Boehringer Ingelheim International Gmbh

Andreas Fiol

Gilbert Wuttke

Joachim Eicher

Johannes Geser

Bernd Zierenberg

Michael Schyra

Matthias Hausmann

Hubert Kunze

Christian Golberg

Dieter Hochrainer

Heinrich Kladders

Timo Von Brunn

Florian Witte

Klaus Noehl

Stefan Kaulmann

Ralf Thoemmes

Georg Boeck

Martin Meisenheimer

Guido Schmiedel

Ralf Thömmes

Pasquale Cirrillo

Georg Böck

A system with a nebulizer as well as a container with a fluid and an indicator device for such a nebulizer are proposed. A check scheme is used for indicating the number of containers already used with the nebulizer or which still can be used with the nebulizer. The indicator device indicates the number of uses performed or still possible with the current container. The indicator device is adapted to let stepwise appear a color sequence and/or replacement symbol when approaching a predetermined number of uses with the container. Further, the indicator device can show markings in braille.

System with nebulizer and container

A nebulizer for a fluid, particularly for medical aerosol treatment is proposed. To allow easier operation and confer improved operational reliability a sealed container holding the fluid is already arranged in the nebulizer when it is supplied and the nebulizer is constructed so that the container is opened inside the nebulizer before or during the first use of the nebulizer. For this purpose, a transportation lock is provided for the sealed container which, in the delivery state, is in engagement with the sealed container in a manner preventing the sealed container from moving axially in the nebulizer.

Nebulizer

A nebulizer having an insertable container and a monitoring device for counting actuations of the nebulizer is proposed. The monitoring device is mounted in a detachable housing part and directly detects movements of container during a nebulizing process, an air supply current in the region of a mouthpiece, and/or the production of aerosol, in order to detect this as the actual dispensing of fluid and actuation of the nebulizer, while preferably the time of actuation of the nebulizer is additionally detected and stored. This allows better monitoring and guidance for the user.

A nebulizer for a fluid, particularly for medical aerosol treatment is proposed. To allow easier operation and confer improved operational reliability a sealed container holding the fluid is already arranged in the nebulizer when it is supplied and the nebulizer is constructed so that the container is opened inside the nebulizer before or during the first use of the nebulizer. Alternatively, or in addition, the nebulizer is constructed so that the container cannot be replaced, and in particular, cannot be removed.

For meteredly dispensing a liquid over a period of several months from a container which can be stored over a long period of time, the need is for a container which is practically diffusion-tight and in which the liquid does not come into contact with the ambient atmosphere. The cartridge according to the invention is a three-shell container comprising a collapsible bag which contains the liquid, a container which is stable in respect of shape and a stiff metal casing. The cartridge can be releasably connected to a dispensing device. The cartridge can be provided with a micro-opening with which the time for pressure equalisation between the cartridge and the ambient atmosphere can be adjusted. The cartridge is suitable for aqueous and for alcoholic liquids which contain a pharmaceutically active substance. The liquid in the cartridge is protected from external influences. The cartridge can be used in an atomiser for producing an inhalable aerosol for the treatment of illnesses.

Cartridge for a liquid

A locking tensioning mechanism for a miniaturised high pressure generator is disclosed, which mechanism will allow delivery of a set volume of a liquid, and the volume to be delivered by a high pressure generator can be altered subsequently by adjusting one of the stops of the spring component, which locking tensioning mechanism may be used in a high pressure generator for producing an inhalable aerosol or in a needleless injector for injecting a volume of a liquid into animal or plant tissue.

Locking-tensioning mechanism for a miniaturised high pressuriser

A nebulizer for a fluid and a container holding the fluid which is insertable in the nebulizer are proposed. To improve safety in use it is proposed that the nebulizer comprises first coding means and the container is associated with second coding means, so that the container can only be inserted in the nebulizer or used therewith if the codes match. Preferably, the code associated with the container comprises clear identification of the fluid contained in the container.

For meteredly dispensing a liquid over a period of several months from a container which can be stored over a long period of time, the need is for a container which is practically diffusion-tight and in which the liquid does not come into contact with the ambient atmosphere. The cartridge according to the invention is a three-shell container comprising a collapsible bag which contains the liquid, a container which is stable in respect of shape and a stiff metal casing. The cartridge can be releasably connected to a dispensing device. The cartridge can be provided with a micro-opening with which the time for pressure equalisation between the cartridge and the ambient atmosphere can be adjusted. The cartridge is suitable for aqueous and for alcoholic liquids which contain a pharmacologically active substance. The liquid in the cartridge is protected from external influences. The cartridge can be used in an atomiser for producing an inhalable aerosol for the treatment of illnesses.

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Norderstedt, Germany

Andreas Fiol