Container for medicament powder

• US 20030140923A1
• Filed: 11/20/2002
• Published: 07/31/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GSK LLC
• Original Assignee: GSK LLC
• Inventors: Golden, Michael Harry, Taylor, Anthony James
• Granted Patent: US 7,828,150 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/203.12
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0043 Non-destructive separation of the package, e.g. peeling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0045 using multiple prepacked dosages on a same carrier, e.g. blisters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0051 the dosages being arranged on a tape, e.g. strips
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0055 the used dosages being coiled
• 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 2202/062 Desiccants
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/064 Powder
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/06 Packaging for specific medical equipment
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/266 for absorbing gases, e.g. oxygen absorbers or desiccants B65D51/244, B65D51/30 take precedence

Abstract

There is provided a container for a medicament powder formed from a material comprising a desiccant. In one embodiment the container is a medicament dispenser comprising a body defining a reservoir for medicament in powder form, and an outlet in communication with said reservoir. In another embodiment the container is a medicament dispenser comprising a body defining a chamber for receipt of a medicament carrier, and an outlet in communication with said chamber. Methods of controlling moisture flow are also described.

Claims

1. A container for a medicament powder formed from a material comprising a desiccant.

2. A container according to claim 1, wherein said container is an medicament dispenser comprising a body defining a reservoir for medicament in powder form, and an outlet in communication with said reservoir for release of medicament therefrom.

3. A container according to claim 1, wherein the container is an medicament dispenser comprising a body defining a chamber for receipt of a medicament carrier, and an outlet in communication with said chamber for release of medicament therefrom.

4. A container according to either of claims 2 or 3, wherein said body consists of said material comprising said desiccant.

5. A container according to either of claims 2 or 3, wherein said body comprises said material comprising said desiccant.

6. A container according to either of claims 2 or 3, wherein the material comprising the desiccant coats the body.

7. A container according to either of claims 2 or 3, wherein the material comprising the desiccant is impregnated throughout the body.

8. A container according to either of claims 2 or 3, wherein the material comprising the desiccant lines the body.

9. A container according to claim 1, wherein the container is a medicament carrier.

10. A container according to claim 9 or 3, wherein said medicament carrier is a capsule comprising a wall enclosing the medicament.

11. A container according to claim 9 or 3, wherein the medicament carrier is a blister pack comprising a base sheet and a lid.

12. A container according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the medicament carrier comprises a material comprising a desiccant.

13. A container according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the material comprising the desiccant coats said wall, or said base sheet, or said lid of the medicament carrier.

14. A container according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the material comprising the desiccant impregnates the wall, or base sheet, or lid of the medicament carrier.

15. A container according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the material comprising the desiccant lines the wall, or base sheet, or lid of the medicament carrier.

16. A container according to any of claims 11 to 15, wherein a well containing desiccant surrounds individual pockets in said blister packs.

17. A container according to any of claims 11 to 16, wherein the blister pack comprises a laminate comprising a desiccant.

18. A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the material comprising the desiccant is an organic polymeric plastic.

19. A container according to claim 18, wherein said organic polymeric plastic is a polyamide.

20. A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the desiccant is selected from the group consisting of silica gel, zeolite, alumina, bauxite, anhydrous calcium sulphate, activated bentonite clay, water-absorbing clay, molecular sieve and any mixtures thereof.

21. A container according to any of claims 1 to 20 additionally comprising a medicament in dry powder form.

22. A container according to claim 21, wherein said medicament is suitable for the treatment of respiratory disorders.

23. A container according to either of claims 21 or 22, wherein said medicament is salmeterol xinafoate.

24. A container according to either of claims 21 or 22, wherein said medicament is fluticasone propionate.

25. A container according to either of claims 21 or 22, wherein said medicament is a combination of salmeterol xinafoate and fluticasone propionate.

26. A method of reducing water ingress into a medicament powder comprising using a container for a medicament powder according to any of the preceding claims.

27. A package for storage of a container for a medicament powder formed from a material capable of controlling the ingress of moisture thereto or egress of moisture therefrom.

28. A package according to claim 27, wherein the material is capable of controlling the ingress or egress of moisture such that the moisture content within the package is essentially constant.

29. A package according to either of claims 27 or 28, wherein the material enables moisture transfer in one way only.

30. A package according to any of claims 27 to 29, wherein the material enables moisture transfer to a set maximum or minimum level within the package.

31. A package according to any of claims 27 to 29, wherein the material enables moisture transfer within a set maximum or minimum transfer rate.

32. A package according to any of claims 27 to 31, wherein said package is wrappable and sealable around the container to form an enclosed volume in which the container is disposed, thereby controlling ingress or egress of moisture.

33. A package according to claim 32, additionally comprising a desiccant within the enclosed volume.

34. A package according to claim 33, wherein said desiccant is selected from the group consisting of silica gel, zeolite, alumina, bauxite, anhydrous calcium sulphate, activated bentonite clay, water-absorbing clay, molecular sieve and any mixtures thereof.

35. A package according to any of claims 27 to 34 wherein the package includes at least one heat sealable layer and at least one layer of a metal foil.

36. A package according to claim 35, wherein the metal comprising said metal foil is selected from the group consisting of aluminium, tin, iron, zinc and magnesium.

37. A package according to claim 36, wherein the package includes protective layers located on the outside of the package.

38. A package according to claim 37, wherein said protective layer comprises a polyester film and said heat sealable layer comprises an ionomer film.

39. A method of storing a container for a medicament powder comprising

providing a packaging material which is capable of controlling the flow of water vapour;

filling a container with a medicament powder;

wrapping said container with said package material to form an enclosed volume in which said container is disposed therein; and

sealing the package.

40. A method of storing a container for a medicament powder according to claim 39, additionally comprising providing a desiccant within the enclosed volume.

41. A method according to either of claims 39 or 40, wherein said sealing comprises sealing said packaging material using a method selected from the group consisting of heat sealing, ultrasonic welding, laser welding, adhesive sealing and heat stamping.

42. A packaged container, comprising

a container containing a medicament powder;

and

an overwrap package enclosing said container and a desiccant;

wherein said container and said desiccant are sealable within said overwrap.

43. A packaged container according to claim 42, wherein said container is formed from a material comprising a desiccant.

44. A packaged powder medicament dispenser comprising

a medicament dispenser for a medicament powder;

and

an overwrap package enclosing said medicament dispenser and a desiccant,

wherein said medicament dispenser and said desiccant are sealable within said overwrap.

46. A packaged powder medicament dispenser according to either of claims 44 or 45, wherein said desiccant is selected from the group consisting of silica gel, zeolite, alumina, bauxite, anhydrous calcium sulphate, activated bentonite clay, water-absorbing clay, molecular sieve, zinc chloride and any mixtures thereof.

45. A packaged powder medicament dispenser comprising an medicament dispenser for a medicament powder;

and

an overwrap package enclosing said medicament dispenser,

wherein said overwrap comprises desiccant.

47. A container for a medicament powder formed from a material capable of controlling the ingress of moisture thereto or egress of moisture therefrom.

48. A container according to claim 47, wherein the material is capable of controlling the ingress or egress of moisture such that the moisture content within the package is essentially constant.

49. A container according to either of claims 47 or 48, wherein the material enables moisture transfer in one way only.

50. A container according to any of claims 47 to 49, wherein the material enables moisture transfer to a set maximum or minimum level within the package.

51. A container according to any of claims 47 to 49, wherein the material enables moisture transfer within a set maximum or minimum transfer rate.