Boehringer Ingelheim International Gmbh

Michael Schyra

Johannes Geser

Joachim Eicher

Gilbert Wuttke

Andreas Fiol

Bernd Zierenberg

Matthias Hausmann

Hubert Kunze

Guido Schmiedel

Dieter Hochrainer

Heinrich Kladders

Burkhard Metzger

Ralf Thoemmes

Georg Boeck

Christian Golberg

Birgit Westmeier

Herbert Wachtel

Richard Forster

Christian Goldberg

Burkhard P Metzger

An atomizer for a fluid, in particular, a fluid for medical aerosol therapy. In order to allow simplified operation and improved safety in use, the atomizer has a counter device for counting the number of operations of the atomizer and the number of containers inserted. The atomizer is locked against further operation and/or against removal of the current container or insertion of a new container, if a certain number of operations of the atomizer and/or a certain number of containers inserted has/have been reached or exceeded.

Atomizer

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.

Nebulizer

A locking-stressing-mechanism with spring-actuated output drive and a counter with which an apparatus of this kind is fitted, accommodated in a two part housing the two parts of which are mounted to be rotatable relative to each other, can be blocked by means of a pre-stressed leaf spring. The leaf spring is initially accommodated in a recess in the wall of one housing part. As soon as the permitted number of actuations has been reached a push rod pushes the leaf spring out of its resting position. The leaf spring then jumps into a recess in the wall of the other housing part and the two housing parts can no longer be rotated relative to each other. The push rod may be mounted on the pointer of the counter. This blocking device can only be overcome by the application of a force which is sufficient to destroy the device. The device is suitable for blocking a high pressure atomiser or a needleless injector with which a fluid is atomised to form an aerosol or a fluid is injected into a biological tissue.

Blocking device for a locking stressing mechanism having a spring-actuated output drive device

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.

Locking-stressing mechanism for a miniaturised high pressuriser

A spring-actuated output drive device is used for example in medical aerosol therapy for a miniaturised high-pressure producing device for atomising a small dose of a liquid medicament. A locking-stressing-mechanism for such an output d rive device is to be stressed with the application of a relatively small amount of force and is to be released with one hand and is to operate reliably over a prolonged period of time. The locking-stressing-mechanism comprises a force step-up transmission, for example a screw thrust transmission for stressing the spring, an annularly arranged locking member with engaging locking surfaces, two abutments for limiting the travel of the spring and a release button. It is compact, economical to produce, easy to assemble and comprises components with a low rate of wear. It can be reliably and easily handled by unskilled persons, even when high spring forces are involved. A medicament to be atomised can thus be metered with a very high degree of accuracy.

Locking mechanism for a spring-actuated device

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Wuppertal, Germany

Michael Schyra