Nebulizer

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.

1 . A nebulizer for comprising a signal device for generating at least one acoustic or vibratory signal for user guidance, wherein the signal device comprises at least one ratchet element which is moveable during a nebulizing process over a latching means, thereby producing the signal.  
   
   
       2 . The nebulizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the latching means are formed on a holder of a pressure generator for a container with the fluid to be nebulized.  
   
   
       3 . The nebulizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one ratchet element is of a finger-shaped construction.  
   
   
       4 . The nebulizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the ratchet element is formed on an inner part of the nebulizer.  
   
   
       5 . The nebulizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one ratchet element is elastically biased towards the latching means.  
   
   
       6 . The nebulizer according to  claim 1 , further comprising a pressure generator means for conveying and nebulizing a fluid.  
   
   
       7 . The nebulizer according to  claim 6 , wherein the signal device is separate from the pressure generator means.  
   
   
       8 . The nebulizer according to  claim 6 , wherein the pressure generator means produces relative movement between the latching means and the at least one ratchet element.  
   
   
       9 . The nebulizer according to  claim 2 , wherein the latching means is formed by a thread on the holder of the pressure generator which is rotated relative to the at least one ratchet during tensioning of the pressure generator.  
   
   
       10 . A nebulizer according to  claim 1 , further comprising means for enabling a user to choose whether to receive an acoustic signal, a vibratory signal or both types of signal from the signal device.  
   
   
       11 . A nebulizer for nebulizing a fluid, comprising a signal device having means for generating at least one acoustic or vibratory signal for user guidance, wherein the signal or signals can be produced throughout an actual inhalation process or at the end of an inhalation process, and wherein the signal device comprises at least one ratchet element which is moveable during a nebulizing process over a latching means, thereby producing the signal.  
   
   
       12 . The nebulizer according to  claim 11 , wherein the latching means are formed on a holder of a pressure generator for a container with a fluid to be nebulized.  
   
   
       13 . The nebulizer according to  claim 11 , wherein the ratchet element is finger-shaped.  
   
   
       14 . The nebulizer according to  claim 11 , wherein the ratchet element is formed on an inner part of the nebulizer.  
   
   
       15 . The nebulizer according to  claim 11 , wherein the ratchet element is elastically biased towards the latching means