Abstract: The invention relates to a capsule for receiving a preferably powdered pharmaceutical preparation and an inhaler in which, for inhalation, the preparation is expelled from the capsule through at least one hole. A capsule according to the invention comprises as capsule elements a capsule cap and a capsule body, at least one of which comprises at least one prefabricated hole. Systems according to the invention comprising inhalers and capsules are described, in which the prefabricated hole in the capsule is sealed off in the transporting state of the system and is open in the usage state. The hole is exposed by actuation of a pushing or pulling mechanism. Prior to this the hole is closed off by part of the capsule itself or by a capsule receptacle belonging to the inhaler. In one embodiment the capsule may be present in two different states, for example in different insertion positions of the capsule elements. In the first state the prefabricated hole is closed off and in the second it is exposed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inhaler and a method for using the inhaler for the inhalation of a formulation from a carrier. The carrier contains the formulation in a receptacle and is set oscillating by an air current. An improved or defined delivery and nebulisation of the preferably powdered formulation is made possible by the fact that the carrier is set oscillating in defined manner, the formulation is dispensed through a cover element having three to five holes and/or the air current flows onto a fin associated with the carrier and flows past at least substantially only one flat side of the carrier.

Abstract: A nozzle, an inhaler with a nozzle and a method for producing a nozzle are proposed. The nozzle comprises two holes formed in a flat plate. Then, the plate is deformed such that the axes of the holes intersect so that jets of fluids generated by the holes impinge with each other.

Abstract: A dispensing device, and a method for dispensing powder in which powder is dispensed through a duct with a flat cross section to de-agglomerate the powder and to generate a spray with fine particle size. A storage chamber for the powder may be closed by a bursting element which is burst by pressurized gas for discharging the powder, the gas pressure reaching or exceeding a peak value before the bursting element bursts so that the powder is dispensed at a lower gas pressure. The powder may be forced through the duct by a gas pressure of less than 300 kPa to de-agglomerate the powder and/or to generate the spray. The storage device can have multiple storage chambers and associated ducts or nozzles, so that each dose of powder can be dispensed through a separate duct or nozzle, the storage chamber and duct or nozzle being formed of a one-piece construction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a powder inhaler (1) with mouthpiece (2) for dispersing pharmaceutical medicament formulations, which comprises an auxiliary energy source in the form of a pressure medium system (3), having a device for supplying (6) a powder formulation (7), while on activation of the pressure medium system a gaseous pressure medium (8) released by the pressure medium system (3) forms an aerosol (9) with the powder formulation (7) such that the powder particles are present in the gaseous pressure medium (8) in dispersed form. This is achieved by means of a powder inhaler (1) comprising a multi-channel nozzle, the channels of which are inclined to one another at an angle such that the aerosol jets flowing through them meet one another downstream behind the nozzle (10).

Abstract: A discharge device and a method for evaporating a liquid to the atmosphere are proposed. The liquid pressurized by gas is supplied to an evaporator via a flow restriction device which restricts the flow rate of the liquid such that continuous release and evaporation of the liquid is possible. Further, an evaporator is proposed. The evaporator comprises an evaporation surface which is designed preferably by microstructuring such that the surface area is increased and/or the liquid forms an essentially uniform film on the evaporation surface.

Abstract: A dispensing device for dispensing powder as a spray is disclosed. The dispensing device comprises a duct through which the powder is dispensable by gas pressure for de-agglomerating the powder. The duct is angled by at least about 90 degrees at a diversion portion and/or diverted into two opposite directions at a fork portion so that the powder is impacted on to or sheared by a solid surface for powder de-agglomeration.

Abstract: A discharge device with a metered dose valve is proposed. The metered dose valve comprises an inlet valve, a metering chamber and an outlet valve. In order to allow discharge of fluid from the metering chamber in multiple steps, a user can depress and release an actuation member multiple times in a selected discharge state wherein refill of the metering chamber with new liquid is prevented.

Abstract: A microstructured filter is presented having an inlet for unfiltered fluid; an outlet for filtered fluid; a plurality of projections, which form at least one row in a mutually juxtaposed relationship across the filter, that project out of a base plate and are an integral component of the base plate; a plurality of passages between the projections; and a cover plate which is securable to the base plate to cover the projections and the passages. The passages form a plurality of through paths from the inlet to the outlet. The inlet includes an elongate inlet slot for the unfiltered fluid that extends over approximately the entire filter width and is approximately as high as the projection on the outlet side of the filter.

Abstract: A discharge device and a method for evaporating a liquid to the atmosphere are proposed. The liquid pressurized by gas is supplied to an evaporator via a flow restriction device which restricts the flow rate of the liquid such that continuous release and evaporation of the liquid is possible. Further, an evaporator is proposed. The evaporator comprises an evaporation surface which is designed preferably by microstructuring such that the surface area is increased and/or the liquid forms an essentially uniform film on the evaporation surface.

Abstract: A fluid can be discontinuously atomized with an atomizer of the present invention. The atomizer can include a helical spring, disk spring or gas spring, acting as a pressure spring, as an energy storage device, a cylinder, piston, two ducts and two valves. Atomization can be initiated manually by triggering a locking mechanism. The energy storage device can be disposed outside a storage container for the fluid. The energy storage device can be provided mechanical energy manually. Via the piston, the stored energy can exert pressure onto the fluid in the cylinder, which ranges from 1 MPa to 5 MPa (10 bar to 50 bar). Distribution of the droplet size in the atomized jet can be independent from the level of experience and behavior of the person actuating the atomizer, and can be adjusted in a reproducible manner. The mean droplet diameter can be smaller than about 50 micrometers. The mass flow of the fluid through the nozzle can be less than about 0.4 g/s.

Abstract: A dispensing device for dispensing powder as a spray is disclosed. The dispensing device comprises a duct through which the powder is dispensible by gas pressure for de-agglomerating the powder. The duct is angled by at least about 90 degrees at a diversion portion and/or diverted into two opposite directions at a fork portion so that the powder is impacted on to or sheared by a solid surface for powder de-agglomeration.

Abstract: An apparatus for atomizing a liquid product using a propellant, which may be integrated into aerosol packs, for atomization of a liquid product. The liquid product may have a high viscosity. The total flow rate ranges from about 0.5 grams per second to about 0.01 grams per second through a single capillary tube. The liquid product is atomized within a capillary tube. The apparatus may be designed as a handheld unit or as a stationary or mobile unit using a plurality of capillary tubes.

Abstract: A microstructured filter having an inlet for unfiltered fluid; an outlet for filtered fluid; a plurality of projections which are arranged in at least two rows in mutually juxtaposed relationship, project out of a base plate and are an integral component of the base plate; a plurality of passages between the projections and a cover plate which is securable to the base plate to cover the projections and the passages. The passages form a plurality of through paths from the inlet to the outlet. The inlet includes an elongate inlet slot for the unfiltered fluid that extends over approximately the entire filter width and is approximately as high as the projection on the outlet side of the filter.

Abstract: A microstructured filter for a fluid, the filter having an inlet for unfiltered fluid and an outlet for filtered fluid, the filter comprising: a plurality of projections (7) which are arranged in at least two rows (3) in mutually juxtaposed relationship and which project out of a base plate (1) and which are an integral component of the base plate, a plurality of passages (8) between the projections (7), and a cover plate which is securable to the base plate to cover the projections (7) and the passages (8), wherein the passages form a plurality of through paths from the inlet to the outlet, said inlet comprises an elongate inlet slot (5) for the unfiltered fluid, which extends over approximately the entire filter width and which is approximately as high as the projection (7) projecting out of the base plate, on the outlet side of the filter. The filter according to the invention remains operational, even if a part of the filter area is obstructed.

Abstract: A microstructured filter for a fluid, the filter having an inlet for unfiltered fluid and an outlet for filtered fluid, the filter comprising: a plurality of projections which are arranged in at least two rows in mutually juxtaposed relationship and which project out of a base plate and which are an integral component of the base plate, a plurality of passages between the projections and a cover plate which is securable to the base plate to cover the projections and the passages, wherein the passages form a plurality of through paths from the inlet to the outlet, said inlet comprises an elongate inlet slot for the unfiltered fluid, which extends over approximately the entire filter width and which is approximately as high as the projection projecting out of the base plate, on the outlet side of the filter. The filter according to the invention remains operational, even if a part of the filter area is obstructed.

Abstract: A fluid can be discontinuously atomized with an atomizer of the present invention. The atomizer can include a helical spring, disk spring or gas spring, acting as a pressure spring, as an energy storage device, a cylinder, piston, two ducts and two valves. Atomization can be initiated manually by triggering a locking mechanism. The energy storage device can be disposed outside a storage container for the fluid. The energy storage device can be provided mechanical energy manually. Via the piston, the stored energy can exert pressure onto the fluid in the cylinder, which ranges from 1 MPa to 5 MPa (10 bar to 50 bar). Distribution of the droplet size in the atomized jet can be independent from the level of experience and behavior of the person actuating the atomizer, and can be adjusted in a reproducible manner. The mean droplet diameter can be smaller than about 50 micrometers. The mass flow of the fluid through the nozzle can be less than about 0.4 g/s.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus for atomizing a liquid product using a propellant, which may be integrated into aerosol packs, for atomization of a liquid product. The liquid product may have a high viscosity. The total flow rate ranges from about 0.5 grams per second to about 0.01 grams per second through a single capillary tube. The liquid product is atomized within a capillary tube. The apparatus may be designed as a handheld unit or as a stationary or mobile unit using a plurality of capillary tubes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple form of nozzle assembly for use in generating sprays from a fluid, which comprises a first member having one or more nozzle outlets, one or more fluid inlets and one or more channels connecting them formed by electrical or chemical etching or other processes which selectively remove material from one face of the said member; and a second member co-operating with the said first member to provide a wall of said outlets, inlets or channels to form the fluid flow paths for the nozzle assembly.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for use in atomizing and generating sprays from a fluid. The nozzle assembly includes two members, each with generally planar surfaces, that are joined together. A first set of channels is formed in the generally planar surface of a first one of the members to form, in cooperation with the generally planar surface of the second of the members, a plurality of filter passageways. A plenum chamber is formed in the first member. The plenum chamber is in fluid communication with and downstream of the plurality of filter passageways. A second set of channels is formed in the generally planar surface of the first member to form, in cooperation with the generally planar surface of the second member, a plurality of nozzle outlet passageways. These nozzle outlet passageways are in fluid communication with the plenum chamber.