POWDER INHALER, SYSTEM AND METHODS

• US 20150314086A1
• Filed: 02/20/2015
• Published: 11/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Respira Therapeutics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Respira Therapeutics, Inc.
• Inventors: Curtis, Robert M., Deaton, Dan, Smyth, Hugh, Hannon, James, Xu, Zhen
• Granted Patent: US 10,682,476 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0005 with means for agitating the medicament
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/001 using ultrasonic means
• 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 15/0086 Inhalation chambers
• 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 15/0091 mechanically breath-triggered
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/064 Powder
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback

Abstract

A dry powder inhaler includes a powder storage element configured to hold a powdered medicament and an inlet channel receives powdered medicament from the powder storage element that is entrained in an airflow. The inlet channel has a first diameter and defines an opening. The inhaler includes a dispersion chamber that receives the airflow and the powdered medicament from the opening. The dispersion chamber has a second diameter. The inhaler includes an actuator housed within the dispersion chamber. The actuator oscillates within the dispersion chamber when exposed to the airflow to deaggregate the powdered medicament entrained by the airflow passing through the dispersion chamber. A ratio between the first diameter and the second diameter is between about 0.40 and 0.60 such that an audible sound is produced as the actuator oscillates. The inhaler includes an outlet channel through which the airflow and powdered medicament exit the inhaler.

Claims

1. A dry powder inhaler, comprising:

a powder storage element configured to hold a powdered medicament;

an inlet channel configured to receive powdered medicament from the powder storage element that is entrained in an airflow, the inlet channel having a portion with a first diameter and defining an opening;

a dispersion chamber that is adapted to receive the airflow and the powdered medicament from the opening of the inlet channel, the dispersion chamber having a second diameter;

an actuator housed within the dispersion chamber, the actuator being configured to oscillate within the dispersion chamber when exposed to the airflow to deaggregate the powdered medicament entrained in the airflow passing through the dispersion chamber, wherein a ratio between the first diameter and the second diameter is between about 0.40 and 0.60 such that an audible sound is produced as the actuator oscillates; and

an outlet channel through which the airflow and powdered medicament exit the inhaler for delivery to a patient.

2. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 1, wherein:

the dispersion chamber has a length;

the actuator has a diameter, and

the length of the dispersion chamber is between about 2 and 3.5 times larger than the diameter of the actuator such that an audible sound is produced as the actuator oscillates.

5. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the powdered medicament is packaged in one or more blisters, one or more capsules, or one or more reservoirs.

6. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 5, further comprising a piercing member configured to puncture the one or more blisters or the one or more capsules.

10. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the dispersion chamber defines at least one aperture configured to receive chase air separate from the airflow entering in through the inlet channel.

3-4. -4. (canceled)

7-9. -9. (canceled)

11. A dry powder inhaler, comprising:

a powder storage element configured to hold a powdered medicament;

an inlet channel configured to receive powdered medicament from the powder storage element that is entrained in an airflow, the inlet channel defining an opening;

a dispersion chamber that is adapted to receive the airflow and the powdered medicament from the opening of the inlet channel, the dispersion chamber having a length;

a bead housed within the dispersion chamber, the bead being configured to oscillate within the dispersion chamber when exposed to the airflow so as to deaggregate the powdered medicament entrained by the airflow passing through the dispersion chamber, the bead having a diameter, wherein the length of the dispersion chamber is between about 2 and 3.5 times larger than the diameter of the bead such that an audible sound is produced as the bead oscillates; and

an outlet channel through which the airflow and powdered medicament exit the inhaler for delivery to a patient.

12. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 11, wherein the dispersion chamber has a first end and a second end, and wherein the bead rarely contacts the first end or the second end while oscillating.

13. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 12, wherein the bead is configured to spin along an axis while oscillating along the length of the dispersion chamber.

14. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 12, wherein the bead has a surface finish having an average roughness of between 0.012 and 50 μ

m.

15. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 12, wherein the dispersion chamber comprises one or more ribs configured to restrict circumferential movement of the bead such that motion of the bead is substantially limited to axial movement along the length of the dispersion chamber.

17. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 12, wherein the diameter of the bead is between about 0.5 and 15 mm.

19. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 12, wherein the inlet channel is tapered from a first position to a smaller second position.

16. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

20. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 20, wherein the dispersion chamber defines at least one aperture configured to receive chase air separate from the airflow entering in through the inlet channel.

21. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 20, wherein:

the inlet channel includes a portion with a first diameter;

the dispersion chamber includes a second diameter; and

a ratio between the first diameter and the second diameter is between about 0.40 and 0.60 such that an audible sound is produced as the actuator oscillates.

22. A dry powder inhaler, comprising:

a powder storage element configured to hold a powdered medicament;

a conically shaped inlet channel configured to receive powdered medicament from the powder storage element that is entrained in an airflow;

a dispersion chamber that is adapted to receive the airflow and the powdered medicament from the opening of the inlet channel;

an actuator housed within the dispersion chamber, the actuator being configured to oscillate within the dispersion chamber when exposed to the airflow to deaggregate the powdered medicament entrained by the airflow passing through the dispersion; and

an outlet channel through which the airflow and powdered medicament exit the inhaler for delivery to a patient.

23. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 22, further comprising a retaining member disposed at an end of the dispersion chamber opposite the inlet channel, the retaining member configured to maintain the bead within the dispersion chamber while permitting the airflow to flow to the outlet channel.

24. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 23, wherein the retaining member comprises a wing.

25. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 22, wherein the powdered medicament is contained within a capsule, and wherein the inhaler further comprises a piercing member configured to puncture the capsule and a rotating mechanism configured to rotate the punctured capsule to empty the powdered medicament from the punctured capsule.

28. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 22, wherein the dispersion chamber defines at least one aperture configured to receive chase air separate from the airflow entering in through the inlet channel.

29. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 22, wherein the conically shaped inlet channel comprises a first end that tapers to a smaller second end.

26-27. -27. (canceled)

30. (canceled)