Surgery – Liquid medicament atomizer or sprayer
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-20
2003-02-04
Dawson, Glenn K. (Department: 3761)
Surgery
Liquid medicament atomizer or sprayer
C128S200210, C128S200180, C128S207120, C128S207160
Reexamination Certificate
active
06513519
ABSTRACT:
The invention refers to inhalation atomizers for atomizing liquid and/or solid substances.
Inhalation atomizers of this kind have an inlet valve via which ambient air flows into the inhalation atomizer during the inspiration process, and an outlet valve out of which the air exhaled by the patient into the inhalation atomizer flows. Here care has to be taken that the air respired into the inhalation atomizer does not transport any aerosol outwards, as otherwise the desired accuracy of dosage is not achieved. An inhalation atomizer of said kind is known for instance from EP 0 626 180 A1.
While the fundamental functions of the inlet valve and the outlet valve are desired, the individual components required for the construction and the function of the valves often present difficulties regarding the use by the patient. The valve elements of the inlet valve and the outlet valve may be lost or confused so that there is the danger that the inhalation atomizer cannot be used anymore or is operated improperly. And also with a view to the assembly of the inhalation atomizer, as small a number of components as possible is desirable which, moreover, are also easy to handle.
On the basis of these facts, the technical problem underlying the invention is to improve an inhalation atomizer with an inlet valve and outlet valve such that an easier and safe handling by the patient as well as an easier and cheaper assembly in the production is obtained without impairing the functions of the inlet valve and the outlet valve.
By the one-piece valve element it is guaranteed that the patient only has to insert one single valve element, which leads not only to a simplification of the handling by the patient but also results in a simplification of the assembly during manufacturing. The one-piece design of the valve element requires a two-part valve box. For that purpose the valve box is divided up by a partition wall into two sub-chambers into each of which a section of the one-piece valve element projects. On the one hand, the valve element effects in the one sub-chamber that the inspiration takes place only through the flow channel intended therefor, namely through the inhalation atomizer housing. Thereby the aerosol generated in the inhalation atomizer is inhaled by the patient. On the other hand, the valve element effects in the other sub-chamber that during expiration into the atomizer no air flows through the inhalation atomizer and transports aerosol with it outwards.
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Dawson Glenn K.
Erezo Darwin P.
Merchant & Gould P.C.
Pari GmbH Spezialsten fur effective Inhalation
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