An Improved Device for Facilitating the Distribution, Inhalation, and Application of Medicated and other Powder.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Oct., 1889-Accepted, 7th Dec., 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Device for Facilitating the Distribution, Inhalation,
and Application of Medicated and other Powder.
1, FREDERICK AUGUSTUS ROE, of 202 Regent Street, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
My invention relates to an improved device for facilitating the distribution,
inhalation and application of medicated and other powder.
My improve device comprises a compressible hollow ball or receptacle of India-
rubber or other suitable elastic material, having an orifice or nozzle provided with
a porous or perforated disc or diaphragm consisting of muslin, silk, wire, gauze,
perforated sheet metal or the like, through which, when the ball or receptacle is
compressed the powder will be forced in a cloud of infinitesimally small particles
resembling smoke. This nozzle or a part of the same is made removable so that
the medicated or other powder can be introduced into the said ball or receptacle
through the same orifice which is used for the discharge of the said powder.
In the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in vertical central section, of one form of my
improved device.
Figure 2 is a similar view illustrating a modified form of the nozzle, and
Figure 3 is a plan of the device shown in Figure 2.
A is a hollow compressible ball or receptacle formed of India-rubber or other
suitable elastic material, and designed to be charged with the medicated or other
powder, B is a nozzle secured in the ball or receptacle A and through which the
powder is introduced and discharged. The nozzle B comprises a screw-threaded
tube a of ivory, vulcanite or other suitable material provided about midway between
its extremities with a flange or collar b, a nut c for securing the tube a in the ball or
receptacle A, and a tubular piece d which is screw-threaded internally so that it
can be screwed upon the outer portion of the tube a until it abuts against the
flange or collar b.
In the device shown in Figure 1, the tubular piece d has at the outer end of its
screw-threaded portion a shoulder d', beyond which shoulder the internal diameter of
the said piece is made equal or about equal to that of the tube a, and the parts are
so proportioned that, when the lower part of the tubular piece d bears against the
flange or collar b, the upper part of the tube a is in contact, or nearly in contact with
the shoulder d'. One or more discs or other pieces e of muslin, silk, fine wire gauze,
perforated metal or other suitable material are inserted between the end of the tube a
and the said shoulder, and are held securely in position when these parts are screwed
tightly together.
In the device shown in Figures 2 and 3, the tubular piece d is closed at one end
with the exception of a number of small perforations f, so that it forms a perforated
cap or cover. Between this perforated cover and the tube a one or more perforated
diaphragms or discs e of muslin, silk, wire-gauze or the like may be placed if
desirable. Or the end of the cover may serve as the perforated diaphragm.
The method of using the device is as follows, viz. -The tubular piece d provided
with the perforated discs e, being unscrewed, the powder is inserted into the hall or
receptacle A, through the tube a. The piece d and discs e are then replaced and by
compressing the ball receptacle A, the said powder is driven out in a fine cloud
through the minute perforations of the muslin, silk or other discs e, and may be con-
veniently inhaled. On removing the pressure from the ball A it again expands and
the inrush of air serves to free the perforations from any particles adhering thereto

page_text: which might tend to close or choke the same. This alternate compression and expan-
sion can be repeated as long as the receptacle A remains charged, a cloud or diffused
stream of powder resulting from each compression of the said receptacle.
Instead of the tubular piece d I sometimes provide a plug of cork or other material
having a hole through it, and I cover this hollow plug with muslin or other suitable
material and insert it therewith into the orifice for the introduction and discharge of
the powder.
The construction of the device in such a manner that the powder can be intro-
duced and discharged through a single orifice or nozzle is an important feature of
my invention, as the appearance of the said device is by this means greatly improved.
Moreover the muslin or other perforated material will be very effectually held in the
said nozzle in the manner above described.
It is obvious that the construction of my improved device may be further modified
without departing from the nature of my said invention. Thus two nozzles or a
nozzle provided with two discharge-outlets may be used to enable the apparatus to be
applied to both nostrils at once, or the outlets may be of oval form to adapt it for this
purpose. The tubular piece d may be elongated or provided with an extension-piece
to facilitate the application of medicated powder to the throat, as will be readily
understood without any detailed description.
I sometimes provide springs or the like inside the collapsible powder receptacle,
to assist the expansion of the same after the compression and release thereof. And in
some instances I make the receptacle partly of glass or similar material and partly of
India-rubber or other elastic material.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it understood that
I claim -
First. A device for the purpose above specified, comprising a hollow elastic ball or
similar receptacle and so constructed that the introduction and discharge of the
powder are effected through a single orifice or nozzle provided with a perforated or
porous disc or diaphragm, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Second. The improved device comprising the nozzle having the removable tubular
piece and the perforated or porous disc or diaphragm, substantially as described with
reference to Figure 1 or to Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawing and for
the purpose above specified.
Dated this 30th day of October 1889.
FREDE ICK AUGUSTUS ROE.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.