US 12,251,506 B2
Mixing channel for an inhalation device and inhalation device
Bernhard Muellinger, Munich (DE); Martin Huber, Furstenfeldbruck (DE); Tobias Kolb, Neuried (DE); and Monika Hartmann, Kaufering (DE)
Assigned to Vectura GmbH, Gauting (DE)
Filed by Vectura GmbH, Gauting (DE)
Filed on Oct. 5, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/377,084.
Application 18/377,084 is a continuation of application No. 17/093,710, filed on Nov. 10, 2020, abandoned.
Application 17/093,710 is a continuation of application No. 14/382,392, granted, now 10,857,310, issued on Dec. 8, 2020, previously published as PCT/EP2013/054705, filed on Mar. 8, 2013.
Claims priority of application No. 12158852 (EP), filed on Mar. 9, 2012; and application No. 12190139 (EP), filed on Oct. 26, 2012.
Prior Publication US 2024/0024590 A1, Jan. 25, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61M 11/00 (2006.01); A61M 11/02 (2006.01); A61M 11/06 (2006.01); A61M 15/00 (2006.01); A61M 15/06 (2006.01)
CPC A61M 11/003 (2014.02) [A61M 11/005 (2013.01); A61M 11/02 (2013.01); A61M 11/06 (2013.01); A61M 15/00 (2013.01); A61M 15/0021 (2014.02); A61M 15/0086 (2013.01); A61M 15/009 (2013.01); A61M 15/06 (2013.01); A61M 2205/75 (2013.01); A61M 2206/10 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An inhalation device comprising:
a mixing channel having a longitudinal center axis, the mixing channel comprising:
a first channel portion, defined between:
an upstream end comprising an inlet opening, and
a downstream end comprising a transition opening,
a second channel portion, defined between:
an upstream end comprising the transition opening, and
a downstream end comprising an outlet opening,
wherein the downstream end of the first channel portion comprises a wall that is orthogonal to the longitudinal center axis of the mixing channel, so that a step is formed between the first channel portion and the second channel portion at the transition opening; and
a vibrating mesh nebulizer comprising a perforated membrane,
wherein the vibrating mesh nebulizer protrudes into the first channel portion adjacent to the wall from a side of the mixing channel so that the perforated membrane is flush with the upstream end of the second channel portion on the side adjacent to the vibrating mesh nebulizer, and wherein a cross-sectional area of the first channel portion is larger than a cross section of the transition opening,
wherein the outlet opening is connected with a mouthpiece for inhalation by a user, the mouthpiece comprising an inner part that forms an extension of the second channel portion and an outer part that surrounds the inner part of the mouthpiece in a concentric manner.