Patents by Inventor Hubert Kunze

Hubert Kunze has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8997735
    Abstract: A nebulizer having an insertable container and a monitoring device for counting actuations of the nebulizer is proposed. The monitoring device is mounted in a detachable housing part and directly detects movements of container during a nebulizing process, an air supply current in the region of a mouthpiece, and/or the production of aerosol, in order to detect this as the actual dispensing of fluid and actuation of the nebulizer, while preferably the time of actuation of the nebulizer is additionally detected and stored. This allows better monitoring and guidance for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Zierenberg, Klaus Noehl, Johannes Geser, Gilbert Wuttke, Stefan Kaulmann, Hubert Kunze, Andreas Fiol
  • Patent number: 8944054
    Abstract: A medicine dispensation device, in particular a multi-dose powder inhalator, for the dispensing of individual doses of medicine that has a number of medicine chambers contained in a medicine magazine shaped like a continuous loop. The medicine chambers form groups in such a manner that a mouthpiece reaches the different groups by an essentially complete rotation of the medicine magazine. This enables several medicine chambers—typically one, two or three—to be situated between two successive intake positions, which allows for a high density of medicine chambers and thus creates an inhalation device, which can be handled comfortably even when containing a great number of individual doses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Wachtel, Johannes Geser, Burkhard P. Metzger, Michael Spallek, Michael Krueger, Hubert Kunze, Achim Moser, Elmar Mock, Antonino Lanci, Andre Klopfenstein
  • Patent number: 8584669
    Abstract: An inhaler (1) is proposed (see FIG. 1), for the inhalation of a formulation (2) from capsules (3) that each contain one dose of the formulation. The capsules are preferably each emptied in a capsule chamber (4) by being set in motion by a stream of air flowing through the capsule chamber. The stream of air can be generated by the inhalation of a user or patient and/or can be generated actively generated by the inhaler. For simple handling, the inhaler has a means for, in particular, automatic filling, emptying and/or cleaning of the capsule chamber, if the latter is used more than once. Alternatively, the inhaler has a large number of capsule chambers that each preferably already contain a capsule and re preferably used just once.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Besseler, Hubert Kunze, Achim Moser, Ralf Thoemmes, Gilbert Wuttke, Dieter Hochrainer, Heinrich Kladders, Christoph Dworzak, Josef Eckert, Antonio Lanci, Markus Mast, Elmar Mock, Andre Klopfenstein
  • Patent number: 8561610
    Abstract: A medicament dispensing device, a medicament magazine thereof, and a method of removing a medicament from the medicament magazine. The inhaler has a mouthpiece (9) and an air channel (4) connected thereto, as well as a medicament magazine with at least one medicament chamber containing a powdered medicament. A drive current is produced in the air channel, while a vacuum flow (5?) can be produced by the drive current and a constriction formed in the air channel. This narrowest part of the air channel that produces the vacuum flow is connected to a removal opening (2) which communicates with a control opening (3), in order to form an emptying current through the control opening via the removal opening. In a preferred embodiment the at least one medicament chamber including the control opening, the removal opening and a fill opening are housing in the one-piece medicament magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Wachtel, Johannes Geser, Burkhard Metzger, Michael Spallek, Michael Krueger, Hubert Kunze, Achim Moser, Elmar Mock, Antonino Lanci, Andre Klopfenstein
  • Patent number: 8387614
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Geser, Burkhard P. Metzger, Christian Golberg, Michael Schyra, Ralf Thoemmes, Birgit Westmeier, Guido Schmiedel, Hubert Kunze, Georg Boeck
  • Publication number: 20120247465
    Abstract: A medicament dispensing device, a medicament magazine thereof, and a method of removing a medicament from the medicament magazine. The inhaler has a mouthpiece (9) and an air channel (4) connected thereto, as well as a medicament magazine with at least one medicament chamber containing a powdered medicament. A drive current is produced in the air channel, while a vacuum flow (5?) can be produced by the drive current and a constriction formed in the air channel. This narrowest part of the air channel that produces the vacuum flow is connected to a removal opening (2) which communicates with a control opening (3), in order to form an emptying current through the control opening via the removal opening. In a preferred embodiment the at least one medicament chamber including the control opening, the removal opening and a fill opening are housing in the one-piece medicament magazine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Wachtel, Johannes Geser, Burkhard Metzger, Michael Spallek, Michael Krueger, Hubert Kunze, Achim Moser, Elmar Mock, Antonino Lanci, Andre Klopfenstein
  • Patent number: 8267082
    Abstract: The invention is a medicament magazine having at least one medicament chamber for use in a powder inhaler, wherein the magazine is formed from two foil strips applied to one another and the at least one medicament chamber is formed between the foil strips as depicted in exemplary FIGS. 1a and 1b. The medicament chambers have an internal structure (3) which comprises in its interior a space for receiving a powdered medicament and stabilizes this inner space against external mechanical influences. In another embodiment in which the internal structure preferably also has a stabilizing function, the structure has means for opening one foil strip. In addition, the medicament chamber contains a retaining device which holds the internal structure on the medicament magazine after the medicament chamber has been opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Wachtel, Johannes Geser, Burkhard Metzger, Michael Spallek, Michael Krueger, Hubert Kunze, Achim Moser, Elmar Mock, Antonino Lanci, Andre Klopfenstein
  • Patent number: 7950388
    Abstract: A nebuliser and a container in each case with an aeration device are proposed, the aeration device being designed for the direct aeration of a liquid space in the container. The container comprises a rigid, gas-tight outer case and a closure, which is opened by connecting or inserting a delivery element. A long storage life and long service life with low loss of fluid or solvent are thereby provided in the form of a simple and inexpensive construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventors: Hubert Kunze, Matthias Hausmann, Jens Besseler, Carsten Henning, Heinrich Kladders, Florian Witte, Johannes Geser, Markus Mast, Antonino Lanci, Christoph Dworzak, Elmar Mock
  • Publication number: 20110048415
    Abstract: A nebulizer having an insertable container and a monitoring device for counting actuations of the nebulizer is proposed. The monitoring device is mounted in a detachable housing part and directly detects movements of container during a nebulizing process, an air supply current in the region of a mouthpiece, and/or the production of aerosol, in order to detect this as the actual dispensing of fluid and actuation of the nebulizer, while preferably the time of actuation of the nebulizer is additionally detected and stored. This allows better monitoring and guidance for the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Bernd ZIERENBERG, Klaus NOEHL, Johannes GESER, Gilbert WUTTKE, Stefan KAULMANN, Hubert KUNZE, Andreas FIOL
  • Publication number: 20110011393
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes GESER, Burkhard P. METZGER, Christian GOLBERG, Michael SCHYRA, Ralf THÖMMES, Birgit WESTMEIER, Guido SCHMIEDEL, Hubert KUNZE, Georg BOECK
  • Patent number: 7849851
    Abstract: A nebulizer having an insertable container and a monitoring device for counting actuations of the nebulizer is proposed. The monitoring device is mounted in a detachable housing part and directly detects movements of container during a nebulizing process, an air supply current in the region of a mouthpiece, and/or the production of aerosol, in order to detect this as the actual dispensing of fluid and actuation of the nebulizer, while preferably the time of actuation of the nebulizer is additionally detected and stored. This allows better monitoring and guidance for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Zierenberg, Klaus Noehl, Johannes Geser, Gilbert Wuttke, Stefan Kaulmann, Hubert Kunze, Andreas Fiol
  • Patent number: 7823584
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Geser, Burkhard P. Metzger, Christian Goldberg, Michael Schyra, Ralf Thoemmes, Birgit Westmeier, Guido Schmiedel, Hubert Kunze, Georg Boeck
  • Patent number: 7665461
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Zierenberg, Gilbert Wuttke, Michael Schyra, Guido Schmiedel, Hubert Kunze, Matthias Hausmann, Christian Golberg, Johannes Geser, Andreas Fiol
  • Publication number: 20090250057
    Abstract: The invention is a medicament magazine having at least one medicament chamber for use in a powder inhaler, wherein the magazine is formed from two foil strips applied to one another and the at least one medicament chamber is formed between the foil strips. The medicament chambers have an internal structure (3) which comprises in its interior a space for receiving a powdered medicament and stabilises this inner space against external mechanical influences. In another embodiment in which the internal structure preferably also has a stabilising function, the structure has means for opening one foil strip. In addition, the medicament chamber contains a retaining device which holds the internal structure on the medicament magazine after the medicament chamber has been opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Herbert Wachtel, Johannes Geser, Burkhard Metzger, Michael Spallek, Michael Krueger, Hubert Kunze, Achim Moser, Elmar Mock, Antonino Lanci, Andre Kloppenstein
  • Patent number: 7571722
    Abstract: A nebulizer for a fluid, particularly for medicinal aerosol therapy. To allow easy operation, the nebulizer has a valve device, so that air supply openings in a mouthpiece can be blocked off to prevent backflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventors: Gilbert Wuttke, Hubert Kunze
  • Publication number: 20090194105
    Abstract: An inhaler (1) is proposed (see FIG. 1), for the inhalation of a formulation (2) from capsules (3) that each contain one dose of the formulation. The capsules are preferably each emptied in a capsule chamber (4) by being set in motion by a stream of air flowing through the capsule chamber. The stream of air can be generated by the inhalation of a user or patient and/or can be generated actively generated by the inhaler. For simple handling, the inhaler has a means for, in particular, automatic filling, emptying and/or cleaning of the capsule chamber, if the latter is used more than once. Alternatively, the inhaler has a large number of capsule chambers that each preferably already contain a capsule and re preferably used just once.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Jens Besseler, Hubert Kunze, Achim Moser, Ralf Thoemmes, Gilbert Wuttke, Dieter Hochrainer, Heinrich Kladders, Christoph Dworzak, Josef Eckert, Antonio Lanci, Markus Mast, Elmar Mock, Andre Klopfenstein
  • Publication number: 20090173345
    Abstract: The invention concerns a medicine dispensation device, in particular a multi-dose powder inhalator, for the dispensing of individual doses of medicine as depicted in exemplary FIG. 1. Therein a number of medicine chambers are contained in a medicine magazine shaped like a continuous loop. The medicine chambers form groups in such a manner that a mouthpiece reaches the different groups by an essentially complete rotation of the medicine magazine. This enables several medicine chambers—typically one, two or three—to be situated between two successive intake positions, which allows for a high density of medicine chambers and thus creates an inhalation device, which can be handled comfortably even when containing a great number of individual doses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Herbert Wachtel, Johannes Geser, Burkhard P. Metzger, Michael Spallek, Michael Krueger, Hubert Kunze, Achim Moser, Elmar Mock, Antonino Lanci, Andre Klopfenstein
  • Patent number: 7537006
    Abstract: A nebulizer for a fluid having a pressure generator for conveying and nebulizing the fluid, particularly in the form of an inhaler, is proposed. To improve the user guidance it is envisaged that the nebulizer should have a signal device for generating at least one acoustic and/or vibratory signal, particularly during a nebulizing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventors: Gilbert Wuttke, Hubert Kunze, Ralf Thoemmes
  • Publication number: 20090114220
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medicament dispensing device, particularly a multi-dose powder inhaler, a medicament magazine thereof, and a method of removing a medicament from the medicament magazine as depicted in exemplary FIG. 1. The inhaler has a mouthpiece (9) and an air channel (4) connected thereto, as well as a medicament magazine with at least one medicament chamber containing a powdered medicament. A drive current is produced in the air channel, while a vacuum flow (5?) can be produced by the drive current and a constriction formed in the air channel. This narrowest part of the air channel that produces the vacuum flow is connected to a removal opening (2) which communicates with a control opening (3), in order to form an emptying current through the control opening via the removal opening. In a preferred embodiment the at least one medicament chamber including the control opening, the removal opening and a fill opening are housing in the one-piece medicament magazine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Herbert Wachtel, Johannes Geser, Burkhard P. Metzger, Michael Spallek, Michael Krueger, Hubert Kunze, Achim Moser, Elmar Mock, Antonino Lanci, Andre Klopfenstein
  • Publication number: 20080087278
    Abstract: A nebulizer for a fluid having a pressure generator for conveying and nebulizing the fluid, particularly in the form of an inhaler, is proposed. To improve the user guidance it is envisaged that the nebulizer should have a signal device for generating at least one acoustic and/or vibratory signal, particularly during a nebulizing process. In one embodiment, the signal device has a ratchet element which is moveable during a nebulizing process over a latching mechanism to thereby produce the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Gilbert WUTTKE, Hubert KUNZE, Ralf THOEMMES