GB2061116A - Device for dosing medicine in aerosol form into inhalation air - Google Patents

Abstract

The device comprises a tubular body (1) which, in use, at least partially encases an aerosol container (2), and a member (13) immovable with respect to the body (1). A valve (12) of the aerosol container rests against the member (13) so that when the container (2) is pressed against the member (13) the valve (12) is opened and when the pressure ceases the valve (12) is closed again. Inside the body (1) is located a pressbar (7) which is movable between a rest position and a working position. The pressbar (7) has a flange (8) which is tightly pressed against a shoulder (9) in the body (1) while the pressbar (7) is in its rest position but which, while the pressbar (7) is in its working position, i.e. out of contact with the shoulder (9), allows air to flow through the body (1) and at the same time pushes the aerosol container (2) against the member (13) so that the valve (12) is opened and medicine flows out through the aperture in member (13). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Device for dosing medicine in aerosol form into inhalation air This invention relates to a device for dosing medicine in aerosol form into inhalation air, the said device preferably comprising a tubular body which at least partially encases the aerosol container, and another member which does not move in relation to the body, against which member the valve of the aerosol container rests in such a manner that pres sing the container against the said member causes the valve to open, and when the pressure ceases the valve is closed by a string attached to the valve itself.

Inhalators corresponding to the description given above are known, for example from Finnish Patent Publication No. 51 279 and in the published Finnish patent application No. 1972,72. Finnish Patent Publi cation No. 51 29 describes an inhalator, the opera tion of which is started by setting an elaborate spring arrangement. The vacuum action of inhaled air then causes a bolt arrangement to open, and the medicine is thus dosed employing the previously mentioned spring arrangement. Finnish patent application No. 1972/72 described a dosing arrangement where the medicine is first dosed into a separate closed chamber. Owing to the vacuum action of inhaled air a valve system is then opened, the said valve system releasing the dosed medicine into the inhaled air.

Both of the above described devices have several drawbacks. The respective dosing apparatuses are highly complex and consequently expensive. In both of the two devices the desired dosing is carried out with the help of the vacuum action of inhaled air.

This is a considerable drawback, because the patients who most need the devices usually also sui- ferfrom great breathing difficulties. Moreover, the cleaning of the said devices is very complicated and hygiene is thus easily jeopardized if these devices are employed.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for dosing medicine in aerosol form into inhalation air, the said device preferably comprising a tubular body which, in use, at least partially encases an aerosol container, and a member immovable with respect to the body, a valve of the aerosol container resting against the said member so that when the container is pressed against the said member the valve is opened and when the pressure ceases the valve is again closed by a string device attached to the valve, wherein inside the body is located a pressbar which is movable between a rest position and a working position and comprises a flange or the like which is tightly pressed against a shoulder or the like in the body while the pressbar is in its rest position but which, while the pressbar is in its working position, allows air to flow through the body and at the same time pushes the aerosol container against the said member so that the valve is opened.

The structure of the device according to the inven tion is simple and the device is easy to use. It is also easy to clean and, if so desired, to sterilize. The device according to the invention does not add breathing resistance nor is it necessary to employ the vacuum action of inhaled air as the running power or the basic requirement for dosing the medicine.

Incorrect dosing of the medicine can thus be prevented and, above all, the danger of overdosing can consequently be avoided. The patient is aware of the dose of medicine getting through and is therefore not tempted to add an extra dose "just to make sure".

Another remarkable advantage of the device is the fact that it is suitable for use in connection with an ordinary electrical lung function indicator. By using this indicator it is possible to find out immediately whether the patient is at all capable of employing the inhalator successfully. This can be determined immediately by detecting the inhalation peak flow and the vital capacity.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure lisa side elevation view of one preferred embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the device of Figure 1 in working position.

The device shown in Figure 1 comprises a tubular body 1 inside which is placed an aerosol container 2 containing a medicine. The container 2 is supported by a mouth-piece 3, which the patient holds in his mouth. Because the dimensions and structures of aerosol packages vary to a certain extent, there are several different mouth-pieces. Thus the packages of several manufactures can be employed in the same device. Inside the body 1 there is formed a suitable shoulder 4, against which the mouth-piece 3 is pressed.

The upper part of the body 1 forms a sliding surface 5, around which moves a sleeve 6. To the sleeve 6 is attached a pressbar 7, which goes partially inside the body 1. Movement of the sleeve 6 is limited at one end by a flange 8, which is fixed to the pressbar 7 and supported by a shoulder 9 in the body 1, and at the other end by an inner shoulder 10 formed in the sleeve 6, the inner shoulder 10 touching the other end of the pressbar 7. The sleeve 6 also comprises a multiplicity of small perturbations 11, through which perturbations the inhaled air flows while the device is operated. When the device is put together and in correct working condition, it is in accordance with Figure 1. In this case a valve 12 of the aerosol container rests against a receptor surface 13.The form and length of the mouth-piece 3 as well as the form and length of the pressbar 7 are chosen so that the valve 12 of the aerosol container remains closed.

The device according to the invention operates in the following manner. When the patient wishes to take his dose of medicine, he places the mouth-piece 3 in his mouth. When starting to inhale he presses the sleeve 6 downwards as is shown in Figure 2. The pressbar 7, which is attached to the sleeve 6 and rests on top of the aerosol container 2, presses the aerosol container dovtrnwards simultaneously caus ing its valve 12 to open. Thus a dose of medicine is sprayed from the aerosol container 2 into the inhaled air.

Ail the inhaled air is breathed in through the device. It is important that air cannot flow through the device when it is in a position indicated by Figure 1. In this position the flange 8 of the pressbar 7 is pressed against the shoulder 9 and the flow of air is thus prevented. It is only when the sleeve 6 is pres sed downwards that an opening is formed to enable the flow of air and the inhaling to begin. Simultane ouslythe medicine is dosed into the inhaled airfrom the very beginning. Thus it can be ascertained that the very first dose of inhaled air also contains a dose of medicine. This is absolutely necessary if the medicine is to reach the farthest parts of the lungs.

When the device is in working position according to Figure 2, the shoulder 10 of the sleeve 6 is pressed against the upper part of the body 1. Thus the con tact between the sleeve 6 and the body 1 is tight and consequently the inflow of air past that contact is prevented.

The device according to the invention can be used as such, as explained above, but also in connection to an ordinary lung function indicator. Thus it is at ,the same time possible to obtain a clear and reliable picture of whether or not the medicine is reaching the lungs. This is determined simply by measuring the vital capacity during the medicine inhalation. By using the device according to the invention together with a lung function indicator it is possible to see immediatelywhetherthe patient is at all capable of successfully employing the inhalator. This can be started right away by measuring the inhalation peak flow and the vital capacity.

The device according to the invention is also par ticularly useful in that by employing it it becomes possible to standardize the broncholyte test and to substantially improve asthma diagnosis.

Claims (4)

1. A device for dosing medicine in aerosol form into inhalation air, the said device preferably com prising tubular body which, in use, at least partially encases an aerosol container, and a member immovable with respect to the body, a valve of the aerosol container resting against the said member so that when the container is pressed against the said member the valve is opened and when the pressure ceases the valve is again closed by a string device attached to the valve, wherein inside the body is located a pressbar which is movable between a rest position and a working position and comprises a flange or the like which is tightly pressed against a shoulder or the like in the body while the pressbar is in its rest position but which, while the pressbar is in its working position, allows air to flow through the body and at the same time pushes the aerosol con tainer against the said member so that the valve is opened.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the pressbar is attached to the sleeve or forms a part thereof, and the shoulder formed in the sleeve is adapted to push the top of the body while the press bar is in working position.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the body comprises an inner shoulder or like formation against which a mouth-piece is pressed, so that the distance between the pressbar and the said member automatically conforms the length of the aerosol container.

4. A device for dosing medicine in aerosol form into inhalation air, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.