Medicament dispenser

• US 20040099676A1
• Filed: 07/17/2003
• Published: 05/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited (Glaxosmithkline Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited (Glaxosmithkline Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Rand, Paul Kenneth, Harvey, Stephen James, Farr, Philip William, Anderson, Gregor John McLennan
• Granted Patent: US 6,880,722 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 221/25
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0026 Hinged caps
• 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 15/0068 Indicating or counting the number of dispensed doses or of remaining doses
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0078 on a strip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/008 Electronic counters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/02 with activated or ionised fluids, e.g. electrohydrodynamic [EHD] or electrostatic devices; Ozone-inhalators with radioactive tagged particles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/062 Desiccants
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/064 Powder
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0266 Shape memory materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/10 with powered movement mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3306 Optical measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/505 Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6054 Magnetic identification systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/80 voice-operated command
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 : battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/06 : Packaging for specific medical equipment

Abstract

There is provided a medicament dispenser for dispensing medicament comprising: a body; a holder, shaped to fit within the body and movable relative to the body; and receivable by said holder, a cassette containing a medicament carrier, wherein movement of the holder relative to the body results in movement of the cassette between a first position and a second position such that the cassette is reversibly removable from the holder when the cassette is in the second position.

Claims

1. A medicament dispenser for dispensing medicament comprising:

a body;

a holder, shaped to fit within said body and movable relative to the body; and

receivable by said holder, a cassette containing a medicament carrier,

wherein movement of the holder relative to the body results in movement of the cassette between a first position and a second position such that the cassette is reversibly removable from the holder when the cassette is in the second position.

2. A medicament dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the first position comprises a dispensing position.

3. A medicament dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the second position comprises a non-dispensing position.

4. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the holder and body include attachment means to attach the holder to the body.

5. A medicament dispenser according to claim 4, wherein said attachment means comprise a pin and hole system.

6. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the holder is pivotally movable relative to the body.

7. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the holder is rotationally movable relative to the body.

8. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the holder is slidably movable relative to the body.

9. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the holder additionally comprises a stop to limit movement of the holder relative to the body.

10. A medicament dispenser according to claim 9, wherein two distinct stop positions are defined corresponding to the dispensing and non-dispensing positions respectively.

11. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the holder additionally comprises a retainer for retaining the cassette therewithin.

12. A medicament dispenser according to claim 11, wherein the retainer comprises a catch.

13. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the holder includes a guide for guiding the insertion of the cassette into the holder.

14. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the cassette additionally comprises a dispensing outlet.

15. A medicament dispenser according to claim 14, wherein the dispensing outlet is retractable.

16. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 15, wherein the cassette is shaped to prevent incorrect insertion into the holder.

17. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 16, wherein the medicament carrier is in a form selected from the group consisting of capsule;

a tablet carrier;

an aqueous container;

an aerosol container; and

a dry powder container.

18. A medicament dispenser according to any of claim 17, wherein the medicament carrier comprises a container for a reservoir of dry powder.

19. A medicament dispenser according to claim 17, wherein the medicament carrier comprises an elongate carrier.

20. A medicament dispenser according to claim 19, wherein the medicament carrier comprises an elongate strip formed from a base sheet having a plurality of recesses spaced along its length and a lid sheet peelably sealed in superposed relationship thereto to define a plurality of blisters, each for containing medicament therein.

21. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 20, wherein the cassette additionally comprises an internal mechanism for acting on the medicament carrier there within.

22. A medicament dispenser according to claim 21, wherein the internal mechanism comprises an indexer for indexing the medicament carrier.

23. A medicament dispenser according to claim 21, wherein the internal mechanism comprises a mover for moving the medicament carrier.

24. A medicament dispenser according to claim 23, wherein the internal mechanism comprises access means for accessing the medicament carrier.

25. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 21 to 24, wherein the body or holder additionally comprises a drive mechanism for driving at least part of the internal mechanism of the cassette.

26. A medicament dispenser according to claim 25, wherein the drive mechanism is a manual drive mechanism.

27. A medicament dispenser according to claim 25, wherein the drive mechanism is a powered drive mechanism.

28. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 21 to 27, wherein said internal mechanism comprises:

a) an opening station for receiving a medicament carrier of the cassette, said medicament carrier having plural individual medicament containers;

b) an indexer for indexing an individual medicament container of the medicament carrier for receipt by said opening station;

c) an opener for opening said indexed individual medicament container; and

d) a dispensing outlet, positioned to communicate with said opened container.

29. A medicament dispenser according to claim 28, wherein the medicament carrier comprises a peelable blister strip comprising a base sheet and lid sheet which may be peeled apart to uncover a pocket in the base sheet and the opener comprises peeling means for engaging said base sheet and said lid sheet for peeling apart the base sheet and lid sheet.

30. A medicament dispenser according to claim 29, wherein said peeling means includes lid driving means for pulling the lid sheet apart from the base sheet.

31. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 28 to 30, wherein said indexer comprises a rotatable index wheel having recesses therein, said index wheel engaging the medicament carrier such that one or more of said recesses each receive an individual medicament container.

32. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 28 to 31, wherein the indexer comprises an index ratchet which is moveable between a locked position whereby said ratchet engages a pocket on said medicament carrier and prevents further peeling thereof, and a release position allowing free movement of said medicament carrier.

33. A medicament dispenser according to claim 32, wherein actuation of the medicament dispenser actuates the lid driving means of the opener to release said index ratchet from said medicament carrier to allow peeling thereof.

34. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 30 to 33, wherein said lid driving means comprise a wheel on which the lid sheet is wound up.

35. A medicament dispenser according to claim 34, wherein said wheel comprises a plurality of resiliently flexible arms each extending therefrom at an angle with respect to a radius.

36. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 30 to 33, wherein said lid driving means comprises a mangle.

37. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 30 to 33, wherein said lid driving means comprises a roller.

38. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 30 to 33, wherein the lid driving means comprise a lid spool on which the lid sheet is wound up.

39. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 38, wherein the cassette comprises a first chamber for holding the medicament carrier when charged with medicament and a second chamber to receive the medicament carrier after release of medicament therefrom.

40. A medicament dispenser according to claim 39 wherein said first chamber and said second chamber are separated by a wall.

41. A medicament dispenser according to claim 40, wherein said wall is movable to adjust the respective size of the first and second chambers.

42. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 41, additionally comprising an actuation counter for counting the number of actuations of the indexer.

43. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 42, additionally comprising a dose release counter for counting the number of dose releases from the cassette.

44. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 43, additionally comprising an electronic data management system.

45. A medicament dispenser according to claim 44, additionally comprising in association with the body, a first transceiver for transmitting and receiving data and in association with the medicament carrier, a second transceiver for transmitting and receiving data, wherein data is transferable in two-way fashion from the first transceiver to the second transceiver.

46. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 45, wherein at least a portion of the body is shaped for ease of grip by the user.

47. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 46, wherein the holder includes a thumb or finger grip.

48. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 47, wherein operation of the dispenser may be performed with one hand.

49. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 1 to 48, wherein said medicament carrier is carrying medicament.

50. A medicament dispenser according to claim 49, wherein the medicament is selected from the group consisting of albuterol, salmeterol, fluticasone propionate and beclomethasone dipropionate and salts or solvates thereof and any combination thereof.

51. A medicament dispenser according to claim 50, wherein the medicament comprises salmeterol xinafoate and fluticasone propionate.

52. A medicament dispenser according to any of claims 49 to 51, wherein the medicament additionally comprises an excipient.

53. A medicament dispenser according to claim 52, said excipient is a sugar.

54. Use of a medicament dispenser according to any of claims 49 to 53 for dispensing medicament.

55. A medicament dispenser in kit of parts form comprising

(a) a body;

a holder, shaped to fit within said body and movable relative to said body; and

within said holder a receiving station for receipt of a cassette; and

(b) a cassette containing a medicament carrier,

wherein the cassette is receivable by the receiving station and movement of the holder relative to the body results in movement of the cassette between a first position and a second position such that the cassette is reversibly removable from the receiving station when the cassette is in the second position.

56. A kit of parts according to claim 55, wherein the cassette includes an internal mechanism for acting on said medicament carrier.

57. A kit of parts according to claim 56, wherein the internal mechanism comprises an indexer for indexing the medicament carrier.

58. A kit of parts according to claim 56, wherein the internal mechanism comprises a mover for moving the medicament carrier.

59. A kit of parts according to claim 56, wherein the internal mechanism comprises access means for accessing the medicament carrier.

60. A kit of parts according to any of claims 56 to 59, wherein the body or holder additionally comprises a drive mechanism for driving at least part of the internal mechanism of the cassette.

61. A kit of parts according to claim 61, wherein the drive mechanism is a manual drive mechanism.

62. A kit of parts according to claim 61, wherein the drive mechanism is a powered drive mechanism.