sleeve.

In use, the tip is located in the inhaler connector (not shown), the pressure on the tip 17 of the outer sleeve presses it together with the inner container downwards and the tip is pushed inwardly causing the valve to release the dose through the connector.

The force required to actuate the valve is transferred from the outer sleeve to the inner container through a counter whose indication decreases. Thus, the user can monitor the number of doses remaining in the source by looking at the display through window 22.

A Second Example of a Source Accordant with the First Aspect of the Invention

Turning now to the second example shown in Figures 3 and 4, we see that while the first embodiment is suitable for high-value drugs, it is not suitable for cheaper ones, in which

-5ΕΡ 1812895 the counter can be the most expensive element, including the drug. In this embodiment, the counter 101 is removable and equipped with a switch 102 enabling the counter and restoring its original value.

While the outer sleeve 103 of the first embodiment is made of aluminum, the latter of the second embodiment is a two-part plastic casting, for example of polypropylene. It consists of cylindrical element 104 and end piece 105. They have complementary tabs 106, 107 for attaching the tip to the flange. The latter is cylindrical, with an opening 108 in the lower part and an inner fitting 109 for fixing the cap 6 of the inner container, which is identical to the first embodiment - the same reference numerals have also been used. These fittings prevent the sleeve from being removed, but they also have a distance from the cap that makes pressing to always deliver the drug results in the application force being transferred to the sleeve by the meter 101.

With the meter 101 installed in the open end and attached to the tip 105, the tip 14 of the inner container abuts against the counter and the counter rests against the tip, at least when the force is exerted on the tip to use the source. Attaching the counter and terminal turned on the counter, the display of which is visible through the window 110 in the terminal. Pressing the tip 105, or actually the counter through its window, results in (1) transferring force to the inner container to actuate the valve and release the dose and (2) perform the dose delivery operation.

The sleeve sleeve 106 has a groove on the outer surface of the sleeve and the tip form 107 has an inwardly directed rim on the peeled round bar 111. When the source is exhausted, the strip tears off and the counter is removed for use on the new source and the rest of the source is disposed of.

A third Example of a Source Accordant with the First Aspect of the Invention

Turning now to the third example shown in Figures 5 to 8, the outer sleeve 203 is also a two-piece element consisting of a sleeve part 204 and a tip that is longer to accommodate a mechanical counter 201 that is thicker than its electronic counterpart. . It has an internal connector 2011 with groove 2012 for secure connection with the end of container 14 and three rugged latches 2013 with a shallow pitch, spinning around and away from the spout. Ząbki 2015 complement with pawls 2013 and cloves 2016 complement with rigid pawls 2017 tip 205. It is anticipated that the rotation of element 2011 will prevent the spout 4 of container 1; however, if it proves necessary, it can also be locked with the sleeve element 204. The release of the dose causes the pawls to move the ratchet with the aid of the teeth of 2016, 2017 for one groove. After releasing the dose releasing force, the latches remain locked with teeth 2016, 2017 in their new location.

To allow 200 doses to be measured, a wheel with 200 ratchet teeth is required. This is difficult to achieve with a 23mm internal container of a typical size, as the height of the teeth would then be:

x 3.14 / 200 = 0.36mm.

In this example, the teeth have a higher height, but there are also fewer. Their operation modifies the 2020 gearbox. It consists of a central wheel 2021 integrated in the ratchet element 2014. It is located inside the outer track 2022 integrally embedded in the tip 205, whose teeth are positioned inwardly from the upper ratchet teeth of 2016. Three planetary gears 2023 having the central holes 2024 are positioned between the center wheel and the outer raceway. Together with advancing around the rattles, the planetary wheels revolve around her. In the case of a relatively small central circle

-6ΕΡ 1812895 will require several of its full revolutions for the full rotation of the planetary wheels around the treadmill. Carrier 2025 has 2026 axes extending down holes in planetary wheels. On its upper surface, the carrier has a scale visible through the tip window 2027. Thus, the number of doses used / remaining can be determined by looking at the graduations in order to move in the window.

The Fourth Source Example Corresponding to the First Aspect of the Invention

Turning now to the fourth example of Figures 9 and 10, the source shown thereon has an outer sleeve 303 of aluminum, with an aperture 330 extending over most of its length. Directly in the sleeve is a second sleeve 331 having a helical groove 332. The indicator 333 in the form of a disk with studs on both sides is secured with spikes to the hole and groove. Thus, along with the rotation of the second sleeve, the indicator moves along the opening. Helix is ​​uneven, more steep on the tip side in the outer sleeve, thus the first doses cause only a slight displacement of the indicator, and issuing the last doses makes the pointer move faster.

The second sleeve moves thanks to a ratchet similar to that described for the previous embodiment. At the end of the outer end sleeve is clamped on a guide 334 provided with three longitudinal grooves 335, guiding a yoke 336 equipped with fingers 337, extending into the grooves. The ends of the grooves are closed 338 to immobilize the yoke. The upper ends of the grooves are closed by protrusions 339 that reach into the inner cap of the container, positioning it inside the outer sleeve. The yoke has a central hole 340 for the tip 4 and three sturdy latches 341 that are disposed between the protrusions 339. The latches protrude outwardly, meeting teeth 342 disposed on the lower edge of the second sleeve. The upper edge of this sleeve is also provided with teeth 343, working with teeth 344 attached to the cover 345 pressed against the outer sleeve.

During use, the source is mounted in the distributor body (not shown, except the J connector) and the cap comes into contact with the connecting element. Pressing the source towards the connector presses the tip into the valve and the yoke also in the direction of the valve. The flexible latches 341 are permanently in contact with the lower teeth 342, regardless of the position of the yoke, and when the yoke is pressed towards the inner container the pawl retracts by rotating the second sleeve. The upper teeth are located opposite the upper teeth of the tumblers. After the source is allowed to return after the dose has been dispensed, the permanent latches apply continuous pressure to the second sleeve with the result that the sleeve is prevented from rotating. The pawls jump over the lower teeth, setting themselves to the next drug-releasing movement. After subsequent movements, the second sleeve moves in a progressive manner around,

The first variant of the first example shown in Figure 11 has distinct similarities to the previous embodiments, with the exception of the function of the helical groove in the second sleeve, which is provided by helical crease 432 in the wall of the inner container. The function of the upper teeth and latches is formed by an elastomeric ring 444 pressed into the outer end of the sleeve 445. The function of the lower teeth of the ratchet is made by teeth 442 molded on the capsule 3 of the inner container. The resistant latches 441 act on the teeth 442, gradually rotating the inner container with respect to the outer sleeve and pushing the indicator 433 along the opening 430 in the outer sleeve.

The second variant shown in Figure 12 differs in that the yoke 546 is rotatably placed on the tip. The yoke connects to the screw element 550 formed so as to have cumulative tight weaves. It has a 533 indicator cooperating with the 530 hole in the outer sleeve. The screw element rests against the closed part of the outer sleeve, moving the yoke all the way down. The outer sleeve is pressed with a two-piece 534 yoke race. The two parts 5341, 5342 have counter-latch teeth 5343, 5344 that face each other

-7ΕΡ 1812895 come out into positions in which they would stuck if they were not separated from each other. The yoke has a finger set 537 between the teeth.

By pressing the source and pressing the tip inwards, the yoke is moved into the interior, overcoming the resistance of the spring element. The fingers 537 move along the upper surfaces of teeth 5341 and rotate the helical element. After releasing the tip, the fingers move back and meet with the lower fingers 5342, turning the screw element further. As a result, the fingers rest one position further on the upper and lower teeth, ready for the next depression of the tip.

In the un illustrated example, the helix in the plastic casting of Figure 12 can be replaced by a helix made of a resilient wire.

The Fifth Source Example Complying with the First Aspect of the Invention

Turning now to the fifth example shown in Figures 13 to 16, the source shown therein has a pressure vessel 1 with a tip 4. As shown, the upper part of the container is visible through the outer sleeve 611 made of transparent plastic. It has a flat window 612 through which the indicator 613 can be observed. The indicator has a flat front 614 based on the flat inside of the window. The rear face 615 of the indicator is curved so as to match the curvature of the female element 616. The indicator has a rear projection 617 extending into the groove 618. This system not only connects the pointer to the groove, but also prevents the back surface from rotating through the back curvature. Moreover, the indicator is delimited in moving along the groove. Such movement would make the front surface no longer touch the window.

The inclination of the groove 618 is small at the end of the inner portion remote from the tip, but increases as the tip is approached to alert the user that a new source will soon be necessary. The substantial internal element arrangement 616 is a series of triangular teeth 619 cast on the inner outside of the sleeve and a pair of opposite-facing pawl arms 620 with pawls 621 at the ends formed in the inner part cutout 622. A rigid pawl 623 element and a rigid locking notch 624 are provided. In use, the ratchet element 619 on the tip side first contacts one tooth and then the ratchet 623 with an adjacent tooth. The continuous movement of the interior pushes the parallel part of the rigid pawl between the two teeth. During the return movement, the second flexible latch continues circular motion, which ends when the tooth stops in the notch 624. This movement is initiated by a connector, not shown, in which the tip 4 rests, resting on the drilled rim 625 of the inner part, and pressing on the container 1 and with it the outer sleeve 611 and its teeth 619 releases the dose through the tip and performs the first counting step described above. The return spring 626 is located between the rim 625 and the cap 3 of the container.

The other details of the source are that the outer sleeve has an overlapping rim 627 outside the inner rim 625 at the tip. Furthermore, the sleeve has a tip 628 welded at 629 and closes the other end of the sleeve, positioning the container axially with respect to the sleeve. The mutual position of the container and sleeve is important as the tip cooperates with the elastomeric parts whose position tolerance with respect to the cap 3 and the container body 1 is not large. The result is the possibility of releasing the non-synchronized dose with the increase of the counter indication. In other words, one can exist without the second. This can be avoided by providing a fixed position of the tip and rim so that the movement of the plunger inward to the release position causes the outer part to progress in the indicator position. This is achieved byez (1) measuring the total length of the container and the distance of the tip in a solid position to the second end of the container and (2) welding the tip 628 with the sleeve at a predetermined distance between the outer surface of the rim 625 and the outer surface of the tip when the rim is not yet installed.

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The result is that when the spring 626 supporting the container 1 with respect to the tip 628 and the inner part with respect to the teeth 619, both in the notch 624 and other rest positions 630 around the element 616, the tip protrudes by a predetermined length from the rim 625. Thus, synchronization of the release is achieved drug and dose calculation.

A Sixth Example Source That Meets the First Aspect of the Invention

The sixth example of Figures 17 to 19 differs only in a few but important details. The inner element 716 is arranged axially with respect to the outer sleeve 711 with the help of the bead 751 placed on the outer part, has a ring 725 with a through-end 4 and the inner pawl portions (not shown) have fingers 754 meshing with the fingers 755 of the inner portion 716. the release of the drug alone shifts the boom 753 only with respect to the outer sleeve 711 without a marker shift, as in the fifth embodiment.

Marker 756 moves in a helical-shaped channel 757 extending both along and around the outer sleeve, allowing the application of a very accurate scale (not shown). It has a dot (not shown) on the back and two fingers 758 that resist and reach out after release, moving the marker along the channel. It has a central index of 759.

An example of a Distributor compatible with the Second Aspect of the Invention

The seventh example of Figures 20 and 21 differs in that the source has an integral mouthpiece 801 and an actuation button 802, including a connector 803 accommodating the tip 4 and a nozzle 804 directed outside the mouthpiece.

The mouthpiece is cast in element 805 installed at the rim connection 627 from the fifth example. The cast 805 has an opening 806 accommodating the button 802.

A further difference is that although the inner member 816 is circular and cylindrical, the outer sleeve 811 is not cylindrical. Marker 856 is formed as a stirrup around the inner part and its circular motion limits its fit to the outer sleeve.

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