Patent US2950479A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4036223A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for generating aerosols of solid particles
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-01-20
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Granted: 1977-07-19
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Expires: 1996-01-20
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to apparatus for generating aerosols of solid particles, particularly inhalable vaccine, said apparatus being composed of a jet mill or micronizer, comprising, on one of its side walls, cavities which open out into the chamber of the mill, of syringues containing a determined dose of a pulverulent product which are fitted into said cavities and of means for pushing the plungers of said syringues.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean-Claude Obert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:14
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61D; A61D7/00; A61D7/04; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/20; A61B17/205; A61M; A61M15/00; A61M15/0065; A61M2202/00; A61M2202/06; A61M2202/064; A61M2205/00; A61M2205/07; A61M2205/071; A61M2205/073
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
302 words
An apparatus for generating aerosols of solid particles, particularly inhalable aerosols of vaccines, comprising, a micronizer having a cylindrical chamber formed therein, said micronizer having a pair of opposed axial ends by first first and second flat end walls located perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chamber and closing the ends of the chamber, one of said first end walls having an axial outlet formed therein to permit aerosol in said chamber to pass therethrough; and a peripheral side wall extending between said end walls, said side wall and said end walls defining said chamber therebetween; said side wall including a plurality of inlet nozzles for compressed gas opening tangential to said longitudinal axis into said chamber; means for introducing compressed gas into said nozzles; means for introducing a determined dose of a pulverulent product, said introducing means comprising, at least one cavity formed in one of said end walls the second of said end walls and radially disposed from said longitudinal axis and communicating with the inside of said chamber through a conduit formed in the second end wall, a syringe associated with said cavity comprising a doser tube containing a determined dose of said pulverulent product, said tube having opposite opened front and rear ends with said front end being axially engaged in its associated cavity; means for removably securing and sealing said open front end of the doser tube within the cavity in which it is engaged; and means for introducing and pushing substantially all of the pulverulent product in said syringe into said chamber through said channel; said pushing means including a plunger slidably positioned in said doser tube and means for pushing said plunger from the rear end of the tube towards the forward open end to urge pulverulent product in the tube through said channel.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
302 words
An apparatus for generating aerosols of solid particles, particularly inhalable aerosols of vaccines, comprising, a micronizer having a cylindrical chamber formed therein, said micronizer having a pair of opposed axial ends by first first and second flat end walls located perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chamber and closing the ends of the chamber, one of said first end walls having an axial outlet formed therein to permit aerosol in said chamber to pass therethrough; and a peripheral side wall extending between said end walls, said side wall and said end walls defining said chamber therebetween; said side wall including a plurality of inlet nozzles for compressed gas opening tangential to said longitudinal axis into said chamber; means for introducing compressed gas into said nozzles; means for introducing a determined dose of a pulverulent product, said introducing means comprising, at least one cavity formed in one of said end walls the second of said end walls and radially disposed from said longitudinal axis and communicating with the inside of said chamber through a conduit formed in the second end wall, a syringe associated with said cavity comprising a doser tube containing a determined dose of said pulverulent product, said tube having opposite opened front and rear ends with said front end being axially engaged in its associated cavity; means for removably securing and sealing said open front end of the doser tube within the cavity in which it is engaged; and means for introducing and pushing substantially all of the pulverulent product in said syringe into said chamber through said channel; said pushing means including a plunger slidably positioned in said doser tube and means for pushing said plunger from the rear end of the tube towards the forward open end to urge pulverulent product in the tube through said channel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
105 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for pushing the plunger comprises a worm gear extending generally parallel to the axis of said chamber, a variable speed motor for rotating said worm gear; a nut threadedly engaged with said worm gear; at least one fixed guide rod extending through said nut, parallel to said worm gear, and a pusher rod located between the nut and said plunger in the syringe whereby, said nut moves in translation along the worm gear when the worm gear is rotated and simultaneously pushes said plunger through said push rod intercalated between said nut and said plunger.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
106 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cavity has the form of a truncated funnel whose wider base is on the side of the second end wall opposite the chamber and receives the front end of the doser tube; said wider base having a greater diameter than the diameter of said doser tube, said funnel shaped cavity being extended from its narrower base by said conduit which comprises a coaxial cylindrical channel which passes through the second end wall in which the cavity is formed and which opens inside the chamber, said channel having a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of said doser tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
87 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said cavity comprises a truncated channel whose axis is parallel to the axis of the chamber and which converges to the side of the second end wall away from said chamber through a part of the thickness of said second end wall, followed by a coaxial cylindrical channel which passes through said second wall and which opens out into the chamber, the front of said doser tube being secured in sealed relation adjacent the outer orifice of said truncated channel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the front end of said doser tube includes an outwardly projecting peripheral flange; and a notched ring fitted around said tube in abutment against said flange; a plurality of screws extending through said ring into threaded engagement with said one end wall; and a plurality of springs respectively surrounding and compressed by said screw to hold the ring against the flange.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the rear end of said doser tube includes an elastic pusher thereon having an axial orifice through which said pusher rod is inserted to act on the plunger.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cavity comprises a female socket secured in a bore passing through said second end wall of the chamber and the front end of the doser tube is secured into said socket and is maintained in sealed manner therein by a stuffing box.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
129 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said socket has inner and outer ends and has at its outer end a first bore of a diameter greater than the outer diameter of said doser tube; said tube having, over a part of its length, a female threading formed thereon; said stuffing box including a nut which is screwed onto said tube; the inner end of said socket having a second bore whose diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of said doser tube and which opens into said chamber; said socket including, between said first and second bores, a convergent channel which connects the bores and which receives the front end of said doser tube; and a seal in said socket around said front end of the doser tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
94 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cavity comprises a bore extending parallel to the axis of the chamber, said bore having a first section through a part of the thickness of said second wall whose diameter is slightly greater than the outer diameter of said doser tube and a second section which is coaxial with the first section, but of smaller diameter, which passes through said end wall and opens into said chamber; the front end of the doser tube being engaged in said first bore section in sealed relation thereto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said syringe comprises a disposable container having a cylindrical tube containing a determined dose of pulverulent lyophilized vaccine, having opposed front and rear open ends and removable stoppers for hermetically sealing said ends.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus claimed in claim 10, wherein said container includes a plunger inserted into said tube at the rear end.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the front end of said container comprises a cylindrical neck, coaxial with said tube and connected thereto by a truncated channel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
64 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said container includes a hollow ring having a cylindrical channel formed therein inserted in the front end of said tube, said channel having a diameter smaller than that of the tube, said channel being extended at its rear end within the tube by a truncated channel section which connects it to the walls of said tube.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said container comprises a cylindrical tube whose front and rear end have an outwardly projecting flange formed thereon.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 including a plurality of said cavities formed in said second end wall and a plurality of syringes respectively associated with said cavities for supplying said pulverulent material to said chamber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-07-18 | 1981-01-17 | 1981-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-18 | 1985-01-17 | 1985-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-18 | 1989-01-17 | 1989-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |