Device for Producing High Pressure in a Fluid in Miniature

Abstract

A miniaturized device for pressurizing fluid. The device includes a hollow piston that provides a fluid path and a valve member. The valve member is configured for axial movement so that the valve axis remains parallel to the piston axis. The valve member is arranged at one end of the hollow piston. The valve member may be partially or completely disposed within the hollow piston. The device is particularly adapted for use in a mechanically operated atomizer to produce an inhalable aerosol of a liquid medicament without the use of propellant gas.

1 . A replaceable unit for use with an atomizer, comprising within a housing a device for producing high pressure in a fluid, said device comprising a hollow piston capable of being moved axially within the housing as well as the replaceable unit for holding a supply of fluid to be atomized, said replaceable unit being substantially not pressurized and being free from propellants, wherein: 
 the replaceable unit comprises a dimensionally stable outer portion with a collapsible portion disposed within said outer portion, and    a stopper firmly coupled to both the dimensionally stable outer portion and to the collapsible inner portion of the replaceable unit, and    said stopper defines a bore through which the hollow piston of the atomizer projects so that fluid to be atomized can be withdrawn from a storage container, and    the replaceable unit is arranged within the housing of the atomizer and is firmly put on the hollow piston in a way such that the replaceable unit moves to and fro together with the hollow piston within the housing when the atomizer is operated.    
     
     
         2 . The replaceable unit of  claim 1 , wherein said storage container comprises a pharmaceutical composition.  
     
     
         3 . The replaceable unit of  claim 1 , wherein said storage container comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable solution of a medicament selected from the group consisting of berotec, berodual, flunisolide, atrovent, salbutamol, budesonide, combivent, tiotropium, oxivent, and suitable peptides.