US20070251524A1 - Inhalers - Google Patents
Inhalers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20070251524A1 US20070251524A1 US11/824,612 US82461207A US2007251524A1 US 20070251524 A1 US20070251524 A1 US 20070251524A1 US 82461207 A US82461207 A US 82461207A US 2007251524 A1 US2007251524 A1 US 2007251524A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- chamber
- inhaler
- cyclone
- medicament
- aerosol
- 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
Links
Images
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
- A61M15/0086—Inhalation chambers
-
- 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
- A61M15/0086—Inhalation chambers
- A61M15/0088—Inhalation chambers with variable volume
-
- 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
- A61M2202/00—Special media to be introduced, removed or treated
- A61M2202/06—Solids
- A61M2202/064—Powder
-
- 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
- A61M2205/02—General characteristics of the apparatus characterised by a particular materials
- A61M2205/0233—Conductive materials, e.g. antistatic coatings for spark prevention
-
- 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
- A61M2205/07—General characteristics of the apparatus having air pumping means
- A61M2205/071—General characteristics of the apparatus having air pumping means hand operated
- A61M2205/073—Syringe, piston type
-
- 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
- A61M2206/00—Characteristics of a physical parameter; associated device therefor
- A61M2206/10—Flow characteristics
- A61M2206/16—Rotating swirling helical flow, e.g. by tangential inflows
Definitions
- the present invention relates to inhalers and in particular inhalers for the delivery of a medicament to the lung, more particularly a medicament in powder form.
- a nebulizer In the case of medicaments in liquid form, the provision of an inhalable aerosol of the medicament can be achieved with a nebulizer or the like.
- a known device for generating a turbulent airflow in a nebulizer is a so-called “cyclone”.
- the cyclone comprises a cylindrical chamber with an axial outlet and a tangential inlet.
- the particles of medicament In order for the particles of medicament to reach the lung and thus be absorbed into the bloodstream, the particles must have an effective diameter approximately in the range 3-5 ⁇ m. If the particles are larger than 5 ⁇ m they may not be transported by the inhaled airflow deep into the lung, because they are likely to be trapped in the respiratory passages before reaching the deep lung. For example, particles of the order of 10 ⁇ m are unlikely to progress further than the trachea and particles of the order of 50 ⁇ m tend to deposit on the back of the throat when inhaled. Furthermore, if the particles are less than 1 ⁇ m in effective diameter, the particles may not be absorbed in the lung, because they are small enough to be expelled from the lung with the exhaled airflow.
- the powdered medicament is delivered with an accurately controlled range of particle size in order that it is absorbed effectively in the lung.
- the powdered medicament prefferably mixed with an excipient (an inert substance, such as lactose, which is combined with the medicament to prepare a convenient dosage form) of relatively large particle size, for example 50-100 ⁇ m, to improve the handling properties of the medicament.
- the medicament attaches electrostatically to the surface of the excipient.
- the particles of medicament agglomerate to form particles of a larger effective diameter. In either case, it is necessary to separate the medicament particles from the excipient and from each other in order to provide an inhalable aerosol which will deliver the medicament for absorption through the lung.
- shear forces In order to separate the particles, shear forces must be generated between the particles, for example by providing a substantial velocity gradient across the particles. This may be done, for example, by forcing the powder through a narrow nozzle at high speed or introducing the powder into a turbulent air stream.
- the emitted dose (the amount of medicament that enters the patient's airway) to be around 80-90% of the dose ejected from the inhaler.
- the respirable dose (the amount of medicament that reaches the lung) may be only around 50% of the emitted dose.
- the variation in the respirable dose of known inhalers can be ⁇ 20-30%. Such variation may be acceptable in the case of asthma drugs and the like, but when the medicament is a more potent drug such as insulin, growth hormone or morphine, this amount of variability in the dosing is unacceptable.
- the relatively low respirable dose also represents a significant wastage of what may be an expensive drug.
- spacers it is known for so-called “spacers” to be used in the generation of the aerosol from a metered dose inhaler.
- the spacer fits onto the mouthpiece of the inhaler and comprises a chamber into which the dose of medicament is ejected by the inhaler. The patient is then able to inhale the dose from the spacer through a corresponding mouthpiece on the spacer.
- the present invention seeks to provide an inhaler for generating an inhalable aerosol of a powdered medicament with an effective particle size that is sufficiently small for the medicament to be delivered to and absorbed in the lungs of a patient.
- an inhaler comprising:
- a cyclone arranged to eject an aerosol of medicament into the chamber
- a drug dosing device arranged to provide a dose of powdered medicament entrained in an airflow to the cyclone.
- the powdered medicament is entrained in an airflow by the drug dosing device and expelled through the cyclone into the chamber as an aerosol for subsequent inhalation by a patent.
- the invention provides a simple arrangement which can generate an inhalable, fine-particle dose of a dry powder medicament.
- the cyclone is configured as a substantially cylindrical cavity provided with a tangential inlet and an axial outlet.
- the cyclone may be provided with a frustoconical portion in the region of the outlet for directing the airflow within the cyclone towards the outlet.
- the cyclone is provided with a further axial inlet.
- the further axial inlet is arranged to introduce the medicament close to the axis of the cyclone to reduce deposition of the medicament on the internal surfaces of the cyclone.
- the cyclone is provided with an axial member for directing the medicament towards the walls of the cyclone. In this way, the aerosol is unable to enter the very central zone of the cyclone where the shear forces are at a minimum.
- the outlet of the cyclone may be annular to encourage the airflow away from the central axial region of the cyclone.
- a diffuser may be provided at the outlet of the cyclone.
- the diffuser may comprise an axial and/or an annular diffuser with a gradual increase in cross-sectional area, preferably with an exponential increase in area for improved diffusion.
- a small chamber may be provided at the outlet of the cyclone comparable in volume to the cyclone itself to act as a diffuser.
- a spacer may be provided at the outlet of the cyclone to act as a diffuser.
- a plurality of cyclones may be provided such that their outlet flows coincide and interfere with each other to create extra shear forces.
- the airflow to the drug dosing device may be provided by an external air source, for example a source of compressed air.
- the airflow is provided by a pump in the inhaler.
- the inhaler may comprise a pump.
- the pump may be in the form of, for example, a piston pump, a resilient bladder or a source of compressed gas, such as a gas canister.
- the pump- is arranged to provide an airflow of repeatable volume and velocity.
- the pump may take the form of a spring-powered piston received in a cylinder.
- the invention provides an inhaler comprising:
- an aerosolizing device having an inlet for taking in an airflow and an outlet for expelling an aerosol into the chamber, wherein the inlet of the aerosolizing device is connected to the chamber, such that, in use, the airflow is drawn from the chamber to generate the aerosol.
- air from within the chamber passes through the aerosolizing device to generate the aerosol so that the chamber can be filled with aerosol without expelling air, and potentially medicament, through the mouthpiece of the chamber.
- the aerosolizing device may comprise a cyclone and/or a drug dosing device as previously described.
- the aerosolizing device may also comprise a pump arranged to draw air from the chamber via the inlet.
- the chamber receives a plunger which is arranged to force air through the aerosolizing device as the plunger moves through the chamber.
- the aerosolizing device is mounted on the plunger.
- the invention provides an inhaler comprising a chamber having a mouthpiece and a plunger received in the chamber, wherein the plunger is arranged to force air through an aerosolizing device to generate an aerosol of medicament in the chamber for inhalation through the mouthpiece.
- FIG. 1 shows a cyclone for use in the invention
- FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 2A shows the first embodiment with a breath actuated mechanism
- FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the Invention
- FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 6 shows a fifth embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 1 shows a cyclone 1 for use in aerosolizing a powdered medicament according to the invention.
- the cyclone 1 is in the form of a cylinder 3 of a diameter between about 2 and 15 mm, preferably between 4 and 10 mm.
- the cylinder 3 is closed at an input end and provided with a frustoconical portion 5 at an output end.
- the cyclone 1 has an inlet 9 in the region of the closed input end of the cylinder 3 , which input 9 is substantially tangential to the wall of the cylinder 3 .
- the frustoconical portion 5 has an outlet 7 defined therein, which outlet 7 is concentric with the axis of the cylinder 3 .
- an airflow entrains a powdered medicament and enters the cyclone 1 through the tangential inlet 9 , as indicated by arrows A.
- the airfiow (and medicament) is directed by the internal surface of the cylinder 3 in a helical path towards the outlet 7 .
- the frustoconical portion 5 of the cyclone 1 narrows the radius of the helical path, thereby increasing the speed of the airflow and increasing the shear forces on the entrained medicament. Consequently, an aerosol of powdered medicament having particles of respirable size issues from the outlet 7 of the cyclone 1 , as indicated by arrows B.
- FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the invention.
- a cyclone 1 is connected to a chamber 11 having a mouthpiece 13 .
- the chamber has a volume of around 300 ml.
- the cyclone 1 is located at an end of the chamber 11 opposite the mouthpiece 13 , and the outlet 7 of the cyclone 1 is arranged to eject the aerosol of medicament into the chamber 11 towards the mouthpiece 13 , as indicated by arrows B.
- a drug dosing device 15 is connected to the inlet 9 of the cyclone 1 and is arranged such that, as a flow of air passes through the dosing device 15 , a controlled dose of medicament is entrained in the airfiow.
- the airfiow to the drug dosing device 15 is provided by a pump 17 , which comprises a plunger 19 received in a pump cylinder 21 and biased towards an outlet 23 of the pump 17 by a spring 25 .
- a breath-actuated mechanism 24 used to retain the plunger 19 in a retracted position against the biasing force of the spring 25 until the medicament is to be delivered.
- this embodiment of the invention operates as follows.
- the user primes the inhaler by pulling the plunger 19 of the pump 17 into the retracted position where it is retained by the breath-actuated mechanism 24 .
- the user then inhales through the mouthpiece 13 of the chamber 11 and the resultant drop in pressure causes the breath-actuated mechanism to release the plunger 19 which forces a jet of air through the outlet 23 and the drug dosing device 15 .
- the flow of air entrains a measured dose of medicament from the dosing device 15 and carries this dose into the cyclone 1 .
- the dose of medicament is aerosolized, as described in relation to FIG. 1 , and is expelled into the chamber 11 through the outlet 7 , as indicated by the arrows B.
- the user is then able to inhale the aerosol of medicament into the deep lung via the mouthpiece 13 .
- FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the invention.
- the arrangement of the pump 171 dosing device 15 and cyclone 1 corresponds substantially to that of the embodiment of FIG. 2 .
- the chamber 11 is larger than that shown in FIG. 2 and the mouthpiece 13 is offset from the axis of the chamber 11 and of the cyclone 1 .
- the mouthpiece 13 is provided with a cap 27 which closes off the mouthpiece, sealing the chamber 11 from the atmosphere.
- the cap 27 also closes off an air intake passage 29 which is provided in the chamber 11 to allow air to enter the chamber 11 when the user inhales through the mouthpiece 13 .
- the chamber 11 connects to the outlet 23 of the pump 17 via an air passage 31 and a first non-return valve 33 .
- a second non-return valve 35 is provided between the outlet 23 of the pump 17 and the drug dosing device 15 .
- the plunger 19 of the pump 17 is withdrawn (as in the embodiment of FIG. 2 ) which causes air to be drawn out of the chamber 11 through the air passage 31 and into the pump cylinder 21 via the first non-return valve 33 . In this manner, the pressure in the chamber 11 is reduced to below atmospheric.
- the release of the plunger 19 in this embodiment is not effected by a breath-actuated device but by a manually actuated release mechanism (not shown). When the release mechanism is actuated, the plunger 19 forces a jet of air through the second non-return valve 35 into the drug dosing device 15 where a measured dose of the medicament is entrained in the air stream.
- the airflow and entrained medicament pass into the cyclone 1 where the medicament is aerosolized and expelled from the outlet 7 of the cyclone 1 into the chamber 11 , as indicated by the arrows B.
- the reduced pressure in the chamber 11 at this point ensures an even distribution of the aerosol within the chamber 11 .
- the pressure is equalized by the ejection of the aerosol into the chamber 11 .
- FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the invention.
- a plunger 19 is provided within the chamber 11 so that the chamber itself acts as a pump cylinder.
- air is forced out of the chamber 11 through the air passage 31 and into the drug dosing device 15 .
- the drug dosing device 15 it entrains a measured dose of medicament which passes into the cyclone 1 and is aerosolized and expelled into the chamber 11 , as indicated by the arrows B.
- the user inhales the aerosol of medicament by removing the cap 27 and inhaling through the mouthpiece 13 .
- FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the invention according to which the cyclone 1 , the drug dosing device 15 and the air passage 31 are mounted on the plunger 19 and are movable therewith such that when the plunger 19 is moved in the direction of the arrow C, air from the lower half of the chamber 11 passes into the air passage 31 and through the drug dosing device 15 , so that an aerosol of medicament is expelled from the cyclone 1 into the upper half of the chamber 11 , in the direction of the arrows B.
- FIG. 6 shows a fifth embodiment of the invention which corresponds substantially to that of FIG. 4 except that the cyclone 1 in this embodiment is located in a lower region of the chamber 11 and the direction of movement of the plunger 19 to generate the aerosol is reversed, as indicated by arrow C.
- FIGS. 3 to 6 each have the particular advantage that the airflow which is used to entrain the medicament and generate the aerosol via the cyclone 1 is drawn from the chamber 11 .
- a substantially equal volume of air is withdrawn from the chamber 11 to generate the aerosol as is returned to the chamber 11 when the aerosol is expelled from the cyclone 1 .
- the chamber 11 there is no requirement for the chamber 11 to be vented to atmosphere while the aerosol is generated and there is therefore no risk that any of the medicament will be lost before inhalation by the user.
- the aerosol of medicament has been described herein as an aerosol of powdered medicament in air, the medicament may be dispersed in any other gas or mixture of gases, as required.
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
- Pulmonology (AREA)
- Anesthesiology (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Hematology (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Medicinal Preparation (AREA)
- Pharmaceuticals Containing Other Organic And Inorganic Compounds (AREA)
- Steroid Compounds (AREA)
- Acyclic And Carbocyclic Compounds In Medicinal Compositions (AREA)
Abstract
An inhaler comprises a pump 17, a drug dosing device 15 and a cyclone 1 which delivers an aerosol of powdered medicament from the drug dosing device 15 into a chamber 11 when the pump 17 is activated. The aerosol is inhaled by the user through a mouthpiece 13.
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/018,768 filed Dec. 17, 2001, which application is the U.S. National Phase application of International Application No. PCT/EPO0105831 filed Jun. 23, 2000, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference.
- The present invention relates to inhalers and in particular inhalers for the delivery of a medicament to the lung, more particularly a medicament in powder form.
- In recent times, there has been a growing interest in the systemic delivery of pharmaceutically-active medicaments via the lung. Such a method of delivery is generally more attractive to the patient than methods such as injection, because it does not involve a needle and can be carried out discreetly in public.
- In the case of medicaments in liquid form, the provision of an inhalable aerosol of the medicament can be achieved with a nebulizer or the like. A known device for generating a turbulent airflow in a nebulizer is a so-called “cyclone”. The cyclone comprises a cylindrical chamber with an axial outlet and a tangential inlet.
- However, for a medicament in solid form, such as crystals, the provision of an inhalable aerosol is more difficult, because it is necessary to achieve a large repeatable dose of fine particles. In order for the particles of medicament to reach the lung and thus be absorbed into the bloodstream, the particles must have an effective diameter approximately in the range 3-5 μm. If the particles are larger than 5 μm they may not be transported by the inhaled airflow deep into the lung, because they are likely to be trapped in the respiratory passages before reaching the deep lung. For example, particles of the order of 10 μm are unlikely to progress further than the trachea and particles of the order of 50 μm tend to deposit on the back of the throat when inhaled. Furthermore, if the particles are less than 1 μm in effective diameter, the particles may not be absorbed in the lung, because they are small enough to be expelled from the lung with the exhaled airflow.
- Thus, it will be seen that it is important that the powdered medicament is delivered with an accurately controlled range of particle size in order that it is absorbed effectively in the lung.
- It is known for the powdered medicament to be mixed with an excipient (an inert substance, such as lactose, which is combined with the medicament to prepare a convenient dosage form) of relatively large particle size, for example 50-100 μm, to improve the handling properties of the medicament. The medicament attaches electrostatically to the surface of the excipient. In some cases, the particles of medicament agglomerate to form particles of a larger effective diameter. In either case, it is necessary to separate the medicament particles from the excipient and from each other in order to provide an inhalable aerosol which will deliver the medicament for absorption through the lung.
- In order to separate the particles, shear forces must be generated between the particles, for example by providing a substantial velocity gradient across the particles. This may be done, for example, by forcing the powder through a narrow nozzle at high speed or introducing the powder into a turbulent air stream.
- In traditional metered dose inhalers (MDIs) it is common for the emitted dose (the amount of medicament that enters the patient's airway) to be around 80-90% of the dose ejected from the inhaler. The respirable dose (the amount of medicament that reaches the lung) may be only around 50% of the emitted dose. However, the variation in the respirable dose of known inhalers can be±20-30%. Such variation may be acceptable in the case of asthma drugs and the like, but when the medicament is a more potent drug such as insulin, growth hormone or morphine, this amount of variability in the dosing is unacceptable. The relatively low respirable dose also represents a significant wastage of what may be an expensive drug. Furthermore, there may be side effects if the proportion of the emitted dose which is not respired is swallowed.
- Thus, it is important for the systemic delivery of medicaments by inhalation that a repeatable dose of fine particles can be produced.
- It is known for so-called “spacers” to be used in the generation of the aerosol from a metered dose inhaler. The spacer fits onto the mouthpiece of the inhaler and comprises a chamber into which the dose of medicament is ejected by the inhaler. The patient is then able to inhale the dose from the spacer through a corresponding mouthpiece on the spacer.
- Large volume spacers are used where the patient is unable to inhale at the same time as operating the metered dose inhaler due to a lack of coordination. Small volume spacers are used to trap large particles which would stick to the back of the throat and may cause undesirable side-effects.
- The present invention, at least in its preferred embodiments, seeks to provide an inhaler for generating an inhalable aerosol of a powdered medicament with an effective particle size that is sufficiently small for the medicament to be delivered to and absorbed in the lungs of a patient.
- Thus, viewed from a first aspect the invention provides an inhaler comprising:
- a chamber having a mouthpiece;
- a cyclone arranged to eject an aerosol of medicament into the chamber; and
- a drug dosing device arranged to provide a dose of powdered medicament entrained in an airflow to the cyclone.
- In use of the inhaler, the powdered medicament is entrained in an airflow by the drug dosing device and expelled through the cyclone into the chamber as an aerosol for subsequent inhalation by a patent.
- Thus, the invention provides a simple arrangement which can generate an inhalable, fine-particle dose of a dry powder medicament.
- In general, the cyclone is configured as a substantially cylindrical cavity provided with a tangential inlet and an axial outlet. The cyclone may be provided with a frustoconical portion in the region of the outlet for directing the airflow within the cyclone towards the outlet.
- In one arrangement, the cyclone is provided with a further axial inlet. The further axial inlet is arranged to introduce the medicament close to the axis of the cyclone to reduce deposition of the medicament on the internal surfaces of the cyclone.
- It is desirable for the cyclone to generate as much shear as possible within the airflow. At small radii, close to the axis of the cyclone, the high angular velocities increase the effective viscosity of the air causing a central cylindrical region lying along the axis to rotate as a rigid body within which the shear forces are minimal. Thus, according to an advantageous arrangement, the cyclone is provided with an axial member for directing the medicament towards the walls of the cyclone. In this way, the aerosol is unable to enter the very central zone of the cyclone where the shear forces are at a minimum. Alternatively or in addition, the outlet of the cyclone may be annular to encourage the airflow away from the central axial region of the cyclone.
- It is also desirable to reduce the amount of deposition in the chamber of the inhaler and to allow a smaller chamber to be used. Thus, a diffuser may be provided at the outlet of the cyclone. The diffuser may comprise an axial and/or an annular diffuser with a gradual increase in cross-sectional area, preferably with an exponential increase in area for improved diffusion.
- A small chamber may be provided at the outlet of the cyclone comparable in volume to the cyclone itself to act as a diffuser. Similarly, a spacer may be provided at the outlet of the cyclone to act as a diffuser.
- A plurality of cyclones may be provided such that their outlet flows coincide and interfere with each other to create extra shear forces.
- The airflow to the drug dosing device may be provided by an external air source, for example a source of compressed air. In a preferred arrangement, however, the airflow is provided by a pump in the inhaler. Thus, the inhaler may comprise a pump. The pump may be in the form of, for example, a piston pump, a resilient bladder or a source of compressed gas, such as a gas canister. Preferably, the pump-is arranged to provide an airflow of repeatable volume and velocity. Thus, the pump may take the form of a spring-powered piston received in a cylinder.
- It has been identified that a problem associated with inhalers of the type according to the invention is that when the aerosol is expelled into the chamber, the aerosol tends to interact unfavorably with the air in the chamber. It is known for the chamber to be open and for the air initially within the chamber to be expelled through the mouthpiece of the chamber as the aerosol is introduced through a nozzle. However, this has been found to be unsatisfactory as the amount of medicament which escapes through the mouthpiece before the user inhales is unquantifiable.
- Thus, viewed from a further aspect, the invention provides an inhaler comprising:
- a chamber having a mouthpiece; and
- an aerosolizing device having an inlet for taking in an airflow and an outlet for expelling an aerosol into the chamber, wherein the inlet of the aerosolizing device is connected to the chamber, such that, in use, the airflow is drawn from the chamber to generate the aerosol.
- Thus, according to this aspect of the invention air from within the chamber passes through the aerosolizing device to generate the aerosol so that the chamber can be filled with aerosol without expelling air, and potentially medicament, through the mouthpiece of the chamber.
- The aerosolizing device may comprise a cyclone and/or a drug dosing device as previously described. The aerosolizing device may also comprise a pump arranged to draw air from the chamber via the inlet.
- In one arrangement, the chamber receives a plunger which is arranged to force air through the aerosolizing device as the plunger moves through the chamber. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the aerosolizing device is mounted on the plunger.
- Thus viewed from a yet further aspect the invention provides an inhaler comprising a chamber having a mouthpiece and a plunger received in the chamber, wherein the plunger is arranged to force air through an aerosolizing device to generate an aerosol of medicament in the chamber for inhalation through the mouthpiece.
- Some embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 shows a cyclone for use in the invention; -
FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 2A shows the first embodiment with a breath actuated mechanism; -
FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the Invention; -
FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the invention; and -
FIG. 6 shows a fifth embodiment of the invention. - Corresponding reference numerals have been used for corresponding parts in each embodiment of the invention.
-
FIG. 1 shows acyclone 1 for use in aerosolizing a powdered medicament according to the invention. Thecyclone 1 is in the form of acylinder 3 of a diameter between about 2 and 15 mm, preferably between 4 and 10 mm. Thecylinder 3 is closed at an input end and provided with a frustoconical portion 5 at an output end. Thecyclone 1 has aninlet 9 in the region of the closed input end of thecylinder 3, whichinput 9 is substantially tangential to the wall of thecylinder 3. The frustoconical portion 5 has anoutlet 7 defined therein, whichoutlet 7 is concentric with the axis of thecylinder 3. - In use, an airflow entrains a powdered medicament and enters the
cyclone 1 through thetangential inlet 9, as indicated by arrows A. The airfiow (and medicament) is directed by the internal surface of thecylinder 3 in a helical path towards theoutlet 7. The frustoconical portion 5 of thecyclone 1 narrows the radius of the helical path, thereby increasing the speed of the airflow and increasing the shear forces on the entrained medicament. Consequently, an aerosol of powdered medicament having particles of respirable size issues from theoutlet 7 of thecyclone 1, as indicated by arrows B. -
FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the invention. According to this embodiment acyclone 1 is connected to achamber 11 having amouthpiece 13. The chamber has a volume of around 300 ml. Thecyclone 1 is located at an end of thechamber 11 opposite themouthpiece 13, and theoutlet 7 of thecyclone 1 is arranged to eject the aerosol of medicament into thechamber 11 towards themouthpiece 13, as indicated by arrows B. - A
drug dosing device 15 is connected to theinlet 9 of thecyclone 1 and is arranged such that, as a flow of air passes through thedosing device 15, a controlled dose of medicament is entrained in the airfiow. - The airfiow to the
drug dosing device 15 is provided by apump 17, which comprises aplunger 19 received in apump cylinder 21 and biased towards anoutlet 23 of thepump 17 by aspring 25. A breath-actuatedmechanism 24 used to retain theplunger 19 in a retracted position against the biasing force of thespring 25 until the medicament is to be delivered. - In use, this embodiment of the invention operates as follows. The user primes the inhaler by pulling the
plunger 19 of thepump 17 into the retracted position where it is retained by the breath-actuatedmechanism 24. The user then inhales through themouthpiece 13 of thechamber 11 and the resultant drop in pressure causes the breath-actuated mechanism to release theplunger 19 which forces a jet of air through theoutlet 23 and thedrug dosing device 15. The flow of air entrains a measured dose of medicament from thedosing device 15 and carries this dose into thecyclone 1. In thecyclone 1, the dose of medicament is aerosolized, as described in relation toFIG. 1 , and is expelled into thechamber 11 through theoutlet 7, as indicated by the arrows B. The user is then able to inhale the aerosol of medicament into the deep lung via themouthpiece 13. -
FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the arrangement of the pump 171dosing device 15 andcyclone 1 corresponds substantially to that of the embodiment ofFIG. 2 . However, in this case thechamber 11 is larger than that shown inFIG. 2 and themouthpiece 13 is offset from the axis of thechamber 11 and of thecyclone 1. Themouthpiece 13 is provided with acap 27 which closes off the mouthpiece, sealing thechamber 11 from the atmosphere. Thecap 27 also closes off anair intake passage 29 which is provided in thechamber 11 to allow air to enter thechamber 11 when the user inhales through themouthpiece 13. Thechamber 11 connects to theoutlet 23 of thepump 17 via anair passage 31 and a firstnon-return valve 33. A secondnon-return valve 35 is provided between theoutlet 23 of thepump 17 and thedrug dosing device 15. - In operation of this embodiment, the
plunger 19 of thepump 17 is withdrawn (as in the embodiment ofFIG. 2 ) which causes air to be drawn out of thechamber 11 through theair passage 31 and into thepump cylinder 21 via the firstnon-return valve 33. In this manner, the pressure in thechamber 11 is reduced to below atmospheric. It is to be noted that the release of theplunger 19 in this embodiment is not effected by a breath-actuated device but by a manually actuated release mechanism (not shown). When the release mechanism is actuated, theplunger 19 forces a jet of air through the secondnon-return valve 35 into thedrug dosing device 15 where a measured dose of the medicament is entrained in the air stream. The airflow and entrained medicament pass into thecyclone 1 where the medicament is aerosolized and expelled from theoutlet 7 of thecyclone 1 into thechamber 11, as indicated by the arrows B. The reduced pressure in thechamber 11 at this point ensures an even distribution of the aerosol within thechamber 11. The pressure is equalized by the ejection of the aerosol into thechamber 11. Once the aerosol has been delivered into thechamber 11, the user removes thecap 27 and inhales the aerosol through themouthpiece 13. -
FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the invention. According to this embodiment, there is no pump 171 but aplunger 19 is provided within thechamber 11 so that the chamber itself acts as a pump cylinder. Thus, as theplunger 19 is driven in the direction of the arrow C, air is forced out of thechamber 11 through theair passage 31 and into thedrug dosing device 15. As the air passes through thedrug dosing device 15 it entrains a measured dose of medicament which passes into thecyclone 1 and is aerosolized and expelled into thechamber 11, as indicated by the arrows B. The user inhales the aerosol of medicament by removing thecap 27 and inhaling through themouthpiece 13. -
FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the invention according to which thecyclone 1, thedrug dosing device 15 and theair passage 31 are mounted on theplunger 19 and are movable therewith such that when theplunger 19 is moved in the direction of the arrow C, air from the lower half of thechamber 11 passes into theair passage 31 and through thedrug dosing device 15, so that an aerosol of medicament is expelled from thecyclone 1 into the upper half of thechamber 11, in the direction of the arrows B. -
FIG. 6 shows a fifth embodiment of the invention which corresponds substantially to that ofFIG. 4 except that thecyclone 1 in this embodiment is located in a lower region of thechamber 11 and the direction of movement of theplunger 19 to generate the aerosol is reversed, as indicated by arrow C. - The embodiments of FIGS. 3 to 6 each have the particular advantage that the airflow which is used to entrain the medicament and generate the aerosol via the
cyclone 1 is drawn from thechamber 11. Thus, a substantially equal volume of air is withdrawn from thechamber 11 to generate the aerosol as is returned to thechamber 11 when the aerosol is expelled from thecyclone 1. In this way, there is no requirement for thechamber 11 to be vented to atmosphere while the aerosol is generated and there is therefore no risk that any of the medicament will be lost before inhalation by the user. - Although there have been described herein a number of discrete embodiments, the features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be used in combination with the features of other embodiments described herein.
- Although the aerosol of medicament has been described herein as an aerosol of powdered medicament in air, the medicament may be dispersed in any other gas or mixture of gases, as required.
Claims (20)
1. An inhaler comprising:
a chamber having a mouthpiece;
a cyclone arranged to eject an aerosol of medicament into the chamber; and
a drug dosing device arranged to provide a dose of powdered medicament to the cyclone.
2. An inhaler as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the drug dosing device is arranged to provide a dose of powdered medicament entrained in an airflow to the cyclone.
3. An inhaler as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the cyclone is in the form of a cylinder of a diameter between about 2 and 15 mm.
4. An inhaler as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the diameter of the cylinder is between 4 and 10 mm.
5. An inhaler as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the chamber is comparable in volume to the cyclone.
6. An inhaler as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the chamber has a volume of around 300 ml.
7. An inhaler comprising:
a chamber having a mouthpiece; and
an aerosolizing device having an inlet for taking in an airflow and an outlet for expelling an aerosol into the chamber,
wherein the inlet of the aerosolizing device is connected to the chamber, such that, in use, the airflow is drawn from the chamber to generate the aerosol.
8. An inhaler as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the chamber receives a plunger which is arranged to force air through the aerosolizing device as the plunger moves through the chamber.
9. An inhaler as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the aerosolizing device is mounted on the plunger.
10. An inhaler comprising a chamber having a mouthpiece and a plunger received in the chamber, wherein the plunger is arranged to force air through an aerosolizing device to generate an aerosol of medicament in the chamber for inhalation through the mouthpiece.
11. An inhaler as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the cyclone is in the form of a cylinder of a diameter between about 2 and 15 mm.
12. An inhaler as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the chamber is comparable in volume to the cyclone.
13. An inhaler as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the chamber is comparable in volume to the cyclone.
14. An inhaler as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the chamber is comparable in volume to the cyclone.
15. An inhaler as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the chamber has a volume of around 300 ml.
16. An inhaler as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the chamber has a volume of around 300 ml.
17. An inhaler as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the chamber has a volume of around 300 ml.
18. An inhaler as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the chamber has a volume of around 300 ml.
19. An inhaler as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the chamber has a volume of around 300 ml.
20. An inhaler as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the chamber has a volume of around 300 ml.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/824,612 US20070251524A1 (en) | 1999-06-23 | 2007-06-29 | Inhalers |
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9914722.5 | 1999-06-23 | ||
GB9914722A GB2353222B (en) | 1999-06-23 | 1999-06-23 | Inhalers |
PCT/EP2000/005831 WO2001000262A1 (en) | 1999-06-23 | 2000-06-23 | Inhalers |
US1876801A | 2001-12-17 | 2001-12-17 | |
US11/824,612 US20070251524A1 (en) | 1999-06-23 | 2007-06-29 | Inhalers |
Related Parent Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP2000/005831 Continuation WO2001000262A1 (en) | 1999-06-23 | 2000-06-23 | Inhalers |
US1876801A Continuation | 1999-06-23 | 2001-12-17 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20070251524A1 true US20070251524A1 (en) | 2007-11-01 |
Family
ID=10855942
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/018,768 Expired - Fee Related US7246617B1 (en) | 1999-06-23 | 2000-06-23 | Inhalers |
US11/824,612 Abandoned US20070251524A1 (en) | 1999-06-23 | 2007-06-29 | Inhalers |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/018,768 Expired - Fee Related US7246617B1 (en) | 1999-06-23 | 2000-06-23 | Inhalers |
Country Status (12)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US7246617B1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1191966B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2003503116A (en) |
AT (1) | ATE305321T1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU5534600A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2376868A1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE60022880T2 (en) |
DK (1) | DK1191966T3 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2250145T3 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2353222B (en) |
MX (1) | MXPA01013254A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2001000262A1 (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110120466A1 (en) * | 2008-07-11 | 2011-05-26 | Valois Sas | Powder inhalation device |
US9179691B2 (en) | 2007-12-14 | 2015-11-10 | Aerodesigns, Inc. | Delivering aerosolizable food products |
CN111905205A (en) * | 2020-07-13 | 2020-11-10 | 四川省人民医院 | Inhalant device with adjustable inhalation force |
CN111956919A (en) * | 2020-07-13 | 2020-11-20 | 四川省人民医院 | Inhalation device for an inhalant device with monitoring of the inhalation volume |
CN111956918A (en) * | 2020-07-13 | 2020-11-20 | 四川省人民医院 | Inhalant device facilitating inhalant to enter deep lung |
Families Citing this family (69)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9006175B2 (en) | 1999-06-29 | 2015-04-14 | Mannkind Corporation | Potentiation of glucose elimination |
US7304750B2 (en) | 1999-12-17 | 2007-12-04 | Nektar Therapeutics | Systems and methods for non-destructive mass sensing |
EP1392382B1 (en) * | 2001-05-10 | 2008-08-06 | Vectura Delivery Devices Limited | Inhaler |
GB2375308A (en) * | 2001-05-10 | 2002-11-13 | Cambridge Consultants | Inhalers |
EG24184A (en) * | 2001-06-15 | 2008-10-08 | Otsuka Pharma Co Ltd | Dry powder inhalation system for transpulmonary |
ES2300568T3 (en) | 2002-03-20 | 2008-06-16 | Mannkind Corporation | INHALATION APPARATUS |
DE60330761D1 (en) * | 2002-04-19 | 2010-02-11 | 3M Innovative Properties Co | SPACE FOR THE EARLY REMOVAL OF THE NONINSTATABLE SHARE OF A MEDICAL AEROSOL |
US8122881B2 (en) * | 2002-05-09 | 2012-02-28 | Kurve Technology, Inc. | Particle dispersion device for nasal delivery |
ATE503517T2 (en) * | 2002-07-31 | 2011-04-15 | Chiesi Farma Spa | POWDER INHALER |
AU2006225222B2 (en) * | 2002-07-31 | 2009-01-08 | Chiesi Farmaceutici S.P.A. | Powder inhaler |
WO2004050152A1 (en) * | 2002-12-02 | 2004-06-17 | The Governors Of The University Of Alberta | Device and method for deagglomeration of powder for inhalation |
EA009775B1 (en) * | 2002-12-13 | 2008-04-28 | Оцука Фармасьютикал Ко., Лтд. | Novel dry inhalation system for transpulmonary administration |
GB0327723D0 (en) | 2003-09-15 | 2003-12-31 | Vectura Ltd | Pharmaceutical compositions |
GB2405798A (en) | 2003-09-15 | 2005-03-16 | Vectura Ltd | Dry powder inhaler with primary and secondary piercing elements and a medicament pack for use with an inhalation device. |
SE0302665D0 (en) | 2003-10-07 | 2003-10-07 | Astrazeneca Ab | Novel Process |
DE102004012093A1 (en) * | 2004-03-05 | 2005-09-22 | Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma Gmbh & Co. Kg | Powder inhaler with Merkanaldüse |
MX2007001903A (en) | 2004-08-20 | 2007-08-02 | Mannkind Corp | Catalysis of diketopiperazine synthesis. |
KR101306384B1 (en) | 2004-08-23 | 2013-09-09 | 맨카인드 코포레이션 | Diketopiperazine salts, diketomorpholine salts or diketodioxane salts for drug delivery |
GB0425758D0 (en) | 2004-11-23 | 2004-12-22 | Vectura Ltd | Preparation of pharmaceutical compositions |
GB0427028D0 (en) | 2004-12-09 | 2005-01-12 | Cambridge Consultants | Dry powder inhalers |
CN100431634C (en) * | 2005-04-04 | 2008-11-12 | 陈庆堂 | Dry powder aerosolizing inhalator |
DE102005016102B3 (en) * | 2005-04-08 | 2006-10-26 | Altana Pharma Ag | Device for metering and dry fogging |
JP5465878B2 (en) | 2005-09-14 | 2014-04-09 | マンカインド コーポレイション | Method of drug formulation based on increasing the affinity of crystalline microparticle surfaces for active agents |
GB2433207B (en) | 2006-02-21 | 2009-01-07 | Jianhe Li | Active suction actuated inhalers with timing devices |
CN104383546B (en) | 2006-02-22 | 2021-03-02 | 曼金德公司 | Method for improving the pharmaceutical properties of microparticles comprising diketopiperazines and an active agent |
PL211358B1 (en) * | 2007-06-18 | 2012-05-31 | Przedsiębiorstwo Produkcji Farmaceutycznej Hasco Lek Społka Akcyjna | Inhaler for powder medicines |
PT2082769E (en) | 2008-01-24 | 2015-10-01 | Boehringer Ingelheim Int | Inhaler |
US8485180B2 (en) | 2008-06-13 | 2013-07-16 | Mannkind Corporation | Dry powder drug delivery system |
CN104689432B (en) | 2008-06-13 | 2018-07-06 | 曼金德公司 | Diskus and the system for drug conveying |
JP5479465B2 (en) | 2008-06-20 | 2014-04-23 | マンカインド コーポレイション | Interactive device and method for profiling inhalation efforts in real time |
TWI494123B (en) | 2008-08-11 | 2015-08-01 | Mannkind Corp | Use of ultrarapid acting insulin |
GB0818476D0 (en) | 2008-10-09 | 2008-11-12 | Vectura Delivery Device Ltd | Inhaler |
US8314106B2 (en) | 2008-12-29 | 2012-11-20 | Mannkind Corporation | Substituted diketopiperazine analogs for use as drug delivery agents |
PL2405963T3 (en) | 2009-03-11 | 2014-04-30 | Mannkind Corp | Apparatus, system and method for measuring resistance of an inhaler |
EP2440184B1 (en) | 2009-06-12 | 2023-04-05 | MannKind Corporation | Diketopiperazine microparticles with defined specific surface areas |
WO2011056889A1 (en) | 2009-11-03 | 2011-05-12 | Mannkind Corporation | An apparatus and method for simulating inhalation efforts |
CA2780138A1 (en) | 2009-11-24 | 2011-06-03 | Gilead Sciences, Inc. | Inhaled fosfomycin/tobramycin for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
WO2011081937A1 (en) | 2009-12-15 | 2011-07-07 | Gilead Sciences, Inc. | Corticosteroid-beta-agonist-muscarinic antagonist compounds for use in therapy |
US10857311B2 (en) | 2010-01-12 | 2020-12-08 | Omega Life Science Ltd. | Method and apparatus for producing fine concentrated aerosol |
EP2523711B1 (en) * | 2010-01-12 | 2017-08-09 | Omega Life Science Ltd | A method and apparatus for producing fine concentrated aerosol |
US8974771B2 (en) * | 2010-03-09 | 2015-03-10 | Penn-Century, Inc. | Apparatus and method for aerosol delivery to the lungs or other locations of the body |
WO2011143106A1 (en) | 2010-05-10 | 2011-11-17 | Gilead Sciences, Inc. | Bi - functional pyrazolopyridine compounds |
UY33372A (en) | 2010-05-10 | 2011-12-30 | Gilead Sciences Inc | ? QUINOLINA BI? FUNCTIONAL ANALOGS, ITS USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MEDICINES, COMPOSITIONS THAT UNDERSTAND AND PREPARATION PROCESSES ?. |
RU2571331C1 (en) | 2010-06-21 | 2015-12-20 | Маннкайнд Корпорейшн | Systems and methods for dry powder drug delivery |
TW201304822A (en) | 2010-11-15 | 2013-02-01 | Vectura Ltd | Compositions and uses |
TW201306847A (en) | 2010-11-30 | 2013-02-16 | Vectura Ltd | Compositions and uses |
DK2694402T3 (en) | 2011-04-01 | 2017-07-03 | Mannkind Corp | BLISTER PACKAGE FOR PHARMACEUTICAL CYLINDER AMPULS |
WO2012154483A1 (en) | 2011-05-06 | 2012-11-15 | Gilead Sciences, Inc. | Dry powder fosfomycin/tobramycin formulation for inhalation |
WO2012174472A1 (en) | 2011-06-17 | 2012-12-20 | Mannkind Corporation | High capacity diketopiperazine microparticles |
AR086745A1 (en) | 2011-06-27 | 2014-01-22 | Parion Sciences Inc | 3,5-DIAMINO-6-CHLORINE-N- (N- (4- (4- (2- (HEXIL (2,3,4,5,6-PENTAHYDROXIHEXIL)) AMINO) ETOXI) PHENYL) BUTIL) CARBAMIMIDOIL) PIRAZINA -2-CARBOXAMIDE |
AU2012328885B2 (en) | 2011-10-24 | 2017-08-31 | Mannkind Corporation | Methods and compositions for treating pain |
KR102109223B1 (en) | 2012-05-29 | 2020-05-11 | 패리온 사이언스 인코퍼레이티드 | Dendrimer like amino amides possessing sodium channel blocker activity for the treatment of dry eye and other mucosal diseases |
AU2013289957B2 (en) | 2012-07-12 | 2017-02-23 | Mannkind Corporation | Dry powder drug delivery systems and methods |
WO2014066856A1 (en) | 2012-10-26 | 2014-05-01 | Mannkind Corporation | Inhalable influenza vaccine compositions and methods |
PE20151054A1 (en) | 2012-12-17 | 2015-08-07 | Parion Sciences Inc | CHLORINE-PIRAZINE CARBOXAMIDE DERIVATIVES WITH BLOCKING ACTIVITY ON THE EPITHELIAL SODIUM CHANNELS |
CA2896686A1 (en) | 2012-12-17 | 2014-06-26 | Parion Sciences, Inc. | 3,5-diamino-6-chloro-n-(n-(4-phenylbutyl)carbamimidoyl) pyrazine-2- carboxamide compounds |
RU2018138195A (en) | 2012-12-17 | 2018-12-18 | Пэрион Сайенсиз, Инк. | COMPOUNDS 3,5-DIAMINO-6-CHLORO-N- (N- (4-Phenylbutyl) Carbamimidoyl) Pyrazine-2-Carboxamide |
WO2014106727A1 (en) | 2013-01-03 | 2014-07-10 | Vectura Limited | Inhaler and formulation |
EP3587404B1 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2022-07-13 | MannKind Corporation | Microcrystalline diketopiperazine compositions, methods for preparation and use thereof |
GB201305813D0 (en) | 2013-03-28 | 2013-05-15 | Vectura Ltd | Compositions and methods |
GB201305825D0 (en) | 2013-03-28 | 2013-05-15 | Vectura Ltd | New use |
BR112016000937A8 (en) | 2013-07-18 | 2021-06-22 | Mannkind Corp | dry powder pharmaceutical formulations, method for making a dry powder formulation and use of a dry powder pharmaceutical formulation |
JP2016530930A (en) | 2013-08-05 | 2016-10-06 | マンカインド コーポレイション | Ventilation device and method |
WO2015148905A1 (en) | 2014-03-28 | 2015-10-01 | Mannkind Corporation | Use of ultrarapid acting insulin |
GB201408561D0 (en) * | 2014-05-14 | 2014-06-25 | The Technology Partnership Plc | Aerosolisation engine for liquid drug delivery |
US10561806B2 (en) | 2014-10-02 | 2020-02-18 | Mannkind Corporation | Mouthpiece cover for an inhaler |
JP6739424B2 (en) | 2014-10-13 | 2020-08-12 | オメガ ライフ サイエンス リミテッド | Atomizer and its use |
EP3727535A4 (en) * | 2017-12-18 | 2021-09-08 | National University of Singapore | Spacer device for an inhaler and method of manufacture thereof |
MX2021012723A (en) * | 2019-04-18 | 2022-01-31 | Jon Greenfield | Positive pressure inhaler for delivery of inhalable medication and methods for use. |
Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4452239A (en) * | 1980-03-25 | 1984-06-05 | Hilal Malem | Medical nebulizing apparatus |
US5469843A (en) * | 1991-11-12 | 1995-11-28 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Inhalation device |
US5476093A (en) * | 1992-02-14 | 1995-12-19 | Huhtamaki Oy | Device for more effective pulverization of a powdered inhalation medicament |
US5596982A (en) * | 1994-05-19 | 1997-01-28 | Paul Ritzau Pari-Werk Gmbh | Apparatus for drying and buffering aerosols |
US5755221A (en) * | 1990-09-12 | 1998-05-26 | Bisgaard; Hans | Aerosol inhaler with piston dump |
US5775320A (en) * | 1991-07-02 | 1998-07-07 | Inhale Therapeutic Systems | Method and device for delivering aerosolized medicaments |
US5787881A (en) * | 1993-02-27 | 1998-08-04 | Fisons Plc | Inhalation device |
US6347629B1 (en) * | 1996-12-18 | 2002-02-19 | Innovata Biomed Limited | Powder inhaler |
US6655379B2 (en) * | 1998-03-16 | 2003-12-02 | Nektar Therapeutics | Aerosolized active agent delivery |
Family Cites Families (42)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR1445520A (en) | 1965-04-05 | 1966-07-15 | Method and apparatus for mixing gas with solid particles | |
US3653380A (en) * | 1970-02-16 | 1972-04-04 | American Cyanamid Co | Aerosol powder dosage dispensing device |
US3809084A (en) * | 1970-02-16 | 1974-05-07 | American Cyanamid Co | Pressurized portable dispenser |
US3726484A (en) | 1971-10-15 | 1973-04-10 | Du Pont | Stepped fluid energy mill |
US3980074A (en) * | 1973-07-18 | 1976-09-14 | Beecham Group Limited | Device for the administration of powders |
FR2352556A1 (en) | 1976-05-26 | 1977-12-23 | Pasteur Institut | Nasal and oral powder inhaler for medicines etc. - uses cyclone chamber to entrain powder into air stream |
DE2722701A1 (en) | 1977-05-16 | 1978-11-23 | Schering Ag | Bronchography inhalation device - with contrast dust vortex chamber, antechamber and valves in mouthpiece |
DE3167567D1 (en) | 1980-06-06 | 1985-01-17 | Fisons Plc | Inhalation device for powdered medicaments |
DE3043377A1 (en) * | 1980-11-17 | 1982-07-01 | Brugger, Inge, 8130 Starnberg | SPRAYER |
SE453566B (en) | 1986-03-07 | 1988-02-15 | Draco Ab | POWDER INHALATOR DEVICE |
IT1222509B (en) | 1987-08-17 | 1990-09-05 | Miat Spa | INSUFFLATOR FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF DRUGS IN THE FORM OF PRE-DOSED POWDER IN OPERATIONS |
DE407028T1 (en) | 1989-05-31 | 1994-03-17 | Fisons Plc | Medicament and inhalation device therefor. |
FI84698C (en) | 1989-06-16 | 1992-01-10 | Huhtamaeki Oy | ANORDINATION FOR FINANCING OF AGGLOMERIA AV EN ENKELDOS AV ETT LAEKEMEDELPREPARAT I PULVERFORM. |
NZ238489A (en) | 1990-06-14 | 1995-09-26 | Rhone Poulenc Rorer Ltd | Inhaler with capsule in swirling chamber: capsule pierced in chamber |
WO1993002729A1 (en) * | 1990-07-12 | 1993-02-18 | Habley Medical Technology Corporation | Super atomizing nonchlorinated fluorocarbon medication inhaler |
IT1244441B (en) | 1990-09-13 | 1994-07-15 | Chiesi Farma Spa | MOUTH INHALATION DEVICE FOR AEROSOL DRUGS |
GB9027234D0 (en) * | 1990-12-15 | 1991-02-06 | Harris Pharma Ltd | An inhalation device |
DE59107894D1 (en) * | 1991-03-21 | 1996-07-11 | Ritzau Pari Werk Gmbh Paul | Nebulizers, in particular for use in devices for inhalation therapy |
GB9115340D0 (en) | 1991-07-16 | 1991-08-28 | Univ Leeds | Nebuliser |
DE4211475A1 (en) | 1991-12-14 | 1993-06-17 | Asta Medica Ag | POWDER INHALATOR |
DE4142238A1 (en) * | 1991-12-20 | 1993-06-24 | Boehringer Ingelheim Kg | POWDER INHALATOR WITH POWDER SUPPORT FROM REGULAR MICROSTRUCTURES |
EP0632734B1 (en) * | 1992-03-25 | 1998-06-10 | Tebro S.A. | Powder jet dispenser for medicament inhalation therapies |
US5785049A (en) | 1994-09-21 | 1998-07-28 | Inhale Therapeutic Systems | Method and apparatus for dispersion of dry powder medicaments |
IL106930A0 (en) * | 1992-09-08 | 1993-12-28 | Norton Healthcare Ltd | Medicament dispensing device |
DE4237568C1 (en) * | 1992-11-06 | 1994-05-11 | Dieter Dipl Ing Dr Med Koehler | Method and device for producing an aerosol |
CZ287848B6 (en) | 1992-12-18 | 2001-02-14 | Schering Corp | Inhalator of powder substances |
US5524613A (en) * | 1993-08-25 | 1996-06-11 | Habley Medical Technology Corporation | Controlled multi-pharmaceutical inhaler |
US5388572A (en) * | 1993-10-26 | 1995-02-14 | Tenax Corporation (A Connecticut Corp.) | Dry powder medicament inhalator having an inhalation-activated piston to aerosolize dose and deliver same |
US5513630A (en) * | 1995-03-08 | 1996-05-07 | Century; Theodore J. | Powder dispenser |
DE19545226C1 (en) * | 1995-12-05 | 1997-06-19 | Boehringer Ingelheim Int | Locking mechanism for a spring-operated output |
US5875774A (en) * | 1996-01-05 | 1999-03-02 | Sunrise Medical Hhg Inc. | Nebulizer |
FR2747311B1 (en) * | 1996-04-10 | 1998-08-14 | Pf Medicament | POWDER AND COMPRESSED AIR INHALER |
GB9719093D0 (en) | 1997-09-10 | 1997-11-12 | Ml Lab Plc | Improvements to dry powder inhalers |
US6073629A (en) * | 1997-09-25 | 2000-06-13 | Norton Healthcare Ltd. | Inhaler spacer |
US6394085B1 (en) * | 1997-09-25 | 2002-05-28 | Norton Healthcare Ltd. | Inhaler spacer |
GB9720283D0 (en) | 1997-09-25 | 1997-11-26 | Norton Healthcare Ltd | Inhaler spacer |
US6003512A (en) | 1997-11-13 | 1999-12-21 | Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute | Dust gun-aerosol generator and generation |
JP3530004B2 (en) | 1998-02-06 | 2004-05-24 | 株式会社日立ユニシアオートモティブ | Inhalation type dispenser |
GB2344533B (en) * | 1998-12-11 | 2000-10-18 | Bespak Plc | Improvements in or relating to dispensing apparatus |
JP3739955B2 (en) | 1999-01-11 | 2006-01-25 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Inhaler |
US6367471B1 (en) * | 1999-11-01 | 2002-04-09 | Sheffield Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | Internal vortex mechanism for inhaler device |
US6810872B1 (en) | 1999-12-10 | 2004-11-02 | Unisia Jecs Corporation | Inhalant medicator |
-
1999
- 1999-06-23 GB GB9914722A patent/GB2353222B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2000
- 2000-06-23 CA CA002376868A patent/CA2376868A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-06-23 AT AT00940401T patent/ATE305321T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2000-06-23 AU AU55346/00A patent/AU5534600A/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-06-23 US US10/018,768 patent/US7246617B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-06-23 DE DE60022880T patent/DE60022880T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-06-23 ES ES00940401T patent/ES2250145T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-06-23 EP EP00940401A patent/EP1191966B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-06-23 MX MXPA01013254A patent/MXPA01013254A/en active IP Right Grant
- 2000-06-23 DK DK00940401T patent/DK1191966T3/en active
- 2000-06-23 WO PCT/EP2000/005831 patent/WO2001000262A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2000-06-23 JP JP2001505969A patent/JP2003503116A/en active Pending
-
2007
- 2007-06-29 US US11/824,612 patent/US20070251524A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4452239A (en) * | 1980-03-25 | 1984-06-05 | Hilal Malem | Medical nebulizing apparatus |
US5755221A (en) * | 1990-09-12 | 1998-05-26 | Bisgaard; Hans | Aerosol inhaler with piston dump |
US5775320A (en) * | 1991-07-02 | 1998-07-07 | Inhale Therapeutic Systems | Method and device for delivering aerosolized medicaments |
US5469843A (en) * | 1991-11-12 | 1995-11-28 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Inhalation device |
US5476093A (en) * | 1992-02-14 | 1995-12-19 | Huhtamaki Oy | Device for more effective pulverization of a powdered inhalation medicament |
US5787881A (en) * | 1993-02-27 | 1998-08-04 | Fisons Plc | Inhalation device |
US5596982A (en) * | 1994-05-19 | 1997-01-28 | Paul Ritzau Pari-Werk Gmbh | Apparatus for drying and buffering aerosols |
US6347629B1 (en) * | 1996-12-18 | 2002-02-19 | Innovata Biomed Limited | Powder inhaler |
US6655379B2 (en) * | 1998-03-16 | 2003-12-02 | Nektar Therapeutics | Aerosolized active agent delivery |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9179691B2 (en) | 2007-12-14 | 2015-11-10 | Aerodesigns, Inc. | Delivering aerosolizable food products |
US20110120466A1 (en) * | 2008-07-11 | 2011-05-26 | Valois Sas | Powder inhalation device |
US8960191B2 (en) * | 2008-07-11 | 2015-02-24 | Aptar France Sas | Powder inhalation device |
CN111905205A (en) * | 2020-07-13 | 2020-11-10 | 四川省人民医院 | Inhalant device with adjustable inhalation force |
CN111956919A (en) * | 2020-07-13 | 2020-11-20 | 四川省人民医院 | Inhalation device for an inhalant device with monitoring of the inhalation volume |
CN111956918A (en) * | 2020-07-13 | 2020-11-20 | 四川省人民医院 | Inhalant device facilitating inhalant to enter deep lung |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2353222B (en) | 2001-09-19 |
MXPA01013254A (en) | 2002-11-04 |
CA2376868A1 (en) | 2001-01-04 |
GB2353222A (en) | 2001-02-21 |
DE60022880D1 (en) | 2005-11-03 |
GB9914722D0 (en) | 1999-08-25 |
US7246617B1 (en) | 2007-07-24 |
EP1191966B1 (en) | 2005-09-28 |
JP2003503116A (en) | 2003-01-28 |
DK1191966T3 (en) | 2006-01-16 |
ES2250145T3 (en) | 2006-04-16 |
DE60022880T2 (en) | 2006-06-14 |
EP1191966A1 (en) | 2002-04-03 |
WO2001000262A1 (en) | 2001-01-04 |
AU5534600A (en) | 2001-01-31 |
ATE305321T1 (en) | 2005-10-15 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US7246617B1 (en) | Inhalers | |
EP1301231B1 (en) | Inhalers | |
US7025056B2 (en) | Assymetric inhaler | |
EP1868670B1 (en) | Device for dosing and dry nebulization | |
AU2007214748B2 (en) | Dry powder inhaler device | |
EP0940154B1 (en) | Device for delivering aerosolized medicaments | |
US20020144680A1 (en) | Method and device for releasing powder | |
US20050263151A1 (en) | Powder inhaler having a nozzle with a plurality of channels | |
JP2010115543A (en) | Method and device for delivering aerosolized medication | |
JP2010046500A (en) | Aerosol medication delivery apparatus and system | |
CA2500262A1 (en) | Powder inhaler | |
EP1446181A2 (en) | Medicament delivery assembly | |
GB2375308A (en) | Inhalers | |
GB2310607A (en) | Spacer device for inhalers | |
WO1999012597A1 (en) | Dry powder aerosol production | |
MXPA06006284A (en) | Portable gas operating inhaler |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |