FLUID FLOW REGULATING DEVICE
First Claim
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1. A fluid flow regulating mechanism, comprising:
- a) a housing, having proximal and distal ends and inlet and outlet orifices respectfully defining a flow channel;
b) an essentially planar elastic element disposed within said housing and flow channel, said elastic element comprising proximal and distal ends, wherein said elastic element proximal end is anchored to said housing;
c) a regulating element on the distal end of said elastic element that can occlude said flow channel by deflection perpendicular to the flow through the outlet orifice in response to air velocity around said elastic element;
d) a positioning component which abuts said elastic element distal end, for positioning said elastic element near the distal end of said housing, wherein said positioning component prevents said elastic element from moving to block the flow channel until air velocity passing over said elastic element exceeds a predetermined threshold.
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Abstract
A fluid flow regulating mechanism designed particularly for use in connection with aerosolized drug delivery devices is disclosed. The mechanism includes a housing, planar elastic element, regulating element and positioning component. The elements of the device are configured in a manner such that a flow channel through the housing is opened or closed depending on the flow rate of fluid through a flow channel.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A fluid flow regulating mechanism, comprising:
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a) a housing, having proximal and distal ends and inlet and outlet orifices respectfully defining a flow channel; b) an essentially planar elastic element disposed within said housing and flow channel, said elastic element comprising proximal and distal ends, wherein said elastic element proximal end is anchored to said housing; c) a regulating element on the distal end of said elastic element that can occlude said flow channel by deflection perpendicular to the flow through the outlet orifice in response to air velocity around said elastic element; d) a positioning component which abuts said elastic element distal end, for positioning said elastic element near the distal end of said housing, wherein said positioning component prevents said elastic element from moving to block the flow channel until air velocity passing over said elastic element exceeds a predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for intrapulmonary drug delivery of a drug to a patient, comprising the steps of:
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inhaling air through an opening; detecting the rate of flow of the air through the opening; regulating the rate of flow through the opening within a desired range; and actuating a trigger signal to release an aerosolized formulation comprising a pharmaceutically active drug and allowing the aerosol to flow through the opening to a patient when the regulated flow rate is within a desired range. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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Specification