Nebulizer

US8950393B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Holger Holakovsky · Witten, DE
• Florian Witte · Bad Kreuznach, DE
• Frank Herrmann · Armstedt, DE
• Charles W. Sears · Boxford, US
• Christopher Michael Catinella · Marlboro, US
• Mario Gonzalez · Denver, US
• Sean Landis Philips · Lancaster, US
• Paul Bertram · Hudson, US
• Marc Rohrschneider · Ingelheim am Rhein, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 22, 2012
• Grant date: Feb 10, 2015
• Expiry date: Jan 22, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06M3/02
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A nebulizer which has an insertable container and a counter device for counting operations of the nebulizer, and is opened for replacing the container. A securing device having locking portions which are forced apart is provided to prevent reconnection of an already used container. The nebulizer has an indicator for showing the current container number and/or symbols indicating the need container replacement. The indicator is driven by the force of an internal spring. The indicator member also controls a lock of the container for locking the container against further actuation. The lock is reset after container replacement.