US20020100473A1 - Inhaler - Google Patents
Inhaler Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20020100473A1 US20020100473A1 US10/096,174 US9617402A US2002100473A1 US 20020100473 A1 US20020100473 A1 US 20020100473A1 US 9617402 A US9617402 A US 9617402A US 2002100473 A1 US2002100473 A1 US 2002100473A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- canister
- inhaler
- closure element
- opening
- air flow
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M15/00—Inhalators
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M15/00—Inhalators
- A61M15/009—Inhalators using medicine packages with incorporated spraying means, e.g. aerosol cans
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M15/00—Inhalators
- A61M15/0065—Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices
- A61M15/0068—Indicating or counting the number of dispensed doses or of remaining doses
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M15/00—Inhalators
- A61M15/0065—Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices
- A61M15/0068—Indicating or counting the number of dispensed doses or of remaining doses
- A61M15/0083—Timers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M15/00—Inhalators
- A61M15/0091—Inhalators mechanically breath-triggered
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
- A61M2205/43—General characteristics of the apparatus making noise when used correctly
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
- A61M2205/58—Means for facilitating use, e.g. by people with impaired vision
- A61M2205/581—Means for facilitating use, e.g. by people with impaired vision by audible feedback
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
- A61M2205/58—Means for facilitating use, e.g. by people with impaired vision
- A61M2205/582—Means for facilitating use, e.g. by people with impaired vision by tactile feedback
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
- A61M2205/60—General characteristics of the apparatus with identification means
- A61M2205/6045—General characteristics of the apparatus with identification means having complementary physical shapes for indexing or registration purposes
Abstract
A breath actuated inhaler for delivering medicament by inhalation, comprising a housing having a mouthpiece and defining an air flow path extending from the mouthpiece through the housing; the housing holding a replaceable canister of medicament actuatable to deliver a dose of medicament into the air flow path, wherein the housing defines an opening in the air flow path and the opening is closed by a closure element connected to and replaceable with the canister. The closure element acts as a safety feature because it is only closed when the inhaler is used with a canister to which a closure element is connected the closure element carries an indication of the type of medicament in the canister to allow the user to recognise the type of medicament. A plurality of inhalers may be provided in which each given inhaler has an opening with a different shape and has a closure element with a shape which conforms with the opening of the given inhaler but which does not conform with the openings of the other inhalers.
Description
- The present invention relates to an inhaler for delivery of medicament by inhalation, particularly but not exclusively to a breath-actuated inhaler.
- Inhalers are commonly used for delivery of a wide range of medicaments. The inhaler houses a canister of medicament which is actuated to deliver a dose of medicament through a mouthpiece. Desirably the canister is replaceable so that the inhaler is re-useable after the canister is empty or can be used with different medicaments. However, this advantage can create safety problems. In particular, it is difficult to control the type of medicaments supplied by inhalers. For example, users might insert a canister containing an inappropriate medicament as different medicaments are commonly supplied in similar canisters. Users might not know whether a given inhaler which comes to hand will deliver the desired medicament Such problems are particularly serious when the inhaler is needed to provide a particular medicament urgently in an emergency. The present invention is intended to improve safety in an inhaler with a replaceable canister.
- According to the present invention, there is provided an inhaler for delivering medicament by inhalation, comprising a housing having a mouthpiece and defining an air flow path extending from the mouthpiece through the housing; the housing holding a replaceable canister of medicament actuatable to deliver a dose of medicament into the air flow path, wherein the housing defines an opening in the air flow path and the opening is closed by a closure element connected to and replaceable with the canister.
- The closure element acts as a safety feature because it is only closed when the inhaler is used with a canister to which a closure element is connected. This enables better control over the type of medicament to be delivered in that valid canisters can be provided with closure elements connected thereto. The absences the closure element may be recognised by the user on insertion.
- Advantageously, the closure element carries an indication of the type of medicament in the canister. In this way, the closure element may provide the advantage that it enables the type of medicament to be easily recognised by a user. It is particularly advantageous that the indication is provided on an element connected to the cannister itself so the risk of confusion is reduced.
- The indication may be printed information, such as different colours, patterns, text or numbers or the colour of the closure element itself. Desirably, the indication is a tactile surface, for example an embossed or indented pattern. This enables a user with poor eyesight to recognise the type of medicament, which would not otherwise be possible, particularly in the case of an indication visible, say, through a window.
- Preferably, the opening is defined in the outer surface of the housing. This enables the presence or absence of the closure element to be clearly visible to a user of the inhaler with the canister fitted.
- Desirably, the opening is provided adjacent the mouthpiece. This allows for the closure element to be easily formed with a connection to the canister which itself is normally adjacent the mouthpiece to enable engagement in a nozzle block directing medicament out of the mouthpiece. Also it assists in making the indication visible because in normal use the inhaler will be held with the mouthpiece in view, facing the user.
- The safety may be improved further if the present invention is applied to a breath-actuated inhaler further comprising an actuation mechanism arranged to be operated to actuate the canister by a flow through the air flow path, the opening being arranged, when open, to vent the flow sufficiently to prevent operation of the actuation mechanism. In this way, the inhaler will not provide medicament if inserted with a canister without a closure element, potentially containing inappropriate medicament, or if a canister is inserted in the incorrect position. This improves safety and gives the inhaler provider better control over the proper use of the inhaler.
- The opening may be positioned and dimensioned to prevent operation at in the absence of a closure element at an inhalation level above the maximum expected flow rate at the mouthpiece. For example, operation may be prevented at a flow rate of at least eight times a standard inhalation flow rate. Conversely, it is unnecessary for the closure element when present to completely close the opening, provided that it closes the opening sufficiently to allow operation of the inhaler.
- Typically in a breath-actuated inhaler wherein the actuation mechanism includes a trigger disposed in the air flow path responsive to the flow to cause operation of the actuation mechanism, for example by comprising a pre-loading mechanism arranged to store a loading force for actuation of the canister, the trigger being arranged to release the stored force.
- The trigger is preferably a vane arranged to be physically moved by a flow through the air flow path, although an electronic trigger sensing the flow is a conceivable alternative.
- The present invention is particularly suited to a common, simple form of breath actuated inhaler in which wherein the housing has outer walls defining a space which constitutes the air flow path.
- Desirably, the opening is disposed in the air flow path between the trigger and the mouthpiece. This is an advantageous structure, because the inhalation flow generated by inhalation at the mouthpiece is drawn through the opening without thereby limiting the flow created within the air flow path at the trigger to prevent operation of the trigger.
- Preferably the housing defines an inlet opening for the air flow path having a smaller opening area than the opening. This increases the air flow resistance at the opening relative to the opening which assists in ensuring the inhalation flow is vented by the opening in preference to the inlet opening, hence allowing the opening to prevent operation of the actuation mechanism.
- According to a second aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of inhalers according to the first aspect wherein each given inhaler has an opening with a different shape and has a closure element with a shape which conforms with the opening of the given inhaler but which does not conform with the openings of the other inhalers.
- This provides the inhalers with a form of canister recognition. Inhalers are to be used exclusively with canisters having a closure element with a conforming opening. Use of canisters in inhalers which do not have a conforming opening may be recognised by the different shapes and may be prevented by the shapes of the opening and the closure element of a given inhaler prevent fitting of the closure element in an inhaler other than the given inhaler. Alternatively, the different shapes may the inhalers further comprise an actuation mechanism arranged to be operated to actuate the canister by a flow through the air flow path and the shape of the closure element of a given inhaler is such that when the closure element fitting in inhaler other than the given inhaler leaves open the opening of the other inhaler sufficiently open to prevent operation of the actuation mechanism of the other inhaler.
- Accordingly the second aspect of the present invention makes it possible to control the use of canisters in particular inhalers. For example, the different shapes of opening and closure elements may be used for respective types of medicament to reduce the chances of cross-contamination between inhalers for differing medicaments.
- With either aspect of the present invention, the canister and the closure element are connected by a connector which is arranged to prevent reconnection after separation of the canister and the closure element, for example by the connector is formed with a weak portion arranged to be broken in preference to the remainder of the connector on application of a force to separate the canister and the closure element. This further enhances the security of the present invention because it prevents a closure element from a valid canister being removed and attached to a new canister.
- To allow a better understanding, an inhaler which embodies the present invention will now be described by way of non-limitative example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- FIG. 1 is a front view of the inhaler held in a hand;
- FIG. 2 is a side view of the inhaler,
- FIG. 2A is a side view of the inhaler without a closure element fitted;
- FIG. 3 is a side view of the inhaler with a lower housing portion being removed;
- FIG. 4 is a side view of an upper housing portion of the inhaler with a canister being removed;
- FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternative form of collar for connecting the closure element to the canister,
- FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5;
- FIG. 7 is a side view of the canister mounting arrangement and actuation mechanism;
- FIG. 8 is a view from the rear and side of the actuation mechanism;
- FIG. 9 is a view from the rear and the opposite side from FIG. 8 of the actuation mechanism;
- FIG. 10 is a front view of the arrangement for loading the actuation mechanism;
- FIG. 11 is a side view of an alternative form of button arrangement for loading the actuation mechanism;
- FIG. 12 is a view of certain parts of the actuation mechanism from the front and side;
- FIGS.13 to 16 are schematic views of the actuation mechanism illustrating respective states over a complete cycle of operation; and
- FIG. 17 is a view of the electronic timer circuit
- An inhaler1 which embodies the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively showing the front view of the inhaler 1 held in a user's hand and a side view of the inhaler.
- The inhaler has a
housing 2 comprising anupper housing portion 3 and alower housing portion 4 which are coupled together. The upper andlower housing portions canister 5 of medicament and anactuation mechanism 6 operatable to actuate thecanister 5 to deliver a dose of medicament. - The
upper housing portion 3 has opposedside walls 7 joined by a flatfront wall 8, a curvedrear wall 9 and atop wall 10. Thelower housing portion 3 has opposedside walls 11 fitting flush with theside walls 7 of theupper housing portion 3 and a curvedrear wall 12 fitting flush with therear wall 9 of theupper housing portion 3. Therear walls mouthpiece 13 protrudes from thelower housing portion 4 and may be protected by acap 14 hinged to thelower housing member 4 to be openable as illustrated in FIG. 2. - The front of the
lower housing member 4 between theside walls 11 is open to define anopening 15 in the outer surface of thehousing 2 adjacent themouthpiece 13 between the upper andlower housing portions opening 15 is closed by aclosure element 16 fitting flush with thefront wall 8 of theupper housing portion 3 to form part of the outer wall of thehousing 2. - The upper and lower housing members are coupled by a coupling17 allowing the
lower housing member 4 to be slid off as illustrated in FIG. 3. - The
canister 5 fits in theupper housing portion 3 and may be slidably removed for replacement as illustrated in FIG. 4. - The
canister 5 comprises a generallycylindrical body 18 and avalve stem 19 which are compressible together to deliver a dose of medicament from thevalve stem 19. The canister is of a known type including a metering chamber which captures a defined volume of medicament from thebody 18 of thecanister 5, which volume of medicament is delivered as a metered dose from thevalve stem 19 on compression of thevalve stem 19 relative to thebody 18. The valve stem 19 is weakly biassed outwardly to reset thecanister 5 after compression for refilling the metering chamber. The valve stem 19 is received in anozzle block 20 which is arranged to direct a dose of medicament delivered from thevalve stem 19 out of the inhaler 1 through themouthpiece 13. - The
closure element 16 is connected to thecanister 5 by acollar 21 fitted around anecked portion 22 of thecanister body 18. Thecollar 21 is permanently fixed to theclosure element 16 and may be integral therewith. Thecollar 21 is restrained by thenecked portion 22 of thecanister 5 such that theclosure element 16 is removed and replaced together with thecanister 5 as illustrated in FIG. 4. Thecanister 5 andcollar 21 have a small degree of relative movement along the axis of thecanister 5. This allows actuation of the canister by compression of thecanister body 18 towards thevalve stem 19 when thestem 19 is fixed relative to the inhaler 1 in thenozzle block 20 and thecollar 21 is also fixed by theclosure element 16 fitting as part of thehousing 2 of the inhaler 1. - FIGS. 5 and 6 respectively illustrate a side view and sectional view and
alternative collar 23 for connecting theclosure element 16 to thecanister 5. Thecollar 23 includes acylindrical portion 24 held on thenecked portion 22 of thecanister body 18 by aprotrusion 25 formed in thecylindrical portion 24 by a U-shaped cut-out 26. Thecylindrical portion 24 has anextension 27 extending beyond the end of thecanister body 18 to protect thevalve stem 19. Theextension 27 is of reduced diameter relative to the remainder of thecylindrical portion 24 of thecollar 23. - The force needed to separate either
collar - Optionally, the
collars rupture lines 28 disposed on opposite sides of thecollar collar closure element 16 from thecanister 5. After the rupture lines 28 have been broken or at least deformed to enable removal of thecanister 5, it is impossible to connect thecollar - The outer surface of the
closure element 16 carries an indication of the type of medicament in thecanister 5 to which theclosure clement 16 is connected. The indication may be printed information, such as text, letters or numerals, or simply coloured patterns, an embossed or indented pattern or the colour of theclosure element 16. - An inlet opening29 is formed in the
upper housing portion 3, in particular in itstop wall 10 andfront wall 8. The outer walls of the housing defined by the upper andlower portions closure element 16 seal together to define a closed space which constitutes an air flow path extending from themouthpiece 13 through thehousing 2 to theinlet opening 29. Inhalation at themouthpiece 13 creates a pressure differential which draws air in through the inlet opening 29 through that air flow path around thecanister 5 andactuation mechanism 6 encased in thehousing 2. The actuation mechanism 6 (described in detail below) has a trigger disposed in theupper housing portion 4 which, in response to a flow through the air flow path, triggers theactuation mechanism 6 to actuate thecanister 5. - If a canister without a closure element connected thereto is inserted into the
housing 2, then theopening 15 will remain open as illustrated in FIG. 2A. Consequently, when a user inhales at themouthpiece 13, the flow resistance through theopening 15 will be much lower than the flow resistance through the remainder of the air flow path above the opening 15 from theinlet opening 29. Accordingly, theopening 15 will act as a vent most of the flow through the mouthpiece, thereby reducing the flow in the remainder of the air flow path in the upper housing portion through. The positioning of theopening 15 in the air flow path inside thehousing 2 between themouthpiece 13 and the trigger reduces the air flow across the trigger. Theopening 15 is positioned and dimensioned such that the flow at the trigger is reduced below the threshold needed to operate the trigger and therefore prevents operation of theactuation mechanism 6. To assist in assuring that theopening 15 sufficiently vents the flow, theopening 15 is provided with a larger opening area and hence a lower flow resistance than theinlet opening 29. Theopening 15 is dimensioned so that the actuation mechanism is not operated on a flow through themouthpiece 13 at a level above the maximum expected inhalation, for example at an inhalation of at least eight times a standard inhalation flow rate. The triggering mechanism for theactuation mechanism 6 is designed taking into account the flow generated by a standard inhalation selected by the designer. - The
actuation mechanism 6 for actuating thecanister 5 to deliver a dose of medicament is illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9. The elements illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9 are accommodated in thehousing 2 but are illustrated separately for clarity. The canister is held with itsvalve stem 19 in anozzle block 20′ connected to themouthpiece 13, both fixed relative to thelower housing portion 4. Anozzle block 20′ has a slightly different structural form from thenozzle block 20 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 but performs the same function. Thebody 18 of thecanister 5 is supported by aguide block 30 fixed to theupper housing portion 3 and having a curved inner surface engaging the cylindrical surface of thecanister body 18 to allow axial movement of thecanister body 18 within thehousing 2. Theactuation mechanism 6 operates to compress thecanister body 18 relative to thevalve stem 19 held in thenozzle block 20 to deliver a dose of medicament. - The structure of the
actuation mechanism 6 is as follows. - The
actuation mechanism 6 includes a pre-loading mechanism for loading a resilient loading element in the form of acoiled loading spring 31. The pre-loading mechanism includes the loading member constituted by ashaft 32 encircled by the coils of theloading spring 31. The shaft extends and is movable in a direction parallel to thecylindrical axis 80 of thecanister body 18. Theloading member shaft 32 has anenlarged head 33. - As illustrated in FIG. 1, two
buttons side walls 7 of theupper housing portion 3 on either side of theaxis 80 of thecanister 5 held in thehousing 2. Thebuttons 34 are manually depressible in a direction substantially perpendicular to theaxis 80 of thecannister 5 which makes them easy to grip and move by a finger and thumb, as can be seen in FIG. 1. Thebuttons 34 load theloading member 32 andloading spring 31 through the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 10 comprising two torsion springs 35 a and 35 b fixed inside the upper housing portion. The torsion springs 35 a and 35 b engage theenlarged head 33 of theloading member 32 and respective ones of thebuttons 34 to convert sideways force applied to thebuttons 34 to a downwards force along the axis of theloading member shaft 32. - An alternative means for converting the sideways force applied to the
buttons 34 is illustrated in FIG. 11. This consists of a double knee joint 36 fixed at itsupper end 37 to theupper housing portion 3, fixed at itslower end 38 to theenlarged head 33 of theloading member 32 and fixed at itsintermediate joints respective buttons - The pre-loading mechanism further includes a
lever 40 pivoted relative to the housing about apivot 41. Thelever 40 has a planarcanister engagement portion 42 contacting thecanister body 18 adjacent thepivot 41 with a pair ofarms arm 43 is engaged by theloading spring 31 so that theloading spring 31, when loaded, biasses compression of the canister through thelever 40 coupled to thecanister 5 by thecanister engagement portion 42. As theloading spring 31 is further away from thepivot 41 than thecannister engagement portion 42, this provides leverage between the loaded actuation force and the force applied to thecannister 5. Thearm 43 has a hole through which theloading member shaft 32 extends. Theother arm 44 of thelever 43 has a similar hole through which extends afurther shaft 78 for preventing lateral displacement of thelever 40. - The actuation mechanism further includes a triggering mechanism for holding the
lever 40 against compression of the canister under the biassing of thespring 31 and to release thelever 40 in response to inhalation at the mouthpiece. The triggering mechanism is constructed as follows. - The triggering mechanism comprises a first knee joint45 having two
links central pivot 50. Theupper link 46 is pivotally connected botharms lever 40 by apivot 48. Thelower link 47 is pivotally connected to theupper housing portion 3 by apivot 49. - Accordingly, the first knee joint45 has a locked position illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9 in which it holds the
lever 40 against compression of thecanister 5. In the locked position of the first knee joint 45, thecentral pivot 50 is substantially aligned with thepivots links pivot 41 then thecannister engagement portion 42, this provides leverage between the locking force provided by the first knee joint and the force applied to thecannister 5. This leverage enhances the locking and triggering action of the triggering mechanism. - The triggering mechanism further includes a second knee joint51 comprising two
links central pivot 54. Onelink 57 of the second knee joint 51 is pivotally connected to theupper housing portion 3 by apivot 55 and extends laterally so that it constitutes a trigger vane which is moved by a flow of air thereover. Thetrigger vane 52 has a counterweight portion 79 (illustrated only in FIG. 7) fixed to the opposite side ofpivot 55 from the laterally extending surface. The counterweight balances the trigger vane so that its centre of mass is positioned on the axis of thepivot 55. - The
other link 53 of the second knee joint 51 extends from thetrigger vane 52 between thearms lever 40 to theupper link 46 of the first knee joint 45 where it is pivotally connected by apivot 56. - Accordingly, the second knee joint51 has a locked position illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9. In the locked position of the second knee joint, the
central pivot 54 is substantially aligned with thepivots links - The
actuation mechanism 6 further includes a reset mechanism which is constructed as follows. - The reset mechanism employs a locking element constituted by a third knee joint57 comprising an
upper link 58 and alower link 59 pivotally connected together by acentral pivot 60. Theupper link 58 is pivotally connected to theupper housing portion 3 by thepivot 49 in common with thefirst knee joint 45. Thelower link 59 is pivotally connected to theloading member shaft 32 by apivot 61. The third knee joint 57 has a locked position illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9 in which it holds theloading member shaft 32 in its loaded position as illustrated in FIG. 7. In the locked position of the third knee joint 57, thecentral pivot 60 is aligned with thepivots links biassing spring 67 connected to theupper housing portion 3. Hence the third knee joint constitutes a locking element which holds the canister in a compressed state throughspring 31 andlever 40 after the full movement of thelever 40 to compress thecanister 5. - The reset mechanism further includes a
release member 62 mounted on theloading member shaft 32 by having an aperture through which theshaft 32 extends. Therelease member 62 is movable relative to theshaft 32 between limits defined by apin 63 protruding from theshaft 32 engaging in atrack 64 formed in therelease member 62. Atimer spring 65, the coils of which encircle theshaft 32, is connected between thearm 43 of thelever 40 and therelease member 62. Thetimer spring 65 is in a relaxed state in FIG. 7 and is provided for biassing therelease member 62 when loaded by movement of thelever 40 to compress thecanister 5. - A
protrusion 66 extends from the release member 62 (as best seen in the partial view of FIG. 12) to engage with thelower link 59 of the third knee joint 57 when therelease member 62 is moved down theshaft 32. Such engagement of theprotrusion 56 with the third knee joint 57 moves the knee joint 57 against thebiassing spring 67 to break the third knee joint 57 thereby releasing locking effect of the third knee joint 57. - The
shaft 32 is biassed upwardly by areset spring 68 acting between theshaft 32 andupper housing portion 3 to move theshaft 32 upwardly upon breaking of the third knee joint 57. - The downwards movement of the
release member 62 is damped by a dampingelement 69 consisting of astator 70 fixed to theupper housing portion 3 and arotor 71 rotatable through viscous fluid provided between therotor 71 andstator 70. Therotor 71 is driven by atoothed rack 72 connected to therelease member 62. - Operation of the
actuation mechanism 6 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16 which illustrate the various parts of theactuation mechanism 6 in schematic form for ease of understanding. - FIG. 13 illustrates the neutral state in which the
loading member shaft 32 is in its uppermost position, so that theloading spring 31 is relaxed. In this state, the first and second knee joints 45 and 51 are both in their locked positions. Thetimer spring 65 and thereset spring 68 are relaxed. - Upon depression of the
buttons 34, theloading member shaft 32 is moved downwardly to a second position illustrated in FIG. 14 loading theloading spring 31 which therefore biasses thelever 40 towards compression of thecanister 5. However, the first knee joint 45 is its locked position where it holds thelever 40 against compression of thecanister 5. The first knee joint 45 is held in its own locked position by the second knee joint 51 being in its locked position. - Movement of the
loading member shaft 32 downwards also loads thereset spring 68 and brings the third knee joint 57 into its locked position where it is held by thespring 67. In this loaded state illustrated in FIG. 14, the inhaler 1 is loaded ready for delivery of a dose of medicament. - Inhalation by the user at the
mouthpiece 13 generates an air flow through the air flow path defined inside thehousing 2 from theinward opening 29 to themouthpiece 13. This air flow acts on thetrigger vane 55 of the second knee joint 51 causing it to move upwardly due to pressure drop created by the flow inside thehousing 2 to the position illustrated in FIG. 15 where the second knee joint is broken. This breaks the first knee joint 45 into its broken position illustrated in FIG. 15 which releases thelever 40 and allows it to compress thecanister 5 under the biassing of theloading spring 31. - During compression of the canisters, the
shaft 32 remains locked in position by the third knee joint 57. This causes the canister to be held in its compressed state by theshaft 32 acting through thespring 31 andlever 40, the spring force of thespring 31 far exceeding the internal reset biassing of thecanister 5. - However, movement of the
lever 40 loads thetimer spring 65 which accordingly biasses therelease member 62 downwards. Movement of therelease member 62 is delayed by the damping action of the dampingelement 69. Theprotrusion 66 of therelease element 62 engages the third knee joint 57 after a predetermined period of time after actuation of thecanister 5. This time is determined by the strength of thetimer spring 65 and the damping properties of the dampingelement 69 and is at least 100 ms or 200 ms and up to 1000 ms or 5000 ms to allow the full dose of medicament to be delivered from thecannister 5. Such engagement breaks the third knee joint 57 into its broken position as illustrated in FIG. 16. Subsequently thereset spring 68 moves theloading member shaft 32 upwardly to the neutral position illustrated in FIG. 13. At the same time theshaft 32 lifts therelease member 62, itself still damped by the dampingelement 69 so that the reset movement is damped. - Release of the
shaft 32 causes thespring 31 to raise thelever 40 which has two effects. Firstly it allows the canister to reset itself. Secondly, it causes the first and second knee joints 45 and 51 to straighten, returning them to their locked position in the neutral position of the actuator mechanism illustrated in FIG. 13. Theloading spring 31 and thetimer spring 65 are pre-loaded and do not work against the reset movement, so that thereset spring 68 has only to overcome friction and the weight of the component. - The
buttons side walls 8 of theupper housing portion 3. Accordingly, the distance between the extremities of the buttons before depression is less than the maximum length of the inhaler 1 in the direction parallel to theaxis 80 of thecanister 5 and less than the overall length of thecanister 5 including thebody 18 and thevalve stem 19. Also, the total distance over which the twobuttons 34 are moved relative to one another is greater than the distance by which thebody 18 and thevalve stem 19 of thecanister 5 are relatively compressed. This is achieved by the leverage obtained by theloading spring 31 engaginglever 40 at a point further away from thepivot 41 than thecanister engagement portion 42 - The actual flow recommended in order to correctly deliver a drug will depend on the manner operation of the drug, the position where it should be deposited in the mouth, lungs of the user and the manner of dispensing the drug. Some drugs are inhaled as a fine mist and transported all the way to the lungs whereas others are inhaled like a jet of liquid deposited in the mouth of the person. These different types of drugs require different types of inhalation and therefore different inhalation flows and different actions by the user.
- It is possible to adapt each of a number of different inhalers for use with a number of different types of drug by giving each inhaler an opening with a different shape and giving different closure elements shapes which conform with a single type of inhaler. For example, a possible different shape is illustrated by the dotted line in FIG. 1. Thus canister with differently shaped closure elements are for use exclusively with the inhaler having a conforming opening. The different shapes may prevent a closure element from being fitted in an inhaler of the inhaler having a conforming opening. Alternatively, the closure element may fail to close the vent of an inhaler having a differently shaped opening such that the remaining opening vents the flow sufficiently to prevent operation of the triggering mechanism.
Claims (25)
1. An inhaler for delivering medicament by inhalation, comprising:
a housing having a mouthpiece and defining an air flow path extending from the mouthpiece through the housing;
the housing holding a replaceable canister of medicament actuatable to deliver a dose of medicament into the air flow path,
wherein the housing defines an opening in the air flow path and the opening is closed by a closure element connected to and replaceable with the canister.
2. An inhaler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure element carries an indication of the type of medicament in the canister.
3. An inhaler according to claim 2 , wherein the indication is a tactile surface.
4. An inhaler according to claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein the opening is defined in the outer surface of the housing.
5. An inhaler according to claim 4 , wherein the opening is provided adjacent the mouthpiece.
6. An inhaler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing has two coupled portions which are separable to allow insertion of a canister and which are shaped to define the opening between the two portions when coupled together.
7. An inhaler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing has outer walls defining a space which constitutes the air flow path.
8. An inhaler according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an actuation mechanism arranged to be operated to actuate the canister by a flow through the air flow path, the opening being arranged, when open, to vent the flow sufficiently to prevent operation of the actuation mechanism.
9. An inhaler according to claim 8 , wherein the actuation mechanism includes a trigger disposed in the air flow path responsive to the flow to cause operation of the actuation mechanism.
10. An inhaler according to claim 9 , wherein the actuation mechanism further comprises a pre-loading mechanism arranged to store a loading force for actuation of the canister, the trigger being arranged to release the stored force.
11. An inhaler according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the trigger is a vane arranged to be physically moved by a flow through the air flow path.
12. An inhaler according to any one of claims 9 to 11 , wherein the opening is disposed in the air flow path between the trigger and the mouthpiece.
13. An inhaler according to any one of claims 8 to 12 , wherein the housing defines an inlet opening for the air flow path having a smaller opening area than the opening.
14. An inhaler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the canister and the closure element are connected by a connector which is arranged to prevent reconnection after separation of the canister and the closure element.
15. An inhaler according to claim 14 , wherein the connector is formed with a weak portion arranged to be broken in preference to the remainder of the connector on application of a force to separate the canister and the closure element.
16. An inhaler according to any one of the preceding clams, wherein the closure element is connected to a collar fitted around a necked portion of the canister as a connector between the canister and the closure element.
17. A plurality of inhalers each according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each given inhaler has a opening with a different shape and has a closure element with a shape which conforms with the opening of the given inhaler but which does not conform with the opening of the other inhalers.
18. A plurality of inhalers according to claim 17 , wherein the shapes of the opening and the closure element of a given inhaler prevent fitting of the closure element in an inhaler other than the given inhaler.
19. A plurality of inhalers according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the inhalers further comprise an actuation mechanism arranged to be operated to actuate the canister by a flow through the air flow path and the shape of the closure element of a given inhaler is such that when the closure element fitting in inhaler other than the given inhaler leaves open the opening of the other inhaler sufficiently open to prevent operation of the actuation mechanism of the other inhaler.
20. A plurality of inhalers each according to any one of claims 1 to 15 , wherein the canisters held in different inhalers store different types of medicaments and the closure elements of the different inhalers carry respective different indications of the types of medicament in the canisters to which they are connected.
21. An inhaler for delivery of a medicament by inhalation, comprising a housing having a mouthpiece and defining an air flow path extending from the mouthpiece through the housing, the housing being arranged to hold a replaceable canister of medicament actuatable to deliver a dose of medicament into the air flow path, wherein the housing defines an opening in the air flow path arranged to be closed by a closure element connected to the canister.
22. A canister adapted for use in an inhaler according to claim 21 having connected thereto a closure element for closing the opening in the airflow path defined in the housing of the inhaler.
23. A canister inhaler according to claim 22 , wherein the canister and the closure element are connected by a connector which is arranged to prevent reconnection after separation of the canister and the closure element.
24. A canister according to claim 23 , wherein the connector is formed with a weak portion arranged to be broken in preference to the remainder of the connector on application of a force to separate the canister and the closure element.
25. A canister according to any one of claims 21 to 24 , wherein the closure element is connected to a collar fitted around a necked portion of the canister as a connector between the canister and the closure element.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US10/096,174 US20020100473A1 (en) | 1998-09-24 | 2002-03-13 | Inhaler |
US10/464,757 US6745761B2 (en) | 1998-09-24 | 2003-06-19 | Inhaler |
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DKPA199801207 | 1998-09-24 | ||
DK199801207 | 1998-09-24 | ||
SEPCT/SE99/01683 | 1999-09-24 | ||
PCT/SE1999/001683 WO2000016835A1 (en) | 1998-09-24 | 1999-09-24 | Improved inhaler |
US42433399A | 1999-11-22 | 1999-11-22 | |
US10/096,174 US20020100473A1 (en) | 1998-09-24 | 2002-03-13 | Inhaler |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US42433399A Continuation | 1998-09-24 | 1999-11-22 |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US10/464,757 Continuation US6745761B2 (en) | 1998-09-24 | 2003-06-19 | Inhaler |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20020100473A1 true US20020100473A1 (en) | 2002-08-01 |
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US09/424,335 Expired - Fee Related US6415784B1 (en) | 1998-09-24 | 1999-09-24 | Inhaler |
US09/873,385 Abandoned US20010025639A1 (en) | 1998-09-24 | 2001-06-05 | Inhaler |
US10/096,174 Abandoned US20020100473A1 (en) | 1998-09-24 | 2002-03-13 | Inhaler |
US10/105,370 Abandoned US20020104532A1 (en) | 1998-09-24 | 2002-03-26 | Inhaler |
US10/464,757 Expired - Fee Related US6745761B2 (en) | 1998-09-24 | 2003-06-19 | Inhaler |
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US09/873,385 Abandoned US20010025639A1 (en) | 1998-09-24 | 2001-06-05 | Inhaler |
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US10/105,370 Abandoned US20020104532A1 (en) | 1998-09-24 | 2002-03-26 | Inhaler |
US10/464,757 Expired - Fee Related US6745761B2 (en) | 1998-09-24 | 2003-06-19 | Inhaler |
Country Status (14)
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US (5) | US6415784B1 (en) |
EP (4) | EP1115445A1 (en) |
JP (5) | JP4350308B2 (en) |
KR (4) | KR20010075308A (en) |
CN (4) | CN1320057A (en) |
AU (4) | AU772556B2 (en) |
BR (4) | BR9913921A (en) |
CA (4) | CA2344358C (en) |
IL (4) | IL141816A0 (en) |
NO (4) | NO20011257L (en) |
NZ (1) | NZ510478A (en) |
TW (4) | TW458788B (en) |
WO (4) | WO2000016835A1 (en) |
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1999
- 1999-09-24 KR KR1020017003707A patent/KR20010075308A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1999-09-24 AU AU64926/99A patent/AU772556B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1999-09-24 KR KR1020017003709A patent/KR20010075310A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1999-09-24 CA CA002344358A patent/CA2344358C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1999-09-24 NZ NZ510478A patent/NZ510478A/en unknown
- 1999-09-24 WO PCT/SE1999/001683 patent/WO2000016835A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1999-09-24 IL IL14181699A patent/IL141816A0/en unknown
- 1999-09-24 EP EP99952864A patent/EP1115445A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1999-09-24 CA CA002344382A patent/CA2344382C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1999-09-24 CA CA002344383A patent/CA2344383A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1999-09-24 EP EP99952863A patent/EP1115444A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1999-09-24 WO PCT/SE1999/001685 patent/WO2000016837A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1999-09-24 AU AU64923/99A patent/AU772561B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1999-09-24 AU AU64924/99A patent/AU6492499A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1999-09-24 JP JP2000573798A patent/JP4350308B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1999-09-24 KR KR1020017003706A patent/KR20010075307A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1999-09-24 JP JP2000573797A patent/JP4616476B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1999-09-24 EP EP99952866A patent/EP1115447A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1999-09-24 CN CN99811341A patent/CN1320057A/en active Pending
- 1999-09-24 BR BR9913921-9A patent/BR9913921A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1999-09-24 IL IL14182099A patent/IL141820A0/en unknown
- 1999-09-24 KR KR1020017003708A patent/KR20010075309A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1999-09-24 WO PCT/SE1999/001686 patent/WO2000016838A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1999-09-24 CA CA002344381A patent/CA2344381C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1999-09-24 CN CN99811345A patent/CN1320058A/en active Pending
- 1999-09-24 IL IL14182199A patent/IL141821A0/en unknown
- 1999-09-24 US US09/424,335 patent/US6415784B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1999-09-24 CN CN99811339A patent/CN1320055A/en active Pending
- 1999-09-24 IL IL??A patent/IL141819A0/en unknown
- 1999-09-24 EP EP99952865A patent/EP1115446A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1999-09-24 WO PCT/SE1999/001684 patent/WO2000016836A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1999-09-24 BR BR9913924-3A patent/BR9913924A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1999-09-24 JP JP2000573796A patent/JP2002526210A/en active Pending
- 1999-09-24 BR BR9913927-8A patent/BR9913927A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1999-09-24 CN CN99811340A patent/CN1320056A/en active Pending
- 1999-09-24 BR BR9913983-9A patent/BR9913983A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1999-09-24 JP JP2000573795A patent/JP4221157B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1999-09-24 AU AU64925/99A patent/AU772572B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1999-10-01 TW TW088116951A patent/TW458788B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1999-10-01 TW TW088116955A patent/TW412426B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1999-10-01 TW TW088116956A patent/TW446564B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1999-10-01 TW TW088116957A patent/TW421601B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2001
- 2001-03-13 ZA ZA200102092A patent/ZA200102092B/en unknown
- 2001-03-13 ZA ZA200102087A patent/ZA200102087B/en unknown
- 2001-03-13 ZA ZA200102090A patent/ZA200102090B/en unknown
- 2001-03-13 NO NO20011257A patent/NO20011257L/en unknown
- 2001-03-13 ZA ZA200102093A patent/ZA200102093B/en unknown
- 2001-03-19 NO NO20011383A patent/NO20011383L/en unknown
- 2001-03-19 NO NO20011385A patent/NO20011385L/en unknown
- 2001-03-19 NO NO20011384A patent/NO20011384L/en unknown
- 2001-06-05 US US09/873,385 patent/US20010025639A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2002
- 2002-03-13 US US10/096,174 patent/US20020100473A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2002-03-26 US US10/105,370 patent/US20020104532A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2003
- 2003-06-19 US US10/464,757 patent/US6745761B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2009
- 2009-02-25 JP JP2009041849A patent/JP2009148589A/en active Pending
Cited By (7)
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US9707360B2 (en) | 2004-11-19 | 2017-07-18 | Clinical Designs Limited | Substance source |
US8329271B2 (en) | 2004-12-23 | 2012-12-11 | Clinical Designs Limited | Medicament container |
US9592355B2 (en) | 2005-09-09 | 2017-03-14 | Raymond John Bacon | Dispenser |
US10369307B2 (en) | 2005-09-09 | 2019-08-06 | Clinical Designs Limited | Dispenser |
US9114221B2 (en) | 2009-03-10 | 2015-08-25 | Euro-Celtique S.A. | Counter |
US9415178B2 (en) | 2009-03-10 | 2016-08-16 | Euro-Celtique S.A. | Counter |
US9987441B2 (en) | 2009-03-10 | 2018-06-05 | Euro-Celtique S.A. | Counter |
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Legal Events
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Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |