Nozzle and inhaler and method for producing a nozzle

Abstract

A nozzle, an inhaler with a nozzle and a method for producing a nozzle are proposed. The nozzle comprises two holes formed in a flat plate. Then, the plate is deformed such that the axes of the holes intersect so that jets of fluids generated by the holes impinge with each other.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . In a nozzle ( 12 ) for generating at least two impinging jets ( 20 ), the nozzle ( 12 ) comprising at least two holes ( 21 ) for dispensing a fluid, in particular an inhalation formulation ( 2 ), in order to generate the jets ( 20 ) of fluid, the improvement which is
 characterized in   that the nozzle ( 12 ) comprises a plate ( 22 ) with the holes ( 21 ), the plate ( 22 ) being deformed or the holes ( 21 ) being inclined in the flat plate ( 22 ) such that the axes ( 23 ) of the holes ( 21 ) intersect each other at an outlet side ( 24 ) of the nozzle ( 12 ).   
     
     
         2 . The nozzle according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the plate ( 22 ) is made of metal, in particular stainless steel, ceramic, silicon or plastic. 
     
     
         3 . The nozzle according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the plate ( 22 ) is deformed by deep drawing or bending or folding. 
     
     
         4 . The nozzle according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the plate ( 22 ) is thin, in particular has a thickness ( 31 ) of less than 200 preferably of about 10 to 100 μm. 
     
     
         5 . The nozzle according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the plate ( 22 ) is initially flat. 
     
     
         6 . The nozzle according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the plate ( 22 ) is deformed after forming the holes ( 21 ). 
     
     
         7 . The nozzle according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the holes ( 21 ) are formed by drilling, in particular laser drilling, or punching the plate ( 22 ). 
     
     
         8 . The nozzle according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the plate ( 22 ) forms a depression ( 32 ), the holes ( 21 ) being located on opposite sides of the depression ( 32 ). 
     
     
         9 . The nozzle according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the distance ( 30 ) between the holes ( 21 ) is about between 30 and 300 μm, preferably about between 50 and 200 μm. 
     
     
         10 . The nozzle according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the holes ( 21 ) have respectively a hydraulic diameter of 2 to 50 μm, in particular of 3 to 30 μm, preferably between 5 and 15 μm. 
     
     
         11 . In an inhaler ( 1 ) for dispensing of an inhalation formulation ( 2 ) as an aerosol ( 14 ), which comprises:
 a conveying means for conveying and/or nebulising the inhalation formulation ( 2 ), in particular for generating the aerosol ( 14 ), and   a nozzle ( 12 ),   the improvement which is   characterized in   that the nozzle ( 12 ) is as recited in  claim 1 .