DISPENSING DEVICE (CAT)

• US 20090139517A1
• Filed: 09/24/2008
• Published: 06/04/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH (C.H. Boehringer Sohn AG & Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH (C.H. Boehringer Sohn AG & Co. KG)
• Inventors: WACHTEL, Herbert, RICHTER, Frank
• Granted Patent: US 8,950,396 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/200.230
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/001 Particle size control
• 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 15/0035 Piercing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0045 using multiple prepacked dosages on a same carrier, e.g. blisters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0048 the dosages being arranged in a plane, e.g. on diskettes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0061 using pre-packed dosages having an insert inside
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/064 Powder
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8218 Gas operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2206/16 Rotating swirling helical flow, e.g. by tangential inflows

Abstract

A dispensing device, a storage device and a method are proposed for dispensing a formulation as a spray. The formulation is dispensed by means of a gas stream. To improve the dispensing effect, pressure pulses are generated in the gas stream and/or the direction of gas flow alternates. The formulation is dispensed through a duct. The duct is connected to a storage chamber containing the formulation via a sharp edge or transition portion.

Claims

1. Dispensing device for dispensing a formulation as a spray,

wherein the dispensing device is adapted to receive or comprises a storage device with at least one or multiple, preferably separate and pre-metered doses of the formulation,

wherein the dispensing device comprises a means for pressurizing gas, in particular air, or an air inlet for generating or allowing a gas stream flowing through the storage device for dispensing a dose of the formulation,

wherein the dispensing device is designed such that pressure pulses are generated in the gas stream during dispensing one dose and/or the direction of gas flow alternates during dispensing one dose.

2. Dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing device or means for pressurizing gas comprises a connecting element for supplying pressurized gas or air to the storage device, in particular individually to receptacles or storage chambers of the storage device containing the pre-metered doses of the formulation.

3. Dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element is a hollow needle and/or piercing element.

4. Dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the means for pressurizing gas comprises a preferably manually operated air pump.

5. Dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the means for pressurizing gas comprises a bellows for compressing the gas.

6. Dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the means for pressurizing gas comprises a spring store, in particular a spring, for compressing the gas.

7. Dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing device or storage device or means for pressurizing gas comprises a throttle for throttling the gas stream, preferably just before, within or after to receptacles or storage chambers of the storage device containing the pre-metered doses of the formulation.

8. Dispensing device according to claim 2, wherein the throttle is formed by the connecting element.

9. Dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing device is a dry powder inhaler.

10. Storage device for a dispensing device, with multiple storage members, in particular inserts, each storage member comprising a storage cavity containing a dose of the formulation, and a duct for dispensing the respective dose, the duct having a smaller cross section and/or volume than the storage chamber,

wherein the duct is connected to its associated storage chamber via a sharp edge or transition portion.

11. Storage device according to claim 10, wherein the duct has an at least essentially constant cross section beginning at an entry opening at an inner side wall of the storage chamber.

12. Method for dispensing a formulation as a spray, wherein a gas stream flows through a storage device for dispensing a dose of the formulation,

wherein pressure pulses are generated in the gas stream during dispensing one dose and/or that the direction of gas flow alternates during dispensing one dose.

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein 2 to 5 pressure pulses are generated during dispensing one dose.

14. Method according to claim 12, wherein the pressure of the gas stream decreases at least once by at least 300 kPa/s during dispensing one dose.

15. Method according to claim 12, wherein the gas stream is generated by a bellows, which is compressed by a spring means.

16. Method according to claim 15, wherein the bellows and/or spring means oscillates during dispensing one dose.