Drug dose cartridge for an inhaler device

• US 10,099,020 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2015
• Issued: 10/16/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Syqe Medical Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Syqe Medical Ltd.
• Inventors: Davidson, Perry, Schorr, Aaron, Schwartz, Binyamin, Lifshitz, Roee
• Primary Examiner(s): Ditmer, Kathryn E
• Application Number:
  US15/308,370
• Publication Number:
  US 20170095624A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,204 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/05 Phenols cannabinoids A61K31/658
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/352 condensed with carbocyclic rings, e.g. methantheline cannabinoids A61K31/658
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/465 Nicotine; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 36/185 Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons)
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 36/81 Solanaceae (Potato family), e.g. tobacco, nightshade, tomato, belladonna, capsicum or jimsonweed
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/007 Pulmonary tract; Aromatherapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0073 Sprays or powders for inhalation; Aerolised or nebulised preparations generated by other means than thermal energy; nasal sprays A61K9/0043; inhalation of vapours of volatile or heated drugs, e.g. essential oils or nicotine, A61K9/007; devices A61M
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/02 operated by air or other gas pressure applied to the liquid or other product to be sprayed or atomised sprayers for horticulture A01G, A01H; killing insects A01M; air humidifying by nozzles F24F6/14, F24F6/18; cooling by spraying F28B, F28C
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/041 using heaters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/042 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0001 Details of inhalators; Constructional features thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0003 with means for dispensing more than one drug
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0013 with inhalation check valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0015 located upstream of the dispenser, i.e. not traversed by the product
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/002 with air flow regulating means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0021 Mouthpieces therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0028 using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0045 using multiple prepacked dosages on a same carrier, e.g. blisters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/005 the dosages being arranged on a cylindrical surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0051 the dosages being arranged on a tape, e.g. strips
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0065 : Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices A61M15/0028 takes precedence; dosage devices incorporated in aerosol cans B65D83/52
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0066 : with means for varying the dose size
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0091 : mechanically breath-triggered
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/06 : Inhaling appliances shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/14 : by mixing different fluids, one of them being in a liquid phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/20 : Valves specially adapted to medical respiratory devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0216 : Materials providing elastic properties, e.g. for facilitating deformation and avoid breaking
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3303 : Using a biosensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 : Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 : Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3569 : sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 : using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/36 : related to heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 : User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 : with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 1/00 : Drugs for disorders of the alimentary tract or the digestive system
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 1/04 : for ulcers, gastritis or reflux esophagitis, e.g. antacids, inhibitors of acid secretion, mucosal protectants
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 1/08 : for nausea, cinetosis or vertigo; Antiemetics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 1/14 : Prodigestives, e.g. acids, enzymes, appetite stimulants, antidyspeptics, tonics, antiflatulents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 11/00 : Drugs for disorders of the respiratory system
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 11/06 : Antiasthmatics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 13/10 : of the bladder
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 15/00 : Drugs for genital or sexual disorders for disorders of sex hormones A61P5/24; Contraceptives
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 17/02 : for treating wounds, ulcers, burns, scars, keloids, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 17/04 : Antipruritics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 19/02 : for joint disorders, e.g. arthritis, arthrosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 21/00 : Drugs for disorders of the muscular or neuromuscular system
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/00 : Drugs for disorders of the nervous system
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/04 : Centrally acting analgesics, e.g. opioids
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/08 : Antiepileptics; Anticonvulsants
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/14 : for treating abnormal movements, e.g. chorea, dyskinesia
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/16 : Anti-Parkinson drugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/18 : Antipsychotics, i.e. neuroleptics; Drugs for mania or schizophrenia
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/20 : Hypnotics; Sedatives
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/22 : Anxiolytics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/24 : Antidepressants
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/30 : for treating abuse or dependence
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/32 : Alcohol-abuse
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 27/06 : Antiglaucoma agents or miotics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 29/00 : Non-central analgesic, antipyretic or antiinflammatory agents, e.g. antirheumatic agents; Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs [NSAID]
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/04 : Antibacterial agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/14 : for RNA viruses
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/18 : for HIV
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 35/00 : Antineoplastic agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 35/02 : specific for leukemia
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/10 : for treating ischaemic or atherosclerotic diseases, e.g. antianginal drugs, coronary vasodilators, drugs for myocardial infarction, retinopathy, cerebrovascula insufficiency, renal arteriosclerosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/12 : Antihypertensives
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 1/025 : For medical applications
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/021 : Heaters specially adapted for heating liquids
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/022 : Heaters specially adapted for heating gaseous material
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/04 : Waterproof or air-tight seals for heaters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/265 : the insulating base being an inorganic material, e.g. ceramic H05B3/262 takes precedence

Abstract

Devices and methods are described for preparing, managing, and/or administering metered doses of substances for vaporized administration. In some embodiments, dose cartridges comprising at least one botanical substance include a heating element integrated into the cartridge in close contact with the botanical substance. In some embodiments, cartridge-mounted doses are stored in a magazine, optionally in carousel form, before use. Transport of a cartridge from a magazine to an electrically operated vaporizing chamber which activates the heating element is provided by a mechanical pickup means.

Claims

1. A dose cartridge for an inhaler device, the dose cartridge comprising:

a flat pallet of airflow-permeable material including a heat-vaporizing drug substance, the pallet having two opposing faces and being positioned in the dose cartridge so as to expose the two faces to airflow;

a supporting member coupled to the pallet to support the pallet from at least one side of the pallet joining the two faces; and

an electrically resistive heating element extending at least partially across at least one of the two opposing faces from an attachment with the supporting member;

wherein the resistive heating element is in thermal contact with and extends across at least two opposite surfaces of the pallet and comprises a U-shape with two ends around a hollow in which the pallet is positioned.

2. The inhaler dose cartridge of claim 1, wherein an electrical current flows across the two opposite surfaces when a voltage is applied between said two ends.

3. The inhaler dose cartridge of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the resistive heating element extending across the pallet is permeable to the passage of air.

4. The inhaler dose cartridge of claim 1, wherein a portion of the resistive heating element extending across the pallet comprises a barrier which prevents a granulate portion of the pallet from leaving the inhaler dose cartridge.

5. The inhaler dose cartridge of claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the resistive heating element is embedded in the supporting member.

6. The inhaler dose cartridge of claim 1, wherein the resistive heating unit comprises a woven mesh.

7. The inhaler dose cartridge of claim 1, wherein the resistive heating unit comprises at least one ribbon of etched metal foil.

8. The inhaler dose cartridge of claim 1, wherein said material comprises cannabis.

9. The inhaler dose cartridge of claim 1, wherein said material comprises tobacco.

10. The inhaler dose cartridge of claim 1, comprising a plurality of heating element regions, each region being separately configured to receive electric current.

11. The inhaler dose cartridge of claim 10, wherein the plurality of heating elements is associated with a corresponding plurality of pallets.

12. The inhaler dose cartridge of claim 1, wherein the supporting member comprises a geometry shaped for attachment to the transport arm of a dose puller.

13. The inhaler dose cartridge of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said dose cartridge is configured to allow a flow through said pallet at a rate of at least 0.5 liters of gas per minute under a pulling vacuum of at least 1 kPa.

14. The inhaler dose cartridge of claim 1, wherein the supporting member comprises a hollow region open on at least one of the two faces, said hollow region shaped and sized to contain said pallet.

15. The inhaler dose cartridge of claim 1, wherein the resistive heating element is a metal resistive heating element.

25. The inhaler dose cartridge of claim 1, wherein said supporting member includes said resistive heating element.

16. A dose cartridge for an inhaler device, the dose cartridge comprising:

a flat pallet of airflow-permeable material including a heat-vaporizing drug substance, the pallet having two opposing faces and being positioned in the dose cartridge so as to allow air to flow in through one of said faces, through said pallet, and out the other face;

a supporting member coupled to the pallet to support the pallet from at least one side of the pallet joining the two faces; and

an electrically resistive heating element extending at least partially across at least one of the two opposing faces from an attachment with the supporting member;

wherein a portion of the resistive heating element extending across the pallet comprises a barrier which prevents a granulate portion of the pallet from leaving the inhaler dose cartridge; and

wherein the supporting member comprises a geometry shaped for attachment to a transport arm of a dose puller.

17. The inhaler dose cartridge of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the resistive heating element extending across the pallet is permeable to the passage of air.

18. The inhaler dose cartridge of claim 16, wherein the resistive heating unit comprises at least one ribbon of etched metal foil.

19. The inhaler dose cartridge of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the resistive heating element is embedded in the supporting member.

20. The inhaler dose cartridge of claim 16, wherein said material comprises Cannabis.

21. The inhaler dose cartridge of claim 16, wherein said material comprises tobacco.

22. The inhaler dose cartridge of claim 16, comprising a plurality of heating element regions, each region being separately configured to receive electric current.

23. The inhaler dose cartridge of claim 16, wherein the supporting member comprises a hollow region open on at least one of the two faces;

said hollow region shaped and sized to contain said pallet.

24. The inhaler dose cartridge of claim 16, wherein said pallet comprises granulate that is compressed to a degree of density that allows for the passage of said flow of air through said granulate.