Apparatus for dispensing pressurized contents
First Claim
1. A container for dispensing pressurized contents, comprising:
- a vessel suited to contain pressurized contents;
a port integral with the vessel and through which pressurized contents contained in the vessel can be released from the vessel; and
a measuring device associated with the vessel, wherein the measuring device is capable of sensing an amount of the pressurized contents within the vessel and arranged to output a signal representative of the amount of the pressurized contents within the vessel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Containers for incrementally dispensing pressurized contents are described. The containers comprise a vessel suited to contain pressurized contents, a port integral with the vessel and through which pressurized contents contained in the vessel can be released from the vessel, preferably incrementally in approximately equal amounts, and a measuring device disposed in or otherwise associated with the vessel such that the quantity or amount of contents in the vessel can be measured or assessed. The measuring device senses ambient conditions in the vessel and, directly or with other components, indicates, for example, the amount of pressurized contents remaining in the vessel and displaying it to an observer. With appropriate ancillary components, the measuring device also enables the amount of contents actually released from the vessel during a particular actuation to be compared to a theoretical constant. Also, additionally, the devices of the invention may also include time logging capability (alone or in conjunction with the capability to log other data) the actuation of the dispensing valve for comparison to a prescribed method. Accordingly, devices for incrementally dispensing pressurized contents from such containers are also described. Such devices further comprise a metering value for dispensing pressurized contents from the vessel. In preferred embodiments, each actuation of the metering valve results in release of a pre-determined quantity of the vessel contents. For example, in embodiments wherein the pressurized contents comprise a therapeutic composition, the instant devices include improved Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs) for delivery of predetermined doses of a therapeutic composition to a patient, wherein the MDIs provide for sensing of the amount, for example, of the therapeutic composition remaining in the vessel after each actuation of the metering valve.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A container for dispensing pressurized contents, comprising:
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a vessel suited to contain pressurized contents;
a port integral with the vessel and through which pressurized contents contained in the vessel can be released from the vessel; and
a measuring device associated with the vessel, wherein the measuring device is capable of sensing an amount of the pressurized contents within the vessel and arranged to output a signal representative of the amount of the pressurized contents within the vessel. - 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)
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32. An apparatus for incrementally dispensing a therapeutic composition for inhalation by a patient, comprising:
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a. a container, comprising;
i. a vessel containing a therapeutic composition stored under pressure, wherein the therapeutic composition comprises a therapeutic agent and a physiologically acceptable carrier;
ii. a port integral with the vessel and through which at least a portion of the therapeutic composition can be released from the vessel; and
iii. a measuring device associated with the vessel, wherein the measuring device is capable of sensing an amount of the therapeutic composition within the vessel and arranged to output a signal representative of the amount of the therapeutic composition within the vessel;
b. a metering valve functionally associated with the port for dispensing a pre-determined dose of the therapeutic composition from the vessel; and
c. a dispenser functionally associated with the metering value such that at least a portion of the therapeutic composition can be dispensed from the container upon actuation of the metering value by the dispenser.
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33. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the dispenser forms a portion of a housing that supports the container, and wherein the housing further comprises a transfer channel to direct inhalation of the pre-determined dose of the therapeutic composition by the patient.
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34. An apparatus for incrementally dispensing a therapeutic composition for inhalation by a patient, comprising:
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a. a container, comprising;
i. a vessel containing a therapeutic composition stored under pressure, wherein the therapeutic composition comprises a therapeutic agent and a physiologically acceptable carrier;
ii. a port integral with the vessel and through which at least a portion of the therapeutic composition can be released from the vessel; and
iii. a measuring device associated with the vessel, wherein the measuring device is capable of sensing an amount of the therapeutic composition within the vessel and arranged to output a signal representative of the amount of the therapeutic composition within the vessel;
b. a metering valve functionally associated with the port for dispensing a pre-determined dose of the therapeutic composition from the vessel;
c. a dispenser functionally associated with the metering value such that at least a portion of the therapeutic composition can be dispensed from the container upon actuation of the metering value by the dispenser; and
d. circuitry configured to receive the signal output from the measuring device and process the signal to produce a result representative of the amount of the therapeutic composition within the vessel. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification