JPS6335265A - Administration amount indicator - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Field of Application in Industry-1-) The present invention relates to a device for indicating the number of doses dispensed from an aerosol container, and also relates to an aerosol device, e.g. The present invention relates to an inhaler that can administer a drug to a patient.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is well known to treat patients with drugs contained in aerosols, for example in the treatment of bronchodilator muscles. It is also known to use for such treatments drugs contained in an aerosol and administered to the patient by means of an inhalation device, the inhalation device comprising a tubular housing or sleeve in which an aerosol container is placed and a tubular housing. and an outlet pipe leading from the outlet pipe. The nirosol container used in such an inhalation device has an outlet valve part (11) at one end, and in order to open this outlet valve member, the valve part (11) must be pressed while holding the container in a static state. Alternatively, the container may be pressed while the valve head is held stationary. In the use of such a device, the outlet valve head of the container may be connected via a support to an outlet pipe, e.g. a nozzle or a mouthpiece. The aerosol container is placed in the tubular housing in such a way that when the drug is to be used, for example in the treatment of bronchodilator muscles, the housing is held by the patient in a state of somewhat into the patient's mouth or nose. The aerosol container is pressed against the support to dispense a dose of medication from the container, which is then inhaled by the patient.

A disadvantage of the use of such known devices is that the patient cannot determine the identity of the drug in the aerosol container at any time. In extreme cases, this may mean that a patient, perhaps suffering from severe bronchitis ψ and in need of a dose of the drug, finds that the aerosol container will not dispense the dose because the contents have already been used up. It means that it must be done.

The aim of the invention is to provide means to overcome this disadvantage.

[Structure of the invention]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention provides an aerosol container for dispensing from an aerosol container having a body and an outlet movable relative to the body for dispensing the contents in metered doses. A device for indicating the number of doses, with movement detection means responsive to the relative movement between the body and the outlet member, and the number of movements of the body relative to the outlet +1 and thus the amount of content of the container remaining or the container. an indicating means responsive to the movement detecting means to indicate the amount expelled from the motion detecting means.

The device of the invention is preferably adapted for removable attachment to an aerosol container arranged in the housing of a medical inhalation device.

In one preferred embodiment, an active member is provided consisting of a ring-shaped part +4 for attachment to the body of the aerosol container. A further member is provided which is held stationary relative to the outlet member during at least a portion of the movement of the working member. In a preferred embodiment, this further part +1 is held in a static state 1 by abutment with the housing, in which the aerosol container is accommodated and the outlet post of the aerosol container is supported during relative movement of the container body. Ru.

Preferably, the device has a ratchet wheel, which is rotated through a predetermined angle by relative movement between the container body and the container housing. The ratchet wheel itself may have indicia indicating the number of relative movements to be made between the aerosol container and the outlet member, e.g. an indicating rack or tooth width with such indicia may be replaced with an appropriate decreasing tooth. Preferably, it is adapted to be driven using a width ratio.

This latter arrangement allows the number of prescribed doses to be exceeded by many times the number of ratchet widths, thus allowing for the manufacture of a compact device.

According to another aspect of the invention, a housing in which an aerosol container can be disposed, an outlet leading from the housing, and arranged to receive an outlet member of the aerosol container, the contents of the aerosol container being passed to the outlet. The aerosol dispensing device is equipped with a dosing device according to the invention and a support portion of the housing having a passageway that can be moved.

(Example) Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The inhalation device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 consists of an aerosol container 2
The device has a tubular housing 1 in which the device can be placed.

The housing has one end (this end will be referred to below for convenience of description).
- one end is open (considered the top of the device) and the other end is closed. An outlet 3 is led laterally from the closed end of the housing. In the illustrated embodiment, the outlet 3 is in the form of a mouthpiece intended to be inserted into the patient's mouth, but if desired it can be designed as a nozzle to be inserted into the patient's nostril. Can be done.

At one end of the aerosol container 2 is an outlet valve member 4 .

This valve member can be pressed to release the metered dose, or alternatively, the valve member 4 can be fixed and the body of the container moved relative to the valve member. The dose can then be released.

As clearly shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol container 2 is placed in the housing 1 so that one end protrudes from its open end. Spacer ribs (not shown) may be provided on the inside of the housing to keep the outer surface of the container 2 spaced from the inner surface of the housing 1. A support part 5 is provided at one end of the housing 1, and the support part 5 includes:
There is a passage 6 in which the valve member 4 of the aerosol container 2 can be arranged and supported. A second passage 7 is provided in the support 5 and is directed towards the inside of the outlet 3. Therefore, when the parts are in the positions shown in Figures 1 and 2,
The protruding portion of the aerosol container 2 is pressed to release the container into the valve member 4.
the valve can be opened and the dose of medicament contained in the aerosol is discharged through the passageway 7 to the outlet 3 from where it can be inhaled by the patient. One dose is released from the aerosol container each time the aerosol container is fully depressed.

1 and 2 also illustrate an embodiment of the pitch #5 amount indicating device of the present invention. This device A has an active part +1 in the form of a ring-shaped cap member 8, which is removably located at the end of the protruding part of the body of the aerosol container 2. The cap member 8 is held on the main body of the aerosol container 2 by the longitudinal ribs 21 on its inner surface, so that once the cap member 8 is in the main body, it cannot be removed very easily. It has become. The top of the cap rests against the end of the body of the container 2 and moves with the body during the displacement of the body towards and away from the support 5. A pair of symmetrically arranged spacing elements (one of which can be seen in FIG. 1) extends from the lip of the cap member 8 into the housing 1 and slides against the inner wall of the housing. This guides the movement of the aerosol container body therein.

Also movably attached to the side surface of the cap member 18 is a housing 22 that partitions the indicator compartment 13. This housing 22
It extends from along the outer surface of the tubular housing 1. The length of this indicator housing 22 is such that, when attached to the tubular housing 1, the indicator housing 22 does not come into contact with the outlet 3 when moving downward together with the container body.

drive arm 11 is slidably retained within housing 22;
Moreover, it is guided so as to be movable between two limit positions limited by the stop 1-1 planes 23a and 23b. driving arm 1
1 has a protrusion 11a, which protrusion
It extends through and is movable within the slot 1.1b in the wall of the indicator housing 22 which is mounted adjacent to the indicator housing 22. In this embodiment, the protrusions 11. a
or rests on the top edge 1a of the wall of the tubular housing 1.

The drive arm 11 engages a ratchet wheel]4 mounted on the wall of the indicator housing 22. This ratchet wheel cooperates with the ratchet pawl 15.

Whenever the body of the aerosol container 2 is pressed to open the valve member 4, the ratchet wheel 4 moves downwards together with the cap 8, while the drive arm 11
rests against the wall of the tubular housing 1 so that it remains stationary relative to the support 5. Since the drive arm 11 is engaged with the ratchet wheel 14, a relative linear movement between these two elements will cause the ratchet wheel 14 to move in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 2). The teeth of the wheel will rotate by the same angle.

ratchet wheel] The spur gear 15a that can rotate together with 4 is +W
(・1 is engaged with the indicating rack 20. With the ratchet)
The tooth ratio between the gear wheels is such that the indicator rack moves one "step" for a given number of "steps" of the ratchet wheel, thus dispensing the dose.

At the front of the housing 22, there is a window (not shown) through which a portion of the instruction rack 20 can be seen.

This indicator rack has appropriate indicia that are displayed through the window when a given indicia is aligned with this window. Any suitable indicia may be used, but lj, which does not use letters, numbers or similar symbols that require reading, is preferred. for example,
Different parts of the rack can be marked with different colors so that, for example, when a red part is displayed through the window, the patient will know that he has to get a new aerosol container. However, another alternative is to put numbers on the indicator rack to indicate the percentage of content still remaining or the number of doses dispensed from or remaining in the aerosol container. Can be done. In a convenient arrangement, the - mark on the instruction rack indicates a predetermined number of throws! 5-Amount, e.g. 200
Indicating that the aerosol container is empty after a dose has been dispensed, this predetermined number is less than the number of doses the container was filled with, for example 220, to account for the margin of error.

When the cap member 8 and the housing 22 are displaced to the nozzle of the support part 5, an elastic member attached to or to a part of the drive arm 11 and extending obliquely between the drive arm 11 and the top wall of the housing 22 is removed. The shrine 24 is compressed and distorted. Once the pressure applied to the cap member 8 is released, the device A returns to the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The force exerted by the resilient member 24 forces the drive arm 11 downwardly within the housing 22 into engagement with subsequent teeth of the ratchet wheel 14.

The apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has an instruction rack 20,
1', the gear 15A can be changed by replacing it with an indicator gear that meshes with the gear 15A. Therefore, when the ratchet wheel 14 rotates, the spur gear 15A drives this indicator wheel.

In another modification of the device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the spur gear 1
5A is replaced by a single thread worm on the ratchet wheel 14, and the toothed indicator rack 20 is replaced by an indicator rack having a row of protrusions that can be engaged with the thread worm. Therefore, in this case, the rotation of the ratchet wheel 14 causes the single thread worm to rotate, and then the single thread worm drives the indicator rack.

Figure 2a shows a modification of the part shown in Figure 1, in which the elastic member 24 is replaced by a compression spring 24'.

FIG. 2b shows the device according to the invention from the opposite side of FIG. The figure shows the plate 30 forming the cover of the mechanism visible in figure 2b. A slot 31 is formed in the plate 30 and delimits a tongue 32, which has an inverted shape and is connected to the rest of the cover only by a narrow bridge 33.

An upright projection 34 is formed at the base of L, and a similar projection 35 is formed in the remainder of the cover on the opposite side of the slot to the projection 34. The key material forming the plate, for example a plastic material, is sufficiently elastic so that the projections can be pressed towards each other by the user, for example by grasping the projections between the thumb and fingers. In the process, the bridge portion 33
A bend is created around the center. Since the shaft 14a for rotating the ratchet wheel 14 is attached to the tongue portion 32, the ratchet wheel is moved and detached from the rack 20 by pressing the protrusions 34 and 35 together. This allows the rack 20 to be slid downwardly to an end position representing a zero value after the dose has been dispensed. In this way, the counter is set to zero 111. Thus, when a container is dispensed, the counter can be moved, reset to zero, and attached to the filled container, thus being reused any number of times.

Next, another embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 will be described. Housing 101 is open at one end (hereinafter considered to be the top of the device for convenience of description).

The other end of the housing]01 is closed. Exit 103
are led laterally from near the closed end of the housing 101. In the illustrated embodiment, the outlet 103 is in the form of a mouthpiece intended to be inserted into the patient's mouth, but if desired, it could be designed as a nozzle to be inserted into the patient's nostril. can.

Aerosol container 1.02 has an outlet valve member 104 at one end. This valve member can be depressed to release a dose from the aerosol container, or alternatively, the valve member 44' 104 can be fixed and the main body of the container can be moved relative to the valve member 104. The dose can then be released. Aerosol container 102 is positioned in housing 101 with one end protruding from the open top of the housing, as clearly shown in FIG. Spacer ribs (not shown) can be provided on the inside of the housing to keep the outer surface of the container spaced from the inner surface of the housing. A passage 10 provided at the lower end of the support or shaft block 105 or the housing 101 and in which the valve member 04 of the aerosol container 02 can be arranged and supported.
It has 6. A second passage 107 is provided in the support part ]05 and is directed inside the outlet 103. Therefore,
By pressing on the protruding portion of the aerosol container 102 and moving the container 102 relative to the valve section 104 when the parts are in the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,
The valve is opened and the drug contained in the aerosol is delivered F5-
The amount is discharged through passage 1.07 to the outlet 103, from where it can be absorbed by the patient. One dose is released from the aerosol container each time the aerosol container is fully depressed.

A working and container retaining member in the form of a ring 108 is slidably guided within the housing 101 .

A positioning protrusion 109 protrudes from the ring 108,
It slides within a slot 110 in the wall of the housing. Once the ring 108 is fitted into the aerosol container 102, the ring cannot be removed from the aerosol container 102, and also when the container 102 is pressed to open the container outlet valve.
An aerosol container 102 is fitted into the ring 108 to move with the ring 102. Once attached, the aerosol container cannot be removed, making it detrimental or even dangerous to the patient's well-being. Product misuse or abuse is prevented by substituting an alternative product that is contrary to medical instructions.

A drive arm ]11 extends from the ring 108 through a slot 112 in the wall of the housing 101 and into the pointing compartment ]13. The drive arm 111 is the ratchet wheel 11 of the instruction compartment.
It is engaged with 4. Pressing on the aerosol container 102 causes the drive arm 11 to move downward and forward to the center of the ratchet wheel 114 where it engages the next adjacent ratchet. When the aerosol container 102 is released, the drive arm]
11 is 1. Move to the horn and rotate the ratchet wheel 14 by one tooth interval. Rotatable together with the ratchet wheel 114 is a spur gear 115 that meshes with the indicator gear] 16.
It is A. Thus, the indicator gear 116 controls each dose dispensed by squeezing the body of the aerosol container 112.
■It rotates one step at a time. The front side of the indication housing 113 has a window 117 in which the southeast part of the indication 116 is indicated.
There is. This indicator width can contain a suitable mark Ij, which is displayed through the window when a given mark is aligned with the window. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, the indicator float is 1
/4.1/2.3 C, F% and E markings. Mark F
and E mean fullness and emptiness respectively. Appropriate markings can be placed on the indicator gear.

For example, by marking different positions of the indicator wheel with different colors, the patient will know that he has to get a new inhalation device, for example when a red part is displayed through the window. Alternatively, the indicator wheel could be marked with numbers to indicate the number of doses to be dispensed from the aerosol container or the number of doses remaining to be dispensed. In a convenient arrangement, 200
Position the indicator gear to indicate that the aerosol container is empty after 1 dose has been dispensed, and then fill the container with e.g. 220 doses to allow room for error. do.

The apparatus shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is such that a ratchet wheel 114 drives a single worm 118, which in turn drives an indicator rack 119 having a single row of protrusions that are engageable with the worm.
It has been modified to drive Other parts of the apparatus designated with the same reference numerals are used in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4.

In the modified apparatus shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, ratchet wheel 114 again rotates spur gear 115A, which engages and drives indicator rack 120. Other parts of the device have the same reference numerals used in the description with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4.

Although the present invention has been described with respect to a medical inhalation device, the present invention can be applied to a container with a repressible dispensing valve to determine the amount of used product or nails left on the container. It is clear that it can be done.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side view, partially in section, of a first embodiment of the indicating device of the invention installed in a medical inhalation device; FIG. Figure 2a is a view of the modified embodiment seen from one side; Figure 2b is applicable to both Figures 1 and 2 and the modified embodiment of Figure 2a; The features are seen from the opposite side to FIG. 2, and FIG. 3 is a front view of another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a cutaway view of the front wall of the device.
5 and 6 are similar views showing one modification of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views of the apparatus shown in FIGS.
The figure is a similar figure with other modifications...aerosol container, 4
, 104... Valve part 14111, 111... Ratchet wheel drive member, 14° 114... Ratchet ij, 15
A, 115A...Spur tooth width,]]6...Indication gear, 2
[,), 1.19,120...Instruction rack. Applicant's agent Mr. Sato - Engraving of the drawing (no changes in content) Fig, 3 Fig, /. 3Fi, 8 Procedural Amendment Book Type) % Formula % 1. Indication of the case 1988 Patent Application No. 101713 2. Name of the invention Dose Indicating Device 3. Person making the amendment Relationship with the case Patent Applicant GRAKTS, GROUP, Limited 4, Agent (zip code 100) July 1, 1988 (Shipping date: July 28, 1988) 6. Subject to amendment

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. An apparatus for indicating the number of doses to be dispensed from an aerosol container having a body and an outlet member movable relative to the body for dispensing the contents in metered doses. a motion detection means responsive to relative motion between the body and the outlet member; and an indicating means responsive to the motion detection means to indicate the amount of the body relative to or expelled from the outlet member. Device. 2. The motion detection means includes a ratchet wheel movable with one of the aerosol container and the outlet member, and a ratchet wheel drive member movable with the other of the aerosol container and the outlet member, the drive member being movable with the other of the aerosol container and the outlet member. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein relative movement of the outlet member and the outlet member is arranged to rotate the ratchet wheel by a predetermined step. 3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the indicating means is arranged to move in a straight line. 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the indicating means carries a spur gear meshing with and driving the toothed rack. 5. The device according to claim 3, wherein the indicating means comprises an indicating rack having a row of projections, and the ratchet wheel carries a worm that engages with the row of projections and drives the rack. . 6. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the indicating means comprises a rotatable indicating gear, and the ratchet wheel carries a spur gear meshing with and driving the indicating gear. 7. The device according to claim 2, wherein the ratchet wheel itself constitutes the indicating means. 8. an actuating member adapted to be removably attached to the body of the aerosol container for displacement relative to the outlet member, the actuating member being adapted to be displaceable relative to the outlet member during at least a portion of the movement of the actuating member; 8. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a further member held stationary by the device. 9. Said further member is arranged to be held stationary relative to the outlet member by abutment with the housing, the housing containing the aerosol container and the outlet member supporting the container body during relative movement; 9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: 10. The working member consists of a ring-shaped cap adapted to be attached to one end of the body of the aerosol container;
Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9. 11. Apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, comprising means for resetting the indicating means to zero. 12. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the indicating means do not have numbers, letters or similar symbols. 13. A support for the housing having a housing in which an aerosol container can be placed, an outlet leading from the housing, and a passageway arranged to receive the outlet member of the aerosol container and allowing the contents of the aerosol container to pass to the outlet. and a dose indicating device, the outlet member being movable relative to the body of the container for dispensing the contents in a metered dose. 14. The dose indicating device has an indicating compartment arranged in the wall of the container-receiving housing, the dose indicating device having an actuating member which acts on the outlet member and thus on the container-accommodating housing. attached to and carried by the body of the aerosol container so as to be displaceable relative to the housing, the actuating member carrying an arm extending into the indicating compartment for actuating the indicating means; An aerosol distribution device according to claim 13. 15. Aerosol dispensing device according to claim 14, wherein the actuating member is arranged permanently attached to the body of the aerosol container.