SAFETY AND ABUSE DETERRENT IMPROVED DEVICE

• US 20090211576A1
• Filed: 10/02/2008
• Published: 08/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Joerg Grosser, Juergen Ernst Pfrang, Matthew Young, Timo Lehtonen, Udo Leuschner
• Original Assignee: Joerg Grosser, Juergen Ernst Pfrang, Matthew Young, Timo Lehtonen, Udo Leuschner
• Inventors: Leuschner, Udo, Lehtonen, Timo, Grosser, Joerg, Pfrang, Juergen Ernst, Young, Matthew
• Application Number:
  US12/244,617
• Publication Number:
  US 20090211576A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/203.120
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/00 Inhalators drug delivery in endotracheal tubes A61M16/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0081 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/009 using medicine packages with incorporated spraying means, e.g. aerosol cans pocket atomiser of the injector type A61M11/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/276 preventing unwanted use

Abstract

Modifications of an inhaler and method of use thereof are described. In some embodiments, an inhaler may include one or more systems and/or methods that function to inhibit a child from accessing medicant from an inhaler. A system may function to inhibit a child from accessing an opening of an inhaler from which medicants are dispensed. In some embodiments, a system may inhibit a child from removing a cap for an inhaler. A system may function to inhibit a child from actuating an activation mechanism for an inhaler. A system may function to inhibit a user and/or a child from accidentally actuating an activation mechanism for an inhaler multiple times possibly resulting in an overdose. A system may function to inhibit an activation mechanism for an inhaler from actuating after the activation mechanism has been actuated a predetermined number of times. An inhaler may include a security fitting which functions to permanently plug an inhaler once a prescribed user is finished with the inhaler.

Claims

1-3. -3. (canceled)

4. An inhaler, comprising:

an inhaler body comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion comprises a dispenser opening configured to dispense a dose of medicant upon activation of the inhaler body, and wherein the inhaler body is activated by rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion; and

a dispensing lock configured to inhibit rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion of the inhaler when the dispensing lock is in a first locked position, wherein when the dispensing lock is in a second unlocked position rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion of the inhaler is allowed.

5-9. -9. (canceled)

10. An inhaler, comprising:

an inhaler body comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion comprises a dispenser opening configured to dispense a dose of medicant upon activation of the inhaler body, and wherein the inhaler body is activated by rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion; and

a cap configured to couple to the first portion of the inhaler body, and wherein the cap is further configured to inhibit access to the dispenser opening when coupled to the first portion of the inhaler body, wherein the cap comprises an elongated member positionable in the dispenser opening when the cap is coupled to the inhaler body, and wherein the elongated member is configured to inhibit loading of more than one dose of medicant when the elongated member is positioned in the dispenser opening; and

a multiple dose inhibitor system configured to inhibit activation of the inhaler body when the cap is uncoupled from the inhaler body.

11-36. -36. (canceled)

37. An inhaler, comprising:

an inhaler body comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion comprises a dispenser opening configured to dispense a dose of medicant upon activation of the inhaler body, and wherein the inhaler body is activated by rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion, wherein two or more recesses are positioned on opposing sides of an exterior surface of the first portion of the inhaler body;

a cap comprising two or more tabs positionable in two or more of the recesses such that when the tabs are positioned in the recesses the cap is coupled to the first portion of the inhaler body such that children are inhibited from accessing the dispenser opening;

a dispensing lock configured to inhibit rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion of the inhaler when the dispensing lock is in a first locked position, wherein when the dispensing lock is in a second unlocked position rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion of the inhaler is allowed;

a cap configured to couple to the proximal end of the inhaler body, and wherein the cap is further configured to inhibit access to the dispenser opening when coupled to the proximal end of the inhaler body, wherein the cap comprises an elongated member positionable in the dispenser opening when the cap is coupled to the inhaler body, and wherein the elongated member is configured to inhibit loading of more than one dose of medicant when the elongated member is positioned in the dispenser opening;

a multiple dose inhibitor system configured to inhibit activation of the inhaler body when the cap is uncoupled to the inhaler body;

a dose limitation system configured to inhibit activation of the inhaler body after the inhaler body has been activated a predetermined number of times; and

a security fitting positionable in the dispenser opening, wherein the security fitting is configured to inhibit access to medicant positioned in the inhaler body when the security fitting is positioned in the dispenser opening.

39. The inhaler of claim 37, further comprising a release configured to allow a user to move the dispensing lock from the first locked position to the second unlocked position.

41. The inhaler of claim 37, further comprising:

a second portion cover configured to inhibit access to the contents of the second portion of the inhaler body;

a cam positioned in the second portion cover, wherein the cam comprises a cam track comprising a channel substantially circling the cam; and

a reservoir positioned in the cam, wherein the reservoir is configured to contain two or more doses of medicant, and wherein the reservoir comprises a cam tracker which extends in the cam track such that as the reservoir is rotated relative to the cam, the cam tracker moves through the cam track;

wherein when the dispensing lock is in the first locked position a lock arm of the dispensing lock engages the cam tracker inhibiting the reservoir from rotating and activating the inhaler body.

42. The inhaler of claim 41, wherein the lock arm comprises:

a first engager configured to engage the cam tracker, when the dispensing lock is in a first locked position, at a first position inhibiting the reservoir from rotating beyond the first position and activating the inhaler body; and

a second engager configured to engage the cam tracker, when the dispensing lock is in a first locked position, at a second position inhibiting the reservoir from rotating beyond the second position and activating the inhaler body.

43. The inhaler of claim 37, wherein the multiple dose inhibitor system comprises a locking pin configured to inhibit rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion when in a first locked position.

44. The inhaler of claim 43, wherein the cap, when coupled to the first portion, moves the locking pin from the first locked position to second unlocked position when the first portion is rotated relative to the second portion.

46. The system inhaler of claim 37, further comprising:

a second portion cover configured to inhibit access to the contents of the second portion of the inhaler body;

a cam positioned in the second portion cover;

a reservoir positioned in the cam, wherein the reservoir is configured to contain two or more doses of medicant, and wherein the cam comprises an elongated member coupled to a distal end of the cam; and

a dose counter comprising a threaded counter coupled to the cam and the second portion cover, wherein the dose counter comprises a sprocket coupled to the distal end of the threaded counter, and wherein the dose counter comprises an indicator coupled to the threaded counter via a threaded opening in the indicator;

wherein when the first portion is rotated the reservoir is rotated a minimum degree such that the elongated member engages the sprocket rotating the threaded counter, and wherein when the threaded counter rotates the indicator moves vertically along the threaded counter towards the distal end of the second portion cover.

47. The inhaler of claim 46, wherein when the indicator moves a predetermined distance a release coupled to the indicator engages a spring lock coupled to the distal end of the second portion cover, and wherein when the released spring lock engages a second elongated member coupled to a distal end of the reservoir such that the reservoir and the first portion are inhibited from rotating relative to the second portion.

48. The inhaler of claim 47, wherein the security fitting is configured to inhibit a cap from coupling to the inhaler body when the security fitting is positioned in the dispenser opening.

49. The inhaler of claim 47, wherein the security fitting comprises a frangible portion configured to break upon application of excessive removal force to the security fitting once positioned in the dispenser opening.

51. The inhaler of claim 47, wherein the security fitting comprises a cover positioned at the proximal end of the security fitting, and wherein the cover is configured to fit over the dispenser opening.

52. The inhaler of claim 47, wherein the security fitting comprises a cover positioned at the proximal end of the security fitting, and wherein the cover is configured to fit over the dispenser opening and inhibit a cap from coupling to the inhaler body when the security fitting is positioned in the dispenser opening.

53. The inhaler of claim 47, wherein the security fitting comprises a cover positioned at the proximal end of the security fitting, and wherein the cover comprises one or more fluid paths configured to allow fluids to move through the fluid paths.

56. The inhaler of claim 47, wherein the security fitting comprises a cover positioned at the proximal end of the security fitting, and wherein the cover comprises one or more seal inhibitors configured to inhibit a seal being formed around the cover by a users lips when the security fitting is positioned in the dispenser opening.

58. The inhaler of claim 47, wherein the security fitting comprises a sealing member configured to inhibit removal of medicant from the inhaler.

60. The inhaler of claim 47, wherein the security fitting comprises one or more retention members configured to inhibit the removal of the security fitting once positioned.

61. The inhaler of claim 47, wherein the security fitting comprises one or more retention members configured to inhibit the removal of the security fitting once positioned, wherein a distal end of one or more of the retention members is coupled to a distal end of the security fitting, wherein a proximal end of one or more of the retention members, when in a first position, extends out and away from the security fitting.

38. (canceled)

40. (canceled)

45. (canceled)

50. (canceled)

54. (canceled)

55. (canceled)

57. (canceled)

59. (canceled)

62. (canceled)

63. (canceled)