Micronized spray device

Abstract

Micronized spray device for washing nasal and neighboring cavities including a bell-shaped body which forms an atomization chamber on the bottom whereof there is a region for containing a washing liquid in which a spray nozzle draws; the spray nozzle is associated with a compressed-air injector and is axially aligned with the inner outlet formed by the bell-shaped body. An outer skirt furthermore surrounds the bell-shaped body and forms an outer outlet which is located at the inner outlet and forms a chamber for collecting the catarrhal material that has been detached from the nasal cavities; the chamber is connected to the outside to vent the pressure generated during expiration. The outer skirt can be arranged in a first position, in which the outer outlet is spaced from the inner outlet so as to form an interspace that is connected to the collection chamber, and in a second position, in which the outer outlet overlaps the inner outlet.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Micronized spray device for washing nasal and neighboring cavities, comprising a bell-shaped body having a bottom and an inner outlet, said bell-shaped body forming an atomization chamber on the bottom thereof for containing a washing liquid, a compressed-air injector having a spray nozzle, said spray nozzle being axially aligned with said inner outlet, an outer skirt surrounding said bell-shaped body and having an outer outlet aligned with said inner outlet, a chamber for collecting catarrhal material detached from the nasal cavities disposed between the outer skirt and said bell-shaped body, said collecting chamber having ports on the outer skirt to vent pressure generated during use to the outside of the micronized spray device, said outer skirt being movable between a first position, in which said outer outlet is spaced from said inner outlet thereby forming an interspace leading to said collecting chamber, and a second position, in which said outer outlet overlaps said inner outlet and thus closes said interspace. 
     
     
       2. Device according to claim 1, further comprising a cap, said bell-shaped body being sealingly and detachably connected in a lower region thereof to said cap to form said atomization chamber. 
     
     
       3. Device according to claim 1, wherein said spray nozzle comprises a cylindrical body that is open towards the bottom and has, in an upper region, a spraying hole. 
     
     
       4. Device according to claim 1, wherein a jet of aqueous micelles are produced during use, a large percentage of said aqueous micelles having a size above 10 microns. 
     
     
       5. Device according to claim 1, wherein said outer skirt comprises a body being sealingly coupled on the outside of said bell-shaped body. 
     
     
       6. Device according to claim 1, further comprising means for moving said outer skirt with respect to said bell-shaped body between said first position and said second position. 
     
     
       7. Device according to claim 6, wherein said moving means comprises at least one helical slot formed on said outer skirt, at least one pin protruding from said cap for engaging with said at least one helical slot. 
     
     
       8. Device according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure control valve element for discharging excess pressure build up in said atomization chamber. 
     
     
       9. Device according to claim 8, wherein said pressure control valve element is constituted by a through hole formed in said bell-shaped body for connecting said atomization chamber with said collecting chamber. .Iadd. 
     
     
       10.  Micronized spray device for delivering atomized fluid to nasal and sinus cavities, comprising: a body having a bottom and an inner outlet;   said body forming an atomization chamber on the bottom thereof for containing a washing liquid;   a compressed-air injector having a spray nozzle including a spraying hole disposed within said body;   an outer skirt surrounding said body and having an outer outlet;   a chamber for collecting drainage from the nasal cavities disposed between the outer skirt and said body;   said collecting chamber having ports on the outer skirt to vent pressure generated during use to the outside of the micronized spray device. .Iaddend..Iadd.   
     
     
       11.  Device according to claim 10, further comprising a cap, said body being sealingly and detachably connected in a lower region thereof to said cap to form said atomization chamber. .Iaddend..Iadd.12. Device according to claim 10, wherein said spray nozzle comprises a cylindrical body that is open towards the bottom and said spraying hole is disposed in an upper region of said cylindrical body. .Iaddend..Iadd.13. Device according to claim 10, wherein a jet of aqueous micelles are produced during use, a very large percentage of said aqueous micelles having a size of more than 10 microns. .Iaddend..Iadd.14. Device according to claim 10, wherein said outer skirt comprises a body being sealingly coupled on the outside of said body. .Iaddend..Iadd.15. Device according to claim 10, further comprising means for moving said outer skirt in an axial direction with respect to said body. .Iaddend..Iadd.16. Device according to claim 15, wherein said moving means comprises at least one slot formed on said outer skirt, at least one pin protruding from said cap for engaging with said at least one slot. .Iaddend..Iadd.17. Device according to claim 10, further comprising a pressure control valve element for discharging excess pressure build up. .Iaddend..Iadd.18. Device according to claim 17, wherein said pressure control valve element is constituted by a through hole formed in said body for connecting said atomization chamber with said collecting chamber. .Iaddend..Iadd.19. Device according to claim 10, wherein said body is bell-shaped. .Iaddend..Iadd.20. Device according to claim 11, wherein said outer skirt is movable between a first position, in which said outer outlet is spaced from said inner outlet thereby forming an interspace leading to said collecting chamber, and a second position, in which said outer outlet overlaps said inner outlet and thus closes said interspace. .Iaddend.