Patent US5134993A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5134993A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inhalator device, in particular a pocket inhalator
Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH
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Filing: 1989-12-11
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Granted: 1992-08-04
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Expires: 2009-12-11
Abstract
Abstract An inhalator device includes a housing in which an ultrasonic atomizer is disposed. A device delivers a medication to the ultrasonic atomizer. A mouthpiece is disposed downstream of the ultrasonic atomizer in flow direction of the medication defining a space between the ultrasonic atomizer and the mouthpiece. The housing has an air inlet opening formed therein communicating with the space downstream of the ultrasonic atomizer.
Inventors
- 👤 Klaus Van der Linden
- 👤 Juergen Friedrich
- 👤 Bernd Zierenberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 12:24
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05B; B05B17/00; B05B17/04; B05B17/06; B05B17/0607; B05B17/0623; A; A61; A61M; A61M15/00; A61M15/0085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
Inhalator device, comprising: a) a housing, b) an ultrasonic atomizer disposed in said housing, said atomizer having an atomizer surface, c) a cartridge for delivering a medication to said ultrasonic atomizer in said housing, d) a mouthpiece disposed downstream of said ultrasonic atomizer in flow direction of the medication defining a space having walls between said ultrasonic atomizer and said mouthpiece, e) said housing having an air inlet opening formed therein communicating with said space downstream of said ultrasonic atomizer, and f) means disposed between said air inlet opening and said space for developing a laminar flow of aspirated air, said means being in the form of a perforated substantially flat wall having a multiplicity of relatively small holes disposed around at least a portion of the circumference of a relatively large opening formed in said substantially flat wall said atomizer surface being disposed coincidentally with said large opening, and said small holes being inclined towards said mouthpiece for avoiding formation of a film on said walls.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
Inhalator device, comprising: a) a housing, b) an ultrasonic atomizer disposed in said housing, said atomizer having an atomizer surface, c) a cartridge for delivering a medication to said ultrasonic atomizer in said housing, d) a mouthpiece disposed downstream of said ultrasonic atomizer in flow direction of the medication defining a space having walls between said ultrasonic atomizer and said mouthpiece, e) said housing having an air inlet opening formed therein communicating with said space downstream of said ultrasonic atomizer, and f) means disposed between said air inlet opening and said space for developing a laminar flow of aspirated air, said means being in the form of a perforated substantially flat wall having a multiplicity of relatively small holes disposed around at least a portion of the circumference of a relatively large opening formed in said substantially flat wall said atomizer surface being disposed coincidentally with said large opening, and said small holes being inclined towards said mouthpiece for avoiding formation of a film on said walls.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
Inhalator according to claim 1, wherein said atomizer surface protrudes into said relatively large opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
Inhalator according to claim 2, wherein said wall is inclined relative to said atomizer surface of said ultrasonic atomizer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
Inhalator according to claim 3, wherein said mouthpiece has an axis, and said wall is disposed in a plane being aligned at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to said axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
Inhalator according to claim 1, wherein said air inlet opening has the shape of a slit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
Inhalator according to claim 1, wherein said air inlet opening is disposed above and in the immediate vicinity of said wall.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
Inhalator according to claim 1, wherein said wall has an approximately half-ring shape.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
Inhalator according to claim 1, wherein said housing includes a lower part and an upper part detachably secured to said lower part, said device for delivering a medication is disposed in said upper part, said mouthpiece is disposed on said upper part, said air inlet opening is formed in said lower part, and said ultrasonic atomizer and said means for developing a laminar flow of aspirated air are disposed in said lower part.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
Inhalator according to claim 1, wherein said device for delivering a medication is a dosing cartridge being displaceable able into itself and having a front part with a dosing opening formed therein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
Inhalator according to claim 9, including means for firmly holding said dosing opening in place relative to said ultrasonic atomizer during a dosage operation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
Inhalator according to claim 10, wherein said holding means are in the form of a stop to be engaged by said front part of said dosing cartridge.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
162 words
Pocket inhalator, comprising: a) a housing, b) an ultrasonic atomizer disposed in said housing, said atomizer having an atomizer surface, c) a device for delivering a medication to said ultrasonic atomizer, d) a mouthpiece disposed downstream of said ultrasonic atomizer in flow direction of the medication defining a space having walls between said ultrasonic atomizer and said mouthpiece, e) said housing having an air inlet opening formed therein communicating with said space downstream of said ultrasonic atomizer, and f) means disposed between said air inlet opening and said space for developing a laminar flow of aspirated air, said means being in the form of a perforated substantially flat wall having a multiplicity of relatively small holes disposed around at least a portion of the circumference of a relatively large opening formed in said substantially flat wall said atomizer surface being disposed coincidentally with said large opening, said holes being inclined towards said mouthpiece for avoiding formation of a film on said walls.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
162 words
Pocket inhalator, comprising: a) a housing, b) an ultrasonic atomizer disposed in said housing, said atomizer having an atomizer surface, c) a device for delivering a medication to said ultrasonic atomizer, d) a mouthpiece disposed downstream of said ultrasonic atomizer in flow direction of the medication defining a space having walls between said ultrasonic atomizer and said mouthpiece, e) said housing having an air inlet opening formed therein communicating with said space downstream of said ultrasonic atomizer, and f) means disposed between said air inlet opening and said space for developing a laminar flow of aspirated air, said means being in the form of a perforated substantially flat wall having a multiplicity of relatively small holes disposed around at least a portion of the circumference of a relatively large opening formed in said substantially flat wall said atomizer surface being disposed coincidentally with said large opening, said holes being inclined towards said mouthpiece for avoiding formation of a film on said walls.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
104 words
Inhalator device, comprising an ultrasonic atomizer having an atomizer surface, means for delivering a medication to said ultrasonic atomizer, outlet means disposed downstream of said ultrasonic atomizer in travel direction of a flow of the medication, and means disposed downstream of said ultrasonic atomizer for delivering air to the flow of the medication, said air delivering means being in the form of a perforated substantially flat wall having a multiplicity of relatively small holes disposed around at least a portion of the circumference of a relatively large opening formed in said substantially flat wall, said atomizer surface being disposed coincidentally with said large opening.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
104 words
Inhalator device, comprising an ultrasonic atomizer having an atomizer surface, means for delivering a medication to said ultrasonic atomizer, outlet means disposed downstream of said ultrasonic atomizer in travel direction of a flow of the medication, and means disposed downstream of said ultrasonic atomizer for delivering air to the flow of the medication, said air delivering means being in the form of a perforated substantially flat wall having a multiplicity of relatively small holes disposed around at least a portion of the circumference of a relatively large opening formed in said substantially flat wall, said atomizer surface being disposed coincidentally with said large opening.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-08-04 | 1996-02-03 | 1996-08-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-08-04 | 2000-02-03 | 2000-08-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-08-04 | 2004-02-03 | 2004-08-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |