Medicament dispenser

• US 20040035420A1
• Filed: 01/03/2003
• Published: 02/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Smithkline Beecham Corporation (GSK plc)
• Original Assignee: Smithkline Beecham Corporation (GSK plc)
• Inventors: Rand, Paul Kenneth, Davies, Michael Birsha
• Application Number:
  US10/311,559
• Publication Number:
  US 20040035420A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/203.15
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0026 Hinged caps
• 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 15/0065 Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices A61M15/0028 takes precedence; dosage devices incorporated in aerosol cans B65D83/52
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0071 having a display or indicator
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/008 Electronic counters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0081 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/064 Powder

Abstract

There is provided a medicament dispenser for dispensing medicament comprising a body having a dispensing outlet; within said body, a medicament container for containing medicament; a dose mover reversibly movable from an initial position to a dispensing position in which the medicament is presented at the dispensing outlet; and a dispensing outlet cover, movable relative to the body from a storage position in which the dispensing outlet is covered to an in-use position in which the dispensing outlet is exposed, wherein the movement of the outlet cover from the storage position to the in-use position is coupled to the movement of the a dose mover from the initial position to the dispensing position.

Claims

1. A medicament dispenser for dispensing medicament comprising

a body having a dispensing outlet;

within said body, a medicament container for containing medicament;

a dose mover reversibly movable from an initial position to a dispensing position in which the medicament is presented at the dispensing outlet; and

a dispensing outlet cover, movable relative to the body from a storage position in which the dispensing outlet is covered to an in-use position in which the dispensing outlet is exposed,

wherein the movement of the outlet cover from the storage position to the in-use position is coupled to the movement of the dose mover from the initial position to the dispensing position.

2. A medicament dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said medicament container is suitable for containing a reservoir of medicament, and said dose mover comprises a dose meter reversibly movable from an initial position wherein said dose meter communicates with the medicament container to receive a metered amount of medicament therefrom to a dispensing position in which the dose meter communicates with the dispensing outlet.

3. A medicament dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the dose meter comprises a metering recess having a form selected from the group consisting of an indent, a hemispherical cup, an elongate passage and a groove.

4. A medicament dispenser according to either of claims 2 or 3, additionally comprising urging means to urge medicament in the reservoir to a reservoir outlet of the medicament container that communicates in the initial position with the dose meter.

5. A medicament dispenser according any of claims 2 to 4, wherein one or more seals are provided between the dose meter and the medicament container.

6. A medicament dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said medicament container is a medicament carrier suitable for carrying one or more discrete medicament doses, and the dose mover comprises a mechanism for presenting at least one discrete medicament dose to a dispensing position in which the at least one discrete medicament dose communicates with the dispensing outlet.

7. A medicament dispenser according to claim 6, wherein the carrier is in the form of a blister pack.

8. A medicament dispenser according to either of claims 6 or 7, wherein the carrier is in the form of an elongate strip.

9. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the dose mover incorporates or is coupled to a dose liberator for liberating the at least one medicament dose from the carrier.

10. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 6 to 9, additionally comprising a dose protector to protect the at least one medicament dose at the dispensing position.

11. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 10, additionally comprising a mechanism to prevent reverse movement of the dose mover prior to delivery of the dose.

12. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 11, additionally comprising a mechanism to empty the dose mover during reverse movement thereof.

13. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the dose mover and the outlet cover are movable in a common fashion.

14. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the medicament container is defined by the body.

15. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the medicament container is defined by an insert part.

16. A medicament dispenser according to claim 15, wherein the insert comprises a cartridge which is reversibly locatable within the body.

17. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 16, wherein the dose mover and/or outlet cover are provided with a safety trigger mechanism to prevent accidental movement thereof.

18. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 17, additionally comprising a mechanical or electronic dose counter.

19. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 18, wherein the outlet cover is manually movable.

20. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 19, additionally comprising a desiccant material located therein.

21. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 20 in the form of an inhaler device, wherein the dispensing outlet defines a mouthpiece.

25. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 22, wherein the medicament container is charged with medicament.

26. A medicament dispenser according to claim 25, wherein the medicament is in a form selected from the group consisting of dry powder, liquid, solution, gaseous, suspension, tablet, capsule and nebule.

27. A medicament dispenser according to claim 26 additionally wherein the medicament is in dry powder form.

28. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 25 to 27, wherein the medicament is suitable for the treatment of respiratory disorders.

29. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 25 to 28, wherein the medicament is salmeterol xinafoate.

30. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 25 to 28, wherein the medicament is fluticasone propionate.

31. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 25 to 28, wherein the medicament is a combination of salmeterol xinafoate and fluticasone propionate.

22. A reloadable medicament dispenser for dispensing medicament comprising a body having a dispensing outlet;

within said body, a loading position for reversible receipt of a cartridge comprising a medicament container for containing medicament;

a dose mover reversibly movable from an initial position to a dispensing position in which the medicament is presented at the dispensing outlet; and

a dispensing outlet cover, movable relative to the body from a storage position in which the dispensing outlet is covered to an in-use position in which the dispensing outlet is exposed, wherein the movement of the outlet cover from the storage position to the in-use position is coupled to the movement of the dose mover from the initial position to the dispensing position.

23. A cartridge reload comprising a medicament container, wherein said cartridge reload is reversibly receivable by the reloadable medicament dispenser of claim 22.

24. Kit of parts comprising the reloadable medicament dispenser of claim 22 and the cartridge reload of claim 23.