POWDER DISPERSION METHODS AND DEVICES
First Claim
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.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A dry powder inhaler, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 11, 37)
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4. (canceled)
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7-9. -9. (canceled)
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12. A dry powder inhaler, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (13, 20, 21)
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14-19. -19. (canceled)
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22. A dry powder inhaler, comprising:
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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 and a length; a bead housed within the dispersion chamber, the bead 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 chamber, the bead having a third diameter, wherein a ratio between the first diameter and the second diameter is between about 0.40 and 0.66 and the length is between about 2 and 3.5 times larger than the third diameter 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. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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23-24. -24. (canceled)
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27-29. -29. (canceled)
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30. A dry powder inhaler, comprising:
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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; a dispersion chamber that is adapted to receive the airflow and the powdered medicament from the opening of the inlet channel, wherein the airflow is substantially coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the dispersion chamber; 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 chamber; and an outlet channel through which the airflow and powdered medicament exit the inhaler for delivery to a patient.
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31-32. -32. (canceled)
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33. A dry powder inhaler, comprising:
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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, wherein the inlet channel tapers from a first distal shape to a smaller second proximal shape; 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 chamber; and an outlet channel through which the airflow and powdered medicament exit the inhaler for delivery to a patient. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
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36. (canceled)
Specification