Dosage inhalator with air flow velocity regulating means
First Claim
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1. A portable dosage inhalator for dispensing to a patient a predetermined amount of a pharmacologically active dry powder compound, comprising:
- a housing defining an air inlet end, said air exit end comprising a nozzle for insertion into the mouth of a patient;
a storage chamber formed within said housing for storing said compound to be dispensed by said inhalator;
a primary air conduit within said housing and defining a venturi therein;
a secondary air conduit within said housing adjacent said primary air conduit;
dose introduction means provided within said housing for transporting a predetermined portion of said compound from said storage chamber to said primary air conduit and releasing said compound therein, said dose introduction means adapted to substantially close said primary air conduit to air flow prior to actuation thereof and to allow for air flow through said primary air conduit subsequent to actuation thereof; and
regulator means positioned in said secondary air conduit for controlling air flow velocity therethrough, said regulator means normally closing said secondary air conduit to air flow and adapted to move between a first position wherein said secondary air conduit is substantially closed and a second position wherein said secondary air conduit is substantially open in response to air pressure differentials created in the venturi of said primary air conduit as a patient inhales through the nozzle of said air exit end of said housing;
whereby said regulator means acts to provide a substantially constant maximum air flow velocity through said inhalator by regulating the air flow through said secondary air conduit during inhalation by a patient.
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Abstract
A breath actuated inhalator having a primary and a secondary air flow conduit wherein regulator means are provided in the secondary air flow conduit to planate maximum air flow velocity through the inhaler. By optimizing air flow and velocity rate, the breath actuated inhalator prevents problems associated with excessive inhalation velocity such as dry powder drug compound impingement upon the outside radius of the throat.
331 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A portable dosage inhalator for dispensing to a patient a predetermined amount of a pharmacologically active dry powder compound, comprising:
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a housing defining an air inlet end, said air exit end comprising a nozzle for insertion into the mouth of a patient; a storage chamber formed within said housing for storing said compound to be dispensed by said inhalator; a primary air conduit within said housing and defining a venturi therein; a secondary air conduit within said housing adjacent said primary air conduit; dose introduction means provided within said housing for transporting a predetermined portion of said compound from said storage chamber to said primary air conduit and releasing said compound therein, said dose introduction means adapted to substantially close said primary air conduit to air flow prior to actuation thereof and to allow for air flow through said primary air conduit subsequent to actuation thereof; and regulator means positioned in said secondary air conduit for controlling air flow velocity therethrough, said regulator means normally closing said secondary air conduit to air flow and adapted to move between a first position wherein said secondary air conduit is substantially closed and a second position wherein said secondary air conduit is substantially open in response to air pressure differentials created in the venturi of said primary air conduit as a patient inhales through the nozzle of said air exit end of said housing; whereby said regulator means acts to provide a substantially constant maximum air flow velocity through said inhalator by regulating the air flow through said secondary air conduit during inhalation by a patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A portable dosage inhalator for dispensing to a patient a predetermined amount of a pharmacologically active dry powder compound, comprising:
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a housing defining an air inlet end and an air exit end, said air exit end comprising a nozzle for insertion into the mouth of a patient; a storage chamber formed within said housing for storing said compound to be dispensed by said inhalator; air conduit within said housing and defining a venturi therein; a secondary air conduit within said housing adjacent said primary air conduit; dose introduction for transporting a predetermined portion of said compound from said storage chamber to said primary air conduit and releasing said compound therein, said dose introduction means adapted to substantially close said primary air conduit to air flow prior to actuation thereof and to allow for air flow through said primary air conduit subsequent to actuation thereof; regulator means positioned in said secondary air conduit for controlling air flow velocity therethrough, said regulator means normally closing said secondary air conduit to air flow and adapted to move between a first position wherein said secondary air conduit is substantially closed and a second position wherein said secondary air conduit is substantially open in response to air pressure differentials created in the venturi of said primary air conduit as a patient inhales through the nozzle of said air exit end of said housing; and actuation means operatively connecting said regulator means and said dose introduction means for actuating said dose introduction means when said regulator means first moves from said normally closed first position toward said second position; whereby said regulator means acts to provide a substantially constant maximum air flow velocity through said inhalator by regulating the air flow through said secondary air conduit during inhalation by a patient. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A portable dosage inhalator for dispensing to a patient a predetermined amount of a pharmacologically active dry powder compound, comprising:
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a housing defining an air inlet end and an air exit end, said air exit end comprising a nozzle for insertion into the mouth of a patient; storing said compound to be dispensed by said inhalator; a primary air conduit within said housing and defining a venturi therein; a secondary air conduit said primary air conduit; dose introduction means provided within said housing for transporting a predetermined portion of said compound from said storage chamber to said primary air conduit and releasing said compound therein, said dose introduction means adapted to substantially close said primary air conduit to air flow prior to actuation thereof and to allow for air flow through said primary air conduit subsequent to actuation thereof; a normally open diaphragm positioned ins aid secondary air conduit and in fluid communication with the venturi of said primary air conduit for controlling air flow velocity therethrough, said diaphragm normally closing said secondary air conduit to air flow and adapted to contract and thereby to move between a first position wherein said secondary air conduit is substantially closed and a second position wherein said secondary air conduit is substantially open in response to air pressure differentials created in the venturi of said primary air conduit as a patient inhales through the nozzle of said air exit end of said housing; and actuation means operatively connecting said regulator means and said dose introduction means for actuating said dose introduction means when said regulator means first moves from said normally closed first position toward said second position; whereby said diaphragm acts to provide a substantially constant maximum air flow velocity through said inhalator by regulating the air flow through said secondary air conduit during inhalation by a patient. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification