APPARATUS FOR INHALATION OF MEDICINE

Provided is an apparatus for inhalation of medicine, in which particles in a medicinal aqueous solution, in a liquid aerosol form, are converted to dry medicinal particles by removing moisture therefrom by means of an evaporation unit so as to be inhaled by means of an inhalation device, thereby allowing medicinal particles to penetrate deeply along the respiratory track to the lungs, and thus can be used in the treatment of lung diseases or a variety of other treatments using same, and in which particles of a medicinal aqueous solution in a liquid aerosol form, flowing in from an aerosol unit, are converted to dry medicinal particles by means of a moisture absorbent, thereby allowing simplification and reduction in size of the apparatus for inhalation, and in which a continuous use thereof is possible by means of a simple swap of the moisture absorbent, thereby making maintenance convenient.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a drug inhalation device, and more particularly, to a drug inhalation device in which drug particles in an aqueous solution, in a liquid aerosol form, are converted into dry drug particles by removing moisture therefrom by means of an evaporation unit so as to be inhaled by means of an inhalation mechanism, so that the drug particles can penetrate deep into the lungs of a patient along the respiratory track and thus can be applied to the treatment of pulmonary diseases or a variety of other treatments using the same, and in which the evaporation unit is configured in such a manner as to supply dry air using an air compressor used in an aerosol unit, so that the necessity for a separate device is eliminated, thereby achieving configuration simplification thereof, facilitating the manufacture thereof, and reducing the manufacturing cost.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, a drug inhalation device is a device which enables a patient to inhale a drug through his or her respiratory track. The drug inhalation device is widely used for the treatment of disease such as asthma, pulmonary disease or the like. Recently, the drug inhalation device is used as a device for injecting a variety of drugs into a patient's nose or longs.

The drug inhalation device is configured such that an aqueous drug solution in which drug particles are dissolved in water is converted into fine particles through aerosolization, and the drug aerosol particles are inhaled into the patient's oral cavity or nasal cavity through a separate inhalation mechanism.

FIG. 1is a conceptual view illustrating a configuration of a general drug inhalation device according to the prior art.

As shown inFIG. 1, the general drug inhalation device according to the prior art includes a drug solution storage unit200that is disposed inside a main body100and configured to store an aqueous drug solution therein, and an aerosol unit300that is disposed inside a main body100and configured to aerosolize the aqueous drug solution W stored in the drug solution storage unit200. The aerosol unit300can aerosolize the aqueous drug solution W in such a manner as to supply separate compressed air, and may be configured in various manners such as a supersonic method, a jet injection method and the like. A separate inhalation line L is connected to the aerosol unit300and the inhalation mechanism400such as a mask or a mouthpiece is coupled to one end of the inhalation line L so as to be disposed at a user's respiratory organ.

By virtue of this configuration, the drug particles W1in an aqueous solution are converted into an aerosol form and are inhaled into the patient's respiratory organ through the inhalation mechanism400while passing through the inhalation line L during the respiration of the patient. As such, the drug particles W1inhaled into the patient's respiratory organ are directly delivered to the patient's bronchus or lungs along his or her respiratory track.

However, the conventional general drug inhalation device according to the prior art entails a problem in that since the drug particles W1in an aqueous solution, in an aerosol form, which are generated from the aerosol unit300are present in a liquid form, the drug particles W1are nearly absorbed in the patient's oral cavity or throat but do not penetrate deep into the lungs along his or her respiratory track as shown inFIG. 1. In other words, since the drug particles W1in an aqueous solution, in a liquid aerosol form, which are generated from the aerosol unit300are present in the form in which water particles Q surround the outer spaces of the dry drug particles P as shown inFIG. 1, they are large in size and heavyweight, and thus the drug particles W1are nearly absorbed in the patient's oral cavity or throat in the process where the drug particles W1are inhaled into or her respiratory organ through the inhalation mechanism400but do not penetrate deep into the lungs along his or her respiratory track.

Therefore, the conventional drug inhalation device involves a problem in that since the drug does not penetrate deep into a patient's lungs, the device is used merely for the purpose of the treatment of a bronchus region and has a limitation in use for the purpose of treating pulmonary diseases. In addition, in the case where the drug particles are required to be inhaled deep into the lungs along the patient's respiratory track, the drug penetrates inhaled into the lungs in a relatively small amount, resulting in an increase in the amount of the drug used.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a drug inhalation device, and more particularly, to a drug inhalation device in which drug particles in an aqueous solution, in a liquid aerosol form, are converted into dry drug particles by removing moisture therefrom by means of an evaporation unit so as to be inhaled by means of an inhalation mechanism, so that the drug particles can penetrate deep into the lungs of a patient along the respiratory track and thus can be applied to the treatment of pulmonary diseases or a variety of other treatments using the same.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a drug inhalation device in which an evaporation unit for removing moisture from drug particles in an aqueous solution is configured in such a manner as to supply dry air using an air compressor used in an aerosol unit, so that the necessity for a separate device is eliminated, thereby achieving configuration simplification thereof, facilitating the manufacture thereof, and reducing the manufacturing cost.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a drug inhalation device which is configured such that it additionally includes a heating module besides a dry air supply module to further accelerate the evaporation of drug particles in an aqueous solution, so that dry drug particles in a highly dry state can be produced.

Technical Solution

To achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a drug inhalation device including: a main body having disposed therein a drug solution storage unit configured to store an aqueous drug solution therein; an aerosol unit configured to aerosolize the aqueous drug solution stored in the drug solution storage unit; an inhalation mechanism connected to the aerosol unit and mounted at a user's respiratory organ; and an evaporation unit configured to be supplied with drug particles in an aqueous solution, in a liquid aerosol form, which is generated from the aerosol unit, remove moisture from the drug particles, and convert the moisture-removed drug particles into dry drug particles, wherein the evaporation unit includes: an evaporation casing having an evaporation chamber defined in an internal space thereof; a particle flowing pipe configured to penetrate through the evaporation casing so as to pass through the evaporation chamber, the particle flowing pipe being connected at both ends thereof to the aerosol unit and inhalation mechanism; and a dry air supply module configured to supply dry air to the evaporation chamber, wherein the particle flowing pipe is formed as a breathable membrane that allows air and vapor to pass therethrough and does not allow the dry drug particles to pass therethrough, and moisture is removed from the drug particles in the aqueous solution, in a liquid aerosol form, that is introduced into the particle flowing pipe from the aerosol unit in a process in which the drug particles pass through the particle flowing pipe so that the drug particles are inhaled, in a dry particle form, into the user's respiratory organ through the inhalation mechanism.

In this case, the evaporation casing may include an inlet port and an outlet port formed at both sides thereof so as to allow dry air to flow in and out of the evaporation chamber therethrough, and the dry air supply module may include an air compressor that is connected to the inlet port and configured to supply compressed dry air.

In addition, the particle flowing pipe may be arranged in a zig-zag pattern in the evaporation chamber.

In addition, the particle flowing pipe may be arranged in a branched pattern in the evaporation chamber.

In addition, the evaporation unit may further include a heating module configured to heat the internal space of the evaporation casing.

In addition, the heating module may be configured to surround the outer peripheral surface of the evaporation casing.

Advantageous Effects

The drug inhalation device according to the embodiments of the present invention as constructed above have the following advantageous effects.

First, drug particles in an aqueous solution, in a liquid aerosol form, are converted into dry drug particles by removing moisture therefrom by means of an evaporation unit so as to be inhaled by means of an inhalation mechanism, so that the drug particles can penetrate deep into the lungs of a patient along the respiratory track and thus can be applied to the treatment of pulmonary diseases or a variety of other treatments using the same. Thus, the applicable range of the drug inhalation device can be extended and a loss of the drug particles does not occur, thereby reducing the amount of drugs used.

In addition, an evaporation unit for removing moisture from drug particles in an aqueous solution is configured in such a manner as to supply dry air using an air compressor used in an aerosol unit, so that the necessity for a separate device is eliminated, thereby achieving configuration simplification thereof, facilitating the manufacture thereof, and reducing the manufacturing cost.

Moreover, the drug inhalation device is configured such that it additionally includes a heating module besides a dry air supply module to further accelerate the evaporation of drug particles in an aqueous solution, so that dry drug particles in a highly dry state can be produced.

Explanation of Symbols100: main body200: drug solution storage unit300: aerosol unit400: inhalation mechanism500: evaporation unit510: evaporation casing512: opening and closing door520: particle flowing pipe521: frame522: breathable membrane530: dry air supply module531: air compressor540: heating moduleW: aqueous drug solutionW1: drug particle in an aqueous solutionP: dry drug particle

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the same elements in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals although shown in different figures. In the following description, the detailed description on known function and constructions unnecessarily obscuring the subject matter of the present invention will be avoided hereinafter.

FIG. 2is a conceptual view illustrating a configuration of a drug inhalation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A drug inhalation device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a device that enables a patient to inhale a drug through his or her respiratory organ. The drug inhalation device includes a main body100, having an accommodating space defined therein, a drug solution storage unit200that is disposed inside the main body100and configured to store an aqueous drug solution therein, an aerosol unit300configured to aerosolize the aqueous drug solution W stored in the drug solution storage unit200, an inhalation mechanism400connected to the aerosol unit300and mounted at a user's respiratory organ, and an evaporation unit500disposed between the aerosol unit300and the inhalation mechanism400.

The main body100is formed in the shape of a casing having an accommodating space defined therein. The main body100may be used both in a stationary form in which it is placed at a specific position in a hospital or at home, and in a portable form in which a user can grip it his or her hands. The drug solution storage unit200and the aerosol unit300are disposed inside the main body100. The drug solution storage unit200and the aerosol unit300are mounted inside the main body100so as to have a proper size depending on whether the main body100is configured in the stationary form or in the portable form.

The drug solution storage unit200stores an aqueous drug solution W in a state in which drug particles are dissolved in water. The aerosol unit300is configured to aerosolize the aqueous drug solution W stored in the drug solution storage unit200. The aerosolization of the aqueous drug solution W by the aerosol unit300may be performed by either a method of supplying compressed air through a separate air compressor or a supersonic method employing a supersonic vibrator. This configuration of the aerosol unit300is used as a known technique, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted to avoid redundancy.

The inhalation mechanism400is connected to the aerosol unit300through an inhalation line L, and the inhalation mechanism400such as a mask or a mouthpiece is coupled to one end of the inhalation line L so as to be disposed at the user's respiratory organ. In this case, the evaporation unit500is disposed between the aerosol unit300and the inhalation mechanism400, and is connected to the aerosol unit300and the inhalation mechanism400through the inhalation line L.

The evaporation unit500is configured to be supplied with drug particles W1in an aqueous solution, in a liquid aerosol form, which are generated from the aerosol unit300, remove moisture from the drug particles W1, and convert the moisture-removed drug particles W1into dry drug particles. The evaporation unit500can be disposed inside the main body100as shown inFIG. 2, but may be separately disposed outside the main body100.

By virtue of this configuration, the drug particles W1in an aqueous solution, in a liquid aerosol form, which are generated from the aerosol unit300are converted into the dry drug particles P in which moisture has been removed while passing through the evaporation unit500, and then are inhaled into the user's respiratory organ through the inhalation mechanism400.

More specifically, the drug particles W1in an aqueous solution, in a liquid aerosol form, which are generated from the aerosol unit300are present in the form in which water particles Q surround the outer spaces of the dry drug particles P as shown inFIG. 2. The evaporation unit500is supplied with the drug particles W1in an aqueous solution, in an aerosol form, and serves to remove moisture from the drug particles W1. In other words, the evaporation unit500functions to evaporate moisture from the liquid aerosol particles, i.e., the drug particles W1in an aqueous solution and converts the moisture-removed drug particles W1into dry drug particles P which are solid aerosol particles.

As a result, outer water particles Q are continuously evaporated from the drug particles W1in an aqueous solution in the process where the drug particles W1pass through the evaporation unit500, and the drug particles W1are finally converted into the dry drug particles P in which the water particles Q have been all removed as shown inFIG. 2. In this case, the dry drug particles P become relatively small in size as compared to the drug particles W1in an aqueous solution. Generally, the drug particles W1in an aqueous solution have a particle size of a micro unit, and the dry drug particles have a particle size of a nano unit. As such, the dry drug particles P converted by the evaporation unit500are delivered to the inhalation mechanism400through the inhalation line L, and thus are inhaled into the user's respiratory organ.

Thus, the drug inhalation device according to an embodiment of the present invention enables the drug particles W1in an aqueous solution to be converted into the dry drug particles P by means of the evaporation unit500, and then enables the converted dry drug particles P to be inhaled into the user's respiratory organ through the inhalation mechanism400, so that the dry drug particles P can penetrate deep into the lungs of a patient unlike the prior art technique.

In other words, since the drug particles W1in an aqueous solution, in a liquid aerosol form are relatively large in size and weight as mentioned above in the prior art, they are nearly absorbed in the patient's oral cavity or throat but do not penetrate deep into the lungs along his or her respiratory track in the process where the drug particles W1are inhaled into the patient's respiratory organ through the inhalation mechanism400. On the other hand, since the moisture-removed dry drug particles P in a solid aerosol form have a particle size of a nano unit and are lightweight, they can penetrate deep into the patient's lungs during the respiration.

Thus, the drug inhalation device according to an embodiment of the present invention can be used for the treatment of bronchus and pulmonary diseases. The drug inhalation device can be utilized in various types of treatments such as a method of penetrating drug particles deep into the patient's lungs to circulate blood.

FIG. 3is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of an evaporation unit of a drug inhalation device according to an embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 4is a schematic view illustrating various modifications of a particle flowing pipe of an evaporation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The evaporation unit500of the drug inhalation device according to an embodiment of the present invention an evaporation casing510having an evaporation chamber514defined in an internal space thereof; a particle flowing pipe520configured to penetrate through the evaporation casing510so as to pass through the evaporation chamber514; and a dry air supply module530configured to supply dry air to the evaporation chamber514as shown inFIG. 3.

The evaporation casing510has a connection port511formed respectively at both sides thereof so as to allow the inhalation line L to be inserted thereto so that the evaporation casing510is connected to the aerosol unit300and the inhalation mechanism400through the connection ports511.

The evaporation casing510includes an inlet port512formed at one side thereof so as to allow dry air to flow in the evaporation chamber514from the dry air supply module530therethrough, and an outlet port513formed at the other side thereof so as to allow the dry air introduced into the evaporation chamber514to flow out of the evaporation chamber514therethrough.

The particle flowing pipe520is disposed inside the evaporation casing510so as to fluidically communicate with the connection port511so that the particle flowing pipe520is connected at both ends thereof to the aerosol unit300and the inhalation mechanism400through the inhalation line L. Thus, the drug particles W1in an aqueous solution, in a liquid aerosol form, which are generated from the aerosol unit300is introduced into the particle flowing pipe520through the inhalation line L, and then flows toward the inhalation mechanism400along the inhalation line L.

The particle flowing pipe520is formed as a breathable membrane522that allows air and vapor to pass therethrough and does not allow the dry drug particles P to pass therethrough. In this case, the particle flowing pipe520formed as the breathable membrane522includes a frame521of a pipe shape mounted therein so as to implement a pipe structure.

In other words, the particle flowing pipe520includes the frame521of a cylindrical pipe shape and the breathable membrane522that encircles the outer surface of the frame521as shown inFIG. 3. In this case, the frame521may be configured in various shapes. For example, the frame521may be formed as a structure having a cylindrical pipe shape or a simple metal mesh shape. In addition, the breathable membrane522is a membrane that performs a selective permeation function, and is configured to allow air and vapor to pass therethrough and not to allow the dry drug particles P to pass therethrough. For example, a Nafion membrane may be used as the breathable membrane522.

The dry air supply module530is configured to supply dry air to the evaporation chamber14. As shown inFIG. 3, the dry air supply module530may include an air compressor531that compresses air and supplies the compressed dry air to the evaporation chamber514, and an air supply line532that is connected to the air compressor531. The dry air supply module530is configured such that the air supply line532is coupled to the inlet port512of the evaporation casing510so that the compressed dry air from the air compressor531is supplied to the evaporation chamber514through the air supply line532. In this case, the air compressor531may be separately configured, but in the case where the aerosol unit300is configured in such a manner as to supply the compressed air through the air compressor, the compressed dry air may be supplied to the evaporation chamber514using the air compressor used in the aerosol unit300without a separate air compressor.

As the dry air is supplied to the evaporation chamber514of the evaporation casing510by means of the dry air supply module530, the internal space of the evaporation chamber514becomes a state in which the relative humidity is very low. In the meantime, the internal space of the particle flowing pipe520becomes a state in which the relative humidity is relatively high due to evaporation of moisture from the drug particles W1in an aqueous solution. In this case, since the particle flowing pipe520is formed as the breathable membrane522that allows air and vapor to pass therethrough, the internal space of the evaporation chamber514fluidically communicate with and the internal space of the particle flowing pipe520. Thus, the water particles evaporated in the internal space of the particle flowing pipe520are diffused to the evaporation chamber514while passing through the breathable membrane522so that the internal space of the particle flowing pipe520also becomes a state in which the relative humidity is low. In other words, the internal space of the particle flowing pipe520and the internal space of the evaporation chamber514are maintained in a state in which the relative humidity is low by the dry air supplied being to the inside of the evaporation chamber514, and thus the drug particles W1in an aqueous solution are more actively evaporated in the internal space of the particle flowing pipe520.

Accordingly, the drug particles W1in an aqueous solution, in a liquid aerosol form, which are generated from the aerosol unit300are introduced into the particle flowing pipe520of the evaporation unit500through the inhalation line L, and then the evaporation of the drug particles W1occurs actively according to the surrounding state in which the relative humidity is low in the process where the drug particles W1pass through the particle flowing pipe520. Resultantly, the drug particles W1are converted into the dry drug particles P in which moisture has been removed. As such, the converted dry drug particles P are supplied to the inhalation mechanism400through the inhalation line L, and are inhaled into the user's respiratory organ through the inhalation mechanism400.

Meanwhile, moisture is removed from the drug particles W1in an aqueous solution by a phenomenon in which the drug particles W1are evaporated in the process where the drug particles W1pass through the particle flowing pipe520. Thus, preferably, the flow channel of the particle flowing pipe520is made long so that the evaporation of the drug particles W1occurs for a sufficient long period of time.

For example, as shown inFIG. 4(a), the particle flowing pipe520is preferably arranged in a zig-zag pattern in the evaporation chamber514so that the evaporation time of the drug particles W1in an aqueous solution, which pass through the particle flowing pipe520can be increased, leading to conversion of the drug particles W1into the dry drug particles P in a more highly dry state. In addition, as shown inFIG. 4(b), the particle flowing pipe520is arranged in a branched pattern, i.e., arranged to be branched into two pipes in the evaporation chamber514so that the drug particles W1in an aqueous solution are evaporated in a dispersed state while passing through the branched particle flowing pipe520, leading to conversion of the drug particles W1into the dry drug particles P in a more highly dry state. In this case, the particle flowing pipe520is branched into two pipes, but may be branched into two or more pipes.

FIG. 5is a schematic view illustrating another modification of an evaporation unit of a drug inhalation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The evaporation unit500of the drug inhalation device according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a separate heating module540that can heat the evaporation chamber514of the evaporation casing510.

In other words, if the relative humidity of the evaporation chamber514is caused to be low, the evaporation of moisture from the drug particles W1passing through the particle flowing pipe520is further accelerated. As described above, in addition to a method in which dry air is supplied to the evaporation chamber514by means of the dry air supply module530, the temperature of the evaporation chamber514is risen by the heating module540so that the relative humidity of the evaporation chamber514can be further reduced, and thus the evaporation of moisture from the drug particles W1in an aqueous solution can be further accelerated.

The heating module540is configured to surround the outer peripheral surface of the evaporation casing510so that the evaporation chamber514is heated to lower the total relative humidity of the internal spaces of the evaporation chamber514and the particle flowing pipe520as shown inFIG. 5a. Alternatively, the heating module540may be disposed inside the evaporation chamber514so as to surround the outer peripheral surface of the particle flowing pipe520.

The eating module540may be configured in various shapes, but may include a heating cover541made of a fabric material having flexibility, a heating coil542disposed in the internal space of the heating cover541, and a filling material543disposed in the internal space of the heating cover541to transfer heat of the heating coil as shown inFIG. 5. Herein, the heating coil542may be configured to be supplied with electric power to generate heat. By virtue of this configuration, the heating module540has flexibility and can surround the evaporation casing510so that a heat loss can be minimized. Of course, the heating module540may be implemented in various manners to exhibit a heat-generating function such as chemical-thermal decomposition.

While the present invention has been described in connection with the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, they are merely illustrative and the invention is not limited to these embodiments. It will be appreciated by a person having an ordinary skill in the art that various equivalent modifications and variations of the embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the true technical scope of the present invention should be defined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.