WO2006108598A1

WO2006108598A1 - Method, nozzle and device for atomizing active substances contained in a liquid

Info

Publication number: WO2006108598A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/003275
Authority: WO
Inventors: Uwe Kampmeyer
Original assignee: Iff International Flavors & Fragrances
Priority date: 2005-04-12
Filing date: 2006-04-10
Publication date: 2006-10-19
Also published as: DE102005016829A1; EP1868729A1; US20090314850A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for atomizing active substances contained in a liquid. The method involves the use of electrohydraulic means having at least one nozzle (1) and at least one electrode (11). The nozzle and the electrode are designed and/or arranged and a voltage applied to the electrode is selected so that a molecularization of the active substances contained in the liquid ensues. During the atomization, parasitic effects and/or interfering influences and, in particular, a generation of ozone is largely reduced. The nozzle for use in this method comprises an outer capillary tube (10) made of non-conductive material and of a wire-shaped electrode (11), which is placed inside the capillary tube and which is constantly wet during the operation of the nozzle, and the surface of the electrode is not in contact with any oxygen from the ambient air. The device for atomizing active substances contained in a liquid comprises a first outer nozzle (2) inside of which a second inner nozzle (1) is placed and comprises means for generating an air flow inside the first outer nozzle.

Description

PCT Patent Application 4371 (4166)

Bartels Mikrotechnik GmbH April 10, 2006

Method, nozzle and device for atomizing active substances contained in a liquid

The present invention relates to a method, a nozzle and a device for atomizing active ingredients contained in a liquid with electrohydrodynamic agents, wherein parasitic effects and / or interfering influences and in particular a generation of ozone is largely reduced.

As used herein, electrohydrodynamic means means by using an electric field utilizing the electro-spray effect.

Methods, nozzles and devices for producing a finely divided spray from a liquid with electrohydrodynamic agents are known, for example, from EP 0 671 980 B1, wherein in the introductory part of said document a detailed overview of the state of the art underlying the present invention is provided , However, the conventional methods, nozzles and devices for atomizing active substances contained in a liquid have the disadvantage that in the sputtering parasitic effects, such as unwanted charges or unwanted reactions occur and in particular an undesirable production of ozone occurs. The conventional methods, nozzles and devices are therefore of limited use, and in particular for use in the pharmaceutical field, for example for the atomization of a pharmaceutical agent for inhalation not suitable.

Fig. 1 a shows a schematic representation of the atomization of a liquid from a metallic electrically conductive nozzle using electrohydrodynamic means and Fig. 1 b shows the field lines when applying a voltage to the dry nozzle of Fig. 1 a, wherein the dry nozzle the same field as applied to the liquid-filled nozzle of Fig. 1 a. In the Atomization of a liquid according to FIGS. 1a and b, however, occurs in particular when high voltages are used, and when spraying large quantities of liquid to an electric field with field lines according to an overlay of Fig. 1a and b and thus to undesirable ozone production according to the reaction

Y ₂ O ₂ (g) -> UV / HV -> O (g) -> O ₂ -> O 3 (g)

especially at the edges of the electrically conductive tube of the nozzle, which have contact with oxygen from the surrounding air.

Such methods and devices are therefore not suitable, in particular in closed rooms and in particular for the administration of pharmaceutical active substances for inhalation purposes.

In addition, evaporation devices are known from the prior art, wherein by means of heat my liquid is evaporated, although usually a very incomplete fine distribution of active ingredients contained in the liquid takes place and also the resulting hot water vapor and the associated increase in air humidity and temperature disturbing and disadvantageously overshadows the intended effect of the application of active substances. In addition, in such evaporation disadvantageous no molecularization of the active ingredients contained in the liquid.

The object of the present invention is therefore a method, a nozzle and a

To provide apparatus for atomizing a liquid with active ingredients contained in the liquid, the disadvantages of the prior art are eliminated and in particular in the sputtering occurring parasitic effects and / or disturbing influences and in particular a generation of ozone is largely reduced.

The object is solved with the features of the claims. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are without limitation in FIGS Mentioned dependent claims and / or the following description, which is accompanied by schematic drawings. This shows:

1a is a schematic representation of the atomization of a liquid from a metallic electrically conductive nozzle using electrohydrodynamic agents;

Fig. 1b shows the dry nozzle of Fig. 1a, wherein the same field is applied to the dry nozzle as to the liquid-filled nozzle of Fig. 1a;

Fig. 2a is a schematic plan view of a nozzle according to the invention;

FIG. 2b shows a schematic section through the nozzle of FIG. 2a along the line A-A of FIG. 2a; FIG.

Fig. 3a shows the end of the nozzle of Fig. 2b;

Fig. 3b shows a first modification of the nozzle of Fig. 3a;

Fig. 3c shows a second modification of the nozzle of Fig. 3a;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic enlarged view of the nozzles of Figs. 3a, 3b and 3c with a liquid in the nozzle and an atomized liquid emerging from the nozzle during operation of the nozzle;

Fig. 5a is a schematic plan view of a device according to the invention from above;

FIG. 5b shows a schematic section through the device of FIG. 5a along the line A-A of FIG. 5a; FIG. and

FIG. 6 shows a further schematic representation of a device according to the invention of FIG. 5; FIG. and Fig. 7 is a further highly schematic representation of a device according to the invention.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the invention comprises a method for atomizing active substances contained in a fluid with electrohydrodynamic agents having at least one nozzle and at least one electrode, wherein the nozzle and the electrode are so formed and / or arranged, and also a flow rate the liquid to be atomized in the nozzle is selected in such a way, and also a voltage applied to the electrode is selected such that a molecularization of the active substances contained in the liquid and in the sputtering parasitic effects and / or disturbing influences, and in particular a generation of ozone is largely reduced.

For this purpose, a flow rate of the liquid to be atomized in the nozzle of 0.001 to 0.010 .mu.l per second and advantageously in the range of 0.002 to 0.005 .mu.l per second is used and also used a maximum voltage of 3.5 kV and advantageously a voltage in the range of about 1 - 2.5 kV used.

Namely, the inventors of the present invention have found that in the prior art unwanted ozone production is due, in particular, to excessive voltage used and also to the use of a nozzle with a conductive tube, using the tube as the electrode and / or contact of the electrode with the ambient air and a high voltage ozone is generated according to the following formula:

^_1/2 02 (g) -> UV / HV -> O (g) -> O2 -> O3 (g) The method according to the invention therefore advantageously uses, in particular, a range of stress within which the abovementioned reaction does not occur and transports the liquid to be atomized in the nozzle, at a flow rate which is sufficiently low that said voltage is sufficient to molecularly atomise the liquid.

A nozzle according to the invention for use in the method according to the invention comprises in particular an outer capillary tube made of non-conductive material and a wire-shaped electrode disposed in the capillary tube, wherein the capillary tube and / or the electrode are formed and / or arranged such that during operation of the nozzle and the Atomization of the active substances contained in the liquid, the electrode is constantly wetted and no oxygen from the ambient air has contact with the surface of the electrode, and in particular also has no contact with the tip or edge of the electrode, from which during atomization the field lines of the applied electric Field go out.

As used herein, capillary tube means a tube which may also have capillarity properties such that the liquid alone flows through its capillarity in the tube, which tube may also beneficially interact with other means of transporting the liquid.

The electrode is therefore advantageously disposed within the capillary tube of the nozzle and also the capillary tube is formed such that the liquid from a liquid reservoir, which communicates with the capillary tube, due to the capillarity of the capillary tube, the interior of the tube and the

Welded electrode and in particular the end of the electrode constantly and / or at least during operation of the nozzle constantly wetted, so that in each case no oxygen from the air comes into contact with the electrode.

A suitable geometry of a suitable nonconductive capillary tube according to the invention with an internal electrode comprises a capillary tube and an electrode whose ends each lie at about one level. Advantageously, the end of the capillary tube can also be the end of the electrode slightly beyond which ensures that the end of the electrode is constantly wetted due to the capillary properties of the capillary tube. Suitably, the end of the electrode may protrude from the capillary tube 10 by a small predetermined amount, wherein the predetermined amount is selected such that when operating the nozzle below

Utilizing the electro-spray effect by applying a predetermined low voltage according to the invention to the electrode, the end of the electrode is completely wetted and disposed within a forming Taylor cone.

This ensures that the end of the electrode during operation of the nozzle has no contact with oxygen from the ambient air.

The capillary tube of a nozzle according to the invention also suitably has an inner diameter of 50 .mu.m to 1000 .mu.m and advantageously of 100 .mu.m to 500 .mu.m and more preferably of about 150 .mu.m and the capillary tube also suitably has a wall thickness of 1 .mu.m to 20 .mu.m and advantageously of about 10 μm, and the electrode suitably has a diameter of 1 μm to 100 μm, and preferably about 50 μm. The above advantageous geometries and dimensions according to the invention advantageously cooperate with the inventive flow rate of the liquid to be atomized in the nozzle and the low voltage according to the invention, so that complete molecularization takes place during operation of the nozzle with electrohydrodynamic agents and parasitic effects and / or during atomization disturbing influences and in particular a generation of ozone is largely reduced.

The inventively non-conductive capillary tube of a nozzle according to the invention is suitably made of a non-conductive plastic and the electrode is made of a conductive material in each case with resistance even when in contact with aggressive media.

An inventive device for atomization of in a liquid

"_Xu" li "" ^ "In iiJ," t _Λ ff _Λ "i imfΛopt ii-ioh-suni-lai-a αϊnα αrctα öι iflorα ril" ιc <-i innc-rhalh a second inner nozzle is arranged, and also means for generating an air flow in the first outer nozzle, so that a liquid atomized from the inner nozzle is discharged from the outer nozzle into the environment.

When using the method according to the invention and arrangement of a nozzle according to the invention in a device according to the invention, the molecularly atomized active substances which originate from the inner nozzle are effectively discharged into the environment by means of the outer nozzle. The device according to the invention is particularly suitable for an internal nozzle according to the invention which, while avoiding parasitic effects and in particular avoiding ozone generation, almost completely molecularizes a liquid transported in the nozzle at a very low flow rate and using electrohydrodynamic means with a very low voltage.

Appropriately, can also on the outer nozzle of a

Device may be provided a second electrode which cooperates with the disposed within the first nozzle according to the invention first electrode.

A device according to the invention may also suitably comprise a pump for transporting the liquid to be atomized into the nozzle and also comprises a suitable voltage generator.

Conveniently, the pump is adapted to operate at a pumping capacity and to cooperate with the capillary tube such that the liquid flows in the capillary tube at the aforementioned flow rate according to the invention, the capillary tube acting as a throttle of the pump.

The method according to the invention, the nozzle according to the invention and the device according to the invention are particularly suitable for the atomization of fragrances, odorants, pharmaceutical agents, medical agents, biologically active agents and disinfectants. The use of the method, the nozzle and the device in the pharmaceutical field or for the application of fragrances is particularly advantageous, since in particular pharmaceutical active ingredients for inhalation purposes or biologically active agents or fragrances can be administered in a particularly gentle manner, for example for inhalation via the ambient air of a room ,

A device according to the invention with its advantageously low discharge rate of very pure active ingredients can be particularly advantageous in the pharmaceutical sector for the ozone-free administration of active substances to be inhaled in a permanent or interval operation with a device for separating a room into an inner area with substances contained in the air and a cooperate outer region, wherein the device may be disposed within the inner region or its nozzle is in communication with the inner region.

The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the schematic drawings.

FIG. 2 a shows a schematic plan view of a nozzle 1 according to the invention with an outer capillary tube 10 within which a first electrode 11 is arranged, and FIG. 2 b shows a schematic section through the nozzle 1 of FIG. 2 a along the line A - A of FIG. 2a. The capillary tube 10 of the nozzle 1 is according to the invention of a non-conductive material and may be for example made of plastic, for. PC, PMMA, PUR, PI, etc., and advantageously it can be made of a material with resistance to aggressive media, such as PI, PEEK,

PTFE, PP, PE, PET, PPSU, PPS or PVDF, etc. The electrode 11 is suitably also made of a material with material resistance to aggressive media and according to the invention arranged within the capillary tube 10 that at least during operation of the nozzle 1 and the atomization of active ingredients contained in the liquid F, the electrode 11 is constantly wetted and no oxygen from the ambient air has contact with the surface of the electrode 11. Due to the capillarity of the tube 10, therefore, the end E1 of the electrode 1 1 with the end EO of the capillary tube 10 are approximately at a level, as shown schematically in Fig. 2b and Fig. 3a.

When it is referred to here Kapillaritätseigenschaften, then capillarity properties are meant, which may also be suitable that the

Liquid alone flows through its capillarity in the tube, which tube can also interact favorably with other means for transporting the liquid.

The electrode 11 may suitably be arranged centrally within the capillary tube 10, but it may also be decentralized and also at an edge of the

Tube 10 may be arranged, as long as it is ensured that during operation of the nozzle 1, the electrode 11 is constantly wetted and no oxygen from the ambient air makes contact with the surface of the electrode 11. The electrode 1 1 may suitably be a thin wire, which may be arranged in any way within the tube 10, as long as he pumping a flow and / or Kapillarfluß a

Liquid F within the tube 10 is not significantly hindered.

3a shows a partial section of the end of a nozzle 1 according to the invention of FIG. 2b, and FIGS. 3b and 3c show modifications of the nozzle 1 of FIG. 3a. The end E1 'of the electrode 1 1 of Fig. 3b protrudes by a predetermined amount from the

Capillary tube 10 out, wherein the predetermined amount is selected according to the invention such that upon operation of the nozzle 1 using the Elektrosprayeffekts applying a predetermined voltage to the electrode 11, the end of the electrode E L is completely wetted and disposed within a forming Taylor cone , as will be described below with reference to FIG. 4.

Fig. 3c shows a further modification of the nozzle according to the invention of Fig. 3a, wherein the end E1 'of the electrode 1 1 is disposed within the tube 10 and the end EO of the capillary tube 10, the end E1 of the electrode 11 surmounted by a predetermined small amount. This ensures that, due to the capillary properties of the capillary tube 10, the end E1 'of Electrode 11 is constantly wetted and no oxygen from the ambient air contact with the surface of the electrode 11 has.

Fig. 4 shows an enlarged partial section of a nozzle 1 according to the invention during operation of the nozzle 1 and the atomization of a liquid F by means of hydrodynamic means, wherein above the end of the electrode 11, first a Taylorian cone K of liquid with subsequent liquid jet S forms, then to the a molecularization of the liquid F takes place with the active ingredients contained in it and forms an active substance mist N. The nozzle 1 according to the invention of FIGS. 3 a, 3 b and 3 c are shown schematically in FIG. 4 one above the other.

As stated above with reference to FIG. 2, the electrode 11 can be suitably arranged centrally within the tube 10 and can also be arranged in a decentralized manner, with the Taylor cone correspondingly displacing with the arrangement of the electrode 11 and the end E1, E1 'of the electrode 11 is constantly wetted at least during operation of the nozzle 1.

A nozzle 1 according to the invention for operating the inventive method for atomizing active ingredients contained in a liquid F with a sufficiently low voltage and a sufficiently low flow rate of the atomizing liquid F in the nozzle 1 with a maximum voltage of 3.5 kV and advantageously in the Range of about 1 to 2.5 kV and with a flow rate in the range of 0.001 to 0.10 μl per second and advantageously in the range of 0.002 to 0.005 μl per second suitably has very small dimensions.

Accordingly, a capillary tube of a nozzle according to the invention also suitably has an inner diameter of 50 .mu.m to 1000 .mu.m and advantageously of 100 .mu.m to 500 .mu.m and more preferably of about 150 .mu.m and moreover the capillary tube suitably has a wall thickness of 1 .mu.m to 20 .mu.m and advantageously of about 10 μm, and the electrode suitably has one

Diameter of 1 .mu.m to 100 .mu.m and advantageously of about 50 .mu.m. 5a shows a schematic plan view of an inventive device 3 for atomizing active substances contained in a fluid F with an outer nozzle 2 according to the invention, within which an inner nozzle 1 according to the invention previously described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 is arranged, and FIG. 5b shows a schematic section through the device of Fig. 5a along the

Line A - A of Fig. 5a during operation of the device. 3

The device 3 suitably comprises an outer nozzle tube 20 within which the nozzle 1 according to the invention is arranged and also means 22 for generating an air flow L in the outer tube 20 and for transporting the atomized from the nozzle 1 active ingredients from the nozzle 20 into the environment. Suitably, the device 3 may comprise a second electrode 21, which may suitably be arranged on the outer tube 20 and, for example, as shown schematically in FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b, may be formed as a ring electrode. It is clear that the electrode 21 may be formed in a variety of ways, such as, for example, as a grid with partial coverage of the opening of the tube 20. It is also clear that can also be dispensed with an external electrode 21, and a voltage to the Electrode 11 is applied so that the electrode 11 cooperates with a surrounding ground potential.

The means 22 for generating an air flow L in the outer nozzle 2 may be, for example, a fan or an ion wind generator.

Fig. 6 shows a further highly schematic representation of a device according to the invention 3 according to FIG. 5 with an inventive inner nozzle 1 which is suitably arranged in an outer nozzle 2 and also a schematic voltage generator 23 for applying the voltage to the electrodes 11 and 21 and a Liquid reservoir 25, which is in communication with the capillary tube 10 of the inner nozzle 1 and also with a pump 24, the liquid to be atomized according to the invention at a flow rate in the range of 0.001 to 0.010 .mu.l per second and advantageously in the range 0.002 to 0.005 .mu.l per second transported. In this case, the pump 24 can advantageously be designed and Capillary tube 10 of the inner nozzle 1 cooperates such that the capillary tube 10 acts as a throttle.

The low flow rate according to the invention, the low voltage according to the invention, the inventive arrangement of the first electrode 11 and the inventive dimensions of the capillary tube 10 and the electrode 11 allow a completely molecularizing atomization of active ingredients contained in a liquid F with the greatest possible reduction of parasitic effects or interfering influences and in particular with a far-reaching reduction of troublesome ozone production and also a continuous production of very pure and finely distributed active ingredients in permanent and / or interval operation.

A device 3 according to the invention is therefore particularly suitable for the atomization of fragrances, odor killers, pharmaceutical agents, biologically active

Suitable means and disinfectants, wherein the device 3 can suitably cooperate with a device 4, which is adapted to separate a space 40 in an inner region 401 with active substances contained in the air and an outer region 402. In this case, the device 3 according to the invention can be arranged within the space 40, as shown schematically in FIG. 7, but it can also be arranged outside the space 401 and connected in a suitable manner to the inner space 401. The device 4 may suitably be semi-permeable and / or gastight in one or both directions.

For example, the device may also be an oxygen cylinder or a foil or blanket for inhalation of a respirable pharmaceutical agent, for which the present invention is particularly suitable because it allows for the ozone-free molecular production of drugs and also unlike the prior art gentle uniform and regular and highly accurately metered supply of an active ingredient in a predetermined space allows without disturbing influences on the It is also clear that a device 3 according to the invention is also particularly suitable for continuously enriching any space with a highly pure and finely distributed active substance.

Claims

15PCT Patent Application 4371 (4166) Bartels Mikrotechnik GmbH April 10, 2006 Method, nozzle and device for atomizing active ingredients contained in a liquid. Claims

1. A method for atomization of contained in a liquid (F)

Active substances with: the method uses electrohydrodynamic means having at least one electrically nonconducting nozzle (1) and at least one electrode (11) arranged in the nozzle (1), wherein the nozzle and the electrode (11) are designed and / or arranged and and a flow rate of the liquid to be atomized (F) in the nozzle (1) is so selected, and a voltage applied to the electrode (11) is selected such that a

Molecularization of the active ingredients contained in the liquid (F) takes place, and in the sputtering parasitic effects and / or interfering influences and in particular a generation of ozone is largely reduced.

A method according to claim 1, comprising: using a flow rate of the liquid (F) to be atomized in the nozzle (1) in the range of 0.001 to 0.010 μL per second and advantageously in the range of 0.002 to 0.005 μL per second.

3. The method of claim 1 and 2, comprising: it is a voltage of max. Used 3.5 kV.

The method of claim 3, comprising: using a voltage in the range of about 1 to 2.5 kV. 16

A nozzle (1) for use in the method of any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising: an outer capillary tube (10) of non-conductive material and a wire-shaped electrode (11) disposed in the capillary tube (1), the capillary tube (10) and / or the electrode (11) are formed and / or arranged such that during operation of the nozzle (1) and the atomization of the active substances contained in the liquid (F) the electrode (11) is constantly wetted and no Oxygen from the ambient air has contact with the surface of the electrode (1 1).

6. nozzle (1) according to claim 5, comprising: the capillary tube (10) and / or the electrode (1 1) are formed and / or arranged such that a liquid (F) from a liquid reservoir with the capillary tube (10 ) is due to the capillary properties of the capillary tube (10) the interior of the tube (10) and the electrode (1 1) constantly wetted and / or at least during operation of the nozzle (1) constantly wetted, so that in each case no oxygen from the air comes into contact with the electrode (1 1).

A nozzle (1) according to claim 6, wherein: the end (EO) of the capillary tube (10) and the end (E1) of the electrode (11) are at about one level.

8. nozzle (1) according to claim 6, comprising: the end (EO) of the capillary tube (10) projects beyond the end (E1) of the electrode (1 1).

A nozzle (1) according to claim 6, wherein: the end (E1) of the electrode (11) projects out of the capillary tube (10) by a predetermined amount, wherein: the predetermined amount is selected so that when the nozzle is operated (1) taking advantage of the electro-spray effect by applying a predetermined

Voltage to the electrode (11), the end (E1) of the electrode (1 1) is completely wetted and disposed within a forming Taylor cone. 17

10. A nozzle (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, comprising: the capillary tube (10) has an inner diameter (100) of 50 .mu.m to 1000 .mu.m and advantageously of 100 .mu.m to 500 .mu.m and more preferably of about 150 .mu.m, and the capillary tube (10) has a wall thickness (101) of 1 .mu.m to 20 .mu.m and advantageously of about 10 .mu.m, and the electrode (11) has a diameter (110) of 1 .mu.m to 100 .mu.m and advantageously of about 50 .mu.m.

1. A nozzle (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 10, comprising: the capillary tube (10) is made of an electrically non-conductive material and the

Electrode (11) is made of an electrically conductive material, each with resistance even when in contact with aggressive media.

12. An apparatus (3) for atomizing active substances contained in a liquid (F), comprising: an outer nozzle (2) within which an inner nozzle (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 12 is arranged, and means for generating a Air flow in the first outer nozzle (2), so that a of the inner nozzle (1) atomized liquid (F) from the outer nozzle (2) is discharged into the environment.

13. Device (3) according to claim 12, with a on the outer nozzle (2) arranged second electrode (21) which cooperates with the in the first nozzle (1) arranged first electrode (11).

14. Apparatus (3) according to claim 12 and 13, comprising: a pump (24) for transporting the liquid (F) to be atomized into the nozzle (1), the pump operating at a pumping capacity so that the liquid (F) is transported at a flow rate in the range of 0.001 to 0.010 μl per second and advantageously in the range of 0.002 to 0.005 μl per second, and with one

Voltage generator (23) which generates a voltage of 3.5 kV max and advantageously a voltage in the range of 1 to 2.5 kV. 18

The apparatus (3) according to claim 14, wherein: the pump (24) is formed and the capillary tube (10) is formed such that the pump (24) transports the liquid (F) in the nozzle (1) the capillary tube (10) acts as a throttle of the pump power.

16. Use of the method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4 and / or the nozzle (1) according to one of the preceding claims 5 to 11 and / or the device according to one of claims 12 to 16 for atomizing fragrances, odor killers, pharmaceutical agents , biologically active agents, disinfectants.

17. Use of the device (3) according to any one of claims 12 to 17 together with a device (4) for separating a space (40) in an inner region (401) with active substances contained in the air and an outer region (402).

18. Device (4) according to claim 17, wherein the device (4) is permeable or semipermeable or gas-tight in one or both directions.