FLOW REGULATING INHALER DEVICE
First Claim
1. A method of flushing drug residues from a conduit of an inhaler device, the device comprising at least a first conduit for conducting a carrier airflow which delivers at least one drug substance to a user, the method comprising:
- allowing air to be drawn into said first conduit during inhalation;
during a first time period within said inhalation, heating a drug dose to release said drug substance into said carrier airflow for delivering to said user, while regulating a rate of said carrier airflow according to a target profile;
during a second time period within said inhalation, after heating has terminated, allowing increased carrier airflow through said first conduit, said increased carrier airflow sufficient to flush drug residues from said first conduit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Some embodiments of the invention relate to an inhaler device for pulmonary delivery of at least one substance from a drug dose cartridge to an inhaling user, comprising: a first conduit for conducting a carrier airflow to a proximal opening of a mouthpiece for use by the user; a holder configured to position the dose cartridge within the carrier airflow; and a second conduit for conducting a shunting airflow to the mouthpiece without passing through the dose cartridge position. In some embodiments, a controller connected to a valve controls a rate of carrier airflow, for example by controlling the shunting airflow, based on a sensor indication of airflow rate and a target airflow profile.
43 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of flushing drug residues from a conduit of an inhaler device, the device comprising at least a first conduit for conducting a carrier airflow which delivers at least one drug substance to a user, the method comprising:
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allowing air to be drawn into said first conduit during inhalation; during a first time period within said inhalation, heating a drug dose to release said drug substance into said carrier airflow for delivering to said user, while regulating a rate of said carrier airflow according to a target profile; during a second time period within said inhalation, after heating has terminated, allowing increased carrier airflow through said first conduit, said increased carrier airflow sufficient to flush drug residues from said first conduit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An inhaler device for delivering at least one drug substance to a user, the device comprising:
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a drug dose from which at least one drug substance is released by heating; a first conduit which carries a carrier airflow including said at least one drug substance; and a controller programmed with a schedule according to which heating is actuated to heat said drug dose, and, following termination of said heating, to allow increased carrier airflow through said first conduit;
said increased carrier airflow sufficient to flush drug residues from said first conduit. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification