(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2009/0188490 A1
`Han
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jul. 30, 2009
`
`US 20090188490A1
`
`(54) AEROSOLIZING INHALATION DEVICE
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`(76) Inventor:
`
`Li Han, Hong Kong (CN)
`
`Nov. 10, 2006 (CN) ....................... .. 2006200940380
`
`Correspondence Address:
`HONIGMAN MILLER SCHWARTZ & COHN
`LLP
`38500 WOODWARD AVENUE, SUITE 100
`BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI 48304-5048 (US)
`
`Publication Classi?cation
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(200601)
`A61M 11/00
`(52) US. Cl. ................................................. .. 128/200.14
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`12/294,411
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(22) PCT Filed:
`
`(86) PCT NO;
`
`N0“ 9 2007
`’
`pCT/CN07/03180
`
`§ 371 (0X1),
`(2), (4) Date:
`
`Sep. 24, 2008
`
`An aerosoliZing inhalation device comprising a housing
`including a battery, a pneumatic switch, an atomizer and a
`liquid-supplying bottle having a ?rst end connected to the
`atomizer, Wherein the liquid- supplying bottle includes a vent
`duct, and Wherein at least a portion of the housing de?nes an
`air ori?ce.
`
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jul. 30, 2009 Sheet 1 0f 2
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`US 2009/0188490 Al
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`um
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jul. 30, 2009 Sheet 2 0f 2
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`US 2009/0188490 A1
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`Figure 4
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`Figure 5
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`US 2009/0188490 A1
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`Jul. 30, 2009
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`AEROSOLIZING INHALATION DEVICE
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`[0001] This utility model relates to an inhalation device, in
`particular, an aerosolizing inhalation device that aerosolizes
`the solution With the substance of physiologic activity into
`aerosol and delivers it into lungs via the respiratory tract.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0002] With regard to existing aerosolizing lung inhalation
`devices for medical purposes, a broad range of ultrasonic
`atomizers are available for clinic and family use. HoWever,
`the diameter of aerosol particles from the existing aerosoliz
`ing devices are large, and most aerosol particles are retained
`by the upper respiratory tract and bronchus. As a result, they
`cannot effectively reach the bronchiole or alveolus. In addi
`tion, such devices are not easy to carry due to their big sizes.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`[0003] In an embodiment, the invention provides an aero
`solizing inhalation device, Which, featuring small aerosol
`particles, having an aerosolizing effect, small size and port
`ability, are suitable for outdoor medical care and rescue.
`[0004] In an embodiment, the invention is directed to an
`aerosolizing inhalation device comprising a housing includ
`ing a battery, a pneumatic sWitch, an atomizer and a liquid
`supplying bottle having a ?rst end connected to the atomizer,
`Wherein the liquid-supplying bottle includes a vent duct, and
`Wherein at least a portion of the housing de?nes an air ori?ce.
`[0005] In an embodiment, the invention also adopts the
`folloWing auxiliary technical solution: the air ori?ce is
`located betWeen the said pneumatic sWitch and atomizer.
`[0006] In an embodiment, the atomizer is a jet heating
`atomizer, Which may include a liquid-supplying structure and
`heating body. In an embodiment, the liquid-supplying struc
`ture is a porous structure or ?ber structure, on one end of
`Which there is a jet hole, While on the other end, there is a
`protuberance. In an embodiment, the liquid-supplying bottle
`contacts the protuberance, so that the aerosolizing liquid can
`penetrate into the liquid-supplying structure. In an embodi
`ment, the heating body is located inside the liquid-supplying
`structure and electrically connected With the battery.
`[0007] In an embodiment, the atomizer is a impregnation
`heating atomizer, Which includes a liquid-supplying structure
`and a heating body. In an embodiment, the liquid-supplying
`structure is a porous structure or ?ber structure, one end of
`Which forms a protuberance, While on the other end, the said
`heating body is installed. In an embodiment, the heating body
`is electrically connected With the battery. In an embodiment,
`the liquid-supplying bottle contacts the protuberance, so that
`the aerosolizing liquid can penetrate into the said liquid
`supplying structure.
`[0008] In an embodiment, the liquid-supplying structure is
`a porous structure or ?ber structure. In an embodiment, the
`heating body may be a micro-porous ceramic framework With
`Ohmic metal electro-thermal material or a porous component
`created With electrically conductive ceramics/PTC material,
`Which is associated With sintered electrode.
`[0009] In an embodiment, the pneumatic sWitch is a
`mechanical sWitch made of rubber ?lm and metal and driven
`by pres sure difference. Alternatively, and in accordance With
`
`other embodiments, it may be a Hall element, semiconductor
`force-sensitive chip, silicon matrix bridge chip, capacitance
`or induction sensor.
`[0010] In an embodiment, the liquid-supplying bottle is a
`porous structure or ?ber structure, and is ?lled With aerosoliz
`ing liquid.
`[0011] In an embodiment, there may be an indicator on the
`front end of the said housing.
`[0012] In an embodiment, the invention may bring the fol
`loWing helpful effects:
`1 . In an embodiment, atomizer may be a jet heating atomizer,
`Which carries out the primary atomization in the jet hole With
`the suction air?oW, and then the secondary atomization by
`spraying onto the heating body (102). The atomization for
`tWice enables even atomization, and small aerosolized par
`ticles With a mean diameter of about 1 pm, Which is the most
`optimal technical parameter for lung inhalation, alloWing for
`total inhalation.
`2. In an embodiment, the atomizer has its battery, pneumatic
`sWitch, atomizer, and liquid-supplying bottle arranged in the
`housing in turn, featuring compact structure, small size, port
`ability, and no restriction on application site. It is suitable for
`outdoor medical care and rescue.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`
`[0013] FIG. 1 is a structure diagram of an aerosolizing
`inhalation device, in accordance With an embodiment of the
`invention.
`[0014] FIG. 2 is a structure diagram of a jet heating atom
`izer, in accordance With an embodiment of the invention.
`[0015] FIG. 3 is the right vieW of the jet heating atomizer as
`shoWn in FIG. 2.
`[0016] FIG. 4 is a structure diagram of an impregnation
`atomizer, in accordance With an embodiment of the invention.
`[0017] FIG. 5 is the right vieW of the jet heating atomizer as
`shoWn in FIG. 4.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0018] As shoWn in FIG. 1, in accordance With an embodi
`ment, the invention includes a housing (2), and a battery (3),
`a pneumatic sWitch (4), an atomizer (6) and a liquid-supply
`ing bottle (7), all of Which are arranged in turn and disposed
`in the housing (2), Which is a holloW cylinder, on the front of
`Which is an indicator (1). The liquid-supplying bottle (7) is
`provided With a vent duct (8), and one end of the liquid
`supplying bottle (7) is connected to the atomizer (6). On the
`other side of the atomizer (6), there are the pneumatic sWitch
`(4) and battery (3) successively. The battery (3), pneumatic
`sWitch (4) and atomizer (6) are in series connection to form a
`loop. The pneumatic sWitch (4) controls the operation of the
`atomizer (6). In this example, the pneumatic sWitch (4) is a
`mechanical sWitch made of rubber ?lm and metal and driven
`by pressure difference. Alternatively, it may be a Hall ele
`ment, semiconductor force-sensitive chip, silicon matrix
`bridge chip, capacitance or induction sensor. The housing (2)
`is provided With an air ori?ce (5) betWeen the pneumatic
`sWitch (4) and atomizer (6) for air inhalation from outside.
`[0019] As shoWn in FIGS. 2 and 3, in accordance With an
`embodiment of the invention, atomizer (6) is a jet heating
`atomizer that includes the liquid-supplying structure (101)
`and heating body (102). The liquid-supplying structure (101)
`is a porous structure or ?ber structure, on one end of Which
`there is a jet hole (103), While on the other end, there is a
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`protuberance (104). The jet hole (103) is made of foamed
`ceramics, micro-porous ceramics, foamed metal, stainless
`steel ?ber felt or chemical ?ber through molding and drilling.
`The heating body (102) is located inside the liquid-supplying
`structure (101), electrically connected with the battery (3),
`and controlled with the pneumatic switch (4). The liquid
`supplying bottle (7) contacts the protuberance (104), so that
`the aerosolizing liquid can penetrate into the liquid- supplying
`structure (101). The heating body (102) is a micro-porous
`ceramic framework with Ohmic metal electro-thermal mate
`rial or a porous component created with electrically conduc
`tive ceramics/PTC material, which is associated with sintered
`electrode. The jet heating atomizer carries out the primary
`atomization in the jet hole (103) with the suction air?ow, and
`then the secondary atomization by spraying onto the heating
`body (102). The atomization for twice enables even atomiza
`tion, and small aerosolized particles with a mean diameter of
`about 1 pm, which is the mo st optimal technical parameter for
`lung inhalation.
`[0020] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in accordance with an
`embodiment of the invention, atomizer (6) is an impregnation
`atomizer, which includes the liquid-supplying structure (201)
`and heating body (202). The liquid-supplying structure (201)
`is a porous structure or ?ber structure, on one end of which is
`a protuberance (204), while on the other end is the heating
`body (202). The heating body (202) is electrically connected
`with the battery (3), and controlled with the pneumatic switch
`(4). The liquid-supplying bottle (7) contacts the protuberance
`(204), so that the aerosolizing liquid can penetrate into the
`liquid-supplying structure (201). The heating body (202) is a
`micro-porous ceramic framework with Ohmic metal electro
`thermal material or a porous component created with electri
`cally conductive ceramics/PTC (Positive Temperature Coef
`?cient) material, which is associated with sintered electrode.
`The impregnation atomizer leverages the heating body (202)
`to directly heat the liquid-supplying structure (201), thus
`aerosolizing the solution.
`[0021] In an embodiment, on one end of the atomizer (6) in
`the above-mentioned two examplary embodiments, the pro
`tuberances (104, 204) are connected with the liquid-supply
`ing bottle (7). The aerosolizing solution in the liquid-supply
`ing bottle (7) enters the atomizer (6) through the liquid
`supplying structure (101, 201). The liquid-supplying
`structure (101, 201) is made of foamed ceramics, micro
`porous ceramics, perforated metal, stainless steel ?ber felt or
`chemical ?ber through molding and drilling. The heating
`body (102, 202) is a micro-porous ceramic framework with
`Ohmic metal electro-thermal material or a porous component
`directly created with electrically conductive ceramics/PTC
`material, which is associated with sintered electrode. The
`surface of the heating body (101, 202) is sintered into high
`temperature glaze to ?x the zeolite grains, which are made of
`natural zeolite, arti?cial non-organic micro-porous ceramics
`or aluminum oxide grains.
`[0022] In an embodiment, the invention operates as fol
`lows: The medicine is dissolved with propanediol, and the
`aerosolizing solution is put into the changeable liquid-sup
`plying bottle (7). The liquid-supplying bottle (7) is put into
`the housing (10), contacts the atomizer (6), and supplies the
`liquid to it. When the user sucks, the pneumatic switch (4)
`accomplishes the mechanical contact under the action of
`pressure difference, connecting the battery (3) with the atom
`izer (6). The battery (3) electri?es the atomizer (6), and the
`heating body (102, 202) starts to heat. When the user sucks,
`
`the indicator (1) is lit, and the atomizer (6) condenses and
`dilutes the air in the liquid-supplying bottle (7), thus making
`mist, which is sucked out through the vent duct (8) on the
`liquid-supplying bottle.
`[0023] The ?ber structure for production of the liquid-sup
`plying bottle and liquid-supplying structure is made of
`chemical ?ber or nylon ?ber.
`[0024] The atomizer of this invention atomizes the aero
`solizing solution impregnated from the liquid-supplying
`bottle, and the mist is diluted with the inhaled air into aerosol,
`which is inhaled by the user. In an embodiment, the invention
`may be used as cigarette substitute or as medical device
`delivering medicine to lungs.
`
`1-11. (canceled)
`12. An aerosolizing inhalation device comprising:
`a housing including a battery, a pneumatic switch, an atom
`izer and a liquid-supplying bottle having a ?rst end
`connected to said atomizer, wherein said liquid-supply
`ing bottle includes a vent duct, and wherein at least a
`portion of said housing de?nes an air ori?ce.
`13. The aerosolizing inhalation device of claim 12, wherein
`said air ori?ce is located between said pneumatic switch and
`said atomizer.
`14. The aerosolizing inhalation device of claim 12, wherein
`said atomizer is a jet heating atomizer and includes a liquid
`supplying structure and a heating body located inside the
`liquid supplying structure in electrical communication with
`said battery, wherein said liquid-supplying structure is
`selected from the group consisting of a porous structure and a
`?ber structure, and wherein the liquid supplying structure
`includes a ?rst end that de?nes a jet hole and a second end that
`includes a protuberance in liquid contact with said liquid
`supplying bottle such that aerosolizing liquid can penetrate
`into said liquid-supplying structure.
`15. The aerosolizing inhalation device of claim 13, wherein
`said atomizer is a jet heating atomizer and includes a liquid
`supplying structure and a heating body located inside the
`liquid supplying structure in electrical communication with
`said battery, wherein said liquid-supplying structure is
`selected from the group consisting of a porous structure and a
`?ber structure, and wherein the liquid supplying structure
`includes a ?rst end that de?nes a jet hole and a second end that
`includes a protuberance in liquid contact with said liquid
`supplying bottle such that aerosolizing liquid can penetrate
`into said liquid-supplying structure.
`16. The aerosolizing inhalation device of claim 12, wherein
`said atomizer is an impregnation atomizer and includes a
`liquid-supplying structure and a heating body in electrical
`communication with said battery, wherein said liquid- supply
`ing structure is selected from the group consisting of a porous
`structure and a ?ber structure, and wherein the liquid supply
`ing structure includes a ?rst end that de?nes a jet hole and a
`second end that includes a protuberance in liquid contact with
`said liquid supplying bottle such that aerosolizing liquid can
`penetrate into said liquid-supplying structure.
`17. The aerosolizing inhalation device of claim 13, wherein
`said atomizer is an impregnation atomizer and includes a
`liquid-supplying structure and a heating body in electrical
`communication with said battery, wherein said liquid- supply
`ing structure is selected from the group consisting of a porous
`structure and a ?ber structure, and wherein the liquid supply
`ing structure includes a ?rst end that de?nes a jet hole and a
`second end that includes a protuberance in liquid contact with
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`US 2009/0188490 A1
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`said liquid supplying bottle such that aerosoliZing liquid can
`penetrate into said liquid-supplying structure.
`18. The aerosoliZing inhalation device of claim 14, wherein
`said heating body is selected from the group consisting of: (i)
`a micro-porous ceramic framework with Ohmic metal elec
`tro-thermal material; and (ii) a porous component created
`with electrically conductive ceramics/PTC material, which is
`associated with sintered electrode.
`19. The aerosoliZing inhalation device of claim 15, wherein
`said heating body is selected from the group consisting of: (i)
`a micro -porous ceramic framework having Ohmic metal elec
`tro-thermal material; and (ii) a porous component created
`with electrically conductive ceramics/PTC material, which is
`associated with sintered electrode.
`20. The aero soliZing inhalation device of claim 1 6, wherein
`said heating body is selected from the group consisting of: (i)
`a micro -porous ceramic framework having Ohmic metal elec
`tro-thermal material; and (ii) a porous component created
`with electrically conductive ceramics/PTC material, which is
`associated with sintered electrode.
`21. The aerosoliZing inhalation device of claim 17, wherein
`said heating body is selected from the group consisting of: (i)
`a micro -porous ceramic framework having Ohmic metal elec
`tro-thermal material; and (ii) a porous component created
`with electrically conductive ceramics/PTC material, which is
`associated with sintered electrode.
`22. The aerosoliZing inhalation device of claim 12, wherein
`the said pneumatic switch includes one or more elements
`selected from the group consisting of:
`a mechanical switch
`made of rubber ?lm and metal and is selectively driven by
`pressure difference; (ii) a Hall element; (iii) a semiconductor
`force-sensitive chip; (iv) a silicon matrix bridge chip; (v) a
`capacitance sensor; and (vi) an induction sensor.
`23. The aerosoliZing inhalation device of claim 13, wherein
`the said pneumatic switch includes one or more elements
`selected from the group consisting of: (i) a mechanical switch
`made of rubber ?lm and metal and is selectively driven by
`pressure difference; (ii) a Hall element; (iii) a semiconductor
`force-sensitive chip; (iv) a silicon matrix bridge chip; (v) a
`capacitance sensor; and (vi) an induction sensor.
`
`24. The aerosoliZing inhalation device of claim 12, wherein
`the said liquid-supplying structure is selected from the group
`consisting of: (i) a porous structure and (ii) a ?ber structure,
`wherein said porous structure or said ?ber structure includes
`aerosoliZing solution.
`25. The aerosoliZing inhalation device of claim 13, wherein
`the said liquid-supplying structure is selected from the group
`consisting of: (i) a porous structure and (ii) a ?ber structure,
`wherein said porous structure or said ?ber structure includes
`aerosoliZing solution.
`26. The aerosoliZing inhalation device of claim 18, wherein
`the said liquid-supplying structure is selected from the group
`consisting of: (i) a porous structure and (ii) a ?ber structure,
`wherein said porous structure or said ?ber structure includes
`aerosoliZing solution.
`27. The aerosoliZing inhalation device of claim 19, wherein
`the said liquid-supplying structure is selected from the group
`consisting of: (i) a porous structure and (ii) a ?ber structure,
`wherein said porous structure or said ?ber structure includes
`aerosoliZing solution.
`28. The aerosoliZing inhalation device of claim 20, wherein
`the said liquid-supplying structure is selected from the group
`consisting of: (i) a porous structure and (ii) a ?ber structure,
`wherein said porous structure or said ?ber structure includes
`aerosoliZing solution.
`29. The aerosoliZing inhalation device of claim 21, wherein
`the said liquid-supplying structure is selected from the group
`consisting of: (i) a porous structure and (ii) a ?ber structure,
`wherein said porous structure or said ?ber structure includes
`aerosoliZing solution.
`3 0. The aerosoliZing inhalation device of claim 28, wherein
`the said liquid-supplying structure is selected from the group
`consisting of: (i) a porous structure and (ii) a ?ber structure,
`wherein said porous structure or said ?ber structure includes
`aerosoliZing solution.
`3 1. The aerosoliZing inhalation device of claim 29, wherein
`the said liquid-supplying structure is selected from the group
`consisting of: (i) a porous structure and (ii) a ?ber structure,
`wherein said porous structure or said ?ber structure includes
`aerosoliZing solution.
`
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