BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device for nebulising a liquid.

Nebulised liquids are used for many purposes. One such use is for therapy, for example, by application to the skin or by inhalation. One example is the nebulisation of sodium chloride for inhalation to assist with the removal of mucus and debris from the lungs. Another example is nebulisation of hyaluronic acid for skin beauty purposes. A device for nebulising liquids to form a mist is disclosed in EP 2626052. It consists of a gas cylinder attached at its top end via a manifold to a separate cartridge containing a liquid to which gas is supplied in order to generate a mist. A face mask is attached at an outlet port on the top of the cartridge by which a user inhales the vapour.

In order to gain wider acceptance, there is a need for a more disposable version of such nebulisers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a device for nebulising a liquid, the device comprising a reservoir of liquid fluidly connected to an outlet, and comprising a drive circuit electrically connectable to a piezoelectric actuator and a battery; wherein the drive circuit is actuatable to vibrate the piezoelectric actuator so that it nebulises the liquid in the reservoir such that the liquid passes through the outlet as an aerosol, wherein the device is supplied as an assembly wherein the reservoir of liquid and battery are located in a cartridge detachable from a base unit comprising the drive circuit. The present invention thus provides a device with few moving parts which is easy to use. Rather than a battery, mains power or some other power source could be used to power the device.

The aerosol preferably comprises droplets of a diameter of less than ΙΟμιη.

The liquid inside the reservoir may be a saline solution of sodium chloride. In this way, the device is then useable to assist with the removal of mucus and debris from the lungs. The liquid may instead contain hyaluronic acid so that the device can be used for skin beauty purposes.

The piezoelectric actuator may be located in the

reservoir to better nebulise the liquid contained in the reservoir .

The cartridge is preferably single-use and disposable

The present invention thus provides a simple device for dispensing a liquid in aerosol form. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figures 1A and IB which each show a cross section view of a nebuliser device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to Figure 1A, there is shown an nebuliser device 10 which comprises a cartridge 11 defining a housing 12 within which is located a reservoir 16 for liquid. The cartridge 11 comprises a piezoelectric actuator 18 located in the reservoir 16 for nebulising the liquid contained therein. The piezoelectric actuator 18 is powered by a battery 15 located in a cavity 13 of the cartridge 11.

The reservoir 16 comprises an outlet 19 for the liquid from the cartridge 11. A valve (not shown in the Figures) is located between the reservoir 16 and the outlet 19 to control the flow of liquid through the outlet 19.

Ordinarily, the valve is biased into a closed position to prevent the escape of liquid from the reservoir 16.

The nebuliser device 10 also comprises a base unit 14 which is separate from the cartridge 11. The base unit 14 comprises a drive circuit 17 which is powered by the battery

15 located in the cartridge 11.

In use of the device 10, a cartridge 11 containing liquid to be nebulised connects to the base unit 14. In this position, the drive circuit 17 electrically connects to the battery 15 and the piezoelectric actuator 18 located in the cartridge 11. The base unit 14 is then operated to actuate the piezoelectric actuator 18 which causes the liquid contained in the reservoir 16 to nebulise, pass through the valve, and out of the device 10 as an aerosol spray 28.

An alternative to the nebuliser device 10 of Figure 1A is the nebuliser device 10' shown in Figure IB. In this alternative device 10', the piezoelectric actuator 18 is located in the base unit 14, rather than in the reservoir 16 of the cartridge 11. As shown in Figure IB, the

piezoelectric actuator 18 is located on the base unit 14 such that it is next to the reservoir 16 when the cartridge of the cartridge 11 is connected to the base unit 14 to ensure efficient nebulisation of the liquid when the base unit is operated.

In either nebuliser device 10; 10', the liquid contained within the reservoir 16 is any liquid which can be

nebulised. Exemplary liquids which can be used include a saline solution of sodium chloride for when the device is used assisting with the removal of mucus and debris from the lungs, and hyaluronic acid for use in skin beauty purposes.