Method and apparatus for testing a metered dose inhaler unit
First Claim
1. A testing apparatus for an atomized material delivery device, the testing apparatus comprising:
- (a) a first fixture including a first clamp, the first clamp adjustable between an open position and a closed clamping position;
(b) a second fixture including a second clamp, the second clamp adjustable between an open position and a closed clamping position;
(c) an alignment mechanism removably coupling the first fixture to the second fixture at an aligned position of the testing apparatus; and
(d) an actuation assembly mounted to the first fixture and including a reciprocative member.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A testing apparatus and method for characterizing the aerodynamic particle size of an atomized medicament emitted from a metered dose inhaler unit during testing with a particle characterization device in which the testing apparatus includes a first clamp of a first fixture in removable clamping and locking engagement with a throat, which is in fluid communication with a particle characterization device, a second clamp in removable clamping and locking engagement with a delivery device of the metered dose inhaler unit having a canister, containing atomized medicament, operatively loaded therein, an alignment mechanism that removably couples the first fixture to the second fixture at an aligned position therefore causing the throat to be in fluid communication with the delivery device, and an actuation assembly mounted to the first fixture having means that operatively thrusts the canister into the delivery device of the metered dose inhaler unit, thus releasing atomized medicament.
24 Citations
59 Claims
-
1. A testing apparatus for an atomized material delivery device, the testing apparatus comprising:
-
(a) a first fixture including a first clamp, the first clamp adjustable between an open position and a closed clamping position;
(b) a second fixture including a second clamp, the second clamp adjustable between an open position and a closed clamping position;
(c) an alignment mechanism removably coupling the first fixture to the second fixture at an aligned position of the testing apparatus; and
(d) an actuation assembly mounted to the first fixture and including a reciprocative member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
-
-
39. An apparatus for aligning an atomized material delivery device such as a metered dose delivery unit with a particle characterization device, the apparatus comprising:
-
(a) an inlet conduit;
(b) a first fixture removably secured to the inlet conduit;
(c) an atomized material delivery device having an outlet conduit;
(d) a second fixture removably secured to the delivery device; and
(e) an alignment mechanism intercoupling the first fixture to the second fixture at an aligned position of the apparatus, wherein the inlet conduit fluidly communicates with the outlet conduit at the aligned position of the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
-
-
49. A testing apparatus for providing alignment and automated actuation during particle analysis of an atomized medicament emitted from a delivery device and conducted into a particle characterization device, the testing apparatus comprising:
-
(a) a particle characterization device including an inlet conduit;
(b) a first fixture including a first clamp in removable clamping engagement with the inlet conduit;
(c) a metered dose inhaler unit including a delivery device and a particle-containing canister operatively loaded in the delivery device;
(d) a second fixture including a second clamp in removable clamping engagement with the delivery device of the metered dose inhaler unit;
(e) an alignment mechanism including an alignment post protruding from the first clamp and an alignment bore formed within the second clamp, the alignment post adapted to be engagingly inserted into the alignment bore at an aligned position of the testing apparatus relative to a horizontal line so as to provide fluid communication between the inlet conduit and the delivery device of the metered dose inhaler unit; and
(f) an actuation assembly mounted to the first fixture and including a reciprocative member positioned in operative alignment with the canister, the reciprocative member adapted to thrust the canister into the delivery device to cause the delivery device to release a metered dose of particles from the canister. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
-
-
55. A method for testing the aerodynamic particle size of an atomized medicament comprising:
-
(a) engaging an inlet portion of a particle characterization device with a first fixture;
(b) operatively loading a canister containing particles into an atomized material delivery device;
(c) engaging the delivery device with a second fixture;
(d) effecting an aligned position of the testing apparatus by removably coupling the first fixture to the second fixture so as to provide fluid communication between the inlet conduit and the delivery device; and
(e) actuating the release of particles from the canister. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57, 58, 59)
-
Specification